.

.

.

"Hold on," were the first words out of IV's mouth as he entered the home.

Ryoga looked back at him. "What?"

"Why... the fuck do you have a lifesized cardboard stand-up of yourself on the wall?"

Ryoga didn't even blink.

"Oh," he said. "I got it for Rio, so she could have company in hospital while I'm not around. She didn't like it much, though."

IV continued staring. It was Ryoga in his purple jacket, with one arm outstretched and the other tucked in the pocket of his dark jeans. Ryoga was smiling, but it was a strained smile—the smile of one who'd forgotten how to smile forever but being forced to do so. The whole stand-up was lifeless, grotesque and mildly eerie. It was easy to understand why Ryoga's sister wouldn't have wanted it near.

...Then IV remembered that Rio wouldn't have been able to see.

"...Ah."

Ryoga didn't seem to notice the change in mood, however, as he proceeded past the corner and toward the rooms. IV hovered at the doorway, awkwardly; he wasn't yet comfortable enough, and he still had no idea of the boundaries that were in place – especially because Japanese society was still so radically diferent to the one he was used to at home. Though he was relatively sure he wouldn't be able to land in a rather compromising situation since Rio was out on an overnight trip with the school (some 'shuugakuryokou' thing or other), and IV had been given free reign, their history meant he preferred to play it safer than sorry.

Which meant he was still standing there, staring at the cardboard stand-up of his boyfriend at the end of the hall, waiting for Ryoga to return so he had some clue of what he was supposed to do.

When the idea occurred to him, IV blinked. Once, twice. Then he closed his left eye and tilted his head ninety degrees. Yes... it actually might work—

That was why, when Ryoga appeared, wondering why IV was missing, he found the Arclight at the other end of the corridor. One hand was clamped over the cardboard stand-up's mouth, and IV was leaning back as far as the length of his arm could allow.

"What are you doing?" asked Ryoga.

Visibly, IV jumped. Then he shrugged. "Doesn't it look better this way?"

Ryoga frowned. "Better?"

"Yeah," said IV. "Without that thing you tried to call a smile. It looked like you were eating lemons."

"I did not," came the defensive reply, automatic in its nature.

"Well you try telling me you don't see a difference."

To prove his point, IV took his hand away to reveal the smile, before placing his hand over it again. Ryoga had to admit that IV was right... but there was no fucking way he was going to say that out loud.

"Ha," said IV. "You think so too."

Fuck, his face had given it away. Maybe he was cringing.

IV smirked. "I'm right again."

"Shut up."

Rather than agreeing to comply with Ryoga's request, IV looked more thoughtful instead.

"You know," said IV. "This is usually the part where I kiss you so you shut up. But you're all the way over there... and this you is right here next to me."

And then, to Ryoga's utter suprprise, IV leant in and quickly kissed the stand-up's lips. Ryoga had to admit that the expression he'd been making in the photo meant the kiss matched up better than it should.

Even so—

"What the—"

IV's mouth twitched. Then it twitched again; and then IV lost all measure of self-control and began laughing.

"You should have seen your face," he said, between gasps. "You got fucking jealous at a stand-up of yourself—"

He fell silent when Ryoga walked across and pulled him into a kiss. IV was slow to react, at first, but then but his mouth parted quickly and the two of them were left locked in embrace for minutes that were seconds and seconds that were eternity.

When Ryoga pulled away, he sent a dark glare toward the stand-up in question. "I should dispose of that thing."

"But it's just like there's three of us," said IV, playfully.

"No."

An arm snaked around Ryoga's shoulder. "Think of all the fanservice—"