ED 2- A Little Drinking, A Little Kissing [Part 1]
Check out Chapter One, version 2.0!
The kiss at the end is MUCH better (rawr!) and there's a discovery made about my favorite mysterious martial artist.
Ideas for Ch2 will be prized and used; I promise!
Tatsuma looked down at the piece of paper in his hand then back up. “I don’t understand."
Kyouichi snatched the paper back and began walking away. “Never mind. Dumb joke.”
Tatsuma turned toward him. “But...”
“Drop it.”
He watched as the taller boy walked away.
Circle yes or no?
***
Tatsuma took Kyouichi's abuse with waning patience. He wasn’t sure why the other boy was being so aggressive, challenging him to matches that left angry bruises. The past two weeks had been tense- snarky remarks and everyday some new punching game. There was a new found pressure or purpose . Kyouichi didn't just want to win.
Kyouichi smiled when his sparring partner cried out.
“Ow! What the hell?” Tatsuma said rubbing the sharp pain above his forehead. "You're not fighting fair."
“I guess you should have shorter hair.”
“Your hair is longer than…”
“Enough! Again.”
Tatsuma jerked left and watched the powerful kick whiz by his face
***
Kyouichi was starting to feel like a royal ass. He'd been picking on Tatsuma for many days, constantly looking for a way to get under his friend's cool veneer. Is he always calm? He wanted to see Tatsuma break out, get angry, or not perfectly restrain himself once before school was over. Plus, he wanted to apoligize for being a pushy jerk.
The two boys had been sparing in the school's open field since school let out three hours ago. Both were drenched in sweat and showing signs of tiring when Kyouichi decided to relocate.
“I'm starved. Let’s get some food." He said casually.
Tatsuma shook his head. "I have a lot of homework and..."
"It's on me." Kyouichi said, leaving no room for argument. He propped his bokken against his shoulder while walking away from further excuses. "This way. Hurry up and we'll catch the special."
Tatsuma followed silently and Kyouichi smiled.
***
They waited for their food in silence. Tatsuma was curiously glancing around the small Ramen Shop, occasionally pausing to smile at fellow patrons, content to be out of his lonely apartment.
Kyouichi's stomach was making noises. He slammed his fist onto the bar. "Hurry up! Dead customers don't tip!"
"Yeah, yeah here it is." Said the heavy set, dreadlocked gentleman. He set two steaming bowls down with a kind smile at Tatsuma and a mock glare at Kyouichi. "It's your own fault for ordering shrimp. Had to be fancy, huh?" He said, throwing a knowing glance torward Tatsuma. Tatsuma smiled while looking into his bowl.
Kyo felt his face heat up. "Easier on the stomach." He grumbled before taking three heaping bites.
"Only if you're drinking!" Replies their host while turning away.
"Right so bring us two, dumbass." Kyouichi yelled, shocking himself with his brilliance.
Tatsuma and thier host looked up simultaneously.
"Uh, I don't really drink..." Began Tatsuma softly.
"All the more reason." Kyouichi gestured at a bottle labeled ' Junmai-shu.' The bartender whistled, impressed. "Less talk, more pour." At this their waiter turned bartender shrugged, snatched the expensive bottle from the shelf and two cups from bellow the counter.
Tatsuma put his hands up. "Really, I'm alright."
"Quit being a pansy." Kyouichi hissed. He snatched a sake-filled cup and held it under Tatsuma nose. "Smell that?"
Tatsuma took a sniff and shook his head.
"Exactly. Fancy shit." Kyouichi said confidently while holding the second cup out to Tatsuma. "Now I know you can't handle anything manly or rough because you're a girly-coward-puss..."
Tatsuma glared and took the cup.
"But this goes down smooth." Kyouichi lifted the cup to his lips and Tatsuma followed suit. "Ready?" Tatsuma nodded once and stared past the cup with brave eyes. "Bottoms up."
Kyouichi swallowed the contents of the cup in one gulp while eyeing his friend. Tatsuma tipped the cup up, took two medium gulps, and set the cup down with a sour face.
"Kind of bur-" was all Tatsuma wheezed out before bursting into painful coughs and bending over his seat.
Kyouichi patted his friend's back and felt sorry for picking such a strong brand. The bartender gave him a disapproving look. Kyouichi grabbed Tatsuma's bowl and held it near the other's face. "Get a mouthful of broth."
Tatsuma filled his mouth with the offered liquid, swished, swallowed, and discovered a less painful feeling in his mouth and throat. He weakly coughed twice more and cleared his throat, before looking over at his concerned friend.
"You ok?" Kyouichi asked, his hand still protectively resting on Tatsuma's back.
Tatsuma nodded while noticing how light his head felt. He giggled and help out his cup. "Another!"
Kyouichi broke out in a huge grin and clapped the shorter boy on the back. "Barkeep! Two more!"
Tatsuma watched the bottle pour more clear liquid as the bartender watched him. "You have a way to get home, son?"
Tatsuma roared with laughter before downing the cup, and slamming it on the bar. Kyouichi smiled as he tried to keep up.
***
Tatsuma had never drank before, so six empty cups later he was experiencing all types of new sensations and thoughts with a careless joy.
Apperently Kyouichi wasn't the hardened drinker he'd claimed to be. He'd set his head into his folded arms after their fifth round and looked up only to drink the sixth then yell at Tatsuma "No! Not another! No more money!" before setting his head back down again.
It was forty minutes after they'd arrived. The bowls were empty and only a middle aged couple sat in the opposite corner engaged in a private conversation. The bartender was in the back making the couple's food and Tatsuma was feeling antsy.
He looked around to see no one looking at him, a wonderfully thrilling knowledge. He set his elbows on the bar and let his torso lift out of his chair-floating left then right in a figure eight. Then he bounced on beat with a song in his head, veering different directions when he felt like it.
Amused with himself, he finished by shooting up and spinning into a tight backflip, trying to land squarely on his seat at the finish. Instead, he landed a few inches left of his seat though he didn't notice. He smiled to himself before realizing his stupidity and he looking over his shoulder- only to see the other two customers still ignoring him.
He turned back with a huge grin. Being invisible rocks! With newfound bravery he softly clapped his hands on his knees and jerked 6 inches, then two feet off his chair. He bobbed and floated in mid-air, enjoying how silly and great it felt to fly in a public place for once.
***
Kyouichi had heard a light "bumf" noises beside him and he thought maybe he should be paying more attention to Tatsuma.
Must be getting bored he thought to himself. I guess I am being a shitty date. He did a double-take after this mental , embarrassed that he'd even thought it before remembering that they'd drank half-a-week's paycheck in less than an hour. He slowly raised his head, his eyes still closed. "Tatsuma..." he began.
A loud "Bam!" followed by the loud clattering noise greeted him. He jerked his eyes open, shocked.
***
Tatsuma had heard the voice midair and immediately jerked to his seat... except he was a little further left than he thought.
The chair tipped over beneath him and the two smacked into the ground with a bang, a clatter, and a bruise. Tatsuma looked around the floor, shocked at his poor flying coordination.
***
Kyouichi looked down at his confused friend scanning the ground as if gravity had cheated him. He laughed and offered his hand. “Guess that means you’re done.”
“Nuh…" Replied Tatsuma. He used the hand lightly, sliding into a standing position with little effort. "I just missed my chair.”
Kyouichi smirked. “Same thing. Once you hit the ground it's time to hit the bed.”
Tatsuma leant forward to lazily brush off his pants. "'Zat so?"
Kyouichi saw the shorter boy's jerking slump, followed by a growing tilt toward the ground. He waited for Tatsuma to catch himself. Instead, Tatsuma kept tipping forward, looking as if he would fall onto his face any second.
Realizing Tatsuma wasn't, Kyouichi jumped out of his seat and grabed the slim waist, pulling him upright. "Stand up."
Tatsuma obeyed, slumping backwards into the warm chest, lazily draping his arms and letting his head roll into the crook of Kyouichi’s neck. Tatsuma turned his face into the other's neck and looked up into Kyouichi's eyes with a cursious look. They paused in the proximity. “Smell good.”
Kyouichi surpressed a smile. “Piss drunk, can’t stand or sit AND you're flirting." His fingers grazed the unsteady hips before grabbing the back of Tatsuma's belt and holding him up. "Remind me not to let you drink around strong men.”
Tatsuma looked down at his shoes. “I’m strong.”
“And drunk.”
He shrugged and put his hands up.“You're bill."
“True. Speaking of...”
Kyouichi left every bill in his wallet on the counter and began fighting to get out of the diner, constantly yanking Tatsuma away from walls and tables. Tatsuma veered in weird directions, laughing when he was brusquely corrected.
Stepping out of the front door they turned left, immediately running into a strong winter wind. The sudden cold and speed made Tatsuma feel disoriented, even sick, and he struggled to get away from the Kyouichi's strong, guiding hand. "Wait." He whispered pathetically.
"What?"
"Don't feel so hot..." Halfway into a step Tatsuma changed his mind and began turning around, only to feel Kyouichi pulling his waist backwards. "No!" Whined Tatsuma. "Wanna go back in."
"The place is closing..." Kyouichi began while tugging backwards...and then realizing his mistake.
Tatsuma pulled forward with annoyed strength, dragging Kyouichi too fast. Kyouichi lost balance and ran into Tatsuma's back, causing both to fall over each other onto the sidewalk. Tatsuma gasped "Falling!" into the cold air and raised his hands for the roller coaster.
With a thud they both landed, stacked, on the cold street. Kyouichi raised his head out from between Tatsuma's shoulder blades only to be distracted by Tatsuma's jerking squirms that managed to land an elbow in Kyouichi's left ribs. Kyouichi laughed and pressed the other's arms into the street long enough to sit up and away from any further tickling.
Tatsuma pulled his arms away and rolled onto his back, looking cursiouly at his kneeling friend. "Down here too?"
Kyouichi's eyebrows shot up and he laughed at his silly friend. Tatsuma joined him, having no drunken reason not to laugh, causing Kyouichi to laugh even harder. The giggled drunkenly for long time before Kyouichi decided to stand and get the two of them off the cold street. “Come on. Upsy daisy."
"I'm not a daisy." Tatsuma said matter-of-factly and looking at the back of his gloved hand. "I'm a dragon."
Kyouichi looked down unimpressed. Tatsuma rolled his eyes at him. "I'll prove it." He raised a 'claw' into the air and swiped it slowly. "Rawr. See?"
Kyouichi shook his head. "You’re so weird.”
“No…” He retorted. “I’m …” he waved hands in front of Kyouichi’s face, “mysterious.”
“Oh yeah?” He tapped Tatsuma's side with his foot.
Tatsuma snatched the foot. “Yeah… the girl with the glasses said so.”
“She says a lot of things. Gimme my foot.”
“Don't kick me.” Tatsuma batted away the faux foot attacks until Kyouichi snatched a gloved hand and pulled his friend to his feet. Tatsuma forgot to pull against the grasp, lifting into the air weightlessly. “But she is bound to report the truth. Always truth. That’s the motto’s way.”
“Heh, heh." What the hell? "Well you're lighter than you look. Mystery must not weigh much.”
Tatsuma shook his head and mumbled into his chest. "Some people are..."
Kyouichi, leaned the truth mumbling boy against the nearest wall to get his own barings. Steadier than before, Kyouichi pulled the other's arm over his shoulders and walked three steps before Tatsuma shoved them onto the ground with an absurdly strong sway.
“That’s it." Kyouichi said, picking his friend off the ground for the third time. "You can’t walk and my place is two blocks away.” Kyouichi saw that Tatsuma's eyes were half shut and he was still mumbling. He poked his friend on the nose and recieved wide, blue-eyed attention. "You're spending the night at my house, ok?"
Tatsuma mumbled while shaking his head. "It's cold in the cold, when it's cold... stupid cold."
Kyouichi decided to ignore his wasted friend, instead grabbingTatsuma's collar and yanking the suddenly confused boy over his shoulder until the small hips rested next to his face. What? Does he weigh anything?
Tatsuma rested his head peacefully against Kyouichi's back before realizing Kyouichi was waiting for some semblance of gravity. He rolled his eyes and reached for the ground, thinking to himself Pull damn you!
Both inwardly sighed in relief as Kyouichi began walking forward. The buildings slowly bounced away with each step. They continued in silence when a question occurred to Tatsuma."Kyo, what was that note?"
Kyouichi thought back. "What note?"
"The one you took back."
Kyouichi shifted the body on his shoulder and sighed. "It was a joke."
"About what?"
Kyouichi rubbed his face with his free hand. "It's a joke about... it's this old line."
Tatsuma didn't get it. "But what's it mean?"
"It's this," There was only one honest word. "Dating thing. Joke."
"Oh." Tatsuma thought back to the note, then the night, and smiled. "So... that's this?"
Kyouichi wanted to look over his shoulder. "What?"
"A date?"
"What was?"
"That- this. Drinks." Tatsuma waved his arms to show the obviousness.
"No, no, God no." Kyouichi replied quickly.
"Oh. Ok." Tatsuma relaxed a little more into the position, resting his face on Kyouichi's lower back. Kyouichi felt regretful in the silence and wanted to soften or take back his words. He thought through some encouraging phrases when Tatsuma interrupted his thoughts by yawning and the asking, "Kyo?"
"Yeah?"
"No drinking on the next one, ok?"
Kyouichi smiled. "Deal."
***
Kyouichi reached his house six minutes later, four minutes after Tatsuma began lightly snoring on his back. He reached in his pocket for his keys and again marveled at his own strength. It's like he got lighter.
Inside, Kyouichi gently rested the sleeping boy on his living room couch. He left the room to turn on his heater and grab a cup of water. Soon the sounds and smells of electric warmth filled the tiny apartment, and Kyouichi returned to his prize, cup in hand.
Tatsuma looked peaceful and pale, tucking his hands into his chest and turning his face into the cushions for warmth.
Kyouichi willed himself to leave his passed-out friend alone. Go to your room, don't be a perv. Taking his own advice he started for his room before thinking of his empty wallet and glancing back mischeviously. "Tatsuma?" He whispered taking steps torward the couch. "Hiyuu?" He whispered even quieter reaching the middle o the couch, standing just above his sleeping friend.
Convinced that no quiet noise could wake the sleeping beauty, Kyouichi dropped to his knees and slowly took in the smooth face, appreciating soft skin and strong angles. He leant forward towards Tatsuma's gracefully stretched neck, watching for signs of faking. Finally, he noticed Tatsuma's jacket bunched up and twisted under his arms. That looks annoying...
He gently unbottoned the navy blue jacket and slid it off the slim shoulders and then from under Tatsuma's body with shocking ease. He thought maybe a hoody over a shirt with a heater going was also a little much, quickly unzipping and removing that as well.
Looking at the thin white t-shirt covering his passed-out friend Kyouichi reminded himself I always sleep without a shirt... before slowly gathering the fabric away from the waist, then chest, then softly fishing each arm out. Finally, he lifted Tatsuma's dark head and slid the white t-shirt free before glancing down.
Tatsuma's stomach was athleticly flat with a muscled line splitting his torso up the middle. His chest showed tone in the soft lighting, casting rising then lowering shadows in tempo with his breath. Kyouichi wanted to touch everything, but only allowed a single finger to lightly slide across one pale clavicle.
Kyouichi looked over to his bedroom door, then back at his half-naked, sleeping friend and bit his lip. He wondered if Tatsuma would remember being set here and then being moved. He found himself staring at the body stretched long and comfortably. Screw it. He won't be mad until morning.
“Tatsuma, you cold?” He whispered to the sleeping form. "My room's warmer than the living room and I have a bigger couch in there." He quietly justifyied himself to the sleeping boy while scooping small shoulders and knees into his arms. He got his own knee squarely beneath him and readied himself for a 130 lb. standing lift, only to stand with impossible ease.
He was stupidly stunned by his own strength for a second before rethinking the situation. There is no way. He finally redirecting his amazement to the sleeping body. He looked down at the beautiful face, flabbergasted. Kyouichi bounced the body lightly in his arms and had to accept it. He's like a feather.
He walked slowly to his room, amazed at the miracle suspended weightlessly in his arms. Reaching the couch in his bedroom, he stood with Tatsuma perched in his grasp, marveling at what he knew to be both absurd and real.
"Tatsuma?" He whispered down. When the shorter boy didn't respond, Kyouichi found himself staring into a peaceful, beautiful face only a foot bellow his. Slowly, he lifted Tatsuma closer- it was like pulling string across water. There was less than an inch between their mouths and Tatsuma showed no signs of suddenly waking. Truth right?
Their lips touched softly and Kyouichi's chest ached at the satiny smoothness and stacked-tissue softness. For long, wonderful seconds he held the airy body and simply enjoyed their light kiss. Tatsuma sighed softly in his sleep and the sweet sound made Kyouichi slide his tongue just Tatsuma's lips.
***
Tatsuma cracked his eyes to see Kyouichi's eyes closed. Alchohol dripped slowly out of his brain and it took long seconds before Tatsuma discovered himself locked in a soft-tongued kiss by his best friend's strong arms. He sleepily determined not to think, instead reshutting his eyes and sneaking a gloved hand behind Kyouichi's neck.
***
At the unexpected touch Kyouichi jerked his face away and dropped his arms. Shit, shit, SHIT!!!
***
Tatsuma floated quickly, though softly, to the couch and he watched Kyouichi angrily cross the small bedroom to an even smaller bed next to a window. Tatsuma blinked slowly as Kyouichi jerked off his shirt, fell onto his side and yanked a dark green sheet over his exposed back. Tatsuma continued to watch, his mind reeling at the last eight, wakeful seconds. Finally, he opened his mouth. “Kyo?”
“Go to sleep.” Kyouichi replied angrily, punching his pillow and not turning.
“But," Tatsuma flipped his hand open in confusion. "I was asleep. You kissed me.”
“Go back to sleep and I won’t wake you up again.”
Tatsuma sat up, confused at the hot-then-cold routine. “You won’t kiss me again?”
Kyouichi sighed. “Just go to sleep.” He turned onto his back still facing away.
Tatsuma was drunk, confused, and now a little horny. Sleep came slowly, but surely, over ten minutes of silence.
Kyouichi waited until he again heard the soft snoring before letting one tear drip down each side of his face. He snorted at his girlishness and wiped them away roughly.
***
The next morning Tatsuma awoke at seven just like every morning since he was 5. He considered waking Kyouichi (with a little peck maybe?) before thinking better of it. He had no way of predicting the taller boy. Might kiss me, might kick me.
He was standing before he realized he didn’t have a shirt on. He smirked at Kyouichi, wondering if he should feel used instead of elated. A quick scan of the room revealed nothing. He crouched to look under the couch, floated up to look at the top of Kyouichi's small closet and hunted through all the drawers.
Where in the world…
He wanted to go home. He wanted his shirt.
Screw it.
He grabbed a random shirt, pulled it over his head, and started for the door before pausing.
I shouldn’t take this without asking.
He turned and scanned the room once more before resting his gaze on the bed. He slid the shirt off, put it back on the floor and walked quietly to the bed. “Kyouichi? You up?”
A guttural noise answered him.
“Do you know where my shirt is?”
“No.” There was a pause. “Wait, yes.”
“Where?”
"What time is it?" Kyouichi flipped open his curtain and groaned at the early, dim light. "It's Saturday dumbass."
"Tell me where my shirt is and go back to sleep." Tatsuma paused. "Dumbass."
Kyouichi smiled to himself. “Come here.”
“I could have stolen one of yours…” Tatsuma said walking to the bed, sorry for waking him. “But I didn’t want to be jerk…”
Two quick hands reached up and yanked Tatsuma into bed. Kyouichi roughly pulled the smaller back into his chest and wrapped his arms around Tatsuma’s waist.
“Wha?”
“Shut up.” Kyouichi said, wrapping his arms around him tighter. “Go to sleep.” If he shuts up and lays here then he must... he thought sleepily to himself
Tatsuma lay happily, wrapped in lean, strong arms and thought he didn’t want to go home anymore.
***
Fourty-five minutes later and Tatsuma wasn't tired from laying still. He continued not moving, however, soaking in the intimate embrace, his thoughts swimming away...
What the hell happened last night? Did it mean anything? Did this? Would they do this regularly now? Should he dare to hint anything to his parents? What would his teachers and schoolmates say if they found out? Did this mean another secret? How good was Kyouichi at keeping secrets? What sort of things would Kyouichi want to do? And is he willing to share or only...
“Stop.” Kyouichi groaned.
“What?” Tatsuma rolled in the arms to face his human heater.
“Thinking loudly.”
Tatsuma turned away again. “Well I have a lot to think about.”
Kyouichi sighed, annoyed. “You remember.”
Tatsuma shrugged.
"How much?"
Tatsuma smiled. "Enough to watch out where I fall asleep."
Kyouichi pulled his arms away and got up. “I think I remember where I put that shirt.”
Tatsuma, confused for the inth time, watched the mostly naked youth walk out of the bedroom and return shortly with the blue hoody, blue jacket, and white shirt in question. He tossed them on the bed and began digging in his dresser, effectively killing any hope for a reunion on the bed.
Rejected and regretful, Tatsuma stood and pulled the shirt over his head and grabbing his jackets before walking to the door.
Kyouichi looked over at him. “Inside out, genius.”
Tatsuma rolled his eyes, dropped his jackets, tugged off the shirt, pulled it into itself, and yanked it over his head again.
“Well don’t rip it.” Quipped Kyouichi, sligtly regretting his strong reaction to Tatsuma's fair joke.
Tatsuma glared while snatching his jackets and said nothing while walking to and then out the bedroom door.
***
Kyouichi cursed himself while rushing towards his offended friend. “Tatsuma, where you going?”
Kyouichi caught up with him at the front door.
“Tatsuma wait. You don't have to leave or..."
“Going home.” Tatsuma said turning the handle and opening the door.
Kyouichi reached over his shoulder and slammed it shut. “Tatsuma, come on.”
Tatsuma ignored the comment and twisted the handle again. Kyouichi pressed his hand against the door. Tatsuma turned to face his captor. "Let me go."
"No. Stay for a few-" But Tatsuma walked around him to leave through a window.
Kyouichi, angry at being ignored, grabbed the quick shoulder.
“Stop.” Tatsuma said, pulling away. Kyouichi held on tightly and reached for Tatsuma's neck.
“You stop.” Kyouichi replied.
Tatsuma dropped his jacket and began deftly pushing away and blocking Kyouichi’s hands. Kyouichi’s movements became quicker and stronger. Kyouichi tried to grabs, only to be blocked everyt time with a quick motion. The two continued for long, silent minutes gathering and shrinking the space between them. The tension between them burned away as light bruises formed on their arms and sweatbeads glistened on their torsos.
Kyouichi watched the cool concentration in his opponents face- how Tatsuma pinpointed each movement in ample time and responded with unthinking fluidness.
Kyouichi conceded to himself that he couldn't land any punch on the shorter boy. Still- Keep 'em guessing...
He suddenly leaned in without an attack. Tatsuma turned to let him pass left, but Kyouichi shifted directions and pressed his chest into the defensive stance. Tatsuma tried to back away but found a hand on his belt pulling him forward. He looked down, angry.
"Cheater!" Tatsuma shouted, looking down, the back up angrily...
Kyouichi snatched the other mouth with his. Tatsuma, still angry, gasped into the kiss and tried to back away. The kiss separated and Kyouichi's face followed, his eyes on Tatsuma's mouth. Tatsuma's butt bumped into the back of the couch, and their lips collided, opening and closing, slipping clockwise, then counter with an urget speed. Kyouichi’s hips pressed Hiyuu’s back, and through thin fabric he felt a lean back stretch and writhe under his hands. Why did we get dressed?
Two fingers dipped under Tatsuma'a shirt and when an encouraging, low noise escaped from the shorter boys throat, Kyouichi ran both hands up the lean torso, his thoughts directed by pale smoothness and a shockingly playful tongue.
Kyouichi suddenly pulled back from the kiss. "Come back."
Tatsuma squinted. "You're the one who-"
"I'll quit. Come back." Kyouichi leant in for quick taste, but Tatsuma was too quick, dodging left to place his lips near Kyouichi's ear.
"To your room?"
Kyouichi whispered into the soft hair. "To bed."
Tatsuma's eyebrows shot up and he pulled away from the other's arms. "I dunno..." He lightly perused the living room then eyed the bedroom door, before looking back at Kyouichi. "What am I allowed to remember?"
"Everything." Kyouichi smiled devilishly. "Be unforgettable."
Tatsuma looked back at the door, thoughtful.
Kyouichi held his breath.
Tatsuma shrugged then walked lightly to the room, pausing at the door to glance over his shoulder. "Promises, promises."
Kyouichi followed with dark eyes and a calm smile.
***
The kiss at the end is MUCH better (rawr!) and there's a discovery made about my favorite mysterious martial artist.
Ideas for Ch2 will be prized and used; I promise!
Tatsuma looked down at the piece of paper in his hand then back up. “I don’t understand."
Kyouichi snatched the paper back and began walking away. “Never mind. Dumb joke.”
Tatsuma turned toward him. “But...”
“Drop it.”
He watched as the taller boy walked away.
Circle yes or no?
***
Tatsuma took Kyouichi's abuse with waning patience. He wasn’t sure why the other boy was being so aggressive, challenging him to matches that left angry bruises. The past two weeks had been tense- snarky remarks and everyday some new punching game. There was a new found pressure or purpose . Kyouichi didn't just want to win.
Kyouichi smiled when his sparring partner cried out.
“Ow! What the hell?” Tatsuma said rubbing the sharp pain above his forehead. "You're not fighting fair."
“I guess you should have shorter hair.”
“Your hair is longer than…”
“Enough! Again.”
Tatsuma jerked left and watched the powerful kick whiz by his face
***
Kyouichi was starting to feel like a royal ass. He'd been picking on Tatsuma for many days, constantly looking for a way to get under his friend's cool veneer. Is he always calm? He wanted to see Tatsuma break out, get angry, or not perfectly restrain himself once before school was over. Plus, he wanted to apoligize for being a pushy jerk.
The two boys had been sparing in the school's open field since school let out three hours ago. Both were drenched in sweat and showing signs of tiring when Kyouichi decided to relocate.
“I'm starved. Let’s get some food." He said casually.
Tatsuma shook his head. "I have a lot of homework and..."
"It's on me." Kyouichi said, leaving no room for argument. He propped his bokken against his shoulder while walking away from further excuses. "This way. Hurry up and we'll catch the special."
Tatsuma followed silently and Kyouichi smiled.
***
They waited for their food in silence. Tatsuma was curiously glancing around the small Ramen Shop, occasionally pausing to smile at fellow patrons, content to be out of his lonely apartment.
Kyouichi's stomach was making noises. He slammed his fist onto the bar. "Hurry up! Dead customers don't tip!"
"Yeah, yeah here it is." Said the heavy set, dreadlocked gentleman. He set two steaming bowls down with a kind smile at Tatsuma and a mock glare at Kyouichi. "It's your own fault for ordering shrimp. Had to be fancy, huh?" He said, throwing a knowing glance torward Tatsuma. Tatsuma smiled while looking into his bowl.
Kyo felt his face heat up. "Easier on the stomach." He grumbled before taking three heaping bites.
"Only if you're drinking!" Replies their host while turning away.
"Right so bring us two, dumbass." Kyouichi yelled, shocking himself with his brilliance.
Tatsuma and thier host looked up simultaneously.
"Uh, I don't really drink..." Began Tatsuma softly.
"All the more reason." Kyouichi gestured at a bottle labeled ' Junmai-shu.' The bartender whistled, impressed. "Less talk, more pour." At this their waiter turned bartender shrugged, snatched the expensive bottle from the shelf and two cups from bellow the counter.
Tatsuma put his hands up. "Really, I'm alright."
"Quit being a pansy." Kyouichi hissed. He snatched a sake-filled cup and held it under Tatsuma nose. "Smell that?"
Tatsuma took a sniff and shook his head.
"Exactly. Fancy shit." Kyouichi said confidently while holding the second cup out to Tatsuma. "Now I know you can't handle anything manly or rough because you're a girly-coward-puss..."
Tatsuma glared and took the cup.
"But this goes down smooth." Kyouichi lifted the cup to his lips and Tatsuma followed suit. "Ready?" Tatsuma nodded once and stared past the cup with brave eyes. "Bottoms up."
Kyouichi swallowed the contents of the cup in one gulp while eyeing his friend. Tatsuma tipped the cup up, took two medium gulps, and set the cup down with a sour face.
"Kind of bur-" was all Tatsuma wheezed out before bursting into painful coughs and bending over his seat.
Kyouichi patted his friend's back and felt sorry for picking such a strong brand. The bartender gave him a disapproving look. Kyouichi grabbed Tatsuma's bowl and held it near the other's face. "Get a mouthful of broth."
Tatsuma filled his mouth with the offered liquid, swished, swallowed, and discovered a less painful feeling in his mouth and throat. He weakly coughed twice more and cleared his throat, before looking over at his concerned friend.
"You ok?" Kyouichi asked, his hand still protectively resting on Tatsuma's back.
Tatsuma nodded while noticing how light his head felt. He giggled and help out his cup. "Another!"
Kyouichi broke out in a huge grin and clapped the shorter boy on the back. "Barkeep! Two more!"
Tatsuma watched the bottle pour more clear liquid as the bartender watched him. "You have a way to get home, son?"
Tatsuma roared with laughter before downing the cup, and slamming it on the bar. Kyouichi smiled as he tried to keep up.
***
Tatsuma had never drank before, so six empty cups later he was experiencing all types of new sensations and thoughts with a careless joy.
Apperently Kyouichi wasn't the hardened drinker he'd claimed to be. He'd set his head into his folded arms after their fifth round and looked up only to drink the sixth then yell at Tatsuma "No! Not another! No more money!" before setting his head back down again.
It was forty minutes after they'd arrived. The bowls were empty and only a middle aged couple sat in the opposite corner engaged in a private conversation. The bartender was in the back making the couple's food and Tatsuma was feeling antsy.
He looked around to see no one looking at him, a wonderfully thrilling knowledge. He set his elbows on the bar and let his torso lift out of his chair-floating left then right in a figure eight. Then he bounced on beat with a song in his head, veering different directions when he felt like it.
Amused with himself, he finished by shooting up and spinning into a tight backflip, trying to land squarely on his seat at the finish. Instead, he landed a few inches left of his seat though he didn't notice. He smiled to himself before realizing his stupidity and he looking over his shoulder- only to see the other two customers still ignoring him.
He turned back with a huge grin. Being invisible rocks! With newfound bravery he softly clapped his hands on his knees and jerked 6 inches, then two feet off his chair. He bobbed and floated in mid-air, enjoying how silly and great it felt to fly in a public place for once.
***
Kyouichi had heard a light "bumf" noises beside him and he thought maybe he should be paying more attention to Tatsuma.
Must be getting bored he thought to himself. I guess I am being a shitty date. He did a double-take after this mental , embarrassed that he'd even thought it before remembering that they'd drank half-a-week's paycheck in less than an hour. He slowly raised his head, his eyes still closed. "Tatsuma..." he began.
A loud "Bam!" followed by the loud clattering noise greeted him. He jerked his eyes open, shocked.
***
Tatsuma had heard the voice midair and immediately jerked to his seat... except he was a little further left than he thought.
The chair tipped over beneath him and the two smacked into the ground with a bang, a clatter, and a bruise. Tatsuma looked around the floor, shocked at his poor flying coordination.
***
Kyouichi looked down at his confused friend scanning the ground as if gravity had cheated him. He laughed and offered his hand. “Guess that means you’re done.”
“Nuh…" Replied Tatsuma. He used the hand lightly, sliding into a standing position with little effort. "I just missed my chair.”
Kyouichi smirked. “Same thing. Once you hit the ground it's time to hit the bed.”
Tatsuma leant forward to lazily brush off his pants. "'Zat so?"
Kyouichi saw the shorter boy's jerking slump, followed by a growing tilt toward the ground. He waited for Tatsuma to catch himself. Instead, Tatsuma kept tipping forward, looking as if he would fall onto his face any second.
Realizing Tatsuma wasn't, Kyouichi jumped out of his seat and grabed the slim waist, pulling him upright. "Stand up."
Tatsuma obeyed, slumping backwards into the warm chest, lazily draping his arms and letting his head roll into the crook of Kyouichi’s neck. Tatsuma turned his face into the other's neck and looked up into Kyouichi's eyes with a cursious look. They paused in the proximity. “Smell good.”
Kyouichi surpressed a smile. “Piss drunk, can’t stand or sit AND you're flirting." His fingers grazed the unsteady hips before grabbing the back of Tatsuma's belt and holding him up. "Remind me not to let you drink around strong men.”
Tatsuma looked down at his shoes. “I’m strong.”
“And drunk.”
He shrugged and put his hands up.“You're bill."
“True. Speaking of...”
Kyouichi left every bill in his wallet on the counter and began fighting to get out of the diner, constantly yanking Tatsuma away from walls and tables. Tatsuma veered in weird directions, laughing when he was brusquely corrected.
Stepping out of the front door they turned left, immediately running into a strong winter wind. The sudden cold and speed made Tatsuma feel disoriented, even sick, and he struggled to get away from the Kyouichi's strong, guiding hand. "Wait." He whispered pathetically.
"What?"
"Don't feel so hot..." Halfway into a step Tatsuma changed his mind and began turning around, only to feel Kyouichi pulling his waist backwards. "No!" Whined Tatsuma. "Wanna go back in."
"The place is closing..." Kyouichi began while tugging backwards...and then realizing his mistake.
Tatsuma pulled forward with annoyed strength, dragging Kyouichi too fast. Kyouichi lost balance and ran into Tatsuma's back, causing both to fall over each other onto the sidewalk. Tatsuma gasped "Falling!" into the cold air and raised his hands for the roller coaster.
With a thud they both landed, stacked, on the cold street. Kyouichi raised his head out from between Tatsuma's shoulder blades only to be distracted by Tatsuma's jerking squirms that managed to land an elbow in Kyouichi's left ribs. Kyouichi laughed and pressed the other's arms into the street long enough to sit up and away from any further tickling.
Tatsuma pulled his arms away and rolled onto his back, looking cursiouly at his kneeling friend. "Down here too?"
Kyouichi's eyebrows shot up and he laughed at his silly friend. Tatsuma joined him, having no drunken reason not to laugh, causing Kyouichi to laugh even harder. The giggled drunkenly for long time before Kyouichi decided to stand and get the two of them off the cold street. “Come on. Upsy daisy."
"I'm not a daisy." Tatsuma said matter-of-factly and looking at the back of his gloved hand. "I'm a dragon."
Kyouichi looked down unimpressed. Tatsuma rolled his eyes at him. "I'll prove it." He raised a 'claw' into the air and swiped it slowly. "Rawr. See?"
Kyouichi shook his head. "You’re so weird.”
“No…” He retorted. “I’m …” he waved hands in front of Kyouichi’s face, “mysterious.”
“Oh yeah?” He tapped Tatsuma's side with his foot.
Tatsuma snatched the foot. “Yeah… the girl with the glasses said so.”
“She says a lot of things. Gimme my foot.”
“Don't kick me.” Tatsuma batted away the faux foot attacks until Kyouichi snatched a gloved hand and pulled his friend to his feet. Tatsuma forgot to pull against the grasp, lifting into the air weightlessly. “But she is bound to report the truth. Always truth. That’s the motto’s way.”
“Heh, heh." What the hell? "Well you're lighter than you look. Mystery must not weigh much.”
Tatsuma shook his head and mumbled into his chest. "Some people are..."
Kyouichi, leaned the truth mumbling boy against the nearest wall to get his own barings. Steadier than before, Kyouichi pulled the other's arm over his shoulders and walked three steps before Tatsuma shoved them onto the ground with an absurdly strong sway.
“That’s it." Kyouichi said, picking his friend off the ground for the third time. "You can’t walk and my place is two blocks away.” Kyouichi saw that Tatsuma's eyes were half shut and he was still mumbling. He poked his friend on the nose and recieved wide, blue-eyed attention. "You're spending the night at my house, ok?"
Tatsuma mumbled while shaking his head. "It's cold in the cold, when it's cold... stupid cold."
Kyouichi decided to ignore his wasted friend, instead grabbingTatsuma's collar and yanking the suddenly confused boy over his shoulder until the small hips rested next to his face. What? Does he weigh anything?
Tatsuma rested his head peacefully against Kyouichi's back before realizing Kyouichi was waiting for some semblance of gravity. He rolled his eyes and reached for the ground, thinking to himself Pull damn you!
Both inwardly sighed in relief as Kyouichi began walking forward. The buildings slowly bounced away with each step. They continued in silence when a question occurred to Tatsuma."Kyo, what was that note?"
Kyouichi thought back. "What note?"
"The one you took back."
Kyouichi shifted the body on his shoulder and sighed. "It was a joke."
"About what?"
Kyouichi rubbed his face with his free hand. "It's a joke about... it's this old line."
Tatsuma didn't get it. "But what's it mean?"
"It's this," There was only one honest word. "Dating thing. Joke."
"Oh." Tatsuma thought back to the note, then the night, and smiled. "So... that's this?"
Kyouichi wanted to look over his shoulder. "What?"
"A date?"
"What was?"
"That- this. Drinks." Tatsuma waved his arms to show the obviousness.
"No, no, God no." Kyouichi replied quickly.
"Oh. Ok." Tatsuma relaxed a little more into the position, resting his face on Kyouichi's lower back. Kyouichi felt regretful in the silence and wanted to soften or take back his words. He thought through some encouraging phrases when Tatsuma interrupted his thoughts by yawning and the asking, "Kyo?"
"Yeah?"
"No drinking on the next one, ok?"
Kyouichi smiled. "Deal."
***
Kyouichi reached his house six minutes later, four minutes after Tatsuma began lightly snoring on his back. He reached in his pocket for his keys and again marveled at his own strength. It's like he got lighter.
Inside, Kyouichi gently rested the sleeping boy on his living room couch. He left the room to turn on his heater and grab a cup of water. Soon the sounds and smells of electric warmth filled the tiny apartment, and Kyouichi returned to his prize, cup in hand.
Tatsuma looked peaceful and pale, tucking his hands into his chest and turning his face into the cushions for warmth.
Kyouichi willed himself to leave his passed-out friend alone. Go to your room, don't be a perv. Taking his own advice he started for his room before thinking of his empty wallet and glancing back mischeviously. "Tatsuma?" He whispered taking steps torward the couch. "Hiyuu?" He whispered even quieter reaching the middle o the couch, standing just above his sleeping friend.
Convinced that no quiet noise could wake the sleeping beauty, Kyouichi dropped to his knees and slowly took in the smooth face, appreciating soft skin and strong angles. He leant forward towards Tatsuma's gracefully stretched neck, watching for signs of faking. Finally, he noticed Tatsuma's jacket bunched up and twisted under his arms. That looks annoying...
He gently unbottoned the navy blue jacket and slid it off the slim shoulders and then from under Tatsuma's body with shocking ease. He thought maybe a hoody over a shirt with a heater going was also a little much, quickly unzipping and removing that as well.
Looking at the thin white t-shirt covering his passed-out friend Kyouichi reminded himself I always sleep without a shirt... before slowly gathering the fabric away from the waist, then chest, then softly fishing each arm out. Finally, he lifted Tatsuma's dark head and slid the white t-shirt free before glancing down.
Tatsuma's stomach was athleticly flat with a muscled line splitting his torso up the middle. His chest showed tone in the soft lighting, casting rising then lowering shadows in tempo with his breath. Kyouichi wanted to touch everything, but only allowed a single finger to lightly slide across one pale clavicle.
Kyouichi looked over to his bedroom door, then back at his half-naked, sleeping friend and bit his lip. He wondered if Tatsuma would remember being set here and then being moved. He found himself staring at the body stretched long and comfortably. Screw it. He won't be mad until morning.
“Tatsuma, you cold?” He whispered to the sleeping form. "My room's warmer than the living room and I have a bigger couch in there." He quietly justifyied himself to the sleeping boy while scooping small shoulders and knees into his arms. He got his own knee squarely beneath him and readied himself for a 130 lb. standing lift, only to stand with impossible ease.
He was stupidly stunned by his own strength for a second before rethinking the situation. There is no way. He finally redirecting his amazement to the sleeping body. He looked down at the beautiful face, flabbergasted. Kyouichi bounced the body lightly in his arms and had to accept it. He's like a feather.
He walked slowly to his room, amazed at the miracle suspended weightlessly in his arms. Reaching the couch in his bedroom, he stood with Tatsuma perched in his grasp, marveling at what he knew to be both absurd and real.
"Tatsuma?" He whispered down. When the shorter boy didn't respond, Kyouichi found himself staring into a peaceful, beautiful face only a foot bellow his. Slowly, he lifted Tatsuma closer- it was like pulling string across water. There was less than an inch between their mouths and Tatsuma showed no signs of suddenly waking. Truth right?
Their lips touched softly and Kyouichi's chest ached at the satiny smoothness and stacked-tissue softness. For long, wonderful seconds he held the airy body and simply enjoyed their light kiss. Tatsuma sighed softly in his sleep and the sweet sound made Kyouichi slide his tongue just Tatsuma's lips.
***
Tatsuma cracked his eyes to see Kyouichi's eyes closed. Alchohol dripped slowly out of his brain and it took long seconds before Tatsuma discovered himself locked in a soft-tongued kiss by his best friend's strong arms. He sleepily determined not to think, instead reshutting his eyes and sneaking a gloved hand behind Kyouichi's neck.
***
At the unexpected touch Kyouichi jerked his face away and dropped his arms. Shit, shit, SHIT!!!
***
Tatsuma floated quickly, though softly, to the couch and he watched Kyouichi angrily cross the small bedroom to an even smaller bed next to a window. Tatsuma blinked slowly as Kyouichi jerked off his shirt, fell onto his side and yanked a dark green sheet over his exposed back. Tatsuma continued to watch, his mind reeling at the last eight, wakeful seconds. Finally, he opened his mouth. “Kyo?”
“Go to sleep.” Kyouichi replied angrily, punching his pillow and not turning.
“But," Tatsuma flipped his hand open in confusion. "I was asleep. You kissed me.”
“Go back to sleep and I won’t wake you up again.”
Tatsuma sat up, confused at the hot-then-cold routine. “You won’t kiss me again?”
Kyouichi sighed. “Just go to sleep.” He turned onto his back still facing away.
Tatsuma was drunk, confused, and now a little horny. Sleep came slowly, but surely, over ten minutes of silence.
Kyouichi waited until he again heard the soft snoring before letting one tear drip down each side of his face. He snorted at his girlishness and wiped them away roughly.
***
The next morning Tatsuma awoke at seven just like every morning since he was 5. He considered waking Kyouichi (with a little peck maybe?) before thinking better of it. He had no way of predicting the taller boy. Might kiss me, might kick me.
He was standing before he realized he didn’t have a shirt on. He smirked at Kyouichi, wondering if he should feel used instead of elated. A quick scan of the room revealed nothing. He crouched to look under the couch, floated up to look at the top of Kyouichi's small closet and hunted through all the drawers.
Where in the world…
He wanted to go home. He wanted his shirt.
Screw it.
He grabbed a random shirt, pulled it over his head, and started for the door before pausing.
I shouldn’t take this without asking.
He turned and scanned the room once more before resting his gaze on the bed. He slid the shirt off, put it back on the floor and walked quietly to the bed. “Kyouichi? You up?”
A guttural noise answered him.
“Do you know where my shirt is?”
“No.” There was a pause. “Wait, yes.”
“Where?”
"What time is it?" Kyouichi flipped open his curtain and groaned at the early, dim light. "It's Saturday dumbass."
"Tell me where my shirt is and go back to sleep." Tatsuma paused. "Dumbass."
Kyouichi smiled to himself. “Come here.”
“I could have stolen one of yours…” Tatsuma said walking to the bed, sorry for waking him. “But I didn’t want to be jerk…”
Two quick hands reached up and yanked Tatsuma into bed. Kyouichi roughly pulled the smaller back into his chest and wrapped his arms around Tatsuma’s waist.
“Wha?”
“Shut up.” Kyouichi said, wrapping his arms around him tighter. “Go to sleep.” If he shuts up and lays here then he must... he thought sleepily to himself
Tatsuma lay happily, wrapped in lean, strong arms and thought he didn’t want to go home anymore.
***
Fourty-five minutes later and Tatsuma wasn't tired from laying still. He continued not moving, however, soaking in the intimate embrace, his thoughts swimming away...
What the hell happened last night? Did it mean anything? Did this? Would they do this regularly now? Should he dare to hint anything to his parents? What would his teachers and schoolmates say if they found out? Did this mean another secret? How good was Kyouichi at keeping secrets? What sort of things would Kyouichi want to do? And is he willing to share or only...
“Stop.” Kyouichi groaned.
“What?” Tatsuma rolled in the arms to face his human heater.
“Thinking loudly.”
Tatsuma turned away again. “Well I have a lot to think about.”
Kyouichi sighed, annoyed. “You remember.”
Tatsuma shrugged.
"How much?"
Tatsuma smiled. "Enough to watch out where I fall asleep."
Kyouichi pulled his arms away and got up. “I think I remember where I put that shirt.”
Tatsuma, confused for the inth time, watched the mostly naked youth walk out of the bedroom and return shortly with the blue hoody, blue jacket, and white shirt in question. He tossed them on the bed and began digging in his dresser, effectively killing any hope for a reunion on the bed.
Rejected and regretful, Tatsuma stood and pulled the shirt over his head and grabbing his jackets before walking to the door.
Kyouichi looked over at him. “Inside out, genius.”
Tatsuma rolled his eyes, dropped his jackets, tugged off the shirt, pulled it into itself, and yanked it over his head again.
“Well don’t rip it.” Quipped Kyouichi, sligtly regretting his strong reaction to Tatsuma's fair joke.
Tatsuma glared while snatching his jackets and said nothing while walking to and then out the bedroom door.
***
Kyouichi cursed himself while rushing towards his offended friend. “Tatsuma, where you going?”
Kyouichi caught up with him at the front door.
“Tatsuma wait. You don't have to leave or..."
“Going home.” Tatsuma said turning the handle and opening the door.
Kyouichi reached over his shoulder and slammed it shut. “Tatsuma, come on.”
Tatsuma ignored the comment and twisted the handle again. Kyouichi pressed his hand against the door. Tatsuma turned to face his captor. "Let me go."
"No. Stay for a few-" But Tatsuma walked around him to leave through a window.
Kyouichi, angry at being ignored, grabbed the quick shoulder.
“Stop.” Tatsuma said, pulling away. Kyouichi held on tightly and reached for Tatsuma's neck.
“You stop.” Kyouichi replied.
Tatsuma dropped his jacket and began deftly pushing away and blocking Kyouichi’s hands. Kyouichi’s movements became quicker and stronger. Kyouichi tried to grabs, only to be blocked everyt time with a quick motion. The two continued for long, silent minutes gathering and shrinking the space between them. The tension between them burned away as light bruises formed on their arms and sweatbeads glistened on their torsos.
Kyouichi watched the cool concentration in his opponents face- how Tatsuma pinpointed each movement in ample time and responded with unthinking fluidness.
Kyouichi conceded to himself that he couldn't land any punch on the shorter boy. Still- Keep 'em guessing...
He suddenly leaned in without an attack. Tatsuma turned to let him pass left, but Kyouichi shifted directions and pressed his chest into the defensive stance. Tatsuma tried to back away but found a hand on his belt pulling him forward. He looked down, angry.
"Cheater!" Tatsuma shouted, looking down, the back up angrily...
Kyouichi snatched the other mouth with his. Tatsuma, still angry, gasped into the kiss and tried to back away. The kiss separated and Kyouichi's face followed, his eyes on Tatsuma's mouth. Tatsuma's butt bumped into the back of the couch, and their lips collided, opening and closing, slipping clockwise, then counter with an urget speed. Kyouichi’s hips pressed Hiyuu’s back, and through thin fabric he felt a lean back stretch and writhe under his hands. Why did we get dressed?
Two fingers dipped under Tatsuma'a shirt and when an encouraging, low noise escaped from the shorter boys throat, Kyouichi ran both hands up the lean torso, his thoughts directed by pale smoothness and a shockingly playful tongue.
Kyouichi suddenly pulled back from the kiss. "Come back."
Tatsuma squinted. "You're the one who-"
"I'll quit. Come back." Kyouichi leant in for quick taste, but Tatsuma was too quick, dodging left to place his lips near Kyouichi's ear.
"To your room?"
Kyouichi whispered into the soft hair. "To bed."
Tatsuma's eyebrows shot up and he pulled away from the other's arms. "I dunno..." He lightly perused the living room then eyed the bedroom door, before looking back at Kyouichi. "What am I allowed to remember?"
"Everything." Kyouichi smiled devilishly. "Be unforgettable."
Tatsuma looked back at the door, thoughtful.
Kyouichi held his breath.
Tatsuma shrugged then walked lightly to the room, pausing at the door to glance over his shoulder. "Promises, promises."
Kyouichi followed with dark eyes and a calm smile.
***