Unexpected Bonds

By Days of Azure

Disclaimer: I do not own Gravitation or any of its characters. I profit from this in no way.

A/n: I can't believe I'm on chapter three already. I'm surprised I've made it this far and that no one's said anything along the lines of "You suck stop writing." That said, I'd say I'm quite happy with the responses I've been getting. In any case, thank you to everyone who reviewed once more.

XxX

Chapter 3: The Bar Scene Part I

There was a strange, loud and obtrusive noise that overwhelmed Shuichi's senses. He stumbled around in the darkness, his hand flailing about aimlessly, searching for the source of the sound that had awoken him. By the time he reached his cell phone, his mood was irritable and his patience worn thin. "Yes," he whispered, drawing out the last bit of his spoken word through clenched teeth. His sleep was precious, and anyone who was so bold as to disturb it would best prepare themselves.

"Shuichi! How are you!" It took only a few moments before the petit boy recognized the voice.

"Hiro! I'm so glad you called, I miss you so much!" he shouted into the receiver, his exhaustion and irritation forgotten.

"Ouch, not so loud. I miss you too though, Shuichi. Home isn't the same without your antics." Shuichi chuckled aloud at his friend's remarks.

"Glad to hear it. Unfortunately, I won't be showing any of them off anytime soon. Everybody here is so damn uptight. Can't risk the job, ya know?" His voice was growing grim at the realization that he truly wouldn't be able to express himself in the usual less-than-quiet methods that he typically used. "But anyway, how're you?"

"I'm doing alright, a little bored without you around, but I'm okay."

"Heheh. It's nice to know you miss me," Shuichi said, hints of longing veiled in his voice.

"So…what's the show like? Are you working with the actual cast members?"

"Uh-huh. I work with most of the females that stars on the show."

"Sounds nice. What're they like?"

Shuichi paused, giving himself a careful moment to consider a polite way to accurately describe them. "Bitches. All of them. Well I guess technically I can't say all of them. There's on girl who's a real sweetie. Believe it or not, she was actually nice to me."

"Oh now, they can't be that horrible. You're probably exaggerating; I know how melodramatic you can be."

Shuichi wasted no time in rushing to his own defense. "I AM NOT! And yes, I swear to God they are really awful. I spent two hours on a girl the other day only to have her scream at me and demand that I do it again."

"Tough. Did you meet the guy yet?" Hiro inquired.

"Oh yeah, I met him alright. Made a complete ass of myself in front of him. It's a long story though."

"Sounds like something you would do. What's he like?"

"Well, he's drop dead gorgeous, but that's about it for his positive attributes. He's kind of a jerk. The girls seem crazy about him though."

"I bet they are. There was a little article about it online, and yes, he is gorgeous."

"Mmmhmm," Shuichi groaned in agreement. He rolled over on his side to study the bright, neon red numbers on his digital clock; it was well early into the morning. Since it was a much needed day off, he had planned to spend it sleeping in. Hiro had thrown those plans out the window though, much to Shuichi's dismay. "Hey, I gotta go. You just got me up and I'm starving."

"Alright. Talk to you later."

"Bye, Hiro."

"Oh, and Shuichi…if you get bored or lonely or anything…don't hesitate to call me, 'kay?"

Shuichi smiled widely, touched by his friend's genuine concern. "Yeah…of course." They each murmured their goodbyes before hanging up.

Bare feet padded across the kitchen tiles, making a slight sound made audible only by the near dead quiet of morning. He opened his mouth to release a wide yawn before blinking lazily a few times. This was an ungodly hour in which no human should ever have had to awaken in. He cursed Hiro under his breath for forgetting the matter of time difference. Now that he was awake, it would be best to make plans for the remainder of the day, he decided. There wasn't much on his mental list of things to do, aside from relax and take a direly needed break.

A few dull beams of the early dawn light had made their way into his kitchen, penetrating the thin, white veil of curtains that cascaded over his window. Bringing a piping mug of freshly brewed coffee to his lips, he took a small, revitalizing sip. It was going to be a beautiful day and Shuichi was as optimistic as ever.

oOo

Yuki needed to get hammered; seriously. It was well past noon and all day he'd isolated himself inside his room, safe from the obnoxious, flighty beings that existed outside those secure walls. For the first few hours, he'd managed to keep himself occupied and amused. Tasks such as writing, reading and even a little TV (one knew the situation was dire when Yuki involved himself with television) had busied him. Now it seemed that there was little left to do but wallow in his boredom and irritation.

With the next few days off, he planned to take advantage of the free time to get a little fresh air and craved solitude. He had already threatened/informed Touma of his wishes and it was made certain that he would be left alone. Although now that he had his free time ensured, he wasn't entirely sure of what to do with it. The idea of getting hammered once again presented itself in his mind. It was a tempting thought. But he hadn't been to a bar since…well, ever. And Touma certainly wouldn't approve of…well to hell with Touma, he decided. He had made up his mind: he was going to get plastered, find a quick fuck (remaining without an identity all the while, of course) and be back by early morning before anyone even realized he'd left.

He began to rummage through his closets and drawers, searching for the most utterly skanky apparel he could find. He wanted his image to scream simply "fuck me" and absolutely nothing more. His search came to a halt as he stumbled across a pair of never before worn leather pants (shaded a midnight black) that he'd received as an unwanted gift several years ago. Perfection. He'd always held onto them in spite of the fact that they completely clashed with his dignified, classy image, as he'd had a strange notion that one day they would come in handy.

He paired them with a snug, blue tank top that rode upwards, teasingly exposing just a patch of pale skin. Together they made the perfect combination, highlighting his slender frame graced by thin, but noticeable muscles. Doing a few turns in front of the mirror to inspect every angle and examine every inch, he decided that he looked pretty damn good. He detested cocky, overly-confident people, but when one looked as good as he did it was difficult not to take pride in their appearance.

His favorite cologne was removed from the shelf. He let a few sprays out, the drops beginning to form upon his neck and glisten in patches of sunlight that had snuck in through closed blinds. It gave him an enigmatic, enticing scent. Simply perfect for what he was aiming for. After examining himself in the mirror one final time, he knew that he could hardly wait until nightfall when the plan would take place.

oOo

The place was shaking. Bass practically poured through every inch of the building and lights flashed in staccato patterns, illuminating various areas in different shapes, patterns and colors. In the center of the main area set a large dance floor, with a bar and lounge area encircling it. The scent of sweat and alcohol mingled in the air and Hoards of crowds flooded the floor, each individual looking for nothing more than fleeting ecstasy and excitement as they shook their bodies, all inhibitions elapsed in the energetic atmosphere of the club. It was known as Club Chameleon, a spot both famous and infamous for its out of hand dances and common excessive drinking that occurred there.

In the midst of these crowds stood Shuichi, who was dancing almost violently amongst others who'd come for the same reason. His evening had begun like any typical Friday evening. Bored and looking for anything to amuse and occupy him, he'd thrown on some modish clothes borrowed from wardrobe and driven to the nearest club. He'd looked damned good when he had left, in secret hopes of meeting someone.

The first few hours had gone quite well. There had been a few enticing pieces of eye candy that he'd been approached by, particularly memorable a sexy British boy who earned his living as a stripper. Each one he had chatted for awhile, but time and time again Shuichi would find himself grow bored with each one. "God, what's it take to find a good screw in this town," he had thought to himself. He wasn't typically loose when it came to sex, but tonight he planned on making an exception. This was when he had spotted the bar.

He'd shoved his way through crowds, forcing his way out as he walked to the bar, smiling and winking at a few seemingly interested faces on his way.

"What'll it be?" the bartender, a rather attractive, but shy looking boy, asked. Shuichi eyed him up and down in a not-so-subtle way, trying to let him know he was available and interested. There was no doubt about it that he was gay; Shuichi had a good sense for those things.

Sitting upon the wooden stool, he propped himself up upon one elbow and drummed his fingers against the firm top of the bar, trying to look as smooth and nonchalant as possible. "Yeah, I'll take one rum in coke, sweetie," Shuichi said with a wink. The bartender blushed and frowned slightly at his obvious advances as he scurried behind the counter to distract himself in his work.

"Damn, I must be having an off night," a slightly intoxicated Shuichi had considered mentally.

After a few drinks too many, he seemed to have lost his sense of coordination, and with every additional drink it seemed that he was losing all sense entirely. He flailed about merrily now, occasionally knocking into another body in motion to which he would murmur a slurred "sssorry 'bout thaaat". However, he was having a great time and was completely oblivious the quiet complaints that were emitting from those around him. "What the hell is he doing? Someone should make him sit down," an anonymous person from the surrounding crowd had shouted.

"So what if I look like an ass, this is fun," he thought, the blurs around him growing vaguer. He continued to disregard the continuous whispers that were growing louder as he thrashed about when he'd felt a light tap upon his shoulder. Spinning around, nearly losing his balance in the process, he found himself face to face with one of the security guards, who then proceeded to drag him unwillingly off the dance floor.

"Whyyyyy in the world noooot? I c'n have whatever I damn well pleaaase!" Shuichi reasoned stubbornly. He had returned to the bar and was by now damn agitated. Between the forced abandonment of the dance floor, the near seizure-inducing strobe lights, and the hot bartender who was neither granting his wish for an abundant supply of alcohol or returning his sexual advances (of which by now had grown illogical and incomprehensible), Shuichi was pissed off and prepared to raise some hell. He flung his petite frame over the top of the bar counter, stretching his arms to reach for a far off bottle of what appeared to be an alcoholic beverage, causing quite a stir.

"Sir, I've think you've had enough," the bartender responded calmly as he fought off grabby hands. "If you don't calm down, I'm going to have no choice but to have someone drag you out of here entirely." This did not go down well with Shuichi, but he was too drunk and too tired to fabricate a decent retort at the moment.

"FIIIIIINE," he moaned in a rather whiny, irritating tone. He sneered and spun around to turn his back to the bartender, giving him the cold shoulder. "See if I care…annnnd such…" Ignoring his shrill pouts, the bartender simply returned to pouring his drinks, leaving Shuichi to wallow in sorrow and pout alone, much to his displeasure. Meanwhile, another man seated upon the other side of the bar was also beginning to feel the effects of alcohol.

He observed his surroundings through tinted black-lens sunglasses that would help ensure that he remain nameless for the night. Although the show was not set to actually air on television for at least another six months, one could never take too many precautions. What worried him in particular was if the show grew successful and someone testified to his little planned escapade that would hopefully occur during filming, if all was to go as planned. As of now, he remained an unknown writer. He decided silently that he would be safe. Nearly everyone around him was drunk, anyway. Even if someone were to, after he'd been seen on TV, remember him clearly enough to testify to having a one night stand with him, who on earth would find them liable enough to take them seriously? And besides, the blonde was feeling impulsive and reckless…and very, very horny. A slight risk of a scandal was one he was more than willing to take under the circumstances.

Yuki enwrapped a free hand around his third beer, the cool sensation feeling relieving. As he watched a wide variety of people dance uncontrollably, he began to recall why he so preferred the bar greatly to the crowded dance floor; not only did it give him a good opportunity to scope out the setting, but remaining at the bar also helped him avoid both crowds and embarrassing situations. There were many things Yuki was good at; dancing was not one of them.

Sound was pulsating off the walls, beginning to irritate the blonde. "I'm just here to find a quick fuck, I'm just here to find a quick fuck," he repeated in his mind now and again to remind himself of his reasons for remaining in such a loud, irksome place. As he reached for his half empty beer mug and brought it to his lips, he found himself chugging just a little more than he had intended. He didn't necessarily mind, he thought, slamming down his glass upon the wooden top of the bar carelessly, as various people and objects began to blur and grow indistinct. It was helping the time pass, and helping him to forget the trying noises and lights that surrounded him.

His senses cleared slightly as he sensed the presence of another clumsily pulling up a stool next to him with a rather loud clamor. He'd been approached by several people that night, although none of who had interested him-when he was sober. The present was holding to be an entirely different story though, this founded upon both the impaired judgment, growing desire to leave the crowded club, and desperation for sex.

He turned his gaze subtly to the left, allowing him to examine the figure next to him, view moving from top to bottom. "He's sorta cute," Yuki thought to himself. The boy's frame was petit and lithe, just the way he preferred. There was a messy mop of bright pink atop his head, and vibrant violet eyes that looked oddly familiar. The boy seemed slightly inebriated, as he sloshed his drink about and whispered incoherently to someone who wasn't there. At that time, however, Yuki didn't particularly care. This would be the one, he decided as he went to make his move.

"Heeey there," he managed to slur. The mass of pink blurred with the boy's sudden movement as he spun in Yuki's direction. That voice was all too familiar to him Shuichi realized as recollection of the previous night began to flood his mind. Now, as he was feeling bold and courageous, he would get his chance to profess his confined anger towards the beautiful blonde.

"YOU!" he shouted angrily, standing up abruptly and knocking a glass to the floor to shatter. Several heads turned in confusion and curiosity at the sounds of both shattering and a very heated voice. "I REMEMBER YOU!"

xXx

End Chapter Three

A/n: Well, I hope everyone enjoyed this recent chapter. I realize it may be a little, or maybe a lot different from the previous two. Please let me know what you think. Chapter four is in the works and I have a few possibilities planned: possibly some citrus content (if you know what I mean) and then for certain some angst. Thank you for reading! Also: Sorry for the lack of review responses. I've been informed by multiple people now that it's against the TOS. However, if you request a response and leave an e-mail, I will try to reply to you. I apologize again for any inconvenience my review responses may have caused (note the slight sarcasm in that-I really do think it's a bit of a ridiculous rule.)