And this chapter is the last. Really, nothing else to say—just yet.

Grow Up

Ryou woke to a warmth against his back and a heavy weight causing the mattress to dip behind him. It took several moments for him to achieve full consciousness, during which he went from sleepy content to alarm, as an arm snaked its way around his chest.

"What the hell?!" he shrieked, pushing himself up and away from the intruder in his bed. He was only slightly surprised to see Indou lying propped on his elbow, looking abashed but mostly disappointed.

A long, painful silence stretched between them, with Ryou running the gamut of odd facial expressions.

Finally Indou spoke, his voice oddly normal and unconcerned. "I got your email," he said. Ryou's thoughts swam frantically for a moment before the events of the day came rushing back at him.

"Oh. …Oh. That email. Yeah, well, I mean, Shino was talking about you today and she said…" He stopped, forgetting what he was going to say. Indou had swung off the bed and stepped way too far into his personal space…

"It said everything that needs to be said…by you, in any case." Indou's tone was quiet and calm as usual, but he was standing not five or six centimeters from Ryou, who squirmed at the feeling of body heat radiating onto him. He didn't step away though; Indou's level gaze locked him in place.

"I'm sorry I wasn't more direct. I thought my feelings were clear, but apparently they weren't. Let me apologize and clarify things for you." Ryou sensed the change in Indou's demeanor a moment before being drawn into his embrace. He grunted in surprise, but still couldn't find it in him to move. Strong arms wove around him slowly and deliberately, pulling him close to nestle his head on Indou's shoulder. It was completely different from the ecstatic hug he'd been squeezed into when they first encountered one another, many months ago, but some of the same feelings still remained—protection, possession, and of course affection. He could scarcely believe now that he had been so oblivious all this time to Indou's true intentions. Even long-lost internet buddies didn't snuggle in the middle of the sidewalk.

Gradually, inexorably, Ryou returned the embrace, bringing his hands up to rest feather-light on Indou's shoulders. For a moment his spiny persona dissolved and he let his guard down—until Indou turned to breathe on his ear, and he was all prickles again.

"Whoa, hold it, take it easy!" he protested, struggling to pull away. "It took me five minutes to hug you, what makes you think I'm ready for you to be seducing me? You read the damn mail, I'm not letting you take total control of this relationsh—"

His words were useless and ultimately cut off, because while Ryou was busy tossing out protests Indou was scooping him closer, pressing their waists together, and finally doing the same with their lips. Ryou squeaked and tried to shove Indou's forehead away, but the larger man's grip on his head was firm. Realizing the futility of fighting back, he finally relaxed and let Indou take control. Over a year of bottled-up emotion deserved some premature making out in return, after all.

Ovan.

I finally figured out what you've been implying all this time. You're in love with me or something, right?

I have to be honest… Knowing that doesn't bother me as much as it should. Maybe because over the last few months you've started to look like more than a mentor to me. Maybe I've been drooling over you all along without realizing it. For a long time you were more of a shadowy figure than a person, but that's changed. And for a long time I both hated you and wished desperately you'd come back. That hate's gone now.

So, since we've already started the whole domestic life thing…

How'd you like to move off that old couch and into my room?

-Haseo

PS – This is NOT permission to go and do creepy things to me while I sleep!

---

Woohoo, that's that. I would like to note that while Ryou's email may seem a little off-beat for him, recall the emails you get to send in-game and you'll see that they tend to be much more composed than Ryou often acts. My guess is that it's easier to censure one's Teen Rage when writing rather than speaking.

By the by, if anyone has the desire to write anything following or stemming off of this fic, that's fine by me. I'd like to see it if you do. Sorry if it seems presumptuous, but it saves me possible question-answering later and you know how I am such a busy busy bee! Ha ha. Um, yes. Hope you enjoyed, please share your thoughts if you have any, and good night. *bow*