Whatever Happens... I Will Love You by Daphne~Angel~

Author's Notes: So I decided to make another story. Yep, I still haven't finished my Ouran Host Club one on the twins, but I fell in love with 'Loveless' the second I started watching it, so please don't hate me :)

This won't be too long - a three-shot maybe)

Ritsuka was walking home from school, having just escaped Soubi by the gate ('escaped' was much too poised for what he did: threw another 'Soubi-I-told-you-I-don't-want-to-see-you' tantrum and went off in a huff, leaving his confused Fighter behind).

It was almost winter, and tiny snowflakes danced in the air, reminding him of the many winters he'd spent with Seimei and their Mom, taking long strolls around the park, building huge snowmen and watching fireworks.

This year, just like the past few, there was no one who'd do it with him. Mom was still going crazy over the old Ritsuka, Yuiko was fun, but she wasn't that close to him, and Soubi... Well, it wouldn't be fair - Soubi had to do stuff upon his order and Ritsuka figured no one should be forced to do something so personal. Let Soubi be.

Ritsuka spent many nights pondering over their relationship. He was 14 now, and Soubi - 23. He had grown taller, but still not as tall as Soubi, he was a head shorter than his Fighter.

But their relationship... The gap between them seemed to widen with every month. Sure, Soubi still came to see him by the school, and they still made memories like two years ago, but... It seemed like the so-called 'bond' they had was slowly dissolving into nothing.

***

"Ritsuka!

My friends called me and we decided to go out for the night. I prepared everything you liked. Don't stay up late, my Ritsuka!

Mom."

Ritsuka sighed as he folded the piece of paper and threw it into the rubbish bin. Of course, he was happy the his mother finally went outside to have fun, but he was still worried about her.

He opened the fridge and found tonight's dinner in a huge plastic container. He took it out and but it into the microwave to heat up. Looks like tonight's gonna be spent online again...

He was brought out of his thoughts by the doorbell. He made his way to the front door, threw it open, ready to scream at whoever came by -

"Ritsuka."

Soubi. No, scratch that. A troubled-looking Soubi. That was a start.

"Well, come in, don't stand on the porch."

Soubi nodded and walked inside, taking off his shoes and jacket.

Ritsuka went to the kitchen and his Fighter followed him, still wordlessly.

"What brings you here?" Asked Ritsuka, not wanting to spend another evening in silence (as they usually did).

"You."

"Oh."

"Ritsuka, I need to talk about something very important with you." Soubi said gravely, his eyes down on the floor.

Now what?

"Okay, let's go sit on the couch, discuss whatever you want to pester me about." Ritsuka shrugged and led the way to the small living room.

They sat down on either end of the couch, as if not only trying not to touch, but to avoid breathing the same air as each other.

"So what is it?" Ritsuka asked cooly, not bothering to look at Soubi.

"Ritsuka... There's no easy way of saying this." Soubi sighed. "Did you notice that our bond had weakened over the past few months?"

"Yes, and..."

"And... And the time has come for you to get your own Fighter."

Ritsuka's eyes snapped up to look into Soubi's, which were clouded over with hurt.

"W-what do you mean? You're my Fighter."

"Ritsuka, I'm Beloved's Fighter. Your name is Loveless." Soubi said curtly.

"What does it matter?! You've fought for me before, right? Why is this happening?!"

"We're not sharing a name, thus we can't be together. Our bond is getting weaker and weaker and one day it will just disappear..."

"But Soubi! I don't want anybody else! I... Is there anything we can do?" Ritsuka asked, trying to steady himself. I can't believe I nearly said it to him...

"There is one option." Soubi closed his eyes, taking a breath. "But you're not going to like it."

"What is it? What can I do?"

"We need to strengthen our bond physically."

Stop.

"You-you mean..."

"I mean I would have to take your ears."

"M-my ears? But I... I'm not ready for this... I-I'm only 14... What would the others think? I..." Ritsuka started shaking visibly. "I... I can't..."

"That's what I thought. Well, if you don't want it, there's nothing I can do. So," Soubi stood up. "Goodbye, Ritsuka, I hope you find a proper fighter for yourself."

Soubi made to go out of the door, when a fierce flying ball of warmth knocked into him and an arm snaked around his waist from behind.

"Don't ever say things like these. Please..."

Soubi turned around to find Ritsuka, shaking and sobbing and clinging to him. He reached down to hug Ritsuka back.

"Ritsuka... Shh... Please don't cry... It's all right... You will get someone more worthy of you and you'll forget all about me and -,"

"I'll do it."

"What?" That brought Soubi short. He grabbed Ritsuka by the shoulders and shook him. "What did you say?!"

"I said I'll do it!" Ritsuka yelled. He looked up into Soubi's eyes and felt his lip tremble. "I don't want anyone else... Please, Soubi... I need you..."

Author's Notes: Everybody who reviews gets a Ritsuka-shaped cookie)))