Guren hummed softly to himself as he tapped a stack of papers against his desk, aligning the edges properly before placing them in a neat pile on the side. That's what I'm supposed to do…right? He sighed. I'm tired of acting interested in this shit. I'm really not cut out for this. Suddenly his office door slammed open.

"Ta-da!" he heard a familiar voice call out, glancing up to see Shinya smiling in the doorway. "I have come to alleviate your boredom!"

Guren let out an exasperated snort. "My boredom is something I can deal with, as long as I get this paperwork done. You're the one distracting me now."

"Aw, don't be like that," the silver-haired male closed the door behind him as he walked over to Guren's desk, leaning over the edge to look at the paper stack. "Wow, you look organized, though."

"Is it fooling you?" Guren pushed his hair out of his face. "I was hoping it'd fool me, too."

"Geez, Guren, lighten up. We all have paperwork." Guren could hear it in Shinya's voice, knowing that if he dared to look up he would be pinned by those electric blue eyes and that sweet innocent smile.

"Get out, Shinya," Guren mumbled at the paper he was supposed to be reading. The words sort of swam across the page as he let his eyes go in and out of focus. Suddenly a hand clapped down on his shoulder, and he jumped, spinning to glare defensively at Shinya.

"Whoa, whoa, edgy!" Shinya laughed, "But hey, I'm not getting driven away that easily! I like to think of myself as a bothersome dog, always following his master around—whether I'm welcome or not."

"Well, you're not welcome, you mangy mutt," Guren growled, "Seriously, I have work to do. Get out."

"Maybe, if you didn't leave it until the last minute, I would have some sympathy for you," Shinya seemed to sing his words, which Guren never seemed to be able to figure out. There was just some sort of unexplainable melody behind everything the silver-haired man said, everything he did, every move he made.

"So," Guren sighed, putting down the papers, "Why are you here again?"

"Why, to keep you company, of course!" Shinya smiled, and for some reason Guren felt his heart twist in his chest, constricted by some unknown emotion. Wait, no, I know this feeling. I've felt it before. It's…what is it again?

"Oh, yeah, I was going to bring you coffee," Shinya frowned as Guren looked up hopefully. "But, sorry, I forgot."

"Don't mention it, then!" Guren attempted to swing a fist at him but Shinya lightly stepped aside, that damn smile back again.

"I just wanted to make sure you knew I thought of it. Y'know, 'cause I'm such a good friend and all."

"If you forgot about it anyway, what kind of friend are you now?"

"Touchy, touchy…How long have you been at this, anyway?"

Guren only sighed in response, turning his gaze back to the papers on his desk. Shinya clicked his tongue softly. "Give yourself a break, then. Come on, we'll get coffee together."

Guren looked at the stack he still had to finish, reluctant to leave but at the same time desperate to. "Alright," he easily caved, shoving his chair back as he stood. Shinya laughed a little as he led the way through the door and down the hall.

The halls were mostly empty. Guren hadn't realized how long he'd been working, but it had to be either really late at night or really early in the morning. "Shinya, what time is it?"

"Hm? Oh, it's around…um, I think it was four when I left my room."

"Wait, four in the morning?"

"Mm-hm. You can see why I was worried about you overworking yourself again." Shinya slid his gaze over to Guren, and the raven caught his breath when his eyes met Shinya's. What the hell is with his eyes…

At the end of the hall a familiar figure stood—an annoyingly familiar figure, at that—unmoving, arms crossed like he owned the place. Well, technically…

"Shinya," the man spoke, his voice sharp and authoritative. "Come with me now. It's urgent."

Shinya glared at Kureto, and Guren could almost feel the dislike radiating off the silver-haired man. As much as I despise that damn smile, he looks worse without it. And this guy always seems to make it disappear.

"And what for?" Shinya's voice was flat and even, which for some reason made Guren feel relieved. He'd never seen Shinya fully drop his façade, or act overly cold to anyone—even Kureto.

Kureto's easy gaze immediately turned ice cold. "Do not question me. Follow me, now." He spun on his heel and began walking briskly down the hall.

Shinya looked back at Guren, smiling. Wait, why is my heart speeding up? All he did was smile at me. What the hell is wrong with me?

"Well, it looks like you'll have to buy your own coffee…I'll come back as soon as I'm done with him, ok?"

"Uh-huh," Guren answered blankly, his mind not working for some reason. Shinya gave him a look, realizing he was lost in thought, then quickly sped after Kureto.

Guren watched him leave, counted in his head the rhythm of Shinya's steps, watching the way he moved smoothly and easily. Why am I so fascinated by him? Guren shook his head, shaking the hair into his eyes. With a sigh, he headed down the other hall, back to his office. Forget coffee. His visits energize me enough as it is. Guren placed a hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat. This is so familiar…what is it?

"Oh," Guren didn't realize he spoke out loud until the sound reached his own ears. He didn't realize he'd stopped until the wall was against his shoulder. He didn't realize he'd slid to the ground until he was already there, arms automatically clasping around his knees. "So that's what it is." It can't be…How did I…? When did I…? "How can I love him?"

Kureto was taking his time, walking through hall after hall with Shinya trailing behind, waiting impatiently for the conversation to start. "So?" the silver-haired man eventually prompted, "What was so urgent that you needed to talk to me about?"

Kureto continued to walk straight, watching Shinya out of the corner of his eye. "It's actually about Guren."

"Yeah?" Shinya immediately felt his defenses go up, could almost see the extra fire in his own eyes.

"Well, frankly, I don't like him. He doesn't like me. And—"

"This is old news," Shinya interrupted. "Where is this going?"

Kureto stopped, turning to face Shinya fully. "Shinya, I don't like your relationship with him. End it immediately. It's starting to affect your work."

"Wh-what?" Shinya stepped back reflexively. "What are you talking about? Nothing's affecting my work."

"Oh, really?" Kureto's eyes were chips of flaming ice. "So you always stay up at four in the morning? You've been doing this for the past couple weeks—don't think I've overlooked it. And you're getting into even more trouble with the higher-ups by constantly trying to cover for Guren after meetings. I can tell you're not your usual self anymore. End it now, and you can go unpunished."

"No," Shinya declared, glaring right back at his brother. "I've decided that it's not affecting my work, and I've decided that I like to do it. Stop trying to order me around."

Kureto smiled down at him—actually smiled, the edge of his mouth curling up into that terrifying smirk he always sported when he knew he was about to win. "Face it, Shinya." His voice was a whisper now, which was all the more terrifying. "With him around, you'll never get anything done. You know it's true. You also know that I know what you're hiding."

"And what would I be hiding?" Even as he said it, he felt his heart flutter nervously. There's no way he has anything against me. I have nothing to hide. Right…?

"You—" Kureto's voice got quieter with each word, "Love—" he leaned in and breathed, "Guren."

Shinya immediately jumped back, hating the close proximity to him. "What are you talking about?" he automatically retaliated, "Why the hell would I? We're friends. You think you can use that against me? Well, good luck, 'cause it's not true." Unsure of what to do, Shinya spun and began walking back in the direction that he'd come, feeling Kureto's smug gaze burning into his back.

There was a strange pounding in Shinya's head. I don't really love him…do I? No, there's no way. He walked as quickly as he could without running, relieved when he turned the corner and was out of Kureto's sight. I'm shaking, he realized dumbly, staring down at his hands.

"Shinya…?" he heard a familiar voice, turning to see Guren hesitantly approaching him. "I was looking for you, I have—"

Shinya laughed automatically, as he always did, but he knew even to his own ears the laugh sounded fake. "Oh, hey, Guren," he said, every word sounding forced and painful.

"Shinya, what happened? Are you ok? You don't look so good…" Guren stepped closer, and Shinya instinctively stepped back, almost tripping over his own foot. No way…I've never tripped a day in my life. I've always had control over myself. I've always had control over my body…my emotions. Is this Kureto's fault? Is it…is it Guren's fault?

"I'm fine," Shinya stated as firmly as he could, but his voice was trembling unsteadily through the air between them. He felt the pounding in his head get worse, the conflict raging in his skull. His heart sped up to the bursting point. "Wait," Shinya gasped, "I can't breathe."

"Shinya?" Guren leapt forward to grab the silver-haired man's shoulders as he fell, his vision going black at the sight of Guren's eyes, anxiety and fear reflected in their violet depths.

Guren tapped his foot impatiently from where he sat at the side of Shinya's bed. The doctor said he'd just had a panic attack…But from what? Did Kureto do something to him? It's just so unlike Shinya to give into Kureto's tricky words…

Shinya tilted his head slightly, his eyes still closed. They weren't in a hospital room, as the doctor had told Guren it'd be better for Shinya to wake up in a recognizable place. God dammit, wake up already…quit worrying me, idiot.

Seeing a silver lock fall over Shinya's closed eye, Guren automatically reached out to push it aside, tucking it behind the man's ear. He thought back to Shinya's apparent panic attack earlier. I've never seen him like that…He completely lost control of himself. I can only imagine his mental state right now. I have to be here when he wakes up.

Honestly, he had been terrified for Shinya. The man had looked awful—trembling, face red, trying to force out all his words…And the way he laughed. He laughed. But it wasn't a laugh, it was a fake sound to cover up.

Suddenly a scary thought hit Guren. What if he's always used laughter to cover up…? What if…what if he's not always as happy as he seems? Not always in control as he seems? I thought before it was unlike him to have a panic attack like that, to let himself go…but how much do I really know about him now? Shinya had always been untouchable, unbreakable. No matter how many cruel words Guren sent in his direction, they were laughed off. Laughed off.

Shinya stirred in his sleep, and Guren felt his heart pound again as he laid his eyes on him. "Wake up, dammit," Guren growled aloud, his hands clenching on his lap. "Come on, Shinya…" Suddenly the blue eyes blinked open.

"Shinya!" Guren couldn't stop the name from falling from his lips. "Are…are you alright?"

"Umm," Shinya mumbled, looking almost terrified. "What…what happened again?"

"It's ok," Guren tried to speak comfortingly. Of course he's scared. He's probably never lost control a day in his life. "You…you had a panic attack. You passed out, but you didn't hit the ground, so you're uninjured. Is…is everything ok?"

"Um," Shinya said again, sliding his gaze to the side. "Umm."

"Shinya, what…what happened? Was it something Kureto said to you? I'll go beat him up for you if—"

"No, no," Shinya said quickly, almost reluctantly looking up to meet Guren's eyes, his mouth automatically curling into a smile, "It'd only be more trouble for—"

"Stop that." Guren's voice was louder than he'd intended, and he saw Shinya's eyes widen, the smile widening uncertainly.

"W-What?"

"Stop that. Right now. It's getting on my nerves."

"Um, what is?"

Guren glared at the silver-haired man, waiting until the smile faded from his face. "Don't ever do that again."

"Wait, Guren, do what?"

Guren sighed, meeting Shinya's eyes. "Stop smiling if you don't mean it!" he burst out, watching Shinya flinch slightly, pulling his blue eyes away from Guren's.

Shinya laughed uncertainly, "Wh-What?" He felt Guren's gaze turn icier, and covered his mouth with his hand. "Um, I didn't mean—"

Suddenly Shinya felt Guren's hand on his head, tossing his silvery locks from side to side. "Just stop," Guren whispered, "Please."

Shinya could feel his face heating up. He can't see that I'm blushing, right? Wait, why am I blushing? Is what Kureto said true? Impossible. I never decided to fall in love. Therefore I can't be in love. This is a mistake. Then why am I reacting like this? He realized his heart was pounding faster and faster.

"Hey, Shinya, are you really ok?" Guren's concerned voice caused a dam to break deep inside Shinya, a dam that had held everything back throughout his life. "Hey, you're crying—!" Shinya felt the tears slide down his face, and he didn't really understand why they were there. Have I…have I ever cried before?

Guren stared as he watched the man he always thought was invincible crumble into a million pieces. Why am I just sitting here? Why can't I do anything? The tears didn't stop leaking from Shinya's eyes, and his shoulders began to shake. It was a horrible thing to watch—to see a man who's never cried before let it all out for the first time. What do I do…?

Unsure of what he was doing, Guren leaned over the bed and grabbed Shinya's shoulders, pulling the unresisting man into an embrace. Shinya's body was now wracked with sobs, and Guren held him tightly, knowing he should say something, anything, but finding himself unable to speak.

No, I shouldn't speak. I shouldn't calm him down. He needs to let it out. Shinya's fingers gripped at Guren's uniform and he leaned in, muffling his sobs with Guren's chest. Am I really doing the right thing for him? Guren's mind was whirling. He had no idea what to do or how to help his friend.

And so he stayed like that, arms wrapped protectively around Shinya's shoulders, feeling Shinya pull desperately at the front of his uniform as his sobs went on and the tears soaked through the fabric. "I-I-" Shinya stuttered, and Guren held him tighter.

"It's ok, don't try to talk," Guren spoke the first words that came to his mind, reaching a hand up to stroke Shinya's light hair. "Just…let it out. I'll wait."

Shinya clung tighter to Guren, feeling his emotions well up again and cause more tears to pour from his eyes, more tremors to shake his body. Guren continued to hold him, patiently waiting, one hand soothingly running through the silver hair again and again.

The sobs quieted after a while, and Guren shifted slightly, realizing that one of his legs and half of the other were both asleep, his arm sore from the continuous petting motion and his uniform completely out of sorts. But he had succeeded in calming the silver-haired man, as when he looked down he could see Shinya resting peacefully, the tears still wet on his cheeks.

Guren sighed, moving to get off the bed and let Shinya rest, but Shinya's fingers were still tightly curled into the fabric of his uniform. When the raven attempted to remove them, Shinya stirred in his sleep. Aw shit, I'll never forgive myself if I wake him up now…

With another sigh, Guren accepted his fate, feeling his face heat up slightly. Fuck paperwork. This is more important than that anyway. Adjusting his position so that he was on top of the covers, next to Shinya (who was under the covers, of course), Guren rested his head against the pillow, reaching an arm up to grasp one of Shinya's hands, still secured to his jacket.

"It's ok," he whispered, "I'll stay with you."

Shinya woke up slowly, his first thought being: My fingers are sore. Opening his eyes, his sleep-hazy gaze met the side of Guren's head, the glossy black hair inches from his face. Immediately his heart was racing. What…? Suddenly he remembered last night—or it had really been about four in the morning, actually—and how he had lost control in front of one of his oldest friends.

Oh, God, Shinya attempted to sit up, realizing his fingers were curled tightly into the fabric of Guren's uniform, realizing the warmth of Guren's hand over his skin. His heart sped up more. I can't believe he did this…he should've just left me to cry myself to sleep. I can't believe he saw me as that sobbing mess and stayed with me. I can't believe I actually lost control like that. In front of him, no less.

Shinya felt his face heating up, slowly pulling his hands away from Guren, trying not to wake him. He never knew why he was always to desperate to please Guren, to prove to him that he was unbreakable even under the glare of those violet eyes. But now… Kureto's words echoed through his mind. "You—love—Guren." That smug smirk on his face because he knew he was right. If he knows he's right…he probably is…

But that's impossible. Shinya looked back down at Guren, at the unfamiliar peaceful look on the raven's face. Ah, there it goes again. Calm down already, heart. Shinya glanced down at his hands, which he clasped together on his lap. It has to be true. Fucking Kureto. If it weren't for him…

Suddenly he stopped. If it weren't for him…what? Would I go about, not realizing I had fallen in love? Would I eventually realize on my own? Or would I be completely oblivious for the rest of my life? His gaze flicked back to Guren. There's no way he loves me. What the hell am I supposed to do now? He doesn't love me, he can't love me. No one can love me, because I can love no one. But…I love Guren.

"Guren," Shinya spoke softly, reaching out instinctively to curl a lock of black hair around his finger. He tugged lightly on it, speaking again. "Guren. Wake up."

"Umm?" Guren mumbled something, turning his head away but stopping when Shinya tugged harder on his hair.

"Guren, wake up."

The raven reluctantly blinked open his eyes, turning to meet Shinya's gaze with sleep-clouded orbs of violet. "Hnn?" Guren slowly pushed himself up with his elbows. "Oh," he muttered, "It's morning?"

"Well, more like afternoon," Shinya was about to laugh, then remembered what Guren had said the night before. He took a breath and fell into an unsure silence. Guren stared intently at Shinya, and Shinya could feel himself crumbling under that gaze.

Guren took a breath first. "About last night…"

Shinya broke in. "Um, I'm sorry…you, uh, had to see me like that…and you stayed with me, so, um…thank you for that…" Guren punched him lightly in the shoulder.

"Oh, shut up," he laughed, "Isn't that what I'm supposed to do? Y'know, being your friend and all?" Shinya felt the blush returning to his cheeks as Guren went on. "Besides, if I'm your friend, I've gotta protect you. And I will, always. So what did that Kureto bastard say to you? I have to have something to yell at him before just punching his stupid face."

"Uh, well, that's…" Shinya stuttered, sliding his eyes away from Guren. "Um."

"That's all I'm gonna get out of you?" Guren's voice was serious again. "Come on, just tell me. Ok fine, I won't beat him up. Just tell me what's wrong so I can help you."

Shinya hesitated. There's no freaking way I'm telling him, there no freaking way those words are going to come out of my mouth, what the fuck do I say, what the fuck do I say? "You know what's funny, Guren?" He spoke without even realizing he was speaking. Guren stayed silent, and Shinya continued. "You were always the person I felt safest around. But now I'm kinda terrified."

"You're terrified?" Guren repeated disbelievingly. "Of me?"

"No, not of you," Shinya tilted his head to the side as he met Guren's eyes, all the conflict in his mind disappearing as the words came to him and he spoke the truth. "Of the way I've started to feel around you."

"Wait," Guren's voice was breathy, his purple eyes wide. "Are you telling me…?"

"Um," Shinya hesitated again, trying to work out what he was going to say next. "Kureto…he said something to me, that I didn't believe at first, but it's starting to make sense." Suddenly panic hit Guren like a punch to the gut. Kureto told him…Oh shit, how the fuck did he know that I'd fallen for Shinya? I didn't even know until last night. Kureto figured out before me? Is that why Shinya freaked out when he saw me? Is that why he's terrified of me? Where the hell is this going? What am I going to do?

Slowly Guren realized that Shinya was still talking. He fixed his gaze back on the silver-haired male as his soft voice brought the words back into the raven's focus. His cheeks were red and his eyes kept moving towards Guren, then away again. "…he, um, told me that…well, apparently, I guess what happened was…" Shinya took a deep breath and stared down at his hands, his silver hair hanging over his face. "Well…I love you, Guren."

Guren was shocked still. He couldn't move, he couldn't speak. Shinya…loves…me? He opened his mouth, and the words tumbled out. "You love me?"

"Ah," Shinya didn't look up, his hair hiding the redness of his face. "Yeah, I was expecting that kind of reaction, to be honest…Don't worry, I never expected that you'd actually lo—" Without even thinking, Guren grabbed Shinya's chin, tilting his face up to meet his, pressing his lips softly against Shinya's.

Shinya's blue eyes were wide with shock and he instinctively leaned back. "Wha—Guren, wait—you don't actually—"

Guren could feel his own face reddening. "Um, truth is…last night I kind of figured out…I might maybe share the same feelings for you."

Shinya looked at him for a moment, frozen. Guren glanced down, internally screaming at himself for kissing Shinya like that. I forced him, he didn't like it, he hated it, he hates me, why the fuck did I do that, I'm such an idiot, I ruin everything, fuck, fuck, fuck…

Suddenly he heard a familiar snort, which quickly turned into a laugh. Looking up disbelievingly, he saw Shinya laughing—actually laughing, the joy lighting up his eyes in ways it never had before, and he knew it was a genuine laugh this time. Guren hesitantly smiled, too, as Shinya's charm was infectious. "Shinya—you—"

"Sorry, sorry," Shinya gasped, holding his chest like it hurt to breathe. "I just—even if, by some crazy miracle, you did love me…I never would've thought you'd admit to it!"

"Shut up!" Despite his words, Guren was still smiling, smiling at the fact that Shinya was smiling.

"Make me," Shinya glanced at him with narrowed pinpoints of steel, the light shining through his eyes. It was obviously a challenge.

"Wait," Guren instinctively lowered his voice. "Are you telling me to…?"

Shinya said nothing, smiling and closing his eyes. Catching his breath, Guren shifted his weight on the bed, leaning to bring his hand around the back of Shinya's head. Curling the silvery hair around his fingers, Guren slowly brought Shinya's head forward until their foreheads rested on each other. Shinya's eyes were still closed, and Guren closed his as he gently leaned in to press their lips together again.

Shinya's lips were soft against Guren's, and the raven's heart almost stopped when he felt the silver-haired man's tongue gently swipe across. Hesitantly, Guren opened his mouth, tightening his hold on the back of Shinya's head as he felt the other man's hands on each side of his face, holding him closer. It felt right, the way they were, the way their tongues fit together as they explored more and more of each other. It felt right, the way their hands traveled up and down each other's bodies. It felt oh so right, the way their fingers began to work off each other's uniforms.

"Sh-Shinya," Guren whispered as Shinya rolled them over, leaving Guren breathlessly staring up at those blue eyes as their lips connected once more. Shinya's face was beautiful in its imperfections, the unfamiliar redness on his cheeks making him undeniably adorable. Guren actually laughed out loud.

"What?" Shinya demanded, fingers twisting through Guren's hair as their legs tangled together in the sheets.

"I just called you adorable in my mind," Guren laughed again, feeling the ache in his chest—that twisty, constrict-y feeling he now remembered as love. Shinya's laughter echoed his, and Guren watched the way his eyes lit up.

"Oh, my God," Shinya gasped as he laughed, "Oh, my God, Guren! I swear, you're going to give me a heart attack!"

Guren reached up, unbuttoning Shinya's shirt with a few easy motions. He rested his hand on the silver-haired man's bare chest, feeling the pounding heart beneath. He met Shinya's eyes, and Shinya let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding in, laughing slightly with his exhale.

"Your heart seems to be working fine to me," Guren frowned, teasing Shinya with his mock misunderstanding. Shinya fell to the mattress, laughing, grabbing Guren by his shirt and pulling him up. Guren smiled, obediently placing one knee on either side of Shinya's torso, gripping the silver hair on either side of his head and leaning down to press his lips to his neck, his collarbone. Shinya let out a shuddering sigh, twitching slightly beneath the raven's touch.

"Did I…" Shinya panted, "Did I forget to mention I love you?"

Guren lifted his head and touched his lips delicately to Shinya's cheekbone. "No," he whispered, breathing his words into the silver-haired man's ear, "Did I forget to mention I love you?"

"No," Shinya sighed, running his hands through Guren's raven hair, tugging it so that he lifted his head. "Now kiss me, you idiot."

Guren frowned down at him. "How about you kiss me, idiot?"

Smiling, Shinya lifted his head from the pillow, tugging at Guren's hair so that he would lean down to meet him. "Gladly," he whispered just before their lips met once more.

*Omake*

"Gladly," he whispered just before their lips met once more.

Suddenly there was a loud knock at the door. "Lord Shinya," a voice called out, sending panic running through the veins of both men as they did a double take on their positions. The door started to open even as the voice went on, "You missed the meeting, I'm just making sure you're alri—"

The door swung open. Shinya glanced from Guren's blank face to the man at the door back to Guren's face, and all three slowly turned bright red. Shinya slowly raised his hands to cover his face, sinking down into the mattress. Guren awkwardly froze, still straddling Shinya's torso. The man in the doorway slowly backed out, movements as awkward and embarrassed as Guren's and Shinya's.

"Um," he stuttered, "I'll, uh…tell them you're fine, then…uh…if you'll excuse me." The door slammed. Guren and Shinya listened in silence as his footsteps turned into a loud thud and a scream, Watch where you're going, idiot!

Guren glanced down to see Shinya peeking through his fingers. The only sounds were their inhales and exhales. Guren slowly, mechanically lifted one knee from the mattress, lifting his body off of Shinya's and falling on his back against the bed.

The two looked at each other, blushing furiously. They spoke at the same time.

"Well, shit."

Wait what did I just write...(I don't know but I think I like it) Honestly I was planning on stopping after Kureto's talk with Shinya, but then I just couldn't end it and I kept going...

Did it turn out ok? Is it too long? Too short? Are the characters ooc? Is the omake too stupid? Should I have separated it into different chapters or do you like it all in one?

Please review! Thank you for reading! I love you!

(Also I'm sorry, I know I have a ton of requests to catch up on, but GureShin is my obsession at the moment and I just had to write a fic or else I swear I would've had a legit heart attack)