The main door to Tristan's building was propped wide open with a small manual. Hibiki glanced at it in passing, but the words were Russian. Two students carrying chairs and a nightstand came down the stairs, talking boisterously about a past party they had attended. He stood aside and let them pass, before rapidly bounding up the stairs.

It was quieter on the floor where Tristan lived – with the exception of occasional clanging and banging reverberating up from the stairwell. A grin welled up on his face as he got closer. Pleasant warmth spread throughout his body, and the anticipation stirred the dormant butterflies.

He gave two firm knocks on the door to Tristan's apartment. It rattled slightly because it was loose, making the noise louder than he intended. He heard a bit of noise on the inside, and then the door opened.

For a second there was a quiet weight, as he took in the man standing before him. Tristan didn't look so different from usual: a suit as always, with a neat red tie. His blonde hair popped away from his side-part in loose curls. The fluorescent white of the hallway lights made the grey in his eyes gleam like silver – and a smile brightened them even further. Surely he bore the same enamoured smile.

"Hey." Tristan said, his voice softened by infatuation.

He took a step closer, just enough to cross the threshold of the doorway, and stood on the tips of his toes. He graced Tristan's lips with a few soft, loving kisses. A deep sigh spilled against him, and he glanced up to see that Tristan had already closed his eyes. The willingness stirred his butterflies in full.

He closed his eyes too, and parted his lips slightly just so he could take him in. Still gentle, but enough to indulge. Tristan let him, fully caught up in whatever he did. He caressed his cheek with the back of his fingers, to silently appreciate him. A second later he pulled away, sealing in the moment with a small peck and a grin at Tristan's visible blush.

He took both his hands and pulled him back into the light of the hallway, not allowing him to think too much about the moment – especially not the bodyguards still standing off to the sides. Instead he grinned and gave an enthusiastic bounce.

"Let's go then." Tristan said, tuned in well enough to his energy to understand what he meant from body language alone. He beamed brightly, and with a tug on his hand pulled him along to the car.

Hibiki opened the boot of his car, so Tristan could put in his satchel. Even though it was a Tuesday, he figured that Tristan would stay over. He hoped he'd stick around for a while, maybe until the weekend, even if that meant he'd have to pick up another set of clothes. But then there was the matter of classes, and studying too, which meant a lot of travelling back and forth. Perhaps he was hoping for too much.

A knock on the window startled him out of his thoughts, and he quickly pushed a button on the dashboard to pop open the passenger door. Tristan sat down, pulling the door shut before buckling up his seat belt.

"I really like your shirt. It's very dashing." Tristan said with a smile, as he took in the detailed embroidery. He grinned back at him, pretty pleased with himself for picking it out.

Unwilling to be the only one that was complimented, he raised his hand and took a strand of blonde curls between two fingers. He ever so gently ran it through, until the lock popped loose and bounced back up. A bright blush sprung up with it – so he ran his fingers down along his cheek in a slow but confident motion. It didn't help with the blush, but a smile rose up regardless.

He grinned impishly in response, and then leant in for a few quick kisses. Enough to tell him that he appreciated the response. He didn't want Tristan to be ashamed of the affection, or the way his body reacted to it, so he hoped that rewarding him would settle any fears or doubts. It seemed to work, since his kisses were answered.

"You know, it's easier to kiss me at home." The words were whispered between two pecks, causing him to chuckle softly. He enjoyed the flirting – most of all because it told him Tristan had begun to get comfortable with it. Even if it was only whispers and coy insinuations.

He nodded, and gave him a firm kiss to say that he definitely would. His love was even more insatiable than his appetite. But to get either, he'd first have to get out of the parking lot.

They had gotten large hamburgers, and two bags of thick cut fries from a restaurant. Not a particularly fancy one, but still a step above regular fast food. The paper bag sat proudly on Tristan's lap, who continuously chatted as they were driving to the apartment.

"So, debating is going pretty well. Me and Sam have been practising for the upcoming tournament in Amsterdam."

He responded by mimicking a smoking gesture, prompting Tristan to chuckle.

"Not everyone there uses weed 'Biki. Besides, if you've ever heard Liz and Killian when they're high, you know that it won't make the debate any better."

Curious about that, he drew a question mark. He'd never actually seen anyone get high, although it didn't surprise him that Liz and Killian would. A part of him was curious what it would be like, even if it wasn't a good idea in the slightest.

"They start rambling in all different directions, making absolutely no sense. Meanwhile they think they've discovered a genius solution to all of life's problems. Last time they were talking about whether or not companies actually exist, or are solely fairy tales and marketing."

He sputtered a little in response, fairly certain that his father's company wasn't solely marketing. Although he could see perhaps how for some companies it would be hard to distinguish, especially the ones that sold intangible things.

"It's fascinatingly stupid to listen to them. When we have another party, you should join."

With a wide grin he agreed to that. He'd love to join another party. Even if just so he could drink and dance and forget about things for a while. Maybe he'd join in for the stupid ideas too: even if Kazuo would be the only one to get it. All that mattered was that he got to be dumb too.

"Do you want it to be a big party, or just like New Year's, with only a few of us?" Tristan asked, as he laid his hands on the bag of food and smiled at him. He smiled too, considering the offer for a moment. A part of him truly wanted to be able to just jump into a large mass of people and make sure that everyone could see him: that everyone would enjoy his company and like him. But then the idea of strangers frightened him. The faces of people he didn't know staring at him with malintent. Strong hands dragging him away from everyone he knew.

He shook his head and made the gesture for 'small' with his thumb and index.

"We'll have a party with only us then. Maybe we can have it at your house?"

The suggestion intrigued him, but there would be too many obstacles. He pointed back towards the car with his security detail, then made a gesture as if grabbing something and pushing it away.

"Yeah, true. They are boring like that."

He rolled his eyes and nodded. Tristan let out a chuckle and continued speaking.

"I mean, men who only wear suits can't possibly have anything interesting going on in their lives."

He glanced over at Tristan, only for a soft laugh to bubble up. With a sigh and a shake of his head he reached in and gave his cheek a small caress. Short stubble pricked the back of his fingers.

"Sometimes I wish it was boring." A soft sigh spilled forth from Tristan, prompting him to give an empathic squeeze of his hand before focussing on the stretch of road ahead of them. "That I was only a middle class book nerd... nothing more. I don't get why,- why it couldn't be. But at least," from the corner of his eyes he caught Tristan wiping his sleeve along his face. "At least I have you now. That makes it all a little easier."

He took a deep breath and ran his hand along Tristan's shoulder, softly shaking him in an attempt to cheer him up. A quick nod followed.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to do that."

He shook his head and smiled, drawing a quick heart in the air to say it was no big deal.

"I'm really glad I met you." Tristan placed his hand on his forearm instead, giving it a soft caress with his thumb. He smiled and nodded, before the upcoming turn towards his apartment complex forced him to shake off Tristan's hand.