Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday, I hope that whatever you celebrate it had apple pie, because apple pie is !
~*~ Bon is stubborn, but not at much as Rin. Rin realizes Bon has pretty eyes ~*~
"Bon, come on!" Rin's hand remained clenched around Bon's wrist.
Along the walk back to the dorm Rin had insisted they stop by Shiemi's, their close friend who operated the local herb shop for most of the Japan branch. He was enlightened to this idea when Bon had bumped into a corner, and his skin had peeled off his shoulder, compliments to the fresh burns he'd received. It was at that point Rin had decided enough was enough, and began the long battle of attempting to get Bon some medical attention.
"No, Rin! I said I'm fine!" Bon yelled, clinging with his other hand to a wooden support beam that held the roof over Shiemi's front porch.
Although Bon spent plenty of time at the gym, he was no match for the thin half demon. His super natural powers weren't to be thwarted. Slowly his fingers slipped from the wood, until his nails made a last attempt to remained attached to the object, failed, and sent him sprawling into Rin.
The two tumbled down, Rin slamming with his backs to the wall, near by the door. Luckily Rin took the impact of the wall, Bon tumbling down on his chest, and despite Rin's soft shirt, Bon couldn't help the pained whine that escaped him, his burns siring with agitation and pain.
"Damn it, Rin." he hissed, shoving Rin off him quickly to rid himself of the discomfort.
"Well, if you would just stop being so stubborn this wouldn't be so difficult!" Rin rebutted, more than happy to tell Bon off (again) for his stubborn personality.
As Bon was getting his defense ready the light overhead switched on, causing both to look toward the door that cracked open.
Between the gap in the door Rin could make out Shiemi's green eyes, and a strip of her blonde hair that had fallen innocently into her face. "Shiemi!" he smiled, standing to greet her, ignoring Bon who was still making a fuss as he sat on the porch.
"Oh," seeing who it was Shiemi opened the door fully, reveling her pajamas and pony-tailed hair. As usual her small familiar demon was perched on her shoulder, the small Green Man squealing with delight at the arrival of their friends. "Rin, what are you doing here?" she asked, confused by his unexpected visit.
"Bon was burned, I was hoping you could help."he explained, stepping to the side so Shiemi could get a better look.
Her eyes, burdened with concern, looked over Bon's burns, ignoring his protests. "What did you do, step into an oven?" she mused, causing Bon to snort in retaliation.
"No," he grunted, "It was a demon. A big ass fire demon, and it breathed on me."
With an inquisitive look Shiemi turned to her Green Man, who was watching intently from her shoulder. "Nee, I need some Mr. Sancho, please." she asked, holding her hand out politely to her demon friend.
With a "Squee!" in delight the Green Man sprang to life, floating in the air as he flipped, strained, then grew a whole bush of aloe vera from his arm, offering it over to Shiemi without complaint.
Shiemi withdrew a small collapsible knife from her pocket (she had been gardening in her room before all the commotion started), and cut a large piece of aloe from Nee, thanking him once she was done. With another small chirp of appreciation the demon's arm deflated and resumed its normal, green moss coated, finger-less arm.
It had taken a while for Shiemi to become comfortable mutilating her own demon, but after so many times, and Nee never seeming to care, she could now do it without hesitation. She would, however, take time when no one was watching to water and groom him, trimming extra leaves and providing him with plant food. Secretly she believed this to be the reason for her Green Man's outstanding production of healing herbs and rich harvest foods.
While she peeled the aloe she eyed Bon's wounds critically. "If you'd have come sooner they wouldn't be so bad, but they've had a chance to burn worse. Didn't a doctor assist you?" she asked, carefully avoiding the thorns on the side of the plant as she stripped it and began squeezing the salve to the surface.
"Yeah, there was, but rooster boy here didn't take the help that was offered." Rin muttered, still agitated with Bon's childlike behavior, which was saying something, coming from a person like himself.
Shiemi stopped to glare at Bon. "You mean you didn't get this treated when you had the chance?!" a hand came flying out to smack Bon on the back of the head before he could stop it. "You do realize this is a second degree burn, and could get infected?!"
Bon's shoulders drew up together, flinching from the smack to his head. "Oh, cut the shit already!" he growled, snatching the plant from Shiemi and standing up. "It isn't like we haven't had worse. Seriously, you guys are acting like I'm going to die." he muttered furiously, stalking off down the long stair case that lead from Shiemi's porch, down the hill her house was perched on, and to the sidewalk that would take him back into the university.
Both Rin and Shiemi watched him sulk off, Rin crossing his arms and giving a small "Hmph" of frustration, while Shiemi's face steadily grew a dark shade of red.
Without warning she sprang to her feet, fists clenched, and began to yell at Bon. Unfortunately for Rin, Bon wasn't there, so to compensate she began to yell at him instead. "Rin Okumura! You go after him and bring him back this instant! He needs medical treatment right now!" he bellowed, her Green Man withdrawing into her pony tail to hide.
Rin scrambled back, putting his hands up as if to shield himself from her verbal assault. "Okay, okay!" he submitted, avoiding eye contact as he slid off the porch and sprinted down the stairs, leaving a fuming Shiemi far behind.
Once she was out of sight Rin let out a heavy sigh, relieved to be away from that situation. For being so sweet and small Shiemi knew how to put the fear of God in him, that was for sure. Luckily he wasn't the only one. Shiemi's motherly instincts were well known in the group, and everyone did their best to not be fussed over, including Yukio who was notorious for receiving Shiemi's lectures.
Ambling along Rin had just finished the walk across the large stone walkway that led back into the university, when by chance, he looked to his left and spotted Bon. Apparently his friend had taken a leaf out of his book, as he was perched on top of a roof that over looked a majority of the city, and university.
Glancing around Rin quickly noticed the small ledge that Bon had used to gain access to the roof. Not wanting to alert Bon of his presence, Rin quietly walked across the ledge, taking it slow so he wouldn't stumble, and grabbed for the pillar that he then climbed up to get to the roof.
He loved spots like this, as very few people could get to them, and by the time he was hauling himself up on the roof tiles his heart was racing, a mix of fear and adrenaline surged through him.
"Nice veiw, huh?" he announced his approach gently, arms splayed out to help keep his balance, taking small steps towards Bon as he walked across the angled roof.
"Yeah..." Bon looked away from Rin as he sat, pointedly ignoring his intrusion. Rin never could take a hint to get lost, he always had to push a subject until things seemed better. After years Bon had finally learned that the best solution was to just ignore him, or force a smile and act like things were fine. The second option never worked too well, though.
Unsure of what to say Rin looked at the aloe that Bon had carelessly toss away, and picked it up. "You really should put some of this on, you know." he mumbled, peeling away the thick layer of leaf.
"Whatever." Bon snorted, still pointedly ignoring Rin.
Gritting his teeth, Rin narrowed his eyes in frustration. "Why is it so hard for you to let someone help you?!" he snapped, finally growing tired of Bon's behavior. "For all the bitching you did to me about team work, you sure do suck at it!"
Now that stole Bon's attention. His gaze turned to Rin, clearly mad but unsure what to say about it. "So what if I don't want people whining over me? I'll heal, it'll be fine. Everyone else is complaining about it, not me."
"Oh yeah?" Rin's anger shifted and took the tone of condescending.
"Yeah." Bon said, cautiously eyeing Rin.
For the second time that night Bon found himself being smacked, only this time it was his shoulder that took the abuse. Rin's hand connected with a snap, his burnt skin flaring white before turning a darker, more angry red.
Unable to control himself Bon let out a cry, tears filling his eyes subconsciously, the pain momentarily paralyzing him. It felt worse than he assumed it would, the pain radiating across his back where his burns were, stinging and siring.
"You deserved that." Rin said coldly, crossing his arms and holding Bon's gaze that had now turned deadly. Oh, if looks could kill.
"Fine!" Bon spat, inching forward to sling his legs over the edge of the roof. "If you wanted to put that on me so bad, go ahead. But if you smack me again, I'm throwing you off the roof without hesitation."
Grinning, Rin stood. He walked behind Bon and sat back down, his legs on either side of Bon and his chest inches away from Bon's bare back. "It'll heal faster if you put this on. Hopefully it won't scar either."
Bon rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, sulking. "Whatever."
"I don't get what the big deal is, it is just some aloe." Rin smothered his palm with the aloe and rubbed it across Bon's shoulder, the cold liquid quickly turning hot, soaking up the heat from Bon's skin.
Although Bon would never admit it, the sensation offered immediate relief, much more than ice had. His body visibly relaxed at the sensation, soaking up the treatment with or without Bon's approval. "I just don't need help with this kind of thing, that's all. I can take care of myself."
"Yeah, we all know that." Rin dismissed his withdrawn behavior with a roll of his eyes, glad that Bon's back was to him so he couldn't see. "No one is saying you can't take care of yourself, but when you let yourself suffer to prove to yourself that you're strong you just look stupid." Rin muttered, now smothering Bon's other shoulder with the medicine. 'Or at least lonely.' Rin thought silently to himself as an after thought.
"Hmph." Bon didn't speak, taking a moment to think about what Rin said before responding. "I guess when you grow up alone you just get used to it. It's embarrassing when people fuss over you." he confessed.
Rin's eyebrows creased together, more out of contempt than anger. "What do you mean? Niko and Shima have always been there for you."
Bon shrugged a shoulder and didn't answer, leaving Rin waiting with anticipation.
His attempt to drop the conversation failed, as Rin hated leaving subjects half finished, so he pressed on. "Do you mean, like, your mom and dad, and stuff?" he asked gently, no longer rubbing the aloe on Bon's skin, but instead just sitting there close enough for comfort but far enough to give Bon some space.
"I guess."Bon muttered quietly, his voice strangely void of emotion.
"I understand," Rin spoke lighter, as if the subject didn't bother him or stir feelings of unease. "When my Dad died I had to start doing so many things alone. I had Yukio though, so it was easier with him, but it was still hard."
Bon shrugged again, apparently thinking that single motion summed up his feelings, like Rin was capable of reading his mind.
Rin crossed his arms, frustrated. Any time a subject came close to personal this was so typical, Bon would shut down and act like he didn't care. Really, it was remarkable, his ability to seem so unphased, when inside he could be falling apart. Rin wasn't an idiot, though, and contrary to popular belief knew when someone was upset, and on a few occasions had run across Bon when he was upset. Up until now he'd just let sleeping dogs lay, and never pushed the subject before.
"You can be upset about it, you know."
"Upset about what?" Bon glanced over his shoulder at Rin.
"Your dad." his answer was blatant, without criticism or pity.
Bon didn't respond, looking back out over the city, watching as few crows flew down to a near by street, flying out of sight behind a building as they descended. "That was a long time ago..."
"So, doesn't mean it doesn't hurt. It also doesn't mean that people don't, or can't, care about you." Rin spoke from experience, knowing how long it had taken him to let his friends help, even in the most desperate of times.
"I guess." Bon seemed done with the conversation, but unfortunately for him Rin still wasn't.
The demon stood and moved to sit next to Bon, squatting down flat on his feet, his knees drawn up to his chest. His blue eyes focused on Bon, so intense it was difficult, if not impossible, to ignore. "Seriously, Bon. I know you and him talk now, but that doesn't make it easier to deal with, and it doesn't mean you have to forgive him like nothing ever happened. Don't be angry at him, but don't be angry at yourself either. His choices had nothing to do with you, they weren't your fault."
This time Bon didn't shrug, or look away. His eyes starred off into the city lights, unmoving and unemotional."Doesn't it though?" his voice was quiet, almost a whisper. "He stayed away to keep me safe, or to try to keep me safe, anyway. He carried such a terrible burden, for so long, and alone."
"Hmph," Rin clenched his fists around his jeans, "Whatever. It is stupid to keep secrets from people, especially important ones. If my dad hadn't of done that he might still be alive, and if your dad hadn't of done that he would have been around more often."
Bon's focus broke from its stare and glanced over to Rin, taken aback that he'd spoken so harshly of his father. Although they had been friends for so long Bon had never heard Rin speak of Father Fujimoto that way.
"Either way it doesn't matter," Rin continued "I learned that people can love and take care of you, and you need to, too. It isn't fair for people to watch someone they care about suffer, and you know that."
The words cut deep, Bon's face softening. "Rin...I didn't mean it like that. I just don't like people worrying over small things. There is more important stuff to worry about."
Rin laughed quietly, the sound a mix of disregard and disbelief. "Not to some people."
Looking at Rin a few moments longer Bon was careful to stand up, offering his hand down to Rin once he did. "Let's get back to the dorm. I'm sure Niko thinks we've died by now."
Smirking Rin clasped Bon's hand and stood, meeting him at eye level. It was funny how the two had grown, taller but still the same height difference. Rin's eyes came just to Bon's nose, but it was a perfect height to notice that Bon's eyes were lighter than he'd previously thought. Maybe it was the orange hue of the city lights, but Rin noticed how they had a tone of honey color to them.
"Huh..."Rin's head tilted to the side as they held each other's gaze, Bon's cheeks turning a shade of pink.
"What're you staring at, ya weirdo?" he asked, glancing away from Rin for a moment to try and hide his embarrassment.
Rin smirked at Bon's bashful behavior, finding it amusing. "You're eyes are pretty. I always thought they were really dark, but they aren't are they?"
The comment only made Bon's face flush hotter, and he turned away from Rin. "I dunno." he scratched the back of his head, careful to avoid his burnt neck.
"Whatever." Rin rolled his eyes and began to walk across the roof, back toward the beam they needed to climb down, then the ledge they had to walk across. "I hope you have a key to the dorm. I really don't want to walk with you shirtless all across campus. Those girls from your math class might die of a nosebleed if they see you."
Bon almost stumbled as he lowered himself down onto the ledge, the accusation catching him off guard. "What makes you say that?" he asked, watching Rin's tail teeter back and forth for balance as he began to walk across the ledge.
Rin stopped and lolled his head back to give Bon a lazy sort of look. "Really?" he asked, eyebrow quirked up in defiance, as if Bon had just told a lie.
"Yes, really!" Bon snapped, trying to catch up to Rin, who in turn continued to walk at a leisurely pace. Damn him and his demonic tail, with his demonic balance.
"If I have to tell you, I guess you'll never know, Rooster Boy." Rin teased, stepping off the ledge and onto the large walkway that would lead them back inside.
Bon continued to pester him until they reached the door, and Rin continued to ignore him all the way back to their dorms. Apparently Bon didn't have his keys on him, so together they strode across campus, chit-chatting about random things.
Rin learned that Bon wasn't nearly as self absorbed as he had thought.
Bon learned that Rin wasn't the least bit stupid.
Rin understood Bon just a little bit better.
Bon understood Rin completely.
By the time they had gotten back exhaustion had set in, mixed with a tinge of a hang over, and before either could explain the night's events to Konekomaru they both lay passed out on Bon's bed. Bon had wrapped himself in his sheets and Rin was laying at his feet, his legs hanging off the bed as he began to lightly snore.
"Wow, must have been an exciting night." Konekomaru mused, receiving a dismissive wave of a hand from Bon.
"In the morning." he muttered, laying his arm across his eyes before passing out.