Title: As I Grow To Know You Author: Aqua SEQUEL: Unspoken Attentions Genre: Romance, Angst

As a reminder:
Pairing: Aburatsubo/Takeo, Sae/Nanaka

Author Comment: I wasn't going to write this originally because it was a racier fic. Then a friend pointed out that I can edit it for , and still write the story that I wanted this to be. So, here it is! YAY! You know, it's much more fun to write when it's something that I want to write about nod nod.

So, for those of you who are interested in the unedited NC - 17 rated version, please head to my webpage. For the rest of you, here you go!

Additional Comment: As I've never actually seen an explanation of their history, I've made up most of Aburatsubo and Takeo's childhood, how they met, growing up together, etc. I apologize if it's actually quite different from in the series (as I said, I don't even know if the show or anime says anything about it), but I needed to make it what it is for the purpose of this fic. So don't quote me on anything for a fact.

Enjoy!

Chapter 1

Aburatsubo let his finger tips trail over Takeo's cheek, his eyes meeting the others with a heavy gaze. He let them slip closed as he leaned forward slowly, every nerve in his body humming with anticipation of finally being able to taste his love's lips.

At the last moment, he felt the other slip away, and had to suppress a frustrated sigh.

Takeo face was bright red and he laughed in a choked way, stumbling across the room to the door. "Why don't I get us something to drink? Do you want a soda? I don't know if we have some, but I'll grab juice if not. Maybe something to eat too," he babbled, quickly disappearing into the hallway.

Aburatsubo fell back against his bed with a huff, glaring up at the ceiling of his bedroom as he tried to keep himself from being too disappointed. Even so, he couldn't help feeling slightly cheated after he'd gotten his expectations up. The two of them had been dating for three weeks now, and it was still like this.

The long-haired youth didn't want to pressure Takeo into anything, but he'd wanted to kiss Takeo since the day the two of them had met. Wanted to do much more than that, but he knew they had to start in small steps. Now that they were a finally couple, it was even more of torture to try and keep himself from kissing or touching Takeo. And in the moments when he couldn't hold back any longer, Takeo always pulled away. He became as he always did before, blushing and chattering off Aburatsubo's attentions, making an excuse that would get him out of the situation as quickly as possible.

It had been the happiest moment of his life when Takeo had told him that he would try at relationship with him. He'd thought for sure that the other would grow to love him just as much as he loved Takeo, given time. Now, he realized that he'd been just a little too idealistic. Things hadn't fallen apart quite yet, but certainly weren't working out either. They still held the same closeness that had developed with their friendship, but it seemed impossible for Takeo to make it anything more.

Their first date had been a disaster. They'd gone to an amusement park, something Aburatsubo thought Takeo would be okay with, since they'd gone there many times before as friends and it was familiar ground. However, Takeo had looked uncomfortable the entire time. He'd nearly had a heart attack whenever Aburatsubo attempted to take his hand, and Aburatsubo could of sworn that Takeo almost fainted the one time he'd tried to put his arm around the other. The conversation had flowed relatively all right, but only when Aburatsubo steered clear of mentioning it was a date.

In the end, it had been just like every other time, with Takeo avoiding every one of Aburatsubo's attempts to draw close.

He'd thought for sure that that would be it, their relationship would be over just after it'd started. Honestly, he still didn't know why Takeo had agreed to a second date.

They had made some progress in the last three weeks, he reminded himself. Takeo had slowly become more at ease wherever they went, and had even let Aburatsubo take his hand during their fourth date. Although, the taller boy suspected it was because they were in a darkened theater and no one would be able to see.

He couldn't help but want more. He'd gone out with Takeo plenty of times over the years that they'd known each other, together as friends. But these were dates now. He couldn't help but want them to feel like dates.

He had the feeling that it would only be a matter of time before Takeo told him that it wasn't going to work out. Certainly, Aburatsubo himself would let it go on for as long as possible, grateful for each moment he had with the other. But he couldn't kid himself into thinking that Takeo would ever be comfortable with this new relationship. It wasn't anything against Aburatsubo, it just wasn't something Takeo could do.

Firmly, Aburatsubo told himself to quit mopping. At least Takeo had given it a shot.

And he would treasure these memories for the rest of his life.