Interlude:

Youji watched in gleeful anticipation as Ken and Omi drove away in their only car. He had given Ken some money and a good hard shove out the door, and now an excited Omi was on his way to see the movie he had been talking about non-stop all week long. He loved his teammates like brothers, but sometimes he just wanted to be alone. Be alone with Aya, that is.

Aya was calmly working on a puzzle by the fireplace in the living room. Looping his arms around Aya's neck, Youji rested his chin on his shoulder. "Ken and Omi just left," he said.

"Oh?" Aya's voice sounded slightly amused as he placed another piece. "Where did they go?"

"To see a movie." Youji turned his head and inhaled Aya's scent.

Giving up on the puzzle, Aya leaned back. "I suppose I get my Christmas present now."

Youji flicked his tongue into the curve of Aya's ear. "Come upstairs," he breathed.

They didn't usually bother with the fireplace in their bedroom, as most of their time during this vacation was spent downstairs. But today Youji had lit a fire, and it took the chill off the room. Aya sat down on the bed to take his boots off as Youji dug around in his suitcase, finally bringing out something he concealed behind his back.

"It's nothing, really," he said, running his fingers through his hair.

Aya held out his hand. Youji dropped a small tube into his outstretched palm, then busied himself with unlacing his shoes.

Chuckling, Aya said, "Peppermint flavored lube?"

Youji grinned. "In celebration of the season." He pulled his sweater over his head, his t-shirt riding up over his stomach.

"Thoughtful." Aya put the tube carefully on the nightstand and slid under the covers, beckoning to his lover.

Youji complied, snuggling close and slipping his hands under Aya's shirt to caress warm skin. "Mmmmm." He pressed himself closer. "You're always so warm."

Aya raised his eyebrows and kissed him. Youji let himself be silenced, and melted into the kiss. Aya's teeth nipped at his bottom lip. He opened his lips to the gentle assault as Aya rolled on top of him, straddling his body. Youji arched his back as their hips came in contact, breaking the kiss long enough to pull Aya's shirt over his head.

Instantly, his hands roamed over his lover's torso, tracing muscles and lightly brushing over nipples hardened into nubs at the temperature of the room. Aya gasped softly as he brushed his thumbs over the sensitive flesh, and yanked up on the bottom of Youji's t-shirt. Lifting himself up just enough to pull it off, Youji wrapped his arms around Aya once more, pulling him down to once again lose himself in the pleasure of the other's mouth. He could explore Aya's mouth for hours. The slick warmth hypnotized him, made him crazy, made him want to stop breathing.

Running his hands lightly up Youji's sides, Aya nibbled on an ear lobe before trailing wet, open-mouthed kisses down his neck. He pushed himself farther down and Youji moaned as his mouth closed over a nipple. That Aya could completely floor him with just his mouth never failed to surprise him. He had never imagined that this sultry, sexy creature was hidden beneath the cold, controlled exterior when he had first laid eyes on the red head.

--CENSORED--

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--CENSORED--

Aya softly stroked his hair as they lay together in the afterglow, drowsily contemplating an entire afternoon alone. Youji was almost too asleep to hear him whisper, "I love you." He knew what this admission must have cost his lover, and he struggled to move his lips, but he was not sure if he spoke what his heart was singing as the world dissolved into slumber around him.