Title: Day 28
Fandom: .hack/G.U.
Pairing: Endrance/Haseo
Warning(s): Slash
Genre: Drama, Romance
Day 1, Endrance had nothing to smile about. He went on one mini quest with Alkaid and some noob, but spent the rest of his time in Indieglut Lugh, awaiting Haseo's message.
Day 7, Endrance declined any company from Alkaid, or Sakubo after no more than three days without Haseo. He'd never logged on, even in the times where Endrance had logged off to eat and sleep. He knew, because he checked with Haseo's friends.
Day 14, Shino e-mailed him, informing him that Haseo was fine. His family moved to a new home and he had been without access to The World. She gave Endrance Haseo's new address, but that did him no good. He didn't leave his room.
Day 28, Kaoru attempted for the tenth time to leave for Ryou's. So far he had managed his front lawn. The sun burned his eyes normally, but it was raining that day. The cool drips against his nose comforted him much like the interior of his ice shell at Indieglut Lugh.
He made it to the bus stop. He was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and his hair obscured his face. People backed away, which he had hoped they would. He didn't want to speak to anyone.
While he was on the bus, he worried. It'd been so long since they had spoken to each other. What drove him, though, was the invitation. Because he was a hikikomori, Haseo told him that the first time they met in person Endrance would have to come to him. Endrance was content to keep their relationship the way it was online, until Haseo disappeared. Now he was soaked and surrounded by people, rather than the soft hum of his PC. Haseo was worth it.
Once he reached the correct house he knocked lightly. A brief, unnerving moment went by, until a very surprised young man opened the door, squinted, and gasped.
"Endrance?"
"... you recognize me," said Kaoru in a small voice. He thought his heart was going to burst, or that Ryou would slam the door on him. Instead, he was ushered inside, and Ryou went to fetch a warm towel fresh from the wash.
"Haven't you ever heard of an umbrella, Kaoru?"
It took a moment for that to sink in, but when it did Kaoru's face flushed and he smiled.
"You remember my real name."
"It hasn't been that long. I was going to set my PC up tonight after I fin-" Kaoru cupped Ryou's cheek in his palm and stroked it, like he would in The World. It was as warm as Kaoru had always imaged. Ryou was as beautiful and kind in person as he was in The World. The trip was worth it. The wait was worth this moment.
"I've missed you."
Ryou sighed, and gave Kaoru's hand a pat. "I'm glad you came."
END