Kintsugi | Ash x Eiji | Completed

Chapter 1 - Aslan

Loud sirens, distant voices and nothing but a black vision. Everything felt numb as a small light appeared in the distance. But it kept getting brighter as every noise and feeling faded away. And suddenly there was only blinding white and the noise of static.
But then, out of nowhere, a beeping sound echoed. It was constant. His hand felt warm, although he could tell it was not his own body warmth. It was an outside factor warming it up.
The sweet, gentle scent of flowers filled his nostrils as he heard yet another sound, movement. It was the smallest, slightest shift and yet he heard it.
He also now could tell why his hand felt warm. It was somebody else's hand warming his. Holding it, being close to letting go. He couldn't move but he wanted to grab onto the hand and never let go.
Minutes pass by and he finally opens his eyes. The light was blinding. Blonde hair covered a part of his vision. He noticed red roses, carefully placed on the nightstand beside the hospital bed. And then he noticed familiar, black hair. It was no other person than Eiji, asleep with his head on the hospital bed.
Finally, being able to move, he weakly held onto the black haired boy's hand. That seemed to wake him up, and the blonde couldn't help but feel bad. He looked so peaceful and calm while asleep.

Eiji lightly yawned, slightly opening his eyes. He looked like he hadn't slept in days.
As soon as he noticed that the blonde's eyes were open, his eyes were wide open. "Ash!" Said he, not being able to believe what he was witnessing. He looked at the other male with glassy eyes.

"That's me," Weakly said Ash, looking at the boy in front of him with the smallest hint of a smile, "Eiji." He added, sounding happy to be saying the other's name.

Tears started streaming down Okumura's face as he let out a few sobs. "I was so worried.." Said he, placing Ash's hand against his own forehead. He wanted to hug him, but he was afraid that he'd hurt him. So, gently holding the other's pale hand into his own was enough.

Ash felt bad to see the other cry, especially because of him. "I'm sorry.. I should've come to say goodbye. That way, this wouldn't have happened and you wouldn't have missed your flight." Said he, a guilty looking, melancholic expression on his face.

Eiji gave the other a caring look, gazing into his green eyes. "Don't blame yourself for what happened." Said he then sniffed, wiping his tears away with his sleeve. "I'm just so glad you're okay..." He added. He paused for a bit before speaking up again. "And I realized that.. I don't really want to leave.. without you."

"Eiji.. That's crazy. If I come with you, I'll only be putting you in danger." Ash softly spoke, looking down. He did want to go, but he was afraid his past would follow him anywhere he'd go.

"What danger? I know what happened. Not how you got in this state, before that. He told me. Everything should be fine, you can.. you can start over." Eiji said. Him and Blanca just happened to see each other, and at Eiji's request he was told what happened. Golzine was dead.

"I... I can't help but be afraid. I tried making you leave to Japan all these times because I'm scared." Said the blonde with a long pause. "Scared that you'd get hurt. And yet you did. You got shot because of me. Because of me, Eiji." He added, sounding guilty, tears slowly forming in his eyes.

"Aslan..." Eiji said. That immediately caught Ash's attention. He wasn't used to hearing that name. And yet his heart felt so warm hearing it. "It wasn't your fault. I chose to get shot so that you wouldn't. It was my choice, okay? Don't blame yourself for it. And what matters is that we're both alive." Said he, caringly running his fingers through the other's hair.

Ash couldn't help but let a few tears escape his eyes. "I.. I'm sorry." Said he with a small sob. When Eiji cupped his face with his hand he leaned into the other's touch, closing his eyes.

"It's okay, Aslan. There's no need to apologise." Softly said Eiji.

Days and eventually weeks went by, and Eiji was there every day. From when visiting hours opened until they closed, the black haired boy was there.
Ash was happy when he saw Eiji walking on his own two feet again.
And after more time passed, the blonde's wound had healed enough for him to be walking too.

The day Ash was dismissed from the hospital him and Eiji decided to enjoy their last few days in New York. While Ash was hospitalised, him and the other boy talked about moving together in Japan. The blonde didn't know much Japanese, but he was willing to learn. For Eiji.

They went around the city all day, reminiscing past events. They settled to end the day with watching the sunset. Since Ash still had the apartment he bought with Golzine's money, that's where they settled on going.

The two sat by the huge windows, gazing at the sky. It faded from pale yellow to intense orange. There were a few moments of comfortable silence before Eiji finally spoke up. "Will you miss it? Being here?" He asked.

Ash seemed to think for a few moments before he shook his head. "Maybe the people. But not this place. And I'm sure the gang will do just fine without me." Said he. "So, I know we've talked about it before but.. Tell me once again. About Japan." Said he.

"Well, I grew up in Izumo. And I would love to apply to the Nippon Photography Institute. But," Said Eiji, only to be cut off by the blonde.

"I know, but it's in Tokyo, and you'd like to show me the less busy sides of Japan. But, as I said before, I think you really should apply there. I'm sure Tokyo is really pretty." Said he with a small, encouraging smile.

Eiji couldn't help but smile back. "Just because I'm applying there, doesn't mean I'll be accepted." Said he, lightly scratching the back of his head.

"Have you even seen the images you take? They're amazing." Said the blonde.

"Stop, you're flattering me." Said Eiji, looking up at Ash. They both lightly chuckled then kept watching the sunset in comfortable silence.

Once the sun was gone and night had taken over the city, the two boys settled on going to sleep. Or rather, laying in bed, talking about Japan.
They were cuddling, Eiji's arms loosely wrapped around Ash's shoulders and Ash's loosely wrapped around Eiji's waist.

"How do you say good night?" Asked the blonde, a warm smile on his face.
"Oyasumi." Replied the other boy, smiling as well.

"And thank you?"
"Arigato."

"Yes?"
"Hai."

"No?"
"Iie."

Ash's questions continued for a while until a yawn cut him off. "I think we should stop the lesson here for today." Said Eiji softly.

The blonde nodded, placing a small kiss on the other boy's cheek. "Oyasumi, Eiji." Said he.

The black haired boy warmly smiled, closing his eyes. "Oyasumi, Aslan." Said he as he got closer to the other male.

It didn't take long before the two of them peacefully fell asleep, holding onto each other. And for the first time in a while, Ash felt safe. Like being in the other's embrace will keep all danger away from him.