The night was windy yet warm. Joei had recently learned that Muse was always like that. The young man tossed in his bed a final time before finally giving up the prospect of sleep. He hadn't had a wink of sleep for two days and he doubted he would for a while. The blonde stood up and walked to the window where he could better view the empty streets of Muse. He didn't know whether to blame it on the Highland Army's surrounding the city, or if it was always so dead during the night.

For maybe the seventh time tonight Joei heard his best friend shifting in his bed.

"Juh... Joei... No! Don't go... I'm sorry..." At the sound of his name the slightly older boy walked to where his friend lay and sat on the bed. He took the brunette's restless body and held it to his own.

"It's ok, Riou, I won't leave you. Nothing you say could drive me away." Joei watched the younger boy's body ease with the sound of his voice. He felt a twinge of pain in his heart as he thought of what he had just said. He knew he had lied, but it was for Riou's sake. He had to do what he believed was best for his friend and lover, even if it meant betraying him and following a beast.

"Riou... I'm sorry. I'm so sorry..." Joei mumbled as his nose filled with the smell of coconut and raspberries. He had made the special shampoo for Riou alone and gave it to him for his last birthday.

"For what?" Confused brown eyes looked up at him as he got over his start.

"I love you." Joei whispered in the brunette's ear and his eyes filled with tears. Some began flowing down his cheeks. The younger boy leaned up and licked some tears away, kissing the last one on his cheek. He then kissed Joei passionately, yet softly. Joei could taste his own salty tears on Riou's lips and almost cried again when the boy pulled away.

"Don't be sorry for that, because I love you too." With those words Riou smiled and nestled his head into Joei's chest, using it as a pillow, then fell asleep.

"Riou... please remember... That from now on, whenever I say I'm sorry, I really mean I love you." Joei closed his eyes, his ears listening and his body feeling the rhythm of Riou's soft breathing. He could feel his lover's heart beating with the same rhythm as his and soon he finally fell to sleep.