Warning: mutilated cheese block?
gali-o-: the italics paragraph below the normal ones were flashback. But, you'll know the differences eventually. *wink*
AS FoR CAT EARS: I edit that part so there is no more cat ears. Kaoru has ears like human does.
I don't know if any of you knew this or not. But South Part are kind of slank from South Park. 'South Park' is a cartoon movie about Canadian with lots of parody. Though it's parody, and the characters took the form of teen, it was for adult. There are sensitive issues mentioned in idiotic ways there. But I liked the movie lot… XD
And I messed up much with Mikage T^T
.P. .L. .E. .A. .S. .E. . . . . .E. .N. .J. .O. .Y.
Chapitre 4. So, What Would You Like Me To Do?
Kaoru didn't go against the idea of cuddling with the human. What made him launch a pretty punch at Omi's jaw more so because the reason behind the affectionate gesture. He didn't know at first that the human just playing with him, the sleeping face was so peaceful. Kaoru would be more than glad to scope the man in tight embrace.
After seeing him from far away for so long, it just natural that he wants to touch as much as possible after actually met the man. The touchy feeling didn't ebb away even after snip snap they had. Even now, Kaoru slightly worried that the punch were hurt too much. The disgusting purple bruise looked painful.
But Kaoru not denying that the silver haired farmer deserve the punch. Omi doesn't supposed to smirk and saying such words…
The morning was crisp and fresh. Kaoru liked when morning comes, the new rays gave hopes to every living being, promising a better future. And the human beside him felt so vivid, nothing like motion picture on the surface of water that would rippled under his touch. Even slight feathery touch of breeze could wash the figure away.
The rise and fall of broad shoulder were proving enough. Beneath his palm, through the worn clothes, heat radiating from little pores. And the face…
Content adoring the heart shaped face. Silvery fringes support transparent frame against the dim light, lids closed to hide away dusty blue grey pairs of eyes. The mole on one of high cheekbones gave a sweeter edge to contrast the sometimes sharps calculating looks.
Without preserve any strain, caressing the strands that flowing effortlessly between his fingers. That was when he felt the muscle of human above him shifting, sign that he regain consciousness.
"Welcome to the world of the living," Kaoru greet cheerfully.
"I thought that you don't need sleep more than human," Omi smirking.
Kaoru turned tense in an instant. He growl at the familiar mocking, so he tried to move away before it leads to another tantrum. He didn't need one so early in the morning.
"Why leaving? You seems so comfortable beneath me," as if to emphasize his point, Omi nuzzle at the crook of the pink blond's shoulder. One hand wander on the side, lazily went up and down repeatedly. One leg rested in between.
"You clearly need cold bath," Kaoru didn't buy the innuendo, struggle to get up again.
"Leaving already? You said you won't leave until my three wishes granted," Omi smirk getting wider at the pissed off expression on the pretty face.
"If you want me to leave you, then spit it already," dared the pink blond. At this point, Omi poised above Kaoru, holding both of his hands over the head. "Hold me down would never work to turn me down."
"You're the one insisted the whole thing. I don't need someone like you to grant my wish."
"See? You're the one that won't me leave," Kaoru gave a 'told you so' look.
"Do not."
"Do so."
"Come on, I know that you returning the kindness for me saving the dragon not true. You just make up reason to stay with me," Omi rolled his eyes.
Kaoru narrowed his eyes, silently agreeing with thin lined lips. Omi didn't expecting that his guessing was true, so he loosen his grip a bit. Kaoru didn't put too much effort anyway.
"I…" Omi began weakly before closing his mouth again. The observing green beneath him waiting expectantly. "I don't have that kind of wish, you know." So I don't need you.
The following under statement weren't said, but it was clear for both of them and hanging heavily between them.
And it hurt more. After so much effort spend for this sole purpose, to offer happiness for the man and being rejected blatantly. Though he knew that Omi didn't know the real reason why he came and effort he had put himself in. still, Kaoru couldn't accept it.
Though now he felt bad after punching the young man. Just a bit, really. Because Omi deserve something worse for being a jerk. Another kick from Mustang would sufficient.
Beside Kaoru, Omi walked silently. His jaw throbbing but it isn't so bad that he couldn't say anything. He just surprised that the pink blond actually angry, he didn't mean it. The teasing went well so far and Kaoru looked interesting even when in fury. As if the man was born to be beautiful all the time.
He didn't expect the pink blond to stay at his house, but not to follow him either. All in all, they still stuck together no matter the circumstances. It made a very awkward situation that giving choke sensation.
Mustang didn't help much either. The pony pacing steadily, rein in Omi's hand. In the depth of black eyes, Omi could see an accusing look. How Omi wanted to whack the pony's head to give some sense so that he behave more pony-like.
The first time Omi thinks of after step in the East Central was to bring the pink blond where he could put Kaoru in somewhere save. He knew that both of them needed some space. Without reason, the first place that rings a bell was Mr Mustang's place in South Part.
"Elric, is Mr. Mustang available?" Omi asked once he arrived at the store-house type. The bean sprout blond was arranging the stock consist of whatever it was.
The blond raise his head and smile in acknowledge before turn into smirk as he caught the sight of pink blond beside Omi. The pretty face not so well covered by the hoodie.
"He's not available for a date," the young apprentice answered darkly.
"Not quite…but…well…" Omi answer intelligently.
At that a scowl appear on the blond face, "What kind of answer is that? He's still sleeping upstairs. Not wake until later." He studied Omi's face for a moment before wincing, "It must be painful."
"Oh, forget it. It'll heal eventually," Omi stare at certain pink blond beside him while the pinknette pretend not to hear him.
"I almost thought that you won't be able to wake up either, judging how noise last night was," Riza, the other assistance appear from inside the store, bring more stock for Edward to put.
Were it not for the noise part, Edward was groaning for the additional stock, but instead he blushing so hard that his face resemble tomato soup. Omi grins lopsidedly while Kaoru just blink in the dark and glance from one face to another.
"Well, we were sorry if our live was so happy that we forgot to considerate other's feeling. Not that we capable to consider anything at that time," another voice can be heard from inside the store, it was deep and laced heavily with crack here and there. A smile can be heard inside of it though the person not yet made an appearance.
"Stop it, you jerk!!" the short blond throw something at the black haired man.
"Oh, Ed, but would you rather me focus at neighborhood?" Mustang , the alchemist not the pony, asked with dejected look in his face.
"Certainly not," the blond grin sheepishly with blush, lighter than before.
"Eww, please don't share your private happy love life. We have customer here," Riza cut before both man that working in the store clouded with lust. Or whatsoever.
"Sure, how inconsiderate of me," Mustang pull business smile after gave the short blond a quick peck. "But Riza, I've doing some research of the new formula if you caught what I mean."
Riza just rolled her eyes before went back inside.
"Oh, Omi. I didn't know you have quite high taste," Mustang commented after he studied his regular customer with a glance.
"Of course but no, we're not together if that what you think. I need your help."
Mustang raised an eyebrow questioningly at that so Omi continue, "I have to sell and buy things at market. I need your help to take care of him."
If notice, Mustang not commented at his silver haired customer that has slight worry in his face. And the same scowl at the pink blond's face who muttered "I'm not a child. I can take care of myself, thank you."
"Yeah, and having the animals parade. That would be interesting," Omi replied sarcastically.
So much like a old couple yet they're not together, Mustang musing.
"I thought that someone need me. Perhaps, related to pretty lady over here.." Mustang cut before the fight could bring disaster to his medical shop.
That successfully brought back Omi's attention from the attractive pink blond. "This is Kaoru, a guest in my house," Omi added to cast away any suspicion from Mustang's face. But the man's raised eyebrow settle him wrong. "Shut up," Omi growl threateningly.
"I didn't say anything, grumpy," Mustang smirk widened.
"I don't trust him alone in my house but I can't bring him to the market either," purposely Omi clear any misunderstanding of the male's identity.
"Are you sure? I don't mind if he doesn't," Mustang shrug.
"I'll stay. Apparently someone's afraid of animal parade here," Kaoru brushed off easily past the silver haired farmer to shake the owner's hand. "It's nice to meet you, Mister…"
"Mustang. And it's nice to meet you too, Kaoru," Mustang return the polite gesture.
"Before I forget as to why I need to go to the market in the first place," Omi glance at Kaoru before turning his back, "I better leave." The man stomp off as gracious as a grumpy man could.
After watching the bitter departure, Kaoru returns to face the other with a scoff, "I don't know where he hit his head this time."
"He isn't that snappy, actually he is quite good boy," the blonde female appear again with a glass of something. "You can call me Riza," she smiled kindly and handed the glass toward Kaoru, "The tea will cease the thirst."
"Omi will not like it if he heard that 'boy' thing, Riza," Elric commented.
"Thank you," Kaoru return the smile and accept the glass carefully.
"Nonsense. He's still a boy as you do, Edward."
"Gah, whatever,"the other blond with braid turned again to continue with stocking.
"How do you know him?" Kaoru asked out of curiosity.
"His parents were sort of best friend of mine. They died after fire burn down their house. They got wounds and die from it," at this point Mustang frowned, "..but Omi was hardly talk to me before that. He often comes to buy medicine for his parents and something for his farm."
"I'm sorry.." Kaoru said softly.
"Don't be. It was in the past anyway," Mustang gave an encouraging smile which Kaoru gladly return with relieve.
"He was very concerned too when he bought the ointment yesterday. How was your injury?"
Kaoru slightly surprised by that, "I'm fine. It..doing fine." Kaoru knew that it won't do good to say that he was completely healed. He should his secret keep from everyone but Omi. "How could you assume it was me?"
Mustang smiled all knowingly, "He live alone and obviously not leaving you behind. It's not that hard of a guess."
"That makes sense," Kaoru agreeing.
^^,
Kaoru offering help while he was staying which gladly received by the dark haired shop owner. However, in the end Kaoru proving that he couldn't do much to help inside the store. Each material held with extra caution, not rare that each material treated differently in which Kaoru had no knowledge about. He was glad though that at least he could serve them lunch and drinks.
"You two were very close…" Kaoru commented out of the blue when the shop relatively empty except from a girl that buy pastilles.
Simultaneously, Elric and Mustang turn to him. "Of course. Why wouldn't we?"
The pink blond shrugged, "Both of you keep arguing all the time but neither get truly angry. Instead…"
"Are you happy?" Kaoru asked instead.
Elric snorts with a grin, a large one, tugging his lip upward. "If I'm not happy, I wouldn't stick with him and let him stick something up my ass."
"It's not that he was easy to handle but he is unbearably cute sometimes," Mustang added.
"I'm not cute, Bastard!" Elric snap with fury, "Say that again and I'll kick your proud ass off the bed."
"Do try, Edward," Mustang dare the shortest blond with menacing face but his eyes betrayed him for it showing amusement and sincere fondness.
Kaoru eyed them silently. He learn a lot back in district seven since he appointed as the Seer apprentice. And it mean A LOT a lot. But he didn't understand too much about what was happen in front of him. He knew only little about people interaction aside from what other's talking which he thought was enough as a crutch before he decided to visit the human.
But now he proven wrong. Perhaps it's true that his job granted him ability to see what he wanted to see but so far he used his ability mostly for his duty, that is to watch the whole district seven and assuring none straying. He only knew a little about human, how they interact in social live from a quick glance. And all his knowledge was just that. A crutch. A miniscule insignificant crutch at that.
The real live example was there, Doctor Mustang and his apprentice, Elric boy.
He didn't know what they were talking about whatever they were doing at night. That's when human supposed to sleep, right? Is the house only having one bed that they sleep together too? Then, why would they being noisy at night? Is that because Elric kicked Mister Mustang out of bed often at night?
One conclusion that Kaoru able to pull from the entire question was a straight 'It doesn't make a sense'.
Well, maybe I could ask Omi later, Kaoru thought with unconscious an upward curve in his lips.
^^,
Meanwhile, in the market…
"Mama, this grampa sold eggs too. I want little chickies…" thus said one of the customer's boy with ridiculously big round blue eyes.
"Oh, dear…" the mother fake gasped , as if Omi wouldn't know behind overdramatic scene, and then giggled, "It's no grampa. Big brother Omi's still young. And if you behaving, he might get you one of these eggs."
Sure, so much for calling me grampa, Omi thought to himself. Try to block the giggles, he swear that Mustang's neigh sounds far better, Omi chops another cheese block. And no free egg for you and your terrible flirting.
That pink freak better be grateful for all of this, Omi chopped another block of cheese with sadistic smile on his face. The boy clutching tighter at his mom's clothes, shivering as he saw the cheese mutilated mercilessly in front of him. Now understand how his mom suggest him to behave, afterall he didn't want to have the same faith as poor cheese.
^^,
The day at Mustang's medicine shop was fun, Kaoru noted happily. But when Omi arrives later at afternoon made him more at ease. It's always better around those who you know, even though he barely met the farmer himself. Besides, Mustang aren't so bad either..
"Hey, there, boy. Are you being a good boy today?" Kaoru snicker at the thought and pat the pony's head. The pony pull back it's lips and show off rows of white perfect gigantic teeth.
"Good. Now say hello to Mister Mustang," the pink blond boy continue happily.
"What happen to your pony? It's doing differently," the blond boy watch with amusement as the pony pull Mustang's glove when the raven haired man tried to pat its head.
"That's what I want to know," Omi shrugs in distaste. Still not over the fact that the pony who has been living with him for over three years betrayed him for a pink blond haired stranger only because he came from district seven.
"At least it's not biting your fingers off," the blond gave pat at his shoulder before walked to Mustang, which at this point had saved his glove. Or, what was left of the said glove.
"Oh, please forgive him, Mister Mustang," Kaoru laugh heartily, "I don't know he was so picky toward people. Let me fix your glove as an apology."
His laugh ringing merrily in the warm rays of late afternoon. Gave a softer edge and livid back sound over the street that basked in golden and red lights. Omi didn't know why but he felt peace just by seeing the pink blond chat with his new friends. A frame of picture that he wanted to join by standing beside the pink blond. Close enough to caught every sound he make with those wonderful parting lips but distant enough to enjoy watching him from the perfect angle.
Really, I didn't know how could such a angelic creature…
"..right, Omi?" Kaoru turned his head toward Omi.
Asking me something. His smile so perfect that it put shame every flowers and girls…
"Omi?" Kaoru frown.
Even his confused look still so charming…
"Omi!"
Omi snap back to reality and realize that everyone set their eyes on him differently. Mustang -the human- has that smirk, Riza has knowing heart warming smile, the Elric boy grin devilishly, Kaoru looked concern and Mustang, well… the other Mustang, narrowed his eyes menacingly. As narrow as a pony could.
"What?" Omi asked back.
"I think we should go home now. Or, do you plan to do something else?" Kaoru asked him worriedly. Pair of green eyes sparkling beautifully under the dim light that still littering the city.
"No…" Omi said softly, still bewitched by creature in front of him.
"No," he said firmer this time without tearing his eyes from the concerned green eyes. "We better go now."
"Thanks for keep an eye on him, Sir," Omi turned to the shop owner and his staffs. Bowing slightly.
"He's very helpful with the food," Mustang return the bow.
"Well then, goodbye, Mister Mustang," Kaoru bowed too.
The raven haired medical shop owner watch the pair and a pony shrunk as the distance grow. The blonde assistant just walked out of the store when she directed her eyes to the same direction. Worry linger on her usually firm and unshaken eyes.
"Is he…?" Riza trailed off.
Mustang nodded solemnly, "I hope he's luckier."
A little smile Mustang gave his blonde assistant wasn't encouraging but Riza choose to brush it off this time. Should the need arise, she decided that she willing to help the pink blond and the silver haired farmer. Somewhere in her heart, she wished the time was still far away in the future.
^^,
"Where's that little dragon?" Omi asked as they strode peacefully. The streets now brightened by candles from citizen's window despite that the sun not entirely set yet.
"Mikage?" Kaoru a bit surprised at first but then a serene smile adorning his face, Omi insisted that it was the light that playing funny by making Kaoru looked like angel. "He's been in the farm with the chickens. They sort of think that Mikage was chicken too." Kaoru chuckled softly remembering the blue-scaled little dragon.
"Oh…" Omi replied diligently.
He eyed Mustang that strode like a noble behind them. Omi sure the pony thought he was a body guard now if the strange proud gleam was anything to goes by.
Thinking about the pony, it's such a waste not to riding him. Omi steal a glance toward the silent pink blond walked beside him. Beneath the overflowing of layers of clothes, Kaoru wasn't that heavy, Omi has proved it by himself two nights prior.
Omi halted them, causing Kaoru throw him a questioning look. "I thought you were in hurry," he folded his arm in front of his chest.
"Sure. It's quicker this way," Omi mount the pony with ease. It's not that Mustang was that tall to begin with. He then reach out to the pink blond which eyed him still in the dark. Omi rolled his eyes that the pink blond didn't get what he meant.
"Come on, Mustang will be glad if you mount him," Omi shake his hand invitingly.
"But…Isn't it too heavy for you and me?" Kaoru eyed the pony worriedly.
"Mustang's good steed," Omi protested. "He'll be honoured, believe me."
Kaoru didn't sure but with one look from Mustang, he nudge the pink blond closer, he decided to just. He never mounted any horse, or pony for that matter. But once Mustang made a small gallop before striding gracefully on the street, Kaoru knew that he was in the right hand. Besides, Omi which sat behind him looked knew how to handle the pony though the position he was in right now quite something.
It felt disturbing like when he woke up that morning with Omi circled his arm around him.
Disturbingly pleasant, that is.
^^,
The last remnants of dusk was wither away when Omi put Mustang back at his respectable stable while Kaoru subjected to cook the dinner. Unlike the prior eating before, Kaoru put his share of food in old bowl while he has it on plate.
"You're eating," Omi said as scooping a large amount of whatever it was the pink blond cook for him which looked like stew.
"Course I am," Kaoru replied annoyed. "Though slightly different, it's almost like my daily food."
Omi's lips tugging upward noticeably, "So, it's not a cat food then?" he watched amusedly as Kaoru's eyebrows twitching in irritation while he pretend it didn't bother him slight bit. But a mumble of 'ungrateful human' didn't go unnoticed.
Suddenly Omi felt a pawning on his hand, it was the small blue-scalled dragon -whose it's name again?-. "Unge'ateful 'uman.." the dragon sing-song-ed playfully as if it didn't know what it means.
At first Omi ignored the chibi dragon but the blue-scaled creature chanted the same word repeatedly before it could annoy him. And is that the dragon spaz-dancing mocking him?
"Good boy Mikage," Kaoru said encouragingly, barely able to stifle his laugh, which strangely still has that melodious deep ringing to it.
"Stop it. I'm not ungrateful human. There're plenty out there," Omi protested weakly with a frown.
"But you are. Right?" Kaoru winked at the creature which easily dodge a spoon swat.
"'Aight?" Mikage parroting gleefully with tied-tongue words.
"Kao'u.. I think we should hu'iey..befo'we they sea'chin us…" this time Mikage switching into their native speaking, not that Omi would likely to understand him with his tied-tongue speech. But, to play save…
Kaoru concerned about this, he knew that his time was limited but he didn't expect Mikage to voice out his concern this fast. Of course for some reason he has more time than Mikage did, but he felt saver with the dragon around. They've been best friend for… say it fifty years. Well, they could always return to district seven to give the report before went back to Omi's house. Besides, Omi isn't that cooperative either..
Kaoru pushed that thought back as he smiled to his little blue fellow, "It's okay, Mikage."
That caught Omi's attention from his third bowl of stew-looked-like-thing. "What is it?"
"It's nothing," Kaoru answered with ease as he resumed his eating. Even while eating, Kaoru didn't lose his touch of gracefulness which made Omi smiled inwardly and back with his own bowl.