At A Crossroads III - Closing The Window

This is a multi-chapter fanfiction...For the first chapter click here. For the second chapter click here

---

Shion's new apartment is nothing like how Nezumi pictured it. He has thought it would be something akin to his old house in Chronos with the numerous fountains and spacious interior overlooking the large back yard it sat on. But it turns out to be an ordinary looking apartment, only five stories tall with plain, light cream colors that are used in two tones to emphasize the building's elegant lines which refer to no particular architectural style. According to Karan's instructions, Shion's flat is on the second floor to the right. Although this place is quite close to Chronos, it isn't in Chronos and Nezumi wonders why Shion has chosen this place where he could quite possibly have anywhere he wanted with his high position in the Reconstruction Committee. Hell, he could even live in the Moondrop if he wanted to. More than likely he just wanted to be close to Karan but Nezumi thinks that maybe, after everything; Shion simply didn't want a house in Chronos regardless of where his mother lived.

It feels warm inside the apartment. There is an elevator on the left but Nezumi takes the stairs. Standing in front of Shion's flat he pulls out the keys Karan has given him. Feeling slightly nervous although he knows Shion is not, yet, home, Nezumi unlocks the door and pushes it open with a single hand before entering the apartment. There is a small space for shoes and for hanging outwear right behind the door. Nezumi takes his boots off, rids himself of his backpack and enters the flat, looking around at the same time. Hamlet and Cravat are right at his heels, moving slower than usual taking in this foreign place.

Nezumi takes off his scarf and jacket and puts them on a couple of hangers next to a black coat, presumably Shion's, in an inbuilt cupboard on his right in the entrance hall.

The small space opens directly to a relatively spacious living area with a combined kitchen across the room. There are three doors on his right, one of them, the one farthest from him, is slightly ajar while the other two are closed. As he walks inside the living area Nezumi notices that Shion has a beautiful view of a large plantation and the man-made riverbank that separates Chronos from the rest of No.6.

There is an open window at the far left side of the living room facing the kitchen area. The curtains oscillate lazily with the spring wind. Nezumi wonders why it has been left open since he can see a full-fledged air conditioner utility mounted on the wall and a small digital screen next to the inbuilt cupboard to adjust the temperature and humidity inside the entire house.

Nezumi crosses the living space and puts down the basket of pastries Karan has given him on the kitchen counter, and then he wanders around the flat touching the backs of a set of comfortable looking beige seats as he passes them to take a closer look at a collection of pictures aligned neatly on top of an elegantly carved semi-marble mantelpiece. He recognizes Karan in one of the pictures at once. Although her hair much shorter, she has the same kind, gentle smile, holding on to a younger Shion, younger than Nezumi has ever seen him, with dark brown hair and big brown eyes. The little Shion is barely even 8, possibly younger and the defiant look on his face makes Nezumi smile to himself. He notices one of the pictures is relatively new and is of Inukashi with a small, round-faced kid holding on to her hand and a couple of dogs on either side of them, apparently more pleased posing for a camera than Inukashi seems to be. The child must be the one Shion saved from the rubble during the Manhunt 4 years ago. Nezumi can't imagine how Shion convinced the stubborn new-mama for a picture taking as he can see that Inukashi is not happy in it at all. There is also a picture of Safu, young and alive with an old lady by her side. It should be her grandmother considering what Shion has told him. The girl smiles brightly at the camera which was in all probability held by Shion during the taking of this picture. Nezumi can see the love in her eyes even just by looking at it. He can't believe how dense Shion can be for a proven genius.

"I'll take good care of him." Nezumi hears himself speaking to the dead girl. He waits for the sense of embarrassment or disgust with himself for his weakness to crash over him but instead he just feels something close to closure. This was something he had wanted to tell her in the correctional facility but it had only became one of those things in Nezumi's mind that were never said. There was too much confusion then, too many things happening all at once that required them to think, talk and act fast. Shion was a mess and Nezumi was sure he had finally begun to hate Nezumi after seeing his true colors. He had underestimated Shion though. He had always underestimated Shion.

But Safu had never done that. She probably knew Shion better than anyone else. And she was brave enough to talk about her feelings. She had found a way to reach out and save him even after death.

"I promise, Safu." Nezumi mutters. "I'll take good care of him."

Feeling slightly relieved, Nezumi turns around and takes a long sweeping look at the entire living space and kitchen. The flat doesn't feel unfamiliar because every inch of it reflects Shion and his personality, with occasional paper piles here and there, a tiny pet box with cushions against the tall windows which Nezumi suspects to be for Tsukiyo, some text books on the coffee table, the clean dishes left to dry on the dish holder next to the kitchen sink. Pleasantly tidy with those small signs of life.

He suddenly realizes that when he left 4 years ago, Shion had nothing to remind him by. Unlike Nezumi, who had succumbed to the irrational need to take Shion's shirt with him, Shion had nothing solid to hold on to. That's why there wasn't a picture of Nezumi on the mantelpiece, or anything that once belonged to him adorning the place Shion now lived in. Thinking of how much he has needed the mere existence of the shirt, Nezumi feels a crushing sense of guilt and remorse for leaving so abruptly.

But I wasn't leaving… I was running away.

His stomach twists remembering Karan's words… Shion, looking out in the distance at night, trying to hold on to the only thing he had of Nezumi; his memories… and one more time, he hates himself for being so selfish and for expecting Shion to wait for him for so long without hearing a word from him.

Nezumi needs to wash his face and change the course of his thoughts because it is getting dangerously close to his suppressed desire to run out of the door and never came back. He doesn't know how he'll look in Shion's eyes when he comes back. He'd be right to punch him, beat him to a pulp or kick him out and yell him to never show his face again. He would be right and Nezumi would have no excuses or explanations to offer him. There would only be the fact that Nezumi is now here and whatever his coming back means to Shion. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Nezumi walks to the first closed door hoping to find a bathroom behind it but the door opens to a medium-sized study with a half-glass, half-metal desk, lots of filing cabinets and even more paper lying around.

He quietly opens the next door and stands frozen at the threshold, his heart beating fast and hard against his chest. The smell dominates his senses and it is almost unbelievable how much Nezumi truly underestimates Shion.

The entire room is a library with book shelves from wall to wall leaving barely enough space for a couch in the center that looks out at heels. Nezumi recognizes the majority of the collection of books is his own, put away carefully and neatly in their shelves with painstaking order. It must have taken him months, no, years to do this and he hasn't even stopped there. He has searched and found the missing pieces Nezumi had always wanted to add to his collection and has added even some of his own initiative.

Nezumi's books have never been stolen or burned.

Shion has saved them.

Nezumi still can't move. He can't even imagine how Shion managed to carry all these books here from his old hideout in the West Block without anything happening to him. He most likely did it in the first couple of months after Nezumi left, early enough so they wouldn't get stolen to be burned as firewood but how could he have done it with the West Block residents pouring into the city and when there was so much disorder and chaos going on?

Nezumi finally walks to the closest shelf and runs his fingers down the spine of The Happy Prince.

His throat feels tight and his heart is still beating too fast. He spends more than three hours in the library, amongst the books Shion saved for him. Just picking up a book, reading a few passages before putting it away and switching to another one. On top of one of the bookcases, Nezumi spots a rectangular shaped object which somehow looks familiar to him. Pulling it down he discovers it is a keepsake which would be absolutely meaningless to anyone who saw it other than Shion and himself. It's the first aid kit. It is probably the only object on earth that has witnessed the entire course of Nezumi and Shion's relationship from the first day they met eight years ago. An invaluable piece of junk. A solid object to hold on to.

So he did have something… He looks at the entire room filled with books… He had something, just as Nezumi had his shirt.

Nezumi puts it back on the bookcase and sits on the old couch in the middle of the room. There are a couple of hours till sunset and according to Karan, that's around the time Shion gets home if not working on something that demands more of his time. Every time he thinks about Shion returning to his flat, completely unaware that Nezumi is waiting for him, his hands shake and his heart threatens to leap out of his chest.

Nezumi munches on a couple of peach jam scones Karan has included in the basket she gave him and then continues his search for a bathroom. There is only Shion's bedroom with the door left ajar which he hasn't checked so pushes the door all the way back feeling slightly guilty as if he is trespassing His Majesty's private chambers which is ridiculous, considering the fact that they shared a room smaller than this room for months 4 years ago. The bedroom's larger than Shion's study but smaller than the living area. There is a double bed on the left side of the door with its covers left surprisingly messy. A door on the other side of the bed suggests a bathroom's existence and two large glass doors hidden behind burgundy curtains at the far side of the room opposing the bed seem to open to a balcony. Nezumi enters the room aiming for the bathroom, however, he can't help but stop by Shion's bed and touch the bed covers.

So, that's where he sleeps at night.

He sits on his bed, presumably on Shion's side if the mess of the bedding is any cue. He is tired of trying to imagine him; he can already feel a steady headache building up so he just buries his head in his pillow.

The first inhale throws him off balance. His thoughts lose all coherence and consistency. Both his hands close around the pillow in tight fists and he holds his breath, holds Shion's precious scent in his lungs until his entire being craves for more. The second inhale is even sweeter than the first, much stronger, and prominent with Shion's distinctive smell. It is nothing like the ghost of a smell he had been literally consuming off of Shion's shirt in the past 4 years. It is rich, powerful, saturating and… Nezumi sighs with relief… it is the same. It is the same as it has always been.

Nezumi doesn't know how long he lies there, breathing Shion's smell. Hardly managing not to dose off on his bed, Nezumi wills himself to get up and use the bathroom and then he leaves Shion's room. He goes to the entrance hall and hides his boots and backpack so they aren't the first thing Shion sees the moment he walks in the door. If possible, Nezumi wants to take his time before revealing himself.

Walking to the open window, Nezumi pulls aside the curtains and looks outside. The sun is gently rolling down the evening dome, dyeing the west of the globe with bright colors of fire. The temperature is slowly dropping but it is still not chilly enough to bother him. He looks down and sees that climbing up here would actually be considerably easy thanks to a patio below. The mystery of the open window seems to unravel in his mind and Nezumi smiles to himself.

That's so like him, isn't it?

Nezumi stands at the window for a while and watches the sun set. When the evening air starts digging its icy teeth into his skin he pulls back. His whole body is in synch with the time. He can feel Shion coming.

He is almost home.

Nezumi closes the window.

---

"Shion!"

Shion turns around in the parking lot to see one of his co-workers, Anthea-san, calling out to him and from the look of it she has also just left work. Her pregnancy has recently begun to show and she has that brilliant beauty of a becoming-mother simply radiating from her face.

"Would you like a ride?" she asks.

"Oh, no Anthea-san. Thank you so much but I've got my bike with me."

"Are you sure Shion? It's getting chilly."

"Yes, I'm sure. Thank you."

"Anytime. Will you be attending the Memorial Day in two days?"

"Of course. See you there Anthea-san."

"See you Shion! Have a nice weekend!

Then she points her finger at him and adds,

"Be careful on that bicycle now, you always make your mother worry."

Shion chuckles and waves at her before turning around to walk to the bicycle post. Freeing his bike, he jumps on it and starts pedaling down the road to his home.

Tsukiyo chirps excitedly from inside his chest pocket. He has been doing that non-stop since the morning. Shion looks down at him and smiles.

"Hang in there Tsukiyo. Once I cross the riverbank you can jump off and go to Mom's. I'm sure she'll have something delicious prepared for you."

Tsukiyo protests and squirms inside his pocket. Shion asks baffled,

"How can you be THAT hungry when I've fed you two hours ago! I gave half of my lunch to you!"

Tsukiyo only continues to wriggle and chirp every now and then with a shrill squeak.

Shion takes one of his secret shortcuts saved for chilly days like this when he wants to go home quickly. Locking the pedals he lets the bicycle glide down the empty road, adjusting the speed with light squeezes to his rear brake. It really is getting cold but Shion enjoys this. The sense of the wind attacking his skin, rustling through his clothes and shifting around him makes him feel alive. He smiles as he closes his eyes and the memory of the wounded boy with rain drenched clothes greets him, as he does every time.

Nezumi…

His mind's voice cradles the name. Speaking it softly with care and devotion. The name crosses his mind countless times every single day; he sometimes wakes up calling out for him or searching for his warmth in the bed next to him. Even after four years, nothing has changed. He is still the first person Shion thinks about when he sees something beautiful, first person he wants to talk to when he has questions. He wonders where he is, what he is doing, what he eats, drinks, wears and reads. He wonders if he still sings, or recites from classics. Whether he has gotten taller or whether his hair is longer. He could have gotten a haircut too, and Shion thinks he would look just as beautiful if he did.

He wonders if he ever thinks about him.

"Nezumi," Shion sighs.

Tsukiyo squeaks louder, curling, shifting inside his chest pocket. He sounds so desperate Shion feels bad for him.

"Almost there, Tsukiyo. Just a bit longer."

Shion leans over the handlebar and pedals faster. He crosses the pedestrian bridge over the river, finds an unfrequented spot near the bank and pulls on the brakes.

"There, you can go now."

Tsukiyo doesn't jump out off his pocket. He sticks his head out and squeaks again and Shion is left wondering what could be wrong with him.

"You don't want to go to Mom's?"

Chirp, chirp.

"What is your problem then? You've been acting weird since noon."

Chirp, chirp, chirp.

"Want to go home?"

Chirp.

"That's where we were going in the first place. Really Tsukiyo, you are so weird today."

A loud chirp.

Shion pushes himself forward and pedals the rest of the way back home. When he reaches his apartment Tsukiyo jumps out of his pocket and disappears in the rain pipes without waiting for him.

He must be really hungry if he couldn't even wait to go to my Mother's.

Locking his bike at the bicycle post, Shion enters the building and takes the stairs, ignoring the elevator. Ever since 4 years ago, he has a strong distaste for elevators and he avoids them as much as he can even if it means climbing up ten stories at work to get to his office.

Fumbling in his pocket, he pulls out his keys and unlocks his door. He has turned off the auto lights in his apartment because even something as light as Tsukiyo's scurry could set off the motion sensor. Electricity is more valuable now then it was four years ago since the city shares the power it produces with the West Block and Shion believes in conversation.

He enters his flat.

---

Nezumi is at the threshold of Shion's bedroom, leaning into the door frame. He doesn't dare to move an inch and merely listens to Shion move around until finally, he stands in the middle of his living area, illuminated with the gentle glow of the pale pink twilight sky and his eyes fixed on the window Nezumi closed.

His snowy white hair is longer, much longer than it has ever been, tied up in a messy ponytail at the back of his neck. He is wearing a pair of dark grey, washed out jeans and a white sweatshirt over it with his sleeves pulled up to his elbows. He has eyeglasses… rectangular, thin-framed eyeglasses… on and Nezumi can see from his hiding spot that he is frowning behind them.

"How?"

Oh, his voice… it has such a deeper tone than how Nezumi remembers it. A low, deep baritone. Shion slowly walks to the window and checks the window handle. Nezumi knows it is shut tight and Shion looks down at his feet in confusion.

"I'm sure I left it open."

So, I was right. He did leave it open on purpose.

Nezumi's heart beats hard against his chest, half of his being urging him to go forward, take him in his arms and tell him he is back, while the other half fears how he might react to his return. His hands feel slick with sweat. For a single moment he even thinks if he could jump from the balcony in Shion's room and run before Shion sees him. While staring at Shion's back, the things he avoided thinking during the entire journey back to No.6 catches up with him.

What if he rejects him?

What if it is already too late?

Shion seems thoughtful. Nezumi hears the mice wriggle on the bed and gestures them to be quiet. If it wasn't for Tsukiyo suddenly emerging in the middle of the living area Nezumi would be caught by Shion on his couch reading A Midsummer Night's Dream. He has used his most commanding tone to stop the three mice's tearful reunion getting out of control. Now they are huddled close on Shion's bed staring at Nezumi's back with watchful eyes.

"Maybe I'm finally losing my mind." Shion murmurs and there is a distinctive note of sadness in his voice and it is so clear, so submissive it effectively puts an end to Nezumi's internal fight. Moving as soundlessly as ever, Nezumi takes a few steps forward and replies.

"Not really. I closed it."

Shion freezes.

Nezumi is sure Shion can hear his heartbeat, because it is too freaking loud in his ears. Shion's hands start to shake; Nezumi's are no different. He hears him take a tremulous breath and then he slowly turns around to face him. As if he thinks if he turns too fast, the source of the voice will disappear like a mirage.

Shion sees him. His ruby eyes wide under the eyeglasses. A shaking hand rises to his face and Shion takes them off. As his hand helplessly drops to his side, his glasses fall out of his hand and lands almost soundlessly on the carpeted floor.

They stare at each other. Grey into red.

Neither of them moves.

There is nothing to say.

And then Shion moves forward and it could be to hit him, beat him to a pulp or to embrace him but it doesn't matter because Nezumi moves towards him as well. He doesn't think, doesn't calculate, he just moves because it is Shion and Nezumi won't let him take another step in solitude for his sake.

In the blink of an eye Shion is in his arms. Nezumi hears him draw in a hungry breath against his neck the moment Shion's smell fills his lungs. He can't be any closer to him that they are already are but it still feels like they aren't close enough. Shion's arms tighten around his back and Nezumi pulls him to himself.

"Shion…" he breathes and feels the body in his arms shiver. He wants to see his face and look into his eyes but he can't let him go, for the life of him, he can't let him go.

"N-Nezumi…" Shion whispers and without warning, he breaks down. He starts crying on his shoulder, his whole body shaking with sobs he tries to keep under control. Nezumi holds him and with each passing moment it feels like he will never be able to stop.

Trying to breathe through his sobs, Shion clings onto him and yet in a few seconds his legs give away. Nezumi slumps down with him. There is so much agony in his heart he feels like it will kill him. This is what he has done to the boy he owed his life, his heart, his soul, his… everything. Pulling him closer Nezumi finds his ear and whispers,

"I am sorry. Shion… I'm so… sorry."

It shouldn't be possible but hearing him say that makes Shion cry harder. Nezumi pulls away and cups his face in both hands. His brilliant ruby eyes sparkle with tears but he doesn't look away. They stare at each other for a long time, taking in each other's faces. Then Nezumi talks again,

"I.. am really sorry. I… I have no excuses… I… Shion, I'm so sorry."

Shion sniffs and raises a hand to Nezumi's face. Touching his cheek he replies with a thick voice,

"It's okay Nezumi. I understand."

And his eyes are filled with fresh tears. He looks at him the same way he always has, his gaze filled with immeasurable affection.

"I finally understand," he adds and Nezumi realizes he really does. He doesn't need to explain or offer any excuse, because one more time, he thinks bitterly, he had been underestimating Shion and that he truly knows Nezumi better than any other living being in the world. He feels it sting but he accepts it. He has no place to complain about it or no face to run away from the pain when the boy…no… the man in front of him with long white tresses and tear streaked face has gone through so much pain for his sake.

"Your hair is fantastic." Nezumi comments with half a smile. Shion wetly returns it.

"It's getting in the way. I don't know how you managed for so long. And yours is even longer now."

"It does take some expertise." Nezumi replies with another smile brushing his white locks away from his face.

"Did you really come through the window?" Shion asks incredulously, sniffing as he talks. His whole face lights up when Nezumi chuckles.

"No, I've grown out of that old habit of mine. Though I see you still keep your windows open. Such an unhealthy habit I might add, especially now when the Holy City isn't as safe as it used to be."

"I had to. I feel… felt… restless whenever I didn't."

Nezumi notices the change in the tenses. His heart reacts to it in two fast beats.

"Who'd bother climbing up walls when I have keys." he replies with a smirk.

Shion's mouth falls open.

"Keys? How do you have key- Oh…" understanding shows in his eyes.

"You went to Mom's bakery first." he determines.

"Positive. She fed me her pastry and insisted I take the keys and make myself at home until Your Highness returned to his grounds."

Shion's hands tighten around Nezumi's and he looks up into his silvery grey eyes.

"When did you come?"

"I entered the city around noon. Came to your house a couple of hours after that."

Shion looks down.

"You have been here for hours and I didn't even know."

Nezumi hooks a finger under his chin and makes him meet his gaze.

"I specifically asked your mother to not tell you. I wanted to surprise you."

Shion wipes the last traces of his tears and smiles.

"That, you did splendidly."

But his smile fades quickly. He looks down again at their entwined hands. Nezumi can tell there is something on his mind that bothers him.

"Shion…"

He looks up at him and Nezumi sees more sadness in his eyes.

Why?

Wasn't he supposed to be happy? Isn't this what he wanted?

Did I say something wrong?

…

Is it really… too late?


Nezumi's chest aches.

"What is it, Shion?"

Shion tries to smile at him but the smile breaks half-way. Nezumi's heart picks up in fear. Whatever Shion is thinking, it makes him grimace. He seems unable to look into Nezumi's eyes but he forces himself to do so. He asks slowly with an agonized voice,

"How-how long… will you-" he can't finish because his lips are sealed shut with Nezumi's. Shion breathes out in surprise and both his hands rise to lock around Nezumi's wrists as he holds Shion's face and kisses him deeply on the lips. It is nothing like the quick peck Shion had given him four years ago in disguise of an innocent goodnight wish, it isn't even like the first real kiss Shion has ever had, again from Nezumi, before its owner had turned around and left him standing on a hill. Nezumi feels it is almost desperate… hungry… demanding… it is ethereal. He tilts his head for a better angle and his tongue touches lightly against Shion's lips. His abdomen twists and something deep in the core of his body awakens when Shion parts his lips and suddenly his taste, his sweet, delicious taste floods into Nezumi's mouth. Shion breathes hard through his nose and a moan escapes between their pressed lips. It is Shion's. Nezumi feels his voice resonate over his own tongue and then Shion grabs the front of Nezumi's shirt and pulls him closer, seeming unable to hold himself back. Nezumi leans in though, gratefully obeying his direction and his tongue dives deep inside Shion's mouth. There is so much in the kiss, so much more than mere skill and that makes it painfully beautiful. Shion's hands shake holding onto Nezumi's shirt. His taste sets his every nerve ablaze, every single cell screams for more. They are so close; Nezumi can feel his heart beating very fast against his chest. Under Shion's palm, his own heart beats almost as fast as Shion's and that simple fact sends a shiver down his spine. Nezumi's hands make their way into Shion's hair, undoing the loose ponytail. He runs his fingers through the silky locks of curious white as his mouth moves with a sensual rhythm over Shion's. Holding his head securely in his hands, Nezumi finally pulls back with an inhale when their need for air temporarily beats their need for each other's lips.

Nezumi can feel Shion's jagged breathing ghost over his own lips as they sit on the floor facing each other with their foreheads touching. He looks at Shion to find that his eyes are still closed, his hands still holding on to his shirt. His skin glows in the dim light. Long, white eyelashes, the pale pink scar, now masculine features, but still beautiful, gentle lines… His looks exquisite. Nezumi's calming heart picks up again just by being so close to him.

Leaning in, Nezumi kisses him one more time. Slower, softer this time. Beginning like the touch of a feather and gradually melting into something more immersed. When Nezumi pulls back, Shion's head involuntarily follows his retreating lips. A smile spreads across Nezumi's face when Shion's eyes open and he stares at him with wonder in his eyes.

It's the same look he had given him when they were dancing four years ago… The same look he had given him in his dream. Nezumi brushes Shion's reddened bottom lip with his thumb and whispers.

"I am surprised."

Shion's crimson eyes hold his luminescent gaze.

"About what?"

Nezumi smiles again.

"You haven't asked what the kiss meant."

Shion's answering smile is almost proud.

"I already know what it means."

Nezumi's heart skips a beat.

"Do you, now?"

"Yes."

"What does it mean then?"

Shion raises his face slightly and looks directly into Nezumi's eyes. They barely have an inch between their faces. Shion leans in and his velvety lips graze over Nezumi's. His directness causes a stir in the inner most parts of Nezumi's being. He answers Shion's kiss but Shion pulls back after a moment, stares into his eyes and smiles with such warmth Nezumi thinks he can feel the heat radiate.

"It means you will stay." Shion says. And he looks so happy, so overly blissful, for a single moment Nezumi hates himself for ever wanting to run away from this.

"Are you hungry?" Shion asks out of the blue.

Nezumi chuckles.

"Hardly. Your mother thinks I am starving all the time because of my past with malnutrition. I probably gained five pounds since this morning."

"You still look dazzling."

"Why, thank you Your Grace." Nezumi replies coyly.

"Nezumi?"

"Mmm?"

"The shirt you are wearing… is that mine?"

Nezumi feels his blood boil and ascend to his face, he tries his best to act nonchalant but he knows he is caught. It is truly unforgiveable that he didn't think of taking the shirt off before Shion came.

"What makes you think that? These are very common."

Shion smiles at him.

"Well for one, you never wear buttoned up shirts. You think they are too restricting."

Nezumi raises an eyebrow as if that doesn't prove anything.

"And two, one of my shirts was missing from your place when I went back there to gather some things."

"You mean the books." Nezumi corrects, feeling all too grateful for the chance to change the subject.

Shion is surprised.

"You know about them?"

"I have been in your house for hours. Of course I know about the books. Actually, now that you mention it…"

Nezumi leans in again holding Shion's face with his hand. He gazes into his brilliant red eyes wide with surprise and speaks with a low voice which he hopes to hide the actual depth of his feelings.

"… Let me show you what a 'Thank You' kiss is like."

And for the next five minutes Nezumi shows Shion how truly grateful he is to him for saving his books. When Nezumi finally pulls him up to his feet, Shion sways on spot with obvious dizziness.

Nezumi chuckles to himself as he keeps a firm grip on Shion's arms to prevent him from falling over his face. Shion chuckles with him then he suddenly looks up at Nezumi as if he just remembered something.

"Nezumi, where are Hamlet, Cravat and Tsukiyo?"

"In the bedroom. They are quietly waiting for their favorite Book Reader to pay attention to them. "

"Let's not keep them waiting any longer then." Then he speaks up. "Lights, on."

Suddenly the living area + the kitchen is illuminated with a soft light coming from behind the crown moldings at the ceiling.

Nezumi is met with Shion's steady gaze when he looks at him. There is a strange expression on his face, something close to amusement and appreciation.

"It looks really good on you."

Nezumi asks baffled,

"What does?"

Shion's grin widens. He leans in to give him a quick kiss and mutters with absolute joy,

"My shirt."

"Don't make me reconsider my decision to stay." Nezumi threatens. But Shion only smiles wider and replies happily,

"You are not going to leave."

"What makes you so certain of it, Your Royal Assuredness?

Shion's brilliant ruby eyes sparkle with bliss as he stares into Nezumi's eyes and replies smiling,

"Because you closed the window."

---