A/N: My second little drabble for the Loveless manga, literally years after the first.. You never know when inspiration strikes... Anyway, this is totally made up, but this is kinda what I wish will happen in the series...

Words: 240
Characters: Soubi, Ritsuka
Time: Any
Genre: Friendship

Disclaimer: Everything you recognize belongs to Yun Kouga. Not me.


Ritsuka's hands trembled at the collar of Soubi's shirt.

"What is it, Ritsuka?"

"There's something I need to know."

The boy bit his lip, his ears flat against his head. Only because Soubi knew him so well was he able to realize that Ristuka was on the verge of tears. Slowly, painstakingly, each button of Soubi's shirt was undone, and then Ritsuka pushed it away so that it clung only to his forearms, and Soubi's bare chest was exposed.

Ritsuka's head was nearly level with his heart. He had grown taller recently.

"Look," he said. Soubi glanced down.

There, above his heart, in small, delicate script, was the word Loveless.

Soubi's eyes widened. When had this happened?

Ritsuka pulled his own shirt over his head. His chest bore the same mark.

"But I… I was a blank fighter. Seimei gave me my name. I was blank. I was Beloved."

"And now you are Loveless," Ritsuka said. "You're mine."

Soubi stared at the small, petulant boy gazing up at him, daring him to argue. When he blinked, a silver thread appeared in his vision, surrounding him and Ritsuka in sparkling, vibrant light. He trailed his fingers along the fine line until his hand reached Ritsuka's skin.

"I have always been yours," Soubi murmured. He felt Ritsuka's arms slide around his waist and tighten. Bending slightly, he placed his own around the boy's shoulders, gentle and careful. Ritsuka squeezed him harder.

"Good."