The Fine Art of Conversation by MaryMQC Disclaimer: Sorry, I'm just "borrowing" these characters. They ain't mine, unfortunately. Well, this story's basically pointless, but at least it's a start. Sorry about the long wait... Warning: Very small shounen-ai content. Sorry, next time there'll be more. ^_~ ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ The two boys slept in late the next day, and would have slept in even later if the doorbell hadn’t been so piercingly loud. Ranma merely scowled irritably and rolled over, but Ryouga, feeling that a doorbell should not be left unanswered, pushed himself from the bed, threw some clothes on, and stumbled to the door, albeit grumbling the whole way. Ranma smacked his lips together a couple of times sleepily as he burrowed down into the warm blankets. He fell back into the slumber that he hardly even left. Just as the warm, comforting darkness overtook him, a loud bang jerked him roughly away. "What the-?!" he exclaimed, jumping to his feet. He raced towards the source of the noise. Ryouga stood tensely, his forehead pressed against the wall. A spiderweb of cracks sprawled out along the wall from where his head had hit the plaster. "Um, Ryouga?" Ranma began hesitantly. Ryouga’s head lifted away from the wall and he turned around to face Ranma. "Oh, good morning, Ranma." "What’s wrong?" asked the other boy, eyeing the cracks in the wall. Ryouga followed his gaze and blushed slightly. "Oh, that...guess I hit the wall a bit harder than I meant...heh." "But...why?" Ryouga lifted up a bouquet of flowers. "This was dropped off." It wasn’t too difficult to determine who sent the flowers. Ranma took the bouquet of roses carefully from Ryouga’s grasp. "What a lovely shade of black," commented Ranma wryly. He plucked the card from the bunch and began to read it out loud. "’Congratulations on your upcoming union! May it be joyful and loving. For this wonderful occasion, reservations have been made at the Hideaway Inn’s honeymoon suite for the three of us. Surprise!’" Ranma smiled. "Oh, how nice of her." Ryouga blinked. "’For the three of us’?" All color drained from Ranma’s face. "Oh...man..." "Uh-huh, yeah...Now what?" "Ah, don’t worry ‘bout it, Ryouga, I can handle this." Ryouga nodded uncertainly. Ranma slapped him on the back. "But geez, Ryouga, couldn’t you’ve at least kept this thing a secret for a little longer?" he asked, his voice slightly teasing. "Me?! I didn’t tell anyone…well, except Nabiki. But that was because she had to buy the ring for me...and I *know* she wouldn’t have told! I paid her!" Ranma unconsciously took a step backwards as Ryouga’s panic level rose. "I did, I swear I did! A good bit, too!" Just then, another pounding came from the front door, causing both boys to jump. Ryouga pulled open the door. "Uh, y-y-yes?" The same man who had delivered the black roses stood in the doorway. "’Nother package for you, sir." He held up another bundle, although this time, the bouquet consisted of a single carnation. Obvious signs of wilting were apparent on its petals. Ryouga’s eyes widened at the slightly rotting plant, his mind reverting back to its state of panic. Suddenly he felt a pull on his wrist, dragging him away. "...huh?" Ranma rolled his eyes. "You can’t just stand there in the doorway all day, lookin’ like an idiot," he explained, closing the door behind them. "Hey, who’re you calling an idiot?" Ryouga demanded. "You, silly. But you’re such a cute idiot." Ranma kissed him full on the lips. When he finally pulled away, Ryouga was left standing there, grinning like a, well, idiot. "Heh. Heh heh..." "So who’s the flower from?" Ranma asked, taking the flower from Ryouga before he could even answer. Once again, frenzied thoughts raced through Ryouga’s head. "Ranma, DON’T!" he screamed in warning. But it was too late. Ranma looked up from the card at Ryouga. "What?" Ryouga watched him carefully, ready to catch Ranma as soon as he’d collapse from the effects of the poison. But Ranma just looked back instead. Ryouga blinked and replied sheepishly, "Uh...nothing. Never mind." Ranma shrugged. "Oh, hey, it’s from Nabiki." He looked at the wilting flower with a wry smile. "Prob’ly the cheapest thing they had." Ryouga slapped a palm over his forehead. That would explain it, too. Ranma opened the card, causing a folded piece of paper to fall out, which he caught before it fluttered to the ground. "The card says that she’s sorry, but she got a better offer. So here’s your reimbursement." Unfolding the piece of paper, he found that it was a check. "Man, Ryouga, 1000 yen? That’s it?" Ryouga averted his gaze shamefully. "That’s all I had...That engagement ring didn’t come cheap, you know!" Ranma hugged him tightly. "And I’m very happy." Ryouga smiled, petting Ranma’s back. "I am too." Ranma pulled away slightly to look at Ryouga. A couple still moments passed as they stared into each other’s eyes. Slowly, their faces edged closer together until their lips almost met. "Oh, Ranma, I-" *BRING* Their heads dropped down in frustration. "Ah, geez..." Ranma complained as Ryouga banged his head against the wall again. *BRING* Seeing that Ryouga wasn’t going to remove his head from the wall, Ranma made his way towards the telephone. "Yeah, hello." "Ranma, is that you?" Ranma groaned inwardly, recognizing Mr. Tendo’s voice. "Yeah..." he replied warily. "Oh, Ranma! Nabiki just told me the wonderful news! You couldn’t have made me a happier man." Because he was communicating through the phone, he didn’t see Ranma’s face fault. "Huh?" Mr. Tendo rambled on. "Come on over here and join us in a celebration brunch! What do you say? And bring that boy, Ryouga, too!" "Uh, I, uh, don’t know...I’ll have to check with Ryouga," Ranma fumbled, taken back by Tendo’s request. "Okay, great! We’ll be looking forward to seeing you then!" And with that, he hung up. "Huh." Ranma set the phone back, staring at it quizzically. Ryouga looked at him. "What was that about?" "I think Mr. Tendo was congratulating us on our engagement…and he invited us to lunch." Ryouga’s eyebrows furrowed. "Really?" "Yeah." "What time?" Ranma blinked. "Why does it matter? It has to be trap." "Well, yeah, of course...but it’s *lunch*," Ryouga pointed out. "We don’t have any food left here. I checked." "Did you check the kitchen?" "Yes, I checked the kitchen," Ryouga almost growled. "Just because it took me two hours doesn’t mean that I didn’t get there." Ranma chuckled. "Well, let’s see what this lunch is all about, then." - Ranma approached the door of the Tendo’s uncertainly. He raised his fist to the door and then dropped it. Then he placed his hand on the doorknob. Then he reconsidered and lifted his fist again. Changing his mind once more, he grabbed the doorknob. Then he scratched his head. "Um, Ranma...are we going in?" questioned Ryouga behind him. "Yeah...Should I knock?" Ryouga shrugged. Knocking wasn’t a courtesy he usually practiced. Just then the door flew open, revealing a grinning Mr. Tendo. "Ranma, my boy! So happy you could make it!" "Um, hello, Mr. Tendo. Thanks for inviting us." "Oh, it was my pleasure!" He ushered them into the dining area. "Kasumi has prepared a feast for this wonderful occasion." Ranma gulped nervously. "Well, you seem to be taking the news really well." Mr. Tendo motioned for them to sit down and then took a seat himself. Kasumi walked in, carrying plates and bowls filled with food which she sat on the table. "But of course! I couldn’t be happier! My daughter is getting married!" Tendo remarked, piling food on his plate. Ranma blinked and let out a sigh of relief. Suddenly feeling more relaxed, he began to fill his own plate with food. So they were celebrating one of the Tendo’s engagement. He had just assumed Suon had been talking about his and Ryouga’s. "Oh, she is? Which one?" he asked curiously, taking a mouthful of rice. Mr. Tendo laughed. "Akane, of course!" Ranma choked. "Akane? Already? To who?!" He was rewarded with a slap on the back. "Quit playing games. To you, my son-in-law." Beside him, he heard Ryouga’s sharp intake of air. "Wha...! Where did you get that crazy idea?" Ranma exclaimed. "Nabiki told us," Mr. Tendo grinned. "Of course, it would have been nicer if one of you two told us instead of hearing it indirectly, but the announcement still made me a very happy man." Ranma turned to Nabiki. "Why did you tell him I was marrying Akane?" he hissed. "I didn’t," she hissed back. "Then why does he think I am?" "Because I never got a chance to finish my sentence." "No need to, I knew what you were saying," Mr. Tendo interjected cheerfully. "No, you didn’t, Daddy. I was trying to say that Ranma was going to marry-" "Akane, yes I know. I’m so happy!" "Ryouga, Daddy," Nabiki sighed. "He’s right here, Nabiki, can’t you see him?" Nabiki rolled her eyes. "No, Daddy, you don’t understand. Ryouga is marrying R-" "Oh, he is? How wonderful. Who’s the lucky lady?" "Me," Ranma answered him irritably. Akane smirked from the other side of the table. "No, son, I’m asking about Ryouga. I already know that you’re marrying Akane." "No!" Ranma shouted with frustration. "Me and *Ryouga* are getting married!" Suon laughed. "Well yes, Nabiki just told me. Congratulations, Ryouga. Hey, maybe you two couples could have a double wedding, ne?" "Listen, Daddy. They’re marrying each other," Nabiki tried to clarify. "Well, of course Ranma and Akane are marrying each other," Mr. Soatome interjected, looking up from his food. "What’s all the fuss about?" A growl rumbled from deep in Ranma’s throat. "I haven’t a clue, Saotome," replied Tendo. Ranma felt his face grow red with anger. "Why do you refuse to listen?! I am NOT marrying Akane. I am marrying Ryouga!" The two fathers blinked and then began to laugh. "Oh, my boy, you almost had me there. Just the image of you and Ryouga getting married..." Genma erupted into laughter again. Suon Tendo also laughed. "Ryouga, a better bride than my daughter? I can’t see that." Ranma glanced over at Ryouga, who frowned miserably, a sick look on his face. "Well, it doesn’t matter, because I’m not marrying Akane," Ranma repeated, giving Ryouga’s leg a reassuring squeeze. "I’m marrying Ryouga." "Well, you better tell Akane, because she certainly doesn’t know that," Mr. Tendo teased, going along with the "joke". "Yes, I do," Akane replied simply. Ranma sighed. "I guess you won’t believe me until I show you our wedding pictures, huh?" "Don’t worry about the pictures, son," assured Mr. Tendo. "We’ll get the best photographer in the country!" Genma grinned. "Yes, of course we will." He blinked. "You’re paying, right?" Ranma stood up abruptly, barely controlled anger causing his fists to shake. "I - I just can’t take this anymore. For the last time, I am marrying Ryouga, whether you believe that or not. Just deal with it!" With that, he dashed out of the room. Nabiki stared evenly at the two fathers. "Now do you believe us?" "Believe what?" Tendo replied innocently. "That Ranma is marrying Ryouga." "Exactly. Akane." "Ryouga." "Akane?" Tendo’s voice was filled with confusion. "No. Ry - Ou - Ga." "A - Ka - Ne?" "My God, can’t you hear me?!" Even Kasumi had to blink as Nabiki began to lose her cool. "Ryouga!" "Why do you keep shouting Akane’s name?" Nabiki let out a strangled shriek. "I am not shouting Akane’s name! I am shouting Ryouga’s!" "That’s what I said," Tendo replied, a confused look on his face. "Give up, Nabiki," Akane began. "His brain refuses to hear anything other than what he wants." Nabiki shook her head and sighed. "You’re right, I’m going to my room now." Editing a few potentially incriminating photographs would be much more productive. She stood up and walked away coolly. Ryouga cleared his throat and took a deep breath. "Ranma is marrying me. ME." Tendo blinked and froze as his brain struggled to change "me" into "Akane". Meanwhile, Genma looked up. "What did you say?" "Ranma is marrying me." Mr. Tendo and Mr. Soatome looked at each other. "What does he mean Ranma’s marrying him? What about Akane?" Tendo asked. "He’s not serious, is he?" Simultaneously, the two turned their heads towards Ryouga. Ryouga gulped. "Y-y-yes, he is...er, I mean, I am. I, uh, proposed to him the other day, and he accepted." There was a moment of stunned silence. At least, a moment of silence from the two fathers; small munching sounds came from the three Tendo daughters who continued their meal. Then, without warning, Mr. Tendo burst into tears. "No! It can’t be, it just can’t be!" he wailed, his mouth open in a large, shaking frown. Tears gushed down his cheeks in wide rivers. Nervously, Ryouga stood up. "Um, thank you for the meal." He bowed hastily and made his exit. Mr. Tendo’s cries followed him as he left. "Oh, by the way Dad, Ukyou’s going to spend the night tonight, okay?" Akane told her father as soon as his wailing died down enough so that he could hear. It took few moments before there was any sign that the question had gotten through to him. Mr. Tendo nodded thoughtfully, his cheeks still stained with tears. "Yes, you should have a friend during this time of distress." He then burst into tears again. "Yeah, that’s it. Ukyou will...comfort me." Just then, Ryouga poked his head into the room, biting his lip. "Um, have you seen Ranma?" When the others answered in the negative, he disappeared again. - Ranma stood by the front door impatiently. Obviously, Ryouga hadn’t followed him on the way out. With a sigh, Ranma cursed to himself and began tapping his foot. Then he began pacing. And then he started to punch and kick the air. He wanted to leave as soon as possible. A flash of orange passed by. "Oh, there he is," Ranma said to himself, immediately heading towards that direction. By the time he reached the hallway, no one was in sight. "Dang it, Ryouga," he thought, looking around in every direction. "Where did you go?" His fists clenched with frustration. He wanted out of there. Now. The air was almost stifling, smothering him, causing his chest to tighten. Although no words were clear enough to understand, he could hear chatter from the dining area. Fingernails dug into the palms of his hands. Fortunately, just then the ceiling above him creaked. Ranma exhaled a large, relieved breath. "A-ha!" Ranma raced up the stairs towards the sound he had heard. He flung open one door and grinned. Ryouga whirled around. "Ranma! I finally found you!" Ranma was too relieved and happy to correct him. He dashed across the room and threw himself against Ryouga, wrapping his arms around Ryouga’s middle. "Dang it, Ryouga, I don’t know how much more of this I can take." Ryouga brushed Ranma’s bangs away from his forehead. "We’ll get through this, don’t worry. Together, remember?" He flashed Ryouga a smile and then pecked him on the lips quickly. "Let’s go home." Ryouga nodded. With a smile, he took Ranma’s hand. As Ranma took a step towards the door, Ryouga unconsciously began to run his eyes over Ranma, looking him over. A nice, warm heat filled his chest. "You know, Ranma, I’m still hungry." "Well, we’ll get something to eat on the way home," Ranma told him. Suddenly, he found himself pulled against Ryouga’s chest. "Ryouga?" Ryouga only grinned at him for a split second before claiming Ranma’s mouth with his lips. Ranma blinked, but his surprise was immediately overtaken by the feeling of Ryouga’s wet lips pressing against his. Ryouga held onto Ranma tightly, believing that he never wanted to let go. He devoured Ranma’s mouth with his lips and tongue. After a very thorough exploration of his mouth, Ryouga began nibbling on Ranma’s lower lip gently. "Find your own room." The sudden interruption caused the two boys to freeze and then abruptly jump apart from each other. "A-A-Akane!" Ryouga gasped, his face flaming. Ranma even had the decency to look sheepish. "What are you doing here?" "Well, this *is* my room." Ryouga blinked in confusion. "No, it isn’t..." He looked around. "But I thought...Oh. Heh. Sorry, Akane." He rubbed the back of his neck. Suddenly the air was pierced with the harsh sound of wailing. "Ranma... Akane...all hope...gone..." The three teens looked up and saw Tendo trudge by the doorway, his face streaked with tears and his mouth wide open in a large sob. His voice hitched with each breath. Akane rolled her eyes before turning back to the engaged couple. "Well, shoo, get out of here. Ukyou’s coming over, and I don’t want you two boys hanging around." Ryouga nodded easily and headed towards the door. Ranma, however, paused to elbow Akane in the side and give her a knowing wink. "Well, you two kids have fun and don’t make too much noise, you hear?" he told her causally as he grabbed Ryouga’s arm and steered him away from the closet. "Oh. Wrong door, heh," Ryouga remarked as Ranma pulled him away. "Yes, love, it’s this way," Ranma replied lightly before giving his fiancee a kiss. "Gee, shouldn’t you guys save yourself for the wedding night?" Akane asked, shaking her head in mock disapproval. Ryouga’s cheeks reddened while Ranma just grinned. "Let’s get outta here, Ryouga," Ranma said as he grabbed Ryouga’s hand. "I want to go home." tbc ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Feedback! I need, want, desire, crave FEEDBACK! Pleeeaase?? No matter how little or much, how nice or not-so-nice, feedback will be appreciated greatly.