they are both stubborn as hell. but that's how it goes. their meeting didn't go quite as I planned, but this might actually work better.

ChouRan: thanks again for the review! I do try to update at least once a week ;) I hope what happens here won't disappoint you. I try my hardest to make this a good story. and I am grateful for your support :D

I hope you enjoy reading it!

Chapter 6

He wasn't happy admitting it but he was nervous. He had no idea what he should expect from the meeting with the blond. And he really couldn't ask his friends opinions because he still wanted to keep Fai safe from Tomoyo's curious hands. She would anyway fuss around the blond, complement his looks and beg him to be her cloth model. She was obsessed with making clothes with people she thought looked good.

And he could not deny that the blond was good looking. Or he would be blind if he denied it. The soft blond locks, slender form with long limbs and clear sky blue eyes.

But he wasn't happy about it either. He was pretty sure that as a guy he should not pay any attention to how some other guy looked. Or moved. He didn't know if the gracefulness with which Fai moved was natural since birth or results from the gymnastics training.

He facepalmed. Sure he had been on a date before, at least few times. Not that he had been too eager about those, but he had figured that there was no harm trying. And it hadn't been bad but none of the girls had even gotten close to the effect that meeting Fai had. He lifted his head and stared at his wardrobe. How come it was this hard to choose what to wear? It didn't matter. He did not try to look good in front of the blond and definitely not for the blond. He rubbed his cheeks fiercely so that he could have natural explanation for why his cheeks were burning. Then he stood up and picked a shirt at random. He was not going to dwell over this.

What first met his hand was black dress shirt. He wondered briefly if it was too fancy. After all, it was not a date, just too guys meeting and talking. And when he noticed that he was again thinking about his looks and what to wear he growled and put the shirt on. There. One issue less. Then he just grabbed the pants he normally wore, black pants, not too tight and not too loose.

When he caught himself checking himself from the mirror he literally smacked himself on the head. This was stupid. Okay. He wanted to make sure that the blond was not hurt again. And he had been bothered when the blond had ignored him while he was watching his training. But that was all. End of conversation.

He walked out of his room, making sure that he had his wallet, keys and phone with him.

"I'm leaving!" he called out. His mother came from the kitchen while he was pulling his shoes on.

"Have fun darling" his mother said with a smile. He smiled back at his mother and waved goodbye. He knew he was lucky. He knew for certain that not all parents would let their kids go hang around in the city if they had test period coming up. But his parents trusted him and he treasured that trust and tried not to break it.

Briskly he walked to the cafe. He looked through the windows but didn't see Fai there. The blond mob was a pretty good landmark. So he decided to stay outside. That way he could see if the blond was coming but would get cold feet right before reaching the cafe and walk away. It was not like he trusted Fai to keep his words. For some reason the blond was extremely unwilling to talk about himself.

Not like he couldn't relate to that. He wasn't one to share his personal stuff either. Not always with friends even. Otherwise he might have told them about meeting Fai.

He was already thinking that the blond had left him hanging when he noticed a blond mob rushing through the group of people on the sidewalk.

Panting the blond stopped in front of him, leaning down to his knees to catch his breath

"Am I late?" the blond gasped between breaths. He checked his watch

"Not much" he said. Apparently it was just five minutes past their scheduled meeting. He had gotten restless rather soon.

"Good" Fai sighed out and straightened up. There was not that smile on his face that he had seen during the school lunch while Sakura had been around. He stared at the blond until the blond looked self-conscious and run a hand through the blond locks

"Is there something on my face?" Fai asked. He shook his head

"No. I was just wondering"

the blond tilted his head and now his heart was beating faster. He swallowed and shoved his hands into his pockets

"About what?" the blond inquired

"Why you were worried about being late" he answered reluctantly. The blond frowned

"Why wouldn't I be? After all, I asked you out, so it would be extremely rude to stood you up"

he felt heat on his cheeks.

"You make it sound like we would be on a date" he mumbled. The blond laughed at his expression.

"We could be" the blond teased him and poked him on the cheek. Angrily he slapped the hand away.

"We could not." he said sternly "I only came because I thought you would finally tell me what's going on with you and the bastard"

the blond was quiet for a while, then shrugged and entered the cafe. Huffing in annoyance and rolling his eyes he followed after the blond. Fai sat down onto a table next to a window and he sat opposite side from Fai. The blue eyes were gazing out the window and after a while he realized that Fai was not going to say anything.

Letting out a deep sigh he picked up the menu. There was nothing edible there. Everything sounded over sweet. He dropped the menu back on the table and then they silently waited for a waiter. When one arrived Fai was greeted warmly

"Long time Fai!" the girl with unbelievable long hair said. Fai smiled sat the girl warmly. He felt a pinch in his chest and unconsciously rubbed it. Why was the blond getting along with so many girls?

"Hi Chi!" the blond chirped back "I'll have the usual" Fai said and winked. The girl nodded and scribbled something down

"I thought you would. And what would your friend want?" the girl turned to him and the girl titled her head "You are new one. I haven't seen you here before" then the girl smiled brightly at him "Welcome to Cat's Eye caffee. May I recommend you some of our house specialties?"

he shook his head

"Thanks. I'll have just a black coffee"

the girl nodded, scribbled down more and bowed

"I'll deliver them shortly" she said and walked to bring the order in. he met the blue eyes

"You come here often?" he asked. The blue eyes narrowed for a moment, then Fai shrugged

"Irregular basis. I have to ask, why are you so interested in me?"

he didn't know what to say. So he leaned back in his chair and stared back into the blue eyes

"Why are you so persistent in denying that you are being abused?"

Fai leaned forward

"Why are you so stubborn that you won't believe what I am telling you?"

he snorted

"Because you don't believe yourself. There is something wrong"

he was sure that Fai was going to say something when the girl was back

"Here is your coffee" and a coffee was placed in front of him. Fai moved back and the girl placed a piece of cake and a hot chocolate in front of him. Fai smiled and thanked the girl and he nodded too. Happily the girl walked away.

Immediately the blond dug in into his sweet treat. He tested how hot the coffee was and decided it was still too hot to drink. So he just stared Fai, watching him eating. Then he said

"I thought we went through this at school. I just want to give the bastard what's coming to him"

the blond sighed and put down the spoon.

"I know. But I am still wondering why you keep stalking me around all the time"

he swallowed and willed his cheeks to cool down

"Am not" he said.

Fai chuckled

"You are lying. I can tell"

he couldn't argue with that because he also knew when the blond was lying. And if he would persist on lying, it would pretty much ruin his chances in getting Fai to talk. So he shrugged

"I did not ask to meet you during weekend"

Fai lifted an eyebrow

"No, but you agreed on coming"

"And you were worried about being late" he bit back. There was a faint smile on the blond's lips

"You were there early"

he sipped his coffee and looked out of the window. Soon Fai picked up his spoon and continued eating.

"You know it's impossible to talk with you?" he said without thinking.

"Like wise" Fai said without missing a beat.

He sighed and looked at the blond

"Why can't you just tell me what is going on without all this beating bushes?"

Fai didn't say anything until he had cleared his plate. Then swirling the spoon in his hot chocolate Fai said quietly

"Because it's not easy. It's personal and I don't like talking about it"

the blue eyes met his. "If I tell, do you promise to let me train in peace?"

he shook his head

"I can't"

"So you won't even meet me half way? Isn't that selfish? Wanting to everything to go as you want, not compromising?"

he run a hand through his hair

"I am just worried. What you do is not easy and if something goes wrong you could get really badly hurt"

the blue eyes met his and they were softer now

"Thank you for the kind thought. But it can't be helped."

he shook his head in frustration

"But why? What is so important you have to get hurt?"

nervously Fai tapped his fingers against the glass.

"My parents divorced when I was little" there was a long pause. Finally he decided that Fai was not going to say more unless he gave him a little push.

"Okay. And?"

the blond smiled halfheartedly

"You really aren't one with tact?"

he waved his hand

"Usually it doesn't do me any good"

Fai huffed amused.

"Anyway. I also have a twin." Fai's hands were now clenching the glass, knuckles white. He was dreading what he would hear because it was clear as a day that it was something painful.

"You can tell me. I won't tell anyone else"

the blue eyes met his and they softened a bit

"I know. You don't seem like the type to hear and tell" Fai looked at his cocoa "If I tell you, do you promise to let Reed be?"

he frowned

"Why?"

Fai shook his head

"Because it's important to me"

he held his breath a while and then let it out.

"Fine. But only if you indeed have a good reason for it"

the blond nodded eagerly

"It is"

"Then tell"

"Promise first"

he rolled his eyes. He was an idiot for caring so much for the blond.

"I promise" he muttered between his teeth. Fai kyaaed happy before going serious again

"So, my parents divorced a few years back. Before I moved here" he nodded in understanding, and also to encourage Fai to keep going. "And while they shared all their belonging they argued who would get custody over us" Fai's normally flowing voice was nonchalant but it came out a bit forced. Even an idiot could see that the blond was anything but nonchalant about it "and finally they settled that I would stay with my dad and Yuui would go with mom" the blond looked sternly in his glass and played with the spoon in it, lifting a spoonful and then letting it dribble back. "they forbade us to meet, because they don't want to have anything to do with each others"

he blinked. That was crazy! What kind of parents would deny their kids the right to meet? But he didn't need to question the blond. It was clear as a day that the situation indeed was that bad.

He hesitantly reached over and placed his hand briefly over Fai's, giving it a little squeeze

"I'm sorry about that. But can't you just meet him without your parents permission?"

Fai smiled, but it was bitter smile, it looked more like the blond's heart was breaking.

"They live on the other side of the country. I don't know about you, but I don't have that much money that I could get there. And neither does Yuui. Our parents don't really give allowance, they just buy us what we need."

"Then how can you afford coming here often enough to have normal order?"

now Fai's lips curled up properly

"My dad has a tab here. I can come here and have a snack and he will get the bill later. He got bored of me whining for sweet all the time and this was his solution to it." Fai shrugged. "It's not like he is a bad person. They just really fall out badly with mom."

"Well. That's good" he titled his head and narrowed his eyes "But why was this so big deal to tell"

Fai sighed

"Because I miss him real bad. He is my twin, my other half. Now it's nearly the same as if he would be dead"

he shook his head

"Don't be an idiot. There is nothing similar to it. Now you still have the chance to see him, talk to him and have fun with him. If he were dead, you could only visit his grave"

Fai stared at him, wide eyed. Then the blond chuckled

"You are right. Sorry, I just sometimes get a bit negative about the situation"

he lifted an eyebrow

"To put it lightly" he muttered. The blond grinned at him and he felt better. He understood that the situation was not pleasant but there was no reason to exaggerate and loose the will to fight for a better life.

Fai continued to drink his hot chocolate and suddenly he noticed something

"Wait a minute. What does any of this have to do with Reed hitting you?" he said with a frown threatening to turn into a glare. He had been so caught up with the blond's moods that he had nearly forgotten why he had come here in the first place.

The blond blinked at him, blue eyes momentarily showing pure surprise. Then Fai giggled

"Sorry. I forgot you don't know Yuui." the blue eyes were sparkling. The blond must really like his brother to be that happy just talking about him " he has always dreamed of competing in worldwide championship in gymnastics. So you see, if I get good enough too, we will meet in some competition sooner or later. And I rather have it sooner. And Reed is the only one here who is able to teach me."

he couldn't believe this. Was the blond seriously putting all his hope on shaky plan like that? He pressed a hand to his eyes and spoke

"That's really your big plan of meeting your brother?" he asked. Fai had to be kidding. But he didn't have to see the blond's face to know how hopeful he looked when hearing his say

"Yes."

"Do you even like it that much? Gymnastics I mean?"

he peeked between his fingers. Fai shrugged

"You have gotta be kidding. You don't work your ass off and get a beating just so you can meet your twin. That is insane" he snapped, lowering his hand and glaring Fai, who looked upset

"I don't get beaten. And what else am I supposed to do?" the blond spat back, tint of red spreading to his pale cheeks and blue eyes blazing. "Maybe you don't know what it's like to really want to meet someone, so much that you are willing to do whatever it takes to meet that someone. But this is my life, I can do whatever I want with it, and you have no saying about it"

Fai stood up and stared down on him with narrowed eyes.

"So you have better keep your mouth shut. And the next time you come and disturb my practice, I will let Reed kick you out. Okay?"

without waiting an answer Fai walked out. He sighed in irritation and rubbed his temples. Fai was blind. There had to be better ways to get to meet his twin. What he was trying to do was not only stupid, also really hard. It would take years to get good enough to be able to get even to national level. And there were those who had trained their whole life on it. Fai was good, but probably not that good.

A waitress came to talk to him.

"Sir, is everything all right?"

he snorted and glared the girl.

"Yeah, other than the fact that Fai is an idiot"

the girl looked taken aback and he waved his hand in irritation "Never mind. Would you get me the bill, okay?"

the girl nodded and scurried away.

Soon after he left the cafe. The only way he could think of to help Fai, and to stop Reed was to find another way for the blond to meet his twin.

He growled. He would have to ask for Yuuko's help now. He needed to find out where Yuui lived and how much it would costs to get there.

But he was not looking forward to meeting Yuuko. He would have to apologize and he didn't even dare to guess what the girl would ask for him in return for the information.

He glanced at the sky, showed his hands into his pockets and headed back home. He should study this weekend because there might be other things to do next week. And then it would already be the testing time.

He shook his head. Why the hell was he so eager to help the blond? Things would be much easier if he would dismiss Fai and do what was right and report the bastard.

But just the idea gave him a bang of guilt. So he would have to do with the harder way.

review please! there was already huge progress in this chapter, and it was longer than any of the previous ones!