Daisuke stared at the girl over his boxed lunch. She hadn't said a word since sitting down. Finally, when Daisuke couldn't take the silence any longer, she spoke.

"I thought about it," she began. "That's why I'm not mad anymore."

"Huh?" Diasuke asked dumbly. "What do you mean?"

She glanced up from her sandwich, a thoughtful look in her eyes. "I mean, I thought about it," she repeated. "I thought about the things you said and I thought about you dumping me for Dark, and probably cheating on me."

Daisuke tensed at the implication, but Riku continued.

"And I guess, I'm glad that it's Dark," she finished. "I'm glad it's a guy."

Daisuke blinked. That wasn't quite the reaction he'd been expecting. "Why?" he asked.

"Because, Daisuke," she continued. "That mean's it's not me. If you'd have left me for another girl, then I'd know there was something wrong with me; some reason you liked her better, something about her that I could never be. I'd feel awful. But Dark's a guy so… it's not really anything I could have done. I mean, it's not my fault that you're gay."

Daisuke choked on a mouthful of rice. "I'm not gay!" he protested, his face a deep shade of red. "Where the heck would you get an idea like that!"

Riku raised an eyebrow incredulously. "That's what it's called, Daisuke, when you like other men. It's called being gay."

"But, I… it's not like… I mean, I just, he's just… it doesn't mean that…Dark is just…" Daisuke stammered, trying to find some logical explanation or argument.

"It's not a bad thing, Daisuke," Riku continued. "You like a guy. He likes you too, right? So…" she shrugged. "You're both gay."

Daisuke blanched. Dark was gay. Somehow, that was easier to accept than the thought that he was gay. But it was true. He did like another guy. He liked touching and kissing and being with another guy. His eyes widened.

"I'm…"

Riku nodded encouragingly.

"I'm… gay."

She smiled. "So you get it? It's not me."

"I'm home!" Daisuke called, kicking his shoes off in the entrance. Where was everyone? "Mom?" he called.

Daichi poked his head around the corner. "Eh? Oh, your mother went out to do some shopping."

"Oh…" Daisuke replied. "Where's Dark?"

"He went with Emiko." The old man remarked. "They left… hmm… a few hours ago, I suppose."

Daisuke blinked. "Went with… mom?" he asked.

Daichi nodded, studying his grandson.

"Oh…" Daisuke replied, a bit taken aback. "I guess I'll… study for awhile then." He trudged up the stairs to his room, biting his lower lip in thought. Dark said… we couldn't risk being seen in public because someone might recognize him… He shook his head, trying to shake away his insecurities. "This is stupid," he grumbled. "I'm being a baby. There's got to be some reason he..." doesn't want to be seen in public with me…

The redhead pushed open the door to his room, letting the bag fall heavily from his hand. He flopped down, face first, on the bed, inhaling deeply. "Oh," he exclaimed. The pillow… it smelled like Dark. Daisuke flushed, a shy smile spreading across his lips. No matter what Dark did during the day, this was the bed he returned to. Daisuke sighed. It was just… he was so tired by the end of day, and Dark got home so late… he felt like the time they had to share was so brief, so frantic. He wanted to be able to take the time to enjoy just being around Dark. He wanted to talk to him about things, about his fears, but when Dark was around, he didn't want to waste the time they had on his fickle concerns.

It seemed that Dark would be home late again and Daisuke had wanted to talk to him… about the night before, about… being gay. He groaned, flopping back down into the pillow. It was far too much to think about.

-scene-

Dark grinned, catching sight of himself in the hall mirror. It was different, but it was worth it. He climbed the stairs slowly, unsure of how he'd present the idea to Daisuke. He pushed open the bedroom door quietly, peering in. The younger boy was stretched out across their shared bed, studiously pouring over a book; his lips moving gently as he silently repeated the words to himself.

Dark felt himself flush and grinned. Daisuke was so cute when he was serious about something. "What're you reading?" he asked quietly.

"A play." Daisuke replied before looking up. "Ack!" He jumped back, tumbling off of the bed.

Dark took a step back in mild disappointment. "I didn't really think you'd react that badly." He lamented.

Daisuke leapt up hurriedly, rushing to the older boy. "What did you do to your hair!"

Dark reached up, examining the now short, blonde locks falling just short of his eyes and sighed. "Don't like it?" he asked. "It's not permanent or anything… it's just…"

Daisuke blinked, then panicked, not wanting Dark to think he disapproved. "No, no, no!" he rushed. "It's not that! It's really…" he flushed, "hot. I just… I mean, what made you want to…?"

Dark looked up. "Hot?" he asked. "You think so?" He grinned. "I did it for you." He replied.

"What?" Daisuke blinked, thoroughly confused.

Dark reached down, lacing his fingers in Daisuke's. "I was thinking about the other day," he began, "When I had to leave you here… I hated having to go out by myself. I…" he sighed, deeply troubled. "Look, it's not that I don't appreciate the time that we do get together, I mean, I do! I really do. Like last night…" he caught Daisuke's eyes. "That was unbelievably sexy…"

Daisuke flushed, looking down quickly.

"But," Dark continued, "I don't want that to be it. I don't want that to be all that our relationship is about." He reached out, stroking a thumb along Daisuke's jaw. "I love you, Dai… I want to be able to have a real relationship with you." He shifted his feet. "So… Emiko thought… since the only reason we can't be in public together is that people might recognize me…" He grinned and shrugged.

Daisuke looked up, studying the new Dark. "Oh Dark…" he sighed. "I don't deserve the things you do for me… you sacrifice so much and I… I don't have enough to give you in return. Your love is so perfect… I don't have enough in me to ever live up to it."

"Dai…" Dark reached down, concerned, brushing his thumb under Daisuke's eye. "You're crying."

Daisuke blinked, reaching up to feel his face. He hadn't even realized it! "I-I" he stammered.

Dark chuckled. "Hush." He leaned down, kissing where his thumb had been. "Daisuke, I love you. You gave me life. Without you, I couldn't ever experience the things you've given me."

"But I…" Daisuke stammered. "How can I repay you for…" he tugged shyly on a lock of Dark's hair.

Dark raised an eyebrow in thought, then grinned. "You can accompany me to dinner." He told him. "Dinner out."

-scene-

"For two?" the hostess asked brightly, addressing the taller of the two boys.

Dark nodded, sliding his hand gently to Daisuke's waste. He didn't want there to be any mistake about who the boy was to him.

Daisuke jumped, unprepared for such an intimate gesture and blushed, smiling into his shirt collar.

The restaurant was in a beautiful, European style bread shop. The tables and chairs were carved of a fine, dark wood and draped in rich linens.

Daisuke flushed as Dark pulled out his chair. "I'm not a girl…" he mumbled uncomfortably.

"Mmm…" Dark purred, dangerously close to his ear, "And thank God for that!"

Daisuke's eyes widened and he took the seat quickly, so as not to show any 'other' signs of his surprise. "I- I mean I can pull out my own chair." He stammered impotently.

Dark smiled at him from across the table. "It's our first date, Daisuke. I want to make it special."

The waitress, who had been shifting the menus awkwardly, could apparently no longer hold back as she cooed, "Oh! You're first date? That's so romantic!"

Daisuke found himself wondering how many shades of red there were as he felt his face turn a new one and he sunk down lower in his seat.

"Well, the first public one," Dark admitted. "But we've been together for over a year."

The waitress smiled, gingerly handing them their menus with a gusto she must have reserved for only her favorite customers. "My name is Misa, Take all the time you need." She chirped, "And in the mean time, is there anything that I could bring you to drink?"

"I'll just have water." Daisuke replied.

"Okay, and for you?" she asked Dark.

"The same." He replied, "Unless you could bring us some wine."

"Oh, of course!" she smiled. "I'll bring you a list." She scurried away to retrieve their requested drinks.

Daisuke assessed Dark with a new sort of respect. "Wine?" he asked. "Are you old enough?"
"I don't know how old I am." Dark replied with a grin, "But apparently, Misa thinks so." ((A/N in Japan, they never card.))

Daisuke paused in surprise. "You really don't know how old you are?"

Dark shook his head. "I have no idea." He grinned. "We might be in an illicit relationship."

"Well," Daisuke grinned in return. "If that's the case, then you can pull out my chair. It's the least you can do if you're going to get me into that kind of trouble."

Misa returned shortly with a list of wines, from which Dark chose a well aged Merlot. "Not that I know the difference." He remarked to Daisuke, who smiled, happily sharing in the private joke.

(time-lapse)

"And did you gentlemen save room for desert?" Misa asked cheerily.

"Sadly, no." Dark replied with a laugh, and the younger boy agreed. The meal had been very pleasant with only one minor instance coming up at all.

(flashback)

"Dark?" Daisuke pushed at the food on his plate nervously.

"Yes love?" Dark asked, admiring the boy.

Daisuke swallowed. "So…" he began, "You like me… because I'm a boy?"

"Well, you have a few other things going for you," Dark teased, "but it certainly does make it easier for you to be my boyfriend."

"But…" the younger boy protested, "doesn't that make you… I mean, wouldn't you be, if you like… boys… that is, um…" he finally met Dark's eyes. "Gay?"

Dark tilted his head to the side. "Not really." He replied.

Daisuke blinked. "Not… really?" he repeated. "But… well… why not?"

The older boy thought a minute, studying the ceiling and the chandelier above their table. "Because I don't like other boys." He finally concluded.

Daisuke shifted. "Then… what about girls?"

Dark flicked a blonde lock out of his eyes. "Hn-nn." He shook his head. "Just you." He met Daisuke's eyes, capturing the boy with the depth of feeling in his gaze. "No one else has ever made me feel the way you do, Dai. No one else has ever made me shiver, or blush, or cry out the way you do."

"D-Dark!" Daisuke stammered. "Don't say things like that! It makes me… er… it's… embarrassing."

"It makes you what?" Dark grinned, leaning across the table conspiratorially.

Daisuke felt his face growing hot. "Nothing, forget it."

Dark brushed his knee against the younger boy's temptingly. "Makes you what?" he repeated, sensuously.

"excited…" Daisuke admitted, sheepishly.

"You cad." Daisuke accused with a grin. "Well that's fine. 'Excited' is how I like you."

(end flashback)

After paying their bill and saying goodbye to Misa, the boys returned home. The walk had been a short one, but very comfortable and familiar. The boys had walked, hand in hand, publicly, for the first time, and, though Daisuke had experienced quite a few firsts in the past few days, this was the first that he treasured the most.

The lights were off, all except for the entryway, which had been left on for them.

Dark toed off his shoes gently, holding Daisuke's hands to steady him while the boy removed his own.

Daisuke stepped up into the hallway with Dark, pulling himself close to the older boy. "Stop being stingy." He pouted, tugging at Dark's shirt collar. "You've only kissed me once all day."

Dark chuckled, surprised, and leaned down to oblige his little love. "Well, I'll have to remedy that." He replied. He brushed his lips gently over Daisuke's before pressing into a more insistent kiss.

Daisuke pushed up on his tiptoes, yearning for more of the delicate kiss. Feeling bold, he ran his tongue hesitantly over Dark's lips asking for entry.

The older man was startled. This was the first unprovoked attempt made by his young lover to further their physical relationship… and it was quite the turn on. He felt his body respond and he wrapped his arms tightly around the youth, allowing the kiss to deepen, relinquishing some very small part of the control he usually exercised over their physicality. A moment later, and it was more than he could bear. Dark quickly stole the initiative, pressing Daisuke to the wall and plundering his mouth with an almost ruthless exuberance.

"D-Dark…" the younger boy panted, writhing beneath his touch, arching his hips in memory of the night before.

"Dai…" Dark responded in equal breathiness, attacking the boy's throat with a barrage of kisses and licks. "Dai… can we…? I want to touch you."

Daisuke pulled away nervously, his eyes wide with hopeful trepidation. "Dark, I…" he whimpered. "I'm not sure…"

Dark swallowed thickly. He didn't want to push the boy, but a goodnight kiss wouldn't sate the burning in his loins. "At least… at least let me see you." He begged, sliding a hand under the boy's shirt, kissing his neck gently.

"Not… not here." Daisuke protested, pushing his shirt back down uncomfortably.

Dark stepped back in a mixture of embarrassment and frustration, but before he could regain his faculties enough to formulate an apology, Daisuke had taken him by the hand and was leading him to the bathing room. ((A/N cause a bathroom and a bathing room are different things in Japan. Get me?))

Dark felt his chest tighten in anticipation. Then his young lover was going to grant his request.

Once in the cool sanctuary of the bathing room, Daisuke swallowed nervously, slowly pulling his t-shirt over his head. He paused, standing awkwardly, as Dark appraised his body. What am I doing? He thought. Where is this going? Is this really it? Is this… His hands shook as he hooked his thumbs in the hem of his pants. He hesitated. "I- I can't…" he apologized weakly.

"That's okay…" Dark began, trying not to sound disappointed. He had been surprised that Daisuke had complied so willingly with his request; in truth, he hadn't expected the boy to finish. He was about to pick up the discarded T-shirt but was caught off guard when Daisuke took his hand, bringing it to the front of his trousers.

"You do it." He said quietly. "I'm too nervous."

Dark blinked, surprised. What? "You sure, baby?"

Daisuke nodded, sucking his lower lip in concentration. His cheeks were colored by two furious pink spots and his eyes shone in exhilaration. He wasn't going to back down now.

Dark drew the boy to him gently, undoing the button at the front of his jeans with a practiced hand and slowly slipping his thumbs into the hem.

The redhead rested his hands on Dark's shoulders as the material of his pants was drawn down his legs.

Dark ran his hands over the edge of the younger boy's boxers, looking up in a silent question of approval.

Daisuke wavered a moment, but nodded, shifting his feet on the cold tile of the floor, and Dark, unhesitatingly, obliged, sliding the thin material to the ground. He assessed the tile for a moment, readying himself for the glimpse of paradise he was being offered, before slowly letting his gaze glide up the boy's tender body.

Daisuke stood nervously, self-conscious and unsure, seeming frail against the hard concrete of the wall behind him.

Finally taking in the whole view of his lover, Dark froze. He felt himself throbbing in response to the glorious vision of youth before him. Daisuke was thin and soft and almost feminine in build with a creamy complexion that begged to be kissed. Dark felt overwhelmed with the urge to touch and caress and taste.

"It's… kind of embarrassing to be the only one…" Daisuke broke the silence. "I mean…" He cleared his throat, unsure whether Dark would take the hint or not, too shy to ask outwardly for the older man to disrobe.

Dark blinked, then grinned. So that was how the boy wanted it.

"Oh yah?" he asked as he slid his hands to the front of his jacket, drawing the zipper slowly down over his chest, exposing the heated flesh beneath, inch by sensual inch. "Nn…"He groaned slightly as the zipper finally slid from it's track, the material of the jacket swinging free. ((A/N mini-gasm, c'mon, haven't you had that experience?))

Daisuke could feel his heart thudding dully in his chest and he couldn't tare his eyes away from the older man. This moment seemed decadent and debauched, but somehow, almost religious in the small sanctuary of the room.

The temperature was quickly rising, both within him and within the tiny room. He had never imagined that the mere sight of another person, another man, could make him feel so utterly helpless and exposed.

"Dai…" Dark's voice, grainy and hoarse with lusty intonations, called the boy's eyes back to the presentation awaiting him. The older man grinned, sliding a hand slowly over his abdomen, to the buckle of his trousers. He tugged lightly, drawing the zipper down and allowing the garment to fall to the floor before stepping out of it, into the cool air, hindered only by the thin material of his shorts. Making sure Daisuke was watching, he brushed his fingers lightly over the hem of the shorts, pulling them gently over his hips, and finally down, tossing them aside.

Daisuke's breath caught in his throat, a small sound escaping before he could stop it. "D-Dark…"

Dark took a step towards the younger boy, reaching out a hand to draw him near. He pulled Daisuke into his arms and close to his body, his mind awash with the sweet sensation of flesh on flesh. He leaned down, brushing his lips over those of the younger boy, sliding his hands appreciatively to the boy's hips, pressing his fingers gently into the soft flesh.

Daisuke gasped into the kiss, the taste of Dark's mouth enticing him more than it ever had as he came into contact with -very- intimate parts of his lover.

"Ah… we shouldn't…" Daisuke protested embarrassedly, trying to push himself away, but Dark held him fast.

"Why not?" he asked in a throaty growl. "We're not doing anything wrong." He murmured into the younger boy's ear. "Dai… don't leave yet. I just want to…" but he didn't say what he wanted. Instead, he brushed his lips lightly over the younger boy's throat, sucking gently, before pulling away to admire the result of his work.

Daisuke felt his eyes slide closed against his will and his head tilted back as a light whimper escaped him. He was reluctant to let Dark continue, but more reluctant to pull away. The caresses felt so good, the kisses so nice but this was fast… Dark was sliding his hand lower, to his hip, now his thigh, suddenly, Dark was gripping the younger boy's bottom… too fast.

Daisuke pulled back harshly, turning out of Dark's embrace. "I-I-I can't." he stammered, obviously flustered. "We can't. Not yet, not… this." He quickly snatched his trousers from the floor, jerking them up, wincing as the cold button came into contact with his tepid flesh.

"Dai…" Dark reached out, but Daisuke shook his head furiously, his cheeks a bright, embarrassed red.

"Hn-nn." He protested. "I… um…" he shifted his feet nervously, resting his hand on the door, ready to make a hasty exit. "I had a really good time… tonight. Er… all of it, not just dinner. I mean…" he made a quick gesture to the bathroom. "This… too." So saying, he darted quickly from the room, leaving Dark alone with his regrets and insecurities.

The blonde haired man ((did you all forget by now?)) grimaced, sliding to the floor unhappily. "Shit," he hissed between his teeth. I didn't mean to push it that far…

He hadn't meant to, he'd never intended to. That wasn't what this evening was about. He had wanted to make Daisuke feel more secure in their relationship, but he had gotten carried away and now things were all messed up.

He sighed, finally standing and redressing. He would have to face the boy sooner or later, and sooner was better.