3. Song.

T: For warnings see previous chapter and I'm sad to inform you that, no, I do not own anything you see here other than Arai and the baggage that comes with him!

Chitose: Such an enthused review! Thank you so very much! There's a little more on Tat's 'gift' in this chapter but I'm afraid it's not going to play the hugest of roles in the story proper! Glad you like the Tat's angst, especially as it was the one thing I was sure would receive a poor reception!! As to the other matter…that relationship will, indeed, appear in the fic so you've something to look forward to! (Thanks for the cookies!!)

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Soft yet hard, melodic yet discordant, soothing and yet somehow so very jarring, the music seems to be one large contradiction. This does not, however, make the thing painful to listen to but rather raises it high above any piece of music that he has heard before this day.

"What do you think?" Ryuichi enquires as he hands the CD player back into the singers care.

"It's amazing, truly a work of art. What's it for?"

"That doesn't matter. Do you think you could suggest a sound and a feeling of the lyrics?"

"That's your job, isn't it?"

"True and if it were any other piece of music I'd do it in a heartbeat…this particular piece, however, has proved a bit of an Achilles heal." Smiling in an oddly vulnerable manner the singer passes him a lavish notebook and a bunny coated pen. He stairs at the objects a moment, unsure as to his next step and then, deciding to follow his gut instinct for the first time in years, he begins to write.

He as such for the longest of whiles, the unique edge of the melody playing in his head and guiding him in the construction of both a set of intricate lyrics and a musical pattern for those lyrics to flow along.

"It's probably a little rough and you're free to alter things about." He remarks as he passes both the notebook and the pen back into the singers care.

Ryuichi flips his way through the notes and then, completely without warning, he begins to sing. The pure talent that is Ryuichi's voice raises the rough edge of his lyrics into something amazing and spreads warmth through his heart that can only be pride, warmth that only intensifies as the singer says,

"You've caught something with those words that I never could, a vulnerability that adds a bittersweet edge to the tune that's perfect!" The other smiles and, pulling a hand through his fringe, he says, "You'd make a good living as a lyricist and, with a musical ear like yours, I'm certain you'd soon gather a large client base."

"Did pops put you up to this?"

"Pops?" The confused look on the others face is adorable and, stifling a snicker, he responds,

"It's what I call Arai, mainly because he's been like a second father to me."

"He's an incredibly warm person, isn't he?"

"How did you two meet, anyway?"

There is a brief flicker of something, uncomfortable, behind the other's eyes and then he says,

"We met through a mutual acquaintance,"

"You're as mysterious as he is."

"Maybe we've rubbed off on one another." The singer remarks, winking playfully before he pushes the conversation in another direction.

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The moment that he arrives back from the hospital Shuichi is there at his side, an out of character seriousness marring his expression.

"You want to spend time with Yuki, don't you, Tatsuha?"

"Of course I do, but I thought with his deadline so close he wouldn't want me interfering."

"That's precisely what he wants, but he's too proud to admit that fact."

"I take it he's been niggling at you for the past few days,"

"That's right! He's also been smoking like a chimney and drinking a little more than can be healthy."

"One of these days his pride's going to kill him."

"Not if I can help it," The other remarks before he slinks back into the living room. He lingers in the hall a moment afterwards, mentally preparing himself, then he crosses over the threshold of his brother's study.

Eri is sat before his computer, his fingers resting on the keyboard and his eyes focused on some unknown middle distance. Smiling a little to himself he kneels himself down at the other's right side and remarks,

"If I'd known you care about me that much I'd have moved in years ago."

"You shouldn't listen to a word that brat says."

"So you say." He tilts his head then in order to better see Eri's expression and, content that he is, for the moment, still in safe waters he says, "The invite was a little unexpected, Aniki and, if I'd known that you'd get upset I wouldn't have accepted."

"You came here primarily to fix matters between you, Tatsuha and I understand that that means you shall be spending a great deal of your time away from the apartment."

"That understanding doesn't mean that you aren't hurt by that fact though, or by the fact that I'm looking up to him in a way that I used to look up to you, isn't that right?"

"You've become a little too perceptive of late."

"It's more that you've started opening up again." Detecting something unsavory in his tone Eri ruffles his hair in what, he supposes, is meant to be a comforting manner and says,

"You're not who you used to be."

"I grew up."

"A little too quickly for my liking, but that would be father's influence, wouldn't it?"

"He's not pressuring me into anything, Aniki."

"Nor is he letting you simply come to your own conclusions."

"Probably because he understands that I'll never come to my own choices…that I'm frightened of planning my life much past tomorrow." Without thought he sets a hand against his chest and, his back tensing, Eri enquires,

"Is there something you need to tell me?"

"Not yet." He takes a gentle hold of his brother's hand then and says, "I'll be fine, Aniki, don't you worry!"

For a moment he believes Eri will push, that he will be forced to again voice the fearful reality of what his future might hold and then, the tension dissipating from his form as though it has never been there, his brother enquires,

"Do you still enjoy ice-skating?"

"Of course, why else would I risk father's wrath by blading across the koi pond when it's frozen!"

"Then get the brat of his backside, we're going to go for a spin."

"I love you Aniki!" He remarks, hugging the other tightly before bouncing off to secure Shuichi, all thoughts of the future lost in a purely childish glee.

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T: Next chapter tomorrow avo. Till then why not review?