Author's Note: This chapter is kinda why I had it titled SS. (And also because it's kind of weird to title a fic Sweet Strain and never quite explain what I had in mind with the concept in the first place anyways, lol.)
Anyway, I really REALLY hope I can finish this before the summer because...yes...Saikenyuu might be going on MAJOR writing hiatus NOT FROM CHOICE! But Saikenyuu is actually...going through two major surgeries in the summer...so I'll probably be bedridden the whole time. -Sighs-
I would really appreciate feedback and reviews. Be as harsh or as gentle as you'd like. Flames are also acceptable as long as they are constructive and have some kind of basis and truth to them.
Disclaimer: In prologue!
Warnings: Fluffiness and be prepared to kill Saikenyuu for being so evil! Haha!
Fic Note: RandomRathFan- As always, thank you SO much! I can always count on ya for a nice boost! You were the first to review this chapter, that made me smile.
Nakarame-Scarlet- ! Welcome back! -Smiles more- Hope you see this through the end!
Rose Kitsune.EXE- I can ALWAYS count on you for funny, constructive (where you tell me what you liked or didn't like), and just plain energetic reviews! TRULY refreshing!
DarkloidBlues- Haha, it's always wonderful to have a new reviewer join the family! And I did notice your presence, since you signed up for the alert. -Winks- You were the very third on my list to provide interest! Thanks so much for your review!
Grandmasterp- My dutiful reviewer! Thank you so much!
Shadow of the Phantom- Another new reviewer! Haha, another vote for happy, huh? We'll see what I can do! -winks- Though..I can't guarantee the fic'll be finished in a week...now THAT will be a challenge...! LOL!
AND TO ALL OF YOU WHO READ THIS FIC AND ALL REVIEWERS! Thanks a whole bunch period! Oh yeah, and another question...LOL. Two questions, actually. Any of you remember Farel from a couple chapters ago or something? He's returning soon but...anyone want him to play a little bit more in the fic? I was slightly considering writing him out, but I could go either way, once again. Another thing I could go either way on. Mega and Proto's relationship can be totally platonic or it could...move a certain way? If you guys favor that one, I have something in mind for that. Anyways, especially to my reviewers your reviews always make me smile why? Because almost every single one of you write something that hints you actually read the entire intro I have up here all the time. LOL! Thanks. At least I know I'm being heard. (I try not to put junk up here like some writers do, ya?)
One last thing before I let you all go. I don't know when, but I'm going to start posting original shonenai and original het and whatever else there is on under the same exact screenname. I hope you all are interested in reading?
(These are getting so long...I need to start separating them from the title! LOL.)
Okay...ONWARD TO THE FICTION!
Sweet Strain
"Chaud, let me help you!"
"It's fine..." Chaud grunted as he put the last of Lan's things in the limo's trunk.
With one final push, Chaud forced the trunk closed. He sighed, turned to Lan, and smiled. Lan gave a small smile back.
"You didn't have to buy me so much, you know."
"Hm. I know."
"...So. I guess this is bye?"
"For now."
"Yeah..."
Chaud helped Lan into the car and shut the door as soon as the other boy seemed settled. Lan looked at him through the window. Chaud found himself unable to release the door handle. They remained that way until the chauffeur decided to finally start the car. Reluctantly, Chaud took a step back and clasped his hands behind his back, watching the limousine leave the vicinity. His eyes never left the car until it made its turn around the corner, where the wall would block his vision.
Lan closed his eyes and allowed himself to relax against the leather. A trickle of the lover's melody from the day before filled his dreams, as well as the memories that went along with it.
Chaud had finally started on the paperwork he had been neglecting, now a disgusting mass of white, blue, yellow, pink and whatever other colors office papers came in. Lan could have sworn he saw every single primary color and every Crayola color ever invented in the pile. Lan had tried to creep by the office to find the bathroom, but had stopped, captivated by the state of the room. Chaud, sensing his presence had turned around and smiled sheepishly at him.
"Need something?"
"Ah...yeah...looking for a bathroom...?"
Chaud chuckled, "I'll help you out."
Lan gave a small smile, "Thanks."
Chaud had been grateful for the distraction. It would probably take him another century to finish the paperwork at his current working rate.
Lan stepped out of the bathroom and almost ran back in when he saw that Chaud had been waiting for him. He hadn't expected the other boy to be there; his heart pounded quickly from the unexpected shock. Chaud took Lan gently by the arm to keep him from retreating. "Hey..."
"Y-yeah...?"
"Want to...want to go for a walk?"
Lan blinked. The idea seemed completely random, but he concluded that Chaud probably just wanted to avoid returning to the bulk of papers piled up in his office. Lan shivered at the memory, he had to respect Chaud for that, he personally would never be able to keep up with an office job.
Lan grinned, "Sounds like a plan."
"Good," Chaud pushed off the wall, "I'll take you back to your room. You get changed and wait there, I'm going to get dressed and tell my driver to get ready."
"Okay."
It was different from most outings Lan had ever been on and quite different from any outing Lan had gone on with Chaud or any of his other friends in the past. Chaud had insisted that they buy new clothes for Lan, something that fit and didn't seem so worn or out of date. It was awkward at first, two teenage boys of two very obvious and different financial statuses clothe shopping, of all activities.
All the while, though Lan was enjoying himself, he felt a slight tug of unsettling curiosity because he couldn't quite understand why it seemed like the people around them were whispering softly and staring at them. It was as if there was something strange or wrong about what they were doing.
"How does this look?" Lan asked as he stepped out of the fitting room.
"Perfect."
Lan put his hands on his hips and gave a half-hearted glare and whined, "Of course you would! This is definetly your style of clothing!"
Chaud tried his best not to laugh. "It's better than the garbage you like wearing," Chaud said, eyes twinkling with amusement.
"But it's so...plain," Lan sighed.
Chaud had to agree. Although Lan looked great in what he was wearing; which was a black beret, white turtleneck, gold chain necklace, and a pair of blue ripped jeans, it was probably a bit too much style for Lan. Part of him wanted to see Lan's wild and carefree look once more.
"All right then, you pick something out."
"Hah! I will!" Lan grinned and took off for items he had found appealing on the rack.
Chaud ended up buying several bandannas, a rack of sweat headbands, biker gloves, and mostly biker-style clothing. He had to smile at Lan's lack of fashion sense.
"I'll help you carry some...!"
"That's okay, Lan...we'll just put these in the limo."
"Okay..." Lan waited as Chaud disappeared inside the limousine for a moment and dumped all the shopping bags onto one of the seats before coming back out.
Chaud took a brief glance at his watch. "Looks like it's noon. You hungry?"
Lan shook his head, "Nope!"
"All right, guess we should just walk around a while then, eh? Enjoy ourselves?"
Lan smiled, "Sounds good."
Chaud had taken the time to show Lan around the area. For the the first time in a long time, Lan noticed how much they both had changed. Even Chaud seemed happier, though he never realized that perhaps he was the reason for Chaud's good mood.
"Hey Chaud...?"
"Hm?"
"I was thinking...why this sudden sightseeing and shopping spree? I mean, I really like it and everything but..."
"Your parents are waiting for you. They've been waiting a long time."
Silence fell between the two of them. Lan felt a massive wave of reluctance and disappointment. He had gotten so used to being with Chaud day after day.
"You're tired of me?" Lan realized this was a stupid question, but something compelled him to ask.
Chaud blushed slightly and his eyes grew wide, "No, no! Why would you think that...?"
"Oh!" Lan flushed as well, just as embarrassed, "I'm sorry...I don't know why I asked that."
The slightly taller boy turned and gripped the brunette gently by the shoulders, "Don't ever let yourself believe that as the reason for one second."
Lan nodded quickly, unsure of how else to react to Chaud's sudden outburst.
Time seemed to have stopped just then. Both boys stood there, staring into each other's eyes, neither registering the awkwardness of the situation immediately.
Lan's stomach grumbled, breaking the silence. Chaud broke away and smiled sheepishly at Lan. "Hey...guess you're hungry, huh?"
Lan laughed embarrassedly, "Whoops! I guess so!"
"Aw, Lan...you haven't changed much at all!"
"Yeah, I guess not!" Lan grinned.
Chaud smiled and tilted his head towards the direction of where they had left the limousine. "Alright, let's go. I know the perfect place."
He had taken Lan to an exquisite restaurant, much to Lan's surprise. He had forgotten how much influence Chaud owned.
This was Lan's strongest memory of the day. Chaud had taken him to the top level of the restaurant which had the view of the entire area. Lan was captivated by the sight the moment he stepped out of the glass elevator.
It was breathtaking. The dull noise of cars going from place to place, the lively chatter of the other rich couples on the roof, the ashy city air, the cool breeze brushing against their faces, and the stars peeking through the clouds stimulated all Lan's senses, making him feel as if he had never seen any of this before.
"What do you think?" Chaud whispered behind him, as if trying to keep Lan in his tranced state.
"What do I think...?" Lan chuckled softly, "Chaud! I can't even think! This is amazing!"
Chaud smiled, "I'm glad you think so. Come on, let's get seated."
Lan blinked, "Huh? Where?"
The taller boy stifled a laugh as he turned Lan's body in the direction of the empty table in the center, "Right there!"
"Haha! Oh! Right!"
Chaud rolled his eyes. The two of them seated themselves. The waiter that had escorted them presented two menus and waited patiently for their orders. Lan excitedly went through the menu, the day's events had placed him on quite the adrenaline rush. Chaud pretended to look through his menu while watching Lan with a small smile on his face. He was glad to see the younger boy happy.
"Chaud, you're not ordering anything?"
"Hm!" Chaud blushed and almost dropped his menu, "What?"
Lan looked at him confusedly, "You're not ordering?"
"You've finished?"
"Yeah! I picked a long time ago. The waiter asked what you wanted, but you seemed busy staring at the menu and didn't say anything."
"Ah," Chaud grimaced, "Sorry."
Lan laughed, "You don't have to apologize to me!"
Chaud wanted to disappear for the moment. He turned to the waiter and half-smiled, "Forgive the delay. I'll have the house salad for now, please."
"Of course, sir," the waiter replied, taking the menus and going back towards the elevator.
Chaud sighed and slid down his chair slightly. Lan laughed at him, "You look uncomfortable."
Chaud shook his head, "No...no, I'm fine."
"If you say so!" came the taunting reply.
Before Chaud could think of anything to retort, both became distracted by a couple on the far end of the roof. The young man had called for everyone's attention and announced his proposal to the beautiful young woman beside him. Lan and Chaud both clapped along with everyone else, congratulating the young couple. As a surprise for the young woman, the man had hired a troupe of instrumentalists to perform a song.
The violinist began his solo. The rest of the evening seemed to go by slowly. Lan and Chaud had both been captivated by the soft melody. Both boys hardly noticed their food arrive, though somehow they both managed to finish it. They were left in a daze for the rest of the night, leaving long after closing hours. Since Chaud owned this chain, they took their time leaving the building.
The last moments they shared while taking the long drive back to Chaud's mansion was a peaceful one. Lan couldn't remember another time where he had felt so peaceful. He remembered little of what happened afterward, but he barely registered Chaud gently lifting him from his seat and taking him to bed. He also barely remembered something brushing over his forehead, but that minute detail tucked far into the back of his mind, unimportant.
The next morning he had found Chaud waiting for him at the banquet hall. Lan was fed one last meal before Chaud told him it was time to go home. The announcement caused Lan to feel a mix of happiness and sadness at the same time. They both knew it was for the best.
Lan snapped out of his daze. He took a look around and realized he was about three traffic lights away from home. He had officially left the more developed part of Electopia and was heading towards the isolated rural side. It was like rewinding back to the past.
Leaving this peaceful mindset, Lan found himself getting distracted by the live transmission on the limousine's television. The Trojan trials had ended.
The sentences were being given.
TO BE CONTINUED…
It's not too late to get your votes in for how this fic'll end! So far 1 sad, 4 happy. (And Grandmasterp decided to be rebellious and never give an opinion. HAHAHA!) I could still go either way! I will ask one last time in chapter 21. I have in mind who voted what. If you guys change your mind later, feel free to recast your vote! However, if you don't say anything in that same review, then you will be marked for what you voted last chapter!
Can't wait to see where this goes! (Hope I finish in time...! -BIG sweatdrop-)
-Saikenyuu