Nezumi was not the type of person to let someone catch him sleeping. That's what Shion realized as he woke up to Nezumi already sitting up in bed.

It was still dark in the room. Only the lightest gleam of dawn coming through the window. Yet, Nezumi was already awake. His long, thin fingers combing absent-mindedly through Shion's hair and a book propped open in his other hand.

Shion sighed quietly, and the fingers pushed deeper into his hair, mussing it like he was a little kid.

"Good morning, little prince."

Shion blinked open his big red eyes and looked up at Nezumi. The dark haired boy was looking down at him sideways with amused eyes—the same gray color as the morning sky.

"Nezumi," Shion mumbled sleepily, his eyes trailing over the boy beside him. His dark hair had stayed pulled back but was messy. Falling around his face. His skin looked smooth and pale as it sloped over his throat and down over his bare chest in the dimness. Shion blushed.

Nezumi's lip pulled up at the corner. "How is it you can look surprised to see me?"

Shion turned over onto his back, pulling Nezumi's hand from his hair and trailing it over his cheek. It stilled but Nezumi didn't remove it.

"I'm not surprised exactly," Shion said, his eyes studying Nezumi's face. "It's just different, seeing you like this when I first wake up."

Nezumi's eyes widened for a moment, then he laughed.

"Think before you talk, Shion."

Shion frowned. He had thought about it. He'd said exactly what he'd meant.

Shion sat up beside Nezumi. His eyes looking at the bed and his cheeks pink as he scooted over. Sitting so Nezumi's arm ran along his back, as if Nezumi were holding him. He pretended not to notice himself doing it, and waited for Nezumi to remove his arm. Instead the dark haired boy was silent for a few moments, and then lifted his hand so it curved around Shion's hip.

Shion smiled, "What are you reading?"

Nezumi glanced at him and turned the book to show Shion the cover while his thumb kept his place.

"Macbeth?"

"Have you read it?" Nezumi asked, and Shion shook his head.

"Not yet. It was in a collection of new books I haven't gotten to yet."

"Speaking of that," Nezumi motioned with his chin to the large chest-like box pushed up against the far wall. The one holding the books Safu had given him for his birthday.

"Why do you have that chest of non-fiction books separate from all the others? They look new."

"Oh," Shion smiled, "Well my friend Safu gave them to me for my birthday so I haven't read any of them yet."

Nezumi glanced at him, "Safu, huh? Is that the girl you danced with at your party?"

Shion blinked, "Oh, you mean when you were singing? Yeah she is."

Nezumi smiled as his amendment, but then his eyes darkened.

"How do you know her?"

"She's another noble child," Shion explained. "We were somewhat forced to spend time together growing up, but we've always gotten along well. She was my only real friend for a long time."

"So you see her as friend then?" Nezumi asked, shifting his eyes sideways to look at Shion. "Do you spend a lot of time with her?"

Shion became confused by Nezumi's line of questioning. "Mostly just at parties these days. Before my birthday I hadn't seen her for several months. We write letters back and forth sometimes, but to be honest I've forgotten lately. There's been a lot on my mind—,"

"But she likes you doesn't she?" Nezumi cut in and Shion looked at him in surprise.

"Likes me how?" he questioned.

Nezumi lowered his eyelids. "The way a woman would feel about a man."

Shion tilted his head, "I don't… know… we've just been friends a long time. Why?"

"Because I'm fairly certain she does." Nezumi replied, eyes flitting back to the pages of the book. "The way she leaned on you at your birthday, she was clearly trying to get your attention."

Shion's eyebrows pulled together, "Leaning on me?"

Nezumi's lips curved upward. "And apparently not succeeding."

"All I really remember about that dance was you singing," Shion confessed, "I had never heard anything like it."

Nezumi smiled wider, "You know that's strange, don't you Shion? That a beautiful woman was giving you all her attention and all you could think about was another man?"

Shion tilted his head sideways, "You don't want me to think about you?"

Nezumi looked at him, "I didn't say that. It's just not ordinary. Men think of women. Like Safu—,"

"Do you think about women?" Shion asked, feeling a clench in his chest. Nezumi eyes widened, like he'd caught him off guard.

"I think you're missing the point I'm trying to make," Nezumi grumbled, looking away.

Shion looked down too. "You're trying to tell me… that it's normal for you to think of women. That you think I'm strange for not thinking about them."

Nezumi sighed, "Not exactly. I'm trying point out what you don't seem to be putting together. Your mother… she must have been with a man who was your father, and that's how she got you, right?"

Shion looked at Nezumi and nodded. "I never met him though."

Nezumi's eyes darkened at that but he said nothing. "Rikiga… He loves your mother, wanted her because he found her to be a beautiful woman. That's the natural way of things. A man finds a woman and they have a family. Wasn't that ever a part of your plan?"

Shion eyebrows pulled together as he started to realize what Nezumi was getting at.

"I never thought about it much." Shion confessed. "I wanted… to love someone. I figured that I would find that or I wouldn't. Until then… I would never know what kind of future someone else would want. Or if there would ever be someone else whose opinion mattered, so I focused on myself."

Nezumi looked surprised. "So you never imagined settling down with a woman just because that's way of things?"

Shion tilted his head. "That sounds like a terrible reason to be with someone forever."

Nezumi laughed again.

"You're not wrong," Nezumi chuckled. "So then what about kids? You know as king you're expected to have heirs."

Shion looked down. "I'm not king though. I always thought… I wouldn't plan my life based on something that may never happen. I know that If I'm accepted as king, there's a chance my future will change. The truth is, that is one of the reasons I was hesitant about trying to become king in the first place. There was a time I wasn't even going to try. But something you said when we were kids changed my mind."

Nezumi's eyes widened. "Me?"

Shion nodded. "When I was telling you that I disagreed with Rikiga. That I thought I could never rule like he did. You said maybe that was the reason I should be king."

Nezumi lips parted in surprise, like he was about to speak and then didn't. He looked down.

"I still believe that," Nezumi admitted. "It would be interesting to see what someone like you could do for this place. Maybe people could be happier. But who knows… really."

Shion smiled, "Well, that's why I thought I'd try. If there was a chance I could make people's lives better, then I wanted to do what I could. But there's always the chance it won't happen."

There was silence between them for a while, as Nezumi tipped his head back against the wall and stared at the ceiling, thinking. Finally he looked at Shion.

"Shion," He said his voice low and urgent. "You realize the way you act with me– the kissing, and telling me you think about me. You realize those are things you're supposed to do with a woman? Someone who you could marry someday."

Shion frowned. "But I feel that way for you," he countered, his forehead drawing together in something like panic. "I don't want to be like this with anyone else. Why does it matter what gender either of us are?"

Nezumi flinched at Shion's words and his voice became harder. "Well, because two men can't have kids, for one. People, religion, frown on a relationship between the same gender, for two."

Shion shook his head. "I don't care about that. You're more important."

Nezumi cringed, closing his eyes.

"You're so careless with the things you say, Shion."

"I'm not!" Shion snapped, "I mean it, that there's no one else." Shion's eyes lowered to the bed. "So unless you're telling me that you don't want me…. it doesn't matter. The choice doesn't belong to anyone else."

Nezumi sighed, "That's pretty bold talk, little prince."

Shion steeled himself. "It's how I feel."

Nezumi looked at him, "Maybe. But when it comes down to it… people don't stick to those kinds of decisions."

Shion shook his head. "I'm not going to change my mind. Not as long as I can be with you."

"And who said you could be with me?" Nezumi asked, raising his chin a bit defiantly.

Shion's eyes widened and for a moment it felt like something in his chest had swollen up to crush all the air out of his lungs.

"I…" He stumbled over his words, "No one… I…"

He thought he was going to throw up.

Nezumi reached out and took Shion by the chin.

"You have to ask for what you want, Shion. Understand?" Nezumi was smiling now. An amused crooked smile. "Do you want me?"

Shion sucked in a breath and opened his mouth, "I—"

"Shh…" Nezumi put his finger to Shion's lips, smiling wider. "Hold on. I want to make something clear. You need to realize that there will be a time when our lives won't continue down the same path anymore. Anything that happens between us is going to end. If you can't handle that, then you have to walk away right now. Do you understand?"

Shion stared into the sharp gray that was Nezumi's eyes, and thought. He imagined a day where Nezumi would leave and Shion couldn't follow, like when they were kids. He asked himself if that were to happen, would any time they could have now would be worth anything? He came up with only a single answer.

He would do anything he could, for every single second he could have. If that day was coming where he could have no more time… he would be grateful that there was ever a moment where Nezumi chose him.

"I understand," Shion said. His hand shooting out to touch Nezumi's cheek, sliding down the dark haired boy's neck like Nezumi had done to Shion in the past. Nezumi's eyes flew wide in surprise.

"I want you, Nezumi," Shion said, staring into the other boy's eyes. "I do. If can ask for you, then I'm asking. I'm asking, please."

Nezumi's eyes went to Shion's. For a moment he looked almost frightened, like he had since Shion had touched him. Then his eyelids lowered.

"If it pleases his majesty." he said, a small smile turning up the corners of his mouth. Shion's eyes widened and he pulled back.

Nezumi frowned, "What is it?"

Shion looked on the brink of tears.

"Don't say it like that," he whispered, "Don't say it like I'm a prince. Say it like it's just me, just Shion. Please."

Nezumi grinned, "I enjoy teasing you, Shion," he said, reaching up to slide his hand into his Shion's hair. "I would have said it like that either way. Because you are such a spoiled child."

Shion glared, "Hey!"

Nezumi chuckled, "But because you asked… "

Nezumi lowered his eyes to be level with Shion's.

"If it pleases you, just Shion."

Shion smiled ruefully, "You're always making fun of me."

"Yes I am." and Nezumi locked their lips together.

"You realize…" Nezumi murmured between kisses, his lips brushing against Shion's. "That there's more to do than just kissing, don't you?"

Shion was already breathing hard, "What… do you mean?"

Then, Shion was on his back and Nezumi was looming over him, his arms on either side of Shion's shoulders.

Shion stared up at him with blinking, confused eyes.

"Shion," Nezumi sighed, "I think it's time we had a practical conversation over what you know about sex."

Shion's eyes flew wide.

KNOCK, KNOCK

"Your majesty? I came to call you down to breakfast."

Shion glanced at the door, still breathing hard. Nezumi sighed.

"On second thought, it looks like it's going to have to wait." Nezumi lowered his eyelids to look at Shion. "Good news is that we have our lessons later tonight, and I have a lot to teach you."

Shion gulped.

To say that Shion couldn't focus during rehearsal would have been a serious understatement.

The crew wasn't going over Nezumi's scenes today. Ichigan was trying to work with a few actors on another part of the play— the set up for their scenes taking up the entire time.

The rest of the actors were working on their lines. Nezumi— true to his character—working alone.

While they were in rehearsal, Nezumi was tending to keep his distance from Shion. At least when there wasn't some reasonable excuse to do otherwise. This had ceased to bother Shion though, since he suspected it had to do with what the other actors would think. Shion didn't want anyone thinking his status as prince had anything to do with Nezumi's achievements. So Shion followed the dark-haired actor's lead.

In fact, this wasn't particular different than any other rehearsal. Except that one thing kept returning Shion's mind.

"I have a lot to teach you."

Shion shook his head back and forth, trying to breath and watch the stage.

He steadfastly refused to look at Nezumi– because that simply would not help. But nerves were still running though his veins like lightning bugs, making his hands shake.

By the time rehearsal had ended, Shion was certain he would fall down when he stood up, but he forced himself to do it anyway.

When he made it into the hall, something immediately took his mind off it.

"My lord, the messenger is once again well enough to travel. We need to know what you want to do about the prison."

Shion swallowed hard.

"I'd like to speak with the messenger," Shion decided, his forehead creasing with stress. "Please take me to him."

In the end, the messenger seemed to be fine. He offered to try and send a message to the prison from Shion, but Shion refused.

"Enough people got hurt trying to make that journey." He said. "I'll find another way."

Shion said that, but the truth was he was mostly stalling for time. He had no idea what it would happen if he tried to contact the prison again. Would Nezumi stop it? And even if he didn't, did Shion want to warn the prison about Nezumi?

The truth was, Shion wanted to look into the war prisoners. He wanted to find a way for them to be free, to allow them to live in peace, but Shion didn't have that kind of power now. Only the king could do something like that, and Rikiga would never do it.

Shion knew that's why he was trying to become king, but at the same time, he wasn't in a hurry to rush the process.

What would happen to him and Nezumi the second he got crowned? Even if he were to help Nezumi's people… he was certain Nezumi would leave.

"There will come a time our paths won't run together anymore,"

Shion closed his eyes and sighed.

This time he did make it to the end of dinner, and everyone stood when he walked, in which was mildly frightening. He dismissed them to finish eating and he sat down at the head of the table. He felt very alone.

He began filling a plate full of food for himself, and sipped at his wine. When he happened to glance up at the rest of the table, though, he met with harsh silver eyes.

Nezumi was looking at him and while making as if to drink his wine he mouthed something to Shion.

"Skin and bones"

Shion blushed and frowned, but he did pick up the pace with eating. He was so sick of Nezumi telling him he was too skinny. He'd always looked like that. It was part of why everyone thought he was so sickly.

Finally dinner ended with Shion dismissing everyone. Shion stayed standing at the head of the table as everyone left. Then he sat back down with a sigh.

"I have a lot to teach you."

Shion shook his head and reached for his wine.

"Are you avoiding me or just trying to get drunk?"

Shion looked toward the doorway. He found Nezumi leaning there, threatening in all black. His silver eyes bright like metal.

Shion blushed.

"Neither," He insisted, "I just— it's been a while since I've been at dinner with everyone, and I'm the Regent. It seems like Rikiga always stays after dismissing everyone else. I thought maybe—,"

"Well sure," Nezumi agreed, walking forward and folding his arms over the top of one of the chairs near where Shion was sitting. "But he has your mom stay with him. I imagine the two of them are just having their alone time."

Shion blushed darker, "Oh,"

Nezumi laughed.

Shion took another gulp of his wine and stood.

"So, shall we?"

Nezumi grinned. "Only if you can still walk straight,"

Shion bristled, "I didn't drink that much!"

Nezumi laughed, "Well, sure, but you're such a light weight."

Shion scowled.

Nezumi chuckled and motioned with his head, "Let's go. We've got a lot I want to get through tonight, so we had better get started."

Shion felt heat run from his head to his toes and back again. "Sure."

The two of them talked idly about the show on their way to Shion's room. Nezumi said he worried about playing a girl and a guy at the same time, and Shion asked him about costumes. When they finally reach the hall, Nezumi was explaining his ideas when, suddenly, he broke off.

He moved to his own door, making Shion look at him in confusion.

Nezumi put a finger to his lips and opened the door, slipping inside.

Shion stood there dumb-founded, until the door for his own room clicked open.

"Oh, good evening my lord." One of the maids greeted him as she exited, dropping a curtsy. "I've just finished drawing you a hot bath in your wash room. Try to use the water while it's still hot. I'll come by again in a few hours to empty it for you."

"Thank you," Shion said immediately, "I appreciate it."

The maid smiled, curtsied again, and hurried away.

When her footsteps were no longer in ear shot, Nezumi emerged from his room.

"Interesting," he said leaning in his doorway. "Would you like me to come by when your done with your bath, your majesty?"

Shion shot him a look at the title, but then rubbed the back of his neck.

"Do you want a bath too? We'd have to share the water I guess… But I know you don't have your own wash room. You could even go first if you want."

Nezumi raised his eyebrows, "For a moment I thought you were being suggestive."

Shion flushed, "What?"

Nezumi rolled his eyes, "Never mind. Are you sure you want to do that?"

Shion shrugged, "Sure. I don't mind."

Nezumi smiled, "Well if your offering. Lead the way."

Shion walked into his bedroom with Nezumi at his heels. Once he'd shut the door he turned to look at Nezumi.

"You can go first," Shion repeated. "It will be warmer for you that way."

Nezumi smiled, "Well now that you put it that way, It does seem like we're being a little counter productive."

Shion blinked. "What do you mean?"

Nezumi stepped forward, and ran his hand along the front of Shion's shirt. "Would you like to join me?"

Shion flushed all the way down to his toes.

"You don't have to," Nezumi added, "But I want you to be honest with me. Do you want to?"

"I…" Shion's voice quivered, "I don't know."

Nezumi chuckled, "What are you feeling?"

"Nervous," Shion admitted, "And hot."

Nezumi smiled wide enough to show his teeth.

"Here?" Nezumi took two fingers and pressed them to Shion's upper abdomen. Shion shook his head.

Nezumi trailed his fingers to the lowest part of Shion's torso, just a few inches above his hip bone. "Here?"

Shion trembled, then nodded.

"Does it feel tight?" Nezumi asked, "Like your stomach is clenching?"

Shion nodded.

Nezumi smiled, "That's desire, Shion. You're body is trying to tell you it wants this."

Shion breathed shakily, "I'm nervous."

"That's normal too," Nezumi agreed, "And you don't have to do it. It's your choice. But I'll take it easy, I swear. I'm just trying to teach you something. I won't touch you if you don't want me to."

Shion closed his eyes.

"Okay,"

"Okay?"

Shion nodded, "Yes, I want to."

Nezumi smiled "All right. Then this way."

Nezumi lead Shion until they were both standing beside the metal tub full of water. So hot there was a layer of steam blowing off it like fog off an ocean. Nezumi started undoing his jacket.

"Get undressed Shion."

Shion flushed.

Nezumi chuckled, "Would you like me to turn around?"

Shion pressed his eyes shut for a few moments. "No, it's okay."

Shion started undoing his shirt, but he couldn't look at Nezumi and his cheeks had turned red. Nezumi tried to suppress his smile.

Eventually Shion was standing in only his undergarments and so was Nezumi. Nezumi stopped there to try and make it easier on Shion, and Shion just couldn't find the courage to take off anymore.

"I don't have to look right now," Nezumi offered. "I can turn away until you're in the water.

Shion closed his eyes tight.

"I look so hideous, don't I?" Shion murmured, almost in spite of himself. "That's why you're always saying I'm too thin. And this stupid scar—,"

"Is that what you're worried about?" Nezumi looked angry.

Shion opened his eyes wide at the other's boy's tone.

"I say you're thin because you skip dinner too often and give it away to stray kids who wander onto your balcony." Nezumi teased and Shion half-smiled.

"There isn't anything wrong with the way you look." Nezumi continued, slowly approaching Shion like he was a frightened animal. "In fact, I'm jealous. The way you look is unforgettable. Beautiful. And in a way that no one else has but you."

Shion's eyebrows arched toward his hair at Nezumi's words. Nezumi never complimented him like that. Not so straightforward. Shion had learned to come by Nezumi's compliments more in a lack of insults that anything else.

"I don't think I can—," Shion struggled with saying it, but vaguely gestured towards his hips. "My hands keep shaking…"

"Do you want me to do it?" Nezumi offered, eyes becoming half lidded. Shion's heart beat picked up.

Shion couldn't find his voice so he just nodded. Nezumi's long, callused hands found Shion's hips.

His thumbs rubbed against the indents in Shion's hip bones, and Shion sucked in a breath at the feeling that spread through him. Then Shion realized the fabric had left his hips.

"Get into the water."

Shion did. Blushing as he stepped over the side and flinching as hot water met his skin in the moment before he started to adjust to it.

He sank down into it and turned back to look at Nezumi.

Without hesitation Nezumi stepped out of his underwear. Shion was painfully tempted to look down. But he was too embarrassed. He found himself blushing and looking away until the water shifted and Nezumi was sitting across from him in the tub.

Nezumi chuckled, "You're so pure, but you know what." Nezumi's eyelids hooded his eyes. "I kind of like it."

Shion felt a wave of warm flood over him and he looked down in embarrassment. Nezumi clicked his tongue.

"Shion, look at me."

Shion looked back at Nezumi's face.

Nezumi motioned a circle in the air with his finger. "Turn around. I'll wash you."

Shion turned.

Nezumi found a rough cloth draped over the side of the tub and dipped it in the hot water before he began scrubbing it over Shion's back. Shion felt his tense muscles start to relax under the gentle touch and hot water. After a moment, Shion let out a breath and closed his eyes, his shoulders releasing their tension. Nezumi smiled secretly.

"Feels good?"

Shion nodded, "Yeah,"

"How about this?"

Around his washing, Nezumi started rubbing his fingers into the muscles of Shion's back, working the knots out of them.

Shion smiled. "That feels nice too."

"Good. Shion?"

"Yeah?"

"I want to try something."Nezumi said, "I'll touch you, and I want you just to focus on how it feels, don't think about anything else. Then I want you to tell me if it feels good or not. Does that sound okay?"

Shion felt some nerves find there way back into his stomach but he nodded. "Okay."

"Good. Now just relax."

Shion took a few deep breaths. He tried to focus on the warm water, and the quiet, and the feeling of Nezumi's hands on the tight muscles in his back. He found himself relaxing.

At first Nezumi's touch didn't change much from massaging. He massaged Shion's shoulders, his back, and his upper arms. Every time he did something different, Shion would tell him how nice it felt, and Nezumi would continue. When all his back muscles had gotten Nezumi's attention, the dark boy's hands slid forward around his waist. Finding their way to the upper part of his abdomen.

Shion sucked in a breath.

Nezumi's hands slid softly over his ribs and stomach. Tracing patterns over his skin and raising sensations in Shion like he was creating ripples through water.

"What's wrong? Does it not feel okay?"

Shion closed his eyes and tried clear his mind. Just focus on how it feels, that's what Nezumi had told him to do. Shion tried to completely forget everything else.

"It feels good," Shion assured, Nezumi. "It's just that it makes me feel… funny." Shion squirmed.

Nezumi chuckled, low. The sound brushed Shion's ear.

"That's normal too." Nezumi's hand slid up and his thumb circled Shion's nipple. Shion jerked.

"Nezumi…"

Nezumi chuckled, "Are you all right, Shion?"

"It feels good… but I…" Shion squirmed desperately.

"Hmm…" Nezumi hummed. "You're sensitive. Maybe we should take this a little slower."

Shion let out a breath. He didn't know why but that sounded like a terrible idea.

"Nezumi," Shion tried to turn around. "I feel strange not looking at you."

Nezumi hesitated a moment then moved to allow Shion to turn around.

As Shion turned to look at him, his eyes met Nezumi's. Which had turned a deep charcoal gray.

"Do you want me to wash you too?" Shion asked, tilting his head. He raised his hand out of the water moving to touch Nezumi's cheek, but Nezumi caught his hand out of the air and held it between his fingers.

"Do you want to?" Nezumi asked, smiling with glinting eyes. Shion nodded.

"Will you show me what to do?"

Nezumi chuckled, "Of course, but you're not done yet either, so watch me."

For the next few minutes things stayed fairly innocent. Nezumi took on his teaching tone, washing Shion and then drawing Shion's hands over himself.

Shion watched him as he spoke, watching the water trailing down his skin over the contours of muscles and frame. When Shion looked up again he was momentarily distracted.

His eyes fell on Nezumi's hair, pulled up into a tail like it always was. Shion remembered when they were kids Nezumi's hair had fallen loose to his shoulders. And in his dream he remembered his hair had been blowing out around his face.

Shion was unbearably curious, and he reached up, only to stop himself short of touching it.

"What is it?" Nezumi asked and Shion's eyes fell to his face.

"Do you want me to wash your hair?" Shion asked and Nezumi raised an eyebrow.

"Sure I guess." he agreed after a moment. "If you let me wash this mop of yours." Nezumi mussed Shion's hair, making it stick up wildly where he got it wet. Shion blushed.

"Sure."

Nezumi smiled and reached back, yanking the tie out of his hair, and letting it fall. Shion's eyes widened. It looked so smooth, like silk, as it cascaded down to brush over the tops of his shoulders.

Nezumi shook his head so that his hair fanned out around him. He looked at Shion.

Shion got a wave of water in his face.

"Hey!" the white-haired boy sputtered. "What was that for?"

"I was trying to get your hair wet," said Nezumi with a grin. "Stop staring at me."

Shion flushed and looked away.

"Lean back." Nezumi instructed, taking Shion by the shoulder as he eased his head back into the water.

When Shion's hair submerged he pulled him forward again, but when Shion was trying to sit up, he slipped.

Shion gave a shout of surprise. He fell forward, his knees sliding outward to hit the sides of the tub under water. His body fell forward, until Nezumi caught him.

"Ouch," Shion winced at the impact on his knees, then blinked his eyes open to look at Nezumi. Nezumi was holding his shoulders, but he looked forced back, his legs sliding forward as he slipped along the bottom of the tub. He was now was lying under Shion where the white-haired boy curved over him. His was wincing.

"Nezumi, are you okay?" Shion asked, eyebrows pulling together in worry. Nezumi opened his eyes.

They were nearly black.

That's when Shion realized. When he'd pushed Nezumi back, the dark haired boy's lower body had slid. And now Nezumi was all but sprawled between Shion's legs.

Nezumi looked up at Shion with hooded eyes, his cheeks slightly stained with color, and his hair tangling around him. Shion's throat went dry.

"Shion," Nezumi whispered, a bit breathlessly. "This is all your fault.

Then Nezumi was moving. He braced himself against the back of the tub, and he dragged Shion forward by the hips. Seating the white haired boy in his lap, legs bent on either side of Nezumi's hips.

Shion sucked in a breath as he felt friction ignite between his legs and he fell into Nezumi. The next thing he knew he was getting pulled down into a kiss.

Nezumi's lips were hot and insistent against Shion's and the white haired boy let out a soft noise at the feeling. Nezumi smiled against his mouth.

Nezumi's hands roamed over Shion, his fingers tracing the dips of his frame and the smooth planes of his skin. Shion felt every touch like pin pricks loosed beneath his skin, and Shion trembled.

When Shion was starting to get dizzy without any air Nezumi released his lips, but a moment later his mouth fell to Shion's throat.

Shion heard a moan escape his lips as Nezumi's tongue slid over the stripe of Shion's scar around his neck. Shion reached up to cover his mouth.

Nezumi caught his hand.

Shion looked down at Nezumi as he pulled back, their eyes meeting and their heavy breaths mixing in the air. Nezumi opened his mouth like he was about to say something…

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK

"Your Majesty? I'm here to empty the bath."

Nezumi curse violently under his breath.

"Damn cock-blocking maids."

After wrapping Nezumi in a towel and Shion scrambling into a dressing robe the two boys hid in the closet.

Shion pretended to be getting ready for bed as the maid went about emptying the water. Nezumi leaned in the corner of the closet and scowled while they waited.

When she was gone, Shion let out a sigh of relief and Nezumi rolled his eyes.

"I'm sorry," Shion offered as the two of them emerged from the closet. Nezumi shrugged.

"It's fine," he said, a little too briskly. "We should be working on your acting anyway. You've been slacking off."

Shion felt a wave of something cold wash over him at that. "Oh, okay."

"I'm going to go get some clothes from my room," Nezumi added. "I'll be back." Nezumi moved to leave, and Shion realized he was already reaching to gather up his hair.

"Wait," Shion called and Nezumi looked back at him.

"Would you mind leaving your hair down?" The white haired asked timidly, his cheeks staining pink. "It just… it looks so…" he struggled to find the word, "Natural…" was that it?

Nezumi raised an eyebrow but he was half-smiling now. "You want the natural me, Huh? Would you like me to leave my shirt off as well?"

There was an edge of sarcasm in Nezumi's voice, but being Shion he didn't notice it.

"If you want to." Shion said, and his cheeks darkened.

Nezumi's raised both eyebrows and then let out a laugh.

"I'll make you a deal." Nezumi said, reaching back and grabbing one of the ties on Shion's robe, letting it slip through his fingers. "I'll do what you asked, if you stay dressed just like this."

Shion looked down at himself, standing in just a robe, and he went red all over.

"If… you want me to." Shion stammered, his scar disappearing against the stain in his cheeks.

Nezumi chuckled, "Then it's a deal," and Nezumi turned to exit into the hall.