Title: Protection
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Not. Mine.
Pairing: Honey/Mori. Hellz yeah.
It was ridiculous, Honey thought. Takashi was his friend… The concept obviously escaped his father. He thought of the argument he had just participated in, a sour expression on his face.
"You should know how to defend yourself," his father had declared.
"I know how to defend myself, father," Honey had said with careful politeness. "You of all people should be aware of that."
His father had flushed crimson, first with embarrassment, then with anger.
"That was before," he had huffed. "You've grown lax in your training, relying on that friend to look after you." He had spat out the word 'friend' as though it were a curse.
"Which friend?" Honey had asked, genuinely confused.
"Your cousin," his father had growled. "Why does he always look after you if you're as capable as you claim? You should not rely on others so readily; you should not have the need! Instead of being protected you should do the protecting." He had sighed once more. "You cause me such shame."
Honey had stared at his plate for a moment before asking, "May I be excused?"
Without waiting for a response, he had departed and barricaded himself in his room.
Honey knew what would happen next. His father would do his best to keep Takashi and Honey apart, because he could not fathom having someone like Takashi around.
Honey grimaced, his face smothered against his pillow. Was it fair that he should suffer for his father simply because Honey had friends who cared and his father didn't?
Honey's anger faded and he felt tears come to his eyes. It didn't matter that his father thought it was weak; he would not witness the tears.
He curled up on his side and faced the wall.
The door creaked and Honey froze.
Mori quietly, hesitantly came up behind his cousin. He paused for a moment before he placed his hand on Honey's shoulder.
"Go away," Honey said softly. He didn't want anyone to see him like this, when his actions were not controlled, without a proper outcome. Besides, maybe it would be better to let Mori think he wasn't wanted. Maybe it would be easier that way.
Something in Honey's voice was… off. It held a quivering quality, almost as though he was—
Mori's eyes widened in surprise as he realized that Honey was crying. Not blubbering, as he had been known to do for his act, but actually sobbing. Honey's shoulders were quaking with the strain of keeping silent.
"Please, Takashi," he whispered before curling up further, just enough to isolate himself from others. The world. Mori.
Before he was aware of himself, Mori's arms were around the smaller boy, his face buried in pale hair. Honey froze at the other boy's touch. "Ta-" he began, but he was unable to speak. The tears began to fall unopposed. He exhaled a shuddering breath and Mori carefully shifted them so that Honey was sitting on Mori's lap, pressed tightly against his chest.
They sat like this for some time until Mori broke the silence.
"It would be best if you got this out now," he grunted softly. "You may not know it, but you aren't too cute when you cry."
Honey snorted through his tears. Takashi happened to be a very soothing person to be around, all things considered. His ill-said words tended to be the best solution.
Honey put his arms around his cousin's neck and nuzzled against his chest with a smile.
Hesitant once more, Mori tilted Honey's face upward, toward his own. They stared at each other for moment before Mori dropped a nervous, chaste kiss on Honey's lips. Honey blinked in shock for a quiet moment, and Mori looked away, shame written across his face.
"I'm-" Honey cut him off, firmly sealing their lips together.
Mori made a soft moaning sound when Honey nipped lightly at his lips.
Maybe they could compromise on the issue of protection.