Author's Notes: Yes, a bad lazy author am I. Any and all notes about delays are in my user profile for those interested.
Anyways, here we go with the next part. I hope you all enjoy!
I spent the car ride home filling Jakotsu in on all the details he'd missed out on the past few months. Sure, we called each other up a lot- and I had the long distance bill to show it- but there was something different about being there with him in that moment.
It was a nice day, so I'd put down the convertible top on my old Corvette and we were enjoying the way the wind whipped through our hair as we went down the highway.
There were things I was remembering that I'd forgotten. The way I felt relaxed around him, the way we'd joke around and find ourselves laughing together- all those little things that I'd lost track of were all rushing back to me.
"So we're staying with this Suikotsu guy until our room's finished?"
"Yah," I replied, taking time to switch lanes as we neared the city limits, "Don't worry though, he's really nice. I think the three of us will get along fine."
"I was just wondering how 'fine' he might be if I decided I couldn't wait much longer after getting home to jump you and…"
"Jakotsu!"
I supposed I should be used to that as well- his constant innuendo and teasing about more physical romantic activities. But each time he brought it up, I felt this twist inside of me- like something knotting up my chest. I wasn't sure if the feeling was good or bad, perhaps I was just scared of getting too physical.
Now though, I was beginning to wonder if it was like that feeling of excitement- like before a baseball game- when your insides clench up in that feeling of anticipation- that feeling of anxiety and excitement all mixed together like the perfect drug.
"Mou…you're still no fun!" He pouted, and I couldn't help but sigh in resignation.
I guess I knew somewhere in the back of mind that once he was home, this matter would come back. We'd talked about it before he'd left- and the counselors that suggested his trip even said that the time apart would give us time to think.
And the more I'd thought about it, the more I thought that- perhaps it wasn't just Jakotsu who was ready to take the next step.
Chapter 11: Finding the Perfect Balance
"I just don't want you wearing me out before the game."
Bankotsu's voice was a quiet mutter, mostly to himself- a thought spoken aloud; but Jakotsu overheard.
Blinking a moment to make sure that he'd indeed heard things right, the older man smirked slightly.
"Wait a second- are you saying that if you were free this morning then..."
Noticing his slip of tongue, Bankotsu cleared his throat and sought out the words to explain himself.
"If it makes you happy then…"
Jakotsu reached over, placing his hand over Bankotsu's on the steering wheel.
"Now hold it right there, I'm not doing anything if it doesn't make both of us happy. Yes, I would give anything to move onto more romantic endeavors. But if you're still not ready, if you can be happy without it- then I'm not going to force you into anything. It's my impulsive actions that have caused us trouble more than once, and I'm not going to let that screw things up again."
"Jakotsu…"
Bankotsu frowned, once again saddened by how Jakotsu seemed to blame himself for those two significant kisses leading their lives into chaos.
"But sometimes…you have to go through chaos to find true happiness."
The words echoed in his mind, and he wasn't sure where he'd heard them from. Perhaps an old proverb or something his father had said- he wasn't certain. He just knew- it was right.
"We can…work on it."
"Bankotsu?"
The braided young man absorbed himself with turning into the apartment parking lot. Offering his friend a smile, he shrugged.
"Let's just get all these other issues dealt with first, okay?"
Jakotsu smiled at that, a promise that they would be moving forward, "Okay."
Suikotsu wasn't quite sure what to expect with the arrival of Jakotsu. He'd heard the way Bankotsu would talk to his friend on the phone, and just the way Bankotsu spoke of him in general- but that was it. As he knew all too well from his studies, descriptions of people compared to their actual physical presence could be drastically different.
Hearing the light knock on the door, Suikotsu took a deep breath and answered it.
"We're…here," Bankotsu said casually, voice both excited and relieved.
Extending a hand, Suikotsu stepped forward, "And you must be Jakotsu. I've heard nothing but good about you."
"Oh really?" Jakotsu replied slyly, giving the brown-haired man's hand a shake, "Good in what way?"
Suikotsu laughed, "Good sprinkled with the occasional perverse train of thought. That's the impression I was given, and it seems to be holding true."
Bankotsu deposited the luggage by the sofa, then turned to smile at his friends.
"Suikotsu, I'm gonna rest some before the game. Can you make sure we wake up by eleven?"
"I was just heading out to see Kikyou, but I'll make sure to swing back by the apartment to get you guys up."
"You're…going out?" Bankotsu blinked, having not known about this before now.
"Okay- you got me," Suikotsu smiled, "I just figured you two would want some time together before the game. We can get better acquainted later, so I'll leave you two be."
Jakotsu smirked, "I think we're going to get along just fine. You already seem to understand that I require some private time with Bankotsu now and then."
"Just remember he's expected to be in top condition for the game today and probably wouldn't feel up to explaining away any strange hickeys or lipstick stains."
"You guys!" Bankotsu butted-in, face flushed, "I'm standing right here."
They both laughed at that, watching as Bankotsu crossed his arms and made every effort to look furious. It was only a matter of seconds before Bankotsu caved and began to laugh along with them.
The small apartment was finally beginning to feel like home.
"We need a decoy…"
"A decoy?" Garamaru questioned, sipping from his third cappuccino of the morning.
"If we're the ones to out him, there might be some people who will get mad at us for it. We need to frame someone else, someone who would have the right motives."
Gatenmaru flipped through the school's yearbook, narrowing his eyes on the small pictures it contained.
"What about Naraku? Everyone knows he's a cruel guy who's always causing trouble for people," Garamaru noted, pointing to the picture of the brown-haired man flashing an ominous smile to the camera.
"Too easy. Plus, he'd have an alibi; he's too good at manipulating and screwing with others to let himself get framed. We need someone close to Bankotsu who has a short-temperament. Oh, here- I think we found our perfect candidate…"
Pointing to the picture, Gatenmaru's lips curled upward into a malicious smile.
"I'm sure we can instigate a bit of a fight between the boys that would make him seem like the perfect culprit come Monday, wouldn't you say dear cousin?"
"Gatenmaru, if we just hand it to him- he'll know we're up to something."
"Then we'll just make sure it's passed through several people instead of working directly."
The two thought a moment in silence, until Garamaru's slurping up the last of the cappuccino from the styrofoam cup interrupted the silence.
Gatenmaru glared.
"Uh…sorry," Garamaru cringed.
Starting to stand up, Gatenmaru looked to the café's door as it swung open.
"It looks like the right person for the job is coming to us."
Looking up from his empty cup, Garamaru's eyes fell on the figure that had just entered.
"Perfect," He agreed, "Just perfect."
"So…he's gone," Jakotsu eyed the closed door behind him, his mouth quirking upward into an impish smile.
"And I need to rest."
Bankotsu paused as he got pushed back against the wall.
"Jakotsu."
"Hmm?" He intoned, hand trailing down to Bankotsu's waist.
"Sleep. I need to sleep."
Jakotsu nodded, "I know," He replied, his fingers unlatching Bankotsu's belt, "But can't we finish what we started earlier?"
Blue eyes widened as he noticed Jakotsu slowly pulling his belt off.
"You've got that look again."
"What look?" Bankotsu asked, eyebrows furrowing in thought.
"You look like you think I'm going to eat you."
He didn't hinder Jakotsu's wandering hand creeping up under his shirt, but leveled his friend with a stern gaze instead.
"I wouldn't put it past you."
"Point," The taller man said with a laugh.
Leaning down, he rested his forehead against Bankotsu's.
"So besides all this school shit, is everything okay?"
"It is now," He replied with a smile.
"Now?" Jakotsu questioned, slowly maneuvering Bankotsu in the direction of what he hoped was the bedroom.
"It'll all be fine somehow…now that you're back."
The back of his knees hit the edge of bed and he tumbled backwards, Jakotsu bracing himself on his elbows above him.
"Yah, I feel the same."
Bankotsu's eyes darted over to the clock on the nightstand, the photograph sitting beside it. It was a little after seven, about four hours to rest.
Feeling the insistent fingers groping at his shirt, Bankotsu realized that it was now or never to get any serious conversation in.
"Jakotsu?"
"Yeah?"
"After the game- I need to probably talk to Hiten alone."
Rolling to the side, Jakotsu flopped on his back beside Bankotsu.
"About us?"
"I don't want him to find out from anyone else."
Jakotsu reached over, taking Bankotsu's hand.
"You sure you'll be okay talking to him alone?"
"Not really- but I think it's for the best."
The room fell silent save the clang of Bankotsu's belt as Jakotsu dropped it to the floor. Turning back towards him, Jakotsu pulled the shorter man against his chest.
"You're so strong, you know that?"
"I wish I could be stronger at times like this…" He murmured against Jakotsu's chest.
"Well, I'll always be right behind you- no matter what. So don't you forget that, okay?"
"I won't."
Red-lips pressed a chaste kiss to Bankotsu's forehead, as dark eyes glanced down at Bankotsu's blue ones.
"You know, if it wasn't for the fact that you'd kick my ass for it later, I'd be taking off more than just your belt right now."
"I know," Bankotsu said, nestling his head under Jakotsu's chin.
"You owe me," Jakotsu retorted, reaching down and pulling up the rumpled blankets.
"You're not going to let me rest until I cave, are you?"
"Nope," Came the cheerful reply, "I eagerly await the day I can hear you begging me- 'Oh Jakotsu, please take me. Harder, faster- oh yes, that's it!' My pulse races just thinking about it…"
"Jakotsu, must you be so…so…"
"Blunt?"
"Yah…" Bankotsu muttered; his face flushed deep red.
"But you love me for it," He retorted, capturing Bankotsu's lips in a kiss. Pulling back, Jakotsu smiled, "Don'tcha?"
"Yah," Bankotsu replied, smiling as well, "Yah, I do."
Preview for Chapter 12:
It is simply human nature. That which we don't understand, that which we fear- we slowly begin to hate and attack with no reason but our own insecurities.