oO-----oOo-----Oo

Episode 2: ...I Only Wish THAT was the Punchline

Hiro thoughtfully fingered the quite-visible bullet hole in the floor of studio B7.

"I wonder what Seguchi-san will say about this?" He thought aloud.

He and the others had been waiting patiently outside the door when they heard a shot ring out. They rushed in after only a couple second's hesitation, and saw Shuichi lying on the floor and K standing over him holding a smoking gun. The sight caused nothing more than raised eyebrows from the two band mates, but was enough to nearly send the highly apprehensive Sakano to an early grave.

"Probably nothing." Said Suguru in answer to Hiro's question. "Serves Shindou right; K-san should have shot twice." He turned his nose up haughtily.

"No, because than there'd just be more of a mess." Hiro replied lazily, taking a glance over at Sakano who was worriedly fanning Shuichi's face with a handkerchief. After checking to see if he was still alive, Hiro had carried Shu to a small sofa they had in the studio.

The trigger-happy American had purposely missed his head by a mere two inches and shot into the floor - certain it would scare Shuichi into working again. The only catch was that he'd have to wait 'till Shu regained consciousness to find out for sure.

The American in question was calmly seated in a nearby chair reading a newspaper - seemingly without a care in the world.

Hiro looked at him with mild distaste; where on earth did K's obsession with weapons - particularly guns - come from? And why does he insist on using them so often? Although he'd never admit it to anyone - especially to the man himself - K's near-unrivaled professional usage of the minuscule canons kinda turned him on. Why? He wasn't very sure. Maybe it was that sexy stance he took whenever he got into firing mode? Or maybe it was how his voice took on that intimidating tone?...

Hiro shook his head to force the thoughts out - he'd felt a blush coming and did not need anyone to notice it. A quick and discreet glance towards his pants told him he made the right decision. Better change the subject now.

"Hey, um, anything interesting in today's news?"

K shrugged without looking up. "Oh, just the usual stuff. Jewelry store got robbed...escaped psycho from a nut house still at large...teens petition to ditch school uniforms...and my personal favorite: a tourist sues this local restaurant for failing to inform him that sushi is actually raw fish - isn't that just inane?" He chuckled. "Yep - just plain usual stuff."

Hiro raised an eyebrow, "You call all that stuff 'usual'? Makes me shudder to imagine the type of 'news' that happens in your country. And since when do petitions from teens carry enough weight to land in the paper?"

o---OoO---o

Eiri returned to the apartment the minute Shuichi left. Saying he had errands was just an excuse to leave; there wasn't any point in staying home when he couldn't get any work done.

Now the current quiet of the atmosphere gave him the calm he needed to write. He was glad when Shuichi had left for the day (peace at last!), but without meaning to, his mind began to wander from thoughts of his novel to thoughts of his little pink-haired lover.

He stopped typing without realizing he had done so.

First he thought about that god-awful "breakfast" Shuichi had made him. Where does he get off trying to cook anyway? Pushing the thought from his mind, he stared off into the distance and imagined running his hands through Shu's soft, freshly washed pink hair. Yeah, that's better: imagining his Shu-toy doing what he did best - giving him pleasure. He could practically see it: Shu slowly getting undressed in front of him, carefully and teasingly removing each article of clothing before dropping it gently to the floor. He imagined his little lover gazing up at him with those seductive violet eyes, all shiny from arousal, slowly tracing his fingers over his - BRRIIIIIING!!!

Eiri jumped with surprise at the shrill ring of his cell phone.

All previous thoughts shattered.

BRIIIIIIIING!!!

Momentarily startled, Eiri paused a second to just stare at the phone - which was next to his computer - before answering.

He took a deep breath to finish calming himself.

"Hai?"

"Ah, Eiri Yuki-san! Or should I say: Eiri Uesugi-san. Hard at work so early in the day?" The voice was silky smooth, yet carried menacing, acid tones.

"Who the hell is this?" He made a quick glance at the phone's caller ID and noticed that it was blank. How the hell...

"Oh? Wouldn't you like to know," said the voice teasingly.

"Listen bastard, I don't have time for this. If it isn't important, LEAVE ME-" Eiri suddenly realized that this call was taking place on his private phone - a phone only a few had the number to...

"Who said it wasn't important? I had asked you to quit writing - and I had asked nicely. Yet, what are you doing still typing away?" The sinister voice sounded sorry.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Eiri suddenly stood up angrily.

"You know what I mean. But, since your sleep, and sex (he added mockingly) deprived brain can't figure it out yet, I'll explain: I'm the one who sent you the email earlier this morning - and I mean business. So please do me, and not to mention yourself a favor by quitting. By the way, you shouldn't stand up so suddenly when you're tired. It is bad for the heart. Goodbye."

The buzz of the dial tone brought Eiri out of his shock from hearing this stranger tell him what had just done. Was he being spied on? How? Probably one of those bitches he had given his keys to snuck in and planted a camera. He sighed and sat back down, then swept an uneasy gaze around the room.

I'm just paranoid. Wait, why am I paranoid? Because some freak made a lucky guess at my movements? Hell, that's the reaction anyone would have at getting a threatening phone call. It was an easy guess. That's all it was. I'm just tired. I get the odd letter and phone call all the time. Just... Eiri's head began to nod off from exhaustion. How long had it been since he slept? not on...my...private...pho-

His sleeping head fell onto his keyboard, his cheek pressing down several keys, causing endless lines of pure typos to fill the screen.

o---OoO---o

It was late afternoon, almost evening, when Shuichi dragged himself through the door of the spacious apartment he shared with Eiri. His exhaustion wasn't only from his extended workday, but from nearly having the ghost scared out of him and sent to heaven from his manager's little ploy. Damn him. was all Shuichi's tired mind could think. It had worked though. Shu had woken up to K's face looming over his, which nearly shocked him back into unconsciousness, but a gun to his head kept him awake. K backed away from Shu when he was satisfied that the singer was indeed awake.

"I don't think Shuichi will be causing anymore trouble now, will you Shu-chan?" His tone made it crystal-clear what the consequences would be if he did otherwise.

Shuichi fervently shook his head and ran over to his mic.

He actually got three songs finished that day.

But now, all he could think about was a nice hot shower. Mm! The warm water would feel so good running down his body, washing away all the sweat and stress that had built up throughout the day. Than maybe, if Eiri was in a good mood, they'd have some alone time...

Speaking of Yuki, I think I'll go check on him - quietly, of course.

He removed his shoes by the front door and silently made his way to Eiri's office. Boy was he glad the floor didn't creak!

Gently, he turned the knob and peeked inside. Eiri's head lay on his keyboard facing the wall opposite the door. Locks of blond hair dangled over the edges of the keyboard.

Shu smiled and tip-toed towards his lover.

When he reached him, he lovingly stroked his head, gazing at the peacefully sleeping face. Any and all thoughts of his previous coldness towards him were forgotten. All he could think about right now was just how beautiful and innocent Eiri looked while sleeping. In this state, Eiri was absolutely helpless; at the mercy of anyone who happened upon him like this. Completely oblivious to his surroundings. Shu let his fingers mingle with the blond hair, sweeping it out of his eyes - eyes that suddenly opened and stared right back at him.

Shuichi gasped in surprise, jumped back, and put his hands behind his back. He guiltily looked down and drew small circles on the ground with the toe of his right foot.

"Um, Yuki? H-how are you feeling now?"

Silence.

Then the sound of a chair sliding back.

He looked up at the sound only to see Eiri's eyes just inches from his own - bright, golden, wide awake eyes that dazzled with lust.

Overcome with relief that Eiri wasn't still mad at him - or at least, appeared to not be mad at him - Shu tilted his head back and parted his lips, allowing himself and his lover to engage in a deep kiss. Their tongues slid in and out of each other's mouths, sucking and tasting, each enjoying the flavor of the other's mouth.

A moan filled Shuichi's mouth when he felt Eiri's arms wrap around him to pull him closer. He rubbed his chest against Eiri's, allowing him to feel every breath his lover took - which were becoming more like pants than actual breaths. Oh, he loved being held this way! Being in Eiri's strong arms gave him a feeling of absolute security unlike anything he'd ever felt in his life - nothing could hurt him as long as he was there, safely snug against his warm body.

"...Ah, Yu...ki...mmm," Shuichi felt a strong yet gentle hand caress the bulge on his crotch over his clothing - clothing he now saw as nothing but an obstruction.

Shu grabbed at his zipper, quickly trying to remove it, but Eiri's hand pushed it away so he could do it himself. Changing his mind though, he picked up his pink-haired lover and carried him to the sofa he had in his office. He dropped Shu onto the plush cushions, than climbed on top of him.

Another kiss had both men panting, and another crotch-massage from Eiri's skilled hands had Shu moaning once more. This time, Eiri didn't try to undo the zipper - he just yanked the pants right off his thin little toy.

Just a hint of a smirk played across the blond's face when he noticed that Shu had gone commando - even to work(!?) - aw fuck it! He liked his boy ready.

"Ooh, Yuki...touch me...please..."

Eiri cocked his head at Shuichi. Time to have some fun, he thought sadistically.

"Hm? You want me to what? Touch you? Now, why on earth would I do a thing like that?" He trapped both of Shu's hands above his head with one of his own and starred down at him, smirking teasingly. "Maybe I just feel like looking at you."

Shu's erection was becoming painful. "Yuki! Please! You know what I-"

Eiri gently brushed his fingers over the younger man's hardened member. "You mean like this?"

"Ooooooh...yes...wha? Don't stop Yuki! Why'd you stop?!"

Eiri merely shrugged, "Maybe I don't feel like continuing. Maybe I just feel like torturing you." He said, still teasing. He tightened his hold on Shu's wrists and sat directly on top of his legs to restrict any movements from them. With his free hand, he flicked at Shu's left nipple, and felt even more blood go south when he heard Shu's sharp intake of breath at his action.

He ran his hand over Shu's lean chest, admiring his small lover's physique.

Finally relenting to his whine for more touching, Eiri leaned down and jammed his lips against Shuichi's in a wet, mind-numbing kiss. Tongues slid in and out of each other's mouths. Shuichi sucked hungrily on Eiri's bottom lip, loving the taste, and enjoying the softness of it.

Eiri arched his back to allow room for his hand to unzip his own pants and pull them off. Unlike his lover however, he had boxers on - but not for long. Soon all articles of clothing both men had previously been wearing were now strewn carelessly on the floor.

Eiri reached over Shuichi's head for some lube that was lying on the end table by the couch. Shu's eyes followed Eiri's hand and brightened when he saw the object he picked up - they were gonna have a good time!

He released his hold on Shuichi's wrists so he could squeeze some of the squishy substance onto his hand. That hand then gave a generous coating to his own hardened dick. Shu watched his hands; eyes pleading for him to hurry up so he could start work on him.

His pleas were quickly answered when he felt a finger gently pushing some of the lube inside of him. Soon, another finger joined the first, carefully stretching the opening in preparation for something better. Every now and again Eiri would purposely stroke Shu's prostate, sending waves of pleasure through the teen's body. "Oooooh, nnngh! Oh...yes, yes, yesssss!" Shuichi moaned with pleasure at his lover's touch. He couldn't wait for Eiri to actually be inside of him! But, before that happened, he took Shu's entire member in his hands and stroked it, slowly at first, than gradually increasing the speed.

Long, melodic moans escaped the vocalist's now breathless lips at the indescribable pleasure he was receiving. "Ah, ah...ooh...oooooh...motto, motto Yuki!"

The blond novelist, now hot from the foreplay, needed no more invitation. Time to get this party started!

Bringing his hips up closer to Shuichi's, he let the tip of his cock brush the freshly prepared opening. Shu wrapped his legs around his lover's waist, pulling him closer. He was just about to enter him now...

BRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIING! BRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING!!

Eiri cursed at himself for not turning off the damn phone before they got started. The lovers tried to ignore it, knowing it would stop after only so many rings.

And it did.

Only to start ringing once more.

BRIIIIIIIIIIIIIING! BRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIING!!

Again they ignored it. But the idiot on the other end continued to call back...

"Damn fucking phone!" Eiri cursed and sprang up from the couch. In two strides he was at the desk, picked up the phone, and was about to terminate the call and turn it off, when he noticed the caller ID - and saw that it was blank...

Growing a little uneasy, he decided to answer it.

"Hai?"

"Ah, Uesugi-san. How nice to hear your voice again. I trust you are doing well?" It was the same sinister voice from before.

"What the fuck are -"

"Good, good. You are doing well! Especially now that you are fulfilling one of your needs." A dry chuckle played across the line. "I trust you slept well too?"

Eiri's eyes narrowed, and his heart rate increased slightly - this guy was doing it again - telling him his movements.

Eiri growled in anger as he slammed the phone back onto the desk - terminating the call - and strode angrily towards the bookshelf, mercilessly ripping books from the shelves and throwing them to the floor. He was searching for some kind of camera.

Okay, cameras are usually placed in areas that aren't used much - which is why they aren't noticed right away, and also, his next thought made him search even more fervently, they can be as small as a teddy bear's eye. Sometimes even smaller. DAMN! If that's the case, then how the hell will I find it? Despite that, he continued to search, growing more frustrated and angry as he went.

Shuichi watched in horror as his blond lover seemed to go mad and began trashing his own office. He was so scared he dared not question him. He just sat trembling with fear and confusion - he'd never seen Eiri so angry, so frantic. He seemed to be searching for something, but apparently wasn't having any luck.

Only after every book lay unceremoniously on the floor did he stop, and swiftly examined every nook and cranny of the shelf.

Finding nothing, he went to the window - which was closed and covered by a curtain - examined the rod and fabric: nothing.

Next he turned his attention to the couch. He suddenly strode back towards it - Shuichi cringed in fear at his approaching lover. Eiri brusquely pushed Shu off the couch and yanked up the cushions. Apparently still not finding what he was looking for, he began looking under the couch, and then started searching his desk. Next he glanced at the walls. No pictures or plants that could potentially hide a camera were there, and he didn't notice any lenses on the walls. So, how the hell did this guy know his every movement? How was he spying on him?

Unable to take in any longer, Eiri Yuki stormed out of the room, leaving behind a very scared, very confused, very startled, and otherwise very unsatisfied strawberry-haired lover.

Shuichi, unable to handle all these emotions at once, began to cry.

END EPISODE 2

(In the next episode of "More Precious than Gold": annoying anonymous phone calls and emails are just that: annoying - but not dangerous. This stranger, who seems pretty darned determined to get Eiri to quit his career, is beginning to get a little perturbed since all he's succeeded in doing is piss Eiri off. Will he resort to more extreme methods to try to get his message across? Also, how will Shuichi deal with Eiri's strange behavior? If you want to know how these events will carry out, tune in again soon!)

Japanese words used:
Hai - yes
Motto - more

Author's Notes: I'm baaaaack! ...sorry I took so long ". Thanks for reading my second chapter - it must mean that the first chapter was enough to seize your interest - and I intend to keep that interest of yours seized lol.

glomps to all who've stayed with my story so far!