"Maybe I'm amazed at the way you love me all the time /Maybe I'm afraid of the way I love you / Maybe I'm amazed at the the way you pulled me out of time / Hung me on a line /Maybe I'm amazed at the way I really need you /Maybe I'm a man and maybe I'm a lonely man / Who's in the middle of something / That he doesn't really understand / Maybe I'm a man and maybe you're the only woman / Who could ever help me /Baby won't you help to me understand."-Maybe I'm Amazed, Paul McCartney & Wings

Chapter Three

Against Neji's forehead, Orochimaru barely brushed his soft lips against Neji's skin as he whispered somberly, "You have no idea how happy you've just made me."

Reacting out of sheer, blind emotion from everything that had previously transpired, Neji stood on his tiptoes and tilted his chin up; Orochimura's soft hands holding his jaw line charming him to do so.

Both men slid their eyes shut as they closed the remaining space between them and pressed their lips together; Neji needing that kind of intimate care and comfort, and Orochimaru every bit as willing to give it to him.

Orochimaru felt his anguish, his loneliness just positively erode away from his soul; making him feel significantly lighter; closer to a better reality; as he gently buried his fingers in Neji's hair to cradle the back of his head as he kissed him.

As soon as Neji felt Orochimaru's long, slender fingers comb through his dark brown hair, Neji parted his luscious lips for Orochimaru to deepen their kiss; fully intent on letting Orochimaru have complete control of him.

Orochimaru wasted no time upon feeling Neji open his mouth for him, and slid his soft tongue inside that warm, wet cavern; making long, leisured strokes against Neji's tongue with his own- already eliciting soft, arousing whimpers from the younger man.

Orochimaru was melting from how extraordinarily sweet Neji tasted; similar to sparkling pomegrantes; coupled with how intoxicating it felt as Neji's grasp on him had become much tighter, as if he would die if he let him go.

To Orochimaru's total delight and surprise, Neji suddenly closed his lips around Orochimaru's tongue and began to lightly suck on the slippery muscle; flicking his own tongue against it teasingly; sending all of Orochimaru's nerves into a frenzy as he purred appreciatively.

Unable to keep his calm for much longer, Orochimaru tilted Neji's head to the side with his hands; making Neji release his tongue from his mouth; and began to place slow, loving kisses to the side of Neji's smooth neck.

Neji let out a pleased sigh as he bowed his body back in acceptance to Orochimaru's tender ministrations to his sensitive flesh; loving how Orochimaru purposefully licked up the long column of his throat before pressing his lips down to chastely kissed the moistened skin, as if the older man was savoring his taste.

Whether Orochimaru realized it or not, his hands had dropped from the back of Neji's neck to encircle his lower back, where he proceeded to hug the boy tightly to himself as Neji arched against him; Neji's own hands coming up grasp Orochimaru's broad shoulders to steady himself as he gasped and 'mmm'ed his approval.

Loving every, little sound that was escaping that beautiful mouth, Orochimaru pulled his lips away from Neji's slick throat to see his angel in pleasure.

He was not able to look for too long, however, as Orochimaru was almost tackled to the hard, tiled kitchen floor when Neji suddenly crushed their lips back together; this time with a sort of frustration and urgent need behind their kisses.

Orochimaru loved kissing this man; loved how Neji knew what he wanted; loved how they everything that was happening between them seemed just so…perfect.

Breaking their flurry of hurried, fiery kisses that left them breathless and wanting more, Neji half-whispered, half-whined against Orochimaru's lips, "Take me to bed, Oro."

Orochimaru's eyes widened a bit from such a straight-forward request from his beautiful lover, but his look quickly melted into a sly, cunning one at the boy still in his arms, looking absolutely delectable.

Orochimaru had always thought Neji was deadly sexy with the way he looked, but when he acted the part...Orochimaru was fighting hard to keep composed at the moment. Neji smirked a knowing, wicked smirk at him; like he had just dared him something difficult to do as he watched Orochimaru's mind try to catch up with the provocative words he had spoken.

Swiftly yet delicately, Orochimaru slid his hands down Neji's taut, firm back until he squeezed Neji's supple, perfect ass in his hands; making the leather give a little stretching sound; before he effortlessly hoisted the boy up off the floor.

Instinctively, Neji wrapped his legs around Orochimaru's slender waist, his arms following suit around Orochimaru's sqaure shoulders; as lips met again in more, furious, lustful kisses- Neji clinging to Orochimaru wantonly, and Orochimaru loving every minute of it.

Neji did not even fully register that Orochimaru was successfully carrying him across the lower level living room and towards his bedroom on the other side- he was too busy showering Orochimaru's exposed neck, jaw line, and cheeks with crazed, appraising kisses and licks; his hands clutching Orochimaru's shoulders expectantly with hypre anticipation.

Neji had been secretly dreaming of this moment with Orochimaru every day for the past two weeks; literally ever since they had met for the first time. Something about how carefree and collected the handsome, pale man with the most vibrant eyes he had ever seen just captivated him. Neji had been desperate to know more about Orochimaru since that day, and when they had had their first kiss, Neji knew he was hooked. He had felt that unbridled, hesitant love the moment their lips touched back in Orochimaru's car that night. Neji had loved it, and had been yearning for it ever since.

It astounded Neji to no end that someone so gorgeous, well-off, and free could ever feel those kinds of things for him…but there it was…and here they were.

Breaking Neji's stream of consciouness, he was suddenly let go of and fell on top of one of the most softest mattresses in the world- Orochimaru had made sure that it was so.

Red silk colored the humongous bed and was sinfully soft to the touch as Neji shimmied a little further up on the bed, by the numerous, overstiffed pillows, to allow Orochimaru some room to accompany him as well- Neji's fiery glare telling him that that was exactly what he wanted.

Lights were not turned on; leaving the room quite dim; but Neji could clearly see the massive amounts of red hues that colored the white-painted room; only accents of black were present here and there to add depth and balance.

Furniture, including a rather huge, wooden armoire in the corner was cherry oak; the bed was all red; drapes were red but with black ropes tied around the middle to give them a curved shape. Picture frame were thick black along the white walls; further adding to the black part of the ratio; everything meshing quite well and organizing together which made Neji sort of feel like he was in one of those specialty rooms one sees in magazines.

Once again, Neji was snapped out of his room-admiring reverie upong feeling the bed dip down to accommodate Orochimaru's added weight as he began crawling up to Neji- Neji hastily unbuttoning the remaining buttons on his long-sleeved, blue shirt so it could be easily taken off.

Orochimaru grinned upon seeing Neji remove his own shirt for him; the garment meeting Orochimaru's pristine cream-colored carpet as his lips met Neji's flat stomach.

Neji kept his legs bent at the knee on either side of Orochimaru and squeezed the raven-haired man's hips with his thighs as he could not help but squirm from feeling of Orochimaru's skilled tongue run languidly over the flat muscles of his abdomen; tickling him as much as it was pleasuring him.

Strangled groans and gasps left Neji's parted mouth as he raised his hips a little off the bed; practically begging for rougher treatment; to inexplicably feel more of that glorious sensation that Orochimaru's tongue on his tender flesh caused him.

Unfortunately for Neji, Orochimaru had other plans, and instead began licking his way up the Hyuuga's firmly-muscled chest; stopping to rest on his forearms when he reached Neji's aroused, pink nipples.

As Orochimaru slipped one of Neji's nipples inside his mouth; immediately playing with the overly-sensitive nub of flesh with teeth and tongue; Neji moaned loudly as he arched himself further into Orochimaru's touch; inadvertently grinding his aching cock against Orochimaru's stomach.

From such blissful pressure applied to his groin; coupled with the mind-zinging pleasure that was sending sparks into his blood from Orochimaru's ministrations to his chest, Neji maintained his graceful arch that made him moan even louder- Orochimaru finding himself becoming more and more aroused from such delicious, sexual noises from his beloved Neji.

Orochimaru slipped an arm underneath Neji's arched back to support him and raise him even higher to his torturous mouth that roamed all over Neji's chest, as he felt Neji's trembling fingers bury into his hair and massage his scalp; further encouraging him to suck a little harder, press his tongue down a little harder along Neji's collarbone; practically massaging the muscle there from his rougher ministrations.

Neji was practically purring from such adament admiration to his body; loving how Orochimaru was taking his time with everything he was doing; all the while feeling his mind go into a sweet, temporary insanity from so much excrutiatingly good attention but with no gratification yet.

Hands that were in Orochimaru's hair freed themselves to cup his face and lift it up from Neji's chest so Orochimaru could look the younger man in the eye. Another kiss ensued, this one soft and caring with so much hidden passion.

Those same hands trailed down Orochimaru's throat and down to the buttons adorning his vest; already working on them while their lips came together time and time again in loving kisses.

Orochimaru let Neji finish unbuttoning his designer vest and carefully pull it off his shoulders and down his back, before seizing Neji's hands in his own and kissing his fingertips; thereby halting his movements.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Neji?" Orochimaru willed himself to ask the powerfully seductive boy that tasted so unbelievbly sweet beneath him- he had to make sure that Neji wanted this and that he was not going to regret anything…Orochimaru already recognizing that he would not be able to handle it if Neji thought ill of them being together at a later time.

Neji could not help but give a small smile at Orochimaru's words- words that dripped with genuine concern as well as a little insecurity; something Neji wanted to put to rest right away with Orochimaru.

Slowly, Neji sat up; prompting Orochimaru to do the same as Neji fluidly shifted himself into Orochimaru's already straining, heated lap; the purposefully arousing contact making Orochimaru bite his lower lip as burning, pulling need ripped through him.

With a quick, adorable kiss to Orochimaru's nose, and fingers once again attacking the buttons of Orochimaru's white shirt underneath, Neji said simply, "I'm sure."

No sooner had Neji spoken quite possibly the most relieving words that Orochimaru mused that he had ever heard, did Neji's legs squeeze a little tighter around Orochimaru's back; making his ass grind down a bit more against Orochimaru still-trapped cock; while he pushed the impossibly soft garment from the photographer's wide shoulders.

Despite feeling that he had somehow got a little closer to Heaven by having Neji be this meticulous about how sensual and teasing he was with him, something in Orochimaru just took over and he knew that he had to have him now; feeling as though he might weep if he did not.

Faster than Neji could fully register what happened, Orochimaru flipped him back down so Neji would lie on his back- Orochimaru already slinking down that angelic body to rid his lover of those sinfully tight pants.

Neji closed his eyes and smiled as he let Orochimaru be a little hasty with him; loving how worked up Orochimaru must be as the pale photographer stripped his pants off him; carelessly tossing the expensive article of clothing aside; before dipping back down so his long, midnight hair tickled Neji's lower abdomen.

Soft, firm lips were pressed down on Neji's lower abdomen as deft fingers slowly inched down Neji's black boxers; finally releasing Neji's throbbing member from its confines.

Orochimaru licked down the expanse of Neji's lower abdomen; enjoying watching Neji groan and bite his lip in hot frustration; and teasingly nosed through the soft patch of black pubic hair above Neji's groin. He wanted to savor all the little whimpers Neji was making as Orochimaru purposefully denied any ministrations to Neji's cock yet.

Suddenly, unable to take the teasing any longer, Neji's hands shot forward and buried themselves in Orochimaru's silk, black hair.

"Please, 'Maru…" Neji whined almost painfully; his fingers tugging at Orochimaru's hair suggestively; pleadingly.

Orochimaru smiled; mentally burning it into his brain that he loved it when Neji begged; before letting Neji push his head down even further, his velvet lips parting wide to let Neji's rock-hard cock slide into his mouth; the breach immediately making Neji moan and fist Orochimaru's hair tightly.

Orochimaru skillfully kept his mouth moving up and down the hard length as he worked his tongue all over the sensitive underside; flicking and swirling and massaging the flesh that made Neji breathlessly moan some form of his name every time.

Orochimaru felt light-headed from hearing his name being moaned so sensuously like that by Neji, so he obligingly picked up his pace; one hand coming up to grasp Neji's cock at its base to almost act as an extension of his mouth; both moving up and down together at a frantic pace over the member- just coaxing, asking Neji to spill his seed.

"…come for me…Neji…" Orochimaru managed to say intelligibly, despite making sure to swallow Neji's cock deeply almost every time his lips came back down on the pulsating length in his mouth.

A few more, quick begging sucks to Neji's length, and Neji about sat completely upright as he released Orochimaru's hair but only to grab a hold of Orochimaru's shoulders as he came in multiple, hot spurts; his pearly essence filling Orochimaru's mouth and all but forcing the old man to swallow down the salty-sweet liquid in three gulps.

"Fuck...'Maru…" Neji panted as Orochimaru proceeded to lick up the few, trailing lines of come that had managed to seep down Neji's softening head; post-orgasm shivers sporadically rippling throughout his sated body.

Neji watched through weary, half-lidded eyes as Orochimaru let Neji's cock slip from his mouth; a smile already in place as Orochimaru licked his lips- the scene already making Neji's cock start to stir back to life once again.

Orochimaru's own pants were shimmied out of and kicked aside; with only a minor bout of trouble due to his painful erection that made Neji's eyes widen as soon as it was freed- the gesture not going unnoticed by Orochimaru who just smiled.

Neji's eyes remained transfixed on the stunningly handsome, alabaster man crawling back over him; where he watched line after line of smooth, hard muscle flex over each other as he moved to hover directly over his younger lover.

Where Neji was a bit more delicate and lean, Orochimaru was wider and somewhat bulkier; the breadth and size of his own finely-muscled body making him look like a perfectly honed warrior. Neji uncounsciously licked his lips.

Orochimaru suddenly placed a solid kiss on Neji's parted lips; breaking Neji's stare from the front of his body; and softly, solemnly said as he peered into Neji's depthless eyes, "You are so beautiful."

Orochimaru, in all honesty, had been wanting to tell Neji that for a while, but he only now decided to actually say it; as it struck him that this was when Neji looked the most breathtaking- below him on his bed; his hair in disarray from sexual activity; his eyes hungry and speaking volumes to him of just how much he wanted him at that moment.

At that, Neji raised his head for another kiss from Orochimaru; tongues immediately meeting in the middle to battle and play with each other with specific movements that one knew would have the other purring and melting for them.

"Muay Thai," Neji stated simply once they pulled their lips apart, a single string of saliva still connecting their kiss-swollen lips as Neji spoke the two words softly to his lover.

"What?" Orochimaru asked, a little perplexed- he was not even quite sure he knew what Neji had just said.

"I've been…" Kiss. "…taking muay thai…" Kiss. "…for a couple of years now;" Kiss. "…it keeps me in good shape."

Upon hearing Neji's half-serious, half-joking explanation as to why Orochimaru might consider him to be beautiful, Orochimaru chuckled and softly shook his head.

"So, that means you could have taken that guy out earlier no problem?" Orochimaru asked with a psuedo-accusing smile and a raised eyebrow; loving their game and carefree playfulness and quips.

"Yeah…pretty much," Neji replied with a cocky smile; just asking for another kiss as the both of them chuckled.

"Right," Orochimaru replied dryly before kissing Neji again; mentally fully aware that Neji had gotten rather tipsy at the party earlier that night and probably would not have been able to do much about that other man holding onto him.

Orochimaru reluctantly broke off their chaste, meaningful kisses and Neji watched, transfixed, as Orochimaru slipped a couple of his fingers into his own mouth- his piercing eyes still holding Neji's gaze mercilessly as he worked his tongue over his digits.

Orochimaru's eyes were kind in their golden hue, as Neji's were a little more intense with nervousness as Orochimaru gently moved his hands down the length of Neji's body; claiming those smooth lips once more as he inserted his moist, middle finger inside Neji's entrance.

Upon feeling the intrusion, Neji broke their kiss as he hissed and tried fought the initial, sharp pain and brought his legs high around Orochimaru's broad back to accommodate the angle and try to lessen the pain of his skin stretching.

"Just relax, baby," Orochimaru cooed affectionately as his other hand cupped the side of Neji's face to resume his distraction-based kisses; kisses that he knew he would never get enough of.

As soon as Orochimaru felt Neji's squeezing muscles loosened up a bit from around his finger, Orochimaru carefully added his ring finger; listening carefully to the throaty groans coming from Neji as his legs tightened around his torso.

With the inifinite, caring patience that only a lover possesses, Orochimaru gently retracted his slick fingers and inserted them once again; repeating the movement until Neji's groans became needy and wanton in his throes of pleasure.

As soon as Orochimaru's ear were blessed with hearing Neji breathlessly moan for more, Orochimaru removed his fingers with a squelch, and shifted so he was positioned right at the boy's sopping, quivering entrance; his hand already grasping his own throbbing length at the base.

Neji held his breath and interlocked his ankles from around Orochimaru's back in preparation as he watched Orochimaru; his body slick with a thin sheen of sweat that practically made all of his contours and lines of muscle glow admist the black bedroom; as he slowly angled the thick head if his cock down to perfectly penetrate Neji's entrance.

As soon as Orochimaru pushed the very tip of his swollen head inside Neji, the younger man moaned and writhed in a mind-warping mixture of sinfully good pleasure and pain; the pain only adding a sharp edge to keep his pleasure in somewhat of a check at the moment asd Neji arched his back and squeezed his eyes shut.

Orochimaru exerted some sympathetic, self-control and halted his every movement; just waiting for Neji to adjust to this new feeling and hopefully lessen the pain. After visisbly seeing Neji relax after a short minute, Orochimaru decided, thankfully, to begin moving further inside his lover.

Inch by torturous, mind-blowing inch, Orochimaru pushed his heavy cock inside his moaning, arching lover-the scene lovely and captivating with how much compassion was shown between the two as Orochimaru carefully entered Neji.

Every inch of Orochimaru's cock that got pushed deeper and deeper inside Neji made the pale-eyed man gasp loudly before moaning as his vision was becoming blurry around the edges from so much intense pleasure and satisfaction that was being granted to him.

Once Orochimaru was fully sheathed inside Neji, he dropped down so he could hold himself up by his arms; Neji's leg and help positions immediately shifting to accommodate the move and keep Orochimaru still buried deep inside him.

Neji's hands flew up to take hold of Orochimaru's shoulders once more as Orochimaru began a slow, steady pace of thrusting into Neji's tight, wet heat that seemed to squeeze his begging length from all sides; the divine texture of inside Neji's ass was all too addicting as Orochimaru groaned in all his overwhelming, mind-numbing pleasure.

"God, Neji….nnh…you feel…so goddamn amazing," Orochimaru purred out lowly in all his timber and gruff as he was too caught up in the intense feeling of pushing and pulling his thick cock in and out of Neji's impossibly tight ass.

Neji's own cock twitched wantonly in between their smoothly grinding bodies upon hearing such praise, as Orochimaru slowly made love to him- slowly inviting him into a consuming, euphoric oblivion

"Oro, faster…ahhh…please," Neji retaliated; needing more friction inside his ass, more pressure to build up that will inevitably push him over his ever-teetering edge.

Orochimaru smiled upon hearing Neji beg again and dropped his head to rest in the crook of Neji's shoulder as he began increasing his speed of thrusting inside him; both of them instantly moaning louder as their pleasure also increased exponentially.

Nails dug into snow-white skin as Neji squeezed his eyes shut; the red-hot pleasure threatening to overtake him; as he hoisted his legs up higher on Orochimaru's back and squeezed him with all his might.

Orochimaru was beside himself from such an overload to his senses, as he could still taste Neji's come in his mouth; every breath he took, he could smell the sex in the room; every thrust he made, he felt Neji's hot, dripping ass clench around him needily, as well as heard Neji's passionate cried fill his house in all their unrestrained, shameless desire. It all was becoming too much for the typically lonely and secluded photographer as he felt his groin tighen with the desperate, nagging sensation to finally orgasm.

Needing to see Neji come one more time, Orochimaru freed a hand from up by Neji's beautiful, passion-filled face, and moved it in between them to seize Neji's positively weeping member.

Neji moaned loudly upon having Orochimaru squeeze his cock like that, and he continued to moan a bit louder than before as Orochimaru started to furiously pump his cock in his hand, somewhat in time with his now frantic-paced thrusts- the actions sometimes not synchronizing as Orochimaru would stroke Neji's cock alarmingly fast a few times.

Neji was so marvelously close, his vision was beginning to spot as he concentrated on Orochimaru's heavy cock pounding into his ass as well as his own solid member being fisted so hastily- it was enough to make him scream out Orochimaru's name as he suddenly came.

Orochimaru made sure to watch as Neji arched drastically off the bed; his angelic face twisted in extreme, bone-melting pleasure; as he clutched onto Orochimaru's forearm with one had and the sheets beneath him with the other as he came, long and hard, in milky white arcs that splattered all over his chest and stomach.

The sight alone was enough to make Orochimaru come on his own, so upon witnessing something so sinfully sexy; coupled with all his pent-up sensations that have relentlessly pooled low in his groin, Orochimaru suddenly released his own hot seed deep inside Neji's convulsing ass; Neji's insides practically sucking his essence right out of him as he moved within him.

Orochimaru moaned Neji's name as he nuzzled his face a little more into the side of Neji's neck as he rode out all the spasming waves of his earth-shattering orgasm; each one getting weaker and weaker and making him feel likehe had the same consistency as water.

When there were no more euphoric pulls to his hips, Orochimaru carefully pulled his limp cock out of Neji; both of them left panting for air and glistening with sweat and come- neither of them able to speak to the other right away.

Orochimaru flung himself over beside Neji on the bed; both men just laying on their backs and staring up at the darkened ceiling overhead for a moment; enjoying the post-sex bliss and fatigue that resulted.

Neji wanted to say something; something about how much he loved Orochimaru, something about how great that was just now…anything, but no solid thougths were forming in his currently lax brain.

Catching Neji off-guard, though, Orochimaru was the first to act and somberly placed his hand on top of Neji's outstretched hand nearest him; fingers interlacing automatically, affectionately.

The gesture, something so simple yet so charming, put Neji's struggling mind to ease as he just concentrated on enjoying holding Orochimaru's hand; knowing that Orochimaru was doing the same.

After another quiet, peaceful moment, Orochimaru knew what he wanted to talk about with Neji, so he rolled over to lay on his side so he could look over his beautiful, naked lover.

Resting his head on his bent elbow, Orochimaryu said quietly, "You really are beautiful, you know that? I've thought so ever since we met in that coffee shop."

Neji turned his head to look at his flatterer; an adorable smile and slight blush on his face as he remembered that fateful day quite vividly.

"So are you," Neji replied back truthfully, unable to wipe the smile from his face as he watched Orochimaru's gorgeous yet shadowed features from right next to him.

Orochimaru smiled and playfully rolled his eyes at Neji's comment, as if he blatantly disagreed, before leaning in and placing a loving kiss to Neji's forehead in appreciation.

With his lips still close to Neji's face, Orochimaru could not help but also say with a chuckle, "So… I'm "'Maru" now?"

Neji blushed hotly at that as he looked around the room for something else to look at- clearly unable to answer such a cheeky question; knowing full well that Neji had now come up with another nickname for his lover…and only during their sex, no less.

Orochimaru chuckled again, amused at Neji's deer-caught-in-headlights look and leaned in again to kiss Neji's cheek.

Before Orochimaru could press his lips against the smooth skin of Neji's face again, Neji turned his head back around to face Orochimaru; his pale lavendar eyes serious and unwavering in their gaze in Orochimaru's golden ones.

"Did you mean what you had said earlier?" Neji asked solidly but not loudly as he peered into Orochimaru's suddenly concerned face, "…about wanting to help me break free of my cage?"

The more Neji spoke, the quiter his voice grew, as if he was losing confidence- something that Orochimaru picked up on right away.

"Every word," Orochimaru stated simply, firmly; needing Neji to know that he was serious in his intentions about Neji's future; especially his own potential part in it.

"And…you really want me to go to Tokyo with you?" Neji asked shyly, self-consciously…needing to hear Orochimaru just say a flat-out 'yes' to such a straight-up question to calm his nerves.

Orochimaru offered a small, half-grin and reached a hand up to gently remove a stray piece of Neji's long mane that had fallen in front of his angelic, worried face.

"Yes, Neji- I really do want you to go to Tokyo with me," replied Orochimaru, purposefully echoing the phrase in Neji's question to be a little bit of an ass to make Neji lighten up and feel better about the situation.

Neji smiled that genuine, beautiful, photo-worthy smile of his and responded earnestly, "Good, because I really want to go with you."

Orochimaru smiled at Neji's confession, savoring it as his pale-eyed lover smiled back with a little blush tinting his cheeks.

"However, my plans for you don't stop there…"Orochimaru said as he dramatically looked away from Neji's eyes to another part of his room, making Neji search his features questioningly.

"What do you mean?" Neji asked, a little bewilderned at such a twist to their topic.

Orochimaru blinked slowly and silently took a deep breath, mentally going over the best way to propose his true intentions.

Brilliant golden eyes met glowing lavendar ones once more as soon as he knew in his head how he wanted to go about his most intimate matter.

"I was hoping that you would want to work for me. We could travel the world together, do whatever we please;" Orochimaru explained carefully, adding the last bit with a slight quirk of his lips, "You would never have to see the inside of an office cubicle as long as you live…because I want you to head our Human Resources sect. I want you to be with me."

Neji blinked….and blinked again; mind gearing through countless thoughts of what Orochimaru's words actually meant and could very-well mean for him as he just stared dumbfoundedly at Orochimaru.

After thinking about all of the great opportunities this offer entailed; including an unbelievable answer to his deepest, darkest fear of rotting away in some office for the rest of his young life, Neji suddenly thought of a pretty big 'con' to the proposal.

"B-but, I'm still in…" was all Neji could manage to get out before Orochimaru cut him off; already knowing his concern.

"College? I know. I have already decided to wait…" Orochimaru answered smoothly with a pleasant smile; further jumbling Neji's overworking brain as he contemplated this new variable in the mix.

Neji cleared his throat before speaking again.

"I just don't know, Oro…" Neji muttered lamely, refusing to maintain his gaze any longer as he turned his head away from Orochimaru; brows furrowed in a pitiful, self-imposed angst as he brought a hand up to scratch the side of his neck.

After a few scratches were administered to the soft flesh of his neck, Neji suddenly felt his fingers being gently squeezed in Orochimaru's own hand; thereby stopping his nervous habit and demanding his attention once more.

"Neji, I need you to know something," Orochimaru said with little more force behind his words, though not harsh at all- just desperately sincere, "All throughout my career, I have lived a lie. I thought I knew what it meant to be happy- to constantly surround yourself with beautiful people; the have the most expensive anything…"

Orochimaru shook his head in disgust and brought Neji's fingertips to his lips as he continued, "I wasted…a lot of time concerning myself with those kinds of things. But, now I know, without a doubt, what made everything so wrong up until now."

Neji's eyes widened as Orochimaru closed his eyes and placed feather-light kisses to his fingertips- his heart racing inside his chest as he listened to his mysterious, gilded lover speak such hard-learned and heartfelt things.

"It was because I didn't have you in my life," Orochimaru said as he opened his eyes again to gaze upon his young lover.

Neji's fingertips tingled from being kissed so soundly and his heart felt like it was going to burst into a million pieces; so, in a mad rush and mixture of emotion, Neji's trapped fingers squeezed Orochimaru's back and pulled him closer; Neji leaning over towards him as well.

Neji and Orochimaru's lips met above their interlaced hands as they purged the other of their grief and anxiety; relief washing over both of them for receiving such amazing, kind words as well as not being rejected.

"I love you so much, Neji," Orochimaru whispered against Neji's lips that stil kissed his own, "…so much…"

"I love you, too, Oro," Neji whispered back; fearing that either one of them spoke any louder than breathing, the pillowy, bittersweet moment might be lost forever.

"Say yes, Neji…please," Orochimaru breathed, squeezing Neji's fingers again with his own as he spoke- both sets of eyes still closed as their noses rubbed together cutely.

Of all the worrisome thoughts that had initially struck Neji when they had began to talk about the matter, all Neji could consider at the moment was how this would mean that he would permanently be with Orochimaru, with the one he loved. He would work with him and be a part of that sophisticated, untouchable, and enchanting world indefinitely.

Orochimaru would take care of him, love him, and Neji would love him back harmoniously. They would continue to hold hands and kiss in bed after making love in numerous countries all over the world as they travelled for business and pleasure.

Neji would be free. Orochimaru…would set him free.

"Alright…Orochimaru," Neji cooed back after a moment of mentally indulging in all the possibilites, "my answer is yes."

Neji opened his eyes after he had spoken his words, just in time to see Orochimaru's eyes slide shut again; an unmistakable sigh pushing past his lips; as he freed his intertwined hand from Neji's to place it on the side of his lovely face; his fingertips stroking the smooth skin from his cheekbone to his jaw line and back up again in the lightest of touches.

Neji felt his eyelids become so much heavier from such caresses to his face; coupled with the emotional rollercoaster he and Orochimaru had just been through, some recuperative rest sounded extremely appealing.

Orochimaru scooted over the remaining inch or two that was left in between them; thereby ending up so close to Neji that their foreheads were gently pressed together- Neji feeling increasingly sleepy from everything Orochimaru was doing to him; being so close to him in his soft, sleek bed with his warm hand ghosting over his cheek was just ushering in a peaceful, mind-settling sleep for the both of them.

As if he had read Neji's thoughts, Orochimaru suddenly whispered; his own exhaustion and mental and physical drowsiness present in his hushed voice, "Good night, Neji."

"…night…Orochi…" Neji whispered back brokenly, sleep quickly wrapping her merciful arms around the both of them in all her familiar comfort and glory.

Remaining so close to each other, Neji and Orochimaru slept throughout the night amidst the cool, red silk of Orochimaru's bed- both of them dreaming of the other, and the inter-woven future that awaited them when they woke up.

Plans; life-changing in their nature and volume; had been made between the photographer and his muse to spend their lives together, as it had become quite clear to the both of them that the other truly bettered their life…plans that were made after they made love and could actually feel what was in the other's heart.

As Orochimaru had been void of anything truly magificent and pure in his life, he now had Neji by his side always. Neji; who had stolen his breath away the moment he had laid his 'seen-it-all' eyes upon him; brought a real meaning to his life; as opposed to all the golden-covered things he was used to and valued so highly before.

Neji, on the other hand, was to be set free. Freedom, meaning not remaining just another face in the crowd; doing something that he had never even thought twice about before in his life…but because it was to be with the person he loved. Freedom…meaning letting go of all preconceived standards.

All his life, Neji had really mattered to no one or nothing; even previous girlfriends ending up just being pretense and utter falsehoods; which made him already have it in his mind to settle for a meaningless profession and way of life after college. While Neji could undoubtedly argue that becoming in charge of an HR division of a famous photography company was not exactly what he had in mind about dedicating his life's work to, he could not deny the fact that it suited him perfectly fine now.

Author's Note: Oh yes, there's going to be more - an epilogue of sorts, I suppose. No worries, yes? Yes. XD Oh, and sorry if stuff is spelled incorrectly, as, for some unknown reason, my Spell Check thing is currently not working. Lame.