"It's a picture of me / I'm insane / But I'm happy / This is where I wanna be / Call me vain / Call me crazy." – My Game, Darude

Chapter Four

While Neji could undoubtedly argue that becoming in charge of an HR division of a famous photography company was not exactly what he had had in mind about dedicating his life's work to, he could not deny the fact that it suited him perfectly fine now.

X

"Listen up people," Orochimaru voiced loudly to all his frantically scurrying subordinates; knowing that they were listening even though they were rushing about, "I need the models out here in five minutes, prepped and ready to go…"

Throughout his brief but shouted speech, Orochimaru had felt piercing eyes boring into the side of his face; prompting him to turn his head towards his watcher right after he had finished speaking.

Neji was glaring at him with a perfectly arched eyebrow raised and an adorable pout to his luscious lips; his arms crossed over his chest in a very motherly-type scolding fashion.

Neji was giving him 'the look.'

Orochimaru sighed; defeated.

"Please and thank you, everyone…now let's hurry!" Orochimaru shouted to his employees again, fully understanding that Neji's look was to remind him to be a little nicer when screaming orders like that.

Upon hearing his lover and business partner say 'please', Neji's face melted into a small, satisfied grin as he dropped his arms to his sides; walking up to Orochimaru with a little glint in his eyes.

Orochimaru returned the smirk with a smile of his own as he watched Neji strut up to him, his solid black designer suit and pearl-colored, long sleeved shirt underneath swishing and complimenting his immaculate body with each graceful step he took.

As soon as Neji reached Orochimaru's side, he was instantly swept up in a tight, possessive hug; a quick kiss placed to his temple.

"You look great in Armani," Orochimaru purred in Neji's ear; making him shiver and smile in delight, "…though I think I'd like it even more if you weren't wearing it."

Neji blushed hotly and wiggled out of Orochimaru's playfully snug embrace; having noticed that the two male and two female models were finally coming out from the back and approaching their crimson-painted, pink and gold accented set, chuckling as he did as Orochimaru was grinning wolfishly at him.

"You just take your pictures," Neji replied with an amused laugh as he motioned to the all suit-wearing models with sad expressions on their faces, "we'll worry about getting this suit off of me later."

Orochimaru laughed at Neji's wit and dry, but cheekily serious humor- just like his own- as he turned to his already set-up camera and began making any necessary adjustments to the equipment.

Four, crucial and hard-worked months had passed since Neji and Orochimaru had first met in that campus coffee shop by pure accident and whim of fate. Neji had actually ended up graduating a little bit early from school; his extra effort in college prompted by his offer to work with Orochimaru straight away; and now had been with his company, Sound Pictures Inc., for the better part of their time together.

Neji had originally set out in college to graduate with two degrees; one in Business Management and the other in Entrepreneurship, but decided to scratch the latter as he was already invested and heading his own sect in a world-renowned agency with Orochimaru as his boss, co-worker, business development and strategies partner, and lover. So, with his degree in Business Management and a respectful concentration in Human Resources Management, Neji worked closely with Orochimaru and Kabuto in expanding their privately owned proprietorship.

Under Neji's management, Orochimaru's employees were handled with more professionalism by means of executing annual evaluations, holding hiring appraisals and pilot tests, as well as working in developing any, special activities and programs that the employees collectively voiced that they wanted. The overall result was that of better work performance by the employees, a stronger, more experienced staff from stricter hiring regulations, and an all-around friendlier work environment that boosted worker morale and the general atmosphere.

Neji had never been happier doing what he was; he truly felt he was making a difference; helping where he could substantially help; fit in comfortably where he needed to.

Neji watched, adorningly, as Orochimaru squinted behind the lens of his camera, readjusting his focus every so often as he clicked away on the shutter to capture the scene in front of him.

At the moment, they were back in their own town; in the same suite that Neji was first filmed at all those months ago when Orochimaru literally picked him off the street for it; to do the photo shoot that was currently going on- the whole crew just having returned from the watery, European city of Prague only eight days ago from another shoot that had turned out brilliantly.

Neji had already travelled with Orochimaru to Tokyo, parts of Great Britain, Prague, and were scheduled next month to go to New Zealand for a deal to shoot some open-set pictures of nature in black and grey film. Neji positively loved every trip they took; be it for work or not; as he felt the two of them grow closer and closer through all of their hurdles and obligations with work and life- just more things for them to do together, overcome together.

The way the photo set was designed there at the suite was of some opera lobby perhaps, with all of its decadent coloring and gold in-laid everything. The suited models were sitting dramatically in chairs, leaning against the crimson walls staring up at the lighting, or acting like they were taking another drag off of a cigarette.

The visual image of the depressed, but chic-looking models was actually quite stunning, as these pictures were going out to a French fashion magazine that was rather well-known for its ultra dramatic, oftentimes theatrical pictures of male and female models together.

"Sir, I have the reports you asked for!" Kabuto suddenly announced as he quickly strode up to Neji and Orochimaru; breaking Neji's drifting recollections as well as somewhat distracting Orochimaru from taking his next photo.

Neji saw Orochimaru visibly cringe upon hearing Kabuto's voice boom from out of nowhere and soothingly, warningly ran his hand up and down Orochimaru's bare arm, as his long, black sleeves were, once again, rolled up to his elbows.

Orochimaru took a calming breath upon feeling Neji's warm fingers on his skin, and he lowered his camera from his face and addressed his models coolly, "Let's have a ten minute break, guys. Thanks."

He wanted to tell them all to go share a Skittle, but refrained from making such a negative comment seeing as how Neji was there by his side.

As the models dropped their poses and started rolling their necks around to relieve their tension, Orochimaru turned to face Kabuto who was already showing the papers he had brought to Neji and was chatting about numbers and figures.

Taking a moment to just observe the situation before him, Orochimaru's forced smile actually turned into a real one as he watched Kabuto talk about their financial information and status with his dark-haired lover; all of it relevant to Neji's work and ideas for potential programs to fund. Each's work drew from the other and the syngerized result was always perfect and mindful of the company as a whole. Where Neji would propose ideas for uses of their finances, Kabuto was tasked with keeping that kind of liquidity data to make sure that they could go through with those ideas- like yin and yang in the business-world, really.

Snapping out of his revelation about how it was only through Neji that balance, both literally and otherwise, was brought to his company, Orochimaru quickly walked up in between Neji and Kabuto to get involved in their conversation.

"Oh! Orochimaru, sir, I was just telling Neji how that new set technician he hired last month has really been working out like a dream! We have decreased our amount of manufacturing overhead, as well as cut back on production time of our sets. Here, take a look at the data," Kabuto blurted out overzealously before thrusting a sheet of paper in front of Orochimaru, who took in gracefully while he fought the urge to roll his eyes and possibly stuff the paper in Kabuto's loud mouth.

True to his word, the data sheet that Orochimaru's golden eyes skimmed over showed substantial decreases in their set expenses ever since they fired their old guy and hired this new one, as per Neji's refined finding and hiring process.

Orochimaru raised his lowered head once he was done going through and making quick comparisons of the numbers; a proud smile on his face as his eyes shone brilliantly with a genuine approval of Neji's hard work.

Neji blushed upon catching how Orochimaru was looking at him like that; a small, knowing smile creeping up on his lovely features as he cleared his throat nervously; a hand coming up to scratch the side of his flushed neck above his collar.

"Yeah, well…that's my job, right?" Neji tried to pass his money-saving accmoplishment off nonchalantly with a slight laugh, though not fooling anyone.

Making Neji blush further and Kabuto all but pass out; as he had never heard Orochimaru ever say something like this before; Orochimaru suddenly chimed, "I'm very proud of you both. You've done excellent work."

"Thank you, sir!" Kabuto said cheerfully, his big, black eyes wide and almost a bit teary from finally hearing praise from his previously harsh employer.

"Thanks," Neji said bashfully, already foreseeing more praise possibly coming up later when Orochimaru and Neji would be alone.

Orochimaru simply nodded at his two employees before turning his stare back to its chilly nature and setting it directly on his assistant Kabuto.

"Kabuto, would you mind having Lindsey bring back in the models," Orochimaru ordered, though it was posed as a question, "and I want you to finish taking the pictures."

"What?!" Kabuto exclaimed, completely caught off-guard with such a huge responsibilty being entrusted to him, "Sir, I…"

"Kabuto, you can do it. Just finish the roll and call it a day. I think Neji and I are going to leave a bit early today," Orochimaru regarded his loyal assistant plainly but not harshly- in fact, Orochimaru's tone was bordering on friendly.

Kabuto looked over at Neji who was grinning at him and gave a short nod that said 'go for it!"; making Kabuto stiffened his spine and square his shoulders a bit more before addressing Orochimaru.

"Not a problem, Orochimaru. I will get those done for you in no time," Kabuto said with more firmness and certainty in his voice before adjusting his slipping glasses, offering a regal-looking smile, and walking briskly past them in search of the part-time helper Lindsey to start getting his orders moving.

Pale, illuminated, crystal-lavendar eyes scanned the surrounding area briefly before Neji quickly leaned in and placed a small kiss to Orochimaru's cheek.

"He adores you, you know," Neji said quietly; a smile present on his face as he spoke to his raven-haired lover while he straightened himself out from his leaning-over position.

"I know. He's a good assistant. The best, probably…but there's a problem," Orochimaru answered back, allowing himself to be honest with someone else for a change about how much he really did appreciate all of Kabuto's consistently hard work, "…I adore you."

Neji smiled and ducked his head down cutely, as if to hide his charming smile as he mindlessly adjusted the pearl-colored cuffs from his long-sleeved shirt from under his black, perfectly contoured jacket. His sleeves were purposefully made extra long and came down to the middle of his fingers, so he had plenty of the silky material to play with as a distraction from Orochimaru's hot gaze on him.

Suddenly, Neji saw Orochimaru's long, pale fingers close around his fidgeting ones; ceasing his nervous movements as his hand was squeezed affectionately. Neji looked up with a smirk on his face.

Orochimaru was always doing that; catching him doing one of his nervous habits and making it so he could not continue doing it anymore.

"Let's get lunch," Orochimaru said sweetly as he gave a slight, playful tug on Neji's hand; urging him just like a child would to his mother to let him have his way.

Neji's wise-ass smirk turned into that beautiful, pleased smile that made Orochimaru feel like nothing short of a demi-god on earth; blessed with seeing an angel miraculously out of his element, as Neji said, "I'd like that."

X

"I still think you should do a classy, bistro-type photo shoot…like where there's a couple…or even with the entire restaurant being really crowded; and they are all eating Italian food and sipping wine," Neji went on as he and Orochimaru walked through the door to Orochimaru's penthouse suite.

Neji had gotten the idea as Orochimaru had taken him to one of his favorite authentic Italian restuarants outside of the downtown district for their lunch after work.

I'll admit, it's a good idea. It would sell in dating magazines for certain..." Orochimaru regarded Neji's adament proposal seriously for a set, "…but where?"

Shoes were traditionally, respectfully taken off at the tiled entrance way after Orochimaru closed the door behind them, smirking as he did so while he listening to Neji ramble on about his own photo shoot idea. It appeased him to no end that Neji cared about his work; making it their work ultimately.

"Hm. Well, that one, I don't know," Neji remarked, sounding a little deflated as his idea was somewhat sinking in his own head, "…where's an area where they need help dating?"

Orochimaru and Neji both laughed together; realizing how ridiculous Neji's last statement was and how there was no way Orochimaru could answer that as they slowly descended the soft stairs that led down into the penthouse.

Neji made a left turn and was already moving swiftly into the kitchen to rummage through the large, black, double-door refridgerator to find something for them to drink…Orochimaru just watching him move so freely about his house- in pure admiration of how lucky he was to have literally stumbled upon such a magnificent man.

Neji had loosened up tremendously since being with Orochimaru; had opened up his mind and his heart throughout all their time together- through all the travelling and exposure to different places and cultures, as well as from just being so unconditionally loved by someone he admired so much.

There was a new, marvelous confidence that radiated off Neji, now; which only added to his pure, sophistocated beauty, in Orochimaru's humble opinion.

Orochimaru chuckled to himself upon catching himself zone out again before heading further into his lower-levelled living room area-plopping down on his gigantic, curved, black couch with a relieved sigh once he was off his feet.

Shortly after he had all but laid down on his extremely fluffy couch did Neji appear next to him with a bottle of water in each hand; outstretching one to his lounging lover once he opened his eyes.

"Thanks, baby," Orochimaru said as he accepted the chilly, wet plastic bottle and twisted off the cap on the top; taking a hearty drink of its cold contents with a satisfied 'ahh' when he pulled the bottle away from his lips.

Neji sat down next to him and was already drinking his own water; tucking a leg underneath his weight, which made him favor the opposite side and lean sideways into the back of the couch; his eyes just observing Orochimaru as he rested comfortably.

After taking another drink, Orochimaru pulled the bottle away from his mouth and turned his head to look at Neji- his psuedo-wicked smirk back in place as he gazed at his lover next to him.

"I got an idea about your photo shoot, Neji," Orochimaru offered simply, wanting to hear Neji's exclamation about even hearing this much.

"Really!? What is it?" Neji asked happily, glad that his off-the-wall idea was not exactly sunk just yet. He really wanted to contribute as much as he could to Orochimaru and the rest of Sound Pictures Inc.'s success.

Orochimaru grinned at hearing how enthusiastic Neji was and moved to sit up and set his water down on the expensive, nearby oak coffee table; the glimmer in his narrowing eyes only getting brighter.

"I'm just going to have to take you to Italy with me," Orochimaru purred seductively as he crawled across the couch over to a now stunned Neji, "then we can be that couple in the crowded bistro. What do you say?"

Neji was speechless, completely unable to blink or move as he just stared, wide-eyed, as Orochimaru sauntered up to him on all fours, looking like a fiesty animal that wanted to play.

Neji had always dreamed of touring the magnificent streets of Italy…

Fortunately, Neji had already replaced the cap back on his water bottle a little while ago for he dropped it on the floor once Orochimaru's smirking face was right in his; his hand creeping slowly up the top of Neji's firm thigh as he moved closer.

Neji's breath hitched in his throat from Orochimaru's light but suggestive touches; his fingertips just grazing up from Neji's thigh to his side to softly run over his ribs- the caress to somewhere so ticklish making Neji snap out his daze to squirm around a little and chuckle.

"No answer?" Orochimaru said with a smile; knowing that Neji was too busy laughing and trying to push his hand away from tickling his side to answer him.

Orochimaru felt his chest swell with sugary sweet love and adoration as he watched Neji fruitlessly struggle against his tickling attacks; his smile so heart-meltingly big and his laughter was so rich.

Before long, Orochimaru could not help but swiftly remove both of his hands from Neji's sensitive ribs; having mercy on his blushing, huffing lover; and moved them up to seize the sides of Neji's lovely, rounded face- instantly pulling them both together for a chaste, loving kiss.

Neji 'mmm'ed into the kiss happily as he wrapped his arms around Orochimaru, already letting his fingers grip at the back of Orochimaru's soft, black shirt to hold him closer as they kissed.

Orochimaru slid his hands from Neji's face down his neck; sweeping over his outstretched shoulders, and down to his trim waist where he gaze him a slight squeeze; Neji gasping into their kiss which was immediately taken advantage of by Orochimaru as he slipped his soft tongue inside Neji's mouth.

Orochimaru's fingers tightened almost pleadingly on the fabric at Neji's slender waist, pulling it tight as Neji played with his tongue with his own; every gentle stroke of his warm, wet muscle against his own just asking, daring him to take this even further- every lap and nip of his mouth practically begging for it as Neji's hands slid from around Orochimaru's neck down to his hard-planed chest.

Orochimaru purred appreciatively as he felt Neji's fingers slide against his chest; making the baby-soft material of his shirt rub against his skin as he did so- Orochimaru already moving his own hands up from Neji's waist to start undoing his buttons.

Getting the hint, Neji abruptly pulled away from their intoxicating kisses; both panting for a little air as a result; and began to shrug off his already opened, finely-contoured black jacket so Orochimaru may remove his shirt from him with more ease.

Orochimaru smirked at the guesture, loving how Neji was just as eager for this as he was, as he began deftly unlooping the tiny, white buttons that ran down Neji's pearl-colored shirt; Neji quickly attacking Orochimaru's own annoying black buttons so he may see his handsome lover as well.

Orochimaru's race was won first, however and he began pushing the lithe material from Neji's shoulders as he initiated another steamy kiss with his lover; totally savoring his taste and texture of his sweet mouth with lips and tongue.

Neji momentarily forgot what he was doing from how much fire was behind Orochimaru's kiss, but snapped back to reality and finished pulling Orochimaru's own black shirt down his wide, strong back once he felt Orochimaru gently nip at his bottom lip.

Once Orochimaru's shirt joined Neji's on the floor, Orochimaru could not help but scratch his nails down Neji's back, drawing out a long, low groan from his pale-eyed lover as he broke their kiss and tilted his head back; feeling himself get completely lost in the passionate need radiating from his raven-haired lover.

Orochimaru grinned from seeing Neji react so deliciously from his ministrations and instead of pulling him back in for another kiss; as Neji thought he would; Orochimaru suddenly tightened his hold around Neji's back and effectively pulled them both down to the fluffy, cushioning white floor- Neji landing on top of him.

Neji looked up from Orochimaru's chest only to see Orochimaru's wicked, playful smirk waiting for him as he had craned his neck up so he could see Neji from off the floor; his arms releasing their squeezing hold around Neji and now just running up and down his arms with his fingertips.

Neji returned his lover's smirk with one of his own as he psuedo-annoyed rolled his eyes before slinking down Orochimaru's sprawled out body; knowing exactly what he wanted to do to his stunning, older lover.

"Feeling frisky, eh?" Orochimaru chided with a teasing smile as he watched Neji maneuver in between his spread legs; dark hair spilling over his shoulders and alongside his perfect face as he did so.

Neji's fingers quickly latched onto the button adoring the top of Orochimaru's loose-fitting black pants, but halted upon hearinf Orochimaru's cheeky remark.

"Ha! You're the one who dragged us to the floor, Oro," Neji regarded his lover with a mock-glare as he made short work of undoing the single pants button and pulling the silver zipper down its trail.

Orochimaru bit his lip as he moved to sit up on his elbows so he had a better view of Neji pausing a moment to tuck some of his long, coffee-colored hair behind his ear before seizing Orochimaru's pants and underwear underneath in one grasp and carefully inch them down his slender, perfectly-portioned hips-Orochimaru's erection bobbing up and down a few times upong being just barely released, Neji did not fully remove Orochimaru's clothing.

Neji only paused briefly again as he gathered up all his hair and slung it over one shoulder; his body lowering so his chest was pressed full against the insides of Orochimaru's thighs.

"Oh, and my answer is yes…about Italy," Neji remembered to say as his lips curved into a real smile; completely showing of his true happiness of the recent development of travelling there, "…I would love to go to Italy with you…'Maru."

Orochimaru smiled at Neji's grateful words…as well as Neji's use of his 'other' nickname.

"Good, then it's settled...ohhhh," Orochimaru sighed out as he let his head tip backwards upon feeling Neji suddenly swallow his entire length in one move.

Orochimaru gasped and groaned as his balls instantly tightened up with that familiar, pulling desire as he felt Neji hungrily work his tongue all around his member; massaging it on all sides before closing his lips around it and applying just enough suction that made Orochimaru's eyes roll back a little.

"Fuck, Neji…don't stop doing that…" Orochimaru coed as he sifting through Neji's falling hair with gentle fingers while he watched Neji work on him; enthralled with how enticing and sexy it was to see Neji's luscious lips be parted so wide as he moved his mouth up and down Orochimaru's throbbing cock- everything making the raven-haired photographer feel his driving need to take his young lover intensify greatly.

Neji skillfully teased at the dripping tip of Orochimaru's cock; lapping at the pre come that threatened to spill down the sides before quickly, hastily deep throating the whole member down his throat once again.

Orochimaru moaned loudly upon feeling the ultra-sensitive tip of his cock go from just being torturously licked at to poking the back of Neji's throat as his young lover swallowed every, burning inch of him rather fluidly.

Picking up on the fact that, if he did that again, Orochimaru would probably be at his limit, Neji reluctantly raised his head and let Orochimaru's begging member slip from his lips, licking them at once to soothe them.

Orochimaru was still recovering from all the built-up sensations that had him teetering on his edge as he felt his almost-orgasm simmer down to a hotter, angrier pull collect low in his groin, especially as he watched Neji shimmy cutely out of his own black pants.

Orochimaru licked his suddenly dry lips as he let his eyes devour over Neji's flawless, procelain skin; every inch of him muscled just right for Orochimaru's liking; and managed to say solidly, "Come here."

A finger beckoned his words to his young lover, which prompted Neji to finish pulling off Orochimaru's pants and start to crawl over his body; smooth, creamy skin just grazing over Orochimaru's own as he went.

"Any good?" Neji asked cheekily in regards to his blow job that about had Orochimaru filling Neji's throat with every bit of essence he had to offer.

"Very cute," Orochimaru said dryly with a laugh; eyes still on Neji's enticing, crawling form as he added, "…keep coming."

Neji was a little baffled by the command at first as he was already about sitting on Orochimaru's chest, but did as he was told and carefully straddled Orochimaru's face; setting a slender thigh on either side of his head.

No sooner had he arrived in this position did he gasp loudly and bow his whole body back upon feeling Orochimaru's soft, wet tongue run lightly over his sensitive, puckered entrance.

"Holy shit…" Neji breathed out; Orochimaru deliberately only licking him once just to tease and shock him first before continuing, "…m-more, 'Maru…please."

Foiling his plan of savoring teasing his lover; as Orochimaru was made powerless upon hearing Neji beg for anything…especially anything sexual; so he immediately dragged his long tongue against Neji's entrance again; already feeling the man above him squirm a little as he did so.

Orochimaru placed his hands on Neji's hips once more to steady his panting lover as he licked rougher against Neji's moistening entrance; purposefully trailing his tongue lightly against the underside of Neji's balls with each stroke.

The more Orochimaru tongued Neji's extra-sensitive sac, Neji's pleading pants of air became breathless moans as he felt himself lose all touch with reality in a desperate, mind-consuming notion to experience more, to feel more of that glorious tongue against him.

As if reading Neji's silent pleas, Orochimaru darted his tongue in and out of Neji's entrance; his nails digging into Neji's waist as he repeated the move again- his grip tightening by the minute as Orochimaru wanted it to be his own cock performing what his tongue was inside Neji.

Again, Neji arched beautifully on top of Orochimaru as his sexy, dark-haired lover proceeded to fuck him with his tongue; sliding in his slippery muscle over and over while pausing sporadically to run the flat of his tongue up and down Neji's balls to draw out even more toe-curling moans from his lover.

Above Orochimaru, Neji was moaning and murmuring nonsense; his mind currently not being able to work properly as his body was in wrapped his such red-hot pleasure; as he sexily ran his hands through his own hair, giving the long strands a few tugs as he let himself softly buck against Orochimaru's mouth-needing to thrust his hips that way to heighten his stimulation.

Orochimaru felt every time that Neji shifted his hips a little against his tongue, which made the photorgrapher even crazier of wanting to make love to his deadly sexy Neji for a week straight- his aching cock begging him to do so.

With that blinding, overwhelming idea the only thing occupying Orochimaru's mind, he signaled to Neji that he was done with his task upon placing a firm kiss to Neji's balls-Neji immediately getting the hint and crawling backwards down his lover's laying form.

As soon as Neji had moved down his body, Orochimaru looked up to see his angel's face, which was flushed pink with his lips parted on account of how heavily he was breathing, with half-lidded, cloudy eyes staring right back at him.

Entrancing, to put it lightly.

"Any good?" Orochimaru echoed smartly to his blushing lover as he watched Neji not even take offense to his cheeky comment, but immediately straddle Orochimaru's hot lap- his delicate, graceful hands settling flat against Orochimaru's dampened stomach for support as he shifted his weight.

Orochimaru did not expect a verbal answer per se, but he really did not expect Neji to just suddenly raise his ass up from Orochimaru's lap and hastily slam it down upon Orochimaru's cock- impaling himself fully in the one, fluid movement.

Neji screamed upon being filled so completely, so aburptly as he arched his back and tossed back his head; spilling his long, dark hair down his back like a cascading chocolate waterfall-his hoarse scream of pain and pleasure pooling right into Orochimaru's groin and making his cock throb painfully inside Neji's ass.

Orochimaru's eyes had rolled in the back of his head upon Neji shoving his own cock inside himself like that as he let out a strangled, loud moan- the sudden, total pleasure that overcame him flipping his world another way as he also indulged in Neji's scream.

Orochimaru did not dare move until Neji did; knowing full well that what Neji did must have brought him some pain and discomfort; so he lovingly took Neji's hands in his own, interlacing Neji's trembling fingers with his own; and soothingly rubbed his thumbs over the tops of his hands.

"Baby…"Orochimaru purred softly; as if in apology to his lover above him as he continued to hold his hands gently in his own.

Neji gingerly leaned down low; placing his lips a breath away from Orochimaru's lips; and he could feel his raven-haired lover's labored breathing from how quickly the Orochimaru's stomach muscles flexed and contracted-meaning that Orochimaru was struggling with his self-control as he was buried inside his lover, but not yet knowing if he could move or not.

"Fuck me, 'Maru," Neji purred sinfully seductive in all his smooth baritone to his lover; deciding that Orochimaru's pleasure is worth his little bouts of pain throughout their lovemaking in this position.

Neji did not have to tell Orchimaru twice, for not a half of a second after the softly-spoken words filled the large, exquisite room did Orochimaru seize Neji's supple ass in his hands and thrust up into that tight, wet heat almost violently-purging all his pent-up strife and discipline.

Orochimaru's hands on his ass kept Neji in place as the pale-eyed man slid his arms under Orochimaru's shoulders, practically massaging them roughly in his hands as he clutched again and again, in time with Orochimaru's already hard, forceful thrusts up into him.

"Don't stop…nnnngh…don't ever stop…"Neji chanted like it was a life-saving mantra as his older lover picked up his pace and was making sharper, quicker thrusts into his ass; prompting Neji to moan uncontrollably which was only stifled when he smashed his lips to Orochimaru's in hot, open-mouthed kisses in which their tongues battled relentlessly and their warm breath mixed and drove them further into desire's ironclad grip.

"Never, baby…never…"Orochimaru replied breathlessly and brainlessly; too caught up in the moment of their love making to fully understand what he was saying…or what year it was.

Feeling his orgasm rapidly approaching; coiling in red hot pressure in his lower abdomen; Neji freed his hands from underneath Orochimaru's shoulder and quickly sat upright to further enhance all the mind-blowing sensations Orochimaru was pounding into him.

"Shit…Orochi…mmm…I'm so close…so close…"Neji managed to warm his lover despite how scrunched up his face was in unspeakable pleasure as he continued rolling his hips right along with Orochimaru's; every frantic, hurried movement just coaxing his release out of him.

Neji finally let his orgasm rip through his body as he arched his back gracefully; his hands being able to reach back far enough to seize Orochimaru's calves for support as he released his warm, glistening semen sprayed in between their grinding, sliding bodies with a scream of Orochimaru's name- coating Orochimaru's stomach with the tiny, white lines of liquid.

Orochimaru let out a long, throaty moan as he felt the unbelievably soft and hot texture of inside Neji's ass squeeze him like a vice as his pale-eyed lover convulsed with his bone-melting orgasm; his slender-muscled thighs shaking on either side of his hips as they hugged him as well.

"Neji…I love you so fucking much," Orochimaru blurted out suddenly, right before he let go of Neji's ass to wrap his arms tightly around Neji's back as he came in long, creamy flows inside his lover; thrusting and groaning getting the better of him as he emptied himself completely.

After a few more weak thrusts inside Neji, to fully ride out his orgasm's euphoria, both Orochimaru and Neji went lax agaisnt each other- still connected, which prompted Orochimaru to gather what little strength he had left to replace his fallen arms around his lover once more.

Neji was in complete bliss-being hugged so firmly against Orochimaru's body as he was; right after having sex; and just feeling totally and utterly sated with Orochimaru's warm come sliding out of his entrance and down his thighs.

Both men just lay in each other's arms on the floor of their lavish penthouse suite, trying to catch their breath but appreciating the reason why they were out of breath in the first place.

Neji lovingly nuzzled Orochimaru's cheek and pressed a small kiss to his temple before moving to get off of his lover-fully intent on showering after their recent round of love making that always leaves them both covered in sweat, come, and other juices and things.

However, Orochimaru was obviously not ready to get up quite yet, and quickly shot a hand up to catch Neji's wrist-making his beautiful muse collapse on top of him once more; both men chuckling lightheartedly at the gesture.

Orochimaru brought both of his hands up and raked his fingers in Neji's long, curtaining mane; revealing more of his lovely, perfect face for his golden gaze to take in- everything still as striking as it was the day he had first set eyes on him.

Neji closed his eyes slowly, dreamily and leaned into Orochimaru's adoring touches, an angelic smile spreading across his face.

Orochimaru smiled because he was making Neji smile; something that always pleased him to no end; and said kindly, "You really are going to love Italy, Neji."

This made Neji open his eyes to cast an appreciative and moved look to his lover; his beautiful smile still in place as he licked his lips and reasoned pleasantly, "I know I will…because I love you."

Neji then gingerly carded his fingers through that midnight hair that was tusseled so erotically on the pristine carpet; like an ink spill on plain, white paper; as he leaned down a little bit more and brushed their noses together affectionately.

Orochimaru was feeling a little beside himself as he just willingly lost himself in all of Neji's careful, gentle touches to him- every one of them meaning worlds to the photographer as he tilted his chin up a bit more to fully capture his lover's luscious, pouty lips with his own.

Velvety smooth lips kissed and embraced warmly; each man just telling the other how much they loved them through this kiss; before Orochimaru broke it off and breathed out, "Neji?"

"Yeah?" Neji asked, a little perplexed that Orochimaru would break off their kiss like that to ask a question; instantly making the younger man believe that this must be important, so he gave him his undivided attention.

Neji was right-the thought that suddenly dawned on Orochimaru was important.

"Let's go there today… right now," Orochimaru said flatly but honestly; knowing that his words were probably going to downright startle Neji, but he was more than willing to remain steadfast in his out-of-nowhere decision.

He knew it would mean the world to Neji.

Orochimaru watched intensely as Neji's pale lavendar eyes widened at first, narrowed as his brows furrowed; as if he was thinking of the consequences and drawbacks…but then, those eyes snapped up to meet his own golden ones with a such stability that it almost shocked Orochimaru, himself.

"Okay. Let's go to Italy...today, "Neji stated firmly, not once wavering in his tone nor his unique and mesmerizing gaze at this lover.

Both men's faces starting melting into excited, cheerful grins before their lips met again in a flurry of rushed, loving kisses- thoughts and anticipation of the trip already flooding their senses and making them feel giddy and light…like they had no restraints in the world.

Orochimaru's arms tightened around his lover happily as Neji's hands had moved to frame around his pale face; holding it adoringly; as they kissed each other senseless- both knowing that, with any trip, they needed to plan times and dates and start sorting through and packing clothes and items.

None of that mattered now, though.

Neji knew full well that he was blessed with having Orochimaru answer his ultimate prayer of never having to slave away; facelessly, namelessly; in some office-never to do what he truly wanted to do; only what he thought he should do accordingly.

Neji had that kind of freedom now to fly wherever and whenever he chose- never to be caged again. All it took was a word from his mouth, and he could be on a plane onto another, distant land to do things that he had only ever dreamed of.

There was so much infinite love and unconditional trust involved between the two; Neji having become acutely aware of it the day he had taken off his clothes to pose for Orochimaru's picures; as they both had become the beacon for their new, complete life together; making up for what the other lacked which, in turn, made them both whole.

None of it ever was taken for granted, either.

Not for one second.

Orochimaru loved Neji, as well as what having Neji in his life truly meant for him. He was obligated, charged with taking care of him; providing for him, forever responsible for making his beauty smile that gorgeous smile of his.

Orochimaru took great pride in helping someone as deserving and wonderful as Neji find his wings, his voice, his confidence to make those kind of out-of-the-blue decisions and take flight off somewhere that he had never been- things that spoke worlds of the freedom they both shared now since they had each other.

Orochimaru was the source of Neji's freedom and that brought so much joy and fulfillment to his life- a life that had been previously dedicated to only himself, but was now centered around someone he loved whom also reciprocated those intense feelings.

Having Neji meant being responsible…but it meant being responsible for an angel; to take care of the thing most precious to him.

In that, Orochimaru felt truly blessed as well…and it all had started by just the speed of his shutter.

"Come on get a dream for one day / There's nothing that can't be done/ But how long should it take somebody / Before they can be someone / Cuz I know there's got to be another level / Somewhere closer to the other side / And I'm feeling like it's now or never / Can I break the spell of the typical/ …Now I've lived through my share of misfortune / And I've worked in the blazing sun / But how long should it take somebody / Before they can be someone…" Typical, Mute Math

Author's Note: Okie smokies, I think that's a wrap. Thanks so much to all my readers and reviewers. Thanks for taking a chance on an extremely odd story, yes? Teehee. Much love to all…but especially to April- my Tovaras, da? XD