Speak up! <Shai City, North Pole>

[wordbender]

Hoji rolled his eyes as soon as Kavik started ranting about his life. He had heard it all before but this time something stopped him from making a biting remark to the younger boy. There was something in his voice, the way he talked and the way his face was contorted with anguish that made him stop. There was another emotion mixed with his feeling of annoyance. Pity? Or maybe it was that Hoji could relate to what Kavik was saying?

Hoji slowly, awkwardly, put his arm around Kavik, letting the boy continue his rant without interruptions. He didn't really know how to comfort anyone, as he was raised without brothers or sisters and had never had any real friends growing up.

Hoji smiled slightly, pulling Kavik closer to him as the younger boy started to cry. He shook his head slightly, adding a silent refusal to the boys damnation.

When Kavik looked at Hoji with tear filled eyes, the elder boy found something that he could relate directly to. Pain. Suffering. Helplessness. That feeling inside that just eats you up until nothings left.

He couldn't help it. Slowly, with his eyes half closed, Hoji leaned down towards Kavik. "You don't cause me to suffer." he said, leaning down farther, his face less than an inch from Kaviks. "You just happen to annoy me beyond belief." Hoji muttered. He paused, and then did something so out of character for him he would live to regret this moment for the rest of his life.

He didn't think things through.

Then he kissed the crying boy next to him.

[kavik]

Time stopped. Cliche yes, but it felt so literal for Kavik.
He gasped little when Hoji's lips brushed against his, he could hear the poundings of his own heart. It was brief, only a five-second kiss, but it felt like five mintutes.

Kavik's deep, ocean blue eyes still clinging with tears. Why? Why did he...? Why? Does he...? Kavik was confused. As the thousand of questions ran through his head. He could only look at Hoji face of confusion and fear. He could feel the heat of embarresment on his brozen cheeks. He didn't know what to say or what to do. Deep down, Kavik might have feelings for Hoji. The brotherly sort at least, perhaps something more. Something deeper. Kavik didn't want to go there.

Why? Does he have feelings for me? Do I for him?
Kavik was honestly and utterly confused. Never had he had these emotions run through him so quickly

As for Ko-chan. She looked up at the celing and though the yin and yang triates the duo. Hoji and Kavik were to each other as Father Ocean and Mother Moon. They may bug the crap out of each other, but they some how connect.

She heard Kavik gave his little rant on how miserable he was. She wanted to slap Kavik and hold him at the same time. She walked down the hall to tell him that he should be grateful that the gods gave him her. When she saw what Hoji did. She walked into another room to avoid being seen.
Oh Hoji-kun..why?

[wordbender]

Hoji frowned slightly and stood up, an odd look to his face. His movements where awkward and slow, as if it pained him to stand up. He looked at Kavik with his eyes half lidded, shaking a little from the strain on his leg. The elder boy stared at Kavik for a few minutes, not really saying anything, or even moving at all.

Then he turned suddenly and took a few faltering steps away from the younger water bender. His feet fell heavily, bearing the brunt of his weakened walk. Hoji stopped and looked at Kavik over his shoulder, not really turning to face the other boy.

"Stay away from me." He said. Hoji enunciated the syllables, adding an extra edge to his normally placid voice that he had never used before. He then turned and continued walking away from Kavik.

He didn't care if this would hurt the other boy. Not really. He was just a way to pass the time, someone around his age to hang out with. It wasn't like he cared. Not really.

But as he stumbled down the hallway, his back held high and his face devoid of emotion, Hoji thought. Maybe. Just maybe. The reason he pushed Kavik away was because he was afraid.

Or maybe not.

[kavik]

Kavik sat there for a while. His face shocked and utterly confused. He found his crutch and tried to stand to up. With a little effort he limped back to his cot. All the while fighting the confusion and the fear that he might have feelings for the cold and reserved boy.

Still the words stung. Stay away from me. He kissed him and told his to leave him the hell alone. Now laying alone on his cot. He tried to sort out the knot of emotions.

Kokomi was just as confused as Kavik. She could imagine her twin kissing Hoji...not vice versa, she had to confort Kavik and tell him everything was ok. That it will all work out. Even though she really wanted to punch Hoji's lights out for messing with her brother's psyche like that. She walked into Kavik's bedroom and saw him looking out the window with a very dead look on his face.
"Kav...are you ok?" Asked his twin sister. Kav didn't turn around.
"You saw didn't you? You saw Hoji kiss me." He replied with a dead voice to match his expression. Kokomi nodded.
"Yeah, I did. Do you want me to confront him?" Kavik didn't say anything, so Kokomi took it as a yes.

She walked into Hoji's room and steeled herself. Normally she would leave this matter to the boys to work out. But Kavik wouldn't do anything to help matters. Only make it worse, At least Ko-chan will push the boys in the right direction.
"Hoji...Why did you do that. Why did you kiss Kavik?"

[wordbender]

Hoji had gone into his room, his face lying in his cool palms. He didn't hear Kokomi come in and started slightly as the younger girl began to talk. Then he rested, laying his chin on criss-crossed fingers. He then stood up and gazed levelly at Kokomi, his eyes icy.

"That is none of your business." he stated, standing straighter despite his injured leg. "Even if you are his sister."

"You're right. I have no business butting in on what you do in your leisure time." Spat out the younger girl, glaring back at Hoji. "But once you concern my brother, I make it my business." She said, standing up to the water bender.

She was angry with Hoji. How dare he treat her brother like this! Like Kavik was trash, like Kavik didn't deserve him! It was just like the way he treated women. He was treating Kavik like he was below him.

Hoji narrowed his eyes threateningly. What was she thinking? Stupid girl. Did she really think that he cared about Kavik? Maybe he did. Maybe he didn't. As if he would tell Kavik's twin sister anything.

He strode forward, concentrating all his energy on making it to Kokomi with his full dignity intact. Hoji rested, swaying slightly, only about a foot away from the slightly shorter girl. He then quickly stepped towards Kokomi, his hand lashing out to grab her by the neck, pulling her swiftly to him.

His mouth found hers and he held her still as she struggled against his sturdy frame. Hoji let go of Kokomi and pushed her away, still glaring icy needles at her.

"I can kiss whomever I like." he growled. Then, without waiting for a response he bended a stream of water from the ground and used it as a start for a wave that quickly pushed Kokomi out of his room. The water settled and Kokomi stared, wide-eyed at Hoji from her position on the floor.

Hoji pushed one foot behind him and turned, nearly collapsing from the pain that shot up his leg. However much his body hurt, it didn't matter to Hoji, a large wall of ice had formed over the entrance to the cell, and while an experienced bender could easily enter, the point Hoji was trying to prove was not to be taken lightly.

Do not enter.

Kokomi stood up and brushed her now-sodden tunic off.

Was it just imagination, or had she seen a gleam in Hoji's eyes that was not due to the hardness of his actions? She shook her head. Hoji cry? Her imagination must have gotten away from her. She began the short walk down the hallway to continue to console her brother and sighed, looking back at Hoji's door. Kokomi thought she heard a soft dripping sound splash onto the ice and she shrugged. It was the north pole and things tend to melt, so she payed no attention to the soft, rhythmic patter of water. Although she couldn't have known that it was not melting ice that was dripping onto the floor.

Although.

Men aren't supposed to cry.

[kavik]

Kavik leg throbbed. He was tired and completely lost. Kokomi came back to Kavik's room defeated.
"Fish Head, are you awake?" Kavik nodded. "You know I hated it when you call me that." Kokomi snickered.

"I know, I started calling you that when went fishing that one time with Papa when where what, five? Six? Papa caught a huge bluefin, and when he was finished gutting it. You put the head of it on yours and started dancing and making fishy noise. Papa nearly died laughing. You have been Fish Head since. You have always been silly and absurd, but now. You have change my precious brother. You not the little boy that danced like a fish. You are truely coming into your own."

Kokomi sat on the floor beside his bed. She pulled her feet up to her.

"I've always protected you, kept you away from bullies and thugs. Conforted you when you were in pain. Laughed when you laughed, and yeah knocked your head in few time. But Brother, I won't be here to protect you anymore, Mama and Papa will arranged a man to marry me soon, and I will be with him. I can't protect you from pain and sorrow anymore. You are strong enough to do that on your own."

Kavik let silent tears flow. He understood his sister can be his voice anymore and that he had to speak up and learn to take care of himself.
"Does he hate me Ko-chan?"

Kokomi was slient for moment.

"No. I don't think he hates you. I think he's angry and confused like you brother. If you want to say something. You should do it. " Kavik looked down on his sister she look so fragile and vunerable. Not the strong whale of the family like she normally is.
"I think I love him Ko-chan." Kokomi looked up at her twin.
"Why? How do you know?" Kavik tried to sit up. He looked at Kokomi with a scared look on his face. "I-I-I don't know I think know for sure, but I think I always had a crush on him...I know I admired him and was even envious. But I was drawn further towards him. I-I-I felt so confident with him and...safe. I could trust him." Kokomi sighed.
"Tell him. Speak up Kavik. Tell him or be silent and in agony." Kavik looked away. "I can't. He...will reject me. I don't want that." Kokomi stood up and turned to face him.
"I rather tell someone how I think and feel then forever live in a state of unknown certianty." Kavik bowed his head with sorrow and yet with understanding.
"Help me up Ko-chan"

Kokomi helped Kavik to the icy wall that Hoji built up.
"Hoji? It's Kavik. I..I just. I just. I think that." He looked at Kokomi with a fearful look. Kokomi lifted an eyebrow and motion him to continue. Kavik when on:
"I don't know how to say this, but.." Kavik stopped turned his head to Kokomi "I can't do it! I'm too scared. Let me back to my bed." Kokomi sigh and was about to help Kavik to his room when he asked.
"Hoji-sempai? Do you hate me?"

[wordbender]

Hoji's head was against the wall opposite the icy barrier he had formed across the entrance to the room. The tears came thick and fast. He hated feeling this way. Like he was helpless, like he couldn't control his action, he couldn't control his life. All throughout his childhood he had been able to dictate everything around him. He hated not being able to organize everything.

The tears made thin rivers down Hoji's cheeks, his eyes, normally in a frown, resumed the uncomfortable position. He had one arm against the wall and the other by his side, his fist clenched tightly. His whole body was tense, not healthy in his state of hurt. Hoji's limbs started to shake and he heard voices outside his room, only increasing his tension.

He then sighed, hearing Kavik's question. Hoji relaxed and wiped the tears off his face, slowly walking over to the iced over entrance, he waved a hand and the water melted into the structure at his feet. He looked at the water tribe boy in front of him, noting the hurt in Kavik's face. Hoji stepped forward suddenly and grabbed Kavik, bringing the younger boy close to himself in a giant hug.

"Don't say that." he muttered, clutching Kavik closer. "I don't hate you. I hate what you do to me."

[kavik]

Kavik tried to balance himself. It was hard but he got the hang of it. He held on to Hoji crying himself.
"I'm sorry, I sorry for doing this to you." Kavik said somewhat muffled by Hoji's shoulder. Kokomi walked way leaving them alone. She gave a slient prayer to La that things would work out.

Kavik stood still. He finally got the courage to say what he wanted to say.
"Hoji, I don't know how to put it, but I have been thinking and you know I don't do that much. I can't have Ko-chan protecting me forever. I need to fight on my own. The thing is. I have been drawn to you from the beginning. There was something about you that I was attracted to. I don't know why, but when I'm around you. I feel stronger, and more sure of myself. Like today in class and when I showed you how to glide on the ice. Unlike everone else. I don't have that kind of confidence around them. Do you think I could have opened like I did to you to even one in class? No.

To put it bluntly...I falling love with you. Thats all there is to it. I tried to ignore it or denigh it, but I can't run from simple truth. I'm in love with you." Kavik looked at the ground and pushed away from Hoji. He felt so completely naked. Telling him his feelings. He didn't think he could do it.
"You think I'm freak right? You think I'm disgusting?" He turned his head in shame. "It the truth. I'm dening it any longer"

[wordbender]

Hoji sighed and narrowed his eyes. He held onto Kavik and watched through the corner of his eyes as Kokomi left. He relaxed even more, causing his limbs to shake even harder. The elder boy smiled slightly at Kavik's confession, not really caring that he wasn't supposed to feel like this. Like he actually cared about someone other than himself.

The elder boy clutched Kavik tighter and was slightly surprised when the other boy pushed him away, a steely look in his eyes. Hoji shook his head at Kavik.

"I didn't like you. At least not in the beginning. You were too weak, you where helpless and prone to being an idiot. I hated that feeling that I needed to protect you." He said slowly, carefully, trying his hardest not to inject any feeling of hate in his voice. Hoji wasn't actually looking at Kavik either, preferring to confess to the icy floor. "Then. I don't know what happened, but I started to enjoy that feeling. That emotion that you needed me, that I was a necessary aspect in your life. That you wanted me there."

He smiled slightly and raised his head to look at Kavik. "That you actually appreciated me." he laughed, a small unconvincing chuckle. "And I hated that. I hated that I was dependent on someone else for something I should have been well enough without." He sighed and looked again at the floor, shaking his head slightly.

"If anyone is the freak, it's me." he said slowly. "For thinking I could stop myself from loving you."

[kavik]

Kavik eyes widen. Did Hoji say what he think he said?
"Hoji? I. I don't know..." Kavik's young heart race. What to do now? He was obviously traveling on alien territory. He never felt this way about anyone. Well what did Kavik do best beside acting like a moron? That was winging it. Kavik went with his emotions. He want to confirm what he said to Hoji and to confirm what Hoji told him. Kavik tilted Hoji chin up.
"I guess we're both freaks. Perhaps it was ment to be." He gave a wide grin. It was the first time that he smiled since morning. Though he feel completely akward about it.
"So this is what it's feels like to be in love? I must say...it's very alien to me." Kavik lean forward inches from Hoji's face. "I ment what I said. I do love you Hoji." He pressed his lips agaist Hoji's Yes..this what it feels like to be loved. Kavik's eyes where half closed feeling a surge of bliss...yet admititly he was emmbarrsed. He nevered kissed anyone before.

[wordbender]

Hoji's eyes widened slightly as Kavik stepped forward. The elder boy almost stepped back as Kavik reached out to touch him. His legs stiffened and his whole body tensed up, not knowing what to expect. As Kavik leaned towards Hoji even farther Hoji's heart beat increased.

As Kavik's lips pressed against his, Hoji relaxed and put one hand on Kaviks neck, the other around the younger boys waist. He didn't want this to end and pressed himself harder against Kavik, deepening the kiss.

He didn't care who would see them. He didn't care if Kavik pushed him away. He didn't care. All he wanted now was to feel like this for as long as he could.

To feel loved, wanted, needed. To feel like he could change the world, with just one kiss. To feel like this boy could change his own world with just one word.

Hoji didn't let go of Kavik.

Not for a long long time.

[kavik]

Kavik wallowed in this pleasure. It was intoxicating. He was happy. He never had to be alone again. He press his body closer to Hoji...drinking in the delight of the kiss

Shona noticed that dawn was coming soon and he had to make breakfast for the boys and yes. Bring Nanuk. Kavik would kill him with his cane at the sight of his childhood comfort object, but he hated to see his son lonely.
"Mmm hot rice porraige and I'll make tea too." Shona stepped into the Healing House and saw Kokomi alone looking...daydreamy?
"Oy! Ko-chan! Where's Fish Head?" Kokomi snapped out off her reverie.
"Oh they must be in the hall talking..ummm. You know patching things up. Let me get them." Shona blinked. Why are they in the hall?

Kokomi found the boys liplocked. She was embarrased, but yet happy for them. "Ahem. Papa is hear to make breakfast, and don't worry. He's the understanding type."

[wordbender]

Hoji quickly looked up from his embrace and stepped away from Kavik, his heart rate slowing as Shona came around the hallway. Hoji leaned against the frame of the door, pulling off the casual conversation look to perfection. He gave Kavik a glare that clearly said not to mention anything.

He nodded at Kokomi, giving her the same look he had given to Kavik. Kokomi's eyes widened and her face showed a look of surprise. Why hide it? Why not come out and say it? She glanced at Shona's back and then towards Hoji. The elder boy narrowed his eyes further and Kokomi backed away and left, probably for home, but not before remarking on the stupidity of boys.

Hoji looked at Kavik's father and smiled slightly. "Thank you for the meal." he said, accepting the plate with a bow. "It is heartily received."

Shona smiled and ruffled his son's hair. "Anything for my boy." he said, and then turned and left the two boys alone in the hall with the food.

Hoji sat down with the food and began to eat slowly. He looked up at Kavik. “C’mon, it’s good.”

[kavik]

Kavik looked at Hoji.
"You're kidding right...My good arm is bound up. I can't eat with it." Kavik glarred at his food. He loved his mother's porriage, warm with bits of honey and berries. Now he can't enjoy it with his arm all bound up.
There were several options. Try eating with his left. Awkard but better than slurping or even asking for help. Kavik picked up the spoon with is left hand and tried to eat. Getting most of it on his trousers.

"Gah! Look at me. I can't eat this it's too diffcult." He threw his spoon down and huffed.
"Anyway? We do have matters to attent to. Practicing waterbending, healing...telling my father of our relationship." Kavik sighed.
"He's alot more understanding then Mama, she'll have a fit. Papa would be happy for us." He lean back. "But I have a feeling we'll have to keep this hidden for awhile eh?" Kavik looked his porriage and tried to eat it. Though he got more on his pants then in his mouth.

[wordbender]

Hoji rolled his eyes, still eating the delicious food that Shona had left out for them. He looked down the hallway, making sure that no more interruptions would be had from Kavik's family members. He turned to Kavik and nodded curtly.

"I'm not going to feed you, sit down and use your other hand." Hoji looked at Kavik as he attempted to eat with his other hand. He laughed a little and continued his own meal, listening half-interestedly to what Kavik was saying. He raised an eyebrow as the younger boy dribbled food, by no intention of his own, down his front and into his lap.

"Look. I may like you, but you had better believe that there is no way in any of the seven hells that I will go parading this. . . relationship," Hoji grimaced at the word, fully putting down his plate of food, ". . . or whatever it is that you would like to call it, around for the entire tribe to know about." he said, looking solidly at Kavik, his icy eyes boring into the other boys head.