Warnings- Major OOC, Some characters backgrounds changed (it is and AU after all), lot and lot of homosexuality, and swearing.

"Talking" 'Thinking'

A/N: Sometimes I just want to blog. But if I'm being honest, who would listen? That's one of the reason I didn't join Facebook. The other is cause I have no friends (Ann doesn't count), guess I'm lame like that.

Thank you to my only reviewer Kiscia. But I feel like I must be doing something wrong. And some of the personalities are based off of people I know.

I cut out the slash scene due to lack of people who wanted it. Just read between the lines. And if you do want it, review.

The Great Escape

Tonight will change our lives

Dec. 3

Otoya couldn't wait for the weekend to start. He hates school. He hated Fridays, even his friends. And why was he being so pessimistic? Because his father, his real dad back in Japan, didn't answer his calls, emails, ect the night before. That, in return, ruined his whole Friday.

"Damn old man." He muttered.

It also didn't help that Tokiya kept trying to sneak a peak at him through the corner of his deep blue eye. He really just wanted the teen to stop and mind his own business. He wanted nothing more than to yell at him for things that were out of both of there control. Otoya wanted to scream and take out his anger on the frail teen.

"Hey look." Natsuki said. His head titled as green eyes glared outside. He looked bored with his elbow leaning into the desk, hand holding his cheek up. "It's snowing."

"How childish." Ai retorted.

"It's the first snow of the season." Natsuki said far to harshly.

And that was it, with that they started. Otoya knew that his group project was screwed because nobody got along. But, on the upside, that distracted Tokiya from him, drawing his blue gaze away letting Otoya have a small sigh of relieve. Now it was the redheads turn to look at the other.

His eyes looked tired, dark bags smudged across the pale skin underneath. His face looked pinched, maybe not so much in excruciating pain but still hurt. He slouched down in his chair. Thins arms crossed on the wood in front of him.

"T-Tokiya." He couldn't help it, he had to say his name. To make those fierce eyes look at him again, to let him know that the other was not just the hollow shell he looked to be.

He did. He turned and met Otoya's red gaze with those eyes. "Yes?" His voice was calm.

"Sorry, never mind. It's nothing."

"Are you sure? If you need any help, you can always ask me."

Otoya almost said no. Almost. "Hey when are you free to work on the project?"

Tokiya bit his lip. "Sometime over the break is fine. But I don't think I can do anything until after Christmas."

"Ai, Natsuki, is the cool with you?" He called a bit louder hoping to break them out of their silly squabble.

"That's fine." Ai shrugged. "Who's house?"

"Not mine. Satsuki is having a bunch of his college friends over during the holidays." Natsuki chimed in.

"Satsuki?" Tokiya mumbled.

"Hakase is spending until the new year with us. He won't mind, but you guys know, I'd rather not." Ai said waving his hand in front of his face as if to purge the air of a foul smell.

"Hakase?" Tokiya mumbled again.

"I hate my house. How about we all go to Syo's?"

"I could ask my mother if we could do it at mine, so we won't have to bother Syo." Tokiya offered quietly.

"That would be great." Ai commented dully

"Hey! Are you four even paying attention anymore? You know you are in the middle of class." Reiji screamed at them, slamming his book down.

"No." Oyota and Ai answered honestly.

"You four will be the death of me. TGIF, I guess." Their teacher rolled his eyes, grateful that he wouldn't have to put up with their stupidity over the weekend.

"Oh actually," Tokiya added almost silently. "I'm free today just not at my place."

"Then mine!" Natsuki beamed.

"For heaven's sake, shut up!" Reiji shouted.

xxx

Kotomi had a rather sour look on her face as the boys returned home. Not that Otoya cared if she was upset or not. She would get over it like always, having that small smile she usually wore return to her face. But he could tell, even from the kitchen doorway, how frustrated she was.

"Mom, we're home. Can I borrow the car for a few hours?"

"Sit down, Otoya." She said, her voice stern. He hadn't heard her like this in years. It was almost as if he had forgotten she could get pissed off. "We need to talk for a minute."

He gazed fell on her before turning to his brother. Cecil gave him a quick node before disappearing up the stairs.

"What?"

"Your father called." She said taking a sip from her teacup. Whatever was inside was probably already cold, as it looked as though she had been there for a while. "He's already bought you a plan ticket. You'll be going to Japan for the next two weeks. On Monday request all of your absent work."

"W-what?" He questioned in disbelief. His father had planned to spend Christmas with him. Even though they hadn't talked in forever how father still wanted him. It was the best thing he could have asked for.

"I'd start packing soon. He says you can stay till the new year if you want, but I'd rather it was only two weeks. I won't stop you though. We both know how much you loved going to the shrine. But if you want to come home early that's okay as well."

He thought for a second. "I have a project to work on tonight." He retorted.

"You have until Tuesday morning. You should make sure to have everyone's number so if they need your input they can text you."

"Sure."

He watched as his mother sighed, and for once, he felt incredibly happy. He couldn't believe it. It was far to good to be true.

"Thank you." He whispered.

xxx

Otoya paced in front of Ai's house. He had been feeling nice for once and told Ai that he would try his and Tokiya over to Natsuki's. But he didn't realize how nervous he would be. His cyan haired friend still had some chores to be done, and he didn't want to hang out with Tokiya whole he waited. He had yet to apologize to the teen. Not talking to Syo, the blonde wanted nothing to do with him till he made amends, taught him that he should maybe watch what he says sometimes. But how could be help it, speaking his mind was part of who he was. It's what made him Otoya Ittoki.

"Ai, are you ready yet?" He whinned into his phone.

"No, not yet. And the more you call and ask the longer it will take. Just go get Tokiya, I'll be out soon."

"But Ai!"

"Just go idiot." Ai hung up.

Otoya wanted to throw his phone into the mount of snow. But he couldn't. He needed his phone. What if his dad called? Grudgingly he made his way across the icy street. Biting down on his lip, he knocked.

"Coming." The door opened and a frizzy, slightly wet, blue head popped out. "Ittoki?"

"Yeah, hey. Didn't Ai tell you I was picking you both up?"

"No."

"Oh." Otoya turned. "Well I am. My car's across the street. Hurry up and get ready."

"You can come in. I'll only be a minute."

"I'd really rather not-"

"Is it because of that time?" Tokiya tilted his head. "I know what it looked like, so I don't think you were out of line. But I can explain if you feel uncomfortable."

" I just-"

"Come in."

Otoya did. He didn't want to enter the house, but it was cold outside. Looking around the first thing he noted was how normal it felt. He realized he knew nothing about Tokiya.

"Oh hey." He said as the blue haired teen was closing the door. "I'm going to Japan for a while. If you need me for the project text me."

Ichinose blushed. "May I have your number then?"

"Sure dude."

xxx

Dec. 7

Otoya hated looking around and not finding his father. He didn't see anyone he knew or recognized. Looking down at his phone, he had no messages or missed calls. No one cared if he was safe or having a good time. Not that he was.

He had waited for a hour at the airport before anyone had even bothered to show up. And seeing his dad again didn't exactly go as he had hoped it would. In his mind, he saw his dad ready to welcome him back with loving arms. Waiting for him with tears in his eyes.

That is not how it happened.

His father showed up late, looking bored. "There you are." He laughed. "Sorry I forgot what time your plan landed."

Otoya gritted his teeth. I was okay because his father was a busy man.

"I hope you don't mind sharing a room." Saotome said once they were both belted into the car.

"What? Why, with who?"

"With my stepson. I bet you didn't know your old man go remarried. Well kinda. It's hard to explain. You'll understand when we get there."

"Why didn't you tell me? How long?"

"Well..."

"How long!"

Saotome didn't look up from the road. His red eyebrows furrowed. "A few years."

Otoya folded his arms over his chest. "You could have told me. I would have been happy for you."

"It's not something that's really easy to say. Besides I thought Kotomi would have told you by now."

"Like mom tells me anything."

"She probably had her reasons. So how's school going?"

Otoya groaned. It was going to be a long way home.

xxx

The first thing Otoya saw upon walking in was not very promising. He knew that his father had a good job. He knew his dad was wealthy. So to see the small house that he lived in was a surprise.

"Saotome? Are you home?"

Otoya frowned. That was not the voice of a beautiful woman, a loving house wife, like it should have been. "Dad?"

"I'm home. I want you to meet someone call the boys down. This way Otoya."

He followed his father almost unwillingly. He could hear the footsteps over head as the ceiling creaked lightly. Entering the kitchen through the opened dinning room he saw it. Or rather him. The man had gray hair and deep purple eyes.

"Otoya you probably don't remember him. This is Reijingu Otori."

"Raging?"

"Close enough." The man laughed. "It's been a long time little man."

"We use to be business partners."

"I don't understand."

The older men exchanged a worried glance before the redheaded one said anything. "So your mother really didn't tell you?"

"What that you married a man? I thought Japan didn't allow that sort of thing!"

"I told you it was complicated." Saotome said. "It's more like we are recognized as partners."

"Saotome."

"Mitsuo!"

Both voices came from beyond the table. Otoya looked up to see both boys each with piercing purple eyes. The taller of the two had dark brown hair and thick rimmed glasses that slid down his nose. The other had light brown, somewhat orangish, hair and called happily to Otoya's father.

"Mitsuo!" He beamed. "Is this him?"

Saotome smiled. "Yes. Otoya this is Eiji and that back there is Eiichi. They are Otori's boys. You'll be rooming with Eiichi for the time being."

"Hey." Eiichi gave him a devious smile.

"Hello." The redhead snapped.

"Otoya we'll talk more later. Eiichi will you show him to your room?"

"Sure, sure." He turned closing his eyes. "Come."

They didn't talk until they reached the dark room. That's when Eiichi shut the door, blocking him in. "You're the one I've heard so much about. I expected more."

"Whatever." He set his bags down.

"Upset cause you have to share your dad?" The brunette teased lightly. "Mad cause now that you see our family you know you don't fit in. You expected to come back here and everything would be perfect. But it's not. You lost your dad to my family."

Otoya sniffed. "I can't lose something I never had."

"Oh my." Otori grinned. "Are you the type that pushes people away so they can't hurt you? How fun."

"I don't know what your talking about."

"Then let me show you." Purple eyes glimmered in the darkness, watching Otoya like the was the prey. He wanted to shrink away from the crazy male. But somewhere deep down he knew that this person was probably just like him. Hurt everyone before they can hurt you.

"Can you? How?"

"I can show you what it's like to be held, loved, yet still feel totally alone." The words escaped the moist lips. "Just say yes."