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This may be like any other nights where he'll idly walk in shady back alleys or enter night clubs, searching for almost anything that can give him a moment of pleasure, which lasts for just one night at most. In the forbidden hours where he should've been in the lodging that Inukai rented (after so many negotiations from the higher ups to at least give them a place to stay while they're joining Road To Legend), he'd slip out when all are seemingly having a shut-eye (we know none of them actually are), have a little hedonistic time, and come back under the sheets in the wee hours and get at least a few hours of sleep before Inukai wakes them up for workout, community service, or any routine that Inukai had set 'to get the three of them prepared for the time they'll be released'.
"Why bother? It isn't like people will suddenly be welcoming ex-convicts in their community", Shion had that thought once in a while. While Inukai did mean well and believe that they deserve a second chance (and that they all should be acknowledged by given names instead of meaningless number IDs), reality is in fact a cruel thing, and there is no way there's a place for them in normal society. They either have to stay at the bottom of the pit and take in all of the barrage of mistreatment, or worse, injustice, that people like him have to endure, or rise up from hell and rule over those who brought them down, at the peak, where their presence will be acknowledged, and they will be a symbol of pride. Underdogs that bite with their sharpest fangs. People won't be that kind to them, but they'll never dare to even lay a fingernail onto those superior to them.
Oh well. For now, while the competition is still ongoing, and they're still in the midst of music making, there's some time to kill. A little booze to get him wasted, or some chicks and dudes to seduce for a one-night pleasure, or, maybe, just a time in an establishment, enjoying whatever it is the place can offer. Shion took a few steps in the alleyway, in search of fulfillment of desires.
Combing his disheveled, long, white hair with his fingers, Shion ponders what could've been, had he not been born with the flaws in his face. Had he grown up in a better environment, and had those evil eyes not see him with disgust. Had he been able to connect with someone or anyone at a younger age. But probably it isn't meant to be, so he connects with whomever he wishes to connect with at that moment. Only for a night, then disconnect. A little heartbreak isn't something he's experienced for the first time after all.
But who shall be the one to get their heart shattered tonight after a night of bliss…
"Ah. Shion…"
A whispering voice, a few meters from behind.
Shion doesn't remember the figures of anyone he'd spend his nights with, but he sure can recognize that soft voice that released a tingling sensation on his nape. And of all the people that leer or stalked him from afar, this guy, strangely, does not exude any ill intentions that will trigger his defensive mechanism. In other words, he has almost the same vibe as him, either a fellow 'animal', or a fellow 'outcast'.
"Masaki Hokusai~"
Shion turned towards the green-haired man's direction, and they both see eye-to-eye, like there is a mutual agreement between them, even if they haven't said anything yet apart from their names.
Taking a few steps forward, Shion asked, "Are you lost~ or are you looking for a lost kitty, boy~"
As he approached closer, he expected an answer from that aloof greenhead. Nay, he stayed mum. "A strong-willed but soft-hearted one, huh~ Interesting~"
Hokusai, after a moment, took a few steps forward before stopping in front of Shion.
"What about you, Shion? Are you looking for something too?" Hokusai, either being naive or playing it cool, purred back at the long-haired man. "Or…" One step closer, and now they're both are just a few centimeters in front of each other. "Do you feel lonely? Are you… In need of a company? Because…" With his right hand, he started to grab Shion's shoulder, and grab him in an embrace. "I'll be able to keep your heart content tonight." A whisper in his cowbell-pierced ear. "That is, if you want to. It is your choice to do so or refuse."
This guy, Shion thought, is a bold one. Well, he's not the type to mind such an approach. If anything, a little thrill is needed in his experience.
"Well then…"the white-haired guy released himself from Hokusai's grasp, then placed his slender fingers on the greenhead's chin, while muttering, "How about you show me a little fun tonight?"
_____
"Is this what he defines as fun?..."
When spending the night with someone, Shion NEVER expects the person to give him a bath.
Stepping into the Suiseki premises, then brought to a corridor which leads to several rooms. He didn't know how, but all in all he's brought to the bathroom and asked to remove his clothes to be washed (huh. So this guy can do laundry.), then brought to the bathroom, and was currently having his hair shampooed by Hokusai and his body covered in soap.
Lathering an amount of suds on his hair had never been in his itinerary tonight (he doesn't have an itinerary in the first place, but what the heck, he doesn't expect this, at all). Feeling somebody's fingers in his scalp, rubbing his head gently, washing any dirt that could be there, is probably a new experience to Shion. Sure, he washes his hair and body after a night out, or, at times where Inukai would schedule him to take a shower. Having someone else do it though…
When was the last time someone washed his hair? How old was he? Was life good back then?
"Hey, Shion? Is this shampoo okay? This is a gentle one, suitable for lengthy hair, but the scent is a little fruity," after awhile, Hokusai finally asked something, while washing his white hair, now wet like a rat. "It's Reo's shampoo, but he wouldn't mind us using it. It helps with making the hair a little bit smooth and fresh."
The white-hair man couldn't answer for a moment, for reasons unknown. Then, the only words he could answer was, "It is fine.~"
Because somehow, IT IS. Hokusai doesn't say anything hurtful about his physical condition, and doesn't even show any signs of disgust when touching parts of his bodies to be scrubbed with a soap that probably belongs to… Reo, was his name?
"This Reo kid, he's the pink-haired guy getting along with our ShibaKen, right?~ Rare case for the little gremlin to be interested in other people~" it may be awkward to have these kinds of light talks in this moment between the two, but there's not much opening Shion can take advantage of.
"Fufufu. Yes. That one." replied Hokusai, while rubbing his back. At some point, he coaxed Shion to lift his arms to have better access on parts of his torso. Using the sponge in his hand, the aloof man rubs the scaly parts of his body, without any hesitation. "The ShibaKen, he's like a tiny Chihuahua. Cute."
"Don't let him hear you, or else you'll get some yapping from him~".
It'll be interesting though, to imagine a green angry chihuahua yapping angrily at a big, quiet yet friendly tiger.
"Do you do this all the time, Hokusai?~ Bringing home random strangers, and giving them a wash?" Shion broke the silence after awhile.
"Well, I only do this with stray cats, and people who seem lost. And there were only two lost people that are willing to get close to me without any connections." After all the scrubbing, there's a spray of water hitting Shion's whole body.
"So… Who's the first?" for some reason, Shion tried to pry into part of Hokusai's life. And there's a little pang on his stomach, knowing that he may not exactly be an exclusive case, but at least a rare one.
"I don't know if you'll know him though. Ryuu. From The Cat's Whiskers. He's like a wild cat."
"Heh~ that eccentric boy… that's a cute one. Wild cat." Shion then had to wonder, so he asked directly, "then, what type of animal do you think I am?"
"Hmm…?"
"You did mention last time that there are animals that are different, when I talk about… these~" he does not really have to point at his scars since Hokusai would already get the point, but maybe he wants to make it clear, that he remembers how those green eyes were never judgmental ever since their first encounter.
"Let's see…" Hokusai took a moment to think, before he answered, "probably… A calico. They're actually quite rare, especially male ones. Their colors are a mix of orange, white, black, and they're beautiful." after ensuring no suds are left on Shion's hair, Hokusai prompted Shion to stand up.
Calico… Never heard of that type of cat, but if that's how this man describes it, it's probably closest to a compliment Shion had heard about his physical appearance. A part of him expected 'snake' as the answer, in terms of looks and personality.
"Come. Let's get you into the warm bath, Shion."
"Not going to join me?~"
"...I've showered earlier."
What a bummer. Well, seduction may not work for this greenhead after all. Despite that, the bath is warm, and it brought him a little bit of tranquility, and for a moment, the green eyes that gaze at him kindly made him forget about the bad sensation of his trauma. Just a moment.
_______
After the bath and letting himself dry, Shion was brought to Hokusai's bedroom and was given a change of clothes, which were slightly too big for him, considering how different their body sizes are.
At the moment, Shion was sitting cross-legged on the futon, while Hokusai is behind him, blow-drying his hair, which seems a little silkier compared to before this. Huh, the shampoo does work.
It is warm. The air from the dryer aimed at his hair, the feeling of Hokusai's body heat behind him, the strange feeling inside his heart. Wait. In his HEART? Since when does this warmth begin?
"Say, Shion." after a few moments Hokusai uttered, "I was wondering, why do you keep your hair long." while his fingers combed through the now well-kempt hair.
"Hmmm~ I wonder why~ probably a good measure to hide my face. Or just simply a way I prefer to look like. Don't think I look good with shorter hair." Now THAT, is a truth. It's a coping mechanism since he's young, where part of his hair is combed to the sides to hide those flaws on his face. Probably not enough to remove those judging gazes, but at least he can avoid seeing those eyes peering at him.
The blow dryer was turned off, but Hokusai's hand didn't stop from playing with Shion's locks. Out of curiosity, Shion looked behind, and prompted a question. "Why would you ask? Do you despise it?~". It may be uttered with a playful tone, but he was serious about it.
"Nope. Just the opposite." Hokusai replied, while touching Shion's face with one hand. The hand then moved the strands of hair covering Shion's face. "I prefer to have a look at your face, at least for tonight, and I'd like to accentuate the beauty of your hair." A moment of pondering later. "Will it be okay if I braid it?"
_______
He wasn't expecting someone to have this much care for his hair, let alone style it in a way he'd never thought would look good on him before. Sure, it's just a singular braid brought to his side, and some of his hair that didn't fit into the braid was combed to form bangs, but in the mirror, he saw a side of him he didn't know actually existed.
He wondered, is this really him? Is it okay to expose his face like this?
"I learnt this from Anne. It isn't perfect, but I hope at least you'd like to try a different look and a different vibe. I hope you like it."
Shion isn't actually sure how to feel. There's that bit of glee from knowing that his face definitely has value, at least in Hokusai's eyes. Yet, there is also that part of him that still wishes to hide his face.
Yet…
Shion tucked his bangs behind his ears, then turned to Hokusai. "So, Mr. Stylist, how do I look?"
"Cute… Say… It's already 3 in the morning. Quite late to stay outside. Are you staying over for tonight?"
Hmm… During these hours, usually he'd leave another paramour without a goodbye and slip into the dorms, hoping that Inukai wouldn't notice, or, if he did, at least he wouldn't be nagged that much. Plus, he doesn't have any obligation to stay or have bonds with anyone, let alone an acquaintance.
However…
"Well~ Answer me first. Am I an animal to you, or human? ~"
"Hmm. A cute human. Someone to be given love to." Hokusai gave a reply. While caressing both of Shion's hands. Gently.
"Well~ I'll stay for tonight. But don't expect me to wake you up before I go~"
As they snuggled together in the futon together (a rare occasion for someone like Shion), Hokusai muttered, “you know. I don't mind if you leave in the morning. Just letting you know... You have a place to come back. Here. We can just do this. Or talk. Or… Just sleep. Whatever you wish."
As they dozed off, Shion considered waiting for Hokusai to wake up, before he leaves as the sun rises. And hoping to return another day. He wouldn’t mind someone giving every part of his body a little care, and his heart a little flutter.
He doesn't exactly know if there is an exact connection between them. Yet.
Moments like these are fun. At least he knows there's someone adoring him.