[Fic] - The Hard Way - chapter 6 - part 2
Chapter 6 - Part 2
“Here, it’s on me” With that said a glass of unknown yellow liquid was put in front of Ren in their usual cafe.
“Thanks, Ogata” he replied taking a sip.
“Yamato is fine. Come on, cheers!” the chinking sound made by two the glasses echoed in the silent cafe and both of the boys sipped their drinks while trying to hide their smile from the other.
“Your wounds any better?”
“Hmm. Yours?”
“Yeah.” Not knowing what to say they kept their attention on the drinks.
“How did you get beer when you are underage and wearing school uniforms on top of that?” Ren had to ask.
“The barmen figured it was a special case and of course thanks to my ability to convince him” Yamato said cheekily.
“Yeah, sure... look, I... thanks for following and bringing help for us.” Ren was blushing but managed a straight face.
“You are welcome. We are equal now. You helped me out before remember?” So he came because he was indebted to me... was the thought that crossed Ren’s mind but Yamato surprised him with saying
“Still, if you ever need me, I mean us... all of the group, we will be fighting with or for you, Ren.”
“Yamato! Why are you promising such things when I was nothing but an ass the last few weeks?”
“Well” Yamato paused as if he was thinking “I’d like to believe you had other reasons for your actions than what you had been letting out.” The taller boy had to gulp.
“What do you believe it is to be then?” He concentrated on the beer.
“Love?”
Ren choked on his drink. “Love??” was the reply in a cracked tone. He nudged away coughing, ready to run.
“Ah,” Yamato said casually “You love us so much that you figured it would be mentally healthier for us to leave so you wouldn’t spread your idiocy further.”
“Stupid.”
“Joking aside, I’d like to learn or at least confirm my theory, Kazama. Care to elaborate?”
“You sound angry.”
“I am angry. Making a dramatic exit the last day we met, and then finding you half conscious, all beaten up has peeked my curiosity.”
“Oh... Sorry about that.” Ren crouched as if to hide from Yamato. He wasn’t aware of Yamato’s concern, if that’s what he saw in the latter’s eyes, let alone his anger. He thought him staying away was a good thing yet even if he didn’t want to hurt his friends, it didn’t mean he already hadn’t done it by walking away unannounced or dramatically.
Yamato raised an eyebrow expecting a better answer.
“Well, that’s all you’ll get. Nothing more.” Ren said averting his gaze from the boy.
“Eh?”
“You were such a bully last time we met as well as an ass. So...”
“I am not a bully!”
“Kazama is the one decided to take it cool and just because he returned with his tail between his legs, doesn’t mean I will accept him.” Ren imitated “Yeah you were such a nice friend!” The shorter boy had his mouth open for the longest time before replying.
“Keep your sympathy is what you said. So be grateful we came to rescue you.”
“About that. How did you find me? I thought I lost you somewhere near the fountain.”
“I had. Then Kuma-san called me telling what new stupidity you were up to.” Yamato informed Ren without thinking.
“So you admit having followed me?” It was the shorter boy’s turn to choke on his drink. As Ren laughed hard, Yamato regained his posture.
“Shut up. I knew you would end up like this.” He said while coughing and started laughing as well “You always need my protection.”
“I do, don’t I? But you do too!”
“I suppose so” Ogata Yamato watched the boy beside who was had a goofy look with a smile on his face. He felt alive and in peace after such a long time. He had missed Ren after all and to be able to make him happy, somehow made Yamato pleased. He wanted to preserve it and create new moments like this one with the taller boy.
If only he knew how to win him back, as a whole not only as a friend. Maybe it was time the cousins get together in a temporary alliance to take back what was truly theirs.
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The day after they had made up, Hayato helped Ryu to pack up and go to his own house to rest. Even if they were fine now, he couldn’t shake of the insecurity he felt. He wished to speak many things with Ryu, yet he couldn’t decide which one to start from; about what they were doing in the days he had missed at school, or what he was up to in those days; about the things he ate, played or the reasons he didn’t take care of himself good.
Even before the beating Ryu seemed weak, Kazama was there for him without a doubt but there wasn’t many people who can surpass Ryu’s stubbornness; was Kazama one of them? Was Hayato one of them? He liked Ryu, a lot but that wasn’t a proof of what Ryu thought of him. This subject was the one Hayato wanted to discuss most; their future, together as a couple or together as friends?
“And” he started talking “You are joining us tomorrow?”
“Yes, I am well enough to go to school. It’s gonna be awkward to be within friends after so long.” Ryu said while pushing in the last bits of his clothing.
“It’s not only friends, there is going to be other like... well... your” boyfriend? No, too early for that. Maybe...
“Family? God forbid. I am happier when there is a certain amount of distance between us.”
“No, I meant me as in...”
“AS in what?” Ryu persisted wanting to hear the suggestion. “My leader?”
“No, that is too formal. You can call me Haya-chan in public. I mean me as in... well, you see...”
“OH, never mind it, Yabuki. You shouldn’t use your brain too much. Apparently it caused a shortage!”
“Hey, hey, watch it. I am still the leader!” Ryu snorted and walked pass by him, brushing their shoulders lightly. Hayato smiled to that following the boy outside but he bumped into Ryu when the boy in front of him abruptly stopped.
“Ne, Hayato”
“Yes?”
“I have a favour to ask of you.”
“It’s rare for you to ask for help. Let me hear it.”
“Stop it.”
“Eh? What have I done again?” Ryu was troubled, afraid to voice out his proposition and his reaction. He dropped the bag and his fingers curled around the taller boy’s biceps feeling them tensing under his touch.
“Can you stop getting yourself into fights?”
“Why are you bringing it up now?” His heart skipped a beat; Hayato was serious.
“I have had it with seeing all of you in pain, always injured one way or the other, always fighting meaninglessly.”
“Meaningless? Is that what you really think, Odagiri? That I fight for fun only?”
“I am not saying that all of your fights are without good reasons.”
“But most are?” Hayato crossed his arms expecting an answer.
“Honestly, yes they are.”
“Then maybe you should have confined yourself to Kazama and not me.” He rushed towards the door but Ryu was quicker. He gripped the taller boy’s sleeve refusing to let go.
“Please. Each time you start a fight, even if you win, you still end up hurt. I am not saying you should not defend yourself. Surely you must but don’t go around looking for trouble.” Ryu leaned on to his shoulder “When I bowed down for Take’s sake, I knew that it was a step I couldn’t take back and that its consequences would affect you. And it did so. After that, was it so bad to be relieved of them?”
“At the cost of being mocked, Ryu. My reputation was ruined. To be able to protect those who are with me I have to keep my attitude or they will attack none stop. Can’t you see it?”
“Whether you keep it or not they will attack. Are you afraid of being bullied? No, you are not! Protecting someone comes first but when you are acting wrong, it doesn’t matter. You would still be hurting your friends.”
“Ryu...” Hayato clicked his tongue trying to give a smart answer.
“We can end it once and for all. The only way to win is to beat them in their own game. If they can’t get satisfaction, they will not come back.”
“Or we can beat them up! That would help too” Ryu didn’t loosen his grip but avoided Hayato’s eyes with standing behind him.
“They will simply return when they heal.”
“Are you that worried to suggest this?”
“Yes, I am. I am worried that next time we decide to protect our pride and not people; someone will be kicked out of school. I am worried that the next time someone ends up in hospital, they won’t leave. And I am worried that next time it will bring nothing but more pain.”
The dark brunette sighed deeply “You had this on your mind for a while, haven’t you?”
“I had the time while laying in a hospital room, alone.”
“I... I see. Fine. Just to ease your worries, I won’t jump into fights then.”
“And you won’t cause them as well.”
“Yeah, that too. You have my word.”
“Then, please keep it.” Hayato lips formed a shy smile and he reached for Ryu’s hand on his shoulder, slowly caressing it.
“I won’t lie to you, Ryu. I might have to try real hard and I won’t stand by to watch my friends get beaten up.”
“I know and I trust your judgement on deciding which ones to fight or not.”
“Thanks. It is the first nice thing you said to me today. And stop being so cheesy, it’s too weird.”
“Heh. Sorry.”
Hayato got the bag from the floor and headed for the exit with Ryu beside him. The taller boy somehow felt like the burden he had been carrying has been lifted; not completely gone but was lighter as his companion took some of it from him. He was glad that Ryu stood by him. If it was someone else they wouldn’t have accepted him. They never did. Yet that one light brunette didn’t have a problem with his way. He understood almost as if they have completed each other. Being different wasn’t an issue to either nor was the fact that Ryu had Kazama.
Yes, Kazama... Now they were together did that mean Ryu would be back to Hayato? That was a subject they needed to clear out before Hayato found himself on top of Ryu, or the other way around.
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P.S. Sorry it took me longer to edit and finish up. I thought I didn’t have enough but ended with ten pages =)) I was meant to post it yesterday but ended up reading fanfics and watching merlin, somehow. Wanted to post it before my exam tomorrow; wish me luck =)
Hope you enjoyed it!
Chapter 7;
http://shiroakuma.livejournal.com/3612.html