DISCLAIMER: I don't own the Get Backers or any of the characters. (Just wait till my time machine's done!)

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Ban thought Kazuki looked resplendent that night. He was wearing his usual off-shoulder shirt. It used to drive me crazy before. Still does, in a good way now. Ban quickly stopped his train of thought. His hair was all tied up in strings, even at the back. Ban longed to unwrap it and feel it flowing through his fingers. He had taken Natsumi's advice and worn a black turtleneck sweater with dark gray pants.

Ban had spent most of the day obsessing over making the evening as perfect as possible. He had spent hours trying to find the right restaurant, but gave up as soon as he drove across a bridge over a busy road. The bridge itself was pretty big, with pretty heavy traffic. However, under each end of the bridge was a projection of concrete slab; they held the beams that supported each end. Funny I should see it when I was looking for something so different. I have my location now.

Next, he had driven around the town, buying whatever food caught his fancy. A bottle of chilled apple juice had completed his purchases.

He had picked Kazuki up at eight, and parked a little away from the bridge. Kazuki's face had lit up with pleasure as he saw the cozy little place Ban had picked for them.

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Kazuki leaned back against the base of the bridge, slowly sipping from a glass of juice. "Ban, do I scare you?"

How does he know? I must be really transparent...

"What do you mean?"

"Ban, do you trust me?"

You, I trust, Fuuchouin. Just not me around you.

"Is something bothering you, Kazuki?"

"No, I was just wondering how little you must trust me..." His face was serious, but there was no way Ban could miss the mischief in his eyes. "How little you must trust me, for you not to bring any alcohol along."

Ban glared. "This is what you were getting me all worked up for?"

Kazuki laughed. "Really, Ban, apple juice? Were you afraid I would steal you chastity?That I'd tarnish your precious vir-"

Ban cut him off with a kiss. After a minute, he pulled back, slightly out of breath. "No, I was worried about having to climb out of this damn place. As tempting as it is to get you drunk, Kazuki, I'd rather you didn't break your neck."

Kazuki sighed at the teasing affection in Ban's voice as he looked down at the traffic below. Though they were only about twenty feet above it, it seemed very far away. There was a steady rumble from the vehicles on the bridge above them. "Whatever made you think of this place, Ban?"

God, no, he hates it...

"I just thought it was nice, Kazuki...I know traffic is not the best view, and the noise isn't even close to the music I'd wanted. It just felt like a..."

"Like a refuge, Ban?"

Ban nodded. "Somewhere alone and tucked away, right in the middle of all this." He looked around at the cars and the lights around them.

Kazuki smiled in understanding. "And so many people around us, Ban, yet none of them will even notice me doing this." He pulled Ban into a soft kiss.

They pulled away slowly. Ban tugged softly at Kazuki's hair, making his bells jingle with their sweet sound. Kazuki pulled Ban's glasses off, looking longingly into his deep blue eyes. "This is a wonderful date, Ban. Even if you did bring just apple juice."

Ban frowned playfully. "Let it go about the apple juice, already. I want my glasses back."

Kazuki folded them and put them in the basket of food. "I like you better without them. And I like your hair like this better, without the spikes."

"Hey, I spend a lot of time perfecting them, you know."

"I know, Spiky."

"Oh, it's Spiky now, is it? You're sleeping on the couch for that."

Kazuki blushed slightly. "I wasn't really planning on, umm, staying over."

Ban grinned at Kazuki's newfound shyness. "I was just teasing you, baka. Lighten up."

Kazuki looked relieved as he attempted a laugh. Is he really that insecure? Ban wondered. He snaked his arm around Kazuki's waist and pulled him close.

"Kazuki, don't worry about it. I... this scares me too."

Kazuki nuzzled softly into Ban's neck. Ban tensed slightly as he felt a sudden rush. He tightened his grip around Kazuki as he felt him start kissing his neck. Kazuki's hands moved around his waist as he pushed Ban gently down on his back. Ban felt Kazuki's kisses trailing upwards towards his mouth. Kazuki nipped gently at Ban's lower lip before entering his mouth with his tongue.

The kiss grew harder and harder as they pushed against each other, moaning into the other's mouths. Kazuki's hair was coming loose from the strings under Ban's probing fingers. Soon, locks of Kazuki's hair covered Ban's face, curtaining their faces from the world around them. It wasn't long before both of them felt the need for each other, their legs entwined together as their hips rocked back and forth.

Ban was the first to break the kiss and pull back. He looked up into Kazuki's face. What a contrast from your normal, prim self, Fuuchouin. Kazuki's face was flushed, his lips red and slightly swollen. His breath came ragged and irregular. One of his sleeves had been pulled down all the way to his elbow, exposing part of his chest. His hair was a mess compared to its usual perfection. Fuuchouin Kazuki had never looked better to Ban.

"I thought you weren't planning on anything like this," Ban teased, slowly running a finger along the bare skin on his chest.

Kazuki's flush grew deeper. "I still don't," he retorted as he disentangled himself from Ban. Ban felt sorry he had said that.

Ban stroked his hair softly. "It looks good like this, you know."

"I'll let you keep your spikes, and you let me keep my strings. Deal?" Kazuki laughed.

Ban gave him a chaste kiss. "All right. I wouldn't be able to concentrate on anything with you looking like this anyway."

Ban watched as Kazuki straightened his clothes and hair. "You know, Kazuki, I bet Himiko is a lot less prissy than you."

Kazuki shot him a glare. "I thought we agreed to be nice to each other, Spiky."

"I am being nice." Ban scooted closer to Kazuki and rested his cheek on his bare shoulder. They sat like that for a while; just watching the lights, people returning home.

"Ever wonder what a regular life would be like, Ban?"

Ban lifted his head reluctantly. "It wouldn't really be that much different, you know. We'd still have to face challenges, earn money, fall in love... minus the occasional psycho out to kill you, of course."

"And we'd still have someone to watch our backs for us, right Ban?"

Ban nodded and pulled out a cigarette to light. He took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the smoke that usually calmed him. Kazuki waited patiently for him to finish his smoke, watching the glowing end grow closer and closer to Ban's lips.

"Oi, Kazuki, what are you looking at so intently?"

"Just thinking of what it must be like... to be a cigarette for your lips..."

Ban ground the butt against the concrete to put it out and narrowed his eyes at his date. "When you've made a decision, Fuuchouin, it's considered cruel to tease someone like that."

"Yes," Kazuki laughed, "I suppose it is."

He tugged at Ban's hand in a gesturing bordering childlike. "I want us to go for a drive, Ban. I've always wanted to, just the two of us."

Ban smiled in agreement. They packed the leftovers and plates and all the other things in the basket. Then, they carefully climbed out of their little hideaway, and walked back to Ban's car. Ban opened the door and was about to slide in, when Kazuki caught his wrist and pulled him back.

"When I said I'd always wanted us to go for a drive, I meant with me in the driver's seat, Ban."

Ban looked at Kazuki suspiciously. "Can you even drive, Kazuki? It's a manual, you know."

Kazuki smiled a tad too cheerfully. "I'm not great at it or anything, but I'm sure I'll do just fine."

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They screeched to a halt in front of the Honky Tonk. Ban sat looking a little dazed, his hands clutching the dashboard, knuckles white.

"I didn't do too badly, did I, Ban?" Kazuki was looking at him with a half-hopeful, half-scared look.

You almost got us killed! "I'm sure I'll do just fine", my ass! Ban gritted his teeth as a vein popped in his forehead. "You'll get better, Kazuki. You just need more practice, that's all."

Kazuki reached over and squeezed Ban's hand. "Thank you for being so patient, Ban. You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that... I'm sorry if I ruined the evening for you."

Ban remembered the cozy dinner. Besides, he looked kind of cute driving, and flinching at the vehicles passing by. I just found the one thing he's not good at. He caught Kazuki's hand in his and brought it to his lips for a quick kiss. "You didn't ruin anything, I promise."

Kazuki tilted his head towards the café. "You want to go in, Ban?"

Ban nodded and opened his door, getting out. I hope there aren't too many people in there tonight. I don't want to have to handle anyone else...

Fortunately for Ban, Paul was the only one there. He was in his usual place, behind the counter, reading his newspaper. He looked up as they entered and nodded in greeting. "Can I get you guys anything?"

"A cup of coffee for me, Paul, and Ban...?"

"Just a glass of iced water, Paul." I don't want to lose any sleep to coffee tonight.

As soon as they got their orders, they went to Ban and Ginji's usual booth and sat down facing each other. Ban felt a slight disappointment. He was hoping Kazuki would sit next to him.

Kazuki looked up from his coffee, giving Ban a look of contentment. "You're a man of your word, Midou Ban. You made tonight so great."

Ban smirked. "And you wanted to take me to lunch. Really, Fuuchouin!"

A light tint of pink spread across Kazuki's cheeks. "I just thought you'd be more comfortable with something more... casual."

Ban lowered his head slightly, making his hair fall into his eyes, obscuring them from Kazuki. "I'm fine doing anything, Kazuki. Please don't think you have to hide your feelings from me."

"Funny you should say that, Ban," Kazuki laughed, "After we've both been doing just that for so long. I'm not really used to this yet."

Ban ran a hand through his hair, pulling it back out of his face. He studied Kazuki for a short moment. Neither am I, Kazuki. For all I know, this could just be the Evil Eye of a different kind...

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There was a slight awkwardness as Ban dropped Kazuki off at his apartment. Ban cleared his throat slightly. "Good night, Kazuki."

Kazuki leaned into Ban, pressing his lips against Ban's. Ban resisted the urge to push Kazuki up against his door, and kiss him fiercely. He knew he'd never be able to stop once he started. Kazuki broke the kiss after a few seconds, looking a tad dazed. "Good night, Ban."

He went into the apartment and closed the door. Ban stayed there for a few moments, looking at the door. I'm really glad I knocked on it, after all.

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This was a tough chapter to write. I'm just not very good at describing make-out scenes. Anyways, I finally have the first date out of the way, so now I can give them a higher level of comfort with each other.

Ryuuen kurai, you're welcome, and yes, you do write like a Brit. lol I've read some of my dad's stories (he used to write for me when I was a wee lad), and you have very similar styles. Mmm Orli... He was extremely adorable in Pirates, even though his acting was pretty much overshadowed by Johnny Depp. And sooo many scenes in LotR where I've screamed "Just kiss, already!" at Legolas and Aragorn... never did any good.

Anyway, I still think the cigarette kiss kicked ass. I'd love to try it on my boyfriend. He smokes as bad as Ban sometimes, but he tries not to around me. I'm rewatching the series on Animax, and since I missed around the first five-six episodes the last time, it's really helping me gauge Kazuki better.

I have a little rant today (as if the long note above wasn't enough). Just wanted to say how wrong the Ban/Himiko pairing is to me. I've always felt that Ban's best with someone who's not so rough around the edges. And I always got an almost sibling-type chemistry between the two. Watching the series (esp. the first ten-twelve episodes), I find myself liking Ban/Hevn and of course, Ban/Kazuki more and more. The other pairings in the series are quite good actually, just not Ban and Himiko.

The next chapter might take a couple of days. I have a lot of stuff to be done over the next few days for my student visa.

Kerian