* Standard disclaimers apply. All main characters belong to Inoue-san.

Air

Hanamichi's arm swung forward, his eyelids fluttered open as his senses told him that something or someone was missing. It took a while for his eyes to adjust to the dimness of the room.

"Kaede…?"

His voice softly called the name but there was no response. Frowning slightly, he again grunted and sat up. Slowly looking around the room he made sure that the person he sought was not in it before finally standing up and carefully fixing his loose pajama bottom. Padding silently he went to the next room where his lover usually went to for some profound contemplations. Hanamichi hesitated for a second before opening the door. Kaede never seemed to mind him intruding on his quiet time.

The other boy was sitting on the broad French window, his face dimly illuminated by the moon outside. Hanamichi took a moment to admire the profile of his beloved: black hair covering the half-lidded intensely blue eyes, straight nose, full lips, and pale skin that seemed to glow in the moonlight. The other boy quickly noticed his presence and looked up.

"Hanamichi? What are you doing up?" he asked in his usual soft voice.

"I missed my favorite pillow," Hanamichi replied cheekily.

The red head moved forward and settled into the enclave made by brunette's reclined body. Keade's arms immediately moved around him as they both looked out of the window.

"What're you doing here?" he asked as he snuggled into a better position.

"Just thinking," was the laconic reply.

"About what?" Hanamichi persisted.

Kaede shrugged. "Life…me…you."

"Uh-hmm…you didn't mention basketball," he observed. "Then again basketball is your life, right?"

Kaede chuckled softly.

"Basketball is a big part of my life, yes," he said. "But I've come to realize that there are more important things in this world."

"Like…?"

"Air."

"Eh?!"

"Air, d'aho," he enunciated as if to a child. "Oxygen. Without it we wouldn't survive."

"I know what it means but—

Kaede tightened his hold on the younger boy to stop his ramblings.

"You're my air Hanamichi," he whispered into the other's ear. "Without you I wouldn't be able to stay alive."

Hanamichi was for once speechless. He stayed quiet, him listening to Kaede's heartbeat and Kaede staring out of the window once again. After some time the stillness was broken by the redhead's soft voice.

"You're my air too, Kaede."