Chapter One

As another phone rang in a distant corner of the office, a harried-looking Myou Jyuan raced past Houjun to answer it, meeting his partner's eyes for a moment and rolling his own in response as he picked up the receiver and began talking. The latter chuckled and resumed editing the project that was due in a few days. Public relations had been more profitable than either of them could have imagined, and business was really picking up these days due to Myou Jyuan's own connections and the company's appreciable talent pool. He looked up from his desk and contemplated, his thoughts wandering even as his eyes roamed over the room, taking in the contemporary style and bustle. Yes. Business was doing very well indeed.

As he bent his head to resume writing, the framed picture beside his telephone caught his eye.

It was a familiar picture, a simple, stark crayon drawing in blue and red marker, crudely outlined, but the memories behind it still held dear to him, especially when his gaze moved to the smaller, card picture tucked comfortably into a corner of the frame. It was a casual shot of Genrou, dressed in a baggy red sweater, grinning into the camera and holding up a set of keys. That was right. It had been taken when the new car had come. But he wasn't really thinking about that.

*Flashback

He looked up just as Saihitei grabbed him in an arm-lock and Ryuuen proceeded to mercilessly shove ice down his shirt. Houjun shouted and struggled free as the instructor laughed at him uncontrollably, and Ryuuen tottered unsteadily, before he revised his options and advanced on the inexperienced skater with a menacing look on his face. Ryuuen squeaked as Saihitei glided for cover, looking over his shoulder with that wicked grin on his face.

Then suddenly, a bright spot of color outside the rink caught his eye.

That looks familiar…

And as wild, feral eyes, dancing with light, blazed up and trapped his gaze, he blinked, unable to believe what he was seeing.

The figure moved closer, large, confident strides that closed the gap in between them rapidly, before stopping at the plastic barrier that separated them. And then…a hand rose and waved.

Houjun tried to ignore the lump that rose in his throat as he stilled. Ryuuen was looking at him, puzzled, and then following his gaze. It's him. It's Genrou.

He came back.

He didn't know whether to laugh or cry as he started, skating swiftly towards the redhead, his gaze fixed on the solitary figure. And then he stopped, face to face, apart only by a few inches and a wall.

"Hi," he managed finally, as he looked at the young man standing before him. Genrou had changed. The years had done nothing to harm his appearance. His hair seemed darker now, longer, the edges brushing against the slim collarbone. He was darker, dressed in an understated denim jacket over a white shirt and pants. His eyes…he almost hesitated to look, but when he did all he met was a frank gaze full of determination and clarity, and feeling.

"Hello, Houjun." The amber eyes softened and a small smile curved the lips he remembered with sudden, disarming detail. The voice was deeper, huskier, more knowing and confident, every nuance of its sound trickling through his body like warm wine. He's here. He's right in front of me. I'm not dreaming.

"Remember me?"