I know this is going to be tragic for you all, but I won't be able to update tomorrow. I have some...umm...family issues that need attended to and I'll be gone tomorrow. But I'll be back Sunday with another chappy, maybe even two if I feel so inspired! Well, hope this chappy will be enough to hold you over for two days!
alpha2nd: It takes them 30 minutes by foot to get to Eyes' school. It only took them a few minutes to get there by car. Heh, but he did want to see Kanone! Yeah he is so close, but perfection doesn't come easily. Sorry I left so many questions. Heh, I can't believe you like my fics so much, but glad that I can provide you with some enjoyment. I'll try to answer any questions that I haven't already! Thanks for reviewing!
Prosperpina: Hmm, could have been! But our wonderful Eyes is so honest that he would never let that happen. But Kiyotaka did trick the poor boy... Yeah, I'll explain why he was in the hospital, but no it's not really related to the plot much. I may bring it up again, but it won't be really important...unless you want it to be! Heh, I'll take those two pennies because your off in those assumptions, but that just means I get to suprise you! Thanks for reviewing!
Kanone was a little taken back by these words, "Your mother?" Eyes had never mentioned his family before, and Kanone had just assumed that it was never a good thing. If Eyes had known his family at all it was most likely a bad relationship, Kanone figured. Now, though, Eyes was talking about his mother loving him, maybe it wasn't so bad after all.
Eyes nodded slowly, "Yes, she was quite wonderful. I loved her very much, but..." Eyes trailed off, the memories were already starting to flood through his mind. He remembered everything possible about her, the way she smelled, the way she smiled, how her laugh sounded. All the wonderful little quirks, he remembered everything.
"What happened?" Kanone wondered out loud. He didn't want to push Eyes, but he really wanted to know. Many possiblitlies had already flown through his head, but he didn't want to suspect any of them.
"We were never a rich family, we always had to scrape by and save every little penny." Eyes began, "One day I was got very sick and slept in, so I was fired from my job. As a result, we couldn't afford to eat and keep the house and utilities. I tried to find another job, but we needed the money quickly and I couldn't find one that paid as well as my old one." Eyes stopped now, looking down at the ground, the memories were now bad ones that he wished he didn't have, "The only option I had was to sell myself to Chase so at least my mother could continue to live off the money that we got from him. It wasn't much, but it was enough to keep everything working as far as I know." He stopped now, the memories were horrible and he could remember nothing of his mother's laugh now, only Chase's cruel chuckle and gleaming eyes leering at him.
Kanone stared in awe at the boy, "You...sold yourself to Chase so that your mother could continue to live at her house?" Kanone asked slowly, thinking about what exactly Eyes had done. He knew the boy was selfless, but this was pushing it, "What did your mother say about the whole thing? Did she just let you go?" Kanone asked, wondering what kind of mother would sell her son just to live.
But Eyes only shook his head, "She knew nothing of it. I contacted Chase myself and we worked everything out without her knowing it. She wouldn't have let me go so easily, but it was inevitable."
"What do you mean? There had to be other options." Kanone replied, though he himself couldn't think of one at the moment.
"If I hadn't gotten the money, then we would have both been taken away. I didn't want that for her, so I went by myself." The memories were now gone, and Eyes just felt empty inside. He missed his mother so much, and wondered where she was and how she was. Was she still living in the same house? Was she even still alive? Not knowing these answers bugged Eyes to no end, and he hated not being able to find them.
The emptiness he had felt suddenly vanished as Kanone kissed him gently. He sighed into the kiss and leaned in, opening his mouth to give Kanone acess which the boy took full advantage of. Even if he didn't have his mother there to comfort him, he would always have Kanone. Pulling away, the latter smiled at him, "Eyes, I can't help but feel sorry for you. A boy your age shouldn't have to make these decisions, and I'm truly sorry that you've had to go through everything you did."
Eyes just shook his head, he really didn't want pity, "There's nothing you could have done, Kanone. I'm just greatful that you were able to get me out of that place." Eyes didn't say anything else, but he was still worried, and that concern was evident in his voice. He had feared for a long time that his mother couldn't manage to pay the next round of bills or afford enough food for herself, and was taken away as well. If that had happened, then everything Eyes had done was in vain.
Well, maybe not totally in vain. He did get Kanone out of the whole thing. And now that boy was hugging him with a passion he rarely showed, "I know you don't want my pity, Eyes, but I can't help but feel sorry for the life you've led. I love you, and I hate to hear about all the bad things that you've been forced to go through. I just wish there was something I could do..."
Eyes had a thought, "You could not be mad at me for not getting you a birthday present." He offered. He knew Kanone wasn't expecting anything out of him, but it still made him feel bad that the boy wasn't getting anything.
Kanone laughed slightly and pulled out of the embrace, "Eyes, how could I be mad at you for not getting me a present? First of all, I could never be angry with you. Second of all, you have no way of getting me anything. Besides, having you back is more important to me than anything else. In a way, you've already given me the best present possible."
Eyes sighed, "Then tell me why you were in the hospital." He said. It wasn't a demand, more like a request. After all, Eyes never demanded anything of Kanone because the boy was so willing to give the other anything he asked for.
Kanone knew this was Eyes' way of changing the uncomfortable subject, and he let it slide, "Actually, that's quite an entertaining story." Kanone began as he led Eyes into their living room to sit down, "It's also entirely Rio's fault."
"Rio?" Eyes asked, what did she have to do with Kanone being in the hospital? He knew the sweet girl wouldn't hurt her friend, but she was extremely clumsy...so who knew?
Kanone nodded, "Well, naturally she blamed it on Kousuke, but I could tell it was her. I don't know if she told you this or not, but Rio is quite an expert when it comes to making bombs and other explosives. She could blow this entire house sky high with just the ingredients in my kitchen." Eyes stared, he had definitely not know that about the smaller girl, "In any case, she had the idea to make some fireworks for some reason or another. She said it was Kousuke who gave her the idea, and I have to believe that much. I, of course, was monitering the whole thing so Kousuke and Rio didn't try and kill each other, but I had my back turned to talk to Ryoko for a moment. That's when it happened."
"What happened?" Eyes asked, somewhat fascinated by the story.
"Rio and Kousuke got up the idea to put a small firework down my shirt. Nothing dangerous, just enough of a shock to scare me. Here's where the two different sides come into play. Rio says that Kousuke mixed up the ingredients, and Kousuke says that Rio just wasn't paying attention and put too much of one thing or another in it. Either way, the explosion was quite large and damaged several of my ribs." Kanone lifted up his shirt slightly so Eyes could see the hidden bandages and bruises starting to form. Eyes' blue orbs widened a little at the sight, and Kanone smiled at the concern, "Don't worry, it's not a serious injury as I was only in the hospital for one day, but that's why. I should be fine in a week or so, so there's no reason for alarm."
Despite these words, Eyes was still angry at both Rio and Kousuke. They should have been more careful with Kanone, what if the explosion had been fatal? No matter whose side of the story was true, they were both to blame. Eyes drew his attention back up to Kanone's face as the boy pulled his shirt back down, "You're sure you're alright then?" His voice was still calm and his face matched the emotionless tone, but Kanone could tell that he was worried.
The older one nodded, still smiling, "Of course, would I lie to you?" Eyes didn't say anything, only shook his head, of course Kanone wouldn't lie to him, "Say, Eyes?" Said boy looked to his boyfriend questioningy, "What do you want for Christmas?"
"Christmas?" Eyes asked. Sure he knew what the holiday was, though he didn't feel he should rightly celebrate it. He didn't belive in god or his son, so why should he celebrate them? It was the same way with Easter, but if Kanone celebrated Christmas then Eyes would adjust. Still, he didn't know how to reply. Having never celebrated the holdiay before due to either lack of money or being around Chase his entire life, Eyes had no idea what he could ask for, "I don't need anything for Christmas, Kanone, only you." He replied honestly, figuring that material possessions would only give him something to lose or be taken away.
"Now, Eyes, that's very sweet of you, but you have to want something. From what I've heard, you've never had anything nice before. There has got to be something that you've always wanted." Then Kanone realized that that might not be completely true. Eyes had been sheltered practically his whole life, so perhaps he didn't ask for anything simply because he didn't know of anything he wanted, "Alright, how about this? Christmas Eve, I'll take you shopping. Since the stores will be closed on Christas Day, we'll have to go a day early, how does that sound?"
Eyes just stared at Kanone, go shopping? Eyes knew what he meant, sure, but he had never been offered to go shopping by anyone. Eyes nodded, "Alright then, I'll go."
Kanone smiled, "That's wonderful! So, what do you want to do for the rest of the day?"
Eyes looked outside and saw that it was still light out. It couldn't have been past 2 in the afternoon, so they still had loads of time left, "I don't know, what is there to do?"
Kanone went over their options out loud, "Well, we could watch TV, but it's such a beautiful day out...it would be a shame to waste it inside. There's not much to do around here, we could always go for a walk. I'm sure you've noticed the woods behind this house, they lead all over the place."
Eyes considered it, he didn't really like TV that much, and a walk sounded so much better, "Alright, let's go." Kanone nodded and grabbed his coat, leading the younger one out the door.
Once outside, Kanone led Eyes to the beginning of the woods, "Now you shouldn't get lost if you stay with me, but if somehow we do get seperated just keep walking foward and you'll get out eventually." Eyes nodded and silently vowed to keep close to Kanone, he didn't want to get lost.
The woods were normal enough, but they were still beautiful. Spider webs and the dew from this morning still glistened in the afternoon sun. Other than the crunching of underbrush under the boys' feet, you could also hear birds calling to one another, and numerous wild animals running through the various types of bushes that grew along the path. A baby rabbit even popped its head out once to stare at the boys walking through its home turf before running back to its mother. A soft breeze encircled the two, carrying the sweet scent of honeysuckle from a bush bearing the sweet plant nearby.
Soon another sound could be heard, it sounded like rushing water. Eyes looked around to confirm that there was a stream nearby. It was calming and Eyes felt at peace just looking at it. Soon Kanone entered his line of vision and he saw the older boy sitting by the stream. Eyes walked over to sit next to him and the golden eyes boy smiled, "It's nice here, isn't it?" Eyes nodded, "I used to come down here every day when I was younger, but then I started to have a lot of resonsibilities and I came here less and less. This is the first time I've been back in almost three years, but it looks exactly the same." Kanone looked over his surroundings to see that everything was like it was the last time he was here. The stream was clear and he could see minnows swimming through the fresh water.
Eyes looked to Kanone, but said nothing. He was enjoying this moment too much to ruin it with words. Kanone already knew how much he enjoyed being in silence, and could see that the younger one was enjoying this silence very much. No words were needed as the two sat by the stream for hours on end, thinking about nothing in particular. Somehow sitting down thinking turned into exhaustion and Eyes covered a yawn. Kanone smirked, "Tired?" Eyes looked to him and nodded a little, "Well, it's getting pretty late. Maybe we should get back." Kanone suggested. Eyes agreed and the two boys stood up as Eyes looked around, forgetting the way back. Kanone, however, knew the way by heart and led them back to the house.
As they entered the mansion, Kanone hung his coat up and looked to Eyes, "Are you ready for bed?" Eyes nodded once more, and Kanone kissed him lightly, "Alright, I'm going to take a shower first, but I'll be in in a few minutes." Eyes kissed him back and left to go to sleep. Kanone didn't take long in the shower, and soon crawled into bed next to his half asleep boyfriend. Eyes sighed as Kanone wrapped his arms around the other, kissing the back of his neck softly. Kanone thought over his Christmas present for Eyes, to take him shopping. Sure it would be fun for the sheltered boy, but he deserved so much more. Kanone grinned as he worked out a much better present for his boyfriend, one that was worthy of Eyes' appreciation.
Hmm, I wonder what it could be? Anyone who's read Happiness of those who beileve (I think that was the one), will realize that I've already sort of done this idea. It will be a lot more meaningful in this fic, though, so hopefully it won't look too bad. I really hate to repeat my ideas, but the only reason I put that in there was because I never thought I would actually write out this fic. So, technically, that fic was copying ideas off of this one...but I guess it doesn't matter. Anyway, review!
