Losing My Religion

Part 3

Feeling like a zombie, and even looking a bit pale and lethargic like one, Bon barely managed to stay awake through all his day classes. It wasn't until he was subjected to the dim lighting of the cram school, and Yukio-sensei's calm even voice as he lectured, that the he finally succumbed to sleep.

The youngest Okumura stopped mid-lecture when he heard snores coming from behind him. Getting ready to yell at his older brother for sleeping in his class, Yukio turned from the chalk board only to be shocked at the sight of his most studious pupil head down face first on his desk snoring. Loudly too. Everyone else in the room also stared comically at their sleeping classmate. Some even twisted their backs round to get a good look at this unprecedented event.

"Suguro-san!" Yukio shouted loud enough to rouse him. Bon's rooster-like crest shot up in a heartbeat. His dazed brown eyes a bit bleary. A tiny drop of drool hung in the corner of his mouth. Both Shima and Rin laughed right out loud at his appearance. [Rin even pointed as he laughed.] Other students giggled quietly behind their hands at him. His face turned pink. It just made him look all the more ridiculous. "S-sorry Sensei," he stuttered.

"Are you feeling alright, Suguro-san?" Yukio inquired. He just nodded his head in affirmation quickly, still looking a tad embarrassed. "Then please pay attention in my class." With that the instructor returned to the lecture.

After the lesson was wrapped up and Bon had assured his overly-protective best friends that he was just a little tired today but otherwise fine, he made his way out the door to find Rin waiting for him in the hallway.

"So, Mr. Perfect-student snoring away in class today, eh?" he snickered then heartily slapped the older boy on the back as if to congratulate him. Bon felt a small current like electricity shoot down his spine at the brief contact. "Don't blame you man. Four-eyes is fuckin' boooooring!"

When Bon failed to comment or even make a face at that, Rin straightened up and said with a bit more seriousness, "I have to write that make-up test tomorrow morning." When there was still no comment, Rin looked up into brown eyes set in a stoney face. The demon sighed at the awkwardness and decided to just discard his pride since it didn't seem like the other would offer. "Could you help me out a bit more today, Bon?" and then quickly, "I know you're tired and all so it'd be cool if you can't and-"

"Sure, I'll help ya," Bon interrupted before he could even think about it. He was elated that Rin needed him for something and had, yet again, referred to him by nickname.

"Soooooooo, my place then?" Rin asked, a bit surprised the other had agreed and another bit surprised by the dopey-looking half-smile on the normally stone-etched face. Bon nodded yes, still smiling. "Ummmmmm, right now then?" Another nod. "...Okay then," Rin turned on his heel stiffly to lead the way, slightly weirded out at his friend's odd behavior. Since when had he ever seen such a look on that cool face? Never. He really must be tired, thought Rin.

Back at the twin's bedroom found the boys in a similar fashion to last time. One stretched out on his bunk pouring over his books and the other leaned up against the opposite bed on the floor again. Though, instead of sneaking looks at Rin, today Bon forced his eyes to stay glued to the textbook in his lap. Rin had kept his tail tucked under his shirt and out of sight today, mindful of not wanting a repeat of last night. So at least it's flicking about couldn't force his gaze to the demon. Even though he kept his eyes from straying to the other, he didn't have enough willpower to keep them from falling closed in sleepiness.

Having completed the last question, Rin yawned hugely and stretched out his limbs. Damn did math ever suck! But it was sucking a little less now that he at least understood it better thanks to Bon. Blue eyes turned to the other boy, only to find him with his head hung low. Was he asleep again? Rin quietly tip-toed over and crouched down to get a better look. Yup, out like a light. His eyes scanned the other boy's face for a second or two.

The strange realization came to him that Bon had a pretty cute face when he wasn't wearing his usual scowl. His features looked much softer and it gave away his young age when his brow wasn't creased with that tough-guy look. Lucky bastard that he was able to grow cool facial hair even, while Rin was stuck still looking like the kid he acted like. He frowned then closely inspected the brown whiskers, wondering if they felt coarse and scratchy like his father's had.

The moment his pointy finger poked the scruffy chin a low, "what the hell are you doing?" emitted from the resting teen. Rin was so startled he jumped a foot in the air and, just like a spooked cat's, his tail stuck straight up on end, escaping it's hiding spot.

Bon snickered as he stood up straight, stretching out his arms high above the shorter boy's head. When Rin didn't answer, just scowled at how the other boy was taller than him too, Bon spoke up again. "Wondering how to grow a beard? well good luck, you need to be a real man for that," he teased.

Fuming, Rin retorted, "Ha! You look like a retarded caveman with all that hair on your face! As if I'd wanna look anything like that!

"Well you look like the fucking devil with that damn tail coming out your ass!" Bon grabbed at the black appendage, but Rin saw it coming and smartly snatched a handful of bleached hair. A sub-epic struggle ensued.

"OW! What are ya a fuckin' girl? Quit pulling my hair!" screamed Bon. He shoved Rin hard with his free hand and followed him down to the floor with the force. They hit the hardwood with a large THUD! It hurt, but at least his hair didn't get ripped right out of his head instead.

Not missing a beat, even after the painful landing that he'd taken the brunt of, Rin shouted back, "Not until you let go of my tail, you low life! That's fucking cheap and you know it!"

Both boys froze in their struggles for a second, and glared daggers into each others eyes. Neither one was going to be the first to let go.

"Okay. On three." Bon suggested. At Rin's nod he began the count. When he hit the magic number they both quickly let go, each jumping up and a step back from each other for good measure.

Angry sparks almost flew between blue and brown eyes as both boys caught their breath. After a tense few seconds Rin huffed, "I'm not a monster." Bon felt a pang of guilt for the words he'd said about the tail, that its owner now clutched at defensively. "I'm half demon by blood only. My real Dad was Shiro," his tone was part anger, part sadness. The guilt became more heavy.

"M'sorry I said that. It's not actually true," Bon forced out in a gruff half-mumbled voice, then took a deep breath to steady his nerves. "But, do you really think I look like an ape?" He couldn't help but ask, even though he felt his self-esteem might shatter if Rin were to confirm he thought him ugly.

There was a short pause of silence from Rin as he broke eye contact to instead gaze at the floor with mock interest in it. Bon's stomach knotted. So he really was ugly.

"No," Rin sighed, still studying the grains of the floorboards. "You look totally cool." he rushed this part out past his lips. A light blush stole across the bridge of his nose and he threw his arms up in defeat. "There I said it! Happy now?" The blush then fanned out over his cheeks as well. Though his bright blue eyes narrowed at Bon angrily, as if the other had literally twisted his arm to get him to say those words. The weird combined expression of anger and blushing made Rin look even more cute than normal to Bon.

Indeed, he felt very happy to hear that, more than happy maybe, but he put on his best poker face to hide it. A small amount of rosy color still managed its way onto his face though. Both boys silently blushed away for a time.

Awkward.

"Ahem," Rin cut the tension. "So I finished most of those questions, and umm, could you go over this one I had to skip with me?"

"Sure," Bon replied.

They sat side by side on Rin's bed. The tutor taking him through the steps required to solve the problem. Then watched him work paaaaainfully slowly through the numbers.

Bon silently sighed in irritation when Rin's tail just barely brushed against a lock of blonde hair that spiked out the back of his head for the second time now. His scalp tickled from it so he reached back to scratch at it. The tail bumped his hand this time. Rin was concentrating so hard he didn't even notice, so he lightly grabbed it in his fist with annoyance to keep the damn thing still. Rin did notice this, but since the other wasn't yanking on it he subconsciously let it slide in favor of not interrupting his work. He was on a roll, and soooo close to finishing this last step.

That was until Bon started moving his thumb lightly, in a tiny stroking-like manner against his tail. The rest of his fingers still curled round to keep it pressed to the mattress and immobile between them.

Fuck that felt really really nice. Rin's concentration was broken, but he continued to stare down at the workbook on his lap. Did Bon know he was doing that? Rin chanced a glance at the other boys face through the corner of his eye. He saw dark eyes fixed downwards on the black tail which twitched lightly in his grasp.

Not really thinking about what he was doing, Bon examined the appendage. It was so odd he couldn't really help using his thumb to curiously feel its texture. He marveled at how hot it felt until a suspicious noise escaped Rin. He froze. Somewhere between a moan and a purr, the sheer carnal quality of it forced an extra beat into the regular rhythm in Bon's chest.

Embarrassed and desperate to not let another sound like that escape, Rin quickly covered his mouth with both hands. His eyes were wide as he'd even surprised himself. What the hell was that noise anyway? He felt like an animal. Warmth continued to rush down his spine and swirl in his abdomen even though the other had stopped stroking with his thumb. Brown eyes stared into his now, slightly wider than normal from the small shock the noise had triggered throughout his body.

"What was that?" Bon whispered.

"I dunno. I-it's sensitive okay?" Rin said defensively. Feeling very embarrassed, he added, much louder than necessary, "I told you not to touch it didn't I?"

The lit-up look disappeared from brown eyes as they quickly hardened. "Well then keep it to yourself why don't ya?" Bon snapped back. He let go of the tail and stood up off the bed in one fluid motion. "We're done here, aren't we? 'Cuz I'm dying to hit the hay." It wasn't a lie really, just a sort of half truth.

Rin nodded yes at him from the bed. Bon walked out the door with a tiny wave and a "good luck tomorrow," without even looking back.