Don't even ask where I've been with this fic. It's been almost a year since I've updated it, and finally I got inspiration to write, and my friend asked for this. So, here it is, and enjoy!
freya kurenai: Smug fics in the morning are the best. Thanks for reviewing!
Red Kitsune Flames: We'll find out what's up with Kanone in the next chapter or so. This chapter is pretty much just a filler chapter and introducing Eriol a bit more. Next chapter should give you some hints as to what's wrong with dear Kanone. Thanks for reviewing!
Polaris18: Well, isn't he in a pissy mood? Ah well, hope I don't make Eriol too ooc.. I may like him, but I'll be damned if I understand him! Thanks for revieiwng!
The next day, Kanone showed Eriol around the apartment. There wasn't much to show, seeing as how Kalelle never bothered to get a larger place. He was rarely home, and when he was, it was only to sleep or eat. Eyes had his own place, even though he stayed most at the brunette's, and Kalelle didn't concern himself with where Kanone stayed. As long as it was out of the way and within earshot, Kanone could have lived in a dumpster for all he cared.
After the small tour, Eriol sighed and glanced around the place, "So where do we sleep?" he asked, slightly concerned that he hadn't seen any other beds or even another room besides Kalelle's.
Kanone just shook his head and muttered, "I don't sleep until he's out of the apartment. He's always demanding something, so that's when I get my rest."
"That can't be healthy." The silver-haired clone remarked, a slight frown tugging at his lips, "Why do you let him treat you like that?" Though, he knew the answer before Kanone ever spoke.
"Why do you think?" he snapped slightly. Hunger, blood loss, and exhaustion were wearing on him and he wasn't entirely happy with the topic being discussed. He continued, "I'm his, I don't have any other reason for existing, so I do what he wants."
"That doesn't give him the right to treat you like that, you know." Though, in all honesty, Eriol didn't truly know. He was told he was to obey Eyes' orders and that if Eyes ever needed anything, even his blood, he was to give it over without complaint. Of course, he was a little wary of just letting strangers stick needles in him, but when he saw Eyes laying on the hospital bed, unconscious and hooked up to all those machines, something tugged at him. He complied and vowed to do whatever it took to get his look a like better. For all he knew, Eyes was just like Kalelle, so instead of responding to Kanone's answer (not that he had been paying attention), he asked another question. "What is Eyes like?"
The question took Kanone a bit by surprise, but he figured it was only natural to know what your master was like. So, the brunette answered as best he could, "I don't know him all that well, despite him living here most of the time." He confessed. At Eriol's slightly disappointed expression, he continued, "I do know that he's very sweet, though. He acts a bit cold, but he's actually really nice. He doesn't treat me like Kalelle does.. he cares for me." He added this last part with a bit of fondness and even smiled the slightest bit at the thought of the older boy.
Eriol quirked an eyebrow, "How well do you know him?" he questioned, curiously. Kanone was way too fond to have no involvement.
The brunette just shrugged slightly in response. He would have spilled all the details-- how Eyes always touched him kindly and held him close; how even when he felt like breaking down, the blue-eyed angel could put a smile on his face. Kanone wasn't sure of many of his emotions, but he did know he was quite fond of Eyes, or at the very least, his personality. However, if Kalelle ever caught wind of the closeness, he'd dump Eyes immediately and punish Kanone rather harshly. He didn't want either to happen, so he kept quiet about the situation and let Eriol come to his own conclusion.
Eriol was about to speak again before he felt a body push against his. He glanced down to where Kanone had slumped against the slightly shorter one, his breath coming out in soft pants. His expression remained the same, but his eyes became filled with worry. An arm wrapped around the slender waist as he led Kanone over to the bed and laid him down. There was some refusing on Kanone's part at first, but soon he lacked the energy to even push Eriol away. Thin, pale fingers ran through tresses of light brown hair as the younger boy reached for the phone next to the bed stand.
A hand managed to clamp down on his wrist before he could pick up the object. He was about to object when he saw the desperate look in Kanone's eyes. "Don't." The worn-out looking boy pleaded. Eriol's mouth opened again to insist that he needed help, but olive eyes just closed as he shook his head, "No one will help a clone without their owner's permission." He explained in short breaths, "It's against the law."
"Then I'll call Kalelle." The silver-haired one offered, reaching once more for the sleek phone.
"He won't care or come." It was an abrupt wake-up call for Eriol. He heard the regret and sadness in his fellow clone's voice as he whispered these words.
"How can he not care?" Eriol demanded, now angered by his own uselessness and Kalelle's ignorance and uncaring attitude to someone he should treat much better. "If you get sick or bite the dust, then he's screwed out of a clone and can't get what he needs from you."
There seemed to be logic in the younger one's words, and if Kalelle saw himself at risk, he might take a bit of action. Kanone's hand fell limp at his side as his eyes shut once again and he surrendered to the great realm of unconsciousness.
The next time Kanone awoke, it was in an all too familiar setting. One he had hoped not to see at all, let alone so soon. He sat up in his hospital bed and glanced around, wincing as he soon noticed the needle sticking from his abdomen. He placed a hand over it, but figured it might be wise to let it be-- it would have hurt too much to yank it out anyway. Deciding that it hurt slightly less while he was laying down, the brunette leaned back and closed his eyes, wishing he was back asleep. "At least it doesn't hurt there." He thought, idly.
Soon enough, his peace was interrupted by the door swinging open. Olive green eyes narrowed at the bedded boy as Kalelle crossed his arms, "What the hell is wrong with you?" he demanded.
Kanone barely even flinched anymore at the glares and tone of voice. If Kalelle wasn't within arm's reach and was near no objects that were able to be easily thrown, then he was no major threat. Sighing his last solemn sigh, the clone looked to his owner. He wasn't quite sure how to answer the question, so he replied in the way he knew best, "I'm sorry." He muttered.
"Sorry for what? It should be for not answering questions." Kalelle snapped, "I asked what's wrong with you. Unless you randomly collapse now."
Those words got a surprised reaction from the younger one, "He actually wants to know what's wrong?" he wondered, not being able to believe that this was the Kalelle he had known his whole life.
Then, reality hit him like a ton of bricks with Kalelle's next words, "Well, if there's something wrong with your blood, then you're no good to me."
The hope died from the clone's temporarily brightened eyes as he realized Kalelle was still only out for himself, "Of course." He whispered, barely able to hear himself. He then shook his head, "I don't know." He confessed, "I couldn't begin to guess."
"Useless." Kalelle sighed, looking up as a doctor wearing the appropriate medical garb walked in, flipping through papers attached to a clipboard. The cold boy immediately smiled, "Perhaps someone who can give me an actual answer."
The oldest of the three, looking to be in his late twenties with short black hair and piercing green eyes, looked up to the two identical boys. He regrettably shook his head, "Sorry," he began, "all of his test are coming back normal."
"I know my own clone." Kalelle argued, "He doesn't just collapse, he knows better than to cause that much trouble."
"I don't know what to tell you." The black-haired one said, "There's nothing wrong with him, the tests are proof."
"And I'm telling you those tests are full of shit." Olive-green eyes narrowed, "I know that boy and this isn't like him."
"Don't act too concerned." The doctor muttered, "You can just get a new one."
A surge of fear swept through Kanone with these words. If he was imperfect in some way, Kalelle would have no reason to keep him around, especially if he could have a better and more reliable one. An echo sounded throughout the room as Kalelle snapped once more, "No." He said firmly, glaring holes in the doctor, "You will find out what is wrong with him, you will fix it, and you will not disagree and leave everything up to your tests. Do you understand me?"
When Kalelle wanted to be scary, he could be extremely intimidating. This was one of those times as the green-eyed man nodded slightly and backed away towards the door, "Yes, sir." He obliged and quickly left the room.
Kalelle's gaze immediately softened just the tiniest bit as he turned his sights back to his clone. The latter visibly cringed (or as much as he could without moving the needle stuck in his stomach) as his owner approached his bedside. A hand wrapped around the intruding metal and Kanone had to hold in a whimper at the pain he knew ripping one out could cause. His stomach was a permanent bruise and it was extremely tender to even a harsh breeze. His eyes shut tightly as Kalelle pulled the needle from his flesh. To his astonishment, the medical object wasn't ripped out or even pulled out carelessly. It slipped right out and other than the pain he always felt when something was around his stomach, the process was virtually pain-free.
Kanone glanced up to the elder boy, questioningly. He had been confused at the latter's outburst and wondered why it mattered so much if he were cured of whatever illness had befallen him. If Kalelle could just have a new one made, why not save himself the trouble of dealing with Kanone? It wasn't like he was short on funds or anything. Whatever it was, the clone was pretty sure he was glad for it.
Without a word, Kalelle took a seat next to the hospitalized boy and an arm came to wrap around his unnaturally fragile-feeling shoulders. Any other time, Kanone would have jumped up and tensed at the contact. Right now, though, he was too exhausted, despite having just woken up, and leaned into the embrace. For the first time in what felt like ages, Kanone drifted off to sleep not because of tiredness or loss of blood, but simple contentment.
In another, more developed wing of the hospital lay a silver-haired boy with cuts and bruises marring his angelic face from a near-fatal car accident. His sleep suddenly seemed more peaceful and relaxed to the single observer, and a faint smile graced his lips. Eriol watched his owner questioningly before placing a quick kiss on his forehead and slipping out the door.
And just a little fluff at the end for good measure. Angst and fluff, can't get better than that, ne? So, is Kalelle coming around? Is he really starting to care about Kanone's well-being? Or does he still have ulterior motives? What's wrong with Kanone? And why the hell won't Eyes wake his ass up?! All these questions and more (oh yes, there will be more) soon to come. Review!