Office Building, 32nd Floor- 8:15 AM

Ruki always got there early, after the janitors and cleaning crew, but before any of the office workers. He thought it was his duty to greet all his friendly coworkers, plus, it was the only way to be sure that Tora was present without being too obvious. If he was absent, the whole day was dreadfully long and dull. Every passing glimpse of the tall, dark-haired man sent Ruki’s heart racing, like a school girl with a crush. He looked forward to those fleeting seconds when Tora would approach his desk and ask for some copies to be made. Of course, he was happy to do it for him. Their hands would brush by one another and the touch ignited a fever of passion and desire between them that neither believed the other was aware of. Their fascination with one another was highly mutual, but their fear of rejection and heart break kept them from action.

On the 32nd floor in one of the tallest office buildings in the city, Ruki arrived at his desk as the clock struck half past eight. He left his purse and took his bagged lunch into the lounge to sit neatly on the top shelf of the fridge. He had used a black sharpie to etch his name in pretty cursive on the bag’s front, in order to claim it as his own. The top was rolled down and stapled to keep his nosy coworkers out. He took from the fridge a bottle of milk and creamer, collected sugar from the cabinet and set to work producing the morning’s first batch of coffee, made fresh to appease his fellow officefolk. He took a warm mug for himself, full of caramel vanilla creamer, and returned to his desk.

He busied himself by organizing his desk, sorting multi-colored pens in a cup next to his computer monitor and filing paperwork into neat stacks. He sipped at his coffee with caution while glancing up at the clock from time to time. People usually started to show up by now. Looking out the window, a soft flurry of snowflakes floated slowly from the gray skies above, down to the chilly earth below, like icy feathers. He wondered if the weather was bad enough to keep anyone from making it to work. His heart sank in worry. He hoped Tora would make it okay.

At about that time, the phone rang. He picked it up, pressed it to his ear, and introduced himself with a pleasant,

“Hello, thank you for calling the 32nd floor. This is Ruki speaking, how may I help you?”

On the other line was a girl named Kathrine. She was a nice girl. A little absent-minded, but very kind. She was calling to tell Ruki that her car was frozen solid and wouldn’t start. She was taking the day off. Ruki wished her a safe winter and hung up. He pressed a few keys and clicked some buttons, recording the girl absent. Moments later, the door to their offices swung open, and Ruki’s heart leapt in his throat with hope.

He looked up quickly from his desk, the pen in his hand going still. It was him. In through the door strolled that man, his dark hair messy, glasses on his nose, and a bag slung over his shoulder. Today, he work khaki trousers and a black button up, red tie, and a gray blazer. He looked unbelievably handsome, as he always did to Ruki.

When Tora came through that door, snow dusting his broad shoulders, he looked up to the petite blond behind the counter and smiled. [i]Oh, there he is,[/i] Tora thought, as if he’d been searching for him all morning. The only thing that made this place tolerable for Tora was that bright, lovely smile he greeted every morning.

“Good morning, Ruki..”

A hot blush came over the secretary and he couldn’t stop the sparkling smile of thrilling relief. He made it! Perhaps today wouldn’t be so bad after all.

“Good morning..” He replied, ever so conscious not to seem too eager. Of course, he was, but he was afraid of letting anyone know that.

“I smell coffee.” Tora noted with a pleased tone. Despite already having some at home, he’d never miss out on a fresh batch brewed especially by the most beautiful specimen of human he’d ever seen.

Ruki beamed with happiness, as he did throughout every morning conversation they shared.

“Oh, yes. Let me get you some.” The blond hopped up from his desk and scurried into the lounge. Tora smiled to himself and removed the bag from his shoulder and laid it upon the high counter. Watching Ruki walk away, he’d stolen a few sly glimpses of his curvy waist, that round bottom that had made his morning so entertaining. He felt something twitch below the belt and sighed. He needed Ruki, in so many more ways than one.

Tora shook himself from the mid-morning daydream when Ruki returned, walking carefully with a steaming cup of Joe.

“Here you go. Just the way you like it.” Ruki placed the cup next to Tora’s bag and took a seat behind his desk. Tora smiled in thanks and took a sip, an ever so grateful purr leaving as he spoke against the mug’s warm brim.

“Mm.. wonderful. Simple wonderful.”

Ruki smiled, happy to have pleased the man.

Tora continued to sip at the coffee, his lips resting comfortably against the ceramic mug, elbows propped upon the counter that welcomed guests into their office.

Ruki sat at his desk, cradling his own cup, turning idly in his chair. The pair remained silent for several long moments, simply enjoying the company of the coworkers they endeared so much. The both of them searched desperately for some conversation to share. Ruki swallowed, his cheeks burning under the scrutiny of his crush. He wondered what he was thinking. Did he look pretty? He wanted to look in a mirror and check. This silence was killing him.

Tora’s dark eyes spent some time undressing the lovely figure before him. He stopped only when his pants suddenly grew tight. He wished he had a dollar for every hard-on Ruki gave him and another for every night he spent without him. That passing thought, along with his long lonely morning, instilled a burst of courage somewhere in him. He felt a drive of longing, looking at the blond boy he wanted so badly. He couldn’t take it anymore. Something had to be done.

“Ruki, I..” He began, setting his coffee down with a sudden tone of seriousness.

The sound in his voice made Ruki’s hairs stand on end. [i]Oh god, please say it. Confess your undying love for me and whisk me away to a private cabin to make love until the sun comes up.[/i] Ruki had gone over this conversation a million times in his head.

“Yes?” His voice was drenched with expectation, his gray eyes practically begging to hear such a confession of love, as he’d imagined so many times before.

“I was wondering..” Tora stared into his coffee, thumbs idly rubbing against its paint. His heart was racing. A part of him suddenly regretted opening his mouth. Eventually, he choked up the courage to continue.

“If you’d like to go to the company ball with me tomorrow? I.. I know it’s late notice, but I’d really like to go with you..” He felt sick. He didn’t know if he could handle rejection. Tora’s heart beat so hard against his chest, it dizzied him. He braved the nerves and looked up from his coffee to read Ruki’s expression.

The blond’s mouth hung open in surprise. Did he really say that? For a second, he was afraid his heart had stopped. He was so speechless, the lungful of breath was stuck in his throat. He mouthed the word “oh” in attempt to speak, but no sound came out.

“T-to the ball? The masquerade, you mean?” Ruki finally question. He struggled to believe Tora actually wanted such a thing. He could only assume that he’d misheard the man. He didn’t want to make a full of himself, getting excited for nothing.

Tora breathed a nervous laugh to play it cool and nodded with a shrug. “Y-yeah, I mean.. it doesn’t have to be a date, we can just be friends, if that’s what you want…” Before he could finish the thought, Ruki excitedly intervened.

“No!” He sat up straight, as if alarmed. “No, I’d love to! I’d love to go with you.. on a date..” Warmth flooded his cheeks. He couldn’t believe this was actually happening, and how excited he had been! Surely Tora could see that. He felt as though every feeling he’d ever thought for Tora were visible for all the world to see at this moment.

Tora’s eyes widened. “Woah, really?” He questioned in utter disbelief, unable to stop himself. He was too taken aback to note Ruki’s own behavior.

Ruki began to smile. He breathed a soft laugh and nodded eagerly with a quiet mumble, “Absolutely.”

Tora couldn’t stop himself from exhaling a sigh of relief. Was asking someone out really that easy? He’d worked with Ruki for two years and never got the courage to do this until now. Love was so intimidating.

“That.. that’s so wonderful..” He sounded so thrilled, like a young boy, too shy to speak much louder.

Ruki nodded, his entire being quivering, though his voice held a sure tone as he spoke. “I expect dinner. A proper date. Pick me up tomorrow at five.” If Tora was taking him out, he’d be damn sure it would be one hell of a first date. He was not about to let this man slip through his fingers, not after so long.

Tora had no qualms listening to his demands. In fact, it brought a smile to his face. He nodded in understanding.

“You got it.” He smirked with confidence and collected his coffee. “You won’t be disappointed, I promise you that.” Tora winked and finally strolled away from the counter to settle at his own desk. No amount of work would be done today. He would spend all day analyzing and restaurants and planning his first date with the love of his life.