Notes: I love that I wrote this in November, ages before we got chapter 205 with Sinbad and Yunan teasing each other. Predicated their relationship after only two panels of interaction during the Magnostadt arc. I think it's my special skill.
"There's a hobo under our porch" Aladdin said as he dumped his bag on the kitchen table and went to the fridge in search of a cold drink. Still dressed from practice, Sinbad sat up off the sofa, looking to the kitchen where the blue haired boy was sitting.
"Seriously? Since when?" Aladdin shrugged, sipping his drink slowly and feeling the buzz of the soda tickle his nose.
"He wasn't there this morning, but he's there now."
"Wait" Ja'far looked up from his cooking lesson with Hakuryuu. "There is seriously a man under our porch?" Aladdin grinned.
"Yup, just sitting there reading. He seemed pretty chill. I asked if he needed anything but he said no."
Ja'far gave a pointed look at Sinbad who had laid back down on the sofa, a throw pillow over his face to block out the glare of the late afternoon sun.
"Shin, you know it's Yunan right?"
"Oh right." Struggling to stand up, Sinbad walked unbalanced to the door and knocked his knee on the coffee table as he went. "Why he can't just operate like normal people baffles me, seriously." Pulling open the front door, Sinbad hopped down the porch steps two at a time and peeked through the rotting sheets of wood. Sure enough, the bright blonde of Yunan's hair was hard to miss against the setting of dirt, old wood and an abandoned football.
"I" the pale man said, turning the page of his Mills and Boon paperback. "Can function like normal people you know Sinbad." Slamming the book closed and tucking it neatly into his shoulder bag Yuyan looked up. His bright blue eyes staring out at Shin from the gloom. "I simply choose not to." Grinning Sinbad held out a hand to help the old class rep out from his hole.
Rubbing the back of his head nervously Sinbad followed Yunan inside, pausing as the man dusted off his boots and balanced his hat on the hat rack.
"I know that but really I mean why sit out in the hot? We have the air conditioner on and you know you're always welcome here." Nodding to the occupants in the living room, Yunan went straight to the kitchen. Inhaling the smells wafting up from Ja'far and Hakuryuu's cooking.
"I don't like air conditioners, they're bad for the environment and your skin." Pulling a chair out at the table, Yunan smiled at Aladdin who offered him a cookie.
"But what about the sun?" Sinbad tried again, thinking back to their first meeting when he was only a child. Yunan had been his tutor for a long time, though he'd never accept the title. And while being hipster and a little crazy was one thing, he had always been there to cause Shin worry.
"I was under the porch" the older man said, his wide blue eyes fixing on Sinbad's. "It was one of my most favourite places to sit outdoors when I lived here." Looking around with nostalgia Yunan smiled as Ja'far offered him a drink. "I love the improvements, I assume that was all your doing yes?" The tips of his ears blushing pink at the compliment, Ja'far nodded shyly before returning to the stove with Hakuryuu, who stared at the ex class rep oddly.
Giving up Sinbad sighed.
"I wasn't sure if you'd gotten my email, you never really replied. I just got a time, not even an am or pm, just a time. No day either." Downing his drink in a swift gulp, Yunan shrugged.
"Is my presences not enough confirmation? Come on." Jumping from his chair, long platinum braid swinging, Yunan pointed dramatically at the staircase. "To the loft, I may have one or two things to pick up, otherwise do what you want with the rest." As Sinbad trudged up the stairs following his cheerful tutor, Ja'far threw him a sympathetic look which was returned with a roll of Shin's eyes.
"Why the sudden need for a room? I thought you were happy with numbers?" Rounding the corner and walking down the hall, Sinbad lowered his voice.
"We had a guest who wasn't safe to return home. She needed somewhere safe to live, so she's staying with us." Raising an eyebrow as they walked up the small staircase that led to the loft, the pair listened to the giggles and chatter above them.
With much of the junk and boxes sorted and packed to the side, the loft looked far bigger then Sinbad had imagined. The light was now working, and with the window temporarily blocked up until repair, it wasn't in bad shape. A coat of paint wouldn't go a stray and the scuffle floorboards could do with a buff but that would come later. Right now Kougyoku just needed a safe place to live, everything else could come later.
"Hello Morgiana, it's wonderful to see you again." Embracing the crimson haired girl as she stood up, Yunan nodded to Alibaba in greeting and smiled at Kougyoku. "A Ren? Interesting." Throwing a glance at Sinbad, Yunan bowed formally as the young woman stood up. Shaking his head Shin looked around at the boxes, guessing at what Yunan might want among all the mess.
"This is Yunan" Morgiana said, introducing her friend as Sinbad crossed the room to poke through the storage. "He used to own the house and was Sinbad's tutor for a time." Shaking his hand warily, Kougyoku smiled politely.
"Lovely to meet you, thank you for coming so soon." Watching her closely, his unnerving blue eyes taking in her pose and posture, Yunan tipped an imaginary hat to her.
"Not at all my lady, it's about time I finished my move." Cringing at the large pile of junk, he let out a whistle. "Since I've pretty much used this as my storage cupboard for the last ten years."
As Yunan picked through the rubbish, Kougyoku looked to Alibaba who had gone to stand by the broken window, testing the gaffer tape.
"Will you need the van to move your things?" Sinbad inquired, making notes about the room while watching Yunan mutter to himself.
"I might" he said plainly. Turning on his heel the tall blonde smiled at the Morgiana. "You can head off if you'd like, I'll be a while sorting this. Oh" Digging into his pocket, he pulled out a fist full of cash and scattered change. "Here, give this to Ja'far and tell him to get pizza and beer for everyone, my treat. And for your welcome." Smiling at Kougyoku, he chuckled as she hid behind her sleeves, nodding in thanks.
Cash in hand Morgiana pushed Alibaba down the stairs, with Kougyoku waiting at the top, looking at Sinbad expectantly. Giving her his most charming smile, he watched her blush with tug of his heart strings.
"I'll be down later, I'm just going to give Yunan a hand. Ja'far knows my order, but..." Letting his voice drop an octave, he crossed the room leaning down to whisper in her ear. "If you wouldn't mind, can you also get a chocolate lava cake?" Pulling back he licked his lips, watching her watch him. "Those things are to die for, but don't tell anyone I said that." He winked at her as she laughed freely and climbed down the stairs, carefully avoiding the bottom stair that creaked dangerously at the slightest step.
Straightening up Sinbad turned back to Yunan, frowning at the blonde's smile.
"What?" He said gruffly, making the other man's smile widen. "Seriously, what are you smiling about?" Sinbad snapped, watching a cloud of dust rise as Yunan dropped a box.
"This is rubbish" he said vaguely. Smirking at the football Captain, he shrugged carelessly. "What was that? Before with the Ren girl" he added, noting Sinbad's confusion. "I haven't seen that kind of flirting from you before. What's it called? Sincerity?'' Frowning Sinbad looked away.
Surprise spread over Yunan face as his ex student evaded his gaze.
"You like her don't you?"
"I like everyone" Shin rebutted. Shaking his head, braid swinging Yunan disagreed.
"No, I've seen you with women before, especially ones you want to bed. Why is she different. Is it her family?"
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Sinbad grit his teeth.
"First Ja'far, now you. Can I not just care about a chick and not want to screw her?" Twitching under Yunan gaze Sinbad squared his shoulders, staring down his old mentor who refused to back down.
"If it were anyone else I'd say yes but with you? I'm not convinced." He cocked his head to the side. "You want to have sex with her, but you also care about her?"
"Would you stop putting words in my mouth, look-" Running a hand over his face exasperatedly Sinbad tried to explain. "She's scared okay? She wouldn't even look me in the eye when she arrived. You saw her, she's afraid to even laugh."
Yunan scratched his chin before diving into a second box.
"I did notice that. Not good at meeting the eye is she?" He paused "well except yours." Shaking his head, Sinbad toss his hands up in a desperate gesture.
"I don't know, maybe. But it was Judar" Looking up, his expression suddenly serious Yunan threw the second box to the corner.
"Judar, the devil's upstart. Hmm, that does changes things." Looking around the dusty loft, he frowned. "This isn't the best place for a young lady to live but it's probably better then what she had there." Inhaling a deep breath Sinbad looked up, smiling.
"Yes, thank you! See I just want to make sure she's safe and happy."
"But you also want to have sex with her." Throwing his head back and groaning, Sinbad nearly fell to his knees.
"No."
"Yes" Yunan counted, sorting through yet another box. "You do. You wouldn't be human if didn't want to sleep with her. There is no shame in admitting it. Why does it bother you so much?"
Frowning, Shin went to inspect the window just as Alibaba had done. Trailing his fingers along the tape and collective layer of dust.
"It's not that it bothers me, I just want to be careful with her. She's so broken, Judar broke her. Did terrible things to her, bullied her, ruled her life. She deserves so much better." Sitting down by a pile of boxes Yunan looked thoughtful. Rummaging around the box he pulled out a brass time piece and pocketed it.
"You're concerned for her, you do care and you're being careful. You want her to be safe, so by bringing her into your home, your territory, you're ensuring you can protect and in a manner provide for her. However that is not why you haven't made the move on her yet." Holding up a ragged clear crystal, the blonde hummed and swiftly it joined the watch in his pocket. "You don't think you're good enough."
Staring at the dust stirred up by Yanan's sorting, Sinbad sighed.
"I don't think that."
"Yes you do." Yunan's singsong tone bit at Sinbad's already fraying nerves. "On top of the pressure of your upcoming match against her family, you feel a need to prove yourself to her subconsciously. To show that you can take care of her, to prove that you are worthy of her."
Pulling away from the window, Sinbad clenched his fist. He wasn't usually this ill tempered, even when Yunan, a man who constantly fried his nerves, was involved. Pushing the two rejected boxes down the stairs, he collapsed on the top step, head in his hands.
"I have no idea where you come up with all this nonsense. She's just scared and I want to help her, that's it." Whether it was the anger in his tone, or that some of his words were finally sinking in Yunan stayed silent for a time. Rubbing his temples Shin knew he should apologise. There was no ill nature behind Yunan's assessment, it was just the way he was. Sinbad should have been used to it by now.
"Maybe you're right, about the stress thing I mean. None of the other stuff." Standing up Shin turned, trying to smile without forcing it. "Do you need a hand with any of that? I can start packing it into the van if you want." Sensing the change of mood and adjusting quickly Yunan pointed to the bottom boxes along the wall.
"You can take those down to the van. They're just old books, we can give them to the library." Pulling the boxes to the stairs, Shin sized them up before carrying them down two at a time.
"And don't worry Sinbad, everything will settle down eventually."
"I never knew you could play such a strong hand Morgiana." Throwing down his cards and laughing Yunan stretched in his seat. Smiling at the praise the red head turned to Pisti and Drakon who had yet to play their hand.
The crowded warmth of the living room spilled out at the seams. The coffee table has been transformed into a battleground for the poker elite. While those sprawled across the sofa enjoyed the latest action movie, as the few in the kitchen nibbled at the remaining pizza and downed the final of the beer. With all the final packing finished and in the van, the household took a break before seeing Yunan off.
"Ha!" Scooping up the small pile of money and grinning maniacally Pisti danced in her seat, squirming on the cushion. "I won! Now I have money for booze." Snorting Sharrkan stopped rubbing Yamraiha's shoulders to point at the dark eyed girl.
"Why would you buy booze when those Kou bastards are giving it out for free."
"I agree" Yamraiha said, "save it and we'll go shopping tomorrow. Need something fancy to wear to show them up."
"Don't feel to compelled to dress up" Hakuryuu said quietly. "It's not really that fancy."
"Yeah" Kougyoku had spoken from behind the sofa where she'd been nursing a beer since dinner. "It's not like there's a dress code, Kouha barely wears clothes half the time anyway." Gagging Sharrkan buried his face into Yamraiha's hair.
"Please kill me. That mental image is going to haunt my nightmares." Laughing Pisti pocketed her winning, rolling it up into her bra as she fell back to the floor giggling.
"Shopping is a great idea, Morgiana you can come to. Kougyoku do you want to come?" Hiccuping on her beer Kougyoku peered around the back of the sofa, pink eyes wide.
"S-shopping with you guys, tomorrow?" Her eyes lit up as the smile grew on her face. "I would love to, but I have work until two." She pouted, leaning her chin on the sofa until her cheeks scrunched up. "Sorry I'll have to pass."
"Nah," Pisti said, pulling herself back up into her seat. "We'll have some lunch at the mall before we meet up with you. You work at the candle place right?" Blinking in surprise Kougyoku nodded.
"Yeah, the one at the North mall. You wouldn't mind? I don't want to put you guys out at all."
"Not at all" Yamraiha assured her, waving off her concern. "The party isn't until eight pm so we'll have plenty of time."
Ducking back behind the sofa, Kougyoku blushed to her ear tips. Finishing her beer before standing up, leaning her hip on the sofa.
"Shopping sounds like a great idea and I'd love to go, but I don't think I'll be going to the party." Eyes downcast, she looked away. Oblivious to her turmoil Pisti just shrugged.
"That's fine, I don't think Sharrkan's going either. You two can hang out here for the night. Play FIFA or whatever." Her eyes gleaming with joy Kougyoku smiled, bowing awkwardly from behind the sofa.
"Thank you very much." Laughing at her formality, Pisti shuffled the deck for a third game as Yunan glanced at Shin. Perched gracefully on the kitchen bench, the football Captain sipped his beer and had eyes only for Kougyoku.
"I am much thankful," a slightly tipsy Yunan said. Hopping out of the van, he yanked open the sliding door and heaved out his box of goodies.
"Shall I attend your game on Saturday Sinbad? I'd love to see you wallop those Kou empire brats." Hiccuping Yunan leaned into the driver's side window, grinning at the driver in question. Patting the ex-class rep on the head Sinbad smiled.
"You're most welcome Yunan. You okay getting home?" Looking through the gloom to the ram shackle cottage surrounded by a splintering white picket fence, Sinbad was unsure there was even a gate to the fence.
Taking off his hat and bowing with a flourish Yuyan nodded, waving him off as he walked down the footpath. Pausing for a moment, he turned on his heel, finger held high in the air as if receiving some form of enlightenment.
"Sinbad" he called out, his voice carrying over the empty street. "Make sure you fix up that young girl's room or just share yours with her." Laughing at the look Sinbad threw him, Yunan waved again before staggering off down the street.
Pulling out of the back alleys that Yunan called home, Sinbad opted to drive to the library rather then head straight back to the house. The boxes of books littering the back of the van could be turfed out now rather the having Masrur do it in the morning before dropping the girls off at the mall. Kougyoku worked there he remembered suddenly, at a candle shop. He'd overheard Pisti's conversation with the Kou heiress from the kitchen. Why didn't he know that? Why did he care? White knuckling the steering wheel, he turned a corner a little too sharply feeling the van's tires shift and sway, not used to such speeds.
She worked, which was odd for a Ren. The only other to take up any sort of work was Hei but she was only a cousin and not one of the main family branch. Did she have a uniform? A short little skirt that fell above her knees with a tight white blouse and cute little apron tucked around her middle. Gripping the steering wheel impossibly harder as the innocent image warped into some more carnal, Shin put the peddle to the floor. Feeling the van sputter and struggle as it tried to up its speed.
Pulling into the library car park, he just sat for a moment, forehead to the wheel. Was Yunan right? Was he in love with Kougyoku? What the fuck was love? He loved everyone. All those under his roof, those in his team, the women he met at clubs, his teaches, his friends. Why was she so different? It was Judar, it had to be. The fact that he was involved, the fact that he had hurt her, it made him mad. It made him so angry that it was eating away at him. Which is why he couldn't stop thinking about it, about her. Why he couldn't help but want to make her feel at home, to feel safe.
Getting the books from the back of the van and piling them into the charity bin bought him some time of meaningless labour before his thoughts drifted back to Kougyoku.
Was this a good idea, letting her move in? Slamming the door with more force then required he could have slapped himself. Of course it was a good idea, she needed to be in Sindria. To heal and live peacefully. He was just being selfish, ungrateful. The drive home left him feeling hot and achy, like his whole body was pissed off. Creeping into the sleepy house through the back door and ignoring the glare of the flicking flat screen signalling that Drakon was still awake. Shin climbed the stairs, turning the flight to enter his room at the end of the hall. The glimmer from the loft staircase caught his eye, so he continued down the hall and peered around the doorway. Soft light lit up the crumbling ceiling as he slowly paced up the stairs. Pausing at each tiny creak, he stopped as the room came into view.
Heart beating faster, Sinbad allowed himself a small smile. She just couldn't wait, she'd been so desperate to give her cousin back his bed. Curled up on one of the spare mattress under a pile of thick blankets and throw rugs was the beautiful Ren. Red hair tied back in a long plait, her eyes closed against the dull laptop light that sat open beside her make-shift bed. Sinbad just stared, all the stress and confusion since Yunan had arrived suddenly disappeared. He couldn't make her move, she was grateful and thankful for the home they'd offered her, that he'd given her. Smiling as she snorted in her sleep, he carefully walked up the final few stairs, closing her laptop before walking back downstairs and into his room.