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.

41. Gregarious

As Saionji exited the subway, he was dismayed to see Touga waiting for him, with that ever-present, maddening smile. Saionji scowled. He didn't want to have to deal with Touga, not now. Not just yet. There was kendo dojo at the local fitness center, which Saionji frequented from time to time, and he was headed there, since he knew that a practice session would do him a world of good at the moment.

"You're late, old man." Touga leaned nonchalantly against the handrail.

"And I'll be later still. I'm not headed home yet."

Touga feigned an expression of surprise. "Really? Then I'll come with you. I've been meaning to get out for a while."

Saionji gritted his teeth. He didn't welcome the company, but he also didn't feel prepared to face the ordeal of turning Touga down. Maybe, he hoped against hope, his friend would recognize that he was in no mood to humor an incessant stream of provocation.

"Jeanne has taken quite a liking to one of your socks, I'm afraid."

Saionji made a distracted noise.

"She carries it around the apartment like a dead bird, and whenever it's taken from her, she goes and fetches it again no matter what."

Saionji wondered if Touga had picked this of all possible topics to start with precisely because he thought that it would annoy his target audience. It was quite likely, he decided. He refrained from making any response.

They had not gone twenty paces when Touga tried again. "Is there a bookshop in the area, do you know? You really ought to keep some better reading around, or someone might think you're as boring and formal as your book collection."

Saionji was fairly certain that this second comment was meant as a reprimand of sorts, but he made no reply. Touga continued in this vein, the bitter undercurrent of his comments growing stronger and stronger. Through his growing irritation, Saionji began to feel a thread of guilt. As much as he disliked the onslaught of barely plausibly deniable barbs, there was a desperation to Touga's behavior that commanded an undeniable sympathy, and he regretted that he was presently unable to offer Touga the reassurance he was seeking, but it was all that Saionji could do to hold his temper in check, and not lash out at Touga with all the force of the emotions that Kanae's accusations had called into being. When they arrived at the fitness center, Saionji knew the man at the front desk by sight, and responded gruffly to his greeting.