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Thane's hood was pushed back while Noir remained on his shoulders. The cat was tired of being stuffed up under his hood, even though it wasn't hot in the least under there. No heat nor cold ever bothered Thane, and he supposed while against his person and under the hood, Noir wasn't all the affected either. But that didn't mean she didn't want a bit of fresh air and open space now that it was allowed.

Thane was to wait until they were in the safe, enclosed space of Rei's apartment until he heard that question he posed. Thane sat by the window, certain that Noir would enjoy some sunshine. She climbed down from his shoulders to stretch out in front of the window. There really wasn't much sun to begin with, considering the time they came back, but it was better than the dark shadows of his hood.

"Love..." Thane started out slowly, trying to get his wording right. "Love is universal. It comes on many different levels and serves various purposes. From it comes the birth of lovers." They'd spoken of lovers the first day Thane actually spent time at Rei's apartment. "Generally speaking, lovers are supposed to stay devoted to their one partner... Right? Lest another, supposedly better interest comes along that is more compatible. And if that happens, you're supposed to break it off with the old lover, right? Out of courtesy for their feelings?"

Or something like that.

"...What if that one person interested in a new partner does not break it off with the old partner? That's lying, isn't it? Deceit. It's something frowned upon, is it not?" he asked, looking at the man from across the room. "What is that term... 'Two timing'? It's two timing? Isn't that being inconsiderate towards either partner's feelings, new or old? That 'two timer' is being unfaithful to both persons..."

He wanted to be blunt and just ask Rei about Aubrey, but he had to make sure first. Maybe he was reading things wrong. Maybe Aubrey was just being extra friendly to another man. Maybe she didn't steal Rei's money that one night. Who knew. He wanted to know about the subject of lovers first before he went onto Aubrey.

"Thane what are you--" asked Rei but only continued to listen to what Thane had to say.

It would seem that the subject that was creating confusion in the other man's mind was the topic of love. Rei however was trying to think what could have possibly made Thane contemplate on something trivial. The most simple explanation came into his mind shortly after. Perhaps, during one of Thane's travels during his work time, he had witnessed something similar to what he was trying to relate right now.

"Right... That's what humans call infidelity." replied Rei. "It happens to lovers every now and then, usually when they fail to assess what they really feel and jump into a relationship without second thought." explained Rei before sitting down on the couch.

Thane continued on with the contents of his mind regarding the topic. It was surprising how much he had learned from such a short period of time. Right now, his words were starting to sound like human logic.

"Yes, it is definitely two timing. If one half of the relationship is having an affair with another person with or without the knowledge of the other half of the relationship, then that is two timing." confirmed Rei. "Thane, why exactly have you thought of these things?" asked Rei out of curiosity.

Thane's lips pulled into a line for a brief moment as he considered Rei's question. He would have to answer. It would be best if he did, anyway. The whole reason he brought up this subject would be because of what he saw, and the details that perturbed him. He had a feeling, though, that what he would say---if it was the truth as he interpreted it---would harm Rei in one form or another.

He was reluctant to do that. The man had been kind to him since the first time they met. And yet, he thought it more beneficial if he knew. ...Even if it hurt him.

"...The first night I took residence in your home, Rei, your lover Aubrey had come over. You had spoken of many things and when I drew my consciousness away from the mortal plane, I know you two moved on to more intimate activities. When I woke, you were finished and Aubrey was leaving. She had put something in her pocket that night. You mentioned you were missing money. I cannot claim what she had in her pocket and what you were missing were the same, but that is an assumption of mine."

This wasn't the point of his story, though. Thane moved on quickly before Rei would get a word in. "Also, just earlier, I saw Aubrey walking with another man on the street. Granted, just walking didn't really mean anything, but I found it peculiar that she would... erm, cling to him in the same manner I see lovers do when walking in public."

He looked at Rei, watching him carefully for any change in mood, and how drastically. "I know that love is faithful, when considered purely. And for lovers, that is the sort of love they treasure and seek most. Yet what I saw... it looked as though Aubrey did not share these same values. She is still your lover, is she not? Why did she act as though that man was her lover instead?"

Rei's expression fell when he heard such things being stated about Aubrey. No! She couldn't be like that. Rei knew who Aubrey was! She was loyal and sweet and responsible. She was nothing like that! She didn't make money off of their relationship. She didn't drape herself on other men. That wasn't her!

"Thane I..." uttered Rei in a shaky voice. "I don't think it was Aubrey that you saw..." uttered Rei, the shakes in his voice still not going under control. "Aubrey would never do something like that. And... And that night you saw her, it was probably not what it looked like." added Rei. "I must've just misplaced money. It happens all the time." he reasoned. "And the woman you saw on the street... It was probably just another girl. It... It couldn't be her." told Rei before heading towards his bedroom. "It... It just couldn't." he uttered before closing the door.

Rei reached for his cellphone and placed a call to Aubrey's. The girl soon picked up from the other line.

"Hi... Umm, Aubrey I was just wondering, were you out in the street earlier? Oh... You were on the shop all day? I see... Nothing, I just thought I saw you earlier. Okay... Love you too." said Rei on the phone before closing it. Tears started to fall in his eyes. Everything he had feared was coming true.

Thane watched Rei quietly. His stuttering, his denial... was he angry that Thane had mentioned what he did? Maybe Thane was wrong. Rei insisted that Aubrey was not like that, and Thane didn't think him to be wrong, so... maybe he was wrong instead?

Perhaps he was overreacting. Perhaps he had worried over nothing. And because of that, he had harmed Rei. The pain dealt was not physical, but psychological. Emotional. Spiritual. Everything but physical. And he felt bad about it. He didn't mean to upset the man. But he had assumed it to be true. He figured, since lying resulted in copious amounts of pain, honesty and the blunt truth would do good.

Apparently he was wrong.

Lips pulling into a thin line, Thane turned his gaze out toward the window. Noir nudged his thigh with her head, and snuggled close to him, but he hardly paid attention. He merely petted her briefly before pulling away.

In the terms of the modern English, American language, he'd "screwed up." And now... he was left with the guilt. Sighing softly, Thane didn't speak for the rest of the night. He didn't bother Rei in any manner, and when Noir expressed her need for food, he got her something that was premade and looked edible for cats (or so he hoped). She didn't vomit it back up, so he assumed it was okay.

But as the hours progressed and Rei seemed to be overcome with depression, Thane stayed out of his way, idly wondering if perhaps he shouldn't have said anything at all to begin with. Soon, the day was done, and while this part of the world was asleep, Thane remained on his perch by the window and continued to stare out it and up at the moonless sky.

Later that night, Rei re-emerged from his room, looking a little worse for ware. He was still on his business suit albeit a less shapely one. He walked towards the kitchen, a feeling like he was bludgeoned wracking his head. He went towards the sink and turned on the water before attempting to wash off the weariness in his face. He dried his face with a nearby towel before his eyes came upon Thane who was sitting on his usual spot in the window. He still owned the man an apology after his outburst.

With a deep breath, he approached Thane and stopped when he was in front of the man. He scratched his head wit his index finger a couple of times before speaking up.

"Thane I... I'm sorry for snapping." apologized Rei with a scrunched look in him. "You were only telling me what you saw. I'm sorry that I yelled at you for it." continued Rei. He then walked forward and sat beside Thane. He took Noir and placed the cat on his lap. "It's just that... Well, I really like Aubrey that's all... But It's what your eyes saw so I can't argue with that." replied Rei.

A tear fell from his eyes as he spoke, feeling the painful feelings coming back one more.

"Thane... Do you really think that... Aubrey doesn't really love me?" asked Rei. "With all honesty..." he added.

Thane looked at Rei quietly as he approached, unable to keep from staring because he was almost... afraid Rei would shatter and collapse right then and there. He knew he had hurt him, but he didn't think it would be enough to render this much damage. Rei was even apologizing to him, though it wasn't at all necessary.

He shook his head slightly, dismissing it. Rei had every right to react the way he did. Human as he was, his emotions were both strong and fragile. Thane was callous to prod at them in the manner he had. He shifted slightly to allow better room for Rei to sit next to him. His fragility was akin to a child's own bodily weakness. So supple, so soft... so easily punctured and wounded and torn.

Seeing that tear roll down Rei's cheek, something twisted inside Thane. It fed his guilt, but at the same time fed something... he couldn't quite explain or identify. He didn't know what it was, but it disapproved of his inability to take proper action and fix what wrong he'd caused.

Hesitantly, uncertainly, he raised his hand and wiped Rei's cheek, brushing it with the back of his gloved finger. With more hesitation, he pulled back his hand and settled it in his lap. "I... I do not know, Rei," he said, as honestly as he could. Visual facts made him doubt she did. But at the same time, for the sake of Rei's happiness, he almost believed that perhaps he's seen wrongly and Aubrey still loved Rei. Maybe it was just at that moment she was stepping close to that man. Maybe it was because she was cold...

"I honestly cannot tell you the truth. Only she can." And probably Eros, but Rei wasn't really allowed to know about him. Not really.

The uncertainty in Rei's heart continued to grow at Thane's answer although it was good to know that there was someone who was willing to comfort him at a time like this. A hand reached out to his tear-drenched face and wiped away the moisture that was building up in his cheeks. Maybe it was because of the sudden surge of emotions that cause him to do what he did afterwards.

He suddenly lunged towards Thane and gripped his arms around the other man's chest. He began sobbing lightly, just letting everything out on the other man. It was just too hard to bottle up. Rei didn't know if he could survive this night because of these tides of emotion. It was just drowning him too much and it was happening far too fast for him to handle. Right now, he just needed someone to hold on to.

"Thane... I... I'm so worthless..." cried Rei. "It's happening right under I'm nose and I'm still denying it... I'm so worthless and... and stupid!" he cried.

Thane startled when Rei suddenly threw himself at him. He stared at him, unsure what to do. Listening to the man cry did something funny to Thane. There was an uncomfortable twisting in his gut, and a nagging that he couldn't quite explain. He didn't really like it. But... what it was telling him was clear. He was upset that Rei was upset.

He didn't want the man to feel so terrible. He didn't want him to think himself as worthless. Rei wasn't worthless. He had done much for Thane in these few days, and was patient with him. Even when they hit a few rough spots, the man trucked on, determined to give Thane the opportunity to learn anything and everything.

Rei was kind. He treated Thane like any other human---or so that was the impression that Thane got. There was no alienation, no ridicule, no fear...

Slowly, because he wasn't really sure what he was doing, Thane moved his arms and wrapped them around Rei. His hands pressed lightly against at his back, pulling him in. He'd seen humans do this on various occasions, especially on television. It always seemed to help the person who received it, so maybe it would be the same here.

Drawing Rei close, he moved his hand in small, slow circles across back, as if to sooth him. "I do not find you worthless, Rei," he said quietly. "If I had found you worthless, then I would not have initiated that deal with you. If you were 'worthless' then we would never have met. You would be like the rest of those souls I gathered that day. Just a name and another soul carted off to whichever home in the afterlife suited you best. ...I place a lot of trust and investment in you. I value you quite a bit. And I am grateful to have known you on a more personal level. You will possibly be the one and only human friend I will ever have in all my existence."

Rei continued to pour out his emotions to Thane before finally calming down enough to get his crying in control. Realization finally came into his mind. A grown man crying like a little girl in the arms of yet another man. As kind as he was he also had his pride to uphold. He finally withdrew from Thane's embrace and wiped away the drying tears in his eyes. Afterwards he gave a smile to Thane.

"Thanks Thane... I... I don't know if I could've gotten through this without you." uttered Rei. "And those things you said... They really mean a lot to me. Really." he added.

He saw Noir who seems to have jumped off his lap after he had broken down on Thane's arms. He picked up the cat and petted it a bit.

"I'm sorry I scared you Noir." apologized Rei to the feline before handing her over to Thane. "Here Thane. I'm sure Noir's had enough of me hogging your attention." he chuckled, finally returning to his less depressed self.

Thane sat there unmoving after Rei had moved away. He did not let his gaze leave the man's face, even though normally humans would look down at themselves to see just how much snot and slobber and tears were soaked into their clothes. From Rei's outburst, quite a bit of Thane's jacket was wet, yet he didn't seem to mind. His concern was focused more on Rei's well being than his clothes.

He nodded at the words of thanks that followed, finding little need to verbally respond. Though it did made him happy to know that Rei felt somewhat better after hearing his words. At least he had done something in return for Rei instead of just sitting there as he probably would've mere days ago if the man had tried that with him then.

Automatically he reached out for Noir who meowed, seemingly amused at being transferred from person to person like some prized package. "I do not think she minds you," Thane commented. "She looks to enjoy both of our company equally."

He shifted and let Noir settle in his lap, the end of her tail swishing and thumping against Rei who was just close enough for her to reach. Thane stroked at her back almost lazily, knowing the cat liked long, leisured touches. The urge to touch her fur with his bare hand rose in him, but he had to banish the thought; he couldn't do it if unless he had the intention of killing the cat. He didn't.

"Is her fur soft?" he asked quietly, his gloved fingers still stroking.

"Yeah... It is... Very soft." nodded Rei before placing a hand over Noir.

At first he wondered why the question was raised before his eyes came upon Thane's gloved appendages. He had always thought that Thane was a little different from a cliche Grim Reaper but it turns out that some cliche elements still applied on the real word.

"Oh... I always thought that the finger of death is just a myth. Guess not." said Rei as he scratched his hair.

It was a strange time for it to happen, but Rei found his curiosity growing once more. Now that a new fact was revealed about Thane, he loved nothing more than to know more about it. He then calmed himself for a while and decided that perhaps it would be better if we talked about it for another time. But then again... maybe he wouldn't mind small questions.

"So I'm guessing you have some problem with actually touching a living thing?" asked Rei. "So umm... Does it apply for your whole body or your hands only?" asked Rei.

Thane's gaze had remained on Noir's fur, a small shrug in his shoulders as response to the assumption made on his hands. Many things about his person were often wrong. But that didn't mean humanity didn't get some characteristics right. Like the mention of the undead. That... was a horrible mistake on his and Hyppi's part. Comte Saint-Germain's infamous tale was something that wasn't really suppose to happen in the first place.

Thane and Hyppi had, in a rare moment of actual brotherly bonding---on a level and in a method that rivaled mortal customs---as they say it nowadays, "messed around" and fiddled with a human's life for their own selfish reasons. Granted, it was eventually fixed, but the damage was done already by the time they did. It was something they never did ever again.

With his gaze shifting over to his hands, Thane looked at the black leather, a few hairs of cat hair shining on the palm of his glove. "Merely my hands. Should my whole body be so... deadly, then I would never have allowed you to hug me like you sometimes do out of fear it would bright about your premature death. ...Even though you are already past your date."

He glanced up at Rei, his hands lightly curling and settling against his leg. "If you must know, the Kiss of Death is a romantic and false rumor. If humans were more attentive to detail, they would've noticed where my hands were. Though I suppose it was my own fault for letting myself be seen in the first place..." As it were, the Kiss didn't really exist in the first place. In the very few times Thane actually performed the action, his lips never did meet the skin of a human's. Never. But human imaginations could be incredibly wild when put in the right situation and under the right influence or mindset.

"Well in that case maybe you CAN feel Noir's fur." smiled Rei before placing the cat in his neck gently, causing the feline to curl around Thane's neck.

The cat's tail laced around death's neck affectionately and the critter playfully rubbed herself against Thane's neck. Rei smiled at the reaction given by Thane.

"I think Noir wants you to feel it as well." smiled Rei.

All of a sudden, Thane suddenly raised another expression that has been long linked to death. He nodded as he was explained about it's non-existence and that it was nothing more than a myth adapted by his kind for so long. He chuckled for a moment before looking up at Thane.

"Well then, I guess when the time comes when you finally need to kiss someone, we won't have any problems in that department." snickered Rei.

Rei then let out a tired yawn before realizing that it was quite a long time past midnight. Rei stood from his seat beside Thane and started for the bedroom.

"IT's really late. I think I'll hit the hay for tonight. Thanks again for making me feel better." smiled Rei before heading towards the room.

Thane wasn't sure at first what Rei meant, but then he quickly understood. Noir, as opposed to the other times, when she had kept a startling constant and short distance form ever really touching his skin, almost as if she too was afraid of having contact with Death, rubbed up against his skin, making sure that every hair of fur on her body touched him.

The hairs tickled and when Noir swiped her tail under his nose, Thane gave a soft snort to ease the tickle that started to form. When she finally settled and came back down to his lap, he petted her before looking at Rei. His next statement was a little odd, but Thane didn't really get the chance to respond to it when Rei suddenly declared he'd be going off to bed.

He couldn't deny the man his necessary sleep. He bid a soft goodnight before the man disappeared. Left with his thoughts, Thane pondered the last thing Rei said. Kiss. As in the manner that lovers did it? But Thane had no intention of over kissing anyone; not now, not ever. There was no need for him to love or kiss because, frankly, why would Death love? What or who would Death love? Or think of to kiss?

No one.

On that note, Thane closed his eyes and let the rest of the night pass him by.

The next morning, Rei had woken up bright and early. There was so much he had planned to do today. But work was work and right now that was his priority. Those things would come later once he was freed of responsibilities. He kicked out of bed and headed for the living room. As usual, Thane was in his perch beside the window. He smiled as he watched the man's sleeping figure, or at least what appears to be resembling it.

His first order of business was a shower like always. Cranking the knob of the shower, he let the warm water caress his weary body. He had just awoken but he felt strangely weak. Perhaps his breakdown last night was partly responsible for that. He blamed the majority of it in sleeping late. After finishing his bath, he wrapped a towel around his waist and headed back to the living room. He could already hear sounds in the other room so he was pretty sure that Thane was already awake. As he walked to the living room, he greeted the other man with a wave of his hand.

"Good morning Thane." smiled Rei.

When he had "woken," it was to the sound and feel of Noir purring against his stomach. The cat somehow found it appealing to snuggle up to him, slipped halfway under his jacket as if to conserve warmth. It wasn't even that cold, yet that was what happened. Thane didn't particularly mind, but he had to move the cat off him in order to get up.

He moved to the couch where it was more comfortable and turned on the television. The volume was low so as not to disturb Rei, but eventually the man woke and came out. Glancing over, Thane noted that he was fresh out of a shower. Smiling quietly, he gave a small wave in return. "Good morning," he greeted back.

It was natural now for them to commence in this sort of routine. From the looks of it, Rei seemed well enough to continue it. Thane looked for any signs of stress or lack of sleep or anything like that, but it looked like after Rei finally fell asleep, he was able to recuperate, if only but a fraction.

"Won't you get cold if you do not dress soon?" he asked, his gaze flickering to the towel around the man's waist. He decided not to bring up last night lest Rei offered it first; he didn't want to make him uncomfortable otherwise.

"Oh yeah..." blushed Rei before hurrying towards his bedroom. "Sorry about that." he chuckled before closing the door behind him and slipping on his business suit.

A few minutes later, Rei re-emerged from the room, fully dressed. As usual, breakfast was called for so he darted towards the kitchen and dug in the shelves for something to consume. Spotting a cup of instant ramen, he took it out and poured some hot water into the cup before using a small platter to keep the lid tight.

After setting the cup aside, he took out a can of tuna and opened it for Thane when he decided to feed Noir. Afterwards, he made his way back into the living room and joined Thane for some early morning television. He sat beside him and stared at the screen for a few minutes before speaking up.

"I'm going to confront her about it later..." he uttered without looking at Thane. "I know that... I have to do it sometime soon. That I gotta face reality of what's really happening. I can't keep running away from it." continued Rei.

Noir jumped at the chance to eat, quite literally, and skittered away from Thane to favor material sustenance. Thane wasn't the least bit offended, knowing that mortals had to do this in order to remain alive. It was a little easier now to understand them, not just humans but mortals in general. With the company of both Rei and Noir, he learned quicker than it probably would've should he have been left to his own devices.

When Rei sat down next to him, he gave the man a brief glance. Nothing was said at first, but when it was, Thane let himself digest what was being said. He paused then reached out and gave a soft, friendly pat on the man's arm. Hopefully this would come off as encouraging and supportive.

"...Should I make myself vacant when you do? I can leave you alone for a while if that would make you more comfortable," he offered.

After all, Thane was invading Rei's space. Though he didn't know when or where Rei planned on speaking with Aubrey about... certain issues, if it so happened to be here in his home, or somewhere that Thane frequented in Rei's company, he could easily and willingly step out until it was safe to come back. Meaning, when Rei actually wanted to see him again after what surely was to be a rather upsetting conversation.

"That won't be necessary Thane. I can talk to her even if you are here." smiled Rei. "Besides, I might need all the support I can get. I can be quite a crybaby sometimes." he chuckled before leaning his head against Thane's shoulder.

Rei didn't feel a bit uncomfortable about what he was doing right now. He had made it clear to the other man about the trust that he was willing to put in him. He made it clear that he had considered Thane to be his bestfriend. He shouldn't be bothered if Rei would like to borrow his shoulder for a while, right?

"Thanks Thane... For your concern." he smiled before standing up and heading towards the kitchen to eat the cup of ramen that he had left there. He saw Noir trying her best to reach the can of tuna so Rei decided to help her out and lift her off the ground to reach her meal. He took the piping hot cup from the kitchen top and into the table before removing the platter he used to cover it and digging in.