Author's notes: Weee!! New chappie!! This title is ALSO from Aira-sama who said, when complimenting me (ah, shameless self-promotion) " [You write with] not just useless adjectives/descriptions etc. ACTIONS! Sweet Actions..XD" She didn't even realize it at first when she said it. But I did. XD And we were both like "yey!!" So now I am sitting here, listening to Gravitation music, which no idea for a plot. All I know is that I have a title and a lot of energy. I shall write as I go… Maybe a storyline will form, hehe. Wish me luck! XD
(Note: This chapter is rated PG-13 for STRONG sexual content, and some f-word cussing, ^_^)
Sweet Nothings
Chapter 4:
Sweet Actions
Eiri leaned back in his plush leather chair and rubbed a hand across his forehead. He propped his legs up on the desk in front of him, crossing his ankles. The hand scrubbing against his throbbing head slipped down to cover one eye and Eiri's other hand mirrored the action. He pressed the heels of his palms into his eyes to rid himself of the bursts of color he kept seeing from lack of sleep. The action only proved to worsen the annoying array of fireworks.
Eiri groaned softly and threw his head back to stare unseeingly at the ceiling. The almost inaudible buzzing of his laptop seemed like a horde of bees in his ears. He sighed heavily and furrowed his brow, straining to see something beyond the plaster ceiling before him, something that would give him inspiration. Unfortunately Eiri lacked the X-ray vision that he so longed for and only managed to make his throbbing migraine become more profound.
Swinging himself back up into a sitting position, the blonde novelist stared in determination at the laptop screen before him. The file for his most recent story was open and waiting for his expert fingers to just type away, but no words came. The only thing that stared back at Eiri was a working title and a blinking cursor. He frowned heavily. Where the hell had all his inspiration gone?
When Eiri had first began his career as a professional novelist he remembered constantly worrying about situations such as these. He was younger and had a fresher mind that was just bursting with ideas, but still the nagging thought of losing those ideas came. He remembered thinking, after his third book had been published, what would happen if one day he woke up and he were out of ideas? What if he had written all the thoughts that were to ever cross his mind and could never think of a new story again? What if Lady Luck just up and abandoned him, leaving him speechless?
If Eiri had been reminded of that time a mere two months ago he would have scoffed and said it would never happen. Now however, with the truth of the matter pounding against his skull, he realized that it wasn't all that crazy of a notion.
A writer that lacked words.
Sighing, Eiri leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. He hung his head and closed his eyes, trying to imagine somethingthat could spark an idea. The working title of his story flashed in his mind. Eiri was sure he wasn't going to actually use that name for his newest book, but merely wrote it down in order to help him brainstorm. It wasn't working.
'Actions Speak Louder than Words'the novelist thought bitterly, over and over again in his mind. It was a ridiculously ordinary title, with no spice, and no intrigue. His frown deepened. But in the hopes that some idea might grace his fingertips, Eiri kept running those words over and over again in his head.
His ears perked at the flash of something behind his eyelids. His brow furrowed when the image disappeared just as quickly as it came.
Concentrate, Eiri…he reminded himself roughly. He sucked in a deep breath and tensed his jaw. Just think…
Another image flashed, but it was too fast to catch. This was torture…
Wait… wait…Eiri's eyebrows rose in surprise. There was something there… A shadowy outline, but something none-the-less. It was a person… Eiri clenched his fists and closed his eyes tighter. No, it was two people… A taller man and…
"YUKI!"
Eiri's eyes snapped wide.
"I'm home!!"
The writer mentally grumbled something and pulled himself up straight. He gritted his teeth and, in his head, cursed all the gods he could name. Just when the ideas were beckoning to him the brat had to come home!
"Hey, Yuki – are you here?"
The voice of one Shindou Shuichi grew closer as, Eiri presumed, the boy made his way down the hall. He sighed in resignation and stood from his seat. He opened his mouth to call out to the hyperactive singer, but was cut off as the boy poked his pink-haired head into the office.
"Oh, there you are!" Shindou chirped, padding into the carpeted room. He leaned up on his toes and pecked Eiri on the lips. "You're so mean. You're supposed to say 'Welcome home' when I come back."
Eiri recalled the first time, all those months ago, when Shindou had first said that. It was the first day that the vocalist had moved in with the uptight author, and the boy was very upset when Eiri didn't welcome him back. It took some getting accustomed to since the blonde wasn't used to answering to anyone. Eventually it became natural, however. So, why hadn't he said it today?
Eiri parted his lips to apologize, but Shindou began talking first.
"Were you working?" the boy asked playfully, brushing past Eiri. He flopped down in the writer's seat, causing Eiri's mouth to hang open in protest. "Didn't you just finish a story a few days ago, Yuki?" Shindou asked, turning his attention to the laptop screen. "They sure work you hard, huh?" He blinked. "All you have is a title…"
Eiri passed the boy a 'you-think-I-don't-know-that?" look. Shindou blushed under the scrutiny. He giggled nervously and stood from the seat.
"That's OK, Yuki. You work too much anyway." The pink-haired man reached his arms up to slip them around Eiri's neck. He pressed his lips against the author's own. "Speaking of work, though…" Shindou sunk back down to his usual height and let his arms fall from his lover. "I need to go work on some lyrics." He walked by Eiri and out into the hallway, waving over his shoulder. "Just call me if you need me, sweetie!" With that he trotted down the hall and out of Eiri's sight.
The novelist sighed heavily and sunk into his chair. He raked a hand through his golden hair and pursed his lips into a thin line. His eyes hesitantly slid over to the laptop's threatening blinking screen. He felt his stomach sink.
Maybe if I just get the same train of thought from before Shu-chan came home…
With a burst of determination Eiri positioned himself in the same way as before, elbows on his knees, head hung, eyes closed. He took a slow, cleansing breath, and let it out even slower. The title played over in his mind, just like before. He stared at the back of his eyelids, trying to remain cool and calm. Getting upset wasn't going to help speed things along at all. In fact, it would probably only make his migraine worse…
Eiri sucked in a quick breath as the same image as before overcame the black abyss of his mind's eye. He bit nervously on his bottom lip. There it was, those two people… But they were still just silhouettes! It was too hard to tell who they were, or what they would become…
Eiri scrunched his eyes closed, trying to sharpen the image. It was coming clearer now… It looked like two men, either that or a girl with a very flat chest. They were facing each other and—
Eiri nearly cried out in surprise when all his thoughts were abruptly cut short by the sudden tenor of Shindou Shuichi's voice ringing throughout the apartment.
"Let me go, seven days! Yuuutsu ni karamatte/ Let me go, seven days! Te mo ashi mo denai…" the boy sang masterly. Eiri felt himself twitch.
Throwing himself from his chair, the thoroughly annoyed novelist stormed out of his office and into the living room where Shindou continued signing the jingle to one of his songs.
"Shinpai nai, nayamu koto nai, dandeii ga sakadachi shiteru… Eh, oh, Yuki…" The vocalist sat up right from his place on the floor. He grinned lopsidedly at one Uesugi Eiri. Eiri leaned against the archway that connected the hall to the living room, a scowl on his face. "What's up?" Eiri continued to glare. Shindou blinked. He watched his blonde lover for a moment longer when sudden realization hit him. "Oooh, was I disturbing you??"
Eiri opened his mouth to snap back "Gee, you think?!", but found that no words came. His eyes widened. He tried again, but still nothing came.
Not noticing the lack of words that Eiri seemed to posses, Shindou continued. "Sorry, I'll sing softer, OK?" He gave the blonde his best flirty smile, which, in any other circumstance, would have melted Eiri right then and there. However, he was currently stuck on the fact that he seemed to not be able to speak…
Eiri's lips were forming words, but his voice box refused to cooperate. He stared out at his pink-haired lover with wide amber eyes as he brought a shaky hand up to his throat. Shindou blinked.
"Hey, Yuki…" The younger man stood slowly, a worried expression dawning his features. "Did you…?"
The novelist was frozen. I… lost my voice?!he cried mentally. No way! How the hell did that happen?!His brow slowly furrowed.
Shindou was in front of him now, the boy's hands on Eiri's chest. Violet eyes swam with worry, staring into surprised and aggravated golden ones. "Hey, Yuki…" Shindou puckered his lips in thought. "Nod once if you lost your voice," he demanded. Whether he was joking or not, Eiri didn't know.
Eiri's eyes hardened into a cool bronze color. He gave the singer a "you-have-to-be-kidding-me" look. It was all Shindou needed to burst into a small fit of giggles. Eiri, however, found no amusement in the situation what-so-ever.
The novelist, not quite fully catching on with the fact that he couldn't speak, attempted to yell at the singer. Shindou, grasping the full potential of this situation, began to laugh harder.
"You can't yell at me anymore!!" he cried through his mirth. He was doubled over, one hand clutching his stomach, the other pointing at Eiri and waving frantically. "This is priceless!!" Shindou gasped for air, paused for a moment, and then began laughing even harder. "You can't tell at me!" he repeated gleefully.
Eiri growled as best he could and formed his hand into a fist. He banged down harshly on the top of Shindou's bent head, causing the boy to cry out and immediately stop laughing. The pink-head swung up. Shindou was staring at Eiri in a hybrid of a glare and a pout, rubbing at his offended head. The novelist smirked, knowing that he still had somethinggoing for him. He brushed past the whining singer and collapsed on the couch.
"That hurt, you know," Shindou whimpered, gingerly fingering the sore spot.
You deserved it.Eiri frowned.
He didn't like this, not one bit. Now, not only couldn't he yell at the brat, he couldn't make any comments at all! No witty comebacks, no stabbing one-liners, no nothing!
"Aw, Yuki," Shindou cooed, walking over to his slumped lover, "don't worry, baby." Eiri felt his heart skip slightly at the term of affection. Gods, how he loved it when Shindou purred little nicknames like that… "I'm here for you, Yuki. I'll call the doctor, OK?" Eiri blushed when the singer wrapped his arms around his head and pulled him to rest against the boy's stomach. "I'm sure you're voice will come back soon."
Even after all this time of being with Shindou Shuichi, Eiri was still unsure how to handle situations like these. Usually, if the vocalist was to hold him tenderly, Eiri would stay there in the warm embrace, but would snap out some cold comment. What was he supposed to do now? He couldn't say anything, and if he stayed like this then Shindou would think into it too much…
'Actions Speak Louder than Words'…Eiri flushed. If that was true, then all the previous times when the two of them had cuddled, despite the writer's words, Shindou had always accepted it as endearment. Well,the blonde thought, so did I… but still…
In the time it had taken Eiri to decide what his next movement would be, Shindou was already loosening his hold on the older man. The singer stepped back, leaving Eiri feeling cold and vulnerable. He tensed and tried to put the aloof façade back on.
"I'll go call now, OK, sweetie?" the vocalist called, sauntering off to the phone in the kitchen. Eiri's cool golden eyes followed the boy the whole time.
The novelist continued watching for a moment while Shindou looked through a draw for the business card of the doctor. Eventually Eiri turned away and rested his head on the back of the couch. He closed his eyes and exhaled softly.
Eiri groaned mentally at the irony of the whole situation. He wondered if his mind knew he had lost his voice before he had even tried to speak. After all, the idea for his title must have come somewhere, right? He clucked his tongue and heard Shindou giggle softly and the only sound the author seemed to be able to make.
So,his mind sighed, continuing with his internal monologue, if actions speak louder then words, and I'm all out of words, then… then what?He opened his eyes slowly, hoping that maybe something around him would help jog his thought process. His eyes landed on a certain pink-haired singer who was currently talking into the phone, one finger twirling the telephone cord. Eiri chewed thoughtfully on the inside of his cheek. Then, maybe…
It was a long shot, sure, especially with Shindou's bouts of obliviousness, but Eiri felt daring. The thought had been eating away at him for a while now, but he could never sum up enough courage to actually say it. What better time then now? If actions truly did speak louder then words, then Shindou would get the picture, right?
Only one way to find out, I suppose…
Pushing himself up from the couch, Eiri strode somewhat nervously over to the chatting singer. The action caught Shindou's eye. The boy flashed Eiri a sweet smile and wiggled his fingers in a small wave, never stopping in his story to the doctor on phone. Eiri's heart swelled.
Just the simplest actions get me going…Eiri exhaled sharply through his nose in a form of amusement. Guess actions really dospeak louder then words…
"Hey, Yuki," Shindou began, never taking his violet eyes off the older man, "the doctor wants to know how long your voice has been gone." Shindou paused. "Make a hand motion." Eiri sighed and pointed to the ground repeatedly. "Just now?" the singer questioned, not one to do well in charades. Eiri nodded. "Just now," he repeated into the phone.
Swallowing whatever pride the novelist had left he took an unsure step forward and slipped his arms around Shindou. The boy blushed wonderfully, causing Eiri to smirk. The younger man smiled shyly up at his lover and then turned his attention back to the phone in slight embarrassment. Eiri's smirk widened to an all out grin. This was going to be so easy…
"Yuki, the doc wants to know if you woke up with your voice like this." Shindou's eyes swung over to Eiri to see what the older man's response would be. The blonde shrugged his shoulders and then pulled Shindou closer, brushing his lips against the singer's temple. "H-he said he doesn't know," the boy stuttered as Eiri left a trail of hot kisses down the younger man's jaw. "He hadn't needed to speak, so…" He cut himself off and sucked in a breath when Eiri began nibbling on the junction between Shindou's neck and shoulder.
Hell, this isn't too hard…Eiri's eyebrows creased. But he might think I'm just trying to get him in bed…
"Y-yuki," Shindou started once more. Eiri realized the vocalist had begun to calm down to the sudden caresses. He frowned. "Does your throat or anything hurt at all? Or did you do any yelling a lot last night?" The writer mouthed the word 'no' against the younger man's neck, causing Shindou to shiver. "He says no," the pink-haired man continued.
Dammit, Shu-chan! Get off the fricken phone!
"Does it hurt when you try to talk, Yuki?"
Eiri sighed and pulled back. He shook his head, frowning.
Don't you see I'm trying to be romantic?! Christ!
"Do you feel anything odd?"
Another shake of the head.
The one time I actually try to be loving, and the bitch won't stop asking questions…!
Shindou paused. "What's that?" he asked into the phone. He sighed and turned back to an annoyed Eiri. "The doctor says he doesn't know what's wrong… Oh—", his ears perked, obviously listening to the man on the other line, "Yuki, is your throat red?"
Eiri shrugged.
Wait… this could be productive…
"Here, let me check for you, doctor."
Eiri smirked.
Perfect.
"Open your mouth, sweetie," Shindou ordered kindly, curling his fingers under the blonde's chin. Eiri obliged all too willingly. "Put down your tongue," the singer continued. He slipped one finger in the writer's mouth and pressed down on Eiri's tongue. "Hmm, it doesn't look red, doctor…"
Shindou was about to pull his hand away when Eiri's lips caught the finger between his lips. The younger man visibly tensed and all color flushed to his face. The blonde flicked his tongue along the length of Shindou's finger and then pulled back, leaving the boy flustered. Eiri smiled genuinely at the reaction.
Shindou quickly snapped his hand back and put it over the mouthpiece of the phone. "Yuki!" he hissed threateningly. He removed his hand and turned back to the phone conversation at hand. "What do you suggest he do?" He shot Eiri a dangerous glare when he saw the older man approaching.
Trust me, babe, you're gonna love it…
Eiri caught Shindou's free wrist and yanked the boy towards him. The younger man nearly cried out but, much to Eiri's dismay, managed to catch himself in time. The novelist smiled and held Shindou close, nuzzling his face affectionately in the singer's pink hair.
"O-OK, doctor… I understand…" Shindou sighed softly as Eiri began rubbing his one hand gently down the younger man's back. "Thanks. I'll call you again if anything happens… B-bye…" Eiri brushed his lips tenderly over Shindou's flushed cheek and the vocalist hung up the phone. "Dammit, Yuki, you moron…!" he whimpered softly.
Hey, now… Eiri growled mentally. He opened his mouth to bite back some derogatory comment, but was reminded of his silent predicament. He frowned. This sucks…
Shindou giggled at his lover's antics. "Dummy…" the boy purred softly. "Not when I'm on the phone…" Eiri raised an eyebrow. "The doctor said to gargle with salt water, and that I should call him back tomorrow morning and report to him if you've gotten any better... Ah, Yuki…!" Eiri grinned at the luscious moan he managed to receive from his lover just by nibbling on the boy's bottom lip. Shindou gasped softly as the older man continued to drag his teeth along the singer's full lips. "So…" he breathed heavily, arching his back just the slightest, "I'm gathering this is your way of telling me you want sex…?"
Eiri froze.
Shit. No, dammit, that's notwhat I was going for! he groaned mentally. Ugh, why do you have to be so oblivious?!
Eiri pulled back in order to stare Shindou fully in the eyes. He shook his head, golden eyes hard, yet loving.
Shindou flushed. "No?" He blinked. "What is it then?"
Eiri growled as best he could and was grateful that the singer caught it. Christ, can't I just show some affection?!
"Are you OK, baby?" The younger man reached a hand up to slide under the writer's bangs. He frowned. "You don't have a fever…"
Eiri rolled his eyes. Forget it. He pulled back and trudged over to the couch. I don't have enough energy for this…He flopped down and pulled his pack of cigarettes from his shirt breast pocket.
"Hey, Yuki…" Shindou followed his lover to the couch. "What is it? What's wrong?" Eiri shot the boy a glare. The vocalist sunk back. "You want me to get you a piece of paper to write on?"
Eiri busied himself by fishing for his lighter, completely ignoring his confused lover. Shindou pouted and pressed his hands down on his hips. The blonde felt the younger man's expectant gaze on him, but Eiri never flinched. He lit his cigarette and took a slow, deliberate drag. He saw out of the corner of his eye Shindou's pout deepen. The writer turned his head in the singer's direction and blew smoke from his mouth. The boy blinked, face slowly turning into anger.
"You don't have to be so mean, you know!"
You don't have to be so ignorant…
"I thought since you didn't have a voice that maybe you'd be a bit nicer to me…"
Eiri tensed. Wha-wait a second! I was tryingto be nice!!
"I guess it's just your nature, huh, Yuki?" Shindou laughed nervously and pushed himself up on the kitchen counter. Eiri faltered slightly. Was that a twinge of bitterness he heard in the boy's voice?
Eiri frowned and tapped his cigarette on the coffee table, letting the ash fall off. He stood from the couch and let the cancer-stick hang from his lips. He crossed over to Shindou, something he couldn't quite place eating away at his stomach. Shindou's eyes caught his and the singer smiled slightly.
Eiri pulled the cigarette from his lips after taking one last drag. He put it out on the counter beside Shindou. Leaning down, he pressed his lips softly against the pink-haired man's forehead. Shindou's smile widened. Eiri mouth the word "sorry" on the vocalist's cheek as the blonde laid a trail of kisses all over Shindou's face. Eiri could feel the younger man's blush against his lips.
"Don't apologize…" Shindou whispered, bringing his arms up to wrap around Eiri's neck. "It's not like you." Eiri felt a small smile tug at his lips as he slipped his arms around the boy's waist. "You make me nervous when you act like this…" Shindou continued.
Eiri raised a curious eyebrow and pulled back from the shower of kisses he was giving the singer. What the hell does he mean by that?
Catching the silent question, Shindou grinned sweetly. "When you're sweet like this… it's… uncommon, you know? And it makes me nervous…" Shindou tilted his head down and stared up at Eiri through his lashes. "I feel like something's wrong when you act like this…" He visibly tensed and swung his head back up. "But, that doesn't mean I don't like it!" he cried defensively. "I do! I loveit when you're nice to me! It… makes me feel really… needed… Like I actually mean something to you… so, I guess that's why I get nervous about it… because I don't know how to handle such endearments…" The singer's voice trailed off to a silent hush at the end.
Eiri's chest felt tight and his heart was ramming dangerously against his ribcage like that of a caged bird. He wasn't sure whether he should be appalled that the boy wasn't used to receiving affection from his lover, or if he should be touched that Shindou appreciated all of Eiri's rare moments of affection.
But they're a bit too rare, I fear…
"But, you know…" the younger man began again in a low voice, "I'm kind of glad that you're not too warm and fuzzy all the time…"
Eiri's ears perked. What?
"Because that way," Shindou chirped, his eyes sparkling, "when you doact sweet it's that much more charming!" His fingers slipped through Eiri's golden hair. "It makes my heart pound." The younger man giggled softly. "Although, you could afford to show you care just a littlebit more…" Eiri felt his lips spread in an all too charismatic smile. "After all, baby," Shindou leaned up and brushed his lips teasingly across his lover's, "actions speak louder then words, right?"
Eiri blinked. The little minx is using my title against me!!
"Does that mean you wouldn't want me to ever tell you that I love you?"
Eiri and Shindou froze, eyes wide, mouth's agape. They stood there for a few seconds, both too shocked to think straight, far as say something. Shindou, however, was the first one to recover.
"Yuki!!" the boy squealed, clinging onto Eiri's shirt, "you… talked!!" His cheeks reddened. "You… you said…"
Eiri was blushing furiously. He pulled away from the boy, eyes still wide. What in inopportune time for my voice to come back!! Dammit!!Eiri cursed under his breath and backed away slowly.
"I-I…" he stuttered, hands flying out defensively, "I didn't think my voice would work…"
"It's pretty… unusual,huh?" Shindou smiled meekly. "We're you faking, Yuki?" he cooed, taking a playful step forward.
"No!!" Eiri cried, shaking his head rapidly. "I… forget what I said!"
Shindou pouted and stopped in his advance. "But… you said…"
The writer looked away in embarrassment and reached up a hand to cover his mouth. "I know damn well what I said…" he managed out hoarsely.
"Did you mean it…?" Shindou whispered softly, voice laced with a saddened hope.
Eiri's ears picked up on the undertone and he slid his eyes over to meet Shindou's violet own which were swimming in a mix of emotions. The blonde's gut clenched painfully.
Shit… Now, what the hell am I supposed to say to that?!Eiri blinked. Wait a minute…
Smiling warmly, the novelist closed the distance between the two men. Shindou adverted his eyes to stare down at his toes. Eiri felt his heart skip a beat as he reached a hand out to rest his palm against the singer's cheek. He gently guided Shindou's face up so they could make eye contact. The novelist dipped his head down and pressed full lips to the younger man's mouth. The latter whimpered softly.
Eiri's free arm wrapped possessively about Shindou's lithe waist and the hand that was on the vocalist's cheek slipped back to thread through pink hair. The writer kissed the singer over and over again, changing the amount of pressure he applied each time, knowing exactly which ones made the younger man tick. Shindou's arms circled around Eiri's neck to pull him down further. The author's tongue probed softly at Shindou's lips, begging for entrance, which it was quickly granted. Eiri groaned almost inaudibly in the back of his throat as he bent over, with the other man to him gently but passionately. Shindou happily obliged to arching his back up to meet his lover's position. Eiri's tongue rubbed over all the spots that made the pink-haired man squirm, and Shindou managed to do the exact same to the older man. Steadily losing composure, Eiri decided to regain his controlling rank by raking his teeth across Shindou's bottom lip. The reaction the blonde received was better than he had hoped.
Shindou's back arched further, his hips pressing tantalizingly against Eiri's own, causing both of them to groan. The younger man tossed his head to the side and had to cling to Eiri for support, who was quickly dragged down. The singer landed with his back on the counter and the writer hovering over him temptingly.
"Does that… answer your question…?" Eiri managed out between ragged breaths. He relished in the sensation of Shindou's own sharp breaths washing over the older man's face.
Shindou nodded weakly. "I-I think so…"
"Good."
As Eiri leaned in to continue with the foreplay they both greatly enjoyed, the vision of the same two people from when he was trying to write his story came to mind. The image was clearer now, and he could tell exactly who the two men were. He smiled and pressed his lips to Shindou's again.
Maybe I have some inspiration after all…
Author's Notes: It's funny… Cuz I just wrote whatever popped into my head, and before I knew it, I actually had a plot going… OK, so it's not all that plausible, but I just needed an angst-break! o_O; I find it ironic how Eiri was writing with only a title, and so was I. I didn't even realize that until I re-read the story to edit it, XD
A note to Rosa Aquafire, one of the most wonderful people I know: I remember you made a comment that you usually didn't like it when Eiri tells Shuichi that he loves the brat, but that I pull it off nicely. XD I was thinking about you as I wrote that whole last part. Hehehe.
Oh, and review.
Please? ;_;
