Chapter Forty: Scars From Different Worlds
"Have you ever thought about getting some of those scar patches?" Eiji asked as his tan fingers tenderly traced the discolored skin of old scars on Ash's torso.
"Uh-uh," Ash said through a yawn. "There's no way that stuff really works."
"No, it does," Eiji disputed. He kicked his once injured leg from out of the sheet that covered him. He raised it into the air slightly, too tired to move any more than that. "See?" He glanced at Ash who was squinting into the dim light to see the ankle Eiji held up. "There used to be a scar there."
Ash's eyes shifted from Eiji's ankle to his face. "How come?"
"How come what?"
"How come you wanna erase it like it never happened? You're always so vague. I don't think you've ever said what exactly happened. But from the little things you've said, I know it was really hard on you. So why? Why do you like to pretend it never happened?"
Eiji lowered his leg back to the bed. "Well…" he considered the question. "For one thing, it's nothing compared to what you went through. It seems silly in comparison."
Ash huffed and rolled his eyes but didn't say anything, arguing was pointless.
"Aaand…" he drew the word out to postpone his words just a few seconds longer. "And, I'm embarrassed by it." Unconsciously, he adjusted the sheet so it covered his ankle again.
"Why?" Ash asked cautiously.
"Because it shouldn't have happened. There was nothing wrong with me that day. In movies, something like this happens because the main character had a fight right before the meet or did something stupid like getting drunk the night before…There's usually a reason for an injury. But for me...For me, there wasn't." Eiji sat, adjusting the sheet around his hips to maintain modesty as he did so. "Well, that's not true. There was a reason, just not a very good one."
"What happened?" Ash asked, propping himself up on an elbow, hoping Eiji would continue.
"I was anxious." Eiji swung his legs over the side of the bed and began to stand. "We should get up," he said.
Ash caught him by his wrist. "Why?"
"Cuz...it's already 9:30, we should-"
"No, I mean why are you so ashamed to talk about it? I want to know what happened," Ash clarified. "Why were you anxious?"
Eiji's legs swung back onto the bed, accepting defeat and deciding to stay. His eyes lowered as his fingers played anxiously with the bedsheet. "I was good at pole vaulting. Really good." His eyes found Ash's briefly, before returning to his hands. "Like, Olympic-material good. I was no longer just Eiji Okumura, I was," he cleared his throat and adopted the voice of an announcer, hand raised to mimic one grabbing a microphone, "'Number 23, Okumura, Eiji. At only seventeen, he could very well be this year's national champion. Today's results may very well land him a spot on the Olympic team!'" He dropped his hand and his voice reverted to normal. "It was just too much pressure."
"It happened at the Nationals?" Ash asked with sympathetic eyes.
Eiji nodded. "Yeah...Live on national television."
"Shit," Ash muttered. "So what happened?"
"It's a dangerous sport," Eiji continued. "Mess up just a little and you can throw off the landing. My heart was pounding as I raced forward and the second I left the ground I knew it was slightly off. I landed wrong. Shattered my ankle and hit my head."
Ash's eyes widened. "I didn't know you hit your head!"
Eiji nodded. "Got a pretty nasty concussion too. The doctors said I was lucky to not have any lasting brain damage. Mom couldn't stop crying."
"Shit," Ash muttered again.
"I had to have two surgeries to repair my ankle and months of physical therapy. There were mixed opinions on whether or not I would jump again. My orthopedic surgeon said 'Absolutely not!' but my chief physical therapist said it was a possibility if I worked hard enough- if I wanted it bad enough. But none of the physical healing mattered because I was way too anxious after that fall."
"Well, YEAH!" Ash practically shouted, startling Eiji slightly.
"With that injury, I lost my shot at the Olympics and becoming a pro-athlete. And I lost a huge part of my identity. I had put all my eggs in one basket, as you Americans say. And...I didn't know what to do with my life if I couldn't compete. It was then I got depressed and started having anxiety and panic attacks." He let out a sigh. "Everyone else was choosing universities and making plans for after high school...but I had no idea what I wanted to do. When I wasn't in physical therapy or legit therapy or a doctor's appointment, I numbly did my school work and just kinda...floated along under the radar, withering away." He looked at Ash, his expression was filled with sorrow. "Sorry," Eiji sighed and stretched and Ash could tell he was going to try to get up again. "I didn't mean to spill all that at 9 AM, I got carried away-"
"Keep talking, I want to know," he pleaded.
"I mean," Eiji began to continue. "That's basically it. My anxiety got better after starting therapy, but it didn't help my depression too much. I still felt worthless and lost. That's when Ibe offered to take me with him to New York." He smiled at the memory. "And boy did that help. I finally had something to look forward to after graduation. In the weeks leading up to the trip, I was almost back to my normal self. I remember Mom worshiping the ground Ibe walked on like he was a saint who miraculously healed her son...which," Eiji smiled at Ash, "I guess he kinda was. And then I met you and life was suddenly better than it had ever been."
"Thanks," Ash stated, "for telling me all that."
Eiji inhaled deeply and let out a long sigh. "All that because I mentioned scar patches," he said with a chuckle.
"Do they bother you?" Ash said, pointing to his own chest.
"No, no, not at all." Eiji paused and then decided to clarify, "I mean, the reason you have them bothers me, but aesthetically? No, I couldn't care less. Your whole body could be one giant scar and I wouldn't love you any less."
Ash smiled sweetly. "Well, God, Eiji, I wasn't trying to imply you were shallow. And even if you were, you love me too much to tell me what to do with my body. I meant, are they painful for you to look at?"
Eiji shook his head, "Sometimes. But they also remind me how strong you are and how much you've overcome." He reached out a hand and traced the scar he had from being stabbed by Arthur. That was the scar he endured to get to Eiji in Japan. That was such a bittersweet scar. "And how much you've sacrificed." He smiled. "I only brought it up because I know my own were painful to look at. They were a constant reminder of my failures. It was just a random thought...but I thought maybe it'd help if they were gone. That's all."
Ash was quiet as he processed Eiji's words. He didn't care what his scars looked like, but sometimes it would be nice to be able to go swimming or just be shirtless without people staring, without them wondering what on Earth had happened to him. Eiji's family never stared, but still, he knew they must have noticed them, they were just polite enough not to mention it or ask. Miyuki had seen him shirtless in the pool in Tokyo. He saw her eyes drift over his scars, but they never lingered. She never said a word about it. He appreciated that. And Aki had seen him shirtless when she cut his hair. If Ash didn't know any better, he'd have thought she didn't even notice them. But she must have, they were pretty hard to miss.
"I think I'll keep them," Ash said finally. "They're part of me."
Before Eiji, and before therapy, his answer would have been drastically different.
"Hmm," Eiji released a small hum.
"What?" Ash asked curiously.
"Sorry I waited so long to say all that. It's not like it's anything-"
"Eiji, you don't need to compare it to me. I'm the anomaly, not you. Life isn't supposed to be tragic."
"I- Yeah, okay." A minuscule smile graced Eiji's face. "Telling you made us even though. So...sorry I waited so long."
"It's fine, Eiji, perfectly fine," Ash said reassuringly.
From across the room, Eiji's phone rang. Without thinking, he got out of bed, momentarily forgetting he was stark naked, and answered it. [Hello? … Oh, Oh, hi.]
As the person on the other end spoke, he apparently remembered his unclothed state. He blushed bright red and turned towards the wall, clearly embarrassed, but not wanting to make too much noise by opening his drawers and throwing on something to wear. Ash chuckled from the bed.
[Yes, yes, thank you. I'd be honored … Yes. I will be there. Thank you. I look forward to working for you, sir … Goodbye.]
When Eiji turned back around, Ash was grinning from ear to ear. "Did you just accept a job offer completely naked?" He asked with a quirked brow.
"I think I did," Eiji said slowly, still somewhat in awe of what had just happened. With a shake of his head, the embarrassment left him and was replaced with excitement. He practically skipped back to the bed and flopped down beside Ash. He threw the sheet across his waist and propped himself up on an elbow. "Ah!" He squealed with excitement that rivaled Miyuki's, "I got the job!" Without thinking, he leaned forward and pressed an excited kiss to Ash's lips.
"Sorry!" Eiji squeaked, pulling back, "I should've asked."
"Actually...I think maybe we've moved past asking," Ash smirked. "Cuz that was adorable." Ash smiled and returned the kiss.
"Adorable?" Eiji remarked, trying to sound offended. "And here I thought you found me sexy," Eiji teased.
Ash huffed a laugh, "I do, but that was adorable. A person can be more than one thing."
"Oh, thank God," Eiji said dramatically, "I was on the verge of an existential crisis," he teased sarcastically.
All teasing left Ash's face as he smiled lovingly at Eiji. "Congrats on the job, lovely," he said softly before kissing him once more.
And then Ash was up. "Come on, let's go get breakfast," he said excitedly as he pulled the sheet off Eiji.
Eiji stood and they both began getting dressed as they continued their conversation. "Like go out to breakfast or go make breakfast?"
"Out," Ash said as he one-handedly tugged a shirt awkwardly over his head, to avoid using his bad hand.
"Really?" Eiji smiled. "You're not worried about Blanca?"
"Fuck Blanca. If he wants to watch us eat breakfast, let him. He's not running my life."
Ash tried to be discreet, but Eiji noticed his head swiveling casually, eyes scanning over other patrons, trying to locate Blanca at the outdoor cafe. Or maybe he was inside. Eiji was the one who ordered, Ash hadn't actually gone inside. Blanca could be watching them through those tinted windows.
As if reading his mind, Eiji said, "He's not inside, I checked. And I don't think he's out here either."
"I'm not worried about it," Ash said calmly as he used his straw to trace designs into his latte's foam.
Eiji knew he was lying. He sipped his tea. "So anyway, I start that job this coming-"
"Hey!" Ash interrupted. "Not here," he said through gritted teeth.
Eiji's eyes narrowed. "So you are worried about it."
For a second, Ash was tempted to ignore everything he'd learned in therapy, all his progress, and storm off. But if Blanca was here, watching from afar, that would be irresponsible of him to leave Eiji alone, even though he was certain Blanca wasn't here to hurt either of them. Still, better safe than sorry.
Instead of storming off, Ash huffed loudly and crossed his arms across his chest.
"It's okay," Eiji said quietly, hoping to deescalate the situation. "I understand why you would worry."
Just then, the buzzer on the table began to vibrate. "Food's done," Eiji stated. "Be right back."
Ash rose from the table along with him.
"You're coming?" Eiji asked.
"I don't trust you not to drop it," Ash teased with a straight face. At least, Eiji assumed he was teasing.
"Uh-huh," Eiji said with a smirk and a sideways glance. He opened the door and held it as Ash stepped through. "I thought you said Blanca can't ruin your life?"
Ash shot him a look. "Thin ice, Okumura, thin ice," Ash warned.
"Hey. So are you, Lynx," Eiji replied testily, matching Ash's energy. "I don't like being lied to."
Ash said nothing in reply. They walked stiffly to pick up their plates from the counter.
When they returned to their table, there was still no sign of Blanca. Ash tried to relax while they ate, but his eyes kept scanning the seating area anxiously, which made it quite difficult to comprehend what Eiji was saying.
"Ash...Ash…" Eiji leaned across the table and said in a low, steady voice, "Ash."
"Huh?" Ash jolted.
"We can get a box and take this to-go if you're not having a good time."
Ash's eyes guiltily found the table. "I don't want him to win," he muttered.
But in a way, he already had. Eiji knew this and so did Ash. Just the possibility of him watching from afar had ruined their outing...and the one the day before. If Ash didn't make peace with him, they both knew he'd be a looming threat every time they left the house.
"He doesn't deserve it," Eiji began slowly, "but maybe you should try to make peace with him."
Ash's eyes were filled with something dangerously close to fury as they shot up to meet Eiji's.
"Not for him, but for you," Eiji quickly clarified. "For your sanity. And for me. For us." He extended his arm across the table so that his palm lay face up for Ash to grab if he wanted to. "We were so peaceful and happy just a few days ago. You deserve to have that again." Ash eyed his hand but did not take it. "You can do it in your own way and in your own time. Just think about it." Eiji sipped his tea, his other hand remaining palm up in the center of the table. "We can leave. It's not running away, it's being kind to yourself. Do you wanna leave?"
Eiji saw Ash's eyes redden as he quickly blinked back tears. Finally, he grabbed Eiji's hand. It was such a gentle action that it sent goosebumps up Eiji's arm.
"Okay, let's go," Ash practically whispered.
Eiji nodded, "I'll go get boxes."
He disappeared inside and Ash willed his eyes not to continue mindlessly searching for Blanca. Ash practically jumped out of his skin when he felt a small tug at the hem of his shirt. His chair skidded loudly against the patio. A small child, no more than five or six, smiled up at him.
[Your hair is really pretty!] The small Japanese girl told him excitedly. Her mom was just steps behind her. [You match my flowers!] She said, pointing to the sunflower pattern on her sundress.
[Sorry,] the mother said and she squatted down beside her daughter. [Kiko, you can't just go around touching strangers.]
Ash, now somewhat embarrassed by his overblown reaction, blushed awkwardly, [Oh, it's alright, she just startled me, that's all.]
The mother smiled briefly at Ash before returning her gaze to her daughter. [You startled him, Kiko, why don't you tell him you're sorry.]
With innocent, dark brown eyes peering up at him, the little girl told him genuinely, [I'm very sorry.] She bowed slightly to emphasize her apology. Ash couldn't help but smile at the maturity of this small child.
[That's okay,] he smiled and leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees to lower himself to her eye level. [I'm like a cat, I spook way too easily.]
Kiko smiled at him. [My cat is scared of cucumbers!] the girl told him. [Are you?]
[Yes,] he whispered jokingly, [but don't tell anyone.] He looked around, pretending to be scared someone might have heard him. His eyes caught the mother smiling and Eiji returning to the table with to-go boxes and a loving smile.
Kiko giggled.
[I like your name, by the way,] Ash told her. [I've never heard that name before.]
The girl stared at him like he had three sets of eyes. [There's two other Kikos in my class,] she told him, unable to understand how he'd never heard the name before.
[Well,] he began, [I was born in America,] he pointed at his blond hair, [so there are lots of names here that I've never heard before.]
[Oh,] she said simply. [What's your name?]
[Aslan,] he said with a smile. Eiji, who was pulling out his chair to sit, paused in his tracks.
The girl beamed at him. [I've never heard that name before!]
[Do you like it?]
She nodded fiercely, [Mmmhmm!] She turned to her mom, [Isn't that a nice name?]
The mother smiled and nodded. [Yes, it's lovely.]
[Hey, Kiko,] Ash began.
Her head whipped back to him. [Yeah?]
[Did you see those cookies inside at the counter?]
[Mmmhmm! They look like flowers!] She answered enthusiastically.
[Why don't you,] he reached into his wallet and pulled out a crisp bill, [go inside with your mom and pick one out.]
She grinned and looked at her mom. [Can I?]
Kiko's mother nodded, [What do you say to Aslan-san?]
[Thank you!]
[You are very welcome.]
[Thank you,] the mother said as she raised from her squatted position. She reached for her daughter's hand. [Let's go pick one out, Kiko.]
Together they walked happily indoors to select a cookie.
Ash straightened up and faced the table, as well as a teary-eyed Eiji. "Sit," Ash said to Eiji. "Let's stay."
Eiji sat and wiped away tears before they could fall. He resisted the urge to tell Ash that he'd make such a good dad. Instead, he sappily said, "I'm so lucky I found you."
"Stop, Ei-chan, you're gonna make me cry."
Eiji narrowed his eyes at him, unable to determine if he was joking or serious. Ash picked up his chopsticks and continued eating. Eiji followed suit.
A few minutes later, Kiko and her mother emerged from the cafe's doors. Kiko ran up to Ash holding two cookies in bakery paper. She held one out to Ash. [This one's for you!] Kiko told him with a wide smile.
Ash accepted the cookie from her. It was decorated to look like a bright yellow daisy. [Thank you so much, Kiko. What kind did you get?]
[A rose!] She exclaimed while holding it out for him to see.
[Very nice. I bet it tastes even better than it looks, what do ya think?]
Kiko took a bite and nodded enthusiastically. [YUM!] She took a second bite before she had even finished chewing the first.
[Can I share mine with my friend?] Ash asked her.
Kiko studied Eiji as if she hadn't noticed him there before Ash mentioned him. She nodded and waved bashfully at Eiji. Ash broke the cookie in two and gave half to Eiji.
The mother smiled and thanked Ash again. [Come on Kiko, let's let them finish their meal.]
Kiko tore her eyes away from Eiji and Ash. She tugged her mom's pant leg, prompting her to bend down so Kiko could whisper in her ear. The mother nodded and said, [Ask him.]
Shyly, Kiko stepped closer to Ash. [Do you...want a hug?]
[Sure. Thank you for asking.] He turned sideways in his chair and leaned forward, allowing the girl to hug him. Ash had never felt such small arms around him.
The hug was quick and then she skipped back to her mom. [Bye!] She chirped happily. [We're going to the park!]
Ash smiled, [Have fun.]
They waved and walked away in the direction of a nearby park.
"A natural with kids, huh?" Eiji asked with a smile.
Ash shrugged, "I guess. Besides Michael, I don't have much experience with kids outside of my own childhood."
"We should adopt," Eiji decided. "A gift like that can't go to waste."
Ash's face mellowed. "Yeah, maybe someday we will."
"Now," Eiji began in an authoritative voice, "two questions for you."
Ash's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Yessss?"
"One," Eiji sunk his teeth into the sugary cookie. Without even meaning to, he was smiling with delight. "Why was I demoted to your 'friend?'"
"Ha!" Ash barked a surprised laugh. "I didn't mean anything by it!"
Eiji slipped his ring off his finger and pretended to hand it back to Ash. "Do you want this back, then?" He couldn't keep up the pissed façade for more than a few seconds. He broke into laughter and slipped the ring back on.
"You want the truth?" Ash asked, biting back a smile.
Eiji's smile faded. "Yes."
"I didn't know the word fiancé in Japanese."
Relief flooded Eiji. "You ass! I thought you were gonna say something serious!"
They both laughed. Then, Ash asked, "And number two?"
"Two...Why Aslan?"
Ash hummed in thought. "I dunno. It just felt right. It's a prettier name than Ash, maybe that's subconsciously why I said it."
"Do you want to be called that?"
"No. God, no. That's not me anymore."
Eiji nodded. "Just checking."
They finished eating and left shortly after. When they arrived home, there was a vase of flowers with a note on their doorstep. Ash opened the envelope as they walked inside.
The note was simple, it provided a phone number and short message that read:
'You can contact me at this number when you're ready. Until then, I'll leave you alone. I didn't mean to derail your progress, my eyes will be elsewhere. You have my word. P.S. Sorry about your hand. -SVEiji gasped as he read the note over Ash's shoulder.
"SV? Who's SV?"
Ash folded the note and placed it back in the envelope. "Sergei Varishikov. That's Blanca's real name." Ash admired the vase of roses. "Why am I not outraged? How dare he assume I'll ever be ready to talk." Ash walked to the table and placed the vase upon it. He held onto the note.
"Will you call him?"
"Not anytime soon."
"And do you trust him? To keep to his word? To stop his snooping and spying?"
Ash unfolded the note and read it again. "Yes, actually. If it wasn't the truth he'd have written some bullshit like, 'It's for your own good that I keep monitoring you.' If he says he'll stop, then I believe him. He's a man of his word, to his credit."
Ash waved the card in the air. "Be right back," he said as he disappeared up the stairs. He tucked the card with Blanca's number away safely in his underwear drawer beside his ever-loaded gun. When he returned downstairs he was in a much happier mood. Eiji was in the kitchen getting a glass of water. Ash joined him, drumming his hands on the countertop.
"So!"
Eiji turned, caught off guard by the change in mood.
"I was thinking today we could hang Shorter's picture. Maybe get a table for under it, like a little shrine."
Eiji nodded in agreement.
They headed out to the store, picked out a table and some hooks to anchor the frame to the wall, and spent a good chunk of time getting the area just right. When they were finished, Shorter hung with dignity at the start of their hall, with a small table housing a vase of flowers, a candle, and some incense.
Before they knew it, dinner time was upon them. They surprised Aki and Miyuki who, thankfully, had enough food for them all. Eiji told them his good news of getting the job. Miyuki and Aki both cheered for Eiji.
"This calls for a drink!" Aki announced, opening a bottle of wine. She poured them all, minus Miyuki, a glass and they toasted to his achievements. Aki also broke out a case of beer, resulting in a very tipsy Eiji just an hour later.
After a second glass of wine, Eiji popped open a second beer.
"Hey," Ash laughed, snatching the drink from Eiji, "You're not allowed to get drunk." He sipped the beer and Eiji pouted. "Your rules."
"It's fine, Ash," Eiji argued.
"No, no," he wagged a finger at him, "you're on the edge right now. This beer will push you over."
"Nuh-uh. I can handle it."
"Let him, Ashu," Aki insisted, "he has no obligations tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah, Ash! Who cares if I do get a bit tipsy?"
"You're already tipsy." He studied him curiously. "Maybe even kinda drunk already. Drink that and you'll be saying things you regret," Ash said sternly.
"So what?"
"Do you not remember last time?"
Eiji pouted with narrowed eyes.
Miyuki's hands slapped against the table as she practically leaped across it. "What happened last time?"
Ash smirked at her and opened his mouth.
Eiji shouted just to drown out whatever Ash decided to tell her, which only made Miyuki all the more curious.
Eiji stopped shouting when Ash closed his mouth.
"Last time," Ash said loudly, compensating for the screaming that began again as soon as he started speaking. "LAST TIME, HE MADE A FOOL OF HIMSELF."
Eiji's head fell to the table dramatically, "AAAASSHHHH!"
"Tell me!" Miyuki begged Ash.
Eiji looked up at him with pure dread upon his face. Ash ran a hand through Eiji's hair, ruffling it so that it stood up messily. "I would never." Not even Ash was sure if that comment was directed at Eiji or Miyuki, perhaps it was a bit of both.
Miyuki blew out a disappointed breath that blew the edges of her hair that framed her face.
Aki rolled her eyes at the whole scene. "Was that in New York, Ashu?"
Ash shook his head, "No, Tokyo."
Aki gestured at Miyuki. "So you were there."
"Well, yeah, but she wouldn't remember," Eiji pointed out.
All their heads shot to him. Miyuki looked terrified, Ash looked pissed, and Aki looked shocked. Had he been completely sober, Eiji never would have let that slip.
Before Aki could scold Miyuki, Ash spoke up. "I take full responsibility for that one. Who would've thought you could get drunk from, like, one glass of sake."
It was a partial lie. They had passed the bottle around as they played cards that night. Ash wasn't sure how much exactly she'd had, but it wasn't enough to get someone with a higher alcohol tolerance drunk. But she was a petite girl who had never drank, so her tolerance was surprisingly low.
"Yeah!" Miyuki chimed in. "And I wasn't trying to, honestly! Plus, we were just in the hotel room." She glanced at Ash. "And Ash was there. He wouldn't have let us do anything dangerous or stupid."
Aki rubbed her hand across her forehead. [Good grief, Mi.] She let out a sigh of exasperation. [Just don't let it happen again.]
"PHEW!" She sighed. "I won't! I really didn't try."
"Hey! Stop!" Ash shouted humorously as he noticed Eiji sipping the beer he'd taken from him.
Eiji started laughing into the can as Ash tried to pry it from his lips. He chugged it faster and by the time Ash pulled it from his hands, it was almost gone. "Eiji!" Ash laughed. He chugged the rest of the beer before Eiji could sneak it again.
"How'm I 'sposed ta increase my tolerance if I" hiccup "never drink?"
"Why do you have to increase your tolerance?" Ash asked with amused confusion.
Eiji shrugged, "Cuz."
Ash rolled his eyes, "Dear, God." He looked at Miyuki and Aki who were watching them intently. "We should probably get going," Ash decided.
"It's barely eight," Miyuki reasoned. "Stay a while longer. It'll be so quiet when you leave."
[I assume your homework is done,] Aki said.
"Yep!"
Aki nodded. [Stay, then. She's right, it's awfully quiet without you both.] Aki rose from the kitchen table. [I need to prep food for tomorrow, but I can multitask.]
Aki began grabbing vegetables and other ingredients from the fridge. She whipped up a marinade for some pork and then began chopping vegetables. The three continued talking as she did so. Eiji had little to contribute in his drunken state. Anything he did decide to add was miles off topic. Aki told a story about an awkward interaction with a coworker from her day at work that had Ash and Miyuki laughing. Ash could feel Eiji, whose head was lying on the table, staring up at him.
"You're so pretty when you laugh," Eiji said with a drunken grin as Ash glanced down at him.
Ash blushed, "Uhh...thanks."
Eiji propped his head up on one arm. "Can I-"
"Not right now," Ash interrupted.
Miyuki and Aki fell silent.
Eiji pouted. "You didn't even let me" hiccup "finish...how do ya know what I was gonna say?"
"I'm not drunk," Ash reasoned, "So it's not that hard to guess."
"Let him ask, Ash," Miyuki teased.
Ash glared at her. It was a look previously reserved for the boys back in New York. The look had the same effect on Miyuki as it had had on them. She practically cowered. A sober Eiji would have been delighted to see his 'boss glare' used to silence his sister.
Eiji, who had heard Miyuki's words, decided to go for it. "Can I kiss you, Ash?" He asked with a goofy smile.
Aki rolled her eyes, laughed, and then returned to chopping vegetables.
"Not right now, Eiji," Ash repeated, ignoring Miyuki's sadistic squeals of enjoyment.
"When?"
"Later."
"How much later?"
Ash was blushing furiously now.
"Tomorrow," Ash decided. "When you're sober and cringing at what you just said in front of your mom and sister." He stressed the last two words, hoping to get through to him.
Eiji glanced at Miyuki and Aki like he'd momentarily forgotten they existed.
"Am I drunk?"
Ash laughed, "Yes, very much so. Worse than Tokyo, I think."
Eiji groaned in disapproval. "So that means," he leaned close to whisper in Ash's ear. "We can't have sex tonight?" It was a drunken whisper, which meant it was hardly a whisper at all. Miyuki heard it loud and clear. Aki was able to draw the correct conclusion based on Ash's mortified facial expression and Miyuki's flaming cheeks. Aki turned on the faucet to drown out her failed attempt at suppressed laughter.
Ash, now brighter red than anyone had ever seen him, couldn't find the words to respond.
"Ash? Did you hear me?"
"Yes, Eiji, God," Ash said frantically, "Yes, I heard you, please don't ask it again."
"Well, you didn't answer."
Ash remembered that the last time they were in this situation, it ended with Eiji crying when Ash rejected him. He decided to endure the embarrassment and tread lightly. "I think you know my answer," he said seriously.
"You won't have drunken sex with me," Eiji guessed, using the same phrase Ash had in Tokyo.
He blushed but remained calm. "That's right."
"Why?" Eiji asked.
"Because it's not right," Ash responded flatly.
"Even if I want to?"
Ash frustratedly pinched his nose with his thumb and forefinger. "You're drunk, you don't know what you want." He glanced at Aki, who had returned to her cutting board, trying her best to ignore the awkward conversation, and then at Miyuki who was shamelessly watching the conversation unfold. "You should stop talking, Eiji. Your sister and mom are right here and they're gonna tease you forever for what you're saying now."
"They already know, Ash," he said without a shred of embarrassment.
"Yeah, but they don't need to hear you talk about it," he reasoned.
Eiji, begging to differ, looked across the table at Miyuki. "Ash is very good-"
"Okay!" Ash interjected loudly. He scooted his chair across the floor as he rose from the table. "We should get going."
"In bed," Eiji stubbornly finished his sentence.
It was a miracle Ash didn't burst into flames. Miyuki died laughing.
"Come on, Eiji, let's go," he said a bit more impatiently now.
"Aw, but it was just getting good," Miyuki teased Ash relentlessly.
"We're going home?" Eiji asked as Ash pulled him to his feet.
"Yes."
"When we get home-"
Ash placed a hand over his mouth. "You should stop talking." Seconds later, Ash pulled his hand away in disgust as Eiji licked his palm like a child.
"Gross, Eiji," Ash grimaced.
Eiji began to cackle at his own childish deed. If Ash hadn't been there to steady him, he'd have likely ended up on the floor.
"Come on, let's get you home." Ash looked up at Aki who was still working in the kitchen. "Sorry, for whatever the hell that was."
"Oh, very entertaining, Ashu," she laughed, "And all Eiji's fault."
"We're having a dry wedding, I've just decided," Ash joked.
Ash helped Eiji to the door. He picked up his shoes, not even bothering to attempt to put them on Eiji.
"I need shoes," Eiji complained as Ash led him to the car barefoot.
"You'll be fine."
"I'll get the house all dirty," he whined dramatically.
"Then I'll clean it. I lived my entire life wearing my shoes in the house, it's not that big of a deal."
"American floors are dirty."
Miyuki laughed from the doorway as they reached the car. Ash opened Eiji's door and buckled him in.
"That's why we own brooms, mops, and vacuums. It's fine."
Eiji mumbled something Ash couldn't understand as he closed his door. Ash walked to the door to say goodbye to Miyuki.
"He's such a child when he's drunk," he rolled his eyes. "I'd apologize, but I know you enjoyed my pain," he half-joked.
"You're a good person," she said, giving his arm a light punch.
"No, I'm just not a scumbag. It's just the decent way to be. Doing the bare minimum-"
"Just take the fucking compliment," she argued.
"Mi!" Aki shouted from the kitchen. "Language!"
Miyuki ignored her. "You're a good person for telling him no...and an even better one for not yelling at him for embarrassing you."
"Uh, try humiliating."
"ASH!" Eiji suddenly screamed from the car, clearly growing impatient.
Ash sighed, "Well, I gotta take him home."
"Good luck," Miyuki laughed.
"Yeah, really. I'll make him sleep in the guest room." He said as he walked to the car. "I'm kidding!" He added as he saw Miyuki's eyes widen with surprise. "See ya."
Eiji fell asleep on the short ten-minute drive home. Ash carried him all the way to their bed on the second floor without waking him. He placed Eiji, still clothed, under the comforter. He then hopped in bed, also still dressed.
Even.
Eiji woke when Ash turned off the bedside lamp. "Oh, we're home?" He asked sleepily, rolling over to face Ash. "Can I kiss you now?"
Ash smoothed his hair from his forehead and placed a kiss there. "You can kiss me tomorrow."
"But I love you," he whined.
"I love you too. Now, try to get some sleep."
"Can I kiss you when I wake up?"
"You can kiss me when it's morning and you're no longer drunk," he said with specific phrasing. He imagined Eiji waking up at 2 AM just to kiss him instead of waiting until morning.
"Can we have sex in the morning too?"
Ash laughed. "I can't promise that. Ask me again in the morning."
Eiji looked horrified, "What if I forget?" His head was buzzing, he couldn't possibly expect to remember Ash's request.
"Ha! Oh, Eiji, I will not let you forget any of this," he teased.
Strangely enough, Eiji appeared relieved. "Good."
"Try to go to sleep, Ei-chan."
"But the room is spinning," he complained.
"Try anyway. Just close your eyes," Ash said softly.
Eiji closed his eyes and, despite his worries, was out within minutes.
"Dear God, Eiji, were ya trying to kill me tonight?" Ash whispered to himself, with a fond smile, as he watched the boy drift to sleep.