Yuki sat in the dark on the recliner, waiting for the day to start. For as long as he could remember he had never been one to need a significant amount of sleep. However, recently, what little sleep he was usually getting had become very poor. He shrugged it off as stress and old habits. The early morning hour had never bothered him, though. He preferred being alone, it was the only time there was no pressure put on him. Light stirring came from the room down the hall, and a faint smile played at the corner of Yuki's lips. His lead guitarist, backup vocalist, and perpetual roommate, Hatsuharu, was never one to rise early. Yuki had once made the mistake, back when they had just gotten together, of rousing the man. The incident had ended with Yuki receiving seven stitches from the glass that had been hurled at his head.
They had both stayed up late working on the songs they were going to record in the studio today. Akito, ever the sadist, had pushed up the deadline of their new album. So Yuki sat in silence, letting his comrade sleep. The sun was just about to rise, and he would make some coffee. Haru liked his coffee. It would make the rest of the day more bearable.
"Yuki…" A gentle voice startled Yuki awake.
"Haru? What time is it?" He asked, rubbing his eyes, wondering when he had fallen back to sleep.
"Don't worry. We have plenty of time before we need to be at the studio." Haru assured the frazzled singer, handing him a cup of coffee.
"Thank you." Yuki murmured, sipping slowly on the coffee as Haru stared at him.
"You look like shit." He finally stated after taking a large gulp of coffee.
"Gee…thanks." Yuki rolled his eyes, focusing back on his cup.
"Just call 'em like I see 'em." He shrugged, finishing what was left in his cup before walking away.
Yuki actually enjoyed time in the studio. He always managed to get away going without makeup, though he usually wore his classic stage attire. Wearing a tight sleeveless black shirt with fitted black jeans, Yuki finished the ensemble with loosely laced, thick combat boots. All for the image, he had told himself so often that it was now habit. Yuki also wore his signature black spiked wrist bands, along with several other leather straps going up the length of his forearms. Underneath those straps held one of Yuki's darker secrets, and he preferred to keep it that way.
Haru entered the room first, not nearly as enthused as Yuki to be in the studio. He preferred the kinetic energy of their live performances. That had always been their biggest difference, and largest source of contention. Yuki was an artist, and Haru was an entertainer. Yuki followed behind him, cordially greeting all of the staff by name. Not that he was any more kind or considerate than Haru, he simply did this because it was expected of him. From a young age Yuki had learned to give people exactly what they wanted.
"Oi, Yuki!" Haru shouted form over his shoulder. "You bring anything to drink?" Yuki gave a light smile.
"Don't I always?" With that he hurled a water bottle at Haru, who effortlessly caught it without looking and put it to his lips.
"Hot damn, you always bring the best shit!" Haru grinned, taking another drink from the water bottle.
"Haru…" Yuki chided, seeing that Shigure was already eyeing the both of them.
They entered the vocal booth and got themselves comfortable, discussing song order before beginning. Akito arrived at the recording studio and stood in the corner of the control room, viewing them from the other side of the glass with a cold stare. Haru waved at him enthusiastically and Yuki snatched his wrist and forced his arm to his side. Before Haru had the chance to protest the music technician indicated that they were ready to start. Yuki and Haru put on their headphones and adjusted their microphones. The music cued up and Yuki closed his eyes, lightly bobbing his head to the music.
Milk it for all it's worth.
Make sure you get there first.
The apple of your eye.
The rotten core inside.
We are all prisoners.
Things couldn't get much worse.
I've had it up to here.
You know your end is near.
Yuki opened his eyes to see Akito, who narrowed his icy stare, a cigarette poised gracefully between his thin fingers. He put the cigarette to his lips as the music intensified, indicating the beginning of the chorus. Yuki began, and Haru's voice blended flawlessly as they started the chorus in unison.
You had to have it all,
Well have you had enough?
You greedy little bastard, you will get what you deserve.
Haru gave a smirk as he jutted up his middle finger towards Akito. Shigure stood wide eyed in disbelief at the display, while the music tech stifled a snort of laughter. Akito's expression remained frigid as he slowly closed his eyes and took a drag of his cigarette. Yuki and Haru did not skip a beat as they continued the chorus.
When all is said and done,
I will be the one,
To leave you in your misery and hate what you've become.
The music took over, then came to an abrupt stop.
"Okay guys, take a break. I need to tweak the balance before we start again." The music tech came over the headset and Akito left the room, a frazzled Shigure following after him.
"Haru, you are such an ass." Yuki murmured as he put the water bottle to his lips.
"Yeah, but I'm your ass, so deal with it." Haru retorted, and Yuki gave him a harsh look.
"Oh come on!" Haru cried. "You can flip the guy off in your lyrics, but I can't do it to his face?"
Yuki's face became taut, and he found that he had no response at all to this question. What he did know, judging by the look on Akito's face, was that there would be hell to pay. There was always hell to pay…when you were actually in hell.
A/N: Featured lyrics in this chapter are from the song "Had Enough" by Breaking Benjamin. Look it up, it's a fantastic song! Hope you all enjoy the story so far!