Going By the Books

By: Chibi-chan

Author Notes:

I don't own the characters/series.

This is dedicated to anyone who likes these people together.

So far, this is Tala + Max, Kai + Takao.  But in future chapters it will be Tala × Max × Rei; Kai +/× Takao. 

Don't like? Don't read.

Quick note – Max, Takao, and Kyoujyu are fifteen where as Rei, Tala, and Kai are sixteen.

And thanks Feelin Glayish. ^^; I'm glad you're enjoying this so much.

And extra thanks for the advice akaiciel, I planned on having Rei warm up to Tala sometime (they're gonna have to if a serious triangle coupling plays out); he's just really questioning a lot of things at the moment and it kind of gets him frustrated – but a soon-to-come scene with him together with said redhead is going to shine some light in his eyes. And Max is gonna get a bit tougher in later chapters to come, too.  ^^;;;;  Who knows what's gonna fly when usually happy, optimistic people lose it. 

Warnings:

Shounen-ai/Future yaoi

AU (Alternate Universe)

Slight to mild language

Key:

"…" denotes dialogue

Going By the Books

part v

*

Rei felt a small chill in the evening air, the whispers of nature brushing through his hair and caressing his cheeks.  They flushed against the treatment, pink color showing up on tan skin.  He paused in his stride, his eyes taking a look up at the sky.  Only a few stars had shown up against the darkening blue space, the moon was still a bit low and faint, too.

He still had time. 

Hand reaching in pocket, Rei jingled the spare change.  A refreshing can of soda should cheer him up and help him clear out his mind easier.  Rei let out a breath of air, the wisps reacting to the cooling air and rolling outwards like fog. 


Watching the strands slowly dissipate, Rei lifted up his wrist, pulling the sleeve of his jacket away, and checked his watch.  It was almost thirty till the curfew took affect.


Shifting his gaze away, he looked straight ahead.  The machines were close now; he should be able to make it back.  Rei shoved his hands back into his pockets and kept his constant step.

He idly wondered what Max was doing. 

Rei shook his head, glaring at the pavement.  Okay, wrong wonderment there.  Besides, he knew what the blonde was probably up to.  Rei rolled his eyes.  Most likely he was with Tala – the two had rooms across each other so staying in one another's room till the room checks came close, wouldn't be that much of a problem.

Okay…so Rei was only a room down from Max's, Kyoujyu's in between theirs, but still. 

Rei frowned, his eyes rising to catch a glimpse of the nearing soda machine. 

He shouldn't feel this way.  Rei desperately wanted to blame this all on Tala – that the guy was making him think of Max a lot now because he knew the redhead felt a tiny something for his friend.  But now…as he kept addressing the fact so frequently, his logic was starting to falter.

Rei kicked a nearby rock on the ground; he faintly heard soft footsteps behind him.  He ignored them, knowing that other students and couples liked to walk around in the evening on school grounds – something about the situation being romantic?

He snorted.  Romantic.  Right…

"Rei!  Hey, slow down, I can't catch up with you so fast." 

Hearing the voice call out his name, Rei stopped in his tracks and took a glance over his shoulder.  It was Kyoujyu. 

Rei smirked a little.  His friend was struggling to speed walk while juggling two books against his chest, the other's glasses looked like they were about to fall off his head.  "Kyoujyu, I never thought you as one to take strolls at a time like this…" His own tone was steady, but slightly amused at his friend's arrival.  Looks like Rei was going to have some company other than his pocketed coins on the way to the snack area.

Kyoujyu fumbled with one of his recently checked out books, trying to shift the two around in a more practical position.  With a shaky hand, he pushed his glasses up.  "I was checking out my books…" He shifted his weight on his feet.  "I saw you outside and I wanted to say hi.  So…"  He shrugged his shoulders the best to his current ability.  "Hi."

Rei let a small smile creep onto his face – of course; he should have known Kyoujyu was at the library before he came outside.  That would explain the books, too.  "Hey."  He spoke casually, turning his head, he started to walk again, albeit a bit more slowly than before.  He didn't want Kyoujyu to damage the school's library books somehow.

"Eh…Rei…" Kyoujyu gripped onto his books tighter.  It was now or never if he wanted to start his case.  Damn…he should have brought a notebook or something for notes – but no, that would have looked suspicious.  He would make some revision notes when he got back to his room.  Good plan, good plan.

Rei didn't bother stopping this time, knowing Kyoujyu was still close.  He licked his lips, the coldness drying out his skin.  They were only a few yards away from the machines.  Rei's fingers played with the change in his pocket.  "Yeah?"

Kyoujyu coughed slightly, not quite knowing how to address the situation. He wasn't the kind of person to bring up issues…or really, confrontational at all.  Kyoujyu shook his head.  He could do this.  He just had to be calm…cool…collected.  "Is there something wrong with you?"

Crap.  That came out wrong.

Shaking his head rapidly, Kyoujyu sputtered.  "I-I mean, you seem a bit distressed…" That sounded better.  Kyoujyu noted that Rei's shoulders stiffened slightly at his accusation before they relaxed almost too quickly.  The smaller teen took in a breath of air, letting it out as he spoke, "Is there anything bothering you?"

Rei stopped, seeing that they reached the machines and went up to the one that held the item he wanted.  He put his change into the slot.  "There's something," he admitted a bit hesitantly, but continued nonchalantly, "but it's not a big deal."  Rei shot a friendly look at Kyoujyu then pressed his selection.

Kyoujyu stood quietly, waiting for his friend to retrieve his drink.  He nodded slowly at the admittance, but was still confused.  It couldn't be just "nothing" if he interpreted the looks he had seen earlier right.  However, he digressed. He wouldn't push just yet…like any good detective, after questioning, you have to search around for clues and talk to others, mingle – there were some people who were more perceptible than him.  Maybe Kai suspected something…he would talk to the older boy about it, privately, the next time he saw him.

Nodding inwardly, Kyoujyu gazed at Rei, who was now taking his soda up from the opening at the bottom and nodding at him.  They were ready to go. 

Kyoujyu stared at the ground as they made it back to the dormitory buildings.  "You know, Rei.  If there's anything wrong.  You could talk to Max. I'm sure he would be happy to help you in whatever way he could.  The same goes for the rest of us too…though Takao might mess things up even more with his luck." Kyoujyu laughed lightly and smiled when he saw Rei shed a chuckle of his own. 

Rei turned his eyes on him, the yellow orbs almost glowing under the lights and sky.  "It's okay, really.  But…maybe I will talk to Max when I have time…"

Hearing that, Kyoujyu's smile broadened even more.  Having Rei talk to someone about whatever, even if it wasn't him, was better than nothing.  His case might not be starting that well off, but he was getting somewhere.  And that was better than nowhere.

*

+to be continued+

*

Author Notes:

Yeah, I got this part out pretty early.

The ending of this signaled the end for that day.

Double focus on Tala & Max and Kai & Takao next time.