Welcome one, welcome all, to the grand world of 'Feathers'! This tale will begin after you heed these warnings. I would appreciate it if you repressed your urge to spout off Lux Pain trivia, and/or deliver harsh criticism on character deviations. I would also appreciate it if you refrained from flaming the yaoi pairings. I'll post the pairings here, to ward off any Lux Pain fans suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Pairings: Shinji/Atsuki (one sided), Atsuki/Akira (one sided), Akira/OC, Shinji/OC
Disclaimer: If I owned Lux Pain, Mika and Yayoi would host a yaoi Christmas bash with every hottie from the cast.
Note: This adventure was born off the wings of GintaxAlvissxForever. Her tale 'Broken Hearts' paved the foundation for this tale. Shinji and Hibiki's situations were greatly inspired by their respective situations in 'Broken Hearts'. I am forever grateful for not only her friendship, but her inspirational artwork.
He was in a black hole.
Sure, his world was filled with other people. He lived in a city packed with people, energy and dreams. Day in and day out, people worked themselves to the bone. Entrepreneurs and children alike executed their agendas, hoping to achieve all of their goals. The seniors of his city, not wanting to have their lives ebb away, spent their hours immersed in Kisaragi's youthful magic. Kisaragi City was a never-ending vortex of people, wish lists and routines, but it was a vortex that left him behind.
He was Shinji Naruse, a professional at unscrambling riddles. The government couldn't hold a candle to his skills, for he could unearth enigmatic information at lightning speed. No one could even hope to surpass him, with the exception of Hibiki Kiryu. Ryo's closest friend and confidant rivaled him on every level. Other than the timid Kiryu, no one could even think of challenging the Naruse. His skill set was something to be proud of, but lately, none of his skills were beneficial. He would have given his life to gain the skill set of a knight, the kind of hero one found in role-playing games. A knight's valor would've been much more useful than the ability to hack the CIA database.
The Christmas season was alive and well in Kisaragi. Homes were doused in the magic of the season, filled with radiant, fragrant trees and lights. The aroma of sugar, oatmeal and gingerbread cookies wafted through the air as families decorated trees. Lovers snuggled against each other, nestled near their fireplace. Businesses practically threw all manner of gifts out the window, due to incessant streams of customers. The holidays were certainly a busy time of year, and he should've been one to partake of the joy. Sadly, the only thing he could partake of was confusion. Tremendous, overwhelming, maddening confusion.
Everyone was busy, all right. His friends were certainly busy, working under the pressure of the season. Everyone wanted to ensure the magic of the season, and his friends were no exception. Rui's business was swamped, Nami's work at the animal shelter was off like a lightning bolt, Mika was digging up information on the city's festivities, and then there were others. A certain duo had thrown him into his vortex. He was grateful for both Ryo and Hibiki, whom he had patched things up with several weeks ago. There were other things in life to worry over, aside from a petty rivalry. Two of them were Atsuki Saijo and Akira Mido.
Ah. Thinking of those two brought a single word to the surface, and that was the word 'vortex'. His feelings towards Atsuki experienced daily changes-or surges, to be precise. Atsuki, on his own end, experienced changes in his connection to Akira. Unaware of the Naruse's budding affection, Atsuki moved closer to Kenichi's son. Mido and Saijo were inseperable, much to the Naruse's horror. The arrival of a transfer student shook Atsuki's world to the core, though. The silver-haired knight was sent into a whirlpool of resignation, and the legendary hacker couldn't escape from never-ending madness. Being in the Saijo's apartment didn't help things, even if they were sharing the Christmas season together.
The unit was small, but elegantly dressed. Atsuki wasn't too big on gaudy decorations, but used simple decor with unrivaled prowess. A small Christmas tree sang in his living room, blue lights had been hung with care, and a centerpiece proudly sat on his tabletop. Atsuki himself was sitting at his table, observing images on his television set. The Saijo was troubled, viewing images that weren't the least bit pleasing. Shinji, meanwhile, was in the kitchen, searching for a way to end staggering silence. If something wasn't done fast, he'd explode. What to do, what to do, what to-
"It hurts to see this at this time of year," the Saijo said, shaking his head. His soft voice made a reference to the latest news stories. "You would think people would be able to enjoy Christmastime, without having to worry about kidnappers. Out of the entire year, this should be the time to relax. I guess my expectations were too high, though."
Yeah, a completely helpless hacker thought, trying to remain occupied with a mug. It was once filled with hot chocolate. Perhaps he could pretend to make some more.
Looks like my expectations are right up there with yours, but for a completely different reason.
"I can only hope no lives are lost," the Saijo went on, eyes immersed in the world he had just seen. "The police are doing everything they can, so hopefully all of this will come to an end soon."
Now I see why people use stress balls. I don't think taking my frustration out on this cup would be a really good idea, especially since I'm in Atsuki's house!
"Shinji, thank you," the member of the enigmatic FORT said, giving the Naruse a frail smile. "I'm glad you're here. I needed some company."
"Sure," the purple-haired fawn said, hoping he would make at least some sense. "No problem! Don't worry about it."
Everything's hunky dory, even though you don't know why I'm here!
A volcano was raging on the inside. Atsuki was sitting right there! If he didn't say anything quickly, he would possibly lose his chance! And perhaps the Saijo would return his feelings! They were much closer than they had ever been before, and Akira had obviously turned him down flat! Perhaps the silver Sigma user would-
"Everything's much darker than it should be. For me, at least."
A sour scowl couldn't be repressed. It was as if he didn't even exist! Atsuki was on a completely different planet, staring at the news and Akira-
"Sure we're only a week away from Christmas, but...I'm not the least bit merry. I didn't think I'd end up losing Aki to someone else. Not after everything we've been through."
In mere moments, Shinji's Christmas mug was going to adopt the role of 'stress ball'. Sure, he was trying to keep a smile, but it was increasingly difficult. The Saijo couldn't stop talking about-
"I've been by his side, through thick and thin. To think I'd lose out to some moron! Pretty bad, huh?"
If anything was 'pretty bad', it was the entire situation. Shinji's fingers gripped the mug fiercely, threatening to crush the innocent mug. The facade of brewing more cocoa wouldn't work much longer. Loneliness had done nothing but erupt over the last couple of days, he had several night fantasies of seeing Atsuki without a shirt-
"How's it coming along in there? Everything all right?"
"Yeah, everything's peachy keen," the Naruse replied, even though it obviously wasn't. To add salt to injury, Atsuki rose from his seat. Smiling, looking as if he had just discovered freedom after lifelong imprisonment, he spoke in a voice that was as soft as a feather. His silvery eyes were soft, velvety, akin to moonlit marbles. "Looks that way," he said, placing his arms onto the ivory white counter.
"Listen. I really am glad you're here. A guy can't help being bummed after losing his crush."
The false smile was vanishing. If Atsuki went on any further, his peaches would end up becoming rotten.
"I really thought we'd end up together. You know, for a long time. We've only known each other for a short while, but...I even had the word 'soulmate' locked in my mind. I thought we'd be perfect together, because...he was the perfect guy for me."
In the next few seconds, several events took place. A snowman mug fell onto the floor in shards, Atsuki released a gasp, and Shinji shut his eyes. As if on instinct, the Saijo bent down to remove the shattered snowman from the floor. The Sigma knight wasn't the least bit angry, bearing only warmth in his voice.
"Hey, you all right there?"
This was a stupid idea. Pointless and stupid. I couldn't have been any more idiotic about this!
Atsuki's eyes were on him, alive with the enchanting magic of a moonlit lake. They were soft, satiny, and filled with concern. The Naruse's eyes became damp for some reason, and in mere moments, his cheeks were wet. "Shinji," the Saijo said softly, discarding the shards of glass from memory.
"Shinji, what's-"
Stupid idea. Stupid stupid stupid. He only thinks of me as a friend. He's still in love with Akira. He calls him 'Aki', for crying out loud! Stupid stupid-
Atsuki continued to speak, but none of his words made any sense. They might have been from a foreign language, for all Shinji knew. The Saijo could've said 'blah blah blah, I'm a toad' and it wouldn't have made any difference. He was making far too much noise to hear anything Atsuki had to say. Many referred to his noise as 'weeping'.
He had to get out of there. Atsuki was trying to comfort him, but nothing was working. Nothing would work. He had to get out, had to leave, the room was getting smaller, difficult to breathe-
No one needed him. No one needed him around. Atsuki's heart belonged to Akira, and he was beloved by all. Mika had her friends and career. Akira had Atsuki and that guy named Sen. Sen Kisumi or something. Ryo had his bookstore and Hibiki. Hibiki had Ryo. Rui had her customers.
He had nothing. Nothing but a black void.
Before Atsuki mentioned the word 'soulmate', Shinji Naruse wanted to escape his whirlpool.
Now he wanted to sink into it.
You're the only one. The only one that cares. The only one.
I need you. Get me out of here.
Life had become strange. He didn't know what to make of anything anymore. It was even difficult to tell 'up' from 'down'. Days in the bookstore were whirlwinds, passing by at the speed of sound. They should have been peaceful days, but the serenity of a bookstore was betrayed by an inner icestorm. Dizziness made it difficult to remain on his own two feet, and caused his humble world to spin.
The nights were increasingly difficult. He hardly slept, rarely ate, and could hardly breathe. It was impossible to keep track of time, let alone his location. At the moment he was behind a door, with his back facing a wall of books. He must've been inside of the storage room. He needed some place, any place, to restore his concentration on the day's business. After all, Ryo's assistant was on Christmas vacation. Ryo needed his help. Ryo-
"My my my. Aren't you cute, Hibiki?"
"Isn't Hibiki a wench's name?"
"Who gives a flying fuck. This wench is ours!"
Ryo needed him. Customers were streaming through the walls. People must've really been into Christmas stories or something. Ryo-
"Pin him down. Make sure he can't move an inch!"
"Speaking of an inch, that's how long his cock is! Not much, eh fellas?!"
His insides were crumbling. Caving on him.
Had to get out. Had to get back out there. Ryo was out there. Ryo was going to leave him if he didn't help.
Had to repress nausea. It was rising, hot, volcanic. Staggering dizziness was slapping him in the face. His head was about to fall off his shoulders, the floor beneath his feet was spinning-
"It'll be complete, my beloved. Soon, you and I will rule over all...together."
Someone was coming to take him. He couldn't tell who it was, but the stranger always returned to his mind, promising Ryo the world. He kept mentioning their new world, a world they would rule together, and Ryo would leave him. Someone would take his only lifeline away, and leave him to die.
Liquid bubbled in the pit of his stomach. He instinctively gripped his stomach, hoping to prevent a volcano's uprising. His eyelids lowered, books toppled-
"Come closer, my darling. Come closer."
He wasn't speaking to him. The stranger didn't want him. He wanted Ryo in more ways than one. He wanted-
The door opened, and Hibiki Kiryu fell straight into a worried Ryo's arms.
This was composed to Use Somebody by Kings of Leon. If this tale of mine were transformed into a full-blown movie, that song would be the first to play during the end credits. XD It just sounds like that type of song.
So! This marks the beginning of 'Feathers on the Moon'. You can find extensive information on this in my profile! I won't say anything here, other than this. I've already got so much of the story planned out, it's ninenty-eight percent done. And I'm already moving into the sequel, which will take place in a completely different continent.
Thank you for joining this adventure! I hope you follow it closely. Please refrain from submitting purely technical, harsh feedback, or anti-yaoi feedback. I do not wish to be lectured by a Lux Pain professor, and if you can't stomach anything outside of the ordinary, then you and I won't mesh too well. Thanks for your consideration in advance!