A Hero and a Villain

Scene 19: Decisions

[Andeddo]

"So, how does it feel now that all that's over with?" "Good, I guess. Less distractions. Was it really necessary to punch me like that? You almost gave me a concussion." "Believe me, Shinso, I didn't want to do it either, but it had to look believable. If a villain managed to escape a Hero like you, you wouldn't have been left unscathed. Knocking you out was the best option, and you probably wouldn't have let me chokehold you."

Andeddo lowered the phone as he scratched his ear with his index finger, "If anything, it hurt me to do that more than it hurt you." Hitoshi laughed over the phone. "Really? You weren't the one with a bloody nose, Heishi." "That may be, but I promise I'll never do it again." His tone turned more serious. "Now, it's come to the point that I have to ask you this question....."

"Do you still want to keep in contact with me? I've come to understand that being involved with a criminal like me would be damaging to not only your reputation, but your entire life as well. It's your choice."

Hitoshi was quite for a long time.

"Shinso? Is something wrong?" "No, no. It's just.....you caught me by surprise. I...uh...can we talk about this in person?" Andeddo bad a bit taken aback, "Sure. Do you have somewhere in mind?" "My place would be good. I'm here now. Do you still remember how to get here?" Andeddo rolled his eyes, "Was there ever any doubt?"

[Shinso]

Andeddo arrived a few minutes after he hung up. The doorbell rang, and Hitoshi went to open the door, but Andeddo opened it himself and walked in, slowly closing it behind him.

Hitoshi reluctantly sat on the couch, and Andeddo sat down beside him. There was a few seconds of awkward silence before Andeddo broke the tension.

"So, what exactly did you want me to clarify?" Hitoshi fiddled his thumbs, "I just.....ah.....why did the question come up so suddenly?" Andeddo sighed, "It's just.....I realized earlier just how stupid I was dragging you into this mess. Ever since the day I met you, I've constantly put you in danger in one way or another. I'm a serious safety hazard in myself."

He looked at his hands, stretching out his fingers, "Not to mention, I involved you in things that go against your very morals and beliefs, things you should have never been involved in. If the authorities were to find us working together, it would ruin everything you've worked so hard for your entire life, and you've only known me for about two months now. I don't see how I could be nearly as important to compare to that."

Hitoshi wanted to say something, but Andeddo continued. "But.....that's the thing. They don't know you've been in contact with me yet. I thought that, maybe, you still had the chance to forget me altogether, and your life could go back to normal again. You wouldn't have to constantly be looking over your shoulder every single day. I don't want to—"

On sudden impulse, Hitoshi grabbed him by the shoulders, pressing his lips to Andeddo's. The shocked idiot didn't even react, he just sat there frozen. After a second, however, he closed his eyes and returned the kiss, before breaking away breathless. He just stared at Hitoshi, confused but happy at the same time.

Hitoshi glared at him, but with a worried mother kind of look, "Jesus, that finally shut you up?" Andeddo didn't say a word, but his beet-red face said it all. "W-Wha....what was that?" Hitoshi hooked his arm around Andeddo's neck, pulling him close so that their eyes were just centimeters away from each other, "That was my answer, you moron. Never forget it."

Andeddo looked as if steam was about to start poring from his ears. "O-kay." Hitoshi shook his head sarcastically, using one arm to pull Andeddo sideways, his head resting on Hitoshi's lap. "Good, now shut up before I brainwash you. I don't want to hear another word about this subject, you hear me?" Andeddo nodded sluggishly, "Uh huh."

Hitoshi ran his fingers through Andeddo's silky black hair, "Idiot....." Looking for something else to distract him from his inner conscience screaming in his head, he picked up the TV remote and turned on a movie. Andeddo relaxed on his lap, watching with him.

After about an hour, Andeddo was fast asleep.

Hitoshi stared at him for a while, taking in his smooth features. He looked peaceful.....it was something he had never really seen in him before. Honestly, he must have been exhausted from all that stress.....

Hitoshi caressed his cheek, smiling, "God, why have you blessed me with this impossibly perfect being. I don't deserve this." He ever so carefully slid out from under him, walking to the corner of the room where he put his extra pillow fort supplies. He took a pillow and a blanket, walking back to Andeddo. He gently placed the pillow under his head, and laid the blanket over his sleeping form.

With one final glance at Andeddo's gorgeous face, he turned and went back to his bedroom, taking a long, hot shower before retiring for the night.