Thane helped Rei quietly as they finished up his packing. It was an odd job, especially the folding. Since Thane hardly ever changed his own attire, he didn't understand the need to fold. Besides, with a snap of his fingers, his clothes could change. There was no need to have several sets or do any of this folding business. Which made it a little awkward as he did it.

Eventually, though, the task was done and soon enough Thane found himself with arms full of his newfound lover. Rei. The man had made a flying leap at him, a move most unexpected yet amusing. It seemed the man was very excited about these turn of events.

Smiling, he wrapped his arms around the man lightly and nodded. "Yes, it will be," he said. He wasn't in the habit of sharing his own sleeping space---considering he didn't sleep in the first place---but the idea of being close to Rei, even during the man's own hours of slumber, was something he didn't mind at all. In fact, it sounded most enjoyable. Certainly something he would like since it meant being in the man's close company.

"And it won't be the last either," he added. Though sleep amongst souls wasn't necessary, he would make a mental note to get a bed furnished in his private quarters back home just for him and Rei. A little something for them to share and do... various things that lovers often did (as he so learned helpfully from television).

"Hahaha... I'm glad to hear that!" chirped Rei joyfully, glad that the other was looking forward to sharing a bed with him.

As excited as he was with hitting the hay with Thane, he had his nightly rituals to perform. He pulled away from the hug that he and Thane had shared before stretching out and giving a hearty yawn.

"I'll just get ready for bed mmkay?" said Rei before walking towards the bathroom and turning on the faucet.

He filled a glass of water before digging into his medicine cabinet and fishing out his toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste. Some 10 minutes later, Rei had finished everything he needed to do in the bathroom, he switched off the lights as he did, before shedding his shirt and pants, reducing himself into his birthday suit. He dug into into his closet and slipped on a matching pair of dark blue pajamas. Not that sleeping with his body exposed wasn't a good thought but it was simply because the temperature was slightly lower tonight.

"Okay, I'm ready..." stated Rei before crawling beside Thane and resting his head on the pillow.

Thane was amused that Rei would be so excited about having him join the man in bed. Was it really so exciting to be with another person in a bed? He'd witnessed it before, the passions that passed between humans as they curled up together under the warmth and comfort of blankets. He knew the sorts of things that sometimes happened within as well.

He had no such experience but he imagined that if it was anything like simply being near Rei and together with him outside the bedroom, then in these private quarters and under the same covers, a better appreciation and passion would blossom forth.

"All right," he said as Rei left for the bathroom. He remained where he was for a couple moments longer, but then moved to the bed on the side opposite of where Rei usually slumbered. He removed his boots, something he didn't often do, and stared down at his feet. Like the rest of him, it was pale in color, his complexion a peculiar one considering how unworldy he was.

He considered the idea of shedding more layers of clothes but then found it a little uncomfortable. It was enough that he was taking off his footwear. To be anymore naked... well, if anyone ever asked him to be an exhibitionist, he would certainly fail. But for the sake of Rei and the fact that they would be sharing a bed together... he decided to bend his discomfort a little and took off his large jacket.

This left him in a shirt with three quarter sleeves. He draped his jacket over a chair by the bed and settled under the covers just before Rei returned from the bathroom and changed. As someone not hindered by human limits, he could see well enough in the dark even without the lights and the sight of Rei stark naked was... well... yeah. He'd leave the details out but it was quite different looking at any other human naked when taking their soul for judgment and proper placement in the afterlife, and looking at his lover in motion, very much alive for so long as he willed it to be so.

When Rei covered himself up with new clothes, Thane almost voiced his displeasure, preferring to marvel at Rei's body as it naturally was, a creation gifted and molded by God. In Thane's eyes, there was not a flaw in Rei physically or otherwise.

He smiled at the man as he joined him in bed, and scooted a little closer to him. He reached out and gently stroked Rei's cheek, hands gloved despite his want and hidden pleasure to touch the man's skin with his bare hands. It was quite different to touch with and without gloves on. At this moment, he wished for nothing better than to be rid of his little power to kill upon contact so that he may enjoy Rei's presence more fully. Alas, he had to suffice with this for now. He would have to be patient until the day came when Rei would spend eternity with him in Purgatory.

"Rest well," he said to Rei quietly, his smile still lingering on his lips. "I shall take you to your parents tomorrow." After a moment's hesitation, he leaned in and lightly kissed the man on the forehead to bid him goodnight.

"Thane!" gasped Rei when he saw that the other had peeled of some of his retraining clothing, exposing some skin to him for the first time.

Rei blushed as he removed his glasses and examined his lover's body without his cumbersome jacket. He had no idea that Thane looked like that and frankly he couldn't have been happier to see his lover's real self. A small chuckle came out of Rei's lips when a thought bumped in his head.

"You look great without a jacket Thane. You should really try wearing clothes other than the ones you already have." suggested Rei, placing his glasses on the bedside table and turning off the lights.

He snuggled closer to Thane, feeling every inch of skin he could with his lover and breathing a sigh of relief. He couldn't have asked for a better night than this. Just laying there together with his lover. Rei was the happiest man tonight. The night went on normally, with no dream entering Rei's subconscious. He was contented enough to go without them anyways. Noir had also taken up residence on Rei's room, laying on a half-opened drawer in his wardrobe.

Morning came some hours later with Rei being the first to awake. He was so excited for this day that his wake-up call came on earlier than usual. His eyes parted and he let out a small yawn. He immediately woke up to the face of his lover, sleeping ever so peacefully. He playfully rubbed their noses together before stepping out of bed. He had to make breakfast for both of them even with the knowledge that the other didn't need to eat. Then again, it was a human habit far too good to pass.

At the suggestion of wearing different clothes, Thane couldn't say anything in response. The mere thought of it was rather strange to him. This was the first time he voluntarily shed a layer of his clothes and already he felt so strange. To do any more, to even change his entire completely was rather bizarre to him. He didn't know if he could do such a thing. It wasn't like he ever stunk even though he wore the same material over and over. The fabric never wore, never tore. He had no reasons to change.

But as he juggled the idea now, Thane found himself both perturbed and curious about the idea of giving in to Rei's words.

With a small shake of his head, he banished the thought for the time being and wrapped his arm around Rei as they curled close together under the blanket. He watched the man drift into sleep and found pleasure in observing that peaceful face before he too closed his eyes and let his conscious shift over to a different plane.

Connected to his home he conversed with those there, learning of what had passed since he was last there and spoke with them. During his various conversations he came into touch with another entity he didn't expect. That particular conversation was awkward and unusual in and of itself; in addition to the topic which they spoke, said awkwardness was increased tenfold.

When Thane opened his eyes and woke to the mortal world, he found the other side of the bed empty. It seemed that Rei had gotten up before him. In his place, Noir moved from the drawer to the bed, snuggling in the empty spot just under the blanket where it was still a little warm. Thane petted her and stayed with her a few moments longer before he decided it was time to get up and learn what his lover was doing.

Shifting up and slipping into his boots, he decided to linger a little longer without his jacket and made his way down the hall and to the kitchen where he smelled the aroma of cooking food. Spotting Rei, he paused to watch him from behind, merely taking in the sight of him move about in this familiar, comfortable environment, before he softly cleared his throat and made his presence known.

"Good morning, Rei," he said as he moved to stand beside the man. In custom to what he learned normal human couples did, he leaned in and lightly pressed his lips against the man's cheek in a greeting kiss before pulling back and peering over his shoulder to see what he was making.

"Oh! Good morning Thane!" chirped Rei, blushing a bit as he was kissed by the other. "I hope you like pancakes cause that's kinda what I'm making right now." chuckled Rei.

He flipped the one he was currently cooking and placed it on a plate. There was already one stack done but the other was still on the works.

"So uhh... Did you sleep well last night? I hope I wasn't too frisky in bed and disturbed you." asked Rei, striking a conversation with the other male as he prepared their morning meal. After the man gave his response, he placed two more cooked batter into the plate and then turned off the heat. "Whew... That's good to hear." sighed Rei, taking the plates and setting them to the table. "Last time I slept with somebody in one room, they told me that I was a pain in the bed." laughed Rei.

He then quickly realized what he just said and decided to let Thane get the clear picture of what he was talking about.

"Of course it's not that kind of sleeping with somebody. It was in a team-building camping trip by the company." corrected Rei whilst adjusting his glasses. He fetched a bottle of maple syrup as well as honey from the fridge then settled down on the table. He squeezed some of the syrup into his stack of pastry then parted a piece. "Oh right! Today's the day we're going to go back to my folks! Oh I'm so excited!" cheered Rei. "Mother will be thrilled to see you and I guess dad too... if he doesn't pummel me first." he snickered.

Rei's dad wasn't exactly the open and accepting kind of man when it came to relationship of the same sex. He was very traditional and stern so Rei might have problems if he had to state what was going on between him and Thane to the man.

"But don't worry. I know that if I'm happy, he'll be happy for me as well." he smiled.

Thane stepped back to allow Rei room to continue cooking, looking across to the platter that had the finished half of the man's cooking upon it. Pancakes, if he recalled correctly, were what they were called. Fluffy disks of batter that were often topped with a sticky substance called syrup, and sometimes even fruit if the diner wished it.

"No, I had no trouble sleeping," he said in reply and lightly poked the edge of one of the pancakes just to feel how soft it was. He lifted his head to look at Rei when he heard the next bit, though his words were quickly explained.

He followed the man to the table and sat at his appropriate spot. Following Rei's example on how to eat it, he poured some syrup over the stack then started to cut out pieces to eat. Eating, though he didn't need it, was starting to become a routine for him. Tasting food and learning to savor it and its various flavors was like a hobby of his now. He found great interest in identifying the various ingredients in the meals and enjoying how they blended together to make the dish taste as scrumptious as it did.

At the mention of Rei's family, he smiled a little. He was glad that Rei was excited about returning. Thane could almost get swept up in his excitement, it was so contagious. If not for his own concerns, he probably would be as overly enthused. It was fear, though, that kept him from being as energetic as Rei about the trip. Fear of disrupting the balance even more with his selfish actions. Fear of his true nature being figured out. Fear of so many other things going awry...

"I hope he will approve of me." Thane decided not to let Rei know about his inner troubles and keep with the conversation. It was his own worry and he didn't want to pass it along to the other man. "Your parents are very important to you. I would hate to be the cause of any discrepancy between you."

Sipping at his drink, he then added, "...I never asked but will I be meeting anyone else aside from your parents?"

"Ah don't worry. We're sure to get lectured at first but I know that father will ease up to the idea eventually. After all.." smiled Rei before bending over to kiss Thane's cheeks. "I am spending the rest of my life with the man I love." he chuckled.

He felt something furry brush up to his knees and he looked down to see Noir. He smiled and picked the cat up.

"Oh I almost forgot. You can come with us Noir. My mother keeps some koi in the garden but that's no problem cause she built the pond so that it's unreachable for cats." told Rei before opening a can of tuna for the cat to consume. He also cleared up the table of the plates they just used. "Hah... I'll just take a quick bath before we go alright? I wanna look as presentable as possible." smiled Rei before heading for the bathroom.

Half an hour later, the other man emerged from the room, fully dressed and freshly bathed.

"Hey Thane, come here for a moment." called Rei from inside his room. Once his lover complied, he showed a pair of clothes laying on the bed. "I was thinking maybe that you could wear these. Of course, you don't have to but I just thought that.. well, you know..." said Rei, tossing his point around.

Thane's lips curled into the shadow of a smile when Rei kissed him on the cheek. It was becoming a constant pleasure for him to be on the receiving end of these small but heartfelt gestures of affection. He enjoyed them in a way only a person as inexperienced with the workings of love could. He nodded at the other man as he went off to go get ready, and turned his gaze to Noir who happily ate her share of food.

He waited by the kitchen, keeping the cat company, until at last she finished and he cleaned up after her. After that, it was only a matter of time before Rei was calling him over, and Thane found himself back in the other man's room. He looked at the clothes on the bed, unsure what he was supposed to do with them. It was only when Rei explained himself (sort of, he trailed off a bit at the end) that Thane understood they were for him to wear.

But why?

Looking down at his own attire, he saw nothing wrong with his clothes. Then again, he'd worn this for as long as he could remember, plus or minus a few changes here and there to suit the time period. Fashion was possibly the only way he could truly tell the difference between the times. This time, he didn't think himself to be wearing outdated clothes.

Was Rei trying to tell him something? Or was he simply asking him to wear those clothes as a favor? Thane didn't mind either way, so he supposed the answer didn't really matter. Going over to the bed he picked up the clothes and examined them. Nothing too strange he had to look out for. He started to pull the fabric over his arms, while at the same time his own clothing faced like shadows disappearing under the afternoon sun, leaving him naked.

As someone not hindered by mortal limits, it was only expected that Thane would be considered flawless in the eyes of humans. He didn't think himself flawless, but then again, without any abrasion on his skin, only strange markings that traced down his spine and spread across his shoulder blades, he probably was.

Soon these markings were hidden as Thane started to dress, putting on the clothes Rei gave him. When he was finally covered, he felt a little strange to be in these foreign clothes but decided not to say anything about it. Perhaps he would get used to it soon enough. Turning his attention to Rei, he held his arms out at his sides. "Does it look okay?" he asked, not sure if he fit the image Rei was trying to make.

After a moment or two of looking himself over, he went to grab his jacket, something he couldn't be without regardless of what else he wore underneath, and hooked it around his arm. "Is this all? Shall we depart already or do you need more time?"

Rei blushed heavily when he caught a glimpse of Thane's well-toned body. If he didn't know better, he'd have perceived Thane as someone along the lines of an artist or a male model. Who would have known that death looked so fine! One thing that caught Rei's attention though was the eerie markings in his lover's back. Before he could ponder on the symbols any further, the markings were covered by the clothes that he gave to Thane.

"That's an... interesting tattoo you have there." smiled Rei, stirring the subject but not so much as it appears that he was prodding.

He stood up and rolled the two baggage that he and Thane had packed the night before. He made a "whishing" noise to attract Noir who was currently in the living room. After the feline's ears caught the noise, Noir immediately came rushing to the bedroom and hopped on top of one of the travel bags.

"Alright, I think we're all set!" smiled Rei, hooking an arm around Thane's abdomen. "Ready to fly on Air Thanatos!" cheered Rei before kissing Thane's cheek.

Thane glanced over his shoulder at the mention of the markings on his back. They were a part of him, something always there. He often forgot about them, especially since they were on his back and not in plain view. Not to mention he was of the habit of taking off his clothes, so he didn't often get the chance to take a look at it.

With a shrug, since that was just about the only response he could think of, Thane simply waited until Rei was at his side, and Noir was near as well, before saying, "I'll need you to close your eyes." He looped an arm around the man's waist and the other came to cover his eyes, just in case Rei had the inkling to peek.

It wouldn't do to reveal just how Thanatos traveled from one place to the other, least of all to a human. Even if that human was Rei. Not even spirits got to see firsthand what it was like. Only those of his family, his fellow Immortal incarnates, knew. But then again, they had their own version of traveling as well.

After making sure Rei's eyes were covered, and after throwing his coat over Noir's small form to hide her eyes as well---even though she was only a cat---Thane let darkness swallow them quickly, fading away like shadows in the sun.

Just as quickly as they had disappeared, they reappeared, only this time it was somewhere completely different. Conveniently placed somewhere where there were no people around, where no prying eyes would spy upon their arrival, Thane finally uncovered Rei's eyes, and let Noir out from under his jacket.

"We're here. You can open your eyes now." He gave a look around. If he had judged right, they were less than a block away from Rei's parents' home.

Rei felt a sudden shift in his equilibrium once Thane had started their transposition. It was like walking into a soap bubble and the air felt slightly heavy and constricting. He almost yelped but stopped himself by remembering that he was with the person he loves and that he would do nothing that would hurt him. He merely wrapped his arm tighter around his lover and trusted him even with the uncertainty of what was to happen next.

"A-Are we there--" uttered Rei but was cut off when the other answered his question before it was thrown.

Noir climbed down from her perch and looked around the new, foreign looking place. Rei however was engulfed with nostalgia rather than curiosity. He remembered the street they were on just like how it was when he was still a child. Some things have changed in the neighborhood like new occupants here and there but it was far from being completely different.

"Wow... Everything looks the same..." uttered Rei as he threaded the sidewalk with his head constantly rotating and taking up the sights and sounds of the neighborhood.

The group stopped when they reached a walled yard with a small wooden gate. Rei placed out his knuckles and knocked a couple of times on the door, awaiting for someone to answer it. A sound was soon heard from behind the gate before it parted and an aged looking woman stepped out. Placing on her glasses, he looked out to see if she could identify the people behind the gate.

"Yes...?" asked the woman.

"Hi mom..." smiled Rei.

"Oh! Rei!" gasped the woman before she hugged the bespectacled man.

"It's good to see you too mom." smiled Rei as he hugged the woman back.

Rei's mother then noticed that his son was not alone.

"Oh and who's this...?"

As Rei started to walk off, Thane picked up the duty of taking care of most of his luggage, dragging along the suitcase as they strolled down the street. He'd been here before, as he'd been many places before. But still, even so, it was like looking at it for the first time. He looked around as well, following Rei's gaze as he looked one way, then the other, remembering things that Thane had no personal involvement in.

As they came up to the gated fence surrounding a particular piece of property, Thane remained just a step behind Rei, calling Noir to his shoulders to keep her out of the cold. Her paws were damp from the ground, but it didn't bother him.

He scratched under her chin to sooth her as she looked around in interest in a manner only a cat could have.

When he felt a gaze upon him, he looked back at the elderly woman who stared at him. Meeting other living people, letting them see him, was foreign to him. It made him a little nervous; he wasn't used to it. But he offered the woman a harmless smile nonetheless.

"I'm Thane, ma'am. Nice to meet you," he gave her a standard greeting, figuring Rei would elaborate as he saw fit.

"He's... Umm... He's..." uttered Rei before leaning into his mother's ear and whispering something to her.

"Huh... Oh... Ohhhh..." nodded the old woman before smiling towards Thane.

Rei's cheeks were positively red all over after he had just told his mother that the man standing in front of her was his lover. He was still far from the stage where he can admit it freely to people without feeling shame and embarrassment.

"Well, any acquaintance and friend of Rei's is welcome here." smiled the old woman. "Come. Your father will be thrilled to see you again. It's been so long since your last visit." told Rei's mother.

"I know... I'm sorry I wasn't able to come home for your birthday, mother." sighed Rei.

His mother led them to what appears to be the house's living room. It was fairly simple after normal standards yet spacious enough to fit both of them. Rei's family was very traditional so their furniture was the shallow table where they eat their meals. The floor was covered in tatami just like traditional Japanese homes.

"Your father is still asleep. He and his friends had a little get-together last night and he drank too much sake again. I'll see if I can stir him up." said Rei's mother.

"N-No... That's okay mother. No need to disturb father's sleep. I'll be staying over for a while anyway." he stated.

"Hmm? What do you mean?" asked the old woman.

"Is... Is it okay for me and Thane to spend Christmas here?" asked Rei.

"O-Of course! I'd love it if you did!" gasped the old woman happily. Rei's past visits usually didn't last for more than two days so she was thrilled to have the company of her son again.

Surprised, though appreciative of the warm welcome, Thane just smiled back and followed after the woman and her son as they led the way onto the property. He looked around with interest, taking in the details as they passed. The simplicity of the design was remarkably beautiful. Not a furniture unused, or a shelf, or any other object in the house. Everything had a purpose and then some.

It was a nice place to live, he realized very quickly off. Rei grew up in a nice home with nice parents. He was a fortunate child and an even more fortunate man to be able to come back and see them and be here again.

Tapping his lover's arm, he drew the man's attention to him briefly. "Where is it we'll be staying? I'd like to put our things away so that they're not in the way." If anything, he hoped the answer would be the man's room since he was curious to see what sort of place Rei had come to know during his earlier years of life. Since he started living with the man and being under his "tutelage" (so to say), he had made it a point not to delve into his past or spy on his life. Especially now, as they reflected mutual love for each other, Thane wanted Rei to tell him on his own these fine details instead of prying.

So it was only just that he would be curious about this home of his.