Chapter 9

Hiroki scrambled out of his room, across the hall and into his study, frantically gathering his materials in a race against the clock. With his shirt unbuttoned and a red tie draped over his neck, he was hardly prepared for his faculty meeting. The Humanities department was undergoing expansion for the next school year and changes such as new hires, new courses, and new textbooks were to be discussed. It was a crucial event like any other related to his work. If Hiroki had his way he'd be on campus right now! But to his misfortune he'd somehow failed to set his alarm the previous night, and now he needed a miracle to make the meeting on time.

Spitting profanities, Hiroki carried his bulky file case into the living room and placed it on the lap of the sofa. He'd already called Miyagi's cell and their office line but was met with no answer. He thought about calling the dean. In fact, that might've been the most reasonable course of action at this point. But Hiroki would kill himself before he did that. It was a major offense to be late for oversleeping, and the thought of having to admit to it was mortifying. Hiroki wasn't tenured. He didn't have the luxury for such mistakes.

"I'll make it on time. I'll make it on time," Hiroki chanted, deceiving himself as he fastened the top button of his shirt and secured his tie. Positivity was key.

Hiroki tucked his file case under his arm and hustled to the door. Just as he was about to step into the genkan the door opened and Nowaki appeared before him.

"Ah! Hiro-san. Good Morning!" Nowaki smiled brightly before his expression contorted into one of confusion. "You're leaving for work at this hour?"

"What're you talking about?" Hiroki leaned over to slip on his leather shoes with the help of a shoehorn. "Sorry, I'm running late." He reached for the knob when Nowaki seized his other arm, gripping tightly above his wrist.

"Wait, Hiro-san!"

"Let go!" Hiroki demanded when his partner gripped his arm tighter.

"Hiro-san, last night—"

"You're running my patience!" Hiroki yanked his arm away, but Nowaki's reflexes were too fast. Before Hiroki could protest, Nowaki was tugging him along by the hand.

When they reached the curtains of the balcony, Nowaki parted them, revealing the view of a dark sky over the soft multicolored glow of Tokyo. "It's three in the morning."

The sight of the scenery loosened Hiroki's tensed muscles before his mind could fully register the situation. Sinking to the floor, he rested his forehead on his forearms. He didn't care how or why he'd gotten the time wrong. He only knew he was tired.

Nowaki's hot fingers ran through Hiroki's hair, working from the top of his head to the side of his neck before caressing the width of his shoulders. "There was a power outage on our floor. It happened around 9 pm, so the clocks should be three hours ahead since they all reset." Nowaki's hands settled at the curves of Hiroki's neck, kneading the man's muscles. "A neighbor told me as I passed by."

"So that's it…" Hiroki mumbled under his partner's relieving touch.

Hiroki lifted his head just long enough for him to find Nowaki's lap. He rested his forehead against his partner's thigh, absorbing the feel of Nowaki's warmth through the rough fabric of his jeans. Turning over, Hiroki laid the back of his head in Nowaki's lap.

"Sleep some more." Nowaki cooed as he loosened Hiroki's tie and unfastened the top buttons of his shirt. "I know you have tons to do today."

Hiroki was tired, but, unfortunately, he wasn't sleepy. An alarm clock hadn't woken him. He rose naturally without assistance. So it would be difficult for him to rest again even if he wanted to. Not even the comfort of Nowaki's lap could help him. Hiroki sighed and sat up. At any rate, he had to recover from this embarrassing scene. He stood carefully, taking his file case by the handle.

As he trudged back to his study, the weight of his file case flew back and soon disappeared with a delicate thud to the floor and subsequent rustling. "Shit!" Hiroki growled.

With dread, he turned slowly to observe the mess. His file case had expanded and fallen open, scattering his papers in a line on the floor with a handful of strays. "Maybe I do need sleep," Hiroki said through gritted teeth, clutching the handle of his file case so hard the plastic bit into the soft of his palm.

Hiroki hunkered to gather the papers, but Nowaki had beaten him to it. His partner had already stacked a majority the papers while Hiroki had been stuck in his own bout of brooding. Hiroki appreciated the man's help, but all he could think about was the sorting he'd need to do later thanks to Nowaki unintentionally mixing the documents.

Hiroki collapsed the file case, propping it on the backboard of the sofa. The buckle wasn't broken, so he must've forgotten to fasten it.

The space behind Hiroki fell silent of rustling papers and human movement. Hiroki turned to find Nowaki standing, eyes fixed on a card of some sort that he was holding. His partner's eyes widened, cheeks reddening into a shade Hiroki thought he'd never see on Nowaki.

"Was this from my mother's album?" Nowaki asked, unable to restrain a grin despite his obvious embarrassment.

At the comment, Hiroki quickly realized what his partner was holding. It was a pocket-sized photo of Nowaki at the tender age of five, smiling broadly and carrying a book bag on his very first day of school. It was a half body shot of Nowaki looking off into the distance, a purely candid and natural depiction of his partner's younger self.

Nowaki's mother had given it to him. While Nowaki was in his room, Mrs. Kusama had shown Hiroki dozens of pictures of Nowaki as a child. Each photo showed aspects of Nowaki's character that any sane person couldn't help but love—from the preciousness of Nowaki as an infant, smiling and laughing, to his kindness as an older brother, patching up the younger one's wounds and helping them study. Those candid snapshots were pure representations of Nowaki's spirit. Hiroki's heart swelled just thinking about them.

Nowaki's shoulders rolled in with a prolonged chuckle, reminding Hiroki of the problem at hand. He'd been caught! And he didn't have an explanation prepared. He sure as hell wasn't telling Nowaki about the joy and inspiration the photo made him feel, and he wasn't admitting that the photo had gotten mixed in with his papers because he'd been bringing the photo to work every day.

"Give it back!" Hiroki launched himself at his partner, reaching for the photo only to have Nowaki raise his arm and shuffle back.

"Let's play a game."

"Huh?"

"If you beat me, I'll hand over the picture."

Hiroki stared with lidded eyes at his partner, unamused by the suggestion. "It was given to me. I'm not playing for what's already mine. It's a waste of time." Kneeling, Hiroki gathered his papers, slipping them back into his file case.

"It's not a waste. We'd simply be taking advantage of our time together."

Hiroki paused to consider it. It had been a week since they visited the orphanage and Nowaki's new schedule proved relentless since then. This was their first time seeing each other in days, so the offer was hard to refuse. As Hiroki stood, he noticed Nowaki slipping the photo into his back pocket, his complexion still rosy.

Nowaki was clearly embarrassed about Hiroki keeping the photo, leaving Hiroki to wonder if Nowaki's proposed game was a distraction from such fact. For all the times Nowaki called him cute, the guy definitely had his own moments. Maybe this "game" wouldn't be so bad?

Without notice, Hiroki grabbed Nowaki's wrist, pulling him along into his room.

"Does this mean you're accepting the challenge?" Nowaki asked.

Hiroki could hear the smile in his partner's voice as they approached the door of his room. He led Nowaki in, flicking on the light and placing his file case over the low chest of drawers beside the door. He took a steady breath, bracing himself for what he was about to do. He faced the drawers, turning is back to Nowaki for a brief moment, planning what he'd say, what he'd do.

"Hiro-san..."

Hiroki looked over his shoulder, catching sight of Nowaki seated at the edge of the bed, reclined on his elbows, waiting with a subtle seduction on his face. It seemed Nowaki had picked up on Hiroki's vibe.

As Hiroki approached his partner, he undid the remaining buttons of his shirt, trying his best not to avert his eyes. No matter how hard he flushed, no matter how hot his shyness sparked, he would keep his eyes on Nowaki. With a frantic heart, Hiroki settled his knees on the bed, straddling his partner. He leaned in, one arm supporting his weight on the mattress while the other sheltered the side of Nowaki's face. Closing in, Hiroki placed a ginger kiss on Nowaki's forehead before taking his partner's lips in a gentle motion. Hiroki's bursting heart and quivering fingers begged him to pull away, and he did for a short moment.

Nowaki's azure eyes turned a sultry shade as he lowered completely onto the mattress. Following Nowaki's motions, Hiroki leaned in to continue the kiss. He delved in deeper the second time around, his complexion fuming as their tongues touched. Nowaki's tongue slipped over his as their lips suctioned. With only the basics, Hiroki could already feel his cock hardening. If he didn't try something bold soon he would lose.

Hiroki clutched Nowaki's locks and pressed his weight over his partner's center, rolling his groin as he tilted his head, pressing harder into the kiss. Nowaki reached down to unbuckle Hiroki's belt, unfastening his pants and slinking his hands beneath the clothing, cupping Hiroki's ass with both palms. Hiroki loosened his partner's jeans in return and sat up, breaking the kiss. Going an extra step, he pulled Nowaki's jeans and briefs down just above the knees. He wanted to go further, to pleasure Nowaki with his mouth, but Hiroki was already on the brink of climaxing. In desperation, Hiroki hastily discarded his pants and briefs at the cost of revealing his erection to Nowaki.

Hiroki's hand swept up Nowaki's abdomen, pushing his partner's shirt up to his chest. Nowaki crossed his arms over and peeled the shirt over his head before he sat up, bringing Hiroki with him. Their lips locked and released with a smack before Hiroki shoved Nowaki back onto the mattress.

"I'm not losing," Hiroki muttered.

In actuality, he didn't care about winning or losing anymore, or whether Nowaki would return the photo. He only wanted to see Nowaki react to his behavior. Nowaki stared into him with burning, endearing eyes, observing his every movement as if it were a spectacle. Hiroki once again tackled the urge to relinquish control to his partner, telling himself he was too committed to quit now.

Hiroki coated his partner's length with lubricant, stroking him from the base to the crown. Nowaki seized Hiroki's hips as the former raised to his knees, shifting himself until the tip of Nowaki's cock grazed his entrance. Lowering himself, he slowly took in Nowaki's hot, throbbing length. He shuddered as the size locked into him with a swift buck of the hips from Nowaki. Hiroki moaned, biting his lip as he always did in an attempt to obscure his erotic noises.

Their fingers interwove, bracing Hiroki for the motion he was about to perform. Hiroki straightened his spine, back arching with a shudder at the undulation of Nowaki's cock rubbing against his prostate. Too often Nowaki would give into his libido and pound Hiroki, but for whatever reason he was holding back, handing the reigns to Hiroki entirely. Rarely did Hiroki find himself in control of their lovemaking, and the thought of it gave him a surge of satisfaction.

Hiroki began riding his partner's length at a slow pace, taking Nowaki in full and lifting off just when the hard crown hit its limit inside him. He gradually transitioned into faster bobs, his hips and lower legs spasming sporadically under the pleasure. With quivering lips, he panted between moans, desperate to keep some amount of control as he clenched around Nowaki.

Their rhythm was slow-burning despite Hiroki's efforts to quicken it. He reclined forward, using the support of their linked hands to spring him up and down again. "Damn," he hissed, frustrated by their current pace. Hiroki wanted to go faster, to drive Nowaki over the edge, but his body wouldn't let him. He was completely on fire, and unable to quell it.

"Nowaki…" Hiroki nearly wept, desperate for his partner's full force.

"You win," Nowaki said huskily. He sat up, passing an arm across Hiroki's lower back and seizing Hiroki's member with his free hand.

Hiroki hooked his arms around Nowaki's shoulders, shivering as his partner skimmed a thumb over the tip of his seeping erection. Just from the heat of Nowaki's palm on his cock, he could feel an impending burst in his loin. Nowaki shifted their weight, bringing Hiroki onto the mattress, fingers pinching and tugging his nipples as Nowaki's lips covered Hiroki with kisses from the chest up.

Nowaki's digits slipped into him, wriggling to his sweet spot. Hiroki gasped sharply as he spasmed to the work of those slender hot fingers. "Aah! Nowa...ki!"

Nowaki continued, mercilessly rubbing circles into Hiroki's hot spot, doing nothing to soothe his aching cock. What the hell was this? Some kind of torture? Hiroki groaned, discarding the thought. "Please…Nowaki…" the words left before he could filter them.

Nowaki's lips clung to Hiroki's in a rough kiss, his own tongue slithering around Hiroki's, making him forget the unbearable wait. A few seconds later, Nowaki's fingers left Hiroki and their lips disconnected, a string of saliva at their tongues. Both Nowaki's hands swept to the inside of Hiroki's thighs, spreading his legs wider.

Hiroki closed his eyes, reveling in the cosmic orange hue shifting behind his eyelids. "Is hearing me beg that much of a turn on?" Hiroki said weakly, aware more than ever of his beating erection.

"Yes, so much," Nowaki's voice came closer until his breath blew into Hiroki's ears "that's why I've lost…" He landed a wet smooch on the arch of Hiroki's ear, triggering the other to open his eyes.

Wasting no time, Nowaki grabbed Hiroki's hips, swiftly plunging himself inside, their flesh slapping on impact. A sharp sob of pleasure left Hiroki as he clutched Nowaki's hair tighter than he should've, bracing the sudden strength traveling through his trembling legs that caused his toes to curl. Pulling out with his tip still in, Nowaki thrust forward, his pumps proving rougher and faster each time. Hiroki bucked against him intermittently, caving to his desire to take Nowaki in as much as physical limits would allow.

Hiroki clenched around his partner again, savoring Nowaki's brimming length, each hard thrust, and how the mixture of come, lube, and sweat made their connection seamless. Just as Hiroki built to his climax, Nowaki convulsed inside him. After pausing to compose himself, Nowaki followed through, pounding Hiroki with added fervor until he came too, spiraling out of his mind.

-—-

Hiroki entered his room having blow-dried his hair after a shower, only a towel around his waist. Nowaki rose from under the covers, yawning as he stretched his arms over his head. Noticing Hiroki just beyond the edge of the bed, Nowaki smiled and emitted a noticeable sigh.

"I wasn't expecting that kind of reaction from you," he said huskily, eyes still in a dreamy state.

"What?" Hiroki mumbled absentmindedly as he retrieved his clothes from the floor and flung them on the bed after deeming them too wrinkled to wear. He paced to and from his closet and drawer, assembling a fresh set of attire.

"So, what triggered it?"

Hiroki pulled on his clean slacks and retrieved his belt from the bed, securing it around his waist. "You act like I've never done it before." Sure, it was rare for Hiroki to take the initiative in bed, but for all their years together it was hard to believe Nowaki would be surprised by the behavior Hiroki had displayed earlier.

"You were a lot more aggressive this time." Nowaki got out of bed and slipped on his jeans that were pooled on the floor. He reached in his back pocket, retrieving the photo. "Did this really have that much of an effect on you?"

Hiroki secured his necktie, his sight fixated on the photo in Nowaki's hand. He blushed as he recalled the expression of embarrassment on Nowaki's face upon discovering it.

"I didn't think you'd want to keep something like this." Nowaki approached Hiroki, handing him the photo. "It took me aback at first, but I'm glad." Nowaki turned his attention to the bed, stripping the mattress of its covers, no doubt to wash them later.

"I'll never know you the way you were back then," Hiroki explained as he gazed at the photo, admiring the innocence it represented. "That's why, at the very least, I want to keep this, so I can have as much of you as I possibly can."

"Hiro-san!" Nowaki's face lit up at the comment.

Hiroki's heart kicked into overdrive at the realization of what he'd just confessed. "Well…I mean…" He glanced at Nowaki, his cheeks flushing further, "That's what you always say when you snatch my old pictures."

"I guess we're even."

"Not even close." Hiroki made for the door.

"By the way, Hiro-san," Nowaki called, gathering the bedsheets in his arms. "Shinoda-san has to leave town for a meeting today, so he asked me to walk Takumi to school and back."

It had been months since Shinoda's name popped up. Nowaki had kept his promise to spend time with Takumi outside the clinic as much as his schedule allowed. But Shinoda himself almost never came into conversation, which was odd considering Shinoda was the boy's father. While Hiroki had no intention of interfering with the relation, Nowaki's current situation extended beyond a simple favor and into personal territory. Why did Nowaki have to be responsible for Takumi in Shinoda's absence? Couldn't a family member watch the kid instead? Though these were valid concerns, Hiroki refrained from expressing them. Nowaki was a grown man. Hiroki didn't need to reprimand him.

"Are you spending the night there?" Hiroki had to ask that much at least.

Nowaki shook his head, "Shinoda-san's supposed to be back before nightfall. If anything, I'll be waiting for him to get home."

"Alright."

And that was the end of it. No further questioning. No further thoughts on the matter. With Nowaki's photo still in hand, he retrieved his file case with the other hand and left for his study.

-—-

Though the faculty meeting only lasted a few hours, Hiroki as usual found himself at Miyagi's assistance, preparing for another conference. It was evening when Hiroki finished at the university. On his way home, he made a detour to the bookstore in search for more materials.

After the morning's events, he slipped Nowaki's photo into his wallet with hopes of avoiding any more embarrassing incidences over the item. While it seemed a good idea at first, Hiroki soon found that carrying the photo all day had burdened him with temptation. Every few minutes he fought the urge to pull out the photo and gaze at it.

Visiting Nowaki's family had left a lasting impression. For Hiroki, learning of the dejection and loneliness Nowaki experienced as a child fortified his already strong devotion to his partner. The precious smile Nowaki's childhood self displayed in the photo became all the more valuable. He vowed to spend the rest of his life nourishing Nowaki's smile, his pureness, his enthusiasm, his strength. While Hiroki had these ambitions before meeting Nowaki's parents, they hadn't come full circle until then. It was an empowering resolve that led Hiroki to the thought of his own parents, and what impact meeting them might have on Nowaki.

More than of himself, Hiroki agitated over how his parents might receive Nowaki. He was sure his mother would be lenient, but his father would be an obstacle if the man's strict, and at times overbearing, demeanor that Hiroki remembered as a child was still in effect. He and Nowaki would stay together regardless of his parent's reception, but there was no telling how an impending rejection would affect them individually or as a couple.

Hiroki settled at a small table beside the window walls of the bookstore's cafe. He skimmed through the texts he'd just purchased, trying his utmost to focus on work, only work. But he quickly surrendered. Reclining in his chair, Hiroki gazed at the crowded sidewalks and passing cars, letting his mind drift. He couldn't understand why he was so hesitant to contact his parents, and why he was letting his assumptions of their reactions intimidate him before he'd even tried. He was being irrational, a coward.

Hiroki heard a sudden vibration in his bag and retrieved his phone. Pulling it out, he noticed Nowaki's ID and answered it.

"Hiro-san, are you home?" Nowaki's words cut off every few syllables though it was easy enough to make out what he'd said.

"No, I'm at the bookstore."

"Oh. Well, I want to let you know Shinoda-san will be coming home later than expected, so I'm staying with Takumi for the time being. I don't think I'll make it home for dinner."

"Okay." Hiroki closed his book and slipped it into the shopping bag. "I'll see you later."

"I love you, Hiro-san."

Those common, yet precious words made Hiroki's chest flutter, as they always did. He hovered a hand over his mouth. "I love you too," he whispered and ended the call, slipping the phone back into his bag.

"Kamijou!" A voice called. The familiar sound of it making his skin crawl.

Hiroki turned to the sight of Shinoda approaching him. The man donned his business suit, carrying his briefcase alongside. Shinoda's coincidental meeting with Nowaki in this same bookstore last year flashed in Hiroki's memory, rousing spark of vexation.

"You seem surprised to see me this time," Shinoda smirked. "It must be fate that we've met here today."

Hiroki puffed at the suggestion, holding back a dismissive laugh. "Don't you have a son to go home to?" he said in a snarky tone, his eyes wondering everywhere in their vicinity except Shinoda.

"I'm not worried about Takumi. He's with your man after all."

Though the sight of Shinoda wasn't an eyesore as it used to be, Hiroki wondered how much of a coincidence their meeting right now was. It wasn't fated like the man claimed. He doubted Shinoda had planned their encounter, but the fact that Shinoda was here while his son was at home waiting for his return was questionable.

Hiroki sighed and stood from his seat, gathering his things. They had nothing to talk about. They hadn't been in contact since their meeting in the park last year and it was best kept that way.

"Hey, do you have time to spare? I'd like to talk."

The suggestion alone should've been enough to send Hiroki running, but something was anchoring him. Avoiding the situation would do him little good beyond the temporary relief of having escaped a potentially tiresome conversation. Hiroki remembered telling Nowaki that he didn't want to deal with Shinoda's feelings, that he only wanted to move forward. But dealing with them was the only way he could move on. The uneasy feelings he had towards Shinoda were something he'd never truly gotten over despite Hiroki wanting to convince himself otherwise. He'd done the same with his parents...

Hiroki turned to Shinoda, his eyes acknowledging the man for a quick second. "Fine."