Strawberry cake

"Hi, I brought you cake..." Maki entered the apartment, pushing it into Koga's arms, and looking away.

"Wow, " A smile appeared on Koga's lips, "You plan to have a nice evening, and here I am, thinking we were only watching a movie together."

Maki took his shoes off, "Stop it, I was trying to be polite."

"Oh sure you were, honey, " His ears twitched, "And all those times you came here before you were rude, I assume."

Maki rolled his eyes, playing it cool. "Whatever, tease as much as you want."

Koga turned to the kitchen to hide his happy face and opened the box to peek at the cake. It was a good quality cake from a nearby bakery, with strawberries and white cream. He couldn't help but glance back at Maki, who sat on the couch: straight face as if he had not been blushing a minute ago. Koga cleared his throat.

"Well, do you want a piece?"

"I would like some." Maki had to turn a bit to respond.

"Do you want some white wine with it?"

"I am not sure... I am not much of a drinker."

Koga was a sly fox after all, his voice sweet like honey, "Oh, it won't be much, just to make it more interesting, plus it will suit the cake."

Did he take the bottle out already?

"Okay." Maki slightly nodded.

"Great! I will be in a second, if you want, you can switch on the TV."

"Okay." He complied.

"You are shy with words today, huh?"

"Why?"

"Okay, okay, why - that all you have been saying, no?"

"No, I have not."

"Not again...well," Koga sighed, "it's you. It seems to me you are not the talking type unless you need something."

Maki ignored it, taking the plate and wine glass. Koga put his on the table next to the couch, and sat down, a bit closer to Maki than the last time they watched a movie.

"Well," he said, "you want to eat while watching, or maybe talk a bit?"

"We can talk if you want." Maki felt a bit nervous, but couldn't resist the wish to get to know Koga better.

"I see, " Koga smiled, and took the plate, then tilted his head. "What would you like to know, birdy?"

Maki ate the cake - a chance to avoid looking back at Koga. He put a strawberry in his mouth, "I wanted to ask you... about your tail. How come you have your ears out, but not your tail?" After saying it out loud he felt that it was an inappropriate question. He didn't show his wings, so... Koga's eyebrows raised in surprise. He laughed.

"That's what you've been waiting to ask me? You don't even know how funny you are, I like it."

Maki raised his head, "What?"

"Nothing," Koga brushed it off, "I don't show them (I actually have 8), because it's not a full set yet. They are sensitive to touch, you see," his eyes glimmered, "and it's kind of a private thing. While with the ears, it's easier, as human ears are clearly lacking."

"I would love to see them one day," Maki said blankly, and immediately felt so stupid, he wanted to punch himself.

"Oh," Koga couldn't help but smile at him, his voice lower, "You are endearing sometimes, aren't you? Well, I just might show them to you... One day." He lowered his eyes.

Maki couldn't reply to that in any way, so he gulped down his wine. When he collected himself, he said:

"I-I actually can't stay too long today. I have to come back to the temple, there might be a yokai hiding somewhere, we didn't notice him, so I have to look..."

"So that's when you start talking." Koga said thoughtfully while playing with his fork, "I see. Should we search together then?"

"What? Why would you want to..."

Koga stopped him with a hand gesture, "Let's say I want you to show me your place since you have seen mine many times. You know, just like a payment for my hospitality." He knew he had it in his pocket, "And since you need to go, and there is no chance for me to watch a movie, I still want to experience some entertainment tonight. Also, it seems you are not so good at finding yokai. My smell might help you. I will know if there is anyone else in the house."

Maki couldn't fight it. "Okay then. Will you be able to teleport 80 kilometers?" He talked calmly, while his head was bursting. He tried to remember if his room looked in any way presentable at the moment. He was afraid he left out some embarrassing manga...or if...

"A bit far, huh? Can't you take me with you?" It was unclear whether Koga couldn't teleport, or he was plotting something.

"I think it's a bit far for two yokai, and only one me carrying us both."

"Hm. I know," Koga's face lit up, "we fly there!"

"What?" He felt startled, "It's not safe to fly in Tokyo, there are too many people..."

"Listen, I call you birdy for a reason. I never flew, it'll be my chance to fly for the first time."

"B-but you are heavy, and again, it's not safe!"

"Weren't you very strong?"

"I am..."

"So it's decided. You will fly very high, so people won't notice you, and we will come to your place. Good?"

"But we could just teleport to the closer-"

"No-no," Koga shook his hands, "it's decided. Today I will fly!"

His eyes were so bright, his happiness so genuine. Maki couldn't resist anymore. He couldn't look away, he couldn't say no. Because it would be very romantic to hold Koga in his arms and fly over the lights of Tokyo, wouldn't it? He didn't show it, but he also was delighted.

"Well," Koga finished his cake as fast as he could, "I hope you aren't drunk after that one glass of wine. I will change in a moment." He took his plate to the sink and disappeared into one of the rooms.

Maki couldn't help but notice that this time Koga didn't close the door behind him as carefully as before. The light illuminated the room, revealing some details. The long mirror on the wall reflected the whole bedroom. It meant he could see everything. The moment he noticed Koga taking his red silk robe off, he averted his gaze in embarrassment. It would be creepy to continue spying, especially if Koga notices him. He switched his attention to the cake, but the picture of Koga's white collarbones and his slim shoulders wouldn't disappear. As a distraction, he shook his head and ate a strawberry. Soon he heard Koga's voice:

"I am ready!" He wore a brown silk blouse, a light blue knitted vest, and dark brown classic trousers. He looked impeccable, as always, with jewelry in place. "Do you think I might be cold in this?" He turned around, well aware of how beautiful he looked.

"You might. There is a lot of wind. We can go now," Maki paused, tilting his head, "maybe take a cardigan instead of a vest?"

"Oh, you noticed, so considerate. In your arms I won't feel so cold, I am very sure of that!"

"Okay...." Maki went to put his plate in the sink, unsure whether he should wash it, "We can leave. I suggest we teleport to the roof, and take on from there."

"You are no fun. Let's go! Leave the plate, forget it, I am all in anticipation."