A Quiet Night

By Yai-tzu Hin

No part of this story or cast of characters may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the author, Yai-tzu Hin. If you do, moths will eat your favorite shirt, mice will take up residence in your kitchen and you can't get rid of them no matter what, all the bulbs in your reading lamps will go out, you'll run out of gas in your car when you're running late, and your computer will develop the annoying habit of deleting the best part of every fic.

The professor was droning on about Newton's theories and their application. Keien sighed and switched pens. He hated when they ran out of ink in the middle of lecture. Writing furiously to catch up on the notes he'd missed, Keien once again wondered why he needed this class to begin with. True, he had wanted to be an engineer at one time, but he'd switched his major last semester. Now he was he was going for a business degree, so why in the world was he stuck in this dull class?

Because my advisor needs his head examined, Keien thought angrily. I should be in a marketing class where we deal with statistics not speeds of two colliding bodies. The professor fumbled with the overhead projector in an attempt to get it to work. After a minute of flicking the switch on and off, checking the bulb, and lifting it off the podium, someone pointed out that it was unplugged. Following the cord to the wall socket, the elderly professor muttered something about stupid machines then plugged it in. The overhead flashed to life and class continued. Keien told Murphy what he thought of him and could have sworn he heard someone laugh.

Class let out early for once and Keien escaped with the rest of the suddenly alert students. They filed out of the building and to the green lawn. Keien shuddered. It was cold outside. Winter had finally arrived although so far it had been mild. The trees lining the main walkway to the student union building had lost their leaves long ago. They reminded Keien of dark skeletons of soldiers propped up for all eternity guarding the cement path.

The university had been built up over the years. Its original buildings dated back as far as the late 1890's. They were built in the European style favored by the international investors who had commissioned the construction. It was to be a piece of Europe in the middle of a foreign country, or so they had thought. About 1929 they had handed it over to the government and it had become public property.

Strolling towards the student union building, Keien hoped that Yatsurugi had managed to finish that paper last night. He hadn't been up when Keien had left that morning. According to Yatsurugi, the paper was on the motivations behind World War I. He'd spent two weeks doing research and writing the rough draft. Then the professor had ripped the draft to shreds and ordered him to start over. Yatsurugi had been furious to say the least and had spent the past three days trying to rewrite it. I wonder when he actually went to bed last night? Keien decided that he'd cook a special dinner tonight for his stressed roommate.

"Now we will be discussing the colonization of Africa. The Portuguese, Spanish, and Dutch were the first main players in race for African soil. Although the major players would turn out to be England and France. In…" a middle aged man with thick glass and slicked back graying hair started. Yatsurugi didn't hear anything. He was busily contemplating whether to ask for an extension or just hand the blasted paper in.

Fifteen pages of double-spaced, size 12 font type lay in front of him on the desk. He'd spent so long on the project he didn't know if he could stand another night working on it. Part of him wanted to please the professor and turn in something that would earn praise, the other wanted to turn him into a mouse. That would undoubtedly get him into trouble with not only the man's guardian angel, but with the archangels and the Almighty. Although, the archangels may not bring something as small as turning a man into a mouse to the Almighty's attention unless Yatsurugi did it in the middle of class. He knew better than to give in to urges that would result in harsh consequences.

"The slave trade to the Americas stemmed from…" the professor rattled on and Yatsurugi continued to debate. One of the girls sitting near him was not paying attention, but was eating her lunch. The scent of spices drifted throughout the back of the room. Yatsurugi wished she would put the lunch away, it was making him hungry. He'd left the house that morning without eating.

That was pretty stupid of me, he thought as he tried not to drool. That smells so good, though. I wonder if she'd share?

The bell couldn't ring too soon. When it did, Yatsurugi made like a bunny running in front of a forest fire. With determination and a growling stomach, he made his way from the history building to the student union building. Keien would be out of class late, unless there was some sort of miracle. It was up to Yatsurugi to claim a table for them.

To his surprise, Keien was already waiting for him in their favorite corner. If they weren't eating at the café off campus, then they were here. With a heavy sigh, Yatsurugi set his backpack on the table.

"That bad a day?" Keien asked.

"I hate my history class." He murmured sitting in one of the plastic and metal creations somebody had the audacity to call a chair. "What are you doing out early?"

"The professor had some meeting that started at noon. No, I don't think Hell has frozen over."

"Well, at least the hot part hasn't frozen over." Yatsurugi replied. Keien looked at him quizzically. "I'll explain later. Right now I want something to eat or I will start gnawing on the table." Keien handed him some money.

"Get me the usual."

"No problem." Yatsurugi said taking the money. He got up and left to join the herd of people waiting in line already.

"I'm telling you, Mother has got it in her mind to visit you." Haruka warned over the phone. Keien was standing at the kitchen counter flipping through a cookbook trying to decide on what to make for dinner. "She wants to have another one of THOSE discussions with you." Keien groaned. He didn't need his mother looking out for his happiness; he could do that himself.

"And how did you find this out?" he asked cautiously.

"I had dinner with her and father the other night. They wanted to meet the new roommate."

"I hope Kayumi didn't do anything that would cause embarrassment." Keien said as he turned the page. Everything sounded so good, but what did he want to make? More importantly, what would Yatsurugi like to eat?

"She made dinner. Mother was impressed and wondered why she didn't have any boyfriends. Said something about a good cook can always catch a good man. Kayumi laughed the comment off and didn't say anything." Keien chuckled as Haruka continued her recount of the dinner.

"Keien? Are you listening?"

"Um…not really. I'm sorry Haruka, I'm trying to decide what to make for dinner before Yatsurugi gets home." He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. Resting his elbows on the countertop, he leaned over to stare more intensely at the picture of a fancy chocolate cake with cream cheese filling and lots of decorative frosting. It looked delicious.

"I thought his cooking was improving?" she asked.

"It is, it's just that he's had a hard couple of days and I wanted to do something nice for him."

"Ah, that's sweet." Haruka teased. "Make sure you have a nice desert planned." There was something behind that comment, but Keien chose to ignore it. She's been spending too much time with Kayumi, I can tell. He sighed and said good bye to his sister. Turning off the phone, he left it on the counter as he opened the refrigerator to see how many eggs they had left. Sighing, Keien decided that he needed to make a brief trip to the market. Leaving a message that said he'd be back in a bit, he left.

Checking to make sure he had his wallet with him, Keien hurried to catch the bus. If he took the L bus to market, it would be faster than walking there. The bus was just arriving and he hopped aboard without skipping a beat. There were a couple old women sitting in the front with empty bags. They were most likely going grocery shopping too. Keien took a seat behind one of the women and waited for the bus to pull out.

Gazing out the window he watched people pass by on their way to and from home. The sky had darkened and the street lamps had come on. The city was lighting up in an effort to frighten off the darkness. People paused on sidewalks waiting for the signals to change so they could cross the street. Huddled under street lamps, they tried to keep warm in the cold winter evening.

The bus lurched forward with the rest of traffic and headed for its next destination. There were a few high school students in the back talking about soccer and baseball. Other than that, the bus was silent. Keien remarked that there was a small group of riders tonight, but didn't really care. He needed to get to the store.

One stop later he and the two old women got off and walked into the grocery store. Repeating to himself the list he'd memorized before leaving the apartment, Keien grabbed a basket. He needed a dozen eggs, a bottle of soy sauce, some shrimp, green onions, kiwi fruit and oranges. They had plenty of rice so he didn't bother picking up more. As he walked the aisles Keien kept in mind the time so that he had time to prepare dinner before Yatsurugi got home.

He bought the items, checked the time again then started the walk home. The bus wouldn't be by for another ten minutes, but it would be another forty minutes before it got to his stop. Keien was glad for the exercise, but wished he wasn't carrying groceries. Stopping at the crosswalk, he sighed heavily and put the bags on the ground. The wind caused him to shiver abruptly and he blew on his hands wishing he had warmer gloves.

"It's almost cold enough to snow." He murmured. "Let's hope it doesn't." The light turned and he picked up the bags. With the twenty or so other people, he crossed the street and continued his trek home.

I'm sure he'll appreciate this when I'm done, Keien told himself. There will be a nice warm dinner on the table and hopefully he can relax.

Fifteen minutes later, Keien opened the door to his apartment. He quickly shucked his coat and hung it up. Even though it was cold outside, he was boiling after the hike. The boots were left by the door, for once not in an orderly fashion. Keien had to hurry and start the meal or else it wouldn't be done in time.

Yatsurugi was tired. The entire day had worn him out. After going three days without more than five hours of sleep each night, he was ready for a change. His bed sounded really nice about now. I didn't have to worry about this when I was just a guardian angel, he thought. There are days I wonder what was going through my mind. I HATE writing papers. For all the grousing that he was doing now, he actually was glad he'd taken human form. His experiences with Keien were what made it worth while. To see him smile and know that he was happy.

The train had been crowded, but he was used to it. The motion of bodies swaying back and forth in rhythm with the wheels. He left the station and climbed the stairs to the street. A freezing wind swept up and he shuddered. Wrapping his scarf tighter around his neck, he prayed that this wasn't a prelude to an early winter storm. That was all the city needed, snow. Every winter it threatened to snow and when it came through on the threat, the city was thrown into havoc. Drivers who were from southern regions where it never snowed were always the first casualties. Their cars would slide on the ice causing six car pile-ups that took three hours to clear. The trains would continue to run though, but passengers would have to be careful on the slick platforms. One misplaced step and you could end up on your rear.

Weathermen had been predicting that this would be a bad winter since the end of summer. With the warm autumn, it had looked like they were wrong. After the first frost though, it had grown cold quickly. Yatsurugi shoved his hands in his coat pockets in an effort to keep them warm. Memo to me, find a warmer pair of gloves. These knit things aren't doing jack.

The apartment complex came into view. Yatsurugi looked up and saw that the light of their apartment was on. Good, Keien was home. Hopefully he had the heat on. Trudging up the stairs, Yatsurugi wondered whose turn it was to cook dinner tonight. He really didn't feel like cooking and considered ordering out. Maybe Keien had started dinner and Yatsurugi wouldn't have to cook. All he wanted to do was eat and then go to bed.

Upon opening the front door, Yatsurugi was assaulted by the aroma of shrimp being cooked. He breathed in deeply and exhaled. Whatever Keien was cooking, it smelled good. Leaving his shoes by the door, Yatsurugi hurried to the kitchen.

"What smells so good?" he inquired sticking his head around the corner. Keien jumped.

"Dammit! Don't startle me like that." Keien whipped around, spatula in hand to stare at his roommate. Yatsurugi stood staring at him. His lavender hair was a tussled mess from the wind. Long bangs, which were normally neatly combed away from his face, now hung down limply before his eyes. Keien wanted to brush them away from his blue eyes, but if he left the stove the shrimp would burn.

"Sorry." Yatsurugi apologized smiling. "So what are you making for dinner?" Keien smiled slyly and turned back to the stove.

"Oh, you'll see." He said coyly. Yatsurugi eyed him suspiciously.

"Can I have a taste now?" Yatsurugi asked slipping into the kitchen, his coat and gloves still on.

"No. You'll have to wait." Slowly Yatsurugi slipped off his gloves and crept up behind Keien. "And don't you dare try snitching anything either." Yatsurugi placed his cold hands on Keien's exposed neck. The man yelped and jerked. Whirling around, spatula ready, Keien narrowed his green eyes at Yatsurugi.

"That was uncalled for." Yatsurugi grinned.

"Are you sure you won't let me have a taste?"

"YES. No get!" Keien swatted him with the spatula. "I'll call you when it's ready. Jeez you're cold. Go put your hands by a heater for a while."

His mission unsuccessful, Yatsurugi slunk off to his room. Stripping off his coat, he dropped it on his chair then collapsed on the bed. He had just drifted off when Keien rapped at his door.

"Dinner is ready." Yatsurugi opened one eye, then the other. His body felt like lead, he didn't want to get up. The warm smell of food reminded him that he was hungry and he moved. Swinging his feet off the side of the bed, he sat up, rubbed his eyes and rose.

Keien was dipping up rice when Yatsurugi emerged from his room. He took one look at his weary roommate and smiled.

"Sit. You look like you're about to fall over." Yatsurugi nodded and sat. The heat from the rice made him feel sleepy. Keien better hurry up with the rest of the meal or I'll fall asleep in the rice here, he thought as Keien retrieved the rest of the meal. Cabbage, peapods, mushroom, and large cooked shrimp were heaped onto his plate while he inhaled the rich aroma. Keien served himself before setting the pan down on a hot pad.

"There is plenty, so eat as much as you want." Keien told Yatsurugi as he sat down. Picking up his chopsticks, Yatsurugi eagerly dug into his meal. After a few bites he paused.

"Keien, I just realized tonight was my night to cook."

"That's okay. You've been working so hard you deserved a night off. Besides it was an excuse for me to try this recipe." Yatsurugi raised a lavender eyebrow at him.

"So I'm to be your guinea pig, ne?" Keien only chuckled.

"No, the experiment isn't until dessert. These are normal shrimp in a ginger and soy sauce. Don't give me that look, I assure you that you'll like it." Even with Keien's guaranty, Yatsurugi wasn't completely convinced. Anytime he tried a new recipe, it led to disaster. Of course Keien was a better cook than he was. He shouldn't worry.

The dinner was delicious. Keien had, in Yatsurugi's mind, out done himself. Everything tasted wonderful. All that was missing were some candles, a soft concerto playing in the background, and the lights turned off. That would make it the perfect romantic dinner. The last romantic dinner, if you could call eating ice cream by candlelight a dinner, had been months ago. Although it had been one of the most fun nights Yatsurugi had had during his first days in human form. He smiled at the memory.

"I hope you're smiling like a fox because you like the food and not that you're planning on getting even with me." Keien said. Yatsurugi jerked his head up, the smile vanishing.

"No, I was just remembering the time we had ice cream by candlelight. That's all."

"Good, for a minute I thought I might be in trouble." Keien replied setting his chopsticks down. "Would you like more or should I get dessert?" Yatsurugi looked at his empty plate then at the Keien.

"Dessert sounds like a good idea."

"Then dessert it is." Keien said getting up from the table. He scooped up his plate and Yatsurugi's. Then he put them in the sink to be washed later. Opening the refrigerator, Keien leaned over and took out a glass bowl. Leaning back in his chair so that only two legs rested on the floor, Yatsurugi strained to see what was in it. Keien set the chilled dessert down on the counter so that he could retrieve two small dishes for him and Yatsurugi.

"Keien?"

"Just a moment." He answered as he dipped up the concoction. Yatsurugi rocked back and forth waiting. He wanted to see what Keien had spent all afternoon on.

A ceramic white bowl was set down in front of him along with a spoon and fork. Yatsurugi stared down.

"It's kiwi and orange sections in a ginger syrup." Keien said. "Go ahead and try it." Yatsurugi took up his spoon and fished out a slice of kiwi. Keien sat down at his on place with a bowl and waited for the verdict.

"Not bad, not bad at all. Sweet and tangy." Yatsurugi said at last. "I'd say this is a success." Keien looked so happy that he'd bust right out of his skin.

"Really? I was hopping it would be all right. I had my doubts about the kiwi because it is so late in the season."

Yatsurugi shook his head as he picked out an orange section. Assuring Keien once more that it was fine, he concentrated on finishing his bowl full. Keien finally tasted his own creation and was pleased that Yatsurugi's words were true. They talked in between mouthfuls about other recipes that Keien wanted to try out. Yatsurugi suggested that he talk to Kayumi about possibly acquiring a few of her recipes. Kayumi would probably be willing to help Keien cook. This thought caused Keien to almost choke, as he wasn't sure what type of help Kayumi would offer. Especially if word got to Eros and Psyche and they decided to lend a helping hand too. He was still convinced that Kayumi had put something in his tea that one time, but couldn't prove it.

"You know, I wouldn't put it past my sister to try slipping a love potion into something." Yatsurugi commented as he helped Keien clear the table.

"Speaking of your sister, how did her date with Death go?" Yatsurugi shrugged.

"I have no idea. I haven't talked to her for a couple weeks. I had that paper and who knows what she has been doing."

"Haruka didn't mention anything when I spoke with her earlier. So she must be not talking about it." Keien said putting the last of their dinner into plastic containers.

"Probably. Anyway, that looks like everything. I'm going to bed."

"Good night Yatsurugi." Keien turned his full attention back to what he was doing. Yatsurugi paused for a moment, then reached over and hugged Keien.

"Thanks for dinner and dessert; it was wonderful." He whispered before kissing Keien on the cheek. Keien smiled.

"You're welcome. Good night and sweet dreams."

"Oh, I'm sure they'll be sweet." Yatsurugi winked at him then left for his room.

"I'm positive they will be." Keien said with a smile. He placed the containers in the refrigerator, then left the dishes for tomorrow. He still had homework to do after spending all afternoon preparing dinner. But it had been worth it. Every minute.