-blink-
o_O;

-bangs head against wall-

Characters not mine. Character plucked out of GW. Shonen-ai. I dunno what
to rate it. ~_~; It's harmless. Really.

Hmm. Motoki's so much fun to play with.
-grab-

-walks away-




.oO*@*Oo.

*Mamoru pov*

Saa Motoki. You must think of me as an idiot not to see right
through you. I know. I knew a long time ago and I still do. But as I sit
here while you smile at another customer out of sheer bliss I can't help
but wonder. Who is it that gives you so much joy all of a sudden? Most
of the guys that come here don't even acknowledge your existence, much
less openly invite you to leer at them. Demo. One of them has caught your
eye, and heart, and I want to know who it is. So why won't you talk to me?

*

Motoki chatters around to customers idly, ignoring ocean blue eyes
that track his every move around the arcade. Mamoru shifts in his chair
as a young girl catches a stare that wasn't meant for her and hides behind
his paper. Softly cursing when he notices her crestfallen face. A hand
slaps him on the back.

"You know Mamoru-kun, I thought you would have stopped doing that
after you got a girlfriend."

He turns to mock-glare at Motoki, knowing he'll turn to find a
joking grin, but something has caught his friend's eye instead. His eyebrow
quirks in silent question as a boy with dark brown hair and sharp prussian
blue eyes walks in and to the back room. Stopping only to grab an apron off
of a hook next to the door. A thought dawns on Mamoru as he watches Motoki's
eyes follow the boy in almost a trance-like state. -So, he's the one.- He
thinks. He hears a faint sigh as Motoki steps away to help another customer.
Smile and mood now broken.

_________________________________________________

Mamoru strays to a booth in the corner to wait out the customers. Planning
to corner his best friend to talk about it.

***

-No wonder there's so many people here. What with Motoki and the new
guy, girls probably flock from miles to get a chance to just look at them.-

'not that you can blame them' An errent voice interrupted his thought.

'Shut up.'

'oh admit it. you're jealous.'

'Didn't I get rid of you a long time ago? And I'm not jealous. I have
nothing to be jealous of.'

'my. aren't we the defensive one. but let me guess. you're sitting here out
of the kindness of your heart? isn't that your -girlfiend's- department?'

Mamoru's hands had fisted themselves while he argued with himself,
his knuckles turning white as a scowl made itself across his face.

'Why are you even here. Go away.'

'you're afraid that he'll take your only friend in the world away from you.'

His eyes widened in surprise at that last thought. It made sense
didn't it? Am I really afraid of that? He wondered. It was beginning to
get dark outside as he continued to concentrate on his thoughts. Mamoru
turned his head to rest on his clasped hands. Idly gazing toward the
counter; shifting his stare to the back room when he heard an unfamiliar
voice, laughing along with Motoki's.

'He's never laughed like that with me...' He shook his head. That's beside
the point baka.
________________________________

Motoki walked out giggling as he dried his hands on a cloth. The boy
from before, following him with a small smile as he hung up the apron.

"Actually," Motoki spoke up. "It's better this way. With being so far
apart, neither of us can hurt each other anymore. It couldn't have worked
out better had I planned it myself."

"Don't your friends know?" The boy turned off the main lighting,
leaving most of Crown Parlor in the dark while Motoki went to lock the door.
He came to rest on one of the bar stools. Motoki turned back with a sad
smile.

"I think Mamoru might know. Ano, I'm not going to ask him. And I
wouldn't feel right to actually tell anyone. It's not easy to talk about
when you don't know how they'll react."

"Hai." The boy nodded. "I understand." He smiled and patted the stool
next to him. Motoki came around to sit, and decided against it in favor of

wrapping his arms around the dark haired beauty and resting his head on
his shoulder.

'I -really- shouldn't be watching this.' Mamoru thought guiltily. He'd
always suspected about Motoki being... -that way-, his mind supplied, and
after the whole Reika ordeal he'd thought twice. That is... until she
went to Africa. But now... he was actually shocked and suddenly very
uncomfortable. Even though he didn't stop staring as Motoki twisted the
figure in his arms around to softly kiss him.

'..!..'I... I have to get out of here. He wouldn't notice right? Not if I
went out the back door.' Mamoru's mind panicked. But how not to be noticed?
Mamoru was trapped. He shrunk back into the seat, praying he wouldn't be
seen. Motoki would be so pissed if he knew. Right? And Mamoru needed that
trust, needed that friendship dearly.

They slowly pulled apart and gazed at each other.

"Ne, Heero-chan." He whispered as his finger traced the boy's face.
He pulled him into an embrace and held him tightly.

"Arigato."

"Naze?" Heero asked quietly. Confused.

Motoki smiled and pulled back enough to look into Heero's eyes.
"For helping me through all this." He gestured for the arcade. "And," he
added, slightly shy, " for being there when I needed you." He peered
through his bangs to watch for Heero's reaction, and to wait for a reply
if any. Heero wasn't known for his conversational skills, even though that
mouth was talented with other points of interest. But he was an intent and
loving listener, and that's what Motoki needed most.
Heero blinked. Stunned for a moment. He never expected a thank you.
Gently he picked up Motoki's hand and held it to his chest. Trying to find
words that would make sense and not make him seem foolish.
He cocked his head to the side and narrowed his eyes. "You make
me smile Motoki," he replied seriously. "I should be the one thanking you."

Motoki stared for a moment. Seeming to take this into consideration before
nodding and tugging on his hand to go. He folded Heero's hand in his own
and pulled him out the door, mindful to lock up, to head home. Their home.

Mamoru let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding. Slowly, as
to gain control over his shaking, he stood up to take leave. Making his way
to the back door and outside he started his walk home. Two thoughts
occupying his mind, only to leave him cold and silent once again. He
clutched his blazer closer to himself, suddenly cold.

-Is that what it could have been like?-

-Fiore...?-


**********************************************************


Muawhahaha.... XD
I felt like elaborating, but it's 1 am and I didn't eat dinner yet. -shrugs-

-blink-

-fidget-

@-------
Hugz to the people who reviewed my last fic. (Diminished)
^_^ Hehe. I didn't expect any warm words. It means a lot to me.
You just have no idea.