Notes:
1. italics denote either original lines from manga/anime or character's inner thoughts.
2. Spoilers from chapter 1 of manga and anime episodes 3, 8
3. Disclaimers and other fics (also from various other fandoms) can be found on my Fic Journal. The link is in my profile page, so if you're interested, you're more than welcome to check it out.

Treasured Ceramic

Admired for its beauty but its delicateness a cause for caution, a finely crafted ceramic cup is indeed an ironic wonder for its collector. The need to show off its exquisiteness is a collector's proud desire, but the worry of having it mishandled, even in the hands of an expert (accidents do happen), often becomes an overwhelming thought.

Just like one's heart.

Pulsating with life, the heart is where happiness is first felt. It is also the first to experience pain. Happiness makes the heart feel as if it could burst, a beauty in itself surely, for happiness brings just that. But pain breaks the heart into pieces, and though it is said that time heals all wounds to the heart, a broken heart is like a broken ceramic pieced together – the fine cracks can still be seen.

Kaoru Saionji knows this too well. And for that reason, he is highly protective of his ceramic collection, as well as his heart.

"I've finally obtained the pottery of my dreams! You were eating chocolate a moment ago, so don't touch it with your filthy hands!" he chided the silver haired teen sitting across him.

Omi Shichijou smiled. "It's not often you become so excited."

He blushed. "It's your fault, Omi," he countered as calmly as he could.

Omi chuckled and stood up. "I'm sorry. I shall wash up then and help you pack the cups back into their boxes."

Kaoru watched his friend leave the room and then gazed at the lovely ceramic in his hands. Indeed, he had finally obtained this rare beauty and his pride had pushed him to show it off to Omi. He knew Omi appreciated such fine things as well, but sometimes the violet-eyed teen can be careless. Like how he insisted to see the cup after Kaoru had changed his mind and simply ripped the packaging off. It was a lucky thing that the cup was unharmed.

But, Omi was Omi. He would never do anything that displeases him. He would tease, but he knew when to stop. They had been together for so long and they knew each other too well. At the thought, Kaoru felt his heart clenched slightly.

"What are you thinking about?"

Omi's voice broke his reverie. He looked up, slightly shocked, but immediately composed himself and managed a frown. "Nothing. Hurry up and help me. We've got other work to do."

Omi's smile never once faltered. "Yes, Kaoru."

- : - : -

He had told Keita that they had been childhood friends, that they meant something to each other. For Kaoru, Omi was akin to an anchor to a reality he was about to cast away. To Omi, he was the only who understood him.

Years gone by and without realizing it, they had depended too much on each other. But perhaps, it was just him. Receiving the Platinum Paper while Omi had not, it was then that he felt a fear he was never conscious about – fear of losing Omi.

He could not fathom a life without Omi by his side. With Omi, the sky is always blue and sunny. With Omi, even simple food seems like an indulgent rather than a need. Indeed, without Omi, the beautiful life that he had come to cherish would shatter, and possibly could never be put back together.

The fear then manifested into a selfish request – Omi was to hack into Bell Liberty's system and placed his name amongst those chosen to study in that prestigious academy. I need you. He remembered the desperation he felt when he uttered those words. And when Omi succeeded, he felt a joy so overwhelming and surreal that his heart threatened to explode and leave him lifeless on the snowy ground.

But the success came with price. For the first time, he saw an outspoken Omi who refused to concede to the condition for being accepted into the academy. His dear friend claimed he did not wish for Kaoru to be forced into something he did not want to do. Much as he appreciated the concern, he told Omi that he was willing to do anything if it meant for them to be together. So in the end, they agreed.

But Omi had not been the same since.

Gone were his cheerful, carefree smiles, replaced instead by customary, polite ones. His lovely eyes, once wide and appreciative, were now constantly veiled, hiding away thoughts and secrets even from him. His light-hearted, relaxed Omi had transformed to a guarded soul who seemed to make pleasing him a life philosophy.

Omi's change scarred his heart, a wound so deep that another lash would almost certainly break it. Adapting to the new Omi had not been easy and although he was tempted to ask the reason for the change, he could, or rather, would not. He had asked too much of his friend already.

Gradually, he changed as well. He became equally guarded and composed. He had taken to ordering Omi around, because the latter often told him, "It's because I'm your servant, Kaoru." Pain clutched at his heart. Why did their friendship end up in such a way?

A knock on his door startled him then. Tearing his gaze from the world outside, he looked towards the door with a command for his visitor to come in. It came as no surprise when Omi entered his room.

"I hope I'm not disturbing you. What are you doing by the window, Kaoru?"

Kaoru folded his arms gracefully. "Nothing. What do you want, Omi?"

The one known as the Treasury's Knight approached him, speaking as he did so. "You can be so cold, Kaoru. I merely wanted –"

Kaoru raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?" he asked when both Omi's speech and pace stopped.

Omi's eyes snapped open, and even though they were a few steps apart, Kaoru could see surprise and concern in them. "Kaoru," Omi breathed, "why are you crying?"

Crying? When did… His fingers quickly flew to his right eyes and cheek, and to his astonishment, there was indeed a wet trail. Kaoru gasped, unsure why he had not felt the tears.

Suddenly Omi was looming before him. "Kaoru, what's wrong?" he asked worriedly, hand reaching out to grasp Kaoru's shoulder.

"No!" he snapped. When Omi froze, Kaoru quickly wiped his tears and turned back towards the view outside. "Nothing's wrong," he said softly after a few moments. "Nothing's wrong." He hugged himself and closed his eyes, the feel of Omi's warm presence so close behind him.

Omi was silent for a while, allowing Kaoru to regain his composure. That was perhaps the only thing left of the old Omi – the genuine concern he had for Kaoru. "I know something's wrong, Kaoru. For you to cry like this, this is not something you would do normally. You have always been a strong person. And you've always speak your mind. Please, tell me what's wrong?"

Don't say such things about me, Omi. I've not been strong as you think. And if I could say what's on my mind, would we have turned out differently? Could we have avoided being the two individuals we are now who built barriers even between ourselves?

"Kaoru!" Omi's voice was urgent now, and his hands clasped firmly on Kaoru's shoulders.

"Let go, Omi," Kaoru whispered. When Omi did not obliged, he raised his voice. "Let go, Omi! I don't wish to talk. Leave me alone. I'll be fine by myself."

Let go, Omi. You don't know how tempting it is for me to turn around and find myself in your embrace. Let go…

"Is that an order from you, Kaoru? Do you really wish for me to leave?"

It was all it took to snap the tension that was coiling at his heart. He shrugged off Omi's hands fiercely and swirled round to glare at his friend. "Is that what our friendship has really become? A master-servant relationship? Why? Why did we end up like this? Did you really regret being here?"

Omi's eyes widened, and just as Kaoru was about to determine what thoughts lingered behind those violet depths, thick-lashed lids eased down, hiding them away. "What are you talking about, Kaoru?" he asked carefully, in the regal tone the new him favored so much.

You place a shield right before me again, Omi. How do you expect me to say what's on my mind? Anger and helplessness clouded his vision, threatening to spill forth again his pent-up emotions. But it would not do any good if he did that. Omi would still avoid understanding the issue and he was not sure if things would get worse between them.

He was suddenly too tired to stand his ground. He would not risk a broken heart. With a sigh, Kaoru looked away. "Forget about it," he said. "I guess I have too much on my mind and I wasn't thinking straight." To his relief, his voice had returned to its normal cadence. "I'm tired, Omi. I wish to retire now. I'll see you tomorrow. Good night."

He stepped away from Omi and headed to the door. Holding the door open, he espied his friend warily, who still stood rooted by the window, watching him as well. But Kaoru was determined not to say anything and simply waited. Finally, the Knight moved.

Omi looked like he had something to say when instead of leaving the room, stopped before Kaoru. But instead, he lifted one hand and cupped the side of his friend's face. "Good night, my Queen" was all he said before exiting, leaving Kaoru too dumbfounded to react.

After what seemed like an eternity, Kaoru was finally aware of time. He closed the door and went towards his closet, where he stored his collection of ceramics. He picked out the one that he had shown to Omi a few weeks back and sat on his bed, admiring the delicate cup in his hand. Leisurely his finger traced the rim of the cup, the lull of his action made his eyes closed, and the scene a few minutes ago replayed in his mind. A warm rush tingled at his cheeks as he remembered the feel of Omi's tender touch and the mellifluous bade good night.

Baka Omi…

- owari -

Thanks for reading! Have a nice day!