Archive of Our Own

"You sure you want to go through with this, Scrawny? Two days is a long time."

"It sounds to me like you're the one who's worried he might lose.." 

"Hah! You wish, Pinky." Kojiro leaned in closer, a smug self assured smile. "I think-"

"Don't hurt yourself."

The smile wavered. He'd walked into that one. " I think that you are nervous. It would explain why you were late showing up. One last pep talk in the mirror?" 

Kaoru's jaw tightened as he scoffed. "The reason why I was late has absolutely nothing to do with our beef tonight, you pompous peacock!"

"Peacock?" Kojiro chuckled. "What? No names for monkeys that start with p?"

"Primate." 

"See! I knew you could do it!"

"I chose my words perfectly! Yes, Peacock. For your preening, posing, posturing and most of all, your preposterously small bird brain." Kaoru said smugly, counting his reasoning off on gloves fingers. Unfurling another finger for every insult.

"Ooh, big talk." Kojiro taunted, leaning in close, smirking at the rotten skinny thing before him. 

He was going to win this! If only for a break from that for a while. 

"So sure of yourself, Kaoru? Planning on really cutting loose and showing off for your little fan cl-" He was cut off by the feeling of a punch to his bicep, causing him to drop his board to the dirt, a clattering sound, and grab his arm instead. "Ow!"

"You really never learn. It's maddening .." Kaoru growled at him, his own turn to close the gap between them. " Do not call me that here! Come up with another way to aggravate me, because this one has gotten old." 

"It may be old, but it's effective! Never fails." Kojiro laughed, resting his forehead against 'Cherry's' and smirking at the expression on his face. Even under the mask, he was so easy to read.

Kaoru really was so cute when he looked at him like that. Where most would see something to be weary of, he only ever saw the warm honey colored flecks in the gold of his eyes, long lashes that made many jealous, and the very subtle bloom of pink to his complexion as he became more flustered. 

"You are so pretty !" Kojiro purred softly and quickly closing the gap, he pressed a surprise kiss to his partner's lips through the black mask. A small peck that the other man barely had time to process, evident by the wide eyed look still on his face, and his shocked rigid posture. He wasn't expecting it! 

They were very much in a relationship, Kaoru Sakurayashiki and Kojiro Nanjo, that was, but Cherry Blossom and Joe were practically separate people. They treated their alter ego's as such, Kaoru more seriously than Kojiro, but the separation was necessary. At least professionally. 

There were also perks to said arrangement. It allowed them to flirt, and to have a little fun when the costumes went on and the adrenaline pumped through their veins. It gave a sense of freedom to the two 'formerly allergic to commitment' men and fed terribly swollen ego's, giving their fan clubs hope when the occasional wink was thrown their way. 

It worked for them, for now, and if it ever started to not work… Well, they agreed they'd revisit the conversation then . 

The open display of affection however, even if it was in a less populated corner of the crowded racing arena, threw Kaoru off.

 ...Perhaps that was the idea?

"Com'on! Let's get this done so I can claim my prize."

Kojiro was already pushing through to the start to issue the official challenge, his pink haired companion left behind now with a look of more determination than ever. That was a dirty trick, but there were no rules and using the fact that he was absolutely weak for the other man wasn't an entirely bad play. 

That was what irritated him most. 

"Playing dirty? Very well, game on." 

It was true that most things Kaoru could think of for revenge right off were severely disproportionate to what Kojiro had done.. maybe he would just shove him off at a turn? That seemed on par for what he deserved, he thought to himself with a smug nod following behind.

"Hurry up, Four-eyes! Is this kind of pace what I'm supposed to expect from you tonight?" Kojiro jeered, sticking out his tongue over his shoulder at Kaoru still lagging behind. 

When he won, Kaoru thought to himself, he was going to make Kojiro pay dearly by being as obnoxious as humanly possible while claiming his prize, and watching with unfettered joy as he was forced to stomach it…

The excited masses gathered around the start to watch the two veterans ready to take one another on. They didn't match up very often these days, and everyone knew they were in for a real show. 

Listening to the roar of the crowd they took their starting positions, crouching down with one hand holding their boards. Looking every bit the mirror to one another, they looked at the other instead of the count down lights ahead. Their usual psych out tactics in full swing. 

Cherry focused and intimidating- Joe gave him a wink in return. 

He hated to admit how smooth the big dork actually was when he did that…

"..May the best man win."

"Don't worry your pretty, over inflated head. I will." Cherry Blossom replied coolly.

The second light illuminated and Joe made a kissing face at him this time instead. Less smooth, causing Cherry to roll his eyes with a loud scoff, turning his attention back to the start. He was not going to throw him off his game any more. Focus!

Last light, Joe turned his attention back to the track ahead as well. Full of dirt, rocks and turns. 

His pastel opponent had no objections to the track when it was chosen. But that was mostly because Cherry was always faster on this one, it was going to be an easy win. He almost felt bad for the big lug... 

Start!

They both took off running before throwing their boards to the ground out in front of themselves with the slapping thud of wheels hitting the compacted dirt below. Cherry was faster on his feet, taking the lead easily when they entered into the first sharp turn.

Many spectators wanted to know what was on the line between the two veterans to spur such intense rivalry this night. The way they raced, giving it their all at breakneck speeds. The dangerously low angled curves and reckless jumps to pull out and ahead of the other.. It had to have been something big!

Were their bikes on the line? 

Money?

Perhaps it was something more dire?

Like Carla? The rumors were flying around as freely as the bets. 

They were neck and neck the entire race. It was nearly impossible to pick a winner as it stood and they were already closing in on the finish line. The good money was on Cherry, and the crowd proved as much at the sound of cheers when the masked skater pulled out just fast enough in the final turn to edge in front.

And then it happened…

Kaoru could pinpoint the exact moment he lost. 

That was the burden of having such an analytical mind, where others had to wonder, he was acutely aware of where he'd gone wrong, or hesitated, or made serious errors in judgment.  

It was that look that did him in.

Like a fool he had taken his eyes off of the road and split his concentration to steal a glance at his boyfriend at his side. The fierce determination, the way the idiotic gorilla's jaw clenched and deep dark eyes focused on the finish line. Kaoru swore time slowed, golden eyes widened and thanks to a slight wobble in his front right wheel that he wasn't prepared for, he fell out of his speed efficient crouched stance. 

The last thought he could remember thinking before he fell to the dirt in a protective roll was... 

"He really wants to win this!".  

He skid to a stop on the dirt, just a few feet from the finish, roadrashing his bare bicep red and raw. He could taste blood, his lip was split and he'd taken a good smack to the jaw, but worst of all he'd lost ! 

Kaoru wasn't a sore loser. Not hardly. But to be fair, he rarely lost. And when he did, he recognized the talent it took to hand him a defeat. This time however, he had agreed to stupid terms, so certain in his victory that he never could have imagined a loss. It would have been much closer had Kaoru managed to keep his feet and focus steady.

And now, it was time to pay the piper.

Crossing and then turning back at the finish line, Kojiro only saw one thing… the other man slowly picking himself up off of the ground, holding his arm and pulling his mask down; the quick agitated spit of blood. It instantly killed any high he was riding at that moment. 

He'd been so focused on the win he didn't notice Kaoru wasn't beside him anymore. His face fell from a wide smile as he wondered what had caused the fall? They were on a straight away, clear dry track, one they both knew inside and out. No divots or pits the nerd and his computer wouldn't know exactly how to avoid. So what happened? The moment he took a step towards Cherry, the people descended blocking his path.

Kojiro tried as hard as he could to politely free himself from the throngs of adoring and congratulatory people that crowded around the finish line. Usually he loved the attention. Especially when he'd won a hard fought race, and Cherry was one of the hardest to beat! He tried to be polite, and gracious, but they were all between himself and Kaoru and it made him want to shove his way through to get to him. The nerd didn't look like he was hurt too badly, just scrapes. He wasn't limping or bloody to his eye from this distance, but he still wanted to check. The moron would hide an injury if he could and didn't deem it serious enough to worry about, and like he'd sworn, it was on him to look out for the reckless knucklehead again from now on.

Joe's ravenous set was quick to his side on his victory, but before Cherry's girls could make it through the crush of people he caught the eye of his Goofy Gorilla and gave him a very pointed look. One that Kojiro should know well enough by now, before he took off down the dirt track. Much to the disappointment of the fans.

Their eyes met and he knew that look... 

"That scrawny little asshole is about to take off on me!"  

Noticing the way Kaoru's cheekbones would rise with the smile hidden under the dirt smudged mask and luring look in sharp golden eyes. He could almost hear the words "Catch me!" In his head. Kojiro felt himself growing irritated with how much he both loved and hated it. Watching and huffing an annoyed grunt while Cherry took a running start and quickly disappeared towards the exit.

It was one of Kaoru's favorite games to play and it always had been. Like a large high speed game of tag and hide and seek all in one. He liked to be pursued. Both literally and figuratively. The attention it garnered, the desired feeling that came with it. It seemed sometimes like nothing in the world made him happier than to make Kojiro chase him. Almost allowing himself to be caught before pulling ahead and out of reach.

With platitudes and a coy smile Kojiro started his way through the crush. Peeling hands that grabbed his jacket off gently, even pressing a kiss or two to a few lucky ladies knuckles with his usual thick charms and a wink. While his mouth said one thing, his mind kept repeating "I have to get to Kaoru. He's getting away." And "I've got to catch up! I'm gonna lose him." 

He finally pushed to an opening big enough to take off from safely, through those who wanted to know what the stakes were and where he was going. Although he had absolutely no intention of divulging either of those things, he still did the polite thing and called out an apology and his goodbyes as he waved over his shoulder, headed back to his motorcycle on his board. 

Now, where could that nerd have gone?

                               ☆

"Carla. Drop a pin for the gorilla, please? Location LNY4." 

"Yes Master." 

Kojiro had only just arrived back at his bike, strapping his board down quickly as he thought about the very annoying game he had now been roped into. When Kaoru said that he wanted to go skating for their date night, he had kind of assumed that was what they were going to do! Skate and watch fireworks. Did the runt plan this all along? Was he always going to take off on him or was this 'Ru being an uncharacteristically sore loser? Did Kaoru leave him a clue at some point where he might have gone?

He could call him and find out where he was, sure! But that would ruin Cinnamon Stick Boy's fun and he probably still would not get a straight answer. In fact he would probably get a more infuriating one and crazy Riddler like clues. They both had so much history on the island. Narrowing it down was going to take some thought and Kaoru was still putting even more distance between them.

To Kojiro's relief his phone buzzed in his hand as he was starting his motorcycle, garnet eyes watching as the location came through on his screen under the name 'Robot lover'. At least he didn't have to try to find him this time?

It couldn't be that easy though! ...could it?

Kaoru was never this direct when he wanted to play his games. It was a few miles away, if he was lucky he could probably catch him this time as he'd brought his bike tonight and Kaoru had caught a ride in with Shadow. It was too far for him to beat him there with just his skateboard. He had to have arranged something for his 'grand escape!'. 

The rotten little shit was going to be caught this time! And most importantly he was going to uphold his end of the bargain.

Cherry got out of the car at his destination, waiting at the curb for prying eyes to be on their way before he took off again on Carla. He was not quite at the chosen location yet himself either. Hurrying the rest of the way, he hopped the curb on to the street. He was going to beat Kojiro there, he had to for the surprise to work. 

He had not been at the point on the map for more than a minute before he heard the motorcycle in the distance. 

He knew that engine! 

Kojiro's machine had a distinct voice of it's own, like its master. He'd spent enough time on and with both to have all of the sounds committed to memory, after all. Unable to stop the smile spreading on his face, he pulled his mask back up trying his best to hide the absolute glee he always felt at being caught up with. Like a small child found by 'the seeker' in a perfect hiding spot. 

...Even if he didn't have time to get to the actual game part of the surprise. To Kaoru's chagrin Kojiro had managed to catch up and now his guessing game had been ruined. Leave it up to Kojiro to somehow ruin a good time by doing exactly what he wanted him to do. 

Go figure. 

It was still annoying.

Maybe he should have waited a few minutes before he sent the location? A rare miscalculation on his part, but he had expected the fanclub to hold him up just a little while longer. There was no mystery left!

"You were a lot faster than I thought you'd be. What's wrong? Fan club shrinking? Not as many girls to fawn over?" He tried to wipe the smile off his face under the mask standing against the side of a brick wall, practically hiding in the shadow of the alley he had marked.

"Ha. Ha." Kojiro rolled his eyes, dismounting his ride and looked around at their surroundings. A strange, out of the way pick for their evening. He never would have found him here, and he realized it as he arched a brow at Kaoru.

"I found you. Now why are we here?" 

Maybe there was a chance to still play some version of his game after all..? 

Kaoru may not have beaten him to the final destination, but now he got the chance to actually watch and observe if his sweetheart would have even been able to piece together what he had in mind..?

"Who knows..? Look around and you tell me." Kaoru sounded so nonchalant, crossing his arms over his chest and shrugging.

"Okayy.." Kojiro wrinkled his nose, looking at his boyfriend strangely. It was a fitting look for the question posed to him. What did he mean? This was part of the game, he assumed? 

Sometimes he really hated Pinky's riddles and puzzles.

 "I don't know what I'm supposed to be looking for, give me a hint or somethin'!" He only got shrugged at- again! There was an annoyed grunt from his partner that made Kaoru snicker. 

Fine. He was going to have to figure this out on his own. 

What did Kojiro know about Kaoru? Practically everything, but right now it was time to narrow it down based on his surroundings.

They were near the industrial park,  everything was closed and dark. The rotten little monster was thinking of an innocent, good ol' fashioned trespassing! Was Kaoru looking to amass a list of priors on an adult record now? He really thought Kaoru had grown out of this and it was only a phase.. He had hoped so anyway! They weren't kids anymore. They weren't going to get hauled in and their parents called. If they got caught.. The humiliation. The fines. The gossip! Chef circles and professional kitchens were a hotbed for rumors and tales told as it was. 

It was Kaoru's turn to pick what they did on this date night. He insisted on getting a 'do over' for the previous New Years he swore he ruined stuck inside with the flu, (as if it could have been helped) and Kojiro caved and let him. He just didn't think he would have the 'breaking into someplace' box checked on the night's activities. He really should have just kept to the turn based system and made reservations...

What else did he know? Fireworks were the plan. 

...Fireworks…

He would want to have clear skies.. that meant up high. Three buildings around that to his eye looked doable. A very mischievous and observant young Kaoru had once taught him how to spot problems and potential long ago. Not too tall, outside roof access with fire escapes on two, but only one had a very visible camera... 

He'd found it.

Satisfied with his answer to the riddle of sorts he grabbed Kaoru by the hand and led him towards the alley across the street. He took his time and really applied what he knew, picking the right rooftop and access point. Kaoru gave a single impressed chuckle as he followed along, still holding Carla tucked under his arm.

"Good job. That didn't take long at all. Remind me to give you your enrichment reward later." Kaoru teased, reaching up and gave Kojiro a pat on his head. It worked for animals at the zoo..

However… maybe he had spoken too soon? 

Instead of taking a moment to take stock of his surroundings, Kojiro moved under the fire escape of the chosen building and jumped, grabbing the bottom bar with both hands. He obviously expected it to fall, lowering for Kaoru, but he hadn't noticed the lock keeping it in place! 

Kaoru's expression fell to exasperation as he crossed his arms over his chest and rested his head in a glove-covered hand. 

"It's locked. Otherwise just anyone could gain access." He watched as Kojiro tried one last time to jiggle it with his weight, while Kaoru took the simpler approach. 

The one he thought Kojiro had seen as the only solution. It was as far as he was concerned..

Lowering the lid on the nearby dumpster Kaoru placed Carla on top,  just for a moment, hopped up on to the top of it as well, and from there it was a small stretch of a jump to the bars of first level. He slid Carla through the slats in the iron bars then lifted himself up them and finally over the top. All while Kojiro watched Kaoru make short and easy work of the fire escape problem from his hanging position with a glare. 

He could have done that too..

Kaoru moved silently and gracefully to the opening of the ladder and knelt down, looking through it at his boyfriend still hanging on the bars below like the catch of the day. 

" So close . You almost had it."  He snickered. Truthfully, there was nothing close about the two different ways they'd chosen to approach the puzzle. As far as Kaoru was concerned there was a right way (his), and a wrong way (Kojiro's) to do this and he'd failed this part. He gripped the grate beneath his knee and leaned down through the ladder space to offer his hand.

"Back off! I only did this for you, so you could have a way up! I don't need your help." He barked the reply, causing Kaoru to shush him. Index finger pressed against his lips under the black fabric. 

"Shhh! Shut up!" He whispered, a laugh in his tone. Moving out of the way as Kojiro began to climb the raised ladder using only his arms. It required so much more effort than any solution Kaoru had to offer but he could not lie. He loved to watch him expend the energy!

The moment they were both on the fire escape together Kojiro closed the space between them and pressing Kaoru back against the brick wall behind them he reached up and hooked a finger on the black mask, slipping it under the edge of the fabric that rested against the side of his nose and pulled it down off of his face, revealing the smirk still there. Kojiro watched the lower half of his lovers face appear again once the mask was moved, resisting the urge to pause them here and kiss the smirk of the runts face! But he obviously had more clever little plans. This couldn't have been their final destination, the only place to go now was up. He looked up through the shorter curls grazing his brow at the two levels left to go and gave a slight nod. "After you." 

"You just want to stare at my ass the whole way up.." Kaoru grinned.

"You know me, I appreciate beautiful things and it's a beautiful thing ." 

Reaching the rooftop there was proof that Kaoru had been there previously that very night. Although not exactly in the way he would have liked Kojiro to have seen what he had in store. At the far ledge of the roof there was a folded blanket, and a black duffel waiting to be unpacked. Had his plan worked the way he wanted, he would have had everything set up before the other man arrived. 

"We're here. Now what?" Kojiro stepped over the small ledge of the flat pebble covered rooftop, following behind Kaoru. 

" Now would have been the time for food, wine and ambiance but you just had to be efficient with your time management for the first time ever .." Kaoru reached behind himself and grabbed Kojiro by the hand, he brought it up to hold over his shoulder, leading the way to the items he had stashed earlier. "You're so impatient! " 

It was all there! 

Pinky had thought of everything. Nothing he had to cook, of course! But he brought beautifully assembled bento he bought from the only restaurant he claimed he liked, (other than Sia la luce that was) berries and cream and a bottle of sweet dessert wine to pair. Kaoru spread the blanket and unpacked it all. He asked Carla for an unnamed playlist while he worked, it was given only numerical designation, and took a seat on the edge of the blanket while lighting a white candle in a glass jar between them. 

Kojiro joined Kaoru down on the blanket and now that he was close enough to inspect, reached out lifting his injured arm, getting a look at the minor, but painful looking roadrash making a soft tutting sound. 

"Wow! So far this has been a pretty unlucky start to the year for you, huh, Cherry?" He sucked in a hissing breath looking at where some of the skin had been rubbed back on his toned arm before Kaoru snatched his limb back from his grasp. "We should really get that cleaned up." 

"It's not so bad. It can wait." He inched closer on the blanket to the man at his side and offered him the bottle of wine to open. Using the bar tool he kept on the key ring.

It wouldn't pair with his dinner choice very well, or at all really!- Kojiro thought to himself as he pulled the cork. But perhaps Kaoru had no intention of eating the actual meal set before them? He only ever seemed to be interested in the sweet things when they were in his line of sight anyway.. 

"I never thought this kind of thing would qualify under your idea of what a date should be these days, Princess. You're getting soft in your old age!" It was then that he heard the song Carla was playing. One of his choices from so long ago. "Always" by Bon Jovi, and it made the smile on his face grow. In fact, while they unpacked and dug in, the songs all sounded so familiar..

Just like heaven, We belong, Listen to your heart… this was a playlist he had made for his partner years ago. A very thinly veiled attempt at confessing his heart before he left to start a whole new life half a world away. 

He still had it. 

 "You still listen to this song? Aw! You are gettin' soft, robot lover!" He reached over and flipped the long pink ponytail from the shoulder closest to him and rested his chin there, entirely too close, practically in Kaoru's face while he looked at the 'secret softy' with adoration in his eyes. 

"Why not? It's the best place for viewing the fireworks short of Crazy Rock itself and I wanted you all to myself.

"Selfish."

"Duh." Kaoru grinned. "And as for 'getting soft' It just seemed.. I don't know.." He shrugged, thinking for a moment about the right word to use. "..Apt, given the circumstances of tonight's wager." 

Love songs, for confessions of love.

"Speaking of the bet- you know, there had to have been a better way to let me win than this!" Kojiro gestured to Kaoru's red, scraped up arm while stuffing tempura into his mouth. 

"Who said I let you win?" Kaoru snapped just before taking a long sip from his wine. As if he would actually throw a beef in any conceivable reality! His eyes narrowed as the other man insulted his honor as a competitor. Even in teasing, it ruffled him. 

"Kaoru, Com'on! There is no way you would have lost that run if you hadn't thrown it for some reason. You had me on the last turn." Kojiro brushed his hands clean against one another and picked up the metal chopsticks nearby. He picked a thinly sliced piece of fatty tuna and offered it to Kaoru who graciously accepted it. Making a face as he ate it and then laughed softly, a hand over his mouth.

"Oh! That is terrible together!" He couldn't keep the look of both disappointment and disgusted amusement from his expression. 

"You picked it!" Kojiro chuckled. 

He knew. It was why he hadn't touched his own wine just yet. 

" Anyway! " Kaoru began brushing off his partner's smugness. There was a reason Kojiro picked all their dinner pairings, after all!  "About the beef? I assure you, I haven't the foggiest what it is you're prattling on about." Kaoru shrugged one shoulder, gently tossing the big lug off in the process. "I got a cramp. Nothing could have been done."

"You're such a bad fucking liar sometimes!" Kojiro laughed, moving closer and bumped his shoulder against his partner at his side. Forgetting his arm, he also bumped against that and heard the hissing wince before he felt Kaoru's fist punching him in the very same shoulder in instinctual revenge. "Ow! You're so punch-y today!" Kojiro practically whined before dropping the act and smiling at him softly. "Sorry." Offering the apology he pushed the petal shaped shoulder cuff of Kaoru's costume up further on his shoulder and pressed a kiss to his cool skin, avoiding the injury this time. 

                                 ☆

While they ate they listened to the music and caught up about both of their days. It was actually pretty nice, although unconventional. Feeding one another and stealing soft kisses between smiles and flirtations. The berries were almost gone and Kaoru felt an ease pass over himself. Maybe he had distracted his victorious partner long enough to forget-

"Something tells me you think I've forgotten…" Kojiro began, draining his glass of wine and leaned back against the low edge of the roof. "I'm having a good time and everything 'Ru, but it's time to collect what's owed to me. So, let's hear it Tech-for-brains. And make it a good one?" 

Kaoru sighed, rolling his eyes and throwing his head back dramatically, realizing that he had actually remembered. It was such a good night up to this point! Kojiro was really going to hold him to all of their wager, and being a man of his word, now that it was brought up, Kaoru was locked in and honor bound.

"Very well… if I must. " 

"Oh! You must! " Kojiro laughed at the annoyance starting to show already on his partner's face. He got riled so easily sometimes.

Kaoru cleared his throat and set his empty wine glass aside before he began. "It is factual that you, the six pack skater, are superior... this time." He mumbled the last words. "..And it would seem you love me more than I love you." 

There it was. 

That was what was on the line. The thing that made him hesitate on the track.. who loved the other more. It was a silly, stupid, ridiculous thing to compete over- Like most of their competitions were- but seeing just how seriously Kojiro took it left Kaoru unexpectedly smitten, quite literally love struck, and worst of all - distracted.

"He really wanted to win."  

"That wasn't a very good compliment." Kojiro wrinkled his nose to the right and squinted garnet colored eyes, making a face. "Com'on, you can do better than that, hot stuff! Lemme hear it." He cupped a hand around his ear and leaned in closer with a grin.

This was the second part of the bet. The on demand compliments for the next forty eight hours. It didn't matter what time, day or night. If it was demanded from the victor, it would have to be honored by the loser.

..It was going to be a long two days!

"How roguishly handsome you are. None can compare..." Kaoru's deep voice sounded bored as he spoke his forced yet honest truths in a droning tone. "Exquisite your physique, your hair, perfection. And how flawless you are in- you know- general." He rolled his hand. "..etcetera."

This would have been much more fun on the other end.. 

"Much better." Kojiro sighed, leaning in and pressed a kiss to Kaoru's cheek, watching while he leaned away from it a tiny bit, teasing him. As if he didn't absolutely love when the other showed his affection everytime, and often. "You know.. I was thinking on my way over here-" 

"A dangerous pastime for you." Kaoru laughed through his nose.

"I know." Kojiro went along with the teasing. "If you did throw the race and didn't really give it your all- "

"I told you, I didn't throw anything!" 

"-Then what does that mean? Does it mean I love you more than you love me?" 

"I think that was always undisputed." Kaoru cut his eyes to his partner with a wicked smirk. Obviously not. That was the whole point of their beef and the challenge issued while fighting for mirror space that morning in Kojiro's tiny bathroom. It was just too easy to pass up, so he teased.

"Fucking jerk." Kojiro laughed, eyes going wide in surprise! Kaoru was always so quick witted, it just rolled off of his tongue easily without missing a beat. "Well, if you didn't 'throw it' ? Then what happened?"

"I told you already. Something that couldn't be helped.

"Fine. Keep your secrets, Gandalf the Grey." He shrugged and leaned back on one arm as he raised the other, grabbing Kaoru by his chin gently and now that he could see by candle light and had a still moment to examine him, looking at the bruise that was forming, the split in his bottom lip and scrape to his cheekbone he hadn't even noticed until he got closer. Making notes for when they settled in for the night. First aid and ice. Probably ice cream too.. Sweets almost always made Kaoru feel better. 

With a smug and satisfied look he let go of his face and snapped his fingers at Kaoru. A demand for yet another compliment. What he got instead was a glare and an actual hiss as Kaoru narrowed his eyes at his companion.

"Do not snap your fingers at me like I am some kind of animal you can command! You idiotic gorilla!" Kaoru growled. It was his first instinct and he went with it, since he found it very disrespectful anyhow. 

"Ah! But you are at my command. At least in this way, and for right now. So, let's hear it! Calling me names isn't going to get you out of it, you know. In fact.. Now, I think I now deserve two !" He rolled his index finger slowly towards Kaoru who growled at him again. 

This was going to be harder than Kaoru thought if Kojiro kept being so damn smug. Making a put out grunt of a noise he moved, turned to Kojiro and placed a glove-covered hand on the larger man's shoulder. He pushed him back against the edge of the roof behind himself, the low edge now pressing across his shoulder blades. He then threw one leg over his hips straddling his lover below, settled down into his lap leaning over him, and left his hand on his shoulder to pin him there, the other on the ledge behind his head. Kaoru was sure that the edge was probably digging into Kojiro's back in the same way the hard small pebbles under the blanket were biting into his own knees in this position, judging by the gruff groan and wince he heard, but he had it coming for being so annoying. 

Watching his beau blush beneath him was a favorite sight of his. He always looked so surprised, impressed and doe eyed when Kaoru could catch him off guard and overpower him. It was an obvious turn on for Kojiro the way he smiled up at him, and he liked when he did it - often.

"You want two? I'll give you two." Kaoru's lips formed a menacing smirk leaning in close. Kaoru nuzzled his nose against Kojiro's, brushing his lips against his while he spoke. "You are the 'Nothing' I speak of when someone asks me what I'm thinking about..." He started, entirely positive of how backhanded that sounded. It was intentional, and yet in the same breath,  honest. "And you are actually much smarter than you look. Shall I go on?" He then arched an eyebrow as he saw the look on his boyfriend's face shift from amused to annoyed.

He was only teasing Kojiro, but Kaoru laughed at the change all the same when it happened. The way one green eyebrow ticked at the far edge, he'd try to hide his agitation but it bled through in the tell of the corner of his mouth twitching from the forced smirk, and he'd stare at him with half lidded, unimpressed eyes. Kaoru also found his lover absolutely adorable when he was annoyed. Always had...

"That's more than enough for now." Kojiro muttered the reply. He felt disappointed that Kaoru had violated the spirit of the task and had found a way to insult him still. If he applied himself, the brat really could ruin anything..

Kaoru's smile softened, reading his gorgeous green haired paramore's disappointment easily. Maybe he could be nice? Just for a minute or two? 

"Aw, lovey! But I'm not done yet." Placing all of his weight on to his knees, he held Kojiro's face in his now freed hands, still leaning in close to him, resting his forehead against his 'darling dimwit'. "You are also absolutely charming. Enchanting. Chivalrous , even!  Sweet with the biggest heart of anyone I know. My big, good, pure hearted dummy." Kaoru chuckled, moving just barely out of reach everytime Kojiro tried to make contact and catch his lips in a kiss. Teasing and keeping himself close but just out of reach. His favorite place to be. "Ooh! Patience, greedy!" Kaoru nipped at him, causing Kojiro to move back himself this time with a slow, low, warning of a chuckle. 

The cautious retreat gave Kaoru the time to finish his thought.

"I am enraptured by your presence whenever you are near and starved for your touch when you are away. ..And I am positively thrilled that you are finally mine." Kaoru grabbed the other man's jaw in his hand, looking deeply into his eyes. "There! Is that better? You big baby..." His voice was a deep contented sigh, pressing a kiss to his lips that started slow and sweet but quickly turned more aggressive and hungry when he felt it returned. Kissing the man beneath him made his heart flutter, and his breath catch every time, and Kaoru never, ever, wanted that feeling to go away. 

They were so engrossed in their moment of connection and one another, they didn't hear the first of the mortar rockets fire off in the distance until it cracked open in a loud explosion of red light and glittering embers in the sky practically above them. 

Even then, to Kojiro it barely registered over his heartbeat and the sound of rushing blood in his ears. All of his focus was on the taste of Kaoru's lips, he tasted like sweet wine and strawberries and the faintest metallic hint of blood. They'd reopened the split on his lip and Kaoru did not seem to care. In fact it seemed like the sting only spurred him on, the gasp Kaoru inhaled when he tugged on his bottom lip, that Kojiro could feel stealing his own breath away, was quite telling when it ended in a soft moan. 

They were there to watch fireworks, and they barely saw a single one of them! Only the way the flashes of light and color would illuminate the other in the dark. Leaving marks like territorial claims on necks and clavicles, (far more on Kojiro of course than Kaoru since his costume kept him fairly covered and he did not like marks where they could be seen!) until they needed to come up for air. 

They'd nearly missed them all pawing at one another. 

Kaoru finally looked up towards the end, watching from his straddle position atop his boyfriend now laying on his back on the blanket below, head thrown back to look up. Kojiro tried to watch also, but every flash and sparkling trail of glitter-like explosions only drew his attention back to Kaoru and the soft smile he wore as he watched. Unaware that he was now being watched instead. Kojiro did have wits about himself enough however, to grab his phone and at the moment of another cascade of pink and green glitter and embers took a picture of the mesmerizing sight in his lap. 

That was a keeper...

                               ☆

They remained in the dark for a few minutes after the last rocket was fired, quiet until Kaoru broke the comfortable silence with a yawn and raised his arms above his head in a stretch. Eyes closing, he popped his left shoulder. The one that always took the most damage in life, since it wasn't his dominant arm he always rolled to it when he bailed. Even his missteps were calculated. If he was going to be hurt, he'd rather it not affect his ability to work too much. It did mean it came dislocated easier and got stiff sometimes, and it made that unfortunate popping sound when he stretched, but so long as he could create art still and keep his love of skating, it was worth it to make the sacrifice.

"Ooh, good stretch!" Kojiro cooed from under him as if he were speaking to a kitten lounging in the sun, still watching him. Kaoru laughed in return, soft and flirtatious. 

Watching Kaoru while he simply existed in his orbit was one of Kojiro's main hobbies. Committing as much as he could about the other to memory since he felt for a long time he'd missed so much in learning who Kaoru had become in his adult life. 

Including the fact that the secretive, serious, always composed man he loved was far more ticklish than he ever let on. It was only in certain spots, but the number of places that could cause that sweet, melodic giggle to bubble forth was slowly growing. 

He'd always known about the back of his knees. But that spot caused less of a laugh and more a shriek and involuntary kick or punch depending on how offended Kaoru felt by the act at that particular moment! Oftentimes both, so it was best avoided. He found out about that one the hard way when they were young. But the rest were new and gave different results and he loved finding out about each. 

The crook of Kaoru's neck on the right side would cause a blush as he shied away with a quiet breathy laugh. 

A light scratch over the skin on the sides of his ribs under his arms, caused goosebumps and almost always a long lazy stretch into the touch and a soft sweet sigh. That was his favorite of the laughs, the one that sounded most like a song. 

The spot that got the best reaction though, was to grab Scrawny by his boney hips and watch when he went weak in the knees and turned bright red! 

He might have done these things to Kaoru less, if he didn't love watching whenever he could make him squirm. Also he found his laugh to be one of the sexiest things he'd ever heard, so it made it practically impossible to resist. 

Kojiro rested both his hands on Kaoru's hips and gave his hip bones a soft stroke with his thumbs through his costume. Watching with a terribly bratty smile as Kaoru doubled over quickly, his forehead against Kojiro's shoulder, with a sudden surprised-sounding laugh! Bringing his hands down in a flash to clasp over Kojiro's bigger ones to stop him. 

"Stop!" He ordered, prying his hands away and gave them a slap. "Not here! Take me home, you brute. I'm tired-" He grumbled, blushing deeply from the touch. It was an easy 'on' switch of sorts, and the blockhead knew it! That wasn't playing fair. "-And I'm cold." He added, leaning down over the mountainous mass of muscles and wrapped arms around his warm body under and inside his jacket. His skin, arm guards, protective wraps - all of it, was so cold! It made Kojiro shiver, feeling his forearms resting against his ribs. 

"Criminy! Watch it with those things Sub-zero! You're gonna give me frostbite! Why aren't you wearing your Haori?" Kojiro asked, placing hands at his sides and pushed himself up into a sitting position, a grunt of effort escaping him since he also had to lift the dead weight of Kaoru still leaning over on top of his upper half, holding on to him. Kaoru who of course, did not do a single thing to help. 

Like expected. Like always.

"I left it at home. It wasn't quite as cold when I left earlier." He muttered, burying his face in his collar and against his neck, nuzzling against the warm skin he sought and found.

"Aah! Your nose is cold! Cut it out!" Kojiro shied from the affection himself.

"I told you I was cold! Now, take me home." 

"Which one?" An unintentional slip, Kojiro honestly hadn't noticed he'd said it, but Kaoru did.

"Does it really matter?" He didn't mention it. He didn't mind it, either. The gentle smile that came naturally proved it. He really liked that Kojiro thought of his space as his own as well. Kaoru beat him to that feeling what felt like ages ago, but it was sweet to hear it finally returned.

He felt most at home at Kojiro's though. Of course the Lummox managed to ruin how he felt about his own home too! Was there anything Kojiro couldn't fuck up somehow?Even if he did secretly love it…

Borrowing his clothes that were far too big and watching tv while they had dinner at night. Kaoru always finished first and Kojiro would feed him some of his own food sometimes without hesitation if he asked. Even when Kaoru was only teasing, Kojiro still was quick to give up whatever he had, eyes on the show the entire time as he held pizza slices, spoons of ice cream or a fork filled with twisted pasta for him. Tossing popcorn when they watched movies aiming for the other's mouth. Kojiro rubbing his feet and legs for him when he'd had a hard beef and he was sore, or the way he would rub Kojiro's shoulders and jaw when he had been clenching it and grinding his teeth after a hard day. It was always perfectly warm but never too hot in the studio apartment, which Kaoru loved since he got cold easily. Unlike his own home it was never entirely silent either, even when it was quiet. Like the tenant of the small apartment himself, it was perfect.

"Well, I've got inventory and orders tomorrow morning super early, so if it's your place then you're on your own tonight, handsome. I gotta actually try to get some sleep if I'm gonna function at all tomorrow."

"Then the closest. I sleep better there anyway."  Kaoru shrugged a single shoulder, letting him in on a small secret of his with the admission, but not why exactly it was that he slept better. 

He wasn't alone anymore.

Kojiro knew, but said nothing. Many mornings that they found themselves waking up in his large bed, Kaoru stirred to life again earlier and with a soft sleepy smile, rather than late and moody like when he awoke at home by himself and Kojiro would call to say good morning. He also kicked him and shifted a lot less in his bed. He suspected it was partly because of him, but instead he said..

"It's the bed. I told you you should replace yours.." 

And maybe it was also the bed..

"There is nothing wrong with my bed. If you are really quite finished, help me up! My knees hurt."

"Yes Sir, Old man river." He laughed, but it was cut short. "Ow! Be nice." He rubbed the spot on his chest where he was playfully punched for the name calling.

"Dimwit." 

Kaoru was a fine one to punish for name calling!

"Besides, it'll be easier to get my compliments if you're right there next to me, instead of calling a lot tonight." Kojiro's  smile took a turn for the malevolent. True,  he had to sleep, but he was not about to let these opportunities pass him by. He basically had a free pass, carte blanche, to mess with his prickly partner without vowed retaliation and he planned on using it to the fullest.

"I'll just turn my phone off." 

"Ah, but you are honor bound, good Sir! You have to keep yourself available for whenever I choose to ask for it." He cooed lovingly at Kaoru then pressed a kiss to sneering lips. Kojiro could feel the face Kaoru made at him in annoyance against his own lips and it made him laugh.

"I thought you had to sleep tonight?" Kaoru rolled his eyes and pushed Kojiro back gently. It sounded like this was shaping up to be a long night already. Great!

"It doesn't take a lot of effort to press- two, three, four!- buttons. I can do it in my sleep!"

"Good grief, I am dating a man who had to stop and think to count to four.." Kaoru muttered as Kojiro shot him a look of mock offense and wrapped a finger around the end of his long pink ponytail, giving it a playful (but sharp!) yank.

"Shut up, I was thinking about the steps involved, asshole. And besides, if you're there with me instead, I'll just poke ya' til ya' wake up." He grinned that frustratingly attractive grin, mostly teasing. 

Perhaps a little serious..

"Nevermind. Take me to my home." Kaoru muttered, looking as vexed as he sounded. He started to get off of Kojiro but his larger beau was quick to act. Reaching for him as he moved, hands around his waist, he pulled Kaoru back off balance and into his lap again. Practically roaring with laughter while Pinky tried- just barely- to free himself from the bear hug he now found himself in.

"Do I look like Fay Wray to you, Kong? Get your man handling mitts off!"

" Fay Wray ?! I mean, I would have gone with Naomi Watts, but you are a hundred years ol- Ow!" Kaoru had raised a hand and thumped him between his eyes with his knuckle.

"Didn't I warn you once that being stupid was going to start becoming painful?" 

"How was I supposed to ignore that?! Fay. Fucking. Wray !" Kojiro snorted a laugh. "Anyway." He stressed the word, leaning back and moving his head aside to avoid another thump. "It's happening no matter what! So who would you really rather have wake you up a bunch tonight? Me or Carla?" He nodded towards Kaoru's wrist. "If you pick me, maybe I'll do it like this instead..?" Kojiro pulled him in closer, just a little tighter and nuzzled Kaoru's chin up with his nose. Pulling the mask down lower with his fingertips and pressing a few lingering kisses to the warm skin of his throat.

"Don't drag Carla into this! She didn't have anything to do with our stupid wager.."  Kaoru tried his hardest to sound aggressive while he snapped at him but instead it came out docile, breathy and quiet. He wrapped his arms around the other man's shoulders, hands slipping into his hair, his eyes closing and hung his head back to give his affection hungry amore easier access.

"Actually, I'd argue she's a part of this too... since she is your board and everything.." His words were muffled against Kaoru's neck.

"It wouldn't hold up in court…" Kaoru tried to hide the disappointment at losing his lovers lips, even if it was for just a moment or two. ...who was 'greedy' now?

"In fact.." Kojiro's smile widened and leaning back again he picked up Kaoru's hand with the bracelet, holding it up between the two of them. "Hey, Carla?" 

"Yes, Kojiro?" 

"Your master lost a bet. Tell me how great I am." He grinned, raising his eyes to look at Kaoru who already turned his attention back to him while trying to hide his amusement behind a half curtain of short pink fringe that fell over his eyes. 

This was precisely the kind of messing with the AI he didn't typically suffer long, but he let it slide - this time. Although...

"I wouldn't do that if I were you.." Kaoru did try to warn him, chuckling at his words. Especially since he had a fairly good idea of how this was all about to play out, and she did not disappoint!

"Okay. Kojiro is impressive for an orangutan of slightly above average intelligence." Carla then chimed for the end of the message, leaving the rooftop silent. 

The both of them paused, Kojiro glaring at Kaoru's wrist a moment before Kaoru practically fell backwards off of Kojiro's lap with a hard, loud, amused laugh! And would have too, had Kojiro not raised his arm behind his back, catching him like dipping a dance partner.

Like Kaoru was entirely sure he always would. He always had before.

"Thank you, Carla." Kaoru cooed lovingly to the voice, starting to take his gloves off, tugging at the velcro straps then pinched plated fingertips one at a time. Slipping his gloves off like a burlesque routine. Once his hands were freed he ran one back through Kojiro's hair and started curling a lock of hair at the base of his hairline around a finger, the other hand held his ear and stroked a thumb over it. The grin grew, feeling the shiver it caused under himself. The way Kojiro responded to him and his touch was flattering and addictive and made him want to do it all the time just for the reaction. Just knowing. " I make him shiver like that!"

"Okay, so that didn't work out exactly how I planned. Can't you make her nicer or something?" Kojiro questioned, a frown pulling at the corners of his mouth, trying to keep focus enough to form words but he could barely think sometimes when Kaoru did that. It always made him a little spacey.

"I did tell you to leave her out of it." Kaoru leaned in, resting his forehead against his partner's "Honestly, I think she's a little jealous." He teased in a hushed whisper closer to his ear now, like it was a secret or even true for that matter! Kaoru knew full well the AI was just averaging the most common word associations made with Kojiro's name and improvising, but he really liked to speak about Carla like she was alive.  One, it felt respectful because sometimes she did feel alive. Particularly with the new improvements and improvisational cascade programs he'd been working on and slowly adding. And two, it made his boyfriend kind of nervous and that was always funny to him. Kojiro had seen way too many movies!

"Yeah? Well then.. I guess we can leave the computer outta this..." He held Kaoru by both sides of his face and started to press small kisses to his beau's flawless soft pale skin as he leaned into it a little, closing his eyes. 

Everytime it brought a smile to his face when Kojiro did that, lavishing him with adoration with that smile of his that threatened to part busy lips. 

"...If you just say you'll come home with me. Simple as that." The over display of affection always ended the same way; with a kiss to the end of his nose that made it wrinkle. Kaoru would gently push him back every single time, ducking his head away, eyes closed tightly. A soft deep giggle escaping pale pink lips, and rubbing the tickling sensation left behind away against the back of his hand. Kojiro watched while it happened every time, amused by the faces Kaoru made.

"I suppose I could.." He sniffed, starting in his usual sly, nonchalant manner after recollecting himself, brushing his long pink ponytail back over his shoulder with an easy flick of his hand. "But do not abuse my generosity!" Kaoru pointed at him, watching as Kojiro's eyes crossed following the tip of his index finger. "Or who knows when the next time will be."

"Tch! What do you mean by 'generosity'?"

"Why... by gracing you with my presence of course! My very presence is a present all unto itself. And don't you ever forget it."

"Yeah it is." 

Kaoru was mostly teasing. Even his ego wasn't that big. But Kojiro agreed with the statement nevertheless. He smiled while he watched his boyfriend, still in his lap, turn away and yawned against the back of his hand again. Nodding as Kaoru excused himself, stroking a hand over his hair and combing fingers through the loose hair of the ponytail. 

"We really should get you to bed soon or you might fall asleep on the back of the bike again." 

"I have never done such an idiotic thing!" 

He knew the instance the other was referring to.. Maybe it was a little true. 

He nearly nodded off once as he held the larger warm body in front of himself on the bike, leaning heavily against his back. Listen. It was late, he'd had a very long few days with not much sleep and they were at least stopped by night construction traffic. But Kojiro never let anything go that he liked to tease about. Really though, if anyone had room to tease about that instance, Kaoru would argue it was him.  Remembering the way his partner panicked the entire rest of the way back to his place thinking he was going to fall off and die behind him and 'mother hen-ed' him the whole night. But that would mean acknowledging it happened in the first place, so he said nothing further about that memory.

"Sure you didn't. Alright, let's go sleepy." Kojiro yawned through his words, giving his body a long, lazy stretch himself.

Kaoru stood first and planted his foot firmly against the base of the roof edge, offering his hands to Kojiro to help him up. He gave a small grunt as he pulled the large muscle bound meathead to his feet. 

"My god! Have you gotten even heavier?!"

"You calling me fat, you skinny four-eyed brat?" He arched an eyebrow slowly.

"No, just- did you really need another four kilograms of muscle?" He bent down and picked up his phone and Carla from where he left them nearby. "Where did you even have space to pack it on?" Kojiro smiled devilishly and opened his mouth, no doubt to say something filthy in reply but Kaoru cut him off. "Do not answer that! I said take me home, so let's go. Still cold, getting colder." 

"Whatever you say, princess. Here." He pulled off his jacket and draped it over Kaoru's shoulders. It was heavy, and warm, still trapping some of the previous wearers body heat in the fabric. 

He tried to protest. Now the idiot was wearing hardly anything at all and it was early February! Kaoru reminded him he was just getting over a pretty terrible cold himself, but he was assured everything was fine. That, and his place was nearby, it wouldn't take too long to get there and he could just warm him up when they got home.

Kaoru didn't complain anymore. He repacked the bag, strapped his board to it as well, climbed down the fire escape once again, and allowed Kojiro to pull him along back to his bike.  Chuckling softly as he thought to himself 

"Somebody is in a hurry.."

                                ☆

They barely got inside the door to Kojiro's apartment before clothes and gear started to hit the floor. 

Kojiro missed the key bowl as he dropped his keys and kicked the door shut behind the two of them. They then bumped into the table in the dark, knocking an object off that broke on impact with the floor. Kaoru thought to ask what he'd broken, but decided not to break the flow of passion over something he would just offer to replace later. 

They paused at the wall, Kojiro turning the pair and pinning Kaoru back against that ridiculous vintage King Kong movie poster he'd bought his then newly returned, former best friend as a joke gift one year on his birthday. But the joke was on the blush toned beauty! Kojiro loved it and had it framed and now Kaoru was forced to look at it every time he came over. 

He decided to give better gifts from then on. 

"We are wearing too many clothes." Kojiro gasped softly, the feeling of Kaoru's perfectly manicured nails biting into the flesh of his back and dragging down slowly. Hard enough to leave red welts behind, but not enough to break the skin. ...This time.

"I concur." Kaoru let go of the grasp he still had on the muscles of Kojiro's back and quickly tugged off the borrowed jacket letting it fall to the floor. While he tugged gloves off and started to unwrap wrist coverings, Kojiro raised a hand, fingertips gripping the yellow hair tie that restrained long silky locks and gently tugged it out. 

Once Kaoru freed his hands they moved over Kojiro's torso and down between the two of them, fingers slipping behind the leather belts that crossed over his hips and grabbing them he gave a forceful tug, pulling him in closer. 

"Bedroom?" 

"Don't care."

Once Kojiro heard those words he tripped over his own shoes as he kicked them off, and continuing further inside. He even left one in the middle of the living room. laughing softly into the aggressive kiss at their lack of care and clumsiness so far. 

Kaoru wasn't fairing much better. 

The usually graceful man was a mess of fabric falling to the floor. To a less observant eye that was unaware of just how many layers made up Cherry Blossom, it almost looked like he'd shredded his garments in his urgency. They weren't coming off fast enough - he had briefly considered it! He stumbled as he stepped on his obi, forcing Kojiro back against the arm of the couch. He'd backed him into it and smiling into the kiss he placed strong hands on wide shoulders and pushed him back roughly on to the brown leather cushions below.

Kojiro yelped in the dark, managing to grab a hold of Kaoru on his way back and pulled him down on top of him. Their aim could have been better, however… When Kojiro landed half of his back was off of the side and in his haste to not fall, he grabbed the back of the couch and planted the other hand on the floor, just off of the edge of the couch to steady himself. Doing this he let go of Kaoru who fell all by himself to the floor with a thud between the couch edge and the coffee table! Landing on his back below, a foot and calve remaining elevated on the couch above.

"Oh shit!" Eyes wide at what he'd just done, Kojiro stretched further behind himself and found the switch for the lamp on the side table and flipped it on. Filling the room with a warm light cast from under the orange shade, he looked down at Kaoru who had not moved a centimeter from where he'd landed. Only reaching back with his hand to rub the bump on the back of his head that was sure to show soon when he smacked his head against the floor in the fall. Once he was sure he was alright, amusement took over. Biting down on his bottom lip, Kojiro tried to keep himself from laughing directly at him and the wince that scrunched 'Blossom boy's lovely angled features.

"Smooth.." Kojiro whistled after drawing out the word, grinning down at his bright red beau laying on his back glaring up at him. "Aw, you're blushing and everything? You're too cute."

"You dropped me..." Kaoru huffed, a pout quickly forming as he was teased.

"Always so observant, bubble gum!" Kojiro lost the fight, laughing and watching the pout he saw taking over after the first moment of discomfort. Kaoru was fine! Now that he was sure of that , it was funny! "You pushed me!"

"You. Dropped ! Me." Kaoru repeated, louder to truly stress the error his lover had made.

"Look, It was either 'us' or 'you', so -- I picked you." Kojiro could barely get the words out in the end. He was laughing too hard. Rolling back on to the couch and his back, he was practically cackling while Kaoru's hand reached up and fumbled blindly over the edge, slapping aimlessly around his face for his mouth trying to cover it and silence the insult. Kojiro moved away a few times, fairly successful in the dodge until he allowed himself to be caught, only to lick the palm of Kaoru's hand as it clasped over the bottom half of his face! The disgusted and surprised Yelp-like sound from the floor made it impossible to attempt to slow the laughter now.

"I really hate you sometimes. Help me up." Kaoru commanded, wiping his hand off on the side of Kojiro's face (He could have that back!) and pulled his hand back, crossing his arms over his chest. 

Kaoru still hadn't moved! Waiting for his boyfriend to get a hold of himself and do the right thing, the helpful thing and get him up off of the floor. 

"Are you seriously going to just lay there?" That look told Kojiro everything he needed to know. The brat was absolutely going to lay there, on his back, on the cold hard floor, until he actually got up and picked him up himself! "You're making a lot of demands for someone who wants something from me." He just couldn't resist poking the bear. "I'm the one who gets to make guaranteed demands tonight." A devilish gleam in his eye from the edge of the couch.

"...Really?" Kaoru snorted, rolling his eyes, and holding out his arms in front of himself. Elbows just barely hovering above the floor, 'reaching' (if one could even call this display that) up in the most pitiful effort Kojiro had ever seen. "We are doing more talking than stripping now. And here you are, making the preposterous decision to continue instead of remedying said situation." 

Maybe he could distract him? Kaoru could only hope. He knew what came next...

"Not until I get what's coming to me. Let's hear it. Nice and loud for everyone in the cheap seats!" 

"I'll give you what's coming to you-" Kaoru considered reaching up with a viper-like strike, wrapping his hand around the black cord necklace that hung around his thick muscle choked neck, and pulling him off of the couch onto his face as he looked at him from his position flat on the floor. Narrowed eyes met the joy reflected in the deep dark color of his boyfriend's own. 

He really hated this bet. Why had he agreed to it? 

"Are you serious right now?" Kaoru scoffed, watching the eager nod he received in return, mussed dark green hair bouncing with every up and down movement of his head. He made a frustrated noise deep in his chest before unmoved, he began flatly speaking. "Your laugh is like a chorus of Angels. Oh, how I long to hear it again.."  The agitated tone to his words tickled the man above him as Kaoru heard the snicker it brought about. 

"That was alright , but I think you can do better." 

"I really want to kick you in your perfect teeth right now, my peerless paramour .." a strained, forced smile creaked and cracked it's way on to Kaoru's fractious face.

"You know the rules. Real ones or it doesn't count."

"You're really killing the mood."

"Oh, I don't know.. it's kinda doin' it for me ." Kojiro reached over and placed a hand on the edge of the coffee table and pushed it further away. Once it was out of the way he placed that same hand flat on the floor beside Kaoru's head. Nudging his still elevated leg off of the couch and out of his way, Kojiro lowered a socked foot - toes down- to the floor and then himself down slowly over Kaoru in a one handed push up. "One of those 'eye of the beholder' type deals, ya' know?" 

The annoyed look was slowly melting away while Kaoru tried to bite back the overwhelming urge to burst into embarrassingly infatuated giggles by rubbing his nose with his index finger knuckle and a loosely closed fist hiding the growing smile underneath.

"You are ridiculously attractive when you do things like this." Kaoru admitted out loud without even a minute to think. It was all he had! He couldn't think when his eyes watched muscles flex under use and Kojiro's voice had that sultry warm timbre to his usual baritone that made a shiver run down his spine. A feeling of heat and electricity surging through his body and feeling like it could shoot out of his toes! 

"I know my guy. You've got a real hard on for displays of strength." He lowered himself even closer still. Taking his dear sweet time with it, knowing that Kaoru knew what it took for the one handed pushup at the awkward angle and snail's pace. He lowered the rest of himself down over the other man lying supine and pressed a kiss to his lips, but only for a moment before pushing himself back up and away again. The smile returned finally to Kaoru's expression, wide with a lustful look in his eye. Although he would never tell him this and stoke his ego that much, Kaoru loved when Kojiro would show off just for him. 

"Let's have another one." 

"You are insatiable.."

"Yeah, that's not news or a compliment. "

"Fine. Want to hear something corny, cheesy and unequivocally true?" Kaoru began, reaching out and moving hair from Kojiro's dark, rich colored eyes and pushed it back behind his ear, trailing fingertips down along his jaw. "I consider myself to be the luckiest man on Earth. Want to know why?"

"Why don't you tell me?"

"Because out of four billion people on this rock hurtling alone through space, you chose me ." 

"Ooh..! that was both sappy, and corny! You were right. As always.." He put on a false cringe through a chuckle. "That was adorable- Really, it was sweet Pinky. I dig it." Kojiro leaned in and kissed him, but could not stop the thought nagging at his brain. "Wait.. I swear I read somewhere there's seven billion people on earth?" He asked, pulling back from the kiss.

"I'm only counting adults twenty to fifty five."

"Of course you have that number in there too." He chuckled, raising himself up on his arms, muscles twitching subtlety as they flexed in use, and using his new position pressed a kiss to Kaoru's forehead. "It's almost sick how sexy I find your mind sometimes." He watched as Kaoru blushed. "Now use that big beautiful brain and lay a real stunner on me. I know you've got one of those impressive old timey ones kicking around up there."

Kaoru thought a moment on the request, a soft pondering hum rumbling from deep in his chest and felt in Kojiro's own as they were still pressed so close together. Finally, it came to him. That subtle flash Kaoru got in his eye when he felt he was truly clever; he cleared his throat and recited as pale fingertips trailed a ghostly touch along the bronze skin of Kojiro's bare arm.

"Your virtues have so strangely taken up my thoughts, that therein they increase and multiply in abundant felicity." Kaoru laughed gently watching the impressed look form on his partner's face above and the equally impressed whistle he gave him in response.

"Wow! That..! Wow. I was expecting good . But that was really good !" Kojiro chuckled. "How do you even remember shit like that?"

"I imagine it's much the same process as how you store all those weird pop culture references you've got kicking around in your own head." 

"Hey! I don't call your Shakespearean recalls weird." 

"Fair."

"What did that even mean anyway?" He wrinkled his nose.

"What I told you earlier. You are the nothing I'm always thinking about.." Kojiro rolled his eyes. "Only the more flowery version from "The New Academy of Complements" this time." Kaoru looked so smug as he cited his source.

Kojiro had just the fix for smugness tonight...

"One more time?" Kojiro tilted his head with the question and a look of honest adoration. 

"You Are My Wonder-Wench. Now stop talking and kiss me like you've missed me." Kaoru raised his hips, pressing his groin to a thick muscular thigh, a low groan of impatience in his voice.

Kojiro wanted to ask just one more question. A compliment such as that last one begged to be followed up, but he could not argue with the current demand lobbed his way.

He didn't. 

Instead he did Kaoru's favorite thing in the world. He did as he was told.