Hi again, everyone! Sorry about the incredibly long wait, but yes, I am alive and yes, I intend on continuing this story. I want to thank all of you who have been waiting, patiently or otherwise, for the update. I have been having a lot of problems, but most of which have been sorted out. I'm not sure how often I can update, but I hope for at least one a week. I have been visiting the aarinfantasy forums and there are some incredible writers there, so I have to say that I have been feeling very inferior with my ability to write, but as long as people like this story, I will finish it. Enjoy!

xxx

He glanced towards the living room for the fifth time in the last ten minutes, his eyes focusing on the small body lying comfortably on the leather couch. He couldn't help being mesmerized by the gentle movements of his chest as he inhaled and exhaled slowly in his sleep. Even from the distance between them, he could still see how his lips were parted so slightly, an unconscious temptation. He knew from experience that those lips were even more delicate than they appeared...

Eiri cursed under his breath and turned his attention back to the task at hand - cooking breakfast. He was not one to be inclined to eat normal food in the morning, but he knew that the boy would be ravenous, not to mention he needed the calories to make up for the amount of blood he unknowingly surrendered. He felt a pang of guilt in his chest, and he frowned. He knew that he had taken too much blood from the teenager. His small body was not an ideal source, especially for Eiri's appetite. In the past, he would often feed on two or three humans a night, and the petite boy could in no way supply enough to sate him. Despite that, he somehow felt more filled when he drank from the boy. The quality of his blood was incredible, leaving him feeling content in a way no other human had before. However, he was not oblivious to the fact that the boy was a lot paler than the first time he ran into him. His skin, usually a natural light tan, was now a few shades lighter and there was an almost imperceptible heaviness around both of his eyes. Although he was not certain he would be able to, he knew that he wanted to keep this boy around for as long as he could and that meant that he would have to take care of him.

Which brought him back to the task at hand. He turned off the heat to the pans and replaced the covers to keep the food warm. Reaching above him, he retrieved a mug and a glass from the cupboard and filled the mug with fresh coffee, placing the glass on the kitchen table. A soft whimpering sound coming from the direction of the living room alerted him that the boy was waking up.

XXX

His eyelids felt like lead weights as the oppressing light shone through. Whimpering, he squeezed his eyes closed as tightly as he could, not wanting to cast off the remnants of his very restful sleep. This action only served to bring his mind into a clearer state of consciousness and he groaned in disappointment.

Sighing in resignation he stretched his body, his arms extending high above his head. His hand encountered something hard and smooth. Confused, he opened his eyes and looked above his head, seeing his hands pressed against dark leather. His mouth dropped open in surprise as the previous night's memories flooded back.

...the park...Eiri...the kiss...

He felt his face warm as his mind lingered on the last thought. He brought his hand to his mouth and his fingertips ran slowly over his lips. Eiri...kissed me. He could remember the feel of those warm lips on his and the unique scent that lingered on the older man's skin, a mixture of spice and musk. He could feel his mind swarm with questions. What did Eiri mean when he kissed him? They had been arguing moments before, and the kiss was unexpected to say the least.

Deciding that it was too early in the morning to be thinking of such complicated things, he removed the blanket that was covering him and swung his legs off of the couch. He sat up and regretted it instantly when his head began to swoon. Rubbing his hands over his eyes, he waited for the dizziness to disperse before standing.

The smell of something delicious prompted him to move towards the kitchen. Pausing in the doorway, he caught sight of Eiri leaning against the granite counter, sipping from a white mug. There eyes locked and Shuichi instantly felt the blood rush to his face. Tearing his eyes away, he dropped his gaze to the floor. "'Morning."

Eiri studied the pink flush that lingered on the singer's cheeks and the way his eyes dropped shyly. His body began responding in ways that he refused to acknowledge...at least not yet. Nodding his head towards one of the empty chairs beside the table, he motioned for Shuichi to sit. The boy complied, struggling to keep his eyes off of the tall, blonde, gorgeous man standing casually near him.

Eiri turned towards the stove and began dishing out a generous serving of eggs, bacon and sausage on a plate before setting it in front of the boy. Shuichi's eye widened when he saw the food. "Y-You didn't have to cook for me. I could've just-"

"Eat," Eiri silenced him before walking to the refrigerator. Not wanting to make the blonde angry, Shuichi picked up his fork and began eating. Taking the first bite, his eyes widened in surprise. The food was delicious! He immediately began devouring the food enthusiastically as Eiri poured him a glass of orange juice. He offered a smile around his forkful of food and chewed almost enthusiastically.

Eiri rolled his eyes and turned around to return the juice to the fridge, hiding a small smile. Schooling his features, he replaced the smile with a bored expression as he took a seat around the corner from the singer. He sipped his mug, stealing glances at the pink-haired boy, marveling in his astounding innocence. His heart sank a little, realizing what that he was taking advantage of the very person who deserved it the least. He fought these feelings back as quickly as they surfaced. It was too late to think that way...he was addicted.

Shuichi finished his meal and sat back in his seat with a satisfied moan, rubbing his flat belly. He did not realize that the affect his small noise had on the blonde. Eiri's eyes fell on the slightly parted lips of the younger man, remembering the initiative he took the night before. Shuichi looked up and noticed Eiri's stare and he could not fight back the flush that came to his face. "Umm...thanks for breakfast. I know that I was kinda a pain last night...crashing on your couch and all..."

Eiri did not respond at first, causing Shuichi to fidget in his seat, nervously clearing his throat. Feeling his body move of it's own accord, he brought his hand to rest against the singer's baby-soft cheek. Shuichi gasped at the feel of the rough fingers on his face, sending his nerves into a frenzy. He felt his breath hitch in his throat at the dark haze that filled Eiri's eyes, not understanding the other man's meaning. He felt his heart beat painfully in his chest when a small, almost undetectable smile appeared on the blonde's face.

Eiri, feeling reckless, leaned forward slightly, bringing his face within inches of Shuichi's. "I don't think you know," he began creeping slightly closer, his fingers tracing the soft skin slightly. "Just how sexy you are when you blush like that."

Shuichi's eyes widened in shock. As Eiri leaned even closer, he found that he could not longer breath. When their lips met, it felt like to world fell apart, leaving only the two of them. Feeling the more experienced lips begin to move against his own, he began to respond instinctively, his eyes falling closed. After a few moments of contact, he felt Eiri's tongue graze his lips gently. He hesitantly cracked them slightly, allowing the tongue access. He could not stop the moan from escaping as Eiri massaged their tongues together. Losing his inhibitions, he tentatively returned the touches, not entirely sure how to move.

Eiri was surprised when he felt Shuichi respond to his kiss and it sent fire through his veins. He could tell that this was probably the first time the boy had kissed like this, and that knowledge served to ignite his blood even more. Still caressing Shuichi's cheek, he brought his right hand to rest at the back of the boy's slim neck, his fingers gently stroking the feather-like hair that fell across his hand. Pulling the singer closer, he eagerly swallowed the moans that arose from the younger boy.

Becoming slightly irritated at their lack of friction, Eiri used his hands to pull the boy from his chair to rest across his lap, never breaking their kiss. Shuichi felt like he was in a dream, barely noticing that he was now straddling the blonde god. Eiri's hand dropped from his cheek and rested at the small of the boy's slender back. Wanting Shuichi to know just what he was doing to him, he pressed the boy closer and rolled his hips, causing their groins to grind against one another. He almost smirked when he felt the singer's hardened bulge hidden under his too-tight jeans.

Shuichi gasped when he felt Eiri's groin press against him. The friction felt so incredible he was afraid that another move like that would cause him to ruin the moment. He reveled in the heat coming from the older man's body, letting it drown him. All previous thought left him as he melted into the other.

After several minutes, both reluctantly pulled apart as the need for oxygen became desperate. Panting, Shuichi closed his eyes and laid his head against Eiri's broad shoulder. Eiri, in turn, tried to collect his thoughts. There was no denying his desire to keep the young singer. He gently trailed his fingers down the back of his slim neck, earning a sigh from the flustered boy.

Shuichi finally looked up and gazed into Eiri's amber eyes. They felt no need for words, content with each other's company. After a few minutes, Shuichi's eyes widened and he hopped to his feet. "I'm late for work!"

Eiri did not move from his chair as he watched Shuichi run around the apartment like a mad man trying to find his notebook. After a few moments, he stood and walked towards his bedroom, retrieving his smallest shirt and pair of pants. He returned to the living room in time to see Shuichi heading towards the door to slip his shoes on. "Hey."

Shuichi looked back hurriedly and saw that Eiri held the clothes out as an offering. "I don't have time, K will shoot me if I'm late!"

"Change your clothes, they're a mess from sleeping in them." He saw that Shuichi was about to protest again, so he quickly finished. "I'll be driving you to work."

Shuichi snapped his mouth shut immediately and approached the writer, taking the articles of clothing. "Thanks," he smiled before running towards the bathroom.

xxx

They arrived at NG less than fifteen minutes later and Shuichi practically ran into to studio. Everyone else was already there by the time he walked in. Hiro jumped to his feet and ran towards Shuichi, a worried look on his face. "What happened? Why are you late?"

"He was with me."

Shuichi's face flushed a deep scarlet at the deep voice and Hiro looked towards Eiri, who stood behind the flustered singer. Hiro's eyes narrowed, jealousy raging inside as he noticed the way his friend reacted. "And you are?"

Shuichi cleared his throat, not liking the cold tone in Hiro's voice. "Eiri, this is Hiro, my best friend. Hiro this is Eiri. Seguchi hired him to help me with my lyrics."

The two men glared at each other, neither one wanting to break first. Shuichi did not understand why Hiro was acting the way he was. He didn't like the tension in the air and was about to break the two apart, but K beat him to it. "Alright, slackers. Why don't we start earning our keep around here. Hiro, Shuichi, get your butts into the sound booth!"

Shuichi sighed in relief as Hiro turned and, grabbing his guitar from the corner, entered the sound booth. Shuichi glanced at Eiri and offered a smile. Although he did not openly smile, Shuichi saw his eyes visibly soften when they met with his. His heart fluttered in his chest as he turned and walked into the booth.

Eiri decided to stay and watch the rehearsal, instantly captivated by Shuichi's angelic voice. He was surprised by how deeply the boy fell into his music as he closed his eyes and let the words pour out of him. He seemed unaware of what was going on around him, nothing else existed save for the melody.

He didn't know how much time had passed before he heard the faint sound of the door opening behind him. The scent accompanying the footsteps belonged to the person he had hoped to avoid.

"Quite mesmerizing, isn't he?"

Eiri sighed, annoyed that his tranquility had been interrupted. "What do you want, Tohma?"

Tohma walked passed him to stand directly in front of the one-way glass, choosing to ignore the question. They both watched as they finished the song, only to start again in order to perfect it. Already Shuichi appeared tired, causing the guilt to resurface inside Eiri. He didn't realize at first that Tohma's eyes were locked on his face, but when he felt the stare, he glared coldly at him.

Tohma smiled. Not one of his patented, devious smiles, but a real one. "He's a nice kid, isn't he?"

Eiri scoffed, not liking where the conversation was going. "It's of no concern to me whether he's nice or not."

Tohma nodded, undeterred, and let his eyes travel back to the singer. They stood in silence for several minutes before Tohma persisted. "He's the type of person who brings out the best in people. Even strangers are attracted by his vibrance and feel the need to protect him." He turned to Eiril, smile gone, replaced by a serious expression. "He would be good for you."

Eiri had had enough. He turned away and began walking towards the door. "I don't need anyone else complicating my life." He pushed the door open and walked through, but before it closed, he paused. Without looking back at the other blonde, he allowed his facade to slip slightly, something he would only permit Tohma to see. "Besides...I wouldn't be good for him."

Tohma watched as Eiri disappeared through the door, a heavy weight on his heart. He knew the possibilities of what could happen if Shuichi became involved with the vampire, but his desire to care for Eiri superseded his rationalization. He did not overlook the wistful look in Eiri's eyes as they listened to him sing. He knew that Eiri wasn't happy, and that the only person who would be able to break through that coldness was Shuichi. He was just that kind of kid.

xxx

"Man, I'm so beat," Shuichi sighed as he fell gracelessly onto the sofa inside the studio. He looked outside, noticing how late it was getting. The sky was a dark gray, hiding the setting sun. "It looks like it's gonna rain."

Hiro took a seat on the sofa near Shuichi's head. Something had been troubling him all day. Namely, the presence of a certain blonde. Shuichi shifted so that his head lay on his friend's lap, and Hiro began running his fingers through the silky pink hair almost absentmindedly. Shuichi closed his eyes and was relieved to have been able to relax after such a tiring day.

Hiro looked down onto his friend's peaceful face. He regretted having to break the silent peacefulness, but he needed to get some answers. "Hey, Shu?"

"Hmm?"

"That Eiri guy, what's the deal?" Hiro tried to sound as nonchalant as possible, but even he could hear the edge to the question.

Shuichi's eyes opened slowly. He didn't like talking about Eiri to Hiro, knowing how protective his friend tended to be. He knew that he would have to be careful of what he said. "Like I said earlier, Seguchi introduced us yesterday. Eiri is a novelist and has been hired to help me with my lyrics."

"Is that all?" Hiro was hopeful, trying to convince himself that there was nothing more between the two. The light blush that tinted Shuichi's cheeks, however, brought all of his hopes crashing down.

Shuichi sat up, pulling himself away from Hiro's relaxing massage. He hated the fact that he was blushing, knowing that it gave Hiro his answer. He refused to look towards the other, not wanting to see his reaction.

Hiro was stunned. They had been friends since elementary school, yet Shuichi had never shown a more-than-friendly interest in anyone, male or female. The realization that he was attracted to the blonde was a little overwhelming. He could tell that Shuichi was uncomfortable with the topic, so he wanted to end it on a playful note. "So, that's how it is, huh?" he said lightly.

His blush deepening, Shuichi looked over towards him, a guilty smile on his face. "I don't know, Hiro. I don't understand it, but I feel like I want to...spend more time with him or something. I've never really been attracted to anyone like this, and it's kinda new to me." His smile faded, a sad expression coming over his face. "You...you're not disgusted with me or anything, are you?"

Hiro was genuinely confused. "Why would I be?"

Shuichi shrugged. "Because...he's a guy."

Hiro almost laughed. So, Shuichi was worried that he would hate him for being gay. If only he knew the truth. "No, Shu, I don't. You like who you like, it's not something that can be changed. What would be worse is if you denied it to yourself. You should just be with who you want to." His last words were so painful, but he fought to keep his voice steady. He was losing. It's true that he never even fought, never confessed to the singer what his true feelings were, but he felt as if his heart was shattering.

Shuichi's face broke in a magnificent smile. "Thanks, Hiro. I don't know what I'd do without you." He glanced towards the window and sighed. "I guess I should get going. It looks like it's gonna rain."

Hiro nodded. "Do you want me to give you a ride?"

He shook his head. "Nah. I need to stretch my legs. I'll see you tomorrow though, kay?"

Hiro nodded and Shuichi made his way towards the door. He looked back before the door closed behind him, giving a smile and a wave goodbye. It wasn't until the door click shut that Hiro allowed his head to drop into his hands, fighting away the urge to cry.

xxx

Shuichi had been standing outside the seemingly non-threatening white door for ten minutes attempting to gather enough courage to knock. He didn't know if Eiri even wanted to see him, much less want him stopping by unannounced. He didn't want to bother the writer, perhaps he would just go home and forget about it. He turned around, looking up towards the graying sky. He wondered how long it would be before it started raining. He definitely wanted to get home before then.

"How long are you planning on just standing there?"

Shuichi squeaked in surprise and whipped around, coming face-to-face with a very sexy blonde. Eiri stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed. His hair was tousled and his white button-down shirt was untucked with the top several buttons undone, giving him a pleasantly messy look. Shuichi fought against the urge to drool. "I-I didn't want to bother you or anything. It's just that..." He fought to find an excuse for his unexpected visit. "You never helped me with my song last night, so I figured that maybe you had some time. But if you don't it's okay, I can just come back..."

His words trailed off as the blonde moved aside, gesturing him inside. He smiled and blushed slightly as he walked past the larger man. He walked into the living room and sat down on the couch, pulling the notebook from his bag and setting it on the coffee table. Eiri looked at the boy for a few moments, still standing near the closed door. His mind drifted to that morning and he had to suppress the smile. The boy was so responsive and intoxicating, his presence both put his mind at ease and drove him crazy at the same time. Shaking his head, he walked into the room and took a seat next to the singer.

xxx

Hiro stood in front of the window in his apartment, silently watching the rain begin to fall from the darkened sky. He could hear the sounds of Ayaka in the kitchen, busy making dinner, but his mind was not focused on her. Something was bothering him about his best friend and, moreover, the blonde that had appeared. There was something off about the older man, something he couldn't place. What were his feelings towards Shuichi? The singer's feelings were painstakingly obvious and sent a shockwave through the brunette.

He knew that he couldn't blame Shuichi for being so oblivious of his feelings for him. Hiro had to admit that he had never made an advance, although he knew full well that Shuichi was more inclined towards men, even if he didn't know it himself. They had been friends since they were little kids and Hiro was always aware of what they other boy was feeling. The thought amused him that Shuichi could think he would be disgusted to find out that he liked another guy. He just wished that the confession would have involved himself.

He shook his head, trying to fight his feelings. He only wanted Shuichi to be happy, that came above all else. If he could be happy with someone else, so be it. But Hiro would be damned if his friend got hurt. He would do whatever he could to protect the singer, He could only hope that the writer would not hurt him in the end. He promised himself to keep an eye on him.

He felt arms wrap around his waist and he sighed, a little frustrated that his private thoughts had been interrupted. "You have such a serious look on your face. What are you thinking about?"

He shook his head. "Nothing you need to worry about. Ready to eat?"

Ayaka's face fell, knowing that he couldn't see it. Trying a different tactic, she tightened her arms around him and leaned up to kiss his neck. "Maybe we could just...skip dinner and have dessert first," she whispered into his ear. She returned to kissing his neck, the tip of her tongue running gently along his skin.

Hiro suppressed a shudder, not one of excitement, but of disgust. When did his feelings for her turn so drastically? He had been attracted to her from the start, he is not the kind of guy to start dating a girl who he had no feelings for, but now he wanted to pull away from her every touch. Perhaps it was because of his feelings for Shuichi, but he no longer felt the same way about her.

He placed his hands on her wrist and gently pulled them away from his waist. He turned and smiled apologetically at her. "Sorry, I'm kind of worn out from work today." He saw the dark expression on her face, so he decided to try and console her. "How about we watch a movie while we eat, then maybe go out for a walk later?"

She knew what he was trying to do, so she offered a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Sure."

He smiled and gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze before disappearing into the kitchen. She continued to stare towards the kitchen even after he turned the corner into the other room. She scowled, dark thoughts racing through her mind.

xxx

Shuichi sighed as he slumped back into the comfortable leather of the sofa, a tired smile on his face. After hours of writing, they had finished two whole songs, which was quite an accomplishment for the easily-distracted singer. Even more distracted, of course, by the tantalizing proximity of one gorgeous blonde. He couldn't help stealing glances towards the writer every couple of minutes, nor could he ignore the warm breath on his neck as the other man leaned over his shoulder to correct a mistake in his writing or to offer a suggestion. By the time they were finished, he was both mentally and physically exhausted.

He looked off to the side to gaze out the window, groaning as he saw the rain coming down full-force. It was already well past dark, but he could see the streetlights shining off the droplets as they hit the pane of glass.

"Stay tonight."

Shuichi started, looking towards the figure standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame with a beer in hand. He lost himself in those golden pools, not even realizing when he said 'okay' without hesitation. The man pushed off the wall and disappeared into his bedroom for a few moments before returning with a change of clothes and an extra blanket. Shuichi stood and took the clothes, going into the bathroom to change. On the way back into the living room, he noticed the clock, seeing that it was past eleven o'clock and was a little surprised at how long they had been working. His stomach growled and he blushed from embarrassment.

Eiri looked up at the sound and a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth at seeing the boy flushed. He had forgotten about dinner, once again undeniably captivated by the boy's presence. He walked towards the counter and retrieved his wallet, pulling out several bills. He walked up to Shuichi who looked at him curiously while Eiri put the money in his hand and closed his small fingers around it.

"I'm going out for a while. Order some food and go to sleep."

Shuichi's face fell. "G-Going out? Now? Where? It's raining outside!" All of the questions poured out of his mouth before he could stop them.

Eiri fought to keep a straight face as he regarded the worried tone. "I have some things to do. Like I said, get to sleep. I don't want to be the one to blame if you look like shit for work tomorrow."

Shuichi nodded and watched sadly as Eiri slipped into his shoes and grabbed his coat. He stood for several minutes, just staring at the door after the blonde left. Where could he be going so late at night? His stomach growled again and he finally relented. Picking up the phone, he dialed the number to order a pizza.

Eiri took his time walking, enjoying the cold chill of the rain as it soaked through his clothes to his skin. He liked nights like this, everything being washed away. He was grateful for the fact that he wouldn't get sick like a human would in a similar condition. He scoffed. One thing he was grateful for compared to all of the things he hated about his life.

He took the familiar path through the park, not really paying attention to where his feet were taking him. He wasn't very hungry, which was surprising considering his earlier craving for Shuichi. After tasting him, nothing else could compare. The only reason he even bothered was because he knew that he had to keep his guard up with the singer staying another night. He had taken too much the night before and did not want to give in to the temptation of taking another feeding from him. No, he would be sure to get his fill before returning home, even if it meant taking more than one human.

His thoughts drifted off as a slightly sweet scent assaulted his nose. He smiled bitterly. First one of the night.

xxx

By the time Eiri had returned home, the storm had escalated and sharp cracks of lightning charged across the black sky. He opened the door silently and closed it behind him. He could pick up the smell of pizza, happy that Shuichi had taken him up on the offer of dinner. He looked around the living room, his enhanced night vision picking up on the dark mass huddled on the couch. He stood there for a few moments, watching the small chest rise and fall evenly in sleep.

He pulled himself away and walked into his bedroom. He pulled off his wet clothes on the way to the adjacent bathroom and threw them into the hamper. He quickly dried himself before slipping on a pair of boxers. He crawled into bed and pulled the warm comforters up around him, feeling exhaustion begin to overwhelm him.

He had started to drift off to sleep when a particularly loud crack of thunder sounded throughout the apartment, immediately followed by a panicked squeak. He smiled, amused, realizing that Shuichi must be scared of thunderstorms. Just as he had expected, a few moments later, he heard his door creak quietly. He didn't open his eyes, but could sense the single hesitant step on the hardwood floor. Another second, and another quiet footstep.

He decided to spare the boy and opened his eyes, immediately recognizing the small, dark figure standing near the foot of his bed. His eyes were wide and he clutched the blanket to his chest. His eyes grew impossibly wider when he saw Eiri's eyes open and he began mumbling an apology. "I'm s-sorry to wake you...it's...just that..."

"You're scared of the storm?" Eiri prompted.

Shuichi's face twisted from embarrassment and shame. "I didn't say that! How do you know I just wasn't having a bad dream of something!"

At that moment, a sudden stretch of lightning lit the room followed by a deafening crash of thunder. Shuichi jumped and squealed, his body trembling. Eiri shook his head and hid a smile as he lifted the corner of his blanket, beckoning Shuichi underneath. The boy was in no state of mind to refuse or even realize that he had lost the argument.

Shuichi slid underneath the comforter and Eiri instinctively wrapped his arms around the small body and pulled him closer. Shuichi felt like he was in heaven as the strong arms enveloped him, protecting him. He buried his face into the larger man's neck and snuggled closer to his chest. He felt a tingle of excitement run through him with the realization that the firm chest was naked, but he was too exhausted to act on the urge. Within minutes, his breath evened out as he slipped into a peaceful sleep.

Eiri stayed awake for some time after he small body relaxed and drifted off. Everything felt so surreal, how quickly things had changed for him within the past few weeks, although it would have only been a couple of days to the younger male. His thoughts drifted to Yuki, but he tried desperately to fight them back, unconsciously tightening his embrace. He brought his lips down to kiss the soft hair resting beneath his chin before closing his eyes.

I know this is wrong, but for a little while...just a little while...let me have this.

xxx

A.N. Well, let me know what you think. As a note, some may have noticed that I dropped the honorifics, as it just becomes confusing when trying to write this. Also, I wanted to point out that I do realize that Shuichi had accepted Eiri rather quickly, but my impression of him from the first time I read the manga was that he loved Eiri immediately and goes with his emotions, so I don't think it would be considered moving too fast for him. My opinion, anyway, so I just wanted to address it before I got reviews saying they are moving too quickly. Keep in mind that Eiri has practically been stalking the kid!

Comments and critisisms appreciated, so please review!