Casper Chapter 3A: The Conflicted Ghost
Title: Casper
Chapter: 3a/20
Pairing: Manabu/Byou
Rated: R overall
Genre: AU, drama/romance, supernatural
Warning: some language
Overall Summary: Manabu just wanted to rest in peace. But for some reason, he just couldn't cross over and felt helplessly stuck in the world of the living. Now his 'afterlife' is becoming one complicated mess and it's all because of one very persistent man.
Synopsis: It's New Years Eve, about a month since the two first met. They're getting along pretty well, even if Manabu hasn't exactly opened up to his living roommate. But when he decides to, he's not sure how to feel about....things.
Byou had just woken up, I could hear him turning on the shower from my bedroom, which last week was his work room. And previously, Jin's bedroom. He knew by now that I didn't sleep, but he still wanted me to have my own room, which was pretty sweet I guess. The room was pretty nice, kind of small but it didn't matter. It's been a month since that idiot and I first got acquainted. I've grown pretty attached to him which could be a bad thing but felt nice.
I 've learned how to make myself visible to other people but usually choose not to, because he sometimes brings home his co-workers for dinner and I'll sit right next to them and make faces just to see Byou try to hold in his laughter. It always looks like he's constipated which amuses me.
While he's off at work, I stay home and figure out what the hell we're gonna have for dinner. I've been teaching Byou how to cook. He's not too bad, but not on my level yet. We spend most of our time talking about ourselves or Byou's day at work. Sometime's we'll talk about what I did at home, but I don't do much aside from housework.
It just so happened that we like the same type of music. He even sang one of my favorite songs once when I was angry at him just to calm me down. And he got me a guitar for Christmas, I've played it for him every night after dinner. He forces me to eat, knowing damn well I don't even have to eat. I'm never hungry, but I do it to get him to shut up. Plus he does this cute thing where he pouts and as much as I hate it...I can't say no when he does it. Just like when pout at him.
He's still calling me Casper, even when we have our mild arguments. But I've found a nickname for him and he hasn't objected to it yet. Kitty. He seems to hate it when I call him Kitty. It's really funny.
"Casper! Have you seen my bathrobe!?"
"No! Maybe it's in the laundry hamper?" I shouted back, but decided to just get up and look for it before he goes into diva mode. I heard the sound of his slippers pattering across the floor, it stopped at my door. He walked in, dripping wet, wearing nothing but a towel around his waist and those slippers I've grown so accustomed to.
"I just checked, it's not there." he said, holding the towel in place. I couldn't help but stare, the man is gorgeous. He was lean, with just enough muscle to keep me in a slight trance. I never noticed how nice Byou looked before...I guess I didn't pay attention enough. Damn. Who does this fucker thing he is? Walking around basically naked, asking me about a damn robe.
He was still talking about his robe, I just bit my lip and watched him, nodding to everything he said as my eyes practically devoured him. Thank God I was dead, or I'm pretty sure my blushing face would have gave me away.
"Manabu!"
"Hnnng..."
"Uh...Manabu?" I just nodded, keeping my eyes on his body. "Casper! Eye's up here!" he snapped his fingers in front of my face, snapping me out of the trance. I swear I'd be blushing so fucking hard right now if it were possible. The sound of his chuckling made me want to run and hide.
"Kitty." I sighed and rolled my eyes, hoping he wouldn't try to talk about what just happened. "Just go put some clothes on. I need to shower too, you're bothering me."
"First of all, you don't need to shower. You just choose to. Second of all, you're a pervert!" he stuck his tongue out and walked off. I smiled and shook my head, grabbing some sweat pants and a t-shirt before going to get ready for the long day at home.
~
"Is anyone coming over tonight?" I asked Byou as we finished our dinner.
"No, you know I don't have any actual friends other than you. I hate people. It's just you and me tonight, Casper. Here's to another lonely New Year's Eve." I swear it felt like my heart sank into my stomach. How could he say he was alone when he's got the coolest roommate ever? I may be dead but I thought he liked hanging out with me.
"Yeah...Lonely. Excuse me." I stood up from the table and put my dish in the sink before walking off to my bedroom. I laid face down on my pillow and sighed. That stung. I may be a ghost but I have feelings too. I heard Byou coming towards my room and ran to hide in the closet. He opened the door and I hear him close it behind him. How rude of him to walk into my bedroom without permission!
"Casper, come out. I realized that what I said came out terribly wrong, I didn't mean to upset you. I'm not alone, I know that. I'm never alone because I've got you, a wonderful friend and a really good roommate. I'm lucky, no other roommate would do as much house work as you." he chuckled softly. "And I know you're in the closet so come out. You always hide in the closet."
I smiled to myself. His words really made me feel better. But of course I couldn't let him know. I walked out, arms crossed over my chest with my signature pout. He smiled at me and pulled me in for a hug. I hesitantly returned the embrace and we stood like that for a while until he cleared his throat.
"Well, let's go get ready to celebrate the coming new year." I said, smiling and pulling him into the living room. I guess I couldn't stay mad over something so petty too long.
~
It was almost midnight. Byou and I had just finished a bottle of Chardonnay and were currently holding two glasses of champagne. We talked for hours, it was nice. He never failed to entertain me, it made me happy. Currently, we were discussing how we'd usually bring in the new year.
"That's about it. Although the traditional New Years kiss have always eluded me."
"You've never had a New Years kiss?" I asked, completely shocked. He shook his head and took a sip from his glass. "Neither have I." I said, looking away. I set me glass down and pulled him out onto the balcony. It was an amazing view of the city. I loved how the wind blew through his hair. He said I looked nice, and I could only smile back.
I know having feelings for someone alive is foolish. But I haven't been this happy in ages, not even when I was alive. It was nice. And maybe he'd never want to be with me in a romantic sense considering I am dead. But maybe he's condisder a one-night stand? Or friends with benefits type of thing.
"Manabu?" I turned to look at him. He only used my name when he was trying to be serious. "It's almost midnight. We've got one minutes left." he said, to which I replied with a nod.
"It's been a short year for me." I said with a chuckle. He smiled and let out kind of an awkward laugh.
"I was thinking...we've never had New Year's kisses, right?"
"Right." I replied, turning to face him. Dear God, please don't let him ask what I think he's going to. I just can't take this sort of cliche.
He wrapped his arms around me when his watch beeped and pressed his lips to mine. It was a soft, sweet kiss. He was very gentle. I cupped his face, kissing him back slowly. There were fireworks alright, and I'm not talking about the city's fireworks display. He both stopped and slowly pulled our lips apart, his arms still around me. We just stared at each other, the fireworks reflecting in his brown eyes. It was beautiful and yet, I wanted to punch him for doing this.
I was speechless. The kiss was amazing. But...it was with Byou. I didn't know what to say or do so...I kept my head down and we stayed silent I let go first, and then he hesitated but walked away with a soft apology. I guess we both were thinking the same thing. We obvliously caught feelings for one another but what's the point? He's gonna live his life and find someone to love until death and I'm already dead. It was a sad thought but true. All I could do was hope that our friendship would go unaffected by this.
comment: HAPPY NEW YEAR!