Anyone bored of this story yet?

XD

Chapter four

By the end of his shift, he decided to check by the cafe just before closing time. However as he got close, he saw that ponytail blonde again. But he was waiting for someone at the front. he was about to approach him when he saw another blonde; one so familiar. "Brother! Hey!"

Kurogane's first instinct and possibly the most cowardly one was to hide in the alleyway which made him look ridiculous what with the cutesy cafe bag.

"Yuui~!" Fai cheered. "I got off early." He grinned before he hugged his twin. "It's nice going home during the day."

Hugging back his brother, Yuui smiled. "That's good. I decided to follow your advice and let the other cooks handle something from now on. My hands were getting sore as it was." He chuckled.

Kurogane knew that this was low; even for him but he can't just go out and just confront. Not when he knew the human he was seeking only knew him as a dragon and not a man. He didn't want to look like some crazy person.

"See? It's good and now we get to spend more time together and you can be all relaxed for your date~" Fai leered.

"It's not a date." Yuui reminded his brother as calmly as he could. "It's just two people spending time getting to know each other." Maybe it would have been more convincing if he wasn't blushing.

"That's what you say now, but I'm going to collect on that bet brother dearest." Fai smiled before hooking his arm with Yuui's and pulling him along. "I'll be stuffing myself with sweets while I'm all alone and you're probably getting lucky."

"You'll be eating those words brother." Yuui snickered. "After all we don't always don't get what we want, right?" He then turned his head around; having a small feeling that someone was watching them. He blinked. There was no one there.

"We'll see." He pouted as they made their way down the street.

"...Yeah..." Yuui said; as he turned back to his brother with a bright smile. Thinking that he was being paranoid again.

As soon as they were out of his sight, Kurogane came out of the alleyway with a slight blush of embarrassment. "Damn, and I was hoping to talk to that blonde." He felt like some stalker. He should just go to his mother's home and just move on. But why can't he? What's with that blonde that would be so different than the others?

He weighed his options, he could either follow them, s they were headed in the same direction or he could just wait around and go another way to his mothers.

Eventually his duty to his mother outweigh his own as he grunted. "Whatever. It's not like it matters." He felt like some wimp. Maybe Ioryogi was right. Maybe he was a whelp. Sighing, he walked the other way, to his mother so he can drop off the sweets. However he was unaware of a pair of dark blue eyes under a pair of glasses who was looking from the open door of the cafe for a bit now. The person frowned before going back inside.

Tsumebe ushered him into the house when he arrived. "How was work?" She asked after giving him a welcome home kiss on the cheek.

"Pretty good." Kurogane nodded as he gave her a kiss back. "Oh, Ioryogi might pay you a visit at some point so...I'd lock your doors if I were you." He slightly joked as he stepped inside.

"Now why would I do that? He's a very nice young man." She grinned before ushering him into the kitchen. "Sit. Are you hungry?"

"So you say." Kurogane resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "And a bit. Haven't got the chance to get dinner yet but I got you some treats from that cafe...Clover ...I think..."

"My son is still so sweet." Tsumebe smiled as she was given the bag. "Want to share?"

"I was planning on giving you all of it anyway." He wasn't going to give into eating the sweets today.

"I have some stew is you want? Or I can make something else?" She offered, Kurogane was still growing after all.

"Stew's okay." Kurogane slightly smiled.

Nodding, she pulled out a pot and a large piece of tubberware from the fridge. "I made it this afternoon since I assumed you'd be coming by. You're taking some of this with you when you leave." It was thick with meat and veggies as her son worked hard and needed his strength.

"Sure thing. Thanks." Kurogane placed the bag on the kitchen as he put some items out of it. "How was your day, mother?"

"Same old same old. Cooked this and went shopping. You?"

"I got used to handling the register now." Kurogane shrugged. "Also Ioryogi had someone bring in some lunch for him."

"He did? Anyone special?" She pushed a few buttons starting the stove.

"Some blonde named Yuui." Kurogane sighed. "Apparently he's a cook in that cafe and was crazy enough to be Ioryogi's friend."

"I see." Smiling she wondered if her son had a thing for blondes. "Well he must have been a good cook if you went and bought something from him."

"..." Kurogane didn't want to say that the reason he even bothered was because he wanted to be sure that he was the blonde that he saved the other day and when he found out that he was a twin of said cook; well, he practically stalked for a bit. "I have heard of that place before; just never bothered to go in until now. Has good food though; not good as yours..." He muttered the last part.

Giggling, Tsumebe grabbed a bowl and spoon. Once the stew was hot enough she poured her some a generous amount and set it in front of him along with a piece of sourdough bread. "What would you like to drink?"

"Water's okay." Kurogane thanked his mother for the food before digging in.

Minutes later she sat down and set a glass in front of him. Grabbing the bag the Tsumebe opened it and peeked inside.

"I got you some cheesecake, strawberry shortcake, a couple of cupcakes and a small souffle." Kurogane only wanted to give his mother the best of everything. After all, she had to put up with him while raising him and raising a kid was no easy task for any parents despite what they would say otherwise.

Smiling gently she took each piece out. "I want you to try at least one of these."

"Nah, I'm good." Kurogane waved it off as he continued eating.

Shaking her head she began trying each and every treat her son had bought for her. "I wonder if he made all of this?"

"Probably." Kurogane didn't really care one way or another.

"So have you moved on from your other blonde friend?"

"Hmm?" Kurogane looked up from his bowl and frowned a bit. "I guess so..."

"You haven't seen him again?" It saddened her a little to hear that.

"Not...really..." He wasn't lying and he had been working very hard under Ioryogi. "Just...things have been busy; that's all..."

"I see...did you at least get his name?"

"...I uh...I got his brother's...I think it was Yuui..." If Kurogane remembered correctly.

"You met his brother?" She asked curious now.

"Kind of. Like I said he got lunch for Ioryogi earlier today. He was more calm then his twin though and had a short ponytail." Kurogane explained. "He saw me and knew I was a new worker but never actually got the chance to talk and stuff. I only knew his name because I...overheard his brother saying it when I was coming by to your place."

"I'm confused..." Though thinking on it for a few seconds she got a little idea of what had happened. "Oh Kurogane...you should have said hello."

"You know I'm not good with that..." Kurogane already had issues with talking to other people. It was a miracle and he can even talk to his mother and Ioryogi without seemingly looking like a caveman. He slightly blushed. "And it was bad timing anyway. Nothing I can do."

"But at least you found out more about him. You should put yourself out there." Tsumebe worried.

"And then what?" Kurogane asked suddenly. "The blonde only knew the dragon part of me and as far as anyone cares, his twin and I are mostly strangers. Like I said, there's nothing I can do. Anymore and I'll...I'll do something stupid..." He trailed off.

"Sweetie, you won't. You just have to be yourself. You said he didn't mind you being a dragon and I bet he'd like this part of you just as much. You're grown and you take care of yourself and me, so don't think you'll do something stupid." She countered.

"...Mother...even I don't like myself right now. Like I said, there's nothing much I can do..." He knew his mother was trying to help him and appreciated that. But he hadn't forgotten what he had done so many years ago. He was foolish; so full of hate and anger. Humans that he was trying to protect were scared to death of him. Not because he was a dragon but he became something worse; a monster. And it only took one look at his deformed reflection to see that. And there's little to change that fact.

Shaking her head she couldn't believe he felt that way. "There is, but you're just giving up before you even try."

"Then it's better to quit while I'm ahead. Better than having another person pay for my foolishness." Those words stung even himself but he wasn't going to pretend that it wasn't true. "Thanks for dinner. I'll...see myself out tonight..."

"You can stay here. You've had a long day." Tsumebe stood from her seat.

"..." Glancing back at his mother, he let out a small smile. "...Thanks..."

Moving towards him, she hugged Kurogane. "I won't push you, but it would be nice if you had a friend other than Ioryogi."

He didn't hug back but he leaned into the embrace. He suddenly felt like a child again; at least in his human form. "...I know...but one friend's enough for me...so don't worry about me. I'm fine..."

She knew that wasn't true as he kissed the top of his head. Tsumebe knew she might have to set some things in motion if she wanted Kurogane to break out of his shell.

On the other side of town, Yuui and Fai were just winding down from dinner when the blonde chef remembered something. "Oh, Fai. I almost forgot to tell you about something..."

"What is it?" He asked curious as he finished putting up dishes.

"Well you know about Ioryogi and his shop right?" Yuui said as he put some leftover food in some plastic bowls. "Well he has a new worker now..."

"That's odd, he usually complains about not wanting people around." He wasn't sure why this was news Yuui had to tell him.

"Yeah well I guess this one's the exception." Yuui mused. "He was just as tall as Ioryogi and he had short black spiky hair." Yuui closed the fridge door. "I never got to talk to him but I waved and he waved back. It's funny though, for a second there...I thought I saw his eyes. And they were red...really red."

Fai thought about that for a moment before he was reminded of something. "You know I bumped shoulders with someone that kinda sounds like that the other day." It wasn't like the description didn't describe a lot of men in the city, but it was a little odd.

"Huh, must be the same guy then." Yuui guessed. "He seemed decent and must be something if Ioryogi of all people hired him."

"Maybe I'll have to take a look?" He asked smiling. "Now, you want to go watch some tv or go to bed."

"You could, Ioryogi needs to get me those knives I ordered even though I told him not to rush." He chuckled. "And maybe some TV would be okay. Not so tired yet."

He nodded before grabbing the other's hand and pulling him into the living room. "Oh, I think I remember there's supposed to be some cartoon marathon on."

"You and your cartoons." Yuui shook his head with a smile.

"What? They're good." He pouted before flopping down on the couch and pulling Yuui with him. He told the tv then to turn on and what channel to switch to.

Laying on top on his brother, he was settling down on the couch with a tired smile. However in his pocket, his phone vibrated; signaling that he was getting a text. He took out the phone and checked the message. He soon blushed faintly as he started texting back.

"Work?" He asked, his eyes still trained on the screen.

"...Y-Yeah..." Yuui answered as he sent the text to /him/.

"What's got you worked up?" Fai asked, he had heard that stutter.

"Nothing." Yuui then received another text from that certain person and as he read it he blushed deeply as he texted back.

Unconvinced he let Yuui have his fun for now, it was getting to a good part in this episode and he wanted to pay attention.

For a half hour; that's what the chef had done. "Dummy." Yuui muttered with a smile as he texted back for possibly the fiftieth time.

"I know you're not chatting with Watanuki. So who is it?" He asked smiling as he brushed Yuui's hair.

"I might be." Yuui challenged with a smile as he was staring at the phone screen. "And I'm not telling you."

"No, you don't blush and squirm on top of me when you talk to him. Unless there's suddenly more going on at that restaurant and I need to make a call to Doumeki. Did you give your number to your new boyfriend?"

"Not my boyfriend." Yuui muttered. "And he just happened to have it. I didn't give him it."

"Then how did he get it? He better not end up being a creepy stalker."

"He's not a creepy stalker. Must have someone who met someone within the cafe." Yuui reasoned. "And if he was a creepy stalker; he'd be waiting just outside of our place instead of being in the library helping his brother."

"Maybe that's what he wants you to think, maybe he has a pair of binoculars peeking in on us right now?" Fai teased as his show ended.

"Oh yeah, like he has time for that." Yuui chuckled. "Besides, he's just being like a friend; wanting to hang out. No big deal."

"I'm going to make you slave over an oven for two weeks."

"You...wish." Yuui grinned. He then got another text from the guy. He blushed again. "It's one-sided for all we know..." He trailed off with a sad tone.

"Don't be like that, you'll be blowing off work for dates all the time starting next week, though win I ask for muffins or something you'd better deliver, none of that 'but I have a date in twenty minutes' stuff either." He joked and ruffled his brother's hair. Fai knew Syaoron liked his brother and while he hadn't met him yet, knew they'd be dating.

"It's not like it'll happen though..." Yuui muttered; his head on at all on the bet but made note of that either way. "I've dated a few before and it ended that 'It's not you, it's me' crap. I just don't want this one to end that badly or worse."

"Well if you think Syaoron's nice, then I'm sure he won't do that."

"Having a friend is nice once in a while." Yuui started to drift off to sleep. "No need for a relationship...right now..." His breathing soon slow and even as he was soon sleeping on top of his brother.

Fai sighed. "Sometimes you really are thick headed." He would prove to Yuui that he was right and that there was someone out there he could be with.

It seemed like a weird day for everyone as morning came the next day. Yuui was up bright and early as he was walking to the cafe with a bag of supplies. However at the same time, Syaoron was walking to the cafe to get something to eat as Syaoran left earlier than usual and the young man didn't feel like eating alone that morning. Yuui was just near the front entrance when he saw the familiar brown hair and eyes approaching. He felt his face heat up.

"Oh hey. Are you just opening up?" Syaoron asked, thinking he could have sworn the place was supposed to have opened an hour before.

"Oh no." Yuui gulped with a nervous smile. "It's technically opened and there are a few people there." He shrugged; hoping the blush had faded. "I'm recently letting them take care of more things since I have a brother who worries about me overworking..."

"Makes sense. And you're the head chef, you're supposed to be letting the others cook right?" He asked before opening the door for the blonde.

Thanking the young man, Yuui chuckled. "Yes well, I just like to cook and bake. I do...let it get out of hand...sometimes." Damn heart; stop beating so fast!

"I get it. My brother likes reading way too much sometimes. I worry one day a tower of books are going to fall on him and bury him alive." He chuckled following after the blonde.

"Dying doing the things you love; what a bittersweet way to go." Yuui smiled. "So, what would you like? Since you took the time to be here, it can be anything. I'll even make it for you personally."

"What do you make for breakfast? I have to head to work soon so something I can take to go or eat quick would be great." He hadn't expected Yuui to be here but he had hoped he was.

"Well, I can make a few crepes. Which are thin pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream." Yuui smiled brightly. "It won't take long; I assure you." He smiled.

"Sounds good then." He hopped up onto a barstool.

"Crepes, coming right up~!" Yuui grinned as he went into the kitchen to put on an apron and heat up the stove.

There were already a few other people eating as well. Watanuki eyed his friend before looking out to see Syaoron there waiting.

Humming a lovely tune. Yuui already got the batter going as he was frying them into thin pancakes. "Watanuki; can you get me some whipped cream and strawberries please~?"

"Sure." He grabbed some sugar and strawberries and everything else the other needed. "So boyfriend?"

The stove clattered loudly as Yuui blushed brightly. "No! Oh no..." He got back to cooking. "He's just a f-friend and we're starting to get to know each other. That's all."

"Uh huh." Watanuki didn't believe him.

"Oh come on!" Yuui stated with an exasperated look. "Not you too! Geez, what's with everyone not believing when I say he's not?" He growled a bit. "Honestly..."

"Well it's just the way you're acting." He shrugged before he went to mixing the sauce for crepes. "I bet Fai's given you hell though."

"That's the freaking tip of the iceberg." Yuui sighed as he took a few from the pan and started prepping them on the plate. "And who knows? He may just like me as a friend and nothing more. Don't even know if he swings that way..." He muttered the last part.

Watanuki blushed faintly. "Hmm maybe you should bring it up somehow?"

"Oh yeah, that'll work." Yuui rolled his eyes as he thanked the other for making the sauce and was chopping the strawberries now. "That's the last thing anyone would want to asked of. I would just weird him out. Subtlety is not my forte."

"No, subtlety isn't Fai's forte." He said. "I don't know, not like I can give relationship advice."

"I'm no better." Yuui stated. "And I'm not asking for any advice." He sadly sighed. "Just...don't be surprised if by the next week I'd be upset or depressed okay?"

"Alright." He didn't like it but there was nothing he could do. "Good luck though." Handing him a bowl of sauce he cleaned his hands as Yuui rolled the crepes.

"Thanks." Yuui was grateful for Watanuki. He couldn't ask for a better person to take over the cafe someday. After getting the crepes ready with a good presentation, he personally went out with the dish as he smiled at Syaoron. "Here you go." He placed it in front of the young man.

"It looks like you put way too much effort into it." He grinned. "I appreciate it."

"Can't be a chef if I can't put my heart into my dishes." Yuui chuckled; his heart doing back flips at the compliment.

"Guess there's a reason this place has so many plaques." He chuckled before digging in.

Laughing softly, Yuui felt his face heating up once again. "Well, how is it?" He had to ask; hoping it tasted good to Syaoron compared how it looked.

"It's great. I don't think I've ever had crepes before." Soon enough Syaoron had finished his plate as he had to get going.

"Good, I'm glad." Yuui didn't realize that his voice went soft but warm to the other as he took the now empty plate.

Watanuki peeked from the kitchen and shook his head. Wit bills in hand Syaoron got up. "I'll have to try and come back for lunch too, maybe see if I can drag my brother out of a book long enough to come too."

"Oh please, don't stick out your neck to come so quickly." Yuui chuckled. "The cafe will be open even if you're not here. But I'm glad that you came nonetheless."

"Well it's good food and get company, though I feel guilty keeping you sitting around talking with me." He said before handed the cashier some money.

"Oh no!" Yuui shook his hands with a smile. "It's no problem at all. I just like talking to others since I'm mostly holed in the kitchen most of the time." He chuckled. "So, are we okay for Sunday?"

"Definitely. Do you want me to pick you up at your place or mine? Or we could meet somewhere else?"

"Um, well you can pick me up in my place." Yuui got out a pad of paper and a pen. "Here's my address." He ripped it off and gave it to Syaoron. "My brother would want to see you anyway so we might as well got that over with, right?" He smiled.

"Sure. I'll see you then." He smiled tucking the paper into his pocket before heading out.

"Sure~! Bye~!" Yuui waved as the young man left. He lowered the hand slowly as he sighed.

"So you stay holed up in the kitchen all day?" Watanuki asked then pouting.

Yuui then looked over at Watanuki with a nervous smile. "...Uh..." He cleared his throat. "Come now! We have orders to take and food to make. Let's not dilly dally any longer!" He then quickly walked past Watanuki and back into the kitchen.

Blue eyes rolled as Watanuki went back to making waffles. "You two were flirting really badly, I could feel the diabetes."

"Well don't bite more then you can chew, young one." Yuui rolled his eyes. "And honestly, it wasn't flirting. Just friendly chatter."

"I may have been oblivious to that oaf's way of flirting, simply because a grunt or a 'dumbass' doesn't mean 'I like you', but you two were." He countered drizzling caramel over a pile of apple waffles.

"Doumeki's special." Yuui waved it off. "And that still doesn't mean anything."

"Special is a good word for him. Lazy idiot." Watanuki huffed before sliding the finished plate with its order slip up for a waiter to take it out.

Yuui had to chuckle at that. He envied Watanuki and Doumeki's relationship sometimes but he was happy for them nonetheless.

TBC

Yes, there's even Established!DouWata in this fic. Because apparently it's funnier that way.

XD