Smash Hit!

Rating: PG-13

Chapter: 3?

Pairings: Shinji/Kamio, Mizuki/Yuuta, small hints of Fujicest, more in future

Summary: Success hasn't come to Shinji and Kamio until they get a chance to play at the prestigious Atobe Keigo's concert. However, with many obstacles blocking their way, can they make it to the top? AU, shounen-ai, bandfic

Word Count For Chapter: 2,955

AN:...Chapter three! NOW BETA-ED!) grin Man, I'm having fun writing this. It seems to be moving slowly, but that's okay, right? This is just going to be a loooong story! XD And the readers sob. Sorry, I find it really hard to write any action- like walking, or moving, or anything like that. This fic is an exercise to brush myself up on that- hope I'm progressing somewhat! These author notes are so unprofessional- forgive me as I babble. Er, enjoy! More notes at the bottom!

Chapter Three

"I'm moving in with him." Yuuta stated softly.

Fuji's breath caught in his throat softly. Slowly, slowly, he slid the spoon in his tea clockwise, then counter-clockwise, then back again. His lips felt very dry, as did his mouth. He touched a fingertip to his lips, looked away from his tea. He looked up, hesitantly. Yuuta was still there, yes, looking as if this were the eye of the hurricane, and anything Fuji said wrong would throw them into the real storm. Calm. Fuji breathed again, deeper this time.

He curled his fingers around his tea cup, relishing whatever vestiges of warmth he could get from the cup- the room was suddenly cold- "Ah. I wasn't expecting that." He said in a blithe tone.

Yuuta took a long sip from his own cup, the scent of fresh coffee drifting from him. He stared at his brother thoughtfully, blue eyes sharp and dangerously raw. As if he were expecting Fuji to jump over the little table and beat some sense into him, right there in the coffee shop. He swallowed. "I'll bet you were." He muttered. "Mizuki is coming over to help me pack tomorrow, you know. You'll have the apartment to yourself, finally."

Fuji was tearing into twenty pieces at once, being tugged in five thousand directions. No more Yuuta. No more Yuuta in his apartment, no more early morning breakfasts. No more movies with his head nestled in Yuuta's shoulder. He'd never have to get on Yuuta about picking up his dirty socks from the bathroom, he'd never have to kiss his brother's cheek goodnight. He'd never have to walk in on Yuuta pinning Mizuki to their couch, moaning. He'd never... Fuji saw red, bit his cheek. His little brother was being taken away from him. His brother had grown up and moved on. His tea tasted bitter as he took a long swig of it, burning his throat as he swallowed quickly. He smiled. "How long have you and Mizuki-kun been together, Yuuta?"

mrestallion: Yuuta bit into a piece of toast. "A year tomorrow."

Fuji paused, his head swimming as if he had been hit with a sack of bricks, "Aa." He dug his toe into the sole of his shoe as hard as he could, anything to distract him from the present situation, "That's a while."

Yuuta nodded and silence fell over them, cold and uncomfortable. Fuji felt as though his life was falling down before him- two years worth of living with Yuuta gone so quickly. Half of that time... that bastard Mizuki had his paws on Yuuta. A whole year, and Fuji had just found out a week ago, just by walking into his own apartment, innocent.

Yuuta was finishing with his food and looked ansy. A waitress brought them their check, and Fuji took it, eyes skimming the bill before flicking to Yuuta. "I'll pay it."

"No, you don't have to-"

"What kind of sibling would I be if I didn't take care of my baby brother?" Fuji smiled at Yuuta once again, breaking the cold atmosphere mercifully. Yuuta sagged in his seat noticeably, relaxing. "You'll never guess what happened to me, Yuutaaa."

"Eh? What?" Yuuta began to stack little jelly containers, eyebrows furrowed. It was if the whole Mizuki situation had been forgotten- the atmosphere between the two had instantly reverted to the close comfort they were so used to.

Fuji tipped a small jelly pile over playfully. "I just landed a very good job," He leaned back, "But doing what? Guess!"

Yuuta sighed, exasperated. "I don't know. Stripping?"

"I'm offended! Nothing so sleazy." Fuji tipped his chair back, balancing it on two legs. "You know that Atobe Keigo? Of whom you own two CDs?"

Yuuta nodded.

"Well, it just so happens that I landed a job opening at his upcoming tour," Fuji tried to sound humble, but couldn't keep a hint of pride from entering his voice. He wondered why it mattered so much to have Yuuta think highly of him, why he was telling him of this new advancement at all. He brushed those thoughts away.

Yuuta stared at him, a bit of toast hanging limply from his mouth. Fuji laughed softly and pushed it back in, flicking his fingertip against Yuuta's tongue, then back out. Yuuta flushed crimson and sat back farther into his chair. "No freaking way. You're pulling my chain."

"If only I was," Fuji responded, titling his head to the side and letting his hair fall into his eyes, "I auditioned yesterday and already got the call. I'm in." Eyelashes framed Yuuta's face as Fuji watched him through veiled eyelids, waiting for a reaction. Praise. Awe. A hug, or a gleeful smile. Anything from Yuuta would be enough.

A cell phone rang. "Ah, that's mine." Yuuta waved a hand, excusing himself. He flicked open his phone, only too aware of Fuji watching him intently. "Hello?"

Fuji's fingers wrapped around a fork, twirling the instrument slowly.

"Ah, I guess. I still have to finish packing. Huh? Yeah, I guess you could help. My bed's plenty big enough, of course you can stay. Ah, right now I'm at that little café on Vine Street with my brother. I can meet you in about twenty minutes if you want to wait. Hey, wait!" Yuuta stood up, holding his phone to his shoulder. "Aniki, where are you-"

Fuji waved the check, halfway to the counter, "I've got places to go and things to do, Yuuta. I'll pay this and leave, okay? His voice, though soft and pleasant, had an undertone of venom. "Don't let me keep you."

Yuuta stared as Fuji payed the bill and left, feeling somewhat nervous. He picked up his phone once more.

"Mizuki? Yeah, I'm leaving now. See you then."

Kamio sighed as he dug into his pockets, counting change onto the counter. One dollar... two dollars and sixty cents, more then enough to buy both he and Shinji a bagel or two. His eyes wandered the bakery display. Mm, or maybe a donut. He knew Shinji was fond of the cream filled ones.

"I'll take one of those," He said, waving down the girl at the counter, poking the glass above the cream filled donuts. "And..." He looked around. "One of these, too." He gestured at a pile of glazed pastries. His mouth watered as the girl bagged the food. He hoped Shinji wasn't awake yet so he could surprise him- they hadn't eaten in a full day. He glanced at his cell phone; it was only eight in the morning, there was no way his roommate would be awake yet. He paid for the donuts, the honest end of whatever money they had left. He considered getting a job briefly, but ditched that train of thought in lieu of keeping a good mood. Thinking about money too much made him cranky.

He broke out of the bakery and into the morning sun, in a surprisingly good mood. Yesterday they had played their best set yet, totally in the rhythm. That Jirou kid had been all over them after the song, bouncing happily and promising them a call, they had been excellent. Even that Fuji guy, who had stuck around to watch them, had looked impressed, even shook their hands. There was nothing that could bring him down today, Kamio thought. They had the job, he was sure. They were going to be famous. They were going to get out of the hellish pit of a life they had fallen into. They were on the damn rhythm, finally.

He felt a warm sort of happiness creep through him as he remembered the look on Shinji's face- the first time he had seen his friend truly look happy in months. They had gone out after the audition, Kamio's arm flung around Shinji's shoulder, sharing warmth, singing and laughing with each other. They had stayed up late, giddy with the thrill of performing, and performing well, fallen asleep with a satisfied kind of exhaustion. Shinji was still smiling in his sleep when Kamio woke up and untangled himself from the blankets and his friend. It was going to be a great day.

Kamio took the steps to their apartment two by two, humming happily to himself. He held the bakery bag in his mouth as he fumbled in his pocket for his keys and unlocked the door.

"Shinji! I've got breakfast!" He shouted cheerily, waving the paper bag with a flourish. There was no answer. Kamio stepped into the apartment, pulling his keys from the door and closing it softly. He craned his head around. Shinji wasn't where Kamio had left him a bit ago, curled into a warm pocket of blankets, long hair falling softly across the bed. He walked to the table and sat the bag and the keys down, being quiet, muffling the jingle of the keys with his hand. "Shinji?"

A strangled noise came from the bathroom, and Kamio's heart shot into his throat. He tripped over his own foot as he spun in the direction of the bathroom, arms flailing wildly as he tried to upright himself. Oh god, Shinji. Shinji- Kamio had a good idea what was happening, judging by the soft sobbing coming from behind the bathroom door, through the thin walls. "Shinji!" He never remembered moving so fast in his life- he was at the bathroom door in a breath, scrambling at the handle with shaking fingers. It was locked.

"Dammit, Shinji, open the door!"

The handle shivered and jerked under Kamio's palm, and then he felt and heard the click as it was unlocked. It took him half a second to open the door and fall down to Shinji, who was curled on the floor, clutching his knees. Kamio took one look at his friend before he roughly pulled him into his arms, digging his face into Shinji's shoulder. Shinji shivered and buried his tear-stained face into Kamio's chest, heaving with sobs.

"You came back," he choked out, fingers shakily sliding under Kamio's shirt, gripping his bare shoulders. He sucked at Kamio's collarbone, squeezing his eyes shut as his body wracked helplessly.

Kamio took in a few deep breaths, calming down. "Yeah. Yeah, I came back. It's okay, Shinji. Hey. Hey, calm down, okay?"

Shinji slid down the wall, his vision swimming, dragging Kamio down with him, pulling him on top of him awkwardly. "I woke up," He said softly, his voice hoarse. "You weren't there. I thought you were gone." He kissed Kamio's cheek once, then over and over, felt his friend tense then relax.

Kamio ran a hand over Shinji's back, up and down in a comforting pattern. He shifted so that Shini's hip bones wouldn't be digging into his own. God, when was the last time this had happened? Shinji hadn't relapsed into this behavior in what felt like forever, hadn't caved into such a depression since- Kamio felt a small wave of guilt. Not since An. Kamio forced a smile, lifted his face so that he could look Shinji in the eye. "Are you okay, now?"

Shinji shook his head. "I will be. I need to take my medicine. I haven't, lately. I didn't think I needed it. Stupid, huh. I never expected this. It was so good yesterday. I'll bet we got the job. That Jirou liked us. Do you have your phone on?" He paused. "You said you had donuts?"

Kamio gave a soft laugh and stood up, helping Shinji up. "I wouldn't leave you, you know that." He walked into the kitchen, leading Shinji by the hand. Shinji was still shaking slightly, fingers curled tightly around Kamio's own as if the connection were a lifeline. Kamio knew that in many ways it was.

They sat and ate donuts, Kamio enjoying the way Shinji's eyes lit up when he was presented with his cream filled pastry. When they were done eating, Kamio wiped up the crumbs and furtively filled a glass of water and slipped it and a pill across the table, towards Shinji. "No more skipping, okay?"

Shinji nodded and leaned his head back, swallowing the white pill with a large gulp of water. Kamio made a mental note that Shinji should not be allowed to skip his dose any more, he never wanted to come home to that again if he could help it.

They both jumped as a loud beeping came from Kamio's pants. His cell phone! He fumbled with his pocket, lifting his hips so he could slide the little device from his jeans. He pressed it to his ear, heart thumping, "Hello?"

"Aa, I suppose this is either Kamio or Shinji, respectively." The voice was foreign to Kamio, and he looked to Shinji with wide eyes. Shinji stared at him, eyes red from crying but bright with hope. "Who is it?" He mouthed. Kamio shrugged.

He cleared his throat, reaching across the table to grip Shinji's hand. "Kamio Akira, speaking. May I ask who this is?"

The voice gave a low, amused grunt. "You question me? What nerve. After all, aren't I the one you happen to now be playing for?"

Kamio felt faint. "You mean you're Atobe?" He caught himself. "I mean, Atobe Keigo, sir! We're...we're playing for you?" Shinji had darted around the table, was now pressed against Kamio so he could hear the conversation. Both of them were breathing quickly- was this really happening?

"I suppose I could ask Jirou for another option, but he assured me, rather enthusiastically I might add, that you two were the best for the job. I'd rather not have to rely on a second choice, as I want only the best to perform under my name. I would hope you're eager for the part, yes?"

Shinji sat on the floor, heavily, hugging Kamio's knee. Kamio had to keep the ear splitting grin from filtering into his voice. He wanted to sound calm and capable, not like an excited fangirl who just got her poster signed. "Of course, sir. I- we are happy to take the job." Shinji kissed his knee and gripped his hand tightly. "Thank you."

A haughty reply. "No need to thank me, I'm only calling to affirm Jirou's selections. I could care less about your gratitude. Expect an escort to pick you up tomorrow- there are arrangements that need to be made. Do not disappoint me, be ready by three." The line was cut as Atobe hung up rather abruptly, leaving Kamio slack-jawed on the other line.

A few seconds of silence followed, in which Kamio hung up his phone as if in a daze. Shinji, for once, was totally silent.

"Guess what?" Kamio asked softly, tugging at a long strand of hair that had fallen from Shinji's impromptu pony-tail. He felt as if he were going to explode, life had never felt so good, and Shinji's eyes had never been quite so large as he looked up at Kamio.

"What?" He asked, mandatorily. He knew, he knew, but he had to hear it from Kamio's mouth. The same mouth which was stretched out from its usual somber, thinking frown into the largest grin physically possible. Shinji felt a huge urge to push up from the floor, to kiss Kamio, run his tongue over that grin. He settled for placing a hand on Kamio's thigh, squeezing.

Kamio took a deep breath, then tackled Shinji. "We got the job." He whispered into his ear, pressing his friend to the floor, hands tickling, laughing uncontrollably as Shinji squirmed happily. Shinji laughed helplessly, eyes squeezing shut as Kamio tickled him senseless, tears leaking down his cheeks. He stretched his arms around Kamio and pulled him close, breathing halted as he took a few lungfuls of air.

Kamio settled on top of Shinji, still laughing. "God, this is great."

Shinji grinned despite himself. "Now what?" He asked, spreading his arms out along the wooden floor, feeling rather weightless and giddy.

Kamio groped across the floor for his cell phone, which had been flung carelessly. He began to dial a number, cushioning his head on Shinji's chest.

"Now, we wait."

AN: I'm going on a long limb here and labeling Shinji's disorder a weird mix between depression and schizophrenia, though I'm no expert on either. Hey, this is a fanfic, right? Artistic liberties! Yeah. More on his 'thing' later. Like, in the story. What else...Oh, and in case you were like "Yuuta? WTF!", heh, I like Yuuta and he'll be in this a bit. XD And I believe that's all.

What to expect next chapter? I don't know. I type it as I go. As of now, my plans go as such: Shinji and Kamio UST YEAH! GOLD. ...How sad. It's a wonder this fic ever picked up.

Comment, yeah? Criticize me, I need it. Even "u suxx0rz get a life kthxbye" would suffice. Or just a plain ol' review.