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tampered2007-07-28 04:02 am
elegantorchid.livejournal.com) wrote in tampered2007-07-28 04:02 am
[ Complete ] Subaru x Ranmaru - This is What I See
When; After this and before this
Rating; PG-13 [ Fluff/MxM stuff]
Characters; Sakurazuka Subaru [![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
ikigainashi] & Mori Ranmaru [elegantorchid]
Summary; Ranmaru and Subaru go on a date after a period of separation and talk over all that has happened and realize certain things between them never changed. Perhaps some things are better left to chance. ♥
Log;
In all honesty the visit to the zoo couldn't have come at a better time. With everything that was happening, Ranmaru had been beyond frustrated and it wasn't so much as the fact that he had been taken by force bothering him, but the fact that Alexis Hargreaves had tried again. What did he take him for? And with his deranged ghost-like son after him for a medical examination, it was all Ranmaru could do not to shut himself away. But that would be what they'd want, wouldn't they? To make sure he didn't get in their way, well. That wasn't happening. Especially not when he had a promise to keep... and by Inari's seven tails, he would fix this.
And the first step towards it was emotional healing. Though Subaru was the last person he expected for it to begin with. As it stood, he had come to terms with the fact that they had no possible future together, and this only reinstated the feelings he had been trying to suppress.
In the end it didn't matter. It was something fun... and goodness knew, they all needed it. Which was why he asked Subaru out on this 'date', recalling quite clearly that he loved animals. And sure enough, the date was enough of a success so far. Ranmaru was fascinated by the zoo, enough to completely forget about the mess he'd gotten into, and Subaru's presence was a motivator in itself- it just felt like coming home when he was there, and he even behaved like his old self. Curious, always asking questions, surprised at how the animals were kept and how many different kinds they were. There were some creatures he hadn't even seen before and was enchanted by them.
The day was pleasant, and at the sound of a strange sort of singing and twittering, Ranmaru grabbed Subaru's arm for the umpteenth time that day, pointing ahead. "Subaru-san, Subaru-san, look!!" As they came past a beautiful Lyrebird display, each singing at different, amazing levels that had Ranmaru entranced. "Uwahhh... it's actually singing!!" They might have been trained, like parrots, but it was still fascinating nonetheless.
The day had been rather unsettling for him. He had gotten used to a new norm... Rather than running to Ranmaru's at the first sign of trouble, he had merely gotten into the habit of...dealing with said trouble, which usually meant putting up with Seishirou and Fuuma far too much. It was nice to rewind time and enjoy something he loved with someone that he loved.
Unfortunately, such sentiments couldn't really be expressed... It didn't matter that Ranmaru was acting like nothing had happened between them, Subaru still kept his guard up. ...Or rather, he tried. It was hard to keep up the walls when faced with Ranmaru's laughter and the antics of the myriad of animals the zoo offered.
The lyrebirds especially amused him. He knew that they normally only courted in winter, and yet there was a male trying to put a show on for a female. Such was the influence of the City, of course... It housed creatures only in myth.
The singing was gorgeous, but the dance made him turn his face away a bit to hide a slight smile. "They're good at mimicking other birds..."
Ranmaru's hands were on the railing as he watched the pretty birds in the display- he really liked that they were all kept in areas where they could easily move around and mimic a natural habitat. A form of captivity, but at least a comfortable one, and there were creatures he had only seen in myths. Subaru knew much about animals, and it showed in the interest he showed in the creatures around them- it was almost cute and Ranmaru could have sworn he had seen the other look at -peace- after a long while.
When Subaru spoken, Ranmaru turned to look at him, eyes wide with interest. "Really? Like parrots?" Turning back to the creature, he grinned and tried to hum along with it. Such an ethereal tune, he wondered where it had heard it. "It's like the spawn of a nightingale and a peacock!" This day had been interesting, relaxing and more than that... soothing. He turned to Subaru, and leaning back against the railing, looking at his date.
"Are you enjoying yourself, Subaru-san?" he asked him. Then, chancing it, he looked to a side and added, "This... must have been awkward for you. Especially after how Ranmaru behaved..." he trailed off, sighing, and then looked back up at him. He wanted to say more, but he stopped himself and laughed quickly. "A-ah, would you like some ice cream? Ranmaru saw a vendor nearby..."
Ranmaru's behavior was almost intoxicating. It was easy to remember why he had gotten so attached. Ranmaru reminded him of a tamer version of his sister...and his old self. What an odd combination, and that comparison just left him confused.
"...Ice cream is fine..." he murmured softly in response, moving away from the railing so that Ranmaru could lead the way to the vendor he had spotted. Then, with his pockets slipping into his coat, he glanced to the younger man before centering his gaze straight ahead.
"You were not wrong in how you acted, Ranmaru-san. It's better this way. You were right. Truthfully, though, it would be better if we didn't interact at all... Seishirou-san likes taunting you too much."
He would have been confused had he heard the comparison as well, and while it was better that he hadn't, he did turn as Subaru spoke. No longer depressed about the fact that they weren't together- even though it was obvious his feelings hadn't changed, he felt like he could talk about it without making Subaru uncomfortable.
"Ranmaru... acted like a brat." he stated simply, moving his hands behind his back and lowering his head almost apologetically. "As for Seishirou-san... when does he not? Heh." idly kicking a pebble in his path, he glanced up at the vendor stall, then looked down again.
"He'd probably have more reason to, now." He added quietly, a bitter smile appearing on his face as he thought back to Alexis. And he instantly regretted it, he wasn't supposed to talk about that now, when they were having fun!
Seishirou was never a pleasant topic, and Subaru regretted bringing him up. But now that he had, and now that the fun and games portion has subsided, it was probably best to stick with it. It was not a part of his life that could be ignored anymore.
"...You reacted to protect yourself, Ranmaru-san, because you're a warrior...and you need to live with dignity." Slowly, the man came to a halt, fiddling with the lighter in his pocket a moment before pulling it and a pack of cigarettes out, preparing to light up.
"I can't offer you anything that you need or deserve. Why did you invite me along with you here?"
Ranmaru paused, feeling a sort of sting at the question, but knew Subaru would ask it eventually. Which answer did he want to give him? That he was frightened for him and wanted to make sure that by harming Alexis Hargreaves, they had now involved themselves in a semi-war with the internal affairs of the Hargreaves family? Or the fact that he was grateful for him doing that for him at all? Or the main fact that amidst all of this, all the trouble and anger that was going on around this place, he still loved him, and wanted to protect him?
He remained quiet for a bit, before he turned and looked at Subaru with a neutral expression.
"Should there really be a reason like needing or deserving someone's company to go out with them?" he asked then, tilting his head a bit and moving his arms behind his back. Subaru was going to smoke again and while he made no motion to stop him, Ranmaru had never been one for it. Then, an ironic thought hit him, and he couldn't help but chuckle a little.
"Perhaps I invited you for the same reason you're always smoking, Subaru-san. Perhaps..." he shook his head. "I'm addicted." He walked ahead of him, half-expecting Subaru to run away now that he'd said it, and he shook his head again, looking over his shoulder. "Ranmaru would have thought it was obvious your company was missed." he could say it so easily, but the emotion was there in his eyes as he turned away to look ahead of himself.
"Are you... disgusted with me now, that you had to ask such a thing?"
Addicted? The very idea seemed utterly absurd. And...unhealthy. It immediately set off alarms in Subaru's head, and the cigarette drooped before he could light it.
Addiction was not healthy. Since when did Ranmaru have unhealthy relationships? It was starting to sound like him and--
"No," he answered roughly, refusing to move, and he was quick to drop the cigarette and stop on it pointedly. Which part he was saying no to, however, remained unknown.
Ranmaru didn't turn around, but he knew, or at least assumed what Subaru may have been saying no to. And he looked down at his feet, smiling a bit, before he chuckled to himself. "Sorry... sorry. That was the wrong thing to say, Subaru-san." He remained there with his back turned.
"I cannot fool myself into thinking we have a future together. However..." he raised his head, looking ahead of him. "... it's alright to be with you when I can, isn't it?" It hurt to say that and suddenly Ranmaru wished Subaru hadn't asked him. It was a painful subject. "I never cared of Seishirou-san then... and right now, I..." he paused. "... I just want it to be us, even it's for a little while."
He was clear enough. He still loved Subaru, but he had let him go, like that saying. If you love someone, let them free. "Being with you... makes me happy. I wish it wouldn't make you sad."
It had been a mistake to agree to go along on this trip. As soon as Ranmaru had said the word 'date', Subaru should have declined. But he had thought maybe it was a joke. A figure of speech. Nothing important.
Ranmaru had been the one to cut him loose... And it had hurt, but then things had been simple. They had known their place. Different worlds. Different destinies. Intertwining only brought misery and disaster, and were the small moments of happiness truly worth it all? Could he truly endure that again? Could he allow Ranmaru to?
The smart thing would have been to tell him something cold, and to leave. An addiction was never healthy. But instead all he could do was let the lighter and pack slip and fall, the light spreading from the ground when they hit. It took concentration, but even if his mind was in turmoil, his heart felt clear, and the maboroshi only came naturally then, in order to hide them from the world.
Both arms lifted to envelope the younger man from behind, one arm sweeping around his waist to hold him close while his other hand lifted to shield his eyes from the bright light as it surrounded them. When he pulled that hand away a moment later, they were in the zoo again, but it was devoid of people and animals. There was no laughter, and there were no foot falls or bird songs. Just silence, and a chill in the air that seemed to want to touch them but stayed at bay.
"This is my world, Ranmaru. This is all I see."
Cold...
Ranmaru could feel the build-up of magic even without the other needing to say anything, or without him needing to look. He began to turn around though, when he heard, or thought he heard something fall- and suddenly, he felt no reason to...
Emptiness filled with warmth.
He could feel himself being held, and that alone nearly made him want to cry. How long had it been since he'd been held by Subaru like this? At this moment, life and death didn't matter, and he was overcome with the madness of his own memory-- how many nights had he spent, holding this very man's body as he slept? He kept himself still, though, and as the darkness came, he only inhaled once, but never released. It was safe here, wasn't it? Dark, empty... safe.
And now, when he opened his eyes again, he didn't turn his head because without looking he knew where they were. It didn't make him any less sadder, but he did remain as close to Subaru, tilting his head to a side slightly and looking almost dazed at the world around them.
Regarding it with an almost sad look, Ranmaru moved a hand to cover Subaru's around his waist and he found himself smiling.
"And yet.." he stated, and as he moved his hand off, he only turned around so he could face the man directly, expression serene. "... we're still here together."
Subaru would never really know where he stood in the world. Seishirou had ruined that stable footing and shaken it up, and made it so that the only sure thing would be Seishirou's presence, and the pain that always followed. It had been a system, and it was a system that Subaru hadn't been willing to break even after the man's death.
But now all he wanted to do was fight it, and it was a terrifying thought. Could he love two people and not be torn in two? Despite that thought, he didn't step back when Ranmaru turned, as tempted as he was. The maboroshi wavered, but he was sure to keep it there. He never would be able to act like this in public... It was hard enough in private.
And though his brow crinkled a bit from concentration, a smile still hinted at his lips as he moved to cradle Ranmaru's cheek, gazing down at him in a shy sort of adoration. "This is all I see," he repeated.
The boy's expression changed, and probably for the first time that Subaru might have known Ranmaru, he'd experience the sight of him looking a little less than composed. Because the moment Subaru said the words, and his hand came to his cheek, Ranmaru found himself lost in the other's mismatched gaze. His cheeks warmed, and a hand absently went to hold the other's against his face, discouraging him from moving it away. It never showed in the otherwise confident warrior, but he was shy by nature to affection, yet it was obvious he didn't mind.
It was their world. It was just them. And it was as though nothing had ever mattered. Nothing had ever gone wrong.
Perhaps everything was spinning, but they were still in one place, because Ranmaru then smiled and nodded once, before he raised his free hand to Subaru's cheek and whispered just the next words.
"This is all I ever want to see...
... as long as I can see you happy."
And as the words were said, he focused himself. Then, all was lost because he then stood up higher, and drew Subaru's face down- and closed the space between them, capturing his mouth with his own, and releasing Subaru's hand, he slid his own to the side of the other's waist, pulling him against him. But that wasn't the only thing he did. As though offering the maboroshi a hand of it's own, he put his own training into some use. The Musou that protected them in time, circled itself around the maboroshi to act as a guard to allow the world to remain the way it did, and support Subaru's focus.
He kissed him once more. Nothing else mattered. Now, nothing else would.
As long as I can see you happy.
It was a promise that Subaru didn't want to make... He couldn't promise his happiness. But he could promise that he would try. He could never sever Seishirou from his life, even if he had wanted to. Running away, covering the marks, or cutting out his right eye... They were all ingrained in him too deeply.
But for the first time in as long as he could remember, he could see other colors woven into this tapestry of black and gold.
The support surprised him, but it was appreciated, as it was so hard to concentrate on anything else when he was being kissed and touched in ways that were warm and welcome and...everything else that he was so very not used to. It was terrible how awkward he felt then, actually attempting to kiss someone back, but he still wouldn't have traded it for anything.
It was surprising that Subaru was kissing him back, but he wasn't going to complain. He had known, from the beginning itself, what Subaru was like, how his emotions, his madness had pretty much taken him ever since Seishirou had destroyed it in that one fell swoop. It had been damaging, yes... and perhaps, in that wreck, Ranmaru had frustrated himself...
But it didn't deny what he felt. And perhaps he felt guilty, that he was stepping into something that was destined to go on without him. They'd seen it once, been separated because of it... but that didn't mean it would have to happen again. However, neither he could deny it nor anyone else...
If their destinies were never meant to cross, their feelings wouldn't have either.
Let time stop now, and trap them here. And as he held Subaru closer, drawing back slightly to only look into his eyes, hand against his cheek, the very hand that had the back of it marked by this very man, and gave him a content smile.
He didn't say it, but it shone in his eyes, and he knew he didn't need to repeat himself. Their destinies were changing from what they were before they came into this City. And would continue to do so as long as they were here.
Seishirou. Fuuma. Kamui. Chi no Ryu. Keep your destinies where they are.
My own will move ahead with his. We'll make sure of it.
Rating; PG-13 [ Fluff/MxM stuff]
Characters; Sakurazuka Subaru [
ikigainashi] & Mori Ranmaru [elegantorchid]Summary; Ranmaru and Subaru go on a date after a period of separation and talk over all that has happened and realize certain things between them never changed. Perhaps some things are better left to chance. ♥
Log;
In all honesty the visit to the zoo couldn't have come at a better time. With everything that was happening, Ranmaru had been beyond frustrated and it wasn't so much as the fact that he had been taken by force bothering him, but the fact that Alexis Hargreaves had tried again. What did he take him for? And with his deranged ghost-like son after him for a medical examination, it was all Ranmaru could do not to shut himself away. But that would be what they'd want, wouldn't they? To make sure he didn't get in their way, well. That wasn't happening. Especially not when he had a promise to keep... and by Inari's seven tails, he would fix this.
And the first step towards it was emotional healing. Though Subaru was the last person he expected for it to begin with. As it stood, he had come to terms with the fact that they had no possible future together, and this only reinstated the feelings he had been trying to suppress.
In the end it didn't matter. It was something fun... and goodness knew, they all needed it. Which was why he asked Subaru out on this 'date', recalling quite clearly that he loved animals. And sure enough, the date was enough of a success so far. Ranmaru was fascinated by the zoo, enough to completely forget about the mess he'd gotten into, and Subaru's presence was a motivator in itself- it just felt like coming home when he was there, and he even behaved like his old self. Curious, always asking questions, surprised at how the animals were kept and how many different kinds they were. There were some creatures he hadn't even seen before and was enchanted by them.
The day was pleasant, and at the sound of a strange sort of singing and twittering, Ranmaru grabbed Subaru's arm for the umpteenth time that day, pointing ahead. "Subaru-san, Subaru-san, look!!" As they came past a beautiful Lyrebird display, each singing at different, amazing levels that had Ranmaru entranced. "Uwahhh... it's actually singing!!" They might have been trained, like parrots, but it was still fascinating nonetheless.
The day had been rather unsettling for him. He had gotten used to a new norm... Rather than running to Ranmaru's at the first sign of trouble, he had merely gotten into the habit of...dealing with said trouble, which usually meant putting up with Seishirou and Fuuma far too much. It was nice to rewind time and enjoy something he loved with someone that he loved.
Unfortunately, such sentiments couldn't really be expressed... It didn't matter that Ranmaru was acting like nothing had happened between them, Subaru still kept his guard up. ...Or rather, he tried. It was hard to keep up the walls when faced with Ranmaru's laughter and the antics of the myriad of animals the zoo offered.
The lyrebirds especially amused him. He knew that they normally only courted in winter, and yet there was a male trying to put a show on for a female. Such was the influence of the City, of course... It housed creatures only in myth.
The singing was gorgeous, but the dance made him turn his face away a bit to hide a slight smile. "They're good at mimicking other birds..."
Ranmaru's hands were on the railing as he watched the pretty birds in the display- he really liked that they were all kept in areas where they could easily move around and mimic a natural habitat. A form of captivity, but at least a comfortable one, and there were creatures he had only seen in myths. Subaru knew much about animals, and it showed in the interest he showed in the creatures around them- it was almost cute and Ranmaru could have sworn he had seen the other look at -peace- after a long while.
When Subaru spoken, Ranmaru turned to look at him, eyes wide with interest. "Really? Like parrots?" Turning back to the creature, he grinned and tried to hum along with it. Such an ethereal tune, he wondered where it had heard it. "It's like the spawn of a nightingale and a peacock!" This day had been interesting, relaxing and more than that... soothing. He turned to Subaru, and leaning back against the railing, looking at his date.
"Are you enjoying yourself, Subaru-san?" he asked him. Then, chancing it, he looked to a side and added, "This... must have been awkward for you. Especially after how Ranmaru behaved..." he trailed off, sighing, and then looked back up at him. He wanted to say more, but he stopped himself and laughed quickly. "A-ah, would you like some ice cream? Ranmaru saw a vendor nearby..."
Ranmaru's behavior was almost intoxicating. It was easy to remember why he had gotten so attached. Ranmaru reminded him of a tamer version of his sister...and his old self. What an odd combination, and that comparison just left him confused.
"...Ice cream is fine..." he murmured softly in response, moving away from the railing so that Ranmaru could lead the way to the vendor he had spotted. Then, with his pockets slipping into his coat, he glanced to the younger man before centering his gaze straight ahead.
"You were not wrong in how you acted, Ranmaru-san. It's better this way. You were right. Truthfully, though, it would be better if we didn't interact at all... Seishirou-san likes taunting you too much."
He would have been confused had he heard the comparison as well, and while it was better that he hadn't, he did turn as Subaru spoke. No longer depressed about the fact that they weren't together- even though it was obvious his feelings hadn't changed, he felt like he could talk about it without making Subaru uncomfortable.
"Ranmaru... acted like a brat." he stated simply, moving his hands behind his back and lowering his head almost apologetically. "As for Seishirou-san... when does he not? Heh." idly kicking a pebble in his path, he glanced up at the vendor stall, then looked down again.
"He'd probably have more reason to, now." He added quietly, a bitter smile appearing on his face as he thought back to Alexis. And he instantly regretted it, he wasn't supposed to talk about that now, when they were having fun!
Seishirou was never a pleasant topic, and Subaru regretted bringing him up. But now that he had, and now that the fun and games portion has subsided, it was probably best to stick with it. It was not a part of his life that could be ignored anymore.
"...You reacted to protect yourself, Ranmaru-san, because you're a warrior...and you need to live with dignity." Slowly, the man came to a halt, fiddling with the lighter in his pocket a moment before pulling it and a pack of cigarettes out, preparing to light up.
"I can't offer you anything that you need or deserve. Why did you invite me along with you here?"
Ranmaru paused, feeling a sort of sting at the question, but knew Subaru would ask it eventually. Which answer did he want to give him? That he was frightened for him and wanted to make sure that by harming Alexis Hargreaves, they had now involved themselves in a semi-war with the internal affairs of the Hargreaves family? Or the fact that he was grateful for him doing that for him at all? Or the main fact that amidst all of this, all the trouble and anger that was going on around this place, he still loved him, and wanted to protect him?
He remained quiet for a bit, before he turned and looked at Subaru with a neutral expression.
"Should there really be a reason like needing or deserving someone's company to go out with them?" he asked then, tilting his head a bit and moving his arms behind his back. Subaru was going to smoke again and while he made no motion to stop him, Ranmaru had never been one for it. Then, an ironic thought hit him, and he couldn't help but chuckle a little.
"Perhaps I invited you for the same reason you're always smoking, Subaru-san. Perhaps..." he shook his head. "I'm addicted." He walked ahead of him, half-expecting Subaru to run away now that he'd said it, and he shook his head again, looking over his shoulder. "Ranmaru would have thought it was obvious your company was missed." he could say it so easily, but the emotion was there in his eyes as he turned away to look ahead of himself.
"Are you... disgusted with me now, that you had to ask such a thing?"
Addicted? The very idea seemed utterly absurd. And...unhealthy. It immediately set off alarms in Subaru's head, and the cigarette drooped before he could light it.
Addiction was not healthy. Since when did Ranmaru have unhealthy relationships? It was starting to sound like him and--
"No," he answered roughly, refusing to move, and he was quick to drop the cigarette and stop on it pointedly. Which part he was saying no to, however, remained unknown.
Ranmaru didn't turn around, but he knew, or at least assumed what Subaru may have been saying no to. And he looked down at his feet, smiling a bit, before he chuckled to himself. "Sorry... sorry. That was the wrong thing to say, Subaru-san." He remained there with his back turned.
"I cannot fool myself into thinking we have a future together. However..." he raised his head, looking ahead of him. "... it's alright to be with you when I can, isn't it?" It hurt to say that and suddenly Ranmaru wished Subaru hadn't asked him. It was a painful subject. "I never cared of Seishirou-san then... and right now, I..." he paused. "... I just want it to be us, even it's for a little while."
He was clear enough. He still loved Subaru, but he had let him go, like that saying. If you love someone, let them free. "Being with you... makes me happy. I wish it wouldn't make you sad."
It had been a mistake to agree to go along on this trip. As soon as Ranmaru had said the word 'date', Subaru should have declined. But he had thought maybe it was a joke. A figure of speech. Nothing important.
Ranmaru had been the one to cut him loose... And it had hurt, but then things had been simple. They had known their place. Different worlds. Different destinies. Intertwining only brought misery and disaster, and were the small moments of happiness truly worth it all? Could he truly endure that again? Could he allow Ranmaru to?
The smart thing would have been to tell him something cold, and to leave. An addiction was never healthy. But instead all he could do was let the lighter and pack slip and fall, the light spreading from the ground when they hit. It took concentration, but even if his mind was in turmoil, his heart felt clear, and the maboroshi only came naturally then, in order to hide them from the world.
Both arms lifted to envelope the younger man from behind, one arm sweeping around his waist to hold him close while his other hand lifted to shield his eyes from the bright light as it surrounded them. When he pulled that hand away a moment later, they were in the zoo again, but it was devoid of people and animals. There was no laughter, and there were no foot falls or bird songs. Just silence, and a chill in the air that seemed to want to touch them but stayed at bay.
"This is my world, Ranmaru. This is all I see."
Cold...
Ranmaru could feel the build-up of magic even without the other needing to say anything, or without him needing to look. He began to turn around though, when he heard, or thought he heard something fall- and suddenly, he felt no reason to...
Emptiness filled with warmth.
He could feel himself being held, and that alone nearly made him want to cry. How long had it been since he'd been held by Subaru like this? At this moment, life and death didn't matter, and he was overcome with the madness of his own memory-- how many nights had he spent, holding this very man's body as he slept? He kept himself still, though, and as the darkness came, he only inhaled once, but never released. It was safe here, wasn't it? Dark, empty... safe.
And now, when he opened his eyes again, he didn't turn his head because without looking he knew where they were. It didn't make him any less sadder, but he did remain as close to Subaru, tilting his head to a side slightly and looking almost dazed at the world around them.
Regarding it with an almost sad look, Ranmaru moved a hand to cover Subaru's around his waist and he found himself smiling.
"And yet.." he stated, and as he moved his hand off, he only turned around so he could face the man directly, expression serene. "... we're still here together."
Subaru would never really know where he stood in the world. Seishirou had ruined that stable footing and shaken it up, and made it so that the only sure thing would be Seishirou's presence, and the pain that always followed. It had been a system, and it was a system that Subaru hadn't been willing to break even after the man's death.
But now all he wanted to do was fight it, and it was a terrifying thought. Could he love two people and not be torn in two? Despite that thought, he didn't step back when Ranmaru turned, as tempted as he was. The maboroshi wavered, but he was sure to keep it there. He never would be able to act like this in public... It was hard enough in private.
And though his brow crinkled a bit from concentration, a smile still hinted at his lips as he moved to cradle Ranmaru's cheek, gazing down at him in a shy sort of adoration. "This is all I see," he repeated.
The boy's expression changed, and probably for the first time that Subaru might have known Ranmaru, he'd experience the sight of him looking a little less than composed. Because the moment Subaru said the words, and his hand came to his cheek, Ranmaru found himself lost in the other's mismatched gaze. His cheeks warmed, and a hand absently went to hold the other's against his face, discouraging him from moving it away. It never showed in the otherwise confident warrior, but he was shy by nature to affection, yet it was obvious he didn't mind.
It was their world. It was just them. And it was as though nothing had ever mattered. Nothing had ever gone wrong.
Perhaps everything was spinning, but they were still in one place, because Ranmaru then smiled and nodded once, before he raised his free hand to Subaru's cheek and whispered just the next words.
"This is all I ever want to see...
... as long as I can see you happy."
And as the words were said, he focused himself. Then, all was lost because he then stood up higher, and drew Subaru's face down- and closed the space between them, capturing his mouth with his own, and releasing Subaru's hand, he slid his own to the side of the other's waist, pulling him against him. But that wasn't the only thing he did. As though offering the maboroshi a hand of it's own, he put his own training into some use. The Musou that protected them in time, circled itself around the maboroshi to act as a guard to allow the world to remain the way it did, and support Subaru's focus.
He kissed him once more. Nothing else mattered. Now, nothing else would.
As long as I can see you happy.
It was a promise that Subaru didn't want to make... He couldn't promise his happiness. But he could promise that he would try. He could never sever Seishirou from his life, even if he had wanted to. Running away, covering the marks, or cutting out his right eye... They were all ingrained in him too deeply.
But for the first time in as long as he could remember, he could see other colors woven into this tapestry of black and gold.
The support surprised him, but it was appreciated, as it was so hard to concentrate on anything else when he was being kissed and touched in ways that were warm and welcome and...everything else that he was so very not used to. It was terrible how awkward he felt then, actually attempting to kiss someone back, but he still wouldn't have traded it for anything.
It was surprising that Subaru was kissing him back, but he wasn't going to complain. He had known, from the beginning itself, what Subaru was like, how his emotions, his madness had pretty much taken him ever since Seishirou had destroyed it in that one fell swoop. It had been damaging, yes... and perhaps, in that wreck, Ranmaru had frustrated himself...
But it didn't deny what he felt. And perhaps he felt guilty, that he was stepping into something that was destined to go on without him. They'd seen it once, been separated because of it... but that didn't mean it would have to happen again. However, neither he could deny it nor anyone else...
If their destinies were never meant to cross, their feelings wouldn't have either.
Let time stop now, and trap them here. And as he held Subaru closer, drawing back slightly to only look into his eyes, hand against his cheek, the very hand that had the back of it marked by this very man, and gave him a content smile.
He didn't say it, but it shone in his eyes, and he knew he didn't need to repeat himself. Their destinies were changing from what they were before they came into this City. And would continue to do so as long as they were here.
Seishirou. Fuuma. Kamui. Chi no Ryu. Keep your destinies where they are.
My own will move ahead with his. We'll make sure of it.