Your Deep Blue Eyes
Chapter Twenty – Earth to Allen
"Earth to Allen…One, two, three," Madarao scoffed through his microphone with a forced smile at Allen who was lost in thought again. Madarao never was one who smiled a whole lot.
"Hey, Crown," Madarao spoke louder in the mic. "We could have been out of here an hour ago if you would stop thinking about that so called hunky man of yours." Madarao's mouth tightened into a disapproving sneer.
Not only was Madarao a person who didn't smile much, but he was also a man of few words, unless he had something he really wanted to say and this afternoon seemed to be one of Madarao's more outspoken times.
The most amount of words Allen remembered coming out of the sexy man's mouth was when he sang, and man did Madarao have a singing voice to die for. Not only could he sing, but as their lead guitarist he played the guitar as hot as Allen did piano. When the two of them got jammin' together they torched a room on fire and left it smelling like smoke when they finished.
"Yeah, come on Allen, I have a date later and I'd like to go home and take a shower before hand," Tokusa whined as he played out a few cords on his bass then looked over at Allen whose eyes appeared to be refocusing back to the here and now.
"Hey, give the guy a break, he just got engaged and had to leave his fiancé behind," Bak Chan came to Allen's defense with a roll of his drumsticks on each drum and finished with a clash on the open top-hat cymbal, and a nod of his head made his short messy blonde hair fall over his forehead into his eyes. Bak was the oldest of the group, but could act younger when he got drinking or high spirited. He was the same height as Allen, the two shortest in the group.
"All right, I heard you. What makes you think I wasn't thinking about the arrangement on my sheet music," Allen cackled. He was not going to admit where his thoughts had taken him with Kanda.
"Maybe it's that stupid dreamy look on your face as you stare off somewhere that's not here," Madarao retorted saucily.
Wow, what's gotten under his skin? This got Allen's attention more than the man's loud voice over the microphone.
"Okay Madarao, what's really on your mind? Spit it out. It's more than me daydreaming about my fiancé, so out with it," Allen demanded, his voice clip and sharp.
Allen had liked Madarao from the moment they met. He was Link's age, the second oldest of their group. Madarao had waited a few years after high school before he entered college, he was smart as a whip and the man fit right in with the group perfectly. To Allen he was the big brother he never had growing up, and right now, the close to six foot man had Allen angry and annoyed by his behavior.
"Never mind, I'm out of here," he groused and lifted the guitar strap over his head and started towards his guitar case to put it away. Link stepped forward and placed a hand on his friend's arm to slow him down, but the sullen man brushed him aside.
The group had been practicing for two weeks. During that time Allen thought Madarao had distanced himself from him but he had shrugged it off. But the last few days, Allen hadn't seen this side of Madarao since the Tyki years in college when he would try to protect him along with Link. The poor guy had his own boyfriend problems to deal with at the time.
"Stop, Madarao. Let's go talk in private and get this off your chest, now!" Allen ordered, his own voice sounded churlish. Link was taken aback by Allen's abruptness to his friend even though Link was wise enough to know there was definitely something bothering the guitarist.
Madarao stood up from his bent position over his guitar case and turned to Allen. Though Allen's friend's tone of voice had been tarty, the man's eyes betrayed him with concern hidden beneath his sloe-eyes that held a tinge of red. Madarao had a strong sense of duty and could come off as a cold, stoic person, but Allen and his friends have been on the receiving end of this man's warm personality and they all respected him. It was those traits in Madarao that Allen had always thought of him as a big brother—he was as protective as Link.
Allen stared at his friend with his hands on his narrow hips. Madarao looked pretty much like he does on stage with his short, spiky hair with a longer length that fell over his right eye. He wore a different band around his forehead today, but still had the black feathers fixed to it with two shoulder-length strands with beads at the tips and a tassel in the back. Madarao was all man, nothing feminine about him, just one hunky dude, but to Allen he was still a big brother, the same as Madarao looked at Allen as his kid brother.
"Okay," he agreed harshly and followed Allen into a backroom of the place they had rented to practice. Allen slammed the metal door shut behind him with a thwack and turned on Madarao.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Allen seethed sharply; his normally pale skin now red.
"Since the moment we all got back together to practice you've been acting weird like you're angry at me. What gives, Madarao," Allen fumed with heavy breath. He was going to get to the bottom of this so he would have his old friend and big brother back.
"Youwant to know what the fuck's wrong with me? Fine! You fucking didn't learn your lesson with Tyki, that's what! Now you're hooked up with another man, in what…a few months?! And you're going to marry the man?!" Madarao shouted his fists clenched at his side as he towered over the younger man. Allen was shocked by his friend's outburst, but even angrier about his friend's accusation that he hadn't learned his lesson with Tyki. But Allen didn't get a chance to speak.
"I've been worried sick about you, little brother. You already have that manic killer, Tyki hunting you down, to do who knows what to you, and then you start up with another possible nut case?!" Madarao knew this was not how he wanted to talk to Allen about how he felt, but his friend had been so wrapped up in his love life that they never found a chance to talk. So, yeah, he was exploding, but he had a damn right to when it came to Allen's health and safety.
It wasn't that Madarao didn't trust Link to protect Allen, it was just…hell what was it that hurt so bad? That he wasn't included? Damnit! Allen has been like a little brother to him since college and he was damned if Tyki was going to harm him. And how the hell could he protect him from making another huge mistake with this guy.
"Kanda is not a fuckin' nut case! You haven't even met him yet so don't judge him!" Allen screamed back. His anger deflated as quickly as it came, like air from a balloon that didn't get tied at the end after being blown up. He was too tired to keep up a fight with Madarao.
Fuck, why didn't he think of Madarao's feelings? He just assumed Link and Cross had talked to the group, but he had never taken the time to call and talk to Madarao personally who was family to him, plus he was just like Link, someone in his life that cared and loved him.
"Fuck me," Allen swooshed out. He felt like a shithead.
"I'd rather not, you're my little brother, remember?" he replied less angry than he had been earlier.
The terms, big brother and little brother had been something they had called each other since they were in college. Allen became more of a little brother when Madarao tried to step in to help Allen with Tyki, before and after Link had been hired.
"I'm so sorry," Allen said quietly and walked over to Madarao and hugged him around the waist.
"I mean it Madarao, I'm sorry. I was so caught up in Tyki's stalking I just wanted to get the hell away from here and as fast as I could. I didn't…" Madarao wrapped his arms tightly around Allen's smaller framed body and squeezed him against his body.
"It's okay, maybe I should have understood better, and maybe, just maybe I over reacted, but I was hurt, Allen," he friend's voice was strong and firm. How was I so lucky to have found four strong, caring friends and a wonderful fiancé in my life? Allen thought.
"I have been so damn worried with Tyki's boldness, and the fact that I couldn't be there with you drove me insane at times. Yes, I knew Link was there to protect you, but it wasn't the same not knowing where you were and how you were doing.
"Jesus Allen, you know I hated Tyki since you first started dating him. I never trusted him. He was a typical user and you were so naïve about relationships at the time, and so innocent. I swear I would kill him if he ever physically hurt you again." he muttered into Allen's ear. It felt good to have his little brother in his arms again and know he was safe.
"Now that I've calmed down, maybe we could have a talk about this new man in your life that swept you off your feet. I want to know his whole background…Cross did do a background check on the guy, right?"
Yeah, it was great to be home and to see my friends, but especially Madarao, him and his background checks, Allen thought with a smile. They sat down to talk when there was a rap on the door.
"Allen, is everything alright?" Link's concern voice asked through the door.
"Yes, Link it is. Would you mind telling Tokusa and Bak they can go home and we'll meet here tomorrow around two o'clock. And Link, please wait for me I need to talk to Madarao about Kanda," he asked his friend.
Shortly they heard Tokusa yelp outside the door, "I'm outta here! Hot date tonight!"
Allen smiled at Tokusa enthusiasm he must have another handsome guy lined up. Allen pulled slightly away from his hug and asked Madarao, "Would you rather go get a bite to eat with Link and me? I'll tell you everything and Link could fill in what I might have missed.
"Hey, I'll let you even ask me any questions you want about Kanda," Allen offered with a wide grin. They heard Bak's voice saying good-night to Link when he left then the steel doors clanked shut behind him.
"That sounds like a better idea than sitting in this damp warehouse," his friend agreed and released Allen. They opened the door and shut the light off when they exited.
"Link, we're all going out for a bite to eat so I can talk with Madarao about Kanda and what has been happening with us over the last few months. So, where do we want to go?" Allen asked as they all headed towards the door to leave and threw out ideas where to eat. Allen was happy to see Madarao had loosened up like he used to be with Link and him.
Link shut the door securely behind them and made sure everything was locked then activated the security alarm. Madarao followed Link and Allen with his securities team's SUV to the restaurant of choice. They spent hours at the restaurant as Allen talked zealously about Kanda and his eyes sparkled with love that Madarao could not deny was genuine. God help the man if he ever hurt his little brother, there would be hell to pay.
When they parted at the end of the evening, everything was fine between Allen and Madarao and their relationship was back into the full swing. Madarao said he would talk with the guys about Allen's fiancé and what had been going on with him the past few months to catch the guys up.
So, in the morning, Madarao called the other band members and asked them to meet with him at the local café for lunch. Luckily he had caught them in time before anyone went off doing something else.
Surprisingly, all the guys arrived on time and they found a place in the back of the café to sit. A pretty waitress came over to take their orders. Tokusa found it odd Bak didn't try to make a move on her, because Bak liked flirting with beautiful women that they ran into. Tokusa let it slide without a comment when Madarao started telling them about Allen's time away and how Tyki had found him and sent white orchids and what the card had said.
"Fuck, Allen's been through the mill with Tyki. The guy always gave me the creeps' even way back in college. To think Tyki found out where Allen was staying is downright freaky," Tokusa said with disdain for the man and a chill gave him goose bumps.
"And to think he killed a prison guard when he escaped is one wacked out guy," Tokusa added with a visible shiver. Madarao snaked an arm around his friend's neck and drew him close and gave him a kiss on the head then released him.
"You've got that right, Tokusa," Bak snarled under his breath. "Where the hell is the law? Why haven't they captured Tyki and get the damn man behind bars where he belongs before he really hurts Allen?"
"And what's with these white orchids he keeps sending Allen? What's he got a fetish for them?" Tokusa inserted.
"Who knows why the man does what he does, but you're all right about Tyki. What we need to do is keep our eyes out for any threats to Allen and just be his friends. He counts on us to help ease the stress," Madarao urged.
"Finish up boys we have to get to the warehouse. Allen's really impressed with how practices are going. You guys have to admit everything fell into place quickly the last three weeks. Allen thinks after today we should just go ahead and record. What do you guys think?" Madarao asked when they all got up and pay their bill. They made a quick exit out the back of the café before they were spotted by fans.
"I agree. Technology today, what would we have done without it?" Tokusa remarked.
The man was right. Everything they had practiced together while Allen was in hiding had been recorded by Allen and sent to them. They in returned practiced, then sent a recording back to Allen of them playing the updated version. From that recording Allen practiced with the band's recording, and made the necessary changes to polish their sound together. Now that Allen was back in the flesh and all of them were together to practice, it was mere icing on the cake. They all just clicked together.
"My opinion after last night's rehearsal, go for it, we're ready to rumble," Bak added as his hands mocked him playing his drums. They all piled into Bak's SUV and drove over to the warehouse. Shortly after the guys had arrived, Allen and Link with their two security men drove into the parking lot.
The black SUV parked. Two men in black suits got out first and checked the area before Allen and Link got out. As Link and he started up the walkway towards their friends the expressions on their faces were grave as they hung around the steps leading inside.
The look on their faces gave the impression someone had died and they had to break the news to Link and Allen. The three of them stood up and positioned themselves so they block something in back of them. Allen could see something behind them but not enough to know what it was. Madarao spoke.
"Look, we would have called you Link, but of all times none of us had our cells phones with us." Link and Allen rolled their eyes. "Or we would have called you…"
"What the hell are you guys trying to hide," Allen fussed and walked swiftly up to Bak and pushed him out of the way. Allen went instantly white; Link came up behind Allen and looked over his shoulder.
"Fuck," Allen breathed and stumbled backwards into Link who caught him under his arms before he could fall to the ground. Holding Allen, Link put his other hand into his coat pocket and handed the key card to Madarao.
"Madarao take the card and unlock the door, and someone get those fucking flowers out of here!" Link ordered loudly. One of the security men quickly picked up the bouquet of white orchids and got rid of them while the other stayed with Allen.
"Madarao, unlock the door and let's get Allen inside."
It took only a moment for him to swipe the card to unlock the door and punched in the security code. Link scoop Allen up into his arms and carried him inside. "How the hell does this guy find Allen?" Madarao growled totally bewildered.
"He can, because he's got plenty time on his hands and has his own diabolical scouts to help him locate Allen," Link retorted icily.
It wasn't that Link was angry at Madarao he was tired of Tyki still at large and wondered why the police haven't caught up with him yet. Link sat Allen on the cold metal foldout chair inside.
"Bak, would you please get Allen some water."
"Sure," Bak replied and went to the sink and grabbed one of the plastic cups and filled it. When he came back he handed it to Allen.
"Thanks, Bak," Allen said and took the plastic cup of water and drank it.
"Link, what did the card say?" Allen asked his voice quivered.
"Allen should…"
"Read it Link, out loud," Allen ordered firmly. Link reluctantly pulled the card from the envelope and read it and glanced up at the other band members then read it.
"Allen, your days are numbered. I hope you did as I suggested and you have your affairs in order—signed with a capital T."
"Are you going to be okay, Allen? Maybe we shouldn't practice today…" Tokusa was cut off. Madarao and Bak stayed quiet and watched.
"I'm going to be fine. I won't let Tyki get in the way of producing this album. I'm surprised he hasn't leaked my name to the media," Allen admonished. Tyki resorting to blackmail would be his style to cause more problems. He would not even consider the thought of not practicing today. Allen wanted to start recording immediately.
"Allen, how does Tyki know you're the Crown Clown? We have carefully protected your identity," Madarao asked, his reddish eyes narrowed. Maybe the color of his eyes is rust, Allen thought.
"When Tyki broke into my house. He found one of my masks and paperwork that undeniable betrayed me," Allen said softly. Now he was sure he had an ulcer, the rise of bile in his throat was bitter. Everyone stayed quiet.
"Tokusa we are going to practice today," Allen said in a stronger voice.
"Okay, I was just thinking maybe it might to too much for you," Tokusa muttered, unable to conceal the hurt in his eyes before he turned to walk to his bass guitar.
Allen jumped up from his seat and grabbed Tokusa by the arm and twirled him around into a tight hug. Tokusa was four inches taller than Allen so when he spoke to the taller man he had to look up. Tokusa was the third oldest in the group and wore his hair in a funkier style and color than Madarao. His shoulder length hair was light green with a fringe of hair fixed on the left side of his head and the rest gathered into a ponytail on the right. I guess it was his way of looking like a rock star and it did befit him.
When he first met Tokusa he was very formal with a lack of expression and emotionless. Allen thought maybe it was a way he protected himself from being hurt emotionally and had set up barriers. When those barriers are up, he can be a sarcastic little prick and has come to blows with some people for it. In other words, you don't want to get him riled. But once he has allowed you into his private world as his friend, the man's compassionate, loving and extremely dependable—a wonderful friend who loves to have fun.
"I'm sorry I snapped at you Tokusa. Tyki has me on edge and I don't have Kanda here to calm me down during moments like this. Forgive me?" Allen has felt out-of-sorts with Kanda not around. At the ranch he could always turn to him for comfort. Link has helped tremendously, but not like Kanda does for him. Right now he missed the sound of his lover's deep baritone voice soothing him.
"Of course, I forgive you, especially when there's nothing to forgive. Maybe you should call that fiancé of yours to calm you down, and then we can get back down to business. What do you think bro?" Tokusa suggested. Man, he had to meet this guy. Allen's whole world seemed to revolve around the man—he must be one hot son-of-a-bitch for Allen to give up so much control.
"He's got a point, love. I know you talk and see him every night and it helps you sleep, but why not call Kanda right now, it wouldn't hurt," Link concurred. Allen released Tokusa and linked his arm with Link's and walked him away from the others to talk privately.
"Link, you don't think I'm becoming too dependent on Kanda, do you?" Allen asked. He didn't want Kanda to think of him as a needy person because he was strong.
"No, sweetie, I don't. You have someone in your life for the first time that you can share these burdens with. He's your other half, honey. Kanda balances you like I'm sure you balance him. Talk with him, the phones ringing." Link held his cell phone for Allen to take and they heard Kanda's panicked voice come on the line.
"Link, what's wrong? Is Moyashi all right? Link. Link, are you there?" the strong baritone voice came through the tiny speaker.
"Hey…it's me," Allen said softly and his body shivered pleasantly in response to his lover's steady voice.
"Moyashi, are you alright? I panicked when I saw Link's number. You always call me on your cell." Kanda's voice still held a slight tone of panic, but calmed after he heard his Moyashi's voice.
"God it's good to hear your voice. I miss you, Kanda," Allen's voice cracked. The guys tried to look busy, but were straining to hear what Allen said to this mystery man they were all dying to meet.
"There is something wrong, Allen. I know that tone of voice. Tell me what's happened," Kanda ordered firmly but as gentle as a summer's breeze.
"Okay, okay, something did happen about twenty minutes ago. I freaked, and I needed to hear your voice. Feel better loverboy?" Allen confessed but still hadn't told him what happened.
"Allen, tell me what freaked you out?" Kanda demanded.
"Now, don't you freak out on me…?"
"Tell me Allen," Kanda demanded in a low growl. Allen looked over his shoulder. Four sets of eyes were glued on him as they waited for his reply to the man on the phone. Allen stared at his friends then closed his eyes and swallowed.
"Tyki left white orchids on the steps of the warehouse we're practicing in," he quickly blurted out and had to remove the phone from his ear when Kanda blew up.
"The bastard did what?! Godamnit Allen, I'll kill the fucking man myself if I could get my fucking hands on him!" Kanda roared loud and clear through the tiny speaker—loud enough the guys heard.
"Hey, I love this guy already!" Madarao laughed; relieved when he heard the man say he'd kill Tyki too. The man sounded fiercely protective of his little bro.
"Allen, tell your lover I'll help kill him if he ever finds the bastard," Madarao called over to Allen. Allen batted his hand in the air as if he was shooing him away and turned his back to the group. It has been a long time since he heard a genuine laugh from big brother.
"Who the hell was that?" Kanda asked curiously.
"Big band member, big brother, and you'll meet him when you come out and I hope that's soon," Allen replied. Already he felt better after he had talked to Kanda about what happened. Kanda had a way of tugging out an inner strength Allen forgets he possesses.
"Kanda, I just needed to hear your voice to get back in sync with myself. Look at what you've done to me, I can't seem to function without you here with me," Allen teased, but the seriousness in his tone was admittedly woven in.
"Sweetheart, you would have done the same with me. Tiedoll's ready to lock me up in my bedroom and hide the key until we're back together. I guess I've been pretty overbearing since you left. Talking to each other every night just isn't the same without you in bed next to me," Kanda divulged. The need to be with Allen had become overpowering to his senses and the very thought of holding him again made Kanda ache and throb deep in his groin.
"Me too, I'll call you after Link and I get home, probably around eight tonight, I love you," Allen whispered to his lover.
"I love you too, my Moyashi," Kanda purred. That's what he needed to hear, those special endearments meant only for him. They rung off and Allen stared at the phone for a couple seconds his heart thumped strong in his chest with love.
"Earth to Allen…One, two, three," Madarao said loudly over the microphone. Only this time when Allen looked over at him, he winked and gave him a warm smile. Damn he loved his big brother.
To be continued…
A/N: Well I hope you enjoyed the update chapter. Kanda seems to have a calming effect on Allen which is kinda cute. Allen has plenty support with Link and the band members, but it's Kanda that has the best influence on him. Thank you, my friends, for all the wonderful reviews and comments on Chapter 19, it was a pleasant surprise. So, again, until next week everyone have a great weekend!