Fai was curled in on himself, his lithe body wrapped in a ball on the large bed they were sharing in this strange world. Kurogane wouldn't question the movement or the motives behind Fai's sudden need to be alone, his sudden desire to hide within the large blankets that would hide him.
He was however, surprised when Fai asked him to stay, begging him softly, his voice deep and low and so different than what he was used to, to stay with him, to stay beside him and just be there. He didn't want to be held and he didn't want to be cradled, he just wanted somebody else in the room with him.
Kurogane didn't question him; he didn't let himself dwell on what this might mean for his relationship with the little wizard until Fai had begun shaking, his body trembling with the tears he silently shed. He let Fai cry until the tears stopped, as if (ironically) by magic. Fai didn't like to be the center of true attention. He was much better at playing the fool and being ignored for it. So, in this quiet room with just himself and Kurogane, Fai was tense and timid and all the things he wouldn't normally be.
"Why? Why today?" Kurogane finally whispered in the quiet of the room, when the sniffles (which lingered longer than the tears) subsided.
"Because it's his birthday and it's my fault. All of it is my fault," Fai whispered brokenly from his balled position.
"What the hell are you on about?" Kurogane grumbled.
"Promise that no matter what happens in our journey together that you'll always love me," Fai asked softly. He uncurled and turned wet blue eyes to the ninja before blinking slowly. His face was drawn and tense and Kurogane wanted nothing more than to take his arms and wrap them around Fai and hold him.
"I ain't promising nothing," he declared softly.
"I need you to. And then I'll tell you a story," Fai smiled sadly.
"You'll tell me a story?"
Fai didn't answer verbally. He nodded slowly and his body tensed as he realized what that would mean to him, what that would mean for their relationship.
"Okay. Tell me a story," Kurogane demanded softly. "And it better be a good one."
Fai seemed to relax a little. He sat up and shifted so that he was sitting closer to Kurogane. Leaning into the silent strength of the ninja, Fai began softly, "Once upon a time, I was a wizard for a great and powerful king…"
please don't hate me for the vagueness of this little drabble. it was meant to be vague. i'll continue this little idea in another one later on. thank you for reading and reviewing!