Title : Backfired.
Part : 2 of 3
Story so far : Finally, a closure for Koujaku and Sly. This time Ren has a dialogue part to play =D
—-
Koujaku searched everywhere for the kid. He went to where Aoba would have gone to if he was upset. Because despite their personality difference, they're both quite alike too.
To an extent, the brothers are like one in body and mind. You have to look very closely to see their similarities.
So he went to Heibon, the park with the Ginko tree leaves, to the new Rhyme Arcade Center and even Mizuki's bar that he work part time at.
He wouldn't worry this badly if the brat went home because right now he's here with Aoba and Ren. Calling the youngster's name and searching high and low during this heavy downfall.
"Where are ya, you rascal?" The teenager huffs and wince at the numbing pain on his cheeks.
The place where Bakuro punched him twice.
Funny how they hurt more than the endless abuse he received from his dad.
Maybe it's because Bakuro's pained expression haunt his mind til now.
It's like he saw the mask crack.
And underneath is a boy who was simply misunderstood.
"No. It's not that."
Koujaku shakes his head to deny himself.
Bakuro… is… more than that. He's a complex character where one can't just take at face value.
It takes one who knows him years to fully understand how he functions. It's like, he's neither good nor bad. Like… the blade of hair scissors. If use correctly it can be a tool, to use him wrongly then he'll be a dangerous weapon.
Bakuro was more stable when they were kids, he remember that. Although he reacts like hissing cat most of the time around him. And Aoba told him back when Sei was still in town, Bakuro was actually cuter. Koujaku wish he can see old photos of the kid, it'd be interesting to see that.
Argh, focus! Koujaku curse himself how he's too preoccupied about his own dad to miss out the warning cues from the troubled teen. He felt like he could have help prevent the incident at his bedroom several hours ago.
With Sei abroad, with Aoba in a relationship…
Bldes will surely left to rust if abandoned.
"Where are you… Shiroba?"
—-
It took long hours for him to finally kick himself into gear and return home.
The whole night he soaked in the rain and brooding over his one sided love over a pathetic guy whose also suffering from a one sided love at his brother.
Well, fuck. No wonder soap operas like to use that old timey plot device, a love triangle between three main characters. Don't the audience just love it when two characters fight over the girl or vice versa?
When he reached home and quietly went up the stairs, he was surprise to see an angry looking Ren waiting at his bedroom door.
"Wrong door you're guarding there, pooch. Aoba's room is on the left."
"I am aware of that, Shiroba."
Bakuro instantly glare at him, "don't be so cocky and call my name like that, mongrel."
Actually Bakuro is just another nick name like recently he got dubbed as Sly Blue whenever he went to the Rhyme Arcade Center.
But his real name is like Aoba. Due to the white tip of his hair, their parents named him just like how Aoba's hair is the colour of the sky.
As he grew older, the white tips starts to move upward.
And now…
After the rain wash away the dye, Ren can see the snowy white strands plastered to Shiroba's face and back.
"I need to speak with you, Shiroba."
Damn it, now he remember how Koujaku calls his real name before he stupidly ran off. His tone was so gentle and nice, unlike Ren's alarming tone.
Fuck fuck fuck.. how is he going to get out of this situation with minimal damage?
"Have you any idea you caused Aoba so much worry?"
Shiroba narrows his cat like eyes on the taller man.
"Worry? hah! It ain't the first time I return home late y'know."
"Koujaku called us."
Shiroba shuts up when he heard the stupid bird's name.
"He called each of our coils wondering if we know where you are. We have been searching for you everywhere. We were out there for hours. I had to drag Aoba back home and stay here in case you return. We concealed this from Tae-san because she's recovering from a cold."
Bakuro's golden eyes widen. He immediately turn in his heels towards Aoba's room.
"Your brother's sleeping now." Ren left out the part where Aoba cried himself to sleep due to worry over his missing brother.
"And Koujaku?"
"Why should I provide information to the person who caused those bruises on Aoba's bestfriend?"
"Fuck you! Answer me, is Koujaku still outside searching for me at this god damn hour?!"
Ren continue to stare at him calmly with his amber eyes. Intent to stay silent about the information.
"It is not my place to meddle between you three, however if I deem you too willful for Aoba's safety, I will be force to take precautions against you." He warned the younger man.
Bullshit, does he think just because he's dating his brother he's also qualified to teach him a lesson?
"Due to your reckless behavior tonight, Aoba ran in the rain to search for you, fell asleep waiting up for you and imagine his grief when he learned that the bruises are caused by your fists when he pressed Koujaku about it. I will not allow anymore of this. I'll protect Aoba even if it means I have to restrain you. Physically, if necessary."
"Hah, you? trying to restrain me?"
Ren said no more but his eyes are determined on his decision.
Seeing those golden eyes just piss Shiroba more.
"To hell with you! You're the outsider here who came waltzing in and seduced Aoba away! Bet your sex skills are that good huh? that even my brother is listening to your commands?"
Ren's calm expression didn't change. This must be how it feels to pick a fight with a monk.
"I do not command Aoba anything. I only love and protect him. It is not my wish to see him in grief and sadness and for that I will take action on whoever harm his well being. Even if that person is you, Shiroba."
Hearing all that just make Shiroba all the more angry.
What is up with this stray for thinking he has the right to come in between him and his brother?!
When words fail him, again Shiroba react with what he have.
His instincts.
He land a punch on Ren's jaws, however Ren in return punches Shiroba by the nose!
They both fought like it's a boxing match!
And soon both realize they're… almost equal in power?
Shiroba can't believe this, it's like he's fighting himself.
He can't loose nor win this because they're just so… alike.
They both love Aoba. They both are Aoba's loved ones.
"Stop this, I don't want Aoba to be anymore sad seeing us fight." Ren holds back on his punches.
"Bullshit! Aoba won't even notice. Ever since years ago. Ever since Sei's gone. He's totally oblivious about what's happening under this god forsaken roof. Whether I'm here or not."
Ren is now on defense, with his arms to shield his face as he receives Shiroba's blows and kicks.
"He does! He noticed! He's sad the bonds you two share have weaken this badly!"
"He's sad because the only way I can get his attention is being this troubled kid! I'm not like you, I never make him smile! I never make him laugh! I cause him headaches, I cause him pain!"
"Shiroba, just listen—-" he coughs when a kick to his side caught him off guard.
"No matter how much I beat those bullies away, how much I protect his back, he never said thank you! You know why? I cause more damage than good! I can never be his hero because I'm just too darn weak for him! I'm not as heroic like that Koujaku!"
Ren widen his eyes then he has this dangerous look on his face, "was that why you harmedKoujaku?"
Shiroba felt his heart stopped beating for a few seconds.
"Because Aoba treasured him more than you?"
He open his mouth to protest…
"Thus your desire to eliminate him?"
And no sound came out.
The shock and hurt cause his voice to be stuck in his throat.
Like how the mermaid princess tried to bawl over the grief yet her muted voice…
"Ren, stop. That's enough."
Both men turn to see Koujaku coming out of Shiroba's bedroom door that Ren was guarding.
"Koujaku…"
"I've heard enough and let me handle from here. You shouldn't have let your emotions influence your words like that. Even if you were equally upset. Come on, go back to Aoba. He hates waking up alone."
"…..understood."
Without a glance to the silverette, Ren went to Aoba's bedroom and close the door.
Leaving Koujaku and Shiroba alone.
"…..that's my towel." The younger man commented when he saw the familiar item on Koujaku's wet hair.
"Yeah, sorry about that. Aoba said I should shower here because we were soaked by the rain…."
An awkward silence ensues.
"Uh… come in?"
Shiroba huffs and walk into his own room with his chin held high, "I don't need an invitation to what's mine."
He says that but Koujaku can see the kid is putting up a brave front. Plus how his voice crack at the end there.
"Listen… about what Ren meant…"
"He was right about that. Though not eliminate but actually making you mine."
"Eh?"
"I was intent in making you my pet. My own pet to play and torture as I please. I wanted to fuck you up so bad I also fuck up your mind. Well… who'd have guess my plan backfired huh?"
Shiroba casually explain as he easily undress and search for dry clothes.
Not feeling shy at all with Koujaku staring at him.
The young teen pick up his favorite oversized white shirt with red splashes of paint on it. They look like blood splotches, perfect.
Koujaku's eyes trail down Shiroba's long legs and the pale skin that was marred by scars and old wounds on his arms and fingers.
Under the moonlight, Shiroba looks almost ethereal as he sits on his bed then cross his legs.
"Enjoying the view, old man?"
Koujaku spluttered, "excuse me, I'm only 19!"
"And I'm 15. And I'm bored with you. I change my mind in making you my pet so you can leave now. I can always search for something else to entertain me."
"What?"
"Basically I don't want a love sick fool in my room, now get out."
"Love sick…"
"It's still not to late to steal Aoba away from Ren, you know. A little touch and sweet words and if you play your cards well, he'll be down on his knees and ready to make your wildest fantasy into a rea—-"
*slaps*
The slap on Shiroba's cheek powerful enough to turn his head to the side.
The younger male look up at the enraged look from Koujaku before him with his hand raise up.
"Don't you dare disrespect your brother like that."
Koujaku's right, who doesn't want to love and cuddle his dear brother huh?
Shiroba chuckled and enjoy the feel of pain on his cheeks. He can deal with pain. Pain on his cheeks or body is bearable. Emotional pain is not, that one is tricky and he still doesn't know how to deal with heart pain yet.
"And don't you dare disrespect yourself as well!"
Shiroba gasps softly and turn confused cat like eyes to Koujaku's crimson ones.
Ah… he really does look magnificent.
"Disrespect myself?"
"Yes! why are you quick to brush off people before giving them a chance to know you better?"
"There's nothing to figure out, they were right that I'm the black sheep in the family. That I love fights, chaos, destruction or I'd be very bored out of my mind."
"But you also love your brothers."
"…."
"You'd do anything for them."
"They don't need me anymore. Sei's somewhere and Aoba has his guard dog. So why not I have my fun?"
"Getting into trouble and finding trouble is not my definition of fun."
"Who asks for your opinion? "
"It's not definition of fun but actually your cry for help."
It felt like someone splash cold water on him.
"You're like me. we're not really honest about our feelings. You purposely get into these troubling situation so that someone will notice you. So that Aoba will notice you. Because he's so important to you."
"…shut up.."
"Finding something to amuse yourself is just a distraction. Or else you would have wondered what's your purpose in life if not for Aoba's sake. You live for him, to protect and aid him. Basically you were having an existential crisis."
"I said… shut the fuck.. up.."
"Now that Ren's here, you worry what will you explain to Sei about your situation—-"
Koujaku just saw something white and the next second he has his back on the floor with the kid sitting on his stomach again.
But this time the younger man grip his neck fiercely with an expression like he's about to cry.
"Say… another word and I'll… end you."
Koujaku's expression soften.
He raise his hand up to caress the youth's damp but otherwise soft locks.
"Shiroba, I'll say it again. You won't do that. Because I know you're not that kind of person."
"because I'm his fucking brother?"
"No, because you love me."
The fingers froze around his neck.
"You love me and no matter how much you desire it, I won't die under your hands. I'm yours. I want to be yours."
"….Hah.. how conceited….is this… some kind of sick joke to you?"
Shiroba try to play it off but he actually…blushed.
He looks so much like Aoba right now.
Awkward and… quite cute.
Koujaku chuckled, "no, of course I'll never joke something like this. Because I'm beginning to think I don't mind being chained to you."
"…what did I got myself into now, I found myself a masochistic pet?"
Besides, wasn't Koujaku straight? why is he being all easy and happy go lucky about this change of events?
"Come now, you're hurting my feelings."
"A willing victim is too easy. Can't you struggle or act resistant a lil' bit?"
"What? you want me to growl and rattle my chains and bite you if you try touching me?"
The mental image of beast Koujaku that belongs to him actually made Shiroba quite turned on.
"Maybe I should mess your hair a bit too, wana try adding tattoos on those arms of yours?" then he caress the side of Koujaku's face, "and some wing like tattoo over here too?"
The older teen chuckle.
But Shiroba revert back to his serious expression, "you knew all along about my feelings."
"Yeah. To be exact several hours ago when you took selfies of me without my permission."
"And what about your side? you're pitying me? aiming for a free fuck?"
Koujaku sighs again.
"No, I said I'm interested if our relationship can work out."
"..hmm…sure it's not some replacement complex? can't get Aoba so you come to me instead?"
This guy is pretty blunt and sharp.
"I… don't know myself. Sure I had affection for Aoba but now that Ren's by his side, I just… feel happy for him? Like I didn't feel that pang of jealousy as I thought I would. I saw how they love each other and like, I sincerely wish for their happiness."
"Such a saint."
"Well, I think God may have lost one of his angels cuz you look mighty fine to me, babe."
Shiroba blush again and slap Koujaku's hands from caressing his cheeks, "you're embarrassing! stop that cheesy line bullshit!"
"But they're my honest thoughts on you."
"You don't feel that way when someone just punch your stomach, drag you to your apartment, chain you up and molest you."
"Well I thought it was an interesting foreplay. Besides, I like possessive partners."
Shiroba roll his eyes, this guy is… just weird and embarrassing.
"Now I'm someone trying to move on with my life and forget my one sided crush. Continuing with my life and wondering where I'll go."
"And you think my door's open just for you near the road side of your love-seek adventure?"
"Well, you didn't close the door on my face so you're not entirely oppose to me in your life now, right?"
"…..I'll seriously… leave if I get bored over you. Mink from Scratch team or Mizuki from Dry Juice… they look interesting so I'm not worried if I ran out of pets to tame and make them as mine once I'm done with you."
Koujaku just smile confidently, not worried in the least, "That's fine."
It's fine if Shiroba wants to go to other guys. Then it'll just mean it's not meant to be for them to be together.
However if ever Shiroba wants to return, he'll gladly welcome him back with open arms.
"And… you may find someone else to love and leave me behind."
Koujaku close his eyes before he grip Shiroba's cold and pale fingers in his, "it's possible. But I'm also hoping that day will never come." he kiss those shivering digits one by one.
"…."
"You're considering of really closing the door in my face right now, huh?"
"Maybe, if you can think of something interesting to do with that mouth of yours…. on me." he smirks with a lick of his lips.
Koujaku laughs and sits up, carrying Shiroba bridal style before placing him on the bed.
"Hey! what the—"
*chu*
A kiss on the forehead.
God, can this guy be anymore embarrassing?
"Not tonight, I don't want to rush this new relationship of ours…"
The older man sits on the floor and lay his head on his arms while his other hand grasp Shiroba's cold ones.
"You're going to die with blue balls if you keep this up, old man."
"I'm not that old!"
"you are, Hippo!"
"you little—-"
He pounce on the kid and they have a tickle fight!
Oh boy… Shiroba didn't remember the last time he laugh that hard. It's a miracle Tae hasn't kick his door down and yank him by the ear.
To be honest Koujaku didn't dare touching the kid intimately because he's only 15.
It's okay, they both have time.
And he's willing to spend their days together teaching him all about appreciating the meaning of love and affection. It's not all about physical pleasure.
So he'll start now.
"You're as beautiful as the moon."
"….."
"I thought you were Kaguya-hime that came down to be my life partner.."
"are you drunk already?"
"Yes, I'm drunk from your beauty."
Koujaku get's a kick to his groin but it wasn't a hash kick.
"You… you're so embarrassing! who'd say such cheesy lines at a time like this?"
Koujaku chuckle and kiss him on the cheeks.
Shiroba and Aoba are quite alike.
But…
They both have their difference too.
He's glad to learn more of Shiroba's unseen expressions, the kid is becoming something so precious to him now.
He smiles affectionately seeing his new lover yawing.
"Go to sleep, I'll watch over you."
"Good. If you want to grope me or have a quickie just wake me up."
This kid, seriously.
"I'll touch you when we both want it."
"Is there any difference? look, I'm willing. you can bind me up and rip my clothes apart for all I care. I hold onto your word about the biting part. Bite me so hard you drew blood, I like that."
Koujaku sighs and pats the boy's head before playing with the silky hair strands, "go to sleep."
"Not gonna kiss me for it?"
"Demanding lil' brat aren't ya?"
"I desire what I want, that's just who I am. I don't beat around the bush. So you're gonna kiss me or wha—- hnn…"
Koujaku deepen the kiss when Shiroba wrap his arms around his neck.
That's a good sign, yeah?
Yeah.
It'll be a long and rocky road for the two of them. But if Shiroba allow him to kiss him every night like this, then Koujaku doesn't mind being chained for life!
END?