Disclaimer - Everything belongs to CLAMP. Except my new plot bunny... -Hugs aforementioned bunny- So... yeah.
Iatsu
Part VI
Subaru curled up in his bed, gripping the pillow weakly. It had been a rough night, and an even rougher morning. Yes, morning. The red LED of his digital clock read 2:56AM.
For the millionth time, his insomniac mind traced over the details of the previous afternoon. Oh God. Curling over, he clutched his stomach and closed his eyes tightly until the images faded away. Finally, forcing the events to the back of the mind just as they concentrated on the kiss, he pushed himself up from the covers.
Breathing a little harder than, perhaps, he normally would, Subaru cross the room to the glass of water he had thoughtlessly left on the small table. Lifting the glass to his lips, he took a tentative sip, looking around the room with bland, empty eyes. White, and rather sterile, this room, with very little of the small touches that make a place 'homey'. The sideboards, not only in the bedroom but throughout the house, were entirely devoid of framed photographs. Unlike the rest of the world.
Still letting his eyes wander over the room he knew best, as if he had never seen it before, Subaru gave a soft cry and blinked when those eyes passed over the door. It was opened; unusual in itself. But, even more unusual, the doorway was occupied.
"Did you have a nightmare, Subaru-kun?" Seishirou glanced at him, politely, staying outside the threshold of the doorway. He was still dressed, in the pristine suit he always seemed to wear, although it looked a little damp and rumpled. And he was missing the jacket.
After the incident at dinner that day, Seishirou had left without a word. He had not been back when Subaru retreated for bed at around midnight. Now, in the early hours of the morning, Seishirou could have the nerve to turn up on the edge of his bedroom, casual as you like, and ask him if he'd had a bad dream?
"...Not so much a bad dream as a depressing one." In truth, Subaru had had all-too-little sleep, and was not in the mood for Seishirou's teasings. But still, even as he spoke, his confident voice started to falter a little.
The Sakurazukamori's hair was slightly moist with what could have been morning mists or perhaps rain, and the expensive suit was missing it's jacket. The tie was hanging halfway down Seishirou's chest, and the first few buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing that he did not, as most men did, wear a t-shirt under it.
Bastard or not, the fact remained that Seishirou looked damned good, even at this hour of the morning. Even taking into consideration the predatory grin that had started to inch across the man's face as he reached in his pocket for his cigarettes.
"...Oh? Now, I think you are a little old to be turning into an angst teen again, aren't you, Subaru-kun? Or are you done with that now?"
((Random Author Insert: I made Sei-chan call Subaru an angst teen! Go me! ...How true, though...))
Subaru felt himself redden, just a little. But mostly, he just felt a little shocked. "...H-how did you find out about that...?! You didn't talk to a-..." Subaru lapsed into silence, watching his nemesis warily as the assasin lit a cigarette, setting it between his lips as he put the lighter and packet away. Taking a slow drag and exhaling smoke, he eyed Subaru through it.
"I haven't been speaking to the Seals, if that's what you mean. Although I have seen them. Especially that boy... Kamui, was it? I was a little surprised when I saw him. He reminds me of a boy I used to know, back when I was a veterinarian. Don't you think, Subaru-kun?"
"You were never a veterinarian, Seishirou-san. Don't play around." Looking up, realising exactly what he had said, Subaru lapsed into quiet for the whole of three seconds while his lover watched him expectly, before saying, almost sulkily, "...Where have you been, anyway?"
Seishirou's face lit up, indicating that this was the exact question he had wanted Subaru to ask, "Working. I had a client to attend to."
"A victim, you mean?" How bitter.
"If you're going to be cynical, then yes, a victim."
"...Bastard."
"That's not very nice, Subaru-kun..." Reaching out with his left hand, as the right was holding the cigarette, he cupped Subaru's cheek lightly, bringing him a little closer.
What had remained of Subaru's confidence shivelled up and died with a soft cry from Subaru's lips. Struggling vainly, more in an attempt to get more comfortable than an actual escape attempt, Subaru was finally pulled closer to Seishirou as the assasin stepped into the bedroom.
Sliding his hand across the Sumeragi's cheek, to the back of his neck, the slightly damp fingertips ran up the back of his neck, through the hair, to the sensitve skin on his scalp. Subaru felt himself draw breath, sharply. It was a subject of morbid fascination how someone who killed almost every day could still be so gentle. Well, the answer was, they couldn't.
Subaru's head was suddenly jerked up, jarringly, as Seishirou seized him by the hair and wrenched his head up roughly. Looking into his beautiful face and smirking, Seishirou almost faltered when he saw Subaru smiling back. Bitterly.
"...Why me? Why won't you leave me alone?"
Seishirou eyed him silently, then smiled rather icily. "...Because you're you, Subaru-kun. And you're too cute to ignore."
"I...I bet...."
Mouth turned into a small grimace of pain, Subaru stared at him through half-open, scrunched-up eyes.
"...I bet you c-can't... leave me alone...."
"You're flattering yourself, Subaru-kun... Why don't I-.."
"No. I mean... seriously. I Bet."
Seishirou eyed him, frowning slightly, then smiled a little, "...Alright, Subaru-kun. On one condition...?"
Subaru nodded, wordlessly.
Still smirking, Seishirou's hand released the Sumeragi's hair and fell to his side. Taking another drag from the cigarette, before crushing it into an ashtray on the sideboard, he looked back at Subaru, eyeing him for a few seconds, "...I can do whatever I like if you start."
Subaru blinked. Strange thought, but... "A-alright. It's not like i'm going to..."
Seishirou felt himself grin, "...Alright then, Subaru-kun. Let's Bet." The Sakurazukamori held out his hand, eyebrows raised as if he didn't expect Subaru to accept it.
But Subaru did, taking hold of his twin star's hand and shaking it. As he did, the pentagrams on the back of his hands flared up, glowing briefly before settling back to a silver shimmer. Seishirou's smile widened. "...You don't know what you've done, Subaru-kun. You aren't going to last a week."
Subaru winced, as if he'd been physically hit, and pulled his hand away roughly, "I am. Now get out of my bedroom..."
Seishirou bowed, politely, and took a step back, "...On the terms of the bet, of course. Pleasant dreams, Subaru-kun." The door closed with a soft bang. Subaru just stood, and stared, and said nothing.
What the hell had provoked him to do that?!
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.:Subaru:. Oh crap...
.:Seishirou:. -Smirk- Oh crap indeed.
.:Lani:. MUAHAHAHA!!
.:Subaru:. Shut up! You're... you're evil!
.:Seishirou:. I don't suppose you could give me access to Subaru's credit card bills for the next week or so, could you? I want to see how much he spends on Soaplands.
.:Subaru:. .'' Shut up, you!! I'm not going near one!
.:Seishirou:. Then i'll be sure to listen in on your room at night.
.:Lani:. Oh, cut it out, Sei-chan!! This is partially your fault!
.:Seishirou:. How the hell is it my fault? He made the bet.
.:Subaru:. ...This one, anyway...
.:Lani:. Pshhh. Oh well.
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