Crimson Crescendo

[Hino Ketsueki]

Ketsueki needed a voice, a familiar voice. Someone to drown out the silence, his own thoughts ringing out for a moment or two. So he called the one person he knew would pick up no matter what.

"Hey... are you busy?"

CaesuraC

[Toda Hitomaro]

"Never if you need something." he picked something out of Ketsu's tone.

"What's wrong??"

[Hino Ketsueki]

Something about Hitomaro's words made Ketsueki smile. It felt strange to do it. Had it been that long since he last smiled?

"No, no - nothing's wrong. I... wanted to hear your voice. It's been too long."

[Toda Hitomaro]

...

"I miss--" cuts himself off, "missed your voice, too! And you."

"Why haven't I seen you in a bit?"

[Hino Ketsueki]

Maybe this was a mistake. He shouldn't have called... yet he make himself hang up. Not after hearing that.

"I've been busy."

Lies.

"Working."

More lies. He doesn't even have a job.

"Just been busy. But you... are you happy?"

[Toda Hitomaro]

Work, huh?

"Happy?" Not without you beside me. You're far better than any of these people who pay for... love... intimacy... sex.

"Why do you ask so suddenly?"

"I'm worried," Finally he answered, "about you."

[Hino Ketsueki]

"I just want to know."

One of them should be happy. Maybe it would make him feel better too, knowing that Hito is happy.

"You shouldn't be."

Ketsu caught the end of Hito's word. Too eager in a way. All too ready to say that everything was alright. A reflex almost. A defense.

"I'm all right. I always am."

[Toda Hitomaro]

"Oh. Well. I've been better."

"But I am. Something's weird."

"No one's always alright."

[Hino Ketsueki]

Ketsu didn't want to lie. Not to Hito. But he wouldn't understand.

"There's nothing... You don't have to worry about me. I-"

Ketsu looked at the clock on the wall. He still had some time. Not long but enough.

"Just talk to me. I want to hear your voice right now."

[Toda Hitomaro]

I can't help it when you're being so weird...

"I'm still talking. I will as long as you want me to. Why can't we meet, Ketsu? Then we can see each other's faces, too."

"I want to see you again."

[Hino Ketsueki]

"I can't."

Ketsu wanted to say yes but he couldn't. It wasn't worth it. He was going to get in trouble. And Hito will ask question Ketsu doesn't want to answer.

"I don't have long. I don't want to spend this time arguing. Please."

[Toda Hitomaro]

"I can't help worrying that's all."

"I'm sorry."

"Are you busy?"

[Hino Ketsueki]

"I know... You don't have to apologize. I'm being being difficult, I know."

Ketsu didn't use to think he was difficult. But now, he's been told so too many time. He's starting to believe it himself.

"I'm not busy. It's just... he doesn't like me talking to you."

He shouldn't have said it. He shouldn't have.

[Toda Hitomaro]

...

"You can't let him control you. You should be allowed to talk to whoever you want, Ketsu-chin."

(chin- a cute slang of chan)

[Hino Ketsueki]

"It's not like that. He..."

What was this then? What was Ketsu doing with his life? He hadn't been out by himself for god knows how long. Ketsu was at home alone... or with him.

"It's easier like this."