Danshoku: Chapter Two

Screaming, tossing and turning, Aiya was in a pool of sweat on his bed, screaming at the top of his lungs. In through the door to his bedroom, from the bedroom next to his came Maruki running in a panic. Jumping onto his bed, kneeling next to him, Maruki quickly shook Aiya awake, tearing him from his nightmare.

“Aiya! Aiya! Wake up!” Waking in a spit of fear, Aiya shot up like a rocket, panting and heaving. Sweat and tears poured down his powdered cheeks as his soaked eyes shot up to meet Maruki’s in the dark.

“Aiya you’re all right, it was only a dream.” The panic and fear seemed to drain from Maruki’s voice once he knew Aiya was all right.

Though darkened by the early morning light of the sleeping hours, Aiya stared at Maruki’s eyes, scared. Even in the dim, dark light, Maruki’s eyes seemed to glow with kindness. In a moment of silence, Aiya’s arms shot up and snaked around Maruki’s naked torso, hugging him, holding onto him for dear life.

“It was so scary, Maa.” He was still breathing heavily, but he was now calmed down knowing Maruki was at his side. A soft, sleepy moan passed over his rosebud lips as he cuddled in closer to Maruki’s soft, warm neck. Maruki pet his soft, black hair, cooing him back to sleep.

“It was only a dream right? It cant actually happen?” Aiya whimpered softly, the petting on his head making him sleepy again. Maruki’s smooth chin moved against his forehead, he nodded.

Aiya was like a baby most of the time. If he was cranky, he either needed a drink or a snack. It he was sleepy, he had to be pampered to sleep. If he was bored, he could amuse himself for hours with a box.

Finally getting his sleepy enough to lie him down again, Maruki was ready to get up and return to his own room for the rest of the night. He was stopped, a long slender hand reached out to him, grabbing his own small hand, it was obvious that he didn't want Maruki leaving. With a gentle, soft smile on his full lips, Maruki shifted and made himself comfortable between Aiya and the wall, lying on his side.

It had only been a short time since that day that Maruki had told Aiya to date him, but this felt awkward still. They've known each other their entire lives, have slept in the same bed multiple times since they were toddlers, yet this felt awkward, sleeping in the same bed as a male, when there was no feelings for that male.

Maruki, still, even after years of trying to interpret it, still had confused feelings about the boy at his side. There was friendship, protection, family, love, but nothing was solid. Maruki had never dated a girl, never had intentions to either. He had never willingly kissed a girl, and definitely never seen a girl naked. Aiya on the other hand, he had done all of the above. But there were no solid feelings for him, whereas Aiya had solid feelings for him.

All the thoughts of love and Aiya ran through his head until the moment he couldn't remember the night anymore, Maruki thought silently to himself until he fell asleep.

Only hours later, though it felt like minutes, the morning rose, bearing in through the wide, bay window. Maruki groaned, rubbing his coffee before opening them. In a sudden state of shock, Maruki shot up, scurrying up the pillow, his back pressed against the headboard. Waking up, Maruki had felt warmth on his lower stomach, his coffee eyes blinked open slowly, only to see Aiya curled up in a ball,, using his hips as a pillow. Scurrying awake, Maruki had woke the sleeping beauty in a panic as well.

The black haired, feminine boy was using Maruki’s small hips as a pillow and his thigh as a cuddle toy. For Maruki, that was too awkwardly close to his privates.

The two boys stared at each other for a moment, Maruki rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed of waking up that way.

“I, I’m sorry.” Maruki relaxed for a moment, lying back down on the soft bed, hoping to relax further. “Morning by the way.” He continued, hoping to recover this as a normal morning.

Aiya say up in the middle of the bed, cross-legged and innocent. His naturally straight hair had held the waves and flips he had given it the morning before. With his head bowed down, he stared at the checkers of his pajamas, they were the same ones in his dream.

“Morning Maa chan.” Looking up at his best friend and partner, Aiya held a rose blush on his cheeks. “You, you’re warm.” Looking away, Aiya could not look at his roommate while he was blushing it made things more awkward.

mid morning, the sun was bright, and yet, Maruki wished he had slept more. His wide, almond shaped eyes held shallow bags under them he definitely needed more sleep. Ruffling his short, brown and black hair, Maruki sunk into the softness of the pillow, looking down his torso at Aiya. A small, soft smile grew of his full, red lips, that blush that Aiya wore was too cute, it made him look more feminine.

Maruki sat up again, crossing his legs under the blanket. There was a certain innocence to him, he was up to something or something was on his mind.

“Ne, Aiya. I wondered if you would like to assist me in a trip to Fujisan today?” he was dead tired, with only a couple of hours of sleep, yet he seemed energetic. What on earth could he be planning?

They didn't live far from the mountain, but with no car, it would take them longer to get there and back.

Aiya’s eyes lit up. Going to Fujisan was planned to be an annual thing for the two to do. This being their second year in a row, for they had not gone yet. Crawling across the bed, obstacle coursing his way over the blanket, Aiya plopped down next to Maruki like a puppy.

“That would ne awesome Maa chan!” So far no plans were set for the day, other then lying around the house all day. Gripping to Maruki’s small shoulder tightly, Aiya nuzzled in close “So when are we leaving Maa?” Maruki knew Aiya more than anyone, he might have taken long showers himself, but he could be ready and out the door in thirty minutes flat. Aiya on the other hand, took time to straighten and style his hair, prep and cleans his face, picking out comfortable yet casual clothes without looking lazy or too dressed up.

He had not changed a bit from when they were younger, but he had become more through with himself. Maruki always thought it was to attract girls, but he still continued after Maruki had asked him that night. Maybe he was doing it to attract Maruki now, he had grown more feminine.

“We can go whenever you are ready, Ai.” It was like a test now, to see how long it would take Aiya to get ready. Going out with Maruki was like a godsend to him. Even though it was not what they were, Aiya considered time alone with Maruki a date.

“Oh!” metaphorical puppy ears propped up upon Aiya’s head. Climbing the tall mountains of blanket to the cliff that lead to the floor, Aiya scurried and ran around the room like a chicken with its head cut off.

“I’m going! I’m going!” Pausing a moment with a dumbstruck look across his face, Aiya stood and stared at the ceiling.
“Where am I going again?” A jolt of memory rushed through the excited boys body, he then darted to his closet. “Right!” There was no thought this time, he just picked out the first thin shirt, the first light sweater and the first pair of pants he could find.

Slithering off the bed himself, Maruki gently removing the blanket off of his lap, it slid off with grace and ease. A gentle, amused smile came across his full lips, Aiya was more excited than he had expected.

“Calm down Aiya. We aren’t going to get there any faster if you rush.” Maruki rose to his feet, his satin pajamas falling around his ankles again from bundling up on his calves over night. “Remember the train doesn't come for a while.” The elastic of his waistband hung snuggly around his hips. His body seemed to flow as he walked to the door that still hung open from being thrown open in a panic that very night.

“I’m going to go shower.” Dangerous words to be coming from Maruki first, he always took long showers.

Aiya turned, facing the bed excitedly. His jaw hung open in excitement, until he couldn't see Maruki. Scanning the room, he quickly found him again.

“Awe, okei. I’ll get ready properly then.” Aiya turned and returned everything back to its place in his closet.

After showers and grooming the two roommates still had time left before the community train came to the area to Fujisan. Aiya and Maruki decided to go out and grab a coffee and light snack. The local coffee shop was a quiet, sophisticated little shop with good, organic coffee and baked goods made in store daily.

The two walked in quietly, the seats were all relatively quiet and empty. Brunch time was approaching, that was the time of the day that it was hard to find a seat. Finding a seat, Maruki allowed Aiya to sit while he got their drinks and snacks.

To Aiya there seemed to be a familiar figure in the shop with them. A customer? A representative to the shop? A delivery driver? Maybe a cashier on a break? Nonetheless, the figure was still familiar somehow. He stared, trying to figure out how the stranger was recognized by him. He looked up, right at Aiya. In surprise the black haired boy nervously smiled and waved with his fingers to him in a friendly ‘good morning’.

Maruki returned soon after Aiya’s friendly wave to the stranger. The soft smile on his lips faded as his gaze fell upon Aiya.

“Who’s that Ai?” There was a slight tightening in his chest, he didn't know what it was. With a cup in each hand, he placed the cups down on either side of the table. It was unlike Aiya to have an older friend that he didn't know about. The quick breakfast pastries were being prepared by the staff and weren’t ready yet.

Aiya stared for a moment longer, blinking, his eyes rose to meet Maruki’s.

“I don't know. But I have seen him somewhere before.” Gripping his paper cup gently in his fingertips, Aiya looked to the smooth surface of the table.  “I’m not sure as to where I could have seen him though, Maa.” Though never seeing it, that man was the one from his dream the night before, the one that scared him. Only this time his face was visible.

The staff members had quickly called Maruki’s number distracting him away from Aiya.

“I’ll be right back.” Maruki pushed his hot paper cup further into the center of the table before getting up. He turned quickly, almost bumping into a boy who looked to be around his age. The tall, skinny boy maneuvered his way around the smaller, clumsy Maruki.

“S-sorry.” An innocent gesture came from the smaller boy as he apologized. In return, the taller boy wrinkled his nose and gave a small frustrated snarl. Surprised by the others actions, Maruki shrugged it off and continued to the counter.

Quickly returning with both plates, Maruki sat down again, staring at the door even though the rude boy was long gone. Aiya’s eye arched in worry, hoping Maruki wasn’t too disturbed by the rude boy.

“He wasn't very nice.” Aiya’s soft voice lowered caringly for Maruki. Aiya reached across the table, attempting to touch Maruki’s hand, but it was out of reach. “You okei Maa chan?” Aiya’s fingers soon returned to his coffee, lifting the cup to his rosebud lips to take a sip.

Maruki was hungry, he went for his food first. Yes the boy was rude, but it was morning in a coffee shop, he could have just been cranky.

“Yeah, I'm fine. It was nothing.” Maruki lifted his small, filled puff pastry and took a small bite, the fillings pouring a large amount of great flavor onto his tongue. “I'm sure he was just having a bad morning. Maybe he left his wallet somewhere.” Shrugging it off again, Maruki continued to nibble on his food.

Time was getting close to the scheduled time for the train to come, leaving the plates at the counter for the staff, Maruki and Aiya left the shop with the remains of their coffees. The Subway terminal entrance was not far away, only a block, but they still had to hurry in order to get their tickets. Skipping down the stairs, the two made it to the desk in time to get the ticket to Fujisan. With a sigh of relief after getting on the train trolley, Maruki sat in a seat across from Aiya near the door.

The ride to Fujisan on this train was not long due to the minimal stops in between, but it was long enough to get comfortable. Maruki had finished his coffee not long after stepping on the train, the nearest garbage to him was on the other side of the trolley. Getting up and leaving Aiya for a moment, Maruki made his way to the garbage, rather balanced more than usual. In a seat facing the inside of the train, sat a boy whose shoes looked familiar, looking up Maruki recognized him right away.

“Its you!” Accidentally shouting, Maruki’s loud, unnecessary voice caught Aiya’s attention.

The boy sitting by the garbage bin was the boy that Maruki had almost run into in the coffee shop.

Looking up through thin, light brown bangs, the boys narrow, chestnut eyes seemed to pierce right through Maruki’s skull.

“What about me?” The boy was rude, his voice was stern and solemn. With his arms folded across his chest and his leg thrown over the other, the boy looked much like a member of the yakuza.

The boy’s reaction sent a chill down Maruki’s spine, frightening him slightly. Stiffening, Maruki bowed his head down in apology again .

“I would just like to apologize again for before. I didn't mean to almost run into you.” He had not hit him. He had not spilled a beverage all down the boy’s body, but for some reason he was still cold to Maruki for that morning incident.

The boy looked up at Maruki, bowing his head. He was in a bad mood this morning, his Karate uniform had been lost in the mail, delaying his tournament.  he knew it was wrong to have snapped at this kind, innocent boy.

“I’m sorry. I should not have acted like that. You are forgiven.” The boy unfolded his arms, reaching up to Maruki to shake his hand as a sealed promise.

Rising slowly from his bow, Maruki’s gaze was soon focused on a hand in his face. A wide, bright smile spread across his full lips. He took the other boy’s hand and gave it a sturdy shake.

“Thank you. That means a lot.” Happy with the situation, Maruki bowed again and left the boy alone. He seemed like that's was he wanted for he was sitting in the corner of the trolley. Returning to Aiya, Maruki still held that smile, faded slightly now of course. “That boy over there, he accepted my apology.”

A confused look came across Aiya’s face as he watched Maruki sit down again.

“He was the boy in the coffee shop.”

Aiya soon smiled softly, hearing that the boy accepted his apology.
“That’s great Maa.” He was a rude boy, he couldn't see how he accepted an apology so easily. Then again, it was Maruki he was cute for sure.