Title: Aftershocks

Disclaimer: I wish the boys were mine, but they're not! I borrowed the characters from Takanaga-sensei

Warning: Language, mature situations, and a little OOC behavior from Souichi towards the end; honestly it was the only way I came up with to make the chapter work!

Chapter 6

Souichi was the first to wake the next morning. Morinaga had him clasped to his chest, a blissful smile on his face. 'Wonder what he's dreaming about,' he thought, sourly. 'The way he looks, it's probably to do with bedding me! What a pervert.' He pulled away just enough to prop himself up on an elbow and continued to stare at his lover, 'It's ridiculous for a man to have such long eyelashes,' he took inventory, really taking the time to see him for once. 'He's taller and bulkier than me…ugh! In a real fight I could never win…. He's toned, too; I guess from all that walking. Beautiful eyes, nice smile, good teeth….' He started silently laughing at himself. 'I sound like I'm assessing a horse for stud.'

He gasped when he realized what he'd just thought. 'What am I doing? I need a shower!' and he started to disengage himself from Morinaga. The younger man had other ideas and tightened his hold on Souichi. "Oi! Morinaga, you idiot, let me go!" he squeaked.

Tetsuhiro woke up with a start and let go. Souichi backed away and got out of bed. "Please try not to crush my ribs when you're asleep!"

"Ah, I'm sorry; I thought you were a pillow," he replied drowsily.

"Well watch it next time or this 'pillow' will deck you!"

Morinaga chuckled at the mental image this conjured. "It'd be worth it to have you in my arms a bit longer." He grinned and enjoyed the view of Souichi dropping both the sheet and his jaw. The blonde was speechless as he scrambled to pull himself together and cover up again. He was both pissed and mystified. He just didn't get this guy!

Souichi shook his head, "It's at times like this I wonder whether or not you're a masochist."

"If I were, you'd be the top!" Tetsuhiro replied impishly, his green eyes flashing. He was thoroughly enjoying this conversation.

"If I was the top, we'd have never begun!" Souichi gasped, flabbergasted.

"Then it's a good thing I'm not a masochist!" the younger man winked.

Suddenly Souichi flushed to the roots of his hair as a thought occurred to him. He turned his head away and muttered to himself. Tetsuhiro didn't catch it and asked, "What's that Sempai?"

Souichi frowned and said, "Never mind," while trying to get away from his kouhai.

Of course the dark-haired man wasn't about to let it go, "Aw, come on; don't be like that! I didn't hear you and I'd like to know what you're thinking."

Souichi was pissed again, "Fine! I was wondering if you'd be ok with being the bottom! There! Are you happy now, you moron!" He was turning even redder as he said this and it took a minute for all the implications to hit Tetsuhiro. When it finally dawned on him what the older man was saying he almost outdid Souichi in the blushing department.

"Umm…" he swallowed, hard, "w-would you really want to top me?" he asked in a tight voice.

"Yes…no…well…I'm just asking! If it's such a hardship, never mind!" He tried to stomp off but Morinaga wouldn't let him.

He took the fidgeting man into his arms and whispered in his ear, "I'd let you do anything to me you wanted – outside of hospitalization that is." He looked into his lovers eyes as he licked his lips, "Any time you want me just let me know."

Souichi smacked him and finally managed to wriggle away. Panting, he huffed, "How can you always say such embarrassing things without even hesitating!? You're so annoying!" and with that he stomped off to the bathroom.

Morinaga rubbed his jaw, smiled and started changing the bed, humming happily to himself.

Souichi heard him as he started his shower. 'Shit! Why did I say that!? It's not like I actually want to…' a picture rose up in front of him of Morinaga naked, aroused, and wanting; waiting for him to enter, to take him. His eyes clouded at the thought, 'Damn, I'm getting turned on! Shit, that bastard; just look at what he's done to me!' Yet once again Souichi decided it was all Morinaga's fault.

Souichi was irritated. He kept thumping around the lab and dropping things. They'd already had to clean up three messes and what little patience he had left was quickly evaporating. Sawanoi was completely fed up with the big idiot and was trying to get him to talk, but he was being stubborn; she wondered if he'd had a fight with his roommate. CRASH!

"Oh good grief, Senpai; if you can't keep ahold of the slides, just go home already!" she threw up her hands and grabbed the broom…again!

"Ahh, what's wrong with me today!" he was just as fed up as his assistant and pissed off to boot. He sat down at his desk with his head in his hands and pulled on his hair in frustration. "I can't concentrate!"

Nagomi sighed and sat next to Souichi, "So what's eating you, Senpai? This isn't like you."

He sighed and muttered, "I don't know…." He removed his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose, "I have a massive headache, which might be part of the problem."

"Ok, so what's the rest?" she stood up and started massaging his shoulders. He jumped a little but she was persistent since he was so stiff; he needed to relax before he destroyed the lab. "Is the problem with your roommate? Did you two have a fight?"

"No, a fight would be easier to deal with. Things are going really well right now and it's driving me crazy!" He started to relax and turned to glare at his assistant.

"Ok… that doesn't make sense Senpai!" she glared right back and kept massaging.

"I know, I'm very well aware of that and it's driving me nuts! I can't explain it to myself much less anyone else," he sighed in frustration.

Sawanoi thought a minute, "Are you afraid to be happy, Senpai?" she asked softly.

He stiffened, then shrugged and slumped into his chair. She continued with her massage and thought about what he'd said. "Is your roommate in town this week?" she asked.

He nodded and replied, "He's busy today catching up his assignments and reports."

"Ok, then let me take you to lunch! We both need some fresh air and I'm a good listener if you decide you want to talk," she smiled and held out her hand to the older man. He grimaced and let her pull him out of his chair.

"I hope you know what you're letting yourself in for," he muttered as they left for the cafeteria.

After they got their food, they found a quiet spot and sat down. They ate silently for a little while until Souichi sighed.

Nagomi decided to try the direct approach, "What's wrong Senpai; if you're not fighting and everything's going well, what's eating you?"

He looked at her blankly for a moment. Slowly the whole story started spilling out. He acted like it was being ripped from him; it was as if he just couldn't hold it in any longer. He ended with, "I've known him for almost four years now and I trust him with my life. It took me a year to come to terms with the fact that I want our relationship as much as he does. I…I don't know where to go from here. I'm turning into someone I don't recognize anymore."

"You're just scared. I think it's natural under the circumstances. I'm amazed (and flattered) you've been this honest with me," she covered his hand with hers and patted it as she smiled.

He shook his head and grumbled, "Beats me why I did, but you're a good listener and you didn't freak out, just accepted the situation as normal. I trust that you can keep this to yourself," that came with a rather frightening glare. She just grinned back, and he shook his head again, "Besides, if I hadn't spilt it, I think I'd have exploded. It's a relief to talk to someone who's neutral, who doesn't have an axe to grind. Thanks," the last part was said rather reluctantly, and so softly she almost missed it.

"So, where do you go from here, Senpai? It sounds like you want to live the rest of your life with him and from what you've said, he obviously feels the same. At this point it should be smooth sailing and you two acting all lovey-dovey, right?" she couldn't quite imagine that scenario!

"Lovey-dovey!? Blech! Why should we act that way?" he was completely shocked at the suggestion.

She laughed, "Isn't that what people in love do?"

"But is it love!?" his voice broke. "I don't know; that's what's killing me! It's not fair to him either, that I'm so wishy-washy about all this."

Sawanoi's mouth fell open, "You don't know? How could you not know?"

"I've never felt this way before! I thought I was in love once, but this is nothing like that. I…I just don't know!" his voice cracked and he thumped his head on the edge of the table in frustration.

'Ah Senpai, how blind can you be,' she thought while he pulled himself back together. Aloud she said, "I see; what would it take for you to figure it out; Morinaga-san fighting for his life in a hospital?"

"Bite your tongue, woman!" he whispered, going pale. "Don't even joke about that," he said faintly.

"Senpai, I think you have your answer. Just accept it already," she smiled a bit impatiently.

His eyes widened as he thought it over and he started to blush furiously. "You may be right…But it can't be, can it?"

Souichi and Nagomi were so focused on their conversation and the ensuing results they didn't notice they were being watched.