Alrighty well, we got here Chapter 9. Happy reading!

As we all know, I don't own Love Stage.


After the older blonde left the apartment where his baby brother and his lover lived, he made his way to the home of Rei Sagara. He needed to talk to Rei about everything and make sure he was okay. It took a bit, but eventually he pulled up to Rei's home. Using his key, he went right on in. He made his way around, quickly finding Rei in the living area.

Rei didn't look too good. His hair was messed up and his clothes were crumpled. The glasses were gone from his face and his eyes were puffy. His suit jacket and shirt were undone and the tie was nowhere to be seen. All around him was dozens of beer cans. One more was in his hand. Shougo sighed and bent down. He gently eased the can out of the green haired man's hand. Once the can was put down, Shougo picked up the half-conscious man and took him to the bathroom to clean him up. Soon, Rei was under the covers asleep. Shougo shut the door and began cleaning up. Shougo spent the night at the apartment, sleeping on the couch. The next morning, he made something light to eat and went to check on Rei. He found his lover sitting up in bed.

"Morning. How are you feeling? You were well on your way to blacking out when I found you yesterday." Shougo said gently. Rei didn't say anything. The blonde put the tray on the bedside table and sat on the bed facing the other man.

"Ryouma told me what happened. As much as I don't care for Ryouma, he is putting Izumi first. Rei love, Izumi was right." Rei looked up at him.

"I know Shougo! I know. I just want what is best for Izumi." Rei exclaimed. The man went back to looking at the bed.

"I know you do. I want the same. When he fell off the cliff, waiting in the hospital, I kept thinking 'What can he do now?'. As we waited for him to wake up, I kept thinking of jobs he could do. Then I realized something important. Izumi isn't a child anymore. He's a young adult. While sometimes he can be immature, he has to make his own choices." Shougo moved and held Rei's hands. Rei looked up at his lover.

"You know as well as I do, we can't hold Izumi's hands forever. He has to grow up. To make his own choices. What is more important: Pushing him into a job he hates and has him hating us or letting Izumi pick what he wants and be happy?"

"I want him to be happy. I really do. I just want to be sure he can take care of himself. His drawing isn't good, no mangaka will work with him. He doesn't see that. He needs to be able to work and make money. He can't live in this world and do nothing. I don't want him to end up like I did after I left home. I don't want him to be on the streets with nothing. I don't want him to be alone. He's not made to survive this world alone. He won't make it by himself. Izumi needs people. He needs people to care for him." Rei replied.

"Izumi isn't a baby anymore, much to our displeasure. While he still has room to grow, he's of legal age. But he'll always be in our lives. He'll always need us, sure not as much but there will be times when he'll come to us. There's no use in forcing him or you know as well as I do, he'll push us away. He'll learn to take care of himself. We'll visit him once a week and check on him. He'll never be on the streets. Not with us in his lives. Besides, I highly doubt Ryouma would allow him to fall like that." Shougo replied gently. He pulled Rei close and held him. Rei held on to the back of his shirt. They stayed like that for some time.

When the two pulled away, Rei began to eat his food. While he ate, Shugo went to the main area and cleaned up what was left of the mess. He puts Rei's glasses on the counter and took the clothing he found and put it in the hamper. He also straightened up the couch from where he slept. Going to the kitchen, he cleaned up the dishes and put them away.

Rei spent most of the day in his room, laying in bed or sleeping. Shougo stayed in the apartment, going out once to get groceries. He made something light for dinner and placed a small bowl on Rei's bedside table. Once again he spent the night on the couch as he waited for Rei to leave the room. It was the same the next day, Shougo not seeing much of Rei.

When Rei finally came out of his room, it was the evening of the third day. The green haired man came out of the room and made his way to the washroom. While he showered, Shougo made him something to eat. When Rei came out of the washroom, hair still damp, he went over to his lover. Shougo smiled gently at him and gave him the plate. Rei sat on the couch and began to eat. Shougo cleaned up. Rei looked around.

"You cleaned up the place?" Shougo nodded.

"How are you feeling? You've locked yourself in your room for several days, today being the third day. I was starting to worry about you." Shougo replied, having placed a kiss on Rei's cheek. He sat on the couch near Rei.

"I feel better I guess. I shouldn't have drank so much. It was careless." Rei said. Shougo said nothing more while Rei ate the food. Once the food was gone, Shougo took the dishes and went to do them. Rei watched him.

It amazed him how much Shougo hid this side of him. The side that was sweet, caring, smart and selfless. The public thought he was a handsome man, but lacking in the smart department. The Shougo Rei was seeing now just proved to the world if they could see it, that there was more to the blonde. Rei didn't know why his lover was still with him. He kept hurting Izumi, that was completely unacceptable. Shougo should be pissed that he had upset the smaller blonde, yet he wasn't. Rei didn't understand. He didn't know what to feel, what to think. When Izumi told him off, he was like a switch went off. He wanted the blonde boy to be successful, however, didn't even consider his happiness. He didn't see Shougo sit back down beside him. Rei jumped when he felt a tap on his cheek.

"Hey now. Stop those thoughts right now. I can hear you beating yourself up from over here." Shougo said gently. Rei looked at him with confusion.

"Baby I know you. You're blaming yourself for upsetting Izumi. He doesn't hate you. Izumi loves you. Hell, you're like his mother. As much as it sucks to say, you are more his mom than our own mother. You're just looking out for his best interests. You make sure he's up and off to school, he remembers to eat when he's at mom and dads. You call him once a week and make sure he's okay. He's told me he may be nervous about what mom and dad would say to him, but what really scares him is disappointing you.

"Rei you are human. You make mistakes. I make mistakes. People are allowed to make mistakes and there is no shame in that. You can only grow stronger with every mistake made. You were the one to teach me that. I make mistakes all the time and you still love me. You made one and I still love you. I love you so much Rei Sagara. Will you please stop blaming yourself? Will you stop beating yourself up? You look so upset and it hurts me that I can't help you." Rei leaned into the hand that Shougo put on his cheek. The green haired man closed his eyes.

"I love you too," he whispered after a moment. Golden brown eyes opened and looked into Shougo's eyes. The shorter man leaned forward and placed his lips on the others. Gently Shougo kissed back and eyes fluttered shut. Rei moved so he was in Shougo's lap, not breaking the contact. Shougo placed his hands on the other's hips while Rei placed his hands around the blonde's neck. Rei pulled away, took a breath and placed his lips back on Shougo's.

When the two pulled away the second time, shirts came off. Mouths came back together, tongues gathering the taste of each other. Skin met skin as Rei tried to get as close to his lover as he possibly could. Shougo rubbed his hands over Rei's exposed chest, brushing over his nipples. Rei gasped quietly as bursts of pleasure coursed through his veins. Gasps turned into moans when hands were replaced with a tongue. The pleasure in his veins flowed through him and settled in his groin. He felt his member become hard. He could also feel Shougo's hardening as well. Rei moaned when Shougo ground his clothed member into his partner's. Suddenly Shougo stood up, holding Rei up. Rei scrambled to keep hold of the blonde and to not fall on his ass. Shougo made his way to the bedroom, and gently set Rei on the bed. Shougo then proceeded to show Rei just how much he loved him

When Rei opened his eyes, the sky was dark and the moon was high in the sky. He lifted his head from where it laid on Shougo's chest. He looked at Shougo's sleeping face and smiled gently. Shougo looked so peaceful and relaxed in his sleep. The green haired man settled back down, placing his head back on his lover's chest. He felt the hand that was on his waist twitch a little before settling. Rei smiled lightly. When it was a better time of day, he'd have to find a way to thank Shougo, as well as help Izumi. Rei was eased back into sleep, with his head over the heart that belonged to the man he loved.


So that's all for Chapter 9. I really hope you all like it.

I know its a little short, and I know I shafted a lot of you Shougo x Rei fans with the lack of smut (shame on me I know.)

I've been busy with life and for some reason this chapter wanted to be a shmuck and not work the way I wanted. I'll do my very best to get the next chapter written and posted as fast as possible. If you guys have any ideas of what you would like to see in this, other than smut (which I am seriously considering putting in), let me know in a review or a pm.

Nirus Nox signing off til next time *waves* bye bye! :)