Carry Your Reflection
Chapter 10: Take My Hand
by Seishuku Skuld (skuldhotohori@yahoo.com)
Series: Tokyo Babylon/X
Pairing: Seishirou x Subaru
Warnings: YAOI, lemon
Dedicated to: All those who have been reading, and assisting me on this endeavor. I really feel that my writing has developed a lot since the beginning of this fic, and I'd like to thank all my readers, my friends, and especially my beta-readers for their encouragement and support.
Disclaimers: Now that this is the last chapter, I suppose I shall be shipping Seishirou and Subaru back off to CLAMP. **grin** I'm sure I'll be borrowing them again soon. ^_^ Never fear.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Seishirou-san!" Subaru rushes forward, pressing himself against the glass panel of the hidden fountain of Kagami Park. Water falls in a curtain of tears on either side of the Sumeragi. The soft gurgling of the fluid blends into a peaceful hum, urging Subaru to greater efforts.
"Seishirou-san!" Subaru cries out again. His hands curl up into fists; he hopes that his dark counterpart on the other side can hear his voice. The Sumeragi presses his cheek against the cool glass panel, still glittering with drops of liquid. Subaru clutches desperately at the moment. He barely dares to breathe, fearing that a single misplaced sigh might shatter his dream and return him to cruel reality.
*~*~*~*~*~*
"Subaru-kun," Seishirou smiles, touching the sheet of glass gently. The world stills as he stares at Subaru's reflection through the water. The vision he sees comes as if from a dream, a delicate mirage that quiets the disturbing rumble of the world. Time slows, wrapping a blanket of silence about the Sakurazuka, as he gazes at his own image spread out perfectly against the Sumeragi's lighter form.
His thin lips part imperceptibly, and a slight breath escapes.
{You and I, Subaru-kun.}
He heaves a slightly larger sigh, unaware that he has been holding his breath. Water cascades over his wrist, like some unworldly mirage-like substance. It wets his shirtsleeves, but he pays it no heed as a cloud of quiet contentment settles about him like a mid-morning haze.
"Subaru-kun…"
He can vaguely hear the Sumeragi calling to him; a soft and insistent voice wrapped in urgency and longing. Seishirou looks about him for a way out – some way to get to the other side. A quick scan of the enclosure reveals nothing. The fountain stretches the entire expanse of the wall. It is too tall for him to climb, and if he leaves, he fears getting caught in the maze and never finding the entrance to the Sumeragi's hidden room.
There is only one way.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Seishirou-san!"
::It's so clear now!::
The Sumeragi gasps as he sees the figure of Seishirou step away. His heart falls into the pit of his stomach. For a few terrible moments, he is truly afraid. Perhaps everything he has seen is simply a confused hallucination, a confabulation of a crazed mind.
::No!::
Trembling, Subaru reaches a hand into his coat pocket and draws forth his ofuda. He mutters a spell, the image of Seishirou through the glass burned into his mind. The Sumeragi begins to chant. He holds the ofuda aloft between his fingers, desperately weaving his power through the thin strips of paper. He has to get to Seishirou. He has to.
The last word of the incantation flies from Subaru's lips as the ofuda he brandishes flash for a brief, brilliant moment. In that small space of time, it seems to Subaru as if the world collapses. He still stares at Seishirou's image through the glass, the full weight of his realization sneaking upon him.
They were the same.
Black and white. Darkness and light. Made to be opposites, but also made together. One could not exist without the other.
The sound of Subaru's voice hovers in the air, suspended, then abruptly dies in a single burst of light and magic. The ofuda flies from Subaru's fingers, attaching itself to the glass barrier that stands between him and his dark counterpart: his nemesis, his twin, his companion. The Sumeragi's spell unwinds in painfully slow tendrils, its magic hissing as it unravels from the parchment upon which it is cast. It ascends into the air, wrapping about the glass panel. For a few terrible moments, the spell obscures the figure standing behind the fountain. Subaru draws a ragged gasp of breath and waits, the mere miniscule seconds stretching to an enduring eternity.
With a thunderous crack and a shimmer of light the fountain breaks. The barrier between the two adjoined enclosures shatters into infinitesimal points of glass. They hover for a moment, like a million teardrops brought suddenly to life, floating in the stillness of the air. The tiny shards reflect the rays of the sun and the visage of the Sakurazuka.
"Subaru-kun…" The thousands of images of Seishirou move their mouths in unison. Their faces are all creased in the same smile; their eyes hold the same brilliant glow. Then the moment ends, and the crystals drop to the ground with a multitude of quiet tinkling sounds. It is the sound of a million bells ringing, a million voices lifting in one great exultation.
Seishirou extends his arms, catching the Sumeragi as the young man practically falls in his embrace. The last piece of glass falls into the water, casting ripples into the waves of its comrades and is stilled as the two men stand silently; wrapped closely about one another. It is a union of black and white- a beautiful marriage of darkness and light-two ends brought together into a coherent, continuing whole.
Subaru buries his head into Seishirou's shoulder, rivulets of tears carving their way down his youthful face. "Seishirou-san…" the Sumeragi sighs. His breath comes in pants and gasps, too relieved and too happy to speak.
"Sshhh…" the older onmyouji runs a comforting hand through the Sumeragi's hair, smoothing the silken strands in slow strokes. Seishirou smiles, holding Subaru close to his body. It is as if a great weight has been lifted from him, and he closes his eyes with profound relief. The rest of the world melts away, until the existence itself becomes just him and Subaru. Then the world is at peace.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Seishirou smiles, reclining casually against the couch. Subaru sits next to him, arms wrapped around Seishirou's waist, burying his head in Seishirou's neck. The Sakurazuka tilts his head lightly to the side, inhaling deeply the scent of Subaru's raven hair.
They had made it back to the apartment via taxi, sitting together in a strange sort of companionable silence, hands and fingers intertwined. The whole way home, Subaru had leaned his on Seishirou's shoulder, a gesture of complete confidence. It was not the naïve boyhood trust that the teenage Subaru had often showed; this Subaru was older, wiser. This Subaru knew the truth and yet still willingly placed his hand within Seishirou's, resting his head on the assassin's shoulder.
Seishirou closes his eyes, stroking the Sumeragi's cheeks with a gentle finger. A soft voice drifts about them lazily, like invisible whispers of smoke. The men recline into the lyrics, the words wrapping about their minds, lulling them into peaceful quiet.
It's my dream
A beautiful dream
That no one has seen
A beautiful deceit
That no one has noticed
"Seishirou-san?" Subaru murmurs quietly, his head slipping into the crook between Seishirou's neck and shoulder. There the Sumeragi heaves a sigh, nuzzling into his partner. His heavy breath floats in the air, the warmth hanging between his fragile pink lips and the smooth skin of the Sakurazuka.
"Yes, Subaru-kun?" Seishirou answers slowly.
A shadow of doubt falls over the Sumeragi's heart. Subaru fears that Seishirou did not see…
"Seishirou-san, did—"
"Shh." Seishirou comforts Subaru, smoothing the young man's hair and laying a quieting hand on his shoulder. "I know, Subaru-kun."
Now come here, come close to me
and I'll sing you an endless song
Satisfied for a moment, the uncertainty dissolves, receding to the back of the Sumeragi's mind. He puts a hand shyly on Seishirou's chest, smiling as the dark hues of the apartment play shadows on his pale hand, a beautiful blending of light and dark. He sighs, placing his head gently on Seishirou's chest as he closes his eyes. His lips part imperceptibly, moving in perfect time to the lyrics of the song that fills his mind.
A wonderful person
That makes everyone turn
A wonderful time
That everyone wants
::Are we really like that, Seishirou-san?::
Subaru smiles wanly, leaning further into the comfort of his dark companion. Seishirou's smile broadens at the gesture, the arm around the younger onmyouji's waist tightening their embrace.
Hear the whisper of the heart, hear its truth
Listen carefully
{Are you really all right with this, I wonder, Subaru-kun.}
Seishirou and Subaru sit peacefully in the Sakurazuka's apartment, each wrapped in his own comfort. They recline further against the couch, the cool waves of the song washing over their minds, silencing their thoughts.
Now kiss me, hold me
Show me the endless love
The wonderful romance
Everyone dreams of
With the Sumeragi resting on his chest and the music in the background, Seishirou drifts off, losing track of time. At last he is roused from a quiet reverie, after some hours have passed. Seishirou looks down to his slumbering companion and gives Subaru a gentle nudge.
"Subaru-kun?"
He receives no answer from the Sumeragi, save for the younger man's soft, even breaths. Tenderly, so as not to wake Subaru from his sleep, Seishirou shifts his body and lifts the Sumeragi into his arms. An instinctive gesture, Subaru whimpers in his sleep as long, slender fingers come to entangle themselves in the soft fabric of Seishirou's shirt.
Now come here, come close to me
and I'll sing you an endless song
With the Sumeragi in his arms, Seishirou makes his way down the dark hallway and into his bedroom. He deposits Subaru gently on the bed, drawing the dark sheets over the Sumeragi's still form, a dark wing enveloping the thin, frail light of the young onmyouji.
Seishirou takes off his shirt and tie and strips himself of his suit pants, slipping into a raiment more suitable for sleep. The black silk slides onto him like a second skin, covering but not obscuring the lean muscle of the Sakurazuka. Taking care not to rouse his partner, Seishirou slides into bed. He draws the sheets to his chin, almost disappearing into the shadows of the bedroom; but a part of him remains, untouched by darkness. A single point of white seems to glow in the inky blackness, the remnants of an eye lost to a love that years ago he had not understood. Seishirou smiles; now he understands. The reasons come to him so easily.
Seishirou settles himself into the pillow, instinctively reaching out to the sakura. He finds that the massive cherry tree looks back at him, cold and neutral in its presence. The Tree's aura is strong in his mind, and Seishirou is at peace. He has found what has been searching for. The ancient tree looks back at him approvingly. He rolls over, draping a possessive arm about the still form of the Sumeragi.
{Strange,} he muses as he gazes at Subaru.
The Sumeragi has accepted him today, every facet and secret of his life. The man, the assassin, the friendly vet Subaru had known years ago; Subaru has accepted them all. To him, they were all the same man that made Sakurazuka Seishirou. The Sumeragi's shoulders rise and fall rhythmically as he sleeps peacefully next to the Sakurazuka in a confidence complete in its faith and trust.
{So strange, and so natural, Subaru-kun.}
The rapport between guardian and tree fades as the tree melts into the back of the Sakurazuka's mind. He sighs, smiling into the night. He notes with particular good humor that he has been doing a lot of the smiling thing lately; more than ever before in his life.
Beside him, the Sumeragi continues to sleep. Seishirou moves closer to Subaru, a gentle finger moving to brush the younger man's cheek, marveling at the smooth softness of the youthful flesh.
{So beautiful.}
The Sumeragi sighs in his sleep, unconsciously leaning into the tender caress. Seishirou closes his eyes and cuddles Subaru closer to him.
{Goodnight, Subaru-kun.}
The last rays of the daylight die and pass into night as the moon ascends into the sky. A sliver of moonlight penetrates the dark curtains of the bedroom the Sakurazuka shares with his Sumeragi lover. Its beams illuminate a single smile, bathing it in silver light.
Hear the whisper of the heart, hear its truth
Listen carefully
Listen
Where is true love found?
Who do you give true love to?
God, please teach me
A true love redder than crimson
Although you may laugh
The most precious word in the world
The stereo in the living room turns itself off. The song draws to a close and winks away, disappearing into silence. Isobel smiles, the CD case sitting on the windowsill, clothed in the shining rays of the moon. She looks on to the two slumbering onmyouji, wrapped in each other's arms, her words all but a forgotten dream.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Subaru awakens slowly, with a soft sigh and a fluttering of ebony eyelashes. A shaft of silver moonlight slips through Seishirou's curtains, illuminating the figure of the Sakurazuka. It lights up his skin, giving him a strange, unearthly glow, as if some powerful god has descended from the heavens and is now sleeping next to the slender Sumeragi.
With a sense of stillness and awe, Subaru reaches up with an uncertain hand. Seishirou lies on the bed, covered in a warm blanket, clothed in dark skeins of silk. An intimate arm lies across the Sumeragi's waist, Seishirou's hand resting on his thigh with warm familiarity. It is a feeling that Subaru has rarely felt, yet somehow always longed for, something that always felt right. It is a strange sense of belonging, as if the Sumeragi has always been in the depths of Seishirou's embrace, pulled into the circle of his influence.
Subaru brushes aside a stray lock of hair from Seishirou's forehead, as if drawing aside a dark shadow and revealing a treasure hidden in the night. There lies before him Sakurazuka Seishirou - unmasked, unguarded, unhidden - a sacred sight reserved only for his eyes, locked away forever from the rest of the world. The man sleeps peacefully, a small smile gracing the thin lips. All lines of care and worry melt away from his face, the turmoil of the past few months falling away in the depths of slumber.
Seishirou's chest rises and falls with a regular rhythm as the Sumeragi watches with avid attention, the green orbs of his eyes eagerly absorbing the vision of his companion in the dim light. The first button of the Sakurazuka's nightshirt undone, the cloth falls away limply, revealing a small expanse of skin. It begs Subaru to be touched. Unresisting of its temptation, Subaru reaches forward and places gentle fingers on the flesh before him in a feather light caress that betrays both the Sumeragi's nervous fear and reverence. What would Seishirou do should he awaken? Subaru's breath catches as he waits for a reaction from the Sakurazuka. To his surprise, no eyes snap open, his wrist is not snatched. After many moments Seishirou still remains in bed, his breathing unchanged. There is not even the slightest hint of movement as Subaru hesitantly presses his fingers to the man's skin.
Emboldened by Seishirou's lack of response, Subaru's caress delves further beneath the fabric. Another hand is brought to Seishirou's shirt, fumbling with the next button in a desperate need to reveal more skin hidden from view. Another piece of the nightshirt falls away, beneath it more temptation to which the Sumeragi eagerly succumbs. He explores the planes of Seishirou's chest; the perfect, unmarred skin, endlessly smooth and containing a particular intoxicating warmth. Subaru lets his hand roam the territory, reveling in the feel the flesh against him, inhaling the distinctive scent of his partner, the power of Seishirou's body.
Time passes as Subaru's fingers wander, sometimes tracing lazy circular patterns, sometimes pressing his entire palm against the Sakurazuka's chest - digits spread for maximum contact. Seishirou sleeps on.
Sated for the moment, Subaru withdraws his hands, having noted that his still fully clothed, and finding that a distinct point of annoyance. Feeling suddenly restrained and prohibited, Subaru turns his attention to his own attire. Unbeknownst to the Sumeragi, the smile on Seishirou's face widens ever so slightly, the eyes opening into small slits to observe Subaru in a rather feline fashion.
Sitting up silently in bed, Subaru begins working at his black turtleneck, rumpled and wrinkled with a day's work and an evening's sleep. The Sumeragi first grasps the ends of the shirt, pulling it out from the waist of his jeans. He pulls, lifting his arms above his head and taking the shirt with them. The dark cloth peels from his skin, revealing a lean, pale chest. There are sounds of snapping and popping, little crackles of static electricity as the Sumeragi frees his arms and his head from the garment.
Subaru squeaks in surprise as a powerful hand is placed on his chest. He is pushed to the bed and immediately drawn into the center of an affectionate, yet slightly mischievous embrace. The shirt falls to the floor, forgotten, melting into the darkness of the room as if that was the substance from which it had arisen in the first place.
"Good morning, Subaru-kun," a voice rumbles, deep and vibrant, the texture of the thickest plush velvet. The arms around the Sumeragi tighten and Subaru nestles closer to the Sakurazuka, a light flush creeping up to color his creamy cheeks.
"But it's still dark," Subaru murmurs, bringing a hand to tangle amidst the silken folds of his partner's shirt. "The sun hasn't risen yet."
"Then is it 'goodnight?'" Seishirou whispers, breathing lightly by the Sumeragi's ear. He feels Subaru shiver in his arms, and responds likewise with mounting anticipation.
"We could count this morning," Subaru smiles, leaning back into Seishirou's embrace to regard the Sakurazuka with a particularly playful glow in his emeraldine eyes. "But I believe it is still night." Subaru places a hand on Seishirou's arm, as if to emphasize his words.
"I just woke up, so it is morning," Seishirou counters, lightly kissing the Sumeragi's cheek.
Subaru sighs softly, his fingers ghosting lightly across the skin on Seishirou's arm. "Then it is morning if you say so, Seishirou-san." The Sumeragi smiles coyly, playing with a lock of Seishirou's hair.
"And what does my Subaru-kun usually do in mornings?" Seishirou asks, rising to the Sumeragi's unspoken challenge as he moves his hand closer to Subaru's bared flesh.
"I wake up," Subaru replies smoothly, arching into the caress as Seishirou lays his hand gently on the Sumeragi's skin. Subaru can barely repress a small shiver of excitement, as he settles and lies back into the bed.
"Is that all?" Seishiriou's hand moves up, stopping near one of Subaru's nipples. He watches with rapture as desire blooms in Subaru's face. The younger man flushes a soft shade of scarlet, his breath catching in a small gasp, barely audible.
"Maybe I'll do a bit more on some mornings," Subaru grins. His eyes sparkle with mischief, and there is a playful tone to his voice as he drapes a leg over Seishirou's waist to emphasize exactly what he means to do on this particular morning.
"I had no idea my Subaru-kun was so eager in the early hours," Seishirou hisses seductively. He catches a piece of Subaru's neck in his mouth, giving it his full attention.
Subaru moans in a breathy sigh, tilting his head to the side and exposing even more flesh for Seishirou to devour. "Some mornings are special."
"Indeed," Seishirou agrees. He leaves the Sumeragi's neck to attack his mouth, muffling Subaru's reply.
The Sumeragi presses himself closer to his counterpart, wrapping his arms around Seishirou's back, listening to his own moans the other man's answering grunt. Seishirou rolls over and pins Subaru to the bed with his weight, holding both the Sumeragi's wrists against the pillow. The younger man does not resist and instead encourages the Sakurazuka, squirming beneath the intimate touches and gentle stimulation of his pleasure zones.
Releasing his arms, Seishirou moves down the Sumeragi's chest, licking and nipping lightly at the skin. He laves his tongue over a smooth nipple – sucking and stroking until it hardens, turning the color of smooth milk chocolate.
Subaru groans, repressing a shudder. Although this is not a new sensation, it still retains its novelty. He doubts if the experience will ever lose its appeal.
::Our first time truly together.::
Truly of one mind and one understanding. Whatever was to come in the future, Subaru would always mark this day as their first real joining.
::Together.:: Subaru muses to himself as Seishirou deftly unbuttons his pants and beings sliding them off.
{So beautiful, Subaru-kun.}
Seishirou grins, fingers finding their way beneath the elastic band of Subaru's underwear.
{Why didn't I see it before?}
Seishirou slides the briefs off the Sumeragi's compliant legs, and tosses them onto the floor. They play no more part in the game, their service of modesty long since gone.
Subaru shivers under the older man's appraising gaze, his skin prickling with excitement. He studies Seishirou's expression, the fine movements of his one eye memorizing the contours of the Sumeragi's body. Seishirou's eye sparkles as he licks his lips and ponders his next move: how best to seduce the young man beneath him. He wants to bring pleasure, enough so that the youthful, supple body writhes in climax, the rosebud lips calling his name.
Subaru turns bright red – fearful, excited, and anxious – as Seishirou rewards him with a smile and bends to capture the Sumeragi's mouth. The kiss is slow at first, nothing but a small spark lighting a candle flame. It is quiet, muted, and silent, hesitant and wondrous before the fire is stoked and begins to blaze anew. Passion flies everywhere, penetrating the very atmosphere of the room, bursting in bright explosions of color. Their bodies flush with heat, possessed by instinctual urges that until now lay dormant.
They devour each other; mouths opening willingly like floodgates holding back torrential waters. Their desires cascade into one another, building up in intensity until their need becomes a loud and insistent rush in their minds. Their movements quicken, small touches become impassioned strokes, leaving lingering flames in their wake.
Subaru gasps as Seishirou closes a hand on him. The Sumeragi holds back a whimper, the power of his excitement pouring over his body, making him giddy and lightheaded. He watches Seishirou as though gazing through a moonlit haze, his partner's hair seemingly blending into the darkness, a shadowy patch of black against the pale pink blush of his skin.
::Seishirou-san…::
Subaru bites his lip to keep from crying out, a moan rising from his chest. It bubbles upwards to his throat, demanding to be liberated. "Seishirou-san," Subaru gasps, bringing the back of his hand to his mouth, as if to staunch his cries which must surely escape if unhindered.
"Let it go," the rich voice of the Sakurazuka reaches his ears, his companion breathing slowly. Hot puffs of air waft to Subaru's most sensitive areas. The Sumeragi tenses, quivering with delight, and Seishirou's tongue snakes out to taste him. "Go with it."
Unsure and hesitant, Subaru releases himself, falling and sliding into the river of emotion that Seishirou and their heated foreplay generates. Moans come forth, and Subaru barely registers the needy, desperate voice as his own.
"Seishirou-san."
"Subaru-kun," Seishirou moans around the Sumeragi's arousal. The velvety waves of his deep timbre sending pleasurable ripples reverberating back and forth throughout the Sumeragi's tense body.
::You and I…::
{Subaru-kun, we are…}
::We are One.::
Muscles drawn taut, Subaru is about to reach his climax Seishirou stops and withdraws. The Sumeragi lets out a strangled sob, sitting up, regarding his lover with mixed emotion: question, pleading, loss.
Knowing Subaru's answer without the needing to ask, Seishirou smiles devilishly, ever calm, cool, and suave even in the throes of passion. He slides into the Sumeragi's glowing verdant eyes as he gazes into them. He could lose himself forever in those eyes. He notes with surprise that through the thin light of the moon, he can see his reflection through Subaru's eyes. His own visage stares back at him twice, face flushed with ill-restrained desire, a mischievous smile turning the corner of his thin lips, the lightest shade of red. His own face wreathed in a ring of the Sumeragi's emeraldine irises. As he looks upon Subaru (twin, lover, friend, mate), he knows in the dark corners of his mind that the Sumeragi must also see his own face reflected in Seishirou's eyes. They spend long moments gazing at each other, the desire temporarily stalled, quelled by their moment of shared catharsis.
{Subaru-kun knows that he…}
::Seishirou-san sees that he…::
Carries my reflection.
Then, with that final thought, everything clicks into place, the last piece of the puzzle. It is a concept so simple, so pure and clean that in the small instant of their realizations their passion renews. They marvel at that small truth, so obvious that a child could have understood.
Seishirou pushes Subaru to the bed. The Sumeragi slides into his embrace willingly, his legs opening, long limbs circling around Seishirou's waist, welcoming him. They rock together, one need, one mind, one joined force. They become a miraculous combination of black and white, mixed yet still somehow individual and distinct.
The sound of moaning fills the room. Their voices raise together, groans and grunts falling in among the sharp slap of skin as they merge. They slip into one another, a wet tangle of limbs, sweat, and sex.
After long moments, all activity ceases, the rhythm slows to a stop and the cries die into contended sighs. They stop, leaving nothing but already-fading memories and the lingering aura that they belong this way: entwined in each other's arms, content, happy, and sated. They are the same, they are different, but above all they are together, connected, One.
As they fall into the darkness of sleep, the red sun rises on the horizon, signifying a new day.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It is already mid-afternoon by the time Seishirou and Subaru awaken. The Sumeragi rolls over lazily from where he has pressed himself against the Sakurazuka's larger form. Subaru smiles, snuggling further into his lover's embrace. They are silent for long moments, simply enjoying each other's company, listening to steady beats of each other's hearts as their hands wander to caress soft skin.
"Good afternoon, Seishirou-san," Subaru finally murmurs, breaking the silence as he detaches himself briefly from the Sakurazuka. He gazes deep into Seishirou's eyes, smiling at his own face reflected back.
"Good afternoon, Subaru-kun," Seishirou replies, drawing the Sumeragi close and placing a tender kiss on his lips. They lie in bed for another lengthy amount of time, wrapped in each other's arms, completely relaxed and unrushed, enveloped in their own world of peaceful bliss.
"So," Subaru whispers, placing a slender finger on Seishirou's lips, "where do we go from here?"
"Breakfast," Seishirou begins slowly, "and then I have some business to take care of tonight." An awkward silence follows, for neither the Sakurazuka nor the Sumeragi have any doubt as to what this untold 'business' might be. Seishirou takes Subaru's hand, and clasps it, their fingers interlacing. Seishirou brings the back of the Sumeragi's hand to his lips, and gives it a reassuring, gentlemanly kiss.
Subaru blushes a soft shade of pink, but manages to smile, completely comfortable with the intimacy he shares with the Sakurazuka. "I didn't mean that, Seishirou-san." He touches Seishirou's chest gently but insistently, pressing his fingers firmly against flesh. "Tell me what you're thinking."
Seishirou smiles in response, his eyes slowly fluttering closed. He sighs, a hand reaching out to cup Subaru's cheek. The Sumeragi leans into the caress with an answering sigh. Seishirou's thumb travels along the contours of Subaru's face, slowly rubbing the soft skin. He tilts Subaru's face up, following his light touches with tender kisses, barely a brush lips against flesh.
"Trust me," Seishirou says seriously, opening his eyes to gaze fondly at Subaru. He wraps his arms around the Sumeragi's shoulder, drawing the younger man in for an embrace.
"I do," Subaru breathes quietly as if letting out a great sigh. He smiles contentedly, in a way he thought he'd already forgotten how to do. It reminds him of days long past, when he was younger and in love with the veterinarian he had first met by accident at a subway station. It is a love, he realizes, that has never left him. Subaru snuggles into Seishirou, inhaling the other man's scent: sex, spice, sakura, cigarettes, and blood. It is Seishirou's distinctive smell, and Subaru loves each and every little part of it.
It is hours again before they both stir and rise from the bed.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Where are you going, Seishirou-san?" Subaru asks, putting the dishes away from a hasty dinner. "The sun's going down. It'll be dark soon."
"I know," Seishirou replies simply. He pauses for a moment, one arm in his coat sleeve, the other reaching for his keys. "The tree hasn't been fed for a few days."
"Oh." Subaru stops his work as silence settles about the apartment. He closes his eyes, standing still and unmoving. Both men remain frozen as the clock ticks away the passing of several seconds.
"When will you be home?" Subaru asks quietly, shattering the silence. Suddenly time moves forward again and this thoughts resume.
::This is Seishirou-san.::
"As soon as I can make it back."
::This is who he is and what he has to do.::
Subaru walks to Seishirou, cupping the man's chin in both hands. He gazes in the eyes of the Sakurazukamori, one a well of darkness, and the other a cloudy, milky white. Subaru searches and finds himself in Seishirou's bronze eye, his visage staring back at him with a faint smile.
::This is Seishirou. And I love him.::
"I'll be waiting for you," Subaru says, giving Seishirou a soft, lingering kiss before pulling away. "I'll be here."
Seishirou smiles once, one finger moving up to affectionately stroke the Sumeragi's cheek. He turns away, finishes putting his coat on and leaves, closing the door softly behind him.
Subaru remains in the room, listening to the silence of the apartment, staring at the closed door. A small smile spreads itself across his face as he makes his way to the couch in the living room.
He opens the curtains, looking into the city below, bathing his face in the dying rays of sunlight. He places his fingers against the glass, feeling its cool, soft texture as the sounds of traffic float up to him, distant and muffled. He sees his reflection in the glass, and closes his eyes.
::We're too much the same to be apart.::
Subaru settles down into Seishirou's couch, his silhouette blending into the inky blackness until he seems to be wrapped in the very quintessential fabric of darkness itself. Small droplets of silver tears fall down his pale face, but still, Subaru smiles. He settles down, laying himself on the furniture comfortably. He closes his eyes, tucking his hands beneath his head and stretching out his legs.
Outside, the sun dips below the horizon and a chill wind blows through Tokyo. A still corpse falls to the grass of Ueno Park, staining its green grass a deep hue of crimson. A man pushes up his sunglasses, smiling as night descends. Another man, further away, sleeps quietly, awaiting his lover's return so that once again, they can be reunited.
By himself, but not alone, Subaru waits for Seishirou's return.
End Carry Your Reflection