[Fic] Azure (10/?)
Characters: Naoto, Tetsuya, Nesmith, Hiroomi, Hayato, Ryota, Naoki
Pairing: Hmm.
Rating: G
Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11
=========================
“The more I think about it, the stranger it gets.”
At Naoto’s feet, a flock of birds pecked at the breadcrumbs. A particularly bold pigeon waddled over to peck at Naoto’s shoe, demanding more food.
“Look, I have no idea who’s sending all that seafood. First it was just fish. Then came the clams. And just yesterday, it was more shellfish and prawns.”
Seemingly as one unit, the birds flapped over to peck at the newly scattered morsels.
“I wonder what their motive is. If anyone can help me keep a lookout for the person doing the drop-offs, it would be greatly appreciated. It may or may not be linked to that gathering that is going on.”
A lark tilted its head up at Naoto, giving another pigeon the opportunity to steal its food.
“You know that I can’t go back. It’s physically impossible for me to do so.”
The lark ruffled its feathers.
“Yeah. I kinda miss you lot too. Pass my message, yeah?” Naoto stood up from the bench, emptied the last of the breadcrumbs onto the ground, and walked out of the park.
Someone else had questions to answer.
=========================
Tetsuya never liked to stay indoors on sunny weekend afternoons.
“Can we get this over and done with? I’m a busy cat.”
“You’re going to go nap on some rooftop after we’re done, aren’t you?” A man drawled from the recliner he was lounging on.
“Ah shut up. You would too, if you were less conspicuous.”
Nesmith grinned at the shorter man, his teeth flashing white against his dark skin. He then turned to address the other three gathered in his living room.
“I’m sure you have heard that Takahiro has arrived in town.”
Quiet murmurs spread among the small group.
“The alphas are gathering then,” the one known as Hiroomi remarked.
“It seems to be the case.” Tetsuya stifled a yawn.
“How many of them are here already?” Hayato seemed genuinely curious.
“No idea. Perhaps your avian friend can help us find out.” Nesmith smiled at Tetsuya.
“He’s not my friend. And stop grinning like that.”
“Actually, isn’t the real question why they’re gathering?” Ryota interjected.
No one was able to provide an answer to that.
=========================
Upon returning to the house, Naoto found its owner finishing up a novel.
“I’m back. Is that abomination around?” Naoto helped himself to a glass of water.
“No. He never stays inside on weekends, does he?”
“Yeah, good point.”
Setting his glass on the coffee table, Naoto sunk into a settee near his companion.
“Say, Naoki-san. Can I ask you something?”
“Eh? Sure. What’s up?”
“It’s been a long time since you took me in and tried to patch me up. Sure, that tail feather pattern is unique enough, but I’m just a sparrow. There’re hundreds of us around here. How did you even remember me after all this time?”
“Ah. That. Well…” Naoki suddenly seemed at a loss as to what to do with the book in his hands.
Under Naoto’s expectant gaze, the taller man cleared his throat uncomfortably and placed the book on his lap.
“I suppose… Well. You know, there’s always a few things that you can never forget, no matter how hard you try? Even though you’ve been doing the same thing for months, even years?”
“Sort of, I guess?” Where was he going with this?
“Your rescue falls into that category I suppose. You’re the first bird I picked up that really required medical attention. You’re also the first and only one that I released through sheer carelessness. I guess that after seeing you again I felt really relieved. I thought that after you disappeared under the hedge that you’d be a sitting duck for the stray cats in the area. I mean, not that you’re a duck. You obviously aren’t.” Naoki chuckled wryly.
“Yeah well, I didn’t stay in bird form for much longer when I found out about those little buggers.” If that was the case, why was Naoki refusing to look at him?
The taller man bent his head downwards, interlocked fingers clenching.
“Naoki-san?”
Naoto had to strain his ears to hear Naoki haltingly mumble his next words.
“Aside from all that, as your rescuer and caretaker. You being unable to fly again, doesn’t that make it my fault?”
=========================
It was 4.47pm.
A slight figure wearing a hoodie placed an unmarked Styrofoam box by Naoki’s mailbox before running off in the direction from which he came.
A lone crow took to the skies with a caw.
Pairing: Hmm.
Rating: G
Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11
=========================
“The more I think about it, the stranger it gets.”
At Naoto’s feet, a flock of birds pecked at the breadcrumbs. A particularly bold pigeon waddled over to peck at Naoto’s shoe, demanding more food.
“Look, I have no idea who’s sending all that seafood. First it was just fish. Then came the clams. And just yesterday, it was more shellfish and prawns.”
Seemingly as one unit, the birds flapped over to peck at the newly scattered morsels.
“I wonder what their motive is. If anyone can help me keep a lookout for the person doing the drop-offs, it would be greatly appreciated. It may or may not be linked to that gathering that is going on.”
A lark tilted its head up at Naoto, giving another pigeon the opportunity to steal its food.
“You know that I can’t go back. It’s physically impossible for me to do so.”
The lark ruffled its feathers.
“Yeah. I kinda miss you lot too. Pass my message, yeah?” Naoto stood up from the bench, emptied the last of the breadcrumbs onto the ground, and walked out of the park.
Someone else had questions to answer.
=========================
Tetsuya never liked to stay indoors on sunny weekend afternoons.
“Can we get this over and done with? I’m a busy cat.”
“You’re going to go nap on some rooftop after we’re done, aren’t you?” A man drawled from the recliner he was lounging on.
“Ah shut up. You would too, if you were less conspicuous.”
Nesmith grinned at the shorter man, his teeth flashing white against his dark skin. He then turned to address the other three gathered in his living room.
“I’m sure you have heard that Takahiro has arrived in town.”
Quiet murmurs spread among the small group.
“The alphas are gathering then,” the one known as Hiroomi remarked.
“It seems to be the case.” Tetsuya stifled a yawn.
“How many of them are here already?” Hayato seemed genuinely curious.
“No idea. Perhaps your avian friend can help us find out.” Nesmith smiled at Tetsuya.
“He’s not my friend. And stop grinning like that.”
“Actually, isn’t the real question why they’re gathering?” Ryota interjected.
No one was able to provide an answer to that.
=========================
Upon returning to the house, Naoto found its owner finishing up a novel.
“I’m back. Is that abomination around?” Naoto helped himself to a glass of water.
“No. He never stays inside on weekends, does he?”
“Yeah, good point.”
Setting his glass on the coffee table, Naoto sunk into a settee near his companion.
“Say, Naoki-san. Can I ask you something?”
“Eh? Sure. What’s up?”
“It’s been a long time since you took me in and tried to patch me up. Sure, that tail feather pattern is unique enough, but I’m just a sparrow. There’re hundreds of us around here. How did you even remember me after all this time?”
“Ah. That. Well…” Naoki suddenly seemed at a loss as to what to do with the book in his hands.
Under Naoto’s expectant gaze, the taller man cleared his throat uncomfortably and placed the book on his lap.
“I suppose… Well. You know, there’s always a few things that you can never forget, no matter how hard you try? Even though you’ve been doing the same thing for months, even years?”
“Sort of, I guess?” Where was he going with this?
“Your rescue falls into that category I suppose. You’re the first bird I picked up that really required medical attention. You’re also the first and only one that I released through sheer carelessness. I guess that after seeing you again I felt really relieved. I thought that after you disappeared under the hedge that you’d be a sitting duck for the stray cats in the area. I mean, not that you’re a duck. You obviously aren’t.” Naoki chuckled wryly.
“Yeah well, I didn’t stay in bird form for much longer when I found out about those little buggers.” If that was the case, why was Naoki refusing to look at him?
The taller man bent his head downwards, interlocked fingers clenching.
“Naoki-san?”
Naoto had to strain his ears to hear Naoki haltingly mumble his next words.
“Aside from all that, as your rescuer and caretaker. You being unable to fly again, doesn’t that make it my fault?”
=========================
It was 4.47pm.
A slight figure wearing a hoodie placed an unmarked Styrofoam box by Naoki’s mailbox before running off in the direction from which he came.
A lone crow took to the skies with a caw.