Chapter 23
(A.N: Why do I spoil you people? Really? Alright, so, prepare for the angst – you all knew this was coming! WARNINGS: OOC (You already know this), ANGST (You already knew this was coming), CONTINUOUS BACK-AND-FORTH-NESS BETWEEN USING THE NAMES: YUUI & FAI. IT'S ALL ONE PERSON. I PROMISE. AND THERE'S A RIDICULOUS NICKNAME. I'm sorry, I totally ran out of names, and then this one just...I don't know. It's ridiculous, but it fits. 'These are thoughts.' "This means someone is talking over the phone." TT means time passing, or scene changes. R&R? Love you guys for it. And, because it's close enough - HAPPY HALLOWEEN!)
TT
"Yuui..." Something like a smile graced the males lips, and he raised an eyebrow,
"Well, aren't you going to let me in?"
"...Oh! I'm sorry! I should have thought of...Yes. Come in, Dad," he pulled the door open to allow the taller man inside.
"I went by your apartment complex...But the owner told me you'd moved out a long time ago..." As his Father spoke, Fai closed the door. He grit his teeth before he turned to face the man who had tormented him all of his life. And he faced him with a smile.
"I forgot to tell you? I live here now."
'Be confident...Be strong...And don't back down – no matter what he says,' Fai reminded himself silently. But it was hard...Because although they looked alike – the blonde hair, the blue eyes, the lithe figure...They were so entirely different...
His Father was taller than he was – but not nearly as tall as Kurogane. His hair was neat, tidy...Business-like. But the colour was the same. And his eyes...Although they were the same unmistakable blue – they were solid. While Fai's eyes were soft, and sensitive...His Father's were cold, hard...Made of ice.
"Really?" The eyebrow was up again. Bad sign. Very bad. He was playing the innocent-curiosity game again.
"Big house for one boy..."
"I have a lot of company. Many friends...They're upstairs, right now – sleeping."
'Easy,' he reminded himself,
'Don't make the things you say sound like a threat...Or he'll get violent – quickly.'
"Hmm...We'll have to keep our voices down then. Don't want to wake anyone up," his Father looked up to the ceiling – smiling slightly.
"Chi's here too...If you want me to go and get her." Maybe she could save him. Maybe she would wake Kurogane, and he could save him.
But his Father's eyes were amused, and he knew that he would have to face him alone.
"I was thinking of taking you out for coffee, actually...Breakfast maybe?"
"...Of course. I'm going to grab a sweater – and my bag. I'll be right back...But make yourself at home while you wait." He headed upstairs as quietly as he could – not wanting to wake anyone else. He went to his closet, and pulled it open. He located one of his sweater jackets and slipped into it – leaving the zipper undone. As he grabbed his messenger bag and tossed it over one of his shoulders – Kurogane stirred.
However, as he picked up his cell phone and rammed it into his pocket, the raven opened his eyes,
"Where're you going?"
"With Kamui. We're going to go out and get coffee. It's still early, and we didn't want to wake anyone." It felt so easy to lie...
"...Alright..."
"I'll be back soon enough...I love you..."
"I love you too," the raven murmured, before drifting back into the world of sleep.
Fai closed the bedroom door behind himself. He could leave Kurogane here. He didn't need to mention him to his Father. If he didn't know, then the younger of the blondes wouldn't get hurt. He started on his trek downstairs.
However, when he turned the corner and entered the living room – he felt all of his remaining optimism fade away.
TT
Taijo had his suspicions about his sons' new home, but he waited for him to disappear up the stairs before he investigated.
He stepped into the living room, looking at the pictures on the walls. Yuui hadn't lied – he had a lot of friends. But what caught his eye next made him sigh in exasperation.
Sitting on the coffee table, he found plenty of Polaroid pictures...Of Yuui and his friends...And a few of his son kissing another male. A big, muscular male. He had a scowl, and he was so built in comparison to his own son...He looked like he could snap Yuui in half if he wasn't careful.
"What has he gotten himself mixed up in this time?" He picked up one of the pictures. In it, the raven haired male had Yuui in his lap. There was such affection in the picture...So much love in their eyes...
"...He's been living with this one..." He made the realization on his own. It wasn't difficult to see, if you knew what to look for.
Hearing his son coming down the stairs, he easily pocketed a couple of pictures.
TT
All of his thoughts of keeping Kurogane out of this diminished as soon as he saw his Father looking at the pictures. How could he have forgotten about those? He went to back out of the room again...To retreat upstairs...
If he got to Kurogane – he'd be safe.
But before he could move, his Father looked up. He was smiling away, but his eyes stayed hard – like ice.
"I hope you don't mind, but I got curious, and decided to check out some of the pictures." When there wasn't an answer, he continued,
"You have quite the group of friends."
"I made a lot of friends, at school."
His Father nodded, and headed back to the door. He silently slipped his shoes back on to his feet, before he turned to face his son once more,
"Well. Let's go then, shall we?"
TT
He wasn't surprised to find Kamui sitting on one of the couches – reading away. There was a cup of coffee sitting on the side table, and he was extremely calm...Which meant that he'd had a cup already.
What did surprise him, however, was the fact that the raven haired male was sitting alone.
"Hey Kamui."
The shorter male greeted him in return, keeping his eyes on his page.
"...Where's Fai?"
Now the male bookmarked his page, and set the book aside. He locked gazes with the ruby eyed male, looking confused,
"I thought he was with you."
"He was...But he left this morning...Early. He claimed he was going out to get coffee with you." Something was bothering Kurogane. Fai didn't lie about his whereabouts. He knew better.
"...I slept in today...I haven't seen Fai since yesterday..." Kamui shook his head, not understanding why the blonde would bother with lying.
But something had already clicked with the taller of the two ravens. His eyes hardened, and he clenched his fists – a sign of anger. Kamui was still confused,
"Kurogane? What's the matter?"
But the taller male didn't answer. Instead, he rushed upstairs. Kamui sat for a moment longer before the thought clicked with him as well.
He dashed upstairs to wake Fuuma.
TT
Fai had ordered a coffee. He wasn't really hungry, so his Father didn't bother with ordering breakfast. He simply ordered a coffee.
Now the two were sitting across from each other, in a corner of a small diner. There was a couple sitting across the room – a man and a woman. And somewhere in the middle there was a family – a husband, a wife, and a young daughter. The only other people in the room were Fai and his Father.
"So. How was school, before summer break? Are you looking forward to starting up your final year?" A normal inquiry. But Fai was aware of the fact that there was much more to come. So he gave a decent answer. His grades were good, his friends were nice people, and he'd done his best to attend his classes every day. He had selected courses that interested him for next year, so he was looking forward to having some classes with friends.
His Father nodded along in silence. When the younger blonde had finished his description, and took the chance of taking a drink from his coffee, Taijo asked his next question,
"How was summer break?"
"...It was good. Great, actually. A few fights with friends here and there-"
"-Well that's no good."
"I know. But we've solved our problems. We spent a lot of the summer swimming, and sitting around a campfire." He left out the summer cottage. His Father didn't need to know about that. He also left out the cliff jumping.
No need to risk himself.
"Sounds fun," Taijo was aware of the fact that details were being left out...But he didn't mind. He was going to get the details that he needed anyway – about a more important matter. He continued,
"Now...These friends of yours...Who are they?"
Fai swallowed down some more of his coffee,
"Well...We have this group you see. A big one. We're almost always together. Chi and Hideki are a part of it."
"It's good to see that you're spending time with your sister and her boyfriend."
He almost went to correct him...But decided against it. His sister should have the honour of telling him about her engagement,
"I'm happy to spend time with her. And I like Hideki – he's good for her."
"He's a good lad. Strong enough, funny. Good heart," Taijo wasn't being sarcastic. He meant every word.
But now he set a hand on Fai's arm,
"Now, your friends?"
"...Right. How do explain everyone? It's hard to know where to start." He was uncomfortable with the physical contact – though his Father wasn't hurting him. His hand was just resting on his forearm.
But he knew that things were going to turn violent soon enough.
"Perhaps this will help?" The older blonde used his free hand to reach into one of his pockets. He pulled out a Polaroid picture – which he promptly set on the table.
Fai stared, and then fixed his mask onto his face,
"It will help. Thank you." And then – using his free hand - he began to point out the people in the pictures, explaining their relationships to each other, and what they were like.
He grit his teeth against his Father's tightening hold, as he described the gay members of the group. And when he had gone through everyone but Kurogane, his Father's hold tightened again. He could already feel his skin bruising...
"And this boy here? The big one." His Father pointed to Kurogane.
Fai swallowed hard,
"He's just one of the guys."
"Hmm...What's his name?"
"...Kurogane. Kurogane Suwa." He tried to keep the pain out of his face. His Father kept a smile on his face, and tightened his hold,
"And he's...?"
"No one." Tighter. He grit his teeth.
His Father's free hand pulled out another Polaroid picture – which he set down in front of Fai. The younger blonde stared at it wordlessly.
"...He doesn't look like he's no one," Taijo continued simply.
Once again his grip tightened, and this time, Fai winced.
His Father let go – his expression changing to one of feigned concern,
"Did I hurt you?"
Fai took note of the waitress who was heading over to check on them. He plastered his big, fake, everything-is-fine smile onto his face, closed his eyes to hide the pain, and laughed,
"Unintentionally. I'm just weak skinned. Chi says I'm too tender. Perhaps I should work out and build a little muscle."
"Hmm...I'm happy to hear that you have such a good relationship with your sister, Yuui."
"Do you need any more coffee?" The waitress spoke up from the side, and Taijo checked their cups, before declining politely.
He waited for her to leave, before he spoke up again,
"...I ran in to someone the other day...Surprised me to see him again..."
"Oh? Who was that?" Fai tried to keep his voice interested. He took a drink from his coffee as he waited for an answer.
"An old friend of yours, actually. You haven't seen him in a while...But I think you should pay him a surprise visit tonight."
"I'll need his address."
"I have it. I'll have something for you tomorrow morning as well." Taijo's voice said it all. The younger of the two blondes understood what he meant without it being said. But the older of the two spoke up again,
"Pack your things up tonight. Bring them with you when you go to visit your friend. He'll put you up for a night, I'm sure. I'll bring the key by tomorrow morning – on my way to work."
When there wasn't an answer, Taijo brushed his fingers over the bruising area on his sons' arm – which was hidden by his sweater jacket,
"That won't be a problem, will it Yuui?"
Fai set down his coffee cup, and kept his mask in place,
"Of course not."
TT
His Father drove off before he'd even reached the door.
He understood why he'd done it though. Some of his friends still had their cars parked in the driveway – which meant that there were plenty of people to let him in. He kept his mask in place as he approached the door, and opened it.
A body rammed into him almost immediately, and he laughed,
"Hi Kamui."
His eyes were closed, but he was familiar with the male. And he knew that this was a dangerous position. Because although Kamui had been worried...He knew that the male might be angry...
"...You left again..."
"I had something to take care of. I'm sorry for worrying everyone." He opened his eyes – finding Fuuma on one of the couches. Shogo, Primera, Seishiro, and Subaru were also in the room.
"Where is everyone?"
"Well, Kurogane, Tomoyo, Syaoran, Sakura, Watanuki, and Doumeki are all in Kurogane's car – looking for you. Chi and Hideki are off in their car looking for you...And the rest of us stayed behind in case you came back on your own," Fuuma spoke up, watching him in confusion.
"Oh...I'm sorry for taking off on everyone. I had something to take care of...But it's done now. We should probably let the others know that I'm back..."
TT
His phone was going off, so he passed it to Tomoyo – since she was sitting up front with him.
"Fai?"
"Tomoyo? It's me. Sorry for taking off on everyone this morning...I had something to take care of."
"What was it?"
"...It's done now. So it's no longer an issue. I just wanted to call and tell you guys I'm back...So you won't keep looking for me," he chuckled into the receiver – which just worried Tomoyo more,
"We're on our way back now."
"Alright. I've already called Chi. She should be here any – oh, she's here now. So I guess I'll see you all soon." He hung up before she could answer, so she stared at the cell phone.
"What happened?" Kurogane's voice broke through the silence.
"He didn't give me specifics. He said he had something to do this morning, that he did it, and that it's done. He's at the house, and Chi just got back...She'll probably work it out of him..."
"..."
"...Kurogane, something just doesn't feel right..."
TT
She waited for him to hang up the phone before she began her tirade,
"Where were you? Why did you lie to Kurogane? You said you were going out for coffee with Kamui! You took off on us – again! Where the hell were you?"
"I...I just had something to take care of..." He had pulled things out of the fridge, so that he could make brunch – as Fuuma had told him that they hadn't bothered with breakfast.
"...You hesitated. Something is wrong. What happened, Fai?"
"Nothing. I just went out for the morning – I'm sorry I lied..."
"You're lying again," she shook her head, her eyes wide,
"Fai, tell me what happened."
He unconsciously rubbed his bruised arm as he looked over the ingredients that he'd laid out. He was going to make omelettes again.
"...Was it Dad?"
The entire room turned cold. Everyone froze. Fai's hand stopped moving...
It was just for a moment. But it was enough.
"...It was him, wasn't it? Fai, what happened?"
"I'm telling you, it was nothing..." He didn't make eye contact, as he moved his hand away from the bruised arm.
The front door opened, and they could hear the others as they returned. But the room stayed cold, hardened. The rest of the gang stepped inside – confused by the atmosphere.
Kamui wandered into the kitchen out of concern, and wrapped his arms around Fai. By doing this, he'd locked one of Fai's arms between them – leaving the arm that he'd been rubbing at open.
"Chi. Check his arm," Kamui spoke up. He tightened his hold on the blonde when he felt him struggling.
Chi took hold of her brothers free arm, and thanked Kamui quietly. When Fai struggled, she became worried,
"If nothing happened, then why are you so panicky? What are you hiding?" She pulled up his sleeve and couldn't stop the gasp that escaped her lips. She gingerly ran her fingers over the mark. Kamui saw it, and turned away – burying his face in the blondes chest. Shogo, Primera, Seishiro, Subaru, Hideki, and Fuuma all saw it as well.
The atmosphere darkened.
The rest of the gang stood confused, just inside of the door.
Fai freed himself gently from Kamui's hold, and tugged his shirt sleeve back down again,
"It's nothing. I had an accident. That's all."
"What happened?" Sakura questioned, stepping into the living room. Kurogane headed towards the kitchen, as Kamui stepped out of it.
"It's Fai...He had a run in with-"
"—It was nothing! Just an accident!" Fai announced, frustrated.
Kurogane stepped into the kitchen, and leaned against one of the walls,
"Where the hell were you?" He kept his voice soft, despite the roughness of the question.
"...I just...I had something to take care of...That's all..."
"So why don't you show him your arm?" Chi demanded.
"...It was just an accident..."
His sister sighed – clearly exasperated – and tugged up his shirt sleeve,
"I fail to see how this could possibly be an accident."
Kurogane stared at his boyfriends arm. The pale skin had a marking on it...And not just any mark. It was a handprint. And it was a light blue colour. A bruise.
"Fai...What the hell happened to you?"
Chi propelled her brother to his boyfriend, and then stepped past them, and into the living room. Kurogane took a hold of Fai's hand – not wanting to touch his forearm.
"It was nothing...I..."
"It wasn't just nothing..." Kurogane murmured, staring at the difference between the skin tones.
"...Don't be mad...Please..." It almost sounded like a whimper...
"...I'm not mad...Well, not at you, anyway..." The raven linked their fingers, then kissed the blondes forehead,
"I just wish you'd told me the truth this morning...He wouldn't have been able to hurt you if you'd woken me."
"...I..." Fai didn't know what else to say. He already knew that he probably should have just woken Kurogane...But he'd held on to that little bit of hope that things would be okay.
Now they were destined to be ruined.
The raven pulled his boyfriend into a hug – being wary of the injured arm,
"From now on, you rely on me. On us. All of us. But especially me."
Fai didn't answer. How could he? He was going to lose everything, give up everything...And Kurogane still held on with the hope that they would last. That the encounter wouldn't destroy everything that they had worked so hard to build.
He was going to hate crushing his hopes completely.
TT
He was thankful that his boyfriend was such a heavy sleeper. Thankful that he stirred only once – and was easily convinced that Fai was simply going downstairs to talk to one of the gang. He believed him in his tired state when the blonde lied...When he told him that he'd be back soon.
Fai was thankful that he made it down the stairs with all of his bags so easily and silently. And when he was downstairs, he set some down, to grab his coats out of the closet. His winter coat, and his jacket. Then, he picked up the things that he had set down, and slipped into his shoes.
Then he realized that he wasn't alone.
He set his gaze on the couch – where the dark figure was lying down. He was pretending to be asleep, and Fai wasn't convinced.
"...Fuuma..." He sighed the name, and kept his voice low,
"...I know you're awake. So I know you can hear me. I can't stay...I know you all think that I can – but I can't. What he did to my arm was a mere warning. He'll do worse if I disobey. I'm trying to look out for my friends. For you. For Kamui. I can't let anything happen to you guys because of me. I'll still see you guys at school...But I can't be with Kurogane. My Dad will utilize my friendships as a tool against me. He'll threaten and bruise his way into making me straight. I know it's stupid, but he'll do it anyway. I've never understood him, and he's never understood me. All I can really do is this...In the desperate hope that he'll leave you all alone..." He sighed again, and opened the door as quietly as he could,
"Funny, isn't it? That I don't want to go. That I want to live the fairytale, for just a moment longer. But if I stay any longer, I'll change my mind. And that will risk you all."
"...So stay," Fuuma's voice answered from the couch, and Fai smiled,
"I really wish that I could. But I love all of you too much to let him hurt you. So, if it keeps you safe...I'll do what he says." He didn't hesitate any longer. He walked out.
Fuuma didn't move. He knew that he should go after the blonde...Or in the very least, wake someone else. But he didn't. Because he knew that if he did...Fai would fight. The blonde would rip their hearts out, all in the effort of protecting them.
And he knew how much it would kill Fai to do that.
So instead, he got up, and headed upstairs.
He would face the others tomorrow.
TT
He pulled up to side of the shop. There was an apartment above it – which was where he was meant to find this friend of his. He left his things in the trunk. Taking them up would be a waste of time. He brought his car keys, and his phone – which was in his pocket. He locked his car up behind him, and headed out in front of the shop – reading the sign as he went.
It was too dark to make out the name, but he could see the words: Auto Shop. Which would explain the smell of gasoline and oil.
There was a staircase in front of him, which lead up along the side of the building – to a door. The lights were out – which didn't surprise him. He walked up the stairs hesitantly, and when he reached the door, he knocked.
The light in front of him flicked on, and he blinked against the sudden brightness. He heard a few locks click, and the door opened.
The barrel of a gun was aimed at his head.
TT
He opened his eyes, upon hearing the knocking.
It was still dark out, and they weren't expecting any company...So he sat up. He pushed the blankets off of himself, but made sure that they stayed over his boyfriend. And then, he was on his feet. He tugged on his previously discarded shirt, and picked up his gun. It was loaded, he knew. He kept it loaded.
He turned off the safety, and headed for the door. His next movements were quick. He turned on the light – knowing it was bright and would startle whoever was there. Then he unlocked the three locks, and pulled the door open – gun raised.
He stared at the male, taking in the features...Tall, lithe figure, blonde hair...Blue eyes...
He watched his eyes – which were currently widened in shock – move from focusing on the barrel of the gun, and over to his face. He saw the fear dying down...And familiarity taking its place.
And then the male spoke his nickname.
TT
Fai stared at the gun, in both fear and bewilderment. Surely his Father hadn't sent him to his death? He swallowed hard, and forced himself to look to the face of the gunman.
Surprised, he found that the angel faced male was familiar. So, hoping he was right, he spoke the first name that came to mind,
"...Shooter?"
The gun lowered slightly.
Fai could see the males face better now. He looked like an angel, fallen from grace. Black hair framed his face, and his emerald green eyes went from being solid rock, to melting ice.
"...Fai?"
The blonde smiled upon hearing his name being spoken. He'd been correct then. The male was Shooter.
The gun lowered completely, and the tall raven haired male smiled, gesturing him into the apartment. Fai sighed, relieved, and stepped inside quietly. He didn't want to break the silence of the night.
The locks clicked behind him, and Shooter stepped past him, heading back into the apartment – walking towards a bed. Fai removed his shoes, and stayed near the door.
He watched in silence.
Shooter set down his gun, and kneeled on the bed – shaking a form gently. He didn't speak, just shook. The male that he was shaking stirred, and eventually managed to roll over, and sit up.
"What's going on?"
Fai recognized the voice as soon as the male spoke.
Shooter handed the male a t-shirt, which he confusedly tugged on,
"Shooter, what is it?"
The male in question got up off of the bed, and held out a hand to the male, who gladly took it. Once he was on his feet, the emerald eyed male gestured to the blonde.
"...Fai?" The other male stared in bewilderment.
"...Raiko..." The name wasn't a question. He'd know the voice, and face anywhere.
"Fai D. Flourite. Standing in my apartment. Good lord have mercy on us all..." Raiko murmured, stepping towards the blonde. When he had gotten himself closer, he grinned,
"Get your ass over here!"
Fai couldn't resist the urge to laugh, so he allowed himself to, and rushed forward to hug his old friend.
TT
"We haven't seen you in ages...Where have you been? How have you been? What's life been handing you?" Raiko leaned back into the couch that they were currently situated on. He had long, black hair – which brushed against his shoulders, and mischievous amethyst eyes. He was a couple of inches taller than Fai happened to be, and the one addressed as Shooter was slightly taller than Raiko.
"Well...It's a long story..."
"Coffee?" Shooter questioned gently. Raiko nodded,
"Sounds good to me...Fai, you up for coffee?"
The blonde nodded in agreement, and thanked the ravens. Shooter wandered away to make coffee, while Raiko kept his focus on Fai,
"Spill."
"...After I stopped coming around...Things changed...They were still bad...My Father was still abusing me...At least...Until I left. I moved out, got myself an apartment...Lived an insanely boring life...I had no one...But Sakura came around...Told me to transfer into her school – which I did...And things got better. Faster than I would have ever imagined...I made friends...And...I met a guy..."
Raiko arched a brow, prompting continuance.
"...We started dating...And...Well, our relationship moved along slowly, and gradually...He didn't push me into anything...Whenever we fought, he'd come after me...Chase me down, just to apologize..." Fai smiled sadly,
"He loved me...A lot...I loved him too...Well...We still love each other...For now...I don't think he'll feel that way in the morning..."
"...You didn't tell him that you were leaving?"
"How could I? I had to leave, so that my Father wouldn't hurt my friends as a way of getting to me..." He rubbed absentmindedly at his bruised arm.
The amethyst eyed male sighed,
"Tell me about these friends. And about your boy-toy."
Fai did. He told him all about his friends. All about their relations to one another...He pulled a picture out of his pocket – the same one his Father had used against him that morning – to show him all of the friends. He went into details about the things that had been going on, and Raiko nodded along the entire time.
Even when Shooter brought out coffee, Fai continued to speak of his friends – only pausing to take drinks.
He trembled when he spoke of Kurogane. Not because he feared him...But because he was resisting his urges to cry.
But he was in tears in the end, and Raiko wrapped him up in a hug – as if it were the most natural thing for him to do.
Because he had done it plenty of times before.
TT
(A.N: Please don't hate me? I swear there's more to come! GAH. DON'T HATE ME. And yes, "Shooter." Lovely nickname, right? XD I was completely out of ideas...And Shooter & Raiko...I don't know...Their names fit together in a weird way. They'll grow on you? Raiko grew on me. I love the OC that I have created in my head. Anyone know where Fai knows these boys from? Nomnomnom. Cookie to anyone who guesses it correctly. XD MORE TO COME. HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!)