章節 2: Chapter 2: Subtle Warnings

"Aki, would you please pour me more tea?" Yani asked holding a toy teacup up to the grinning boy who cheerfully poured more imaginary tea into the cup.

After a few months of staying, Aki and Yani started playing House. Where Yani was a prince and Aki was his servant. The only one bothered by it was Michi, who didn't know why they chose those roles. Aki didn't care to ask, since it was just for fun.

"Is there anything else you want, my prince?" Aki asked, holding the blue empty teapot in his hands awaiting his next order.

His 'prince' smirked placing the teacup down. "Yes, follow me," he ordered as he stood up and walked out of the living room and into the grand backyard. Aki grabbed his coat and scarf properly keeping himself warm. Though as he entered the wintery outside, he still shivered from the freezing wind. Yani just stayed in his long sleeve with a bear imprint and fuzzy pants to match.

As they sat under the gazee, Yani stared at Michi. "I want you to tell me what your brother has been telling you." He turned around crossing his arms over his chest.

Aki fidgeted with the toy as he stared at the ground. "H-he's been telling me you're dangerous and stuff..." he trailed off. "I-I don't know why he's so weird. He even writes everything in a different language he made up. B-but it doesn't matter, I know you're a good person," Aki grabbed his hand smiling. When they first interacted, Yani would push him away and spit out an insult. But after knowing Aki for almost an entire year, Yani learned that the physical contacts from him weren't going to hurt him. Even though he let his guard down, he'd have a habit of tensing up.

"You're very kind for saying that." Yani smiled lacing his fingers with Aki's. He glanced at the pillar beside him and saw a small device. He suddenly took off and ran with Aki onto the grass. Aki tried to keep up but was practically being dragged by his friend. "Do you like being outside?" he asked sitting down in the grass. Aki sat beside him and nodded. "I prefer being indoors. But don't mind if I'm spending time with you at least..." Yani admitted staring at the sky.

Aki blushed shyly and smiled. "I-I like playing with you! Oh! Can you tell me more stories about the forbidden land we pretend to be in? The one you said has dragons and castles?" Aki asked crossing his legs.

"What more is there to say? I've told you everything I know my dear servant. It's a world no one deserves to enjoy. A paradise free from the dangers this world has. Beautiful flowers everywhere you look and magical creatures that can talk." He smiled. "Instead, why don't you tell me why you're obsessed with it?" he asked laying the younger boy's head on his lap. "It's not even really here..." he persisted petting his hair.

A frown appeared on Aki's face as he looked away from him. "No, you'll laugh at me as my parents did," Aki pouted as he comfortably enjoyed the petting. Yani knew that getting Aki to speak wouldn't be easy, so he patiently waited for Aki to continue on his own. "U-um… but if you really want to know... I wanna live in that world! The one that had princes and princesses, and cool dragons and demons…" he smiled to himself. Unaware of the sinister face Yani was making.

"Really? Such an imaginative, fictional world I made up. You want to live in it?" he asked staring at him. "Isn't exploring an unknown world dangerous? What if you couldn't go home? Wouldn't you be afraid?" Yani chuckled combing his fingers through the boy's short black hair.

Aki thought for a moment and sat up. "Yeah, I kinda would, b-but if you were there with me I wouldn't be so scared. Mama and dad focus more on Michi anyways, I'm not as smart and talented as him. They probably wouldn't care if I left. He's all they ever show off at parties.." he sniffed, tears swelling up in his eyes. "I always felt alone before you came here..."

Yani's sinister look was gone when he saw the sadness in the boy's eyes.

Even though he cried over almost everything, Yani still didn't know how to handle it. All he did was pull Aki close and hugged him tightly. "Stop crying. I won't leave you alone. " He rubbed the boy's back gently. "I'll make our dream world come true, so smile for me," he ordered. But Aki's tears didn't stop flowing, all he did was cry even harder.

Thinking back to the television Yani saw the parents, Lilith and David would watch. He remembered the woman on TV saying that children need love and affection. For such a horrible show, Yani thought its advice was better than nothing. So he used his hand to tilt Aki's chin up and kissed his forehead. The crying soon ceased to end as Aki's cheek heated up. "Stop crying alright? You're getting my clothes wet," Yani chucked cupping the boy's cheek and caressed it with his thumb.

"Boys! We're heading out for some shopping! A certain man in red is looking out for good behavior!~" Lilith sang out from the back door. Aki smiled in excitement, his breath could be seen as he rubbed his eyes and stood up.

"Why are you so ecstatic. Because your parents are shopping?" Yani asked curiously. Aki looked down at him confused.

"You don't know? It's already December! Which means Christmas and presents! Going shopping is code for gift shopping!" He cheered jumping up and down.

Yani still was confused by the words that left the child's mouth. "Christmas… what's that?" his question made Aki stop his happy dance and frowned.

"I don't know how to explain it, but it's a day where people celebrate with food, family, and toys!" he exclaimed. "Did your family celebrate it? Is the country you're from not have it?" He asked sitting back down on the cold grass.

Yani stayed silent for a moment, wondering if that's why Lilith was asking him what he wanted out of the blue. "A country much different from yours. And no, we weren't into holidays that are like the ones you have here. But I am both greatly excited and displeased for this holiday." Yani admitted, laying on his stomach to prevent crushing his hair.

"Because you and Yang will be leaving?" he asked in a sad tone. "I'm gonna miss you Yani. You're the first friend I ever had, and even though you talk kinda strange. I still liked talking with you." Aki sniffed trying to hold back his tears. Letting out only whimpers from his cold lips.

Yani had his usual face was emotionless, but in his dull eyes, Aki could see that he too was upset. "I promised you that I wouldn't leave you. If you doubt me then I might have to ensure you won't forget" Yani then leaned in and kissed his cheek. "There, now you can't doubt me," he said with a smile.

Aki's face was beet red in embarrassment. Since his first kiss was stolen by his first friend. He had no way of finding the right words to say. So he stayed silent and buried his hands in his face.

"It's getting really cold. Let's go back inside. I want that brown drink with the white stuff. The one David makes." Yani suggested as he got up. Already heading back inside.

Aki quickly followed behind. "It's called hot cocoa!" Reminded him with a laugh.

They both sat in silence as Yang and Michi argued over something in the other room. Neither wanted to bother getting involved since it was a common occurrence.

"I suppose I should apologize for kissing you so suddenly. Where we come from it's a way of keeping a promise to those we care about," he lied. "What's your custom in keeping promises?" Yani asked sipping the drink.

Aki gently blew on the hot drink and shyly stared up at Yani. "W-we j-just use our p-pinkies," he held up his pinky to show Yani. Who mimicked what Aki did and pointed his pinky towards him. "Then we do this," Aki hooked his pinky around Yani's.

"Huh… how boring," Yani commented. Hooking his pinky tightly around Aki's. Even if he claimed so, he refused to release his hand.

That was until Michi charged in and pulled Aki away from him. "Stop! I know what you're planning and it won't work! Leave my brother alone and stop ruining my family! You're not even human you monster!" he ordered.

"Stop being so mean, Michi! Or Santa won't get you presents!" Aki warned with a glare.

Yani just smiled. "I am human. I look human, I act human, and I have dreams like humans." He then smirked. "You're jealous because I'm a better human than you~" He stood up and whispered a disturbing warning into Michi's ear.

"You better kill us before Christmas. Soon, I'll drop the act."