Chapter 29: Of Stars And Atmosphere

"Ow! Gentle!" Ash shouted testily at Miyuki as her brush yanked through a tangle in his still-blond hair.

"Sorry!" She laughed. "I didn't know you had a tender, baby scalp," she teased.

"Give me that brush!" He turned around and pried the brush from her hands as she laughed and squealed and tried desperately to hold onto it.

Eiji laid on his back, with his head at the foot of Miyuki's bed, scrolling his phone with his arms in the air, completely unfazed by the two's bickering. He hummed along to some Japanese pop song that played from Miyuki's speakers.

Ash found the music playing to have shallow, corny, and repetitive lyrics, but the two siblings seemed to enjoy it, plus Eiji kept singing along. Ash didn't get to hear him sing too often, so he decided it was all worth it.

Miyuki stole the brush back the second Ash set it down and brushed his hair for a few more seconds.

"Okay, that's good, I think," Miyuki said to herself. She ran an absent-minded hand through his hair, checking one last time for knots. She didn't find any, so she stood and left for the bathroom. She returned a few minutes later with the mixed dye and a few old towels.

"Up!" She commanded with an upward hand gesture.

Ash stood and Miyuki set an old towel upon her carpeted floor.

"Okay, you can sit." She set the dye down on the old towel and tied her hair back before putting on disposable gloves.

"So you don't ruin your shirt," She said, handing him another old towel for his shoulders. She never even considered asking him to remove it.

Ash draped it around himself. "You've done this before, right?" There was an edge of nervousness in his voice.

"Yes."

"And how'd it turn out?"

Miyuki bit back a laugh. She was hoping he wouldn't ask.

"It could have been better," she said honestly.

Ash groaned. Eiji rolled onto his stomach and set down his phone, suddenly interested in the conversation. His fingers were crossed that she'd do a good job.

"BUT! To be fair, I had to bleach my friend's hair first and she has dark hair like me and Eiji so that's where I messed up. But we won't have to bleach yours, blondie."

"Hmmm," he replied, still sounding unsure.

"The bleach job was kinda uneven, but the color still looked alright," she added, trying to ease his mind. "Plus! That stuff was permanent, but this isn't."

"It will be out in five washes, Ash," Eiji reminded him from his perch on the bed.

"Hmmm, that's right." He reckoned he could endure anything for that long, even if it was hideous. "So long as my hair doesn't fall out."

"Bleach is what makes your hair fall out. I've watched enough YouTube to know that."

Miyuki readied her dye brush with pastel pink. She was about to brush on the first stroke when Eiji asked, "One more picture with the blond?"

They both looked his way to find him aiming his phone at them for a picture.

"Fine," Ash grumbled.

"Smile!"

Miyuki was already smiling, but she grinned even wider. Ash smirked.

"Got it, thanks."

"Say goodbye to your virgin hair, Ash!" Miyuki said excitedly as the first stroke of dye colored his ends.

"HA! Part of me was still virgin and I didn't even know it," he joked.

"Not anymore!" Miyuki said triumphantly.

Eiji rolled his eyes. "So immature," he remarked.

"You're just jealous it wasn't you!" Miyuki laughed.

"Too far," Ash said with an edge to his voice.

"Sorry," she said automatically.

Eiji rolled back over and stared at the ceiling. Ash could tell he was thinking about the real meaning of that word.

"Eiji," he tried to distract him, "why don't you grab your camera and document this momentous occasion," he prompted humorously.

Eiji smiled softly. He realized immediately what Ash was doing. "Okay."

He walked across the hall to his own room and grabbed his camera. He proceeded to take pictures of the process. And Ash was so proud of himself because he didn't flinch, not even once.

Miyuki dyed his roots last, just as the YouTube videos she'd watched always instructed.

"How long does this stay in for?" Ash asked as she finished dying the last of his roots.

Eiji grabbed the box and searched for instructions. "Says...30 minutes."

Miyuki tossed her stained gloves and set a timer on her phone. "Eeep! I can't wait to see it once it's dry!" She chirped.

"How does it look so far?" He asked curiously.

"Like you fell in a strawberry smoothie machine," Eiji joked.

Ash shot him a glare and an eye roll. "Not funny."

"But accurate."

Miyuki handed him a mirror. "I think it looks fun!"

Ash's face looked a bit horrified as he saw the pink mess upon his head. "God, I hope this turns out," he worried aloud.

"It will, it will, I promise," Miyuki promised emptily. After all, how could she possibly know that?

"You want any pink before I throw it away, Eiji?"

"No!" Eiji laughed as she walked towards him with the bowl of dye. "Don't you dare!"

She laughed and then left the room to dispose of the excess dye. When she returned, she turned up the music and jammed to it as she painted her nails the same color as Ash's new hair. Her timer went off after a half-hour and they all made their way to the bathroom. Miyuki had Ash lean over the tub and she washed out the dye. Eiji watched from his perch on the closed toilet. Little flecks of pink stained Ash's ears and various areas of his hairline. Miyuki assured them both that those would wash off.

"Can I dry it?" She asked after she'd finished rinsing his hair.

"Go for it," he gave in.

Miyuki grabbed a brush and her blow dryer. Warm air fluffed his hair much quicker than it ever took to dry her own hair. Once dry, she brushed it so that it lay the way Ash liked it.

Ash stood and looked at himself in the bathroom mirror. "Not bad, Mi, not bad," he said approvingly as he saw the finished product.

She had actually done a nice job. The color was the perfect pastel pink, not too bright, but still fun. The color was evenly applied, as far as Ash could tell, and the best part was that it would only be in his hair for five washes.

Ash caught Eiji's reflection in the mirror. He was smiling, a pink of his own graced his cheeks.

"Like it?" Ash asked, making eye contact with him through the mirror.

"Yeah, actually, I do." Eiji averted his eyes as his blush intensified, causing Miyuki to laugh victoriously.

Eiji snapped a picture of the finished product. And then he took another on his phone.

"Why two?" Ash asked.

Eiji shrugged, "No reason."

"Can I curl it?!" Miyuki asked before Ash had a chance to be suspicious about Eiji's comment.

"No, absolutely not!"

"Aww! Come on, pleaseeeeee?"

"You're lucky I let you dye it in the first place, don't push your luck."

"But you like it, maybe you'd like the curls too."

"I wouldn't."

"How do you know?" She asked in a sing-songy voice.

"I know." He didn't let up. There was no way he was about to let her put a 400-degree piece of metal to his head.

Miyuki sulked with her hands on her hips. "Fine, fine. But I think you'd look cute."

"I'd rather not look cute," he said with an eye roll.

"Can I braid it instead?" She asked with wide, puppy-dog eyes.

Ash exhaled a laugh, "If it's long enough," he finally gave in.

"It's long enough! I'll do a french braid!"

Ash sat on the floor so Miyuki could do his hair. From his perch on the closed toilet lid, Eiji chuckled and teased Ash relentlessly as Miyuki fussed over him. She ended up doing double dutch braids that ended in tiny, clear elastics. Eiji took more pictures with his camera, as well as his phone.

Ash's phone buzzed. It was a FaceTime call from Max. He declined it. Eiji was rightfully outraged, they hadn't talked to him in months. Max called right back and this time, Eiji made him answer it.

He closed his eyes and braced for some sarcastic comment as he answered the phone. Miyuki was finishing his braids. Max died laughing as soon as he saw. Ash scowled at him.

"Oh, oh, God, sorry kiddo! Eiji sent me and the guys a picture but I just had to see it for myself," he said laughing. He wiped a tear from his eyes. "Oh, that's just too good."

Miyuki tied off the second braid and stepped out of the camera's view.

Ash glared at Eiji, "Wow, and here I thought I could trust you," he said sarcastically.

Eiji laughed, "Sorry, Ash, but they had to see! I knew they'd love it."

"More like find it fucking hilarious!" Max laughed through the phone. He put a hand over his mouth after realizing he'd cussed. "Sorry, you have a kid sister, don't ya, Eiji?"

"Hardly, she's just a few months younger than Ash."

Ash caught sight of a piece of dye-stained skin around his hairline in the screen's display. Instinctively he tried to scratch it off.

"Shhhit," Max said in a low voice.

"What?" Ash looked from side to side, confused as to what warranted that remark.

"No one told me you two got married…"

"We haven't," Ash said, with a bit of hostility.

"Then what's with that ring?" Max questioned.

"We're engaged!" Eiji said excitedly, flashing his own ring to the camera before Ash had a chance to respond.

"Am I invited?" Max asked with a smirk.

"Yes!" Eiji said happily. At the same time, Ash said, "We haven't talked about the guest list yet."

Max heard both comments, but decided to respond to Ash, "Oh, really? Fuck you too, Ash. All I did for you after you practically died on me! Nursed you back to health, fed you, cut your damn hair...and this is how you repay me? Don't forget it was me who-"

"Yeah, yeah, enough old man! And I did die, in case you forgot! I want credit where credit is due!"

Miyuki's eyes danced nervously between Ash and Max. This was a completely different side of Ash. Sure he could get snappy or sarcastic at times but this was different. She also was not aware Ash had apparently died before. She wondered if she'd heard the English wrong.

"And it's thanks to me you didn't die twice!" Max shouted back.

Nope. She hadn't heard wrong. She looked to Eiji and he gave her a head shake that said not to worry about it.

"I could have been just fine on my own! I always am!"

"Ash!" Eiji scolded.

"Oh and I suppose it was you who bribed the EMTs to stitch you up and shock you back to life, then?!"

"Yes, actually, it was!" His eyes averted the screen for a second. When they returned, it was like he was a different person. "Eiji doesn't like thinking about that, let's cut it out."

Max nodded. "So am I invited to your fucking wedding, or not?"

Ash smirked, "Of course. I'll send you a ticket, Pops."

Miyuki realized the yelling was maybe some kind of act? She didn't understand what was going on.

"When is it?"

"We haven't decided on a date yet."

"Well, just don't pick the last weekend in September, and I should be able to come. That's when me and Jessica are getting remarried."

Ash's eyes widened in shock. "No fuckin' way! Congrats, man!"

"What? I didn't tell ya that?" Max sounded surprised, like maybe he'd been bragging about it to everyone he knew. "Well, shit, I guess that makes us even."

Everyone laughed except Miyuki. She was still trying to grasp their relationship. They talked so rough, yet they seemed to really like each other.

"I'd invite ya to mine, but- ya know."

"Yeah...might not be the best idea," Ash agreed sadly. "We'll send ya a ticket for Jessica and Micahel too, though."

"That'd be great, Ash." Max smiled. "Inviting any of the other boys?"

Ash had thought about it. He wanted to see everyone but wasn't sure it was the safest idea. He didn't want another gang to get wise if they saw a bunch of Ash's old guys traveling to Japan at the same time.

Ash shrugged, "I dunno. I want to but...ya know…"

"Maybe if you staggered their arrival dates it'd look less suspicious?" Max suggested.

"Hmm, maybe. I'll think about it."

"Well, let me know what you decide. Maybe we could all go in on a rental home if they do come. Cut down on cost."

"Don't be ridiculous, I'd put you up somewhere nice."

"Ha, oh yeah, I guess so!"

Miyuki realized they must be pretty close. He seemed to know about Ash's money.

"So," Max said, looking past Ash at Eiji, "how's this asshole treatin' ya, Eiji?"

Joking or not, Miyuki couldn't imagine ever describing Ash as an asshole. Maybe she didn't know him that well.

"Ohhh...I'd say pretty well," Eiji said sweetly. He pulled at one of Ash's freshly dyed braids to make his point.

"He talks tough but it looks like he's gone soft on us," Max teased.

"Oh, he totally has! You should have seen him the other night! He was-"

"Eiji!" Ash interrupted with a betrayed expression. "Don't rat on me!"

"Tell me, Eiji!" Max shouted over Ash.

Eiji grinned and it was clear he'd already made up his mind to tell Max. "We all watched Back to The Future as a family and my Mom fell asleep on one of his arms and I practically did on the other."

Max laughed loudly, causing the speakers to get staticky at the volume overload, and Ash rolled his eyes and blushed.

"Point for me," Eiji leaned forward and whispered to Ash. He placed a soft kiss to his jaw, right below his ear, before he pulled away.

Eiji should have learned his lesson yesterday. Ash would not be embarrassed alone. He got Eiji right back.

"Well! I'd say Eiji's treatin' me pretty well too," he said as he stood from the floor and with one hand, he pulled his shirt up a few inches and the waist of his pants down slightly to expose several love bites Eiji had left on his hip just two nights prior. All hindrance left him and a sly, proud smile crept onto his face as Max stared, awestruck.

"Shit, Eiji, fuckin' the Lynx, huh?" Max sounded absolutely shocked. He wasn't sure Ash would ever have a physical relationship after everything he'd been through.

Eiji blushed but nodded in happy confirmation.

"Hey! Language!" Ash scolded Max as he sat back down on the tile floor.

Max went bright red, he'd forgotten Eiji's kid sister was in the room since she was out of the camera's view.

"Shit, sorry!"

A wave of courage came over Miyuki and she decided to join the conversation. She darted her face into frame and said, "Like I didn't already fuckin' know!" She cursed to prove she was no kid.

Everyone laughed out of pure shock.

After the laughter died down, Max asked, "So you're getting over the past, huh kid?"

Ash looked at the floor. "Something like that," he said much more seriously.

Max looked sad as he realized the past still haunted Ash. "I'll go piss on his grave for ya," he said, referring, of course, to Golzine.

Out of frame once more, from the edge of the tub, Miyuki smiled sadly. She had gathered they were talking about the mob boss Ash had told her about, and she was glad to hear he'd died. No, she realized in another second, he'd probably been killed.

"Please do," Ash grunted. "It still pisses me off I wasn't the one to end him," he said truthfully.

Yep, killed. But not by Ash apparently.

"I know, kiddo," Max sympathized. He sighed, "Well, it was nice catching up. Call me again sometime soon."

"You're the one who called me," Ash reminded him.

"Well, Eiji texted me first. And I'm so glad he did. That hair! What a riot!" He chuckled again.

"Don't you worry, it will be gone in a few days, it's not permanent."

Max sighed, "Too bad, I was hoping to see it in person."

"Like hell I'd be married with pink hair!"

Max laughed again and then said, "Well, I'll let you go, kiddo. It was nice talking to you."

"Max?" Ash said hastily before Max could hang up.

"Yeah, kid?"

Ash looked at the ground as he said, "I talk shit, but you know you mean a lot to me, right?"

Eiji and Max both looked taken aback. The words didn't surprise Miyuki, she knew he was like a strawberry bonbon; a hard candy shell with a gooey center. Eiji knew too, but he never expected him to be so vulnerable with Max.

"I love ya too, kid," Max said after the shock wore off.

"That's not what I said!" Ash argued.

"It's what you meant," Max deciphered.

Ash said nothing because Max was right.

"Keep me updated on the wedding," Max added.

"I will."

"See ya around, kid. Try not to get too much softer on me, alright?"

Ash smiled, "Yeah, alright. See ya, Pops."

"Bye, Ash."

With a smile, Max hung up and Ash pocketed his phone.

"Who the hell was that?" Miyuki couldn't help but ask.

Ash stood from the floor as he answered her. "Just an old friend from New York. He's a good dude. He's kinda the dad I never had."

"Coulda fooled me," she said, thinking back to the beginning of their conversation.

"I don't know why we talk shit...it's fun, I guess. And at one point we wanted to rip each other's throats out, so it just kinda stuck I guess."

Miyuki nodded even though she didn't completely understand.

"Well," Ash checked the time, "we ditched studying but that doesn't mean we have to ditch lunch. You guys hungry?"

Miyuki and Eiji nodded with big grins. They all made their way downstairs, slipped on their shoes, and headed out for lunch. Ash loved these two to death. Even if it got him teased, he'd spoil them till the day he died.

"Five washes, my ass!" Ash said angrily into the mirror as he emerged from his fifth shower since Mi-chan dyed his hair. Although the vibrancy faded slightly after the first wash, his hair was still as colorful as the day she dyed it.

"Eiji!" He called almost pathetically as he strolled out of the bathroom, clad only in a towel. "Eiji, what am I gonna do?!"

Eiji peeked out from his bedroom and bit back a smile. "It has to come out eventually."

"Have you been using hot water?" Miyuki called from her desk, completely concealed behind her bedroom walls.

"Yes! Who the hell showers with cold water?"

Eiji averted his eyes and ducked back inside his room.

"People who don't want their hair dye to fade," she called back.

Ash whined and returned to the bathroom to dress. After he was clothed he stood in the hall between the two bedrooms once more.

"I didn't read that box wrong did I? It was all in Japanese," he worried loudly.

"I read it too, it said five washes," Eiji reassured him.

Ash fell to his knees in the hallway and proceeded to lay face down on the floor. He whined dramatically like a baby. Eiji peeked out the door a second time, only this time, he couldn't help but chuckle.

"If only Max could see you now…" Eiji mused whimsically.

Adrenaline rushed through Ash's veins, jolting him upright once more. "Don't even think about it!"

Eiji laughed, "Or what?" He taunted.

"Or you can kiss the car goodbye," he spat.

"No, Ash, don't even joke about that!" Eiji snapped with fear-widened eyes.

Miyuki stuck her head out of her own doorway. "You wouldn't return the car...would you?"

Ash rolled his eyes but didn't answer her. He stepped close to Eiji who was leaning anxiously against the doorframe.

"Then don't tease me," he said bitterly in a tone that would have shaken the other boys in New York to their bones.

"But it's so fun," Eiji smirked. His 'boss' voice didn't scare Eiji. He knew it was an empty threat. "Maybe Max will get to see you pink for the wedding after all," Eiji teased.

Ash's face went cold like he could imagine nothing worse in that moment. "I'd shave it before it came to that," he said with utmost sincerity.

Eiji laughed, "I'm joking, Ash! It will fade, just give it time," he said, giving his shoulder a friendly shove.

Ash whined again and stormed down the hall. Once he reached the bathroom, he just stood there, glaring at his reflection in the mirror.

"A-ash," Eiji let out an exasperated laugh as he stared down the hall at him, "It's gonna be fine!"

Two weeks had passed and now only the faintest remnant of pink stained the ends of Ash's hair. If one hadn't known he'd dyed it, their eyes would naturally overlook it. Miyuki had apologized for it at least twenty times since the day they realized the dye would last much longer than the box advertised. Ash tried to convince her it wasn't her fault, but still, she knew he'd only let her dye it in the first place to be nice. And deep down, Ash was pissed he ever bought that cheap box dye.

The offer Ash placed on Eiji's childhood home was accepted and, quite unfortunately, Ash had to sign the closing paperwork with still-pink hair. He'd never felt so unprofessional. They'd be moving at the beginning of August.

For the past two weeks, Ash hadn't spoken a word about his car idea. And Eiji had a strong suspicion he would stay quiet on the issue until his hair was back to normal. They'd driven multiple times in the past two weeks and each time, Eiji couldn't help but glance wantingly at the backseat. Ash noticed and, a few times, Eiji noticed Ash notice. Neither of them said a word about it. That is, not until today.

Today Eiji thought Ash's hair was practically normal again, and he was feeling rather courageous, so today, he glanced at the seats behind him and innocently stated, "I'm not sure there is enough room back there."

It was a comment Ash made the day he'd brought the car home; 'I think there's enough room back there, don't you?' He had asked then. Eiji had smiled in naive agreement, even though he really wasn't sure. He brought the question back up now, just to refresh the topic he worried Ash had forgotten about...and also because he really was unsure.

With a side glance, Ash smirked ever so slightly. "I haven't forgotten," he said softly, reading Eiji's mind.

They were both silent for a moment, only the sound of the road against their tires and the soft breeze of AC filled the car's cabin.

"Waiting for your hair to be blond again?" Eiji said in a teasing voice, even though he was certain that was the real reason for the delay.

"I am," Ash said coolly.

For some reason, Eiji blushed, as if he weren't expecting Ash to actually admit to it. "Oh," he said softly.

"It's like I said," Ash continued, "it's a first. And I don't get many of those with you. Plus, I hinted at it jokingly…" he paused for a second before continuing, "but I was actually serious...I want it to be my turn this time. I think I'm ready."

Eiji swallowed dryly. He understood exactly what Ash meant.

"Unless that's not what you want," he decided to add when he saw the expression Eiji was unconsciously wearing.

Eiji shook his head slowly, "Nuh-uh, I'd like that."

"And if you don't..." Ash added with uncertainty.

"Then I'd tell you," Eiji finished his sentence.

"Good. And I'd stop."

"I know that."

Another silence fell.

Ash cleared his throat and Eiji realized he was nervous...or maybe just a bit uncomfortable. "So anyway...two firsts- at least for us. Actually, three since, you…" he cleared his throat again, and Eiji understood what he meant. "So...so, maybe it's vain, I don't fuckin' know, but I, ya know, wanna look like me."

"It's not vain," Eiji protested gently.

"No?" Ash, giving him a side glance, with a still-uncertain voice.

"Not at all," Eiji confirmed.

"Hmm."

"Well, the pink is just about gone."

"'Just about' isn't good enough for me."

"Okay."

Ash was waiting to make a left turn, his blinker clicked loudly as another silence fell.

"So anyway, is there room?" Eiji asked again.

"Ha! Yes, Eiji, there's room." Ash truly got a kick out of his innocence at times like this.

Eiji turned in his seat. "But I'm pretty sure you're taller than that seat is long…"

"It's not like we'll be stretched out sleepin' on it," he said humorously.

"Well yeah...but still...it's also not very deep...will we fit? I feel like the back of the seat will get in the way of our elbows."

"It's like a couch, Eiji. And we fit on a couch."

"It's smaller than a couch, Ash," Eiji decided.

"Think so?"

"Yeah."

"Ah, well, sitting is always an option."

Eiji's head turned sharply towards Ash. He looked confused and wildly uncertain, "Is it?"

"Mmmhmm," was all Ash said, never taking his eyes off the road. He'd let Eiji come to the conclusion on his own.

The wheels in Eiji's head spun.

"Oh...ohhh…!"

Ash smirked. "Probably our best bet, cuz you're right, those seats are pretty shallow."

"...Knew it…" Eiji muttered to himself.

"So, think you'd be cool with that? It'll be your first time- ya know -so it's cool if that's not something you're comfortable with."

"I'm cool with it."

"Sure?" He asked, looking at Eiji.

"Absolutely." The uncertainty left his eyes and was replaced with wanting as he stared into Ash's soul. Ash forced his eyes back to the road.

"Fuck, Eiji," Ash exhaled. His boy was dangerous. The pink couldn't leave his hair fast enough.

It was the last week of July and also Miyuki's first week of Summer vacation. Much to Miyuki's dismay, it had been raining all week. And it wasn't the pleasant type of rain that brings some relief from the summer heat. No, it was loud, thunderous storms that weighed down the air with relentless humidity. Ash's hair had finally returned to its default golden blond. And Eiji found himself biting at the bit to drive with Ash any excuse he got. Which was quite silly really. Ash was a planner and this meant a lot to him, this wasn't something they'd do on a whim. Tragically, according to Eiji, Ash hadn't gone anywhere in days.

They all sat now, huddled on the living room floor around an abandoned game of cards, bored out of their minds. Aki was at work and the rest of them envied her because at least she had something to do. Despite the running AC, it was still hot and sticky. Eiji lay on the living room floor, his face resting upon the cool wood. He was doing absolutely nothing, just lying there with his eyes open, tracing over random objects as his mind entertained his thoughts. Miyuki sat with her back resting against the couch. She'd already exhausted every app she owned. Now, she sat mindlessly licking a popsicle that threatened to drip onto the floor. Ash lay next to Eiji on his stomach, propped up on his elbows. He was checking the weather, hoping for a break in the rain soon.

Ash gasped. Miyuki looked up from her popsicle. Eiji's head flipped slowly on the wood floor so that his eyes could wander to Ash without interrupting his prone position.

"What?" Eiji mumbled against the floor.

"Rain is supposed to let up this weekend."

"Thank God…" Eiji drawled unenthusiastically. Getting excited seemed to take too much energy at the moment.

"Yes!" Miyuki said happily, which was a very sedated reaction for her.

"What day is it?" Eiji asked, realizing he didn't actually know how soon the weekend would be there.

"I dunno…" Ash began. He closed the weather app and checked the calendar. "Thursday…"

"Does Friday count as the weekend?" Eiji wondered.

"Rain stops Saturday," Ash clarified. "Well, technically Friday night...but Saturday is the first clear day."

"Mmm."

Ash tossed his phone onto the couch and mimicked Eiji's position on the floor.

"Now we wait, I guess," he said drowsily.

"Now we wait," Eiji agreed.

Miyuki finished her popsicle and walked the juicy stick to the trash. She flopped on the floor beside Ash when she returned. Now they all lay there like sardines in a can, heads all facing one direction, eyes staring into space.

After some time, although none of them could've told you how long, Ash decided to voice the thought he'd been brewing.

"Hey, Eiji, let's go to Inasa on Saturday."

"Yessss, the beach!" Miyuki said excitedly, drowning out whatever response Eiji had given Ash.

Ash turned his head to see Miyuki. "No offense, but I meant as a date."

Life returned to Eiji's eyes as he realized what this likely meant.

"What, Ash?! No fair!" Miyuki complained. "It's my first week of break and the rain ruined it."

"Then go do something with your friends this weekend," Ash suggested.

"Asuka's away visiting her grandpa in Osaka, Hana is working like every freaking day, and Koyuki is on vacation in Europe with her family," Miyuki said, listing her three closest friends.

"Hmmm," Ash hummed.

Eiji could tell he was considering letting her come. But Eiji was tired of waiting. It was because of Miyuki's desire to dye Ash's hair that he'd waited this long to begin with. He sat and argued, "No, Miyuki, let it just be us."

"Whaa-? Eiji, come on, I'm going crazy in here!"

"Mom's not working this Saturday, do something with her."

"Ash?" Miyuki whined, hoping he'd come to her aid.

"Do something with Mom," he sided with Eiji after giving it some thought.

"Fine," she grumbled.

"Someday you'll have a boyfriend and you'll understand," Eiji added.

Miyuki groaned. "God, I hope so!"

Saturday came, as sunny and as gorgeous as the forecast had promised. Ash went shopping the night before to pick up some things for today. He and Eiji packed a picnic with American foods. Ash really hadn't had any since he'd left New York and suddenly he couldn't stop craving it. They made giant sub sandwiches, loaded with toppings, and packed several types of chips, along with some fruit and a few cans of beer. They tossed the cooler of food, along with some blankets, beach towels, and sunscreen in the back of Ash's convertible. Ash rolled the top down to complete the summer vibe. Aki waved them away as they drove off. Miyuki watched jealously from her bedroom window.

"Today's the day, right?" Eiji couldn't help but ask after they'd been on the road for a few minutes.

Ash laughed sweetly, "Yes, baby, today's the day."

"Just checking," he added a bit self-consciously.

Ash smiled but said nothing further.

It was a short, twenty-minute drive to Inasa Beach and Ash wondered why on Earth it had taken them so long to visit.

Eiji brought his camera to document the day and take photos of the scenery. It seemed everyone else was just as excited as they were about the sunshine; the beach was buzzing with people. Ash hunted down a good spot for their picnic. They spread out a picnic blanket and enjoyed the indulgent American cuisine. After lunch, they spent the day swimming and goofing off in the sand. Eiji took some pictures. Ash made a sandcastle that the tide soon washed away. Eiji found some seashells. Ash fed leftover chips to seagulls. They raced each other in the sand and the sea. Eiji tanned. Ash tried not to burn. They got dinner at a nearby restaurant and then drove to a lookout point over the sea to watch the sunset.

Eiji's heart started to pound with both nerves and excitement as Ash parked the car on the secluded lookout point. He looked around somewhat anxiously.

"No one's gonna find us up here, right?"

"What are you on about?" Ash teased cruelly.

Eiji shot him a look, "Don't mess with me, Ash."

Ash didn't give up his oblivious act just yet. "I just drove up here to see the sunset," he said, placing a dramatic, innocent, hand on his chest.

"Seriously, Ash, are you sure no one's gonna find us up here?"

Ash gave up his act and answered truthfully. "There's another lookout point about a mile that way. It has a much better view. Seems like it's the 'official' one. I did look into it, so you don't need to worry. No one's gonna find us up here."

"Even if we're making all kinds of noise?"

"You plan on making 'all kinds of noise?'" Ash asked humorously.

"I mean...yeah," Eiji blushed. "That is, I'm not not planning on it."

"Ha! God, I fuckin' love you!" Ash leaned across the seat and cupped Eiji's jaw. "Can I?" He asked even though he really didn't have to.

"Yeah," Eiji whispered as he allowed Ash to close the distance between them.

Ash pulled away after a soft kiss, "No one's gonna find us," he whispered. "But if it makes you nervous, we could always go somewhere else."

Eiji shook his head, "No, it's okay, I trust you."

"The sun's almost done setting, anyone coming to watch it would be here by now...and anyone with our same idea will be just as disappointed as us to find someone else up here," Ash reasoned. He tapped his temple, "I put some thought into it."

Eiji nodded, "I trust you," he repeated in a whisper.

"Okay," he whispered back. The setting sun gave them both a rosy glow, but Eiji was certain Ash had just blushed.

"Shall we, then?" Eiji asked with a fleeting glance to the seats behind them.

Ash smirked and hopped into the back. He moved the cooler and beach towels to the floor where they'd be out of the way. He covered the pristine leather seats with two big blankets, as he was in no hurry to dirty them.

"Come on, then," he said sweetly to Eiji as he motioned for him to join him in the back.

Eiji plopped down beside Ash. He was nervous, Ash could tell. Sure there was excitement there too, but the nerves were undeniable.

"Relax," Ash said, wrapping an arm around Eiji's shoulders as they sat side by side, gazing into the setting sun. "I'm not gonna just pounce on ya."

That got a little chuckle out of Eiji and Ash felt his shoulders relax slightly.

"Besides, I have every intention of watching the sunset," he added disingenuously.

"I trust you, Ash," Eiji felt the need to say a third time. Eiji lay his head upon Ash's shoulder and for a moment they sat quietly, watching the beauty of nature unfold before them.

"Ya know I always wonder how bad this is for our eyes, watching the sun like this," Ash remarked casually.

He felt Eiji relaxed further. Eiji didn't like the idea of it feeling scheduled, even though it was. So this was good. They were talking. They could ease into this.

"Yeah, it can't be good," Eiji replied. "I always think, isn't it cute how humans are happy to just watch a big ball of fire set in the sky like it's some grand show?"

"Huh! Yeah really."

"Humans do a lot of stuff like that. Stuff I don't think other animals do. Like gaze at the stars, or take pictures of flowers, or collect seashells."

"Not all humans do that," Ash remarked. "Only the best ones."

Eiji thought about it. "Yeah...yeah, I guess that's kinda true."

"I don't think I ever once saw my dad-" Ash stopped himself. "No, ya know what? No. No bad memories tonight. Forget I said that." He gave Eiji a nudge so that he'd look up at him. "I can tell you're one of the best humans because you can appreciate even the smallest of things. And that shows through your pictures and the way you treat others. The world needs more people like you, Eiji."

Eiji blushed, "Stop," he said humbly.

"Just take the compliment. I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it, you know that."

Eiji didn't respond, he just laid his head back on Ash's shoulder.

"Hey. You know that, right?"

"Yeah, I know it."

Ash kissed his hair. "Good."

The wind ruffled their hair as they sat quietly watching the last remnants of purple and pink fade into the night sky. Stars replaced the sunset.

"That's one thing about New York I could never miss."

"What's that?"

"The lack of stars. You could never see the stars there, too many lights. Here, here you can really see them. Back in Cape Cod, as a kid, I used to lie in the grass and look at the stars. And someone once told me that if you think about it hard enough you could imagine the stars are below you and only the planet's gravity keeps you safe from falling into the abyss. And that intrigued me cuz technically it's true. The planet is always rotating, sometimes we're bound to be facedown, hanging upside down like little bats and we don't even know it."

Eiji raised his head from his shoulder, "Gosh, that's a scary thought. Who the heck tells that to a kid?"

Ash shook his head. "It's funny, I can't even remember who it was that told me that." He tilted his head back to the sky. "It's not something my dad would've said...so it must have been a neighbor or some other kid. I don't remember who said it, but I will always think about that when I look up at the night sky."

"And now so will I," Eiji teased. "Thanks for that," he said sarcastically.

Ash peered down into Eiji's eyes. His green eyes looked almost feline in the darkened world. Ash ran a hand lovingly through Eiji's dark hair. "Can I kiss you?" Ash asked.

Usually, Ash knew the answer to that question before he asked. After all, Eiji had never once declined. He mostly asked it because it felt wrong not to, considering Eiji always asked him. But this time, crazy as it was, he thought Eiji might say no. He seemed fairly nervous earlier and Ash couldn't ignore the fact that Eiji might change his mind about doing something like this outdoors. It was funny, technically it was the most private location they'd ever had. They were surrounded by nature, it wasn't like anyone was going to hear them or come knocking on their door. Yet at the same time, it did feel quite exposing to do something so intimate in the night air, not even a car roof to serve as a buffer between the stars and their skin.

Much to Ash's relief, Eiji smiled and said "Yeah."

So Ash did, slowly and gently. He always started this way, always easing into everything they did. It was partly for his own benefit. It helped him stay present, remember it was Eiji he was kissing. And it was partly because he was worried about scaring Eiji, even though they both knew that was a non-issue.

Eiji pulled away for a second so he could speak, "Hey, this time," he began.

Ash's eyes searched his face, trying to predict what he'd say next.

"This time, can you treat me how you really want to?"

Ash looked confused, so Eiji clarified saying, "Remember when you told me you hold back? This time don't. I promise I can handle it."

Ash considered it. "How 'bout this time I just hold back less," he suggested instead.

Eiji raised his eyebrows questioningly.

"Because if I don't show any restraint," he leaned forward and kissed Eiji's jaw tauntingly, "little virgin Eiji won't be able to walk tomorrow," he whispered in his ear, sending a shiver down Eiji's spine.

"Hey, that's not fair, I'm not a virgin anymore," Eiji protested.

Ash kissed his jaw again, "In a way you are."

And that was true. Eiji had never had anyone, or anything for that matter, inside him.

"Fine," Eiji grumbled. "Then just...hold back less. I don't know what you meant completely when you said that, but just kiss me how you really want to. Touch me like I'm not made of glass."

"Do I do that? Touch you like you're made of glass?"Ash asked, genuinely unsure if that was the case.

"Ash, sometimes you touch me like I'm made of spun sugar."

It doesn't get much more fragile than that.

"Not all the time, though," Eiji added upon seeing guilt creep onto Ash's face. "And I think it's sweet, really. But I can handle more...no I want more."

Ash raised a teasing eyebrow, but Eiji was past the point of blushing.

Eiji decided it was his turn to be sultry. He leaned forward and kissed Ash's earlobe, sucking it slightly. "You said you could unravel me if you really wanted," he whispered. "That's what I want...as long as it's what you want."

"Fuck, Eiji, you remember everything?"

"Only important things," he mumbled against his jaw between soft kisses.

"As long as it's not triggering," Eiji felt it was necessary to add. He didn't want Ash to ever feel like he was putting on an act. But they'd discussed that many times now, and it was the topic of many therapy sessions, so at this point, it was a hurdle Ash felt confident he had cleared.

"I won't act," Ash reassured him.

Eiji smiled against his skin.

"Just stop me if it's too much."

"Too much?" Eiji pulled back to look at Ash. "I don't think you understand how bad I want you to...to leave me in shambles," Eiji said without a trace of embarrassment.

Ash smirked and pulled Eiji into his lap so that Eiji faced Ash, straddling his hips. "You want me to fuck you senseless?"

It wasn't the words Eiji would have ever thought to use, but it described how he felt perfectly.

Ash saw his pupils dilate further as he posed the question.

"Yes, yes that's exactly what I want," Eiji confessed. He lowered his head and pressed a kiss to Ash's neck. "Who gave you the right to make cussing so damn attractive?" Eiji added as an afterthought as his lips worked their way down Ash's neck.

"I think that'd be you, lovely," Ash mused humorously as he tilted his neck upward to grant Eiji better access to his soft skin. Ash's hands ran up the back of Eiji's shirt, reveling in his warmth in the slight chill of the night air.

Eiji kissed a trail down his neck until he reached his clavicles. His hands slipped under Ash's shirt and slowly began tracing up his scarred skin. He wanted him out of that shirt so he could kiss those scars and cover them in loving bruises. Ever since he'd done it the first time, he couldn't seem to stop. He loved to decorate the old scars any chance he got, which meant Ash was often covered in several marks that served as evidence of their physical intimacy. And he wouldn't have it any other way. He did, however, appreciate that Eiji was considerate enough to always leave them in places clothing could easily cover.

Ash tugged off his own shirt and Eiji immediately rid himself of his own t-shirt. Even.

Eiji stared at Ash for a moment before returning his lips to his skin. He realized, as he suckled at the discolored skin of an old scar, that he had asked Ash to unravel him, yet here he was taking the lead. He'd fix that. He left two love bites, which for him was holding back, and then pulled back to see Ash's face.

Their eyes met and Eiji looked at him in a way that screamed 'touch me.' In one swift motion, Ash repositioned them so that Eiji was laying with his back against the blanket-covered seat. Eiji had been right, the seats were not the most spacious, but now, in the heat of the moment, he realized it didn't matter in the slightest.

Ash's golden hair tickled Eiji's face as he leaned over him. Ash bent forward and kissed his lips, this time with much more urgency. He kissed him in a way that made Eiji's head spin, both from lack of blood flow, thanks to the sudden diversion south, and lack of oxygen. Ash pressed his body up against Eiji's as his tongue licked its way into the older boy's mouth. Eiji's fingers dug firmly into Ash's back. Ash's hands stroked up Eiji's torso, nails scraping ever so slightly as he did so. The action made Eiji shudder.

That's when Eiji felt it, Ash's still-clothed erection pressed up against his leg. It was a huge victory. Every time they'd tired things this way around previously, Ash had trouble getting hard. It was nothing against Eiji. In fact, in a way, it showed how much Eiji meant to him. He was nervous for him. He wanted Eiji, his body just wasn't always on the same page as his brain. But now, it seemed they finally were in sync.

Ash fisted a hand into Eiji's hair. Just as expected, Eiji moaned against his mouth. Ash pulled back slightly and looked into his eyes. He looked a bit dazed as he breathed heavily, making up for lost oxygen. Ash stared into his eyes devilishly as he ground his hips against Eiji's. The action closed Eiji's eyes against his will. He gasped loudly into the night air. Ash smirked at his reaction and then repeated the motion. Eiji's hands flew into Ash's hair, fingers tangling into his blond locks.

"Uh! Ash! Do that again," he whimpered breathlessly.

"Huh, no...I don't think I will," Ash taunted cruelly.

Eiji's eyes snapped open and met Ash's dilated eyes.

"But maybe if you ask me nicely…" he drawled teasingly.

"Please?"

"Please what?" he asked mercilessly.

"Please...whatever you call that, do it again."

With a smirk, Ash obliged, rocking his hips against Eiji once more. Eiji moaned again. Ash began kissing his mouth again, slower now but still passionately. His hands migrated to the waistband of Eiji's swim trunks he was still dressed in from the beach. He felt, more than heard, Eiji moan. This was something of a rarity. Funny as it may seem, they usually pulled off their own clothing. Ash felt more comfortable with it that way.

"Up," Ash whispered breathlessly against Eiji's lips, prompting him to lift his hips.

Eiji obliged and Ash tugged down his swim trunks to reveal his aching desire. Eiji kicked them off his ankles and onto the floor. Suddenly Eiji felt quite exposed, lying there naked in the open air, not that he was complaining. Ash thought he looked stunning, lying below him with his flushed skin and dilated eyes and a hardness that grew just for Ash. Eiji's request to not hold back rang in his head. He kneeled over him and shimmied his way out of his own swim trunks and tossed them on the floor of the car. Eiji closed his eyes, the sight of him kneeling over him was too much to handle.

Eiji's eyes flew open as he felt Ash's lips on his inner thigh, dangerously close to better things. Ash groaned in pleasure as a high-pitched gasp escaped Eiji's lips. He peppered his skin with teasing kisses, all the while Eiji's hands kneaded Ash's shoulders and back restlessly.

"You…" he said between kisses, "are gorgeous...no…perfect."

Eiji would've laughed at the statement, maybe even protested, if he wasn't actively falling apart under Ash's lips.

Ash turned his attention to the heat he could no longer ignore. Eiji whimpered shamelessly as his mouth englufed him. He used every trick he'd ever learned, trying not to think about where he'd learned them, to masterfully unravel the man below him. At one point Eiji tried to watch, but had to soon close his eyes as the sight of Ash's blond head bobbing passionately upon him was too much to handle. Ash made a motion with his tongue that Eiji could only have described as wicked. He moaned and instinctively bucked his hips. Eiji's eyes flew open as he realized his mistake. Ash pulled back just enough to make eye contact, and for a moment, Eiji worried he'd call things off. But instead, he flashed him his devilish eyes and did whatever he'd just done again. Only this time he held Eiji's hips in place, but this wasn't done out of fear, this was done to tease him. And then he did it again, and again, and again, until Eiji was clearly seconds away from climax, and then he pulled off completely, causing Eiji to actually cry out into the night.

"Wha-Wh- What's wrong?" He somehow managed to ask.

"Unraveling you…remember?" Ash answered breathlessly, making it clear stopping was part of the process, rather than a product of panic.

Eiji sighed a small, "oh," and closed his eyes and tried his best to focus on regaining his breath. He could hear Ash fumbling with something but his sloshing brain couldn't figure out what he was doing, even though it should've been obvious. When Ash's hands returned to his thighs, they were slick and Eiji realized instantly what that meant.

His eyes flashed open, causing Ash to ask "Still okay?"

"So good," he muttered breathlessly. He'd meant to say still good, but what came out was better anyway, and far more accurate.

Ash smiled at his response and leaned forward to kiss his reddened, swolen lips. He continued kissing him as he slowly inched a single finger inside. And then another. Eiji turned his head, breaking the kiss, as a third finger was added and moaned softly.

After a moment, Ash removed all three and, with jelly limbs, helped Eiji into a sitting position. Eiji looked absolutely dazed at this point

"Ready?" Ash asked as he helped the confused, love-drunk Eiji onto his lap.

Eiji nodded, finally realizing what the shift in positions was all about, once Ash's own leaking desire was pressed up against him. It took all his remaining strength for Eiji to kneel so that Ash could get in position. He braced his hands on Ash's shoulders and finally pressed down so Ash could inch inside him.

It was slow at first, Ash just pressed inside and then stopped, letting Eiji adjust to the foreign feeling. His eyes were closed as he sat there panting. After a moment, he was able to open his eyes and stare into Ash's.

'Don't hold back,' Eiji had said. He had to a bit, but not his words, words wouldn't bruise him.

"We're finally here," Ash whispered, "And fuck you feel so good."

Eiji smiled. "Make me feel even better."

Ash tangled his hands in Eiji's messy black hair and kissed him passionately. "I will," he muttered against his panting lips.

His hands returned to Eiji's hips and, with them, he encouraged movement. Eiji got the idea. Ash rolled his hips against Eiji as Eiji began to tentatively move up and down in a circular motion. After Eiji was clearly adjusted, Ash increased his pace.

Eiji threw his head back and moaned, causing Ash to release his own dormant sounds of pleasure.

"Damn, that's good!" Eiji exhaled.

It was like music to Ash's ears. Their speed increased together as the passion built. They were both panting loudly now. Distant cicadas, their own breath and pleasured sounds, and the vulgar sound of skin meeting skin rang in their ears like a symphony of love.

Eiji was leaking on Ash's stomach now as they moved in unison. With each motion, he rubbed up against his skin torturously. He decided he'd waited long enough. "Touch me, Ash," he pleaded. "Touch me!"

Ash smiled wickedly and did as Eiji wanted. Eiji cried out in pleasure as Ash's hand mimicked their now-quick speed on Eiji's aching member. Neither of them would last long now, they both knew it.

'Don't hold back.'

Ash decided to say the words that would have once burned like bile in his throat. The words that had been said to him far too many times as perverted men raped him. But those memories were far away now. This night was completely their own and his thoughts were focused only on Eiji. There was no room for past traumatic memories. Not tonight.

"Come on Eiji," Ash whimpered as he thrusted deeply into Eiji, rhythmically moving his hand at the same time. "Cum for me, baby, I'm so close. Cum with me."

The words were all he needed. Eiji threw his head back and cried incoherent sounds loudly into the night. Moments after the white, hot liquid hit his chest, Ash came too, moaning loudly in the way Eiji shamelessly loved. Eiji was already slumped against his chest as Ash came inside him. He whimpered in overstimulated pleasure at the new sensation.

Delicately, Ash slipped himself out of Eiji and held him weakly with jelly arms. Eiji kept muttering breathless 'I love yous' into Ash's sweaty skin. Ash returned the first two and then stopped after it was clear Eiji was stuck in a loop.

After a few long minutes their breathing regulated and a fraction of their strength returned. Ash made Eiji sit back as he carefully cleaned them up. He then discarded the wipes in a small bag he'd brought for trash.

"What'd ya think?" Ash finally managed to ask as Eiji slid back against this chest sleepily.

"I think...I think we might end up fighting for bottom," he said comically. "Because that was...words can't describe how good that was."

Ash smiled and kissed the top of his head. "I thought so too," Ash whispered, answering the question he knew Eiji was about to ask.

"Good," he smiled against his skin.

They stayed like that for a long while until they came to their senses, realizing how late it was getting and how suspicious Miyuki and Aki would be. They dressed and tidied the car, hiding all evidence of their endeavors.

Eiji was thankful Ash was driving because he wasn't sure he'd be able to stay awake on the short drive home. He wasn't, as it turned out, and Ash had to wake him as they pulled up in the driveway. The house was quiet and dark as they stumbled, especially Eiji, up to Eiji's room. They flopped in bed, not even bothering to turn on the fan or change their clothes, and fell asleep instantly in each other's arms.