Love is Color Blind Chapter 8: The Morning After
#8 of Love is Color Blind
Starlies and Staravias could be heard chirping outside the next time Kuyomi regained consciousness. He blinked awake, yawning as he recovered from a surprisingly comfortable rest. He couldn't remember what happened exactly after he started panicking again, the night prior, but at least his headache was gone now. The Umbreon looked around, seeing that the sun was nearly done coming out from the horizon. The clock read about nine, and he could also see he wasn't alone.
In the chair residing just next to Kuyomi's bed, he could see a small, frazzled wall of pink hair, as well as two ears sticking out, both of which were drooping slightly. The sound of snoring could also be heard coming from that direction, and it was only now that Kuyomi realized there was something in his hand. Looking down, he found the Sylveon's paw resting in his, slightly grasping it as if afraid the Umbreon's would disappear.
Kuyomi couldn't help but smile at Robin. From what he heard a lot of people say about him, it seemed like the Sylveon was some sort of mischief maker, or even worse, a sexual predator. However, all that Robin has shown the Umbreon since they met was compassion, friendship... love. He showed no judgement when he came out to him, and he's been incredibly helpful to Kuyomi in exploring his sexuality. If it weren't for Robin, he would probably have experienced something even worse than being tied to a pole.
There was a sudden jerk of movement from Robin's paw, and the snoring ended in a snort. Kuyomi jumped a little as Robin slowly began to awaken, using his ribbons to push his hair back. When Kuyomi caught sight of his eyes, they looked slightly red, as if he's been crying for a long time. Robin turned his head, surprised to see that Kuyomi was actually awake, and before either of them could say anything, Robin looked like he was about to cry again.
"K-Kuyomi..." he whimpered out.
"H-hey there, Robin." The Umbreon responded. They looked at each other for a moment, but then Robin looked down to see their paws. He went wide-eyed and jerked it away.
"Oh my god I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!" Robin now began to actually cry, which made Kuyomi want to sob himself. Panicked, he tried to reach over to the Sylveon, but he kept trying to get away.
"H-hey hey, no, it's ok Robin. It's ok." He pleaded. "Please, please don't cry. Everything is ok."
"B-but... you got hurt, and I wasn't there to protect you, and-"
Kuyomi cut him off by finally being able to grab onto his arm, looking sternly but nervously into Robin's eyes.
"Robin, you did nothing wrong." He explained. "You have nothing to apologize for. You did what you could, you had no idea what was going to happen. None of this is your fault, ok? Come here, I know what'll make you feel better."
Indeed Kuyomi did, as Robin moved closer. Kuyomi gave the Sylveon a big, tight hug, rubbing his back to try to soothe him. Robin couldn't help but continue to sob as they embraced, both still in disappointment, but also in relief. All he wanted was Kuyomi not to hate him for what had happened, not to yell and blame him like his parent did, and that was what he got.
Robin was caught off-guard by what Kuyomi did next, as the brief moment they attempted to get apart, Kuyomi kissed Robin straight on the lips. The Sylveon was so stunned, he wasn't sure what to do, but he tried to return it as best he could. Since they've known each other, they maybe kissed on the lips once or twice, but it was always Robin who did so. It felt so alien to him to have Kuyomi start it, but it was the complete opposite of pleasant.
Coincidentally, right as the two finally broke apart, Pepper came into the room. Kuyomi began to blush scarlet, embarrassed at the chance that Pepper probably saw what they did, but if she did, she didn't say it.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything." She began. "Good morning you two. Kuyomi, how're you feeling?"
"I-I'm feeling better, thanks. N-no headaches or... other kinds of aches." Kuyomi explained, smiling slightly. "Kind of hungry though."
Pepper nodded and looked over to Robin. "I'm going to need you to leave for a bit, Robin. I need to do a thorough check up on him before we can decide whether he is good to be discharged or not. It'll only be for a moment, then you can come back to him, ok?"
Robin frowned with a worried look, then looked over at Kuyomi, who tried to put on a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I'll be ok."
Robin sighed and got up, making his way towards the door. "Maybe you should get something to eat too, might make you feel better." Pepper suggested.
The Sylveon nodded. "I'll bring something back for you Kuyomi, any requests?"
Kuyomi looked up in thought. "If they have any blueberry muffins, I-I'd like one of those."
Robin nodded, closing the door as he left, and made his way to the nearest elevator.
The hospital seemed kind of quiet as everyone was either attempting to wake up or impatiently waiting for their shift to end. The walk gave Robin time to think about his morning encounter with Kuyomi. It was the first time the two were able to properly talk since Robin left for the gym yesterday, and he was glad it went as well as it did. He was legitimately worried that Kuyomi was going to hate him after that, and all he could do was sigh in relief.
As Robin turned to go into the cafeteria, something slammed into him hard. Thankfully, he was quick enough to snap out of his thoughts and grab a nearby railing with his ribbon before both him and whatever hit him landed on the floor. Once he was sure he wasn't going to have to administer himself into the hospital for a broken back, Robin looked at what he had ran into and was surprised to find his little sister.
"I thought I heard a sighing Sylveon!" Xuezha said, hugging said Sylveon tightly.
"Xuezha? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in school?" Robin asked.
"Hey, speak for yourself. Last I checked, you don't exactly get Thursdays off either." She finally let him go, allowing the two of them to properly stand up and face each other. Xuezha wasn't in her typical robe, which probably meant that she'd been up for a while. Robin knew from wearing one himself that the robes she bought were way too comfortable to get out of immediately, but she was instead in a graphic t-shirt, her "winter" jacket, (Robin was always jealous of ice-types not getting cold easily) and some jeans.
"Thanks for the reminder." Robin groaned. "But why are you here? Did something happen to you at school?"
Xuezha rolled her eyes. "No, I came here to see you! We heard about what had happened between you and Jen, and we wanted to make sure you were ok."
"And how exactly did you hear about it?"
Xuezha pulled out and gestured with her phone. "Ray, who else? We don't exactly share a lot of friends."
Robin face-ribboned and sighed. "Yeah, that makes sense... wait, what do you mean 'we?'"
"Mom and dad are here too. Come on, they've probably already gotten some food while I was finding you."
"You mean when you nearly knocked me to the ground?" Robin corrected firmly, but with a playful smirk.
Xuezha chuckled as she attempted to make her way back to the table. Sometimes Robin forgot that his little sister couldn't see, but that was because she was usually so good at using her other senses. But seeing her actually have a bit of difficulty getting through the cafeteria worried Robin. Xuezha always was super caring about him, almost to an obsessive point. This was starting to make him actually feel worse.
When Robin finally arrived, he was greeted by the sight of his smiling but tired mother, Evelynn, and his father, Azrael, who seemed to be talking on the phone in a corner near the table. He raised an eyebrow, which Evelynn responded with a sigh.
"Hi honey," She greeted. "Your father has been on the phone for the past bit trying to figure out why you're the one in trouble."
Robin huffed at that. "I think we both know why. I'm sure I told you how much that Alakazam hates me."
"Yes, yes, numerous times. I really do wish you'd transfer to another school, especially now."
"Well now it seems like I may have no other choice but to start over in a new school."
Evelynn was a little taken aback as Robin sat down across from her. "Start over? What do you mean?"
"The contract I had to sign said that failure to keep Kuyomi protected meant not only do I get expelled, but I lose all my credits from the school."
The Eevee was absolutely shocked. "What the hell? That can't be legal."
Robin chuckled dryly. "You think Houdin cares what's legal and what's not? She just wants to get rid of me, it's as simple as that. Besides, it's in the PADP act, so it actually is." Robin then deflated with a sigh, leaning his head against his hand. "I didn't mean for him to get hurt. I really did what I could."
Evelynn reached across to pat him on the shoulder, smiling. "I know you did honey. I do agree that it seems you're being unfairly punished, but hopefully there's something we can do."
"I honestly don't really care about what happens to me, I just want Kuyomi to be ok."
"You seem awfully dedicated to him for only knowing him for a week." Evelynn commented. "Is there something you forgot to tell us?"
Robin blushed and tried to bury his face into his hand. Xuezha couldn't help but chuckle and ask "Now is this actual attachment, or infatuation knowing you?"
That elicited a glare and growl from Robin, which made Xuezha shrink back. "Sorry, bad time."
"Robin, don't growl at your sister." Evelynn scolded. "She makes a valid point. I want you to make sure what you're doing is out of you actually caring for him, and not because you're trying to get intimate with him."
"This is an awful lot of trouble for someone you just want to sleep with, after all." Another voice popped up, which everyone turned to see it belonged to Azrael. Robin let out a groan and blushed even more. "Can we not talk about this in public? It's actually embarrassing to hear you two talk like that."
Azrael chuckled. "Sorry, Rob. Look, I know you're really worried about Kuyomi, but it's not your fault. I tried explaining that to Ms. Prince, but she insists that there's nothing we can do on our end. I'm sure we'll figure something out."
Robin just continued to hide his face, now in his crossed arm and ribbon. He knew they were right, and they were just trying to reassure him, but he couldn't help but stress about it. Losing all his credits and having to transfer to a new school was actually very prominent in his list of worries. All the friends he made, all the connections he forged... Even being able to see and help Kuyomi. If this lawsuit went through, he was sure they were going to put a restraining order between him and the Umbreon. Maybe Evelynn was right, maybe there was something he not only wasn't telling them, but something he wasn't telling himself.