Lover's Sacrifices Chapter 4, Change
Alibaba leaned against a tree snuggled up in his warm sweater. For the weather being fair he remained stuck in that and jeans like it's young winter. In the shade he awaited for Hakuryuu's arrival with his eyes rooted to the peeking sun rays above the leafy roof of the tree. He glanced at his phone to make sure he got the location right. He felt nervous, not sure if things will go well with Hakuryuu. He insisted for them to talk and handle things after thinking things over yesterday; and he had to be on his tail about it. It shouldn't have been lead to him persisting his friend, but the young man has been neglecting himself from him and he could be hurting himself by doing this. Alibaba can't lose him like this; they had been close as long as he can remember and it will shatter him if their friendship ends now. One side of him is feeling guilty for having the ignorance of his great stress for years and it stings whenever he had it in his mind.
Light anger was gripping the other side for believing Hakuryuu didn't have trust for him while he offers his life's story to him all the time. He glanced around the empty courtyard and a familiar figure caught his eye. Hakuryuu approached him casually wearing a content expression. He looked like he rushed out of his house with his random choice of clothes. Bags hung under his eyes from lack of sleep and his hair was a little messy. Alibaba stood straight when Hakuryuu stopped in front of him. He waved, "Hey." The black haired man crossed his arms over his chest, "Hey." Alibaba looked up at the morning sky, breathing out lightly.
"It's been awhile, huh?"
"Yeah. Alibaba I...am sorry. I-"
"It's fine. Just please don't shut me out of your life again. We are friends, ever since you were in ninth grade. You can't push me away because I'm with someone you didn't like for a long time. I am here to help you Hakuryuu. If your feelings are that bad talk to me."
Hakuryuu's blue eyes displayed more color under the gray they shone in. He shook and covered his face. Tears rolled down his cheeks, "It's awful...It hurts to feel this...and I can never get rid of it." Alibaba comforted the crying male by pulling him close in his arms. He quietly sobbed into his shoulder, "I've never been treated like he did. He was always better and loved by others unlike me. I never told you about him because the feelings weren't as awful then. But when I moved in with him things got worse. It forced me to hate him...and I went into depression. To not worry you I hid it. Up until he crossed paths with me here...And I thought he was taking you away from me..." Alibaba stood the whole time listening intently. He grew happier hearing his feelings in person. It almost shattered his heart feeling it pour on him and seeing how intense these struggles were. The words coming out of his mouth were relieving yet wounding to his tongue, causing him to cry right as he explained himself. The blond quietly embraced him until he spoke in a gentle voice.
"Hakuryuu, he will never take me from you. And everyone is perfect in their own way. You just aren't happy with who you are and what you accomplished in life. So you find someone to blame for it, then you fuel your negative feelings from it. You have to understand that you are the best friend someone could have. Also you are a great chef, best fighter in swordsman class, and heck even the smartest hider in hide and seek. You still have something to live for, so don't give up now." Hakuryuu lifted his eyes to the bright gold ones. He smiled and slowly pried his body off the blond. He laughed weakly, "Really? I thought I was the worst hider. You would always find me." Alibaba playfully punched his arm, "The places you hid in was smart though!" They shared a laugh, bonding like they used to again. The smile on Hakuryuu's face showed that Alibaba did well in pulling his negativity out of him. He was relieved how everything was resolved without any trouble, and the scarred man didn't hold back his feelings.
The two men plopped down by the trees bringing up more of the ridiculous events they shared in their childhood. Alibaba knows that like his other close friends Hakuryuu will recall almost any moment they had together. Lunches they had, shows they watched, the list goes on. The sun reached high above the buildings when they began to head to their class. It was a little early so they slid down the rails of the staircases to kill some time. A pink haired male met them shortly and saw them chuckling like children in the playground. The chances of them getting hurt by the concrete stairs flashed a face of worry on him. He rushed to the males and stopped Alibaba at the bottom of the rail, "Careful! You could get hurt on here!" The taller man greeted his boyfriend with a small kiss on the nose, settling on a step. He leaned and took his hands, "It's alright. I'm not that reckless." The pink eyes narrowed toward Hakuryuu as he was gently pulled onto Alibaba's lap. Hakuryuu changed his expression to something that lowered Alibaba's eyebrows.
The blond couldn't tell what it was, his eyes held some fear in them though. The scarred man quickly shook it off once he gained the attention of his. He folded his arms on the rails, "Kouha, I'm sorry for how I was to you towards Alibaba. I promise to start straightening myself from on..." He didn't dare hold his gaze on Kouha for long but he added a tone to make his words sore in his apology. Kouha smiled up at him, "Don't worry brother, I understand what you suffered through, and I wish everything will be well soon. I hate seeing you gloomy." Alibaba knew Hakuryuu will take some time to get closer to his sibling after having problems with him in the past. He is distant however managed a few baby steps without his assistance. Alibaba searched for his phone in his pocket and felt nothing but cotton along the small space. He swore he had it on him a moment ago by the tree. Did he probably drop it somewhere on his way to the building?
"I'll be right back. Think I left my phone by the tree," He lifted Kouha off his lap even if he wanted to relax a little longer. It was cute hearing Kouha make a short whine when his rear met the cold step. He gave him a kiss before hurrying out into the quiet courtyard. The atmosphere then shifted slowly under the short male's fingertips; it brushed against Hakuryuu and he shivered slightly. A dark smile played on Kouha's lips in the hazy corners of his tense orbs, straying them further away at a garden across the yards of trees. Light shuffling by him made his heart begging for escape beneath the cage of bone it was trapped in. "You should at least pretend to act content near me. Ali might suspect you are hiding something," His sweet sinister voice touched his ears with an unsettling vibration.
Hakuryuu tightened the pressure of his balled fists, "…Why are you here? What are you planning to do with Alibaba? Because I know you wouldn't have come here if you haven't met him."
"I'm in love, I want nothing more than to be with him. And another reason why I'm here is because it's about time I return to school after receiving education at home for months," Kouha ran his finger on the screen of a phone Hakuryuu glanced at. That was Alibaba's phone. He snatched the phone out of his grip, "But after what happened a few days I can't accept that answer. I don't know what has gotten over you, but…I can't trust you with him."
Kouha faced away from him, "I see. And all this Ali talk, do you have feelings for him?" His eyes fell darker under the shadows his hair casted on his face. Hakuryuu heard the poisonous tone as he tried to maintain a steady question. His fingers slowly kissed his palms on his lap and he lowered his eyes to the ground. Hakuryuu hung his arm over the rail with his finger tapping on the green phone case, "I loved him back in eleventh grade. But he never liked me back so my feelings died down shortly after. I only admire as much as Hakuei now." Relief poured onto Kouha after getting a satisfying answer. He nodded and a smile crept back on his face, "Nice chat, Hakuryuu." That was a sign his boyfriend was returning. In a heartbeat Kouha turned back into his gentle persona however still wore his vile being in a hidden layer of his delighted eyes. They became silent again as they should be and the blue eyed male raised the phone to the exhausted man. He gave one last look of hatred Kouha was weary of as he snuck a small toothy smirk in return.
Alibaba sat on Aladdin's bed typing on his laptop. He laid on his stomach and flipped the pages through a book next to him. "My god so much..." He whined. He smashed his face in the book sniffing a light wood smell. Aladdin walked in the room holding a plate of chocolate cupcakes while munching on one. He jumped on the bed, "How's the report going?" He got a groan as a response. He set the plate down and smiled devilishly. Leaning towards the older man's ear he blew into it lightly. Alibaba screamed and jerked his body up, "Aladdin! You know how much I hate it when you do that!" Aladdin laughed loudly falling over on his back. Alibaba pouted until he narrowed his eyes at the plate of cupcakes. He pointed at it, "Can I have one?" Aladdin nodded, "Go crazy. A pretty lady gave them to me while I was on my way here from the library. It was very nice of her to." Alibaba plucked a cupcake and took a big bite. He talked with his mouth full, "Maybe she likes you."
Aladdin blushed and giggled, "If that's the case that'll be the tenth time someone flirted with me since I attended here!" Alibaba almost choked on the cupcake. He reached over the desk to grab his soda. He took a few breaths after taking multiple gulps. "Ten?! Two years here and I haven't gotten one chick hounding me or anything!" He cried out. Aladdin made a smug look, "I sense that someone is a little jealous?" The golden eyed male grunted and dragged his eyes back on the laptop screen. He closed the book, "No, I just wonder how all girls dig cuteness these days. It's never really the good looking. Well did you at least get a date or anything?!" This is the craziest thing he heard so far today. His friend is getting the babes who could be gorgeous, but it shouldn't be a surprise because he was always good with women. He never had a single girl go up to him and ask to go on a date. If he wasn't with Kouha now he would've felt like he is dropping into a pile of unpopular kids who will remain single for life.
"Nope!"
"What?! Pretty girls are crawling up to you and you reject them?!" Alibaba hovered over his laptop, grabbing the smiling boy by the shoulders. Aladdin nodded, "I am not really ready to date yet. Besides, none of them really had big boobs." Alibaba groaned and pulled away. Aladdin peeked over the laptop screen in curiosity. He gasped, "Wow you got all that done?!" Alibaba crossed his arms proudly, "Sort of. I'm having a hard time finding information from the books. I literally have to read from page to page to find them!" Judal barged into the room that made the males scream. The red eyed man laughed from their reactions, "Did I startle you two? Best faces I've seen so far- Are those cupcakes?" He stared at the cupcakes with interest. Before Aladdin answered he snatched the plate from the bed. Alibaba growled and tried to take them back. Judal shoved him away, "Fuck off. These are mine now."
The man with a long dark braid sat at his desk munching on the sweets. Alibaba tackled him, "No! Mine!" They spun across the room on the chair fighting for the cupcakes. Aladdin shook his head smiling and turned the laptop facing him. He typed on the keyboard, fixing the paragraphs Alibaba wrote. "Hey where's Cassim?" He asked.
Judal held the plate up, "Not sure, but isn't Kouha coming over at five? It's 5:12 right now."
Alibaba slid off Judal, "Oh crap! And I'm in my shorts!" He was about to rush into his room to change until he heard the doorbell. Too late. Now he has to greet Kouha in this embarrassing state. Judal busted out laughing, "Just get the door! Who cares if he sees you half naked!" Alibaba whined and stumbled to the living room. He unlocked the door, opening it to see Kouha. He kissed him, "Hello sweetheart." The blond flushed a little hearing his new nickname. "S-Sweetheart?" Alibaba swayed his head to the side. Kouha giggled and walked in, "You don't like it?" The blond shook his head, "It's fine, I'm just not used to being called that kind of stuff..." Kouha giggled and cupped his cheek.
"You will soon enough," He pecked his forehead. "Why are you in your shorts?" He fixed his pink eyes at his chest. He turned a little red. Alibaba laughed nervously, "Had to rush to get the door. I'll change soon enough." Aladdin scurried into the room, pouncing on Kouha. The young man fell over getting squeezed by the little teen. He hurried off him apologizing and helped him up, "I was just so excited to see you again!" Kouha smiled and patted his head, "That's alright." Alibaba laughed when Aladdin clung onto Kouha. It reminded him of a child holding onto a mother's arms. He didn't understand where Aladdin picked this attitude up from after meeting his boyfriend. He probably just likes him like family and wants him to feel like he's a part of it. The pink haired male played with the long blue braid tied below the back of the teen's hair. Alibaba checked his phone and raised an eyebrow, "I got a text from Cassim saying for us to go outside in the parking lot. And bring Judal too." Aladdin released Kouha and dashed into his room. Alibaba rushed to slip whatever clothes he grabs on and returned. Once Aladdin got Judal out the four went outside to see a red convertible parked in the lot. Cassim was sitting inside drinking soda casually. He looked over at the other males and waved, "Hey! Look what I got!" Everyone walked up to it amazed. Alibaba crossed his arms over the car door, "Where did you get the money to buy this?" The dreaded man grinned, "I stole it."
The four cried out in shock. Alibaba pointed at him angrily, "Brother! Are you serious?! Return it before you get arrested! Even worse expelled!" Judal skid across the hood of the car to get to the passenger's side. He jumped on the seat, "It's fine as long as the police don't get us! Now hop in and take this baby for a spin!" Alibaba groaned and got in the back with Kouha and Aladdin. Convincing his brother to return the car is like asking a brat to clean his toys up in his room. So, he has to sit back and watch the many troubles unfold. Cassim slammed the gas pedal when everyone placed their seatbelts on and drove off onto the street. Cars honked only to receive the middle finger from both Judal and Cassim. Alibaba moaned in embarrassment and buried his face in Kouha's shoulder. He looked like he was having fun along with Aladdin. The pink haired male stroked Alibaba's back, "Your brother is crazy, but this is fun. I can't remember the last time I did something like this." The blond smiled and watched people in cars yelling out at them. He chuckled, "I'm glad you're having fun. I need to relax and enjoy this too, even though we are likely to get in huge trouble after this." Kouha pressed his lips on his, "Don't worry, hopefully we won't be any more reckless than we already are."
The car dashed through streets in fast speed, getting the police's attention. Sirens turned on and a police car chased after them. The red eyed man glanced at the mirror, "Fuck! Oi Cassim try losing them!" Cassim sighed, "Great. Hold on!" He took a sharp turn and cut through an alley. He did many turns into multiple streets until he lost the police. He stopped in front of a movie theater, "Hey guys I'm dropping you off here while I try to get out of this shit."
Judal stretched, "I'm staying. You kids go along."
Aladdin gave him a quick hug and jumped out, "See ya later big brother!" Judal smiled and waved. Kouha and Alibaba got out as well and followed Aladdin into the theater. Alibaba prays that the older men won't get wrapped in serious problems. Knowing the two things won't quite resolve in a well way. If they get arrested it will give the blond more reasons to watch over them frequently. The blue haired boy dug into his pockets to find that they were empty. He spun around, "I don't have any money on me. How about you?" Kouha pulled out a card from his pocket, "I do, good thing I bring my card everywhere." Alibaba held his hand, "You're a life saver, because I have nothing on me." Kouha giggled and went to a booth where they get tickets. When they got them they decided to buy a whole bunch of popcorn and soda.
But they came across a tall light blond man who was being pushed by security. "I didn't mean to sleep under the chairs. It was just dark and comfy..." The man whined. The security shook her head and escorted him to the exit. She pointed to it, "How about you find somewhere else dark to sleep in alright?" The man sighed and left the building. The three males observing the scene stood in confusion. Alibaba made his way to the snack stand, "Why would someone sleep under chairs here?" The other two shrugged. They grabbed some snacks with Aladdin having a load of candy. When they entered the movie room people seated looked over at them in surprise. The blue haired boy dashed to the front for the front row seats. Kouha and Alibaba laughed and sat next to him who started munching on his candy. "Can I have some?" The blond asked Aladdin. He hunched over his candy and hissed. Alibaba yanked a bag of candy he held closely to his chest, "Come on, all I have is popcorn!" Aladdin giggled, smacking him away. A man that sat behind them yelled, "Hey stop you're being too loud!"
Alibaba stopped and glared at him, "So what? The movie hasn't started yet and we can be as loud as we want." The man rose up leaning close to him, "You're trying to be a smartass? Do you have any respect for the people around you?"
"I do have respect, so how about we drop this before we get disrespectful towards those around us."
The man raised his fist to punch the male but his fist got caught in Kouha's hand. Kouha stared him down, "Watch it. I suggest you sit and mind your business or we'll be thrown out." The man scowled and plopped back on his seat. Security soon rushed to the group to figure out what the commotion was, "Is everything alright? You are causing quite a ruckus that's interrupting everyone else's peace here. We are afraid we might have to take you out." Kouha sat on his chair, "It's fine. We resolved our problem. Don't worry, it won't happen again." The man nodded and retreated in the back. Alibaba was speechless and sank back in his chair. He was shocked that he has an amazing boyfriend. He is truly tougher than he looks. Aladdin nibbled on chocolate, "You have a badass boyfriend." Alibaba's jaw dropped by the boy's language. But, he was right. Kouha cuddled up to him and Alibaba wrapped an arm around his waist. The pink haired male grew red from the touch but didn't mind it. Alibaba kissed him, "Thank you. I would've gotten into a huge fight that could be impossible to avoid." Kouha kissed back, "No problem sweetie."
Soon the movie was on, and the room fell silent. Alibaba was relieved that the man was quiet for most of the movie. But he had a feeling he was giving him dirty looks. The blond separated from Kouha's warmth to drink some soda. When he went to cuddle with the man again he shifted a little. Alibaba tried again but Kouha leaned to get some candy from Aladdin. Long seconds passed and Alibaba finally rose his arms to hold the man still. Kouha lifted himself from his seat, patting Alibaba's head. "I'll be right back," He walked off leaving Alibaba to groan in surrender. Aladdin chuckled and poked his face with a chocolate bar. Alibaba lazily lifted his head to take it with his mouth. He continued watching the movie, waiting for Kouha to return. He came back shortly with more soda. He settled next to Alibaba who hugged him right away. The male giggled and nuzzled him. After the movie ended Aladdin struggled to get off his seat. Alibaba picked him up, "Guess you had too much huh?" Aladdin groaned loudly.
Kouha rubbed the boy's head, "Poor thing. You'll have to lay down when we get back...somehow..." Alibaba strode to the door in the back, "Crap. I've almost forgotten that we have no ride. And I gotta call Cassim and see if he's okay. Uh...can you get my phone from my pocket cupcake?" Aladdin snickered, receiving a quick glare from him. Kouha blushed, "Cute! That's my nickname? Okay." He plucked the phone out happily. He dialed Cassim's phone number and set it near Alibaba's ear. Luckily the blond didn't wait long for his brother to answer but he didn't sound normal.
"H-Hey sexy brotha! Wer bout to get caught by de stupid muscle woman but we returned the car! That means we good! But Judal and I are stuck here so...we're f-fucked!"
"...Are you drunk?"
"Oh n-no! Judal is though. Say hi buddy!"
Whatever voice came up next made Alibaba jump, causing the phone to drop. The pink haired male picked up the phone and brought it to his ear again. Aladdin and Kouha held back their laughs.
"Tell me where you are so we can pick you up. We're taking the cab. And please behave when we get back."
"No problem! I'll give ya a hint of where we are! It's where dem cats do te most wonderful dance on erf!"
"That's...The Whiskera Bar?"
"Yesh! Now bye, make sure to wear condoms okay?"
"Er okay..."
The phone hung up and the boys exchanged glances. Aladdin and Kouha busted out laughing shortly after. Kouha grabbed the phone, "He's so funny! I love your brother sweetheart!" Aladdin covered his mouth coughing a little. He smiled, "Big brother scared you!" Alibaba shook his head smiling lightly. "Our brothers are something indeed," He opened the doors with his back. The males stopped as they saw groups of policemen by the bathroom. A body was carried out that looked exactly like the man Alibaba argued with earlier. He wore deep cuts all over his face and he wore a horrified expression. Kouha gasped and rested his hand on Aladdin's eyes. "What...happened?" Alibaba asked terrified. The short male hugged him, "I don't know, but we should get out of here before we get involved." Alibaba nodded and they managed to slip by the scene without being stopped by police. How did it happen? Why? Was it his fault? Alibaba almost felt like he was unable to breathe thinking about all this. It was too much.
However Kouha comforted him until they returned home. He took care of the other boys while he made the blond rest in his bedroom. He didn't like it, but soon enough calmed down. Kouha spent the night over because his curfew was reached and he didn't want to confront his mother about it again. He slept in Alibaba's room, cuddling with the older man in his bed. They had a restful night despite the crazy events that happened. Alibaba felt a lot better with Kouha next to him, who was being there to drain his bad feelings away.
I almost didn't add in the small conversation between Kouha and Hakuryuu but after reading it I think I might just leave it alone. I found it interesting how they interacted and I wanna develop the characters as much as I can. There will be a short coming up soon, but I'm glad I'm not too late with this chapter. Hoped you all enjoyed this, and see you later. The warnings will begin to pop up in the next few chapters (possibly the rest)!