sole_choice | 10 // Voice

It's okay; I'm just about back to normal I think and I managed well withou any extra help! I just got home a few minutes ago... do you want me to start on dinner?

Nng. *One could practically hear the discomfort at the thought of food*

I'm not really hungry. You can make something for yourself or we could order food and I'll just... ugh, eat later.

Oh. Okay. If you say so, Shou-chan.

I'll make you some tea, then! And no arguing! *He laughed softly, Shouichi would be able to hear the smile in his voice.*

No arguments... I think I can stomach tea.

You do sound like you are feeling all the way better again.

I'm glad. Hey, I'm going to go so I can hurry home, okay? I'll be in soon.

*He had to have some time to steel his nerves further*

Oh, okay!

I'll try to have it ready by the time you get back. Bye!

*Annnd he hung up, getting to work with boiling water, trying to figure out what kind of tea to make.*

*Shouichi hurried home and was back probably within the next ten minutes, but then hid in the elevator for a good ten extra minutes longer, trying not to panic. When he finally calmed himself down enough, he headed to the apartment and slid inside quietly*

I'm back...

*Byakuran came over toward the door, looking sulky with the tip of his finger in his mouth. He lifted his free hand and waved a little bit. After another moment, he pulled his red finger out and showed it to Shouichi.*

I have a battle scar...

*Shouichi blinked and then sighed and held out his hand for Byakuran's so he could see it better - at least this broke the tension he was feeling*tea?

Come on, we'll run it under cold water. *And he led him toward the kitchen again as it was closer than the bathroom at the moment*

The tea's ready at least...

*When they got into the kitchen, he pointed to their steaming hot cups sitting on the counter. He leaned against the sink and winced when the cold water hit his poor abused finger.*

It hurts.

Oh, you're fine. It's going to hurt worse if we don't numb it a little and keep it cool. *He held his hand there under the running water, even though he wasn't the one with a burn and didn't need to turn his hand to ice*

What kind did you make?

Oolong...

*Ran his thumb gently along Shouichi's hand, obviously still sulky over having hurt himself.*

... what did you want to talk about?

*He jumped a little as he barely felt that thumb stroking his hand and then all the nervousness came smashing back and it was all he could do not to draw away from the other man anxiously*

I... uh...

*They were too close for him to have this conversation! But, that was kind of ridiculous wasn't it? Because that was the whole point... So he swallowed hard, ignored how warm his face felt and fixed his eyes on their hands under the water*

I... have an answer for you...

An answer?

*It took him a moment, thinking it over, to realize what he meant. When he did, he blinked and got a little more serious, turning to stare at their hands also, under the cold cold water.*

...and?

. . . you're sure? That you want that? With me?

*He had to check one last time, not that it'd make a difference if he was lying, but he just had to. He lifted his gaze finally, looking over to Byakuran expectantly and nervously, watching his face*

I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want it, Shou-chan...

*Quietly, linking their cold, numbing fingers under the spray of water, turning his gaze to meet the redhead's.*

T-then, okay.

I...

*He had to stop to swallow hard again and gather the courage to just spit this out* I want to. I want to see if... we can be closer.

*Byakuran stayed quiet, looking down at their hands. It'd be a few moments longer before he stepped closer and slid his arm around Shouichi's waist, pulling him flush against his body, burying his face in his hair. He inhaled his scent deeply and slowly exhaled.*

*All Shouichi could do was stand there, heart hammering in his chest, face flushed. He'd never really been in this sort of situation before. What was he supposed to do?*

Byakuran-san, I...

Sorry that I made you wait so long to get an answer. I had a lot to think about...

I know, Shou-chan. I know. I dropped that on you so suddenly...

*He nudged at his forehead and kissed him on the tip of his nose, giving him a gentle squeeze.*

*This was way too surreal and no matter how much he'd tried to prepare himself for this, it was still weird and his stomach was tied in painful knots and his damn hand was numb.

And he couldn't really think straight. So he just stood there awkward and shy. At least he'd kept himself from jerking away when Byakuran kissed his nose*

I think my hand's okay now.

*Smiling softly, he pulled his hand away from Shouichi's and turned the water off. He grabbed a nearby dish towel and took Shouichi's hand, carefully drying it off.*

There. Go ahead and grab your tea before it gets cold.

*Shouichi started as the water suddenly turned off and he had some breathing space again. He nodded numbly and went to grab the tea when his hand was returned to him, finding his non-freezing one shaking a little.

He took a few deep breathes and lifted the tea carefully to his lips to sip. He'd felt this nervous before, sure, but he'd always been much better at hiding it because he'd had no other choice. Right now... there wasn't a need to mask how he was feeling and he couldn't help it at all.

H-How does it look? Your finger, I mean.

It looks red still but that's probably more due to the cold water now.

*Dried off his hand, then took his teacup and grabbed Shouichi's free hand with his own, leading him carefully into the livingroom, sitting down on the couch and wanting him to do the same.*

... it's okay. I'm not going to eat you up. Just relax.

*Shouichi let himself be guided to the couch and took a seat.*

A-ah... I know that. Sorry.

*He took another deep breath and looked a little sheepish* I just never really... you know... decided something like this. But it's not like you aren't still my friend too.

*Sighed and sipped at the tea, hoping it would soothe his nerves*

It's okay, Shou-chan. I don't mind being your first!

First everything~

*He laughed at that, nuzzling into his hair, nipping gently at his ear. Satisfied with his teasing, he sipped at his tea and stayed close to him.*

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