“Welcome to Sampras, sir. May I take your bag?” <\/p>\n
\nTezuka stared at the smiling Grigori for a long moment. It had been disconcerting
\nenough to become used to Uriel’s home and the rather eccentric idea that
\nUriel seemed to feel was “organization.” He hadn’t just been
\nmaking excuses when he told Lily that he couldn’t come to Echizen’s
\n“Hi, I’m Dead Too” party, as the man had called it. Tezuka tried
\nto avoid the thought that he’d been making excuses at all, but a lifetime
\nof honesty with himself made that difficult. “I can handle my bag, thank
\nyou,” Tezuka said, nodding to the angel. “I was hoping to see Echizen.”<\/p>\n
\nThe Grigori nodded. “He’s been expecting you. You have your own rooms
\nnext to his, connected with a door, of course. I’ll show you the way.”<\/p>\n
\nTezuka followed the Grigori automatically. Though part of his mind urged him to
\ncontemplate the Grigori’s words, he opted to look at the décor, instead.
\nHe reflected that it was probably lucky that the twelve-year-old Echizen hadn’t
\nbeen able to decorate it himself, because he certainly wouldn’t have done
\nsomething tasteful in cream and jade. It did, however, make Tezuka recall Atobe’s
\nremark that after a while the colors made one feel as if one was fading out of
\nexistence.<\/p>\n
\n“We’re here, sir,” the Grigori said, interrupting Tezuka’s
\nthoughts. “Mr. Ryouma said to tell you that he’s hoping you enjoy
\nhim and your stay.”<\/p>\n
\nTezuka gave the Grigori the look he gave Fuji when Fuji had spent too much time
\nwith Belial and it was showing. “Could you repeat that please?”<\/p>\n
\n“Of course. Mr. Ryouma said you’d ask. Mr. Ryouma said to tell you
\nthat he’s hoping you enjoy the rooms and being in him.”<\/p>\n
\nTezuka shook his head. “Being…”<\/p>\n
\n“Being with him.” Tezuka was suddenly reminded of Eriol and Eriol’s
\ninnocent smile as he watched the Grigori’s polite expression. The Grigori
\nopened the door for Tezuka. “He’s waiting for you inside, sir.”<\/p>\n
\nTezuka headed in, dumping his bag by the door. A quick inspection of most of the
\nsuite revealed that it was more apartment than anything. However, Echizen was
\nnot in evidence in the kitchenette, or the living room, or what appeared to be
\nthe office. Tezuka sighed and opened the door to the bedroom. “Echizen…”<\/p>\n
\nEchizen gave Tezuka a sharp look from where he lounged on the bed. “I’ve
\nfinally decided to be direct about it.”<\/p>\n
\n“…ah. I doubt I’ll be able to resist, then,” said Tezuka
\nmildly.<\/p>\n
\n“You’d better not,” Echizen muttered, rising and crossing the
\nroom swiftly to come to Tezuka’s side.<\/p>\n
\n“Did you learn that pose from Atobe?” Tezuka inquired.<\/p>\n
\nRyouma glowered at Tezuka and prevented any further comment by efficiently stopping
\nthe other man’s mouth.\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ryouma finally catches Tezuka.