A/N: Well, after long periods of staring blankly into space and eating very fattening chocolate just to come up with the storyline, I finally finished the second chapter of Interlude. Whew! ^^' This is a lot shorter than the previous chapter, so I guess I'll have to make up for it on the next one. :D
Thank you for the reviews and the alerts! X3 Hope you'll continue to be patient with me and read this story until the very end. Please enjoy~
Disclaimer: Someday…wait for it… *bwahahahaha* XD
Note: Less piano playing this time. :3 I don't think I could integrate them playing the piano in every single chapter since I myself don't play it, the piano I mean.
Interlude
-Chapter 2-
"Hey Fong."
The Chinese stopped midway in pressing down on an ivory key and turned towards the source of the voice. His hands immediately found their way on his lap, one on top of the other in a slightly regal fashion. He gave his full attention to the brunet seated a short distance away from him, his dark eyes questioning. Tsuna stared at his cute student intently for a few moments before breaking out into a smile, his chin resting on top of intertwined fingers.
"Fong…Do you love the piano?"
Fong's eyes lit up and a smile graced his lips. He didn't need to dwell much on it. It's been half a year since he started exploring the fascinating world of 'the blacks and the whites', and he has found himself enjoying every minute he spent playing it, more so than he ever thought he would. He adored being able to produce the beautiful melodies. His answer flew readily out of his mouth.
"I do, Sensei."
The brunet's smile only grew wider as he sensed the sincerity behind the boy's words.
-:-
Fong rounded the corner and slowly walked towards the direction of his mentor's humble abode. He was still clad in his school uniform, his school bag slung lazily over his shoulders. The wind blew gently as he hummed a tune to himself, his braided hair fluttering lightly behind him. He glanced at his watch and sighed as he noted how late it was. Sadly, school duties kept him from going home at an earlier time.
He stood in front of the doorway and fumbled through his pockets in search for his keys. He was about to insert the key into the keyhole when he noticed something amiss. He was sure that Tsuna's usually already home from work at around this time, and yet there was no piano music playing in the background.
It was odd.
Fong knew of how much his teacher loved playing the piano. Whenever he came by for a lesson, he would always be greeted by the tinkling and reverberating melodies emitting from the instrument. Always. The only other time that he came by without hearing any form of music was when the brunet was too sick to get up from bed, and when he wasn't at home, which has been rare since recently.
A feeling of dread suddenly washed over him. He shoved the key into the hole and twisted the doorknob open.
Once inside, the door closed behind him with a hollow thud.
He slowly scanned the entirety of the room before him. It was dark; his eyes took a while to adjust to the sudden dimness of his surroundings. Fong stumbled to the wall in an attempt to search for the light switch. He tried calling out as he felt for the small knob.
"Tsuna?"
After a few seconds, he finally found the switch and flipped it open. The room was immediately blanketed in a bright coating of light. Blinking a few times, the Chinese took note of his surroundings before quickly making his way towards the living room. As he stepped inside, the first thing that came into view was the mop of brown hair at the far corner of the room. The next were the many empty cans of beer littering the carpeted floor.
Fong carefully treaded his way towards the brunet and went down on his knees in front of him. Tsuna was sitting against the wall; both his legs were pulled up to his chest, his face concealed from view. The heavy scent of alcohol hung thickly in the air.
"You've been drinking." It was a statement, not a question. The 22 year old man flinched at the words, and then slowly raised his head. His cheeks were lightly flushed red, his eyes a bit dazed but still alert. He smiled, albeit a forced one. He gestured towards the dozen or so empty cans surrounding him.
"I…just thought that I'd…drink away my problems for tonight." His speech was a bit slurred, alerting the other of his slight intoxication. He closed his eyes and rested his head on the wall behind him, the smile still present on his lips. "I didn't think that I'd have this high of a tolerance for beer, though."
"…You drank more than 12 cans, Tsuna." The brunet heard a sigh escape from his student. He opened his eyes to come face to face with Fong. Worried onyx eyes bore into caramel ones. The Chinese's usual smile was gone, replaced by a small frown. He reached forward and grabbed hold of the Tsuna's hand, giving it a light squeeze.
"I won't ask if you don't want me to."
The brunet only gave a curt nod as an indication that he'd been listening and a small smile in gratitude. They stared at each other for a moment before Tsuna tore away his gaze. Fong followed suit and opted instead to sit beside the brunet, all the while not letting go of his hand.
They basked in each other's presence in comfortable silence, neither of the two speaking up. Only their breathing and the ticking sound of the clock could be heard. Minutes turned to hours until finally it was time for Fong to head on back to his own home. Reluctantly, he pried his fingers away from his hold, only to be held back firmly in place. His eyes widened a bit as Tsuna interlocked his fingers with his, refusing to let go.
"Wha–"
He was cut off as the brunet suddenly spoke up. "I know this is a bit selfish and…well, stupid, but…could you stay with me? At least for a while longer…" Tsuna gave the hand a tight squeeze, his shoulders tense.
Fong's eyes softened, a gentle smile formed on his lips. He squeezed back and took his place once more beside the brunet. Immediately after the simple gesture, Tsuna's shoulders relaxed and slumped down. He leant his head against the other's shoulder and started humming the opening bars to his favorite piece. The sound was delicate and soothing, much like that of a piano.
A sudden jolt of pain coursed through his hands, his eyes squinted shut in mid-hum. His body hunched over and he unconsciously gripped Fong's hand in a tight bone-crushing hold. The Chinese flinched and held back a grunt of pain.
The teenager held Tsuna on the shoulder for support with his free hand, a worried expression marring his face once again. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"
"I-I'm fine." Tsuna's brows were furrowed and his teeth were clenched tightly. The thoughts that he tried so hard to forget waltzed into his mind as if to mock him. He wanted so badly to forget.
I'm sorry Sawada-san.
The voice rang in his ears, repeating itself over and over like a broken record. The brunet held onto Fong's uniform and buried his forehead against his chest. The sudden influx of pain slowly started to recede, leaving his body with a numb sensation. He could slightly make out the sound of Fong's voice in the background, his tone laced with worry.
An unknown disease has spread throughout the infected areas of the blood vessels located inside your hands, poisoning your system.
Without treatment…I'm afraid it's likely that you won't live to old age.
Even now, we're not entirely sure of how long that would be as the infection's spreading at a fast rate.
Surgery is the best course of action to take, if you want to live.
Only…there's a very high risk of losing complete control over your hands…
Tsuna buried his face at the nook of the teen's neck, his eyes hot and glistening with unshed tears. Seconds later, the tears cascaded freely down the contours of his cheeks. He tried to muffle out his silent sniffles as he wrapped his hands around the Chinese's waist, seeking out every ounce of comfort he could get. He felt a pair of hands embrace him, rubbing soothing circles on his back.
It's your choice Sawada-san.
There's nothing more we could do. Even doctors can't create miracles…
Fong hugged the brunet tighter as he noticed his body trembling slightly. He wasn't stupid. Something was terribly wrong. But the only thing he could do now is to be there for Tsuna and to wait for him until he's ready to share whatever it is that was bothering him. Softly, he whispered words of comfort, the sounds melting into the silence of the room.
-:-
Fong shyly looked up and held his teacher's gaze in his.
"What about you, Sensei?"
"Hm?"
"Do you love the piano?"
Tsuna stood up from his seat and walked towards the boy, the warm smile still present in his face. He bent forward and touched their foreheads together.
"The same goes for me. I really love the piano. Especially more so now, since I got to meet you."
The brunet pulled away and ruffled the 10 year old's hair affectionately. He chuckled at the light blush that adorned the Chinese's pale face. He turned his eyes and gazed out the windows.
He smiled. 'I really do love the piano.'
The brunet woke up with a start. Rays of sunlight streamed in through the glass windows, lighting up the room. His body felt oddly cramped. He snuggled in closer to the warmth, pressing himself to the soft–
Wait, soft?
Tsuna's eyes fluttered open. Slowly, he trailed his eyes up; Fong's sleeping face entering his visage. He blinked a few times before he recalled what happened the night before. They had fallen asleep in each other's hold. His face softened as he carefully withdrew from the body, minding not to move the teen so as not to wake him up.
He sat down near the Chinese and stared at him with warm caramel eyes. He reached forward and softly ran his hand on the teen's cheek. Fong stayed with him the entire time.
The brunet closed his eyes and whispered a silent gratitude. "Thank you."
He bent forward slowly on his hands and knees. His lips were only mere centimeters away from the other before he caught himself and immediately pulled away. He raised a hand to his lips. Just what was he about to do?
Tsuna stumbled backward and stood from his place. He silently stalked out of the room leaving the raven haired teen alone in the midst of solitude.
-:-
"Where the hell have you been?"
Fong inwardly flinched at the harsh tone of his father's voice. He knew better than to go against him when he's mad. He bent his head in a low bow as a sign of respect.
"I'm terribly sorry, Father. I stayed over at a friend's house last night and failed to inform you about it."
He could feel the steely gaze of his father's eyes penetrating through him, as if determining his fate from what feeble excuse he could come up with. His father stood rigid straight in an intimidating manner. The teen could hear him clucking his tongue in displeasure.
"You know I don't approve of you playing the piano."
Fong's eyes widened for a fraction before he schooled his face back into a neutral expression, his upper body still positioned in a deep bow. He chose not to give an answer.
"It was your mother's wish for you to continue with your lessons before she died. I respected her wish. That is the only reason why I tolerated you playing a lowly instrument up until now. I don't even approve of you mingling with that sorry excuse for a teacher."
He clenched his fists tightly on his side and his eyes flashed with anger. Fong knew that his father had been against him playing the piano from the start. He's grateful to his mother for supporting him with his decision, though it strained his relationship with his father even more. But he has no right to ridicule Tsuna. He bit down on his lip to restrain himself from lashing at his father. He kept silent still.
"But I'll only tolerate it up to this much. The moment you graduate from high school, the whole family is moving back to China."
Fong whipped his head up and opened his mouth to retort but was immediately shut up by his father's cold glare.
"The decision is final."
His father stared at him icily, as if daring him to say otherwise. Fong bit back his reply and turned his head to the side.
"Yes, Father."
He bowed again and walked towards the other side of the house, disappearing into one of the bedroom doors.
Fong dropped his schoolbag to the floor and crashed into the soft bed, his fingers combing through his bangs. He tugged at the locks of hair in mild frustration. From his pocket, he produced a single slip of paper.
Fong,
Thank you.
I wouldn't have known what to do if you hadn't been there for me.
-Tsuna
His eyes traced across the familiar handwriting, rereading it for what seemed like the umpteenth time. When he woke up earlier in the morning, he found himself alone in the living room. The note was left for him to see on top of the grand piano. It was a Saturday so the brunet had to go to work, most likely the reason why he wasn't at home. Sighing, Fong let his hand fall to the side of the bed, the note dropping from his hold onto the floor.
Two years until he graduates.
Two short years till he gets carted off to China.
He raised his arm to cover his eyes and willed himself to fall into sleep. The last thing that lingered in his mind before he succumbed to unconsciousness is a pair of warm caramel eyes.
Tsuna sat on one of the swings in the park, lightly swinging forward and back. He watched as the children frolicked about the place with huge grins plastered on their faces. The brunet smiled at them when they turned to wave at him.
He dropped his gaze to look at his hands folded neatly on his lap. He recalled the doctor's words.
It's your choice Sawada-san.
Tsuna clasped his hands together and closed his eyes. It was his choice.
He wasn't one to believe in them, but this time, he really wished that there is such a thing as a 'miracle'.
"I need a miracle." The words he whispered floated off together with the breeze towards the sky.
A/N: Disappointing chapter, huh? Yeah, I thought so too. Oh well… If you have the time, please kindly leave me a review even if the review is not so kind. ^^