Chapter Eighteen: Righting Wrongs

The room was pitch black, thanks to the room-darkening curtains that did their job exceptionally well. The whirring of the air conditioner kept the air chilled and the blond asleep. Eiji sat in bed illuminated only by the blue light radiating from his laptop. He'd pulled a blanket over his naked shoulders in an attempt to stay warm. The occasional click of the mouse or rattle of the keyboard cut sharply through the white noise the AC unit provided. Still, Ash slept. Eiji had his camera plugged into the laptop and was going through yesterday's photos. Miyuki could be seen in the distance in a few photos. Eiji smiled when he realized she was looking back at them in nearly each one. Although she'd spent a good portion of the day upset with Eiji and Ash, she obviously couldn't help but wish she was still beside them.

Eiji flipped through the photos slowly, admiring his work and finding areas of improvement. He mentally cursed when his favorite picture of a particularly beautiful cherry blossom tree had a spec of dirt on the lens. And in the next photo, the dirt had disappeared. He shook his head in annoyance. He continued to examine his work. And then there it was, the first picture of Ash. Eiji's heart burned in his chest. Ash was standing on the sidewalk in his tourist shirt with the Tokyo skyline behind him. 'How is he mine?' Eiji wondered to himself in pure disbelief. He looked not too different than he always did, but in Eiji's eyes, he was even more radiant than usual. Sometimes he was afraid he'd wake up back in Izumo to a blaring alarm and all of this-New York, knowing Ash, Ash in Japan-would be nothing more than a really good dream. He quickly shook the thought away. The first few pictures featured an uncomfortable Ash. His eyes were closed from flinching in the first two. As the photos progressed, however, he looked more and more relaxed. The final one was really very good. Ash was smirking his usual sarcastic smile. He looked confident. Eiji smiled.

Eiji turned his head to find the real Ash still sleeping soundly on his stomach beside him. The bedsheets went only as far as his waist. His arms were pulled up by his head, arms gripping his pillow. For a moment, Eiji allowed himself to admire the beautiful muscles that lined his bare back. His gaze returned to the pictures.

The next ones were of him and Ash. The first two were typical touristy photos, and the third one featured Ash spontaneously kissing Eiji's cheek. Eiji smiled and felt a rush of warmth go through his chest as he remembered the thrill of that moment. The next photos were taken from the observation deck at the Tokyo Skytree. There were a few of Miyuki acting like an excited tourist. Her actions were exaggerated for comedic effect, but the excitement was real. Finding joy in everyday moments was truly a strength of hers. Then there was one cute one she had asked Eiji to take of her for her Instagram. She was posed against the glass windows, smiling sweetly, with a few fingers gripping the brim of her white sunhat. Eiji edited it a bit, making the colors more closely imitate what she looked like in real life, and then forwarded her the picture.

He clicked next and was faced with the picture of the three of them posed together. The woman Ash asked to take the photo did a great job. And it was overall a good photo of them all. They were all standing straight, smiling nicely, with arms weaving them together. Eiji made a few edits, similar to the ones he made on Miyuki's photo. After his edits, he smiled at the photo. He looked it over for several minutes. The photo meant a lot to him. It wasn't just a picture of the three of them, it was proof that Ash was healing, that he was not broken. And it was solid evidence that he was strong enough to replace bad memories with good ones. Eiji began to attach the photo in an email to Miyuki, but then he stopped and discarded the draft. Ash was in the picture, he wouldn't send it without his permission. It was the last picture in the set, but he couldn't take his eyes off it just yet.

Beside him, Ash was silently awake. He'd woken up as Eiji was editing the photo of Miyuki. Eiji had no clue he was watching him now. The discarded draft to Miyuki did not go unnoticed. It made his heart burn. Eiji's respect for Ash couldn't be more obvious in that moment.

"It means that much to you, huh?" Ash's raspy morning voice caused Eiji to jump.

He slapped a hand to the base of his neck in fright. He then chuckled at his own actions as he turned to look at Ash "You scared me! I didn't know you were awake."

Ash flipped so that he was laying on his back now. He stretched his arms into the air with a dramatic yawn. His arms fell back to the mattress with a single thud. He then shifted his body to lay on his side, facing Eiji, and pulled the hotel sheet up a few inches so that it rested around the middle of his chest, with his arm tucked over the top.

"Wow, you're gorgeous." Eiji exhaled. He slapped an embarrassed hand over his mouth when he realized he'd said the words aloud.

Ash released an amused huff from his nostrils. "Oh, and you're not?" Ash asked. He looked up at Eiji from the bed. Blue light from the computer illuminated his skin, casting interesting shadows across his body. Ash loved the way he looked in the morning, especially this morning, with his messy hair and the blanket draped around his bare shoulders in the unique lighting. At that moment, Ash knew that even once they were back home, he'd never be able to sleep in his own bed again. He'd miss morning Eiji far too much.

"Can't we both be?" Eiji argued with a shy smile.

"Yeah," Ash croaked. One of Ash's hands drifted away from his body to land lightly on the camera that was plugged into the computer. "Can I take your picture?" He asked lightly. For some reason, he was nervous to ask the question, even though he couldn't imagine Eiji declining.

Self-consciously, Eiji raised a hand to his hair to try to smooth it down. "Oh, I don't know, Ash, I'm sure I look a mess-"

"You always look perfect," Ash told him with utmost sincerity.

A guttural laugh arose from his chest as Eiji's skin turned visibly red even in the dark room. "Sometimes, Eiji, I don't know how it's physically possible for one man to blush so hard."

Eiji hid his face as he whined for Ash to cut it out. That of course only caused him to laugh harder.

As his laughs died down his hand patted the camera again. "Please?"

"Oh alright," Eiji gave in. "How should I pose?" he asked as he unhooked the camera and got it ready for Ash. "This one," he said as handed him the camera, indicating which button to press to take the photo.

"Just look at the screen like how you were before," Ash instructed. Eiji did so and Ash snapped his picture. Ash took a few more, changing his angle up a bit several times. Eiji showed Ash how to look back at the photos he'd taken to see if he liked them.

"Is there a way to turn the flash off?" He asked. The pictures weren't bad but he wanted to capture the lighting exactly as it was.

Eiji reached over and flipped a switch to turn off the automatic flash. "There."

"Cool," Ash said with a fluttering wave of his hand to indicate Eiji should resume his pose. He snapped several more without the flash and then looked through them on the camera's small screen.

"Now smile this way," he prompted. Eiji did so and Ash snapped a few more. "Now a serious one."

Ash half-expected Eiji to blush at the suggestion, but he did not. He dropped his typical smile and tilted his head and raised his chin as he looked seriously into the lens. He wasn't typically the subject of photographs, but he knew how to pose others, so he mimicked his usual instructions with his own body. A few minutes prior he would have been too shy to do so, but he was getting into the groove of things now. His newfound confidence possessed him to drop the blanket from his shoulders and place a lazy hand in his hair as Ash continued snapping photos.

"Were you a model in a past life?" Ash asked jokingly.

Eiji shrugged his shoulders, "Maybe so, if you believe in that sort of thing."

Ash raised to his knees so that he could move the laptop off Eiji's lap. He flipped the flash back on. He brought the camera close to the other boy's face and snapped several rapid photos. The flash was so bright in Eiji's face, it brought on a fit of laughter as he shielded his eyes from the flash.

'Perfect,' Ash thought. He then lowered the camera mercifully.

When green, flash-induced, lights stopped blinding Eiji's vision with each blink, Ash handed him the camera. "Take a few of me?" He asked.

Pure astonishment flooded Eiji's face. As his own photos were being taken, he wished he could snap a few of Ash, but he would have never asked. Photos of Ash in bed? That was far too much to ask. Even if Ash didn't have the past he did, Eiji would never have been so bold.

"I'm sure," Ash offered before Eiji had a chance to speak. He longed to feel normal, to take back what had been stolen from him. Eiji understood without him saying so explicitly.

Eiji reached behind him and grabbed his phone. "I want to get one of you taking my picture. You look like a natural behind that camera."

Ash obliged, raising the camera to take Eiji's photo as he simultaneously took his. Eiji laughed because that was something kids did, but it felt so right. It was a good way to start, Ash felt safe and shielded behind the lens. Eiji looked at the pictures on the phone and then placed it back on the bedside table, satisfied with the outcome.

"Okay," he grabbed the camera from Ash. "If you hate it, stop me," Eiji said firmly.

"I will," Ash promised.

Eiji rose from the bed, walking to the balcony door in just his boxers. He opened the curtains just a crack, letting a single beam of morning light pour into the dark room. Eiji then instructed Ash to lay on his stomach horizontally across the bed so that the light struck him just right. Per Eiji's further instructions, he leaned over the bed's edge. His elbows wrinkled the sheets as he used his forearms to elevate his head. The light struck his hair gloriously. It glittered in the sun like actual gold. Hints of red that could be seen only in direct sunlight bounced back at Eiji. The single beam of light cast over the middle of his face, leaving artistic shadows on either side. Eiji knelt before him with the camera.

"Try to relax your face," he prompted as he took a test shot.

Ash did so, parting his lips just slightly making him look like a sultry greek god. Eiji snapped several photos, some with the flash, some without.

Ash was doing impressively well. His throat burned slightly as anxiety rose in his chest, but he fought on, wanting desperately to reclaim his past. After a few more shots, he rose into a sitting position.

"You alright?" Eiji asked, lowering the camera with concern.

"I just need some water," Ash explained. He disappeared into the bathroom and returned a moment later with a paper cup filled with water. He took a few gulps before returning to the bed.

"Okay," he said as he sat on the bed's edge. He shook his hands a few times to rid himself of his extra nerves. "Ready."

Eiji talked him through the next pose. In this one, he laid how he had been, only this time on his back. His arms were spread out on either side of him. His head hung off the bed, causing his hair to dangle from the mattress. Light divided his body once more as he closed his eyes to the sun. Though Ash was wearing only boxer briefs, the camera only captured his face and upper body in its focused lens. Eiji snapped away.

"Now this time, open your eyes and use your hand to shield your face from the sun," Eiji instructed. He demonstrated the pose with open fingers, palm facing the sun. Ash mimicked what Eiji did. And boy, oh boy, were those some gorgeous photos. His fingers cast shadows over his face. The parts of his green eyes that met the sun sparkled like gemstones.

After a few more clicks of the camera, Ash sat and reached for another drink of water. "Still good," he told Eiji before he could ask. "I want to take more."

So Eiji continued to pose him. He had him smile in a few before moving him to the floor. He sat leaning against the bed in the beam of light. Eiji crossed the room and threw Ash a pair of sweatpants. To his surprise, Ash cast them aside.

"I'm fine," he said bravely. Inside he was not fine, but it was another fight to be won. And he was determined to win.

Eiji raised his eyebrows, "Really?" he asked skeptically.

"I want this," Ash answered, ignoring the question.

"Okay, don't hesitate to change your mind," Eiji responded before posing him again. They took a few more in various poses on the floor before Eiji snapped the lens cap back on.

Ash's head relaxed into the bed behind him. He let out a sigh of relief.

"Still okay?"

"...Yes." Ash exhaled. "I don't think you understand just how good it feels to rewrite bad memories with good ones," he said with eyes raised to the ceiling. His eyes tracked the ceiling fan as its blades danced in circles around the room.

"Probably not," Eiji agreed as he joined Ash against the bed, "but I'm happy for you all the same."

Ash threw an arm around Eiji's shoulders and leaned his head against him. "Thank you."

"What for? The pictures?" Eiji asked, unsure exactly what Ash was referring to.

"For everything. For just being you. For fixing this broken mess of a man."

"For the millionth time you aren't broken," Eiji said sternly.

"Well, not so much anymore...thanks to you."

"Oh, Ash," Eiji said in a tone that was a blend of sad, sappy, sweet, and relieved. A real salad or emotions. He leaned his head down upon Ash's and cherished the moment as the morning sun rose higher into the sky.

Despite the beautiful morning sun that graced the spontaneous photoshoot, the forecast called for rain. And right on schedule, it started pouring as they ate breakfast in a nearby restaurant. It was actually the perfect excuse to have a more chill day. They were all exhausted from all the walking they did yesterday.

Miyuki twiddled her chopsticks in thought. "I guess we could go somewhere indoors...there are some museums we could visit." She rested the chopsticks mindlessly against her bottom lip. "Or there's always shopping. Or the pool. Or a bookstore. Or-"

"A bookstore sounds fun," Ash said as he polished off the last of his coffee.

"Yeah? There's a really cozy one around here somewhere...let me google it…" Her voice trailed off as her fingers typed away on her phone's keyboard.

"Then we could go back and read by the pool," Eiji suggested.

"Yes." Miyuki said with force. She loved any excuse to visit the pool.

"Yeah, sounds good," Ash agreed.

With umbrellas overhead, they found their way to the bookstore Miyuki had in mind. Just as she described, it was, indeed, very cozy. Couches and comfy chairs littered the floor between bookshelves and stacks of old books. The door was propped open letting in the smells and sounds of rain. Gentle piano music played in the background, enhancing the peaceful atmosphere. A table housing complimentary tea bags and hot water was stationed near the door. Miyuki made herself a cup as soon as her eyes spotted it. They bummed around the store for about an hour, taking their time to select their books and appreciate the atmosphere.

The three of them played a game as they shopped. They had to find unusual book covers and come up with a witty, or just goofy, caption to accompany the picture. They tried to laugh quietly, though the particular caption Miyuki had just come up with had Ash and Eiji dying laughing. Ash sank to his knees between the shelves, trying his best to bottle his laughter, but failing miserably. His laughs turned silent as he struggled to breathe. Miyuki was giggling too, both at her own joke and the pair's reaction to it. Tears pooled in Ash's eyes as he continued to laugh. Finally, he breathed again and wiped his eyes.

"Ha, oh, Mi-chan, how on earth did you think of that one?" Ash asked in a voice that was several octaves higher than his usual pitch.

She shook her head with uncertainty, her own laughter preventing her from answering.

Eiji regained his composure and continued to shuffle through books, trying to find a particularly strange cover. He found one and showed it to the other two, saying his stupid caption.

Ash, who was still on the floor, blew unintentional raspberries through his lips as he burst out laughing. His head fell back with a rattle on the bookshelf behind him. Several books fell onto him, resulting in more muffled laughter from everyone.

One of the shop owners appeared at the end of the aisle with a hand on her hip. "Shhhhh!" She scolded.

Ash couldn't help but laugh harder as Miyuki and Eiji blushed furiously and tried to compose themselves. They had all selected their own books long ago, so they decided to pay before they were thrown out. Eiji apologized for their behavior as he paid for his own book.

The laughing started again as they returned to the rainy sidewalk.

"That was too good. We used to do that, me in and the boys, back in New York, but we never had that much fun," Ash said with a sigh as his laughter subsided.

Miyuki wiped a happy tear from her eye. "I was so scared she was gonna yell at us."

"We bought shit, so it all evens out," Ash said decidedly.

"Mmm," Eiji agreed.

Today, a family with two small children, as well as a few couples, swam in the pool. Another couple sat in the hot tub. It appeared rainy days made the pool quite popular. The three of them lounged poolside, books in hand as they sprawled out on beach towel-covered chaise lounges. The rain beat down on the glass roof, creating quite a lovely atmosphere. Several hours passed as they sat there lazily reading. Occasionally Miyuki would jump in the pool just to rid her body of the humidity the poolhouse collected. Eiji fell asleep reading, his book now collected its own humidity as it stuck to his bare chest. Ash was still reading, though he'd moved to sit on the pool's edge so that he could dangle his feet in the water. Other guests had migrated in and out, but now only one other couple remained in the hot tub. Ash finished his chapter and then returned the book to the safety of his dry chair. He jumped in the pool and decided to swim a few laps to cool down.

The clock on the far side of the pool read 1:33. "Ash, I'm getting hungry," Miyuki whined as he swam past her. "Can we go get food soon?"

He stopped mid-lap and floated for a moment. "Where ya wanna go?" He asked, head to the ceiling as he floated.

"That sushi place?"

"Wake up, Ei-chan"

"K!" Miyuki climbed the ladder. She dripped water all over Eiji as she leaned down to wake him.

He startled awake, brushing the water from his skin. "Gah! You're getting me wet! Move!"

She stepped away from him. In the pool, Ash chuckled as the siblings bickered in rapid Japanese.

The sushi was just as delicious this time as it was earlier in the week. Miyuki's first bite elicited a very predictable squeal of joy. They chatted constantly throughout the meal, talking about anything and everything. Only pauses for drinks interrupted their words. Eiji legally ordered himself a bottle of sake and illegally shared it with Ash when no one was looking. They passed the cup discreetly between themselves. Ironically, Eiji looked more suspicious drinking than Ash did. Ash could have easily passed as twenty-the same could not be said for the baby-faced Eiji beside him. Miyuki begged for a glass of sake, but neither Eiji nor Ash would allow it. Eiji had paid for the whole bottle, so he took it with them as they left.

Alcohol buzzed in Ash's veins, causing him to momentarily forget himself as he tried to tip the waitress generously. Eiji had to remind him this was Japan and people didn't do that here. He left the tip on the table anyway.

Back in the hotel room, Ash and Eiji were both buzzed with alcohol. Miyuki had bartered for a few sips from the bottle once they were in for the night. Miyuki fetched cards from her suitcase and they played on the king-sized bed. Ash taught them the American game 'bullshit' weeks ago and it was now a family favorite. In this game, everyone had to lay down cards in order, starting with the aces and working up. You could lay down as many cards as you had for each suit. For example, if it was your turn to lay down twos and you had three of them, you would play the cards face down and announce 'three twos.' If, however, you did not have any twos, you must lie. You could still lay down 'three twos' but if another player thinks you're lying, they can call 'bullshit.' If you are lying, you pick up all the center cards, including the ones you just played. If you aren't lying, however, whoever called it has to take all the center cards. Thing is, you can only call it before the next person takes their turn. If the next person goes too quickly, no one gets to call it. The game ends when someone empties their hand.

They passed the bottle around as they played, including Miyuki. Miyuki and Eiji were sporting exceptionally flushed cheeks.

"Bull FUCKING shit, ASH!" Miyuki shouted across the bed.

Ash held up four fours in triumph. "Read 'em and weep, BABY!" He shouted right back.

"Shit!" She said as she picked up all the center cards. Her hand was now comically large. She struggled to sort the cards in her alcohol-ridden state.

"Two fives," Eiji stated with a straight face as he played his cards.

"Hold it, hold it!" Miyuki yelled. It was her turn next, though, so she was yelling at no one but herself. She sorted through her cards to see if she had more than two fives. "Ok, fine, I believe you." She sat back.

"It's your turn, Mi." Eiji reminded her

"OH! Ummm-" She rifled through her hand, "Three sixes."

With a hand that big no one dared to call it.

"Two sevens," Ash said confidently as he played his hand.

Miyuki pointed excitedly, "BULLSHIT! I have all four, you fucker!"

Ash laughed as he scooped up the center pile. "You cuss like a sailor when you're drunk."

"I'm not drunk!" She said defensively.

"Yeah you are," Eiji and Ash said in unison. Miyuki really hadn't drank before, aside from the occasional sip of whatever her mom was having. It hardly took any alcohol for her to get drunk.

"Eiji, she's cut off," Ash declared authoritatively.

"Got it." Eiji snatched the bottle from its current spot near Miyuki. He took a swig and passed it to Ash.

"So unfair!" She whined.

"Go, Eiji," Ash prompted. He took another drink from the bottle.

"Oh, um, one eight."

"Bullshit," Ash called.

Eiji flipped the card with a smirk. "Take it." Ash did so with a frown

"All four MOTHER FUCKIN' NINES!" Miyuki declared as she slapped down her cards.

Eiji and Ash didn't even check their hands, but they both rolled their eyes at her drunken language.

Ash said, "One ten."

"HAAA! I LIED!" Miyuki declared triumphantly, punching her fists into the air.

Eiji and Ash both looked at their hands. Each of them had a nine.

"Damn it!" They both said together.

"Alright...one jack," Eiji said as he played his next card.

Ash checked his hand. He had only one jack and Eiji seemed to be telling the truth. He decided not to call it. Miyuki hiccuped as she shuffled through her large hand. She shrugged, apparently finding Eiji's play convincing.

"Two queens," she said, taking her turn.

Eiji raised both hands to show their empty state, "And I'm out!" He said with a wide grin on red cheeks.

"WHATT!?" Miyuki cried in defeat. She had no chance of winning, but a drunk girl could hope.

"Shit, did you lie?" Ash asked.

Instead of using words, Eiji dug beneath Miyuki's last play. He flipped over the card he'd played to reveal an ace.

Ash laughed in frustration, "Shit! I should've called that!"

Eiji cackled and Miyuki let another loud profanity fly.

Ash drank again from the bottle before passing it off to Eiji. "Finish us off," he said, referring to the last swig of alcohol. Eiji did so, tilting the bottle to the ceiling to get every last drop.

"ANOTHER ROUND!" Miyuki demanded.

Eiji gave her a shove. "You're such a sore loser."

"ANOTHER ROUND!" She demanded a second time.

"FINE!" Eiji and Ash shouted at her. Though their tones were harsh, they were smiling. Everyone was having a blast.

Ash could have won the second game, but instead, he let the drunken girl win. He died laughing as she jumped up and down on the bed after she claimed victory. Cards were crumpled and sent flying across the room by her careless feet. She then collapsed on the bed and nearly crushed her brother.

"We are never letting you drink again, I hope you know that," Eiji said, his scolding manner betraying his face.

"Fuck you," she said in a normal tone of voice. Her eyes were closed as she held up her middle finger to Eiji.

"You need to go to bed, you delinquent," Ash added.

"I don't even know what that means," she argued.

Ash stood, stumbling as he did so. "Eiji, help me," he said as he picked up Miyuki's ankles. Eiji struggled greatly but eventually managed to grab her arms and they carried her to her own bed.

Her eyes opened in terror. "AHH! PUT-ME-DOWN!" She wailed in between fits of laughter.

They gave her two swings before tossing her onto the bed. Miyuki screamed the whole time. Eiji and Ash collapsed on the floor in laughter.

"YOU GUYS ARE SUCH SHITHEADS!" She screeched. She was laughing too, despite her words.

After regaining composure, if that was possible in their current state, they staggered back to their own room. Eiji ran into the doorway with a loud bang as he left.

"Try to sleep, Mi-chan!" Ash called into the room before shutting and locking the adjoining door.

"Remind me to never buy sake again," Eiji said as he flopped onto the bed. His body lay on top of all the abandoned cards.

Ash, who still had some wits about him, said, "Wait, let me get those cards first."

Eiji opened his eyes, he hadn't even noticed them. He stood, fumbling as he rose. Ash didn't bother to pick up the cards. He just gave the blanket a shake, sending all the cards sailing to the floor.

"I'll get 'em in the morning," he said as he flopped on the bed. Eiji followed seconds later. He landed on Ash's arm, causing him to shout out in pain.

"Sorry, Ash!" Eiji shouted.

"You shit!" Ash said laughing, he shoved Eiji off him. Now that he knew he was fine, Eiji was laughing too.

Eiji crawled over to Ash, leaning over him. "Can I kiss you?" he asked with a drunken grin.

"Of course," Ash answered.

Eiji giggled and leaned down to kiss him. They both smelled and tasted like sake. The alcohol made Eiji kiss him sloppily. And for some reason, it also made him unable to stop giggling. With a bold motion, he guided one of Ash's hands to his own waistband as he continued to kiss him. Ash moved his hand away, but Eijij moved it right back. Ash moved it again, this time to Eiji's shoulder. With one fell swoop, he switched their positions, sending Eiji falling into the mattress. Eiji giggled and tried to start kissing him again.

Ash pulled away. "You're drunk, Eiji," he said forcefully.

"You are too," he argued with a pouty face.

"Not as drunk as you are."

It was true, they'd had about the same amount, but Ash drank more often. He had a higher alcohol tolerance than Eiji.

"Besides, it doesn't matter, I will not have drunken sex with you." He decided firmly.

"Is what we do considered sex?" Eiji asked innocently.

Ash considered the question. "Maybe not, but still, the answer is no."

"Okay, okay," Eiji grumbled like a child.

Ash leaned down to place a kiss on his forehead before joining him on the mattress. They laid side by side, just their arms touching.

Strangely, Ash heard Eiji sniffle. He flipped onto one arm to get a better look at him. He was wiping tears from his eyes with the heels of his hand.

"I'm sorry, Ash" he whined through tears.

"What for?" Ash asked with confused shock.

Eiji gestured vaguely with his hand, "for-whatever that was I just did!"

"Eiji! It's fine!" Ash was holding back a laugh of his own. The thought of Eiji crying over this was strangely funny.

"No! It's not," he said between tears. He sniffled loudly.

"You asked, I said no, and you respected that. Nothing to apologize for." Ash said, trying to reassure the drunken Eiji.

Eiji flopped to the side dramatically to hide his face from Ash. "Oh! You must hate me!" He wailed in drunken anguish.

Ash leaned over him to see his face. "I do not hate you," he said slowly. The tone he used was like that of a father trying to console a young child.

It didn't seem to help, Eiji was still crying. Ash smiled and shook his head at the craziness of the situation. He tucked a strand of hair behind his ear so he could better see his face.

"I still love you, Eiji." He said calmly.

Eiji calmed a bit. "Do you really?" He asked through slowing tears.

"I really do," Ash said as he placed a kiss upon his temple.

"Not just saying that?"

"I'm not just saying it," Ash confirmed.

"I'm sorry," he whispered again as he stared up into those beautiful green eyes.

"It's okay," Ash whispered back, "you did nothing wrong."

"I want you so bad," Eiji whispered through an unfiltered, drunken tongue.

Ash blushed deep red. He hadn't expected that. "I know, Eiji," Ash said softly.

"Sorry," Eiji said with a face twisted in guilt.

"That's what you're apologizing for?" Ash asked, dumbfounded.

Eiji nodded tearfully.

"That's a stupid thing to apologize for."

"Sorry."

Ash kissed his temple again. "I want you too," Ash told him as he gazed into those big brown eyes

Eiji looked shocked "You do?" He whispered.

"Of course I do. Just not tonight. Not while you're drunk," Ash said soothingly. He laid down beside Eiji, holding him closely. He tugged a sheet out from under himself and placed it across them.

"I'm never getting drunk again," Eiji decided.

Ash laughed, "Okay, Romeo."