Disclaimer: I do not own these boys or their universe—that all belongs to Asano Atsuko.

Reviewers: All 27 of you, thank you!

Author's Note: Short chapter this week ::smiles sheepishly::. I wanted to get a lot in, but this seemed the logical place to stop. I really, really love this chapter, even though there are some things I might like to rewrite. I hope you enjoy this—I have already started to work on the next one!

Rating: T (pretty harmless in this chapter, just language)

Summary: Almost exactly three years after No. 6's downfall, the wandering star returns home…(Post-Series. Reunion-fic. Multi-chapter.)

"Speech"

Personal Thoughts/Memories (Italics)

.:No More Farewells:.

By Sentimental Star

Chapter Seven: Call it Courage

Nezumi lets himself be held for what is quite literally hours in an attempt to wash away one of the many dark stains (or so he perceives it) of his past. Eventually, the moonlight in the room fades into the gray light of pre-dawn; it is only then that he finally calms and raises his head from Shion's chest. He finds, much to his amused relief, that Shion…has fallen asleep.

Snorting thickly and rubbing at his cheeks, Nezumi mutters, not without fondness, "Damn airhead."

Quietly, he watches his former pillow rise and fall with each even breath Shion takes, remembering far too vividly a time when it hadn't risen at all.

Releasing a tremulous breath, Nezumi drops his forehead back against Shion's chest.

You idiot…why is it always you?

Nezumi wonders if Shion knows what a tremendous step he's allowed him to take tonight: even though the drying tears are sticky on his cheeks, even though his stomach is a tumult of emotion…there is a part of his shredded heart that has quietly, and almost without his knowing, finally sewn itself up.

This path…can it really lead to healing?

It doesn't take but two minutes of them lying there together for Nezumi to acknowledge it just might.

Shion's chest is warm—it has always been so warm. The other young man's heart beats steadily against his cheek, and just that, just that simple sound and sensation, grounds him so hard, that any thought of leaving immediately flees through the open window on the spring wind.

You've always been my miracle…why should it change now?

A distant rumble of thunder and a sudden change in the wind's direction cause Nezumi to lift his head from where he has buried it in Shion's chest. Another rumble sounds, this time slightly nearer, and Nezumi reluctantly pulls himself away from Shion with an irritated groan.

When he untangles their limbs and sits up, he remains perched on the edge of the bed for a long moment, debating whether the potential damage to his books is really worth leaving Shion's warmth: he's been without it for three years, and his entire body is protesting the loss.

That reminds me…I haven't yet thanked Shion for this, have I?

A third, ear-splittingly loud rumble of thunder interrupts his musings and decides his actions for him—within seconds Nezumi is off the bed and across the floor, slamming the window shut against the rain and the wind.

Shion jerks upright with a cry: "Nezumi!"

IOIOIOIOIOI

Nezumi whirls around. Shion's eyes are wildly scanning the room, passing over him twice before settling into a more methodical searching pattern.

More than anything else, the fright and panic etched on Shion's face reveal to Nezumi exactly what his three year absence has done to him.

I've seriously fucked things up, haven't I?

Shion's darting red eyes finally land on Nezumi, who is staring, wide-eyed and upright, next to the window. He takes in the lack of proper traveling attire, and the fact that the other young man is standing inside the shut window, and promptly drops his flushed face into his hands, releasing a tremulous breath.

Instantly, Nezumi is back across the room, pressing his hands against Shion's face. "Easy, your Majesty," he murmurs, "I'm still here."

Shion's breathing hitches, "I-I thought you had…"

Nezumi's throat tightens, "I didn't," and closes up almost entirely, "Shion…I wouldn't. Not without…"

The rest of his statement dies on his tongue: Not without saying good-bye.

Shion's shaking hands tangle themselves in the fabric of Nezumi's shirt as he buries himself against the other nineteen-year-old's chest.

Nezumi wraps his arms around Shion's back and continues, choking on the lump that has lodged itself in his throat, "Hell…I'd probably ask you to come with me."

Shion sputters out a laugh and Nezumi curses quietly when he realizes the front of his shirt has grown damp, "J-Just promise me one thing…"

Nezumi buries his face in Shion's neck, inhaling his scent and breathing against his skin, "Shion…I'd promise you the world if I thought it would help."

Shion chuckles thickly, but sobers soon enough. His voice is very quiet: "No more farewells. Just…if you have to leave, promise me it will be 'until we meet again,'" his voice breaks, "even if it isn't within this lifetime."

Nezumi draws his breath in sharply, unaware his heart could hurt this much. He specifically ran away to prevent this sort of thing from happening ever again.

He's matured enough to admit, however, that it was the coward's way out. That doesn't mean it hurts any less:

Fuck. It should be illegal to love someone this much.

The lump in his throat swells. Tearing himself away from Shion, Nezumi grips his shoulders, eyes boring into the other male, "Shion…look at me," the lump continues to grow, but Shion finally does, beautiful face wracked with tears, "I swear to you…I will never leave you behind again. Do you understand, Shion? I'm staying."

IOIOIOIOIOI

He anticipates the rush of tears before they fall, but he isn't prepared for the searing kiss Shion yanks him into seconds later.

Nezumi's head spins as Shion shoves his lips against his own, kissing him with bruising force. This is certainly not the Shion he remembers—awkward and clumsy with anything pertaining to love. This is a Shion in the full bloom of life, passionate and capable, possessed of a strength and resilience that draws Nezumi to him like a candle.

His hands grip Shion's hips, yanking him flush against his body. Nezumi's tongue chases Shion's back into its owner's mouth as he does his damnedest to take control of the kiss, pouring his entire soul past his lips.

He can't promise anything greater than this, and that is precisely what he seeks to convey, determined to destroy any lingering trace of fear or doubt. He has spent three years running from this, and he is tired of it, of this constant, constant running.

Shion is too precious to walk away from again.

Lack of air forces them apart, and Nezumi drops his forehead against Shion's, recovering the lost rhythm of his breathing, "…Damn, you're a good kisser. When did that happen?"

Shion chuckles, chokes, and nearly starts crying again, prompting Nezumi to patter his face with kisses, "Sometime within the past twelve hours, I think."

Nezumi laughs softly, barely a breath, and nudges his nose against Shion's. With every kiss pressed to his cheek, nose, eyes, or chin, Shion hears the unneeded and unnecessary apology Nezumi whispers against his skin.

He can only shake his head, valiantly blinking back additional moisture, and slide his arms around the other boy's neck. "Just promise," he murmurs.

A quiet chuckle is pressed against his ear, and Nezumi's warm breath tickles his hair, "I'll do one better than that." Nezumi takes in a deep breath, letting it out, "Tadaima, Shion."

I'm home.

IOIOIOIOIOI

It is well past noon by the time the pair's eyes open again. Shion wakes to find Nezumi curled tightly against him, still deep in the throes of sleep. Vaguely, he wonders why his mother hasn't woken them, and hazily concludes she must think they need the extra sleep.

He is past the point of denying it anymore.

"…Heh, you've got someone to live for now: you're stuck. So do us all a favor, hey? Stop denying your basic human needs. I'm sure Lover Boy would appreciate it~"

Shion groans softly and buries his face in his pillow. Inukashi's words are not the first thing he wants to think about when he wakes up.

…Even if they are true.

With a sigh, Shion lifts his head and peers over his shoulder, unable to stop the small smile that quirks his lips as he watches Nezumi sleep: the other young man's face is half crushed up against his back and his hands clutch Shion's shirt in his sleep.

Thank the Gods it wasn't just a dream.

Gently, he eases over to face Nezumi, who immediately burrows into his chest, still more than half-asleep and unwilling to wake up just yet.

Shion chuckles, trying not to move too much, and allows him those last few precious minutes of sleep. Releasing a quiet breath, he faces the ceiling and wraps his arm around Nezumi's back, letting his thoughts subside to a nonintrusive hum.

Once Nezumi begins to stir, Shion laces his fingers through the other boy's hair, lightly stroking his fingertips through the silk strands.

I…could certainly get used to this.

He pauses at the thought, eliciting a soft sound of protest from Nezumi, and it causes him to chuckle again, "You're getting spoiled, Nezumi," Shion murmurs warmly. Nonetheless, his fingers resume their path through the other teenager's hair.

It takes Nezumi another ten minutes to wake up fully, and even then he doesn't really move, resting quietly against Shion's chest.

When he is certain Nezumi is awake, Shion lightly nudges his shoulder, "Nezumi…will you go somewhere with me today?"

Folding his arms on Shion's chest, Nezumi lifts his head and places his chin on them, smirking slightly at the other young man, "Why, your Majesty~! Are you asking me out on a date?"

Rolling his eyes, Shion gently pushes Nezumi off his chest and sits up, trying very hard to ignore the sudden heat coloring his cheeks, "We can call it that if you like."

Catching himself on the mattress, Nezumi laughs and straightens, carefully climbing to his feet. Smiling slightly, Shion reaches up to cup his cheek, "I do want to spend time with you, Nezumi. So will you?"

Nezumi's smirk softens. Sweeping into an elegant bow he teases, "Such a humble request…who am I to disobey?" A moment later his arms are around Shion, and he whispers into his neck, now quite serious, "I'd be honored, Shion."

End Chapter