Checkmate-- for Fran
"Francescu, Francescu, Francescu, OI!"
The sorcerer looked up from his book and found himself with a face full of catboy. He smiled, "Well-met, Youji." He looked around, then quirked an eyebrow, "Where is Natsuo?"
Youji pouted, "Paintin'. With Panthera." He paused, then said proudly, "Natsuo's gettin' real, real good y'know!" Francescu nodded in acknowledgment, but arched his other eyebrow. "'m bored," Youji explained not-so-patiently. "I d'no where Ken 'n' Swift are. Play with me!"
Francescu couldn't help but laugh at the petulant demand, "And what would you like to play? Chess?" Youji nodded. With a wave of his hand, an elegant chessboard materialised between the two; Francescu looked it over with a critical eye, then called up a pair of matching chairs. Youji climbed into one, not caring about the material that covered the cushion, and crossed his legs beneath him, nearly bouncing in anticipation.
"You take white," Youji decided the moment Francescu was seated, pushing the white pieces over. "Cuz I beat you last time." Francescu smiled indulgently and set up the white side, not bothering to protest. Once they were ready, he made the first move, as per chess protocol.
Move. Wait. Move. Wait. Neither noticed the passage of time as they played, the game becoming more and more intense. Once, Francescu's gaze flickered up at the door, but he looked back down again, the smile touching his lips being the only sign he ever noticed the door cracking open for a moment, then shutting.
Outside, Swift leaned against the cabin wall, smoking. A few moments later, he slanted a look over at Ken, who was watching the two play on through the window, "You look like a stalker."
Ken blinked, then turned to face Swift with a grin, "Shut up. Look," he tilted his head at the window. Swift looked at Ken for a moment, then shrugged. He did as he was told, stubbing out the cigarette as he glanced inside. His eyes widened. Swift turned back to Ken, who shrugged, "I probably shouldn't say this, but, I told you so." The Wraeththu shook his head and laughed, lighting another cigarette as they settled down to wait.
Inside, Francescu glanced up at Youji, understanding why Ken and Swift were unwilling to interrupt. The boy had a rare expression of content concentration--one that wasn't the malicious glee he got from causing harm to other beings, nor the raw anger when something happened to Natsuo. It wasn't the sadness that occasionally shone through his eyes when someone reminded him that he was supposed to have been here before, a time he held no memories of, nor the suppressed fear when a situation slipped out of his control.
His musings were cut short when, by sliding a bishop three squares, Youji gleefully declared, "Checkmate!" Francescu blinked, took another look at the board, then flicked a finger to knock his king over, accepting his defeat gracefully. Youji suddenly looked up and looked to the side in the direction of the hospital, "And Natsuo's done too!" He hopped off his chair, calling back as he ran out the door, "Thanks, thanks! Bye!"
"Have fun?" Francescu glanced up at the sound of his boyfriend's voice and smiled fondly. Ken and Swift entered the cabin, both still looking in the direction the boy had run off in.
"I did, yes," Francesucu took one last look at the board, then banished it with the wave of a hand, keeping the chairs and calling up another for Swift. Both took the offer and sat down, looking at Francescu curiously. "Youji was bored because Natsuo was painting," he explained, his mind evidently not entirely concentrating on his words. "His strategy was...amazing," he suddenly said, looking intently at Ken and Swift. "Both times we played. Far beyond what I would expect of someone his age."
The self-declared dads exchanged a look, Swift finally speaking, "Yes." But they would have preferred it if Youji hadn't had have the sense of strategy he did. If they had it their way, Youji would never again need to use his mind for anything more than a chess game. Yes, they agreed silently, never again.