The next few months passed uneventfully, except for the occasional mission. Youji still couldn't keep his eyes or mind off of Aya, and although he was spending a lot of time jacking off in the shower, he was also spending a lot of time getting to know the swordsman; well trying to anyway. Aya was very tight lipped about his past; not that Youji could blame him, the poor guy had had a rough life, but he knew that wasn't the only reason Aya didn't talk to him. He sighed glancing over at where the redhead was carefully putting together a bouquet. Aya didn't trust him. It was understandable, considering how Youji had been acting so far, but it hurt a little to not have it. Aya seemed to trust Ken and was beginning to trust Omi; why he trusted the brunette first Youji would never understand, and he was more than slightly jealous. He was also happy that the miniature duo were going to be gone for a month or two. They had both told Youji, in no uncertain terms, that he was to behave himself. He smirked. Of course he'd behave himself…to a point. His first goal was to get Aya to go on a date with him so as soon as Ken and Omi left that night he walked straight up to Aya and asked him.
"No." The redhead turned and disappeared upstairs. Youji stood there and pouted for a while then went to bed. The next night he asked again. Aya's answer was exactly the same. Youji's reaction was a bit different though; he had been suffering from a boner almost the entire day and when Aya had turned, his sweet, intoxicating scent had washed over the older man making it impossible for him to go straight to bed, so a detour to the shower was in order. He jerked at his cock, biting back moans as he imagined Aya's mouth around it…those perfect lips holding him in place while his tongue played with the tip. Youji groaned, coming all over his hand then cleaned himself off and went to bed. The next night he asked Aya again. Instead of saying 'no' right away, the swordsman just looked at him silently for a few moments. "Why?" He asked finally. Youji blinked. Well he hadn't been expecting that.
"Well for a couple of reasons." Youji met his gaze. "The first being that I am extremely attracted to you, and secondly; you've been pretty much cooped up in your room for the past seven months except for when we go out and kill people. You're direly overdue for having some fun." Aya looked at him like he was speaking a foreign language. "You do know how to have fun right?" The redhead's eyes narrowed.
"Depends on your definition doesn't it?"
"Fair enough." Youji held up his hands in surrender. "All I'm saying is that you're always so tense, I'd just like to see you loosen up a bit." He shrugged. "It doesn't even have to be a date. We could go get a coffee or a drink at the bar. I don't care." He didn't dare look up at Aya until he heard the younger man sigh.
"Fine, but I need to change first." Youji almost jumped for joy. He watched Aya walk up the stairs then ran to his room and changed into an outfit that didn't scream date, but were nicer than what he normally wore. A pair of white slacks with matching blazer over a blue silk shirt that buttoned up the front. He left the shirt tails untucked then pulled on some nice black shoes and went downstairs to wait for Aya. When the redhead finally came down Youji's jaw dropped. He wore a red long sleeved button-up shirt, untucked and with the top three buttons undone, exposing the pale milky skin of his chest, over tight black pants. A single gold earring dangled from his left ear catching the light. Youji swallowed with difficulty. As they walked out to his car Youji could have sworn he saw the swordsman smirk.
Aya had to admit that it was nice to go out. He'd never been big on the whole nightlife scene, but it was almost like a breath of fresh air. He'd been starting to suffocate in his room and, although would never admit it to Youji, had leapt at the chance to get out of the house. He wasn't kidding himself about the circumstances; this was definitely a date. Youji thought so because he would glare at the men and women who tried to talk to Aya. The redhead found it amusing, but said nothing. He was nursing the drink Youji had bought for him as he watched the blonde interact with the other people in the bar. He seemed to know a lot of them, which wasn't surprising in the least bit, what was, were how many women slipped Youji their number. There were men who did the same thing, but most of them used approaching Youji as a pretense for talking to Aya, who of course ignored them. He was here with Youji and had no desire to talk to any of the older man's past conquests. Youji threw back the rest of his third drink and ordered a fourth before snapping at a young brunette to back off. Aya hid a smile as he took a drink and watched the brunette pout then walk away.
"We should go somewhere else." The blonde frowned into his empty glass. Aya didn't reply. He was enjoying himself despite the almost constant interruptions. "I forgot how many people actually come here on a Thursday night and you not being a people person probably hate it. Am I right?" Aya shrugged then looked out to the small dance floor where many couple where gently swaying to the love song that was playing. Suddenly someone blocked his view and he looked up to see a black haired man about Youji's age, but taller and more muscle bound, standing there watching him. Aya lifted his eyes to the man's dark brown ones and sensed trouble. He was correct in his assumption because seconds later the man's hand was on his arm and he was being dragged out of his seat.
"So this is what you've been ignoring my calls for?" The man smiled down at Aya, but was speaking to Youji. "I can see why now. He's gorgeous." The man grabbed Aya's chin, laughing, but before the redhead could do anything Youji's fist smashed into the large man's jaw. He let go of Aya with a shout of surprise.
"I ignore your calls, Murasaki, because I gave you a fake number." The blonde snarled. "If you touch him again I-" He didn't get to finish. Murasaki had recovered and punched Youji in the gut. While the blonde was bent over trying to breathe the man grabbed Aya's arm again. The swordsman sighed inwardly, but did nothing. This was Youji's battle and he knew that he showed off his superior skills the older man's reputation would be ruined. He let the man drag him outside, seething inwardly at having to play the weakling. Youji was nowhere to be seen as he was dragged into an alley and pinned to the wall.
"Blondie can't satisfy you like I can." He sneered, his alcohol soaked breath washed over Aya's face making the smaller man wrinkle his nose and turn away. This was disgusting. If Youji didn't get there in two seconds he was going to break this asshole's neck.
"With an IQ as low as yours obviously is I doubt you can satisfy anyone but yourself, and even that is suspect." Aya replied trying not to gag. He knew the alcohol he'd consumed, while not a lot, was enough to keep him calm.
"What'd you just say?"
"He called you an idiot." Youji said from behind the large mass of flesh holding Aya captive..
"Finally." He sighed then shoved Murasaki's chest as hard as he could. The man flew back into the opposite wall, slightly dazed. "Save me, Kudou." Aya drawled. Youji laughed, grabbing Murasaki by the collar. He beat the man to a pulp then put his arm around Aya's shoulders and walked him back to the car. When they were buckled in Youji turned to him.
"So why didn't you just kick his ass?" The blonde asked. "I've seen you kill bigger guys for less." Aya shrugged.
"You had it covered."
"You confuse the hell out of me." Youji muttered, starting the car and peeling out of the parking lot. Aya smiled to himself as he watched the scenery fly by. He liked this side of Youji. The man usually passed himself off as a determined, horny, perverted bastard, but Aya now knew that was just the mask he wore. It was a lot like his own in a way. He glanced over at the blonde and decided that, just maybe, he could trust the older man.
Youji felt Aya's eyes on him, but when he looked the younger man was once again looking out the window. "I'm sorry about tonight." He said quietly. "It was supposed to go a lot differently." He glanced at Aya, but got no reply. "Could we try again tomorrow?"
"Sure." Aya replied softly, keeping his gaze directed out the window. Youji grinned and mentally cheered. He couldn't stop grinning, even as he crawled into bed that night. Aya had agreed to go out with him again, he couldn't believe it. He'd already pinched himself a million times to make sure he wasn't sleeping because this was a dream come true for him. After a long time he finally fell asleep. The next morning he woke just in time to start his shift in the flower shop. When he entered the fragrant room his eyes immediately sought Aya out. The swordsman's graceful fingers were carefully wrapping plastic around a bouquet of pure white lilies. Youji couldn't look away. Every movement was graceful and elegant just like the man himself. It was intoxicating to just be in his presence, but instead of the raw, sexual feelings he normally got from watching Aya work, Youji felt a warmth in his heart that he hadn't in a very long time. Not since Asuka. That was when he knew. He was in love with the small, damaged man. Youji raised his eyes.
From where he stood he could see the pack of the swordsman's neck. His crimson hair moved against the pale skin as he worked, and the gold earring dangling from his lobe swung softly, hypnotizing Youji so that he couldn't move. He could barely breathe as the warm love he felt for the man grew. He finally tore his eyes away and went to a group of teenage girls standing in front of the register holding flowers. How was he going to tell Aya how he felt? The man didn't trust him, or even like him, so far as he knew. He was so preoccupied with his thoughts that he didn't sense Aya come up behind him until the lilies were placed on the counter in front of him. Youji jerked in surprise and lost his balance. He was saved from falling by a slim, elegant hand catching him by the elbow. His breath caught in his throat as he looked up into soft, violet eyes. Aya steadied him on his feet and nodded slightly before returning to his station where there was another group of girls, who all swooned when he asked what they wanted. Youji couldn't blame them, he felt like swooning whenever the normally silent man spoke. He couldn't wait for their date that night…unless Aya didn't think it was going to be a date. He probably thought it was going to be just another friendly outing. Youji sighed turning to the girls on the other side of the counter and began ringing them up. It was going to be a long day full of anticipation and uncertainty.