Hello again! Thank you for the reviews, they were very nice ^^
I will confirm that Hao is here 'irl' and is here to stay, so feel free to celebrate. I also think this is probably my favourite chapter, or the end of it at least - let me know what you think. Laters.
Yoh woke with a smile firmly plastered on his face; today he would travel to see Hao in person. He was going to ask Ren and Jun if they wanted to accompany him, not that he was sure whether they would want to or not. He wanted the company in some ways; mainly as backup should his family show up, while in others he didn't want to have to worry about other people, he just wanted to focus on Hao.
The company and support would be nice and relations did need to be formed between them and Hao's 'friends' if they were all going to co-exist. It was quite possible they wouldn't feel comfortable going there, or simply couldn't go. Either way, he wasn't going to make a huge fuss of it, the offer would be made as a courtesy, just as he would have to wait for Jian before the first open visit was made.
He owed the three of them a lot and he wasn't going to forget that just because he was finally getting what he wanted. Yoh had never been the sort to throw people aside just because the situation had changed. Yes he knew there had been neglect, but that wasn't the same as not caring about them, it was just a prolonged absence. He would speak to them soon enough and find out where things stood.
Walking into the dining room, Yoh greeted Ren and Jun as they all sat down for breakfast. Initially the conversation remained light, though it did move onto heavier subjects and Yoh explained the night's occurrences and his intent to visit Hao. Neither of them batted an eyelash at the subject and agreed to accompany him, since they would have to join him there regardless.
As it turns out, it's rather a long trip to get to where Hao is, Ren's restless enough already and we're still on the flight, we have an hour or two to travel by road after we've landed as well. Hopefully he'll settle down, I don't think either Jun or I really want to put up with him acting like this for the next few hours.
I'm a little restless myself but not anywhere near as badly as Ren and only because I'm excited. I'm still sat down acting normally, well, what was always considered normal for me, I could be rather energetic when I felt like it. It was usually one extreme or the other, lazy or hyper.
I do feel like a kid in a candy store but there's no harm in being excited about everything finally falling into place. I've worked hard on this and it's finally paying off, I can't help feeling elated. Once I've seen him and we've been there in person I'm sure things will settle down again. A lot of it is curiosity I think, though the concept of a new beginning without being tied down by other people is definitely highly appealing.
"Ren, will you please sit down and behave yourself?" Jun asked after about fifteen minutes of him pacing.
Ren turned to look at her and opened his mouth to respond but seemed to think better of it and did as he was asked. "Sorry."
"We're all 'enthusiastic' about the possibilities Ren, but driving us mad pacing for the next few hours isn't going to make them pass any faster. Try to do something constructive instead."
Ren nodded, though Yoh and Jun shared a look to say the Ren was clueless at what he could do to pass the time. Thinking about it for a minute, Yoh came up with an idea and pitched it. "We could watch a movie, even if it's awful, it should still help pass the time and you can always pick flaws with it to occupy yourself?"
Jun nodded her agreement while Ren looked at him dubiously; upon realising there wasn't really a lot else they could do he consented and turned it on, praying that it wouldn't be too bad. Television and film wasn't really something he gave much heed to, but he wasn't usually this much in need of a distraction either. He supposed Yoh was right, he could do nothing but complain throughout, just to pass the time.
As it turned out, there were several options they could choose from, though given the content of most, Ren decided to choose the one with the slightly higher age rating. None of them were quite sure what to expect from the Korean film, but Ren was sure it couldn't be any worse than the other choices. Shiri wasn't a film any of them had heard of, though that wasn't really a surprise. While Yoh did pay more attention to media than the Tao siblings he wasn't overly knowledgeable in that department either.
Eventually the plane ride was over and they were on their way by road instead. They didn't have too much longer left now and discussions over the film had occupied them for the most part up to that point. It wasn't really the type of film Yoh would have chosen to watch, seeing an assassin running around killing people wasn't exactly to his tastes.
Surprisingly however, he had to admit that the film wasn't half bad and it had an interesting story to go along with it, as much as it was a half tragic love affair. There were definitely parts that were too gory for his liking, even if it was fake, he didn't like to see people getting hurt.
Soon enough the ride was over and they were walking the short distance between where they had left the car to where Hao was staying. It would be a lie if he said he wasn't feeling nervous, not that he was really sure why. He had seen and spoken to Hao, it wasn't as if this was the first contact they'd had, so it didn't make sense that he should be anxious about it but he couldn't deny that he was.
Ren had already teased him about it, though Jun had quickly reprimanded her brother for it. She apparently understood that it was a big deal, even if neither of them did. Yoh sighed, trying to calm himself down and get rid of the butterflies in his stomach. There was no point in worrying about nothing and Hao would be waiting to welcome him, he was always excited by the prospect when he slept, so why was it different being awake?
This is so stupid, what am I panicking for now? I've been excited the rest of the time, so why now that we're so close am I so antsy? I want to see him, I want us to go to our new world, which really needs a name, and I want to help him with the reishi. I've seen him a few times now and I've never been like this, so why does being face-to-face make so much of a difference?
"Not bad." Ren muttered and Yoh look up to see the country manor his brother was apparently staying in.
Yoh nodded and carried on walking towards the building. Knocking on the door he waited for someone to answer. Mari opened the door and Yoh smiled warmly before greeting her. "Hi Mari, can we come in?"
"Yoh-sama. Yes, you're expected, please come in." Mari replied.
Yoh looked back to Ren and Jun before entering, glancing around briefly before focusing on Hao. To his relief Hao looked to be as unsure as he was as to how to act, so at least it wasn't just him. It made him feel better and took the edge off to see the same feelings in his usually confident sibling. Shaking his head, Yoh walked over to Hao and hugged him, the act seemed to surprise Hao but after that wore off he returned the embrace.
"Hi." Yoh said softly as he stepped back out of the embrace.
"It's good to see you; and welcome to the two of you as well." Hao replied.
Ren and Jun nodded but remained silent, leaving the focus on the twins instead. Yoh smiled reassuringly as Hanagumi led them into another room, Hao not wasting any time after that to pull him into another room as well. Yoh let Hao lead him, surprised when they ended up in a bedroom.
Hao noticed Yoh's questioning gaze and shrugged. "Privacy. Despite the size of this place there aren't many areas to go to be left alone."
Yoh grinned and nodded, that didn't come as a surprise. "I see. It feels strange to be here, to see you in person; it makes everything that bit more real I suppose."
"I know, still, we're past that now aren't we?"
"Yeah, well, hopefully anyway."
Hao smiled and pulled Yoh into a loose embrace, sitting them both on the bed. "So, you know how we get there?"
"Yes, though that won't be until tonight. For now it's either catch-up or reishi?"
"While it would probably be a better idea to focus on the latter, I think I'll choose the former."
Yoh smiled and nodded, spending quality time together definitely sounded like a good idea to him right now. It felt so comfortable sat there like that, building their relationship up was something he wanted and it seemed that Hao did as well. Besides, he was sure they were both due a break.
It's almost surreal sitting here with him, it's such a normal thing to do that it feels completely abnormal. Hao and I have never really had a relationship, so to be spending time together just talking is something I'd never expected. Back then, when I learnt of Hao and what he had done, and was continuing to do, I would never have believed something like this could happen.
I'm not complaining of course far from it, since 'that' happened I've very much wanted this. Some things no matter how badly you want, you never really believe you'll get, I guess this was one of those things. It has happened though and it's wonderful, to be so relaxed and at ease, to see no signs of the madness and hatred so prevalent before, I wouldn't give this up for anything.
I can't believe how open and honest he's being, the things he's telling me…still, I needed to understand the truth of everything that happened, how he came to be that person. I guess he must understand that, or maybe he just needed someone to talk to about it. With so little time spent with him I guess I don't really know him too well. That is what this is about though isn't it, getting to know one another.
I don't care what they think anymore, I've grown up, learnt a lot and I know what's right. Hao has changed and this cycle can finally come to an end, I can finally have a brother, I can finally feel whole and like I belong. It doesn't matter to me if they choose to throw me aside or condemn me for this, we're not staying on this world for long and I have everyone I need right here.
Yoh shook his head clearing his thoughts, that didn't matter for now. Hao was meant to have all his attention, not random thoughts. This was something he had wanted for a long time and it would be foolish to waste the experience because his mind chose to wander. It was better listening to Hao's stories anyway, they were interesting and explained so much about the other and how he thought and felt.
Yoh shifted on the bed, realising too late just how close to the edge he had been. Instinctively he grabbed Hao, who was the nearest 'object' hoping to prevent his fall. Unfortunately for them both, Hao was not braced to suddenly support both their weight and they invariably both ended up tumbling to the floor.
It took a minute for them to come back to their senses, only to wish that they hadn't. They both moved away from each other hastily, turning crimson almost instantly. The position they had landed in was rather intimate and the fact that lips were pressed against lips didn't help matters in the least.
"I, uh, sorry about that, I slipped and…" Yoh muttered.
Hao nodded slightly. "Accidents happen."
Both boys sat in awkward silence, not really sure what to say or how to change subjects to remove the uncomfortable situation. It had been a complete accident and they both knew that, but it wasn't that simple. They both also knew how their bodies reacted to it and that was where the problem lay. How were you supposed to just get over and ignore the fact that, accidental or not, you had shared a kiss with a sibling and found yourself wanting more?