"I really did have something to ask you earlier," Yui said, managing to speak between Gendo's ravenous kisses. "So... stop that for a second."

"But I want to make up for how I treated you earlier." He pulled back Yui's shirt a little, revealing her neck so he could kiss it.

"I know, but this is really important. Stop before I forget what I wanted to say." She ran her hands down his arms and stopped his hands from roaming. "Please."

Gendo ended his assault with a last kiss on her mouth. "Okay, what did you want to ask instead of that?"

Eyelids fluttering, Yui said, "Umm... oh yeah. Well, just as an economic venture, I was wondering if you'd perhaps consider moving into a modest apartment with me."

Living with Yui? With possibly a private bath? Gendo nodded, his jaw a bit slack. They already were innocently sharing a bed and they didn't even live in the same building. If they lived in an apartment...

"It might seem a bit forward and inappropriate, but it will work to both our advantages, I'm sure. Splitting expenses would be so much more practical," Yui continued, missing the glazed look Gendo had on his face. "Of course, if my mother found out I was living with a man and not married..."

Yui cleared her throat. "Anyway, just so you know, this is a financial decision and has nothing to do with the past three days."

Gendo nodded slowly, an action that made Yui look more closely at him.

"No fu..."

"But that's all I want to do with you!" he exclaimed in a rare burst of emotion, lifting her in the air.

The look on Yui's face was stern and unflinching. "Rokubungi, put me down this instant."

Lowering her to the floor slowly, allowing Yui's body to slide against his own, Gendo asked, "You're not changing your mind, are you?"

"No. I just wanted you to get your hormones under control," she said flatly.

"I will have you know that at my age, I am not ruled by my hormones. I am cool and sophisticated and..."

"Apparently a master bullshitter. All men are ruled by their hormones, no matter how old. That was something I learned in junior high."

"Your mother?"

Yui nodded. "She was just looking out for me."

"Hormones or not, you asked, and I accept, of course. I would be a fool not to." Kissing her softly on the cheek, Gendo smiled. "A real refrigerator..."

Yui sighed and shook her head. "Will you ever grow up?"

"Maybe. If I have someone to help me settle down. You know, you might end up being a positive influence on me." His hands twitched, but he resisted lifting her again.

She smiled at him and his resistance snapped. Gendo lifted her, kissing all over her face as he did, and carried her to her bed on the opposite side of the room. Setting her down upon it, Gendo leaned over and continued kissing her.

Yui finally pushed him away. "Damn... wait until we have some privacy before you start that. My roommate could walk in any time," Yui hissed, smiling the entire time.

Gendo sat up and exhaled. "Another movie then?" he suggested.

"I thought you weren't ruled by your hormones?"

"Ruled? No. Heavily influenced? Quite possibly. But..." He shrugged and just looked at her.

That look... The heat was almost tangible, and Yui had to quickly rethink her proposition. She knew, positively, that if they had the kind of privacy their own place provided them, they'd end up doing a lot more together and get a lot closer to one another.

"So when can you move out?" she asked eagerly.