Author's Notes: Yay, getting near the end. One more chapter after this (expect that probably…Sunday-nightish?) out soon since the deadline for a contest is January 31st. So yah, cutting it close, but it's running a few chapters over what I expected so there :P

Anyways, enjoy :)

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Chapter 8: My True Love Gave to Me…

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Jakotsu began early Monday morning; dragging himself out of bed before noon, showering and picking appropriate attire- which involved quite the dilemma over the choice in shirts (too bright, too dark, showing too much skin, not showing enough skin…).

Finally, once he felt he was as ready as he was going to get, he made his way to the door across the hall.

Several loud knocks later, a sleepy Bankotsu managed to answer; teddy bear still tucked under his arm.

Jakotsu thought it was an adorable sight, but had to forcefully resist all urges for physical contact at this time.

"I guess I'm early…"

Bankotsu yawned and noticed the time on the nearby clock.

"Nope," He rubbed at his eyes, "I overslept. Sorry…"

"Oh, it's okay. I'll just…"

"You can wait here," He offered; and against his better judgment, Jakotsu agreed.

Moments later, the dark-haired man found himself sitting on the couch listening to the shower water running. His mind, oh annoyance that it was, was providing the missing visual of Bankotsu in said shower.

Jakotsu cursed how vivid his memory was at times like this.

Finished with the shower, Bankotsu got dressed and walked into the living room with a towel draped over his head. His long, black hair cascaded down his back and he held a tie for it in his teeth.

"Would you mind?"

Blinking, Jakotsu registered what it was he was requesting, "No. Not at all."

He hesitated a moment before moving aside on the couch, letting Bankotsu sit beside him.

"You were always better at it than I was…" Bankotsu offered in explanation.

Taking the damp strands of black hair into his hands, Jakotsu just shook his head.

"It's always easier for someone else than yourself to get it the tightest. That's just the way it is."

The room fell silent after that, both uncertain as to what was to be said after all that had begun to change between them.

"So…did you always know?"

This needed no explanation. Jakotsu just knew what he meant. This was what Suikotsu meant by understanding. Bankotsu wanted to understand the foreign territory he was venturing into, and Jakotsu would have to be his guide.

"Well…yah…sorta," Jakotsu paused; tightening his grip on the braid he worked on, "I always knew I was different. It just wasn't until I was older and all the other boys were liking girls that I realized that I didn't feel the same. I guess you could say that's when I knew."

Bankotsu wanted to nod, the whole situation making him feel uneasy with words. But he also knew, that if he wanted his hair braided correctly, moving his head wasn't an option.

"Oh…"

"Go on, you can keep asking me things. I know this has to be kinda confusing for you."

He caved and attempted a light nod, his hair yanking a tad in protest and stopping him from completing the motion.

Luckily, Jakotsu was finished soon and Bankotsu was able to nod in awkward response to the answers he received. He never asked anything too bold, or anything that Jakotsu might read into the wrong way, but slowly- he felt as if the dark curtain about his situation and feelings was being pulled back from around him.

It was to be no wonder then how quickly the day passed, the two just talking about everything like they always had. Every once in a while the conversation would be peppered with a sudden new question that Bankotsu had thought up, but otherwise, it stayed to the same topics they'd always talked about in the past.

As the day ended, Bankotsu did feel more at ease. Sure, dealing with the situation would still be challenging, but at least now he had most of his questions answered.

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Tuesday started off late, namely because Jakotsu figured if he started the day with his hands on Bankotsu's braid again, they'd be somehow magnetically attracted to the other man from then on out.

But even with a later start, it looked that this day would be a whole fiasco of "easier said than done."

It wasn't until you were trying not to touch someone that you actually began to notice how much you'd come in casual contact with the person.

Mid-afternoon came, and finally Bankotsu had to ask what was causing Jakotsu to practically jump away anytime he came near.

"You really don't have to avoid me. It's kinda…weird," He commented, absently fidgeting with the sleeve of his shirt in hopes Jakotsu didn't take his answer as some free-for-all ticket to jump him and strip him.

"I just didn't want you to feel awkward," Jakotsu answered; his mind making a mental note that once again, all about him seemed to be designated by the same word, "I do have a bad tendency of getting all over a person without realizing it."

Bankotsu thought back to their earlier encounters and decided he couldn't really argue that. But at the same time, he reluctantly had to admit to himself that he was missing the casual touches that they normally had.

"Um…you want to watch a movie?"

"A movie? That's easy! Bankotsu's not a sappy-romance type and all I have to do is sit on the other end of the couch."

Jakotsu nodded, "Sure. You got 'It's a Wonderful Life' lying around?"

That made him laugh, "No, don't think so. I think this is the closest to a Christmas movie I've got."

He held up a copy of 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' and smirked. It was one of their favorite holiday movies when they used to be roommates.

Everything would be just like old times… or so they thought.

No sappy-romance? That much was true. But the story did have one twist that would be the downfall of them both; a very realistic romance that hit a little too close to home in the character of Sally and her feelings for Jack.

"Don't take his hand. Don't take his hand. The whole day will be in vain if you screw up now!" Jakotsu's mantra continued as he looked to where their two hands sat side by side between them on the couch.

Originally, Jakotsu had sat a hand there just out of a habit, not really thinking about who he'd be sitting next two or his inner vow to keep said him to himself. But now since Bankotsu had placed his hand mere centimeters away, it became a temptation.

The fact the character was lamenting about her unexpressed feelings in the movie didn't help in the least.

"Oh great…" Jakotsu braced himself, "I forgot she sings about it...I bet this is all some sadistic setup to drive me insane. I mean- it's not like I'm the type to 'hold hands' but…" His eyes glanced down once again, "It just feels like…like I should."

That's when he noticed the slight movement. Bankotsu had slowly begun the edge his hand closer, until finally, Jakotsu felt his skin brush against the side of his hand.

"What is he…" Jakotsu's eyes widened as he realized it, "Is he trying to…"

It made sense, he reasoned as he kept his eyes on the younger man, that Bankotsu would see how the song's melancholy longing would affect someone like Jakotsu. And now that he was beginning to sort out his own feelings, he was trying as hard as he could to show that between the two of them- neither would be alone.

Jakotsu forced his eyes onto the screen, pretending to be intently watching. But out of the corner of his eye, he watched Bankotsu's hand edging ever closer instead.

It took over the course of a full minute, but finally, Bankotsu's hand rested lightly atop Jakotsu's.

At that, he caved in.

"If I don't react he'll think he did something wrong. I'm only doing this for his own well-being," Jakotsu figured, slowly flipping his hand to where it met Bankotsu's palm-to-palm.

Their fingers interlaced, and they both breathed a sigh of relief.

Looking towards the other, they each offered an awkward smile before Bankotsu found himself blushing and looking away.

Yet their hands remained together throughout the rest of the movie, Jakotsu's thumb absently stroking Bankotsu's.

It was only when it ended that Jakotsu had to restrain himself once again from kissing the other man. That would have to wait, he reprimanded himself.

By late Tuesday evening, Renkotsu and Ginkotsu found themselves with a dilemma when Bankotsu admitted that yes, Jakotsu had broken the "no touching rule" but that it was a mutual level of consent. The twenty dollar wager was now in the process of being spilt between the two since technically, neither had won completely.

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Wednesday was cooking day. Arriving at Kyoukotsu's just in time for a late brunch, Jakotsu picked up the list of items he'd need for cookies and headed out.

Armed with a recipe and a few explanations (yes, there is a difference between white and brown sugar) he ventured forth to the grocery store.

Staring at the various frostings, icings and sprinkles, Jakotsu tried to decide which Bankotsu would like best.

"I don't want to make them too sugary, I mean- they are called sugar cookies even without the icing…"

Finally opting to try a little of each, he picked up a few more items and waited in the lengthy checkout line behind the pre-Christmas shopping rush of cooks, mothers, grandmothers and other equally confused looking men.

"I have never seen two women more intent on killing each other than those in the freezer aisle trying to get the last of the Christmas turkeys," Jakotsu sighed as he walked into Kyoukotsu's kitchen and sat down the weighty bags.

The large man smirked, "I'm glad I bought my four the other day."

"Four?!" Jakotsu gaped, "Wait…all for you?"

"Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a midnight snack."

Kyoukotsu's reasoning, Jakotsu noted, always had to do with food.

The two began with the recipe; sorting out ingredients and making sure Jakotsu understood the differences between tablespoons and teaspoons.

It took a few hours, but finally the cookies were finished and it was time for the decorations.

"Just decorate them like you think he'd like them."

"Can I just put frosting on myself and see if he'll lick it off?" Jakotsu teased licking a dollop of icing from his finger.

Kyoukotsu blinked, "You know… I never thought about using food for that before."

The black-haired man grinned, "Leave it to me to think that angle up, eh?"

"You would."

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Bankotsu wasn't that surprised to see that Jakotsu was visiting him again. The whole romantic-feelings issue was still hanging in the air, but at the moment, he was enjoying it in small doses.

This time though, Jakotsu did find a way to surprise him.

"Here- cookies. I've spent all day baking them, so I hope they're okay…"

The braided man looked between the colorful basket full of over a dozen cookies and the man who held it. He knew Jakotsu didn't cook and wasn't that good at it unless it was via the microwave, making him a bit amazed to see this sort of gift.

Reaching out tentatively, he lifted the top one and took a bite.

At that, he could only smile.

"They're really good, thanks."

"You'd better not be lying just to keep me happy…" Jakotsu warned, looking down at the cookies.

Bankotsu just turned and headed for his kitchen.

"I'm getting some milk. Come on in, we can share them."

"Mou…but I made them for you…"

Bankotsu paused, looking over at the other man, "I know. I figured I could enjoy them more if you were here."

And whether the cookies tasted right or not no longer mattered to Jakotsu, he was staying that was for certain.

"Well if you insist…"

"I do."

The two situated themselves around the small table and began to eat, pulling the iced cookies from the basket and pausing every now and then to take a sip of milk.

On pulling out one covered in red icing, Jakotsu traced his finger across the surface and began to lick it off.

He halted his movement as he noticed a pair of wide blue eyes watching him.

"What, I used to do this all the time. Why is he staring at me?"

Jakotsu shrugged and went back to licking the icing from his finger. But when he stuck his finger into his mouth completely to remove any icing that might be left, Bankotsu suddenly looked away.

Opening his mouth to question his friend's strange behavior, his words stopped short as he noticed the blush etched on Bankotsu's cheeks.

"Wait a second. Was he…"

A wicked grin grew on Jakotsu's face as he realized that he wasn't the only one in the room with a vividly perverse imagination at times.

"I should have made more frosted ones," He remarked casually.

Bankotsu coughed, "Um…yeah."

"Note to self," Jakotsu pondered, trying to keep himself from bringing it up aloud, "Once we get past this whole awkward stage, get ahold of some frosting. Might just need it some night."

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Thursday began with a phone call to Ginkotsu. And once instructed on the best ways to be a proper 'follower' Jakotsu made his way over to Bankotsu's for the day.

"So, whatever you want to do today goes. Just let me know, and I'll do it."

He figured he'd get a list of odd jobs or things like laundry and cleaning. Little did he know Bankotsu had something far worse planned.

"Actually, I haven't really done my Christmas shopping yet, so if you could help me get my last minute shopping finished, that'd be great."

"It is December twenty-second, and he wants me near a mall? Oh gods, this is going to be chaos…"

And just like Jakotsu had predicted- it was.

The stores were packed, the shoppers were vicious, and everyone was on some high-strung buy or kill warpath, leaving the employees to pick up the carnage.

So they spent the day weaving in and out of stores, selecting gifts and trying to get through the ridiculous lines.

How this was supposed to help their relationship, Jakotsu wasn't quite sure. But his opportunity came later that afternoon.

It figured of all the things they'd be faced with, clothes shopping was one of them. Jakotsu shrugged it off at first, figuring he was getting Renkotsu a boring tie to go with his accounting job; but things began to get strange as he eyed a nicely made silk shirt.

Of course, it had to be the last shirt and it also happened to be one that another customer wanted.

She snatched it up, and Bankotsu sighed.

"You wanted that, right?"

He nodded.

"Well fine then," Jakotsu pushed up his sleeves, "I'll just go tell that lady you saw it first."

He began to storm after her, but was stopped by the grip on his wrist.

"Don't worry about it, I'll just find something else. I'm not sure if it would have worked anyways."

"What do you mean? Don't think the person would have liked it?"

"Well…" He paused, not wanting to give his intentions completely away, "Would you like that shirt?"

Jakotsu blinked, then he caught what Bankotsu meant.

"Okay, I did really like that shirt, but if he knows that it'll just make him feel worse."

"It was okay, but I've seen others that I like better."

Bankotsu continued to play the innocent card, "Oh…like what?"

Jakotsu glanced around, and began to point some out, "That one. Oh and that has a nice pattern. And that purple one over there looks really nice with the teal one beside it."

That's when the idea dawned on him.

"I'll be right back, okay?"

Figuring he just needed to run to the restroom or something, Bankotsu nodded it was okay. Once he was out of sight, he quickly purchased the purple shirt Jakotsu liked.

From nearby, Jakotsu watched, figuring it was a gift for him.

"Okay, maybe I'm spoiling the surprise, but it'll mean more to him if Bankotsu knows I didn't see him get it."

Jakotsu glanced towards the teal shirt, and he snuck over to grab one.

With that paid for, he tucked it inconspicuously into the rest of the boxes and bags he carried and returned to where Bankotsu waited.

"Find one you liked?"

Bankotsu nodded, "Yah, you ready to go?"

"Yup. I can help wrap when we get back."

"Thanks," His smiled widened, "That would be great."

The evening passed with the two of them wrapping gifts, throwing ribbons about the room and then realizing they'd made a huge mess. It was nice, a very comfortable feeling of a normal, happy life and Jakotsu realized that beyond it all, that was the one thing he missed most after Bankotsu had moved out. Just the simple togetherness they had day to day.

And with his package tucked beneath his arm as he retreated for the evening, Jakotsu had a feeling that soon everything would be back to that same state, with perhaps, that added level of romance.

Looking at the calendar as he flopped down on his bed, he sighed.

"Only a few more days. Let's just hope I can get through this, I'm not sure how many more nights I can stand sleeping alone."

And pulling out a piece of paper, he began to compose a letter for the next day.

Bankotsu, today…I'm giving you the gift of space. I know that a lot of things have been happening, so I want to give you the chance to think it all over. I'll should be here at my apartment if you need to call, and you can leave a message if I'm not here.

He paused, not sure how to conclude it. Then, figuring a little dose of Mukotsu's idea wouldn't hurt to be a day early, he signed the letter.

Love, Jakotsu.

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Preview for Chapter 9:

There are many different ways to say, "I love you"