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Several weeks passed and Fran now found himself wandering the halls (more or less lost, as usual). He had not seen much of Bel. He couldn't help feeling disappointed, but also annoyed with himself. He got a thrill from just seeing Bel in passing. These feelings confused him greatly. As much as he wanted to be a normal straight guy, he found himself constantly thinking of Bel and trying to remember what happens in the future. He was frustrated to find that his memories were blank. He was starting to admit to himself that he really did have quite the crush on his Senpai.

Speak of the devil. Fran saw Bel moving toward him in the hall. He was looking quite ruffed up and angry.

"What happened to you, Senpai?" He asked.

Bel scowled at him. "None of your business, Toad," he snarled.

"I guess your mission didn't go well?" Fran said.

Bel growled. His mission had not gone well at all. It was successful, but by no means easy. What made him angrier was the fact that he really could have used Mammon for such a task. They had been the perfect team, as much as he now hated to admit it. He needed an illusionist with him. This made him all the more frustrated. He would have to start working with Fran. This meant he had to start spending time with him.

"It went fine," he said sourly.

"You're hurt," Fran pointed out.

"I know that," he snapped, moving past him.

Fran followed him and Bel ignored him. They walked all the way to Bel's door and he paused.

"What do you want?" He demanded.

Fran fidgeted in front of him. "Loudmouth-Senpai said we were supposed to be partners."

Bel gritted his teeth. "And?"

Fran knitted his eyebrows. "Well, aren't partners supposed to work together? He said I should be helping you."

"I don't need help," Bel grumbled.

Fran gave him a blank look. "If you say so… You're bleeding," he added helpfully.

Bel looked down to see red seeping through his shirt. He was exhausted. Prince the Ripper had already made an appearance that night when he received the wound. He pushed his door open and went inside. Fran followed him inside and looked around. Bel's room really did look like a royal's bedroom would (I'll let everyone use their imagination here). Bel took off his ruined shirt and retrieved medical supplies from his bathroom.

"Come here, partner," he said lying down on his absurdly large bed.

Fran moved forward.

"Patch me up," he said tiredly.

"Shouldn't you go see Lussuria-Senpai?" He asked.

Bel shook his head. "It's not that bad. Now hurry up, you wanted to help."

"I didn't say I wanted to," he said, but moved to perch himself on the edge beside him and reached for the medical supplies.

He cleaned the shallow wound with only a few hissed complaints from Bel before wrapping it up. He sat back to observe his work and found that Bel had fallen asleep. He smiled slightly. His Senpai looked much sweeter when he was sleeping. He looked Bel's torso over, appreciating all the lean muscles he could see. He admired the crescent moon birthmark near his naval. He could feel his body starting to react and he groaned quietly. Do I have a kink for birthmarks now? He stood up, not interested in getting a hard on when Bel could wake up at any moment. He pulled the silken sheets up to cover him and slipped quietly from the room. He let out a shaky breath as he leaned against the closed door.

He let me take care of him, he thought and smiled.

Bel and Fran started training together after Bel's wound healed enough. Fran actually found it rather fun to work with Bel. He was a genius after all. They went on their first mission together and the path of carnage Bel left in his wake fascinated Fran. The blood had been everywhere. Fran preferred his own neat illusions to all the mess, but seeing Bel in action gave him goose bumps and a major hard on he was forced to hide under his jacket.

A month passed and Fran was really starting to get the hang of the mansion's many winding halls. He only got lost about once a day now. He now stood frowning down at his fellow Varia members at the top of the stairs.

"Come on, toad," Bel called impatiently to him.

"Why swimming?" He grumbled to himself as he trudged down toward Bel, Lussuria, and Squalo.

"This will be good for everyone to get out in the sun!" Lussuria said happily leading the way with a girlie pink float. "Shall we swim in the pool or the lake?" He asked Squalo.

"Lake," Squalo said. "My shark could use some exercise and the pool is too small." (Would his box weapon even be okay in fresh water? Oh, well).

They all marched out the door and down to the beautiful lake on the grounds near the mansion. Everyone, but Fran plucked off their shirts and got in. Squalo swam out to the middle where he could release his shark. It dove happily into the water and created a huge splash. It moved low to allow Squalo to climb on. It was the first time Fran had seen Squalo smile. Lussuria was already lounging on his float and Bel was out there trying to flip him. He could hear Lussuria squeal and he whacked Bel hard enough on the head to send him under water. He came up laughing and moved back to avoid another smack.

"Senpai would kill me if I hit him," Fran muttered and squatted at the edge of the water. "Hello, frogs," he said, looking around at the ones perched near him.

He picked one up gently and it didn't seem to mind.

"How are you today?" He asked gloomily. The frog made a 'ribbit' sound. "Yes," he said. "You do look well today. What shall I call you?" The frog simply gazed up at him. "I think I'll call you Francis, how about that?" (Francis… Maybe Fran is homesick!)

"Who the hell are you talking to?" Bel asked, bewildered as he swam over.

Fran held up the frog for him to see. "I like to talk to all animals, Senpai. They're usually nicer than most people I know."

Bel snorted. "You're a fucking weirdo. Now get in the water. All frogs need to swim."

"What's that, Francis?" Fran asked, moving the frog closer to his ear. "Oh, yes, Senpai really does take this Frog nickname too literally."

Bel growled. "Get in before I squash your only friend," he snapped.

Fran sighed knowing perfectly well that Bel would do it. He set the frog safely aside. "Have a nice day," he told it.

He stood up and removed his tank top, giving Bel his first view of the Frog's body. He was quite scrawny. Who needs to be super strong when they fight with illusions? Bel found himself strangely attracted to him. He was smaller than Mammon. He gazed at Fran's cute little pink nipples. He's 15. Bel reminded himself and forced himself to look away as Fran stepped cautiously in. I feel like an old pervert. Fran moved until he was up to his waist and stopped.

"Today, stupid," Bel said impatiently.

"I'm fine here," he insisted.

"No way," Bel snapped. "Get over here."

He reached out and Fran quickly moved away from him, but Bel was fast and wrapped an arm around Fran's waist, pulling him back. Fran yelped and thrashed. Bel immediately released him to avoid getting smacked. Fran's head went under for a moment and he came up sputtering.

"Bel!" Fran cried and reached out and grabbed at Bel's shoulders. Bel reeled back in surprise.

"Gah!" He cried as Fran's arms came up to wrap around his neck. They both went under this time. "Fran," he gasped. "What the fuck-"

"Don't push me away, Senpai!" Fran practically wailed. "I can't really swim."

Bel gaped at him, managing to keep them both afloat. He hadn't seen this much expression on Fran's face before.

"Why the hell didn't you say something before?!" Bel cried angrily. "You're a frog! How can you not swim?"

"Gran started to teach me how, but then I had to leave with Master," Fran muttered, looking away. He relaxed his grip, but stayed close. "He wouldn't teach me, so I've never been in deep water before. I have to stay where I can feel the bottom."

"Why didn't you say something?" Bel demanded again.

"I didn't know mean old Senpai would pull me in," he whined.

Bel frowned at him. He was feeling quite guilty, though he would never admit it. He could have drowned the little frog.

"You really are useless," Bel grumbled and started moving back towards the land. Fran's grip around him tightened again. "Relax, Froggy. I'm not going to let anything happen to you." His grip loosened (even if only a smidgen).

When they reached a shallow enough area Fran let go and scrambled to shore.

"Stupid frog," Bel said. "Come on."

"Where are we going?"

"We're getting you a float," he snapped.

"Where are you guys going?" Lussuria shouted, but Bel didn't answer. He wasn't big on repeating himself even if it was for a different person.

Fran followed him, feeling quite embarrassed. He watched Bel's back as they walked back to the mansion. He couldn't help but admire the muscles there. His eyes trailed down his wet body and he was so distracted that he stumbled over his own feet. He managed to catch himself. Bel turned around to look at him.

"Hurry up, clumsy frog," he said.

Fran quickly caught up so that he could walk beside him. "At least I don't look like a drowned rat," he muttered.

"Eh?!" Bel cried and stopped. "I do not!"

"Maybe if your wet hair wasn't in your face," he said.

Bel scoffed. He pushed his hair back away from his face. "Is that better?"

Fran gaped at him. He could see Bel's eyes! And they were stunning. An amazing blood red. His heart skipped a beat as he took in all of Bel's handsome face. He imagined that red eyes would look quite scary on any other person, but they fit Bel perfectly. He had half expected him to have crazy eyes or perhaps none at all. Butterflies filled his stomach.

"What are you gawking at?" Bel asked, putting on dark sunglasses.

"Your eyes," he said.

"What about them?" Bel said defensively.

"They're… amazing," he had to admit.

Bel's cheeks flooded with color. It was the first time he had seen Bel blush. He could feel the butterflies moving more urgently.

Bel coughed, trying to regain his composure, but his heart was beating rapidly. The frog thought his eyes were amazing… "Well, of course they are," he said, sticking his nose in the air. "I'm a prince after all."

Fran rolled his own eyes and Bel snickered as they continued toward the house. They went inside and got a float from the closet in the entrance hall. Fran was forced to blow it up as they walked back. Bel hopped back into the water and looked back at Fran expectantly. Fran stepped in, but hesitated as it got deeper.

"Should we have gotten you some water wings?"

Fran frowned at him. "Shut up, Senpai."

"Shishishi." He moved closer to Fran, who immediately backed up.

"I'm not going to pull you in," he said exasperated.

"I would really rather stay here and talk to frogs," he said gazing longingly back at them.

"No way," Bel snapped. "Not after I got you that float. Now come on or I'll change my mind about pulling you in."

"What's going on?" Lussuria asked, swimming over.

"Froggy can't swim," Bel said, looking annoyed.

"Oh, no!" Lussuria cried, clapping his hands onto either side of his mouth. "You poor dear!"

"Bel-Senpai tried to drown me," Fran said.

"Bel!" Lussuria cried turning to him.

"How was I supposed to know you couldn't swim?!" He cried.

"I'll teach you Fran, dearie," Lussuria said.

Fran shook his head quickly. "That's not necessary."

"Of course it is!" Lussuria cried. "Now I'm going to teach you and I won't take no for an answer!"

Bel laughed loudly. "Have fun, Froggy," he snickered and swam off to bother Squalo.

I have the next few chapters all ready to go. Believe it!