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Uruu was aware that Homura was watching him.He was not at all opposed to this turn of events. If anyone had asked his opinion on the subject, he might have said that Homura didn't spend nearly enough time watching him for his preference. Depending on who was doing the asking, he might have said that Homura could profit by his example by learning some manners and perhaps even a bit of class. On the other hand, if he were forced to be completely honest, he would have had to say that he simply appreciated being watched by Homura.
"Penny for them," he said. The two of them were sitting in their communal living room, Uruu with a book of poetry in his lap and Homura sprawled on the floor reading the latest issue of that Fire Fairy comic.
"I was thinking," said Homura, "that I really like your shirt."
Uruu smiled. It was perhaps not the compliment he was looking for, but it was a step in the right direction.
"This is one of my favorites," he agreed. "It's silk."
"No kidding." Homura showed a shade more interest. "Can I touch it?"
"If you like," said Uruu, who was thinking, Please do!
Homura got up and crossed the room to sit next to Uruu. Experimentally, he ran a hand over Uruu's arm, brushing his fingers up and down. Uruu had to suppress a shiver of pleasure.
"It's really soft," Homura murmured. "I didn't know there was anything that soft."
"Can it be," said said Uruu, "that you've never encountered silk before?"
"Well, sure, I've heard of it," said Homura defensively. "It's just that I come from a country full of volcanoes and rocks. We don't go in for 'soft' so much as we go for 'durable' and 'fireproof'."
"I see. I suppose that makes sense," said Uruu.
"Of course it does," said Homura. "Why do you think my regular outfit has all that black leather in it?"
"Possibly because you look good in black leather," said Uruu, and was pleased to see Uruu blush slightly.
"Well, you look good in your fancy shirt," he said, turning away.
"Silk is very common where I come from," said Uruu, half to himself. "The climate is good for raising silkworms, so we always had a good supply. We're very proud of our watered silk." Mischievously, he added, "We make all kinds of things out of it... even bed sheets."
Homura went even redder, and Uruu could only imagine what he was imagining.
"I don't think I'm cut out for that fancy stuff," he mumbled.
"Oh, I don't know," said Uruu.
But he did know. He had very definite opinions on the subject, and already, he was forming a plan.
A few days later, Homura came back from observing a potential client and found Jyuka guarding the door to the bar.
"Oh, there you are!" he said. "Uruu said he's looking for you!"
"What does he want me for?" Homura asked. He was mildly alarmed by this prospect. He felt like he and Uruu were friends these days, but there was always the chance, given their shared history, that he might accidentally trigger a landmine with Uruu.
"I dunno," said Jyuka. "He just said to let you know, and to tell you he'll be upstairs waiting for you."
"Okay," said Homura, giving a shrug that looked more casual than he felt. "Guess I'd better go see what's eating him, then."
He climbed up the stairs to find Uruu in their sitting room. He was passing the time by doing a sketch of one of Jyuka's potted plants, but he sat up straight and set his drawing things when he saw Homura come in. As he moved, Homura noticed that there was a flat white box on the sofa next to him.
"You took your time getting here," said Uruu. "I've been waiting and waiting for you."
Homura decided to take this as a compliment rather than criticism.
"I was a little busy," he said. "I have a new client."
Uruu nodded. "I suppose that's a valid excuse. Is anything likely to come to a head in the next fifteen minutes or so?"
"Don't think so," said Homura. "The way these things usually go, I'm guessing I have at least until tomorrow night. Things are probably going to get pretty hectic around then, though."
"You know you can call on me for help if it becomes necessary," said Uruu gently.
Homura flashed him a grin. "Don't worry. I'll give you a shout when the fireworks are about to begin. So, what was it you wanted to show me?"
"Just this," said Uruu, holding up the box. "I got you a present."
Homura felt his face going warm. "You shouldn't have done that... There's no reason for you to go getting me stuff."
"But I wanted to," said Uruu. "So I sold one of my paintings and used some of the money to get you this. Don't look so stunned," he added. "I still have plenty left for myself, and I can always make another painting. I wanted to give you this."
Homura continued to regard the box as though he thought it was about to explode. He was tempted to be angry about this. After all, he had no way to pay Uruu back, and he had never liked being put in a situation of being obliged to someone. On the other hand, he was all too aware that Uruu was as stubborn as a cat, and if he'd decided to do a thing, all Homura could do was go ahead and let him do it.
I'll think of some way to pay him back for it later, he told himself, as he picked up the box. I'll ask Takara if he knows a way I could earn a few bucks... without having to do anything too ridiculous.
He contemplated the box. It was light for its size, and for a moment he wondered if it was empty and all this was working up to some sort of prank. Uruu didn't seem like the sort to play tasteless pranks, though. Homura used a thumb to snap the tape that was holding the lid in place and had a look inside.
There was a shirt in the box. He drew it out and held it up for a better look. It was a deep wine red, and made of butter-soft silk, cool and smooth as it slid through his fingers. "What's this for?" he blurted.
Uruu smiled. "Well, you seemed to admire my shirt so much, I thought you might like to have one of your own."
It was you I admired, Homura thought. He was absolutely certain that he could never look as polished and elegant as Uruu, no matter what he was wearing. On the other hand, he was forced to admit that he had been coveting that shirt.
"I guess it wouldn't hurt just to try it on," he said.
"Please do," said Uruu. "I want to see how you look in it."
It occurred to Homura at last that this might have been more than a friendly gesture. Hadn't he heard at some point that gift-giving was a large part of Aqua Clan courtship rituals? His own people's traditions involved acts of service, mostly, but also the wearing of colors or objects associated with the beloved. Perhaps Uruu was, in his subtle way, trying to combine both traditions into one.
Maybe, he thought, I can count wearing this stupid thing for him as an act of service.
Uruu waited anxiously, listening to the sounds of rustling cloth coming from behind the bathroom door. Part of him was thinking that it was rather cute that Homura was still shy enough around him to want to change behind closed doors. Part of him was wishing he had been bold enough to stay where he was. Part of him was quietly nervous that Homura might decide that he didn't like his gift, that he wasn't going to wear it and that Uruu had been foolish to offer it to him. Part of him was wondering if Homura had any idea what was going on here, or if he merely thought this was a friendly gesture or a peace offering. It wasn't as though the two of them had always been able to see eye to eye.
And then Homura stepped out into again, and he wondered if after all Homura hadn't been shy, but merely wishing to heighten the impact. He had shed the jacket he had been wearing earlier, and was now wearing the red shirt over a black tank top that lay snugly against his chest, and form-fitting jeans with rips at the knees. He wore the shirt casually, with only a few of the lower buttons done up. His hair had become slightly disheveled during the process of changing. Uruu found the effect of this touch of elegance laid over a rough interior utterly enchanting.
"Well?" said Homura. "I don't reckon I look too bad, do I?"
"You look marvelous," said Uruu. "It suits you perfectly."
Homura smiled, the expression brightening his normally serious face.
"Guess I'll have to wear it, then," he said. "At least when you're around. Although..."
He moved closer then, so that he could look Uruu directly in the eye. Very deliberately, he reached out to trail his fingers down Uruu's chest.
"...I still like the feel of the one you're wearing better," he concluded.
Uruu couldn't repress a self-satisfied smile as he realized his message had gotten through loud and clear. He leaned in a little closer."
Well, then," he said, "who am I to deny you the pleasure?"