Accessories for men Chapter 3: item 3: ?, a x/1999 fanfic

Item 3: the ?

Disclaimer: X/1999's not mine. It belongs to Clamp.

Notes: T-rated, it consists of three POV's...

Characters: Arashi, Sorata and Subaru

Thanks to: shinzona the beta and all the reviewers :-)!

In X14, Subaru, Sorata and Arashi are watching over Kamui like good responsible Seals--… myeah… they would be if their attention wasn't being diverted by… Accessorize #3!

Arashi's side of the story

The room is full of curtains. They are cascading down from the windows motionlessly, and they are also framing the bed, like a majestic shield protecting our 'Kamui'. Mmm, a certain serenity hovers around in this room… I close my eyes and savour it amidst the sudden stillness. I look at Kamui again; he's lying in his bed confronting the world's dreams. He appears to remain peaceful too, just like the room, although he is meeting with Hinoto-hime in her dreamwaves this moment…

I look up from the end of the bed and find myself having quite a clear view on Sorata and Subaru. Sorata… he's different when he's silent, isn't he? That wonderful serious look on his face is there again! Mmmhhh… those kinds of features radiating… wisdom… and bravery. Yes, bravery… I wonder what thoughts are roaming through the depths of his mind at this very moment… Thoughts about Kamui perhaps… maybe… No, more like surely, considering the circumstances.

And those eyes of his… sweet-chocolate-brown. The words 'intense' and 'deep' are more than ever fit him… Mmmh… yes, so deep… what a good sight of his eyes I have… I could dwell in them… forever… and ever… and ev-- whaaa? Damn, he caught me staring at him! I suddenly stiffen my posture and break the smile I wasn't aware I was harbouring. And I'd better divert my gaze. Errr… Kamui! I discretely divert my gaze back to Kamui and lock my eyes on him indefinately. I can't believe I was actually smiling. At him! Better watch Kamui's safety, rather than giving myself away so easily, yes. Okay Miko, stay focused on your duties and work that blush down! And thank god for long hair!

Why should it always end up like this. Ooh, things would be much simpler if only he hadn't been here around. Damn you Sorata! Leave me alone. Let me be. And stop making my heart beat up my throat.

Something holds my attention in the corner of my eye. Something is moving from Subaru's side. I slightly glance at him... he's adjusting his white bandage. Fascinating …first, he gingerly passes one end of the fabric behind his hair… so gracefully… and oh! His hand stops mid-air hesitating. He looks up… Mmmh, ooh, his slender fingers… they both carefully trace the metallic pin to the end of it, reflecting light the moment of a brief flash-- Argh! Stop those thoughts, Arashi, damn it! … Huh? Don't you stop Subaru-- Arashi, I'm warning you. I don't look away though. Better to be locked on him than him. However, it's strange, his gaze, it's frozen, but in an intense way. So different than his usual aloof one. He seems mesmerized… By what? What is he concentrating so strongly on? Following his gaze will lead me to it… what on earth! It can't be! No way! … I blink. Sorata? Sorata's… chest! He's practically… glued on his upperbody, with his lips partly opened, checking him out? And oooh, isn't he discreet about it? Is he making use of his bandage to hit on him…? urgh! Wow, now that's a sick mind! He's so screwed up. Subaru, stop fooling around! Sorata is min--!… Next thing he'll do is drop his pin, an unravel—no, let the bandage unravel in front of Sorata…! And then they'll be all like "Sorata-kun...", Subaru says with his oh so soft/pitiful voice of his. "Yes, Subaru-san?", answers the white knight in shining armour, his graceful face serious. "I-I have a small problem…Sorata-kun… I… ", caressing his fallen bandage! Peh-lease! Where do I get such ideas anyway? And then Sorata will go: "I can see it, Subaru-san-- Subaru-san! Worry not! I will take care of this." "Sorata-kun, you…" He smiles all teary eyed and he smiles back all confident and he promptly falls to his knees with in the back soft music to fix the bandage but before they even get to that, they stare and get closer and they stare more and get even closer, nose to nose, and they---

AAARRRGGG! NO! Sorata… do something! I fling my hair on my back to get a better look at him. What on earth is he doing! I don't believe what I see. I just can't. Now that's impossible… now he's also looking at him! What's going on here? … he just stares at him too. Don't just stare at him like that! You look like a fish. A stupid fish! I so wanna snap my fingers at them right now, but I can't. My body doesn't respond to me anymore. It's hopeless; Sorata just stands there, struck by massive confusion! It's not hard to figure out, now, is it! Do I have to draw it for you? But what if they reall---

Uh-oh. Subaru has looked up and is now confronting his gaze. His fingers, with the pin loosely hanging between them, are trembling. God no, anything but the pin. Don't drop the pin! …pin dropped. In his lap nonetheless. My cue to leave or to explode in rage? But hey! Subaru looks gobsmacked! Aha mister! Busted! But… how does he manage not to blush? I want to be able to do that... But that's not the point here! And why is Sorata suddenly flashing that idiotic smile of his at Subaru! Now you look like a perverted fish! Oh no, can't be, knight in shining armour, falling bandage, closer, knees,… This is… this is getting out of hand. I have trouble breathing. Maybe coughing to get their attention? Yes! …cough… coughcoughcough! Gah, not working!… Their gazes are still glued to one another. Verbal measures then! What to say? Ah, got it. I already feel the blush creeping up… oh dear…

"Don't you think it's highly inappropriate?"
"That's right, Arashi. But I'm sure Sorata has a perfect explanation for it…"
"Wha-? You say it's highly inappropriate? And what are you smiling at, Sorata? Are you enjoying this?"
"Every second of it, my dear!"

Sorata presents…!

The room is full of curtains. Too many curtains, if you ask me. Maybe I should pull some of the curtains and even open a window, just in case… Really, how Kamui can get some rest in such an airtight room is a mystery to me. Is it me or is it getting really hot in here? I pull at the collar of my shirt in a futile attempt to get some air. Maybe I will open a window after his session with Hinoto. Anyway, I'd better keep an eye on him while he's meeting her in those predictive dreams of hers; you never know what might happen.

Let's pray everything goes well. After his previous encounters with Hinoto, Kamui always woke up confused and irritated. Some positive answers after this one wouldn't go astray. But there's no much I can do right now… except maybe… of course… hehehe, Arashi, my stunning canvas! My supreme beauty! I tactfully scan the bed, looking for her perfect features. She hasn't moved from her place at the end of the bed. Quietly sitting on the opposite of the bed, like a morning light entering the room. A discrete glance to catch some of her beauty seems like a fantastic idea, what wrong could it do… Her hands are hovering just above the bed, making little circles on the cushions… I take a deep breath and search for her and…

Oh, what do we have here! An arrow strikes my heart right in its centre! Arashi's looking straight at me! And with a little smile on her face! And she hasn't registered my gaze yet… Those softened features on her face, are they caused by having me on her mind? Nah, keep on dreaming, Sora. Oh no, her eyes widen. She caught me staring back! Ow, I lose sight of her face now that her long hair has cut off my view! Don't look away, my beauty! The disappointment! I would've jumped at the occasion to confront her with our little intimate crash, but under the circumstances I should keep my hormones at bay. But maybe that's a sign she was thinking about me? Alas! Hahaha.

Anyway, what is Subaru doing right now? I didn't hear him a lot since we came in here. I had the distinct impression that our arrival interrupted something between him and Kamui, but it was already too late. In the corner of my eye I notice him fidgeting with his eye bandage… again, and looking all miserable… again. What did he tell me again at the hospital? Oh right, that it was 'his wish'. What the hell…? Why would somebody wish for something like that? … That Sakurazukamori surely did his bit of work into sending Subaru down strange lanes. Strange fellow… whatever he did was pretty effective. The rumours didn't even come close to the truth, did they. And does he even know the truth? Does anyone? Hehe, the end of the world has its side-mysteries to unravel! Nevertheless, I'm wondering, is Arashi still looking at me?

Nope, she's not. Oh, now I'm disappointed. She's clearly not secretly looking at me now. But what's that look on her face? Her mouth is all open wide and her eyes are all incredulous! She's clearly… outraged? Yes, definitely outraged… What caused that? Because I caught her staring at me? … It's not directed at me, so no. Hm. Must be something else then. I follow her gaze… and they lead me to… Subaru? Yeah indeed, his gaze also harbours some strange… thing, it's… err, not emotionless for once… He's also frozen, moving his bandage in slow motion. Almost like in a movie. Sloooow. Moreover, his eyes are locked on… my shirt?

Huh? What's on it? A stain? Some disgusting traces of this morning's feast? I lightly stretch my shirt down to get a sporadic view on it, but nothing. Uhm, I should ask him what's wrong… why is he looking directly at me with eyes as if they were about to pop out? He's scaring me. He's crazy. You're crazy dude! His hand has stopped moving and hangs mid-air. What what? Maybe I'm missing something. Now he's totally getting lost in his mysterious angsty thoughts. Maybe Arashi's looks will tell me more. Maybe maybe maybe! That's right; she had that strange look on her face, with her mouth open and all!

Huh? Oh ho ho, now what do we have here? Interesting! Arashi is casting some interesting nasty looking glares! Not the "I-am-annoyed" one, not the "I'm-growing-weary"-one, but the… err, let's call it the "Don't-touch-my-boyfriend"-one! Hahaha! Subaru is drown in his dreamy sort of angsty thoughts of his, gaze directed at me, and Arashi has obviously gone mad fuming! She's even sending him her killah-gaze! Hehe, this is excellent… She's got jealousy written all over her! Maybe I could get her to blow up in fumes or something. She's so cute when annoyed! Subaru, forgive me, but this a chance I have to grab with both hands. If I have to win her heart with a man, then so be it. No challenge is too big a challenge for Sora-chan in his quest for his Arashi! …errr, a guy huh? I have to hit on a guy for a girl… Lol. Well, here goes: a well-placed feral smile, full block white of course… a tactful slight wink… not too much, but not too shy--

Arashi's shield has broken! You're not in control anymore, my dear, of course I'm enjoying that little outburst! Hahahaha! Haha! Haha? Ha? But… ow.

Wait-a-minute… Hold-the-horses. Subaru also said it was highly inappropriate… what is? Oh, he's looking at me now… Damn! Uhm, wasn't he angsting and lost in his thoughts a second ago? Did he notice I… Oh man! No way! My eyes go wide when he speaks up… something is fishy--

"Sorata, I told you that in confidence, I'd rather prefer you didn't broadcast it around. I…"
"Sorata! In confidence!"
"Uhm… Subaru, what exactly are you talking about?"

Subaru's Point of View

The room is full of curtains. The bed is surrounded by similar drapes. White, pure white, matching the young boy's spirit resting in the bed. A young soul gone through so much until now. I sometimes feel my ordeal represents a mere drop compared to his ocean of ordeals. Kamui… he's now fully asleep, consciousness drifting in the world of dreams, guided by our yumemi. No point in monitoring his sleep, he will be alright with her.

The young monk Sorata is still worrying about Kamui so it seems. His eyes have never left the boy since he entered the room. And this time it's the young priestess Arashi who is staring at Sorata with a dreamy look on her face. Wondering what's going on between those two… Anyway, Sorata hasn't noticed her attention yet. Poor him, he does not know what he is missing. That look on Arashi's face must have gotten him in heaven, I guess.

Heh, their gazes have met and she's blushing like mad behind her hair. Aaah, those innocent moments of teenage insecurities, they really must enjoy it while they last… because a blink of an eye is all that's needed to lose that innocence forever…

Ow! That bandage is really getting on my nerves! The sticky tape is literally plucking my eyebrow out! I take the pin out and shift the bandage a bit to the left… hmm, better…or not. I want to take it off now! Ew, red stains start to appear again underneath it, a visit to the hospital would definitely not go astray right now-- What am I doing? This isn't the place nor the time to do this kind of things. After Kamui has woken up, I'll go to the bathroom, where I can be alone. If Hokuto were here, she surely would have covered it with a black satin patch by now. Saying I could cover up my injury by dressing up like a pirate. Heh, a pirate. Did she ever dress me up as a pirtate? I remember she once did, but she's no--- Huh? What!

What on earth? What is Sorata wearing? That shirt… that's… could it be that he wore that on purpose? No, I'm just being paranoid… but then again, I talked to him about my wish. Yes, I told him in confidence that I realised I wanted to lose sight in my right eye. All that for him. But… oh my god! It that supposed to make me feel better…? I mean… "Pirates"? I blink once, I blink twice, I blink thrice… yet my eye does not seem to fool me. Still Pirates! Yes, my eye doesn't fool me, that's what's written in big white block letters on his black shirt. Why did he have to bring it out like that!

I don't know why, but I look up to meet Sorata's gaze. Oh no, now what? Why is he looking at me so surprised and innocent? If there's someone who's got to look surprised, it's me! Maybe he just discovered he's busted… Why did he wear something like that anyway? He knew I was going to be right by Kamui's side. Trying to make a point?

He looks away now, with a face not understanding what's going on. Maybe it is a coincidence after all. His gaze rests upon Arashi, … to cover up his act?… What's going on! Uh, now I'm worried: he's smiling down at me… weirdly. And was that a wink! My imagination is not playing tricks on me. And what's that undignified look on her face? Don't look at me like that, I'm not wearing the Pirates-shirt! Creeps… both of them… Arashi speaks.

He is actually enjoying this! I thought it was merely a coincidence that he's wearing something like that… Yeah right, coincidences happening in my life. Guess I've been wrong about him too. I'm so horrible at cornering ones true identity. A huge frown appears on Sorata's face, he's thinking apparently. Arashi is now as shocked as I am judging by her silence…

"…"
"Sorata, I told you that in confidence, I'd rather like you didn't broadcast it around. I--"
"Sorata! In confidence!"
"Uhm, Subaru, what exactly are you talking about?"
"But …your shirt of course! Wearing an inscription like "Pirates". Is it on purpose or…?"
"…"
"…"
"…"

Oh my god. The Silence. The Silence. I think I just dropped a bomb on them. Sorata suddenly blushes like never before, with his mouth wide open, not knowing where to look: my bandage or his shirt. And Arashi's eyes have never been as wide to my knowledge as they are glued to his shirt. Oh my… He had no clue and she… had no clue either. What did she thought was inappropriate then? I wonder… I'm all of a sudden feeling very uncomfortable. The air is getting thinner and thinner with each breath. But they don't seem to be breathing at all. Opening a window would be bliss, but I can't move. Getting out of here would be even better, but Kamui needs me… Maybe it's better for everyone to just forget about this incident as quickly as possible. While Arashi is hiding behind her hair again, I swiftly finish the wrapping my bandage around my head. Sorata scratches his head in what seems to be a futile attempt to come up with something to say. I focus my gaze on the sleeping Kamui. They are too. For once, silence is not welcome. The silence is really not helping… A cough… a tapping foot… Oh my… Then miraculously…!

"Mmmmhhh… I… saw… Hi…noto…"

"KAMUI!"
"KAMUI!"
"KAMUI!"

A/N: … the shirt! In X14, Sorata is wearing that shirt with 'Pirates' written on it… and then came this fic. Arrrr! Nyeh! This was a tricky one to write due to the consistency in the action. If you find any inconsistency that passed my attention net, please tell me, so I can have a laugh at my humanity too :D.

Thanks for reading, and don't forget to leave a cracker for Subaru-parrot! (feed him with the button below :p). Arrrr!