Dear lord… I just finished up all the court crap and I have to say I feel a little better. At any rate, I'm holding a sort of contest. If you can guess why I'm writing this story (motivation/reason etc.) then I'll do a piece of art for you and try scan it this summer. I'll email you and tell you if you won. More than one person can win, so don't be discouraged. After that, you email me and tell me what you want! So there it is. On with the fic!

And thanks guys, you mean lots to me. I'll be trying to take suggestions to heart.

Chapter 10

"Damn man…" Bikky held his hands behind his head and swung his legs as he walked. "Stupid teacher pulls a damned pop quiz on us."

"Yeah… Like I said though. You should always study, that way, nothing is a surprise." Duet shrugged and poked at Bikky, making him stumble onto the street.

"Oi! That's not fair. We've been busy with all the stupid court mumbo jumbo and stuff. If the asshole hadn't asked for so many appeals, we'd be living a peaceful life right now."

Bikky looked to Duet and his eyes were covered by his bangs. He took a moment to take the other's features in. He'd gotten a pair of wire-rimmed glasses to replace the coloured contacts that he'd worn before. The other had said something about them not liking his eyes after the whole drugged rape ordeal. He'd seen how the raven-haired boy flinched when anything came close to his face after the incident and quietly seethed in anger. He'd also re-dyed his hair to the original colour of black that he'd been born with. After cutting about a foot off of his beautiful mane, it only came to just past his ass and even in the year and a half that had passed it stayed at it's current length. He revelled in the inky black depths of Duet's eyes. Like Ryo, it seemed his natural eye colour was black, but the heritage was completely different.

"I know Bikky. Let's just not think about it right now." His voice was just above a whisper and he glanced at Bikky. "And stop staring at my ass."

That had gotten Bikky's attention and the blonde blushed.

"I wasn't… I mean… I was just looking at your hair." He blushed more and tried to not look like a flustered bird.

"I know. I just needed to get your attention." Duet smirked and then pointed off to a couple. "Isn't that your girl, Carol?"

Bikky scanned the crowd around them and his eyes settled on his long time friend.

"Yeah, we're friends." He carefully didn't clench his fist.

"Oh? I thought you two were dating…" Duet trailed off, not knowing if he should continue. The vibes he was getting from his friend weren't very happy ones.

"We were. Operative word is 'were'. I was her first boyfriend. The moment she turned 18 we went out with each other. But we both decided that what we had as childhood friends was more precious and a lot easier to live with than being lovers."

"Ah… wise words from you my friend. Any thing else important to share that I just 'might' like to know?"

"You know, sneering doesn't fit you. Stop it."

"I would, but you're giving off some horrible anger vibes and it's quite jarring."

"Oh. I just don't like her choice of a guy. What she sees in him I'll never know."

The two continued their walk down to their favourite park. They settled on a swing each next to each other and began pushing them selves as high as they could go.

"I'm gonna beat you on this one dude." Duet snickered.

"Just because you're some super hot Damphir now doesn't mean I still can't kick your ass." Bikky stuck his tongue out and watched Duet jump. He flew about 5 metres and spun around to catch Bikky as he came falling through the air behind him.

Unfortunately, Duet wasn't all that used to being hit with flying 16 year olds and he staggered backwards into the bushes with Bikky sprawled on top of him. He gasped for air and Bikky tried to get up and only managed to knock heads with Duet.

"Bobby! Look! What are they doing?" A small girls voice came to the two boys in the bush.

"Gross! Fags!" Came another voice, this one belonging to a schoolmate.

Bikky was up and off of Duet faster than the eye could see, and barrelling into the jerk that dared to call him a fag. Duet sat up and watched the scene play out. The little girl was crying and trying to save her big brother. He stood and pulled the two away from each other and smiled at the little girl.

"It's okay now. They won't fight." The girl's cries stopped and he set the brother down. "Hurry and get her home Bobby. And be careful next time."

He waited until he knew they were a safe distance and set Bikky down.

"What was that all about?" Duet leered at Bikky.

"I don't like fags. To be called one is just wrong."

"Oh… I see."

"What? What's wrong?"

"Nothing. It just seems a little hypocritical of you. Dee being your new guardian and all." He glared and then shrugged.

"I don't mind him anymore. He's cool now." Bikky backed away slightly and averted his eyes.

"Now it sounds like you're hiding something." The raven-haired boy just shook his head and began walking back towards his and Ryo's home.

The blonde clenched his fists and looked at the ground.

"Duet…"

Duet turned to look at him, his loose hair swinging in the breeze.

"What?" His eyes searched for Bikky's but couldn't reach them because the other boy was running.

"I love you."

Don't forget the contest. You know, I'm almost tempted to add something else, but it'll be fine for now. Look out for more grief for our favourite Damphir, Duet.

Shinimegami7