Two days later Aoi was trying to convince Kai that he would be fine on his own. Kai and Reita hadn't left his side since they had burst into his bedroom the other day. Well other than when Kai had talked to Uruha, gotten some groceries and gotten him a new door. They had gone so far as to sleep on either side of him at night. Good thing he had a large bed. As much as he apprieciated everything they had done, he really needed some time alone now. In the end it was Reita who persuaded the drummer it was time to go home. Aoi was pretty sure he didn't want to know what the blonde had whispered in his lovers ear. Kai's eyes had gone dark as he said they'd leave after breakfast was cleaned up. The bassist had winked at Aoi with a smirk on his face. As the couple was preparing to leave there was a hesitant knock at the door. Kai looked out the newly installed peep hole and growled when he saw Uruha. He waved the other two men away before opening the door. He crossed his arms as he filled the entrance blocking the taller man.
"What the hell do you think you're doing here," Kai snarled.
"Kai, uh, I just wanted to talk to Aoi. Apologize to him and see how he's doing, you know?" Uruha answered without quite meeting the band leaders eyes. Kai looked over his shoulder to Aoi for approval before stepping aside to allow the other guitarist in. He grinned when he saw how stiffly the taller man was moving. He took Reita into the kitchen with him and poured another cup of coffee. Looked like they'd be staying a little longer after all. "Keep your damned hands to yourself," he warned Uruha.
As the two guitarists sat at the table Uruha placed something brown and fluffy in front of the surprised raven. He had been hiding it behind his back since Kai had opened the door. Seeing the look on Aoi's face made him wonder if maybe he should have just passed on buying him anything as an apology.
"Are you kidding me? A stuffed cat?"
"Sorry. I thought that flowers or chocolate were a little girly."
"But a cat?"
"It reminded me of you."
"Seriously? What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Aoi asked defensively.
"See, just like that. You get angry and you're all bristly like a cat ready to strike. You have this fluid kind of walk like a cat too. Like all eyes are on you and you know it. You bask in the fans adoration like a cat in a sunbeam, just lapping it up. I've even heard you purr a few times."
"I do not purr," he said indignantly.
"Sure you do," he reached out a hand towards the dark haired guitarist but stopped when he heard Kai growl from the kitchen. Whoops.
"Whatever," Aoi dismissed. "Look, I wanted to apologize to you. I really am sorry about what I did to you. I don't know what I was thinking. I can't even remember doing those things. I won't ask you to forgive me. I just hope that we can find a way to work through this. I don't want to be the reason that the Gazette ends. Just think about it alright?"
"Fine. If that's all..."
"Yeah. I really can't tell you how sorry I am. Thank you for at least hearing me out." He absently reached out again to brush his hand over the ravens cheek. His hand was pulled away as Kai snarled and dragged him to his feet. The drummer twisted his arm behind his back and led him to the door. Reita gave him a small smile of apology as he opened the door for Kai and Uruha was shoved out.
Shortly after that Kai and Reita finally left and the raven sat at the table in his quiet apartment looking at the damned plushie in front of him. So when Uruha had called him kitty it hadn't been an insult? He looked at the cat's face and noticed that it was kind of cute. Did that mean that Uru thought he was cute? He picked the toy up and carried it to the couch with him. The fur was surprisingly soft and the cat itself was stuffed just right for squeezing. He found himself hugging the stupid thing to him as he watched whatever movie was playing on the television. Did he really just purr?
Over the next week Aoi thought about what had happened and debated whether or not he'd be able to face seeing Uruha regularly. He didn't want this to be the end of the Gazette. He really loved what they were doing and as a whole the band was his life. When Kai called to see if he was up for the band dinner that they had postponed he agreed. This would be a test for Uruha and him he decided. If they could make it through dinner without incident maybe they could get past this.
Aoi arrived early the next night for dinner only to find out that Uruha had obviously had the same idea. He almost turned around and left as he saw the taller guitarist. Instead he took a deep breathe and willed himself to keep going. It was only a few flights of stairs until they reached Kai and Reita's apartment. "Hey Aoi," Uruha said as they reached the stairwell. "Hey."
"Ano, why don't I go up first? That way you can see," he offered.
"Sure, I guess."
"So, you doing alright?" he asked as he started up the steps.
"Excuse me?"
"Please tell me I didn't permanently injure you or anything."
"Pysically, yeah I'll be alright," he admitted grudgingly.
"Good. Dammit, Aoi," he stopped and turned around at the landing. "Look, I can't take back what I did. We both know that. It's just I can't tell you how sorry I am. I can't even remember it and it's not right that you're never going to be able to forget it."
"I really don't want to talk about this. Can we just go and get this over with?"
"Yeah, sure." They finished walking up to the apartment in silence.
Kai opened the door and gave them a curious look when he saw them together. "We got here at the same time. Don't worry, I kept my hands to myself the entire time," Uruha offered holding up his hands.
"You alright then Aoi?" Kai asked for confirmation.
"I'm fine. We just talked Kai."
"Then come on in guys. Dinner is just about ready."
Uruha joined the bassist on the couch and they talked about video games. Aoi followed Kai into the kitchen and offered to help set the table. Before long Ruki arrived they sat down to eat. During the meal it was Ruki who managed to keep conversation moving. He was the only one there that didn't know about what happened between the two guitarists. When they had finished eating Uruha was the first one to leave saying he had something to take care of. Ruki left shortly afterwards and Kai cornered the remaining guitarist. He wanted to make sure that nothing had happened before he arrived. It took several minutes on the guitarists part to satisfy the band leader fully. Aoi arrived home feeling good about how the evening had gone. It had been difficult to face the other guitarist at first but as long as the rest of the band was around they should be alright. Then he got to his front door and saw that Uruha was waiting for him.
"Why are you here?" he demanded. "Honestly? I'm not really sure."
"So are you going to start stalking me now?"
"No. I really don't need another visit from leader-sama. Just one thing I guess, then I swear I'll go," he said stepping closer to the raven.
"What?" he asked nervously.
"Relax. I'm stone cold sober. Just this one thing," he repeated as he leaned in and placed their lips together. He kept the kiss light, nothing touching but their lips. His mouth slid slowly across the others, pressing gentle kisses over the full, pouty lips. When the elder sighed into the kiss he took the chance and deepened the kiss. His tongue darted into the ravens mouth and swept over teeth and tongue in a sweet invasion. He broke the searing kiss only when he felt the intense need for oxygen. As he sucked in deep breathes he dropped feather light kisses against Aoi's still parted lips. Finally he stepped back and smiled at the shorter guitarist. He stuck his hands in his pockets to better resist hauling the other into his arms and kissing him again. He turned on his heel and started walking away, still smiling.
"Hey," Aoi called after him, slightly breathless. "Wasn't there something you wanted?"
"Yeah. That was it. To remember kissing you," and he was out of sight.