The light blue eyes opened slowly. Fuji was laying in the middle of messy sheets at a hotel bed. The lamp at the bathroom was lit and he sat down, feeling a little coldish. He was naked and the air condition was blowing strongly.
He sat down and touched his hair, wanting to dissipate sleep. He looked at the floor and he saw his discarded clothes and the used condoms. He was there with a guy he met on a bar and he didn't even remember his name.
His hand reached his cell phone and he looked at the time, it was 2 a.m on Sunday.
Syuusuke felt a little sluggish so he stood up, going to the bathroom. He took a quick shower first and then, he prepared the bathtub, going inside the warm water. His whole body was tense and he released a deep, tired breath.
Since Kunimitsu dismissed him, two months had passed by. Fuji's time was split between work, traveling and having sex with men he would forget in a couple of hours. All the men were always like that. He touched his wet hair, pushing the bangs away from his forehead and he remembered Tezuka.
Since high school time, he was a constant on his life. Sometimes he wondered if things would be different if he wasn't the one who took the first step. Fuji was bored, Tezuka was in front of him on the last hours of the school's library. Syuusuke had a sudden urge to break that handsome façade, always so serious. He leaned forward, placing a small kiss on his mouth. Kunimitsu's whole face was deep red and the dark eyes looked at him like he was a ghost.
He smiled again remembering that moment.
Syuusuke thought that Tezuka was going to push him away and never look to his face again, but he was the one that was truly surprised at his reaction. He cupped his face with his large hands and kissed him deeply.
That prank resulted in a hurried and desperate first time on Kunimitsu's bedroom when his family was away over that weekend. They were 16 at the time and, at the end of that month, Fuji had taught him everything he needed to know to please him.
"Selfish, hm?" he said to himself, remembering Tezuka's words. Was he really selfish? Sometimes he would eavesdrop, unintentionally, the teenage girls of his class gossiping about their boyfriends and how sometimes they would do it without wanting to, just to spoil them and he felt proud. There was nothing but absolute desire every time their bodies met.
Even being with other people, Kunimitsu was the only one he would be during all those years, he was his steady place where he was sure he would find not only sex but comfort as well.
Tezuka was the only one who he would let inside his home, the only one he would share his real thoughts and preferences.
Syuusuke became irritated with the audacity of Kunimitsu. How dared he say being separated was for the best? He hadn't done anything wrong! During all that time Fuji never lied to him, there was a never a fake smile or sweet, deceivingly words to him. Wasn't that most important than anything? Knowing everything about someone else? Being the place someone would return to on their own free will?
"Stupid Kunimitsu." He whispered to himself, before putting his hand in front of his eyes.
#############
"Oishi-san!" Eiji arrived home happily. It was Thursday night and he had just returned from longer hours at college. Shuichirou already had dinner and was on his room, reading a book. The teenager appeared on the opened door. "I found a place for my part time job during summer!"
"Oh, is that right?" he said, putting the book aside and standing up. He was wearing one of his pajamas already. "Where it will be?"
"An Izakaya named Sakurai. It's a few blocks from college. They needed someone to help out with the food." He was excited. "The shift is from 7 to 11 p.m. I'll be working from Thursday to Sunday."
"A night bar?" he was worried. "Are you sure? Summer rains are going to start soon. Do you really want to be away from home at such hours?"
"It will be okay!" he smiled, trying to undo his concerned expression. "The therapy is really helping me out. The other day it seemed it was going to rain, but I didn't get so nervous like before."
"Is that so?"
"Yes!"
Oishi looked at him seriously.
"Do you really need to find another part time job? Why don't you go stay with your parents? They're probably missing you, right? And you can help out at their store."
Eiji was a little surprised.
"But, I need to have different experiences. My college time is the period for doing such things. Their menu is good and I will learn a lot there."
"I see." He showed him a small smile.
"Don't worry, I won't let it interfere with my work!" the blue eyes were serious. I will continue to do delicious food for you!"
He chuckled, happy for Kikumaru's commitment towards him. The young doctor put his hand on his red hair and looked at him gently.
"I have no doubts about it."
Eiji grinned happily.
"Ah, don't forget we are meeting Haruka and Takumi this Saturday for the wedding clothes."
"Eh?! I'm going too?!"
"Of course. You're going to be at the party, right? You'll need a tuxedo." Oishi smiled, going to the kitchen to drink some water. "I'm sure you will be very handsome in one of those."
He noticed Kikumaru was quiet and his head was down.
"Eiji-kun, what's wrong?"
"I don't have the money to buy such a thing. I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it."
"What?" he looked at him, surprised.
"I'll buy it for you." Oishi smiled.
"No, no, no!" he came close, nervously. "I cannot let you do such a thing for me, Oishi-san! You already do so much!"
"But, you cannot go to the wedding in jeans and sneakers."
There was a deep frown on his forehead for a while, until he came up with an idea.
"Discount it from my salary!" he said, seriously. "Please!"
"Are you sure? There's really no need."
"I'm sure!" he made a deep reverence. "Please! I want to pay it back to you!"
"Yes, yes." He said, with a smile. Eiji could be extremely serious sometimes.
##########
Oishi woke up, feeling Kunimitsu's arms around him. They were facing each other and Tezuka continued to sleep. It was Saturday and still early in the morning. On those last months, they made it a habit for him to spend the weekends at Kunimitsu's apartment. The young doctor was always happy with the invitations.
He looked at his asleep face. It was almost surreal how he became even more handsome with the passing years. He smiled, remembering how many people at school feared Tezuka's stoic expression. He loved to see his traces so soft and relaxed, with a hint of pride for being the only one who could see it.
Shuichirou caressed his hair. He also noticed that Kunimitsu's touches had changed, he was more… caring? Yes, maybe caring was the word. Before, his touches on his body was always firm and tight, he would embrace him like been desperate. Maybe it was the desire he had to hold back when Fuji was not around.
But, now, his hands would caressed Oishi's face and body. His fingers would enlace on Shuichirou's while they were having sex, holding his hand tightly. He would kiss not only his mouth, but also his face, tenderly and would spread slow kisses on his skin.
Were his feelings changing? Shuichirou asked himself, while his thumb brushed on his cheek. Sometimes they wouldn't even have sex. They would just talk, eat and go to bed, kissing each other before falling asleep. And that was also okay. His chest was always warmed just staying by his side.
Oishi looked at the clock on the wall of his bedroom. It was almost 8 a.m. Shuichirou wanted to prepare breakfast for him and was about to stand up when Kunimitsu's grip around him was tighter and he touched his hair, his eyes still closed.
"Where are you going?" he said, in a sleepy voice.
"To the kitchen." Shuichirou smiled. "To prepare breakfast. Aren't you hungry?"
"Not yet." He hugged him tightly. "Stay here."
"Okay." He said, caressing his light hair. "But I cannot stay late."
"Why not?" he finally looked at him.
"I'm going to have lunch with a friend today. She's going to get marry and we're going to try clothes. Eiji-kun is going as well."
"Is that so?" his hand touched his back, a finger tracing his spine. "You're going to look good in a tuxedo."
"It's going to be on Isshiki Beach, July 6th, a Friday night."
"Are you spending the weekend there, then?" he asked, kissing his neck.
"Yes. I think Eiji-kun's going to enjoy himself at the beach, since he's going to work through summer break."
"Is that so?" he moved his body and was on top of Oishi's, looking at the green eyes.
"Do you still go to night bars? Eiji-kun's going to part time at one in Shibuya, called Sakurai. Do you know it?"
"Not exactly, but the name it's familiar." He kissed his face. "But it's been a while since I drank."
After breaking up with Fuji, he had no reasons to be frustrated and in need of alcohol anymore. He was peaceful.
Oishi touched his hair and brought him close to a deep kiss. His tongue touched Kunimitsu's and he moaned on his mouth. His hands caressed his body and was about to remove his pants when Shuichirou broke the kiss and looked at him gently.
"I really need to go. I'm sorry."
"That's okay."
"Can I come back tomorrow to spend the day?"
"I'm going to have a meeting early on Monday, so I will need to revise some papers. It's a tricky case."
"Ah, I see."
Kunimitsu caressed his face and placed a slow kiss on his mouth.
"Let's see each other before you go to the wedding. I will organize my schedule."
"Okay." He whispered, before they kissed again.
###########
Tezuka was organizing the dishes in the kitchen after Shuichirou had left. He had prepared a ham omelet and it was very tasty and fluffy. It was one of the easy recipes his college student was teaching him.
Kunimitsu wondered when they were able to see other again. He was going to spend the whole weekend away on a beach. He didn't really care for the sand or sea, but Shuichirou would be probably happy if he was invited. Couples used to do such a thing, right?
"A couple, hm?" he talked to himself. He had never imagine that he would be in such a normal relationship with someone.
Suddenly the name Sakurai came to his mind. Ah, yes, he remembered. That was the name of Fuji's favorite izakaya. He would meet him there from time to time, for a drink or food before heading to his place and Tezuka was a little surprised that his mind would still bring him fragments of his time with Syuusuke.