Hello everyone, so nice to see you all again! I'm so excited (and I hope that you are too) because now that summer break has started I'm now able to find time to work on my fanfics. Hooray -xx-Does happy dance-xx-
I know it's been a while since I last updated, but you see, I have this disease called "laziness" that strikes unexpectedly. It makes me fear working on anything, and has me plant myself squarely in front of a T.V., video game system, or computer for long periods of time.
I've also started a new fanfic, so now my writing time must be distributed evenly.
Oh, and I have one more excuse for you. I do have a part-time job that takes up some of my free time. (But mostly I'm just lazy)
I've decided to start answering my reviews too, just 'cuz every one of them makes me grin like an idiot while this little voice in my head says repeatedly, "they like me, they really like me". Ah, how I love you reviewers -xx-Hugs them all-xx-
PandaPjays – Thanks for reading my friend! I'm glad you liked it, though it's nothing compared to yours. I myself enjoyed coming up with the towel scene, it just made me laugh out loud to myself…although, because of this, some random people started giving me funny looks because they couldn't figure out what was so funny. Hmm, maybe I should stop doing that in public.
SmellyToaster – I'm glad you're so excited about this fic! I'll try to keep the chapters coming as quickly as I can, but I've found that if I force myself to write, it turns out really crappy and I end up with writers block. These things just kinda come to me all of a sudden, and I have to scribble them down really quickly and post 'em up!
Tyriane L – I'm so happy you like it so far! I know my chapters are short -xx-slaps self-xx- but like I said above, they come to me in short bursts. I'll try to make them longer, just for you, but I make no promises.
Minke – You REALLY, REALLY LOVE it? Thank you, thank you -xx-Happy dances again-xx- Like my writing style, eh? That makes me so happy I can't put it into words…keep reading and reviewing and I'll keep writing!
M.S.K – Awwww, you think it's cute! Thank so much! I'll update as soon as I can, I promise! You love it too -xx-Glomps M.S.K-xx-
kai fan#1 – Wow! Another person who loves my story -xx-Glomps kai fan#1-xx- I hope you like my humour, it's strange, but these things just pop into my head…it's actually kinda scary! I will continue…well, at least I plan to.Yumi-Ulrich4ever – Glad you loved the chapter, and I hope you'll enjoy what happens next. You liked the nicknames for Tyson and Max? I really don't know where they came from; I just thought it sounded Kai-ish…another one of my random thoughts. I'll update as soon as I can!
tangomermaid – I'm happy you liked it. I'll update soon, keep reading and reviewing!
Echo in the Dark – Ecstatic that you loved it! I'm gonna continue it…with all the responses I'm getting, why wouldn't I? That'd be just cruel if I left you hanging. I mean, I'm evil…but not that evil.
DanjurisliCheezi – I thought the name for the chapter was cool too, and I'm glad that you agree! As for the pointers and stuff, I'm not sure what you mean by that…if you have some specific questions you'd like to ask, just e-mail me (my e-mail adress is in my profile) and I'll try my best to answer them. Just keep in mind I'm no professional…I just do this for enjoyment purposes, but I'm flattered that you want my advice. Keep on reading and reviewing!
MikeyWaysgirl – I like making them blush (like you didn't notice) and I'm happy that you like the blushing too. It is quite sweet. Your comment has inflated my ego so much and so quickly…this could be bad for my health.
Mushrambolover – Ah, don't we all want to see Rei in only a towel? Life's just not fair. -xx-Sigh-xx- So happy that you like it. I'll write as fast as I can…it'll be easier now that I don't have schoolwork to compete with.
Reis1gurl – God, that's one sexy outfit you've come up with, and I like it. I have to say though, it sounds like more of a dinner outfit than one for just going out for lunch, so I'm not gonna use it in this chapter. Don't be sad though, I'll include it a little later on :winks: Thanks so much for adding me to your favs…I feel so special!
Whoa! That sure was a lot of reviews! Hello Popularity, my name is Brittany, so nice to meet you! Where have you been all my life?
I only wrote responses to those who reviewed my last chapter, so if you weren't mentioned above, I did read your review (I read every single one of them, and like I said above, I grin like an idiot) and I thank you for it. If you review at the end of this chapter, you'll get answered in my next one, I promise!
FOR DISCLAIMERS AND WARNINGS, SEE FIRST CHAPTER.
Anyways…. let's get on with the fic!
-xx-Rei's POV-xx-
Rei sighed as he pulled his dresser drawer open and scanned the contents. He was going out for lunch with Kai after all, so clothing choice was extremely important.
He had known for a while now that he had feelings for Kai. It was the way Kai seemed to occupy every thought he had, the way he wanted Kai to be happy. He often found himself staring at Kai, longing to hold him in his arms…longing to kiss him.
He was already aware of his sexual preference. Kai wasn't the first guy he found himself attracted to.
Kai was different though. The feelings he had for those other guys were never as intense, or lasted as long as the one for Kai. It had been quite some time since he realized his Kai obsession, and he found himself looking at no other guy but him.
But what were the chances that Kai was first of all, gay, and second, if he was, that he liked him back. It was absurd to think that he had a chance, there was just no way.
Still, he couldn't help but want to make a good impression. Lunch today was going to be just him and Kai, and so there was definitely a priority to look good.
Wait a second! The little voice in Rei's head piped up, was I imagining things back there, or was Kai blushing when he saw me in just a towel?
He shook his head. No, no. I must have been imagining things…there's no way. He told himself dejectedly.
Just then he realized that Kai was waiting for him, and here he was, still in his towel. His eyes trailed to an outfit lying in the dresser. It was one of the more classy outfits he owned. It looked a lot like his regular Chinese-style outfit only it was made or the finest silk fabric and the white and gold was replaced with black and crimson, with a matching crimson sash and black pants (1).
He loved that outfit; plus, it just so happened that it flattered his butt. He rubbed his fingers along the sumptuous fabric of the black and crimson shirt, contemplating Kai's reaction if he stepped out of the room dressed in it. In the end though, he decided against it, seeing as how it was more of an evening/dinner type of ensemble, not the kind of thing you'd wear to a casual lunch.
He thought back to before Kai had walked out the door. Kai wasn't dressed up; he was wearing his normal clothes (not that they weren't sexy), so he went ahead and followed suit. He quickly slipped on his familiar white and gold Chinese style top with the black pants and red sash.
Now all he had left to do was his hair, he had yet to brush the beast out and wrap it away. He ran hurriedly to the bathroom and grabbed his brush. He attacked his hair furiously; untangling the mass of hair was no easy task.
He had just finished brushing it all out when there was a loud knock on the door.
"Rei" Kai called firmly from the hallway outside the room. "Are you coming or not?"
Rei hurried over to the door and hastily opened it.
"Yeah, I'm almost done. I've got to wrap up my hair though" he said.
Kai reached forward and took a strand of Rei's long silky hair between his fingers.
"Let me help" Kai offered with a tiny smile.
Rei blushed. "O…Okay" he said timidly.
-xx-Kai's POV-xx-
I can't believe I just said that! Kai thought as he followed Rei back into their hotel room and into the bathroom. But what I can't believe more is that Rei agreed.
Rei jumped gracefully onto the bathroom counter. He handed his brush to the older boy and turned so that Kai could have access to his raven locks.
Kai positioned himself behind the object of his obsession. He began to brush the long silky tresses gently, removing any small leftover tangles.
Rei closed his eyes and relaxed. He even began to purr softly.
How does he do that? Kai wondered. The persistent blush on Kai's cheeks darkened slightly. Thank god Rei has his eyes closed.
Those beautiful golden eyes…
Ah yes, Rei's eyes. They enchanted him, pools of gold so deep Kai was often lost in their warm gaze. He loved how Rei's eyes were always so full of emotion. Some people wear their hearts on their sleeves. Rei on the other hand, so to speak, wore his heart on his eyes. They glistened and shone when he was happy, burned fiery amber when angry, and became dark and dull when sad. He wondered what they would look like when he was experiencing feelings of love. Maybe if he was extremely lucky, one day, he'd get the chance to find out.
But for now, he would have to be content loving Rei's eyes when they showed happiness, anger, and sadness.
Come to think of it, Kai happened to love almost everything about the neko-jin…
Kai set the brush down on the counter beside Rei. He had gotten most of the remaining tangles out of Rei's hair, except for a few stubborn ones. He began to work the difficult knots out of the silky raven hair carefully with his fingers.
Rei must have had the softest hair he had ever felt (not that he had felt a lot of hair in his lifetime). It must take gallons of conditioner to get it that way. He loved the length of Rei's hair, slightly girlie as it was. The flowing ebony locks hung down almost to his knees. Rei seldom left his hair down, but Kai liked it that way.
Once all of the tangles were removed, Kai set to work on the delicate task of wrapping the hair up. He took his time, winding it carefully around the silky strands, making sure not to miss any.
Suddenly, curiosity got the best of him.
"Why do you wrap your hair up in this thing?" Kai asked.
Rei sighed and slowly opened his eyes.
"Well," he began "first of all, it keeps it out of my face. It also keeps it from catching on stuff, and…" he trailed off.
"And?" Kai questioned.
"My mother used to do it for me when I was small" he said quietly, the pain evident in his voice and as Kai could tell, evident in the depths of his lovely golden orbs.
Kai knew that Rei's parents had both died when Rei was only a child. He was orphaned and alone for so many years, not unlike Kai's own childhood. There was a difference though. Unlike Rei's parents, Kai's mother and father hadn't died, they had simply abandoned him.
Kai shook the unpleasant thoughts from his head. He instantly regretted asking the question, seeing the pain it caused Rei. He searched for something, anything, to say to make Rei feel better.
"You look nice when you leave your hair down" he blurted.
Kai couldn't believe the words he had just uttered. His mouth had just acted on it's own and voiced an opinion that his brain had not consented to. Sure, it was true, but what would Rei think of the comment?
He's going to be furious, disgusted or both… Kai thought frantically. Once again he averted his eyes to the floor.
Kai braced himself for the harsh response he was sure to receive from Rei.
But it never came.
Rei turned slowly to face his stoic team captain.
"Really?" Rei asked softly, his golden eyes glittering with wonder.
Kai looked up hesitantly. Crimson met gold.
Suddenly, Rei leaned up and pressed his lips to Kai's.
Kai couldn't believe it. He was frozen in shock. Rei was…Rei was…kissing him? He was instantly overcome with joy. He had waited, wished, and hoped for this moment to come for so long.
He wrapped his arms around Rei's slender waist and pulled him closer, deepening the kiss that made his heart want to burst with happiness.
When they finally broke apart, a rare smile graced Kai's lips.
"Let's skip lunch," Kai said as he pulled Rei into another fiery kiss.
(1) Thanks to Reis1gurl who came up with this outfit.
Fluff-fluff-fluffity-fluff-fluff. Sorry about that. I love fluff, I just can't help it. I just wanted to let you all know that this IS NOT the end of the fic…I've still got an, um, how should I put this…. unfortunate event coming in the future.
Many thanks to my best friend/beta reader Shikonjewl for editing my chapter and making it better.
And as always, R&R!