In My Line Of Work
Readers' Submissions

When I put In My Line of Work up online, I added a little challenge to the readers: to write an idea, in any style (prose, script, etc.) of what exactly was said between Subaru and Seishirou in the last scene in the interrogation room, where nothing is heard but every action is seen. (The truth behind the challenge? I had absolutely no idea what they were saying, so I wanted other people to tell me!) Here’s some of the responses, exactly as they were emailed to me. The only changes I’ve added are those for spelling.

Beth Winter

Subaru heard the door click, and just before, the maboroshi go up. He "saw" that it wasn't a full one, merely a privacy screen to prevent sound from getting out. The feel of Seishirou's presence was overwhelming, magnified by his memories of the previous night.

"Seishirou-san..." he said softly.

"I heard you've managed to get yourself in trouble, Subaru-kun," the so familiar voice said. "I thought I'd make sure they were treating you right."

Subaru stayed immobile, his eyes blank. Seishirou sighed and walked over to him. He stood behind the chair and put his hands on the younger man's shoulders, drawing him close against his own chest. Subaru let it happen.

"Did someone hurt you?" Seishirou asked.

After a moment, Subaru found his voice again. "No-one you don't know about."

Seishirou nodded. "That's good."

"Why do you care?"

"Do you need to ask, Subaru-kun?" He trailed his hand through Subaru's hair.

"Maybe so, Seishirou-san."

"You told me to make a decision last night. And I believe I have done so."

A second of silence, and then, "You have."

"How did the police find you?" "

Ka- my friends brought me here; they thought I had been assaulted last night. They wanted someone from the police to talk to me."

"And you just told the good officer about the guy?"

"I - didn't think."

"You wouldn't, now. How did you friends come to this conclusion?"

"You left marks."

Such simple words, but they made Seishirou's eye shine in a different way. He tangled his fingers in Subaru's hair again, and when the younger man's hand came up hesitantly to touch his own, he seized it. He ignored the cry of pain and stared at the dark bruises in fascination.

Then he met Subaru's eyes, and held them.

Suddenly they both became aware of the fact that they were being watched. Behind the mirror, they "saw" their audience.

Seishirou released Subaru's hand and laughed. "I shall be more careful in the future. Though they do suit you beautifully."

Subaru did not respond, prompting Seishirou to laugh again. The older man leaned down to whisper in Subaru's ear.

"You did not think this was going to be just one night, did you? You made me make a choice, and now you have to live with it."

He wrapped his arms around Subaru and the Sumeragi relaxed into the embrace. They stayed like that for a few moments, then Seishirou straightened and offered his hand to Subaru. The younger man pointedly ignored it, getting up on his own, but the antagonism in the air seemed to be replaced by an understanding.

"Let's go home." Seishirou's lips barely moved.

 

* * *

 

Alma

Inside the Grey Walls.

Subaru feels Seishirou's presence even before he enters the room so he isn't very surprised when he does. "What are you doing here, Seishirou-san? Did you come to laugh at me? he asks quietly, wondering what the man had in mind and why a spark of dark joy dances in his heart. "The police came by to talk to me and told me they were holding you here. The fools." he gives Subaru's back an odd smile "Why is it that you always think the worst, Subaru-kun? I only came to take you away from here."

With a sigh, Seishirou moves to stand behind Subaru's chair and gently places his hands on his shoulders. Slowly, Seishirou pulls Subaru to his chest, letting him rest there, checking that he was alright, the slight weight of Subaru's head reassuring. "I can't help it when it comes to you, I sometimes think I really do not know who you are." Subaru closes his eyes feeling Seishirou's long fingers caressing his hair, making the worry and the disgust of being in that room go away for a moment. But that's alright, Subaru thinks. You are assassin, tormentor, lover, my beloved nemesis. "I guess Kamui told them about you, he is too kind. I expected as much from him. I am not surprised they kept me here either, after all it IS my fault that man is dead, right, Seishirou-san?"

"I see. So it was the boy who sent the dogs out to sniff me out." Seishirou answers, while he continues to caress Subaru's hair. "It doesn't matter, there is nothing they can do anyway. Are you still protecting me, Subaru-kun? You know I hardly need your protection." Hesitantly, Subaru reaches out to touch the hand Seishirou has on his shoulder. Suddenly, Subaru feels the grip of Seishirou's strong hand, tightening on his bruised wrist, eliciting a pained cry. Pulling the sleeves of Subaru's trench coat, Seishirou notices the bruises hidden underneath and his expression darkens.

Subaru feels the sting of the pain but pushes it away, the pain bringing memories of the previous night. The fear but the strange pleasure of being possessed absolutely. His heart beats a little faster, a trapped bird in a golden cage. Seishirou caresses the bruises, reminding him, possessing him once again. But he suddenly remembers something. Looking steadily at Seishirou, he moves his head in the direction opposite to let him know they are being watched. Seishirou picks up on Subaru's signal and looks in the indicated direction. Ahhhh, they ARE watching. He lets go of Subaru and laughs "Shall we give them a show, Subaru-kun?" Seishirou leans forward and whispers in Subaru's ear: "show them that you belong to me, and to no other, that no matter where you go, I know were you are, my nemesis, my prey, mine" Seishirou moves to encircle Subaru's waist, warm and tender he is under his arms.

Seishirou finally lets go and offers a hand to Subaru. "Well, Subaru-kun, shall we?"

Subaru ignores him, a bit dazed from feeling his arms and his warmth. He gets up on his own and feels Seishirou's hand on the small of his hand, pushing him forward, to freedom supposedly, but Subaru knew better.

Seishirou's pleasantly notices Subaru is wearing the scarf, something that fills him with great pleasure as he knows what lies beneath the blood red fabric. So beautiful on him, he thinks. Seishirou can't help himself and takes a hold of the end of the scarf to bring it to his lips, showing that even something soft as cashmere can be as strong as chains that bind.

Finis.

 

* * *

 

Jaelle

*after Seishirou has entered the room*

Subaru: "What are YOU doing here?"

Seishirou: "I came to rescue you of course."

*pause, Seishirou moves closer*

Sei: "Why did you let yourself be taken by the police? Imagine what your grandmother would say."

Su: "It wasn't my idea. Kamui-kun and Karen-san brought me in on an unrelated matter."

Sei: "Unrelated?"

Su: "They thought I'd been raped."

Seishirou refrained from laughing, although it was hard. "And what did you tell them?"

Su: "That it was none of their business."

Sei: "And?"

Su: "And then the police found the body of that man. Then they thought I'd killed him, fighting him off."

Sei: "Ah yes. Subaru the homicidal maniac. Of course. What fools they are."

Su: "I didn't tell them anything."

Sei: "It wouldn't have made any difference. They can't hold me. And it wouldn't have kept you safe from me."

Su: "..."

Sei: "But I forget, you don't want to be safe from me." *examines bruises* "Hmph. Callous brute. I'll appreciate you much better, Subaru-kun."

Su: "..."

Sei: *laughs* "But this is not the place for such things. Certainly not with the so-curious police watching us." *whispers* "There are far more... enjoyable locations for them. Away from prying eyes and ears that can hear your cries..."

"It's time to come home now Subaru-kun."

 

* * *

 

Reiya

He did not even reach the door when I felt his presence.Not the obvious magical aura, but a deeper, more physical sense. That mere presence brought back memories of that night. The scent of his cologne, the familiar texture of cloth, skin against skin.....

My knuckles tightened almost involuntarily on the chair. No... I must forget. Forget! His presence was closer, his hand on the doorknob with a slight twist it opened.I stiffened.

A silencing spell fell around the room. It was felt heavy, muffling like a blanket, burying in us into silence. In a way, it was like marobroshi, drawing us together, closing everyone else out. With much difficulty, I spoke. " What are you doing here Seishirou-san?

He smiled. His smile was more of a smirk though, like a child who has found his favourite toy once again. I knew that it was a mask but I could not help but feel a rush of guilty pleasure from remembrance. Stop ... I pushed the thought away. No..This was wrong, do it for Hokuto. For Hokuto. Then he spoke, "I came to collect my favourite toy, Subaru-kun".

Mocking tone. Again. I made no response. I was not going to lose to him. Not again. I had to kill him and I was not about to lose to myself, not like that night. Almost unconsciously, I noted his scent. Dakkar Noir with a hint of the mint aftershave he used and of course, the cigarettes. It brought back the memories of warm sheets and sex. No! I pushed the thought away. I won.I did not move.

I heard him sigh and walk towards me. The foot steps was soft. I could hear my heart quickening. Resolve was letting go. I could feel the warmth from his hands, spreading all over me in a heated rush. I did not resist. His hands wrapped around me, holding me in a lover's embrace. It was all pretense, wasn't it? But I felt comforted. It was a natural reaction, I reasoned to myself. But I leaned back, enjoying it, even if it was only for a brief moment.

" What happened to you, Subaru-kun?"

"No,...Kam-" I stopped myself in time, he did not need to know. "My friends they thought that someone might have hurt me and they brought me here and..." I trailed off, not knowing what to say next. Hesitantly, I whispered "Why are you doing this?"

I could feel his hands in my hair, running through the strands in a sensual pleasure. Answer damnit, I could hear myself curse, something I seemed to be doing more often now. But it felt good, I leaned to his touch some more.

"I made a decision last night, and I intend to carry it out. After all, you belong to me."

I stared."So you did."

"How did they find out? Purple-eyes did not touch you did he?" he seemed to be considered it for a moment."I hope not."

I stopped short. Kamui might be cute but I had never shown interest in him. He reminded me of myself but while I might have liked him if I was younger, all my feelings had died along with my sister. Only he mattered. I opened my mouth, in a quiet voice, I answered "They noticed the bruises."

He did not say anything.For a second, I wondered if he had heard me. I lifted my hand slowly to touch him, when his hand shot out and twisted mine. I cried out in pain.

His eyes lit up with a predatory glint.He smiled darkly, pushing away the kitted material of my black sweater.He stared in mute fascination at the bruises, dark blue against my fair skin. Running his finger across it. I could feel the pain. He lifted his eyes to meet mine. Trapping me. A thought entered. Someone else was watching. My eyes flicked for a second to the other side. He noticed my action and laughed. Like an actor before the audience, he deliberately bent down to whisper into my ear. I could feel his breath.

"Mine."

My breath stopped. I felt his arms wrap around me, enveloping me. I leaned back, accepting it in silent agreement. Our relationship was a complicated one, where words were not needed, was not actions equal to a thousand words? We stayed in the embrace, accepting the consequences of our decision.

After a while, I felt him release me, offering his hand in courtesy. I ignored it. While our relationship had changed, he had to realize that I was still me and not my younger self did he make his decision to. I was no pushover.

He smirked at my defiance, placing a hand at my back and pushed me towards the door. It opened with a click. It sounded loud compared with the earlier quiet. I felt his hand touch the scarf he gave. It was beautiful, despite the fact that I did not wear colours anymore.

"I'm glad to see that you like my present."

I gritted my teeth and pulled the scarf out of his hand and kept on walking. I swear this man doesn't know his limits sometimes. He let go, placing his hand lightly against the bruises. We left.

 

* * *

 

Laura Fullerton

Subaru did not need to turn around to know who had just entered the interrogation room; the way his body involuntarily stiffened was enough. There was only one person who could give off the aura he was feeling now, dark, mysterious, and - something else, something beyond words. As the door swung shut Subaru felt the other’s presence fill the small room. There was a subtle tingling in the air, as if the room’s atmosphere was slightly charged with electricity. It was unnecessary to ask what spell was causing this sensation; the slightly muffled quality of Seishirou’s approaching footsteps was enough for Subaru to infer that this conversation was for their ears alone.

"Seishirou-san..."

The mentioning of the name was unnecessary; his company already knew that Subaru was aware of his presence. Habit had taken over, causing the name to slip out.

"Arrested by mere city cops? I’m disappointed, Subaru-kun. One would think that the thirteenth head of the Sumeragi clan would be better at covering his tracks."

Subaru was not amused by Seishirou’s sarcasm and let him know it by not responding. Seishirou sighed, sidled up behind Subaru, and rested his hands lightly on the young onmyouji’s shoulders. Subaru leaned back slowly, resting his head on Seishirou’s chest.

"However," Seishirou continued, "I made a decision last night, I can’t sit back and let my Subaru-kun be held against his will. At least not by anyone besides myself."

A tense "Seishirou-san" was Subaru’s only reply. The Sumeragi did not know how to respond. Was the Sakurazukamori sincere in his concern? Or was it merely one of his many facades?

Seishirou began running his hand through Subaru’s ebony hair. Subaru leaned back into the caresses, welcoming the attention, no longer caring if it was an act. He wanted to believe it was real.

"I must say this city has a very effective police force if they were able to find you. Although I would have been much happier if they had stayed out of it entirely."

"I wasn’t arrested, I was brought in."

"Oh?"

"Kamui saw the bruises, he and Karen-san brought me in. They feared I was assaulted."

Subaru reached up to touch the hand that was still resting on his shoulder. Quicker than a flash Seishirou snatched Subaru’s wrist and pulled back his coat sleeve, revealing the incriminating marks. Seishirou glared at the bruises, blaming them for Subaru’s detention. The sudden pressure on his sore forearm caused Subaru to unwillingly cry out in sudden anguish but he quieted as Seishirou began seductively stroking the marks. Subaru turned, finally looking at the one who held his arm, heart, and soul captive. His eyes involuntarily flicked in the direction of the two-way mirror that the detectives were surely watching them through. Picking up on the subtle action Seishirou also turned his attention to the mirror. Dropping Subaru’s wrist Seishirou chuckled and smiled a sly smile.

"It appears we have an audience, Subaru-kun."

Seishirou leaned in close and whispered in Subaru’s ear, "Perhaps we should go some place a little more private."

Seishirou wrapped his arms possessively around Subaru and held him close for a few interminable moments. Then he straightened and offered his hand to Subaru in a gentlemanly fashion. Subaru ignored the offer for help and stood up on his own. Not deterred in the least Seishirou placed his hand on the small of Subaru’s back and escorted him out of the interview room. They continued walking to the station door, not caring about the multitude of police and detectives transfixed by their exit.

 

* * *

 

Neko-chan

Seishirou: *enters the room* *weaves an illusion to shield the room acoustically*

Subaru: *stiffens*

Seishirou: *closes the door behind him*

Subaru: *stays unmoving in his chair*

~a few moments pass~

Subaru: "I knew that you would come."

Seishirou: *smiles* "I'ts always an honour for me to rescue my Subaru-kun from any unpleasant situation he gets himself into."

Subaru: "..."

Seishirou: *sighs* *steps behind Subaru's chair* *puts his hands on Subaru's shoulders*

Subaru: *stays still*

Seishirou: *draws Subaru backwards* "There are certainly better ways to spend christmas than in a police office. What would your sister say?"

Subaru: *fliches at the mention of Hokuto* "It wasn't my idea. Kamui and Kasumi-san dragged me here."

Seishirou: *runs his fingers through subaru's hair* "Such worried friend you have. But they only managed to get you into suspect of murder, right?"

Subaru: "That's your fault, not theirs. You didn't have to kill the man yesterday. You ... you didn't need to save me."

Seishirou: "But I don't like it when someone touches my property without permission."

Subaru: "..." *touches Seishirou's hand on his left shoulder*

Seishirou: *immediately grabs Subaru's wrist*

Subaru: *cries out in pain*

Seishirou: *pulls Subaru's sleeve down to look at the bruises* *looks not pleased*

Seishirou: *runs a finger over the bruises*

Subaru: *quietens down* *turns a bit in the chair to look at Seishirou*

Subaru: *looks at the window* *notices the watching police officers*

Seishirou: *follows the gaze*

Seishirou: *lets Subaru's wrist go* *laughs a little* My, I almost forgot our little audience. Why not giving them something decent to watch?

Subaru: *fixes eyes offside* "I think they saw enough..."

Seishirou:*laughs again* *leans over Subaru* *brushes lips against his ear*

Seishirou: "You wanted ME to stop watching, remember? But now you don't seem to be too pleased, either... I think we should change that."

Seishirou: *wraps his arms around Subaru's waist*

~moments pass~

Seishirou: *lets Subaru go and steps away* *holds his hand out to Subaru*

Subaru: *stands up alone*

Seishirou: *smirks* *pushes Subaru towards the door*