Title: The Imperial Palace Chapter 19
Setting: Strip Club AU.
Rating: M for you know why
Pairing: Alpha Pair
Warnings: Uncreative content, OOC-ness, I can't just let Sanada and Yukimura be happy, Yanagi Alert, oups no strip club in this chapter, etc.
Disclaimer: Prince of Tennis is not mine.
~o~o~o~
Yukimura couldn't quite help the smile playing at his lips when he got off the phone with Atobe. He knew he shouldn't be smiling, not with how tired Atobe sounded, not with the news of the excessive damage Oshitari had inflicted upon the Imperial Palace, and certainly not after knowing he wouldn't be getting tips for yet another day. Truly, it wasn't a happy situation at all.
However, it did mean he had the night off.
Yukimura immediately knew where he would be going that evening. Yukimura did see Sanada every night during work, but it had been a while since they had spent time together outside of work boundaries. Sanada was always the one going to the strip club too, therefore Yukimura was certain Sanada wouldn't mind if Yukimura was the one to go see him for a change.
As he took a shower Yukimura hummed a happy tune, only realizing how giddy he felt when he stepped out of the washroom wrapped in a towel. He stopped immediately and had to remind himself that his foreign feeling was okay. It wasn't odd to feel happy at the thought of seeing your… lover.
He dressed casually, letting his semi-dry hair tumble around his chin. He didn't put much thought into what he was wearing; part of him was hoping his clothes wouldn't stay on the whole night. He rushed out of his apartment like that, unable to stop himself from speed walking to his destination.
The university campus was buzzing with activity and laughing students. Sanada lived on the edge of the campus in a grey building. Inside were creaky stairs leading the way up numerous floors. On his way to the fifth floor, Yukimura passed other students and some open doors that were booming with loud music. Yukimura wondered if Sanada ever went to these campus parties or get-togethers with friends. Sanada didn't seem like the social type. Then again, Sanada didn't seem like the type to go to strip clubs either.
He reached the fifth floor and knocked on Sanada's door, almost bouncing in his eagerness. Unfortunately, the person who answered was not Sanada.
"Can I help you?" the young man asked, his eyes remaining closed yet somehow still leering enough to make Yukimura feel uneasy. Yanagi was this young man's name, if Yukimura recalled correctly, and he was Sanada only roommate.
"Oh, hello. I'm here to-"
"'See Sanada'," Yanagi interrupted, "...is what you were going to say."
"...Yes. Is he here?" Yukimura asked. Already his plans for the night were crumbling, especially if the roommate was here.
"He's in his room." Yanagi surveyed him. "Studying," he added.
"May I come in?" Yukimura asked, because Yanagi didn't look ready to invite him in.
"I suppose."
Somehow, Yukimura didn't think Yanagi liked him very much.
Yanagi sat at the kitchen table, surrounded by a mountain of books. The television wasn't on, nor did Yanagi have any earphones to listen to music. Yukimura only hoped Yanagi was the type with strong concentration.
The door to Sanada's bedroom opened. "Who was at the door, Renji?" Sanada asked and froze when he saw Yukimura. "Oh… hi."
A smile curved onto Yukimura's face. "Hello to you too. I'm not here at a bad time, am I?" Yukimura couldn't help the smile nor the warmth that spend through him at the sight of Sanada. With messy hair, tired eyes, and baggy pajamas, Sanada looked like he hadn't left his room all day. This would be a nice change of pace for him.
"N-No, not at all," said Sanada. Yanagi snorted and Sanada shot him a quick look. "Please, come in."
Sanada's room was the same as always; a dresser in the corner, a single-person bed to the side and a desk holding multiple open books. It was small, plain, and frankly rather boring to look at, but it was neat and very much like Sanada. Besides ugly beige curtains and a calendar, the walls were bare
"Is something the matter?" Sanada asked, shutting the door behind him. "I was about to go to the Imperial Palace in a few hours. I'm not presentable yet…"
"Can't I visit you once in a while?" Yukimura said, smile playing at his lips.
"Of course, but-" Sanada didn't get the chance to finish his sentence. Yukimura shoved Sanada against the desk and kissed his lips, lingering for seconds longer than he had intended. Sanada sighed into his mouth.
"No need to go tonight. I have the evening off. Apparently Oshitari did a lot more damage than we initially thought and Atobe needs to hire new bartenders. The club's closed tonight," Yukimura said, seating himself on Sanada's bed. "My night is now in your hands."
He heard Sanada's nervous swallow. "Renji's studying in the next room," Sanada whispered.
Yukimura made a thoughtful noise. He honestly didn't care about the roommate, but Sanada obviously minded. "The way I see it is, we can either try not to make any noise, or we go have fun somewhere else." Yukimura shrugged. "But frankly, I find hotels to be rather tacky. So what will it be?"
Yukimura swung his legs off the side of the bed, playfully awaiting an answer. Sanada chewed on his lip, eyebrows furrowed in thought.
"What's the matter?" Yukimura asked when Sanada was silent for a whole minute.
"Nothing," Sanada said quickly. "I was just wondering why those were the only options…"
"What do you mean?"
"We don't have to go to a hotel," Sanada said hesitantly. "I thought maybe we could go to your place...?"
"No." Yukimura's tone made it very clear that this was not up for debate. Sanada had never seen Yukimura's home, and nor was he going to if Yukimura had anything to say about it. His home was his sanctuary and Sanada was...
Well, Yukimura wasn't exactly sure what Sanada was. A lover, he guessed. For now. He knew he liked Sanada a lot, enough to miss him when they had separated a few weeks back, but Yukimura didn't like thinking too hard about the future.
Sanada's face displayed heavy disappointment. "I see," Sanada murmured. "We could go elsewhere. We haven't gone on a real date since… a while."
"You come see me at the club every day," Yukimura pointed out.
"But it's not the same," Sanada said, grimacing. "We could go to dinner, or do an activity together. I don't know what sort of things you like, but we can figure something out."
Sanada's face fell when Yukimura looked away.
"If you're not in the mood to sleep with me, then just say so. You don't have to find excuses," Yukimura said.
"I'm just a bit tired today," Sanada said with a heavy sigh. He looked tired too, with the circles under his eyes and stubble on his chin.
Now Yukimura felt a bit ridiculous for having come all this way unannounced. He knew he shouldn't blame Sanada. Sanada was usually very good at indulging him and never refused anything Yukimura asked of him. For Sanada to say no meant he really must be quite exhausted. However, all this meant most of his plans for the night wouldn't be happening and Yukimura couldn't help but feel rather bitter about it.
"No, it's fine," Yukimura said. "We can take it easy tonight, I suppose. A date is not necessary either."
Sanada opened his mouth and closed it again. He looked at the floor and muttered, "Sorry."
Yukimura nearly cringed. Hearing Sanada apologize for ridiculous things that weren't even his fault always made a pang of guilt shoot through him. "Don't say that. Come here," Yukimura said, patting the covers next to him. Sanada hesitated for a second. "Don't worry, I won't do anything you won't like."
Sanada went to the bed, sinking down onto the mattress next to Yukimura. Yukimura pushed him into a lying down position, letting Sanada relax along the length of the small bed. Yukimura leaned over him, kissing him gently on the lips and brushing his cheek with the tips of his fingers. Yukimura pushed Sanada's hair back, seeing the bags under his eyes more clearly.
"Do you have trouble sleeping?" Yukimura asked. "You shouldn't stay up late if you're tired."
"Ah, no," Sanada said, touching Yukimura's hip. "I like visiting you at the club."
Yukimura nipped at Sanada's lips, drawing his mouth along Sanada's in slow sensual patterns until Sanada sighed and closed his eyes. "Let me do the work today then," Yukimura said.
Sanada cracked an eye open when he felt Yukimura's hands grabbing at the hem of his pants. Sanada looked ready to object but seemed too tired to do anything. Sanada didn't even lift his hips to help Yukimura tug to material lower.
Yukimura didn't let it deter him; he pushed Sanada's pants down just enough to pull out his member. Yukimura then undid his own buttons, freeing his own dick and maneuvering himself until he sat in just the right position on top of Sanada's thighs. Sanada started, a low noise coming from his throat when Yukimura pressed their hips together. Yukimura was already hard, eagerly rubbing his throbbing flesh against Sanada's limp one. Sanada lifted his hand and Yukimura shrugged it away.
"No, let me," Yukimura said and set about finding a rhythm.
Yukimura's hands held both their cocks together, rubbing up and down, his hips straining forward and back. He smiled when he felt Sanada harden, seeing Sanada's lips part to release heavy breaths.
It wasn't exactly what Yukimura had expected coming here for, but he supposed it wasn't a bad alternative. Yukimura stared at Sanada's cock and spread his thumb along the tip. It was wet, sticking to his finger when he pulled it back. Sanada's member stood thick and dark, looking even larger chaffing against Yukimura's paler one. Yukimura bit his lip, wishing he could just put it inside him. He wanted the hard, hot stretch of it filling him, reaching in deep to places even his fingers couldn't touch. The fantasy alone had him releasing a moan.
Sanada's hips rotated in tune with Yukimura's hand. Sanada panted, his eyes shut tight and his hands gripping the covers so hard his knuckles turned white. Yukimura squeezed tighter, gasping as the friction became nearly unbearable.
Sanada really was tired because his stamina didn't last long. Sanada grunted in warning before spilling all over Yukimura's hand. The slickness facilitated the process; Yukimura's continued jerking fast, still squeezing tighter and tighter. The over-stimulation had Sanada cringing until finally Yukimura too tumbled over the edge, letting his seed drip onto Sanada's stomach. "Ah…" Yukimura whispered, shivering.
Yukimura cleaned up with the tissues lying next to Sanada's bed. It was only after he was done dabbing up his ejaculate from Sanada's stomach that he realized Sanada was lying limp on the bed, his eyes closed and his breathing even.
Cute, Yukimura thought fondly, staring right into Sanada's sleeping face.
He probably ought to take his leave. It was a shame the night hadn't been long but Yukimura supposed there would be other times to do better.
Right as Yukimura was buttoning up his pants, Sanada's eyes fluttered. "Yuki... mura…?" Sanada asked, sounding rather confused.
"Shh, sleep. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" Yukimura said.
Sanada reached up slowly, his fingers touching the back of Yukimura's hand. "Stay?" he asked.
Yukimura swallowed thickly. "Your bed is too small."
"Please."
Yukimura chewed the inside of his cheek. He really should go home and let Sanada sleep. But his apartment and bed were cold and far away while Sanada was here, warm and inviting. Damn it.
"Okay," Yukimura breathed. "Just this once."
He slid into Sanada's arms, inserting his head under Sanada's chin. Sanada was so warm and his chest was pleasingly solid against Yukimura's body. Sanada had fallen back asleep by the time Yukimura tugged the covers over both of them. Yukimura closed his eyes too, listening to Sanada's steady breathing, and before he knew it he was joining Sanada in the land of dreams.
~o~o~o~
Yukimura's awakening was far less pleasant than falling asleep had been.
Someone was knocking on a door in a manner that was loud and insistent. Yukimura frowned, digging his face deeper into Sanada's chest. No, he didn't want to move, not yet. Yukimura was distinctly aware that he was too hot, his skin sweaty and sticky, but still the thought of getting up was the last thing on his mind.
But still the knocking persisted. Sanada too began shifting awake.
When the knocking stopped, it was only because Sanada's roommate had decided to enter the room.
"I do apologize for waking you both up," Yanagi said from the doorway. "But Genichirou, I do believe your exam is in half an hour and I don't think you want to miss it."
Sanada bolted upright so fast Yukimura nearly slid off the bed.
"The exam!" Sanada exclaimed and practically threw himself off the bed, covers and all. Yukimura groaned, curling up into a ball and trying to escape wakefulness. He could hear Sanada scrambling around like a madman, opening drawers and pulling out clothes. Sanada hopped around, putting on his socks backwards and stuffing books into a dirty old backpack. Sanada didn't even comb his hair or take a trip to the washroom; he just grabbed his bag and put on his shoes, ready to go.
Yukimura squinted at him, grabbing the covers from the floor and curling back up inside them.
"S-Sorry, Yukimura, but I have to—"
"'S fine," Yukimura mumbled. He wasn't even sure if Sanada heard him because Sanada left before Yukimura was even done answering. The door shut closed behind him, leaving Yukimura in peaceful silence. Yukimura didn't know how early it was, but it definitely felt too early to get up.
He must have fallen back asleep for a while because when Yukimura awoke there was light coming in through the small window. Yukimura checked his phone. It said it was almost noon.
Yukimura yawned, stretching and grimacing at how the lumpy mattress had left him feeling stiff. How did Sanada manage to sleep on this thing night after night anyways? Yukimura's clothes were wrinkled and Yukimura really wished he had spares. Yukimura would've raided Sanada's closet, but he didn't think Sanada's clothes would fit him well.
Yukimura peeked outside the bedroom door. He didn't find Sanada, but Yanagi was still there, studying in the exact same chair as the previous night. Yanagi paused, looking straight at him.
Yukimura shifted his weight to his other foot. "Uh… I'm just going to use the washroom," Yukimura explained. Yanagi nodded towards a door at the end of the tiny hallway. "Yeah, thanks," Yukimura said even if he already knew where the bathroom was.
As he washed his face, Yukimura contemplated whether he ought to head home or stay and wait for Sanada to return. Last night hardly felt like enough; they had barely spent an hour together before falling asleep. But Yukimura did have to work tonight…
He supposed he could wait a bit and leave if Sanada didn't soon return. Yukimura was certain Sanada would understand either way.
Yanagi stared at him again when Yukimura exited the washroom. Yukimura immediately re-entered Sanada's bedroom, unwilling to socialize with Yanagi. Plus, the way Yanagi looked at him with closed eyes was rather creepy.
However, barricading himself in Sanada's bedroom hardly improved anything because Yukimura soon learned that Sanada's room was extremely boring. The room was tiny and as bland as a bowl of porridge. The shelves held nothing but big heavy academic texts, the closet had black and grey clothes all neatly folded, and the desk was a mess of papers and pens. There was nothing of interest, not even a hidden diary or a dirty magazine under the mattress.
Yukimura picked through the papers on Sanada's desk for a lack of better things to do. He found scribbled notes, and typed assignments, some of them with grades on them. Yukimura frowned at those last ones because some grades were definitely not very good.
A knock on the door interrupted Yukimura's thoughts. Yukimura dropped the paper he had been holding and cracked the door open.
"There is a 98.7% chance you need nourishment," Yanagi said. "I was planning on preparing omurice."
"Oh." Yukimura blinked in surprise. "Yeah. I'll help you."
And so Yukimura ended up chopping onions and peppers as Yanagi stood next to him, mixing eggs and simmering bits of chicken. Yanagi didn't speak to him unless it was to give Yukimura cooking instructions. Yukimura bit his tongue but he didn't think he could take the silence for much longer.
"Uh, have you known Sanada for long?" Yukimura asked as he handed Yanagi the bowl with all the chopped veggies.
"For approximately eleven years, three months and twenty days," Yanagi replied.
"That's good." Yukimura paused, wiping his hands on the towel. "I guess you are both very good friends. So, uh… what was Sanada like when he was younger?"
"Frighteningly similar to how he is now. Though he does indulge in pleasantries more numerously when he is around you," Yanagi said. "Genichirou hardly ever sleeps in, yet he does so with you sharing his bed. It's interesting data."
They watched the eggs fry. Yanagi inserted the rice mixed with the vegetables and chicken. It sizzled.
"It's lucky you woke him up, huh?" Yukimura said. "That exam sounds important."
"Yes, it is," Yanagi said. "Although I don't approve of his study habits and lack of time management skills as of late, I do wish him luck. Judging by his current intellectual capacity and study time, he has a 47% chance of passing the exam."
"Why so low?" Yukimura asked, concerned. He thought back to those papers lying around Sanada's desk with the bad grades and remembered how exhausted Sanada was last night. "I'm sure Sanada's prepared. I mean, obviously he studies a lot. He was very tired from studying yesterday."
Yanagi opened his eyes and gave him a look.
"Now's hardly the time for you to be concerned," Yanagi said. "It's a bit too late for that."
"What do you mean?"
"Genichirou isn't tired because he studies too much," Yanagi said. "He's tired because he spends every night at a strip club to see you."
Yukimura stepped back, reeling like he had just been slapped in the face.
"I don't tell him to come see me every night," Yukimura said. "Sanada insists on coming. I mean, I knew he was in school, but he never said… he never told me he was having trouble..."
That bastard, Yukimura thought. Of course Sanada had been coming to see him every night! First because Sanada had been desperate to get Yukimura back, and now because Sanada was afraid of losing him again. Damn it, how could he have been so blind? Obviously staying up all night would negatively affect Sanada's day performance! Yukimura felt like such an idiot, coupled with a burning frustration because Sanada had never mentioned having any problems before.
"I do believe Genichirou goes to the club on his own free will, however I do not think you discourage him from going either," Yanagi said. "He hardly studies lately."
"He never told me he was having problems," Yukimura said. His voice sounded hollow to his own ears. Sanada had been the one to insist they give this relationship another shot. Sanada always listened to Yukimura's problems. Sanada always seemed trustworthy… yet here he was not telling Yukimura that he was failing classes because he spent so much time at a strip club!
"I never expected Sanada to tell you," Yanagi said nonchalantly. He slid the prepared food onto two plates."He didn't tell me either. Genichirou is the type to bear burdens in silence."
"But still," Yukimura said, scowling. "If he can't trust me with such a simple thing, then why did he insist on staying with me at all?"
"He treads on thin ice with you and he knows it," Yanagi said. "It's something you'll have to take up with him."
"Oh, I will," Yukimura affirmed.
They ate the omurice together. Under other circumstances it would've tasted better, but Yukimura was too furious to focus on the food in his mouth. Did Sanada honestly think he could hide everything and suffer in silence? If Yanagi hadn't told him then things might have turned out much worse. Just thinking about how tired Sanada had been yesterday now made Yukimura's blood boil.
It was the middle of the afternoon when Sanada returned. Sanada looked gaunt, laying his bag next to the door and looking like he was carrying a thousand tons on his shoulders. Yukimura and Yanagi both paused in the midst of their conversation to look at Sanada.
"Yukimura?" Sanada said, seeing the bluenette seated opposite of Yanagi. "I thought you'd have gone home by now. Ah, I'm happy to see you regardless."
"That's nice," Yukimura said. "How did your exam go, Sanada?"
"It went… fine," Sanada said with a hint of hesitation. That little pause gave it all away, affirming all that Yanagi had said.
"That's good. Tell me, are you planning on coming to the club tonight?" Yukimura asked.
"Of course!" Sanada said.
The room seemed to darken instantly. Yukimura glared, his entire being radiating anger and coldness. Sanada gulped.
"Y-Yukimura, is something wrong?"
"Why didn't you tell me you were struggling in school?" Yukimura demanded, crossing his arms.
Sanada's eyes widened with understanding. He looked over to Yanagi. "Renji, what did you tell him?"
"Renji didn't tell me anything," Yukimura lied, pointing an accusatory finger at Sanada. "Did you think I wouldn't notice how tired you were? Did you think I wouldn't see the papers full of failed grades on your desk? Do you think I'm a complete idiot, Sanada?"
"No, no, Yukimura, I didn't want to worry you-"
Yukimura scoffed. "You're an idiot. This is about your future. University is far more important than going to a goddamn strip club every night. What are you going to do if you fail?"
Sanada opened his mouth and shut it again. He looked down at the floor, like a kid who had gotten caught doing something he shouldn't have.
Yukimura rose from his seat. "Renji, thank you for the delicious lunch. Your company was very enjoyable."
"Come back anytime," Yanagi replied with a smile.
"Keep an eye on this troublesome one for me, will you?" Yukimura said, pointing again to Sanada. "Make sure he's not doing unnecessary things."
"Of course."
"Yukimura…" Sanada began.
"Sanada," Yukimura said, "you are hereby prohibited from stepping foot inside the Imperial Palace until your grades improve."
"But-"
"No buts. If I see you there, I'll have security throw you out."
"But I-"
"I'm serious, Sanada," Yukimura snapped. Sanada flinched, frowning at the ground. "You can't keep on doing this. Now go to bed and rest." Yukimura approached Sanada, who was now looking like a pitiful puppy. Yukimura felt almost sorry for him.
Almost.
"C-Can I at least call you?" Sanada asked quietly.
Yukimura exhaled. "Fine," he permitted. "But no dates. Not until you get those grades back up."
Sanada looked absolutely miserable. Yukimura couldn't blame him. First his school wasn't going well and now here Yukimura was yelling at him. Even if it was Sanada's own fault, Yukimura took pity on him for a second and reached up to press a light kiss on his lips.
"I know you'll be back on track before long. And the next time you come visit me, I'll give you a lap dance you won't ever forget." Yukimura smiled and exited out the door, waving back over his shoulder. "Take care, Sanada."
~o~o~o~