"Sou-chan! What is the meaning of this?!"
Soubi didn't answer Kio. Too many conversations have opened with this line, and they all generally end the same, so Soubi couldn't find much motivation to answer.
"Ritsuka's ears! Where are they?!"
Actually Ritsuka wasn't even in the room, as Kio stumbled upon the sketch on the table, looking mortified.
"You took his ears and then you proceeded to draw a picture?"
Soubi finally decided now might be a good time to answer before Kio stabbed him with the pointy end of the paintbrush.
"Artistic license."
Kio spluttered, staring at him in disbelief as his friend tugged the sketch gently from his hands, clipping it to the easel.
"Artistic license my ass," Kio muttered darkly
--
The exhibition had gone very well. Ritsuka didn't question him much either about why Kio pulled on his ears quite firmly when they met him at the gallery. Soubi was walking him home, remaining silent and elusive on the flat square package he carried with him.
After Soubi invited himself into Ritsuka's room, he presented the other with his gift, watching him with a smile as he unwrapped the heavy framed painting.
"Is it for me?"
"Yes."
"Thank you."
Ritsuka looked carefully at the painting of himself. It was beautiful, as were all of Soubi's paintings, but it was different. He couldn't quite say how, but only recognized that his other paintings pushed pins into his lungs, but he could breathe easier looking at this one. And most importantly, it was a part of Soubi he could call his own.
A/N: Written a few months back, I was working mainly on character interaction, voice, and bemusing situations. Probably one of the more light-hearted pieces I've written, which says something about me, sadly enough. Thanks for reading.