((AN: More reviews and views! Yaaaay! :D Thank you guys for reading. This chapter was easy to write with all the support. I really appreciate it. c': ))

I stepped on the cracked cement steps of my doorstep. As expected, Rat was waiting on the sidewalk, hands on his hips.

"Jeez, took you long enough." Rat grinned. His smile was so white and handsome, you wouldn't expect him to be such a sarcastic asshole.

"Not really." His smile was contagious. "So where are we going?"

"I already told you. We're going on an adventure." He started walking in the direction of downtown. His smile faded into a cocky smirk as I followed him like a lost puppy.

"So we're going downtown..?" I asked, matching his casual pace.

"Maybe."

"Why? There isn't anything to do there this late at night."

"Oh? And how do you know that?" He cornered me with his words. Truth is, I didn't know. I just assumed.

"Well it's late…"

"So?"

"I dunno. People should be sleeping, not 'going on adventures'..." I glanced over at Rat and his happy mood faltered.

"People with nowhere to go tend to go on adventures a lot…" He mumbled quietly. I decided to shut up then. I guess I shouldn't complain. I have a place to come home to. It's not the best, but there's still a roof over my head. We walked for a while longer before I opened my mouth again.

"... So you go on a lot of adventures?"

"You could say that." He smiled. "It's a pretty optimistic way to say it anyway."

"Of course you'd think your ideas are the best."

"Duh." He chuckled.

We continued laughing and talking down the sidewalk and before we knew it, we were in front of an old abandoned two-story building in downtown. I've passed this building before, but never paid much attention to it. Rat walked up the steps to the huge wooden doors. I stared at the ancient place, it had to be at least a century old!

"Come on, boy. Let's go." Rat tapped on the wooden doors as he looked back at me. I glared in his direction. He whistled as if I were a dog. I crossed my arms. "Are you sure we're allowed in here?"

Rat rolled his eyes. "You don't trust me? That hurts, Shion." He dramatically swayed his arms, his hands landing folded across his chest. I closed my eyes and heaved a sigh.

"Alright alright, I'll go in."

Rat grinned at me. He perked up quick... "Then let's go."

He pushed a wooden door and held it open, gesturing for me to enter. "After you, princess."

I ignored the comment and climbed the steps. Hesitantly, I entered. After all, I didn't know what was in here; the inside was pitch black. I heard a click from behind me and whipped around. Rat's face was illuminated by a small fire. "You're a bit jumpy."

He walked around me and held the lighter half of an arm's length away from him. He offered his free hand to me.

I grasped it and he guided me forward. His hands were very warm... "Watch your step, there are stairs here."

He lowered the lighter so I could see where I was stepping.

We walked up the staircase slowly, I took careful steps. For an older building, the stairs were in pretty good shape. We walked up about half a flight before we hit a square of flat ground. We walked to the right and up another half a flight to the actual top of the stairs.

"Alright, no more stairs." Rat sighed. "That only took a year."

"Shut up." I responded, smiling.

He pulled his hand back, and I slowly loosened my grip. To be honest, I didn't want to let go. It was dark and holding Rat's hand comforted me.

"What's the matter? Scared of the dark?" I could hear him smirk.

"... No." I lied. He looked back at me and his expression changed to something I couldn't put my finger on. I never did like the dark. It reminded me of bad memories with my foster father. That's why I was glad my bed was near the window; the moonlight always shone in.

"Hey, it's okay…" I avoided eye contact and stared into the dark void. I felt like a stupid little kid.

Rat brushed the bangs out of my face. "Shion… Look at me." His tone was serious.

I looked up, his eyes were full of concern. They were pulling me in again. It's almost as if his eyes had their own gravitational pull. They pulled me closer and closer until I felt our lips touch. It was only for a moment, but that touch snapped me out of my trance. Rat's eyes were so large it looked like they could pop out of his head any second. I covered my mouth with my hands. My lips felt numb. Rat blinked dumbly. He lifted a finger to his lips and his eyebrows creased.

"Uh…" Rat started.

My face felt hot. "I'm so sorry!" I clenched my eyes shut and shook my head. If I could just fall through the floor that'd be perfect right now. Almost if on cue the floorboards creaked, but it wasn't under me, it sounded like it came from the stairs. My eyes snapped open and it was pitch black again as if I hadn't opened them at all. I extended my arms out in front of me, feeling for something, anything.

"R-Rat?"

"Sh-" A harsh whisper came from in front of me. "Be quiet."

I nodded my head, even if he couldn't see me. I felt a warm palm gently grip my wrist. "Follow."

I let myself be pulled in random directions. I never knew how important sight was to me until it was gone. I also realised how much I actually trusted Rat. My eyes started to adjust, ahead of us was a doorway illuminated by moonlight. Rat guided us there then let go of my hand. He closed the door behind us.

"You can sit down wherever, if you want."

He turned the lock on the door and shoved his hands in his pockets. He leaned against the door and stared up at the ceiling. He looked like he was thinking… I sat on a box near the only window in the small room. The only furniture in here was what looked like a grand piano covered by a sheet, a bookshelf, a few boxes and a blanket. Was this Rat's "home"? I thought he said he was homeless?

I glanced back up at Rat. He looked worried. Then I remembered our kiss.

My face burned again. The sudden sneaking around kinda scared the embarrassment away, but it suddenly hit me full force. His lips were so soft and it felt right… I mean, I know I've thought Rat was really attractive and I cared about him but I didn't think I actually liked him like that. Do I like him more than a friend? My heart started beating faster, it was hammering inside my chest. I looked at Rat. I couldn't read his expression. My hands felt clammy, I was nervous. What was he thinking?

"Shion," He breathed a big sigh. "Shion, I don't know what that kiss meant to you, but it's best you don't get attached to me."

My chest ached. "W-What? Why?"

I felt those monochrome eyes pierce me. He held an icy stare. "I'm only going to hurt you in the end, Shion. In fact, we probably shouldn't even be hanging out like this-"

"Why?! Why are you giving me excuses?!" I stood and clenched my fists.

He narrowed his eyes. "I'm being honest-"

"You're being stupid!"

Suddenly he was inches from me. Rat slammed his hands against the wall behind me.

"Don't fucking interrupt me, Shion!" Rat snarled angrily. He grit his teeth. I shrunk in place, I felt so small the way he was towering over me. My face crinkled as I tried to hold back tears.

"I-I…"

"Forget it." Rat backed off. He stomped across the room, unlocked the door and walked out. He slammed the door behind him so hard it felt like the whole house shook. I slid down the wall and onto the floor. The flood broke through. I curled up and sobbed.

"I-I like you…" I held my knees close to my body and hid my face in my arms.

"I like you a lot, Rat…"