Ch. 4

A year had passed.

A whole year. Hikaru smiled as he removed the outdated calendar from his wall, careful to catch the thumbtack that had held it in its previous position as it fell. They had celebrated Akira's twentieth birthday not too long ago. They being Waya, Isumi, Nase, Akari and even Ochi had been present. The smile widened at the memory. It had turned out great. Better than he had expected and better than what Akira had expected as well. Akira still felt vibes coming from Waya that were not… friendly exactly. Hikaru refrained to roll his eyes. Waya never said anything out loud but his dislike for the other was still ongoing to Isumi's chagrin and Hikaru's annoyance. Still Waya kept quiet about it saying that the amusement he got out of watching Hikaru and Akira interact and try to fool everyone that they weren't together was worth putting up with 'prick Akira'.

A knock on his bedroom door startled him, allowing the memory of that night to escape his mind's grasp.

"Yeah?" He asked, knowing fully well it was his mother and wondering why she was even bothering to knock. She usually just said what needed to be said through the closed door, sometimes opening it and popping her head in and frustrating the hell out of him in the way only a mother knew how to do.

"Your guests are here." She stated calmly. Hikaru placed down the calendar on his desk where it would no doubt be lost among all the other papers and books he had accumulating there. He opened the door quickly to find Akira, Waya, and Isumi standing behind his mother.

"Why didn't you say so earlier?" He huffed impatiently, standing aside so that his 'guests' could make their way in. Waya rolled his eyes at the immature display between mother and son while Akira stiffened slightly, eyes widening at the rude tone his boyfriend was using on his own mother. Isumi continued smiling serenely. Having been around Waya for as long as he had…this display was nothing. Hikaru's mother simply smiled at her son clearly used to the treatment and reading the affection behind his frustrated scowl.

"I'll bring you some snacks and drinks." She said, ignoring his question completely. "Don't eat too much as dinner will be in an hour or two." He nodded and then closed the door after watching her walk down the stairs.

"Does she need help?" He'd barely closed the door before that question was thrown in his face by Akira. Hikaru tried to refrain rolling his eyes.

"No. She likes doing this. I swear." Hikaru muttered. No way was he going to let Akira go and help his mother who really didn't need the help when he hadn't even seen the man for…for a couple of days at least! Akira had left to spend Christmas with his parents in China and had just barely returned. He glared at the taller go player who looked surprised. "You… are … impossible." He gritted out before looping his arms around Akira's neck. He ignored Waya's groan and even ignored the widening of Akira's eyes in surprise and silent protest. He kissed him. It was a short kiss, barely enough time to savor the warmth that it sent rippling through him but it would do for now. He backed away, grin restored on his face. "I can't believe that's the greeting you give me after returning from China and not seeing me for a couple days! Asking me if my mother needs help. Hah. Some boyfriend you are." He pouted in a teasing way, keeping his voice low so that no one (his parents) downstairs would over hear. Waya's groan doubled. The redhead really didn't want to see the two flirting of all things. Especially before a dinner that was sure to be yummy. And Akira, who was blushing, scowled gently before shaking his head. He knew fully well that Hikaru was teasing and he had grown used to it, slightly, over the time they'd spent together. But still, Akira had to admit that it always took him off guard. Especially when others were there.

"One of us has to have manners." He finally muttered. Isumi and Waya snorted in barely checked amusement at that very well pointed barb. Before Hikaru could add to the comment though there was a knock on his door. He went and opened it, revealing not only his mother's figure but his father's as well. Both were carrying a tray. One was filled with bowls filled with different snacks just like his mother had promised. Some were chips, others were for those with more refined tastes such as crackers with stuff that Hikaru couldn't recognize straight away. The other tray that his father was keeping very balanced was filled with champagne glasses.

"Wow. Thanks mom and dad." Hikaru muttered, surprised despite himself. His mother's smile grew. He took the platter from her hand and wasn't too startled to find that Akira had taken the second platter from his father. His polite thanks to Hikaru's parents weren't the only ones that filled the air as Waya and Isumi added their own.

"Such polite boys." Hikaru's mother stated gently looking at each of their faces.

"Young men." His father corrected, his eyes only on Hikaru's form that had stilled once again, unused to receiving any attention from his father. The pride that he could see in those old eyes made a warm flush of happiness fill him. He'd never truly been sure that his father had been happy with his decision of becoming a go pro player. Never really known if he was a son that his father could be proud of. It seemed that he had finally gotten his answer. "Well." His father laced his free arm around his wife. "We'll leave you to it. Enjoy yourselves." With a slight nod, the older man closed the door before heading back downstairs with his wife. The two would be enjoying their own New Year's celebration while the younger generation had their's. Yesterday evening had been for the family only. Today, the man smiled at his wife, his hand tightening his gentle hold slight, would be for them.

Looking at the closed door, Hikaru blinked.

"Your parents are awesome." Waya muttered, letting himself fall on a bean bag. Hikaru nodded almost absently looking around to see if there was enough space on the floor (yes he had cleaned his room…somewhat) to put both trays down. The redhead snagged the bottle from the tray, giving a slightly apologetic smile to Akira as he was left to rebalance the tray without spilling the already filled glasses. Waya's eyes widened considerably as he turned his attention to the bottle's label. "This is the good stuff too." He whistled and let Isumi take it from him.

"Is there really nothing we can do to help?" Akira asked, carefully placing the tray down beside the tray of food after Hikaru had pointed him to do it. Hikaru shook his head.

"Nah. She likes cooking and she'd just…" He waved his hand in the way he usually did when he couldn't quite put into words somebody's actions that were just so imprinted in his life that he never really thought of them. Akira was left to trusting him on this one. And he did. "So who's hungry?" The three kneeled around the trays and Waya joined them, moving the beanbag closer. He was eyeing the champagne in a way that made Hikaru laugh. "Let me rephrase…who's thirsty?" He passed the glasses around. "Happy New Year's guys." His free hand reached for Akira's free one. Their fingers tangled at the same times as their eyes met.

"Happy New Years."

It would be a great one.

Hikaru was sure of it.

Waya and Isumi had already left after profusely thanking Hikaru's parents for everything. Absolutely everything. Now he was left alone with Akira but he already knew that it would only be for a few minutes.

"I should probably go as well Hikaru." Hikaru nodded but closed the door to his room firmly behind him anyway. "Hikaru…" Akira started. Hikaru gave him a look that was very close to pleading as he pushed the other man a few steps back, away from the door.

"Just for a few more minutes." After a soft sigh of consent, Hikaru allowed himself a small smile and made his way into those warm arms he now knew so well. "How was China?" The question meant 'I missed you' as the half bleached boy could really care less how the trip had gone to tell the truth now that Akira was back, safe and sound. But he still…stupid really…but he still felt awkward saying things like that to his rival. It always reminded him of how they had gotten together in the first place. Akira tightened his hold slightly. It was his way of showing he'd understood the meaning.

"Well."

"How are your parents?" Hikaru couldn't help asking.

"Good." Hikaru snorted and looked up into those green eyes.

"Are you gonna answer all my questions with one word answers?" He demanded finally. Akira stayed silent for a bit, a smile threatening to quirk the corners of his lips upward. That more than anything else answered Hikaru's question. It was a big fat YES. "Don't even bother answering that." Hikaru muttered. The chest underneath his cheek shook a bit as Akira laughed softly. "What are you gonna be up to this week?" They'd received their playing schedule a couple days ago but Akira had been away so they hadn't really had a chance to exchange the information.

"I don't know yet." Akira muttered, one of his hands had come up and was softly brushing the back of Hikaru's neck, fingers coming to play with strands of black hair or massaging away tension in the muscles there.

"Don't know?" Hikaru asked, not wanting to move at the moment. He closed his eyes.

"I got home this afternoon, Hikaru." Akira continued his ministrations as he spoke. "I unpacked, took a shower, and then came here." Leaving no time to read the mail, Hikaru concluded on his own. "Hmm… Hikaru?" The fingers paused, waiting for a reaction of some kind.

"Yes?" Hikaru rolled his shoulders and lifted his head in a way that made it so the stilled fingers were bumped into in a silent protest.

"Could we sit down?"

"Huh?" That made the other one look up.

"I'm tired." Akira muttered. "I have been the one traveling you know." The arms loosened their hold completely as the taller man took a step away. Hikaru was about to apologize and to say that they could sit down… wherever there was room when a finger poked him in the ribs. He glared at the green eyes and sighed.

"Why didn't you say so earlier?" He asked, going and dragging the bean bag closer to where Akira was now standing. Akira looked at the object with some distaste but shrugged and then sat down. Hikaru sat on his lap since he was the lighter of the two. "You gonna be ok getting home?" Hikaru wondered out loud after a few minutes of feeling warm and completely relaxed.

"Hmm?" Akira blinked, his eyes had come to a close without him noticing. He didn't really want to leave the other either. But he probably should if he was this tired. "Yeah, I mean yes. I will be fine." He covered a yawn. "Will probably call for a taxi." He amended catching Hikaru's grin. "What time is it?" Hikaru twisted within his loose grasp.

"Nearing one."

"Already?" Akira tensed. "I should have left already…"

"Relax."

"I'm too relaxed." Akira complained lightly. "I really should go now." He felt rather than heard Hikaru's sigh. "I'll send you my schedule tomorrow through e-mail." Voice slightly teasing, knowing that Hikaru's skill with the computer was only so high. He received a dark glare and then felt cold as Hikaru stood up in one fluid motion.

"You better." He offered his hand to help the other one up. "Come on. Let's go call you a taxi."

A/N- Hey. I'm back. Srry for the long time between updates. I had MAJOR writer's block for this fic. Sad really. 'Cause I have the future scenes all written that actually contain some PLOT but I just couldn't write the little scenes (filled with fluff and development of the interactions between the characters) that lead up to that point. Anywho… hope you guys haven't given up on me. I'd be very grateful for reviews of any kind … well let me rephrase… I will be grateful for reviews from open minded people. Those who flame b/c they are closed minded will be ignored.