THE SECRET

By Azail M.

Note: This fanfic is in response to the "Clothing is Optional" by Ms. Shinju Oe.

The knock on the door momentarily took Xenon from the 'problem' at hand. He sighed as he took another look on the person lying on the bed. Abaven lay on his back, one arm draped over his eyes. His other hand held a black ice bag to his swollen cheeks.

"I don't get it…." He mumbled.

"I don't either." Xenon replied. "But I think any woman beholding a showcase such as what you did at the Altair mansion, would freak out."

"That's where you're wrong bro." Abaven refuted. "I've done that a thousand times to other women before and the result had always been fantastic! Unlike Falllon who gave me such a violent reaction."

Xenon cringed as he heard the word again. How many times does need to reprimand the guy to not call him 'bro'? Xenon sighed. For now because he's injured inside out, he'll let it pass but there won't be a next time, hopefully.

"Well…..you can't really compare Fallon to the women you're dating. She's not something you can call ordinary after all."

Abaven fell silent for a moment.

"I guess you're right." He conceded. "It was worth a shot though."

"Uh-huh. But it only gave you a throbbing cheek and a shattered ego." Xenon pointed out.

Hearing that, Abaven bolted up and grabbed one of his suede pillows and threw it at Xenon who effortlessly caught it.

"Like this would hurt." Xenon smiled sardonically, dropping the pillow on the foot of Abaven's bed where he stood.

There was another knock on the door and Xenon remembered he was supposed to open it.

"Go get the door." Abaven said.

As Xenon turned towards the door, Abaven took another pillow and threw it. Xenon caught the pillow without even looking.

"Rigt Abv. Real mature." Xenon said, sarcastically. He then suddenly turned and threw the pillow back full force which hit Abaven smack on his throbbing cheek.

"Hey! Foul! That hurt!" Abaven pouted. "I'm injured here."

"You started it." Xenon replied sticking his pierced tongue out, the red diamond glittering in the light.

Abaven chuckled and lay back on his bed.

Xenon opened the door and beamed brightly when he saw who was on the on the other end. Ami's glaring form greeted him when he opened the door.

"Hey, what brings you here?" He greeted. It was a surprise since Ami seldom ever comes to his room.

"What took you so long?" She replied as she raised her Masume to strike.

Xenon blocked the assault and beamed some more. "Sorry, Abaven's being a pain….as usual."

Ami strode in. "What else is new?"

"Right." Xenon chuckled. "So, how can I be of service signorina?" Xenon said as he offered Ami a seat on the couch.

"Here." Ami said, handing him a piece of paper.

Xenon took the paper and examined it. "What's this?"

"As you can see, it's a  schedule."

"Of what?"

Ami arched a brow. "Read it carefully Xlain."

"Mondays -  bilberry pie. Tuesday - Grape liqueur. Wednesday - fruit gateau with lots of grapes…." Xenon looked up at Ami with his forehead creased.

"I hate to guess what you'll be bringing with you every morning so, I made a schedule on what you should make every day." Ami explained.

"Oh! Okay. No problem." Xenon replied graciously.

Xenon chanced to look up and saw that it was already 3 o'clock.

"You have impeccable timing D, it's already tea time." He said, heading to the fridge. "Care for some iced tea and cake?"

"What kind of cake.?"

"Your usual provisions."

"Good. I'd like some please."

Xenon took the cake and tea from the fridge and set it on the table. He poured a tall glass of iced tea for Ami and himself and prepared one on a tray. Ami noticed this and commented.  

"Who's that for?"

"Abaven's here, nursing back his ego. I might as well bring him something to cheer him up." Xenon replied.

"I heard what happened."

"No surprise there, scandals travel like wildfire in HADES." Xenon chuckled.

"What he did was despicable not to mention stupid. It's a miracle he came back here alive."

"Well, you can't blame him. He's a man in love."

"Humph….like you know the meaning of the word."

"Hey look who's talking."

Ami glared at Xenon who merely chuckled.

"I know, I'm as clueless as you are. I don't really understand why Abaven's so bent on making Fallon fall for him."

"Yes, it's one of the many mysteries of life." Ami added sardonically.

"I mean, come on...there are a lot of other women out there who would gladly jump on his bed without him even asking. So why would he pursue someone like Fallon who's like the gold pot at the other end of the rainbow?"

"I have not the answer to that question." Ami retorted. "And you shouldn't talk like that."

"What?"

"You know Xlain, you aren't any different. You and Abaven are basically the same."

"We are not in any means similar." Xenon protested.

"Why? Is it because you're cursed and he's not?" Ami retorted.

Xenon fell silent.

"You're both blessed with unmatched beauty. You basically have the same face."

"We do not!" Xenon refuted. "He's lucky he's not like me D. I mean, what use is this face that I have if falling in love with me means death?"

"That's why you keep on putting the intimidating façade." Ami added. "Which isn't much of  a help."

"What did you just say?"

The two started when they heard Abaven speak from behind.

"Hey, Abv great timing. Want some iced tea?"

Abaven didn't reply. He strode to where they were seated and glared at them.

"What did she mean you're cursed?" He demanded.

Xenon swallowed audibly. Apparently, they were both too engrossed with their talk that they didn't notice that Abaven went out of the room and had heard their conversation.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Xenon said with a nervous smile, silently praying that Abaven didn’t hear much.

"Don't you dare lie to me!" Abaven yelled grabbing Xenon by the shirt.

Xenon turned to Ami with pleading eyes, asking for a rescue. Ami merely stared back at him without even blinking. Xenon sighed in surrender. Figures, she likes this kind of entertainment. Him squirming under brutal scrutiny. Anyways, he's been keeping this secret from Abaven for years now. Maybe it's high time he should share it with him. Besides, Abaven's soul is practically already bare to him. Might as well play fair.

"Fairness huh…." He mused. "If the world was fair, I shouldn't have this f*cking curse."

"It won't kill you to tell him Xlain." Ami spoke, sipping her iced tea.

"Tell me what, exactly?" Abaven asked, turning his attention to Ami letting Xenon go in the process.

"You heard right, Abv. I'm cursed." Xenon stated unceremoniously.

Abaven turned sharply back at him, his well-trimmed brows arched in surprise.

"W-what? W-why? How? When? Who did it?" Abaven stuttered.

"One question at a time please." Xenon chuckled darkly.

"Since when?"

"I was cursed when I was a baby in a fit of jealousy by a woman who was in love with my brother…." Xenon said, relating the whole story to Xanxus.

After hearing everything Abaven stared at Xenon in disbelief.

"That sucks." He uttered, feeling sympathy for the guy whom he think was just a cold hearted bastard.

"No wonder he's got no clue about women…." He mused. "Is there any way to lift it?"

Xenon slowly shook his head. "None that I know of."

"There must be some way…"

"There is no way Abv. I gave up hope a long time ago. This curse will never leave." Xenon spat bitterly.

"The possibilities are endless. You shouldn't ever give up." Abaven retorted, patting Xenon's shoulder.

"I can't believe you never heard of this." Ami suddenly said, interrupting them. "Some room mate you are. And to think you said that you're his best friend." Ami scoffed.

Abaven clenched his fist, unable to answer. What she said was true.

"I don't blame you Abv. It's supposed to be a secret." Xenon offered when he saw the look on Abaven's face.

"If it is, then how come she knew it before I did?"

"I learned about it the same way you did." Ami casually replied.

"You were eavesdropping?!" Abaven asked incredulously.

"So that was what you were doing. Hmmm…..figures." Ami said.

"I was not!" Abaven denied. "It just so happened I went out of the room to get some more ice."

"Excuses do not become you Mr. Shahe."

"I mean it! It was an accident! I swear!"

Xenon chuckled as he saw them banter. Sighing to himself, he thought.

"Three's a crowd….Nah...who cares the more the merrier. Abaven would keep my secret, I know."

Next: HADES ANNUAL "FUN"RUN