Anchor
Written by: RinoaDestiny
#30 – Day 3 (Tokyo Trip)
His day began with Iori's arms wound around him, firm lean muscle and scars. The other man was still asleep – Kyo remembered raiding the mini-bar – and the underside of his jaw had a patch of red fuzz. Even relaxed beside him, Iori's embrace was encompassing and Kyo had a faint memory of what he told him last night. Something about not disappearing. From the way Yagami held him, it seemed evident the man feared he would.
Gently, Kyo disentangled himself from Iori and headed towards the bathroom to take care of his morning rituals. He didn't have a hangover, which was good. Spending the morning puking wasn't in his plans and neither was finding the appropriate cure so early in the day. He reached for his toothbrush and toothpaste and got started. As he did the mundane, he allowed his thoughts to surface and today, there were plenty.
Their argument – no way to dodge around it – had overshadowed all of yesterday. He'd removed himself from the endless quarreling, using the excuse of lunch to think away from Iori. Iori had looked troubled and confused but Kyo couldn't help him with his issues; instead, was trying to figure out what went wrong. Was what he said really all that bad or was…? So a meal outside and then a lengthy walk through their section of the city, delaying the inevitable.
Iori had asked him a question upon his return, flooring him.
Would he leave him? What for? Just because of…
Kyo ran the comb quickly through his hair and placed it down on the sink counter. After all his reassurances to Iori that he wouldn't – he'd first said it a while ago – it appeared to have fallen on deaf ears. That, or Iori genuinely believed a line had been crossed and that was it.
Kyo frowned, his reflection in the bathroom mirror doing the same.
It explained a lot about yesterday afternoon. About this morning.
He left the bathroom and began dressing, just in time to see the subject of his thoughts stir awake. Iori moved, shifting the bedspread and sheets and sat up, hair rumpled against his face. An owlish expression, which Kyo found endearing, met his and reminded Kyo about the need for coffee. Fortunately, they were still within the hotel's scheduled breakfast hours and could take care of that need soon.
"Morning."
Iori's focus sharpened at his greeting, only to soften in obvious relief. "What time is it?"
"Close to nine. We can still make breakfast if –"
"You want to have it outside?"
"Huh?"
"There's cafés here." The scarring on Iori's upper left arm was prominent in the clear morning light. "Eat whatever you want. I'll pay."
Kyo squinted, wondering what Iori was up to. "You sure?"
"You got dinner last night. And my coffee." A few seconds of weighted silence. "Don't mind. Just let me know what you want."
Reaching for his traveler's pouch, Kyo slung it over his shoulder. Iori was offering here and yet, it felt like something more. Something related to yesterday's incident. Perhaps, it would be better not to prod. Not right now. "Pancakes?"
"I know a good place here."
"Great." Since Iori hadn't left the bed yet, Kyo settled into the nearby chair and picked up the remote. Flicked through channels until he found the local sports. "No rush. Whenever you're ready."
Iori rubbed the side of his jaw and nodded. "They have limited hours, so we should get going soon."
"Ready whenever you are."
His lover slipped out of bed, grabbed his clothes and removed the sealed razor blade from his own traveler's pouch and disappeared into the bathroom. Running water, the toilet being flushed, and other small sounds. Kyo fiddled with the remote, aware much rode on breakfast. Was it an apology? A peace offering? Or just an ordinary breakfast without any intent or meaning attached to it?
Either way, pancakes sounded good.
He changed the channel, curious as to how today would turn out.
"This is good."
"Their house specialty. Ate here before during a Kanto tour." Iori, who had gone with eggs and toast instead of the stacked fluffy pancakes topped with maple syrup, looked at him behind a large ceramic cup of coffee. "Thought you'd like it." The other man downed a sizable gulp and leaned back against the comfortable chair. "Anything you'd like to do today?"
Kyo finished his current wedge of pancake before responding. With Iori paying for breakfast – this café was nice with its overall atmosphere and sunny décor – and now asking that, it was apparent what this was. He chewed, tasting maple syrup and butter and swallowed. "You have anything in mind?"
"Asking you."
Suspicion confirmed. Kyo cut another wedge with his fork, tines buried in a cloud of cooked batter. "We had discussed visiting the countryside. There's two rural villages not too far from here, if you're interested."
"Hinohara?"
"Or Okutama."
"Which do you –"
"Hinohara's closer, if you want to do other things today." Kyo ate the piece on his fork and reached for his coffee. "Shinjuku, Shibuya…maybe even Ueno."
"But what do you want to do today?"
Iori's insistence would've verged on irritating, if not for the fact Kyo knew where it stemmed from. Since he wasn't keen on starting yet another argument, Kyo dumped the remaining syrup on the last pancake and waited. Across from him, Iori's coffee cup clinked against its saucer.
He took a bite. "Hinohara first. Then maybe…" Stuffing another piece in his mouth, he chewed and ruminated about today's schedule. Swallowed before resuming. "Tokyo Dome City?"
"Thought you weren't into the amusement park."
"Baseball."
"Ah." Iori's visible eyebrow rose. "And then?"
"Dinner. Maybe the saunas?" Iori colored briefly across from him, but didn't say anything. "They also have a Ferris wheel there."
"The Big O."
"If you want, we can –"
"I'll pay for dinner. Tickets. Whatever."
Iori was being entirely too accommodating, desperation behind the rapid-fire words. Kyo sighed. Iori's way of apologizing for yesterday would be pricey and yet…if it made him feel better, then who was he to stop him? Being ungrateful would backfire and it wasn't as if Iori couldn't afford it. Or that he'd dislike the extra attention, unmerited though it was.
Ginza was expensive and they were still going there.
Kyo refrained from a second sigh and looked at his plate. From his periphery, he saw Iori order another coffee – the pretty waitress giving them a slight smile – and then cross his arms. Seconds passed. Leaning forward, he cut into his last pancake just for something to do. "Yagami, you don't –"
"I want to. Let me."
The waitress stopped by again, picking up Iori's empty cup and saucer. A fresh cup, steam curling above it, was placed at his end of the table. Kyo sighed, unable to hold back this time and waited until their server left. "You sure, Yagami?"
"Yes."
That was that, then. No point in asking further. "Hinohara's nice right now."
"Might be crowded."
Right before the summer heat. "Don't have to go to the busy spots." While travel to the rural village wouldn't take long by taxi or bus, it was prudent for him to finish breakfast soon. Across from him, Iori picked up his coffee cup, probably thinking the same. "We avoid the tourists. Stay on the quieter paths. Maybe…" Kyo popped a maple syrup-drenched piece in his mouth, enjoying the mild sweet flavor. "If you want souvenirs…"
His lover's crimson brow rose higher.
Kyo stifled his laughter. "Or maybe not."
Leaving the tourists to their well-trodden paths, he and Iori decided to take a walk within the village itself. The streets were mostly empty with the occasional car or truck passing by and wind played a rustling melody among the trees. Away from people – away from the city itself and noise – Iori was relaxed, lines of his body loose and at ease. Even the fretfulness in his face had disappeared.
Hinohara was multiple shades of green; the sky high and blue above it rose to encapsulate the mountains. From time to time, birds sang and some swooped from tree to bush, cutting elegant lines in the air. They walked past rustic houses and stone walls, some reminiscent of the traditional style. Bridges were crossed – mostly modern instead of old – with rivers babbling beneath them.
Kyo glanced at Iori, glimpsing his serene smile. He didn't point it out.
"Peaceful, isn't it?"
The other man turned to look at him, tranquility intact. "It is." Against the verdant backdrop of mountains and foliage, Iori stood out, pale and crimson. "It's nice here."
"Better than the city?"
"Sometimes."
"We should come here more often. Or find other places like this."
Iori didn't say anything for a while, attention on the beautiful and natural surroundings. Sunlight flame-lit his hair, setting stray strands aglow. If he looked closer, Kyo was sure he'd see trees reflected in his eyes. Standing there, peaceful, Iori was tall, strong, carefree and…wild in an unhampered way. It was akin to seeing a falcon, wings spread wide and soaring in an open sky.
Kyo smiled. Stepped closer. "I like you like this."
His lover's calm gaze met his, but not before Iori did a quick sweeping glance over his head.
"It's just us. Don't worry."
A mild breeze rustled leaves; it also disheveled Iori's hair, scattering a few errant strands. Kyo reached out, brushing them aside. His lover's quiet smile was its own reward.
"You really like doing that."
"Can you blame me?" He returned Iori's smile with his own. "You seem…different out here."
"Not strange?"
"No." A small change in Iori's tone there, which was odd. "Something wrong?"
"No."
Kyo sighed. "Why'd you think I'd leave you?"
Iori stiffened, shoulders squaring back. For a moment, the other man didn't speak. Kyo gave him the space needed, emptiness filled by soft rustling around them. He didn't step back, though, remaining close to Iori.
Quick nervous twitches in Iori's fingers, resulting in the man jamming his hand into his pocket. A few seconds passed, concentrated sunlight turning the nearby foliage jade. "Because I ruin everything."
It was not the reply Kyo expected. "What do you mean?"
"Nothing lasts around me, Kyo. It's…"
"But your music. Your hobbies –"
"Temporary. I try to make them last, but…"
"Us?"
Iori wouldn't meet his eyes. "Would've ruined that, too."
Silence. Hinohara was tranquil – a world separate from their usual hectic lives – and for a change, it was just them here. Off the beaten path, on a rural side road in the village. A trill of birdsong and then nothing but wind.
Kyo scuffed his shoe on the dirt road, gaze fixed on Iori. "Hey."
His lover's troubled face turned.
"You didn't ruin anything. We disagreed and it was bad, but –"
"I…my approach…I would've…. You were –"
"I was upset. Wasn't about to leave." He raised his hand, bringing it along Iori's jawline, now smooth and lightly scented with aftershave. "Just needed time to think. Like you."
"I pushed too hard."
"Maybe you did." Kyo continued without pause, for Iori now looked stricken. "But maybe I…I didn't listen. It wasn't a problem for me, so…"
"We're both assholes?"
"Has that ever changed?" A small smirk to lighten the mood. "Is that why you're doing this? Breakfast? Paying for everything?"
"I…"
"'Preciate it, but 'sorry' doesn't have to cost you all that. Not for yesterday. Not saying you can't if you want to, but –"
"Just let me."
"Sure." Iori's skin beneath his fingertips was soft, yet somewhat rough, too. "I do like you like this, Yagami." He leaned closer, kiss feather-light on the other's lips. A second of hesitation and then Iori responded, arms encircling him. This time, it wasn't desperate and their kiss was gentle. A breeze blew their hair together, mingling it in a messy flurry. Clean scent of pine, as though the woods now inhabited them.
Iori was the first to pull back, slightly dazed. His lip was swollen. "Kyo…"
Kyo took a breath, trying to reconnect himself to their surroundings. To the feeling of reality. "Hey…you feeling…"
Across from him, Iori nodded, still appearing stunned.
"Guess we can…" A car sped past, small stones scattering beneath its tires. Their timing couldn't have been better. "Maybe we can…grab lunch. Souvenirs?"
"Whatever you…want."
"Okay. Once you're ready."
They left Hinohara, carrying back with them copies of a local guide book complete with photographs and two cypress fans. While Iori had insisted on paying for Kyo's souvenirs, Kyo had paid for Iori's, gifting them to him. On the taxi ride back to Tokyo, Iori cradled the fan between his hands, which delighted Kyo. It pleased him to see his lover happy. Perhaps, future visits to rural villages wouldn't be out of the norm.
Since it was approaching late afternoon, plans changed once they arrived at their second destination, Tokyo Dome City. A ball game would take too long – could go late into the evening – so they walked around instead, observing the Thunder Dolphin roller coaster with its screaming passengers and the looming Ferris wheel. Several times, Kyo noticed bystanders and passersby startle upon seeing them together, whispering to each other. Beside him, Iori watched the same, keeping silent.
He could deal with whispers, whether out of curiosity or malice.
No one confronted them or asked them to fight each other. Just as well, since his patience would be really short. Iori's fuse was even shorter.
Besides the obvious attractions, there were also the smaller amusements. They visited them but didn't hang around for long due to the numerous kids and parents. Hunger was also at the forefront of their minds, so they entered the food court and located the nearest empty table.
Kyo wanted comfort food but no udon, so he opted for ramen.
Iori, unsurprisingly, went for the restaurant that specialized in a chicken rice bowl.
Dinner in the bright spacious surroundings was leisurely, although far from luxurious. The wide tile flooring was clean with the exception of a few spills here and there. The decorated mirrored columns reflected different angles of the food court, revealing other diners. From time to time, Kyo would look around, surfacing from his bowl. Iori, inhaling his food, kept his head down.
There were a few foreign tourists; otherwise, it was mostly Tokyoites and a few out-of-towners like them. Parents with children, young adults, and even some elderly – grandparents? – enjoying their time here.
By the time they finished dinner, their phones' time showed five to eight. Sunset turned the clouds orange and crimson, edged with gold. The blue of the sky deepened, offsetting the fiery colors. Kyo glanced at the huge Ferris wheel – the most visible attraction here – and gestured towards it to Iori with a slight head jerk. "Want to?"
"Whatever you like, Kyo."
After Iori paid for their tickets, they were ushered into the next available car on the Big O. It was Kyo's first time on this particular one – he'd been on others with Yuki in the past – and the Tokyo skyline would be a new sight. Iori, sitting on his left closer to the outmost window, peered towards the ground view. Already, the distant city lights were aglow, tiny sparks of bright colors against violet twilight. At the highest elevation, the view would be amazing.
"Been on this before?" he asked as their car started moving.
"No."
With windows on all sides of their oval car, they had a magnificent wrap-around view. Kyo removed his phone from his traveler's pouch and snapped a shot of the glimmering city. Then, on impulse, he directed the camera lens at Iori, whose mouth opened in a startled 'O'. Picture taken, he twisted away, anticipating Iori's lunge at the phone in his hand.
He wasn't disappointed.
"You want the car to drop, Yagami?" he joked as the other man sprawled across him, reaching for the phone.
"Delete it."
"No." They were face-to-face. "You're cute in it and…" Kyo stifled his laughter as bafflement slid across Iori's face.
"Cute?" Iori echoed, nose wrinkling as if in distaste.
Kyo chuckled, stifled laugh spilling forth. "Well, you're not exactly handsome looking like this –"
"You want me to look handsome?"
"You are now. Just not…before." He kept his grip on his phone, but it seemed Iori's interest in it had faded. He looked up. "Hey, we're climbing higher. Get off me so we can see the full skyline."
Iori was close enough to kiss him, but after a few seconds' pause, scrambled off and resettled himself on the shared seat. Kyo sat up, phone still in hand, and gazed out the front window. Tokyo was an array of neon lights, skyscrapers and bridges peppering the nightscape with colors. A few blinked and from this height, those seemed to shimmer alongside the threads of traffic on distant roads.
"Does Osaka look like this tonight?" he mused, getting another snapshot.
"Probably." Iori's low deep voice always thrilled him. "All big cities are alike. We just don't have Rainbow Bridge or the Skytree. But we have Shinsaibashi, Dotonbori –"
"Our own Ferris wheel." Kyo took a panoramic shot, tracing an invisible line around the inside of the car with his outstretched arm. "Should go on it sometime."
Across from him, Iori raised his eyebrow. "What – we're just gonna go on every Ferris wheel across the country?"
"We can."
Their car had hit the pinnacle of the ride and from here, Tokyo was a multicolor blaze set against a dark ink-blue sky. Kyo slid closer to Iori, enjoying their close proximity. Against the other man's slender and solid frame, he was secure, snug, and warm. After a second or two, Iori's arm lifted, wrapping around him.
"This is nice."
"It is," Iori said, tone affable.
"Hey, why don't you take a picture?"
"Of the skyline?"
"Of us. Right now. Might even be able to get the city behind us."
Iori only hesitated for a second before reaching into his traveler's pouch for his phone, curious gaze fixed on him. "A remembrance?"
"It's our first trip, right? Might as well."
"Anything you like."
The rectangular shape of Iori's phone framed them, backdrop of Tokyo lit up like a million neon fireflies. Relaxed, he leaned against Iori, whose arm was still draped around him. Iori, though…his lover was serious, trying to get the perfect shot. Kyo poked him. "You know…you can smile."
"Don't do that. You're throwing off my aim."
"Better get it before we descend."
"Tch." A minor adjustment so that they weren't cut off from either side and then Iori hit the button, flash kicking in. Iori removed his arm, swiping into the photo album and pulled up the picture. "How does it look?"
"Good. You call that a smile, though?"
"Take what you can get, Kyo."
"Maybe I should tell a funny joke next time."
"Don't."
"Still…" Kyo reached out and tapped the photo, as if it was physical. "It's nice. Can you send it to me?"
Iori made a few quick actions in the text application. "Done."
Kyo retrieved his phone, noticing the new text pop-up on his screen. He swiped and opened it, pleased to be greeted by the image of him and Iori against the Tokyo skyline, weird smile or not. "Thanks."
"Are we doing anything after this?"
"Dunno. What do you want to do?"
The other man's thoughtful mien was picture-worthy; yet, Kyo refrained from snapping another impulsive shot. "Let's stop by a drugstore. Think there's one close to our hotel."
"Oh?" Intrigued, Kyo pressed further. "Anything specific?"
It was hard to tell in the light, but Kyo swore Iori had the faintest flush. "Hinohara. This. And…" There was no mistaking the sudden thickness in the other's voice. "You're right by me and…"
"Ah. Get it. Sure. Let's stop by the drugstore. Take your time."
Unmistakable – Iori's blush deepened. "Teasing me not's helping, Kyo." His voice was lower as well, carrying a subtle underlying growl.
"You call that teasing?" he joked back. There were goosebumps on his arms. Kyo found himself looking forward to whatever late-night plans Iori had. "I could –"
"I'll be groaning for another reason, Kyo. Don't."
Kyo smirked. "Are my jokes that bad?"
"Yes. Along with your acting, as much as you tried."
"Hey!" He smacked Iori on the shoulder. "I'll have you know I spent hours –"
"You'd have to."
Another smack bouncing off solid muscle. "Hours trying to say it right."
"Commendable."
Kyo chuckled. "Who's teasing now, Yagami?" He would've said more, if not for the fact their car neared the ground platform. Instead, he settled for a broader grin, marking the bob of Iori's Adam's apple. Excitement would have to wait until they returned to their hotel. Fortunately, he could be patient regarding this.
Then, it was their turn to disembark.
"I'm particular, Kyo. If you know the meaning of that."
"We hit three different drugstores on the way back." With the hotel room door closed and locked, Kyo unleashed his jokester side. "Anything on the shelf would've worked, but you just had to find that brand."
"Look up the word 'particular'. On the other hand –"
"Too much work," Kyo said, his tone light. "Finding a dictionary –"
"I'll 'dictionary' you." A low sensual growl from Iori, which intensified Kyo's goosebumps. His lover, being a bit taller, now used it to his advantage, moving towards him with feral grace. Having been the one making love to Iori, it was now arousing being pursued. Long lean legs, long muscled torso with pecs Kyo could never attain, and arms like whipcords with large hands. Those hands flattened against the wall on both sides of him, trapping him there.
It was welcome, though. Kyo grinned – the kind bound to stir Iori's blood. "How? You gonna chuck one at my head and –"
He never got further than that, for Iori kissed – devoured – his mouth. Hunger matched hunger – heat unfolding and growing in his belly – and Kyo surged to meet him, locking his arms around the other man. Time passed and this time, Kyo pulled away, needing air. "You know…" he gasped, enjoying the thrill running through him, "…I like you…like this…too."
Iori smiled.
"Can you…do this…more often?"
"Whatever you want, Kyo."
"Good."
Iori's teeth grazed his lip; for Kyo, it was as if his night had just begun.
Notes: Just going to provide a few links to some of the locations referred to in this chapter. Being on FFN, of course these links got truncated. Full viable links can be found on the crossposted AO3 version.
~ Hinohara and its souvenirs (reference to the cypress fans are in here): . .jp/english/topics/2020/documents/0721_01_
~ Tokyo Dome City (its main website, which also goes into the major attractions and the food court): .jp/en/tourists/
A funny thing about the name of the Ferris wheel: Big O has a sexual meaning in Western slang, but I don't think the Japanese are aware of it (I could be wrong). The only other Big O I know is the mecha anime series (fantastic, BTW). So even though I could've had Iori mention innuendos, I didn't.