Chapter 8: A Little Less Talk

Shuichi rolled over with the sappiest grin in world history spread across his face as he watched Yuki sleeping. He hadn't been a virgin. There had been a deaf boy he'd met not long after he lost his voice, and he'd found some comfort with him. Yuki was different. Yuki was amazing in every single way. Shuichi even liked the way the blonde snored. And last night…last night had been everything Shuichi had dreamed it would be and more. Yuki had been so gentle. Even now Shuichi shivered as he remembered how Yuki had kissed his neck just along the scars.

The blonde cracked a golden eye, and groaned. "I thought you'd have gone home by now."

Shuichi just shook his head, and snuggled tighter underneath the covers. He loved being here.

Yuki let out a snort. "Why do you keep coming back? It's not like you actually care about me."

Unconscouisly, Shuichi opened his mouth to contradict that statement. It had been years since he'd done something like that, but it didn't make it hurt any less. More than anything else, Shuichi just wanted to let Yuki know that he really did care about him. That he was there because he wanted to be with him. He felt like such a failure. Shuichi bit his lip, and tightened his grip a little.

"Maybe you do care, but that still doesn't explain why. Someday you are going to have to explain what goes on in that head of yours…not that I'm expecting much," Yuki added. His voice had lost most of its bite though. "Teach me some of those ridiculous looking motions you do."

Shuichi's first thought was how anyone could dare call sign lanuage…HIS LANGUAGE…ridiculous, but then it hit him. Yuki wanted to learn to sign. Yuki actually wanted to know how to communicate with him. A brilliant smile flashed over his face, and he wrapped his arms around Yuki tighter than ever.

"Calm down. I'm just getting sick of holding one sided conversations."

Yuki's comment did nothing to dampen Shuichi's enthusiasm. The pink haired boy sat up straight in bed, and gestured for Yuki to watch him. He started out slowly going through the alphabet hoping Yuki would catch on to what it was. The second time around Yuki began mirroring the signs back saying each letter as he made the sign. Shuichi sped up a bit, and began spelling out random words. Yuki only recognized about a third of them, but it was just so wonderful that Yuki was willing to try. It meant that maybe there was hope after all.

HiroHiroHiroHiroHIro

Hiro was frantic. He hadn't seen Shuichi since the concert, and his friend hadn't returned any of the text messages he'd sent. Hiro had a feeling that Shuichi had left with the blonde, but he didn't know for sure. And just who was that guy anyway? Suddenly an image of a stick figure drawn in crayon came to mind--YUKI! He put a hand over his eyes. Damn, he had really thought that Shu was going crazy. Why wouldn't Shuichi tell him?

Back before Shuichi was out, Hiro had already known that he was gay. How could he not know? They'd been friends since grade school. Shuichi had always been a little bit feminine. Hiro had spent most of his high school years keeping the bullies away from his friend. There was just no way that he wouldn't see it. He didn't care about Shuichi's sexuality, and Shu had never been secretive about his other crushes…not that Shuichi could ever keep a secret about anything. Why wouldn't he tell Hiro about Yuki? The more he thought about it, the more angry he became.

YukiYukiYukiYukiYukiYukiYukiYuki

His hands didn't seem to make the connections that his mind did, and it annoyed him. Yuki had been at this whole signing thing for the better part of the morning, and he still had just barely learned the alphabet to the point where he could spell his name. Sign shouldn't be this hard. After all, how much could there be to it? It all just look like simply fluttering your hands around while making faces. Yuki sighed irritably. Obviously, there was more to it than he had thought.

"Come here," he commanded interrupting Shuichi's signing lesson.

Shuichi did as he was told, and trotted over to where Yuki was seated on the couch with a sappy grin. He plopped himself down beside Yuki, and cuddled in.

"Where you this odd when you could talk?" Yuki asked rudely.

The boy shrugged. He went right on making a nest on the couch, laying his head in Yuki's lap. Something about Shuichi's wide eyed innocence got to him in a way no one else had ever. Maybe that's what scared him.

RyuichiRyuichiRyuichiRyuichi

"I'm sorry, Kumagoro, but you can't go with me this time," Ryuichi murmured to the rabbit sitting on the couch. "You know Thoma doesn't like you…yes, yes, you don't like him either, but I have to talk to Thoma. How are things supposed to get better if we don't talk? I'll be back soon. You know I wouldn't leave you alone for long."

Ryuichi pulled on a thin jacket, and left his appartment quickly. It was the first time in years that he'd attempted to leave Kumagoro behind, but he just had to do it. He had to talk to Thoma. For the sake of the band, he had to have Thoma's approval. Without NG's full backing, Bad Luck would be an opening act for their whole lives. That wasn't right. It wasn't fair to Shuichi or to Hiro.

NG's Manhattan offices were amazingly posh. Just the lounge was more elegant than just about anywhere he'd ever been. The girl at the desk looked annoyed when he approached her. "Name?"

"Ryuichi Sakuma. I'm here to see Mr. Seguchi."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No," Ryu admitted. "But we are old friends."

She cocked an eyebrow. "Right."

Ryu didn't like the girl, but he tried to stay nice. "Please, just page him and tell him I'm here. He'll want to see me. I just know it."

"Mr. Seguchi doesn't like to be bothered," she snapped. "Coma back when you have an appointment."

"Please, just page him…"

"I'm going to page security if you don't leave!"

"Miss, you had better not do that." A voice cut in from behind. A tall blonde man, with long hair and sunglasses stood behind him.

"K!" Ryu cried.

"Good to see you, Ryuichi." K said with a smile. "Now, miss, I suggest you put us through…IMMEDIATELY. It isn't good to keep me waiting, and I DO have an appointment."

"Y..Yes, sir."

In the elevator, Ryuichi leaned against the wall. "So they called you in to keep me from slitting my wrists?" he said darkly. His voice didn't resemble the man most people knew.

K nodded. "I see you got rid of the bunny."

"Kumagoro didn't want to come with me. He doesn't like Thoma," Ryu said hugging himself. He wished Kumagoro was here now. "I'll be good. You don't have to stay with us."

K snorted. "How long have you been off your meds?"

"I mean it: I'll be really good."

"Ryu, you need to get back on your medications and back in therapy. It's time to get your life back. It's been a decade since Ami died, and you are an adult for God's sake."

"So good, you won't believe it, and I'll get Kumagoro to be good too."

The elevator stopped. "Are you coming?" K asked holding the door open.

Ryuichi felt frozen, but he managed to step forward. For his bandmates, he had to do this.