Disclaimer: I do not own these boys or their universe. All of it belongs to Asano Atsuko.
Reviewers: All 10 of you, thank you!
Author's Note: I had originally planned for this chapter to be much longer (and it's already long enough!), but in the end I decided breaking up the information might work out better ::shrugs, smiling::. In any case, here's the third chapter—I am hoping to eventually have artwork to go with it, but for right now, I think this will do. Please enjoy!
Summary: Almost exactly three years after No. 6's downfall, the wandering star returns home…(Post-Series. Reunion-fic. Multi-chapter.)
Rating: T/M
"Speech"
Personal Thoughts/Memories (Italics)
.:No More Farewells:.
By Sentimental Star
Chapter Three: Brave New World (Part I)
"Aria-san…? As soon as you receive the chance, would you please get another medical team out here? I think there are at least three other people who could use the attention. I'll take care of the payment."
Where he is carefully putting down the tools he's used to sew Shion's cheek up, Nezumi glances at him askance. He is sure his jaw must have unhinged slightly, and isn't entirely sure he has heard correctly.
What the hell…?
The female officer seems to be of the same opinion. Her cheeks flush angrily and her green eyes spark with fire. "But, Shion-!"
Shion cuts her off by holding up a single hand. His stare is even as he fixes it on her, but there is also gentleness to it—compassion, and an understanding that effectively fizzles out her ire.
It is a show of authority that the Shion from three years ago had displayed in wisps and hints, but Nezumi had never imagined he would see it reach its full potential.
Slowly, he closes his mouth, pressing his lips into a thin line as realization hits him squarely between the eyes:
I was wrong.
He watches silently as Shion quietly instructs the young woman—Aria, was it?—on further steps he'd like her to take concerning the gang members they'd just thoroughly roughed up a little more than half an hour ago.
No, that's not it. "Instructing" isn't the right word. He's requesting it, letting her decide for herself whether she'll refuse it.
Nezumi is not terribly surprised when she doesn't.
Over the past forty-five minutes he has watched Shion direct these law enforcement officials hither and thither—to the alley, to the orphanage…He'd asked Nezumi himself to give as accurate a report as his thoroughly befuddled mind could piece together. All the while making it seem as if they'd be doing Shion a favor that they are under no obligation to fulfill.
I was halfway through my statement before I even realized it.
He'd asked Shion about it once he finished, even managing to insinuate that with such a tongue, he could easily charm someone out of their clothes and they'd be all too happy to oblige.
A dark blush had coated Shion's cheeks afterwards and, seeing it, a couple of nearby officers had laughed, poking gentle fun at the nineteen-year-old Committee Member:
"This fella? Hell, yeah! Though I hear he's saving himself for someone special."
"Some pretty chick, eh, Cap'n?"
"Who says it has to be a chick? I heard it was a beautiful person…"
Shion, however it was possible, had grown gradually redder and redder with each jesting tease. When all eyes had simultaneously turned to Nezumi, who had remained sitting beside him, it had taken very little imagination to catch on to what they were implying.
Nezumi had glared, quite pleased to see it caused one or two of their number to back up a step…but then Shion had smiled warmly at him, and any irritation or anger melted away on the spot.
"I had a good teacher."
At that point, the officers had realized that their friendly teasing had merited far more truth than they ever expected. Nezumi had simply been embarrassed.
"…Che! The things you say…"
What he doesn't dare admit to out loud, however, is the fact that their words and Shion's response have clued him in to yet another truth:
He waited for me. He really waited for me.
"Nezumi…?"
Jerking, Nezumi snaps his eyes and attention back to the present and the warm pair of red eyes hovering just inside his field of vision. Swallowing back his pounding heart, he subtly shifts back so that Shion's face isn't quite so near. "Done with your statement?"
Shion's look tells him he isn't fooled for a moment.
When did you become so…non-oblivious…to things like this?
The other young man lets it go with a sigh, "Yeah."
Inwardly, Nezumi winces. He's trying, really he is, but he has been conditioned to answer any unexpected touch or response with a punch at best and a knife at someone's throat at worst.
But…it's never been that way with Shion, has it? Even that night, after our first dance…it petrified me, sure, but I didn't attack him.
The realization is sudden, new…and not entirely unwelcome.
Why didn't I attack him? He got inside my defenses before I could even react, but afterwards…? Afterwards, when he turned away and went to sleep…? I was far more concerned about figuring out how he got inside my defenses rather than retaliating, and the next day…we went about our errands as if nothing had ever happened.
A hand lightly shakes Nezumi's shoulder, and now he reacts, immediately grabbing its owner's wrist. At first touch, he recognizes it as belonging to Shion.
His body freezes, even relaxes.
I stopped myself from reacting, he realizes. I deliberately stopped myself. And just now…I did it again.
His hand curls tightly around Shion's wrist, the epiphany that accompanies it both startling and scary, with a great deal of marvel thrown into the mix:
I trust him. Even with all the changes…
Shion eyes him worriedly, wrapping his own hand around Nezumi's wrist and giving it a gentle squeeze.
…I trust him.
IOIOIOIOIOI
Five minutes later, Nezumi has forced Shion to sit, arranging it so that their knees are touching. He has just finished swabbing anesthetic over the stitches, and returns the tongs he has used to hold the swab back to the borrowed medical kit, disposing of the cotton ball once he has done so.
They have remained silent until now. As he picks up a clean piece of gauze, Nezumi finally speaks up: "I was wrong," he murmurs.
"Hmm…?" Shion cracks his eyes open, peering at him warmly.
Nezumi sighs and smoothes the bandage gently over Shion's injured cheek, carefully taping off the ends. "When I said you hadn't changed…I was wrong. You have changed…a bit."
The authority you have…
Thinking of the conversation he has just been witness to.
The respect you've gained…
His eyes sadden slightly.
Those aren't the boy I remember. You were fine without me.
Shion's eyes blink open all the way and he sits up properly, leaning back from Nezumi's touch only far enough to allow them to see eye to eye. "I suppose I have in some ways," he agrees softly. "You have, too," added as he glances down fondly at the fingers the other boy has unconsciously rested on his thigh.
Cringing slightly, Nezumi withdraws his hand, setting aside the tape, "How so?"
How can you always see right through me?
Shion just smiles warmly, reaching up to tenderly brush aside Nezumi's bangs. "This, for one," he murmurs. His fingers slide down the side of Nezumi's face, curling gently around his jaw and tugging his head down.
The kiss is tender, a mere fluttering of petals against his lips. Nezumi groans: "Tease," he mutters. Biting down lightly on the other's bottom lip, he laces his fingers behind Shion's head and pulls the smaller man into a much firmer kiss. Daring, even, to cautiously probe at Shion's lips with his tongue.
Shion grants him access without a moment's hesitation.
Three years…and you're still so trusting. Gods, Shion…I-I can't believe I left this…That I almost lost this…!
Nezumi shudders and the press of his lips strengthens. Their kiss deepens; he has tugged Shion practically into his lap, but his companion doesn't seem to be voicing any objections. Certainly not…if the wrap of his arms is any indication.
When they finally separate, they are panting heavily. Struggling to catch his breath and, at the same time, will back the moisture pooling behind his eyes, Nezumi drops his forehead against Shion's shoulder, hands clasping tightly at the nape of his white-haired counterpart's neck.
"And so…?" he manages when he has breath enough. "The point of that delightful little exercise…?"
Shion's lips brush gently against the side of his neck, "To prove that you are capable of accepting affection." He chuckles fondly, "Had I tried that three years ago—and believe me, I wanted to—I would have either been scolded or laughed at, and most probably would have found myself up against a bookshelf with your fist at my throat."
"I wasn't that bad," Nezumi grumbles. He shifts, though, pressing against Shion's chest in silent apology.
Shion snorts warmly. "Close enough," he murmurs. He, too, shifts, and lightly presses his hand to Nezumi's back, kissing his forehead in response to the words that haven't been spoken.
It's all right, I forgive you. It's enough to have you here, like this, with me.
IOIOIOIOIOI
(An Hour Later)
Nezumi catches up to him as they leave the orphanage, snagging his hand before they walk very far. "Won't your mama be worried?"
His voice is quiet when he asks that. They have just finished checking in with the children at Shion's request, but now that all is well, an hour has already passed. It has been two and a half hours since Nezumi rushed out of Karan Bakery (but he doesn't tell Shion that….yet).
Shion winces, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand as the thought occurs to him that Nezumi is probably right. "Most likely. I'll have to make sure I apologize to her when we get there."
Nezumi makes a thoughtful noise at the back of his throat. "Hold that thought."
As Shion watches bemusedly, he gently tugs his hand free, unlacing their fingers. His movement elicits a startled smile as Shion realizes Nezumi hasn't strayed very far from his side since they have reunited.
I don't think he's even let me out of his sight for five minutes.
He keeps his thoughts to himself, however, watching as Nezumi rustles through his jacket pocket. His hand closes gently around something, and when he pulls it out, a small, black mouse sits comfortably on his palm.
A delighted smile lights up Shion's face. "Tsukiyo!"
The black mouse chirps excitedly at him, working herself into a fair tizzy as he reaches out to lightly stroke her head.
Nezumi smirks slightly, peering warmly at the mouse as he holds her up at eye level. "Think you can bring a message to Shion's mama for me?"
Another series of chirps; Nezumi grins, "You're just greedy."
An indignant shrill.
Nezumi laughs. To Shion, the sound is moonlight and starfire, unhindered by the bitterness and harshness it possessed while they lived in the West Block.
So, this, too, has changed. I want to hear it again.
A softer warble answers Nezumi's laughter, as if Tsukiyo, too, is aware of the difference.
With a smile teasing at his lips, Nezumi gently sets her down on the ground. He doesn't straighten until she nips fondly at his fingers and scurries off, carrying a familiar pill capsule between her teeth.
Although Shion sorely wishes to know what the message contains (at one point, Nezumi's cheeks had burned with a substantial blush), he'll settle for the hand that has once again sought out his own.
"…You really can't seem to stop touching me, can you?"
Nezumi (to Shion's delight) flushes a deep, dark shade of red. "…Shut up," he grumbles.
It is really not very effective: Nezumi's hand has tightened around his, and one tug has Shion fetched up against his side.
Warmth floods Shion's cheeks. He suspects it may take awhile to adjust to this newly-affectionate Nezumi…but he doesn't think he'll mind too much.
Really, I shouldn't even be all that surprised.
The memory of a small, feverish body pressed close to his, after all, is never very far off.
"Living people are warm…" Right, Nezumi?
"What are you thinking about?" the voice is still a grumble and, when Shion glances up, he sees a faint blush still decorates Nezumi's cheek. The other nineteen-year-old, though, has yet to let go of him.
Shion laughs softly, his smile tender as it plays around his lips, "Nothing, just a stray memory."
Nezumi's eyes widen slightly as he catches what Shion is implying and, almost immediately, he glances away, scratching at the back of his neck with his cheeks a steady burn.
Shion snorts quietly, endlessly amused by this easily flustered Nezumi. Releasing it on a heartfelt sigh, he tugs lightly on the hand still clasped within his and succeeds in reclaiming Nezumi's attention. His eyes dance as an overwhelming happiness consumes his entire being. "I have so much I want to ask you-" he begins.
But a female voice interrupts him: "Shion!" Footsteps clatter down the cobblestones behind them.
Shion turns quickly at the hail, vaguely aware of Nezumi shifting his stance to accommodate him. "Aria-san…?" the woman runs up to them, "Is everything all right?"
The young female officer is bent double, hands on her knees and panting slightly as she tries to regain her breath. Her green eyes beam when she straightens up, "So it's true, is it? You really are smiling again!"
"Um…yes?"
Shion's tone tells the two with him how bewildered he is by the question.
Aria rolls her eyes. "You're used to this, I hope?"
She has directed the question at Nezumi, and a startled smirk creeps across his lips, "Very much so."
Aria flashes a warm look at him before turning back to Shion. "You sure know how to pick them, Captain."
Shion flushes. "Er..."
Aria laughs. "Just so you know…everyone's really happy for you, and they sent me to tell you that."
Letting it go, Shion's eyes soften. "Thank you. Um…" he glances sidelong at Nezumi, almost shyly, to see if he minds, "was I really that obvious?"
Aria laughs again, and Nezumi's arm curls around his waist, tightening when she speaks, "Hell, yeah! But actually, the main reason I'm here—aside from that—is to let you know everything has gone smoothly so far. Fingers crossed that the investigations go well—they start tomorrow. I'd ask if you're going to be in your office, but…" she trails off, nearly laughing again, and glances at Nezumi, "I think you'll be busy. We'll get as far as we can before we need your input, so take a break, all right? We can take care of ourselves for a few days."
Tension Shion has not realized is there seeps out of his shoulders, and he breaks into a grateful smile. "Thanks again, Aria."
Aria claps her boots together and salutes. "Not a problem, Captain!"
Listening to the echoes of her boot steps as they rebound against the walls, Nezumi watches her go, snorting softly when she sashays her hips before turning a corner. "…Interesting woman. Friend of yours?"
His gray eyes are teasing when they turn back to Shion, and they glint fondly when the other young man blushes. "Not like that, Nezumi!"
Nezumi chuckles, "I shouldn't say I'm glad, but I am."
Shion's hand suddenly presses against his chest, just above his heart. His red eyes are earnest as he gazes up at him, "You never had to worry."
Never, not once, have I ever looked at anyone in that way except for you.
Nezumi's gaze softens, and he leans down to brush a kiss against Shion's forehead, "Apparently not," he murmurs against the skin there.
It is the closest he will come to saying "Thank you."
End Chapter