-Izumi's POV-

A steady beat of knocking greeted him right when he opened the door to his bathroom. Izumi paused at the sound, turned his attention to his apartment front door and debated whether to answer it. He wasn't up to anymore visitors tonight. Between yesterday night and this afternoon, he'd felt emotionally drain and it took all his mental capacity just to function properly.

The rapping noise continues to beat in quicker succession now, as if the person was loosing patience. Izumi considered pretending not to be home but knew that the building's walls weren't as soundproof as he would like. The other person might already have heard some noise coming from his side.

Droplets from his bangs dripped down his brow and nearly missed his eye. That quickly reminded him to continue towel dry his hair and get dressed if he was to address anyone. Momentarily leaving the white towel on his head, Izumi took three quick strides to his wardrobe and pull out a loose pair of blue jeans. While he was still looking for the rest of his clothes, it seems who ever it was on the other side had lost their patience and decided to make their demands known.

"Open up, Sakashita. I know you're in there."

Slightly surprised in hearing that voice, Izumi briefly wondered why the other was doing here before he decided to forgo finding his briefs entirely, he threw the damp towel around his waist onto his desk chair and slipped on the pair of jeans. Thinking he's moderately presentable to address the other person now, Izumi resumed drying his hair as he opened the door.

"Now that is something a potential boyfriend very much likes to see," announced Konno with a leer right before he pounced.

Then before Izumi had even time to respond or to put up a protest, his friend had dropped whatever he was holding and reached for him. A yelp escape his lips before he was lifted at the waist and the door was kicked shut. Wind chapped lips immediately descended upon his and demanded entrance as the other backed him up.

The towel forgotten, slipped to the floor and Izumi raised both hands to brace against the broad shoulders. As air became scarce, he struggled against the other until Konno relented and raised his head.

Now able to breath again, Izumi took in several gulps of air before he managed a mild glare at his friend. A bit annoyed in seeing the other's smug grin, Izumi reprimanded breathlessly, "What's with you and pinning me to walls anyways?"

A broader grin was his answer.

Izumi attempted a stronger glare before he demanded release, but the words that came out was lackluster at best, "Let me down."

A frown marred Konno's brow, all traces of the playful mood gone. His friend studied his face for a moment and then queried sincerely, "Something happened didn't it?"

Izumi looked away and pushed gently the hard body pressing against his. Konno relent his hold and steps back, allowing him some space.

He walks over to the only window in the apartment and stares out, not really seeing the vibrant neon glow of Kyoto's night life.

Ever since Takamiya left, he had crouch their on that cold floor for several hours before Izumi was able to gather himself back together. He never knew he was capable of such a tremendous tearful outpour until he finally realized what this afternoon had meant. He had really broken up with Takamiya.

He had told the man he still loves to give up on him and even gave his blessings to the man's new lover.

It meant he would never be able to see Takamiya again.

He would never see that trademark smile. Never be held by those warm comforting arms. Never be kissed by those tender passionate lips. He would never again feel that deep connection between them when they made love.

These realizations had left him weak in spite all the tears he'd shed.

But there was no turning back. Perhaps with time he will be able to remember the man without feeling this huge void in his chest as well.

Izumi nodded to himself to reaffirm his reasoning before he redirected his thoughts to the present.

Now Konno was a different matter. He hadn't thought of his friend at all and how he factored into all of this. He couldn't very well ignore the fact that Konno was very much interested in him. If he was honest with himself, which these pass several weeks of soul searching had enabled Izumi to be quite capable of; he knew what he had to do. It still doesn't mean the decision was any easier to make or share.

With his mind made up, Izumi took in a fortifying breath and turn around to say in affirmation, "Konno, I'm gay."

-Takamiya's POV-

The boy was much too young, Takamiya thought as he frowned in disappointment. He was looking forward to this date too. Perhaps Blue Boy had made a mistake.

He did not specify for one so young. With that thought in mind Takamiya had decided to send the boy off, that is until he saw the happy smile and the charming face glowing with anticipation. The boy was cute. Correct that, his soon-to-be lover was positively charming to observe. There was such openness about him.

Thus the translator conveniently forgotten about the age issue and approach the host.

"I'm sorry, did I make you wait?"

"Yah," the boy affirmed as he literally sprung from his perch in his excitement. He mumbled something about thanking God but the translator couldn't pick up the rest.

Takamiya tried and successfully withheld the laughter that was threatening to come forth. The host was much too cute and he decided to tease him so.

"You're cuter than I expected."

---

Despite how awkward the sex was, Takamiya had felt a connection between them as he tenderly made love to the boy.

Perhaps Izumi hadn't been a host long, he thought. And from the looks of it, probably hadn't had much experience with sex judging by the inept performance. He is young.

Takamiya smiled at that. Somehow or other, the boy had wormed a quick route to his heart with his naïve charm regardless if it was affected or not for his clients. He wanted to see him again and decided to inquire about that as he laid the money on the nightstand.

"If it's okay, can I ask for you again? I really like you."

Seeing the flush and confusion on the host's face, Takamiya assumed the boy thought otherwise and was distraught about his performance. Thinking to alleviate the other's worry, the translator tried to be tactful in giving the boy his honest evaluation.

"How should I put this? It was a little awkward and amateur . . . I almost thought it was your first time."

Then much to his surprise the boy blew up and yelled, "Don't screw around! What do you mean by this money!? I'm no lady of the night! Or is this to hush me up!? This is the first time I've been done by a man! I'm not a homo!"

To say he was shocked was putting it mildly. Although he felt bad about the mix-up, Takamiya knew for a fact he did not regret meeting Izumi in such a manner however.

---

Takamiya shook his head as these bittersweet memories bombarded him. Yet there were so many more over the years. How they've met were always some of his favorites. He would always cherish them.

At first the anger was overpowering and these lovesick memories nauseated his senses even further. So he refused to see and be reminded of them. Takamiya lashed out. Unfortunately, the room received the brunt of his lack of control.

However his thoughts were not deterred and stubbornly all these memories continue to flood his every waking thought. Somehow or other despite the initial revolt, Takamiya began to cherish each one as they slowly chipped away the foreign and oppressive emotion in which he started.

Izumi had always this affect on him despite the fact his ex-lover was the one that ignited it in the first place.

A ghost of a smile touched his lips before it disappeared when he heard the click of his door being open from behind him.

"Takamiya-san, I ordered your favorite…from… room… service—"

There was a very pregnant pause. So the editor must have finally taken notice the state of the room.

"Are you alright?"

He felt Kuroda's arms encircled his waist and held on. Takamiya didn't know how to respond to that loaded question and refrain from answering when it triggered another memory. His eyes remain unfocused to the busy streets as he stood rooted by the window.

Moments past; they stood there in silence. If it weren't for the growing dampness on his back, Takamiya would have happily continued wallowing in the past. But Izumi had made his decision quite clear. No mere words could have said more than the unforgettable look on Izumi's eyes.

Besides he owed the man behind him. Kuroda Imai had been so patient throughout these past few weeks and it was about time he address the editor's declaration of love.

With this thought in mind, Takamiya stirred causing the other to release their hold. The translator turned around and bore into the other's tear-filled eyes with all the sincerity he could muster.

Kuroda's brimming tears overflow and trailed down his cheeks. Takamiya shook his head and sigh. He raised a shaking hand and brushed the tears away. The editor valiantly tried to control the sob that was about to break.

A meager smile graced Takamiya's lips as he slowly leans down to kiss the other lightly on the cheek.

"Sensei, I—" Kuroda attempted to speak but was cut off.

"Shush," Takamiya whispered before he tilts the other's chin up for an even gentler kiss.

Review Responses (thank you for the comments):

Pombella4 –Thank you for commenting. I sorry to get you all worked up on the actions and decisions from the characters. Well, erm…speaking from personal experience, sometimes a person might be so wrought with guilt that any sign of abuse or actions that might be misconstrued as such will make that person feel even worse. So even though love is there, a person can be blinded by other things. This is one possibility.