A/N Any feedback, reviews and even flames are all appreciated! Enjoy! XD

Chapter 1: The Problem

"The wind feels nice," Hayato grinned.

It was a sweltering summer so Ryu and Hayato sat on a park bench in the shade of some neighbouring trees, dazedly watching the sunset. The dying rays of sun didn't hinder the other occupants of the park. Little kids recklessly swung up and down on the swings, slid hazardously down the slides and scampered around like tiny savage mutants running amok in their own territory. Hayato watched on transfixed at the sight of incredible energy and smiled nostalgically, remembering those carefree days of innocence and happy-go-luckiness and fun and-

days without longing, pathetic feelings for a best friend.

Frustrated, Hayato ran a hand through his scraggy tresses and glanced at the oblivious dilemma sitting next to him. Forget the songs and the movies; love was a total pain in the ass. Every time Ryu briefly touched Hayato, every time Ryu said his name, every time Ryu freaking smiled, it was like an automatic trigger for flu symptoms. Hayato's heart would pump like there was no tomorrow, his face would go red and his palms would start to sweat.

It was sick. It was unfair.

Welcome to my life Hayato thought glumly and sighed.

At the abrupt sigh, Ryu looked at Hayato with a frown.

"S'nothing," Hayato said slumping back into the bench and smiled weakly. "Just a little tired."

"Bullshit," Ryu muttered, suddenly glaring, and sat up sharply. "You've been sighing all week. You've been staring in the distance, not eating properly…"

Ryu hesitated and concern slowly filled his chocolate eyes. "What the hell's wrong with you?"

Hayato tugged his collar and cleared his throat, trying his best not to blush under Ryu's scrutiny.

"I – I just…." Hayato stammered, searching around for a distraction, trying to find a sufficient lie. He racked his brains, trying to find anything, just anything, to fill in the doubt in Ryu's eyes.

"Have you ever been in love?" Hayato asked instead.

Did I just SAY that aloud?!

Hayato froze as the sheer stupidity of his words hit him and he winced. Man, he was stupid! He wanted to reel back his words back into his dumb mouth, lock it, burn the key until it became an unusable lump of metal and throw it away. Ryu was smart. Really smart. It wouldn't take long for him to connect the dots and realise what was truly bothering Hayato.

Hayato took a small glance at Ryu and gulped. Sure enough, Ryu was staring at him, like he had gone completely insane, and then Ryu slowly opened his mouth. Hayato winced and closed his eyes, preparing himself for the worst case scenario.

"You're not on drugs, are you?"

Hayato looked at Ryu incredulously. The git actually looked concerned. "Of course not!" Hayato yelled indignantly. "Just asking! Geez…"

"Hmm…"

Ryu's face scrunched up as he thought over the question, and Hayato resisted the mad urge to glomp him. Ryu always looked incredibly cute whenever he thought about something difficult. And when he studied. And when he ate food and- oh god Hayato was so whipped.

Disheartened, Hayato relaxed a little and turned towards the sky, waiting for Ryu's reply. With a face like Ryu's, Hayato was sure Ryu had his own share of crushes and lovers. Maybe he even knew a method on how to get over them. Hayato knew he really needed a one. Fast.

"Why?"

The question caught Hayato off guard. He whipped around and searched Ryu's impassive face. Sure enough, his eyes were twinkling with glee and his mouth was twitching at the corner.

Hayato cursed softly and tried to remedy the situation.

"Ummmm…you see…"

"You're in love." Ryu drawled.

Hayato turned red with embarrassment and cringed.

Ryu's crimson hair whipped around wildly as his creamy throat tilted his head backwards. Hayato caught a glimpse of his full face, his eyes scrunched up with mirth, his cerise lips revealing a set of white perfect teeth, just a second before Hayato actually heard his laugh.

The gentle chuckles eased Hayato's mortification and he found himself smiling despite himself. It was moments like these, small perfect moments that kept him going on through the day. Hayato knew Ryu would never accept him as a lover. So Hayato just had to pretend everything was fine and continue doing anything to have Ryu always by his side.

Hiding his grin and with mock annoyance, Hayato shoved Ryu off the park bench. Ryu landed awkwardly on his bottom and glared at Hayato but it turned into a shit-eating grin.

"It's a boy, isn't it?"

"Yeah," Hayato whispered, his face lightening up like a tomato. He looked at his palms, suddenly finding them interesting. But mustering some courage, he took a timid glimpse at Ryu.

Ryu didn't look disgusted or shocked or anything. He looked as though he expected it. And something else. He looked almost…somewhat… pleased.

Wistful thinking, Hayato told himself firmly.

Ryu grinned. "Is it - ?"

"Shut up." Hayato interrupted and returned to his unexpectedly fascinating hands.

Ryu paused and then shrugged. "Whatever," he replied with a small smile and turned back to face the sun.

Please review and share your thoughts! I am going to keep it as close as I can to the actual characters. :D