REPLIES TO REVIEWS ::
animaniac-aizel012: ^_^ Thank you~ It's okay about the last chap, I understand how busy life can become. And I like the drama too, that's why I write it I think :P And I'm considering pairing 8059 back together, just because they make much more sense and it's one of my most fave too ^^ But I'm also willing to try D59… so I'll see! Anyways, thank you for reviewing! XD
xx Mizz. Masquerade xx: O_o A movie with a world record breaking number of Oscars?? Whoa, wasn't that the greatest comment ever! XDD THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!! I'll definitely keep on trying, thank you, thank you thank you~! I'm so honored to receive such great praise! Ps. I used to dislike Chrome since I prefer Mukuro to be there instead, but now, I guess she's kinda okay ^^
Zamsyzk: Yesh, Fran is too stubborn T^T I guess that's what love does to you… And I just love writing about Squalo and Xanxus - after all, they're my absolute TOP pairing just alongside BF. Don't worry the word love is a great word to overuse, lol. THANK YOUUU~!! XDD
CSFlinxStalker: Hehehehh… sorry about that~ Fanfics really do distract people don't they? But don't worry, I keep to my promise, and I always update every Sunday ^_^ (well, maybe not at the same time, but yeah ^^;;) And… THANK YOUU~!! XDD
shizu Fumikari: Awww, I can totally see your hatred for Bel there~ But he's already naturally insane, so I don't think a hospital could do him any good, he'll just kill them all -.-;; And Fran T^T And lol, I agree, Mukuro should just lie there in his tank in peace. But nooo~ He had to come out and mess with froggy. And good luck with your exams! Oh, how we wish Hayato will come tutor us… and yes, I wouldn't want Bel as my tutor either, he's kinda… distracting. -_-'' Anyways… THANK YOU~~!
fan girl 666: Heheh thank you~ the thought just came because I want Bel there, really ^^;;
Satii-de-Sange: 'Jesus Christ' ?? Well, I'm not Christian but I guess (hope) that's a good review so… THANK YOU~ ^_^
-akane-F4S-: Hey, crying isn't weakness~ But I do like it when I make my readers cry… I mean -.- yeah, well it's a sign that I'm doing well, right? Hehehh, anyways, THANK YOU~! XDD
crimson-bell: XD Thank you~ Yesss I loved writing the obliviously sweet parts of Bel~ He's cute like that ^^ Squalo's VOIII! Is just plain epic XD I love him, really, just so cute and overly loud ^^ And I agree, Bel and Fran should be more honest… And wow, finally, a Mukuro-wanter~! Most people just preferred him to stay in his place lol ^O^ Anyways, THANK YOUU~!! XDD
shi-fuuun: Hehehehhh I understand~ I really do love cliffhangers… love writing them even though I hate reading them -.-;; And I found that little error yesterday, and fixed it! (I think ^^;;) Haha, if I handed this to my English teacher he would be shocked at my obsession of yaoi, lol. But THANK YOU~ I do hope I get an A in my next English exam ^_^
BeaRabi: Heheh~ Yes~ Bel is definitely sweet when he wants to be~! ^_^ Thank you~ XD
liloloveyou024: LOL XD I'm really glad and honored that I'm able to make you like a hurt/comfort fic which you usually don't ^^ And me? A Genius? O_o… ^O^ THANK YOU~! I really love writing BelFran just because of how adorable they are… and your English is fine~! I'll consider 8059 ^_^ It's either that or D59, I'll just see… and finally… THANK YOU~!! ^O^
marsnmonkey: Yay~ A new reviewer~! ^_^ Thank you~
Mayab: Wow, you came back~! I know, I love 8059 and D18 too T^T But I just did it so that the story could move on and stuff, I guess your sixth sense is very good -.- Anyways, THANK YOU~~! ^_^
Evanescences Angel: I love your name! XD Lol, I can see all the anger directed towards me, hehehh. I love 8059 too T^T really, I think I'm even trying to bring them back together, but Gokkun (no matter how cute he is) just doesn't fit in the storyline right now ._. He might pop in a few chapters later, but I'll see… I feel guilty for hurting him now T.T Heheh, and Bel might just say it… might! I'm not going to spoil it for you ^_^ You just have to read I guess… And THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH!! XDDD Your review appeared when I was nearly half way through writing this story, and it gave me an idea! So here's the update! ^O^
Okay, so here's the update this week ^_^ Honestly, throughout this week I haven't really been doing anything other than sleeping, eating and hanging out with my friends… so instead of writing this story, I spent my time on other stuff, shame on me -.- But anyways, I'm glad I can still update on time~ Hope you guys like it! ^_^
ps. I really love it that both Fran and Mukuro is now in the real manga and all, and they just spark up the story… but really, they messed up the sense of my plot. =_= It seems to be that Fran was Mukuro's apprentice even before he met up with Varia, and that just sucks because it goes against my plot. Oh well, I guess I'll adapt my plot to suit the main storyline as I go along, just because Amano-sama is the awesome being that she is ^_^
Fran was back in that meadow again, and as soon as he saw the environment around him, he recognized the place almost immediately.
Mukuro's – his master's - realm. That place which was created in a dream – the place of beauty, relaxation, serenity and peace. A place of perfection, but only because it was a place created by an illusion. In the real world, such places do not exist – at least not as flawless as this.
This time, Fran was sitting on the side of the lake, his legs slightly dipping in the warm water, feeling the sensation on his feet. He could smell the sweet scent of flowers from afar, and the sun was shining, bright and warm on his pale skin. Without really needing to think about it, Fran knew his master was going to appear. It was, after all, Mukuro's illusion. The younger illusionist bent over and dipped his hand into the water, creating numerous small circular waves on different areas on the surface of the water. Those emerald green eyes watched as the waves intersected each other and moved leaves which happened to float along.
"Kufufufu… it seems you have called for me, little one?" Mukuro's signature laugh echoed from behind, that voice haunting but yet so alluring all the same. Fran didn't even need to turn around and look to see who it was, and he predicted his master to come sit next to him anyways. Strangely, Mukuro did exactly what Fran thought would happen, and those mismatched eyes gazed at the younger illusionist.
After a while, Fran looked up from the surface of the water. "Master, please stop staring. It's uncomfortable."
"Kufufu… is it, little one? My apologies," Mukuro smiled, looking anything but sorry. And he didn't stop staring.
Fran ignored his master but continued to speak, "What's with this new name calling?"
"Oh, you mean 'little one'? Well, I saw Prince the Ripper gave you the name 'froggy', so I just thought I'll give you a new name too. I put a lot of thought into it during the time I didn't see you." Mukuro smiled once again.
The younger illusionist turned to look at his master with his face expressionless, before he sighed. "You and Bel-senpai sure has some weird habits. And why 'little one'?"
Mukuro chuckled. "Because you are just so much smaller than me, little one."
"Oh, right. You're saying I'm short. Fine, master. You're tall. It's not like I care. At least I don't have pineapple-shaped hair." Fran murmured sarcastically with his robotic, toneless voice. "Oh, look. It actually rhymes."
Mukuro laughed lightly at that comment, before he, out of the blue, just suddenly wrapped his arms around Fran and pulled him closer. The younger illusionist was surprised but he didn't push away. After all, he did decide to give his master a chance, and also, if he fell for Mukuro it would be so much easier to erase Bel from his heart.
His heart.
If only he had used his mind to connect with Bel in the first place, it would be so much easier to forget the prince. But his heart? No. The bonding from the heart is just too strong. That's why it's ever so difficult to forget someone you love.
Love.
Fran could think of that word shamelessly now - he knew he was in love with Bel and he wasn't going to deny it. In fact, not denying it might just be better in the process of forgetting all about it.
Yes. That's right.
The young illusionist's thoughts were interrupted by Mukuro's soft whisper against his ear. "I heard from my cute Chrome that you need me back there, is that right?"
Fran nodded expressionlessly as a response. The older illusionist softly turned Fran's head to look at him, before he ran his fingers across Fran's cheek.
"Chrome also told me that you were injured. Are you fine now?" Mukuro questioned, those mismatched eyes shining with real care and concern.
The younger illusionist just nodded once again, and Mukuro sighed. Those long gloved fingers brushed that sea foam green hair from that pale face before those mismatched eyes gazed deep into those emerald pools.
"He came back for you, didn't he?" Mukuro whispered, his voice so faint and almost quivering. Through those eyes of the older illusionist, Fran could see that slight pain which leaked through the smiling mask of his master.
Mukuro feared that Fran would go back to Bel, and the younger illusionist knew it. Fran slowly lifted his hands and touched the gloved hand which was toying with his hair. Mukuro looked slightly surprised, but allowed that small, pale hand to keep in contact with his own.
Fran inhaled deeply, before he spoke in perfect mono-tone. "Even though that idiot-senpai is back, it doesn't mean that things between master and me will be different. I keep to my words, master. I told you I'm going to give you a chance, and I am." As Fran spoke, those emerald eyes sparkled, and Mukuro could not stop thinking how beautiful this little being was.
But then, Mukuro still didn't want to hurt this younger person. "Are you sure? You don't need to force it. I don't want you hurting yourself."
Fran nodded, confirming his point. "I need you to help me forget him, master."
Little did Fran knew, that those words were like a knife in Mukuro's heart. That phrase may seem to be positive for Mukuro, but it meant that he was only a replacement for Bel - just a person who will be the one that makes Fran forget about the prince. It meant that Fran wouldn't love him for who he was, but as the person who healed his wounds. That wasn't something Mukuro desired, but he decided he would let it be. By now, it was fair to say that he was in love with this younger illusionist, and apart from revenge over the mafias, he wanted nothing but to make Fran happy. And if Fran needed him for healing and forgetting, then, he was willing to be that person for Fran.
Gloved fingers intertwined with pale, small ones as Mukuro moved in on Fran. This time, Fran didn't even move back. He sat there, very still, ready to allow Mukuro to do anything to him.
As the older illusionist slowly sealed his lips on Fran's, those rose-tinted lips opened slightly and allowed Mukuro to slide his tongue into that mouth, stealing and exchanging that sweetness which increased from the last time they kissed. Time after time, breath after breath, the two illusionists indulged in the pleasure of each other's lips. Fran felt warmer and more filled up with Mukuro easing his pain, and Mukuro felt glad that he could help the younger illusionist.
Nobody knew how long it was before the two of them finally parted their lips from each other. Fran was panting lightly, his face boiling hot. Even though it was a kiss in an illusion, it was so real it was unbelievable. The sensations, the taste, the touch were so lustful, passionate and pleasurable that for just a moment, Fran forgot about the prince. However, in that exact moment that their lips parted, the image of Bel came smacking right back into Fran's mind – so hard, like being struck by a baseball bat, Fran was taken aback. The pain came crashing back in a tidal wave as well. The younger illusionist immediately turned towards his master, moving back from him slightly.
"Master, what did you do just then?" Fran asked mono-tonally, his eyes staring straight into his master's.
For a split second, Mukuro looked guilty. But then, like he always does, that mask of a smile covered up his entire expression. "I apologise, little one."
"What did you do?" Fran pressed, but Mukuro wasn't going to tell him. The younger illusionist resisted the urge to glare at his master, and turned away, refusing to meet those mismatched eyes.
Master did something. Just then, he did something…
…I forgot about senpai. Completely.
Those gloved hands rested itself on Fran's frog shaped hat. Fran tried to move away, but Mukuro just pulled that petite body in and hugged the younger illusionist close to his chest. Fran tried to struggle, but when he saw how useless it was, he stopped and just let Mukuro hug him like that. The older illusionist, noticing this, rocked Fran back and forth like a child before he bent down and lightly pressed his lips on those soft pale cheeks in one tiny kiss.
Fran turned to try hit his master and push him away, but Mukuro suspected this reaction and held both of Fran's hands locked. The younger illusionist clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction.
"Oya, oya… don't click your tongue," Mukuro murmured, and Fran wriggled in his arms. The master sighed before he softened his voice. "I'm sorry. I only wanted to help. I didn't mean to displease you."
Fran wanted to be angry at his master for not telling him what he did, but found that he could not bring himself to be mad at this person. Therefore, he exhaled tiredly before he rested his back against Mukuro's chest.
The older illusionist smiled. "You are so very cute indeed, little one. I really do want to meet you in the real world."
Fran looked up and Mukuro. "You can't?"
"No." Mukuro shook his head. "It takes up a lot of my power to create a physical form in the real world. It is much easier for me to make up this form in this place."
The younger illusionist was not very pleased with that new piece of information, as it meant that he would be alone with his senpai for most of the time when he's awake, and will only meet his master when he's asleep. And that meant more time for the prince to win him back.
Not good.
"You seem concerned," Mukuro observed, even though Fran's face and posture was indifferent.
"You notice too many things, master. It's annoying." Fran mumbled, and Mukuro just chuckled, never offended by this illusionist's comments.
However, suddenly, Mukuro looked around as if he realised something, before he bent back down to Fran to whisper in his ear. "It's past dawn. My powers have come to a limit, and it is time for you to return."
Fran was reluctant to wake up and meet the troublesome prince, but he had no choice when he saw parts of the environment waver. He knew Mukuro used up a lot of energy to appear in his dreams like this. Fran sighed.
"I'll see you tonight, little one." And with that note, everything around Fran faded and cascaded into darkness. The last thing Fran remembered was Mukuro's dark, alluring voice which still echoed in his mind.
"Froggy…"
….
"Froggy…"
Mmmm.
"Ne, Froggy…"
"Nnnh. Bel-senpai, will you please shut up already?" Fran murmured mono-tonally, still clearly half asleep.
The prince snickered. "Ushishishi… you're drooling froggy."
As soon as that comment was heard, Fran's eyes flew open as reality hit him. But, the kouhai was shocked once again when he saw the prince's face only centimeters away from his own, that body on fours over him. Fran blinked, still not really taking in everything properly.
What the hell was Bel-senpai doing in here?
"Ushishishi…" The manic prince snickered once again, and that was when Fran came to his senses and pushed the senpai off from his body. Bel swiftly rolled off the bed and landed perfectly on his feet, ending up standing straight with a wide grin on his face. Fran lifted himself into a sitting position before he wiped at his face with the blanket, trying to make himself fully awake.
Bel stood there staring at his kouhai, and he just couldn't stop thinking that this person is so, ever so cute. Those child-like actions, that half-asleep face, that blurry reaction… it was just so adorable Bel felt like hugging the illusionist as if he was a big stuffed doll. But before the prince could do anything, Fran felt the frog-shaped hat – which he doesn't take off even during sleep - on his head and turned towards the senpai with an emotionless face.
Five weirdly-shaped knives were stuck in that hat, and Fran silently pulled each one out before he dropped them carelessly on the floor and turned the other way, not wanting to look at Bel. The prince wanted to punish Fran for treating his precious knives like that, but he kept himself from doing so – he wanted his kouhai back, and stabbing him won't do any good, plus, those knives weren't damaged anyways.
Bel remembered Lussuria's words clear in his slightly confused mind.
…take care of the person, and no knives, Bel.
Yes. The prince will do that.
And with that thought, Bel walked across the room, picked up a plastic bag and jumped back on Fran's bed, causing the illusionist to turn back to look at him. The prince's face split in a wide, happy smile, showing off his brilliant white teeth as he sat hugging his knees with the bag hanging from one of his index fingers. Fran looked at the prince for a slight moment, before he turned away once again.
Looking at the senpai's smile was too dangerous. Bel's smile along with his snicker was one of the things Fran loved about Bel.
No. Don't look. I can't look.
Bel didn't falter when he saw the kouhai look away – part of him suspected Fran to try and ignore him just like he did yesterday. But again, yesterday, Fran slipped out of it. Bel was pretty confident that his actions did make an impact on the illusionist in one way or another; it was just that Fran was being stubborn. The prince believed that Fran still longed for him, and that part of the situation helped bring the prince some hope. As long as he kept trying to make that part of Fran bigger, soon enough, Fran would return to his arms.
"The prince brought you breakfast, froggy~" Bel smiled as he picked up the bag of chips from the plastic bag. Fran wanted to just ignore the prince completely, but from the corner of his eyes he still saw Bel, and Fran couldn't stop thinking…
That was the same bag Ken and Chikusa brought for master and me…
Fran mentally frowned at his senpai, but then, for someone with the dignity of a prince, he couldn't expect Bel to actually go out and buy things or make things for him. It was a wonder how Ken and Chikusa found these things when they're on this wrecked island anyways. But the thought, just wanting to bring him breakfast, it was nice of the senpai…
No. Stop it. Think of master and all the things he did.
This idiot-senpai's actions couldn't compare… no.
It's all a lie. The prince… he couldn't change that easily.
If I give in… he's just going to turn out to be the same person. It will hurt again.
…I don't want to hurt. Not anymore.
And with that thought, Fran closed his eyes and didn't give a second glance at the prince. But that was until Bel started poking this piece of chip at Fran's cheek.
POKE.
"Ne, froggy, eat." The prince commanded.
POKE. POKE.
"Eat breakfast, froggy." Bel repeated.
POKE. POKE.
"Breakfast in bed, just like the prince, ushishishi…" the senpai snickered.
POKE. POKE. POKE.
"Ne, froggy…" Bel continued, and Fran was on the verge of hitting something. That chip which kept on poking into his cheek was becoming extremely annoying, and it provoked him to react. But Fran kept himself very still, gaining that doll-like act that he had learned to use very quickly ever since Bel came here.
POKE. POKE.
"Froggy~" Bel dragged his voice out in that cute yet annoying kind of way, and Fran finally decided that it won't be too much to just smack that stupid chip away from his face. But as soon as Fran turned around, he realised how close the prince actually was to him. All that time he was staring into space, trying to ignore the prince, it seemed like the prince had moved closer to him and by now, Bel was close enough that their noses might as well have touched. Fran froze.
"Ushishi… finally," Bel said, satisfied that he was able to make the kouhai react before he popped that piece of chip into Fran's slightly open mouth. As soon as the taste of the chip was sensed by Fran, he wanted to spit it out, but Bel expected that and was faster. The prince sealed his hands on Fran's lips, leaving the illusionist no choice but to chew and swallow down that troublesome piece of chip.
Stupid, moron-senpai.
Fran thought as he reluctantly chewed, and as soon as he finished, Bel pushed another piece into the illusionist's mouth, and sealed it close once again with his hand, using that same technique in order to force Fran to eat. Bel repeated that very same method three times, leaving Fran no time to argue, until finally Fran managed to block the next chip with his hand. The prince frowned.
"Okay, okay, senpai. I'll eat it. Stop forcing already." Fran spoke mono-tonally, looking down on the bed. The illusionist then took the bag of chips in his hands and started eating by himself, much to the prince's appreciation. Bel sat and watched closely as Fran ate, observing every movement. It was rather uncomfortable for the younger assassin.
It was very silent in the room, with no sounds other than the wind flowing through the cracked windows, the torn curtains being blown slightly, and the sounds of chips being cracked and eaten. The atmosphere of the morning was warm and bright… a fresh and calm kind of atmosphere. Silence. Somehow, it was both peaceful and disturbing at the same time.
The kouhai tried to finish his 'meal' as soon as possible, feeling slightly pressured by the eyes of the prince and how he could hear himself eating. He could hear himself chew, and was kind of embarrassed by it for some reason. As soon as he was full, he quickly and quietly pushed the empty bag back into Bel's hands before he stood up, trying to get away from the senpai as soon as possible. But Bel wasn't going to allow such thing to happen.
The prince quickly followed and stood up right behind the kouhai, and when Fran tried to walk away, Bel followed, just like a shadow. Soon enough, Fran reached a wall, and before he could change direction, Bel used his arms to lock Fran in between. They ended up in the position when Fran was facing the wall whilst Bel was behind, touching the wall firmly with his two hands, trapping Fran in between his arms.
No. No. No.
Not good. Curse the stupid wall.
Fran mentally thought as his mind desperately tried to figure out what he was supposed to do. He knew he couldn't just escape, that will only result in a worst position than now. But how was he to escape from this situation? Bel, on the other hand, was also thinking. The prince was considering what he should do at this moment, what he should say, in order to make the kouhai want to be back with him. Bel considered Lussuria's advice.
Say nice, good things to that person...
But what to say?
Then, Bel thought about why Fran ran away in the first place. It was because Bel broke his promise, because Bel kissed Gokudera.
Yes. That's right.
So the prince should… apologise?
…no. A prince does not do that.
But that peasant of an illusionist must've done it before.
Then should the prince do so too? But why should a prince act like so?
Bel argued with himself in his mind, until he finally decided. He slowly moved closer to Fran, so that their bodies were almost pressed up against each other. Then, the prince bent down, so that his lips were right beside Fran's ears before he whispered, ever so softly, it was difficult for anyone else but Fran to hear. "The prince didn't want to break his promise."
Fran bit his lips. That tone of voice always got him… he knew he would soften, and that would not be a good thing. That warm breath which blew on his skin was also not very good for his heart. And what the senpai said as well… it melted him. It was almost as if the prince was apologizing.
Bel-senpai? Apologizing?
But Bel didn't stop there. "Froggy..." He kept on whispering. "I want you back."
And that sentence was almost enough to make Fran give in. If Mukuro wasn't there in the back of the illusionist's mind, he would've given in. But not now, not that part of him already was Mukuro's. Even though that part was not anywhere near as large and significant as Bel's, but that part still existed. If it Mukuro or Bel was to leave him, it would hurt either way.
It's too late.
Why did you have to do this when I already feel something towards master?
Fran thought, feeling like his insides was being crushed, torn apart. He felt his throat dry up as he whispered back to the prince. "Master-"
"Don't mention him." Bel immediately spoke, not wanting to hear his kouhai talk about anyone else in this moment. "Don't mention him." Bel repeated once again, softer this time, almost like he was pleading. Those long arms moved from pressing on the wall to wrap around the petite body of the kouhai, as the prince rested his head on those small shoulders - an embrace which was like a message; a message which said 'I don't want you to leave me'. It pained Fran.
As Bel kissed softly at Fran's hair down to Fran's neck, the illusionist felt tears come to his eyes. He wasn't a person who cried very often, but ever since he met the prince, tears came to him almost naturally. The kouhai lifted his arms to touch Bel's which wrapped around him, before he whispered, his voice almost too faint to be heard. "Don't do this, senpai."
Bel hugged Fran tighter. "The prince promises he wouldn't do anything to upset his kouhai." Bel whispered, and that phrase was just like saying, 'I'll do anything to make you come back.'
Fran shook his head, closing his eyes. "You broke your promise once, senpai."
"No. The prince won't do it again." Bel promised, still hugging Fran tight. By now, he had realised how much the illusionist meant to him, and he couldn't afford to lose Fran.
The kouhai didn't know what to do. He couldn't say no to his senpai, not now that the prince had done this to him. Bel had melted him completely, and even though he thought it was too late to forgive his senpai, now that he felt something towards Mukuro, he couldn't stop himself from knowing how much he loved this person. He couldn't stand it if he was to reject the prince and lose this person. But all the same, he didn't want to give both Mukuro and Bel a chance.
Can I trust him? After all he did, can I trust that he wouldn't hurt me this time?
Fran inhaled deeply as he made his decision, before he slowly spoke his reply. "If you break your promise again, I will leave you, senpai." Fran paused, and took another deep breath. "But… for now, I'll stay."
Fran wasn't exactly saying that he forgave the prince, but that was all Bel needed, to know that his kouhai had given him the chance to win him back. It was all Bel needed, to feel the gladness which surged through him as soon as Fran finished speaking. Bel let go of Fran before he softly spun the illusionist around to face him. The prince felt his heart waver when he saw those tear-rimmed eyes. Whenever Fran cried, it pained him.
Then, suddenly and with no warning, Bel bent down and kissed Fran's lips – so softly and sweetly, like the feel of a feather, a rose petal -a truly innocent kiss. Fran looked a bit shock when Bel moved away, and Bel just pulled the kouhai into a hug.
Bel's heart was beating with joy, and unknowingly the prince had felt it – the feeling he had felt so many times before, but not this strongly.
The feeling of love.
That night, when Mukuro visited Fran in his dreams, Fran felt guilty. And the more his master questioned, concerned about him, the guiltier he felt. Mukuro seemed to be oblivious to the fact that Fran had now also accepted Bel, and he still treated Fran so tenderly and sweetly just like normal.
When his master kissed him, Fran still felt all warm inside, and the younger illusionist knew that part of him also loved Mukuro. Just that said part isn't large enough. In fact, it was too small. If only it held more significance, maybe Fran wouldn't have given in to Bel.
Bel had an advantage because the prince found Fran first, and was Fran's first love. First loves are always unforgotten, no matter what. Even though Mukuro might treat him like the most precious person in his world, part of Fran still always guiltily compared it to what Bel would have done if he was there instead.
But even so, Fran was happy to see Mukuro visit him in his dreams. He was glad when he found himself in Mukuro's realm, as part of him also feared that Mukuro's power will not be enough to come see him. That would be a problem, because it would mean that the space in him for Mukuro will decrease whilst the space for Bel will increase, consuming Mukuro's place. So Mukuro's appearance, even though Fran felt guilty, still was a relief for the young illusionist.
And therefore, as time passes by, Fran fell into a routine. In daytime, he would be with Bel, having the prince being ever so gentle with him, impressing him with the tiniest things he did - just little things like putting on a plaster for the kouhai when he cut himself whilst opening a can of soda made Fran feel more towards the prince. On the other hand, in night time, as Mukuro visited Fran in his sleep, he would enjoy his master's company and how he always managed to make Fran feel more filled up inside. Every day, Fran was more connected to both Bel and Mukuro.
Fran knew he was being selfish. Both Bel and Mukuro does not know about what Fran's relationship with the other. Mukuro doesn't know that Fran had given Bel the chance to win him back, he simply thought that Fran was still trying to ignore the prince. As for Bel, he didn't even know about the meeting between Fran and Mukuro in the illusionist's dreams at all. It was very selfish indeed for Fran to do that, but he couldn't afford to lose any one of the two of them, and everything was going fine.
That was, until one particular morning, eleven days from the day Fran gave Bel a chance.
3.21 am
Bel sat on the old, broken sofa which he had turned into his bed, unable to sleep. Just a while ago, he woke up because he sensed danger approaching – it was a poisonous snake, quite large, but Bel got rid of it with a few of his knives in mere seconds – and now, he couldn't bring himself to sleep. By this time, Bel had already moved from sleeping in one of the classrooms of Kokuyo to sleeping inside the room which Fran used as his bedroom. Even though Fran didn't allow him to sleep in the same bed like before, it was a great improvement, and the prince knew Fran was gradually giving in to him. He could almost feel it.
The prince sighed, remembering how cute Fran looked last night when Bel decided to give him a long, seductive goodnight kiss which left Fran panting. Those cheeks were burning in that attractive shade of reddish pink, whilst those kiss-swollen lips were quivering. The senpai had felt like doing more than just a kiss many times during the past week and so they had been together, but he decided not to push it. Fran already allowed him to get so much closer, and he's not going to blow it by doing anything rash and abrupt.
Froggy…
The prince sighed, before he snickered happily. Then, the prince got an idea. If he couldn't fall asleep, he could just watch Fran sleep. He had already done that before on various occasions, and he truly enjoyed watching the illusionist sleep. But the moment of amusement ended quickly. Fran's senses, being an assassin, even though not as fast as Bel's, was quite exceptional, and he usually woke up pretty fast. Then, Fran would complain and tell him not to do it again. However, at this early hour of near dawn, Fran wouldn't wake up – the prince was sure of it.
And that means the prince could watch Froggy sleep longer…
With that thought, Bel stood up and silently moved across the room to the bed where Fran's body lay. The prince kneeled down next to the bed, resting his chin on the mattress with his hands beside each side of his head. Then, the prince watched Fran. It was quite difficult to see with the darkness of the night, but Bel could identify the features on that flawlessly cute face.
Fran was silent when he sleeps. Usually, the only sound heard would be that faint breathing with occasional murmurs. However, this time, the prince could almost hear sentences being whispered from those small lips. It was as if Fran was having a conversation with someone in his dreams.
Curious, Bel moved in closer, and listened carefully, trying to make out what the kouhai was saying.
"Nnn- no… but how… yes…" Bel could only hear a few words which were louder than the others. The prince moved in closer.
"It's okay master, I understand." The prince froze.
What was that?
Fran continued to whisper in his sleep. "I already told you last night, master. Even though senpai is back it doesn't mean that I feel differently towards you."
Bel couldn't believe what he was hearing. Was Fran talking to Mukuro in his sleep? That couldn't be possible… but the only person Fran addressed as master was Mukuro. The prince tried to recall what Mammon used to tell him.
'Illusionists can do things even you don't expect, Bel. That's why I'm one. I can disappear, vanish, create images which will trick you… and so much more. You already saw me do most of those things. But illusionists can do more… some can disguise themselves and others, some can transform themselves completely, some can create realms in their dreams and use that to enter other people's dreams, and some…'
Wait.
' …some can create realms in their dreams and use that to enter other people's dreams…'
That must be it. That imposter of a pineapple fruit must be an illusionist who could do that.
The prince gritted his teeth, feeling betrayed.
Does that mean, all this time, the kouhai had been meeting up with that illusionist every night?
Bel was so furious with that thought that he gripped at his knives, especially now that it made so much more sense. The reason why Fran always seem to not fully give himself to Bel, the reason Fran acted as if there was something else which was keeping him from going back to Bel, the reason like it that Bel would watch him sleep. It was because of this. Because of this meeting Fran and Mukuro has every night in their dreams.
A lot of feelings went through Bel as he came to that conclusion. Hurt. Jealousy. Betrayal. Anger. Pain. Confusion. So many feelings mixed and clashed with each other Bel was on the verge of letting himself go on a mad rage and start killing people, but the prince kept himself from doing so, and it took a lot of effort. After all this time he had tried so hard to make his kouhai come back to him, all this time he restrained himself from going further than kisses because he was concerned about Fran, all this time he had tried to be so 'gentle' he almost wasn't the same person. It was useless. Fran would never come back to him when he was having these meetings every night.
In one quick, angry movement, Bel stood up, grabbed hold of Fran's collar and pulled the illusionist off from the bed, almost throwing that small body hard against the floor. Fran woke up immediately, shocked and confused at the sudden violence going on. The kouhai tried to make sense of the situation whilst in his sleepy daze, but couldn't understand why Bel would be angry at him. What did he do?
"Bel-senpai, what- Nnnnhhmm!!" Fran started, but was cut off mid sentence when Bel viciously dragged Fran into a violent kiss, their lips crashing so hard at each other that their teeth banged. Fran could taste that salty iron fluid in his mouth and knew that he was bleeding. Bel could taste it too, but right now, he didn't give a damn. He was mad, so mad, so angry, so jealous and just so hurt at what the kouhai did, and all that turned into violence. The prince wasn't going to care anymore whether Fran liked it or not, he was going to have it his own way.
"Ah-! Bel-senpai--!" Fran tried to talk as Bel pushed him, face first, onto the bed, and kept him there with his knee. Bel then used his knives to tear a strip of Fran's shirt and used it to tie both of Fran's wrists to the bed post, so tightly Fran could feel his blood circulation being cut off. Then, Bel gripped at Fran's head and pulled it up from the mattress, allowing Fran to gasp for air, before he pressed one of his knives on Fran's pale neck, that cool blade ready to slice through that skin any moment at all. Fran froze when he felt the chill of the metal pressed on his flesh.
"You little fucking slut." Bel hissed through gritted teeth, and Fran shuddered at that voice. He knew it too well – it wasn't Bel's voice, but it was the voice of Prince the Ripper, the voice of that cold-blooded killer.
"What did I---!" Fran couldn't finish his sentence when he had to bite down on his bleeding lips to stop himself from screaming when Bel slashed his knife down deep across his back, causing fresh red blood to squirt on the prince and tearing apart Fran's shirt. Bel then dug his fingers into the cut, sliding it down the gash, and Fran felt like dying with the amount of pain. Bel had let his head drop back on the mattress and the illusionist was suffocating, struggling for air. But at the exact moment when Fran was going to faint, Bel flipped that body around, causing Fran's wrists to strain at the fabric which cut at that pale skin. The prince wasn't going to let Fran just easily escape the pain by fainting. No. Fran deserved more.
As soon as Fran was turned around, Bel clawed at that face, pulling at it ever so harshly whilst lifting Fran's body into a sitting position, causing the fabric to cut Fran's wrist once again.
"How dare you..." Bel spoke, his voice almost shaking from the anger. "How dare you betray the prince?" At the end of that sentence, Bel slapped Fran across the face, so hard blood came out of those lips. Fran panted hard, not understanding the situation… what did he do? But Bel didn't give him the chance to question. The prince clasped his face and pulled it back so that it was facing Bel once again, before he bent down and vigorously kissed Fran, even harder than last time. Fran tried to struggle, but Bel punched at his stomach, and the force of that was so strong Fran couldn't struggle anymore.
The illusionist didn't know and didn't understand what was going on, but all he knew was that he was scared. Scared of Prince the Ripper. Scared of Bel, the person he knew he loved. As the senpai tore Fran's shirt off him with his hands and knives, Fran couldn't even do anything, couldn't even speak with the pain in his stomach. Then, Bel slowly used his knives to expertly drag down Fran's body, cutting that pale flesh with the same deepness every time. The kouhai didn't even have the power to scream at the pain. Blood was draining from that body fast, and Fran could feel his head spin. That body was paling, that face blanching white, those lips and cheeks running out of colour.
Master…
Fran found himself thinking of Mukuro, and was ashamed.
I only call for him when I'm in pain. Whenever I'm happy… I never…
The illusionist's vision was darkening, seeing dark spots in the image before him. Fran couldn't even comprehend what was happening to him, couldn't feel the blade cutting into his skin, couldn't even tell what Bel was doing to him, what Bel was saying.
Master…
All of a sudden, Fran felt his wrists being released and his body being pulled away from the bed and from Bel's clutches. He was then wrapped in that warmth he had gotten used to, and he could smell that dark, alluring scent of a particular illusionist. In his dizziness, Fran found himself looking up and seeing those gleaming mismatched eyes.
"Master…" Fran whispered, no sound coming out from his mouth, only wind. It was as if Fran was mouthing the word, not speaking.
Mukuro was standing on one side of the bed, holding Fran, whilst Bel stood on the other, covered in Fran's blood. The dark-haired illusionist stared at Prince the Ripper, his eyes gleaming with pure anger.
"What the hell did you do to him?" Mukuro spoke, his voice threatening and holding none of that slight mockery it always held.
The prince didn't reply, he just stood there, glaring at his kouhai, it was almost as if he didn't notice Mukuro at all. Then suddenly, the Bel threw some knives at the two illusionists – Mukuro managed to dodge them before he held out his trident which materialized from thin air.
"Give him back." The prince commanded, his voice low and his teeth clenched.
Mukuro ignored that command before he spun his trident and slammed the blunt end of it on the floor. The ground erupted into towers of lava with lotus flowers swirled around them. Bel jumped from near the bed to another area and managed to escape from a tower, but unfortunately, Mukuro created another illusion and wrapped the prince with lotus plants. They swirled around his neck and started strangling him, and lifted those feet from the floor. Bel tried to slice at them with his knives, but being illusions, that didn't work. The plants wrapped tighter around the prince, and soon, Bel was grasping for air.
Mukuro was ready to take the prince's life, but Fran turned and saw the state of Bel first. As soon as the younger illusionist saw the state of the person he loved, he automatically tried to walk out to help, but Mukuro caught that body and refused to release it when Fran alone couldn't even stand up straight.
Fran turned towards his master, before he whispered. "Master… don't…"
Mukuro looked frustrated. "What do you mean? Look what he did to you…"
Fran shook his head. "No… stop it. Don't… don't kill him." The younger illusionist almost pleaded in his weak state, clutching Mukuro's arm and squeezing it with the amount of force he could manage to exert.
Mukuro, seeing Fran's intention, reluctantly pulled off his illusions and let them fade. Bel was left gasping on the floor. Fran tried to walk towards the prince, but Mukuro pulled him back. "No. Don't even think about it. I'm not giving you back to him anymore. I'm taking you away from this place."
Fran turned to look at his master once again, before he realised something. "How did you-"
Almost like reading his mind, Mukuro answered. "You were ripped away from my dream realm. I thought something was wrong, and I have enough power stored by now to do this." Mukuro sighed. "I always kept some stored just to be prepared to take you away from this place. I knew this was coming."
Fran remained silent, before he looked from his master to the prince, and back to his master again. "Let me talk to him…"
"No." Mukuro immediately replied. "Not in this state."
Fran grabbed hold of Mukuro's arms. "Please, master… he won't hurt me…"
Mukuro didn't want to believe Fran, but he couldn't go against the younger illusionist's will, especially when he saw those emerald eyes shining with determination like that. Reluctantly, he walked Fran to Bel, before he released that small body from his arms. Fran almost flopped to the floor as soon as he was standing on his own, but he kept himself steady and slowly sat down in front of Bel.
"Bel-senpai…" Fran whispered, his voice coming out in that faint wind again.
Bel, panting, looked up, that murderous look from him had disappeared. All that was left was that hurt and betrayed expression.
"I'm going to leave you, Bel-senpai." Fran continued, before he paused when he coughed up some blood. Mukuro wanted to whisk Fran away right then, but he knew Fran wanted time with Bel before that.
"No." Bel said, a hurt expression clear on his face.
Fran weakly wiped at his lips with the back of his hand. "You broke it… your promise… you broke it again…" As Fran said it, he almost felt like crying, but he didn't have the energy to do so. He was pained by what Bel did, not only physically, but he hurt inside as well. He couldn't believe Bel could hurt him like that again, after all this time that the prince had become so gentle and nice to him.
It was a lie. I knew it. I knew he couldn't change.
Bel gripped his hands in a tight fist. "You were meeting him in your dreams, every night."
Fran looked guilty. "I know." He whispered, before he coughed again. "I know what I did. But you did something wrong as well." Fran inhaled deeply, before he whispered, his voice so faint it was hardly audible. "It would be better, if we just leave each other…never see each other again." And as Fran said it, a tear somehow managed to roll down his cheeks, even in the state he was in.
Bel felt like Fran had just ripped his heart from his body. And seeing his kouhai cry, face to face like this, was just too much for the prince to bear. It pained him so, even more than when the lotus vines strangled him. The prince shook his head. "No."
"Why, senpai?" More tears streamed down Fran's face. "Doesn't it hurt?... It's bad for us to be together… it would be better if-"
"No." Bel cut Fran off, still shaking his head. "No. I won't let you go."
Fran didn't know what to say after that. He had wanted to leave Bel with a peaceful note. He didn't want it to end with this torturing, painful hanging feeling in his chest. He couldn't let it end like that and live on. Fran needed it to end properly, one way or another, before he could leave with Mukuro.
Bel reached out to Fran, and Mukuro nearly interfered, before he stopped when he saw that Bel wasn't intending to hurt Fran. The prince wiped Fran's tears away, before he circled his thumb at those cheeks and ran his finger down to Fran's bleeding, kiss-swollen lips. Fran stayed still, allowing his senpai to do whatever he wanted to. All the while, the prince thought… how could he bear to let this person leave him? The prince looked into those tear-filled emerald eyes, and suddenly, out of the blue, the prince whispered his realisation.
"I love you."
Fran froze, staring wide-eyed at Bel. Bel had just confessed his love to him, in that random moment. And yet… it was with a voice which held the sweetest sadness inside. The most honest confession the prince ever made.
He's cheating. How could he say that in this moment?
Cheating. He couldn't say that now. It wasn't fair.
Fran kept on thinking to himself as he weakly shook his head. He lifted his hands and brushed Bel's away from his face, before Mukuro, as if on cue, moved to Fran and helped that small body to stand up. Bel's eyes followed Fran's face as the kouhai stood - the prince was waiting for an answer.
Fran looked at Bel as Mukuro wrapped his arms around him, and the younger illusionist slowly closed his eyes, allowing the last teardrops to fall. His voice, as he spoke, was like a whisper of the winds… so faint it was as if it wasn't there. Mukuro's and Fran's body faded away as Fran spoke, and all that was left was that faint whisper.
"…it's too late, senpai."
And that phrase killed the two of them.
Oh no, what did I just do T^T Hell, I hate myself now, and I bet you do too T_T *sighs* Oh well, I ended up updating on time after all, nearly didn't make it… Please ignore the errors, I read this through very roughly as I wanted to update it. I shall edit it later if I find any mistakes on my second read through. ^_^
Please review~ and see you in next week's update~! ^^