His eyes widened a little at his thoughts. This…was not good…he couldn't develop a crush on people he hardly knew! That wasn't like him…Sure both had their charms…Shunsui was handsome, intelligent and his eyes seemed to be able to look through anything…and Juushiro was kind and one of the most beautiful beings Shinji had ever seen, he skin was fair, and it looked soft and unblemished. Shunsui on the other hand was more rough looking, something Shinji still enjoyed, rough but kind and passionate, his lips were also plusher looking than Juushiros - Stop! These two had been in a relationship for a longer time than Shinji was probably alive, it was so wrong on so many levels to think like that. Shinji felt shame wash over him at his thoughts. He would need to get a grip, right now this was nothing more than a harmless little crush, he could- no he would – easily get rid of this.
Which was easier said than done, seeing as Juushiro and Shunsui seemed to be everywhere he went. He ran into them on the streets, they popped up out of nowhere simply to say hello, lent a hand or in Shunsuis case hide from his Fukutaichou so he didn't have to do his paperwork. The two of them seemed to have taken a liking to Shinji, and Shinjis love filled brain couldn't help but cheer at the thought, while his more rational side spent its days hammering its head against any surface it came across.
This. Was. Not. Good.
Being in their constant presence made him notice the small thing about their mannerism, how Shunsui would tip his hat back every so often when he was showing his smile, or how Juushiro would start playing with the end of his haori sleeve when he was deep in thought. How they both seemed to be easy going to the outside world but had a more ruthless and darker side to them that made Shinji shudder sometimes. But the worst thing yet was that he could feel himself falling for them, for both of them! And that was certainly a first for the blonde-haired captain. He was sure, he wasn't the first person to fall for the combined charm and kindness of this duo, but he had absolutely no wish to jeopardize their blooming friendship with his pesky little crush – that wasn't as pesky or little anymore.
Setting down the paperwork for the day Shinji heaved a deep suffering sigh and leaned back in his chair. He hadn't seen Juushiro or Shunsui today, one side of him wanted to go find them, he enjoyed their presence, but another side of him knew that seeing them relentlessly was not going to make his feelings go away. His sigh turned into a groan when the full weight of the situation finally settled in. Why them? Couldn't he have fallen for some hot busty girl? He knew his thoughts were irrational, you couldn't help who you fall in love with…still it didn't help in making this situation any better.
Juushiro and Shunsui POV
They had spent some alarming amount of time with the new captain, often seeing less of each other during daytime, than the man that was becoming more and more a part of their world. Currently Shunsui and Juushiro were sat on Shunsuis veranda, overlooking his gardens and drinking tea. Juushiro had his head on Shunsuis shoulder and both of them were deep in thought, about the same man no less. It wasn't like they no longer loved each other. Ohh no. That was something absolutely ridiculous, but it seemed like both of them had developed quite the crush on a certain blonde-haired Captain.
Juushiro bit his lip a little nervously when the realization finally hit him. He unconsciously stiffened a little in Shunsuis hold. Shunsui looked down at him and raised one of his eyebrows in question. Juushiro sighed, he knew he would end up telling Shunsui about his cursh…he just didn't know how Shunsui would take the news…" I…There is something I need to tell you…" Juushiro told him, nervousity creeping into his voice. "And before I do, know that I love you more than anything, okay?" Juushiro asked him, his eyes turning serious and a little desperate. Kyoraku looked at him intensely before nodding his head. "I…It seems like I have developed a…crush…on someone." Kyoraku looked a little surprised, his own mind instantly turned to Shinji and his own crush on the blonde-haired man.
"Who?" Kyoraku simply asked, no judgement or accusation in his tone, only curiosity. Heaving a relieved sigh at Shunsuis immediate acceptance, Juushiro blushed a little and looked the other way. "…." Kyoraku frowned and leaned a little closer. "What? Speak up, I couldn't hear you." Juushiro blushed deeper. "Shinji-kun…" He said softly. Shunsui sat there a little dumbfound for a few seconds, finally he tipped his head back and roared with laughter. Juushiro looked at him completely perplexed. "What-What's so funny?" He asked still completely taken aback while Shunsui tried to calm his chuckles. "Maahh, it seems we have fallen for the same person, love." Shunsui finally said, still a little out of breath. "You mean…?" Juushiro asked, surprise written over his features as Shunsuis statement sank in. He started chuckling softly, turning into full blown laughter at the situation. "We-We really are hopeless." He finally wheezed out and looked at Shunsui a little teary eyed. "Well, the question remains…What do you want to do now?" Shunsui asked him. "Hmm…you mean…What do WE want to do now?" Juushiro corrected him. "Do you think…" Shunsui trailed of, Juushiro gestured for him to elaborate. "Do you think he would be willing to…join us?" Shunsui finally asked. "Join…you mean, as in our lover?" Juushiro asked softly. "Yes. This doesn't mean that I don't love you anymore, my love, you know I could happily spent the rest of eternity with you as my only one." Shunsui told him, raising one of Juushiros hands to his lips and kissing it softly. "It just means that our little family grows, there are many people out there, Juushiro, and we found someone that can hold both of out interests at the same time. What are the odds? Why not give it a try?" He finished looking at Juushiro in question.
Juushiro looked down, he liked the thought of making their family a little bigger…adding someone new to their relationship would bring in more diversity. They had never tried to date someone before in this way, but Shunsui was right, why not give it a try and Shinji was quite the incredible person, he would enjoy getting to know him even better. He nodded firmly and looked into Shunsuis eyes. "Let's try." He said. Shunsui grinned. "Hmm then we should probably start planning our next step…Operation Cupids Arrow can begin." Juushiro started laughing at the ridiculous name. Shunsui grinned brightly. "No seriously, what should we do?" Juushiro pondered this for a few minutes. "Why not simply ask him out?" He then stated. "Ohh, you want to go for blunt and straightforward?" Shunsui asked a little disbelievingly. Juushiro blushed. "If we are doing this in an underhanded way he might misunderstand our intentions. We want to get to know him and possibly add him to this relationship, so why not ask." He quickly defended himself. "Also, Shinji seems to be a person that would appreciate a little straightforwardness in contradiction to constant underhanded hinting and suspicious behavior." He finished pouting a little and yet looking triumphant. "Alright, alright. You win. So, when are we going to spring the happy news on our new addition?" Shunsui asked, head tipped back and looking up into the sky. "Tomorrow." Juushiro firmly stated. "We can't run from this." Shunsui chuckled a little. "Tomorrow it is."
And tomorrow came. There were few times in Shunsuis life he was truly nervous, one of them was certainly the first time he had kissed Juushiro and he could remember a couple of times he had felt nervous at being called to the Soutaichou for yet another prank Juushiro and him had pulled, or other mischief they had caused.
But still it never got better, no matter how many times you feel the string of butterflies in your stomach, sweaty hands and lump in your throat. Juushiro wasn't doing much better. Both had decided to go to Shinjis office, drag him along under the pretense of another night of drinking at Kyorakus house and then tell him. Juushiro nodded at Shunsui reassuringly before striding ahead and opening Shinjis office door. "Shinji-kun! How about drinking tonight?" Juuushiro asked him, his usual smile on his face. Shinji was currently sat on his desk, once again paperwork strewn across it, he was cradling his head in his hands and looked very close to crying. "God yes! Get me away from this nightmare!" He yelled, springing up and nearly hurling himself in their direction. Shunsui chuckled a little at his enthusiasm. It was strange, the second his eyes had settled on Shinji a sudden calm had taken him over. He didn't know why or where it had come from, but he sure wouldn't look a gifted horse in the mouth. "Well then let's go!" He said merrily, and they set on the familiar path to Kyorakus house. Juushiro was still nervous but Kyorakus sudden confidence gave him a boost and his eyes took a more determined glitter while they kept walking.
Sitting down at the now familiar table Shinji heaved a sigh. "You sure came at the perfect time, you know. I would have gone crazy if I had had to stay any longer crammed into that office." With that Shinji shuddered in revulsion. Kyorakus chuckled. "Ano saa, Shinji…there is actually something we need to talk to you about." Kyoraku said, rather getting it behind him than just procrastinating the inevitable. His tone had taken a sudden serious tone. Juushiro matched Kyorakus serious gaze. Shinji looked at them in surprise for a few seconds before nodding and gesturing for them to elaborate. Kyoraku sighted before starting to speak. "As you are aware, Juu-chan and I have been together for a…well let's say, awfully long time." Here he grinned a little and Juushiro scowled and swatted him on the arm. But his eyes were matching some of Kyorakus mirth.
Going back to his serious mood Kyoraku continued. "And even though it has been so long, we are still in love. Believe me that doesn't come from nothing, it's effort but at the same time it's not. You just have to meet the right person you know?" Shinji nodded a little wide eyed, he had absolutely no idea where this was going. "Meeting a person that is right for you, it's rare. And it's special. But now hypothetically…What would happen if you were as lucky as to not only meet one such person…but two of them in the same lifetime. Awfully lucky wouldn't it be?" Shinji tilted his head to the side and frowned a little. "I guess so…" He slowly said. "But wouldn't you have to choose?" Shinji finally asked. Kyorakus smiled a little closed mouth smile. "Would you?" He simply asked back. Shinjis frown deepened. "Well…If all parties are agreeable then all of them could be together. But for that to really work wouldn't the third person…you know…also need to 'click' with the second?" He asked.
Kyorakus smile widened. "I see you catch on quickly. Yes, how about not only the first person 'clicking' with two others but the remaining people also 'clicking' with each other?" He said. Shinji sighted. "Well that would be perfect, wouldn't it? But can you please get to the point? I already had to do a shit ton of awful paperwork, I'm really not up to discussing hypothetical polyamorous relationships." With that he raised his hand and pitched the brick of his nose. If he weren't this tired, he might have caught on where this conversation was leading, as it was he simply was too done to care. All he wanted to do was have a few drinks and then go to bed…preferably forever.
"The point I was trying to make was…Juushiro and I have met such a person." Shinji froze, he really didn't know how to take those news. Fantastic really, the two people he had been falling for, at lightning speed at that, were open for a three-way relationship…just not with him. He could feel his heart break at the thought of having to accept this third person, whoever it might be, because he wouldn't be able to give up this friendship even if it broke him apart. He knew he needed to react, and quickly. He had no time to be wallowing in self-pity, his friends were probably waiting for some sort of well-wishing or something like that. He wanted to know who it was, that had managed to worm their way into both of their hearts. He needed to know. He forced his usual grin on his face, luckily, he had a lot of practice covering up his feelings, he shoved them into the farthest part of his mind and gave his attention to the two loves of his life.
"I see. That's great! Who's the lucky guy…or girl?" He inquired, smile still intact on his face. Kyoraku sighted again, his heart had taken up speed again and he nervously glanced at Juushiro. He had been the one to lead them up to this point. Juushiro gave him a reassuring, if nervous smile, nodded and took Kyorakus hand under the table for support. He would be the one to take over now. "You." He simply stated. Shinjis smile froze, he hadn't seemed to register what was just said. "Sorry, I seem to have misheard. Who was it again?" He asked. Because there was no way, simply no way this could be happening. That's right! His wishful mind was playing tricks on him! Juushiro couldn't have said that just now.
Juushiros smile grew even more nervous, he gulped. "I said the person we both er…so to speak 'clicked' with. Is you." Shinji looked on in shock.
A/N: Now we are about to aff the first Person to our merry Little Group ^^
Let me know what you think about this guys...quite honestly I think I lost all my remaining marbles when I decided to write this.
~ Sal
