Chapter Rating: PG

Chapter Warnings: fluffiness in a major way (AMK: Yayness!), shonen-ai (Itzika: Wow. You know, I never coulda figured that out from the whole "yaoi" thing in the title.)

Itzika: Okay, ladies and gents, today we have an extra-special treat for all of you: Keiichiro and Ryou, of Tokyo Mew Mew!

AMK: It's only the second day, so this really isn't extra-special…

Itzika: Yes it is! Because for probably the only time in all 365 days of this fic, the two I paired together are too good friends to be disgusted and try to rip my head off, which means I can get to the good stuff that much faster! On with the fic!

AMK: We no own, so you no sue, okies?

Itzika: …Yeah. Like that. On with the fic!

---

About an hour after the girls had gone home and the café was closed, Keiichiro and Ryou were just preparing to leave.

Keiichiro was, for once, silent. His hands were as nimble as ever, but his focus was vague and he'd fumbled various tools and nearly dropped vials. He sighed and stopped to steady himself.

Ryou, at this point, decided to break the silence. Up to now, he had respected Keiichiro's space, but now his friend seemed more than just shaken. He had reason to be—the girls had very nearly been destroyed that day—but looking back, he'd been this way all day.

"Keiichiro," Ryou said, putting a hand on his friend's shoulder. It did not escape his attention that Keiichiro jumped at the physical contact. "What's wrong?"

Keiichiro turned towards Ryou, but continued to avoid eye contact. Brace himself against the table, breathe in, let it out. "When are you going to tell Ichigo-jo you love her?" he asked.

Ryou's eyes widened. Whatever he'd expected to hear, this hadn't been it. "I—I—" he stammered. He swallowed. "I don't," he said."

Keiichiro was not convinced. "You do."

Ryou sighed. Now it was histurn to avoid eye contact. "I care about her," he admitted. "But I… don't care for her… not that way. I thought I did… but I don't.

Keiichiro actually smiled. "Good. That makes this much less awkward." Not hesitating enough to doubt himself, he leaned forward and gently kissed Ryou.

Ryou stood stock-still after Keiichiro pulled away. The dark-haired boy blushed and looked away, sure he'd just ruined their friendship. He shouldn't have done that… But then a hand slipped up behind his neck. He met Ryou's eyes, startled.

"You didn't let me finish," Ryou whispered. "I don't love Ichigo. I love you." And he brought Keiichiro back into the kiss.

---

Itzika: Don't we all love fluff?

Ryou: No.

Itzika: You're right. I should have done like I did with Sniper and Sea Man, and done a—

Keiichiro: Itzika, the rating on this chapter is PG.

Itzika: Whoops. Thanks for the reminder, Keiichiro. Anyway, next up is a lovers' quarrel and fluff and vaguely possible… thing… in a PG-13 rated yaoi between Ren and Horohoro from Shaman King. (They… haven't been told yet.)

Ryou: Smart move.

Itzika: Thank you, Ryou-san.

AMK: Review!

Itzika: Not like I'll stop if you don't…

AMK: Sssshh! Don't tell them that!

Itzika: Oh yeah. That thing I just said… forget it. Review, cause otherwise I won't know what pairings to do. (I am so gonna run out…)

AMK: Bai bai!