Disclaimer: Don't own Gravitation or any of its crazy characters and I don't want to either. I'm just here to play.

Broken Promise

Chapter 3

DAY 3

All three men, for their own reasons, slept in late the next morning. By the time all three were awake and gathered in the kichen drinking coffee, it was almost time for Hachiro to leave.

"Thanks for letting me stay at your house Ryuichi, it was a real treat."

"You're very welcome. Any friend of Shu's is a friend of mine."

"Well, if you ever find yourself back home, stop in and say 'hi'."

Ryuichi smiled at the photographer and they clinked coffee mugs in a toast. Shuichi just took a sip of his coffee, lost in thought. From what he'd said in their interview, Ryu had no intentions of ever coming home. He just couldn't understand what would make him stay away.

'What time is your flight Hachiro?"

"Two o'clock."

"We should leave by twelve thirty to make sure you're there in plenty of time." Ryu looked over at Shuichi who seemed lost in thought, staring at his coffee. "Shu? Hello?"

Shuichi looked up at Ryu's hand on his shoulder. "Huh? I'm sorry. What did I miss?"

"Did you get any sleep last night man?"

"Y-yeah, I'm just still waking up."

He noticed that both Ryu and Hachiro didn't seem to believe him, and normally he would be able to pull a convincing smile and cheerful demeanor to fool them, but he didn't have the energy. He was still bothered by what Ryu said yesterday and he wanted answers.

"We're gonna leave at twelve thirty, ok?"

"Yeah sure, that's fine. I'm going to take a shower to wake up."

They watched Shuichi offer a weak smile and head out of the kitchen.

"Do you believe him?"

"No. You?"

"Not a bit."

"Should one of us go talk to him?"

"I've got a better idea. I should take care of a few things at work so why don't you let Shu take you to the airport? Maybe you can talk to him there."

"Sure. And if he doesn't talk to me?"

"Then I guess he'll ask me about what's bothering him when he's ready."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Um, Shuichi? Can I ask you something without you getting mad?"

"Ask. I make no guarantees."

Shuichi smiled at his friend, making the man more nervous than he already was. When Shuichi came down from taking a shower he seemed like his normal self, but Hachiro still had doubts. Something was on the man's mind and he was pretty sure he knew what, or rather, who, it was about.

"You said Ryuichi was never your lover. And I'm not saying you lied, but….did you two ever sleep together? I mean, I've watched you guys for the past three days and I've never seen two people so close and connected and not be lovers. You guys really…..compliment each other."

"Oh."

"Don't be mad. I'm asking because you're staying out here with him and I wasn't sure if I should be happy for you or not."

"Happy for me?"

"Shuichi, I've known you for four years now and I've never known you to have a steady boyfriend. So unless you're a man whore…"

Shuichi punched Hachiro in the arm, but they were both laughing.

"I'm not a man whore. I've just been too busy to date anyone."

"So what about Ryuichi?"

"Once I got over my initial intimidated state of being around my idol…..well, we've always been like this. I don't think he thinks of me in that way. I'm like the younger brother, you know?"

Hachiro gave his friend a doubtful look and Shuichi was about to defend his relationship further when the boarding announcement was made.

"Alright Shuichi, I'm outta here. Send in the article and I'll have the pictures to you in three days, ok?"

"Got it. Thanks Hachiro, you were a good sport."

"Good sport, hell. You guys are entertainment. Take care Shuichi, and make sure you talk to Ryuichi about whatever's bothering you, alright?"

Shuichi's mouth dropped open and he watched helplessly as his friend waved goodbye and headed for the plane. How did he know I was worried about Ryu?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

DAY 4

Shuichi had returned to Ryu's house to find the older man wandering around his living room talking into a headset. He smiled and waved at Shuichi and just kept talking. The writer sat down on the sofa and proceeded to intensely watch the man work. And whenever Ryu would cast a glance his way, Shuichi would make a funny face or gesture wildly to try and make Ryu mess up on the phone. When Ryu finally hung up the phone, his sides hurt from trying not to laugh.

"You little shit!"

"You cursed! You don't curse!"

"I do when the occasion calls for it. If you weren't so…..you…..I'd..."

Shuichi smiled. "But I am me."

Ryu now stood in front of Shuichi, arms crossed over his chest. "So you are. Ready?"

"For what?"

"I thought we'd wander around town."

"I'm all yours."

The pair wandered through the city for the rest of the day, shopping, sightseeing and even eating dinner before heading back to Ryuichi's house. Shuichi hadn't worried about Ryu for the rest of the day, too busy enjoying himself and Ryu's company. By the time they made it back home, he was feeling inspired to write his article.

"Do you mind?"

"Not at all. It's been a long day, I'm just going to relax and read a magazine."

They settled down in the living room with Ryu on the sofa and Shuichi sitting on the floor typing away, occasionally looking at his notes. They sat in relative quiet for an hour or so with the only sounds being Shuichi's typing and an occasional rustle of paper as Ryu turned a page.

Shuichi finally looked up from his laptop to see Ryuichi sitting on the sofa staring at him with a wistful smile on his face. He knew the man had been watching him off and on while reading his magazine, but four paragraphs ago he put down the magazine and just started to openly watch him and it was becoming a little unnerving.

"What?"

"I just like watching you work. I'll stop if it's bothering you."

"What's so great about watching me type?"

Ryuichi slid off the sofa and onto the floor, crawling over to where Shuichi was sitting, leaning against the loveseat with his computer resting on his lap.

"Because your brow seems to constantly move." He ran a fingertip along Shuichi's brow for emphasis. "And I can tell when you're stuck or thinking real hard because you chew on your right index finger." A soft brush of Ryu's fingertip on his lips sent a shiver down Shuichi's spine. "And it makes me happy seeing you do something you enjoy." Ryuichi backed up and sat down next to his friend. "Plus, you're writing about me, and I'm always interested in me."

Shuichi scoffed at Ryuichi's last sentence, knowing how much of a lie it was. Ryuichi was one of the most unassuming people he knew. He avoided attention whenever he could and never cared what other people thought of him. And the man didn't realize the effect he truly had on people just by being him. He understood what his sexy rock star persona did, that was its purpose. But just plain Ryuichi the man was even more powerful than Ryuichi the rock god.

"Well you're not finding out what I wrote until the magazine comes out."

"What? You're not going to let me read it before you send it?"

"No."

"But---"

"Don't you trust me?"

"Yes."

"Good. Now let me get back to work. I have a deadline to meet."

Ryuichi nodded and smiled at Shuichi as he returned his attention to the screen. He got up and started back to sit on the sofa and pretend to read his magazine.

Sudden flashes of Yuki coldly dismissing his affection to finish a manuscript came flooding into his head, along with the pain of the rejection. No matter how many times it happened, it always hurt as much as the first time.

"Ryu…"

The singer turned around just in time for Shuichi to wrap his arms around his neck and squeeze so tight he was having trouble breathing. He heard Shuichi mumbling into his hair, an almost hysterical tone to the young man's voice.

"Shu? Hey, what's going on? What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it. I'll work on the article later. You're more important than any article and I'm sorry I brushed you aside. Please forgive me."

Realization dawned on Ryuichi and he stopped trying to pry the apologizing writer from his neck and instead hugged him fiercely, stroking his hair and speaking in a soft, soothing voice.

"Shu, it's ok. I understand you have work to do. You didn't brush me aside. Please calm down. Shhhh, no Shu, please don't cry."

He felt Shuichi's grip loosen and he buried his head in Ryuichi's chest.

"I didn't mean it. I didn't mean to…to…"

"And you didn't. You didn't sound like Yuki, you didn't act like Yuki and…" He guided Shuichi's chin up so their eyes met. He smiled at Shuichi and wiped the tears away. "I think you're way more beautiful than Yuki."

They stood there, cobalt blue gazing at violet, both wanting the same thing, and both scared the other would reject them. Ryuichi wasn't sure how much longer he could stand being this close to Shuichi. I have to try. If he pulls away, I'll play it off as a joke.

Ryuichi let his hand slide behind Shuichi's neck as he leaned in, their eyes never leaving each other. At the first initial brush of their lips, Shuichi let out a tiny gasp, but he didn't pull away. Ryuichi leaned in again, this time a hesitant kiss, giving Shuichi time to think and react. Shuichi closed his eyes at the tender kiss and when Ryuichi's lips went away, he opened his eyes to see cobalt eyes fixed on him, asking their silent question.

Shuichi answered by closing the distance between them and kissing the singer for all he was worth. Ryuichi responded immediately, passionately, and he dragged Shuichi down to the sofa on top of him.

The two just lay there and kissed for awhile, delighting in the simple pleasure of kissing the other. At one point, and the decision seemed to be mutual, they stopped kissing and Shuichi settled in next to Ryu on the sofa and the two just lay there in each other's arms.

"Ryu? Did that seem strange to you?"

"No. You?"

"No."

"Good."

"So now what?"

"Sleep. I have a big day planned for us tomorrow."

"Really? What?"

"It's a surprise."

"Pleeease?"

"No. You'll just have to wait."

"Ryu?"

"Hmm?"

"My room…."

"Is something wrong with it?"

"No, it's great. But….you really didn't have to do that."

Ryuichi squeezed the man within his arms a little tighter. "I wanted to. You'll always have a place here Shu."

Shuichi smiled at the thought of Ryu expecting him to come back whenever he wanted. Then something occurred to him.

"What about….the bathroom?"

"What about it?"

"How did….how did you know what I used?"

Ryu chuckled. "I have my ways."

"Your 'ways' wouldn't involve a certain gun-toting blonde would they?"

"I can't help it Shu. K lives for this stuff and obviously he's very good at it or you would have known he broke into your apartment."

Shuichi pushed back and looked at Ryu who seemed perfectly calm about what he just said. "You told him to break into my apartment!"

"I had to." Ryu brushed some hair away from Shuichi's cheeks, his eyes following the gesture. "I wanted everything to be perfect for you when you came to visit."

Shuichi relaxed, unable to hold his shock against the apologetic face before him. He started to snuggle back into the warm body that held him and he smiled as he found Ryu's heartbeat.

"You realize that move would make Tohma proud."

"Where do you think I got the idea from?"

Shuichi tried to push away again, but his attempt was halfhearted at best and they were both laughing. As they settled down, Shuichi let a contented moan escape as Ryu's hand began to gently rub his back.

"I don't wanna move."

Ryuichi chuckled and kissed the top of Shuichi's head. "Then don't. We'll sleep here tonight."

To be continued…..