Len glances down at his hands, rethinking every decision in his life that has led up to this moment. The red box in his grasp is glaringly obvious as he sits on a nearby park bench, and he has an absurd urge to hide the package behind his back, out of sight.
Quit being weird. Other guys do this normally too, right? Len scolds himself internally, shaking his head. It is not as strange as it seems.
Well… it kind of is. He searches the area, trying to spot a familiar short blonde walking his direction. I doubt every guy would be waiting to confess to his best friend.
He frowns again at the box of chocolates his ever-so-considerate friend, Kaito, had handed him. "Give her these and lay it on her, and you're golden," the bluenette had said, flashing him a broad grin and winking at him. "Believe me, everyone knows this can't possibly go wrong. Just get it over with already so we can stop watching you both pine over each other."
Len grows nervous just thinking about it. Rin? Actually having feelings for him, too? That's definitely hard to believe. The girl hardly ever shows romantic interest in anything. (Not counting the time she fell head over heels for some fictional character named 'Shion' from something called 'Magico'. Whatever that is.) He didn't even know she had a crush at all until her close friend Gumi kindly informed him the other day with a blow to the head and a disgusted remark about how oblivious he is.
You'd think, having been friends with Rin for several years now, he'd have picked up on that kind of thing, but Len has always had issues realizing someone's feelings. When shy, quirky nerd, Miku Hatsune, had come right out and confessed to him a few months ago, he'd been caught completely off guard- though later he was told she spoke about him all the time and dropped plenty of hints.
That was one of the most disastrous dates I'd ever witnessed, Len recalls. Not being one to just directly turn down a girl, he'd agreed to a single outing, which to this day he still regrets. He's labelled it the 'Unspeakable Date', and true to its name, he refuses to say a word about what happened that day and why Miku came to school the next day with half a pigtail missing, a sprained ankle, and a newfound fear of tomatoes.
Pushing away the unpleasant memories, Len returns to the situation at hand and debates. Should he really go through with it? It's been eating away at him for months now, and he's gone in circles repeatedly about what to do. If he decides to confess, he backs out at the last minute. If he chooses not to say anything? ...He looks at her, and the rush of affection he feels for her returns. It's a lose-lose situation for him.
Len can't exactly remember when it was that he fell for Rin- or even considered liking her that way. Rin has always been such a tomboy. While other girls chose to go clothes shopping, or to one of those group blind dates to find a boyfriend, Rin always preferred to hang back and play video games, or watch anime with him. It was one of the many things he liked about her- and much to his chagrin, he became way too used to treating her like a boy.
Though, when he had first met her, she definitely seemed girly. Gumi had introduced her with her usual flair, and Len was taken aback when he saw Rin. The opposite of Gumi's jaggedly cut green locks, torn shorts, and baggy long sleeved shirts, Rin stood there in an orange pleated skirt, a white t-shirt with some kind of chibi black sheep on it, soft blonde hair that brushed her shoulders, and a large bow on her head that was slightly askew. It was as if he was looking at a demon and angel standing side by side.
She had smiled and introduced herself, and even now he remembers thinking 'wow, what a cute girl'. Flustered, he'd made a joke and managed to get her to laugh, a tinkling sound he later loved hearing all the time.
Wow… did I like her even back then?
It became clear she wasn't an average girl after that, though. Rin was nothing like what he expected, and when he was on the receiving end of a punch that could almost put Gumi's to shame, he figured out that they suited each other far better than they appeared. Still, that didn't stop him and Rin from growing close. It's not exactly clear cut when they went from acquaintances to the closest in their small bunch of friends, but Len hasn't minded it in the slightest.
Len watches a couple walk along the path in front of him, hand in hand, laughing and talking in affectionate whispers. He blinks, then turns red, trying to imagine Rin and himself doing that exact thing. It's really strange to picture, but not unpleasant. Would she really do something like that? With… m-me?
"You're such an idiot, Len. I honestly thought you were brighter than this, but apparently not." Gumi's biting words come back to haunt him. "I mean, seriously, dude? How could you not catch on to your best friend's feelings?"
He'd tried to find an excuse, but in the end, he felt Gumi was right. He probably should have known. It's just so surprising, though… How was he to know that the person Rin liked was none other than himself?!
"Len! Heyyyy~!"
Len's head snaps up, catching sight of a thin girl racing toward him. Her black hoodie bobs with every long stride, and Rin wears a grin so wide he could've seen it across the park. His chest constricts tightly with apprehension at her arrival, all his doubt returning in a flash. Can I really do this? C- confess to her?
"Hey, Rin." Len goes for a normal approach as she walks over, before realizing the box of chocolate is still in his hand. Panicking, he tries to shove it off to the side, but Rin sees it easily enough. Plopping onto the bench next to him, she tilts her head and gazes at him curiously.
"What's that? Did you get me something?" she asks suspiciously.
"Uh…" He swallows quickly. "...Y-yeah." Defeated, he hands the red box- tied with a cheesy pink bow he hadn't really noticed until just now- to her.
Her eyes narrow, and she makes no move to accept it. "This isn't another one of your prank gifts, right? I swear to god, Len, if fake rats are in here, I'm going to literally bury you six feet under."
Len shakes his head, momentarily regretting the one time he had done that to her. Not that he hadn't felt extreme remorse when Rin had opened said gift, and nearly threw him out of her bedroom window. "No, it's just… a thing. Take it," he pushes, thrusting the box into her hands.
Wow. Good job, Len. You sound so intelligent. Len mentally facepalms.
Rin looks down at the gift, then at Len with curiosity. Shrugging, she tugs the ribbon off of the box and opens it, her eyes widening at the sight of various chocolates.
"Wow, thanks," she says, her suspicions disappearing as she reaches for one of the confections and bites into it. Rin glances at him and smiles. "What's it for, anyway?"
"Uh- um- n-no reason," Len responds, scratching the back of his head nervously and blushing.
Rin makes a face. "Now I feel bad. I didn't get you anything. Wanna share these?" she offers an unbitten piece from the tray.
"S-sure." He accepts the chocolate, leaning back into the bench and nibbling at it. Caramel filled.
For a few moments, they sit in silence, munching away at the box's contents, while Len tries to gather his courage from where Rin had scattered it. Has he always been this awkward around Rin? Nah… his own anxiety is getting to him.
C'mon, man up already, Len scolds himself internally. Do you want to ask her out, or not?
"...Hey, Len?"
He jumps in surprise as Rin speaks, before turning to her. She's gazing intently into the box opened in her lap, as if it has wronged her somehow. "Y-yeah?"
Her fingers twine and untwine themselves before her. "...Can I tell you something?"
Len stares at Rin, apprehension evident on his face. "...What? You can tell me anything, y'know?" Her tone worries him a little. She's not normally so quiet.
He's only further concerned when Rin's cheeks turn slightly pink. "Are you sure? You won't be mad at me?" The shy hesitance in her voice is baffling.
Is something bothering her? His mind works to figure it out- until the realization slaps him in the face like he'd just run into a brick wall.
Is- is she trying to confess to me?!
Len's mouth starts moving on its own. "Nah, Rin, I'm sure it's fine, even though I- um, I don't know what it is, right? And I'm never really mad at you anyway, so don't worry about it." Shut up, Len. "I mean, you can go ahead and tell me anything, even if it's bad! W-wait, I'm not saying it is, but if it were! Er…" Dude. Stop. "I tell you everything, even if it's weird, right? So you can go ahead and just- just spit it out!"
At the end of his ramblings, Rin gazes at Len as if he had suddenly torn off his pants and done the hula, and Len's blush worsens incredibly. Smooth. Way to go. If you hadn't seemed off earlier, she's going to definitely be on to you now.
"Um… okay then." Rin says slowly, like she's testing the waters to see if Len's sanity has vanished.
She shoots him a weird look before returning her gaze to the chocolates, and Len breathes a sigh of relief.
"So… if I told you I liked someone, what would you think of that?"
Len's entire body freezes up, and he stares at Rin, who refuses to meet his gaze.
"I, uh…" He forces his tone into normality, though his voice is quieter than he intends. "...I'd be happy for you."
"Really?" Rin glances at him now, and he panics internally, because he's torn between believing she likes him, and suddenly fearing their friends have it all wrong and there's some other guy she's interested in.
"Well, yeah, I'd be happy for you. I mean, you've never really liked anyone before and I think that's great! I mean, it's none of my business who it is, but if you like him he's gotta be a good guy." Oh no, he's running off at the mouth again. "Though I've probably never met him, or maybe I have, I dunno, but it's just so weird to hear that you like someone. Not that I'm complaining or anything, but-"
Rin smashes the top of the box into his face, effectively silencing him. He attempts to remove it, gripping the sides and shoving, but Rin uses both hands to keep it firmly pressed to his face. He mentally curses the fact that somehow, she's stronger than him. Unfortunately, the action also cuts off any air flow (and painfully smashes his nose in), and he can only manage a muffled sound of protest. Great. His best friend is going to suffocate him for talking too much. Fabulous.
"You're such a dork," Rin states, annoyed, from the other side of the lid. "Shut up for a second and listen, will you? Did you ever think that the person I like might be you?!" She goes painfully silent after her small outburst.
Len stops struggling in shock, and he feels Rin's hands recede from the lid. He slowly removes it, able to see her face again. It's colored deep crimson, mirroring his own. Her dark cyan eyes are directed down, glaring at her clenched fists.
"...Is it me?" he asks her tentatively.
"Isn't it obvious?" Rin shoots back, before pressing her lips into a thin line.
His chest feels a whole lot warmer, a mixture of giddy happiness and pleasant relief as his doubts vanish. Len reaches over, gently taking hold of one of her hands, and Rin's eyes flit to his face in confusion.
"Did you ever think," Len starts off, giving her a small smile, "that I liked you, too?"
He finally said it. For some reason, it's not nearly as terrifying as it had seemed- must be thanks to her own confession. He watches her eyes widen in surprise.
"...Seriously?" Rin asks him, blinking. "Do you… actually have a crush on me?"
"Isn't it obvious?" he repeats her earlier retort, and she blushes, letting out a soft laugh. Her fingers loosen under his, and entwine around his own. Rin gazes at their hands, and Len can feel his heartbeat increasing.
He did it. Len actually confessed- and she feels the same way! It's a freakin' miracle! Here he is, holding Rin's hand, and it's literally the best thing he's ever felt. The only way it could get better is…
Rin seems to feel his eyes on her, because she looks up at him a moment later. He focuses on her face. Len's never really had a chance to examine it, but right now, this close to Rin, he can- he can memorize every green fleck in her beautiful blue irises, note how her blonde hair looks being lightly blown in the summer breeze. How cute it is, seeing her face burn so red... because of him. That thought makes him feel light inside.
Slowly, Len leans forward, mostly subconsciously, his focus more on her partially open lips now because it's just occurred to him- wow, they're so soft looking, and if he kissed her, would they feel that way? It's a burning curiosity, and he moves in more, closing his eyes-
"Mmph!"
The moment is ruined as Rin shoves a piece of chocolate directly into his mouth, inches before their lips can meet. He blinks in astonishment, unable to speak around the candy, as she makes another face at him and leans away.
"Hold on there, we're not even dating yet!" Rin protests, embarrassed. "Don't get ahead of yourself, banana boy."
Len quickly chews on the candy- ugh, the strawberry cream one- so he can respond, straightening up and frowning at her. "Hey, isn't this a mutual thing?" he asks, pouting at her.
"Yeah, but take it slow, dork, you can't just kiss a girl right after confessing!" Rin tells him, crossing her arms. "Geez."
Len flushes. "S-sorry. I just wanted to." He laughs nervously.
Rin puts the crumpled lid back on the box of chocolate. "W-well, not yet anyway. At least take me on a proper date first," Rin commands.
Before she can say anything, he leans in and pecks her cheek. "Is that okay for now?" he asks her, sounding severely shy. God, where did his manly pride go? He's reduced to a cheesy mess thanks to Rin.
Rin touches her cheek, and Len vaguely wonders if she's about to punch him for it before she speaks up. "...Yeah, I guess."
He brightens. "So… about that date…" Len trails off.
"Uhhh…. could the 'date' for today be us hanging at my place playing video games?" Rin asks him, brushing her bangs out of her eyes sheepishly. "Is doing that too weird now? I was originally going to ask if you wanted to fight me again in Naruto."
Len's eyes light up, and he feels his normal competitive nature kick in. He grins. "That sounds great, actually. I swear, I'll win this time," he vows.
Rin laughs. "Hah! As if! I'll maul you into next week. Gaara beats all."
"Let's just see who'll beat who," Len says, standing up and offering a hand to her. "C'mon."
She smiles brightly, and takes the invitation, getting to her feet-
-and a sudden, deep chill runs through both of them.
"Suffer. Feel true, unbridled agony. I want to watch you squirm with fear- I want to see you crumble under despair."
Len stares at Rin, who looks just as shell-shocked as he does. His mind whirls with a heavy dose of confusion, the mysterious, malice-laden voice replaying over and over in his head.
What… was that…?
"Len?" Rin starts to say, her expression a mixture of worry and fear. "Did you hear-"
Her sentence is interrupted then by screaming- and the sounds of gunfire.
"Rin, get down!" is Len's first response, grabbing the other blonde's arm and forcing her behind the bench. From under it, he can see along the walkway and to the cause of the outbreak of terror and violence.
A haggard man, wearing a ripped up beanie and dark clothes, is shooting at anything that moves with a small gun. His face is dirty and unshaven, and even from here, Len can distinguish the wild look in his eyes. He's got to be crazy…! I've got to get us out of here!
Rin's hand is tight around his own, her fear evident. He swallows hard, dread growing into a knot in his stomach. The man is screaming, though it's impossible to make any sense out of the animal-like roaring. Len and Rin both flinch simultaneously as two more shots ring out, and Len watches with horror as the couple from earlier, whom he had tried comparing he and Rin to, drop to the ground in lifeless heaps not too far away. Icy fear runs through his bloodstream.
"Rin," he starts, trying to sound braver than he feels. He's got to get her out of here. He has to get them both out of here- alive. "When I count to three, we run."
"What? Len, are you crazy? We'll get shot!" Rin says in a panicked whisper.
"It's our only chance, alright? Or we'll get found here, and killed anyway. Do you want to take our chances, or sit here waiting to be seen?" Len asks her, gazing into her eyes searchingly. "Please. Come on, Rin."
Rin bites her lower lip, her pretty face far paler than normal. "...Okay. Okay, Len," she relents.
Len turns back to keep an eye on the whack job firing at random, inhaling deeply and making a silent wish. Let this work.
When the man has turned away and started staggering in the other direction, Len begins counting. "One."
He gets to his feet, though stays crouched. Rin follows, still clutching his hand for dear life. "Two."
Steeling himself and watching the man a second longer, he finally whispers "Three!", dragging Rin with him and bolting as fast as his legs can carry him. He didn't see, he didn't see-!
An explosive shot throws that reassuring thought out the window, and Len can hear the crazed psycho behind them yelling vulgarities. Rin is fighting to keep pace with him, her fear driving her much like his is fueling his own steps.
"Ah!" Rin suddenly lets go of his hand and screams, a shrill, horrifying sound, at the same time another shot rings out. Len freezes, then whirls around. Adrenaline-laden fear courses through him as he stares at his fallen best friend.
Rin's clutching at her chest, blood pouring from between her fingers as she gasps in shock on the ground. Her other hand is barely propping her up, and Len rushes to her side, taking hold of her.
"Rin! Oh god, Rin!" he cries out, holding her close, covering her bloodied hands with his own. He can't believe what he's seeing- ruby red liquid staining her shirt and his own skin, and Rin soundlessly whimpering in pain,. He's truly horrified for the first time in his life. No! Rin…! The thought of losing her is so much more than pure terror.
He doesn't register the muddy shoes walking forward, until piercing pain cuts through his shoulder, and he yells in shocked agony, thrown back by the shot. Electric fire pours through his body, every nerve screaming in warning as his own blood flows to color his clothing. A flash of light, and his eyes follow the glint of metal, looking up and straight into the barrel of the psycho's loaded gun. Stunned into inaction, he can only stare helplessly at the man, thoughts running as fast as lightning through his mind.
No… No, this can't be how it ends.
Just a few minutes ago, I… I confessed to the girl I love. I was happy- everything was normal. Nothing was wrong, there was no blood, Rin was fine- I was fine.
The man starts cackling, sending spider-like tendrils of disgust and despair creeping through Len's body.
"Let me send you to hell where you belong!" the man intones gruffly, his laughter deepening and sounding truly evil. Len can't breathe- it's as if there's an iron vise squeezing the very air from his lungs.
Just moments ago, we were laughing. I was with Rin, I was happy. We were happy. This can't be how it ends.
The crazed murderer presses the gun into Len's forehead, the metal bitingly cold against his hot skin.
This can't be how it ends, it can't be. I'll wake up any second, and it'll all be a dream. This is an illusion, it's not reality, it can't be, it can't-!
Rin's labored breathing is slowed, and he can't feel her moving any more. His heart is pounding harder than a tribal drum.
I was with Rin and nothing was wrong- this can't be happening-!
No, no no no-!
NO!
The man smirks at him cruelly.
Stop this! Stop!
Make this illusion stop!
The trigger is pulled back.
Len screams, a strangled sound of despair, and then the world goes dark.
The cloaked man tents his hands under his chin. Somewhere in the room, a clock ticks each second's passing. Otherwise, it is eerily silent.
A small, satisfied smirk settles perfectly on his lips. His eyes are a bright, ruby red- the color of freshly spilled blood- and he looks extremely pleased with himself.
And so, the cycle begins anew once again.
However, you won't find an easy way out of my grasp.
I will watch the hope and light disappear from your eyes for the very last time.
You, who have taken from me time after time, will feel the depths of true darkness.
A/N: Beta'd by the lovely Piriluk :3
Annnnd chapter one is now up! I told you- it's only going to go downhill from here. I'm sorry to you all ;_;
By the way, this is going to one seriously long fic. .-. *glances at docs* Oh boy... I hope you're all ready for this wild ride.
Thank you for reading! I wrote this to 'Handbeat Clocktower', 'Mirror's Magic', and 'Boy of the End: Hansel'.
Read on~!
~Disclaimer~ I only own spilled blood, disguised gore, and accidental fluff. The Kagamines are not my own. ;_;