Disclaimer: I own: My insomnia, my coffee, and the toothpick I'm chewing, and Tony, he's all mine. Gravitation is not in my 'things I own list.'
A/N: First of all thanks to Inu-midoriko for taking the time to beta for me, and to all of you who had read the story so far, thank you. I'm glad you guys like Tony as much as I do. Now on to the story.
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Chapter 5: Revelations
Two days had already passed since that fateful morning. Tony had already arranged everything for their return to Japan, he was to leave in the morning and Shuichi three days after. The priority was for Tony to contact Hiro as soon as he got there and give him a message. After that, they both knew their part.
"You sure are up early." Tony said reaching for a cup of coffee
"I was looking at some of the pictures you took of me."
"This is my favorite," the photographer pointed. "I took this one when we went to Puerta De Alcala."
"I thought you were taking pictures of the structure."
"I was, then you walked right in front of it. You admired the monument like a curious child, so I ended up taking a picture of an even more exquisite structure." his eyes met the singer's.
Shuichi's felt his heart racing, never before had anyone been so loving towards him and he liked the feeling. "You know, I don't get you. Most people would freak out and run away, but you keep being nice to me even though you know about my past and what I'm about to do."
Tony sat next to the vocalist, "You know when you find an antique piece and it looks like is not worth much, but after some care its true beauty starts to show?" Shuichi made an affirmative gesture, "Well, to me you are like that antique piece, once shattered, lacking luster, ignored and undervalued. I just put the pieces back together to discover the most beautiful work of art." the singers eyes were filling up with tears, "You are my most precious work of art, my discovery, and I intend to be the last person to explore your body, and to look into your soul."
The singer could not hold his sobbing any longer and threw himself into the arms of the man that gave him hope. His emotions took over him and for the first time in a long time he cried not just in anger and embarrassment, but also in sadness and joy all together. He was feeling hopeful that maybe this time he truly had a chance at something, for this he had to put all his past ghosts behind him. Shuichi knew in his heart that he wanted to love again and be loved, and this felt right.
"It's okay Shu, cry all you want," he stroked the singer's hair as if he were a child. "It was about time you let everything out."
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"I just need a few more weeks, I promise I'll have it by…" Yuki's speech interrupted by the person at the other end of the line.
"I'm sorry Eiri, but if the book is not ready by the end of the week it will not be published."
"Listen, I'm going through a tough time, I…"
"You are the one not understanding, we have other authors that are able to separate their personal life from their professional one. Besides your stories are lacking the quality they once had."
"Well you can kiss my-"
"You have to the end of the week, good day Eiri." the conversation ended abruptly.
Yuki ripped the phone, wire an all, from the wall and threw it out the window; of course in the midst of his tantrum he didn't realize that the window was closed. "I think I've been cursed," he was yelling and laughing (you know, the way crazy people laugh in horror movies) "what else can go fucking wrong?" he sat on his living room floor, his face buried under his hands, when someone knocked on his door. He tried hard to ignore the incessant banging, but soon gave up.
He opened the door, "Stop the fucking knocking damn it!" at the entrance stood Hiro.
"Hello to you too, Yuki." he couldn't be anymore sarcastic; Hiro never approved of the relationship between his best friend and the writer, but respected the singer's decision.
"What the hell do you want?" the novelist asked "You know he's not here."
"I know, I just need some equipment and music files Shu was working on before he left." those three last words were not spoken, but thrown at the novelist with such an wicked tone. "By the way, I think this is yours." he handed Yuki the shattered phone, "You should be more careful."
"Whatever, get what you need and get the hell out fast. All his shit is in the closet at the end of the hall way." that was all he had in the apartment, all these years and he only had a closet. The singer didn't have a bed, but an air mattress in the spare room, which infuriated Hiro even more.
"I got everything," he gave a hard look at the writer. Yuki was half the man he once was, and deep down Hiro enjoyed his suffering, "you know, it's all your fault." bitterness in his voice.
"If you're done hurry up and get the fuck out." he knew Hiro spoke the truth, he just wasn't ready to hear it from someone else.
"He just wanted a little of your love but you, been an arrogant son of a bitch, denied him that. You shattered his spirit, you took away his cheerful nature. But what would a heartless bastard like you know? Did you even once wipe a tear from his face?" he got no answer, "I didn't think so, you want to know why? Because that was my daily duty as his friend." he made his way out the door carrying the things he came to retrieve.
Yuki knew he deserved every word and more, he had said them to himself many times over. He managed to get himself to the bedroom, there the vision of a Shuichi crying after some 'rough' sex, and himself telling him to shut up haunted him. He made a run for the bathroom, feeling utterly disgusted with himself, all that guilt making him nauseous.
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"Do you have everything?" Shuichi pacing as he asked.
"Yes, I have all I need."
"Are you sure? Do you have Hiro's picture?"
"Yeah."
"What about those pictures?"
"Yes, chill out, you are starting to sound like my mother." he said that in a loving tone. "Don't forget that my friend is going to let you use his studio, so start warming those vocal cords, you'll need them."
"I'll…miss you…" Shuichi said shyly.
"Me too, but don't worry I'll see you in a few days." he gave the vocalist a chaste kiss. "Remember to lock the door, and when you leave for the airport leave the keys to Marcela, okay?"
"Call me as soon as you land."
"I promise." Tony got in the car and headed for the airport, leaving Shuichi behind waving goodbye. He felt sad, but knew it was only for a few days.
Shuichi headed back inside to an apartment that now seemed so big. There on the table laid a picture of Tony. It was taken the day they went clubbing. Suddenly the image of the photographer with his shoulder length untied wet hair and sweet kisses under the running water came to mind, 'Well Shuichi lets get to work, we'll have time for that later.' he headed to the studio. He wanted time to fly, and what better way to make it happen than singing.
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Around fifteen hours later, Tony arrived in Japan. Thankful that he traveled in a private jet, where at least he was comfortable and able to get some shuteye. A man was waiting for him while another started to carry the luggage.
"Welcome back Sir, everything has been set like you requested."
"I trust that you have done your job well, Hisashi." Tony answered in Japanese. Being an international photographer, he was fluent in many languages.
A car was ready for him, "I'll be home in a few hours." He gave the address to the driver and reached for his phone.
"Hello?" a sleepy voice answered.
"Hi love, sorry to wake you I know is about midnight there."
"No, it's fine. How are you?"
Tony could hear the singer stretching, "Missing you. What about you?"
"I went to the studio for a few hours, I missed singing so much."
"Did you have dinner?" he always worried about the singer eating habits.
"Yeah, Mrs. Marcela brought me some yummy soup, she called it gazpacho." [1
"Isn't she a great cook?" he was already feeling home sick, "Do you want me to find Hiro now or in the morning?"
"The sooner the better, don't worry if you wake me up again."
"Hey Shuichi," he said with a purr, "are you naked?" he knew that was enough to wake up the boy.
"No," he wanted to play along, "I'm wearing my sleeping shorts, the ones that let my perky little ass peek. I'm sure you recall which ones."
The photographer had a vision of Shuichi in those shorts, stretching in a cat like manner on his bed, "I'll call you later."
A giggle escaped the boy's lips, "Okay, bye-bye." and he hung up.
The driver parked in front of a house, "Sir, we're here."
"Takeshi, wait for me here." he walked to the residence but before he could knock someone pulled into the driveway.
"Can I help you," the person asked, he removed his helmet to reveal a long mane of red hair.
Tony took a look at the picture, "Are you Hiro?"
"And who wants to know?" was he always suspicious?
"I have a message, from Shuichi." he watched as the guitarist expression change drastically, "May I come in?"
-
Hiro listened to the whole story trying to take everything in; he still couldn't believe his best friend has been living in Spain with some guy and never bothered to call.
"Listen to me Hiro, he wanted to call. He missed you, but he didn't want anyone to know where he was." he assured, "That's why I'm here," Tony took a cell phone out, "use this to communicate with Shuichi but be discreet. His number is already programmed. You can call him as soon as I leave. One last thing, be prepared, things are going to get…interesting." he gave Hiro a smile that gave him chills.
As soon as he saw the parked car in front leave he took the phone and pressed the number with his friend's name.
"Hello?" the sleepy voice answered; he would recognize his best friend anywhere.
"Shuichi, its Hiro." he heard a squeal that confirmed that in fact it was Shuichi.
"I missed you Hiro, I'm sorry I left like that but-" he was suddenly interrupted by the yelling.
"What the hell have you been doing with that…that Spanish guy, that Bobby or Roby, whatever his name is?!"
"Tony."
"Yeah him! And why didn't you come to me?"
"I was drunk."
"That's no excuse-"
"I was unconscious."
"Still no excuse, and quit interrupting-"
"You need to get laid." Shuichi waited for the reaction.
"I said to stop- How do you know?" they both broke into laughter, "God, it's so good to hear you Shu. I've been so worried."
"I'm sure Tony explained things to you. I'll be there soon and I expect your guitar skills to be sharper than ever."
"You know it. But, what about Suguru?"
"Can we trust him? After all he's Tohma's cousin."
"You know that he wants to outshine his cousin, he should be alright."
"Then he is your responsibility." the singer let out a yawn, "I'm going to dreamland now. See you soon."
"Sleep tight, and don't play with your…you know what."
"Hiro, you're mean." but he had already hung up, he was tired but happy that he would be going home soon.
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Meanwhile the next morning at NG:
"What is the meaning of this?"
"What's wrong boss?" K opened the door to Seguchi's office; luckily for him he managed to dodge the coffee mug that would have landed in his face.
"This is everywhere! See for yourself."
"Oh shit, looks like our boy has been having fun." replied the American.
"Give me the fucking phone, now!"
At Hiro's house
"Oh my god! He is going to need a bullet proof vest."
At Suguru's apartment
"Holy shit, Tohma must be having a stroke." unlike everyone else he found the situation amusing.
At Yuki's place
"What do you want this early, Tohma?" suffering from one of his hangovers.
"Wh-what are you doing?" Seguchi sounded nervous.
"Aggravating my headache talking to you."
"Eiri, Can you just answer my question?"
"Fine, I was going to take a shower, and then watch the news while having breakfast."
"Don't watch the news!" Tohma almost yelled.
"Why shouldn't I?"
"Eiri, I'm serious, just wait for me."
"Cut the bullshit, I have a headache!"
"I'm on my way just don't turn on the TV." he was trying to remain calm.
"Why?" the writer was getting really annoyed, "What is the big fucking deal."
"Just trust me."
"I hope this is not one of your stupid jokes." he turned the TV to one of those morning gossip shows; he loved to go against anything Tohma said.
…Our sources confirm that the man in this picture is in deed the lead singer of the popular band Bad Luck. The photo, we are told, was taken in Spain; the exact location is still unknown as well as the identity of the man that's in the photo. One thing is certain it is not the author Yuki Eiri. Could this be a love triangle? Or were the rumors about a split between the scandalous pair true? We will keep you informed as we try to get to the bottom of this. In other news…
"Eiri are you there?" he could hear the author shallow breaths, then the phone went dead, "Eiri, answer me."
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[1 Gazpacho soup, also known as gazpacho, is a cold Spanish soup, a cold bread soup based on a combination of stale bread, garlic, olive oil, salt, and vinegar.
A/N: Thanks to aquagirl16, DarkMetalAngel of destruction, yaoi kitsune, deadly silence, Gabby0214, LuLu'sStarlightDiary, Rynn-Rynn, RobinaHood, angelwarrior1, Dreamer of Darkness, RogueRaven89, Ryuichi-Shuichi41, and zoebeansmommy for all your reviews and for putting me on your alerts. If I forgot anyone I'm sorry.
As for how the story is going to turn not even I know, this was originally a 5 chap. story that turned to a 12 chap. story and I still find myself adding, taking away, and moving things around, so please bear with me. Don't forget to review, I look forward to hearing from you.