Epilogue
- End of Autumn
The
morning, that day, was unusually cold. He blinked up at the sight of the
ceiling, unused to the feelings that surrounded him. When his eyes focused, he
noticed that he was not in his own room and that the ceiling above him was not
at all familiar. Even though it was still a bit dark, it was clear that he
wasn't in any place he knew of. Realizing that fact, he slowly looked around and
tried to analyze the situation.
The
first thing he noticed was the fact that he had no clothes on. That made him
blush quite a bit as he felt an ache in his backside, something that related to
last night. Turning his head slowly to the side as he felt heat surrounding him
somewhat, the sight of a dear friend greeted him. Sendoh was there right beside
him, bare as he was, and holding him securely in a warm embrace. Rukawa flushed
as all the memories came back like a dam breaking into flood. His heart
quickened but he didn't dare move, for fear of waking the older boy. For a few
more moments, he lay there, just enjoying the arms wrapped around him, hearing
faintly Sendoh's own heartbeat. He looked up to the ceiling and smiled, knowing
for the first time that he was waking up with a happy mood. The thought made him
look on with warmth back at his new lover and he began to think...
<Sendoh
Akira...>
<Now
that you have me, what do you intend to do with me?>
The
question died down as he saw Sendoh shift, his face moving closer to Rukawa. The
older boy smiled as he nuzzled Rukawa's face.
<What
do I feel for you?>
He
watched Sendoh closely like he never did before. This was one of the few rare
chances when he could just look at him in silence. Sendoh was very handsome.
Even without a smile, he was perfect. But that was not where his perfection
ended. Sendoh was a genius - someone who could comprehend anything and
everything. He beat him easily in intellect and Rukawa realized that he liked
that - he liked being challenged constantly by a stronger individual just
because that meant that he could always push harder and strive more to beat that
stronger person. Sendoh was his opposite - his rival, and all that. They were
friends and now that safe line was broken. Sendoh had driven him enough to face
his fears and grow into a better person. Sendoh was everything...
Sendoh's
eyes opened. He smiled.
And
Rukawa, in response, decided that he liked that.
"You
were watching me?" Sendoh asked lazily, his voice still drenched in sleep.
His gaze was so warm, so happy, so contended with his life. Rukawa wondered what
had changed since yesterday afternoon...
"Was
I?" Rukawa couldn't help but smile back. He leaned closer to the older boy
and gave a small smack on those lips. He was rewarded with a small amused
chuckle and Sendoh's arms tightened their hold around him.
"You
make me happy, Kaede. Thank you."
"You
too..." He couldn't help but say.
Sendoh
smiled and kissed his forehead then his eyes then finally his lips. It was just
a small almost chaste wake-up kiss. When he pulled back, he grinned and looked
at their surroundings. "So what time is it?" He looked towards the
wall where a digital clock was hung. It read: '5:39 am'. "Guess, it's time
we go on home, huh? Are you going to cut class again?"
"I
have to go to school..." Rukawa answered, leaning his head on Sendoh's
shoulder. "I've missed practice for one day already..."
"And
one day is so much already for my kitsune-chan, isn't it?" Sendoh chuckled
in amusement.
"Yeah,
whatever..."
"Can
I cut class today?" Sendoh asked playfully.
"No."
"But
you cut class yesterday!"
"I
was preparing your dinner so don't complain."
"Hmph."
Sendoh pouted playfully before figuring that perhaps it was now time to prepare
themselves. Regrettably, he pulled away, standing up and pulling Rukawa up to do
the same. The younger boy flushed and he just smirked, pulling him to a warm
embrace.
Rukawa
leaned his head on Sendoh's shoulder, unable to say anything as he felt their
forms pressed together, heat against heat. Sighing as if in relief, he closed
his eyes and smiled.
***
After
preparing themselves and making themselves presentable again, Sendoh opened the
door to their room slightly, wanting to peer at whoever would be around. He
noticed that in the second floor, there were a lot of drunken partygoers laying
on the plush carpet while on the first floor, people have scattered, most just
talking among themselves. On the dance floor, there were just two couples and
the music had toned down quite a bit. In this near breaking of dawn, thankfully,
there were not a lot of people left. Sendoh looked back inside the room and saw
Rukawa standing with his arms around himself. Obviously he was feeling a bit
cold since he had no jacket on. Later on, Sendoh promised that he would have to
do something about that.
Exiting
the room, they walked beside each other in silence, Rukawa looking calm and
Sendoh looking cheerful. At once though, there was again that annoying voice
that disrupted them.
"Wow,
finally you two are done." It was yet again the foreign owner of Siren, a
big smile on his face.
Sendoh
sighed in a rare moment of losing his patience. "Alright. You've been
hanging around near us so just tell us what you want."
The
man chuckled and just shook his head in amusement. "Well, I'm sorry for
disrupting your little moments but I do have a purpose..."
"And
that is?" Rukawa looked coldly at the man.
"As
you know, I own this club. My past time includes photography though. Since you
two have captured my attention very much, I'd like to offer you a deal."
"A
deal?" Sendoh asked, raising a brow.
"I'd
like you two to pose as models for my next book. I /will/ pay. In dollars
too."
"Why
us?" Sendoh looked on at the man in incomprehension, suddenly surprised at
what the man was asking.
"You
two are the hottest thing going on in Kanagawa. And you're both so aesthetic
that I just have to capture you in film! First, I was only interested in
Rukawa-kun but since your pairing suddenly sprang out of nowhere, I've fallen
for that too. So, if you please..." The man smiled genuinely, taking
something from inside his coat pocket. It was a document of sorts. He handed it
to Sendoh.
Sendoh
looked at it in curiosity. It said that they would be paid a certain amount once
they do their job as models. Amused at this new development, he looked on to his
new lover. Rukawa however looked about ready to doze off, almost causing Sendoh
to laugh out loud. The offer interested him greatly but he wasn't sure. He
looked to the man and smiled honestly in gratitude. "Thanks for the offer.
We'll call you when we decide."
"That's
fine. Please do though. This is one rare opportunity you wouldn't want to
miss."
Bowing
in thanks, Sendoh pulled Rukawa's half-dozing form so that they could go on to
the first floor and eventually leave the club. Passing the front door, he
wrapped his arm on Rukawa's shoulder to both warm him from the cold morning as
well as to show his affection. When he looked at Rukawa, the younger boy was
awake and was looking at him in silent gratitude. They moved to the street
afterwards and took a taxi. Sendoh instructed the driver to go to Rukawa's
apartment.
Half-dozing
in the seat at the back, Rukawa leaned his body on Sendoh, liking the fact that
the older boy's arm was wrapped around him. Outside, it was still dark and cold.
They
passed the bridge and then several streets. They passed several parks and
buildings.
"Hey,
Kaede, maybe we should have our one on one at that park." Sendoh muttered,
pointing at the said park. "That's near my place, you know..."
Rukawa
could only lean more on Sendoh in response, not wanting to say anything. He was
feeling mightily sleepy. In front of them, the driver was looking at them
curiously but both of them didn't really mind. They passed a few more corners
and finally the taxi stopped in front of Rukawa's building.
Sendoh
paid for the fare and pulled Rukawa out of the taxi, leading the both of them
inside the warm building. Still wrapping an arm around Rukawa, inside, there
were amazed reactions by those who were awake. He noticed that lady at the
counter looking on with a happy smile, obviously figuring their new relationship
with just one look. The others were smiling, seeing the boy who resided in their
building - for once - with a contended face. Smiling at them all warmly, Sendoh
pulled Rukawa to the elevator, to his floor and finally to his front door. Since
Rukawa still seemed a bit groggy, he fished Rukawa's keys from his pocket and
opened the door for the both of them. They entered and was met by silence.
Sendoh turned on the light in the living room before going over to the sliding
door that lead to the balcony. He slid open that door to the side and lead them
both out to the darkness.
Rukawa
let Sendoh lead him, trusting him enough. When he felt suddenly cold again
despite the fact that they had entered his building, his eyes snapped open. He
was now leaning against the railing of his balcony, a dark city and day greeting
his sight. Cold wind blew and ruffled his bangs and he shivered at the touch of
it. Suddenly though, warmth engulfed him and he realized that Sendoh was now
hugging him from behind. He couldn't help but smiling...
"And
I suppose you now want me to see a simple sunrise?"
"You're
learning quick, Kaede-chan..." Sendoh whispered, smiling as he nuzzled his
lover's neck. He breathed in the wine-scent stuck on his partner. "Now,
tell me why I'm doing that..."
"A
cycle of sorts..." Rukawa mused aloud, looking on as the sky was slowly
changing in colours. "The continuity of evolution and life. As the sun
sets, then it will rise again. Like everything and everyone always involved in a
cycle that never ends."
Sendoh
didn't say anything as up high in the mountains, the sun was indeed rising,
peeking first with small filtering light then rising up with full blasts of
sunshine. It looked golden and beautiful and he had never been more happy in his
life...
"Let's
see each other again later on, is that alright with you?" he had to ask.
"At
that park you pointed to earlier on?" Rukawa asked, leaning back and
enjoying the warmth. "One on one?"
"Yup..."
Sendoh nodded. "That is, if we're both going to school this morning."
"Of
course I'm going to school..."
"Heh,
I wish I could go with you."
"We'll
see each other later on again."
"You're
right." Sendoh grinned. "But anyway, in school, won't you be bothered
by the numerous gossips about us?"
"It's
okay. It doesn't matter anyway..." Rukawa said in near silence.
"Kaede..."
Sendoh whispered, pulling closer the other boy as if the distance that separated
them was never enough. "You know that I love you, right?"
Rukawa
stiffened, not able to say anything to that.
But
Sendoh understood and he only smiled. "I mean, as a friend, or whatever...
It doesn't matter..."
"Akira,
I..."
"Shh..."
Sendoh just said, pulling the closer, giving more warmth. He said it to keep
their silence as in front of them, the sun was waking to bathe the earth once
again.
Rukawa
felt the corners of his lips lifting and he just leaned on backwards to his
lover, wishing this could last forever. The heat, the warmth and the feelings he
felt inside - it was as if nothing else could compare to it. And for a few more
moments, they stayed that way, two souls that have found each other.
***
He
sat alone in the park. Leaning back, he admired silently the nearly barren
chocolate brown trees up above him. A wind blew forth suddenly and most of the
remaining orange leaves tumbled about. The wind carried it sideways before it
fell in a shower towards the ground. The figure who sat at the bench pulled his
coat tighter to himself as he waited patiently for his lover.
Two
months had passed. He was now waiting for him near the court where they often
played their sport. Today, after practice for him was over, his older lover had
promised that they would meet here. So, dressed in a suit and wrapped in a
trench coat, he waited silently, thinking his thoughts in private while he did.
Two
months... After that night in Siren, he'd gone back to school as usual. True
enough, what greeted him were endless questions and curious glances. Students
took a moment in their time to talk about him and Sendoh - it was at the top of
the news. He didn't care. His classmates had been mostly supportive since
they've noticed that his relationship with Sendoh had actually improved his
personality. Now, he actually stayed awake in class, trying his hardest to
attain intellectual goals as well. Obviously Sendoh's effect on him. The others
were silent about their thoughts and he was glad at that. The teachers seemed
understanding enough. And his team-mates... Well, they were expectedly annoying
about it. They teased and asked such embarrassing questions! But through all
that, he learned that their joy for him wasn't really all that bad. Inside, it
actually made him realize that they cared enough to feel something for him. He
actually felt relieved. Anyway, after school that day, they'd met here in this
park where they had found this court. From then on, they had played here and
thankfully enough, they have avoided annoying busybodies who pried on them. It
was also where they learned that this was the place where Maki and Fujima used
to do their one on ones and it was sort of humorous that the two new best
players of Kanagawa were inheriting it from them. Maki and Fujima had laughed
when they saw them here, and now, the four of them actually hung out sometimes.
And with Sendoh around, new friends had come to his life and his social skills
was actually improving... somewhat...
Rukawa
smiled slightly before pausing, realizing the expression on his face. Yes... He
was happy. He didn't regret anything so far with his risk of breaking his bonds
and finding a relationship with Sendoh. It was all so good so far...
And
now, it had come to this.
"Hey!
Have you waited long?" There were hurried steps towards the bench and
Rukawa looked to the side, seeing the familiar sight of his lover.
One
week now... One week since they've last seen each other. Sendoh had gone on to
Sendoh
paused from his jog and stood just a few feet away from his partner. Wearing a
dark suit, a brownish toned tie and a white buttoned shirt underneath, he was
covered in a heavy black trench coat that warmed him for the late autumn
afternoon. His hair was unspiked - brought about by Rukawa's comments that he
looked so good without the usual spike. He looked tall and so calm, his
expression so relaxed and carefree - more so than ever. He was smiling, looking
on in warmth at his younger lover.
Standing
up, Rukawa stood slowly, dressed too in his own formal attire. He was wearing a
grey suit and a black buttoned shirt. Draped over that was a black trench coat
of his own. He had his cross pendant on and his hair was smoothed back slightly,
partly away from his eyes. His hair was now long enough to fall to his chin. He
too smiled before slowly walking to his older partner.
The
two beings walked calmly towards each other before slowly wrapping their arms
around each other, the world forgotten in their warmth and their reunion. And
for a long moment, they stayed that way.
Later
on, there would be a family dinner at Sendoh's home and Rukawa was invited with
the insistence of Sendoh's mother and sister - as well as the curiosity of
Sendoh's new sister-in-law. There would be a 'thanksgiving meal', something that
the new woman at the house practiced while living in
"Did
you miss me, Kaede?" Sendoh breathed in the scent of his lover, missing the
boy so much. They'd called each other everyday but that never seemed enough even
with the thought that they would only be apart for one week.
"I
did..." Rukawa smiled, leaning his head in comfort on the other. "Did
you?"
"Of
course, Kaede." Sendoh whispered. "Of course."
Hearing
that, Rukawa gently broke away from the comfort, just to smile at his lover. He
saw a reflection of his expression on Sendoh's face. Sendoh smiled at him and
wrapped an arm around him as they began their walk towards Sendoh's home.
"By
the way, this came through the mail earlier on. I'm glad that mom or dad didn't
open it." Sendoh grinned, taking out a book from a pocket in his coat. It
was black in colour and in front of it, the word 'Autumn' was inscribed. He
flipped it slowly and showed it to Rukawa while they walked on silently through
the park.
It
was their photos, done by Siren owner Mr. Blair. It was a project they've been a
part of during the past month. On the book's pages...
On
the first page, the picture was taken at night-time. Rukawa wore tight leather
pants, a black buttoned shirt that's unbuttoned in upper two and bottom three, a
long coat, and leather black boots. On his fingers were silver rings and on his
neck was a silver chain. His ebony hair and the long coat he wore were billowing
in the wind as he stood on top of a building, overlooking the city towers. He
seemed to be looking on at something with sadness. The picture was titled as:
CITY LIGHTS.
The
next page was with Rukawa wearing a dark grey suit and black shirt, sitting on
steps towards a business building. He had on his white gold chain with cross
pendant. He was looking at cross pendant with longing. That picture was titled
as: CROSS
Third
page was where Rukawa wore hip hugging black suede pants, tight black tank top
and a heavy trench coat. He was looking up high at the heavens with the backdrop
of a water fountain with angel statues while doves were flying into the sky. It
was called: FALLEN
Fourth
page was Rukawa again. He was wearing a white tank top and dark khaki pants on a
gloomy day and was looking at the camera with cold sadness. Behind him was the
sea, the waves crashing onto the rocks and splashing towards him while sea gulls
flew all around him.
The
fifth page was amusing somewhat as Rukawa was holding a black cat - that was
Hiei - on his naked chest as he wore only black jeans. BLACK
The
sixth page was Rukawa again. He was standing with dark khaki slacks, a dark grey
sweater and a black leather jacket. Closed eyed in a harbour as the sun sets
behind him and the breeze ruffled his hair. As if he's waiting for someone or is
musing on something from the past. MEMORIES
Flipping
the pages towards the near end, Rukawa wanted to see something other than
himself...
The
picture was of Sendoh and Rukawa sitting along the rocks on the beach on a dark
afternoon while the waves splashed around them. Sendoh was in grey pants and
white shirt and Rukawa in blue grey pants and a grey tank top. FRIENDSHIP
The
next one was with both of them sitting against an autumn tree, beyond orange
leaves and chocolate trunk of tree and branches, Sendoh and Rukawa sitting
together, shoulders touching. Sendoh with a small smile, Rukawa cold as always
but with a hint of contentment. Sendoh in black slacks and a dark grey buttoned
shirt, Rukawa in light brown cargo pants, a white tank top and a dark blue open
buttoned shirt. CLOSE
The
next was along the train station, walking side by side, Sendoh and Rukawa both
in a black suit. Sendoh laughing at something while Rukawa serious but with
faint happiness. Sendoh with a black shirt and a golden pin, golden cuffs and a
golden chain on his neck. Rukawa wearing a dark wine red shirt, platinum rings
and his cross pendant and chain. DATE
Underneath
an umbrella, looking up at the rain and the autumn leaves in a tree. Both have
wistful expressions. Sendoh in dark grayish khaki pants, a dark blue sweater and
a black jacket. Rukawa in a thermal green sweater with three buttons on the top
- first two unbuttoned, jeans and a black jacket. Both in brown leather shoes.
NOCTURNE
Rukawa
sitting while Sendoh standing, both drinking their own glasses of scotch in
Siren bar. Sendoh in a tight black tank top that shows off his body, leather
pants and his silver buckled boots. Rukawa in leather pants, see-through
buttoned black shirt that has the top two and bottom three buttons opened to
expose his navel, and silver buckled boots of his own. NIGHT LIFE
Rukawa
sitting with his hands in hand cuffs while Sendoh stood behind him, holding his
wrists with possessive intention. Rukawa in a black tank top and black pants
while Sendoh in tight black shirt and pants. POSSESSION
Rukawa
and Sendoh wearing the same black suit, white shirt and red ties while necking.
On a garden. ROMANCE
Both
wearing khaki pants and white shirts, walking down a green hill together. LOVE
That
was the last page and the book closed, its dark cover shielding anymore scenes
of themselves. Rukawa looked up and smiled at Sendoh. Sendoh, who was partly
keeping his attention on the road, looked on back at his lover and returned the
smile.
"Mr.
Blair is a very good photographer." Rukawa commented, recalling those
sessions when the foreign man urged them to do certain things. They had enjoyed
those times - both of them - and now it had paid off in the price of a book
dedicated solely to them. Undoubtedly, the book would be sold soon and their
gained fans would go screaming at the sight of their photos full of hints.
Shounen ai, yaoi, whatever...
"You're
right. And I thought at first that he was an annoying and weird man..."
Sendoh mussed aloud, leaning his head on Rukawa's. They had already left the
park long ago and now, they were on the road by the sea that led to his home. A
great feast awaited them with American dishes made by his new sister and he
couldn't be happier that all his family was present - Rukawa being the most
special of them all. They walked on a few more steps before his neighbourhood
appeared and his house came into view. But then, suddenly, just before his
house, Rukawa paused. Sendoh looked down and saw that the boy was looking up at
one maple tree. He looked too and noticed that it was now almost bare, save for
some hard-headed orange leaves that still refused to fall. Sendoh smiled.
The
changing of times...
Now,
autumn was near its end as winter would soon take over. A simple occurrence in
life but having its own special meaning to many different creatures of this
world. To the both of them, it too had its meaning.
Slowly
looking down, he noticed that this time around as he watched something
beautiful, Rukawa was watching him. Just like in the past...
He'd
never seen anyone look at him with so much love and trust. And wanting to show
his own affection, he leaned down, initiating their first kiss since their calm
reunion. He pressed their lips together, his hand tilting Rukawa's head so that
they would meet in a perfect posture. Lips locking and massaging against each
other before both lips parted and their tongues danced skilfully against each
other. They explored each other with hunger, tasted each other as if in thirst.
When
they pulled away, they looked each other in the eye, foreheads leaning against
each other. Knowing that they were in a hazardous place though, they parted
regrettably, Sendoh pulling his lover to the house in front of them - his
family's house. As he did though, Rukawa paused, making him look back in
surprise. Rukawa was smiling genuinely at him, for him - and only him.
"I
love you, Akira..."
And
no hesitation as he responded to his lover...
"I
too, Kaede..."
The
door opened and a middle-aged woman greeted them both before letting them in,
muttering something about the cold and dinner and how good the two of them
looked in their formal wear. Entering the home, Rukawa and Sendoh smiled at each
other in their happiness. The door closed.
And
outside, the wind blew once more with its icy temperature and the last of the
orange leaves finally conceded to the request of the changing of times as they
too fluttered to the ground.
*fin*
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