But that wasn’t the thing that was bothering him.

What was bothering Ryo was the fact that if he was right he would have to deal with a man for four more days that, even if subtly, had a ‘thing’ for him. How the hell was he going to survive Dee?! His conscience spoke up laughing at Ryo’s attempts to force away the truth. Ryo actually slammed on his brakes then, forcing the gear shift into park with violent force, angry that his own mind would work against him. He was trying to protect himself, his virtue and manhood. Or at least that is what he desperately wanted to believe. Ryo was not about to give into his feelings and thoughts, he was not going to give his mind a chance to go there. Ryo frowned as he found he couldn’t stop the thoughts from seeping in anyway. And they came slowly, but with so much force it caused him to groan. Ryo realized that the thought of Dee liking him wasn’t as horrible as he was trying to make himself believe it was. In fact, he grudgingly admitted that he had found Dee attractive for a while and that he definitely felt a stirring of something when Dee had kissed his cheek. Ryo groaned, but he really really didn’t want to go there. He didn’t mind being friends, but if he could hold his thoughts at bay and Dee for that matter, then he should be fine. After four days he wouldn’t have to see Dee again. The man would model for him and then-Ryo slammed his hand on the steering wheel. With a growl of frustration he picked up his cell phone from it’s place in the cup holder and grumbling cursed himself. How could he let a little dinner and conversation over ride the need to fulfill an assignment. Lifting his hips Ryo dug in his pocket and pulled out the business card and dialing the number waited for Dee’s phone to ring.

“ ‘Yellow?”

“ Hello Dee,” Ryo couldn’t help but smile.

“ Ahh...so you’re missin’ me already,” Dee was undoubtedly smiling as well, the joy was evident in his voice, “ I mean, I know I’m charming, but damn, that was quick.”

Ryo rolled his eyes, “ Will you shut it,” he let out a little laugh, “ I need to turn in a picture tomorrow and I know it’s late, but if we could, maybe meet somewhere?”

“ I’m on my stoop now though,” Dee whined playfully then suddenly his tone lightened, “Hey, you still driving? I can give you directions!”

“ Ummm,” Ryo wasn’t sure if stepping in the private home of the man who was arousing such uncertain thoughts was a good idea.

“ Great!” Dee didn’t give Ryo the chance to answer and he began spouting off street names and landmarks and Ryo found that he had put the car back into drive and was turning around.

Ryo walked through the door, the building was an older model, but very well kept and Ryo had the feeling that the landlord bought this building more in the hopes of restoring it than just to make money. The elevators still worked so Ryo pressed the button, a brass thing that looked like type writer keys from a model of the 1950s, and rode the car to floor seven, the last floor of the building . Stepping off the elevator Ryo found Dee’s door easily. Ryo hesitated for a moment before lifting his fist and knocking. He heard a soft whisper telling him the door was open.

Ryo stepped in to find a well furnished apartment, though small, with Dee sitting on his Victorian era sofa. He had only bothered taking off his trench and he was sitting with his face buried in his palms. He hadn’t bothered turning on the light and Ryo could feel the sorrow in the room. Ryo stiffened, he hadn’t chosen a word yet, but as it would seem one would be provided for him.

“ Dee...?”

“ Check the messages...” Dee spoke and the sounds were muffled slightly by his hands.

Ryo turned and saw that on the island separating the living area from the kitchen was an answering machine and a house phone. Ryo walked over to the machine, but before he pressed the button he looked back at Dee with warm compassion. Ryo pressed the button and listened to the message:

/Hey there Laytner this is Sara...sorry to be the one, but we are going to have to let you go. We have more man power than business and...so...you understand. Right? I hate to do it this way, but what would be the point of you getting dressed and coming into work right?/

Ryo cringed a bit at the little laugh Sara gave. She really did think she was helping Dee by firing him over the phone.

/Yeah, so...that’s it I guess. Umm, good luck!/

Ryo pursed his lips and tried to think of something to say, when he thought he had the words he turned his attentions to Dee. Dee was still slumped over, but this time only his right hand remained on his face and with the fingers splayed he was looking at Ryo with saddened eyes.

“ What am I to do now? I have rent and tuition and...” Dee closed his eyes and sighed loudly, “ Fuckers.”

Ryo went to go to him, try and tell him everything would be alright, but the sight of a broken Dee was compelling. Dee always exuded a fiery personality full of confidence and quick wit. It seemed almost wrong for anyone, rather it be powerful authority or some college chick named Sara, to interrupt his happiness and temporarily break his resolve. Ryo was almost angry, but his eyes wouldn’t let his emotions move too far from amazement.

Dee, in the darkness of the room, was a sight to behold. What little luminance the moon projected through the window cast striking contrasts of shadow and light that played in the dark tresses of his hair. His hands, long fingers that held his face in a defeated embrace looked soft and almost sensual in the dim room. Again Dee was unknowingly showing the full extent of his beauty.

Ryo lifted the camera and adjusting the zoom he snapped a photo that he knew would turn out just as artistic and wonderful as the one taken at the coffee shop. The flash blinded the two men briefly and when their eyesight returned to them Dee was glaring at Ryo.

“ Damn man I thought I was supposed to be your model?!” Dee’s volume had risen some, “ Aren’t I supposed to pose for you? You just can’t sneak up on me!”

“ I...I’m sorry...it’s just that...” Ryo’s eyes had gotten wide during Dee’s outburst and now he felt ashamed. Dee had lost his job and all he could do was take pictures. Some friend he was. Ryo frowned suddenly. Acquaintance, he meant acquaintance, “ I’m...damn. Here look, just take it.”

Dee looked at Ryo quizzically as the blonde thrust the camera in his direction. The action, though small was so illogical that Dee’s lips formed an amused smirk, “ The whole thing? You’re giving me your camera?” Dee leaned back and ran a hand through his hair, “ Man, I must be charming.”

Ryo blushed slightly after hearing Dee’s words. He was so caught up in easing Dee’s anger that he hadn’t thought through his actions. He just knew he had a photo Dee didn’t want him to have and he wanted to please Dee by getting rid of it as quicky as he could.

Dee chuckled, “ You needed a picture of me right?” he watched as Ryo nodded, “ I’m not really in the mood to pose right now anyway...so, just keep it,” Dee looked up at Ryo with a weak smile, “ Hope it gets you an ‘A’.”

Ryo nodded again somewhat uncomfortable now, then whispered, “ I think I should go...”

Dee frowned, “ Why? What’s the rush?”

“ I just thought maybe you...”

“ I’m not mad anymore,” Dee stood, “ I wasn’t even mad at you. So stay okay.”

Ryo smiled finally, Dee’s words having a calming effect. Ryo turned towards the kitchen and speaking over his shoulder as he walked asked, “ Coffee?”

“ Sure, thanks,” Dee watched as Ryo walked up to the counter and began scooping the coffee grounds into the filter.

As Ryo worked he had the strange feeling that his coffee may not be up to par with a pot made by a man who worked at a coffee shop. Ryo chuckled to himself he was sure Dee wasn’t up to brewing four cups anyway.

Dee spoke from the living room, “ You sure are trusting. Walking into a strange man’s home in the dead of night.”

Ryo scoffed, “ I’m a big boy Dee. I can defend myself.”

Stealthfully Dee crossed the space between them, the scent of his cologne the only thing that gave him away as he stepped up behind Ryo. Ryo held his breath as Dee’s strong arm wrapped around his waist, squeezing slightly. Ryo felt himself being pulled back, his body molding to the one behind him. Dee’s warm breath tickled his ear as the dark haired man lowered his tone to a seductive whisper and challenged:

“ What if you don’t want to?”

Ryo felt his body involuntarily shudder at the suggestive remark, but before he could speak Dee had released him. He watched as Dee walked to the farthest cupboards.

Dee opened the thinnest door and spoke to Ryo as though he hadn’t just touched him and whispered gently in his ear, “ You never would have found the mugs, I keep them way over here,” Dee pulled out two mismatched cups, “ And before you ask, no I don’t know why.”

Ryo smiled and nodded, deciding he would mess with Dee a bit, “ So can I ask you something...well, personal?”

Dee glanced over his shoulder quickly before making his way over to the sink. He began to rinse off the mugs, “ Sure, what ya got?”

Ryo couldn’t hold in his grin, “ Why on earth would you put the mugs way the hell over there?”

Dee twisted his arm and flung some water out of one of the mugs in Ryo’s direction. Ryo dodged, but still got a few sprinkles. Ryo laughed as Dee looked at him with a raised brow. The coffee was done brewing now and Ryo motioned for the cups. Dee handed them over and as Ryo poured the beverage Dee pulled the creamer and sugar from the cupboard.

Ryo took a spoon of creamer, but no sugar and Dee took his black. They walked back into Dee’s living room and sitting on the velvet pink sofa sipped quietly for some time. Ryo finally spoke, turning his head to look at Dee.

“ Is this sofa a family heirloom?”

“ No,” Dee placed his cup on the coffee table, also an antique, “ It belonged to the previous tenant. She was a young girl and had gotten the furniture from her family, however, now that she was moving she wanted to start over with her own style. Since I had no furniture I bought it off of her,” Dee leaned back and looked thoughtfully at Ryo.

“ What?” Ryo noticed the gaze and sitting his cup beside Dee’s stared back.

“ Have you ever thought of becoming a professional photographer?”

Ryo shook his head, “ No. Not really. I love doing it, but I have never thought of pursuing it as a career. It is just a hobby of mine. That and reading. Without those I would go nuts.”

Dee smiled at him softly, “ Would you ever model for anyone?”

“ A friend, yes. Maybe a world renowned photographer.”

“ What work would you be willing to pose for?”

Ryo shrugged, “ Anything artistic. Something I would enjoy and feel comfortable with.”

Dee nodded his understanding, “ So nude modeling would be off limits?”

Ryo could feel the blush creep to his cheeks and he hoped the dim light of the room hid it, “ Yes, I couldn’t just be nude around anyone.”

“ What about me?” Dee was smirking.

Ryo pursed his lips, “ Now you are just being crude. I barely know you.”

Dee shrugged, “ I would strip for you.”

Ryo wasn’t sure where this conversation was going now, but he was certain of the images that last comment conjured. Dee naked was a thought that Ryo’s body seemed to find intriguing because it warmed immediately. Ryo was grateful that a hot flush and a faster than normal heart beat was his only reactions. He didn’t think he would be able to hide a more intense reaction nor did he think he could explain it. Never the less, Ryo wanted to end this line of questioning before it came to that.

Ryo opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by Dee. The emerald eyed man was looking at Ryo with such feral intensity that Ryo’s breath caught. When Dee spoke he didn’t bother hiding his emotion, “ I found you attractive the first moment you walked through the door of that damned coffee house.”

Ryo’s lips parted in surprise, “ I...thank you.”

Dee smirked and slid closer to Ryo, “ It wasn’t a compliment. I was merely stating fact,” Dee lowered his head some then looked up at Ryo between dark strands of shiny hair. The effect was alluring and sexy and Ryo forced himself to take a deep breath.

Dee continued, his fingertips ghosted over Ryo’s thigh, “ What would you do?”

“ If what?” Ryo mentally kicked himself for his voice was weak and a bit breathless.

Dee slid even closer now their legs were touching. He placed his palm fully on Ryo’s leg, but applied no pressure. His voice was a soothing whisper when he spoke, his warmth enveloping Ryo’s senses.

“ If I undressed for you?”

Ryo took in a breath so fast that he hiccupped, but he gained back his composure quickly to answer. He was proud that his voice was steady, even if his heart was not, “ I would leave you to enjoy your nakedness alone.”

Dee chuckled, amused at Ryo’s defiant tone. He leaned in even farther, closer until his lips touched the blonde’s, “ You are a horrible liar.”

Ryo’s felt his eyelids flutter close at the close proximity and he whispered, shuddering at the feel of Dee’s lips against his own, “ I am not...”

“ Oh really,” Dee let his own eye lids close, “ This is much more dangerous than a nude man.”

Ryo let his curiosity ask the question, “ How so?”

“ I could claim your soul with just one kiss.”

Ryo’s eyes flew open at those words, breaking the contact by leaning as far back on his palms as he could. When Ryo noticed that Dee didn’t seem offended, let alone deterred with this action Ryo quickly got to his feet, “ I think I need to go Dee.”

Dee stood and crossing his arms smiled, “ Well then I guess I will see you next time.”

Ryo gave a curt nod then quickly turned and made his way for the door. Dee cleared his throat in a way that signaled Ryo’s attention. Ryo turned taking a deep breath as he did so.

Dee pointed to the island, “ Your camera.”

Ryo’s eyes got wide at the thought of almost leaving it here. He rushed over and snatched it up, mumbling his thanks.

“ You need a coat.”

“ No thank you Dee.”

“ It wasn’t a question,” there was a smirk back on those lips.

Ryo looked back at Dee and noticed were his emeralds had landed. Ryo blushed a vibrant shade of red and unconsciously placed the camera in front of his groin then with a voice that held tinges of embarrassment, anger, and (if Dee dared hope) desire came the retort, “ No thank you Dee!” then Ryo was out of the apartment, rushing for the elevator.