Log: Dreaming~
Who: Atobe (Kite, Atobe's grandma)
What: Atobe introduces Kite to his late grandma.
When: Tonight
Notes: All dialogue in this log is in English.
”Ah, William.” Atobe gathered all his courage as he stepped into his grandma’s favourite sitting room, finding the old lady sitting in an armchair, attended to by a maid. “What’s this you said in your letter about finding someone?”
“Exactly what it sounds like, Grandma.” Atobe smiled, just a bit. She would approve, he was sure about that. She had to. “I… believe I have found someone I can share my life with. Someone I want to share it with.” …But if she would approve, why was he feeling so strangely uneasy? As though something was going to go wrong any moment now? Surely it was just his paranoia…
“Oh, really?” Caroline Sherard’s eyebrows flew high towards her hairline. “Well, well. I would quite like to meet the person who has so caught your heart, William. It wasn’t that long ago that you swore never to meddle with such uncertain and messy things as love and affection.”
“Let’s just say I have… come to know better.” Atobe smirked slightly, trying to shake off the last lingering bits of uneasiness. “And I thought you might request that. That’s why I took the liberty of bringing said person along.” He glanced back towards the half-open door, nodding in a signal. As the other stepped into the room, he added, “Grandma… this is Kite Eishirou, my lover.”
For a moment she simply looked at Kite. Looked at the tall, tanned, muscular form that was so very different from that of her grandson, yet in some ways so very similar. Atobe was grateful to notice Kite bore this inspection calmly, not batting an eye as the old lady kept staring at him for just a moment longer than might have been passed as a casual examination. It was quite understandable, really. It wasn’t every day your favourite grandson came out of the closet in such a spectacular fashion.
Finally, however, Caroline just sighed a bit, though not in disappointment. Leaning back in her armchair, she allowed a small smirk take over her face. “Oh, really,” she said. “I can’t really say I’m all that surprised. I wasn’t exactly counting on you to be the first one to make me a great-grandmother.”
“You know me too well,” Atobe said with a small smile. And, is seemed, he knew her just well enough. He didn’t know what he would have done if it’d turned out she didn’t approve, instead. “As it stands, you’ll have to see some rather big changes in the Japanese laws happen before I’m going to gift you with the pitter-patter of little feet. Never mind that we’re still in high school.” But maybe, just maybe, some day…
“Indeed. If you had children now, one way or another, I would be rather disappointed.” Then, she turned her gaze back towards Kite. “So, Kite… Kite-kun, is it? Not that I’m questioning my grandson’s choices, but what exactly is it that drew you to him? Glad as I am to see him so happy, I’m not about to let you give him that happiness for the wrong motives.”
“I take it you’re concerned I might only be interested in him for his fortune,” Kite replied smoothly in his nigh-perfect English, though his American accent was quite different from the perfectly refined RP of the other two. “However, you need not concern yourself with that. It’s his pride and beauty and personality that attracted me, not his money. Even if he were a mere beggar, I would still love him.” Pure sincerity radiated from his voice, convincing Atobe just as well as his grandmother. Not that Atobe had ever doubted Kite’d motives, but to see it said aloud so clearly was… pleasant. Very pleasant, in fact.
Caroline scrutinized Kite for another moment before finally nodding slowly. “Excellent. It seems William has indeed made a good choice.” After a pause, though, she asked sharply, “And what exactly are your intentions with him?”
Though Atobe was almost startled at such a question - he wasn’t some deflowered maiden to be made an honest woman out of, for Christ’s sake - Kite appeared unfazed. “To cherish him and love him and remain by his side until death do us part,” he replied calmly. “I would be delighted to marry him once we’re older, should he agree to that, but even without that I see myself spending my life with him.”
“An excellent answer.” And suddenly, Caroline gave them one of her very rare, honestly friendly smiles. Even Atobe, her favourite grandchild though he was, could only recall seeing it a handful of times. Usually she stuck to her more refined smiles or just the tiny little smirks that were among the many things Atobe had inherited from her. “I think I’ll be safe in leaving him to your hands when I pass away, myself. I’d hate to think that my passing would leave him alone with those beasts he calls family.”
“For his sake, I hope such a time won’t come for ages yet,” Kite replied seriously even as he reached out an arm to wrap it around Atobe’s shoulders, bringing him close. “But in any case, I’m honoured at your trust.”
“As you well should be.” …Indeed, the smirks weren’t the only thing Atobe had inherited. “And William… I’m proud of you. Proud that you would dare make a choice that so obviously will not please your parents. Whatever they say when they find out… I want you to know you have my full support.” She reached both of her hands to grasp on one of Atobe’s. “You are my chosen heir, William. Don’t disappoint me, now. Promise me you will pursue your own life… not the one your father would shape for you.”
Atobe swallowed. Something in her tone made him realize this was, indeed, something very serious. “I promise,” he said quietly. “I promise I will live my own life… my own life, with Eishirou.”
“Excellent.” She smiled again, the tiny diamond studs in her ears glinting as she tilted her head minutely. They caught Atobe’s eye, mostly because she generally preferred more impressive jewellery. “You’ve certainly made an excellent choice, William,” she said. “I just wish I could be here to see it.”
“What?” Atobe blinked in surprise. “What do you mean, you wish? Aren’t you -“ And then, it hit him. That feeling of uneasiness was back, stronger than ever - because suddenly, he knew what was wrong. Knew what shouldn’t have been.
“Remember your promise, William.” She then pushed herself out of her chair, so incredibly easily, she did, leaning forward to press a single, gentle kiss on his forehead. “And remember,” she whispered, “that no matter what you choose… I’m proud of you.” And with this, she simply faded away.
Atobe looked on in panic as his grandma, the maid, the sitting room, all disappeared. He closed his eyes momentarily, and suddenly, he was in another place. A warm place, and dark, nothing clear to be seen even as he forced his eyes open again. It wasn’t until a second later that even his sharp eyes could make out the figures in the nigh-complete darkness. The silent face before his, the familiar surroundings of his room at the camp. Their room.
The warmth moved just a bit as Kite stirred momentarily only to go right back to sleep. His arm was reached out around Atobe’s waist to keep him close, their legs tangled in that special way that never ceased to amaze him for the simple fact that it meant Kite willingly giving up some of his freedom of movement just to be close to him. Kite was here, close and warm and loving… His Kite. His Eishirou.
But not his grandma. Never again his grandma. He would never get the chance to introduce Kite to her… except perhaps at her grave. He would never actually hear that voice saying those words… but that was okay. Because he knew that somehow, somewhere… she had said them. And that was all that mattered to him.
If Kite had stirred awake at that exact moment, he might have found his lover’s face wet with tears as Atobe snuggled even closer to him, seeking reassurance that he at least would not leave. However, had his eyes penetrated the darkness, he would have also noticed the tiny smile on Atobe’s face.
What: Atobe introduces Kite to his late grandma.
When: Tonight
Notes: All dialogue in this log is in English.
”Ah, William.” Atobe gathered all his courage as he stepped into his grandma’s favourite sitting room, finding the old lady sitting in an armchair, attended to by a maid. “What’s this you said in your letter about finding someone?”
“Exactly what it sounds like, Grandma.” Atobe smiled, just a bit. She would approve, he was sure about that. She had to. “I… believe I have found someone I can share my life with. Someone I want to share it with.” …But if she would approve, why was he feeling so strangely uneasy? As though something was going to go wrong any moment now? Surely it was just his paranoia…
“Oh, really?” Caroline Sherard’s eyebrows flew high towards her hairline. “Well, well. I would quite like to meet the person who has so caught your heart, William. It wasn’t that long ago that you swore never to meddle with such uncertain and messy things as love and affection.”
“Let’s just say I have… come to know better.” Atobe smirked slightly, trying to shake off the last lingering bits of uneasiness. “And I thought you might request that. That’s why I took the liberty of bringing said person along.” He glanced back towards the half-open door, nodding in a signal. As the other stepped into the room, he added, “Grandma… this is Kite Eishirou, my lover.”
For a moment she simply looked at Kite. Looked at the tall, tanned, muscular form that was so very different from that of her grandson, yet in some ways so very similar. Atobe was grateful to notice Kite bore this inspection calmly, not batting an eye as the old lady kept staring at him for just a moment longer than might have been passed as a casual examination. It was quite understandable, really. It wasn’t every day your favourite grandson came out of the closet in such a spectacular fashion.
Finally, however, Caroline just sighed a bit, though not in disappointment. Leaning back in her armchair, she allowed a small smirk take over her face. “Oh, really,” she said. “I can’t really say I’m all that surprised. I wasn’t exactly counting on you to be the first one to make me a great-grandmother.”
“You know me too well,” Atobe said with a small smile. And, is seemed, he knew her just well enough. He didn’t know what he would have done if it’d turned out she didn’t approve, instead. “As it stands, you’ll have to see some rather big changes in the Japanese laws happen before I’m going to gift you with the pitter-patter of little feet. Never mind that we’re still in high school.” But maybe, just maybe, some day…
“Indeed. If you had children now, one way or another, I would be rather disappointed.” Then, she turned her gaze back towards Kite. “So, Kite… Kite-kun, is it? Not that I’m questioning my grandson’s choices, but what exactly is it that drew you to him? Glad as I am to see him so happy, I’m not about to let you give him that happiness for the wrong motives.”
“I take it you’re concerned I might only be interested in him for his fortune,” Kite replied smoothly in his nigh-perfect English, though his American accent was quite different from the perfectly refined RP of the other two. “However, you need not concern yourself with that. It’s his pride and beauty and personality that attracted me, not his money. Even if he were a mere beggar, I would still love him.” Pure sincerity radiated from his voice, convincing Atobe just as well as his grandmother. Not that Atobe had ever doubted Kite’d motives, but to see it said aloud so clearly was… pleasant. Very pleasant, in fact.
Caroline scrutinized Kite for another moment before finally nodding slowly. “Excellent. It seems William has indeed made a good choice.” After a pause, though, she asked sharply, “And what exactly are your intentions with him?”
Though Atobe was almost startled at such a question - he wasn’t some deflowered maiden to be made an honest woman out of, for Christ’s sake - Kite appeared unfazed. “To cherish him and love him and remain by his side until death do us part,” he replied calmly. “I would be delighted to marry him once we’re older, should he agree to that, but even without that I see myself spending my life with him.”
“An excellent answer.” And suddenly, Caroline gave them one of her very rare, honestly friendly smiles. Even Atobe, her favourite grandchild though he was, could only recall seeing it a handful of times. Usually she stuck to her more refined smiles or just the tiny little smirks that were among the many things Atobe had inherited from her. “I think I’ll be safe in leaving him to your hands when I pass away, myself. I’d hate to think that my passing would leave him alone with those beasts he calls family.”
“For his sake, I hope such a time won’t come for ages yet,” Kite replied seriously even as he reached out an arm to wrap it around Atobe’s shoulders, bringing him close. “But in any case, I’m honoured at your trust.”
“As you well should be.” …Indeed, the smirks weren’t the only thing Atobe had inherited. “And William… I’m proud of you. Proud that you would dare make a choice that so obviously will not please your parents. Whatever they say when they find out… I want you to know you have my full support.” She reached both of her hands to grasp on one of Atobe’s. “You are my chosen heir, William. Don’t disappoint me, now. Promise me you will pursue your own life… not the one your father would shape for you.”
Atobe swallowed. Something in her tone made him realize this was, indeed, something very serious. “I promise,” he said quietly. “I promise I will live my own life… my own life, with Eishirou.”
“Excellent.” She smiled again, the tiny diamond studs in her ears glinting as she tilted her head minutely. They caught Atobe’s eye, mostly because she generally preferred more impressive jewellery. “You’ve certainly made an excellent choice, William,” she said. “I just wish I could be here to see it.”
“What?” Atobe blinked in surprise. “What do you mean, you wish? Aren’t you -“ And then, it hit him. That feeling of uneasiness was back, stronger than ever - because suddenly, he knew what was wrong. Knew what shouldn’t have been.
“Remember your promise, William.” She then pushed herself out of her chair, so incredibly easily, she did, leaning forward to press a single, gentle kiss on his forehead. “And remember,” she whispered, “that no matter what you choose… I’m proud of you.” And with this, she simply faded away.
Atobe looked on in panic as his grandma, the maid, the sitting room, all disappeared. He closed his eyes momentarily, and suddenly, he was in another place. A warm place, and dark, nothing clear to be seen even as he forced his eyes open again. It wasn’t until a second later that even his sharp eyes could make out the figures in the nigh-complete darkness. The silent face before his, the familiar surroundings of his room at the camp. Their room.
The warmth moved just a bit as Kite stirred momentarily only to go right back to sleep. His arm was reached out around Atobe’s waist to keep him close, their legs tangled in that special way that never ceased to amaze him for the simple fact that it meant Kite willingly giving up some of his freedom of movement just to be close to him. Kite was here, close and warm and loving… His Kite. His Eishirou.
But not his grandma. Never again his grandma. He would never get the chance to introduce Kite to her… except perhaps at her grave. He would never actually hear that voice saying those words… but that was okay. Because he knew that somehow, somewhere… she had said them. And that was all that mattered to him.
If Kite had stirred awake at that exact moment, he might have found his lover’s face wet with tears as Atobe snuggled even closer to him, seeking reassurance that he at least would not leave. However, had his eyes penetrated the darkness, he would have also noticed the tiny smile on Atobe’s face.