Behind You [PG-13, shounen ai]

[Rockie]

My first attempt at a fanfic, which would explain any OOCness/suckiness running rampant -_-; XD
Hm... PG-13 could be a bit much, but just erring on the safe side >.>;

Chapter 1

“Battle chip, Longsword, slot in!”

A red flash sliced through a cluster of viruses, leaving behind fading clouds of data.

“Battle chip, Spreader, slot in!”

A waver of the hand delayed the chip’s entrance into the slot momentarily, though it was almost imperceptible. Almost.

One spray of yellow and the last of the viruses dispersed into nothing.

*****

“Good work today, agents,” Meijin complimented.

Instead of a boastful, “Of course!” or some similarly arrogant response, all he received was a “Thanks.” While it retained Netto’s usual cheery tone, somberness also hung heavy from it. Enzan, naturally, simply gave a small nod.

“Netto? Is something wrong?” inquired Meijin.

“Hm? Oh, um, no, nothing! Nothing at all! I just worked up an appetite doing that mission! Man do they have a way of tiring you out! Well, gotta go, see ya tomorrow, Enzan, Meijin-san!”

Netto hurriedly replied as he put on his skates. After securing them, he took off, almost instantly becoming a white and orange blur.

“How many times do I have to tell you?! The –san is not necessary!” the bespeckled honorific detester shouted after the blur.

Enzan narrowed his eyes, watching Netto’s form quickly diminish into the distance. Sure, Netto was always hyper, but that seemed a little too hyper, even for him. Plus he was always the one charging headlong into battle, yet lately he had been hesitating more. Not necessarily a bad thing, considering he had chastised him for being reckless at times, but Netto wasn’t one to change his ways so quickly. Something was definitely off.

He started after him.

*****

“Netto-kun? Is something on your mind?” Rockman asked.

“For the last time, no! Why is everyone asking me that today?!” Netto retorted.

“Well, you have been acting strange lately. And only Meijin-san and I have asked you today.”

“Strange?! How?! I’m acting the way I always have! I was also referring to every time after a mission! It’s been going on for over a week now!”

“For one thing, you’ve been zipping around like your pants are on fire or something. And you seem more distracted lately. I’ve noticed a slight delay between the time you declare which chips you’re slotting in and when they actually go into effect. Oh, and you only said today.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about! And I know what I said!”

“Uh huh.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

A sigh. “Forget it.”

“Hey! Rockman…!”

The blue clad navi noticed the slight falter at the end of his name and his operator’s breath shortening. “Netto-kun…?”

In between breaths, Netto waved off his concern. “I’m fine… just need… a breather…”

Panting, Netto finally slowed to a stop and leaned on a streetlight.

“About time you stopped.”

Netto jumped at the sound of the familiar smooth, cool voice so close behind him, so much so that his wheeled feet flew out from under him. He would have slammed his head and back into the concrete if not for two arms holding him - and a body acting as a landing pad.

For a moment he lingered in the soft warmth. When he finally realized that he had knocked his benefactor off his feet as well and turned to apologize, he saw blue – but not that of the sky.

Jumping to his feet and brushing himself off, Netto stammered, “E-Enzan? How long were you behind me? Um, sorry about that, let me help you up – Ah!”

Enzan ignored the proffered hand, swooped up, and grabbed Netto up by the collar and shoved him against a wall. “Alright, Hikari. Talk. Now.”

“Huh? Talk about what? The weather? Quite nice today, wouldn’t y-“

“Cut the crap, Netto. You’ve been acting odd lately. Something’s wrong, and I want to know what.”

“N-no, everything’s fine, I’ve, um, just been a little sick lately…”

“…Didn’t you say earlier that you were hungry and tired?”

“W-well, being sick makes you those things…Hey!”

A hand slipped under the blue bandanna bearing Rockman’s insignia and rested on the forehead beneath. Chocolate eyes shot wide open.

“W-What do you think you’re doing?”

“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m seeing if you have a fever. You did say you were sick.”

“I know what I said!”

Two voices in unison sounded, “Uh huh.”

The brunette glared down at his PET. “You’re supposed to be on my side here.”

Rockman shrunk back slightly abashed. “Sorry, Netto-kun, but I have to agree, it does look like something’s bothering you, and you won’t say what. I’m worried”

The corners of Enzan’s lips raised themselves into a smirk. “Heh, see, even your navi’s agreeing with me.” The hand under the bandanna started to migrate down Netto’s cheek.

Netto squirmed, flailing his arms. “Y-You’ve gone crazy!”

He tried to break free and slip away, but a forearm pinned him to the wall. The pale hand trailed down, flipped over, rested on Netto’s right cheek, then crossed over to the left one.

“Hm…your cheeks are a bit warm…but not warm enough to signify a fever.”

“O-Of course they’re warm! If they were cold, that would mean I’m dead, right?” Netto snapped back.

The pearl and onyx haired boy didn’t reply, but simply lightly placed two fingers on the side of Netto’s windpipe. The pinioned boy couldn’t hold back a gulp. Though Enzan’s face remained straight and the movements seemed clinical, somehow a semblance of tenderness permeated each of them.

“Your pulse is racing, and you’re tense. Plus your cheeks are turning even redder-if that’s even possible. Not to mention your horridly clashing excuses.” An inky black eyebrow rose. “Something is definitely bothering you.”

“I-I just have a…a sunburn, that’s all!”

A headshake and a little laugh. “Netto, you’re probably the worst liar I’ve ever encountered.”

“W-Well…I just…If you just…um, I mean…Argh, it’s all your fault! Mind your own business, willya!”

In a flash, Netto finally broke away and shot down the street, rapidly fading into a speck.

Enzan stared after him, eyebrows slightly furrowed, and sighed. “Well, that confirmed my suspicions” A small smug grin crept onto his face. ‘Though watching him squirm was fun.’

[Neko]

Heh, that wasn't bad. I liked it, a little rough around the edges but all in all somewhat cute. Enzan is so weird like that XDDD

Not bad, not bad at all :D
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Roses are #FF0000, violets are #0000FF. All my base are belong to you.

Avatar, credit Yakitate@devart

[Kitty-Chan]

I concur with Neko-Sama. A little bit rough, but quite good otherwise.
Although, I probably have no room to criticize seeing as my own writing attempts suck major roadsalt. -_-;
_________________
Need more Zero/X, Netto/Rock, Rock/Netto, Forte/Netto, & Blues/Netto. PLEASE!
Ano sa...could someone please make me a Zero/X, Blues/Netto, or Forte/Netto avatar/banner? I would greatly appreciate it...
Thanks for the avatar, Mandi!
People! We need more Blues/Netto & Forte/Netto on the net. Come on; help me out here! *gives everyone her Super-Adorable Irrisistable Sad Kitty Eyes(TM)*

[Rockie]

Thanks, both of you ^_^
Though, rough? In what way[s]? ?_?

[Kitty-Chan]

It just seems kind of choppy, & maybe a little forced at points. Don't worry, you'll get better; you just need a little experience. After all, unlike me, you show great promise as a writer. :]
_________________
Need more Zero/X, Netto/Rock, Rock/Netto, Forte/Netto, & Blues/Netto. PLEASE!
Ano sa...could someone please make me a Zero/X, Blues/Netto, or Forte/Netto avatar/banner? I would greatly appreciate it...
Thanks for the avatar, Mandi!
People! We need more Blues/Netto & Forte/Netto on the net. Come on; help me out here! *gives everyone her Super-Adorable Irrisistable Sad Kitty Eyes(TM)*

[Nazne]

I loved it. :D It's so nice to see Enzan acting like his old, bluntly get-to-the-point self, and I love the character interaction between those two. Some of Netto's responses to Enzan's inquiry did seem slightly forced, but it's not a biggie.

Overall, it's awesome, and I would love to see more of your works. ^^;

-BMA

[Rockie]

Thanks for the encouragement. ^_^ And Kitty-Chan, I'm sure your writing's just fine [though I haven't read any of your works ^^;]
So... I come bearing another chapter :O I tried to smooth it out more, but I'm afraid my file may still be a bit dinky. *shot for bad pun XP* -_-;
Um...enjoy?

Chapter 2

“I’m home, Mom!” Netto called out breathlessly as he stepped through the front door and stooped down to remove his skates.

A short haired woman turned to the new arrival and smiled. “Welcome home, Netto – Netto? Are you alright? You’re sweaty, you’re panting, and your face is all red!”

“I’m fine, Mom, it was just a hard day today.”

“You also left skid marks when you stopped – I didn’t even know skates could leave skid marks,” Rockman commented softly so Haruka couldn’t hear. Netto’s only response was a sharp look.

“Alright, dear, go upstairs, clean yourself up, and rest. I’m making dinner now.”

“Okay, Mom,” Netto answered as he climbed the stairs to his room.

*****

“That Enzan! Argh!” Netto fumed, roughly shoving the PET into its charger after plugging Rockman into the computer, pacing fervently, rearranging various papers on his desk, picking up stacks of books and slamming them down, not behavior the cobalt navi was used to seeing.

“Netto-kun, calm down! You’re going to break something! And Mom might hear and get worried!”

Sure enough: “Netto, is everything alright up there?”

“Yeah, Mom, I just…dropped something, that’s all!”

“OK honey. Dinner will be ready soon!”

The sound of grumbling suddenly rose in the air. “Dinner can’t come soon enough – I hope it’s curry!” Netto grinned, rubbing his stomach.

An eye roll. “You say that every night. Anyway…Will you please tell me what’s wrong? And what does Enzan-san have to do with this?” Emerald eyes narrowed. “And don’t even think of trying to say it’s nothing.”

A deep breath as the anxious boy settled down on his bed. “It’s just…lately I’ve had these… these feelings. Like…” The earth haired boy groped blindly for the right words. “Like… like – ho boy, I don’t know how to explain it.”

Rockman could guess where this was going. “It’s alright. Take your time. Although…I think I already kind of know.”

Netto’s eyes flew to the computer. “Huh? What do you mean?”

“I could very well be wrong, but… I think… you like Enzan-san.”

Crimson shot across Netto’s face. “Wha…! Me? Like Enzan? What makes you think that?”

“Well, you’re getting so worked up right now. Plus your pulse quickens and you face flushes more when you’re around him, even when you’re just sitting down.”

A sigh. “I suppose you do have a point. And… you’re right.” He paused. “But… I have no idea how to deal with this stuff. I just…” The spike headed boy shot to his feet and pulled at his hair. “Rrgh… It’s all his fault, that pompous, arrogant, distracting… dashing… perfect…”

“Perfect, huh?”

Everyone in the room swore the bandanna donning Net Savior would have crashed through the ceiling had he jumped any higher. “Enzan! What are you doing here? Are you some kind of stalker? How long were you there?”

The interrogated acknowledged only the last question. “Long enough.”

The blush that had been building up in Netto’s face appeared to drain away. “So…you…heard?”

A curt nod was the sole response.

The orange vested boy sank back down on his bed, his eyes finding a safe haven with his hands, the flush rushing back to his cheeks. A heavy silence hung over the room.

Finally, trying to break the ice, Rockman cut in. “Netto-kun, your face is beginning to match Blues’ armor.”

A voice from behind said, “You called?”

The blue navi’s reaction mirrored that of his operator’s, except battle experience, particularly experience pertaining to attacks from behind, diluted it somewhat. Plus there was no ceiling to hit. Out of the corner of his eye, Rockman noticed Enzan discretely replacing his PET into its holder while Netto’s expression still resembled that of a deer in headlights.

A small chuckle. “Like operator, like net navi. Even your faces are beginning to match.”

The aforementioned scarlet deepened. “A-Are not!”

Another snigger. “You’re just proving my point, you know.” Even more reddening cheeks and diverted eyes were Rockman’s only responses.

Both Net Saviors, as Rockman’s embarrassed exclamations had snapped his operator out of his shock just enough to look up, had been watching the exchange with amusement. Finally, Enzan cleared his throat. “Hm... looks familiar, doesn’t it? On that note: how long have you felt this way?”

“Um…well, for a-a while now.”

“Why has your behavior only become more erratic in the past week?”

“Um, well, that is… I-I don’t know, I guess… er, that’s because they just… uh, built up so much…” A pointed finger wavered in the air. “Y-you’re the one following me, pinning me against a wall, and molesting me! What was that all about!”

“Netto, dispense with the hyperbole and stop trying to divert the attention away from yourself. I really was trying to see if you were sick.” A small smirk budded on his lips as he disregarded the snort that he received in response. “And you followed me first, when I was out with Anetta the day after we found her.”

“I…was just making sure you didn’t get yourself in trouble or anything!”

“You said Meijin-san sent you on surveillance in case there was an attack.”

“Same difference. I know what I said!”

Three voices replied, “Uh huh.”

Brown eyelashes came closer together. “You guys really need to stop saying that.”

“And you really gotta stop leaving that opening for us to say it.” A white curtain of bangs concealed sapphires as his voice hardened. “At any rate, I… don’t have time for a relationship,” he snapped, ignoring the resultant wince. “So just-”

An exasperated voice from Netto’s computer cut in. “Enzan-sama, you’ve told me so many times how you feel for him. Would it kill you to tell him just once?” Right away the crimson navi bowed his head, abashed at his outburst, and cringed, expecting a severe reprimand.

Instead, the camouflage bottomed boy simply stammered, “Blues…!” as his face pinked slightly. A sigh as he raised his head slightly. “He’s right, Netto…” A glance and a sly smile at the computer. “Hey, shouldn’t you follow your own advice?”

Blues’ face started to blend in with his armor. After a moment, he admitted softly, “Enzan-sama’s…correct as well, Rockman.”

Green eyes widened. “R-Really…?”

A short nod.

“Blues… I…I don’t know what to say…”

His operator remained more skeptical. “Hmph. You’re just saying that, Enzan.”

“Netto, I may be many things, but liar is not one of them.” A deep breath. “Well, here’s more honesty for you: you’re reckless, hardheaded, and irritatingly hyper, sometimes to the point of regressing into a small child sometimes. But…” Another breath. ”You’ve also made me smile the most I have in a long time. And you’ve supported me when I needed it the most. So…thank you.”

Netto simply stood in disbelief for a moment. “Enzan…”

“And I…I second everything he just said for you, Rockman. Except you’re not quite as hyper.”

The blue bomber smiled sheepishly and averted his eyes, again mirroring his operator. “I’m… glad I could help.”

The tan boy suddenly narrowed his eyes and leaned closer, a goofy smile on his face. “Alright, who are you and what have you done to Enzan?” He put his hand on the paler boy’s forehead. “You sure you’re not sick?”

Enzan took a step back and pushed the hand away. “Hey, I’m not you, you know. It’s not that unbelievable, is it?”

“Well, it’s just-”

Just then a voice rang from below, “Dinner’s ready! Netto, ask Enzan-kun if he would like to stay for dinner.”

Netto started slightly, but yelled back, “Coming, Mom!” He turned to Enzan. “Well, you heard her.”

A smirk. “I believe she said for you to ask me.”

An exasperated frown and a little huff. “You just like being difficult, don’t you? Fine, then: would you like to stay for dinner?”

The smirk grew. “I’d be delighted to.”

The brunette rolled his eyes and gave the yin yang haired boy a light shove before leading the way downstairs. Before following him, though, Enzan paused and gave Blues an encouraging look.


A/N: Phew! This was a hard chapter for me to write, since I was trying to strike a balance between them showing some love and remaining in character, not to mention balancing two confessions at once. I hope I at least somewhat succeeded. :E It was a fun challenge at any rate.
And yes, Blues and Rockman will get more limelight next chapter, so don't worry.

[Kitty-Chan]

Better. There are still some awkward places, but then, love is usually quite awkward...especially when trying to confess to one's best friend who is of the same gender. >_< Believe me; I speak from personal experience.
_________________
Need more Zero/X, Netto/Rock, Rock/Netto, Forte/Netto, & Blues/Netto. PLEASE!
Ano sa...could someone please make me a Zero/X, Blues/Netto, or Forte/Netto avatar/banner? I would greatly appreciate it...
Thanks for the avatar, Mandi!
People! We need more Blues/Netto & Forte/Netto on the net. Come on; help me out here! *gives everyone her Super-Adorable Irrisistable Sad Kitty Eyes(TM)*

[Viewtiful Starman]

This is just based on the first chapter...

To be a bit blunt, i found some of the dialogue pretty bad but overall the fic was good, especially for a first try.
You did a better job then you give yourself credit for with characterization too.