Chapter 8: Broken Strings

Disclaimer: I do not own Tekken or any of its characters.

Rain cascaded from the pewter grey sky like solid sheets and burst onto the ground below. From far above, in an empty hotel room, Hwoarang pressed his head against the cool window pane and watched the monotonously silver heavens burst their clouds to the suffering ground below. He slowly closed his eyes and let his heart's conflict fill him completely. This wasn't how it was supposed to go.

The door clicked open and Hwoarang turned around to see a bone soaked Jin Kazama walk in. His hair stood up in a million directions and his bangs stuck onto his forehead. His clothes were drenched and must have gained twice their weight in water. He wore a slight smile on his face. "Finally, a decent excuse to get wet." He walked over and pressed a small kiss onto the Korean's lips. As they drew apart, Hwoarang forced a smile that seemed to sap what little energy he had. Jin bought into it as he leaned over. "I'm going for a shower. Care to join me?" he whispered mischievously into Hwoarang's ear. "As interesting as your offer is, I'll wait for the show after the shower" replied Hwoarang, his voice low and seductive.

As he watched Jin head over to the bathroom, Hwoarang's face collapsed into an expressionless mask. He just didn't get it. This was what he wanted for so long, to be with the love of his life again. Jin was here, tangible and alive. They were together again, reunited after over a year of hell. "Well, not complete hell" Hwoarang admitted guiltily to himself. He held up the chain he was wearing and felt it weigh him down into a purgatory filled with blame. Sometimes, pain casts such a wide illusion that you don't really see what's right in front of you.

TWO MONTHS EARLIER

The redhead rose to greet the rising sun with a confident smirk playing upon his face. He had not done this for a while now, and it felt strange to get back into an old habit. Hell, it was strange to feel like this again. This feeling of… excitement tempered with a gentle embrace of pleasure. It was like greeting an old friend again. He had found himself.

He moved his way stealthily to the sleeping blonde and gazed for an eternity at his slumbering lover. He leaned down slowly and showered an exposed shoulder with tender, feather-light kisses. The blonde stirred, and after letting out a reluctant groan that sounded like "five more minutes", opened his eyes to a smiling Hwoarang. He grabbed the Korean and bruised their lips together in an ardent kiss. Their tongues wrestled forcefully before they pulled apart, each with a grin on his face.

"Well, that certainly is one way to say good morning" Hwoarang said playfully, still slightly breathless after the zealous lip-lock. Lars looked at him smugly. "Why, you don't like it? Because if you don't, I think I can improve on it." He grabbed Hwoarang again, but this time the Korean was expecting it. He flipped the Swede so that he was on top of him. "What say we play out one of my ideas?" he whispered huskily. Lars smirked. "Alright, what's the plan?" Hwoarang bent down and gifted Lars with an agonizingly slow kiss that caused both of their groins to stiffen. "Can I?" Hwoarang whispered pleadingly to Lars. The Swede tried to comprehend the request before understanding graced him with its presence. He looked at his lover deeply before raising his head to show his approval with another leisurely paced kiss. "If that's what you want." His words sent shivers of ecstasy down the Korean's spine.

Hwoarang reached for the lotion on the nightstand and applied a generous amount to his fingers. This time there was no undressing or frustrating ripping off of clothes. They were both still naked from the previous night's events, but their longing for each other had not diminished. Hwoarang allowed his hand to reach out to his entrance. The blonde growled in pleasure at the and unchastely spread his legs to allow the Korean to get better access to his steel hard erection. The Korean lowered himself onto Lars's legs and impaled himself on his lover. Both of them gasped as Lars's length disappeared into Hwoarang, causing a wave of sexual frenzy to wash over them as they lost their senses in a heady tide of lust.

The copper head moved up and down his lover's length, his eyes shut in desire. Each movement he made caused him to release a slow exhalation that was music to the blonde's ears. Lars sat up and started to kiss his lover's neck, educing a throaty moan to reward his efforts. Hwoarang was in a state of total bliss. It was moments like this that he lived for, where he shed all inhibitions and attacked Lars's body with animalistic need. He gripped his arms tightly onto Lars's neck and dissolved completely into him. Their bodies were now forming beads of sweat and their breaths came in pants. They were close. Lars mustered final thrust into his beloved and they both threw their heads back, each lost in the blissful caress of his own orgasm.

Hwoarang collapsed onto Lars's body after coming down from his private nirvana, his head slotting perfectly within the Swede's neck. Lars flung an arm around them and they both looked at each other, smiles fixed on their faces. Being this close to each other was a symbiotic experience. Each of them felt the scars of the past heal as they got to know each other, their hearts slowly mending and melding into one. Hwoarang let his eyes fall onto the alabaster skin he was swathed upon. With Jin, it was more of a whirlwind passion, intense and raw in its definition. That particular relationship was heavily charged with emotion, always leaving him yearning for more. It wasn't that Jin didn't care for him: he knew that much from the last time they were together, and the inestimable nights, days and minutes in between they spent with each other. But being with Lars was different. He always felt comforted and soothed with him, like somehow he could instinctively know what he was thinking or how he was feeling. That wasn't a much of a surprise considering life had dealt them very similar hands, but still… after all this time of carrying around this burden of despair and anger, it was as if he was falling in love again for the first time.

Lars gazed down at the copper head, his chocolate eyes filled with adoration. Hwoarang could practically feel it. "You're staring" he murmured, his hand tracing irregular shapes on the blonde's chest. Lars wrapped his other hand around his lover's body. "How did you come into my life?" Hwoarang let out a sigh. "Fate, chance, karma? It doesn't matter. What matters is we're here now, right?" Lars kissed the top of his head. "You're right." He reached onto the night stand and felt out for a thin gold chain. Hwoarang looked up. "What's that?" Lars gently placed his hand underneath Hwoarang's chin and slowly lifted his head up. "I want you to have this." Hwoarang frowned slightly. "You bought this?"

"Not really. I had it for a long time. I want you to have it."

"Why?" Lars looked amused at Hwoarang's confusion. "So you have something to remember me by." "I don't need it. I'm not going anywhere." Lars's expression took a serious turn. "Hwoarang, you don't know what might happen tomorrow. Things change and people change with them. That's why I want you to keep this, so you'll always know that…" His lowered his head, unable to go on further. Yesterday's graveyard visit was still fresh in his mind, along with a lurking fear of loss. This time, Hwoarang lifted his head. "I love you too." He took the chain out of Lars's hands and threw it back on the night stand. "I don't need that to know. I have you. That's enough." He amorously placed his lips on Lars's and slipped his tongue into his mouth, before commencing on yet another round of lovemaking.

"Damn it, we're out of milk again" Lars muttered as he stuck his head into the fridge. Hwoarang looked over concernedly. "You know, if you keep up that habit, you're gonna catch a cold or something." Lars pulled his head out of the fridge. "You know you love it. I'm going to the store to buy some milk. You need anything?"

"Nah, I'm good" Hwoarang replied as he returned his attention to his bowl of cereal. Lars walked over and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Try not to miss me too much." Hwoarang looked up smirking. "Don't flatter yourself."

Hwoarang smiled as he played around with his soggy cereal flakes. It's funny how life turns out. He and Lars were both fighters by nature, and yet now life was a stable flow of events. Three tournaments ago, if someone had told him he was going to be involved in a relationship, he'd have laughed in their face. He'd probably would have punched them if they said it was going to be with another man, and would have murdered them if they said it was going to be with someone of Mishima blood. "But now" he thought contentedly "I wouldn't have it any other way."

The ringing doorbell interrupted his contemplations. "Probably forgot his wallet" he muttered as he got up to answer the door. When he opened it, he saw not Lars but the first love of his life, Jin Kazama standing before him. Time stood still as he took in the gravity of the situation. He hadn't changed at all. The bangs of his hair still fell softly on his forehead. His lips were still soft and seductive and set in a slight smirk. His eyes were still the same, intense and searching, although something had changed in them. They seemed less harsh now, conveying open warmth that wasn't there before. All Hwoarang could do was stare with an agape mouth and rounded eyes.

A full five minutes passed before either of them spoke. Hwoarang lifted his hand and placed his forehead in his palm. "This isn't happening. I'm dreaming." Jin's mouth curled into a half smile as he stepped forward and placed a hand around Hwoarang's waist and pulled him closer. "I promise you you're not dreaming" he whispered before moving in closer. Hwoarang's heart raced as his lips met those cupid bow ones who he kissed so often. They still had the same soft texture he remembered, like feathers from an angel's wings. They fitted together perfectly with his, without any hesitation or awkward movements. They had done this too many times for him to forget. He thought his lungs were going to give way for lack of air as the kiss broke apart. His head was dizzy from all the confusion.

"I missed that." Jin's low voice penetrated the Korean, aggravating his state of lightheadedness. Jin placed a hand on his cheek and looked deeply into his eyes. "I missed you. So much."

"Jin… I – How, uh?" Jin set free a soft laugh. "Try syllables in your sentences." Hwoarang just stared blankly. "How?" he whispered. Jin began stroking Hwoarang's cheek with his thumb. "I owe you a lot of answers. Can we talk?" Hwoarang nodded. "But not here. Give me a minute." Jin nodded.

Hwoarang raced inside the apartment and found a pen and note pad on the kitchen counter. His hand shook violently as he scribbled: Gone out for a walk, be back later. It was amazing that after such a long period of time Jin still had this effect on him. He dashed out of the apartment and closed the door behind him. Jin looked at him longingly and placed his hand comfortingly on his shoulder. The Korean felt his heart race to the point of bursting. "Please don't do that" he said softly. Jin raised an eyebrow. Hwoarang looked at him with a pained face. "It's just that… this is all happening too fast. It took me a long time to get…" He left his sentence incomplete. How could he tell Jin he was over him if this was how he felt right now? This was all getting too much. Jin's face fell. "I understand." He reluctantly withdrew his hand.

The two of them walked in silence as they headed out into the city. Occasionally, Jin would steal a glance at Hwoarang and see a face of turmoil gaze vacantly at the ground. He wanted to hug him and whisper that he was here now, and that everything was going to be alright. Out of respect he restrained himself. This must still be too much for Hwoarang to handle at once. He had to ease into it. Suddenly the copper head stopped in his tracks. Jin was taken aback at the abruptness of it all, but hid it for the sake of what was to come. They stood outside a school playground. Inside, the children were oblivious to their presence and continued to frolic about the carefully manicured lawns without a care in the world.

"I guess… this is as good a place as any." Hwoarang face gave away nothing. His voice was wrecked with indifference. He looked exhausted. Jin took a step closer. "You know, if you're not ready for this, we don't have to do it." Hwoarang turned his head and gave him a weak smile before returning his line of vision to the children. "No, it's not that. I just didn't expect this to be happening when I got up this morning." Jin smiled knowingly. Out on the ground, a group of boys and girls gathered around what seemed to be a soccer ball to pick out teams.

"Why now?" Hwoarang's voice broke the stillness in the air between them. "Why didn't you come earlier?" Jin's gaze shifted downwards. "I couldn't come back until I was sure. I got rid of it." Hwoarang's neck snapped around in surprise. "You got rid of the Devil Gene?" There was no mistaking the awe in his voice. Jin smiled and nodded. Hwoarang returned his attention to the playground. The kids had now formed their teams and were in the midst of playing their juvenile version of a soccer match. So far, it was an even game. Jin shifted uncomfortably on his feet. "Look Hwoarang, I know I should have come back to you earlier. But I wanted to make sure that it really had left me and it was safe for me to return. If I hurt you again, I couldn't bear it." Guilt flashed in his eyes. Hwoarang afforded him a look of sympathy. "That wasn't your fault."

"It was. I lost control and it took over me." Silence yet again. "Hwoarang, do you know why I did it?" Jin's voice was soft and gentle. Hwoarang knew that tone too well. He sighed. "Because you wanted to be innocent?"

"Because I wanted to be with you. More than anything that I wanted for myself."

A roar erupted from the ground. One of the teams had scored a goal and was running wild on the field. Hwoarang turned to face Jin. "Can you take back all those nights I spent alone? All those tears I cried? All those moments when I was too heartbroken and couldn't? I got kicked out of the dojo because of you." His eyes welled up and there was a distinct element of tempered rage in his voice. Jin put an arm around his waist. "I wish I could erase all of those things for you" he said softly. "But I am here now." Hwoarang tensed at Jin's touch but permitted it anyway. The hand around him now was different to the one that comforted him this morning. Fate was a fickle god. "How'd you find me?" he asked. "Nina." Jin's reply was smooth and simple. Hwoarang's head was starting to get dizzy again. "Is that so?" he murmured out loud. "Damn that blonde bitch." Another bout of cries came from the field as the other team scored this time.

"Did she tell you about me and Lars?" Jin's face darkened as his uncle's name was mentioned. Hwoarang took some small sadistic satisfaction that the topic of his relationship with Lars got to Jin. After all, he should feel some of the swirling brew of emotion he was caught up in right now. "Do you love him?" Jin's question sliced through the red head like an icy blade. A spark of fury ignited in his eyes as he turned to face him. "Yes, I do love him" he said defensively. He felt the hand around his waist tighten its grip as he was brought inches away from the face that could strike chords of love in heart with a mere glance. Jin looked at him with furrowed eyebrows. His words were so soft that Hwoarang could barely here them at all. "More than me?" Hwoarang turned his head to the side. The foundations of his world he had so carefully built over the past month were starting to crumble. "Such is the effect of Jin Kazama" he thought acidly to himself.

Jin took the opportunity to gently tug at the Korean's earlobe in between his teeth, causing him to release a heavy exhalation of weariness. His mouth then hovered over his ear. "You didn't answer my question." It took all of Hwoarang's resolve not to simply melt right there and then at the breathy words. Hwoarang thought of Lars, of how he must have returned from the store by now with the same brand of milk he always buys even though Hwoarang had told him to save money and buy a cheaper one. He thought of how he must have found the scrawled note and half-filled bowl of cereal and innocently thought that he must have simply got frustrated and needed a walk to get some air. He flooded with guilt. He turned to face Jin with a blank slate of a face. It was all he could manage at this point in time. "I don't have an answer."

"You mean you don't know?" Hwoarang let out a soft laugh. "No… I just don't want to know." Jin pulled his head back slightly. "He'll never love you the way I can. What we had… you'll never have with him." Hwoarang smiled slightly. "Perhaps not. But he's there when I need him." Jin's expression swam into a mixture of anger and guilt. That was a low blow, but he deserved it. Hwoarang's hand hesitantly reached up and turned Jin's head to face him. "What is it that you want Jin?" The longing in Jin's eyes was hard to miss. "I want you." His voice was breaking with emotion.

"Maybe its time we head back?" Hwoarang's question was tentative, but this 'walk' needed to come to an end fast. This entire situation was becoming emotionally exhausting. Thoughts of frustration and confusion chased each other around in his head like rabid dogs. Jin nodded his head to show his agreement and they headed back to the apartment. Occasionally they would make trivial observations about their surroundings, like the old ice-cream van making its rounds around the city or the facades of the city's landmark buildings, but neither of them dared to push the issue of resuming their relationship. When it came right down to it, they both were afraid of the same thing. In the rules of the world, hearts are the only objects that can be broken over and over again.

They weren't far from the apartment when Jin stopped. Hwoarang looked at him questioningly, but then understood. The awkwardness of Jin coming face to face with Lars was appreciable, even if it hadn't happened yet. "I'm staying at the Hotel Exxaron. Will you come and see me some time?" Hwoarang flinched slightly, but knew he owed Jin some sort of closure. "Sure."

"See you around." As Hwoarang watched Jin walk away, he felt the entire world weigh on his shoulders, and his head drowned in entropy. Fate was a fickle god indeed.

As he entered the apartment, he saw Lars pack away groceries into the fridge and cupboards. The blonde turned around and gave him a smile. "Funny, isn't it? I go in for just milk and come back with a bunch of other crap too. Enjoy your walk?" Hwoarang gave him a sad smile. "Not really." Lars's conferred him a look of concern, which made him feel all the more worse. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine" Hwoarang lied. "Everything's good."

That night, as they lay in bed, Hwoarang looked over at a sleeping Lars. He was reminded of the morning after they first slept together. He remembered how he envied Lars for being able to sleep so soundly. "Of course he can" Hwoarang thought "he doesn't know what's happening. Every time he talks to me I lie through my teeth and it's killing me." He glanced over at the night stand. The gold chain still lay there, glinting away in the luminescent bath of moonlight like a beacon of the love Lars held for him. Jin's words echoed in his mind: "He'll never love you. Not the way I can. What we had… you'll never have with him." The metaphorical dagger continued to twist its way in Hwoarang's heart, carving new wounds and enhancing the old ones. Whichever way you looked at it, someone was bound to get hurt.

The next morning was a quiet affair, with Hwoarang apologetically offering mumbles and one word answers to Lars's attempts to try and make conversation. "Hwoarang are you sure you're OK?" Lars voice was vigorously marinated in alarm at the sudden turn of Hwoarang's mood. Hwoarang drifted back from his melancholy reverie and looked up at Lars. "I'm fine, I promise you." Lars raised an eyebrow in suspicion. Hwoarang sighed. "I swear to you." Lars still didn't look satisfied, but he didn't press the issue. "Alright, I'm off to the store. We're out of bread. I should have bought it yesterday. Wanna come with me?" Hwoarang shook his head silently. "OK, I'm off." When he leant down to kiss Hwoarang, the Korean grabbed him by the collar and bruised their lips together in an impassioned kiss. Lars granted Hwoarang's forceful tongue access to his mouth. Hwoarang slowly broke off the kiss and watched Lars raise his eyebrows in complete surprise. "Whoa… what was that for?" Lars asked, still in shock. Hwoarang shrugged his shoulders. "Just."
"Alrighty then… I'm off." He walked out and shut the door behind him. Hwoarang cursed himself, tears welling up in his eyes. "Fuck." He had found an answer, even if it hadn't been the one he was looking for.

After hastily scribbling a note, Hwoarang sprinted to the bedroom to pack a bag. Butterflies were colliding in each other in his stomach. Nausea rose up from within him, but he willed it down. As he was about to leave he cast his eyes on the gold chain. His fingers traced its delicate path. He picked it up and placed it around his neck. He closed his eyes and felt himself fall under the weight of his remorse.

In the hedonistic luxury of the penthouse suite in the Hotel Exxaron, Jin stared uninterestedly out of the window. The last thing he wanted to do was to throw Hwoarang's life into utter disarray, but… "I need you Hwoarang. If I don't have you, I wouldn't have reason to live" he contemplated aloud. Yesterday's meeting had hurt Jin more than he let on. He could understand anger, sadness or even madness; but Hwoarang's disillusionment and indifference wounded him more than anything. He was pretty sure it was feigned, but still… Had he stupidly been expecting for Hwoarang to have been waiting for him? Part of him did. Or hoped to. Still, maybe he was better off with Lars. Someone who had shown love to him when he needed it the most. "He's not coming" he thought forlornly.

A rapid knock came on the door followed by the anxious shuffling of feet. Jin opened the door and saw Hwoarang stand before him. He clutched onto a bag and his features were etched in quiet desperation. "Promise me you'll never leave me again" he said breathlessly. Jin's arms stretched out and pulled him into a needy embrace. "I promise." Hwoarang's guilt momentarily subsided at the whisper, but he knew it would be back. But for now, in this place and time, it was enough.

PRESENT DAY

Hwoarang turned his head towards the bathroom as Jin exited, a white towel wrapped sinfully low around his hips. Hwoarang walked over and pulled him into a loose embrace, nuzzling his neck to try and find comfort from his private hell. Behind Hwoarang's ear and leading down to his Adam's apple, Jin planted kisses so light Hwoarang thought they weren't there at all. A tender bite on his throat elicited a gratifying moan from the copper head.

Jin reached over for the lotion, but Hwoarang stopped him. "Let me do you." His request was quiet and pleading. With a wayward smile, Jin acceded to the request and lay down seductively on the bed, waiting to be ravished. Hwoarang applied the lotion to his fingers and slid one into Jin, causing him to arch and moan. Once he had surpassed the barrier of pain, Hwoarang started planting kisses on Jin's body, as if trailing some sort of map that only he could see. His inserted another finger before moving up to Jin's face and softly brushing his lips against his forehead.

Hwoarang positioned himself carefully before entering Jin in one fluid thrust. Jin screwed his eyes shut and flung his head back, exposing his neck. As Hwoarang moved in and out, he lowered himself and gently sucked at Jin's throat, intensifying the carnal moans from his lover underneath him. The Korean's movements became more powerful and urgent, his breaths exiting him more quickly. As the rain fell turbulently outside, the two lovers lost themselves to each other, ignorant of their surroundings, their eyes locked the other, as if afraid that the other would simply evaporate. With a final lusty moan, they were both hit with the full force of an earth-shattering orgasm, their bodies convulsing and writhing in ecstasy.

Hwoarang pulled out of Jin and lay on top of him, physically spent from the combination of lovemaking and the façade of happiness. A warm hand stroked his back as he gazed out the window to a world in which truth and falsehoods were indistinguishable from each other. His world, a creation of the hollowness he felt inside. As his eyes started to close, he thought of Lars and felt the coarse touch of regret lull him to sleep.

Wow, my longest chapter to date! Thank you to everyone who encouraged me to continue with this story, this one is for you! Please review as your thoughts are always welcome :D

PS: This is to be continued in chapter 9…