Chapter 24

phoenix of order: Thanks for pointing that out. As you can see, the mistake has been amended. Sorry.

dead yet a love sick puppy: He got it through his head, yes. But what is he going to do about it. ;)

the tigris: innocent look Are you saying I'm evil? Because I am. :p So don't you trust me?

Koneko no Rei: You can only prey that things work out. But Kevin the right to worry. He's been awfully nasty to Lee of late.

Castles in the Sky: Moments of temporary insanity are good for you. It's when they become a permanent fixture that you worry. ;

So what will Kev do I wonder?

Lee felt an icy chill wash over him as night began to fall, darkness encompassing all. He had worked late, Mr Dickenson having asked him to remain behind to help finish testing a new battle sequence for the simulators. He had agreed, as it meant less time spent sitting up waiting for the darkness, and that he would be able to wear himself out and therefore sleep better once night finally came.

Kevin had left early. Lee had spotted the green-haired teen as he had stepped quickly from the building, meeting up with Tyson, Max, Enrique and Oliver before they had disappeared into the crowd, leaving Lee to ponder those secret smiles they had all shared.

Kevin had been spending a lot of time with the group, but Lee wasn't worried. Max and Tyson had a hard time seeing past themselves, and Lee chuckled softly to himself as he remembered how Kai had caught Tyson jerking Max off as the Blade Breakers and White Tigers, save Mariah, had sat around the wide screen television watching Matrix just over three months ago.

Enrique and Oliver? Lee had always sensed a connection between them, but he had nothing to fear from them. He had always had the impression that the Majestics viewed the White Tigers as below them, and therefore there was little risk of either of them trying to steal Kevin away. Not that it would be stealing. Kevin was already gone.

Walking through the foyer, he noted a concerned look from the manager who stood behind the reception desk. Lee knew he looked bad, looked haggard, but he had told the man it was simply that he was working too hard. Nevertheless, the manger continued to show concern over the welfare of his client.

Lee arrived at their apartment without incident, opening the door and stepping inside… only to stop dead gaping. He closed the door behind him, eyes sweeping the candle-lit apartment, knowing that there had to be over a hundred set around. His eyes fell on the table, noting that it was laid out for two, a dozen red roses set in a vase between two candelabras, also aglow in the soft flickering light.

"Oliver and Enrique's idea." Lee looked up and saw Kevin approaching him from the living room. The younger chuckled, eyes sparkling. "Man, you should see your face."

Lee gestured around him. "Who's this for?"

"Why you of course. You are my boyfriend after all." Kevin paused, face becoming serious. "Aren't you?"

Lee blinked, studying him. "That's really something you need to answer."

Kevin sighed and nodded, smiling faintly. "Consider this my apology for my recent foolishness. You were right, I am stupid."

Lee raised an eyebrow. "I never called you stupid."

"Perhaps you should have." Kevin's violet eyes widened in innocence and hope, burning with a silent plea. "Can you ever forgive me?"

Lee sighed, shaking his head and opening his arms. "How can I say no to a face like that?"

Kevin let out a breath of relief, crossing the room and into Lee's arms, hugging him tightly as he buried his face into the elder's chest. "Nice to know I still have my touch."

"You never lost it." Lee closed his eyes, pressing his face into Kevin's hair and breathing him in.

Kevin stayed there for a while, then smiled, stepping back. "Hungry?"

The answer came in the form of Lee's stomach rumbling, the elders cheeks burning as he laughed sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck as he averted his eyes. Kevin smirked, catching the front of Lee's shirt and dragging him toward the table.

"You'd better appreciate this," Kevin said as Lee sat down, the younger moving to dish up the meal. "I got off early just to prepare everything. Oliver gave me a free cooking lesson, and it was utter chaos trying to keep Tyson's hands out of the food… and Enrique's hands out of Oliver's pants."

Lee blinked. "Oliver and Enrique?"

"As of yesterday, so they tell me." Kevin shrugged. "Had to lock the bedroom door just to keep Max and Tyson out of there."

Lee laughed, eyes studying Kevin's form as he dished up. Kevin spotted him.

"You're ogling again."

Lee shrugged, tapping his plate. "Then feed me."

"Pushy pushy."

Once everything was served, Kevin joined Lee, the two eating in relative silence though Kevin watched Lee's face, searching for any sign of whether or not Lee liked what he was eating. Lee saw him watching out of the top of his eyes and decided to ease the others mind.

"This is pretty good. Did you really cook this?"

Kevin grinned, thankful for the praise. "I sure did. Like I said, Oliver gave me some cooking lessons. He did most of the work, but I helped on nearly every dish. I swear, once you put a wooden spoon in that guys hand, he weaves magic."

"I know. He's been sending me food over the last few days." Lee smirked. "I vote you cook from this point on."

"Okay, now you're getting lazy." Kevin shrugged, cheeks warmly faintly. "Besides, it's not that good."

"Actually, its better."

"Cut it out. You're making me blush."

Lee smiled slyly. "That was the point of it."

Kevin kicked him, Lee laughing as the silence returned, the two continuing to eat. As soon as they were done Kevin cleared the table and laid out the dessert, Lee's eyebrows rising, visually impressed.

"Definitely cooking from now on."

"Oh shut up."

Dessert was as perfect as the main course, Lee eagerly eating it and enjoying every bite. It had been so long since he had eaten a descent meal that he knew he should have been careful else make himself sick, but he didn't care. He was loving this.

Finishing first, Kevin slid from his seat, moving around the table and dropping into Lee's lap. Plucking a strawberry from the plate, Kevin held it to Lee's mouth, the other smiling as he caught on, allowing Kevin to feed him.

Kevin smiled, leaning forward and pressing his mouth to Lee's. Lee closed his eyes, kissing Kevin back as he slid his arms around Kevin's waist. Kevin deepened the kiss, realising just how much he had missed this, just how long he had wanted it. And though he wanted to continue, he pulled back, smoothing Lee's brow.

"I've fed you, and now you need to clean yourself up." He shook his head, chuckling. "I swear, I've never seen you so untidy."

Lee raised an eyebrow. "Your fault."

"I know." Kevin stood, moving to collect the plates. "I'll clean these up, and then I'll wash your hair. What do you say?"

Lee's ears pricked, orange-golden eyes following Kevin's every move. "Works for me."

And they're back together!