Disclaimer: Odagiri-sensei owns everything.

Chapter 10

"Hey, did you guys hear? Apparently Renjo Hotsuma from the next class has some sort of supernatural powers!"

"Really? That's scary…"

"We should all stay away from him."

"He looks scary and unfriendly anyway."

The scene changed. Hotsuma felt himself listening out from his parents' room.

"Calm down! The Giou clan will come and take him soon!" said his father.

"When are they coming? I can't keep living in fear anymore," his mother said, her voice high and pitchy.

"What kind of Voice of God is this suppose to be? He is nothing but a monster!" he heard his mother's voice shouting out.

The scene changed once again. Hotsuma glimpsed around. It was memories of himself with Shusei. His most feared memories that he had locked away.

"Argh!" he heard Shusei screamed in pain when his shoulders were burned from Hotsuma's flames.

.

Hotsuma eyes flew open. He breathed in heavily and he felt beads of sweat dripping onto the side of his face. He lightly groaned, slowly lifting himself up and leaning his face against his palms. 'Why are these old memories resurfacing?' he thought miserably.

Hotsuma glanced to his side and saw Shusei still in deep slumber. The digital clock on the nightstand showed 4.15am. Slowly, he disentangled his legs from the blanket, and head towards the bathroom. He stripped bare and drowned himself underneath the cold water, hoping to cool himself down.

Groaning, he closed his eyes, trying to brush away the nightmares and past memories that were still haunting him. 'Shusei…' He felt miserable and hopeless at the thought of the Shusei going away for months. He hated himself for being so helpless. He hated it when he was feeling selfish – he honestly didn't know how he was going to go through the next few months without Shusei.

Clearing his thoughts, he willed himself to get a grip before turning off the shower, stepping out of the glass door and went to the sink to clean his teeth. Wiping his face off with his towel, he was a little surprised to see his eyes looking rather hollow and lifeless, and his damp hair sticking to the side of his face. He looked a mess, even after a refreshing shower.

'I should go for a run,' he thought. Coming out of the bathroom with the towel around his hips, he quietly pulled the drawers next to his side of the bed and took out a sweatshirt and sweatpants. With quick movements, he put them on and stepped out of the bedroom. 'Guess I'll need another shower later.'

.

Running had always cleared his mind. Hotsuma remembered vaguely that he used to always run around the Twilight Mansion whenever he wanted to clear his mind. He stepped out from the apartment building and started a slow jog, warming his body up.

Hotsuma ran a few kilometers, passing by the usual row of shops. His pace slowed down when he passed by a large music shop, where there were posters of Shusei on it, announcing his world tour. Filled with curiosity, Hotsuma went closer to read the fine print on it; 'Geez… America, Canada, London, France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, Australia, Korea and finally back to Japan - Osaka, Kyoto, Hokkaido and lastly, Tokyo. That's like around the globe.'

'So his final performance will be in Tokyo itself,' Hotsuma felt a new rush of admiration to his lover. 'America, London even Europe?' he gaped. He didn't know that Shusei's musical influence had spread that wide across the world. Smiling a little sadly, he turned away from the poster and continued his run. 'I guess he would be gone for nearly a year, since he would be traveling so much.'

He didn't know how long he had run until he realized that the sky was getting brighter and the sun was rising. He glanced at his wristwatch and realized that he should be heading back soon. He needed to get ready for classes and it was nearly time for breakfast anyway.

.

Entering through the door, he was faced with a slightly annoyed Shusei, who had his arms folded across his chest. "Where have you been? I was getting a little worried!" said Shusei, a frown marred upon his face. Hotsuma stared back blankly, a little taken back by Shusei's sudden interrogation.

"I went for a run," he slowly said as he knelt down to undo his shoes.

"You didn't bring your phone, nor did you even leave a message. Honestly…" Shusei rolled his eyes and sighed, his shoulders relaxing a little.

Hotsuma gulped. Indeed, he had totally forgotten to leave a message, now that he come to think it. He was too distracted about his haunting nightmares and was dying to get out from the house that he totally forgotten about it. He shrugged, throwing Shusei an apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry, Shusei. I guess it slipped my mind…" said Hotsuma, walking towards the room, wanting to take another shower. Shusei's gaze softened, and his expression changed from that of annoyance to concern. He stopped Hotsuma halfway across the living room, gripping lightly onto Hotsuma's shoulder.

"What's going on Hotsuma? You normally only go for such long runs if something is bothering you," said Shusei.

'Yeah. I'm actually still trying to brace myself for the next few months without you,' the words forming in Hotsuma's mind, but he quickly shook his head, before giving Shusei a reassuring smile. "I'm alright, Shusei. Just… I just suddenly woke up dreaming about the past, that's all," he said softly, hoping that the brunet would drop the subject.

Shusei frowned once again, and he slowly turned Hotsuma around to face him fully. "The past?"

Hotsuma merely nodded, not wanting to discuss the topic any further. His breath hitched when he felt Shusei pulling him close and his head rested onto the brunet's shoulder. Long slender fingers were brushing across the back of his neck before threading into the sweaty blond strands.

"H-Hey, I am all sweaty and probably smell," Hotsuma murmured into Shusei's shouders. He thought he heard a snort from the brunet before he felt Shusei's arms tightening around him, pulling them closer to each other.

"Idiot… that's the last thing on my mind right now," Shusei lightly scolded and Hotsuma felt himself burning up when he felt soft kisses deposited onto his head.

"Shu-Shusei…" Hotsuma breathed out, as he brought his hands up to hold onto the brunet, not wanting to let go of Shusei's comforting presence. Shusei whispered words of comfort and reassurance into Hotsuma's ears, and Hotsuma felt his body relaxing in Shusei's arms.

No words were needed between them to convey how they felt. The both of them knew what the other was thinking, and they always knew what to do to comfort each other. In this case, Shusei knew that all Hotsuma needed was a shoulder to lean on – the blond looked so lost that Shusei knew that getting Hotsuma to talk would only worsen the situation.

Hotsuma slowly straightened himself, before giving a thankful glance towards Shusei. "Thanks, Shusei. I'm feeling much better now," said Hotsuma, his voice was even once again. Shusei smiled, glad that his partner had cheered up.

"I made breakfast already. Come and eat it after you shower," said Shusei, indicating towards the dining table where Hotsuma caught sight of a tray of tuna sandwiches.

Hotsuma nodded thanks, before heading into the bathroom for his second shower in the morning.

.

Shusei was in deep concentration. He was sitting in front of his piano, halfway composing a new song and was twirling his pencil as he stared at the music sheet that he had drawn out. He placed the pencil at the side of the piano and was running his fingers across the black and white keys, trying to imagine the tune of his composition.

A few hours later into the night, he smiled triumphantly. 'Yes! This is it!' he thought when his fingers held onto the last note of the song. His new composition – a slow ballade that was overflowing with his emotions would be a great addition if he ever wanted to release another album.

Smiling, he took his pencil once again, staring at the piece, wondering what should he name his new composition. He closed his eyes, and the tune flowed into his mind – playing inside his head. His thoughts went to those moments when he had just met Hotsuma.

Hotsuma, who was the only light in his dark days – his savior, his angel.

Shusei lips curved into amusement. Hotsuma certainly did not look like an angel like in the books but in Shusei's eyes, Hotsuma was his angel who had saved him countless times. He smiled, before scribbling out neat words on top of the music sheet – Angel.

As usual, if you guys have time, please leave a review. I would be so grateful.

As usual, to my darling reviewers who reviewed chapter 9, here are the replies. Thanks so much for your support!

Fireblaze - thanks! Glad that you are enjoying it.

Lizz1792 - I am also not sure of the direction of the story, cause it depends on the mood of when I type. ^^ Hugs. Hope you enjoyed this chapter as well.

fan - Wow, I think I surprised many people with Shusei's decision. Ahaha, Hotsuma's thoughts about missing out 7 years was kind of impromptu. It just came into my mind so I just typed it out! Yuki is like only a good friend to Hotsuma so of course his mind would be filled with Shusei when he started kissing him! *evil grins* Haha, well they will be separated but not that long. Hugs.