Dee struggled against his bonds, trying to rub off the tightly tied blindfold. His arms were tied above his head and he guessed that he was lying on a bed... but how did he get here?

"Help?" he called weakly, not really sure if he wanted help considering he was wearing nothing more than a rather skimpy thong. Cool air caressed his bare chest. Dee shivered.

His voice echoed in the dead silence of the room and he strained to remember how exactly he had gotten here. Okay, he'd been working on a case, undercover, attempting to get close to their suspect, Layton Mills. In fact, he'd gotten very close to his suspect, to the point of Mills spotting him and even buying him a drink. Everything after that went hazy.

Dee pulled again at the cords binding his wrist. What was that, he wondered. Leather. Perverted bastard. What the hell did he do to me? Dee wondered wildly, feeling horribly vulnerable and naked.

Had Mills even left? Was he standing in the room right now, watching Dee's fruitless attempts at escape. Shit. Where was Ryo when he needed him? Not that he wanted Ryo to see him like this, helpless... but he'd rather it be Ryo than Mills because from everything he'd read about Mills, the man wasn't above some pretty nasty stuff and Dee really didn't want to be on the receiving end of any of it. Again, he tugged at the leather bindings, gasping as panic built within him.

Where am I? Dee fell still, straining to hear anything. Should he go ahead and call for help. If Mills had kidnaped him then it wouldn't matter. If he was in a club then he would just have to swallow the embarrassment of being found bound semi-naked. What the fuck did he do? he wondered again. Take pictures? Oh god. That last thought didn't sit well. He wouldn't put it past Mills to do something sleazy like that and put them out for others' enjoyment.

Footsteps clacked against the floor outside, approaching. Dee's entire body tensed up, his fists clenching, fingers dinging into the palms. He rolled over as best as he could with his wrists bound as they were to curl up. There was no way he'd let any sicko get off on looking at him tied up and helpless. The door creaked as the knob was turned and slowly pushed open.

"Dee?" It was Ryo's hushed, shocked voice. "Kuso! What happened?" Immediately, slender, gentle hands were running along his arms, over his wrists. "I decided to check up on you when you didn't report back in! Who did this?"

"Mills... I think," Dee replied hoarsely, just now realizing how sore his throat was. When did that happen? "I think the . . . bastard drugged me. Get this off. Please." He tugged again at the leather straps, feeling the heat of embarrassment inflame his face. Ryo shouldn't have to see him like this. He turned his head as the delicate hands deftly untied the blindfold and pulled it off. Ryo's beautiful, concerned face looked down at him. "God," Dee swallowed, "you're a sight for sore eyes."

Apparently, not sure what to do with Dee's state of mostly-nakedness, Ryo flushed and worked at Dee's bound wrists. If he wasn't careful his eyes would wander down that defined bronze chest, the washboard abs, and the fine line of hair that arrowed down to the black thong that bulged oh so enticingly. Quickly, he averted his gaze back to the leather straps. He frowned. "These are tied really well." He bit his bottom lip. "I don't know if I can get it."

Dee sighed. "Great." He leaned his head to the side, his dark hair falling over his hypnotic emerald eyes. "I'm glad it was you who found me."

Ryo's hands faltered at their job working on Dee's bindings. He didn't look at his partner. "Nani?"

"I thought--" Dee swallowed. "It could've been Mills. I don't remember what happened and I didn't want you to see me like this, but then, you're the only one I trust enough and . . . love enough."

Ryo sat down on the bed beside Dee, his hands falling into his lap. "Dee...."

"If it had been Mills, what do you think would've happened?"

Closing his eyes, Ryo turned his head away.

"Look at me, Ryo," Dee said as if he wasn't the one tied up, as if he was actually the one in control. But Ryo did look at him and it wasn't a look he liked. It was the look he'd become all too familiar with--deer caught in the headlights. "I could've died and I would die without ever having heard you say those same words."

"What same words?" Ryo whispered, even though he knew.

"I love you." Dee rolled his head so that he was looking up at the ceiling. "Why can't you say it, Ryo? Here I am, you have me at a complete disadvantage and you still can't say it." He gritted his teeth, clenched his eyes shut, telling himself he wasn't going to break down like this just because it was the same old story. Over and over, he chased Ryo and over and over, he got nothing in return. Why should he expect now to be any different? "It's okay. I don't expect you to say it."

"Dee..." Fingers lightly traced his cheeks, over his lips. Dee opened his eyes. Ryo's face was mere inches from his. "I love you."

Dee gasped. "You--" And his mouth was taken in a passionate kiss that sang of need and love, of vitality and heat. It was a fierce kiss wrapped in the softest satin, wet and delicious. Dee moaned into Ryo's mouth, marveling that his timid partner could show so much fortitude. His hands clenched into helpless fists even as Ryo moved his own hands over Dee's bare flesh, up along his arms. Still modest in their exploration, for Dee didn't think Ryo capable of taking advantage of him like that.

Ryo finally pulled away from the kiss, eyes half open in a foggy state of euphoria. "Wow," he murmured and licked his lips.

"You can say that again," Dee agreed, still a bit short of breath from the searing kiss.

"I guess we should... uh... try to get you free," Ryo said dazedly, not really looking at Dee, or his bindings.

Dee smirked. Leave it to Ryo to throw himself so totally into the moment and be embarrassed about it five seconds later. He arched his back and spread his legs suggestively, the thong's bulge more prominent now and heavy-looking. With some satisfaction, he noticed Ryo glance at it. "We could, or we could experiment some more. What do you think?" He grinned.

"I... ah..." Ryo flushed, suddenly flustered. "Maybe we could start at step one again."

Dee arched his eyebrow. "Step one?"

Ryo smiled timidly. "This," and leaned down for another kiss.