Cronus never had a problem introducing his girlfriends to his best friend. Kankri would always be polite, smile and laugh when it was necessary at the right moments, but would share with Cronus his opinion on the person he's dating. In the past, Kankri never really accepted any of Cronus's relationships, mostly because they both have different tastes in people, but Kankri would keep an open mind and think about the good of his friend. Truthfully, Kankri only ever welcomed one girl with a sincere smile and that was Porrim Maryam. For a very short period of time, Cronus was dating Porrim, which was a huge shock amongst the students, especially his friends. But just as soon as the relationship started, it ended just as fast. The reason for the separation wasn't like any other; they never cheated on each other, they were always honest and were even good friends in the beginning. They even shared the same lifestyle and sex drive. But for some reason they just couldn't click. After breaking up Kankri was of course disappointed, but understood that she just wasn't the girl for him.

And now Cronus was standing in his little brother's bedroom staring down at the boy he secretly adored, quietly dying from anxiety and the fast beating of his heart. He didn't even dare to glance to the side at his friend, nor he wanted too. He was sure that the moment Kankri looked back at him with blank and expressionless eyes, which was how he showed his disappointment, he would be running to the closest toilet in the house to empty his lunch into the silver bowl.

The moment Mituna and Eridan heard the two boys enter the room, they immediately ceased their activities. Mituna was sitting on the floor, his back towards the door, a drawing pad on his lap with Eridan across from him painting on his own paper. His fluffy head tilted backwards, to reveal his colorfully painted face and curiouseyes. There were dabs of blue and red spread across his face with hints of purple and yellow. On the tip of his nose was a pink dot and three black lines on both of his cheeks. As gay as it might sound, Cronus felt the sudden urge to snuggle him in his arms from the overflowing cuteness. Noticing Cronus, Mituna smiled widely, the dimple on his cheek quite visible and adding to the cuteness.

- We're painting music! - he exclaimed.

Cronus was about to react, when in the corner of his eye, Kankri moved towards the colorful boy and knelt next to him with a warm smile and stretched his hand towards him as a greeting.

- Hello, I'm Kankri. Cronus's friend.

Mituna blinked a few times, surprised by his appearance and was slightly flabbergasted. Slowly he slipped his hand into Kankri's and shook it very slightly.

- Mituna. - he said quietly.

Kankri noticed Mituna's shyness and quickly started a conversation, so he wouldn't think too much about the fact that he's a total stranger to him.

- You mind if I take a look? - he asked, gesturing with a nod towards his sketch pad, that he closed when Kankri walked up to him.

Still quite unsure of Kankri, but didn't want to make a bad impression, without a word he placed the sketch pad in Kankri's hand and dropped his gaze into his own lap, when the other man opened the first page. Regardless of the colors on Mituna's face, which always indicated which colors he was working with, the first sheet of paper was covered in vibrant colors, swirling around in spontaneous motions, gracefully shifting from one shade to another with ease. An abstract, Kankri noted to himself. He turned the page and it was as if he opened a door to a different world. The colors were a lot darker and more mysterious, but were warm and pleasant. The main attraction of the painting were two large eyes, slightly squinting as if they were smiling. Surrounding the dilated pupils was the most breathtaking sight he had ever seen. With a large mixture of different colors, they were bursting with blue and gold andhints of violet and greenin between. With the right combination and brilliantly mixed it made the most wonderfully realistic painting he had ever seen. But at the same time, analyzing the eye structure and wrinkles, they seemed extremely familiar. Giving back the pad he looked straight at Mituna, who was still uncomfortable in his presence and didn't seem to know how to speak to him. His eyes were glancing everywhere except the sketch pad and him. And right then and there, Kankri realized just who those eyes belonged to.

- They are very nice. - he said, face in shock but was smiling genuinely to make Mituna feel comfortable.

The other teen very slightly lifted the corner of his mouth and whispered a ,,Thank you" with his cheeks turning the slightest shade of pink. Eridan, who already knew Kankri, smiled and nodded at him, since his hands were covered in paint and he didn't want to dirty him. The man sighed and got up, a smile still playing on his lips and he glanced at Cronus with a look the other has never seen on his face before. Before following behind him to the kitchen, Cronus turned back towards Mituna, who looked up at him and smiled shyly, then went back to doodling immediately. The whole phenomenon he just witnessed was about to make his brain collapse from shock. He closed the door behind himself, took a deep breath to prepare himself for the conversation he was about to have and went downstairs into the kitchen, where Kankri was already sitting at the table sipping on tea he managed to make in a short period of time. Cronus nervously walked to the opposite side of where Kankri was sitting and settled down in a chair across from the other man. There was a long silence between them and not a comfortable one. Cronus felt every drip of sweat on the back of his neck and the only sound he could hear was his heartbeat. Finally, Kankri placed the cup on the table after taking a long sip and leaned towards him, still the same smile on his face. Cronus already tired of feeling so nervous squinted at him, growing impatientand waiting to hear a reply.

- So? - he said, with a hint of annoyance.

Kankri chuckled, making Cronus raise an eyebrow.

- He's something else, that's for sure. - he answered, looking down at his cup and started playing with the handle.

- But what do you think of him?

Kankri grabbed the cup, took a sip of the warm liquid and set it back down.

- Well, he didn't say much.

- You know what I mean.

He laughed again, which made Cronus's skin crawl. After so many years of knowing Kankri, he knew he wasn't telling him something. They both knew just how much neither of them liked to be left in the dark about anything and Cronus couldn't understand why Kankri wasn't talking. He just kept looking at him, staring to be precise and it was starting to creep him out. Kankri leaned his cheek in the cup of his hand and finally spoke.

- Don't worry, he likes you too.

Now It was Cronus's turn to stare blankly at his friend. Once Kankri spoke, the words were repeating in his head like a mantra or a broken record. His mind went pitch black and everything seemed to stop. After a few seconds, which felt like hours he blinked a few times, leaned back in the chair and suddenly found his shoes very interesting.

- Earth to Cronus? - said Kankri, quietly giggling.

- What do you mean he likes me? He has the brain of a 12 year old. His like and my like are two different likes, Kankri.

The other simply shrugged and began drinking his tea again.

- I don't think he's entirely oblivious, Cronus. - he said leaning back in the chair and crossed his arms. - He's still human and can see things that you maybe aren't aware of. Didn't you ever consider that maybe, just maybe he feels something? He's not an empty shell. I believe there's something there, but he just isn't sure what that is.

Cronus was looking back him, in awe at the fact that his friend accepted Mituna and is assuming that there might be hope. But he was worried that's all there is. Just hope and nothing else hidden inside. He was positive of his feelings for Mituna, but at the same time felt ok with the fact that he might never be able to show him or tell him how he feels. The satisfaction of being with him was all he needed to be complete. He would never want to risk that. Kankri noticed his hesitation and spoke again.

- You can never be sure if he feels the same if you keep it one sided. You need to show him. Words won't work, only action will.

- How can you be so sure, Kankri? How? By just looking at him? Because he looked dazed? He's always like that, that's just how he is. He's never aware of what's happening around him, cause his head is always in the clouds.

- Why are you so stubborn, Ampora?! - growled Kankri, making Cronus tilt back from surprise. Kankri was the type of person that always kept his cool, but when his mask would drop and his temper with it, then it's best to go search for cover. - Do you really believe your chances are that low?! Then you need a reality check. You make it sound like he doesn't pay attention to you, because the truth is you don't pay enough attention to him! If you took a closer look at how he sees you, noticed how his eyes brighten up when you came in the room and how happy he was, then things would be different and you wouldn't be in this situation right now, having an argument with me! If you think all that kid sees is stars and clouds, then you are very mistaken. He may be academically challenged, but he is not blind or stupid! He knows how you look at him and is aware if it! And if you don't do anything first, then that might fade away!

And with that last sentence, he got up, went to the hall to grab his jacket and started walking towards the front door. Cronus was still in his chair shaken to the bone. He has never seen such fire in Kankri's eyes since the day he passed his exams for collage. He was so, completely sure of himself that Cronus began to have second thoughts. That he wasn't paying attention to Mituna? He thinks about the idiot every time of day! Remembering what was happening, he got out of the chair and ran towards the door to grab Kankri's arm before stepping off the porch. Kankri was with no doubt furious. Cronus looked at him calmly and helplessly.

- I look at him all the time and I could never see anything. How could you read him with one glance?

Kankri sighed, feeling defeated and helpless himself that Cronus just couldn't notice.

- It's not him I read, it was his painting. His art speaks for him.

Cronus gaze him a puzzled look, but let go of his arm and watched him slowly walk away into the street. Now challenged with new information, he began thinking and realized that he has never seen any of his paintings.

A few hours had passed after Cronus's argument with Kankri he felt like calling him to apologize for being such a stubborn mule, but he still didn't check his theory. While the boys were still in Eridan's room and thankfully didn't seem to overhear the conversation, he quickly made some dinner, served the table and went upstairs to bring them to the table. He entered the room, to see they they were still drawing but Mituna seemed to be tutoring Eridan.

- Guys, dinner's ready.

Eridan jumped up excitedly; his face covered in paint.

- What's for dinner?!

- Go see for yourself. - was Cronus's reply.

Both of the boys got up from the floor and ran downstairs leaving Cronus alone in the bedroom. He checked to see if they were already there and went over to the sketchbook, that Mituna was painting in. He opened it carefully to see the first painting that was a combination of colorful swirls and delicate motions. It reminded him of how the wind would flow and made him smile. He went to the next page; the one Kankri was examining for a long time and understood why. It was a small sketch, but it was surely incredible. The colors were dark and bright, but suited each other. The skin tone around the eyes was purple and the eyes themselves were quite a sight. He noticed the blue tones in them and looked up to roll his eyes at the cliché poetry his brain was making up when he caught his glance in the mirror. And once this was certain: his eye color really resembled the eyes in the painting. Suddenly awaken from the trance, he heard footsteps by the door and saw Mituna staring at him wide eyed in the doorway. His eyes were showing panic, darting from the sketchpad to Cronus.

- I was going to get that. - he mumbled.

Cronus realized just how uncomfortable the situation was, especially after realizing just what was going on, he decided to go with breeze use Kankri's words and motivation. He walked up to Mituna, ruffled his hair and smiled at him.

- Kankri was right, they are very nice.

Mituna smiled shyly and without hesitation wrapped his arms around him, holding him in a gentle yet at the same time tight embrace. Cronus was shook out of balance by the surprising action and tried to relax, burying his face into Mituna's fluffy hair and held him just as tight. His hair had a strong scent of honey and green tea, which was an odd but pleasurable mixture. His heart was beating impossibly fast as his fingers brushed against his neck very slightly. But once he listened more closely, it wasn't just his own heartbeat. Mituna loosened his grip and looked up to give him a big, bright smile. Cronus loved that smile more than anything. His eyes were shining like glitter, like his freckles beneath the paint. But what made him even more special were his eyes, that were looking at him insensitively.

- Thank you. - he said.

- Me too. - muttered Cronus in a daze, but quickly snapped out of. - Let's eat before the food gets cold.

Mituna nodded and released himself from Cronus's arms, then disappeared down the stairs.

The three of them enjoyed a pleasant meal, then went back to their activities. There was still a little bit of time before Mituna had to be dropped off, so Cronus went to his room to kill some time. Browsing around his closet he found an old relic from his glory days of freshman year: his electric guitar. Suddenly struck by the surge of memories coming back to him in a wave, he pulled it out of the clutter of old boxes and grazed a hand over the metal strings. It was still in pretty good shape, besides the minor scratches made when he used to surf the crown during concerts and many people wore a lot metal spikes on their hands. He sat down on the floor, leaning his back against the bed and fished out the cord to the amplifier from underneath the bed. Once he hooked it up, he lit a cigarette to get into the feel of the moment and started strumming the first melody that came to mind. He smiled to himself and started humming, bobbing his head to the music. After such a long time, he still remembered how to play. Hearing a knock on the door and allowing the stranger entry with a lazy ,,Come In" and Mituna was in his room. For the first time. Cronus stopped, completely frozen as Mituna sat next to him and with a puzzled look glanced at him.

- Why did you stop?

Cronus laughed at the question, merely because the boy he liked was in his room, they were both alone and the things he would do to him on the bed behind them made him want to smash his guitar from sexual frustration. But first off, he could never do that to his precious baby and secondly he just needed to breath slowly and keep his cool.

- You just surprised me that's all.

Mituna muttered a quiet apology and Cronus started playing his guitar again, this time something more slower and calm. Mituna watched his fingers dance over the metal strings then press on them so strongly that the tips of his fingers turned white. But that didn't seem to bother him at all. While his hands were already turning red and seemed like they were going to stop, his face told a different story. His eyes were closed and concentrated on the music, head moving back forth or sideways, whichever came first. Soon he started humming and silently singing the words in his mind then aloud. Mituna joined him and started swaying his body to the rhythm and would laugh whenever Cronus would say a funny word.

They played like that for a while, till it was finally time for him to leave the Ampora household. Mituna gave one last hug goodbye to Eridan, promised to come again to tutor him and left with Cronus out the door. It was already dark outside with only short rays of sunlight still visible in the trees. It was beginning to get too cold for walking the streets, so they took the car even though it's a short drive. Once in front of the house, they both sat for a moment in silence, gazing out the windshield as the orange leaves began to fall of the branches.

- It's going to get cold soon. - said Cronus, mostly to himself.

- I don't like the cold. - Mituna replied. - but you'll keep me warm, right? - said Mituna, looking at him expectantly.

Cronus laughed and nodded reassuringly.

- You can count on that.

- I'll see you tomorrow?

- Yeah.

Right before getting out of the car, Mituna held out his hands, in his silent way asking for a hug and Cronus was more than happy to fulfill his need. They held onto each other tightly, as if one of them was going to disappear. Cronus sighed against Mituna's exposed neck, making him shiver.

- Mituna?

- Yes? - he said, reacting quickly and leaning back with his face only centimeters away from Cronus.

Oddly enough, it didn't seem to bother him at all. Following Kankri's advice, he looked into Mituna's eyes searching for something that he might have missed and it seemed that Mituna was doing the same. He was looking at him as if he was waiting. His eyes were longing for something and the way his lips trembled, he wanted to say it, but didn't know what it was. He was confused, but at the same time knew what he wanted. Cronus placed both hands on his cheeks, Mituna did the same placing his hands on Cronus's larger ones. Both wide-eyed and waiting, they stared at each other, analyzing each others movements and reactions. Mituna watched him carefully, his breath slightly faster then before. His eyes big and shiny like the stars he always watches, his parted lips that could never speak his mind, the way his thick, black locks of hair curled around his face and the shallow rays of sunlight against his creamy, freckled skin; basically everything about him was beautiful. And Cronus wanted him so desperately. To hold him in a tight embrace and kiss till they were out of breath. His body was screaming for it, but his soul couldn't do it.

- Good night. - he said, then let his hands slip away from Mituna's face.

- Good night. - Mituna replied, his expression never fading.

There was a spark of disappointment in his eyes and Cronus took note of it, but he just couldn't do it yet. He wanted it to be done properly. Once Mituna was out of the car and walking towards his house, Cronus started the engine and drove down the quiet street. Mituna stopped to watch him completely disappear from his sight. His hand was clutching his jacket and tears were forming in his eyes. Something started to hurt in his chest when Cronus was no longer beside him. It hurt terribly. His eyes were blinking away the tears, but they managed to slip out and roll down his full cheeks. He looked up at the sky and asked the stars blinking down at him, why does it hurt so much?