Diclaimer: My name is not Odagiri Hotaru.
Chapter 9
'No, stop thinking like that! This is stupid!' he scolded himself, but his eyes couldn't tear away from the sight. He knew that Yuki was important to Hotsuma and that Yuki was special to the blond.
The hug ended, and Shusei felt that he could finally breathe again. Yuki glanced up, and he smiled at the brunet. "Shusei-kun! I'm so happy to see you as well!" Yuki went over and gave the brunet a hug; similar to the one he gave to Hotsuma. Despite the fact that Shusei was jealous, he could never bring himself to hate the Wielder of God's Light. Yuki was one of his comrades in the war. They had been through so much together, and Shusei smiled in remembrance.
"My beloved dears, I'm afraid that dinner is not until another half an hour. Please make yourself comfortable until then," came the chirpy voice of Tachibana, the curator.
Hotsuma rolled his eyes. 'Who in the world are you calling your beloved, idiot Tachibana.' Hotsuma glanced at Shusei, noticing immediately that his partner was wearing a strange look. Shusei seemed to be staring at nowhere, his eyes slightly glazed with emotion. Hotsuma went forward and out of everyone's eyes, he wrapped his hand around the Shusei's and gave it a gentle squeeze, shaking Shusei out of his thoughts.
"Want to go upstairs to our old rooms and see whether it's still the same?" asked Hotsuma. Shusei smiled and nodded, and Hotsuma quickly led them upstairs away from other people's eyes.
As they climbed up the grand staircase and entered into the dimly lit hall, Hotsuma let go of Shusei's hand and turned, cupping the brunet's face and moving forward to claim his lips. The kiss was gentle, with no rough movements – a mere pressing of the lips. Shusei wrapped his arms around Hotsuma's neck, pressing the blond closer, their lips still moving as one.
"God, Shusei. That girl was seriously testing my patience. I thought she would never let go of you," whispered Hotsuma in between kisses. Shusei relaxed in Hotsuma's arms, feeling the blonds' hands tightening around him.
"You were also testing my patience, with that hug you gave Yuki," said Shusei defensively, their lips still exchanging light kisses.
"Mmm… what hug?" said Hotsuma in a low sultry voice, his mind obviously only filled with his lover as Shusei moved to shower light kisses over the chiseled face. Shusei softly laughed at Hotsuma's obvious ignorance.
.
When they had finally made it to Shusei's bedroom, Hotsuma turned the doorknob and Shusei smiled in remembrance as he flicked the dim lights on. His room still looked the same as always, with the bay windows opened, and the behind the second door was a beautifully carved mahogany bed and his closet and desk. Hotsuma sat down on the usual window seats in front of the bay window and smiled when he saw the sunset. Shusei soon joined him and their hands were intertwined with each other's.
"This used to be our favorite spot," said Hotsuma fondly. "We would always talk about our futures and dreams here."
"Yeah, and we would always stargaze together here," Shusei leaned his head against his hand on the windowsill, enjoying the gentle summer breeze.
The both of them sat in silence for a few moments, just admiring the beautiful sunset – another memorable moment that the both of them will treasure in their minds.
"Hotsuma," said Shusei suddenly, his voice low and serious.
"Hmm?"
"I… I've decided to go on a world tour."
.
Shusei's statement threw Hotsuma off balance. The blond felt his insides turn stone cold at Shusei's words. He turned to gaze at the brunet, and saw a fire burning in those hazel eyes.
Hotsuma quickly regained himself, although he scratched the back of his head in an uncertain gesture. "I… I see," was all he could mumble out. His initial shock was still not diminished and he was still speechless at Shusei's sudden decision.
"When… when will you be going?" asked Hotsuma, his voice barely audible that Shusei had to strained his ears.
"I told my producer today about my decision. He said that most likely I would be able to start my tour at the end of this month. So I guess I will be going around end of June," Shusei responded. He felt himself hesitating now when Hotsuma was unusually quiet. "I-I'm so sorry for suddenly deciding like this without discussing it with you beforehand."
Shusei brought a palm and cupped the side of Hotsuma's half hidden face. Shusei hesitated. Was Hotsuma unhappy about his decision?
.
Shusei's words echoed loudly in Hotsuma's mind. Hotsuma's thoughts were in a mess. Shusei was leaving in about a week's time. He was happy that Shusei was going to further pursue his career but at the same time, he knew that he would greatly miss the brunet. Hell, they would be separated for months, maybe even a year!
When Hotsuma felt a gentle hand resting on his cheek, he quickly threw away the negative thoughts. He should be supportive of Shusei instead of being so selfish. Hotsuma raised his head, meeting concerned hazel eyes before smiling gently.
"I see… I'm happy for you Shusei! This opportunity would be great for your career!"
Shusei looked at his partner, and could see right through him. Hotsuma's smile was strained and his voice was a few pitches too high.
"Hotsuma… I-" Shusei was interrupted when Hotsuma placed a finger on his lips, silencing him.
"I-I really am happy for you, Shusei, honestly. I would of course miss you greatly, but after all, you have waited for me for seven years. So now, I would wait for you patiently," said Hotsuma genuinely.
"Hotsuma…" Shusei mumbled and his eyes softened. "I would miss you too."
.
Hotsuma was still shaken even after dinner. He was still finding it hard to believe that he would be separated from Shusei after a week's time. He sighed when they were sitting around the living room, talking and exchanging pleasantries. Ria had monopolized Shusei, and she was talking non-stop to the brunet, much to Hotsuma's annoyance. Hotsuma felt the seat next to him sunk a little and he turned to see Yuki smiling at him.
"Hotsuma-kun, how are your studies coming along?"
Hotsuma smiled, glad for Yuki's comforting presence. Yuki was the best person for Hotsuma to talk to whenever he felt uncertain or down. "Hey Yuki. It's the usual," replied Hotsuma, shrugging lightly. "How about you? How is your martial arts center coming along?" asked Hotsuma.
"It's good. The students are eager to learn," smiled Yuki. Hotsuma smiled back. Everyone had such amazing careers that he felt a little left out.
Hotsuma and Shusei took their leave around 10pm. As Shusei was driving back, Hotsuma's head leaned towards the window, glancing at the night city life. 'The next few months without Shusei would be a torture,' he thought. Shusei seemed so far away now. He was a celebrity musician with so much promise, while Hotsuma was just a mere university student. He never felt the gap between them so wide before – and it scared him a little. Losing seven years of his life was scary, as he clearly remembered the days when he was just reincarnated without any memories. He did not remember who he was, and thankfully, he had met a kind family who had taken him in before he was reunited with Shusei again.
'Have I really missed out that much? Seven years… everyone has really changed.'
"A penny for your thoughts?" a voice filled in and Hotsuma knew that he had spaced out again. He turned to his partner.
"Nothing much… I just… I was just thinking about how amazing it is that everyone has fulfilled their careers," said Hotsuma, his voice a little hollow, feeling completely left behind. Shusei glimpsed at his partner and saw Hotsuma wearing a frown and a sad smile. His heart went for his lover and he gently placed a hand on Hotsuma's thigh when they were waiting for the traffic lights.
"You are also on your way to fulfill your career," said Shusei gently. "It's true that all of them have fulfilled their careers but… I think that you are the most amazing one," Shusei threw a loving smile to Hotsuma's direction.
"You think too highly of me, Shusei," said Hotsuma, smiling back weakly, rubbing the back of his head. Shusei shook his head, staring intently into Hotsuma's eyes.
"The fact that you are here, adjusting back to your life despite being seven years behind is amazing. I am really glad to have you here beside me," said Shusei, meaning every word of it.
Hotsuma smiled back gratefully, the heavy lump in his heart lifting. "Thank you, Shusei."
The light turned green and Shusei smiled back once, before driving back home.
And that's it for this chapter! Review please!
Replies to anonymous reviewers.
fan - I am so so relieved that Sairi and Ria were not too OOC. Phew. Thanks for reviewing.
Lovey - Thanks! I am so glad that they were in character and that you liked them.
