He used the tray to knock on Tezuka's office door, hard enough to cause a noise, but not so hard the tea slopped out the pot.

"Who is it?" Tezuka called from inside.

"Ryoma," Ryoma replied, "I have tea."

"Come in then."

"I can't open the door," Ryoma called back, "I have a tray."

There was a pause and then the door opened, "come in," Tezuka said, standing back to let Ryoma into the room.

Tezuka's office was very simple, a few bookcases and a big desk in the middle of the room, covered in neat piles of paper. Ryoma found a spare spot on the desk and put the tray down. He pulled the tea cosy off the teapot and poured Tezuka a cup of tea.

"Aren't you making one for yourself?" Tezuka asked as he took the tea from Ryoma.

"Do you mind if I stay here?"

"I don't," Tezuka replied, "you're welcome here at any time. I will be working most of the time though," he warned.

"That's fine," Ryoma said, making himself a cup of tea. He wasn't the biggest tea fan, but it was better than leaving. "I'll be quiet when you're working."

"How has your morning been?" Tezuka asked, taking his seat behind the desk. It it had been anyone else Ryoma would have just thought he was asking to be polite. But this was Tezuka, he was asking because he genuinely wanted to know.

"It's been fine," Ryoma replied, sitting in the seat on the opposite side of the desk, "I've been talking to Oishi and Kikumaru."

"I'm glad you're making some friends," Tezuka said, "it can be very lonely by yourself."

"Kikumaru told me how he became a vampire," Ryoma said.

"Oh," Tezuka was silent for a while, "It is very sad what happened to him, and to many others like him. I'm glad he found a home here with us."

"I can't imagine Kikumaru being unhappy," Ryoma admitted, "I know that sounds stupid."

"I agree with you," Tezuka said, "I remember him being very unhappy, but I'm used to him being happy now. I don't want him to go back to the way he was."

"I like him like this too," Ryoma said, "he's annoying, but I don't want him to change."

Tezuka nodded and sipped his tea. "This is very good."

"Oishi helped me," Ryoma admitted, "but I think I can do it myself now."

"Thank you for bringing me tea," Tezuka said.

"I didn't know vampires drank tea."

"We all have to have our own little eccentricities," Tezuka said, a soft smile on his lips.

"There are worse ones than liking tea," Ryoma told him, "you could be into stamp collecting."

"How do you know I'm not?"

Ryoma left half an hour later, a tray full of used tea things in his hands and a happy feeling in his chest. He was glad that he'd taken the others' advice and made Tezuka tea. They hadn't really talked much, but Ryoma felt happy in Tezuka's presence. He knew how being with Tezuka had made him feel in the mountains and he was happy to know that he felt the same now that they were back home.

It was real.

"How did it go?" Kikumaru asked, pouncing on Ryoma when he got back to the kitchen and almost making him drop his tray.

"Fine," Ryoma said nonchalantly, "his office is very empty."

"It helps him think," Fuji said, Ryoma's head shot round to him, he hadn't noticed that he was in the kitchen when he'd come in. But then, it was easy to miss something when you were immediately pounced on by Kikumaru.

"Thanks for the tea advice," Ryoma said, more to Oishi than Fuji.

"I'm glad I could help," Oishi said.

"You wore the wrong clothes though," Fuji said sweetly.

Ryoma glared at him.

"So what did you talk about?" Kikumaru asked.

"Not a lot," Ryoma shrugged, "just about how well I'm settling in."

"That's boring," Kikumaru whined, "you should of talked about romantic things!"

"Like what?" Ryoma asked. Everyone had been talking about 'romance' and 'romantic things', but no one had actually explained what that meant. He knew about roses and romantic dinners for two and showing the other with gifts, but he'd never understood why people did those things. They just weren't things he would ever do. "Is flirting considered romantic?"

"Did you flirt with him?" Kikumaru asked, perking up.

"No," Ryoma said and Kikumaru deflated, "I meant in general."

"As long as you keep it innocent, I guess," Oishi said, unsure of what he was saying.

Fuji laughed, "some un-innocent flirting is really nice."

"With Tezuka?" Oishi asked.

"Well, it would ruffle his feathers a bit," Fuji said, smirking.

"I've already tried," Ryoma said, "he didn't realise I was flirting with him."

Fuji and Kikumaru burst out laughing, "That sounds so like him," Fuji gasped.

"Poor Shorty," Kikumaru said, wiping a tear from his eye, "hang in there, you'll manage it eventually!"

"You should just seduce him," Fuji told Ryoma.

"We've agreed to take it slow," Ryoma replied.

"By his standards or yours?" Fuji asked.

"Probably his."

"You're going to have to compromise then," Fuji said.

It was easy enough for Fuji to say that, but Ryoma didn't know how to compromise about something like this. He didn't want to force Tezuka into something he didn't want to do, but at the same time he couldn't think of a way of getting Tezuka to compromise. Even then, it wasn't like either of them had a length of time that they wanted to wait before they could have sex. Ryoma was just waiting for Tezuka and he couldn't understand what Tezuka was waiting for. It wasn't really about the sex, not really. What they had now couldn't really be classed as a romantic relationship, it was more like friends with…not benefits. They were friends, Ryoma thought, but it was definitely closer to a romantic relationship. It just wasn't. He couldn't sum it up in his mind.

He took Tezuka tea over the next few days. Each time, they'd talk a bit about what they'd done that day and then sat in comfortable silence. Nothing seemed to be changing at all.

It was stupid! They both liked each other, so what was the next move supposed to be?!

Ryoma knew that normal people didn't jump right into bed with each other. But what did normal people do between getting together and having sex for the first time?

Go on dates and get to know each other, Ryoma thought. But he'd been on holiday with Tezuka and… well, he couldn't say he knew Tezuka very well, but he was getting to know him! For some reason, it didn't feel very important, knowing about Tezuka's past wouldn't change who he was now. Anyway, he was trying to get to know Tezuka now! That was what the tea sessions were for. It wasn't his fault Tezuka liked the silence!

He could always give him the necklace.

His mind turned to his mother's necklace in the safe, the one he was supposed to give to his beloved, but he quickly dismissed it. It was too early for that.

Maybe he could ask Tezuka out. It was stupid and they couldn't exactly go anywhere, but it might work.

So, the next day when Ryoma took Tezuka his tea, he asked.

"I'm sorry?" Tezuka asked, looking nonplussed.

"Will you go out with me?" Ryoma repeated, looking defiantly at Tezuka. Daring him to laugh.

"I thought we already were."

"Oh," Ryoma said, feeling stupid.

"But I'm glad it's formal now," Tezuka said, "and thank you very much for the tea."

"It's okay," Ryoma said, "I made it completely by myself today, but Fuji gave me the biscuits," he admitted.

"It's very nice," Tezuka said when he took a sip and Ryoma felt proud of himself.

"Tezuka," Ryoma said after a bit, "You like me, right?"

"I do," Tezuka replied, "very much so."

"And I like you," Ryoma said. "I just wanted to get our feelings out in the open."

"I appreciate you being so straightforward about it."

Ryoma shrugged, "there's no point in being roundabout. It just confuses everyone."

Tezuka nodded, "I'm glad our feelings for each other are reciprocated."

"Yes," Ryoma said, "I'm also letting you know that I want you."

"Want me? As in…" Tezuka looked away and trailed off.

"Sex?" Ryoma asked and Tezuka nodded, "yes. And not because I'm horny, but because I like you."

Tezuka paused for a bit, gazing into his tea, Ryoma gave him time to mull it over, hoping that Tezuka would want the same as him. "Alright," Tezuka said, "I'll prepare myself."

Over the next few days, Ryoma continued to bring Tezuka tea. They still didn't talk very much, preferring to sit in their little silence. But, Ryoma was starting to notice that Tezuka was staring at him at he thought Ryoma wasn't looking. Every time Ryoma caught him, Tezuka would turn slightly red and look away as Ryoma grinned smugly at him.

It was really cute.

Ryoma knocked on the office door with his foot, trying hard to keep the tray level. There was a moments silence and then Tezuka called, "come in."

"Can you open the door?" Ryoma asked.

From inside the room, he heard a chair slide back followed by footsteps and then the door opened revealing a slightly frazzled looking Tezuka.

"I brought you tea," Ryoma said.

"Thank you," Tezuka said, standing back and letting Ryoma in.

Ryoma steadily walked in, trying to keep the teapot and cups for rattling. He avoided the neat piles of paperwork as he put the silver tray down on the desk. He knew he should be used to carrying the tray, but he had something planned for today and he was rather nervous.

"Fuji says you need to take a break," Ryoma relayed the message, "just because you're a vampire doesn't mean you should work yourself to death."
"And do you want me to take a break?"

Ryoma looked for another free space on the desk and found the spot in front of Tezuka's chair. He walked around the desk and sat in the free spot, "I didn't see you yesterday."

Tezuka came back to sit in his chair, contentedly sipping his tea. "I had to go into town."

Ryoma frowned. He was sat in front of Tezuka, wearing his tightest pair of jeans and Tezuka was more interested in his cup of tea! He leaned back slightly, his t-shirt riding up slightly, hoping that the movement would catch Tezuka's attention.

This was getting awkward, but Ryoma didn't want to leave until he had at least kissed Tezuka. He pulled his shirt up a bit more, exposing more pale skin in a way he hoped looked natural.

And still Tezuka didn't look at him.

Ryoma wasn't used to this. Normally he'd just have to look up at his intended partner through his eyelashes and say something vaguely innuendo-y and they'd be having sex with him as soon as they'd found somewhere out of the way.

He wasn't used to just being ignored. The least Tezuka could do was look at him! He glared at Tezuka, who was staring into his tea, apparently deep in thought.

He reached a foot out and rested it on Tezuka's chair, side by side with Tezuka's thigh.

Finally, Tezuka looked up at him, a look of slight confusion on his face. "What are you doing?" he asked and Ryoma almost groaned.

"I'm trying to seduce you," Ryoma replied, smirking as the confusion grew on Tezuka's face. "Like I said I was going to do. Don't tell me no one's tried to before."

"I think Atobe might have," Tezuka said, now looking a bit uncomfortable, "a few hundred years ago."

Ryoma put his other foot up on the chair and pulled it forward, so Tezuka was between his legs. He took Tezuka's cup out of his hand and put it back on the desk. "I guess you have two options: Leave or kiss me."

"Just two?" Tezuka asked, his eyebrow raising.

"Yes. And I know which one I want you to chose."

"I think I can guess," Tezuka said, gently stroking the inside of Ryoma's thigh, making him shudder. "We shouldn't be doing this," he said, his hand stilling, but not leaving Ryoma's leg.

"Why not?" Ryoma huffed, "I want to, you want to. What's wrong with us doing it?"

"Echizen, I forced you into being my mate," Tezuka said, "I can't-"

"You're not forcing me into doing anything!" Ryoma snapped, "I'm here because I want to be here. I really like you, okay?" He was suddenly aware that he was now the one doing the forcing. He didn't want to do this if Tezuka was unwilling in some way, it would ruin it. "I'll go," He said, making to push himself off the desk, but found Tezuka holding him on place.

"Please don't leave," Tezuka said, sliding his hands off Ryoma's legs, to give him the option of leaving if he really wanted to.

"Can you at least kiss me again?"

Tezuka chuckled, "I can do that."

He stood up, his hands moving to Ryoma's shoulders, sliding them down his arms as he kissed Ryoma's lips sweetly. It was as good as the one on the mountain. Ryoma wrapped his arms around Tezuka's neck, trying to keep the kiss going as long as possible. Neither of them tried to deepen it, both content with the gentle press of their lips against each other.

Tezuka pressed a soft kiss against the tip of Ryoma's nose when they broke apart.

"I read that vampire bites feel good," Ryoma said just before taking another kiss from Tezuka.

"I'm not biting you unless you're sure you want me to do it," Tezuka said sternly.

"I trust you not to take too much blood," Ryoma said.

"You're serious."

"I want to know what it feels like."

"Promise me you'll tell me when you want to stop," Tezuka said, "as soon as you feel you want to stop."

"Promise."

"Where would you like to be bitten?"

Ryoma thought about it for a moment and then offered Tezuka his wrist. "Is this okay?"

"It's perfect," Tezuka said, kissing the soft skin on Ryoma's wrist. He sat back down in his seat, carefully holding Ryoma's arm like it was a priceless piece of art. "This will hurt at the start," he warned as he started to lick and kiss Ryoma's wrist.

Ryoma nodded and Tezuka let go of his arm with one hand and slipped it into Ryoma's free one.

"You're very sure about this?"

"Yes!" Ryoma assured him, "I've already donated blood to you once, this is just a more direct method."

Tezuka didn't look too convinced by his bravado, seeing as he could feel Ryoma's pulse increase, but could see how serious he was about this.

"I'm going to bite you now, are you ready?"

"Yes," Ryoma replied. He saw Tezuka's canine teeth grow and sharpen before he squeezed his eyes shut. Tezuka squeezed his hand and then he felt the sharp pain of two needle like teeth breaking through his skin and sink into his wrist.

He heard himself whimper and Tezuka squeezed his hand reassuringly again.

"Hurts," he managed to say, biting his lip hard to try and distract himself.

And then the pressure of the teeth lessened slightly and Tezuka began to suck.

All pain disappeared almost instantly to be replaced by the most exquisite pleasure. He gasped, his heart beat raising and his breath coming in pants. His tightest jeans were now too tight and with one hand holding Tezuka's and the other attached to the wrist that was being sucked at he could only rock his hips back and forth uselessly, trying to find some stimulation.

He cracked his eyes open slightly and saw Tezuka looking up at him, his irises scarlet and his pupils now thin slits like a cats.

"Tezuka," Ryoma moaned, realising he must look like a needy mess.

And then, in an instant, Ryoma was pulled into Tezuka's lap. It took him a second to realise what had happened and then he immediately threaded his newly free hand into Tezuka's hair and started to kiss every part of Tezuka his lips could reach, before settling near the vampire's ear, panting and moaning as his erection finally found the friction it needed as he thrust his hips against Tezuka's hip.

Tezuka continued to suck at Ryoma wrist, moaning softly against it every time Ryoma nipped at his ear. A few minutes later, he slowly let go of Ryoma's wrist, lapping up the blood that seeped out of the two holes. He reached into one of the desk drawers and pulled out a first aid kit. He pressed a cotton wool pad against the holes and then wrapped a bandage around it to hold it in place.

Ryoma watched with a cross between fascination and frustration. He was touched by Tezuka's care, but it wasn't doing anything to help his erection. He thrust his hips against Tezuka and moaned, just to remind him.

"Be patient," Tezuka told him.

Ryoma whined and made do with nibbling Tezuka's ear. The bite had felt good. No, better than good. It had been amazing. He wondered how good it feel to be bitten during sex, whist Tezuka thrust roughly into him.

A pair of lips appeared on his own and Ryoma moaned as Tezuka kissed him deeply, he'd washed his mouth out with tea before kissing Ryoma, but he could still taste the coppery tang of blood in Tezuka's mouth.

Finally, Tezuka's hand started to knead his erection through his jeans.

"Is this okay?" Tezuka asked.

"Yes," Ryoma panted, "need more though."

Tezuka kissed the tip of his nose again, "I think you managed to seduce me."

"I'm too irresistible," Ryoma managed to say, his words catching in his throat. "Fuck me."

Tezuka shook his head, "not here, not now. I want the first time to be-"

"Special?" Ryoma cut in, Tezuka nodded. "So do I."

"Doing it over my desk doesn't scream 'making love'."

Ryoma laughed and then gasped when Tezuka squeezed him. He moaned Tezuka's name again, he was so close, but this wasn't going to be enough to get him off.

"What do you want to do?" Tezuka asked and Ryoma thought for a second that he was just asking to make him beg, but then saw the look in Tezuka's eyes. It was a genuine question.

"I dunno, get me off with your hands or your mouth or something," Ryoma replied, "anything as long as it's you."

Tezuka kissed him, biting on his bottom lip gently.

And then, Ryoma was back sitting on the table. Later, he'd be embarrassed about how easily Tezuka could pick him up and move him, but right now Tezuka was kissing him and he was knotting his fingers into Tezuka's hair, keeping the kiss as long and deep as possible. Ryoma gasped as Tezuka cupped his erection again.

"Hang on," Ryoma gasped, his hands untangling from Tezuka's hair and starting to fumble with his belt.

"Your trousers are very tight," Tezuka commented, "I'll do that for you."

Ryoma grinned, "okay," he said and started to run his fingers through Tezuka's hair again, "but hurry up."

Tezuka kissed the tip of his nose, "you should learn to be patient."

"That's hard when you've got me turned on and aren't doing anything about it," Ryoma said, mouthing at Tezuka's chin, "hurry," he caught Tezuka's lower lip between his own and sucked on it, "up."

Tezuka undid Ryoma's belt and fly, and wormed his hand into Ryoma's underwear. Ryoma gasped and moaned as Tezuka's hand wrapped around his erection, the other pushing down his underwear and jeans and releasing it into the cold air.

Tezuka's had slid up and down slowly, nowhere near fast enough for Ryoma.
Maybe Tezuka was secretly a sadist.

"Tezuka," he whined, "faster."

"I thought I told you to be patient."

"It's hard to be when -ah- you have my dick in your hand," Ryoma snapped, the effect ruined slightly by Tezuka squeezing his erection and making him gasp and moan.

"I'm enjoying looking at you like this," Tezuka admitted.

"You can be a pervert after I've come!"

"Sorry," Tezuka said, kissing his forehead and increased the speed of his hand.
Ryoma's head dropped onto Tezuka's shoulder as his body was consumed with pleasure.

It was over quickly, Ryoma coming into Tezuka's hand, clinging tightly to his shoulders through his orgasm.

"Echizen," Tezuka said softly, pulling Ryoma close and hugging him, "you're wonderful."

"You're not bad yourself," Ryoma panted, "do you need-"

"I'm fine," Tezuka told him.

"Really?" Ryoma asked, "I can do something about that."

"I have work to do, Echizen," Tezuka said, "You can repay the favour next time, if you would like to."

"Of course," Ryoma said, "and there's definitely going to be a next time."

"Yes," Tezuka said, "definitely."

Ryoma left the office in a happy little bubble. Tezuka saying there would definitely be a next time, that their relationship was real, had sparked all kinds of happiness inside him. Not to mention Tezuka jerking him off.

He was very happy indeed.

He went back to his room and picked up Karupin, hugging him tight. Karupin mewled and struggled out of his grasp, not wanting to be hugged at that time.

Not even being rejected by his pet could dent his happiness.

He lay back on his bed and sighed happily.

Was this what love felt like? He supposed it must, he'd never felt like this before. He hadn't even believed that someone could feel like this.

And yet, here he was, Echizen Ryoma, Prince of Ensinkil, lying around on his bed like a lovesick fool.

He decided that this was not something he wanted to do and got to his feet and left the room.

After wandering around the castle for a while, Ryoma went to the library. He had realised he'd been automatically walking to Tezuka's office, so changed course at the last second. And now, he was surrounded by thousands of books, all happy to distract him.

After perusing the shelves for a while, Ryoma decided to just grab a book at random. If it was rubbish, he could just change it.

He sat down and opened the book. On the cover page was the message:

'To Tezuka,
From Atobe.'

written in absurdly curly handwriting.

Ryoma rolled his eyes and sighed. Clearly, the universe didn't want him to forget about Tezuka for even a second.

To his slight annoyance, the books was really good. A fictionalised story set in the ancient vampire court. But Atobe had given it to Tezuka, so he'd been hoping that it was rubbish.

He was getting really getting into the story, various vampires were all vying for the king's favour, each sympathetic yet? villainous in their own ways, when there was a knock at the door.

He looked up and saw Fuji, who was looking deadly serious.

A lead weight fell in his stomach and his bubble of happiness deflated quickly. It felt like a bucket of cold water had been thrown over his head.

"There you are," Fuji said, looking relieved, "we need you."