part I

"LAYTNER!" the chief screamed, causing Ryo to jump. As he wanted for his new partner to appear in the office, his heart raced, and his brow furrowed. It couldn't possibly be HIM, could it? The blond man shut his eyes, torn with mixed emotions. Was he wishing that it would be someone else, or did he secretly want it to be the Dee Laytner he knew?

"Damn it! I told you, that wasn't my fault, Chief-!" Dee began, bursting through the office door. His speech was cut short as he glanced at the man standing next to the Police Chief.

Patting Ryo hard on the back, the squat man looked over to Dee and said, "Here's your new partner-"

"Ryo."

"Dee..."

The chief glanced between the two shocked faces. "Looks like you two already know each other! Well," he said, irritating Ryo by slapping him on the back once more, "Welcome abroad!"

            Four years earlier...

Below the sun-drenched sky, the figure of a slim, dark-blond man slowly walked out onto a slender wooden pier. It was a brilliant, sunny day as Ryo Maclean looked out over the small lake which he planned to camp near for the next week. The surrounding forest was gorgeous; quiet and serene. Just what he needed, he thought, taking in a deep breath and filling his lungs with the fresh air, fragrant with the scent of pine and lilac.

The 19-year-old had been bombarded lately with too many issues, too many problems. He had spent the last year taking some time to travel and think before enrolling into the police academy. It hadn't been his own plan, but his aunt and uncle had insisted, believing he needed a little prospective and some time to decompress before entering the highly-charged environment of police training. But the time off had only served to bring up more questions, not quell them. Maybe this week alone would clear his head-

SPLoooSHHhhhh!

Suddenly the still, tranquil waters at the blond's feet erupted into a flurry of motion as the body of another man heaved itself up out of the water to stand before him, wet and glistening in the sun. And stark naked. They blinked, both men obviously surprised.

"Mind handing me my towel?" the tall, dark-haired man asked with a crooked grin, pointing behind Ryo. The blond blushed furiously, the situation catching him totally off guard. He hadn't even noticed the towel laying there before and he immediately turned to retrieve it, grateful to have something to distract him from the sight before him. The man seemed to be around his own age, possibly younger, with a slim, muscular body that was just beginning to broaden into the full-fledged build of a man. Ryo found himself hard-pressed not to stare.

"H-here," Ryo sputtered, passing the stranger his small beach towel.

"Thanks," he replied, the same sly smile still written across his features. He seemed to enjoy the way the situation was flustering Ryo, which only made the honey-blond blush even deeper.

Somehow, under the stranger's penetrating gaze, Ryo felt as if HE were the one standing there with nothing on.

"I didn't know anyone else would be out here..." Ryo tried to explain rather lamely, feeling as if he had intruded. "The owner of the property told me I would be the only person here," he finished, shuffling from one foot to the other and wondering how soon he could turn and leave.

"Don't worry about it," the raven-haired young man replied. "I wasn't supposed to be staying this long, I just called today to extend my visit," he explained as he toweled off, seemingly oblivious to the fact he was nude in front of someone he had only just met.

"You called? I didn't think there were any phones nearby..." Ryo asked, trying to act nonchalant- and look at anything but the man before him. Didn't this guy have any shame?

"Oh, well, you see, I'm not camping out; I was actually staying in the cabin with a bunch of friends," he finally wrapped the towel about his waist and continued. "It was so nice up here, I thought, why not stay for a few days just by myself?" he said as he started back up the pier and brushed passed Ryo. "Of course, it looks like I'll have someone to keep me company after all."

Although his words were innocent enough, there was something in the /way/ this guy said them that made them sound like an innuendo. Again Ryo looked flustered and again the man seemed to take a decidedly wicked pleasure in his squirming.

"I'm Randy," Ryo said to keep the conversation going and mask the awkwardness he felt.

"Dee, pleased to meet you," said the other man, holding out one palm to shake hands. Deep jade eyes suddenly looked intently down upon the smaller blond man as Dee stopped walking and asked, "Are you part Japanese? Your eyes, they're so dark..."

"Y-yes," Ryo stammered out, looking away from the intense gaze and starting to walk once more to hopefully put some space between him and this man who seemed to affect him so unreasonably.

Dee trotted after him, ignoring the way Ryo had retreated from him. "Randy?" he repeated with a teasing laugh, "Doesn't that mean 'horny' over in England? So, does your name fit yo-"

But before Dee could continue with that train of thought, Ryo interrupted nervously, "Ryo is my Japanese name, you can call me by that." It was unusual for Ryo give someone he had just met his more intimate, Japanese name, but he really didn't relish this man making lurid jokes about his name every time he saw him for the next few days either. Although Ryo hoped not to see the man at all, the property wasn't that large, and Dee didn't seem the type to let him be.

"I really should set up my camp sight," Ryo said once they had gotten deeper into the woods in an attempt to get rid of the dark-haired man.

"Do you need any help?" Dee asked.

"No, no, I'll be fine. You probably want to get dressed soon anyway," Ryo replied, walking away with a wave.

"Yeah, sure," Dee said with a slight grin, as if he found Ryo's response amusing. "But knock on my door if you change your mind!" Dee called as he arrived at the steps leading up to the small log cabin.

"Ok!" Ryo said, disappearing into the foliage, relieved that the man hadn't pushed his help upon him. Although Ryo had to admit that he probably could've used the aid, he would have to be in deep trouble before he'd seek out this overbearing guy's help...

Two hours later Dee heard a knock at his door and he opened it to see Ryo standing before him with a sheepish grin.

"Ummm..." Ryo stumbled, not sure how to ask for help when he'd rejected it so swiftly earlier- not to mention he'd forgotten those damn, penetrating green eyes the man possessed that seemed to make him squirm under their scrutiny.

"Need help, huh?" the young man asked, leaning casually against the door frame with a knowing smile, as if to say, "Took you long enough."

"Uh, yeah..." Ryo confirmed rather shyly.

Dee turned and walked back into the house to grab a light jacket and called over his shoulder, "Is it just the tent? Do you need anything else? Firewood maybe?"

Ryo blinked, in his focus to erect the tent, he'd completely forgotten to gather any wood for a fire, and the evening was quickly approaching. Not that it would get particularly cool, but he would need a cooking fire and the light helped keep any curious animals away as well.

Lost in these thoughts, Ryo didn't notice Dee's return.

"Need an axe?" he asked, startling Ryo with his nearness.

"Uhhh..." Ryo started dumbly. "I was just going to gather some fallen wood," he finally explained.

Dee shook his head, "No good, it rained yesterday and the wood will all be too damp to burn."

"Oh," Ryo replied, frowning inwardly at his lack of foresight.

But Dee patted him on the back saying, "Don't worry, there's a little shed around back, I was going to cut some of the logs in there for myself tonight anyway."

"Ok, but you don't have to cut it for me, I can at least do that much," Ryo said, feeling he needed to contribute in some way. He felt rather inept and he could sense that Dee was enjoying being in charge.

Dee walked them around to the small wooden structure that they found stuffed to the gills with large logs. Feeling rather pleased with himself thus far, Dee reached in to lift out a particularly thick one, part of him trying to impress Ryo with his strength and ability.

But the damn thing wouldn't budge.

It was Ryo's turn now to feel pleased. An amused smile graced his features and when Dee saw it he told him, "Hey! Don't just stand there, Goldilocks, help me with this!"

Glad to feel of use, Ryo gave a slight laugh and reached in with Dee to finally pry loose the adequately-sized wooden log. By the time they actually got the thing up onto the chopping block, they were both sweating.

"Next time," Ryo said between breaths, "We take a smaller damn log!"

Dee laughed and walked over to grab the axe laying inside the shed.

"Job's only half over," he said, trying to catch his breath. It wasn't just the physical labor that had his blood pounding, either. Grappling with the log had left Ryo with a lovely, rosy glow in his cheeks and his heavy panting gave Dee decidedly lusty thoughts as to other things which might leave the both of them breathless.

"Dee?" Ryo asked when the boy stood there, staring for a moment. "Did you pull something?"

"Huh?" Dee shook himself from his reverie. "No, no... just taking a breather."

"Here," said Ryo, taking the axe from his hands, "Let me chop this one, you get the next."

"But-!" Dee started, wary that Ryo might seriously hurt himself since he seemed to have very little practical, outdoor skill. To his surprise, Ryo lifted the axe with grace and brought it down with an swift THUNK, chopping the log expertly in half.

The blond turned back to him with a smile. "I was always pretty good at this," he said. Dee simply stood there gaping. The man before him had seemed so timid and clumsy before. However, as Dee watched him chop the log into ever-smaller segments, he saw that the rather shy personality veiled the man's physical strength and skill. If Dee had thought before that the guy was a push-over, he had other ideas now. This was a man who could definitely take care of himself. It made Dee wonder why he didn't hold himself with more confidence.

"Here," Ryo said, walking back to Dee and handing him the axe, "You get the next one, I need a break." Dee simply nodded, trying not to stare as the blond wiped a small tickle of sweat slipping down the elegant curve of his neck.

They worked for the next hour chopping the wood, setting up Ryo's tent, and finally building up a little fire in the middle of his camp. As they stepped back to look at their handiwork, Dee shook his head.

"I don't get it," he said, looking at Ryo.

"What? What don't you 'get'?" he asked, kneeling down to search through his bags for the food he had planned to make that night. It was also a good way to distract himself from Dee's intense gaze.

"Well, you can chop firewood better than I do, and I've been to camp every summer since I was ten, but you can't put up a simple tent?" he asked, squatting down next to Ryo so the other man couldn't avoid him.

When the blond made no sign of answering him and continued to rummage through his belongings, Dee moved in slightly closer and laying a hand over one shoulder, repeated persistently, "Why is that Ryo?"

"Just one of those things," he muttered.

"But-"

Suddenly Ryo stood, effectively shaking off Dee's hand, "I don't mean to be rude, but I just arrived today and I really am very tired. I hope you don't mind if we call it a day." Even though he knew he was being unreasonable after this man had helped him with so much, Dee's question brought up memories he was already having trouble dealing with. He hadn't come all this way to clear his mind only to have this man clutter his emotions.

Ryo didn't like having his emotions stirred up, particularly not by someone he had only just recently met. And something about Dee had sunk under his skin the moment he saw him. It was unnerving and his automatic reaction was to pull away.

Although he was a little taken aback by Ryo's sudden change in demeanor, Dee nodded in agreement. "Sure," he replied, "Guess I'll see ya, good night."

"Good night," Ryo replied with a forced smile as Dee walked back into the dark to his cabin.

In truth, it bothered the raven-haired man to leave. He had really felt earlier as if he was connecting with the other young man. Sure, at first Ryo was a little up-tight, but then he had loosened up and they had started to talk and laugh freely. And try as he might, Dee couldn't figure out what he had said to bring about such a cooling of attitude with Ryo.

Oh, well, he thought, I still have a few days...

* * *

The morning dawned in glorious golds and yellows. Just like that boy's hair, Dee thought as he watched the sun coming over the mountain ridges, sipping at his coffee. It surprised him how much the man was in his thoughts after such a brief meeting the day before. Not that Dee was really contemplating it that much; he'd never been the introspective type. All he knew was that he liked Ryo. Plain and simple. It didn't matter that they had only just met. Dee always made up his mind swiftly and trusted his instincts.

A knock at the door interrupted his musings and he opened it to a very bright-eyed Ryo.

"Good morning!" the blond said enthusiastically.

"'Morning, come on in," Dee suggested, motioning him inside. "I should've known," he said cryptically.

"Huh? Known what?" Ryo asked, sitting himself at the small kitchen table with the other man.

"You're a morning person," Dee explained with a smile.

Ryo laughed softly and replied, "I guess so... I just thought I'd see if you wanted to take a swim, I just finished hiking around the lake and wanted to cool off,"

Almost choking on his coffee, Dee said, "You've already gone around the whole lake just this morning?" He shook his head, "I'm impressed."

"It's not that far..." Ryo said, finding himself blushing at Dee's praise for some reason.

"So you up for skinny-dipping then I suppose?" Dee said, raising an eyebrow.

"Huh?!" Ryo said, his cheeks now flushing crimson, "N-no! I brought an extra set of swim trunks- you came use them..." He passed Dee the trunks still mumbling nervously, "They should fit, I think we're about the same size..."

Reaching out with one hand, Dee grabbed the clothing, deliberately grazing his fingers across Ryo's hand as he did so.

Willing himself to stop the heat rushing to his face, Ryo watched as Dee stood and began to walk passed him, presumably to change clothes. But he stopped and startled the blond by leaning down and slipping a finger under Ryo's chin to lift his eyes to meet his.

"Want to help me change?" he whispered, wicked intent laced in every syllable.

Ryo's mouth opened to speak, but the words stuck in his throat. Suddenly Dee laughed and Ryo thought he heard him mutter something like, "So cute..." under his breath.

"I'll be right back," Dee finally said, turning to walk to the washroom.

Letting out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, Ryo slumped in his chair. He couldn't deny the effect Dee had on him, but he wasn't sure yet what to do about it.

"Race ya!" yelled Dee, as he ran out to the end of the rickety wooden pier. "Come on, Goldilocks!" he teased, leaping into the cold water.

Ryo jumped in a second later, accidentally colliding with Dee in the process.

"Ouch!" he heard Dee cry.

"Oh! Sorry, Dee!" Ryo said apologetically.

"Sorry, huh?" said the dark-haired man, swimming toward Ryo with a predatory look in his eye.

"Now, Dee..." Ryo warned, backing away, but there was a teasing tone underlying his words.

"Sorry's not gonna cut it!" Dee said with a evil laugh as he lunged at Ryo, grabbing him around the waist and pulling him under.

Somehow Ryo wiggled out of the hold and managed to surface before Dee, enabling him to dunk the other man as soon as his dark head appeared above the water.

The two men spent the rest of the day wrestling and rough-housing in the water until they both emerged breathless and starving.

After walking back to the cabin, Dee made a valiant, but poor attempt to fix them a meal and finally acquiesced to Ryo's help after he nearly started a grease fire in the kitchen.

"Damn, you're quite the chef, Ryo!" Dee said after he'd finished the dish Ryo whipped up to replace Dee's sad attempt. Pushing his empty plate aside and leaning back in his chair Dee asked, "Where'd you learn to cook like that?"

As Ryo gathered their plates and set them in the sink, he answered quietly, "My mother."

"Remind me to thank her!" Dee said with a smile as Ryo sat back down across from him.

But Ryo's own smile was weak, a melancholy twist to it.

"Dee," he said, looking at the man beside him.

"Yeah?"

"About last night, I'm sorry I was so curt with you after you helped me out with everything," Ryo said.

Dee shrugged, "Don't worry about it."

There was a long silence and Dee wondered if he'd unwittingly said something wrong.

Finally, Ryo said rather quietly, "This is the first time I've come up here alone."

"Oh?" Dee inquired, sensing that Ryo was leading to something.

Ryo paused, "Yeah, I've always come with my parents. My dad and I would cut the wood while my mom set up the tent and built the fire..." He stopped, his voice wavering. "That's why I never knew how to pitch a tent," he explained with a bitter laugh.

Moving around the table to kneel next to Ryo, Dee placed a hand over his back.

"How long ago did you loose them?" he prompted after a moment, surprising Ryo with his insight.

"They- they died 3 years ago..." Ryo finally said, wiping away the unexpected tears with the back of his hand.

"Ryo..." Dee whispered, a tender ache squeezing at his heart. Slowly, he reached out a hand to slip it through those honey-gold locks and rest Ryo's head on his shoulder. It seemed unfair to him that someone who'd actually been given a real family life had had it stolen away. Dee had grown-up on hard times, he was prepared to meet the world, but this man... He'd had security, love, a family; he seemed ill-equipted to be tossed out into the real world just yet. An unexpected feeling welled up within Dee to protect this man in his arms shaking softly with his tears.

"When you asked me about all that yesterday, it just reminded me of so many things..." Ryo choked out. "Sometimes I loose it over the stupidest things," he said.

"I don't think it was stupid," Dee replied, brushing his fingers over one perfect cheek to catch a stray tear as he pulled back to look into Ryo's tear-stained eyes.

"Would you like to stay here with me tonight?" Dee asked softly in a way Ryo found difficult to interpret. Was he offering merely comfort or something more?

Blushing a delightful pink, he answered, "No, that's ok...thanks though." And he found he really meant it. He was grateful to Dee for being so understanding to his sudden mood swings and comforting him although he had no reason to.

After a moment, Ryo sighed, feeling a weight had been lifted off his shoulders after being able to talk about his family. He'd never really confided in anyone before, but kept his pain to himself, close to his heart. He wasn't quite sure why he had told so much to Dee, except that somehow Ryo just felt safe around him. As if he could tell him anything and he would listen without judgment or criticism. And he liked Dee, maybe a little too much, but he felt so free with him and with no one else around he didn't feel the usual need to censor himself.

"Alright, but I'll be here if you need anything," Dee replied as he walked Ryo to the door.

"Thanks... good night Dee," Ryo said, waving before he set off for his camp.

"Sweet dreams, Ryo."

* * *

The next day passed very much in the same manner as the previous; Dee and Ryo took some time to hike (at Ryo's insistence) and spent the later half of the day in the lake (at Dee's insistence) to cool down. But the feel of the day was different, even if their activities remained the same. There was something in the air between them, an unspoken, unacknowledged attraction. Dee recognized it for what it was right away and was biding his time until he could exploit it. Ryo, however, not used to such tension, felt as if he was walking a tight-rope all day long through the growing silences between them.

But as the sun set and the stars began to glow, Ryo's unease faded into the twilight. He watched the play of the fireflies against the blinking stars and wondered if he hadn't strayed into a dream; an incarnation maybe of Shakespear's imagination.

Before he knew it Dee and him were in a deep in conversation about their lives. What they wanted, where they'd been. Everything but where they were going. Neither one of them was particularly interested in bring up the prospect of the future when they were so blissfully in the present moment.

"Dee," Ryo said gently as the laid across the thick blanket protecting them from the rough forest floor.

"Yeah?" the man asked absentmindedly, looking at the thick swarm of stars above them.

Ryo turned his eyes away from the sky to more earthly beauty as he gazed at the man next to him. "I'm having a really great time with you," he said simply.

It was unusual for Ryo to express himself so openly, but Dee made it so easy for him to break away from his usual, shy self. The man had so much energy, confidence, and magnetism. It was just contagious! In the last few days Ryo had felt himself loosening up, laughing with ease and freedom and allowing himself to be silly or stupid if he felt like it. To anyone else it might seem like a small matter, but it was new to Ryo and he was grateful to Dee for it.

Dee was surprised at this simple confession, and moved by it as well. He knew that Ryo wasn't exactly out-of-the-closet, but maybe he was willing to step out soon. Either way, Dee enjoyed his unexpected candor. And propping himself up on one elbow, he leaned down and slowly swayed his mouth down over Ryo's own. It was the first blatant overture he had made toward the man, but he felt the timing was right. He wasn't altogether sure why he hadn't made any advances upon him earlier- it wasn't his style to wait. In fact, if he had been in his usual environment, he most likely would've been very insistent. But here, well, if he made the wrong move, this guy could just up and leave and Dee might never meet him again. Which, again, typically wouldn't bother him. However, there was something different and new in what he felt for Ryo. Something soft and fragile, and yet consuming at the same time. And the fact it was just the two of them so isolated for days on end had only served to heighten the this emotion.

As rough lips caressed his mouth, Ryo sighed and gave himself up to the kiss. For once he didn't over-think or over-analyze. He just felt. One hand seemed to move on it's own to tangle into Dee's ebony hair while the other twined about his waist to pull the man closer.

Dee's response was immediate and swift. His firm body rolled full on top of the smaller man and his tongue slipped passed his lips to plunge deep into Ryo's mouth.

For a moment the young blond man rode the wave of ecstasy, responding in kind to Dee's erotic movements, but Dee was far more experienced than Ryo, despite the fact he was the younger of the two. When Dee began pressing his hips against the blond's in a demanding rhythm, Ryo pulled away from the kiss, gasping for air, overwhelmed by the feeling of his own growing erection grinding against the man's above him.

"Dee!" he gasped between erratic breaths, his mind dizzy as his lungs groped for oxygen.

"God, Ryo... you feel... so damn good!" Dee nearly purred as he kissed and nipped down the other man's sensitive throat. So lost was Dee in the heated feel of Ryo's skin under his lips that he didn't realize at first that Ryo had begun pushing him away. When he did, he didn't appreciate it very much. After all, he was 18, at the peak of his sexual drive and now had Ryo writhing beneath him, evidence of his arousal obvious. Dee didn't see any reason to stop. It didn't occur to him that Ryo was sorely lacking in experience and that all this might seem a bit too fast for him.

"What, Ryo?" Dee asked in an irritated tone when Ryo continued to shove against him.

Ryo opened his mouth, but the anger in Dee's tone hurt him and he didn't know how to explain himself. "I just... it's just overwhelming," he finally said with some embarrassment.

Letting out a deep sigh, Dee rolled off the other man onto his back and looked up again at the blanket of stars. "Sorry," he mumbled.

"S'okay," Ryo replied and scooted his body up next to Dee's so he could rest his head over the young man's chest. "I've never done anything like this before," he explained.

"Not even with a girl?" Dee asked, the idea foreign to him when he had begun experimenting at such a young age.

"N-no," Ryo answered shyly.

Dee shook his head. It was hard for him to believe a guy this good-looking could be such a prude. He's friggin' 19 already! Dee thought. On the other hand, there was a part of Dee that, to his own surprise, found it rather sweet that the boy next to him was so tentative about sex. It also made him feel rather, well, privileged to have him all to himself at the moment. Uncharacteristically, Dee decided to let matters be.

Sitting up, Dee stretched and looked down at Ryo. "I guess I should head back," he said smiling as he stood.

Almost Ryo reached out for him to tell him to stay, but instead he simply replied, "Sure, good night Dee."

"See you in the morning!" Dee said, then paused and added "Unless you feel like visiting me before then...?" The darkly handsome man's brilliant smile shone even in the dim night and Ryo had to smile in return.

"Bye, Dee!" he replied with a laugh, waving the other man off.

"Ryo! Ryo!" Dee called out, a thick fog blinding his sight as he searched frantically for the other man. He tried to run, but his legs wouldn't seem to move. Everything about him was white and still and forced him into stillness as well. His body froze, his voice caught on the blanket of fog and died almost before it left his mouth. But he had to find him, he just knew he had to find Ryo.

And then a terrible rumbling began beneath his feet and it grew until it shook the very air around him. Again and again it rumbled, until it seemed to become a rhythm, almost like knocking.

"Dee!" he thought he heard, faintly. "Dee!"

Sluggishly, the dark-haired man emerged from his dreamy sleep to realize that there indeed was a knocking at his door and again he heard, now quite clearly, someone yelling his name.

Pulling himself up from the warm bed, he looked out the window and saw rivets of water pouring down, obstructing his view until a brilliant flash of light seared the sky, followed by a quaking, rolling thunder.

"DEE!" he heard a panicked voice shout out.

Shit, he thought, his mind now fully aware as he raced to the door, Ryo must've gotten caught out in the storm.

"Coming Ryo!" he called as he hurried to unlock the rusty hinge on the door.

"Dee!" Ryo said as the door finally and mercifully opened. He'd never been so glad to see anyone in his life!

"Get in here ya-"

Dee was cut off as Ryo launched himself into the other man's arms, effectively soaking them both. Not that Dee could've cared less as he felt the blond's wet skin slapped against his own and arms enveloping him.

"I was knocking and knocking and I started to worry that you had left or something had happened!" Ryo cried, his voice shaking almost as badly as his body.

"Come on," Dee said gently, pulling the both of them inside and out of the blowing rain. "I'll get you warmed up."

"S-sorry to wake you!" Ryo said apologetically, seeing Dee's heavy-lidded eyes.

But the man waved him off, "Don't think twice about it!" Then he asked, "What are you doing out in this, though?"

"The tent collapsed," Ryo said simply.

"Oh," was all Dee replied as he mentally smacked himself. Duh! Of course it was the tent! he thought with a grimace. Two days before when they had pitched the small shelter he had 'accidentally' left one of the supporting pegs loose, in hopes that Ryo would have to stop by for his help one night.

His plan had worked, but he winced inwardly as he saw poor Ryo standing there looking so miserable. It hadn't been very cold out that evening, but it was cool enough to chill anyone as soaked to the bone as Ryo was now.

"Where's your jacket?" Dee said defensively, disliking the feelings of guilt whittling away at his gut.

"Couldn't find anything in time..." Ryo said, shrugging his shoulders as Dee wrapped a blanket about him. "You must be a pretty deep sleeper, I was knocking for a long time," he added, looking up at the dark-haired man with those huge, puppy-dog chestnut eyes.

Oh, guilt is not a fun thing, Dee thought to himself as turned from Ryo's stare to find something dry for him to wear.

"Here," he said after rummaging through his pack. He handed Ryo a pair of light cotton pajama pants. "It's all I have that's not already dirty," he explained as he handed them to Ryo.

"It's fine," the blond replied.

"The bathroom's through there," Dee said, pointing toward the bedroom. "I think there's some tea in the kitchen somewhere, I'll warm it up for you, ok?"

"Ok," Ryo replied. Before he left the man turned and said in a warm tone of appreciation, "Thanks, Dee."

After Ryo was out of sight, Dee let out a deep sigh. The other man's genuine gratitude only served to make Dee feel worse.

But all feelings of regret were soon forgotten as Ryo emerged to stand before him. His firmly-sculpted body was now open to Dee's assessment as he stood there, his chest bare, hips peeking out from the flimsy material falling over his thighs. Involuntarily Dee sucked in his breath at the intoxicating sight.

After a moment of silence, Ryo began to fidget nervously and crossed his arms over his exposed chest. "The tea?" he said questioningly.

Dee blinked. "Oh, yeah," he said stupidly, passing Ryo the mug in his hands. "Umm, there's no tea bag in here," Ryo said.

"Oh! Here, sorry," Dee replied, absentmindedly handing the honey-blond the small tea packet.

Ryo couldn't help but smile as he turned to sit at the kitchen table. It was good to know that even someone as confident and outgoing as Dee could get flustered once in a while. And, as abashed as he would be to admit it, it gave Ryo a certain satisfaction knowing that he was the cause of the man's distraction. Even now Ryo could feel the dark brunette's eyes grazing over him, it sent a little thrill down his spine.

"Are you still cold?" asked Dee, seeing the slight tremor pass over he man.

"A little," Ryo admitted. As he watched Dee walk across the room to stoke the fire, Ryo allowed his eyes to slowly glide over the man's form. Like himself, Dee only wore a pair of pajama bottoms and they were rather revealing as he stepped up to the bright fire. Ryo could see every contour of the man's body and found his breathing heightened as he began to appreciate the way the thin material clung to Dee's well-developed buttocks.

When Dee was satisfied with the fire, he turned around to find a delightfully blushing Ryo watching him. He couldn't help but smile as the young man hung his head and averted his eyes.

The storm outside had abated and the only sound heard throughout the cabin was the small tickle of a few raindrops still falling from the flooded gutters. Dee could see that the quiet was making Ryo uneasy. There seemed to be a weight in the air, a pause waiting to be filled. If Dee wanted something to happen between them this night, it was now or never. Ryo would never be able to make the first move, and if he waited any longer the inexperienced man before him would probably talk himself out of doing anything.

Walking to the small radio on the kitchen counter top, Dee flipped the switch and fiddled with it until he managed to tune into a smooth, melodic ballad. "Come on," he said, stepping up to Ryo with his hand held out.

"Huh? What?" Ryo asked evasively.

"Dance with me," Dee said with a brilliant smile.

Ryo smiled in return, but laughed and shook his head. "I don't think so," he replied.

"Why not?" Dee said simply.

"Well..." Ryo started, but with Dee's deep green pools gazing intently down at him, he couldn't think of any reasonable objection.

"Come on," he said again, pulling Ryo up and out of his chair.

"This is silly," the blond man said quietly as Dee wrapped one arm about his waist and twinned his other hand around Ryo's own.

Feeling the man in his arms stuck in his breath at their intimate contact, Dee knew he had effectively hushed all further protests from him. Ryo was so close to giving in, Dee could feel it as the man slowly moved with him and allowed his head to slightly lean against the other man's. With great effort, Dee held back his steadily growing urges to simply throw Ryo down and ravage his trembling body. Instead he tried to keep his hands from wandering too much and calm his heart rate so that it wouldn't pound so loudly in his chest. He suddenly noticed that Ryo seemed to be mouthing the words to the song and listened more intently.

"Do you know what they're saying?" Dee asked, realizing the song was in French.

Ryo paused, "Uhhh, I just took some French in high school, I don't really-"

"Oh! Come off it, I can tell you're the brainy type, tell me!" Dee whined.

"You really don't need me to, Dee, it's just a French version of an American song anyway- Don't you know the song 'Sway'?" asked the blond, not really wanting to repeat the sultry lyrics.

"No, I don't," he said, shifting so that now both his arms snaked about Ryo's narrow waist.

With a sigh, knowing that Dee wouldn't let the matter drop (and needing something to take his mind from the heat emanating from Dee's body), Ryo said, "It's something like 'bend with me, make me sway... thrill me as only you know how, sway me smooth, sway me now..."

As the blond man spoke, Dee decided to take some inspiration from the song and gently rocked his hips into Ryo's, brushing his now-prominent arousal against the man. Over his shoulder, Ryo's eyes flew open as his own erection sprang to life under Dee's ministrations. And with only the wispy cotton pajamas draped down their hips, it left very little to the imagination. All Ryo could think of was the fact that, as they danced, both of them knew exactly want the other was thinking, what the other wanted- because neither of them could hide the evidence of their desire. The idea both frightened and thrilled him.

Unable to help himself, Dee let his hands glide down the blond man's back and slowly dip under the waistband of his pants Not far- but just enough to pass his fingertips lovingly over the heavenly raise of both hipbones, until his thumbs found their way to the front ridge of Ryo's pelvis and hooked themselves possessively around it.

"Gahh-" Ryo's small gasp of surprise resonated in Dee's ears as the body before him trembled in his arms.

But Dee didn't let up this time. His hands remained there, tightly gripping the other man's hips. Ryo's body slumped forward, leaning weakly on Dee for support as the unfamiliar waves of need swept over and through him. His hands came up unconsciously to grip at Dee's back. The dark-haired man could feel Ryo's ragged breathing on his neck and he lowered his lips to lightly caress one bare shoulder, calming the man with his gentle touch.

Just as Ryo was feeling torn between his desire and his own personal boundaries, Dee felt slightly pulled between his carnal lust and a newly awakened desire to hold and protect this man. It was a tender feeling so alien to him.

Suddenly Ryo felt Dee pause in his movements and pull his head back to look at him.

Tentatively, Ryo opened his eyes and was moved to see the soft look of warmth written over the dark brunette's features. Although his eyes still burned into him with their blatant want, it was this feeling of something more, something deeper behind those eyes that really drew Ryo in. And before he knew what was happening, their lips had met and Dee was executing a sweet, passionate seduction of Ryo's mouth. Until, almost unwillingly, the blond's lips had parted, inviting the other man's warm and wet tongue inside. His body soon followed suit, yielding under Dee's persuasions.

After feeling Ryo's unspoken submission, it didn't take long for Dee to loose himself in his lust. If he had been a few years older, perhaps he would've left things as they were, perhaps he wouldn't have pressed on so swiftly. But his mind was bent on conquest and he was too impatient at 18 to give heed to any signs that Ryo was giving off that the experience might end up being too much for him.

Dee didn't consider that, by drawing him closer physically, he just might push him away emotionally in the end.

Trying his best to keep up with Dee's pace and not be totally swept away, Ryo clung desperately to the other man's heated body, his hands slipping into the dark hair as Dee pillaged his mouth again and again with wanton abandon.

"Ryo..." Dee said with a passionate sigh as he swayed the man back toward the wall until he was pinned up against it. The blond man was glad to have the solid feel of the wall behind him as his mind began to spin. Somehow he couldn't think coherently. Dee's hands wandered freely now, sliding up Ryo's naked chest, only to run back down and cup his firm ass, pressing the blond hard into Dee's own taunt erection.

"Ahhh-!" Ryo cried when Dee released his lips. But he didn't have a chance to catch his breath as one taunt nipple was squeezed and Dee's tongue discovered the sensitive patch of skin just behind his ear.

"NnnhhHH!" came a strangled whimper from Ryo.

Hearing the blonde moan, Dee further exploited the tender column of Ryo's neck, sucking and nipping at him. Usually Dee took care not to leave behind any marks on the skin, but any restraint he had was quickly leaving him. Also, to his surprise, he felt a possessive need to brand Ryo as his own.

When the man squirmed with indecision under Dee's hands, which had by now made their way under Ryo's pants to grip his naked ass, the dark-haired man gave into his more primitive desires and, with seductive brutality, clamped his mouth down over one shoulder. His teeth bit into the tender flesh, but Dee soon replaced them with his soft, stroking tongue. Twice Dee repeated the process until Ryo felt drugged from the endorphines flushed into his system from such an intense mix of both pleasure and pain. His mind went blank. All he knew was the sensation of Dee guiding him to the bed, despite the fact that every bone in his body seemed to have melted away.

"God, Ryo...you're beautiful..." Dee breathed after he had divested Ryo of his flimsy clothing and took a moment to appreciate the man sprawled out naked before him. He slowed down a bit then, to savor the taste of Ryo's skin under his tongue as he moved down his neck and chest. By his deep, gasping breathes, it was obvious that the blond man was lost, awash in the sea of sensations swiftly pulling him under their sway.

"Ryo...?" Dee said, when he saw that he still had his eyes shut tight and continued to breathe heavily. "Ryo, look at me," he said as he brought a hand up to caress one smooth cheek.

Slowly, Ryo pulled himself out of the dizzying euphoria surrounding him to open his eyes. The dark orbs looked glazed-over with passion as Dee stared down at him. A brilliant smile greeted Ryo's sight.

"Dee..." he murmured, reaching up to mimic the man's movement and touch his fingertips to Dee's face. Even now, Ryo wasn't sure what he wanted to happen, his body's urges weighing against his mind's wary innocence. He simply left it up to Dee.

The dark brunette watched the emotions fleeting across Ryo's face, and marveled at the naivete reflected in them. Everything for Ryo was new and he reacted with such artless rapture to Dee's touches. It was absolutely intoxicating. And, in that moment, he decided that he wanted this man more than anything. Not just his body. Not just for the night. He wanted all of him, now and tomorrow, always.

All Dee could do was express his feelings the best way he could, the way in which he was the most familiar: physically.

His eyes still locked with Dee's, Ryo felt the man's hand glide down his body once more. Over his chest. Over his stomach. And lower...

"Dee!" cried Ryo, his eyes wide with equal surprise and arousal.

"Shhhh..." Dee hushed him in a soothing tone, moving his free hand along Ryo's side in comforting strokes as his lips sent sweet kisses fluttering over his neck and jaw line.

When Ryo's trembling had somewhat subsided, Dee paused his ministrations just long enough to slip off his own clothing and grab the emergency packet of lube he kept stashed in his wallet. Climbing back into the bed, Dee saw Ryo gently stroking himself and the sight of the usually shy, naive man touching himself caused Dee's own cock to twitch in response.

"Let me do that for you," the dark-haired man said with a wicked grin, lowering his now-naked form over Ryo's, with just enough room between them for Dee to grip the man's weeping erection.

"Uhhh...mmm," the blond's head tossed from side to side, his hips moving to Dee's rhythm despite his initial embarassment.

"Yes, Ryo... loose yourself in me," Dee said in a lusty whisper as he claimed the man's mouth and pumped him with eager strokes. Soon, he thought, he'll go over the edge- it's now or never.

Keeping his lips locked over Ryo's, Dee slipped his slick fingers between the man's ass cheeks, pressing for entry. Ryo bucked beneath him, unsure of this new invasion. His hands pushed against the man above him. Dee stilled his exploring fingers, but he didn't remove them. Instead, he calmed and coerced the other man into submission with soft, erotic kisses, twining their tongues together until Ryo finally relaxed enough for Dee to push on further.

After the awkwardness of it passed, Ryo discovered that Dee's fingers could give him a new, unexpected pleasure. He soon found himself moving to glide the digits further within.

Above him, Dee had to suppress a grin of satisfaction. As swiftly as he could without interrupting the rhythm, Dee began to replace his fingers with his swollen manhood. Not unexpectedly, Ryo tensed again and Dee grimaced inwardly. He only had so much patience and he needed to be inside of this man so damn badly!

Pressing forward, he felt Ryo's arms fly up and wrap themselves tightly about him.

"Ryo, relax...please..." Dee begged through gritted teeth. Mercifully, the blond's muscles yielded. Not much, but enough.

With a sigh of ecstasy, Dee buried himself within Ryo's willing body. He'd never felt anything so divine. Moving on pure instinct, Dee began pumping in and out of the man's tight ass. Beneath him, Ryo through his head back, crying out, his hands alternatively clutching at Dee and at the bed sheets about him. It was difficult for him to remain relaxed with the unfamiliar, sometimes painful, feel of Dee inside him. Not to mention that spot Dee kept hitting was creeping him closer and closer to his own release, and, hence, causing him to tense up in anticipation.

"Come with me Ryo!" Dee choked out, feeling himself tumbling over the edge even as he continued to work Ryo's stiff cock with one hand while pounding into his body.

"AHHHhh! DEE!" cried Ryo in an almost panicked voice as his seed spilled across his belly.

Above him Dee went rigid, "Ryo!" He came so hard it nearly shook him.

As they lay in the aftermath of their love-making, still inside of the other man, Dee whispered, "I think I could fall in love with you, Ryo." In a contented haze, he pulled out of the blond man and was fast asleep within minutes- feeling safe and replete.

Sleep did not come quite as easily to Ryo.

Dee awoke the next morning feeling sore in all the right places.

" 'Morning honey," he said with a silly grin, reaching out blindly for the man beside him. But the sheets were empty and cold, long bereft of any body heat.

"Ryo?" he called out, opening his eyes now and sitting up.

The cabin stared back at him in cool silence.

Looking around, almost panicked, Dee scanned for any signs of the other man's whereabouts. As he got up and walked through the kitchen a small scrape of paper caught his eye. He hoped that Ryo had simply left a message that he'd gone down to lake or back to his camp but he had a sick feeling growing in the pit of his stomach. And reading the note only confirmed his fears.

"Damn it!!" he yelled out, his voice spilling out the windows and into the woods.

But there was no one there to hear.

Ryo was gone.