Disclaimer: All characters © their respective owners, of which I am not a part. I only claim ownership of the storyline.

Luka stared up at the sky. He would always come watch the night sky, the view from above Yuki's room especially grand. The night sky bore shades of lavender, opal and stark black, fading off into the horizon. The roof tiles were cool against his bare arms and he sucked in a long breath.

Silver eyes roamed over the visual feast. The stars tonight twinkled brightly and Luka was reminded of the light in someone's eyes…

'Nnn…'

'Yuki?'

He could hear Yuki stirring from his sleep. Yuki had been recalling tidbits of memories from dreams and every time Yuki brought one up, it made Luka falter.

He couldn't avoid it. He feared the moment when Yuki would recall everything. Every time the possibility entered his mind, his chest clenched in something painful.

Nothing could drown out the screams in his soul.

Such emotions, that used to be so foreign to a professional killer like he used to be, while new, bittersweet, were worlds better than not feeling anything. He never wished to go back to the time where he did not question killing innocents, never questioned the bloodshed.

Yuki was the exact opposite; Yuki never wished any harm to anyone and even gave someone like him meaning to his existence. He also knew that despite the unintentional burden caused by his loss of memory, Yuki never intended to hurt him; instead, he worried for him, cared, and that alone was enough to sustain him.

'Yuki…'

Tip tap. The sound of footsteps headed his way distracted Luka out of his thoughts. Jet-black hair swayed as he stood up and silently walked over to the edge to make sure Yuki was all right. Yuki was lost in thought, staring far off into the stars, hugging himself against the cold. Luka's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. He couldn't help the fleeting thought that if Yuki remembered and accepted him again, even in this life, then he could be helping Yuki more than he was able to now. He crushed those thoughts mercilessly and gazed once more at him. Yuki's eyelashes were lowered over half open eyes, glossed over in thought and his cheeks reddened, no doubt by the cold. He was the picture of innocent charm and Luka wanted nothing more than to reach out to him.

Duras. Those who live in the darkness. Those whose beauty is unnatural. A means to an end. To bewitch.

Luka had long since felt guilty for possessing what humans of this realm deemed as "otherworldly beauty". It was a ruse with which to lure humans out of their inhibitions and catch them unaware and vulnerable. He was not proud of his appearance and felt it dishonest to have such an advantage. There was, however, one period of time where he accepted, and almost even came to appreciate this part of himself. Yuki. They met. He fell in love. It sure as hell sounded simple, but to say he "just fell in love" was an understatement. He became a slave to the existence known as "Yuki". There was no better description and even this one fell short. If Yuki wished it, he would give his everything; even death was not a problem, if Yuki wished it.

Life without Yuki had no meaning.

He remembered. Everything. It felt so long ago and yet he could recall vividly.

She would reach out to him, when others feared. She embraced his presence when others would shun it. She forgave his existence and needed him.

Not anymore. Yuki no longer saw him with those eyes. Yes, he still attracted humans like flies to honey, but the only one he wanted, the only one who he wished his appearance would bewitch was the only one not affected by it.

What good was beauty if he couldn't have Yuki?

Yuki was always calm and nonchalant around Luka, for which he was grateful, since it meant he was comfortable around him, but there was little trace of the fondness of before. He knew it came with the territory but he couldn't help but feel the bitter absence of it. The tail of his long leather, sleeveless coat danced in the breeze and his ears picked up the opening and closing Yuki's bedroom door. He listened closely and picked up the sound of footsteps.

'The back garden…' He must have gone there to think. Yuki never changed. Even in his previous life, Yuki always went on long, languid walks to sort his thoughts. Luka sat back down and lay back on the roof. His hands moved to support his neck and he closed his eyes, breathing deeply. He picked up Yuki's scent. Honey and sunshine. Innocence, beauty and charm. Yuki was everything he was not, and it pained Luka to know Yuki was so out of his reach. They had been lovers, yes, but even then, Yuki had not been 100% his. It was in Yuki's nature to be hard on himself, even in love. Try as he might, Luka could not make Yuki believe he had the right to love and be loved, and now what hope did he have of making Yuki realize it now?

His chest ached, and he resisted the urge to grab the front of his shirt or otherwise show any distress. He knew Yuki would worry if he ever let go of the tight control he had over himself and his emotions. That could not happen. He would welcome death long before he ever caused harm to Yuki, or let anyone else even carry the notion. He would always protect Yuki. Yuki was everything to him. If he hadn't conveyed it more, it was because he didn't want Yuki to be disgusted with him and reject his protection, and his unrequited affection. No, he would protect Yuki from everything, including himself. If a platonic guardian is what Yuki needs, then that's the role he would take.

He had no complaints. How could he? Yuki was alive.

He couldn't ask for more.

His resolve renewed, Luka stood again and made for Yuki's balcony. He could tell Yuki had gone back to bed, and his calming scent filled the air. Without any real thought, he whispered,

"Good night, Yuki".

Silence.

'He must be asleep alre-'

"Good night, Luka".

Surprised, Luka opened his eyes…and smiled softly.

Luka waited 10 mins and decided to go check on Yuki.

Landing on the balcony, Luka approached the bed. Sensing Yuki was deep in sleep, he chanced sitting down in the chair next to the bed, if only to make sure Yuki would sleep soundly, for as long as possible. Yuki had long ago told him his presence soothed Yuki's nightmares. He supposed it was a remnant of affection Yuki held for him, but he wasn't about to take the thought any further. He wouldn't risk it.

He turned his head towards Yuki's face and his train of thought vanished. The moonlight that filtered in from the open balcony caressed Yuki's figure and bathed him in a soft, ethereal glow. Milky, moonlit skin that looked so soft, and felt softer. As distant as he appeared to the world, he never missed anything. Since the day he had once again met Yuki, every touch, every gesture, every look, was engraved in his memory. The feel of Yuki's kind hand on his face, studying him, had been a moment of bliss. Had he been human, and religious, he would have prayed to nay gods that listened for the moment to last forever. Instead, his body ached when it was over. Stirring from his reverie, Luka's gaze caressed every nook and cranny of Yuki's sleeping face. Luka had yet to know someone who possessed as natural a beauty as the male in front of him. Woman, or man, it did not matter. Yuki was Yuki and the beauty that came with that existence never faded. If he had to single out any one feature that stood above the others, it was those pools of glowing ember-like emerald, framed by a cascade of ebony, feather like eyelashes. It was this gaze that had frozen him where he stood and, at the same time, made his entire body down to the individual cells, heat up like he was on fire. The first time he saw himself reflected in those eyes, he was a prisoner. He smiled lightly. Of course, Yuki had now idea the power he possessed over Luka. Deny it as he might, somewhere deep down, a shimmer of hope still burned. Perhaps, someday. Only time could truly tell. Satisfied that Yuki's slumber was peaceful, he stood without making a sound and leaned over Yuki. Looking down at Yuki's serene expression, his resolve cracked. Leaning into Yuki's face, he stopped right above Yuki's lips.

A desire was coursing through his veins.

Burning.

His resolve up in flames, he closed the distance.

He resisted the urge to voice what he was feeling.

Yuki's lips tasted heavenly.

Honey.

Warm, sweet honey.

Oh, it had been so long since he had tasted these lips, felt this breath, and he would never again, but just this once, he would look past it. Just this once, he would taste the forbidden fruit, and nevermore. Luka closed his eyes and kissed Yuki deeper. Yuki, still dreaming, started breathing heavily, sending more of his alluring scent into Luka.

He had to stop. This was becoming too much, and if he didn't back out now, there would be no going back. Yuki's lips were so delicate, so soft and sweet smelling. The moist kiss was made even better with Yuki's soft moans vibrating through the air.

"ha…aa…ah…nn"

"Yuki-"

Yuki's mouth opened in response to his shortage of breath, and Luka took the chance to reach deeper into the recesses of Yuki's mouth with his own. A drug. Yuki's Kiss was soon becoming an addiction and a red light went off in Luka's mind. Luka gave Yuki's lips one last kiss, and backed away from him, feeling the pain of loss.

Panting slightly, Luka was left to reflect on his actions. Caught between exquisite pleasure and some shock, he knew his control would only slip further if he stayed. Without another thought, he turned to leave. He chanced one last glance at Yuki, who now sported rosy cheeks, crimson lips that were slightly open and panting, and disheveled hair, all in a white, collared pajama shirt and pants, that were rumpled and showed of Yuki's long, elegant neck and collarbone, and part of his midriff.

He resisted the urge to go in for another kiss and walked towards the door. The sound of leather echoed in the room.

' Yuki…'

Turning the knob, he whispered a small message to Yuki, under his breath, and left the room.

Whoot. Second Chapter is up! What can I say? I'm rooting for a kiss in the actual manga/anime, and this is my take on it.

Next chapter will have them both interacting. Juicy stuff coming up! Stayed tuned!

AfterxThexRain