"Go now, Soubi. Ignore Ritsuka if he tries to reach you. Until I give you further notice, don't come back here," Seimei's voice was bored and unemotional, he spared no time watching Soubi and instead faced the door and awaiting the only thing he was capable of loving.
Soubi's head was bowed; his long blonde hair shielded his face from view, hiding his weakness he refused to show the world. His heart throbbed, splitting as he took in the true meaning behind his order. Not to go near Ritsuka again, not to touch or kiss or smile with the boy again. The very person that showed him what love was, gave him hope and joy. This was a fate worse than death, his master could truly be unbearably cruel. But he voiced none of his concerns, instead slowly bowed his way out the window, back to his unbearably empty and cold house.
As he sunk back into the darkness and resided alone in his mind he let his emotions over come him. Everything, everything had been given to Ritsuka, he had placed all his being into those tiny hands. He was what held him together, and now he felt as though he were empty and missing all his vitals. Slowly he sunk onto his floor, His face in his knees as he poured his heart out. He shook slightly from the force of the tears he never knew he could truly form after all he'd been through.
Seimei listened carefully as he heard light footsteps coming up the stairs, running up this way. Ritsuka was rushing to get back with his older brother, the person he left his life with and needed most of all. Ever since he disappeared, nothing was right. Even Soubi…was a liar, and a very weird adult. Saying things he did and didn't mean and mincing words all the time. Seimei was someone he could trust, could understand.
Ritsuka burst back into his room and launched himself at Seimei once again. He nuzzled his stomach as the elder laughed, and placed a warm hand lightly on his head. After a short while he let go, and sat beside his brother on his bed. He let his eyes wander, finally resting his sight on his board full of memories. Soubi took up most of his photos, and he blushed slightly in fear of what his brother would think of that.
He closed his eyes as he thought about the tall Fighter, his heart started to ache, as it always did. Something about the way he behaved made him crave the other despite knowing it was a relationship based on lies. Seimei wasn't dead, Soubi wasn't his, and Soubi didn't really love him. But why, even knowing all of this, did he yearn for Soubi's heart? Why did the sight of the other make his stomach flip and fill with butterflies? Why did he start to…fall in love?
"Ritsuka? What's wrong? You're so quiet, are you tired?"
Seimei's worried voice broke him out of his self pity and he looked up at the other with a small yawn.
"Alright, let's get a bath and go to bed," Seimei left to grab his own pajamas, and returned with a smile that Ritsuka found contagious. Forgetting the blonde he went down the hall along with the person he needed to see for so long.
"How's school been going?" Seimei started a new baught of conversation, just wanting to hear the voice he missed dearly.
"It's been great! I made new friends, Yayoi and Yuiko! I'll show you their pictures before bed. We've done all kinds of things together! I can wait to introduce you!" Ritsuka told all about the two class mates he began spending more and more time with.
"Sounds like you haven't had much time to miss me," Seimei's voice was slightly cold, his jealousy starting to show. He quickly covered it up when he saw the downcast look Ritsuka took on. He wasn't aware of how cruel his statement was and how it made the other feel guilty.
"That's wrong, I never forgot. I thought of you every day, and made so many memories of the things we did so I'd never forget. I always remembered you, and wanted you back. I'm so glad you're finally home!" Ritsuka's arms wrapped around him from behind and Seimei smiled. He was still the one in charge; nothing would ever take his place, or be above him. Ritsuka wasn't loveless, but his only beloved.
"I believe you. Alright now, let's go wash up," Seimei held the bathroom door open for his brother and followed him over to the washing area. "I'll wash your back!" Seimei happily took to washing his slightly embarrassed brother, not stopping at his back.
"Se-Seimei! I can wash myself!" Ritsuka's voice was flustered.
"But I used to do this when you were younger, please? I missed you so much!"
"…Alright," Seimei's guilt-trip worked, and Ritsuka agreed, not really minding his brother's attention. He actually missed everything he used to do with him. When he was rinsed off, he walked over to Seimei to return the favor and wash his back. Seimei stopped him before he went further and dunked him into the tub with a sly smile. Ritsuka just sunk into the water, dejectedly and slightly annoyed at being handled thusly. "Oh, don't be mad, I'll be joining you soon!"
Seimei reveled in being so close to his brother in the steaming water as his muscles relaxed. He would never share any intimate moments with any other person. Everyone else was unworthy, and the tought of touching them as he did Ritsuka was disgusting. Ritsuka, his Ritsuka, was the only one worthy. Ritsuka was perfect, even when he was a baby. He wasn't ugly at any time in his life, and Seimei would see to it that he was always loved by himself.
"Hey Seimei, where were you all this time? Why… Why didn't you ever try to contact me," Ritsuka voiced what had been eating slowly away at him since his mind started working again. He couldn't keep his voice from cracking as his emotions threatened to take over.
Seimei's heart was filled with grief at the pain coming from Ritsuka's voice. He couldn't tell him everything. It was safer that way. "I couldn't contact you. You'd have been in trouble too."
"In trouble? What happened? Why were you gone?!"
"… Ritsuka, it's time to get to sleep. We can talk more in the morning," and with that he ushered his brother out of the bath and to the towel closet. He silently dried off and dressed, followed by Ritsuka. He led the other back to their room and true his word fell asleep with Ritsuka.