The next day, Yosuke decided to try going into work. Souji only agreed to let him if he called immediately if he couldn't handle it. To pass the time and remain on standby, Souji decided to meet with Kou down on the flood plain.

Doing his best to remain calm, the silvery-haired man kicked at small rocks as he waited for his ex to show up. And when he looked up to see Kou Ichijou approaching him, his heart leapt up into his throat, nearly choking him. He felt his face grow hot until it burned. His eyes couldn't break away from the handsome face of his ex-boyfriend, making him wonder when and how Kou had become even more handsome over the years.

"Souji! It's good to see you!" Kou stuck out his hand and pulled Souji into a warm embrace as he kissed the other man's cheek. He ignored the burning blush on his ex's face as he pulled away. "You seem like you've been well." His hand reached up and cupped Souji's cheek as he gently smiled at him. "You've grown even more handsome through the years."

The silvery-haired man blushed, smiling as he averted his eyes. He gently placed his hand over Kou's. "That's my line." His gray eyes looked into Kou's blue ones, mind soaring through the memories the two of them shared, from their first kiss to the last time they'd slept together. "Kou, I…"

Moving his hand from Souji's cheek to put a finger to his lips, Kou never broke eye contact. "Let's go someplace else. You remember how old-fashioned Inaba is, right? Boys shouldn't be doing this sort of thing with each other."

Souji laughed, taking his ex's hands in his. "Do you think I care what they think anymore? Kou, we are grown ass adults. If we wanted to kiss in public, we can make it a show for them. If we went any further, then those people have a choice to stay or leave."

"God, I've missed your reasoning," the other man said before wrapping his arms around his ex's shoulders. He pressed their foreheads together. "When you say it like that, how could I deny you?" His voice was coated with desire. Kou stood on his toes, connecting his lips to Souji's, the feeling taking him on a euphoric trip through his memory.

The other man's arms slid around his ex's waist, taking steps backwards until his back pressed against a tree. His hands slipped down to Kou's ass as he pulled him closer, the dark-haired man softly moaning against his lips. Souji's hands remained where they were, strengthening his grip on his ex.

"S-Souji," Kou pleaded. "Not here. Please, somewhere more private."

"As you wish."

.

Both men panted heavily in the small shed on Kou's family's property, gathering their senses. "Y-You've gotten better in the past few years," Kou breathlessly stated. "Fuck…" He leaned his head into the crook of Souji's neck. "Been practicing for when we finally reunited or something?"

"Or something," Souji replied with a grin, kissing Kou's temple. "Seems like you've been practicing too. Tell me about that."

Adjusting his clothing, the dark-haired man smirked at his newly-returned lover. "You want to know? I'll tell you. But won't you get jealous of my popularity?" He laughed as Souji grabbed his waist and pulled him into a playful embrace. "Okay, okay! There were a few guys in the lab who always wanted to dick around after classes. You know, in the literal sense."

"Scandalous," the other teased, grinning. "Who knew you would be such a stud?" Though he teased, his eyes were full of love as he sighed. "I missed you. And I know I had no right to do what we just did, but I want to thank you for allowing it."

"I'm going to stop you right there," Kou stated, putting a hand on each of Souji's cheeks. "I wouldn't have done it with you if I wasn't sure it was what I wanted. Honestly, the whole time I was in college, all I could think of was you. Not a day went by when I didn't believe that one day, we'd meet again when the time was right for us." He paused for a moment before taking a deep breath. "How would you say our timing is now?"

Souji's eyes widened with disbelief. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

Kou smiled at him. "How would you feel about giving 'us' another chance? We're both changed men. Nothing can really come between us now unless we allow it to. There's no more reason for us to be separated again since I'm done with college. When I start looking for a job, I'll just go with you and look for a job where you are."

"You're really willing to do that? You're saying you'll just pick up your life where you are and move away with me to wherever I am?"

"I always thought that what we had was special, Sou," the other admitted. "I've never felt the same way about anyone else. It has to be you, or it's no good. Listen, you don't have to answer me today. I just thought it could be something you can consider for a bit. You have a lot going on, and I'm sorry to pile this on top of there. But it's as I've learned, if you don't go for it, you'll always wonder about what could've been. I don't want to miss out on this again just because I was too timid to ask."

"I'm going to put serious thought into this," Souji promised, pressing his forehead to Kou's. "It may take me a bit, given the reason while I'm here and all, but I promise you that I will give you a straight answer."

"Let's hope it's not too straight."

"God, I've missed you," he replied before kissing him once again.

.

"How was your day, Souji?" Yosuke asked once he got out of the bath after work. "Anything eventful happen?" He rubbed at his hair with a towel as he stood behind his best friend, inspecting the food he was preparing.

"I mean, I went to see Kou and catch up while you were at work," he replied, smiling over his shoulder. "He's doing really well. I'm glad we got to hang out."

"Don't think I don't know what you mean by 'hang out'," the other laughed. "You think I can't tell when you got laid and when you didn't. You're a bit more peppy this evening than you've been the whole time you've been here. Good on you, man! You deserve it after putting up with my whiney ass for so long."

"You know I don't think of it like that," Souji quickly stated. "But yeah, it was a really good time. I haven't had sex like that since Keisuke." He smiled down at the food he was preparing, eyes dreamy. "I don't think we should be talking about this, Yosuke. Deep down, I know you don't want to hear about two men sleeping together. And I respect that."

"Don't you go getting apologetic on me like that," his friend replied. "I'm the one who brought it up, aren't I? There's no need for you to apologize like that." Yosuke took his towel off of his head. "I'm going to use my hairdryer real quick. Be right back."

As soon as Yosuke left the kitchen, Souji squeezed his eyes shut for a moment. Why did he need to make things awkward like that? Of course he shouldn't apologize if Yosuke brought it up! But why did it bother him so much that Yosuke knew? He knew Yosuke wouldn't think less of him, knowing that he slept with an ex of his the first chance he got, but knowing that Yosuke hadn't gotten any in so long made him feel boastful. What if he had accidentally offended Yosuke or something? He would never forgive himself for it!

.

Yosuke sighed as he sat on the couch with Souji last night, pretending to watch the movie on his TV. "I think I want to try something tonight," he finally decided. He noticed Souji instantly turn to him to give his full attention. "I think I want to try sleeping in my own bed tonight."

"I support that," the other replied with a nod. "I'll be out here on the couch if it's too difficult for you. Feel free to kick me off. I can fold out a futon."

"Souji, I'm scared to spend my first night alone. Don't take this as me coming on to you or anything, but will you sleep in there with me? I just…"

"I get it," Souji answered. "Yeah, I've got you."

He followed Yosuke to the bedroom as they both got into the large bed, keeping as far from each other as possible as they fell asleep. Though he'd had sex with Kou earlier that day, his thoughts were suddenly moving back to Yosuke again. How he wished that he could snuggle up to the other man and let him know he was there for him! His heart ached as they laid, backs facing each other, a meter apart.

But Souji knew he needed to respect Yosuke with distance. After all, Yosuke would never fall in love with another man.