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Dante might not need to apologise, but he couldn't feel like he didn't want to.... he wanted to get on his knees and beg for forgiveness, for absolution of sins... but that would never happen, there was no erasing the pain that scorched him heart and soul.... was this how Jeremy had felt all those years earlier? He had a sudden new found respect for the guy, while Dante may have been attacked in the past... a black eye, broken bones and a failed attempt was nothing in comparison to this. This pure agony was screaming from the deepest parts of his soul, so torn that he was sure his body would split in two at any moment.

"You read my mind." Dante wasn't sure if that was a good or a bad thing, he really didn't want to look at them... didn't want Jeremy looking even more. Cursed photos. How would the guy ever look at him again if he saw them! What would they show... Dante couldn't even imagine. Shame, betrayal, helplessness, anger, pain.... all emotions that had riddled him at the time.... but what... what would he do if the camera picked up something that could be mistaken for enjoyment? A cry of anger or pain that read as something different in a still picture? He shuddered at the thought, he might very well die a little more if that was the case....! An audible gulp left rumbled in his throat and all he could do was nod at Jeremy.

Had Dante known that Jeremy was thinking he wasn't enough for him, it would have wounded Dante even more than all the sh*t he had thinking and remembering after the attack... would have wounded him deeper than anything else could have, for Jeremy held a part of his soul that no one else could reach.... and Dante really didn't want to let go of it....

"Of course. I understand," Dante nodded, and smiled a little in response. Good, the guy understood... if anyone would though, it was Jeremy. Guilt at pushing this on his shoulders was almost enough to tilt the scales in Dante's utter downfall. He was already precariously placed on the edge, another grain of sand and he would be lost. The dark abyss that stood before him was almost starting to look welcoming.

"It's not a problem." Oh how false those words were! He inhaled so sharply it hurt. His chest constricting in a strange way that had him almost gasping for air. He controlled himself though... barely. Reaching into his pocket he took out his wallet with the guys business card, part of him had known this was coming, knew that Jeremy would ask... "Jasper Burns. Scottish heritage, from what I gather he was freelance paparazzi for a long time before he was finally scooped up by 'IT' magazine." Dante had done some research before Chi's wedding... after everything... well, he hadn't been able to put the guys name in Google or anything else in fear of seeing a picture, what he didn't need right now was a visual reminder.... his skin felt tight at the memory, and as Jeremy's hand rested on his back it took him a heartbeat to remember that it was Jeremy and not Jasper that touched him. His throat suddenly felt too dry to continue, so he stopped, turned to look at Jeremy and smiled, his eyes shimmering with all his unspoken emotion towards Jeremy behind his glasses. God, he loved this man... but would he ever be able to reach out and just hold him again? Would he ever be worthy of him once more? What could he do to change the hand fate had dealt him?

Dante took a deep breath and turned away from Jeremy, even if he didn't make a move to walk away... yet. "If he does release them to the press.... " His voice trailed off to a low whisper. "...I'm ok with that." Well, not really, but Dante had been thinking a lot about this. Had tried to put an emergency plan in place on his own, but it was beyond hard, he couldn't detached himself from it... maybe Jeremy could help? "...I... was thinking of starting a charity.... for victims." He didn't say the word rape, couldn't quite bring himself to. Clearing his throat he finally forced himself to move.

One step forward. Two steps. Three steps. Each was as hard as the first, and as his hand reached the handle he turned once more and nodded at Jeremy, saying only two words before he opened the door to the rest of reality. "Call me."

Out of the office he saw the chaos that had unfolded after his surprise order, he saw Phil and Betty, and couldn't quite bring himself to look at either of them, simply nodded a brief acknowledgement and headed towards his team. They battered him with questions, that he answered with a lazy automatic grace, that from the outside may have made him look beyond efficient... but his heart wasn't in it, anyone who knew him could see that. "Let's get out of here. I have a meeting with Dr. Ling and Michael Travos, and the Lotus situation is likely to be mentioned. I won't be taken by surprise again...." He latter words holding duel meaning... he would be prepared from this point forth. Anyone who believed Dante was simply a push over and a weakling... well they were about to have a shock. Already he had arranged to take Judo lessons an hour a day.... he hated the feeling of being helpless, and had sworn to himself he would never be seen as such again.

Dante's day was filled with boring meetings, action plans and a lot of 'dragon'-staring on his half. By the end of the day he had resignations from three people and a new intern cowering in her britches... whatever, he really wasn't in the mood today. The Lotus company was likely to collapse before it even begun, and he might have felt sorry on any other given day, today was not such a day.

Especially since he was now looking down at a file from his lawyers about something he had all but forgotten about... Justin Burns.... his old security guard, the throne in his side, and the man that he was sure Jeremy hated. Yeah... it seemed the incident was now resolved, that he would no longer be singing like a canary but Dante had to wonder about something that seemed too much to simply be a coincident... Burns... they both had the surname Burns!

He stared at the screen... his mind no longer thinking about the Lotus company. Burns.... was it a targeted attack after all?

Dante's phone suddenly chirped to life, causing him to jump out of his skin and blink in surprise before staring at the thing. Why was he so nervous about looking at it? His phone went off all the time! He closed his eyes, forcing himself to calm down... he was safe, he had told Jeremy, he had ignored the papers... but it didn't matter, he was surprising nervous!

With a gulp he picked up the phone and sighed in relief at the name. JW. Jeremy. A quick read and a small smile, well, a smile that soon faded...could they actually meet? Why was it all suddenly down to him? His eyes drifted over the desk and seemed to land upon the newspaper picture once more. Jeremy and Betty... sure it would soon be revealed that he had kissed a woman, even if it's an androgynous looking woman, but the world would accept that.... still, it made him wonder... would it be so bad if they came clean? If they cut the storm off before it really hit? GAH! He growled under his breath and buried his head in his hands. He was being delusional. He was pretty sure Jeremy didn't want the world known he was gay... and considering everything that was happening with him Dante was pretty sure he was clinging to this idea as a way of escaping... but something seemed to ring true all the same... it hadn't been the idea of being caught that had p*ssed Dante off this morning when he saw the paper, it was the fact that Jeremy had been seen kissing someone else. Jealous was an ugly beast.

With mild reluctance he picked up his phone and typed;;



Yes, he knew it revealed too much, knew it was more than he usually said... but he had to! Had to connect with the only thing that was keeping him grounded in the turbulent confusion that was his mind. One thing was for sure... he hated Betty. Wanted to wring her pretty little neck for touching something that was his! When had he become so possessive?

He struck the desk with such force that it echoed in the room and had one of his assistants running in to check on him. A quick grey eyes look had her shrinking away. "At this rate everyone will hate me...." He mumbled before dragging himself to his feet, grabbing his shades, phone and his coat.

Dante had no idea where he was going, he just followed his feet and the sudden desire to leave that he couldn't resist. He smelt the warm chocolately deliciousness of a near by cake store... and the worst part is that he looked at with disinterest before wandering off in the opposite direction.

"Dante."

The sound of his name had him jumping out of his skin.... especially when he turned to see Justin, the cocky git grinning over at him. He hadn't realised how angry he was until that moment, but he was, it dashed over his face so fast that it was a miracle he didn't have his hands around Justin's too large neck; but the truth was Dante knew that he was no match physically for the much larger man. It didn't matter, there were too many people here for anyone to do anything, even Justin wouldn't start a scene like that. "Mr Burns. I hope you are doing well." Despite the anger on his face his words sounded too sweet, sickly sweet. Still, it was a statement not a question.

"Oh Dante, Dante, Dante... is that how you talk to a man whose topped you?" The grin was sickening, and Dante's hands fisted at his sides. If it wasn't for the ruthlessness this day had presented he might just have walked away, abandoned everything.... but no... his emotions were too rattled for that.

"Mr. Burns, kindly remember you position. You have signed a disclosure agreement, I do not wish to discuss this, nor shall I. Keep your mouth shut." A warning, a threat.... he would have said more but he didn't get a chance.

"Oh but we both know how good you look." Justin moved closer, his mouth too close to Dante's ear even as he tried to stand tall and unaffected, the fact was that the attack was too soon and he winced. "I've seen some very interesting pictures of you... who knew the dragon prince could cry?"

Dante froze, he knew exactly what Justin was hinting at, the same thing he himself had concluded this after... but what was worst was that the humiliation was something he could never take back... he could never take back going to that room or the events that followed! He was glad Justin walked away, because frankly he couldn't have moved even if he wanted too.... for several long and agonising minutes he simply stood and stared, doing his best not to whimper as the memories assaulted him.

In that moment there was only one thing he wanted.... a hug from Jeremy.... the very thing he couldn't have.

-----------------------------

Somehow he eventually managed to get home, though he had no idea how or when it had happened. All he knew was that he now sat in front of the fire simply absorbed in the dancing and flickering flames. Evening... he was vaguely aware it was evening. His phone was sat beside him, silent and cold... just like his thoughts.

I'll be there. He smiled, despite everything at that, still sat on the sofa feeling cold and alone... but he wasn't alone was he? He just needed to try and open up, to trust the one man who he actually wanted to sit beside him.... even if he wasn't sure he could touch him for a while. This morning had been agonising, torn between wanting to hold him properly to feeling dirty and used.... but Jeremy understood, right?

He groaned and buried his head in his hand. Too much to think about. Too much he longed to forget or change.... or both.

The bell rang. Roaring to life with a deafening wail.

Dante jumped, placing a hand over his heart as he calmed himself. No one could get up here uninvited. No one but Jeremy was expected. It was fine. It was.... safe. But safe was far from how he felt right now, shaken was more like it, especially after his encounter with Justin this afternoon.

He hesitated for only a moment but eventually managed to drag himself into action, opening the door and peeking around just to 'check' his assumption was correct. Sure enough it was Jeremy standing before him, and he smiled, even if it was a slightly sad smile. Still, it was the closest he had got to a smile since he came back from Japan. "Hey." He replied, stepping back to let the guy in.

The silence that dragged between them was uncomfortable, was this what things had become now? This painful thing?

Straight to the point Jeremy started the conversation with what Dante had promised in his text.... he shouldn't be surprised right? Shouldn't have expected anything different? As if Jeremy would feel comfortable walking in and pulling him close for a hug? Or brushing a kiss upon his cheek or forehead? No.... there was distance between them now, a distance that had nothing to do with the kiss picture in the newspaper and everything to do with the bomb that Dante had dropped.

"Yeah...." he gulped, walking into his apartment to stop himself from becoming another piece of furniture in his own home. "Burns. Justin Burns. Jasper Burns. They are related...." He came straight to the point, decided that if Jeremy wanted to get this over with and leave as soon as possible that he had no right to try and stop him. Even if the last time they had both been here it was under completely different circumstances. Every corner of the place seemed to remind him of what he had apparently lost..... the sofa that he and Jeremy had sat on watching a romantic comedy, the kitchen they had baked a cake together, the bedroom that they had... well... had fun in, before he left Jeremy to sleep. He had expected to come back and pick things up where he had left them.... but this.... would they ever get back to what had been?

He walked, almost purposefully, towards the sofa and sat down, the file he had brought home already on the table. His 'evidence'.

He took a deep breath, and then, said the one thing he had been thinking since the news about the Jeremy kissing a man was spread over all the papers. "I am considering coming out as gay in the public eye. Cut off the snakes head and the venom no longer can get you." He sighed, then slipped into Japanese, "Watashi wa sō mechakucha shite imasu." (I am so messed up.) He laughed at himself, burying his head again and running his fingers through his hair.... all the while his laughter continued. Had he finally snapped?

The babbling laughter dried up and he took a deep breath before slumping forward. He knew he was shaking, knew it without actually feeling it. Right now Dante was completely confused, reverting back to a small and scared child once more.... a place he had never wished to return. Yet here he was.

A soft hand touched his shoulder, a gentle squeeze that made him feel entirely breakable, even as he glanced over at Jeremy as the guy spoke for what felt like the first time that day. Again he had to wonder how things had changed so drastically, how things had gone from loving and playful and ....oh so much sex.... to this distant and painful thing that stretched out before him.

The words didn't exactly register at first , he was simply enthralled by the guys lips, the shape of his mouth, the harsh set of his jaw.... had it always been so stubborn before? Oddly Dante couldn't recall noticing that trait before. Did that mean it was new? Put there by his actions in Japan? He tore his gaze away and moved one of his own hands to fist it above his heart as he closed his eyes for a moment. He might be all brave words and good intentions but this was the hardest thing he had ever had to do, ever been forced to do. But there was one thing Dante was more than aware of.... he couldn't and wouldn't ignore it. That would make it worst, allow it to fester and grow into an insatiable being that would destroy and consume everything around him. A greedy thing that would steal away his light before taking his life. Taking Jeremy and his father's business down with it. He wouldn't allow that, for them he would fight, even if he no longer cared what happened for the husk of a being he currently was.

He chuckled a little as a thought came to mind, "Did you ever get to finish a bag of trail mix? Or had I doomed you to forever spilling the stuff since that day?" He was stalling, in his heart he knew it, knew that Jeremy was more focused on the here and now and the significance of both his earlier admissions. But Dante needed a break, was desperate for one.... just one moment of normal... was that too much to ask?

He took a deep breath and moved the hand from his heart to over Jeremy's and gave it a little squeeze. This hand felt so much stronger than his own, felt more grounded..... warm even.

Maybe it was the look on Jeremy's face, or the fact that the guys voice had been to calm, or maybe it was just because Dante's mind was tossing back and forth between a thousand and one thoughts that he ended up circling back to the other conversation. He looked at Jeremy's lap. "I haven't decided yet though.... hell... this is the biggest decision I have ever had to make...." He growled to himself, tearing his eyes away. "...I'm scared." He mumbled. Admitting for the first time out loud how he felt in his heart. How weak did that sound? He moved a hand to cover his eyes, to hold back tears maybe, he wasn't sure? He just couldn't look. Even as he tried to breath in and out, steady his heart. "I.... you.... can't. I don't want you to be dragged down with me...." He said softly. Not looking at Jeremy in this. What was he meant to do? He wanted to protect Jeremy.... but how could he protect him? How? It seemed.... impossible. "I mean, just look at what happened with that photo today? Do you really think you can come out after denying it all day?" Maybe this was part of the problem, the fact some girl had kissed Jeremy, his Jeremy, and it had been caught on camera.... and all day the guy had denied allegations about being gay. Sure, Dante understood, probably better than most, the world they lived in was harsh and cruel, and those who had the money had the power.... something that people like Jeremy strove to keep in their favour.

Dante desperately clung to the things he could, to the feel of Jeremy's hand in his, to the heat of his skin, to the scent that was all Jeremy -masculine with a tang almost like oranges- the way he held him, looked at him, the heat of his gaze was electrifying and took him back to a different time, to a different place. To when his biggest question had been how they could sneak around without being caught.... and even then they hadn't saw the need to be overly cautious, but now? Now everything was broken, a fractured mess that stung to look at and made it hard to breath. He felt like he was drowning, suffocating slowly in a hell he had somehow formed himself. How did he get back to the surface? Would he ever see the surface again? Or would he forever be forced to look at the world through the fractured mess that reflected his broken image back at himself? "Can you ever make a mirror whole again?" He mumbled, the words echoing his ever darkening thoughts. He shook his head and dropped it, he wasn't really asking anything, simply musing..... desperate to think of something else.

He had two options right now. He could focus on the Burn's and what they did, or he could focus on Jeremy. But did he dare with the latter? Did he dare to take the plunge and go for what he desperately wanted but was suddenly so afraid to take. To touch. To feel. As if the slightest whimper, the slightest mistake would break the treaty they had drawn up during this stalemate....?

Again he shook himself. He wasn't at war with Jeremy. And from Jeremy's words and kind expression he didn't feel that way either. No, Jeremy was his allies. His friend. His.... lover. Even if such intimacies were intimidating right now, that was the title he assigned to Jeremy, the one he deserved, had teased out of him until he had claimed all of Dante's heart for his own. Only Jeremy belonged there now...

He took a deep breath, his eyes sliding shut as Jeremy started to stroke his face. It was hard looking at his focused gaze, but at the same time Dante didn't want to break the contact. "No rush...." He repeated, slowly opening his eyes and looking at Jeremy. He knew the guy was right, he didn't have to think about things right now, didn't have to make all the decisions right here and now. "....my father put a contingency plan in place, after all he knows I'm gay...." Even if he had tried to use him as a stud! Ugh! That meeting at the fanciest restaurant in town, dressed in their best gear that had resulted in Dante desperately driving a wedge between them sent a chill of foreboding down his spine. What if he did something that stupid again? He had been thinking more clearly then and still acted so irrationally..... no matter how he tried to justify his actions the truth was fear had compelled him to take the easier route, a route that had turned out to be twisted and left a black stain upon Dante's soul.... if only he hadn't walked that day! If only he hadn't run into Justin's arms! Then none of this would have happened..... none of it.

Tears had started stumbling down his face. Thick and silent assassins that drew the pain of his heart into physical form. At first Dante hadn't even been aware he was crying, and when he discovered the hazardous substance he blinked only further obscuring his vision. Men didn't cry. It was a sign of weakness. Yet even as he thought that he could no more have stopped his tears than he could have commanded the sun to shine. "Kiss me." He said, his voice cracking as desperation filled him. "Show me you won't let me go... that I'm not broken.... that you...." Still want me he thought, though he never finished that one, left the words unsaid. But the need to know that he was still wanted, him, the broken and scared man trapped in the fixtures and fixings of a man with power and strength..... that Dante needed the reassurances, the strength, the commitment..... the mere contact of Jeremy's lips upon his. Making everything right, taking away the darkness and pain.

Dante didn't know how long he waited, in reality the life time that seemed to pass was likely only a second.... but he couldn't wait any longer. He lunged forward and claimed Jeremy's lips for his own. But it was no hesitant or tame kiss. No, it was fierce. Filled with his lusts and passions and desperation for friendly and wanted touch. For Jeremy. Only Jeremy. He didn't care about that stupid kiss in the paper's. Didn't care about what the world would do and say to them when they eventually found out (whenever that would be) about them. No.... just Jeremy. His Jeremy. Only his Jeremy.

He realised he was shifting position despite now really having conscious knowledge of what he was doing, what he was planning, but it didn't take a genius to realise he was moving to straddle Jeremy's lap, his arms snaking around Jeremy's neck.

He stopped the kiss and pulled back so he could rest his forehead against Jeremy's and to simply breath him in. To look into those fathomless blue eyes. He prayed with all his heart that it wasn't pity he saw within them. That it wasn't sorrow and regret..... but he wasn't sure how to name what he was seeing. His skills at reading people seemed to have escaped him along with everything else he possessed, leaving him empty and ready to be filled anew. Filled..... that idea made the smallest smile lift the corners of his lips. He shouldn't be thinking of sex right now, if ever if he was honest, but that word and the rather compromising position he currently found himself him didn't seem to allow him to think of anything else.... and for a flash he actually felt like the old Dante again, the more adventures and free creature that had once resided here, who had created the home they were currently sat in.

He chuckled softly and shook his head. He knew he wasn't ready for that but the idea and the visual his mind provided of when he had volunteered.... hell.... initiated and took charge!... were like a sooth balm for his soul. Dante took a deep breath. "I have something for you." He said, needing to change the subject for a while. Anything was better for a moments reprieve, after all the situation would still be there in an hours time. "I promised to bring you something back from Japan and I did." He disengaged himself from Jeremy and stood up smiling softly, fragile. "Stay here and I'll bring it out."

It was horrible to even think but he didn't want Jeremy to get the wrong idea and follow him into the bedroom with even a sliver of hope for something more. Not that their activities had been solely based in the bedroom, far from it. He shook his head and grinned even as he walked to his suitcase on the bedroom floor. The zip made a satisfying noice as it snicked open, and since the ideas were on top it didn't take any rummaging to discover the items.

On top, wrapped in silk paper was a beautiful male kimono that Dante had thought would suit Jeremy. As he carried the items back to his partner he smiled as he recalled selecting the item.... it had been before... an untainted thing. It held the image of a crane, the crane stood for peace and good fortune, both things he hoped to grant Jeremy. The red sash was his way of reminding Jeremy of the fire, passion and love between them, a way of breaking up the calm... it was just a hint, almost like in their real lives, were they kept such things hidden. The set contained a plain black under kimono and a more floral design one, most people didn't realise that a kimono, a real kimono, consisted of several layers and not just the outer one that everyone saw and associated the name with. The under layers were just as important, symbolising the layers to a persons heart but also providing protection. Kneeling before Jeremy he smiled and handed over the silk wrapped gift, hoping that Jeremy would like it. He had brought himself one back too, but a very different image and colour made up his own garment. He knew that Jeremy liked to be plainer in his outward appearance, his actions and words speaking louder than any outfit ever could. He didn't need anything flashy to stand out, he did all that on his own.

Next to him he put a bag that contained several different Japanese sweets, a paper wrapped bento box of traditional black and red, as well as several small and more tacky souvenirs, the kind of things everyone brought back. A paper fan, of the highest quality with a hand painted cranes and tree design sprawled across it and Jeremy's name in kanji along with luck, fortune and wisdom; a lucky coin keyring, and a bowl, tray and chopstick set that Dante had watched being made and fallen in love with. All silly little things, more than the average persons budget but insignificant considering Dante's funds, only the kimono had been of any real expense. Still... it was the thought that counted, right? And Dante really had thought about each and every gift he had brought back with him.

As Dante looked at the back, the gift he had just passed to Jeremy and then the man himself he had to wonder if he would ever be able to be enough now.... if it looked like he was trying to hard.... or maybe not hard enough? His heart fluttered desperately in his chest and for a moment a flash of panic crossed over his features before he fought it back.

This is Jeremy.... my Jeremy.... he will love it for no other reason than I am the one giving it to him. Dante reminded himself. He knew it was the truth but he was having a hard time accepting it right now.

With a nod Dante acknowledged what Jeremy was trying to say, but since his question had been more rhetorical in his mind he wasn't really sure what to do with the answer. So.... cracks would always remain, but things would slowly form that would help him overlook them? He didn't want to be broken, nor could he think of anything that would form to cover the cracks? Surely covering them up wouldn't really help? They would always be there... and like with a crack in a windscreen once an imperfection was formed it would always be vulnerable, always be damaged and far more susceptible to being broken and shattered a second time. Is that how he would go? Shattering into a million pieces? His hands fisted...

Dante didn't want to be damaged goods.

"A contingency plan, huh..." At those words Dante gave Jeremy a bitter sweet smile. "Yes," he said softly, thinking about what felt like a thousand things simultaneously. The hotel, the chairs, the investors, the clients, the alied businesses, the customers.... Jeremy. Everything but one thing seems unimportant. Jeremy. He wanted him. He needed him. He had to have him. Had to keep him. The problem was.... how? He shook away those thoughts. "I will admit that I do not know all the details. I suspect a call to my father is due.... I..." He paused, thinking. "...find I am unsure how to broach the subject without..... revealing too much." He grit his teeth. Pain lacerating his features before he pushed it away. Dante's heart raced, thundered within his chest.

That kiss... oh that kiss... he could cling onto life for more of those kisses alone. And it gave him... hope.

"Oh wow...you went all out," He blushed brightly at that, the pale skin standing out in stark contrast but he grinned a little all the same, he had just been wondering if he he had done too much.... well, it seemed he might have gone over the top after all. "I.... eh.... might have gone over the top." He admitted, chuckling a little and actually relaxing for what felt like the first time in ages. He ran his fingers through the thick fur rug on the floor and smiled. Maybe he just needed to sit on the floor and act a little childish to start to feel better? Strangely that idea rather appealed to him. "I guess once I started I simply couldn't stop." He smirked and looked down a little shyly. "Though I will admit that I did actually think about them all before buying I didn't just pick up the first things I saw." Ok, drats! That darn blush of his didn't seem to want to fade either. But hey, if he couldn't blush around Jeremy who could he blush around? Perhaps it was best to get all this show of emotion over with now in private too, it wouldn't do to be this way in the public eye.

Still, he had a beam of pride and courage as Jeremy unwrapped his first offering and looked within it. He couldn't help but smile, it had been worth the time picking it out. "The crane symbolises peace and fortune." He admitted softly. He could claim he wasn't sure why Jeremy's acceptance and appreciation meant so much to him, but he knew the truth and it came down to a few special little words. He loved him. His was the only opinion he was interested in right now. Hey, at least I have a centre.... he mused to himself, suddenly feeling awful at the memory of how Jeremy had been alone.... that was so much worst.... wasn't it? Yet Jeremy was so strong, so beautiful, so proud and fierce.... he found himself envious of his lover. He reached out and touched his leg, just for a moment, just to ground himself before smiling and leaning back onto the rug as he watched with open glee as Jeremy revealed more and more of his playful offerings. "I'm glad you like.... I still doubt it will ever compare to you." He chuckled, and continued to watch.

Jeremy did the last thing he would have expected, then again the guy always did, finding it oh so easy to throw him off guard at every turn. An image of their one night stand flashed to the front of his mind. He had never expected this hotty to walk towards him. Had never expected him to flirt and smile at him. To be so explosive in bed.... like they were made for one another. The thought crossed his mind so suddenly that Dante frowned and shook himself, even as his eyes found themselves riveted to the pearled buds that were Jeremy's nipples. A confusing reaction took over his form. He found part of him was freaking out... Jeremy was stripping off like it was the most natural thing, ok so it was only his shirt, but could he have misread the atmosphere? Saw Dante's relaxation as something else? An invitation perhaps? His heart beat increased, pounding in the cage of his chest.... as his eyes lowered to the guys trousers as if expecting him to open them next.... and that was were the confusion arose. For part of him wanted Jeremy to open them and take a step Dante was too coward to take himself right now. He was shaking, he was sure of it, expect then the scene unfolded fully and he relaxed again. Ah.... Jeremy was just trying on the kimono. He chuckled at his own foolishness and then smiled playfully at Jeremy as he looked up and rolled his eyes. "You look...." He smirked, pretending to consider. "...like an American in a kimono." He winked. Reaching forward and undoing the sash before draping it over his own shoulders. "You're meant to wear all three layers together, I know they look separate but they are actually part of the same." He found himself rambling, even as he reached out and untucked the two halves of the kimono and snapped them open before running his fingers across the inside of the material before pulling it tight and forward, as he did so he allowed his fingers to brush against Jeremy's hard and defined flesh. He whimpered in pleasure but didn't linger. Simply went about tying the thing together properly before pulling the sash off his shoulders and doing that up as well and tying it behind Jeremy, his arms wrapped around Jeremy's body for a moment. But as soon as he was done he practically leapt back, covering by pretending to ponder the view. Jeremy was sexy. He was always sexy. He could wear nothing and be sexy, wear a kimono and be sexy.... drop dead gorgeous if he was honest. "Very fetching." He teased with a grin. "...and much better now." He winked playfully, taking a deep breath before settling on the ground again cross legged.

As he listened his smile increased. "An onsen?" That actually surprised him... he hadn't expected Jeremy to think of such things but he found.... he liked it. "I've only ever been with my mother." He said softly, "In a shared pool." He made a face, one that a child would make when being forced to bath with his mother. "But it was so beautiful, and my mother told me so many stories." He smiled. "Including one about how she and my father fell in love in such a place." He closed his eyes for a moment, allowing himself to go back in time for a moment before looking back up at Jeremy and nodding as he continued to speak. "That sounds nice...." Yet in part the idea of going back to Japan any time soon sent cold chills down his spine. Yet perhaps... going with Jeremy would help? He could only hope. After all, Dante did love his mothers homeland. "I think you would like it." He confirmed, though he decided not to mention that some such establishments would not take kindly to two males renting a room. "They say it is magical to see the steam drifting off the pools up into the moonlight. Free and gentle. Delicate wisps that look like the spirits of the onsen come to life." The guardians. "I'd like that though.... going with you I mean." He smiled. "Watashi wa sore ga hijō ni shitai to omoimasu." (I would like that very much.) He grinned and looked up at Jeremy with almost misty eyes.

What was he meant to do? He felt as if he could never love this man more than he already did, yet in every small action he found that his love impossibly grew more and more. Jeremy wouldn't push him, he would coax and guide him until he was ready to take the final step himself, entice and encourage.... and simply hold him when everything became too much. How could he ever ask for any more? A tear trickled down his face, a single opening to his injured soul. But Dante wiped it away swiftly and looked away, inhaling deeply before looking back at Jeremy and smiling. "We should talk about the Burn's now.... shouldn't we?"

"I love all of it. You'll simply spoil me rotten at this rate, though,"

"I like having someone to spoil." He admitted, and it was true, he wanted to show Jeremy how much he cared, how much he was trying to make up for what happened all those years ago... it may be water under the bridge now but he was sure that Jeremy would always secretly wonder if Dante was just biding his time until he tossed him aside... and Dante had no intention of tossing him aside. If the guy could look at Dante without disgust and still want to hold him, touch him, kiss him, sleep with him even without seeing everything else then Dante could at least try and show the guy he was a keeper... and Dante was keeping him. "You're more than welcome." He said with a grin, not needing the thanks but liking the fact that Jeremy genuinely seemed to like the different gifts he had brought back. It wasn't as if money was really a worry for either of them, and like he'd said, it really was nice having someone in his life who was worth spoiling and slavering with attention.

Jeremy really did look good in the kimono, and part of him really wanted to show the guy off wearing it. How could one man look so good in anything? It just wasn't fair. Dante chuckled a little at that... and this god like man was his!

The new topic was far from appealing, and despite being the one to suggest it part of him longed to return to the happier and playful conversation, to allow himself to become lost in normality... but that was the danger, what he needed to avoid. He couldn't just ignore this.

"If you're comfortable with it,"

"Not at all." He admitted, "but it needs doing... sooner rather than later too."

Listening and only cringing a little as he nodded his confirmation Dante tried to think. Part of him suspected that asking his father might be beneficial... but that would mean telling him... then again, it sounded like a lot of people would find out soon enough anyway and he really should set the story straight with his parents before they started to hear false rumours over the grapevine.

"I don't want to rush anything...." He said. Running a hand over his face while the other caressed the soft rug below his fingers tips. "I... I think rushing into anything right now will the worst thing to do. But speaking a lawyer and getting another opinion on the legal side won't harm, divulging everything will also give them a heads up about possible angles to run and arguments to present. Then they can't be blind-sided... I know a few good men... just... not entirely sure how I'm going to tell them." Admits. "Not sure how I am going to tell anyone."

Sighs and looks away as his mind races. "Due to the nature of the situation I am pretty sure we can request a closed courtroom. Limit the number of people exposed to the situation....." Thinks more. "The bodyguard," He called the guy that since Jeremy was and he wanted to distance himself from the b*****d. "Has signed a silence disclosure agreement, breaking it means I will destroy him... legally as well. I suspect he will work more behind the scenes were we can't prove he did anything one way or another. Like when I spread rumours about my opposition, they all know it's likely me but can never prove it." He wasn't about to apologise for it, he rarely did it, his company spoke volumes all on its own, but from time to time it was needed... especially if someone was trying to undermined him. That was unacceptable. Ruthlessness was the only way to survive. Even if the world did think he was made of ice. Or fire... if you believed he was a dragon.

"How would you prefer to handle this?" Taking a moment to think about the question he realised that Jeremy was once again walking on egg shells around him. "I'm ruthless in everything I do and in everything I go after." He started, echoing his earlier thoughts. "I want the threat eliminated.... by any means necessary." He would simply have to rise from the ashes of his humiliation like a Phoenix and start rebuilding his reputation. After all, he was not naive enough to believe he was about to come out of this unharmed and unaffected.

"We need those pictures. With them we can start to build a case. Hopefully the b*stard is too cocky to even be careful about fingerprints and we can use that as a grounding to get a warrant. Maybe then we'll find the evidence on his phone, or a something...." Looks back at Jeremy and gulps a little. "...just... don't hate me when you see them.... I don't care what the rest of the world thinks... but I couldn't stand it if you hated me Jeremy." He wrapped his arms around himself feeling suddenly exposed and vulnerable all over again. Man, when had one guy become so important? But Dante knew the answer... years ago, and their had been a hole left behind that he had tried to fill and caused this whole situation, it was all his own doing. What an idiot he was! An utter bloody idiot!

What the darn did Jeremy see in him? Why was he even still here? Seriously!!

Shaking his head he started petting the rug once more. "I didn't tell you this... but I have an important business deal about to go through, it's worth billions to my company and about twenty thousand jobs. I can't jeopardise it Jeremy... so many are depending on me. If he sends anything to the media before we have a chance to cut off the vipers head, he could scare them off. It's taken me three years to even get to this point...." He admitted and looked over at Jeremy wearily. "Sometimes I wish I could just be another guy on the street again... things were simpler when I worked as a PA or for you...."