Strangle me hard, take away my breath. Steal my kiss, and assassinate my heart. Let the rust consume my dreams, tearing them down through torrents of your thoughts. Let acid rain substitute my tears, corroding away my delicate features. Rip out my veins, put wires in their place. Deny my blood and accept my love. For after you have completed in transforming me to be what you hate, in the end you'll crave for what you have replaced.
---
"You owe me for Kingdom Hearts II!" a teenage male taunted, a smirk on his usually kind visage. "Come on, you know you want to help me! I've been your best friend since… since… well, since we were in diapers practically - well, more of kindergarden! Don't you remember stealing my bouncy ball?" he pressed, attempting to win over an answer that'd be in his favor. He had short black hair, somewhat choppy in appearance. It either needed a good brushing, or was due for a new haircut. It probably needed to be brushed, as it was a more tousled looking 'choppy' than anything else. He had large blue eyes, and a slightly pale skin tone. A mild red tint was on his face from the beating sun above, making the air heavy with heat. He wore a short-sleeve forest green shirt, and denim shorts. His colour choice gave him an earthly, although slightly surreal appearance. Wearing flip-flops that made a slight 'snap' sound as he hurried after his friend, one slipped out from his foot forcing him to yelp. The hot concrete burned his foot, and he began to wobble as he lifted up the relieved limb. Bending down, he placed the flip-slop back on, and rushed back after. "Please? I'll do anything for you!" came more pleas.
"I didn't steal your bouncy ball!" another male, the one being stalked after, snapped. "At least, I don't think I did…" he mumbled afterwards, thinking. He shook his head. "That's besides the point! Yes we've been friends since forever, but that doesn't mean… well… you know I can't help you!" he grumbled. His skin was darker than his friend's, a nice tan developed from the summer sun. He had mahogany eyes, a brownish colour with a red tint to it. His hair was a medium brown colour, a few hues above milk chocolate. It flared out near the edges, and reached his shoulders. If straightened, it'd go a bit below his shoulders. He wore a golden yellow cap, and goggles over them on his forehead. The hat was backwards on his head, the visor half facing what was behind him. He wore a simple, mustard-yellow shirt with a strange black design in the middle, and brown capris. Rather than wear flip-flops or sandals as most normal people did, he chose to wear red shoes. He was rather fond of his warm colours, wasn't he?
"My dear friend… my dearest, loyalist, and friendliest friend…" the first male began, placing a hand to stop the brunette from escaping as he grew tired of chasing. "It matters not if you can actually help me. So long as you're there for the ride cheering me on, and believing I can indeed achieve my goal, that is enough." He gave a warm smile, the kind of rare smile of hope and faith in those he cares for.
"You want me to work as a go-between, don't you?" the brunette asked with a sweat-drop.
"…something like that. Actually, I need your help in approaching people," the ravenette admitted, scratching the back of his head with his free hand as he laughed nervously. "You know how I'm… uhm…" He fumbled around for the words. The truth was hard to say.
"Shy?" The brunette asked with a grin at his friend.
"Yeah. That." The darker-haired one nodded to this fact. "So, will you Takuya?" he asked, routing his way back to his initial question.
"Fine fine, Kouichi. I'll try and help you win over the fair Orimoto Izumi's heart." The brunette, Takuya, sighed in defeat.
"Oh, thank you so much!" the darker-haired male, Kouichi, cheered and hugged his friend tightly. "You won't regret it, I promise!"
"Yeah yeah, you say that now. So… what do I get in return for helping you?" Takuya asked, tilting his head with one finger on his chin. "A new memory card maybe? Perhaps a mural depicting my awesomeness?" He ticked off ideas as they came to mind. His friend sweat-dropped.
"After eleven years, you still have the biggest ego I've ever seen," Kouichi mumbled to himself, earning a grin from his friend. "And wait a minute! I thought friends helped each other in their times of need!" He pouted.
"True. But this isn't your time of need. This is your 'I need a date' time," the 'kind' brunette said with a twist on words.
"You're so cruel. Fine. How about… I help you get a date with Tachikawa Mimi?" Kouichi suggested. The brunette stuck out his tongue, expressing his distaste for the idea. Or was it for the girl?
"No way. I'm not interested in going out in anyone right now," Takuya huffed, crossing his arms like a sulking child.
"Yeah, but one day your hormones will kick in. When that day comes, I'll help you win over Mimi's heart. By drawing pretty pictures to go with your pretty poems." Kouichi smiled happily with his decision, and nodded. "That's precisely it. Let me know when your hormones kick in, this way Izumi and I shall assist you!" With this, he pushed the complaining brunette towards school.
----
"I see you're all in class. Very good. Now… recite the lyrics to 'Mad World' by Tears for Fears!" a man demanded of his class. The students stared at him with wide, horrified faces. This man had dark brown hair that spiked up, but was in a long ponytail in the back. He wore a casual outfit, but for some reason… he reminded all of the students of Obi-Won Kenobi from Star Wars. Perhaps it was the hair? Or maybe how he seemed incredibly wise at moments…
"MY GOD! MY TOURNIQUET! RETURN TO ME SALVATION!!" a girl screamed. Or was it singing? It sounded an awful lot like screaming to the other students. Several of them clamped their hands over their ears, including Takuya and Kouichi.
"NO! Just… just stop! No!" the teacher hollered over the girl, making her cease this… 'singing'. "Just no! That's not it!"
"What about--" the girl began, but was interrupted.
"NO!" came the teacher's holler. He didn't want to hear any more from her.
"I find it kind of funny, and I find it kind of sad… the dreams in which I'm dying, are the best I ever had," another 'girl' said, with a voice not as painful on the ears.
"Very good Ichigo, you knew at least part of the chorus." The teacher nodded in approval, and got a beaming student straightening themselves in the chair they sat in. Ichigo wasn't entirely a girl, nor entirely a boy. But no one except Ichigo knew that. None of this is important. But it's fun to mention.
"Someone needs to stick an apple in her mouth for the entirety of the class." Takuya scowled, gritting his teeth as he glowered over at the loud girl whose voice still had his ears ringing. He felt personally that Ichigo could have sang a little sooner and spared the class the agony, but deep down he wondered if the strawberry blonde plotted this with the girl.
"You mean for the whole school year," Kouichi corrected, smiling nervously as he eyed the ex-screaming girl.
"Yeah, that sounds better," Takuya laughed, now simply rubbing his ears. When watching the teacher continue in his lesson about the depth and meaning song lyrics often portrayed (the brunette was noticing a run in emo ones), he cautiously searched the students surrounding him. Biting his lip, he pulled out a piece of paper from his desk, mahogany eyes narrowing as he began to write a note. He'd just get Kouichi's undying infatuation with Izumi out of the way, he didn't want to hear the other complain for the next few weeks how the other did SO much for him yet he never appreciated any of it. While the raven-haired male was a generally sweet guy, he also had a determined side and he would take any twists or turns necessary to express this. Although if Kouichi ever made the brunette feel guilty and found out, he'd be extremely apologetic so it wasn't a sort of guilt game. It was just a strange way of showing Kouichi wouldn't give up.
Scribbling down every idea that popped into his head, the brunette idly considered all possibilities for Kouichi to 'win' over the girl's heart. He could perform beneath Izumi's window and sing a ballad to her while forcing the brunette to play some musical instrument. Bleh, no. Takuya found that to be much too incredibly corny to really suggest. Plus, if his friend actually liked the idea, funny costumes would follow. Just, NO. Send her a box of chocolates? They say the fastest route to a person's heart is through their stomach. Though Takuya never quite got how that made anatomical sense; sure it made metaphorical sense… but really. The heart came before the stomach, and with all the acid in the latter of the human insides if the two WERE directly connected heart burn would be rather common and far more painful.
Write her sweet poems and songs proclaiming how much Kouichi appreciated her intelligent words and delighted in her beauty? No, Kouichi couldn't write poems worthwhile enough to even read, let alone fall head over heels for. The day Takuya read a poem of his that did anything but make him snicker would be the day… would be the day. Be the day of what? Well it would be the day of something, there. Perhaps draw her something beautiful, even a portrait of Izumi? He sighed, unable to think of anything. All the ideas he had written down weren't good enough. He needed something that would help his friend, but all that was on this paper was trash.
Flowers. His eyes widened, before they settled down allowing his face room to grin. The perfect plan formulated, it was all just right. Noflaws, no errors… it was exactly what they needed. A bouquet of flowers, and a notecard filled with everything Kouichi felt and thought. They'd leave it on her doorstep, and it'd be signed anonymously. Naturally, the blonde's curiousity would get piqued - she'd want to know who doted over her to such an extent to buy her nice flowers and reveal what was in their heart. The girl would want to meet such a sentimental and caring individual, as most guys let their pride get in the way.
But Kouichi wasn't like that, and he wouldn't lie to his crush… not even in a card without his signature or name. Every gentle word was just as honest as the admission of love he felt so strongly for Izumi, not a shadow of negative intentions within sight. He would never hurt her, lie to her, take advantage of her, or pull her into a crowd he felt was unfit. The brunette knew that if Kouichi ever felt he was doing her wrong, he'd break up with her simply explaining he wasn't the one to make her happy and he was sorry for it. Not even in the end, not even if he felt he was losing everything, Kouichi wouldn't lie. That was just the type of nice guy he was no matter what. Perhaps that was precisely why they were friends…
He was a nice young man, always willing to help someone in need. However kindness always came with a price, and in being so generous Kouichi had always been taken advantage of. It wasn't how they became friends, but it was what led to them getting along so well. They became friends simply because Kouichi was a shy person, and the brunette was excessively friendly and demanded that the quiet kid talk to him. It couldn't be helped, Takuya just wanted everyone to like and accept him. With a high self-esteem, a good nature, athletic abilities, and likeable personally this wasn't a difficult task. But how those quiet kids gave him trouble, always too shy to talk. He fixed that with Kouichi, though. Now the brunette found the trick was getting him to settle down without using of large intimidating crowds.
When they were first still getting to know each other, the brunette noticed how nearly every kid in the class would ask Kouichi for things and he never said 'no.' Initially he just thought it was because the other child was very nice, but after a month of watching this, it suddenly seemed very wrong. With how the shy child blushed and gave a hopeful look, only to have a rejected expression after they left getting from him what they wanted… it was wrong. That was when Takuya first got Kouichi to talk to him. He was nice, but he was also afraid to be hated. Just like the brunette. No one could hate the brunette, but Kouichi wasn't particularly good with social situations so they could easily turn on him.
Thus the brunette told the raven-haired other that they should just always stick together, and then everything would be just fine. Remarkably, it was… so the two remained the best of friends since. "What's that?" Kouichi whispered, jerking the brunette out of his reverie . Takuya just smiled, and the devious look gained a nervous look in response from the ravenette. "Okay, now I'm not so sure I want to know…" he mumbled, face uncertain.
"It's your ticket to the lovely lady's heart, and it's the best idea I have to offer you in return for Kingdom Hearts II," Takuya explained with his cocky grin. "I'll explain it to you later, and we'll work on the details when we get there."
---
It was a week later, all the crinkles in the brunette's master plan ironed out. If Izumi was single, the letter and flowers would spark a natural curiosity. However if she was taken, the blonde girl would have a somber expression as she realized she was going to have to hurt someone's feelings by rejecting them—unless she was some sort of sadist. But the brunette found it highly unlikely that Kouichi would fall for a girl like that. But then, what if Kouichi was secretly a masochist? Well, he never did fight back when Takuya tried to get him to play-fight when they were younger. He turned to the other as they walked, eyes inquisitive. Kouichi was wearing a maroon shirt with blue sleeves and collar, a different pair of denim blue shorts on that reached his knees to fit the warm weather. Rather than flipflops, he had on a pair of sneakers because of earlier that day Takuya forced him to play a game of soccer with some other teenage boys, as usual. Surprisingly the other didn't put much effort into it. Actually, that sentence was sarcasm and the brunette sweat-dropped when Kouichi performed his trademark of 'let us walk after that ball' when on the field. Just like all the other times, Takuya gave in and let the other spend most of the game doing something else.
Though this time Kouichi spent the time writing the note in pencil, and only until he finished with it did he write over it in pen to etch his words there forever. Still looking the other over curiously, the brunette's lips formed a thin line as he continued to ponder the mannerisms his friend expressed. A masochist, hmm? Pale skin, yet bright thoughtful blue eyes. Black hair so dark it would make any goth-poser envy him, cut short to just below his chin and more evened out now that it was properly combed. No bruises or cuts adorned his skin. Loose bangs tucked behind his ears, Kouichi looked over at the other, confused. "Something wrong?"
"Oh no, nothing's wrong. Just wondering if my dear sweet friend is secretly a masochist in love with a sadistical dominatrix," came the simple explanation, Takuya still looking over his friend. Meanwhile, said friend stopped to just gawk in shock.
"Wh-what gave you that idea?" Kouichi squeaked, face progressively turning several shades of pink. His stutter and blush wasn't unnoticed, and the brunette grinned at his friend's embarrassment.
"Nothing really, just a idle idea that strayed away from someone else's train of thought that chugged on through," Takuya joked, reaching over to ruffle the other's hair.
"H-hey! That's n-not funny!" Kouichi gave another squeak as he spoke, darting under and away from the other's tanned hand. Getting a few extra feet between them, the ravenette pouted over at his old friend, who was wearing a green shirt on with an emerald dragon curled up around a small, red, anthro-looking appearing creature. The ravenette recognize the shirt, the two once bickered about if it was only appropriate to wear during the holidays. He wore an old pair of shorts, this evident by the holes and threads dangling from the frayed edges. The cleats Takuya wore were how Kouichi could tell if it was a day he'd be forced to participate in soccer or not.
"Sure it is! Especially because your reaction can almost be considered evidence..." Takuya moved in close, resting two fingers thoughtfully on his chin. The paler of the two stared at him, mortified still he'd even consider such a thing, and moreso disturbed that the brunette was actually continuing the joke. Getting an idea he took a deep breath, willing himself to calm down before smiling. That made Takuya hesitate, confused.
"Well perhaps I am a masochist..." Kouichi offered a smug smile that broke into a grin seeing his friend flinch. "It would explain why I hang out with a friend who is such a sadist to me." With that said, he briskly walked ahead with a smirk still adorning his face at a victory he rarely saw. Which was a lie, he often saw victories because Takuya understood him well enough that even in his shyer moments he could come out on top. Oh yeah, he was so totally cool.
"Hey now - it's the love," Takuya snapped before hurrying after the other. His comeback was nowhere near as good as Kouichi's and he knew it, that's what drove him to say something – anything - as he tried to redeem his hurting pride. The pride that got damaged every two point five seconds with exception of him sleeping. But still!
"We going to the flower shop, or what?" Kouichi sighed impatiently, motioning Takuya on.
"Sheesh, mood swing much?" Takuya grouched as he hurried after his friend with a disgruntled look. He didn't complain though - after all, Kouichi had the biggest crush on Izumi since he laid eyes on her. It was cute though, the shy boy he knew was slowly maturing into an adult before his very eyes. Sometimes he (Takuya) wondered if he saw the ravenette as more of a child than a friend when thoughts like that crossed his mind, but he never pursued it. Regardless of how he viewed his friend, the other would remain by his side - after all, that was what friends were for. Glancing over at Kouichi he tilted his head with a thoughtful look on his face, and then smiled again.
"Okay, now what are you thinking?" Kouichi sighed, hanging his head in silent defeat despite winning battle after battle with the other. There was just no use in winning the war, his patience unfortunately never lasted long enough for him to do so. The brunette gave a simple shrug as he continued to smile, only to burst out laughing after the other threw his hands up in the air to signify another loss. "I give up! I'm asking the flower girl at the shop to help me pick out the flowers, you are completely useless."
"Now now, that's not true," came the brunette's tsking as he waggled his right index finger about as though to scold the other. "You wouldn't be able to walk to the shop on your own firstly, and secondly you'd be stammering for hours that you want to get pretty flowers for a pretty girl before the lady finally understands you," he scoffed, and automatically Kouichi turned several shades of pink again with the inevitable truth spoken openly. It was true, though. "It's a good thing--"
"Thanks for reminding me," Kouichi whispered to the brunette. Blinking at both the interuption and his words Takuya quickly felt worry rise that he had upset the other in saying that and looked at him. Rather than offended, the other was giving him a grateful smile. "You must either really like that game or those hormones are finally kicking in." The brunette, needless to say, was at a total loss of words. Instead of replying, he returned the sentimental look of true gratitude. The two walked in silence the rest of the way, each lost in his thoughts. The sun was beginning a slow descent into the horizon, a deep sky blue directly overhead with cotton candy pink clouds puffy and sporadically placed high above. Near the edge a crystalline blue was fading into an almost white, the pale pink atmospheric condensation blending with the soft hue of colour. The two teens gazed silently, appreciatively, at the sky. After the quiet slow descent into sunset, they entered the flower shop that would plant the seed - only after they left would they choose how to care for the bud until it bloomed.
A/N: (Dusts account off) Hmm? Me? Live? Who has been spreading lies? Really know, you should all know better than to believe such hogwash. (Scoffs) Where is this going? (Grins) You'll just have to wait and see, my lovelies...