[LOVELESS fanfic] Bondless
Title: Bondless
Summary: Soubi and Ritsuka strive to strengthen their connection, but what if that's not enough? Sequel to Deepening the Bond by my partner in crime, Vyver (nofio ).
Warnings: NC-17, Yaoi, Shota (beware, kiddies =^^=)
Disclaimer: I think we all know that LOVELESS doesn't belong to me.
Dedication: For you Vyv! Thanks for writing the first one. Here’s the sequel I owe you. To my lovely mistress (for now) and her wonderful support/suggestions/ideas. Enjoy reading this little piece of smut 'cause I sure enjoyed writing it :P
BONDLESS
by Gloomy_Gloo
An ache. A numbing but unquestionable ache coursed through him, spreading from the center of his heart to other muscles in his body like poison through blood.
Just when I made him mine…
He closed his eyes in hope that, when he opened them, the scar would become just another ghost of his memory. Yet, even behind the darkness of his lids, it tormented him, the word that could outdo innumerable blades: Loveless.
Just bite your tongue, hold in the pain; don’t cry out.
But this wasn’t pain. No, pain was the sting of a whip, or the burn of fire, or the throb of an ice shard through his palm. This was something wholly different. This feeling crawled inside his heart like a parasite, making him want to tear his own body apart.
He had no defenses against this.
It was his fault in the end, for wanting to claim Ritsuka completely when he had known from the beginning that, no matter what he did, Ritsuka would never truly become his. Never only his.
They were not destined. A pair that strove to stay together without the blessing of fate, what a joke... though that time, when their bodies were joined, he could imagine them being one. Fate might have prepared another for Ritsuka, but the bond that they shared this night was theirs alone to treasure.
No matter who might come between them, he would always be the one who took his tail and ears, he would always be the first to know how Ritsuka felt from the inside. Not even fate could change that.
He took solace and pride in that moment of possessiveness; however, when he opened his eyes and caught sight of the scar, the parasite in his heart dug another hole.
“…Soubi…”
At the moan of his name, Soubi diverted his gaze to Ritsuka’s still-sleeping figure. Face haloed by messy strands of hair and skin still stained with a soft pink from his earlier pleasure, Ritsuka was an angel that could reverse time. Watching him made it seem as if the scar never appeared, as if his heart never ached, as if they could pretend to be one forever.
Moan only my name in your sleep. See only me in your dreams. Cry out for me alone when you’re at the brink of ecstasy.
It was impossible of course. Time could never be reversed. This scar mocked him so, reminding him that someone else’s name would soon replace his. That person would become the one Ritsuka dreamed of, the one Ritsuka would cry out for when-
He gritted his teeth and tightened his fists. Imagining Ritsuka with another, doing what they just did, was enough to strip him of sanity. Before he had noticed, his palms were already cut opened with bloody crescents.
Is the carving of a word on skin so powerful that it can either push two people together or pull them apart?
He traced each letter with his fingertips softly, mesmerized by its power, its threat. With his free hand, he reached up to feel his own name around his neck.
‘Beloved’ no longer had meaning to him. If such a name would cause he and Ritsuka to separate, he would much rather be ‘Loveless’ instead.
“If only your everything could become mine.” He breathed out his longing as he continued to mindlessly trace the letters on Ritsuka.
“What are you doing?” Voice hoarse from sleep, eyes still half-hooded, Ritsuka lifted his head up only to see Soubi straddling his thighs. "Pervert!”
An angry red flush quickly replaced the pink glow on Ritsuka’s cheeks. His eyes darkened as he felt fingers tickling across the back of his legs.
“Soubi, stop it...”
As he commanded, the touches abruptly ceased, though unexpected tingles remained at spots where the fingers stroked. Breathing uneven, Ritsuka’s head dropped back onto the pillows, eyes closed in attempt to will away his wants. He was almost asleep again when he suddenly felt a hot mouth on his skin. His eyes snapped open.
“Soubi!”
Licks circled beneath his thighs, tracing patterns. Soubi’s tongue flickered out to taste him, leaving wet trails where their bodies touched.
He licked the scar as if doing so would make it heal. He wanted to possess it, to take it from Ritsuka’s body and into his own. His actions did not halt even as Ritsuka cried out his name in surprise. He could hear gasps of ‘stop’ and ‘Soubi’, but they were not orders, and he did not stop.
He finally drew away after he finished tracing the curve of the final letter with his tongue. He looked up to see Ritsuka’s face flushed cherry red, eyes shut again and perspiration rolling down his temples. His Ritsuka was so sensitive.
He moved up to lean over the boy, the urge to take him irresistible - he was so near, his heat pulling him close, skin flushed from arousal - it was all too enticing.
His hand reached up to brush the boy’s bangs behind his ears.
“Ritsuka…”
He lowered his face onto Ritsuka’s neck to ravish the skin under his ears. The body beneath him squirmed, and he pulled away for a second to look into eyes full of questions, embarrassment and innocent desire completely unlike his own desperate, possessive lust.
“Allow me to be selfish for tonight,” he whispered as he returned to the spot by Ritsuka’s ears.
His tongue dipped back onto his neck and suckled until a stamp of red mark emerged on his pale skin.
“Soubi, what are you talking about…didn’t we just…stop it…”
He felt small hands on his chest, trying to push him off with the lack of conviction that only lured him closer.
Ritsuka was ensnared in Soubi’s arms, a prey without escape.
Hands snaked their way down his body to peel the blankets away, leaving him exposed to Soubi’s advancing hands.
“Soubi…,” Ritsuka moaned as one of the hands found its way between his legs. Everything was happening too fast. Didn’t they just do this a few hours ago? His body down there was still sensitive from his last climax, skin still responsive to every caress.
Soubi had never acted like this before. He was usually so cool, so subservient, but when their eyes met moments ago, he had seen a desperate, heated want. Now, Soubi’s hands, Soubi’s lips, Soubi’s hair-they were all over him. Everywhere he turned, Soubi was there, touching him, kissing him…it was all too much for his mind to bear.
He could only feel - a mouth on his nipple, tongue flicking over it back and forth while a thumb rubbed across the other in circular motions. Another hand busied itself around his desire, engulfing him in a hot grip as it stroked up and down. His muscles tightened as his nerves flared with pleasure. Just something more and he would surely…
All lips and hands suddenly withdrew from him, and he opened one eye in confusion. Just as he was about to question, his body was flipped so that he kneeled on the bed with his backside toward the ceiling.
“Soubi, what are you…”
Warm oil poured onto his bottom, seeping down and into crease of his opening. Ritsuka jerked from the intimate contact, but before he could get used to the extra layer coating his skin, a finger probed him deep inside.
The oil plus the residue of their previous body fluids helped ease it in, though Ritsuka still could not help but cry out and wriggle at the intrusion. He subconsciously gripped down, feeling its shape and texture from the inside. Another hand reached around his thighs and took hold of his length once more, thumb rubbing across the tip. Ritsuka let out a moan as his head reared away from reason. The finger inside him began to move, in and out, in and out, consistent with the up and down strokes around his arousal.
“I can’t…Soubi…no…”
Fragmented sentences were all he could conjure. He was so close. The finger inside him stopped momentarily while another was added. It slipped in just as easily as the first, and hit a spot that made Ritsuka arch his back and come.
Soubi watched as the boy pressed back against his hand and spent himself onto the bed sheets; it was a mesmerizing view for his eyes alone.
He took out his fingers and watched as Ritsuka supported his weight with his elbows, panting and eyes dazed, his bottom sticking up in the air invitingly. Such a delectable position, if only the scar under his thighs wasn’t so evident. His heart ached again at the sight of those letters.
In one motion, he grabbed Ritsuka’s hips on each side and positioned against him, teasing his opening with the tip. He could tell that Ritsuka hadn’t recovered; his eyes were still not fully focused, his mind not catching up with what he was about to do.
“I love you, Ritsuka.”
With that, he impaled the boy with a single, fluid thrust. There were no pauses while he waited for him to accommodate like last time. There was no need. Ritsuka was already slick and open for him. For him. Only him.
Ritsuka yelped as he felt an intrusion inside his body. It was somehow different than the last time; slow, gentle thrusts were replaced with fast and hard ones, the soft pillows that had supported his head were now beneath his stomach to support his weight while he kneeled and took the pressure from behind. Even Soubi was acting differently- reassuring, careful Soubi was now so passionate and rushed.
He moaned when a particularly deep thrust bumped his pleasure spot. His body was responding even though it was still weak from his previous climaxes. Soubi’s touches threatened to bring him over the brink again- fingers pinching his nipples, hand stroking him back to hardness. Each thrust seemed deeper than the last, and even as his head spun from the assault on his senses, he pushed back to meet the rabid pace.
The bliss ravishing his body almost made Soubi forget the ache in his heart. Inside of Ritsuka, he could feel secure - Ritsuka was still his to possess, still his to claim, his to enjoy and pleasure. He would not let anyone else have him.
In a moment of possessiveness, he plunged hard into the body in front of him, forcing a moan from the boy.
“Ritsuka,” he groaned out, “I’m already yours.” He leaned forward to murmur into his ear, “Say that you’re mine.”
He almost did not recognize his own voice, hoarse with longing. His only objective at that point was to hear those two words: I’m yours.
“Say it.” He tilted the boy’s head toward his, meeting glazed, half-lidded eyes, signs of someone far-gone from reality. If he wanted a response, he would have to bring him back to his senses.
He stopped his movements abruptly, hearing Ritsuka’s soft wail in response.
“Soubi…don’t stop…”
Tight muscles clenched down on his arousal and he almost went mindless.
If Ritsuka continues to press like that…
He pulled out of the boy completely.
“Say it, Ritsuka. Say that you’re mine.”
Ritsuka gasped as Soubi slid out of his body. He could barely register what the man was saying; he just wanted the flesh and heat back in him to replace the emptiness.
“I’m yours."
Immediately, he was flipped onto his back once again, and the emptiness was filled with a deep, burning presence. He cried out and wrapped his legs around Soubi’s waist, tiny hands fisted in the bed sheets by his head.
Hearing those words from Ritsuka’s lips made his illusion all the more real and he turned the boy onto his back to enter him with a renewed fervor.
“Soubi!”
It was his name he cried out. Ritsuka belonged to him.
You’re mine.
With a last wild thrust, he buried himself inside Ritsuka and came. The boy, in turn, jerked in his hands and spurted fluids over both of their bodies.
Still connected, he pulled them both up into a sitting position so that he would not burden the boy with his weight. Ritsuka’s legs were wrapped around his waist even now, his head on his chest, breathing ragged and flesh flushed.
They held each other that way for uncounted minutes, mingling their sweats, breaths, and limbs. He did not want to let go, did not want to lose his illusion. He wanted to be joined with Ritsuka forever.
But it couldn’t last. He felt the texture of the scar rub around his waist as the body atop him shifted.
“Ritsuka, what will you do if your Fighter appears?”
Ritsuka’s head snapped up and Soubi felt eyes study him. The question must have seemed sudden and out of place.
“Why are you asking this now, Soubi?” he asked, curiosity and a hint of confusion evident in his voice.
Soubi ignored his question, wanting to hear only an answer. “You would abandon me, right?” He kept his face turned to the side so he could avoid seeing the conflict in Ritsuka’s expression.
“Soubi, you idiot!”
He started in surprise; anger was the last emotion he ever expected in reply. He glanced back at Ritsuka to see the boy glaring at him defiantly.
“How many times do I have to say it? I don’t care about stupid names. People stay with each other because they want to, not because of fate or destiny! It’s the person’s decision that determines his actions.”
A faint, bittersweet smile crossed his lips upon hearing such words. His Ritsuka, as strong-minded as ever. Also as naïve as ever. He did not know the true power of destiny. Names did, indeed, determine fate. Individual will did not matter. Someday, he would know this, and when he did, they would bid their last goodbye.
“Why don’t you understand, Soubi? Why do you care about a name so much?”
Anger turned into frustration. His voice lowered in defeat as he realized that Soubi would not change the way he thought no matter what he said to him. If only he could understand. If only names never existed.
He moved his face forward until he was inches away from the scar on Soubi’s neck. That time in battle when it began to bleed, he had felt an urge to soothe it. He had that same urge now. Hesitantly, he extended his tongue and pressed it against the rough texture of the scar. Soubi stiffened in surprise.
“Ritsuka…if you don’t stop, I might have to take you again.”
The boy quickly drew away and blushed, already too exhausted for another round.
“How about we go take a shower and get some sleep instead?” Soubi suggested with an understanding smile. He could take him at any time, but the boy was fatigued beyond his limits for tonight. He did not want to tire him out further.
“A shower…together?” Tone suspicious, Ritsuka regarded Soubi with wary eyes as he considered the option.
“Ah, I won’t try anything, I promise.”
Ritsuka knew that he shouldn’t believe Soubi so easily. After all, he had already been lied to and betrayed many times. But, just once more, he would give him his trust.
-----
The tickle of hot water on his skin felt more soothing than expected. Soft foam from the soap removed the different layers of fluids from his skin, returning it to a clean, fresh state.
It was slightly uncomfortable at first with Soubi washing his own body so close to his, but once the soothing steam hugged his skin and the water massaged his muscles, he all but forgot the presence of the other.
“Do you want me to wash your back for you?” Soubi’s voice startled him out of his reverie, and he dropped the soap in surprise. So much for ignoring his presence.
He watched water batter the soap where it laid motionless on the floor, disputing whether or not to bend down and pick it up.
Soubi chuckled as he saw emotions warring in Ritsuka’s flushed face, and decided to save him the trouble by picking up the soap instead.
A dark red blush flared on Ritsuka’s face as he watched Soubi bend down to get the soap. He had never observed Soubi’s body like this; their limbs had always been too close and tangled for him to get a good look. His blush burned deeper as he unsuccessfully tried to divert his eyes elsewhere. Just as Soubi’s hand reached the soap, his eyes caught sight of something odd.
“Soubi, did you get a tattoo?”
He squinted his eyes to make out the pattern on his thigh. There, just beneath the curve of Soubi’s hips, the word LOVELESS stood out in neat, precise lettering.
-The End-
Gloomy: Hehehe...that’s right peeps, don’t you just love me for ending it that way? Muahhahaha >3
Vyver: *blinks* Touche Glooms, touche.
Summary: Soubi and Ritsuka strive to strengthen their connection, but what if that's not enough? Sequel to Deepening the Bond by my partner in crime, Vyver (nofio ).
Warnings: NC-17, Yaoi, Shota (beware, kiddies =^^=)
Disclaimer: I think we all know that LOVELESS doesn't belong to me.
Dedication: For you Vyv! Thanks for writing the first one. Here’s the sequel I owe you. To my lovely mistress (for now) and her wonderful support/suggestions/ideas. Enjoy reading this little piece of smut 'cause I sure enjoyed writing it :P
BONDLESS
by Gloomy_Gloo
An ache. A numbing but unquestionable ache coursed through him, spreading from the center of his heart to other muscles in his body like poison through blood.
Just when I made him mine…
He closed his eyes in hope that, when he opened them, the scar would become just another ghost of his memory. Yet, even behind the darkness of his lids, it tormented him, the word that could outdo innumerable blades: Loveless.
Just bite your tongue, hold in the pain; don’t cry out.
But this wasn’t pain. No, pain was the sting of a whip, or the burn of fire, or the throb of an ice shard through his palm. This was something wholly different. This feeling crawled inside his heart like a parasite, making him want to tear his own body apart.
He had no defenses against this.
It was his fault in the end, for wanting to claim Ritsuka completely when he had known from the beginning that, no matter what he did, Ritsuka would never truly become his. Never only his.
They were not destined. A pair that strove to stay together without the blessing of fate, what a joke... though that time, when their bodies were joined, he could imagine them being one. Fate might have prepared another for Ritsuka, but the bond that they shared this night was theirs alone to treasure.
No matter who might come between them, he would always be the one who took his tail and ears, he would always be the first to know how Ritsuka felt from the inside. Not even fate could change that.
He took solace and pride in that moment of possessiveness; however, when he opened his eyes and caught sight of the scar, the parasite in his heart dug another hole.
“…Soubi…”
At the moan of his name, Soubi diverted his gaze to Ritsuka’s still-sleeping figure. Face haloed by messy strands of hair and skin still stained with a soft pink from his earlier pleasure, Ritsuka was an angel that could reverse time. Watching him made it seem as if the scar never appeared, as if his heart never ached, as if they could pretend to be one forever.
Moan only my name in your sleep. See only me in your dreams. Cry out for me alone when you’re at the brink of ecstasy.
It was impossible of course. Time could never be reversed. This scar mocked him so, reminding him that someone else’s name would soon replace his. That person would become the one Ritsuka dreamed of, the one Ritsuka would cry out for when-
He gritted his teeth and tightened his fists. Imagining Ritsuka with another, doing what they just did, was enough to strip him of sanity. Before he had noticed, his palms were already cut opened with bloody crescents.
Is the carving of a word on skin so powerful that it can either push two people together or pull them apart?
He traced each letter with his fingertips softly, mesmerized by its power, its threat. With his free hand, he reached up to feel his own name around his neck.
‘Beloved’ no longer had meaning to him. If such a name would cause he and Ritsuka to separate, he would much rather be ‘Loveless’ instead.
“If only your everything could become mine.” He breathed out his longing as he continued to mindlessly trace the letters on Ritsuka.
“What are you doing?” Voice hoarse from sleep, eyes still half-hooded, Ritsuka lifted his head up only to see Soubi straddling his thighs. "Pervert!”
An angry red flush quickly replaced the pink glow on Ritsuka’s cheeks. His eyes darkened as he felt fingers tickling across the back of his legs.
“Soubi, stop it...”
As he commanded, the touches abruptly ceased, though unexpected tingles remained at spots where the fingers stroked. Breathing uneven, Ritsuka’s head dropped back onto the pillows, eyes closed in attempt to will away his wants. He was almost asleep again when he suddenly felt a hot mouth on his skin. His eyes snapped open.
“Soubi!”
Licks circled beneath his thighs, tracing patterns. Soubi’s tongue flickered out to taste him, leaving wet trails where their bodies touched.
He licked the scar as if doing so would make it heal. He wanted to possess it, to take it from Ritsuka’s body and into his own. His actions did not halt even as Ritsuka cried out his name in surprise. He could hear gasps of ‘stop’ and ‘Soubi’, but they were not orders, and he did not stop.
He finally drew away after he finished tracing the curve of the final letter with his tongue. He looked up to see Ritsuka’s face flushed cherry red, eyes shut again and perspiration rolling down his temples. His Ritsuka was so sensitive.
He moved up to lean over the boy, the urge to take him irresistible - he was so near, his heat pulling him close, skin flushed from arousal - it was all too enticing.
His hand reached up to brush the boy’s bangs behind his ears.
“Ritsuka…”
He lowered his face onto Ritsuka’s neck to ravish the skin under his ears. The body beneath him squirmed, and he pulled away for a second to look into eyes full of questions, embarrassment and innocent desire completely unlike his own desperate, possessive lust.
“Allow me to be selfish for tonight,” he whispered as he returned to the spot by Ritsuka’s ears.
His tongue dipped back onto his neck and suckled until a stamp of red mark emerged on his pale skin.
“Soubi, what are you talking about…didn’t we just…stop it…”
He felt small hands on his chest, trying to push him off with the lack of conviction that only lured him closer.
Ritsuka was ensnared in Soubi’s arms, a prey without escape.
Hands snaked their way down his body to peel the blankets away, leaving him exposed to Soubi’s advancing hands.
“Soubi…,” Ritsuka moaned as one of the hands found its way between his legs. Everything was happening too fast. Didn’t they just do this a few hours ago? His body down there was still sensitive from his last climax, skin still responsive to every caress.
Soubi had never acted like this before. He was usually so cool, so subservient, but when their eyes met moments ago, he had seen a desperate, heated want. Now, Soubi’s hands, Soubi’s lips, Soubi’s hair-they were all over him. Everywhere he turned, Soubi was there, touching him, kissing him…it was all too much for his mind to bear.
He could only feel - a mouth on his nipple, tongue flicking over it back and forth while a thumb rubbed across the other in circular motions. Another hand busied itself around his desire, engulfing him in a hot grip as it stroked up and down. His muscles tightened as his nerves flared with pleasure. Just something more and he would surely…
All lips and hands suddenly withdrew from him, and he opened one eye in confusion. Just as he was about to question, his body was flipped so that he kneeled on the bed with his backside toward the ceiling.
“Soubi, what are you…”
Warm oil poured onto his bottom, seeping down and into crease of his opening. Ritsuka jerked from the intimate contact, but before he could get used to the extra layer coating his skin, a finger probed him deep inside.
The oil plus the residue of their previous body fluids helped ease it in, though Ritsuka still could not help but cry out and wriggle at the intrusion. He subconsciously gripped down, feeling its shape and texture from the inside. Another hand reached around his thighs and took hold of his length once more, thumb rubbing across the tip. Ritsuka let out a moan as his head reared away from reason. The finger inside him began to move, in and out, in and out, consistent with the up and down strokes around his arousal.
“I can’t…Soubi…no…”
Fragmented sentences were all he could conjure. He was so close. The finger inside him stopped momentarily while another was added. It slipped in just as easily as the first, and hit a spot that made Ritsuka arch his back and come.
Soubi watched as the boy pressed back against his hand and spent himself onto the bed sheets; it was a mesmerizing view for his eyes alone.
He took out his fingers and watched as Ritsuka supported his weight with his elbows, panting and eyes dazed, his bottom sticking up in the air invitingly. Such a delectable position, if only the scar under his thighs wasn’t so evident. His heart ached again at the sight of those letters.
In one motion, he grabbed Ritsuka’s hips on each side and positioned against him, teasing his opening with the tip. He could tell that Ritsuka hadn’t recovered; his eyes were still not fully focused, his mind not catching up with what he was about to do.
“I love you, Ritsuka.”
With that, he impaled the boy with a single, fluid thrust. There were no pauses while he waited for him to accommodate like last time. There was no need. Ritsuka was already slick and open for him. For him. Only him.
Ritsuka yelped as he felt an intrusion inside his body. It was somehow different than the last time; slow, gentle thrusts were replaced with fast and hard ones, the soft pillows that had supported his head were now beneath his stomach to support his weight while he kneeled and took the pressure from behind. Even Soubi was acting differently- reassuring, careful Soubi was now so passionate and rushed.
He moaned when a particularly deep thrust bumped his pleasure spot. His body was responding even though it was still weak from his previous climaxes. Soubi’s touches threatened to bring him over the brink again- fingers pinching his nipples, hand stroking him back to hardness. Each thrust seemed deeper than the last, and even as his head spun from the assault on his senses, he pushed back to meet the rabid pace.
The bliss ravishing his body almost made Soubi forget the ache in his heart. Inside of Ritsuka, he could feel secure - Ritsuka was still his to possess, still his to claim, his to enjoy and pleasure. He would not let anyone else have him.
In a moment of possessiveness, he plunged hard into the body in front of him, forcing a moan from the boy.
“Ritsuka,” he groaned out, “I’m already yours.” He leaned forward to murmur into his ear, “Say that you’re mine.”
He almost did not recognize his own voice, hoarse with longing. His only objective at that point was to hear those two words: I’m yours.
“Say it.” He tilted the boy’s head toward his, meeting glazed, half-lidded eyes, signs of someone far-gone from reality. If he wanted a response, he would have to bring him back to his senses.
He stopped his movements abruptly, hearing Ritsuka’s soft wail in response.
“Soubi…don’t stop…”
Tight muscles clenched down on his arousal and he almost went mindless.
If Ritsuka continues to press like that…
He pulled out of the boy completely.
“Say it, Ritsuka. Say that you’re mine.”
Ritsuka gasped as Soubi slid out of his body. He could barely register what the man was saying; he just wanted the flesh and heat back in him to replace the emptiness.
“I’m yours."
Immediately, he was flipped onto his back once again, and the emptiness was filled with a deep, burning presence. He cried out and wrapped his legs around Soubi’s waist, tiny hands fisted in the bed sheets by his head.
Hearing those words from Ritsuka’s lips made his illusion all the more real and he turned the boy onto his back to enter him with a renewed fervor.
“Soubi!”
It was his name he cried out. Ritsuka belonged to him.
You’re mine.
With a last wild thrust, he buried himself inside Ritsuka and came. The boy, in turn, jerked in his hands and spurted fluids over both of their bodies.
Still connected, he pulled them both up into a sitting position so that he would not burden the boy with his weight. Ritsuka’s legs were wrapped around his waist even now, his head on his chest, breathing ragged and flesh flushed.
They held each other that way for uncounted minutes, mingling their sweats, breaths, and limbs. He did not want to let go, did not want to lose his illusion. He wanted to be joined with Ritsuka forever.
But it couldn’t last. He felt the texture of the scar rub around his waist as the body atop him shifted.
“Ritsuka, what will you do if your Fighter appears?”
Ritsuka’s head snapped up and Soubi felt eyes study him. The question must have seemed sudden and out of place.
“Why are you asking this now, Soubi?” he asked, curiosity and a hint of confusion evident in his voice.
Soubi ignored his question, wanting to hear only an answer. “You would abandon me, right?” He kept his face turned to the side so he could avoid seeing the conflict in Ritsuka’s expression.
“Soubi, you idiot!”
He started in surprise; anger was the last emotion he ever expected in reply. He glanced back at Ritsuka to see the boy glaring at him defiantly.
“How many times do I have to say it? I don’t care about stupid names. People stay with each other because they want to, not because of fate or destiny! It’s the person’s decision that determines his actions.”
A faint, bittersweet smile crossed his lips upon hearing such words. His Ritsuka, as strong-minded as ever. Also as naïve as ever. He did not know the true power of destiny. Names did, indeed, determine fate. Individual will did not matter. Someday, he would know this, and when he did, they would bid their last goodbye.
“Why don’t you understand, Soubi? Why do you care about a name so much?”
Anger turned into frustration. His voice lowered in defeat as he realized that Soubi would not change the way he thought no matter what he said to him. If only he could understand. If only names never existed.
He moved his face forward until he was inches away from the scar on Soubi’s neck. That time in battle when it began to bleed, he had felt an urge to soothe it. He had that same urge now. Hesitantly, he extended his tongue and pressed it against the rough texture of the scar. Soubi stiffened in surprise.
“Ritsuka…if you don’t stop, I might have to take you again.”
The boy quickly drew away and blushed, already too exhausted for another round.
“How about we go take a shower and get some sleep instead?” Soubi suggested with an understanding smile. He could take him at any time, but the boy was fatigued beyond his limits for tonight. He did not want to tire him out further.
“A shower…together?” Tone suspicious, Ritsuka regarded Soubi with wary eyes as he considered the option.
“Ah, I won’t try anything, I promise.”
Ritsuka knew that he shouldn’t believe Soubi so easily. After all, he had already been lied to and betrayed many times. But, just once more, he would give him his trust.
-----
The tickle of hot water on his skin felt more soothing than expected. Soft foam from the soap removed the different layers of fluids from his skin, returning it to a clean, fresh state.
It was slightly uncomfortable at first with Soubi washing his own body so close to his, but once the soothing steam hugged his skin and the water massaged his muscles, he all but forgot the presence of the other.
“Do you want me to wash your back for you?” Soubi’s voice startled him out of his reverie, and he dropped the soap in surprise. So much for ignoring his presence.
He watched water batter the soap where it laid motionless on the floor, disputing whether or not to bend down and pick it up.
Soubi chuckled as he saw emotions warring in Ritsuka’s flushed face, and decided to save him the trouble by picking up the soap instead.
A dark red blush flared on Ritsuka’s face as he watched Soubi bend down to get the soap. He had never observed Soubi’s body like this; their limbs had always been too close and tangled for him to get a good look. His blush burned deeper as he unsuccessfully tried to divert his eyes elsewhere. Just as Soubi’s hand reached the soap, his eyes caught sight of something odd.
“Soubi, did you get a tattoo?”
He squinted his eyes to make out the pattern on his thigh. There, just beneath the curve of Soubi’s hips, the word LOVELESS stood out in neat, precise lettering.
-The End-
Gloomy: Hehehe...that’s right peeps, don’t you just love me for ending it that way? Muahhahaha >3
Vyver: *blinks* Touche Glooms, touche.