A/N: A quick update? I think I just heard Hell freeze over. Thanks again to my reviewers, every comment I get on this story is precious to me, so please keep it up! I love you guys and you know it. ;)

Chapter 27: Sleep

There's black silken sheets sliding against my fingertips, and I close my eyes as someone's lips brush against mine, feather light, teasing kisses. My hands come up to run through his hair, a soft sigh escaping my lips, and he presses me to the bed, kisses me deeply, fingers gently wandering over my stomach. I gaze up at him, and he flashes a mischievous smile before capturing my lips again, those knowing hands dipping lower. My body arches, I gasp out a weak protest, and he places a gentle kiss on my forehead to soothe me, strands of his hair brushing against my face.

"Xiao?"

I wrap my arms around him, loving the feel of his bare skin against mine.

"Xiao, are you awake?"

He lowers his mouth to mine for another dizzying kiss.

"Xiao, c'mon, I lost my fucking keys!"

My eyes flutter open as I realise who the voice belongs to, and I crawl shakily out of bed, still tingling from the dream. I trip over something and growl in annoyance, flick the light switch, yank open the door and plaster on my best how-dare-you-wake-me-up-at-this-time face. Hwoarang is there, leaning against the doorframe, and he smiles lazily at me.

"…Can I crash here?"

"Why?"

"Like I said, I lost my keys."

"So go down to the lobby and get your spare!" I tell him angrily, starting to shut the door. He stops it with one hand, the grin never leaving his face. I can smell cigarettes and alcohol. He doesn't seem to be much affected by the drinking, but even so I have half a mind to launch into a tirade. I'm just too tired for this. My eyes flick to the clock on the wall. It's just past three in the morning.

"The spare was the one I lost. They're charging me if I don't find it."

"Did you even bring any money?" I ask, a tad concerned, and he grins.

"Told 'em to put it on Heihachi's tab. So, are you gonna let me in?"

I roll my eyes and grab his arm, dragging him inside and slamming the door behind him. I can't believe his timing. No, not because he interrupted that dream, but because if he'd asked me before I'd watched his fight, I might not feel so… uncomfortable. And I think the dream's contributing to that whole uncomfortable thing too. Hwoarang, damn him, has noticed, and he smirks at me.

"Xiao, what were you doing in here before you let me in?" he asks airily. "You look all hot and bothered."

"Shut up before I throw you out." I snap, pulling a spare quilt out of the wardrobe and throwing it at him. He laughs, catching it easily and sitting in one of the chairs.

"Hey, I understand. We've all got frustrations that need to be…" he pauses, searching for the right word. "Elevated…?"

"Alleviated." I correct him. "And I have no idea what you're talking about."

"So why have you gone so red?" he asks with a grin.

"Why have you been drinking?" Score one for Xiao, for deftly ignoring the question.

"Felt like it."

"Were you by yourself?" I ask, trying to sound bored. Not that I care whether he was with anyone else. If he was Jin, then maybe, but this is stupid Hwoarang we're talking about. Wait, I'm not exactly best pleased at Jin either. Ugh, who cares about either of them?

"Yeah. I was gonna come and get you, but you weren't here. Did you go and see Kazama?"

"No. I just went for a walk. I talked with Lei Wulong."

"What about?"

"Nothing, really."

I want to discuss what Lei told me, but not while Hwo's like this. I'd rather talk about it with him when I know I'll get a serious reaction from him. I've been sitting on the edge of the bed all this time, but now I get up for a drink. It's when I get up that I realise that I'm wearing nothing but my oversized Panda t-shirt and my underwear. (I was too stupid with sleep to realise beforehand.) The shirt barely covers my ass. I don't think I've ever felt so self-conscious. Hwoarang doesn't comment on my attire, which I'm grateful for, but also sort of disappointed about at the same time. No, forget that. Forget I ever mentioned that. Disappointed that Hwo hasn't made an inappropriate comment? What the hell is wrong with me?

Jeez. Before this whole Jin thing started, I'd never even kissed a guy, and just talking about kissing and all that stuff made me embarrassed. Now I'm having dreams like that, and getting disappointed when Hwoarang neglects to make some stupid comment?

…I knew it was all Jin's fault.

"Has Miharu called you?" I ask him, hoping to God he doesn't hear the tremble in my voice. I can't believe I'm being awkward around Hwoarang, of all people.

"Yeah. Told her we'd both got to the next round. She said she'd ring you later."

"Okay."

"Talkative, aren't you?"

"Well, in case you haven't noticed," I snap, "It's three 'o' clock in the goddamned morning!"

"I'm sure you've been to sleepovers where you've been awake at this time." Hwoarang retorts, and I narrow my eyes.

"Do I look like a stupid kid to you?"

"Not wearing that, no." he smirks. Okay. I kinda set myself up for that one. And he has noticed after all.

"Go to sleep." I sigh, pulling my bed sheets tight around me. "And switch off the light."

I hear him rustling about for a while as he tries to get comfortable on the chair, and then he stills. For a long while, all I can hear is the sound of his breathing and mine, and the ticking clock. The conversation from earlier is needling at me though, and I can't sleep.

"Hwoarang?" I ask hesitantly.

"Mm?"

"Lei said to me that there's something more going on in this tournament."

He doesn't answer.

"What do you think?" I persist.

I hear him move again, and he breathes out a long sigh.

"I think that something happened to Baek."

So he doesn't believe his mentor abandoned him after all. I knew it. Hwoarang's always so quick to shrug things off, but I never believed for a second that he did the same thing when Baek vanished, no matter how much he insisted he didn't care. I think he was trying to convince himself, more than me.

"And I think that if I stick around, I'll find out what."

I pull my knees up to my chest, closing my eyes.

"I'll stick around too."

I half expect him to start protesting about it being 'too dangerous', so I'm surprised to hear his answer.

"Then you best get some sleep." Hwoarang tells me. "Gotta be ready for your fight tomorrow."

I give an 'hmm' in response. But somehow, I don't think the fight has even started yet.