On Unions Civil and Otherwise

by Kita-Ysabell

Ten years have passed- ten years to the day- and when Utena and Anthy's engagement party goes somewhat awry, Saionji finds that some things are not so easily forgotten, and faces the bitter possibility that to make good his escape from Ohtori, he must rescue his oldest and closest friend- whether that friend wants to be rescued or not.

13. A Revelation

Saionji lay on his side, studying the way Touga's hair hung in a perfect arc over the bare skin of his back.

"So, I suppose this means we aren't really friends, now," he murmured.

Touga shot a derisive look over his shoulder as he slid gracefully out of bed, snagging his pack of cigarettes on the way to the window.

"We haven't been friends for a long time. But surely you knew that."

Saionji watched as, leaning up against the window frame, Touga hunched his shoulders while he lit the cigarette. He held it loosely in one hand, the other arm resting against his chest. What was it, that had made them something other than friends? But Touga was right, Saionji already knew that. He had known since that night, over ten years ago, in the back of Akio's sleek red convertible.

"How long?" Pushing himself upright, Saionji swung his legs down to sit on the edge of the bed.

"Thirteen years."

Saionji drew a sharp breath. "You were fourteen."

There was a part of him, still, that didn't want this revelation to hurt as much as it did. And a part that wanted it to hurt more. There was another part, maybe not entirely separate from the first two, that wanted to have seen it coming. And a part that had.

"It's not as if I'd forgotten that detail." From over by the window, Touga refused to look at him, but something had changed in the expression with which he looked down on the grounds of Ohtori. "Besides, he wasn't really the first. Just the first to take advantage of the offer."