A Rose of Passion
The reason behind the tears
There still were a few days until school starts again. Yao and his boyfriend Ivan where staying over with Kiku at Arthur's place. Despite everything, Arthur always plastered a pleasant smile on his face when addressing his ex – boyfriend and the Russian. But each time, he felt something stab his heart and tears swell up. He never showed it but the pain was aching so much. Kiku noticed the sadness and pain in Arthur's emerald eyes. He, himself, couldn't bear to see Arthur like that. If only … if only Arthur would look at him. If only he could see Kiku's desiring and loving eyes. If only …
But Arthur never noticed Kiku's feelings. He always treated him like a friend … and always will. Kiku looked up at the clock. It was soon that time. He would soon come again. Yao and Ivan were talking with Arthur about going off for a tour around town alone. Arthur smiled and wished them to have fun. He smiled … but his heart was crying. If only Kiku could reverse time. If only …
A while after the couple had left, Arthur was talking with Kiku in the pub when the door opened and a grinning face popped in. Arthur had seemed so down and depressed, his eyes screaming in pain, just a few seconds ago but when that man came in, the blond immediately lightened up and a wide smile spread across his face, his eyes gleamed with joy.
"Hola Arthur!" the Spaniard said as he walked over to the teens' table and sat next to Arthur. He looked at the menu, ready to order his lunch (at 4 o'clock in the afternoon).
"You've been coming quite often, Antonio. I didn't know my brother's cooking was this good!" Arthur chuckled. When outside of school, they had taken a habit to call each other by their first names. Kiku sighted and watched them talk with each other. He felt a sharp pain in his heart but ignored his jealousy and smiled politely to the other two.
"Si! The food is ok but it's because no other place serves lunch at this time! In Spain, lunch is always at around 4!"
"We're not in Spain. But since it's you, my brother Pat doesn't mind cooking for you as an exception. He thinks you're funny."
"Really? How so?"
"Well, I'm not sure … him and Scott talk about you a lot … but I can't really hear them well and they stop talking each time I'm close by. Those two are sounding so suspicious … I'm tired already just thinking what they might do."
"They sound nice!"
"You have no bloody idea how horrible they can be! But, yeah, most of the time, they're … sort of nice. What do you think Kiku?"
"I think your brothers care a lot about you Arthur – san. You're lucky."
"Oi! Arty! Get over here for a minute!"
"I'm coming, Pat! Sorry, I have to go. I'll be back in a tic."
"Si, no problem."
Kiku nodded in understanding and Arthur walked over to the kitchen. Antonio kept staring at the blond until he was out of sight. Kiku noticed that he wore the same look as himself when watching Arthur. The Japanese young man felt an unusual feeling of hatred invade him as he eyed the teacher. If only Arthur hadn't met this man. If only Antonio hadn't existed. If only …
"So, you're Arthur's friend from London, right?"
Kiku eyed the Spaniard carefully before answering. A conversation with him would give him an idea about what kind of person Antonio was.
"Yes. We're childhood friends. And you're his Spanish teacher?"
"Si! Antonio Fernandez Carriedo! Pleased to meet you!" Antonio said with a cheerful smile and handing out his hand. Kiku shook it hesitantly while bowing his head slightly.
"Kiku Honda. Pleasure to meet you too, Carriedo – san."
"Call me Antonio! I'm not at school so you can call me by my name!"
"Alright, Antonio – san."
"I was wondering … um … how close are you to Arthur?"
"I believe we're very close. We're best friends."
"Ah! I see! Best friends … of course …"
Kiku noticed the relieved expression on Antonio's face.
"Antonio – san, why are you and Arthur – san so close to each other? Aren't you his teacher?"
Antonio blushed a bit and struggled to answer.
"Si … but we … I … Things happened and we got to know each other outside of school … in class, we're pupil and teacher but … outside we're … friends."
Kiku clearly saw that Antonio wanted more than to just be friends.
"I understand. I was just surprised to see a teacher befriend a pupil. You look very young for a teacher, Antonio – san. How old are you if I may ask?"
"Si! I'm 21! But I'll soon be 22 in February!"
"That's young."
"Si! But I'm not a teacher yet! I'm still in training. I will be one soon but the real Spanish teacher is off on maternity leave so I took over for the time being."
Kiku nodded.
"Antonio – san, what is your opinion on Arthur – san?"
Antonio blushed and his eyes shone with a mixture of love, lust, excitement, joy, passion, sadness, hope and a bit of regret.
"I … think Arthur is a wonderful pupil. He's the best in my Spanish class and I heard he's also top of the class in other subjects. He gets along well with his friends and he helps other people and tutors them in their studies … and he's popular with girls."
"I know. I know what Arthur – san is like. I was wondering what you thought of him."
"I … I think he's great. A great pupil and a great person."
Kiku eyed the man. This guy was completely oblivious. Let's try this the hard way!
"If you break him again … I won't forgive you." Kiku whispered so that only Antonio would hear. The teacher turned to the younger man in surprise.
"What do you mean?"
Kiku's expression was serious and determined. He leaned closer to the Spaniard and kept whispering to him.
"Antonio, I won't allow you to hurt Arthur – san."
"I … I would never …!"
"Arthur – san has already been heartbroken once … I don't want to see him like that ever again … ever. I can see in your behaviour that you love him … as much as I do."
Antonio watched the Japanese man in astonishment as the boy's words sunk deeper in his head.
"But if you ever break his heart … I'll kill you. Arthur – san means more to me than you could ever imagine!"
Now, Antonio felt a sudden jealous anger rise in him.
"Kiku … You have no idea of how I feel towards Arthur. Don't think you're the only one that cares."
"That's why I'm warning you. Don't force your way to his heart if it's to break it eventually!"
"I would never break his heart! I would never … wait, you said he already was heartbroken before? When? Why? By whom?"
Kiku hesitated as he saw the angry glare in Antonio's eyes. The Spaniard seemed worried and angry.
"You remember that Chinese man at the New Year's party?"
"Si! Arthur said he was his friend."
"He's my cousin … and I hate him for what he did."
"What he did …?"
"He wasn't a friend. He was Arthur – san's boyfriend back in London."
Antonio's face fell apart.
"At the time, everything was fine until that Russian guy moved over. My cousin fell in love with Ivan, the Russian and he broke up with Arthur – san. Didn't you ever wonder why Arthur – san left a prestigious school in London to come here?"
"I did but …"
"But he found an excuse and avoided the subject. I know how Arthur – san acts. He never shows his weakness. He never lets people pity him. He's … so strong."
Kiku's voice trailed off with a low, admiring tone. Antonio was still shocked by this discovery.
"So … Arthur … had a boyfriend and it's that Chinese guy? But why is he still treating him like nothing happened?"
"Arthur – san still loves Yao. Less than before but his feelings for him haven't gone completely. I can see the sad look in his eyes when he looks at my cousin."
Antonio felt like beating up that Yao for making Arthur sad but also for keeping a grip on Arthur's heart. Antonio's venomous jealousy was slowly invading his thoughts until Kiku muttered to himself.
"I don't want to see him cry like that … ever again."
Antonio froze as pure rage gleamed in his eyes. Cry? Arthur had cried because of that guy? Antonio couldn't accept that! He just couldn't let someone hurt HIS Arthur like that to the point of making him cry. Kiku looked up sharply at the silent teacher and narrowed his eyes in a warning way.
"You understand that I won't let you break him again. If I see him shed only one tear because of you, I will make you regret it your entire life! Don't you dare hurt Arthur – san in any way!"
"I … I love Arthur … I can't hurt him. I've been out with so many other people, men and women, but I've never felt for them what I feel for Arthur right now. It's such a new feeling … I just … I can't take him out of my head … it's an addiction …"
Kiku slowly nodded. He understood perfectly how the Spaniard felt. Yes, Arthur was an addiction.
"I was just giving you my warning. I can't heal Arthur – san's heart … he won't ever look at me … but maybe you can. That's all I'm asking. I don't want to see him suffering anymore. Please, take good care of him."
They both got interrupted by the blond teen coming back to their table. He was holding a plate with Antonio's lunch on it.
"Sorry for the wait. Scott was … Is something the matter? You both look so serious all of a sudden." Arthur asked as he sat down and eyed the grim faces of his friends.
"Nothing's wrong Arthur – san. I need to go now." Kiku said with a polite smile and getting up.
"What? But why?"
"I just want to have a walk in town and clear my head …"
"Then let me come with you!"
"No. It's fine. I won't go far. It's just a walk to digest. I'm sure Antonio – san will be needing more company than me."
"Kiku …" Arthur looked at his friend in confusion. He has known Kiku for so many years but he still felt like a complete stranger. He didn't understand half of the reasons behind Kiku's behaviour.
"I'll be fine Arthur – san. I'll be back in 30 minutes."
"Fine … but if you're not back in 30 minutes, I'll come and get you! Understand?"
"Of course. Thank you, Arthur – san. Goodbye and see you later." Kiku laughed as he bowed.
"See you later Kiku!" Arthur called as the Japanese was walking out of the pub.
Arthur turned to Antonio. The teacher was staring into space, absent – minded.
"Antonio? What's wrong?"
"Hm? Oh! Nada! Lo siente Arthur! I was … just thinking."
"What about? You seemed very serious. Is something worrying you? Was there something between you and Kiku? What did you talk about?"
"No. It was nothing. I'm just daydreaming. We … we talked about our relationships with you. He told me you were his best friend and I told him you were … my friend."
Arthur nodded calmly. Antonio noticed a flash of sadness in his emerald eyes, just for a second but it was so fast he probably dreamed it.
"You better eat before it gets cold."
"Si! It looks delicious! Grazias!"
As Antonio started eating under the amused face of his pupil, the door of the bar snapped open and Yao came in, accompanied by Ivan. Arthur's face straightened and his eyes took a dull and sad look. He offered a fake smile to his guests as they passed by and headed towards their rooms upstairs. Yao waved shyly to his ex and Arthur smiled back. Antonio noticed the coldness in his smile and the pain in his beautiful eyes. The Spaniard felt his blood boil and the one thing he wanted was to beat up those two for making Arthur suffer like that. Arthur kept staring at Yao until Antonio stole his attention.
"I heard from Kiku … that's also another thing we talked about."
Arthur's face grew bright red and he looked at Antonio with panic, embarrassment, anger and regret. Antonio stretched a hand and caressed Arthur's pale cheek.
"I'm sorry. I can't imagine how you must feel."
Arthur took deep breathes before looking back at his teacher with a firm expression.
"You don't have to apologise for something you have nothing to do with."
"I know but …"
"He's happy … that's all that matters." Arthur muttered in his breath. A tear rolled down his cheek and before he knew it, Antonio had pulled him in an embrace. Arthur's eyes widened and his face burned redder.
"Please … don't cry. Don't ever cry. I hate it. I hate to see you cry."
"… Antonio …? I think … you're crying too …"
"Si … because if you cry … I cry. Please … let go of the past. Stop torturing yourself! Let me help you! Arthur … I want to help you. Just like you helped me with my brother."
"… I'm fine. I'm getting better … it'll just take time. You can let go now Antonio."
Antonio blushed as he let go of his blond pupil and looked back at his plate with embarrassment. Arthur smiled fondly at him, his cheeks slightly pink.
"Thank you Antonio." Arthur whispered, sending his teacher a shy smile.
Antonio beamed at him, making the blond blush.
"You're welcome. If you need me, I'll be there."
Always. Antonio would always be there if Arthur needed him.