"Sometimes it's a form of love just to talk to somebody that you have nothing in common with and still be fascinated by their presence." - David Byrne

"What are you doing up here? The dinner hour's almost up," Fubuki said as he shut the door to their room. He'd returned to the dorm to grab a comb and fix up his hair, and had found Ryo bent over some notes at his desk.

"I usually just grab a few rolls and eat them up here," Ryo said. "I don't eat much."

The very statement nearly shattered Fubuki's heart. How could anyone not eat much? It was practically a crime. "Don't you at least want to hang out in the dining hall? Everybody's down there."

"That's all right, you go ahead." Ryo still hadn't looked up from his notebook.

"Is something bothering you or are you really like this all the time?" Fubuki asked bluntly, sitting on the bed and flipping his thick mane of hair.

"Like what?" Ryo snapped. Please tell me he's finally taken the hint.

Fubuki threw up his hands. "You haven't said a word to anybody since the first day. You've spent most of your time here, the lighthouse, or in the library. At first I thought maybe you were just shy and a little homesick, but it hasn't changed."

Ryo shrugged. "I apologize if my personality doesn't suit your needs."

Fubuki smiled. "You've got a sarcastic side. I like that. Reminds me of my sister." He stared at Ryo, and his eyes were gentle. "What about you? You miss your family?"

"Not really," Ryo said. "I've been away from home plenty of times."

"You go to duel camp or something?"

Ryo nodded. "My brother and I went."

"I saw a picture of him in your suitcase. He looks so small I can't believe he's actually thirteen. You must miss the little guy."

"Not really," Ryo said before he could stop himself.

Fubuki stopped and turned to face Ryo, his eyes wide. "You really don't miss him at all?"

"We were never that close," Ryo said, closing his notebook. By now he'd given up on getting work done.

"Why not?" Fubuki asked. Ryo didn't answer and Fubuki decided not to press the matter further. Instead he moved closer to Ryo and put a hand on his shoulder, ignoring the automatic tension that followed his touch. "Seriously, you should think about interacting with people a bit more. A lot of the students here are really cool. You don't have to stay locked up in here by yourself all the time."

"Why does it matter to you?" Ryo asked.

Fubuki leaned in closer and Ryo instinctively leaned back. "Because I care about you," he replied.

"Why?" They'd just met. Why would anyone care about someone they just met?

"Why shouldn't I?" Fubuki shrugged. "You are my roomie, after all. We have to look out for each other."

"I don't need anyone to look after me. I can take care of myself," Ryo said curtly, though not harshly.

Fubuki smiled slyly. "You're one of those people."

"One of what people?"

Fubuki stood and struck a dramatic pose. "You've been so lonely all your life that it's caused you to build up a wall of ice inside your heart that is seemingly unbreakable and present a cruel façade to all those around you. Night after night, you lie awake in subconscious agony begging the heavens to send someone who will break that wall and see through that facade and melt your icy heart with the warmth of their love."

"Yes Fubuki, that's exactly what I'm thinking every night. You hit the nail on the head."

"I knew it," Fubuki pumped his fist in the air, apparently having missed the sarcasm laced into Ryo's tone. "And I shall find a way."

Ryo leaned on the desk and rested his chin in his palm, growing bored. "Is this your unnecessarily overdramatic method of telling me you think I need a girlfriend?"

Fubuki grinned and wiggled his eyebrows. "Or I could find you a boyfriend. Whichever you prefer."

"I don't want either, Ryo said quickly, shuddering ever so slightly at the boyfriend comment.

"Coming right up!" Fubuki cheered, heading for the door.

"Fubuki."

He turned around. "Come take a walk with me. Socialize. Talk to people."

It didn't take a genius to figure out Fubuki's plan. "What poor girl were you thinking of setting me up with if I refused?"

"I'll never tell. But you might still find out." Fubuki grinned mischievously, a sight Ryo was quickly becoming used to.

"Let's go,' Ryo said abruptly, following him and trying very hard to ignore Fubuki's warm arm across his shoulders. He would not let Fubuki get too close. He would follow Chronos-sensei's instructions and would absolutely not become his friend.