☆Wish Upon A Star☆

☆~Chapter 20~☆

The atmosphere was heavy with smoke and people's breathing. The blue and purple and red lights flashed over the crowded dancefloor and the bar. The loud, rhythmic music pounded into the big speakers and hit Kiku's ears like a hammer.

He sat at the bar, holding his head and holding a plastic glass with some mysterious liquid in it, sick because of the alcohol in the mystery.

He wondered where did that many young people come from to such an inhospitable, far place, lost in the north-east borders of China. He glanced at the gleaming American that pranced on his feet next to him, following the rhythm as he gulped down shots of tequila like it was water, and wondered where did he store that much energy.

"Uh, Alfred?" He called, ignoring his pounding head to speak louder than the music and the singing people.

Alfred followed an Asian's girl's bottom with his eyes as she passed, before turning to his step-brother. "Yeah? Want another shot?"

Kiku flinched and stopped him before he yelled the bartender's name, holding onto his arm in panic. He had his eyes narrowed to keep the bright, flashing neon lights in the dark disco from hurting his brain. "W-What time is it? I want to go home,"

Alfred shrugged and showed him his bare wrists, shooting a bright grin at Kiku. "Already?! The night's young! Have fun for once!"

He wrapped an arm around the Japanese boy's shoulders, getting a squeak from him as he pulled him to the back of the local.

Obviously, he had noticed Kiku's pain -the furthest back part of the pub was darker and quieter than most of the local, as it was away from the excited dancefloor and the ear-splitting music. Also, it was drained from people, except for a few couples kissing and touching each other in the couches that stood there.

Alfred led him to an empty couch, as Kiku fought to ignore the girls and boys' moaning, slurping and panting, as they started the intercourse's foreplay.

The smaller boy was scared of this new, toxic environment; and clung to his American friend in the couch like he could protect him. He wanted to go back home to Yao, to vomit the alcohol he had consumed and to sleep in his silent, dark room.

The scent of alcohol and smoke was strong between the two teenagers. Delicious and suggestive for Alfred; nauseous and scary for Kiku.

Alfred noticed Kiku's discomfort and put a mint in his mouth, welcoming the shuffling Japanese boy into his hold. "Are you scared?"

"I'm not," He mumbled against his chest, in a sudden breakdown that made him need a hug when he would usually hide all his emotions. He knew it was the alcohol's fault. "I'm just not used to night life,"

Alfred smiled and let his hand travel up to the back of Kiku's head to stroke his short raven hair. Kiku shivered softly and nuzzled into his friend, closing his eyes and wanting to escape from reality for a while. He found comfort in the boy he had learnt to befriend after years of abuse from him; in his big arms and his warm hugs, and comfort was exactly what he needed.

To the eyes of everyone else in the disco, they were just another couple in the shadowed back, along with the ones that were already performing various sexual acts in the other couches; far from Kiku's hear or sight.

Even after losing count of how many drinks he had had, Alfred remembered his mission. And Kiku's affectionate behaviour after alcohol would make it a lot easier. He just had to let go of the feelings towards the Japanese boy he had been trying to repress. Arthur would be really happy.

Kiku didn't even think about Alfred's hand wandering from his head to his waist, under the light shirt Alfred had told him to wear, and that now made him feel both scorching and freezing.