Because of Love
Author's Note: This story contains boy/boy situations, so if you don't like that kind of stuff, don't read. Otherwise, enjoy the story and R&R.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to or of the Rockman EXE series.
Pairing: Netto x Tohru
Summary:
Hikari Netto hates Valentine's Day. Can anybody change his mind?
…
Flowers, chocolate, and hearts. Nothing but flowers, chocolate, and hearts amidst bubbly lettering and weirdly-shaped balloons. Something about Valentine's Day really didn't sit well with him. The painfully bright hues of red and pink, cardboard mock-ups of winged toddlers hanging from classroom doors, couples exchanging the unoriginal dozen roses…Whatever "spirit" these things were supposed to bring out in him instead left a sour aftertaste in his mouth. Or maybe it was the soda he was sipping from – it didn't matter which. Either way, February 14th was a holiday he could go without. Unsurprisingly he had considered running headlong into the festivities like everyone else – to shower people with scratch and sniff-covered cards and envelopes, to scarf down boxes upon boxes of velveteen chocolate delights – but now it all seemed too giddy and unappealing.
Slumping into the bench, the teen took another swig of his beverage before disposing of it and returning to the task of shooting wayward glances across the schoolyard. Everywhere he looked, Valentine's Day stung at him like a harem of bees. He had pretty much memorized every cheesy line in the book, reciting them flawlessly at the exact moment passersby began speaking. "Ready for our date? I got reservations," followed by the high-pitched "This is the best gift anyone has ever given me!"
"Want to duck out and catch a flick?" he continued to chide while observing from a distance. "I know a place…" How embarrassing, he thought, if someone were to hear him moping about love in a place he essentially treated as a food court. Then again, people might dismiss him as a depressed kid who fell into withdrawal after being dumped on the sappiest day of the year. If such a luxury were actually available to him, it would be quite the excuse, but no, he was just inextricably bored.
Deciding to leave, he stood and picked his backpack up off the ground. He slung it over one arm and turned on his heels towards home, but a light tap on his shoulder stopped him mid-flight.
"Yeah?" He spun around, greeted by the warm smile of a boy with darker hair, paler complexion, and delicate physique. The braided cords of a small party bag were threaded between the fingers of his joined palms, the contents concealed under layers of crumpled red tissue paper.
The newcomer grinned weakly through flushed cheeks, gently placing the bag into the other boy's hands, then folding his own over top. "I got this for you," he said hesitantly. "I hope you like it."
The older of the two reached into the bag, and after some shuffling, produced a tiny stuffed dog. Made of wool, it was soft to touch and had a cotton ball tuft for a tail. When squeezed, it would emit mouse-like squeaks.
He played around with the toy for a while, mesmerized by its cuteness. His friend had obviously taken tenderhearted care picking it out for him. From the tip of its shaggy nose to its adorably oversized rump, the dog gave off a pleasant aura. So fluffy and warm, squishy and huggable, cuddly and…
He felt like a hypocrite, yet oddly proud at the same time. Maybe getting into the festive spirit wasn't so bad after all.
The other boy raised an eyebrow, amused by his response.
Stunned, he cleared his throat and coughed into a closed fist. Now he was truly embarrassed. In a low but appreciative voice, he uttered the first thing that came to mind: "This is the best gift anyone has ever given me."
He was met with another of his friend's smiles.
Flowers, chocolate, and hearts…Suddenly it all made sense.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Netto-kun."
"Mm. Happy Valentine's Day, Tohru-kun."
…
-Owari-