Chapter One: Shuichi Shindo
He just kept staring at me. The night I returned home to him, and cooked for him, his eyes never left me-even after he doze off to his far away land in sleep, I felt his eyes somehow keep its hold at me…and I knew that I couldn't leave him again, his unhealthy body could not, wouldn't, be able to take another heart breaking turn of events again.
And then, there we were, on the eve of my return home to him, eating as silent as possible, unwanting to make any noise for fear that whoever broke the holy silence, would be deemed to talk, which would only lead to awkward subjects.
But my time with him was ticking away.
"Did…" I saw him flinch as my thick voice cut the silence, "did you want anything?" I asked.
And he didn't reply. He just kept on bringing little morsels of meat in his mouth. He wasn't saying anything…and maybe this was my punishment for running out on him. For running after a fantasy when he needed me most.
But Shuichi-that fantasy was for you.
"Shuichi?" and before I could add anything more to it, he had raised his eyes once more and gave me that heartwarming smile, the corner of his violet gems blurring as he bit his lips-still trying to hold in what he needed to say.
He was even more surprise when I was suddenly on his side, on my knees, hand holding his. I pleaded him in silence to respond to me.
"Shuichi?" and then he broke. His eyes gave me diamonds that I didn't want, his arms flung around my neck, knocking both ourselves on the ground. But he refused to say anything. I gathered him inside my arms without hesitation.
"Shuichi," I said, "I'm here now. I'm back. I won't leave you ever. I promise."
He pulled away.
"Shuichi?"
How many times have I said his name?
"Say it just this once Yuki." He whispered lowly, "Say where you are." And his eyes yearned for something he never received yet. Something I've not said to him since I've arrived…
"I'm home. Here with you." I said, my voice, perhaps, the clearest thing that's ever been heard by him in the lonely many, nights I had left him…and now I wanted him to say more. To laugh again, to give me that bright smile, to annoy me, to give me pain…to love me.
But he took my callous hands with his silk fingers, kissing my fingertips before his face, a lovely heart contour, began to crease, softening for seconds and then gathering again-emotion undecided.
And he finally settled with a smile. Not large, but complete, not the brightest, but exceptional. It was…
"You've made me so happy…Yuki."
Completely, and utterly, Shuichi.
AN: Special thanks to Aly. I've finally decided to take your advice.