"What?" asked Yuki.

"K."

"Yeah I heard you. That was a "what the hell are you thinking" what," said Yuki.

"If anyone can deal with a bunch of murderous, gun-wilding psychos, it's K, right? I mean, he is one."

Yuki studied Shuichi's shinning face for a moment. It was an idiotic plan (if you could even call it a plan), but at the same time it did make an odd kind of sense. For once the little ball of energy and stupid may have hit something.

"You know," he said slowly, "you may be right."

Shuichi glowed at Yuki's praise.

"I'll call him!"

"Wait," said Yuki sharply. "Let me."

He pulled out his phone and found K's number. Why do I even have his number? the writer wondered.

"Hello? ... K-san. ... It's Eiri. ... Yes, he's with me. ... Well, tell him to stop panicking. ... Why would I-? ... Tell him I haven't then." He sounded rather annoyed.

"What is it?" Shuichi whispered loudly.

"Hiro's been freaking out about you. Apparently he thinks you should have called him." He returned to his conversation with K. "Look, Shuichi's had a bit of an idea. ... I know, but he has. ... About the Hozuki situation."

"Even K knows?" shouted Shuichi, outraged.

"Shut up! Sorry, K-san. ... Well you know they made their money in guns. ... I'm sure they're not as good, but that's not the point. ... Shuichi thought you-... Perhaps not quite that violently, but yes. ... Yes, "deal with them" is a good way of putting it. ... It's not about her," he continued, dropping his voice to a whisper. "I don't want him to get hurt. ... Yes, I do. God only knows why. ... Just think about it, Okay? ... Don't do anything just yet though. ... Saturday. That's when I said I'd give her an answer. ... Yeah, that god-awful ball thing. ... Thanks. ... I'll tell him to call Hiro. ... Alright. ...Try not to be too rash. ... Alright. ... Goodbye." He hung up. "He's going to look into it. I told him not to do anything yet, but you never know with K. And call Hiro so the poor guy won't think I've done something to you."

"Okay." He pulled out his phone.

"And get off the table."

"Okay," Shuichi chirped as he hopped down. "Hiro? ... Yeah, it's me. ... Yuki's place. ... K said you we're freaking out. ... I'm fine. ... Yes. ... Really, Hiro, I'm fine. ... Just trying to, uh, solve some problems. ... Sort of. ... The whole engagement thing. ... I'll tell you later." There was a pause. "Hiro? ... Are you Okay? ... I mean," he hesitated, "I'm sorry. ... No, it's not. I should have- ... I didn't mean to hurt you! ... I did. ... Are you sure? ... Okay. ... I guess I'll talk to you later then. ... Okay. ... Bye Hiro." He hung up and slipped the phone back into his pocket.

"Shuichi," said Yuki, his voice serious and low. He had been doing some quick, but intense thinking while Shuichi had been talking to Hiro and he know had a half-formed and slightly crazy plan. "I need you to do something for, for me."

"Anything," the singer replied at once.

"Good. I need you to lie low for the next couple of days, Okay? Stay with K and away from me, understand? Don't go anywhere by yourself or do anything that will draw attention to you." He wondered if Shuichi would be up to this task. "Just go to work and come home like you usually do."

"Usually?" repeated Shuichi. "I've been gone for like six months. I don't have a "usually" any more."

"Well do what you did before then," snapped Yuki testily.

"I used to come here," said Shuichi sulkily.

"Well stay with Hiro or something. Surely you didn't sleep in the park before we met." He considered this for a moment. "In fact, I think it would be better if you stayed with Hiro. He knows how to take care of himself."

"And I don't?"

"Apparently not" He sighed. "Look, I know you probably want to spent as little time with Hiro as possible right now, but I just- I want you to be safe, Okay? It's only for a few days. After this ball thing on Saturday, it'll all be over."

"You promise?" asked Shuichi.

"I promise," said Yuki giving his lover a slight and oh-so beautiful smile.

--

I know that was super-short and I'm sorry, but I thought it was better than nothing. I'm trying to wrap this thing up ASAP because it's going downhill fast and I'm sorry, but we're just not getting along. All I can promise you now is that it'll be weird and probably outrageous.