AN: thanks for all comments. i edited and fixed a lot of mistakes in chapter 1. enjoy the next part!
two
Seduction was an art and although Ren was more skilled than most of the people he knew he also realize that there was much he had still to learn. The seducer had to work hard to figure out the tastes and preferences of their target. Luckily for Ren he had just spend quite a bit of quality time with Camus as they prepared and recorded "Baby My Strawberry".
Beside Cecil and the Quartet Night members, Ren wagered he was the one who knew Camus the best and be able (and willing) to ease him. Ranmaru hated his fellow member, Ai had no interest in those things, and Cecil was love struck over the little lamb Haruka just like Ittoki and Hijirikawa. Reiji as far as Ren was concerned, despite Kurosaki's comments, was a non-issue. Reiji was allegedly bisexual but just like Ren leaned more towards dating ladies. He had never shown any interest in Camus in that way and if the word in the office rumor mill was true Reiji had been getting awfully chummy with Tomochika. Ren doubted the clown type idol would ruin his chances of a steady thing with her just to get bragging rights over Camus' v-card.
The coast was clear of any competition and Ren was going to go straight for the catch.
"Baron," Ren flopped down on the couch in the lounge area beside the foreign count, shaking and almost spilling the cup Camus held as a result.
"This isn't a play park," Camus scolded, using both hands, with their long slender and white fingers, to steady his coffee. "Please control yourself."
"Oh I' in control," Ren replied, leaning back. "I always am."
Whether Ren meant anything suggestive by that, and it's Ren so he did, Camus seemed not to notice. Instead the stern idol resumed drinking his coffee. He closed his eyes to savor the sweetness and when he pulled the cup away, setting the cup on the table before him he wore the faintest of smiles. He was content.
Ren slouched a bit and allowed his arms to spread across the back of the loveseat. Luckily, this placed his arm right behind Camus. Camus was unsuspecting though as he picked up a tart, loaded with fruits, glaze and fresh cream, and bit into it. A sound that could only have been a low moan issued from his mouth as he did so.
Ren licked his lips.
Watching Camus profile as he ate and drank was magnificent. The man was vein but had all of the reason to be. There was a reason to his conceitedness'. As a foreigner he did have the otherness as charm but even taking that away he was easily considered attracted with his regal nose, sharp jaw, and piercing and crystalline eyes.
"What is it that holds your attention so?" Camus asked, turning that cool gaze towards the saxophonist. "I'm sure my tarts are of no interest to you seeing as you do not care much for such wares."
"As always you are right," Ren chuckled huskily, eyes trained on the bit of cream at the corner of Camus' lips.
But Camus was wrong on one thing. He'd be willing to indulge if he could lick it from the Earl's willing body.
The last bit of the tart disappeared into Camus mouth where it was savored and then washed down with a swig of coffee flavored sugar drink.
"What was it that has caused you to seek my company today," Camus asked once he finished.
"What makes you think I've come to see you?" Ren asked, tilting his head.
"Well there is no one else in the lounge and you had situated yourself right within my circle of personal space despite the plethora of other seats available in the vicinity."
Ren chuckled. Camus propensity for using complex words and structures was actually quite cute. Ren always wondered what it was that Camus felt he had to prove to make him behave that way. It was all rather intriguing.
"Oh, just our conversation yesterday," Ren began, and he noticed Camus' shoulders and jaw tense but he continued regardless. "I felt it rather rude of me to spread your personal information."
"So you can see reason?"
"Of course," Ren replied. "I am a sensitive soul and I can feel the pain of my fellowman."
"There was no pain," Camus' brow furrowed in annoyance and Ren knew the short thread of patience handed towards him was beginning to fray.
Ren cleared his throat, "At any rate I was hoping you'd let me make it up to you."
Camus' arms crossed over his chest, "Jinguuji there is nothing you can do to undo the error you have done to my person."
Ren had to hold back the "Are you serious?" look from showing on his face.
Camus went on, "It was an extreme breech of privacy. I am a royal servant of the Queen of Silk Palace and as such my conduct must be upstanding at all times. I cannot bring reproach upon the Queen and such rumors such as you have spread have done great damage to the reputation of my home."
"Nobody cares," Ren muttered.
"Excuse you?" Camus' voice took on its familiar venomous drawl.
"I said that's only natural. I have realized my mistake and I sincerely do want to make it up to you."
"And I say that you cannot!" Camus voice rose, but then dropped again. "But I suppose I'll allow you to try."
"Good," Ren said, because he was started to worry this was going to be a harder venture than initially expected. "As you may know I'm a bit of a chef. I prefer spicy cuisine myself but I am not averse to preparing something fit to your taste. Allow me to do so as penance."
Ren put a hand to his chest and bowed slightly, only slightly, forward. He chanced a glance up threw his bangs and saw Camus regarding him with a curious stare but he could tell the other was interested. A few seconds passed and the more time spent in silence the more uneasy Ren became. Also he felt his back stiffening from his current posture.
"I am sure I won't like it," Camus said finally, much to Ren's relief.
He sat up just as Camus stood.
"You may message me with details such as time and location once it has been arranged," Camus turned and pointed to his cup and saucer on the table. "Please gather and clean my things. Good day to you."
And without another word more or a glance back Camus had left the scene and Ren was quite pleased. He hummed a happy tune as he picked up Camus' dirty dishes and marched to the dormitory kitchen to wash them. He was glad he had no schedules set for the day. He needed all of the time to plan his dinner with Camus from the decorations (Ren was big on atmosphere) to the menu (hopefully dessert being Camus sprinkled in cherry sauce).
As he entered the kitchen he was surprised to see Hijirikawa already in there with Ichinose and Shinomiya.
"You look happy," Ichinose noted as Ren went to the sink to begin washing the dishes he brought in.
"Of course. I just scored a date with a lady," Ren said.
His habit was to call all of his dates ladies.
"How lucky! I'm glad for you!" Shinomiya sang happily as he dumped a jar of chilies into a blender. Ichinose pried the jar from his hand before he could add it in as well.
"Why thank you, Shinomi," Ren drawled. "I wish all of my friends could be as supportive as you."
He leaned over onto Masato's shoulder with a soupy hand. It was a dangerous move considering the fact Masato was holding onto a kitchen knife at the time. He could have easily committed a murder but the pianist thankfully was a better man than that.
"I'm sorry but I don't take interest nor do I support your hedonistic debauchery," Masato said as he stabbed at the squid on the cutting board.
Ren merely smiled as he patted the blue haired heir's shoulder.
"So you say," Ren said. "But I think we know how debauched you can get should the right conditions be satisfied."
Masato immediately reddened and stabbed at Ren's arm with the butt end of the knife causing the flirt to collapse against the counter in pain. Ren hadn't meant anything by it, really. It was just a teasing phrase from his stock of such things he kept in his mind stored away for the right moment. He didn't think Masato would react so dramatically. He didn't even have time to recover before Masato left the room leaving behind a confused Shinomiya and uncaring Ichinose.
"Aw, lovers quarrel?" Shinomiya asked with a look of concern.
"What?" Ren asked, standing and rubbing the place he was "stabbed".
"It seems that he's not willing to put up with your wayward glances any longer," Ichinose advised.
Natsuki laced his hands together. "You shouldn't make your loved one sad! You should prepare him some food and apologize!"
"What!? Hijirikawa is not my lover!" Ren said with a frown. "You two of all people should know that. I'm unattached."
Tokiya and Natsuki exchanged glances that Ren tried to ignore the meaning of as he returned to the dishes he was supposed to be washing and mentally planning his date. If his members wanted to keep thinking he was with Masato so be it. They'd know soon enough after he's banging that beautiful sempai of theirs that there was nothing between he and Hijirikawa and never was.
-to be continued-
AN: thanks for everything! please comment! i love to hear what the readers have to say, good or bad
