Title: Rainbow

Author: Ayisse

Rating: G

Summary: Inspired by the lyrics of Nino's solo song, Niji.

Their love was not something decided. It existed almost spontaneously like the meeting of eyes amidst a busy crowd. There was nothing neither could do but embrace it. They kept it in secret, and for a long time people saw it merely as jovial affection between boys who's grown up together, amusing banter that was nothing curious, cute. That was what they thought at first, too. But in time, their love blossomed. Two people can never have enough control. Especially, as the case was, it was not exactly normal. But one thing was for sure, it was genuine. And genuine love never asks, it is only the people who see it that questions its sincerity. It is under this speculation that love can buckle, be complicated.

Ohno's love was pure. Desire exists, but deep down, there is only that pure love, like a mountain spring, reflected sparkling in his eyes. Every time their eyes meet, Nino sees it, feels it. Nino's love, too, is pure, but it is masked in boyish ardor. He plays with it, sometimes acts like it's not there, teases and refuses. But still, Ohno knew. One glance between them was enough to tell.

Of course, they also have their own misunderstandings. The complications of work, pressure and the lack of time. Things that sometimes strain a relationship. Longing and love begets a sad heart, and sad hearts are often silent. Nino knew to expect it in the summer. The same way that there are summer days that are not cloudless. The same way that there is one day in which the sky forgets what season it is. Nino knew it when their eyes didn't meet during the week's practice; he knew it before he knew why.

***

There was a knock at the door. Ohno didn't really want to leave his unfinished clay sculpture and open it. His hands were dirty with clay and he was squatting too comfortably to care about the person waiting outside his room. He shifts his weight.

"Nino," he whispers to himself.

"Ohchan," came a whisper from the door this time, as if in reply. There was a suspended silence where Ohno gently put down his clay. He looked up and motioned to stand –

"I'll come back again, Ohchan."

There was a rustling of feet, a pause, and then Ohno hears him walk away from the door. He hears his mom ask if Nino's going already, then the swish of a door and gate. Nino has left.

With his clay-covered hands, Ohno slumped on the floor against some furniture, looking out the window. Then, after several minutes, he stood up and washed his hands in the bathroom sink. He went down the stairs. His mom was somewhere in the house. Not wanting to bother her, he moved toward the door, stopping at the landing. He took two umbrellas, then went out and quietly closed the door and gate behind him.

The sky was very clear only a few minutes ago when Nino arrived at the park. There was a place in this park near a small field, a little ways off the entrance, where very few people came to visit. He looked up and saw heavy clouds forming.

"Shoot," he says to himself; he didn't have an umbrella. Putting his hands in his pocket, he moved to a spot beside a small tree. It was the best he could do with. He thought about taking out his DS but decided against it. For once, he was here first.

After a while, he felt small pricks of something cold on his skin. He looked up, the sky was completely gray now. He checked his watch.

"That guy..." he mumbles, shivering, catching a ripple of wind and feeling cold against it. This was bad for him. This was no time to be sick. He thought of being scolded by Johnny, the immediate concern from his bandmates...

Rain started to fall. Nino looked down at his shoes as he felt a sting in his eyes. He didn't want to think about it, them, him. It was getting too cold now. Slowly, he closed his eyes.

For a short and abrupt while, Nino thought maybe the rain had stopped. He was suddenly warm.

"Ohchan?" he says quietly, without opening his eyes. He breathes in and feels someone breathe with him. As he exhales, all the feelings of cold and bitter doubt were washed away. He looked to his side. Ohno was indeed there, holding two umbrellas between them. He was staring at Nino with such solemnity, boring through him something fierce, that Nino had to shift his gaze to the empty field.

"Ohno, I'm so--"

Nino had never felt more warm than at this moment. Ohno had leaned forward under the umbrellas, and cut Nino's words with a kiss. They stayed like that for a while, not caring if anyone saw them, trusting the rain's camouflage, warm and content in the feel of each other's lips.

When they broke free of the kiss, their eyes finally met. Ohno smiled a little, his face peaceful, and Nino, who ahd been holding his breath since he started to speak, let the air in his lungs out, more relieved than ever. With a slight jolt, he realized that Ohno had been holding the 2 umbrellas all this time. He took the other umbrella, their hands touched briefly, and almost as suddenly as it started, the rain began to withdraw.

They looked up at the same time, and felt sunshine poking through the clearing clouds. There was a rainbow, colorful, magnificent and alive above them.

Nino tore his eyes from the rainbow and looked at Ohno. He could see it reflected in Ohno's eyes. He felt a smile creep up on his face as he returned to gazing at the arc in the sky. A small sound of playful happiness escaped his throat, causing Ohno to look at him, questioningly.

Nino touched his umbrella with Ohno's in response, and then said the only thing he could think of.

"Thanks."

Labels: fanfiction