Earthian Fan Fiction ❯ Wrestling with Demons ❯ Part Four ( Chapter 4 )

Part Four

After Kagetsuya heard the door shut with a tiny click, he sagged down into one of the chairs. His chest was constricted so tight, he could hardly breathe. //What is happening to me?// He roughly ran his hands over his face. //I wanted so badly to kiss him.//

He let out a shuddering breath. //God, Chihaya, you are innocence personified. I won't take that from you, just to satisfy my own carnal desires.//

Rising from the chair, he headed to the bathroom for a shower. //I am just going to have to exercise better control, that's all.//

//But he so hard to resist. To resist the desire to protect him. To hold him. To touch him.// Kagetsuya frowned at the track his mind was heading down. //I will not take advantage of Chihaya like that. He's my partner. That's all. That *will* be all,// he decided definitively.

Pushing down his thoughts and ignoring the faint aching from the empty spot in his soul, Kagetsuya forced his focused to remain on his daily activities.

+++

For a long time, Chihaya sat by the plaza fountain. He studied the people as they came and went. Some were there eating lunch, some, feeding the birds. A young couple sat on the bench not far away, lost in the exploration of each other's mouths as they took no

notice of the world around them. Joggers ran through the park.

Even though there were people around, Chihaya felt very alone. His soul ached from the sheer intensity of it. //Am I so desperate for his love that I will pretend that he feels the same for me when he even touches me?//

He pulled out a penny from his pocket. Making a silent wish, he tossed it into the water. Watching it sink to the bottom, the penny carrying his wish soon became indistinguishable from the thousands of other pennies in the fountain.

+++

Chihaya cursed himself softly as he noticed the time. //Kagetsuya is going to be so angry. I'm late again. And he was insistent that I be on time tonight.// He broke into a light jog as he picked his way through the crowded street, heading back to the apartment.

Keying in quietly and bracing for another scolding, he peeked in the door before opening it all the way. What he saw made his breath catch in his throat.

Candles bathed the living room in a soft glow. The portable CD player was quietly humming out what sounded like one of Kagetsuya's favorite CDs. A blanket was spread out on the floor. A bottle of sparkling grape juice, two candles blinking delicately and two settings of dishes sat atop the blanket. And sitting in the middle, a white porcelain vase with a solitary red rose.

Stepping into the room, slipping his shoes off quietly, Chihaya stared open mouthed at the scene. //Is Kagetsuya expecting company?// His heart ached at the thought. //He was *insistent* that I be home on time. Maybe to feed me, then send me back out to find something else to do while he…// Unconsciously he began to chew on his bottom lip as his body shivered uncontrollably.

"You're late." Came the soft baritone from the kitchen door.

Startled, Chihaya blinked reflexively, waiting for the barrage of chastising remarks.

Kagetsuya was dressed in loose black silk pants and a billowy gray silk shirt. He padded to the blanket and set down a dish. "Knowing you as I do, I *knew* you would be late. I started dinner a little later than usual so it wouldn't be cold when you got home." He stood up, looking back at Chihaya. "Are you coming in or are you going to eat there?" He smiled slightly and turned back to the kitchen. "Sit. It's almost ready."

Chihaya lurched forward, stumbling across the room and collapsing on the floor. Looking at the food Kagetsuya was bringing out, he noticed they were all his favorites dishes.

Chihaya swallowed dryly. "Why…?" His voice quit before he could finish his sentence, caught in his throat. He cast a questioning look to Kagetsuya, who settled onto the floor to start serving.

"Hmm? Why what?" Kagetsuya stopped in mid action, looking inquisitively at the young angel.

"Why?" He asked again, gesturing to the magnificent feast between them.

"Because. I know how important holidays are to you." Inclining his head slightly, he poured Chihaya a glass of the grape juice and himself, red wine. "Something, no doubt, you picked up from your involvement with the Earthians."

"Um…What holiday is it?" Chihaya searched his memory. He couldn't remember anything.

"Anniversary. We've been partners, investigating Earth, for 6 months now." Kagetsuya looked up from serving the entree. "You don't remember?"

Chihaya felt the familiar burning behind his eyes. //Kagetsuya…remembered?// Standing suddenly, he ran to the sliding glass doors leading to the terrace. Placing his forehead and hands on the glass, he took large, gulping breaths, trying to stem the desire to cry.

"Chihaya?" Kagetsuya asked softly, rising from the floor. "I didn't mean to upset you…" He walked over to the slight angel, placing his hands on his shoulders, massaging gently.

"No…I'm not upset." Chihaya looked up at Kagetsuya in the glass reflection.

"It`s very sweet, Kagetsuya. Thank you." Large, crystalline tears spilled from his eyes, running in small rivulets down his cheeks. "I didn't think it would matter to you."

"Well, these kinds of sentiments don't really hold much meaning to me. But I know they do to you, Chihaya." Kagetsuya smiled tenderly. "And you have seemed so sad lately. I thought it would cheer you up." He gently pulled Chihaya around to face him.

Kagetsuya traced the tear tracks with his finger, wiping them from his cheeks. "Not make you cry."

Chihaya threw his arms around a startled Kagetsuya's neck, pressing his face against the broad, silk covered chest. "It's the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me," he sobbed out.

Kagetsuya tentatively enfolded Chihaya in an embrace. Pressing his lips lightly to the top of the dark head, he inhaled the scent that was wholly Chihaya. Soft and light like a meadow on a summer day. Closing his eyes, Kagetsuya lost himself in the moment. It felt so right to have the small form in his arms, feeling his warmth close to his heart. He drew a shaky breath in, intoxicated by the emotions that played over him.

Fighting down the familiar stirrings in his groin, Kagetsuya cleared his throat as he pulled Chihaya from the embrace, holding him at arms length. "Dinner's getting cold." Kagetsuya released Chihaya, walking back towards the kitchen. "I'll get dessert ready."

Disappointment washed over Chihaya when Kagetsuya let him go. //It felt so good to be in his arms.// He shivered from the lack of warmth, wrapping his arms around himself.

Sitting back down in front of his plate, he finished what he could of the dinner. Unfortunately, the close contact with Kagetsuya made him forget about being hungry. All Chihaya wanted at that moment was to be close to Kagetsuya again.

"Kagetsuya?"

"Hmmm?"

"Can I have some wine?" Chihaya asked tentatively.

Kagetsuya sighed. "I don't know Chihaya, you remember what happened last time…"

"Yeah, but I won't drink so much this time. I only want one glass," he interrupted.

Another sigh. "Chihaya, one glass was all you *had* last time."

Wrapping his arms around his knees and pulling them up close to his chest, "Please?" Chihaya's violet eyes widened with his plea.

Kagetsuya swallowed hard against the onslaught of innocence that wafted across the room. Chihaya looked truly angelic, chewing on his lower lip, pleading with his eyes. A skeptical look crossed Kagetsuya's face as he caved. "Just half a glass." He held the bottle up after filling his own glass.

Chihaya drained his sparkling grape juice in one swallow and ran to the kitchen to rinse the glass. Drying it hurriedly, he ran back into the living room, plopping down happily at his place again. Raising it expectantly to Kagetsuya, he giggled as the red liquid glorped into his glass, filling it halfway.

They finished the dinner in quiet, followed by a dessert of New York Cheesecake with blueberry topping, another of Chihaya's favorites.

Kagetsuya cleared the dishes, and after blowing out some the candles, he opened the sliding doors to the terrace. "Want to sit outside for a while?"

Chihaya nodded enthusiastically. They both settled into their chairs, looking out over the city. "Dinner was great, Kagetsuya. Thank you." His bright eyes reflecting the city lights. "I have really enjoyed this evening."

"I'm glad, Chihaya," he replied.

"And….." Chihaya looked at his glass, "thanks for remembering. It means a lot."

Kagetsuya looked at the blushing face of the little, dark angel. Raising his hand, he tenderly brushed black hair out of the small face, the backs of his fingers pausing on Chihaya's cheekbone.

"Kagetsuya…" Chihaya sighed pressing his face into the touch.

Startled back from his revelry, Kagetsuya pulled his hand back suddenly, looking guiltily into his glass before draining it quickly.

"Kagetsuya? Did I…" Chihaya stammered, confused.

With a sudden move, Kagetsuya bolted up from his chair, "I'll wash up the dishes now." and retreated quickly into the apartment.

Much to Chihaya's dismay, the rest of the evening was spent in silence as Kagetsuya all but ignored him. They sat, side by side on the couch watching an old movie on TV. Kagetsuya's body language was most telling, however. His arms never once uncrossed from his chest.

With no interest in the movie playing, finally Chihaya stood and stretched. "I'm tired, so I going to bed." He padded softly to the bedroom. Stopping at the doorway, he turned. "Goodnight, Kagetsuya."

"'Night." His eyes never leaving the TV screen.