RP Log: Zaizen & Kenya
Date: December 18th
Rating: PG
Summary: Kenya decides it's time to confront Zaizen about his tired appearance and weight loss and they get into a little verbal scuffle over a few things.
Oshitari Kenya sat staring at his text book, the words on the pristine pages blurring together and making little sense as he sat brooding, distracted from his task of studying for an upcoming test. He could hear Zaizen in the small kitchen their apartment sported, the sound of cabinet doors opening and closing telling him well enough that his best friend had not quite accomplished the goal of filling his empty stomach, as if the absent smell of food cooking wasn't enough to get that point across. Lately, he got the idea that he was missing something important. In fact, that feeling persisted more and more as the days wore on, because as they did so did the sensation of suspicion even now tangling his stomach into knots.
Zaizen was hiding something from him, he was sure of it!
He frowned as this thought scurried through his mind, the fingers wrapped around a so far unused pencil tightening until the slender reed of wood and lead snapped beneath the pressure, anger and anxiety winding its way through every cell of his being. He couldn't really say why this prospect pissed him off so much, but it was true that it did. In fact, it made him so mad that he saw red right then, and had to resort to a slow count down from twenty to one, before he went marching to the kitchen and demanded that his roommate told him what the hell was going on.
Zaizen Hikaru had gone through the fridge and cupboards three times before deciding to just make a sandwich and be done with the whole hunt. Bread, meat, cheese, and mayo were all sitting on the counter surrounding the cutting board and waiting for the young man to start assembling his dinner masterpiece when Kenya stormed in. “What is it this time?” There was always something with his friend even if that something was nothing to most people but Kenya’s temper had a way of making the smallest of things into the largest. Zaizen wasn’t even sure where to begin guessing what this lecture or complaint would be about this time and decided to just let the blonde babble on as he began working on his sandwich.
He was amazed he still had the patience to put up with that habit given everything he was going through lately with school, two jobs, and now feeding a vampire. Yet somehow, there he was, still Kenya’s best friend and roommate and even his voice of reason when the mood struck either of them to give the advice or listen. Maybe that was his own habit, Zaizen thought, slapping the cheese down on a slice of bread. Kenya’s habit was to fly off the handle and his habit was to put up with it and shoot the blonde down.
Kenya stopped in his tracks, eyes of darkest midnight locking on the friend he had known since his earliest memories of childhood. Perhaps it was the tone of voice that gave him pause, the long suffering note of exasperation that made it sound as if Zaizen were steeling himself for whatever came out of his mouth, preparing to shoot down a wayward child with sharp words and even sharper reprimands. It almost sounded as if he didn't want to deal with him, but would because there was nothing else to do but ignore him. "Nothing." He grumbled in answer, cheeks heating with the shot of displeasure these thoughts brought.
Damn it, if Zaizen was tired of putting up with him then he didn't have to!
He would bite off his tongue before he opened his fucking mouth and told him he hadn't missed spying the little marks left behind on his neck. Those goddamn love bites that told him more than just talk was going on with Kurobane that inevitably pissed Kenya off even more each time he saw one. He wasn't going to mention a thing about how pale he was starting to look, or that it seemed like weight was being lost that could ill afford to be lost since his best friend had always been a little on the thin side. Nicely muscled but still thin, even if that sleek, well defined look was sort of sexy and seemed to catch Kenya's eye more and more lately, though he swore he was just appreciating the fact that Zaizen took good care of himself and paid attention to his body refusing to let it go like some people. Though, he wasn't so sure about that taking good care of himself part anymore with how tired and weary his friend was starting to look as the days drew on.
“Liar,” Zaizen replied without hesitation or looking up from his soon to be dinner. Kenya, while he believed he was an excellent liar, really wasn’t. There was a tone in his voice or the look in dark eyes that always gave him away to the man that had grown up with him and watched him more than he knew. Saying that out loud would be extremely creepy, Zaizen realized with a small smile that only his sandwich saw, but anyone that knew him knew he liked watching people to learn more about their habits or weaknesses. He didn’t do it daily or with everyone but someone that appeared to be of importance in one way or another to him earned that honour of having green eyes on them. Kenya, naturally, always held that gaze though the brunette refused to believe there was any other reason than friendship. It certainly wasn’t because of a secret crush that started when he was about fifteen and fully awakening into sexuality but not stupid enough to act on it. That watching of Kenya had told him quite clearly his friend preferred girls and would freak out in an instant if a move was made on him.
Where was his mind wandering to? Slapping on the mayo to the empty slice of bread, that slice quickly made its home on top of the cheese and meat already piled high and a knife came out to slice it in half; diagonally. “You cam stomping in here like you were on a mission and don’t try to tell me it’s for my sandwich either because while it is something you would do, I know you well enough to know you want to say something. You’ve been giving me these looks for weeks now.” With that said, Zaizen grabbed a half of the sandwich and took a large bite from it, staring expectedly at his friend for an answer.
"I haven't been watching… " his mouth opened automatically to deny the charge, words tumbling out before he realized just how incriminating they were. Once he did, which was almost too late to hide a thing, Kenya snapped him mouth shut, counted to ten while damning this flush of red that marred lightly tanned cheeks. "I have not!" he heatedly denied, hoping the forceful expulsion of a denial would completely obliterate his fumbling screw up of before and keep hidden the fact that he'd been secretly keeping an eye on his best friend whenever he was in view. Lately, he couldn't seem to keep his gaze from tracking the brunette around a room, always seeming to seek him out and follow his every move. Kenya told himself it was only because he was worried that the dumb barbarian Zaizen worked for had done something bad to the guy, even though he couldn't quite imagine what that bad thing could be.
Okay, maybe he could imagine a hell of a lot of bad things Kurobane could be doing with Zaizen. In fact, his brain had already gone waltzing down that route leaving Kenya feeling the oddest combination of worry, displeasure, unhappiness, and anger. If he couldn't seem to keep his eyes off his best friend it was only because of that worry and certainly not because he hadn't been able to get that stupid kiss in his hospital room out of his head, nor did it have anything to do with those weird dreams he'd been having lately, because he most definitely did not lust after a guy! No, he hadn't. Oshitari Kenya liked his women on the voluptuous side. He liked them with long legs, curves in all the right places, and tits to make a man's mouth water. And while he had a habit of choosing some pretty racy women to turn his attention on, the truth was he had a huge thing for those with just a touch of innocence, which was the way those kind of girls would always stay, because he certainly wasn't going to sully some innocent young lady's heart and life with all the fucked up baggage he carried in the recesses of his mind. So, no, he wasn't carrying around some secret torch for his best friend spawned during a night of pain and anxious fear when he lay half dead from drugs in a hospital bed while attentive hands ran a sponge over his body. Na uh, no way, now how!
“Whatever,” it was his favourite reply for dismissing a conversation he grew bored with or a denial he didn’t really care to keep fighting over. Whether or not Kenya was watching him when he entered a room or even as he slept-as creepy as that sounded and was a habit for a certain vampire he knew-wasn’t that big of a deal to get into a scuffle over, so Zaizen took to focusing on his sandwich and eating in silence. If his friend wanted to tell him what was on his mind, then he would. If he didn’t, the brunette knew this particular blonde would be back soon enough after letting it simmer for a while longer until he couldn’t stand it and had to say something. If something pissed Kenya off that something and everyone within ear shot was going to know.
“But if you’re gonna watch me eat, you might as well be eating too. Less weird that way,” Zaizen hated being watched while he was the only one eating and though he wanted to stay silent until Kenya decided to speak, that had to be said. Then again, Kenya should have known that already but it never hurt to remind the guy of things.
Oh! He fucking hated when Zaizen did that 'Whatever' thing, Kenya fumed in silence. His gaze darkened with his annoyance, teeth snapping audibly when he shut his mouth. He grit them together hard, hoping to stop the flex of jaw and grinding of teeth that would give away just how mad he got when he heard that word said in just that way from this particular person. "I ain't the one that needs to eat," he grounded out with a sharp, annoyed look toward the brunette just a few feet away from him. "You look like a starving bird or some shit."
"And I didn't come in here to watch you eat," he snarled taking the first stomping step of the few that would lead him toward the fridge where he tossed the door open and snatched out the first thing his hand came into contact with. Realizing that it was a carton of orange juice, Kenya went through the motions of opening it. "I came to get something to drink!" Fuck, he hated how childish he sounded with that so there note coloring his tone, but damn, did Zaizen have a way of sparking his temper with just a turn of phrase sometimes. And it didn't help that he'd been worrying about the asshole for weeks and had, indeed, been watching him while trying to pretend (even to himself) that he wasn't.
Zaizen was halfway through a bite, teeth sinking through the layers, when Kenya’s insult hit him. Slowly he tore away the mouthful and chewed quietly as green eyes drifted from sandwich to wrists and even to his shirt covered torso. He had lost a few pounds but didn’t think it was that noticeable but then, Kenya did sleep in his bed most nights and would have seen the other man in boxers and sometimes a tee to see the truth. “I’m not starving,” he protested in a normal tone, being sure to keep his worrying from his voice so Kenya didn’t know he had struck a nerve and was starting to walk toward a conversation Zaizen never wanted to have with him.
“Don’t start with the lecture on working too hard either. You know mom and dad only cover the rent and we need the cash for everything else,” he hated making excuses even when it was more of a point than covering for something. He knew he was losing sleep from taking more hours at Bleeding Moon and VampTracks but it was the holiday season where his help was needed and the money was needed for gifts. Both places also paid damn well and Zaizen liked the idea of having more to save away for any reason he needed it later on, including bailing Kenya out of whatever trouble he landed in or to help his friend get an idea off the ground.
But the work and school weren’t the only things taking away his rest time. Feeding Bane, though not as often as Zaizen thought it would be, took a lot out of him. Bane was a big vampire and perhaps he needed more blood to feel full or perhaps his feeder was just weak and felt drained even after a little blood was lost. Either way, Zaizen felt the effects and it added to the condition he was currently in with his weight loss and the lack of sleep.
“Anyway, maybe you think I’m too skinny because you’re putting on weight from eating everything,” he had to get a snarky comment in to make their conversation more natural and to show nothing was wrong and that he acknowledged Kenya’s excuse for coming into the kitchen.
"I have not! I weigh the same as always," he snapped harshly spurred on by the bite of guilt his friend's words made him feel. Was he the reason why Zaizen was working so much? Was his being there more a burden than a help? Kenya frowned, inwardly writhing with uncertainty. He paid his share of the bills and always footed half the grocery money too. Was there more that he should be doing to help that would make things easier on his best friend so he wouldn't have to work himself into the ground?
"And I'm not dumb," he said trying to switch the subject back to the original topic which was Zaizen and the weight he had shed. He didn't pay much attention to where he discarded the carton of juice, knowing only that it didn't fall to the floor and splatter everywhere, so it must have made it to a countertop safely, when he zeroed in a slender wrist and took it in hand. Kenya gave Zaizen's wrist a small tug, roughly calloused fingers left worn and hardened from too many hours doing manual work that involved turning one too many wrenches. "You're bonier than before, and should eat more before you get sick!" he pointed out on a huff of breath, turning that wrist to prove his point as it was, indeed, just a little thinner and bonier than it had been months before the asshole Kurobane entered his friend's life.
“It ain’t like I’m dying,” Zaizen shot back as he pulled his wrist free of Kenya’s grasp and out of his judging view. “So I lost some weight but I’m fine. You should know that I wouldn’t let something happen to me,” he was getting annoyed with this conversation but not at Kenya for starting it but for not finding a way out of it without having to use the truth. There was no way in hell he wanted to do that and was beginning to see his only option was to accept his friend’s concern and accusations and promise to eat more and look after himself. It was a promise he could keep since it was something he was more or less doing now but maybe if he mentioned to Bane that he needed to stop taking so much blood, his colour would return and some weight would stay on as well. That would help keep Kenya off his back and was worth asking such a favour of the vampire.
"That ain't funny." Kenya snapped, horrified by the thought. His hand fell to his side while he struggled against the sudden very irrational thought that Zaizen had just acted as if he were bitten with the way he had pulled his wrist free of his grasp, like his touch was tainted or something. It was stupid and dumb, because it definitely wasn't true. Zaizen was probably just trying to hide the evidence from view, so he could stir the conversation toward something else. He knew this! He knew it, but it still didn't ease the sting of rejection as irrational and unwarranted as it was, nor did it stop the thought from springing to life.
"You don't look fine to me, and I get it, so you don't have to worry. I won't touch you anymore." He could have punched himself, if it were remotely possible, for opening his big mouth and grumbling out what to his ears sounded like a whining complaint. And, yet, the words still tumbled from his lips, before he shot his best friend a full glare of heated annoyance, turned on his heel, and then stalked off toward the living room where his books waited for him.
“Whatever,” Zaizen mumbled to the back of the retreating man. Kenya was acting stranger than normal though he knew he wasn’t acting normal himself lately thanks to Bane and his being a damn vampire that chose him as a feedbag. In a way it was flattering but man was it becoming a pain to deal with when he had so much else already on his plate. Speaking of his plate, Zaizen looked down at his half finished sandwich and figured it was more important that going after his friend since he was apparently too thin and needed to eat more. So, without a notion of guilt for not immediately following to demand answers, he went to work on finishing the sandwich and even contemplated having another one.
That was a good thought and one Zaizen acted on a minute later as he recreated his simple sandwich. While doing so, he thought about Kenya’s reaction to him pulling away and the words that sounded like a whine. Why was Kenya so upset over not being touched? His friend was a complicated idiot sometimes and this was just another one of those times. Maybe it was just his annoyance that his attempt at comforting and worrying wasn’t wanted that pissed the blonde off so much? That was the only thing that made enough sense to Zaizen as he finished off the second sandwich which left him feeling gross from eating just that little bit over his limit.
Fine, he needed answers. Instead of going back to his room after cleaning up, Zaizen found himself standing in the living room by the table where some books were stacked. “Why are your boxers in such a knot over me wanting you to stop examining me?”
"Shut up!" Kenya snapped irritably, midnight eyes snapping with anger when his gaze swung from the text in his hands toward the friend that had finally vacated the kitchen. He couldn't have told anyone what the hell he had just read as his mind had been left back there in that room with his best friend, preoccupied with thoughts that he didn't want to admit to having. His mouth had other plans for him, however, which was pretty typical. "They are not! And told you that I fucking get it, didn't I? It's fine for that asshole to touch you, but not me." That hurt, as much as he didn't want to own up to it, because he wasn't even touching his friend in an inappropriate way with only his fingers wrapped around his wrist. Not that he would do anything that could be counted as inappropriate in anyone's eyes, not with a guy!
He wasn't gay and didn't have any sort of designs on Zaizen, despite those weird fucking dreams he'd been having lately, goddamn it!
“What the hell is your problem? If I hated your touch so much you wouldn’t be allowed in bed, sleep walking or not,” Zaizen hated being confused and left in the dark since he considered himself pretty attentive-okay, when he wanted to be-and knew enough of what was going on to predict reactions but this time Kenya was completely throwing him off. What was the big deal about not wanting to talk about his weight which would lead to the reason why he had lost it? He was clearly missing something and Zaizen had a feeling he was never going to find out as asking about it any further would be a waste of breath and time.
“I don’t wanna talk about my supposed weight loss and I know you would have reacted the same way if I started poking at you about your weight or a bruise or injury because you’ve done it before.” One of the best ways to attack Kenya was to point out that he had done the same thing before. That tactic often bought him some reprieve and lightened his friend’s sourpuss mood since he never wanted to talk about his flaws.
That was different, Kenya wanted to say, but he knew deep down that it wasn't. Besides, Zaizen wasn't getting the point! "Bet you wouldn't have pulled away, if it was him." he spat with all the hate and disdain that filled his heart and soul right then. God, he despised Kurobane, he really did. The bastard was always watching his friend at the club, secretly (he was sure) tracking his every move when he went about playing at being a bouncer, and there was no way in hell a guy could miss the fact that he lusted after the man in front of Kenya right then. He was worried about his friend; that was all. Or so he told himself again and again, each time he wanted to bury his fist in Kurobane's mouth when the asshole stared at Zaizen a little longer than he thought appropriate, because he knew the guy already had a lover he was living and sharing ownership of a club with. And he didn't want his best friend dragged into something seedy and dirty, something that would get him hurt badly.
Yeah, that was his story and he was sticking to it!
Damn it, Kenya wasn’t going to let the subject of Bane go was he? Zaizen hoped he could ignore the comment about the vampire but with his friend bringing it up again, there just wasn’t any way he could do that. “Actually, I would have,” he replied on a huff of annoyance, wondering why it was any of Kenya’s business to begin with. In truth, he had pulled away from Bane in the past and still some days wanted to now but with the feeling like he had signed a deal with the devil to keep his friend safe and agree to be a feeder, Zaizen gave up the constant struggle. Not that Bane got a free ride all the time because there was still a fighting spirit in the human that hated when the vampire showed up when he was trying to do homework and left him too tired to do anything other than pass out.
“Why do you care if I would or not with him and why are you comparing your touch to his?” Was Kenya going to try some protective bullshit line on him now? True he got himself in trouble in the past with his mouth at times but he wasn’t in need of a bodyguard now and Zaizen hated to think what would happen if his best friend and the vampire collided.
"I don't care!" he spat vehemently, but knew the minutes the words left his mouth that it wasn't true. He did care for some reason. He cared a lot. Confused and feeling more off kilter than he had since the accident that stole his family, Kenya shoved his book off his lap unmindful of the way pages crinkled and bent when it tumbled to the floor, and hastily stood. It was getting too hot in there, wasn't it, he thought as he moved thinking to put some room between him and the friend that was the cause of his inability to think straight. He was two or three steps into his goal of doing just that when the rest of what Zaizen said filtered through to his brain and made him see red, sparking off an already volatile temper.
"Why the fuck would I compare my touch to some dickhead's who's already got a lover and is probably only playing around with you, instead of being serious since he's already got a lover he's living with. And if he's said some shit like he'll leave that guy for you and you've believed him then you're dumb, because if he's fucking around on the prissy little bitch then he'll definitely fuck around on you, too."
“Wow. You actually believe I’m the sort to fall for a line like that. That is definitely more insulting than insinuating I’m just an easy fuck on the side for the guy,” Zaizen was calling an end to the conversation now that Kenya’s temper had flamed and was reaching full peek. There wasn’t anything more to be said to him when he got into such a state so he turned his back on his friend and walked out of the room, down the small hall, and to his room. He had no idea why Kenya was so upset over Bane possibly being his lover but it was better to leave him with that thought than to tell the truth.
Once in his room he went straight to his bed, grabbing the iPod on the way so music could drown out his thoughts and probably Kenya cursing and stomping around the living room. His friend was an ass, Zaizen decided as he stared up at the ceiling after flopping down on his bed. He was a concerned ass, he would give him that much but he went about showing it in all the wrong ways that left the brunette just not wanting to hear it.
It didn't help his temper any at all to realize what an ass he had just been to his best friend. Flushing with embarrassment, Kenya stared after Zaizen lost and confused as to how he let his mouth get so out of control so quickly, until his feet started to move of their own accord. Soon, he found himself in the kitchen with his head buried in the fridge in search of the beer he knew was there. Upon finding one, he popped the top and downed as much of the contents as he could in one gulp, before dark eyes fell on the juice that he had discarded so easily before.
He didn't know what the hell was wrong with him, or why the subject of Kurobane and Zaizen made him fume, beyond the very real fear that his friend had stumbled into a situation that would leave him hurt and broken-hearted, but he did know that he'd just been ten kinds of different asses to the one person that hadn't ever turned their back on him. Mortified and ashamed of himself, Kenya set his can aside and dragged his wrist across his mouth, before searching out a glass to fill with the orange juice. Before he knew it, he was standing in front of a closed door, unsure as to his welcome and uncertain as to whether or not he should just brazenly barge in seemingly without a care or knock to alert Zaizen to his presence.
He settled on the former, preferring not to give his friend a chance to tell him to go away. "Here!" he murmured sulkily, once he shoved the door open and had marched his way to the side of the bed, the glass of juice held aloft in some sort of peace offering, as inadequate as it was, to the DJ flopped on his back with headphones plugging his ears and staring at the ceiling. There was no way Zaizen could miss the offering with how he was holding the damn thing right above his face, but the question was whether or not he'd acknowledge that he was there, or just pretend he didn't exist to punish him for being such a jerk.
Zaizen was tempted to ignore Kenya but it would only cause more problems especially when green eyes found those of black and he knew Kenya caught him acknowledging his existence once more. With a small eye roll, he sat up enough to grab the glass and took a swig from it to stop any pestering about him needing to drink it in case he lacked vitamins with all the weight loss his friend kept harping on. When half the content was gone, it was set on his bedside table and the music-freak deemed it the right time to even take off his headphones, leaving them draped around his neck where music could softly be heard escaping.
“Thanks,” he wasn’t starting this conversation, preferring to see what Kenya decided to do now that he had his friend’s attention back on him.
Huh?
Kenya lost his train of thought as he lowered his gaze to his friend, those eyes distracting him from what he had been about to say. Zaizen had to have the greenest eyes, ever. He wondered if they were contact lenses or if the color was natural. He felt the heat crawling across his cheeks the moment the thought processed and was very glad the smart-mouth guy in that bed couldn't read minds, or else he'd start thinking his best friend with a love for speed and a penchant for racing was going nuts. "Welcome." He stammered hastily, jerking his gaze away to look anywhere at the bed where the current cause of his confusion lazily lounged with headphones draped around his neck and green eyes watching him expectantly.
"I'm sorry." He suddenly said on a rush, hands falling to fist at his side as he forced out the words awkwardly. "Was just worried; that's all. Didn't mean it to sound like it did."
“Okay,” it was a simple reply and probably not the best one but that was all Zaizen felt like giving the idiot he still insisted on calling friend. Why; he wasn’t sure but there had to be some reasons lying around like loyalty and concern given those could count for why Kenya brought up the whole weight issue to begin with. So how could he really fault the guy for acting on something he actually admired in the blonde?
“Forgiven or something,” he added a few seconds later when he saw how flustered Kenya was getting and thought it would only add to it. Yeah, he was pretty evil for a best friend sometimes but every relationship needed it before egos swelled and Kenya’s always liked to try. “Be an ass about it again though and I’ll give your jaw a good knock,” he would try anyway and the grin that spread over lips showed he was teasing more than actually threatening.
Kenya laughed attempting to find his sense of humor though he was starting to think it had taken a very long hike and wouldn't ever come back. "Yeah, right." He noted the lean skinniness of slender arms and the smaller fist that had, upon occasion, pelted him with a good punch now and again. "Like you could hurt me," rolling his eyes gave away just how serious he considered the threat, before he found his damn mouth dragging him straight back to the trouble he knew it was going to land him in.
"So, uh, you really like that guy?" He didn't want to know! He really didn't want to know, and it wasn't any of his damn business who his friend was messing around with or dating, so why the fuck was he asking?
Why the fuck was Kenya asking? Zaizen seriously considered hitting his friend for bringing up Bane again but resisted the very tempting urge to throw down there in his room for the much more calm and rational reaction of talking his way out of it yet again. “Enough to call him a friend,” he didn’t think he would actually call Bane a friend at this point given the strangeness surrounding them though the vampire did have a nice streak that showed on occasion even if it was for his own gains. He just hoped Kenya would drop the subject and leave it at that so details wouldn’t have to be given and confessions of casual fooling around while teeth sank into his neck and lies about how much further they were going didn’t have to be told and make things awkward between them all.
"You let all your friends leave hickies all over you?" he asked sulkily, knowing he was pushing it and that if Zaizen decided to punch him in the mouth for asking such a rude question then it was no less than he deserved. Seriously, he was overstepping boundaries here and he knew it, but he couldn't seem to stop his mouth from moving or the question from escaping his lips.
Zaizen was pleased with himself for not lifting a hand to his neck where Bane had last fed but thought about the marks all the same. He could have sworn they weren’t that visible or at least he had convinced himself Kenya wouldn’t notice them and ask annoying questions but apparently he had been wrong. Man, he hated when that happened and would have to work a little harder to keep it from becoming habit. “Only those that I like and the ones that have a way with their mouths,” didn’t matter that the vampire had a way with his that Zaizen never would have considered before starting work at Bleeding Moon.
He seriously saw red the moment the words left his friend's mouth. They played over and over in his head and Kenya wanted to punch something. Preferably, someone that stood about six feet tall or so and built like a tank. "Good 'nuff," he breathed out, struggling to control the blinding sensation he couldn't ever remember feeling before today, except on those rare occasions when someone said something bad about Zaizen or his somewhat adoptive family. He had to get out of there, before he said something he regretted or worse, he told himself pushing his feet to move, though they felt leaden to him.
Just one step, and if he could them started he could escape to somewhere until his world shifted back into focus again.
Zaizen took in that reaction, counting it as about half right. He knew the words would piss Kenya off but it almost looked like he was hurt by them as well and he couldn’t quite understand why. Was it a protective brother instinct to be grumpy about who he might be dating especially if that guy was someone he hated? That was definitely the right answer because the only other one Zaizen could come up with was the one where the fuming blonde actually had feelings for him. No one in hell would his macho friend that always claimed to love women and blanche at the thought of being with a man would want him in such a way and be considered jealous right then.
“Guess so,” Zaizen replied to Kenya’s dismissal and lifted the headphones back over his ears. He had a feeling the conversation was over and was damn thankful for it. To show Kenya where he was in their talks, the DJ flopped back down on his back but not before finishing off the glass of juice that he seemed to need right then for a suddenly dry throat. It was too much to think on but he knew that was all he would be doing if Kenya completed the act of their current play and exited stage right.
The door slammed behind him, echoing in his ears as loudly as his thundering heartbeat did; so that Kenya missed the words being spoken as well as the act of his offering being downed the rest of the way. And while it had been his intention to march right to his room and flop down on his bed so he could stew in silence, it was not to be as his feet kept moving and took him right out the front door. That, too, slammed viciously behind his back rattling against the frame with the force of the shove he used to close it.
Fuck stewing in his room. He wanted a beer and the more the better.
Rating: PG
Summary: Kenya decides it's time to confront Zaizen about his tired appearance and weight loss and they get into a little verbal scuffle over a few things.
Oshitari Kenya sat staring at his text book, the words on the pristine pages blurring together and making little sense as he sat brooding, distracted from his task of studying for an upcoming test. He could hear Zaizen in the small kitchen their apartment sported, the sound of cabinet doors opening and closing telling him well enough that his best friend had not quite accomplished the goal of filling his empty stomach, as if the absent smell of food cooking wasn't enough to get that point across. Lately, he got the idea that he was missing something important. In fact, that feeling persisted more and more as the days wore on, because as they did so did the sensation of suspicion even now tangling his stomach into knots.
Zaizen was hiding something from him, he was sure of it!
He frowned as this thought scurried through his mind, the fingers wrapped around a so far unused pencil tightening until the slender reed of wood and lead snapped beneath the pressure, anger and anxiety winding its way through every cell of his being. He couldn't really say why this prospect pissed him off so much, but it was true that it did. In fact, it made him so mad that he saw red right then, and had to resort to a slow count down from twenty to one, before he went marching to the kitchen and demanded that his roommate told him what the hell was going on.
Zaizen Hikaru had gone through the fridge and cupboards three times before deciding to just make a sandwich and be done with the whole hunt. Bread, meat, cheese, and mayo were all sitting on the counter surrounding the cutting board and waiting for the young man to start assembling his dinner masterpiece when Kenya stormed in. “What is it this time?” There was always something with his friend even if that something was nothing to most people but Kenya’s temper had a way of making the smallest of things into the largest. Zaizen wasn’t even sure where to begin guessing what this lecture or complaint would be about this time and decided to just let the blonde babble on as he began working on his sandwich.
He was amazed he still had the patience to put up with that habit given everything he was going through lately with school, two jobs, and now feeding a vampire. Yet somehow, there he was, still Kenya’s best friend and roommate and even his voice of reason when the mood struck either of them to give the advice or listen. Maybe that was his own habit, Zaizen thought, slapping the cheese down on a slice of bread. Kenya’s habit was to fly off the handle and his habit was to put up with it and shoot the blonde down.
Kenya stopped in his tracks, eyes of darkest midnight locking on the friend he had known since his earliest memories of childhood. Perhaps it was the tone of voice that gave him pause, the long suffering note of exasperation that made it sound as if Zaizen were steeling himself for whatever came out of his mouth, preparing to shoot down a wayward child with sharp words and even sharper reprimands. It almost sounded as if he didn't want to deal with him, but would because there was nothing else to do but ignore him. "Nothing." He grumbled in answer, cheeks heating with the shot of displeasure these thoughts brought.
Damn it, if Zaizen was tired of putting up with him then he didn't have to!
He would bite off his tongue before he opened his fucking mouth and told him he hadn't missed spying the little marks left behind on his neck. Those goddamn love bites that told him more than just talk was going on with Kurobane that inevitably pissed Kenya off even more each time he saw one. He wasn't going to mention a thing about how pale he was starting to look, or that it seemed like weight was being lost that could ill afford to be lost since his best friend had always been a little on the thin side. Nicely muscled but still thin, even if that sleek, well defined look was sort of sexy and seemed to catch Kenya's eye more and more lately, though he swore he was just appreciating the fact that Zaizen took good care of himself and paid attention to his body refusing to let it go like some people. Though, he wasn't so sure about that taking good care of himself part anymore with how tired and weary his friend was starting to look as the days drew on.
“Liar,” Zaizen replied without hesitation or looking up from his soon to be dinner. Kenya, while he believed he was an excellent liar, really wasn’t. There was a tone in his voice or the look in dark eyes that always gave him away to the man that had grown up with him and watched him more than he knew. Saying that out loud would be extremely creepy, Zaizen realized with a small smile that only his sandwich saw, but anyone that knew him knew he liked watching people to learn more about their habits or weaknesses. He didn’t do it daily or with everyone but someone that appeared to be of importance in one way or another to him earned that honour of having green eyes on them. Kenya, naturally, always held that gaze though the brunette refused to believe there was any other reason than friendship. It certainly wasn’t because of a secret crush that started when he was about fifteen and fully awakening into sexuality but not stupid enough to act on it. That watching of Kenya had told him quite clearly his friend preferred girls and would freak out in an instant if a move was made on him.
Where was his mind wandering to? Slapping on the mayo to the empty slice of bread, that slice quickly made its home on top of the cheese and meat already piled high and a knife came out to slice it in half; diagonally. “You cam stomping in here like you were on a mission and don’t try to tell me it’s for my sandwich either because while it is something you would do, I know you well enough to know you want to say something. You’ve been giving me these looks for weeks now.” With that said, Zaizen grabbed a half of the sandwich and took a large bite from it, staring expectedly at his friend for an answer.
"I haven't been watching… " his mouth opened automatically to deny the charge, words tumbling out before he realized just how incriminating they were. Once he did, which was almost too late to hide a thing, Kenya snapped him mouth shut, counted to ten while damning this flush of red that marred lightly tanned cheeks. "I have not!" he heatedly denied, hoping the forceful expulsion of a denial would completely obliterate his fumbling screw up of before and keep hidden the fact that he'd been secretly keeping an eye on his best friend whenever he was in view. Lately, he couldn't seem to keep his gaze from tracking the brunette around a room, always seeming to seek him out and follow his every move. Kenya told himself it was only because he was worried that the dumb barbarian Zaizen worked for had done something bad to the guy, even though he couldn't quite imagine what that bad thing could be.
Okay, maybe he could imagine a hell of a lot of bad things Kurobane could be doing with Zaizen. In fact, his brain had already gone waltzing down that route leaving Kenya feeling the oddest combination of worry, displeasure, unhappiness, and anger. If he couldn't seem to keep his eyes off his best friend it was only because of that worry and certainly not because he hadn't been able to get that stupid kiss in his hospital room out of his head, nor did it have anything to do with those weird dreams he'd been having lately, because he most definitely did not lust after a guy! No, he hadn't. Oshitari Kenya liked his women on the voluptuous side. He liked them with long legs, curves in all the right places, and tits to make a man's mouth water. And while he had a habit of choosing some pretty racy women to turn his attention on, the truth was he had a huge thing for those with just a touch of innocence, which was the way those kind of girls would always stay, because he certainly wasn't going to sully some innocent young lady's heart and life with all the fucked up baggage he carried in the recesses of his mind. So, no, he wasn't carrying around some secret torch for his best friend spawned during a night of pain and anxious fear when he lay half dead from drugs in a hospital bed while attentive hands ran a sponge over his body. Na uh, no way, now how!
“Whatever,” it was his favourite reply for dismissing a conversation he grew bored with or a denial he didn’t really care to keep fighting over. Whether or not Kenya was watching him when he entered a room or even as he slept-as creepy as that sounded and was a habit for a certain vampire he knew-wasn’t that big of a deal to get into a scuffle over, so Zaizen took to focusing on his sandwich and eating in silence. If his friend wanted to tell him what was on his mind, then he would. If he didn’t, the brunette knew this particular blonde would be back soon enough after letting it simmer for a while longer until he couldn’t stand it and had to say something. If something pissed Kenya off that something and everyone within ear shot was going to know.
“But if you’re gonna watch me eat, you might as well be eating too. Less weird that way,” Zaizen hated being watched while he was the only one eating and though he wanted to stay silent until Kenya decided to speak, that had to be said. Then again, Kenya should have known that already but it never hurt to remind the guy of things.
Oh! He fucking hated when Zaizen did that 'Whatever' thing, Kenya fumed in silence. His gaze darkened with his annoyance, teeth snapping audibly when he shut his mouth. He grit them together hard, hoping to stop the flex of jaw and grinding of teeth that would give away just how mad he got when he heard that word said in just that way from this particular person. "I ain't the one that needs to eat," he grounded out with a sharp, annoyed look toward the brunette just a few feet away from him. "You look like a starving bird or some shit."
"And I didn't come in here to watch you eat," he snarled taking the first stomping step of the few that would lead him toward the fridge where he tossed the door open and snatched out the first thing his hand came into contact with. Realizing that it was a carton of orange juice, Kenya went through the motions of opening it. "I came to get something to drink!" Fuck, he hated how childish he sounded with that so there note coloring his tone, but damn, did Zaizen have a way of sparking his temper with just a turn of phrase sometimes. And it didn't help that he'd been worrying about the asshole for weeks and had, indeed, been watching him while trying to pretend (even to himself) that he wasn't.
Zaizen was halfway through a bite, teeth sinking through the layers, when Kenya’s insult hit him. Slowly he tore away the mouthful and chewed quietly as green eyes drifted from sandwich to wrists and even to his shirt covered torso. He had lost a few pounds but didn’t think it was that noticeable but then, Kenya did sleep in his bed most nights and would have seen the other man in boxers and sometimes a tee to see the truth. “I’m not starving,” he protested in a normal tone, being sure to keep his worrying from his voice so Kenya didn’t know he had struck a nerve and was starting to walk toward a conversation Zaizen never wanted to have with him.
“Don’t start with the lecture on working too hard either. You know mom and dad only cover the rent and we need the cash for everything else,” he hated making excuses even when it was more of a point than covering for something. He knew he was losing sleep from taking more hours at Bleeding Moon and VampTracks but it was the holiday season where his help was needed and the money was needed for gifts. Both places also paid damn well and Zaizen liked the idea of having more to save away for any reason he needed it later on, including bailing Kenya out of whatever trouble he landed in or to help his friend get an idea off the ground.
But the work and school weren’t the only things taking away his rest time. Feeding Bane, though not as often as Zaizen thought it would be, took a lot out of him. Bane was a big vampire and perhaps he needed more blood to feel full or perhaps his feeder was just weak and felt drained even after a little blood was lost. Either way, Zaizen felt the effects and it added to the condition he was currently in with his weight loss and the lack of sleep.
“Anyway, maybe you think I’m too skinny because you’re putting on weight from eating everything,” he had to get a snarky comment in to make their conversation more natural and to show nothing was wrong and that he acknowledged Kenya’s excuse for coming into the kitchen.
"I have not! I weigh the same as always," he snapped harshly spurred on by the bite of guilt his friend's words made him feel. Was he the reason why Zaizen was working so much? Was his being there more a burden than a help? Kenya frowned, inwardly writhing with uncertainty. He paid his share of the bills and always footed half the grocery money too. Was there more that he should be doing to help that would make things easier on his best friend so he wouldn't have to work himself into the ground?
"And I'm not dumb," he said trying to switch the subject back to the original topic which was Zaizen and the weight he had shed. He didn't pay much attention to where he discarded the carton of juice, knowing only that it didn't fall to the floor and splatter everywhere, so it must have made it to a countertop safely, when he zeroed in a slender wrist and took it in hand. Kenya gave Zaizen's wrist a small tug, roughly calloused fingers left worn and hardened from too many hours doing manual work that involved turning one too many wrenches. "You're bonier than before, and should eat more before you get sick!" he pointed out on a huff of breath, turning that wrist to prove his point as it was, indeed, just a little thinner and bonier than it had been months before the asshole Kurobane entered his friend's life.
“It ain’t like I’m dying,” Zaizen shot back as he pulled his wrist free of Kenya’s grasp and out of his judging view. “So I lost some weight but I’m fine. You should know that I wouldn’t let something happen to me,” he was getting annoyed with this conversation but not at Kenya for starting it but for not finding a way out of it without having to use the truth. There was no way in hell he wanted to do that and was beginning to see his only option was to accept his friend’s concern and accusations and promise to eat more and look after himself. It was a promise he could keep since it was something he was more or less doing now but maybe if he mentioned to Bane that he needed to stop taking so much blood, his colour would return and some weight would stay on as well. That would help keep Kenya off his back and was worth asking such a favour of the vampire.
"That ain't funny." Kenya snapped, horrified by the thought. His hand fell to his side while he struggled against the sudden very irrational thought that Zaizen had just acted as if he were bitten with the way he had pulled his wrist free of his grasp, like his touch was tainted or something. It was stupid and dumb, because it definitely wasn't true. Zaizen was probably just trying to hide the evidence from view, so he could stir the conversation toward something else. He knew this! He knew it, but it still didn't ease the sting of rejection as irrational and unwarranted as it was, nor did it stop the thought from springing to life.
"You don't look fine to me, and I get it, so you don't have to worry. I won't touch you anymore." He could have punched himself, if it were remotely possible, for opening his big mouth and grumbling out what to his ears sounded like a whining complaint. And, yet, the words still tumbled from his lips, before he shot his best friend a full glare of heated annoyance, turned on his heel, and then stalked off toward the living room where his books waited for him.
“Whatever,” Zaizen mumbled to the back of the retreating man. Kenya was acting stranger than normal though he knew he wasn’t acting normal himself lately thanks to Bane and his being a damn vampire that chose him as a feedbag. In a way it was flattering but man was it becoming a pain to deal with when he had so much else already on his plate. Speaking of his plate, Zaizen looked down at his half finished sandwich and figured it was more important that going after his friend since he was apparently too thin and needed to eat more. So, without a notion of guilt for not immediately following to demand answers, he went to work on finishing the sandwich and even contemplated having another one.
That was a good thought and one Zaizen acted on a minute later as he recreated his simple sandwich. While doing so, he thought about Kenya’s reaction to him pulling away and the words that sounded like a whine. Why was Kenya so upset over not being touched? His friend was a complicated idiot sometimes and this was just another one of those times. Maybe it was just his annoyance that his attempt at comforting and worrying wasn’t wanted that pissed the blonde off so much? That was the only thing that made enough sense to Zaizen as he finished off the second sandwich which left him feeling gross from eating just that little bit over his limit.
Fine, he needed answers. Instead of going back to his room after cleaning up, Zaizen found himself standing in the living room by the table where some books were stacked. “Why are your boxers in such a knot over me wanting you to stop examining me?”
"Shut up!" Kenya snapped irritably, midnight eyes snapping with anger when his gaze swung from the text in his hands toward the friend that had finally vacated the kitchen. He couldn't have told anyone what the hell he had just read as his mind had been left back there in that room with his best friend, preoccupied with thoughts that he didn't want to admit to having. His mouth had other plans for him, however, which was pretty typical. "They are not! And told you that I fucking get it, didn't I? It's fine for that asshole to touch you, but not me." That hurt, as much as he didn't want to own up to it, because he wasn't even touching his friend in an inappropriate way with only his fingers wrapped around his wrist. Not that he would do anything that could be counted as inappropriate in anyone's eyes, not with a guy!
He wasn't gay and didn't have any sort of designs on Zaizen, despite those weird fucking dreams he'd been having lately, goddamn it!
“What the hell is your problem? If I hated your touch so much you wouldn’t be allowed in bed, sleep walking or not,” Zaizen hated being confused and left in the dark since he considered himself pretty attentive-okay, when he wanted to be-and knew enough of what was going on to predict reactions but this time Kenya was completely throwing him off. What was the big deal about not wanting to talk about his weight which would lead to the reason why he had lost it? He was clearly missing something and Zaizen had a feeling he was never going to find out as asking about it any further would be a waste of breath and time.
“I don’t wanna talk about my supposed weight loss and I know you would have reacted the same way if I started poking at you about your weight or a bruise or injury because you’ve done it before.” One of the best ways to attack Kenya was to point out that he had done the same thing before. That tactic often bought him some reprieve and lightened his friend’s sourpuss mood since he never wanted to talk about his flaws.
That was different, Kenya wanted to say, but he knew deep down that it wasn't. Besides, Zaizen wasn't getting the point! "Bet you wouldn't have pulled away, if it was him." he spat with all the hate and disdain that filled his heart and soul right then. God, he despised Kurobane, he really did. The bastard was always watching his friend at the club, secretly (he was sure) tracking his every move when he went about playing at being a bouncer, and there was no way in hell a guy could miss the fact that he lusted after the man in front of Kenya right then. He was worried about his friend; that was all. Or so he told himself again and again, each time he wanted to bury his fist in Kurobane's mouth when the asshole stared at Zaizen a little longer than he thought appropriate, because he knew the guy already had a lover he was living and sharing ownership of a club with. And he didn't want his best friend dragged into something seedy and dirty, something that would get him hurt badly.
Yeah, that was his story and he was sticking to it!
Damn it, Kenya wasn’t going to let the subject of Bane go was he? Zaizen hoped he could ignore the comment about the vampire but with his friend bringing it up again, there just wasn’t any way he could do that. “Actually, I would have,” he replied on a huff of annoyance, wondering why it was any of Kenya’s business to begin with. In truth, he had pulled away from Bane in the past and still some days wanted to now but with the feeling like he had signed a deal with the devil to keep his friend safe and agree to be a feeder, Zaizen gave up the constant struggle. Not that Bane got a free ride all the time because there was still a fighting spirit in the human that hated when the vampire showed up when he was trying to do homework and left him too tired to do anything other than pass out.
“Why do you care if I would or not with him and why are you comparing your touch to his?” Was Kenya going to try some protective bullshit line on him now? True he got himself in trouble in the past with his mouth at times but he wasn’t in need of a bodyguard now and Zaizen hated to think what would happen if his best friend and the vampire collided.
"I don't care!" he spat vehemently, but knew the minutes the words left his mouth that it wasn't true. He did care for some reason. He cared a lot. Confused and feeling more off kilter than he had since the accident that stole his family, Kenya shoved his book off his lap unmindful of the way pages crinkled and bent when it tumbled to the floor, and hastily stood. It was getting too hot in there, wasn't it, he thought as he moved thinking to put some room between him and the friend that was the cause of his inability to think straight. He was two or three steps into his goal of doing just that when the rest of what Zaizen said filtered through to his brain and made him see red, sparking off an already volatile temper.
"Why the fuck would I compare my touch to some dickhead's who's already got a lover and is probably only playing around with you, instead of being serious since he's already got a lover he's living with. And if he's said some shit like he'll leave that guy for you and you've believed him then you're dumb, because if he's fucking around on the prissy little bitch then he'll definitely fuck around on you, too."
“Wow. You actually believe I’m the sort to fall for a line like that. That is definitely more insulting than insinuating I’m just an easy fuck on the side for the guy,” Zaizen was calling an end to the conversation now that Kenya’s temper had flamed and was reaching full peek. There wasn’t anything more to be said to him when he got into such a state so he turned his back on his friend and walked out of the room, down the small hall, and to his room. He had no idea why Kenya was so upset over Bane possibly being his lover but it was better to leave him with that thought than to tell the truth.
Once in his room he went straight to his bed, grabbing the iPod on the way so music could drown out his thoughts and probably Kenya cursing and stomping around the living room. His friend was an ass, Zaizen decided as he stared up at the ceiling after flopping down on his bed. He was a concerned ass, he would give him that much but he went about showing it in all the wrong ways that left the brunette just not wanting to hear it.
It didn't help his temper any at all to realize what an ass he had just been to his best friend. Flushing with embarrassment, Kenya stared after Zaizen lost and confused as to how he let his mouth get so out of control so quickly, until his feet started to move of their own accord. Soon, he found himself in the kitchen with his head buried in the fridge in search of the beer he knew was there. Upon finding one, he popped the top and downed as much of the contents as he could in one gulp, before dark eyes fell on the juice that he had discarded so easily before.
He didn't know what the hell was wrong with him, or why the subject of Kurobane and Zaizen made him fume, beyond the very real fear that his friend had stumbled into a situation that would leave him hurt and broken-hearted, but he did know that he'd just been ten kinds of different asses to the one person that hadn't ever turned their back on him. Mortified and ashamed of himself, Kenya set his can aside and dragged his wrist across his mouth, before searching out a glass to fill with the orange juice. Before he knew it, he was standing in front of a closed door, unsure as to his welcome and uncertain as to whether or not he should just brazenly barge in seemingly without a care or knock to alert Zaizen to his presence.
He settled on the former, preferring not to give his friend a chance to tell him to go away. "Here!" he murmured sulkily, once he shoved the door open and had marched his way to the side of the bed, the glass of juice held aloft in some sort of peace offering, as inadequate as it was, to the DJ flopped on his back with headphones plugging his ears and staring at the ceiling. There was no way Zaizen could miss the offering with how he was holding the damn thing right above his face, but the question was whether or not he'd acknowledge that he was there, or just pretend he didn't exist to punish him for being such a jerk.
Zaizen was tempted to ignore Kenya but it would only cause more problems especially when green eyes found those of black and he knew Kenya caught him acknowledging his existence once more. With a small eye roll, he sat up enough to grab the glass and took a swig from it to stop any pestering about him needing to drink it in case he lacked vitamins with all the weight loss his friend kept harping on. When half the content was gone, it was set on his bedside table and the music-freak deemed it the right time to even take off his headphones, leaving them draped around his neck where music could softly be heard escaping.
“Thanks,” he wasn’t starting this conversation, preferring to see what Kenya decided to do now that he had his friend’s attention back on him.
Huh?
Kenya lost his train of thought as he lowered his gaze to his friend, those eyes distracting him from what he had been about to say. Zaizen had to have the greenest eyes, ever. He wondered if they were contact lenses or if the color was natural. He felt the heat crawling across his cheeks the moment the thought processed and was very glad the smart-mouth guy in that bed couldn't read minds, or else he'd start thinking his best friend with a love for speed and a penchant for racing was going nuts. "Welcome." He stammered hastily, jerking his gaze away to look anywhere at the bed where the current cause of his confusion lazily lounged with headphones draped around his neck and green eyes watching him expectantly.
"I'm sorry." He suddenly said on a rush, hands falling to fist at his side as he forced out the words awkwardly. "Was just worried; that's all. Didn't mean it to sound like it did."
“Okay,” it was a simple reply and probably not the best one but that was all Zaizen felt like giving the idiot he still insisted on calling friend. Why; he wasn’t sure but there had to be some reasons lying around like loyalty and concern given those could count for why Kenya brought up the whole weight issue to begin with. So how could he really fault the guy for acting on something he actually admired in the blonde?
“Forgiven or something,” he added a few seconds later when he saw how flustered Kenya was getting and thought it would only add to it. Yeah, he was pretty evil for a best friend sometimes but every relationship needed it before egos swelled and Kenya’s always liked to try. “Be an ass about it again though and I’ll give your jaw a good knock,” he would try anyway and the grin that spread over lips showed he was teasing more than actually threatening.
Kenya laughed attempting to find his sense of humor though he was starting to think it had taken a very long hike and wouldn't ever come back. "Yeah, right." He noted the lean skinniness of slender arms and the smaller fist that had, upon occasion, pelted him with a good punch now and again. "Like you could hurt me," rolling his eyes gave away just how serious he considered the threat, before he found his damn mouth dragging him straight back to the trouble he knew it was going to land him in.
"So, uh, you really like that guy?" He didn't want to know! He really didn't want to know, and it wasn't any of his damn business who his friend was messing around with or dating, so why the fuck was he asking?
Why the fuck was Kenya asking? Zaizen seriously considered hitting his friend for bringing up Bane again but resisted the very tempting urge to throw down there in his room for the much more calm and rational reaction of talking his way out of it yet again. “Enough to call him a friend,” he didn’t think he would actually call Bane a friend at this point given the strangeness surrounding them though the vampire did have a nice streak that showed on occasion even if it was for his own gains. He just hoped Kenya would drop the subject and leave it at that so details wouldn’t have to be given and confessions of casual fooling around while teeth sank into his neck and lies about how much further they were going didn’t have to be told and make things awkward between them all.
"You let all your friends leave hickies all over you?" he asked sulkily, knowing he was pushing it and that if Zaizen decided to punch him in the mouth for asking such a rude question then it was no less than he deserved. Seriously, he was overstepping boundaries here and he knew it, but he couldn't seem to stop his mouth from moving or the question from escaping his lips.
Zaizen was pleased with himself for not lifting a hand to his neck where Bane had last fed but thought about the marks all the same. He could have sworn they weren’t that visible or at least he had convinced himself Kenya wouldn’t notice them and ask annoying questions but apparently he had been wrong. Man, he hated when that happened and would have to work a little harder to keep it from becoming habit. “Only those that I like and the ones that have a way with their mouths,” didn’t matter that the vampire had a way with his that Zaizen never would have considered before starting work at Bleeding Moon.
He seriously saw red the moment the words left his friend's mouth. They played over and over in his head and Kenya wanted to punch something. Preferably, someone that stood about six feet tall or so and built like a tank. "Good 'nuff," he breathed out, struggling to control the blinding sensation he couldn't ever remember feeling before today, except on those rare occasions when someone said something bad about Zaizen or his somewhat adoptive family. He had to get out of there, before he said something he regretted or worse, he told himself pushing his feet to move, though they felt leaden to him.
Just one step, and if he could them started he could escape to somewhere until his world shifted back into focus again.
Zaizen took in that reaction, counting it as about half right. He knew the words would piss Kenya off but it almost looked like he was hurt by them as well and he couldn’t quite understand why. Was it a protective brother instinct to be grumpy about who he might be dating especially if that guy was someone he hated? That was definitely the right answer because the only other one Zaizen could come up with was the one where the fuming blonde actually had feelings for him. No one in hell would his macho friend that always claimed to love women and blanche at the thought of being with a man would want him in such a way and be considered jealous right then.
“Guess so,” Zaizen replied to Kenya’s dismissal and lifted the headphones back over his ears. He had a feeling the conversation was over and was damn thankful for it. To show Kenya where he was in their talks, the DJ flopped back down on his back but not before finishing off the glass of juice that he seemed to need right then for a suddenly dry throat. It was too much to think on but he knew that was all he would be doing if Kenya completed the act of their current play and exited stage right.
The door slammed behind him, echoing in his ears as loudly as his thundering heartbeat did; so that Kenya missed the words being spoken as well as the act of his offering being downed the rest of the way. And while it had been his intention to march right to his room and flop down on his bed so he could stew in silence, it was not to be as his feet kept moving and took him right out the front door. That, too, slammed viciously behind his back rattling against the frame with the force of the shove he used to close it.
Fuck stewing in his room. He wanted a beer and the more the better.