Author note: Well, yet another chapter! And this one has more gropies than the others. ^_^
Warning: Sex (eventually), tiny bit of bondage, more OOC than I'd have really liked.
Pair: Shirogane and Akira Nikaido
Disclaimer: Monochrome factor is not, however much I'd like it to be, mine. Kaili Sorano owns the characters and the universe they live in. :D

That night, Akira lay looking at his darkened ceiling, incredibly aware of Shirogane sitting in his usual spot beside the bed. It was the older man's choice to spend most nights on the floor, not Akira's, but he still felt mildly guilty. He was always conscious of the other man's presence at his bedside, but it was worse than usual. He listened as Shirogane settled into a comfortable position against the wall, and chewed his lip thoughtfully.

"Oh for the love of..." he rolled over to face the Shin, and shuffled across until his back hit the wall. "Get into bed." He ordered. Shirogane looked at him curiously.

"I'm fine here, Akira-kun, really."

"I-I know." The brunet cursed that little hesitation to his voice. "I want you to sleep here, that's all." A second later, he smiled as Shirogane rose, and set his hat on the desk. "There are some pyjama bottoms in the drawer there." He offered. Shirogane met his eyes for a moment, and he felt himself blush. "You don't have to, but-"

"Would you mind if I slept as you do?" Akira blinked as he was cut off. The light blush increased as he realised that he was wearing nothing but his boxers. "It is quite warm." Akira gave up on stammering out a reply and shook his head. He turned down the corner of the quilt invitingly. Shirogane undressed, allowing the teen plenty of time to see his ivory skin being unveiled, before sliding under the sheets with the younger man.

They lay facing each other for a while, just watching. Akira reached up to touch Shirogane's shoulder. He stroked over the smooth skin contemplatively, and didn't flinch when the older Shin rested a hand on his tanned waist. They stayed that way for a few minutes, until Akira grew in confidence, and slid the explorative hand down Shirogane's shoulder to his arms, back up to trace his collarbone and upper chest, and finally across his side to run gently up and down his back.

When Akira finally fell still, Shirogane had his own arms wrapped around the younger Shin, holding him gently against his chest. Neither of them were quite sure when they'd gotten into the embrace, but neither was willing to move and break the contact. Praying silently that Akira wouldn't pull away, Shirogane began his own exploration, slowly brushing a hand over the young man's warm skin. He found what he was looking for – sensitive places that made the younger Shin shiver, or made his breath hitch. Tenderly, he nudged Akira's chin up until he could press a soft, loving kiss to the pale lips.

As before, Shirogane kept it chaste and sweet, waiting for Akira to choose to deepen the kiss. The teen pulled away, however.

"I don't..." Akira searched for the right words. "I'm just using you." Shirogane nodded.

"I'm a convenient way to explore whatever is going on in your head right now." He ran lithe fingers up and down Akira's bare arm. "I'm fine with that, I guess."

"You shouldn't be." The young man huffed. "I wouldn't be."

"That you're willing to try at all is fine by me." The silver haired Shadow admitted. "I just like being able to hold you." Akira rolled over, facing away from the older Shin, and cuddled back into his arms.

"Then you can hold me any time you like." He decided. Shirogane smiled, and traced his lips along the side of his partner's neck, ignoring the leather collar. Akira shivered, encouraging the touch. Pink lips continued upward, and closed gently on Akira's earlobe, tugging slightly on the piercing. The younger Shin tensed beneath the touch.

"I'll be careful." Shirogane promised. "I won't hurt you." The brunet nodded once, humming softly in acknowledgement. Shirogane moved on from the silver ring, kissing cautiously up the younger's jawline, until he had to shift closer to keep the contact. He moved on, to press his lips against the corner of Akira's mouth.

Akira took steadying breaths as he felt the full length of the older man's body against his own. Soft hair brushed against his cheek as Shirogane leant over him, and Akira suddenly found himself rolling onto his back, leaving the Shin hovering over him.

"If you're going to kiss me, do it properly." He reached up, and threaded a hand through those long silver locks to pull his partner into a deep kiss, tongue teasing against Shirogane's lips until he opened his mouth to deepen the contact.

The kiss became fiery and passionate as both found themselves drawn in, pressing against each other with abandon. Somehow they rolled over until Shirogane was trapped beneath his younger partner, hair loosened from its braid and spread across the pillows.

"Well... this was unexpected." Blue eyes blinked up into equally surprised grey. The older Shin had somehow ended up with his legs parted, and Akira settled neatly between the pale thighs as their hips pressed firmly together.

"I'm not sure where the boundary between small things and big things is any more." Akira whispered, leaning in for another kiss.

TBC