Svinina V Medovoy Glazuri

Intro: -Bangles, 'Eternal Flame'- I like my idea, but I don't think it's going in the right direction…

A/N: Hrm, I'm not honestly quite sure where they are. I'd say Japan just because of ryotei and onsen, but that's not exactly my thoughts on the setting…

Ochen'Celes – Authentic Cuisine to you!
WE DELIVER!
Delivery Charge $2.00, 5-Mile radius
Minimum $15.00 purchase (NO CHECK)
CASH, VISA CARD, MASTER CARD

It had been a week-and-a-half since Kurogane was asked to stay with Fai. Truthfully, 'asked,' wasn't the right word for the situation. Kurogane was forced to stay with Fai to work off his debt. He was dubbed, 'the big puppy,' among other inconsequential nick-names among the waiters and waitresses. Truth be told, Kurogane couldn't wait to leave this chaos. Every single person who worked at this restaurant was psychotic – even the customers would a chuckle with a friendly glance upon hearing the names of affection.

Somehow, for some reason, Kurogane was jealous. The entire staff acted like a wonderful family – like the family he was meant to have, never to be. He shook his head. His past was not meant to haunt him but to help him avoid the mistakes he made. But they weren't mistakes he could fix or even circumvent – they never were. He coughed a brief moment.

It was early morning. Ochen'Celes had been open for a good hour or so. There had been a few customers for the early-early morning shift, but even the morning breakfast rush had not come. It was amazing how people could stuff this terrible-tasting food down their throats so early in the morning… He coughed again.

"Are you feeling okay, Kuro-Min? You don't look too good. In fact, I'd say that you look downright bad…" Fai observed. He couldn't complain, though – for the past week, the big puppy had been pulling double-shifts for his keep. He had informed the male that the motion was unnecessary but the said boy continued to do so. Maybe that was why Kuro-Mune looked so sick?

Kurogane grunted. He didn't feel good – even sweeping the floor of the last customers was a challenge. Gods only knew he didn't look good now. And it was all because he thought the damn blond had something on him. How Fai managed to so this every single day of his life was beyond capability. He coughed again, this time his hacking sounding very grotesque.

With a concerned expression, Fai sighed in defeat. There was no way he could let his star waiter of the week fall to illness. If he did that, there was no doubt the staff would be over-working over-time with the crowds they were pulling in. "My, my, Kuro-Tan. We can't have you infecting our dear customers with a bug, now, can we? You should take the day off."

Kurogane shook his head violently from side-to-side. If he took a single day off, there would be no telling what Fai would do to him afterwards. Still, the athletic boy feared on his behalf – his tournament started tomorrow. If he was still sick by then, there would be no doubt loose to some half-assed dimwit in a heart beat.

Fai sighed in an exasperated tone. He disappeared into the kitchen before arriving momentarily. A psychotic grin was plastered on his face. It was grins like this that made the other boy skeptical.

You see, Fai wore that same damn grin the very first moment Fai initiated a, 'real,' conversation with Kurogane. Of course, somehow that conversation led to the big question – whether he liked little bunnies or kitty-cats better. That grin broadened on the first night – when Fai told Kurogane the rule was that they just had to sleep together in the same bed because there was no room elsewhere. Even more, Fai taught the other to use silverware – the result deadly, how to make simple entrées – ending even worse than the silverware, and forced the other to wear his uniform as a joke – that result too horrific to mention – all with that grin.

Yes, Kurogane knew better in this single week than to trust that grin. "What?" he choked out in a manly voice. It was clear the question was against his will.

"We're going to the ocean," Fai stated lightly. It was demanding. He knew that Kurogane couldn't object to his will because the taller boy was riding off of him. Yes, Fai knew this and he was using it to his advantage. "You can borrow my swim-trunks, Kuro-Byong. They're in the fifth drawer if you're interested.

"Of course," Fai slurred, rethinking his pattern of attack, "you would look funny in my clothes, huh? That's okay. I know a big puppy just like you – two, in fact. No, wait, three. Yeah I'm sure Toya will give you his swim-wear. If that fails, ask Saiga. Hee hee, I don't know if Kuro-Chii wants to do that, though. Well, as a last resort, you can ask Rikou. I don't think he'll give it to you, though… Ah! We're going to miss the high-noon rush! Hurry up, Kuro-Poi!" Fai spewed out. The phrases clashed against each other like ketchup and mustard – only ending up together better than they began. The blond grinned a moment or two in his victory before twirling elsewhere with what seemed a faint blush.

Kurogane growled. Things like this always happened to him. And right now, they were as bad as things got – or so he thought. God only knows he was wrong - so, so very wrong.

-O-

"Kuro-Chan! Isn't this ex-cite-ing? Yay!" Fai squealed. Somehow the shorted boy seemed more than thrilled about this idea. Why the ocean made him happier than a dog in heat was flabbergasting.

Kurogane glowered in a pouting tempter-tantrum. He hated this idea. "Why are we even going?" he groaned.

A fair eyebrow poked up. "Why else? To relax Kuro-Myu, of course! He looks like he needs to recoup!" Fai emitted. He flailed his arms up and down in a motion. Eventually they were flung down on Kurogane's shoulders. A blushing boy – the direct object – made a, 'hmph,'-ing sound.

"The lunch rush is going to pass in a while. Is it okay to leave the restaurant like this?" Kurogane asked. He wasn't shoving the other off – yet. Oh, Gods knew one of these days he would shove the blond off harder than a professional wrestler. In fact, when he did, was going to be something like Goldberg – yeah, that hard. Kurogane shoved his precious, brainless thoughts to the back of his mind. Those were for very private moments he was by himself to ponder over…

Fai nodded, his golden locks flopping up and down. "Yep! Someone's taking care of the ryotei! It'll be alright!"

Another, 'hmph,' filled the air. Squirming into a more comfortable position, Fai managed to stay latched onto Kurogane's collarbone. He received a gruff reply for the movement: "Who?"

"…Just the regular staff," Fai cheerfully stated with a hard grin. He charged the subject: "Your tournament is tomorrow."

Kurogane nodded with a smirk. What seemed like determination and excitement overflowed into his eyes. For a brief moment anxiety flashed in those crimson orbs. That emotion soon dissolved into a harder glare of stimulation. It was strange – Kurogane seemed like he was…happy. It was a long awaited emotion that the young entrepreneur wanted to see for quite some time but it just seemed wrong at that moment. The aggressive male disgorges, "It's going to be great. In fact, I'm going to have the best damn time I've ever had! I know it!"

The blond was reassured in the other's newfound faith. It was an idle blind faith – or so he convinced himself. Fai nodded with closed eyes. "I'm sure you will. You seem like the determined type. You can go anywhere you want…" There was a somber tone in the flaxen male's voice.

Kurogane barely noticed the wavering voice. He was too pumped. "This is just Regionals, through. Nationals will be, like, five-times better! My blood is boiling just thinking about it! I'm so damn energized!"

Fai sighed with a simple snicker. "Maybe…you can stay over if you make it. I mean, when you participate in the Nationals."

Kurogane blushed to that of a cherry for a reason or another. "I will get into the Nationals! There are no, 'ifs,' about that," he affirmed unhurriedly, "but…when I do…I guess I can do that. Just a little visit, though! You'd work me to death and I can't be stressed for Nationals," Kurogane scoffed.

Fai blinked his cobalt eyes a moment or two before a pale pink covered his cheeks. His eyes widened as he went on to sputter his next statement. "That would make me so happy, Kuro-Yan! You'd visit a total stranger?"

"You're not a complete stranger – no matter how much I wish that were the case," Kurogane sneered.

"Aw! Is Kuro-Min professing his love to little old me?" Fai teased. He received a smack on the forehead for that comment. After the blond detached from the other, he rubbed his head profusely. A crying wail of how the big puppy had just bit him rang through the entire bus. "K-Kuro-Tyang! It hurts! Make it all better!" he howled, holding his head upright.

Kurogane grunted. Scarlet eyes glanced to the side as if he didn't care. He just jolted his head to the right with a swing of his nose. Actually, it was cute considering the boy looked like a spoiled brat.

Fai cried melodramatically with the faux tears in his eyes. "Aw, c'mon Kuro-Wanko! One kiss won't hurt you!"

Kurogane's ruby eyes fixated on Fai for a brief moment before looking out of the window. "If I do that, people will talk."

-O-

"Wow! Isn't the beach fun, Kuro-Rin!" Fai cheered, bouncing over the place. Kurogane scoffed at that. He finally deducted that Fai was an amazing person. Not even an hour of building sandcastles, two-hours-and-a-half of playing beach volleyball, thirty minutes of walking along the shoreline, and ten minutes of rest jumbled with useless chatter could wear out the blond. He himself was exhausted and that was not dramatizing anything at all.

Fai sat down quietly next to the tanned boy. They had a jumbo beach umbrella to shade them from the sun. Although it was late-afternoon, the sun was still shining its rays down on the beach-front citizens brightly. On the sand were towels of bright colors – both tie-dyed – and an enlarged bag with beach necessities inside it. Seeing as the raven-haired boy was worn out, the other joined him in the peace.

"Are you tired already, Kuro-Pii? How do you expect to fair against the other boys tomorrow?" Fai giggled. He lay down on his towel scooting in closer to Kurogane.

"You're just a ball of never-ending, hyper-acting energy from a nuclear reactor," replied Kurogane. His right arm was covering his face – Fai couldn't see his eyes. Due to this fact, Fai hovered above the boy with a smirk on his face. Pale lips were licked before a soft finger poked Kurogane in the chest. A set of crimson eyes jolted open, his body muscles tensed.

Fai giggled. That response was amazing. Kuro-Ma was so alert for being such a big puppy! He moved his fingers around the other male's chest in a circular motion. The third time around his wrist has caught in the puppy's hand.

"Are you freaking gay or what?"

Fai's smile faltered at tidbit. The smile was still plastered on. Against his will he was able to choke out a phrase. "Isn't that obvious?"

"That you're obviously gay or obviously trying to cover it up?" Kurogane demanded. His eyes were flaring in their glare. He clenched his hands, squeezing the wrist to the point where it felt like it would break. Kuro-Hai was really strong.

A broadened grin pasted itself on Fai's face. "Kudos for you, Kuro-Fu. What are you going to do about it?" Kurogane's eyes widened as if Fai had just said the most horrifying thing in Earth. Fai crossed his arms in a pout. "Oh come on! It's not like I have some weird disease that you're magically going to transfuse because of it!" His cerulean eyes bent down in a frown.

Kurogane sighed. He couldn't wiggle his way out of this. He was working under this kid for food and board – if he left he probably end up shriveling out on the streets. Hell, that might be better. "But now that we're on the subject, Kuro-Pon, would you mind if I tagged along with you tomorrow? Who knows what kind of hotties will be sweating in their body fluids and tears!"

Kurogane pointed to the ocean. He needed a walk. Now.

-O-

Fai sighed. That was an amazing reaction! Who knew this big puppy was so expressive? Not that he was a total gay, he scratched his head. He thought to himself that he did like girls but couldn't recall any. A knot in his stomach formed. Oh well – he shoved it to the back of his mind. He could keep playing along with this happy-go-lucky gay thing, it was fun.

Kurogane returned momentarily with a hard, emotionless stare. "Am I attractive?"

"Only a fool would say otherwise," Fai replied with a psychotic grin.

Kurogane gulped. This was too weird. "Just don't touch me, you fag." Then he returned to the sea as if to contemplate the phrase he just said.

Fai giggled. Oh, this was so much fun… What he should do next. Maybe he should find the puppy's breaking point? Then another thought hit: when did he get so sadistic? He sighed, brushing that thought away. He looked at Kurogane with wanting eyes. It was such a shame Kurogane couldn't see what a fine catch he was…

-O-

"I just need to convince him that I'm straight…" Kurogane murmured. About then, he remembered the incident a few days ago. That memory would not be helping any. Looking about, he saw a very attractive life-guard – a woman, of course. She was well-figured with hair spilling out like a fountain of ink. Of course – the drowning technique!

-O-

"Kuro-Kichi doesn't even like me. Who am I kidding? It's just a waste…" Fai muttered, digging his head into a palm. His wonderfully cynical thoughts had been tainted with self-drowning provisions of anguish and angst. However, they were soon interrupted when a voice pierced into the air.

"Some guy is drowning! Get a lifeguard! Quick!"

Fai's attention perked up. Kuro-Boi was definitely not the type to drown, but then again, Kuro-Fun didn't seem like the type to get along well with water, either. In fact, the whole time they had been here they hadn't even gone too far into the water. What if Kuro-Pei didn't know how to swim? He'd die!

So Fai found himself rushing out neck-and-neck with a lady lifeguard. The prize of beating the other was in the form of performing mouth-to-mouth with the big puppy. That may not have appealed to many people greatly, but it was cloud-nine for Fai. Kurogane's body lay atop water.

The lifeguard gasped a moment – giving Fai prime time to grab the drowning boy (a/n: he really was drowning right now.) Together the two pulled the boy to shore, executing the procedure for mouth-to-mouth. Kurogane followed all the signs of normal procedure. Fai grinned for a moment – this was just his devil's luck.

"Stay back!" the life-guard announced. She paced her hands up as people gathered into a crowd.

Fai giggled while squirming in anticipation. "I know him. He's a close friend of mine. May I?"

The woman poked an eyebrow up, but volunteers were appreciated. She allowed the blond to work his magic. Fai took a deep breath, straddling the body underneath him. His quirky smile broadened. This was going to be fun.

So Fai kissed Kurogane, lightly pumping his hands on the other's chest every so often. Kurogane – who returned to the world of the living – thought the one atop him was the lady lifeguard. So of course the big puppy returned the kiss willingly, pushing his tongue into the one's mouth. Fai gave himself in and Kurogane's hand slid up Fai's arm, caressing the other's silky-soft hair. As the kiss broke, he opened his eyes slowly to see the giggling blond on top.

Kurogane swore he would kill him. His instincts told him to do so – 'Kill him! You know you want to! You need to loosen up before the tourney anyways!' He took the advice. Somewhere as he chased the giggling idiot along the shore-line, he forgot why they were even arguing in the first place.

And for the first time, people talked about Kurogane in that kind of way.

Afterthoughts: Weekly updates on this story until I finish it, alright? I'm going to try my best! Reviews are nice motivation, by the way.