Title: Bridge of Firefly – First Chapter: Arrival
Disclaimer: "Tokyo Babylon", "X" and all characters and/or contents are belonged to CLAMP and their publishers. The author does not have any legal ownership of these works, and they are being used only as a fan fiction material. The only thing the author possessed is the plot.
Warnings: AU based story. Two men in relationship.
Spoiler: Nothing, for who know "X" and "Tokyo Babylon".
Notes: My first attempted love story. Without crack. In three short chapters.
Status: Unbeated.
Summary: To start anew, doesn't mean to end the old one.
The first time the man realizes of his surrounding, it's already night fall. Or that's what he thought. The moon hung so low in dark-starless sky looked so round and big that it's not surprising it might fall anytime soon. To make it more surreal, it is painted in crimson-orange dye smoothen with pale pink touch. It is beautiful though, but still strange. At the back of his mind, the man remembers dimly how moon usually white or yellow in shade…
Thinking made the man dizzy. Soon enough he has a headache throbs under his skull. It was then that he noticed he is bare-footed. Blinking slowly, completely forgetting his already gone headache, the man starts to examine his attire fully for the first time. Aside from his bare feet, he is draped in what seemed like a simple kimono. It was pale blue with little white strips patterned across. The obi is deep red, in contrast with the kimono. The fabric feels soft in his touch, and even as he caresses it a bit too hard, it doesn't crease. What a strange clothes. Well, considering the place he is currently standing, it made sense somehow.
Having done the examination, the man starts to look around. Vast grey grassless landscape under black horizon is the only thing existed. It is mundane. And plain. Not that he minded too much. Time doesn't feel existed here.
When the man is starting to get used with his surrounding, and contented himself standing idly in the middle of nowhere, a tiny light passes over him. The man blinks several times, startled with the sudden bright light.
He notices soon however, the identity of this light. A firefly floats lazily circling the man's head. Soon another joins it in slow dance. Shortly after, a dozen fireflies already surrounded him in loose hold. Amazed the man lifts up his hand to touch those flying tiny lights. They're abruptly broke apart and heading slowly in certain direction. Feeling curious, the man follows them quietly.
After walking for a short of time, he hears sound of flowing water. Maybe there is a river ahead. The man's thought is confirmed as more fireflies spotted flying over a river. The dark water of river felt peculiar and reminded him too much of another river he had forgotten.
There is a red bridge across it. Its curve style gives ancient and traditional atmosphere, which he welcomes greatly. It is probably a long bridge, since he couldn't see its end. Maybe if the man tries to look properly, he'll able to see it. But something else caught his attention. Or someone, to be precise.
A figure is standing on the bridge. A male in crimson kimono with dark blue obi; the combination is contrary with his own he notices. Hmm, maybe there is a symbolic meeting behind this…?
The stranger looks at him curiously. And then he smiles. Standing languidly from his leaning position, he turns and gives a polite bow to the man. Ever courtesy and polite person he is, the man immediately gives a deep bow in haste. He heard a chuckle and lifts up his face to meet the most beautiful picture in his life. Dim light of moonlight softens the stranger's feature and enhances some shades around him. His gentle smile only accentuates more his beauty. It is a sight to behold.
"Hi there. It's a lovely evening, isn't it?" said the stranger. He has a deep baritone voice, pleasant in ear.
"Um, yes…" the man replied shyly. "Um, since I'm not familiar here… where are we?" He is not one to ask question to stranger in first meeting, but something inside the man insisted, and desperate, to make any form of communication with this allusive stranger.
The stranger sighs and leans back on the bridge. "I sometime ask the same things to myself. But unfortunately, I've never got any." He looks at the man with apologetic smile. "I'm sorry I couldn't give the answer for I also do not know what place this is."
"No, no, it's really alright!" the man immediately shakes his head. He really doesn't want to make the stranger sad as strange as it seemed. Something inside him, the same that insisted on talking with this beautiful stranger, ached thinking how the stranger probably thinks poorly of him now.
Another chuckle. "I'm glad then." The stranger smiles again beautifully.
"Um…" the man blushes cutely in embarrassment, which amused the stranger to no end. "That's good then…"
After that, neither said anything and starts staring at each other. But soon enough the man realizes what exactly he is doing, staring at the beautiful stranger that's it, and immediately apologizes profusely and lowers his head in shame. He heard another chuckle from the stranger, and decided that yes, he likes it very much. From which he blushes again.
The stranger looks at the man in curious and amused look. He had been standing at the bridge for a length of time now. But, none of any people, or at least they looked like so, passed by has equal charm and beauty as the blushing cutie at the edge of bridge.
After staring at the adorable beauty who keeps his head down, which is a pity really, and fidgets nervously under intense scrutinizes, the stranger regrettable took pity on him. Not that he minded to keep staring, though.
"As much as I enjoy keeping looking at you," the stranger said, eliciting another intense blush on the man. Heh, so he does realize. "I'd prefer if we could talk. Of course, if you don't mind…"
"No! Err, I mean… of course, I wouldn't mind…" the man tempted to hit himself for his earlier outburst. He's too excited in prospect of talking with the stranger.
"Well, then, come and sit here." The stranger smiles sweetly, and pats the spot next him.
"Um…" looking at the spot, the man feels unsure suddenly at the situation he is currently involved. Being too intimate with a stranger is not something he's used. Glancing timidly at still smiling stranger, the man sighs inwardly and gives in to the stranger's request. And also, it was then that he realizes how tired he's actually is. Maybe sitting down is not such a bad thing. Especially with a company…
"Um, okay… Pardon for the intrusion…" the man walks slowly, climbing the bridge which surprisingly warm in touch, and sits stiffly a bit far from intended spot the stranger pointed earlier.
Not feeling deterred, the stranger smiles widely and scoots closer, sitting next to the startled man. His action could be considered as invading personal space, but it seemed the stranger is not someone who concerned himself with such a thing. In fact, he is settled comfortably and positioned himself close enough with the man to fell his body warmth, but not enough for touching. Touching is intimate, and he is not being that intimate, thank you.
"So, um…" the man glances nervously at the smiling stranger whom looked pretty satisfied with their seat arrangement. He decides that starting a conversation might help easing his embarrassment. "Um, may I ask what are you doing here if you do not mind…?"
"Ah," the stranger has a strange smile," I'm waiting for someone. I think."
The man blinks. "You think?"
The stranger sighs. "Yes… Although I'm pretty sure I'm waiting for someone, unfortunately I don't remember who I am waiting for." He gives a sad smile. "I don't even remember the face or the name. It's pathetic, isn't it?"
The man immediately shakes his head. "Of course it's not pathetic!" His exclamation surprised even the stranger a bit. "I even don't remember who I am, or how I got here! And you're really, really not pathetic at all!" The man feels quite furious at how the stranger even remotely feels himself pathetic.
Blinking slowly the stranger stares at the seething man. Then, he throws his head and laughs openly.
"W-what?" asked the man, startled with the sudden laugh. Not that he complained though. It has a nice ring…
"No-nothing…chuckle… oh my stomach," the stranger sweeps some tears that managed to leak out from his eyes, while still chuckling and holding his stomach. "I've never met someone as amusing as you. You're the first."
The word 'the first' made the man's heart skips a beat. Something painfully sweet swirls inside made him breathless. He feels himself turns warmer, and with the way the stranger looks at him, he bets he is blushing. Again. Great…
The stranger sobers immediately seeing those lovely cheeks adorned with sweet scarlet. It looks so soft…
Both men immediately startled. The man stares wide-eyed at the equally stunned stranger, or to be precise, at his finger. Which just touched the man's cheek. It seemed the stranger's hand had moved on its own record to touch the cheek.
"Um…" What are you doing, is what the man wanted to ask, but too polite to utter it out.
"…I just want to make sure," the stranger said finally, after momentary loss of words," whether it's real or not."
"…Oh. …I see." No, actually I don't get it. The man glances nervously at the stranger who is currently staring intently at his own hand.
"…May I?"
Blink. "…May what?"
The stranger points at the man's cheek. "To touch it again."
Blink, blink. "…Pardon?" I must be heard it wrong, thought the man.
"I'm asking your permission to touch your cheek," said the stranger in slow and patient tone, usually used for small children.
Several blinks later, the man feels his cheeks burn so hard the stranger worried he may passed out anytime soon.
"Um…" the man clears his dry throat. "…Why?" he decided on most obvious question.
"Because, it looks soft."
Blink. Okay, I don't see it coming. The man stared uncomprehendingly at the stranger who looks back at him equally. He looks serious though.
The man contemplates the request carefully. It is unusual one, and one could label it as impolite. There are so many questions swirled inside his head, but… The man glances slightly at the stranger who keeps staring intently. Maybe…it's okay. He sees no harm in it. And it's not his nature to reject someone request anyway. Especially this beautiful stranger with golden eyes…
"…I think…it's alright…" said the man hesitantly.
The stranger immediately perks up. "Really?" he asked hopefully.
At the shy nod of said person, the stranger immediately launches himself into shameless poking. He noted with amusement and fascination how with each poke the color of those lovely cheeks turns into different shade of red. Scarlet, crimson, pink, burgundy, cherry, and it still continues on.
Really, the man is fascinated the stranger so much. And it is as soft as its look too.
A/N: A review from who read this would be much appreciated.
Urgently needed: Currently searching a beta-reader to help improving the quality of writing. Anyone who is interested, or know who will be interested, please contact me soon for the help is really needed. It is preferable someone who is familiar with CLAMP works and took no offense with male-male relationship.