The Birthday Blues

Chapter Four

By KellyQ

"What are you guys doing!" Kouji panicked.

When Kouichi brought him to the house, he and the others jumped on Kouji and tried to tie him up with ribbon. It went around his wrists - body and ankles. Izumi ran to the table, grabbed another ribbon. In one swift motion, it was a bow. Shinya walked up with the box and placed it down. Izumi walked up and placed the bow right on Kouji's chest. By now he was red in the face as tape was put across his mouth. They lifted Kouji up and gently placed him in the box, closing it.

"Ready to send our birthday present to Takuya?"

Kouji's eyes widened and he felt his heart skip a beat. So that's what this was all about. He had to admit that it was quite humorous doing it this way. Then his eyes widened and realization sank in. How could they have known? Was it really that obvious that he liked the child of fire? He tired to imagine how the others knew that he liked Takuya.

Kouji tried to play out scenarios how he was going to tell Takuya how he felt. It wasn't long before the box was picked up and the movement rocked him. Now fear started to grow in the pit of Kouji's stomach.

"You okay in there, brother?" Kouichi asked.

A muffled sound came from the box. Izumi giggled. This is going to be funniest birthday ever and I can't wait to see Takuya's face when he sees what's in the box, the blond thought. This is going to be the best birthday ever for my brother, Shinya thought. My brother is going to be shocked when he finds out that Kouji is the birthday present.


Takuya just laid there in bed, feeling as though everyone had deserted him, or happened to forget the day he was born. His mother and father were out. Takuya understood that his parents didn't have time to get him presents. But they could've at least said, 'happy birthday, son!' to him. That wasn't the thing that created the pang. It was that his friends and Kouji - his darling Kouji - forgot his birthday. Did he not care? Or did he forget? With a sigh, he walked out of the room. Takuya made his way down the hallway and into the living room to see a big box at the door. With a frown, Takuya walked up and noticed in big words: Open me and you'll find love in black words. He tried to figure out who could've written it, but he didn't recognize the handwriting. With a sigh, he pulled the top open and merely choked at what he saw.

Kouji tied up with ribbon - a bow on his chest, and tape on his mouth. Kouji looked red in the face.

Takuya immediately went to work. He lifted the dark-haired boy and placed him on the couch. Takuya took hold of the tape and gently pilled it off. Kouji was still red - almost flushed.

"Are you okay?" Takuya asked, untying Kouji's wrists.

Kouichi watched from where he was hiding. He smiled at the sight. The two looked so cute together.

"I'm fine," Kouji reassured, the color to his face was back to normal. "I have something - close your eyes."

Takuya's heart skipped a beat. Did he really remember after all? Oh he hoped so. Oh he hoped so very much. He closed his eyes, listening very hard. Kouji shifted so he could reach behind the couch. Tomoki handed the flowers Kouji. Part of the couch sank again indicating that Kouji was sitting back down again.

"You can open your eyes now."

Takuya opened his eyes and they widened somewhat. There in Kouji's hand was bouquet of red roses.

"Happy birthday, Takuya," the dark-haired boy said softly, handing the bouquet flowers to him.

Takuya's expression slowly changed as his lower lip trembled. A weak smile slowly made its way to his lips. Takuya reached out to touch Kouji's cheek.

"Thanks, Kouji. They're really nice," Takuya said. He got to his feet. "I better put them in water."

"Wait!" Kouji reached out and took hold of Takuya's arm. "There's something I want to tell you." Takuya slowly nodded his head, feeling his heart skip another beat as he sat down. "I like you, Takuya..."

"I like you too, Kouji - I mean -"

Before Takuya could finish, he handed the flowers back to Kouji. Takuya got up and sidestepped the couch, and ran down the hallway. Kouji heard the door open and slam shut. He sighed as the others emerged from their hiding spots.

The first thing Shinya did was grab and Kouji pulled him with the help of Kouichi. They drug him down the hallway, and stopped right at Takuya's door.

"Talk to him. Tell him you feel the same way," Kouichi insisted.


How could've that slipped out like that, Takuya thought angrily. He was so tempted to bang his head against the wall. Now Kouji probably never wanted to see him again. Then realization hit him. Maybe Kouji was going to break it gently that he didn't want to be friends. It hurt. Really hurt.

"Takuya?"

He jumped a little and turned to see Kouji standing there, holding the flowers in his arms. He walked up and handed Takuya the flowers again. His heart started to raise as Kouji leaned in and brought his lips to Takuya's. At first the brunette was shocked then responded - the flowers crushed between them.


"I knew that things were going to work out!" Izumi said.

"I want to thank you for the help!" Shinya said, hugging everyone one at a time.

"Sure," Tomoki smiled. He wrapped his arms around his boyfriend. "Even though Takuya's response was not what we all hoped for."

"Shouldn't we still jump out and say happy birthday?" Junpie asked, a worried look on his face.

"Nah," Kouichi said, having his eyes on Kouji and Takuya. "Let them be. We can do something special for Takuya tomorrow or something."

The End