Okay, so it's not as long as I'd like, but I'm getting a tad stuck. Not quite sure where I'm going with this... but I'll hopefully figure that out soon. I have a few ideas, so I just need to organize things. I'm thinking that I'm just going to make this a HagirixMitarai.. 'cause that's what it looks like now..

Anyway, I hope you guys like this, and I'll try to figure things out ASAP. I do have other fics I wanna write, so I can't get too hung up. :P

The walk back from Sensui's room was quiet. Hagiri kept his gaze on the floor, while Mitarai tried to think of what to say. That experience had rattled them both- him, for having his first time, but… Hagiri had seemed to be more upset than had made sense. True, he was entitled to some; he was forced to have sex with his best friend, but it was more than that. If that had been the only thing, it wouldn't still feel so awkward.

Finally, Mitarai sighed. "Hagiri… it's okay."

The older boy glanced at him, looking incredulous. "He just made us have sex, and you say it's okay?" He shook his head and looked back at the floor.

Mitarai thought for a moment, trying to figure out how to respond.

"Well… how come it's not okay? We did it because he told us to. It's not like…" he paused, a flash of insight telling him not to finish that sentence. Hagiri stopped walking and looked back at him.

"Not like what?"

There was silence for a minute, then something dawned on Mitarai.

"That was really important to you. I don't think you wanted to do that, right?"

"Not like that. Not with them watching."

"But then, that means you still wanted to do it."

Hagiri's expression, which had slowly been softening, hardened. He turned away.

"You're kidding yourself. You're younger than me."

Mitarai slowly stepped up to him, putting a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"I know you were upset. You wouldn't have acted that way just for show." He didn't know why he was pushing this. Maybe it was important for Hagiri that he did.

Their gazes met. Mitarai saw the mind behind those pink eyes racing, judging actions that hadn't been made yet, searching his face for motives.

Finally, after what seemed like eternity, Hagiri turned to completely face him, and touched his face gently. His hand moved down slowly until he cupped Mitarai's chin. Another moment of silence.

Then, all in a heartbeat, Hagiri moved forward, pressing their lips together forcefully. The kiss only lasted a handful of seconds before he pulled away, conflicting emotions in his eyes.

"Don't tempt me," he muttered, turning away. Mitarai frowned.

"Hagiri- if you loved me, why didn't you say anything?"

When the older boy looked back at him, his eyes looked almost angry.

"Are you serious? I've been giving you signs for weeks now, and you haven't noticed any?"

Mitarai's eyes widened. "What?"

Hagiri looked annoyed. "Have you ever noticed how much I wanted us to be together during work? The way I act around you? You can be so oblivious sometimes." His eyes grew sad, and he looked away. "I'm sorry… I shouldn't talk to you like that."

Mitarai hesitated, then carefully moved closer to Hagiri and kissed him on the cheek. The older boy looked at him, eyes wide, looking almost vulnerable.

"I might like you," Mitarai said softly. "But I don't really know yet. Give me time, okay?"

Silence. Neither of them moved. Then Hagiri's expression calmed to his normal one and he nodded, smiling slightly.

"Of course. I'll see you later, Mitarai."

He turned and quickly headed down the hallway to his room. Mitarai went down to the dance floor to wait for Kuwabara. He had to tell him about what had happened.

...

They sat in silence, Kuwabara trying to understand what he had just been told.

"You can't stay here."

Mitarai frowned. "What? I can't just leave."

"Why not? If stuff like that is happening to you, you shouldn't stay here."

Mitarai felt confused. Did he want to leave?

"Not without Hagiri and Amanuma."

The older boy sighed. "We've been over this. D'you really want to stay here?"

"We're taken care of here- and it's not like you can take us in. That wouldn't work."

"Why not? Me and my sister both got jobs- we could take care of you guys, and you or Hagiri could get a job if you wanted to help out."

Mitarai paused. He had to admit, that made sense… it could work… but could he get Hagiri to agree, or Amanuma?

Reluctantly, he nodded. "I'll ask them, and I'll tell you our answer tomorrow."

He just hoped it would be the right one.