Yusuke wrapped his hand around the paper cup, relishing in the warmth it emitted. He leaned in and inhaled, a half smile forming on his face at the rich smell. Keiko loved the smell of coffee.

"Do you feel better?" a voice asked. Yusuke's gaze shifted upwards to the man from before.

Yusuke gave him a half-smile. "Yeah," he replied as the man slipped into the chair across from his table. "Thanks."

The other man smiled in reply. "That's a relief to hear," he said.

The two shared a companionable silence between them, punctured by the minute sound of occasional sips of drinks until a tinkle of a bell sounded. Yusuke glanced over as another drenched customer came through the door. He was heading towards their general direction, until a worker moved to intercept him. The worker, a girl of nineteen maybe, smiled apologetically at the customer and gestured to the carpeted floor of their area and the customer's drenched clothes. Then she waved to the other side, where the floor was not covered, and the customer nodded understandingly and headed to the other direction.

Yusuke blinked at the interaction and looked down at himself, realizing he himself was probably as drenched, if not more than, the customer. "Crap," he said, standing, the relaxing atmosphere around them evaporating. "Sorry," he said as he slipped off the seat. A quick glance told him the carpeted floor where he was previously sitting had a dark puddle and the seat where he sat was covered with droplets of water.

He reached for his coffee next, wrapping his hand around it. But before he could pull it closer to him, another hand covered his own. Yusuke's eyes found the long haired man's, before shifting to the hand that was on his. The other man, realizing, smiled apologetically and withdrew his hand. Yusuke was free to walk away then, but he was pinned by the other's gaze.

"It's alright," the other man said. "Please sit back down. I know the owner. Besides, I was the one who led you here."

Yusuke shook his head. "Nah," he said, finally tugging his drink towards him. "I should go."

Yusuke was stopped by a hand. "Please," the other man said. "Don't leave just yet because of this. If you feel bad for that," the man said, gesturing to the mini puddle. The corner of his lips quirked as his hand swept to the side across from Yusuke sat, where there was a much smaller, yet there puddle as well. His smiling eyes met Yusuke's, "I'm guilty as well."

Yusuke's lips unwittingly quirked at those words. "I see," he said, a hint of laughter in his voice. "Thanks for alleviating my guilt," Yusuke said, "but I really should go. I stayed out too long and my phone is out of battery. I imagine my friends are worrying quite a bit." Here, he was thinking of Botan, the worrywart.

The other man nodded in acceptance at those words and slowly lowered his arms. "Alright. I won't hold you here any longer then. It is nice meeting you, Mr..."

"Yusuke," Yusuke supplied. "Just Yusuke."

A smile spread across the other man's face at those words as he extended a hand out, handshake style.

"It is nice meeting you, Yusuke," the other man said.

Yusuke shifted the coffee from his right hand to left and extended his freed hand out to meet the long haired man's. "Likewise, Mr..."

The other man smiled. "Please call me Yomi."

"Yomi," Yusuke finished, smiling back at the other man. They released each other's hand after a beat. "Well," Yusuke spoke after a moment, shoving a hand into his pocket. "Bye, I guess."

Yomi nodded in farewell and Yusuke walked away with the coffee in hand until he realized something. He turned back, noting Yomi's surprise with amusement. "Thanks for the coffee," Yusuke called back, raising the cup in question.

Yomi brought his own cup up, like they were doing a toast, and a genuine grin spread across Yusuke's face. He raised his own cup up once more, nodded in farewell and left, and the grin remained on his face for the rest of the day.

xxx

"I don't want to go," Yusuke hissed, walking away from Botan. Botan jogged up to him and caught up, standing in front of him to block his way.

"Aw, come on, Yusuke," she implored. "It'll be fun!"

"Clubbing?" he said, with the shake of his head. "No thanks. Got a lot of work to do."

He tried to walk around Botan again, but she stayed firmly in place and put her hands on her hips.

"Yusuke, stop doing work for a minute," she said, "and just relax. It'll be good for you and fun, I promise. It's been a while since you've done something not work related, anyway, right? Why not take this chance now?"

Yusuke looked at her for a moment, before running a hand through his hair with a sigh. "...Would you believe me if I tell you I forgot how clubbing's like?"

Botan stared at Yusuke, surprised. "Seriously?" At Yusuke's earnest nod, she spluttered. "B-but, you're so young. What do you do then?"

Yusuke's lips curled. "I used to go when I was fifteen or so" - Botan gave Yusuke a look that said all that was needed about what she thought of fake IDs -"but I stopped after I met Keiko, since she didn't like me going home smelling like smoke and alcohol."

"Oh - Wait, fifteen?!" Botan exclaimed.

Yusuke gave her an amused smile. "I met her when I was fifteen, yeah. Officially got together when I was sixteen and her twenty-three."

"Wow," Botan said. "I mean I knew but I never thought..." She appeared to have lost all her words.

Yusuke gave her a casual shrug. "The age difference never really bothered me, ya know, although I know it bothered Keiko a bit."

"How did you guys even, like... meet?" Botan asked. "I mean, you two are so different that if I didn't know you were together, I would have been surprised that you two even knew each other."

"It was a damsel-in-distress thing," Yusuke explained. "She was in a hurry to go home at night and took a shortcut through the bad part of town. These guys found her and I was just passing by. I took them on and managed to scare them off, but I got pretty beaten up as well. She brought me back to her apartment and took care of my injuries."

"How did you two fall in love then?" Botan questioned, curiosity palpable in her voice.

Yusuke looked at her, Keiko's face replacing Botan's for a moment, before bonking her head. "Mind your own business, girl," he said, turning away.

In the end, Yusuke ended up agreeing to go clubbing to get Botan off his case.

xxx

Music blared out from god-knows-where, ricocheting off the walls and into Yusuke's ears like an annoying flea. The whole room was full of every shade of color and people writhing against each other. Once upon a time, Yusuke would have grinned at that and joined the crowd. Now he only looked on and shifted back into his seat, still nursing his first drink after an hour or so at the dance club.

"C'mon," Botan shouted, attempting to pull him out to the dance floor for the umpteenth time. A wide grin was on her face.

Once again, Yusuke waved her off and she eventually went with a pout. Glancing in the direction she had gone and not seeing Botan in sight, Yusuke finally slid out of his seat. Abandoning his drink, he headed towards the bar instead, squeezing through jumping bodies and wildly flinging arms. Might as well make himself scarce so Botan wouldn't bother with the invitations anymore.

A few people called out to him on the way, attempting to draw him onto the dance floor, but a quick flash of an apologetic grin ensured no offense and smoothly executed moves of side-stepping others ensured he was lost in the sea of bodies before anyone could seriously attempted to pursue him.

By the time he made it to the side bar, the grin on his face didn't take as much effort to maintain and he was beginning to feel a little more... young, he supposed. Unburdened. He wondered if it was his alcoholic drink that was finally taking effect or it was just the mood getting to him. Either way, he was more relaxed than he was in months. Maybe he would dance later. Haven't done that for a long while.

Yusuke got himself seated at the stool and nodded cordially at the bartender when a drink finally came in mind. The bartender indicated in just a moment and Yusuke, noticing the other customers around, nodded understanding in reply. For that, Yusuke got a sweet smile with apparent dimples.

Yusuke's eyes roamed briefly over the smiling bartender, noting he was handsome, bordering pretty. Yusuke licked his lips, feeling desire slowly growing within him. So intent he was with watching the bartender as he finally freed himself and made his way towards Yusuke with that same sweet smile, Yusuke started when a hand suddenly found its way at Yusuke's side. Yusuke reluctantly broke his eye contact with the bartender and looked up, eyes meeting a familiar looking face. "Who-?"

The other guy smiled, leaning closer to him, but not close enough to warrant Yusuke to tell the guy to bugger off. The smile triggered a memory, something about rain, and the voice just completed the puzzle. "May I get the honor to buy you something, Mr. Yusuke?"

A smile rose to Yusuke's face, unbidden. "Yes, you may, Mr. Yomi."

Yomi seated himself beside Yusuke. "Please, call me Yomi."

Yusuke raised an eyebrow at him. "Hypocrite. I told you to call me Yusuke too, ya know?"

Yomi let out a chuckle. "I apologize. Let this drink be on me then."

Yusuke grinned. "That's two drinks you owe me then."

"How horrifying," Yomi murmured, leaning a tad closer. "I must rectify this immediately." Yomi made eye contact with the same bartender Yusuke was eyeing at earlier and the bartender came, glancing from Yusuke to Yomi.

A grimace made its way to Yusuke's face, followed by the same apologetic grin he had been giving everyone. Only this time, he did feel a little bad. He wouldn't have led the guy on if only he knew.

A look of annoyance appeared on the guy's face, probably thinking Yusuke was with Yomi and Yusuke still had the gall to lead him on, since he wasn't close enough to hear their conversation over the loud music. Yusuke made a mental note to give the guy double the tip.

When he finally slid whatever drink Yomi ordered to them, Yusuke slipped the bartender some tip and mouthed 'sorry' before taking the drinks and leading Yomi off to the side. Taking a sip of his drink, Yusuke hummed in appreciation as warmth slid down his throat. "Not bad," Yusuke said with a grin.

Yomi smiled back at him, before appearing bemused as Yusuke grasped his hand.

"Now," Yusuke said, regaining the distance, or lack-of-therefore, between them before they had moved away. "How well can you dance?"

"Not too well," Yomi admitted with a laugh.

Yusuke grinned back at him. "How lucky of you to have a willing teacher then," he said as he took Yomi's drink off of his hand. Yomi let go of it without much of a fight.

A sudden movement had Yomi's head tipped down against the junction of Yusuke's neck, his warm breath and raven hair brushing against Yusuke's bare skin with every breath he took. Yusuke couldn't tell if it was due to the crowd or was it deliberate. "Yes," he murmured, causing every hair and a certain body part to rise in alertness at his husky voice. "Very lucky indeed."

Yusuke licked his suddenly dry lips and tilted his head so his mouth was against the shell of Yomi's ear. "Back to two drinks," he managed out, as he grabbed Yomi's hips. Yomi started and took a step back, onto the dance floor.

Yusuke followed and pressed, and as Yomi's lips descended onto Yusuke's neck, Yusuke rolled his hips and just feel and let himself be swallowed by the crowd.

xxx

Yusuke woke up in a generic room without a headache and with a very warm body next to him. It still took him a moment to recall and when he did, a reluctant smile tugged at his face. He propped himself up with an arm and glanced at Yomi slumbering beside him. He hadn't meant to sleep with him, although he would be lying if he said he didn't find Yomi hot the first time he had met him. Even in his depressed mood at the time, Yusuke had recognized that much.

Now what, Yusuke found himself wondering. He could say it was a one night stand and leave it at that, he supposed, but some parts within him resisted the thought. Yomi was a guy surprisingly easy to be with, surprising because Yusuke didn't think he could be with anyone, not after Keiko-

And right on cue, there was that throbbing pain at his chest at mention of Keiko. It wasn't nearly as bad as it used to be though, and Yusuke found himself wondering if that was a sign of some sort.

With a sigh, Yusuke rolled off the bed and went on an impromptu hunt for his clothes. No need to think about things he couldn't exactly control.

Yusuke was in the middle of wearing his t-shirt when he felt a pair of eyes on him. Deftly tugging the shirt completely down, Yusuke found Yomi staring at him with an indescribable look in his eyes.

"Heya," Yusuke said, never the one to stay silent too long.

"You're leaving?" Yomi asked, uncharacteristically skipping the pleasantries. His long hair was an adorable mess.

Yusuke grinned slightly and moved forward, displaying more confidence than he had when he smoothed Yomi's hair back. "It's ten already, in case you didn't notice."

Yomi ignored the statement and touched the hand Yusuke had in his hair. Sliding it down and turning his face towards it, Yomi pressed his lips against Yusuke's palm. "I don't do one night stands, Yusuke," he murmured against his palm, sharp eyes looking right at Yusuke.

Yusuke hesitated for a moment, before sliding his hand away from Yomi. Surprise flashed across Yomi's countenance as Yusuke captured his chin. Tilting his head, Yusuke leaned in and thoroughly kissed Yomi. They parted after a long while, both parties panting. "Good," Yusuke said, once again summoning courage he didn't feel to bring his eyes to meet Yomi's. "I don't either."

xxx

"Yomi," Yusuke murmured, surprised to see the man standing next to his motorcycle five days after their parting from the hotel room.

Yomi smiled and leaned in to kiss the corner of Yusuke's mouth. Yusuke shifted, not quite used to public displays of affection. "How are you, Yusuke?"

"Pretty good," Yusuke said with a small smile. "Just gonna go grab lunch. Wanna go with me?"

"Yes, please," Yomi said. "And might I recommend a place for lunch?"

Yusuke chuckled a little at Yomi's formal speech, before nodding. "Sure, why not? Do you know the owner of this restaurant too?"

Yomi gave him a mild reproaching look. "I don't know that many people, Yusuke."

Yusuke snickered as he swung his leg over his motorcycle. "Sure," Yusuke said, as unconvincingly as he could. He chuckled again at the look Yomi gave him.

"Where are you going?" Yomi asked, stilling Yusuke as he made a move to start his bike. Yusuke gave Yomi a look that said what do you think? in the nicest way possible. "You're not riding the bike," Yomi stated.

Yusuke gave him a scandalized looked, placed one hand on his hip and looked at Yomi. Yomi's eyes wouldn't meet Yusuke's and ha! Yusuke learned that trick from Keiko. "Why not?" Yusuke finally asked, trying to be understanding.

Yomi took a little deep breath and gestured to the car parked beside the motorcycle. "We can get there in my car instead," he settled with saying.

Yusuke's eyebrow twitched. "What's wrong with my motorcycle?" he asked and there Yomi went with the eye avoiding thing again. An inkling of an idea tickled the back of Yusuke's mind. "We can get there on my motorcycle instead," Yusuke suggested, watching Yomi intently.

"Absolutely not!" was the immediate response. Yomi's eyebrow twitched promptly after, a tell-tale sign that he hadn't meant to blurt that out.

Yusuke's mouth quirked because he then knew and he found the idea adorable. "You're afraid of riding a motorcycle, aren't you?"

"I'm not," Yomi emphasized, his tone a little too tight.

Yusuke couldn't resist the teasing. He tugged at Yomi's arm. "You have no problem going to that restaurant of yours on my bike then, right?"

Yomi snatched his hand back as though he was burned and at the knowing look Yusuke was giving him, he sighed, giving up on pretending. "Can we just go get lunch, Yusuke?" Yomi said, running a hand through his hair.

"Yup," Yusuke answered back cheerfully, getting off his motorcycle. He could see Yomi's tense shoulders relaxing and for a moment, he reconsidered. But no. Yusuke was never a really nice bastard and he loved his motorcycle too much.

Yusuke turned to face his bike and opened his seat. Digging out his rarely used helmet, Yusuke threw it to Yomi. Yusuke chuckled at Yomi's shocked expression as he caught it. "Yusuke..." he said, like he was tired. Nearly pleading.

Yusuke walked up to him, the smile still on his face, and took the helmet from his hands. Yomi let it go all too gladly, only to pale as Yusuke began to adjust it. "I'm not getting on your bike," Yomi said, sounding stern.

"Yes, you are," Yusuke replied in the same tone. He didn't know if he was overstepping any line, but damn if he wasn't going to try to get Yomi over his irrational fear. Keiko had the same problem at the beginning and she was fine with it soon afterwards. "C'mon," he said. "Man up, it's not bad."

Yomi shook his head. "Insulting my masculinity isn't going to convince me."

Yusuke tsked in annoyance. "Do you want me to starve?"

"We won't have this problem if you would just reasonably get into my car."

"Hell no," Yusuke said, moving closer to Yomi with the helmet in hand. Yomi gave him a warning look that said stay right where you are and get that thing away from me. Yusuke held back his annoyance and tried from another angle. He turned and hung the helmet by the straps on the motorcycle's handle for a moment.

Then, Yusuke walked straight to Yomi, brought his hand behind Yomi's head and sent his lips crashing onto Yusuke's. Yusuke employed every skill he had in his disposal and some, before pulling away. Yomi's lips followed his for a moment, before stilling. "Please," Yusuke said, chocolate eyes gazing into Yomi's and warm breath brushing against Yomi's lips.

Yomi's Adam's apple moved several of times, indicating his attempt to speak, but nothing came out. Finally, he leaned forward and kissed Yusuke again, surprising Yusuke into taking two steps back. Yusuke found himself sitting on bike with Yomi's hand against his back to prevent him from falling. In the back of his mind that was not turning into mush in face of Yomi's formidable kissing skills, Yusuke thanked god that his bike was sturdy. It would have been embarrassing for him to fall and topple over his bike, not to mention a terrible way to break the mood.

The first thing Yusuke did once their lips unlatched from each other was breath, because fuck him if Yomi didn't leave him all breathless and... hot. Yusuke shifted uncomfortably in his seat, well aware of the tent in his pants. He looked up to find Yomi with that glazed look in his eyes as well. "So," Yusuke said, bringing Yomi's attention to him. "Your car?"

Yomi nodded wordlessly and Yusuke let out a yelp as he was unceremoniously lifted from his seat by Yomi's arms. All he was paying attention to was the way his crotch was pressed against Yomi and the next thing he knew, he was on his back in the car with Yomi towering over him. Yusuke impatiently tugged Yomi down to close the distance between them and then they were continuing where they left off.

xxx

In the end, Yusuke's ass was too sore to sit on his motorcycle, so they went to the restaurant in Yomi's car after all. Damn Yomi and his smug smile, although the food was really good.

xxx

Roses were sent to him two weeks later, with chocolate and a card that said Would you please meet with me at Sunset Park at 7:00 pm? - Y

A grin threatened to split his face as he took out his phone and hit a number. It was picked up on the first ring. "Yes, you dork."

"...dork, Yusuke?"

"Yes," Yusuke said with a laugh. "Who the hell send flowers and chocolate nowadays? That's such an old trick."

"It worked on you, didn't it?" Yomi replied, a smile evident in his voice. "And I was under the impression that it was romantic."

"Yes, yes," Yusuke replied, grinning. "What kind of surprise would you have for me, I wonder?"

"That's for you to find out tonight, Yusuke," came the soft reply.

Yusuke's grin softened to a smile. "Looking forward to tonight then, although you really shouldn't get my expectations too high."

"I'll try my best to meet it."

"Go over it, you idiot."

"Now who's setting their expectations too high?" Yomi teased.

Yusuke chuckled. "Dork," Yusuke retorted.

"You shouldn't use names without knowing what they mean, Yusuke."

"I only used two on you: idiot and dork. I couldva used honey and snuggly bun, ya know."

A chuckle came through. "Did you know dork has another meaning besides a social misfit?"

Yusuke blinked, curious. "What?"

Yomi softly whispered the answer. "Penis."

There was a moment of silence, before Yusuke howled with laughter. "Penis!?" he exclaimed. "Omg!"

"Yusuke," an amused voice called out, but Yusuke couldn't stop laughing in his seat.

"You know those penis games [1] kids play," Yusuke gasped out. "Dork, dork, dork, dork, dork."

"...pft."

It was undeniable that it was laughter that filtered through Yusuke's phone. Yusuke found himself laughing along and as they did, the distance between them dwindled.

Xxx

Yusuke sighed softly and leaned back against the tree trunk, careful to hold onto the branch he was sitting on so he wouldn't fall. He was so bored.

In his zeal, he finished his work as soon as he could and went to Sunset Park, only to realize he got there too early. He still had quite some time before Yomi would arrive. With no other thing to do, Yusuke leaned back and closed his eyes.

Xxx

There was a lot of stumbling and a lot of pain. Fifteen year old Yusuke felt as though he was sleepwalking. He thought he heard someone let out a sigh of relief when he was dumped onto something soft - a couch, maybe- but then he wasn't sure.

It's been a while since he had laid on something so fine.

He woke up to find himself in a location he didn't recognize. No surprise there. He had been wandering around, getting people he knew to put up with him for a day or so ever since he became homeless three months ago. The pain he found himself in wasn't much of a shock either. He did have a tendency of getting into fights. What was surprising was the neat bandages around his wounds. He didn't remember buying bandages. He would have bought something for his empty stomach if he had the money instead.

A quick look around told him the place was too fine, not shabby enough to be one of his friend's. It could have been the apartment of someone who picked him up at the club, but the clubs he went to were seedy and so were most of the people there. He was undressed, although only to the degree that was necessary to clean his wounds. He was on the couch and there was no naked body next to him. Not the usual happening.

Yusuke sat up, pain going through him at the movement. Damn. He felt like shit. Did someone make him into a punching bag while he was asleep?

His eyes caught a photo at the far off wall. It was of a girl with brown hair and a soft smile. Oh. That's right. That was the stupid girl who decided it would be a good idea to walk through an alley way in the middle of the night.

With a scoff, Yusuke stood and looked for the bathroom. He didn't give a damn about why the girl brought him here, but nature's callin'. He would figure something out later.

He took a quick shower while he was at it, relishing in getting a week worth of accumulated dirt off. Too bad he had to step back in his dirty clothes afterwards.

Yusuke dug through the fridge after the shower and found some egg and frozen stuff that only needed to be reheated to be eaten. There were some ramen packages, as well as some bread.

He eyed at the bread and considered just taking some and run. That was the most plausible thing to do, really, except Yusuke hadn't eaten anything hot for over a week. Bread was all he had and he was sick of it by then.

In the end, he didn't know what possessed him to take out a small pot - nice and shiny like it was rarely used - and made ramen with it. He also chopped up some ham and sausages and threw it into his pot of ramen. After eating, he made sure to wash all the things that he had used and put them back to where he first found them.

He was about to leave then, but his conscious stopped him. After all, he did use someone else's home without their permission, didn't he? Even if said 'someone else' was the one who brought him home in the first place.

He took a peek into the bedroom and found the girl there, still asleep and not stirring in the least despite the racket Yusuke made as he cooked. He considered her tired profile, the bags under her eyes and then at his own bandaged wounds, before releasing a sigh.

Knowing he really shouldn't stay there too long, he popped some bread into the toaster and fried some eggs and sausages, before setting them onto a plate on the kitchen table. Then he left, not knowing that it wouldn't be the last time he came across that girl who he considered stupid in the beginning.

xxx

The sound of car tires woke Yusuke up.

Yusuke blinked, surprised at the memory that filtered through in his sleep. He glanced down to see Yomi getting out of his car, as regal looking as ever.

He was ambling towards the grassy area of the park then and when Yomi coincidentally stopped right below the tree Yusuke was in, still oblivious to Yusuke's presence as he looked around the park for him, how could Yusuke resist?

"Yomi!" Yusuke called, watching Yomi's head snap up in surprise, and that was all the warming Yusuke gave before he jumped.

He had actually aimed a little left of Yomi so he wouldn't land right on him. He knew Yomi wasn't exactly young and Yusuke may actually hurt him if he jumped right on top of him like that.

Yet. And yet when Yomi saw Yusuke was jumping out of the tree, instead of stumbling backward so Yusuke wouldn't land on him, Yomi moved forward. In the split second he had, he saw Yusuke was a little off on his jump and moved forward with all intention of catching him.

And catch he did and then it was Yusuke's turn to be surprised and worried as he collided with Yomi, causing the older man to fall on his back against the soft grass.

"Are you alright?!" Yusuke exclaimed as he scrambled off his lover. Or at least he tried. The arms Yomi had around him, the same arms that Yomi used to catch Yusuke, wouldn't let go.

Yomi's body began shaking then and Yusuke's worry continued to escalate until he looked into Yomi's face and found him laughing.

"You bastard!" Yusuke exclaimed, punching his lover's chest. Yomi let out a small 'ouch' that Yusuke ignored. "Don't do shit like that. You scared the crap out of me."

Yomi's eyes were bright and happy as they met Yusuke's. At that sight of that, Yusuke sagged, all fight leaving him. "Fuck," Yusuke murmured as he leaned against Yomi's chest.

He closed his eyes at the sound he found there. Ba-thump, ba-thump, ba-thump.

The indication that Yomi was undeniably alive. Not like the graph that was reduced to a straight line with a deafening 'deeeeeeeeee' as Keiko's heart stopped.

He was alive. Yusuke's grip on Yomi's white button-down tightened. He was here.

"Yusuke," Yomi's voice called, and it was so full of understanding and love that Yusuke almost didn't want to look up.

Yomi's finger found its way beneath Yusuke's chin, tipping it up so Yusuke's gaze would meet his.

"I'm alright, Yusuke," Yomi said earnestly. "If you jump, I want to be there to catch you."

Something within Yusuke's chest tightened at those words. "You got that line from that quote that was like if your friends jump off the bridge, don't jump with them and instead be there to catch them, didn't you?" Yusuke accused, trying and failing to sound annoyed.

Yomi smiled up at Yusuke. "You found out my dastardly plan, Yusuke," he 'admitted', eyes dancing with amusement. "Now what are you going to do?"

Yusuke looked at Yomi for a moment, Yomi's body splayed out beneath him. His hand slowly grasped the forearm of the hand that was tipping Yusuke's chin and held it in place. Yomi looked at him but made to stop him as he moved his head so Yomi's palm was sliding against Yusuke's face. Turning so his mouth was facing Yomi's hand, Yusuke lifted his gaze to Yomi's and held it as he deliberately pressed his lips to Yomi's palm.

Yusuke watched as Yomi's eyes widened slightly, recalling the gesture he himself made as he told Yusuke to choose to stay or go. "Stay with me?" Yusuke voiced, his tone and gaze both unfaltering yet somehow vulnerable.

There was a moment of stillness, before Yomi moved his arm away from Yusuke's grip. Yusuke let go without a question and his eyes didn't dart to Yomi's hand as it held the arm that previously gripped it in its hand. Yomi tugged it gently towards him and Yusuke let him with any resistance.

As Yomi's mouth moved to kiss Yusuke's palm, their eye contact was broken briefly. Yomi gently settled Yusuke's hand down, and as he reestablished their eye contact, he answered Yusuke's question with a "Yes," the corners of his mouth curved slightly up all the while.

xxx

"How did you two fall in love then?"

"She gave me a home," was the truth Yusuke didn't explain at the time.

xxx

"Wanna come up?" Yusuke asked after a tense heart-beat.

Yomi's countenance shifted ever slightly as surprise appeared on his face. Yomi had brought Yusuke back to his home a few times, but Yusuke never, ever invited him up. This was a first.

A gentle smile curved Yomi's lips. "I would love to," said Yomi.

xxx

There was something interesting about how Yusuke appeared so awkward as he shuffled about in his own apartment, trying to make Yomi comfortable. But as much as it was amusing, Yomi preferred the usual confident Yusuke to the nervous one now.

"Come here," Yomi beckoned to Yusuke when Yusuke returned from refilling his tea for the fourth time in ten minutes. Yomi had only taken three sips within that span of time.

Yusuke grumbled something but obediently went to him. "You'll think it's your house by the way you lounge around," he grumbled, unceremoniously draping himself on top of Yomi's body. Yomi automatically wrapped an arm around him and shifted to find a more comfortable position with Yusuke still laying on him. Something, Yomi suspected it was a remote control, was digging into his back.

"Quiet moving," Yusuke hissed lowly, mouth dangerously close to Yomi's ear. Yomi stilled and Yusuke hummed in satisfaction, before pressing his nose in the crook of Yomi's neck. "Yomi," he whispered breathlessly, lips moving against his neck with every syllable.

Yomi froze, wanting to pull Yusuke off of him so Yomi could kiss him senseless, but held back with barely restrained anticipation. Yusuke was finally relaxing and he didn't want him to tense up again. He observed as tension slowly left Yusuke's body, leaving behind a boneless young man in his arms. It didn't take long before Yomi realized Yusuke, of all times, had chosen to fall asleep.

Yomi dropped his head with a laugh, resting his head on top of Yusuke's. Even in a moment of freedom and no restraint, Yomi noted he was instinctively careful enough to not jostle Yusuke awake. His self-deprecating smile softened around the edge as he gaze down at Yusuke, prone and so trusting.

"I admit defeat, Yusuke," Yomi said softly, planting a kiss on top of Yusuke's head. He held Yusuke a little closer to him, ignoring his manifestation of desire. "I'll tell you tomorrow."

xxx

Ding, dong, the doorbell sounded.

The weight and warmth on him rolled off, leaving him groping for them blindly in his sleep.

A kick at his stomach had his eyes shooting open in surprise.

"Getthedoor," Yusuke murmured incoherently, burying himself in to the coach.

Yomi would like to say he wasn't gaping at his lover, but that wouldn't be true. At last, Yomi sighed and ran a hand through his hair, straightening it out. He should be used to Yusuke's attitude by now, but something told him he would never be. That was what made Yusuke interesting, after all.

Yomi stood just as the doorbell rang again and a voice drifted in through the gaps of the door. "Yusuke, are you home?"

Yomi's hand, inches away from the doorknob, froze. That voice was undeniably familiar.

"It's Kurama," the voice on the other side said, unwittingly forcing Yomi to take a step back.

Why was Kurama here? He knew Kurama and Yusuke knew each other, but he never considered them to be close enough that Kurama would visit Yusuke without any prior announcement.

The doorbell rang again, followed by Yusuke's phone.

"Goddamn it, Yomi, just open the damn door!" Yusuke shouted, sounding considerably more awake and definitely disgruntled. Yomi panicked. Kurama undoubtedly heard his name from the other side of the door.

"Yusuke," Yomi called, turning, but it was too late.

Yusuke's ring tone was abruptly cut off as he picked up his phone.

"Kurama?" Yusuke spoke into the phone, slowly moving to a stand. "I'm awake now, no thanks to you. Huh? Wah? Who did I call just now? Erm." Yusuke sounded vaguely embarrassed, but also happy. "My lover. In fact, you can meet him soon, if only he would open the damn door." The last part was undoubtedly directed towards Yomi himself.

Yomi would have felt amused, if he couldn't so clearly see his world crashing down around him.

When Yomi still didn't make a move to open the door, and just soundlessly stared at Yusuke, Yusuke rolled his eyes and ambled towards him, phone in hand.

"Lazy bum," Yusuke murmured, a smile playing at his lips as he passed Yomi to get to the door, throwing a look at him. He directed his eyes to the phone as he listened to Kurama on the other side. "Huh? His name?"

"Why are you so focused on that?" Yusuke asked as he twisted the lock on the door.

Yomi found his hand on Yusuke's, stilling him. His pleading eyes met Yusuke's bemused ones.

"Yomi?" Yusuke asked softly, uncomprehending.

Yomi tried speaking, to explain everything with the two seconds that was allotted to him, but the choice was ultimately taken from him as the doorknob twisted open and Kurama stepped in from the other side, phone also held up to his ear. Yusuke's phone slipped out of his hand as Kurama's words registered to him and the clang that it made as it fell against the floor signified his world burning down.


[1] Penis games - in which one person says 'penis' in public and another person does the same, but at a louder volume. Whoever could say 'penis' the loudest without getting in trouble wins.