In The Dark

Finally, the long awaited day had come! It was the last day of summer. Gray and Cliff felt gleeful all day, though they tried to hide it. That evening, Kai packed up his stuff in the bedroom they all shared. Gray grinned widely, watching him pack. He pointed out things that Kai might be forgetting, eager to help him on his way out of there.

Kai sighed heavily. “Don’t worry, I’m really leaving tomorrow.”

Gray raised one eyebrow. “Tomorrow? Can’t you get the hell out of here tonight?”

Kai sputtered. “There’s no ferry tonight! W-what? Do you expect me to swim away?”

Gray shrugged lazily. “I don’t care how you leave, I just want you gone.”

Kai sighed again, and Cliff piped up. “Oh, he’s just messing with you, Kai. Nobody expects you to swim home. But…I won’t lie. I’m happy to see you go too.” He looked over at Gray, who mouthed something at him, making Cliff blush.

Kai gagged. “Urg…” He turned into bed, grateful that he was leaving too. His mind had been flooded with imagined visions of the two of them loving all over each other, and it was too much for his stomach to take. Cliff shut off the light, and could be heard crossing to Gray’s bed to give him a little goodnight kiss.

The three guys lay in the dark silence of the room. Suddenly, Kai got a little brave and he spoke up. He figured since it was his last day there, he had nothing to lose. Smirking a little, he asked, “So…you guys actually like gobbling each other’s sausages? And guzzling man chowder?” Cliff squeaked in surprise, and a low growl could be heard from Gray’s bed. His bed squeaked sharply as he stood up suddenly.

“I guess you want to go home in a full body cast, huh?” He advanced on Kai’s bed, grabbing the frightened man by the neck. “Cliff, you better go ahead and call Doctor up. Tell him to get a bed ready.”

Kai squawked and flailed, begging for forgiveness, and pleading not to be beaten up. Cliff also begged Gray not to beat up Kai. “Just think! It means he might stay in town longer! Nobody wants that!” he wailed. Gray finally dropped Kai back in his bed with a thunk, and returned to his own bed.

He settled under the covers, cursing Kai under his breath. He rose the volume of his voice to caution Kai. “Just keep your damn mouth shut, and I won’t have to kill you.” Kai whimpered something apologetic in response. Gray just buried his face in his pillow, unbelieving that the guy was such a moron. His nose was met with a delightful floral aroma. He spoke up, the anger in his voice all gone. “Cliff, did you switch our pillows again?” Cliff giggled, and Gray chuckled, smelling the pillow again, loving Cliff’s scent. Kai laughed too, and started to stay something.

Both Gray and Cliff’s voices came sharp and quick. “Shut the fuck up, Kai!” Kai whimpered again, and the room was silent once more.

When Gray rose the next morning to get ready for work, Kai was gathering his bags together, his eyes low. Gray just snorted, pulling on his jumpsuit. Kai paused at the door, waving a little. “Well, see you guys next summer!” he laughed nervously.

Gray groaned, holding his head. “Next summer…? Oh, fuck…”

As soon as Kai was out of the door, Gray rushed forward and locked it firmly. He knew he had to leave for work soon, but he still had a little time. He climbed into Cliff’s bed, spooning him and nuzzling his neck happily. Cliff stirred a little, murmuring. “Is he gone?”

Gray kissed his head gently. “Yep, we’ll have three Kai free seasons ahead of us.”

“Mmmm…” Cliff made happy noises, stretching the sleep out of his body. Gray’s hand wandered below Cliff’s waist, finding his morning wood. “Naughty…” Cliff yawned.

“Yup,” Gray said shortly, yanking Cliff’s boxers down and layering his mouth over his erection. Cliff cried out, pleased.

“Oh, oh…now I’m awake! Oh!” Cliff exclaimed. Gray worked at him furiously, and Cliff reached down and tugged at his short hair. “Oooh, Gray, you are so amazing…” Cliff moaned brokenly, then cried out suddenly as he climaxed in Gray’s mouth. Gray removed his mouth carefully, smiling as he swallowed.

“Well, I gotta go brush my teeth and head to work,” he stated, standing up quickly, and heading into the bathroom.

“Wait!” Cliff cried out, still trembling with satisfaction. “Don’t I get to do you?”

Gray poked his head out of the bathroom, toothbrush in his mouth. “Nope, no time for that now,” he said, his mouth full.

Cliff pouted. “Tease…”

Gray finished brushing his teeth, then came back, stooping down over Cliff and giving him a little kiss. “Mmm… it’s too bad I had to wash away the taste of you from my mouth…” he growled. Cliff just shivered happily, snuggling down further in the sheets. Gray kissed him again. “Love you,” he grunted.

Cliff smiled up at him. “I love you,” he purred back.

Gray pulled his hat on and set out. He threw himself into his work, hammering with all his might. His heart was happy and light because he would no longer have to deal with Kai. It would finally go back to it just being him and Cliff, all the time. He did some of his best work that day, and even his curmudgeonly old grandfather noticed it.

“Boy, you’ve really got the fire in you lately!” he exclaimed. “I didn’t think you’d reach this level so quickly.” Gray wiped the sweat from his brow, resting on his hammer. He had only been working under his grandfather since last fall. So it was one year now. Maybe he wouldn’t be an apprentice much longer…

Saibara’s rough voice snapped him out of his daze. “All right, boy! I’m going to teach you another new technique now! Are you ready?” Gray nodded seriously, and paid attention, feeling himself getting one step closer to the end of his apprenticeship.