Pairing: BurterxJeice

Rating: PG

Warning: Shounen-ai, AU. You may also wish to be careful of the horrible and shameless fluff at the end.

Word Count: 300

Disclaimer: I own nothing in connection with the fictional characters used in this non-profit fanfiction.

AN: This piece was spawned from a fanart doodle. If you happen to be interested it can be found here: http/www. deviantart. com /deviation /52920070 / (remove spaces). The fanart contains Jeice alone.

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Just a Scratch

There was a small noise as he exhaled the smoke. For a moment, he watched as it gracefully and slowly floated upwards before vanishing. Then he placed the cigarette back between his lips and turned his head to continue watching the night pass.

He couldn't see him, but he knew Burter was watching him.

"It's just a scratch."

"A scratch doesn't take away your eye."

Jeice turned his head to be able to look at him properly. He took his cigarette out from his mouth between two fingers before speaking again.

"I'm fine. It wasn't my scouter eye after all. And I can still pose and fight just as well as I could. Plus, the eye patch is cool."

Burter frowned, still not fully convinced. Jeice spotted his arm twitch a little and smiled.

"If it'll help you get used to it, do it."

Taking Jeice's invitation, Burter reached out and lightly traced the scar that ran down from under the eye patch. It went all the way down his cheek, curving upwards a little as it became level with his mouth.

Then Burter ran his finger back up and over the patch. Beneath it was an eye that was damaged beyond repair. It felt strange to both of them, but the smaller man remained perfectly still, allowing them to get used to it. He couldn't help grinning.

"It's not like you to be so worried. I'm the one who won't see through his eye again and I'm fine."

"I should've tried to stop it."

The words were spoken quietly, but they made Jeice's smile drop a lot. He stubbed out the rest of his cigarette and aimlessly flicked the end away. Then he reached up and covered Burter's hand with his own.

"It doesn't matter. I'm still alive, right?"

END