Still Dreaming of You

[masinorimoriyama]

((OOC: haha nooo it wasn’t sucky!))

Masinori’s breath caught in his throat when Izar hugged him and thanked him for having his jacket cleaned. “You are welcome so much.” He said in response, groaning as he squeezed him and then let go. It felt good, the fact that he’d done something nice for him and he appreciated it. He seemed perhaps caught off guard with the direction the conversation took next. And Masinori was even more caught off guard by his responses. He was shocked at the first statement. They are us, we are them? How could that even be possible, he had no idea. He’d never seen traits that were similar in the two. As far as he could tell they were two entirely separate species. The next thing was nothing compared to that though, he didn’t see it coming at all. Izar’s foster family was untainted? Untainted and wonderful in the same sentence. That was perplexing and Masinori didn’t even know how to process it, let alone have an opinion on it, but he tried.

"There are tainted people who do worse things to untainted people than they do to us. It's horrible to say but it's true.” And Masinori had always thought they deserved it. Was he one of those horrible people? Would Izar think so? He grabbed his jacket and looked it over, in particular, the splotch of blood that could still be seen. We all bleed. “So do rats…” Masinori said instinctively. It was a response he would’ve given to Caleb, not to his Izar. It was a mean response, and he didn’t believe he said it. He put a hand over his mouth, immediately he regretted it and thought of the family Izar mentioned. He had pretty much just compared them to vermin. But wasn’t that what he thought they were? The fact that they were tied to Izar…it was all very confusing. “I’m sorry, I don’t know why I said that…” Masinori started, shaking his head. His expression reflected what was going on inside. Confusion.

Then he asked the question that Masinori had been avoiding answering for himself, and he looked him dead in the eyes when he said it, leaving him frozen like a trapped animal in the headlights of a semi. “What if I was untainted?” His eyes were burning into him. “Would you hate me?” “I could never hate you…” He choked, running out of breath. His eyes were wide with a bit of horror in them as he said it too. "Masinori, if you could meet my foster parents I have a feeling that you might change the way you group all the untainted into one group of evil." He winked and nodded. Meet them. Willingly spend time with those he’d avoided basically since he’d discovered his ability. The strange thing was, he wanted to, as soon as the words left Izar’s mouth. Was he absolutely crazy? Why?! He found himself asking with an anxious excitement, “Hai, I want to, when can I meet them?”

“What do you mean, you get rid of people? I don’t understand…” Masinori paused now. The quiver of arrows and the sword. Masinori assumed Izar was some kind of honorable warrior. He had no idea what he meant. Izar shuddered like it bothered him. “Like bad people?” Masinori asked, he rubbed Izar’s arms with both hands after he’d shuddered. Then stopped and as he was facing him, rested his forehead on one of his shoulders. His own head was beginning to ache. He had no idea what Izar did for a living, the thought had never occurred to him because he didn’t even think about making a living these days…and he didn’t know Izar even had a foster family. What else didn’t he know? He sighed, apparently a lot, and not about Izar, just about the world in general.

His cell phone began to vibrate again. He groaned, a little frustrated. No one ever called or texted him, but they just decided to bombard him now when he was with Izar.

[izar]

((OOC: Thanks!))

Izar felt slightly guilty he knew Masinori's mind was probably spinning trying to make heads or tails of what he was saying. He hadn't really believed it until his foster parents had supported him so much. He thought for a moment. Have a foster family that was probably be news to Masinori as was his profession. The profession that Zeferu had so willingly passed over to him. He had said, "Izar, you may not always like it but think of all the people that you will be saving tainted and untainted. Don't do this out of vengeance or you will become just like them." Izar had that advice burned into his mind and he hadn't killed out of vengeance yet although the temptation never ceased to grab at him.

Izar felt his eyes fall into a glare reflexively and he couldn't bring himself to soften them. They were like daggers of cold silver. "You just proved my point." he said softly, trying to get his anger under control. He basically just called his family rats the lowest of the low creatures. "Who said rats are different?" He asked defiantly feeling his gaze become sharp. "Should we not treat them with the same curtesy that we show dogs or cats, or people?" He stopped himself. "Does the difference make them any less alive? Any less than what they are?" He said feeling tears prick at the back of his eyes that Masinori would so easily call the people who raised him and who stayed by him when he cried vermin.

He blinked and saw the confusion on his face. His eyes softened as he apologized. "I know, love," he said and put a hand on his shoulder. Izar shook his head, "I know that, but if I was untainted would you even have given me the time of day?" He asked cocking his head to one side and putting Masinori's head in his hands. He kissed his forehead and smiled, "Anytime you wish." He said at least Masinori was willing to give them a chance. "I know this is confusing," he said and closed his eyes and sat in a silence for a moment. He let Masinori take in his job. That would be odd too. He had never said anything about his job and there was a large reason he didn't. The job that Zeferu had saddled him with was a serious and laborious job.

"I mean people come to me and tell me about someone they want to get rid off and I do it." He held up a finger to delay any comment that would come after, "I don't get rid of just anyone. They have to have done something very bad." Izar shook his head and held Masinori close as he rested his head on his shoulder. "Yes, like bad people." Izar smiled as Masinori rubbed his arm. "I don't like it but someone has to do it." He shook his head again, "Do you know why serial killers will disappear sometimes after a spree of killings and never be heard from again?" He asked gently into Masinori's ear. "People like me all over the world are taking care of them. My teacher passed on his position to me." He sighed.

He glanced over at the phone and then back at Masinori as he groaned. "Are you going to get that?" He smiled teasingly.

[masinorimoriyama]

Masinori kept his head on Izar’s shoulder. How could life be so simple sometimes and so jumbled others. There were moments of quiet when he held him, and it seemed like that was all there was…quiet moments. But in reality world, when you stepped outside of your door, anything could happen. Izar was not happy with the rat comment, obviously. He let Masinori have it, and rightfully so. He knew he had it coming, but it didn’t exactly feel good to have Izar get mad at him like that, and the look he gave him could kill. Masi was glaring down at the sheets, “I don’t think I meant that…” He said, the apparent surprise at himself evident in his tone. “I didn’t mean that…” He shook his head.

Izar’s expression softened up a bit, “Of course!” Now Masinori was almost offended, and he quickly told himself to calm down. It put things into such a drastically different perspective to be asked that, and to have to really answer. Of course he knew the answer, of course he would’ve given him the time of day. Of course he would’ve still come up to him with that stupid compliment. “I told you, as soon as my heart knew of your heart’s existence in the world it loved you. If you stood there a…a…yeti, it wouldn’t be any different. If you were untainted, you’d still be the most precious thing to me. Whether it defies my ideas and logic or not, I wouldn‘t be able to help it. It‘s not something I had control over, falling in love with you.”

Anytime. So he was going to meet them. “You’re ok with that?“ He asked. His mind couldn’t help but wander to the scenario of meeting the person you were dating’s parents. “So…eh…if, when I meet them…about us. I mean, have you ever…brought a guy home before?” He asked awkwardly. “Or is that something that should be left undisclosed?” He supposed he didn’t have a problem with that. It was understandable. His own traditional Japanese parents would probably have someone hired to take him out if they knew he was with a guy. “I mean, I wouldn’t think you were ashamed of me or anything.” He offered.

Masinori listened to him explain his job. He held up a finger so Masi couldn’t jump in with his usual twenty million questions. He nodded in agreement. Izar held him and rested his head on his shoulder now. He could feel his breath on his neck as he spoke, and wondered if he’d ever get tired of the feeling of butterflies fluttering in his stomach. He smiled and shook his head too now. “But that’s brilliant Iz!” He said a little excitedly. “It’s what I tried to do when I first discovered my ability, but, eh it went sour as you know. I didn’t know that there were people who actually did that…for a living?” He looked at him curiously, “I mean, it is emotionally difficult to take another’s life, I know that. But that is admirable Izar. You’re a hero.” He said seriously. A mild bitterness arose in his heart. What if no one had ever discouraged him from helping people, what if that man had never caught him and held him captive. Perhaps he’d be doing what Izar did, perhaps he wouldn’t have all of these prejudices, perhaps they would have met sooner under different circumstances.

“It’s strange, no one ever calls me.” It was a private number again. “Hai?” He reached over and answered. “Meet me at the warehouse.” “What?” “Don’t worry, we just need to talk. Now.” Click. He held the phone and blinked at it confusedly. Who was that even? “Ok…” He said blankly. “I have to go.” He looked at Izar. He stood up, “Don’t worry.” He repeated. “It’s the people who took care of the warehouse, maybe I’m in trouble for killing the pyro?” It was the only reason he could think of why they’d call him. He sat back down and put his hand up to Izar’s face. He leaned in and kissed him softly before getting up to leave. “Don’t you dare follow me either. Stay here or go home and get some rest and be safe. I don’t want anything else happening to you.” He smiled warmly. “And I will meet your family at their earliest convenience.” He added lovingly as he headed out his bedroom door.

((Wind down? *sends you a pm*))

[izar]

((OOC: Sure sounds good))

Izar immediately regretted what he had said. He hugged Masinori and felt tears prickling at his eyes. He closed them and felt torn. Izar felt like stabbing his eyes for giving Masinori such a look. Masinori didn't deserve the full anger of his glare. He hugged Masinori tightly and smelled his scent and forgot the reason he should be angry. "I know, I know," he said soft, "I'm sorry." He said. His heart ached at the thought of Masinori not being there. He wasn't sure if he could bear that. Especially after last night. He almost lost Masinori, the thought made a painful stabbing in his heart. He wasn't sure if it was something physical or if it was mental pain. Figuratively targeting his heart. He put his hands on Masinori's face and leaned in for a soft kiss.

Izar felt his heart soar. Even if he was a yeti... Yeti?... never mind. He smiled warmly and didn't feel like letting Masinori go. He smiled mischief shining in his eyes, "Well lucky for you I'm neither of those things." He grinned, "I'm glad you're heart didn't give you a choice." He smiled, "Ever since that time you dragged me through that puddle and we rode on that deathtrap you call a vehicle, I haven't been able to get you out of my mind." He smiled and kissed Masinori's forehead. He wasn't sure what his heart had felt at the time of their meeting all he knew that what his mind thought. He wished he had given Masinori more of a chance but apparently fate wasn't going to let him get away with that and they had met again.

Izar looked at him for a moment, "Of course, I think they'll love you." He smiled. Izar scratched his head and his face reddened, "Ah, well... that..." He paused thinking for a moment, "I think they always figured that I was like that." He shrugged, "I mean I never even brought a girl home." He shook his head, "They might be a little put off, but... this is one thing I don't want to keep from them..." He tapped his chin and thought for a moment, "Although, the near death experience and my job may be better off unsaid." He said with a small grin.

He blinked in surprise he'd never had that reaction whenever he told someone about his job. He shook his head in protest. It wasn't brilliant people had been doing this forever before he was even born. Izar shrugged "I think it might have been that you tried to help the police. You see, the police don't know we exist." He said with a touch of guilt feeling like he was sneaking around. He shrugged, "It's not as glorious as it sounds." He assured him. He blushed slightly "Thanks, maybe you could help me out," he winked. Izar wondered how Masinori would feel if he let him tag along to get rid of a tainted person. He wondered if it might be someone who Masinori would know. "It's not glorified, most of our clients tell us flat out that they think we're sick and twisted people." He shrugged he'd had quite a few animated people about that too.

Izar blinked straining his ears to catch the conversation unfortunately his ears weren't that sharp. He blinked again as Masinori said he had to go. He started to protest but when he said it was the people that had blown up the warehouse he fell silent. "I hope not," Izar snarled, "That oathbreaker deserved everything that he got." He ground his teeth angrily. Izar felt his mind float as Masinori kissed him and then when he went to leave Izar began to get up but Masinori told him not to follow. Izar started to stand and rose his chin defiantly, 'I'm fine." He began then a pang in his shoulder betrayed him. He sat back with a huff, "Fine." He crossed his legs and his arms and pouted, "But I'm not happy about it." He smiled then called after him, "I'll hurt you if you get hurt." He smiled then as Masinori left he could hear the motorcycle starting up under the window and stared at the phone for a moment. He hoped Masinori wouldn't mind. It rang for a few antagonizing moments, "Hello?" "Mom?" Izar asked nervously. He hadn't called in what seemed like forever. "Izar?" His foster mother asked with the sound of tears in her voice. "Mom, can I visit sometime?" "Sure!" "And can I bring a friend?" He asked nervously, "Sure anytime, why don't you come down this weekend." "That's perfect I'll see you." He hung up before she could start pestering him about not calling.

[masinorimoriyama]

He apologized, but Masi didn‘t feel that he needed to. He tried to just see if he could drop it and took a deep breath. “A yeti…it’s American myth…more random useless information from reading too many comic books growing up.” He flinched. Masinori busted out laughing, “It’s not a deathtrap! I’m a great driver!” He said proudly. But the comment was forgotten by the next one that proceeded it. He had little hints that he’d been thinking of him when he kept catching glimpses of himself in his dreams, but of course he shrugged them all off. He was so glad that his pessimistic thoughts hadn’t prevailed and that this turned out to be so great.

“Never? Not one?” Masi asked, very surprised. He was extremely relieved that Izar didn’t want to keep it from them. He was worried he would have to act like his friend for the entirety of his visit. Granted he wasn’t going to make out with him in front of his parents, but at least he could feel a little more relaxed about all of it. “I find that hard to believe.” He thought for a second, “Have you ever been in a relationship with anyone, even a short or stupid one?” He asked curiously.

“The police also don’t seem to know which is their ass and which is their elbow…” He said casually. “I’m sure it isn’t, but the effect is. You are saving lives indirectly…” He sighed. Help him out? He was a far cry from what he once was, ambitious and unspoiled by life’s disappointments. He opened his mouth to respond and a strangled sort of breath came out as he thought about what he was about to say, “Ahhh…well, yeah…I can do that. I mean, if you ever need me to go into someone’s dreams and find something out for you, even if it doesn’t relate to this, I’d be happy to do it for you.” But going with him, it made him a little nervous. He didn’t know why.

He thought about going with him to take people out. The image of him in the warehouse with a gun blazing in each hand and a cigarette in his mouth came to mind again, but this time Izar was at his side doing the same. He shook it away and laughed a little. He was thinking comic books. “Oh man. That’s why I stopped…” That was probably his problem to begin with, why he let himself get discouraged. He was thinking it was some glorified save the world hero business, but it was hard, morally and emotionally draining. He knew that now. “Did that shock you? Didn’t it make you want to stop?” Masinori asked. How did Izar get over that? He was a little awed that he could sit there while people told him flat out that they were disgusted with him. Masinori hadn’t been that strong. Was he stronger now? “I wish I’d known then what I’d known now, I know it sounds cliché…I was such a starry eyed kid…” He trailed off.

He looked questioningly at Izar when he said “oath breaker” he had to remember to ask him what he meant later. Izar protested, and sulked about not coming with him. “I’ll hurt you if you get hurt.” Masinori laughed and ran back to plant one more quick kiss on his lips before bolting. He was always making threats like that, “If you die, I’ll kill you.” Hadn’t he said that just the day before? He beamed as he started his motorcycle. He rode quite fast to his destination and let the wind rush over him. His mind and heart carried Izar with him. He felt infinite, more alive than he’d ever felt.

((OOC: Ok! You can reply and junk and I'm going to start on the new one!!))