Chapter Fifteen: My One And Only

Sounds of city traffic filled Ash's subconscious, replacing the peaceful chirping of birds he'd grown accustomed to hearing these past few months in Izumo. Ash dreamed he was back in New York, asleep in his old bed. As he began to wake, a pale searching hand wandered across the bed. His hand found only cold, crisp hotel sheets, instead of the typical radiating heat source that was Eiji. Ash opened his eyes and sat. As the room came into focus, he remembered where he was; a hotel in Tokyo. He glanced at the bed on either side of him. To his right, Miyuki lay curled up in a blanket. Currently, she resembled a cat more than a human. To his left, was an empty space. No Eiji. Ash instantly felt stressed. His first instinct was to find Eiji, to make sure he was safe. He quietly walked around the hotel room. He wasn't in the bathroom. He went through the connecting door to Miyuki's room. No Eiji there either. Barefoot in pajamas, Ash grabbed a room key and raced down the hall. As he rounded the corner to the elevator he nearly crashed into Eiji.

"Ash!" Eiji said in surprise. "You almost made me spill all this coffee!" Eiji said, holding three coffees.

Ash placed a hand over his racing heart and took a deep breath.

"What's wrong?" Eiji asked.

"I couldn't find you." Ash said exasperated. He then laughed, realizing just how ridiculous he sounded.

"I was just in the lobby grabbing some coffee." Eiji said, shaking his head in amusement.

"Sorry." Ash said with another small, breathless laugh.

"Here." Eiji said, handing him a coffee. "Let's go back to the room."

Miyuki was still asleep when they returned. Eiji placed a finger over his lips and pointed to the balcony door. A blinding light broke through the room as they momentarily drew the blinds to step outside. Miyuki stirred but did not wake.

Ash and Eiji sat on the two balcony chairs, sipping their morning coffee. Below them, the sound of people and cars buzzed in a delightfully familiar way.

Ash closed his eyes to the morning sun. "Feels like I'm back in New York. God, I've missed the city."

"Mmm" Eiji agreed, not knowing what else to say. He often felt guilty that Ash had followed him to the small town that was Izumo. Although, he knew Ash wouldn't have it any other way.

Ash opened his eyes and sipped his coffee before looking back at Eiji. "So what's on the agenda today, Ei-Chan?"

"I told dad we'd meet him around noon. I figured we could chat a bit and then go out for lunch."

Ash nodded. "You plan on tellin' him?"

"About us?" Eiji asked for clarification.

"Uh-huh." He sipped his coffee.

"Yeah, if it's okay with you. I mean, he'll probably suspect as much anyway. No one brings their friend all the way to Tokyo from New York just to meet their dad."

"Yeah, you're right." Ash said, his voice monotone. "And he'll still be up for lunch after that?"

"Dad's a nice guy, Ash. It may come as a shock, but even if he doesn't agree with it, he's not gonna treat me any differently. He's my dad." Eiji told Ash seriously. "Why are you so nervous to meet him?"

Ash hadn't said that, but Eiji just knew. He always knew.

"Because Eiji…." His voice trailed off.

Eiji was quiet, giving him space to gather his thoughts.

"Because-look don't take the wrong way-but you and your mom and your sister-you're all so good. Like, the ideal family. You're all nice, you get along, hell you guys love each other." He paused before adding hastily, "and-and-maybe it's none of my business but-how could he just leave that? I'm nervous because if he left your mom-in all her goodness-what the hell is he gonna think of me?"

For a moment Eiji just stared in contemplation, looking down at the street below them.

Worried he'd said the wrong thing, Ash quickly added, "Look, I don't mean to imply your dad's a bad dude or anything like that, it's just-"

"It's fine, Ash. I understand what you mean. I didn't understand it either, at first." Eiji interrupted. "It was hard when he left because it wasn't a typical divorce. They argued, of course-everyone argues. But they never fought viciously. They never hated each other. Neither of them cheated, neither of them lied…And sometimes I think it would have been easier if that had been the case."

"Then...what did happen?" Ash asked softly.

"They just...kinda...fell out of love." Eiji said slowly. "When I was in high school, he was promoted in his company. They offered him a position in Tokyo. Mom didn't want to move. We were doing fine on the salary he had, she said staying near both of their families was more important to her. Plus she didn't want to rip Mi-Chan and me from our schools." Eiji sipped his coffee. "But dad really wanted the position. Said the extra money could help put me and Mi-chan through college. So they compromised. He took the position here. For a while, he would travel back and forth each week. He came home each weekend. And it worked for a bit. Until things got too busy. He started coming back every other weekend, then once a month, then even less frequent. The original plan was to try it out for a few months, maybe a year, and then reassess. But during that time they realized the distance didn't bother them as much as they thought it would. I guess that's when they realized they just weren't in love the way they used to be." Eiji looked at Ash, whose eyes were glazed with sorrow.

"It's okay, Ash, I've come to terms with it. They're still friendly, just no longer in love." Eiji gave a fake smile. "At least I never had to see them want to kill each other."

"That's the scariest shit I've ever heard." Ash said grimly, still staring at Eiji.

"That will never be us." Eiji said, reading Ash's mind. He reached out and grabbed his hand. "Things were kinda different when they got married. Everyone used to get married so young, and so quickly. Maybe they just didn't know each other the same way."

"I think I'd actually die if you just fell out of love with me."

"So would I...if you stopped loving me." Eiji said softly, rubbing the back of Ash's hand reassuringly.

Ash pulled away, looking shocked and almost angry. "What!? Eiji, you can't be serious! I would never! Come on! You have to know that!" Ash raised his voice.

"You just said the same thing to me! And I didn't get all offended." Eiji replied, his voice slightly raised as well, but there was no heat behind his words.

"Well...yeah...but you're too good for me. It's more plausible." Ash said defensively.

"Ash...you're so full of shit." Eiji scoffed. He pulled his chair closer to Ash so that he could rest his head on the blond's shoulder. "I could never stop loving you." He added sweetly.

"Promise?"

"Of course I fucking promise." Eiji replied.

This made Ash smile. He kissed Eiji's hair. "Good."

Inside, the curtains parted and the glass door opened. Miyuki squinted in the sun, barely able to open her eyes. She held the coffee Eiji had placed on her nightstand. Both boys turned to look at her.

"Who do I have to thank for the coffee?" She asked sleepily.

Ash pointed to Eiji.

"Thanks, onii-chan." She said sleepily.

Ash rose from his seat. "Here, you can have my seat, I need to shower anyway."

"Thanks, Ashu." She said sleepily as she sunk into his chair.

"Ash, breathe. It's like a rollercoaster. In a few minutes, you'll be wondering why you were ever scared in the first place." Eiji told him firmly as they stood outside the apartment.

"I'm not scared, just anxious." Ash replied defensively.

"You're scared." Eiji corrected him definitively. "Nothing wrong with that, but it's the way it is."

Miyuki slapped Ash's back, jolting him back to reality. "It will all be fine." She smiled.

"You could have just said that, you didn't have to slap me!" Ash complained.

"Pain is grounding." She said with a shrug.

She was right. Ash scowled at her but didn't argue.

Eiji's hand hovered over the door. "Ready?" He said looking deep into Ash's green eyes.

"Go for it."

Eiji knocked. After thirty seconds, he knocked again. Eiji's dad appeared in the doorway as it opened. In Japanese, he said something equivalent to "Long time, no see!" He gave Eiji and Miyuki bone-crushing hugs which caused them to laugh and return his hugs. He looked Ash up and down and said something that Ash thought sounded like "who's the handsome, young American?" Although the Japanese was quick and Ash couldn't be certain what he'd heard.

"Dad, this is Ash Lynx." Eiji said in Japanese.

Okumura-san said something quickly in Japanese that made Eiji and Miyuki blush and laugh awkwardly. Ash looked at them in confusion, trying to decipher their words. Eiji spoke more Japanese to his dad. His dad stared at Eiji and then at Ash.

Miyuki turned to whisper to Ash. "Dad thought you were my boyfriend." She giggled. "Don't worry, Eiji set him straight."

That explained Okumura-san's sudden surprise. Eiji and his dad continued speaking. Miyuki continued to translate for Ash.

"He's shocked. Never would have expected Eiji to be gay." She told him quietly. Ash could have gathered that much on his own.

"Eiji says he's not sure he is gay. Definitely not straight though either. He's only ever loved you. Not sure what that makes him." She whispered. "Wow, that's bold." She remarked.

"He said that!?" Ash whispered back hastily, his heart beating a mile a minute.

"I'd be a pretty shitty translator if he hadn't." She joked.

"Language…" Ash warned.

"My dad doesn't know English, moron."

"Okay, okay, we're missing what they're saying!" Ash said, nudging Miyuki.

She listened carefully for a moment before continuing her translation. "He wants to know what mom thinks. Eiji said she's really taken to you, treats you like her own son. Dad said 'why am I not surprised?'" Miyuki smiled at Ash and then continued. "Eiji's telling dad how you two met. He said you both got mixed up with gang business in New York."

"That's putting it lightly." Ash said with an eye roll.

"Mmm, quiet. Okay, dad asked how long you're visiting."

"What'd Eiji say?" He asked nervously as if Miyuki wouldn't have told him anyway.

"That you're here to stay."

Ash relaxed a bit. He was irrationally scared Eiji's answer would have been different.

"Dad asked where you were staying, Eiji told him you've taken our guest room for now."

"For now?" Ash asked, feeling nervous again.

"Mmm, I guess he means until you two want to get your own place."

"Is that what he meant?" Ash asked hastily. Maybe Eiji thought Ash should move out.

"I don't know, Ash, stop talking! You'll have to ask him later. I'm missing it." She hissed.

"Sorry."

"Okay, dad isn't sure how he feels about that. People shouldn't live together before they're married." She rolled her eyes at Ash "He's so old-fashioned. Okay, Eiji said it's not like that since you have your own room…." Miyuki's voice trailed off even though Eiji and his dad were still talking.

"What? Mi-Chan, what are they saying?"

"He…he says...wow."

"What?" Ash asked. He was sweating now. Why wasn't she translating? Was it that bad?

"Dad asked Eiji if he loves you...and he said yes without a second of hesitation. Then dad said 'how can you be so sure he's a good person, this American?'" She said 'American' as if it were a bad word. "He said that Americans have a different culture, how can Eiji be sure you won't break his heart?" Miyuki shook her head. Ash continued to sweat. "Eiji's telling him off now. Saying dad was quick to accept the 'handsome American' when he thought I was the one dating you. Eiji's explaining how long you two have known each other. He says you saved his life multiple times in New York. He trusts you with his life." Miyuki paused and looked at Ash. "Is that true, Ash?" She asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, of course, it is. Keep translating."

She turned back to the conversation. "Dad's gone quiet. Says Eiji's got a point."

They waited in suspense as the conversation paused. Okumura-san said something quietly. Miyuki gasped. Ash looked at her in suspense.

"Dad apologized. Says he wasn't being fair. He said he still isn't sure how he feels about this all but he should at least get to know you, just like he would if you were a girlfriend."

Ash was shocked. He certainly wasn't expecting that.

Eiji and Okumura-san stepped inside. "He wants us to come in for tea!" Miyuki told Ash, pulling him inside by the arm.

Eiji's dad looked Ash in the eyes as he entered. "Ash." He said simply, bowing slightly. Ash returned his greeting in Japanese. Suddenly Okumura-san's eyes opened wide in terror. Miyuki and Ash had been whispering, so Okumura-san hadn't noticed Mi-Chan had been translating. The thought of Ash understanding their entire conversation was mortifying.

"You speak Japanese?" He asked Ash in his language.

"A little. I am learning." Ash replied as pleasantly and calmly as he could.

They gathered in the small living room as Okumura-san served them tea. He now spoke pleasantly to Ash as Miyuki translated. Apparently, he was willing to argue with his own son but wouldn't argue with a stranger without reason. Via Miyuki's translation, Ash and Okumura-san got to know each other a bit. After a half-hour of civil, yet somewhat awkward, conversation they decided to go out for lunch. They followed Okumura-san as he led the way to a nearby sushi and ramen shop.

Miyuki and Okumura-san walked ahead of Eiji and Ash, both pairs making conversation.

"My insides are like scrambled eggs." Ash said to Eiji as they made their way down the street.

"He's stubborn and a bit old-fashioned but he doesn't hate you. He'll come around. Just give him time."

"Believe it or not, Eiji, that's not very reassuring." Ash replied sarcastically.

"Well, it's the way it is."

The sound of their feet on the pavement filled a brief moment of silence.

"Did you mean it?" Ash asked.

"Mean what?"

"When you said you weren't sure if you were gay cuz I'm the only guy you've ever liked. Did you mean it?"

For a second Eiji looked shocked, he hadn't realized how much of the conversation had been translated. "Well, I said loved, but yes, I meant it."

"You meant it." Ash stated, letting the words sink in.

"So if I died tomorrow, you think you'd fall for another guy?" Ash felt strange asking the question, but he just had to know.

"First of all, you better not die tomorrow." Eiji said glaring at Ash. "And second, I can't imagine falling for anyone ever again, regardless of gender."

Ash stopped walking. The words hit him like a freight train.

Eiji stalled and looked him in the eyes. People walked around them looking slightly annoyed. Miyuki and Okumura-san continued walking, oblivious the pair had stopped.

"Please don't tell me that actually surprised you? You must know you're the only one I'll ever love." Eiji asked with sincerity.

Ash wiped a single tear from his eye and smiled sappily. He didn't say anything. He just grabbed Eiji's hand and continued walking.

After they'd been seated at their table, Okumura-san sat back quietly, observing the dynamic between the three. Miyuki crumpled the paper packaging of her chopsticks and flicked it across the table at Ash.

Ash widened his eyes and raised his eyebrows like a parent warning a child to behave. But within seconds he was holding back a stupid laugh. "You're such a child, Mi-Chan." He said, tossing the paper back at her.

She stuck out her tongue. "Oh, and you're not?"

"I," he said gesturing to himself regally, "am a cultured adult."

"You're full of shit, that's what you are." Eiji teased, giving Ash a poke in the ribs. Ash squirmed and held back a laugh

The waitress arrived at the table and they all sat up straight, acting like mature adults once more. They went around the table ordering. Okumura-san looked pleasantly surprised to see Ash was able to interact perfectly with the waiter. He even pronounced his dish correctly.

"Dad was impressed you could talk with the waiter, I could tell." Eiji told Ash in a regular voice. Normally he would have whispered, but since his dad did not speak English, that would have been more suspicious.

"This wouldn't happen to be the sushi place would it?" Ash asked, ignoring his previous statement. He was referring to the place Eiji had texted him about all those months back.

"No, but that place is in Tokyo. I'll take you before we go home." Eiji told him.

"I'd like that." Ash said, smirking. As he did so, he was aware of Okumura-san and Miyuki watching them. He turned his attention to Miyuki.

"Did you go with Eiji? To the supposedly legendary sushi place?" He asked.

"Yes! It was so good, Ash, you have no idea! Their house roll had this secret sauce that was-" She closed her eyes and slapped her own face, making the same face Eiji made when he first tried crepes back in New York. "Uh! It was so good. I tried to replicate it at home but it just wasn't the same."

"Well, I know where we're eating tomorrow!" Ash laughed.

Eiji's face wrinkled. "Except, I was kind of hoping to take you myself." Eiji said, nudging Ash.

Ash turned his head towards Eiji. "Well that's tempting...but that would be pretty mean of us not to include Mi-Chan after what she just said." Ash said sweetly. There was something strangely flirtatious in his voice that made Eiji want to agree with whatever he said.

Miyuki pouted. "Yeah, Eiji let me come." She whined.

"How's this, 'll let Eiji take me…" He raised a finger to silence Miyuki as she opened her mouth to argue. "Buuuuuttt...I don't see why we couldn't go twice. We're here for a week after all." Ash bargained. He looked to Eiji and then Miyuki. In his peripheral vision he caught Okumura-san looking at them curiously. He probably had no idea what they were discussing.

"Deal?" Ash asked. Both siblings nodded in agreement. "Good. Now, we're being rude, we should include your dad in the conversation." He suggested.

The food arrived. Eiji and Mi-Chan began catching up with their dad as they ate. It had been several months since they'd been to visit. Now it was Ash who was observing their dynamic. Miyuki talked the most. From what Ash could tell, she was talking about school and her tennis team. As usual, she talked a mile a minute with great enthusiasm. Ash enjoyed watching as the three of them talked as a family.

They parted ways as they left the restaurant. To Ash's surprise, Okumura-san shook Ash's hand as they said goodbye.

"Dad says to tell you that you're a whole lot nicer than he expected." Eiji told Ash as they walked.

"He said to tell me that?" Ash asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Well no, but I decided to tell you anyway. He also said he didn't expect you to laugh so much. He thought you'd be super serious."

Miyuki started laughing. "I think Ash would implode if he had to go a full day without making stupid jokes!"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Ash said. He reached out a hand and messed up Miyuki's hair.

"Ash!" She half-laughed, half-screeched.

They spent the rest of the day exploring the shops in the area. Miyuki bought herself several goodies including plenty of local sweets. They ate dinner at a tempura place before heading back to the hotel.

As they walked down the hall, Ash's arm lazily found its way around Eiji's shoulders.

"Let's go to the onsen!" Miyuki chirped as they made their way to the elevator. "You've never been to one, right, Ash?"

"Mmm, I'm tired, Mi-Chan." His hand left Eiji to press the elevator button before returning to his shoulders.

"But that's the point of them. They're relaxing after a long day!" She argued.

The elevator opened and they stepped inside. Eiji selected their floor. "She's right, Ash, they are very relaxing." Eiji sided with Miyuki.

Ash's arm migrated down Eiji's back to rest on his waist. One finger looped around one of his belt loops. Eiji felt his face warm. Miyuki hadn't noticed, thankfully.

"My legs hurt from walking all day. I just want to lay down and watch TV." Ash replied.

"But the hot water is perfect for sore muscles!" Miyuki retorted.

The elevator chimed as the doors opened. They all stepped out into the hall.

"Listen, that's a very compelling argument but I just don't wanna go."

Miyuki scrunched her face into a pout.

"But no one's stopping you from going." Ash added as they walked down the corridor.

"Fine. You'll come though, won't you, Eiji?" She asked as they reached their door.

Ash's finger tightened on Eiji's belt loop, just in case Eiji hadn't noticed it there. Eiji's stomach did a small flip.

"Actually, I'll stay in. I'm tired too." He said, willing himself not to blush.

"Ugh! It's only 7:30! Are you guys 90 years old?!" She said as she threw her head back in distraught.

"Yes." Ash said sarcastically as he opened the door. "Now go have fun, you youngster."

Miyuki went through the adjoining door to her own room. She grabbed a change of clothes and a towel and left for the onsen.

"Have fun!" Ash said mockingly as she closed the door. As soon as she left Ash closed and locked the door that connected the two rooms. He then made his way to Eiji and pulled him close.

"What's got into you?" Eiji asked quietly with a slight flush on his cheeks.

"You. I keep thinking about what you said earlier." He said, staring deep into Eiji's soul.

"Which was?" Eiji asked in a voice just above a whisper.

"That you'll never love another." He said, matching Eiji's lowered tone. "Can I?" He whispered.

Eiji nodded. Ash pulled him closer and kissed him. It was slow, but there was a hunger hidden just beneath the surface.

Ash pulled away. "I think I'm ready." He said with a flushed face. "I want you to touch me...if that's ok." Ash said with a glint in his eyes. It was more than okay and he knew that.

Eiji swallowed a lump that had formed in his suddenly dry throat. "You sure?" He asked. It all seemed too good to be true.

Ash answered him by giving him a mind-numbingly slow kiss. "Yes." He said as he pulled away.

"And you'll stop me if you change your mind?" Eiji asked seriously.

"I will. I promise I will."

" 'Kay" Eiji responded softly, his voice completely uneven.

Ash kissed him again, this time with the fervor that had been lurking just a minute ago. Their tongues found each other. Fingers found their way under shirts and into hair. Hearts raced and lungs struggled for oxygen. Pupils dilated and skin grew hot...too hot. Ash helped Eiji out of his shirt before removing his own. Shirts found the floor.

Ash was still kissing Eiji, but suddenly his hands left his skin. For a moment Eiji thought he would call things off. He mentally prepared himself for the words. But they never came. Instead of the words, he heard the clang of a belt buckle and the sound of a zipper. One of Ash's hands drug one of Eiji's from his hair to his hip, letting it rest there. Eiji hesitated for a moment and now it was Ash who feared he'd been too bold, feared he had messed up.

Ash pulled away from his lips. "Sor-" he began to say but stopped as Eiji weaseled his way out of his own jeans.

"Even." Eiji said breathlessly.

They stared at each other for a moment as they stood there breathless. Eyes couldn't help but wander to the bulge that lay beneath the only remaining fabric on both boys. The tension in the air was so thick it could be cut with a knife, yet for a moment, neither boy was brave enough to move.

Finally, Ash said, "I'll show you mine if you show me yours." He said with a wink.

He said it to lighten the mood, to get a laugh out of Eiji, but crazily, he did not laugh. He just slowly nodded and removed his remaining clothing. Ash did the same. And for a brief, glorious moment they stared at each other in awe.

Eiji bit back a 'wow,' thinking of all the times Ash has been objectified in the past-

It may upset him. But then he remembered that Ash liked when Eiji reacted honestly. So he said it, his voice a mere whisper.

"Wow, yourself" Ash whispered back.

They found the bed, leaving behind a puddle of clothes as if they had each melted into the floor like the witch from The Wizard Of Oz.

Ash leaned against the headboard as Eiji kneeled over him, a knee on either side of Ash's legs.

"Only touching." Ash said, making sure they were on the same page.

"I know." Eiji reassured him. This was huge for Ash and Eiji wouldn't dare take an ounce more than Ash was ready to offer.

Eiji leaned in to kiss him. It was slow at first. He was testing the waters, giving Ash a chance to back out. When he didn't object, his lips moved down his body, tasting his skin as he went. Ash's fingers dug into Eiji's back as his lips moved to his chest. He let out a soft cry into the dimly lit room. Eiji's mouth found Ash's nipple. He kissed it, gave it a gentle suck, and finally a small nibble. Ash threw his head back and moaned again, this time, quite loudly. Eiji couldn't help but smile against his skin. He kissed a trail to the other side and mirrored his previous actions there, eliciting more pleasured sounds.

Ash couldn't wait any longer. He moved one of his hands to Eiji, giving him a few teasing strokes. Eiji's mouth left Ash's skin as he moaned softly under his touch. Ash's hand moved to Eiji's hair, leaving him wanting more. Eiji inhaled deeply before finally gathering the courage to touch Ash. Ash groaned loudly as the contact was made. Eiji had never done this, not to another person. So he touched Ash the way Ash had done for him, with a firm, slow grip.

"Eiji" Ash breathed into the cool air with closed eyes.

Eiji's weak knees threatened to give out as he kneeled over Ash. He decided to sit, now straddling his upper thighs. That got a groan out of both of them. Eiji continued stroking him, his pace steadily increasing. Soon Ash was breathing heavy, a layer of sweat made his skin glisten in the lamplight. Ash knew he was close. He moved one hand from Eiji's hair down to the heat that was now leaking onto his thighs. Eiji had not been expecting that. His head fell back violently as he gasped. Both hands moved quickly now. It was Ash who came first. He cried Eiji's name loudly into the room as he fell apart. His hand never stopped stroking Eiji and seconds later, he came crashing down as well. A hot, sticky liquid coated them both as Eiji collapsed into Ash.

With closed eyes and racing hearts, they struggled to breathe.

"Okay?" Eiji managed to ask as he still lay on Ash's chest.

"Perfect." Ash whispered.

They caught their breaths. Ash's hands were stroking Eiji's hair lovingly. "First time I've ever liked it. Someone else touching me like that."

Eiji placed a gentle kiss on his chest. "I love you." He said sweetly.

They continued to lay there for several more minutes. Sleep threatened to shut their eyes. It took all Ash's strength to say "Let's shower. Who knows when Miyuki will get back. She can't find us like this."

"She has her own room." Eiji argued.

"I saw her grab the key to this room when she left." Ash explained.

"Good thing you're more observant than me." Eiji remarked.

"For real." He huffed.

They took advantage of the two showers, each showering separately. Ash finished his shower first. He tidied the room, putting away the abandoned clothes. Just as he finished doing so, Miyuki returned.

'That was too close for comfort.' Ash thought.

"You're still awake?!" She barked. She had expected to find him passed out in front of a movie.

What's worse was he was obviously just now getting in bed.

"Hey, do me a favor and mind your own business for once." He said sarcastically as he nestled into bed.

"Where's Eiji?" She asked, clearly ignoring his request.

"Shower." He replied simply.

"Well. The onsen was lovely. You really missed out."

'Doubt it.' He thought. Instead, he said nothing, just closed his eyes, hoping she'd leave.

"So what'd you end up doing, old man?" She teased suspiciously.

"I took a shower." He said pointing to his wet hair.

"That whole time?" She asked in surprise.

"Yes." Ash lied.

"You're so weird." She remarked.

She turned to leave just as Eiji was returning from the bathroom. He was wearing only boxers with still flushed skin and the fading imprints of fingertips on his shoulders.

"Oh, you're back." He said awkwardly.

Miyuki made an awkward sound in the back of her throat. "GAHH! I'm such an idiot!" She wailed.

"I told you to mind your own business for a reason." Ash said in an 'I told ya so' way.

She turned bright red and ran from the room, slamming her door behind her. Eiji turned off the lamp and crawled into bed, snuggling up to Ash.

"Maybe we can try to convince her that it was just a dream." Eiji offered jokingly.

"Better to pretend it never happened."

Two seconds later the door whipped open again. Miyuki stood illuminated in the doorway with tightly shut eyes. "I'm so happy for you!" She squealed before slamming the door again. She understood how difficult this all was for them and she really was excited and happy for them both.

"...She's crazy…" Eiji said quietly.

Ash just chuckled and pulled Eiji closer. Within minutes, they were fast asleep.