=====================================================
Ranma
Satome sits against the large trunk of the tree between the dojo
pond and outer wall. Pulling his knees to his chest, he rested his
chin upon them, wrapping his slender arms to hold them in place. No
one has yet to bother and come looking for him since he left an hour
ago. Maybe his exit had made it clear he didn't want to talk to
anyone. Maybe they had chosen to pay attention this time or maybe
they really didn't care.
With
a mournful sigh he let his blue eyes slip close against the cool
breeze. He wishs the day would just get over and move on to the next.
Everyone in the dojo had seemed so happy, lucky them. What did it
matter how he felt, who honestly cared how he felt?
"It's
sure not like you to mope so much," a voice says above him,
startling Ranma from his dark thoughts.
Ranma
jerks his head up to look into a pair of bright blue eyes. The one
person he wanted to see the least that day was now sitting in the
bare branches above him. "Go away Ryoga, I'm not in the
mood," he mumbles sourly before resting his chin back on his knees.
Ryoga
jumps down from the branches, his agile body landing gracefully
before the other martial artist. "Ranma are you all right?"
"I
said go away!" Ranma shouted in reply. "I'm out here
because I want to be alone. Now just get the hell away!"
"Ranma..."
Ryoga said startled by the outburst. "All right I'll go."
Ryoga
turned away and started for the dojo when he heard whispered words,
carried on the wind. "I hate Valentines Day..." Ryoga
sighed at Ranma's words and kept walking. Akane-san had been right,
the pigtailed boy was depressed and didn't want to be with the
others. Ryoga's heart went out to Ranma, the person he secretly
loved. He wished more than anything Ranma would let him in. He
approached the steps leading into the dojo, when Ryoga felt something
cool kiss his exposed cheeks. Looking toward the gray, cloud coated
sky his eyes focused on the falling mist. Snow, it had started
snowing again.
Ryoga
turned his head back to look at the tree where Ranma sat. His
protective instincts came forward in that moment, leaving him to hope
the tree would offer some protection, even if it was just empty
branches. With a long sigh, he knew he couldn't just leave Ranma out
here alone in the cold. He headed back toward the other teen
wondering just what he was going to say.
He
looked down at the other, who still rested against the tree. Ryoga
could see the slight shiver in the compact but strong form. "You
can't stay out here, you'll catch cold," Ryoga advised causing
Ranma's head to snap up.
"Why
do you care? Just leave me alone and go ogle Akane," Ranma
spat, no real venom in his voice.
"I
don't want to ogle Akane-san, and you're my friend," Ryoga said
crouching before the other youth.
"Oh
shut up," Ranma replies moving to push Ryoga away.
Ryoga
reflexively grabs the other martial artist's wrists as he falls
backwards. His momentum pulls the sitting teen forward into his lap.
Ranma pants as he lays against Ryoga's chest a light blush warming
his cool cheeks. Ryoga smiles unable to hide the fact that he loves
having Ranma in his arms. He notice how shy the other boy appeared,
finding it cute but surprising.
"Why
did you do that?" Ranma demands jerking himself up and tumbling
back to bang his head against the tree trunk behind him.
"Oh
gosh, Ranma are you all right?" Ryoga asks quickly sitting up
and reaching for the other youth.
"I'm
fine," Ranma growls his hand going to the back of his head.
"Are
you sure? You looked like you hit that tree pretty hard," Ryoga
asked his hand gently covering Ranma's.
Ranma
jerked away almost hitting his head again, except Ryoga had placed
his hand in the way. "Why did you do that?"
"You
would have hurt yourself, hitting your head twice," Ryoga
answered with a smile.
"Why
do you care anyway? I thought you would have been happy..."
"That
you hurt yourself? Why would that make me happy?"
"That
I'm out here, giving you free chances at Akane," Ranma finished
starting at the ground between them.
"Actually,
that is," Ryoga chuckled before taking a deep breath.
"Ranma would you like to dance? I mean it is a Valentine's Day party."
Ranma's
eyes snap up at the question, disbelief shining in the dark blue
depths. "Why... why the hell would you ask me something like
that?" Ranma demands the blush from before returning even redder.
"Why
are you blushing if you don't want to? What is wrong with
dancing?" Ryoga replies pointing out the deepening blush.
"Because..."
Ranma blurts out, "Because we're both guys. Guys don't dance together!"
"Oh
come on, it is just one little dance," Ryoga challenges.
"No one is around to see us anyway, so it'll be our little secret."
"No!"
Ranma says suddenly standing up. "I don't want any part of this."
Ryoga
stands up quickly, grabbing the fleeting boy's wrist. He pulls the
other teen to him, wrapping his arms securely around Ranma's waist.
"Ryoga...
what are you doing?" Ranma asks startled by the embrace.
"Let go."
"I
don't feel like dancing alone," Ryoga answers tightening his
embrace on the lithe body in the circle of his arms.
Ranma's
own arms are trapped between Ryoga's chest and his own, leaving him
no way to break from the embrace. Ryoga's chest was warm and firm
against his forearms, causing another blush to warm Ranma's cheeks.
Ryoga
leaned his head in close causing Ranma to turn his face away. The
lost boy's lips were near the other teen's ear, when quiet words
startled Ranma into immobility. Ryoga began to gently sway them back
and forth as he sang.
~Every
breath you take
And
every move you make
Every
bond you break
Every
step you take
I'll
be watching you
Every
single day
Every
word you say
Every
game you play
Every
night you stay
I'll
be watching you~
Ranma's
fingers tightened their grip on Ryoga's sweater, his blue eyes
widening in shock at Ryoga's words. He didn't understand why the lost
boy was doing this. Wanting to dance and then the singing. Ryoga only
tightened his embrace, his hold strong and possessive. He knew he'd
never be able to let go of the martial artist in his arms ever again.
Even if Ranma hated him for the way he felt, he knew the feelings
would never go away.
~O
can't you see
You
belong to me
How
my poor heart aches with every step you take
Every
move you make
Every
vow you break
Every
smile you fake
Every
claim you stake
I'll
be watching you~
They
continue to dance in a lazy circle, as Ranma stops fighting the
dance. He becomes lost in Ryoga's voice and the words he is singing.
~
Since you've gone I been lost without a trace
I
dream at night I can only see your face
I
look around but it's you I can't replace
I
keep crying baby, baby please
O
can't you see
You
belong to me
How
my poor heart aches with every step you take
Every
move you make
Every
vow you break
Every
smile you fake
Every
claim you stake
I'll
be watching you
Every
move you make
Every
step you take
I'll
be watching you
I'll
be watching you~
Ranma
stares at Ryoga, beyond shocked by everything that has been
happening since the lost boy had snuck up on him earlier. Ryoga
smiled, it easily reaching his own blue eyes. He rested his forehead
against Ranma's, keeping the other boy close.
"What
I really tried to say before," Ryoga finally spoke up, "was
that I love you, and wondered if you'd be my Valentine."
Ranma
blinked at the words, not sure he'd heard right. "You, you love
me?" Ryoga nods. "Ryoga...I... You want to be my
Valentine?" Ryoga nods against. "Really?"
"Let
me prove it to you," Ryoga says at last. His hands slowly cup
Ranma's cheeks before he moves forward to engage those beautiful lips
in a warm kiss. Ranma's arms, finally free, find purchase around
Ryoga's neck hoping to keep himself standing.
Ryoga's
kiss was making his dizzy with some new and strange feelings. He
finds himself enjoying it very much as Ryoga's fingers gently caress
his cheeks before the hands move, and arms wrap back securely around
his waist.
Ranma
finally pulls away, both boys panting in the cool winter air. Ranma
stares at Ryoga, while Ryoga stares back as the snow begins to fall
harder now. White flakes land in Ranma's black hair, standing out
against the silky strands.
"Don't
ever," Ranma finally speaks, "stop doing that. I love you
too Ryoga."
Ryoga
sighs, a warmth spreading through him as Ranma smiles. The first
genuine smile Ryoga has seen in a long time. He captures the warm
lips in a surprise kiss, feeling Ranma melt against him. Ranma clings
to Ryoga praying the other boy would never let go. He didn't know if
he would be able to stand up on his own. He was glad to finally have
someone he could share his life with. The pair dance in the falling
snow, realizing everything was finally right.
~Owari
*Lyrics
from The Police's "Every Breath You Take"
