Chihaya sat on the terrace, lost in his thoughts as the sun sank lazily in the west. Originally his intention was to enjoy the colorful display accompanying the setting sun with his crème puff. But he found that, once again, his thoughts drifted back to The House.

More specifically, to Kagetsuya.

He hadn’t been Kagetsuya’s partner for very long. Chihaya was finding it difficult to work with him at times. Nothing he did ever seemed to please Kagetsuya. If he wasn’t complaining about Chihaya being late, he was complaining about his cheerful naiveté. Either Chihaya was too stupid, too slow, too trusting, too careless…The list was endless.

It was easy, then, for Chihaya to understand why Kagetsuya came to get him, when Dr. Ashino held him prisoner. Kagetsuya would have been too embarrassed to report back to Eden that his stupid partner got himself captured and killed by becoming involved too deeply with the Earthians.

“Look, if you let yourself get involved, you’ll make another mistake. Then it will be *my* abilities as your partner that are questioned.” Those were his *exact* words. They cut Chihaya to the bone. It made it painfully obvious how Kagetsuya felt about him. A partner he *has* to work with. A nuisance. A liability.

So, when Kagetsuya kissed his wounds to heal him, Chihaya’s confusion just deepened. The touch was so tender, full of concern and care. And it made his heart race.

He could still feel the tingle as Kagetsuya pressed his lips to his stomach, how his breath tickled, how his hair smelled like chamomile. For so long Chihaya has wanted to touch those velvety lips of the bright angel. In fact, just thinking about it now, made Chihaya’s body ache again. Ache for something more. Something more that Chihaya felt, for sure, wasn’t wanted and wouldn’t be returned.

Besides, Eden wouldn’t approve.

Sighing, he took another bite of the crème puff. Licking his fingers absentmindedly, lost in thought, he never heard the apartment door open and shut.

+++

Kagetsuya entered the apartment with some difficulty, both arms full of bags. Making his way to the kitchen, he noticed Chihaya sitting on the terrace, eating a crème puff. Setting the bags down on the counter, he opened the patio door, standing next to Chihaya. Placing his hands on his hips, he looked down at his partner, watching Chihaya delicately eating the puff, sucking the crème filling off his fingers with popping noises.

Kagetsuya groaned silently. Chihaya was oblivious to how erotic the scene was, as the innocent gestures flashed straight to his groin.

Chihaya’s face brightened when he noticed the blonde standing there. An impish, crème covered grin broke across his face. “Hi, Kagetsuya. Where did you go? When I came in, you weren’t…”

“What are you eating? You will ruin your appetite for dinner,” scolded Kagetsuya.

Chihaya’s face fell. “I…I’m sorry Kagetsuya. I didn’t know when you would be back.” He put the uneaten half of the crème puff down, wrapping it gently in the wax paper. “I brought one for you too,” he offered up quietly.

“Well,” Kagetsuya whispered as he gently wiped errant crème from the corner of the dark angel’s mouth, “we will have them for dessert.” Licking his crème-covered thumb, he smiled tenderly. “At least they are fresh.” He stood for a moment, drinking in the beauty of his small partner. //So innocent.// Trust shined out of the glowing, violet jewels looking up at him.

Chihaya looked up at Kagetsuya. Kagetsuya’s eyes never strayed from looking into his. //Why is he staring at me?// Chihaya felt like he was falling into a deep blue-green sea as the world suddenly detached from his consciousness, leaving him to float on clouds of…

Desire. Chihaya felt his chest constrict. He raised his hand to take hold of Kagetsuya’s, when the blonde man turned away suddenly. Walking back into the apartment, “It’s getting cool. If you are going to sit out here, at least put on a coat,” he threw over his shoulder as he started to unload the bags.

With a sigh, Chihaya came in through the doors, sliding them shut quietly. He plopped down in front of the TV and began channel surfing.

Kagetsuya moved through the kitchen, quickly putting things away in preparation for starting dinner. Bracing himself on the countertop, he drew in a shuddering breath with the realization that he almost gave in to his impulse to kiss the delicate angel.