Kumagoro\'s New Shiny

**Typical fanfic warnings—we don’t own Gravi or it’s characters. Please be respectful to our originals and not use them without asking. This fic takes place near the end of Ryuichi’s time in America, shortly before the beginning of the anime.

Major angst warnings—if you’re hoping for a constantly bouncing Ryu-chan, this isn’t the fic to read. -_- This is angst angst angst, so read at your own risk!

FINAL CHAPTER! Yes, this is it! Thanks to everyone for reading, and especially thanks for all the wonderful reviews!!

//= Thoughts
*= emphasis
::= speaking in Japanese
**


Kumagoro’s New Shiny
Chapter Thirteen

Ryuichi sighed in some relief as the door finally closed behind them. He was exhausted, having spent the whole day with Yuki and Shuichi, keeping them all lively with stories and jokes. Now…he was finding it difficult to keep up his cheerful mask. //I can hold it until I get to the shower.// He locked the doourniurning with a faint smile towards the bathroom. \"I think I need a shower before bed.\"

\"Oh?\" Jace watched him, trying to interpret his expression. He slipped out of his shoes and headed to the kitchen with some of the leftover pizza Shuichi had insisted he take. \"All right. Take your time.\"

Ryuichi quickly stripped out of his clothes, leaving them in an uncaring pile on the floor as he turned on the water. He left it hot, just to the point he could barely stand it, and quickly stepped inside--he gasped softly. \"Aaah...hot,\" he muttered to himself, turning his face into the steaming spray. It almost felt like he was melting away, and for a moment he just imagined himself slipping to the bottom of the tub, spinning, and finally trickling down the drain.

Jace considered for what seemed like a long time, as he made his way to the bathroom door. Finally, resolutely, he stripped out of his clothes and let them fall to the hall floor. Trying to be quiet he slipped inside and padded over to the shower. //I hope this is the right thing.// With a deep breath he pulled back the curtain and hopped inside. \"Ah! Hot...\"

Ryuichi yelped in surprise, nearly slipping as he backed into the wall. \"Jace!\" A startled laughed escaped as he tried to wipe the water from his eyes. \"Don\'t scare me like that!\" //What...is he doing? I\'m not sure I can....//

Jace laughed. \"Sorry, sorry. I just thought I could...wash your back or something.\" He drew Ryuichi away from the wall, closer to him. \"You don\'t mind, do you?\"

His eyes widened, just a bit, but then he was shaking his head. Ryuichi brushed a hand briefly across Jace\'s chest before turning around. \"Thanks--it\'s much easier with help.\"

\"Sure.\" Jace slicked his hands with soap and turned them on Ryuichi, starting with his shoulders and working firmly down his back. //I want things to go back to how they were, too. I want it all to be better.// He leaned into to press a kiss to the back of Ryuichi\'s neck.

Ryuichi straightened at the kiss, his fingers curling briefly. He hummed his soft approval at the strong hands as he leaned slightly into them. //He seems in a better mood, right?//

\"I had a good time tonight,\" Jace said against Ryuichi\'s back as he continued to knead his fingers into tight muscle, though the soap had long since washed off. \"I\'m glad I really got to meet them.\"

\"That\'s good.\" Ryuichi closed his eyes. \"I\'m glad Yuki-kun was nice--usually he just runs for cover when he sees me.\" Gradually, Ryuichi began to relax, coaxed by his companion’s hands.

\"I thought he was great. Even if his American accent was a little rusty.\" Jace smiled, and slid his arms around Ryuichi\'s chest, holding him close. \"Hey. Don\'t take this the wrong way, but...he said he\'d help me find some work. Like, housekeeping work, with some people he knows.\"

Though he was surprised, Ryuichi found the news not quite as disappointing as he would have thought. //It\'s not as though there was much he was doing with me anyway....// He turned his head, barely able to see Jace out of the corner of his eye. \"That\'s okay with you?\" he asked softly.

\"Yeah.\" Glad that Ryuichi didn\'t sound too upset, Jace pressed his cheek to the man\'s shoulder. \"It\'s not much, but at least I can get out a bit, meet some people. He said a few might even speak some English.\"

Ryuichi nodded. \"If that\'s what you want, then it\'s fine with me,\" he assured. He reached up, brushing his fingers over Jace\'s arms and hands, sighing quietly as he leaned back into him. \"I\'ll miss you,\" he murmured softly. \"But...maybe it will be better for you to get out more, hmm?\"

\"Yeah.\" Jace kissed his shoulder, moving his fingers lightly against his stomach. \"It\'s not like it\'ll be all that much,\" he assured, kissing him again. \"Just during the day, when you\'re working, anyway. And then...we can miss each other all day, and come home....\"

A slow smile tugged at his lips. //It would be worth it, then, if I could comme tme to him wanting me again....// Ryuichi turned his head, nuzzling and kissing at Jace\'s temple. \"Good luck. I\'ll try to wait patiently for you,\" he added with a giggle.

Jace smiled, and pulled back just enough so that he could turn Ryuichi around and grant him a full kiss. //I still want to talk to him. But maybe…in a bit.// He twisted his arms around Ryuichi\'s neck happily. \"Thank you.\"

Ryuichi leaned closer, touching their foreheads a moment. \"So long as you\'re happy,\" he murmured, \"anything is okay.\" He wrapped his arms around Jace\'s waist, pulling their bodies together with murmur. With things being as strained as they had been lately, if had been a while since they were this intimate, and Ryuichi realized with an ache in his chest just how much he\'d missed his young lover.

//God he feels good.// Jace tugged him into another kiss, firmer than the last. //I\'m sorry.// He curled a hand around the back of Ryuichi\'s neck to keep him close.

Ryuichi returned the firm affections, hands melting over Jace\'s back, shoulders, and down to his hips. //I\'ve missed him.// His face twisted as his chest throbbed with emotion, and he jerked the boy hard against him, suddenly afraid he would escape if he dared let go. \"Jace--\"

Jace winced a little, and reached down to try and ease Ryuichi\'s suddenly tight grip. \"I\'m not going anywhere,\" he red red against desperate lips, rubbing his arm. \"Okay?\"

He nodded, but even then couldn\'t release Jace very much. //Don\'t leave me--// Ryuichi buried his thoughts in a kiss, softening his hands as he moved them over the boy\'s ass. Despite the heat of the shower he was shivering.

Jace didn\'t try to stop him for long--only reached past him a moment to bring the shower temperature down just a bit before devoting his full attention to Ryuichi\outhouth. //It feels like it\'s been forever.// Sighing happily he arched his back to scrape their hips together.

Ryuichi continued to touch him a few moments more before he couldn\'t take it. He parted their mouths with a gasp, meeting Jace\'s eyes intensely. \"Let\'s get out,\" he hissed, fingers still groping low on the boy\'s body. \"I want you.\"

\"Let\'sit hit here,\" Jace replied, grinning against Ryuichi\'s lips. He reached down between them to stroke Ryuichi\'s growing erection. \"Up against the wall, all hot and wet....\"

Growling, Ryuichi cut him off with a hungry kiss, sucking at his lips before gradually pushing him back against the tile. When they parted, he grinned, lowering his hand to deliver similar treatment to his lover.

Jace gasped softly--this was definitely more like it. They were already splashing water out of the shower, probably making a huge mess, but he didn\'t care. //It\'s been a while since we were able to have fun like this together.// He began to twist, trying to keep Ryuichi\'s fingers on him as he turned around.

Ryuichi pressed up behind him eagerly, rubbing his length up between Jace\'s thighs. The boy\'s thin body, slick and warm, felt almost too good against him, and Ryuichi moaned thickly into his ear as he continued to stroke him. \"I want you. I want you over and over again...all night....\"

\"Shit....\" Jace groaned softly as he pressed against Ryuichi\'s chest, groping at his forearm in encouragement. \"Then come on,\" he hissed, twisting his other arm back to hook around Ryuichi\'s neck. \"Take me.\"

Ryuichi didn\'t hesitate--he entered his lover with a slow but firm thrust, moaning against his shoulder. //God, he\'s so tight.// Once he was fully covered he waited, his hand still moving over Jace\'s erection. \"Okay?\"

Jace\'s eyelids fluttered; it had been a while, and though it was painful it was familiar and somehow reassuring. \"Yeah,\" he gasped, bracing a hand against the wall. \"God....\"

Reassured, Ryuichi began moving in earnest, forehead pressed against the back of Jace\'s neck. \"God you...feel good,\" he hissed, both hands curling against the boy\'s hips to aid his thrusting.

Jace grinned, and the shower water seeped into the corners of his mouth. \"I\'m...out of shape,\" he teased. He braced himself so he could push back, hard, against his lover. It sent a shudder through him that lifted his voice in a soft cry.

Ryuichi echoed him, lifting his head to set his chin against the boy\'s shoulder. \"Tighter,\" he demanded, his movements growing stronger and quicker. One hand snaked around to Jace\'s stomach to help pull him back harder.

Shuddering hard, Jace did his best to comply; it was hard to concentrate with Ryuichi moving so insistently against him. Ryuichi...wasn\'t usually like this. He was always gentle and attentive, and Jace had always been a little annoyed with that--he didn\'t want to be taken care of. He wanted to have sex like lovers were supposed to; harsh, like this, and passionate. Deep, like this.

//I\'m not going to last much longer.// Ryuichi continued to thrust against Jace\'s hips, forcing concentration as he reached down to begin stroking him again. //Not before him. Come on, Jace.//

Jace gasped raggedly; it was too much, and he cried out as he reached his climax. \"Ryu--\" Back arching, he tried to keep Ryuichi in him, fingers tightening in thick, wet hair.

Ryuichi smiled weakly before devoting himself back to his own pleasure, holding Jace still as he made the last few thrusts to complete his climax. He buried himself deeply and remained, panting harshly against the boy\'s shoulder as the waves of satisfaction ran over him.

Jace murmured softly, taking deep breaths as he regained some of his composure. \"Shit....\" His arms were trembling as he tried to push himself somewhat upright. \"Jesus, Ryu.\" He chuckled breathlessly.

Finally pulling back, Ryuichi pressed both hands to the walls to keep his balance. The heat was starting to get to him and hacheached back to turn the water off. It was then that he realized....

He turned back to Jace, leaning in for a soft kiss. \"Sorry,\" he murmured quietly. \"I...forgot to use a cond"
"

Jace laughed quietly. \"It\'s okay--it\'s just us now, right?\" He stretched with a groan. \"God, I hope Yuki doesn\'t call anytime soon--I\'m not going to be able to walk tomorrow.\"

Ryuichi grinned. He reached out of the shower to grab a handy towel and began to rub his lover down, stealing a kiss now and again. \"Especially since I\'m not done with you,\" he teased, brushing sensitive flesh.

Jace\'s eyelids flickered. \"Gimme a minute,\" he sighed, concentrating on staying upright as Ryuichi toweled him off. He leaned heavily into him.

Ryuichi set to drying his back, unable to keep from grinning--already it felt like things were improving. He finally had to push Jace upright to get to his hair, and he toweled his head off vigorously so that when he stopped, the blond strands were flying in every direction. \"Cute!\"

Jace rolled his eyes. \"Always teasing.\" He turned, snatching the towel so he could do the same to his lover. \"Let\'s get into some warm bathrobes or something,\" he suggested. His voice lowered. \"I…wanna talk a little.\"

Though the thought was sobering, Ryuichi nodded. \"All right.\" When he felt he was dry enough, he urged the towel away and slipped out of the shower. One of his bathrobes was hanging on the door, and he tossed it to Jace. \"I\'ll find another.\"

\"Thanks.\" Jace wrapped himself in the soft, warm material, hugging it up to his chin. He followed Ryuichi in his search for another, and once they were both semi-clothed and drying led led them to the bedroom. \"There are...a few things I want to tell you,\" he said quietly, as he crawled onto the mattress and tugged Ryuichi with him. He lowered his eyes. \"I know I\'ve been really...weird, lately.\"

Ryuichi knew better than to say anything as he settled close to his side, though he turned enough that they could easily see each other. \"It\'s been hard for you,\" he offered. \"I should have thought things out better.\"

Jace shook his head. \"It\'s not your fault,\" he assured. \"And it\'s not just...Japan. It\'s me.\" He forced himself to met Ryuichi\'s gaze. \"I\'m not used to...being with someone like this. Having a real lover.\"

He nodded--that he could understand. \"I know. And…me neither.\" Ryuichi reached out, touching Jace\'s cheek briefly.

Jace held that hand against his cheek as he continued. \"It\'s not the same,\" he whispered. \"For you, and me. I\'ve done...so many things. I don\'t think I even wanted to imagine that I could ever have someone, like this. It\'s strange.\"

Ryuichi\'s shoulders drooped a bit--there wasn\'t much he could say to that, so instead he settled for moving his fingers gently against Jace\'s hairline. \"I\'m sorry I haven\'t made it easier for you,\" he murmured softly.

Jace shook his head. //I don\'t want him to apologize.// \"I think that\'s what part of my problem has been,\" he admi, hi, his voice continuing to drop. He lowered his eyes. \"You were really trying to take care of me. And I...resented it, a little. That you seemed to think that by taking me with you, by giving me a job and a home and…and loving me…that….\" His shoulders hunched. \"I grew up miserably. I didn\'t want you to think that you could just sweep me away like none of that mattered.\"

\"I....\" Ryuichi trailed off, falling silent as his eyes dropped, hidden behind his hair. It was true, after all. He had assumed that things would just work out, that Jace could easily start over. //I don\'t know what else to do though, Jace. I don\'t know what you want from me.//

A silence passed between them, thick and heavy, and then Jace felt himself fall--curl, childlike, against Ryuichi\'s lap. \"It\'s not your fault,\" he continued softly. \"But you should know I think that\'s why…I\'ve been cold to you.\" He smiled dryly. \"I wasn\'t ready to be this happy.\"

Ryuichi watched him, and after a moment he raised a hand to rest on Jace\'s damp head. He wasn\'t sure if he completely understood, other than his lover was still there. \"Are you…I mean….\" He licked his lips, leaning over the boy slightly. \"What about…now?\"

\"I don\'t know,\" Jace confessed. He hugged Ryuichi\'s knee affectionately. \"But I *am* happy, Ryu. With you.\" He glanced up to meet Ryuichi\'s eyes and smiled softly. \"I really am.\"

Ryuichi nodded, idly playing with a few strands of drying hair. “Me too,” he murmured, watching the movements of his hand. Despite Jace’s reassurances, he still felt a little shaky inside. After a moment he curled forward, just barely able to brush his lips against the boy’s forehead.

Jace craned his neck so that Ryuichi could reach him easier, and after a moment twisted onto his back so he could grant him a soft kiss. \"I love you,\" he murmured, the words making his chest tremble a little. \"We\'ll make it work.\"

He smiled, and he slid his hand beneath Jace\'s head to better support him as they kissed. \"We will,\" he whispered before sealing their lips again. For now, he kept his affections slow, just enjoying.

Jace sighed quietly in relief. //That\'s right. We\'re going to be fine.// He pushed himself gradually up, turning so that he could climb into Ryuichi\'s lap. His robe parted from his thighs as he settled himself; it exposed tender flesh as he continued to kiss Ryuichi slowly.

Ryuichi leaned back against the headboard, hands lowering to Jace\'s waist. //It is different for us, Jace. I didn\'t think I\'d find something like this either....// He urged his companion closer, though he was in no rush--he wanted to enjoy this as much as possible.

//I like it, like this.// Jace pressed his hands against Ryuichi\'s chest as he brought their lips together again. //The shower was fun, but I like it when he\'s sweet, too.//

When they were both flushed, Ryuichi pulled back with a soft grin, running his fingers through his lover\'s hair. //He really is beautiful.// Stealing a brief kiss, he began to turn, lowering Jace down onto the mattress. \"Up for a little more?\" he asked, teasingly drifting his lower hand over the boy\'s exposed length.

\"Yeah. But....\" Jace\'s eyes flashed, planting his palm against the mattress so Ryuichi couldn\'t push him down completely. \"I think,\" he purred against Ryuichi\'s neck, \"that it\'s my turn.\"

Ryuichi blinked, settling back again. //Then, does he want to...?// He tilted his head curiously. \"Oh?\"

\"You don\'t mind, do you?\" Jace pushed himself back, tugging on Ryuichi\'s legs to get him away from the headboard. \"I\'m pretty versatile, you know.\"

Ryuichi shook his head, sliding down onto his back. His fingers curled against Jace\'s waist as he licked his lips. \"It\'s just...been a while,\" he admitted quietly.
e che chuckled. \"I\'ll be gentle,\" he promised, parting Ryuichi\'s robe away from his chest. He leaned in press a few soft kisses against his stomach. \"You ever been bottom before?\"

Squirming, Ryuichi licked his lips as his hands slid to Jace\'s shoulders. \"Yeah...but it\'s been a while.\" //A long while, though....// His fingers curled.

\"Don\'t worry--I\'ll take care of you.\" Jace kissed his way down Ryuichi\'s torso, pausing just long enough to slide out of his own robd tod toss it aside. Grinning, he played his lips over Ryuichi\'s growing erection to urge him along.

Ryuichi murmured thinly, chin tipping back. \"Jace....\" He played one hand blindly in the boy\'s hair, encouraging. Though he had wanted his younger lover to do this, now that he was faced with the situation he wasn\'t sure he was completely prepared.

Jace glanced up, and was a little surprised to see Ryuichi\'s unsure expression. He crawled back up to kiss his cheek. \"You okay? If you don\'t want to do it this way....\"

He shook his head quickly. \"I want to,\" he replied, catching the back of Jace\'s neck to tug him into another kiss. Ryuichi smiled as they pulled back. \"You just...surprised me, I guess.\" He drew him into a thicker, slower kiss, hoping to reassure them both. \"Just be nice to me--I\'m old.\" He giggled.

\"Not *that* old,\" Jace laughed. He pulled away to fetch a bottle of lubricant from the bedside drawer, returning all too happily. //This is the first time I\'ve topped him. I\'ll have to be good.// \"I never got to do this too often, either,\" he admitted as he poured some of the lotion into his hand. He slicked his fingers and urged Ryuichi\'s thighs apart so he could ease one into him, slowly.

Ryuichi bit his lip, fingers curling in his robe to keep from making a noise. //It really has been a while.// He took slow, deep breaths to relax himself, and after a moment chuckled. \"Told ya,\" he murmured.

\"Mm, you are tight,\" Jace murmured. He leaned down to press a few kisses against Ryuichi\'s stomach, hoping to heim rim relax. //I\'ll have to make sure he\'s really ready.// He moved his finger in slow, careful circles to stretch him.

Closing his eyes, Ryuichi gradually felt his body relax with Jace\'s treatment. //He\'ll take care of me.// He tugged at the boy\'s hair. \"I want a kiss,\" he demanded playfully.

Jace smiled, lifting himself so he could grant the kiss as requested. While distracting Ryuichi he eased a second finger into him. \"Don\'t be afraid to tell me,\" he said lowly. \"How you want it.\"

\"Just you,\" he replied, pulling Jace closer as he spread his thighs further. \"I want just you.\" Ryuichi kissed him urgently, trying to build up their earlier passion again.

Jace laughed. \"All right.\" He moved his fingers with greater insistence, reaching deeper in hopes of giving Ryuichi more substantial pleasure. \"When you\'re ready,\" he whispered.

He nodded, murmuring softly. \"I\'m okay,\" Ryuichi replied, shifting to better settle himself, lifting his knees to rub at Jace\'s waist. \"Come on.\"

\"Okay.\" Jace pulled back to sit on his ankles, slicking himself with a good amount of lubricant. \"You don\'t mind going bareback, right?\" he teased as he positioned himself between Ryuichi\'s thighs. \"Kinda against principle, but for you I don\'t mind.\"

chi chi frowned thoughtfully--he didn\'t know that term, but after a moment he giggled and nodded. \"I already got you, right? It\'s only fair.\" Arching his back, he reached out to rub at Jace\'s chest with his foot.

\"That\'s the spirit.\" Jace pushed his foot down, rubbing lightly at Ryuichi\'s hips. \"Relax,\" he chuckled, as if Ryuichi hadn\'t heard it all before. \"I\'ll go slow.\" Helping to keep Ryuichi\'s knees high he pushed slowly into him.

Ryuichi closed his eyes, back curling. //God, that....// He whimpered softly as he fought the contrasting waves of pain and satisfaction. It…really had been a long time. Reaching out, he pawed at Jace\'s chest, anxious for him to move.

\"You okay?\" Jace grinned breathlessly as he savored the feeling of warm flesh around him; it had been a while, and Ryuichi really was tight. But he didn\'t linger, pulling back so he could thrust into him again.

\"Aah--!\" Ryuichi tossed his head back, gasping harshly. //Good--god, he feels so good....// He pulled his legs up around Jace\'s ribs. \"J...Ja--nnn!\"

Jace blinked, a little startled by how quickly Ryuichi seemed to be getting into this gri grinned and braced a hand against Ryuichi\'s hip to help guide him as he thrust again, slowly and deeply.

Ryuichi moaned. They should have done this sooner, should have...so much sooner.... \"Jace, more,\" he managed to gasp out, planting his feet against the mattress to meet Jace\'s thrusts.
ThatThat\'s more like it.// Jace arched his back, bringing them more firmly together. Now that it seemed Ryuichi was really into it he had no reservations in moving faster, haragaiagainst him. \"Told you,\" he hissed, \"that I was good.\"

He chuckled breathlessly. \"You always...are--\" Ryuichi cried out thinly. He held out as long as he could manage, but his end came too soon. Back curling, his voice rose again as he climaxed, fingers digging into his lover\'s arms.

Jace gasped--he hadn\'t expected Ryuichi to be finished so soon, and he groaned at the constriction of muscle around him. nly nly took another two thrust to finish him off as well. \"Ryu....\"

\"Mmm…I\'m done,\" he muttered, flopping back. Ryuichi moaned at the feel of sore, contented muscles, his hands sliding down Jace\'s arms to drop limply against the bed. \"You\'re...really big....\"

\"I\'m American,\" Jace teased, pulling carefully back. He rolled onto his side next to Ryuichi and kissed his shoulder. \"That wasn\'t so bad, huh?\"

Ryuichi flopped over, snuggling up under Jace\'s arm, draping his own arm over the boy\'s waist. \"Mmm…neither of us is wag tog tomorrow.\" He played tired lips over Jace\'s chest. \"I\'m sticky....\"
ce lce laughed. \"We need another shower.\" Seemingly the better off of the pair he wriggled out from under Ryuichi\'s arm. \"I\'ll get us a towel. Think you can take the top sheet off?\"

\"I thought you were the top this time,\" he muttered, snatching Jace around the waist and pulling him back onto the bed. Laughing, he bent in and stole a long, passionate kiss.

Jace kissed him back happily. //Like this. This is how we should be.// \"I am--whichns Ins I gotta take care of my cute lil\' bottom.\" He spanked Ryuichi playfully. \"Now hold still so I can clean you up when I get back.\"

Giggling, Ryuichi found he had the strength to get up after all. \"Thought I was supposed to clean up the bed,\" he retorted, bouncing to his feet. He just managed to hide a wince at the movement. //Yup, definitely sore tomorrow.// Whipping the top blanket off the bed, he tossed it and his soiled robe towards the closet. \"I\'ll just come with you.\"

\"Okay.\" Jace waited for him at the door, and when Ryuichi approached he took his hand to lead the way. \"I\'ll take care of you in the morning,\" he promised. \"If it\'s really been a while for you, you\'re going to be sore.\"

\"We both\'ll be,\" he reminded, leaning close to kiss Jace\'s neck. Ryuichi then danced away to beat him into the bathroom. \"Aah, I think I have to pee.\"

Jace rolled his eyes. \"Take your time!\" He took a detour to the closet, pulling free a fresh sheet for the. \". \"I\'ll be fine,\" he said to himself as he made it up. \"I\'m used to it, after all.\"

Ryuichi froze at the door. //Used to....// He glanced over his shoulder and started to speak, but.... //No. I shouldn\'t bring it up. I shouldn\'t say anything.// Ryuichi quickly slipped inside to take care of himself.

When Jace was finished he trotted back to the bathroom. \"You finisheHe sHe slipped inside and reached for a towel to hold under the sink. \"We\'ll have to get the sheets dry-cleaned again,\" he chuckled as he began to clean himself off.

\"We should start keeping a pile of towels near the bed,\" he replied, already cleaning himself off. \"Or....\" Ryuichi glanced at him over his shoulder with a grin. \"We could just...always wear a rubbers.\"

Jace frowned thoughtfully. \"Well...we\'re a couple, right?\" He turned back to the sink to hide his shaky grin. \"And we\'re both clean. So why should we wear rubbanywanyway?\"

Ryuichi tossed his towel aside, slipping up behind Jace and hugging him around the shoulders. \"Yes we are,\" he whispered into his ear, slowly trailing his tongue around its outside edge. \"Which means we can have all the messy sex we want.\"

Jace\'s shoulders hunched. \"Maybe I should get you more used to being bottom,\" he chuckled. He leaned back into Ryuichi\'s chest with a sigh. \"But maybe later.\"

Ryuichi sighed, and he leaned against Jace\'s back. He rested his head against the boy\'s shoulder. \"Whatever you want,\" he murmured, nuzzling his throat.

\"Yeah….\" Jace nuzzled the man\'s temple. \"Let\'s go to bed,\" he murmured lazily. \"I\'m really tired.\"

Ryuichi didn\'t let him go at first, keeping him close. //Whatever you want....// \"Okay.\" He finally released his lover, kissing the back of his neck before bouncing away down the hall. \"Time for bed!\" he sang. He leapt onto the bed, bouncing and snuggling up against a pillow. \"Mmm…sleepy.\"

Jace chased after him, remembering the lights along the way before tumbling into bed next to Ryuichi. He wriggled up next to him. \"You\'re...not still upset, right?\" he asked lightly, kissing his cheek, temple, and ear.

\"No,\" he replied immediately, rolling so he could curl up beneath the other. \"Not with you.\" Ryuichi drew him into a more substantial kiss, letting his eyes slip shut.

Jace relaxed with elation, twisting his arms around Ryuichi\'s neck so he could return the kiss with passion. \"Good. I\'m not, either.\" He tugged Ryuichi over him. \"Mm, let\'s sleep all day.\"

Ryuichi settled over his lover, pillowed against his chest. \"Okay,\" he murmured. //Just....// He nuzzled closer. //Don\'t do this again. Don\'t...pull away.//

Jace hugged him tightly. He could feel there was something almost too sentimental in how Ryuichi moved against him, and he knew he was probably still uncertain. \"Ryu.\" He kissed his temple. \"I love you,\" he assured him softly.

Sighing quietly, he rubbed lightly at Jace\'s shoulder. \"I love you,\" he echoed in a whisper. Ryuichi smiled. \"::I love you,::\" he repeated in Japanese.

Jace felt his cheeks warm. //I remember that. I looked that up, too.// Grinning childishly, he turned his lips against Ryuichi\'s ear. \"::I love you more.::\"

Ryuichi shivered, and he pushed himself up onto his elbows to deliver a deep, sincere kiss. \"You\'re gonna turn me on again,\" he whispered between them. \"Speaking like that.\"

\"Was it all right?\" Jace asked excitedly, touching his face. \"I mean, did I say it okay?\"

\"Just perfect,\" he replied. Grinning, he touched their foreheads together. \"::When we wake up, I\'m going to make love to you until you pass out.::\"

\"I don\'t know if I got all that,\" Jace laughed, \"but I think I like it.\" He relaxed back into the mattress and pulled Ryuichi with him. \"::Sleepy.::\"

Ryuichi settled again, but his throat closed so that he couldn\'t reply. //Why does it feel like I\'m the younger of us?// Snatching the blankets, he pulled them up to his ears. \"::Good night.::\"


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The End