CENTENNIALS

700: Misunderstandings

Please let me explain. Those were the only words Soubi rehearsed as he made his way to Ritsuka's house in a determined stride.

He hoped Ritsuka would allow him to explain, even if Soubi was disobeying a direct order by coming to see him.

The cold rains that had been beating down all afternoon had made way for a crisp evening, star flecked sky occasionally obscured by indecisive wisps of clouds.

Soubi was glad of it. Fitting as the clouds had been to his own overcast mood most of the day, they had been the cause of Soubi's trouble.

Firstly, it had meant Kio had smoked all of Soubi's cigarettes, instead of going out and buying new ones when he ran out.

And secondly – and this, Soubi thought, was far worse – it had meant Ritsuka spent fifteen minutes waiting alone outside the school gates, the rain mocking his lack of umbrella by intensifying the fall of water.

Ritsuka's voice had only cracked once as he demanded to know where Soubi had been, it was settling into maturity now Ritsuka was nearing sixteen.

'I stopped to buy cigarettes,' Soubi explained truthfully, opening his hand to show the packet of Lucky Stars he was still clutching, having all but sprinted from the convenience store.

Ritsuka roughly snatched the carton from his hand, crushing it as much as its full content would allow.

'I'm catching my death out here because of your disgusting habit!'

Two girls, slightly older, Soubi guessed, one had already lost her ears, looked questioningly at Ritsuka as they passed. Ritsuka looked away, embarrassed.

Ritsuka took a sharp breath through his nose, steadying himself and hissed: ' You promised to pick me up on time!'

Soubi's stomach contracted into a heavy clump of guilt and he stuffed his hands deep into the pockets of his coat to waylay the desire to reach out to Ritsuka for reassurance.

'I'll quit smoking,' Soubi didn't think about the promise, simply meant it with his entire being.

Ritsuka answer felt like a physical blow.

'Is that another promise?' He huffed sarcastically, face twisting into an uncharacteristic sneer Soubi had never seen before.

'I'm sorry, Ritsuka,' Soubi said while looking straight at Ritsuka, willing him to believe his words, to feel their depth.

Ritsuka turned suddenly scarlet and seemed to deflate a bit, but a scowl remained set in the tightness of his lips.

'I'm walking home alone. Don't come see me today. That's an order.'

Soubi doubted Ritsuka heard his whispered 'Understood.'

But please let me explain, Soubi thought again. He was now coming up on Ritsuka's house.

He would try to make Ritsuka understand how he'd been relying on cigarettes for nearly twelve years now, weak as he was.

Soubi doubted he could adequately explain how disconcerting the thought was to never again go through the motions of lighting a cigarette. Sliding it out of the carton with a whisper promising indulgence, before tapping the filter on box, once, and smoothing the paper from filter to tip, once. A victorious crackle as the small flame of the lighter pulls together to ignite the tip.

Soubi needed to explain all this to Ritsuka.

Please, let me explain, he repeated one final time as he began to make his way up to Ritsuka's balcony. If Soubi really was to quit smoking, it would be hard, he thought. Unless Ritsuka helped him. Unless Ritsuka, his Sacrifice, ordered him to - -

Reaching the balcony, he was surprised to find Ritsuka already on it, staring right at him, wide-eyed and frozen, hands behind his back.

Soubi swung his legs over the railing and Ritsuka jerked back, colour visibly rising, even in the nightly shades cast by the light in his bedroom.

'Ritsuka, please,' Soubi stopped himself as Ritsuka gave a small jolt.

Ritsuka gave a desperate shake of his head, pressing his jaws and lips tightly together and making a strangled noise from the back of his throat. Another twitch and his cheeks bulged.

Soubi stepped forward, concerned. 'Rit-'

A loud cough from Ritsuka interrupted him and a thin puff of smoke shot from Ritsuka, almost as fast as his jumbled words.

'Let me explain!'

A/N: Please point out any errors, I seem to be overlooking a lot of my own mistakes lately. All comments are very much appreciated - - I'm looking at you, Promocat :)