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Chapter Twenty one

~hours later~

Fai was the only one awake as he removed himself from Kurogane nearly an hour ago to get some feeling back into his legs.

While the dragon and Syaoron were peacefully asleep, Yuui was already out of bed and quietly went out of the bedroom. He closed the door behind him as he slowly went to the kitchen. He was thirsty and thought that Fai and Kurogane were already asleep.

Fai was startle to see Yuui, but glad for it as well. "I'm sorry." He blurted out; the first thing that came in his mind.

Those words were in his ears so fast that Yuui almost thought that he didn't hear them. When he turned around to look at Fai his eyes were not bloodshot but clouded. He blinked. "..brother...?"

"I didn't mean to make you react like that." The older twin clarified; not liking the look his brother had.

Blinking again, Yuui shook his head. "No...it's...it's not your fault...I just...y-you're right..." He shrugged. "I can't...I can't let things go..." He gripped the front of his shirt. "Better to hear it from a family member then a total stranger though, right?"

"Still...I want to help you, not upset you and make you think I don't love you." Fai said feeling awkward for having to explain all of this.

"...I would never think that..." Yuui's voice cracked a bit. "I would never...believe that..." He closed his eyes.

Fai went up to his brother and hugged him. "Good."

Weakly hugging him back, Yuui sniffled. "It did hurt though. I've been through a lot today and that hurt..."

"I'm sorry. I just get angry when I think about how you are now about yourself after that man. I want you happy."

Yuui smiled; actually feeling better about the moment. Sure, what Fai said had hurt him but he knew better then to think the other was out to get him. "Hey...want to hear something funny, brother?"

"Sure." He smiled softly.

"Well, after that man dumped me..." Yuui started; trying not to chuckle. "Someone in the corporation heard of it and out of spite transferred one of his accounts to my special one. Lots of money." He grinned. "So whenever there's any damage to the cafe; that's the money I would use. Damn bastard liked that cafe so freaking much, might as well pay for it. He never suspected a thing."

"That's deliciously evil of you. I like it." He grinned playfully.

Pressing his forehead on Fai's, Yuui laughed softly. "I knew you would. I was going to tell you eventually but I was so happy with Syaoron lately that it almost slipped my mind...until today..."

"We should go shopping for things." His smile grew as he looked at Yuui.

"We should. There's a nice dark jacket with my name on it that I was dying to have for a while." Yuui chuckled.

"It's a date then." Fai grinned widely; happy to see Yuui in higher spirits.

Laughing, Yuui nodded. "Say...brother..."

"Yes?

"I...I want to talk about today...about what happened." Yuui's smiled softened. "Will you listen?"

"Of course I will." He promised and pulled away to have them sitting at the table.

Once sat, Yuui carefully pulled off his shirt to reveal the wound on this shoulder; all bandaged but had a few red spots on it from gripping too much hours ago. "Um...I have this..."

"I thought it was bruised or something...did someone stab you?" He asked tracing fingers gently over the wound.

Flinching a bit, Yuui shook his head. "No...the cafe was under attacked..."

"Tell me what happened." He had a feeling it was something to do with Kurogane.

"Okay...um..." Yuui still didn't want to but Fai wanted to know but after showing that wound there was no turning back now. "It was during lunch hour...Syaoron was coming in and we both had stew. Next thing we knew the glass at the front of the cafe shattered and...everyone panicked. But...Syaoron shielded me from the impact of flying glass though..." He slightly blushed.

"Then how did you get hurt?" He asked as he took in all the information.

"...There were a small group of black hooded people..." Yuui's voice got low. "And...one of them had a bow and arrow. Aimed I think at Syaoron; never was really sure." He sighed. "I...I pushed him out of the way and..." He pointed to his wound. "This happened."

"I see..." He was just glad Yuui was alive.

"Yeah... it was a hassle getting to the hospital and all..." Yuui then looked at Fai. "A...Are you going to tell Kurogane about this...?"

"I think he has a good idea about it already" It wouldn't surprise him if his boyfriend was listening in now.

Sure enough, Kurogane was almost half-asleep but hear what was going on in the kitchen loud and clear. He noted that he should contact Fuuma about this is the creep hadn't heard about it already.

"Brother, please don't tell him." Yuui pleaded. "After the attack with him, I didn't want him to think that what happened with me was his fault. It...It could have been a random attack!" He reasoned.

"I doubt it." He replied, thinking maybe they had seen him then.

That deflated any hope of no connection between the two attacks for the chef. "But...there's just no way... they couldn't possibly have...it had to be just a attack...things like that happen!" He tried to argue; not wanting this to lead back to Kurogane somehow.

"They do and it could be, but it's hard to say for sure right now. So don't panic."

He reasoned.

"..." Yuui covered his eyes. "I just don't want Kurogane to be blamed for this...I don't blame him..." He started tearing up a bit. "He's been through enough already."

"No, it's no one's fault but those people who attacked you two." Fai said, hand on his brother's leg.

Slowly nodding, Yuui tiredly sighed. "I can't imagine what it was like for you...to have your boyfriend stabbed like that. And he was protecting you and his mother. Such a kind soul though..."

"Yes, he's very sweet." Fai smiled, but then he had also had to deal with the fact of his brother being stabbed too.

"Brother..." Yuui reached out and grabbed his brother's hand. "This may sound hypocritical from someone like me but hear me out when I say this. Whatever happens, remember, you chose to be with him. Kurogane may try a few times to push you away so you'll be safe but if you really want to be with him and I meant it brother...really be with him...then you have to prove it to him. He's kind but I think he doesn't see himself as much despite how he looked. But I want you to be happy too so...just...be careful...okay?"

"I know, I've told him already and you know I'm stubborn." Fai grinned. "I care about Kuro-tan and I'm trying to show that."

"Then don't stop showing him that." Yuui smiled. "I...I'm not the best example for those words so...don't worry about me, okay?"

"We're brothers, I'm always going to worry."

Yuui started to chuckle but tears were running down his face. "It seems that everyone can say things easily except for me." He stated. "I must really be afraid..."

"It's not your fault and you'll get past it eventually." He reassured, knowing Yuui was strong.

"Brother...do you know what Syaoron said to me right before I went to sleep?" Yuui cried softly. "He said...I love you...he fucking said that to me..."

"That's great. See? I told you he really liked and not just for all the sometimes obnoxiously loud sex." The blonde teased half heartedly.

"Brother...he said that to me once." Yuui confessed. "Just a short time before he...tossed me away...and now...when I have someone who really cares about me...I couldn't even say it back...even though...I feel the same way!" He started crying.

Fai patted his good shoulder. "Now hush. You'll say it when it feels right to you. There's no rush."

"There's no way...you all can be so understanding about this..." Yuui calmed down a bit. "Even Syaoron said...not to say it if I can't right now...but I feel so selfish. /He/ is pouring his heart out for me..."

"Well we are." He shrugged. "You're just going to have to deal with it."

"Mah..." Yuui chuckled. "Big brother's mean."

"A little." Grinning Fai was glad Yuui had calmed down.

Laughing a bit, Yuui felt a lot better about himself and his situation. Looking over though, he realized how late it was. "Oh dear, I have to be at the cafe soon." He then also realized that he had nothing to drink this whole time. "And I'm still thirsty."

"Go and get ready, I'll make you something." Fai offered

"Thank you." Yuui smiled as he got up. "I have to make sure that Watanuki doesn't get his hands full with the repairs and such. Might not make anything complicated for a while though."

"You go do that." Getting up Fai left to go make something quick for his brother.

"Meanie!" Yuui joked as he went to the bedroom door; he opened and he was met with his lamp already turned on.

Syaoron was awake, brushing down his hair when he looked up at Yuui. "Hey."

"Hey." Yuui blinked. "I thought you were asleep." Well there goes the chance to see Syaoron asleep in his bed.

"I woke up a couple minutes ago. How are you?" The brunette put on his pants and zipping it up.

"I'm better." Yuui gave the other a soft smile. "And you? Slept well?"

"As good as can be." He smiled, glad to hear some good news.

"Good." Yuui slowly went up and sat on the bed as he reached out and cupped Syaoron's face. "I'm glad that your handsomeness wasn't ruined by me." He slightly joked.

He shook his head at the joke. "I don't know about handsome, but no, I tend to sleep well when I'm with you."

Blushing a bit at the confession, Yuui coughed. "Well, I...I going to change so I can go to the cafe later." He started to stand up.

"Okay. I'll head out then." He replied before moving to stand.

Going to his closet, Yuui slowly unbuttoned his pants as he glanced over his shoulder. When brown eyes met blue, Yuui blushed brightly before looking away.

Smiling he strolled over to hug the other from behind. "If you need anything call. I'll let you get ready to head back to work." He kissed a flushed cheek.

Leaning into the embrace, Yuui nodded. He then sighed. "Syaoron..."

"What?"

"I...I want to say those three words to you...but...with everything happening right now...I want to say it when the moment's right." Yuui gulped. "W-Will you wait until then?"

"You know I will." He grinned, glad it wasn't anything bad. "I'll wait for as long as possible."

With his breathing hitched up a few times, Yuui hoped it wouldn't end up as hyperventilation. "...I...I don't know what to say anymore...you seem to take my damn breath away every time you talk..."

"Now you're embarrassing me." He countered hugging the other close.

"But it's true." Yuui teased lightly. "No one had done that before...and you holding me like this...I almost never want to let you go..."

He kissed a pale shoulder and sighed. "Thank you. I'm glad I can make you feel this way."

"Mmm..." Yuui's body warmed up a bit at the kiss. "Oh Syaoron...you're so sweet and kind to me..."

"That's because it's hard not to be." He chuckled before he made to pull away.

Almost whimpering at the loss of warmth, Yuui looked over at Syaoron with a small smile. "Um...after work, will you come with me to the hospital? I need to pick up some medicine and maybe some ice cream after? My treat." Oh, he'll use that bastard's money in any way he'll see fit now that at least Fai knows about it.

"Uh sure. Just text me when you're ready to go." He smiled before kissing the blonde sweetly. "I'll see you then."

Returning the kiss, Yuui chuckled. "Sure thing. Bye." He waved a bit.

Syaoron left bypassing the other couple on his way out.

"Here you go Yuui." Fai smiled and presented his brother something pink to drink.

"Thank you." Yuui quickly changed before taking the drink. He looked it over; a bit shocked on how pink it was. "Pink lemonade?" He asked.

"No, your brother's blood." Kurogane stated from the living room as he rubbed his head and yawned.

"Strawberry." He chirped before he grabbed a pillow off Yuui's bed and tossed it at the dragon's head.

Kurogane barely dodged it before catching it swiftly with his hand. He rolled his eyes.

Chuckling, Yuui took a sip. "Mm...it's good. And just what I needed to wake myself up. Thanks, brother."

"You're welcome." He turned then to go and retrieve the pillow from the other man.

Drinking the whole thing slowly, Yuui smiled as he can hear Kurogane yelp. Brother must have whacked him with the pillow. Placing the cup down on the table, he looked at the couple. "I'm off. See you guys later."

"See ya." Kurogane waved at the blonde chef with one hand on his head.

"Bye Yuui, be careful with that shoulder and call me when you get to work." Fai replied half draped over the back of the couch.

"Got it! Oh and I might be coming home a bit later so watch out for that. Bye~!" And with that Yuui was out of the house.

"Is it safe for him to be out already?" Kurogane suddenly asked. "Not that I care but an arrow wound isn't exactly an easy injury to have. I have my fair share of them so I'd know."

"He should be okay. With what happened the police will be swarming outside." Fai countered. There was always a risk, but he thought the strangers attacking them were only wanting to warn Kurogane.

"..." Growing quiet, Kurogane sighed.

"It'll be okay." He leaned over kissing the man's cheek.

"...I know." To be honest, it was rare of the dragon to be unsure. He's usually very confident about things and will believe that people will say but the last thing he wanted was for Fai to lose his twin.

"Oh come on, don't mope so much." He moved then to properly sit on the couch.

"I'm not moping." Kurogane grunted as he looked away.

He poked the man's thigh. "Yes you are."

Making a noise, Kurogane scooted a bit away from the blonde. "No. I'm not."

"Uh-huh." He smiled moving closer to him.

The more he moved away the more Fai would still move closer to him. Well the two didn't have to do much scooting since the couch can only be so long. Kurogane soon found himself on the over side of the couch quickly enough and the blonde closing in on him. "I'm not and that's final." He just wanted to get the last word in.

"Now you're just being stubborn." He laughed.

"Says you." Kurogane scoffed.

"Yep." He grinned and leaned closer still. "So you're not moping?"

"No!" Kurogane argued. "Now I have a blonde who doesn't know anything about personal space! Not that I was freaking moping in the first place." He blushed a bit.

"And now you don't like me being close?" Smiling Fai wondered if he should back off, but then again Kurogane blushing was adorable.

Considering his options, in the end, Kurogane scoffed. "Do what you want." It was the closest thing to 'no, I actually do like you close' that he'll ever say.

"Good." With that settled Fai chose to sit, side pressed against Kurogane.

Blushing more, Kurogane closed his eyes. If the other dragons see him now, they'd probably laugh at him.

TBC

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