a/n: Hi guys! I have relabeled the previous chapter as Part 1, and this as Part 2 of Sands of time. I felt that Morinaga's hometown is the place where his past, present and future should meet and have a reconciliation. Hope you agree with me, and forgive my edits! Again, please enjoy.

Chapter 10: Sands of time (Part 2)

xxx Souichi xxx

"Ahh…ahh—hnn…! Kuni—uhnn!"

Soft creaks from the adjacent room sounded rhythmically, matching the tics in Souichi's brow as he lay in the darkness listening, against his will, to the very distinct sounds of lovemaking between Morinaga's brother and ex- lover.

"Goddamnit…!" The baby had kept him up all night and now, he had to contend with hearing things that he had absolutely no desire to know about! His baka kouhai was, on the other hand, sleeping soundly against his shoulder. Souichi glared at Morinaga's peaceful countenance. It was damn unfair that he could get a good night's sleep when Souichi was barely getting any!

"Yes—yes—oh Kami—uhnn—uhnn—hnn—ahh!"

Souichi shut his eyes in frustration. That voice had sounded like Masaki Junya's…a sudden image of Kunihiro hulking over Masaki popped into his mind as a particularly loud exclamation travelled across the wall. No way, no way—he did not want to imagine those two going at it! Wait—did he also make those embarrassing sounds when he and Morinaga were doing… it? With a jolt, Souichi felt his face flame up as the primal grunts next door became louder and more urgent.

"Unn-unn-unn—haah-haahhh!"

A blanket of silence rolled over with the last, and loudest, cry. Panting slightly, Souichi cursed inwardly. His treacherous body was remembering the waves of pleasure as it lay beneath Morinaga's, thighs lifted and spread as he was thrust into once, twice, three times—

Morinaga stirred slightly and Souichi immediately stilled. He did not want the man to see him in this state! The sheets rustled as his kouhai snuggled closer to him and began to snore softly. Souichi breathed out slowly as Morinaga's leg came perilously close to his erection, throbbing as the heat from the sleeping man's body reached him. Damn it to hell—why the heck did he go and remember such—such embarrassing things?! It was definitely Morinaga's fault; Souichi glowered at the criminal in question again. How the hell was he going to sleep now?!

Unable to extract himself from Morinaga's embrace to go to the bathroom, Souichi cursed again. Damnit, there was no way he could do it right here! Morinaga would surely awaken—Souichi's face reddened at the thought. The man would definitely tease him, and then proceed to do even more embarrassing things to him! Stuck in this ridiculous quandary, the best thing that he could do was to turn away from Morinaga and try to distract himself.

With Morinaga now hugging his back, Souichi turned his thoughts determinedly towards other directions, trying to ignore the almost unbearable urge to take hold of his arousal and service himself. Urghh, they should have just stayed at the hotel! However, despite his ire, Souichi knew that coming here to Kunihiro's apartment had been the right decision. Even if Morinaga and he were to stay in separate rooms at the hotel, the fact that he was so visibly pregnant might also induce gossip. Souichi did not want Morinaga or his family members to be distressed any further with such mindless but still hurtful rumours.

Yet, that Masaki Junya just had to be present as well. Souichi had been more worked up than he had cared to be. Morinaga had melded fluidly into conversation with Masaki, chatting and laughing easily as though he had not just had the biggest fight with his parents. The fact that the root of the problem had been Masaki's suicide attempt had not seemed to gel in Morinaga's mind. That had aggravated Souichi to no end and he had spent the evening ignoring Morinaga and glaring daggers at that pretty, soft- spoken man that his kouhai had been overly attached to. Damnit, they had already broken up; what was with the affectionate gestures and smiles?

But, not that he was jealous, mind you. It was just…Souichi had not expected the same level of closeness that the two men still exhibited with each other. Ever since the confrontation with Morinaga's ex- lover, his kouhai had not contacted Masaki, at least to Souichi's knowledge…His countenance darkened—Morinaga had said something about Masaki visiting him at the hospital. When had that been? Why did Morinaga not tell him about it until now? Was it a lie that his brother had gotten together with Masaki?

No, no. The cringe- worthy sounds of ecstasy just a few moments ago was proof that Morinaga had not lied to him. That was good. Recalling the fight with the Morinaga elders earlier, and the way they had to conduct themselves properly in this small town, Souichi still felt pissed. Masaki had used Morinaga and then left him to fend for the both of them alone. Regardless of what his kouhai had said in defence of the other man, Souichi still could not condone such an act of cowardice. The hell—treating Morinaga like some hiding hole that he could make use of every time things did not go his way; it was almost despicable.

The angry thoughts distracted him magnificently. Souichi felt the pressure in his groin begin to lessen at last and he groaned in relief. Jeez, he had only been just that little worried about Masaki's and Morinaga's familiarity—he did not need to hear that man and Kunihiro going at it all night long to put his mind at ease!

And yet…Souichi glanced at the hand draped over his womb and cautiously threaded his fingers between Morinaga's. He was slightly shocked at the way the man's hand curled automatically around his. Had they held hands so often that even in sleep, that baka could do it instinctively? It seemed that their bodies were more attuned to each other's than Souichi had feared. Damnit—it was definitely all Morinaga's fault!

Squeezing the man's hand harder than he had meant to, Souichi closed his eyes and shut all the frustrations away. He was going to sleep, and no amount of goading could stop him from it!

Early in the morning, Souichi scuffled out of the guest bedroom and cleaned up before heading to the kitchen. The delicious smell of food cooking already permeated the air. As he had expected, Morinaga was puttering around in the small area, an apron around his body as he tasted the soup bubbling on the stove.

Souichi crankily pulled out a chair and slid on to it, careful not to bump his belly against the edge of the table. He had not gotten much sleep after all—the events of the night swirled around in his head and he swore, casting daggers at the back of the chirpy and obviously well- rested Morinaga.

"Oh, Sempai, you are up early! Ohayou—did you get a good rest? Ah, you shouldn't drink coffee; I'll get you some milk!"

"Don't bother. Urgh…" A headache was splitting his brain and Souichi massaged his temples irritably. For some reason, he felt restless, more so when Morinaga came closer to him and touched his forehead in concern. Souichi jerked away from his hand, taken aback by the electric jolt that zinged through his body at that minute contact. "W-what are you doing!"

"Ehh, Sempai, you look a little pale, so I was checking if you had a fever…you don't want me to touch you?"

Morinaga's dejected expression pulled at Souichi's heart. His kouhai retracted his hand and silently went over to the refrigerator. There was a clink of glass and a glugging as he poured some milk for Souichi. Seconds later, a tall glass was set in front of him. Souichi noted the way Morinaga lingered by his side but he was mortified. His body had reacted so strongly to that man's proximity! Finding it hard to look Morinaga in the eye, Souichi picked up the glass of milk and downed it hastily.

"…Sempai? Are you angry with me?"

There was a rustle as Morinaga knelt down to see Souichi at eye level. Those green eyes shone out beseechingly and Souichi gulped. It was really unfair—that expression he made always, always caused these weird feelings to jump out and—Souichi had to turn away quickly before he did something strange, like, caress Morinaga's face.

"…I knew that you didn't want to see Masaki- san but yet, I still forced you to stay over at Nii- san's place. I can swear that there's nothing going on between Masaki- san and I! So, don't be angry…please, Sempai?"

Souichi jolted, nearly spilling the milk as his kouhai lay his head on his lap. Over the curve of his belly, he could just see the ends of Morinaga's hair but the rest of his face was hidden. Damnit—why was he so…Ruffling the man's hair softly, Souichi waited until Morinaga's surprised and happy face popped up again before he bonked him soundly on the head. "Who said that you forced me to stay here? I know that if we had stayed at the hotel, stupid people would start to make stupid speculations about us! Jeez…"

"Then, about Masaki- san? It's just—you were glaring at him all the time yesterday and ignored me whenever I tried to talk to you…I was seriously only treating him as a friend. You are the only one I love, Sempai."

Morinaga was still hanging onto his lap as he gazed at Souichi. His earnest confession hummed in the air, making Souichi feel like the pettiest man on earth. "…You seemed really happy when you were with him. Idiot, he was the reason behind the fight with your parents yesterday! Don't you have any self- protecting instincts; why didn't you tell the truth to them?"

"I didn't want to stir up old troubles again. Masaki- san and Nii- san are so happy now; if our parents were to know about them, who knows if they wouldn't disown Nii- san too? I don't want the things that happened to me to be piled on them too, especially since they are still living here.

"Sempai, I'm very happy that you are thinking of me but really, I have thought it out. I have tried to talk to my parents; introduced you and the baby to them. As their son, I have done all that I could do in this situation. However, it—it didn't turn out like I had hoped it would…" Morinaga paused, his hands clenching the material of Souichi's trousers. "But it's all right—the past is the past. There's nothing that I can do to change it. All I can do now is to focus on our future; if I could protect it by protecting all of you then, nothing else matters as much—!"

With all that, what could Souichi say? Forceful and willful though he could be, Morinaga was ultimately someone who could not bear hurting others, regardless of himself. Really, his lover was the silliest man on earth…this time, Souichi did not push Morinaga away when he slid closer and wrapped his arms around him.

"I love you, Sempai. When I left this place long ago, I was so afraid that I would never find somebody whom I could love again. It was like everything was ripped out of me—my heart, my soul, all of my emotions. There was nothing left inside…I thought to myself—would there ever be another person whom I could love to that extent again? At that time, it felt like there would never be somebody like that for me…

"But I did find that someone. And he's the most violent, the prickliest person whom I have ever known. But he's really a softie beneath his armour of thorns—" Morinaga's arms tightened, his voice becoming more muffled. "I met a man who scolds me but wipes my tears when I cry; a man who glares at me but punches my enemies; and a man who says he hates homosexuals but proposed to me—that man is you, Sempai.

"Even when you pushed me away, even when you hit me or scolded me, everything felt so…intense; it was so hot that you unfroze my heart. You are my incendium, Sempai. The fire that keeps me alive."

"…What kind of mushy things are you sprouting so early in the morning…!" Utterly defeated, Souichi returned the embrace, feeling his heart leap as Morinaga's words washed through him. This man—he had risked getting burnt to be closer to him, disregarding all the barriers that Souichi put up until he touched his deepest core. A flame's center is the hottest but Morinaga had effortlessly taken him a hold. He was the flame cradled in Morinaga's hands.

"Ohayou, minna-san—oh, oh. Sorry, I seemed to be disturbing…" With an embarrassed cough, Kunihiro, his hair still mussed and chin sprinkled with stubble, hastily retreated from the kitchen.

"Ah, shit—wait, Morinaga- san!"

Breakfast was an embarrassing affair for the two couples. However, with the good food and Morinaga's efforts to make the conversation flow, it did not become too awkward. Afterwards, Souichi had been shooed to the living room. Morinaga had insisted that Souichi not lift a finger for the housework, quoting that he did not want their baby's father to be exhausted. What an idiot!

Nonetheless, Souichi still ended up in the living room and he sat down gratefully on the couch. Carrying around a baby so close to term was trying for his body. Besides the heartburn and backaches, his calves also ached even with minimum exertion. To add to that, their little girl seemed energetic even after a night of football in his womb. Stroking his belly to soothe her, Souichi spoke in soft tones. It was a morning ritual that he had started not long ago. At thirty- five weeks, their baby's hearing had developed sufficiently to hear voices and sounds outside of the womb.

"Sorry to intrude." The tall and slender figure of Masaki Junya stepped into the living room, holding a cup of coffee. There was a little pause before the man sat down with Souichi at the only couch, keeping a respectful distance.

There was silence as Masaki sipped at his coffee and Souichi continued to soothe the baby. The fact that it was Morinaga's ex- lover sitting beside him was unbelievably irritating. Souichi glanced obliquely at the man. The air of fragility that Souichi had observed the last time was still there and, with those soft, well- coiffed hair and manicured fingers, Souichi was not surprised that the Morinaga brothers were so hung up on him.

Damnit…the restlessness within him finally exploded and he asked Masaki bluntly, "When did you meet up with Morinaga?"

"Hmm?" Surprised, Masaki set down his coffee cup and glanced at Souichi. "Ahh that would be a few months ago. The both of you were hospitalized because of the lab accident that time." Looking slightly taken aback at Souichi's mutinous expression, Masaki continued to explain. "Erm, we wanted to visit you too but Tetsuhiro said not to…I think he didn't want us to disturb your rest.

"Anyway, I have yet to congratulate you on your pregnancy. It's really a miracle; I hadn't believed it until I saw it for myself. However, it's good news nonetheless! I wish for a safe birth and a healthy baby."

Angry with his own outburst and irrationally pissed at Masaki's calm attitude, Souichi accepted the well- wishes with a stiff nod. So Morinaga had not contacted Masaki of his own accord, after all. Appeased somewhat but still annoyed, he lapsed into silence as Masaki did the same. The other man seemed to be mulling over many things as well.

Masaki fidgeted with the handle of the cup for a long time before he finally looked up at Souichi. "Tatsumi- san, I'm glad to see that you accompanied Tetsuhiro to see his parents. It was something that I…did not do at that time. I was not good for Tetsuhiro, and I guess you know the reason why." As he spoke, regret coloured his tone. Souichi frowned slightly but did not interrupt. "I know that I'm not qualified to say this but I'm really glad that you have accepted Tetsuhiro's feelings. He's happy now, happier than when he was with me."

"Tch…Masaki, why are you so concerned about Morinaga? Don't you think it's a bit too late for regrets? Do you know how much he had to endure for your secret?" The lid on the can of worms burst open as Souichi glared squarely at Masaki. "You took him for granted and made use of his feelings! But that baka still views you as an important person! Have you even apologized to him? Don't talk about his happiness as though it's yours to give!"

"…Tatsumi- san…" Masaki was agape for a moment but soon, a rueful smile replaced his shock. "You are right—I have been too unfair to Tetsuhiro; always just thinking of myself…to think about his feelings to this extent, you must really love him, Tatsumi- san—"

"Sempai, what happened? I heard you shouting—!" Morinaga burst into the living room and the two men immediately stopped talking. Glancing in confusion at Souichi's dark expression and Masaki's glad one, the tall man hesitantly made his way to Souichi's side. "Sempai, Masaki- san—what were the two of you talking about?"

Despite himself, Souichi could not help the little twinge of satisfaction as Morinaga nodded to Masaki but settled by his side. However, the knowing smile on that bastard's face diminished the glow significantly. Damnit, what was with that guy, making him feel as though all of his thoughts were transparent…! Crossing his arms, Souichi's voice came out in clipped tones. "Morinaga's here now, Masaki. If you do sincerely care for him, then you should know what to do next."

"Ehh? Sempai, what are you going on about? Why does Masaki- san have to do something—?" Beside him, Morinaga was perplexed, his doe eyes widened in incomprehension. "Is it something to do with me-?"

"Tatsumi- san, it seems that you still don't express your feelings honestly enough. I won't say that I would take Tetsuhiro away again-" At Morinaga's gasp and Souichi's growl, Masaki smiled fully, seeming to enjoy himself. "However, if you find it so difficult to tell him, I would do so for you! Come, Tetsuhiro."

"Masaki- san, where are you taking me!"

"Wh—ah, damn that bastard!" Seething, Souichi cursed loudly as Masaki suddenly stood up and dragged the perplexed Morinaga to the next room. The door slammed loudly. Shit, what was that man intending to do to Morinaga! Souichi heaved himself up and walked as quickly as he could to the closed bedroom door. Soft voices could be heard within and he paused, hesitating.

The last time Masaki had been alone with Morinaga, he had not chased after them until it was almost too late. Souichi remembered the hours out in the cold night, the desperation lending him speed as he searched the whole neighbourhood for his kouhai. Then there had been the agonised speculations when Morinaga had not returned home. Had he spent the night with Masaki? What had they done? Would Morinaga never come back to his side?

Sometimes, Souichi really hated himself for being so cowardly. He had gone at Masaki, accusing him of being selfish and heartless. Yet, Souichi himself had not been honest with his feelings. This unsettled, angry emotion that he had been feeling since yesterday was unmistakably jealousy but Souichi had desperately refused to admit it. He had been afraid; afraid of Morinaga finding out, afraid that he himself would discover just how deep his feelings ran...

Shit, his cowardice was almost too much for him to bear-! Without preamble, Souichi swung the door wide open. The scene took him by surprise. Morinaga and Masaki were standing only a few feet apart and there was a very peculiar expression on his kouhai's face. Souichi's eyes narrowed, his heart clenching. That bastard already had Kunihiro-! "You-!"

"Sempai, sempai, sempai!" With a cry, Morinaga was suddenly all over him, his long arms crushing him to the younger man's chest.

Rendered immobile by shock, Souichi could only glare heatedly as his nemesis glided over. Masaki had a small smirk on his face as he patted Morinaga softly on the back. "Take care, Tetsuhiro." Before Souichi could even process the contact, or the enthusiastic hug from Morinaga, Masaki Junya had stepped out of the room.

The door shut and the two of them were suddenly left alone. "What the hell, Morinaga—? You are suffocating me like this! What did that Masaki say to you just now?" Souichi tried to push free of the man's tight embrace but Morinaga would have none of it.

"I knew that you loved me, Sempai! But hearing about it from another person—this feeling, this feeling is indescribable! You are the best!"

"Huhh-? Morinaga, you are not even answering my question! What did that man say to you?!" However, the younger man had already been washed away by his own joy. From his excited gibberish, Souichi heard just enough to get the gist. That high- handed bastard—! Wait, did he even apologise to Morinaga?

"Sempai, I can't wait any longer—!"

Souichi was suddenly scooped up and he realized the meaning of Morinaga's words as the two of them landed on the bed. "No—baka, it's bright daylight, and we need to get back to Nagoya! No, stop—!"

His cries fell on deaf ears. That morning, Souichi's pent- up frustration from the night before was satisfied to death.

To be continued.

a/n: so did Masaki apologise to Tetsuhiro in the end? What do you think? :p