A Tapestry Of Scars {KaraJyushi}

How Beautiful You Are

Karamatsu glared down at his hand. There, even though he'd taken extreme care to ensure it would heal properly, was a scar. He'd cut himself a while back, helping his mommy make dinner.

Now, injuries were far from uncommon for him; in fact, he fell off the roof just that morning, but the damage was minor. Nothing that wouldn't fully heal within a week. However, it wasn't always the lasting damage to his own skin he was worried about.

He found various scars every day that were not his own. It seemed his soulmate was a careless person. Not in a bad way! Just an observation. But knowing this, and being the cause of even more scars on his poor beloved's body filled him with guilt.

He sighed, lowering his blemished hand, and looked down at the river below him.

He hoped his soulmate wouldn't be angry. At the very least, once they met, he could literally kiss away the false scars he caused, so the other couldn't be too upset, right?

At least he always managed to protect his face from being damage. Surely his soulmate would appreciate that. He knew he appreciated the same from them. OH! He couldn't imagine if his perfect face was ever marred before he could meet them for the first time! Though they would be defaced the exact same way, maybe it wouldn't be so bad. But he wanted to make the perfect first impression!

He thought about his soulmate often. Not uncommon for people, of course, but it seemed to always be on his mind. Rather than meeting by chance (too risky, what if he just missed them?!) he preferred to meet every person he passed with the perfect prose. How romantic it would be! To woo them so before even confirming it!

So far, no luck...

He failed to garner any positive attention from his attempts, but that must just mean he'd yet to meet the right person.

Then, in the distance, he heard a yell. Not a shout for help, not even words. Just a droning 'Ooooooohhhh...' getting closer... And closer.. And -

It was getting closer way too fast.

He whipped around, and there, running across the water (what?!) was a man, wearing a floppy yellow hoodie and shorts, heading right towards the bridge Karamatsu was on.

Before Karamatsu could react, the man leapt off the surface of the water, not noticing Karamatsu until too late. Rather than hurdling just above the railings to land on the other side, his forehead collided with Karamatsu's, sending them both over the side and into the river.

Several thoughts occurred to Karamatsu as he was submerged.

Ow.

Well, it is a darn good thing I left my not-waterproof phone at home.

What a lovely smile.

Before he could resurface on his own, arms wrapped around him and swam him back up.

He gasped the second he was above water the arms still holding him now dragging him to the bank of the river.

As he reached the grass, he realized the arms were shaking. Thinking the man was crying or shivering, he turned to apologize. Then he saw his face.

The stranger's lips were pressed together, and Karamatsu realized the man was trying not to laugh.

"Are you -"

Before he could finish, the man burst out laughing, such a beautiful sound, and Karamatsu's heart skipped a beat. He was literally rolling on the ground laughing, clutching his sides, apparently unable to stop.

It was infectious, and soon Karamatsu found himself laughing as well.

The two laughed themselves breathless, still chuckling even as they caught their breaths.

As it died down, they sat up and smiled at each other.

Karamatsu held out his hand. "Karamatsu, pleased to meet you."

The smiling stranger quickly rolled up his flappy sleeves to expose his hands, taking Karamatsu's in both of his and shaking it enthusiastically. "I'm Jyushimatsu!"

Karamatsu smiled brightly back, gaze drifting down to their hands. Then he noticed it. A distinct mark on the man's finger.

His smile turned into an open-mouthed gape, his eyes travelling down to the man's legs. There were familiar scars on his dirty knees, still fresh, as though they'd only just healed to that point. And there, on his right calf, where Karamatsu accidentally cut himself while cutting open a box.

Another on his thigh, where he burned himself with a hot pan when he dropped it.

Their injuries were perfect matches.

He looked up to meet the man's eyes, but they were locked on Karamatsu's own legs, exposed thanks to his jorts.

Finally, their eyes met. Jyushimatsu's smile hadn't faltered for even a second, seeming to grow even more (if possible) the longer they stared at each other.

Suddenly, Jyushimatsu pushed him down, flipped him onto his stomach, and lifted his tank top.

"There!" He exclaimed, fingers tracing an old, almost forgotten scar. "The first time I fell out of a tree and the bark scratched my back the whole way down!"

He righted Karamatsu's shirt, pushed him over onto his back, and pounced on him, enveloping him in the warmest hug he'd ever experienced.

"It's you! It's you, it's you, it's you!" The only way to describe his voice was gleeful.

Karamatsu embraced him back, sitting them both up. He couldn't help but laugh.

They pulled apart, only for a moment, before simultaneously diving in for their first (of many, Karamatsu hoped) kiss.

He could still feel Jyushimatsu's wonderful smile through the kiss. It felt so pure.

He hummed, pulling back, resting his forehead against the other's, ignoring the slight pain from the forming bruise.

Jyushimatsu laughed again, and Karamtsu couldn't help but think, that's something I could listen to forever.