Wool and Leather

It was spring break, and Hiro lay upon his wooden porch, poking at a grasshopper. It chirped up at him then jumped off the porch and into the grass.
“ Hi-kun?” He recognized the voice of Kisa Sohma as she timidly hovered in the doorway. “ I'm going to Shigure's house to see Tohru...Would you like to come with me?” Hiro looked up at her and frowned. He hated Tohru Honda. Why did Kisa always have to obsess about her? He saw nothing special in her. Tohru was just an ordinary, ugly girl. He shook his head, glaring up at her. “ Onegai, Hi-kun?” She shifted her weight, giving him that innocent stare he could never resist.
“ Fine. Only for a bit.” Kisa's face lit up in a smile at his words. He stood and followed her out the door.
“ Are you going with Kisa?” His mother asked as he slipped on his shoes.
“ Yeah. I'll be back later.” He replied, carefully tying the knots on his boots.
“ Why don't you stay the night?” His mother patted him upon the head gently. “ Kisa is staying isn't she?” Kisa looked up at her and nodded, her cheeks going bright red. Hiro gave a loud sigh, hurrying towards the door.
“ Lets just get this over with.” He grasped Kisa by the wrist and forcefully dragged her out the door. Once they were out the main gate, Kisa intertwined her fingers with Hiro's, smiling up at him. Hiro kept his gaze ahead, aware of the blush creeping to his cheeks.
“ Kisa-saaaan!” Came the shrill greeting of Tohru as they approached Shigure's house. Kisa immediately dropped Hiro's hand and ran towards her, her arms outstretched. Hiro scowled, balling his hands into fists.
“ Hey.” Came the casual greeting of Haru as they entered the house. Hiro started and looked up to see Haru latched to Yuki's side, gripping his sleeve tightly. Hiro glared at them both as he stepped into the house.
“ Oh! Hiro is here too?” Shigure pranced out from the kitchen, greeting them all. “ I'm so happy! My house full of guests!” He danced about the living room.
“ Stop acting like a moron.” Kyo said, nudging him aside as he hurried towards the stairs.
“ No need to be anti-social, Kyo-chan!” Shigure called after him, wincing as Kyo slammed the door to his room, making the walls rattle.
“ Stupid cat.” Yuki sighed, rubbing his forehead and smiling as Kisa and Tohru hurried off to the kitchen. Haru was attached to Yuki the whole night, and Hiro couldn't help but feel like a third wheel or something of the sort. He also couldn't understand why seeing Haru with Yuki like that had made him irritated. Things rarely irritated him. Sure he got bothered, and annoyed, but never irritated. It was a disgusting feeling, like an itch that couldn't be scratched. Restless.

Hiro hardly said a word during dinner, and the only person who seemed to notice this was Haru. He was seated across the table by Yuki's side, watching the lamb carefully. Haru watched as Hiro cast scornful looks across the table where Kisa and Tohru sat, laughing and chatting away. When the time for desert came, Hiro spoke for the first time that night.
“ Sweets again?” Hiro scoffed, glaring down at the piece of cake set before him. “ Don't you care for our teeth. Do you want us to get cavities, woman?” Hiro said, pushing the plate away in disgust.
“ I'm so sorry, Hiro-kun! I forgot you didn't like sweets.” Tohru said, lifting the plate and taking it back into the kitchen.
“ Don't apologize to him, Honda-san. He's just being a brat.” Yuki said as she returned.
“ Yuki is calling me a brat?” Hiro laughed, rising to his feet. “ Don't be a hypocrite.”
“ Hiro, that was uncalled for. Apologize to Yuki.” Haru said, looking up at him lethargically. Hiro scowled at them all and stomped out of the room. There was an awkward silence before the conversations picked up and it was like nothing had happened.
“ I have to use the restroom.” Haru said, standing from the table. He wandered to the back of the house towards the porch. He could see a beam of moonlight pouring in from the sliding back door, which was open. He silently strode to the doorway, watching the small boy seated upon the polished wood of the porch, his feet dangling over the grass. Just then in the moonlight, Hiro looked somewhat depressed. His tiny frame seemed to meld with the darkness of the garden.
“ Hiro?” Haru approached him cautiously, not wanting to disturb the lamb. When Hiro remained silent, Haru sat beside him, his feet resting in the grass, seeing as he was much taller than the boy beside him.
“ What do you want?” Hiro said through gritted teeth, staring down at his feet.
“ I was worried about you.” Haru replied softly, running his feet through the soft blades of grass.
“ Just go back to Yuki.” Hiro said bitterly. Haru let out a sigh and shook his head with a smile. It was cold out, and a cool night breeze traveled through the garden, making them both shiver. Haru glanced down at Hiro, who's shoulders were quivering with the cold. Haru reached out and wrapped his arm around his cousin's shoulders, pulling him towards him. He felt Hiro give a start, and half expected the boy to run screaming into the night, but he didn't. He was surprised when he felt Hiro relax against him, his tiny frame quivering worse than ever.
“ Are you cold?” Haru asked quietly, drawing him closer. Hiro shook his head, even though he was still shivering. Haru wrapped both his arms around the lamb, drawing him close and holding him tightly.
“ Haru...” He heard Hiro whisper quietly.
“ What?” Haru glanced down at his cousin, surprised to see a blush creeping to his cheeks.
“ I'm tired. I'm going to bed.” Hiro squirmed out from Haru's grip, standing and dashing back into the house, leaving Haru to stare after him, somewhat confused.

Haru was awoken by the quiet opening and shutting of the guest room door. He opened his eyes, looking up at caramel hair, glistening in the moonlight.
“ Hiro?” Haru sat up slowly, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and gazing down at the clock. It was three in the morning. What on earth was Hiro thinking? Haru let out a quiet gasp as Hiro hoisted himself onto the bed and settled into his lap. “ H-Hiro?” He stammered, shuddering as the boy weaved his hand up his bare chest. Haru's breath was caught in his throat as he felt Hiro shift against him, rubbing their hips together. He reached up and grasped Hiro by the shoulders, looking him straight in the eyes through the layer of darkness between them. “ Hiro, stop.” Haru said, trying his best to keep his voice from quivering.
“ Haru...” Hiro whispered quietly, drawing nearer to him. Haru shuddered once more as he heard his name whispered into the dark. Truth be told, it was the most erotic thing he had ever heard. His breathing turned to panting as his younger cousin pressed himself fully against him. “ Haru...Onegai...” Haru couldn't help the soft moan that escaped his lips at his cousin's quiet plea.
“ Hiro...We can't...I...” Haru could hardly speak. His entire body seemed to quake as he tried to speak. He was silenced by the feeling of warm soft lips pressed against his. He gasped and shot upright in bed, squinting in the morning light. He looked around the room, wiping away the beads of sweat that had collected upon his forehead.
“ Just a dream...” He whispered to himself. He closed his eyes, attempting to will the thoughts of his younger cousin away. He was sure that he was in love with Yuki. But he never had dreams or thoughts containing any sexual content whatsoever involving the nezumi. He buried his face in the palms of his hands, trying to calm himself. He swore he could still feel Hiro's lips against his.

Hiro let out a sigh of relief, thankful to be leaving Shigure's house. After what had happened the previous night, he found it hard to be near Haru without blushing furiously. He also noticed that Haru had stopped hanging on Yuki, and had taken to staring at him instead. It bothered him, he didn't like people looking at him. As he and Kisa walked down the sidewalk back towards the main house, he was lost in thought. He had never actually thanked Haru. His previous plan to thank Haru properly had gone up in flames, and he wasn't sure he had the courage to pull another stunt like that. Hiro frowned, wondering why he even cared so much in the first place. Though, Haru had stopped the bullying completely. In fact, he hadn't been bullied at all since that time. He did owe him, somewhat.
“ Kisa?” He had an idea.
“ Yes, Hi-kun?” Kisa looked up at him, raising her eyebrows slightly.
“ What does Haru like?” He asked, thinking that a present would be more than enough thanks for the ox.
“ What do you mean?” She asked, tilting her head to the side.
“ I mean as a present...What do you think he'd like?” Hiro continued walking ahead, letting out a quiet sigh.
“ Why? Are you going to get him something?” Kisa asked, trotting beside him.
“ Maybe.” Hiro said, aware of the blush creeping towards his cheeks.
“ I know Haru likes shiny things. Like his necklaces.” Kisa said thoughtfully, frowning slightly. “ You could get him a new necklace?”
“ Necklaces are girly.” Hiro snorted, glaring down at her. Despite having said that, he found himself in front of a small trinket shop the following day, peering into the glass cases that surrounded expensive looking necklaces. He had broken open his piggy bank, and taken every cent he had saved from his allowance with him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a necklace with a sparkling blue gem hanging from it, glistening in the sunlight. He approached the necklace and cautiously lifted it from its case, examining the price carefully. It was affordable, and it looked nice to him as well. After he bought the necklace, he hurried back down the street, clutching the bag to his chest tightly. As he returned home, he contemplated on how he'd give the necklace to Haru.
“ Hiro?” He jumped and whirled around. Haru was standing a fair distance behind him, dismounting his bike.
“ H-Haru.” Hiro stammered, quickly hiding the bag behind his back.
“ Whats that?” Haru asked, pushing his bike forward and staring down at him.
“ None of your business!” Hiro said, glaring up at him. He knew that this was a perfect time to give him the necklace, but he just couldn't do it.
“ Okay then.” Haru frowned at him slightly, and pushed his bike past him. “ Oh yeah, Momiji is having a sleepover tonight, he wanted me to ask you if you wanted to come?”
“ Sleepovers are for girls.” Hiro said, sticking his tongue out.
“ I'll take that as a no.” Haru sighed, turning back to his bike and disappearing around the corner of his house. Hiro let out a sigh of relief then ran back to his house.
“ What have you got there, Hiro?” His mother asked as he stepped through the door.
“ A present.” Hiro said, kicking off his shoes. “ It's for Haru.”
“ Oh! How sweet.” His mother cooed, disappearing into the kitchen once more. Hiro paced his room, glaring every once in a while at the case the necklace rested in. He had placed it upon his nightstand and had been contemplating on how to give it to Haru since he had gotten home. He sighed, mustering every ounce of courage he had. He knew he was being silly. He was just going to get it over with.
“ Mom, I'll be right back!” He called as he headed out the door, clutching the tiny box tightly. He made his way to Haru's house, and stood upon the doorstep, hesitating slightly. He reached up and knocked on the door, his entire arm quivering with nerves.
“ Hello, Hiro-chan!” Haru's mother answered the door, smiling down at him. “ Are you here to see Hatsuharu?” He nodded curtly, remaining silent. “ I'm afraid you just missed him. He's over at Momiji's house with Kyo and Yuki.”
“ I have something to give him. Can I just leave it in his room?” Hiro asked, shifting his weight nervously.
“ Of course! Please come in.” Hiro muttered a thanks then hurried off to Haru's room. He smiled to himself as he opened the door to Haru's room. It wasn't messy, but it was certainly cluttered. There were cloths strewn across the floor, and his desk was piled high with books and papers. Hiro looked for a spot to leave the box. He eyed the nightstand beside Haru's bed, the only bare surface in the room, save for an alarm clock. He rummaged in his pockets for a piece of paper and approached the nightstand. He took a pen from the desk and quickly jotted his thanks and signed his name. He turned and scuttled out of the room, and out the door, waving to Haru's mother as he ran back down to his house. He came to a halt outside his door, panting for breath. His heart was beating wildly, but he felt somewhat at ease. He hoped Haru liked the necklace. He smiled to himself, relieved that things had gone well for once.