It's All an Act You Know, chapter 2

[slr2moons]

Last week, Star-chan wasn't feeling very well, so I decided to write fic to cheer her up. Fic featuring her favorite yaoi couple, of course! XD I do aim to please, after all. ^^V And thus we have the following, which is noteworthy for being a 2nd chapter for what I had long considered a oneshot. Heh!

And yes, she said the fic worked splendidly. Yay!! XD

Here you may find Chapter One, for those who might like to read in order. ^^ Only two of you on my flist know this series, Tantei Gakuen Q, but this fic doesn't require you be familiar with the fandom to follow what's happening. :3

Title: It’s All an Act You Know, chapter 2
Author: Slr2Moons
Rating: PG
Word count: 1140
Warning: fluffy shounenai, slight spoiler for half-way through the series. You'll probably miss it if you aren't looking for it, though.
Summary: Kyuu isn’t acting like himself, and Ryuu realizes that bothers him a great deal more than it should.
ye olde Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction and has nothing to do with the official version of this anime and manga in any way whatsoever.

It’s All an Act, You Know
chapter 2

Ryuu’s world was off-kilter. Something was wrong within it, something that disturbed him and made him uncomfortable and nervous and not sure what he could do about it. The one constant thing in his life had vanished this morning with no explanation or warning.

He watched Kyuu from the corner of his eye as they walked to Kyuu’s school. The other boy kept his distance, just far enough from Ryuu that they couldn’t bump together as they moved, just far enough for their hands not to brush--even if Kyuu’s hadn’t been buried in his jacket pockets. But it hadn’t started there. Kyuu had been preoccupied all morning, dragging himself out of bed instead of leaping up before the alarm could ring. He hadn’t barged into the bathroom after Ryuu, suggesting they save water by brushing their teeth and washing up together. He hadn’t insisted he found a stray thread on Ryuu’s stomach that needed removing before Ryuu finish pulling down his shirt.

Yet when they had sat to breakfast, Kyuu had instantly perked up. He’d asked his mother for more rice with his usual cheer. He’d even started an energetic debate over the possible solutions to Hongou-sensei’s latest epic crime scenario. Ryuu had gratefully argued with him, glad for a hint of normalcy, and he did his best to not notice that Kyuu barely met his eyes during the entire debate. But the moment the front door had closed behind the pair, leaving them alone once more, Kyuu had shut back down. He hadn’t said a word since.

Ryuu frowned and stared blankly ahead down the street. Kyuu wasn’t supposed to be like this. He was bouncy, full of energy, always asking Ryuu’s opinion or drawing him into a bright conversation or giving his hand a firm tug to urge him faster onto their next case. Quiet Kyuu was wrong, and Ryuu had no idea why it bothered him so. The taller boy glanced over at Kyuu again as they neared the school, his mind racing as he tried to solve the puzzle.

Kyuu halted with his hands still shoved in his pockets and his gaze fixed on the ground. Ryuu parted his lips to ask what was wrong when Kyuu cut him off by turning to trudge inside his school gates. Just barely, Ryuu heard him mumble, “Later.”

As if it had been an afterthought.

Now Ryuu found himself waiting outside those same gates, ignoring the appreciative stares of both female and male students, still trying to figure out why sullen Kyuu disturbed him so much, and wondering if he could fix it. Even more disturbing, Ryuu couldn’t decide if he meant fixing Kyuu’s depression or his own reaction to it.

Ryuu heard a loud laugh that made his heart leap in hopes that a day of school had righted his world on its own. But when a surprised Kyuu met his eyes, the boy’s laughter died. Kyuu’s school friends gave Ryuu a dark look as they said their goodbyes and left the smaller boy standing in front of him.

Kyuu started at Ryuu for a moment. Ryuu could only stare back in dismay as all the theories he had constructed during their hours apart to explain the change in Kyuu seemed suddenly ridiculous now that he faced his friend once more.

“Hey,” Ryuu greeted him in an attempt at normalcy. He hated how thin his voice sounded.

Kyuu didn’t say a word. He just gave a faint nod and began to walk toward the train station.

Ryuu grew more and more nervous and worried. He racked his brain trying to figure out what he had said or done to upset Kyuu, but couldn’t think of anything that could cause this reaction. He reached out once to touch Kyuu, his own hand almost aching for the familiar sensation of the other boy’s skin, but he stopped a few centimeters away. Kyuu looked so depressed, and had been so unhappy to see him waiting outside the gates...Ryuu seriously doubted Kyuu would welcome his touch now. He fisted his hand to avoid temptation and stopped next to Kyuu on the platform to wait in silence for their train.

When Kyuu took a half step away from him, he glanced over and blinked. Kyuu’s hand was also fisted and even trembling slightly. Ryuu’s eyes widened. Something really was wrong. He fought down his emotions and did his best to remain calm and give Kyuu space until the train arrived.

Only two seats were open on the train car, right next to each other. Ryuu sat, hoping Kyuu would take the other as he always had before, but the other boy turned his back to Ryuu and chose to stand. Ryuu could see the tendons on his arm and the back of his hand stand out as he tightly gripped the rail.

Ryuu swallowed against the pain of being so obviously snubbed. Only something truly serious could have done this to Kyuu. Kyuu’s cheer and energy were so constant, so resilient, so very right. Their absence screamed at Ryuu to do something to set his world straight again.

The train stopped at the next station and their car quickly filled. Ryuu spotted an elderly woman and offered her his seat, which she took with a grateful bow. He stood behind Kyuu, and before the other boy could move away, used the rail and their fellow passengers to pin Kyuu in place.

Ryuu had just enough time to register the goose bumps that had pricked up on the back of Kyuu’s neck, where his breath ruffled the dark green hair, when the train suddenly lurched forward. Ryuu darted his other arm around Kyuu’s waist and pulled him firmly back until Kyuu was pressed flush against him.

He lowered his head so he could whisper in Kyuu’s ear, “What’s wrong, Kyuu? Why are you acting like this?”

Kyuu remained stiff for a moment, then slowly relaxed into Ryuu. The simple act of acceptance was like a steadying hand on Ryuu's tilted world. He hugged Kyuu tighter, relief making his voice warm. “Tell me.”

He felt the boy take a breath. “I just...I needed to solve a problem.”

“Oh.” Ryuu blinked, surprised it could be something so simple. “And did you solve it?”

Kyuu’s cheek lifted in what could only be one of his happy smiles. “Yeah...I think I did.” With a bright laugh at some secret delight, Kyuu started up his normal, energetic chatter.

Ryuu closed his eyes and leaned his head against his hand on the rail, his other arm still holding Kyuu as the boy talked excitedly about their latest case. Unknown to either of them, Ryuu softly smiled as he listened to his friend.

His world was set back to where it belonged.