guess who's back? ohgod sorry it took forever! i can't say i'll have better time to post later chapters, but i hope this one ie enjoyable nonetheless!3 thank you to everyone who has continued reading, and is waiting for an update, that makes me so happy you have no idea! anyways, let me stop gushing, please enjoy :)

did i proofread? as best as i could, but i could only do so much! sorry for any sort of mistakes /

The first time Akane met Shinnosuke he was working a late shift at a small coffee shop just a few blocks from her apartment. She had remembered one of her unfinished assignments was due very soon – in just a few hours, in fact – and for some reason, the paper had slipped her mind. Evidently, she had pushed it aside until the day that it needed to be submitted. She had believed a cup of coffee was all she required to help her finish, underestimating the attention to detail the assignment involved.

Alas, she had unintentionally stayed most of her afternoon and all evening doing the best she could.

Within the first hour, a cup of tea had been placed on her table, being quick to interject that they had gotten the wrong table. "Trust me, you need this." When she looked up, her chest tightened while her own lungs suddenly constricted her breathing, considering a very cute guy was now tending to her. He wasn't exactly smiling at her, but the corners of his lips pushed to the side in some sort of attempt, she couldn't help but accept the drink.

Sometime later, a pastry made its way to her, by the same man. "You've been here a while," he commented, and she began apologizing, quite embarrassed to have been caught. "I just meant," this time he was smiling, small it had gone as soon as it came, "I haven't seen you take a bite of anything."

"What I'm getting from that is you've been watching me," she hadn't meant to be as playful. Still, she laughed childly once she noticed his narrowed eyebrows stiffen hoping he'd understand that she was joking.

He probably shouldn't have offered, but he allowed her to stay past closing time, bearing in mind that he was yet to finish his closing duties around the shop. This was a huge advantage, considering she hadn't needed to pack up and rush home trying to meet her deadline, which she appreciated immensely.

The following day she returned to the coffee shop in hopes that he'd be working again; her smile stretched as soon as she spotted the man prepping a drink behind the counter. His face was calm, rather in his element, as he wiped a small spill. He spun around to place the drink at the counter behind him as he called the name on the tag, suddenly stammering when he noticed her watching him. She waved timidly at him before making her way, hoping she wasn't intruding as she greeted him.

She mainly wanted to thank him for being so kind yesterday, and believe it or not, to buy another coffee. "And whatever you want, on me." She beamed. Not that she needed to, she simply wanted to.

"What for?" He had asked, and

"There's no way you'd forgetten," she smiled widely, happily, "you gave me the gift of time." Her tone was teasing in a sing-song sort of way, but she almost chuckled when she noticed his own grin.

"What's your name?"

"You forgot that, too?" she continued to taunt, hoping he hadn't actually forgotten her name.

She found herself frequenting the coffee shop almost as much as she did her university. Although there was usually free food, thanks to Shinnosuke's five-finger discount, that wasn't why she preferred the shop to a library. She came to find that he was great company. Before she knew so, Akane was seeing him more than anyone else nowadays, finding some kind of comfort in him.

That evening wasn't different from all the others they'd share. It was his turn to treat dinner, or so he insisted. They were meeting before the showing, hoping her mind would become preoccupied against Ranma's date. She shouldn't wonder, but she did, and it frustrated her in a way that upset her.

"What's on your mind?" Shinnosuke asked, and she quickly shooed her thoughts away, smiling meekly feeling inwardly embarrassed to have been caught thinking about Ranma.

"Not much," she lied, pushing her food away, not quite full, not quite hungry. She looked up at him and he watched her with the soft gaze he'd always offered, always appreciating it. He cocked an eyebrow, demanding some truth and she only looked away.

Shinnosuke was easily one of her favorite people, a great friend, and that must have been the reason why she was so upset in knowing that Ranma might not like him – right?

On the walk to the movies, she felt his jacket get draped over her shoulders. She rolled her eyes very good-naturedly, knowing he had done so in the sense that he knew she'd most likely complain about how cold she'd get during the movie. She couldn't say he didn't appreciate the gesture, saying to him, "Such a gentleman," and she couldn't help but snort at the way his cheeks suddenly turned the most delightful pink she'd seen in a while.

It was during the movie that she felt his arm, quite wobbly, begin to lean around her shoulder. She found herself not hating it, and rather welcomed it. Akane pressed her side against him, adjusting herself comfortably. She could feel his fingertips nervously pressed into her forearm. There was something warm and pleasant about the way he held her, cozy even. They fit together nicely, she realized.

After the movie finished and they walked into the streets, Shinnosuke reached for her hand to intertwine his fingers with hers. He looked at her cautiously, as if waiting for any sort of rejection, but instead her lips widened as she came to find that she liked the way his hand felt within hers. He stepped closer, his empty hand reaching for her other hand, faintly grazed his nose with hers. She found herself shamelessly waiting for more.

"Akane," he called, and she hummed silently at the way he said her name. He pressed his lips against her cheek, and she felt her shoulders tense at the shivers it provoked. Her eyelids felt heavy, accepting the warmth his closeness offered. He pulled away slightly, and she searched his face, appreciating the small details of his sharp eyes and pointy nose. He was a very handsome man. He leaned down and softly kissed the other cheek, this time making her gasp softly.

"Yes?" She asked, her eyes wide with their own encouragement, her eyebrows crinkling with curiosity as to what he wanted to say next.

"Well," he cleared his throat, meeting her eyes momentarily before glancing away sheepishly.

"Shinnosuke," she said, her voice soft and low, but almost stern in a sense of insisting him to say what he was wanting to say.

"You look beautiful tonight."

Akane blinked a few times, not taken aback by his comment, but maybe a tad confused as she suspected that possibly he wanted to say something quite more forward.

He huffed through his nostrils, appearing quite bashful as he was now looking away. She could feel the grip around her hands begin to loosen, and she squeezed lightly as she called him, "Shinnosuke, that's such a kind thing to say, thank you."

His eyes widened slightly; his flushed face quite noticeable as he smiled enthusiastically at her. "Have you," he cleared his throat softly, "considered going on a date...with me?"

Very much so.

She pondered momentarily, genuinely thinking about the idea of dating Shinnosuke. She knew the ball was on her court now, for quite some time now.

Not long ago, he had asked her to be more than friends, and she hadn't known then, still not knowing now. She wasn't purposefully leading him on, she just wasn't sure. And then that stupid, stupid night – when she shared some silly kiss with Ranma, the worst man to share a kiss with – didn't help at all. She honestly hadn't known what she was expecting, or what she wanted to know, but it only left her feeling more confused. What about? She wanted to know. It wasn't like Ranma wanted her; not in the sense that Shinnosuke did.

Stupid, senseless, mindless...kiss.

There was no doubt that Shinnosuke was such a kind person, especially to her. It also helped that he was tall and handsome, with great hair. She almost snorted to herself, feeling quite vain for pointing out these attributes of his, almost like she was trying to sell herself the idea of him. It would be nice to date Shinnosuke – right?

Just as her lips parted to answer, entertaining the idea of possibly getting to know each other beyond friends, her phone's ringing startled them both.

Akane glanced at the lit-up phone, pursing her lips when seeing Ranma's face overtake the screen. For a moment she had forgotten about Ranma, and that he was on a date, trying her best to shove the ill feeling it caused upon remembering.

It was then that she came to realization at the unfairness it'd be to date someone when having such illicit emotions about another man.

And so, she didn't say anything, ignoring his call before shoving her phone away.

"I really like you, Akane."

"Shinno..." She couldn't help but smile fondly at him, feeling her heart squeeze at the way this man focused on her. He watched her the way she wanted a man to look at her, with care and desire. It was so easy to say yes and do more than hold his hand. So why was it so hard to say yes? "Walk me home?"

She was probably having a grand time, and then there was Ranma, like some creep stalking her apartment. He probably should have left earlier. Even Ryoga was enjoying his evening – he knew so by the singular raising hands emoji Ryoga had sent as a "thank you" a while back. That meant Akari had called him, and most likely had explained everything to him, and would get some teasing from him first thing in the morning. About time , was all Ranma could really think, firsthand witness to all his failed attempts at courting women.

He had called her once, maybe twice, but it went to voicemail. He hadn't wanted to be annoying. But he, annoy Akane, never – right? He felt frustrated, with irritation getting the best of him, always finding himself coming to her apartment. Even when she wasn't home. Somehow, he felt defeated, he just didn't understand why. It wasn't as though he was battling for her hand, and his opponent had won; he hadn't even considered his feelings for Akane until recently.

He really should go home.

When he glanced up, quite into his own thoughts it seemed, Ranma noticed Akane just as she reached the top of her stairs. Feeling like she'd been caught with her hand inside the cookie jar, the young woman slowly released Shinnosuke's hand, unexpectedly embarrassed. So, what if Ranma saw her holding hands with a guy? What was wrong with that? Why did she care so much?

He could feel a lump getting lodged in his throat as he noticed the subtle movement of her hand detaching from the man that he assumed was Shinnosuke. He wasn't...unattractive. His hands tensed, fisting and then releasing trying to compose himself, although he couldn't ignore the massive urge of wanting to sucker punch the man. He had absolutely no idea why, but he just did.

"Ranma?" Akane said, watching him curiously with wrinkled eyebrows, "What are you doing here? Everything okay?"

"Yeah, 'course," he smirked, now nervously bouncing a fist against his palm, trying to concentrate on her but always finding himself glancing at him.

"So," she asked again, "why are you here?"

He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, not having an actual answer other than wanting to see her, but that never had been awkward or uncomfortable to admit before. "Didn't know you were," he cleared his throat quickly, "busy."

"Um," Akane replied sheepishly, not understanding why because she hadn't done anything – they hadn't done anything. Although, even if they did, there shouldn't be anything wrong with that. "We're just hanging out," not that she needed to explain herself. Still, she took a step to the side as she introduced both men to each other – something she probably should have done as soon as she reached the top of the stairs. "Ranma, this is Shinnosuke. Shinnosuke, Ranma." She eyed both men carefully, cautiously, as if expecting something to happen, she just didn't know what.

"Oh, so you're Shinnosuke," he smirked tauntingly at Akane, in a playful sort of sense, as to disguise that riling urge to snarl at his direction. She simply glared at him, but he paid no attention.

"And you're Ranma." He knew of Ranma, of course through stories Akane shared and photos she showed him. He also knew how important he was in Akane's life. "You're like her brother?" He knew they weren't siblings, but more than just great friends, and the way his face soured told him so.

Ranma made a noise through his throat, taking a moment to glance at Akane, observing the way she nervously chewed on her lower lip, "Something like that." Was she telling people they were siblings?

Akane rolled her eyes, exasperating a breath before she stepped in, "Well, see you tomorrow?" She asked, and Ranma had confidently waited for Shinnosuke to bid his goodbye, beginning to feel both eyes seep into him as the seconds passed by. It was then that it had dawned on him that she had been talking to him. And, although he should have expected it, he couldn't deny that he was, well, surprised.

"Right." Tightening the corners of his lips, taking a moment longer to actually leave. Ouch. He was slightly bitter that his unintentional cockblocking, although not too unintentional, hadn't worked out to his liking.

"So, they're taking your girl from right underneath your feet, huh?"

Ranma glanced at Ryoga, both men finding themselves at the gym after grabbing a bite after work. The pigtail wearing man reached for the small towel and wiped his face, trying to understand what he meant by that, "What?" As far as he knew, he was still single.

"Akane, she's dating that Shinnosuke guy?"

Ranma scoffed a laugh, utterly surprised that he knew any of this, considering he hadn't said a single word about it. "And you know this, how?"

"Girls talk, dude."

"Uh-huh." He gave it a few seconds in a sense so Ryoga would elaborate, but after the too long moment, he reached over and playfully bumped the side of his head, "And these girls might be... ? "

"Well, my girl's one of them," he smirked quite proudly, pleased with a bright glint on his eyes, reaching for his own towel to drag across the nape of his neck, "and obviously, Akane's the other."

"What did they talk about exactly?" Ranma switched his weight from one foot to the other, feeling disorientated at the sudden curveball his friend threw at him. He was more surprised this detail hadn't been mentioned earlier.

It had been a little over a week since Ryoga and Akari had begun seeing each other exclusively – and a lot longer since she'd seen Akane in person – and for the most part the happy couple had been spending most of their evening together; that didn't excuse Ryoga from forgetting important things as such.

"I didn't even know who this Shinnosuke guy was." Ryoga continued, taking a swing at his water bottle.

"Yeah, neither did I." Ranma murmured.

"Akari wanted to know if I'd be okay with a double date with Akane and this Shinnosuke guy."

That... hurt.

"Really?" It wasn't an actual question, but rather a surprising comment, although he wasn't exactly surprised. He knew from the beginning that Shinnosuke evidently liked Akane in that sort of way, he was just hopeful it wouldn't happen in actuality. Yes, a rather foolish thought, but he was beyond confused as to what to do about his dilemma when it came to keeping the very fond friendship they've constructed, or downright confessing the very intrusive and lecherous dreams he couldn't stop having about her.

It was beginning to get beyond absurd; in fact, it was somewhat laughable. How had he allowed himself to desire her in such a way? How was he to talk to women when it upset him that they didn't smell like her, or laugh like her, or smiled at him the way she did. There was some sort of agony that came with this whole complication, feeling quite trapped.

"I won't go," Ryoga interjected his thoughts, a worried look aimed at his friend, appearing to be in physical pain.

"You're a good guy, Pork Butt." Ranma grinned, touched by his friend's loyalty.

"Again, with the nicknames!" They had become more frequent once Ranma found out Akari's family owned a pig farm that she helped run in the countryside. But especially when Ryoga confessed that Akari had compared him to a pig multiple times already, and he wasn't sure how he felt about that. Sure, they were great qualities, such as their strength and intelligence, but it was still a pig and Ranma couldn't help but tease him about it.

"I think she might like this guy," Ranma said, gulping some water down, annoyed by what he already knew and hadn't wanted to admit. Ryoga winced, as if it were the first time he had seen his friend admit defeat, finding it quite excruciating to watch.

"Have you even told her how you feel?"

"There's clearly no reason to."

"It's not like you've lost the war!"

"What?" Every day, more and more, he did not understand him.

"You cannot say it's over when you haven't even tried, or began trying, in all honesty."

Ranma shook his head, gently and then more noticeably, "And if she doesn't feel the same way? What do I do then?" There was a strain in the way that he asked the question, not meaning to have been as loud as he was, glancing around the room when some patrons turned to look his way. "What do I do when she doesn't return the sentiment, and it gets awkward and..." He was beginning to feel exasperated by the idea of losing her altogether.

Ryoga couldn't give him an answer.

Akari looked at her friend, dressed in the cutest slip dress with an oversized denim jacket, smiling fondly at her. It was the first time she'd meet Shinnosuke, and she was more than excited. Akane didn't talk much about her personal life during work, and when she did, the conversation was always cut short. God only knows how she managed to convince Akane to agree on a double date outing.

"If you're dating him, I'm sure he's a delight," Akari encouraged, sensing the nervousness that her friend offered.

"He's more than a delight, actually," Akane chuckled quietly, "but we're not dating."

As they walked toward the train station where Ryoga would be meeting them, Akari couldn't help but notice the subtle distaste in Akane's face, dragging curiosity out of her, allowing her impulsiveness to ask, "Everything alright?"

"Yes, of course," Akane assured, shrugging her shoulders as she glanced at the evening sky overtaken by the red hues dispersing all throughout. "We've already gone on two dates, and I like being with him."

"But..."

"But what?" she asked, her face softening as she seemed to think to herself for a moment, her eyebrows narrowing when she glanced back at Akari.

"I just thought, they'd be a but ," she grinned, reaching her hands to wrap around Akane's arm, receiving a gentle squeeze back that told her that she appreciated her closeness.

"Well, no buts ," Akane grinned.

"Oh, of course not," Akari nodded agreeingly.

"He is mature, and beyond kind."

"Those are great qualities!"

"Very much so!" Akane sighed, almost seeming to force a smile upon her pursed lips.

"But?"

"Akari, there are no buts !" Akane insisted, her voice a tad higher than intended, quick to compose herself as she groaned inwardly. "Sorry."

"But if there were," Akari grinned, not bothered whatsoever by Akane's mild discomposure, "that's okay, too. He's just hanging out with your friends, which is important in a relationship."

Akane felt her breath get caught within her throat as they reached the station, not expecting to see Ranma waiting alongside Ryoga. She hadn't seen him since then , when she practically kicked him out, although she knew she technically hadn't. Their communication had stayed at a minimum.

Both men seemed to be fully entertained by their conversation to notice that the young women arrived just steps from them.

She had considered inviting Ranma to tag along, but considering Ryoga would be going with a date, and she'd be going with a date...well, maybe he could have brought a date. Although, the too short of a thought for a cohesive idea got dismissed almost immediately, in all honesty.

Selfishly, Akane had never wanted to know that part of his life, mainly because she'd never been curious to meet any of the women he's dated.

Akane eyes bounced about his body, so close it seemed, just feet away now as they stepped closer. Yet further and further from her grasp, somehow. And she smiled weakly once their eyes met, unable to hide the way her stare softened, feeling her cheeks flush when he smiled back at her.

"Well, you're dressed nicely." He grinned so devilishly; it was almost suffocating.

"Will you be joining us?" she asked, momentarily glancing to see Akari release her arm as she made her way towards Ryoga. She smiled tenderly at them before returning her attention back to Ranma.

"Nah," he replied, tensing his shoulders before wrinkling his nose, "just came to drop off Ryoga, otherwise, well you know." They shared a muffled laugh in knowing about their friend's lack of direction, even with a navigation system at the palm of his hand.

"Ah," Akane grinned, "good thought."

It was quiet momentarily; as quiet as it can get in the very trafficked station on the weekend.

"Before I forget," Ranma said, "ma' sends you a hello."

That easily brightened her mood, as Akane's lips stretched into a wide smile, "How is Auntie Saotome?"

Ranma cleared his throat, taking a glance at the train pulling in, "She wants you to come visit."

She hadn't known why she asked so fast, but before her lips could form the words, she was already saying, "Does tomorrow evening work?" Maybe it was that she was wanting to demolish the tension that was gradually building, wondering if he could sense it, too – or was it was all in her mind? She didn't like the distance they seemed to be growing, so suddenly, she might add.

"I'll ask ma'," he smiled lopsidedly, and within minutes he was walking away as she was following behind the merry couple to meet Shinnosuke at the restaurant.

Dinner wasn't great, but not horrible. Akari seemed to like Shinnosuke, sort of. When they arrived, he had already been sitting, quick to stand and greet her, offering both Akari and Ryoga a slight bow. Ryoga, on the other hand, seemed like he had a bone to pick with him. He didn't try much when it came to having casual conversation, not even about the weather – how hard is it to talk about the weather? Again, it wasn't that the task of talking about anything, really, was the difficult part, he just didn't seem to want to indulge in it.

Akari, well, she probably tried a little too hard. Every word out of her mouth formed a question, and all Akane could do as she watched her date get interrogated was mouth sorry as she nervously pushed strands of dark hair behind her ears. She knew her friend most likely had good intentions.

And, of course, Shinnosuke was a gentleman. He tried starting conversations with Ryoga, multiple times, even after it was obvious that Ryoga didn't want any part in whatever was happening at the shared table. He also answered every question Akari asked genuinely, laughing inwardly at Akane's flustered face.

"Sorry," Akane muttered as she walked alongside Shinnosuke, an embarrassed groan daring to drag itself out her throat.

"What about?"

"You were there," she tried to joke, rolling her eyes endearingly at him, "Ryoga's usually a chatter box. And Akari, I actually don't know why she tried to play detective tonight, but you really didn't have to tell her your mother's maiden name, you know." She was grinning now, accidentally snorting a laugh when he sighed deeply.

"I don't mind," he said.

"I know," she said back.

Tried and she tried, Akane just couldn't fold the dough into a decent dumpling. It has always been known that Akane was not good in the kitchen, but she liked to believe she wasn't awful. Auntie Saotome smiled sweetly at the young women, soft and gentle as she reached over and reexplained the creasing technique again, never tiring of doing so.

Akane had always felt at home in Auntie Saotome's home, although she wouldn't visit much. Akane and Ranma usually spent their time at the Tendo residence, but she knew it mostly had to do because of the dojo space Ranma freely used all throughout their childhood year and well into their adolescence.

Nonetheless, Auntie Saotome had maintained a close relationship with all in the Tendo household, caring for the young girls and almost taking a motherly role in situations Mr. Tendo wasn't able to help, considering the girls had lost their mother at such a young age. Akane always found interest in the kitchen, but somehow never succeeded in preparing edible dishes, it seemed. Kasumi tried, and Auntie Saotome certainly did her best. Ranma had learned some things, but Ranma somehow always managed to do things well on his first try.

Akane exasperated a deep breath, smiling weekly at Autie Saotome when her set of not the best dumplings piled up right next to Ranma's who was grinning quite smug at her. She scoffed under her breath and softly nudged him on the side with her elbow, mocking a face at him. He mirrored her actions, but far more noticeable by his mother, she scowled at him to behave at the table. Akane smiled small, in victory, Ranam's quick to deflate sheepishly making her feel a bit better against knowing that her dumplings were probably the bunch that wouldn't be touched during dinner that evening.

After dinner, Akane circled Ranam's room, realizing she hadn't been in room in years. The pigtail wearing man laid on his twin-sized bed, mindlessly throwing a stress ball into the air and catching it with ease when it came back down. The room looked the same, piles of books and manga placed on his desk rather than back on its shelf and posters pinned to his wall that he hadn't cared to take down since high school.

She reached for a book and flipped through it mindlessly, looking back at Ranma, "You need to clean your room," she said as she glanced about the piles of clothes in one corner and a singular sock thrown over the desk chair. The room didn't smell bad whatsoever, as the room was more messy than dirty, but she wanted to poke fun in any way she could.

Ranma huffed, knowing he couldn't snap anything back since her small apartment usually looked impeccable. She placed the book back down and let herself fall on the bed with him, laughing at the way he faked a groan, "Gee, 'Kane, you're too heavy to be doing that."

She gasped, offended, and she quickly tried to get on top of him, pushing him down with her hands, suddenly feeling sixteen again. "Shut up, Ranma!" But she was laughing, and he was grinning, allowing himself to be pressed down for just a few seconds before taking over. He sat up, his broad shoulders easily stumbling her away before spreading his arms and wrapping them around her. She was still laughing, tightly pressing her hands over mouth in hopes of muffling her own squeals so Auntie Saotome or Mr. Saotome wouldn't barge in thinking something was wrong.

Usually by this move, Akane would tap out and Ranma would release her in some sort of imaginary victory, but when she stopped laughing and his arms' grip loosened, she didn't move away. He was almost on top of her, his hold around her back as she came to the realization that she could feel his breathing ticked the tip of her nose.

She wanted to look away, suddenly feeling shy and embarrassed because of the way he was looking at her. And then it dawned on her, like a thunderbolt, not quite as flashy but loud, that he was gazing at the way that Shinnosuke looked at her. His eyes were dazed as his long eyelashes batted slowly, his goofy grin dismissed and replaced by a serious face.

Akane wanted to say something, anything, but there was something clogging her throat, although she didn't feel trapped. In fact, she liked the way his hold felt on her, warm and comfortable, wondering if it was noticeable that she was looking at her the way he was watching her. And when she blinked, parting her mouth as she was about to build a word to begin speaking, Ranma's lips overtook hers, but unlike the battle as to who would land on top, she didn't try and push him away.

Instead, with an inward gasp, and finding herself feeling desperate even though he was already kissing her, Akane's mouth widen as she pushed herself deeper into his. A flame blazed down her neck and arms, trickling down her spine, feeling quite hot. She could feel his fingertips pressing against her back, pulling her in as he hovered over her, her body turning into melting butter. His lips felt so nice against hers, his tongue delightfully steaming as it teased her just momentarily, she pulled away when her throat emitted a mild moan.

She was gasping for air, feeling as though she'd been under water, knowing her face probably matching a tomato's, parting her lips again to begin stammering some sort of excuse to why she indulged in the kiss but before she could say anything else, Ranma had pulled her into another kiss.

Her lips had been quite red, and he couldn't stop staring at them when she suddenly pulled away, and he probably should have let her finish talking but he couldn't sustain his urge to continue kissing her. Not when he now knew what wet mouth tasted like, still like dinner, but her fruity balm faintly present. And she smelled mesmerizing; he didn't know what perfume she was wearing, but she had always smelled like so and that was enough to intoxicate him further.

Ranma pressed himself against her, breathing into her as he angled his head, momentary chewing on her lip before grazing his teeth gently across to take her mouth with his. The kiss was loud, and wet, but he could feel her welcome it fully, encouraging him. The first time he had kissed her it was soft, and sweet, enough to send him in a swirl, but this one was rough and full of desire. He relished the way she'd willingly seek his touch, her hands trapped in between them both, but pressed against his chest. And before he knew what he was doing, his sloppy kiss dragged itself down to her jaw, her shortness of breath like some fuel in his ear.

He fully went to attack her earlobe by grasping it in between his teeth, grinning at the way Akane squealed with her body reacting by pressing itself further into him. "Ranma," she tried to say, her word hardly audible as she tried to gasp in some air, but instead of stopping him she only said, "oh, god," in such a tender way he had to kiss her again.

This time her arms trailed up his chest to stop at his neck, feeling quite mad at the way her fingertips felt like fire. But what set him off had been just as they mangled with the shag of hair near the nape of his neck, knowing she was yearning to hold him just as he was holding her. He groaned lowly into her mouth, her tongue accidentally grazing his and he was now wanting to seek after it. His spread palm traveled down her back, halting at her hip to push underneath her top.

She was exactly what he'd been dreaming about...he wasn't dreaming again, was he?

In all honesty, he didn't know if he could stop touching her, kissing her, desiring her, until her phone interrupted them. As though some sort of spell breaker, Akane pulled away still dazed, her vision misty as she tried to steady her breathing. "I should go," she said as best as she could. Her ringing phone faintly heard in the background, and he couldn't help but notice the weary expression her face mustered at the sound of it. Who was calling her?

"A-already?" Was all he could really say, and she couldn't help but laugh softly.

"Can we talk tomorrow?"

He looked at her, his wide blue eyes searching for her face like a treasure map, trying to memorize coordinations and names, captivated by her flushed cheeks and full lips. "Okay."

He offered to walk her home, but she insisted against it, and now he lay on his bed, staring at his ceiling.

any sort of comment is always appreciated immensely!