Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ The Boy on Page One ❯ Tell me what the rain knows ( Chapter 10 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Ai Land arrived in Williamsport, Pennsylvania by bus. His nerves were running on high due to fear of the end result, because he doesn't know which way he'd like for it to go. Alive or dead. If his brother is gone, great! That's great! Because it would mean that he's not gone insane and the world is still the world he knows. Where the sky can be an array of colors and the grass many shades of green or brown, water is liquid and oh, people die. They don't become real when they were… what… make believe? He can't think of his brother as "made up" because Yakusoku Land truly was a person. He existed as his brother, he has records- legal records of his existence at school, a social security, ID. He's got proof of life. But, to have to come to believe that a state of amnesia could be alive…

Ai could only waver at showing up on Hakuo's doorstep and asking him about such a frightening, impossible, unearthly concept.

But, he must.

"Excuse me?" Ai found his way to the information office.

He figured it's the best place to go to get someone's information. He hoped he could get the address, otherwise he just wasted a lot of money on a bus ticket. He could have just called Hakuo but the guy changed his phone number, and he doesn't have the new one.

An employee behind a large desk, seating six other workers, looked at with a practiced smile. "Yes, how may I help you?"

"I came to visit my cousin, but when I went to his house my relatives weren't there."

"Oh, I'm sorry. What's the surname?" She didn't bother to ask him if he had the phone number because if he did he could have just called his family and asked them directly.

"Krenn. My aunt's name is Emi and my uncle is Trevor."

Typing the information into the computer, she produced an address for him. "Emiko and Trevor Krenn? Okay, I have the address right here. Here you are." Handing him a slip of paper with the address written on it, Ai took it with a thank you to the woman before he stepped back out into the unfamiliar city. He looked at the address thanking the gods he's Asian and can just say he belongs to the family and it be believed. He couldn't have gotten away with it if he was any other race.

Ringing the doorbell he waited patiently for an answer. He wasn't sure if anyone was at home, but the door pulled open revealing Mrs. Krenn, her pointed face went from confused to suspicious then on to restless before she ushered him inside.

"Does your father or mother know you're here? The last thing I want is for them to accuse us of stealing you away from them as well." Her exasperation was clear as she spoke.

Ai laughed dryly, feeling uncomfortable as he knows just how bothersome his mother has become to their family and her own. It's sad, and some nights he did find himself crying because he loves her, despite it all. He loves her still. He's just confused, and in pain and it angers him from time to time. He does still love her. And his father's decision to move on from her was understandable. He just wished he didn't feel guilty for having held it up. He had no idea that they were still so tight on a thread of being together, that divorce was the only option right off the bat.

"They don't know that I'm here, I'm actually not planning on staying long. I just wanna ask Hakuo something, then I'll go. No harm, no notice of my absence."

"You just missed him at home; if you were a day sooner."

"What do you mean?" He paused from following her into the kitchen.

"He's moved out."

"Moved out?" That was surprising. After all that's happened, he would assume the guy would become a homebody, shut-in of the highest magnitude- it would have been his route. "Do you know where he lives? Did he leave state for college? Do you think I can see him?"

Emiko shrugged her shoulder. "It's up to him whether or not he wants to see you." Going over to the fridge, she scribbled something onto a slip of paper on a dayplanner that's magnetized to the refrigerator; tearing the sheaf free, she hands it to him. "Here." She doesn't release it right away, and informs the Land child. "You keep this to yourself. This is not for your mother's knowledge, not your father's or sister's. Once you leave from there, throw it away. I don't want you mother harassing my son anymore, I mean that, Ai. It's becoming more desperate than a night in holding is worth."

"I understand, believe me. My parents divorced because of what she did."

"Good. I'm sorry your mother is in such a dark place, that I can't blame her for… but, how she conducted herself was uncalled for."

"I agree, we all agree- well, me and my father are on your side, Mrs. Krenn."

"Glad to know."

"Thank you, for this, and for understanding."

"Of course, Ai. I'm not angry at you. You've done nothing wrong."

He waved goodbye then took his leave to head for Hakuo's actual residence.

...

Four nervous breaths and a Lyft ride later, Ai found the apartment building where Hakuo is living. It was the strangest thing, but, on the way over he thought he saw Gev; but not every motorcyclist was the Russian, surely not, but the guy sure reminded Ai of him; dressed in all black, boots instead of sneakers, the only thing throwing him was the dark blue bike helmet. Gev has a silver and one black one, although, he has not been in touch with the goth in a while so it could have changed.

The Land wasn't expecting to feel anything when he went up to the door and knocked upon it. He didn't think he had anymore emotions left towards missing his brother's appearance, but when Hakuo pulled open the door- even before he could knock- he felt his heart give a familiar tug. He wanted just to reach out and hug Yakusoku, but when Hakuo opened his mouth asking, "Ai… what are you doing here?" The feelings of loss flooded his senses then left him for dead, once again.

He was about to ask if he could come in when he was abruptly scooted off to his right so that the Krenn could exit the apartment. He mutters after the retreating. "Hey, wait," however, his words fell upon deaf ears.

'Guess I'm being rejected,' he hung his head low.

"Umm, I'm gonna go out on a limb and assume that you're not here for me,"

Ai looked up to see a tall, lanky blond guy with a shoulder length bob cut, and beady eyes staring at him through the open door. "Oh, no. I wanted to talk to Hakuo," Looking to where he'd departed, he wondered if he could catch up to him. "Do you know when he'll be back?"

"Any minute now, he went to grab something from his car. Wanna come in," The roommate gestured the guest an admittance pass by thumbing his clearance to farther inside.

Hesitant, as this guy could just be company inviting him in when he isn't wanted, he stepped inside. Looking about, and instantly impressed, he felt himself growing green from envy. He isn't sure when he can leave home. Who's going to watch over Fanny now that his parents have split, and his father works a lot of the time. It's always push and pull in life. You can't just have it one way, something always comes along to combat it.

"I'm Nathen, nice to meet you." He held out his hand having to draw it back in because Ai's busy gaze missed the gesture, while he visually looked around at the décor which he can immediately see.

"Huh?"

"I asked what's your name?"

"Ai, not like the letter in spelling, just in saying. It's spelled A-I."

Nathen intoned a sound of understanding. "Mine is spelled Nathen with an 'e' instead of an extra 'a'. Guess my parents had low standards for creative names."

Ai scoffed. "I wish mine had; my last name is Land, so you can only imagine the crap I've been through with teasing."

Nathen looked blank, then he got it. "Ohh. Yeah. Kids can be jerks. My middle name is Simeon; someone found out and everyone took to calling me Monkey, until Hakuo came along and put a stop to it- for the most part."

Ai thought that was nice of him; not that much different from what his brother would do- well, it depends on the era of his brother, because if Yakusoku was goth at the time of someone getting teased, he'd likely join in or have been the founder of the teasing.

The visitor and homeowner stood in a companionship silence, not sure of what to say to each other. Nathen would have liked to get back to editing, but his mother would slap him stupid for showing bad manners to a guest by leaving them alone.

"Oh!" Nathen says as something just dawns on him. "Do you want something to drink?"

Before Ai could answer Hakuo walked in, closing the door behind him; his trail went directly for the bedroom where he dropped his tablet off like it was a random slab of rock he'd found. When he returned into the living room, he snatched up their unexpected guest by the upper arm and lead him off to his bedroom. Nathen was reminded of a parent scolding a child as they swiped them from the playground, because they should have been home hours ago. Released from his unplanned hosting duties, he returned to his bedroom and closed the door.

Alone, in the privacy of Hakuo's bedroom, the coming conversation became too real; Ai's tongue was suddenly very heavy and dry.

Taking a seat at the chair for his desk, Hakuo teepeed his fingers together; and in a tone meant for a boardroom, he inquires. "What can I do for you, Ai?"

Ai thought that he could start by lessening the intensity in the air, doesn't he feel pressured enough without the cool demeanor making him feel stupid. "Well, I um… was wondering.."

Hakuo's expression sagged, and in a silent groan he states. "These are the topics we will not discuss: why I had your mother arrested, how I'm doing, why don't I just come by for a visit, and last but not least in importance of disinterest in talking about… Am I sure that Yakusoku isn't in there somewhere?" he visibly flinched. "Now, if that helps, go from there. If one of those topics is why you're here, please just go."

"It's about my brother,"

Hakuo sighed as Ai is still beating around the bush. "Is talking to me really so horrible that people don't wanna bother at all?"

"It's not that," defends the Land teen. "You just come off as, I don't know, agitated! It's intimidating speaking to someone who gives off a 'fuck off and leave me alone' vibe."

"I don't mean to."

Most people having said that would have softened their tone and expression, Hakuo lessened up on neither.

"A strange boy sought me out and asked me about Yakusoku. He said that his brother woke up from a coma, and was different. What I'm asking is… if maybe you know why that is? Hakuo, you do these superhuman things like it's nothing. So, is he? Is it possible that.. my brother is alive?"

Hakuo blinked, quietly sucked in a breath but noisily releases it from his nostrils. "Yes. Yakusoku Land is alive."

Ai's legs gave out, he sank right to the floor like a bolder had been hurled at him while he's aboard a tiny ship in the sea. And rather than dodge it, he does a fool thing and catches the extra weight, then holds on tight! Clutching the bed beside him to prevent falling any lower from the devastating blow to his nervous system, Ai shook his head slowly. There's just no way! And how?

"How?" he heard himself whisper around his dry throat.

"If you want me to sing about it like Seymour Krelborn having found Audrey II, it's gonna run into some money," he said in an attempt to lighten the mood. The attempt failed, Ai just looks stunned and confused, even a bit green. "Short version, I took his being and turned it into a spark then attached it to someone who was no longer home."

Ai was wide eyed hearing that. "He's alive,"

"Yup."

"A for real?"

"Uh-huh." He dropped his business pose to stand up.

"All that time…"

"Yes."

Remembering what Zane had said about his brother, Will, being dead; Ai turned white from the color draining from his face. His brother was alive but now… His features pucker as tears boil to the surface,

"Don't cry about it, go and see him. I'm sure he'd get a kick out of it." States the doctor of Frankenstein's monster.

"But," He shakes his head. "I don't know where he's buried."

Rummaging through a drawer in the desk, he locates a pen then writes out the address on a sheet of notepad paper. "You've really gotta lighten up." Holding the paper out to him, he says. "Here. Tell him that Hakuo says thanks for the laugh."

And he meant the one that he's going to have from having sent Ai Land to his house. The trouble this could cause is funny, if Ai keeps it to himself, that is also funny because it's going to really screw with the kid wanting to visit his never dead brother now that he knows. It's win-win comedy.

When Ai sees not a cemetery address but an apartment building, he eyes Hakuo.

"What?"

"That kid said his brother is dead. Did you help him fake his death?"

"No. I swapped him to a different body, Ludwig, too."

Ai was slapped in the face by that sudden declaration. There's just NO WAY. "Ludwig, too?"

Nodding, Hakuo assists the crumpled Land from the floor. "Does it drive you crazy, and make you sweet?" He asked. "Now get out. I've got things to do right now."

"And you're not messing with me?"

"I don't care to mess with you. Good day." He opened his bedroom door, ushered Ai to the front door of the apartment then escorted him out by the push of a hand. "Oh wait!" Walking the distance inwhich he'd shoved Ai away, Hakuo placed his hand on the teen's shoudler. "Take care of yourself."

"Umm, thanks.. I think..." Returning the... whatever it was, Ai says. "You, uh, take care of yourself, too."

"I will."

Turning on his heels he strolled back into his home and firmly shut the door.

Ai felt that he should have brought with him an oxygen mask, with several re-fill tanks; since arriving in the very green town, he's found it very hard to breathe. Like the air is just becoming thinner and thinner. First from the small worry of hearing that Hakuo moved out of the family home, then from Hakuo bombing him with the truth of his brother, and the inclusion of Ludwig's existence on the sly. Extra suffocation. And now he's standing here, awaiting his courage to knock on the door for him. No breathing. Maybe he's not home. Maybe he's not even really his brother, and this will all have been some elaborate trick played on him by Hakuo due to his dark humor.

That makes more sense than his having to understand that his brother is alive. A declared persona created from amnesia, is a living breathing human- once removed. And Ludwig isn't dead, and is also living in a life exchanged for another's. What?!

'For God's sake, Ai. Man up and knock.' He berates himself. Wetting his lips, he raised his fist and knocks four times, then another two. Waiting. Waiting. Still waiting. Then…

"Oh, Gev."

"How'd you find my house?"

He points at his side as if the culprit is standing directly beside him. "Hakuo."

"What do you want?"

"Can I come in?" He's actually starting to feel better that it was Gev who opened the door. Leaning into the goth's personal space, he adds. "I really need to talk to you."

Gev wondered why the teen would suddenly feel the need to whisper, no one can hear him; even if they could they don't know him, so what does he care? Stepping aside, he says, "Come in, if you have to."

Stepping into the apartment, he looks around and is, once again, impressed by the interior. The layout is very modern, the colors pop with blues and greens, brown-honey wood everywhere. He's led into a spacious living room; taking a seat on an armchair, he crossed his legs holding his knee with folded over hands, as if to anchor himself in place. His comfort level was at zero, but he didn't have to show it off by rocking like a child's wooden horse. So, seated as firmly as a statue, he waits for Gev to sit before asking him when was he made aware of his brother and Ludwig's existence.

It shouldn't matter, but it does. It hurts that Gev got to know before him. They're brothers… not a roll in the sack. He should have been told! Right?

Sitting on the couch, clearly not nervous at all despite having no clue as to what it is Ai is planning to ask, or to tell him. He's just staring at him while patiently waiting for him to say anything. Gev's gaze looked past him, then a smile spread across his face.

"Traffic is real today," Ludwig said as he walked in. "And look who I picked up on the way back,"

"Not only was I picked up, but so too was a new game. Who's up for some…" Yakusoku's words stopped in their tracks, as an unexpected guest looks over his shoulder, locking eyes with him. 'Ai.'

Ai's dark gaze widened as truth showed across a blond stranger's face. 'It's him. Yakusoku. He must be the one…' The other guy, a well-built guy, short cropped hair, and a brownish gaze saw him, but he eased away into the kitchen playing the part of a perfect stranger. But the guy with the soft-colored, slightly wavy blond hair, and looks sort of like an artist of either film or paint brush, he acknowledged, he recognized him. And he looked terrified about it.

"Who's this?" Ludwig asked, knowing full-well who he is. "I'm Eason," he held out his hand, but it went ignored. "Nice to meet you."

Ai shook his head, tears welled up in his eyes. "Don't bs me, I know your real name… Ludwig."

Ludwig and Yakusoku exchanged side-eyed glances then they looked at Gev, accusingly until seeing the stunned expression he's giving the back of the despaired Land's head.

"What are you… talking about?" Ludwig asks, but his voice wavered. The jig was obviously up.

"When were you gonna tell me? Never?" Ai locked eyes with his brother. "How could you keep this a secret from me? I can see mom and dad, but me?" He was doing a damned good job at keeping back his tears, and preventing his nose from running amuck down his face and clothes. "I knew about your secret abilities; you could trust me with something like that, but not this?"

"I wanted to spare you the pain of how fucked it all was, especially when I was Will." Swinging his arm out to be followed, he adds. "Look at how shitty things were for Gev to deal with because of us. You would have been bad off, too."

"You don't know that." Grit the youngest in the room.

"Trust me, I know that. Hakuo had no right to tell you about us,"

Ai scoffed. "Don't be mad at him, he wasn't the one who told me. He just confirmed it." He saw an array of confusion then play over the stranger's face. "It was Will's brother, he wanted to ask me about you, because of all the crazy things that his, once comatose, brother was spouting out at him."

Yakusoku felt his color drain. "So, what do you want me to say? Sorry?"

Ai wasn't sure what he wanted to hear. Maybe "sorry" is the appropriate response to such a well-placed slap to the face, middle finger up, and tongue out.

"Do you have any idea how much I needed you back then? How much I still need you even now?" Ai is shaking, his like a vibrating phone with how he's trembling inside. "Do you care?"

"Of course I care! I do!" Yakusoku snapped at his brother's scoff in response to his words. "You were going through a lot, and I was there for you- the best I could be in my current state. Hakuo never sent you those texts or emails, it was me."

Ai's mouth dropped. He can't believe it, and yet, he can; it explains so much. Gev being interested as the biggest sound of an alarm that something was off. And how that freak kid Will could be so kind. How his kindness made him ache for his brother, and it turns out that he was. This is just all.. all so very fucking screwed up.

Yakusoku approached his brother, he doesn't reach for him as he once would have, but the proximity is enough to let Ai know he's sincerely here, and- internally- there for him. "There were so many times that I wanted to tell you," his brows furrowed at the disgruntled intone from the younger Land. "It's true! But, I couldn't. So I operated from the sidelines; it was less painful than to come right out and screw you up. You could barely handle my being gay, could you really have lived with knowing about me but staying away? You'd of ended up just like Gev."

Unsure of the every minute detail, Ai was sure that his brother was right. He heaved a sigh, miserable when repeating. "But, you didn't tell me."

"But, you do know now. Can't you just be happy for that? We can keep going from here,"

Gev heard himself groan inwardly, this was the last thing he needed, the runt always stopping by for bro-time. You don't see his family coming to visit him. Hell, they don't even have the address. When he wants to see them, he goes back to their home. He doesn't invite them over. Glancing at Ludwig he sees an expression of mixed emotions. On the one hand he also most likely doesn't want Ai Land hanging around in their newly made existences with his old vibes and problems mixing in, but on the other he looks envious. Yakusoku gets to see a member of his family, and not as a stranger. Unlike Yakusoku, he'd love to see his parents and tell them the truth, to show them that he's ok. And doing well. But that can never be. Some hits are just too much.

"…Do you wanna keep going from here, Ai?"

Ai was silent for a bit; hearing not the telepathic pleads of no, since the senders aren't psychic, but instead it's the sound of his own voice telling him… I don't know. Leaving him on his own. "I can't exactly un-know any of this, can I?"

Gev couldn't help but think that the younger Land could un-know about it, if Hakuo erased his memory. He'll have to ask him about it the next time he sees him- if he sees him again. He can't believe the guy quickened his pulse rather than made the blood rush to his groin. He's not seriously gonna have his emotions stirred over some magic carpet ride. What Hakuo is asking for is just too much.

'Calm down idiot, Hakuo can't do it anyway. His gift is gone,' he reminded himself of that information-bomb from the house get-together they had with him.

"Ai?" Yakusoku pushed, because his brother's words weren't exactly an answer.

"…I'll give you my new number in exchange for yours," removing his cell from his back pocket, he hands it to his brother to make the exchange.

And after a nice catch up visit over dinner, Ai Land went home with more than a full stomach. He has a slowly filling heart.

March 24, 2019.

How lucky was it that it began to rain? Well, that's the way Hakuo saw it. Gev; on the other hand, knew for sure he was going to die. He'd been driving along rather smoothly last Sunday and this current Sunday, when the sky just opened up. He couldn't see a thing! It was like being inside a waterfall! Hakuo would tell the tale as it was, if asked, that it was only mildly raining and Gev's nerves are what turned it a torrential downpour. 4 times on the way back to Hakuo's apartment, his little loverboy pulled over onto the side of the road to take a breather, and request that they swap. And all four times Hakuo told him to just drive. He trusts him.

And with a swear, and possibly silent prayer, Gev did just that.

The pair sprinted through the parking area to the apartment. It didn't matter whether or not their head was covered, because it really did turn into a downpour once the car pulled into the lot, so the rain was coming at them from every side with a nasty gush of wind to assists its path.

"Why'd you park us so far back!" Hakuo called through the noise of millions upon millions of shards of water.

"There was no one beside me!" Called back the poorly skilled parker. He'd gained confidence when the weather was crystal clear, but just add water and you've got that scared white-knuckles driver all over again.

They grumped and groaned, squished and squelched as they took the stairs to the second floor of Grampian Hills apartment building; their trek's footprints are hidden by the water already coating the outdoor corridor. They laughed like a couple of fools as they grabbed a hold of handfuls of loose clothing to squeeze out any especially heavy amounts of water. They're wet sure, but why get the full extent of the drench on the floors and furniture?

"Do my back," Hakuo requested, turning around to expose the area.

Gev's hands latched onto the shirt giving it a firm twist to squeeze out the accumulated water; he's long since gotten used to seeing the jagged and skittered scars along the Krenn's back, but he never got used to not caring about why and how they got there. It hurts. Just knowing that he's been hurt, hurts. When he was done wringing his driving teacher dry, he turned him around, wrapping his arms around his waist then he pulled him in close. He looked him in the eyes, and he wanted to kiss him. He wanted to tell him it's ok. But, instead he leaned in close to his ear and whispered.

"Do me, now." Releasing Hakuo he turned around so his shirt could get a good squeezing.

Hakuo took a couple steps back when the water came tumbling down to the concrete beneath their feet. The homeowner then turned away from smooth ghostly white of his desired's back to open the door to the apartment. They hurried inside slamming the door on the reaching elements that wanted to replace what they removed from them, but it was without success as the next gust of wet wind that came at them hit the door.

"I hate you," Gev says now that he's in the safety of a non-moving environment.

"You'll bounce back. Tea?"

"No. Do you have a non-grandmother drink, like some hot chocolate?"

"...I could make you chocolate." He's pretty sure they have cocoa powder at home, he made chocolate cookies last weekend for him and Nathen to study with.

He's not currently in school-school since the academy doesn't start training until June, so he's just sharing in the learning what his friend is engaged in. He's both a study-buddy and a student.

Gev wandered into the bathroom to grab a couple of towels for them, he peeked into Hakuo's roommate's bedroom seeing it empty of human life. "Where's uh, what's his name?"

"I don't know who you're talking about," Lied Hakuo, though he sounded very much like he doesn't know. But, Gev has expressed how much he thinks Hakuo and Nathen tend to have outbursts of sex together or simple makeout sessions, so the goth is usually sour to saying the Small's name, like it's a means of giving him a disgruntled poke to state that he needs to back off.

"Nathen." Groaned Gev, knowing that he was being forced to say the guy's name when he really didn't want to.

Smiling, Hakuo quieted as he focused on stirring cocoa powder and a pip of baking chocolate around in a pot of warm milk, to make his guest's drink.

"He's probably at school, and if not, then he's on his way back." He made sure to make extra for hs roommate for when he returns so he can have something warm to drink after coming in out of the foul and nippy weather.

Gev came up behind Hakuo and towels his hair dry for him. He even amazed himself with how used to touching him he's gotten without wanting sex. It took a lot of willpower and discipline, but after a while it just became natural. He's not usually so grabby handsy with anyone he doesn't plan to grope, screw, or lounge on but times are changing in more ways than one. Between friendly touches and driving.. he's really getting his shit together, if he could say so.

Gev removed the dampened body cloth and cocked his head to look at Hakuo's face, which caused him to bust out laughing.

The bringer of chuckles asked, "Do I look ugly?" very plainly.

Still snickering, Gev shakes his head. "You could never look ugly,"

"Is that a challenge?" he quirked a black brow in punctuation.

Again, shaking his head, he placed a kiss to the back of Hakuo's head. Something the Krenn has gotten used to as it's happened often enough since the blossoming of their once tree-bud of a friendship. Despite his desire for more, Hakuo refuses to violently push Gev for it. He'll only recede from him because of that. Whereas; if he lets him believe that he's given up on the idea of having anything other than a friendship laced with kisses light or saucy, he'll be hooked before he knows it.

Gev spun the towel within his grasp then snapped it at the back of Hakuo's head, making a punch sound effect. Anyone else would have been offended, maybe even angry. But Hakuo laughed and made an elaborate sound of death before calling him a ding-bat.

"You're lucky the towel didn't land in the pot," he forewarned. "You're the one who's drinking this, my tea water is safe in the kettle." He nods with his chin raised to said kettle set on low on the back burner, the simmer waiting to become a boil while Gev's cocoa is being prepared.

"You're putting too much effort into something that's for me,"

"You're worth it."

"Mm." He intoned. Leaning over, he puckered his lips poised to spit in the pot, but his chin was firmly grabbed and his lean abruptly righted.

"If you do that, cooked kale will be making jokes about how green you are; you're gonna be made that afraid of me." Releasing him, he adds. "This is for Nathen, too."

"Oh. Nathen." Gev's tone rolled.

Hakuo mocked him by repeating his tone and words. How can Gev be jealous of Nathen? Is it because of the videos they make? The ease of goofiness to serious they have? Or maybe he's got more "be mine" feelings for him than he's admitting to himself?

"Gev, please don't have ill feelings towards Nathe; I don't like people; so it's important that I hold onto the few that I do."

"I know. As a fellow hater of humanity, I know."

Hakuo turned off the screaming tea kettle, keeping it to himself that there is a difference to how he means it to how Gev means it. Gev is uncomfortable around strangers, to the goth, that's hating people. When Hakuo says it, he means that humanity is little more than mulch under foot, and if they all went away he wouldn't even take time aside to be happy about it. He spares himself of even that much effort towards giving them attention. It's been to that degree ever since he had the tar beaten out of him for ratting on a thief in the convenience store, followed by the store owner denying a man a job because has no home.

Turning his head, he coughed into his hand.

"Don't get sick," Gev took the pot of boiling chocolate and poured it into a mug, joining Hakuo on the couch when he'd finished pouring his own drink.

"I won't. Something just tickled the back of my throat." The back of his throat seemed to be the favored reach of something dark that started along the soles of his feet, as that cough tended to come around whenever he felt himself getting angry.

"Are you still working at Wegmans market?" Gev wondered before sipping a nice chocolatey sear down his throat. His eyes closed in appreciation. It felt nice to be worth the effort; he's glad he didn't actually spit in it, he wasn't going to- not really. Guess Hakuo has his moments of mood swings that don't always get the gag.

He liked it. Not upsetting him, but that he would show him that it would have upset him; Gev's seen so many sides of the stoic, bland-expressing Krenn to know that that was the face he gives to the world when he doesn't know what it wants from him. So anything, even anger, he's happy to partake.

"Gev? Why do you have a knife?" he asked. It's been a wonder in the back of his mind for weeks; it's still sitting in the glove compartment of his car.

"Well my dangerous bro, we can't all be gifted in the art of hurling people through a wall with our mind, so I have a knife-" Touching the scar on his grim reaper tattoo left by Ezio Diaz's jealousy, he then says. "which I'd like back." He held out his hand as if expecting it to be produced right then.

"In time." He looked out the window where the rain has yet to let up. He locked eyes with Gev, who suddenly began looking at him, and he smiled. "You laughed because you planned on snapping that towel at me, didn't you?"

"Yup."

Hakuo laughs, giving him a shove.

Gev set down his mug in order to use his hands to cup the mixed Asian's cheeks, where he then placed a kiss upon his lips. He gave a pleased hum as his chocolate taste mingled with the almond flavor of Hakuo's tea. "My bad," he says when backing away. "I just can't get over how good-looking you are when you're happy."

"You make me happy."

It didn't happen like on television where one minute the actors are sitting somewhere then they're butt-naked grinding away the ten seconds allowed count of sex on TV, it was gradual. Gev kissed him, and he kissed Gev back. Gev touched his hairline, his thumb tracing the scar along his eyebrow, and he held the goth's inactive hand, brushing his fingers along the many thin to thick slices of depression that left their mark there. He raised the hand and kissed the area; he smiled at the concerned look on Gev's face before aiming the kiss to his lips.

The kiss was longer than a smooch that time, it even garnered some tongue.

The sound of thundering rain softened, that's what surged them on to more as they matched soft sounds of dropping rain with the soft rustle of sliding clothing as it's brushed about their bodies in a tease of touching past clothing to touching against clothing to caress the body underneath. Their light breaths huffed as they breathed between tastes of and inside each other's mouths. Their sit suddenly slants laying them on the tiny couch as close as can be.

Round and round they palmed the stiffening bulge on their lap. Gev took the lead of exploring beyond the obstructing jeans by flicking the button open then pulling down the zipper. Gev lightened his aggressive palming when feeling Hakuo stiffen beneath him; he doesn't wanna freak him out, even if Hakuo'd never admit to being nervous about sex. He properly kissed him, as sweet as he pleased which strangely for the sexual beast could be quite sweet. When he, who is nervous about sex, moved his hips in request for the handjob to return from its break allowing Gev went in at full force. Hakuo didn't want to do anything but take, so he added more force to the truffle-pig style nudging his hand is giving the solid find that has yet to be dug up from beneath the faux earth of Gev's jeans and briefs. No wait.. he isn't wearing underwear today.

Hakuo cocked a brow at this, for which Gev shrugged his shoulder. He didn't feel like wearing any, so he didn't. He's completely innocent of the accusation that he wanted anything of the sexual nature to happen today, this… whatever this is, is simply a happy coincidence.

Gev pants in Hakuo's ear when his hand that's bravery was ever growing, like the hungry piece of meat it's touching, the Russian rocked into the ministrations until he couldn't take the games anymore. Shifting himself to the position of pinning, he removed the playful touch and lied down. He again was pleasantly surprised that his grinding hips were met with a return. Their voices were lost as the rain picked up, the wind howling at the window as if a confidante to their tryst; and it liked it like a Peeping Tom, as it spoke an "Ooooh!".

"Wait," Hakuo pants. "community property,"

Confused but a moment, Gev wrapped Hakuo's arm around his shoulders, and as he got himself up from the couch he lifts bundle of heat along with him, using him almost like a belt because his legs wrapped around his waist acted as an unintentional belt which secured Gev's open jeans in place when he walked him into the privacy of the unshared bedroom.

Its at this point Hakuo was glad that the romantic portion of his life's story wasn't set on sabotage. If his love life was set on cheesy, Nathen would have walked in, stopping the moment, embarrassing their desire and comfort of doing pleasurable things in the apartment for fear of constant interruptions. And as they urgently removed their confining clothes, reconnecting as if un-paused from the wait-a-minute moment in the living room, they ground their hips and their flesh slapped in tune against the beating of the rain like their bodies are outside jumping in puddles.

Hakuo smiled feeling the trembling of the goth's heart, he wondered what was the cause? Anticipation? Fear that they'll stop? Or just the disbelief that it's happening? He arched when Gev jerked on their length at the same time, using their manmade droplets of liquid to coat them.

The mixed Asian's half-lidded eyes close in wait when Gev's fingers held his lower cheeks apart, the sticky tips of his fingers just lovingly teased at the entrance, but the gentle groping ceased and he practically shouted his voice to the Heavens as his length became engulfed in the most luxurious heat.

And over then off and over then off, repeats the Russian as he rode Hakuo slowly, sensually. The bed-bound hummed and sighed as rivlets of hunger, happiness, lust, and possession tickled throughout his body all meeting up in the same place where fire danced on his lap. Bending his knees seemed to bend Gev as well, and he leaned over kissing him again and again. He's got a handful of jet black hair that he's scrunching in time with Gev's hip-pops. Such soft, clean hair in opposite to how unkempt it usually looks.

"I'm not too heavy?" Gev asked out of the blue.

"No." Running his hand up the back of Gev's thigh, he whispers into the delicate situation. "Can we sit up?"

Gev could have laughed at Hakuo's lacking initiative, but he doesn't dare; he'd never wanna embarrass the guy. Scooting himself back, Hakuo sat himself up as impressively as Michael Myers after a take down in the Halloween films. The mixed young man's attention drifted and he appeared to be searching for something.

"What?"

Hakuo smiled at him, "I'm just noticing how close we are." His hands smooth up Gev's arms, enticed by the muscle he's produced their as opposed the rest of his body that's just firm but not fit. He likes Gev's body. Kissing the Russian's shoulder then collarbone, he wrapped arms around him joining in on the panting and moaning as they waited out the rain.

This can't happen again. Thinks Hakuo. He's not looking to be a mistress or mister, or whatever one calls a man-on-the-side. He wants to be with Gev, wholly with Gev. Not just for sex… but for love.

Just for now… in this tender moment, he'll be his lover.

X x X

Commentary: ...Not how this chapter was supposed to go lol. One thing lead to another and suddenly the therapy session will be in the next chapter. This is what pent up wants do to you. It makes you type out what you should only be thinking about for funsies. Have a good week thank you fir the reviews if you do, thank you for the reads if you keep getting this far and like it. And, that's it.