Fanfics with only two chapters are called "Two-shots" right? I think I've someone use that before so... yeah xD;
Warnings: Guys kissing.
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Chapter One
Chapter One
Every week I look forward to Sunday the most. Monday through Saturday, nine to eleven, I stay in the church… alone. Since Mira left no one really seemed to come to the church anymore, well… except for when there happened to be weddings. But Sunday's are different. Every Sunday Jin, the Harmonica Town doctor, pays me a visit and spends nearly all day in the Church with me. Not to mention he usually brings a warm cup of herbal tea; I swear I could live off that stuff.
Well, anyways, he started coming about two seasons ago--soon after I had visited the Choral Clinic due to a cold.
-x-
About two seasons ago…
"Oh, good morning Perry. How can I help you?" the elderly Irene asked me, though I could tell she was trying to keep a polite, business-like tone I could hear a bit of surprise in her voice. It wasn't often I came to Choral Clinic, I had never really needed to in the past.
"Good morning Irene," I replied, equally polite. "I was just hoping to buy some cold medicine, I must have caught something," I explained to her, and then I sniffled--as if to emphasize my point… though I wasn't sure why I felt the need to do so.
"Maybe we ought to have Jin give you a check-up," the older woman suddenly raised an eyebrow at me. "When exactly was the last time you had a proper check up?" I ended up taking a step or two back from the counter, scratching the back of my head awkwardly.
"I'd really like to just purchase some cold medicine, I'm not really in need of a check up. I'll get over the cold pretty quick with it," I told her, though I knew it was pointless to argue with her. "I really should get back to the church…" it was as if on cue, Jin entered the clinic--I suspected he was listening from outside anyways. "You know, the one time I'm not there someone will actually show up," I joked, trying to get out of the check up. Even to this day I'm unsure as to why I was so against that check up, it's true I was never really one for doctor offices and all the tools but it was just a harmless check up… The mind works in such odd ways at times.
I had decided to give up on the cold medicine, I'd just stick out the cold. I raised my hand to wave--signaling good-bye--and continued to back away. I ended up crashing into Jin, who instantly grabbed my wrist and looked down at me. I looked back up at him and attempted a weak smile. In response a large smile creeped across his face as he said, "Shall we go to the back and start your check-up, Perry?" I felt a chill go down my spine, at the time I wished I had never decided to get cold medicine. For some reason check-ups just made me feel… uncomfortable?
"I-I really don't need one," I tried to protest but my protests were ignored as Jin not-so-gently dragged me into the back. It was just a standard check-up, you know. "Say 'ah'" and "Deep breath," with that cold stethoscope pressed to your back. It wasn't that bad but still…
Once the short check-up was over Jin pushed up his glasses, handed me some cold medicine, and asked, "What did you mean by 'the one time I'm not there someone will actually show up'?" he asked me simply as I stood. I wondered for why he cared but nevertheless I answered him.
"Hm…? Oh, all I meant was that not many people--" or none, "--come to the church regularly," or at all. "Thank you for the medicine, Jin," I nodded my head at him slightly and headed to leave.
The black-haired doctor walked me to the door and once the door was opened he leaned against the frame slightly and suggested, "Maybe I'll visit you on my day off?"
I smiled slightly at him and replied, "Sure."
-x-
At the time I doubted he would actually use his day off to come spend time with me at a church but the following Sunday, there he was dressed in doctors clothing with two steaming cups of herbal tea.
Every week I found myself looking forward to Sunday's more and more. I started to crave his visits and the conversations we shared. We were able to bound over our love of herbal tea, books, and wanting to help others. At the time, I didn't think it was anything unnatural. I figured it was just… you know, a friendship. Until two Sundays ago, that is.
-x-
Two Sundays ago…
I leaned against the alter, checking my watch nearly every other minute. He was later than usual. I began to despair on whether he got bored of me or if something happened. But on cue--he was good at that--the Church doors swung open. There I saw Jin's back--his hands were too full to push them open like that. I caught myself thinking about how pretty his hair was, long and tied back the way it was. I quickly pushed those thoughts far away and greeted him happily, "Good morning Jin!"
"Good morning, Perry." It was the standard response as he walked past the pews and handed me my herbal tea. I gave him a thank-you and took a sip of the tea--it was so good. The warm drink warmed me up all over, such a fantastic feeling. "How are you?"
"I'm great," I replied, still smiling widely over at him. "And you?" I asked him, only after I asked did I notice dark circles around his crystal blue eyes. Yet all he gave me in reply was a simple "I'm fine." I found myself raising an eyebrow at him and asked, "Have you been sleeping okay?"
For a fraction of a second I noticed a bit of shock appear on his face but he composed himself quickly as he adjusted his glasses again… was that a nervous habit? "Ah… Well, I've just been having some troubles getting to sleep," he told me with a small half smile.
"Is everything alright?" I asked him, concerned. Was he feeling sick? Maybe he caught something from a patient? He seemed almost reluctant to say more but I really wanted to know. As I was about to press for more information he finally replied.
"I guess I just have too much stuff on my mind," he shook his head slightly. I gestured to a pew and we both sat down.
"Do you want to talk about it?" I suggested to him with a smile. "Get a bit of it off your chest?" In response he shrugged, then shook his head. I respected his wishes and took another sip of the tea. "Well, if you want to talk later I'm willing to listen," I offered.
He smiled--a bit gratefully, maybe--and told me, "Thank you." After that I decided it' be best to change the subject, nothing like a little gossip to lighten the mood, right?
"Did you hear that new farmer and Toby are getting married," I told him, to which he just nodded. I assumed he wasn't really in the mood to talk so I fell silent and drank my tea. Even if he didn't want to talk the company was certainly enjoyable.
After a few minutes of silence Jin replied, "I hear Renee is pretty jealous." I gave a small chuckle, realizing I was right about Renee's feelings towards Toby.
"Well she had plenty of chances to make her move. Surely if she would have Toby would have jumped at the offer," I joked, nudging him slightly. We continued joking like that for a while, talking about who liked who and such. Eventually I asked, "Is there anyone you like?"
At that question he grew silent, the laughter stopped, and I felt waist deep in tension. "Yeah…" he said finally. "It's what has been on my mind." I felt my heart skip a beat.
I wanted to know who it was. Who it was that was causing Jin so much trouble sleeping. "Would you mind telling me who it is?" I asked him, looking over at him.
But he was looking at his hands. He anticipated the question but he didn't want to answer. That much was evident. I put my hand on top of his in what I hoped was a comforting gesture. Though he just tensed up, pushed my hand away, and then looked over at me. I stared back at him not in anyway expecting what came next. Jin leaned closer and pressed his lips against mine. Just barely touching but enough to be considered a… well a kiss. My eyes widened and I instinctively pulled away. After another awkward pause he stood and said, "It's you."
Chapter Two
My thoughts were spinning as I watched Jin leave the church. As I heard the door close I finally came to realize what just happened. "I-It's me…?" I muttered under my breath, unconsciously touching my lips. "Is that even possible?" I asked no one in particular. We were both men, after all. Though, strangely enough, lately I've found myself wondering about this subject. Well, not that I think back on it maybe it wasn't all that strange that Jin had brought it up…
-x-
"So, I've heard that Kathy likes Renee," Jin stated nonchalantly, as he pushed his glasses up further on his nose. I ended up taking a sideways glance at him with a confused look on my face.
"Well, they're friends, right? Of course they'd like each other," I stated as if it were obvious. To which Jin shook his head and I noticed a small hint of a smile on his face.
"No, what I mean is that Kathy likes Renee," he repeated, emphasizing the word "like." After a short pause he added, "As in… like-like, you know?" It was as if he was searching my face for some type of reaction. The first thing that happened to come to my head, however, was that Jin heard the weirdest things being a doctor.
Though, in response I raised my eyebrow, "They're both girls, though," I pointed out, even though I knew that that was beyond obvious. Jin just nodded patiently and I asked him, "What about Owen? I thought Kathy liked him?"
To which Jin just shrugged and replied, "I hear it's one-sided on Owen's part." I frowned slightly, how could Kathy like Renee like that? It was unnatural… it was weird. Right? I mean, I knew homosexuality was out there but I never thought it'd exist on my island. It was a sin, after all… at least according to what I was taught. "Perry?"
I snapped out of my thoughts and looked over at Jin, "Huh?" Jin gave me a slightly concerned look and the gears in my brain started turning to think of some sort of response, "Uh… poor Owen," I decided on leaving out Kathy's supposed sexual preferences. When Jin just gave me a confused look that had, "what are you talking about?" written all over I added, "You know, having one-sided feelings for someone… I can't even imagine how that must feel," I gave a slight, nervous, chuckle as I asked, "You know?"
"Yeah…" he replied after a pause, his tone sounded a bit sad. Before I could even ask if something was wrong Jin was on his feet. "It's getting late--" it was only three, though, "--I should get going."
"O-okay…" I replied, failing at keeping the loneliness out of my voice. "I'll see you next week, then?" Jin adjusted his glasses for what seemed like the umpteenth time and nodded before exiting the church. Leaving me there to wonder what had gotten into him.
By the end of the day I came to three conclusions. One, that Jin was suffering from his own unrequited love, but at the time I couldn't figure out with whom it was. Two, if anyone on the island was gay I decided that it wasn't of my concern. If they wanted to love someone of their same gender it wasn't my place to judge. And third, being in a quiet church gives one way too much time to think.
-x-
The fact that Jin, himself, was gay never even crossed my mind. I thought for certain that he had also fallen for Akari, who only seemed to have eyes for Toby. Or maybe some other island girl, but me? Any conclusion like that was furthest from my mind. I mean, looking back on it now, it wasn't even the least bit obvious. Besides the fact he was always playing with his glasses when subjects about romance came up. Not like that would exactly scream, "Jin is completely gay for you, Perry!"
I let out a long sigh and rested my forehead against the back of the pew in front of me. I wanted to talk to Jin about this, it was so confusing. Though going to pay Jin a visit at the clinic seemed… daunting. What would I even say?
In the end I didn't go to the clinic… I figured I should, at the very least, get my thoughts straight. At first I figured I had to be mad for ever considering my feelings for Jin reached further that friendship. For two reasons, really… One; I am a priest. I'm not suppose to have romantic relationships with anyone. And two; Jin is a man--even though he did have this pretty and feminine look about him. But there it was again! He is a man, and I am a man. Did that actually make his feelings… wrong? Was he suddenly impure? No… he was still the same ol' Jin I grew to like, just more open with his feelings than before… right? I knew I didn't want to lose him, and I came to realize this those few Sundays when he didn't come. I began to actually… long for him. To hear his voice and just… see him.
I'm disappointed in myself for the fact it took me the two weeks Jin didn't come to realize this. Two long, lonely, and far too quiet weeks. Though, I suppose, the quiet was probably the ideal thinking even if it was… too much thinking. Surely other people around might have interrupted or changed my way of thinking indirectly. But the decision was made. I knew I didn't want to lose Jin as a friend… I didn't want to lose him at all. I created what I hoped would be a fool-proof plan
-x-
On the third Sunday after his confession I waited about an hour after the time Jin usually comes, hoping he would come to me rather than vice-versa, but that hour of agony was for naught. He wasn't coming. So after working up the courage I finally made the resolve to put my plan into action and went to go pay the clinic a visit. Sure, it was Jin's day off but that just no one would be there to interrupt us or anything. Quickly I made my way down the short path that led me into town. Muttering good afternoons and the like to any townsfolk I came across. It didn't take long for me to reach the clinic. My stomach was doing flips and annoying butterflies fluttered about. I, honestly, felt like I might be sick. It didn't help when I saw Jin outside the clinic, that wasn't part of my plan. He was suppose to be inside the clinic. I swear my heart stopped when he glanced over, a mixture of what I thought was confusion, guilt, and maybe a bit of fear on his face. Though his composure was regained quickly as he questioned, "Perry?"
I wasn't so quick to recover, however. After I reached him I muttered, "I-I'm not feeling well…" looking at my feet. It wasn't a complete lie, though any amount of medicine wouldn't help. I chanced a peek up at him through my bangs. I saw surprise on his face as he blinked.
After a short, and awkward, pause he nodded and pulled open the door. "Okay, come in then." I followed him in, finally tearing my eyes completely away from my feet and bringing myself to look at him. The first think I noticed were dark circles around his eyes… I was certain I didn't appear much better, though. "So… What seems to be the problem?" he asked me, his tone professional as he looked away from me. It was then I realized I was staring at him.
"Huh?" I shook my head slightly, coming back from my thoughts. I awkwardly put my hands on my stomach and said quietly, "M-my stomach… it's really bothering me," I paused for a moment and then muttered, "Sorry for coming on your day off…"
Jin lightly shook his head and, once again, adjusted those glasses of his. "It isn't a problem…" Soon after he said that the doctor left for a moment or two and returned with what I assumed was medicine. "Take a seat…" he told me, looking as if he was suppressing a yawn.
"Why did you stop coming?" I found myself asking, looking back at my feel. "I… uh… miss your company," I admitted awkwardly, feeling my cheeks grow warm.
Jin looked a bit taken aback with my sudden question. "I… suppose I was," he paused, as if looking for the right word, "afraid, I suppose would be the closest word," he concluded, a faint blush creeping onto his face as he looked away. It amazed me at how blunt and straightforward he could be though I found it a lot better than my stumbling over words.
But at that moment I decided to forget my plan of telling him that I wanted to remain his friend--which I was failing at--and to just forget any morals. I looked over at him and placed my hands on either side of his face. I saw shock register on his face as I stood on my toes and crushed my lips into his. It wasn't a good kiss, to say the least. I think our teeth clinked together for when I stepped back from him and opened my eyes I noticed that the top of my lips hurt ever-so-slightly. I also noticed that Jin had taken a few steps back--whether it was from my ungraceful kiss or maybe the fact he was, literally, taken aback from my actions I don't know. Nor did I really care, for after I flashed him an awkward smile his expression turned warmer and he stepped closer to me once again. After lightly caressing my cheek he pulled me into a gentler, and loving, kiss.
Is it really a sin to love someone? I don't know anymore. Can something that makes you so happy and feel so great really be considered "wrong?" Well, if it is… I don't mind being wrong. In fact, I'd rather be "wrong" the rest of my life if it makes me feel so happy and wanted. Besides, the way I see it, if God really did created the world and everyone on it he'll happily accept any and all of his children. "Wrong" or not.
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Yay fluffy ending xD I would love to know what you thought, like places I could improve on and such? Thanks for reading ^^
I'm not too sure what religion or anything harvest moon people follow so I just sort of assumed something like Catholic? I'm not very well versed in religion so if I made any sort of mistakes with something I apologize.
