White Rabbit
folder
Fantasy & Science Fiction › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
24
Views:
6,487
Reviews:
123
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Fantasy & Science Fiction › General
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
24
Views:
6,487
Reviews:
123
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The Author holds exclusive rights to this work. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.
Chapter Twenty-One
Note: Short chapter, I know. I debated several times...modified, asked my editor...she actually thought I should go with the longer chapter but...as a last minute decision...I really didn't like the way this might have ended. For fair warning, next chapter starts off with a big time skip forward, I'll give the date but...yeah. I didn't want to like jump a month and a half mid-chapter. This is all to lessen confusion...so all you get's the morning-after! Reply! ^^;
Chapter Twenty-One
Ashi woke with a contented, almost lazy grin as he yawned, blinking slowly and waiting for his hazy violet vision to focus. His mind woke before his eyes, and the effects snapped away his previous sleepiness instantly.
Garnen’s entire body pressed against him like a shield, curving over his slight form and holding him close. They still faced each other, much like the night before, but instead of tensed or worried, it only caused a sort of warm, unexplainably fuzzy feeling all through him. Strong arms surrounded him, one laying in an unconscious brace across the small of his back, and for the first time in his life, Ashi felt completely at ease in that position.
His smile calmed to that of lazy contentment as he relaxed again, wriggling slightly closer into the other’s embrace and shutting his eyes. As he dropped his forehead down, leaning to the man’s chest, he felt Garnen wake against him.
At first, he kept his eyes shut, not quite ready for morning and still worn from the long night. A mild stirring in his arms alerted something, but Garnen ignored his body’s mental contradiction. He wanted sleep, just sleep. Shutting his eyes determinedly, he shifted his arm for a more comfortable position and found the smooth touch of a bare back against his fingers; that woke him.
A warm hand shifted across his back, almost caressing him, and then the officer froze against him, suddenly perfectly still. Ashi bit his lip as he remembered this sign. Last time, he got shoved off the bed. Shutting his eyes tight, he prepared to withdraw, but just as he started to move, Garnen’s arm circled his waist tighter and prevented it. He tensed, the unexpected action catching him off guard.
Garnen felt the smaller body tense in his arms and frowned slightly. Flickering his thumb absently across the smooth skin at the small of the other’s back he lowered his head and spoke quietly against soft tips of white.
“Are you awake yet?” He felt sure he already knew the answer, but a tiny nod in response confirmed it. After a brief moment of silence, he looked down to find the smaller man watching him. The silence dragged on for what felt like eternity to both until finally Ashi’s quiet tone broke through.
“So…” He forced himself to sound only mildly curious, almost disinterested as he asked. “…you’re not pushing me off the bed this time?” In reality, he thought his heart had increased a hundred fold in beats per second, racing in some sudden panic he couldn’t explain. Was he that desperate for the elder man’s approval? Acceptance? Almond raked over him and their gazes locked; Ashi held it and forced back the shudder that threatened; yes. He was.
At last, the officer spoke again, near as quiet as the rabbit himself. “No. Not this time.”
Ashi felt fingers lifting his chin, and the next moment, he couldn’t explain exactly what happened. Garnen kissed him, but instead of the usual tingling warmth, typically located much lower in his body, he felt a fluttering, bubbly excitement in his chest, like a million butterflies suddenly set to flight, and his heart melted. His cheeks heated, his breath caught, and all he could manage was a quiet ‘Oh good’, before pink lashes fluttered shut. His fingers reached up by instinct, slipping over the man’s shoulder and pulling them closer as he tilted his head into the kiss. Nothing had ever felt so good.
With a slender waist in his grip and soft, giving lips to his mouth, the officer felt the effects instantly and quickly separated from the other before the capability to do so left him. For a moment, he simply stared, watching as hazy lilac fluttered back open, delicate fingers still on his shoulder, before he pulled back completely.
“We should get dressed. I’ll make some breakfast…and I need to call the department afterwards. I need to…find out what all happened last night.” With that, Garnen turned away, leaving Ashi to watch in silence as he left the bed and began to dress.
The rabbit blinked, trying to somehow clear his head and the strangely elated thoughts that bombarded it. Breakfast. A smile twitched at his lips, then, of its own free will, sprouted into a full-fledged grin, and he resisted the urge to laugh as he rolled to his back again with a lazy stretch and yawn.
Garnen glanced over at this reaction and raised an eyebrow. A single violet eye opened ever so slightly mid-stretch to catch him watching, and the rabbit’s grin only doubled in size. Watching this in confusion, the officer finally shook his head and finished clipping up his pants before grabbing a shirt.
“Just get downstairs sometime soon, alright?”
Ashi gave a brief nod, eyeing the man the whole while as he slipped the loose white flannel over his head, and finally disappeared out the door. Once alone, the albiri lowered his gaze back to the still tangled white sheet about him, and the cream-colored comforter pulled up about his waist. As his thoughts moved back to the night before, he briefly noted that Garnen would have to change his sheets, and gave another flickering grin before slipping from the bed.
Searching through the clothes-stuffed trunk he’d never really unpacked from first moving out of his apartment, he shuffled absently through his options. He didn’t know exactly why he wanted his own clothes on this day specifically, instead of some comfortable, loose jeans he could surely find from Garnen, but perhaps, considering his almost uncharacteristically jovial mood, he simply wanted some reminder of the sane, independent person he was, not the chipper bunny that currently wanted to curl up in the officer’s arms and stay there forever.
He shook his head quickly at the image that brought about and wished, not for the first time, for the ability to control his blushing. He picked a slightly lower-hanging, tighter pair of pants than what he’d planned on, and went from there.
Garnen busied himself with breakfast, but it did little to distract him; the simple acts came almost as a second nature now, and he completed all his usual tasks by instinct, no thought required.
He grumbled lightly, putting on water to boil and frowning as he found an empty coffee mug still out, dirty, and likely from the day before. Sighing, he muttered again as he took it to the sink. Unlike him to leave things out…he hated messes. He vaguely considered a lot of things had gone different lately, in fact, if he admitted it to himself, he knew why. Ashi turned normal upside down. The instant he laid eyes on the man, underdressed and feet on his desk with a look of scorn, his world had changed. He felt the eyes on him before he heard anything, and spoke without turning around.
“Have a nice sleep?”
“Lovely.” He heard the man yawn, and then the soft, padded footsteps onto his tiled kitchen floor as Ashi entered. “What time is it?”
He set the mug down in the base of his sink and glanced back to find the other covering yet another yawn. “Almost noon. Chief’s gonna kill me…I don’t have a clue what happened after we left…” Toweling his hands idly, he frowned slightly as he re-hung the cloth. “I meant it when I said I needed to call.”
The rabbit shrugged, and Garnen turned to watch him sit at the table. “You can call him after breakfast. Another forty minutes won’t hurt him.” Violet flickered up to find the officer watching him and resisted the urge to grin goofily, quickly turning his head to eye the floor on the opposite side of him. “So…what’s the chef’s choice today?”
The officer snorted, ignoring the sudden subject change and almost awkward tone. “Toast.” Ashi gawked in exaggerated disbelief as the officer tossed him a still packed loaf of sliced bread. “You can cook for me today.”
The rabbit raised an eyebrow, but stood nonetheless. “Just toast?”
“What do you want?”
“I don’t know…omelet? Pancake? Sausage and-“
“How about…you make the toast…I’ll cook the sausage…you finish the dishes…and I’ll fry some eggs.” Garnen moved to the fridge. “Then we can have some decent excuse for breakfast, alright?”
Ashi glanced to the single, already soapy mug in the sink, sent Garnen a fleeting, curious look and finally nodded. “Deal.”
Thirty minutes later, they sat together at the table, Ashi busy eating, and the officer eyeing, not for the first time that morning, the smaller man’s choice of attire. Finally, he questioned.
“Feeling too modest?”
The rabbit glanced over, a full, uncut sausage skewered plainly on his fork and resting, unbitten between his lips; he looked very content simply sucking on the tip, and Garnen felt an unwanted stirring occur as he took the look into account.
“Modest?” Ashi spoke around the salty meat, flickered his tongue out just enough to make it visible briefly to the officer before smirking as the man unconsciously fidgeted. “Yeah.” He fluttered his lashes with fake innocence and a coy smirk that ruined its effect completely. “I’m feeling…” He pulled the sausage out so just his lips curled around it. “…modest.”
“I was talking about your clothing.”
“Oh? Too much?”
“Yea-…no! I meant-…” Garnen growled and stood. “You do the dishes.” Ashi eyed him innocently as his chair nearly clattered over at the abrupt movement, but the officer ignored it completely, struggling to keep his gaze from flickering to the other, now bringing the sausage languidly in and out of his mouth. “I’m…calling the department.”
Ashi smirked, shutting his eyes and tilting his head back against the back of his chair as he crossed his ankles on the edge of the table. He took his first actual bite of sausage. Yes, this he could deal with. The familiar, tight heat, exactly where it should be, came much more preferable than butterflies, right? He promptly ate his sausage. Right.
Once finished, he cleared off the table, washed the dishes, and went upstairs, curious at how long Garnen took. When he got there though, he paused in the doorway, the officer’s tension obvious in his tone as he spoke into the receiver.
“-black magic? What do you mean magic? There has to be some form of evidence…no one just turns up dead and-…” Ashi waited as the man paused, apparently listening to something on the other end. Finally, he replied, almost angry. “Yes…but officers don’t just turn up dead! There’s always some mark! Some evidence! There’s got to be-…” Another pause. “Well tell them to look him over again! I-…oh.”
Ashi felt a knot of worry, uncalled for, but very present as the officer’s distress increased with every passing second. He forgot butterflies, forgot sausages, and wanted nothing more than to comfort him, do something, anything to push away the grief. Eventually, Garnen sighed.
“I guess…yeah. I’ll come over later just…yeah. I’ll be there in a bit…” Finally, he set down the phone dropping his head to his hands and not once taking notice of the man in his doorway. Slowly, the rabbit made it in, but it wasn’t until he spoke that Garnen even acknowledged his presence.
“What happened?”
The officer looked briefly surprised, lifting his head at the quiet voice and struggling instantly to force back his expression before it betrayed his mood. “Ashi…” He still sounded slightly off guard. “…I…didn’t see you.”
“Couldn’t tell.” The officer gave a faint attempt at a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes, and Ashi bit his lip before coming in all the way. Moving to stand by the other he questioned again. “So…really, what happened?” For a time, the other kept quiet, an he almost expected not to get a response at all, but then Ganren surprised him.
“A man died last night.” Ashi tensed ever so slightly. He suspected as much from what he heard during the man’s previous conversation, but Garnen saying it outright made it fact. The officer continued. “Whatever happened to him…it didn’t leave a mark though…no bullet, cut, sign of poison…it’s like he just up and died…but his entire body’s still in perfect condition.” After a brief pause, he stood. “But really it’s…nothing for you to worry about. I’m sorry…did breakfast-“
“I cleaned up.”
“Oh.”
Before the man got out anything more, Ashi came in again. “But I think you’re wrong.” Garnen paused, glancing his way. “I think it has very much to do with me.” The officer looked puzzled, but Ashi continued. “You said something about an immortal…there is an immortal…working with Carlos…that has some form of control over one of my best friends.”
“What?” Garnen frowned. “Have you mentioned this before? Because-“
“I just found out last night. Garnen…Lan shot me.” He watched the other man visibly tense at the statement. “…under the orders of a Mirah.” Garnen eyed him, raking over the figure before him, but Ashi refused to fidget. Finally, the officer spoke.
“Why didn’t you tell me this last night?”
The rabbit rolled his eyes. “I didn’t think about it…you know I was kind of…preoccupied?” The officer snorted. “Besides…I don’t mean just…I mean…I really wasn’t thinking about it at all…I just wanted to get out alive, you know?”
The older man sighed and nodded, losing the will to argue. “Alright…you should come with me then…to talk to the chief…and some investigators. They’re gonna want to know everything you saw last night and-”
Ashi raised an eyebrow. “Everything?”
“Yes. Everything you-…” Garnen’s words halted as he glanced to the smirking albiri beside him, and grumbled as he turned away to find more appropriate dress for his meeting. “Change into something else. You look like a whore.”
Ashi rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”
“I hate that word by the way.”
“Too bad…and I’m not changing.”
Note: There. See? Short. Just a bit over five pages...please review anyway! And thank you so sooooo much to those that continue to...special thanks to Rin-chan for her lovely picture! I adore it, thank you, thank you! ^_^
Oh, and p.s....I'll probably be posting once a week now. As 'White Rabbit' draws nearer to it's close, another story's preoccupying my mind and the typing's going slow. I do believe I can successfully promise at least a chap every seven days though, right? Right. Till next Monday! ^_^
Review Replies
Trickster Kitsune: Yay! Smut! I didn't even really notice that there was so "little" sex in your story. O_o... I guess that just shows how damn good you are with the story aspect. ^_^
We find out that Ashi likes his feet to be played with, even if that little fact freaks him out a little. And it was just plain adorable when Garnen held Ashi's hand. ^_^
I don't have much else to say about this chapter other than damn... You do some great, descriptive sex scenes! ^_^
Please update soon!
And as for angst... I'm a total angst whore (if you couldn't tell by my own stories). And I'm glad that little comment made you laugh. ^_~
Didn't notice? Yay! ^_^ I'm flattered. I'm glad you enjoy the story anyway...it's very rewarding praise!
Ashi and his feet...*grin* I was slightly worried about putting that in there...but it refused to go away...so eventually I just gave up and let it happen. I'm glad it didn't come out scary or wierd or something...o_O Hand holding...^_^ Glad it's noticed.
xD Well, that's certainly enough said to boost my ego! I'm very, very greatful for your continued enthusiasm. I'd be nowhere without my reviewers...I swear. Thanks again!
Falcon Bertille: Smut! Hurray! Actually, I enjoy long stretches of story between sex scenes. The plot twists, and the character development, serve to make the smut all that much more satisfying. And this certainly was some satisfying smut! When I finished reading this chapter, I noticed that my pjama top had gotten partially unbuttoned...somehow. Your vivid descriptions really brought everything to life. Especially Ashi and his adorable foot fetish. That really illustrated his innocent side, and I liked the way it allowed Garnen to seduce him -- to be his "first" in this particular regard. Needless to say, I'm eagerly awaiting the morning after angst!
Oh, and I believe I owe you an apology. I noticed in a comment you made to Rin-Chan that you're a "he". Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure that at least one of my reviews repeatedly refers to you as "she". Sorry about that. At most of the online sites I've belonged to, the majority of the writers were women, and I just jumped to the wrong conclusion.
Love,
Falcon
^_^ Yay, the smut's appreciated. xD I'm glad my readers like story too though...(otherwise I'm afraid I likely wouldn't have many). Obviously I agree with you on the satisfaction part...I just can't bring myself to write one-shots or something of the like...I need some sort of storyline to back it all up...or I just can't do it right. xP
Foot fetish! You've no idea how relieved I am that I didn't scare you guys off with that one...I tried to get it out of my head several times...but I mean it when I say the characters have a life of their own...it just came completely unavoidable...so I finally went with it. And you took it the same way I did! When I wrote it...it felt like something Garnen, and Garnen only, did...the sort of little act that Ashi wouldn't have gotten from any of his previous 'employers'. xP ^^;
Oh that...^^; No need to apologize. I noticed you refering to me as a 'she' before...but I never really took the time to correct you. I didn't find it necessary. It was an honest mistake after all...(I mean I pretty much assume myself that most of the writers on here are female...). If people wanna think I'm a woman...maybe it'll save me some flame mail...(though I suppose what I'm writing sorta cancels out that intent...*shrug* Maybe I'll put it in my bio...*considers*). Anyway, thanks for the review! I hope you can forgive for the short chap...xP ^^;
Samantha: Hn, well, I've read all twenty chapters and I have to say, I've loved every single one of them.
The way you use sarcasm really gets me, and I really laughed a hell of a lot when reading this, which is unusual for me. One of my faves was when poor Garnen kept stumbling over himself in the office when the cheif caught them. [[First time]] Poor guy, I could so relate... and of course, can't forget the gender question, simply priceless.
I'm quite the one for a actual story as well, and yours is most certainly one of my personal favourites. Each and everyone one of your chapters give me exactly what I needed, and you give details so wonderfully. I really don't mind that it takes you a while to get to the smut, however, I love the scenes. Hn, I'll most certainly be looking forward to the next (If there is one.)
I really must say, Ashi and Garnen make the cutest damn couple ever. I'm waiting for them to say I love you to eachother. Roar, I'm considering getting my bat and wacking it out of them (It's a blow up bat =D) But, the lovey dovey sap things you have them say to eachother are so wonderful. "You're the first person I've ever met that's worth the effort" Gooood. I felt tears coming to my eyes.
Keep up to good work ^_^;
-Sam.
O_O *deep breath* A new reviewer!! Squee! ^_^ Thanks so much! I always love feedback, but new readers are especially nice, a wonderful surprise. It's great to know you like it so much, you've no idea how happy it makes me to read over your comment.
You can relate to Garnen, eh? *chuckle* Depending on how I decide to end this story, there may or may not be another Garnen/Ashi, though there probably will be. There'll definitely be more smut...but it's not the light and fluffy kind...(will be explained later). The 'I love you's' will have to come a biiit later...but they will come! Promise! ^_^ I'm glad the lovey dovey gets appreciated...I tend to wince at too much of it myself, so I try to space out and make it meaningful. Tears! My work is successful! (Not that I want to make people cry, but getting real emotion from a work is one of the best complements you can give...^_^)
I'll do my best and hope you keep reading and enjoying! (And reviewing if you have time...please? xD)
Rin-chan: Wow! ^+^ *Kisses little Ashi and Garnen paper dollies I've made* (But not really...) What an awesome chapter, Mr. Moonstar! I love how Garnen gave Ashi a foot massage - to think the bunny likes his feet being touched... Super kawaii!!!
And the sex scene was oh-so-wonderful! I love when scenes are packed with emotion, not just "There! A kiss, a hug, and then we're done! Oh, and a few moans, groans..." XD You write so great, Mr. Moonstar! I've been needing inspiration for a Guy/Guy/Guy finale sex scene and you're helping it along ^^ Thank you! *bows* Maybe if I read a bunch of sex scenes, that will make me wish even more to finish my own!
Oh, eh... *Fiddles with a lock of hair* ^^; I made you a fanart, Mr. Moonstar. Eh, I hope you don't mind, I don't mean it as stealing your idea of Ashi or anything, but he sounded so cute so I drew him up >.< Please don't be mad!
Ore, I drew him, how I percieved him to be - I'm sure it's nothing like how you've got him pictured. I've only ever done one other fanart for someone, and that is for Miss Falcon. She says I did an alright job, I hope you don't dislike the picture. m(_ _)m
http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/2749/ashigiftformrmoonstar0fw.png - Thank you for doing this awesome story, Mr. Moonstar!
Here is the references I used from the text:
Chapter 1 / Near beginning - Ashi Tekieri, at age twenty-two, stood five foot six, with lightly waved, short-cut pinkish-violet hair, and smooth, heart-shaped features. His most noticeable attribute, his ears, matched those of a rabbit, long and white, standing about a foot up from his head - (Haven't seen a mention if the insides of Ashi's ears are pink so I made them so... ^^; I hope you don't mind!)
Chapter 1 / Near beginning - Dark, tight leather clung appealingly to slender legs and hugged neatly to his hips, while a high-cut, neatly fit black top revealed almost half his stomach, gracefully flat and toned with the simple delicacy the rest of his form gave off. - (Never done a drawing with leather...I hope I put the shiny parts in alright, I had to look up a reference of someone wearing leather XD)
Chapter 1 / Near beginning - oval, lavender tinted vision - (Oval - Check! Lavender color - Check! Oiee, my character in Frigid Hearts has lavender eyes...So sweet.. ^^)
Chapter 3 / Near the end - A male, twenty-two year old playboy bunny lived in his house, and the bubble-gum pink couldn’t have been more misleading. (Hair? I hope I got the shade right!)
hapter 8/ Near the end - Lavender, wide violet, bubble-gum, candy lips... - (Will do more detail face pic soon ^^:)
Chapter 20 / Middle of "Carnal Romping" - Giving a small toss, his ?almost shoulder-length pink curls splayed out behind him as he glanced over his shoulder, and he smirked at Garnen’s expression. (Great! I found the original length I drew was alright!)
Chapter 14/ Middle - Their faces hung mere inches apart and bubble-gum lashes flickered slightly, briefly fleeting to the other’s lips, so very close. - (Eh? Too much detail ^^; Will do close up of his face soon)
Thank you! And update soon, Mr. Moonstar! *hugs and gives you chocolate*
~*Catgirl Rin Rin*~
I'm completely honored! The picture is absolutely lovely, Falcon does not lie, and I feel so special now that you actually took the time to draw for me. ^_^ He looks just like I picture him, you got it all right...no need to worry so much! I can't believe you think I'd be mad. *hugs back and chuckles* ^_^ Chocolate. *love* =^.^=
"Carnal Romping"? xD I burst out laughing on that one...(after I discovered it). At first it reminded me (for some reason), of rhinoes...and then I discovered what you meant...and laughed for who knows how long...I'm still grinning. I think that's a positively perfect use of vivid imagery. Brilliant. *squee!* xD ^_^
Thank you especially much for your picture, and your reviews, and your kindness. You never fail to bring a smile to my face and I really do wish I could repay you for it. For now...I'm stuck giving out virtual cookies and compliments. >_< *gives you a virtual cookie* ^^; Imagination's what counts right? xD I hope you had a lovely, lovely day...and now I'm off to write. Farewell!
Ashi woke with a contented, almost lazy grin as he yawned, blinking slowly and waiting for his hazy violet vision to focus. His mind woke before his eyes, and the effects snapped away his previous sleepiness instantly.
Garnen’s entire body pressed against him like a shield, curving over his slight form and holding him close. They still faced each other, much like the night before, but instead of tensed or worried, it only caused a sort of warm, unexplainably fuzzy feeling all through him. Strong arms surrounded him, one laying in an unconscious brace across the small of his back, and for the first time in his life, Ashi felt completely at ease in that position.
His smile calmed to that of lazy contentment as he relaxed again, wriggling slightly closer into the other’s embrace and shutting his eyes. As he dropped his forehead down, leaning to the man’s chest, he felt Garnen wake against him.
At first, he kept his eyes shut, not quite ready for morning and still worn from the long night. A mild stirring in his arms alerted something, but Garnen ignored his body’s mental contradiction. He wanted sleep, just sleep. Shutting his eyes determinedly, he shifted his arm for a more comfortable position and found the smooth touch of a bare back against his fingers; that woke him.
A warm hand shifted across his back, almost caressing him, and then the officer froze against him, suddenly perfectly still. Ashi bit his lip as he remembered this sign. Last time, he got shoved off the bed. Shutting his eyes tight, he prepared to withdraw, but just as he started to move, Garnen’s arm circled his waist tighter and prevented it. He tensed, the unexpected action catching him off guard.
Garnen felt the smaller body tense in his arms and frowned slightly. Flickering his thumb absently across the smooth skin at the small of the other’s back he lowered his head and spoke quietly against soft tips of white.
“Are you awake yet?” He felt sure he already knew the answer, but a tiny nod in response confirmed it. After a brief moment of silence, he looked down to find the smaller man watching him. The silence dragged on for what felt like eternity to both until finally Ashi’s quiet tone broke through.
“So…” He forced himself to sound only mildly curious, almost disinterested as he asked. “…you’re not pushing me off the bed this time?” In reality, he thought his heart had increased a hundred fold in beats per second, racing in some sudden panic he couldn’t explain. Was he that desperate for the elder man’s approval? Acceptance? Almond raked over him and their gazes locked; Ashi held it and forced back the shudder that threatened; yes. He was.
At last, the officer spoke again, near as quiet as the rabbit himself. “No. Not this time.”
Ashi felt fingers lifting his chin, and the next moment, he couldn’t explain exactly what happened. Garnen kissed him, but instead of the usual tingling warmth, typically located much lower in his body, he felt a fluttering, bubbly excitement in his chest, like a million butterflies suddenly set to flight, and his heart melted. His cheeks heated, his breath caught, and all he could manage was a quiet ‘Oh good’, before pink lashes fluttered shut. His fingers reached up by instinct, slipping over the man’s shoulder and pulling them closer as he tilted his head into the kiss. Nothing had ever felt so good.
With a slender waist in his grip and soft, giving lips to his mouth, the officer felt the effects instantly and quickly separated from the other before the capability to do so left him. For a moment, he simply stared, watching as hazy lilac fluttered back open, delicate fingers still on his shoulder, before he pulled back completely.
“We should get dressed. I’ll make some breakfast…and I need to call the department afterwards. I need to…find out what all happened last night.” With that, Garnen turned away, leaving Ashi to watch in silence as he left the bed and began to dress.
The rabbit blinked, trying to somehow clear his head and the strangely elated thoughts that bombarded it. Breakfast. A smile twitched at his lips, then, of its own free will, sprouted into a full-fledged grin, and he resisted the urge to laugh as he rolled to his back again with a lazy stretch and yawn.
Garnen glanced over at this reaction and raised an eyebrow. A single violet eye opened ever so slightly mid-stretch to catch him watching, and the rabbit’s grin only doubled in size. Watching this in confusion, the officer finally shook his head and finished clipping up his pants before grabbing a shirt.
“Just get downstairs sometime soon, alright?”
Ashi gave a brief nod, eyeing the man the whole while as he slipped the loose white flannel over his head, and finally disappeared out the door. Once alone, the albiri lowered his gaze back to the still tangled white sheet about him, and the cream-colored comforter pulled up about his waist. As his thoughts moved back to the night before, he briefly noted that Garnen would have to change his sheets, and gave another flickering grin before slipping from the bed.
Searching through the clothes-stuffed trunk he’d never really unpacked from first moving out of his apartment, he shuffled absently through his options. He didn’t know exactly why he wanted his own clothes on this day specifically, instead of some comfortable, loose jeans he could surely find from Garnen, but perhaps, considering his almost uncharacteristically jovial mood, he simply wanted some reminder of the sane, independent person he was, not the chipper bunny that currently wanted to curl up in the officer’s arms and stay there forever.
He shook his head quickly at the image that brought about and wished, not for the first time, for the ability to control his blushing. He picked a slightly lower-hanging, tighter pair of pants than what he’d planned on, and went from there.
Garnen busied himself with breakfast, but it did little to distract him; the simple acts came almost as a second nature now, and he completed all his usual tasks by instinct, no thought required.
He grumbled lightly, putting on water to boil and frowning as he found an empty coffee mug still out, dirty, and likely from the day before. Sighing, he muttered again as he took it to the sink. Unlike him to leave things out…he hated messes. He vaguely considered a lot of things had gone different lately, in fact, if he admitted it to himself, he knew why. Ashi turned normal upside down. The instant he laid eyes on the man, underdressed and feet on his desk with a look of scorn, his world had changed. He felt the eyes on him before he heard anything, and spoke without turning around.
“Have a nice sleep?”
“Lovely.” He heard the man yawn, and then the soft, padded footsteps onto his tiled kitchen floor as Ashi entered. “What time is it?”
He set the mug down in the base of his sink and glanced back to find the other covering yet another yawn. “Almost noon. Chief’s gonna kill me…I don’t have a clue what happened after we left…” Toweling his hands idly, he frowned slightly as he re-hung the cloth. “I meant it when I said I needed to call.”
The rabbit shrugged, and Garnen turned to watch him sit at the table. “You can call him after breakfast. Another forty minutes won’t hurt him.” Violet flickered up to find the officer watching him and resisted the urge to grin goofily, quickly turning his head to eye the floor on the opposite side of him. “So…what’s the chef’s choice today?”
The officer snorted, ignoring the sudden subject change and almost awkward tone. “Toast.” Ashi gawked in exaggerated disbelief as the officer tossed him a still packed loaf of sliced bread. “You can cook for me today.”
The rabbit raised an eyebrow, but stood nonetheless. “Just toast?”
“What do you want?”
“I don’t know…omelet? Pancake? Sausage and-“
“How about…you make the toast…I’ll cook the sausage…you finish the dishes…and I’ll fry some eggs.” Garnen moved to the fridge. “Then we can have some decent excuse for breakfast, alright?”
Ashi glanced to the single, already soapy mug in the sink, sent Garnen a fleeting, curious look and finally nodded. “Deal.”
Thirty minutes later, they sat together at the table, Ashi busy eating, and the officer eyeing, not for the first time that morning, the smaller man’s choice of attire. Finally, he questioned.
“Feeling too modest?”
The rabbit glanced over, a full, uncut sausage skewered plainly on his fork and resting, unbitten between his lips; he looked very content simply sucking on the tip, and Garnen felt an unwanted stirring occur as he took the look into account.
“Modest?” Ashi spoke around the salty meat, flickered his tongue out just enough to make it visible briefly to the officer before smirking as the man unconsciously fidgeted. “Yeah.” He fluttered his lashes with fake innocence and a coy smirk that ruined its effect completely. “I’m feeling…” He pulled the sausage out so just his lips curled around it. “…modest.”
“I was talking about your clothing.”
“Oh? Too much?”
“Yea-…no! I meant-…” Garnen growled and stood. “You do the dishes.” Ashi eyed him innocently as his chair nearly clattered over at the abrupt movement, but the officer ignored it completely, struggling to keep his gaze from flickering to the other, now bringing the sausage languidly in and out of his mouth. “I’m…calling the department.”
Ashi smirked, shutting his eyes and tilting his head back against the back of his chair as he crossed his ankles on the edge of the table. He took his first actual bite of sausage. Yes, this he could deal with. The familiar, tight heat, exactly where it should be, came much more preferable than butterflies, right? He promptly ate his sausage. Right.
Once finished, he cleared off the table, washed the dishes, and went upstairs, curious at how long Garnen took. When he got there though, he paused in the doorway, the officer’s tension obvious in his tone as he spoke into the receiver.
“-black magic? What do you mean magic? There has to be some form of evidence…no one just turns up dead and-…” Ashi waited as the man paused, apparently listening to something on the other end. Finally, he replied, almost angry. “Yes…but officers don’t just turn up dead! There’s always some mark! Some evidence! There’s got to be-…” Another pause. “Well tell them to look him over again! I-…oh.”
Ashi felt a knot of worry, uncalled for, but very present as the officer’s distress increased with every passing second. He forgot butterflies, forgot sausages, and wanted nothing more than to comfort him, do something, anything to push away the grief. Eventually, Garnen sighed.
“I guess…yeah. I’ll come over later just…yeah. I’ll be there in a bit…” Finally, he set down the phone dropping his head to his hands and not once taking notice of the man in his doorway. Slowly, the rabbit made it in, but it wasn’t until he spoke that Garnen even acknowledged his presence.
“What happened?”
The officer looked briefly surprised, lifting his head at the quiet voice and struggling instantly to force back his expression before it betrayed his mood. “Ashi…” He still sounded slightly off guard. “…I…didn’t see you.”
“Couldn’t tell.” The officer gave a faint attempt at a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes, and Ashi bit his lip before coming in all the way. Moving to stand by the other he questioned again. “So…really, what happened?” For a time, the other kept quiet, an he almost expected not to get a response at all, but then Ganren surprised him.
“A man died last night.” Ashi tensed ever so slightly. He suspected as much from what he heard during the man’s previous conversation, but Garnen saying it outright made it fact. The officer continued. “Whatever happened to him…it didn’t leave a mark though…no bullet, cut, sign of poison…it’s like he just up and died…but his entire body’s still in perfect condition.” After a brief pause, he stood. “But really it’s…nothing for you to worry about. I’m sorry…did breakfast-“
“I cleaned up.”
“Oh.”
Before the man got out anything more, Ashi came in again. “But I think you’re wrong.” Garnen paused, glancing his way. “I think it has very much to do with me.” The officer looked puzzled, but Ashi continued. “You said something about an immortal…there is an immortal…working with Carlos…that has some form of control over one of my best friends.”
“What?” Garnen frowned. “Have you mentioned this before? Because-“
“I just found out last night. Garnen…Lan shot me.” He watched the other man visibly tense at the statement. “…under the orders of a Mirah.” Garnen eyed him, raking over the figure before him, but Ashi refused to fidget. Finally, the officer spoke.
“Why didn’t you tell me this last night?”
The rabbit rolled his eyes. “I didn’t think about it…you know I was kind of…preoccupied?” The officer snorted. “Besides…I don’t mean just…I mean…I really wasn’t thinking about it at all…I just wanted to get out alive, you know?”
The older man sighed and nodded, losing the will to argue. “Alright…you should come with me then…to talk to the chief…and some investigators. They’re gonna want to know everything you saw last night and-”
Ashi raised an eyebrow. “Everything?”
“Yes. Everything you-…” Garnen’s words halted as he glanced to the smirking albiri beside him, and grumbled as he turned away to find more appropriate dress for his meeting. “Change into something else. You look like a whore.”
Ashi rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”
“I hate that word by the way.”
“Too bad…and I’m not changing.”
Note: There. See? Short. Just a bit over five pages...please review anyway! And thank you so sooooo much to those that continue to...special thanks to Rin-chan for her lovely picture! I adore it, thank you, thank you! ^_^
Oh, and p.s....I'll probably be posting once a week now. As 'White Rabbit' draws nearer to it's close, another story's preoccupying my mind and the typing's going slow. I do believe I can successfully promise at least a chap every seven days though, right? Right. Till next Monday! ^_^
Trickster Kitsune: Yay! Smut! I didn't even really notice that there was so "little" sex in your story. O_o... I guess that just shows how damn good you are with the story aspect. ^_^
We find out that Ashi likes his feet to be played with, even if that little fact freaks him out a little. And it was just plain adorable when Garnen held Ashi's hand. ^_^
I don't have much else to say about this chapter other than damn... You do some great, descriptive sex scenes! ^_^
Please update soon!
And as for angst... I'm a total angst whore (if you couldn't tell by my own stories). And I'm glad that little comment made you laugh. ^_~
Didn't notice? Yay! ^_^ I'm flattered. I'm glad you enjoy the story anyway...it's very rewarding praise!
Ashi and his feet...*grin* I was slightly worried about putting that in there...but it refused to go away...so eventually I just gave up and let it happen. I'm glad it didn't come out scary or wierd or something...o_O Hand holding...^_^ Glad it's noticed.
xD Well, that's certainly enough said to boost my ego! I'm very, very greatful for your continued enthusiasm. I'd be nowhere without my reviewers...I swear. Thanks again!
Falcon Bertille: Smut! Hurray! Actually, I enjoy long stretches of story between sex scenes. The plot twists, and the character development, serve to make the smut all that much more satisfying. And this certainly was some satisfying smut! When I finished reading this chapter, I noticed that my pjama top had gotten partially unbuttoned...somehow. Your vivid descriptions really brought everything to life. Especially Ashi and his adorable foot fetish. That really illustrated his innocent side, and I liked the way it allowed Garnen to seduce him -- to be his "first" in this particular regard. Needless to say, I'm eagerly awaiting the morning after angst!
Oh, and I believe I owe you an apology. I noticed in a comment you made to Rin-Chan that you're a "he". Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure that at least one of my reviews repeatedly refers to you as "she". Sorry about that. At most of the online sites I've belonged to, the majority of the writers were women, and I just jumped to the wrong conclusion.
Love,
Falcon
^_^ Yay, the smut's appreciated. xD I'm glad my readers like story too though...(otherwise I'm afraid I likely wouldn't have many). Obviously I agree with you on the satisfaction part...I just can't bring myself to write one-shots or something of the like...I need some sort of storyline to back it all up...or I just can't do it right. xP
Foot fetish! You've no idea how relieved I am that I didn't scare you guys off with that one...I tried to get it out of my head several times...but I mean it when I say the characters have a life of their own...it just came completely unavoidable...so I finally went with it. And you took it the same way I did! When I wrote it...it felt like something Garnen, and Garnen only, did...the sort of little act that Ashi wouldn't have gotten from any of his previous 'employers'. xP ^^;
Oh that...^^; No need to apologize. I noticed you refering to me as a 'she' before...but I never really took the time to correct you. I didn't find it necessary. It was an honest mistake after all...(I mean I pretty much assume myself that most of the writers on here are female...). If people wanna think I'm a woman...maybe it'll save me some flame mail...(though I suppose what I'm writing sorta cancels out that intent...*shrug* Maybe I'll put it in my bio...*considers*). Anyway, thanks for the review! I hope you can forgive for the short chap...xP ^^;
Samantha: Hn, well, I've read all twenty chapters and I have to say, I've loved every single one of them.
The way you use sarcasm really gets me, and I really laughed a hell of a lot when reading this, which is unusual for me. One of my faves was when poor Garnen kept stumbling over himself in the office when the cheif caught them. [[First time]] Poor guy, I could so relate... and of course, can't forget the gender question, simply priceless.
I'm quite the one for a actual story as well, and yours is most certainly one of my personal favourites. Each and everyone one of your chapters give me exactly what I needed, and you give details so wonderfully. I really don't mind that it takes you a while to get to the smut, however, I love the scenes. Hn, I'll most certainly be looking forward to the next (If there is one.)
I really must say, Ashi and Garnen make the cutest damn couple ever. I'm waiting for them to say I love you to eachother. Roar, I'm considering getting my bat and wacking it out of them (It's a blow up bat =D) But, the lovey dovey sap things you have them say to eachother are so wonderful. "You're the first person I've ever met that's worth the effort" Gooood. I felt tears coming to my eyes.
Keep up to good work ^_^;
-Sam.
O_O *deep breath* A new reviewer!! Squee! ^_^ Thanks so much! I always love feedback, but new readers are especially nice, a wonderful surprise. It's great to know you like it so much, you've no idea how happy it makes me to read over your comment.
You can relate to Garnen, eh? *chuckle* Depending on how I decide to end this story, there may or may not be another Garnen/Ashi, though there probably will be. There'll definitely be more smut...but it's not the light and fluffy kind...(will be explained later). The 'I love you's' will have to come a biiit later...but they will come! Promise! ^_^ I'm glad the lovey dovey gets appreciated...I tend to wince at too much of it myself, so I try to space out and make it meaningful. Tears! My work is successful! (Not that I want to make people cry, but getting real emotion from a work is one of the best complements you can give...^_^)
I'll do my best and hope you keep reading and enjoying! (And reviewing if you have time...please? xD)
Rin-chan: Wow! ^+^ *Kisses little Ashi and Garnen paper dollies I've made* (But not really...) What an awesome chapter, Mr. Moonstar! I love how Garnen gave Ashi a foot massage - to think the bunny likes his feet being touched... Super kawaii!!!
And the sex scene was oh-so-wonderful! I love when scenes are packed with emotion, not just "There! A kiss, a hug, and then we're done! Oh, and a few moans, groans..." XD You write so great, Mr. Moonstar! I've been needing inspiration for a Guy/Guy/Guy finale sex scene and you're helping it along ^^ Thank you! *bows* Maybe if I read a bunch of sex scenes, that will make me wish even more to finish my own!
Oh, eh... *Fiddles with a lock of hair* ^^; I made you a fanart, Mr. Moonstar. Eh, I hope you don't mind, I don't mean it as stealing your idea of Ashi or anything, but he sounded so cute so I drew him up >.< Please don't be mad!
Ore, I drew him, how I percieved him to be - I'm sure it's nothing like how you've got him pictured. I've only ever done one other fanart for someone, and that is for Miss Falcon. She says I did an alright job, I hope you don't dislike the picture. m(_ _)m
http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/2749/ashigiftformrmoonstar0fw.png - Thank you for doing this awesome story, Mr. Moonstar!
Here is the references I used from the text:
Chapter 1 / Near beginning - Ashi Tekieri, at age twenty-two, stood five foot six, with lightly waved, short-cut pinkish-violet hair, and smooth, heart-shaped features. His most noticeable attribute, his ears, matched those of a rabbit, long and white, standing about a foot up from his head - (Haven't seen a mention if the insides of Ashi's ears are pink so I made them so... ^^; I hope you don't mind!)
Chapter 1 / Near beginning - Dark, tight leather clung appealingly to slender legs and hugged neatly to his hips, while a high-cut, neatly fit black top revealed almost half his stomach, gracefully flat and toned with the simple delicacy the rest of his form gave off. - (Never done a drawing with leather...I hope I put the shiny parts in alright, I had to look up a reference of someone wearing leather XD)
Chapter 1 / Near beginning - oval, lavender tinted vision - (Oval - Check! Lavender color - Check! Oiee, my character in Frigid Hearts has lavender eyes...So sweet.. ^^)
Chapter 3 / Near the end - A male, twenty-two year old playboy bunny lived in his house, and the bubble-gum pink couldn’t have been more misleading. (Hair? I hope I got the shade right!)
hapter 8/ Near the end - Lavender, wide violet, bubble-gum, candy lips... - (Will do more detail face pic soon ^^:)
Chapter 20 / Middle of "Carnal Romping" - Giving a small toss, his ?almost shoulder-length pink curls splayed out behind him as he glanced over his shoulder, and he smirked at Garnen’s expression. (Great! I found the original length I drew was alright!)
Chapter 14/ Middle - Their faces hung mere inches apart and bubble-gum lashes flickered slightly, briefly fleeting to the other’s lips, so very close. - (Eh? Too much detail ^^; Will do close up of his face soon)
Thank you! And update soon, Mr. Moonstar! *hugs and gives you chocolate*
~*Catgirl Rin Rin*~
I'm completely honored! The picture is absolutely lovely, Falcon does not lie, and I feel so special now that you actually took the time to draw for me. ^_^ He looks just like I picture him, you got it all right...no need to worry so much! I can't believe you think I'd be mad. *hugs back and chuckles* ^_^ Chocolate. *love* =^.^=
"Carnal Romping"? xD I burst out laughing on that one...(after I discovered it). At first it reminded me (for some reason), of rhinoes...and then I discovered what you meant...and laughed for who knows how long...I'm still grinning. I think that's a positively perfect use of vivid imagery. Brilliant. *squee!* xD ^_^
Thank you especially much for your picture, and your reviews, and your kindness. You never fail to bring a smile to my face and I really do wish I could repay you for it. For now...I'm stuck giving out virtual cookies and compliments. >_< *gives you a virtual cookie* ^^; Imagination's what counts right? xD I hope you had a lovely, lovely day...and now I'm off to write. Farewell!