Author's Notes: This is a multichaptered fic set on Rukawa and Sakuragi's couplehood. In this era, same sex marriage is already allowable in the society.
[...] ---Rukawa's thoughts.
'...' ---Sakuragi's thoughts.
Words in italics are flashbacks.
Warning: My first attempt on a romantic comedy, gomen.
Disclaimer: Don't own SD. Period.
TRIAL MARRIAGE
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Chapter 2--- Indecent Proposal?
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It was a typical Sunday night at Hikko's. The tranquil ambiance was just the thing as everyone was peacefully enjoying his/her meal. Even a specific loud redhead was calmly gorging up his food. Indeed, everything was simply perfect.
Not for a certain blue-eyed, raven-haired Rukawa.
He was preoccupied to say the least. He kept on drifting to his conversation with Mitsui awhile back.
Well really, you can't imagine how fulfilling it is to have somebody wait for you at home, take care of you, make love to you anytime you want to... It's awesome, man.
[Awesome? More like stupid.]
A trial marriage has its advantages and benefits.
[No way. Trial marriage is nothing short of crap.]
I'm happy.
[Right. Now I can't argue with that. Damn it! Why the hell do sempai's words keep on echoing in my head anyway?! Hello, Kaede, wake up! It's not like you're going to try that anyhow! But...still...]
[Aaargh!!!]
As if of sheer frustration, Rukawa head butted the table, Sakuragi-style.
[Uh, oops...?]
Soon enough, everyone was pretty much staring at him as if he has just eaten a dugong alive. A few even chose to leave the restaurant, discreetly of course, of fear that they might just become the next unsuspecting victim. Several sympathized with the poor table, which, by the way, has cracked itself ugly.
Sakuragi, on the other hand, was flabbergasted beyond belief.
"What-the-freakin'-hell-was-that?!" Sakuragi asked Rukawa, apparently appalled.
[Uh-oh. Deep shit?]
Sakuragi stared at the raven-haired guy with a grim look on his face...which soon turned into a big goofy smile.
"Holy shit, Kaede, I didn't know you idolize me that much you even mimicked my famous, award-winning, super-duper-effective-much-better-than-Sendou's- hair-gel head butt! But of course mine's still better since if it was me I would have cracked this table useless, but yours were not bad! After all you still chinked it! Way to go!" Sakuragi cheered Rukawa, all the while slapping his back.
[Kami-sama! What did I ever do to deserve this? This is all, uh, Mitsui- sempai's fault! And how did that baka Sendou get brought up in this? I resent that!]
By now, the management of the restaurant was seriously considering calling security. Or the nearest mental institution, perhaps.
"Uh, Hana, I think we should leave now," Rukawa told the redhead, already wishing for the ground he's standing on to swallow him alive.
"Alright, but really, that was an outstanding performance Kaede! I mean, you of all people! I'm so proud of you!" Sakuragi commented outrageously, not even minding if his voice was a little way too loud. But then again, it's Sakuragi here.
Rukawa literally dragged Sakuragi out of Hikko's. Of course, without failing to notice the fissure he has caused the table while placing some bills, probably more than some bills, for the payment of their food and the not-so-serious damage he has caused as well.
[I didn't hit it THAT hard...]
............
At long last, they have arrived at Sakuragi's small flat. For Rukawa, the ride home was only mildly insanity-driving.
"So Kaede, mind to linger a little longer for a cup of tea?" Sakuragi asked the other boy. Rukawa was only too grateful that Sakuragi has somehow, recovered from his hysterics.
"Of course. And Hana, I need to talk to you."
[Here we go. Let's see what he has to say about this.]
"Uh, okay." Sakuragi answered, unsure if he was ready for what was his guy was about to say.
'I don't know what it is now. But I really don't like THAT look. The last time he gave me that, it was when he said his parents didn't approve of us, which was, well, not anymore because I'm such a fascinating and charming gentleman! But still, that look...'
"Hana---"
"Would you like me to prepare the tea first or should you continue with, erm, what you're about to say and have it later?" Sakuragi asked Rukawa, hoping against hope that the latter guy might somehow get distracted and opt to forget about what he has to say.
"Uh, whatever, doesn't matter, so anyway as I was saying, I was thinking if- --"
"Kaede, you can't just say whatever or doesn't matter. That's just so not clear. How am I supposed to know if I should make it now or later? It's just confusing," the redhead interrupted, attempting once more to divert his guy's attention.
"Look, alright, I'll have it later, now please listen to me first," Rukawa replied, suspicious on what the redhead guy is up to now.
[Is Hana interjecting on purpose?]
"Okay. So let me see how I could explain this. I---"
"Kae--"
"That's it Hana! No more interruptions!" Rukawa barked on the other.
'Oh shit. Now he's mad at me. Nice move Hana, you just angered him.'
"O-okay." Sakuragi recoiled like a little child.
Rukawa sighed.
"Look, I didn't mean to raise my voice on you. It's just that, why were you interrupting me anyway?" Rukawa questioned the redhead.
"Anou, well, see, awhile ago when you said you needed to talk to me, you were giving me THAT look again, you know, all grave and serious. I really don't like that one because I knew that was your problem look. So, I decided to distract you from whatever you have to say by yeah, interrupting you," Sakuragi explained.
[Now I see it.]
"Okay, I understand. You don't have to worry Hana, this one's no bad news, uh, I think. I just have a proposition to make."
[This is so not easy. Why did I even obey that sempai's, uh, horrendous advice? I mean, he was a former gangster anyway! Alright, no connection, maybe, but...alright. Stop this unintelligent internal conflict, Kaede, and be a man. It's just a simple live- in proposition, no more, no less.]
"Proposition? On what?" Sakuragi queried.
[So, now how do I start? I can't possibly mention that I met Mitsui- sempai awhile ago and he told me about this trial marriage thing, its advantages and benefits, so I was encouraged. That would make me look like a jerk... and a total loser. Which of course, I, the great Rukawa Kaede, am absolutely not.]
"Kaede, I believe I'm waiting for an answer," Sakuragi said, tapping his foot impatiently on the tiled floor of his living room.
'He can't even say what the hell is it! I wonder, sheesh, he's so damn unpredictable!'
"Uh, okay, let me try this. Hana, we're 25 years old. We both have stable financial earnings and I reckon that, emotionally, erm, we're already secure enough. And besides, I'd like to consider that with the years we've been together, up to now, I am still in love with you, and you same with me. Am I right here?"
"No doubt with that. And your point is-" Sakuragi was very much expectant of an answer.
[Here it really is.]
"Hana, let's do it."
[Whew! That wasn't so hard! But, erm, yeah, that was a little uh, vague.]
"Let's do what?" Sakuragi asked, a befuddled expression on his face.
"Move, Hana."
"Huh? What? Where? Why?" The redhead asked, puzzled yet again, looking around him.
"Hana, I meant you. Move in."
"Move in? Sheesh, Kaede, if you want to make it easier for the both of us then let's not waste each other's time and tell me point blank what the bloody hell is this moving in thing all about!" Sakuragi yelled edgily.
Rukawa sighed.
"Move in with me. Let's live together."
'There! He said it at last! Damn it, just two sentences with a few damn words and he can't say it?! Wait. Did he just say- What?!?'
"What?!?!?" Sakuragi replied with a voice capable of waking up the whole neighborhood.
[If I was not me, I swear I could've jumped backwards with the intensity of his voice.]
"You're not serious, aren't you? You're kidding, right? C'mon, tell me you're cracking a joke."
"Hana, do you honestly think I would waste my time and great effort in pacing around and composing a proposal speech with just the mere intention of cracking a joke when I know that it would not do us a single bloody good thing? It really doesn't hurt to be logical sometimes, you know." Rukawa replied, looking at Sakuragi disbelievingly.
"Wow, Kaede, those were a lot of words in a single sentence, considering that it's very occasional that you speak- Teme! How dare you accuse me of being illogical! You're the one who's not making any sense here! I mean, a trial marriage?! For Satan's sake, what the hell is that about? We are a perfect couple the way we are now and if we wanted to be together forever, then we could've just decided on a legal marriage and I emphasize on LEGAL, not just on some trashy live- in sort! Which, I repeat, which, will only happen of course at the yet to come right time."
[Alright. Let's try the loveandthatthing technique now. This should work.]
"You don't love me." The reply, coming from Rukawa, was that simple.
'What?!'
"Kaede, what in the seven pits of hell are you talking about?! I'm just not, ready!" Sakuragi wailed.
"No, admit it. You're not happy with me anymore. You DO NOT love me now."
"I do so!"
"No, you don't."
"I do!"
"You don't."
"You, Rukawa Kaede, are the most unreasonable jerk I've-mmf!"
Rukawa crushed his lips against Sakuragi, causing them to stagger backwards on the couch, leading them to do the unthinkable.
----Two hours later----
"Kaede, baby, when am I moving in with you again?"
Rukawa smirked.
[I always knew the lovandthatthing technique would work. 110% satisfaction guaranteed.]
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Author's notes: The dugong part was inspired by a fantasy t. v. drama here in our country involving a human-mermaid as the main character and a dugong as its biggest nemesis. I love 'dugong' there! Hehe! Alright no sense rambling 'bout it! Gomen!
To those who reviewed the first chapter: ARIGATOU!
For Miyahara Yuuki, I am wondering what school you go to. :)
Constructive reviews would be very much appreciated...again! Thank you!