The Trouble With Love Is~ [3/?]

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Psyche wanted to go back to the tree, but he was sure he'd end up complaining about how he had failed to shoot himself into love. He hoped he could return when he had accomplished something so that he would feel a little better about himself…

Instead, he spent the day bouncing from rooftop to rooftop, only half-listening to the voices in his headphones. It wasn't like he was going to hear anyone saying they desired him. If he couldn't make himself fall in love, then he would roam the city searching, instead. Like normal people did. He just hoped that the person he loved was in the city. What if he needed to travel outside of Tokyo? Outside of Japan?

With a soft huff, he came to a stop as the sun began to set, his bow draped across his lap where he sat on the cold concrete. He watched the sky grow dark and the lights of the city come on. Resting an arm on the ledge, he looked down at the street below. He wasn't very high up. Only four stories. Nuzzling his face into the fur lining of his hood, he watched people rush about below.

For a moment, he caught a flash of white, and his heart jumped. Afraid to blink, he scanned the street avidly, trying to find it again.

There was a man in a white suit down there, and Psyche's heart fluttered as his eyes danced over the slim form, the shock of messy blond hair. There was something…something about him. Entranced, Psyche watched with rapt attention as the man strode purposely into…oh. Oh. He had that kind of job.

Psyche didn't mind, actually, but he didn't relish the thought of having to pay to talk to this man in the first place. He really didn't want their first meeting to be a business exchange.

Ignoring the grumbling in his stomach, Psyche made up his mind to wait and see if the man would emerge soon. His hopes fell with every passing hour, but while the waiting only made him more anxious, he knew would much rather wait for hours until the club closed than head home earlier because the man had left with someone.

His head was fuzzy, he was tired, and he couldn't say what it was that drew him to the man in the first place. But Psyche knew that he had to meet him.

Despite his determination, however, he fell asleep during his watch, curled alone on a rooftop, eyes closed until they were hit by the morning sun.

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The next day, Psyche threw himself into his work, trying to forget about his plans that night because they both excited and frightened him. Psyche totaled six couples by late afternoon, and he stuffed his hands in his pockets as he headed back to his apartment. But even though he couldn't see them, he could feel them tremble against the soft fabric. He left his bow and quiver in his living room and, feeling oddly vulnerable, set off down the street. He didn't want to be tempted to shoot the man out of habit. What if he only scared him off? He was careful to make sure that no one ever saw themselves be shot by Love's arrow. (And even worse…what if this man wasn't intended for Psyche at all and his efforts were wasted before they had really begun? Psyche chose not to think about that.)

Aware that his clothing made him stand out starkly against both the night and the people around him, Psyche gave up trying to be inconspicuous as he waited outside the door to the club. He brushed off hosts and hostesses alike with a smile, his nerves still twisting themselves up inside.

And when the man finally showed up, Psyche found his tongue to be immobile in his mouth. The first thing he thought was, "…Shizuo?" But it wasn't, though the likeness was uncanny.

His eyes were the same color of bright magenta as Psyche's own, which slightly unsettled him, but there was no denying that the man was beautiful. And he didn't have the same air of impending rage about him that Shizuo did, which made Psyche much relieved. (Not that Shizuo was really a factor in this, anyway. Psyche was well aware that Shizuo was absolutely not his love. But moving on…)

And when those eyes landed on Psyche, roving him up and down before settling on his face, his stomach flip-flopped awkwardly. This man's smile was…sensual, but almost predatory. With one last glance that left Psyche gaping, he turned his head and walked through the doors.

His nerves in shreds, Psyche shivered and left, completely unsure what was happening to him or what to do next.

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The park was even more abandoned at night, and Psyche leaned gratefully against his tree, resting his head against the trunk for a moment in an attempt to calm himself before wedging his headphone jack into the bark again.

The tree wasn't humming. Psyche was momentarily alarmed before it occurred to him that maybe the tree was sleeping.

"Hello…?" When he got no response, Psyche raised his voice a little. "Tree-san?"

There was something like a groan, and Psyche had only a second to feel really bad for apparently waking the tree up before it replied.

"Psyche? Is that you?"

"Yes. Yes, I…" Psyche trailed off as he realized he had no idea what to say next.

"Are you all right?"

"Y-yes, I think so. I…I think I might have found someone."

The tree paused. "I see you took my advice. And quickly, at that! Does she make you happy?"

"He, well…he is a he, and I don't know. I haven't talked to him, yet. I tried to make myself fall in love, but I couldn't, so I looked around, and he makes my stomach jump and my hands shake."

"Now that sounds more like you're ill…"

Psyche flushed at the tree's humor, thankful for the darkness. "No! No, I'm not. I…he…I don't know! There's something about him, but I don't think I feel like my couples do. I'm not giddy and overjoyed and…I guess I wouldn't know for sure, but…it's…something. There's something. What do I do, now?" He finished stumbling over his words and listened to the tree hum in thought.

"I think you'll need to get to know him in order to know if it's love."

"That's why I'm here! I don't know what to do!"

"How many couples have you seen in your lifetime? What do they do?"

"They ask…to go places…and do things… But…but I can't! I can't-I-what do I say!"

The tree's laughter was warming and calming, and Psyche could feel his fingers relax from their near-frantic grip on his headphones. "You must introduce yourself, first. Do you know where he frequents?"

"He's a host. I know where…"

"Then start there."

"But I don't want to pay him to talk to me! And then how would I know if he really likes me or not?"

"Mm, I see. Might you be able to catch him before or after work?"

"I don't know. I don't know what I'm doing." Psyche's voice was soft, and he played idly with the trim on his sleeves. "I feel like I'm not very good at this."

"Be confident, dear Psyche. It is worth it to try. It is worth it to try for your happiness."

"I'm sure you're right." With a small smile, Psyche found himself closing his eyes. "I should go. I don't think I should spend another night outside."

"Another?"

"I fell asleep watching for him last night, waiting for him to leave work. Ah, now I sound like a stalker." Psyche blushed violently.

"Do take care of yourself, Psyche." The tree's concern, though somewhat masked in amusement, only made his blush worse.

"I will. And thank you for listening to me again. I really… I like talking to you."

"And I am glad to be here to listen. You will come back?"

Psyche hoped it wasn't merely wishful thinking if the tree sounded eager to talk to him. "I will. And I will try my best with him!"

"I hope you find your happiness. Sleep well tonight."

Psyche felt a little lonely again when he left the park, but he was determined to meet with that man…even if he had to pay to do so. With a little more bounce in his step, Psyche made his way home.

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Despite what he had told Tree-san the previous night, the following evening found Psyche steeling himself to walk through the doors of the club. He had decided that it was really the easiest option, and maybe he would be able to get to know the man at least a little, this way. The host outside ushered him in with a warm smile, and before he had time to rethink his decision, Psyche asked for the blond man with the deep pink eyes.

It was still early, not long after the man had begun his shift, and Psyche hoped that he wasn't busy with another client just yet. He shifted restlessly, doing his best to relax and give a good first impression. The voices he heard through his headphones were a complete cacophony, and besides, he hadn't brought his bow and arrows. So he tried to ignore them, though the burning desire for love in this room nearly caused him physical pain.

"You asked for me?" The voice that came from behind him was low and smooth, and Psyche jumped in surprise.

He turned and was met with the same smile, the same heated eyes as before. "Yes." Psyche was half-certain he had whispered it.

"I'm Delic. Would you like to have a seat?"