Broken Files

Chapter Seven

His eyes slowly opened as he shifted a bit. Dark violet eyes stared around at the dull environment. The back of the driver's seat was plain and uninteresting. He blinked at it for a moment before moving his eyes down remembering that he was lying down in the back of a car. His legs cramped and his knees popped as he sat up slowly rubbing at the back of his head. Sleeping curled up in the back of a taxi hadn't turned into such a great idea after all. He had a headache… He wasn't going to do something stupid like this again.

"Nn…" He let out a whining/moaning sound as his body continued to rebuke him for his mistake. "…Try not to do that again…" He mumbled to himself as he turned his vision to the window beside him. The beach…He hadn't seen it in so long.

"Are you talking to yourself back there, idiot?" He turned his head slightly as his eyes met those piercing cat like orbs.

He blinked more as though he hadn't registered the insult yet. It wasn't true, though. He was still in a half awake like state. He was so happy…Happy seeing Yuki. That was right. Yuki hadn't abandoned him after all. As pathetic as he felt he felt like he needed the blond. He hadn't known Yuki long at all, but there was something about him. Maybe it was the fact that no one in his entire life had done something for him like that; done what though?!

A sigh and Yuki was turning around in the front seat to stare bored at the road ahead. Shuichi frowned trying to think of something witty to throw at the blond.

"I wasn't talking to myself! I…My head hurts!" Wow…Good one. "Where are we going, Yuki?"

"I thought we already talked about this." Eiri sighed with an annoyed tone in his voice. What the hell?! What was Yuki being irritated at him for? "Okay…Look, considering that you have had a shitty time so far, I thought it might be nice if we went on a little vacation." 'A shitty time so far'? Why did that remind him of something a husband might say to a wife after a failed attempt after a date? He nearly giggled to himself keeping the laughter to himself.

"So…We're going to the beach for a day or two?" Shuichi tried to confirm blinking up at the back of the blonde's head.

Another annoyed sigh, "Yes."

"Hm…" He hummed as he looked back at the window. There was just one thing that was bothering him at the moment. He had never bothered to even think about what it was Yuki did or where he lived. He glanced from the window again to Yuki. Actually… He didn't know anything about him except for his name and his age. An absent minded hand slowly covered his lips. How could he not…? He shook his head. No, it was silly to actually worry about it. He hadn't known Yuki for that long. It was normal that he wouldn't know that much. Yet at the same time, the way his heart fluttered around the male it felt wrong that he should know so little. It was his fault though. Yuki wasn't talkative and if he wanted answers then he would have to ask such pressing questions. There was something alluring about the mystery that Yuki was wrapped in. Shuichi wanted to unwrap the blond and dig out all of his secrets.

Maybe he should really sit down with himself and figure himself out before he decided over Yuki. He'd never felt this way towards anyone and the way he felt was that he couldn't survive without Yuki. Around the blond he felt needy and clingy. He always wanted to be close to the other male. Not even for some of his past girlfriends had he felt this way. Was Shuichi really gay? He didn't think he was, but being in love with a male was contradictory to being "straight". After what had happened with Taki even he should be further away from the idea of being gay and yet, he wasn't.

"Ah…Yuki, thank you. I haven't gone to the beach in a long time. I…I'm excited." He tried to offer gratitude, but only received a strange look from the other. "I just wanted to say thank you."

"Obviously…"

He ran out ahead of Yuki toward the water. It was nearly perfect. The sun was setting. Before he got too far, though, he stopped as he pulled off both his shoes and socks and threw them behind him, leaving Yuki to pick up after him. Rapidly he ran forward loving the feel of the warm sand against the soles of his feet. He couldn't help but grin from ear to ear. He felt like a kid all over again and he loved the way he felt. He stopped short of the dark water and glanced back at the blond with his grin.

Yuki stood at the edge of the beach staring out at the water and then to Shuichi. The younger male waved up at him.

"Come on, Yuki! I'm lonely and bored down here! Try to have some fun! It'll make me feel better!" He beckoned the stoic male down to him.

Surprisingly the male complied and started to walk towards him. Shuichi's smile softened to that of a content look that seemed to leave his face glowing. When he was standing beside Shuichi he continued to stare out at the water and watched the sun as it slowly dimmed, leaving vibrant fall color painted across the sky. It was a beautiful scene and being there with Yuki at that moment was sort of romantic…

"It's so nice, isn't it, Yuki?" He followed the male's orbs out to the ocean.

"Shuichi…"

"Hm…?" The male blinked at his name. He still wasn't used to hearing his name come form the male's lips.

"I wanted to talk to you about what you told me back at the hospital and I wanted to say…I'm sorry…"

"Oh, Yuki, you don't have to apologize. Really! I'm alright. I'll be just—"

The growl and glare left him startled and he blinked rapidly as Yuki stepped closer to him, leaving him to move back. Yuki picked his pace up slightly and grabbed the other's small wrist in his hand.

"Shuichi! It is not alright! What that fucking asshole did to you was not alright! You are not fine!" He was practically yelling straight into his face. He cowered a bit. "I'll fucking kill him for what he did to you! I will! I should have before, but all I wanted to do back there was protect you!"

"Y-Yuki…" His voice shook a bit.

The blonds enraged face suddenly changed. With his hand still holding the wrist in a good grip he pulled it forward a bit, making Shuichi trip and forcing him into a tight hug. Pressed against Yuki's chest he couldn't help but lean into the contact. It felt nice, even if he was a bit scared. His arms wrapped around Yuki's back and clung to him tightly.

"Yuki…" He spoke barely in a whisper

He hadn't known that Yuki was so upset about it. He had nearly forgotten that he had told the blond in fact. The reaction left him trembling a bit. He was scared, but it also left proof that Yuki cared for him. He had silently worried if perhaps Yuki didn't care at all, but hearing all those things leave his lips left him no room to wonder any longer. It didn't matter if the blond ever denied it; Shuichi knew that Yuki cared for him, even if only just a bit. Shuichi suddenly didn't feel so lonely anymore. He felt like if he had Yuki with him then the past wouldn't matter to him anymore. Instead of blocking out the horrible event he could put it behind him without it building up and coming back to haunt him later.

"Yuki…I-I'm sorry…"

"Shh…" Was all he heard from Yuki's lips.

Silence seemed to curtain the scene as neither moved as though they were trapped by time or invisible chains. The air became heavy from anxiety and the tenseness that Shuichi could feel as well as Eiri. Moments passed that seemed like years as Shuichi stood still and quiet in the other man's arms. The arms were so warm and comforting. Shuichi could hear the other's heartbeat and the pace was steady. It was so much different than his. His heart was pounding harshly in his chest. Moving back he found that Yuki's hands held onto his arms. It seemed that Yuki refused to let him go which was just fine with him.

"Yuki…I didn't know. I had no idea you felt that way…I…I didn't think you cared that much about what happened to me. If I had known…I wouldn't have told you….I don't like people worrying over me…You did, didn't you? I'm sorry…I was so insensitive…I guess I don't really know how to read people…I just…I didn't want you to know! I feel stupid and weak and….I just don't know…Anyway I…"

Yuki seemed to be staring down at him quite intently and it made Shuichi pause. Something about the look on the other man's face seemed so soft and understanding that Shuichi felt like crying. To have someone really seem to care for him made Shuichi so happy. The blond before him seemed to move closer and his face draw nearer. Shuichi's heart raced faster than he thought possible in his chest and he felt his cheeks begin to burn. He was frozen. He didn't move as the male before him became so close that they were only an inch away and their noses brushed against one another.

"It's alright…I'm the one who's sorry…I…" The dark voice whispered so close to his lips that he could feel the hot breath hit the rose-colored lips. His body felt heavy and he felt as though he could just fall right into the other.

Slowly his eyes fell shut as he waited expectedly for lips to hit lips in a passionate and deep kiss, but stiff moments passed before Shuichi felt a pat on his shoulder. His eyes fluttered open as he stared confused at the back that was Yuki's. He looked down disappointed. Who was he kidding? Yuki, gay? It wasn't possible. It was obvious the male was straight. Yuki only thought of him as a friend. That was all. Shuichi needed to learn to accept that. Something bothered him, though. It had seemed like Yuki was going to kiss him! He had been so close! It was too close to be normal! But, Shuichi continued to convince himself that he had been imagining things and that he let a day dream get out of hand.

"Come on. The hotel is just down this way." Yuki waved his hand as he picked up a large bag and the pair of shoes that belonged to Shuichi.

"You got a reservation at a hotel on the beach?" Shuichi couldn't help, but think how romantic it sounded.

"Yeah…" The blond shrugged as though it weren't a big deal.

"Thank you, Yuki." A small smile covered his lips. Despite a disappointing crush, he couldn't help but feel happy in that moment.

The air began to cool down as they walked along the beach. They passed many resort hotels and Shuichi waited excitedly for his companion to turn this way or that, but it seemed like hours before Yuki finally turned toward a large expensive looking hotel. It was tall and big.

On the inside it was luxurious and it seemed that only rich people could afford such a place and yet here was Eiri checking into the place. Shuichi couldn't complain. He'd never stayed in such a nice place before. When the taller male was given two electronic keys with the room number he snatched the envelope and keys from the other and ran towards the nearest elevator. With a scowl Yuki followed and waited by Shuichi.

Inside the room it seemed a whole house had been compacted into a hotel room. There was a kitchen, a living room and a bedroom. There was a balcony outside that had a beautiful view overlooking the ocean. It made Shuichi grin from ear to ear. Such a perfect setting.

"Well…Do you like it…?" It almost seemed to Shuichi that the voice nearly held some concern, but glancing back he was disappointed by an uninterested look around the room.

"Yeaaaahhh. It's so nice. Heh. Yuki…?"

"What?" The blond crossed his vision back to the male.

"What…Do you think of me?" He looked down quickly, feeling his cheeks flare up. Though, why he was getting embarrassed over such a question was a bit silly.

"What do I think of you?" The blond blinked over at him.

"Yeah. Just answer the question, okay??" He must have sounded like a freak for Yuki to sound like THAT. He rubbed at his arm and fidgeted, turning his attention back to the world below.

"Well…I think you're an annoying brat…" Just as Shuichi had figured. He mentally sighed before turning and smiling at the taller male. He nodded and moved to the bedroom.

"Thanks. That's all I wanted to know." He waved a hand at the male and opened the door. The bed was a large king size with elegant bedding and Shuichi stared. "Wow!" He managed out of his excitement. He jumped onto the bed, bouncing a bit. It felt comfy on contact. He glanced around the royal looking room ecstatic as ever. It was all very perfect. If this was the end to his fairytale story, than it was a happy one. As he continued looking around he found himself pausing. "Ah…Yuki…" He called out to the blond.

The male appeared in the doorway. "Hm?"

"There's only one bed…Right?"

"Yeah. So?"

"So…What are we going to do?" Share a bed?? He thought all too eagerly. And perhaps Yuki had read his mind.

"Nah…I'll just sleep out here. The couch is really a pull out bed." And Shuichi was disappointed by these words. Hadn't it been clear that Shuichi did NOT want to be alone? Shuichi had never really cuddled in bed before, but it sounded appealing as he sat his butt down on the surface, looking away from Yuki.

"Right." He gave a small nod, not looking up. "I'm…Hungry."

The food had been exceptional. They'd found a lovely little seaside café. The people were friendly, the atmosphere was calming and instead of playing music, the only background noise was from the sea. It was so natural and comforting that Shuichi even fell asleep just as their dessert arrived. Yuki silently scolded the male as he picked him up from his slumped over position and somehow managed to juggle a white to go box in his hands. He found the brat heavier than he looked and the task of carrying him all the way back to the hotel troublesome.

He found that Shuichi snored loudly and talked a lot in his sleep. Yuki ignored the strange stares they received as he walked along, the sun completely gone from the sky by this point. A small chill set in and the blond found he was relieved that Shuichi wasn't awake to whine and complain the whole way there.

Yuki thought the bubbly pink-haired boy was the most annoying person he'd ever met. The fact that he went out of is way to help the little twerp was the real puzzle. It'd been years since the cold-hearted blond had offered a helping hand to anyone. This career of his caused him to be reserved and personal relationships were awkward. Who could accept him for what he did? He didn't need anyone in his life and yet…He found himself drawn to a person that drove him crazy. The mere fact that he had felt protective over Shuichi frightened him a bit. Was he going soft?

He shifted the boy in his arms a bit as he drew nearer to the hotel. Soon he could put the heavy lunk in his bed and get some rest. He'd had a hard time sleeping since his job, but lately it had gotten worse. He'd never felt guilty about what he did before, but something was nagging him and he wasn't quite sure what it was.

After a long and slow walk to the hotel and a trip up through the elevator he finally managed to get into the room and finally into the grand bedroom. He didn't mind sleeping on the pullout couch. That alone was better than what he usually slept on. It amazed him how far out he was going for a person he hardly knew at all.

He pulled the covers back and comfortably set Shuichi down. He pulled the covers up over the male's shoulders; his hand brushing against what he found was incredibly soft skin. He'd had plenty of female lovers in the past, but none had ever had such nice skin as his. He was mesmerized by this and found his hand moving down across the pale skin. Shuichi was warm too.

"Mmn…Yuki…" He retracted his hand quickly in surprise. Shuichi shifted a bit, his wrist falling off the bed. Yuki sighed and glanced down at his hand. He slowly shook his head and turned around closing the door behind him quietly.

"I must be crazy…"

-End

OMG. I'm finally finished! How long did this take me? Forever. I did the first half fairly quickly and then I was stumped. I didn't know where to go, but today I finally finished it! I'm sorry it kind of sucks and zero things happened, but I promise in the next few chapters it'll get more exciting! Oh! I'd love to hear guesses about what kind of job Yuki has~