Title: The Gift, Chapter 6
By Dragoni
Warning: Yaoi alert! That's Boy/Boy love. Not your thing? Don't read it. But don't flame me, either.
Disclaimers: I don't own the Ronin Warriors - I'm just playing with them a little bit. This is fanfiction, I did not make any money off it. (Believe me there!) The only thing that's mine is the idea for the story.
[Rowen]
Six days. It's been six long days since I ordered him out. And he hasn't come back yet. I sigh miserably. It's been as long since I've had a good night's sleep. Or any sleep at all, for that matter.
I wonder where he is. None of the others have seen him. It's like he simply disappeared. I shouldn't have gotten so angry at him. I wish I could take it back... I wish I could apologize to him, tell him that it doesn't matter... But he'd have to be here for that. And he's not.
/Sage... Love... Please, come back.../ I stretch the armor bond in a feeble attempt to find him that I know from experience won't work. He's closed his mind to me, blocked me from contacting him. He doesn't want me to find him.
I hope he's all right.
I hear a faint sound outside. Dropping the book I was pretending to read, I rush out the front door, frantically scanning the grounds for some sign. I hear it again and focus on its origin. It's just around the corner...
Speeding around the corner, I stop in sudden disappointment. It's just the god-damned tiger again, with what looks like a fresh kill for dinner.
Disappointed, I go back inside, up to my room this time. I ignore the pitying glances the others spare me. *They* don't know what it's like to practically throw out half your soul. They've never felt this emptiness inside. But I deserve it. After all... I'm the one that told him to leave.
[Cye]
He looks awful. Whatever happened between the two of them... it's left him a shattered wreck. He doesn't eat much, if anything at all. Dark circles shadow his eyes, silent testimony that he's not slept much, either. We had to steal his yoroi sphere from him, so that he wouldn't frighten the citizens trying to find Sage. If anyone looked up and saw him flying... well, a panic would just complicate things for everyone. Especially if he was recognized.
So he tried the mundane way. He was out searching all the hotels and boarding houses, all the shopping districts, every place he could think of. He was gone for three days straight, and hadn't told us where he'd gone. We were worried sick, unable to find 40% of our team. When he returned, we gave him an ultimatum. Either take one of us along or stay home. He hasn't been out since.
So he tried using the armor bond. He was so heartbroken when he realized he couldn't contact Sage. We all offered to try for him. Surely we wouldn't all be shut out! But he wouldn't hear of it. Said it was his mistake, and that he had to fix it. Sometimes I could positively kill Sage. I mean, no matter what happened, there's just no reason to do this. If only he could see the inconsolable mess Rowen's become... Maybe then he'd ignore his bloody pride and come back.
It hurts horribly to see him like this. He hasn't smiled since Sage left. He doesn't really talk to us. I wish that I could hold him, make the world turn again. But that's the one thing I've learned. We may all be friends - we probably will be until we die - but Sage is the only one who will ever have Rowen's heart. I never had a chance. Still... I'd give anything to see him smile again.
[Sage]
Every morning when I wake up, it takes me a moment to realize where I am. The grimy walls of the tiny motel are a sure give-away, though. I'm not home. I can't go back. He wouldn't want me.
On the edge of the bed lay two boxes. Gifts for him... for our six-month. Today. I don't know why I got them. I don't plan to go see him. I couldn't stand to see the anger in his eyes.
I start pacing the room again. It's a bad habit I've acquired since I've been here, since there's nothing else to do. The room is too small to practice in, and the only channels on the minuscule TV set show nothing but news and inane movies. I've been so bored, though... I actually tried watching it. Unfortunately, there was a storm a couple of nights ago. The reception didn't survive.
//Sage? Sage, are you there?// I jump slightly, looking around the room for the voice's owner... and feel incredibly foolish when I realize that it's one of the others, trying to talk to me through the armor bond. I can feel my face heat with rueful embarrassment. I forgot about that. After I'd blocked Rowen, I'd not given it another thought.
/I'm here. What do you want?/
//You are there!// Surprise is evident through Cye's flustered communication. He shouldn't be so surprised. I mean, I need to leave the other lines open. In case something happens. //We... I... Please come back, Sage.// The directness of his request is unexpected. Usually he's a *lot* more subtle than that. It doesn't change my mind, though.
/I can't... He doesn't want.../
//Bullshit!// He interrupts my explanation explosively. //Where do you get off saying you know what he wants? You haven't been here!//
/But I still.../
//No buts. You haven't been here. You don't see him every day.// I can almost feel the anguish behind the words. //He would kill me if he knew I was doing this, but I can't stand it anymore. Did you know he searched for you?// Angry, almost bitter words. //Three full days, gone without a trace. Without a word to anyone. Without food, without rest. For you. I'd say that *alone* should be proof enough for you.//
He pauses in his tirade, maybe waiting for a response that I do not offer. I didn't know he looked for me. I didn't know any of it. After a while, he continues more calmly, but I don't hear his words. I can only think one thing.
/He... searched? For me?/
//Yes. He did.// An uncomfortably loaded pause, then a fervent plea. //Come back home, Sage. Please...//
/I... I may.../
//I guess that'll have to do, won't it? If you do... could you do me a favor? Don't tell him I contacted you.//
I assent - what else could I do? - and he leaves, a curious emptiness in my mind the only remnant of our conversation.
[Rowen]
I lay in my bed, staring at the ceiling. Feeling sorry for myself, angry with myself..
The door creaks open and my eyes snap shut. It's probably one of the others looking in on me. Making sure I haven't run off again. They treat me like a child. Maybe I'm acting like one, I don't care. But I'd rather have them think I'm asleep than have to talk to anyone right now.
A gentle pressure on the side of the bed tells me someone is sitting there. A hand gently brushes my hair back from my face, and a gentle kiss on my cheek causes my eyes to flutter open. Beautiful ice-violet eyes return my gaze. He sits back hesitantly, waiting for me to make the next move.
I don't keep him waiting long. Instead, I grasp him to me, holding on to him tightly and drawing him into a passionate kiss. He responds eagerly, his flaming kisses mirroring my own.
Too soon, we must break for air. Trying desperately to regain his breath, he pulls a long box from behind his back. His eyes never leave my own. Fascinated beyond reason, I watch as he lifts the lid slowly, revealing what must be a dozen creamy roses, each with a kiss of pink on the tips of the petals.
He pushes the now-empty box to the floor, and I study the bouquet. A translucent silver ribbon explodes in an elaborate bow halfway down the long stems. He drops to his knees beside the bed, offering the flowers to me.
"Forgive me?" The question is almost inaudible. And entirely silly. I nod wordlessly, instantly rewarded by the angelic smile on his face. It twists nervously as he pulls quickly on the ribbon, releasing something hidden within the bow. I raise an eyebrow curiously. What is he up to?
He takes my hand, slipping a delicate silvery band into my palm. "Marry me?"
He slips a matching band onto his own finger as I draw him up into another breathless kiss, the only answer I can give.
/Happy six-month, love.../
I smile slightly into our kiss. //It is now, anyway...//
~Owari~
Epilogue to follow
By Dragoni
Warning: Yaoi alert! That's Boy/Boy love. Not your thing? Don't read it. But don't flame me, either.
Disclaimers: I don't own the Ronin Warriors - I'm just playing with them a little bit. This is fanfiction, I did not make any money off it. (Believe me there!) The only thing that's mine is the idea for the story.
[Rowen]
Six days. It's been six long days since I ordered him out. And he hasn't come back yet. I sigh miserably. It's been as long since I've had a good night's sleep. Or any sleep at all, for that matter.
I wonder where he is. None of the others have seen him. It's like he simply disappeared. I shouldn't have gotten so angry at him. I wish I could take it back... I wish I could apologize to him, tell him that it doesn't matter... But he'd have to be here for that. And he's not.
/Sage... Love... Please, come back.../ I stretch the armor bond in a feeble attempt to find him that I know from experience won't work. He's closed his mind to me, blocked me from contacting him. He doesn't want me to find him.
I hope he's all right.
I hear a faint sound outside. Dropping the book I was pretending to read, I rush out the front door, frantically scanning the grounds for some sign. I hear it again and focus on its origin. It's just around the corner...
Speeding around the corner, I stop in sudden disappointment. It's just the god-damned tiger again, with what looks like a fresh kill for dinner.
Disappointed, I go back inside, up to my room this time. I ignore the pitying glances the others spare me. *They* don't know what it's like to practically throw out half your soul. They've never felt this emptiness inside. But I deserve it. After all... I'm the one that told him to leave.
[Cye]
He looks awful. Whatever happened between the two of them... it's left him a shattered wreck. He doesn't eat much, if anything at all. Dark circles shadow his eyes, silent testimony that he's not slept much, either. We had to steal his yoroi sphere from him, so that he wouldn't frighten the citizens trying to find Sage. If anyone looked up and saw him flying... well, a panic would just complicate things for everyone. Especially if he was recognized.
So he tried the mundane way. He was out searching all the hotels and boarding houses, all the shopping districts, every place he could think of. He was gone for three days straight, and hadn't told us where he'd gone. We were worried sick, unable to find 40% of our team. When he returned, we gave him an ultimatum. Either take one of us along or stay home. He hasn't been out since.
So he tried using the armor bond. He was so heartbroken when he realized he couldn't contact Sage. We all offered to try for him. Surely we wouldn't all be shut out! But he wouldn't hear of it. Said it was his mistake, and that he had to fix it. Sometimes I could positively kill Sage. I mean, no matter what happened, there's just no reason to do this. If only he could see the inconsolable mess Rowen's become... Maybe then he'd ignore his bloody pride and come back.
It hurts horribly to see him like this. He hasn't smiled since Sage left. He doesn't really talk to us. I wish that I could hold him, make the world turn again. But that's the one thing I've learned. We may all be friends - we probably will be until we die - but Sage is the only one who will ever have Rowen's heart. I never had a chance. Still... I'd give anything to see him smile again.
[Sage]
Every morning when I wake up, it takes me a moment to realize where I am. The grimy walls of the tiny motel are a sure give-away, though. I'm not home. I can't go back. He wouldn't want me.
On the edge of the bed lay two boxes. Gifts for him... for our six-month. Today. I don't know why I got them. I don't plan to go see him. I couldn't stand to see the anger in his eyes.
I start pacing the room again. It's a bad habit I've acquired since I've been here, since there's nothing else to do. The room is too small to practice in, and the only channels on the minuscule TV set show nothing but news and inane movies. I've been so bored, though... I actually tried watching it. Unfortunately, there was a storm a couple of nights ago. The reception didn't survive.
//Sage? Sage, are you there?// I jump slightly, looking around the room for the voice's owner... and feel incredibly foolish when I realize that it's one of the others, trying to talk to me through the armor bond. I can feel my face heat with rueful embarrassment. I forgot about that. After I'd blocked Rowen, I'd not given it another thought.
/I'm here. What do you want?/
//You are there!// Surprise is evident through Cye's flustered communication. He shouldn't be so surprised. I mean, I need to leave the other lines open. In case something happens. //We... I... Please come back, Sage.// The directness of his request is unexpected. Usually he's a *lot* more subtle than that. It doesn't change my mind, though.
/I can't... He doesn't want.../
//Bullshit!// He interrupts my explanation explosively. //Where do you get off saying you know what he wants? You haven't been here!//
/But I still.../
//No buts. You haven't been here. You don't see him every day.// I can almost feel the anguish behind the words. //He would kill me if he knew I was doing this, but I can't stand it anymore. Did you know he searched for you?// Angry, almost bitter words. //Three full days, gone without a trace. Without a word to anyone. Without food, without rest. For you. I'd say that *alone* should be proof enough for you.//
He pauses in his tirade, maybe waiting for a response that I do not offer. I didn't know he looked for me. I didn't know any of it. After a while, he continues more calmly, but I don't hear his words. I can only think one thing.
/He... searched? For me?/
//Yes. He did.// An uncomfortably loaded pause, then a fervent plea. //Come back home, Sage. Please...//
/I... I may.../
//I guess that'll have to do, won't it? If you do... could you do me a favor? Don't tell him I contacted you.//
I assent - what else could I do? - and he leaves, a curious emptiness in my mind the only remnant of our conversation.
[Rowen]
I lay in my bed, staring at the ceiling. Feeling sorry for myself, angry with myself..
The door creaks open and my eyes snap shut. It's probably one of the others looking in on me. Making sure I haven't run off again. They treat me like a child. Maybe I'm acting like one, I don't care. But I'd rather have them think I'm asleep than have to talk to anyone right now.
A gentle pressure on the side of the bed tells me someone is sitting there. A hand gently brushes my hair back from my face, and a gentle kiss on my cheek causes my eyes to flutter open. Beautiful ice-violet eyes return my gaze. He sits back hesitantly, waiting for me to make the next move.
I don't keep him waiting long. Instead, I grasp him to me, holding on to him tightly and drawing him into a passionate kiss. He responds eagerly, his flaming kisses mirroring my own.
Too soon, we must break for air. Trying desperately to regain his breath, he pulls a long box from behind his back. His eyes never leave my own. Fascinated beyond reason, I watch as he lifts the lid slowly, revealing what must be a dozen creamy roses, each with a kiss of pink on the tips of the petals.
He pushes the now-empty box to the floor, and I study the bouquet. A translucent silver ribbon explodes in an elaborate bow halfway down the long stems. He drops to his knees beside the bed, offering the flowers to me.
"Forgive me?" The question is almost inaudible. And entirely silly. I nod wordlessly, instantly rewarded by the angelic smile on his face. It twists nervously as he pulls quickly on the ribbon, releasing something hidden within the bow. I raise an eyebrow curiously. What is he up to?
He takes my hand, slipping a delicate silvery band into my palm. "Marry me?"
He slips a matching band onto his own finger as I draw him up into another breathless kiss, the only answer I can give.
/Happy six-month, love.../
I smile slightly into our kiss. //It is now, anyway...//
~Owari~
Epilogue to follow