Chapter 17
(A.N: So...Don't hate me you guys...I'm updating again – which I know you love – but I didn't write any smex...I got carried away again...GAH! BUT I PROMISE YOU NEXT CHAPTER WILL HAVE SMEX. But here's the deal...See, I'm FIVE reviews away from hitting my 100 mark...So...I refuse to post anything more until I hit it...I mean I'll work on the chapter...But you guys won't get to read it until I hit 100 reviews...Sorry guys...So R&R? It will bring the smex on faster! (And you could always just review older chapters if you want me to post sooner)...TT means time passing or scene changes).
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They were back in Fuuma's room now, and the blonde was trying to calm his nerves.
They had stayed on the balcony for at least twenty minutes, and now he worried that Kurogane was going to make all sorts of assumptions...
"Just breathe," Fuuma tried to sound reassuring. Fai nodded in his silence, and they stepped out of the room. The taller male lead the way down the stairs. The scene that greeted them was a little surprising.
Sakura, Syaoran, Watanuki, and Doumeki had all gone back to the campfire to wait. However, Chi now stood waiting in the kitchen. Kurogane was there as well, but he was sitting down at the kitchen table. He had his arms crossed on the table, and his head in his arms.
Chi rushed forward and hugged her little brother,
"Are you okay?" Her voice came out in a whisper. His eyes drifted to Kurogane – who didn't move,
"I'm fine...Is he...?"
Chi pulled back and smiled,
"He fell asleep. He was waiting for you, and he was so stressed...I kind of pulled that massage trick on him...The one you taught me?"
Fai smiled. He'd always been good at getting people to relax, and had taught his sister some of the things he'd learned.
"It put him to sleep. Oh, and Fuuma?"
The addressed male turned his attention to Chi.
"Living room."
He nodded, and headed in the direction of the living room.
Chi rested her eyes on her brother. Her expression told him what he already knew. He needed to go and talk to his boyfriend. Wake him up.
He nodded, and walked towards the table in silence. His heart felt heavy as he stood next to the male, and his fingers ran through the raven locks.
Kurogane stirred.
"Kergs? Kergs...Wake up..." Fai kept stroking his fingers through the males hair. Gentle and soothing. Just like his Mother had been, once upon a time.
"...Fai?" The voice was groggy, tired...
"Yeah. It's me." Would he end it all? Would he still be angry?
"...Fai..." He lifted his head, and the blonde lowered his hands.
And, before he could understand what was happening...Kurogane had spun him around, and pulled him into his lap. His arms wound around him, and he was cradled in warmth...
"Kergs?"
"...I'd thought I'd lost you...Not because you went upstairs with Fuuma...But because I was such an asshole..."
Fai reached up with his right hand, and brushed his fingers against his boyfriends cheek. His eyes were sad...
So sad, the expression tore at Kurogane's heartstrings.
The raven pulled the blonde into a kiss.
TT
He was on his knees, on the floor. His gaze traced the figure on the couch, and a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
He'd fallen asleep waiting for him.
Reaching out, he gently brushed the males bangs away from his eyes, and whispered his name,
"Kamui..."
The shorter male stirred slightly. When he managed to open his eyes, he took a moment to adjust to the darkness.
"Fuuma?"
"Yeah?"
"How did things go?" One hand came up to his own face, to wipe the sleep from his eyes.
"Things went good. He just needed some time to cool down. I told him that thing my Mother told me, about the constellations and the stars...And then we just, sat on the balcony."
"Mm..."
"You look worn out...Do you want to go upstairs and sleep?"
Kamui answered with a tired nod. Fuuma rose to a kneeling position and turned himself around. His boyfriend didn't ask questions. He simply got off the couch, and slipped himself onto Fuuma's back.
TT
"It's so strange..."
"What is?" Fai turned his attention to his sister.
"Seeing you two kissing...I mean, not because you're both boys – I could care less about that. It's just that, Kurogane is so...Broad in the shoulders...And he's got all this muscle on him...And then you're so slim and tiny in comparison..." She looked tired, but interested,
"It looks like he could snap you in half, if he wanted to do so...He almost looks like he needs to take it easy with you...But when I see you two together, I know that he just, adjusts himself to you, automatically..."
"I don't know if I should feel offended or not," Fai spoke up, blushing. He knew about the power that lurked within his boyfriend. Anyone who got a look at him could see it.
No one messed with him.
But despite the tough exterior, Fai had found out something wonderful; Kurogane was actually a real softy. Or at least he was when it came down to his boyfriend.
"I'm tired..."
"I think everyone is. I texted Tomoyo and told her to round everyone up and have them head back to the cottage. They're on their way back now." Chi turned her attention to Fuuma as he stepped back into the room, with Kamui riding piggyback style.
"Wore him out already?"
Fuuma just smiled,
"He was waiting up for me. I felt bad, so I figured the least I could do was carry him up to bed. He's tired, and I'm feeling it too."
"He is still awake, and can hear you talking about him as though he were asleep," Kamui's voice broke through. His boyfriend laughed. The shorter male set his gaze on the familiar blonde at the kitchen table,
"Feeling better Fai?"
"Much, thank you. I feel bad for getting everyone into a frenzy like that..." His expression showed that he meant what he said.
"Well, in every relationship, there are bound to be fights." Kamui closed his eyes momentarily, before refocusing his gaze on the blonde,
"Some are more severe than others."
"We're working on that," Fai admitted, looking away.
"Fuuma and I still have arguments that get out of hand. Just last weekend we had an argument...It was stupid really...His Father had called the house asking to visit – we don't know why he bothers, when he doesn't even like coming over...Fuuma told him yes without talking to me about it. I hate the man, so I went into a rage and threw something made of glass..." The shorter male tugged his boyfriends shirt upward. Fuuma's taut chest was revealed, and there was a scar running from his chest to his side.
"I did this to him...Because I was angry...And it got out of hand..." Kamui's eyes looked far away for a moment.
"Hey now, it's just a scar. It doesn't even hurt anymore. It'll probably fade out eventually anyway," Fuuma reminded him, and his boyfriend let his shirt fall back over his chest.
"So, it's natural that couples fight...And I've seen for myself that no matter how angry he gets, Kurogane won't hurt you...Fuuma is the same way with me...Though honestly I'm more concerned with you hurting yourself," Kamui had returned his attention to Fai.
The blonde in question kept his eyes on the floor.
"The scars on your stomach." Eye contact was made,
"Those aren't self-inflicted. The angle shows that it's not possible for them to be. Though the scars are very close to the areas over a few of your vitals...Liver, kidneys..." Kamui's gaze seeped into Fai's very core,
"Your Father, I presume?"
A nod.
"He's come after me multiple times...Those scars are stab wounds...Showing some of the times in which he's tried to kill me."
Kurogane watched his boyfriends face in surprise.
"Your history just sounds worse and worse..." Kamui mused sleepily,
"But you know...You have friends who will watch out for you. I may not look like much, but I can take down almost anyone who stands in my way...Except for maybe Kurogane. I don't think any of us could take him down..."
"Che. Not likely," the raven in question murmured.
TT
He'd woken up before his boyfriend. He could hear fumbling downstairs, and it had concerned him...So now he was up.
Detaching himself from Kurogane, he snuck off to the washroom to change into his swimming boxers – he figured he might as well – and to freshen up. When this task was completed, he grabbed a t-shirt, and crept out into the hallway. He didn't bother with putting the shirt on just yet – he was too absorbed in his thoughts.
As he entered the kitchen, he found one of males of the group searching through things rather clumsily. Fai tugged his t-shirt on, before he addressed the male,
"Looking for something in particular?"
The raven haired boy jumped, and whirled himself around.
"Fai..."
"Subaru? What are you doing up?" He wasn't used to seeing him alone. Usually he had Seishiro, or Kamui attached to his hip.
"I'm an early riser..."
"Hyuu~ I never would have guessed it." Fai busied himself with looking through the wide range of what they had available to them to eat.
"Fai, you move through here like it's your own kitchen...Like you're used to it..."
"Well I'm still getting used to going through everything back home...So, I'm thinking of it as practice." When he had a basic idea behind what he wanted to eat, and what he had to work with, he turned his attention on Subaru,
"So, what would you like?"
"Oh...You don't have to make breakfast...I'll have some cereal, or something..."
"No, no...I'm used to cooking. I like it." He was pondering what the others would want.
"Actually Fai...I'm not that hungry right now...I was going to ask for your help with something else though..."
"Sure thing. What is it?"
TT
"Lets just hope that they stay asleep." They had wandered a little ways up the cliff, and stopped where Subaru felt comfortable. He'd never done a jump off a cliff...And the others seemed to enjoy it...
"I don't think they will." He was staring down at the water. This was horrifically thrilling.
"We're starting small with you...It's much better to work your way up. Trust me, I know it." Fai shook his head from side to side – remembering his ridiculous idea to start at the top. Subaru smiled and nodded. The blonde jumped in first. He figured it would be better if he was waiting in the water for the male – just in case.
TT
They had dried off by standing in the suns light, and once they had dried off enough – they returned to the cottage. They had been talking all morning – with some jumps in between their chatter.
Subaru may be quiet at times, but Fai had realized that when he spoke, he did so in a way that was both polite and sweet. He was interesting...
"Alright, I'm making breakfast. What am I making?" As the question errupted from him, Sakura poked her head into the kitchen – from the hall that lead to the living room.
"Where have you two been?"
"We were up early, so we went swimming. Why do you ask?" Fai's answer was reasonable, and he said it with ease. There wasn't a reply, so Fai turned to face Sakura.
Oh...Well that explained a lot.
"Subaru!" Kamui rushed forward and embraced the younger male.
"I'm fine, Kamui," he tried to sound reassuring. They weren't related by blood...But sometimes you simply couldn't tell. They definitely looked alike, and they acted like family...
"Your skin is...Why are you pink?" Kamui sounded worried as he pulled out of the hug and examined the male,
"You look kind of how Fai did...But not as severe...Wait a minute..."
The blonde in question was hoping his boyfriend would come and stand in front of him right about now...He was afraid he might die...
"Fai...You didn't take him up there..." Kamui looked surprised, confused, and worried, all packed into one.
"Kamui, it's fine, really...I asked him too..." Subaru didn't want to cause a scene.
"It's not fine! You're lucky that Seishiro is still asleep! No offense Fai, if you want to be reckless, be my guest, but don't put my brother's life in danger!"
"Kamui..." Subaru knew that the male was usually very cranky in the morning, and anything and everything would set him off...At least until he had some coffee.
"Don't. And you, I can't believe you would ask him to take you up there! Are you insane?"
"Kamui, please..."
"I-!" Kamui's sentence was cut off as a hand wrapped itself around his mouth from behind.
"Don't mind him. He's always this cranky when he first gets up...He's going to be pissy until he has some coffee." Fuuma's voice was soothing, and reassuring.
Kamui – not liking his position of speechlessness – bit down on one of Fuuma's fingers...Hard.
"Ouch!" Fuuma moved his hand away quickly, and hissed,
"Jeeze Kamui, were you a vampire in your past life?"
The male in question didn't answer. He glared and stormed his way into the living room.
Subaru sat down at the dining room table, feeling bad for starting a fight. Fuuma sat down as well, and Fai grabbed the first aid kit.
"Fuuma, you alright?"
"Not the first time he's gone after my hands," his smile was reassuring.
"He really got you, huh?" Fai cleaned up the bite marks and pulled out some bandages. He applied polysporin before he wound the band-aids over the cuts.
"Thanks. That was fast..."
"I know the smell of blood a little too well. Even a small amount triggers an instant reaction in me."
"You can smell that little amount?" Fuuma stared at his bandaged finger.
"..." Fai didn't answer as he put away the safety kit.
Fuuma looked up to check on him, and was met with the image of Fai's tattoo. He looked away again – remembering the story.
"When you're lying in a pool of your own blood...You gain a sensitivity to the smell..."
TT
He had wandered downstairs, because he'd woken up to an empty bed. And – after the previous nights scare – he'd grown concerned. But, upon nearing the kitchen, he'd found Fai with Fuuma. He couldn't help it...The jealousy had been triggered once again, and he almost walked away...
But upon turning around, he found Chi, with her eyebrow raised. She saw the scene that he had been watching, looked back to him, and rolled her eyes.
Her expression read: Please, tell me you're joking.
He'd turned himself back around, just in time to hear the blood conversation.
"Gorey morning conversations?"
"Kergs!" The blonde was in his arms in seconds.
"...Fai..." The long, tan arms wrapped around the pale body, engulfing the male in warmth.
"I'm sorry...I know I shouldn't have disappeared on you like that...But I was up pretty early...And for once I wasn't cranky...And Subaru was up too...So, we went swimming!"
"And cliff jumping, by what I gather," Fuuma added, looking amused.
"And Kamui is in the living room fuming now, isn't he?" Clearly Kurogane was used to the behaviour.
Fuuma nodded,
"I've got the bite marks to prove it."
Chi poked her brother in the side on her way into the kitchen, and he squirmed in his boyfriends hold, reacting to being poked.
"What bit you?" She made her way to the coffee makers (yes, there's more than one – fifthteen people equals lots of coffee), and began the morning brew for each.
"Not what, but who," Kurogane sounded amused,
"I thought you'd learned your lesson with that already. You should already know better than to lock a hand over his mouth when he does a morning rant...You're lucky he didn't tear your finger open."
"He didn't get the chance. He just bit down until I bled."
Fai freed himself from his comfortable position in his boyfriends arms so that he could grab his t-shirt, and tug it back on. Subaru did the same when the blonde handed him his previously discarded shirt.
"I feel like making breakfast...What should I make?"
"You don't have to cook for fifthteen people..." Kurogane murmured, surprised that the blonde was offering at all.
"I'll help," Chi volunteered.
Watanuki appeared in the doorway to the kitchen then,
"I might as well help. Doumeki will ask for something ridiculous anyways, and if I don't make it, he'll harass me all day."
"Watanuki-kun! Good morning!" Fai beamed at him, and the shorter male smiled – happy to see that his friend was obviously feeling better.
"Good morning."
"Jeeze Kurogane...You bought all of these high-class things...Coffee makers should not work that quickly..." Chi was watching the coffee brew.
"There's a kettle in the cupboard above your head. I brought one along..." The raven shrugged.
Fai smiled, knowing that his boyfriend had been considering him...
Chi got the kettle going.
By now, the others were awake. Everyone seemed to know better than to enter the living room – where Kamui sat with his knees pulled to his chest, and his face buried in his arms.
So everyone sat at the dinner table, talking amongst themselves, and amongst the four people who had volunteered to cook breakfast. Really, Fai was doing most of the work. Sakura was running back and forth getting things for him...Chi was in charge of the coffee, and Watanuki was working on Doumeki's ridiculous breakfast. So the main cooking job was up to Fai.
Fuuma had taken two cups of coffee out to the living room somewhere in the midst of it all.
But he hadn't come back.
Fai was too focused on the cooking to really pay any attention to who was where. He just paid attention to Sakura's eager assitance, and the food that he was working on.
He'd ended up having to cook a lot of bacon. It seemed that everyone was addicted to it. He'd also cooked up a package of breakfast sausages, he'd also made at least ten eggs...At least. And then on top of that nine omelettes.
Chi set out forks for everyone, and brought them all more coffee. Sakura finally collapsed in her chair after getting her breakfast loaded onto her plate. Fai served the omelletes first, and the eggs. The rest was all take-what-you-want, and he set those plates on the table for people to pick through. He set up Fuuma and Kamui's places before he set off into the living room.
"Breakfast is ready you two. Come and get it while it's still hot."
"Kamui? Are you ready to go back?" Fuuma set his eyes on his boyfriend.
The shorter male had barely shifted from his position of hiding his face. He'd only done so long enough to drink down some coffee.
"Go ahead without me Fuuma. I'm not ready yet."
The male was reluctant, but he did as he was told, bringing their cups with him. Kamui didn't budge. Fai sighed, and headed over to him – resting a hand on his shoulder.
"Kamui? Are you okay?"
His head shifted from side to side – his forehead still pressed to his arms.
"What's wrong?"
"...Why are you so nice?" He sounded miserable.
"Does it bother you?"
"...A little...Only because I was a jerk earlier...And you're not showing any anger...You're just trying to encourage me to return to the group...Why?"
"You're our friend, Kamui. You belong with the rest of us."
"But I yelled at you...And at Subaru...And I bit Fuuma..."
"You were tired and worried...And a vampire in your past life...It's not a problem...No one is hurt...Fuuma's finger wasn't really damaged. He just bled a little bit. And Subaru and I are miserable without you out there with the rest of us."
"..."
Fai stepped closer, and situated himself on the couch next to the male. He didn't hesitate in wrapping his arms around him either. He just cradled him in his arms in a way similar to the way Kurogane held him...
Kamui wrapped his arms around Fai, and tried his hardest not to cry.
TT
(A.N: So...I didn't give you guys any smex...-sweatdrop- But next chapter I PROMISE YOU there will be smex. PROMISE. R&R? It might bring the smex on faster...).