Make A Wish Part 1
A Lovemode Fanfic
It was Christmas Eve. Christmas lights decorated the houses, apartments, and even offices of Tokyo. Trees and wreaths decorated store windows. A modern city in every way, Tokyo adopted whatever holidays it found appealing. By the look of things, Christmas wasn't only appealing this year, it was en vogue.
Some of the tv stations were even playing badly dubbed movies from abroad. All about Christmas, of course. Or supposedly so. Some seemed to have a weak link to the holiday, but it didn't stop the channels from promoting them as "new and old Christmas classics from around the world."
Katsuki Kyousuke was in no mood for Christmas. He was dressed in a tuxedo, and was supposed to have been at the B&B an hour ago. Not for work, of course. If it had been work, he would have gladly gone. Work would keep his mind off of things. No, he was late for the B&B employee Christmas party. The one time a year the workers got to enjoy an evening at the B&B sipping wine instead of delivering it. Not to mention a variety of other activities depending on the employee. Except those poor souls who had got stuck on shift. Or who thought spending Christmas Eve through New Year's Day with a client was better than spending it with someone they were supposed to be in a relationship with. Like Jinnai Kuniaki.
No, Katsuki was in no mood for Christmas. Not with the only person he truly wanted to spend Christmas with half a world away, and in another man's bed.
Ironically, he was watching the badly dubbed foreign Christmas movies anyway. Even more ironic, they always seemed to start out in a way that fit his mood. Someone's parents always died, or their kid ran away from home. Or their family was going to be evicted from their house. Really depressing stuff.
Of course, halfway through they always introduced either a cheesy romance or a mysterious character out to help everyone. And occasionally both. When he got to that segment, he'd find another depressing beginning to watch instead. Several of the plotlines also seemed to involve people making wishes that changed their lives. Literally, instantly , magically altered their world. Sometimes the people chose the altered world, and sometimes all they wanted was to get back home. It depended on whether the moral of the story was "There's no place like home" or "It's more important to be loved than successful." Apparently even in the magical world of television being both was asking too much.
The previews suggested the one he was watching now was the "There's no place like home" variety. They were still at the depressing beginning when his phone rang. He sighed and picked it up. "Katsuki here." He greeted the caller, already guessing their identity.
"Where are you?" Seiichi asked. Behind him he could hear the murmur of voices and clink of wine glasses.
"At home." Lying to Seiichi had always been pointless.
"What are you doing?"
"Watching some Christmas show...with some lady climbing into a dryer. Foreign movies are really weird."
Seiichi sighed. "Stop moping and get down here to the B&B."
Katsuki grimaced. "I'm not really in the mood for a party."
"It's Christmas Eve."
"Yah, I know-"
"People are asking about you."
"I'll see them later-"
"Get down here. Or I'll drive up and get you myself."
It wasn't an idle threat either. The party lasted for hours, allowing for the shift change so everyone had a chance to attend. The B&B never shut down. And Seiichi would come get him if he didn't show.
"Alright, alright." He got up with a sigh. "I'll catch the next bus."
"I'll give you an hour. Then I'm going to come look for you."
"I'll be there." He hung up. He glanced at the movie one last time. The main character had just realized she'd entered an altered world. He clicked off the television and went to grab his coat.
The streets were crowded with people shopping last minute, and people going between parties. Some sort of street fair seemed to have been set up on one. It was the fastest route to the bus stop, usually. But he found himself struggling to make it through the crowd of the street fair.
"Would you like a bell, sir?" A teenage boy all but shoved the item into his face.
Katsuki had to stop walking to avoid it, and the vendor stepped in front, hoping to delay him long enough for something to catch his eye. "No, thank-you."
"A chime?" The vendor tried again. "I'm sure someone you know would love one."
Katsuki rolled his eyes. "Not a chime either."
"A wishing charm?" He was persistent, Katsuki had to give him that.
"Wishing charm?" He looked at the small item. It looked like a wind charm to him. A small paper fluttering beneath a lantern shaped chime. He could barely hear the slight sound of it's bell above the noise of the crowd.
"Make a wish and ring the bell." The teenage boy coaxed. "It will come true."
"Right." Katsuki remarked. "Look, sorry kid, but I have a party to go to."
"Don't you need anything?"
The words caught him. They seemed strange and he looked at the teenager again, trying to figure out why he'd phrased his last try that way. He also thought of Mitoki, the young pageboy he worked with who he knew was stuck working the second shift. He'd probably missed seeing him at the party already. He sighed. "Alright, give me your wishing charm." He pulled out his wallet. "I know someone who's stuck working tonight. Maybe he can wish himself off work."
"Isn't there someone you'd rather not be working tonight?" The boy asked.
Katsuki froze. "Excuse me?"
"Did you want a bag?" He did not repeat the question.
Katsuki frowned as he took the charm. "Don't worry. It's only a few blocks."
The charm's bell was so quiet and the bus and streets so busy, if it made a sound on the trip to the B&B, he didn't hear it. It took longer than usual to get to the B&B, but it still didn't seem long enough to him. He didn't want to be there. He glanced at the charm again.
'Isn't there someone you'd rather not be working tonight?' The boy's question replayed in his mind.
Of course there was. And it wasn't Mitoki either.
"Stupid Jin." He muttered. "I wish you'd been forced to spend Christmas eve alone in Tokyo."
As he headed into the building, he suddenly heard the chime's ring - louder than before it seemed. Ignoring it, he headed inside.
He stopped to buy a gift bag for the damn charm at the B&B's gift shop. But Mitoki wasn't at the desk when he approached.
"Katsuki, Merry Christmas!" The pageboy manning the desk greeted.
Katsuki managed not to grimace. "Merry Christmas. Where's Mitoki?"
The pageboy winced. "Er...he had to go home. He was a little drunk."
Katsuki blinked. "Mitoki? Drunk?"
"I think Sensei might have had something to do with it."
Katsuki rolled his eyes. "I don't doubt it. Alright, thanks."
"Who's the gift for?" Seiichi asked in greeting.
"It was supposed to be for Mitoki since he had to work." Katsuki told him. "But I hear that changed."
"Ah." Seiichi acknowledged, before hedging, "Well, you wouldn't have missed him if you'd gotten here sooner."
"I'd rather not be here at all." Katsuki took a glass of wine from one of the caterer's trays as they passed.
"Why do the rest of us get punished for Jin being Jin?"
Katsuki scowled at him. "I'm not replying to that."
"...Akechi was looking for you earlier, too."
"I thought this party was for employees only."
"Ex-employees have visiting rights."
"Whose side are you on again?"
"Whatever makes you happy."
Katsuki took a sip of the drink, not replying. Actually, for the most part, he was happy. Since he'd taken up Jin's second offer to be a pageboy at the B&B over a year ago, he'd actually found himself much happier than he had been as a gigolo. The exception being when Jin was away with a client.
"Seiichi, Merry Christmas!"
"Izumi, Daiji said you might stop by. Hello, Arashi."
"Happy Holidays, Amagai."
Katsuki glanced over at the two unfamiliar men greeting Seiichi. The name Izumi sounded familiar. It took him a moment to remember Chai mentioning the ex-top uke of the B&B.
"You two seem well."
"The year's had it's ups and downs. But it's ending on an up. So who could complain?" Arashi grinned.
Izumi glanced around Amagai at him, and Katsuki nodded a polite greeting. The other man's gaze did not waver, though, and Katsuki shifted uncomfortably. "I'm sorry." Izumi finally spoke. "But have we met? You seem familiar."
Katsuki shook his head. "No, I don't think we have." Though now that he'd said it, he had the same feeling. Like they had met.
"Izumi, Arashi, this is Katsuki. Katsuki, Izumi and Arashi. Izumi used to work at the B&B." Seiichi introduced.
"Nice to meet you. Happy Holidays." Arashi grinned.
Despite part of him wanting to wince at the reminder of the holiday, Katsuki managed to smile back. "A pleasure to meet you."
Izumi was watching him again, curious. "Are you a host?"
Katsuki blinked, surprised by the question. "No, I'm a pageboy."
"You were trained by Jin." There was no doubt or question to Izumi's statement. He was certain of the fact.
Katsuki felt a blush spread across his cheeks. "It's a long story."
Seiichi cleared this throat and Izumi glanced at him before turning back to Katsuki. "It must be an interesting story. Maybe another time."
"Maybe." Katsuki replied.
"How are your classes, Izumi?" Seiichi changed the subject, and Katsuki grabbed another drink off a passing tray.
"For me? You shouldn't have." Akechi tormented as he appeared from behind him.
He'd left Seiichi's company about an hour ago. The party was actually winding down when the ex-host and now client of the B&B showed up. "It's for Mitoki." He told the other man.
"Don't I get any love?"
"Don't you hire from the B&B for that?"
"Ouch, Beautiful." Akechi leaned back against the wall. He was smiling despite his words.
"My name is Katsuki, remember?"
"When the cat's away..." Akechi left the thought hanging. "Y'know, Kiichi was handing out mistletoe earlier..."
Katsuki shot out a hand to place firmly against Akechi's chest, guessing his intentions. "Don't even try it."
Akechi held up his one hand, in which he held the mentioned mistletoe, while the other stroked the back of Katsuki's hand that was pressed against his chest. "Are you sure you don't want me to?"
His eyes were smoldering with heat, the invitation in them plain. Akechi's invitations were never easy to resist when Jin was away. Partly because it was more than an offer of a warm bed. Akechi had made it clear from the start that he was willing to risk his heart on Katsuki. But Katsuki knew that his own heart had made up its mind long ago.
"I love him, Akechi." There was no need to elaborate. Or even give a direct answer. They both knew what those words meant.
Akechi smiled sadly, and lowered the hand holding the mistletoe. "I know."
"I'm sorry."
"But not sorry enough to even give a little leeway?" Akechi held the mistletoe over his own head with a grin. "Look, I'm under the mistletoe."
Katsuki removed his hand from his chest, taking ahold of Akechi's fingers and drawing them to press against his lips. "I'm sorry." He repeated.
Akechi lowered the mistletoe. "Me too."
It was midnight. Christmas Day. He actually hadn't drunken enough to claim to be unable to make it home. In fact, he was probably more sober than he really wanted to be. Despite that, he opted to stay at the B&B instead of make the trip back to his apartment. Or maybe because of that he chose to stay. He could have asked for the keycard to a spare room, but instead he found himself using the spare to Jin's.
It was empty, of course. He dropped the gift bag holding the wishing charm on the nightstand with a sigh, walking over to the window to gaze down on the Tokyo streets below. "Merry Christmas." He muttered, drawing the curtains close with a sharp tug.
The damn wishing charm was ringing. A part of him knew that was impossible, because to ring it had to move, and it was currently in a bag on the nightstand. Since the charm, the bag, and the nightstand were inanimate objects, none of them could move, only sit still like any inanimate object. Still and silent. But the damn charm was ringing.
As he pulled himself from sleep, the sound faded away. Sunlight was pouring through open curtains he was certain he'd closed. Katsuki stared at them for a minute, before realizing something else was wrong. He'd fallen asleep in his tuxedo - sans tie and jacket, but he was dressed in his pageboy uniform.
Pushing himself into a sitting position he stared around, confused. A part of him wondering if he was actually still asleep.
The door slammed open and he jumped to his feet, alarmed by the intrusion. He could only stare as Haroumi dragged in the mostly unconscious form of a man, dropping him onto the bed. Kiichi followed them, his face serious. "I'll send some food up." Kiichi addressed him as he came over, offering a bottle of pills. "Painkillers. If you can convince the stubborn fool to take them."
Haroumi nodded at him as he headed for the door. Katsuki paused, noting a scar on the other man's temple he was certain he'd never seen.
"What?" Katsuki stared, completely confused.
"And he needs water, not alcohol - no matter what he says." Kiichi continued his instructions as if he hadn't been interrupted. "Father had him in isolation for over ninety-six hours. He needs to take it slowly. I don't suppose you're willing to tell me what he did to get father so angry?"
"You're dismissed, 'Doctor'." The man on the bed rumbled. The voice was dry and quiet - forced out of a dry throat and mouth, but instantly recognizable anyway.
Katsuki stared wide-eyed at the crumpled form on the bed, not even reacting to the insulted huff from Kiichi.
"Only reason I'm leaving is because Katsuki is here to look after you." Kiichi told him. "Don't give him any trouble, he's been worried about you.'
Kiichi threw the pageboy a wink before exiting, but Katsuki was too distracted to notice. He felt like he was stuck in one of the strange holiday films he'd been watching the night before. "Jin?"
The man on the bed moved, looking up at him. "What's the matter, Kyousuke? Cat got your tongue?"
To Be Continued...
You might have read this one before if you hang around the LM community on LJ, as I wrote it over a year ago. If not, please enjoy. On a side note, the versions of my LM fics here on FFnet are always edited. For full versions, please visit my writing journal. You can find it on my profile.
Salmon