It rubs the lotion on its skin, or else it gets the hose again.

Chapter 5!

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"You sleep like the dead."

He felt the welcoming touch again before he heard the words, and leaned into the warm feeling. Manta had been awake for quite some time, but remained motionless, afraid Faust would stop stroking his hair if he knew he was awake. So he kept his eyes closed, just fading in and out of sleep, the feel of the doctor's fingers against him, trickling through his skin. But when he shifted slightly and barely opened an eye, Faust noticed. But his hand did not stop.

"I was tired." He knew he should sit up, but somehow couldn't bring himself to pull away from the warm contact. He did, however, lift his head and rest his chin on the man's stomach. Faust was still reading, the book held beside him with a few fingers of his left hand. Barely able to hold back a whimper at the loss of contact, Manta felt the right pull away. It was only gone for a moment, the addition assistance needed to bind the stark white bandaging Faust was wrapping. He tightened it with his teeth and secured the cloth, but not before Manta could see the extent of his injuries.

As the doctor was right handed, the majority of his inflicted wounds were on his left arm. Although Manta has seen painful and intricate, almost beautiful, scars carved on his chest, stomach, and even face, those were harder to hide. Faust had the habit of a general distaste in upper clothing. His lab coat, than a warmer coat thrown over it…that was all he ever needed. Manta could tell how sensitive the skin that was stitched on his chest didn't like to be grazed under too much fabric.

It had never occurred to him before, but something about the doctor's open coat and pale, scarred chest, was erotic. Manta hoped Faust couldn't feel the beating of his heart increase at the thought. He had told himself he was putting off contemplation over what Faust meant to him, but his mind seemed to have horrible timing.

Nevertheless, his attention was pulled to the other's left arm. Small patches of blood from the deeper wounds that were still scabbing started to prick through the wrap. Manta felt relieved he had not seen the wounds fresh. He hated the sight of blood, and judging from the instruments that lay beside the bed, the amount of bandaging, and how Faust was still attached to his morphine feed, there had been plenty of it. Realizing he was staring, he looked away. He was starting to feel ill.

But not before the doctor caught the look to his now covered wounds. He smiled a little sadly, knowing that Manta worried about him as of late. Carefully removing the needle from inside his arm, he resumed leafing his fingers through the other's hair. "It's nothing you need to worry about." He tried to think of a way to ease the boy's unease over his self abuse, but couldn't think of a good one. "I've been…doing this for quite some time now, so my body is quite used to it. I also know how to properly bandage myself once...it's all over. It's becoming less and less if that helps?" He could tell from Manta's expression that he was not comforted quite yet.

"It helps Manta…it really does. Although no pain can possibly compare to that of losing Eliza, this is like…a distraction. It just takes my mind off her for a little. Besides, I'd rather lock myself away when it happens, let my anger and fear and sadness eat away at me, as oppose to being out there in the world, a constant danger to everyone."

That was so emo. Manta sat up now, rubbing his eyes and leaning back on his heels. "You can't help Eliza if you're dead." He felt Faust's look on him darken somewhat and he shied away from the feelings.

"I don't need patronizing on how to go about bringing back my wife." His voice, while not angry, was noticeably firmer, and for the second time in 24 hours Manta felt the threat of death looming over him. He swallowed loudly and lowered his head in apology.

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean anything by it." His eyes shifted to the side, but he blinked when Faust's hand slipped under his chin, forcing him to look up again rather quickly.

"No, I'm sorry." His thumb absently ran over the boy's lip. "I didn't mean to get brash with you." He managed a light smile and leaned in closer. Manta could feel his heart in his ears again. "There are still times I lose my hold on sanity, and fall back into a deep, dangerous depression, but, it's becoming rare. I assure you. I miss my Eliza more than anything, but I feel secure in the fact that I will truly see her again when I die."

Manta expression took on a hint of worry as he pulled away from Faust's touch, somewhat afraid the man's actions would leave another flush on his cheeks. "If you keep that up, it might be sooner than you think." The corner of his mouth upturned in a small smile. "You can't die yet; you still have so much to learn."

"And right you are." Faust checked the secure on his bandage and sighed softly, closing the book he was reading. "I owe you my thanks. It's been a long time since someone tried to comfort me while in a state like that." Those blue eyes shifted. "I must admit that you were the last person I would expect to risk such a thing."

Manta shivered inwardly at the memory but kept the hold on his eyes. "Don't worry about it. After a bit, I didn't care if you lashed out against me…I just didn't want you to hurt yourself, and I thought having someone around would prevent that. You've…you've hurt enough." Looking to the side, he tilted his head so his hair shielded his face perfectly. That feeling was coming over him again and again; the deep-seated need to see Faust smile, to see him somewhat happy. That. along with the way his body seemed to throb, when close to the other, continued to pulse through him at random times.

The look on Faust's face was almost one of sadness again. "Manta…" He hadn't expected these kinds of feelings from the boy. "I wouldn't hurt you again if it were enough in my power. But I know that my self-control slips beyond me, and that is when another is in danger. I would hate to cause you pain again, not after what I had done before." A smile. "You seemed far too busy to make room for a hospital visit."

Manta actually chuckled at Faust's joke, and that made the man's smile wider. "It's just strange Faust." He looked up to the doctor's questioning expression. "Aside from Yoh, you were the only one who ever really…gave me the time of day...gave me a second look. Unlike the others, you understand my rants and my meaningless questions and problems with everything."

"Your mind is always working. You simply voice your thoughts more than some. It is not meaningless."

"But it's annoying." It was now Manta's turn to give a sad smile. "I love learning and studying so much. Just something about new information gives me such…a thrill and joy. Like I've discovered even more treasure. I suppose that's why, especially now with my father giving me so much more to do with the company, I never really had time for anyone." He laughed almost bitterly. "I'm seventeen, and I've never had a girlfriend, and I've never…been with anyone." The smile still on his lips, he looked up. "It's pathetic, isn't it?"

Faust's answer was not one of words. Manta was taken back as he felt the other's soft, dry lips suddenly against his own. They were soft, and as tender as the kiss was, it shot lighting up Manta's back. The German's lips parted just slightly, urging Manta to return the kiss, which the boy did hesitantly. Closing his eyes, he leaned into the warm, welcoming sensations-

Wait a tick.

Manta jerked back, his eyes wide and his face red, as if touching Faust was like touching a rod of lightning. He couldn't find words for the longest time, and could only blink at Faust's confused, albeit, amused expression. Seeing Manta's deep blush, he merely smiled and leaned in again. Even though Manta saw it coming, knew what was going to happen, he could not fight it right away.

Faust kissed him again, even softer than the last, and Manta desperately fought his body's urge to wrap his arms around the other man. He made a quiet noise in the back of his throat, whether it was a moan of pleasure or protest, he was not sure. After a split second which seemed to drag on a blissful, but agonizingly confusing eternity, Manta placed his hand on Faust's chest and pulled away. He just looked down, once again unable to find his voice, yet this time unable to meet the doctor's eyes.

It finally came out. "I…I don't need sympathy. I'm not that desperate, trust me."

"It's not out of sympathy."

Manta looked up quickly, his eyes wide again. Faust, like Yoh and Ren, was often dubbed an 'honest' one. They never lied. They meant what they said every time; Ren skipping over useless euphemisms, while Yoh simply spoke the truth in his calm, peaceful way. Faust did neither and both, he conversed of things the way they were, and the way they should be said.

So, if not sympathy…then what?

"But…but Eliza…" Manta's voice was hardly more than a whisper, and he has to repeat himself before Faust heard him. He eyes sneaked up when Faust was quiet. He seemed genuinely confused.

"Yes? What of her?"

Clearly Faust was missing some sort of medication if he couldn't piece what Manta was talking about. "She's your wife. How could you so clearly say that to me, knowing that I know how you care for her?" His hands clenched and his expression shadowed. Was this some kind of joke? Maybe a sick experiment the doctor was playing on him?

Now he saw where Manta's logic was heading. Thinking further on it, he should have been expecting such a reaction and question. "Manta, do you put pepperoni and cheese on affection?"

…

There was no way Manta could follow Faust's way of thinking even if he tried. He gave him a bit of a dull stare, trying to clearly convey his complete inability to understand what he was talking about. Oh well, he'd play as best he could. "..No..no you don't."

"Then why compare it to a pizza, something that can be fractioned and divided as such? Attraction is simply there or it is not, and me caring for you does not take any love away from what I feel for Eliza. It doesn't work that way."

Although that wasn't exactly the way Manta thought about love, he could see what Faust was getting at. But, that was all fine and good for Faust to think that way, but what about his lover?

"Don't fret over Eliza either." The doctor was good at reading his emotions and thoughts. "We are far too secure in our love for this to cause any sort of conflict." His fingers reached out to touch the boy's face again. "She is glad I'm finding something on this world without her that can keep me sane…perhaps even happy. If our situations had switched, I'd want the same for her." He leaned in and kissed Manta again.

Not a tender kiss like before, but a sheering, passionate kiss that took the teen's breath away. Although he was still confused and worried, Faust's quiet words had put him somewhat to rest. His entire head now spun, his eyes having to close as the German skillfully assaulted him with his lips, both arms now wrapped around the boy. He felt a pressured, pleasant hold on the back of his head, Faust's fingers laced in his hair.

Unable to even want to resist the sudden display of affection, Manta leaned in closer when Faust's pull asked him to. His arms found a comfortable place across his shoulders, and as their bodies crushed together, Manta could feel the coolness of the other's skin against him. He had to pull back for a moment to catch his breath, but as soon as he was ready again, Faust pulled him in and resumed the kiss.

With his head spinning like such, Manta had no idea how long the kiss went. A few seconds, maybe a couple of minutes? Regardless, once Faust finally leaned back to catch his own breath, Manta practically fell against him. He panted softly, his eyes closed and his face hot. His lips felt full and wet. He was blushing so heavily that he was unsure if he'd actually be able to speak on what just happened. So, he changed the subject oh so skillfully.

"W-What time is it?"

"A little after 11…why?"

A sharp jolt of realization hit Manta in the back of head like a 2 by 4. He quickly sat straight, his eyes so wide Faust felt a cold worry come over him. "I forgot to get up to make Anna breakfast!" Within three and a half seconds, the boy was up and running down the hall.

Faust merely blinked for a moment before laughing, getting up himself with some needed assistance from the wall. He might as well show his face, lest the others of the inn were worried about him and his disappearance yesterday. Not to mention Manta might need a certain deal of protection from Anna's impatient wrath.

Yes, today was shaping up to a pleasant day indeed.

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I am sorry at how long this took. Hopefully I can get the next chapter out quicker --; But yei. Love…kinda.