Take It To The Grave: Chapter One

It was yet another day, with yet again nothing else to do. Laying flat on his back with his mobile phone hovering above his face as he played one of those pointless mobile games, Maruki lay sprawled out on his floor, bored and hot. Out of school now, a set new life ahead of him with Aiya at his side again, Maruki was back to his old self. Today though was dreadful. With a skyrocketing temperature of 46°C outside in the sun, his personal air conditioner broken, and the building pool under maintenance again, nothing could be worse that this. According to the sign outside the pool fence, the water filtration system was not working properly.

Interrupting his pointless game of knocking over a creature with a ball was a pale blue box popping up in the middle of his screen. The interruption did not bother him at all he was losing anyways.

Reading the brief message, Maruki’s thumbs began to work quickly at replying to the message, a text from Aiya. Ever since he came back to Tokyo on his own will, he had lived on his own. Maruki decided to get away from his parents and be closer to his best friend for as long as he could. Being gone for three years, he had a lot to catch up on with Aiya.

After months of moving back to Tokyo, Maruki was pleasantly surprised that his parents had followed him back. Begging their only son to return under their care with no luck, they all came to the median agreement that he would spend weekends at home, and they would pay for all the expenses of his apartment. Including his cell phone bill, Maruki had nothing to worry about when it came to money. With nothing to worry about, it was easier for Maruki to regain his unique friendship with Aiya.

After replying to Aiya’s text, Maruki threw his legs up and over, now sitting cross-legged. Letting a small sigh pass over his full lips, Maruki looked around his room, a small drop of sweat dripping down his temple. Having to get up now, and having to be exposed to the blazing sun directly, he dread the fact he did everything for Aiya.  

He had no plans on going outside until the sun had fully dropped behind the horizon.

“Ai chan.” Maruki Grumbled to himself. Going to meet up with Aiya was not far, and it was not difficult, it was actually a refreshing idea. Aiya was not one for public displays of anything, causing Maruki to think as to why he chose the beach to go cool off.

With no actual desire to move, Maruki slowly climbed up himself to stand, feeling his skin pull away from itself. Sticky, sweaty and hot, Maruki couldn't wait to wash off this filth with the ocean water. Feeling disoriented the now fully grown and fully matured Maruki looked around his room in a daze, already forgetting what he was looking for. Though already dressed, the colour coordination was off. Lazily dragging his feet to the dresser, Maruki pulled the unfolded black tank top off the top of the wood surface. As well as his black shirt, he pulled off a pair of cargo shorts. It was all brand name clothing, something Maruki could not afford when he was living at home down the left leg lay the company logo mixed in the array of colours of the other designs.

Another lazy groan passed Maruki’s lips as he stripped off the clothes that were clean only just that morning. He slipped on the fresher clothes quickly, though he was still hot, he was feeling better. Maruki was feeling lucky that he had to only torture himself for only a short while, unlike many people he was about to join outside.

The door to his room swung open quickly, closing just as quickly behind him. No one else lived in his two-bedroom apartment other than his dog Satsuki and his cat Yuriko. The young brown haired male grabbed his keys off the island countertop in the kitchen before exiting his one floor apartment. The instant the blazing heat groped Maruki’s sensitive ivory skin, he cringed, it was only the beginning of this unbearable seasonal heat and already he couldn't handle it.

As all adults had experienced, and explained to all the younger children, life did change after school ended. Having an independent life now, the baby-faced boy still kept in contact with his friends in Okinawa as often as he could. Shiya, Taiga and Jikan all became close friends before Maruki had left, and seeing them become friends was something that made him very happy.

The heat penetrating the invisible cells of his skin burned, filling him up with what felt like an overdose of Vitamin D. His pale golden skin would always remain it's pale tone due to his dislike of large groups of people. The full streets of Tokyo made it like an ant farm to walk around, it was something that didn't take long getting used to again.

The local beach was understandably busy, as usual. It was full of families, groups of friends, and even the rare older couple here and there.

There, in the regular meeting place, the one that had belonged to the two friends since they were in Junior high school together, sat Aiya, waiting for Maruki already. Sometimes the baby-faced boy wondered about his friend, he always kept in good manner, always took good care of his appearance, and most of all, always sat with his legs tightly crossed. His current habits had nothing to do with being raised properly, Maruki basically grew up in being Aiya’s parent, Hokuto gave up on being his parent long before he had met Maruki.

In his black, foam flip-flops, Maruki walked across the hot sand to the lone tree that cast a shadow over two rocks used as chairs that sat next to the base of a plateau. To most people it was just a basic plateau, but there was an underwater cave that lead to a hollowing under the plateau.

Aiya faced the ocean, his smooth, flawless face getting sprayed by the mist as the waves hit the rocks. Tapping him on the shoulder, Maruki looked down at this oldest friend happily.

“Hi, Ai.” The shorter boy spoke coolie as his hair of light brown, and black undertone swayed gently in the gentle ocean breeze.

Aiya, his oldest and yet newest friend, as it was, they had lost contact with each other for three years. He looked back over his shoulder happily, Maruki was the only friend still that was worth calling a brother.

“Maa chan, you got here fast.” The taller, black haired boy had his hair parted in the middle and straightened today, something Maruki was not used to seeing. “I thought it would be nice to get out today, Maa. I know your air conditioner is still broken.” Once again, pointing out the obvious, something Aiya was always good at. Maruki smiled at Aiya’s small comment, nodding silently in return.

Years have gone by, and there were many escape plans that have failed miserably, yet Aiya still lived with his mother. After plenty of drunken thought, Hokuto decided it would be better if her and Aiya moved out of the suburbs of Tokyo and into a decent sized apartment in the city.

In an alleyway, in a four floor building, the two seemingly had a closer relationship. Though Aiya was nothing more than a slave to her, a prisoner in his own home. Hokuto was worse then when Maruki had seen her last. Having matured since his teen years, Maruki now felt sorry for the broken woman.

Aiya was an adult now, he had the freedom to do what he wanted in society. With a fuzzy memory of how Maruki was before, she allowed her son to spend time with him as if they were regular friends. Hokuto had lost much of herself over time, the only thing she ever did to better herself or the relationship with her son, was make supper a couple times a week. Aiya was the stay at home kid who had a part time job to keep money in his pocket and it gave him a reason to get out of the house.

Maruki took a step back, stepping more into the shade. He may have not grown an inch since the day he was torn from Aiya, but due to his athletic past in early high school, he had grown into some subtle muscle. Gripping the back of his shirt, he pulled the black tank top over his shoulders in sync, avoiding turning his shirt inside out. Holding the shirt with his arms still on the inside, his eyes glanced up at Aiya, whom was silently staring at him.

“What is it Aiya?” It had only been months since he had said it to Aiya, but from how Aiya had been acting these days, Maruki could only think that it meant more to Aiya than it did to him.

✪ It was only a month after school had ended, it was Aiya’s final attempt to run away from his mother. Maruki sat at home, playing with Satsuki in the loving room while Yuriko lay sleeping atop the couch, facing out the large window. It was late, Maruki just got off work from his part time job and it was too late to make too much noise like playing a video game. The spare key that Maruki had given Aiya before in school, had finally been put to use. Maruki’s front door had slammed open, Making Satsuki growl, scaring Yuriko enough to go running off into the bathroom to hide, and Maruki jumped out his skin, goose bumps all down his arms. He had jumped to his feet to possibly fight if it were an intruder breaking into his house. The door slammed shut again, an intruder would have not closed the door behind them. Soft sobbing that came from the entrance made Maruki calm his nerves slightly, yet the adrenaline still ran through his veins. Running into the living room, was a half clothed, bleeding, drenched Aiya. He ran straight into Maruki’s arms, he had no time to think, no time to comprehend what happened to Aiya this time. Maruki fell to the floor with Aiya tight in his arms, letting him cry, whatever this was, out enough so he could speak audibly. Like when they were younger, Maruki held Aiya in his arms, rubbing his back lovingly, it was as if they were never apart.

“What happened this time Ai?” it had returned instinctively, the tone, the voice, the love that was only for his brother. Maruki had pushed away his friend to look at him, even wipe away his tears. “She is getting worse.” Even though no words were spoken when he came running in, Maruki knew this was about his mother again, it was always his mother.

Satsuki had run behind the couch and watched from a safe cubby, Yuriko was peeking around the corner and watched from the bathroom. Both were still to scared to come out and see their parent, Maruki. Looking up into his coffee orbs, Aiya attempted to pry himself away, only to feel that Maruki held him, keeping their eyes locked. Aiya was going to tell him this time, he was not going to get away with not saying anything.

Seeing Aiya like this was rare, and not something Maruki liked seeing.

“I cant do it Maa, I'm too scared.” In a spit of fear, Aiya buried his face in Maruki’s shoulder, muffling his voice. “She’s going to kill me one day.” A hand pressed against the back of his head, stroking his tangled black hair.

Maruki looked at the blank white wall, thinking deeply about what he was going to say. Him and Aiya both knew it, she was going to kill him one day, consciously or not.

“Ai…” Maruki nestled into the nape of his neck, feeling just how cold he was. There was a pause, he didn't know if it would be the right thing to do in saying this to Aiya at this moment. “Date me.” It was not an option, it was not a question, the stern tone in Maruki’s voice made it a demand. It was not how Maruki wanted to ask, it was not how he wanted it to sound, but at this moment, it was the only logical way of saying it to him. The truth had it that Maruki was only doing his brotherly duty, and protecting the weaker one. He held Aiya close, making sure that he would not cry anymore. Asking his all of a sudden may not have been the best approach, but he was weak and normally didn't make decisions well on his own. In the back of his mind, Maruki could tell that this could have been a bad idea. Asking a male to date another male when there were mixed feelings, normally never ended well.

Aiya sniffled slightly, not sure if what he heard was correct. His small attempt to pull back and see Maruki’s face had failed, he was pulled tighter against him in a tighter hug.
“What did you say?” Aiya was not one for making broad decisions on his own, the greatest decision he had ever made on his own, he had made years ago. His decision to love his best friend was one decision he would never regret. “Maa chan…” something like this was never done unless there was a valid reason. Maruki was known for irrational decisions with rational outcomes.

“I…” his heart was pounding in his throat, he knew he was taking it more literal then his friend had meant it, but he could not stop himself for liking this moment. “If that is what you want Maruki.”  Aiya had very complicated feelings, his oldest, and best friend who was also like his brother was the best person he had ever met, and now he was technically his boyfriend. It was a brave move on the smaller boy’s part, but he could not see his friend suffer by the hand of his mother any longer.

Maruki closed his coffee brown eyes tightly, refusing to cry. Why was this the only way to protect his friend, and from his mother of all people. The grip of his hug had gotten tighter on Aiya’s frail body, pulling him onto Maruki’s lap. Ever since he had made friends with Jikan, Maruki found that he was more emotional.
“It is merely a friendly gesture Ai, remember that.” Maruki spoke softly, whispering into Aiya’s ear. “I just want to protect you, I always have.” Maruki felt Aiya nod quickly against his collarbone. Mixed with the wet substance in his hair and clothes, a tear fell on his shoulder. Now, after years of friendship and hardship, Maruki and Aiya held what they considered as the ultimate bond. ✪

Aiya’s eyes shot up at Maruki, staring at him with dark, wide eyes of his own. He could feel it, the heat rising, and spreading over his cheeks. Though with the great amount of heat, the blush on his cheeks was clearly a blush. He was caught staring at Maruki, and there was no way out of it.

“Uh nothing. Sorry Maa.” Aiya was an adult now, he made decisions on his own, he was mature enough to know what was what. Aiya looked around nervously, it didn't matter what he said, Maruki would have known the truth, even if he remained silent. “You’re my best friend Maruki, always have been, always will be. But have you ever thought of dating a girl?” it was not a question he wanted answered, but it was a way for him to understand Maruki better about the whole dating situation. Understanding Maruki sometimes in his intentions was difficult sometimes.
“I mean, it sounds weird but I think it was you that I always liked.” Aiya was known for blurting things out at random, but nothing that was so true to his heart. “After dating Miyuki for a while, I decided I didn't like her as much as I thought I did.”

His shirt was finally removed, the sudden and uncalled for distraction of Aiya had been bypassed. Folding his shirt and tossing it over the rock, Maruki used it as a blanket to sit on. Searching for the correct words to use, Maruki looked over at Aiya.

“Ai, you are the best friend I have ever had, nothing is going to change that. But I'm a boy.” Once he had reached full maturity, Maruki had finally seen what he looked like. His round, chubby cheek bones, big round eyes, smooth, full lips, small cute nose and smooth jaw, he looked almost just like his mother. He was told by his true, gay friend Taiga that he would make a good girl if he ever tried to, but he thought it was just a joke. “I love you Ai, but I'm not in love with you. I want to protect you the best I can, and this seems to be the only way I can do that.” Maruki hated making Aiya feel guilty, but that's how he saw it, nothing romantic.

Aiya remained silent for a moment, biting his rosebud lip firmly. Silently staring at the sand for a moment, Aiya took a deep breath.
“I know Maa, but you are my oldest friend, and I thought you should know how I'm feeling.” After being reunited again, Aiya had been more open about everything with Maruki. Instead of showing Maruki ten percent of his emotion all the time, he showed seventy percent. There was no full emotion, but then again, who showed all their emotions. “I like you more than a friend, but not like a boyfriend. You are just…” Aiya trailed off in his speech, searching for the correct wording, if there were such a thing.

Placing a soft finger on his rosebud lips, Maruki silenced him in mid thought, a soft warm smile on his lips. Aiya didn't need to say anymore then he already had.

“I know Aiya. You are the same to me too. Just important.” This awkward moment had finally come to an end, for Maruki at least. Aiya had more complicated feelings other then, important. Why Maruki didn't think of saying something like that in the first place, he could have avoided this awkward situation completely if he had said something. Maruki stood up, waiting for Aiya to join his side so they could finally shed this heat and enjoy the ocean water.

Aiya was always subconscious about himself. Never removing any form of clothing in a public area. The tall, thin boy left his light blue/green tank top on, matching his sky blue trunks. Though Maruki was fair skinned, Aiya had a much softer complexion, not but nearly overly pale ivory. Though he had gained much more confidence in his three years of high school, being bare skinned in the sun was still uncomfortable for him. The taller, almost angelic boy looked down at his friend through his long black bangs.
“Ne, Maruki. I have been meaning to ask you for a while.” The two friends walked along the beach together, away from the large groups of people. “It’s something that I have been thinking about for a while now.” Aiya’s narrow, dark eyes flickered quickly from the blinding sunlight. It has been not yet a year since school ended for the both of them, and the thought that Aiya had, always slipped his mind.

“Why did you come back to Tokyo all of a sudden, and alone of all things.” It was not like he wasn't happy that Maruki had returned, he was more than grateful for that. “You have never told me why you came back so suddenly.” Curiosity filled his dark, feminine eyes as he peered over his shoulder to his smaller friend.

Maruki licked his already moist lips nervously. Thinking deeply about that question, he subconsciously bit his full bottom lip hard.

“Well.” The brown haired boy started, not knowing where to continue to.

There were many reasons as to why he left Okinawa. His parents became annoying and were always on his back was the main reason. Up until now he never thought about it, but it could have been his bias teenager mind that thought that. Jikan and Taiga were getting uncomfortably clingy as well, to him and Shiya. All the teenage girls in his school were getting annoying as well, but all girls to him were annoying, always worried about their hair or nails. Kyoko, his sister, had been trying to convince him for weeks before his move, to move back up to Tokyo to live with her. His strongest and most honest answer was, he could not live without his best friend any longer.

“I guess, its because I missed you so much.” With his charming, adorable smile plastered across his cheeks, Maruki’s coffee eyes shot up, meeting with Aiya’s strongly.

Aiya’s narrow, dark eyes widened again, the same blush as before spread over his cheeks once again. He hated it. Ever since they were toddlers, Maruki always had that power over him, making his heart skip a beat. He never knew if it was his smile, his award winning smile, or the soft look in his eyes as he spoke to him. The tone In his voice, making it soft and calming, the hidden sensuality underneath as he made his point. Perhaps it was overall that everything he said to Aiya, he meant and it came straight from the heart.

“Maa!” Aiya had turned into a child, whining when a parent would lie to them about going tot the amusement park, but in reality they were going to the dentist. “Now you are just being cheesy.” Aiya whined in a high-pitched tone, something Maruki remembered from when they were children. He had quickly come to the realization that Aiya had never lost that voice.

Laughing lightly in hearing Aiya’s whining, Maruki glanced up with crescent arched eyes, still laughing at him.
“Yes, of course I am Ai. But it is the truth.” Slowly coming up the a stop, Maruki ceased making fun of Aiya for a moment. His happily arched eyes relaxed into a soft almond shape again. “You brought me back here Ai.” Having lost the insulting chuckle, Maruki’s soft, subtle whispers made it happen again, making Aiya’s heart skip a beat.

Stopping ankle deep in the cold, refreshing ocean water, Aiya stared blankly at Maruki, awkwardly. Quickly, goose bumps grew over the length of his arms, sending chills throughout his frail body.

“Maa don't lie.” Deep within his heart, he wanted it to be the truth, but he wanted it to be a lie as well, so Maruki would make his heart stop again. “Your sister lives here too.” At the time, it was only Maruki’s sister and Aiya that he had known in Tokyo, coming back alone was a big risk for him. As it always has been, he would do anything for Aiya, despite the risk.

Maruki looked over Aiya’s face, the small goose bumps over his arms caught the corner of his eye.

“Aiya come out of the water, you are getting goose bumps.” Maruki grabbed both shoulders lightly in his small hands, pulling Aiya closer to him. He rubbed his bare skin gently, warming him up again, assuming that was the reason he had goose bumps.

He tilted his head, a sweet, teasing smile on his full, pink lips. He looked down to the wet sand and licked his lips slowly.

“Fine. You aren’t the reason I came back. It just happened to turn out that way.” Maruki hid his smile by turning his head away from Aiya. “I guess you were right Ai.” Teasing Aiya was fun most of the time, but also most of the time, Maruki had forgotten that Aiya was very emotional. Back in Okinawa Shiya and Taiga were easy to tease, Jikan had his moments.

Aiya fell silent, he knew Maruki could be playfully cruel at times, but this time felt almost real. With his toes burring in the sand, the cold ocean water still chilled the tips of his toes. Aiya then speed walked passed Maruki. Avoiding eye contact, Aiya kept his head down.

“I was only kidding Maa. You don't have to be so cruel.” Aiya was indeed a very emotional person. His emotional out bursts usually frustrated Maruki, but most of the time he was sympathetic about it.

“Eh?” Maruki was a little taken back by Aiya’s reaction, it was not something he was expecting. He hopped a little to catch up to Aiya, pulling him to face him. He quickly pulled the emotional boy into a tight hug, their now cool flesh warming up together.

“I’m sorry Ai, I brought it a little too far.” His small, thin arms were tightly wrapped around his friend’s thin waist. Though it was accepted in this day in age to see two persons of the same gender hugging or any other means of affection in public, some places still seen it as strange. Lucky for Maruki and Aiya, they were far away from the crowds.

“You know I care about you Ai. You are the only person I have ever done anything for and that is not going to change.” Maruki spoke softly into the crook of his neck, almost muffling his voice.

Victory. Going a little overboard, but Aiya still got what he wanted, his heart was pounding against his chest hard.

“I’m sorry I overacted Maa.” Aiya nuzzled into Maruki’s shoulder, scared that he would leave him for how he reacted. Maruki was known for having an attitude, but never towards Aiya, but anything could happen. The hug soon broke apart, instantaneously the two friends were back to normal.

Coming up to the plateau, the two slowed down, enjoying the noticeably warmer water against their skin. Maruki’s coffee orbs searched the wide ocean before returning to Aiya.

“Its not overreacting Aiya, I should have watched what I said.” Maruki took Aiya’s hand in his own as he sat down on the smooth rock, dipping his feet in the cove water. Aiya had something in mind, the way he was acting and how he brought Maruki to the place where he confessed about his mother. Not too long after returning from Okinawa, Aiya and Maruki snuck down onto the beach one night after school. That night was normal up until Aiya broke down crying, telling Maruki that his mother had not stopped but had only gotten worse. He was a slave in his own house.

“Why did you want to come here today Ai.” Is there something important that you wanted to say?” He knew Aiya well enough by now to know when something was off.

Aiya hated it sometimes how that boy could read him like a book. Those long feminine lashes batted silently for a moment, he had to say something now, Maruki already knew that something had to be said.

“I, uh. I just had a question to ask you.” This was rare for Aiya, he rarely asked Maruki for anything. Nodding to him, Maruki allowed him to continue before he got to scared to ask. “I was wondering if it would be okei with you if I moved in with you.” Aiya was taking a very big emotional step for himself, he was never one for asking for anything so big.

Maruki froze for a moment, his kicking feet remained still in the lukewarm water. It has been a dream of Maruki’s to be able to move in with a best firend, Aiya most of all. Though his answer was simple, and he was not nervous, he could not speak.

“Um, I, uh,” he could not figure out why he was hesitant in replying. This was Aiya he was speaking to, and it was a simple reply. “Of course you can.” It never occurred to him that Aiya would be the one to ask him, he always thought of himself prying to get Aiya to move in with him.

Aiya lit up like a light bulb, it was wonderful news to hear. A wide smile grew on his rosebud lips bearing his perfect white teeth.

“Maa chan! Thank you!” Diving towards him, Aiya tackle hugged Maruki, making him fall over to his side on the rocks. Aiya soon followed, both screaming playfully. The strange position he had been forced into, caused Maruki to fall over, pulling Aiya with him as he fell into the small cove. The cove water over rolled over their skin, drenching their hair, it was refreshing and relieving from the painful heat around them.

“I'm so happy Maa!” Neither were not yet twenty years of age, but this was an average age for young chicks to leave the nest.

Aiya knew Maruki would understand the reasoning behind his sudden actions, whether it was said or not. Overall, Hokuto was the only thing in this universe that Maruki regretted that he could not protect Aiya from.

Pulling up from under the surface of the water, Maruki took a deep breath, regaining himself.

“Ai, calm down. Its not like you have never been in my apartment before.” His light brown hair was now stained darker from the water, darkening each silky strand temporarily. With water dripping down his face and off each clump of hair, Maruki smiled and pushed Aiya, making him fall back under the surface of the water.