Gentle shafts of sunlight slipped through the slats in the boarded up windows, falling across Eiji's sleeping face like an artist's loving brush across a painting. Ash ran his fingers through Eiji's hair gently, the silky curls as soft as Eiji's breath against his arm.
Eiji had fallen asleep curled up against him, a hand resting lightly on Ash's chest, moving with the steady rise and fall of his breath. His face was gentle and Ash smiled at the peacefulness he found there, with no trace of nightmares.
He wanted to let Eiji sleep. Wanted him to stay in his arms forever.
"Sleep," he thought softly. "Stay here with me in this pleasant dream."
The sunlight drifted across the room and Eiji shifted and opened his eyes slowly. The morning light lit up the chocolate hues of his eyes, sparkling in those deep pools.
"Good morning," Eiji mumbled, smiling and rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
Ash leaned down and kissed his head. No, don't wake up. Stay asleep.
Eiji pulled himself upright and yawned, stretching happily. He looked around the bare room and thought that it was probably the most lovely place he had ever woken up in. Dust motes winked as they wandered through the shafts of sunlight and the crooked walls of the room leaned in on them cozily as if smiling at the two lovers who lay within their protected space.
"When do we leave?" Eiji asked.
"Soon," Ash said.
Eiji nodded and got up. Ash's hand fell away as he stood. Eiji looked around the room and then looked back at Ash with a smile. He stopped and tilted his head curiously.
"Ash? What's wrong?"
Ash smiled. "Nothing. I was just thinking about how much I love you."
Eiji blushed and smiled. He laughed and stumbled forward as Ash grabbed his hand and pulled him back into bed.
"And I was thinking about how I want to stay here with you all day," Ash muttered.
He kissed Eiji gently.
"Ash, come on. We have to get up," Eiji laughed.
"I'm not stopping you," Ash said and kissed him again, grabbing his hips and pinning him down gently. Eiji flushed and his breath fluttered in his chest. His hands gripped Ash's back and pulled him closer.
There was a sudden sharp knock at the door and they looked up, startled.
"Ash! Eiji!" Shorter's voice rang out. "It's me, Shorter!"
Eiji looked at Ash and laughed, embarrassed. Ash let him up as Eiji stood and crossed to the door. His hand reached the door and he hesitated. He quickly smoothed out his shirt and hair and then opened the door with a smile.
"Ohayo, Eiji!" Shorter said happily, bursting into the room. Sing followed behind, nodding his greeting solemnly.
Shorter's eyes quickly found Ash, still in bed, sheets rumpled and hair tousled, an annoyed look on his face. Shorter glanced at Eiji and wiggled his eyebrows knowingly. Eiji went beet red and Shorter laughed.
"Come on," Sing said. "We should get going."
Eiji slipped on his shoes and hurried after Sing gratefully, blushing again as Shorter gave him a proud wink.
Ash stood and pulled on his shirt and shoes.
"Looks like you two worked things out nicely," Shorter grinned.
"Another word and you're walking to California," Ash growled.
Shorter's smile only widened. Ash pulled on his jacket and huffed past him out the door.
Ash sat with Shorter in the front seat and Eiji sat in the back with Sing. Ash's eyes flicked up again to the rearview mirror.
Eiji was passed out, his mouth open slightly as he slept. They took a curve and Eiji slid over and fell against Sing's arm, nuzzling into him sleepily. Sing glanced at him and looked out the window awkwardly.
"Short night?" Shorter grinned, glancing in the back.
"I will leave you in a ditch, Shorter Wong," Ash said.
Shorter glanced sideways at Ash. Ash looked up at him and his stony glare broke. He smiled and shook his head, looking back out the window at the passing countryside.
"He looks happy," Shorter said, glancing back at Eiji.
"He's heavy," Sing complained, repositioning beneath the sleeping boy's weight.
Shorter chuckled. He glanced at Ash and saw a dark look had crossed over his friend's face.
"What's wrong?"
"I wish this was enough for him," he said. I wish I was enough.
Shorter looked at his friend softly. "He still wants to go after Golzine."
Ash nodded.
"It's just-" Ash glanced at Eiji and then looked away. "I- I'm scared that-"
He trailed off, shaking dark thoughts from his head.
"We're doing the right thing," Shorter said. "Stopping Golzine… It's like you said. We have to do it."
"I know," Ash said. "But we've been down this road before. I already lost my brother. I can't- I can't lose him too."
Eiji shifted in his sleep and Sing gently caught his head as he slipped and pulled him back to rest on his shoulder.
"We don't have a choice, Ash," Shorter said quietly. "And this is a dangerous game we're playing. There's no guarantee… for any of us."
Shorter glanced at his friend and then looked away back at the road. "Just don't get in too deep, okay?"
But they both knew it was already too late.