Switch Chapter 15

For the first time in his life K felt completely and utterly alone. It felt worse than when Judy divorced him. This time there was no one to turn to. Even the thought of diving into his work seemed pointless because when he thought of work he thought of Hiro.

Hiro…

"What happened to you, man?" K muttered, lying on a motel bed, the blue-tinted glow of the TV outlining his form. He laid there on his stomach, his chin resting on his arms, unable to sleep. Next to him was a box of tissues, of which he'd soaked half the contents with tears. Not only did he feel like shit but his hormones were raging at maximum capacity. Why did he have to cry so much! Stupid period, stupid me, stupid everything!

K mulled over what could have possibly upset Hiro so much tonight. There was just no explanation and K wondered if Hiro had just got tired of him somehow. K realized he'd put this whole dilemma on Hiro's shoulders, borrowed his money, turned him down in his office that night.

Turning him down…oh wow, K wondered. What if Hiro truly still did love him? What if he'd been lying the whole time and it was way more than a crush? And here he'd been going on about himself and making Hiro the back catcher for all his selfish tosses. If Hiro actually did still love him, then he had been acting like the biggest jerk for the last few months! Fuck!

K felt fresh tears spill down his cheeks. He couldn't believe he had realized these things when it was too late! Was he just becoming dependent on Hiro? Like, dependent on everything right down to his sexual pleasure? No, K knew in his heart that the night they first made love it opened something up inside of him. He grinned almost sadly for a moment. Mmm, no it was the passion he felt unleashed at those precious moments. It was so intense that he became conscious of the fact that Hiro might have lied when he said that what happened in the office was over with. But this time he didn't want to run from the younger man, K had opened Pandora's Box and every wonderful thing that was Hiro had come to light before him. Maybe Hiro had finally snapped? K wiped at his eyes and sighed. That passion wasn't something he was ready to give up. Not anymore.

Sure, at first he thought it was just for fun, but he found himself longing for Hiro's touches more and more. It was then he also realized that he'd been running to the guy all this time. He shared his most private thoughts with Hiro, gave him his trust. Losing him tonight like this made everything so clear…clearer than this evening. All this time Hiro had been his rock, and he had never appreciated how much he needed him until now.

It wasn't just sex, it was friendship, love.

"I want you back, but you're such a hot head," K whined loudly about Hiro. He'd have to give him some time, right? NO! He'd wasted so much time already! But he knew how hard-headed Hiro could be when he decided something he thought was right. When Hiro made up his mind about things it took some serious convincing to change it back. "I didn't mean to abuse your kindness Hiro. I'm so sorry," K mumbled to himself, blowing his nose into the tissue.

Suddenly the idea of kidnapping Hiro and Bad Luck to Las Vegas came on strong. YES! Tohma was all for it, Hiro would have nowhere to run then, K decided determinedly. He sat up quickly, sending the box of tissues flying to the floor. Ideas flooded through his mind. Since when did he roll over and bemoan a situation like this? He needed to forget about embarrassing himself, he wanted Hiro back! No more pussyfooting. He needed to strategize, set up a line of action…send in the troops! It was time to call for air strikes and to kick some serious petootie. Las Vegas could be his battle ground, his neutral territory. A place for peace talks…peace? K guffawed. No, it was war! There was no peace in war!

His mission: reclaim Hiro's love.

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Feeling like crap, Hiro dragged himself into the studio at nine o'clock the next day. He hadn't slept a wink last night as he lay in his bed thinking about K. His anger had simmered down, but he still felt pretty riled and grumpy. He'd given K everything, even his heart, and K just did not care or it sure seemed that way. He fooled himself thinking that through passion he might rev up K's heart. Only it seemed to have backfired. There was no way he could do it anymore. If K was so blind he couldn't see or admit he felt something for him, then fuck it. He would not be the pawn in K's game anymore.

Of course his feeling's for K wasn't burnt out. He just felt lost. Getting so upset wasn't cool though, he didn't mean to yell at K like that. Damn…

Suguru was already inside the studio when he plopped down on the edge of the sound stage, his body feeling heavy like a sack of potatoes. Hiro felt the boy's eyes on him and dared not look his way as he uncased his guitar.

"Good morning Nakano," Suguru said uneasily.

"Morning," Hiro muttered curtly.

Shuichi came barrelling into the studio, doing a jig across the room. He was in very good spirits and ended his little Egyptian dance in front of his best friend. "Guess wha—"

SMACK!

The pink-haired singer got a guitar to the head. Shuichi rubbed his noggin, "Hiro…?" he whined, finding solace a safe distance away, "I guess you're in a bad mood."

"Hrmph," was all Hiro produced.

"Tell me what's wrong?" Shuichi offered carefully.

"No."

"I don't care Hiro, you're my best friend. You can smack me all you want, but you need hugs!" Shuichi launched himself at his friend and clung on like a parasite. He hugged his best friend. "I had some really good news to tell you, you know. But it's not so cool now that you're unhappy. Oh no! You're not quitting the band again, are you?"

Hiro wore a dry look as Shuichi hung onto him, but his gruff look soon turned into a smile. "Heh, you're pretty brave considering how crappy I feel right now. But don't worry about me, I'm not quitting the band…It's nothing. Tell me, what is your good news?" Hiro asked, not wanting to upset Shuichi with his problems.

Shuichi pulled back and declared, "Yuki said he would come to Las Vegas with me!" Once more the singer was up and dancing around the room. Not even a pounding with a guitar could bring down his Yukified spirits.

Suguru wore a puzzled look and wondered why Shuichi was going to Las Vegas.

Shaking their heads as Shuichi pranced about, they barely noticed the door opening and their manager walking in. Suguru was the first to notice Claudia's dishevelled looks and dark circles under the eyes, but the lady wore a killer grin. "What happened to you?" the keyboardist wondered.

K glanced at Hiro and just as quickly darted his eyes away, "I had a rough night."

"Man, that's an understatement," Shuichi put in as he stood observing their ruffled manager with his hands on his hips. "What, did you get mugged or something?"

"You could say that," K quipped at a gaping Shuichi.

"I was joking," Shuichi insisted, not having expected Claudia to agree with his comment.

Hiro blinked, wondering what K was playing at now. He didn't seem that upset about last night, although it did look as if he hadn't gotten any sleep either. Mugged? Yeah right, he was to busy with lover boy in that car…mugged his ass.

K saw Hiro's unconvinced glare. Oh yeah? K marched over to the guitarist and hauled him to a standing position. A fist clenched into Hiro's shirt, K pulled him close and planted a hard, passionate kiss on Hiro's mouth. He pulled back with a happy smack of his lips and said, "Anyways, I have to go talk to the boss for a minute, and then I'll be in my office. I want you guys to go home and pack. Two days from now Bad Luck takes over Las Vegas! Big news, eh." K announced jubilantly. "Oh, pass that on to Sakano if you see him." K chuckled and left the studio as if the wind had simply swept him out.

Shuichi and Suguru gaped at Hiro. "What the hell was that!" Shuichi clamoured.

Hiro was still too stunned to speak and could only blush in front of his comrades.

"Are you and Claudia like…you know?" Shuichi blushed and clung to Hiro's legs. "Are you having a secret affair and you DIDN'T even tell your best friend!" he wailed.

"Well I…" Hiro stuttered, "No, we're not having anything at all!" he snapped. He shaped his face into a frown once more. "She's just crazy," Hiro managed to say.

Shuichi and Suguru shared a disbelieving glance.

"I feel like I'm on some ridiculous TV show!" Suguru said with exasperation. He sighed over the antics he'd been exposed to. Then it hit him, "Las Vegas!" Suguru cried, "What the hell is that crazy woman talking about? Bad Luck can't go to Las Vegas!"

"Actually, Claudia talked it over with Mr. Seguchi the other day. From what I heard he sounded like he wanted Nittle Grasper to come along." Hiro enlightened the younger man. K had told him about his discussion with Tohma. He had to admit the shacho seemed to have a streak for trouble and mischief himself.

"What!" Suguru gawked at Hiro.

"Oh, I see. Claudia told you all about that. Didn't she?" Shuichi said sarcastically, still annoyed Hiro was keeping something from him.

Hiro shrugged, "Yeah, so what?"

Shuichi looked up at his best friend speculatively, still clinging to his legs, "Well I'm going home to pack. Eee! An extra two days to spend with Yuki before we go. I love Claudia, she's the best!" Shuichi let go of Hiro and stood up, all smiles and bubbles. He studied his best friend, "You know…even if you were going out with our manager, I'd think that would be cool." Shuichi smiled at his friend and then sped out of the studio crying out Yuki's name down the hallway.

Suguru grumbled some obscenities about how he should quit Bad Luck and get a real gig. He covered his keyboard and marched out of the studio with a huff.

Hiro was left alone in the studio and sat down again on the small stage. He touched his lips gingerly. Why had K done that? Kissed him as if last night had never happened? Not only had he kissed him, he had done it in front of everybody! Hiro felt his cheeks turn crimson. He couldn't figure K out at all. What was he up to?

No, he wasn't going to let K entrap him any more, Hiro thought and decided he might as well leave too. Las Vegas didn't seem remotely as much fun as it had the day before. But he had no choice but to go, damn K and his ridiculous ideas. He opened the door to leave and almost bumped into someone.

"Oh, excuse me…oh, you're that guy. The one that plays the guitar in Bad Luck. Wait, don't tell me. I may be an older fan, but I can get this," said the guy, appearing in deep thought.

Hiro started apologizing for being so clumsy, but stopped when the man spoke again. He blinked. The man looked familiar somehow.

"Nakano Hiroshi, right?" the man questioned.

"Err…yeah that's me," Hiro answered. "Look, I should be going."

"Wait," said the man. He dug in his pocket and produced a cell phone. "Your manager, Claudia, she dropped this in my car last night, along with her lipstick. She must have been all shook up from that attack last night—"

Hiro felt his hackles rise, "You were that guy in the car with Claudia out front, weren't you? Wait…attacked?"

The man gave him an uneasy glance, "Yes. Oh! I wasn't doing anything," he explained when Hiro gave him a heated look. He waved his hands innocently. "Yes, I helped Claudia out of a situation that could have turned really bad. But she's a tough girl; she didn't seem that upset about it. I drove her home. I figured I'd drop off the phone personally, since it's kind of an important piece of property. And since I'm here I thought I'd get those concert tickets. My wife is a big fan of Bad Luck." The man blushed a little, "Actually, you're her favourite band member," he revealed.

Speechless, Hiro gaped at the man. K was attacked last night and this married guy drove him home? The wheels in Hiro's head began to spin at maximum velocity.

Blinking wonderingly at Hiro the man said, "My name is Daiki by the way, could you show me where her office is?"

Shaking his head a little Hiro nodded and asked the man to follow him. He looked back at the semi-decent good-looking older male. He had to know! Hiro spun on the guy, "In the car last night…did you..." Hiro fisted his hands for extra strength, "Are you and Claudia…you know, seeing each other?" He let out a rush of air. He felt uncomfortable asking such personal things. He put on his tough guy look as a defensive measure.

Daiki stared at Hiro, eyes wide. "I would never cheat on my wife!" he explained hotly. He straightened his tie and looked indignant. But his face softened, "I guess it's a good thing I didn't do anything with Claudia. I have a feeling if I had…I'd be getting punched by Nakano Hiroshi wouldn't I?" He chuckled and smirked at the guitarist. "Oh, I understand. If I thought my girl was in a car with another guy, I would definitely knock his lights out."

He couldn't believe what he was hearing! Hiro felt a wave of relief rushing over him. So K never sucked this guy off? Oh hallelujah! Hiro couldn't stop the stupidest grin from spreading over his face. "I've been such a fool!" He cried and startled Daiki. "Oh, I'm so sorry. Forgive me?" he said, bowing deeply in respect to the man he'd been so rude to. "Do you think you could abstain from mentioning this conversation to Claudia?"

Daiki smiled, "It's none of my business. I'm just happy to get the inside scoop, it's like celebrity gossip first hand. Oh, but I won't tell anyone, I promise."

Hiro smiled genuinely and took Daiki to the front of K's office. "I'll be going now."

"Oh, Nakano?"

Hiro turned around, "Yes?"

"Do you think I could get your autograph, for my wife? It'd make her so happy," Daiki asked and dug out a piece of paper and a pen from his inside pocket.

"Of course," Hiro said bashfully and signed his name. "What's your wife's name?"

"Kiyoko"

Hiro wrote,

Thank you Kiyoko, it's a pleasure to know you're my number one fan. I never knew a fan could mend a broken heart, much love.

Hiroshi Nakano

Daiki took the autograph and read it. He widened his eyes. "Oh, I think my wife will faint from happiness when she reads this. I consider you competition now," he laughed jokingly. "You're a nice guy Nakano. Good luck with…" Daiki pointed wordlessly at Claudia's door.

Hiro nodded and left with a huge grin on his face. So K hadn't been messing around after all and he'd actually been attacked. Suddenly Hiro remembered that K had wanted to tell him something last night, but he'd been too angry to listen. Hmm…

For a moment he thought he'd wait for Daiki to leave and confront K in his office. He'd beg for forgiveness and tell him how sorry he was. Hiro was just heading back to the studio when he had another thought. K's kiss this morning… if Hiro knew him at all, he'd say K was up to something. K didn't seem upset and of course it was obvious that he had stayed up all night. Had he spent the night crying over him? Hiro had to wonder with that kiss and the smirk K wore this morning. Was K trying to win him back?

Hiro smirked now himself. He knew it would be wrong, but K had put him through so much heartache. Maybe it wouldn't hurt if he let K try to win him over a little, a few day's maximum or as long as he could hold out. Just to see what K would do—just a little payback. He would have to be careful not to push it, he didn't want to be a jerk, but just have a little fun while K did his thing. Hiro groaned. Man, this would be so hard, especially since all he wanted to do was to run to K and pelt him with kisses.

Hiro snickered a little, it wasn't too evil, was it?

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A/N: I'm really sorry for the crazy last chapter. Hiro did over react, but everything was going so peachy there. Something had to give, either K ended up a man and the story would be over...or Hiro had to give K a little something to push him forward--Hence this chapter. Hiro knows the truth now he wants to see what K will do. In my mind I felt this was fair, Hiro has been put through a lot of crap. Imagine living with someone you love but have to them not notice you in "that" way the whole time? XD It would suck ass! Besides this is supposed to be more of a comdey so I tried to think of a silly way for them to work things out. Next chapter Las Vegas Part 1!

Reviewers: Thank you GravitationInnocence, smile78mtl, yaoinut, LingeringMiseryofSorrow (Thanks so much hun. You have no idea how good reading your review felt. I'm so happy to hear that I'm writing a realistic girl K lol! Woo! --huggles--), the2evils and The Anibee! Thank you guys so much for reading! Luvs you all! --gromps--