Title: Mayfly Fantasy

Genre: Romance

Rating: T

Summary: What would you do for someone you love? No. The question is: what wouldn't you do?

Souji slid gracefully onto the stool and perched there for a second. Smoke and perfume lingered in the air, creating a heavy cloy scent the seemed to belong solely to clubs. Music blared from the dance floor, loud and hip, but Souji didn't mind overly much. It was just another part of the club that made it so appealing.

The bartender glanced over and Souji gave him a guiless smile in return. He wasn't here to drink.

"What'll it be?"

Souji glanced around, briefly considering a "non-alcoholic" beer before saying, "Sprite please. Nothing else."

He didn't pay any attention to the skeptical looks and whispers directed at him. He was used to it. It seemed everywhere new he went had this very same reaction. It was only to be expected; after all, this was his first visit.

Instead, he focused on the dance floor. Despite his tendency to excel in any sport he tried, he really couldn't dance. His younger neighbor, Tetsu, had stated that he looked like a duck with a birth defect. Besides, to dance you needed someone to dance with! It wasn't nearly as much fun by yourself, unless of course you were in your living room. But that was private.

"Your evening wear?"

Souji turned around with an innocent smile. He had forgotten that he was still wearing casual clothes from school earlier in the day. The only time he bothered to change after school was to put on his work clothes on the rare day he was working during the week. No wonder he was getting looks. His khaki cargo pants were slightly frayed with holes in the side pockets and his beat up old hoodie was missing its strings as well as most of the sleeve cuff. If you coupled that childish look with his petite frame and his choice in beverage, it was a wonder no one asked for an ID. At least he had his hair up, at his friend's request, which lent to an older look.

"Better than a b-day suit, don't you think?" Souji chirped back, gazing at the tall woman. She gestured to the seat next to him and he nodded. Once she was seated and had her drink, Souji took a polite sip of his Sprite and waited.

The woman sighed, sounding slightly exasperated and annoyed at him, before taking a sip of her alcohol. The red lipstick left painted smears on the rim.

"You are twenty-one now."

Souji did a small twirl in his seat and proclaimed jubilantly, "Woohoo, let's go to the casino!"

His friend rolled her dark eyes, but made no move to shush him.

Once the heads turned back towards their business, Souji plunked down, "Funny, I always thought my birthday would be spent with family. It feels weird to be away from them right now."

"Come on Okita. You are a grown boy now; you don't need your sister's skirt."

"I know, I know, but it's just more fun with a lot of people. And you can play silly games and drink soda pop…"

"Only if it's spiked."

"You're too jaded."

"And you're too naïve." She retorted seriously, glancing at him from the corner of her eye with a slight frown, "Some girl is going to take you for all you have, you know that?"

"Hmm, who said I liked girls?"

An eyebrow rose slightly in question.

"Or guys." Souji giggled, enjoying the reaction. It wasn't often that she made such an exaggerated display. It was a matter of pride not to show any emotion, despite Souji's wild claims and ideas.

"Just don't say you like pigs." She said, deadpan, "Because I refuse to be friends with someone who molests my meat."

Souji puffed up, "You're not eating Saizou!"

Silence.

"No!"

"If he gets into my make-up one more time…"

"Saizou's a good piggie!"

They lapsed into a comfortable silence and Souji surveyed the dance floor with bright eyes. He had half a mind to go join them, not caring what he looked or acted like in public, but he knew his friend wasn't much for dancing.

His violet gaze lingered on the shadowy side of the floor, where he could make out a group of women and one gorgeous man.

His eyes slid up and down the lean body taking in the well-built frame and the aura that screamed masculinity. The outfit he was wearing only lent to that image. Black suited him well.

"Hey, who's that?"

"Hijikata."

"Hmm, he seems quite popular, huh."

"Do not even." She warned with a dead stare, "I need this job, and he's my employer."

Somehow Souji knew "this job" wasn't being a waitress who endured fondles and collected measly tips at the end of the night. He didn't want to pry, but it sounded like his friend was going to get in trouble. It had happened before. In fact, the underworld was a familiar acquaintance.

"Drugs or prostitution?" Souji questioned, his cheerful grin disappearing into a grim line. His friends back home had always said that when he was serious it scared the beejeebes out of them. Tetsu had proclaimed that he was possessed by an evil spirit and should see a priest or something. Of course, the high schooler also thought that there were yetis and the lochness monster.

Unfazed, his companion refused to answer.

"What about the money Ayumu sends you?" Souji didn't have many friends in this new town and hated to see the one good one he had get in such desperate trouble. As a college student, he was nearly dirt poor, but if it would keep his friend's nose clean then he would eat top ramen and spaghetti-os for a little while. He didn't use his money for much else aside from candy and pig food.

"She's out of the country on business." Was the bitter reply.

Souji hated to see the two having such a strained relationship. He loved and adored his sister and couldn't imagine it any other way. He didn't want it to come down to a tragedy to drag up regrets and familial closeness.

He had actually meet Ayumu in the poor region of town. He had always adored children and felt sorry for the ones living in the slums, so he had signed up to tutor underprivileged children. He enjoyed it far more than he had ever dreamed; each one near and dear to his heart. Ayumu had been his guide into that world.

He just couldn't understand how she was so good with children, yet when it came to family…

"Anyway, I need some extra cash for a project."

Souji didn't really want to know what that project was, so he didn't ask. Instead, his gaze roamed around, unconsciously seeking this Hijikata person. The man had left his flock of women and was talking to the D.J. with a scowl on his face.

Black and violet met suddenly.

Souji stared, intrigued. He had never seen such dark eyes or the long hair. Except his own, but that didn't count.

The man paused to snap something at the D.J., who nodded, before stalking toward the bar.

"Susumu, if you wish to fraternize with your girlfriend, you should do so off the premises." Hijikata growled, towering over them.

Susumu didn't even blink, he just said a measured, "Yes, sir."

Souji being… well, himself, just had to antagonize, "Hi Mister Hijikata." Eyelash flutter, "I don't believe we've met, but you're just as handsome as I've heard!" Flip hair, "My name is Souji!"

He heard a soft groan from Susumu and noted the death glare from the man. Still, he stared up fearlessly. Somehow he felt that Hijikata wouldn't do anything too violent. Besides, looks were nothing. And with fighting, well, Souji could take care of himself after all the years of fencing he had taken.

Hijikata disregarded Souji's closeness; he had leaned in closer, and stared past him.

"Susumu, I expect your report at the usual time."

"Yes, sir."

With that, he left to hassle another hapless employee.

"Tasty ass."

"Please, don't." Susumu growled, "I'll have nightmares for weeks now. I'm surprised he didn't kill you."

"Ooo, violent?"

"No, just abrupt. He has enough of a fanclub without you drooling over him too."

Souji drew back. He wasn't drooling, was he? Souji had to make a quick swipe at his lips just to be sure because he had been known to be a bit too open before. Sure, the man had a nice body and pretty hair, but his personality seemed to be a bit lacking. Besides, Souji was still settling in to being away from his family and in a new town and school. Even if he was really interested, now certainly wouldn't be a great time to start a relationship. Even a passing one.

"Do you need to do your work now?" Souji queried, mind still lingering on the brief encounter. It seemed that Hijikata was a harsh taskmaster and quite the lady's man. Speaking of jaded.

"No, we could go out to eat. My treat."

Souji smirked, "Where's my present."

And how I wouldn't mind a certain man wrapped up in a bow… and nothing else… naughty thoughts!

It was a curse and a blessing to have such a vivid imagination.

"You aren't thinking about your present at all." Susumu observed dryly, "And he's way out of your league."

Souji stuck out a magnificent raspberry.

"This isn't a gay bar." Susumu reminded.

Souji had known he was different from when he was little. When the other children were squeaking and squawking about girls having cooties, his little eyes were cast elsewhere. Never being one to conform, this didn't bother him, as it should have. No, in fact, he found it interesting.

What was it about girls that held so much appeal? And guys? It was just lucky that he had a loving and supporting family and community that accepted his differences. He never had a harsh time with hazing. Actually, he was a sort of strange class pet at his tiny high school. There wasn't an attendee or teacher who didn't at least know his name, and there wasn't a senior that he didn't have a kind word for. Despite the fact that his attendance was extremely sporadic and his homework lackadaisical, all the teachers enjoyed his quick mindedness and honest opinions.

"So, what will it be: Micky Ds or Taco Bell?"

Souji shrugged, "Either way, eating out is a treat for me. You pick, my darling girl-guy-friend."

Susumu shook his head, "It's not my birthday."

"Eenie meenie minie moe." Souji chanted, "Salsa isn't a good idea right now, but you know, cat meat doesn't sound good either."

"Stop it. McDonalds doesn't serve cats."

"I would think not; cats don't have good table manners." Souji huffed before pouting, "Then what about Buttons? He disappeared behind a McDonalds."

Susumu buried his face in the glass, not bothering to answer. Button's, the orange stray, had briefly stayed at their rented apartment's stoop before disappearing one day. Souji had always blamed the fast food restaurant next door, and as a result, he refused to eat there. He was always too kind to animals and kids.

"Fine, Wendys then."

"Cheapskate."

Suddenly Susumu looked up like a dog on the alert. He turned back to Souji with an apologetic look, "Work."

Souji frowned.

"I'll make it up to you."

"Oh," Souji smiled in reassurance, "I'm not mad at you; just your jerk boss."

Souji nursed his sprite after Susumu melted away, really thinking about having a beer or two. After all, what was your twenty first birthday if you didn't drink legally? Then again, it didn't change the fact that he had finals the next morning.

It wasn't until the bartender shook his shoulder that he realized he had dozed off. Well, school was a bit stressful and all, plus his allergies were making him cough more than usual.

As if to prove his point, a cough decided to force its way out of his lungs, making his small frame shake with effort.

He decided to call it a night.

A/N: Wow O.o;; My first romance and it's HxO! Forgive the sucky-ness and don't kill me!