Genrou was sprawled out on his bed, doodling absently on the paper that he was supposed to be copying notes on to get caught up in class. He had given up hours ago though. There was just way too much. He was already convinced that he wouldn't pass anyhow, no matter how much notes he took. Not only that, but it was a Friday night! What in the heck was he doing at home trying to catch up on school? Wasn't that what brainy kids not like him did? He sighed and tossed his pencil aside, then scowled at the notes while blowing a bubble with his gum. There wasn't anything he could do anyhow. Kouji was out of town visiting some relatives and wouldn't be back until late that Sunday night.

Genrou started at a knock on his door. "Yeah?"

"Telephone," came Regina's voice from the other side.

Genrou furrowed his brows in confusion and stood, making his way out and into the kitchen where the phone was. If Kouji was gone, then who else would be calling him like this? He shrugged a little and picked up the receiver from the counter and put it to his ear. "'Yello?"

"Genrou, no da!"

The red-haired teen choked in surprise on his gum for a moment before having to swallow it and pat his chest. "D-doctor Ri??"

"Yep! Are you all right, no da?"

Genrou cleared his throat and swallowed again, feeling his face flush. "Y-yeah... Oi, what's up! I didn't 'spect t' hear from ya fer a while."

"Well, you did say that you wanted to do something when I felt better, no da." Dr. Ri's tone was cheerful. "And since I am right now, and it's a Friday night, I thought that you may like to do something. If it isn't too late already?"

"No!" Genrou cleared his throat again, and replied more calmly. "Er, I mean, no. Heh, it ain't too late at all. What'd ya have in mind?"

"Have you eaten dinner yet, no da?"

"Ah, no. Erik's runnin' late t'night, so if I'm gonna have somethin', it's gonna be out o' a box."

"That won't do, no da." There was a brief pause as Dr. Ri thought a moment. "Do you like Italian food?"

"Eh? Oh, yeah! I love tacos!" Genrou smiled as he listened to the doctor laugh on the other end of the line. It was a nice sound.

"Or Mexican. I like tacos too, no da."

"Why don't ya surprise me? I eat anything."

"Surprise you...?" Dr. Ri trailed off into another beat of thoughtful silence. "Ah! I got it, no da!"

"What? What is it?"

"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, no da! Just be sure to bring a jacket. I'll be over in about an hour to pick you up, if that's all right?"

Genrou felt his stomach flutter with excitement as a grin spread across his blushing face. "That's perfect! I'll see ya then. Bye!" As soon as he hung up the phone, Genrou raced into the bathroom to shower and change into clean clothes. Even though he had only known the doctor a few months, he knew that he would come up with something incredibly unexpected and surprising; a quality that attracted Genrou to him even more.

Dr. Ri arrived right on time, and Genrou practically ran right into the door while rushing to answer it and slipping on the tile in his socks. The doctor raised an eyebrow curiously when his flustered patient finally opened it and greeted him. "Hey, Doctor Ri!"

"Hello, Genrou! Ready to go?"

"Sure am!" the teen replied excitedly as he quickly slipped on his shoes, then turned and called over his shoulder. "I'm goin' now, Regina! Don't wait up fer me! I gotta key!" With that, he pulled the front door closed and grinned up at his doctor. "Kay. Let's go."

The car ride to wherever Dr. Ri was taking them was very pleasant. The two of them spent the time laughing and catching up on things that they didn't get the chance to before. Genrou blinked when Dr. Ri took a turn off and started driving away from the city. "Where we going'?"

"A special spot, no da."

"Is that all yer gonna tell me?" Genrou pressed suspiciously.

"For now, no da," Dr. Ri replied with a soft smile.

Dr. Ri pulled over after a bit when they were in a forest like area on a dirt road that people hardly drove down. The only light was the pale, yellow glow that came from the street lights, and the natural source from the stars and the full moon over head. Genrou looked about curiously as he drew on the jacket the doctor told him to bring. Dr. Ri smiled to him and gestured for him to come stand by him by the trunk of the car as he opened it.

Genrou peeked over inside, his eyes going wide when he saw a picnic basket sitting on top of a folded up blanket. He turned his surprised gaze to the doctor, his jaw on the slack side. Dr. Ri smiled to him as he reached in and picked up the basket. "I thought this would be nicer than sitting in a restaurant, no da. I hope you like sandwiches. It's not much of a dinner, but it's something, na no da."

"No, no! This is perfect..."

"I thought you would like this, no da. I myself love to spend time outside, and tonight was just too beautiful to pass up."

Genrou helped Dr. Ri spread out the blanket when they got to the top of a small hill not too far away from where they parked. They both sat down and the doctor reached over and flipped the lid to the basket up. "I hope you like turkey, no da. I brought some water too."

"I like turkey..." Genrou replied as he watched hid doctor take things out and set them up on the blanket. This was beyond perfect for the teen. It was like something he dreamed of. He blushed slightly at that thought, then fidgeted a little. This whole situation was on the confusing side for him. Genrou wasn't quite sure when he decided that he liked, well, men. Up until this point, he had never given any kind of relationship a second thought. Though it wasn't like he could. His life had been hard, and he was overwhelmed with other things that he had to get over first. But now ... some relief has been given to him, and he could think about such things ... and Dr. Ri was the only one he could see in his mind.

Dr. Ri tilted his head a little to one side when he noticed how quite and thoughtful Genrou had become. Whenever the boy fell silent, it was always a sign that there was something on his mind, and something serious at that. Dr. Ri frowned slightly. It was hard to get Genrou to talk about the things he was thinking when he got like this. In fact, Genrou had always changed the subject whenever he pressed him about it. But he had to keep trying. Dr. Ri reached out and lightly rested his hand on top of Genrou's. The teen blinked in surprise, then raised his wide eyes up to his doctor, his face flushed. Dr. Ri smiled gently to him, noting the blush. It was strange. Genrou seemed to be doing that a lot lately around him. Could it be ... no. Dr, Ri stopped that train of thought immediately, reminding himself that Genrou needed his assistance.

"You're very quiet, no da. Is there something bothering you?"

Genrou swallowed a bit, shifting a little in his seat, but never pulling his hand from the doctor's. "No... I'm all right. I guess it's just been a long-ass day."

"Do you wish to go back home, no da?"

"No! No, no." Genrou looked back up to him, squeezing his hand absently. "We just got here an' I like spendin' time with ya like this. It's nicer than th' office ... an' who knows when we'll get another chance like this... t' be t'gether."

Dr. Ri blushed slightly at the intense look in his patient's eyes. Genrou could be quite serious at times, and it was taking the doctor a bit to get used to it. Those moments were rare after all, but recently, they've been happening more and more. Perhaps it was because Genrou was still shaken up over the incident that happened a few weeks ago still. Or it could be... Dr, Ri looked away from him slightly. No, that sort of thing wasn't allowed to happen. Forming bonds was, but nothing as strong as he feared that had formed between him and the boy. Feared? No, Dr. Ri wasn't afraid of it. He was only being rational. What sort of reputation would he gain for himself and Genrou if he allowed such things to happen? The results could be messy, and it could put an end to his career. Not to mention the affects they could have on Genrou. It would be even worse, especially since they were both male. Society would no doubt shun the both of them. He didn't want anything to happen to Genrou. He knew at that moment, he had grown feelings for the red headed teen as well.

Dr. Ri closed his eyes tightly at those thoughts, wishing that he could be Genrou's age, and that people could be less judgmental about one's preferences. He started a bit and opened them when he felt soft fingers brush against his cool cheek, blinking to find his face close to the same red haired boy he had just been thinking about. Genrou wore a look of concern, and Dr. Ri felt himself blush a little more. With a light sigh, he reached up and took the teen's hand from his face and into his other. "Genrou..."

"What's th' matter?" Genrou's tone was soft, and he took the doctor's hands between his, holding them tightly. Then he looked away slightly, moving back some, but not releasing them. "You know, don't you... 'bout how I feel...?"

Dr. Ri was at a loss on what to say for a moment. Usually he was good at hiding his true feelings, but this boy was able to read him like he was an open book. Finally, he found his voice. "I do."

Genrou winced at that and let his gaze fall to their joined hands. "Ya hate me now, dontcha...?"

"On the contrary ... the feelings are quite mutual, no da." Dr. Ri paused a moment to take a deep breath. "But, they're wrong, Genrou. People won't understand... It's putting both our futures on the line."

"I don't care 'bout what others think! How can somethin' like this be wrong? Aren't we all allowed t' choose fer ourselves when it comes t' this sort o' thing?"

Dr. Ri sighed again, and when he spoke, there was a hint of sadness that hung in his tone. "One would think that. But society... It's cruel, Genrou, and I don't want anything to jeopardize your success. It's hard enough as it is."

There was a long stretch of silence, then Genrou raised his gaze to meet the doctors, a sort of angry expression on his boyish, handsome features. "Fuck society. It ain't gonna rule me!"

"Genrou..." Dr. Ri closed his eyes again for a moment, flattered that the boy was so determined. He never had anyone so willing to be with him before. Before he could speak again, Genrou had let go of his hands and gently took his face in his, moving closer.

"I see what yer sayin'. I really do, but this is somethin' I want. Fer once in my life so far, I know what I want. An' if I hafta, I'll face th' consequences. As long as I'm with you, I don't care what they are." And with that, Genrou cut the doctor off again by pressing his lips firmly to his.

Dr. Ri's mind whirled. The sincerity in Genrou's words touched his heart. Deep down, he felt the same way about the teen, but there was just no way it could work. That's what his mind told him, anyhow. That it couldn't work. But his heart... It was telling him that this was right. perfect even, and to wrap his arms around the teen and never let go. Dr. Ri listened to his heart.

AN: ^^;;; Yeah, okay, total cheese... But this is the sort of stuff that you get when I'm in a sappy mood.