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The corridors of the Somniel where Kagetsu and Zelkov roomed were quiet. Past most people's bedtime, their footsteps echoed down the empty hallway. They'd stayed late with Ivy at Kagetsu's anniversary celebration. Kagetsu still felt tears well up in his eyes thinking about the painting Zelkov had made. For a month Kagetsu had thought Zelkov was ignoring him, when he was lovingly painting a gift for him. A painting of the three of them together, one that looked like it could be a family portrait.
Kagetsu was glad they had adjacent rooms together, so he could have at least an excuse to linger near him a little longer.
Zelkov was taking out his keys, the key around his neck being entirely ornamental, when he glanced back at Kagetsu.
"Are you crying?" Zelkov said, his voice softer than usual. He had noticed the other man's eyes were once again drowning in tears.
"I am fine," Kagetsu said, avoiding eye contact.
"I believe you are *not*," Zelkov said, walking over and putting his hand gently on Kagetsu's shoulder. Kagetsu trembled at the touch, wanting so badly to lean into it. He was not a man to hold back emotions, but Zelkov was his colleague, not some random man. And he was hopelessly in love with him. Until tonight he thought those feelings were not only one sided, but that Zelkov even disliked him. Now he faced the possibility that not only did Zelkov not dislike him, that he might like him very much.
"Yes, of course I am, goodnight," Kagetsu said abruptly, struggling to make himself appear engrossed in the act of unlocking his door. Zelkov could see Kagetsu was trembling, barely able to get the key in the lock.
It was Zelkov who bridged the distance, pulling Kagetsu into an embrace. Kagetsu melted into him, burying himself into the taller man's chest, as he fought to regain composure.
"Kagetsu," Zelkov whispered as he held him, letting Kagetsu sob into him while he rubbed his back.
Kagetsu wasn't sure how long they stayed like that, but when he felt composed enough to look up, Zelkov took a handkerchief out of his pocket, tenderly wiping away his tears. Their eyes met, Zelkov's golden eyes beaming with affection for him. Kagetsu was once again overwhelmed, finding himself taking his hands to the back of Zelkov's head, feeling his silky hair, pulling him into him for a kiss. To his delight, Zelkov reciprocated, kissing him again and again, once for each of the many times he had wanted to kiss him but didn't, luxuriating in the feel of their lips pressed together. The feeling of Zelkov's stubble that lined the edges of his chin was exhilarating against Kagetsu's bare skin.
How long they kissed, Kagetsu didn't know, but it felt like a long time yet not long enough. It was only exhaustion that ended their kisses, Kagetsu once again resting his head on Zelkov's chest.
"I am sorry I made you feel alone," Zelkov whispered as he nuzzled a kiss on the top of Kagetsu's head, "you are very dear to me."
"You were thinking of me the entire time," Kagetsu said, reaching up to caress Zelkov's face, to which Zelkov responded by leaning into his hand, his eyes closed in contentment as he rested in Kagetsu's touch, "you just have a way of caring that's unfamiliar to me."
"I was needlessly harsh. I could have set aside time for you, but you know how I get with these obsessions. I was afraid of paying too much attention to you, afraid I would lose you some day the way I lost my family. I will learn to make you feel loved, if you will have me," Zelkov promised, holding Kagetsu closer, as if he never wanted to let him go,
"I will, Zelkov, you already have made me the happiest man in the world," Kagetsu replied, reciprocating Zelkov's tight embrace, basking in the feeling of the warmth of their bodies pressed together, closer than ever before.
Suddenly Kagetsu drew back. "Wait, there is something different about the way you are speaking, is there not?" Kagetsu said, looking up at Zelkov with a quizzical look on his face.
"I don't need to weight my words, if they all have a deeper meaning, all have my affection for you" Zelkov replied, leaning in so their foreheads were pressed together, Zelkov's sharp nose next to Kagetsu's small pert one.
"Will you stay with me?" Kagetsu ventured, close to tears again at the thought of parting.
"Gladly," Zelkov replied, finishing the job of unlocking the door that Kagetsu had abandoned to tears and kisses.
Zelkov often had trouble sleeping, his obsessions dancing in his head in the deep hours of the night, but here as Kagetsu lay in his arms, they were quiet.