Disclaimers: I don't own Gravitation. The only people I own in either of
these stories are people you probably wouldn't want. Also, I'm broke. I
spent all my money on a Goth T.K. hat.
Warnings: Shounen ai (no duh) and more angst for the lovely little Gravitation characters. Also, I'm sure there'll be quite a few typos in this story (as there are tons in Bloodred Valentine), so bear with them. I type too fast to not make tons of typos.
Pairings: Ryuichi and Tatsuha, Yuki and Shuichi, mentions of Yuki and Ryuichi
Notes: This is my sequel fic to Bloodred Valentine. If you haven't read that, none of this will make any sense. I can't even begin to explain all that happened in there.
/thoughts/
~*Newsreporters and rumors*~
Shuichi absentmindedly played with the charm of his necklace as he sat at the kitchen table, watching Yuki drinking his coffee. As was normal he had woken up after Yuki had, and was still trying to get his mind to focus properly. It was one of the few moments of quiet Yuki ever got when the boy was awake. Shuichi tried to order his mind to think of something to talk about, anything to make the room a little noisier. Although there was no reason for him to fear the silence, he did. He always had disliked silence, no matter what anybody else told him.
"Your book comes out today, doesn't it?" Shuichi asked after a while and Yuki nodded, leaning back against the counter as he watched Shuichi with the same intensity that Shuichi was watching him. "So...what do you do when it comes out? You've never told me when one of your books came out before." Yuki didn't let Shuichi see how much that had hurt. He'd watched everything the boy had been on, listened to every radio broadcast, went to every concert, and Shuichi had just admitted to never seeing one of his interviews before.
"For good reason," Yuki commented to himself under his breath, sure that Shuichi hadn't caught it. He hated praise, he truely did, and it was something Shuichi gave to him easily. He hadn't wanted to have to hear Shuichi's praise, which he was sure the boy would offer, over his books when he got it from everybody else. He didn't want someone so close to him praising him over something so stupid. "I have a couple interviews this afternoon about it. Not much else," he answered and Shuichi smiled happily.
"Then I get to spend the morning with you, right?" he asked hopefully, bouncing out of his chair happily. It was one of the few days he really didn't have to work, and he wanted to spend some extra time wiht Yuki. No lyrics, no books, just them. "What are we gonna do, then? Huh? Come on, you can think of something, right?" Shuichi asked, blinking as Yuki walked past him. "Where are you going?"
"Breakfast..." before Yuki could finish his sentence Shuichi was clinging to his arm happily.
"Where are we going?" he asked, smiling up at him.
"With Tatsuha and Sakuma-san. Mika wanted me to talk with Tatsuha about his responsibility," Yuki finished and Shuichi frowned, still not letting go of his arm. It wasn't fair having to share his Yuki with Tatsuha and Ryuichi!
"Can I come anyway?" Shuichi asked, looking hopefull. Yuki sighed, he really didn't want to leave Shuichi behind, but trying to have a serious talk with Tatsuha and Ryuichi over this would be a lot harder when one of them was playing with Shuichi.
"I don't think so Shuichi. It's a kind of family thing," Yuki explained, hoping that would be enough for him. Shuichi frowned, a little (as much as he could manage so early in the morning) upset that Tatsuha and Ryuichi were taking away his time with Yuki. He was most likely going to be gone all afternoon, so that left him with NOTHING to do on his one real day off.
"Why can't Mika do it?" he asked stubbornly, letting go of Yuki and crossing his arms. Mika was always sending Yuki to do this and that and it was really starting to get on his nerves. She'd come over and argue with Yuki without a second thought, but as soon as she wanted something to really get done she sent someone else to do it for her.
"Because Mika's job is to annoy people, not to help them," Yuki answered, glad that Shuichi had let go of his arm so he could finally move. Shuichi giggled a bit before frowning again, trying to think of another reason for Yuki to stay behind with him. /C'mon brain, work. Work! It may be early but you can't let Yuki get away!/
"How are you going to get there? Your car's in the shop," Shuichi said suddenly and Yuki visibly cringed at that. He'd almost forgotten that his precious car was stuck in the shop. It was his fault, but still...to have something so unjust happen to his beloved car.
"I guess I'll have to walk then," Yuki answered as he fished out his cell phone. Not only had he forgotten about how he was going to get there, but also WHERE he was going. He'd have to find someplace between his apartment and Ryuichi's, since he knew that neither of the boys were going to drive there. Their father didn't trust Tatsuha to come back if he had free motion around the city. Little did he know that he was with Sakuma Ryuichi and could get anywhere in any amount of time without a problem. All he knew was that he was staying with 'one of Tohma's friends,' and out of those there were many to pick from.
"Hello?" Tatsuha asked, still half asleep as he picked up his cell phone. Yuki sighed, there he was all ready to leave and he'd just woken Tatsuha up.
"Did you forget about something?" he asked and he heard Tatsuha yelp from the other side of the line. He also heard a satisfying thud as he was sure his brother fell over. There were also a couple satisfactory 'ows' and smaller thuds. He was feeling better already, knowing his brother was paying a little for his stupidity.
"Sorry sorry. I completely blanked yesterday! I'm so sorry! By the time I realized I was supposed to leave it was too late!" Tatsuha appologized and Yuki smiled slightly. He was lying and Yuki knew it. He was pretty sure that Tatsuha knew he was on to him as well. "So why are YOU calling? Mika normally does that. Something happen to her?" He asked suddenly, sounding worried.
"No. Mika wanted ME to have breakfast with you and Sakuma-san to make sure it never happens again. You know anywhere between us where we could go?" Yuki asked, glancing over at Shuichi, who was looking up at him hopefully, hands clasped in front of his chest. He shook his head at him and Shuichi frowned.
"Yeah, actually. There's a McDonalds halfway to your place. Ryuichi always makes me take him there when we come over." Yuki frowned a bit, he really didn't want to force himself in THERE but if it was the only place between the two of them...
"Fine. I'll meet you both there. I take it you'll be late, seeing as you just woke up." Shuichi clung to Yuki's arm as he hung the phone up, not ready to give up just yet.
"Please? Please please please please???" he begged, staring up at him with big watery eyes. Yuki sighed and once again detached the teen from his arm. "What about if I sit away from you three? Would that be alright?" /Yeah, if Ryuichi were to go blind/ Yuki thought to himself. Ryuichi could spot him and Shuichi out in a crowd of thousands without a problem. It was quite bizarre.
"I won't be back too late, so you can spend time with me when I get back," Yuki stated and Shuichi brightened up again.
"Okay! A whole night just me and Yuki! PLUS! I get to see Yuki on TV!" he cheered happily, running over to the couch and flopping down on it, flipping the TV on. He glanced over at Yuki as he started to leave, smiling brightly. "Byebye Yuki!" he cheered and Yuki waved at him over his shoulder, making him giggle. It was so cute. As soon as the door shut he grabbed the T.V. guide and wrote down the times and shows Yuki could be on that afternoon. He was trying his hardest to ignore the little thought in the back of his head that reminded him that Yuki hadn't let him go since it was a 'family thing,' but Ryuichi had gotten to go without a single protest.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Ryuichi awoke to the sounds of Tatsuha running around his apartment at what could only be described as WAY too early that morning. Sitting up from where he had fallen asleep on his couch he watched him run about, picking up whatever looked like it might be his and throwing it into his bag. "Morning," he mummbled sleepily, grabbing Kumagoro from where he'd fallen on the floor and clinging to him as he followed Tatsuha's movements.
"Morning," he returned, dropping to the floor and picking up a couple more things. Ryuichi blinked a couple more times before his brain caught up with him again.
"In a rush?" he asked as Tatsuha speed-walked past him into the bathroom, brushing his teeth. He leaned his head out of the doorway and nodded, and Ryuichi laughed at how cute he looked like that. He was so...disorganized, with his toothbrush hanging out of his mouth as he stared back at him, toothpaste in the other hand, eyes wide and hair a mess.
"What?" he asked as they both continued to stare at each other and Ryuichi shrugged, holding Kumagoro up over the back of the couch so he could sit there comfortably..
"I dunno, but Kumagoro said that you were doing it too!" he shouted to him as he disappeared into the bathroom to brush his teeth. He could hear Tatsuha laugh before poking his head back around the doorway, wiping his mouth with his arm.
"Don't DO that when I'm drinking something," he ordered and Ryuichi laughed as well, jumping over the edge of the couch and walking over to where Tatsuha was standing, looking around for SOMETHING.
"WHY are you in a rush?" he asked as he started to button Tatsuha's shirt for him, waiting for his answer. He was used to having Tatsuha stay longer than he was supposed to, but he'd never been in a rush to go home afterwards. Was he really in so much of a hurry to leave him this time? It honestly hadn't been his fault Tohma had taken so long yesterday.
"Mika wants us to have breakfast with my brother," he answered, running fingers through his hair as Ryuichi continued. Ryuichi nodded to himself, satisfied with Tatsuha's answer. Things could have been worse, Mika could have wanted to have breakfast with them. He didn't MIND Tohma's wife, but she had a sort of over-protectiveness when her brothers where concerned.
"Okay. Would you mind telling me these things before you make me think my house is on fire or something?" he asked, holding Kumagoro up between the two of them. "Kumagoro was really scared," he stated childishly and Tatsuha smiled, taking Kumagoro from Ryuichi and kissing his forehead appologetically.
"Sorry Kumagoro, I wasn't thinking." Ryuichi smiled slightly in return, hiding Kumagoro behind his back like a little child.
"I was scared, too," he stated innocently, staring at him with wide, childish eyes. Tatsuha smiled and pulled Ryuichi against him, kissing his forehead as well.
"Sorry," he appolgized before letting go and walking over to where he'd last set his bag down, grabbing the pile of clothes near it as Ryuichi went off to get ready, leaving Kumagoro behind to help Tatsuha pack.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Yuki checked his watch again as he leaned against the wall of the 'restauraunt.' He'd been waiting for at least ten minutes now, and he'd walked around a bit before making his way over, too. It would only figure that Tatsuha would be so late. He should have taken more time on his walk.
"Sorry we're late na no da." Yuki looked up to lock eyes with...beads? Blinking a couple more times he recognized it as Ryuichi's doll...thingy...whatever he insisted on calling it. He didn't want to try and think of it at the moment, he hadn't had much beyond coffee that morning and his brain wasn't functioning normally. "Tatsuha wanted to pack before we came over here na no da," the stuffed rabbit continued to explain and Yuki nodded.
"I left it back at Ryuichi's," Tatsuha explained to his brother's questioning gaze, pointing over to Ryuichi as though Yuki didn't know who he was. He'd only been forced to stare at poster after poster of him since he was around eleven years old. Four years of peace from them and suddenly Shuichi was back with his own. Thankfully he'd put those away before Yuki could snap.
"Good idea," Yuki stated , burrying his hands inside his pockets and turning to go inside until he felt someone tug on his arm. He turned around and was met with large, pleading, blue eyes.
"You're going to let Tatsuha come back, right? Me and Kumagoro'll miss him if you don't na no da," Ryuichi whined and Yuki worked on getting his arm free of Ryuichi's grip.
"Yes, yes. But if he keeps this act up father might not let him," Yuki answered and found an adorable little Ryuichi attached to his arm, smiling and babbling on like an idiot. He also found himself on the receiving end of one of Tatsuha's own, very few, death glares. He'd been subject to many when Tatsuha was smaller, being an older sibling and all. It wasn't that Tatsuha was mad that Ryuichi was clinging to someone, he did that often. It was just...Yuki had changed, he could tell it, and they looked so much alike. There was no guarantee he'd be able to hold onto Ryuichi. Especially since Yuki was closer to his age. Even though he knew Yuki had Shuichi, it wasn't entirely impossible that Ryuichi would start liking him as well. They were fairly similar themselves. "Take advantage of the time you have with him now before he leaves again," Yuki offered as help to his brother, who dropped his death glare. They were so wrapped up in their little conversation that none of them noticed the flash from behind them.
"Kumagoro agrees with Yuki-san! He says you're very wise na no da!" Ryuichi answered in return, moving to cling to Tatsuha's arm. "Kumagoro is very smart, too! Right, Tatsuha?" Tatsuha nodded his agreement and Ryuichi smiled happily, dragging both him and Yuki inside, stopping in the doorway as he registered another click from behind him. However, he shrugged it off quickly and continued to pull the other two inside.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Shuichi watched the television happily, humming to himself and toying with his necklace again as he waited for something entertaining to come on. Namely, Yuki. However, that wasn't going to be for a while now so he was stuck watching other, more boring shows while he waited. Not that he was complaining, he'd do just about anything for Yuki. Besides, it couldn't be THAT much longer, could it? He'd been waiting for a while as it was.
He was so absorbed in...doing nothing...that he almost missed it when the lady on the TV mentioned Yuki's name. Turning up the volume, he squeeled like a little fangirl and hoped Yuki would be on soon.
"Now, later today Yuki Eiri..." the lady had to pause and wait for the audience's tone level to go down. "...will be coming here to discuss the release of his new book, Bloodred Valentine. Now, those of us who have received advanced copies for this show, have noticed something very peculiar. Not only does he use the names of people around him, refer constantly to homosexual relationships, and give us all a look deeper into his mind than we've had before, but he also makes references to something I find very disturbing, himself with Sakuma Ryuichi, lead singer for hit band Nittle Grasper, while it is clearly stated here and in papers all across Japan that he is still with lead singer for Bad Luck, Shindo Shuichi. We can only wonder what this means. May it be a writing style, or reality? We cannot know as of yet, but don't worry, we'll have all this explained when he gets here..."
Shuichi didn't bother to listen to any more, flipping the channel to one of his other choices and clutching at his own copy of Yuki's book, flipping through the pages. Yep, sure enough, there were a LOT of references of things between him and Ryuichi in the last couple chapters. This wasn't going to go over well at ALL, no matter WHAT Yuki said. He could only hope Tohma used his authority to help, if not him, than Yuki. Otherwise the press would probably never leave them alone.
"...and we're going to try and see if we can get Shindo-kun's opinion on this picture in just a few short moments..." Shuichi blinked a couple times as a photo took up the screen, crawling over to the TV and staring at it closely. It was...Yuki...and Ryuichi. And...Ryuichi was...clinging to him. Damn, this wasn't going to go over well at all. He knew Ryuichi's habit of attaching himself to people when he was happy, it happened enough to him, but that wasn't to say that everyone else did. Clutching his necklace tightly, he sat down in front of the TV, hoping Yuki'd be able to clear everything up.
He jumped as the phone rang, running over quickly and hoping that it was Yuki. Of course he didn't DOUBT him, but still, this was going to be one hell of a nightmare to work through without him there.
"Hello?"
"Shindo-san, we're holding here in our hands a very disturbing picture of Yuki-san and Sakuma-san. If you would turn on your television to channel eight, we'd like to hear what you think of this photograph," the lady on the other end replied almost emotionlessly. /Sure, you find it QUITE disturbing. That's just why you just have it ENLARGED over the television! All you care about is making money off of this! You just want to get good reviews by making Yuki the bad guy! By trying to ruin my, Yuki's, and Ryuichi's lives! Not to mention that you'll be ruining Tatsuha's as well, but you don't know/CARE about him!/ was the first thing Shuichi wanted to say but he fought it down in an attempt to be a LITTLE nicer to the woman.
"I think, personally, that you should leave Yuki alone! Ryuichi is a friend of mine and his family's, so stop making assumptions!" he screamed instead, slamming down the reciever and watching as the stunned woman's face reappeared on the television. Good, at least that stupid picture was gone now. They hadn't DONE anything! He knew it! He KNEW Yuki wouldn't do that to him! Not after spending so much money on him, writing a book for him, being so NICE to him! It was HIS book, HIS! How could they even THINK about ruining something so perfect?
'...but he also makes references to something I find very disturbing, himself with Sakuma Ryuichi, lead singer for hit band Nittle Grasper...' Shuichi wrapped arms around his chest as he remembered the girl's words. His book, the book Yuki had written for him, also mentioned himself with Ryuichi. It was true, he'd read it. He just...hadn't thought about it. He KNEW Yuki hadn't meant it, but...but...
"...why'd he mention it at all?" Shuichi finished outloud, feeling the tears well up in his eyes. It was there, in print, all over the country. People EVERYWHERE were going to read it, people EVERYWHERE were going to think about it, and people EVERYWHERE were going to think bad things about Yuki. Yuki'd had enough bad things happen to him already, why'd they have to add more? Why did the people who 'adored' him have to ruin him? Why'd they think mean things about him if they truely liked him? Would they think bad things about Ryuichi now, too?
Shuichi curled up into a little ball in front of the couch and continued to watch the TV as tears streamed down his face. "Yuki, hurry and come back. I'm confused..."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Basically, the threat hangs that if you don't start gaining some responsability and coming home on time, father might want to talk with Sakuma-san about the whole ordeal and may not let you come back," Yuki explained over his coffee, the only thing he really could stomach there. Tatsuha sighed and ran fingers through his hair as Ryuichi went chibi again and attached himself to Tatsuha's other arm, staring at Yuki with huge, tearfull eyes.
"You can't take Tatsuha-san away forever na no da!" he whined, clinging to him tightly. Yuki sighed and ran his hand through his own, lighter hair. This was a pain either way. It was obvious that Ryuichi just didn't WANT to be serious. Ryuichi blinked a couple times as Yuki closed his eyes and seemed to be thinking, what more was there really to say? He let go of Tatsuha and leaned over the table to pat Yuki on the head gently, gaining his attention. Yuki blinked as he found he was staring at the other side of Ryuichi, the one depicted in all the posters he'd seen over his lifetime. "Don't worry about it, I understand. It's just...I really do love him. I don't want him to leave me." Ryuichi explained, smiling slightly as he finished. "Your father wouldn't like the fact that Tatsuha was with me, would he?" he continued in English, not wanting to worry Tatsuha.
"I wouldn't know for sure, but probably not. He wants one of his sons to be 'normal' like Mika," Yuki replied just as easily and Ryuichi frowned a bit before sitting down again. Tatsuha blinked a couple times and looked over at Ryuichi, confused.
"What were you two talking about?" Tatsuha asked and Ryuichi smiled innocently.
"Nothing," he answered, switching back to Japanese so he could talk with Tatsuha. However, Tatsuha wasn't easily fooled. He'd managed to pick out his and Mika's name from their little conversation so obviously it had something to do with him.
"Okay." Tatsuha decided it was better to just drop it than to start an argument. Arguments with his brother could be scary. Not to mention the fact that he really didn't want to agrue with the adorable person that was now reattached to his arm. "So. all I have to do is go home on time from now on and our problem's solved?" Tatsuha asked, hoping he still had one more chance. He'd been given a lot of chances so far.
"Let's hope that's how it works. Dad might want to talk to Sakuma-san about this anyway." Tatsuha frowned at that. His father had made it very clear a couple years ago that he was more than displeased with his Ryuichi addiction. If he found out he was actually dating and half LIVING with him things were sure to get ugly.
Yuki checked his watch and stood up, earning blank stares from the other two.
"Where are you going na no da?" Ryuichi asked, still not releasing Tatsuha's arm. They still needed to work out stuff. Why was Yuki leaving? Had he given up on them? Did he not like them?
"I have things I have to do today. If needed I'll lie and get Tatsuha out of it this ONCE. Don't count on me doing it again. I'd suggest you just be a little more responsible so this doesn't get any worse," Yuki stated before he left, dropping his coffee in the trash. He didn't care if he was wasting it, it wasn't necisarily good coffee.
"Yuki-san really is a lot nicer now," Ryuichi stated as Yuki left, leaning against Tatsuha comfortably and loosening his grip on his arm. Tatsuha stiffened slightly at that and Ryuichi sighed contentedly, rubbing his head aginst Tatsuha's shoulder like a cat would do. "It must be a nice difference for Shuichi," he continued and Tatsuha relaxed again. Ryuichi blinked a couple times before sitting up, and staring Tatsuha in the eyes, looking incredibly...informed. "You think I like Yuki-san, don't you?" he asked and Tatsuha visibly cringed.
"No," /not yet/ Tatsuha argued, trying not to make a scene just in case someone recognized Ryuichi's voice. He knew he would have.
"You think he likes me," he demanded and Tatsuha tried to sink back farther into his seat. This wasn't going to go well at all.
"No," /not necissarily./
"You think I'm going to start liking Yuki-san, and Yuki-san's going to like me, and we're going to get together, don't you?" /Bullseye. Amazing how smart you really are when you try./ Ryuichi sighed and stood up quickly, grabbing Tatsuha's wrist and dragging him out with him. He dragged him the whole way back to his house.
"You're mad at me, aren't you?" Tatsuha asked as he sat down on the couch, embrassed. He knew he wasn't supposed to stop trusting Ryuichi like that. He knew Ryuichi trusted him. /Please don't me mad. Please don't be mad. Please don't be mad.../
"I'm not mad, just...a little disapointed na no da." /Damn, that's not any better,/ Tatsuha thought as Ryuichi sighed and dropped Kumagoro on the table in front of the couch, sitting down next to him. "You don't like Shuichi because he looks like me, do you?" Tatsuha froze, remembering back when he'd first met Shuichi. Damn, this REALLY wasn't going to go over well. "Tatsuha?" Ryuichi's eyes widened slightly and he reached for Kumagoro, squeezing the bunny's hand tightly as he waited for Tatsuha's answer.
"I...I hadn't ever met you...and I didn't think I would, but I REALLY wanted to and...and he looked like you...so...so...so...I...I didn't really LIKE him! I only thought he was cute!" Tatsuha tried to cover, burrying his face in his hands. He was going to be in deep shit for that, and he knew it. But, it wasn't his fault. He'd been DESPERATE!
"Oh," Ryuichi stated softly, standing up and walking towards the door as fast as he could without looking like he was desperate to leave. However, as soon as the door was shut behind him he ran as fast as he could down the hallway and towards the nearest comfort he could find.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Shuichi opened his eyes slowly as he heard someone knocking on the door. He had no idea how long they had been there, but they were there. Standing up slowly he wiped the tears from his eyes and face. His cheeks still burned from the crying but he didn't figure whoever it was would care.
Standing on his tip-toes he peered through the little looking glass, blinking as he caught sight of Ryuichi. He was...crying. Now that was odd. He quickly undid the latches on the door and found his friend almost immediately in his arms, sobbing. He shut the door behind him and managed to drag Ryuichi back to the couch, sitting down and running fingers through his friend's hair comfortingly as he cried. He also grabbed the remote and muted the TV. He didn't want to upset Ryuichi any more than he already was.
After about ten minutes Ryuichi finally calmed down and sat up, wiping his eyes and trying not to look at Shuichi. "Sorry. I really shouldn't be here, but...I knew you would help me," Ryuichi stated after a while, clinging to Kumagoro tightly. Feeling the soft material give way under his fingers easily.
"What's wrong?" Shuichi asked, covering his friend's hands with his own comfortingly. He thought he knew, but he was probably wrong. He normally was. "I promise I won't tell anyone, okay?" Shuichi tried again, moving his hands to take Kumagoro's arms in them. Ryuichi was still silent. "You're making Kumagoro sad..." Ryuichi smiled slightly before nodding and wiping the tears once again from his eyes with the back of his sleeve.
"Tatsuha...Tatsuha thinks I like Yuki-san, but I DON'T! I like HIM! He won't understand. I tried to make him understand, really. I...I reversed the question back on him...and...and...he said..." Shuichi leaned forward and hugged Ryuichi as he started crying again, resting his face against his shoulder. "How can you like someone just because of how they look?" he asked when he'd calmed down some more, still clinging to Shuichi and Kumagoro like he was Shuichi's age again.
"Our fans do it all the time. They think they know us from the talk and the interviews and the songs but they really don't. Tatsuha thought he knew you because of all of that, but all he knew about me was that I was with Yuki. I didn't mean anything to him, I could tell. I...I don't think he's shallow enough to like someone just because of how they look." Ryuichi nodded slightly and closed his eyes slightly, exhausted from crying.
"Tatsuha's going to be mad if he found out I came here." Shuichi sighed and closed his eyes. This wasn't good. Not only would Tatsuha be upset, but he was sure the reporters were going to be all over it. That REALLY wouldn't help poor Tatsuha and Ryuichi. "So, why are you upset Shuichi?" Ryuichi asked, letting go of Shuichi and sitting up to stare his friend in the eyes. Shuichi blinked a couple times and Ryuichi smiled slightly. "Don't think I wouldn't notice when my friend's been crying," Ryuichi stated and Shuichi blushed slightly, pointing to the TV. He'd known he and Ryuichi were friends, but he'd never heard him say it before. It was kind of strange, to be friends with someone you'd idolized most of your life.
"This," Shuichi stated as he unmuted the TV, running fingers through his hair as he acknowledged the fact that yes, the reporters WERE right outside, and yes, they DID want to talk to him. "They just love picking on me and Yuki, don't they?" Shuichi asked after a while, leaning back and staring up at the ceiling.
"They love money. Don't worry, they liked to pick on us when we were new, too." Shuichi blinked a couple times before he finally realized what Ryuichi was saying was true. He remembered watching the news about it, and being one of the many fans writing to them that he didn't believe the media.
"I remember that," he stated dejectedly and Ryuichi laughed slightly, patting Shuichi on the head.
"Don't worry. Things'll be fine. So long as people don't start believing them. That'd be bad," Ryuichi stated and Shuichi slumped down farther in the couch.
"Did you have to add that?" Shuichi asked as he tried to ignore the noise outside.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Yuki sighed as he walked to the entrance for the set of his first interview. Truth be told, he'd rather be spending his day with Shuichi than sitting listening to people's stupid rantings and answering even dumber questions. But...things just didn't work that way. Damn things for not going how he wanted them to.
Live TV, always fun. He could make complete asses out of the entire staff and audience and they wouldn't be able to do a damn thing. Not like he ever had, or ever would, but still. It would be fun to do.
He watched as the lady talked for a couple more minutes before announcing him and he was tapped on the shoulder to go out. Like he really couldn't tell. When the girls started screaming that meant someone had just mentioned him.
He shoved his hands into his pockets before walking out onto the stage, ignoring the screams that threatened to make him deaf before the interview even started. As much as he liked that idea at the moment, it wouldn't be good in the long run. He'd never admit it but he truthfully loved to hear Shuichi sing. Sure, the lyrics never were the greatest, but it was his voice that sold the CDs, and his voice that Yuki loved.
Both of them sat down and the girl leaned against her armrest rather unprofesionaly as she talked to him. "We'll start with the basic questions, since you just got here. Many people have thought it strange that you'd abandoned your traditional one word titles for this book. Is there any specific reason or were you just trying to change things a bit?" /Wouldn't that be a reason?/ Yuki asked himself as she continued to stare at him intently, waiting for an answer.
"Most times my publisher chose the title, but I ended up naming this one myself," he answered politely. Stupid people, they just had to be dealt with in life.
"Oh. Well, people have also wondered why the names of the characters in this book seem to be that of you and real people you know. Why is that?" she asked, leaning over a little bit more with each sentence.
"It came from a dream I had not to long ago. I didn't think it would be appropriate to change the names considering the situation I was in at the moment. Also, I figured it would be more personal, seeing as I was writing it for Shuichi." The girl sat up suddenly and pushed her hair back behind her ears, brushing off her sleeves.
"About that. We've noticed something in your book that...well, we don't know what to make out of it," she stated nervously. Yuki gave her a funny look as she picked the copy she'd been given and opened it to a book marked page. "Umm...on page...64...people have been noticing that...well..." Great. Now he didn't have to make an ass out of the staff, she was doing it herself. "It's sort of implied that you and Sakuma Ryuichi are, well, an item." /An item? Who says THAT now a days? Wait a minute.../
"What?!" Sitting up quickly Yuki grabbed the book and reread over it. Yep. Sure enough, it was in there. Damn his writing sprees. He could never remember exactly what he'd written afterwards. Sighing he set the book back down on the table between them and slumped back in his chair. Thankfully Shuichi hadn't caught that or there'd be hell to pa.../Oh shit/
/'A whole night just me and Yuki! PLUS! I get to see Yuki on TV'/
/Shit. Shit, shit, shit...Not good, Yuki, not good./
"Are you alright?" she asked again as Yuki continued to sit scarily still. She wasn't supposed to kill her guest! Especially not someone like Yuki Eiri!!! And she was NEW! That wasn't going to go over well!
"Excuse me," Yuki managed as he fished his cell phone out of his pocket. She blinked a couple times and nodded, glad that Yuki was at least moving now. He dialed Shuichi's cell phone number quickly and hoped he would answer. He could only hope Shuichi wasn't mad at him about this. He hadn't MEANT to!
"Yuki?!" Shuichi asked immediately from the other line and Yuki sighed, relaxing. Shuichi seemed more hopeful than upset. "Yuki! It really you?!?!" Yuki blinked a couple times. Shuichi was hardly making any sense.
"Yes, it's really me, loo..."
"Thank God! They won't LEAVE!!! I don't want to go out there and deal with them myself but me and Ryuichi are stuck in the house now!!! Oops..." Shuichi muttered softly afterwards, willing to bet they'd heard him on the TV. He was watching the interview and had hoped Yuki was calling him when he's pulled ou this cell phone.
"Sakuma Ryuichi is over there?" The interviewer asked curiously, leaning over slightly so she could hear better. The entire audience gasped in shock and surprise and Yuki shot her a glare that made her shut up immediately and back away from him and the phone.
"Shuichi, what IS Ryuichi doing over there?" he asked, knowing that Ryuichi had wanted to spend his time with Tatsuha that day before he had to leave.
"Umm...he and Tatsuha got into a fight and he came over here for comfort," he whispered and Yuki nodded, smiling slightly.
"Tell the blockhead to appologize for whatever he did or I won't let him come back again. No one should argue with people like you two. You hurt to easily, and you don't deserve that," Yuki stated and Shuichi smiled bightly, pressing his hand against the glass of the television screen. He jumped slightly as Ryuichi's face materialized next to his own so he could talk over the phone somewhat.
"Thank you, Yuki! You're so nice to me and Kumagoro na no da! No one's ever stood up for us like that! We love you, Yuki-sa...! Shit..." Ryuichi mummbled under his breath as he realized he'd gone a little overboard. He hadn't meant it like THAT, but with all the rumors..."I'm sorry Shuichi!" he wailed, sobbing into his friend's back as he stiffened visibly.
"I agree with you," Yuki stated as the audience went deadly silent all of a sudden.
"So...it is true then?"
"No!" Both Shuichi and Yuki screamed at the same time. Ryuichi was too busy hiding too even hear the accusation.
"He didn't mean it like that!" Shuichi screamed.
"It was a slip of the tongue. Haven't you ever said that to someone you were thankful to?" Yuki countered, a slight blush making its way to his cheeks. Damn live TV for not being able to edit this whole argument out...
"No, I haven't, sorry." Shit. That always had been more of an American thing, hadn't it? "So, can we take this as proof that you and Sakuma-san are an item?" Ryuichi griped Kumagoro tighter and cried as the girl's words reached his ears. Tatsuha wasn't going to forgive him after THIS! He honestly didn't like Yuki like that! Why'd they have to change everything and make his argument with Tatsuha worse?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*
This was supposed to be more Yuki and Shuichi than Ryuichi and Tatsuha, but after a bit it just kind of molded into something Tatsuha and Ryuichi, so I guess that's what this is going to turn into. I hope you liked this chapter. It took me FOREVER to write and I'm SURE there's still a ton of typos in it even though I reread it and edited it many times. There are just some things I'll never catch.
Oh, I don't know if people in Japan do the whole 'I love you!' thing when they're really gratefull, I just decided to say they didn't so they'd still pick on Ryuichi and Yuki some even after Yuki explains, since both he and Ryuichi had spent time in America they'd understand it but the rest of the cast wouldn't.
Warnings: Shounen ai (no duh) and more angst for the lovely little Gravitation characters. Also, I'm sure there'll be quite a few typos in this story (as there are tons in Bloodred Valentine), so bear with them. I type too fast to not make tons of typos.
Pairings: Ryuichi and Tatsuha, Yuki and Shuichi, mentions of Yuki and Ryuichi
Notes: This is my sequel fic to Bloodred Valentine. If you haven't read that, none of this will make any sense. I can't even begin to explain all that happened in there.
/thoughts/
~*Newsreporters and rumors*~
Shuichi absentmindedly played with the charm of his necklace as he sat at the kitchen table, watching Yuki drinking his coffee. As was normal he had woken up after Yuki had, and was still trying to get his mind to focus properly. It was one of the few moments of quiet Yuki ever got when the boy was awake. Shuichi tried to order his mind to think of something to talk about, anything to make the room a little noisier. Although there was no reason for him to fear the silence, he did. He always had disliked silence, no matter what anybody else told him.
"Your book comes out today, doesn't it?" Shuichi asked after a while and Yuki nodded, leaning back against the counter as he watched Shuichi with the same intensity that Shuichi was watching him. "So...what do you do when it comes out? You've never told me when one of your books came out before." Yuki didn't let Shuichi see how much that had hurt. He'd watched everything the boy had been on, listened to every radio broadcast, went to every concert, and Shuichi had just admitted to never seeing one of his interviews before.
"For good reason," Yuki commented to himself under his breath, sure that Shuichi hadn't caught it. He hated praise, he truely did, and it was something Shuichi gave to him easily. He hadn't wanted to have to hear Shuichi's praise, which he was sure the boy would offer, over his books when he got it from everybody else. He didn't want someone so close to him praising him over something so stupid. "I have a couple interviews this afternoon about it. Not much else," he answered and Shuichi smiled happily.
"Then I get to spend the morning with you, right?" he asked hopefully, bouncing out of his chair happily. It was one of the few days he really didn't have to work, and he wanted to spend some extra time wiht Yuki. No lyrics, no books, just them. "What are we gonna do, then? Huh? Come on, you can think of something, right?" Shuichi asked, blinking as Yuki walked past him. "Where are you going?"
"Breakfast..." before Yuki could finish his sentence Shuichi was clinging to his arm happily.
"Where are we going?" he asked, smiling up at him.
"With Tatsuha and Sakuma-san. Mika wanted me to talk with Tatsuha about his responsibility," Yuki finished and Shuichi frowned, still not letting go of his arm. It wasn't fair having to share his Yuki with Tatsuha and Ryuichi!
"Can I come anyway?" Shuichi asked, looking hopefull. Yuki sighed, he really didn't want to leave Shuichi behind, but trying to have a serious talk with Tatsuha and Ryuichi over this would be a lot harder when one of them was playing with Shuichi.
"I don't think so Shuichi. It's a kind of family thing," Yuki explained, hoping that would be enough for him. Shuichi frowned, a little (as much as he could manage so early in the morning) upset that Tatsuha and Ryuichi were taking away his time with Yuki. He was most likely going to be gone all afternoon, so that left him with NOTHING to do on his one real day off.
"Why can't Mika do it?" he asked stubbornly, letting go of Yuki and crossing his arms. Mika was always sending Yuki to do this and that and it was really starting to get on his nerves. She'd come over and argue with Yuki without a second thought, but as soon as she wanted something to really get done she sent someone else to do it for her.
"Because Mika's job is to annoy people, not to help them," Yuki answered, glad that Shuichi had let go of his arm so he could finally move. Shuichi giggled a bit before frowning again, trying to think of another reason for Yuki to stay behind with him. /C'mon brain, work. Work! It may be early but you can't let Yuki get away!/
"How are you going to get there? Your car's in the shop," Shuichi said suddenly and Yuki visibly cringed at that. He'd almost forgotten that his precious car was stuck in the shop. It was his fault, but still...to have something so unjust happen to his beloved car.
"I guess I'll have to walk then," Yuki answered as he fished out his cell phone. Not only had he forgotten about how he was going to get there, but also WHERE he was going. He'd have to find someplace between his apartment and Ryuichi's, since he knew that neither of the boys were going to drive there. Their father didn't trust Tatsuha to come back if he had free motion around the city. Little did he know that he was with Sakuma Ryuichi and could get anywhere in any amount of time without a problem. All he knew was that he was staying with 'one of Tohma's friends,' and out of those there were many to pick from.
"Hello?" Tatsuha asked, still half asleep as he picked up his cell phone. Yuki sighed, there he was all ready to leave and he'd just woken Tatsuha up.
"Did you forget about something?" he asked and he heard Tatsuha yelp from the other side of the line. He also heard a satisfying thud as he was sure his brother fell over. There were also a couple satisfactory 'ows' and smaller thuds. He was feeling better already, knowing his brother was paying a little for his stupidity.
"Sorry sorry. I completely blanked yesterday! I'm so sorry! By the time I realized I was supposed to leave it was too late!" Tatsuha appologized and Yuki smiled slightly. He was lying and Yuki knew it. He was pretty sure that Tatsuha knew he was on to him as well. "So why are YOU calling? Mika normally does that. Something happen to her?" He asked suddenly, sounding worried.
"No. Mika wanted ME to have breakfast with you and Sakuma-san to make sure it never happens again. You know anywhere between us where we could go?" Yuki asked, glancing over at Shuichi, who was looking up at him hopefully, hands clasped in front of his chest. He shook his head at him and Shuichi frowned.
"Yeah, actually. There's a McDonalds halfway to your place. Ryuichi always makes me take him there when we come over." Yuki frowned a bit, he really didn't want to force himself in THERE but if it was the only place between the two of them...
"Fine. I'll meet you both there. I take it you'll be late, seeing as you just woke up." Shuichi clung to Yuki's arm as he hung the phone up, not ready to give up just yet.
"Please? Please please please please???" he begged, staring up at him with big watery eyes. Yuki sighed and once again detached the teen from his arm. "What about if I sit away from you three? Would that be alright?" /Yeah, if Ryuichi were to go blind/ Yuki thought to himself. Ryuichi could spot him and Shuichi out in a crowd of thousands without a problem. It was quite bizarre.
"I won't be back too late, so you can spend time with me when I get back," Yuki stated and Shuichi brightened up again.
"Okay! A whole night just me and Yuki! PLUS! I get to see Yuki on TV!" he cheered happily, running over to the couch and flopping down on it, flipping the TV on. He glanced over at Yuki as he started to leave, smiling brightly. "Byebye Yuki!" he cheered and Yuki waved at him over his shoulder, making him giggle. It was so cute. As soon as the door shut he grabbed the T.V. guide and wrote down the times and shows Yuki could be on that afternoon. He was trying his hardest to ignore the little thought in the back of his head that reminded him that Yuki hadn't let him go since it was a 'family thing,' but Ryuichi had gotten to go without a single protest.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Ryuichi awoke to the sounds of Tatsuha running around his apartment at what could only be described as WAY too early that morning. Sitting up from where he had fallen asleep on his couch he watched him run about, picking up whatever looked like it might be his and throwing it into his bag. "Morning," he mummbled sleepily, grabbing Kumagoro from where he'd fallen on the floor and clinging to him as he followed Tatsuha's movements.
"Morning," he returned, dropping to the floor and picking up a couple more things. Ryuichi blinked a couple more times before his brain caught up with him again.
"In a rush?" he asked as Tatsuha speed-walked past him into the bathroom, brushing his teeth. He leaned his head out of the doorway and nodded, and Ryuichi laughed at how cute he looked like that. He was so...disorganized, with his toothbrush hanging out of his mouth as he stared back at him, toothpaste in the other hand, eyes wide and hair a mess.
"What?" he asked as they both continued to stare at each other and Ryuichi shrugged, holding Kumagoro up over the back of the couch so he could sit there comfortably..
"I dunno, but Kumagoro said that you were doing it too!" he shouted to him as he disappeared into the bathroom to brush his teeth. He could hear Tatsuha laugh before poking his head back around the doorway, wiping his mouth with his arm.
"Don't DO that when I'm drinking something," he ordered and Ryuichi laughed as well, jumping over the edge of the couch and walking over to where Tatsuha was standing, looking around for SOMETHING.
"WHY are you in a rush?" he asked as he started to button Tatsuha's shirt for him, waiting for his answer. He was used to having Tatsuha stay longer than he was supposed to, but he'd never been in a rush to go home afterwards. Was he really in so much of a hurry to leave him this time? It honestly hadn't been his fault Tohma had taken so long yesterday.
"Mika wants us to have breakfast with my brother," he answered, running fingers through his hair as Ryuichi continued. Ryuichi nodded to himself, satisfied with Tatsuha's answer. Things could have been worse, Mika could have wanted to have breakfast with them. He didn't MIND Tohma's wife, but she had a sort of over-protectiveness when her brothers where concerned.
"Okay. Would you mind telling me these things before you make me think my house is on fire or something?" he asked, holding Kumagoro up between the two of them. "Kumagoro was really scared," he stated childishly and Tatsuha smiled, taking Kumagoro from Ryuichi and kissing his forehead appologetically.
"Sorry Kumagoro, I wasn't thinking." Ryuichi smiled slightly in return, hiding Kumagoro behind his back like a little child.
"I was scared, too," he stated innocently, staring at him with wide, childish eyes. Tatsuha smiled and pulled Ryuichi against him, kissing his forehead as well.
"Sorry," he appolgized before letting go and walking over to where he'd last set his bag down, grabbing the pile of clothes near it as Ryuichi went off to get ready, leaving Kumagoro behind to help Tatsuha pack.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Yuki checked his watch again as he leaned against the wall of the 'restauraunt.' He'd been waiting for at least ten minutes now, and he'd walked around a bit before making his way over, too. It would only figure that Tatsuha would be so late. He should have taken more time on his walk.
"Sorry we're late na no da." Yuki looked up to lock eyes with...beads? Blinking a couple more times he recognized it as Ryuichi's doll...thingy...whatever he insisted on calling it. He didn't want to try and think of it at the moment, he hadn't had much beyond coffee that morning and his brain wasn't functioning normally. "Tatsuha wanted to pack before we came over here na no da," the stuffed rabbit continued to explain and Yuki nodded.
"I left it back at Ryuichi's," Tatsuha explained to his brother's questioning gaze, pointing over to Ryuichi as though Yuki didn't know who he was. He'd only been forced to stare at poster after poster of him since he was around eleven years old. Four years of peace from them and suddenly Shuichi was back with his own. Thankfully he'd put those away before Yuki could snap.
"Good idea," Yuki stated , burrying his hands inside his pockets and turning to go inside until he felt someone tug on his arm. He turned around and was met with large, pleading, blue eyes.
"You're going to let Tatsuha come back, right? Me and Kumagoro'll miss him if you don't na no da," Ryuichi whined and Yuki worked on getting his arm free of Ryuichi's grip.
"Yes, yes. But if he keeps this act up father might not let him," Yuki answered and found an adorable little Ryuichi attached to his arm, smiling and babbling on like an idiot. He also found himself on the receiving end of one of Tatsuha's own, very few, death glares. He'd been subject to many when Tatsuha was smaller, being an older sibling and all. It wasn't that Tatsuha was mad that Ryuichi was clinging to someone, he did that often. It was just...Yuki had changed, he could tell it, and they looked so much alike. There was no guarantee he'd be able to hold onto Ryuichi. Especially since Yuki was closer to his age. Even though he knew Yuki had Shuichi, it wasn't entirely impossible that Ryuichi would start liking him as well. They were fairly similar themselves. "Take advantage of the time you have with him now before he leaves again," Yuki offered as help to his brother, who dropped his death glare. They were so wrapped up in their little conversation that none of them noticed the flash from behind them.
"Kumagoro agrees with Yuki-san! He says you're very wise na no da!" Ryuichi answered in return, moving to cling to Tatsuha's arm. "Kumagoro is very smart, too! Right, Tatsuha?" Tatsuha nodded his agreement and Ryuichi smiled happily, dragging both him and Yuki inside, stopping in the doorway as he registered another click from behind him. However, he shrugged it off quickly and continued to pull the other two inside.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Shuichi watched the television happily, humming to himself and toying with his necklace again as he waited for something entertaining to come on. Namely, Yuki. However, that wasn't going to be for a while now so he was stuck watching other, more boring shows while he waited. Not that he was complaining, he'd do just about anything for Yuki. Besides, it couldn't be THAT much longer, could it? He'd been waiting for a while as it was.
He was so absorbed in...doing nothing...that he almost missed it when the lady on the TV mentioned Yuki's name. Turning up the volume, he squeeled like a little fangirl and hoped Yuki would be on soon.
"Now, later today Yuki Eiri..." the lady had to pause and wait for the audience's tone level to go down. "...will be coming here to discuss the release of his new book, Bloodred Valentine. Now, those of us who have received advanced copies for this show, have noticed something very peculiar. Not only does he use the names of people around him, refer constantly to homosexual relationships, and give us all a look deeper into his mind than we've had before, but he also makes references to something I find very disturbing, himself with Sakuma Ryuichi, lead singer for hit band Nittle Grasper, while it is clearly stated here and in papers all across Japan that he is still with lead singer for Bad Luck, Shindo Shuichi. We can only wonder what this means. May it be a writing style, or reality? We cannot know as of yet, but don't worry, we'll have all this explained when he gets here..."
Shuichi didn't bother to listen to any more, flipping the channel to one of his other choices and clutching at his own copy of Yuki's book, flipping through the pages. Yep, sure enough, there were a LOT of references of things between him and Ryuichi in the last couple chapters. This wasn't going to go over well at ALL, no matter WHAT Yuki said. He could only hope Tohma used his authority to help, if not him, than Yuki. Otherwise the press would probably never leave them alone.
"...and we're going to try and see if we can get Shindo-kun's opinion on this picture in just a few short moments..." Shuichi blinked a couple times as a photo took up the screen, crawling over to the TV and staring at it closely. It was...Yuki...and Ryuichi. And...Ryuichi was...clinging to him. Damn, this wasn't going to go over well at all. He knew Ryuichi's habit of attaching himself to people when he was happy, it happened enough to him, but that wasn't to say that everyone else did. Clutching his necklace tightly, he sat down in front of the TV, hoping Yuki'd be able to clear everything up.
He jumped as the phone rang, running over quickly and hoping that it was Yuki. Of course he didn't DOUBT him, but still, this was going to be one hell of a nightmare to work through without him there.
"Hello?"
"Shindo-san, we're holding here in our hands a very disturbing picture of Yuki-san and Sakuma-san. If you would turn on your television to channel eight, we'd like to hear what you think of this photograph," the lady on the other end replied almost emotionlessly. /Sure, you find it QUITE disturbing. That's just why you just have it ENLARGED over the television! All you care about is making money off of this! You just want to get good reviews by making Yuki the bad guy! By trying to ruin my, Yuki's, and Ryuichi's lives! Not to mention that you'll be ruining Tatsuha's as well, but you don't know/CARE about him!/ was the first thing Shuichi wanted to say but he fought it down in an attempt to be a LITTLE nicer to the woman.
"I think, personally, that you should leave Yuki alone! Ryuichi is a friend of mine and his family's, so stop making assumptions!" he screamed instead, slamming down the reciever and watching as the stunned woman's face reappeared on the television. Good, at least that stupid picture was gone now. They hadn't DONE anything! He knew it! He KNEW Yuki wouldn't do that to him! Not after spending so much money on him, writing a book for him, being so NICE to him! It was HIS book, HIS! How could they even THINK about ruining something so perfect?
'...but he also makes references to something I find very disturbing, himself with Sakuma Ryuichi, lead singer for hit band Nittle Grasper...' Shuichi wrapped arms around his chest as he remembered the girl's words. His book, the book Yuki had written for him, also mentioned himself with Ryuichi. It was true, he'd read it. He just...hadn't thought about it. He KNEW Yuki hadn't meant it, but...but...
"...why'd he mention it at all?" Shuichi finished outloud, feeling the tears well up in his eyes. It was there, in print, all over the country. People EVERYWHERE were going to read it, people EVERYWHERE were going to think about it, and people EVERYWHERE were going to think bad things about Yuki. Yuki'd had enough bad things happen to him already, why'd they have to add more? Why did the people who 'adored' him have to ruin him? Why'd they think mean things about him if they truely liked him? Would they think bad things about Ryuichi now, too?
Shuichi curled up into a little ball in front of the couch and continued to watch the TV as tears streamed down his face. "Yuki, hurry and come back. I'm confused..."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Basically, the threat hangs that if you don't start gaining some responsability and coming home on time, father might want to talk with Sakuma-san about the whole ordeal and may not let you come back," Yuki explained over his coffee, the only thing he really could stomach there. Tatsuha sighed and ran fingers through his hair as Ryuichi went chibi again and attached himself to Tatsuha's other arm, staring at Yuki with huge, tearfull eyes.
"You can't take Tatsuha-san away forever na no da!" he whined, clinging to him tightly. Yuki sighed and ran his hand through his own, lighter hair. This was a pain either way. It was obvious that Ryuichi just didn't WANT to be serious. Ryuichi blinked a couple times as Yuki closed his eyes and seemed to be thinking, what more was there really to say? He let go of Tatsuha and leaned over the table to pat Yuki on the head gently, gaining his attention. Yuki blinked as he found he was staring at the other side of Ryuichi, the one depicted in all the posters he'd seen over his lifetime. "Don't worry about it, I understand. It's just...I really do love him. I don't want him to leave me." Ryuichi explained, smiling slightly as he finished. "Your father wouldn't like the fact that Tatsuha was with me, would he?" he continued in English, not wanting to worry Tatsuha.
"I wouldn't know for sure, but probably not. He wants one of his sons to be 'normal' like Mika," Yuki replied just as easily and Ryuichi frowned a bit before sitting down again. Tatsuha blinked a couple times and looked over at Ryuichi, confused.
"What were you two talking about?" Tatsuha asked and Ryuichi smiled innocently.
"Nothing," he answered, switching back to Japanese so he could talk with Tatsuha. However, Tatsuha wasn't easily fooled. He'd managed to pick out his and Mika's name from their little conversation so obviously it had something to do with him.
"Okay." Tatsuha decided it was better to just drop it than to start an argument. Arguments with his brother could be scary. Not to mention the fact that he really didn't want to agrue with the adorable person that was now reattached to his arm. "So. all I have to do is go home on time from now on and our problem's solved?" Tatsuha asked, hoping he still had one more chance. He'd been given a lot of chances so far.
"Let's hope that's how it works. Dad might want to talk to Sakuma-san about this anyway." Tatsuha frowned at that. His father had made it very clear a couple years ago that he was more than displeased with his Ryuichi addiction. If he found out he was actually dating and half LIVING with him things were sure to get ugly.
Yuki checked his watch and stood up, earning blank stares from the other two.
"Where are you going na no da?" Ryuichi asked, still not releasing Tatsuha's arm. They still needed to work out stuff. Why was Yuki leaving? Had he given up on them? Did he not like them?
"I have things I have to do today. If needed I'll lie and get Tatsuha out of it this ONCE. Don't count on me doing it again. I'd suggest you just be a little more responsible so this doesn't get any worse," Yuki stated before he left, dropping his coffee in the trash. He didn't care if he was wasting it, it wasn't necisarily good coffee.
"Yuki-san really is a lot nicer now," Ryuichi stated as Yuki left, leaning against Tatsuha comfortably and loosening his grip on his arm. Tatsuha stiffened slightly at that and Ryuichi sighed contentedly, rubbing his head aginst Tatsuha's shoulder like a cat would do. "It must be a nice difference for Shuichi," he continued and Tatsuha relaxed again. Ryuichi blinked a couple times before sitting up, and staring Tatsuha in the eyes, looking incredibly...informed. "You think I like Yuki-san, don't you?" he asked and Tatsuha visibly cringed.
"No," /not yet/ Tatsuha argued, trying not to make a scene just in case someone recognized Ryuichi's voice. He knew he would have.
"You think he likes me," he demanded and Tatsuha tried to sink back farther into his seat. This wasn't going to go well at all.
"No," /not necissarily./
"You think I'm going to start liking Yuki-san, and Yuki-san's going to like me, and we're going to get together, don't you?" /Bullseye. Amazing how smart you really are when you try./ Ryuichi sighed and stood up quickly, grabbing Tatsuha's wrist and dragging him out with him. He dragged him the whole way back to his house.
"You're mad at me, aren't you?" Tatsuha asked as he sat down on the couch, embrassed. He knew he wasn't supposed to stop trusting Ryuichi like that. He knew Ryuichi trusted him. /Please don't me mad. Please don't be mad. Please don't be mad.../
"I'm not mad, just...a little disapointed na no da." /Damn, that's not any better,/ Tatsuha thought as Ryuichi sighed and dropped Kumagoro on the table in front of the couch, sitting down next to him. "You don't like Shuichi because he looks like me, do you?" Tatsuha froze, remembering back when he'd first met Shuichi. Damn, this REALLY wasn't going to go over well. "Tatsuha?" Ryuichi's eyes widened slightly and he reached for Kumagoro, squeezing the bunny's hand tightly as he waited for Tatsuha's answer.
"I...I hadn't ever met you...and I didn't think I would, but I REALLY wanted to and...and he looked like you...so...so...so...I...I didn't really LIKE him! I only thought he was cute!" Tatsuha tried to cover, burrying his face in his hands. He was going to be in deep shit for that, and he knew it. But, it wasn't his fault. He'd been DESPERATE!
"Oh," Ryuichi stated softly, standing up and walking towards the door as fast as he could without looking like he was desperate to leave. However, as soon as the door was shut behind him he ran as fast as he could down the hallway and towards the nearest comfort he could find.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Shuichi opened his eyes slowly as he heard someone knocking on the door. He had no idea how long they had been there, but they were there. Standing up slowly he wiped the tears from his eyes and face. His cheeks still burned from the crying but he didn't figure whoever it was would care.
Standing on his tip-toes he peered through the little looking glass, blinking as he caught sight of Ryuichi. He was...crying. Now that was odd. He quickly undid the latches on the door and found his friend almost immediately in his arms, sobbing. He shut the door behind him and managed to drag Ryuichi back to the couch, sitting down and running fingers through his friend's hair comfortingly as he cried. He also grabbed the remote and muted the TV. He didn't want to upset Ryuichi any more than he already was.
After about ten minutes Ryuichi finally calmed down and sat up, wiping his eyes and trying not to look at Shuichi. "Sorry. I really shouldn't be here, but...I knew you would help me," Ryuichi stated after a while, clinging to Kumagoro tightly. Feeling the soft material give way under his fingers easily.
"What's wrong?" Shuichi asked, covering his friend's hands with his own comfortingly. He thought he knew, but he was probably wrong. He normally was. "I promise I won't tell anyone, okay?" Shuichi tried again, moving his hands to take Kumagoro's arms in them. Ryuichi was still silent. "You're making Kumagoro sad..." Ryuichi smiled slightly before nodding and wiping the tears once again from his eyes with the back of his sleeve.
"Tatsuha...Tatsuha thinks I like Yuki-san, but I DON'T! I like HIM! He won't understand. I tried to make him understand, really. I...I reversed the question back on him...and...and...he said..." Shuichi leaned forward and hugged Ryuichi as he started crying again, resting his face against his shoulder. "How can you like someone just because of how they look?" he asked when he'd calmed down some more, still clinging to Shuichi and Kumagoro like he was Shuichi's age again.
"Our fans do it all the time. They think they know us from the talk and the interviews and the songs but they really don't. Tatsuha thought he knew you because of all of that, but all he knew about me was that I was with Yuki. I didn't mean anything to him, I could tell. I...I don't think he's shallow enough to like someone just because of how they look." Ryuichi nodded slightly and closed his eyes slightly, exhausted from crying.
"Tatsuha's going to be mad if he found out I came here." Shuichi sighed and closed his eyes. This wasn't good. Not only would Tatsuha be upset, but he was sure the reporters were going to be all over it. That REALLY wouldn't help poor Tatsuha and Ryuichi. "So, why are you upset Shuichi?" Ryuichi asked, letting go of Shuichi and sitting up to stare his friend in the eyes. Shuichi blinked a couple times and Ryuichi smiled slightly. "Don't think I wouldn't notice when my friend's been crying," Ryuichi stated and Shuichi blushed slightly, pointing to the TV. He'd known he and Ryuichi were friends, but he'd never heard him say it before. It was kind of strange, to be friends with someone you'd idolized most of your life.
"This," Shuichi stated as he unmuted the TV, running fingers through his hair as he acknowledged the fact that yes, the reporters WERE right outside, and yes, they DID want to talk to him. "They just love picking on me and Yuki, don't they?" Shuichi asked after a while, leaning back and staring up at the ceiling.
"They love money. Don't worry, they liked to pick on us when we were new, too." Shuichi blinked a couple times before he finally realized what Ryuichi was saying was true. He remembered watching the news about it, and being one of the many fans writing to them that he didn't believe the media.
"I remember that," he stated dejectedly and Ryuichi laughed slightly, patting Shuichi on the head.
"Don't worry. Things'll be fine. So long as people don't start believing them. That'd be bad," Ryuichi stated and Shuichi slumped down farther in the couch.
"Did you have to add that?" Shuichi asked as he tried to ignore the noise outside.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Yuki sighed as he walked to the entrance for the set of his first interview. Truth be told, he'd rather be spending his day with Shuichi than sitting listening to people's stupid rantings and answering even dumber questions. But...things just didn't work that way. Damn things for not going how he wanted them to.
Live TV, always fun. He could make complete asses out of the entire staff and audience and they wouldn't be able to do a damn thing. Not like he ever had, or ever would, but still. It would be fun to do.
He watched as the lady talked for a couple more minutes before announcing him and he was tapped on the shoulder to go out. Like he really couldn't tell. When the girls started screaming that meant someone had just mentioned him.
He shoved his hands into his pockets before walking out onto the stage, ignoring the screams that threatened to make him deaf before the interview even started. As much as he liked that idea at the moment, it wouldn't be good in the long run. He'd never admit it but he truthfully loved to hear Shuichi sing. Sure, the lyrics never were the greatest, but it was his voice that sold the CDs, and his voice that Yuki loved.
Both of them sat down and the girl leaned against her armrest rather unprofesionaly as she talked to him. "We'll start with the basic questions, since you just got here. Many people have thought it strange that you'd abandoned your traditional one word titles for this book. Is there any specific reason or were you just trying to change things a bit?" /Wouldn't that be a reason?/ Yuki asked himself as she continued to stare at him intently, waiting for an answer.
"Most times my publisher chose the title, but I ended up naming this one myself," he answered politely. Stupid people, they just had to be dealt with in life.
"Oh. Well, people have also wondered why the names of the characters in this book seem to be that of you and real people you know. Why is that?" she asked, leaning over a little bit more with each sentence.
"It came from a dream I had not to long ago. I didn't think it would be appropriate to change the names considering the situation I was in at the moment. Also, I figured it would be more personal, seeing as I was writing it for Shuichi." The girl sat up suddenly and pushed her hair back behind her ears, brushing off her sleeves.
"About that. We've noticed something in your book that...well, we don't know what to make out of it," she stated nervously. Yuki gave her a funny look as she picked the copy she'd been given and opened it to a book marked page. "Umm...on page...64...people have been noticing that...well..." Great. Now he didn't have to make an ass out of the staff, she was doing it herself. "It's sort of implied that you and Sakuma Ryuichi are, well, an item." /An item? Who says THAT now a days? Wait a minute.../
"What?!" Sitting up quickly Yuki grabbed the book and reread over it. Yep. Sure enough, it was in there. Damn his writing sprees. He could never remember exactly what he'd written afterwards. Sighing he set the book back down on the table between them and slumped back in his chair. Thankfully Shuichi hadn't caught that or there'd be hell to pa.../Oh shit/
/'A whole night just me and Yuki! PLUS! I get to see Yuki on TV'/
/Shit. Shit, shit, shit...Not good, Yuki, not good./
"Are you alright?" she asked again as Yuki continued to sit scarily still. She wasn't supposed to kill her guest! Especially not someone like Yuki Eiri!!! And she was NEW! That wasn't going to go over well!
"Excuse me," Yuki managed as he fished his cell phone out of his pocket. She blinked a couple times and nodded, glad that Yuki was at least moving now. He dialed Shuichi's cell phone number quickly and hoped he would answer. He could only hope Shuichi wasn't mad at him about this. He hadn't MEANT to!
"Yuki?!" Shuichi asked immediately from the other line and Yuki sighed, relaxing. Shuichi seemed more hopeful than upset. "Yuki! It really you?!?!" Yuki blinked a couple times. Shuichi was hardly making any sense.
"Yes, it's really me, loo..."
"Thank God! They won't LEAVE!!! I don't want to go out there and deal with them myself but me and Ryuichi are stuck in the house now!!! Oops..." Shuichi muttered softly afterwards, willing to bet they'd heard him on the TV. He was watching the interview and had hoped Yuki was calling him when he's pulled ou this cell phone.
"Sakuma Ryuichi is over there?" The interviewer asked curiously, leaning over slightly so she could hear better. The entire audience gasped in shock and surprise and Yuki shot her a glare that made her shut up immediately and back away from him and the phone.
"Shuichi, what IS Ryuichi doing over there?" he asked, knowing that Ryuichi had wanted to spend his time with Tatsuha that day before he had to leave.
"Umm...he and Tatsuha got into a fight and he came over here for comfort," he whispered and Yuki nodded, smiling slightly.
"Tell the blockhead to appologize for whatever he did or I won't let him come back again. No one should argue with people like you two. You hurt to easily, and you don't deserve that," Yuki stated and Shuichi smiled bightly, pressing his hand against the glass of the television screen. He jumped slightly as Ryuichi's face materialized next to his own so he could talk over the phone somewhat.
"Thank you, Yuki! You're so nice to me and Kumagoro na no da! No one's ever stood up for us like that! We love you, Yuki-sa...! Shit..." Ryuichi mummbled under his breath as he realized he'd gone a little overboard. He hadn't meant it like THAT, but with all the rumors..."I'm sorry Shuichi!" he wailed, sobbing into his friend's back as he stiffened visibly.
"I agree with you," Yuki stated as the audience went deadly silent all of a sudden.
"So...it is true then?"
"No!" Both Shuichi and Yuki screamed at the same time. Ryuichi was too busy hiding too even hear the accusation.
"He didn't mean it like that!" Shuichi screamed.
"It was a slip of the tongue. Haven't you ever said that to someone you were thankful to?" Yuki countered, a slight blush making its way to his cheeks. Damn live TV for not being able to edit this whole argument out...
"No, I haven't, sorry." Shit. That always had been more of an American thing, hadn't it? "So, can we take this as proof that you and Sakuma-san are an item?" Ryuichi griped Kumagoro tighter and cried as the girl's words reached his ears. Tatsuha wasn't going to forgive him after THIS! He honestly didn't like Yuki like that! Why'd they have to change everything and make his argument with Tatsuha worse?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~*~*
This was supposed to be more Yuki and Shuichi than Ryuichi and Tatsuha, but after a bit it just kind of molded into something Tatsuha and Ryuichi, so I guess that's what this is going to turn into. I hope you liked this chapter. It took me FOREVER to write and I'm SURE there's still a ton of typos in it even though I reread it and edited it many times. There are just some things I'll never catch.
Oh, I don't know if people in Japan do the whole 'I love you!' thing when they're really gratefull, I just decided to say they didn't so they'd still pick on Ryuichi and Yuki some even after Yuki explains, since both he and Ryuichi had spent time in America they'd understand it but the rest of the cast wouldn't.