The smell of the most delicious tea floated into the office. It made Hyuuga almost drool all over his paperwork as he looked up at the man carrying the best tasting tea in the world. His most favorite tea in the whole world "Katsuragi~" He whined.
"Yes yes," the man sighed but also half smiled all the same, placing a cup down on the Major's desk.
"WAHOO~" Hyuuga cheered throwing his arms into the air. "Thank you~"
The dark haired man chuckled walking up to the Chief's desk. "Ayanami-sama," he said kindly, placing a cup down in front of the man.
Ayanami thanked the man kindly still reading a form. He blew on the hot liquid and sipped it. The violet eyes widened and he almost dropped the cup. "Katsuragi.."
Hyuuga and Katsuragi looked at the silver haired man, surprise in their eyes… had… he…
Ayanami opened his mouth to speak but thought better of it. He quickly searched the desk, grabbing a blank sheet of paper, quickly scribbling down something and pushing it over to Katsuragi.
The man's gray eyes scanned it over quickly, a smile gracing his features. "That's right, Ayanami-sama."
The pale man smiled as well, a soft sigh escaping him. "Carry on then, Katusragi-san. And.. Burn that."
"Yes of course," the older man quickly pocked it what Ayanami had written down taking the empty tray and leaving the room, giving Hyuuga a fairly smug smile. He tapped his own temple with his finger then pointing to himself.
Hyuuga smiled. Ayanami had remembered Katsuragi… thanks to the tea… well it was good tea. It would jog anyone's memory. He sipped his own cup, humming happily.
The door to the office suddenly flew open. A ecstatic blonde bounded into the room. He bowed in apology to the annoyed Chief of Staff. "Hyuuga-sama. I found them!"
"Oh?" Hyuuga said leaping up from his desk. Happy as well. "Aya-tan~ Get up, we have something you'll like!"
Violet eyes narrowed unhappily. Since their fight in the office, Hyuuga had been very strict still about Ayanami taking breaks and leaving on time. And, the silver haired man had been grudgingly tolerable of it all of Hyuuga's demands. He sighed, standing to follow them.
"How'd you do it, Konatsu?"
"It wasn't easy!" The blonde said proudly. "I looked, honestly, everywhere. After all, where would he keep them on missions… and he was knocked out for that week. And… they weren't in his room. And no one really knew what I was talking about, or where one would keep such things,"
"Wow~ Konatsu, sounds like you had a rough time,"
"It wasn't so bad. I found them."
An annoyed huff was heard behind them. "What are you two talking about?"
Hyuuga glanced behind him, beaming at the silver haired man. "Wait and see, Aya-tan!"
The three walked through the halls of the base, just past the training grounds. Where all stopped and saluted the dangerous Blackhawks.
"There they are." Konatsu said proudly. "They've been letting them lounge around a spare training ground.
Ayanami pushed open the gate, Hyuuga, hesitantly following him. Two large black panthers lay in the middle of the training grounds. They glanced up, growling slightly at the people who were invading their space.
Their black ears perked up and they bolted towards the military men.
Hyuuga paled, pushing Konatsu in front of him and backed against the wall. He had been chased by these devil cats enough for one lifetime.
But the large beasts had no interest in anyone but the Chief of staff. They circled his feet, rubbing their large head's against him. Standing on their hind legs, to lick his face, their large paws on his chest.
Konatsu smiled as the soft laugh of the Chief of Staff was heard. The man scratched behind their ears, smiling. "How have you been?' he asked the beasts. Soft purring was his reply as his face was licked again by the large cats.
Hyuuga smiled warmly carefully stepping forward, despite the low growl from the beasts as they watched him carefully.
"Do you remember them?"
Ayanami nodded. "When they jumped up at me… I remembered they are the only creatures that aren't scared of me.." he chuckled again as the beasts nuzzled into the his neck.
Konatsu dared to step a little closer. "What are there names, Ayanami-sama?"
"Mikhail and Raphael," Ayanami said proudly a smirk on his face.
The young blonde laughed slightly at their names.
"The real reason Aya-tan wants the Eye of Mikhail is so he can attach them to the collars of the bests that have the corresponding names. That's his true intention," Hyuuga laughed.
Ayanami hummed softly. "Go get him,"
The cat's barred their fangs at the major quickly leaping at him at the word of their master.
Konatsu almost doubled over in laughter as the major ran for his life.
The panthers refused to leave their masters side. They stayed close by his side as they walked back through the halls. Nuzzling their master's legs, and snapping at Hyuuga's.
"You're cats hate me, Aya-tan," whined the man. "You trained them to hate me."
"They sense that you irritate me. So they respond," Ayanami said coldly, glancing back to the major. Though he smiled as he spoke.
"Maybe because you eat candy all the time, Hyuuga-sama. You smell sweet and tasty," Konatsu said happily, teasing his boss as well.
Hyuuga sighed, walking behind the Chief of Staff, his hands behind his head. But his eyes on the look out. You couldn't be to careful anymore…
As long as Hyuuga stayed close things should be fine. Ayanami liked to stay close these days. If Hyuuga was stopped in the halls. Ayanami stopped too. And Hyuuga stopped when Ayanami was bothered with someone seeking the silver haired man's time.
Faint whispers and rumors, though faint, were quickly spreading. Had Hyuuga been made Ayanami's Beiglieter? Unlike most rumors Hyuuga could see how this one could be seen…. After all. Anyone who was around ten years ago could see they were just about Ayanmi and Yukikaze all over again. It didn't help that Ayanami was quite a bit nicer to him in public these days.
Hyuuga knew this was all from the lack of memories… eventually things would go back to normal.
Ayanami returned to the office but only for a moment to turn in some paperwork, not even bothering to sit at the desk, as Hyuuga would only start yelling.
Hyuuga followed the chief to the his quarters, simply watching out for the man, as always. The panthers purring happily at their masters side.
"Your memories are slowly returning, Aya-tan," Hyuuga mused out loud.
"Mhm," Violet eyes glanced back at the Major.
"Soon things will be back to normal,"
"Do you want them to go back to how things were?" Ayanami asked.
"A little… I like things the way they are now, too." Hyuuga admitted softly. "But, it's selfish to want you to stay this way. Being even more incomplete,"
Ayanami stopped in front of the door to his quarters. "More incomplete..?" He glanced back at Hyuuga, a questioning look in his violet eyes. "You mean…that girl in the flower field..?"
"I think so.." Hyuuga said softly.
Ayanami nodded. "Two sets of memories… that much I have been able to deduce. And cuts that heal instantly… when were at Raggs in that room… I can't explain it…" he sighed at last, lowering his gaze. "But…" Ayanami removed his glove reaching out to carefully brush his fingers along Hyuuga's cheek. "You're so warm… I don't have a speck of heat within my body..so it seems…"
Hyuuga frowned placing his gloved hand on the hand on his cheek. Ignoring the slightly growling panthers. "Aya-tan.." He pulled the Chief of Staff towards him, wrapping his arms tightly around Ayanami. "I'll keep you warm then.."
Fingers gripped Hyuuga's uniform tightly. A soft intake of breath from the Major's words.
"You'll protect me… you'll do this...and that for me…What can I do for you, Hyuuga?"
Oh how he wished at least pure thought had floated through his head. But it all came out twisted. Nothing that he could ask of Ayanami in his current state. He held his Chief tightly. His superior's hot breath against his skin. Waiting for some kind of request… "Nothing Aya-tan… I'm happy to do anything for you,"
Ayanami pulled back slightly both hands on Hyuuga's face now, leaning in closer and closer. Sapphires hidden by black lenses stayed locked onto lidded amethysts. Again… to close… but he couldn't not with Ayanami in this state.
Their noses brushed.
If he chose to indulge… he had to remember that Ayanami wouldn't want him like this when his memories return….
Hot breath against each other's lips.
He should step back again… Ayanami wouldn't want this… they were friends. And yes, Hyuuga loved this man. Dearly. But. Ayanami most likely didn't feel the same.. His broken memories made him think he needed Hyuuga…. Once all the memories were in place once more, Ayanami would see this as a mistake… Hyuuga could not bare to be seen as a mistake… not next to the perfect Yukikaze in Aya-tan's mind.
The Major started to pull back,
Ayanami did not want that, the man's hands moved into dark hair pulling Hyuuga's face towards him, while the Chief stood on his toes. The silver haired man pressed his lips against Hyuuga's.
The major was still for a moment. Soft lips against his own. And then, he couldn't stay still. He devoured the lips against him. Soft, smooth, slightly tea stained lips. He pushed Ayanami against the wall with force. Knocking the man's head against the wall, the panthers growled at this action but they were ignored.
Hyuuga's teeth bit and nipped at Ayanami's lips. Ayanami parted his lips first, and Hyuuga took this as the cue to go devour the inside of Ayanami's mouth. Their tongues battling. Soft moans escaping them both.
Hyuuga pushing his chief against the wall, the man's arms wrapping around Hyuuga's neck. Just pressed against each other. Lost in the sent and taste of each other enjoying this over due moment.
Eventually Hyuuga broke the kiss. Oxygen a much needed element. He panted heavily his hand cupping Ayanami's face. Gloved fingers brushing the faint pink that had made it's way onto his Ayanami's cheek. "Seems certain things warm you up just fine," he teased.
Violet eyes peeked out from under the pale lashes, a familiar icy feeling in them. One that Hyuuga hadn't seen in a while.
"A-Aya-tan…"
A small smile graced the lips of the silver haired man. "Hyuuga.."
"I'm sorry.. I should-"
"This time it was okay…next time.. Let's avoid smacking my head against the wall."
Hyuuga smiled and let out a laugh. Pulling Ayanami to him, holding him tight. "Aya-tan.."
The chief of Staff stayed still, not letting go of Hyuuga. Still processing the flood of memories that had come back to him after that slight bump to the head. It made him dizzy at first, glad that he as being held onto.
"Someone has taken wonderful care of me over these few days."
Hyuuga smiled slightly. "Aya-tan..was so broken.." He pulled back, holding Ayanami's face in his hand. "When you got hit.. I saw all the life die out of your eyes.. They dulled and died… all your blood… that was the worst thing I've ever seen… Aya-tan basically dying before my eyes… And…then…so much you had forgotten, having to watch you relive…his death…"
"I found out something interesting, despite it all," Ayanami said softly.
Hyuuga held his boss tightly, waiting to be pushed away. Savoring these last few moments.. "What is that, Aya-tan?"
Ayanami chuckled softly. "That Hyuuga loves me…and that I don't have to live this life completely in solitude. No matter how incomplete I feel in this body. No matter how many fragments are scattered about this world. The most important piece is right here. And always will be."
Hyuuga held onto his Chief of Staff tighter. "Is this Aya-tan's way, of saying he loves me too?"
He heard the man in his arms huff. "I can just as easily say that, you know."
"Then say it." Hyuuga chuckled, frowning at the panthers circling them. Making sure the Major didn't try anything.
"Words… like love… and like.. Simple words that can never explain the true feelings within."
"That's a touching yet cowardly way of getting out of saying such simple words, as you call them," Hyuuga teased.
"I'd rather not waste anymore time with words." Ayanami huffed, pulling back from the hug to capture Hyuuga's lips again. Hyuuga let his hand run through the soft silver hair. Not wanting to push the subject anymore. This was a lovely moment. Aside from those over grown house cat's nipping at his heels.
"Can your cats stay outside tonight?' whispered Hyuuga against his boss' lips.
"Only if you want to stay outside with them," Violet eyes gleaming in amusement.
"Good to know you're still so cruel to me," Hyuuga whispered back, as they moved closer to the door.
"I think you like it," Ayanami, unlocked his door stepping inside the room, the panthers quickly sprinting in before Hyuuga could take a step in.
"I know I don't like your pets," Hyuuga whined.
"I promise you I wont let them in the bedroom," Ayanami smirked turning away.
For someone who just got ten years of memories back, plus Verloren's memories, Ayanami was surprisingly… lively.. Not that Hyuuga was complaining. He quickly followed his boss.
He'd always follow this man. Wherever the silver haired man lead, he'd always be right behind.
A/N One more chapter to go. Thank you for all the reviews. This story seems to have gone over well, and I know when I was writing it, some parts made me tear up. I like when fics can make me laugh or cry or feel anything. I hope I was able to do the same. Again, thank you for the reviews.