Chapter Twenty-Two – Meet Me at Sunset
"Hey! How's John?" Monk-san asked as he hurried to catch up to Ichijou as the boy walked across the grass, only noticing the tears as he got closer. Seeing Monk-san Ichijou swiftly raised an elegant hand to his eyes and tried to wipe the evidence away, but the startled expression on the monk's face said he had been caught. "Did something happen?" The human asked as he pulled a packet it tissues from his pocket and took two out, handing them to the blonde boy. He accepted gratefully.
"Nothing at all." Ichijou lied, Monk-san humming in a way that told Ichijou he was unconvinced, but he didn't press the matter as the blonde wiped his eyes. It was hard not to talk to this human. He was so open and easy mannered, just waiting to be told a story and give his advice. "The sunlight is so strong this morning…" Ichijou excused, the monk nodding his head in agreement as he looked up at the clear blue sky. "How are your friends?" The vampire asked to change the subject.
"They're doing much better now. Mai is already up and about, and Naru is awake…Your friends are all healed up too, though I think Aido is staying in the infirmary another night." Monk-san replied cheerfully, Ichijou nodding his understanding with a small smile. It was good that they were all better. They would need all the strength they could get in the following days. Farringdon would show himself soon for sure. He'd have to if he was going to lure John out.
"What are you doing out here?" Ichijou asked as they continued on towards the Moon Dorm, since that was where Ichijou was heading. The monk shrugged openly at his side, his eyes scanning the horizon. This human felt nice. His blood was flowing lazily, his emotions were like a floating breeze, his hazel eyes held a far off look. He was completely at ease. It made Ichijou feel more relaxed too.
"Just walking, you know, keeping an eye out. I know Lin's shiki will tell him if anything is coming, but it makes me feel better to actually look, you know?" Monk-san replied easily. Ichijou nodded his agreement, though in reality he didn't know at all. He also used supernatural means to sense danger, so he didn't understand the human need to see something with their own eyes to confirm it. "And you?" The monk added.
"Ah, I was just heading to bed for the day. I left John finishing his breakfast." He added as a response to Monk-san's original question. The monk nodded and wished him a good day, or a good night, whatever it was they said. Ichijou gave him a grateful smile and watched the human head back towards the Sun Dorm, probably intending to check in on John. John's name sent a sinking feeling through his chest. He didn't dare to hope that the human would choose him over his faith, though he liked to think he could at least win against a dead woman.
"You're far too happy for someone who was almost killed yesterday." Aido complained, unsure why he was feeling so down. It had started just a little while ago, a sinking feeling in his chest like his heart had been broken, or at least bruised. It must be one of the others…He mused as he tried to shake off the feeling that wasn't his own. Mai's beaming smile only made him feel worse.
"There's nothing wrong with being happy! Besides, that's precisely the reason that I should be happy, don't you think?" She added as she turned to Naru's bed, where Masako was sitting in the chair beside him, having been deemed well enough to get up. The dark haired girl nodded her agreement, knowing the comment had been directed at her. Naru would never answer such a question. He was already back to work, making objective notes on everything that had happened.
"I'm glad you're both okay." Masako admitted, her blue eyes shifting to the boy beside her, who made no response as his fingers flew across the keys. Mai shifted closer and laid a gentle hand on Masako's shoulder, her own affectionate way of saying she appreciated the comment. The girls smiled at each other warmly. "Especially you Shibuya." The psychic added as she turned to Naru, trying not to smile as she felt the hand removed from her shoulder. She could imagine the expression on Mai's face now. A jealous pout, puffed up cheeks, and a slightly red tint to her skin.
"You shouldn't tease her like that, she'll explode." Aido chuckled as he watched Mai purse her lips sulkily, the psychic looking over her shoulder mischievously as Mai realised she'd been played. The honey haired girl growled her disapproval at the realisation.
"Mai. Tea." Naru's voice clipped, just at the right moment to make Mai feel better. With a smile and a nod Mai hurried from the room, not noticing the warm look on Naru's face as his eyes followed her almost skipping legs from the room. No one else would have noticed his eyes raise that fraction of a second from the screen. He shifted his gaze as he felt Masako's hand on his arm.
"You always ruin my fun Oliver." She complained lightly, showing no surprise as he subtly pulled his arm away from her touch. He had been like this for a while now. Up until a few months ago he'd accepted her touches, let her hang on his arm and blackmail him into going on dates, but recently he'd been less accepting. They hadn't gone on more than five dates since Mai started working for him about a year ago.
"Only when it affects my work." He corrected, though Masako knew it was because she'd upset Mai. She would have sighed if she had the heart left. Better to give up a lost cause and move on. Naru just wasn't the same as his brother. Her eyes softened as she thought of him. Always warm, always smiling, and so very shy. He had stammered the whole way through their first date, and fumbled when she'd kissed him at the end of the night. She looked up as she felt a hand clutch hers gently, blushing as she realised Naru had reached out in comfort as a tear slid down her cheek.
"Naru, I have your tea." Mai announced as she re-entered, Naru pulling his hand back quickly as the younger teen entered. She placed the cup beside him with a sharp sound. She had seen him. She always let the cup hit harder when she was hurt or annoyed. In recompense Naru awarded her with one of his rare looks.
"Thank you." He said, a little warmth seeping into the words as he looked up at her with gentle blue eyes, a flush rising to her cheeks in response. Masako got to her feet and excused herself, hiding face behind her kimono sleeve as she padded silently out of the room. Mai watched after her hesitantly. Did I upset her? She wondered, making to go after the psychic. "Leave her be." Naru instructed, his tone making her feel like she was missing something, but part of her desperately wanted to go after her friend and comfort her.
"What is going on around here today?" Aido sighed as yet more depression washed over him from the psychic girl. Her feelings were even stronger than the vampire's. Human emotions were always much stronger, and easier to pick up. And harder to block out! Mai smiled in amusement as Aido clutched his head dramatically and rolled from side to side in frustration. She looked down as she felt a hand clutch her own, her cheeks flushing as she looked across at Naru. He made no sign that he noticed her gaze as he continued to work with one hand.
"Wow, I never even knew you were that way inclined…" Monk-san stated as he leaned back on the window sill, John looking up with wide blue eyes at the misunderstanding. It is a misunderstanding! John insisted internally as he sat on the edge of his bed, his hair still damp from the shower. He wasn't wearing a shirt yet, since Monk-san had interrupted him half way through getting dressed. The shirt was still hanging on the wardrobe doorknob.
"I'm not! I had a wife, and I'm an exorcist!" John insisted, Monk-san raising an eyebrow and tilting his head as he folded both his arms and his legs as he rested on the wooden sill. John averted his eyes at the intense stare he was receiving.
"From what you've just told me you are definitely that way inclined, and that's okay. Being gay or bisexual or straight won't change you. These are different times. You get plenty of gay Christians." The monk insisted, John's cheeks flushing at the notion. He had done his best his whole life to be a good Catholic, and the only time that had come into jeopardy before Ichijou was when he'd fallen in love with Jemima, but that was alright. She was a woman, he was a man, and they'd married.
"It's not right!" John insisted again as he sighed and fell back, his hair tousling on the duvet. He wasn't sure how it had started, but somehow he had managed to pour out his problems to Monk-san. Now the monk had taken a personal interest in making sure John made the right decision. The right decision according to who?
"John, put your faith aside for a minute. How does Ichijou make you feel?" Monk-san asked, watching the younger boy flush at the question, which was answer enough for him. John turned on his side and grabbed one of the pillows, crushing it to his chest and burying his face in it.
"I don't know…I feel so…confused…" John replied, clearly frustrated about the whole situation. Hearing the older man get to his feet John turned onto his back to look up at the taller man, who looked down at him thoughtfully. He almost looked funny with one eyebrow raised, his hands resting on his slim hips.
"Well, do you feel like this about any other men? Or is Ichijou special?" Monk-san asked, John tilting his head slightly at the question. Thinking about it, John found he had no idea. He'd never been in a situation with any other man that would affect him either way. Ichijou had made his move at a very emotional time in John's life. On both occasions John had been weak and vulnerable, emotionally as well as physically.
"I don't know…No other man has ever tried to…" John trailed off, watching as Monk-san stepped closer. He gasped as the older man's knee came up to rest between his legs, the larger body falling over his own. John looked up at the older man as he supported himself above the young exorcist. He looked up, slightly puzzled. Monk-san wasn't acting like himself. "Houshou…" John said, unsure what to ask as he looked up at the older man.
"Do I turn you on John?" Monk-san asked in a purr as he lowered his head, lightly brushing their cheeks together, his long bangs tickling the side of John's face. "I could be better than him you know…" He added seductively, John letting out a surprised yelp as Monk-san's knee rose to press a little firmer between his legs.
"Houshou, this is going too far!" John joked nervously as he placed his hands on the monk's shoulders to push him back, his blue eyes widening as the older man grabbed his wrists and pinned him down roughly. Monk-san watched as the boy beneath him struggled, his eyes wide in panic as he looked between his wrists and Monk-san. "Houshou!" He said pleadingly, tugging his wrists in a futile attempt to break free.
"Is it only vampire boys that turn you on?" Monk-san demanded as he leaned down again, feeling the boy beneath him flinch as he nipped his ear, his lips brushing John's pale throat. He could feel the boy beneath him shiver slightly, his hands still trying to pull free from Monk-san's strong grip. What is he doing? I thought we were friends…Why is he doing this?
John's eyes widened as Monk-san leaned down and kissed him, their lips mashing together almost roughly. John scrunched his eyes up in denial and tried to pull free again, humming loudly in objection as he tried to turn his head. It felt wrong. It felt all wrong. The hands holding him were large and rough, the lips pressed against his were chapped, the light stubble brushing his skin was almost painful. His scent was too strong, too masculine. The body was too large, the hair was too long, his eyes were brown instead of crystal blue and his voice was too deep. He's not Ichijou…Ichijou! John thought, scrunching his eyes and thinking the name as if he were calling for help.
"So, what were you thinking about?" Monk-san asked as he drew back and got to his feet. John looked up stunned as the older man wiped his mouth on the back of his hand and pulled his beige top straight. "What? Did you think I was actually hitting on you?" He laughed as he returned to the window and opened it slightly to let in a cool breeze. John sat up with pink cheeks, avoiding the older man's gaze.
"I was wondering what you were thinking." John admitted. The older man knew that John was holding something back, but as long as John knew what, or who, he'd been thinking about that was all that mattered.
"Well, you weren't turned on by me were you? I'll try not to be insulted." Monk-san said almost teasingly, watching a small smile appear on John's face, but his sea blue eyes were elsewhere. Apparently I gave him a lot to think about… "Look, if I don't turn you on but Ichijou does, then that means he's someone special to you. It doesn't matter that he's a boy, and it doesn't matter that he's a vampire…The heart wants what the heart wants." The older man added wisely, watching John's expression fall slightly.
"But it does matter! According to the rules I can't! He's a man, so it's wrong. He's a vampire, so I should kill him, not…" John trailed off in frustration, Monk-san waving aside John's beliefs. He didn't have much advice left for John, so Monk-san pushed himself away from the window and prepared to leave.
"If your God is as forgiving as he's made out, then he won't mind…Do yourself a favour. Kiss Ichijou. If you can't do it, then you know it's not meant to be. If you don't feel anything then it's not meant to be, but if you do feel something then do yourself a favour and go with it. You deserve a little happiness, no matter where it comes from." Monk-san advised as he headed for the door, not pausing for a response as he pulled it open and excused himself. John thought about Monk-san's words as he rolled onto his side and hugged the pillow, feeling like a school boy. I've lost a wife, lost a son, hunted vampires, almost died countless times, and it's my own feelings that turn my stomach inside out!
"What's wrong?" Naru asked, noticing the slight tightening of Lin's jaw and the tiny lines around his eyes. No one else would notice, but Naru had been with Lin for many years. Long enough to learn his every tick. The older man raised his dark eyes to Naru, surprised the boy had raised his eyes from the laptop long enough to notice his preoccupation.
"That being I sensed some time ago…It is coming closer…" Lin announced, having a feeling that John's hunch was probably right. It was similar enough to Kaname to be a pureblood vampire. Not that the Chinese man had much experience in this area. All he knew was that there was a strong presence heading towards the school, and its intentions were probably less than honest.
"Interesting…" Naru trailed off, trying to figure out why it had chosen this particular moment in time. It had been hovering so cautiously before, but if Lin could tell with certainty that it was coming closer, then it had purposely dropped its veil. "Where's John?" The ebony haired teen asked as he saved and closed his laptop, the Chinese man not responding for a few moments as his shiki felt out the area.
"He's heading up to the roof." The older man announced, not arguing as Naru got to his feet and grabbed his black clothes. There was no point in arguing with the younger boy. He always got his way somehow. "The blonde vampire…Ichijou, he's up there too." Lin added thoughtfully, only just recalling the vampire's name. Naru said nothing as he finished buttoning his shirt, leaving the white pyjamas on the duvet before leaving the room.
