The young bishop in training was supposed to be sleeping, but he'd snuck out of the room after Hakuren fell fast asleep to wander around the church. In his pajamas, he sat on the the short wall at one of the outside halls of the church, staring at the hidden moon, the reincarnation of his best friend perched on his shoulder.
"Mikage..."
He heard footsteps approaching, and looked over to see Labrador walking over to him. "Having trouble sleeping, Teito-kun?"
Teito bowed his head. "Yeah."
Labrador put a hand on his free shoulder. "You should try to get some rest, you have a lot of training in the morning."
"I know." Teito replied blankly.
"Come," Labrador said, "Let me escort you back to your room and I'll give you something to help you sleep."
Teito sighed. Sure, he was tired but... "Okay." He hopped off the wall and followed Labrador down the hall back to his room. When they got there, Teito let them in and found Hakuren sound asleep in his bed, facing them. Labrador looked at Teito and motioned to his bed, so Teito walked over and sat there, watching as the bishop moved to the boy's nightstand, picking up a glass of water he'd had sitting there. He pulled out a small, light blue colored flower he'd had resting in a pocket and placed it in the water. Smiling, he handed the glass to Teito and whispered, "This should help you get the night's rest that you need."
Teito stared down idly at the glass as Mikage jumped off his shoulder and onto his pillow. "Pyaaaa," it sounded like a whine. Teito didn't respond.
Labrador tilted his head and whispered to Teito, "What's the matter? It tastes sweet. Just give it a try."
"Sleep won't make me feel any better. It doesn't take any of the pain away." Teito said down to the glass in a normal tone of voice, as if oblivious to the sleeping Hakuren just a few feet away. He felt a tear form and start to run down his cheek. He didn't even care to wipe it away.
But suddenly, he felt soft lips on his cheek, kissing the tear away. Teito gasped a little and blinked when he realized what Labrador was doing. "Please drink it," Labrador pleaded. "You need your rest, Teito-kun. It's good for your heart."
Still shocked, Teito replied with, "Uh, okay." He put the glass to his lips and drank. Labrador was right, it did taste sweet, whatever it was. He drank the whole glass quickly.
Labrador smiled at him. "Sleep well." He turned and left the room before Teito could form into words what he wanted to say. Not that he had any idea what he wanted to say....
"What is it with you and the bishops?" It was Hakuren. Teito jumped at the sound of his voice. Guess he hadn't been asleep after all. He'd been lying there and had seen the whole thing.
Teito touched his cheek where Labrador had kissed him, face bright red and warm. "W-what's that supposed to mean?"
"You're a strange kid. What makes you so special?" Hakuren asked, staring at Teito with steady eyes.
"Nothing!" Teito replied defensively. "What's the matter, jealous?"
Hakuren rolled his eyes. "No way." He immediately rolled over and turned his back to Teito. Teito thought he heard him sigh, but he wasn't sure.
"Goodnight, Hakuren." Teito offered.
"Yeah. 'Night," Hakuren replied, his tone short.
Teito laid down and curled up into his blankets, snuggling Mikage, confused at both Labrador and Hakuren. The more time he spent at the church, the less he understood the people in it, it seemed like.