Earthian Fan Fiction ❯ Wrestling with Demons ❯ Part Three ( Chapter 3 )

Part Three

The soft click of a door latch and the running of water slowly brought Kagetsuya to a state resembling wakefulness. //Chihaya's in the shower.// Groaning, he squinted from the sunlight streaming in the window, choosing *his* face to bath with its warmth, blinding him. Sitting up, he realized from the sharp pain in his neck that it is a mistake to sleep on the floor with no pillow. He felt a hard tug on one of his legs. Looking down, he realized that he was trapped in his towel and twisted up in the sheet that clung painfully around his body. Unwrapping the towel and sheet, he slipped on his pajama bottoms and stumbled groggily to the bedroom. Depositing the linens on his bed, Kagetsuya staggered to the kitchen to start the coffee and make Chihaya's breakfast.

As Kagetsuya settled down with his coffee mug, Chihaya came into the living room, dressed, hair still damp from his shower. Sitting down at the kitchen island, Chihaya picked at his French toast.

Kagetsuya sensed that Chihaya was somewhere very far away and *not* here in the present. The small brunette hadn't said a word since he got up. //He can be so scattered sometimes.// "You should dry…"

Chihaya flinched at the broken silence, dropping his fork with a loud clatter. The look on his face indicated that he had been startled, for his eyes were all pupil.

"your hair before going out. You don't want to catch a sniffle." Looking closer at Chihaya, Kagetsuya noted for the first time, that his eyes looked swollen and red. "What's the problem, Chihaya?"

Laying his napkin down, Chihaya shrugged and shuffled slowly back to the bathroom. The sound of the dryer echoed through the apartment.

Soon the blow dryer stopped, and Kagetsuya heard Chihaya rustling around in the bedroom. He watched as Chihaya came into the living room, pulling on a light jacket. He was walking towards the door.

"Chihaya, are you feeling alright?" Kagetsuya crossed the floor, meeting him halfway. Placing one hand behind Chihaya's neck, he pressed his other hand to the young man's forehead. "You feel warm…" He stroked the cherub face, leaving his hand to rest on a smooth cheek.

Chihaya melted into the touch. Any fears he had about the previous night dissolved away as he stood there with the tall blonde gazing at him with concern. "I just didn't sleep well last night." He managed a weak smile. Kagetsuya's attentions sparked a fire in his chest as he felt himself liquefying into the warm feeling of love for his partner. And being loved.

"I woke you up, didn't I?" Kagetsuya tenderly traced the frail cheekbone with his thumb. I'm sorry, Chihaya." Warmth shone out of his green eyes as he gazed affectionately down at the dark angel.

Chihaya touched Kagetsuya's arm. //God, I love you so much.// "Is everything okay, Kagetsuya?" //I just wish you would talk to me and not *at* me.//

He nodded. "It's nothing I can't handle." Realization dawned slowly that he was uncomfortably close to Chihaya. Dropping his arms, he turned, wanting to put distance between them before he did something rash. Like kiss him, as his body was begging him to do.

Chihaya watched the tender moment drop away suddenly as Kagetsuya's countenance changed and he hastily tried to move away. "But Kagetsuya…" Chihaya clung to his arm, tugging at him, not wanting him walk away.

"I'm fine. I'll deal with it." He retorted sharply.

"Okay." Chihaya said quietly as he dropped Kagetsuya's arm. He looked at the floor so Kagetsuya wouldn't see how much the sudden turn around hurt, tears sliding down reddening cheeks. His heart ached with the realization that the feelings he thought Kagetsuya had for him were just a figment of his imagination. "I'm going out for a while." His voice, a whisper. "I'll be back later."

Not looking at the dark angel, Kagetsuya started clearing the breakfast dishes. "Well, try to be on time tonight for dinner. You know I don't like waiting."

Chihaya nodded. "I will, Kagetsuya." And he quietly shut the door behind him.