The Dark Days Are Here (boyxboy Fanfic)

Chapter 7

Chapter 7 : Walls~

In another school across town, a beautiful boy stood out alone on the small hill overlooking the Zeus soccer field. Aphrodi sighed and snapped his cell phone shut, and pocketed it. He had been trying to call his house but there had been no answer, of course. Not that he expected one, it's just he would like to know if his 'guest' was still hiding out there. When he had came home on Saturday (very late because Endou's mother kept churning out interesting tales of her son's childhood and insisted he stay for dinner) he was instantly struck by the total silence of the house. He had called out for Endou but got no reply. Instead of finding the not-so-fiery captain he found a short vague note scribbled on a Post-It paper and stuck to his fridge; apparently Endou had gone out for something and that he would be back late. Although he had been relieved that he would not have to tell Endou about his failure, Aphrodi had chosen to wait for up for him in his room. Of course he eventually ended up falling asleep on the bed (he can still recall how the sheets had smelt like Endou and, on an embarrassing note, how the scent comforted him). Sunday morning came and Endou still wasn't back. It was then well into the afternoon, and Aphrodi was about to head out to look for him, when lo and behold Endou himself finally returned. Without so much as an explanation to his worried host, he had made a beeline for the bedroom. He was still in there when Aphrodi had left for school this morning.

Aphrodi was even more worried because Endou had had a weary look on his face, similar to when he had his fever. Whatever he had been doing that Saturday must have stressed and exhausted him. He sighed again and was immediately annoyed with himself. He hated often he has been sighing as if he were a girl in a shoujo manga, but with everything that's happened he couldn't help it. He didn't want to admit it but he knew the source of his unease was the brooding captain and whatever secret he was carrying. He had thought that because Endou had asked a favor of him that they were taking the first steps to being closer; now he realized that no such progress had been made at all. After all that time spent with the Raimon captain, there was still a huge gulf between them. Seriously, seven days and nothing had changed!

He stared up to the ridiculously clear blue sky, aimlessly wondering why it was such a fine day when he was feeling shitty.

"Good morning, Terumi!" a voice cheerfully called. The blonde turned at the sound of his Korean name; it wasn't often that people addressed him by it and it makes him glad when they do; as much as he liked his nickname, it was nicer to be recognized by his true name. He acknowledged with a smile the approaching Hera.

"Morning, Hera," he greeted. The brunette forward smiled back warmly at his captain, even after he had turned back to the field. Ever since they left Kageyama's control his teammates had grown more kind and honest; even, dare he say it, more human. They are all livelier now because they no longer thought they were apart from the world; it felt much, much better being normal rather than being gods. Especially Aphrodi; he had become more cheerful and relaxed, and he got along better with his teammates, truly becoming a good leader. But for the past few days the blonde seemed distant. His act of normality has fooled everyone else, but not Hera. He had felt that his friend was putting back up that barrier that had separated him and the world, just like he had back when they were foolish enough to think that they were gods. It seemed like he would rather be somewhere else even if he said the opposite, always strangely spacing out when he thought he was alone; sort of like he was doing now...

He joined his friend on the field, but while Aphrodi looked towards it, Hera studied his face. "What's with that look?" he asked, smirking a little when Aphrodi blinked and tilted his head.

"Huh? What look?"

"That wistful sort of expression. Here," Hera suddenly switched from smiling to a more melancholy look, an exact mirror of Aphrodi's expression. It was such a perfect imitation that Aphrodi just had to laugh. Hera returned the smile just as brightly. Aphrodi suddenly stopped; the very thought that he was just laughing so merrily surprised him. When was the last time he had laughed like that? The last time he'd heard it seemed like years ago. No, actually it was about five or six weeks ago, before the 'Raimon tragedy'. Well sure, he had smiled since then but it was the kind used to cover up pain not his usual bright one. "So what's on your mind?" Hera asked at once. Aphrodi shook his head and stuck on his cover boy smile as he said that he was fine. The obviously unconvinced Hera opened his mouth to say something else when the school bell rang through the air, signaling the end of their break. Relieved, Aphrodi led the way to class, Hera trailing behind.

From their short exchange at the field he could tell that something was definitely distressing the golden haired male but of course, even when it is glaringly obvious, Aphrodi never lets anyone know if he's troubled. He wants to help, but what could the brunette say when he's not really much a talker to begin with? Small talk is pretty much his limit.

"Uhhh, Hera?" Hera jumped when he realized they had already reached their class floor, and that he had been about to follow Aphrodi into his classroom. Aphrodi smiled, one hand on the closed door and the other jokingly pushing his friend as he asked, "Did you forget that your classroom's next door?"

Hera flushed and quickly said, "I just wanted to make sure you got to your class okay!"

"Ohhh, well thank you. I couldn't have made it on my own, oh you gallant hero, you!" Aphrodi laughed but it fizzled when Hera looked away. Hera was thankful for that; that kind of forced laughter didn't suit Aphrodi anyway. "S-sorry… that wasn't very funny…" Hera shook his head, then locked his blue eyes onto the dazzling scarlet ones.

"Hey, Terumi. You've been rather distant recently. And you've been acting really strange too. I know you're troubled over something, so why don't you just tell me?" There, he said it. "You've been spacing out too. Remember you got injured just last week during practice; by your own teammate of all things! It's not just me; everyone's a little worried for you too!" Aphrodi's mouth formed a small 'o' and then he cast his eyes downwards; his action told Hera that he had hit the nail on the head. Something is bothering the golden haired boy… but what? He wanted to say more to get his friend talking but he didn't get the chance; Aphrodi had suddenly slid the classroom door open and slipped inside, and then he closed the door, leaving a dumbfounded Hera out in the corridor. 'Did he just… run away?'

In the classroom, which was thankfully still deserted, Aphrodi leaned his back against the closed door. He breathed in deeply and exhaled.

You've been rather distant recently. And you've been acting really strange too.

It's true; he'd been careful to be as normal as possible, but for Hera to notice easily… was he really alright? He wished he could have spoken more openly to his friend, but that would mean exposing Endou… and he had promised to keep that secret. And now he was seriously worrying his friends; what kind of captain does that?

Aphrodi slid down to a crouch, his arms hugging his knees tightly. 'Damn, it's because of Endou!' He can't get the face he'd fallen for out of his mind and it's messing him up. Ever since that first meeting, the goalkeeper had stolen his stolen his heart, and without even knowing it, he'd had saved Aphrodi. Aphrodi had kept quiet about his feelings because Endou was with that damned Kazemaru, but it hurt desperately seeing the one he loved getting all misty eyed over another. And the current silent brooding Endou had put up walls around his heart that made getting close difficult. But Endou was with him now (sort of) and it was frightening how much more attracted to him Aphrodi was.

Aphrodi sighed. "I must be a masochist," he muttered, pressing a hand to his forehead. "I love Endou no matter how much it hurts."
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Yet another chapter! I put Hera in because honestly, Aphrodi needs a friend right now! And ohhh, what was Endou doing that Saturday?

Anyway, please read and review; it would make my day :D