No excuse for the longer break then planned...

OTL

Chapter seven

~next morning~

Fai woke like any other day, nursing a cup of coffee on the couch as he let the rest of himself wake up. He was still a little surprised that he had gone from single to dating in less than eight hours, but he supposed it was a good thing if the kissing last night was anything to go by.

Yuui was already up for about a couple of hours then his brother, just trying to get to make his end of the bargain as quickly as possible as he wanted to put it behind him. He already made about three trays of muffins (each of every flavor) and a couple of cakes. He had made a dozen donuts but that was for Syaoron for being a good sport the night before. Wiping his forehead, he iced the last cake with slightly tired eyes.

"You know making all that at once doesn't count. I can't eat all of that and it'll be old in a week tops." Fai said before he turned back to his cartoon and sipped his drink.

"I'll force feed you if I have to." Yuui glanced at the clock and cursed. He needed to be out in twenty minutes. "And you'll share some with your date you have swiping spit last night anyway so don't complain."

"That's unfair. I was just going to have you make me something every night, something small. And you two were walking out of your bedroom." He argued. Emptying his mug he returned it to the kitchen.

"We were just walking from the back because I thought that someone was back and was sleeping with the TV on." Yuui grumbled as he was taking off his apron.

"Uh huh. You were kissing too." Putting the cup in the sink he grabbed up a few muffins and went to find a large enough zip lock bag for them.

"You can't prove that." Yuui argued as he took off his hair tie and had his fingers go through his hair.

"I can tell." He dumped four muffins into the plastic bag for later before grabbing his bag in his free hand. "Well I'm off to work, I'll see you later."

"Whatever, brother. Bye." Yuui waved it off as he went to the bathroom to get ready; unaware that his date was on his way to meet up with him.

"Love you too~!" He called before leaving. He met Syaoron nearly halfway through his walk and smiled knowingly, waving and wishing him a good morning and how Yuui was a little moody in the mornings. Syaoron just laughed as they both continued on their way.

A short shower and a dress up later, Yuui had a towel around his shoulders, drying his hair. He had a cup of tea and was walking around; trying to keep his mood down. He heard knocking on the door as he frown. He assumed it was his brother again. "Brother, I swear! If you left your keys here just to take a run at me, I will take that smile and rip it off of your fa-" As he opened the door; the threat died down and his face heated up. "...Um..."

"Fai mentioned you might not be a morning person." Syaoron smiled. He was wondering if it had been a bad time, but he hadn't been able to help himself visiting Yuui before he had to go in for work himself.

"..." Yuui gulped. "G-Good morning, Syaoron..." He hoped that he didn't look like some demented tomato to the other.

"Good morning. thought I'd stop and see you before I went to work, though I wasn't sure if you weren't at the restaurant yet." Syaoron explained.

"O-Oh. That's very sweet of you." Yuui smiled. "Oh!" He exclaimed. "You've come at the right time, actually."

"I have?" It looked like Yuui had just gotten out of the shower.

"Yep." Yuui nodded. "Uh, would you like to come in. Just for a second, I promise."

"Sure." Grinning he stepped in and shut the door behind him before following the blonde.

Leading the brunette to the kitchen, Yuui coughed. "Um...mind the muffins and the cakes..." He went to the fridge and opened it.

"You really like to bake in the mornings."

"...No...it's not that..." Yuui grumbled as he was taking out a box. "My brother can be a real smartass sometimes..."

"He didn't seem that bad." Syaoron grinned as he looked at the box, thinking it was some kind of food at least.

"Oh, don't worry. You'll see soon." Yuui blushed as he handed Syaoron the box. "Here, a dozen donuts from yours truly."

He stared at the box in his hands. "You didn't have to. It seems like a lot of work."

"Well here's the thing..." Yuui leaned on the counter. "...Brother...Brother and I made a bet..."

"And?" So that was what the rest of the food was for, Syaoron supposed.

"...Uh...please don't take this the wrong way...but..." Yuui coughed. "The bet was whether or not you would ask me out...and to see if you actually...played for the other team..."

"Are you dating me just because of that?" He asked. Syaoron didn't think Yuui would be capable of that, but he wanted to know all the same.

"No!" Yuui shook his head. "I actually did like you before that but I just didn't think you would because...we just met and I do get a bit lovesick despite my last breakup...I...I didn't want to scare you off..." He lowered his head with shame.

"Then there's nothing to worry about Yuui." Shaking his head he grinned. "Thanks for the donuts too."

Looking up, Yuui didn't realize that his eyes were watery as his face was red. "R-Really?"

"Well yeah. I'm not mad or anything." Putting the box down on the table he grabbed Yuui's hand.

With his heart beating a bit faster; Yuui gulped. "I-I thought you would be since...you were so sweet to me yesterday and I would never use anyone like that..."

"I know you wouldn't." He moved in to kiss the blonde. "So don't worry about it."

Yuui returned the kiss as he blush faded a bit. "Thank you..."

"You don't have to thank me." He gave him another kiss for good measure. "But I have to go to work. I'll see you later today?"

"Okay..." Yuui chuckled. "I'll be waiting outside of the cafe if you still want to hang out and...such..."

"Definitely." Grabbing his donuts Syaoron smiled giving Yuui another kiss before he let himself out.

He felt like he was in heaven; getting kisses from an angel. With a dismal smile, Yuui drank the rest of tea and finished getting ready as he was soon out the door with his things. He walked to work with a skip in his step and a smile on his face. Watanuki might think he was on drugs but he wouldn't care. He had a boyfriend and nothing is wrong.

At the same time, Kurogane was working the register of the shop. Ioryogi called a couple days ago; saying that he won't be back for a bit longer as some things came up. Not caring either way; he just ring in and out any lone customer that was coming. While he was ringing the last one out of the morning, a long black-haired woman came into the shop with a cryptic smile and a fashionable outfit. The man didn't seem to notice as every morning in the shop was usually more or less boring.

She wore a purple dress that was showing way too much skin. She approached the register. "So tell me where is the man who crafted such lovely things?"

"Hmm?" Kurogane looked up and sighed. "Out of town. He had to get some more supplies. Why? Had an order waiting?"

"A pipe." She smiled. "It's an antique." She rested her elbows on the counter and stared.

"Hmm..." Kurogane then recalled something. "Huh. He did mention a pipe that someone needed. He was just glad that it was done before he left." Leaving the resister, He looked around and found a long box with a ribbon wrapped on it. He saw a name tag on it. "You're Yuuko?"

"Guilty~!" She cheered, smiling bright. "You must be Kurogane."

Taking the box, Kurogane had to raise an eyebrow at the woman's actions. "Uh, yeah." Coming back to the resister, he started to ring her up.

"I've already paid as well." She grinned. "Ioryogi owes me after all."

"That's a first." Kurogane slightly smirked. So there was a god. "Fine then. Here." He gave her the box. "So you heard of me through that guy? I'm not surprised if he was complained about me all the time."

"On the contrary. I know you from your parents and well now I suppose Ioryogi. Names Yuuko by the way."

"You know my parents?" Kurogane was slightly surprised. "Huh. Hey then. I guess you know my name but...whatever. Kurogane Suwa. Hey." He greeted the woman.

Yuuko laughed. "You're very much like your father and just as cute."

Kurogane blushed as he frowned. "God, why does everyone call me cute. I'm not freaking cute." He grumbled. "Is that everything or do you have something else in mind?"

"Just came to check on the little hatchling." She grinned before taking her box. "Tell Ioryogi to visit me when he comes back."

"Fine. I'll be sure to pass on the message." Kurogane's eyes were on the register. "Have a nice day..."

"Be sure to tell your little boyfriend hello too!" She waved on her way out.

The man's hands almost slammed on the register as the woman mentioned that. He stared as she was gone from his sights as he then sighed. "Crazy chicks..."

When the time rolled around or Fai to take lunch he actually remembered and left to go and pay Kurogane a visit.

By the time lunch rolled around, Kurogane was lightly dozing off on the counter as no customers came for about an hour and he hadn't been sleeping well since the night before for...various reasons.

When Fai came in he spotted Kurogane and had to cover his mouth to keep from laughing. He had stopped by a bistro on his way and picked them up lunch. "Kuro-san!" He yelled when at the register.

"What the f-!" His ears started ringing as he was moved back by the force of the loud voice and was promptly knocked backwards from his chair to the floor.

Fai peered over the counter and smiled. "Hello Kuro-tan."

Groaning, Kurogane rubbed his head as he glared up at the blonde. "What the hell? Are you trying to kill me?"

"Nope, trying to feed you actually." He showed the large bag in one hand as proof.

"Geez, I was trying to catch up on my damn sleep." Kurogane growled as he sat up on the chair.

"Night owl?" He grinned and moved around the counter. "Go lock up or whatever you do for lunch so we can eat. I only have an hour."

"Fine, fine." Kurogane picked up a sign that stated 'Gone to lunch' and went to the front and placed it there. "There. Now we can eat."

"Let's go to the back." He grinned before leading the way.

"Hm." Kurogane followed as the two were now at the back of the shop.

Taking a seat on the ratty couch Ioryogi had put in the back room Fai began taking out food for them both. "How was the rest of your night?"

"Not too bad. Apart from not getting some sleep." Kurogane shrugged.

"Do you stay up every night?" He asked before sliding a hefty amount of food towards the dragon.

"Not usually. It happens though." Kurogane muttered a 'thanks' to the blonde before getting his share. "Not a big deal."

"It seems kind of boring here today." Fai remarked before he began to eat.

"Usually is. There will be a day or two in the week that this place would be pack." Kurogane shrugged as he began eating. "It's alright either way."

"At least you can slack off." He offered.

"I don't slack off." Kurogane frowned. "I just get bored. Not much to do anyway even if I had the chance."

"Well at least I'm here to keep you awake and the store from being plundered." Joking Fai thought this was good so far. There hadn't been an yelling and threats at least.

"Like I needed that before." Kurogane rolled his eyes. He blamed the lack of sleep for not blowing up at the blonde. Yeah, that's it. "I'm doing just fine."

"So mean, maybe I'll just leave and not spend my lunch with you?"

"Oh no. The horror." Kurogane rolled his eyes.

"So you don't want me to? Or you do?" He asked before eating a few fries.

Not bothering to answer, Kurogane munched on a sandwich.

Pouting he thought Kurogane was just being shy again.

Lunch went by as slowly for the two. Kurogane finished his meal as he started cleaning up.

Fai helped as well before glancing over at the clock on the wall. He had about twenty minutes.

"So..." Kurogane started as he came back from the front with the sign. "A-Are you doing anything this weekend?"

"Nope. One of the perks of my job is I get weekends off to work at home."

"Oh..." Kurogane went silent for a minute. "Huh."

"Why do you want to know?" He asked smiling.

"...Nothing much." Kurogane shrugged.

"That's not a very good answer."

"Well it's a simple one." Kurogane turned his head away so he wouldn't let that blonde see him blush.

"Did you want to go out or something." It was like pulling teeth with Kurogane.

"...Kind of..." Kurogane had an idea that Fai was starting to mess with him. "But hey, if you don't want to then that's fine."

"Mabe if you would ask me I might." He offered, trying to get the man to actually do something.

"I..." Kurogane gulped. "I'm no good with this crap!" He snapped as he went over to the side of the shop; trying to polish something.

Staring at the sudden outburst Fai sighed before following after. "It's alright Kuro-chan. I won't make fun of you, but you're so assertive in everything else, it's just odd when you're not about this."

"Because..." Kurogane took a cloth and started wiping down some knives. "This isn't something I'm used to...not even as a dragon..."

"Then you just have to get used to it." Putting a hand on the man's shoulder he smirked. "So don't be afraid to do whatever you want."

Looking over to see the blonde, Kurogane sighed. "Fine. Will you go out with me Saturday night?" He felt his entire heart exploding into a million pieces. Where was that assertiveness when he needed it the first time around?

"Of course. What time? Where are we meeting?" He asked smiling fondly before he leaned down to kiss the man's cheek.

So many questions; what the hell? "Uh...around seven pm, At the eatery but then to a movie I guess..." He blushed at the kiss. "Anything else is your call..."

"Sounds good." He chuckled. "See? That wasn't so hard."

"Shut up. That was more hard on me then you know." Kurogane scoffed. "You should get back to your work. Don't want to make you late and crap."

"Alright." He began to leave then before an idea struck him. "Stop by the apartment tonight I have some muffins for you and your mother."

Kurogane was about to ask why when he remembered what the blonde had said about a bet with his twin. He nodded. "Sure. See ya."

Fai left thinking Kurogane really did need some help with the whole relationship thing and thought it might be fun to help him.

The day slowly went into the afternoon as in another part of the city, Yuui was just walking out of the cafe after a day's hard work. He yawned as he was leaning on the wall next to the door. He really surprised everyone as he came in all happy and full of sunshine; even Doumeki who came at lunch hour had wide eyes as he was strolling a bit into the kitchen. Blushing though, he wondered if Syaoron was actually going to come. Not that he cared but it was a nice feeling if he was.

Syaoron arrived later, fingertips stained with ink. When he got in one of the waitresses informed Yuui on her way into the kitchen. Watanuki shook his head with a smile before he slapped Doumeki away from a plate and went to work again.

Blushing, Yuui smiled as Syaoron came. "G-Good afternoon..."

"Sorry I'm late, we got in a big order and had to get started on it today." Syaoron returned the smile as he showed the blonde his hands. "Didn't even get time to watch my hands completely."

"That's fine." Yuui took both of Syaoron's hands; undeterred by the ink fingers. "I'm glad that you came nonetheless..."

"Well I said I would. The donuts were great by the way." He smiled and took a seat.

"Thank you." Yuui sat down right next to him; not letting go of those hands. "I'm glad that you like them."

"So what's the special today?" Smiling he was glad he had been able to make it in time.

"Um..." Yuui blushed. "It's a slice of pumpkin pie with a bit of whipped cream and vanilla ice cream. Fall's rolling around and such."

"Then I'll have that. Have any soup? I can't eat just sweets today."

"Oh, well...there's a simple lentil soup or some clam chowder if you're not much into soup." Yuui squeezed this hands that he held.

"Lentil sounds fine." Syaoron watched him. "How was your day? Busy?"

Calling a cook to make a lentil soup as he got out a pumpkin pie to cut, Yuui grinned. "Busy but worth it."

Luckily they had had a large kettle made since that morning and Syaoron's food came to him within minutes. "I don't see how you get any sleep."

"You get used to it." Yuui waved it off. There are some nights that he doesn't get sleep at all.

"Maybe i should conspire with your brother to help with that," He joked before he was handed his soup and began to eat.

"Don't bother." Yuui laughed softly as he got a slice of the pie on a plate. "It's never bothered me before. Why should it now?"

"Becuase I can't have you falling asleep on dates." He teased.

The knife almost clattered to the floor as Yuui's face heat up. "Uh...d-don't worry about it. I'll be fine..."

Syaoron laughed before he started eating. He didn't have a long break so he had to hurry if he wanted to talk to Yuui.

After getting the ice cream and whipped cream on the pie, Yuui placed it in front of Syaoron. "Here you go."

"Thanks." He wanted to kiss him, but couldn't reach him over the counter so instead he worked on finishing his soup.

Yuui smiled as he leaned over to the young man. As Syaoron was finished with his soup; he placed his lips over his as he gave him a long kiss on the lips.

A few of the workers stared before there was yelling from Watanuki in the back. Syaoron blushed when Yuui eventually pulled away thinking that was the first kiss the bloned had started.

Giggling, Yuui wiped his hands with a dishcloth. "Best be eating that pie before you go back to work. I want to be with you later if possible." He smirked.

"Yeah." He pushed the bowl to the side before taking a fork and trying the pie. It was good just like everything made here.

"Watanuki, I suggest saving that voice of yours for after hours. Don't want Doumeki to think you've gone silent on him. He might want to take advantage of that." Yuui joked; aware of the yelling from his cooking partner.

"I've heard enough from you too! I'm trying to get these slackers back to work and stop them from gawking at you." He argued from the kitchen..

"Don't mind Watanuki, I guess he just jealous that his boyfriend isn't around to give him kisses." Yuui whispered to Syaoron with a grin.

Syaoron shook his head laughing. "Must be it." He offered some of his dessert to Yuui then.

Getting another fork, Yuui ate a few bites; smiling at Syaoron while he did so.

When he finished he paid and went back to the blonde. "So I'll see you later. Call me when you're home and I'll come over."

"Okay." Yuui beamed with such happiness. "I'll call you then..."

With that Syaoron left Yuui to go back to work.

With a gush and a giggle, Yuui made sure to clean up the counter before getting back to work.

TBC

I try to edit them as best as I can...

OTL