Title: A Thin Line Broken
Fandom: Xiaolin Showdown
Characters: Rai, Kim, Amy (my oc), Keiko, Chase, bartender (my oc), Jermaine, Wuya, Omi
Prompt: 089:Work
Word Count: 8,802
Rating: PG-13
Summary: (AU) Do you believe in love at first sight?
Author's Note: Not a big believer myself, but oh well. I had fun on the last AU, so I decided to write another one. :D Onward to the first post of the new year! Oh and beware the drama... EDIT: I decided to change this to Work because it's really more that than Shapes.
"Almost... and... there. It's done." He lifted the needle from the customer's skin. On her lower back revealed a blue rose that bled black. She got up and went over to the mirror and saw with a smile.
"It's perfect," she said.
"Glad you like," he replied. Then she went back over to him and he applied medication over the tattoo. Then put on a bandage over it. She turned back to him and placed a kiss on his cheek.
"I'll see you tonight, Raimundo," she said as she walked.
"See you tonight, Amy," he said as she stepped out. He let on a smile as he removed his ink and blood covered gloves and threw them out. To him, Amy was no one in particular. Just another lay. It's not like he liked this kind of lifestyle, it was just something to live with. It was usually a different girl a week. Pretty much whoever walks into the shop.
"You really are an idiot, aren't you?" He turned and saw his working buddy and close friend, Chase Young.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Raimundo replied.
"I'm talking about you settling down for once in your life."
"Settling down?"
"Yeah, y'know. A girl that you actually fall for. Someone to grow old with."
"No offense, Chase, but not everyone is like you."
"At least I have a wife."
"And I don't and I'm gonna keep it like that."
"That's what they all say."
"Yeah and very unlikely."
DING! DING!
Their conversation was interrupted by someone entering the shop. They turned and saw two girls. One was tall and had short black hair with auburn eyes. Standing next to her was a shorter girl with long raven hair and mysterious blue eyes. The tall one had a brave smile while the other one seemed timid.
When Raimundo first gazed at the short girl, his eyes widened and there was an unfamiliar feeling rise in his chest. He stood there looking at her. Feet plastered and nothing registering to his ears.
"Can I help you?" He shook his head as he heard Chase ask.
"Yeah. My friend and I want tattoos," the taller girl said.
"Well then, you came to the right place. What would you like and where do you want it?" The tall girl looked over the designs that were plastered all over the walls of the shop. Until her eyes fell on one design.
"I like that one," she said as she pointed to a tribal shaped into a star. Chase gave the price and lead her to a bench. It was then that Raimundo got the feeling in his legs back and walked over to the timid girl.
"So what about you?" he asked. The girl looked up at him.
"U-Um... I'm just here for my friend," she said, fear was in her voice.
"Then why did your friend say that you both are getting a tattoo?"
"S-She's just kidding around."
"Kimiko! I told you! I don't want to do this alone!" They turn to the tall girl who now had aggravation on her face. The short girl's face now replace with grimace. Raimundo saw it as he turned back to her.
"If you don't want to do it-"
"No. I'll do it. She's right." He gave her a skeptical look.
"Are you sure?" She nodded and the fear resided. "All right. If you say so." She continued to nod. "So what would you like?" She looked up at him and her eyes gave off some query.
"Well... Do you have anything with fire?" she asked.
"Where do I begin," he joked. She let out a snort. "All right, all right. Jokes aside, lets see what we got." He walked behind the front desk and took out a scrap book that specifically had fire designs. He placed it before her and she went through page after page. Pretty much all the designs had flames or something with flames coming out of it. Nothing really appealed to her until her eyes fell on one design that didn't have flames coming out of it, but it was like an upside down "Y" with one line going down on each side. She had a suspicion of what it was.
"What's that one?" she asked. Raimundo leaned in and looked at it. All the while he breathed in her perfume.
"That's the Chinese/Japanese character for fire." She nodded. Confirming her suspicion. "You like it?"
"It's great."
"You want it?" She looked up at him again and made a slight nod. He gave the price and she paid not only for her, but for her friend as well. "All right, follow me." He lead her to an available bench. "So where do you want it?"
She gave little thought and came to a conclusion.
"On my lower neck." He made a nod and ushered her on the bench.
"I'll be right back. I'm just going to get the stencil." She nodded and the insecurity resided. He walked to get it and returned with it. He stopped right behind her and faced her back. "I'm going to have to ask you to take off your shirt." She turned to him rapidly. "So I can put it on." She still looked at him. "Look, I know what you're thinking, but that's the thing with getting a tattoo. You gotta trust the artist." She considered it and turned away from him. She crossed her arms and reached down the hem and lifted her shirt over her shoulders. Revealing only her bra. His breath got caught in his throat as he watched her take her shirt off. He sobered enough to move her hair out of the way and put the stencil on her lower neck. He rubbed firmly and peeled back the paper. He then picked up two mirrors and put one in front of her. He motioned for her to hold it. She did and looked in to the reflection within the reflection to see the stencil marked on her skin.
"You like?" he asked.
"Yeah. It's great," she said with hesitation. He noticed but knew well of the fear.
"Nervous?" She clenched her eyes shut. "It's O.K. It's perfectly normal." She opened her eyes and turned to him.
"Really?"
"Hell yeah. You should of seen me when I got my first. I was like this big ball of nerves and before I got it, I was thinking about how much the pain is gonna hurt. Hell I even almost threw up." She let out a giggle. "But when it was over, that's when the fear went away. Man, I never felt accomplished than anything in my life."
"Accomplished?"
"Yeah. Knowing that I conquered my fear. After that, tattooing was a breeze." She let on a smile. "Feeling better?" She thought on it.
"Actually, yeah."
"Good. Are you ready?" She nodded and turned her back to him. He slipped on a pair of white gloves. He covered the stencil with disinfectant and picked up the needle. He turned it on and it let out a buzz. He placed it on her skin and saw she let out a small wince.
"You have to hold still. That way, I won't mess up and it won't hurt so much to have it removed." She nodded and took in the pain. He could still see it in her face and he had to get her mind off it.
"So, Kimiko was it?" She nodded. "Nice name. Mines' Raimundo." She kept silent as she took in the pain. "So Kimiko, is there any reason why you wanted a fire tattoo?"
"What's it to you?" she said through her clenched teeth.
"I'm just asking. Fire usually means fierce aggression. As well as a good dancer. Wouldn't you say so?"
"I suppose."
"So why do you want fire?" She let out a pained sigh.
"I dunno. I've always liked fire ever since I was a little girl. Whenever my Papa puts on the fire place, I'm always seen in front of it. I guess I just like the heat as well as the warm colors that seem to bounce off each other. Y'know what I mean?"
"Actually, I do. Except I'm fond of another element."
"And what would that be?"
"You'll probably laugh, but I like the wind."
"Any reason?"
"I just like the feel of it blowing in my face. I also like how it moves around. And how it keeps going regardless of how terrible the world may be." He switched to another needle to fill in the lines.
"Looks like I'm not the only one that studied Asian philosophy."
"Yeah. I like the way they look at life."
"Same here."
"You know how much I like it?"
"How much?"
"My first was actually the character for the wind."
"Really?"
"Yup. On my left bicep. So, you can say that's another thing we have in common." She let out a little laugh.
"Y'know, if you know so much about the philosophy, then you would know that fire and wind are actually complimentary elements." He let on a smile.
"That must be why we're getting along so well, huh?" She let out a laugh.
"You're funny."
"It's my intention." She smiled as the pain continued. But talking to him did take her mind off of it. As if the pain didn't affect her at all.
"So, what's the story on your friend?" he asked, feeling the need to change the subject.
"Keiko? Well, she's my best friend, and we do everything together."
"So that's why you got a tattoo? Because of her?"
"Pretty much. She keeps saying that I'm a daddy's girl and that I would never go through with it. But what she doesn't realize is that I'm a lot tougher than what everyone thinks when they first see me."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. I take self defense classes."
"Really? So why were you so scared to come in?" She hesitated.
"I have a little problem with needles. But Keiko kept on assisting that I go with her and do it."
"Well, I'll let you in on a secret. You're not the first to be scared of needles but get a tattoo anyway." She let on a smile knowing the reassurance. "All right, I'm done," he said as he handed her the mirror again and she looked into the reflection within the reflection and saw her newly acquired tattoo. "So, what do you think?"
"I love it. It's perfect."
"I'm glad you like it," he as he set aside the mirror and put medication on it. Then he applied the bandage. She then put her shirt back on. She got up and saw that Keiko was finished a long while ago as she was waiting for Kimiko by the door. He removed his gloves as he walked her to the door. She turned and had on a smile.
"Thank you," she said.
"No problem," he replied.
"I meant for talking me through, you really helped me go through with it." He let on a smile.
"It's not a problem." She stared at him as if she weren't finished.
"I'm going to pay you back." He lowered his eyebrows.
"What are you talking about? You already paid for the tattoo."
"I mean for taking my mind off the pain. I owe you for that."
"You don't have to-"
"I want to. Unless you want to get your ass kicked," she added with a smirk. His eyebrows rose.
"All right, fine. What are you gonna do?" he asked.
"I know of this great club downtown. Tomorrow, eight o'clock. See you there?" He gave her a content face but slowly softened.
"All right, see you there." She then left with satisfaction on her. While Raimundo just stood there and thought about what had just happened.
"Well, that was a little unexpected." He turned to see Chase smirking at him.
"Shut up."
"I'm only saying. This had to be the first that Raimundo Pedrosa actually gets asked out."
"It's not like that."
"Oh really? For a second there, I thought you actually like her."
"What is this? High School?"
"Think about it. I've seen the way you were looking at her."
"It was nothing. We were just talking and that was it."
"Just talking? I don't think I mentioned anything about talking." Raimundo sent him a death glare.
That night, Raimundo sat on his bed in his apartment. Flipping through channels on his T.V. Then the door to his bathroom opened and Amy came out fully dressed.
"Well. That was... interesting..." she said.
"Yeah, sorry. I'm not totally into it tonight," he replied. She gave him a cold stare.
"You could've told me before hand," she said sounding irritated. Then she stormed out, slamming the door.
Raimundo just sat there. Not moving a muscle. He doesn't blame her for being mad. All the while he was making love to her, he thought nothing more than Kimiko. How her muscles tensed under his skin, the way she laughed was something he would want to hear, and her perfume, it was still burning his nostrils with lavender. And the way they talked was of wonder. He never expressed himself that way towards a woman.
He had no idea where these thoughts, these feelings, were coming from, but he knew that tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.
It was now the next day. He walked down the street that night with the day in his mind. He tattooed more clients, but all the while he was thinking about her. For some reason, she didn't phase his mind. Even when the girls that were hitting on him didn't seem to register. Chase and a couple of other workers took notice of these changes and has been teasing Raimundo none stop. Raimundo, of course, keeps denying of what's happening to him. But hopefully, he can get these feelings resolved tonight.
He finally arrived at the club and saw her standing outside. The moment he saw her, his heart raced and had the feeling of longing to see her. He marched towards her with a smile on him and he saw that she had a smile on as well.
"Hey," he said.
"Hi," she said. "You came."
"Wouldn't miss it. Shall we?" He stuck out his arm towards the entrance and they walked up to the bouncer. They shown him their IDs' and they walked passed with no problems. They walked in to see a whole mess of people on the dance floor and over by the bar. A familiar scene to the two but that didn't stop them from having a good time.
Kimiko grabbed Raimundo's arm and lead him to the dance floor and started to dance to the deafening music. They were apart at first but then progressed to move closer. He put his hand on her lower back and brought her even closer to her. She then turned around with her back on his chest. With both his hands on her waist. Grinding against one another with no restraint. Completely lost to their surroundings. They kept on dancing like that for at least fifteen more minutes until they got tired and walked over to the bar and sat down on the stools.
"Oh my goodness, I don't know when the last time I had that much fun," she exasperated.
"Has it been long?" he asked.
"Actually, yeah. Surprised, right?"
"Not really. Unless you tell me how long it has been." She thought on it and came to a conclusion.
"I believe it has been over a year." Then his eyebrows raised.
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. But that's what you get for being in a business." He nodded his head.
"What will it be?" They turned and saw the bartender.
"I'll have a beer," Raimundo said.
"Dry Martini." He turned back to her.
"So, where do you work?" he asked. The bartender put the drinks before and Raimundo paid for them.
"I work for my father at Tohomiko Electronics."
"Your father?"
"Yeah. He's Toshiro Tohomiko." His eyes widened.
"Toshiro Tohomiko? As in the same guy that thought the greatest video that's out there?"
"Yup. That's him." Astonishment overlooked his face. "You look surprised."
"Well yeah, I never really thought I'd be the one to tattoo his daughter." She let out a giggle.
"Speaking of which, you never really told me how many you have." He thought on it and counted in his head.
"I have seven."
"Wow. I know about the one on your bicep, but what else?"
"Well, I have a really big dragon on my back. His head starts on the back of my neck and ends down at my spine. Then I have this one on my left shoulder joint," he lifted his tee shirt sleeve to reveal writing on it that says 'He who sacrifices his conscience to ambition, burns a picture to obtain the ashes.' "Right along my right calf is a Portuguese type of wave. Then on both my wrists here I have barbed wire that has been cut. And on my right arm I have my initials in like a Gothic script." She nodded her head as he told and shown her about all of them.
"Wow. Any meaning to all of them?"
"Of course. Each one has really big significance on parts of my life."
"Oh yeah? Like what?" He hesitated and thought on it.
"I can't say yet. Some of it is really personal and I only tell like my closest friends." She nodded her head.
"Oh. I understand. It's like telling your biggest secret to a complete stranger."
"Exactly. But, perhaps, I can tell you one day." She gave him a look.
"Really?"
"Yeah. We'll drink on it." He lifted his glass. "The day you earn my trust, I'll tell you every personal thing about me. No pressure, no stress, full on honesty. How 'bout it?" She gave him another look and raised her glass as well.
"And that'll go the same way with me. The day you earn my trust, I'll tell you every personal thing about me. No pressure, no stress, full on honesty." She clanged her glass with his and they both took long sips.
It was around one in the morning when they finally left the club and both were a little tipsy. Well, her more than him. They were laughing at some stupid thing that they said.
"So then she was all 'what?' and I was like 'yeah!'" she laughed. She finally came to a stop in front of a building and he stopped with her as well. Then she turned to him. "Y'know what, Raimundo? I don't get you." He stared with perplexity spread to his eyes.
"What?"
"Here you are, just standing there, and you haven't kissed me." His eyebrows rose.
"What?"
"You heard me. How come you haven't kissed me?" He couldn't believe he was hearing this.
"Kimiko, you're wasted."
"So?"
"What, you want me to kiss you?"
"We both know that you do." Truth be told, he does have the desire to do so. But to kiss her like this doesn't feel right to him.
"What about our deal?" Then she approached him and put her finger tips on his abs.
"I'll forget it for this one moment," she said in a whisper. His heart raced as her lips hovered over his. His mouth slightly open as well as hers. Just when their lips were about to touch, he turned his head away down to the crook of her neck.
"Damn it," he muttered and pulled back. She looked at him with confusion.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"I'm sorry. I can't do it."
"Why not?"
"Kimiko, you're drunk. It's not right for me to kiss you like this." Then she stepped back and had a smirk on her.
"You're a good guy, Raimundo." He lowered his eyebrows.
"You're not drunk at all, are you?" She let out a little laugh.
"No. I'm not." He let out a snort.
"Then why did you make me go through all that then?"
"I was testing you. To see if you're one of those guys that takes advantage of a drunk girl." He let on a smile.
"So did I pass?" She giggled.
"With flying colors," she said as she stepped through the building door. Leaving a very perplexed Raimundo.
The next day, he came in to the shop and saw his working mates drawing a sketch of a tattoo or on someone. Chase was the first to see him.
"Hey Rai. How was your date?" he asked.
"Raimundo went on a date?" asked Jermaine, one of the other workers.
"It wasn't a date," Raimundo said defensively as he went behind the front desk and sat down on the chair.
"Then why did you go out with her?" Chase asked again.
"It's like she said, she was paying me back for being nice to her."
"Oh is this that Kimiko chick?" Jermaine asked. Raimundo sent a glare to Chase.
"You told him?"
"The whole shop knows." Raimundo let out a groan. "But how did it go though?"
"It was all right. We went to the club and danced a little. Had a couple of drinks and I almost kissed her."
"What do you mean you almost kissed her?" Jermaine asked.
"At first, I thought she was wasted and then she practically begged me to kiss her, and just when I was about to... I pulled back."
"You? Pulled back?"
"What was I suppose to do? I thought she was drunk. If I kissed her and she doesn't remember that I did... I can't live with that."
"Who'd thought that Raimundo actually grew a spine," Chase joked. Jermaine laughed.
"And what do you mean you thought she was drunk?"
"Well, after I pulled back and told her I couldn't do it, she looked at me and right there, I knew that she wasn't drunk." The two guys eyes widened. "She was only testing me to see if I can do it."
"Hey Chase, I think you're right. I believe Raimundo has grown a spine." Chase laughed.
"What'd I tell ya? So are you gonna see her again?"
"Probably. We hit it off pretty good. By the way, did you know that she's the daughter of Toshiro Tohomiko?" The two guys stopped at what they were doing and stared at him.
"You mean the guy that created the Goo Zombie series?" Jermaine asked.
"The very same." Their mouths gaped and eyes widened.
"That guy is only second to Bill Gates. What's his daughter doing here?" Chase asked.
"I dunno. Probably promotional crap or whatever," Raimundo replied.
"Well you know what I think?" Jermaine asked and the two guys looked at him. "I think our Rai here actually likes her."
"Shut up. I do not."
"I'm gonna have to agree with Jermaine. Before you met her, you were a regular play boy."
"You got a point here?"
"I'm just saying that you changed. Remember that red head you tattooed yesterday?"
"What about her?"
"Are you kidding me? She was practically throwing herself at you and you just snubbed her away," Jermaine said. "I'm done, buddy." His client got up and left. Jermaine then joined his two friends. "So as I was saying, this girl has gotten to you."
"And I'm saying that the both of you are full of bullshit."
DING! DING!
Then their conversation was interrupted by the sight of Kimiko walking in. She walked over to the front desk and stared at Raimundo.
"Hi," she said.
"Hey," he said. She looked at the two other guys and they got the hint to leave the two alone. When they were gone, Raimundo got up and faced her.
"So, what are you doing here?" he asked.
"Can't I just stop by and say hi?"
"You could but that's loitering and that's against the law."
"Is it considered loitering when I ask you for lunch sometime later in the day?" He gave little thought.
"I don't think so."
"So what do you say?" He looked over at the clock that hung on the wall.
"I go on break around noon. Is that all right?" She gave a smile.
"That's perfect." She then left the shop and he stared at her as she did. Then Jermaine and Chase rejoined him.
"So, what did she want?"
"She asked me to go to lunch. That's all."
"Two in a row. Must be a record for you."
"Hey Chase," Jermaine said as hit him slightly. "Maybe we should bet on our paychecks on when Raimundo will crack."
"Y'know, that's a great idea. I'll give him a few weeks."
"All right, but I'll give him a couple of weeks." Raimundo right then got irritated.
"Well, I hope you guys enjoy your time in hell."
When lunch time came around, Kimiko came back to the shop and Raimundo left with her. They went to the local McDonald's and he ordered a big mac with a coke while she order the cheese burger also with a coke. He watched her as she engulfed her burger.
"I don't think I've ever seen a girl take in that much before," he said.
"What's that suppose to mean?" she asked. He quickly panicked.
"I mean, most girls I go out with don't really eat that much. They barely even touch meat."
"You mean those anorexic girls that only eat salads on a day to day basis?" He let out a snort.
"Yeah. That's the one."
"Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I don't work like that. And besides, I consider those girls to be absolutely disgusting." He smiled.
"You're not the only one." Her eyebrows rose.
"Really? I thought all guys like that."
"Not all of us. It's like you said, those girls are disgusting." Her face softened.
"I don't think I've met a guy that said that."
"Yeah well, there's a first for everything."
"Ain't that the truth." He let out a laugh. As well as she.
"Y'know what, Kimiko? I like you. You're fun to be around with."
"I could say the same thing about you, Raimundo."
"Hey, I think we're good enough friends for you to call me Rai," he smirked.
"Oh really. If I'm gonna call you 'Rai', then you should call me Kim," she smirked back. He let out a laugh.
"You got it." They continued to eat and exchange laughs to one another. Then a thought came to his mind. "By the way, I meant to ask you last night, is your dad here? In the city?" She shook her head.
"No he's back in Tokyo."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. I'm here only as a representative for the company. He paid for everything though. My apartment, my car, the whole nine yards."
"Wow. You really are a daddy's girl, huh?"
"Hey, I can't help but love him." He made a smile.
"Nah, I don't blame you. I love my parents too. Even if I haven't talked them in years." Her eyebrows furrowed.
"Really?"
"Yeah. It's a long story. You don't want to hear it."
"What makes you think that?"
"Well, considering our deal, I'd think that's something personal. Wouldn't you say so?" She tilted her head one side in agreement.
"So how long does it take to gain Rai's trust?"
"Depends, how long does it take to gain Kim's trust?" he smirked. She smiled at him and he smiled back.
She walked him back to the shop and part ways when they arrived. But when he entered, he was faced with teasing looks from his co-workers. He merely scowled at them.
"We only talked," he smugly said.
"Didn't say a thing," Chase said. "How about you, Jermaine?"
"Nope. Not a word."
"Can't I come to work without you guys busting my chops?"
"Well, consider busting your chops as a good thing."
"What the hell does that suppose to mean?"
DING! DING!
"What he means is it's a good thing you found someone that you just don't want to sleep with right away." They turned to the source of the new voice that joined the group and saw the flowing red hair that belonged to none other than Chase's wife.
"Wuya? What are you doing here?" Chase asked as he walked over to her.
"I thought I'd come by and see you work," she said with pouting voice.
"What do you really want?"
"Chase, you know me too well. I just want another tattoo. But this one is going on a special spot that only you can see," she added with a seductive voice. A knowing smile spread to his face.
"You got it," he said as he lead her to a curtained area that was only reserved for those that want tattoos in private regions. He closed the curtain and left two perplexed men to stare.
"And to think that's where they first met," Jermaine blurted.
"No kidding," Raimundo responded.
"Y'know, that's kinda how you and that girl first met. Isn't it?" Raimundo turned rapidly to him.
"Shut up."
One day, she came home to her apartment from another day spent with Raimundo. She walked over to her couch and sat down when her cell phone went off. She took it out of her pocket and saw Keiko's name in the caller ID. She flipped it open and put the receiver to her ear.
"Hey Keiko," she said.
"Hey Kimiko. You sound like you just came home," Keiko said.
"That's because I did."
"Been out with Raimundo again?"
"How can you tell?"
"Only because you have been spending a lot of time with him lately. So, do you like him?" She was caught off guard when Keiko asked that as a hint of pink shown on her face.
"He's my friend, of course I like him."
"You know that's not what I mean." She let out a sigh.
"I know. It's just that I don't know yet. I mean, there's still a lot about him I can't figure out."
"Do you mean that stupid deal you made?"
"Pretty much."
"Don't you trust him though?" Kimiko thought on it. Truth be told, she had no idea. She liked him enough to be his friend, but trust is something completely different.
"I don't know."
"You know what I think?"
"What?"
"The only reason why you don't know is because you're scared you might get hurt again."
"Goodnight, Keiko." She closed her phone abruptly. Not wanting to continue the conversation.
For the next few weeks, Kimiko and Raimundo spent all their free time together. Every lunch break and weekend nights out in town. Staying true to their deal, even when they have a burning desire to tell each other everything. But they still didn't feel they can trust each other yet. But it was like what their friends said, it was only a matter of time when the thin line of friendship is broken.
They walked back from a bar one night with very little drinks in them to her apartment building. They stopped and she turned to him.
"Well, goodnight, Rai. I had a good time," she said.
"Yeah. I did too," he said. She nodded and then turned to enter. "Kim, wait." She turned back to him to meet an unfamiliar face.
"What is it?" He gave her a longing look.
"Kim, remember when I said I liked you?" She nodded while her breath got caught in her throat. Knowing exactly where this is going.
"Yeah?" He got closer to her and reached for her hand and clasped it.
"I mean it," he whispered. She stared up at him for what seemed forever. Then she reached up to him with her lips partially opened. He also reached down to her with a slightly opened mouth and then their lips met. Not with force but with softness trailing along. The lips massaging each other with tender grace. He put his hands on her waist and brought her close. Then she placed her finger tips on his biceps and gently pulled back. He looked at her with confusion.
"What's the matter?" he asked. She found the words to be difficult to say.
"Rai, what about our deal?" she asked him. Then he let on a smile.
"Well, I think it's obvious that I trust you now." She searched his eyes and found what he was saying was true. "What about you?" She found it difficult to answer him. She's still questioning that herself. "Kim?" He noticed she had the same query in her eyes from when they first met.
"I-I... I gotta go. Goodnight." She stepped through her apartment building door and completely disappeared.
"So she just left you hanging?" one other co-worker, Omi, asked the following morning at the shop.
"Yeah. She didn't say anything," Raimundo replied.
"Sorry that happened to you, Rai," Chase consoled and then went over to Jermaine. "You owe me your paycheck." Jermaine glared at him.
"Why did she do that though?" he asked none the less.
"I dunno. She just stared at me and left."
"Well, if you ask me, it's her problem."
"Maybe. But now I gotta tell her everything."
"What do you mean?" Omi asked.
"I'm talking about our deal. I told her that I trusted her and now I gotta tell her every personal thing about me."
"Not necessarily," Chase said.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean when you made that deal, did you guys say that you'll tell each other everything at the same time?" Raimundo thought back on it.
"I don't think so."
"So now you have an out. Until she says that she trusts you, that's when you start to tell her." Raimundo considered it and it did make sense.
DING! DING!
His thoughts have been ripped off when he saw Keiko come in and walked toward him.
"Raimundo?" she asked.
"Yeah?"
"Come with me. I need to talk to you," she said as she went outside. He followed along and faced her. "Look, Kimiko told me what happened."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah. I know that you must be ticked off and all-"
"I'm not ticked off, I'm just confused. Why did she do that?"
"You have to understand. She just has trusting issues."
"Oh really? I haven't noticed," he said with sarcasm hinted his voice.
"I'm serious. Something happened to her and she hasn't been the same."
"Like what?" he asked curiously.
"Oh no. I'm not getting in between your stupid deal. But I will tell you this, why do you think she hasn't been out in over a year?" His eyes widened as she left.
She sat in her apartment with confusion still in her mind. Conflict took over her body and she didn't know how she was going to make it out of this. Then she heard knocking at her door. She got up from her couch and walked over to it. She peeked through the peephole and immediately grimaced. It was Raimundo. She knew that he knew she was there. So she opened it and faced him.
"Hi," she said.
"Hey," he said.
"What are you doing here?" she asked completely avoiding his eyes.
"I never got my answer." She stared up at him. Completely at a loss of words. "So? Do you trust me?" She still didn't have the answer.
"Come in," was all she said as she stepped out of the way. He came in and she closed the door behind him. She lead him to the living room and they sat down. Not saying a single word. But he knew he had to tell her.
"Keiko told me that something happened to you. Mind telling me what that is?" She looked at him.
"But our deal..." He adjusted himself to face her.
"Look, you know how I'm able to trust you?" She shook her head. "Because, the past few weeks, I spent all my time with you. Laughing and having fun. I never met a girl like you and I know that you will always have my back." She still stared at him. "Tell you what," he said as he stuck out his wrists. "You see these broken barbed wires?" She nodded. "I got these when I was in jail." Her eyes widened. "Yeah, for armed robbery. The reason why they're cut is because I'm a free man. A changed man." She continued to stare at him. Then she put her hands underneath his wrists and rubbed her thumb on the barbed wires. "So that's one secret that you know." She looked up and into his eyes and opened her mouth.
"Last year, I was with this guy. I thought I loved him. I thought he did too. That is, until I found him, in bed, with another woman." As soon as she said that last bit, she broke down in tears. He moved closer to her and pulled her in to a hug. She cried into his shirt while he was comforting her the best he could.
"Kim, I understand. But I promise you, I'm nothing like that guy. I would never do anything to hurt you." She pulled back and saw his reassuring smile. She leaned her forehead onto his and closed her eyes.
"... So, for several years, I was pretty much lived like a regular play boy. Had a girl under my wing every week. Chase keeps telling me I do that because I'm scared of commitment. Now I'm starting to consider that he might be right..."
"... I was only three years old when she got sick. They told my dad it was leukemia. She tried the chemo therapy but it was futile. But that didn't mean she gave up the fight. It was two years that it finally got the best of her. And the sad thing is, I barely even remember her..."
"... See this wave? It depicts the ocean waves that I remember when I was living in Rio. I moved into the states when I was fourteen. But by the time I moved out, my parents went back to Brazil without even telling me. Right now, I don't have the slightest idea of what they're doing. Or where they're living..."
"... I was like your average High School rich girl. Sat with the popular kids and didn't give a shit about anything around me. It was always friends and parties with me. Basically, I was living in denial until graduation time came. It was only then that I was yanked into the real world..."
"... The dragon stands for protection. The only reason why I got it was to let my friends and family know that I'm always there to protect them. Can't say much about family, but my friends know that I'm there..."
"... I already knew that character stood for fire. It's just that it's been a long time since I lived in Japan, that I sometimes forget what some of the signs mean. How sad is that? I was born in Japan but grew up with ignorance. Well, my grandmother always told me that I'm cultural deficient..."
"... It's a Chinese proverb. Kinda has a different meaning, but that depends on who you're asking. I'd say it means like if you go crazy then it'll just take over. So it inspires me to work hard and not let it get the best of me..."
"... Everybody tells me I'm lucky to be an only child, but I'm not so sure of that. I wouldn't mind having sibling rivalry, but it beats being alone. I only have my dad and even he's not enough. So I would say Keiko is practically my sister. We grew up together and would beat up anybody if they hurt us..."
"... Chase was the one that offered me the job at the shop after I was released. Let me tell you, jail was shit. It's like they don't treat you like a human being. It was more like big piles of nothing. But after spending three years at that place, it's made me stronger. Sure I regret robbing that rich guy, but I believe in fate. Everything happens for a reason..."
"... I was a little brat growing up. Completely selfish. And taking advantage of everything my dad offered. I even mistreated a few people. But now, even when I'm all grown up, I feel bad for those that I treated badly. If I could, I would go back in time and relive those moments of when I was my cruelest. But then again, it really has taught me respect towards my peers. I mean, you would even say I'm different from a brat..."
"... You know how in the military, people would tattoo parts of their body for identification purposes, just in case parts of their body's get blown up," he said as she nodded. "Well, that's the same idea for my initials. Identification purposes." She got a smile on.
"Wouldn't you say there are other people who have the same initials as you?" He looked at her dumbfounded. She let out a laugh.
"Thanks, Kim. You really ruined that."
"That's what I'm here for," she smirked. He let out a little laugh as well. Then he placed his hand on her cheek. She didn't oblige as she relax into it. They gave each other longing looks. Then he leaned in as he placed another soft kiss on her. She kissed him back with the same tenderness. He stroked his thumb on her cheek bone as she let out a little moan.
Then he laid her down on the couch with him on top. Her hands feeling his beginnings on ab lines. Gently lifting his shirt over his head. Breaking the kiss for a brief second before going back in with a much deeper passionate kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck and felt along his shoulder blades. Where the dragon resided.
Passion. That was all it was. From beginning to end was nothing but passion. When two people are in love, there is a passion not to be without one or the other. And that was the case with these two. Their love was so strong that it kept them together through this entire experience. Even when one or the other try to jeopardize it, it still came out strong.
They spent the whole evening making intense love in her bedroom, her kitchen, basically every surface of the apartment. Sucking the crooks of their necks and leaving behind remnants of their bodies. The last place they had made love was in her bedroom and were both breathing heavily from exhaustion. She laid on her belly while he was on his side facing her. Drawing circles on her bare back. She smiled up at him.
"Rai?" she asked.
"Yeah?" he asked back.
"Do you believe in love at first sight?" He looked at her intently.
"Before I met you, na, not really. But after I met you, I'm a full believer." She continued to smile at him. Then his hand moved up and moved her long hair to reveal his first creation on her. He got up on his elbow and moved on and pressed his lips on it. Trailing along her shoulder blades and ending on her shoulder joint. Then went back to drawing circles on her back.
"God, you drive me crazy," he said. She let out a giggle.
"So do you." She then leaned in again and gave him another kiss.
"Yeah, that's how it was when I first met Wuya. She took me off guard at first but then I took her under my wing when things went bad for her. But now, I can't imagine coming to work without seeing her." Raimundo stared at his friend the next day at the shop. After telling him that he fell in love with the girl that he thought would never be interested in a guy like him. "You must really have it bad for her, huh?"
"You could say that." Chase put a smile on.
"Hey Jermaine!" Jermaine came out of storage and walked over to the two. "You still owe me that paycheck." The African American sent him a scowl.
"Word is that Raimundo fell in love. Did I hear right?" he asked.
"You better believe it," Raimundo replied.
"You must have it bad. You're not beating me to a pulp, man."
"Hey, you guys were right all along. I've just been an idiot on not doing anything."
"Hey, it's not your fault, you were just keeping your end of the deal. You're a good guy, Rai," Chase said. Raimundo nodded.
DING! DING!
Their conversation got interrupted when they saw Kimiko come in. Raimundo's smile widened as she walked in. He got up from his seat and walked over to her. But when he got closer to her, he saw that she looked like she needed to tell him something.
"Hey," he said.
"Hi," she said as she got on her toes and gave him a kiss.
"So, what are you doing here?" he asked her.
"I need to talk to you. Alone." Raimundo got a look of concern.
"Uh, sure." He lead her to the storage room. The second he closed the door behind him, she immediately put her arms around his neck and kissed him fiercely. Caught by surprise, his first instinct was to kiss her back. Placing his hand on her lower back and rubbing tenderly. Then she moved on to his neck and started sucking on his skin.
"Again?" he asked.
"Yes," she said in between sucking.
"Can't argue with that," he said as he gently lifted up her shirt. It was then that their lips met again and he moved on to unclasp her bra.
Half an hour later, there was knocking on the door from the outside.
"Hey Rai! Put your pants back on, you got an appointment!" Chase shouted through the door.
"Hey Chase, maybe that client doesn't want one from him," Jermaine muttered to him.
"You're disgusting," Chase said as continued to knock. Then the door opened and Raimundo came out with really messy hair and his shirt on backwards. Chase let out a laugh. "Had a good time?"
"What do you think?" he said as he made his way across the show.
"By the way, nice hickey." Raimundo immediately covered his neck with his hand.
The next couple of months were nothing but bliss. Every second was missed by their busy lives. The growing desire to be together grows stronger with each and every parting. As it was told by the words of William Shakespeare: Parting is such sweet sorrow. But never would they expect that distance to reach far within grasp.
There was knocking on his door late one night. He went over to it and was surprised to find Kimiko standing on the other side.
"Kim? What's up?" he asked. Then she went up to him and kissed him. But pulled back to stare at him with eyes that told him that she really had something to say. "What's wrong?"
"Rai... I... Can I come in?" she asked finally. He let her in and towards the kitchen where she sat down across from him. Then she grabbed his hands with a grip on her. Completely avoiding his eyes.
"Raimundo... You have been so great to me. I love you and I know you know that. But this isn't easy," she exasperated the last part.
"Kim? Are you saying what I think your saying?"
"No- I'm not saying we should... You know... It's just..." She took in a breath of air. "I'm going away." His eyes widened.
"Away where?" She let out an inaudible whisper. "Sorry?" She finally met his gaze and found it to be difficult to say.
"Japan." His eyes widened even more.
"Wha-W-Why?" he asked as if his ears betrayed him.
"My Papa needs me back. The company is not doing so well. And I need to be there." He could tell that she was lying through her teeth.
"No," he said while shaking his head.
"Rai, I'm so sorry." Then he got up in frustration.
"Kim, how can the biggest, most successful company in the world have trouble."
"It just happens. I can't predict how the economics is going."
"That's bullshit, and you know it." She looked away from him. He could always tell when she's lying. "Just tell me, what's the real reason?" She looked up at him. She couldn't bring herself to tell him. "Y'know what? Forget it. I don't want to hear it."
"Rai..."
"Get out of here, Kim." Then she got up and went over to him and wrapped her arms around him.
"My Papa is sick. Really. He needs me. I'm the only one hes' got." He couldn't hear a hinder in her voice, so that just made him feel bad now as she cried into his shirt.
"Why didn't you tell me? Why lie?"
"I was afraid... I was afraid you wouldn't let me go." He placed his hands on her shoulders and made her face him.
"Kim, if your dad is sick, of course I would let you go." She stared at him.
"Really?"
"Hell yeah. If I only had my dad, I would hop on a plane in a heart beat." She continued to stare at him. "So when are you leaving?" She sniffed.
"Tomorrow morning." He now looked disappointed.
"Oh. That's... Wow. When are you coming back?" She shrugged.
"I don't know. Probably never." His disheartened face fell even more.
"I don't believe that."
"Rai..."
"You have to come back, Kim. I'm nothing without you." She then put her hand on the back of his neck gave him a deep kiss and tears continued to pour. Then she pulled back and leaned against his forehead.
"I love you so much, Rai." There was a pause between the two. Drinking in each other's scents.
"What if I come with you." She shook her head.
"No. I could never ask you to do that."
"I didn't ask." She stared into his eyes and saw the seriousness.
"Rai, I need to do this."
"Alone?" She closed her eyes and nodded. He then kissed her. She got that he understood.
They continued to kiss at the airport. Not letting go in the slightest. Getting a taste before the parting. When they do let go, they stared at each other with beating hearts.
"You swear you'll send me emails everyday?" he asked.
"Why do you ask when you know the answer?" she asked back. He let on a smile. "I have to go now."
"No not yet."
"Rai... I really have to go."
"Not yet, I have to ask you something." She gave him her resignation as she smiled.
"All right. What is it?" His heart thumped even faster. Feeling the words getting tangled up in his throat.
"Kim, I've rehearsed all morning and every line I think up sounded either cheesy or cliched and would probably make you throw up on my shoes." She let out a laugh. "But that doesn't matter because this is real and I know we'll make it through this long distance thing. And I also know I can wait forever for you to come back so we can be together. But I also want you to come back to something with very high intentions. So, I ask you, in an airport of all places," he added with a laugh. "to be my wife." She felt heart skip a beat. "Will you marry me, Kimiko?" She put her free hand over her mouth and her breath came in gasps. Tears welled up in her eyes. Then she nodded her head vigorously.
"Yes! Yes I'll marry you!" she exclaimed and upon hearing that, he lifted her up and hugged her even tighter. While still in his arms and in the air, she gave him a long kiss.
"Last call for Tokyo, Japan. Please board now." They heard the announcement over the intercom. They broke apart upon hearing it. He gave one last gaze as she walked through the security. When she was on the other side, she turned around and sent him an air kiss. He held up his palm and clasped it shut. Smiling as she continued to walk to the gate. When she was completely gone from his line of vision, he turned around and made his way to the open window that shown her plane. He stood there and watched as it departed from the gate and rose to the sky. Seeing as it was long gone, he walked away with a smile on his face. Knowing that when she comes back, he'll start with his new life with her and their child.