Chapter Twenty Three
He could see the regret in Sendoh's eyes the moment he asked, and the apology. His arms tightened about his precious burden. I need you, Akira…more than anything else, I need you…loving another hasn't changed that fact…
And perhaps it was because they had been together so long, or simply that Sendoh knew him so well, that the other could read his thoughts, read his mind like an open book. A chaste kiss, gradually growing deeper, when finally all traces of resistance had been burned to ashes, fed his soul like fiery warmth, and his answer was there, in every point of contact between their skin.
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As he climbed the low steps to the elevator, Hanamichi barely took in the luxurious surroundings, although he did note with detached profession the richly furnished architecture of the building he was in. Outside, past the glass panels where two security guards were sitting quietly, he could see the pool, large and sparkling blue in the underwater lights that illuminated the water, surrounded by lush greenery and a brilliant spectrum of colors and flowers.
The floor was polished so well that as he looked at his feet, waiting for the lift to arrive, he could see his reflection, and the expression on his face even as he smiled crookedly at the inverted Hanamichi. The slim doors slid open with a soft bell, and he looked up, distractedly, even as he realized there was someone in the elevator.
"Well are you coming in, or not?" the bellboy asked impatiently. He started, and then murmured his apologies as he stepped in quickly. "The penthouse please."
Without even batting an eyelid the boy, who looked to be no younger than fifteen, pressed the corresponding button and then sat back on his low stool. The ride up took less than a minute, but it seemed forever until the doors parted noiselessly and the bellboy cocked his head and pointed at the single door that almost directly in front of them. It was a simple, white door, with a small brass doorknob, and a few potted plants were lined along the beige walls. As he stepped out, and felt rather than heard the lift doors close behind him, he stepped forward almost hesitantly.
Within the walls, he could hear soft music playing, soft, classical ballads he recognized. From what he could gather the apartment was dark, and he was about to cover the remaining distance and ring the doorbell when he heard the lock twist. The door swung open to reveal a smiling face.
"Good evening!"
Sendoh's posture was relaxed, as his frame filled the doorway. The bandages on his forehead looked decidedly rumpled, but the man himself did not seem to bear any other physical marks of the accident he had been in. Dressed in faded, stone-washed jeans and a casual, checkered button-down shirt, he grinned easily and stepped aside, reaching out an arm to pull his visitor in. "Welcome," he laughed.
The apartment looked almost out of a Hollywood movie to Hanamichi, with its clean cut lines and few, ornate furniture artistically put this way and that. There was a large panel of glass opposite where they stood instead of a wall, and the pale moonlight was filtered in through the blue-green tints. Soft, warm lights at the perimeter of the apartment gave the studio a cozy feel. Delicious aromas wafted towards him from the general direction ahead.
Smiling at his host, he waited for Sendoh as the latter closed the door behind him, and then followed him as he led the way into the main hall.
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He's a good-looking man. I can see why Kaede likes him.
"Dinner will be served shortly, Sakuragi," he turned slightly to address the redhead who was following a little way behind. "Hungry?"
A low chuckle was his answer.
Scratch good-looking. He's beautiful.
As they rounded the corner, he noted that the tune floating softly from the in-built speakers was one of Rukawa's favorite songs.