Chapter 7:
A week or so after the incident, Wan realized that he was actually happy. Shima had been really nice to him and had taken him to all the spots that they had wanted to film stuff in. Wan wondered if Hikari was right…if he really was in love with Shima…?
He had gone home that night and his dad and Eiri had interrogated him and everything had come out. Everything except his love for Shima. For some reason he wanted to keep Shima for himself and not have to tell anyone about him. He'd told his parents that he would stay over at Shima's place for two nights or so. They'd agreed. It was so much fun, waking up to see Shima curled up on the couch.
He headed to the kitchen to make some breakfast; he knew how much Shima liked oatmeal. It was almost time to wake up anyway; they had to get to school. He'd skipped school for two days, though Shima had insisted on going. Then he'd followed Shima to work, almost like a lost puppy, it was a wonder the other boy didn't throw him out. He finished and went over to wake him.
"Oi, Shima…wake up. Time for school…" Wan shook him awake. The dark haired boy blinked up at him, sleepily and Wan suppressed the urge to kiss him. "I'm going to go take a shower ok? You eat some breakfast, so you can go in once I'm out."
Wan finished fast enough and they were both ready soon. As he followed Shima out he was feeling really nervous, it was the first time since the 'incident' that he was going to face Hikari and Ralph. They hadn't called him and he hadn't called them. Shima had made up for it though by hugging him every time he felt lonely and down. Now the dark haired boy looked back.
"Wan? It'll be fine ok? Don't worry so much, if they are really your best friends then they'll be there for you. I think the first thing you should do is apologize…" he slung an arm around the boy and steering him out of the apartment.
☻
There were people every where, giving him curious looks. It seemed like everyone had heard what had happened. He grabbed his books from his locker and turned to see Ralph approaching. The red head just went to his locker and started getting his stuff out, completely ignoring Wan. Shima looked at Wan giving him this encouraging look.
"Uh…Ralph, please can we talk?" he looked up at Ralph pleadingly. This was his childhood friend, his best friend; they could hate each other like this.
Ralph looked at him a little angrily, but nodded. "Fine, how about after we get to class? You've missed a lot…you can borrow my notes if you like. I know Shima wont have been able to give you everything." He started walking off leaving Wan staring after him slack jawed. He stopped and turned to look at Wan. "Are you coming or you just going to continue gaping?"
Wan looked over at Shima with a bright smile on his face, before looking over at Ralph and following him. Shima watched them go with a relieved look on his face. As they disappeared, his smile faded too. Who was Ralph talking about when he said that Wan loved someone? Who does Wan love? Who's going to take him away from me again?
☻
The class was going really slow, lunch was next and Wan was already bored. He ripped off a piece of paper and started to scribble. Then he tossed it to Ralph, making sure that he picked it up before he focused his attention on the teacher.
Ralph looked at the note and smiled softly. Hey Ralph, I'm sorry about what happened and I'll make it up to you ok? I really was behaving like a jerk…please forgive me. I'll talk to Hikari too. Thanks for being so nice. Wan.
As soon as the bell went off, Ralph turned to hug Wan with one arm. "You're an idiot you know? I'm sorry too…I hurt you that day. But you'd better talk to Hikari…there she is…"
Wan swallowed this was going to be a lot harder than talking to Ralph. He suddenly found a hand on his shoulder and looked up into supportive grey eyes. He smiled at the dark haired boy and walked over to where Hikari stood. She looked at him and turned her back to him. Wan stared a little wondering how to do this, she didn't look like she'd talk to him in private. Then he took a deep breath.
"Hikari, I'm sorry for being such a jerk to you. I know it seems like I used you…I really didn't mean to. You see, I didn't know about my feelings when I was going out with you. So if I have hurt you a lot, I'm sorry…" Wan tried to ignore the fact that the whole cafeteria was staring at him, he kept his eye on Hikari.
The blonde girl whirled to face him, eyes wide with surprise. "It's ok Wan. I accept the apology. So let's get some lunch shall we?" they walked up to the counter and picked up some trays. Wan looked around for his dark haired friend to see if he approved but Shima was no where to be found. Oh well, at least this is out of the way…
☻
"Eiri, when do you think Wan will be home? It's already been two nights and well Mika says he and Hikari are friends now. Why isn't he home? And who is this Shima that he wants to spend time with?" Shuichi demanded as he lay next to his lover on the bed.
"Relax Shuichi. Why are you so worked up about it? Wan will be home soon and as long as he's safe we don't have anything to worry about. He can take care of himself. If you want to know about Shima, then we'll just invite the kid home, ne? Then we can see him and you can decide if he's good enough for your son…" Eiri nuzzled Shuichi's neck.
"But I want to be the person Wan goes to when he's not feeling ok. We haven't even heard of this Shima fellow. Aren't I a good dad Eiri? Why won't he talk to me? You do realize he's keeping something from us don't you? He didn't tell us everything that happened between him and Hikari."
"Shuichi…the kid's got his own life ok? We just have to see that he doesn't mess it up. But he has to have his space and he'll come back soon enough, why don't you call him?" Eiri reached over and picked up the phone shoving it at his lover.
Shuichi grumbled a little before dialing Wan's cell. As Wan picked up he bombarded him with questions. After about forty five minutes of questioning and cooing sweet nothings into his son's ear, he put the phone down.
"He said he'll come tomorrow. I asked him to bring Shima over for lunch, the day after. He said things are fine and I don't have to worry. How can he expect that? You always worry about the people you love…" Shuichi started to rant. Eiri seeing that this was one of those hour long rants reached over and kissed him. That always shut Shuichi up.
Shuichi sighed as Eiri told him that everything would be fine. For some reason he got that feeling that everything wouldn't be fine.
☻
Shima looked at Wan in confusion. The boy had suddenly turned up at his doorstep at seven in the morning. "Um…is everything alright Wan?"
Wan nodded enthusiastically, before stepping in. "yeah everything's fine. Oh did I wake you? Maybe I should just make you some breakfast while you take a shower…" he walked to the kitchen and started getting out the oatmeal and stuff. Shima watched him wondering what the hell was going on.
Wan continued to smile. "By the way, you're of your job today. I talked to your boss and he said you've been working too hard anyway. He'll still pay you for today. Just wear something nice today ok?" Wan suddenly frowned and went to Shima's drawers. "Wear the black top, pants and this red coat…"
Shima frowned. "What do you want me to look like? The full metal alchemist or something? I'm just going to wear that grey shirt and those black slacks. Where are we going?" He turned to see that Wan had already disappeared. He gave an annoyed grunt and got into the shower.
When he got out, breakfast was ready and Wan had this funny smile plastered over his face. Shima grimaced, the boy was acting weird! He put his hands on the table and glared at him. "Wan, what the hell is going on?"
Wan's smile faded slightly. "Um…you're coming home for lunch…my parents want to meet you." Shima almost blanched. What did Wan's parents want to meet him for? Ok stupid question, any parent would want to meet their child's friends, especially since Wan had been staying with him.
Wan smiled at him slightly reassuringly. "Eiri's making his famous lasagna and stuff. So just behave ok?"
They left after bumming around for a while. Wan looked all worried, though he was trying to keep it off his face. The walk was in relative silence until a thought struck Shima. Why is Wan so worried? I mean I'm just a friend right…right?
"Hey, Wan?" Shima looked at the stiff boy.
"Hmm?" Wan looked up at him with an attempt at a smile. It just looked like he had diarrhea or something.
"Why are you so worried? We're just friends right? It's not like I have to make this awesome impression on your parents." Shima saw Wan suddenly go pale, before going red. Is he blushing?
"Well….I….um…." Wan fidgeted a little. "They're just protective and stuff. Haha…" he saw Shima's disbelieving look. "Um…it's because I like…OH LOOK AT THAT YUMMY CAKE! I LOVE STRAWBERRY CAKE!"
He ran off to drool at the window leaving one very confused Shima behind. They reached the apartment block and got into the elevator. Suddenly Shima reached out and pressed the 'stop' button. Wan looked up at him with a frown.
"You like what, Wan? You didn't finish your sentence…" Shima asked him with a level voice.
Wan looked up at him a little scared. "Um…I forgot what I was saying…"
"I so totally believe you. I want to know, what do you like?" Shima pinned Wan against the elevator wall, his body against the other boys. They stared into each others eyes until Wan blushed and looked away.
"I like…I like you…" Wan blushed a tomato red. "I'm worried about you meeting my parents because I like you…"
Shima's breath caught and he stared at Wan for what seemed like years… "You like me? You really like me?" He asked a little frantically. Wan looked at the ground and nodded. Oh god now Shima was going to hate him!
Wan's eyes widened in surprise as Shima's lips met his in a soft kiss. He kissed back holding back the urge to yell with glee. Shima liked him, yay! God, he was acting like his father…Shima pulled back and pressed the button to make the elevator go. It would look suspicious if it stopped for too long. He didn't let go of Wan's hand though.
The door 'pinged' and opened. Wan let go of his hand. "I didn't tell my parents…I don't want to yet…" he whispered before he rang the door bell. Shima looked up as Wan's pink haired father answered the door. He gave Shima a sunny smile. "You must be Wan's friend Shima…it's nice to see finally!"
☻
Eiri added the finishing touches to the food he'd made. He heard Shuichi welcome Shima and decided to make an appearance as well. He walked out and stopped suddenly. The resemblance was uncanny…who was this kid, who looked so much like the man who had destroyed his life?
Shuichi turned to him, something of a warning in his eyes. "Eiri, this Shima…Wan's friend. If the foods ready maybe we should start lunch right now?"
Eiri forced himself to nod. It must be coincidence that's all. It didn't occur to him to ask the kid's family name. He smiled at the boy. "Shima, why don't you and Wan go to the dining room? I'll get the food out in a second!"
Shuichi followed him in. "Eiri, you have to stop acting so weird in front of the boy. I know there is a lot of resemblance, but even if he is related to Kitazawa so what? He might not be like him you know…but I'm sure it's no such thing." He kissed his lover. "Listen, I want you on your best behaviour, it's obvious that the kid is important to Wan…ok?"
Eiri looked at Shuichi. Of course it was coincidence. "Yeah yeah, Shuichi, I'm not dumb. If he's important to Wan, then he's important to me! Let's go."
Meanwhile, Wan was trying not to stare at Shima too much. He loved the way; the other's dark hair fell into his eyes almost. (By the way, Shima looks a lot like Kitazawa Yuki, but he's got slightly longish hair and his grey eyes are a little deeper, plus he's loads more good looking!) Shima turned and smiled at him gently. "What are you looking at?"
Wan blushed. "Nothing. Where are those two…I'll bet you anything in the world, they forgot about us and started making out…you should hear them sometimes! You'd go mad!"
Shima sweat dropped. "Wan, there are thing about your family life that I don't necessarily need to know, see. And I sure as hell don't want to know about you're parent's making out…"
Wan grinned widely. "Ah…sorry. I just need to get it off my chest sometimes. Oh here they are…hey you two, did you start making out in the kitchen or something? We've been waiting ages!"
Shuichi almost dropped the dishes he was holding. "WAANN! Don't say such things in company! Haven't I taught you manners?"
Wan frowned. "Dad! It's only Shima and anyway the whole world knows that you're gay and anyway everyone's seen you make out in the mall, the parking lot, the school courtyard, the restaurants…" he shut up as Shuichi's fist connected with his head.
Shima watched the whole thing with a half enthralled and half frightened look. Eiri just smirked through the whole thing. At last peace reigned and they all began to eat. Shuichi saw the awkward silence that weighed down the atmosphere and decided to break the ice.
"So Shima, Wan's been mooching off you a lot…don't your parents mind?" Shuichi asked innocently. Wan cursed under his breath as Shima's face fell a little.
"Uh…I don't have parents, Shindou-san. They died a long time back. I live alone. Don't worry Wan isn't too much of a hassle…" Shima gave him a small smile.
Shuichi could have kicked himself for asking such a stupid question. "I'm sorry." But Shima shook his head.
"You don't have to be Shindou-san. It was a long time ago. I'm used to it."
Eiri looked at the boy for a moment. "So how have you managed all this while? You would have a guardian I'm sure…"
Shima shook his head. "I don't have a guardian. I'm grandma died a year or two ago. So I work, it's easy enough. After all I had to look after my grandma for a long time too, she wasn't too mentally stable."
"He works four jobs, dad. But he keeps up at school as well, he might even get a basket ball scholarship." Wan added eager to make Shima shine in his parent's eyes.
"How did the authorities let this happen?" Shuichi asked.
"Uh…you see grandma, wasn't well. My grandfather was killed twenty five years back and she fell sick then. My father grew up with a vengeance, he didn't have time for me…he and mom died in a car crash. That was the last straw for gran, she was never the same. She had a complete mental break down." Shima sighed.
Shuichi glanced at Eiri who had gone rigid. "Killed twenty five years ago?" his voice was slightly strangled.
Shima looked up before realizing who he was talking to. "Oh I meant to ask you Uesugi-san. They say you knew my grandfather…his name was Kitazawa Yuki. Do you know who killed him? I'd like to know if you do please…" Shima bit his lip a little.
Before Shuichi could say anything, Eiri had stood up. He was shaking with rage or maybe pain…maybe both. "Get. Out." He barked at Shima who'd gone white and was staring at him frightened.
"But, Uesugi-san…?"
"Eiri! What the hell are you doing? He's my best friend!" Wan looked at him just as confused, but with more anger. "What is wrong with you?"
Eiri walked up to Shima grabbing him by the scruff of his neck. "Get out of my home! And don't you dare come here again, got it? I don't want anyone of that bastard's blood near ever again!" he started to push him towards the door. Wan ran after him.
"Eiri, let go of him. Shima, I'm sorry, I'll talk to him…" he tried to stop Eiri, but the blonde just shoved him aside. Wan hit the sofa, in shock. Eiri had never treated him like this before.
The blonde glared down at the dark haired boy, right into those hurt eyes. "And don't get close to Wan again. Stay away from him, or I'll kill you! If I hear that you've talked to him or even looked at him again, I'll make sure that your life is hell." He opened the door and pushed the boy out, before shutting it in his face.
Shima staggered to the elevator. What had he done? What was that all about? He got in and slumped down against the wall. And Wan…how could he stay away from Wan? He loved Wan…
☻
Wan turned to Eiri in fury. "What the hell do you think you're doing? You can't run my life for me! You threw him out, you bastard! How you treat Shima like that? God, you're such a fucker…" for the first time in his life Eiri hit Wan.
"Idiot. Don't talk about things you don't understand! You will stay away from him Wan! I've never ever wanted anything from you…but right now I want you to promise me that you'll never see him again! Do you promise me?" Eiri asked.
Shuichi stared at his lover in horror. "Eiri you can't do that…Eiri, listen to me…"
Wan stared at Eiri's face for a long time. This man was like a father to him, his second parent. They'd done everything together and he loved him and his dad more than anything in world. Wan closed his eyes, it was inevitable, he couldn't walk out on Eiri now. "I…I promise…that I wont ever interact with Shima again."
-------------------------------------------------------------------
A/N: yay! At last the scenes over! Please give me some good critical reviews…yay it's longer! Poor baby Wan! Stupid Eiri, he's worse than Tohma ne? Ja
Taka
