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cloversworldFour months with no post? That is horribly lazy of me.
Title: Reflected in the Mirror, Mr. Weakness
Series: Bedmates - 6
Fandom: Uta no Prince-sama
Pairing: Shinomiya Natsuki / Kurusu Syo
Theme: weakness
Rating: PG-13
Words: 715
Notes: Title comes from the (English-translated) lyrics of Changing Our Song! by Kurusu Syo [CV. Shimono Hiro]
Summary & Disclaimer: see MASTER POST
“Syo-chan, wait!” Natsuki grabbed Syo by the wrist on impulse but quickly released him when he saw Syo wince.
Then a look of annoyance flashed across Syo’s face. He took a step back and snapped, “Don’t touch me!” the reaction so vehement that it felt like a knife had been plunged straight through Natsuki’s chest. Hurt must have shone on Natsuki’s eyes because Syo’s expression softened in an instant. “I… I’m sorry. Just… I want to be alone right now, okay? I can’t have you breathing down my neck twenty-four seven.”
It wasn’t a complete rejection. Didn’t sound like it. But Syo was undoubtedly keeping him at arms length. That wasn’t enough to deter Natsuki’s concern. His gaze fell on Syo’s wrist, on the finger-shaped bruises that had now turned into an ugly purple.
This wasn’t the first time he’d seen it, though Natsuki never brought it up, thinking that Syo would tell him what it was eventually. But Syo never did. Instead, he’d been keen on hiding that nasty mark beneath wristbands or long-sleeved shirts.
“I’m just worried, Syo-chan. Is… is someone hurting you?” was Natsuki’s lame attempt to coax an explanation – anything – out of Syo.
“I told you. I slipped on the stairs and someone grabbed me to keep me from falling. Their grip was too tight so I ended up with this stupid bruise. That’s all.” The way Syo’s eyes flickered, refusing to meet Natsuki’s, was a clear sign that what he just said was far from the truth. There must be a good reason why Syo chose to remain closed off. And yet, Natsuki refused to give up.
“But Syo-chan,” he started, the next words dying on the tip of his tongue when Syo’s eyes flared.
“Look, if you don’t want to believe me that’s your problem. I have things to do so I’m going back to school. I can’t waste any more time discussing something so trivial,” Syo spat then rushed down the street, disappearing around the bend and all Natsuki could do was stare at the spot where Syo disappeared.
If he found out someone was indeed hurting Syo….
Then what? A voice echoed from the depth of his soul, dark and cold and ireful, rising to the surface of his consciousness. What would you do? You’re weak. How could you protect him when you can’t even protect yourself? Too weak that you can’t even take what’s rightfully yours.
He wasn’t weak. He wasn’t. Natsuki wanted so much to retort, to prove the voice wrong. But he couldn’t. He couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. It felt like icy limbs were coiling around him, inside him.
“Natsuki?” The light tap on his shoulder broke him out of his trance, releasing him from the disconcerting internal struggle. Natsuki jerked, turned his head and was met with the concerned look framing Otoya’s face. “Are you okay? You’ve been staring ahead for a while now. It’s not like you to space out.”
“Yeah.” The unconscious urge to pull on his usual mask ruled over so Natsuki felt his lips curve up, the corners of his eyes crinkling, as he offered Otoya a carefree smile. “I’m fine, Otoya-kun.”
Otoya’s gaze swept around the area. “Where’s Syo?”
“He said he had something to do so he went back to the Academy.”
“I see.”
Natsuki debated whether he should ask Otoya about Syo. But then Otoya beat him to it, saying, “Hey Natsuki?” the fiery red of his eyes dimming a little. “Have you noticed something off with Syo? He seems a bit jumpy lately.”
Hearing that from someone who had been spending more time with Syo these days increased Natsuki’s worries tenfold. “I’m sure he’s just worried about the exams,” was the lie that skipped out of his mouth.
Otoya seemed to buy it though. “Aren’t we all? And speaking of… Masa sent a text message. He wants to talk to us A-S-A-P. Something about the choreography for our dance exam.”
“Okay. Let’s go back and find him,” Natsuki said and started down the path that led to the school. He wondered if he should find Syo as soon as they get back. But then he decided that giving Syo some space was probably the best thing to do. For now. He could wait.
Title: Reflected in the Mirror, Mr. Weakness
Series: Bedmates - 6
Fandom: Uta no Prince-sama
Pairing: Shinomiya Natsuki / Kurusu Syo
Theme: weakness
Rating: PG-13
Words: 715
Notes: Title comes from the (English-translated) lyrics of Changing Our Song! by Kurusu Syo [CV. Shimono Hiro]
Summary & Disclaimer: see MASTER POST
“Syo-chan, wait!” Natsuki grabbed Syo by the wrist on impulse but quickly released him when he saw Syo wince.
Then a look of annoyance flashed across Syo’s face. He took a step back and snapped, “Don’t touch me!” the reaction so vehement that it felt like a knife had been plunged straight through Natsuki’s chest. Hurt must have shone on Natsuki’s eyes because Syo’s expression softened in an instant. “I… I’m sorry. Just… I want to be alone right now, okay? I can’t have you breathing down my neck twenty-four seven.”
It wasn’t a complete rejection. Didn’t sound like it. But Syo was undoubtedly keeping him at arms length. That wasn’t enough to deter Natsuki’s concern. His gaze fell on Syo’s wrist, on the finger-shaped bruises that had now turned into an ugly purple.
This wasn’t the first time he’d seen it, though Natsuki never brought it up, thinking that Syo would tell him what it was eventually. But Syo never did. Instead, he’d been keen on hiding that nasty mark beneath wristbands or long-sleeved shirts.
“I’m just worried, Syo-chan. Is… is someone hurting you?” was Natsuki’s lame attempt to coax an explanation – anything – out of Syo.
“I told you. I slipped on the stairs and someone grabbed me to keep me from falling. Their grip was too tight so I ended up with this stupid bruise. That’s all.” The way Syo’s eyes flickered, refusing to meet Natsuki’s, was a clear sign that what he just said was far from the truth. There must be a good reason why Syo chose to remain closed off. And yet, Natsuki refused to give up.
“But Syo-chan,” he started, the next words dying on the tip of his tongue when Syo’s eyes flared.
“Look, if you don’t want to believe me that’s your problem. I have things to do so I’m going back to school. I can’t waste any more time discussing something so trivial,” Syo spat then rushed down the street, disappearing around the bend and all Natsuki could do was stare at the spot where Syo disappeared.
If he found out someone was indeed hurting Syo….
Then what? A voice echoed from the depth of his soul, dark and cold and ireful, rising to the surface of his consciousness. What would you do? You’re weak. How could you protect him when you can’t even protect yourself? Too weak that you can’t even take what’s rightfully yours.
He wasn’t weak. He wasn’t. Natsuki wanted so much to retort, to prove the voice wrong. But he couldn’t. He couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. It felt like icy limbs were coiling around him, inside him.
“Natsuki?” The light tap on his shoulder broke him out of his trance, releasing him from the disconcerting internal struggle. Natsuki jerked, turned his head and was met with the concerned look framing Otoya’s face. “Are you okay? You’ve been staring ahead for a while now. It’s not like you to space out.”
“Yeah.” The unconscious urge to pull on his usual mask ruled over so Natsuki felt his lips curve up, the corners of his eyes crinkling, as he offered Otoya a carefree smile. “I’m fine, Otoya-kun.”
Otoya’s gaze swept around the area. “Where’s Syo?”
“He said he had something to do so he went back to the Academy.”
“I see.”
Natsuki debated whether he should ask Otoya about Syo. But then Otoya beat him to it, saying, “Hey Natsuki?” the fiery red of his eyes dimming a little. “Have you noticed something off with Syo? He seems a bit jumpy lately.”
Hearing that from someone who had been spending more time with Syo these days increased Natsuki’s worries tenfold. “I’m sure he’s just worried about the exams,” was the lie that skipped out of his mouth.
Otoya seemed to buy it though. “Aren’t we all? And speaking of… Masa sent a text message. He wants to talk to us A-S-A-P. Something about the choreography for our dance exam.”
“Okay. Let’s go back and find him,” Natsuki said and started down the path that led to the school. He wondered if he should find Syo as soon as they get back. But then he decided that giving Syo some space was probably the best thing to do. For now. He could wait.