Title: Lonely Heart (Chapter 7)
Fandom: Ronin Warriors
Characters/Pairing: Cye/Kento
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Not mine, anything mentioned here by name isn't mine
Warnings: It's only referenced, but Cye and Kento watch a horror film that is a little on the grisly side (much to Cye's delight). If you would like to avoid that, once you see the phrase "Brad, are you sure we should be out in this abandoned building where that guy died?" skip until you get to "Cye smiled and shrugged. “I guess I just have an insatiable bloodlust.”"
Notes: More slice-of-life/remake AU!

“Hi, Kento!” Cye held the door open for his date. “About time you got your butt here. You can just toss your things on my bed.”

Kento toed off his sneakers and then meandered off in the direction of Cye’s room. “What, no welcome home kiss?”

Cye scoffed. “We don’t have time for that! We only have a few hours to watch scary movies until my sister returns from the void that I doomed her to. Or finishes her dinner at the sushi bar she visited tonight. One of those things.”

“You do realize Ms. Sayoko doesn’t care about what you watch, right?” Kento shouted from the bedroom. “Yeah, she says you shouldn’t because your mother thinks it’ll corrupt you or whatever, but she always looks the other way when you convince someone else to rent the movies for you or you bring home merch or whatever.”

“I was sickly growing up. I couldn’t indulge in youthful rebellion like my peers did,” Cye explained as he stepped into the kitchen/dining area, reaching up into the cabinets for plates and glasses. “Let me be sneaky and break rules when I can. Dinner’s ready, by the way. I hope you like beef stir-fry.”

… Cye never would have guessed that Kento could move that quickly, or soundlessly, but here he was in front of him, looking too smug (and handsome) for his good. “Babe, you had me at ‘dinner.’” Then his expression fell. “Sorry, is ‘babe’ no good for a nickname?”

“It’s fine. Although I am older than you, so it’s inaccurate.” Cye handed Kento a plate. “Thanks for being patient with me, by the way.”

Kento started shoveling stir-fry onto his plate. “Heh. I think that’s the first time anyone’s used that word to describe me.”

“I’m serious. Now step aside caveman, I want some food, too.” Cye helped himself to what was left. “I do want to thank you for understanding about my wanting to keep things unofficial. I… I know that’s selfish.”

“No, it’s not!” Kento was sitting down now and talking around a mouthful of stir-fry. He really could move fast when he wanted to. “That’s called setting boundaries, Cye. That’s, like, way healthier than going along with something that would make you uncomfortable.”

“Hm.” Cye poured Kento some tea before sitting down himself. “Would you like to make it official one day?”

“Yeah, but only if you feel the same way. Like I said, I’m happy with whatever you’re willing to give.” Kento gulped down his tea, then reached across the table for Cye’s hand. “I love you, not whatever titles we give each other. And ‘sides, after everything you went through, it makes sense to give yourself some breathing room before you make anything official with anyone.”

“I do like my personal space,” Cye agreed softly, squeezing Kento’s hand. It wasn’t something he enjoyed talking about, especially since it was still a problem. He wanted to be with Kento. But being in a relationship meant a partnership. Compromise. If you weren’t careful, ‘compromise’ became ‘I’ll become whatever you want so you’ll leave me alone’ a little too quickly. Not that Kento would do that. No, Kento was one of the few people he could be his true self around. But objectively knowing that and knowing that in one’s heart were two different things. Despite the heaviness in his spirit, he felt himself smile. “Maybe it’s a good thing that we’re not official. I’m not exactly a fun date. When I’m not moping, I’m mean.”

“You’re talking about your feelings, not moping,” Kento assured him. “Also, you do not have a mean bone in your body.”

Cye pulled away so he could start his meal. “Did you forget all those times I made fun of you? And everyone else we know?”

“That’s not mean. That’s snark. You’ve never said one genuinely cruel thing to any of us.” Kento grinned at him. “Trust me, man. I have four siblings. I know the difference between snark and mean.”

“I guess I can’t argue with that logic.” It occurred to Cye as he poured himself some tea that he didn’t know much about Kento’s family. He knew that Kento came from a large family, and loved his parents and siblings, but also disagreed intensely with how his parents ran their business. Aside from Kento’s Uncle Shuu, he’d never met any of them or even seen a picture. All he knew was what Kento had told him, which amounted to when he was beside himself with worry when his sister was ill and that desperate confession that sometimes he felt like he existed only to network for his folks.

If Kento wanted to keep his family and personal lives separate, then so be it. Heaven knew that there were things Cye could not tell him, after all. Yet… back in December when he’d healed him, there had been so much sorrow in Kento’s heart. Not just sorrow, but also resignation that his life was not his own. He knew first-hand how thinking like that rotted away one’s spirit; he refused to allow such a thing to happen to someone he loved. Kento needed to talk about this, to find some resolution to what he was going through.

“Something on your mind, babe?” Kento gave him a smoldering look that was so over the top, Cye would have laughed if it also wasn’t kind of adorable.

“Not really.” Keeping his voice as neutral as he could, he added, “So, how is your family doing?”

“I dunno. Pa’s trying to build another restaurant, I think. We apparently need more of them.” Kento stood up and began clearing the table. “C’mon, it’s time to watch low-budget horror films.”

The curtness in Kento’s tone (and his heart) made it clear that the conversation was over. For now, Cye resolved to himself.

--

Brad, are you sure we should be out in this abandoned building where that guy died?

Aw, c’mon, Debbie, don’t tell me you believe that story about the guy who died and became a ghost and is killing teenagers!

Tee hee, that was silly of me. Well, I guess we can make out now—oh no, it’s Mr. Machete!

“Ha!” Cye gulped down the remainder of his soda in triumph. “That’s what you get for going on a date in an abandoned building instead of just kicking your sister out of your apartment as God intended!”

“When will they learn,” Kento said as he helped himself to a handful of popcorn.

“They’ve made six of these movies; I don’t think they ever will.” Cye snuggled up to Kento, partly to get to the popcorn, but also because Kento was warm and solid. Everything he needed to keep himself steady. “Oh, this scene’s cool, they didn’t have the budget for the guy to slice Brad’s head off on screen, so they do this thing with the camera angles so you just see the shadows… yeah, see what I mean! That is so much scarier than seeing it happen!”

“Yeah, it is.” Despite his words, Kento’s gaze was fixed only on Cye, brushing his bangs away from his face. “I never thought I’d say this about witnessing a beheading, but you’re really cute when you get excited about stuff.”

Cye smiled and shrugged. “I guess I just have an insatiable bloodlust.”

“You don’t say.” Kento cleared his throat, cheeks red. “Listen, maybe this isn’t the most romantic backdrop ever, but I’m just throwing it out that you are free to kiss me anytime you want during the film. Or tonight in general.”

Debbie was screaming, but Cye’s heart was pounding too loudly for him to hear her. “Okay.”

“You know, if you want to,” Kento said a little too quickly, darting his head—but Cye caught his chin before he could turn away.

“I want to,” Cye breathed as he kissed Kento on the lips.

OH NO!!! Debbie screamed at the top of her lungs, and Kento started to laugh. Cye joined him a moment later.

“Okay,” Kento conceded. “Maybe next time we do this we should pick a movie with less murder.”

Cye arched an eyebrow. “You want to do this again, huh?”

“Heck yeah I do!” Kento leaned back in his seat, getting comfortable, so of course, his cordless phone rang. “Ugh, sorry,” he whispered to Cye before answering the call. “Yo, this is Kento… hi, Pa, how are you?” He held his hand over the receiver. “Is it okay if I talk to him in your room?”

“Feel free,” Cye said. “You want me to pause the video?”

“Nah, this shouldn’t take too long. I’ll be back soon, okay?”

Cye didn’t pause the video, but he did mute the sound since the walls were rather thin. This meant that he could hear Kento’s end of the conversation.

“School’s fine, sir. I’m doing okay in judo, too. Um, yeah, I am free this weekend. It’s just I was going to use that time to study… I am studying every day, Pa, I promise. I’m just not very good at math… I am trying. I don’t need a tutor. Don’t worry, I’ll talk to someone, okay? And sure. I’ll go to that party, but do I need to talk to Ichijouji, Pa? Can’t I just talk to his wife? … Because Ichijouji is a scumbag, Pa, you shouldn’t be working with him!” Cye flinched at the venom in Kento’s tone. “I’m sorry, sir. I shouldn’t have shouted. It’s just… yes, Pa. I know it’s expensive to open a new restaurant. And I do want to help. Yes, don’t worry, sir. I’ll be there. And I’ll be polite to Ichijouji. Good night, Pa. I love you, too.”

“Oh boy,” Cye whispered. Even if he could not have felt the anger radiating from the room, the forced calm in Kento’s voice would’ve clued Cye in that his friend was upset. He stopped the video and got up from the couch, ready to comfort his friend—but was startled as Kento bolted past him for the door. He was grateful for being quick and flexible as he somehow managed to maneuver himself between Kento and the door.

“Cye, let me go.”

He held up his hands. “Kento, wait—”

Kento’s gaze was unfocused and his hands were shaking. “Cye, please, let me go.”

“If you have to go, then I won’t stop you,” Cye promised him gently. “It’s just you’re in your socks, with no coat, and it’s a cold February night out there.”

“Right.” Kento’s voice was numb as Cye led him back to the couch. “I’m sorry.”

“I should apologize for overhearing everything. But at least I know why you’re upset.” Cye rubbed his back. “Now, Kento. Do you want to leave, or were you understandably panicking after speaking to your father?” Kento looked up at him, vulnerable. Cye did his best to smile. “It’s your decision.”

“I wanna stay,” Kento murmured, bowing his head.

“That’s all I needed to know.” Cye took Kento’s hands, planning to place them over his heart… but stopped when Kento pulled away.

“You’ve done this before,” he said. “You’ll hold my hands and talk to me, and I feel better. Calmer. Cleaner, even. And I’ve been thankful for that every time. But then you get sick right after you help me.” He gazed at Cye. His eyes were sad but clear. “I don’t know how, but helping me is hurting you. And I won’t let you get hurt because of me.”

Cye closed his eyes for a moment, trying to think about how to phrase this without breaking his promise to his sister. “Thank you for thinking of me. What I do can be exhausting at times, yes. However, it was my choice to help you. I accepted the consequences and recovered from them. And I’m better at it now than I was back in December. I’ve been training.”

Kento blinked. “You can train to do… what you do?”

“Yes. But don’t ask who’s training me, okay?” Cye added quickly so that he wouldn’t break his promise to Sage. “All you need to know is that I won’t pass out again. But whether I help you or not is your choice.” He was desperate to heal Kento, but after that conversation with his father, restoring Kento’s sense of agency came first.

Kento reached out to Cye. Cye smiled in thanks and placed Kento’s hands over his heart. “Okay. Tell me everything.”

“I’m being a blockhead about this,” Kento blurted out. “Pa is just looking out for me. He’s not trying to be cruel. He just wants to make sure that I’m ready to run the restaurant.”

“Mm-hmm.” Cye pulled the rage/fear/sorrow from Kento’s heart and channeled it into his own being. “Is that what you want to do, however?”

“God, no! I can’t run a business; I would just mess it up. I’d destroy everything Pa and Ma have worked for.”

Cye had taken the edge off. There wasn’t any rage or immediate fear anymore, but there was still so much sorrow and guilt and that blasted resignation that was keeping him from finding and healing the emotional wound. “What makes you say that?”

“The fact that I burn water, for starters,” he answered with a bitter laugh. “Everyone who can cook in my family has tried to teach me. Pa’s even had his chefs give me lessons. And I’ve tried my best, but I just can’t figure out what they do. I’m barely passing school right now; there’s no way I can’t do the stuff that comes with running a business. And… Cye, you look pale. I should stop.”

Cye squeezed Kento’s hands. “If I need a break, you’ll be the first to know. Now please, continue. It’s easier for me to work if you keep talking.”

“I was ten, and Pa was letting me hang out in the restaurant while he worked. The idea was to kind of get me used to the environment before I started assuming more formal duties. Well, you know me, I was seeing how much food I could sneak back home, at least until I heard an argument between Pa and a server.”

“I see.” They were getting to the heart of the problem, finally. “What was it about?”

“The server wasn’t good at his job. I didn’t hear everything, but he got orders wrong all the time. So, Pa had to put the restaurant first and fire him. I don’t know why, but I followed the server as he headed out and across the street. I spotted him at a payphone, trying not to cry as he was explaining to his wife what happened. I… all I could think about was how it wasn’t fair that this guy and his family had to worry about how they would pay for food and rent just because he made mistakes. I tried to grab him because I was sure that I could convince Pa to hire him back, but he disappeared into the crowd. I ran back to the restaurant to beg Pa to re-hire him… and then I heard Pa talking to his chefs about how relieved he was that the guy wouldn’t be a drain on resources anymore.”

“Oh, Kento.” Sage would probably yell at him for taking on so much of Kento’s grief. Sayoko would throw a fit. But they weren’t here, and he was going to help Kento get through this. “That must have been horrifying.”

“I get that you have to be tough to run a business. And I don’t want Pa’s business to fail. But I can’t do it,” he said, voice cracking. “The idea of firing anyone, even if they’re bad at the job, is too much. I don’t want to decide who can afford food or not based on how good they are at waiting tables or cooking. But… if I can’t, then everything gets messed up, and even more people lose their jobs. More people will get hurt because I can’t protect them.”

“Then tell your father. You have to tell him.” This probably wasn’t the wisest thing to say. Kento still felt like he had no control over his life. Telling him what to do wasn’t going to fix that. But Cye also couldn’t stand watching him hurt this much anymore. “Please, Kento. I know it’s scary, but if you go along with this, it’s going to destroy you. I won’t let that happen.”

Kento sniffled as he shook his head. “I have no choice. It’s my job as the oldest to take over.”

“But your father’s a good man, right? So, if you explain things to him—”

“He’s a good man, but he’s not always an understanding man.”

“Fine,” Cye snapped, not willing to let this go. Not when Kento was still in so much pain. “It’s your job to take over the restaurant. But since you know you’d be rubbish at running it, doesn’t it make sense to give it up before you can cause any damage?”

Kento stared at him, and slowly, began to smile. “That’s right,” he said to himself as much as Cye. “I do suck at this, so I’ll just fire myself before I’m a drain on resources. That… that might actually convince him.”

“Yes, thank you!” Cye gasped as he sagged against the couch, permitting himself to let go of Kento’s hands. He closed his eyes, relieved that he had finally broken through and healed his friend’s heart. “God. Never be that stubborn again.”

“Heh. Sorry.” Cye felt Kento’s fingertips brush against his temple. “Will you be okay?”

“Yes, just give me a moment.” He took several deep breaths, remembering what Sage had told him about recovering from using his abilities. Cye had informed Sage that focusing on the moment wasn’t really an option for him when the negative feelings overwhelmed the core of his being and felt more real than he or anyone else did. He’d expected some pushback on Sage’s part, but Sage had agreed with him. He then asked Cye what he was hoping to get from healing others. Cye had to take a moment to figure out how to answer that: the situation had always been too intense for him to worry about anything except making the other person feel better. But… eventually, he told Sage that he wanted to protect them. To make their lives better. To ease the problem if not solve it.

And what’s what I want you to focus on next time you’re dealing with the aftermath of healing someone’s emotional pain. It’s noble to want to take on someone’s grief to make them feel better, Cye. But you and I both know that you can do more than that. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have sought me out. If you want to end the pain, you’ll need to be strong enough to not let the despair overwhelm you. That way, you can help them solve the problem as well. Remember that you’re trying to end suffering, not just make it bearable for a little longer. I think if you focus on that, it’ll be easier to push through the pain.

“Kento.” His need to help his friend muted the rage/sorrow/resignation/loss of self. “It’s important that you talk to your father. This is hurting you.”

Kento eyed him skeptically. “Do you think I could convince him, though? He’s kind of had his heart set on me taking over since before I was born. I mean, what you suggested makes so much sense it might work, but Pa’s even more stubborn than me sometimes.”

“Well, you had to inherit it from someone. But I can be pretty stubborn myself when I want to be, and I’m going to assist you with this in whatever way I can,” he said around a yawn. “And before you say anything, I concede that I’m tired after helping you. However,” he continued as he stood up and pantomimed throwing a left hook, “I’m still lively enough. So lively that I’m off to clean before Sayoko returns.”

“Point taken,” Kento conceded, following Cye. “But let me help out, okay?”

“If you insist. You clean up the mess we made in the living room while I tackle the kitchen.” Cye grabbed the empty popcorn bowl and entered the kitchen. There weren’t a lot of dishes, so he wouldn’t have to run the dishwasher tonight. “I know you don’t want to be a restaurant owner. What would you like to be instead?”

“I dunno. I never really thought about it. I just always assumed I’d run all of Pa’s restaurants, even after I’d realized that I didn’t want anything to with it. Although I guess I need to start thinking about something. Pa might be more willing to listen if I could show him that I have a plan instead of goofing off.”

Kento still sounded uncertain, so Cye took a moment to think of what might reassure his friend. Cye nodded as he started loading the pans. “That’s a fantastic idea, Kento. I speak from personal experience there. After all, how do you think I got out of having to work for the Mouri Foundation when I’m older?”

Kento poked his head into the kitchen. “Your sister wanted you to work for her?”

“Nope. She could tell that I didn’t have any interest in home and business security. It was one of the few times that she understood my feelings right away. Mum was the one who was pushing it, actually.”

“Ya don’t say.” Kento eyed him thoughtfully. “So, was she disappointed when you told her otherwise?”

… Kento was more interested in this than Cye would have imagined, but hey, if it inspired him to tell his father that he didn’t want to inherit the restaurant, he’d tell him anything he wanted to know. “No, but I did have to deal with some pointed remarks about how I was being bratty. Which in all fairness to Mum was the truth. I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, Kento, but sometimes I can be a little acerbic. But between myself, Sayoko, and Mortimer, we convinced her that my strengths and interests are better used in other fields. Mind you, now and then Mum will grumble about how I need to at least do an internship when I’m eighteen. But she’s accepted that only one Mouri is going to work full-time at the Foundation.” An old memory returned to him. He debated mentioning it to Kento and decided it was worth it. “Hey, you know how in my first year of Junior High, I was not in a good place mentally?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, Sayoko was able to tell something was wrong when I told her that I wanted to work in the Foundation after all instead of being a marine biologist.”

Kento let out a low whistle. “Cye choosing the corporate world over orcas. That is not a world I want to live in.”

“Likewise, Kento. Likewise. She suggested I move with her to Tokyo almost right after that.” Hm. Maybe Sayoko understood him more than he realized. Not that he was going to say that out loud; as the younger brother it was his responsibility to be charmingly bratty, after all.

Kento gazed at Cye. “In the end, you stayed true to yourself, no matter what. I’m envious of that.”

“I didn’t,” Cye reminded him. “I caved under pressure. It was only because Sayoko—and Mum and Mortimer—wouldn’t give up on me that I got through that year.” He rested a hand on Kento’s shoulder. “So, I’m not going to give up on you.”

The doorbell rang. “Hello? This is Kento’s uncle, Shuu.” It rang again. “I’m here to pick him up after his date with Cye Mouri.” Another ring. “I run the Fang Restaurant a few blocks from here. If you want more identification, I have my wallet.” Yet another ring.

“Your uncle is very detailed in his introduction,” Cye said.

“All part of his charm.” Kento raised his voice. “I’ll be there in a minute, Uncle Shuu!”

“One of these days, we’re going to have a normal date,” Cye swore as Kento disappeared into his room to gather his things. “No sad stuff. None of the, um, things that I do. Just watching horror movies and kissing.”

“To be fair, we did do both of those things,” Kento pointed out. He smiled and looked like his old self. “Thanks for helping me with the other stuff.”

“That’s why I’m here, Kento.” Cye took Kento’s face in his hands. “I’d do anything for you.”

“I know,” Kento whispered. “I’d do anything for you too, okay?

“In that case, let me help you talk to your dad. Let all of us help you talk to your dad.” Cye kissed him good night.

“I… I’ll think about it. I promise. I’ll see you are school tomorrow, Cye.”

Cye followed him to the door and peeked out the window to make sure that they made it to the car safely. “Talk to your dad, Kento,” he whispered, because maybe if he said it out loud enough, he could will it to become reality. Kento was strong, but Kento also wanted to make his father happy. He’d been attending events he hated and playing nice with people he despised simply because it made his father happy. But Cye knew first-hand that trying to conform to what others wanted—even if those others included a father that you loved more than anyone else—would do you in. But if he kept pushing breaking away from what his father wanted instead of letting Kento do it on his own, if he tried to brute his way into convincing Kento to not take over at the restaurant, was he any better than Kento’s father?

… Or the kids back at his old school?

Trust in him, he reminded himself. He’s trusting you with all of this. You can help him, but you have to trust that he’ll make the right choice for him. Not for his father, not for me. For him, and him alone.

Cye could do that, he realized. And if there had been a mirror nearby, he might have also realized that the kanji for ‘trust’ flashed on his brow while he was thinking.

He decided that he wanted some more tea. But the lavender blend this time; he needed something to soothe his nerves. It didn’t take long for the water to heat and to find the tea, so he was left with nothing to do but watch it steep.

He sat down, resting his head on the kitchen table while he waited. It was weird. Kento teased him so much about being (supposedly) aristocratic. Yet as he learned more about his situation, Cye was beginning to realize that Kento was the imperiled prince, not him.

--

“Can I ask how your date went, nephew, or would that be too intrusive?”

“It was wonderful,” Kento assured him, gaze fixed on the night sky. “Everything about Cye is wonderful.”

Shuu smiled fondly. “You sound like your father when he met your mother.”

“Ya don’t say,” Kento whispered. “Hey, Uncle Shuu?”

“Yes, nephew?”

“Did… did you always want to run a restaurant? Or did you have any other dreams?”

“Oh, I always wanted to run a restaurant,” Shuu said without missing a beat. “Your father and I went hungry so many times that having a place devoted just to making and eating food sounded like a paradise. Of course, both of us were lucky enough to be naturally talented chefs. Not to mention your father’s ambition when it comes to business.”

“Yeah.” Kento still wasn’t looking at him. “He definitely has plenty of that.”

“You do as well, Kento.”

Kento made a rueful sound. “I’m the son who’s probably going to fail math and can’t even make rice.”

“Nephew.” Shuu’s usually gentle tone was steely as he steered his car down the road. “I’ve seen you protect your friends. I’ve seen you at judo competitions. You have ambition when it comes to what you love. The only question is if you’ll use that ambition to fight for what you want in life.” He shrugged. “If push comes to shove, you can always live with me permanently. You can work as a server at my restaurant. No cooking, no management decisions, just chit-chatting with the patrons and serving them food.”

Kento gave him a look. “Serving involves a lot more than that. If you’re not careful, you make mistakes.”

“That’s true. Every job has responsibilities that can seem overwhelming. But don’t worry, nephew. If you really want something, your love for that will override the fear in time.”

--

Chan Run had debated on checking in with his son Kento. He didn’t want to be breathing down the poor boy’s neck, after all. But now, he was glad that he’d decided to give him a pep talk after all. Kento was a bright, friendly boy who could think on his feet and wanted to make others happy. All the qualities a good restaurant chef and owner needed. He just lacked confidence, that was all. The cooking and the business parts? Those were skills anyone could learn if they applied themselves. He was fully confident that Kento would be a good businessman and a fantastic chef one day.

… Of course, there were parts of the business that Chan Run doubted Kento would ever enjoy. He felt the same way about dealing with those types. However, if he had to choose between that and the possibility of not being able to provide for his family? He would choose the former every time. He and his wife were making sure each of their children were not spoiled and possessed strong senses of justice. He was proud to say that they had succeeded every time. Especially with Kento—with that unshakable moral compass of his, he could deal with all sorts of scoundrels and emerge unscathed. They would all be fine, even in the business world.

Chan Run stretched his limbs, satisfied with his day. Yep, Kento’s future looked bright.

--

Final Notes: So, originally this was going to be 100% Cye/Kento. But I started getting worried that Kento's dad was sounding like a villain, and that is not the case. He's a good guy, he's just strict/doesn't realize that Kento's not handling things well at all.

By the way, things are getting pretty hectic at my job right now (it always gets hectic this time of year, so it's more annoying than anything else), so the next chapter might be a little later than usual. Apologies if that happens. Hopefully, I will have lots more free time starting in mid-May.