Chapter 11
"Zidane," said Blank, "we need to talk."
Zidane looked up guiltily from where he had been lying on his bed, reading a book. "What about?" he asked with forced nonchalance.
Blank frowned at him. "You know what about! You spying on me and Kuja! What the hell did you think you were doing?"
Zidane closed his book carefully and set it to the side, sitting up. He looked Blank straight in the eyes and said, "I was watching over my brother."
"You don't think he's safe with me?" Blank asked.
"Frankly, no," replied Zidane. When Blank bristled at the comment he elaborated. "Look, you know you're one of my best friends, but I'm not sure that I really trust you around Kuja. I know you're interested in him. And I don't think he's ready for that sort of relationship."
Blank seemed to go from annoyed to genuinely angry. "Don't you think he should get to decide that?"
"Of course not! He barely knows what to do with love when it's handed to him! If he were in a relationship with anyone, it would have to be someone who could take care of him, at least emotionally. And frankly Blank, you're a flake when it comes to that sort of thing. You're self-absorbed and predisposed for flings, and you're possibly the worst thing for him right now!"
There was a pause as both of them mentally backed off and took stock. Finally, Zidane spoke again. "Look. I think it's great that you and Kuja are friends. He needs friends. Friends are good for him. But I can't help thinking that you want more than that."
"He'll have to learn about this sort of thing sometime," said Blank. "Don't you think it would be best for him to learn firsthand? I'm not going to hurt him or anything."
"That's not all I'm worried about," Zidane muttered under his breath.
"What was that?" said Blank.
"I said, you'd better be damn careful with him. I don't want to hear that you've been harassing him. If you make a single unwanted move towards him, I swear-"
"Hey, despite what you think, Kuja can take care of himself," Blank argued.
"That doesn't mean I can't protect him," Zidane replied, still annoyed with his friend. He was about to say more, but a sudden tiny creak from the door told him that someone was listening in on their conversation. With quick, sure steps forward that startled Blank, he moved to the door and pulled it open in one smooth motion.
Kuja stood there, his expression surprised, and it seemed to take him a few seconds to register Zidane's presence. When he did he blushed vividly and took off down the hall.
Blank made to hurry after him, but before he could leave the room, Zidane caught his arm.
"I mean it," he said. "Be careful. I'm only trying to do what's best for Kuja and for you."
Blank frowned up at him, but then suddenly his expression softened. "You are, aren't you?" he said rhetorically, his voice quiet. He nodded. "I'll be careful. Now if you'll excuse me." He hurried off.
"I just don't want either of you to get hurt," Zidane muttered.
Oh God, that was hideous. Take me back.
or
Oh God, that was hideous. Let me complain to the author.