Chapter Four: Test Run

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That next Saturday evening...

"Whew...just be cool...it's not like it's a date or anything...ugh, what am I saying...I am going on a date...with a guy. Oh God! No, no...shut the fuck up, he's going to be here any minute and he's going to look amazing and...and he wants to see me for some reason," Kiba's out loud monologue seemed only to increase the more the mechanic continued to pace around his apartment.

Neji had called and instructed the other male earlier that day to wear something casual, promising Kiba that he would not bring him anywhere too far out of his element.

Kiba wondered how much of that would be true, but had decided to wear a faded dark-blue band shirt and jeans that did not have holes in them, his treasured leather jacket forever covering his arms as he turned away from another door so he may begin pacing the length of his apartment all over again.

Knock, knock, knock...

"Fuck...!" Kiba whispered to himself, having to halt his pacing at once and dash to the front door, placing his hand on the doorknob but hesitating so he may steady his breathing and calm his nerves.

It worked a little.

Kiba opened the door and was greeted by Neji Hyuuga's beautiful smile growing across his pallid features, Neji looking absolutely delighted to be seeing Kiba so soon.

"Hey..." Kiba had meant for more of his voice to come through, but the single word was only a breath leaving him as he felt his tense muscles relax right away upon seeing Neji's enchanting eyes peering so fondly up at him.

"Hey yourself...you look rather remarkable, if I could be so bold..." Neji admitted, letting his gaze drop and then raise back up slowly as Kiba chuckled as he stepped out into the hallway with Neji and promptly closed his door.

"Ha...is that your way of telling me that I look sexy as hell tonight?" Kiba countered playfully, loving the way Neji licked his teeth and did not deny his assumption as the two men took once last look at each other before striding down the hallway of the apartment complex.

"I already knew you were going to look like a fucking model, so I was pretty mentally prepared..." Kiba noted with humor, this time making Neji laugh out loud as the two of them veered passed the rather extravagant foyer area and headed towards the northern most exit.

"I'm no model, so you flatter me, Kiba...but really..." Neji continued before placing a delicate hand along the smooth leather of Kiba's black jacket, causing both men to come to a stop in their steps as the Inuzuka male turned to face the Hyuuga.

Kiba's eyebrows were slightly raised as if to ask Neji what was bothering him, but his eyebrows raised even higher the instant Neji grasped at the cuffs of both of his jacket sleeves so he may anchor their two bodies together.

Kiba felt pinned amidst Neji's nearly white-colored stare, robbed of his ability to move or think for himself, as he could only wait...and anticipate...and wonder.

"...you're the one who looks good enough eat, Kiba," Neji concluded deliciously sinisterly, letting his warm breath fan out across Kiba's collarbone as he ran his nose and lips across Kiba's chin, translucent purple eyes closing blissfully.

"Jesus Christ, Neji...are you...I mean, I..." Kiba struggled to string more than three words together at this moment as he could not help but feel drawn to even the smallest of Neji's touches, the unwavering attention and praise directed to no one else but Kiba all but driving him steadily mad with hopeless need, as he lowered his head and captured Neji's lips with his own.

"Mmn..." Neji purred against Kiba's lips, sliding his hands up either of the mechanic's strong, covered arms until he could squeeze at the material at Kiba's wide shoulders, the Hyuuga heir needing to bring them closer, needing to tell Kiba more and more of just how much he was truly desired.

"Wait, wait...jeeze...we're still at my freakin' apartments..." Kiba grumbled comically, cutting off their kiss with a somewhat loud smack as he brought his much bigger hands to Neji's and politely lowered the smaller man's hands from his shoulders so he may think a little more clearly, "...what I meant to say is that...I know we're about to go out to eat and everything, but...I just...I've never really had someone express this much interest in me before, so I'm a little freaked out that someone as gorgeous as you could actually like someone like me...now I'm going to shut up."

Neji smiled at Kiba's heart-melting confession, licking his lips in thought and able to still taste Kiba's lingering warmth there before he had his answer.

"Kiba...you're the first person I've met who has told me to go ahead and do what I want to do...do you know how much that means to me...?" Neji stated his simple rhetoric to the taller, tattooed male before him, letting his fingers trace over Kiba's calloused palms as they merely held hands down at their sides whilst they spoke.

Kiba remained silent as Neji continued, "...I wasn't exactly brought up in the warmest of households...my uncle always telling me what I should be doing, but then I meet you...and you're so..."

Kiba swallowed hard as he waited for Neji's next words, feeling as if his fate hung in the very balance of the long-haired male making up his mind for how he wanted to proceed.

"...carefree and bright and happy...like life is something to be enjoyed and not...well...anyways...you're opening my eyes to something so much better, Kiba, and I just...don't want to let that go," Neji stated incredibly humbly, a soulful smirk gracing his features as he peered back up into Kiba's patient features.

Kiba grinned a small, understanding grin before smoothly releasing Neji's hands so he may encircle his arms around the slighter man and give him a firm embrace, Neji hastily returning the gesture as he threw his arms around Kiba's back.

Kiba took a deep breath, feeling touched beyond words at how Neji truly felt about him and their time together...all of their kisses and Neji's advances finally making sense to the brunette mechanic and he tightened his hold on the Hyuuga male a little more.

Who knew that just the way Kiba lived his life and treated others around him would have had this much impact...who knew that he could have possibly saved this young man...who knew that him simply speaking his mind to a melancholic soul who needed a push would cause that person to feel so strongly for him...

"Neji..." Kiba let the man's unique name flow from his mouth, his smile still in place along his tanned features and he gave him one final squeeze and then slowly put a little distance in between their embracing arms.

"Let's get out of here; I'm starving..." Kiba offered to let the heavy topics settle so they may enjoy the lighter things just the same, Neji immediately looking more than joyous to oblige as he smiled handsomely at Kiba's easygoing nature showing through again.

"Alright..." Neji agreed, stepping away from Kiba so he may walk alongside him again, this time the two men having brilliant smiles curving their lips as they looked onto the revolving glass doors and at the mild evening that lie beyond for them.

"Oh...and I'm driving," Kiba explained flatly, not taking no for an answer as the two proceeded forth.

Neji laughed and nodded his head in mock-reluctant agreement.

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