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Theme: Explosion

It was there; perhaps, it had always been there, just bubbling under the surface of Kaoru???s being. Just waiting, from the moment that he had laid eyes on him; building pressure until the moment that it could erupt of its own volition.

It wasn???t love???not that deeply emotional, romantic kind. It wasn???t just a lustful drag of the insides either, however. But it was, more acutely, a slow roiling of curiosity, ever contemplative: what would it be like, to really know Kyo? To have him, in a sense? It was a matter of time until the explosion, Kaoru knew, in the back of his mind, and the realization was as white-hot as that moment would be, engulfing and enlightening.

The hours melded themselves into slow weeks; the weeks, into months, and then they had been friends for over a year. Oh, it was fulfilling on that platonic level and the conversation was scintillating; they laughed and joked; spent days, bad and good, together. Yet, still, it mounted and Kaoru???s mind was always reeling with thoughts, burning like a tamped-down bed of embers.

Thoughts of how their personalities would click and mesh so well. Of how Kyo???s honey-gold mass of blonde hair made such an exquisite contrast with the onyx sheen of his own; of how those long-fingered hands could engulf his in an affectionate hold; of how the full, drooping petals of the other???s lips would feel against the small, delicate curve of his. It was a maddening thought, out-right, and Kaoru kept it pressed it back, as long as he could.

There it nagged, however, front and center, in the middle of a mutual friend???s party. Music thudded faintly and the living area was filled with other friends, acquaintances, and strangers???but there went Kaoru???s mind, right back to Kyo.

From across the room, he could see that blonde shock of hair, hanging sweetly down around the other???s chin. Dark, sharp eyes tracked the way that the black fabric of a sweater clung to that little frame, yet still too long in the arms; caught the slender stalks of those legs, encased in denim???saw the other man talking to him. The enjoyment on Kyo???s face was obvious and he was laughing. Enjoying this taller man???s company, basking in the warmth of a white, charming smile, not shying from the playful touch of a large hand just above his elbow.

It was too much for