It was a dark and dreary afternoon and Count D's pet shop was quiet, save for the flutter of wings and soft chatter from various cages. The count sat in one of his two tall-backed plush chairs, sipping a cup of steaming tea with a mostly-eaten cake on the table before him. /It's slow today - I suppose I shall close early./
Setting the cup down on the matching saucer the slender man was on his feet, dark blue kimono with gold etchings of vines along the side making a soft swishing sound as he moved. Halfway to the door he could hear the sound of feet against the stone steps before it was pushed open, the bell jingling to signal the potential customer's arrival. The man - merely a boy, really - was dressed in a pair of faded blue jeans, a fitted yellow top showing from underneath his dark jacket. Long silver strands were held back in a loose ponytail, bangs tucked behind his ears to reveal a pair of ocean-green eyes and sharp, handsome features.
"Welcome to Count D's Pet Shop." The owner said as he bowed, hands folding in front of him. "How many I help you?"
The boy looked around, an indifferent gaze settling on the count before shoving his hands into his pockets. "I want something exotic," he said in a low voice, slowly moving around the shop to peek into the cages and tanks. "And beautiful. Not a dog or cat or something that'll run away." The boy paused in his looking around to turn his gaze on the count. "Money is no object."
The count studied the boy for several long moments. There were several pets that he could offer, if he chose to sell to the boy at all - but what would be the consequences?
/Let's see - ah, he would be perfect./
A secretive smile slowly spread across the Chinese man's lips, a hand raising to them. "I have just the pet for you. Please - the way."
Watching as Count D headed for a door leading to the back of the shop Riku hesitated for a moment before following. The sweet smell of incense seemed to put his mind at ease, thoughts once in turmoil smoothing out.
He was the only child of a big-shot businessman who dealt with international stock and trade. Riku knew that his father had his hand in a few less-upstanding areas; namely drugs and prostitution. He's heard more than one one-sided conversation between his dad and the unknown men he dealt with as well as hearing the messages that were often left on their home machine.
Riku couldn't care less about that.
Ever since his mother died of an illness when he was eight his father had spent more and more time out and less with his son. Riku couldn't remember the last time he'd even spoken to his dad face-to-face, let alone sat down to just spend time with. That's why he wanted a pet - it was something that would love and need him - not ignore and nearly abandon him as his father had when he needed him most.
"In here."
Count D's velvet voice drew Riku out of his thoughts and the teen realized that the shop was a lot bigger than he originally thought. /Whoa - don't judge a book by it's cover, I guess./ Stepping into the dark room after the count Riku jumped at the light touch to his arm, heart hammering in his chest. "Wait here - I shall turn on a light." He felt the count move away at that, the room nearly silent except for...swishing?
"Is it a big fish?" With the dim visibility Riku could see the outline of what appeared to be a rather large tank dominating most of the room. A light was turned up from dim, bathing the room in a soft glow. Count D became visible once again, standing next to the tank.
"You could say that," came the silky voice, slender man raising a hand, beckoning. "Come, the ladder is here - you can make you decision after seeing him."
/Him? How do you tell with fish?/ Riku was already moving forward, reaching the side of the tank and beginning to climb. He was unexplainably nervous, swallowing hard as he made the long climb o the top. /It's just a fish. He wouldn't send me up here if it was dangerous, right?/
There was a two-foot ledge at the top and Riku stepped onto it, looking a the dark water rippling below. He could make out a shadowy form swimming below and knelt down, trying to make out what it was. The 'he' that the count had mentioned circled the bottom of the tank before it form grew larger, breaking the surface of the water with a loud splash.
And Riku's breath caught.
There, body seemingly suspended in the air was a creature that he'd only read about in fairy-tales. It was a fish of sorts, lower half covered in deep-blue scales that sparkled in the light. The upper half was that of a boy, slightly tanned with a mass of wild brown spikes on his head. Droplets of water clung to his arms and chest and as Riku watched to other, transfixed, the half-fish half-boy looked down at him with the clearest blue eyes he'd ever seen. Then he was hitting the water, the salty spray washing over Riku and forcing him to turn away to shield his face.
The silver-haired boy knelt there, crouched next to the pool with a stunned expression on his face. The mer-boy had gone back to swimming near the bottom of the tank, just a shadow among the waves. He stayed there for a long moment, watching the dark form until his knees began to ache. It was then that he rose, climbing down the side of the tank to where Count D was waiting. The older man had a sly smile playing on his lips, taking in the boy's soaked form. "Well? Would he make a suitable pet for you?"
Riku was sure that he'd been drugged. Or was dreaming. How else would he explain what he saw/Be that as it may../
"How much?"
The smirk on the count's face grew wider, slender man nodding. "I'll draw up a contract."
It was a bit later that the teen was looking over the sheet of paper in the front area of the store, disbelief etched into his features.
"There are three conditions that you must follow," the count was saying, a delicate finger pointing out each. "One; you must keep him in a clean, large tank suitable for ocean-type fish."
"We have a 30-foot indoor and connected outdoor pool," Riku put in. "I'll have it converted for him." The count nodded before continuing.
"Two; you must feed him fresh fish everyday, twice a day. Third, you must never show him to anyone. If any of these conditions are broken then the contract becomes void and the shop will not take responsibility for what may happen. Is that understood?"
Nodding in response Riku took a hold of the pen the count offered, signing it then watching as D did the same. A second was signed and given to the teen. "Contact me once the arrangements have been made and I will have him transported to you."
"Ah - yes. Thank you."
Count D gave the boy a smile that sent a shiver down his spine. "The pleasure is all mine."
Later that night as Riku collapsed onto his bed he looked at the contract sitting on his nightstand, still in shock. /I can't believe what happened today./ Rolling onto his back the teen threw an arm over his eyes. /I'll have to think of a name.. Breeze? No, that's stupid. Tide? Laaame./
Mulling over it he recalled the mer-boy's form poised in the air, those bright blue eyes staring at him with innocent curiosity. /..Sora../ The name fit him, in Riku's mind, and it was with a name chosen that he drifted off into dreams of sparkling fins and sky-blue eyes.
A week later Riku found himself leaving the fish market, bags heavy with his purchases. He had called the count the day before and they arranged for his purchase to be delivered to his house that day and he was a bundle of nerves.
"I shall have him there by mid-afternoon," the count had assured. "Why don't you go and get food and things for him? I'm sure you two will be able to bond right away. I'll throw in some incense to make him feel at home."
So, with an assortment of fish and sea-safe toys Riku headed back to his house (he hated to call it a mansion but really, it was what it was), pausing at seeing a truck with 'Count D's Pet Shop' printed on its side pulling out past the front gates../He's here-/ Without thinking he broke into a run, not stopping until he'd gone through the house and into the inside pool area.
The water rippled and for a moment Riku hesitated, setting the bags down before walking over to the pool's edge. Slipping off his shoes and pulling his pants legs up to his knees Riku went to the pool's steps, going down the first two. The ripples must have alerted the other of his presence because he soon saw the mer-boy swimming through the opening in the pool leading outside and head towards him. Sucking in a breath Riku held it as the boy paused several feet away, head poking out at the water to peer at him curiously.
"Hey there." Riku's voice was soft in what he hoped was a coaxing manner, a small smile on his lips. "Is the water comfortable?" He wasn't sure what he was expecting but the other cocked his head, a hesitant smile spreading onto his lips. /He's.. really cute./ Holding a hand out slowly Riku licked his lips, voice still soft. "Come."
The sea-bound boy seemed to mull it over before swimming closer to the silver-haired teen, inches from his outstretched hand. After a moment he moved forward, nuzzling his cheek against the palm of the offered hand, damp skin cool against Riku's warm fingers. Riku felt himself relax, not realizing how tensed he was up until that moment.
"My name is Riku. I'll call you Sora - is that alright?" Fingers stroking the boy's cheek lightly Riku moved it to his hair, the mer-boy's hesitant smile spreading into something that made his heart warm. "I guess it passes, then."
After feeding Sora (it was rather difficult to watch such a cute face tear into a raw fish but Riku supposed it wouldn't have appealed to him if he'd had it cooked) the teen went into the bag of toys he had gotten for him; a pail, a rubber duck (which Sora had looked at quizzically before biting into - he jerked in shock when the inflated rubber toy popped and gave Riku the saddest puppy-dog eyes he'd ever seen) as well as several other inflatable toys.
The silver-haired teen was blowing up the last one, a beach ball, when he heard splashing from the pool as Sora ducked under water. /Huh, must have gotten tired of watching./ Finishing the ball off he bumped it into the water, looking over the assortment of items. Sora's form swimming towards the surface of the water drew his attention, a smile playing on his lips at seeing the pail in the boy's grasp. /I guess he likes it-/
-Splash!-
Gasping and jumping back all too late Riku found himself soaked, dripping with salty water. "Sora!" His voice was more shocked than anything and mer-boy in question grinned, flipping onto his back and splashing the water with his tail. Riku watched for a moment, blinking. /Does he want me to play with him?/
Looking down at his clothes the silver-haired teen shrugged before pulling off his shirt to toss aside. "You know, you're gonna have to pay for that." Sora had stopped to watch curiously but grinned when a boxer-clad Riku dove in, flicking his tail happily.
Riku had fallen into a routine after getting Sora from Count D's; during the week he would wake up around 6AM and head to the pool where the mer-boy was kept. After feeding the brunet he'd hop in the pool for a swim, playing games like tag (Sora always won) keep-away (it was a toss-up, depending on how determined Riku was) and just enjoying each other's company. After an hour Riku would get out, promising to see the other boy later and rush to the main bathroom to catch a shower and dress for school. After school he would go to the market to get Sora a fresh supply of fish and head home, changing into swim trunks before going to the pool to feed the mer-boy and work on homework while Sora swam or watched from the edge of the pool.
His father, as usual, was around little to none of the time - which was fine, Riku realized. He didn't need the older man's alcohol-thick breath or brief attempts at being a good father. All he needed was for Sora to be happy and he was perfect.
Closing his book and stretching from the table and chair he had brought into the pool Riku looked over to where Sora was resting his arms against the edge of the pool's sides. As he stood the mer-boy beamed, pushing away to do an underwater back-flip. "Want me to play, do you?" The silver-haired teen couldn't help but smile in return, taking in the near-ecstatic expression. /That report took longer than I thought it would - he's been waiting the whole time./
Stepping over to where the brunet was waiting Riku dove off the edge, the familiar sting of salt-water greeting his eyes as well as a pair of pleased blue ones. Flashing a grin he swam back up for air, tossing his head back to push the damp silver strands out of his eyes. Sora rose as well, soon swimming over to the beach-ball to hit Riku's way with his tail.
The teen hit the ball back, legs kicking lightly in the pool. "You've got it easy, you know that Sora?" He wasn't sure if Sora understood him when he spoke but he recognized his name, damp spikes flipping as he tilted his head at his master after hitting the ball back to him. "No school, no money worries - you can just stay here all day and play."
Letting the ball hit the water with a soft splash Sora watched the teen for a moment, taking in the relaxed posture and wistful smile before seeming to come to a decision. Tail flicking he swam over to Riku's side, the silver-haired teen's expression giving away to confusion as Sora swam close - then promptly turned his back on him. The mer-boy looked over his shoulder expectantly, hands raising to pat his own shoulders.
/Huh?/ "What?" The blue-eyed sea creature's tail flicked under the water, gaze expectant. Not sure what he wanted Riku slowly closed the foot and a half between them, raising his own hands to rest on the boy's shoulders lightly. "Like this?"
A bright smile was his answer and he gasped as Sora jerked forward, Riku's fingers tightening their grip on reflex before they both went splashing underneath the pool's water.
/Hey! Give me a warning!/ Heart pounding in his chest as they shot across the pool Riku felt more aware of his surroundings than he'd ever had before. The sound of the water rushing against his ears; the feel of Sora's powerful tail propelling them forward; the salty taste of the water that seemed to seep into his skin. Shifting from his position the teen wrapped his arms around Sora's neck loosely and was nearly jolted off as the mer-boy shot downward, back curving in a delicate arch before heading nearly straight up, up-
-Whoosh-splash!-
Gasping for air as they broke the surface of the water Riku felt as if time froze, eyes wide despite the stinging of the salty water and rushing air. They were at least several feet above the pool and the silver-haired teen felt as if they were flying through the air, heart stopping and breath catching in his throat. /This is - amazing!/ Then gravity caught up with the pair and he had just seconds to take a breath and close his eyes before they hit the water, Sora darting for the round opening against the far wall of the pool leading to the outside area.
As Sora reached the outside he rose to the surface, more slowly than he had earlier, coming to a stop near a silver ladder. Riku unwrapped his arms from around the mer-boy and shifted to the cool metal, limbs trembling slightly. The teen noted Sora's furrowed brows and apparently worried expression. He probably was - Riku's eyes were red, chest heaving for breath and he couldn't seem to keep his fingers from twitching. Slowly, a shaky smile spread across the silver-haired boy's lips before breaking out into a full-blown grin. "That was fantastic!"
The brunet seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and grinned back at the teen, twirling in place. Riku let out a breathless laugh, scrubbing his face with a hand to try and clear his blurred vision. "Is that what it's like for you? Well, maybe not - you get to do it all the time. But man-" Sighing Riku shifted to rest his rear on the second-lowest step of the ladder, hooking his arms around the handle bars to keep from slipping off. "I don't know how to thank you - wait."
Pleased blue eyes flickered with curiosity as Riku dove under the water, Sora diving under after him and moving under the boy to swim on his back, looking up. The teen glanced down before a look of realization crossed his features and he paused mid-swim, tapping a hand to his chest before pointing towards the pool's indoor-outdoor opening. Understanding the silent communication Sora flipped around and waited until he felt strong fingers gripping his shoulders before shooting forward, swimming swiftly through the entrance and over to the pool steps. Riku wasn't as breathless upon coming up, but then it being the second time around he knew what to expect.
The heavy feeling in his legs from getting out of the water so quickly was ignored as Riku went for his towel, rough-drying himself off. "I'll be back in a bit," he called to Sora as the mer-boy pouted at his quick exit, tail flicking behind him. Riku just grinned, damp feet padding dully against the wood flooring as he made his way out of the pool and into the main house. /I hope he likes it../
An hour, Ziploc bag, several trips and extension cords later Riku was standing before a puzzled-looking Sora, the sea creature's strong arms folded on the edge of the pool. His master had brought in several odd items and looking rather proud of himself.
"This," Riku said, patting the large square box on wheels. "Is a TV. I hadn't even thought about how bored you must be when I'm at school or doing homework, so you can watch this from time to time." The teen then held up a rectangular-shaped object sealed in a thin, clear covering. "And this is a remote. The freezer bag should be alright if you drop it in the pool, but keep it out of the water, okay?" When Sora blinked Riku sighed, a fond sort of smile on his face as he moved forward.
Crouching down next to the pool (he had taken a quick shower and changed into a pair of pyjama bottoms so getting soaked again wasn't high on his agenda) he took a hold of one of Sora's hands, wrapping his fingers firmly around the remote. "This turns it on." Making sure the other was paying attention he guided his thumb to the 'POWER' button, smirking as Sora started when the television came to life. "And off. The buttons here change the channel-" Guiding his thumb to a set of arrows Riku had him press each, going up and then down. "And these the volume." Doing the same with those set of arrows he then released Sora's hand, resting his arm over a bent knee. "And there you have it. Hours upon hours of entertainment."
Sora looked down at the odd object in his hands before looking up at the TV, then at Riku. A slow smile spread across his lips and the brunet hugged the remote to his chest, quickly making use of the channel-changing buttons and flicking through them.
"I guess it passes, then," Riku said with a grin, moving over to the sleeping bag he had brought in on one of his trips. Unravelling it he laid out the pillow as well as a comforter, folding it over to put under the sleeping bag for a more comfortable lay. "Since it's Friday I'll spend the weekend here," he told Sora as the mer-boy looked away from the TV to watch him with interest. Pushing his make-shift bed near the edge of the pool he grabbed one of several books that were placed nearby before settling down cross-legged.
It was like that, with the soft sloshing sound of the pool and mummer of the television that Riku drifted off, curled up on his side on top of his sleeping bag with Sora watching quietly over him.
Riku was pulled into awareness the next morning to the sound of voices and music coming from the television set. /Nn.. must of passed out with the TV on../ Waking drowsily Riku rubbed at his eyes, slowly opening them. A light blue wall with rippling reflections caused the teen's brows to crease in confusion, lips pursing as the sound of gently lapping water met his ears as he awoke further. /Oh, yeah. I spent the night with Sora./
Pushing himself up and turning to face the pool it didn't take long for him to find what he was looking for; there, by the steps leading into the shallower side of the pool, was Sora. He was half-submerged with his tail resting on the third and lower steps while his torso took up the first few, head pillowed on folded arms. The sparkling blue eyes that Riku had grown to adore were closed and the mer-boy breathed deeply, still asleep with the remote set on the highest step.
/Huh - I thought that he slept underwater. Or maybe he likes having his head propped?/ The teen made a mental note to get a resting area of the sort set up for the bottom of the pool as he rose to his feet, wobbling a bit. He hadn't slept on the ground since he was eight on a camping trip and rising from the floor was a lot different than rolling out of bed. Arms raising over his head Riku stretched until his back cracked pleasantly before shuffling off to the kitchen to grab food for the pair of them.
"Riku."
The deep, smooth voice of his father caught the boy so off-guard he jumped and spun, a hand half-raised to press flat against his chest. Green eyes met his own in a cool gaze, the smallest of smirks playing on the older man's lips at seeing the other so rattled. "Jesus Christ! You scared the hell out of me." Riku's heart was still slamming into his ribcage and he forced himself to calm down, scowling. "I thought you were away on - business."
Whether he caught the pause Riku wasn't sure - it would have probably been ignored, anyway. The question was met with an arched brow, features shifting slightly into what Riku came to know as surprise. "I was. I'll be leaving again shortly but wanted to check in and see how you were doing." The teen snorted and he knew it was purposely ignored when the older man continued. "I also have something to talk with you about."
/I knew it./ Crossing his arms over his chest Riku stood, weight resting on one leg as the other tapped at the floor with bare feet. "Alright. What is it?" He frowned when the older man shook his head and motioned to the living room./What? He's being awful considerate today./ One shoulder raising in a shrug he followed his father into the living room and flopped down on his favourite chair while the older man took a seat for himself. "Well?"
"Are you in a hurry to go somewhere?" His father arched a brow as he asked, giving the boy's pyjama-clad form a pointed look. "You seem to be in a hurry."
Riku shifted in his seat, looking away. "I'm hungry," was all he offered, arms still crossed over his chest. The feeling in his gut told him that he wouldn't like what he was about to hear and he was glad not to have food for his stomach to churn.
After giving him a long look the older man turned away as well, one arm resting on the arm of his plush leather chair and the other resting on it at the elbow, hand flicking out. "You've been doing better with keeping up with your assignments and attending classes," he stated, turning back to Riku with a nod. "Good."
/Told to him by the housemaid I bet,/ Riku couldn't help but grumble mentally, huffing down into his seat. The older man continued. "I've been making major changes from within the company but there is always room for improvement - for more money to be made." He pause, waiting until the teen looked over at him before continuing again. "We have been discussing collaboration with the Wallace company and see a bright and prominent future ahead. Though we can do some now, there's a way for our companies to truly become one and flourish." He paused again and it was all Riku could do to keep from groaning, his stomach twisting until he felt it would rip its self in half. "That would be for our children to marry."
"NO!"
Riku jumped to his feet at the declaration, hands curled into fists and an unbelieving expression on his face. "What the hell is this, medieval times? You can't just make me marry someone I don't even know for business!"
The silver-haired elder didn't seem fazed by Riku's act of outrage, fingertips meeting together in a bridge over his lap. "Calm down, Riku. Just think of the opportunity we have here. With this marriage I can-"
"That's it! It's always about you!" The teen was in a fury, pacing back and forth in front of his seat though never taking his eyes off of the aqua-green ones much like his own. "You don't care about my life! You've never cared-"
"Now Riku, I'm thinking of the family-"
"-it's always about you and your whores! Why can't-"
"-Don't you take that tone with me, young man-"
"-you just act like a father for once and pretend to care?"
"ENOUGH!" The shouted word was emphasized with the heady thud of the older man's chair against the carpet, having risen so quickly the oak and fabric piece was thrown backwards. "This is not your decision to make! I've worked my ass off most of mine and all of your life for us to live in luxury. You want to act like an adult and make your own choices? Fine." His tone had taken on an icy edge and a sneer made its way onto the elder's lips, staring down the still-fuming though wavering teen before him. "Get out. Pack one bag and go out on your own and take care of yourself. You see how it is out there with no one to lend a helping hand and none of daddy's money to fall back on."
Both men stare hard at one another, one tall and unshaken and the other determined and trembling slightly, fingers clenching and un-clenching into fists. After a moment the elder sighed, smoothing a hand through his hair and absently picking non-existent dust from his front. "You and Marlene will get along fine," he says after a quiet moment, the perfect mask back in place. "You'll see - think over it this weekend."
Twisting his wrist to check his watch Riku's father gave a slight nod before turning to head towards the doorway. "You have three days, Riku - you may as well get used to the idea." And with those last words he was gone, having done more damage in less than ten minutes than imaginable.
Riku stared in the spot his father had occupied only moments ago, stunned. It was nearly five minutes before, after pulling himself out of the spot he was fixed in, Riku threw himself onto the couch and screamed.
Later that night Riku was settled back in his sleeping bag, staring up at the ceiling of the poolroom. Married - I can't believe his nerve! What the hell.. The soft lapping of salt-water against the sides of the pool did little to calm him and Riku rolled onto his side, facing the pool. Sora was at the edge near him, eyes fixed on the flickering images on the screen. As if sensing being watched the hybrid turned, offering s small smile before quickly turning back to the screen.
"You're hopelessly addicted to Baywatch, aren't you?" Glancing up as a man flailed out in the water a ways out from the beach that was soon followed by a slow-motion clip of the busty lifeguard running in slow-motion Riku chuckled. "As if. I don't know about you but all the swimmers I know have no chest whatsoever."
Aside from the slight tilt of his head at Riku's voice Sora showed no sign of hearing him - not that he ever responded like he understood spoken words. Propping himself up with an elbow Riku watched the water-bound brunet quietly.
If I left I wouldn't be able to take care of Sora. Stomach twisting painfully at the thought of loosing such a beautiful creature and companion Riku looked away, staring unseeingly at the TV. He would have to go back to Count D's. I can't do that to him. Frowning to himself a deep feeling of resignation rolled through the teen, lax hand fisting a hand full of sleeping bag. I'll - I'll do it for Sora. Father, this girl, the company - none of it means anything to me. Only Sora does.
When he first felt something cool and wet pressed against his lips Riku laid shock-still, eyes snapping into focus. It was when a pair of hesitant blue eyes and the salty taste of the pool water seeped between his lips that Riku realized that Sora was kissing him of all things, half-suspended out of the pool to reach the distracted teen's lips and hands pressed flat against the side of the pool.
Neither boy moved for a long moment, the simple press of lips against one another seeming to put them in a trance. It was when Sora pulled back that Riku found he could breathe again, blinking several times as the other gave him a curious look before turning back to the TV, still suspended. Riku blinked again, dazed, before looking at the screen as well, mentally trying to grope for some kind of hand-hold.
The lifeguard, having dragged the drowning man out of the water and to shore was performing CPR. Her hands held the man's mouth open as she gave him the Kiss of Life, stopping every couple of seconds to pump his chest. So this is what he- Riku didn't have time to finish the thought when Sora leaned forward again, one hand raising to pinch his nose as he fixed his mouth over Riku's and blew.
"Mmngh!" Jerking back sputtering and coughing Riku raised a hand to his mouth, as much to keep from hacking all over the place as well as fend off another assault. Sora, for his part, looked quite puzzled by this turn of events and moved forward, seeming to think that Riku needed more air.
"T-that's enough! I'm fine," Riku managed to gasp, waving Sora away. The mer-boy continued to look baffled, cocking his head. "CPR is for people who've swallowed water," the silver-haired teen tried to explain, taking a deep breath. "I don't need air because I'm - well, er, I know how to breathe on my own." Wow, Riku, you should give speeches. Sitting up a bit Riku made swimming motions followed by flailing. "If I were drowning, then I can use air. Got it?"
Sora, for his part, gave Riku a thoughtful look before turning back to the TV. When he continued to watch without acknowledging the teen Riku sighed, reaching behind him for one of the books he brought in for reading. They spent the rest of the night like that, Sora finishing his show before flipping channels to a black-and-while western while Riku's concentration flickered between his book and the events of the day until he finally fell into the welcoming blackness of sleep.
The following day Riku devoted to Sora. They swam, played, watched TV and did just about everything that could be done when confined to a pool. Riku even dug out a book of poetry to read to the other, sitting on the second step leading into the pool while Sora rested his head on the teen's lap. Though he probably didn't understand the pretty words it seemed to be enough to be near and listening to Riku, blue eyes sliding close and tail flicking lazily as the silver-haired teen picked out his favourites.
When Riku left to grab Sora's food supply he didn't so much as cast a glance at the dark car sitting across the street, nor did he notice the two stocky figures that followed half a block behind him during the length of his trip.
Riku awoke sometime around 3:30AM.
Blinking Sleepily at the now-familiar surroundings of the pool the silver-haired teen pushed himself up, looking around. The TV was dark, having been shut-off after their movie and the dim poolside lights revealed just a few floating devices and rippling waves.
I must have woken up when Sora went under, he mused, stretching with a wide yawn before kicking the sleeping bag away to get up. His body was giving him various complaints - none of which he could deal with right there.
One bathroom break later Riku headed towards the kitchen, craving something salty. Padding down the long hall and passing several doors the teen turned, starting to take the short-cut through the sitting room- "There! Grab him!"
Before his sleep-befuddled mind could process what was happening Riku found himself in a strong grip, hands roughly jerking his arms behind him. "What the fuck?" He couldn't see his captor but struggled to pull himself out of the grip, kicking his heel back and catching the other squarely in the shin. The man cursed and his grip loosened slightly though he soon tightened it again, grinding Riku's wrists together to hold with one hand before the other came down to punch Riku in the back of the head, bright spots flashing before the teens eyes.
"Fucking brat! Be still!" Riku heard a snort from beside him - the guy's partner - followed by a low tisking sound.
"Seriously, you're having trouble with this kid? Maybe you should wait until we have an easier assignment - shooting fish in a barrel or herding bunnies, hey?"
"Shut the hell up," Riku's captor growled, holding the boy's arms at an uncomfortable angle. Riku hissed as he was shaken harshly, bones grinding together under the pressure. "Alright, kid, where's your pops gone off to?"
Gritting his teeth the silver-haired boy turned as best as he could, getting a half-glimpse of a scruffy beard and piercing brown-eyes. "How the hell should I know? He doesn't tell me anything."
"Wrong answer."
The blow to the side of his head was as much unexpected as it was painful. White flashed before his vision and Riku stumbled, knees going weak. Groaning he closed his eyes, dizziness taking hold.
The other guy - about a head shorter than Riku himself and clean-shaven with a chubby face - made a low sound. "It doesn't matter, anyway." Reaching into the jacket of his suit he pulled out a small gold case, withdrawing a cigar from inside and putting the rest away before lighting it with an equally gold Zippo. "We're just here to leave the warning - come on, bring the kid."
After tying a rope to bind his wrists together Riku found himself being dragged across his house, terror gripping his chest. "If it's money you want I'll give it to you," he spoke quickly, looking around for something - anything he could use to help him get away and grab a phone.
Snorting the guy pulling Riku shook his head, the teen just seeing it out of the corner of his eye. "Nice try, kid, but you're dad's fucked us around too much for that. We're just here to leave him a -friendly reminder of what he owes us." Both men laughed at that, going through the doorway leading to the pool. "No offence, kid."
"Whoa!" The chubby man made a face, flicking the ashes from his cigar carelessly on the floor. "Why the hell does it smell like the damn beach in here? Jeez." He arched a brow at the television set as well as the lightly-bobbing floating devices then seem to shrug it off, motioning to one of the heavy metal benches against the walls of the poolroom. "Tie him to that, will ya?"
Riku's eyes automatically went to the pool, searching for a dark silhouette under the water. There was none. "Wh - what are you going to do to me?" He hated how his voice cracked when asking the question but most of him didn't give a damn. He was scared for his life - and if the angry pulsing behind his temple meant anything then they weren't men who just dropped by for casual house calls.
The biggest of the trio ignored the shaky words, instead dragging Riku with him over to the nearest bench. Sir-Talks-A lot, though, as Riku's mind had absently dubbed him, took a long drag from his cigar, puffing it out through his nose before speaking. "Nothing much. We're just gonna help you with a little swim." The word was emphasized with a sharp tug at the rope behind the teen, forcing him backwards before he dropped to his knees. He could feel the cold steel of the bench against his fingers and Riku's eyes nearly lost their pupils with how wide they had grown. "It's not us you should be blaming, though," the man continued as casually as one would talk of the weather, pacing slowly along the side of the pool. "It's your old man. See, it's him you should be really pissed-off at. Boss put the word in to off his kid as a warning and who are we to go against the boss's orders?"
"You talk to much," the larger male grunted, giving the rope a final tug before reaching around it to pick it up, rather awkwardly with it's width and Riku's weight pulling the middle of it down. "Kid, get on your feet."
"But you - but you can't do this!" Despite Riku's unwillingness he found himself hoisted up and being dragged forward. "This is illegal! I have nothing to do with whatever the hell it is my dad does and-"
"Life's not fair, kid." Sir-Talks-A lot shrugged, un-phased by the boy's cries. "Look on the bright side - you won't have to deal with him or the other crap life is - heh heh, sorry, was - bound to throw your way."
Riku, at the edge of the pool he'd given his life to since getting Sora, balanced himself carefully on the edge, though his fall would be determined by the man holding him just short of the water's edge. The teen started to open his mouth - to speak, plead, beg or curse he isn't sure - when the shorter man gave a short nod to his partner. The boy was struck hard on the back of the head before being pushed forward, the weight of the bench coupled with loosing his balance flipping him to land back-first in the pool.
Through the hazy feeling in his mind and dream-like waves Riku saw the pair standing over him, the smaller of the two seeming to say something before they disappeared from sight. His last thoughts weren't of cursing the gangsters or his father - they were of Sora's bright-blue eyes and intoxicating smile, slick hands touching his face and lips against his own and Sora…Sora…
'Dad! Dad!'
A pair of piercing green eyes and long silver hair turns to the sound, the makings of a teasing smile playing on pale lips. A boy standing not even half the man's height runs towards him across the snow-strewn street, laughing and with arms wide open. The older man crouches down, spreading his arms in welcome and the boy draws closer, closer-
And falls through him, falling through a wall of ice-cold water that chills him to the bone. Swimming franticly the boy turns away from the inky blackness, looking towards the white-washed streets that he'd just crashed through. His father stands there, staring down at him with a calculating look, coldness in his eyes. 'Dad!' The boy tries to call out but the water is filling his mouth, his lungs - he can't breathe-
Soft, warm hands brush against Riku's cheeks and he turns towards them, now an able-bodied teenager. Sora's there, eyes holding their sparkling happiness and good cheer as his touch seems to breathe life back into the silver-haired teen. Reaching up with one hand Riku places his palm on top of smaller ones and, with a cheesy grin and flick of his tail, Sora drives away the darkness and the cold as easily as one brushes away a cobweb. He can see so clearly now - so clearly - all that he needed was right in front of him in the small form of the mer-boy.
Riku can feel himself sinking again and he doesn't fight it, instead welcoming the vast unknown so long as Sora is there beside him..
So this is what it's like to be dead.
Riku didn't open his eyes; why should he? What would he see? A vast oasis of bodies, lost souls floating in limbo? Death's boney hand reaching out to grasp him by the neck and toss him into the fiery pits of hell? One thing was for certain, though - it sure was wet.
…Wet?
Slowly, Riku felt his senses come about him; the cool press of water against him from all sides, the solid weight of the bench still attached to him by the rope holding him in place and two firm points of pressure - one over his mouth and the other holding his nose.
It was those feeling coming lazily to him that made the teen open his eyes.
It was difficult to see much at first through his blurred vision but swaying brown. At shifting the drifting mass was drawn back, proving to have been Sora's hair as the mer-boy's face came into focus. The brunet's expression was etched with worry but at seeing Riku blinking stupidly at him a relief seemed to sweep through him, strong arms pulling Riku into a tight embrace.
Sora! Of course - and they say TV rots the mind! Ha! The sea-bound had what most people would say was an unhealthy addiction to 'Baywatch' and has seen more than his fair share of CPR and shared breathing. He probably swam in from the outside pool a the splash thinking it was me coming to have a swim with him. Thank god.
Twisting a bit in Sora's grip the mer-boy quickly pulled away, bringing his lips over Riku's for a fresh dose of air. Pulling away afterwards Riku tugged at his wrists, looking back and looking at Sora pointedly. He got the message easily enough and swam behind the silver-haired teen, fingers working carefully at the knots.
It took more than a dozen air-doses and frustrating tail-flicks but eventually Riku felt the bindings loosen enough for him to free himself, quickly kicking for the surface. With a push from Sora he soon broke through to fresh air, coughing and hacking and clinging to the edge of the pool for dear life. Sora popped up next to him, a hand patting at the boy's back.
"Oh - My - GOD!" Riku exclaimed when he could finally breathe without going into a coughing fit, closing his eyes as he pressed his face against the pool's edge. His heart was pounding, limbs beginning to shake from the shock of it all. "This - is so - fucking - insane," he gasped, willing his nerves to calm and mind to stop racing. It isn't safe here at all - what if they come back? How am I going to protect Sora?
Opening his eyes in surprise at this though Riku turned to the other boy, who stopped patting his back and was rubbing it, looking worried. He obviously knew that it wasn't some game Riku was playing - this was serious.
"Sora." The mer-boy perked at this, head tilting. Reaching out with one trembling hand Riku took a hold of the one that wasn't pressed against his back, squeezing. "We - we can't stay here anymore. I don't know what I'm going to do but I know that I don't want to lose you. Do you understand?"
Worried blue eyes studied Riku for a long, quiet moment and Riku held back a whine of frustration. Of course he doesn't understand! We're too different. Just as he was pulling away slick fingers pulsed in a returning squeeze, followed by a short bob of a nod. The silver-haired teen couldn't help a surprised look but his heart skipped a beat, throat constricting. "Do you want me to stay with you, too?"
Another nod, this one quick and followed by several others.
Blowing out a breath he didn't know he was holding Riku licked his lips, feeling cold and gross but - oddly pleased, none-the-less. "Alright. I'll do everything I can to make that happen - I promise."
It wasn't planned, nor was it expected but at that moment Riku leaned forward and down to get momentum to pull himself out of the pool as Sora leaned in, a question in his eyes but no voice to bring it to life. Their lips met and there was spark - something that made the silver-haired teen freeze and Sora pause in thought. Gazes locked the pair stayed that way, hands to bare skin and the gentle pressure of their lips together their only physical contact. Then both smiled, Sora's heart-stopping in its sweetness and Riku's breath taking in it's beauty, had they been seen. Both pulled away at the same time and Riku was out of the pool, feet pounding as he ran to the nearest phone. There was at least one person he could call.
Count D sighed, carefully painted nails rubbing lightly at his temples. "For the last time, T-chan, you are not allowed to eat anyone without my permission, intruder or not. Is that clear?"
"Sorry Count." The man-eating beast, lips still smeared with blood, didn't seem intimidated or sorry in the least. Instead he used an extended claw to pick at his teeth around a pleased grin. The mangled remains of the intruder - mostly just clothing and bone - lay at his feet, an expression of horror etched on to what remained of his face.
Heaving another sigh Count D waved a hand. "I suppose the rest can go to the tigers - that will eliminate most of the clean-up, at least." Turning to find the doorway which lead to the large cats the Count started in surprise at the sudden sound of the phone ringing, scowling in annoyance. "Oh hells bells - who could be calling at this hour?"
"I could eat 'em," T-chan piped up, eyes sparkling with hope and blood-lust. Though at the Count's glare he quickly backed down, resigning himself to the occasional meaty-treat.
Slipper-clad feet hurried over to the nearest phone, snatching it up. He didn't bother to hide his annoyance at whoever was on the other line. "This better be good."
There was a several-second pause and the Count was about to hang up in disgust before a weak, familiar voice rang out on the other end of the line. "Count? I - I'm sorry for calling so late, but I didn't know who to call.."
"..Riku?" His tone had come down from anger, tinted with only the slightest surprise. By the time the teen re-told what happened and lapsed into an anxious silence a secretive smile had made its way on to the Count's lips, one hand on the handle of the phone while the other pressed a delicate finger to the corner of his mouth. "If you wish to stay together there's only one way and this will make going back to the life you have now impossible. Are you still willing to do so, knowing this?"
"Yes." There was no pause or hesitance in his response nor his tone; Riku was more sure with this than anything he had been in his life.
"Then I'll help you. You must do everything I say and with full-intentions. I'll be there within the hour."
Though the wind whipped furiously at his clothing Riku didn't feel the chill in the early morning air. He was waiting, trembling, fingers curled in a white-knuckle grip around the handle of a ruggedly-sharpened knife, ivory handle cool to the touch. The sky was slowly gaining color, the near-black blue fading into a deep purple and slowly growing lighter.
'You will find the highest point on the beach overlooking the ocean,' the Count said, reaching into the folds of his robe and pulling out the ivory-handled knife. 'Wait there until sunrise. When the sun first starts to rise from the horizon, force this blade through your heart and leap into the ocean.'
Riku stared slack-jawed at the Chinese man, eyes fixed on the blade. 'You're…serious,' he murmured, mouth suddenly dry. It was surreal - like a dream. Or a B-rate movie.
'Dead serious." Though the tone was that the man's expression said otherwise, eyes laughing and the corners of his mouth turned in apparent amusement. 'You don't have to tell me yes or no - there's still time for you to change your mind. Once the sun begins the rise you have until it's fully risen to decide.'
Swallowing hard Riku pulled his eyes away from the blade to the Count's face, then to the truck they had taken. The back of it was glass covered in a large sheet, filled with salt-water. The sheet had been pulled away once they'd gotten to the ocean's edge and Sora watched them, small hands pressed against the edge of the glass, eyes wide and anxious. Sea-green met ocean-blue and after a long moment Riku reached out to take the knife from Count D's pale fingers, turning without a word to head for the rocky cliff he knew to be on that particular beach.
Blinded temporarily by the bright yellow seeming to break from the ocean's surface Riku felt his hands moving on their own, both grasping the end of the knife's handle and pointing the blade towards his chest. His green eyes were shut tight, breath hitching and heart slamming against his ribcage as his arms stretched out before him, tense and ready. Distantly he could hear the faint cry of seagulls out looking for their morning meal, the almost soothing sound of waves slamming into the rocks below.
For Sora - this is the only way. His hands shook, though when the trembling extended through all of his form it felt as if he were perfectly still. The sun was more than halfway up and Riku could feel the light brightening behind his closed eyelids, the world around him seeming to awaken. The fierce wind had died down into something calmer, more like the gentle caress of a lover. Riku swallowed again - the sun was nearly up, its rays casting away the darkness of night and brining with it hope, a new beginning-
Riku rammed the knife into his chest.
The pain - god, was there anything like it? - eyes flying open he tried to gasp, throat filling with blood and reducing his cry to choked gurgling. Knees going weak Riku doubled over, vision wavering and swaying as he tried to remember the rest, what he was supposed to do-
T-the edge-!
One trembling, shaking footstep followed another, than another. Once as far as he could go Riku looked down, the crashing waves looking like melding clouds and he was falling into the sky, higher and higher and-
Everything went black.
The familiar chime of the bell at the entrance to Count D's echoed hollowly throughout the store. A blond-haired detective made his way in, a cigarette between his teeth and his usual scowl on his lips. He was a regular at the shop; D hadn't bothered to look up from where he was setting snacks down on the low coffee table.
"Ah, my dear detective," he practically purred, sending a sly smile the other's way. "Just in time for tea."
The scowl on the other man's face deepened at that, the casually dressed cop plopping down heavily on the couch. "It seems like it's always tea time here. Any excuse for sweets with you." Sucking on the cigarette he let out a plume of smoke in a long stream, wordlessly taking the delicate dish Count D handed to him to flick his ashes in. "Have you heard the news?"
Setting a cup and saucer before Leon and taking up his own Count D settled down beside the blond, taking a sip of the tea. A bit more sugar.. "News? About?"
Leon leaned forward, setting the saucer down on the low table with the cigarette balanced on its edge and shifted to reach behind him, pulling out half of a folded paper and handing it over to the Chinese male beside him. "Dewati kid's gone missing," Leon continued, taking up the tea for a mouthful before making a face and setting it back down. "His father's the head of a international trading corporation but also deals in less-upstanding business. The damn man always seems to catch wind whenever we're on him and cleans up after himself real quick."
"I see," the count murmured, eyes on the front page photo. It was one from a school picture day, made obvious enough by the crisp suit and pressed tie the silver-haired teen wore. There was a small, tight smile on his face that didn't reach his eyes, the green orbs appearing sharp even through the black and white picture. "Are there any clues?"
The cop lets out another stream of smoke before nodding. "Yeah - from the looks of things someone broke into the house and caught the kid unawares. We found rope as well as a metal bench at the bottom of a 16foot deep pool." Leon frowns, taking another pull from the cig. "Odd thing is, the kid was no where to be found. So one of several things is possible. One; he was tied down, tossed in the pool and then pulled out for some reason. Two; the tried to tie him down and in the struggle a bench was knocked into the pool along with the rope. Three; he was tied down, tossed in and somehow managed to get loose and ran for his life."
Snuffing out the finished butt Leon crossed a leg over his knee. "There'd be no reason for anyone to kidnap the kid - that's not how their business runs. If they were sent to off him, he'd be dead and left on the scene. It doesn't seem likely that he would have been able to get out on his own, either." Reaching into the pocket of his jacket Leon retrieved another cigarette, sticking it between his lips though not lighting it right away. "That's where we're stumped. There's also the oddity of the poolroom its self."
Reaching out to pull the cancer stick from between the cop's lips Count D ignored the scowl, setting it down on the table before turning his attention back to the detective. It wasn't unusual for the other to come and talk about cases he was working on at the time with the pet shop owner - it seemed to help him work things out. "And what was so odd?"
The scowl was wiped off of his face and it turned to more one of confusion. "Well, the floatation devices and toys weren't so odd - it's the water. It was salt water, rather than the standardized chlorine-drenched kind." The detective shifted his gaze to the count then, eyes searching. "When questioning Mr Dewati he mentioned that the kid had bought some kind of large fish from, and I quote, 'a Petshop in Chinatown.' What did you sell the kid?"
Count D had been under Leon's steady glare quite a few times and was quite used to it, taking a quiet sip of tea before speaking. "I did indeed sell him a 'large fish.' Did you not see it during your investigation?" A slim brow was arched in mild surprise at the detective and the blond huffed before reaching out to snatch up his stolen cigarette.
"Not a trace. Odder than taking the kid if they left him to drown - why would they take a damn fish? And how?" Stuffing the stick between his lips Leon pulled out his a pack of matches, snapping off a stick to light and taking several puffs to get it started. "It makes no sense."
Count D's lips turned up into a sly smile - the one that never failed to make the hairs on Leon's neck stand on end - a low sound close to a chuckle pulled from his small frame. "Who knows, with the way the human minds work? I find the human heart to be a greater driving force."
Swallowing around the bitter taste of cigarette smoke Leon paused to fix the count with a look before snorting. "You know, I know you're a freak but it still gives me the creeps," the blond cop grumbled before turning his attention back to his death stick. Count D simply sniffed and turned back to his overly-sweet drink, hiding his sly smile behind the delicate decorations of the porcelain cup.
Near the ocean floor, a lowly crab scuttled slowly over a mound of rocks, a claw reaching in to any openings it comes across in search of hidden fish. A giant squid made a slow trek across the ocean, long-limbed tentacles stretching and curling around it. The few scattering of plants swayed lazily with the current, leaves outstretched as if reaching for the sunlight miles above.
About a half mile above the ocean floor a mop of brown hair and flash of silver scales darted east, the swimming form a colored blur in the water. After a moment he paused, straightening as his head turned back in the direction he came from. The tail flickered, mouth opening to let out a short series of clicks and echoes. "Come on!"
A half-dozen feet behind the first form another longer, lighter figure moved. He was slower though more graceful than the other, seeming more content with learning the feel of the water around him than keeping up with his mate. Aqua-green scales reflected what little light managed to penetrate near the ocean floor and his silver hair flowed behind him like a drifting halo.
Making his way alongside the brunette the bigger male grinned, amusement dancing in his eyes. Their hands reached for each other at the same time and, with a simultaneous flick of their tails, the pair continued on into the deep unknown and even that was alright, as long as they were together.
AN: Urk, I've been working on this forever and hate hate hate the ending D: It will probably be re-done when I'm less sick and rushed. Yes, I know it seems rushed but in order to keep with my resolution I needed something (and considering this WIP has been a page away from completion for…nearly two months? It's way overdue).
This story will always say 'completed' though I am planning on adding chapters. Why the finished label, then? Well, that's due to the way it's set up - each chapter will be based on different pairings and different settings. The only thing that will remain is the pet shop and the count (and this way the author won't be pressed into popping out chapter after chapter ASAP ), hence the adding on to a supposedly completed fic.
…And I have no idea of that make any sense ;; It's late, I'm sick and tired, and going to bed now x.x Reviews are loved! 3 3 3 3