NOTES: Weirdness. Sweet, but not your typical romance fic. Analytical conversation. Akaya x Yanagi. Yanagi POV.

Please enjoy slowly for full effect.

Crimson

When they sat down to study together in his room, Akaya presented him with an item, a red ornate silk pouch.

He accepted the item with a small smile of gratitude. It was characteristic of the other to give him small gifts from time to time as demonstration of his affection during their relationship. He was used to it.

When he opened the pouch, he carefully extracted its contents. The object revealed itself to him.

It was a red coral mala (1), accentuated with clear quartz crystal markers, completed with a red tassel.

Once he had eyes upon such an item, he found himself attracted as he became completely absorbed in silent admiration.

The coil of beads was stunning.

"Red, the color of fervent passion." He analyzed its color composition. Finally able to tear his gaze away, he looked back to the other, amused. "Will you enlighten me, Akaya? What were your thoughts when you made such a purchase? Was there a link that you established between this item and I?"

"You might not relate well to this color, Yanagi-senpai. The colors that suit you better must be white, or blue, for your peace."

His kouhai stopped talking momentarily, the hazy and distant look in his eyes gave Renji the evidence that the other was searching for the right combination of words to continue their conversation.

The other was a deep person in his own way. Kirihara Akaya was not just about playing video games or failing English exams. Kirihara Akaya had his own way of analyzing things and synthesizing new information.

Renji knew, for it was the other's own individual genius that attracted him and persuaded him to establish a romantic relationship with the other.

"Actually, it wasn't really about you." Akaya finally admitted. "It was really about my secret wish to paint you with my color."

"Hm… Is that so?" His hands went to undo the buttons of his white shirt. He pulled the material back to reveal his neck and chest. "The color of the marks that you left on my skin was much like the color of this mala, was it not?"

Red, like the coral beads.

Red, like the other's name.

Red, like the other's color.

Yet, the other shook his head.

"It's different, Yanagi-senpai."

Akaya's hand reached out. The tips of his fingers ran along each kiss mark on his skin as if tracing a path on an opened map.

"When I first made these marks, they were the color that intended for them to be. But over time, they became purple then blue, then, they faded until they were the color of your skin again. You never kept the color that I gave you in the beginning."

The corner of his lips curved up at an angle of irony. Renji confirmed, "Passion eventually fades to serenity, and serenity to apathy. That is what you mean?"

"That's why, I wanted to give you something that will hold my color."

The loneliness tinged his voice, lingering even as he trailed off.

Renji decided to play the devil's advocate still, even when it meant he was attacking the other at his state of vulnerability.

"But, you must know, Akaya, that nothing is permanent. The red coral mala that you are giving me today may someday fade away to orange, to pink, and ultimately be as white as crystal quartz. Before the arrival of that day, can you not say that the color you claim to be yours will inevitably surrender itself to the same transformation as well?"

Frowning, the other sulked.

"…Just because you're all analytical doesn't mean you can confuse me, Yanagi-senpai."

Amused, Renji continued unhurriedly.

"You say that my most fitting colors are white and blue. But, did you know that red is my secret color?

My calm and logic are not valid evidence to prove that I do not have something that I am secretly passionate about.

Similarly, your usual abundance of energy and passion cannot give one the excuse to overlook your moments of tranquility and reflection when defining the wholeness of your character. It is because of those rare moments that we are able to hold such a conversation now."

"Then, Yanagi-senpai. Since you already know so much about me, won't you tell me what you're passionate about?"

A sincere request.

Seeing the determination in the other's eyes lifted Renji's lips. It was at an angle of temptation.

"What do you think, Akaya?" His fingers curled around the strand of mala as he lifted it to his lips. It appeared as if he was feasting on the crimson essence of life. "Even when the color that you paint onto my skin continues to change and fade away, you still would have to continue paining, do you not?"

The other's eyes widened in surprise.

"Yanagi-senpai…"

"It is the only way." The look in his eyes enticed the other when he revealed his amber depths to him.

Slowly, the other's surprise sank, and one corner of his lips rose devilishly.

At the same time, he detected a ruby glint in the other's emerald depths. When the other blinked again, the contrast was gone.

"Of course, senpai."

Then, Akaya reached out to pull the mala from Renji's lips and leaned in offering his lips instead.

Explanation:

(1) mala - strand of beads used in meditation; prayer beads, basically. The one that I am referring to is this one:
http:(slash)(slash) www (dot) buddhistmala (dot) com (slash) store (slash)red_coral_mala (dot) html

This is very much another "mess with your head" piece. I think that when Akaya is under Yanagi's influence, he can be all deep and analytical too...