Another Old Country Song

It happened more often than Hyouga really wanted to admit. Shun would want to talk about something silly, like whether or not those plastic bottle caps should be recycled with the bottles, and he would be so serious about it, but if Hyouga said it didn't matter, Shun would get all teary eyed and run off. Sometimes the green haired knight would ask if Hyouga preferred sugar or cream in his coffee, but if Hyouga said it didn't matter, again, Shun would get all upset, and pout. It was starting to drive Hyouga up the wall.

The blonde Siberian sat quietly outside, uncaring of the gently falling snow dropping into his pale eyes. He didn't feel cold, not like most people, so it wasn't too big a deal for him to sit out there with just his training clothes on. Solitude was practically guaranteed out in the quiet blizzard, and he took advantage of that as often as needed. Currently, he was fretting over what to do. His love for Shun was more than enough to keep him going through Shun's silly quirks, but it was when he knew it was his fault the young knight of Andromeda would be crying, it broke his heart. It just seemed there was nothing he could do to keep Shun happy.

As he sat silently in the snow, it felt as if the pieces of his broken heart were being stepped on with each loud sob he could hear coming from inside the home he and the other Bronze Knights lived in. He jumped when he heard the front door slam open, then closed. Grimacing, he turned, expecting the worst.

Of course, as would figure, there stood Ikki, his eyes hard, looking about to pummel Hyouga into the slush-covered pavement. Hyouga sighed, standing, facing Ikki, readying himself for what he knew was to come. After so often, the angry punches from Shun's overprotective brother didn't hurt as much.

"How could you do that to Shun!? Don't you know how much you mean to him, you bastard!?" Ikki shouted, slugging Hyouga right across the jaw. Hyouga winced slightly, straightening back up, glaring back at Ikki.

"It's not as if I'm trying to hurt him, Phoenix. I just don't know how not to." Hyouga said, raising his hands in defeat. Ikki smirked, shaking his head.

"He's sensitive, not a baby. Think before you answer him, Swanny. When he asks a question, he wants a real answer, not some half-assed 'I don't know', or 'it doesn't matter'. You know, he honestly thinks you don't care about anything. He thinks you're an iceberg." Ikki looked around, shivering slightly from the cold. His sleeveless tank top was doing nothing to keep him warm, and he turned back to the door. "Eh, maybe he's right..." Putting his 'angry face' back on, the blue haired fire knight opened the door, throwing one more glare back at Hyouga, and then walking in, making sure to slam the door closed again. Hyouga could hear Ikki try to comfort his weeping brother, with little success. Frowning, he turned back to sit in the snow, propping his chin on his fist.

It didn't take long for Hyouga to become lost in his own thoughts, wondering if Shun would be so eager to forgive him again. It seemed no matter how much or how hard he cries because of the frosty blonde, Shun was always willing to forgive and forget. A small smile graced Hyouga's lips for the first time that night, and he imagined Shun smiling, once again in his arms, without a care in the world.

Suddenly noticing there was no longer any sound coming from the house, Hyouga turned, noting the front door light was turned off. Glancing down at his wristwatch, he saw it was a little past one in the morning. Smirking, he stretched, slowly making his way back up to his feet, sighing. Hoping Shun was at least a little better, Hyouga turned the doorknob, walking inside the quiet house. At least, he'd thought it had been quiet. Stepping just inside the living room, he heard very light music playing, and just the faintest hint of gasps.

Baby tell me where'd you ever learn
To fight without sayin' a word
Then waltz back into my life
Like it's all gonna be alright
Don't you know how much it hurts

Sitting on the large couch, hugging a throw pillow tightly, huddled closely to the stereo, Shun was still crying. Silent tears rolled down his cheeks, and he didn't seem to notice Hyouga's intrusion at all. The green haired knight seemed to be absorbing the lyrics to the sad country western song playing quietly, almost as if he was memorizing them.

When we don't talk
When we don't touch
When it doesn't feel like we're even in love
It matters to me
When I don't know what to say
Don't know what to do
Don't know if it really even matters to you
How can I make you see
It matters to me

Hyouga frowned, padding lightly over to Shun, trying to stay out of the young knight's peripheral vision. He hesitated in sitting down, unsure of if the movement would stir Shun from his daydream. When his sobs began to shake his entire body, Hyouga couldn’t help but sit, wrapping his arms around Shun, pulling him close to him. Shun gasped, his breath halting in his throat.

Maybe I still don't understand
The distance between a woman and a man
So tell me how far it is
And how you can love like this
'Cause I'm not sure I can

"Shhh, Shun, it's okay, you don't have to cry anymore." Hyouga murmured, kissing the back of Shun's neck. Shun bit his lip, turning his head, looking at Hyouga, his green eyes filled with tears.

"Hyouga..." Shun whispered, visibly trying to stem his tears. Hyouga tried to smile softly, encouragingly.

When we don't talk
When we don't touch
When it doesn't feel like we're even in love
It matters to me
When I don't know what to say
Don't know what to do
Don't know if it really even matters to you
How can I make you see
It matters to me

"I'm sorry, Shun. I don't mean to upset you, I just never know what not to do around you. It seems a lot sets you off, and I'm sorry for each and every tear you cry because of me." Hyouga said softly, reaching up a hand, gently wiping away the still falling droplets. Shun sniffled, trying to smile.

"It's okay, Hyouga. I just..." Shun frowned, turning back to face the stereo, wiping more of the moisture from his eyes. He seemed to be having difficulties expressing what was sitting just on the tip of his tongue. Hyouga tilted his head, dragging Shun back into his embrace.

"What? Tell me, Shun, please. I don't want you crying because of something stupid I've done. Tell me, and I won't do it again." Hyouga pleaded quietly. Shun bit his lip, rubbing his cheek against Hyouga’s cool chest, warming it a little.

"Hyouga...you just don't seem to care..." Shun muttered. Hyouga raised an eyebrow.

Oh I don't know what to say
Don't know what to do
Don't know if it really even matters to you
How can I make you see
Oh It matters to me

"What do you mean?" Hyouga asked, wrapping his arms tighter around Shun. Shun struggled a little, until Hyouga understood he wanted to look him in the eyes. Letting Shun up, the green haired knight stared intensely into Hyouga’s pale blue orbs.

"Anytime I ask you about anything, you never have an opinion. You never just want to be silly, and you never take me serious," Shun frowned, shrugging, looking down at the carpet. "I want to be able to have a full relationship, Hyouga, and the cuddling is nice, as is, well..." Shun blushed, Hyouga smiled. Shun waved his hand. "I just want to be able to talk, too. You don't like to talk. I still don't even know your mother's name." Shun sighed. Hyouga nodded lightly, leaning forward, placing a light kiss on Shun's pouting lips.

Oh it matters to me

"Natasha." Hyouga smiled. Shun giggled. "Anything else you need?" Hyouga asked, pulling Shun close again. Shun feigned a thoughtful expression, leaning in close to Hyouga.

"When I think of it, I'll tell you. Until then," Shun kissed Hyouga, grinning. "Please tell me something other than you don't know. I'm starting to wonder how bright you really are, if you never know anything." Shun said. Hyouga smirked.

"I love you, too." Hyouga laughed.

It matters to me

The End