Okay, consider this the epilogue… I guess readers could technically enjoy this fic with the previous chapter being the end, but for others it may not be enough. For those 'others' out there, here is your ending… enjoy!
Disclaimer # 1: Gravitation is owned by Maki Murakami. The lyrics are from the song 'The Reason' by Hoobastank. I don't own shit- so don't sue me.
Disclaimer #2: No bunnies were harmed in the making of this epilogue. However there will be mass slaughter of bunnies in the future if reviews are low. So please, for the sake of the bunnies… REVIEW! (Kumagorou begs you to save his family)
AND THE REASON IS YOU- Verse 04:
Shuichi had stopped crying hours ago, only to sit silently on the carpeted floor inside the unlit office. The hysteria and grief had passed, leaving only disbelief and shock. After the first realization, nothing else seemed to register inside the singer's mind.
Yuki was gone.
The pink-haired boy still clutched the notebook tightly, as if afraid to release it.
After all, it held Yuki's final words… and that was Shuichi's only goodbye.
The singer hadn't even attempted to contact anyone else concerning Yuki's disappearance. Even if the writer's family or acquaintances knew of his whereabouts, it would be unlikely that they would ever tell Shuichi.
There was nothing left for him. No hope, no consolation, nothing.
The tears had dried up leaving behind violet eyes glazed over in mourning.
Time passed in slow motion. It was irrelevant. Nothing seemed to affect the boy anymore.
Finally dropping the notebook he held with an iron grip, Shuichi bowed his head in resignation.
He trembled as phrases of Yuki's lyrics drifted through his mind.
Why did this have to be? Why did he write this song?
"Why Yuki? Tell me why."
The words came out barely above a whisper, and Shuichi didn't expect an answer.
But he got one.
"Why what?"
Shuichi froze, eyes widening as they continued to stare at the ground. He knew this voice. It was heartbreakingly familiar.
But still he didn't dare to look. He was so afraid… afraid that he had just imagined it.
"Well? What did you want to know 'why' about?"
There it was again. The voice. This time it was closer.
And then a hand reached down to stroke the pink hair away from Shuichi's face.
This time, the singer dared to look. And he was speechless.
There was the novelist himself, standing next to him with a quizzical look across his face.
Yuki crouched beside the forlorn figure, eyes filled with concern.
"What is it Shuichi? What's wrong?"
The vocalist parted his lips, trying to speak, only to find that no words came out.
Yuki leaned closer, brushing his hand across his lover's cheek. The soft touch brought the singer to life and he was able to speak a single word.
"Yuki."
"I'm here. What's wrong?"
As soon as the question was asked, the writer was able to answer himself. Because as he leaned in even closer to his koi, he felt something dig into his chest. Looking down, Yuki stared in astonishment at the pale blue spiral bound notebook that Shuichi had been hold onto with a death grip. The blonde man scowled down at the object. Now he knew why Shuichi looked so heartbroken.
Unable to control himself any longer, Shuichi began to sob uncontrollably. And for once, Yuki didn't push the boy away. No, he just pulled his lover closer, and held him until the tears died down and the boy was able to speak again.
It was several minutes before Shuichi could do that, but when he did, the words flowed in a continuous stream. Not even stopping to catch his breath, the singer explained why he had been crying; how he thought the blonde had left him, how hurt he had been. And through it all, Yuki only listened intently… never scoffing or laughing at the boy's fears.
When the words ended, there was only comforting silence… not the heavy silence that had accompanied Shuichi previously, but the new one that seemed to wrap itself around the two lovers and calm them.
And when the silence was broken, Yuki's voice wasn't ridiculing or angry… it was sad and contrite.
"I didn't mean for you to read them yet… I never… I never thought you would find the lyrics. But I should have realized that if you did, you'd misinterpret them."
Shuichi buried his face deeper into his lover's chest. After getting comfortable, he asked his question again.
"Why did you write a song like that Yuki? Why did it have to be so… sad?"
Yuki let the question hang in the darkened room for another minute before answering.
"Because I wanted to say… that I was sorry."
Shuichi sighed softly. Lifting his head, his violet eyes shone with warmth and love.
"Don't be sorry Yuki. I don't care what you do as long as you don't leave me."
Yuki shook his head at his lover. The singer frowned, thinking the blonde was saying 'no' to staying.
"Yuki? No…?"
The writer pulled the boy closer before replying.
"I meant 'no' as in 'no- I won't do whatever I want.' You deserve better than that. And you should expect more from me."
Shuichi raised an eyebrow at the declaration.
"What do you mean?"
It was Yuki's turn to sigh.
"What I mean is- don't let me hurt you."
Shuichi wore an expression that was a cross between a frown and a pout.
"I don't care. As long as you stay with me and stop writing songs like that!"
The novelist didn't even bother turning to see where his lover was pointing… he already knew. Chuckling softly, he tickled the pink-haired boy by tracing a single finger down his lover's spine. Shuichi squirmed uncomfortably but made no move to pull away.
"You know… that song wasn't meant to be read yet. It wasn't finished."
And with those final words, Yuki swept the boy off the carpet and carried him into their bedroom, bridal style.
Hours later after numerous expressions of love and passion were exchanged; the two lovers lay across their bed still breathless. Shuichi let his eyes linger on his lover's breathtakingly beautiful body… still gleaming of sweat.
Yuki had just lit a cigarette and was now laying down, using one hand to smoke, the other tracing invisible lines across Shuichi's back.
"Yuki?"
"Eh?"
"You said the song wasn't finished."
"Uh huh."
"Do you know how it ends?"
The writer smirked up at the ceiling. After inhaling from the cigarette one last time, he stubbed it out in the ashtray atop the nightstand.
He rolled over towards the pink-haired boy and smiled.
"Yeah."
Yuki continued to smile at his lover in a very Cheshire cat-like way. After a minute or so, Shuichi could no longer stand not knowing demanded an answer.
"So? How does it end?"
"Do you really want to know?"
"Yes."
"How badly do you want to know?"
This last question was asked teasingly, Shuichi gave a pout before he began to whine.
"Yuuuukiiiiii! Tell meeee!"
The blonde chuckled at his lover's eagerness. Pushing himself to an upright position, the novelist reached down to the floor beside the bed.
The pink-haired boy crinkled his eyebrow, clueless as to what his koi might be up to. Trying to take a peek, the vocalist sat up as well, peering over his lover's shoulder.
"Yuki…?"
"Wait."
Shuichi caught a glimpse of his lover's previously discarded pant. After a few seconds of shuffling, Yuki turned to grin at the singer. One hand behind his back, the blonde's eyes glowed in the darkness.
"Close your eyes… and hold your hands out."
Shuichi obeyed immediately, knowing a surprise awaited him. Bouncing up and down on his knees, he could hardly contain his excitement.
A lightweight plastic object was placed atop the outstretched hand. Shuichi ran his fingers across its smooth surface and an enormous smile devoured his entire face. He had an idea of what it might be… but was it really possible?
"Can I open my eyes now?"
Yuki smiled indulgently at his young lover.
"Yeah. Go ahead."
The violet eyes popped open and Shuichi squealed in a very fan-boy-like way.
"WAH! YUKI!"
"Uh huh."
"I love it! Thank you!"
"Uh huh."
Then a moment of silence in which Shuichi admired the cover to the beloved object… an enlarged version of their infamous club print photo inside a cd case. The silence deepened as the boy's expression changed from one of elation to one of confusion.
"Um, Yuki?"
"Uh huh."
"What… kind of… cd… is it?"
Shuichi ducked his head sheepishly as Yuki snorted at his lover's naivety.
"Baka… you said you wanted to know how the song ended. I pulled some favors and had it turned into a cd for you."
"Favors?"
Yuki smirked smugly, knowing that his lover was dying to know the details.
"Your beloved Nittle Grasper got together with the rest of your band to create this cd."
Another ear piercing squeal after which Yuki was promptly and forcefully glomped.
In which Yuki found himself with a mouthful of pink strawberry shampoo-flavored hair.
After an interlude where as the blonde gagged on the singer's hair, Shuichi ignored his lover's struggle- completely enraptured by the act of unwrapping the neatly sealed cd.
Upon opening the protective plastic case, the gleaming disk shone a brilliant purple… the same color as Shuichi's eyes. The boy sighed deeply with contentment. He leaned into Yuki, resting his head on the writer's chest once more.
"Do you like it?"
Shuichi smiled in the dark, then turned his face up so he could see the blonde's face above him.
"No, I love it."
"That's good to hear."
Yuki leaned to rest a chaste kiss on his lover's forehead, at which Shuichi's smile grew even wider.
After another pause, Yuki whispered down into the vocalist's ear.
"Well? Aren't you going to listen to it? I thought you wanted to hear how it ended."
There was a pause in which Shuichi considered the remark.
"I do... but…"
"But what?"
"But I'd rather hear you sing it. Can you sing it for me? Please?"
Yuki hesitated before nodding. He brushed his fingertips across Shuichi's face, than sang his song…
"I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
And the reason is you."
Shuichi's heart swelled with adoration as he listened to the smooth baritone of his lover's voice. He leaned in closer to feel Yuki's breathe against his cheek as the blonde sang…
"I've found a reason to show
A side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you."
"Oh Yuki…"
"Is that ending happy enough for you, Shuichi?"
OWARI
(For real this time!)
I hope everyone liked this ending… I enjoyed writing it. Onegai let me know what you think of it and be sure to review! Arigato minna!
If anyone would like to talk to me on AIM, please feel free. Though I'm not on often, I love talking to you guys! If you want me to get on, just e-mail me and let me know. If I'm around, I'll log on. I just check my e-mail more than I actually log on AIM. Also have IM, but don't log on as often.
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