Introductions and Disclaimers from Tenshi
"Gravitation" and all its characters belong to the talented Maki Murakami. I originally wrote and posted this story here in 2001 in the span of a few days and thought I'd clean it up a bit in preparation for Nanowrimo this year. I hope you enjoy it even though it's just a quick write sort of thing! It's pure fluffiness Gravitation style.
"A Dedication to Gravitation"
Track 6: It's Not My Party But I'll Cry If I Want To
The soft yellow floor marker on the elevator slowly rose. 3...5...10... until it got to Floor 14, where there was a loud party already in progress. Shuuichi and Yuki were a good 45 minutes late. This time it wasn't because Yuki had locked himself up in his office. This time it was Shuuichi's fault. He had misplaced his gift for Sakuma-san and had been frantically searching the apartment for it. The small present had been hiding under one of Shuuichi's Christmas pillows, which gave Yuki an excuse to complain once again about "Shuuichi-clutter". After that, Yuki's car wouldn't start because of the cold. So they ended up having to call for a cab. Normally Yuki would have just let himself get angry and stay at home. But...tonight was going to be different. Tonight was going to be special. Tonight was a day Shuuichi had been looking forward to. Yuki pulled a cigarette from the pack in his pocket and lit up. A few puffs later he was relaxed and ready.
Shuuichi had bolted out of the elevator and was already starting to make the rounds. All the members of Bad Luck were present, as well as Ayaka-chan, and Seguchi-san, and Mika, and Noriko with her husband and daughter, and K and Sakano-san, as well as many other support staff members from NG and members of other bands under the NG label. Ryuuichi was conspicuously absent. Shuuichi shrugged, reasoning his idol was just a bit late. Shuuichi went from group to group wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. He was about to go wish Hiro and Ayaka-chan a Merry Christmas as well when he saw somebody sitting alone on a chair at the far edge of the room.
"OI! Tatsuha!" Shuuichi went running over to his young friend. "What's up? Er...." Shuuichi paused and leaned over. "Ne... Tatsuha... why are you crying? It's supposed to be a fun party."
Tatsuha sniffled again and grabbed Shuuichi, pulling him onto his lap and sobbing into Shuuichi's green floor-length jacket. "SHUUUUUUUU!!! I'm such a loser!"
Shuuichi's eyes widen a little. He tried to turn around to face Tatsuha. "Eh? No you aren't. What's the matter? It's not like you to cry." Shuuichi blinked his eyes cutely and smiled, trying to cheer him up.
It didn't work. Tatsuha continued to cry. "But I am Shuu, I am!! Noriko-san especially took me over to say hi to Ryuuichi-san and I got so flustered and embarrassed I ended up spilling some of my wine on Kumagorou so Ryuuichi-san left with Kumagorou to get him cleaned about a half hour ago and they haven't come back yet and I'm such a loser Shuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu." Tatsuha continued to sob and his words got faster and more slurred together.
"There there Tatsuha, I'm sure it's not a big deal. He doesn't care about those things really."
"But he got so sad and started crying and running around screaming wondering where the nearest bunny cleaner was!"
"Oh." Shuuichi wondered what a bunny cleaner was and then noticed his lover standing above him looking rather cross. "Hi Yuki!"
"I come to this stupid party for you and you run off and end up sitting on my brother's lap. Give me one good... no.... one REALLY good reason why I shouldn't leave now." Yuki took another aggravated puff off his cigarette.
Shuuichi immediately jumped off Tatsuha's lap. "Um.... well, Tatsuha was crying and I was trying to cheer him up and..."
"Sitting on somebody's lap is necessary to cheer them up?"
"Um... no... but...." Shuuichi looked down at the carpet trying to think of a really good reason. Thankfully Tatsuha provided one for him.
"There is free alcohol here. And your publishing editor can't reach you here. It's a cell free zone." Tatsuha stopped sniffling and looked up at his older brother. Yuki looked only mildly impressed by that reasoning, but he didn't say anything. Tatsuha started complaining to his older brother about the situation, but Yuki didn't listen to any of it.
"Let's go Shuuichi." he said bluntly and grabbed Shuuichi to make his point clear.
"But..."
Yuki's look said everything. So they left Tatsuha to continue crying to himself and began to make the rounds once more. Mainly that meant Shuuichi saying "Merry Christmas" and Yuki remaining perfectly silent. Shuuichi couldn't understand why Yuki wasn't even trying to enjoy himself. He looked tense, like he was waiting for something bad to happen. He decided maybe Yuki just needed to sit down and relax a moment. He led Yuki over to a couch near the Christmas tree and told him to wait. He'd come back with a beer soon.
Yuki leaned back into the deep couch cushions and noticed Tohma and Mika making small talk with some clients Tohma had invited. He was almost glad Mika had married Tohma. There didn't seem to be anything between them, but Tohma provided the things Mika wanted: money and material goods. In exchange, Mika provided Tohma with the things he needed: a token wife and close access to Yuki. Yuki lit up another cigarette and cringed. It was rather disgusting how Mika was a pawn in exchange for something so small and earthly. He actually hoped more for her. She was his sister after all. Yuki looked over at the Christmas tree. It was taller, fuller, and more decorated than the tree in his apartment. Yet, Shuuichi hadn't said anything about the tree here to Yuki. Yuki took that as a sign that he liked the smaller tree better and allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction.
"Ne, Yuki, whatcha smiling about?" Shuuichi had returned, wearing a floppy Santa hat, with Yuki's beer and sat down on the couch next to Yuki.
"This." He took a gulp of beer from the glass Shuuichi had brought.
"Liar." Shuuichi's eyes sparkled and he smiled wide.
"What?" Yuki half-choked and spit up some of the beer. Shuuichi never talked back quite like that before! He looked half mad and half puzzled at Shuuichi only to feel a warm presence just below his lips. Then he noticed a mostly empty glass of wine in Shuuichi's other hand. Yuki took the glass and put it on the side table. He didn't want Shuuichi plastered when he opened his Christmas present. Tonight was too special for that.
"You had a little drop..." Shuuichi just giggled and then looked at the Christmas tree. He was about to comment about the star on the top of the tree when Tohma stood in front of the tree to make an announcement.
Tatsuha continued to sniffle and feel sorry for himself. He even thought about leaving the party. There was no way he could face his idol after what he had done. He had defiled the pink bunny he idolized. Tatsuha wanted to be that pink bunny. It was always near his idol. His idol cared more about that bunny than money or power or girls. Tatsuha sniffled again and noticed a little pink plush paw waving in front of his face.
"Ne, Tatsuha-kun, don't cry." said a slightly falsetto voice. "I'm all clean now see? Good as new!" A previous stained paw was now the same wonderful candy pink shade as the rest of his body.
"I... I'm really... I'm really sorry about what happened earlier Sakuma-san." Tatsuha stuttered out.
Ryuuichi tilted his head a little. "You didn't do anything to me" he said in a puzzled childish voice.
"Oh! Ah, I mean..." Tatsuha turned his head towards the pink bunny. "I'm really sorry about spilling wine on you earlier Kumagorou. Can you forgive me?"
Ryuuichi smiled and voiced a small cheer. "Kumagorou says of course he'll forgive you, but only if you keep him company some more tonight! Kumagorou likes you!"
Tatsuha smiled. "Of course! I'd love to!" He nearly fainted with joy. A night with his idol... his idol wanted to spend time with him... It was the best Christmas ever in his short 16-year life.
Ryuuichi grabbed Tatsuha by the arm off the chair. "Let's go look at the Christmas tree! OH LOOK! Tohma is about to make a speech Kumagorou!"
------
"Thank you everyone for coming. You have worked very hard this year. We continue to expect chart-topping hits from our bands. Nittle Grasper continues to be as strong as ever and a lot of effort has been put into managing the many other talented artists we have under our label. As your president, and also a member of Nittle Grasper, I thank you for your hard work this year. Right now I'd like to take this time to allow people to exchange gifts," Shuuichi could swear Seguchi-san was looking at Yuki with a slightly challenging look, "and please continue to enjoy the evening. There is plenty more sake and beer and liquor at the bar as well as refreshments along the back table." Tohma walked over and grabbed a small present from underneath the tree. He presented it to Mika, who graciously smiled, playing the perfect role of executive's wife. Yuki muttered something low about token wife again and took another sip of beer, looking in the total opposite direction of Tohma and Mika. Shuuichi decided Yuki needed some cheering up. Plus, he couldn't possibly wait any longer.
He crawled up near Yuki and gave him a little kiss on the neck. Then he whispered into Yuki's ear. "I got you something." Yuki didn't react at all, so Shuuichi ran to the tree and came back with the small present that had been sitting underneath the tree in their apartment. "Here! Open it." Shuuichi said cheerfully. It had taken him awhile to put it together. He watched as Yuki slowly put his beer down on the floor and watched as Yuki slowly put his cigarette out. Then he watched as Yuki took the present out of his hands and inspected it slowly. Yuki turned it over and looked at the wrapping paper. "You got me something from the bookstore?" Yuki looked rather displeased (like normal) but Shuuichi thought he could detect just a little bit of... disappointment in that voice? Shuuichi giggled again and flung himself across his lover's lap, the Santa hat falling to the floor.
"OPEN IT!" He said loudly and suddenly everyone was watching. All eyes were on Yuki and Shuuichi as they sat on the couch. Yuki felt trapped. He didn't like being in the limelight like this, but if he didn't open the present or if he even moved to get up, Shuuichi would have been incredibly hurt in his continuing drunken state. Why couldn't Shuuichi just be a little bit more thoughtful. Even the gift, wrapped in paper from the bookstore they had passed over a week ago, didn't show much thought. He realized... he was feeling disappointed. He knew how Shuuichi thought about him, didn't he? Yuki suddenly felt like he was questioning everything again. If Shuuichi didn't love him, then there could have been a chance that they'd never have met. The question Tohma had posted days ago ringed in his ears.
To escape the reality of his thoughts, he opened the present. However, instead of being a book, or even anything from the bookstore, it was a personally made CD-ROM. "Merry Christmas Yuki!" was the title and there was a tiny caricature of Shuuichi wearing a Santa hat. It was adorable. Yuki smiled and then frowned.
"What's this?"
"What do you mean what's this?" Shuuichi replied. "It's a CD!"
"I can see that!"
"Exactly, but you can't see what's inside it right?" Shuuichi smiled brightly. He sat up and bit Yuki's ear just slightly, dropped his voice about an octave, and whispered "You'll have to wait until we get home."
Yuki took a deep breath and breathed out a mixture of relief (Shuuichi did love him) and anxiousness (he couldn't wait any longer). He grabbed Shuuichi strongly by the wrist and then gently kissed the under side. He gave it several light, sweet kisses (all while listening to Shuuichi giggle), then started moving up from the wrist to the palm and fingers. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Tohma and Mika watching. Let them watch, he thought. This was his moment.
"Shuu," he said using the familiar nickname everyone used but himself. "I made you something too."
Next Track: Confessions
"Gravitation" and all its characters belong to the talented Maki Murakami. I originally wrote and posted this story here in 2001 in the span of a few days and thought I'd clean it up a bit in preparation for Nanowrimo this year. I hope you enjoy it even though it's just a quick write sort of thing! It's pure fluffiness Gravitation style.
"A Dedication to Gravitation"
Track 6: It's Not My Party But I'll Cry If I Want To
The soft yellow floor marker on the elevator slowly rose. 3...5...10... until it got to Floor 14, where there was a loud party already in progress. Shuuichi and Yuki were a good 45 minutes late. This time it wasn't because Yuki had locked himself up in his office. This time it was Shuuichi's fault. He had misplaced his gift for Sakuma-san and had been frantically searching the apartment for it. The small present had been hiding under one of Shuuichi's Christmas pillows, which gave Yuki an excuse to complain once again about "Shuuichi-clutter". After that, Yuki's car wouldn't start because of the cold. So they ended up having to call for a cab. Normally Yuki would have just let himself get angry and stay at home. But...tonight was going to be different. Tonight was going to be special. Tonight was a day Shuuichi had been looking forward to. Yuki pulled a cigarette from the pack in his pocket and lit up. A few puffs later he was relaxed and ready.
Shuuichi had bolted out of the elevator and was already starting to make the rounds. All the members of Bad Luck were present, as well as Ayaka-chan, and Seguchi-san, and Mika, and Noriko with her husband and daughter, and K and Sakano-san, as well as many other support staff members from NG and members of other bands under the NG label. Ryuuichi was conspicuously absent. Shuuichi shrugged, reasoning his idol was just a bit late. Shuuichi went from group to group wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. He was about to go wish Hiro and Ayaka-chan a Merry Christmas as well when he saw somebody sitting alone on a chair at the far edge of the room.
"OI! Tatsuha!" Shuuichi went running over to his young friend. "What's up? Er...." Shuuichi paused and leaned over. "Ne... Tatsuha... why are you crying? It's supposed to be a fun party."
Tatsuha sniffled again and grabbed Shuuichi, pulling him onto his lap and sobbing into Shuuichi's green floor-length jacket. "SHUUUUUUUU!!! I'm such a loser!"
Shuuichi's eyes widen a little. He tried to turn around to face Tatsuha. "Eh? No you aren't. What's the matter? It's not like you to cry." Shuuichi blinked his eyes cutely and smiled, trying to cheer him up.
It didn't work. Tatsuha continued to cry. "But I am Shuu, I am!! Noriko-san especially took me over to say hi to Ryuuichi-san and I got so flustered and embarrassed I ended up spilling some of my wine on Kumagorou so Ryuuichi-san left with Kumagorou to get him cleaned about a half hour ago and they haven't come back yet and I'm such a loser Shuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu." Tatsuha continued to sob and his words got faster and more slurred together.
"There there Tatsuha, I'm sure it's not a big deal. He doesn't care about those things really."
"But he got so sad and started crying and running around screaming wondering where the nearest bunny cleaner was!"
"Oh." Shuuichi wondered what a bunny cleaner was and then noticed his lover standing above him looking rather cross. "Hi Yuki!"
"I come to this stupid party for you and you run off and end up sitting on my brother's lap. Give me one good... no.... one REALLY good reason why I shouldn't leave now." Yuki took another aggravated puff off his cigarette.
Shuuichi immediately jumped off Tatsuha's lap. "Um.... well, Tatsuha was crying and I was trying to cheer him up and..."
"Sitting on somebody's lap is necessary to cheer them up?"
"Um... no... but...." Shuuichi looked down at the carpet trying to think of a really good reason. Thankfully Tatsuha provided one for him.
"There is free alcohol here. And your publishing editor can't reach you here. It's a cell free zone." Tatsuha stopped sniffling and looked up at his older brother. Yuki looked only mildly impressed by that reasoning, but he didn't say anything. Tatsuha started complaining to his older brother about the situation, but Yuki didn't listen to any of it.
"Let's go Shuuichi." he said bluntly and grabbed Shuuichi to make his point clear.
"But..."
Yuki's look said everything. So they left Tatsuha to continue crying to himself and began to make the rounds once more. Mainly that meant Shuuichi saying "Merry Christmas" and Yuki remaining perfectly silent. Shuuichi couldn't understand why Yuki wasn't even trying to enjoy himself. He looked tense, like he was waiting for something bad to happen. He decided maybe Yuki just needed to sit down and relax a moment. He led Yuki over to a couch near the Christmas tree and told him to wait. He'd come back with a beer soon.
Yuki leaned back into the deep couch cushions and noticed Tohma and Mika making small talk with some clients Tohma had invited. He was almost glad Mika had married Tohma. There didn't seem to be anything between them, but Tohma provided the things Mika wanted: money and material goods. In exchange, Mika provided Tohma with the things he needed: a token wife and close access to Yuki. Yuki lit up another cigarette and cringed. It was rather disgusting how Mika was a pawn in exchange for something so small and earthly. He actually hoped more for her. She was his sister after all. Yuki looked over at the Christmas tree. It was taller, fuller, and more decorated than the tree in his apartment. Yet, Shuuichi hadn't said anything about the tree here to Yuki. Yuki took that as a sign that he liked the smaller tree better and allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction.
"Ne, Yuki, whatcha smiling about?" Shuuichi had returned, wearing a floppy Santa hat, with Yuki's beer and sat down on the couch next to Yuki.
"This." He took a gulp of beer from the glass Shuuichi had brought.
"Liar." Shuuichi's eyes sparkled and he smiled wide.
"What?" Yuki half-choked and spit up some of the beer. Shuuichi never talked back quite like that before! He looked half mad and half puzzled at Shuuichi only to feel a warm presence just below his lips. Then he noticed a mostly empty glass of wine in Shuuichi's other hand. Yuki took the glass and put it on the side table. He didn't want Shuuichi plastered when he opened his Christmas present. Tonight was too special for that.
"You had a little drop..." Shuuichi just giggled and then looked at the Christmas tree. He was about to comment about the star on the top of the tree when Tohma stood in front of the tree to make an announcement.
Tatsuha continued to sniffle and feel sorry for himself. He even thought about leaving the party. There was no way he could face his idol after what he had done. He had defiled the pink bunny he idolized. Tatsuha wanted to be that pink bunny. It was always near his idol. His idol cared more about that bunny than money or power or girls. Tatsuha sniffled again and noticed a little pink plush paw waving in front of his face.
"Ne, Tatsuha-kun, don't cry." said a slightly falsetto voice. "I'm all clean now see? Good as new!" A previous stained paw was now the same wonderful candy pink shade as the rest of his body.
"I... I'm really... I'm really sorry about what happened earlier Sakuma-san." Tatsuha stuttered out.
Ryuuichi tilted his head a little. "You didn't do anything to me" he said in a puzzled childish voice.
"Oh! Ah, I mean..." Tatsuha turned his head towards the pink bunny. "I'm really sorry about spilling wine on you earlier Kumagorou. Can you forgive me?"
Ryuuichi smiled and voiced a small cheer. "Kumagorou says of course he'll forgive you, but only if you keep him company some more tonight! Kumagorou likes you!"
Tatsuha smiled. "Of course! I'd love to!" He nearly fainted with joy. A night with his idol... his idol wanted to spend time with him... It was the best Christmas ever in his short 16-year life.
Ryuuichi grabbed Tatsuha by the arm off the chair. "Let's go look at the Christmas tree! OH LOOK! Tohma is about to make a speech Kumagorou!"
------
"Thank you everyone for coming. You have worked very hard this year. We continue to expect chart-topping hits from our bands. Nittle Grasper continues to be as strong as ever and a lot of effort has been put into managing the many other talented artists we have under our label. As your president, and also a member of Nittle Grasper, I thank you for your hard work this year. Right now I'd like to take this time to allow people to exchange gifts," Shuuichi could swear Seguchi-san was looking at Yuki with a slightly challenging look, "and please continue to enjoy the evening. There is plenty more sake and beer and liquor at the bar as well as refreshments along the back table." Tohma walked over and grabbed a small present from underneath the tree. He presented it to Mika, who graciously smiled, playing the perfect role of executive's wife. Yuki muttered something low about token wife again and took another sip of beer, looking in the total opposite direction of Tohma and Mika. Shuuichi decided Yuki needed some cheering up. Plus, he couldn't possibly wait any longer.
He crawled up near Yuki and gave him a little kiss on the neck. Then he whispered into Yuki's ear. "I got you something." Yuki didn't react at all, so Shuuichi ran to the tree and came back with the small present that had been sitting underneath the tree in their apartment. "Here! Open it." Shuuichi said cheerfully. It had taken him awhile to put it together. He watched as Yuki slowly put his beer down on the floor and watched as Yuki slowly put his cigarette out. Then he watched as Yuki took the present out of his hands and inspected it slowly. Yuki turned it over and looked at the wrapping paper. "You got me something from the bookstore?" Yuki looked rather displeased (like normal) but Shuuichi thought he could detect just a little bit of... disappointment in that voice? Shuuichi giggled again and flung himself across his lover's lap, the Santa hat falling to the floor.
"OPEN IT!" He said loudly and suddenly everyone was watching. All eyes were on Yuki and Shuuichi as they sat on the couch. Yuki felt trapped. He didn't like being in the limelight like this, but if he didn't open the present or if he even moved to get up, Shuuichi would have been incredibly hurt in his continuing drunken state. Why couldn't Shuuichi just be a little bit more thoughtful. Even the gift, wrapped in paper from the bookstore they had passed over a week ago, didn't show much thought. He realized... he was feeling disappointed. He knew how Shuuichi thought about him, didn't he? Yuki suddenly felt like he was questioning everything again. If Shuuichi didn't love him, then there could have been a chance that they'd never have met. The question Tohma had posted days ago ringed in his ears.
To escape the reality of his thoughts, he opened the present. However, instead of being a book, or even anything from the bookstore, it was a personally made CD-ROM. "Merry Christmas Yuki!" was the title and there was a tiny caricature of Shuuichi wearing a Santa hat. It was adorable. Yuki smiled and then frowned.
"What's this?"
"What do you mean what's this?" Shuuichi replied. "It's a CD!"
"I can see that!"
"Exactly, but you can't see what's inside it right?" Shuuichi smiled brightly. He sat up and bit Yuki's ear just slightly, dropped his voice about an octave, and whispered "You'll have to wait until we get home."
Yuki took a deep breath and breathed out a mixture of relief (Shuuichi did love him) and anxiousness (he couldn't wait any longer). He grabbed Shuuichi strongly by the wrist and then gently kissed the under side. He gave it several light, sweet kisses (all while listening to Shuuichi giggle), then started moving up from the wrist to the palm and fingers. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Tohma and Mika watching. Let them watch, he thought. This was his moment.
"Shuu," he said using the familiar nickname everyone used but himself. "I made you something too."
Next Track: Confessions