The Gun and the Guitar
Chapter 14: A Local Party
Days after the fundraiser party, Bad Luck was so busy doing interviews, photo sessions and small shows in various places all over town. It was long and tiring, gruelling even. K was pressing them so much because of their change of venue dates. He had in fact, changed a few dates so that they could fly to L.A next. They needed to finish here and move on, get back to some serious work.
They shot their video with Nittle Grasper, at the top of the CN Tower, who was also being followed as much as Bad Luck was. The video took two days to film. That was when Ryuichi and Shuichi would stop playing and concentrate on their job. But K threatened to use them as target practice if they didn't behave and work.
It worked out well.
Word also got around about Bad Luck's manager and his dislike for questions during interviews. So K had it easy on any of the interview gigs. Sakano was pleased as punch with the way things were going. But he always found something to stress about, thus wringing his tie mercilessly quite often. More than once he mumbled about being left out of the loop when K decided all on his own to change the tour dates. But no one else seemed to mind. He hadn't divulged which venue was next.
Today after a radio show on Q107, the gang was having dinner.
"Guess what?!" announced K excitedly, startling everyone who was quietly eating supper.
Bad Luck looked over at their manager who seemed to be positively glowing lately.
"What is it?" Hiro asked first, stealing one of K's French fries.
The blonde narrowed his eyes at the guitarist for thieving his food. But Hiro only stuck his tongue out at him. Momentarily distracted, K squeezed his fingertips into Hiro's kneecap. Hiro screeched and laughed.
Everyone at the table sweat-dropped. Except Shuichi, he was giggling at Hiro.
"Guys…hello?" asked Yuki unimpressed. "I swear their brains have turned to fluff," he finished dryly.
Hiro and K realized what they were doing and looked anywhere but directly at their friends.
"Err…sorry about that," K muttered, "Well, what I was going to say was that we're going to a hockey game tomorrow night."
"Really?" asked Shuichi, making a goofy face at Hiro. It wasn't often he got to see his friend all giddy in love.
Hiro threw one of K's fries at him.
"It's that game played with sticks right?" Shuichi questioned, dodging the fry.
"Yup," K said, "And you guys are going to play the opening national anthems," he explained, feeding another one of his fries to Hiro, missing the fact that the guitarist was using his food to toss at Shuichi.
Rolling his eyes at this display, Suguru said, "Cool, a sporting event. But are we going to play our instruments on the ice?"
"Of course, it'll all be set up by the Air Canada people. So you just have to go out there and play," their manager told them.
Hiro wasn't sure if he liked hockey or not, but playing in an arena for thousands of people seemed exciting. He beamed at Shuichi, then thought out loud, "Is Shuichi going to sing it in Japanese?"
"Yup," K said again, "Torontonians love culture so it'll be something entirely new. And the words are here for both Canadian and American anthems," K offered, a hint of amusement in his voice. HA! He always knew he'd find a way to get Bad Luck to do the American anthem one day. He handed Shuichi a piece of paper with the lyrics on it. And sheet music to Hiro and Suguru for their instruments. "Plus, I get to watch my favourite team play," K added happily.
"Oh, what team?" asked Sakano, he had a slight interest in the sport. After all Japan has its own international hockey team and he watched it on T.V often.
"The L.A Kings of course," the blonde replied.
"Of course," everyone said wryly in unison.
"Los Angeles…" murmured Hiro somewhat hauntingly, remembering what K said about them going there. It thrilled him, yet it made butterflies swirl in his stomach like crazy.
"What's the matter?" asked Shuichi, noticing the sudden green colour on Hiro's face.
"He's just nervous about coming to L.A with me," K said and patted Hiro on the shoulder. "He'll love you I'm sure of it," he promised. K didn't blame Hiro for being this way, kids were scary. He remembered when he first held Michael. He'd been more scared at that moment then at times when he was being shot at enemies.
Shuichi did a double take. "L.A?!" hollered the singer, his eyes darting back and forth from Hiro to K.
"Yeah…after we're done in Toronto," Hiro offered with a gulp. He had these horrible images of meeting K's son. What if the kid hated him or blamed him for taking his daddy away from his mother. What if the kid was a terror and kicked him in the shins and pulled his hair? What if he just said all the wrong things…?
"You're such a worry wart, Hiroshi, you're starting to bear a resemblance to him," K teased and nodded at Sakano.
"I saw that…" grumbled Sakano.
Hiro laughed now. "I am not! I just have concerns, but nothing is going to stop me from coming with you to L.A," he finished with determination.
K smiled at his lover happily. He turned to everyone else. "Well, I know you know I changed the tour dates and are dying to know where we're going next. So, I think I'll drag you all there too. L.A will be our next target. It's not such a bad idea, hit all the major cities and then work our way through the smaller ones. It'll be fun," K added to a now surprised group. He knew he could have gone to L.A, taken a few days off and all that, but he wanted to kill two birds with one stone.
He'd made a promise to himself, to make Bad Luck the best fucking band around. It was no joke, he would do it. Besides, he could keep tabs on Bad Luck if they came along.
"And you did all this without even consulting me," complained Sakano once more.
"Did you say something?" K questioned the man, pretending to not hear a word.
Sakano sighed. It wasn't the first time K did things without consulting him, and then slapped Hiro's food-thieving hand away.
"You guys are worse then them," Suguru finally bemoaned, pointing at Yuki and Shuichi.
Shuichi just laughed at that comment, "They are soo cute!"
Hiro and K blushed. They didn't want to be called 'cute' ugh! They sank a little in their seats.
Yuki didn't look any more comfortable than Hiro and K. He declared, "At least I don't have to keep their stupid secret anymore."
"Yeah, you sneak," Shuichi clung to Yuki's arm and began to purr, "Why didn't you tell me?"
Yuki gave his lover a cool look, "It wasn't my place to tell you. I thought it would be better coming from Hiro himself."
Shuichi grinned mischievously, Hiro never exactly told him at all. And he began to sing, "Hiro and K sitting in tree K-I-S-S—eep!" Suddenly something hard was pointed at his head. Ack! It was K's gun; he knew that feeling all to well. He stopped singing immediately and looked over.
"Not another word, Shuichi," Hiro demanded holding K's gun threateningly.
"Hiro!" cried his best friend.
"That's my boy!" K cheered on, sitting back with a silly grin plastered on his face.
"Oh dear me," bewailed Sakano, looking sharply at his co-worker, "K, what have you done?!"
K put his hands up innocently. "I didn't make him do it."
Hiro sat back and handed K his gun, "Hey that really works!"
"Aww no fair!" Shuichi complained.
Hiro reached over and ruffled Shuichi's hair, "Don't worry sport I wouldn't really use it."
Shuichi sat back indignant.
K sat looking at his gun wondrously, murmuring to himself. "That was the single most amazing thing I ever saw..." He put the gun back into his holster and wiped a tear from his eye.
Later on K and Hiro returned from a walk down Queen Street to the hotel and waited for the elevator. Only Ryuichi stepped out when the doors opened. The singer grinned and waved Kumagoro's pink, little paw at them.
"Hello Mr. K and Mr. Hiro," Ryuichi said sweetly.
The two men smiled at his silly antics.
"How are you Sakuma, what are you up to tonight?" asked K, curious as to what Ryuichi was doing here alone. Besides, the man was dressed to kill in some cowboy boots, sexy jeans and some flashy shirt.
"I'm going to a party," he replied.
K, always thinking about safety questioned, "Is Tohma or Noriko going with you?"
"Just Tohma, Yuki and Shuichi!" cried the vocalist happily.
K raised his eyebrows, he hated when he didn't know what Shuichi had planned in this big city. Just because he was with Hiro, didn't mean he wasn't looking out for Shuichi or Suguru too. That was just part of the job description. They were supposed to communicate. What if something happened, he wouldn't know where to find them.
But he knew now, he looked at Hiro, "Wanna go to a party?"
"But…we're not invited," Hiro offered.
"So…" K said dryly.
Hiro smirked, right, this was K after all. He went wherever he wanted or mostly where ever Bad Luck was. Hiro was sort of hoping to curl up under a warm blanket and watch a movie really. But what were the odds that something he could understand would be on TV anyways?
"Of course you guys are invited too," Ryuichi claimed and bonked them both on the head with his plushie.
Well then. "Let's party!" cheered Hiroshi and said, "Let me go change first."
"Ooo…Hiro change. Must. Go. Watch," K said animatedly and followed a now laughing Hiro into the elevator.
They didn't take long to change their clothes, and headed back downstairs to a waiting group of friends and fellow co-workers. Unfortunately for K, Hiro had to put his foot down to no jiggy. He couldn't make his friends wait any longer than they already have.
But it didn't stop them from making out in the elevator.
K purred in his ear, "You look so sexy."
"So do you." Hiro eyed his lover's attire too, especially his hair. He'd talked K into wearing one of his hot pink, button-up concert shirts. He also talked him into keeping his hair down tonight. It looked fucking hot. Regrettably, he couldn't talk him into leaving the gun at behind. The thing was tucked into the waistband of his faded jeans at the back. If he didn't focus on the gun, the look was cool for K. Hiro thought it made him look a few years younger, which was easy for the man to do anyways.
The guitarist gazed at his own reflection on the lift mirror. He wore a hip aqua coloured t-shirt, hugely contrasted against his dark mahogany hair. And a pair of new black leather pants. He looked good in them and well, K growled happily when he had put them on at the store a few days ago. There was no reason to associate them with his attack.
"I love it when you look like this. You're gonna break everyone's hearts tonight," Hiro complimented his lover mischievously, "Blondie."
Goofily, K flipped his hair and sighing dramatically. Oi? "Did you just call me 'Blondie'?
"Yes, like that American western guy I saw on TV. He smokes cigars and carries a six-shooter and the one guy called him Blondie, it was the only word I understood," Hiro said chuffing and shaking his head at K's crazy antics tonight.
"You're comparing me to Clint Eastwood? I know which movie you're talking about. HA!" K howled. Actually it was kind of a compliment to him.
The man was clearly on his own planet tonight, Hiro laughed. At least K was never dull, not for a minute. But Hiro liked the new nickname...it was going to stay. The doors opened and K walked out, twirling his gun on his finger now. He followed.
Everyone was outside in the lobby waiting. Shuichi spotted them first.
"Wow, K…" breathed Shuichi. "You look so…different."
Pretending to blow gun smoke from his weapon, K demanded, "Better be 'different' in a good way."
"Heh, of course it's good. I'm just not used to seeing you with your hair down, a flashy pink shirt…cool jeans…" Shuichi's voice faded off as he realized he was itemizing K's attire. He gave Hiro a cheeky two thumbs up.
Hiro thumbed happily back at his best friend behind K's back, and pointed to himself mouthing the words, "It was all my idea."
K saw Shuichi wink at Hiro, who was behind him and spun around. He narrowed his eyes on Hiroshi playfully and said, "Come on lover boy."
They met up with everyone else and headed out for this party. When they arrived in front of some very expensive looking condos, everyone got out.
"So what kind of party is this?" asked Yuki.
"It's a house party," claimed Ryuichi. He'd been invited by some people who were at the hotel. Some other Japanese musicians based in Toronto; who went nuts when they realized they were talking to the lead singer of Nittle Grasper. So, they invited him to come to a party tonight being held in a condo on the Queens Quay, condo's that cost a cool million or more to just live in.
"Yay we get to party with the locals!" sang Shuichi excitedly. There was no way they could have done that back home.
"Yay!" Ryuichi cheered.
"Don't take any weird substances and no wandering off!" declared K scanning his eyes over the group. He watched Tohma nod in agreement. K didn't trust these house parties, house parties tended to get wilder and he didn't really know these people. Could be just some crazed fans.
"Yes Dad," Shuichi remarked sarcastically.
K frowned and Hiro only held up his hands saying, "Sorry, I can't help you there."
Bad Luck found this party which was thumping with music and lots of people trying to talk over it. It was loud! It was a beautiful top-floor condo though. It was a huge decorative room, and at one end, a pair of French styled doors led to a swimming pool full of half naked people. Drinks flowed freely, the sweet smell of wine and beer mixed with cigarette smoke filled the air. But there was a large mix of people here, making this a very unique party for everyone.
"You made it!" a voice loudly came over the crowd.
Ryuichi smiled, it was the guy that had invited him and he replied, "Hi Takano! I brought some friends, have you heard of Bad Luck?" he asked the tall man with spiky dark hair, tips blonde.
The young man's eyes widened with surprise and said, "Of course." He scanned over the group and gasped, "Shindou Shuichi is here too!"
Suddenly a bunch of eyes were on them.
Soon a throng of people hovered around. Shuichi laughed and totally ate up the attention with Ryuichi. Everyone got bombed with questions, but they delightfully answered. The man named Takano eventually saved them from the crowd and guided them over to his band members.
Everyone gave each a slight bow.
"I can't believe we have Nittle Grasper and Bad Luck at our party!" cried one of Takano's band mates. "Hi, my name is Kevin, I play guitar and this guy…" the young man with dark hair patted another guy on the shoulder, "…Is Lee, he plays drums. Takano sings—we're Frenzy of the Soft Hump."
Tohma cracked up laughing.
"Interesting name," K said, blinking.
"It's awesome!" cried both Ryuichi and Shuichi.
Hiro scratched his head.
Then they all chatted about the music business. Hiro found himself chatting it up with the guitarist. Of course they talked guitars. K watched Hiro trot off with the guy to inspect the other man's instruments. The blonde smiled, watching his lover as he talked animatedly. He laughed to himself as the other man thrust one of his guitars into Hiro's hands.
Yuki stood by watching his lover also, who was happily being the center of attention with Ryuichi. He eyed K in mutual acknowledgement; this was the life of being with superstars. Even though he was famous himself, this wasn't his crowd and he didn't really feel that famous. He liked it that way.
The night waned on and Hiro came back around and handed K a drink, "Enjoying yourself?"
"Yup, let's dance," K offered taking the drink, which was some kind of blue cooler in a bottle. It was extremely fruity but it sure had a kick.
Hiro eyed K over, dance? He wasn't much of a dancer but K dragged him to where Shuichi and Ryuichi were boogieing it up.
Laughing nervously, Hiro heard the music turn to a slower song. He gulped when K pulled him close. He was sure he'd only end up bruising K's feet by the end of the song. But the man sure did feel good pressed up to him though.
K didn't care who watched or not, dancing was fun and he wanted to do it with Hiro. He wrapped his arms around the brunette and swayed in tune to the music. He didn't recognize the song, it didn't matter anyways. Just dancing with Hiro was good enough.
"No one cares Hiro. See, everyone is dancing," K explained to his finicky Hiro. "Look Tohma dances as well."
Hiro peered over the crowd and saw Tohma grinning happily as the man danced with some girl, who plucked off his hat and placed it on her own head. Tohma laughed and spun her around, damn he was good. He saw Shuichi dancing with Yuki and Ryuichi was dancing with Noriko. They all seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Letting himself go, Hiro decided to just enjoy it.
And the party went on for much longer than they thought. They danced and drank into the wee morning hours. But when K took a look at his watch, he reminded everyone they had an important gig tomorrow. Amid the whines that they were still having fun, Shuichi and Hiro reluctantly agreed to say goodbye to their new friends. They said goodbye to Tohma, Ryuichi and Noriko, who decided to stay behind.
Besides, K was worried that Hiro had drank too much. He herded them all to a cab and ordered it back to the hotel. In the back of the cab, Hiro flopped one of his legs over K's and twirled some of his blonde hair, he giggled, then, he hiccupped.
"There's no rush to get up too early," K reminded everyone.
"I don't plan on it," mumbled Yuki who yawned.
"I'm sure I can find a way to wake you up, Yuki," giggled Shuichi.
Yuki scoffed, "You two are drunk."
Hiro waved his hand at Yuki and added naughtily, "You should take him to hot tub at the hotel, Shu."
Yuki cast cool look at the guitarist, "Don't give him any ideas."
"But they're locked now," pouted Shuichi.
"Nothing's locked when K's around," the brunette quipped, giving K a toothy grin.
Shuichi squealed at that. It was the first time Hiro actually gave away some naughty secret. "You should get drunk more often Hiro," Shuichi concluded and continued, "They play dress up you know Yuki." He looked hopeful at his lover.
Yuki shot a look at Shuichi, "You mentioned, more than once…no way," he groaned.
"Aww you're no fun," moaned Shuichi.
"My head is spinning…I wuv you, K…you're so pretty…" Hiro mumbled incoherently, but he sighed and rest his head on K's shoulder. "I can't remember where I live," he giggled and closed his eyes.
"HAHA! Hiro is so drunk!" Shuichi howled laughing.
K pet Hiro's head soothingly, he hoped they'd make it back to the hotel in case Hiro needed to pray to the porcelain gods.
Soon all they heard was loud snores emitting from the passed out guitarist.
When they arrived at the hotel, K scooped up Hiroshi into his arms and Shuichi said, "Poor Hiro."
"He'll be alright, goodnight guys," K told them and entered their room. He gently placed Hiro on the bed. "Boy you sure drank a lot," K murmured to himself as he took off Hiro's boots. He'd seen Hiro drunk before, but not often this bad. "You're gonna pay for this tomorrow my love." K chuckled and removed Hiro's pants and shirt, leaving him in his boxers.
After K tucked him in, he fetched some water and sat a big glass of it on Hiro's nightstand. He'd be crazy thirsty when he woke up, K knew. Then he pulled off his own clothes and crawled into bed.
Mmm, nice, warm, bed, K let his eyes close.
SNORE!
K's eyes shot open. He groaned and looked over at Hiro's sleeping silhouette in the dark. Drinking often caused bad snoring, this he knew as well. But hearing quiet for a moment, K attempted to close his eyes again and reached up to remove the tie from his hair. He sighed, that's better he thought.
But Hiro began snoring again, this time in a varying arrangement of scales. Gah! K nudged the man and he stopped only momentarily.
Love was grand but K needed to sleep! He was so tired and this wasn't peaceful, the snoring was too loud. "Aww, Hiro I can't sleep," he whined crankily. In another attempt to cease Hiro's drunken snoring, K pushed him onto his side. He hoped a new position would help.
It seemed to work, no noise came from the guitarist. K sighed and lay back down, shifting around to lie on his stomach, rest his head on his arms. He could feel his eyes getting heavy, his breathing calmer, just on the brink of slumber. But in his paranoid state, he anticipated more snoring and found himself wide awake again.
Curses!
Hiro mumbled something in his sleep, "Blondie…you shouldn't play…with your…gun." There was giggling from the brunette.
K softened, awe Hiro was dreaming about him, but what was that about his gun?! What a little pervert, K thought and chuckled to himself before closing his eyes again.
But Hiro's snoring was relentless and K was whining to himself in sheer aggravation. He needed to get some sleep, so, he grabbed his pillow and the spare blanket and marched into the bathroom. It was the only room that he could go to that had a door. He shut it happily, blocking out his lover's next snore half way through.
Ahhh…peace, he thought and got as comfy as he could in the bathtub. Within minutes he was fast asleep and snoring too.
A/N: Just a silly chapter I did XD I had K introduce the next story, which takes places in Los Angeles--weee one more chapter of this part and then onto Part 2! I also had this part where sometimes it's not always peaches sleeping with someone in the same bed...especially if they drink and snore lol! I thought that not everything for K and Hiro could be perfect XD Poor Hiro though. Tee, K has to sleep in the tub haha!
Reviewers:
kayakun: Awww thanks for the wonderful comments! I'm glad that K going uke had that affect on you..it makes me feel the same way. It was sweet. About the Yuki and Shu thing...yeah you're right I normally do add them into my fics. I didn't, however add much of them in Part 1 or 2. BUT in Part 3, I have a whole sub-plot dedicated to Yuki and Shuichi. And it's a biggy! I won't tell you the details because it will totally spoil it for you XD There is one lemon between them in Part 3 and I'll say this..Hiro plots to make Shu ultimately happy in Part 3 -winks- Much love!
wolffan: -gromps- Your review made my eyes misty XD You're so sweet, thank you or enjoying the fic hun! And yes, it's nice to see that K can be a real person, just as vulnerable as anyone else. I hope you continue to do so as my story will take so many turns it even makes my head spin lol!