This is an AU story take on the whole Gravitation series. What if there was someone in Shu's life before Yuki? A possessive relationship turned obsession that goes horribly wrong. As usual, expect angst…and plenty of it! So read this with tissues on standby.
Disclaimer: I still don't own Gravitation. All characters belong to Maki Murakami. No profit is made from the writing of this story.
People who treat other people as less than human must not be surprised when the bread they have cast on the waters comes floating back to them, poisoned. – James Baldwin
Eyelids fluttered as their owner began to awaken, unaware of his surroundings. Shindou Shuichi almost panicked before he realized that he was in the hospital…again. Really, he almost suspected that the hospital staff saved him a room on purpose. God knew that he was here so much that they knew him on a first-name basis. Groaning at the pain that lanced through his head, he eased himself into a sitting position. A quick glance to his right told him that he had company. Nakano Hiroshi sat dozing in one of the standard hospital chairs, his auburn hair falling to cover his face. Warmth spread through him at seeing his best friend there. That was before the realization of why he was there ran through his mind like a broken tape. His boyfriend, Chikafuji Maro, had lost control of his temper again and Shuichi had been unfortunate enough to be in his way at the time. Spying a mirror laying on the nightstand beside his bed he picked it up, wincing as he felt the pull of strained muscles. He bit back a startled gasp as he saw his own reflection in the mirror. Sickened, he could only stare in fascinated revulsion at the battered planes of his face. His right eye was nearly swollen shut, the tender skin around it a nasty bluish-black color. A huge piece of gauze covered half of his forehead which accounted for the pounding sensation in his skull. The bottom half of his lip had been busted open and he could feel the twinges of pain from it. A cast on his left arm and bandages around his ribs completed the macabre tour of his injuries. Placing the mirror back onto the table, he started to tremble as the memories assaulted him.
He'd gone to visit his boyfriend, brimming over with happiness at his good news. After all their hard work, both he and Hiro had gotten a contract with the illustrious NG Records. Opening the door, he scanned around the room, not seeing his boyfriend. Calling out his name, he heard no reply. Going to the back of the apartment where the bedroom was, he was startled to hear moaning sounds. He grew scared thinking that his boyfriend was injured in some way and ran into the room. His breath hitching in pain at the sight before him, he could only stare as he saw his boyfriend of a year screwing a red-headed bimbo. She squeaked in fright at seeing Shuichi standing there in the doorway, alerting Maro to his presence. An ugly smirk crossed his handsome features and Shuichi flinched back against the doorframe. After disposing of his latest fling, Maro threw the covers aside as he pulled his shirt and pants back on.
"That wasn't nice interrupting my fun like that, Shuichi. Now, you're going to have to pay."
Shuichi nearly stumbled as he ran out of the doorway, hearing the heavy steps of his boyfriend behind him. Fear surged through him as he recalled incidents of the past, not wanting a repeat today. Luck wasn't with him, however, as he felt a hand grab a tight hold around his arm. He felt vertigo as he was yanked around to face an angry Maro. "I-I'm sorry, Maro! P-please, do not hurt me again!" He could smell the overpowering odor of whiskey on Maro's breath and he knew things were going to get very ugly. Maro had a bad temper under normal conditions, but when liquor was added it became an unstable inferno.
"I didn't say you could speak, you little bitch! Shut the fuck up!" A loud crack pierced the air as he swung his fist into the side of Shuichi's face. "Where were you anyway? You were supposed to be home two hours ago! What were you doing, huh? Spreading your legs for that bastard friend of yours? God only knows who you're giving it to since I sure as fuck ain't getting any. Answer me when I'm asking you a damned question, bitch!" Another punch this time, blood dotting his hand as the tender skin of Shuichi's lip split open.
Shuichi couldn't hold back the cry of pain that escaped him as he tried fruitlessly to shield himself from Maro's blows. How ironic that the one doing the cheating was always jealous of whom he hung out with, always shouting accusations at him that he was a stupid little whore who'd fuck anyone. In that instant, he felt his mind pull away, leaving him an empty shell as the punishment continued. After what seemed like hours, Maro finally pulled back. He almost cried in relief as he heard him leave, the door slamming shut behind him. Whimpering as he pulled his battered body up, he slowly eased to the door. Hiro…he had to get to Hiro's. Feeling the blackness start pushing at the edge of his vision, he stubbornly pushed it aside as he made his slow, torturous way toward Hiro's house. Glad that it was night, he knew that no one would be able to see him as clearly. Pity wasn't something he needed right now.
The rustling sound of sheets woke Hiro. Looking up at his friend, his heart clenched with anger at seeing his friend so battered. He'd almost had a heart attack when Shu showed up on his parents' doorstep, bleeding and battered. His mother had come up behind him to see who was at the door and she almost screamed at the sight of Shuichi. Racing back into the house, she grabbed her keys. "Hiroshi, take my car! Hurry and get him to a hospital now!" Needing no further prompting, he'd gathered the now limp body of his friend into his arms and ran to the car. Looking back, he knew that he'd probably broken several speeding laws to get here, but he didn't give a damn. It had seemed an eternity to him before the doctor had come back out to give him an update on Shuichi's condition. As he rattled off the list of injuries, Hiro's anger had grown. His suspicions had been increasing ever since the first incident where Shu had to be taken to the hospital. Shu had always brushed it off, attributing his injuries to his klutziness. Hiro hadn't been fooled by his friend's excuses. Knowing that it would be up to Shuichi to finally break his silence, he'd done nothing since he had no real proof. But now as he sat in Shu's hospital room, seeing his friend bandaged and lying battered in the bed, he could deny it no longer.
He watched as Shuichi sat there looking as though he were lost in his thoughts. Raising his hand, he placed it on Shuichi's shoulder in an effort to comfort him. He didn't expect to hear that shriek from his friend as he recoiled from his touch, almost falling off the bed in an effort to get away from him. "Shu, what's wrong? It's me, Hiro! Shuichi, please just calm down! No one's going to hurt you!" His friend sat at the edge of the bed, his legs pulled close to his chest. He could tell that the exertion of moving had exhausted him, given the way his chest heaved. Unsure of what to do for his friend, he sank back into his seat feeling the prick of tears at the corners of his eyes. Hiro swore then that he'd hunt that bastard down and make him pay, but first, he had to convince Shu to get away from him once and for all.
Shuichi jolted as he felt the hand settle on his shoulder. It snapped him out of his reverie and he bolted to the edge of the bed in an effort to get away. He sat there for a minute before he pulled his legs close to his chest, his chest heaving in an effort to calm down. Vaguely, he heard Hiro's voice calling out to him, the reassuring sound washing over him. Raising his head, he glanced over at his friend. The usually calm Hiro had tears in his eyes as he looked back at him. "H-hiro?"
He didn't have to say anymore as Hiro rose up out of his seat and reached over to gather him in his comforting embrace. "I'm here now, Shuichi. I won't allow him to hurt you ever again. I promise."
Shuichi broke down and cried in his best friend's arms, happy that someone was here with him. "I can't go back, Hiro. It just keeps getting worse and worse. Tonight…I caught him cheating on me with some woman. He kept accusing me of cheating on him…calling me a whore and worse. I tried to escape, but he caught me and then…" His voice trailed off, not wanting to relive the memories a second time.
Hiro fought down his insane urge to go over to Maro's apartment and beat the bastard to a bloody pulp. His suspicions had been correct. "You're not a whore, Shuichi." He whispered softly. "He had no right to treat you like he has. Don't worry, Shu…you can come stay with me until you decide where to stay. Okay?" At Shuichi's nod, he smiled. "I'll notify Seguchi-san and Sakano-san about what happened. We'll just reschedule our meeting with them for a later time. You're more important right now, Shu."
"Thanks, Hiro. Do my parents or Maiko know what's happened?"
Hiro nodded. "I called them as soon as I got you here to the hospital. You gave Mom quite a fright when she saw you at the door."
Just then Shuichi's parents and sister rushed through his hospital door and Hiro excused himself to allow his friend some alone time with his family. He had a few calls to make. Once outside of Shuichi's room, he called both their producer and boss. Sakano and Seguchi were both sympathetic to what he told them and assured him that the meeting could be postponed until Shuichi had recuperated.
A few days later, Shuichi was pronounced well enough to go home. The doctor had advised plenty of rest to allow his injuries to heal. Hiro was bound and determined that he would get it. After making sure that Shuichi was settled in the car, he walked around and got in the driver's seat. His mother had insisted that he borrow her car to carry Shuichi to his apartment. She'd told him that his motorcycle wouldn't be practical. He'd fought to roll his eyes at that. Like he'd be stupid enough to try and have Shuichi ride his motorcycle in his condition. Naturally, Shuichi's parents had protested where he'd be staying, wanting their son to stay with them, but Shuichi had insisted that he'd rather stay with Hiro. They'd backed off after a few minutes, saying that if he needed anything to just let them know. Hiro looked over at his friend and saw that he'd dozed off. Didn't surprise him considering how much pain medication he was on. Once Shu was settled, he'd go and get some of Shu's things from his parents' house. He was deeply glad that Shuichi had resisted moving in with that bastard boyfriend of his.
A short time later found them pulling into Hiro's driveway. Hiro had been debating on whether or not to awaken his friend, not wanting to startle him like what had happened in the hospital. To his relief, Shuichi woke up, his violet eyes looking dazed as he looked around him. "Where are we?" he asked, his voice slightly slurred with sleep.
"We're at my apartment, Shu. Come on and let me get you settled in. You can get some more rest while I go and get some of your stuff from your parents."
As Shuichi settled on the bed and started to doze off again, Hiro felt a sense of relief flow over him. Maybe now that he was away from that monster, he'd begin to regain his sense of who he used to be, instead of the scared creature he'd turned into.
Chapter 2 Preview: Before Shu and Hiro have their meeting with Sakano and Seguchi, Shu has his infamous meeting with Yuki. But after having just come out of a troubled relationship, he fights his attraction to him. Yuki's intrigued and doesn't intend to let him get away, leading to their little reunion at NG.
Song used in this story: This Time – Celine Dion