Fanfic: "Need-To-Know Basis"
A short story in which Takumi asks for a favor, and Akira's not too willing to help. This is a b-day present for squirrelarmy (*wavewavewave*), but I hope everyone enjoys it.
Title: Need-To-Know Basis
Rating: PG
Spoilers: To end of series
Pairing: Obvious
When he asks you for lessons in martial arts, your first instinct is to refuse.
“Why?” you ask casually, wondering who the hell put that idea into his head and whose ass you’ll have to kick.
“Why not?” he simply replies. “Will you teach me?”
A thousand reasons ‘why not’ scream through your head.
Reason 1: You don’t want to hurt him. Although he is healthy enough to participate in most sports, the idea of hitting or bruising him leaves you feeling slightly nauseated. You couldn’t hurt him before, so what makes you think you’ll be able to do it now under the pretense of training?
Reason 2: You don’t know if his sister will approve. Not that she can change his mind - you have never met a more stubborn person than the supposedly easy-going Tokiha Takumi - but you’d rather not have her go all Big-Sister-Psycho-Bitch on you when he does wind up coming to class with scrapes and bruises. Makes dealing with the overprotective redhead that much easier if she doesn’t think you’re killing her brother.
Reason 3: You don’t really think he’s got the mindset of a fighter. He could learn the moves in the same way a dancer can - you think he’d be good at that - but you’re pretty damn certain he could never hurt anyone even if they were out to do him in. And what’s the point in learning hand-to-hand combat if not to use it in said situations?
But the most important reason - excuse - keeps flashing before your eyes.
Reason 4: You’re just afraid to teach him.
Maybe it’s your overblown arrogance, borne of taking care of him and protecting him, that makes you hesitate. You’ve never really thought about it before, but maybe you’re not too keen on the idea of him becoming more physically equal with you. And how freaking conceited is that?! Yeah, you’re going to pretend you didn’t have that thought, and you brush your hair out of your eyes in an attempt to hide your shamed blush.
Maybe it’s because you’re worried that he just wants to be taught because he has to prove something. There are the idiots in the class who look down on him for his more effeminate personality quirks, and it’s possible that he wants to do this out of macho pride. If that’s the case, you might just have to beat that idea out of his head in a few minutes.
Or maybe…
Maybe it’s the sobering idea that, as he’s learning from you, he decides that doesn’t want or need you anymore. He’ll realize how much he’s grown over the past year and, while he appreciates the support you gave him then, sees that he doesn’t feel the same towards you. And he’ll take his leave and go on his merry way, letting you become “someone he knew”.
The last thought scares the ever-loving hell out of you, because you’ve seen it happen before. He did it to his sister and you secretly cheered him on the entire time, wanting his independence in lieu of your own. You want to say something blunt and dispassionate that will dispel all interest in aforementioned subject.
But you look into his eyes, which is always a bad idea when you’re trying to be resolved. They are clear of subterfuge, determined but not frantic. His whole body stance is one of careful neutrality; not demanding, but not docile. You realize he won’t ask again if you say no, and he won’t hate you if you were to refuse him, but he won’t let go of the idea. He’ll just go ask someone else, perhaps Natsuki or Midori or even Mikoto, and learn good fighting skills from them - though not as good as yours, of course. Which is why he asked you in the first place.
It hits you in the forehead, this intuitive jump.
He asked you for help.
That alone should have told you about his reasons. He wouldn’t come to you unless it was important to him. You’d fight and die for him - quite literally, if the scenario arose - and you’ll do near anything he asks of you. He means that much to you… and he knows it. He doesn’t abuse that power, though, so for him to actually request something this meaningful means he’s serious. Really serious.
You’re suddenly certain that he must want to learn out of genuine interest, because if it were for a petty reason he’d have gone to Natsuki or one of the others. He deemed you the best person to give him this knowledge.
It’s actually quite flattering. The idea of training him, even for a little while, doesn’t seem so bad anymore.
So you act as if the deliberation in your head was all for show. You lean back in your chair and sigh dramatically and say, “You’re serious, huh? Well, if you’re really that determined… I guess I could show you a few things.”
His face brightens. It’s made your choice that much easier, that much more right.
Over the coming months, as you both wake up early and head to the clearing you’ve chosen for practicing, you eventually realize that teaching him is much more satisfying than always leaving him behind.
You wear the first bruise he gives you like a medal of honor.
Title: Need-To-Know Basis
Rating: PG
Spoilers: To end of series
Pairing: Obvious
When he asks you for lessons in martial arts, your first instinct is to refuse.
“Why?” you ask casually, wondering who the hell put that idea into his head and whose ass you’ll have to kick.
“Why not?” he simply replies. “Will you teach me?”
A thousand reasons ‘why not’ scream through your head.
Reason 1: You don’t want to hurt him. Although he is healthy enough to participate in most sports, the idea of hitting or bruising him leaves you feeling slightly nauseated. You couldn’t hurt him before, so what makes you think you’ll be able to do it now under the pretense of training?
Reason 2: You don’t know if his sister will approve. Not that she can change his mind - you have never met a more stubborn person than the supposedly easy-going Tokiha Takumi - but you’d rather not have her go all Big-Sister-Psycho-Bitch on you when he does wind up coming to class with scrapes and bruises. Makes dealing with the overprotective redhead that much easier if she doesn’t think you’re killing her brother.
Reason 3: You don’t really think he’s got the mindset of a fighter. He could learn the moves in the same way a dancer can - you think he’d be good at that - but you’re pretty damn certain he could never hurt anyone even if they were out to do him in. And what’s the point in learning hand-to-hand combat if not to use it in said situations?
But the most important reason - excuse - keeps flashing before your eyes.
Reason 4: You’re just afraid to teach him.
Maybe it’s your overblown arrogance, borne of taking care of him and protecting him, that makes you hesitate. You’ve never really thought about it before, but maybe you’re not too keen on the idea of him becoming more physically equal with you. And how freaking conceited is that?! Yeah, you’re going to pretend you didn’t have that thought, and you brush your hair out of your eyes in an attempt to hide your shamed blush.
Maybe it’s because you’re worried that he just wants to be taught because he has to prove something. There are the idiots in the class who look down on him for his more effeminate personality quirks, and it’s possible that he wants to do this out of macho pride. If that’s the case, you might just have to beat that idea out of his head in a few minutes.
Or maybe…
Maybe it’s the sobering idea that, as he’s learning from you, he decides that doesn’t want or need you anymore. He’ll realize how much he’s grown over the past year and, while he appreciates the support you gave him then, sees that he doesn’t feel the same towards you. And he’ll take his leave and go on his merry way, letting you become “someone he knew”.
The last thought scares the ever-loving hell out of you, because you’ve seen it happen before. He did it to his sister and you secretly cheered him on the entire time, wanting his independence in lieu of your own. You want to say something blunt and dispassionate that will dispel all interest in aforementioned subject.
But you look into his eyes, which is always a bad idea when you’re trying to be resolved. They are clear of subterfuge, determined but not frantic. His whole body stance is one of careful neutrality; not demanding, but not docile. You realize he won’t ask again if you say no, and he won’t hate you if you were to refuse him, but he won’t let go of the idea. He’ll just go ask someone else, perhaps Natsuki or Midori or even Mikoto, and learn good fighting skills from them - though not as good as yours, of course. Which is why he asked you in the first place.
It hits you in the forehead, this intuitive jump.
He asked you for help.
That alone should have told you about his reasons. He wouldn’t come to you unless it was important to him. You’d fight and die for him - quite literally, if the scenario arose - and you’ll do near anything he asks of you. He means that much to you… and he knows it. He doesn’t abuse that power, though, so for him to actually request something this meaningful means he’s serious. Really serious.
You’re suddenly certain that he must want to learn out of genuine interest, because if it were for a petty reason he’d have gone to Natsuki or one of the others. He deemed you the best person to give him this knowledge.
It’s actually quite flattering. The idea of training him, even for a little while, doesn’t seem so bad anymore.
So you act as if the deliberation in your head was all for show. You lean back in your chair and sigh dramatically and say, “You’re serious, huh? Well, if you’re really that determined… I guess I could show you a few things.”
His face brightens. It’s made your choice that much easier, that much more right.
Over the coming months, as you both wake up early and head to the clearing you’ve chosen for practicing, you eventually realize that teaching him is much more satisfying than always leaving him behind.
You wear the first bruise he gives you like a medal of honor.