Music, classical of course, swirled through the nicely decorated room. Yuki had tried to get a hold of Shuichi but somehow someone always distracted him and then Shuichi was gone. He actually really came to appreciate it that Shuichi had pink hair. This way it wasn't too difficult to find him again.
It was almost 10pm by now and he could see Tohma make his way up to the stage where the band was playing. The music stopped playing and everybody focused on Tohma.
"Ladies and Gentlemen I hope you enjoyed the evening so far. We will now proceed to exchanging gifts. Our elves will go around and hand out presents as a thank you from our company. Of course personal presents can be exchanged as well. I hope you enjoy yourselves. May I present here come the Christmas elves."
The wide door opened and children of different ages came dressed in costumes with glittering faces and small wings. It was well known that it was the companies way of saying thank you to all their business partners. Over the years most of the attendants started to bring their own presents to hand out to their business partners since pretty much all the well known heads of the high society were invited to this party.
Shuichi starred in awe at the children who looked like they came out of a fairy tale. He was so lost in adoring them that he totally lost sight of his friends and as he looked around he was surrounded by unfamiliar faces. He could hear approaching feet behind him and a familiar voice softly calling his name.
******
Yuki had been waiting for this opportunity. The little baka was so lost in thought he didn't realize that the others were moving on. He looked like a little child admiring the beauty around him. For Yuki he was pure beauty and innocence. It took all his strength to finally approach him and make himself known. Shuichi didn't notice his presence until Yuki was standing behind him.
"Shuichi..."
The pink haired boy slowly turned around as if afraid that he just imagined hearing Yuki's voice. But as he locked eyes with Yuki's golden ones he knew Yuki really came to see him. Shuichi smiled up at him greeting him with a shy
"Hey."
Yuki was surprised to see his former lover so shy around him. Well, what could he expect they weren't together anymore. But it was still unnerving to see Shuichi so silent in his presence.
"I've been waiting for you."
Hearing this from his former lovers mouth made the tension melt away in his body. He didn't know he relied that much on Shuichi's approval but it made him feel warm inside that Shuichi had been waiting for him.
Suddenly he felt the need to make things right with Shuichi. He wasn't good at expressing his feelings and he often ended up hurting Shuichi when he had intended on making him feel wanted.
"Shuichi. I..."
He faltered.
'God damn. Why is it so difficult to tell the one I really care about in this stupid unforgiving world how much he means to me?'
He looked down into Shuichi's sparkling eyes and finally came to a conclusion. He suddenly grasped Shuichi's small hand and dragged him off to the entrance hall which was deserted. Yuki dropped Shuichi's hand as they reached the secluded room where guests where welcomed during business times.
Shuichi had been surprised as Yuki suddenly dragged him off and now he was quietly waiting for what would happen. The windows where from the bottom up to the ceiling and since the light was off in there the only light was coming from outside. Only enough to illuminate Yuki's frowning face.
The singer began to grow nervous and as if Yuki had felt it he started to speak.
"When I first met you it was night, too. Remember? Back then I thought nothing in this world could make me feel again. Every day was just another day of endless bearings I had to endure until it would be over.
But the nights weren't any better. Because then the memories came back. Did you know that since you moved in with me I was able to sleep through the night without waking up from nightmares? - Guess not."
Yuki paused before continuing.
"A lot of things changed since I met you. I had to learn to deal with life again. You showed me compassion, patience and how to enjoy myself if even for a little while. Tonight I was even told that you could read or better feel this change while reading my books. Weird, ne? Everybody else around me knew what's happening to me but I couldn't accept it, couldn't let go of my safe gray and dull life."
He shook his head.
"We have been together for a long time and until you moved out I allured myself into believing that I could go back to my old life anytime. But guess what - I couldn't. All I ever thought about was that it was too quiet in the apartment, that something was missing, making me feel empty."
Yuki let his head hung low and turned away from Shuichi feeling suddenly embarrassed by his confession. He felt so many different emotions go through him. Shame, yearning, hope, sadness, love and what he should do if Shuichi wouldn't come back to him.
If there wouldn't be light at the end of the tunnel.
He was brought out of his doubts as he could feel slim arms sneak around his waist. A head was pressed against his back and he could feel a slightly speeded up heartbeat.
"Did you really miss me?"
Came a muffled question. Yuki clasped his hands over the small ones who held him tightly.
"Yes. I really missed you and I still miss you."
Yuki turned around gazing into Shuichi's eyes. God he loved those eyes. So full of trust and love that he got goose bumps all over. Gaining courage he drew Shuichi in his arms dropping a light kiss on his head and whispered in his ear.
"I miss your laughter.
Miss looking into your sparkling eyes.
Holding you close to me.
See you dancing when you're listening to music.
Miss hearing you sing.
Miss you so much it hurts every time you're not with me."
Shuichi was stunned as Yuki began whispering those words into his ear. For so long he had longed to have Yuki open up to him. Now he couldn't hold back all the pressure he had been holding in since their break up. Silent tears made their way down his cheeks as he hold on to Yuki who gently caressed his hair. Feeling the wetness at his neck Yuki frowned looking up at his lover. Sadly he asked.
"Did I make you cry again?"
Shuichi shook his head trying to get out the words he had dreamed to say to Yuki for so long.
"No."
Came the muffled reply.
"It's not because I'm sad. I'm just so relieved that it's over now and I can be with you again. Can I be with you?"
Hopefully he looked up into Yuki's golden eyes searching for reassurance. A smile tugged at his lovers lips.
"Always....always."
And Yuki gently kissed his salty tears away rubbing his back in a comforting way. Finally Shuichi calmed down a bit tilting his head upwards to look at his lover.
"Love you." Came the quiet whisper.
Yuki draw in a breath at this confession. Shuichi had told him so very often. And he always had shrugged it off believing once Shuichi got sick of him he would move on. Never believing those words because of not wanting to get hurt. This time he was relieved to hear those words. Relieved that Shuichi still loved him. Kissing the tip of Shuichi's nose he mumbled an "I know." before capturing the pink little mouth in a kiss.
******
Unknown to them a figure had watched their display of affection. 'Well, looks like he finally made his move. Seems like he realized what he wants but that doesn't change my plans. He could have done something earlier and he didn't. He gave me the perfect opportunity and I used it. Now he has to pay the price for his own stupity.' The figure smirked and vanished into the shadows.
******
In the meanwhile Ryuichi was almost frantic. He couldn't find Shuichi anywhere. He had searched the whole room and none of his friends had seen him.
'Shit. Shit. Shit. How could I let myself get distracted by the presents?! Argh, Shuichi. Where are you? It's not funny to run off somewhere.'
Ryuichi thought about their talk earlier and he knew that Shuichi was still depressed. Ryuichi took Kumagoro out of his pocket hugging him to his chest to seek comfort from the small plush bunny.
"Oh, Kumagoro. This is just such a mess."
He sighed and continued his search. Talking to his best friend he didn't see the person as he walked around a corner. He crashed into something soft and fell backwards on the floor.
As he looked up he blinked at seeing a young man who just put back on his sunglasses. He surely looked familiar but he couldn't remember where he had seen his face. Before he could utter a word the other man gave a quick nod and made his way down the floor.
******
Tohma had been searching for Shuichi as well. For some reason, well he was pretty sure why, Eiri had vanished, too. They probably where somewhere secluded. He didn't really wanted to disturb them but Shuichi's presence was required and Ryan Springer had asked for Eiri.
He strode in even paces down the floor and finally he could hear voices from one of the waiting rooms. As he stood in the entrance a peaceful sight was before him. Eiri and Shuichi held each other in their arms being obvious to the world. Tohma couldn't help but smile as he cleared his throat to make his presence known. Yuki glanced up and had a quite understanding with Tohma. The novelist smiled; the other man really knew him well.
"Sorry, to disturb you but your presence is required. Shuichi would you please go to Sakano. He's looking for you."
Shuichi nodded and almost unwillingly left Yuki's protective embrace. Looking up into his lovers eyes one more time.
"Go ahead, Shu. I'll be with you in awhile."
Yuki tousled his hair and Shuichi happily skipped past Tohma flashing him a bright smile. Tohma settled his eyes on Yuki.
"So you made up."
It wasn't really a question more like an obvious statement. Yuki nodded.
"That's good. Guess you won't come with us to Kyoto now, or ?"
"No, I don't want to leave him right now. But thank you for the offer ands introducing me to Ryan Springer. I'll talk to him again."
Tohma nodded thoughtfully.
"He had been asking for you. You should go and talk to him. He seems to find a liking in you."
Tohma grinned knowing that usually Yuki had always trouble with his publishers and couldn't stand them one bit.
"Come let's go."
He waved a hand at Yuki and walked back the way he had come.
******
Both made their way back to the main room as Ryuichi almost ran them over.
"Ahhh, Tohma, where's Shuichi?"
He eyed Yuki suspiciously and demanded.
"Where are you hiding him?"
He propped his arms on his hips glaring at both of them furiously.
"It's really not funny to play hide and seek in this place. Way too big."
He waved his hand in front of their faces.
"Kumagoro and me where looking all over already and Tohma said that Shu-chan was with you."
He poked Yuki in his chest accusingly. Tohma and Yuki just looked at him confused and finally the latter one answered.
"Shuichi was with us just a few minutes ago. He should be with Sakano by now."
A bad feeling crept up in Yuki. And he could see Ryuichi's eyes darken with worry as he answered.
"But I just came from the music room. He isn't with them and I should have seen him on my way here. I only bumped into that guy but no Shuichi."
Ryuichi clutched Kumagoro close to him seeing the fear in Yuki's eyes and the dark look on Tohma's face. Those both could be really scary at times and he backed away nervously.
Suddenly Tohma cocked his head to his right looking strangely at Ryuichi.
"You saw someone ?"
Ryuichi nodded eagerly his head.
"Yeah, he came from this direction."
Pointing with his finger from where Yuki and Tohma just came. Tohma frowned.
"Besides the three halls the rest of the building is off limits. The guards know not to let any stranger get into the office area."
Yuki shook his head.
"I have a bad feeling about this. Ryuichi go and get the other guys. They have to go looking for Shuichi. Tohma you better go and take care of your guests before somebody gets suspicious of your long absence."
Yuki's mouth was drawn into a thin line. Tohma nodded.
"Good. We'll do that. Hopefully we're just worrying about nothing."
Ryuichi and Tohma went back to the music hall and left Yuki to look for Shuichi in the rest of the building.
******
Slowly the cloud of darkness left his mind. Still white spots where dancing in front of his eyes. He waited for his vision to adjust. After a few minutes Shuichi could make out a dimly lit room and it felt like he was sitting on tiles. Cold bathroom tiles. Confusion spread through his mind.
'What happened? Where am I?'
All he remembered was walking down the floor as suddenly everything went black with pain. He tried to move but in an instant pain shot through his body.
"Bad idea, sweety. You shouldn't move. I'm just saying that for your own good. Safe your strength for later."
Shuichi groaned he could hear a man's voice but all he could see from his position on the floor were black clad feet and legs. Nothing more. Somewhere back in his mind the voice sounded awfully familiar. He raked his brain for information as suddenly realization dawned.
He remembered.
He knew that voice.
Shuichi looked up once again starring horrified into dark eyes.
"Ah, you remember. Good thing we meet again, ne ? As far as I know we still have unfinished business."
He came awfully close.
"So did you miss me?"
*****************************************************
So guess who that was? Looks like we're about to solve a secret here. Anyway gotta go edit the next chapter. See ya!