Disclaimer: Yep, the usual. Obviously, I don't own Gravitation and these
stories are for fun, not for profit. I'm borrowing characters from Maki
Murakami.
I appreciate all criticism, so please read, enjoy, and review. To those who do review: THANK YOU!! I love feedback.
Commitment
Part 3: Breaking the News
Eiri had been watching the American news closely in relation to San Francisco, especially the legal issues. The president of the US. and the state governor had voiced dissent against the new marriage law changes in the city that allowed same-sex partners, but they had not been able to stop the flood of people who wanted to be married, nor were they able to stop the city from issuing the licenses at a rapid pace. A court had determined that the licensing for same-sex marriages could continue until March 29th when the practice would be stopped and challenges were settled by the courts, one way or the other. The city's Mayor Newsom seemed determined to fight to continue the practice, but . . .
That gave him— them— a time limit. Damn! He hated deadlines. He clicked on his computer's calendar. They had to be Kyoto on the twelfth of March for the final ceremony of his father's death which marked the end of mourning. [3] Fortunately, there were no other dates that he had marked. He would have to check with Shu about March concert dates. He couldn't think of any festivals in this area, but other prefectures may have some that would call him away. It made him recall that the plum trees would be blooming in Kyoto, toward the end of February. [4]
More importantly, he had tell Shuichi what he was planning. He didn't know how long he would need to wait to find out if his license application was accepted, either. If he told Shu and it didn't go through, he'd be crushed.
He had contacted Jenna Albright at Avon books who had promised to e-mail or phone as soon as a local letter from the County Clerk came. Not to miss an oppurtunity, she had eagerly asked if he planned to visit the states and if they could schedule some book signings or other publicity stunts. He replied politely that he didn't know if or when he would be visiting and that he would stay in touch.
On the other hand, he could simply plan the vacation and go. If San Francisco didn't work out, they could go to Canada. He called up a map on the internet. Vancouver was a long drive directly North from the city, or a short jump by plane. He looked up travel times and costs. It was about a two-hour flight and reletively inexpensive, too.
He made some more searches and read through the Canadian requirements for marriage licensing. It was possible. At least one partner had to present himself in person for the license, but after that, it was just a matter of pushing through a little bureaucracy and paper-shuffling. He even came across a nice ocean-side bed a breakfast that offered staff to perform wedding ceremonies. It was highly unlikely they'd have a Buddhist priest on hand, but he couldn't imagine Shu saying the bride's vow: "Towards my husband, I undertake to perform my household duties efficiently, be hospitable to my in-laws and friends of my husband, be faithful, protect and invest our earnings, discharge my responsiblities lovingly and concienciously." It certainly didn't suit his lover. He snorted, for that matter, Eiri couldn't see himself promising: "Towards my wife, I undertake to love and respect him, be kind and considerate, be faithful, delegate domestic management, and provide gifts to please him." [1]
That thought dredged up other wedding traditions. How far did he want to take this? How much would Shu want? How much could they uphold the traditions without twisting them into unrecognizable bits? He rolled back from the computer. I'll have to talk to Shu about all this . . . tonight. He brushed hair off his face, holding it out of his eyes. He really needed to have it cut again.
Using his feet, he scuttled back toward the desk and reached for the phone to heavy-handedly arrange vacation time for him through Tohma. Then he remembered the largely unresolved issues between himself and the president of NG. He let his hand change direction, falling on his lighter. He picked it up, took a cigarette from his shirt pocket and lit it.
He reached for the phone again, calling Shu's cell phone. He got Shu's automatic message, "Shindou Shuichi, here! I'm busy or something. . . Leave a message, pleeeeeaaaassssse!"
"Shu-chan, let me know when you'll be done with work tonight. I'll pick you up." Eiri smirked. A cryptic and unexpected message like that from him would drive the kid crazy. He stood up. His mind wasn't on ficticious romantic characters. He shut down the computer and decided he had some errands to run.
---
Shuichi was waiting just inside the doors to NG next to a security guard when he pulled up in front of the building. The singer came rushing out and jumped in the car, setting his bag at his feet. The security guard followed a few steps outside, and stood watchfully for a minute, before going back inside.
"What's the guard for?"
Shu buckled himself in and looked up. "Oh, Katsu-san? He just helps us get past the fans." Shu shook his head. "I didn't see any out here today. They might have gone away when Hiro and Suguru left, but sometimes, we even have to use the back doors because of all the fan girls out here."
"You didn't tell me about that before." Eiri put the car in gear and drove.
Shu shrugged. Quietly, he said, "After the Miyamoto stuff, I didn't want to worry you. They're mostly harmless."
Eiri snorted. "I hardly think a maniac with a grudge and a gun compares to teenaged fangirls."
Shu laughed. "Well, yeah! But sometimes those girls get really crazed!" He laughed a little more. Looking at Eiri, he asked, "So why did you pick me up— and where are we headed? You're not taking the usual way home?"
"You'll see."
"You got a hair cut." Shu reached out to touch his shortened hair, but Eiri pulled away.
"Not while I'm driving, brat," he admonished.
Shu pulled his hand back, settling for brushing over his arm with his fingertips. He shook his own tousled, dark pink hair saying, "I should probably get mine cut again, too." He glanced at his lover. "I thought about going purple, this time . . ." Eiri flicked him a warning glance. Shu continued, ". . . when I said it in front of K, he didn't want me to, because it's become such a trademark for me and Bad Luck. He threatened to shoot me," Shu pouted.
"Just as well," Eiri muttered. He'd actually come to like the pink. Initially, it had taken some adjustment, but now his head turned whenever he saw pink. He didn't think he could stand it if his brain made another color association that caught his attention all the time.
After a few minutes of driving, they crossed the Rainbow Bridge, heading for Odaiba and Shu started getting nervous. "Why are we headed for Odaiba, Eiri?" He sounded scared.
"Be patient, brat." Eiri hadn't expected him to get upset. Shu was hunching his shoulders and looked ready to cry. "*What* is wrong with you?" He was annoyed. He thought that the waterfront held good memories for Shu and had intended to build on that. Yet, his eyes looked into Eiri's with such overwhelming sadness and disappointment that it hurt Eiri just to look at him. He parked quickly outside of the Funenokagadukan [2], the big ship-looking building on the waterfront.
In the time it took to park, Shuichi had pulled his knees up to his chin, and started crying brokenly. "Shuichi? What is wrong," he repeated commandingly.
"E-Eiri, what have I done wrong? Please, please don't bring me here! You bastard!! You're not- not . . . I couldn't stand it . . . if you . . . I won't let you go!" His head snapped up and he wore a very determined look, despite the tears that leaked steadily from both eyes. "You can't do this to me again! I-I . . ." He swallowed, audibly.
The bucket seats of the Mercedes would not allow Eiri to comfort his lover the way he needed. He felt incredibly guilty. He guessed now why Shu was falling apart. In retrospect, maybe it hadn't been such a good choice of location. Nevertheless, he had a purpose in doing so; this place was symbolic to both of them. The last time they had come here, years ago, he had said good-bye to their relationship and flown out of the country. He had thought he would never return. He'd been so wrong, on so many levels.
He walked to the passenger side of the car and opened the door, pulling Shuichi reluctantly from inside. Standing in the evening lights of Bayside Tokyo, Shu gasped like a fish out of water, unable to get air.
"Calm down," Eiri said softly, holding him close. Shu's tears soaked into his shirt rapidly as the singer sobbed uncontrollably. Eiri pet his hair. "Come with me," he said. He grasped Shu's forearm and lead him to the nearest bench, bawling. Eiri pulled the emotional wreck onto his lap. A handful of passersby avoided them and cast very unfriendly looks in their direction.
Eiri let him cry until he became coherent. "I won't let you leave me," Shu repeated, hoarsely. "You put me through Hell that time and I won't let you do it again!"
"Good," he said simply. Shu snuffled and blinked a few times, staring at him. "You don't have to let me go," Eiri whispered. "Come with me, up there." Eiri gestured to the Funenokagakukan. Shu looked suspicious, but nodded, trusting him. It made his chest tight to think of how he had hurt his overly trusting, ultimately forgiving lover.
He took Shuichi's hand in his own, surprising the younger man. He smirked, thinking they already made a public spectacle; what was two men publically holding hands in relation to that? Not that he cared what anyone else thought about it, he told himself defensively. The place looked deserted. They climbed to the top deck and walked across the large, diamond-patterned black and white floor tiles until they reached the waist-high railing overlooking the Bay. The view was superb, with all the twinkling lights of the Tokyo Cityscape reflecting off dark water.
Time to confess, Eiri thought. "Shuichi, I wanted to come up here to turn things around." He winced. "I mean . . . last time we were here, I thought I was leaving you forever." A tear slipped from Shu's eye and he reached out, brushing it away. Shaking his head, he smiled. Unconciously, Shu's face mirrored his and the kid smiled tentatively but his eyes stayed worried. Eiri plowed ahead. "Today, I wanted to bring you here to ask if you'll stay with me forever." He reached into his pocket and pulled out the platinum ring he had purchased earlier in the day. He held it out to his lover, saying simply, "this is for you."
Eiri didn't know that Shu's eyes could stretch that big. "Eiri? You mean— I— Of course I will!! "He accepted the ring and held it for a moment. It was a plain, wide band of platinum. A man's wedding ring. Shu started to slip it onto his index finger and Eiri corrected him.
"Idiot," he said dotingly. He took Shu's hand and moved the ring onto the heart finger of his left hand. It was a bit loose, but Eiri'd had to guess. They could always go and have it re-sized, he thought. Shuichi looked at him and for once, Eiri couldn't tell what he was thinking by reading his expression. There was too much information on his face to decipher.
"When we came here, I thought that you—"
"I know." Eiri wrapped his arms around his— fiance, now. The thought made him happy; he was content in a new and pleasant way.
Shuichi squeezed him tightly. "You really mean it," he said with genuine wonderment.
"Idiot. When have *I* done anything halfway? We're going to get married," he said confidently.
Shu squeaked and looked up into his face like he had a bad case of vertigo. "Eiri? Are— Can we do that??" He blinked his extra-wide eyes, looking dazed.
"Yes. Not in Japan, though." He smiled at Shuichi. "Think you can get some time off?" Shu nodded in super-speed motion and Eiri feared for the kid's neck. "We'll have to wait until after the kiake," [3] Eiri told him. "I'll let you know more when I have the details worked out and you schedule the time off."
Shu pressed himself against him, warming his soggy shirt between their bodies. "Thank you! I'm just so HAPPY!" he yelled, his voice echoing and bouncing off the concrete of the structure. At the same time, air left Eiri in a whoosh of breath, as Shu forcibly purged it from his body by squeezing him.
***
[1] Yep. Barring alteration of pronouns, these are the (translated) traditional vows between Japanese husband and wife.
[2] Funenokagakukan is actually a maritime museum in bayside Tokyo. The building is shaped like a ship. In the anime, the building is portrayed as part of the amusement park. I suspect that the 'amusement park' was really a conglomerate of actual places in the area, particularly: Decks Tokyo Beach, Odaiba Kaihin Koen, and the museum.
[3] kiake is a memorial service typically held on the 49th day after a person's death. It signals the end of the mourning period, since on that day, the person completes his spiritual journey from death into eternity.
[4] Plum tree viewing festival or Baikasai is a local Kyoto festival. The Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is considered the best place to go because of the more than 2,000 different kinds of plum trees on its grounds. The trees bloom from mid-Feb. until early March but the celebration day is Feb. 25.
***
Author's Notes: Mushy gushy, eh? I tried to keep Eiri in character, but he shows his feelings so rarely that it was difficult. I think he needed to do this, though . . . which is why I wrote it!
I appreciate all criticism, so please read, enjoy, and review. To those who do review: THANK YOU!! I love feedback.
Commitment
Part 3: Breaking the News
Eiri had been watching the American news closely in relation to San Francisco, especially the legal issues. The president of the US. and the state governor had voiced dissent against the new marriage law changes in the city that allowed same-sex partners, but they had not been able to stop the flood of people who wanted to be married, nor were they able to stop the city from issuing the licenses at a rapid pace. A court had determined that the licensing for same-sex marriages could continue until March 29th when the practice would be stopped and challenges were settled by the courts, one way or the other. The city's Mayor Newsom seemed determined to fight to continue the practice, but . . .
That gave him— them— a time limit. Damn! He hated deadlines. He clicked on his computer's calendar. They had to be Kyoto on the twelfth of March for the final ceremony of his father's death which marked the end of mourning. [3] Fortunately, there were no other dates that he had marked. He would have to check with Shu about March concert dates. He couldn't think of any festivals in this area, but other prefectures may have some that would call him away. It made him recall that the plum trees would be blooming in Kyoto, toward the end of February. [4]
More importantly, he had tell Shuichi what he was planning. He didn't know how long he would need to wait to find out if his license application was accepted, either. If he told Shu and it didn't go through, he'd be crushed.
He had contacted Jenna Albright at Avon books who had promised to e-mail or phone as soon as a local letter from the County Clerk came. Not to miss an oppurtunity, she had eagerly asked if he planned to visit the states and if they could schedule some book signings or other publicity stunts. He replied politely that he didn't know if or when he would be visiting and that he would stay in touch.
On the other hand, he could simply plan the vacation and go. If San Francisco didn't work out, they could go to Canada. He called up a map on the internet. Vancouver was a long drive directly North from the city, or a short jump by plane. He looked up travel times and costs. It was about a two-hour flight and reletively inexpensive, too.
He made some more searches and read through the Canadian requirements for marriage licensing. It was possible. At least one partner had to present himself in person for the license, but after that, it was just a matter of pushing through a little bureaucracy and paper-shuffling. He even came across a nice ocean-side bed a breakfast that offered staff to perform wedding ceremonies. It was highly unlikely they'd have a Buddhist priest on hand, but he couldn't imagine Shu saying the bride's vow: "Towards my husband, I undertake to perform my household duties efficiently, be hospitable to my in-laws and friends of my husband, be faithful, protect and invest our earnings, discharge my responsiblities lovingly and concienciously." It certainly didn't suit his lover. He snorted, for that matter, Eiri couldn't see himself promising: "Towards my wife, I undertake to love and respect him, be kind and considerate, be faithful, delegate domestic management, and provide gifts to please him." [1]
That thought dredged up other wedding traditions. How far did he want to take this? How much would Shu want? How much could they uphold the traditions without twisting them into unrecognizable bits? He rolled back from the computer. I'll have to talk to Shu about all this . . . tonight. He brushed hair off his face, holding it out of his eyes. He really needed to have it cut again.
Using his feet, he scuttled back toward the desk and reached for the phone to heavy-handedly arrange vacation time for him through Tohma. Then he remembered the largely unresolved issues between himself and the president of NG. He let his hand change direction, falling on his lighter. He picked it up, took a cigarette from his shirt pocket and lit it.
He reached for the phone again, calling Shu's cell phone. He got Shu's automatic message, "Shindou Shuichi, here! I'm busy or something. . . Leave a message, pleeeeeaaaassssse!"
"Shu-chan, let me know when you'll be done with work tonight. I'll pick you up." Eiri smirked. A cryptic and unexpected message like that from him would drive the kid crazy. He stood up. His mind wasn't on ficticious romantic characters. He shut down the computer and decided he had some errands to run.
---
Shuichi was waiting just inside the doors to NG next to a security guard when he pulled up in front of the building. The singer came rushing out and jumped in the car, setting his bag at his feet. The security guard followed a few steps outside, and stood watchfully for a minute, before going back inside.
"What's the guard for?"
Shu buckled himself in and looked up. "Oh, Katsu-san? He just helps us get past the fans." Shu shook his head. "I didn't see any out here today. They might have gone away when Hiro and Suguru left, but sometimes, we even have to use the back doors because of all the fan girls out here."
"You didn't tell me about that before." Eiri put the car in gear and drove.
Shu shrugged. Quietly, he said, "After the Miyamoto stuff, I didn't want to worry you. They're mostly harmless."
Eiri snorted. "I hardly think a maniac with a grudge and a gun compares to teenaged fangirls."
Shu laughed. "Well, yeah! But sometimes those girls get really crazed!" He laughed a little more. Looking at Eiri, he asked, "So why did you pick me up— and where are we headed? You're not taking the usual way home?"
"You'll see."
"You got a hair cut." Shu reached out to touch his shortened hair, but Eiri pulled away.
"Not while I'm driving, brat," he admonished.
Shu pulled his hand back, settling for brushing over his arm with his fingertips. He shook his own tousled, dark pink hair saying, "I should probably get mine cut again, too." He glanced at his lover. "I thought about going purple, this time . . ." Eiri flicked him a warning glance. Shu continued, ". . . when I said it in front of K, he didn't want me to, because it's become such a trademark for me and Bad Luck. He threatened to shoot me," Shu pouted.
"Just as well," Eiri muttered. He'd actually come to like the pink. Initially, it had taken some adjustment, but now his head turned whenever he saw pink. He didn't think he could stand it if his brain made another color association that caught his attention all the time.
After a few minutes of driving, they crossed the Rainbow Bridge, heading for Odaiba and Shu started getting nervous. "Why are we headed for Odaiba, Eiri?" He sounded scared.
"Be patient, brat." Eiri hadn't expected him to get upset. Shu was hunching his shoulders and looked ready to cry. "*What* is wrong with you?" He was annoyed. He thought that the waterfront held good memories for Shu and had intended to build on that. Yet, his eyes looked into Eiri's with such overwhelming sadness and disappointment that it hurt Eiri just to look at him. He parked quickly outside of the Funenokagadukan [2], the big ship-looking building on the waterfront.
In the time it took to park, Shuichi had pulled his knees up to his chin, and started crying brokenly. "Shuichi? What is wrong," he repeated commandingly.
"E-Eiri, what have I done wrong? Please, please don't bring me here! You bastard!! You're not- not . . . I couldn't stand it . . . if you . . . I won't let you go!" His head snapped up and he wore a very determined look, despite the tears that leaked steadily from both eyes. "You can't do this to me again! I-I . . ." He swallowed, audibly.
The bucket seats of the Mercedes would not allow Eiri to comfort his lover the way he needed. He felt incredibly guilty. He guessed now why Shu was falling apart. In retrospect, maybe it hadn't been such a good choice of location. Nevertheless, he had a purpose in doing so; this place was symbolic to both of them. The last time they had come here, years ago, he had said good-bye to their relationship and flown out of the country. He had thought he would never return. He'd been so wrong, on so many levels.
He walked to the passenger side of the car and opened the door, pulling Shuichi reluctantly from inside. Standing in the evening lights of Bayside Tokyo, Shu gasped like a fish out of water, unable to get air.
"Calm down," Eiri said softly, holding him close. Shu's tears soaked into his shirt rapidly as the singer sobbed uncontrollably. Eiri pet his hair. "Come with me," he said. He grasped Shu's forearm and lead him to the nearest bench, bawling. Eiri pulled the emotional wreck onto his lap. A handful of passersby avoided them and cast very unfriendly looks in their direction.
Eiri let him cry until he became coherent. "I won't let you leave me," Shu repeated, hoarsely. "You put me through Hell that time and I won't let you do it again!"
"Good," he said simply. Shu snuffled and blinked a few times, staring at him. "You don't have to let me go," Eiri whispered. "Come with me, up there." Eiri gestured to the Funenokagakukan. Shu looked suspicious, but nodded, trusting him. It made his chest tight to think of how he had hurt his overly trusting, ultimately forgiving lover.
He took Shuichi's hand in his own, surprising the younger man. He smirked, thinking they already made a public spectacle; what was two men publically holding hands in relation to that? Not that he cared what anyone else thought about it, he told himself defensively. The place looked deserted. They climbed to the top deck and walked across the large, diamond-patterned black and white floor tiles until they reached the waist-high railing overlooking the Bay. The view was superb, with all the twinkling lights of the Tokyo Cityscape reflecting off dark water.
Time to confess, Eiri thought. "Shuichi, I wanted to come up here to turn things around." He winced. "I mean . . . last time we were here, I thought I was leaving you forever." A tear slipped from Shu's eye and he reached out, brushing it away. Shaking his head, he smiled. Unconciously, Shu's face mirrored his and the kid smiled tentatively but his eyes stayed worried. Eiri plowed ahead. "Today, I wanted to bring you here to ask if you'll stay with me forever." He reached into his pocket and pulled out the platinum ring he had purchased earlier in the day. He held it out to his lover, saying simply, "this is for you."
Eiri didn't know that Shu's eyes could stretch that big. "Eiri? You mean— I— Of course I will!! "He accepted the ring and held it for a moment. It was a plain, wide band of platinum. A man's wedding ring. Shu started to slip it onto his index finger and Eiri corrected him.
"Idiot," he said dotingly. He took Shu's hand and moved the ring onto the heart finger of his left hand. It was a bit loose, but Eiri'd had to guess. They could always go and have it re-sized, he thought. Shuichi looked at him and for once, Eiri couldn't tell what he was thinking by reading his expression. There was too much information on his face to decipher.
"When we came here, I thought that you—"
"I know." Eiri wrapped his arms around his— fiance, now. The thought made him happy; he was content in a new and pleasant way.
Shuichi squeezed him tightly. "You really mean it," he said with genuine wonderment.
"Idiot. When have *I* done anything halfway? We're going to get married," he said confidently.
Shu squeaked and looked up into his face like he had a bad case of vertigo. "Eiri? Are— Can we do that??" He blinked his extra-wide eyes, looking dazed.
"Yes. Not in Japan, though." He smiled at Shuichi. "Think you can get some time off?" Shu nodded in super-speed motion and Eiri feared for the kid's neck. "We'll have to wait until after the kiake," [3] Eiri told him. "I'll let you know more when I have the details worked out and you schedule the time off."
Shu pressed himself against him, warming his soggy shirt between their bodies. "Thank you! I'm just so HAPPY!" he yelled, his voice echoing and bouncing off the concrete of the structure. At the same time, air left Eiri in a whoosh of breath, as Shu forcibly purged it from his body by squeezing him.
***
[1] Yep. Barring alteration of pronouns, these are the (translated) traditional vows between Japanese husband and wife.
[2] Funenokagakukan is actually a maritime museum in bayside Tokyo. The building is shaped like a ship. In the anime, the building is portrayed as part of the amusement park. I suspect that the 'amusement park' was really a conglomerate of actual places in the area, particularly: Decks Tokyo Beach, Odaiba Kaihin Koen, and the museum.
[3] kiake is a memorial service typically held on the 49th day after a person's death. It signals the end of the mourning period, since on that day, the person completes his spiritual journey from death into eternity.
[4] Plum tree viewing festival or Baikasai is a local Kyoto festival. The Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is considered the best place to go because of the more than 2,000 different kinds of plum trees on its grounds. The trees bloom from mid-Feb. until early March but the celebration day is Feb. 25.
***
Author's Notes: Mushy gushy, eh? I tried to keep Eiri in character, but he shows his feelings so rarely that it was difficult. I think he needed to do this, though . . . which is why I wrote it!