This I Promise You

Sequel to: "My Heart Beats Like A Drum"

Building A Family series

Written by: Chochowilliams

Disclaimer: I do not own Gravitation or the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Summary: Could it be that Shuichi really is just paranoid or is there something about the new neighbor?

Warning: M/M, Sexual Situations, Romance, Drama, Angst, Fantasy, Infidelity, OOC-ness, Language, M-Preg, Masturbation, Anal, Oral, Minor Character Death, OCs, 1st person POV (Chapter 1), Japan Natives: surname first

Pairings: Shuichi/Eiri, Hiro/Ayaka, Hiro/Suguru, OMC/OFC

Insert: recap from Chapter 2, "Toki wo Koetai" by Nova Williams, flashback to "My Heart Beats Like A Drum"

A/N: Translated, "Toki wo Koetai" means "I want to spend my life that way" or "I want to transcend time". I have seen it both ways.

oOo

Last Time

Kai leaned back in the passenger seat and closed his eyes, letting the song lull him. He ignored his brother's grunts, growling and constant muttering and tried to block out the sound of his fingers drumming on the steering wheel.

Hearing Shuichi's voice hit a cord in the younger Shiro twin. Frowning, Kai opened his eyes and stared blankly out the front windshield. He felt as if he were forgetting something. There was something he was supposed to do, but for the life of him, he could not remember what. "Hey, Kei," Kai called slowly.

"What," his brother snapped.

"Did we remember to lock the door?"

Kei blinked. "What? Of course we did! What kind of stupid question is that?"

Kai ignored his comments. "Turn off the stove?"

"Didn't use it."

"What about-"

"Dammit, Kai!" Kei slapped the steering wheel. "Yes! Jesus fucking Christ! Everything's shut, locked and turned off! God, what the hell's with the paranoid act?"

Kai continued to stare out the window. "I don't know," he admitted. "It's just...I feel like we forgot something."

oOo

Chapter 3: Toki wo Koetai

Uesugi-Shindou Residence

Violet tinted jet eyes fluttered open. Blinking, Shuichi rubbed blurry, sleep filled eyes and yawned. He stretched and gave a sigh. Smiling, he turned towards the other side of the bed and noticed it was empty.

"Huh?"

Propping up on his elbows, Shuichi swung his legs over the side of the bed. When his feet hit the floor, his toes touched something odd. He glanced down and saw a piece of paper. Curious, he picked it up. Centered on the paper in plain font was some writing. Unable to read it in the dark, Shuichi reached out blindly for the table lamp. He blinked, momentarily blinded. When his eyes adjusted, he saw another note taped onto the alarm clock. The red numbers glowed through the sheet of paper.

Setting the note in his hand on the bed besides him, he lifted the paper off the clock.

"Shuichi," the note began, "You looked so peaceful, I didn't have the heart to wake you, so I called you in." Shuichi smiled tenderly at the note.

"Oh, Eiri."

Grinning like a madman, he giggled. The man really did love him! He hugged the note against his chest. Still feeling elated, Shuichi pushed a hand against the mattress. Crinkling had him looking down at the bed and a sheet of paper. Picking it up, he noticed some writing. As his eyes scanned it, tears filled his eyes.

With a gentle voice whispering, Suki dayo (1),

Those jet eyes gaze down at me.

Eternally will he be my koibito (2).

Never again will I be karano (3).

You fill completely.

With a gentle voice whispering, Suki dayo,

A shudder passes through my body. Oh!

How I wish I were that flea!

Eternally will he be my koibito.

If I could, I'd trap you within my inro (4)

Never to flee from me.

With a gentle voice whispering, Suki dayo.

With a smile, I whisper back, Ohayo (5),

And we lose ourselves in the rocking sea.

Eternally will he be my koibito

From you I never want to hear, Mata kondo (6).

Instead, tell me tenderly,

With a gentle voice whispering, Suki dayo.

Eternally will he be my koibito.

With a smile on his face, Shuichi felt tears flowing down his cheeks.

He knew that as a writer, Eiri found it, ironically enough, difficult to express himself aloud, which was one of the reasons why he got into writing in the first place. Even though Eiri loved Shuichi more than anything, he found it difficult to say those three little words, but Shuichi did not mind because he understood. Besides, Eiri showed it in dozens of ways each day. It was in the way Eiri looked at him when he thought Shuichi was not looking, the ways his eyes followed Shuichi around the house. Eiri expressed his love by his constant support. He said, "I love you" when he could walk down the street holding Shuichi's hand, or had an arm draped around his shoulders or wrapped around his waist when the two of them were in public. He said it when he allowed Shuichi to cling to him and when he stood by his side through every new scandal the press could sling their way. It was shown when they fell asleep in one another's arms each night and woke up besides each other every morning. Eiri loved him. He always had and would forever. That much Shuichi was sure of. Three simple words did not matter. Anyone could say them. That did not mean that they meant it or even knew what they meant.

Shuichi giggled gaily as he hugged the love poem to his chest. Flipping onto his back, he kicked his feet wildly in the air. Sighing, he flopped back onto the bed. He felt totally spent suddenly. Still smiling, he placed a hand over his belly that was just beginning to swell.

Pushing off the bed and settling into a sitting position, Shuichi's smile faded. He stared down at his hand that was massaging small circles over his belly. E iri may love Shuichi, but will Eiri still love Shuichi after he learned the awful secret that has been kept from him for the past ten years? Will Eiri accept Shuichi and the child they had created together? Tears burned behind Shuichi's violet eyes. He brushed them away impatiently and suppressed the tightness in his chest. He cleared his throat of a curious constrictiveness.

His mother sighed as she too picked up a cookie and bit into it. "I don't know what to tell you, Shuichi," she said. "It's up to you whether to tell him or not."

That was not what he had been expecting to hear. Disappointed, he slumped over the counter with a tired sigh.

"But I think it's best to be honest, honey."

With tears in his eyes, Shuichi picked himself up. "But, Mom, what if…?"

With a soft smile, Shindou-san reached out and ran a gentle hand through her son's hair. "If he dumps you then he really wasn't the one, was he?"

Today was as good as any. It was time to speak or forever hold his peace. So to speak.

Walking nude to the closet, Shuichi paused as he lifted a shoebox from the top shelf. He frowned. Eiri really wouldn't break up with him over something like this…would he? There was no way Eiri was so coldhearted or callous that he would dump a lover who was pregnant with his child…would he? Shuichi bit his lip as he set the shoebox on the bed and lifted the lid off. After all, it was not unheard off. There has been a lot of press lately about men doing just that. Dumping their current expectant lovers for someone new. Shuichi was not sure if he would be able to stand that. It really would be the end of his world.

Shuichi sat down on the edge of the bed and reread the love poem. A tiny smile fluttered across his face.

He pushed aside his melancholy. His mother was right. If Eiri would not accept Shuichi for who and what he was, than Eiri really was not the one. Though, Shuichi could not blame Eiri if the blond writer got mad. He would be angry as well if he learned that he had been kept in the dark about something this life changing. It would hurt. His life would come to a crashing halt if Eiri dumped him. But of course, this child, their child would still need him. But was a life worth living if the only thing worth living for was a child whose father despised the ground both mother and child walked on?

But Eiri loved him and Shuichi was certain that Eiri would still love him afterwards. He was also certain that Eiri would love the child they had created together. There was no doubt in his mind.

After a hug and a kiss, Shuichi set the poem inside the shoebox and replaced the lid. Returning the flimsy box to the closet, he noticed a black plastic dry cleaning bag hanging on the back of the door. Another note was taped to it. Curious, Shuichi yanked the note off the bag and unfolded it.

"'Don't ask any questions. Put these on and come to the living room.'"

Shuichi flipped the note over in confusion. The back was blank. What was that supposed to mean? Folding the note, he set it down on the dresser and stared at the black plastic bag, trying to figure out just what kind of game his boyfriend was playing. Taking the hanger off the hook, the singer laid it on the bed and stared at it again, trying to ascertain what Eiri could have left for him to put on.

His curiosity getting the better of him, Shuichi yanked the bag off and tossed it over his shoulder. He gasped as he stared down at the clothes. His hands flew to his mouth and his eyes grew wide. His vision blurred as his violet eyes filled with tears. He swore his heart stopped dead for several long seconds.

"Kami-sama," he whispered, his voice trembling as violently as the rest of him. "Kami-sama. This's gotta be a dream."

The first thing he saw was a strand of juju beads. This twenty-one bead strand was like a Catholic rosary but shorter and represented Buddha. Next, he saw the white under kimono that was hidden under the haori and tucked into the hakama. White tabi and a pair of zori were in a clear bag hanging from the hanger. The haori was a satiny smooth black silk jacket with a hand painted silk lining of a landscape. The short kimono coat had five little circular motifs woven into the cloth. The crests, he knew, represented the Shindou clan. The black hakama was made of a polyester/cotton blend. Shuichi knew monks wore very similar outfits. Eiri, Tatsuha and their father were monks, so he had seen them in their formal wear countless times, but this time it was different. This particular attire was not for conducting Buddhist ceremonies. No, this outfit was what Japanese grooms wore when they wanted a traditional Buddhist wedding.

At least he knew why Eiri had agreed to let Riku sleep over at his friend's house last night even though it had been a school night.

He ran a trembling hand over the soft, slick fabric of the haori. "Oh, Eiri," he whispered. He felt like he was dreaming. If he was, he did not want to wake up.

oOo

Eiri hated waiting. He was not a very patient person. It was made worse by the fact that he quit smoking years ago. For Shuichi though, he would wait a lifetime, several if he had to.

Even though it was in the middle of the school day, Riku insisted he be here for this. Because Riku was just as bad in his studies as Shuichi used to be when he was in school, Eiri did not want his son to miss school. The boy could not afford to stay home unless he was on his deathbed.

Riku has been bugging him for years, asking him when he planned to marry Shuichi so that they could be a "real family". He told Riku that same-sex marriages were not legal in Japan-not yet at least-and besides, Shuichi and he did not need to be married in order for the three of them to be a "real family"-whatever that was supposed to mean.

But in the end, Eiri gave in. Shuichi and he have been together for ten years now. He loved the baka more now than he did when they first got together. And even though it would not be recognized legally in the eyes of the law, being married to the love of his life was more than just some piece of paper, or vows and promises made to each other or a ring on their fingers. It was a symbolic joining.

It was thanks to Riku that this day was finally happening. Besides, they were his parents after all. It was only natural that he be a part of this joyous occasion. What would that say about them, if they kept their son from participating or even witnessing their marriage?

There was a noise behind them.

Riku glanced passed his father and up the stairs. He face was a mask of wonder. "Woh," he breathed.

Eiri turned around. The sight that met his eyes had his heart skipping a beat and had him trying to catch his breath. Standing at the head of the staircase in the five-crested haori and matching hakama, with his hair slicked back into a bun and the beads clutched in his hands was Shuichi. Woh was right.

Shuichi glanced briefly down at Eiri before looking away.

The romance writer smirked. Shuichi was so cute when he blushes. Eiri waited at the foot of the stairs as his boyfriend carefully walked down to him.

Shuichi looked at him, his face as warm as if the sun were in his face. The look on his lover's face was something he had never seen before. His eyes sparkled and smiled. His lips curled into a tender smile. His whole face was soft and had a glow about it, a look that had Shuichi's heart beating double time and butterflies fluttering in his stomach like a swarm of trapped wild birds. His palms were slick with sweat and his mouth was as parched as a desert in a drought.

"Shu-chan," Eiri managed to croak.

Shuichi blushed and had to look away; he was so nervous he felt nauseous. He noticed Riku standing slightly behind Eiri. The teen had a wide grin on his face. "Riku," he breathed.

"Mama."

Eiri stepped aside as Riku stepped forward.

Shuichi pulled his son into a hug.

"You look handsome, Mama."

"Yes, he does," Eiri agreed.

Blushing and feeling strangely shy all of a sudden, Shuichi pulled gently away from his son and gazed up at Eiri through his bangs. The writer was wearing an outfit similar to his. His haori was also made of black silk with an intricately brocaded silk satin lining. Unlike the grey-blue of Shuichi's, Eiri's silk lining was a gold color with an open paper hand fan with some illegible kanji, a temple in the countryside and a footbridge. Also like Shuichi's, the Uesugi clan crest had been woven into the fabric. It was worn over a black hakama, tabi and zori. Beads identical to the ones Shuichi was holding were clutched in Eiri's trembling hands.

Trembling?

Closer inspection told Shuichi that his lover looked just as nervous as he felt. He was swallowing and licking his lips constantly. His forehead, upper lip and palm were glistening with sweat. His chest rose and fell rapidly, his heart most likely beating a mile a minute. Just the thought of this usually calm and in-control man just as nervous as him, made Shuichi feel less so, ironically enough.

Taking a deep breath, Shuichi raised his head and held it high, staring at the other man with a tender smile and love shining in his eyes. "Eiri," he breathed.

In unison, both mean reached out and linked hands. The beds clinked together between their palms. Eiri raised their joined hands and brushed his lips against the back of his boyfriend's hand causing a pink tinge to blush his face.

"C'mon," Eiri whispered huskily. He had been waiting for this his entire life.

As giddy as a schoolgirl that his parents were finally getting married, Riku followed as Eiri led Shuichi across the Great Room towards the shrine.

The couple made their way toward the glass balcony doors, passing the coffee table overflowing with colorful bouquets of flowers. Their fragrant scent wafted up and enveloped them. Shuichi closed his eyes and breathed in the sweet aroma with a smile. When he opened his eyes, he gasped. Sitting in front of the wall of windows that lead out to the balcony was a shrine with a statue of Shakyamuni, Buddha's first incarnation. He was seated in the Lotus position on a double Lotus pedestal.

"The Lotus symbolizes purity, perfection and divine birth," Eiri's deep voice informed him, following his boyfriend's gaze to the altar.

Buddha's hands were held in the mudra of meditation. Surrounding the large image of the developer and teacher of what became known as Buddhism were candles, flowers and incense.

Shuichi felt a fine trembling all over his body and the nervousness returned a thousand-fold. Swallowing, his breathing quickened. He had to fight the urge to race back upstairs and lock himself in the bedroom.

Turning to his long time partner, Shuichi stared deeply into those golden hazel eyes he knew so well. "Eiri," he whispered. "Please tell me I'm dreaming; that this is some sort of joke."

This whole thing seemed so surreal. For the longest time, this was what Shuichi has wanted, to be tied forever to this "main man" in his life, the person forever and always number one on his heart chart. Now that dream was finally coming true. The last thing he wanted was to wake up and find out it was all a dream. He expected at any moment a camera crew to come bursting out from wherever it was they were hiding and shout, "Surprise! Just kidding!" That would be worse than anything else he had ever endured. No, if this was a dream, he did not want to ever wake up.

Understanding his baka all too well, Eiri smiled softly and cupped the singer's cheek with his free hand. "No, Shu-chan. It's not a dream and I'd never be so cruel as to joke around about something so sacred."

Tears blurred Shuichi's vision and rolled down his face. "Ai ni natte…" he whispered, his voice cracking. With a sob, he shifted and wiped futilely at the waterfall of tears streaming down his face. "I'm falling in love with you all over again," he cried.

The blond man smiled and brushed his lover's tears away with his thumb. "So am I." Leaning down, he lightly pressed their lips together, eliciting a tingle through their bodies.

Embarrassed by his parents blatant displays of affection, Riku shifted his eyes away as a rosy tint colored his cheeks. It was something he would never get used to no matter how many years passed. He guessed he should just be thankful that his parents were still together after all of this time unlike his friends' parents, but still, it did not matter whether they were in the privacy of their own home or in the middle of downtown Tokyo. Uesugi Eiri and Shindou Shuichi just could not keep their hands off each other.

Riku returned his attention to his parents as Eiri gently led Shuichi to the shrine.

It was actually nice to have a shrine in the house. Neither his father nor his mother was very devout people. It was not that they were atheists or even agnostic; they were in fact, pretty spiritual people. It was just that they both led very hectic lives. While he on the other hand went to the neighborhood shrine as often as he could. So, he was happy that there was a shrine here at the house. Maybe he could talk his parents into leaving it up after the ceremony.

Together, his parents knelt before the Buddha figure and clasped their hands together.

Eiri knew the readings and chants both he and his long time partner had to recite by heart but he was not to sure about his intended, so he did a search on line earlier and printed them out, just in case. The sheets of paper were lying on the floor in front of the shrine, but strangely enough, Shuichi did not use them. A s both men started reciting the Vandana, Tisarana and the Pancasila in loud clear voices, Eiri noticed that Shuichi kept his eyes glued to the statue of Buddha. He was curious how his lithe god came to know these particular chants.

He cast Riku a questioning glance over his shoulder, but his son just shrugged.

After the couple was finished delivering the chants, they stood up. Eiri produced his neglected lighter, which had been collecting dust in a draw in the kitchen ever since he quit smoking years ago, from the sleeve of his haori. Using one hand to hold back the long, billowing sleeve, he lit one of the candles. He replaced the lighter and using the lit candle, proceeded to light the remaining ones. The candle light flickered softly against the white marble statue. They then used the flames of the candles to light the incense. Soon, the living room was filled with the strong, sweet smell of the incense. It mingled with the fragrance of the flowers that carpeted the shrine.

Riku sneezed at the overpowering combination.

Eiri turned around.

This was Riku's cue. He stepped forward and picked up the bouquets of flowers from the coffee table, which he handed to his father. Then he proceeded to sneeze again.

Eiri chuckled lightly. He ruffled the boy's hair.

"Dad," Riku whined.

Still chuckling, Eiri in turn handed half of the flowers to Shuichi and together they offered them to Buddha. Then they turned towards one another.

Riku waited anxiously. This was it.

Eiri stared into Shuichi's eyes and grabbed hold of his small hands, holding them gently but firmly within his. Taking a deep breath, he prepared to bare his soul to the person who had captured his heart, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, until death do they part. Uesugi Eiri was ready to make this commitment. "Buddhists believe that all humans are imperfect and that people don't marry other people but instead choose to make a dual pledge to the greater Truth, which is perfect." Eiri lowered his head, gathering his thoughts. He could not believe that he remembered that. "You know me better than anyone, Shu-chan," he continued, staring deeply into the violet tinted eyes of his lover and soon to be husband. "I'm not the most devout Buddhist."

Shuichi snorted. That was an understatement.

Riku laughed, which he turned quickly into a cough when his father threw his a glare.

"Truth be told," Eiri continued, "it's not who I am. What I am, though, is completely, utterly and inexplicably in love with you. You infatuated me the moment our eyes locked over that drivel you called a love song."

Shuichi had to smile at that. Eiri had not actually believed his song was that bad, but the famous romance writer had a reputation to uphold. Such a cold-hearted bastard could not be seen having emotions after all.

"Right here, right now, I'm making a pledge, a solemn vow to love, honor, and respect and cherish you. I promise to be forever faithful, to always place your needs, wants, wishes and desires first. This, I promise you."

With the heel of his hand, Shuichi swiped at the tears that poured down his face. "You have me at a disadvantage, Eiri," he told the writer. "You've known and have been planning this for Kami-sama knows how long! So you were able to write the perfect marriage vows." He laughed, sniffing and again wiping his wet face. "I could always recite my 'expected undertakings'."

Eiri chuckled. "You could, but which part? Groom? Or-bride," he teased.

Pretending to be hurt, Shuichi pouted and playfully punched Eiri's arm. "Meanie!"

Riku laughed at his parents antics.

His face becoming neutral, the singer thought back over Eiri and his long and complicated relationship, remembering all the hurtles, hardships and narrow escapes they went through. He remembered seeing Eiri that night so long ago, thinking he was a foreigner who had lost his way. As the past ten years replayed in his head, he knew what he wanted to say. "'You are already a part of my continuing dreams'. 'I'm tangled up in something' that I can't explain."

Eiri recognized the lines from one of Bad Lucks songs. Seeing as most, if not all were written about their relationship, Eiri was not surprised that Shuichi would decide to include some of the lyrics with his marriage vows.

"All I've ever wanted was to be close to you. Ever since I saw you at the park that night, reading my lyrics, I was completely taken in by you. It was love at first sight; but I didn't realize it at the time. All I knew was that I could not get you out of my head! I wanted-no, had to see you! I'd become a junkie and you were my drug of choice. Just to be in the same room with you was more than enough. You were 'a temptation I certainly hadn't expected'. 'I always want to be with you'. 'I want to go falling in love with you; even a furious brake won't stop this, no matter who tries to stop me now. Since it gets stronger every time I hit and am hit by the borders of common sense. I'll climb over the wall and speed up, I can't stop lovin' you'. I won't stop lovin' you. This I promise you."

They stared into one another's eyes, seeing their past, their present and their future.

Smiling, Eiri squeezed Shuichi's hand and produced a small black velvet box from inside the sleeve of his haori. Opening it, he took out a gold ring and hid the box inside his kimono sleeve.

Eiri lifted Shuichi's trembling hand. Lifting his head, he watched entranced as a large tears slipped down his beloved's flushed face. A soft smile flitted across his lips. Locking their gaze together, he slipped the golden circle onto the slender finger. Without breaking their gazes locked together, Eiri raised Shuichi's hand and kissed the ring lightly. "Daisuki dayo," he whispered. "I love you so very much."

Shuichi raised his hand and gasped, his other hand covering his gaping mouth in shocked awe. With wide eyes, the singer stared at the ring on his finger. It was the most beautiful and exquisite piece of jewelry he had ever seen. Jewelers and sponsors had given him jewelry over the years for one thing or another, but this made everything he ever received look a little girl's collection of colored plastic.

"Oh, Eiri," he whispered with fresh tears rolling down his cheeks.

He glanced up at the writer then back down at the ring. He wiggled his spread fingers. The light streaming in through the glass balcony doors hit the ring and a prism of color danced before his eyes. The wide gold band had a sunken square section on the top in which sat nine .03-carat gems. The eight on the outside were black star black opals that reflected a mysterious brown star when held in the light. The ninth gem, in the center, was a dazzling Princess cut deep rich rose pink Sri Lanka spinal. As the streaming midmorning sun glanced off it, a stunning fire burst to life within it.

"It's beautiful, Eiri," he whispered.

Riku recognized the ring immediately. It was the ring his father showed him a while back when they were laying out the plans for the commitment ceremony.

Eiri sniffed. Half was due to the damned cold he woke up with this morning and the other fifty percent fingered the look on the smaller man's face.

With his little baka staring at him like that, he felt as if everything was right with the world. A weight he had forgotten was even there was lifted from his shoulders. He felt lighter and happier than he could remember being in a very long time. The tears that flowed down Shuichi's face made that look even more angelic. It made him even more beautiful. "This ring has been in my family for generations," he explained. "It originally belonged to my great grandfather who passed it on to his oldest son who did the same thing when his son became of age. My father gave it to me when I became a full fledged monk." He took Shuichi's hand and massaged it gently, staring at the play of light.

Shuichi blinked in surprise. He glanced from the ring to his husband…

Shuichi paused. Husband? He suddenly felt giddy. He could never fully understand what it meant to be 'on cloud nine', but he was filled with such a feeling of euphoria and rapture that it felt as if he had died and gone to Heaven. However, the fact that he and Eiri were bound together as close as any two people could get did not mean that the man had to give him a ring that has been in the Uesugi family for over a century. It was just too much. He shook his head. "Eiri, I can't accept this!"

Eiri's face fell.

"It's too much! It should-"

"-stay in the family," Eiri finished for him with a smirk. He exchanged a knowing look with Riku. Eiri pulled his new husband into the circle of his arms and hugged him tight. "Shu, Shu, Shu! You are my family. Don't you know that?" Pulling away so that he could stare into his vivacious violet eyes, Eiri smiled. "I love you more than anything in this world and I'll do whatever it takes to get you to stay by my side forever. I want to let the whole world know that you are mine, now and forever."

Riku felt tears prickle his eyes.

Shuichi had always heard that the eyes were the window into a person's soul. Everything was laid out in the open. There were no secrets. As he stared in those deep golden hazel eyes, Shuichi felt himself melting. The large, thickly muscled arms wrapped around him made things low in his body tighten. He wanted these arms around him always. This was the face he wanted to see whenever he turned around. This was the man he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. With a sob, he flung himself at his husband, hugging him tightly.

Eiri hugged him back and felt something hard jabbing into his side. "Shu-chan, baby. Is there something in your kimono or are you just happy to see me?" The last was said in a low, lust-filled voice.

Riku retched. Oh, God. Why was it that he had been cursed with these particular parents?

Shuichi blushed and stepped out of the warm, comforting arms of his husband. He suddenly felt cold without them, but knew that he would soon be back in them. Those large hands would be all over his body, probing, poking and thrusting. Shuichi shuddered violently and had to fight to keep himself from moaning at the images his thought produced. He reached inside his under kimono and grabbed a small velvet box. To Eiri he suddenly looked like Napoleon with his hand stuck under the haori like that. "Actually…I, um…"

"What?" Eiri prodded with a raised eyebrow.

Pulling his hand out, Shuichi laid it flat, revealing a black ring box similar to the one Eiri had kept Shuichi's wedding ring in. He avoided the man's curious and penetrating gaze.

Riku's eyes went wide. Was this the "surprise" that Shuichi said he was planning for Eiri for their anniversary?

"Shu? What…?"

"This weekend is our anniversary."

Eiri nodded slowly. "Yeah."

"It'll be ten years."

"I know," Eiri said, nodding slowly. "That's why I decided to organize this. I wanted this year to be special."

Shuichi nodded. "So did I," he whispered. He opened the ring box.

Eiri stared wide eyed at the contents of the small black box. "Shuichi…"

"I had it all planned out. I made reservations at this restaurant in Yokohama and then…"

"Then what?" Eiri prodded.

Once again, Shuichi's face grew warm as a hot blush spread across his entire body.

Eiri looked down at the ring again. Had Shuichi planned to ask for his hand in marriage? He could not hide the shocked expression on his face. "Oh, Shuichi."

Shuichi plucked the ring out of its box and gently handed the velvet container to Riku. He took Eiri's left hand and carefully slipped the gold ring onto what was known as the heart finger, the one finger that was said to have a vein that went all the way to the heart. He was not sure if the one shaking was he or Eiri. He was not sure if he cared.

Eiri lifted his hand and studied the ring. The wide band was made of gold with an inset 3 carat elongated oval Australia Tiger's Iron. It was a stunning rich, vivid chocolate brown black with blood red and metallic deep gold yellow veins. "It's beautiful, Shu."

"Seguchi-san helped me pick it out," Shuichi confessed, blushing.

"Tohma did?" Eiri asked in surprise.

Shuichi nodded, his blush deepening.

"He knows?" The writer groaned inwardly. Tohma was never going to let him live this down. It will not matter that Eiri had beat his lithe baka to it.

Again, Shuichi nodded. "He helped me with the planning."

Chuckling, Eiri drew Shuichi into a tight embrace. He smiled, breathing in his sweet strawberry scent. He used to believe it was the shampoo Shuichi used, but he has grown to realize that it was just Shuichi's own natural scent. At first, Eiri thought it was a little strange, right along with his bright pink hair, girlish frame, his insistent chatter and annoying clinging and unrelenting cuddling, but now all those idiotic characteristics was what made Eiri love the singer.

Eiri pulled back just enough so he could look deeply into those unnaturally, natural eyes. He wrapped his arms tightly around Shuichi's tiny waist as the singer ran his small hands up and down Eiri's spine. They stared deeply into each other's eyes. "I may not say it every five seconds like someone else I know…"

Shuichi's face grew warm.

Riku chuckled.

"But I love you, more than anything."

Riku wondered if it was possible to be grossed out and in awe at the same time.

Shuichi rose up on his tiptoes while Eiri leaned down. It was just a light brush of lips but it sent shivers through their bodies. They pulled back in unison and opened eyes neither one could remember closing. As they gazed into one another's eyes, their heads slowly dipped, their eyes fluttering closed.

A sudden angry shout caused them to jump apart like guilty lovers.

Eiri groaned with a curse.

"Daddy," Riku called softly.

"Stay there," Eiri ordered his son and husband as he strode through the apartment to the front door.

Shuichi did not argue. The yelling was getting louder and it sounded like there was a little scuffle going on. He was curious about what was going on, but he had learned long ago to never disobey an order given to him by Eiri. He did however strode over to Riku and wrapped the boy in his arms, which was strange seeing as his son had grown taller than him over the course of the summer.

Eiri meanwhile yanked open the front door with enough force to rip it off the hinges. "What the hell's going on?" he demanded angrily. The sight before him stilled him momentarily. The bodyguard had a redheaded guy on his knees, his hands trapped behind his back. Eiri smirked with a small snort. Crossing his arms over his chest, he leaned against the doorframe. "Nakano. What do you think you're doing?"

Shuichi and Riku exchanged a look.

Shuichi stepped away from his son and started across the living room.

Hiro struggled against the iron grip. "Where is he?" he demanded.

Eiri raised an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry, sir," the bodyguard apologized. "He insisted that he see Mr. Shindou but you said-"

"Let him up," Eiri said, waving the guys explanation aside.

"Sir?"

"It's okay."

The man in black let go of the guitar player and stood back. Hiro slowly stood up, wincing. "Where's Shuichi?" he repeated.

"Inside," Eiri answered with a 'where else would he be' tone.

Fuming, Hiro pushed past the writer and strode inside the apartment.

"Hey! What the fuck do you think you're doing?"

"Sir? Do you-?"

Eiri waved the man off. "I'll handle it." He stalked into the living room, slamming the door behind him; an angry remark ready on his lips but it died a quick and sudden death as he saw the co-founder of Bad Luck pull his hand back. The silence was shattered as the sharp slap of flesh on flesh resounded through the room. The writer was shocked to a standstill.

"Mama," Riku cried out. He raced across the room and grabbed onto his mother's arm. "Mama! Are you okay?"

Shuichi was holding his newly jeweled left hand over his reddened, stinging cheek, his eyes wide in shock and dismay. Slowly, he turned back to his best friend. A tear rolled down his face. "Hiro," he breathed, still not believing what just happened. "What-?"

"I can't believe you! I thought you were better than this!"

Shuichi could only blink.

"You skip work to hang out with your boyfriend? When you knew our deadline is fast approaching?"

"But Uncle Hiro-" Riku started to say, but Shuichi motioned him to remain quiet.

Shuichi glanced at Eiri briefly who was standing on the other side of the room. He gave him blank eyes, just as confused as he was. He wanted to explain to Hiro that there must have been some sort of miscommunication, but when he opened his mouth to inform the man just that Hiro cut him off with an angry yell.

"No! I don't want to hear any excuses! Do you have any idea how worried we were?" Hiro counted on his hand. "You don't show up, call or pick up the phone when I call! All these thoughts kept going through my head, Shuichi! I tried to tell myself that we were just missing one another, that you were sick and couldn't pick up the phone! Maybe you were fucking your boyfriend and couldn't hear the phone." He shook his head. "Then what do I see?!" He pointed a finger at the apartment door. "I step out of the elevator to see your bodyguard! And do you know what he tells me?"

Riku cowered behind Shuichi. He had never seen his mama's best friend like this before.

Shuichi wanted to say something, but was unable to form one coherent thought. His best friend's angry words shocked him into silence. Never before had he yelled at him like this, never before had he been this angry with him. He wanted to defend himself and his decisions, but could not do a damn thing, but stand there like an idiot and let him continue with his rant.

"He has the gull to tell me that you aren't to be disturbed!"

"Hiro," Shuichi finally managed to say, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make you worry, but you see, Eiri and I-"

"Just drop it!"

"But-"

"No!" Hiro's hand snapped out and grabbed Shuichi's haori, jerking the smaller man to him so they were nose to nose.

"Mama!"

"Dammit, Shuichi-"

Before Hiro could finish that thought, he found himself lying flat on his back staring into the contorted face of one outraged romance writer, trying to catch his breath.

Eiri twisted the collar of the guitarist white shirt, not caring if in the process he choked the man to death. Nobody touched his Shu-chan and lived, nobody but him and God himself. He pressed his face into Hiro's, steam practically pouring out of his ears and nose. He glowered hostilely at the red head. His fingers itched to pummel this man into the wooden floor until even his own mother could not recognize him, but for the sake of his Shu-chan, he had to try to sustain himself, but it was hard. "How dare you lay a hand on what belongs to me," he hissed, his voice barely above a whisper. Eiri knew that if he spoke any louder, what little restraint he had would snap, he was that close to losing it. "I should beat you into a bloody pulp!"

"Daddy," Riku whispered.

Hiro could feel the writer's weight compressing his chest, making it difficult to breath. The collar of his shirt was now a noose, tightening centimeter by centimeter. "But you won't," he croaked.

Eiri pushed his face into Hiro's so they were nose to nose. "And what makes you say that?"

Seeing the love of his life this close to killing his best friend snapped Shuichi out of his shock induced haze. He knew Hiro hated him because he had not shown up for work today and made him worry unnecessarily. He knew that and he could not blame the man. He could also understand why Eiri was so angry. The writer was extremely over-protective when it came to his family. If anyone laid a hand on the singer or their son, Eiri went berserk. But Hiro hating him and alive was one thing, but hating him and dead was something he could not handle. At least with him alive, they had the opportunity to work things out, but if Eiri were to kill him...

The thought of his best friend in the whole wide world never flashing those pearly whites at him, or hugging him, or going out with him after work sent a cold chill down his spine. He wanted to walk into the studio and see Hiro on that stool of his plucking at his guitar. Shuichi wanted to be able to go to him whenever he and Eiri had a fight. He wanted his best friend's strong arms to comfort him when he cried. He wanted what they always had but if he did not snap his husband out of it, all that was going to be over.

Shuichi rushed forward and slid to his knees besides his lover. Grabbing a fist full of his haori in each hand, Shuichi buried his face in the man's shoulder and sobbed.

If Eiri did this then not only would he lose his best friend, but he would lose Eiri as well. The police would arrest him for murder and that would be the end of their fairy tale romance. There was no way he would be able to raise their children all by himself. He could barely take care of himself as it was. The thought of never seeing his new husband again froze his blood and stopped his heart. As much as he hated to admit it, losing his husband was more painful than losing his best friend. Friends drift apart. They come and go, but losing your soul mate was one of the most painful things a person could go through. "Please, Eiri! Please! I don't want to lose you! Please!"

Eiri slowly blinked as Shuichi's words filtered through the wall of anger that had built up around him. His grip on the man underneath him, loosened. Sitting back, he turned towards the smaller man and suddenly found himself flying onto his back. He hit the floor with a painful thud. He gritted his teeth and hissed.

"Daddy," Riku gasped. He rushed forward and threw himself at his father.

Grunting as the wind was knocked out of him, Eiri patted his son on the back lightly.

Coughing and rubbed his sore neck, Hiro stood glaring at the downed writer who was currently being strangled to death by his son.

"Eiri!"

Blinking, Hiro watched as his beat friend crawled towards his lover with tears racing down his face, which was a mask of concern. The anger Hiro felt towards Eiri diminished, replaced by a weird sense of lose. Shuichi was more worried about the slim possibility of losing his boyfriend than in the very real fact that that man had been this close to choking him to death.

Hiro had never really liked the writer. Firstly, the man had taken away from him the most important person in the world. Then the famous womanizer had been a complete and utter asshole towards Shuichi, kicking him out and breaking his heart time after time. Because of him, Shuichi had been gang raped by Aizawa ten years ago. The last time Eiri had broken up with Shuichi, it had sent the young singer fleeing to the States. Hiro had almost lost him for good. Nothing good had ever come out of that relationship.

"-hate you."

Hiro shook himself loose from his thoughts and turned towards his best friend.

"I hate you!" Shuichi looked up from where he was glued to his lover's and son's side, his face as wet as if he splashed it with water. Sniffing, he wiped his nose on the sleeve of his haori, his eyes glaring with something Hiro had never thought to see directed at him. Hatred. "You ruined everything! Everything!"

"Shu-"

Shuichi sobbed violently, his body shaking uncontrollably. "This's supposed to be the happiest day of my life and you ruined it!" He unsteadily got to his feet. "You come bursting in here with your fucking accusations without a thought. You didn't even give me a chance to explain myself!"

Hiro realized the singer was right. He had not let Shuichi tell his side of things. He felt like such a heel.

Keeping Riku behind him and out of harm's way just in case the shit hit the fan again, Eiri slowly got to his feet and laid his hands on Shuichi's shoulders, trying to calm the singer down. He had never seen him this angry before. It was unsettling. "Shu-"

Shuichi brushed his husband's hands off and stalked towards his so-called best friend. "I hate you, Hiro! You totally ruined everything! I'm never going to forgive you for this! Ever!" He turned on his heels and stormed up the staircase, disappearing into the master bedroom and slamming the door behind him hard enough to shake the apartment.

For the first time in who knows how long, Hiro felt like crying. His chest and throat tightened with the effort of trying to keep the tears locked away.

"I want you out of here, Nakano. Now! If I ever see your face again..."

"Yuki-san-"

"Forget it. There is nothing I want to hear that will come out of your mouth. Jacob," Eiri called.

Immediately, the front door opened and the tall, broad American appeared. "Mr. Uesugi?"

"Nakano-san is leaving. Make sure he gets to the elevator in one piece."

Jacob nodded. "Certainly, Sir." He stepped aside and waited patiently for the red-haired guitarist to proceed.

Just as Hiro stepped out of the apartment, his cellphone rang. Pausing, he unclipped it from his belt. The number on the faceplate startled him. "What is it Kai? I'm really not-"

"I forgot!"

"Forgot what?" Hiro asked with a sigh. He really was not in any mood for this.

"I was supposed to tell you something when I got into the studio this morning, but with the accident and Kei..."

"What're you trying to get at, Kai?" Hiro was tired. All he wanted to do was go back to his place and sleep. Hiro glanced over his shoulder at the writer who had not moved an inch from his position in front of the shrine. Shrine? He had not seen that earlier. When had Shuichi and Yuki-san set up a shrine? He glanced back at the writer, his face a mask of confusion. He noticed that the man had a carefully blank expression on his face.

"Did you hear me, Hiro?"

"Huh? I'm sorry, Kai. What did you say?"

"I said Eiri called me this morning to let me know that Shu wasn't coming in today. I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier, but I forgot. What with the accident and Kei..." He sighed. "I don't remember the reason, but-"

"What!? You forgot?"

"I said I was sorry, Hiro. I had-"

Hiro growled and paced several steps in an angry whirlwind, dragging his fingers through his hair. "Dammit,

Kai! Do you have any idea what the hell you just did?"

"Me? I didn't do a damn thing. You were the one who left in a huff." There was a pause and then, "Don't tell me you-"

"Thanks for nothing, Kai." Hiro flipped his phone closed with a curse.

A disgusted snort from behind him had Hiro twirling around to face a smug looking writer.

"Nice, going, kid," Eiri said from the other side of the doorway. "You alienate not only one, but two members of your band. Maybe next time you should think before you act, huh?"

Hiro stepped forward. "Look, Yuki-san-"

"Save it, Nakano. I don't think any of us wants to see your face for a while." Stepping back, he slammed and locked the door on the stunned guitarist.

What had he just done?

oOo

He stood at the foot of the stairs with one hand on his hip and the other fingering his hair. With a sigh, Eiri gazed up the staircase at the closed master bedroom door. This was definitely not his forte. Even after all of these years with his baka, he still was uneasy and unsure how to comfort the singer when he was this way.

"Dad?"

Eiri turned at the sound of his son's voice.

Riku stood besides his father and gazed uncertainly up at his parents' bedroom. Biting his lip, he looked back at his father.

Eiri rubbed lazy circles on his son's back in an effort to calm the boy down. "They fight all the time," he reminded Riku.

Riku nodded. He knew that, but this time seemed different from the others.

"Why don't you go play video games, or something," Eiri suggested.

His son still looked uncertain, but nodded almost reluctantly.

Eiri ruffled Riku's hair before starting up the stairs.

Worried, Riku watched him go.

"Riku," he called over his shoulder when he was halfway up the stairs.

"Yeah?"

"Your uncle Hiro is Shuichi's best friend. They'll get over this and be back to normal in no time."

Riku could only nod. He wanted to believe his father. He really did.

oOo

With his hands on the doorframe, Eiri sighed heavily and leaned his forehead against the closed door of the bedroom. He felt his heart breaking as he listened to the wailing sobs. He hated it when Shuichi cried. It always made him feel useless. He never knew how to handle all those tears, those eyes that pleaded and begged for his comfort. It made him very uncomfortable when his little baka turned on the water works factory. What was supposed to do, to say? He was no good at this kind of stuff.

At first, it used to be a coping mechanism. He used to, and still did, have a hard time getting close to anyone. It was a deeply rooted fear. His mind cautioned him that it would just end in disaster, but despite it all, Shuichi somehow made it through the numerous layers of defense surrounding his heart. The little baka sunk his claws into him and refused to let go. Shuichi was a crocodile with a fresh kill, either that or a yo-yo or boomerang. No matter how far he was thrown, he always came back. Now Eiri could not imagine his life without him. But he still had no idea how to handle Shuichi when he cried, especially now, when it was painfully clear a friendship that lasted over twenty years and jumped every considerable hurtle unscathed was over. Eiri could not help but feel partially guilty for that. And as he told Riku, the two were always fighting. Shuichi and Hiro were best friends after all. They will work things out, maybe not tomorrow or the next day, but eventually. He was certain of it.

Taking a deep breath, the romance writer straightened and steeled himself. Quietly opening the door, he called into the darkness, "Shu-chan?" He walked into the room and shut the door. Even in the twilight of the room, Eiri knew where he was going. He walked nearly blind and sat on the edge of the bed, feeling it sink under his weight and clasped his hands between his knees.

"Why does he hate me?" came the sobs muffled under the thick layer of blankets.

Eiri did not have to ask to know who "he" was. "He doesn't hate you, Shu."

"Yes, he does," the singer sobbed.

"Shuichi," Eiri sighed. "You and Hiro are best friends. You're practically Joined at the hip. No matter what stupid or idiotic thing you say or do, he always manages to forgive you and stay by your side. Isn't that right?" He took his husband's silence as confirmation. "Yes, the two of you've had your moments, but nobody can stay mad at you for very long. You're like a magnet. You attract everyone. You make everyone smile and laugh, even when they're in the deepest, darkest pits of their emotions! Take it from me, I know."

Shuichi sniffed and flung the covers off his head. Slowly sitting up, he stared down at the comforter, his violet eyes shining with unshed tears. His jaw trembled.

Eiri had been expecting the smaller man to throw himself at him, but Shuichi stayed on his side of the bed, miserable. "Shu?"

"Are you sure, he doesn't hate me?"

"He was just worried. Apparently, there was some miscommunication at the studio. He doesn't hate you. Don't worry so much."

Shuichi nodded. He knew Eiri was right, but he could not get his best friend's accusations out of his head; they played in an endless loop. What he said hurt a lot. The man may have had good intentions, but that did not help the singer feel any less bitter or disappointed.

Eiri watched and studied his significant other. Shuichi could never hide anything from anyone. His emotions played on his face so clearly it was like watching television. Shuichi had gotten a little better over the years, but he was a far cry from having a cop face. Eiri could be wrong, but he was guessing his tiny lover was having a hard time making up his mind about something.

Lifting his head, Shuichi stared deeply into Eiri's face. "Make love to me?" he asked quietly. He just wanted to forget everything and lose himself in the sensation of being with the man he loved more than anything in this world.

A soft smile lit Eiri's face. "Your wish is my command."

Shuichi crawled out of the covers and knelt before the blond writer who turned to lay a folded leg on the bed. Eiri cupped the smaller man's face. His thumb brushed away a stray tear. Leaning forward, he lightly rubbed their lips together.

Shuichi sighed. This was heaven.

"Shu."

"Eiri."

Eiri captured his lover's lips with his own, using a gentle play of lips, teeth and tongue to make love to his husband's mouth.

Moaning, Shuichi crawled into Eiri's lap. He wrapped his arms and legs around Eiri and hugged him tightly as Eiri's tongue explored the dark, wet cavern with patience and finesse, caressing his baka's tongue with sweet compassion and tenderness. Shuichi snaked his tongue into his husband's mouth, exploring and caressing every wet inch. He rubbed their tongues together; petting it with sure, soft strokes. When they pulled away, both were panting heavily. Staring deeply into one another's eyes, they smiled.

With his hands cupping the smaller man's face, Eiri pressed their foreheads together and chuckled. "Baka."

"Pervert."

"Bitch."

"Bastard."

"Whore."

"Watakushi no kokoro." (7)

Shuichi opened his mouth to retort but nothing came out. "Cheater," he accused.

"You're just mad because I won."

"You always win."

"Damn straight," Eiri whispered huskily.

Shuichi blushed.

As his prize, Eiri grabbed Shuichi's lips. His tongue poked at the locked lips, licking along the crack, asking silently for entrance. Giving it, Shuichi opened his mouth wide, allowing Eiri's tongue to plunge inside. Their tongues battled for dominance. Since Shuichi was better at the game now than he used to be, nobody won. When Eiri's tongue retreated, Shuichi's followed, ravaging his lover's mouth. They sucked and nipped at each other's lips. Shuichi's fingers played with Eiri's hair as he kissed the man deeply and passionately, wanting to delve deeper into him.

Eiri's hands caressed Shuichi's side, roaming up his chest to his shoulders. He pulled off Shuichi's haori, tossing it over his shoulder, and Shuichi did the same with Eiri's. Leaving a trail of wet kisses along Shuichi's jaw and neck, paying close attention to the mark of ownership on the singer's neck, Eiri slid the white under kimono off the tiny shoulders and let it pool around Shuichi's narrow waist. As Eiri kissed his way down Shuichi's small but well built and toned chest, Shuichi laced his fingers in Eiri's blond hair and made small noises he knew turned the other man on.

The writer kept one hand placed on the small of the singer's back and used the other to tweak and grope the sleeping nipple while he kissed the other one. He twirled his tongue around the wakening bud, sucking it like a babe suckling its mama's tit, eliciting one sharp cry after another from his husband. Eiri felt his cock hardening as the room filled with the moans and mewling of his husband. Eiri bit the perk nipple, causing Shuichi to give a yelp and arch his back.

Panting heavily, sweat already dotting his forehead, Shuichi breathed, "Suki dayo."

"I know," Eiri whispered as he laid Shuichi gently back on the bed. He straddled Shuichi's hips and paid the neglected nipple the same attention he gave the other. Clasping Shuichi's hands together in his larger one, Eiri held them captive above Shuichi's head. The singer wiggled a little underneath him as he tried to get comfortable. Eiri grunted as their hardened lengths rubbed together in the process. The romance writer charged forward and made his conquest, sucking and biting his husband's mouth.

"Eiri," Shuichi moaned into the man's mouth. He arched his hips, rubbing his hardening cock against that of his husband's. Eiri ripped his mouth away and tossed his head back, letting out a deep groan.

Growling, Eiri glared at the smaller man beneath him. Letting go of the small confined hands, Eiri tore at Shuichi's hakama. He tossed it aside with the rest of his own clothes.

Shuichi watched his older lover with hungry eyes and licked his lips. A tiny growl escaped his lips.

Eiri pounced onto his lover and kissed his deeply as if he was trying to eat his mouth. He ground his hips against Shuichi's effectively rubbing their erections together.

Shuichi wrapped his legs around Eiri's waist in order to press the elder male closer into him. "Eiri, I want you!"

Reluctantly, the writer released himself from the human leech and rooted around in the nightstand until he found what he was looking for. Turning back around, he licked his suddenly dry lips and stared at the sight that greeted him like a hungry man at a buffet. Shuichi's legs were bent, his knees pointing at the ceiling, and spread open wide like a mouth at a dentist's office. His member was standing at attention. Crawling onto the bed, Eiri flicked the cap off the lube and coated his fingers. Using his body to open Shuichi's legs wider as he crawled closer to what was now and forever his, he used his free hand to lift the smaller man slightly, while he gently slipped a coated finger into the small entrance waiting enticingly for him.

Shuichi gripped the sheets tightly until his knuckles turned white, soft gasps escaped through parted lips. He tossed his head back, arching his back off the bed, and gave a sharp cry as the intruder brought along with him a friend. They slipped inside, driving deeper and harder. He soaked up the pain and transformed it into the greatest pleasure man or god could ever know. His mewls increased, his pants filling up the silence of the apartment. His hold of the bed sheet tightened.

And just like that, he was empty. Opening eyes he could not remember closing, Shuichi stared between his legs at his husband.

"Eiri, what-?" The rest of what he was going to ask was silenced as his husband filled him up completely. Shuichi tossed his head back and screamed.

Eiri paused when he felt himself hit the end. With his hands holding him up above his lithe baka, he looked at the sweat-drenched man underneath him. "Are you-?"

Shuichi shook his head. "Don't-don't stop Eiri-please," he panted.

And he didn't. Eiri did not stop loving Shuichi. He took everything Shuichi had to give and gave Shuichi all he had in return. Beneath him, Shuichi's breathy moans and soft mewling was nowhere to be heard. As Shuichi was rocked, in his ecstasy-induced fever, he cried out incomprehensibly above the squeaking of the mattress and the constant bangs of the headboard as it slammed over and over again against the wall.

Almost too soon, Shuichi felt the pressure and heat building up inside of him. He felt himself rising to the top of that mountain peak and exploded over the top with a shrill cry. Eiri followed his partner up that mountain trail, feeling the change in pressure. Moments later, and with one last hard jab, burst over the mountaintop.

Both men were breathing hard, their hearts beating rapid tattoos in their chest.

His arms and legs feeling like rubber, Eiri pulled out of his lover, who moaned in disappointment at the loss, and flopped onto his back besides him.

Shuichi cuddled up to Eiri, wrapping his arms and legs around him. "I love you, Eiri."

Eiri smiled tenderly into the darkness, hugging his husband tightly to his side.

Shuichi sighed contently. This was how things should always be. Lifting his head, he peered down at his husband, who appeared to be sleeping. Sleeping? No, no. Sleeping was something the singer would not allow, at least not tonight. Grinning evilly, Shuichi straddled his husband, surprising the man. Golden hazel eyes snapped open and studied the tiny man above him.

Eiri grabbed Shuichi's waist. "What're you doing, Baka?"

Leaning forward, Shuichi whispered, "Taking advantage of you."

"Really?" Eiri asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Uh huh."

Shuichi captured his lover's lips with his own, using a not so gentle play of lips, teeth and tongue to explore Eiri's mouth greedily. He wanted him. He always wanted him, but Shuichi felt like a dehydrated man in a desert. He just could not seem to get enough of this man. Pulling away, and panting slightly, Shuichi and Eiri stared deeply into each other's eyes. What they saw was reflected in both their eyes, utter trust and a love so strong, come hell or high water, they would forever be locked in the endless dance of their romance.

They kissed, hard and wanting. Lips parted and tongues plundered each dark, wet cave, battling like gladiators. Teeth bit and nipped. Lips suckled and pulled. It turned them both on. Eiri moaned into his husband's mouth as he felt Shuichi grab his already throbbing erection. He returned the gesture by running his hands up the man's narrow but well toned chest, splaying his hands over nipples still hard from their last rumble. Eiri broke the kiss and grabbed his husband's hands that were stroking him to ripeness. Shuichi moaned in disappointment.

Grinning, Eiri flipped them over and pinned the singer once more to the bed. He knelt between slightly parted legs and kissed and lightly nuzzled Shuichi's jaw and down his neck. He was rewarded by the man's pleasured gasps. These sounds caused Eiri to grow even harder.

With his pants increasing and sweat dotting his skin, Shuichi flipped them over so that he was straddling Eiri.

Eiri blinked in shock and confusion. What just happened?

Shuichi grinned down at him evilly. Licking his lips, he rocked his hips over his husband's engorged member. Eiri moaned loudly in reaction. Shuichi smoothed his hands up Eiri's arms, over his wide shoulders and down his chest, pinching his lover's nipples as he passed them. Shuichi blew into Eiri's belly button. Chuckling as Eiri wiggled underneath him. He licked the sensitive, taut skin around the hole before plunging his tongue inside. He kissed his way up his writer's flat stomach to his chest. He tweaked and groped the sleeping nipples. He twirled his tongue around the wakening bud, sucking it, pleased when he heard the low growls emanating from his husband. Shuichi felt himself going crazy as he heard the pleasured remarks from the man underneath him. He bit a perk nipple, which caused Eiri to arch his back and toss his head in pleasure. Shuichi paid as much heed with the other one.

Then Shuichi crawled down Eiri's body to his toes. Rolling his eyes up to watch his husband's reactions, he climbed up his husband's body like a cat, letting his hands trail from his toes and up his foot to his ankle. Up Eiri's muscled calves towards his knees then up his thighs to cup the throbbing member between them. His hands teased and caressed, all the while keeping his eyes plastered to his husband's erotic masked face.

Eiri drew in shallow breath after shallow breath, his eyes rolling into the back of his head. He arched, pushing his hips harder into the hands jerking him off.

Bringing his face down, Shuichi rubbed his face against the man's arousal. He took it into his mouth, welcoming the familiarity of it.

"Oh, Kami-sama," Eiri moaned.

Shuichi sucked on the hard cock in his mouth. His other hand fondled Eiri's balls and teased his bottom. As his husband continued to moan in pleasure, Shuichi probed his husband with his fingers. Eiri bucked against him, his fingers tangling themselves in Shuichi's hair raven locks that somewhere along the line escaped its bun. Shuichi did not stop torturing the man until he felt muscles tense and freeze. His lover climaxed with a loud cry. Shuichi drank him in as he watched and felt the body beneath him relax. He moved back up Eiri's body and kissed him fiercely.

Eiri licked the inside of his husband's mouth, tasting himself within its dark, wet confines.

Their hands roamed over each other's naked body. Fingers pinched, groped and teased.

As they continued to devour each other, Eiri reached out blindly, searching until he found what he was looking for. He slipped it into Shuichi hands.

The singer glanced at the tube in his hand and stared at his husband questioningly. He knew what he wanted, but the question was would Eiri let him? "Eiri..."

The corner of his lips curled into a smile as Eiri covered his husband's smaller hand over the bottle. His other hand helped to pour the messy goop onto slender fingers. Setting the bottle on the bed and out of the way, Eiri positioned Shuichi's coated hands at his entrance.

This was a dream come true for Shuichi. He was rarely given the chance to bottom. Eiri was the alpha-the dominate one-in this relationship. Besides, he preferred and enjoyed being the one of the bottom. He loved the feel of the love of his life filling him and loving him. "Eiri? Are you-?"

"Baka, I want to feel you inside of me."

Bending over, Shuichi kissed Eiri chastely on the lips before stroking his lover's bottom, probing him, preparing him.

Eiri grabbed the bunched up sheets by his head and bit his lip as pleasured moans threatened to spill from his lips. He bucked slightly off the bed. "Shu," he moaned.

Loving when the man said his name in pleasure like that, Shuichi continued to tease the older man.

"Oh, Kami-sama," Eiri groaned. His eyes dropped shut and his breathing hitched. Sweat dotted his brow. "Mmm!"

Shuichi loved when their roles were reversed. It did not happen often enough in his opinion. He chuckled when he heard the disappointed sigh when he sat back. Grabbing the nearly empty bottle, he coated himself, hissing as his hand worked over his neglected penis. Eiri complied swiftly when told to turn over. Shuichi had to admit, he liked this submissive side of Eiri.

Eiri in turn was in love with this demanding, domineering side of his husband.

A hand on Eiri's shoulder and the other on his hip, Shuichi slid smoothly inside his husband, awakening more moans and cries.

Eiri grabbed himself and began masturbating as he felt his tiny lover thrusting in with enough force to rip a startled cry from his lips and then sliding back out almost torturously slow.

Shuichi loved the tight feel of Eiri around him. He found a rhythm rather quickly and soon both men lost themselves in the intense pleasure that coursed through them. Their mingled cries filled the twilight-strewn bedroom. All too soon, Shuichi felt muscles tightened around his cock, which caused him to groan in reaction, as Eiri's climax drew near. He pumped into the tightness of his husband with long, deep, hard thrusts. They both made pleasured noises as their lovemaking reached its pinnacle, both of them crying out loud and long.

Eiri collapsed onto the bed and grunted as he felt his singer pull out of him and flop on top of him.

Shuichi cuddled his writer, hugging him from behind and sighed contently. "I love you," he told his husband with a huge yawn.

Flipping onto his back, he wrapped his arms tightly around Shuichi and rubbed his face in the man's hair. "I know."

Both men fell into a deep slumber, smiles plastered onto their faces.

oOo

Rinjin Residence

Restlessly, Yasashii paced his apartment. He walked from the front door through the living room and down the hall, passing the bathroom, into the kitchen where he rounded the kitchen table and walked back down the hall to the living room. He spun on his heel and re-walked the path. By now, he had worn a groove into the hardwood floors.

Growling, he glanced at his watch for what seemed like the zillionth time.

He did not understand. It was nearing two o'clock and his Shu-han had yet to leave for work. The band was supposed to have had a meeting at seven this morning to go over the artwork for the cover of their new album. After that, there were still a few songs that needed the kinks worked out. Forever Yours was a double CD. The first disk contained Bad Luck's greatest hits, going back to their debut album. The second disk contained cover songs from various artists from all over the world. There were several live bonus tracks from various live performances over the years, several included duets with Nittle Grasper. There was also an extra special bonus track of the original version of "Rage Beat" recorded from Zepp Tokyo with a special appearance by Ryuichi Sakuma. So, why had his angelic singer not left? Was he sick?

Yasashii stilled with a horrified expression on his face. "Dear Kami," he whispered. His lithe, graceful singer who looks like angel when he is sleeping, a sex kitten on stage-even though he does dress like a slut-was sick! Maybe even dying! Dying? No! That cannot be happening! They just found each other! How can the gods conspire to work against them like this?

The man found himself at the front door of his apartment before he realized what he was doing. It took everything he had to keep from racing down that hall and flinging himself at the singer. That was what he should be doing, though. It was obvious that perverted monster was not taking care of Shuichi. Why? Because that damned womanizing romance author did not care about Shindou Shuichi! No. All that bastard wanted was a hole to fuck and Shuichi was just a convenience! The thought of that monster taking advantage of such a sweet guy sent a surge of rage through Yasashii. His hands became balls of fury. His teeth ground together hard enough to chip a tooth.

That was the last straw!

Anger blinded him. He reached for the door and flung it open. He started to march out into the hallway but the sight of a dark suited foreigner gave him pause. His fury drained away. Stepping back into his apartment, Yasashii closed the door and peered out at the Uesugi-Shindou apartment through the crack.

The man was Shuichi's bodyguard. An American, if he was remembering correctly. His name was Joshua, or Jeremy or something stupid like that. Truthfully, he looked more like a Butch, or a Frank or something with a little more punch. The bodyguard had graying light brown hair, but physically he looked as strong as five oxen. He was as wide and as tall as the door he was standing in front of. His stance was that of a typical bodyguard clichéd in every television show, movie and book. His feet were a shoulder's width apart and his hands were clasped in front of him, one hand holding the wrist of the other.

Bodyguards first started shadowing Shuichi's every move after an "overly enthusiastic" fan somehow managed to sneak into the showers after one of their concerts several years back. Apparently, the guy believed he was in love with the singer and tried to seduce him but when his advances were shot down, the man attacked him. After that, Shuichi never went anywhere without at least one bodyguard. Yasashii had to hand it to the man. As well as the other guy, a tiny Japanese man. Whatever his name way. Kousuke? Kiba? Something like that. Shuichi's bodyguards did their job well, maybe too well. He has not been able to get within ten feet of his beloved since that first day. But Yasashii was going to be damned if this moronic foreigner and his partner was going to keep him away from the singer.

Yasashii felt his anger take hold of him once more.

He had to see Shuichi; he had to no matter what!

Once more, he grabbed the doorknob but this time the familiar a cappella dulcet tones of his future lover rang through his silent apartment. Sighing in frustration, he snatched his phone from his belt. A familiar number showed on the screen. Even angrier now, Yasashii flipped the phone open and snapped, "What?"

"Bloody hell, Yasa. Bite my head off why don't ya," came the voice over the line.

"What do you want, Niwa," Yasashii snapped.

Niwa Kakei-san, in his pea soup jumpsuit, pushed the broom across the floor in the waiting area by the front lobby of NG Productions. In order to call Yasashii for an update, he had been forced to take out the earpiece that was connected to the small boxlike transmitter in his pocket. The transmitter allowed him to hear what was going on inside the studio upstairs, all thanks to the bug. Unfortunately, the listening device had conked out yesterday. Thankfully, a quick change of batteries was all it took to get the bug up and running again.

"Just wanted to check in," Niwa answered with a blink. What was Yasashii so mad about?

"That's it? You bothered me just to 'check in'?"

Niwa blinked at the man's tone. "Hey, just doing what you pay me for."

Yasashii growled. "I pay you to keep me informed with what's going on! And so far, you haven't been doing your job!"

"That's because nothing's going on!"

Yasashii was the one startled at Niwa's tone this time. Sighing, he felt his anger dwindle. He walked to the wide bay window and stared out over Tokyo. "Okay, tell me what is going on."

"Nothing much, just a lot of yelling. Apparently," Niwa sighed, "Shindou-san-"

"-didn't come into work today. I know. I know," Yasashii finished in a rush. He walked to the door and peered out. The bodyguard had not moved an inch. "I live next door to the guy, remember?"

"Oh, yeah."

Niwa-san had forgotten. How he could have was beyond him. The guy was totally obsessed with the singer. The extra bedroom off the living room was a shrine to the singer. It was filled with all kinds of memorabilia from key chains, dolls, and clothes Shuichi himself had worn. He had every single magazine, book, newspaper and tabloid paper that featured Shindou Shuichi in any form. Every radio and television appearance was recorded and catalogue meticulously. There were boxes of photo albums filled with concert stubs, backstage passes and autographs. He had every CD and single ever released, legal and bootlegged, from all over the world. There were official Bad Luck clothing-shirts, pants, socks, et cetera-and accessories of every imaginable type in that room. The man had even somehow collected locks of the singer's hair that he kept in a shoebox. He also had a habit of going garbage picking, where he found broken and discarded jewelry and other things from the famous front man. If it had the name Bad Luck on it, had been touched or breathed on or had been in the very presence of Shindou Shuichi, Rinjin Yasashii had it. The only thing the man did not have was the singer himself. That was where Niwa came in.

The two men had known one another since high school. When Niwa became financially strapped, Yasashii made him an offer he could not refuse. Get a job at NG and plant a few listening devices. Yasashii wanted to bug the singer's home but because the singer's lover worked from home, it was practically impossible. Then Yasashii became fortunate enough to rent the apartment right next door to the singer, so the mechanical device was no longer necessary, though there were times when Yasashii wished he had.

At first, Yasashii's obsession had just been a normal infatuation, a man with a crush on an entertainer, but then the shrine developed, the listening devices were planted in order to help the man "accidentally bump" into the singer and then there was the photographer. Yes, Yasashii even hired a freelance photographer to follow Shuichi. This guy-Niwa never met him-was somehow able to get pictures of the singer that would make every tabloid newspaper drool with envy and every porn magazine whipping out their checkbooks.

Niwa was beginning to regret accepting this job. This little "infatuation" was getting out of hand, but he could do nothing. He was in it too deep now. What was that saying? No use crying over split milk.

"Shuichi-sama hasn't left his apartment all day," Yasashii was saying.

Niwa nodded. He replaced his broom in the cart and swept the small pile of debris into the dustpan and then disposed of it in the garbage. "Nakano and Fujisaki-san were, well, livid to say the least, but since they're used to Shindou-san being late, they gave him a few hours."

"Yeah," Yasashii prodded.

"By ten, he still hadn't shown up, so Nakano-san called." Niwa shook his head. "They called him for over an hour, but Shindou-san didn't pick up his phone and nobody answered at the apartment."

Yasashii frowned. He could not remember hearing the phone ring next door. He wondered why. Was it possible they turned off the ringers? But why would they? What was going on over there?

"That got them a little worried, ya know?" Niwa continued, bringing Yasashii out of his thoughts.

"Understandable," Yasashii agreed with a nod. "You expect someone at a certain time and when they do not show and do not answer the phone…"

"Well, Nakano-san went to see what was going on, if they were at home, or…"

"They" referred to both the singer and his damned writer lover, Yasashii knew. Just the thought of that whore Shu-han called his "soul mate" sent a resurgence of anger through the man. Then what his old friend said hit him. "He was here? When?"

"Uh…" Niwa scrunched his head in thought. "About eleven, eleven-thirty."

That would explain it. The stupid building's property owner called him to ask if he would let the meter guy into the basement and of course being the "gentle neighbor" that he was complied all too readily.

"Well, I guess when he noticed Shindou-san's bodyguard outside the apartment," Niwa was saying, "he became furious! I'm not sure what happened exactly, but Nakano-san returned to the studio pretty pissed off. They're not exactly happy with Shindou-san right now."

"Mm…" That made Yasashii think. What was going on over there and could he use it to his advantage?

To Be Continued…

(1) "Suki dayo" – Japanese colloquial expression for "I love you"

(2) "Koibito" – Japanese for "lover/sweetheart"

(3) "Karano" – Japanese for "empty"

(4) "Inro" – small case hanging from the obi (sash) of a traditional kimono.

(5) "Ohayo" – Japanese for "Good morning"

(6) "Mata kondo" – Japanese for "See you later"

(7) "Watakushi no kokoro." - Japanese for "My heart"

Next: "Beware of the Thorns"