Title: Bridge of Firefly – Second Chapter: Passing
Disclaimer: "Tokyo Babylon", "X" and all characters and/or contents are belonged to CLAMP and their publishers. The author does not have any legal ownership of these works, and they are being used only as a fan fiction material. The only thing the author possessed is the plot.
Warnings: AU based story. Two men in relationship.
Spoiler: Nothing, for who know "X" and "Tokyo Babylon".
Notes: My first attempted love story. Without crack. In three short chapters.
Status: Unbeated. Special thanks for Aria DC al Fine for becoming beta reader of this story. Betaed version will be uploaded as soon as it is finished.
Summary: To start anew, doesn't mean to end the old one.
Several days after the "poking" session, the stranger is pretty pleased with himself for his achievement. The reason is pretty obvious.
After several session of poking the man's cheek, the stranger noticed several things about the man. The man has the most beautiful pair of green eyes which are very expressive. Those orbs will shone brightly or dim dully, depend on their owner's emotions. The phrase about eyes as window's soul is really suited the man well. Well, coincidentally enough, green is happened to be his favorite color…
The stranger has a suspicious it is not a coincidence though.
Aside from obviously beautiful eyes, the stranger noticed how long the eyelashes of the man have. They are shiny and dark, just like his hair. Those long lashes will touch his cheeks whenever he closes his eyes. Which is a pity, really. Oh, and don't forget those cheeks. If not for the stranger's fear of the man died from embarrassment, he'd keep the poking session non-stop. The temptation to caress those cheeks is sometimes so overwhelming he almost gave in more than once. The stranger thanks for his self-control for that.
Last, hands.
Until now, the stranger himself never realized he has hand fetish. He blamed it to the man for having such gorgeous pair of hands. White porcelain-like, shined dimly under moonlight, slim, artistic curve, and again, looked sinfully soft. For the stranger has no resistance against soft thing, one time he put his hand on top his companion, half-aware with his action. The reaction was spontaneous.
The man emitted a quiet shriek and immediately jumped backward, stuttering a string of apologies while blushing heavily. Aside from the man unparalleled cuteness, which is a fact same as world is round and such, the situation is pretty comical. If not for the consequence the stranger had to pay, that's it. There are several annoying facts resulted from this "accident".
First, the man wouldn't stop bowing and apologizing for nothing. Really, it's not like he is the one at fault here. Heh.
Second, the man completely refused to sit next the stranger with some nonsense reasons like, "invading personal space" thing or alike. This is resulted in the man staying far, at the end of bridge even. Which means: one, the stranger is unable to continue "poking session". Two, the stranger is unable to observe the man closely. Three, the man is no longer stay beside him. Now, while the first and second results are still endurable at some degrees, the last one is a no-no. Something is must be done to make it better, the stranger decided.
After much gentle coaxing and persuasion spent, using soft, soft tone, the man is finally, FINALLY, dares to sits next him. Though, the time spent to make the man less nervous or stiff as a log is another different issue. The stranger concluded that the man had too little human contact until now to get comfortable with another person.
Well, I just need to fix it, don't I?
Having decided that, the stranger one day grabs the man's hand abruptly. Shocked couldn't even describe how the man's felt that time. The first reaction is of course to immediately bolt out to anywhere, which is impossible to achieve, given his hand condition. The stranger's grip is very firm and strong. It even hurts a little. From his standing point of view, the man knows the stranger in no way will let him go anytime soon, if his look is any indication.
The look is so intense that the man feels the stranger is capable to see through him. This is resulted on heavy blushing on his part. The man feels so transparent and vulnerable under the stranger's gaze. Feeling the urge to turn his head away, the man tries to do politely while keeps trying to loosen the grip. A whisper made him stops and stares at the stranger. I didn't hear wrong, right?
"Please stay."
Two sentences and the man's world stops moving. Since when the stranger's gaze, so intense before, turned so sorrowful and gentle, gentle so much the man could drown in those and never came out. The man realizes he is already losing with each second passing-by as those gaze turned more pleading. Does anyone ever could have the heart to say 'no' to those eyes?
Timidly, the man lowers his gaze, regretfully since he could not look at those eyes but embarrassment is won, and sits down next the stranger. He dares to take a peek from under his eyelashes. The effect of his action on the stranger is instantaneous. Golden eyes brighten, a beautiful smile blooms on that equal handsome face, and- The man blushes heavily when he feels his hand got squeezed gently, the grip is no longer painful as the stranger realizes the man won't run away anymore, and more as the stranger lifts their jointed hands to his lips to kiss it lightly.
"Um…" The man is at loss of words.
"Yes?" asked the stranger, somewhat strangely breathless. He is practically glowing in happiness.
And who the man is to deny the stranger's happiness? Hence, the man keeps his silence and lets the stranger do whatever he wants.
The man and the stranger keep and envelop themselves in their comfortable silence, holding each other hand gently, sitting on the bridge as days keep passing. Time has no meaning here, as the stranger pointed out to the man one day. It is always night, the moon is also always hanging on the sky, radiates its ever dull-serene light.
Many people passed by though. Some passed by without a glance on the pair, some would glance curiously at them, and some even stop to gaze at them. The man thought he could recognize some faces on them. But they always move on, keep walking, to the end of the other side of bridge. Unlike the man and the stranger.
"Hey," said the stranger one day.
"Hnn?" the man tilts his head cutely.
"Mind if I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
"Why are you…" the stranger hesitates," here?"
Blink. "What… do you mean…?" The man widens his eyes in sudden realization. "I'm sorry! I didn't realize I've inconvenience-" A finger on his lips silences him immediately.
"That's not what I mean," said the stranger in fond exasperated tone, smiling ever softly. Really, he is just so predictably cute. The stranger moves his finger to trace lightly on the man's cheek. The touch turns gradually into caress as the man made no move of resistance.
The stranger cups the man's cheek and leans ever so slightly, close enough to kiss those irresistible lips, but no, they're sharing same breath now. Expectably, the man blushes hard, but he keeps his gaze steadfastly. A feat he is accomplished after spent so much time with the stranger.
"What I meant is," a whisper softly spoken, a breath tickles on lips," why are you here, with me? When you obviously know, you have to cross the bridge." A query, the man realizes, one he had no answer.
"I… don't know…" Confused green eyes. "Why… are you here?"
A patient smile. "I've already told you. I'm waiting for someone."
The stranger watches closely as those emerald orbs widens slightly, comprehension dawning, followed with something else. Hurt. Realization. Denial. Rejection. More hurt. Withdrawal. As this, the stranger narrows his eyes, displeased. He feels the man starts to distance himself, from him. From him! His mind screams. No! Mine!
"I'm-Mmph!" Whatever the man tries to say die as the stranger grabs him and engages their lips in fierce, demanding, scared, passionate kiss.
Passionate, passionate kiss which turns more as the man's panic subdued and he starts to enjoy it. So much. Those hot, wet lips… They are exchanging breath, caress, hold, which the man realizes at the corner of his mind that he is, yes, being held tightly by the stranger, which feels very nice.
Soon, the kiss is ended, leaving them both breathless. The stranger gazes at the man's eyes, searching a bit fearfully for rejection. Found none, he leans in, albeit slower than before, to kiss feather-lightly at those swollen lips.
Soft, soft kisses. Slow caress. Tight embrace. Shy snuggle. Slower… Deeper… Kiss…
The man made a small surprise voice at the back of his throat. The stranger leans back to gaze fondly and smiles ruefully at his beautiful counterpart who covers his mouth in embarrassment while keeping his gaze firmly on him. Patience is virtue and he is better not to rush all in first time. Deep kiss is one of them.
The stranger moves slowly, kiss the man's forehead and hold him inside his embrace gently, savoring the rich scent uniquely the man. He caresses those gorgeous silky black hairs, finding great comfort on it.
Enfolded inside warm, safe embrace, the man shyly returns it. He realizes some passer-bys are staring at them now. But, his embarrassment seems small in comparison, with the heartbeat under his ear. Strong, steady heartbeats. Heart. Alive. Loved. Something churns inside the man, which made him tightens his embrace. No more. Don't leave. Please, please, please. Please stay.
"…I'm looking…" Exhales of air for suddenly tight chest. "For someone."
Sudden tension of the body, and relax gradually. They still share the embrace.
"Oh." Is the only comment the stranger made. The man has sudden pang in his heart at that.
"I'm-… I… I don't remember… who I'm looking for…" The man admitted softly. "Nor face, nor name."
Several heartbeats later, and the stranger loosens his embrace, followed mournfully by the man. They're gazing at each other, searching.
"Just like me," said the stranger, serious.
"Yes, just like you," confirmed the man. Then, he smiles softly. "That's made two of us."
The stranger shares the same smile with him, which made the man painfully relieved. Warm feeling blooms and fills his chest, spreading to all his soul. It is a very comforting feeling. The feeling of long-forgotten memory.
"I…" The man needs to share his emotion with the stranger. "I know this sounds weird, but-" He gazes at those inquiry, curious eyes, fearfully. "I miss you." A tremor starts on his body, made him breathless. "So much. So much that I-"
"Shh! It's alright, it's alright. I'm here." The stranger immediately enfolds the man in tight embrace, making comforting motion on his back as the man cries silently.
"I'm-sorry-… I don't know-what has-gotten into-me-… I-I-… I'm sorry…I missed-you-…Missed you-so-much" The man keeps apologizing and crying, pouring his whole emotion into those broken phrases. And he knows, the stranger understands. He will, no, he does understand.
"Yes, I know." The stranger whispered softly. "Because… me too. I, miss you. So, much."
The declaration made anew the man's cry. Loosening his embrace, the stranger cups the man's, his, beautiful counterpart and wipes those stubborn lovely tears away. Which persistently keep falling down freely. The stranger smiles fondly and kisses those tears. The man made a soft choking sound as the stranger starts licking the tear slowly, softly, tenderly, as if wary of the man's reaction. The tear quiets down gradually, after the stranger kisses his eyelashes, eyelids, in soft feather-light way.
Pulling back, the stranger gazes softly and smiles serenely, which brought identical smile on the man.
After spending some quality time holding and leaning on each other, the man has pretty much calm down to relax. He cuddles a little inside the stranger's embrace.
"Maybe…" The stranger said suddenly.
"Hm?" The man lifts up his gaze dreamily.
"Maybe," the stranger turns thoughtful," the one I am waiting for…" he gazes seriously down, golden meet green," is you."
Blink. Surprise. "Me?"
"Yes… It could be you. No, I want it to be you," stated the stranger stubbornly.
A blink. And another blink. "… It could be you…"
"…What is?"
"The one I am looking for…" The man held the stranger's face tenderly. "No, it had to be you."
Smiling teasingly, the stranger holds those hands holding him. "Are you sure?"
Another smile as answer. "Yes, I'm sure." A hesitant heartbeat. "…Are you?"
Teasing smile turns to wicked one is the warning, before the man is enfolded and kissed thoroughly. Very. Thoroughly. They separate after awhile, completely breathless. A kiss away on, the stranger whispers so softly. "I. Am. Definitely. Very. Sure." A smile and a kiss. "Let's go." He stands up.
"Huh?" The man, following suit, also stands up. "Where?"
"There." The stranger points to the other side of bridge, where those people move to.
"Ah." The man looks doubtful. The other side is pretty dark, and, this looming dark feeling inside… Startled, he looks down to find the stranger has clasped their hands.
"Don't worry," assured the stranger, gently," this time, I'll go with you."
A smile blooms on the man's face. "Yes… This time," a squeeze on hand," I'll go with you. Together."
"Together." The stranger nods.
And then, they walk together, hand by hand, to the other side of bridge.
A/N: A review from who read this would be much appreciated.