...Shiki.

A person who'd, once upon a time, stood proud and arrogant; mysterious and powerful, never allowing room for defeat nor for his trail to be sniffed out by curious bystanders. Information about him had once been worth gold, when Igura had still been active, and Motomi could recall a time when he'd wished more than once for even just a little clue about the unique threat that haunted Toshima. Even now, he didn't doubt that there would still be those who itched for a match with the man that had painted streets red with just the steel of his blade; no hint of a drug in his system, other than the hard liquor he'd carry around in a small, silver bottle.

But, ever since back then— Ever since that fateful day when they'd met, but without a doubt, moments before the two even had a chance for contact, Shiki had stopped being himself. He no longer was the king who'd thoughtlessly slash away with his sword at all those that crossed his path, no. Instead...it was like he'd become a shell of his old self, the merciless killer that every Igura participant had once feared.

He'd become weak, defeated and wounded and that was perhaps why Motomi had been able to approach him in the first place. Had it been any other way, he would have not lived to tell the tale, perhaps.

Still, from the old Shiki, there was something that still stayed and never changed: the enigmatic way he always carried himself in, for the raven was still secretive, distrusting and overall suspicious, even after the length of time and memories they'd shared with each other. Not to mention he was still as feisty as ever, always ready to snap and glare at Motomi and, oh boy, did he drive him mad? Yes. And all he needed to do so was to glance into his dark eyes and the information broker would go crazy trying to read him; unravel every single one of his dirty secrets and his darkened past.

And now—

Now, because of that, he had become an ever present figure in the brunet's thoughts; eliminating anything he'd think about in favour of worrying and wondering about Shiki, as if a grown man (and a murderer no less!) would ever need any support from a battered old man like him, who would still sulk after the death of a child he'd caused in his own ignorance and ingenuity.

The real problem was, however, that he did.

Shiki needed him, even if he did not voice any of it.

Actually— He rather acted like he hated Motomi; often belittling him and putting him down with his piercing glares. But would he really share a bed, much less sleep, with someone he hated?

He found himself chuckling to one in particular at that thought, sleepless eyes falling closed ad he listened in to the sound of the water running from the bathroom across the hallway. Shiki did not seem to be coming back any time soon and that worried him just the slightest bit, but if the raven was simply sleeping, then the two of them would have an appropriate talk the next day, he'd make sure of it.

Quiet.

Almost too quiet; the brunet realized, dark eyes rising to peek over the newspaper in his hands, though he did attempt to remain hidden away from the deep red eyes that stood at the other end of the table.

Shiki wasn't talking.

Nor did he notice Motomi's glance right away.

He wasn't talkative, usually, but he would often complain and belittle Motomi; glance at him like he was something unneeded, or with some minor disdain on his better days. Still, he never once attempted to leave his side and the brunet was every little ounce sure that he did not actually hate to share a roof with him...or a bed. Motomi didn't hate it either, he rather enjoyed the feisty personality, though sometimes it did make it harder for him to understand and read the raven (But what was to be expected of Il Re?).

But, now... Now he was different.

Shiki wasn't being the usual pain in the ass; he wasn't glaring nor leaving room for Motomi to tease him at every ill comment he made.

He was just...quiet; his red eyes were dulled and unfocused, as if the usually collected and observant raven had let his guard down for once. Motomi would have enjoyed such a thing, had it been because the raven had finally come to terms with his feelings for him, but it was no such a thing. Specially not after the previous night— When Shiki got up from the bed drenched in sweat and left him to fall back asleep alone as he took a quick shower, not even giving him a chance to know what was wrong despite the fact that Motomi would have done his best to help him.

Perhaps, it was a problem that the raven would never allow him to get involved in.

Somehow, the thought saddened him as he might not trust him enough yet; Motomi was still an information broker, after all. Whatever was left of Shiki's previous life would easily sell, as did his current location, for there were still people looking to get their revenge out of the previous Il Re and, one thing the brunet was sure of was that, had it not been because of him, the raven would have already fallen prey to various assassination attempts.

However, despite whatever issues he might have with Motomi interfering with his life, Shiki being left deep in thought; daydreaming of whatever dark past had been haunting him even in his sleep, only made it so Motomi got into his mind that it was entirely in his rights to intervene and snap him out of it.

And that was exactly what he did.

He allowed the newspaper he'd used as coverage to fall into his lap and pinched the pale skin on the raven's arm, promptly returning the previous night's favour.

Needless to say that the reaction was immediate and he soon had a pair of very angry, red orbs glaring into his own brown ones.

"What do you think you're doing?" Shiki's words were much more like a demand than a question, for his expression screamed challenge and authority, as if even in the powerless position he'd been left after the fall of Igura, he was still higher and mightier than those around him.

Still, Motomi was as calm and playful as ever, knowing very well that the other wouldn't dare to lay a finger on him, though he'd come very close to in the past, when they'd started living together just a few months back.

"I just thought you needed some waking up."

A/N: Sorry for the wait! I had this mostly written for a long time, but I wasn't happy with how it came out and left it to be re-read and changed. I'm still not entirely sure I like the way it is now, but I don't think I can be bothered to rewrite everything again from scratch. Hopefuly, the next chapter will come somewhere next month, when I'm actually finished with schoolwork ;v;