When they got home, Aki stepped right in her path and stopped her at the door. She instantly leaped back, her eyes going wide as her shell of denial cracked for just an instant.
He didn't notice, he was too busy practically glowing at her. He had that 'I just aced the big test you were struggling with' look to him. Unfortunately, she had seen that look in its proper context, so she knew what she was talking about.
"Aki," she sighed, her voice saying 'what did you do?'
He bounced slightly on his heels, though he gave her a mock-look of seriousness. "Why do you take that tone of voice with me?"
She frowned. "What?"
"That 'what have you done now?' voice, like I'm the one who is always doing something..."
He was clearly in a very good mood, it always showed when he took the time to tease her.
"Okay," she shrugged. "What have you done now?" She leaned against the wall across from their door, still trying to get her heartbeat to slow after he had stepped in her path.
It was her own evil mind that had shown her a split-second image of him pushing her back against the wall...But she quickly shoved it away, ignoring it with the deliberation of one desperate.
Aki wouldn't do that...
And you know this because you know him so well, right?
Again, she ignored that thought. She couldn't consider something like that, and still hold everything out.
He frowned, clearly not expecting her seriousness. Honestly, he was being too lenient on her with how she was behaving. Had their roles been reversed she would be teasing him mercilessly right now.
She was so angry with him all of a sudden. She wanted to get right up in his face and scream at him. Scream at him and scream at him until the world made sense again.
How can you do this, Aki? How can you stand there and act...just like my brother? That's now who you are at all, is it?
...
Is it?
There were answers that she wanted. But they were questions that she couldn't ask.
"Aya?"
She'd been quiet too long. That was always a dead give away for her. Aki was getting that look again, that look that preluded that dreaded question. So she opened her mouth and quickly cut him off before he could ask. "I'm fine. Really. It's just been a long day."
How many excuses can I use before he stops letting me hide behind them?
The time was fast-approaching. But apparently his news was too great to be suppressed long enough for him to argue with her. But he didn't speak, with a quick grin he pulled open the door and ushered her in.
Casting him a suspicious look, she crossed her arms over her stomach and slowly stepped through the door. Her awareness was so centred on him behind her that she didn't even see it at first.
Set to the side of the futon, resting plainly on the floor, was a medium-sized television set. It was clearly second-hand, and probably a few years old, but Aya's eyes widened all the same.
"I know it gets boring here," he was saying, "I'm happy with reading my books," he gave her a fond look as he came around her shoulder. "But I know you've never had much patience for them. It actually didn't cost that much, I only had to save for a couple of weeks. Besides..." Now he was looking at her anxiously, clearly waiting for a response. "I know how you like your romances..."
She blinked at him. I'm happy. I am...But what should I do? What would I have done a week ago...?
"Aki," she turned to him with a smile, making it especially bright to draw his attention away from the persistent swirl of turmoil in her eyes. "This is wonderful! Thank you!" She stepped forward and put her arms around him, praying earnestly that he couldn't feel how hard and fast her heart was beating.
A breath of hesitance, and then his arms came up slowly around her. When she didn't draw back he began to relax against her in slow pieces.
How had she never noticed this, this shift of his embraces? His arms weren't tight, but they were close and firm. His hands rested gently low on her back, fingers just barely dipping past the waistband of her skirt. And he always turned his face inward now, not resting on her shoulder, but pressed against her hair. Close enough that she could feel him breathing her in. His ribs expanded against her with how deep he took her in.
She breathed too, feeling calmed by his familiar scent despite everything.
I really am touched, she thought, he didn't have to do this. It's not as if he much cared for TV anyway. Aki was content with a book and a set of headphones. Her whole mood lightened as she flashed back on a memory of him, sitting at his desk, tapping his pencil to the music only he could hear, while he read over his homework. She never understood how he could split his attention like that, but the image was so perfectly him, and...peaceful, that she found her eyes closed, and a tiny, real smile on her face.
"Let's watch something!" Pulling back slightly, she grabbed his arm and dragged him right over to the TV, shedding her purse and jacket along the way.
He frowned slightly at the items strewn haphazardously across the floor, but allowed her to plop him down on the futon, throwing herself down as well. She daintily removed her shoes, and placed them neatly aside. Then reached out and switched on the TV.
TBC...