He didn't say it alot, in fact now that Aoba realized, the strange term of endearment began as a bit of a joke between them.

"I appreciate you five million times over, baby!" it had been Ren's way of showcasing his sense of humor. So, Aoba at that time, didn't think about it much.

Only until after Ren had come back with his new, very human body and the two started getting romantic with one another did Aoba somehow catch little murmers and whispers of the word. The first time he remembered hearing it was the first time they made love, and Aoba had been in pain, he remembered Ren kissing and biting gently up and down his neck, trying to make him relax as much as possible.

And his lips softly touched Aoba's ear as he spoke.

"I got you, baby.." He hadn't expected to hear those words coming from his ex-allmate, but the gentle and soft way he spoke calmed Aoba down immensely.

Other times Ren would say the word 'baby' were when he thought Aoba hadn't heard; he always did. Like when Aoba would wake up from horrid nightmares. Ren would wake up hearing the screams of his lover beside him, sitting up, Ren would pull Aoba to his chest. Rocking him and whispering sweet words into his ear. Aoba, when fully alert noticed that one of the words Ren used sounded..quite familar.

One day as they laid in bed relaxing, and enjoying the quiet afternoon, Aoba got up the courage to ask the man about the common phrase he used.

"Why do you say that?" Aoba had asked, Ren looked over at him, with a confused look on his face.

"Say what, Aoba?"

"Why do you call me 'baby' all the time?"

Ren had pondered for a moment.

"Its not all the time, Aoba. I would say every so often." Aoba rolled his eyes, the man could be such a walking text book sometimes.

"Whatever, you still didn't answer my question."

Ren thought for a moment, looking up at the ceiling above them.

"Because It calms you down." He said simply, "And because you're my baby." In response to Ren's reply he recieved a punch to the shoulder.

Aoba leaned on his elbows and glanced down at Ren.

"I'm in love with a sap." Aoba smiled at him playfully. Ren gave a small smile.

"Well, two can play at that game."

Aoba rolled over next to him and whispered in his ear.

"Precious." Within the next moments Aoba was practically pinned to the bed, wrapped up in a rather intense and passionate kiss from Ren. Aoba honesly tried his best to keep up as he kissed back.

When they parted Aoba let out a breathless laugh.

"So, I take it you like it when i call you that?" Ren smiled then maneuvered himself to lay his head on Aoba's chest. Aoba sighed contently, bringing a hand up to run his fingers through Ren's ebony locks.

Life was good.