The first time Satoshi hadn't meant to kiss him. It had simply happened. Perhaps he'd had one too many beers at the bar. Who knew why, but the simple fact was that he had let his legendary self control slip.

Daisuke's lips were soft.

That was the first thought that tumbled it's way across his brain. Oh, he knew how soft they were, but that memory had faded some over time, and really that hadn't even been a proper kiss. Mouth to mouth resuscitation didn't really lend itself to romance, no matter what others might think.

The second thing he comprehended was the rational voice in his brain screaming at him. What do you think you're doing you absolute idiot? You're kissing Daisuke. As he pushed back in horror at his own actions a third thought occurred to him.

Daisuke had been kissing him back.

Satoshi didn't even allow himself time to process that thought. Apologies tumbled out, his words tripping over each other. He stared down at the ground, unable to look at Daisuke, afraid that he'd see rejection in his face.

"It's alright Satoshi." Daisuke's hand patted his shoulder awkwardly. "We both just probably had too much to drink."

"Yeah." Satoshi grabbed the out given to him.

The second time there wasn't even the hint of alcohol to throw blame on. It happened at the end of one of Daisuke's art shows. The lights had been turned out, the gallery owner locking the doors. Satoshi was walking next to Daisuke out to their cars, letting his shoulder brush against Daisuke's in a very unobtrusive fashion. Daisuke had pushed back and from there it had degraded into a juvenile shoving match that had ended with Daisuke's back pressed against his car.

Satoshi had realized their very compromising position. The very nearness of Daisuke's body, his warmth, breath, his smile tempted him. It was that smile that completely undermined Satoshi's determination to not repeat the mistake of his earlier kiss.

Once again Daisuke didn't struggle or attempt to push him away.

When Satoshi pulled back Daisuke's eyes were closed. Slowly they opened and met Satoshi's gaze.

"Satoshi."

His name coming from Daisuke's lips in such a breathless tone instigated the third kiss.

The fourth kiss didn't happen until several weeks later. Satoshi decided it would be best to stay away from Daisuke for a while to try and reclaim his self control in regards to the other man.

Of course, the memory of the kisses he had shared only fired his dreams with new lust. More often then not he found himself waking hard and aching, needing release.

He was not prepared when Daisuke paid him a surprise visit.

"Why are you avoiding me?"

Satoshi didn't answer. The real answer was just too humiliating and lies seemed redundant.

"Was it because you kissed me?" Daisuke demanded. "Is that reason you won't talk to me or even look at me? Damn it Satoshi, I'm not the air, don't ignore me."

Satoshi clenched his fists. "I'm sorry." His words sounded wooden.

"If that's all that's bothering you…."

Hands grabbed his shirt, jerked him close, Warm lips pressed hard against his own. The fourth kiss.

Daisuke pushed him back, glaring at him. "Now, we're even. I kissed you, so you can't use that as an excuse to avoid me anymore."

"An excuse…" Satoshi found he could still speak in a somewhat coherent fashion. He stopped, cleared his throat, adjusted his glasses. "And I wouldn't call us even by any means. After all you only kissed me once. By my count I've kissed you three times already."

"You would have to be such a literalist." Daisuke shook his head, gripped Satoshi shirt again and kissed him two more times. "There, satisfied?"

"Maybe." Satoshi threw away his inhibitions. "But I think you should try it again. Those last two were rather rushed."

Daisuke sighed and leaned toward him. The seventh kiss was as breathtaking as the first one had been.

After that Satoshi stopped counting.