"Where are we going, Soubi?" Ritsuka asked after they had walked for ten minutes in silence.

"I thought you wanted it to be a surprise," Soubi said and glanced over at Ritsuka. He was looking straight at him and his head was tilted slightly to the side. It was so damn adorable.

"You're right," Ritsuka said, "but can you at least tell me generally?"

"We're going down by the river," Soubi said.

"And what are we going to do there?" Ritsuka's ears perked.

"If I told you that, it would ruin the surprise," Soubi turned his head to look at Ritsuka. So cute.

Ritsuka flashed a dazzling smile at Soubi and he felt his heart melt. Ritsuka knew how to make him tell him what he wanted.

"We're going to a place called the Junction Buoy," Soubi said. So much for surprises. He made a mental note to never look straight at Ritsuka again when he was interrogating him.

"Is that a restaurant?" Ritsuka asked sweetly.

"Yes," said Soubi, begrudgingly. He couldn't keep anything, even something so trivial as this, from his Ritsuka.

"Lovely," Ritsuka said.

After five more minutes of walking they reached the restaurant. Soubi held the door open for Ritsuka but Ritsuka grabbed his hand and pulled him in next to him. Soubi was intrigued.

At the front of the restaurant the hostess stood behind a small podium. She said politely, "Good evening, sirs. Do you have a reservation?"

Soubi spoke up. "Yes. Table for two reserved to Agatsuma Soubi."

Ritsuka looked at him. "When did you make a reservation?"

"While you were changing," he said with a playful little smile.

The hostess led them to their table. It was secluded in a corner that had windows looking out to the water. "May I take your coats to the concierge?"

The men smiled. "Please." They took off their almost identical coats and sat down across from each other. Ritsuka's eyes glowed brightly in the light from the small votive candle in the middle of the table.

"Your waiter will be with you in a moment," the hostess said, turned around, and took their coats to the coat check.

Ritsuka looked around the place. It had a nautical theme, which was to be expected, but layered in were feminine touches like fresh red roses on each table and an elegant wine list displayed near the door.

Their waiter was there before Ritsuka had finished taking in the whole scene. He said, "Good evening, gentlemen. May I recommend one of our fine wines to you today?"

Soubi smiled and said, "We'll have a bottle of chardonnay, please."

"Of course, sir." The waiter excused himself and went to fetch a bottle from the wine refrigerator.

"I've never had wine," Ritsuka said sheepishly. "Is it good?"

"You'll just have to taste it, Rituska." Soubi said softly. "If you don't like it I'll order something else."

Ritsuka flashed him another dazzling smile. Soubi thought he might have a heart attack.

The waiter returned a moment later with a bucket of ice in which was nestled a bottle. He held it by the neck in a towel and popped the cork for them, then set it back in the ice bucket. "I'll bring you a menu in a moment." Soubi thanked him and took out the bottle of wine. Ritsuka held up his wine glass and Soubi poured him a small measure. "Taste it."

Ritsuka held the glass up to his nose and smelled it. "It smells weird," he said.

Soubi laughed quietly as Ritsuka took a sip. His nose wrinkled and he licked his lips.

"That's weird."

"Do you not like it?" Soubi asked.

"No, I think I like it. It's just weird because I've never had it before." Ritsuka took another sip, then held his glass out to Soubi. Soubi laughed again and filled the glass. Then he picked up his own , filled it, and held it up to Ritsuka.

"A toast," Soubi said.

Ritsuka looked at him inquisitively.

"I love you, Ritsuka." They clinked glasses and drank simultaneously. Ritsuka felt a warmth spread through his body and his face took on a slight pink tinge.

He set down his glass and laid his hands on the table, palms up, towards Soubi.

Soubi raised his eyebrows and put his hands in Ritsuka's.

"Thank you."

"For what?" Soubi looked confused.

"For taking me out tonight." Ritsuka blushed.

"That's what lovers do, right?" Soubi asked delicately. He thought that he might be pushing his luck by saying lovers.

Ritsuka's eyes found Soubi's. "That's right."

Soubi couldn't take his eyes off of Ritsuka the entire time they were in the restaurant. He found it extremely sensual the way Ritsuka ate and drank. There was an elegance about it that he found incredibly sexy.

When they were through, the pair left the restaurant arm in arm. "Where are we going now?"

"Lets go for a walk on the boardwalk."

"Sounds romantic." Ritsuka beamed.

Soubi glanced furtively at his watch. It was 8:39 pm. The sun would be setting soon, and he wanted to watch it go down with Ritsuka.

They walked along the edge of the water. Soubi put his arm around Ritsuka's shoulders and Ritsuka's head rested on Soubi's shoulder as they walked, his arm wrapped behind Soubi's soon came upon other couples, sitting on the benches, kissing, or else walking down the boardwalk in much the same manner as Ritsuka and Soubi were.

Soubi guided Ritsuka up a small hill to a bench under an elm tree.

They sat down next to each other and gazed out over the water, not needing to say anything. They were completely comfortable just sitting there together, sharing each other's warmth, watching the evening sun dance across the waves as it made it's slow, glowing descent. Just before the sun had completely disappeared, it's rays caused the sky to turn fiery pink and orange. It was beautiful. Ritsuka snuggled close to Soubi and gently squeezed his hand. A moment later - or it might have been an eternity - the sun disappeared behind the curve of the earth and Ritsuka tore his eyes from the water to look at Soubi. He had a serene smile on his face and was gazing out into space. Ritsuka kissed him gently on the cheek and the spot burned.

"Thank you."

Soubi turned his head to look at Ritsuka. He lifted his chin and pecked on the lips. "Did that live up to your expectations?"

"It was the most wonderful night I've ever had," Ritsuka breathed.

Soubi's stomach fluttered and he slowly got up. He held his hand out to Ritsuka, who took it and stood up too. "Would you like to dance?" Soubi said.

"There's no music, Soubi," Ritsuka said, stating the obvious.

"Yes there is," Soubi said quietly, and he placed his hand above Ritsuka's heart, "in here."

Ritsuka giggled. "That's really cheesy, Soubi, but really romantic. Ok, lets dance."

Ritsuka wrapped his arms around Soubi's neck and Soubi placed his hands around Ritsuka's waist, pulling him close enough to feel the rhythm of Ritsuka's breathing. The pair swayed to a love song that only they could hear while gazing into each other's eyes. They didn't need to speak. Everything that needed to be said was supplied instantly in their eyes and in the movement of their bodies, perfectly in sync. There was nothing else in the entire world, just Ritsuka and Soubi, hopelessly devoted.

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Ritsuka pulled out his key as they climbed the stairs up to their apartment. He wanted to be the gentleman, now, after being treated with such courtliness by Soubi. He held the door open for his partner, who grasped his hand on the way in and pulled him in after him. Ritsuka pulled the door shut with him and flicked the lock.

Soubi then pulled him into a tight embrace and kissed him. It was a kiss full of love, passion, commitment, and devotion. Ritsuka swooned and Soubi held him against him, supporting his full weight. Ritsuka allowed himself to be swept off of his feet and cradled in Soubi's arms. Soubi took him over to the bed and laid him down as if he was easily breakable. Ritsuka locked his fingers behind Soubi's neck and pulled him down with him.

In a split second, Ritsuka was on top of him, exploring Soubi's mouth with his soft tongue. Soubi closed his eyes and his fingers moved seemingly of their own accord to get lost in Ritsuka's hair. Ritsuka laid down completely on top of Soubi. Soubi felt his heart beating erratically in his chest and figured that his probably was too. Ritsuka's face was flushed and his hands clung to Soubi for dear life as they kissed.

Ritsuka broke the kiss and tilted his head to kiss down Soubi's neck. He nibbled on Soubi's ear and Soubi's hands, which had moved to the small of Ritsuka's back, clenched. He felt the heat growing in his groin and groaned. With a swift movement, he flipped them over on the mattress and his hair cascaded around his face, tickling Ritsuka's human ears.

Soubi put his weight on his knees and his hands with the intention of separating his pelvis from Ritsuka's, but Ritsuka pressed up against him adamantly. He resumed his nibbling of Soubi's ear. Soubi shut his eyes tight and his teeth clenched.

"Ritsuka…" he managed.

"Sou -- bi…" Ritsuka whispered between bites.

"Ritsuka… you're going to make me… you're going to make me hard, Ritsuka." His hands balled up into fists in the sheet and he felt his toes curl.

Ritsuka stopped nibbling his ear and looked into his eyes. Soubi was instantly stunned. He saw none of the emotions that Ritsuka had been feeling the last time. Now, his eyes were warm, welcoming, and a little more than lustful.

"Soubi… I'm ready."