Well, I had this idea just pop into my head after looking over my Ouran story, A Twisted Romance, and I realized I wanted to do another one like it. But… I didn't want to do the same thing as well as use different characters, so in a strange turn of events, this came up. So… I hope you like it! And check out the Hikaru/Kaoru story while you're at it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gravitation.
Fan Boy
One: Tsuna Nowaki
The pitter-patter of the keys filled up the study that night as Yuki hacked away at his manuscript. It was greeted by the muffled noises of the streets below, and the gentle ticking of the clock in the other room. Every once and a while, he would stop and take a sip of his coffee, glancing at the two purple orbs staring at him in the corner. He had gotten used to Shuichi watching him write, but it still proved to be a nuisance. Especially when he was supposed to be working on a song of his own. Still, he ventured through his work, his glasses lit by the blue aura of the computer screen. Shuichi, meanwhile, kept to his corner, wads of paper and eraser shavings everywhere. He sat cross legged, a pencil behind his ear as he stared at the paper with a frown. He had been there almost an hour, and still nothing came to him. It couldn't possibly be that hard to write a song. So he looked up to Yuki for inspiration, though none came. Finally, he stood and stretched his legs, which had been cramped this whole time. His hands high above his head, he looked over to Yuki, who remained vigilant. How in the world could he remain in one spot for so long? Shuichi could barely sit still through a movie. He leaned against the wall and lightly tapped his heal to the ground.
"Hey," he said with a smile, "why don't we take a break and have something to eat?"
"I'm not hungry," said Yuki without turning from the screen. "Make something for yourself if you want, just don't burn anything."
Shuichi frowned and looked to the floor. He listened to the hum of his computer for a little while before speaking again. "Well… what about a movie? You did say you were going to see one with me."
"Shuichi, I have a deadline to meet," Yuki stated bluntly. "And I would like to pay the rent on time. So if you want to watch a movie, go watch one. Keep the volume low and don't bother me."
The pink haired young man let out a sigh, his head hitting the wall behind him. So much for trying to get Yuki to spend time with him. Oh well. "Well, I'm going out," he said. He picked up his scraps of paper and tossed them in the garbage can. "I'll probably be back late. Might see Hiro." Yuki showed no signs of protest or objection. Shuichi felt his heart sink a bit. He knew it was in Yuki's nature, but if he could just pretend to be jealous, even just a little, that would make Shuichi a tiny bit happy. "So… don't wait up for me," he added. He went to the door and paused. He let his fingers tap on the frame. "I'll call you when I'm coming home – "
"Shuichi," Yuki interrupted, "if you're going to go, go and leave me to work. Now if you please? I'm trying to think."
Shuichi looked away, letting his shoulders droop. He nodded and left to go change.
As he walked through the streets, his head remained on the surly writer in the apartment. Lately, it seemed like he was trying harder and harder to spend time with him, yet Yuki pushed him further and further away. Shuichi placed his hands in his pockets as he walked, kicking an empty soda can. He looked up to see a billboard above the street, lights blaring on the faces and names of it. His face. It was an advertisement for Bad Luck. It only made him sink lower. The rest of the world thought he was good enough to be paid attention to. So why didn't Yuki? He heaved an exasperated breath and shook his head. He was getting so depressed all of the sudden.
I need to call Hiro, he thought to himself. He'll help me. So, he took out his cell phone and opened it up, spying the low battery. Ah, I should have charged it before I left. Oh well. So, he went through his address book and called Hiro's number. It rang a couple of times before Hiro's voice came through the other line.
"Hello?"
"Hiro!" said Shuichi in a bright voice. "What's up?"
"Shu? Oh, hey there. What's going on?"
"Hey are you busy now?"
"Busy? Ah, no not really. Why?"
"Just wondering if you'd be my drinking buddy tonight. Usual place sound ok?"
"Drinking buddy? Ok, what happened with Eri-kun?"
"H-huh!?" said Shuichi, pretending to be offended. "Hiro! All I want to do is spend some quality time with my best friend! And you're suggesting that I just need some guy to spill to?! What do you take me for?!" There was a pause on the other line as Shuichi waited for his answer. Finally, he caved and let his head sink. "I'll tell you when you get here," he said miserably. Hiro could always read him so easily.
"Sure, sure. Be waiting for me. I'll be right over."
So, Shuichi hung up the phone and trudged his way to the bar. He sat near the end of it and put his face in his arms as they rested on the table. As he sat, waiting, he didn't notice someone watching him from the other end of the bar. A figure, omitted by the shadow of the establishment, his hand clinging to a glass of sake. He looked as though he was going to approach the young singer, but he stopped as soon as another man walked in.
"Shu!" Hiro called. "Ah, there you are…" He walked over to his friend and sat down. He ruffled his bubble gum hair playfully. Shuichi poked one plum iris out from under his bangs. "Now why don't we get you some alcohol and you can tell me your sob story?"
Soon enough, Shuichi was drunk and wailing, six empty shot glasses around him. "H-he doesn't even look at me anymore!" he simpered, tears running down his face. "Y-you know what I a-asked him th-the other day!?"
"Do tell," said Hiro, who was completely sober.
"I asss-asked him (hic!) if we could go get sommsing to eat, right? Youknow what he said?"
"Haven't a clue."
"'Sure, bring me sumsing back'! I mean, he won even (hic!) won even come to eat wis me anymore!" He sobbed a little bit more and let his face hit the bar. He groaned as Hiro patted his back. As he did this, the figure at the other end stood and slowly made his way over to the two of them.
"Excuse me…" He said in a slightly timid voice. Hiro looked up, an eyebrow arched. The man was about as tall as him, with black hair that went into a pony tail in the back. He had blue eyes and a gentle smile. He seemed to be quite the friendly man. And yet… there was something about him that was slightly off. Hiro couldn't quite put his finger on it, but something about the guy he just didn't like. Shuichi also lifted his vision to the man. "Are you two the members of Bad Luck? The rock band?"
"That's us," said Shuichi, holding up a wobbly hand.
"Ah, I thought so. I recognized you when you came in. I'm a fan of your music." The man sat on a stool on the other side of Hiro. "I'm Tsuna Nowaki. Forgive me if I'm a bit forward, but I couldn't help but over hear your conversation. And… well if you ask me, this Yuki person needs to wake up. I mean, he should realize how lucky he is to have a catch like Shindo Shuichi."
Hiro was going to open his mouth to tell this guy to mind his own business, but Shuichi spoke before he had a chance. "Really?!" he said, his eyes glistening over. "You really think I'm a catch?!"
"Well sure," said Nowaki. "You're talented, good looking, and from what I can see, funny. Who wouldn't think you're something special?"
Shuichi's face spilled over with happy streams of tears as he simpered. He then took a breath and hit his head to the bar, pounding on the wood. "Now why can't Yuki think like that!?" he cried, his fists flying. Hiro put his chin in his hand, his elbow propped on the bar as he watched his friend complain and rant. It was then that his cell phone buzzed. He answered it.
"Hello? Aya? Yeah, what's – ? Oh… Well does it have to be right now…? It does… I see… No, no, I'll get it for you… I know you don't have a car… I know that, too… yes… Ok, I'll do it… Yes, right now… See you then…" He sighed and closed his phone. "That was Aya. She's in one of her moods again and needs ice cream. I swear that woman has been eating so much of it lately…"
"What?" said Shuichi, grabbing his arm. "But, Hiro! You're leaving?!"
"I have to," said Hiro. "Trust me, you do not want to see Aya when she doesn't get her ice cream. I did once… Ugh, my cheek still hurts." He stood and handed him money. "For a cab," he said. "Call me when you get home. Or better yet, when you get sober. Kay?"
"There's no need," Nowaki interjected, smiling. "I can take him home. I've only had one glass of sake."
Hiro looked over to him. "Hm? No… that's fine. I would rather if he – "
"Ahhh, whaddu you care, Hiro?" Shuichi slurred. "I'll be goin home anyway. And don' worry, I'll call…" He handed the money back to him. "Now go on if yer gonna leave. I got a real friend righ' here!" He then threw his arm around Nowaki's shoulders. Nowaki seemed to be a bit taken a back, but he smiled and laughed anyway. Hiro didn't like it, but it seemed he had no say in the matter. So, he turned and walked out of the bar, hoping Shuichi would get home alright.
Will this Nowaki fellow really bring Shuichi home? Or has Hiro just made a horrible, horrible mistake? Only I can decide! XD So how did you like it? Leave a review!
T.