Disclaimer: see previous chapters.

A/N: I upped the rating from T to M just to be on the safe side.

Thanks to all who have read and reviewed and I am soooooooo sorry for taking so long to update. But never fear. I have learned my lesson. No more running multiple stories at the same time unless they're complete before posting.

Here's the next chapter and I already have the next chapter ready for posting in a few days. Enjoy!

Broken Promise

Chapter 8

"So…..where's Gameboy?"

Shuichi smirked as he chewed his lunch. He knew how much Sai hated being called Gameboy by Hachiro. He personally thought it was adorable and rather appropriate.

"You know he hates being called that."

"Your boyfriend is too sensitive."

Shuichi lost the smirk and fixed Hachiro with a very serious look. "Sai is not my boyfriend."

"Whoa, ok. Put the look away. I just figured since you two have been going out together a lot….what most normal people call dating…that he was your boyfriend. So if he's not your boyfriend, what is he?"

"He's just a friend. We're not dating and we don't go out that much."

Hachiro leaned in, determined to get Shuichi to see the truth.

"Ok. So tell me this then. Who else have you gone out with, friend or otherwise, in the past month?"

Shuichi sat there, mouth opening and closing a few times with nothing coming out. Then he huffed and looked off to the side, glaring at the floor.

"Thought so."

"We're not dating, 'Ro."

"Whatever you say. Just be careful you don't blindly wander into some relationship that you weren't prepared to have."

Shuichi turned back to face Hachiro. When he spoke, even he would have to admit he sounded too self assured.

"Sai and I have an understanding. We're enjoying each other's company and he has no expectations of this turning into something."

"Shuichi…..I know Sai really likes you. And I can't believe that he's alright with just being your friend."

"Look, we're just having fun."

"Oh I know all about the fun you're having. I saw you two in the parking garage last week when I was leaving work. You were making out against your car."

Shuichi's cheeks flushed instantly and he hung his head. He remembered that night well. He had stayed late to keep Sai company while he worked on layouts for the upcoming issue. They ate takeout and talked while Sai worked. Shuichi started to nod off so Sai insisted on walking him to his car. When Sai kissed him goodnight, there was something in that kiss. Something that Shuichi couldn't deny. They had stayed there for several minutes, kissing and lightly groping each other. That hadn't been their first kiss, but it was definitely the first time that Shuichi had allowed more.

"Hey, you in there?" Hachiro waved a hand in front of Shuichi's face and the dazed writer blinked himself free of the memory and faced his smirking friend. "Enjoy your little trip down memory lane?"

"Shut up and eat your lunch."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

His finger poised over the mouse button, Shuichi sat there and stared at the words on the monitor. The cursor hung over the send button, daring him to click it into action. Why am I hesitating to send this? He's my friend and I'm just telling my friend what's going on in my life. Why am I scared to tell Ryu about Sai?

Shuichi groaned and sat back, pulling his entire body, finger and all, away from the computer. He thought that hanging out with Sai would help him get over Ryu. But all it was really doing was allowing him to escape the pain for brief moments. He was happy spending time with Sai, but he was shying away from getting intimate with the younger man. It felt good, and he wanted it, but he felt like he was betraying something or someone.

"Ryu….."

The quiet voice was bordering on being a whine and Shuichi cringed. I'm being childish. I'm holding onto something that was never there. An ideal. Just like I did with Yuki. Suddenly Shuichi's face became determined and he reached out, sending the email.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"………I have a feeling Hachiro had a hand in getting Sai to ask me out, but I'm glad he did. Sai's a really great guy and we have fun hanging out together. I told him I wouldn't date him, and so for the past two months we've just been hanging out, doing whatever. Not dating. It's great! We do things together and we haven't really gone any further other than kissing. It's nice, this "non-dating" thing. I can't help but wonder if this is what I was missing out on when I didn't date in high school. Oh well, music came first back then and I don't regret it.

I think you'd like Sai. He's funny and smart and a bit on the quiet side. Not an arrogant quiet like Yuki. A sweet, comfortable quiet. That's Sai. Sweet. And believe it or not, he's younger than me. Only by two years, but still, two years can make a big difference sometimes. Although now that I think about it, you and I get along famously and we're ten years apart. Funny, huh?..."

Ryu sat in front of the glowing monitor, reading the email over and over again. There were other parts to the email, like how work was going, a funny story about Hiro and Ayaka and other small little details of Shuichi's life. But Ryu couldn't stop reading about Sai. The phrase "a sweet, comfortable quiet" stuck in Ryu's mind and he couldn't get it out. It made his head hurt and his chest felt tight.

I should be happy for him. He's found someone that seems to treat him right and make him happy.

Ryuichi eventually tore himself away from the computer screen and went for the phone. He started to punch in a speed dial code but his finger lingered over the last number for a few seconds before he disconnected. I'm past that. I don't need a therapist to whine to anymore. A broken heart is no reason to go back to therapy. It was my own stupid mistake and I have to deal with it myself.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Hey, you." A soft familiar voice came up behind Shuichi, quickly followed by large, firm hands on his shoulders that squeezed gently before releasing him. "Are you just about done?"

Shuichi smiled as he studied the screen, reading the last paragraph he had just finished.

"Yup. I'm ready. Where to?"

He turned off his computer and stood up, turning to see Sai leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. He had a small smile on his face but Shuichi could see he was tired. He always got this way close to deadline.

Sai shrugged his shoulders in response to Shuichi's question and pushed off the wall, meeting the writer halfway and grabbing hold of his hand, rubbing his thumb over the back of Shuichi's hand.

"I'm kinda tired. Mind if we stay in?"

Shuichi was surprised by the suggestion. In the three months they'd been going out together, not once had they stayed in. Neither had seen the other's apartment yet.

"I, uh, guess not. Whose apartment do you want to go to?"

"Something tells me mine is cleaner."

Shuichi pulled his hand from Sai's gentle hold and shot the younger man an empty glare before turning to grab his keys and head for the door.

"What makes you think that?"

"Because my maid just came over yesterday."

Shuichi whirled on Sai as he stopped in front of the elevator. "You have a maid! You lazy bastard!"

"Hey, hey, watch the name calling or I won't feed you."

The elevator dinged open and the pair stepped inside. Shuichi stepped up to Sai and came within inches of his face. "I take back the 'lazy bastard' comment." He kissed Sai on the nose and smiled as the younger man crinkled his nose. "So what's for dinner?"

Sai was so tempted to push the stop button on the elevator and jump Shuichi right there, making the writer the main entree of the evening. But he restrained himself. He didn't want Shuichi to see him as some hormonal kid who just wanted to get in his pants. He wanted all of Shuichi. He was in this for the long haul, not the quick payoff. But all work and no play………

Sai grabbed Shuichi's hips and pulled him in close, kissing him deeply. Shuichi welcomed the kiss and melted against the taller man. He felt Sai's hands sliding around and up his back. Soon there was a hand in his hair and it gently pulled, guiding Shuichi's head back, exposing his neck.

Shuichi sighed as he indulged Sai with the brief playful moment. The younger man always initiated these little sessions and Shuichi was willing to let him take control. Sai naturally gravitated to the lead in most things and it worked for their unique relationship.

Just as Shuichi was beginning to wonder how long it would take the elevator to reach its destination, the elevator came to a stop and a high-pitched ding sounded, ending Sai's fun. He groaned and reluctantly let Shuichi lead him out of the elevator by the hand.

"Oh, don't pout…..Gameboy." Shuichi saw the head snap to attention, wide eyes fixed on him, a slight blush to the cheeks. Sai looked absolutely adorable and Shuichi couldn't stop a chuckle from escaping. Shuichi pulled Sai towards the street and hailed a cab, then turned and gave him a quick kiss. It didn't seem to do anything to improve Sai's condition so Shuichi conceded. "Alright, I'm sorry. I won't call you that again."

"Th-thank you. It's just…"

"I know. You don't want people seeing you as some kid who plays on a computer for a living."

"No. That's not it. I don't care what other people think. I care what you think, Shu."

"Me? Well I think it's cute, just like you."

"Really?"

Shuichi stepped into the young man who suddenly appeared to be much younger than his years. Gone was the quiet confidence Shuichi had come to expect. Do I really affect him that much? He brushed the long ebony bangs away from the sparkling eyes and smiled.

"Really. But I promise I will never use it again." Shuichi stepped back and opened the car door for Sai. "Someone once had a nickname for me which I hated so I can appreciate wanting to be called by your name."

Sai and Shuichi settled into the cab and Sai gave the driver the address, and then turned back to Shuichi.

"What was the nickname?"

Shuichi studied him for a few minutes then sighed. "He called me 'brat'."

"Who?"

"Just some guy I really liked. And it hurt every time. I really am sorry, Sai. It was wrong of me to call you that."

"It's ok." Sai linked their arms together and leaned into Shuichi, resting his head on the other man's shoulder. It was a quiet ride as the young man lost himself to his thoughts.

I don't care if you call me by that stupid name, Shu. I just hope that one day you'll call me something much better. Boyfriend….lover…..love. I want to be those things for you, Shu. Let me make you happy.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Shuichi closed his eyes as he sank back into the sofa with a contented sigh. They had called in a dinner order at one of Sai's favorite restaurants and stopped to pick it up, walking the rest of the way to Sai's apartment which was only a few blocks away.

Shuichi was surprised when he saw Sai's apartment. He'd been told by the technophile that his apartment looked more like an electronics store than a place where someone might actually live. So to come face-to-face with an entire wall of electronica didn't faze him. What did was the rest of the décor. It was very simple and classic. Muted colors reigned throughout the space, beige, green, red, cream were present in the paintings, furniture and carpet. This was not the taste he would expect from anyone Sai's age. Then again, it did represent the two sides of the young man. There was the younger side that lived for video games, computers and anything associated with them. Then there was the quiet, mature side that transcended his years.

Sai had cooked them a delicious dinner and now that Shuichi was full with three glasses of wine in his system, he was ready for bed.

"You can't fall asleep now, you'll miss dessert."

Shuichi opened one eye and watched Sai come into the room with two cups of coffee. He set the cups down and sat next to Shuichi.

"I don't care what flavor that coffee is, Sai. It doesn't count as dessert."

Sai reached out and caressed Shuichi's cheek, running his fingers through his hair and then grabbing a handful, pulling him closer for a kiss. Shuichi complied with the request, his relaxed mind and body making it easy to give in to Sai's needs.

He wasn't sure if it was the wine, his fatigue, or just letting himself get caught up in the moment, but it seemed that Shuichi blinked and suddenly he found himself buried by Sai, the younger man's hand snaking its way up his shirt.

"Sai…." Shuichi gasped as he said the other man's name and this only served to spur Sai's desires. "No…stop…"

Sai pushed up and looked down at Shuichi, his eyes half lidded. "Why? What's wrong, Shuichi?"

Shuichi and Sai didn't have a passionate relationship; they enjoyed a comfortable relationship which hadn't gone beyond the fooling around stage. I'm not ready for this.

"I'm sorry, Sai. I can't."

Sai sat back and ran his hands through his hair in frustration. "Can't or won't?"

"C-can't. I told you, Sai. I'm not looking to get involved right now and it was wrong of me to let things get this far. I'm sorry."

Shuichi stood up and headed for the door. He didn't feel like having this conversation again. He knew he should have discouraged Sai when the man kissed him after their second "non-date" but he had wanted the affection. Just like now. He wanted to feel hungry lips devouring his own. He wanted strong hands wandering over his body. He wanted to hear his name called out in breathless pleasure. He wanted…to be wanted.

"Who is he?"

Shuichi froze.

"Who has ruined you for the rest of the world? Who has your heart and won't give it back?"

Shuichi turned around to see Sai's determined eyes glinting in the dimly lit room. He was standing on the opposite side of the sofa, his hair ruffled from Shuichi's hands, his form fitting t-shirt riding up and his jeans hanging low on his hips to reveal a glimpse of a tight stomach. God, he looks so sexy right now. What's wrong with me? Why can't I sleep with him? There's nothing…no one….holding me back.

"Shu. Answer me."

Shuichi strode towards Sai and before the man could question him further, Shuichi cupped his face and kissed him deeply, hungrily. His hands quickly found a new mission, pulling Sai's shirt over his head and roaming over the hot flesh.

"Sai…."

Sai moaned as his hands deftly unbuttoned Shuichi's shirt and pulled it off, then hooked a finger in a belt loop and guided Shuichi back to his bedroom. He wasn't going to question Shuichi's sudden change. He came to me freely. He wants me as much I want him. I knew that if I was just patient enough…..he would come to me.

Shuichi let Sai guide him back to his bedroom. His mind became a confusing jumble of images and thoughts. Ryuichi kept haunting him and he tried to make the former singer go away by keeping his eyes open and watching Sai as the young man skillfully removed both their clothes and sent them tumbling towards the bed.

Several minutes of fooling around found Shuichi on his back, gasping as Sai trailed wet kisses down his stomach as fingers teased his straining cock. He looked down at the preoccupied youth, eyes drinking in the sight of black hair cascading down his body, lips caressing his skin, a pink tongue delving into his bellybutton.

"Ahhh….Sai….."

Shuichi reached down and ran a hand through the shiny black hair and he was met with dark lustful eyes that made him shiver. Sai smiled and disappeared under the long bangs, moving lower on Shuichi's body.

Shuichi threw his head back and gasped, eyes clamped shut as Sai took his entire length in his warm, wet mouth. All thought had finally been banished from his mind and he lay there, squirming under the pleasurable ministrations of Sai when he was brought out by a soft voice and warm hand on his own.

Shuichi opened his eyes and looked down to see Sai trying to pry his hand from his hair with a wince.

"Shu…..I'll do whatever you want, just let go." A soft chuckle and a smile sent Shuichi's cheeks burning as he quickly withdrew his hand.

"I'm sorry…I……."

"It's ok. I'm glad you're enjoying yourself." Sai came back up and kissed Shuichi deeply. "Now let me make you feel even better."

To be continued…..