Good Morning!

I'm finally back online! Woot!
Well, I present to thee this chapter of Offline Reality!

"Iori, did you find it?" Ryou asked. Iori shook his head and sniffed loudly. His mother would be coming soon to pick him up and he had lost the bracelet Ryou had bought him. Iori realized it was gone after he stepped out the shower earlier and, with Ryou's help, they've been searching for it. Iori held back the tears as he continued another frantic search. Ryou walked after him.

"Don't cry, Iori." Ryou said. "I'm sure we can find it before—"

Ding!

Iori stopped and slowly looked at the door. All hope left him as he realized he didn't have any more time. Ryou could only watch as Iori went to his room to grab his packed suitcase. Ryou sighed and waited by the hallway as Iori slowly came back out with his suitcase.

"I'm s-sorry. Onii-san." Iori said his eyes on the kitchen floor.

"It's alright. I'll keep looking for it." Ryou said as the bell rang again. "Let's go." Iori nodded and looked at Kaoru, who was sitting at the kitchen island while the whole search was going on.

"Bye Kaoru-san." He said. Iori turned to leave but the scrape of chair against tile floor made him look back. Kaoru was standing up with his hand extended towards Iori. On his open palm was Iori's bracelet. There was a second of absolute silence before Iori grinned and squealed. He rushed towards Kaoru and grabbed the bracelet. He quickly slipped it on his wrist and gave Kaoru an Iori-size hug. Kaoru stood completely still until Iori stopped hugging him. "Thank you!" He said with a big smile. The doorbell rang again and Iori grabbed his suitcase. Ryou followed Iori as Kaoru sat back down. It was a short conversation. Then Ryou stormed back into the kitchen and pointedly stared at Kaoru.

"You had it all along?!" Ryou asked clearly mad.

"The other one gave it to me before she went into the bathroom." Kaoru said calm as usual. Ryou exaggerated a sigh as he sat down beside Kaoru. His head was slightly throbbing and the cold marble felt wonderful against it.

"Sakura must've switched with Iori without telling him." Ryou mumbled. The cold was beginning to feel real good against his head. Kaoru placed his hand on Ryou's head, running his fingers through his dark hair.

"Should I have told you?" He asked.

"Forget about it. It's over and I need an aspirin." Ryou said as he lifted his head. Kaoru's hand slipped down, his fingers grazing Ryou's neck. Ryou shivered and looked at Kaoru. Kaoru smiled and pulled Ryou towards him. Kaoru was usually a patient man but after finally having some genuine alone time with Ryou he felt like he should make it matter.

"Ryou…I want to know." Kaoru said. He grabbed Ryou's hand and led him away from the kitchen. Ryou kept his eyes on their clasped hands vaguely wondering why Kaoru was suddenly leading him away. His hand was warm and they felt even warmer when Kaoru suddenly turned around and ran the back of his hand down Ryou's neck.

"Kaoru, what are you doing?" Ryou asked. Kaoru lowered his eyes and held Ryou's hand. His long fingers intertwined with Ryou's as he slowly gazed into Ryou's eyes. Ryou face turned red but he didn't look away. He was used to Kaoru's gazes but they usually weren't so intense. His heart was throbbing and he was sure Kaoru could feel the slight thumps of his heart through his hands.

"Ryou," Kaoru started. Now, Ryou looked away. The gentle and audible caressing way when Kaoru spoke his name made Ryou know what was coming next. He didn't want to hear it, not now. His thought formed at the speed of light and he thought about pulling away but he knew it would be damaging. There was no way he could ignore it or try to blow it off. The space between them was so intense yet fragile.

"Wait." Ryou said his gaze on their clasped hand. "I…uh, I…" Ryou stuttered over his own words, something that rarely happened. He didn't know what to do. He knew what to say but he just couldn't find a way to say it. Ryou stared at Kaoru's hand, hoping some type of inspiration would hit him. He grumbled and hastily pulled his hand away then wrapped his arms around Kaoru's neck. He fervently kissed Kaoru putting all his unspoken feelings into it.

Kaoru kissed him back with just as much enthusiasm because he understood. They stumbled back. The back of Kaoru's knee hit the edge of Ryou's bed and they fell on top of it. Ryou pulled back and straddled him. Breathing heavily, he grabbed Kaoru's hand and placed it over his chest, over his heart. Kaoru felt the rhythmic thumping of Ryou's heart. He could actually hear it through his hands. Kaoru looked up at Ryou, noticing his heavy blush.

"…Ryou…"

"Wait! Let me…let me say it before I lose my nerve." Ryou said, pouting a bit. Kaoru smiled and nodded. Ryou grasped Kaoru's hand and held it tighter to his chest. He knew it was impossible but he felt like his heart was on stereo and that his neighbors could hear it. He calmed down and tired to slow his beating heart. It was no use. He wasn't breathing heavily anymore but he could still feel his heart beat loudly in the room.

"I…um, Dammit Kaoru, I love you!"

Finally…he said it. He said it and now he felt like hiding, He actually said what he wanted to say for the past few days and now that he has…Ryou really wanted to hide. He looked at Kaoru and saw the smile on his lips. Ryou grumbled and pouted as he tired to escape but Kaoru held him. Kaoru pulled him down and didn't let go.

"Ryou, I love you too." He whispered. Ryou hid his face against Kaoru's shoulder, too embarrassed to look at him. He merely nodded and huddled against Kaoru's body. Kaoru wasn't so thin anymore. He still needed to gain some weight and maybe be a bit more sociable but Ryou was happy of the small changes.

"Yea…I know." Ryou quietly said. The sun was burning brightly in the evening sky outside but, at that moment, in Ryou's dim room it might as well been dark outside. They were in their own pocket of their own reality and it was just too comforting to leave just yet.

"Kaoru," Ryou said and finally lifted his head. He sat up and stared at Kaoru. Somewhere in his mind, he realized it was much easier to stare right at Kaoru's eyes after confessing. "I'm moving soon, to a larger apartment and well, I think it's too big just for one person." The surprise in Kaoru's eyes slowly dawned on to him as he realized what Ryou was asking him. He quickly sat up and almost fell off the bed as he looked at Ryou. He grabbed Ryou's hand and placed it over his heart as he gazed with adoration at Ryou.

"I do." He said. Ryou blushed and took his hand back.

"Don't say it like that!" He shouted. "Just say 'yes' or 'of course'."

Kaoru smiled and leaned in close to Ryou. He softly kissed him and gently rested his forehead against Ryou's.

"…of course."

Maybe you've guessed it...or not but this is the end of this. I'm actually surprised it went on for this long. But it had to come to an end, especially when I was having trouble with the story above these bold words. I was just gonna stop after the karaoke part but that would've been the worst cliffhanger ever. I'm glad I didn't 'cause I like this ending way better and maybe I'll post something else relating to these two but not anytime soon. My muse for these two has died out hence the reason why I'm stopping. I'd rather stop it now then drag it on and risk it becoming terrible and/or crappy when I'm not putting any effort in it. So, I hoped you enjoyed it and leave some farewell reviews while I grab a tissue box and dab away the tears of relief. :]

Peace!