Chapter Two

Out of Frustration

Disclaimers and a Claimer:Gravitation does not belong to me. As we all know, it belongs to the talented and great Maki Murakami-sensei. I'm just doing this in hopes that Yuki smack me with a dictionary. Just so I can say 'Yuki Eiri smacked me with a dictionary'. But Masaki Taro does belong to me. He's been mine for quite sometime now.

Author's Note: Wow. I am seriously amazed at the sudden amount of reviews I got. I mean, I know to some people four reviews for one chapter is nothing. But I really am amazed – and thankful. To my reviewers, every single one of them. Thank you so much! I'm so glad you gave this fic a chance and liked it!

Shuuichi immediately stopped right in front of the payphone by one of the corners. With a confident smile on his face, he picked up the receiver and started to dial the number of Eiri's house. Hearing Hiroshi say those things really made him feel better. He knew the way things happened, maybe Eiri was already thinking about taking him back in. He couldn't wait for Eiri to pick up the receiver, he couldn't wait to hear the blonde novelist's gentle tone, telling him that he it was wrong for him to kick him out, to ask him if he had a cold. It wasn't exactly a direct 'sorry' – but it was good enough if we were talking about Yuki Eiri.

He smiled as the phone rang from the other line. He felt giddy, through the waiting. He twirled the phone cord around his hands and fingers, tapping his foot a bit as he hummed. He glanced around him and blinked once as he suddenly heard the faint commotion outside. From the glass doors he could get a good glimpse of it. There were reporters swarming outside, cameras were flashing and a few of the anchor people on the news were talking in front of the cameras. He blinked once, observing it for another few moments. He wondered what it was that could've been causing something that much fuss. He suddenly thought that Seguchi Touma was about to hold another press conference.

Suddenly, he the answering machine pick up.

It was the same message telling him to leave a message after the beep. He knew that Eiri was home, he did this a lot – especially when he was busy. He was a bit disappointed that Eiri didn't answer it himself, but as far as he was concerned. This is as good as it gets. So, he waited for the beep before he started to talk.

''Yuki – it's me. About last night – I know you were working really hard and you were just tired and I'm really, really, really, really sorry! I know, I'm loud and I say stupid things! But – '' his voice got even louder and a bit more enthusiastic than earlier as he clenched his fist, the other hand gripping onto the receiver. ''I really, really, really just want to make things better for us! –''

Eiri winced as he froze from typing, hearing Shuuichi's loud voice over the answering machine.

He scowled and massaged his temple, letting out a deep sigh. Shaking his head, he stared at the screen of his laptop, which at least had two paragraphs on it – two paragraphs he was working on and got the hang of – at least until the noise distracted him. He stared at it once more, deciding once and for all that he didn't like it. He selected everything that was written and pressed on the delete button. Watching the words swiped away, disappearing before his eyes. He ran a hand through his hair and took a very deep breath, closing his eyes and trying to get his focus back.

This was not a good time to get a very nasty case of writer's block. He had gotten past the dilemma he had last night of getting through the chapter, which would be third to the last in his book. Now, he was stuck. Again. It was really starting to get to his nerves even more.

It was at least thirty-six hours before the deadline – since he had convinced his editor that it just wasn't ready yet. The editors, who were usually female and smitten by the novelist, decided it wouldn't hurt to grant his request and extend. He was on the last two chapters, which usually would've been easy for him to finish usually. He hadn't gotten any proper sleep for the last couple of hours and was currently living on coffee – since he didn't bother to prepare anything else for himself in the kitchen. Now this headache he had was getting worse, he realized soon that he was in a slump, but did his best not to show it. It was obvious in his actions and of course the way he dealt with people.

''So! I'm going to come home there tonight and then we'll have a nice dinner together, and then! –''

Eiri winced once more, the scowl now forming on his face. His brows met as he felt the feeling of annoyance surge right through him. It was enough to make him stand up and walk to the phone; he finally picked up the receiver. His voice remained calm – but still it was very dry and hostile. The same tone he had used on his lover yesterday.

''If you're going to be that noisy when you get here, then you can just forget it.''

Shuuichi paused and blinked. His heart immediately skipped a beat and he clutched onto the receiver – his eyes were wider than they usually were as he heard the words.

''Yu-Yuki…'' he trailed off. ''But I –''

''I don't care what you do on your own time right now.'' Eiri answered again from the other line, cutting him off. ''But if you want to bother people go bother someone else. Because I don't have time for you and your stupidity.''

The pink-haired vocalist was now speechless, he felt as if he were losing his voice. He was becoming shaky, as he tangled his fingers around the phone cord even more. He found his voice to try and reason out with Eiri. Though it was a softer and less confident one.

''But – I didn't want to bother you, Yuki.'' Shuuichi continued, more carefully now. ''I just want to apologize about what I did yesterday –''

''I didn't need for you to apologize.'' Eiri snapped immediately, again – not even giving him the chance to finish. ''I needed for you to leave me the hell alone so I could get some work done.''

At this point, Shuuichi took a step back – his eyes widened and he could feel them filling up with tears. He controlled himself a bit, his voice was now shaky as he continued.

''Yuki – Don't you want me to come home with you?'' he asked, managing a small smile. ''I won't make too much noise, I promise – I'll be better. I – I'll let you work – I'll get you your coffee if that's what you need –''

''Haven't you been listening to a word I've been saying? I told you. I don't want you here. '' he paused. ''Now will you let me work? Stop calling here!'' immediately, he hung up without another word.

For a moment, Shuuichi could only hear the sounds of the busy signal over at the other line as Eiri already hung up. His heart was still pounding – he tried to tell himself that it was the usual thing. Eiri was always like that towards him. But he didn't mean it – he never meant any of that. He always wanted him back. He will always go back no matter what happened.

But at the time, it sounded as if he wanted it. For real.

No, Eiri didn't seem to be thinking about him – if he was, he was thinking about how annoying he was. He was too busy buried in his usual work pile. His presence seemed to be making things worse instead of things better. Maybe it was better for his lover not to have him around. He put the receiver down and stared on into space for a few more moments.

Then he felt the tears, his lip quivering – he shut his eyes tightly and clenched his fists.

Taro and Touma both looked up as they heard someone crying very loudly.

''What? –'' Taro trailed off. Touma seemed to show no surprise as he knew what it was. He only sighed and smiled a bit, shaking his head.

''That's just one of the things you have to get used to around here, Masaki-san.'' Touma explained calmly as he looked at him. ''It'll grow on you, eventually.''

''Grow on me?'' Taro asked as he blinked. He looked ahead of him and sighed, his brows meeting a bit – he remained calm as he crossed his arms. ''Sounds like whoever it is in pain.''

''Well – I guess you can say that.'' Touma said with a sigh. ''But you shouldn't bother or concern yourself too much with it.''

''I guess not.'' Taro continued reluctantly.

Just then, there were gasps and whispers heard all over the building as the crying came closer and closer. Taro blinked once and looked up again.

''What the? –''

He saw a sudden pink blur moving very quickly towards him. It seemed to be the source of all the crying that everyone was hearing. His eyes widened as he took a step back – he didn't get to react immediately and it wasn't long enough before the pink moving blur bumped into him. Taro let out a short cry of surprise.

Both of them fell on the ground.

''It's not fair! It's not fair! I'm trying to make things better and I always keep screwing it up! Why does this always have to happen? Why can't I ever just make Yuki happy! –''

''Shindou-san – I see you've come to meet the new vocalist.'' Touma cut him off, remaining calm through what had just happened.

Shuuichi stopped from his crying, blinking – but he sniffled on as he looked up. He saw that sitting on the ground with him, the young man who he crashed on. The young man looked about a bit older than he did; maybe he was just about as old as Eiri was. He was already tall, he could tell by the long and slender limbs and stature he had. He had short tan brown hair and his eyes were rose in color. His skin-tone reminded him of Eiri's own complexion. He didn't seem to be fussy over himself as he only showed up in a simple pair of blue jeans, a black shirt with a jeans overcoat on him.

''You okay?'' Taro asked as he helped him up.

Shuuichi sniffled and rubbed his eyes a bit, looking up at him – he paused, his eyes started to well up again and his lip once more quivered.

Taro winced slightly as Shuuichi started to cry, and very loudly at that. He didn't think anyone could have such powerful lungs until he bumped into this guy. He knew him of course, he knew Shuuichi Shindou from Bad Luck. He was actually an avid fan and listener. To encounter him for the first time like this is quite a surprise – even surreal.

''It's okay, It's okay! Don't cry.'' Taro paused and then turned over to Touma, bowing slightly. ''Excuse me, Touma-san. I'll try and calm Shindou-san down for a while. I can't leave him like this.''

Touma blinked once, looking a bit surprised as Taro took Shuuichi's hand.

''Come on, let's get you something to drink. All that crying must make you parched.'' He gently tugged at Shuuichi who was now just sniffling and looking at him, slightly perplexed. Taro was now disoriented. He never realized how much things he had to adjust to until now. But no matter how perplexed he was with the situation – he knew that it didn't give him an excuse not to be nice. After all, they could be working together in the future.

Taro smiled and Shuuichi and nodded. ''Come on, Let's take an early break – and then you can tell me all about it if it makes you feel better.''

Shuuichi was perplexed at the forward nature and friendly way that this new vocalist was handling this. As most people would usually get either annoyed or freaked out by his behavior. He blinked once and sniffled again, looking at him.

''You're Shuuichi Shindou, right?'' Taro asked. ''Pleased to finally meet you.''

''Uhm.'' Shuuichi answered. ''And you are?''

Taro looked at him and smiled. ''Masaki Taro.''

Touma only watched them for a few more moments disappear from his sight, before he smiled slightly and sighed. He entered his office and closed the door behind him.

TSUZUKU

Author's Note: Why is it that Touma seems to be my chapter ender so far? Anyway. Here you go. If there are any reviews and comments, please feel free to drop them. Truthfully speaking, I don't know where to take it from here and I've decided to wing it in the next chapter. But if you have any suggestions, they'll do nicely and we'll see if we can fit them in the story. Thanks so much guys!

Saki-chan