It feels wrong to write without putting something here...anywayz...
Closing Time
by Moonlit Eyes
Chapter One
Feeling The Same Way by Norah Jones
"And I'm feeling the same way all over again
Feeling the same way all over again
Singing the same lines all over again
No matter how much I pretend"
Taichi was in a very bad mood. He hadn't been this mad since his last birthday when Hikari's friend, Daisuke, got in a 'mock fight' with some blond kid and ended up breaking Taichi's TV...during the World Cup! Though how they had done so with a plastic fork, Taichi will never know.
But that's beside the point, and the point is that Taichi was in a very bad mood.
It all started this morning. He did the usual Friday thing and got up early to spend the first few hours of the afternoon (and that was so early) to whine at Sora, one out of three of his roommates, about how he didn't want to go to work when it was such a nice day out. She then would have replied with the usual, "if you got up earlier, you'd be able to enjoy the nice day. Besides 'day' will almost be over when you get to work, right?" He would have grumbled about how girls just didn't get 'it' and then watched television for a while, but today just didn't feel like being normal.
"Oh, I know why you don't want to go to work," Koushiro said before Sora could make her usual comment. That had gotten Taichi's attention. "Ishida is singing there tonight, right?" That was it. That one question was the first nail on that beautiful July day's coffin. Ishida, as in Yamato Ishida, was possibly the only person on Earth who Taichi just could not stand. The only person Taichi went out his way to make sure everyone knew what a jerk he thought the guy was. Needless to say, they spent most of middle school and high school trying to 'get even,' though not many people understood what the two felt made them uneven.
"WHAT?" Taichi had screamed before nearly falling off the couch to lean towards his friend. He had to have been lying. There was no way that guy was corrupting his workspace.
"Um... yeah, your boss has been advertising it." Koushiro hadn't looked so comfortable by that time.
"Oh no, uh uhn, no way!" Taichi then pulled out his cell phone and preceded to call Sonya to confirm that Koushiro was learning how to make bad jokes. She ended up saying the same thing that Koushiro did...
"What do you mean I was there when he announced it!" Taichi dramatically waved his arms in the air. 'He' was none other than his boss, Yoshiyuki Itou. A man that once he decided something was going to be a certain way, it'd better be that way or else.
"I mean, you were at the meeting when they said that Ishida would be performing at the bar. When I tried to talk to you about it, you just did that thing you do when you're not really paying attention. I just figured you were trying to forget about it," Taichi could practically feel her shrug over the phone.
"Yeah, well..." Taichi sputtered for a couple of seconds before coming up with something to say, "I don't like it so there!" Yeah, play it like the 21 year-old you are, Yagami. He growled before sliding to the floor by the television. "And I won't be nice to the bastard either."
"Okay, I guess I'll be the youngest worker there after Mr. Itou fires you for fist fighting the entertainment. Can I have your apron, by the way? I don't like the frills on the female version I got."
"Oh great Sonya, thanks for the support. Means a lot," Taichi said sarcastically.
"No prob! I am here to please after all. See ya at work!" He said goodbye to her as well, then hung up. Using every ounce of his 'kicked puppy' performance, he sat across from Sora and Koushiro while making sure to keep eye contact with at least one of them at all times.
"What do you expect us to do, Tai?" Sora answered moodily. "The way you were yelling at Sonya it's obvious that it's your own fault that you're being surprised."
"Sora's right, Taichi. You really should pay attention during staff meetings," Koushiro added. "It might be extremely critical information that you miss one day if you don't."
"Geez, some friends you are. You're suppose to console me in this time of great despair." The brunette played the part of wounded friend.
"Ooh, big words, Tai!" Sora teased. Taichi glared back.
"Where's Mimi? She'll be sympathetic," he mumbled while resting his chin on the kitchen table.
"What? You really want to chance her trying to cheer you up with a friendly shopping trip?" Koushiro said a little horrified, though Taichi was sure he was expressing the same feelings. They learned very quickly that any type of shopping was to be done very far, far away from Mimi Tachikawa.
"Ugh, you're right. Almost forgot. Americans are scary." Taichi sighed and slumped into his chair. Then sat up as if remembering something. "I could call Hikari! She's my little sister, she--"
"--is at school." Sora pointed out.
"Pfft, how inconsiderate!" Taichi huffed.
"Yeah, those high schoolers these days. Who do they think they are? Trying to get educations and what not." Sora added sarcastically causing Koushiro to chuckle and Taichi to glare.
"Funny, very funny."
---
"Where is it! It's here, I know it is!" A certain musician yelled while throwing apart everything in his closet. His lucky blue button down shirt was missing, the very same one he wore whenever he felt like he needed it. It was like his security blanket... only lucky.
"What's here?" Yamato spun around and saw the source of the voice.
"Takeru! Do you know where my blue shirt it?"
"Your security blanket? Why do you need it?" Takeru smirked at his brother's glare.
"It's not my security blanket, don't call it that!" Yamato growled out before noticing they weren't alone. "Hey, who's the girl?"
'The girl' giggled, "I'm Hikari, silly."
"Oh?" Yamato looked closer. "Sorry, it's been a while. You've grown up a little and I guess it's hard to tell without you wearing that camera like usual."
"It's in my school bag." She held up said school bag, the brothers looked at each other amused.
"So, you're still coping with being that jerk's brother? Or have you finally seen the light? You know, what's his face." Yamato went back to searching.
"Quite acting like you don't obsess about him, bro. His name is Taichi." Takeru answered since Hikari only shook her head.
"Yeah, yeah," Yamato mumble half heartedly.
"It's been years since high school and still both of you can't let it go." Hikari sighed.
"It has been going on since that jerk nearly destroyed my harmonica at summer camp." Yamato snapped.
"You were eleven, let it go!" Takeru said exasperated, throwing up his arms. "Besides don't you have better things to think about right now? Like your thing tonight?"
"That's why I'm looking for my shirt! Besides, you're right."
"I am?"
"Yeah, I have better things to think about than arrogant jocks like...like that guy." Yamato's voice could be heard making a few curses and calling Hikari's brother a couple of unfriendly names, but most of it was muffled since he was now deeper into the cave of wonders, a.k.a. Yamato Ishida's closet.
"I give up!" Takeru shared a look with Hikari. If they got along so well for so long, why couldn't their siblings? "Anyway, I have to go meet my other friends somewhere. I just stopped by to tell you that mom invited you for dinner Tuesday." Yamato stuck out an arm and waved. "And that your shirt is underneath your mattress." Takeru and Hikari left without waiting for a reply.
"What?" Yamato looked behind him but they were gone. "I looked there already." He walked over to his bed and lifted the mattress to find his prize. "How the hell did he know that?" Deciding that thinking about how his younger brother's knack for knowing these things was just going to give him a headache (the boy was in high school after all, and who knows how those kids think these days) Yamato put on his shirt and decided to rehearse his choice of songs for that night.
His songs were all new. Nothing that he sang with The Teenage Wolves. It wouldn't feel right without his band there with him, and, since that was as likely as Santa showing up on his doorstep this fine July day, the older songs were now all retired.
"Okay, time to tune my baby up," he smiled as he sat down and picked up his acoustic guitar, Penny Lane. The feeling that washed over him as he went through the usual motions of getting himself ready for a show was one that he hadn't realized how much he missed till now.
Maybe he should thank Takeru later for making him do this again?
---
Taichi ran into the kitchen while trying to button his vest and tuck in his shirt at the same time. "Hey, Mimi, thanks for making me a snack." He gave her a half hug before stepping back and doing the third and last button. "Do I look okay?"
"You're looking great, as usual," Mimi said before shaking her head dramatically. "Will you ever be on time!"
"Hey! I'm always on time," Taichi stood up straight, "I'm just never early is all."
"Yeah, yeah." Mimi laughed. "It's a good thing I live here. If I weren't then not only would you never remember the time, but you'd be forced to eat Sora's cooking and we all know how that would turn out."
"Yeah, she'd burn it because she would be too busy yelling at me," Taichi laughed. "Don't worry, Mimi, just one bite of your cooking and I'm way too grateful you moved in with us."
"Oh stop it, you two! You both talk like newlyweds." Sora walked into the kitchen.
"Sora? What are you doing here? I thought you were working at your mom's flower shop today." Taichi straightened his cuffs and looked in the mirror. Black slacks showing no sign of not being ironed today? Check. Black vest on straight? Check. White collar dress shirt not bunched up funny in places? Check. Hair good? Check. Black tie on just right enough to not piss off boss? Check.
"Wrong question, Taichi." He looked over questioningly at his amused friend.
"What?"
"You're supposed to ask about the time so I could watch you freak out," Sora shook her disapprovingly as Taichi looked at the clock and cried out in surprise.
"Shit, I'm late!" Taichi cursed and went over to the door. Grabbing his jacket and slipping on his shoes in record time and a second later you would have missed him slamming the door if you blinked.
"Geez, that guy. I keep trying to tell him that television programs are a bad way to tell time, but he'll never learn. I don't even know why he insists on not using a clock like a normal person," Sora complained while shaking her head. She looked up at Mimi with a frustrated look and smiled. "So, what's for dinner?"
---
"Alright, you have a good half hour before you start. Everything is set up so just meek me by the stage ten minutes before you start. So hang around. Just don't get drunk, I won't let you even touch the stage if you're loaded, got me?" Mr. Itou said in his usual 'I'm a nice guy just don't mess with me' attitude.
"Yeah, I got you." Yamato replied.
"Good, now go on. I have a call to make." The older man smiled and opened his office door to let Yamato out. Yamato just nodded before stepping out and heading to the bar.
"So, what'll it be?" The light blond at the bar asked. He looked her over for a second before recognizing her.
"Hey, you went to school with me, right? Sonya, from Russia."
"Got it in one." She smiled. "So what to drink, Ishida?"
"How much for a cola?" His hand hovered over his wallet before Yamato realized she was shaking her head.
"For you? On the house, this time anyway." Yamato raised a brow at her answer but took the drink anyway. "Y'know, Ishida? I always wanted to ask but was your mom or dad a foreigner or something? I mean don't get me wrong, but dirty blond hair and blue eyes aren't really the usual for the locals here, right?"
"Yeah, my dad was in the military and came to Japan on duty. He met my mom while she was working at the local ramen shop and they fell in love. Thus me and my also blond, blue eyed brother." He answered smoothly while taking a drink from his soda.
"Really?" She leaned forward interested.
"No, but it's more intriguing than the truth." Yamato shrugged. Sonya laughed. He was about to say something more when he caught something that shocked him behind her. "Oh no," he managed out and before she could investigate a voice called out to her.
"Sorry about leaving you like that, Sonya. I didn't mean to take that long but I kinda got held back." Taichi Yagami said cheerfully, not noticing just who is was Sonya was talking to. He walked around her and finished tying his long apron around his waist. "So who are you--well damn."
"What the hell are you doing here?" Yamato forced himself not to yell.
"I work here. What's your excuse?" Taichi grounded out through clenched teeth. Yamato's eyes traveled up to Taichi's hair and noticed that while still large enough to stand out, it was definitely shorter than how it was worn in school.
"So what? Does your hair shrink with age or something? Does that mean you'll be bald by thirty?" The singer said casually. Taichi looked ready to start something more physical.
"Why you..."
"My life is over!" Said a new guy as he sat down a few barstools to Yamato's right. Taichi and Sonya shared a knowing look, Yamato's comment suddenly forgotten. Yamato himself was feeling a little annoyed that the brunette could just brush him off like that.
"So, Tomo, it's been a week. What can I get for you this fine day?" Taichi leaned on the counter with one arm and flashed a bright smile at the late twenty something, possibly thirty, costumer. Tomo blanched at Taichi's comment.
"Fine day? Fine day? What's so fine about it? My beautiful Himeko broke up with me!" The man moaned and rested his chin dejectedly in his palm.
"Three Acid Cookies it is then!" Taichi went about preparing the shots before setting them on the counter and leaning forward again. "So, how'd it happen?"
"She found," one shot down, "a better," second shot down, "man she says," and there went the last one.
"Whoa, man! Hold the fire." Taichi indicted the now empty shot glasses before getting a better look at the guy. "This wasn't your first stop, was it?" Tomo shook his head. "It's not even eight and your already at your second stop?"
"Yeah, well, I was gonna stay at the first place but you're nicer than that other guy. Plus there's supposed to be good music tonight, yeah?"
"Well there's going to be music, alright. I'm not so sure about the quality though." Taichi took a second to glare at the musician who just rolled his eyes and acted like it didn't bother him. The truth was far different inside the blond's head.
'Stupid, smart ass.'
"Anyway, why don't we get you a nice drink now?" Taichi turned his attention back to his customer. "Something fun that says what this occasion should."
"And what should it be saying, huh?" Tomo asked timidly.
"That you're a free man now! You can go after that girl you've like for so long before Himeko. The one at the video shop by your apartment." Taichi said while putting together the drink for his costumer.
"Oh her," Tomo moaned again. "She thinks I'm a creep cause I returned a porn for my friend but she thought it was mine."
"Well, fix things. Talk to her. Get the story straight." Taichi turned to Sonya, taking another second to glare at Yamato while doing so. "Hand me the Orange Juice, Sonya." She handed it to him and he turned back to Tomo. "Well? Are you gonna?"
"I want to, but how? How do you just go up to a girl and do that?" He said desperately. Yamato snorted.
"You're asked him for girl advice? You'll most likely end up with a slap in the face than a kiss." Yamato waited for the reaction. He was so sure Taichi would get defensive and shoot some remark back. It'd been three years since their last meeting but he could just tell their animosity wasn't over with, therefore he was so prepared for any attack. He wasn't, however, prepared for what was shot at him.
"I hate to agree with dumb blond there, but he does have a point. You should ask Sonya about that. I broke free of the girl thing years ago." Taichi avoided looking at the stunned Yamato, though he was tempted to see to the blond 'put in his place' for once.
"What? Or that's right. You're that way." Tomo said before leaning forward. "You don't like me do you?"
"Why does every straight guy think that every gay guy wants him?" Taichi asked an amused Sonya as he finished gently stirring the mystery drink in the hurricane glass. He pushed it forward. "And to answer your question, I'm sorry Tomo but you ain't for me."
"It's okay. I understand. What's this here anyway?" Taichi's costumer cautiously picked up the glass and inspected it.
"That, my friend, is what you call a Blue Monkey." Taichi said proudly before walking off in the other direction.
"He's gay?" Yamato finally asked Sonya. She just smirked then nodded.
"Not what you expect?" He shook his head. "Well maybe you both don't know a lot about each other then. Maybe you both should learn a little more then maybe this stupid schoolyard fight will be done with." Sonya said as a-matter-of-factly before nodding towards the stage. "Love to talk more, but I think it's about time you went up there to see boss before he comes looking for you."
Yamato looked at the stage before thanking Sonya for the drink and leaving to meet Mr. Itou. It was about show time.
--
To Yamato, this was beauty at its best. He'd forgotten what it was like to sit in front of a crowd with his eyes closed and singing his own words out to them. He'd forgotten what it was like to strum his guitar under a pale spotlight. He'd forgotten what it was like to just feel this good when others excepted his art in the form of words written from dreams and heartache. He'd forgotten what it was to be Yamato Ishida the musician and not Yamato Ishida the bitter worker at a minimum wage job.
He'd make sure to keep this feeling always.
--
To Taichi, this was a siren's voice. It was wonderful, and as he stood there drying out newly washed cups he couldn't help but think Yamato was wonderful. He just looked so into the song. Like he was the only one up there. Like this was the blonde's only form of true happiness and he wasn't ashamed to share it. It made Taichi want to see him happy like this always.
But he knew the truth. The second that stuck up bastard stopped singing it'd be like the soccer ball incident from summer camp. Yamato would pop Taichi's illusion of him instantly, just like the jerk popped his soccer ball in summer camp over something stupid. Taichi couldn't remember what it was he supposedly broke that year. Something like a pen or something small and dumb like that.
The last song ended on a fading chord and the audience clapped politely. Taichi sighed. Hopefully jerk face would get up and get out quickly now that the only good thing about him was over. Taichi had restrained himself earlier, but his patience had never been very long standing and just the sight of him made Taichi want punch his smug little face. The image made Taichi smile.
"What? Dreaming about an old high school crush?" Sonya teased next to him. He growled at her.
"Shut up, that's a gross lie." He turned to her. "And stop fiddling with your skirt, it's to the knee therefore long enough."
"Quiet you, You've never worn a skirt, so what do you know? And shorts don't count since you can do things like ride bikes without worrying about giving some pervy a show." Sonya smiled. "Besides we're off the topic. Don't you think it's rather nice to have such a view on Fridays and Saturdays this month?"
"Thank god it's only for this long. He'll be on his way home soon and I won't have to see him for the rest of the night." Taichi smiled for a second at the thought before the look on Sonya's face made him frown. "What?"
"You really need to pay attention during meetings...actually you just need to pay attention in general."
"What are you talking about?" He felt his heart drop a little.
"Since when has our entertainment only been half an hour each night? Every performance we've had played off and on till 12:30 on Fridays and 1:30 on Saturdays. You know that." Sonya almost laughed out loud at Taichi's expression. "So don't worry, you'll be able to stare at him a little longer tonight."
"Oh no, you're kidding." Taichi said weakly before realizing it was true. "Oh man, I was really hoping. Why'd you go and burst my bubble like that? It's not nice."
"Whoever said I was nice?" She smirked.
"I did! I think you're the best!" A man a little ways down from them exclaimed. Sonya smiled at him.
"Still can't handle your shots, Mr. Takahashi?" She said and wandered away down the bar to take care of some other barhoppers that were starting to make the rounds on the street.
"Hey, meathead, I'd like some service. That is what you get paid to do, right? Serving people?" Taichi growled and turned to see none other than Sonya's 'such a view' sitting down. Taichi just glared before turning to the other bartender working that night.
"Hey Kanaye! You got a someone who needs a drink. It's my break." Taichi flipped his towel over his shoulder before walking past Yamato. "Might wanna be careful. This one is a real creep."
"Watch it, Yagami." Yamato growled but Taichi was already in the backroom by then.
---
The rest of Friday was uneventful, as well as most of Saturday. They only got a few warnings from Mr. Itou about playing nice or paying for it in their checks. They didn't get into any all out brawls like they used to, and Sonya was really hoping that was because they matured past that. As for the people who ended watching their verbal spats that got a little worse each time, they didn't complain. Drink and a free show, they would tease, what more could you want when going out to the bar?
It wasn't until after Obsidian's closing time on Saturday that things started getting a little more interesting…
"Alright! Clean up and I'll be able to enjoy a night at home tomorrow!" Taichi said, stretching out his limps as the last of the patrons left. Sonya agreed.
"That's right, we're done for tonight after we finish cleaning up." She smiled and tossed a cleaning rag at him while Taichi grabbed a cleaner from the supply closet. The other two employees who worked with them grabbed the brooms.
"Just don't be lazy about cleaning. I want to go home just as much as you, but I don't want to leave this place in questionable conditions." Mr. Itou said while taking care of the money for that night. Taichi was going to say something before he noticed Yamato rolling his eyes.
"You've got something to say, pretty boy?" He said menacingly, still staying behind the bar with the cleaner in his hand. He really tried not to move too much around the other. For some reason he was scared that Yamato would see his limp and say something scathing about it. Three years and Taichi was still sensitive about his injury. The fact that he was walking even the doctors said wouldn't ever again not seeming as anything much more than a weakness to Taichi. Almost as if he felt like it was some sort of failure or something.
"Just that you not being lazy shocks me for some reason." Yamato said smoothly while finish putting away Penny Lane in her case.
"You better watch it, Ishida." Taichi leaned forward while flexing his hands. He was itching to put them around the other's throat.
"Or what? Are you going to resort to violence as usual? Something bothers you and the only thing a dumb jock like you can think of to do is hit it till it doesn't bother you anymore?" Yamato stood up to his full height, only faintly aware that the people around them had stopped and held their breath. Anyone that knew Taichi was fully aware that he didn't take well to being reminded that he wasn't really a 'jock' anymore.
"Listen you stuck up freak, you better just shut the hell up if you know what's good for you!" Taichi looked almost ready to attempt leaping the bar.
"Don't call me a stuck up freak you insensitive gorilla!"
"Insensitive gorilla? Is that the best you can come up with, dickhead!"
"Why you--"
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Mr. Itou roared. The room stood still for what seemed like an eternity before Taichi spoke up.
"Boss, I--"
"Don't even, just don't even try. I don't want to hear it." Mr. Itou looked at them both critically for a second before speaking up again. "I know you both don't like each other very much. You've made that very much clear in a very short time. But just because you're young don't mean you've got to act stupid. Either get over yourselves or stay away from each other. I don't see how to young men like you, who get along with everyone else just fine, can act so damn childish around each other." The older man looked pointedly at both guilty parties for a second more. Shaking his head and turning back to his work, he let them have his final word on the matter, "now finish up and go home without another word from either of you."
They both looked down before continuing what they were doing. Taichi went back to cleaning the bar and Yamato closed the lock on his guitar case so he could be out of there quickly.
They both felt major headaches coming on. Get along? Yeah right. A night wasn't going to take away ten years worth of animosity. They both knew that this was going to one long July.
TBC
Wow...this was kinda fun to write! and long too...I want all my chapters to be this long! yay! I think that the hardest part about writing this fic is going to be finding songs that go with what I want to happen...oh well, more fun for me! review please?