No Money, No Love
By: Witch Baby
A/N: This chapter is a bit of comic relief. I think its much needed after so much inner turmoil monologue and weeping. I mean, I'm all about angsty drama and deeper feelings and crap... but I think some funny is needed before I launch back into the emo-ness... which there will be much of in a few chapters. For now enjoy chapter eight of 'No Money, No Love'!
"Forgive me if I stutter, from all of the clutter in my head,
'Cause I could fall asleep in those eyes, like a water bed
Do I seem familiar? I've crossed you in hallways a thousand times
No more camouflage, I wanna be exposed,
And not be afraid to fall,
Oh, I'm gonna muster every ounce of confidence I have
And cannonball into the water
Oh, I'm gonna muster every ounce f confidence I have
For you I will
You always want what you can't have, but I've got to try
Oh, I'm gonna muster every ounce of confidence I have
For you I will, for you..."
Chapter Eight: Courage
Kanou couldn't hide the triumphant smirk when he spied the blond walking his way. However, that smile was quickly replaced with a frown when he realized it wasn't his blond. Sure, the young man was just as lithe and beautiful as Ayase, but definitely not as kind or open. His smile was sweet, but Kanou could tell by the stiff set of his shoulders and the gentleness that didn't quite reach his eyes that he was broken on the inside.
Such observations though didn't stop Kanou from giving the young man one of his infamous glares. "What do you want okama?"
The young man didn't miss a beat as he slid into the booth seat across from Kanou. "Simply doing my job. Could I interest you in some sake?"
"Get out of here," he barked, "I didn't ask for your company."
"Yes you did. Blue eyes and a blond right?"
Kanou's hand tightened into a fist, feeling like strangling Someya for twisting his words. "Damn fucking okama's..." he muttered under his breath.
"I'll have you know that I am not an okama. I have all my man bits thank you very much, its not my fault I look better in a skirt then you do."
Kanou frowned, unsure if he really heard such crude talk from such a seemingly innocent person. If he hadn't heard the amused quiet chuckle from the usual silent Homare, he would have though that he was hearing things. "Who the hell are you?"
"Ashihara Skyler, but during work hours you can call me 'Sukai-chan."
"I'm not calling you anything so get the hell out of here. I want to talk to Ayase!" Kanou demanded.
Skyler shrugged, crossing his legs and twisting a lock of his golden blond hair around his fingers. If he was trying to look seductive, it only seemed to piss Kanou off more. "Well I'm sorry but Aya-chan isn't available at the moment."
Kanou slammed his hand against the table, making a few people nearby jump in surprise. Skyler didn't even flinch, but instead smiled as if completely relaxed. "Someya-mama was right, you are a brute."
"Shut up..." Kanou growled, though he was becoming a bit wary as to who Skyler was and his connection to Ayase and Someya. "What the hell do you want?"
"Many things," Skyler said with a wave of his hand, " A million dollars. A boyfriend to love me. For the world to accept my existence. For my apartment to have hot water in the mornings during winter."
Kanou's eye twitched slightly as his annoyance increased. He leveled a glare at the nuisance of a blond, then one at Homare who he could hear trying his hardest not laugh. What ever happened to his bad ass quiet lackeys? Did everything else have to fall apart too once Ayase left? "You know what I mean, damn it! Quit trying to play games and tell me where Ayase is!"
"Or what? You're gonna send tall dark and silent there behind you to bite me? Heck, I just might keep it up so he will."
Homare actually felt his face heating up at the sexy smile Skyler sent his way. Just who the hell was this guy? No one but Someya could talk this much shit to Kanou without fear, yet he looked as angelic as Ayase did. "Why the fuck do you care anyway?" Kanou growled, "You don't even know what you're talking about."
Skyler shifted his playful look from Homare, to glare angrily at Kanou. "You're right, I don't," the blond replied, "I barely met Ayase yesterday. But you know what I do know? The moment you sauntered in, acting like god all-fucking-mighty, he practically burst into tears while Someya looked about ready to kill someone. Yesterday, he looked like he got run over by a train and then this morning, looked even worse. Yet still, he tries to smile and tell everyone that hes perfectly all right. He barely knows me and offered to cook me fucking dinner. Who the hell acts like that?"
"No one." Kanou agreed quietly, a memory of Ayase's smile flashing in his mind.
"You're right, no one else. But do you know what I see in front of me at this moment? A spoiled brat who's favorite toy has been taken away. So you're right, I don't know what the hell is going on. But as long as he's crying and your throwing a fit, I'll stand by my judgment that I don't like you."
"I'm trying to fix this damn it!" Kanou shouted, "I'm trying to talk to him, why else would I be in a place like this!"
"Trying huh? This is you trying? I think this you throwing your weight around to prove you still have balls. If you want to be a man, the go talk to him."
"But... does he want to talk to me?"
Skyler sighed, leaning back against the seat and crossing his arms. The yelling and the force never got to him, but the almost pathetic look on Kanou's face was enough to make him feel a little bit sorry for the man. "At this point? Not at all. But I think that's due to your approach."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, pissing of Someya was pretty bad. I mean, she sent me out here after all."
"Someya betrayed me." Kanou shot back.
"Well, whatever, that's not my business, but Ayase trusts her. And she wanted me to tell you that you can apologize by buying her a new tea set for the one you busted or a new kimono. She wants a purple one."
Kanou rolled his eyes. "What should I do now at least? I need to speak to him."
Skyler stood and smoothed down his skirt. "Then go talk to him, there is no one that could really stop you. And if he sends you away, the come back tomorrow. Persistence pays off you know."
"Why are you helping me?"
Skyler shrugged. "Because Someya asked me too, and she is the boss after all. Plus Ayase is my friend now, and friends help each other."
Kanou nodded, still not really sure he could trust the blond, but at least listening to his words wouldn't hurt.
"I will say this though," Skyler added as he pulled out a compact to reapply his lip gloss, "Don't make this all about you."
"Its never been all about me." Kanou defended, "I've only ever cared about Ayase."
"Sure you care, but hes a small guy and you well," Skyler smirked as he looked Kanou up and down, "you're pretty big. Its easy for you to over shadow him. He may be small, but that doesn't make him weak, trust me. If he agrees to talk to you, I suggest you don't say a word."
"How the hell does that work?"
"Just listen to what he has to say. Let him lead and do what he wants to do. Why don't you just follow for once?"
With a tired sigh, Skyler shut the mirror and tucked it and the gloss into his skirt pocket. "That's why I hate dating big men, they're such barbarians."
He tossed Homare a sultry look, as he walked away towards the back rooms "Though you are pretty cute Mr. Silent. I could make an exception."
Kanou paused for only a moment before following after the blond. Skyler was right, he needed to be a man and face Ayase without playing games. He just hoped he knew how.
In the back room, Ayase was sitting with Someya as the two talked quietly. All conversation ceased as Skyler, Kanou, and Homare walked through the door. Someya stood, placing herself defensively in front of Ayase as the younger man flinched, a new wave of tears ready to spill from his eyes. Skyler raised his hands in a 'we come in peace' gesture. "He wants to talk to Aya-chan." he shot the bigger man a look, "In a civil way. I told him what you wanted me too and I think hes okay to try."
Ayase looked at Skyler, who gave the tearful blond an encouraging smile. Ayase was almost afraid to look at Kanou, but knew that he had to. Wiping away his tears, he met Kanou's gaze, hating how he could never really be sure what exactly the bigger man was feeling. Eyes may be the window to the soul, but Kanou seemed to have his windows boarded shut. "W-what do you want Kanou-san?" Ayase asked.
Kanou had to keep from flinching at the formal way his angel used his name, as if they where strangers. "To talk. Just to talk I swear."
"Well... I don't want to talk to you."
Kanou hesitated, an argument on the tip of his tongue. He glanced over at Skyler who stood off to one side of the room, and remembered what the younger man had said. He then trained his gaze on Someya, who looked like a mama bear protecting her cub. "Fine. I'll try tomorrow." he said, voice a strained monotone as he turned to leave.
He was just thinking how Skyler was wrong and how he'd probably have to kill the irritating cross-dresser, when he heard Ayase call him back. "Wait! Kanou, just wait a second!"
Kanou paused, turning back wordlessly. "You just...want to talk?" Ayase asked.
"Yes." 'Anything to try and get you back.'
Unsure, the blond turned to Someya, who smiled in support. "Don't look at me honey, its all up to you what you want."
Ayase took a deep breath, and turned back to Kanou with what he hoped was his best tough look. "All right, I'll go with you. But I will leave when I want to."
"Of course."
"A-and... this doesn't change anything..."
Kanou winced, but nodded.
Ayase then smiled, and Kanou's heart skipped a beat. He had missed that smile, and after not seeing it for three days, it was almost enough to bring him to his knees. He felt his resolve slipping ever so slightly, but Ayase had turned away and taking with him, his smile.
Ayase turned to gather his things, giving Skyler a guilty look. "Sorry, but I guess I won't be able to walk with you after work."
Skyler smiled and gave him a wink. "Don't worry about it. It won't be the first time I've had to brave the streets at night."
"Homare could take you home." Kanou suggested, knowing he should at least do something for the younger blond after his help. And probably should buy Someya that tea set and the purple kimono she wanted.
"Really?" Ayase asked, "Thank you Kanou, that would be great."
"Yeah," Skyler agreed quietly, smiling at Homare who, for a moment, looked shocked, before carefully settling back into his usual emotionless state, "That's just wonderful."
Kanou felt as if a great weight had been lifted off his shoulders as he extended his hands to Ayase, and without hesitation the younger male slipped his small hand into his. Things where far from being fixed, but at least for a moment, he felt as if they where taking steps into the right direction. As long as he had a chance to be with Ayase, Kanou would fight.
A/N: Wow! Finally a chapter that didn't end in something completely depressing! See? I made good on my promise that I would deliver another chapter by the end of the week! And I hope everyone likes it. Everyone guessed right when they said Skyler was the blond Someya was talking about. I hope no one is too put off by Skyler. I promise this is kind of really the only time he directly deals with Kanou and Ayase's relationship.
This chapter ended up not being as funny as I wanted it to be, but I do like how Skyler isn't easily intimidated by Kanou. That's why I love Someya too, she takes no shit!
On a side note, a friend of mine calculated it out and said that, without interest, Kanou and Ayase would have to have sex 25 times a day for him to be able to pay off his debt in three years. While I don't think this is correct because I think I gave him the wrong numbers, its a scary thought nonetheless. Poor Ayase...
The song for this chapter was 'Confidence (For You I Will)' by Teddy Gieger. I think it fits since both Kanou and Ayase need to find their confidence.
Until next chappy! Zomg thats when they go out on a *dun dun dun* DATE!
Review Replies! YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU ALL! Even if I don't mention you, know that your reviews are what make my life worth living! Help your local writers and please review people!
A Dangerous Notion: Yeah, one reason I took some time off was to rethink how I wanted Kanou to act. I find it weird since I feel like I identify with Kanou more, but seem to be able to get into Ayase's mind easier. O_O Anyway, I hope I can continue to make Kanou more in character.
Skyler is actually blond. In my head I picture him looking like Ayase, but instead he has more of a sun kissed complexion and golden blond hair instead of Ayase's porcelain skin and white blond hair. And his eyes are a darker shade of blue. I'm trying to get my friend Riny to draw me a picture that I can link for the fans but so far, no dice since she's super busy.
Skyler is the yin to Ayase's yang (or vice versa) but more of in attitude and lifestyle then looks. He's what would have happened to Ayase (in my opinion) had Kanou never been there. But you'll learn about that soon enough! ;)
NowakiStar: Zomg I love Linkin Park! Maybe I could use that song for a later chapter, I shall have to see. If not I should break out my CD's and review them. I keep looking for music to put at the start of each chapter and its harder then you would think!
I'm glad that you think Kanou is in character. He's proving to be the most difficult to deal with! And I'm glad everyone is not writing off Skyler right of the back. Hes a good character, I promise!
Splitmercury: Yeah, I'm actually re-reading and watching Okane Ga Nai and it makes me smile every time he speaks up and says his opinion. I figure he's got four years of suppressed feelings so he's got to let it out somehow! Thanks for reading!