Ok, I'm finally finished with this chapter! Sorry for the wait! ;) (why do I always end up having to say that?) I hope everyone enjoys this chapter, because, although I almost always read stories with lemons and limes, I've never actually written anything even close, with the exception of the semi-rape scene in my last story, "Into Ashes All My Lust". It was difficult to write implied sex and still keep with the mood of the story. I hope I did OK!

So, I'm trying to work out what I will write after this story is finished. For a long time I was planningon another Furuba fic, but I've decided to try something new next time. I'm hoping that some of my loyal readers will continue to look at my works, if, of course, they're familiar with the anime I choose to write about. I was planning on writing a Kyo Kara Maoh WolframxYuuri story, but I decided that the fanbase isn't big enough and no one would want to read my story. So now I'm hoping to write a Fullmetal Alchemist EdxAl (fluff) fic, set before Al loses his body. Would anyone be interested in that? (Or should I just keep writing Furuba stories?)Please tell me what you think!

OMG, I can't believe this story almost has 100 reviews! I love you all!

"Dearest Ritchan!" Collapsing onto the sofa with a cheery yawn, Ayame exchanged a meaningful smile with his companion. "That went simply marvelous! Everything was," letting his eyes slide closed, the snake enjoyed the warm emotions bubbling in his chest. Yuki had smiled at him. He had offered some glimmer of respect for his older brother, and Ayame accepted it joyfully. "Perfect."

"So, do you think Yuki-kun had fun at the party, Ayame-san?" The redhead questioned meekly, directing his gaze to the man seated at the opposite end of the couch. "I hope he liked it! I really-," blushing, Ritsu hid his face behind his palms, "I really think he loves you, Ayame-san."

The silver-haired man grinned at his boyfriend's brave statement. "And I love you, sweetest Ritchan. You have given me the strength to face my past. You mean so much to me," disregarding the melodrama in his words, the snake laughed softly so as to reaffirm his sincerity. "But you already know that, of course."

"I, I, Ayame-san?" The monkey quivered, glancing over his shoulder as his skin turned a deep shade of crimson. "I'm so," biting his lip, the younger man fell speechless. "I," skirmishing with his trembling voice, Ritsu could continue with little more than a smile, "so happy."

"Oh yes, mon cher! I understand completely!" Creeping down the length of the sofa, the older man pulled himself into Ritsu's lap, nipping at his neck with hungry lips. "Hmm," groaning internally as desire spread through his veins, Ayame took a deep breath. "You're," he giggled against the monkey's flesh. Sighing, he slid his mouth across his younger cousin's face, enveloping himself in the smaller form as he rested against Ritsu's shoulder. Inhaling the scent of the other man's hair, his heart clenched unexpectedly. Being so near to his boyfriend, he finally started to realize the depths of his passion, feeling explosions of desire pulsing in his blood, "So beautiful."

Ritsu's chest heaved as he tried to catch his breath. Each touch elicited tiny whimpers from the monkey's mouth, and his fingers dug involuntarily into the upholstery as he fought to steady himself. "Ayame-san, I," shuddering, he focused on some non-existent point beyond Ayame's head. His voice swelled with apprehension, "about Shigure-niisan-."

Breaking away from the redhead's body, the silver-haired man chuckled wildly. "Oh, Gure-kun can be quite a tease, dear Monkey-chan! Don't let him bother you."

"I, I," his eyes downcast, Ritsu carefully examined the folds of his skirt. "I was just-," trailing off, his reply came as a halted whisper. "The things he said about us," he bit his finger, clenching his fist, "I was just wondering," he chanced a wide-eyed glance at his boyfriend, "do you want to do that, with me?"

Ayame's heart jolted. Studying the redhead's face, he frantically sought some sign of affirmation, something to verify the other man's offer. 'Is he saying he wants to be with me?' The snake's head throbbed with surprise. "Ritchan, I," never before had the couple voiced their passions in this way. Every time they kissed, Ayame sensed an invisible boundary between them, freezing all his actions as soon as he felt the other man tense beneath his touch. He constantly struggled to keep Ritsu happy, hiding all his fantasies in his dreams. The couple had never passed beyond shy groping, though, inevitably, hearing the younger man mention sex sent the blood rushing between Ayame's legs. "Of course I do, dearest Ritsu! I've wanted to for the longest time!"

"Oh," as unease coursed through his voice, Ritsu attempted a sheepish nod. "Then I-."

Realizing that he might have jumped forward too swiftly, Ayame hurried to shackle his enthusiasm. "Naturally, I would never want to force you into anything, sweet Monkey-chan!" The snake slid off of the redhead's lap, putting some distance between them in a valiant show of self-control. He shifted his legs in hopes of hiding his swelling bulge. "Above all else I want to please you."

"No, no!" Ritsu's tone rose suddenly as he tried to meet the other man's gaze. His words came hurried and jumbled. "I mean, well, I, I want to, I'm, well," reaching a hand to Ayame's arm, he offered a weak grin. "I'm just, well, I'm scared."

Ayame's stomach clenched in his chest. 'Oh, Ritchan!' Spring to his feet in his excitement, he threw his arms around the smaller man. "Sweetest Monkey-chan! I'm simply delighted!" All his pent-up lust came rushing forth as he clutched his boyfriend to his body. "This will be amazing! Oh, don't be afraid!" Running a finger down the younger man's cheek, he winked. "I'm sure you'll do wonderfully!" Claiming Ritsu's lips in a passionate kiss, he seized the monkey's form and carried him towards the bedroom. "I want everything to be just perfect!"

The redhead trembled as the bedroom door flew open in front of him. "Ayame-san," he whispered under his breath, wrapping one arm around the taller man's neck and relaxing slightly into the arms that carried him towards the bed. "I-."

"Yes, sweet Ritchan?" Ayame paused, watching the man in his arms as he eased him onto a scarlet blanket. His heart pounded as he surveyed the vulnerable figure in front of him, knowing that he was about to realize every passion he had dreamed up late at night. 'He'll truly be mine forever,' this awareness sent sparks of ecstasy racing through the older man's blood. 'Finally I can prove my love to him.'

Giggling to himself, Ayame clapped his hands together before planting a reassuring kiss on Ritsu's lips. "Excuse me for just a moment, beautiful Ritchan!" The snake bowed to his boyfriend, winking as he backed into the hall. "I must gather a few more things to make this evening positively exquisite! I will return!"

The silver-haired man watched the monkey's eyes widen, noting his expression as it went from nervous to terrified. He turned towards the door, shooting the other man one last, loving look before dimming the lights. 'Oh, Monkey-chan. Don't be scared! I promise to give you the most spectacular night of your life!' Unable to saddle his glee, he dashed into the kitchen, extracting a bottle of golden champagne and two slender glasses.

As he tested the bubbly substance, amusing memories danced before the dress designer's eyes. He recalled his first date with the redhead, laughing at the mayhem the couple had incited over a goblet of spilled wine. 'We've come so far since that night, mon cher. I can hardly believe how much you have improved your outlook on life. You've learned to smile and laugh, living boldly even when you are afraid. I'm so proud of you.'

Nearly skipping back to the bedroom, Ayame gave a euphoric sigh before peeking into the dimly-lit space. Staring at his lover, he took renewed note of the other man's delicate features and the way the moonlight glimmered on his skin. In the shadows, Ritsu appeared dove-like and innocent, stretching his ivory limbs across the blankets as he unintentionally attempted to hide his body from the night air. Ayame's heart nearly caught in his throat at the sight. "Oh, Ritchan!" He grinned flirtatiously, sashaying towards the nightstand and carefully placing the glasses on the solid surface. Quivering with anticipation, the silver-haired man threw open his arms in a dramatic motion, gracefully swinging his body onto the bed. "So, how are you feeling, my Monkey-chan?"

"I'm," Ritsu's eyes twinkled slightly, lighting up his crimson face. "I'm fine."

"Hmm," the older man brought a single finger to the redhead's cheek, tracing each line with careful attention to detail. "Trés beau!" Desire tingled in his chest like a fireworks display on a summer night, exploding every few seconds as he felt Ritsu shiver under his touch. Replacing his fingers with his lips, the silver-haired man flicked his tongue across the sensitive flesh. "Je t'aime."

The monkey's eyes squeezed shut. "Ayame-san!" He squealed, resting a timid hand on his boyfriend's back. "I'm so happy we're together, I'm just so," meeting his cousin's gaze, he smiled, "happy."

"Oh yes, sweet Ritchan, I know!" Captivated by the other man's sparkling stare, Ayame unconsciously draped one leg over Ritsu's torso, moving so he could better watch his younger cousin's face. "If only you could know how long I've waited for this. It's unbelievable to me! Simply unbelievable that we can finally be together!"

Nodding wordlessly, Ritsu bit his lip, blushing madly as he leaned forward to meet Ayame's mouth with a gentle kiss. "Thank you, Ayame-san," tears clinging to his thick lashes; the monkey tightened his hold on the other man. "Thank you very much."

'He's so warm,' reveling in his cousin's desperate embrace, the taller man nuzzled the other's face. 'Oh, Ritchan. It's as if I can feel all your kindness and affection flowing into my body. Feeling your heart against mine, I finally see how much I need your touch. I need you, Ritchan.' Finding it difficult to pull away, he forced his passions to recess in hopes of retaining the moment forever. "Would you like something to drink?" He managed a husky whisper.

"Y, y, yes," as Ritsu shivered, his hands relaxed their grip on the other man's back. "If that's OK, Ayame-san. I'm," he gave a shy smile, "kind-of scared."

"No spilling this time," he teased gently, brushing a feather-light kiss on the redhead's cheek. Continuing to straddle his boyfriend, the silver-haired man took a glass into his slender fingers, filling it to the brim with golden champagne. "C'est délicieux," winking suggestively, Ayame leaned forward, pressing the cup to his boyfriend's swollen lips. "Just like you, dear Ritchan."

Sipping shyly at the drink, Ritsu closed his eyes, a look of pure trust crossing his face. "Ayame," the monkey sighed, breathing deeply as one of his hands wandered to the snake's thigh. "Oops!" He caught himself immediately, flushing a bright shade of magenta as he withdrew his fingers. "I'm sorry!"

The heat from Ritsu's caress lingered on the silver-haired man's skin, making him long for more. "Don't be sorry, sweet Ritsu," taking a swig of the champagne, he held it in his mouth, capturing Ritsu's tongue between his teeth. Letting the bubbly liquid dance between their kiss, Ayame knit his fingers in the other man's auburn locks, clutching him as he deepened the contact. The sensation sent him into a passionate daze, the heat drawing him in and taking control of his body. "Never say you're sorry."

Ritsu responded by nodding silently, clumsily licking at the other man's mouth in an attempt to mimic his actions. Learning from the snake's touch, he let his trembling fingers skate across the smooth fabric of his boyfriend's robe. "Ayame, I, I," mumbling into the kiss, he gave a flustered sigh, unable to communicate the vast array of emotions burning in his chest. "Please, Ayame-san."

Studying the other man's wide eyes, Ayame searched the honey-colored depths for some sort of feeling, something to tell him what would satisfy his boyfriend. "Yes, dear Ritsu," he nodded with comprehension, letting his fingers crawl down the other man's neck, fingering the first button of his dress as he bit at the redhead's collarbone. He exhaled, smiling as he worked to expose Ritsu's creamy chest to his gaze. 'I understand,' exploring the expanse of his younger cousin's body, he closed his eyes, overcome by emotion as a thousand memories enchanted his mind. Each time Ritsu had smiled. Each time they had laughed together. Every needy glance the younger man had cast in his direction. Everything seemed to culminate before him, prompting him to claim what he had worked so hard to obtain. 'Finally you're mine.'

Watching the other man's tongue slide down his body, Ritsu groaned, his body falling limp into the mattress. "Ayame," he whispered, losing control of his form as it bucked upwards to meet the snake's kisses. His fingers clutching the other man's silver locks, he giggled timidly, his cheeks painting themselves a sunset shade of red. "W, wha, what are you doing?"

The older man ignored his boyfriend's confusion, working the lacy garment down the monkey's legs and haphazardly discarding it on the floor. 'Soon, sweet Monkey-chan,' he promised silently, leaving a heated trail of kisses up the other man's thigh. As passion burned in the bottom of his stomach, Ayame savored the taste of his cousin, enjoying the shaky giggles he elicited with every nip and suckle. Grinning mischievously, he followed the warmth on Ritsu's skin, finally bringing his tongue to the place where all the younger man's heat swelled.

"Ayame-san!" The redhead shrieked in surprise, digging his nails into the other's scalp. There was no more room for apologies, no time to consider the civility of his actions. Flushing with both embarrassment and unbridled passion, Ritsu quivered in the moistness of the other man's mouth. "I, I, I love you," he managed to gasp out between moans.

"Hmm," the dress designer groaned in response, his silky hands flying over the monkey's skin. Running his nails down Ritsu's legs, he caught his ankles in a gentle-but-firm grasp, giving the other man a pleading smile as he pulled his feet onto his shoulders. He watched the younger Sohma with lustful eyes, memorizing each curve and arc with passionate interest. "Perfect," he nodded to himself, brushing a sweaty lock from his face. Jolts of electricity raced through his veins as he leaned to kiss the tears from his boyfriend's eyes. At their point of contact, Ayame's skin tingled with renewed excitement, driving him into a state of numbed consciousness. The colors of the blankets juxtaposed against Ritsu's virgin form swirled together into a chaotic oblivion before his eyes, heightening his senses to the point where each touch shot fire through his chest. "Perfect."

Ayame stared off into the darkness, trying to catch his breath as euphoria swelled in his chest. He felt Ritsu shift beside him, taking pleasure in the dreamy grin on his sleeping lover's face. 'How did I ever reject that smile?' Ayame wondered guiltily, remembering all his boyfriend's failed attempts at catching the older man's attention. 'I was blind, perhaps? Blinded by my own stupidity.'

Ritsu twitched in his sleep. "Ayame-san," he whispered, wrapping his arms around the snake's waist in an oblivious show of affection. "Don't ever leave me."

The silver-haired man sighed, adjusting his body so as to cup his younger cousin in his arms. 'I couldn't even dream of doing so,' staring off at some fixed point beyond the cross dresser's head, he felt his heart leap with joy. 'Not now that I've discovered how much I need to be next to you.'

Riiiiiing. The jarring jingle of the telephone snapped Ayame from his daze. Stretching lazily towards the nightstand, he clutched his cell phone in his fist, trying to shake some of the sleepiness from his voice. "Hello?" He questioned half-heartedly, suddenly educing the last time someone had called him this late at night. Pain sliced through his veins, and instinctively he tightened his hold on the other man. 'But my Ritchan is right here, beside me,' he reassured himself, letting contentment overtake him once more. 'Everything is perfect tonight.' His voice regained its usual strength as he sat up. "The fabulous Ayame and Ritsu residence!"

"Ayame?" Hatori's speech came as an emotionless mumble. "Is Ritsu there?"

Giving his lover a soft nudge, Ayame giggled sweetly. "Why, yes, Ha'ri," he teased the stoic doctor. "Where else would he be but in my bed?" He kissed Ritsu's heated cheeks, brushing his red tresses from his face as he brought the phone to his ear. "It's for you, sweet Ritchan."

"Hello, Hatori-niisan," the monkey offered a timid whisper. Listening intently to the other man's voice, his face changed from nervous to stunned. "I'm so sorry!" He gasped suddenly, clapping his hand over his mouth. "She's she's," tears sprung from beneath his heavy lashes, "Is she?" He clutched Ayame's back with renewed need, trembling as he sensed the snake's comforting hands on his arms. "OK, OK, I'll," he shuddered, unable to meet the silver-haired man's worried stare. "I'll be right there," he croaked, shutting the phone and dissolving into a fit of sobs.

"Sweet Ritchan?" Ayame melted at the other man's distressed moans, clasping him to his chest as he planted feather-light kisses on every inch of Ritsu's exposed skin. "Lover, what's wrong? What's-?"

"My mom," the redhead bit his lip, nearly screaming in between desperate cries. "She's, she's sick."

Francais avec Ayame #13

Mon cher- my dear (yup, I guess you're sick of me defining this one!)

Tres beau- very beautiful

Je t'aime- I love you

C'est delicieux- It's delicious (tee-hee! ;) )

next chapter...yup...almost the end. Get ready for one last bit of angst!