Falling in love with a fox -chapter 4, Ruka/Yomi
Chapter 4
"Meet Ruki"
The minute he got off from work Ruka hurried home, anxious and worried. To his surprise though, Yomi wasn't asleep like usual, actually he seemed pretty happy chatting away with Hitsugi in the bedroom. Of course Yomi had heard him the moment he had gotten home so he couldn't not come into the room and greet the other man. He had no idea why he was even reluctant to do that but there was this weird feeling in his chest every time he saw them together. Seeing that Yomi was fine and he was probably not needed he went into the kitchen to prepare some food. By the time the food had almost finished cooking, Yomi and Hitsugi were coming out of the bedroom, heading for the door, talking in that unknown language again. And this time it all felt like deja-vu to Ruka because at first he could not understand a word but then. All of a sudden everything they said made sense and he really didn't know what was wrong with him.
"So, Hitsu, I'm so glad you managed to get away and come see me. You told me how the state is over there too. I just love you." Yomi said and there was this huge grin on his face.
Hitsugi ruffled his hair and replied:
"I had to come didn't I? I've already told you this in the bedroom but I feel like I need to remind you since you're so damn stubborn. You need to stop thinking about him and fulfill your needs otherwise you're not going to last much longer. What will you do if they find you? And I already told you they're looking everywhere for you. You're so weak; I've never seen you like this before. And all for..."
"Please, Hitsu."
"What, Yomi? Today you wouldn't have woken up again and it was even worse than last time. I actually had to..."
"I know and I'm grateful."
"You know, he'd be willing to give you that, Yomi, I can see it in his eyes."
"I don't think so."
And then Hitsugi caught Ruka starring at them so he asked the man:
"I'm sorry for talking in a language you don't understand. You must be curious as to what we're saying."
Ruka couldn't look him in the eyes and tell him he had understood everything just had no idea what the hell they were talking about since they didn't finish a goddamn sentence. So he just turned his head and said that it's ok, that he doesn't mind. The man seemed to be content with his answer because he just hugged Yomi and said his goodbyes before leaving.
Ruka and Yomi were left alone in the kitchen and Ruka was dying to ask Yomi about what he had heard but that would have meant revealing the fact that he understood something he normally shouldn't have been able to and he didn't know if Yomi would even answer honestly his questions. So he decided to test the man. If he'd answer truthfully, he'd say the truth too. If not, he'd just hold on to his trump card a little longer.
"Yomi, how was your day? I meant to start this conversation a few days back. Lately you've been sleeping too much again. You're not having the same problem are you?"
Yomi didn't look into his eyes and then, to Ruka's disappointment he lied:
"It's ok, it won't happen again. Actually my day was quite fun since Hitsu came."
Ruka controlled himself.
"What is he to you, Yomi? You seem so close."
"He's my best friend and sometimes I feel like he's my twin soul or something. We're just really close. We've been together since I can remember."
And there it went again, the same aching feeling in Ruka's heart and this time he could fathom exactly what it was, but that didn't mean he would stop with the denial. Ruka wasn't quite ready for that yet.
Meanwhile he had set the table and while they were enjoying their dinner, suddenly Ruka asked.
"Wan to go for a little walk in the park after dinner."
Yomi's eyes just lighted up at that and he agreed immediately, excitement clear on his features. Yomi really liked the outdoors and even the park was better than the apartment. So after they had finished their dinner and Yomi had put on some clothes for going out, nothing fancy, just a pair of jeans and T-shirts, they left the apartment. It was a really nice feeling, walking through the park together like that. The sun would be setting soon so the sky was colored in this beautiful shades of purple and blue, the moon had already appeared and the gentle breeze made the leaves of the trees dance in the wind. From time to time, they would meet a dog that had wondered off from its owner heading straight for Yomi and barking wildly at him and Yomi would get so scared, like a baby and would hide behind Ruka. The dogs never did more than bark and soon the owner would come and apologize for the inconvenience but it sort of amazed Ruka, the dogs and Yomi's reaction. Yomi had just said that dogs had hated him since he could remember while cats would just come closer to him and lie on his lap or follow him home. He was more of a cat lover himself, he said smiling brightly.
And all of a sudden, while they were strolling through the park, having light conversation, Yomi stopped in his tracks, his eyes widened greatly - which Ruka actually thought was quite cute, he did resemble a cat at the moment- and then Yomi was running towards someone and embracing him tightly, obviously a friend or a lover because the man returned his embrace and actually pecked him on the lips. Did foreigners actually take that as a greeting, Ruka wondered, a bit angry at being left behind like that and, if he was honest with himself, at seeing the sight.
The man was also short but a bit taller than Yomi, and really beautiful. Slightly brownish hair, piercing brown eyes, that quite contrary to his small built, imposed respect. He had this air about him...and Ruka had the impression of having seen him before. He approached them and since he was obviously a friend of Yomi he wasn't surprised to hear them talking in the same language. They did stop though to greet him.
"Hello, Ruka, this is another one of my best friends. We haven't met in years. Meet Ruki."
The man bowed quite politely and exchanged greetings with Ruka.
Ruka was quite eager to eavesdrop on their conversation so after saying: “I’ll just sit on the bench here and let you guys talk.” He sat on the bench that was only a few paces away and that happened to be free at the moment. He could hear every single word said.
“Oh my god, Ruki, I can’t believe you’re doing this. I ran away but you…”
“I know, but I love him. I’d give away anything to be with him, even my life. So I really don’t care about their rules anymore. Even if they know I broke them hey won’t do anything since my fate is to die anyway.”
“How can you say that? You can still stop this, you know? If you just change back.”
“No, I won’t. You don’t know how society is yet; you’ve only been here for what, a month, a couple of months? Two men loving each other… it’s seen as dirty and what I’m doing would definitely go against all their scientific documents… so I think it really is the best in the end. I know that once he gets through the pain of losing me, he’ll be happy. “
“You’re wrong. Losing your love is worse than dying. Tell him before it’s too late. Let him make that choice.”
“No, Yomi, I already made up my mind. And you should make up yours soon too. They’re coming for you, you know? You only have a couple of days left.”
“I know. I won’t let them get me though.”
“So what will you do? Run?”
“No, I’ll fight. I’m not a nine tail for nothing.”
“The you now can’t do that Yomi and you know it. You’re too weak. And you know the reason. So your only chance is to run.”
“Run where? I have a home here, Ruki. And…”
“And you don’t want to leave him. He’s the reason you’ve become like this, isn’t he? You’re an idiot, you know that? You’re talking about me breaking rules but here you are, breaking the one rule that will get you both under their radar.”
“That’s why I haven’t done anything yet.”
“You’re an hypocrite. You were talking about me telling the truth. What about you?”
“He’s not my lover, Ruki.”
“How do you know he doesn’t love you?”
“I can’t allow myself to think that.”
“But you already hope for that. Because I can see how much you love him. The moment he approached us you were practically trembling and I can tell it’s taking you a lot to not stare at him standing there on the bench, looking at us. You love him, Yomi.”
“Yeah.”
Ruka’s heart went into fibrillation at that. At first he hadn’t understood what they were talking about but the end of the conversation certainly made sense and that understanding was blowing his mind away because there was no doubt in his mind that they were talking about him. Yomi loved him. That made his heart flutter and his blood boil and it was taking him all he could muster to not spring up from that bench and take Yomi back to their apartment then and there. But there was more. It wasn’t just about Yomi loving him. Yomi was in danger and it was either he faced whatever alone or ran away. Either were not valid options for Ruka. And there came the big question: why? Why did he feel that way towards the other, why couldn’t he let him go? Why had he felt so bad when he had seen Yomi hugging or kissing someone else? Why did he feel like he had to protect Yomi? There really wasn’t a lot to think about was there? He was in love with Yomi and that was it. No beating around the bushes, no more denial. It wasn’t the time to be denying your own feelings but try to figure the rest out because if he wasn’t mistaken, he was one of the reasons Yomi was in trouble.
While he had been running that through his head, they had continued talking. And things were getting interesting again.
“Haven’t seen Hitsugi in a while either. How is he?”
“As usual. He’s gone through a lot of troubles for me. Today I slipped away again. It’s getting harder for him to come to me. I’m surprised no one has followed him until know.”
“I think they know Yomi and they have been waiting for you to get weaker. They don’t know about Ruka, obviously. If they did, they would have come sooner. I could let you into my place for a while. But eventually they’ll find you there too. But you can’t be away from Ruka much longer can you?”
“No, I’m at my limit. I’m actually glad they’re coming. It’s all going to be over soon. I’m just glad I won’t get him involved in this.”
“You love him that much.”
“You should know.” Yomi smiled gently.
“Yeah.” Ruka said.
“You know, today, I had to lie to him again. It breaks my heart because I want to tell him everything but I’m so afraid he wouldn’t understand.”
“If he loves you, he will.”
“Understand what, Ruki, that I’m not human? How can he accept that!”?
Ruka could see that Yomi was trying to best not to cry but at that point in time it seemed as if there was a veil between him and the things he was seeing with his own eyes because what he had just heard, he must have heard wrong. He needed to get this sorted out or he’d go crazy. So he stood up abruptly from the bench, went next to the two, grabbed Yomi’s hand, and startled the hell out of them only to say:
“Yomi, I just forgot I have something urgent to do at home. I’m sorry but can we go back? I’m really sorry.”
Yomi and Ruki looked at each other and after Yomi hugged Ruki and told him goodbye and to take care and Ruki and Ruka had also bowed politely to each other, Ruka practically dragged Yomi home. He needed explanations and he was going to get them that night. This time, no more lies.