I apologize that this story is lower in length and quality. However, I couldn't help but write a sequel to my original story, The Scientific Method. This story is dedicated to you, Raffin/Bann fandom. Once again, enjoy.
As he sat in his workshop alongside Bann, Raffin was acutely aware of the fact that not kissing his companion was quite possibly the most difficult task he'd ever faced.
Of course, only a few weeks prior, this had not been a problem at all. In fact, almost two months ago Raffin hadn't even been aware that Bann was someone he would want to kiss. However, that ignorance had come crashing down the moment he realized just how delectable Bann's mouth was. After seventeen days of research, Raffin both concluded that he was in love with Bann and was (rather suddenly) confronted with the notion that Bann loved him back.
Initially, this was a magnificent thing. He could kiss and touch and have Bann whenever he wanted, which turned out to be quite often. The two spent had spent the entire first three weeks of their courtship in each other's arms, which was a form of bliss that Raffin was unaccustomed to.
However, just five days before, Raffin had stumbled upon a cluster of papers that slightly altered his view.
It was he and Bann's research on a cure for smelly feet, completely finished and awaiting publication. They had finished the report ages ago, before he and Bann had even begun their relationship. Had they really been so preoccupied that they had forgotten to publish the completed report? Thinking back, ever since the day they had first made their feelings known, they had done virtually no research, and the research they had done was extremely unpublishable.
Raffin immediately showed the unpublished report to Bann, who was equally surprised. Not only was it bad that they had forgotten their research, but if they did not start generating reports again soon people might become suspicious of why the two were always disappearing to the workshop and yet never produced any research. After a long discussion, both decided to focus more on their research than their relationship in order to keep the latter hidden.
Which led Raffin to where he was now, sitting at his desk pretending to study the concoction he had produced, when really he was looking through the glass and watching Bann. He wasn't even particularly sure of what substance he had made, only that it consisted of some random ingredients he threw together and had a slight tangy scent.
"Raff," Bann sighed, Raffin nearly clearing his entire desk from his startled jump, "Let's not make fools of ourselves by producing bad research? I know you've been staring at me this whole time." Raffin couldn't help but grin at the way the corners of Bann's lips twitched upwards into a smile as he spoke.
"I made this!" Raffin insisted, pointing at his odd elixir.
"Yes, Raff, and I imagine its most notable quality is boring someone to death with its lack of purpose." He laughed. Raffin immediately searched his brain, attempting to recall the ingredients he haphazardly mixed together and what sort of utility they could have.
"It has purpose! It…it cures…boils!" Raffin insisted, though he was in full knowledge that it would certainly not cure any ailment.
Bann said something in response, but Raffin was once more entranced by the way his lover's lips moved. He spoke so smoothly, his mouth forming words in the way an artist must draw landscapes. Raffin found himself so consumed by the desire to kiss his partner that he resigned to kiss him no matter the consequences.
"Bann!" he exclaimed as he stood up abruptly, without realizing the sudden movement would jostle his table.
Raffin reflexively grabbed his concoction, making sure that it would not fall. However, he failed to do the same for his jar of ink, causing it to spill over and create a massive stain on his desk. Bann immediately rushed to his side, letting out a soft chuckle.
"Rocks, Raff. If you wanted my attention you could have simply asked, instead of ruining your workspace." Bann laughed.
Instead of replying, Raffin leaned in and claimed Bann's lips. Bann reacted immediately, curling his arms around Raffin's body. Raffin wrapped his arms around his partner's neck, tangling his fingers in the taller boy's hair. Their teeth crashed, the kiss increasing in intensity as it went on. Forgetting about the glass in his hands, Raffin felt it slipping through his fingers, landing with a shatter on his desk. He and Bann separated at the sudden sound, Raffin feeling a blush tingle his cheeks at the second mess.
However, Bann did not chastise him or jovially tease him. Instead, he simply stared at Raffin's desk, examining the further chaos he had made.
"Rocks. I didn't mean to do that." Raffin stated blandly, even though the fact basically spoke for itself. Bann did not look up, only stared even more intently at his workspace.
"Raffin," Bann said softly, "look at your desk."
Raffin glanced over, confused as to what he was referring to. The desk was covered in broken glass and a clear liquid that he assumed was his mystery elixir. It wasn't until a few seconds later that he realized what Bann was referring to.
"The ink is gone," He said softly first, then again with unexpected excitement, "The ink is gone!" Then, after a moment of reflection, he asked, "Why is the ink gone?"
"Raff. I think you've created some sort of stain remover! " Bann excitedly replied.
Raffin flung his arms around Bann, not entirely sure of the significance of this discovery but knowing Bann seemed to think it was big.
"Why is this so important?" Raffin questioned.
"Raffin, we've always had soap and other sort of cleaning solutions, but never has there been a substance that has the ability to remove permanent stains!" Bann grinned, and Raffin found himself smiling back.
Raffin considered the effects of such a finding. It would particularly affect the world of laundry, allowing ruined clothing to be restored to its former glory. Suddenly, an idea occurred to him.
"Bann," he said, "how long does our research typically last before we make a report?"
Bann thought for a moment, and then answered, "Usually about a month and a half."
Raffin grinned, his revelation now fully understood. It had only been about fifteen days since they had last published a report. No one would be expecting them to produce a report for another month, or perhaps more if Helda would be able to spread a rumor that their research was taking longer than expected.
"Then I suggest that we take advantage of this time." Raffin wryly proposed. A smile spread across Bann's face, and before he could reply Raffin stole his lips once more.
This kiss was sweeter, less desperate than the first. It was a kiss with a mutual understanding of love and yearning. It was a kiss that started slow, but was going somewhere else with an defined determination. Both knew that that somewhere would eventually lead them to the bedroom hidden in their workspace, the same one that could hide a man from Randa if necessary. Oh yes, Raffin thought, this was definitely going somewhere.
But they had plenty of time.