Disclaimer- I don't own Ranmaverse or the song 'Breathe.' They are owned by Rumiko Takahashi and Faith Hill, respectively. I make no money and intend no harm, so leave me be.

This idea came to me a while ago, and I've forgotten most of what struck me, so I'm winging it. And, surprisingly, this story is almost completely from Ranma's point of view, something I've never done. I usually go with Mousse's perspective, as anyone who's familiar with my style knows, so this is really a first time for me. ::crosses fingers::
 
 

Breathe
 

I can feel the magic floating in the air
Being with you gets me that way
I watch the sunlight dance across your face
And I've never been this swept away
 

Ranma watched discreetly over a bowl of ramen as Mousse meandered around the restaurant. Subtle wasn't something he was renowned for, but when one's business was watching someone else- no, not stalking!- it called for it. The food slid past his lips and down his throat without notice- Ranma's eyes were trained on Mousse's graceful movements as he mopped the floor. Shampoo was gone, thank god, so he could eat and watch in peace. Mousse hadn't made a huge production of his arrival, and so Cologne, who must be working in the kitchen, was oblivious to his presence. He owed thanks to Mousse for that- he really didn't need to be hounded about a marriage he would never, could never want.

There weren't that many people eating, since it was a few hours past lunch. This made his observing even easier. Ranma had some difficulty figuring out why, exactly, he was watching Mousse. He knew when he started- it was a few weeks ago, almost a month, after a particularly nasty battle between the two. Mousse was a much better fighter than Ranma or he ever gave himself credit for. His own pride kept Ranma from showing the strain of their battles, but this particular fight seemed to affect Mousse more than usual. His plans to woo Shampoo and get married seemed to be nowhere in sight, what with Shampoo barely around anymore, and Mousse had been becoming more and more depressed. He didn't let it affect him like most people, being such a chronically optimistic person.

Ranma wasn't sure, but he was thinking that Mousse was finally giving up on Shampoo. Since she wasn't around that often, leaving Mousse more time to his own devices, and the impression that life was so much simpler, so much nicer without her around to cloud the issue. The idea sparked something in him, but he couldn't identify what it was. He was glad for Mousse, of course- he deserved more. But there was something else, too. It was that feeling that started this unhealthy Mousse obsession- unhealthy only because he thought of nothing else, barely did anything else, and Akane's mallet was picking up the extra mileage. Even around her, he couldn't stay focused enough to notice he wasn't listening, or paying attention in school... He watched more closely as Mousse cleaned off a table that was just vacated, leaving himself and Ranma alone in the restaurant.

He watched as Mousse moved with a fluid grace that wasn't just part of being a martial artist, but being Mousse. His long hair swept back and forth in waves as he wiped the table down, the sunlight from a window sparking a bright beaming star off his glasses, which were perched on the top of his head. A little voice in Ranma's head piped up that Mousse was very pretty, when his face was so open and unconcerned with love and war. Ranma cursed, knowing the voice had shown up the same time as his interest, and wishing it would stop feeding him lines of waxen poetry about the other boy.
 

All my thoughts just seem to settle on the breeze
When I'm lying wrapped up in your arms
The whole world just fades away
The only thing I hear
Is the beating of your heart
 

Long before he'd ever felt this... something for Mousse, he already knew Mousse was pretty. Well, a pretty-boy was more the context he kept it in. But it wasn't beyond his grasp to think that he would be more attracted to anyone than Shampoo, who was ninety percent boobs, ten percent air, overbearing and violent. Speaking of violent, the same went for Akane. Sure, she could be cute sometimes, but staying on her good side was always a good plan, and being married to her would damn him forever. The same for Ukyo, who was far too much of a friend to ever be seen in a romantic light. Kodachi was right out, being a psycho, and the thought of being related to Kuno made him shiver.

What made him a little more than concerned was when he found himself musing one day that Ryoga would be a better partner than any of his fiancees. At least the two could trade even blows. Surprised, he had passed off the feeling, but late that night, while he tossed and turned to the sound of the panda snoring, he dissected his idea, finding a part of him found the lost boy  attractive. Not in a way that he was envious, like girls felt with each other, but in a way that was harder to explain.

After that, he found himself paying more attention to his impressions of both girls and boys he met, finding some girls to be more attractive, but more often than not boys that caught his fancy. He of course said nothing. He didn't want to be accused of being a pervert or cast out of a semi-stable home. The thought of the Tendo's and his father finding out made his stomach hurt, even though he really didn't feel like it was wrong. Just wrong bordering on awkward for him, Ranma Saotome, heir to the school of Anything Goes Martial Arts, and a man among men.

He belatedly realized that during his musings, he had finished off his ramen. Not wanting to draw attention from Cologne, he decided not to ask for another bowl, and laid payment on the table. He normally wouldn't- or couldn't- but he didn't want Mousse raising a fuss about being a mooch and drawing the old ghoul's attention. Mousse was done cleaning and took a seat at a table, leaning on his arms and looking all around down. Ranma felt a pang of sympathy for the boy. Something was obviously wrong, and his money was on Shampoo.

Undecided, he himhawed around, debating whether to stay and try to talk to him or just leave and try to get something accomplished. Finally deciding that he wouldn't get anything done anyway,  knowing Mousse was so sad, he took a seat across from him and waited. For a long time, it seemed he didn't even know he was there. Mousse began to speak in a quiet voice that Ranma had to strain to hear, and he realized he was being asked a question.

"What?"

"I said, do you know what it's like to loose everything?"

Ranma thought for a moment, and decided he couldn't loose everything if he had nothing to start with. Figuring that wouldn't be very sensitive of him, and wondering why he was so concerned about handling Mousse with kid gloves, he sought a more diplomatic answer. "No, not really." Maybe it was because he was feeling something new for Mousse, and his poor mood was affecting him more than anyone else's would.

"Thirteen years... Some couples don't even stay married that long." Sighing, Mousse sat up and looked in Ranma's general direction. "I left my life behind, in China. I came here for Shampoo, leaving everything else I had ever cared about behind, lost forever." Looking into his lap, a little bit sheepishly, Mousse's shoulders slumped. "I know everyone thinks all I ever cared about was Shampoo, but I had a family, a home... all gone. And I know that everyone thinks I'm a fool- have all along- for loving Shampoo with such devotion. But, devotion is just part of who I am. What I feel, I feel with all my heart. And now... now my heart is broken. Shampoo has chosen another and I'm left with broken hopes and wishes, and a pain in my chest that will never go away..."

He trailed off, and Ranma, though feeling very glad to be here for Mousse to confide in, felt very confused. "But, why are you feeling this now? I mean, Shampoo chose me long before you left China."

Mousse just shook his head, adding to Ranma's confusion. "No, not you."

What? Not Ranma? Now he was really confused. But that was beside the point, he realized. Mousse was in emotional anguish, and there he was, sitting there, listening to him pour his heart out while his own ego tried to place Shampoo's love all on himself. Sliding his chair closer to Mousse, he hesitantly laid a hand on his slumped shoulder. At the contact, Mousse choked and covered his face with his hands as he cried. Shocked into action, Ranma pulled him close, tucking his head under his chin and rubbing slow circles on his back.

His unidentified feeling for Mousse multiplied ten-fold, and he realized that this must be what love felt like. Too caught up in the emotion of it, he didn't stop to wonder why, or how. Only that he did love Mousse, and Mousse needed him. Maybe not in the same way or depth that Ranma needed Mousse, but he would be there, as a friend for him. Mousse continued to sob, muttering incoherently as his whole body wracked, bringing the sting of tears to Ranma's eyes. It was impossible to see Mousse's pain and not be affected by it.

"She's gone, she's gone..."

Ranma made out the choked words, muffled by his shirt. "Where?"

Mousse sniffled, turning his legs so that he wasn't in such an awkward position. "To be with her new husband..." Ranma's eyes widened. He held Mousse a little farther away to look in his tear stained, soulful gray eyes. Mousse sniffled again. "She-she was hit by a car, about a month ago. She wasn't hurt, only knocked out. It was a guy. From what I heard, an attractive, rich guy." He said the last part with a great deal of scorn. "Since it's been so long since you defeated her, the law stated she could either continue with you, or... marry him." He broke down again, leaning into Ranma's embrace.

'So, she chose him. Over me, and over Mousse...'

As Ranma held Mousse closer, he thought on this new information. Shampoo was gone forever now, and good riddance! But while he felt no loss, Mousse obviously did. How was he going to overcome this? Like he said, he lost everything in his pursuit of her, and now she was marrying someone else, quite happily it seemed. Heartless took on a new meaning for him. Feeling angry, for Mousse's sake, Ranma tried to think of something- anything- he could say to help him.
 

Cause I can feel you breathe
It's washing over me
And suddenly I'm melting into you
There's nothing left to prove
Baby, all we need is just to be
 

Mousse quieted down and lay limply against Ranma, breathing softly. It took quite a while for Ranma to realize he had cried himself to sleep. Carefully, so as not to wake him, Ranma scooped him into his arms and headed upstairs. After successfully finding the bathroom, a closet, and Cologne and Shampoo's empty room, Ranma settled for sitting in the living area, pulling up pillows before he sat, resting Mousse on his lap. The fact that both Amazons had left Mousse all alone only fueled Ranma's anger.

'Guess I didn't have to pay for the meal afterall.'

Cursing himself for his idiotic thought, Ranma rested back against propped up pillows until he was comfortable. Mousse looked so young and innocent asleep, breathing softly, his heartbeat reverberating softly against Ranma's chest. He was a comfortable weight and, watching Mousse, with tender emotions on his face, Ranma eventually fell asleep as well.

When Ranma opened his eyes, it was to the sight of Mousse's face resting on his chest, looking up at him as best as he could without his glasses. Feeling unnerved and embarrassed for some reason, Ranma blushed and cleared his throat. Mousse just quirked a small smile that was gone almost as soon as it appeared.

"I thought you had woken up, but I wasn't sure. No way I could miss the blush, though." His voice sounded hollow to Ranma's ears. To his delight and amazement, Mousse didn't pull away from him, but continued to stare at him. "Why do you care all of a sudden?"

"I've cared for a long time, now." The answer came out before Ranma consciously thought about it, but it was an answer satisfying to them both, as Mousse laughed a little and looked down, shifting his head to the side.

"They left me, you know."

Ranma just nodded, feeling that Mousse just needed someone to listen and understand. Mousse sighed and relaxed completely in Ranma's arms, and he tightened his hold slightly. "I-... I thought I'd die, when Shampoo left. But I convinced myself it wasn't true, made myself get up in the mornings, go to work, even fight you, so sure she'd come to her senses... come back to me. It became a routine. I wasn't living, I was just going through the motions. Then one day, I realized I wasn't doing anything for Shampoo's sake. I wasn't going to die. Then, I felt angry towards her... but I had no right."

Ranma made a move to protest, but Mousse turned again to look at him and he held his tongue. "I had no right to expect her to die without me. What I felt and wanted had nothing to do with what she felt and wanted. She was happy, for the first time in a long time, and I felt happy for her in turn. Then Cologne left a few days ago, offered to take me back home with her. But I said no... Ranma, why did I say no?"

Ranma took in Mousse's face, eyebrows raised in confusion, searching his own face for some answer that must be written there. Ranma didn't really know what to say. He didn't presume to know what was in Mousse's heart, but he made a split-second decision, hoping that what he'd find would ease his own heart.

Pulling Mousse's body closer, Ranma leaned down and kissed Mousse, slowly and softly so that he could pull away at any time. When he stayed, even closed his eyes, Ranma closed his own and sank more fully into the touch. They stay together that way, slowly trading soft kisses, neither moving closer or farther away. Finally pulling away before he pushed too fast, Ranma looked down into Mousse's open face.
 

Caught up in the touch
The slow and steady rush
Baby, isn't that the way that love's suppose to be
I can feel you breathe
Just breathe
 

"I do care, Mousse. I don't know why you stayed, but I'm glad you did, and you don't have to stay alone." 'What would I have done? I didn't even know I almost lost you... I could have. Would I have died? Yes. Yes, I would have.' "Shampoo is happy. No reason you shouldn't be, too."

"That's the only... and best answer I've come up with." Mousse smiled weakly before his face went blank again.

Ranma moved a hand up into Mousse's hair, combing the strands with his fingers as he moved in for another kiss.  'Am I taking advantage of him? He's feeling alone, of course he'd want some person to be with...'

As if answering his unspoken question, Mousse wrapped his arms around Ranma's neck and buried his face in his collar. "I had always dreamed of someone who wanted me, cared about me." He laughed. "Imagine my surprise to find out it's my arch rival..." He looked up at Ranma, blushing and smiling. "But I'm not disappointed..."

"You sure?" Ranma asked, half serious.

Mousse nodded solemnly, though his dolphin grin lightened the mood. "I've always admired you. I thought of you all the time, though my thoughts weren't always kind. Everywhere I went, there you were, until I expected you to always be there... Now, I don't know what I'd do if you weren't there..."

'I know exactly how you feel, Mousse.'

"But, do you still hate me?" Ranma was still unsure, but hopeful. Mousse's smile remained, lifting his hopes higher.

"I only hated you because of Shampoo. Now that she's gone..." He looked a little sad, but he kept eye contact. "I have no reason to hate you. Now all I have left is the building blocks of feelings toward you. They're growing," He assured as he pulled himself closer to Ranma. "And they aren't all that bad. I know you pretty well, you know me... you're the closest thing I've ever had to a friend. You even wanted to help me when all I wanted was to destroy you. And now you're here for me, when no one else is, and that says something." He pointed to his chest, then rested his hand on Ranma's, suddenly looking unsure himself. "It speaks to the heart."

"Of course, it's impossible to resist my charm!" Ranma smiled cockily while feeling the turbulence of wonderful feelings in the very center of his being. Feeling a surge of happy energy, Ranma squeezed Mousse in a tight hug, burying his face in his hair and breathing deeply. 'I have Mousse's trust, and I have to keep it. Now all I have to do is what comes naturally.' He chuckled as he rolled them so they were on their sides, intertwining their legs and wrapping his arms more securely around Mousse's waist.
 

In a way I know my heart is waking up
As all the walls come tumbling down
Closer than I've ever felt before
And I know, and you know
There's no need for words right now
 

'So this is love... Hm. Nice.' Ranma shifted a hand to the back of Mousse's neck, pulling them so their cheeks touched. Ranma knew he wasn't ready for more, and neither was Mousse- there was much to do. If their emotions were true, they would have plenty of time. They needed this time for Mousse to become more self-assured, for Ranma to offer support, and for them both to grow closer. To deal with all these new emotions... it was going to be an enjoyable ride. The two lay together, keeping eye contact and just holding each other, saying nothing. Everything that could be said was conveyed without words, with soft smiles and gentle touches.
 

Cause I can feel you breathe
It's washing over me
And suddenly I'm melting into you
There's nothing left to prove
Baby, all we need is just to be
 

Ranma held Mousse close, running his hands through the soft, gray strands. Mousse moaned softly against his chest, a sure sign that he was in heaven. He closed his eyes as he continued his lazy ministrations, enjoying the feel of Mousse's body pressed against him oh-so familiarly, the smell of him, the sound of him just being alive. He looked down into his lover's face and smiled.

"You're beautiful, you know."

Mousse cracked open a pearly blue eye and snorted, but with a smile. "I'm too old to be beautiful. If you want to see beautiful, go watch a sunset. Stare at me when you want decrepit."

Ranma chuckled, but hugged Mousse to him reassuringly. His words went in one ear and out the other, but he didn't want to argue. Ranma said the same thing whenever Mousse made a similar comment about him, so he figured it was fair. The important thing was that they knew they loved each other. That was all that mattered.

'You're all that matters.'

Ranma felt himself drifting off to the sound of his love's gentle breathing. He'd grown so accustomed to this quiet time together. But such times lately brought to mind painful thoughts that it would not last forever. This occasion was no different, and Ranma felt his mood sour.

"I love you, Mousse."

"Mm. Love you too..."

"... I don't want to lose you..."

Mousse looked up, worried. He could no longer see his love, indeed hadn't for many years, but he didn't need to to know that something was bothering Ranma. "Don't be sad, Ranma... I'm not going anywhere." Mousse smiled reassuringly, but Ranma just hugged him closer and kissed the top of his head, still deep in thought.

"We're not getting any younger, you know..."

"No, that would be very strange indeed. Look, Ranma," Mousse sat up and cupped Ranma's face, running his fingers along his cheeks and brushing his light bangs from his eyes. "The minute we're born, we start to die."

Ranma's eyes widened. "That's a horrible way to look at it!"

"Exactly!" Mousse smiled, proud, leaving Ranma miles away in the dust. "What I'm saying is, worrying about what's going to happen now that we're old is horrible too. Live for the moment! We've been together for so long..."

"I can't imagine life without you..."

"Who said I'd be the first to go?" Mousse quirked an eyebrow, eliciting a laugh from Ranma.

"I know, I know. I should be happy at the time we've had- and I am- and all the time we have left." Ranma leaned forward and planted a kiss on Mousse's nose. "Live in the moment."

"Right. So stop worrying."

Ranma nodded and, satisfied, Mousse rested his head against his chest, yawning. Ranma resumed his gentle stroking, humming softly as Mousse fell asleep. He felt better now- Mousse always had that effect on him. Ranma sighed and closed his eyes and relaxed completely.

'I love you.'
 

Caught up in the touch
The slow and steady rush
Baby, isn't that the way that love's suppose to be
I can feel you breathe
Just breathe
 

White clouds rolled slowly across the cerulean sky as the two lovers intertwined, twirling and becoming one as their ashes were carried away on the wind. Together they had lived, together they had loved, and together they had left their mortal coils behind, finding a new existence where they could always remain together, unhurried and unheeding of time. The wind whistled softly in the trees, rustling leaves and grass in what sounded like the breathing of two lovers bound together by heart and the fate of the stars. Together, in each other's arms, they had died happy, with many happy years behind them, and an infinite number more ahead of them.
 

I can feel the magic floating in the air
Being with you gets me that way...
 
 

~owari~
 

**********
 

Ranma- 0 ~~ 0 ::pout pout::
Ping- By page six I was real hard up for a lemon!
Ranma- Me too!!
::Mousse smacks Ranma::- Hentai...
Ping- Meesa thinking about doing a filler fic about their lives before they got old... The idea of a twenty-some-odd year old Mousse going blind... ::sighs wistfully::

PS- The whole 'floating in the air' part wasn't intended, honestly! ::snirk...zzkk...BAHAHAHA!::
It just happen to coincide with the ending...