Disclaimer: Consider this disclaimed.
"Hiro-san?" There was a grunt of acknowledgement. "Usami-san said he knew I was a fountain long before we did."
"He probably did, the bastard."
"How did he know?" In response to the question the vampire brought a finger up to tap his nose.
"He probably smelled it on you. Who knows, that idiot is so old he's probably met a fountain before and recognized the scent."
"Do I smell different?"
"Not a clue. My nose isn't nearly as powerful as Akihiko's."
"Oh, what makes his so powerful?"
"Like I said, that lazy bastard is as old as dirt."
As they spoke Hiroki led the two through a dark corridor after another corridor, their only illumination being the single candle stick that the brunette had jabbed rather crookedly into a holder. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye Nowaki spotted a flash of silver and without warning a great wind roared down the passage. Nowaki's hair was whipped back from his face as pictures flew off the walls and the tapestry flapped frantically, trying to free itself from the nails that held it stubbornly in place. At that moment, as if to emphasize a point, the candle blew out.
A weight landed heavily on Nowaki's chest and he held it in place, realizing it was Hiroki. The man was stiff in his arms, save for the small tremor silently traveling down his spine. The wind died away eventually and the silence that followed was oppressive, weighing heavily on their suddenly very sensitive ears.
"Hiro-san? Are you ok?" There was a mumbled reply. "Pardon?"
"MATCHES! I said matches! Have you got any matches?! God damn it Akihiko, I am going to kill that SON OF A BITCH!"
"I don't have any matches, but in my backpack I do have-"
"What?! You've got what?!" Hiroki's tone was bordering on hysterical now, his voice high and panicked.
"A lantern. I've got a lantern." The giant tried to keep his tone calm and maintain his composure. It wasn't helping though. Hiroki was trembling violently now, his slender fingers pressing like claws into the other's chest.
"What good is a lantern if we can't light it?! Haven't you got anything? Flint?! Steel?!"Holding the vampire protectively under one arm in an attempt to calm him, Nowaki used his other arm to unsling and unzip his backpack.
"The lantern is electric Hirosan." Instantly the vampire relaxed against him, the steel-clawed talons released his chest in favor of balling themselves into his shirt. Still though, the smaller man pressed himself against the giant.
"Oh, I forgot about electricity." Delving on hand into its recesses Nowaki extracted a full sized camping lantern and flipped the switch. Instantly the hallway was illuminated with a good steady light, much brighter than anything the candle could have ever produced. At the appearance of the light Hiroki immediately pushed himself away from the other, though, he still ended up standing closer to Nowaki than before the candle had gone out, almost as if he was using Nowaki as protection, not from anything physical, but more akin to a security blanket. Or maybe he was just trying to stay close to the light source. To make up for the disappointment experienced at losing the feeling of the other's body, Nowaki found some joy in the sight of the smaller man's blush. He figured though that he should say something. The silence was clearly making his Hiro-san uncomfortable.
"Hiro-san, did you say you forgot about electricity?"
"Yeah, so what?"
"How does one just forget about electricity?"
"Well it's not like we have any in the house."
"Do you have gas? Or Wi-Fi?"
"No."
"Plumbing?"
"Why would we have plumbing? Neither of us needs it."
"What about showers?"
"Dead bodies don't sweat dumbass. If we need to clean ourselves, there's a well and pump out back. Does this place look like some where you could call a plumber out to?"
"No." Well darn, there goes the option of shower sex. "So you think Akihiko caused that wind?" It would certainly explain that flash of silver he had glimpsed.
"No shit Sherlock! Did you think that happens naturally?"
"Honestly Hiro-san, I have no idea. Your world is so new to me I'm not sure just what is possible and what isn't anymore."
"Oh, never mind; just tell me why you're here." They had started walking again, one hallway after another passing under their feet. Though Nowaki could see that Hiroki clearly wanted to hold the lantern, he wasn't giving it up. The vampire was evidently trying to stay as close to the light as possible and thus in turn he was staying close to Nowaki. No, the giant wasn't letting go of the lantern for the world.
"What do you mean why am I here? You let me come."
"Only because you asked. Now tell me why." Taking a deep breath the human stated the one sentence he had been avoiding because he knew it was the one sentence the prideful man never wanted to hear.
"Because you need me." The reaction was immediate; before he could blink he was being yanked down by the front of his shirt. The Kamijou's face was inches from his, his gaze locked with two wildly burning flames. The vampire's fangs had emerged from their dormant position, their needle-like tips so sharp they disappeared from sight. Despite all this Nowaki could not help but admire the fine contours of the brunette's face from this close vantage point.
"Hiro-san?"
"How dare you." The words were a low hiss, more threatening than any sentence he could shout. "How dare you even think such a thing? Take it back. Now."
"No."
"WHAT!" The banshee shriek that escaped from his lips pierced through Nowaki's eardrums making him flinch in the other's grip.
"No Hiro-san, I'm not taking it back. It's the truth."
"No one needs your truth!"
"But you do need my blood."
"Fuck you and your blood!" Nowaki was silent so Hiroki continued, "I don't need anyone. Got that?! ANYONE!"
"Even Usami-san?" The oppressive silence was back weighing them both down, like being plunged suddenly into the very depths of the ocean. The sudden cold made Nowaki want to shiver, but he held himself still. Hiroki was like a mine, set to explode at the smallest movement.
"What. Did. You. Say?" His words were calm yet even so the taller of the two could almost taste the malice behind them.
"Do you need Usami-san? When we first met it was clear you were running from him and yet when he came for you, you went willingly."
"Th-that's different!"
"How Hiro-san? How is it different?"
"It just is. Don't question me!"
"Why not Hiro-san? Why not question you? Your actions aren't making any sense." Nowaki knew he was going too far, but he couldn't stop. He could see Hiroki's mask was slipping. And this time they weren't in a lightless cellar. This time he was able to see every expression, every flicker of emotion as it traveled over the other's face. For the first time, he felt like he was truly about to learn just who Hiroki was.
"Don't question me… it's not something a cretin like you can understand!"
"Then explain it to me so I can understand. I'm not leaving until you do." Hiroki looked at him, his mouth opening and closing but no sound came out. Slowly the fire died and his fangs retreated back to dormancy.
"You wouldn't understand."
"Maybe I won't, but I still might be able to help." The vampire looked at him, all anger left from his dull eyes. It was as if someone had pulled the plug, exhausting the man as well as draining him of all emotion. Nowaki wondered if he was that someone, or if the draining had been going on for far longer.
"Do you really thing you can help?" His tone of voice told the taller man that the vampire had long ago lost hope that there was really anything anyone could do to assist him. It was a loneliness that had grown for centuries combined with the hopelessness of a man who could not die.
"We'll never know if we don't try."
"I guess."
"So you'll tell me?"
"It might take a while…but yes."
"Take as long as you need Hiro-san. I'll listen." Hiroki's eyes looked deeply into his.
"Not here. Not in the middle of the hallway." Nowaki looked around. On either side were wood paneled walls, dark, with what looked like some kind of blackish mold. In front of him stretched a great darkness that even the electric lantern could not penetrate. He shot a quick glance behind, only to confirm that the same darkness was traveling close on their heels. He began to think that maybe Hiroki's fear of the dark was not so unfounded after all.
"Where then?" Swiftly the brunette crossed in front of him and placed one slender finger over the edge of a board on the wall, making it shift backwards until a small click was heard and the whole section of the woodwork swung back.
"Follow me."
"Where are we going?" Despite his question, there was no hesitation as Nowaki followed the smaller one into the dark, damp hole.
"None of your business." Nowaki didn't bother to reply. Hiroki had finally calmed down and heaven forbid he do anything to fire the vampire up again.
The low ceiling of the passageway forced the giant noirette to lean forward as he followed the vampire, still holding up the lantern. The steady light set the walls into stark contrast, lighting up the damp bricks that enclosed them on either side. The black mold was here too and at some points Nowaki could have sworn that something in front of them had scurried away just before the light revealed their form, making Nowaki imagine that the walls before and behind them were coated with the invisible creatures. Trying not to let this get to him Nowaki did not falter, somehow knowing that wherever Hiroki lead him, he would be safe.
Eventually Nowaki realized he was being lead upwards as the dank smell of the passage began to clear and he could feel fresh air blowing against his cheeks. After what seemed like forever, the journey finally ended against what looked to be a solid wall. Lifting the lantern up he examined each of the corners but they looked fitted and immobile. It was only when Hiroki stepped up to press something and the door began to slowly swing outwards that he realized there was no dust on the floor.
The first one to step into the room was the vampire, his entrance being followed by the sound of a match being run across sandpaper before the light of the lantern was joined with the soft glow of a lone candlestick, brightening up the room enough for Nowaki to see clearly where he was.
"Is this your room Hiro-san?"
The room was empty save for one piece of furniture which the brunette was now seated on, sending a wary glare in his direction. Its lid was smooth and glossy, edged by silver filigree pressed into the wood. It was obvious that the vampire took great care of his resting place, the whole thing having been polished till it shone in the flickering candlelight. Nowaki could see his reflection in the silver handles along its sides. This 'bed' was probably the only thing in the house that wasn't falling into ruins, Nowaki thought.
"Yes it's my room. What, did you think I hauled my bed up here every evening because I was worried about my health or something?"
"I meant no offense Hiro-san. It's a very nice bed. You've obviously taken good care of it." The other blushed faintly at the compliment.
"It's not like I really have a choice. If anything happened to it, it's too hard nowadays to get a new one. What with personal computers and all that electronic mumbo jumbo, forging sales records is near impossible."
"Why don't you just get one in a normal legal way?"
"And where pray tell am I going to get a whole grand for a new one? Do I look like I have a job?"
"You must have some money."
"Nothing less than a century or two out of print."
"Can't you exchange it for something more modern."
"Like I said. Electronic mumbo jumbo. You need papers and records and shit."
"I see. So you have no record to your life? Anywhere?" Nowaki had settled down next to the brunette, leaning forwards to rest his elbows on his knees, the lantern dangling between his jean-clad legs. Hiroki had stiffened when he had initially sat down, but after a full minute had passed and there was no sign of unwanted advances he seemed to relax and the conversation gained a more relaxed fluid rhythm.
"Well technically there's a scroll somewhere in some museum which illustrates one of the battles I lead, but I highly doubt the government is going to accept that as substitute for a birth certificate."
"You lead battles?"
"Yes, I was born the son of a warlord. It was more a duty than anything else. I was much more inclined to studying the works of the master scholars within the confines of my quarters. But my father wanted me to become a great general. I think that may have been the main reason I went with Akihiko when he offered."
"It wasn't because you loved him?" Nowaki was ready this time, his muscles tense, all his attention riveted on the form next to him waiting for the explosion. None came though. In fact there was barely any reaction at all, save for a slight stiffening of the shoulders.
"Yeah, I loved him."
"I…see…" Life could really be cruel sometimes.
"He never loved me though." Amber eyes were staring off at the opposite wall of the room, though Nowaki knew this was not what they were seeing. "Did you know that the average life expectancy for a man in this country is 85 years?" Nowaki stared at the other in bewilderment.
"…No."
"I've been existing in this world for more than five times than number. I've had more than five times the opportunity of anyone else. And yet here I am, stuck, pursuing the same thing I was pursuing all those centuries ago. And failing every single time. Why do I keep trying? What is it that keeps me going? There's nothing, Nowaki. I'm stuck in an eternal loop of failure. The minute Akihiko offered up his blood for me to drink, my time had stopped, never letting me move forward and making it impossible to go back. Hell, I'm not even sure if I love the bastard anymore, and despite that, I keep trying. And do you know what is truly sick about this whole twisted farce?"
"No…"Nowaki wasn't sure what to think anymore. He did not have the sufficient experience to offer up any nuggets of wisdom that might assist the vampire. And yet, what his experience did tell him was that there was something not entirely true about what the vampire was saying, something even Hiroki didn't realize.
"The night I ended up at your apartment. The night I ran away. It was all because I slept with the son of a bitch. He's in love you know, with another vampire that is, not me obviously. I offered to act as substitute for the oblivious idiot he's so sweet on. We went all the way too. And then I get all surprised when he calls out that other guy's name. It just…well it didn't really surprise me really…it just made me realized…" It was not the brunette but rather the man sitting next to him who finished the sentence.
"That there really wasn't any reason to your existence. That there was no point of going on if there was no one out there who even realized you existed. If all everyone sees is the mask, then what's the point of you being there at all?" The faraway gaze was gone from his eyes and instead all his focus was directed at the tall man sitting next to him. Cerulean gaze bore into the astonished amber, sending shivers down the smaller vampire's spine as he realized that for the first time in five hundred years he was being looked at.
"You can see me, can't you?" The words were a nothing more than a whisper and yet they seemed to fill the confined space of the attic until neither man was sure if the question had been screamed into their ears or carried there by a subtle draft.
"Hiro-san, I think you should know, before anything else, that the only thing keeping you stuck is yourself. Usami-san cares for you. That's the reason he keeps you with him. He has realized you are stuck but he doesn't know how to help you so instead he is trying to provide his support in his own way. Just as I am going to do now. I'm going to help you Hiro-san. I'm going to release you from your frozen time." It was all too much. Wide, terrified eyes were trapped in the steady determined gaze of the other, unable to look away, and unable to process the words flowing from those smooth lips. It was too much, too fast. He could feel his breaths quickening despite the fact that he knew he didn't need any single one of them. His body was falling back into old habits though in an attempt to right the disrupted equilibrium. It wasn't working and the panic was growing out of proportion. He seemed to still have control over his throat and desperately he croaked out the one question currently waging war on his mind.
"W-why?"
"Because I love you." And suddenly his breathing stopped as another pair of lips captured his mouth and a familiar taste flooded his senses. He relaxed against the other's lips, marveling at the firm strength coupled with a delicate tenderness, a combination unique to this man, and this man only.
To the man who had lived centuries. To the man to whom years passed like days and decades passed like weeks, the kiss seemed to go on forever. And as it stretched, its passion increased, until the vampire began to feel parts of him awaken that he thought had died long ago.
His time was changing. He was being let go.
Hiroki could have gone on forever but eventually his partner in the kiss had to draw away or risk falling into unconsciousness. Heavy panting was the only sound in the attic as hazy eyes, golden like the sands of the desert storm took in everything that had transgressed in the little room. He felt like he should feel angry, or at least embarrassed at the way the other male had been able to peel away his layers so easily, but instead he felt only peace and gratitude. Nowaki knew what he had been doing, and Nowaki had done it in his own pure way without a drop of malevolence. Hiroki could not have asked for more. But even still...
…He was truly a bastard. Taking this man's love while offering none of his own. He wanted to give something to Nowaki, this human currently cradling his cheek, handling it as one would handle the relic of a saint. He wanted to return the favor he had been granted, but he didn't know how. And for that he felt lower than dirt.
"I do not know…" The words died and he wasn't sure if he could continue. But Nowaki was looking at him, truly looking at him, and he was waiting, so he found the strength to finish. "I do not know if…I love you."
"That's alright."
"No it's not."
"Yes Hiro-san, it is."
"Why?"
"Because you don't know for certain that you don't love me. And also because I am patient. I can wait."
"How can you wait when you don't even know if you will be rewarded in the end?"
"It is because I love you. I will wait because no matter the result I will be by your side what ever happens." The cerulean gaze was becoming too much for the vampire and he found himself leaning forward into the other's firm chest in an attempt to hide his profuse blushing.
"How is it that you can speak like this? I've lived five centuries and yet I'm positive that I could live another twenty and still not be able to speak with such wisdom."
"I really can't answer that Hiro-san."
"Of course not. It could never be that simple. So, you will wait?"
"Yes."
"Did Akihiko tell you the prerequisites for coming into the powers of a fountain?"
"Yes."
"Oh." Hiroki was sure his cheeks were going to explode from the amount of blood currently rushing to fill them. "Is that what you are waiting for?"
"Well that's certainly part of it." The smaller could have sworn that the man he was currently leaning against was sporting the most suggestive grin.
"Is that so." It was not a question. "You're a fucking saint, you know that?"
"Only for you Hirosan. Only for you."
And there you are. I have officially set up the protagonist, the antagonist, the setting, the love interest, and the character background. The fun bits are finally going to be making their appearance!
I was initially supposed to have this up two days ago but there was a power outage which naturally meant no internet. I really wasn't that bad, I just did my usual thing sit on the couch and read all day, the only difference being that instead of an electric light my pages were lit by candles set upright in tea cups. I would have used a flashlight by my sister stole that and since I own like twenty something teacups and fifty something candles I decided to do this instead. It was very convenient really, since the teacups have handles and everything it became really easy to carry a light around with you without burning anything like papers or skin. The power came back on a few hours ago though so that doesn't act as much of an excuse but low and behold, I have another one. I found some money at the bottom of my purse and so naturally I went to half price books and found 'OFF WITH THEIR HEADS! All the Cool Bits in British History'. Really good book. Covers the Hundred Year War in two paragraphs. I recommend.
That also makes a bad excuse though because I finished it hours ago too. If you really want to know what I've been doing (which in all likely hood you probably don't. In fact if you're still reading this, I suggest you get your head examined.), I've been having a shouting match with the telly. My dad got me a documentary on the battle of Hastings (1066! Isn't that just satisfying to say?) and I have spent the last hour shouting at King Harold for being an idiot while cheering on William the Conqueror. How do you spend your weekends?