I hate this computer. I posted this chapter, and it came up in some stupid computer language, so now I have to re-type the whole damn thing! I might kill someone.

-o-o-o-o-

Kyo had in fact shown up. He made his grand entrance around 9:00 pm, and Shuichi promptly threw himself at the man. Eiri almost fell off his chair when the two kissed, but the others acted as through they saw it everyday. Perhaps they did.

Kyo was a well dressed man with a dazzling-smile. Eiri's first impression of him was that of the hunk from a tawdry Western film. His auburn hair came down to his ears, and his tailored suit gave him quite a stunning appearance. He wrapped his strong arm around Shuichi's waist, who was looking adoringly into his eyes, and slowly made his way over to the bar. They may as well have been riding off into the sunset.

"Kyo, this is my friend Ueseugi Eiri. Eiri, this is my boyfriend Kyo." Shuichi gave his quick introductions, and Kyo smiled his oh-so-charming smile at Eiri. He held out his hand as an invitation and Eiri hesitantly accepted.

"It's an honour, Ueseugi-san. I've read several of your books; you're very talented." He said in an amiable tone, and Shuichi smiled as he leaned into Kyo. The whole thing struck a nerve somewhere inside Eiri, but he didn't let on.

"Thank you." He said in the same half-hearted manner he did when he was at a book signing and had to repeat the same words a thousand times. Eiri was thankful for the darkness that concealed his frown much like it did his identity. Kyo kissed the top of Shuichi's head and released his hold on the small man, brushing his dark hair out of his face and leaning against the counter to order to drink. Shuichi started at his lover for a couple seconds before turning back to Eiri.

"So…what do you think of him?" He asked timidly.

"I just met him two seconds ago." Eiri said looking at Shuichi like he was an idiot. His friend chuckled.

"Yeah, sorry…I just…" the young man stopped and took a second to mull over his words, "It's really important to me that my friends like him. My friends are special to me, and Kyo is special to me." Shuichi cheeks were tinted pink, and he looked at Eiri expectantly with a face that no one could deny.

"He seems nice…" Eiri said, taking another gulp of his sake. Shuichi smiled at him, knowing how manipulative he could be sometimes. Shuichi looked back again at his boyfriend who was now happily chatting with Seiichi.

"He is. He's really, really nice, and I like him a lot. He's handsome, and intelligent, and…just so kind." Eiri almost vomited all over himself. Shuichi was different around this guy. He acted like a love-sick school girl. But, he had to admit that this smitten bimbo had a point: Kyo seemed to be an almost flawless man on the outside, which was a problem for Eiri, the kind of person who enjoyed picking people apart piece-by-piece and finding their faults.

"Yeah. Listen, Shuichi, I think I need to head out. I've still got some papers to grade, and I didn't get much sleep last night." Eiri said, rising from his seat. He didn't feel like hanging around there anymore.

"Oh…are you sure? Kyo just got here…" Shuichi looked up at him sadly, but Eiri was not about to be persuaded by any puppy-dog eyes.

"I'm sure. You know how I get when I'm tired. Sorry. Maybe some other time." He said, walking past his friend. He was about to walk out the door when a firm grip on his shoulder stopped him. He turned around to see Kyo staring at him with questioning eyes.

"You're leaving? Why so soon?" Eiri looked at him. His tone seemed genuine, as if he really was upset about losing the chance to meet the novelist. 'He's really, really nice.' It seemed that this was true, but it only seemed to make Eiri more peeved.

"Yeah. I'm tired, and I've got school in the morning. It was nice meeting you." Eiri said, trying to keep the explanation as quick as possible. He just wanted to go home.

"Oh…Okay. It was nice meeting you too, Ueseugi-san. I hope to see you soon." He said genially. Eiri nodded and walked out the door.

-o-o-o-o-

"U-Ueseugi…sensei…?"

A student cautiously approached the desk of a sullen looking Ueseugi Eiri. The whole classroom had been silent for the last 30 minutes, and rightfully so: if anyone had talked Eiri likely would have bitten their head off. A whole night of chain-smoking and sitting in front of a blank computer screen doesn't exactly qualify as a "good night's rest." However, a rather bold Hanako Ruri has raised her voice, and those around he gulped in fear. Eiri ever so slowly raised his head from the papers on his desk and fixed her with a look to kill. She kept her gaze as firm as possible, and Eiri silently admired her courage while at the same time hating her for disturbing him. Deciding to play nicely, he sighed before answering wearily.

"Yes, Hanako-san?"

"Uh…well…I was just..." She looked for a second like she was going to lose her stride, but swallowed and continued, "I was wondering about our...homework assignment. Yes, homework. What is it…per se?" She finished. He stared at her for several seconds, and then stood. A wave of terror came over the class, and not a single person breathed until he responded in a slightly forced polite tone.

"Ah, homework. Thank you for reminding me Hanako-san. Your homework will be pages 260-279 in your literature textbooks, and the twenty review questions that follow. I want them on my desk tomorrow of class."

"Yes, sensei." They responded as a group, each beginning to pack their bags as lunch would start in several minutes.

When the bell sounded Eiri lightly grunted as a "goodbye" to his students. They filed out as he returned to his desk, and Ruri waved slightly as she exited.

'I…should have called in sick.'

-o-o-o-o-

"Hey, Eiri!" Shuichi stopped the tired novelist while he was locking up his room, "Didn't have a good weekend, did you?"

"It shows that much?" He asked with a blunt "yes" as an answer. He sighed and continued on his way. Shuichi followed like a golden retriever.

"You know, I tried calling you a few times, but you never answered. You got out of the bar in such a hurry I just assumed something was wrong." He said in a tone of concern.

'A few times? A FEW? I must have 12 messages on my answering machine! Giving you my phone number was the worst mistake I've ever made in my life.' Eiri held his tongue and decided to say nothing. He was not exactly the nicest person when he was tired. Not only that, but he couldn't help but feel there was something else bothering him.

"…" After receiving no response, Shuichi sighed and looked down at the ground. Eiri felt bad for making Shuichi so sad, but he was really not in the mood for friendly chatting.

"I have to get going," he said in a flat tone, "I've got a meeting with my editor. Sorry." In reality, there was no meeting. But it was a convenient excuse, and the "grading papers" reason was worn out.

"Oh…okay!" Shuichi perked up a bit. A small smile that never really seemed to fade adorned his round face. Working on a story, eh? Well, I'm sure it's going to be great!"

"Yeah. Bye." Eiri walked faster away from Shuichi and away from the anger in his gut that appeared every time he thought about the young man.

-o-o-o-o-

"Is something wrong, Eiri?" A quiet voice sounded. Said person lifted his head to find Shuichi staring at him with his large black eyes. 'Why are you here?' Eiri stared back before sighing. He quietly murmured "no" and put his head back on the desk. "Oh, my bad," said Shuichi in a sarcastic tone, "I was just a little bit confused by your rude tone and sullen disposition. Sorry."

'Just give him a break…' He said in himself. He looked up again. "Tough love speech, huh?" He faintly smiled, and it seemed to make Shuichi happier than he ever remembered seeing him. It was nice, though. Shuichi had an awful way of making people feel guilty when he was sad.

"You deserve it, Mr. High-and Mighty! What bug crawled up your butt these last few days, anyway?" Shuichi asked with a mothering tone.

"…I don't know." Eiri said, and it was true; it was as much a mystery to him as anyone else.

"Okay. Well, Kyo would really like to see you again. You hardly even got a chance to talk on Friday. Would you be okay with possibly coming over to my house? He'll be there tonight." This topic made Eiri uncomfortable. He honestly didn't want to go, but the pleading look in his co-worker's eyes made him think twice before stupidly consenting.

"Sure, I'll come."

-o-o-o-o-

It was about 7:00 pm by Shindou Shuichi's clock when the phone rang. Kyo was in the kitchen finishing up the cooking Shuichi couldn't do, and said person was setting up the table for three. Smiling happily at his boyfriend, Shuichi bounded over and picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Shuichi." A familiar voice said from the other end of the line.

"Oh, Eiri! Hi! Where are you? We're almost done here. Are you on your way?" He said happily and went back to setting the table. Kyo looked up at the mention of Eiri's name only to return his focus back to making the dinner.

"I…well, I'm afraid that I'm unable to make it…tonight." Eiri finished quietly. Shuichi's hands froze in mid-action and his smile instantly dropped.

"Why not?" Kyo looked up again when he heard the sour tone in his lover's voice. Like everyone else, he knew it did not fit Shuichi at all, and therefore took the dish off the stove and walked to his side.

"Mizuki…my editor…wants five chapters of my book done tonight. I'm very sorry."

"…Um, okay. Work hard!" He couldn't feign the distress in his voice.

"Okay." Was the short reply. After that, nothing but the long, tedious beep telling him Eiri had hung up. Shuichi walked over to the table and set the phone back on the receiver. He plopped on the couch and Kyo followed.

"What's wrong Shu?" He asked the younger man.

"He's not coming. He needs to finish chapters for his novel." Shuichi said sadly, his large eyes plagued with disappointment and worry. "You know…he's been upset lately. Maybe something's wrong."

"Shu…" Kyo said with a laugh. He leaned over and kissed the smaller man's neck, who blushed. "I'm sure he's just busy. He is a popular novelist."

"I guess so."

"It still amazes me that THE Ueseugi Eiri teaches at your school. Why would he?" Kyo pondered out loud.

"He told me that he's searching for inspiration. And apparently he knows Seguchi-sama, the principal." Shuichi said. Kyo nodded, and leaned back into the couch. Shuichi's brow was furrowed with concern, and Kyo looked over with a smile.

"Well, Shuichi, I'm sure he'll find it. But…as long as he's not coming…" he moved in closer to his boyfriend, closing in on Shuichi's lips, "I'm sure I can keep you satisfied."

Shuichi's face turned red. "Is that so?" He asked quietly, moving to meet the intended kiss, only to be interrupted by the loud ring of a cell phone.

"Damn it." Kyo cursed before picking up the phone. Looking at the caller ID, he flipped it open and spoke in his slightly accented English. "What do you need, Charlie?"

-o-o-o-o-

The empty Microsoft Word screen was mocking him. Again. Eiri stared at it, willing his story to write itself, but much to his dismay no words appeared magically before his eyes. He pulled out a cigarette and placed it between his lips before lighting up and sighing heavily. He exhaled a cloud of smoke from his mouth, which swirled around his weary eyes. He blinked. Still no words.

A loud knock woke him from his fatigued state, and his eyes narrowed. Looking over at the clock, it was only 8:15 pm, but it seemed much later. 'Why would anyone he here anyway? If this is Tatsuha again searching for a place to crash, I swear…' But it wasn't his brother. Exiting his study and opening the front door found him staring at the only person in the world he wanted to see less than Tatsuha.

"Peace offering?" Shuichi asked, smiling warily and holding up two beers. Eiri stared at him with a blank expression.

"Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be with your boyfriend?" Eiri didn't intend to sound so rude, but he was tired and agitated.

Shuichi looked at him sadly before lowering his arms. "He got called away on business. He had to make an immediate flight to America. He's manages a band who's on tour there, and apparently the drummer was hospitalized earlier this afternoon." Eiri continued to stare. Shuichi looked him in the eye. "Can I just come in please?" Admitting defeat, Eiri stepped aside. Shuichi walked in and plopped himself on the couch as though he visited often, when in reality he had only been there once.

"You've got a lot of nerve talking to a celebrity like that." The amused blonde said. Shuichi fixed him with a look that said he didn't give a shit, so Eiri dropped the cocky attitude. He sat down next to his friend on the navy blue couch who shoved the beer in front of his face. He took it and continued to watch Shuichi, who was staring at the ground. "So…what do you want? I told you, I have work to do."

"…" Shuichi didn't answer. He just continued to stare at the wood-paneled floor. He looked like he was trying to say something, but the words were just not strong enough to pry open his lips. They just sat on his tongue, waiting for him to gain the courage to speak.

"I don't have time for the silent game. Either you speak up or…"

"Are you mad at me?" He asked quietly, almost inaudibly. Eiri stopped and stared at him. The younger male looked up. His eyes were large and dark, drawing Eiri in with their overflowing emotion. They just stared at each other. Eiri opened his mouth, only to close it again. Shuichi took a chance and spoke up. "I'm…No, I should have…but I told you why, right? Well, I can understand…I mean you have every right…I guess I just hoped we could remain...friends…" he stopped when he realized his words made no sense, and swallowed. He tried again. "You're angry because I didn't tell you about Kyo, right?"

Eiri contemplated this. That could be why he had been so angry the past few days, but even still he couldn't help but feel this was not what was bothering him. But, whatever it was, he shouldn't be taking it out on Shuichi, the only real friend he's had in years. He smiled at this realization; Shuichi however had once again taken to looking at the floorboards.

"Hm." The novelist said softly. Shuichi looked up and was shocked to see Eiri with a happy expression. He had missed it. "How many drinks did you have before you came over here? You're babbling like an alcoholic. I'll tell you what, it's late and I don't feel like being responsible for the DUI you're sure to get, so you can crash on my couch tonight, okay?" Shuichi looked at his friend. 'Is he forgiving me?' Eiri's smile was pretty and genuine, so the raven-haired man could not help but turn up the corners of his mouth, too.

"Thank you."

-o-o-o-o-

Goodness, what awful writing. If I ever get myself out of this shame spiral and decide to write another story, I promise not to make it so damn bad.