AN. Okay, so it took some time, but better a good chapter than a rushed chapter. I was stuck and then suddenly the last two-third of this poured out. I'm not complaining.

Note this, only words between "..." are spoken aloud. The rest are all thoughts. So in the end, when Kai and Tyson appear to be having a conversation, it's actually only Tyson talking. Kai is just thinking. Just for clarity again.

I thank everyone who reviewed. Your words were very inspiring and funny. And I hope you like the update.

In close quarters

Part ten: Routine

Kai:

I could get used to this.

For the past four days, ever since that whole pinning-to-the-fridge thing, Tyson has been running around pampering me.

Now really, I'm flattered, but do you know how tiring that is? He's out grocery shopping right now, with my money by the way; it's my household after all, and I have an income.

Still, the way things have been around here these last few days, it looks like I'm the...

Don't laugh. I'll kill you if you laugh.

It seems I have officially settled into the position of the 'girl' of this relationship. Thought it could be just a leftover from being sick for so long. Tyson's been taking care of me all that time, I guess it's hard for him to break the pattern. And, truth be told, it's great being treated like this, for once.

Tyson is very cuddly. Now, I don't mean the friendly glomps and hugs he shares with Max and Kenny, and sometimes Rei; no, I mean arms softly draping around my shoulders from behind me and nose and lips nuzzling my hair or neck or ear when I'm sitting on a kitchen chair. I mean those mutual hugs of cheek pressed to cheek and soft hair tickling my nose. Or those back to chest cuddles with his arm around me holding my hand in front of my chest when we lie on the couch watching tv, or in bed just before we go to sleep. Or waking up in one big tangled mess the next morning and I don't know where I stop and he begins.

And I thought just loving the guy made me sappy. Being in a relationship with him totally fried what was lest of my rationality. Last night he was feeding me peach. There was a movie on, but I don't thing Tyson knows what it was about either. You see, peaches are very juicy fruits, if ripe. And these particular were very ripe. And there are just some places on your face your own tongue can't reach. And when you have your hands pinned above your head...

Well, let's just say I think Tyson knows all of my weak spots now. At least int hat general area. But he's very ticklish of his sides, so I guess that makes us even.

I wonder what's taking him. I live conveniently close to a shopping mall with a gigantic supermarket, but maybe he's gonna come though with his threat to "put some meat on those bones."

I have a fast metabolism so I guess he's gonna stay a while longer. You know, he threatened to take Dranzer away for a week after he decides I'm fit again, if I don't do as he says. In matters concerning my health, that is. And I can see the sense in that. Really, I can. I'm stubborn, not stupid.

Was that the door?

Yes.

...

The neighbor's!

God, I'm pathetic. It's only been an hour and already I miss him. Desperately. What is something happens to him? Anything's possible right? My credit card could have malfunctioned and then the cashier discovers it's not Tyson's and calls the police to come arrest him and he has to spend the night in a smelly jail cell where rats try to bite him. Or he could be the hostage victim of a heist gone bad and the bad guys take him with them when they flee the country and take a boat across the ocean to China and then they drive through Asia and dump him somewhere in Tibet where he's taken in by monks and he shaves his head and joins their order because the next bus isn't due for fifty years so he has no chance of ever getting back and why would I bother myself with a guy who doesn't love me enough to hike through the plains of Tibet to come back to me and spends the rest of his life sitting cross-legged on the floor and eating plain rice with dried yak meat.

...

Right...

...

Should I be admitted in a mental institution? Wait, don't answer that. I'll just sit back and wait for Tyson to come home. Probably loaded with groceries. My weight's gonna be doubled by the time he's done with me. Scary image. Maybe there's something on tv.

Tyson:

"Don't be such a stick in the mud, gramps!" Jeez, what does it take to convince him? "Kai's been really sick, and that alone is proof he doesn't take proper care of himself." At least in my eyes.

Why do I even have to argue with gramps? Why doesn't he want me to stay over at Kai's? He is the worrywart of the Kinomiya's, but shouldn't that concern include Kai as well? I know it does! So why is he being so difficult about it?

"Two teenage boys alone in an apartment without any adult supervision? I don't think so, dude."

Does he suspect something? I hope not. Better act innocent. "Come on, gramps. You know I can cook just fine. And we're old and wise enough to know we have to eat our veggies and drink enough water and brush our teeth two times a day. We don't need parental supervision." Hang on. Doesn't that last argument undermine my plea, instead of support it?

I don't like that grin of his. And what is he staring at? He's making me uncomfortable.

"Look, kid, I'm sure you have al sorts of good intentions and that you're concerned about Kai, but you can't fool me. I may be old, but I still recognize a hickey when I see one."

WHAT?!?! A hickey?! Dammit, Kai! What did you do?! Oh, damn! I'm doomed! He'll never let me go back. Uhm...

Stupid, self-satisfied smirk. Can't he wipe that from his face? "Please, gramps, just let me go. I promise we'll be good. No weird stuff. Didn't I tell you we're very responsible?"

Please, just let me go, please. What is he laughing about?

"So you finally melted Mr. Iceman, huh? It's about time."

Wha...?

"Oh, don't look so surprised. I am your grampa. I'm supposed to know this sort of thing."

Oh. So much for the secrecy. I wonder what Kai will think about it. Hope he won't be too mad. I don't know how he'd react. Ah, I'll worry about that later. I still have gramps to convince. "So can I go back?"

Hesitation. Not a good sign.

"Promise me, you two won't be doing anything, I wouldn't want you to, okay."

Phew. "Okay! Thanks, gramps!"

Now, quickly back to Kai's. He'll be wondering what took me so long.

Kai:

Tv is proving interesting. Not. I really am bored out of my mind. Pathetic, but I think I already said that. Now, I need Tyson to keep me busy.

I could keep him busy of course. I have discovered quite a few ways to do that, the past four days. It seems only logical that such a energetic, tactile person as Tyson is so responsive to... amorous... touches.

Amorous... Is Tyson my lover? Can I call him that? Well, we haven't made love like that yet, but it is kinda in my plans for the future. I think I can call him my boyfriend. We kiss and cuddle and talk and laugh. Yes, I do know how to laugh, none-maniacally I may add.

Thing I'm worried about is, how long? Is this just a passing thing, and everything good will fade when it's no longer a novelty? I don't want that. I know it's not really realistic to think everything will always remain as... giddy... I know. Giddy is not the first thing to come to mind when one sees me, but these feelings are new, and make me... giddy. There really is no other word for it.

Anyway, I know things won't always be as rosy-hued as this, but I don't want it to fade completely. Basically, I want Tyson to stay with me. For as long possible. And I don't mean until school starts again, or something like that. It's more like... And this really scares the shit out of me, cause I've never, ever felt like this before. It's more like 'till death do us part'.

I know it may seem a bit soon to think about our relationship that way, but I've known Tyson for years and even if we hadn't become boyfriends, I still wouldn't be able to imagine a life without him. This whole boyfriend thing is just a new dimension added to our relationship. Not knowing what this feels like, I think I would have been happy if I could have been Tyson's friend for the rest of my life.

Of course, now I do know all of this, I won't settle for friendship anymore, at least not if I can help it.

Oh, doorbell. I'll get that. Who else would, huh? I'm seriously disturbed. Took my sweet time to figure that one out too.

Uhm, is that Tyson behind that? What did he buy?!

Oh, he brought some of his clothes too.

Neat, that means he plans on staying. And no bed-gear. Great, that means I get to snuggle up to him in bed. I like that, you know.

"Hey, think you can help me?"

Whoops. Forgot. Oh, good, he brought some chocolate chipped cookies too. I have a weakness for those. Think I could sneak one now?

Ack! What the...?

What did I do?!

...

Whaddaya staring at?

...

I think Tyson thinks he's a cat. I think I'm the canary. With two broken wings. And only one toe left on the foot that isn't missing.

"Gramps almost didn't let me stay, you know?"

No, I don't. Do I want to know?

"He said he thinks two teenagers alone without parental supervision isn't a good idea."

Apparently, I do.

"I managed to convince him otherwise."

Oh, good, I'd hate miss you. But could you knock the creepy predatory act?

"But maybe I agree with him."

Uh-oh. That doesn't sound good. Well, actually, it sounds promising.

"You know, what made him suspicious?"

I have no idea.

"A mark. A mark you gave me."

Aha. Uhm... What can I say to that?

"So, you see, it's actually you're fault, I almost couldn't stay over."

...

"Now, what do you think is appropriate punishment for that?"

An... admonishing... look? For... like... half a second?

"Hm, I think I know. Though it goes against gramps decree."

That I'm sure it doesn't mean anything good. Or.. it does.

"But I don't think he was too serious with that, hm?"

I'm sure he wa...

That feels good... Can I have more of that?

Ow! Damn, that was downright painful. My, someone is looking pleased with himself. Smart move, Tyson, I don't think I have a coll high enough to cover that.

Ngah! Goose bumps! Goose bumps! Hah...

Uhm, Tyson? Whatcha-eeeeeh!

Now that was downright low. Very cheap shot, Tyson. But two can play that game- Hey! Dammit, he's got a strong grip. Let go! Gerrof!

...

Never mind.

...

No, I didn't squeak. Kai Hiwatari doesn't squeak. Don't you dare insinuate such a thing. It's absolutely preposterous.

I the words of the wicked witch of the East, or West, or wherever, anyway. I'm melting! Hah...

Ai! Damn, second time I fell for that one. And WILL YOU LET GO OF MY HANDS ALREADY!

...

Please?

AN Heheh. Stole a few ideas from other things in this. Like the ranting from Kai? Based on 'Le fabuleux destin d'Amelie Poulain'. Brilliant movie. If you haven't seen it yet, go rent it. It's very good. And the 'Gerrof'? Harry Potter of course. Those garden gnomes are just so funny. Tossing them out of the yard. And Mr. Weasley thinks they're cute. Well, maybe they are, if they don't ruin the vegetable patch. Anyway. I haven't upped the rating (yet) and I'm still not sure whether I will. I have an idea as to what kind of writing would merit an 'uprating' in this style. It would be very interesting, I think. And in retrospect, otherwise it would be completely and utterly incoherent. I'll see what I can come up with. Maybe Kai's punishment can lead to something, I don't know.

For now, review, please?