It was good that they didn't share any classes in their third year. Ren didn't think he could focus in class with Shinobu around.
'Meet you at the station.'
He smiled to himself when he saw the message.
He was waiting at the platform when the familiar, tall, lanky frame appeared.
"Sorry I'm late," Shinobu said. "Coach wanted to talk strategy."
"Don't worry about it," Ren smiled. "You guys have a big match this weekend."
Shinobu shrugged, "Shouldn't be a problem. Anyway, you sure about me staying over?"
"Mother's not in town," Ren reassured him. "She's been abroad more and more. I think she's thinking of a transfer."
"And leave you here?" Shinobu didn't sound pleased when they boarded the train.
"Well, she did give up her career for me," Ren looked out of the window. "It's good that she has that back. I think…it's better for all of us that way."
Shinobu knew that Ren's parents were divorced and that they were scions of wealthy families. Despite his cheerful appearance, Ren's family life has been strained at best. He suddenly recalled the first time he followed Ren home.
"Well, if it's better for you," Shinobu ruffled his hair.
Ren brightened up. "You should come over more often. It's not great being alone all the time anyway."
In the past, Shinobu would have taken that as a sign of charity but he now knew better. "Sure, why not."
"Aunt Minami is visiting this weekend though," Ren went on. "Says she wants to meet you. I think I've been talking about you too much."
The aunt who literally brought Ren up with his dysfunctional mother. Shinobu knew that she meant much to the other man. He asked wryly, "You haven't told her about us, have you?"
Ren laughed. "Nah. But she's sharp. She might have guessed. She wouldn't mind though, as long as I am happy."
Then he shot Shinobu a meaningful look. "And I AM happy."
Shinobu had to fight the urge to kiss Ren right then and there. "Be quick about finishing your homework today."
Ren caught his meaning and managed. "Speak for yourself."
"It's calculus, you're the one in trouble," Shinobu smirked.
The train halted at their stop and the doors opened. Ren straightened himself and muttered, "Come on, let's go."
Shinobu widened his smirk.
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Hey, Fujiwara."
Ren looked up from the student council papers. "What's up?"
Izumi, Arai and Nozawa crowded around his desks with curiosity and excitement in their faces.
"What's up with Kurosawa this year?" Arai started.
Ren frowned, "What do you mean?"
"He's not been skipping classes or giving me grief," Nozawa exclaimed. "He even topped a paper last week!"
"Oh, he's a smart guy," Ren said casually, trying his best to hide his grin.
"And the basketball team is in shock he's been turning up to practice. Captain's practically in tears with joy," Izumi said gravely.
"Don't you think he's been less scary?" Arai went on.
This was difficult for Ren to agree with. It was difficult to find one's doting boyfriend (not that Shinobu would ever admit to it) scary to begin with.
"He's probably just more serious because it's senior year," he said lamely instead.
Izumi sighed, "Problem is, now the girls are really starting to get into him."
Oh, now that Ren was interested in. He raised an eyebrow, "Haven't they always thrown themselves at him anyway?"
"Normally just those who are thrashy anyway. The nice, cute ones are beginning to as well," Nozawa remarked.
"Yeah, they think he's a reformed bad boy. Bastards' got killer looks too," Arai said indignantly.
Ren tried very hard not to show displeasure on his face. He merely laughed, "Shouldn't you guys be more serious about studies this year instead of thinking of this? We have entrance exams in six months."
"You'll do well, you know that," Izumi accused.
"The rest of us have to just make do," Arai nodded.
They continued their speculation about Shinobu. Ren, on the other hand, was making plans to track down the man later that day.
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Have girls been throwing themselves at you?"
Shinobu looked up from the books and gave him a blank look.
Ren tried again, "I mean, I know you've slept around before and there are always people trying to get you. But have there been more lately?"
The dark-haired man didn't know where this was going. He merely remarked, "I haven't noticed."
Ren stared at him for a second before slumping back against his chair, "Well, I suppose it's good you haven't."
Sensing that Ren was in one of his odd moods, Shinobu placed his pen down and asked, "Why are you asking?"
Those brown eyes, so warm and adorable, looked at him with a flash of insecurity, "Nothing. The guys were just saying that..oh, nevermind."
Shinobu wanted to tease but knew that Ren was looking for reassurance. "You know that I don't pay them any attention."
Ren sighed. "Yes, I know. But lately..we haven't had much time together and I thought..sorry, I am just being silly."
So that was the issue. Shinobu looked around, making sure that no one was near the classroom. He leaned forward, grabbed Ren's chin and kissed him forcefully, deeply, giving in to his possessiveness.
Ren, after overcoming the surprise, practically melted.
When it was over, Shinobu sat back onto his chair, pleased that Ren was breathless and aware that his own heart was not exactly calm either.
He picked up his pen and went back to the books.
"I want to make sure that we remain near each other in university," he said coolly, as if he was talking about the weather.
Ren let the meaning of those words sank in and a sweet, beautiful smile lit across his face. Then, after calming his breath, he went back to his own papers as well.