It has been two days since Melaena had came into the flower shop and ruined a perfectly good day. Since then Aya had reverted back into his quiet, jackass persona and had refused to talk with Yohji in the ways they used to talk with one another. Even now, as the two ate lunch together, Aya was so quiet that if it wasn’t for the fact that Yohji could see a shock of red hair in his peripheral vision, he would have thought he was eating alone. Yohji groaned then stood up, Aya was aware of him walking over to the trash and disposing of his lunch. Aya scowled, Yohji hadn’t touched his sandwich. Aya watched Yohji walk away, but said nothing. It wasn’t because he didn’t want to, he just didn’t know how.

Aya felt at a total loss as to how to interact with Yohji now. He had found Melaena’s claim ridiculous when he had heard it and that was why he had chose to ignore it. Aya was taken aback, however, when Yohji admitted to it. He really didn’t know how to react so he had chose to ignore that too. Until Yohji had said that he wasn’t his type. Aya hated to admit it, but the statement had irritated him. He felt insulted and he was mad at himself for it. Why on earth should he care if the womanizing Yohji found him suitable for chase? He shouldn’t, but the fact remained that he did, and Aya was afraid that if he opened his mouth and became friendly again that Yohji would pick up on that. Yohji seemed like a carefree slacker and, let’s not fool ourselves, at times he was, but he is an ex P.I. and therefore a pretty observant person. It was just easier to act as though the whole thing never happened.

Aya was so deep in thought that he didn’t notice that Yohji’s footsteps hadn’t gotten farther than the door, so when Yohji spoke he jumped a bit.

" Do you not miss our friendship Aya?" Yohji asked from the other side of the doorframe and therefore could not be seen by Aya. His voice was soft and the tone held an underlining sadness.

Aya dropped his head and sighed, " Yes."

" Then..." Yohji ran his hand through his hair, " I mean...I’m sorry."

Before Aya could reply he heard Yohji’s footsteps receding from the kitchen door.

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The afternoon was just as quiet as the morn and being a Monday, the slowest day in the week, didn’t help matters. The day seemed to drag and Yohji thought he would pass out from the boredom of it all and on top of that he found the quietness only made it easier to think about his feelings. He hated that he hurt Aya and he felt that he needed to make it up to him. However, the most disturbing thing to him was he still found himself thinking about Aya at the most inappropriate times. At the club, at work, on dates, in the shower. Yohji was even starting to have dreams about his crimson haired leader...and none of them were mission related.

The bells to the flower shop tingled and both men looked toward the door.

Melaena stepped in, tight leather pants and tank, she stopped in the middle of the shop and taking off her overly large sunglasses, tilted her head back and stared down her nose at Aya.

" Looks like I am going to need that arrangement after all," her husky voice sounded tired.

Aya nodded, " There is some paperwork you will need to fill out," he bent down and retrieved a clip board and a pen from under his aluminum work table.

She stalked over and leaning on the table begin filling out the paperwork. Aya spoke softly asking her if she had other flowers in mind other than just the Birds of Paradise.

As Aya and Melaena talked and went over the paperwork Yohji took the time to compare the two. He was still a bit awestruck with Melaena’s beauty. She was the epitome of femininity: classic hourglass curves and pouty lips. Long hair and soft hazel eyes. Gorgeous in every since of the word. On the other hand, Aya was quite beautiful in his own right. His tall, lean, graceful structure served a wonderful contrast to his physical strength and power. His violet eyes, a color mostly associated with women, did nothing to take away from his masculinity and in an odd way actually enhanced it. He was quiet and mysterious, intelligent and sometimes cruel. Aya was a force all his own, he commanded any room he stepped foot in and the sexy leader had no idea. Had no idea just how much is presence intimidated, frightened, and inspired. Yohji stared wide eyed, Shit! Have I always held this impression of him?

Aya spoke, " That is all the information I need. It will be ready at the time and day you require."

Melaena nodded, " Thank you Aya," she stepped toward the wall that held individual steams of various flowers all bundled in plastic green vases, " Yellow rose...that means friendship right?"

Aya nodded, " Correct."

Melaena ran her fingers gently over the canary petals, " Aya, could you help me find the most spectacular rose of this group. I want the most perfect one. The most beautiful."

Aya sighed then stepped from behind the work table making his way over to the roses. Standing beside Melaena his eyes roamed over the flowers and finally his long fingers gently removed a stunning rose. It’s petals were fully open and the color was pure and bright. Aya handed over the rose and walked back to the work table.

Melaena smiled and walked over to the register. She waited silently as Yohji took her payment then proceeded to wrap the rose in soft green paper. He handed the flower over slowly and watched as Melaena took it. She looked at it almost reverently before she handed it back to Yohji. She smiled then reached across the counter and placed a smooth hand against his cheek.

" He’s beautiful...your Aya," Melaena smiled gently, " Have no regrets Yohji. Not a one."

She replaced her sunglasses and waving left the store. Yohji looked down at his rose and smiled.

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The two men stared at each other in the darkened kitchen, the only light being the one over the stove. One man sat, a brow raised over amethyst eyes in question. The other one standing, a wild look in his emerald eyes.

Aya spoke first, " What?" the question was asked in a deadpan tone.

" I did it again."

Aya frowned, " What!" the surprise was quite clear in his voice, " During sex. Again?"

Yohji nodded, " That’s what I said." He made his way over to the kitchen table and placed his hands on the top. Leaning over he hung his head and chuckled slightly, " You just won’t leave my mind. Motherfucker."

Aya snorted, " Get over it."

Yohji’s head snapped up, " I’ve tried. By god I’ve tried." He pushed himself off and walked around to Aya’s side, " This is torture. You are killing me."

Aya shook his head, " No, not me. Whatever vision of me that is in your head. That’s the Aya that is killing you. Not me. I have nothing to do with you nor the way you think."

Yohji leaned forward, his lanky form towering over the seated Aya, " This isn’t just some deluded version of you. My thoughts revolve around memories. Not fantasies." Yohji leaned closer, his face just inches from Aya’s " And I want to know why."

Aya scowled, " How the hell should I know!" He raised his hands in order to push Yohji away, but they were caught at the wrist and he was yanked forward.

Aya’s eyes were wide when his lips crashed into Yohji’s. The kiss was crude and totally unromantic and when Aya began to feel Yohji’s tongue roaming over his lips his anger flared. Aya bit down on Yohji’s bottom lip and held on until he noticed the coppery taste of blood. He released him and as Yohji’s hand went up to touch his lip Aya stood and pushed the blond away.

" Damn you Yohji!" Aya wiped his lips with the back of his hand, " Don’t you dare try that again!"

" Aren’t you curious?" Yohji spoke even though his lip still bled, " Don’t you want to know why I keep feeling this way?"

" No. Not in the slightest," Aya sat back down at the table and sipped his tea.

" Liar." Yohji glared at his teammate and waited for a reaction. When he received none he spoke again, " You are lying Aya." Yohji smirked, " Your cock is hard."

Aya slammed his cup down with so much force that it cracked. He turned his head to Yohji, ignoring the heat of the tea that was now seeping onto his hand, " Why does it matter!" His eyes had grown dark losing almost all evidence of the violet, " You said yourself I’m not your type. Besides isn’t that the reason you so abhor the idea in the first place."

" Listen, I am quite aware of the little branch on your tree," Yohji kept his smirk, " but for some reason my mind doesn’t seem to care. So I thought–"

" What? That you would experiment?" Aya shook his head, " No, not with me. Find another man to test the waters with."

Yohji sighed, " God, I didn’t mean for it to sound like that Aya."

Aya looked down at the broken cup, most of the tea was on the table now, " What you meant means nothing."

" Aya..."

" Shut-up." Aya looked up at Yohji, " I’ve had enough." his eyes narrowed and he spoke the words with clenched teeth.

Yohji sighed then ran his hand through his hair, " You are being stubborn. You should let me explain the way I feel. You are right, you would be the first man I have ever considered..."

Aya leaned back in his chair, his way of saying I’m listening, but more than likely won’t respond. Yohji still found hope in that gesture and continued to talk.

" I would be testing the waters, but not for the reasons you think. I really am attracted to you. Who you are..." Yohji dropped his head, he never felt more vulnerable in his life, " How you make me feel. I do want to test the waters, but not in a sexual way. I just want to be with you." There was a pause, " I think."

Aya gave one of his rare smiles, "You think?"

Yohji looked up and upon seeing that smile knew that they were back on friendly terms, "Yeah,"

Aya stood, " That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard."

" Well, it is true," Yohji stepped closer to Aya.

Aya nodded, " Whatever, I’m going to bed." he side stepped past Yohji and walked out of the kitchen.

Yohji yelled after him, " So, what do we do now?"

Aya stopped, " What do you want?"

" I want to be with you."

Aya turned, his face couldn’t be seen in the darkness of the living room, " So be it."

Yohji watched as Aya walked away and made his way to the stairs. So be it? So be it! What the hell have I gotten myself into? I’m...I’m Aya’s...Oh, shit! I’m Aya’s boyfriend!