Unexpected Bonds

By Days of Azure

Yuki, a single and sexy bachelor, is the star of an up and coming reality dating show. However instead of finding himself pursuing one of the eligible females, he finds his focus drifting towards a certain annoying, but surprisingly cute little make-up artist. AU Yuki/Shuichi

Disclaimer: I do not own or claim to own Gravitation or any of its characters. I profit from this in absolutely no way.

A/n: This is my second piece of fanfiction (if you haven't read my first, "A Simplistic Kind of Love", you might want to check it out), so I'm still fairly new to this. I hope my first chapter will provide a good idea of what my fic will be like/about. I am definitely seeking some advice (reviews would be MUCH appreciated), so if you have an idea or opinion, please let me know. Please note that although he does not make his appearance in this first chapter, Shuichi WILL be appearing by the second (after all, this is a Yuki X Shuichi story!) Also: if I am misspelling "Touma" please let me know. I've seen his name spelled so many different ways, I never quite know which is correct. Thank you very much for reading, and I hope you enjoy!

XxX

Chapter One: Reality Nightmare

Yuki signed heavily, running a secretly trembling hand through a mass of blonde hair that had found itself blocking his view. He surveyed the situation; before him stood ten women of various demeanors and appearances, although all were good-looking and obviously happy to be there. Each wore a smile, some ranging from delicate to even devious, as they examined Yuki subtly, no doubt taken aback by his spectacular beauty. Dressed in a tailored, expensive suit and with brilliant dirty-blonde hair and deep brown eyes, he was something of a sight to behold, to say the least. Lights hovered above him, causing small beads of sweat to eventually form and trickle down his increasingly pale face. The cameras certainly didn't help to calm his nerves either. He found himself simply staring blankly ahead. Cursing himself, Yuki wondered how he could have allowed himself to be placed in such a preposterous situation.

His longtime friend Touma was a prestigious TV producer; every project he ever laid hands on was almost a guaranteed hit. His latest series, a reality dating show, he had taken on with unusual enthusiasm. "It's designed as nothing out of the ordinary in terms of a reality series. A man courts a few beautiful girls, chooses one individual in the end, they profess their love and live happily together forever, etcetera. Here's the hook though, the one thing that I believe will set this series apart from the dozens of other similar series in existence: I've found an absolutely amazing male lead for the show. He's charming, intelligent, drop dead gorgeous…well you understand," Touma had explained. There had been only one major problem, he had mentioned to his dearest friend: there was a very slim chance that the man he had in mind would agree to the project.

Now as a good friend, Yuki had felt obliged to express just a little sympathy, although he was typically less than spectacular when it came to expressing any kind of emotion at all. Even as writer unknown to the majority of the population, Yuki still understood that one small detail could be capable or ruining the chance of a lifetime. "Geez, that sucks," was all the condolence he had offered.

Touma had spent the next few days, no correct that-months, pining over this anonymous man who it seemed would never agree to do Touma's new show. By this time Yuki had grown well fed-up with his friend's whining. In mock pity, he'd said "I'm so sorry, if I could do something to help, I honestly would." Little did he know that his faint statement of annoyance would cost him largely.

"Hmm, you know now that you mention it, I could use your help," Touma had declared. When everything that had finally been building up was concluding, and Touma made Yuki the proposition, Yuki had outright refused, and rather angrily too. At first. One of Touma's strengths was that uncanny ability to manipulate and influence those around him into doing whatever he pleased. So, after days of incessant begging, slight threats, and an overwhelming offer of a hefty sum of cash, Yuki reluctantly agreed. Although Touma's less-than-subtle pushes hadn't hurt, Yuki also had his own personal reasoning; His career seemed to be going nowhere. Perhaps publicity would do it wonders. His writing meant the world to him, not because it was something he was particularly passionate about, but rather because his decision to become a writer involved a promise made to a man he once cared for, a man from a long time ago. But that was another story.

So now, facing what was ahead and in the present, Yuki managed to smile slightly, feigning interest. Each girl smiled back at him more than eagerly. A light shut off from somewhere in the room, casting shadows, as a crewman shouted "CUT!" Yuki stiffened slightly, unsure of what to do. He was a typically calm and collected man, but the situation was proving to be a true test of that. "Alright, I think we're good for today," he bellowed. Sighs of relief and joy could be heard around the room; apparently Yuki wasn't the only one of whom filming had taken its toll upon. While small conversation began to form amongst various people, Yuki took hold of the opportunity to rush back into the small room that had been provided for him. He had a feeling that that room was going to be his sanctuary for the next few months.

He swung open the red-tinted door, before slamming it shut and locking it from the inside. Whirling around, he gasped deeply at the sight of Touma standing before him, a stupid smile plastered across his pale face. "Why hello there, Eiri."

"What the hell do you want?" he managed to get out between gritted teeth. Touma's smile faded as his brow furrowed, a sign of his "concern".

"Eiri, is that anyway to talk to a friend? Didn't you enjoy your first day filming?"

"HELL NO. Jesus, I have no idea why the fuck I ever let you talk me into this. You know how bad I am with things like this," Eiri said, his voice beginning to calm just slightly.

"There, there, I was watching you and you were doing just fine."

"Of course I was, I was faking it. I mean honest to God, who in their right mind would even consider dating any of these bitches? They're all so petty and GOD do they dress like whores. Especially that American one I can't stand, Shulana or whatever the fuck her-"

"Shuwanna," Touma corrected. "And it is not important what you think of these girls. It is that you play your role, continue to upkeep your image of the polite and caring "prince-type", and manage to keep a happy face while you do it all. So far, you're doing splendidly."

"Well thanks, I'm glad you're enjoying my performance, that just makes everything bearable now," Yuki muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Good to hear it. I'm sorry, but I must be going now. I'm a very busy man, you know. Now get some sleep, tomorrow lucky you get to pick one girl to take on a date," Touma said with mock enthusiasm. He leaned up to kiss the taller man lightly on the cheek. "Goodnight. Take care dear," he said before walking out the door and leaving Yuki with no company but himself, the way he preferred it.

"Yeah, whatever," the blonde murmured. Removing his clothes, he plopped them lazily onto a sloppy pile upon the floor. He was truly too tired to give a damn about the state of his room. Tomorrow he would most likely be in a more caring mood; he could do some tidying then. He pulled the switch dangling from his lamp, causing pure darkness to replace the scattered patches of light. As he plopped down onto the bed, he felt as though there was something he desired, something that he couldn't quite pinpoint. Stress was most definitely a predominating emotion. In the darkness he wondered for just a brief second if it was company that he craved. There was a lot on his mind that he probably needed to express. Quickly, he dismissed the idea. He had always been a loner, content to live by himself. Well, not always really, but for the past several years at least. Why would he suddenly now crave the presence of another?

In any case, he decided that his needs and wants would have to take a backseat for awhile. He was hopelessly stuck in this situation regardless of anything that he thought or felt. The contract had been signed, the deal had been made. For the next several months he would play out his role that Touma had described. He chucked slightly at the idea. The polite and caring 'prince type'? If only everyone knew how contrary that silly image was to the true character of Eiri Yuki.

Sighing, he rolled over on his side. His mind began to clear with a little effort. Sleep was beginning to take over. He at last dozed off into a sound sleep, after one final thought: This would all be so much more tolerable if only there were something, or maybe even someone, to keep it interesting.

XxX

End Chapter One

A/n: So, what did you all think? I hope you will continue to read this story. As I mentioned earlier, Shuichi WILL make an appearance in the second chapter. Reviews are appreciated as always. Thank you.