Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Over the Hills and Far Away ❯ Shattering the bliss ( Chapter 3 )

Over the Hills and Far Away
A Co-write/Alternate Universe/Songfic from Aubreys_Master and BizarreLoveTriangle

Disclaiming: We don’t own. We don’t claim to. We just like writing stories. Please don’t sue us. Kthx.

Ali says: Symphonic Goth Metal. That’s what I’ve decided Nightwish is. Go download it, seeds of man! Lord Cthulhu demands it! Not really… it’s more likely Lord Cthulhu wants to tentacle rape you. But that’s beside the point.

Chapter 3

Well, after their adventure on the kitchen table Ayame kissed Hatori on the cheek and said he needed to go take an inventory of the valuables in the house. Then he'd need to go out shopping. Just because Shigure was away, and Aaya was having an affair didn't mean he wasn't still going to fulfill his duties as the writer's housewife. Hatori understood this, and just murmured something to the effect of 'all right', before getting up and getting all his clothes fastened on again. The last thing either of them needed was a concerned neighbor coming over to see if everything was all right and to catch them. Ayame also realized this and decided it would be best if he just wore one of his dresses rather than the clothes he had had on. This was smart on both their parts since several people did indeed come to check on Mrs. Sohma. Aaya did eventually get to check through the house and it appeared all that was gone was some jewelry that he didn't care about. Since he wasn't actually a woman, he only owned it for show to begin with.


Under his lover's request, Hatori accompanied Ayame into town later, to get that shopping done. He didn't really feel too bad about not being in his office, anyway. He didn't have many patients, just yet, and none of them came during the day. (Few of them regulars to begin with, anyway.) He'd get his practice going again once Shigure returned, and Ayame would have someone with him.


That was about as exciting as those four Shigure-less days got. People dropped by occasionally or stopped the pretty thing in the streets to make sure she was all right, but that was about it. Of course, when the day of Shigure's arrival came Aaya shooed Hatori back to his office. Not that it mattered, after properly greeting his wife and hearing about what happened with the break in, the writer showed up at Hatori's door.

"Hello, Shigure." Hatori greeted in his usual polite, yet slightly reserved, tone upon opening the door to find his friend standing there.

"Haa-san," The shorter man grinned. "I came to thank you for taking such good care of Aaya." He bowed a little bit, since they were both Japanese. "And to invite you over for dinner as thanks."
Hatori blinked a bit, almost surprised by the offer.

"That's very kind of you." He replied with a small smile. "But, it really wasn't any trouble."

"Maybe, but it could have potentially been very bad if you hadn't been there." Shigure sweat dropped a little.

"Potentially." He agreed with a small shrug. "What time will I be expected?" He wanted to know, after a bit of thought. The best way to keep Shigure clueless was to just act naturally.

"Six." His friend grinned. "I'll tell Aaya you’re coming then."

Hatori nodded once, and offered to let Shigure in, unless he had to get back home. The brunette accepted the offer for entry. Just like Aaya, he hadn't seen his best friend in weeks! He wanted to spend some time with him too!

"How was your trip?" The doctor wanted to know, as he set about making tea. He'd brought some of that with him too. He just couldn't get used to these European teas, no matter how much he tried them--and he'd tried a few by now.

"Boring." Shigure sighed. "Two weeks in a carriage and another week sitting around listening to my editor bargain prices."

"Yes, well," He shrugged a bit, letting the water come to a boil and sitting down again as it did that. "You're back now," was really all he could think of to say.

"Yes, and I have three weeks to make up to poor Aaya." His cousin murmured. "I would like to just bring him with, but my editor said he'd be distracting, or something along that vein." Hatori didn't comment. He couldn't! What would he have said? 'Oh, don't worry, Shigure. I'm sure he's fine because I've been with him while you were gone!'?
"Oh well," Shigure chuckled. "How have things been for you? Get any business?"

"Fair enough, and a little." He replied, getting up to get the tea off, which was obviously boiling. "Respectively." He added. "Of course."

"That's good." Shigure smiled, then snorted. "And how is your French coming along, Haa-san?"

"Not as quickly as I'd like." He admitted with a small sigh. "But, Ayame still says it's faster than yours was."

"That's not saying too much." His friend said slyly. "Since, I was slow on purpose. More time to flirt with Aaya that way."

"That's not something to brag about."

"Maybe," Shigure chuckled. "But at the time I was worse than a schoolboy with his first crush, and I looked for just about any excuse to spend all my time with him."
For a moment, Hatori wondered if Shigure actually knew, and was just trying to guilt him into confessing, but that didn't really matter, because he had no intention of doing so. So, he just nodded, and handed one of his teacups over, in an attempt to busy his friend's mouth with something else, and make him shut up. His friend took the tea with a smile and for the rest of the visit they managed to keep the conversation off of Ayame. Later Shigure bowed and took his leave; he still had quite a bit of time to make up to his wife. Hatori sighed and leaned against his door, once it was shut again. That had been possibly the most stress filled hour of his life.
Ayame had a much easier time with Shigure. He’d already been pretending to love the man for the past two years. His affair didn't change anything at all. He was excited to hear that Hatori had agreed to come though, he wanted to see the man, and he wouldn't have any trouble acting normal.


Hatori discovered something over the few weeks or so. Affairs had easy days, and hard days to pull off. For example, in their case, when Shigure was in the room, it was a hard day, when he was busy or gone it was an easy day. He lost count, after a while, how many times they'd had sex while Shigure was busy upstairs, or some such thing. And the strangest thing was, no matter how guilty he felt around Shigure, it never stopped him from enjoying their next little round.
The episodes that were quite literally behind Shigure's back made Ayame a little nervous. But usually, one touch from Hatori and his worries were forgotten in favor of various carnal desires. Honestly though, all that mattered was Shigure never, ever find out. Since, despite not being in love with him, Aaya still cared a great deal about the writer.


Well, they didn't get caught, so it was all still good. Or so he thought. It was a little under a month later that it happened. It was winter and a light snow was blowing around outside. Shigure was home again, from another business trip. (He'd only returned the night before.) So, Hatori hadn't really been planning on anything special happening (Like a visit from Ayame) that night. Actually, he hadn't been expecting any visitors at all. The last thing he expected to show up at his door was another police officer. The man was frowning deeply when the doctor opened the door.

"'atori Sohma?" He just wanted to be sure before he continued. But Hatori doesn't really speak French, so whatever he said was completely lost on the doctor. All that matters is that some more policemen came in his door and were menacing him with a coil of rope. Hatori frowned at them all, and informed the first one (once he was finished speaking) that he couldn't speak French (just like Ayame had taught him to.). It really was unpleasant to be forced to the door in the middle of a snowstorm to be arrested for reasons he wasn't sure of. Hatori's claims of being unable to speak French were completely ignored. They had a translator at the station, and that's where they were taking him, so it could just wait.
Well, this wasn't good; Hatori noted as they turned him around and started tying his hands behind his back with the rope. And he still wasn't sure what he'd done! So, he was marched right through town. Maybe if he were lucky someone would see and go get Ayame and Shigure... But maybe not. Either way, when he got there, the policeman found the translator who explained to Hatori. Quite plainly: there'd been a robbery, and he was under arrest for it because they'd found his pistol at the site. Hatori blinked in complete confusion. Yes, he had a gun, but it was in his house. Unless, it had accidentally come out of his bag when he'd been going through his medical equipment, never made it back in, and had gotten stolen when Ayame and Shigure's house had been broken into. The poor doctor sighed and proceeded to mutter some very choice Japanese phrases under his breath. The policeman thought that pretty much answered everything right there and was ready to send the doctor off to jail as soon as the sun was up. But the translator was kind enough to request an alibi as to where Hatori had been during the robbery. Well, Hatori thought he had a very good alibi. He was with Ayame. Unfortunately, he couldn't say that. And, since they didn't believe he'd been home, that settled that. He was guilty, regardless of whether he'd actually done it or not. Monaco isn't big enough to have it's own long-term jail, so in the morning Hatori was going to be put on a ship to Marseille. Hatori really didn't appreciate that, either. He knew he should have just stayed in Tokyo--it was Shigure's idea for him to leave in the first place. Idly, while the police were taking care of things, he questioned the translator on various things. (Where he was going, how he was getting there, how long he'd be there, etcetera.) Since apparently, he'd robbed someone with a lot of money and influence he would take his boat trip to Marseille and spend the next ten years there in prison.

Hatori sighed again, and shook his head. "I didn't do it." He informed the translator once more, though he really didn't have much hope of being believed.

"We can't just take your word for it." The other man shrugged. "If you've got someone who can verify an alibi for you, then you might be able to go. But they need to arrest someone." Didn't matter if they'd actually done it or not. Hatori just raised an eyebrow at that last part, and rolled his eyes in a resigned fashion. There seemed to be a slight flaw in that method, but he was in enough trouble already, he didn't need to argue and make things worse. The translator patted his shoulder comfortingly and then headed off to do any of the other duties that came with his job. Hatori was going to spend the rest of the night in the local jail, then the next morning be taken down to the dock to get on his boat.

"Hey," Hatori tried one last thing before he could get out of the room. "I have family in the area, can someone tell them what happened?"

"Yes," The man agreed. "I'll need their names and where abouts they live."

"Shigure and Ayame Sohma." He droned out flatly, before listing off their address to him as well.

"I'll make sure they're told." The translator agreed and went about his business.

"Thank you." He replied softly, before letting his head rest against the wall behind him. This was going to be a long ten years.


It was far too late to be bothering the Sohmas right now. So the translator made a note to go and see them the next day. Maybe after he went with to take this Hatori fellow down to his ship.

"If you're going to make up an alibi, now’s your last chance." The guy warned as they headed down there the next day.

"I told you, I was at home." He replied in an irritated tone. This was wearing down his nerves rather quickly, and he'd had a pounding headache since the night before. "But, I live alone. So you didn't believe me because I have no witnesses." Hatori was told his charges one final time before being ushered onto the ship. The translator headed off to inform the Sohma's what had happened to their cousin.
Needless to say Ayame was less than happy about that. But he managed to keep it toned down, since Shigure was there. He did make sure to ask the translator for a place to send his letters though.


By the time the boat landed in Marseille, Hatori had settled into something between resignation, anger, irritation, and depression. He really didn't appreciate being arrested for something he hadn't done, nor being torn away from Ayame, NOR his house and practice, right when he'd started getting more patients than just injured drunks. It really wasn't fair, as far as he was concerned. Or at all, really.


Aaya's first letter arrived a few days after Hatori did. It was a bitch convincing the wardens to actually give it to the doctor, but they handed it over eventually. The problem was the gorgeous creature couldn't write in Japanese all that well. But he sure as hell tried. It was obvious he'd gotten Shigure to help him with the first part, the part about them taking care of his house for him and how they'd miss him. But the second half, Shigure couldn't know about. Despite Aaya's lack of knowledge in Japanese, he managed to get across that he would keep writing, and his eternal thanks for not telling them that they had been together that night. He promised to pray for the doctor’s return as well.

"You're welcome." He breathed, once he'd worked through Ayame's poor knowledge of kanji to what he'd actually said. He did wish Ayame had taught him more French, he wanted to ask for some paper and a pen to write a reply. But, he didn't know how, so that really didn't happen.


For Ayame things mostly went back to the way they had been before the older man moved into the town. He was familiar with it but he didn't like it. So he often found himself doing one of three things when not with Shigure. At church praying, like he'd promised, in Hatori's house, keeping it as clean as possible, or in Shigure's study working to improve his Japanese. That was one of the nice things about Ayame. He always had something cheerful to say to his imprisoned friend. It was just a matter of learning to words to say it. With Shigure’s help he usually managed to include a French word for the other man to learn too. Since Aaya was fairly certain the other’s French was still horrible.


Horrible was an understatement. He didn't really have much of a chance to practice, considering most of the people there he really didn't want to talk to, anyway. Though, he did get threatened a few times, when he was foolish enough, near the beginning of his sentencing, to practice those French out loud. Once he stopped that, he didn't really say much of anything, and just practiced silently.


Amazingly enough, Ayame and Shigure managed to stay together throughout that entire time. The writer began disregarding his editor and taking Ayame with him to Lyon as well. But that really was one of the few changes over the ten years. As the end of it was drawing closer Aaya grew exceptionally anxious, to the point that he would wait at the dock every day and ask the sailors about when boats from Marseille's prison were coming in.


Hatori had really thought that getting out would be something of a rebirth, but he found the boat ride back to Monaco led to less of an excited feeling, and more of one akin to nausea. True, he was thrilled to get out of jail, and he was excited beyond reason to see Ayame and Shigure again. What he wasn't looking forward to was going back to sneaking around behind his best friend's back with his spouse. That was where the nausea was coming from, not the idea of going home.


Once Aaya heard a ship was coming from the prison he begged Shigure to come out with him to see if Hatori was on it. The writer couldn't deny his husband so there they were waiting out on the dock. The younger of the two stood on tiptoes to look over the others at the dock. He really wanted to see Hatori.


Hatori came off the ship, not really expecting some great welcome procession from Shigure and Ayame, and so hadn't been looking for them. Which was why he found it so surprising that he heard his name being called. Upon looking over to see whom it was, his eyes widened a little more. He'd thought that after ten years, Ayame wouldn't have been so enthusiastic about him, still. Though, that did seem a little silly, the letters never had stopped.
Ayame is just an enthusiastic personal in general, though.
When he finally spotted his cousin-in-law he wormed his way through the crowd, hugged him and quickly kissed him on both cheeks. Shigure came over at a more languid pace, but he was just as happy to see the man. The writer had a grin on his face.

"Well, Haa-san, are you a hardened criminal now, after being in jail so long?" He asked teasingly.

"Not really." He shook his head, his tone (if possible) was more reserved than it had been before he'd left, and his voice was, well, hoarse from not using it for something close to nine and a half years. Ayame was older now, but still just as pretty and he was still hugging the doctor tightly.

"Aaya missed you." His husband translated, still smiling.

"I couldn't tell." Hatori murmured sarcastically, glancing down at Ayame and absently petting his head.

"You will come back to the ‘ouse with us and visit?" The shorter begged softly, his Japanese improved greatly. But that French purr could never fully leave it. "I will make dinner and--please?"

"Of course." He agreed with a nod. He hadn't argued about spending time with Ayame since he'd met him. The gorgeous creature smiled, and hooked arms with both the other men and they headed back to the house.

"Aaya, took good care of your house while you were gone, Haa-san." The brunette assured his best friend

"Thank you, very much." He smiled down at Ayame. He really had missed him. He'd missed both of them. When they arrived back at the house Ayame went upstairs to get out of his dress. It was difficult to cook in that thing. When he was done he would come downstairs and cook dinner liked he'd promised. In the meantime Shigure and Hatori had some time to talk.

"So, what have you been doing since the last time I saw you?" Hatori asked while he did that. "Still writing?"

"Mmhmm," Shigure nodded. "I've got another location to sell now though. Sometimes we go to Nìce."

"Oh?" He blinked, a bit subdued. "Congratulations, then."

The writer proceeded to interrogate Hatori as to his time in prison, on the grounds that it would be wonderful research for a book. Aaya appeared later to call them both to dinner. For which Hatori was quite grateful. It was a time in his life that he'd just as soon NOT relive. Shigure's 'wife' seemed to grasp this much better than the writer himself. So the fair-haired beauty spoke to Hatori about things that had happened in his absence, more around the world kind of happenings. Rather than the local things he'd included in the letters. Hatori nodded and listened as Ayame spoke. It certainly was an interesting conversation for him. He hadn't heard any world news in years, and was the first person to admit that he'd been curious about it.
It was later when Aaya was doing the dishes, and Shigure had gone to get one of the books he'd written, so he could give it to Hatori.

"You did get our letters, yes?" The younger wondered, glancing back at the doctor who was sitting at the table. He'd just assumed, but he couldn't be sure since Hatori had been unable to send any back.

"Yes." He nodded, with a tiny smile. "Thank you. I think you kept me sane." He admitted.

Ayame giggled quietly. "Good, since I practiced my Japanese very ‘ard for you."

"I could tell. Your handwriting kept improving."
The other man turned to smile back at Hatori but his eyes strayed to where Shigure was returning, and he just went back to washing the dishes. Hatori glanced behind him, when he saw Ayame turn away, and saw Shigure behind him.
"So, what's this great masterpiece of yours?" He asked in a dry tone. His voice was still getting used to being used again, and would occasionally crack a bit.

"I don't know about masterpiece." His friend admitted with a sweat drop. "It's just some peculiar little adventures."

"Either way." He brushed it off, holding a hand out to accept the book from his cousin. Shigure handed it over happily. Even if it wasn't a masterpiece, he was still a bit proud of it. It was then Ayame suggested that the two of them go out into the sitting room and he would bring some tea. His husband thought that was a glorious idea and that was where they ended up talking once more.
“Do you ever hear anything from home?" Hatori wondered a while later. They were his family, and he felt curious about they're state of livelihood.

"Occasionally. From the little ones, er, I suppose they aren't so little anymore." His cousin murmured. "Akito is still managing to be angry at me about leaving though, so I don't hear from him."

"They're all alright?" He wanted to know.

"Mmhmm," Shigure nodded. "At least, last I checked."

"Good." He paused, thinking up a new question to ask. "Do you think I still have any patients around here?" He wanted to know, only half jokingly.

The brunette chuckled. "Possibly. I'm sure you can get some more though." His husband appeared with the tea tray to give to them. He smiled and sat down next to Shigure, not really interfering with their conversation. Tori shrugged a little, and accepted the tea, offered by Ayame. It was European tea, but he drank it anyway.

"I bet the town gossips had a field day." He commented softly.

"Yes," Shigure confirmed with a little frown. "They did."

"Predictable old women." He snorted, rolling his eyes a bit. It was a good thing he STILL couldn't understand them, or he had a feeling there might be a few people he'd want to hit.

"They aren't as bad as our family though." His cousin grinned wryly.

"They found out?" Hatori's eyebrows shot up. That would be amusing.

"That would be funny, but no. Maybe I should tell them, just to find out Akito's reaction." Shigure mused with a little snort. "The people in this town aren't as big of gossips as the people in our family are, just in general."

"True, true." he agreed with a small sip of tea. "And, let's just avoid telling Akito, shall we?"

"Aww, Haa-san. You just sucked all the fun out of it." The writer pouted.

"Pardon me for not wanting to brag about being convicted of something I didn't do."

"But he might go into an apoplectic rage and die!" Shigure snorted. Aaya rolled his eyes and gently elbowed his husband.

"Dieu nous dit de ne pas tuer." He quoted carefully, reminding the other that God tells them not to kill

“Well, I wouldn't have been the one to kill him." 'Gure replied in his own defense.

"It's principle, anyway." Hatori snorted dryly.

"Hmph, fine. You two are no fun, at all." He sighed, and Ayame's dry glare forced him to kiss his 'wife' and apologize. Hatori licked his lips stiffly, and took another sip of tea, trying to remember that Shigure was Ayame's husband, and that he hadn't seen them for ten years, of course they were going to kiss. Aaya smiled at Shigure for a moment, before quietly urging him, in French, to continue talking to Hatori. They did this little talking thing until rather late at night, and finally the writer offered to walk the doctor to his house. Hatori agreed with a grateful nod to him, standing up and bowing automatically to Ayame as he murmured good night, and went to wait by the door for Shigure to get ready. When Shigure headed up the stairs to get his coat, Ayame hurried over and kissed both of Hatori's cheeks.

"Remember, 'Tori-san?" He purred out softly, he knew he'd taught this lesson about farewells and greetings to the doctor.

"I remember," He nodded, placing a kiss on one of Ayame's cheeks, perhaps a bit longer than he actually needed to. "You're still beautiful." He breathed in his ear, before pulling away from him again. The silver haired flower's breathing sped up and he looked up at Hatori oddly for a moment. But then he heard Shigure on the stairs. He glanced back behind himself nervously before going quickly into the other room.

"I'll be back in a little while, Aaya." Shigure called as he opened the door and he and Hatori set out.


"Thank you for the escort home." Hatori teased, once they reached his house, and he paused to search for the house key he knew should be outside somewhere. Maybe? He really hoped he wasn't locked out of his own home.

"Aaya had your key." Shigure chuckled and pulled the thing out of his pocket, then handed it over.

"Thank you." He repeated, unlocking the door and going in, bidding Shigure good-bye as he did. Indeed, it was clean. It was not, however, highly stocked as far as food went. He'd go shopping the next day.


Now, Ayame knew it was out of food. He'd had to clean out all the food, since the doctor was going to be gone for ten years. That's why the gorgeous thing showed up the next morning at Hatori's house in his pretty dress with a basket full of food in his hands.

"Ayame!" He greeted, a little surprised to see him--but only a little. "Hello," Half of him wanted to pick up where they'd left off; the other half wanted to forget it had ever happened and just move on.

"Bonjour, 'Tori-san." The younger smirked; he guessed that the doctor's French was still god-awful. "Tu as faim?"

"What?" He blinked helplessly at him, moving aside to let him in, shutting the door behind him again.

"Are you ‘ungry?" Aaya giggled at him softly.

"A little." He admitted with a tiny smile.

"Bon!" His cousin-in-law chirped. "I brought food for you." He held up the basket as proof.

"Merci." He smiled, quoting one of the few French words he not only knew, but also remembered.

"Your French is still ‘orrible, 'Tori-san." The shorter teased affectionately. "But I guess that's because I did not get much time to teach you." It had only been about half a year, since, then their affair had started and then Hatori was arrested.

“Probably." He agreed, catching Ayame from behind in a gentle hug. "I missed you." he stated, not even sure why he was bothering to keep his voice low, except that he wasn't sure how loud it would go, even if he'd wanted it to. Aaya’s breathing sped up again and he looked back at Hatori like he had the night before.

"Oh, Dieu," he mumbled. "Moi aussi. I-i mean, I missed you too."

"I'm sorry," he murmured, not letting go of him just yet. "About what happened."

"Quoi?" Ayame blinked at him so cluelessly that he didn't even need to translate what he'd asked.

"I'm sorry," he repeated, still softly. "I promise, getting arrested wasn't on my Things To Do list."

"Non," The younger's expression melted into a soft smile. "Do not worry, I know. Do not apologize."

"But, I am sorry," He assured him, allowing his chin to rest on Ayame's shoulder. "You know, I think you might be prettier than you were when I left."

The beautiful creature blushed. "You really do enjoy making me blush." He concluded.

"I told you, it's amusing." He teased slightly. "It's also true." He stated, in a more serious tone.

"Merci, then." Ayame breathed out softly. Hatori carefully turned Ayame around, and placed a gentle, lingering kiss on his lips.

"You've yet to be in my bed," He commented idly, upon pulling back. That one definitely sent the hormones soaring. Aaya licked his lips carefully

"And I am sure it would like to meet me, shall we go say ‘ello?"

"Mmhmm," He all but purred, claiming the basket from his hands, and placing it on the floor, before grasping his hand and pulling him gently back toward his bedroom. As predicted, that doctor's bed was happy to receive them while they restarted their affair. The mutual wonder at whether they should just let that affair sit in the past was buried as they delved in several desires that had gone unfulfilled in the past ten years.


It was easy enough for Hatori to remember why he'd kissed Ayame to begin with, as he curled up around, what he really had to describe as perfection, once they were finished. Ayame sighed and murmured some various phrase expressing affection in French. Despite caring for Shigure, this is still where he preferred to be. He hadn't really expected this to happen when he came over this morning, and was now glad he'd told his husband he would be going out shopping after he visited Hatori. One particular phrase caught Hatori's ear, and his brain slowly translated it for him. He remembered that. It was one of the earliest Ayame had taught him.

“I love you too." He murmured softly, though internally he was cursing himself. It was emotions like these that had started all this. The silver haired man crawled up, and loomed over Hatori for a moment. His silvery hair making a nice curtain around them.

"Ce n'est aucune manière de parler à une dame mariée." He mumbled dramatically to himself before swooping down and kissing the doctor. He was complaining that that was no way to speak to a married lady.

"You said it first." Hatori retorted, almost playfully, once he managed to translate that and the kiss broke. He ran his fingers through the married ‘lady’s’ hair absently.

"And, I mean it, loverrr." The other purred out the R in a sultry tone. Hatori gave him another smile, and placed another kiss on his lips. Ayame brushed his hair behind his ear and giggled slightly. "Are you hungry yet? That basket of food is just waiting for you."

"Mmm, food is good." He agreed, with a small sigh, before getting up to go find his pants again, and pulling them on. Aaya watched him lustily for a moment before deciding to just get back into his own dress and brush out his hair quickly. He sat with Hatori while he ate, and then offered to bring him with while he went shopping. Since the doctor's kitchen was quite bare at the moment.
"That would be wonderful." He replied gratefully, with a nod, getting up to get his shirt out of his room, before coming back, fully dressed.


When they did finally go out together, all who recognized Ayame and Hatori paused to stare at the just returned doctor. There had been an endless supply of rumors about him and they were once again brought up with his reappearance. Hatori really, honest to God, twitched a couple times, when various citizens would hide their mouths and point as they whispered. Actually, he reacted better to those who didn't try. His companion frowned slightly, and really hoped Hatori couldn't understand what they were saying. His French wasn't good enough, so he shouldn't be able to understand much. They managed to get the shopping done without too much trouble, at least.

"What were they saying?" Hatori asked later, on the way back to his house.

“Ah,” Ayame faltered. He was already lying to his husband and going behind his back, he didn’t want to do it with Hatori too. “’ow they should expect those things from foreigners, you were not brought up correctly, you are a man of the devil and that is why I prayed for you so often. ‘ow Shigure and I must be under your bad influence to associate with you, and that someone should save us before it is too late for our souls.’ He sighed and hung his head slightly. He’d been hearing and ignoring these things for the ten years that Hatori was gone. Not being particularly religious to begin with, the devil comment didn't have quite the impact on him that it might have had on some people. Actually, he found a few of those a bit amusing, and found himself fighting back laughter. He managed, though barely, and mumbled something to the effect of 'silly townspeople'. Aaya frowned a little bit. He didn't care if they said things about himself. But he did not appreciate the comments on his husband and his lover, at all.

"Hey," Hatori sighed, seeing the frown, his amusement dissipating slightly. "Don't worry about it, all right?"

"Oui," The younger murmured compliantly. He wanted to suggest Hatori come to the church with him, to ease the townspeople’s fears. But he knew the doctor didn't like to go, so he kept his mouth shut on that particular matter. Actually, rather than thinking about going to church, Hatori was thinking about setting up a shrine to Buddha in his house, just to tease the town's citizen's, at the moment.
When they got back to the doctor's home, Ayame's frown reappeared at the door.

"I must go ‘ome. I think I ‘ave been gone longer than Shigure expected me to be already."

"Ah, yes." He nodded, placing a kiss on Ayame's cheek. He was starting to like this form of greeting and farewell. "Tell him I said hello."

"Oui," The shorter agreed, returning the gesture before heading back to his house. He had to apologize to his husband once he got there, and explain that he had stayed to visit Hatori longer than he'd planned. There wasn't any real risk of exposure, but Ayame did feel rather guilty being questioned like that.
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