14.30 Tease

Fai used to really love teasing Kurogane.

He used to love seeing the anger spark in those blood red eyes, used to love knowing that he could cause such a strong reaction in someone who usually sulked in a corner with a disapproving air.

It might even be said that Kurogane didn't really mind being teased by Fai, that he wasn't really angry with the mage every time he said something deliberately to antagonize him.

But there was a time when Fai didn't tease Kurogane, a time when Kurogane truly was angry.

"Stop that." Fai was rather surprised to hear Kurogane snap at him suddenly from across the room. Glancing over, he saw that the ninja's dark eyes were boring into him with disgust.

"Stop what, Kurogane?" In a way, Fai both hated and loved the taste of Kurogane's name on his tongue. Here in Infinity, even though they were worlds away from Tokyo, he could make sure that Kurogane knew he had not been forgiven just by something as simple as his name.

"Stop your humming; it's irritatingly cheerful," Kurogane demanded, his eyes narrowing.

"It's always better to be cheerful than depressed, Kurogane," Fai let a small smile pull at his lips, knowing that it would only serve to anger Kurogane further, before turning away.

Despite all the time they had spent together, willingly or not, Fai was surprised by the heavy blow Kurogane dealt him to the back of his head.

Sprawled on the floor, Fai looked up at Kurogane and rubbed his head. "That was low of you."

"No more than you deserved," Kurogane retorted, his fury barely kept in check. "I wish you would just wipe that sickening smile off your face, once and for all …"

"No can do, Kurogane," Fai kept his voice light.

Kurogane snarled furiously and advanced, locking his arms on either side of Fai and lowering his face to the vampire mage's.

Fai eyed Kurogane for a moment before impulsively kissing him, letting go of all his worries for a brief instant as he enjoyed the feeling of rough lips against his own …

SMACK.

Fai lifted his hand to his cheek.

"Don't be such a f**king tease all the time," Kurogane warned. "Don't pretend to care, before dancing away with that ridiculous smile of yours. Don't lead people on, only to turn away when you don't need them anymore. I'm sick of it!"

Fai lowered his eyes and fled, Kurogane's accusations following him as the rift between the two men grew with each new misunderstanding, with each hurtful word and action that echoed between them.

Written May 9, 2010

A/N - Another one that I rather like. Reviews please? :3

I keep on meaning to update one of these a day until I catch up to where I'm at now, but it always slips my mind D: