Hiroki Tanaka was in love with Eiji Okumura. He had been for a while. His crush started during the first year of high school and went into college. There had been many times where he wanted to tell Eiji, but he never had the courage too. He swore that he would confess before they graduate from college. He wasn't too worried about someone stealing Eiji away. Eiji wasn't someone who was interested in dating. What was more he didn't usually stand out to much which meant that no one really noticed him enough to want to start dating him. The only time anyone payed attention to Eiji was when he was pole-vaulting but even then Eiji ignored then, concentrating solely on his task. On the day that Hiroki finally got the courage to ask Eiji was the same day Eiji decided to go to America. It was quite sudden. One day Eiji was feeling depressed because of the injury, the next a photographer had asked him to accompany him on a trip to New York. Before he had left Hiroki had told Eiji that, when he returned, he had something to tell him. Eiji had seemed curious but had not question his farther. Hiroki had went with Eiji to the airport and saw in off. He didn't think it was going to be a long trip and expected to see him in a month or so.
It took a little more than a year for Eiji to returned to Japan. Hiroki didn't even know he was back until his sister told him that she had seen him at the grocery store. Even after he returned to Japan, Eiji didn't appear at their university. Hiroki worried that something had happened to him. He wondered if Eiji had drop out of school. A month after Eiji's return to Japan, Hiroki finally got more information through his mother who told him that Eiji had brought back an American with him. Hiroki was relieved. Eiji didn't drop out of school, he just was helping a friend settle down. It was such an Eiji thing to do that it made his heart swell.
It took another five months after that before Hiroki finally got to see Eiji. He had just finished a boring lecture from one of his least favorite professors and was heading down to the library to get some studying done, when he noticed a familiar figure standing near the administers building. It took him only half of a second to recognize the person in question. Eiji's appearance hadn't changed much since he last saw him. He still looked like a high school student, with his young features. His hair was still neatly combed, and his face was soft and gentle. His clothes had changed slightly, they looked more American, which made sense since he was there for so long. Still they had a respectful modest feel to them. The biggest change in Eiji was how he was holding himself. There seemed to be an air of confidence. Instead of looking down with a passive expression on his face, Eiji was holding his head high. Hiroki was happy to see his crush's attitude had improved since his pole-vaulting injury. His long trip to America seemed to have done him much good.
"Ei-chan!" Hiroki called loudly as he jogged over to his crush. Eiji looked over at him and blinked confusedly. He saw Eiji scan his face, frowning before recognition dawned in his eyes and his face broke into a look of shock.
"Hiroki?" he asked amazed. "I barley recognized you! You look so different! It suits you!" Hiroki caught up with him and laughed softly. He wasn't surprised that Eiji didn't recognize him. Unlike Eiji, Hiroki's appearance had changed drastically since a year and a half ago. He had replaced his glasses with contacts and had cut his hair and dyed it with streaks of brown. Hiroki knew this made him look more mature and was happy to see that Eiji liked the change.
"It's nice to see you again." Hiroki said beaming feeling a warm sensation travel down to his stomach. Up-close he could see the way Eiji's eyes lit up and the way his mouth curved into a smile. Hiroki had forgot just how cute he was.
"You didn't come back to school right after you returned." At Hiroki's words Eiji's face fell and he shifted his weight uncomfortably.
"No…." Eiji said guilty. "I was kind of injured so…ah…it took time…" Hiroki eyes widened is surprise and concern. Eiji was injured? What happened in American? Didn't that man, Ibe say that Eiji would be safe? His concern must have been visible on his face because Eiji waved his hands and continued quickly
"But it's ok now! Anyways I was able to use that extra time to help a friend of mine get into this college." He smiled reassuringly at Hiroki who felt himself relax. What ever happened didn't seem to have left any permanent damage on Eiji or his spirit.
"When you say your friend, do you mean the American you brought back with you?" Hiroki asked and when Eiji looked surprised he elaborated. "My mom told me that your mom told her that you brought back a 'charming young man' from America."
"Oh," Eiji said frowning. "I didn't expect the news to travel so fast." Hiroki chuckled again. No matter what face expression Eiji made it was adorable. He had almost forgot how his small pouty frown would causing an explosion in his chest.
"Anyways, like I said, I'm glad you're back." Hiroki quickly continued trying to fight down the blush creeping into his face. "It's been such a long time." Eiji frown relaxed into a comfortable smiled and Hiroki inhaled quickly. Nothing ever could prepare him for how breathtaking Eiji's smile was. Hiroki let out his breath slowly.
It was finally time to confess the feelings that he had been bottling up for so long. No more distractions or excuses.
"Hey Eiji," he started quietly, "Do you remember before you left…I told you I had something to say to you when you got back." Eiji paused for a moment then nodded a look of curiosity on his face. "Well you see…I...uh" Hiroki sputtered out. He could just slap himself. Why was it so damn hard to just tell Eiji how he felt? He was acting like a nervous high schooler. He was better than this. It was now or never.
"Eiji!" He said taking another slow deep breath and looking his crush directly in the eyes. "I like-"
"That took longer then expected." A voice grumbled in English from behind them. Hiroki jumped and spun around, his heart beating fast. His ire at being interrupted was quickly suppressed when he got a good look at the speaker. A young man, around 18 years old was causally sauntering out of the administers office. Hiroki temporally forgot what he was going to say. The man was American, but he didn't look like any of the usual transfer students who came to study at their university. He was gorgeous in the way only movie stars could be; with deep set jade eyes and long lashes. His hair was light blond and curved gently around the frame of his face. His body was slim but built and his clothes hung off him, showing off his tone features. He walked and talked with an air of confidence, elegant and graceful, with his head held high. This man had to be a model. Hiroki wondered what a model was doing in their school. He couldn't possibly be a transfer student, could he? Hiroki watched hypnotized as the man walked past him and stopped in front of Eiji.
"Sorry for the wait." The model said with a small sigh "I didn't realize how much paperwork I needed to fill out."
"It's fine." Eiji said in English. Hiroki's attention snapped back to reality. Did Eiji know this man? Is he someone he met in America? Hiroki, realizing his was holding his breath and let it out slowly. Eiji finally seemed to remember that Hiroki was standing there because he quickly introduced him.
"Ash." Eiji said beaming still speaking English. "This is my friend Hiroki Tanaka. We've been friends since the first year of high school."
"Friends for now." Hiroki thought giving Ash a smiled and nodded his head in acknowledgement.
"はじまめした" Ash said in broken Japanese. Hiroki smiled encroachingly and greeted the American back in English. Ash looked relieved and Hiroki almost chuckled. From their short interaction Hiroki had figured out that Ash was probably the American that Eiji had brought over. He didn't seem that bad. He'd definitely going to be popular with the ladies.
"Hiroki," Eiji continued. "This is Ash Lynx. He's….." Eiji suddenly stopped his face truing slightly red. "He's…..my boyfriend." Ash gave a small polite nod and smiled back at Hiroki. Hiroki's smile became strained as his blood went cold. His eyes darting from Ash to Eiji and back again. What happened in America to get Eiji, who never spared a second thought on romance, to start dating? Was Ash the reason he stayed for so long? How long into Eiji stay did he meet Ash?
Images of romantic dates swam though his head. Romantic night walks though the streets of New York walking; trips to historical and interesting museums; Sitting on a bench, hand in hand, looking out at the sunset. Ash probably grew up in New York. He probably knew all the cool places to visit and all the perfect areas to set up a romantic atmosphere. What was more romantic then an international boyfriend? Hiroki surveyed Ash again. Now that he looked closer, he realized that he really didn't like this Ash much. He seemed arrogant and overly confident, the opposite of Eiji. He was clearly used to getting his way, probably because he looked like a damn model. Did he bully or seduce Eiji into dating him? Did he take advantage of Eiji's mild nature to keep him from returning to Japan earlier? Did he use the fact that Eiji had no dating experience to talk him into it?
Hiroki mentally kicked himself. It was dawning on him how stupid he had been. He should have asked Eiji out before he went to America instead of acting like a shy child. Maybe if he had asked Eiji out, he wouldn't have been harassed into dating pretty boy over there. He might have been more inclined to return to japan knowing someone special was waiting for him. There was no way that Eiji was Ash's type. Eiji has a simple beauty to him unlike the glamorous beauty of Ash.
As Hiroki's thoughts turmoiled over "what ifs" he suddenly became aware that Ash and Eiji were watching him, waiting for him say something. Were they expecting him to congratulate them? He felt sick at the thought. To do so would be approving of Ash and he didn't approve at all. Another thought hit Hiroki. Was this statement a plea for help from Eiji? He had never dated before so he could be trying to look for a way out, unsure how to break it off. Before Hiroki could collect his thoughts to try to figure out what to do, he was interrupted again.
"Ei-chan!" a voice yelled and all three of them turned to see four members of the pole-vaulting team standing a few feet away. One of them were waving Eiji over, a huge grin on his face. Eiji's face lit up and he waved back enthusiastically. He turned to Ash and Hiroki an apologetic look on his face.
"I'm going to talk to them for a moment." He said. "I'll be right back." Hiroki opened his mouth to reply but Ash beat him to it.
"Alright, take your time." Ash said nodding, "There's no rush. You haven't seen them for a long time." Eiji smiled and turned slightly to look at Hiroki who nodded his head in agreement. Eiji hesitated for a fraction of a moment then turned and ran off. Once he was out of earshot Ash let an amused smile play across his face
"'Ei-chan' seems popular." Ash said teasingly watch him go. The way he said Eiji's name gave the impression he was not used to so many people referring to him that way.
"Of course, he is." Hiroki said, trying but failing to hide the edge of aggression in his voice. "He used to be part of the pole-vaulting team. He was really good too" He wanted to prove he knew Eiji better than this intruder. That Eiji already had people who cared for him. To his dismay Ash seemed to already be known that bit of Eiji's history because instead of looking surprised he turned to Hiroki, an eye brow raised. He scanned Hiroki's face interestedly for a few seconds.
"So, you like him." He concluded a hint of interest in his voice. Hiroki felt himself flush. Not everyone was a god damn model. Did this guy think he was better then him? He knew Eiji first! He bet Ash had dated many people before. What did he know about the struggles of finding someone to love who would love you back?
"What are you going to do about it?" he managed to hiss at the American. Ash 's face expression didn't change, in anything a hint of amusement appeared. It was clear that he didn't feel threatened by the Japanese. He shrugged and turned his attention back to Eiji.
"Nothing." He said watching Eiji who was chatting away animatedly to the team. "Keep your crush. I don't care if you crush on him from a distance. You can be Eiji's friend as much as you like as long as you don't cross the line. Eiji's mine and I'm not sharing." Ash didn't raise his voice, nor did he sound like he cared at all. It seemed that Ash was losing all interest in the conversation. Hiroki his temper rise. He felt like he was being dismissed. Was he supposed to feel grateful to Ash that he was allowing him to still be friends with Eiji?
"Aren't you afraid I'll steel him away?" Hiroki questioned eyes narrowing. This statement got Ash's full attention. He slowly turned his head to look at Hiroki. His smile was still there, pleasant and polite but something had changed. His eyes had a sharp edge to them that was not there before and his body seemed to stiffen, as if he was about to strike. Hiroki felt a cold chill run down his spine, as he pulses quickened and breath became uneven. He suddenly had the urge to run and hide; to get away from this man but felt like any sudden movements he did would cause the man to strike.
"Like a Lynx" his mind filled in. What a fitting name for such a dangerous creature. They stood there, Hiroki trapped by Ash's gaze, for what felt like eternity. Finally, Ash's mouth parted in a small smile. The smile sent chills down Hiroki's spine and he forgot how to breath.
"Oh?" the Lynx said silkily, his voice still light, yet slightly lower the before. "You make sound like you have a change." His words cut though Hiroki like a knife and suddenly Hiroki pictured Ash as a villain in one of the American TV shows he liked to watch. He could see Ash; gun in hand and merciless eyes staring down at a victim. Or perhaps Ash could be a cruel gang leader who smashed his opposition under his feet. Had this man killed before? His eyes seemed like those of a kill. As Ash stared Hiroki down Hiroki opened and closed him mouth wordlessly. He wanted to speak but his throat was dry and his mind blank under the other man's strong gaze. He didn't know how much more he could take of this. Then:
"Ok, I'm back." Eiji said reappearing next to Ash. The darkness in Ash melted away instantly leaving a pleasant expression behind. Hiroki suddenly found he could breath again. As he tried to get his breath and thoughts under control, Ash turned to Eiji.
"You seem very popular." The American teased any trace of danger gone from his voice. Eiji flushed red and looked down at his feet.
"I'm not." He muttered modestly shuffling his feet around.
"I'm sure that's not true." Ash snorted. "I'm sure many girls and guys have asked you out before."
"I've never been asked out before." Eiji protested his finger's fidgeting with his coat strings. Ash paused for a moment, a look of surprise on his face. Then his eyes slid over to glanced at Hiroki.
"You had your chance to ask him out and didn't. You lost." Was what his glace seemed to say.
"It doesn't really matter." Eiji said with a sigh looking up. "I'm kind of plain looking so it makes sense." Ash's head snapped back to Eiji, giving him his full attention.
"You really think that?" he asked raising an eyebrow. "You don't look plain to me." Eiji blushed harder, his face a deep shade of red. He looked both embarrassed and happy at the same time, though he was trying to hide it. He mumbled something unintelligible in English and looked up at Ash.
"I could have told you that. You never looked plain to me." Hiroki thought but he kept his mouth shut. He was afraid to say anything that might trigger the Lynx to return. The memory of the look Ash gave him kept him stuck to that spot. He never wanted to challenge Ash again. This wasn't about fighting over a crush. This was a matter of life and death.
Of course, no one would think that if they saw the look on Ash's face right now. Ash's soft smile and gentle eyes stared lovingly at Eiji. His whole body was relaxed, open, non-threatening. Hiroki turned to Eiji to see how he would react to Ash's blatantly loving look. Eiji's eyes were glued the American and Hiroki could see love reflected on his face. It was clear that Hiroki's earlier thoughts of Eiji being bullied or confused into a relationship couldn't be true. He was clear that he was smitten by the foreigner. Both stared at each other for a fraction longer before Eiji broke eye contact and turned to Hiroki.
"Anyways." Eiji said coughing slightly, small patches of pink lingering on his cheek. "I'll see you around." Hiroki mutely nodded and forced a smile. Eiji cocked his head, noticing something off but before he could dwell on it, Ash leaned forward and gently grasped Eiji's hand. Eiji expression softened again and closed his hand over Ash's. Then with a little wave turned and left with his American boyfriend. The second Ash and Eiji had turned the corner and was out of sight, Hiroki legs gave out and he fell to his knees. He wrapped his arms around his shoulders and gave a shivered. Who was that man from America? He wasn't normal. It was so subtle, the way he acted, if someone was watching them, they wouldn't have noticed Ash's aggression. There was also the fact of how fast his face changed back when Eiji arrived…. did that mean he was hiding this dark side from him? Did Eiji not know about this, that his boyfriend could make that expression? Whatever happened back there confirmed two things in Hiroki's mind.
First that Ash was not what he seemed and was extremely dangerous.
Second Eiji was probably oblivious to Ash's true intention and was in danger as long as he was dating the Lynx.
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