*Private* Water Rival ((andredmcampos & alexia ))

[alexia__]

character sheet

 

Name: Inoue Kahoku

Age: 18

Position: Uke

Height: 165 cm

Weight: 70 kg

Occupation: Student

 

Appearance: Bright emerald eyes and grey black hair, white. Often wears jeans and cardigans. Usually seen with school uniform or swim wear.

 

Interests: Swimming. Math. Sleep.

Dislikes: Salty foods. Cold temperatures

 

Biography: Kahoku lives with his parents and grandmother. He is anemic but will often refrain from telling people. He first started swimming when he was 6 and feel in love with it. Kahoku can also play the piano but leaves it as a side hobby, mainly because he can't play it in front of anyone due to embarrassment, although this wasn't always the case. Aside from a handful of swimming trophies, one can find large winner piano competition trophies and many medals in the back of his closet collecting dust.

 

Personality: Quiet guy that loves to analyse everything around him. He is very cheerful and outgoing with his friends and can easily show people how much he loves to swim. Enjoys classical music very much but keeps it as a major secret from everyone.

 

Extra: Kahoku's father was also a swimmer back in high school and is very proud of his son's dedication towards the sport. He is also a Speedster who excels at short runs like the 100m and the 50m and his crowl strokes are something to be feared.

[andredmcampos]

Character Sheet:

 

Name: Youkine Same;

Age: 18;

Position: Seme;

Height: 180cm;

Weight: 85 Kg;

Occupation: Student;

 

Appearance: Obsidian Black Eyes with same color hairs. Caucasian. He wears different things on different ocasions, with his favorite outfit being loose clothing that makes him feel confortable. When he wants a more "serious" look he usually wears jeans and V-Collar T-shirts, with a light black leather jacket thrown in over it. He's well-built and more muscular then the average teenager, due to his sporting profile.

 

Likes: Being Underwater, Games, Good Music.

Dislikes: Cold/Indiferent People, Prejudice, Boredom

 

Byography: Youkine has moved in with his older sister due to his studies, being half a country appart from his parents. He liked swimming from a very early age, but was not very good due to being tall and not very hydrodynamic, that was untill he found out the endurance runs. He found a niche in wich he would surpass most of his competitors due to his powerfull built physique and started dedicating himself to it. When he became 16, he and a few friends decided to try for the tag ultraman, where Youkine got his five minutes at spotlight for being the youngest competitor reaching for the 5km meter that year, but that lit his pride and almolst caused him to drown due to over exerting his body. From that day on, he decided that he had reached his limits, and made his mind to stay at the regular swimming competitions where he could shine. Lately, he found a very good companion for when he was not underwater: a 3DS portable that his sister's fiancée gave him for christmas.

 

Personality: Youkine is not the shy guy, and is actually a person of extremes. He is very easy to anger but also very easy to become happy as well, and that's usually the face he shows. He is rarely or never seen without a smile on his face, but when he is, beware. He loves to help people whenever he can, wich has got him the nickname of "Youkina Same", "The Hilarious Shark". He's also very understanding of people, being a closeted bissexual himself, part of him that only his sister knows about. He loves good songs from wichever genre they rail from, and will listen to rock and erudite with the same joy.

 

Extra: He has a really close relationship with his sister, who ends up becoming also his best friend. He also keeps contact with the friends with whom he ran the Ultraman, that eventually come to visit. He's an outstanding endurance swimmer who can pull feats of breath techniques that many pro swimmers can't vaunt of having, due to his heavy physicall training.

[alexia__]

The shattered air blew freely in the wind creating soft ripples against the shinning water, Kahoku stood there, in position, not a muscle moving. Pieces of hair left outside from his swim cap blew back and a sudden anxiety grew within, a rush of readiness built inside and his clear mind focused on the target... the water. 'This time too, this time I'll show you who the best is Youkine' he thought as a small smirk formed in his lips.

The signal went off and all divers jumped in.

 

'Perfect form, perfect strokes, perfect breathing' repeated Kahoku in his head over and over. 'You're a great rival Youkine, one of the best, but this ends here!'

 

Although everyone could see that both Kahoku and Youkine were beyond the levels of the other swimmers they often found themselves fighting for first place repeatedly. The talent levels were great but the equilibrium of the competition was broken and often first place would vary within the two.

 

Kahoku had started perfectly he could even match Youkine's speed this time, he was sure he would win !

It happened during the second lap to finishing.

Kahoku started to fall behind he became extremely fatigued and his earlier chest pain grew. He knew this feeling, these were side effects of his anemia, dizziness begun as he tried to reach the finish line.

He came in as 2nd this time, which means he didn't prove anything to Youkine.

He wanted to be mad terribly angry but breath came in short spams and before anyone could notice he reached for the pool ladder and ran out of the pool and into the locker room.

 

His chest pain grew and the room became fuzzy, grabbing his phone from his bag he quickly dialed a number.

"Mom..quickly come, mom" he whispered

Minutes later his mother came in and his father carried him out, all he remembers was the empty locker room and his fathers arms.

'Next time I'll take my pills' he thought

[andredmcampos]

Too much noise. Too much sound... The cap did little to dimnish the outside noise while the waiting tension begun. Youkine had nothing at all against noise in general, but just as the calmness priors the storm, so too was that noise to him like the singings of a multitude of choirs prioring the most perfect silence, the silence of the water. And there he was again, beside him. That guy... That Kahoku fellow. While none could take the 150m run from Kahoku and Youkine would shine at the 1500m, the 400 free run was a grey zone. One that Endurers and Speedsters both had a shot at. Well, not that it would be fair to call that 'a shot at' with that little speedster that looked like a bullet and the human tower that could run almolst 3 minutes without taking a single breath.

 

And then the signaling flare came, the unmistakable sound. The sound of the voices of several swimming aiming at the water, and then the purest of silences. The silence of the water. See, in a swimming run, that moment is critical: the angle in wich your body hits the water defines the length You'll cover in the first impulse. The force You can apply underwater defines how far You can go before You really need to start making arm and leg maximun effort, therefore saving energy. For the most expert swimmers, taking a perfect dive was a natural act. Two swimmers, that day, emerged ahead of everyone on that natural act. And then the race begun. See, one would usually believe that speedsters would leave endurers to dust in the first few seconds, but that game was actually a lot more complex.

 

Not having the ability to sustain steady speed, speedsters would actually lag behind in the first moment to pull a full-force at the last minute and go trough the endurers who were able to maintain maximun speed from moment 1 up till the end.

 

Yea, pretty theory, and yet. When Youkine glanced aside what he saw was a Kahoku perfectly paired up with him. "To amass that amount of speed right off the batch. You're something, You little genious" A smile could be seen on Youkine's face while he forced every cell of his body to the limit... And then.

 

"What are You doing? I'm not that much faster, why are You lagging behind?". But it wasn't just some lagging behind. Having studied that opponent for so long, Youkine could tell there was something else. "His armstrokes are irregular. His legs are loosing strength. What's happening".

 

As he reached the finishing line, the "Hilarious Shark" watched an anguishing Kahoku reach for second place. He turned around to thank people for their compliments with a half-assed smile and a bitter taste in his lips. "I should've lost." Even if noone else seemed to notice that, he knew, and that feeling was enough to give him sadness. Not that he hated loosing or anything like that. Truth was, the several times he lost to Kohaku he left the pool with a smile on his face. He was bested, and when you're bested at your own top form, You have a reason to go on. But this? This was just plainly unfair. He just grabbed a lost victory, and he was worried.

 

The crow dissipated as Youkine glanced at the locker's door closing. "He knows it too. We've had both our shares of traded wins and even pulled some tech draws... But this? This is a race we both lost."

 

--Oi. I don't feel like congratulating You if You've got that kinda face.

 

After checking if none else was paying attention to them, Youkine turned at Kameko with a trully sad face.

 

--Don't bother, sis. I myself don't feel much of a winner.

 

--That was the boy You've watched hours of tapes of last night, wasn't it? - was his sister reaction. - What happened?

 

--No idea... But he wasn't allright. That much I can tell.

 

--Well then - continued Kameko - I guess I don't have to worrie about getting You that lemon pie with cheese You love so much then.

 

The smile in the boy's face came back. Kameko seemed to always know how to get that smile out.

 

--Don't You dare say this even if mocking. You are gonna get me that pie!

 

--Besides - continued Kameko - The next time You face that guy, You should engrave in his mind that grin You had yesterday watching his runs... "I want him" I think were your words, right? Also, come on, You've got the 1500m in two days, don't You? You gotta prepare!

 

 

Kameko Same

 

[alexia__]

"Anemia is not deadly unless you make it, refrain from forgetting to take your pills Mr. Inoue or else next time a simple IV and some medicine will do no good for you"

 

I can't mention how many times I have heard my doctor say that and honestly I'm always expecting the worse due to my disorder. At 6 my father taught me how to swim, it helped my mood and later on I was swimming all over the place and I was good too. Soon competitions came and my depression of the past left, after that a pool was built in my backyard as a 14's birthday, I began to practice everyday all the time, I increase my speed, strokes and breathing. Soon after my fundamentals where so sharp I felt like a king.

Shortly after I started to compete, I gained a nice reputation and many shiny objects to go with it, and then he showed up. Out of no where he came to the competition that first time he almost came as first, me but it didn't take long until he did and then I regained victory, he then quickly took it back! we been playing this game of tag for so long it became fun and I didn't mind loosing.... thing is I've never lost to him twice in a row.

'What does he think of me now? maybe I'm not a worthy opponent anymore' I thought

"No!" I screamed "I could've won today! that was my win" I yelled over and over again.

 

Hot tears came pouring out of my eyes, tears of shame and failure. I removed my covers and walked to the piano in the corner of my room. This lovely piano had been my great grandmothers who passed it to her daughter and now it was mine, a lovely white that adorned the darker shades of my room.

Between the fury of failure and the pain of my tears I cracked open the fallboard to reveal a set of black and pearl white keys. I never played the piano anymore unless moments like these occurred.

I places my hands over the keys and played until I had given my pain and soul to the piano.

 

"Kahoku wake up!" said my mom from downstairs.

She had been extra preoccupied with me due to yesterdays event and the fact that summer was coming to an end, school was about to start, then the temperatures would drop, I frowned at this I did not like that idea.

"kahoku!!" she said again.

 

"I'm coming I'm coming!" let the day begin.

[andredmcampos]

--You're lost in thoughts, bro. You look like a zombie.

 

Kameko's lovely morning humor, a remarkable thing. If You're into monsters that could bite your head off, that is.

 

--Yea... A pillow full force in the face tends to have this kind of effect on people.

 

--Oho. But my pillow had nothing to do with Your mood now, had it?

 

Youkine could only look down with nothing to say.

 

--Ok, so listen up, bro. Shit happens. Yea, I know, it's sad, but shit happens. So the boy didn't go full force yesterday, so what? As far as You know, he might have been psicologically frustrated from a broken heart or anything else, right? So put your shit together, grow a pair, and make sure to tell him that You won't accept any half-assed will next time. For now, celebrate your win. Besides You two, there were ten other competitors on that pool, You know? None of them got even close to You? So only that boy matters? Are You telling me that You don't give a damn about those other people's efforts? That all their training could go to hell for all You care?

 

--This is... I never ment to... - The guy tried in vain to regain speech.

 

--I don't care if You ment to or not. This is what you're giving off. Now go get decently dressed, I'm gonna give You a ride to the 1500 subscription, You head off to your training after that and quit this dimwit act, we clear?

 

--Yes, sis.

 

Kameko reached for his hair and messed it up a bit. She was so smaller then him that this scene was almolst comical.

 

--Now that's my brother.

 

--Thanks, Kame... Really, thank You.

 

--Don't thank me yet. - she said, smiling. - I'll accept your thanks when You beat the crap out of thos endurers tomorrow.

 

Kameko Same didn't look like much, but she was quite strong. Not only did she managed to stand her ground in the academic world, she just also became the head researcher in the Natural Life Research center. Many of Youkine's knowledge at the biology involved in swimming and his physicall optimization of arms and legs techniques came from her, and her fiancée was a Sport's Cience Teacher, wich did help him master breathing techniques. All that apart, Kameko always managed to get a smile from a sad face or a lesson from sore. She was sister, friend and coach alltogether.

 

All that being said, Youkine still nurtured a bad feeling that something was wrong.

[alexia__]

The place was bright surrounded by family members than had come to join the participants. The place was honestly too bright and cheerful.

Kahoku had been feeling perfectly fine when he go out of bed, but as soon as he reached a mirror he even scared himself. His face was so pale white he could pass as a sheet, it made his large green eyes pop too, which was basically the only color he was getting today.

The only thing on his mind since he ate breakfast was a way to talk to Youkine. Him and that guy had had only few conversations before but Kahoku found it necessary to remind Youkine that he was still an available rival and he was not giving up.

The day was terribly hot but something had to be done to cover the nasty black bruise in his arm from the IV, he grabbed on a light jacket and placed it over his shirt to cover his arm.

~~~~~~~~

"Kahoko don't run off for too long I'll be over there in the benches waiting for you remember your medicine is in 10 minutes" said his mom

"I won't run off too far" answered Kahoku looking at the place where Youkine was sitting in.

This was going to take a lot of effort. As he made his way to where his rival sat he ran in his head the words that he would say 'Don't think you have won, I still have other tricks' ; but those were all thoughts and it would mean nothing if they weren't said out loud .

 

Kahoku was only a few feet away from Youkine now when he notice the other boy was playing on a DS. Kahoku owned some that he didn't touch anymore, in a way it was cute but what came out of his mouth was not.

"What the heck Youkine are you a kid" said Kahoku

The moment the other boy stared at him all his confidence fell. Kahoku suddenly became very aware of himself, no one else was wearing a sweater, of course not it was 80 degrees outside, no one was as pale looking as him or weak. All these negatives got the best of Kahoku every time and usually it didn't end well.

 

"I-I just came by to say this is not over, your win yesterday was luck I l-let you win" said Kahoku with a sudden boost of cockiness.

"Y-you say you're an endurance swimmer but honestly I bet even I could win against you there" Kahoku smirked trying to keep his voice from shacking.

 

He was so nervous, what the hell was he saying!

He then began to open his mouth again to continue but was interrupted by a clear ring of a familiar voice.

"Kahoku honey" said his mother running towards him "I told you to not run off" she handed him a water bottle and shoved a cup of pills towards him. "Drink!" she demanded

 

'These are way more than I had to take last time' mentally said Kahoku who quickly drank them all noticing that Youkine was still there.

 

"Whatever I will beat you Youkine you just have luck"

[andredmcampos]

"What the heck Youkine are you a kid"

 

"I-I just came by to say this is not over, your win yesterday was luck I l-let you win"

 

"Y-you say you're an endurance swimmer but honestly I bet even I could win against you there"

 

"Whatever I will beat you Youkine you just have luck"

 

--Really, now. What are You, the gost of swimmings past? You're pale as one, that's for sure.

 

Youkine closed his 3DS and put it back on his bag.

 

--Look, kiddo, no offense, but shouldn't You get a hold of Yourself before talking big? Yes, I would love to run against you... And over You... again. But I'd like to run against You, not against that pale shadow of a swimmer I faced yesterday. Really, now, have You no shame? Swimming in such a shape? If I were one of the other 10 swimmers who got beaten by You I would be extremely offended. No, You know what?

 

Youkine moved a few steps towards the smaller guy

 

--I AM extremely offended. I don't know what has gotten into You, but put your act together. One second You are swimming like a true genious, the next You seem like about to pass of? What were those irregular arms movement, what about those weak legs?

 

--Listen, Kahoku, I got really scared back there. I got worried about You. Do You think I wanna loose competition? While there is someone like You to be bested, my training regimen is worth keeping. You are the very reason I've been getting better, and after scaring me like that You come here talking big like...

 

At that moment. Just at that moment, a sudden realization hits Youkine.

 

--Wait a second right there... What are You even DOING here. This is the 1500, kiddo, not the 150. This is big game for endurers, no place for a speedster, don't get me started on a speedster who can barely finish the 400. What are You, trying to kill yourself?

 

Now Youkine seemed really, really scared that the little guy might end up putting his life on the line just for the sake of beating him.

[alexia__]

 

--Wait a second right there... What are You even DOING here. This is the 1500, kiddo, not the 150. This is big game for endurers, no place for a speedster, don't get me started on a speedster who can barely finish the 400. What are You, trying to kill yourself?

 

 

"I'm already dead moron!" said Kahoku as he walked away.

He knew it was stupid, suicidal ever but he wanted this, he felt so weak this morning after looking in the mirror than he needed to redeem himself.

"Even that piano can't help me now" he whispered

 

Kahoku made his way to the changing rooms and changed, there were 20 minutes until the competition and he had to cover the bruise on his arm somehow.

He stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom stall. Breathing? perfect, body? perfect . He then looked at himself again and saw that he was not indeed perfect.

His body had become whiter as a side effect of anemia and the bruise popped out even more.

"I have to hide this" he became desperate and leaned against the bathroom stall "what am i going to do" he repeated.

~~~~~~~

Kahoku's time was up, nor did he find a way to get better or cover the bruise, he decided to walk on out with it. All swimmers where set and ready. Call it luck or irony but Youkine ended up next to me, with a perfect view of his black arm

'Dammit' he thought 'I really should have covered it'

 

He close my eyes and felt the wind on his face and the bright sun providing heat, the clear shinning water that called his name. With closed eyes Kohaku thought of his face underwater and how good that feeling came every time he dove in. Th signal flare was fired and all swimmers went in.

His position had been perfect, his jump also everything was fine, only different was he didn't have that refreshing feeling when your face touches the water, instead it felt painful.

'Ah today was a bad day for a swim' said Kahoku in his head.

Both Youkine and Kahoku soon surpassed most of the swimmers yet kept a steady pace.

Kahoku didn't do this type of swim often but he knew to not overwork himself just yet.

They proceeded with the race but Kahoku was becoming dizzy and became short of breath. 'This is not anemia!' he mentally told himself.

He began to swim a bit fast picking up space to separate from Youkine, at first it seemed like a good idea but then his arm became painfully heavy and his leg hurt.

 

Kahoku can't explained what happened next, all he can say was that he felt like a sinking rock. He swears he was swimming but he sunk, his arm was so heavy he couldn't lift it, all the water suddenly began to drown him and when he gasped for air it didn't come, just more pain.

'Its a good think I told mom to leave, I wouldn't want her to see this' he though as everything came black.

[andredmcampos]

"I'm already dead moron!"

 

Youkine had had his share of arguments, he have heard and read things that led him into sadness alright, but never had a knife cut so deep as those words. "When did You become this? You are someone whose eyes would shine when inside a pool. No competitor ever made me feel so alive. How can You be dead? Rather, how can You be this dead?" Those words were never said, but echoed in Youkine's mind untill the starting flare. And then, he came to the pool, the arm covered in black contrasting with the ethereal white covering the rest of his body. Youkine's heart felt like going to his mouth, his eyes were watery way before he jumped to the water. "What happened to You? Kahoku". The signaling flare was nearing as the judges started telling them the preparation positions. One wingle sentence, whispered almolst to the wind, crossed Youkine's lips:

 

-Don't You go dying on me, little guy. You're too cute for that.

 

The flare sounded, they all jumped to the water, but at that time, the deep peacefull feeling Youkine felt underwater was not there. He was nervous, tense. Sure, both he and Kohaku got their advantages from the mass, but Kohaku was holding back, too, to save his energies. "This feels wrong".

 

And then Kahoku took off. He started gaining speed. "You moro, what are You doing?". Suddenly, what was before Youkine's eyes was not Kahoku, but himself. He was watching his swim for the Ultraman two years ago. The arms too heavy, the body too tired, the mind to restless. Back then he held on to the 5km buoy mark for dear life, but this time there was no buoy mark, there was only Kahoku sinking deep into the water.

 

For the next couple minutes, Youkine acted on instinc. His feet touched the floor of the pool, that much already ment he was disqualified, but that didn't matter. He lowered his body, letting himself fall deeper then Kahoku and forced all the muscles in his body to cooperate. He impulsioned himself to the lane beside him, towards Kahoku, and held him with all his might. He rushed to the border like a speedster, placing Kahoku's body outside of the pool gently, as he himself got out of the pool in a jump, putting himself aside the guy. He could see the paramedics entering the gym, but he couldn't wait. He started the first aid himself, counted as he progressed trough the cardiac Massage as his mind was set on saving him.

 

--One

 

"Don't die on me!"

 

--Two

 

"Don't You dare!"

 

--Three

 

"You can't surrender now"

 

--Four

 

"Fight!"

 

--Five

 

"Fight!!"

 

--Six, seven, eight, nine, ten

 

"Come on, now"

 

--Eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen.

 

"Please, make it. Please, please!"

 

--Seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty

 

Youkine could see the paramedics getting closer, litter and inhaler in hand

 

--Twenty one, Twenty two, twenty three, twenty four...

 

Tears began running trough his eyes as hope was getting further away

 

--Twenty five, twenty six, twenty seven..

 

Now, Youkine was screaming the numbers, almolst as if ordering the counting to stop, as if ordering Kahoku to wake up before the cycle was over.

 

--Twenty eight.

 

His heart was accelerated, his eyes closed, he panicked.

 

--Twenty nine...

 

And then the sound of water being spilt came. Kahoku was breathing again, although still too weak and passed out. Youkine layed his head on the guy's chest breathing hard as if he had done the most intense breatjing exercise of his life, he wanted to say so many things right now, but only one set of words came out of his mouth.

 

--Thank You. Thank You... Thank You.

 

The paramedics got there and took the boy to an ambulance. Youkine followed. One of the paramedics tried to tell him that there was no need to follow since the boy would be okay. For a second, Youkine couldn't remeber if he actually said it or simply roared to the paramedic.

 

---I'M GOING TOO!

 

None else stood in his way. Once inside the ambulance, the paramedic examining him told Youkine that the guy was ok, right now all the boy had was exhaustion, that he would probably wake up in a few hours, they just got to take him to the hospital to check if all that effort hadn't had any impact on the boy's anemia, since he seemed to have taken the medicine not long ago. "Anemia? I had no idea..."

 

Youkine sent a message to his sister, telling at wich hospital they were and asking her to talk to the organization and get Kahoku's mother contact and take her over there. When Kameko came in with Kahoku's mother, the boy was already in a bed, resting safe and Youkine was in a bench in front of the bed. The mother's talking to the doctor took a while, but it seemed that everything was ok, that he was gonna recover safely and without sequels from that. She got scolded, thou, for the son's lack of attention of proper food input and medical care.

 

--You can go rest now, he's gonna be okay - she told Youkine - thank You so much for taking care of my boy.

 

Youkine was looking attentively to Kahoku, eyes red after having cried some for the boy's condition. He felt like the worst human being in the planet: Kahoku made that much effort because of him, after all.

 

--Do You mind if I stay here? - Youkine asked Kahoku's mom. The woman looked impressed at how what she assumed being her son's friend was so diligent.

 

--Sure, I'm sure he will be happy to see a friend here when he wakes up.

 

Youkine changed into some clean clothes his sister brought him and went back to sitting. His 3DS was in his bag, as Kameko certainly guessed he would stay there untill he saw the boy was fine with his own eyes, but Youkine didn't feel like playing. He and Kahoku's mother traded some cheap talking while they waited there, Youkine at the bench and the boy's mother in a chair beside her son. Then Youkine stayed just there, quiet, staring attentively at Kahoku, waiting for him to wake up, untill the exhaustion from that long day finally took him, and he felt asleep even in that very unconfortable position. He was sleeping a dreamless sleep, the rest of the exhausted.

[alexia__]

Kahoku woke up in a warm restful bed, he was alarmed at first because of the unfamiliar room and then he saw a patient chart hanging at the end of the bed. Instantly realization took him, he had been swimming, probably to some extend until his body gave out, Kahoku was ashamed of creating such a scene. He had always been a pretty obedient son, at times some trouble would rise because of him but it wouldn't affect his parents.

'I bet mom is so sad' he thought

 

At a first glance the room was empty, the lights slights off but with a large window that provided enough visibility to move around without tripping. A chair was next to him and he sensed his mother must have been sitting there for a while until she took a break.

A summer breeze came into the room warming up Kahoku's cheeks, it moved the white curtains that adorned the larger window. The he saw him sitting there, in the bench near the window covered by the slight darkness of the room.

"Y-Youkine" said Kahoku softly.

 

It appeared like the boy was in a deep slumber due to exhaustion, it seems he had managed to bother someone else. Gratitude filled inside himself and a sudden urge of admiration and dreadful feelings over took Kahoku, he softly removed the bed sheets and placed his feet to the floor.

The floor was colder that expect since warm air was coming in, Kahoku reached for the night robes placed next to his bed and slid himself inside them.

His vision became focused on Youkine's face and he walked towards him. As he got closet he noticed sudden changes that weren't present during the day, his hair seemed softer and it hung heavily over his closed eyes and forehead. His eye lashes were extremely long for a guy and his lips became rosy when he was asleep.

Kahoku sighed "Now I have to apologize for saving me" he said to sleeping Youkine

 

Moving closer to Youkine's form he sat next to him keeping enough distance to not wake him but still smell pool on him.

"Seriously thank you" said Kahoku with his head lagging down making his hair fall frontwards.

 

Even though it didn't feel like it Kahoku's body was still quite tired and at one point, while sitting next to Youkine, he feel asleep. His head hung to the side making some of his hairs brush against Youkine's shoulder. Kahoku's mother walked in not long after. they were both fast asleep and seeing her son change position slightly relaxed him.

"You troublesome child" she said with a daring smile as she grabbed her phone and snapped a picture of the two sleeping.

[andredmcampos]

It was the purest of silences. A silence like that of the water, then some soft movement seemed like wanting to bring him back to reality, but was quickly shook of. But then there was this 'click' sound. It made Youkine realize that the real world was calling him back. He slowly opened his eyes, coming back from a deep slumber. The first thing that scared him was that the bed was empty.

 

--Kaho...

 

He was about to say, when he felt the presence beside him. The small guy was almolst sleeping at his shoulders. His mother was close by, watching the two. Seing Kahoku like that made Youkine smile. Placing one hand at Kahoku's shoulder that was closest to him as to avoid him falling due to the big swimmer's movements, Youkine gently passed the other hand trough his other shoulder, as to wake him up.

 

--Oi, kiddo. - He said, ever so gently - if You woke up there is someone who's thoughts You should easen up before You go make this peacefull face and going back to the hands of the sandman. Allthough seeing you so calm and at peace sure is a sight for sore eyes.

 

As he put the other guy straight in the bench to make sure he came back to his senses, he stood up, feeling like he've been hit by a truck or something. His back was aching, as were his shoulders and pretty much any other part of his body. That was not the ideal sleep, but it was some sleep, wich was great, already.

 

While the small boy was in the process of waking up, Youkine walked over to the windows, using his right hand to slightly pull the curtains.

 

--This late, already, uh?

 

He checked his cellphone. 00:44 and 1 unread message from Kameko.

 

"Hope you're both fine. I'm gonna sleep at Kaito's place today, but if You need anything, don't hesitate to call"

 

--Gosh, I need a hot shower and a decent bed, my back is killing me.

[alexia__]

Kahoku woke up to find Youkine awake. He instantly got up ignoring the sudden dizziness and spots that appeared in his vision, he had not forgotten his purpose he had to apologize to Youkine for all the trouble he had caused.

 

*Bows* "Y-Youkine!" said Kahoku "Please forgive my behavior and my actions I-I didn't wish to cause you any trouble"

Kahoku was flushing madly and he knew it, he didn't dare look into Youkines face now but before anything happened Kahoku's mother spoke up.

 

"Alright boys, its quite late... or early, I was wondering , since Kahoku has already been discharged, is friend over here would like to join us for some breakfast and perhaps sleep" she looked at Youkine "What do you say I'm in debt to you"

 

This took my more by surprise than I had expected, I had many friends before but mom never openly invited them over. She must really like Youkine. I looked at Youkine and became even redder to my ears.

'I don't even want to hear his answer, yes or no it will be supper embarrassing' I thought

But deeply I actually wanted him to stay for breakfast.

[andredmcampos]

"Alright boys, its quite late... or early, I was wondering , since Kahoku has already been discharged, is friend over here would like to join us for some breakfast and perhaps sleep. What do you say I'm in debt to you"

 

Youkine went completely red, taken by surprise by that invitation. He had no idea how to react.

 

--I-I don't want to be a burden, Miss Inoue. I'm sure I troubled You enough for one night. Plus, I'm sure all Kahoku is wishing right now is to get back to his place, right?

 

The he steps a bit towards Kahoku, and instead of saying anything, he messes a bit his hair.

 

--By the way, I've got something for You. Well, it's more like I borrowed it anyway, so...

 

Youkine pulls the 400m medal from his pocket and puts it towards Kahoku.

 

--You were right, You should have won, You were swimming better alltogether.

 

In his mind, allthough he was trying to be polite, he hoped that Kahoku's mother would insist on him going to their place. He sure could use some laughs and companny after that sadness-heavy day.

[alexia__]

Kahoku looked up with tears at the corner of his eyes, how could he have seen this guy so many times yet know nothing about him starting with his kindness, a light blush spread over his face and he wished Youkine wouldn't notice, they did not break eye contact.

 

Suddenly someone grabbed at his arm and pulled him closer, when he looked over he saw his mom and entwined hands with him and Youkine.

"Now here young man, you have terrible bags in your eyes so all of us are going back home to put some calories and get sleep" she smiled.

I swear I had never seen mom like this, but now that I think about it Youkine looks like that when he was in high school, the same swimmer body and small tan.

I was so surprised all i could do was look at Youkine with a 'don't deny face'

 

Next thing I knew i was walking down the hospital hallway with robes and slippers being dragged by my mother. To the left was Youkine and although i couldn't look at his face I could bet he was laughing.

Once we reached the elevator we went down to Ground floor to find our car.

 

This question did not reach my head until i was in the car, but mom had mentioned sleeping... were wold Youkine sleep?

[andredmcampos]

This question did not reach my head until i was in the car, but mom had mentioned sleeping... were wold Youkine sleep?

 

Anywhere.

 

It was not like Youkine somehow knew Kahoku was wondering that,neither did any said answer come to his question, but that became evident the second they entered the car. Youkine was already half-asleep. Truth was, the day was intense and the rushing took its toll. Youkine was in need, more then in want, for a sleep. He barely had time to grab his bag as Miss Inoue rushed them out of the hospital. He threw it over his own shoulders with a smile on the face.

 

While in the car, he glanced at Kahoku for a seconds, lost in thoughts, and then looked outside the window.

 

"I want him!"

 

That was the sentence he told his sister on the night before the 400m run, with a naughty grin on his face. True, Youkine had already paied attention to Kahoku, both as a swimmer and as a man. As a swimmer, he could probably describe in detail his arm's length, his armstroke power, his explosion muscle's capacity, his footwork speed, his hand's entry angle on the water... As a man, there was the obvious emerald eyes, the small, yet defined muscles, the light hair, the pretty skin.

 

But Youkine was amazed as to how much he overlooked. Those emerald eyes were not just pretty, but were so honest and pure. The light hair that looked like cotton were not just that, but also a fine frame for his cute face...

 

His cute face... How have I not noticed how easily he blushes and how innocent and pure he looked like when he did so.

 

But then the sound of a new message on his smartphone shook him of from that line of thought. He had sent a message, when they were leaving the hospital, to Kameko, telling her that he would be sleeping over at Kahoku's place. That was her answer:

 

Already got that far, uh? Way to go, Mr. Hero.

Don't get too naughty on him, but do enjoy this, kisses

 

Youkine went tomato red and was hoping that nobody had seen that as started typing at high speed a message explaining that it was nothing like that. When he finished and pressed the "send" button, they were already arriving at the Inoue's.

[alexia__]

Some time during the ride Kahoku had dozed off, now though he was wide awake and was suddenly noticing every last detail of the boy next to him. Youkine was very masculine for a guy his age, even with shirts on anyone that took a good look could see that he was ripped from working out and swimming. His dark hair was so deep in black that it looked rough but he often wondered how soft it actually was, his deep eyes showed so much passion it would drown you in if you looked.

 

Kahoku found himself staring at Youkine's slightly sleeping form and suddenly looked away. Youkine shifted in his seat and started texting away with a bright red flush on his face.

Looking outside the window he smile 'I wonder what he is reading' he thought

 

His house came into view and his mom started to slow down, soon they where at the door unlocking it. The house was slightly dark, the only light source was the glass door that showed the back pool. It smelled like coconuts and berries in the house and his mom quickly passed them and headed to the kitchen.

 

"Uhhh sorry for the darkness, dad is in a trip so mom keeps the down stairs lights off" I blushed slightly, I barely had friends over so this was a new experience.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mom cooked eggs with bacon and pancakes. Youkine ate like an animal and even had seconds, mom was so excited the mood felt different and light, I even caught myself smiling until I noticed mom yawn.

"Mom why don't you get some sleep I'm sure you're tired" I said concerned

"Alright but be a good boy and help me take the extra mattress out for Youkine" she said as she walked upstairs.

 

I looked at Youkine and bowed my head "You don't have to sleep on the mattress although it is really comfortable, but we will place it in my room is dark in there and big so I-its nice to sleep in"

'Oh god' though Kahoku 'I bet he hates this right now, and my room smells mushy because of the piano wood how embarrassing'

"J-just follow me" said Kahoku as he sat up from the chair.

[andredmcampos]

The house was so spacious and... They had a pool? That, itself, was amazing. Plus, that food... Gosh, when was the last time he ate such a wonderfull food? His sister knew how to cook as good as Youkine, wich meant close to nothing, and even if they did, they shared a small appartment whose single advantage was being close to his sister's lab. Back when they lived with their parents, cooking was a rare ocasion, cause they always lived on tight schedules. When that rare occasion happened, it was usually Youkino's father that would cook. His mother cooked well either, but his father had a passion for it. So this food, now, was in pair with his father's. He noticed, maybe a bit too late, that he might have hurried too much to eat. Well, truth be told, he never had a sleep over, so that was new for him.

 

"You don't have to sleep on the mattress although it is really comfortable, but we will place it in my room is dark in there and big so I-its nice to sleep in"

"J-just follow me"

 

--I will sleep in the mattress, no problem.

 

Then Kahoku's mom went up, and Kahoku was about to follow her, but Youkine called him, standing up with a serious look on his face. He waited untill miss Inoue was further ahead.

 

--Kahoku. I didn't want to bring this up around your mom - He said, as his left arm covered slightly his right one - I want You to promisse something, and I apologize beforehand if I sound too rough or rude.

 

--Promisse me that never again You will speak such things as "I am already dead". I don't know what got into You that day, but no matter what, You are not! I can't begin to imagine how much of a burden your anemia have been for You, but I do believe that neither can those other ten swimmers you left to dust on the 400m. Even if we talk about statistics and risk saying that half of them were endurers, that still means that there were at least 5 other people there looking up at You. Aiming at You. Hoping, dreaming to be as good as You. When You say something like that, You disrespect their efforts. You are the reason they improve. You are the reason they get better. And, of course.. - Yousuke looked aside avoiding direct eye contact -... You are my reason too. I couldn't hope to be the swimmer I am today if You were not there, pushing or pulling me up as You go. That's why...

 

Youkine looked straight at Kahoku's eyes, his own watery as he remembered what happened that day.

 

--I want You to promisse me to never give up! To never stop fighting! Today, when I was trying to bring You back and You would just not... You would just not wake up... I panicked, I completely lost it. I don't think I have a reason to swim if You're not there on the pool... I don't know the burden of anemia, and I don't know how can I be of help with that, but know that I will be there for You when You need, so please, just promisse me...

 

Youkine had tears running down his face as he looked back at Kahoku.

[alexia__]

The surprise of his name did not compare to what he came face to face when Kahoku turned around. Youkine's face was so full of emotions that Kahoku would not describe. He had felt ashamed for his words and actions but he would've never guessed that Youkine would mirror what Kahoku had been wanting to do. Cry. He had been wanting to cry for so long, after that day at competition, after he had been diagnosed, after the first time he fainted, and after what had occurred yesterday. He wanted to cry for long but had seemed to forget how to, yet here he was , Youkine, crying for him showing him how easy the action was.

 

Deep gushed warm tears ran down Kahoku's face, tears of happiness, sorrow and acceptance. How long had he wanted to cry, how long had he wanted to stop showing the strong hold and pretend it didn't hurt. Taking deep gasps of air he allowed himself to talk. Begin Youkine for forgives, for being so pathetic and allowing his to finally lower his walls.

"Please don't cry for me" repreated Kahoku softly

His vision was blurry and could not tell what Youkine's expression was but Kahoku knew was he felt.

Admiration, friendship, love, adoration did not begin to describe the feelings that were slowly blossoming in Kahoku.

 

The darkness of the room begun to lift and so did Kahoku's view of things, he realized that although he did not know this guy for to long, the impact he had made was unchangeable. 'I wont let this guy go' he thought in his head.

 

Kahoku's face was flushed and teary his eyes that matched his rosy lips "Stay as my friend, become my closest friend and I will keep your promise" My fists clenched because I had never made such a request I became extremely anxious.

[andredmcampos]

"Stay as my friend, become my closest friend and I will keep your promise"

 

Albeit still teary, Youkine's face opened up in a smile.

 

--Well, if that's all it takes, You should've said it earlier. Be sure to what you're signing up to, thou. I'm fed with smiles and won't give You peace if I cannot see them often enough.

 

Having said this, Youkine moved towards Kahoku and messed up his hair a bit, but his heart ended up being more sincere then he hoped for, before he noticed he took one more step and hugged Kahoku, one hand on his shoulders and the other on the back of his head. Putting his chin upon Kahoku's hair, he whispered.

 

--I will be there for You, I swear it on my life.

[alexia__]

"I will be there for You, I swear it on my life"

 

Heart insanely pounding driving red blush all over his cheeks. Kahoku's face heated up as the stronger male took him in his arms. Youkine's muscles were more defined up close and his body radiated intense heat. Suddenly all aspects were very visible. Soft skin, warm body, pounding heart, contact.

 

Moving his hands up Kahoku hesitated whether to hug Youkine but he wanted to so bad! it was driving him insane he felt such happiness to be there that he couldn't control his beating heart. His face became ruby red but before his hands could go all the way Youkine stepped back and the moment was over.

 

Kahoku had regretted small things in life, like not washing his clothes before school, or not eating the last piece of cake before his dad raced him but all those regrets were easily shaken off, this time he had the biggest regret and this one will scar him for the rest of his life. He did not hug Youkine back, even after hearing such words. Parting his lips to take in a shark breath of air Kahoku faked a smile and lead Youkine to his room.

 

The mattress had been set with blankets and a stuffy cover with 2 larger pillows. "I'll close the curtains" said Kahoku.

The curtains closed off most of the light in the room, which made it comfortable to sleep in, he then moved to close off the piano that had been open from the night before and tended to anything Youkine needed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About an hour later both were in their beds but Kahoku couldn't sleep he kept repeating in his head how he would've hugged back Youkine how badly he wanted too. Sleep over took him but even his sleep was not Youkine free.

[andredmcampos]

"He has a piano? Heh, he surely can be a cute guy when he wishes too", Youkine thought while he and Kahoku were setting things up in his room. When he was laying in bed, before sleeping, thou, Youkine noticed himself looking at his own hand while a series of thoughts rushed trough his mind.

 

"What is this feeling? This uneasiness?"

 

Youkine was not stranger to the feelings of desire and lust, he had taken interest in boys ans girls already troughout life and he was not naive enough to not know what an erotic desire was. But that? That was completely different. The same way a juice is different from a wine or a cat is diferent from a tiger. This time, there was no Lust. "I want him", he told his sister, but now, he felt so wrong and even dirty for it. If he were to remake the sentence now, it would probably be something like "I want to protect him", "I want to be the wall that will keep the depravity of the world from him. I want to be the shield that will keep him pure and innocent. Cute forever". Maybe even something like "I want to be beside him even if the world is against him". Words, Youkine found out, were pointless to express certain feels. No sentence would express what he was feeling now properly, that was the unfathomable truth.

 

The fact was, and a smile took his face as he noticed it, that what he was feeling was nothing new. It was way older than any of them, actually. Since the dawn of time science and poetry had competed each other to find words for it. "A chemical reaction that increases heartbeat, enlarge your iris, make your head feel lighter..." That was allright, but this time, even the scientific-swimmer Youkine had to agree that the poetry had it better:

 

"That when the end of time comes, let it be in a precipice, not so You can hate me, but so You can fly. And if life denies You everything, leaving You in agony. If it denies You even life, then breath mine.

 

So, that was it. Youkine had crossed the point of no return. He was in love for Kahoku, and although that realization brought up as many doubts as it brought up good feelings, for now, for that night, he would allow himself to feel happiness, and let himself worrie about the doubts on the next day.

 

And the next day came. Youkine woke up from a good dream and an awesome sleep. He dreamt he was floating underwater, under the peacefull silence of the water, and that above him, looking at him and smiling, was Kahoku. The dream went by too quickly, and Youkine's eyes woke up to the morning sun. He didn't even sleep that much, also, since he had taken some sleep back at the hospital.

 

Kahoku was fast asleep, and Youkine allowed himself to spend a few minutes just looking at him, so peacefull, so calm. "What right have I to feel like this?" He wondered, "What right have I to greed your love?" As far as he knew, Kahoku was a normal boy, who liked girls and wanted to find a good girlfriend and... Oh well, every male teenager dream ends alike, let's just say that his would probably not end in just a kiss. "What right have I to want to take it from You?".

 

Since the dim light was invading trough breeches in the courtain, the room felt almolst etherial. Youkine stood up and approached the piano. "Who would've thought? The warrior Kahoku does know how to be cute, I guess." He sit on the piano's bench and reached for the two sides of the board's cover, raising it ever so softly. He looked at the keys, amazed. Well, of course, for Youkine what was amazing was the beauty, since he had not the faintest idea how to produce any sound from it that sounded better then some tropical bird being strangled. He moved to bring the cover down, but it was heavier then he thought, so he ended up letting it start a fall. He quickly put his other hand beneath it, to avoid the noise. It helped in avoiding the sound of wood against wood, but as the cover hit his hand, so did his hand hit some of the notes. His mouth opened in a grin. "I hope this doesn't wake up poor Kahoku"

 

As he looked back to Kahoku's bed, he wondered why did life loved to proove him wrong so often. A still-sleepy Kahoku was looking confused at him, woken up by the piano's noise.

 

--I'm sorry - Youkine said -I didn't mean to wake You up.

 

"Please don't hate me for looking at your stuff while You were sleeping" he thought, "Please don't hate me, please don't hate me".

[alexia__]

Piano was such a sad part of Kahoku's life that undesired surprise and anger rose from him. Only his family knew of this and Youkine had literately just opened the past.... then he thought ' Its not anger directed at Youkine but at the fact that if he played the instrument it probably wouldn't sound like dry notes.

 

Sitting up Kahoku tilted his head. "Want me to play for you?" he didn't wait for an answer or else he would regret asking, his fear was playing in front of people but hey! Youkine knew what he hid the most so no danger from it.

 

He moved to the window with a relief attitude and cracked open the large curtain of his room, heaven had entered his room and now angel watched from above they were awaiting their postponed concerto.

 

Walking to the piano he remove the cover in one swift movement cracked open the lid and played a trill.

"In tune good" he whispered

Sitting down, hand shaking just above the piano began to move... swiftly... chromatically then feelings came and poured. More light emerged from the piano and Kahoku smiled, closing his eyes he breathed in , no need to see he knew it by memory, playing stronger stronger! until a sudden stop was hit continuing softly.

'Let my feelings reach him' he thought over.

 

The previous night had been over Youkine alone in dreams and some more, although it was confusing the conclusion was set...there was indeed a crush undeniably beating away at his chest. The ending hit with an unexpectedly loud

"A-ah sorry no that was just a slip of fingers... its been a while"

Blushing he looked up at Youkine who's eyes were especially light against the windows contrast.

[andredmcampos]

While Kahoku stepped towards the Piano, Youkine stepped back to give him the space he needed. While the song was playing, he stood still, eyes closed, listening attentively. It was... The only word that ocurred to him was "sublime". It was so full of strength and yet, so sweet... Now that he thought of it, it was just like Kahoku. "Fits him", he thought. A slim smile appeared on Youkine's face.

 

"A-ah sorry no that was just a slip of fingers... its been a while"

 

Instead of a direct answer, Youkine answered Kahoku with a quotation from his favorite writer and poet:

 

--"That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpoor". Well, in this case You should switch "word" for "song". For I felt like I was listening to Your soul. Strong, and yet, as Your piano does well to proof, You know how to be cute... And, why not, with loose end and lost note of yourself.

 

--If You didn't tell me about that slip of fingers, thou, I would never notice. If I ever tried it, it would probably sound like a parrot being murdered, and yet You were so amazing. Really, now, Kahoku, will You ever stop surprising me?

 

Youkine would continue. Would tell him about how the smile he showed was the only thing more marvelous then the music, but the sentence came back to his mind. "What right have I to greed your love?". That made Youkine turn aside for a second, avoiding Kahoku's eyes.

 

--So - he said, his voice slipping an octave - I'm guessing You manage to impress several girls with that skill of yours. Well, the ones that are not already on your fanclub on the swimming club, that is.

 

Allthough that was maybe an exageration, Youkine did remember seing three girls completely melted for Kahoku, saying things like 'Kawaii' and how cute he was. "Jealousy, now? Really?" he reprimended himself in his thoughts.

[alexia__]

It seems Youkine had been bothered by a topic in their conversation, Kahoku became extremely serious. Grabbing the other teens shirt he pulled at him "Come with me" and lead him to his walk in closet.

 

"See here" he said avoiding eyes, a light lit up at the end of the closet reveling a handful of concur trophies and metals. They looked worse than last time he had checked, and although his swimming ones where proudly displayed in the small shelf by his study desk these were gathering dust in the darkest place of his soul.

"You are the only one to ever see this, at least in this state, only one to hear me play since I was 5, and only one that ever will" he took in air " I don't mean to be prudent or extremely depressing but I rather keep my piano to my own self" Kahoku turned around and looked at Youkine's eyes.

 

"You said you would stay for ever, might as well show you everything that is waiting for you...including those dusty pieces of metal"