Title: Love's Fool 3/?
Author: Kagaya Chou
Archive: Yes on the Soul Calibur Slash ML's website. Ask otherwise.
Rating: PC-13
Pairing(s): Yunsung centric, Kilik/Mina
Warnings: No
Comments: July 13, 2004 - I'm alive! And slowly, slowly working through... many things on my to-do list. ...Wow, this is long in comparison to the previous chapters o.O;
- - -
Mornings were difficult. It was harder for Mina to get up and Kilik did his best for the sake of his wife and unborn child. She hated this feeling of helplessness, of needing his aid just to climb out of bed. He loved her too much to stand by each day and watch as she struggled slowly to stand by herself.
"I can do this," she hissed through clenched teeth as he drew near.
"Mina, relax. I'll pull you up."
"I don't need you," she seethed, shaking her head. "Lemme alone."
"But you..." She glared and he paused, not taking his eyes off her as he took a half step back. "... Fine."
When her weight dragged her down and her knees gave beneath her, he caught her with strong arms, quickly and carefully, because glass cut, but could easily break.
Sometimes, silence seemed shattering.
"A pregnant woman is not an invalid," Mina huffed.
Refusing to argue, Kilik simply nodded, only letting go when he was sure she could stand on her own.
She wanted to be strong for them. He wanted her safe. Her words, his actions: it didn't matter what the other wanted.
- - -
Yunsung seriously wanted to spar. It was just that Kilik couldn't seem to stay upright long enough. With Blue Thunder slung over his shoulder and one hand on his hip, the young man stared down at his older companion, who lay prone on the unyielding stone. Again.
"The heck is wrong with you, Kilik? I'm hardly breaking a sweat here."
Flushed with adrenaline and embarrassment, Kilik gaze up with a guilty frown. "Sorry," he haltingly began, "but I was thinking-"
"Yeah, you're -always- thinking - too much, in my opinion. But what the heck?" Kilik took things too seriously. Brows creased and trying to seem unconcerned, Yunsung crouched beside him. "I know I'm good to look at and all, but the jealousy's never distracted you this much before," he smirked.
At first, Kilik blinked, expression blank, but when he spoke he couldn't bite back the humor in his voice, or hide the amused grin that Yunsung always seemed to cause. "I'm not jealous."
Ignoring an odd, fluttering twinge of disappointment, the younger man stood. "Then what up?" Yunsung asked, offering his hand to Kilik. "Whacha thinkin'?"
"Nothing," was the automatic response. Standing up with Yunsung's help, Kilik smiled to soften his words. "Nothing that you need to be worrying about."
"Aw, come on... I can be a good listener," Yunsung upped the boyish charm with a winning grin. Maybe if he helped Kilik out of his funk, the man would stop brooding and start fighting.
There was an awkward pause. He opened his mouth again, but a soft sigh from Kilik cut him off.
"I don't doubt you, Yunsung. It's just... something Mina and I need to handle on our own." The older man hesitated, sheepishly adding, "You -are- helping."
Empathy and confusion warred with a faint stirring of hope. "I am?" Yunsung gaped. "How?"
Kilik looked down at a momentary loss for words. His eyes widened slightly and he gasped in silent surprise at their interlinked hands.
"You're here." He lifted his hand away, sweeping loose strands of his hair from his blushing face. "You've been like ah... brother to me - and Mina."
Quietly, something broke.
"All right," Yunsung nodded, scratching the back of his head. "Um, thanks... Still feel up for sparing?"
Kilik nodded in return, grateful for the change of topic.
Smiling hurt.
- - -
Kilik saw him as a brother? Yunsung growled to himself, frowning. He wanted to laugh. He didn't like Kilik. He didn't need another 'brother'. He didn't want...
Dark, intense eyes focused on him. Only him.
Kilik moved fluidly now, as though warm up was finally over, mimicking the Korean's fighting stance with added discipline. Muscles tensed and relaxed as they exchanged blows, blades singing and sun-kissed skin shining with sweat. Kilik was adapting, finally getting into the rhythm of their dance.
It was Yunsung's turn to be distracted.
- - -
Studying two of the most important men in her life limping down the corridor together, Mina couldn't help but wonder what exactly happened.
"So who got their ass handed to them?" she asked.
"Kilik." Yunsung grinned. Despite the open-air condition of his clothes, he was triumphant, and his hair was a mess to begin with, while Kilik's simple ponytail hung limp and loose over one shoulder.
The older man looked at him with a wry grin, then turned to his wife. "I gave back what I got." Was she happy that they were getting along?
She shook her head, snickering, then gasped suddenly.
Kilik immediately reached for her. "Mina?"
The woman beamed, eyes warming as she told them. "She kicked me!"
Yunsung didn't get it. "She?"
Mina was all too happy to explain, "My baby. She'll be my little girl, I know it - Kilik!" She grabbed his outstretched hand and laid it on her tummy, "Feel that? Do you feel her?"
Kilik's face flushed with awe. "Yes, Mina..." He cupped her cheek and kissed her soundly.
Yunsung looked the other direction. "I'm... I'm gonna get cleaned up now," he quietly excused himself.
They didn't seem to notice.
- - -
They didn't seem to be having problems whatsoever, those two. What was Kilik worrying about anyway? He was doing everything right with Mina, Yunsung envied it. Not that he wanted Mina of course, or to BE Mina. Nuh uh!
There was nothing wrong with him after all.
Yunsung hissed as he sank into the hot water, resting his head back against the wooden tub. The heat was delicious, and it reminded him - as if conspiring with his stomach - that he was empty. Of food, of course.
He and Kilik missed breakfast in favor of a good fight, or two - or three. Neither was really counting. He had been so caught up in Kilik's company.
The feeling was comparable to... taking a bath with an empty stomach.
No, really! He was alive, surrounded by an all encompassing warmth, floating, and feeling safe... like he didn't want to leave. Yunsung sorta, heavens forbid, enjoyed having Kilik around, almost as much as he liked this bath. More or less. And then there's this hunger, this need for sustenance that will give him the strength to survive - when he gets out, that is.
He knew he'd have to get out of the water eventually, or he'd end up looking like a prune. Or go bloated... like Mina.
Ew, what did that fool Kilik see in the old hag anyway?
A small voice in Yunsung's head whispered that Kilik and Mina were probably about the same age, which would make Kilik an old man too. Roughly five or six years his senior. How was he to know?
Yunsung shook his head and decided not to dwell on... whatever he was thinking.
Was Kilik's brooding contagious? The boy withered at the thought, then ducked under the surface where the heat of the water colored his cheeks. What the heck was Kilik doing to him?
He didn't hold his breath for any quick answers.
- - -
"You know what I want," Mina smiled serenely. "I just told you."
Kilik looked like he was about to be chewed up and swallowed, very unpleasantly. "Pickles..." he repeated, "With strawberries?"
The pretty mother-to-be nodded while her husband floundered in cold sweat.
"Mina, love..." How to put it delicately? "Strawberries are out of season."
The woman stared at him in silence. The man said nothing, simply looking back. She raised an eyebrow and opened her mouth.
"I can bring you the pickles..." he offered.
"With the strawberry jam?"
Silence reigned once more as his brows creased. He considered the combination while Mina waited with dwindling patience. Kilik didn't suppose she could poison herself with fruits and vegetables, but...
She pouted.
"All right, I'll do that," Kilik nodded.
Happily, Mina watched him make his exit, only the catch her beloved fool wince, then finish opening the door before rubbing his abdomen.
"Kilik?"
He turned to face her, smiling to ease her concern. "Yes, Mina?"
Giving him a once mover, she grinned. "Yunsung kicks hard, huh?"
"Oh," Kilik blushed, then laughed at himself. "Very and often, yes."
He left the room with Mina giggling, glad that things were all right again. She was so lively, strong and bright. Sometimes, especially in early mornings, Kilik forgot that Mina had that unquenchable fire within her.
Glass can break, but fire can mend it, change and cleanse it.
Yunsung was right, Kilik mused. He thought too much.
Author: Kagaya Chou
Archive: Yes on the Soul Calibur Slash ML's website. Ask otherwise.
Rating: PC-13
Pairing(s): Yunsung centric, Kilik/Mina
Warnings: No
Comments: July 13, 2004 - I'm alive! And slowly, slowly working through... many things on my to-do list. ...Wow, this is long in comparison to the previous chapters o.O;
- - -
Mornings were difficult. It was harder for Mina to get up and Kilik did his best for the sake of his wife and unborn child. She hated this feeling of helplessness, of needing his aid just to climb out of bed. He loved her too much to stand by each day and watch as she struggled slowly to stand by herself.
"I can do this," she hissed through clenched teeth as he drew near.
"Mina, relax. I'll pull you up."
"I don't need you," she seethed, shaking her head. "Lemme alone."
"But you..." She glared and he paused, not taking his eyes off her as he took a half step back. "... Fine."
When her weight dragged her down and her knees gave beneath her, he caught her with strong arms, quickly and carefully, because glass cut, but could easily break.
Sometimes, silence seemed shattering.
"A pregnant woman is not an invalid," Mina huffed.
Refusing to argue, Kilik simply nodded, only letting go when he was sure she could stand on her own.
She wanted to be strong for them. He wanted her safe. Her words, his actions: it didn't matter what the other wanted.
- - -
Yunsung seriously wanted to spar. It was just that Kilik couldn't seem to stay upright long enough. With Blue Thunder slung over his shoulder and one hand on his hip, the young man stared down at his older companion, who lay prone on the unyielding stone. Again.
"The heck is wrong with you, Kilik? I'm hardly breaking a sweat here."
Flushed with adrenaline and embarrassment, Kilik gaze up with a guilty frown. "Sorry," he haltingly began, "but I was thinking-"
"Yeah, you're -always- thinking - too much, in my opinion. But what the heck?" Kilik took things too seriously. Brows creased and trying to seem unconcerned, Yunsung crouched beside him. "I know I'm good to look at and all, but the jealousy's never distracted you this much before," he smirked.
At first, Kilik blinked, expression blank, but when he spoke he couldn't bite back the humor in his voice, or hide the amused grin that Yunsung always seemed to cause. "I'm not jealous."
Ignoring an odd, fluttering twinge of disappointment, the younger man stood. "Then what up?" Yunsung asked, offering his hand to Kilik. "Whacha thinkin'?"
"Nothing," was the automatic response. Standing up with Yunsung's help, Kilik smiled to soften his words. "Nothing that you need to be worrying about."
"Aw, come on... I can be a good listener," Yunsung upped the boyish charm with a winning grin. Maybe if he helped Kilik out of his funk, the man would stop brooding and start fighting.
There was an awkward pause. He opened his mouth again, but a soft sigh from Kilik cut him off.
"I don't doubt you, Yunsung. It's just... something Mina and I need to handle on our own." The older man hesitated, sheepishly adding, "You -are- helping."
Empathy and confusion warred with a faint stirring of hope. "I am?" Yunsung gaped. "How?"
Kilik looked down at a momentary loss for words. His eyes widened slightly and he gasped in silent surprise at their interlinked hands.
"You're here." He lifted his hand away, sweeping loose strands of his hair from his blushing face. "You've been like ah... brother to me - and Mina."
Quietly, something broke.
"All right," Yunsung nodded, scratching the back of his head. "Um, thanks... Still feel up for sparing?"
Kilik nodded in return, grateful for the change of topic.
Smiling hurt.
- - -
Kilik saw him as a brother? Yunsung growled to himself, frowning. He wanted to laugh. He didn't like Kilik. He didn't need another 'brother'. He didn't want...
Dark, intense eyes focused on him. Only him.
Kilik moved fluidly now, as though warm up was finally over, mimicking the Korean's fighting stance with added discipline. Muscles tensed and relaxed as they exchanged blows, blades singing and sun-kissed skin shining with sweat. Kilik was adapting, finally getting into the rhythm of their dance.
It was Yunsung's turn to be distracted.
- - -
Studying two of the most important men in her life limping down the corridor together, Mina couldn't help but wonder what exactly happened.
"So who got their ass handed to them?" she asked.
"Kilik." Yunsung grinned. Despite the open-air condition of his clothes, he was triumphant, and his hair was a mess to begin with, while Kilik's simple ponytail hung limp and loose over one shoulder.
The older man looked at him with a wry grin, then turned to his wife. "I gave back what I got." Was she happy that they were getting along?
She shook her head, snickering, then gasped suddenly.
Kilik immediately reached for her. "Mina?"
The woman beamed, eyes warming as she told them. "She kicked me!"
Yunsung didn't get it. "She?"
Mina was all too happy to explain, "My baby. She'll be my little girl, I know it - Kilik!" She grabbed his outstretched hand and laid it on her tummy, "Feel that? Do you feel her?"
Kilik's face flushed with awe. "Yes, Mina..." He cupped her cheek and kissed her soundly.
Yunsung looked the other direction. "I'm... I'm gonna get cleaned up now," he quietly excused himself.
They didn't seem to notice.
- - -
They didn't seem to be having problems whatsoever, those two. What was Kilik worrying about anyway? He was doing everything right with Mina, Yunsung envied it. Not that he wanted Mina of course, or to BE Mina. Nuh uh!
There was nothing wrong with him after all.
Yunsung hissed as he sank into the hot water, resting his head back against the wooden tub. The heat was delicious, and it reminded him - as if conspiring with his stomach - that he was empty. Of food, of course.
He and Kilik missed breakfast in favor of a good fight, or two - or three. Neither was really counting. He had been so caught up in Kilik's company.
The feeling was comparable to... taking a bath with an empty stomach.
No, really! He was alive, surrounded by an all encompassing warmth, floating, and feeling safe... like he didn't want to leave. Yunsung sorta, heavens forbid, enjoyed having Kilik around, almost as much as he liked this bath. More or less. And then there's this hunger, this need for sustenance that will give him the strength to survive - when he gets out, that is.
He knew he'd have to get out of the water eventually, or he'd end up looking like a prune. Or go bloated... like Mina.
Ew, what did that fool Kilik see in the old hag anyway?
A small voice in Yunsung's head whispered that Kilik and Mina were probably about the same age, which would make Kilik an old man too. Roughly five or six years his senior. How was he to know?
Yunsung shook his head and decided not to dwell on... whatever he was thinking.
Was Kilik's brooding contagious? The boy withered at the thought, then ducked under the surface where the heat of the water colored his cheeks. What the heck was Kilik doing to him?
He didn't hold his breath for any quick answers.
- - -
"You know what I want," Mina smiled serenely. "I just told you."
Kilik looked like he was about to be chewed up and swallowed, very unpleasantly. "Pickles..." he repeated, "With strawberries?"
The pretty mother-to-be nodded while her husband floundered in cold sweat.
"Mina, love..." How to put it delicately? "Strawberries are out of season."
The woman stared at him in silence. The man said nothing, simply looking back. She raised an eyebrow and opened her mouth.
"I can bring you the pickles..." he offered.
"With the strawberry jam?"
Silence reigned once more as his brows creased. He considered the combination while Mina waited with dwindling patience. Kilik didn't suppose she could poison herself with fruits and vegetables, but...
She pouted.
"All right, I'll do that," Kilik nodded.
Happily, Mina watched him make his exit, only the catch her beloved fool wince, then finish opening the door before rubbing his abdomen.
"Kilik?"
He turned to face her, smiling to ease her concern. "Yes, Mina?"
Giving him a once mover, she grinned. "Yunsung kicks hard, huh?"
"Oh," Kilik blushed, then laughed at himself. "Very and often, yes."
He left the room with Mina giggling, glad that things were all right again. She was so lively, strong and bright. Sometimes, especially in early mornings, Kilik forgot that Mina had that unquenchable fire within her.
Glass can break, but fire can mend it, change and cleanse it.
Yunsung was right, Kilik mused. He thought too much.