Author's Note: This is not a Sage/Rowen pairing. It's just two guys hanging out, getting to know eachother. Probably set sometime before the first OVA. I wanted to play off of the fact that Rowen and Sage didn't actually know each before their time as Troopers. Kento and Rowen are a lot closer, because they grew up together. Also, I watned to bring out the possibility of the Hashiba apartment being kind of like a crash pad for guys like Kento and Sage. Both have big families, and Rowen practically lives alone. So, it's like a safe haven.

Title: Respite

Summary: Taking a break from his family, Sage discovers a facet of his close friend.

Rating: K. Nothing happens in this story.

Soundtrack: Erik Satie's Gymnopedie No. 1

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" It's really cool that you came over here, Sage," Rowen assured as he drained the juice from a half-empty bowl of peas, " It's not a problem at all."

The older boy smiled slightly, looking down at the clean counter. " Thank you. May I?" With one hand, he patted the counter top. Rowen looked at him curiously, not understanding at first, but then nodded. Sage pushed himself up to sit on the counter.

" Actually," the blue-haired child mumbled with a grin, " I kinda like being the one that someone else can run to." He stuck the peas into the microwave, then went to the fridge.

" What do you mean?" Sage asked, watching as he pulled out a small tube of biscuit dough.

Rowen unwrapped the biscuits as he talked. " Well, I used to always be over at Kento's house when I was little, y'know? Especially when Mom and Dad first split up." A pan had appeared, and he coated it with spray oil and was now placing the dough carefully around it. " Mama Shu's actually the one who taught me how to cook something other than ramen and microwave burritos," He added with a laugh, sticking the pan in the oven. " Open that window, wouldja? Or else it'll get wicked hot in here."

Sage complied without a word, then turned to again face his friend. " Was your parents' divorce very hard on you?"

" Nah." The microwave beeped. " Not really. Just...the afterwards was kinda weird. I just crashed with Kento 'cause I wasn't real set on where I should be, is all. You want somma these?" " No, thank you."

" You sure? It's all right."

" I'll wait for the biscuits to finish."

Rowen grinned. " An excellent choice, good sir." He fished a spoon out of a drawer and began to slowly eat the peas.

" Do you ever wish they'd thought of you first?"

He cast something of a glare at his seated friend. " You're really in a one-track state of mind tonight, huh?"

Sage shifted. " I only want to know you better."

" Smooth." Rowen rolled his eyes. " Well, yeah, some days I do. I'll admit. But..." He shrugged, looking out the open window. " ...if that how it's gotta be, that's it. I mean, it's better if their both happy, instead of just me. 'Cause I mean...they're two, and I just one."

He looked down at the bowl in his hands, and Sage smiled. " I really admire you, Rowen."

Rowen looked stunned. The expression on his face only made Sage smile wider. It seemed to be a new concept entirely to the younger teen, and Sage was more than happy to have been the person to introduce it.

" ...th-the biscuits should be done in a couple minutes," He spat out, turning to hide a proud blush and a similar smile. " Smells like it's gonna rain."

" Yes." Sage looked out the window, lips still quirked upward. " It does."

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Nix: There 'tis. All thoughts are appreciated. How was the characterization? That's a big concern for this one.