*~* When Lonely Hearts Connect *~*

Author's note: Yet another Egoist fic, and it's no sequel to "For the love of an egoist" I'm afraid. Simply a retelling of the events in the anime version from both Nowaki's and Hiroki's perspectives,changing throughout each chapter. I've never really attempted anything like this before. I might later include chapters from the manga at random intervals, but only if I get good feedback from what I post of it here. Mostly, it will be canon to the anime version of JR. Some of the dialogue may divert from the anime a tad bit, but not much. I hope you enjoy, and i implore you ppl; REVIEW!

Hiroki's Perspective

I can't take this anymore...

I was the one who seduced him...

Hiroki Kamijou was sitting alone in the park, fighting back tears. Around him children ran and laughed happily, without a care in the world. It was almost mocking how indifferent the atmosphere was to this man, who felt like his heart was shattering to pieces.

Painful flashs of the night before seared through his memory like sharp jabs of a knife. But not only did the images return, but also, the words;

All you need is a blindfold...

It'll be as though your beloved Akihiko was right here in your arms...

The words; lust-filled, with just a touch of smugness; self certainty. Indeed, Hiroki's ego had taken over him that night. He was sure of himself, sure once he had given himself completely to the one he loved so dearly, that his feelings would finally ring clear with him.

Hiroki recalled himself leaning forward, his hands sliding up on either side of Akihiko's face, pulling him in for the kiss he'd longed for, for so long.

My high-handed naivety...pathetic really. I should have realized, but instead I had to go lose control, and now I know the truth...he can never ever love me...and that's the way it is...

...will always be.

As much as he tried to fight it, as much as he longed to forget, there was no forgetting...the way Akihiko's cold, beautiful hands had tangled themselves in his chestnut-colored locks. The love that had roused within him...he was just about to say them. Confess at long last. This had to be the moment that his waiting would end. He could practically picture the words rolling off his tongue. I love you, Akihiko...

But that wasn't what happened.

Hiroki cringed as the word floated back, hazy yet distinct at the same time. The word he'd dreaded hearing most. The word he had desperately been trying to make Akihiko forget, leave behind forever. The word he'd wanted erased like figures on a chalkboard. Nonexistant; gone.

Takahiro...

It was all in that moment, he finally understood. There was no hope. Only his own selfishness, his own desire. But now, there was only pain. The pain of knowing that even though Takahiro would never be Akihiko's, in his heart, there would only be room for him. Him; no one else.

All that's left now is the memory of his touch.

My love will never be returned...

A tear rolled down his cheek to splatter on the front of his hand. Hiroki started. His eyes were now swimming with tears.

Oh Jesus...now I'm crying...I can't believe I'm this pathetic.

There was no point in staying there any longer. He knew that much. He figured he'd just go back to his apartment and curl up into a fetal position and stay there forever.

Hiroki was just about to get up and leave when he heard a whirring noise somewhere above him, steadily growing louder and closer. He slowly turned his head upwards in the direction of the sound and screamed as a large model rocket crashed in the ground at his feet.

"GYAAAAAHHHH!" He cried in alarm. "W-what the hell?"

Nowaki's Perspective

Hmmm...I think it landed somewhere over there.

Kusama Nowaki was walking across the grass, away from the spot where he'd launched the rocket. He laughingly told his elderly companions that he would retrieve it this time, and had went off in the direction he thought it had fallen.

It was Yama-san's 70th birthday today. Amazing how time flies... Nowaki had thought to himself earlier that day. It was flying for him as well. He was working six part time jobs and just barely finding time to study for his high school GED exam. His life was pretty hectic at the moment, but he'd still founf some time in his busy schedule to throw the party for Yama-san. knowing that he'd always wanted to be an astronaut. They must have looked so silly, four older men and one teenager launching off rockets, but Nowaki didn't mind. It was nice to have a little fun now and then. He glanced this way and that for the rocket. Man, I wonder where the heck it landed? He thought. Then, he looked up and saw it; the pointed top had lodged itself in the ground at someone's feet. He briskly walked towards it and lifted it off the ground.

From the corner of his vision he saw someone looking alarmedly up towards him. He lifted his eyes in that person's direction...

...and froze.

Sitting before him was a man, somewhere in his early 20s, Nowaki guessed, and he had...tears in his eyes. He apparently noticed Nowaki's surprise because he furiously began wiping his face with his sleeve.

He's...the most beautiful thing I've ever seen...Nowaki thought dreamily. He had wide, chocolate-colored eyes, matching hair that was slightly ruffled from the wind. A smooth, flawless face, with a slightly pointed chin. Nowaki had never been more captivated by the mere sight of another human being. His face was a little red and swollen from crying, but it only made him look more beautiful in Nowaki's eyes. It was the most indescribable thing. Nowaki almost never thought about love or even dating. He simply had no time...but this was different. It wasn't just that he was beautiful...that surprised, startled expression that this person had on his face...the tears flowing down his cheeks... it was drawing Nowaki in. Moving his soul. Never had he wanted so badly to wipe away anyone's tears, scoop him up in his arms, and make everything okay for him. He wanted to hold this person, comfort this person...it didn't matter that they were both men. The question didn't even pop into his mind of whether it was strange or bizzare for him to feel this way about a man.

And it didn't take long for him to see it...to identify these feelings that were blooming in his heart.

He had fallen in love...at first sight.

But, rather than capturing this person in his arms and carrying him away, he reached out and grabbed his arm, his heart pounding wildly, but not enough to make him hesitiate.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Kusama Nowaki." He briefly said, introducing himself. He then procedding to drag him away, and this is where common sense began to intervene.

What the heck do you think you're doing? You can't actually just steal him away! Just what the heck are you planning to do? Don't you think you should think this through a little?

And indeed, his concious wasn't the only one expressing indignation and bewilderment at that time. The heavenly angel he had discovered was shouting at him from behind.

"Oy! Where the hell do you think you're taking me? Let me go already! What's up with you?"

His voice... Nowaki's swooned inside his mind. My God...he's so precious...say something back! Anything!

But he could'nt manage to find the words. He simply kept a firm grip on the man's arm and practically dragged him over to where Yama-san and his friends were sitting, having a few beers while Nowaki got the rocket. One of them saw him and shouted at him.

"Oy! Wacchan! Did you find the rocket?"

"A newcomer eh?" Another one said.

"Welcome! Come on over!" Yama-san said. "The more the merrier right?"

Before the bewildered man could protest, he was handed a beer and welcomed in by the small group.

"Cheers!" They all said happily, raising their cans in a toast.

"Uh..." Was all the brunette gave in response. Nowaki could tell he was a bit flustered by the whole thing, and he smiled warmly to himself. I never thought it was possibly before...but this man...he's so...cute.

Acting largely on impulse again, he stepped toward him and rubbed his hair bit. The man stared at him, confusion in his gaze. Nowaki could see also, however, that he was no longer crying.

"It's all right." He said in a low, gentle voice. He hoped his smile wasn't too broad or obvious. He didn't want to creep this man out. Suddenly, Nowaki saw him blink slowly, once, his eyes wide, as though he were thinking about something of grave importance. It puzzled Nowaki, but he had little time to react to it. He was called over by one of the guests to launch the rocket again. Hesitantly, he decided maybe it was best to do that and let his beautiful discovery have a drink and cheer himself up. Giving the man a warm smile, he walked towards the rocket, unaware of the man's lost, confused gaze on his back. He smiled, thinking to himself. I will make him mine. I have to...I never thought this could happen to me but...

...I've just never felt this way about anyone before.

Nowaki launched off the rocket a few more times while the man had a conversation with Yama-san and the others. Nowaki could'nt help overhearing the man introduce himself as Hiroki Kamijou. He also could'nt help overhear the men casually dub him as Hirotan. Hiroki... Nowaki thought to himself. Beautiful...just like he is. Nowaki could'nt help casting a few broad smiles in Hiroki's direction. He was half-hoping Hiroki was noticing his expression, and comprehending the meaning behind them. Nowaki was a very direct person at heart. He didn't like others to not be aware of his feelings or intentions. Nowaki could'nt help but feel his heart swell whenever Hiroki happened to turn into the light just the right way as he was talking, so that the light of the warm, November sun filled his eyes and turned them into liquid pools of amber. He sipped his beer gingerly as he spoke with Yama-san and the other guests, and just as Nowaki launched off the rocket for a fifth time, he caught sight of Hiroki looking his way, which made Nowaki tingle with happiness. He cast a warm, love-tinted glance back in his direction, But Hiroki didn't seem to notice anything odd about it. He went on sipping his beer and chatting. Nowaki sighed.

Hiroki Kamijou...Hiroki...

Hiro-san...

The name just popped into his head, but Nowaki loved the way it sounded. He knew the shortening of Hiroki's name was a bit informal and maybe a little too personal for casual use, especially since they had only first met, but then again, Yama-san had done it, dubbing him Hirotan, and he hadn't seemed offended...just a little confused. Oh, he so cute when he's confused. Nowaki thought cheerfully. Hiro-san...my Hiro-san...

Hiro-san...

End of first chappie. Hope you all liked. Plz review.