This is the last chapter of this adventure. It's been an honor to share this with you, and to have so many people to tell me they love this. I want to thank you all, readers, reviewers, every single one of you.
I'm posting some related fics soon, not tonight, but soon, under the name of TYIL: the alternative endings. There I'll answer any questions you have.
Disclaimer: I've been threatened many times for this plot, but I still love it all the same. The characters aren't mine sadly, but as you can see I treat them as if they were. Poor guys, someone should rescue them from me.
Beta read by: Clari-chan!
Chapter Eleven: The end
"... and now, onto the entertainment news with Umeko-san".
"Thank you, Kozue-san. Sad news for Yuki Eiri fans, according to some witness the famous writer was rushed into the hospital last night. Anonymous sources tell us that he had an emergency surgery related to the accident in which he was involved sometime ago".
"Umeko-san, can you tell us in which hospital he is and if the surgery is over?"
"I'm afraid I can't say where Yuki Eiri is at the moment due to respect to his family members, but I can tell you that the surgery is over. We'll have to wait until his editor or his family decides to release the information".
"In related news, Bad Luck's concert programmed for tomorrow at the Jingu Stadium has been postponed until further notice. Seguchi-san, president of NG Records is said to be making the arrangements so the fans that have already bought tickets have their money refund or trade their tickets for the new date when it's confirmed".
"I'm sure many fans will be disappointed this".
"Indeed, and we'll have to wait for news the rest of the concerts programmed through the country. This move is probably related to the condition of Yuki Eiri-san, and his relationship with Bad Luck's singer, Shindou Shuichi, which makes us wonder how delicate his condition really is..."
- - - - -
"Shuichi, wake up buddy".
"Mm? Hiro? What?"
"His father is here already, maybe we should go eat something and give them sometime alone, don't you think?"
"What time is it?"
"Eight twenty. So, what do you say, are you up some breakfast?"
". . .yeah, I guess so... just... give me a minute, ok?"
"Sure".
Hiro stepped out of the room and walked down the hall where everyone else was waiting. Shuichi had been up all night holding the blonde's hand, while Tohma and the others took care of the tour and the hospital paperwork, but now that Yuki's father and brother were there Hiro hoped his friend could take a break and rest for a while.
"Yuki? Your dad is here, and Mika and Tatsuha too. They want to stay with you for a while so I'm gonna go eat something, ok?"
Shuichi looked at the pale man in front of him. He hated the hospital, but most of all he hated the way Yuki looked with all those machines surrounding him.
"It's a shame they had to shave your head..." Shuichi caressed the bandages that covered the novelist's head and gave him a sad smile. "At least your father will finally see you bald..."
For a moment the singer just stood there, still holding his hand, until a soft knock on the door made him sigh.
"I'll be back soon, ok? Just... I wouldn't mind if you woke up while I'm gone, you know? I want to be the first thing you see when you wake up but... if I'm not it's ok. As long as you open your eyes and smile at me..."
As his vision blurred and the tears threaten to fall again, Shuichi leaned over and kissed him softly. As strong as he tried to be, the words of the doctor still ringed n his head.
"... e are not sure if there was brain damage. He could never wake up, or wake up in an hour like nothing had ever happened. Ther might asbe memory loss, temporal paralysis and/ the inability to talk or control his motor functions..."
"... I'll be here no matter what Yuki... even if you don't remember me anymore I'll keep my promise... Just... just get better".
Shuichi kissed him one last time before leaving the room.
--
"What about some pancakes?"
"No".
"Ok, a milkshake maybe?"
"...no".
"Ok then. What about-?"
"No..."
"Shuichi". The warning tone of Hiro made the singer finally look up.
"What?"
"You said you wanted to eat, why are you being so difficult?"
"I'm not being difficult!"
"Yes you are".
Shuichi glared at him, but after a moment he just shook his head. Hiro smiled and looked at he menu again.
"Let's order pancakes, I haven't eaten those for a while".
"Pancakes? ... I think I'll ask something else..."
"Uh? Why? You love pancakes".
"Yuki..."
"Uh?"
"He... the first morning after he returned to the apartment he tried to make pancakes..."
"Really? Oh yeah, I remember you said they were a little burn, right?"
"No... were completely burnt, not even my cooking could be compared to what he prepared..."
Shuichi and Hiro exchanged glance and then they b laughing. The guitarist couldn't feel any happier, it had been a long time since he had heard Shuichi laugh like that. At first he had been worried that he was just in denial, but now he understood that Shuichi was just finally being himself again.
He still looked tired, and worried, but at least he wasn't drowning in desperation like the night before, and that was more than enough for Hiro at the moment.
Still, as he watched Shuichi order pancakes for him and some toasts for himself, he wondered briefly how would the singer react in case that the writer didn't get any better. Even if he was out of surgery, the possibility that the writer die or fall into a permanent coma was still high. Would Shuichi be able to smile if that happened?
"... out. Can you believe it Hiro? Hiro? Are you listening to me?"
"What? Oh, sorry Shuichi, I just got caught in my own thoughts, what were you saying?"
"I was telling you how weird it is that Suguru asked Maiko out, don't you think?"
"He just invited her breakfast, it's not like they are marrying Shu".
"But can you imagine if they started dating? Maybe Suguru would relax a little and stop yelling at me for being late... although since it's Maiko he'd be dating he'll probably yell even more..."
"Shu your pho-"
"On the other hand we could go out on a triple date! Can you imagine it? You could go with Ayaka and Suguru with Maiko and-"
"Shuichi you have to answe-"
"I would go with Yuki of course! Although Yuki might not feel comfortable with Maiko and Ayaka there-"
"Shuichi!"
The singer bit his lower lip and Hiro sighed.
"Your phone is ringing Shu. You should answer".
"... I know".
"Do you want me to answer for you?"
"No... I..."
Shuichi looked at his phone. As he feared it was Tatsuha who was calling him.
"... Hiro..."
The guitarist grabbed his hand and gave him a reassuring smile.
"It'll be fine. I'm here with you buddy".
Shuichi nodded slowly as he answered the phone.
"Tatsuha? What-"
The young monk, who seemed to be too altered to wait for him to ask, cut Shuichi, while Hiro tried to understand what was going on.
"Shu? Are you ok?"
A few seconds later however, Shuichi had hung up and ran away as fast as he could to the hospital.
--
Shuichi arrived soon to the room in which he had been the whole night before. He was about to open the door when Tatsuha stepped out.
eyes encountered for a fraction of a second before Shuichi understood the true meaning of his look. When he did, he pushed the teen and entered the room. He froze at the scene in front of him.
"Yuki..."
---
-Shuichi's POV-
It's been one year already since the accident. Life isn't the way it used to be before, but I'm already used to it.
We are now at our last concert of the tour that was postponed that day... All the lights are out, but our fans keep screaming our names and clapping. They are all waiting for our last song.
Even here in the darkness I can feel Hiro's concerned look and Suguru's worried frown. I can bet that Sakano-san is near a nervous crisis again, and that K is ready with his 'just in case we need it' gun.
But there's no need for that now. I'm ready to get over with this. Even after all their complains I'm ready to sing this song. The song I wrote for him.
I nod slowly and K gives the signal. All the lights are turn on again and the screams return with force. Everyone is looking at me expectantly, waiting for me to start.
I close for a moment, and begin to remember that day... wherever you are right now... I'm sure you are listening to this.
Transparency dyes the night sky, and
I walk alone on the road that always leads home.
The light of the moon made us nothing but shadows in the dark apartment. I couldn't help the tears that threatened to fall but you caressed my cheek and wiped them away. And then you leaned over me and kissed me.
Singing to myself, I want to send these kinds of feelings
to you in your sleep, oh, um...
It was so soft and sweet at first, I felt my knees trembling and for a second feared that I would fall to the ground. And then you pushed me slowly to the bed.
I'm tangled up in something; I'm getting a little sick of myself --
tangled up in the feelings to convey to those days that have been left behind...
You undressed me slowly, the kiss becoming deeper and more passionate. When we finally broke apart we were both panting hard...
The heart I've forgotten somewhere is starting to hurt a little.
I keep searching for you in a night lit by the stars that are bound to that time.
You looked at me and I tried to smile, but I was so nervous... you chuckled and then took my hands and placed them on your shirt. I began unbuttoning it as you kissed me again.
I place my feelings on the receding clouds
on the road home, where I pause to stand.
The moans of pleasure that came out of my mouth surprised me; I'd never felt so much pleasure before in my life. You kept undressing me as I held the sheets in a death grip.
You are already a part of my continuing dreams;
I know that (those feelings) can't possibly reach you from here.
Your hands caressing my body, your kisses traveling down my chest...
The tears keep falling; just by being able to be close to you,
I'm starting to want a smile, just a little...
You took me soon after that. And I was happy happy to be yours and only yours.
Someone asks questions; I'm starting to want this to make more sense.
You cast those too-brilliant days into a fading shadow.
It was over so soon... and yet I knew this was something I would never forget, no matter what.
I'm tangled up in something; I'm getting a little sick of myself --
tangled up in the feelings to convey to those days that have been left behind...
I whispered an 'I love you', while you reached out for your discarded clothes... And then you gave me that look...
The heart I've forgotten somewhere is starting to hurt a little.
I keep searching for you in a night lit by the stars that are bound to that time.
I miss to see you like that, Yuki... I miss the way your eyes softened...
The concert is over. Amazingly enough all the fans are quiet. They've never heard this song before, and for the looks of the ones on the first row, they know who is it for. Some of them have tears in their eyes, others have a huge smile, but all of them are silent.
I can feel Hiro and Suguru exchanging glances behind me. Everyone is wondering if they hate the song. But I know better. And finally, after what appears to be an eternity of silence, they all began screaming and clapping again. I bow in front of them and try to smile, but it's useless. So I just close my eyes. I knew it would be a success.
This is the only time I'm going to sing this song though. Not even in the live CD it'll be included… because this is my way to let the past go. This is my goodbye to him.
We are already going to change our clothes. Everyone says 'Well done' and 'This was your best concert ever!' and Hiro and Suguru look at me trying to see if I'm ok, but I avoid their eyes and continue my way to our dressing rooms.
The truth is... I'm tired. I just want to go to my room and fall asleep and never wake up again...
I don't look back to the stadium as we leave. Suguru's house is nearer than the apartment, but still they all insist that I should be first. No one chats during the way though. Everyone is wrapped in his own thoughts.
K drives slightly faster than usual, but I don't think anyone else cares about it. It isn't until we arrive that everyone else notices: we made only twenty minutes instead of the forty we would've made usually.
They are dropping me in front of the building now. They all smile at me... so I wave them goodbye and began the silent walk towards the apartment. They stay there even after I've closed the door behind me.
The elevator is cold and quiet... Just like the whole building is. Maybe I just unconsciously miss the heat under the lights of the stage, the warmth that the audience gave me. God, I'm so tired...
I don't think I'll be able to wake up ever again... I'm not sure that I'll want to either...
--
Shuichi opened the door of the apartment and stood there, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the darkness, before closing the door behind him and taking his shoes off.
He dropped his bag carefully before a sound made him turn around.
"... Welcome home... brat".
The whisper that dissolves into the bustling crowd makes the memories scattered underfoot blur together.
The blazing of the street where I walk about lost (glaring one way) illuminates me as coldly as though it freezes.
The cold times make dreams fall like rain and slip through my hands.
When I woke up from the countless wishes, you are reflected in a shimmering illusion –
The silhouette whose faint smile leads me along...
THE END
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EPILOGUE Shuichi's afternoon
-Shuichi's POV- Two months after the surgery.
The day was ending as any other day. I arrived at 8:30, a little late for dinner. I was a little worried; I didn't want to attract any kind of attention for myself. And there he was, sitting in a table next to a window with a view of the sunset. He looked so... beautiful. There's no other word that suits him better. His hair is still a little short, but that only makes him look sexier I think. It's at times like this that I understand why he's so popular with the ladies as Hiro says.
Anyway, I walked around some tables, trying to arrive from behind him. He hates when I do that, of course, but I can't help myself. The way he looks at me and then, after shaking his head, lets me hold onto him, makes all the glares and stares of the world worthy.
He's staring at the stars that are beginning to appear. I wish we could take a walk or something, but I bet he's a little tired already and I don't want to upset him today. He's making such a big effort for me...
So I reach him from behind. He didn't even looked up, and grumbled something that sounded suspiciously like a 'get off brat', but I just ignored it. He's not annoyed, I can tell from the tone of his voice.
Everything is back to normal, pretty much. He still pretends he remembers things about us and I pretend he remembers them well. I can't sleep well sometimes and he pretends he doesn't care. Sometimes I hear him call me Shu-chan when he thinks I'm distracted and I pretend I didn't hear him. There are times when I scream his pen name while we do it and he frowns. I always pretend I don't notice.
So... yeah, it's all like it was before, it's just that it isn't. But I have a promise to fulfill and the hope that one day he'll remember it all, not just parts of it. Because no matter if we are at the hospital or at this beach, no matter if he's the same or a different one or a mix of them both.
I'll always be next to him, I'll always smile. I'll be patient because I saw it in his eyes that day at the hospital after Tatsuha called. The Yuki I love is still there, somewhere, almost reaching the surface again.
And I'll be with him when he does.
--To all those who are reading...
--To all those who imagined and suggested all kinds of endings...
--To all those who wanted to kick my ass...
--To all those who wanted happy endings...
--To all those who wanted sad endings...
--To all those who cried in the middle center of their schools...
--To all those who wanted to use me as targer practice for not updating faster...
--To all those who loved and hated me for the cliffhangers...
--To all those who threatened to make me your slave and force me to write fanfics for all eternity...
--To all those who left intelligible reviews...
THANK YOU