Unlocking My Love

Author: JadeHeart
Fandom: Gravitation
Warnings: bad language
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this, they belong to the creators of ‘Gravitation’.


Unlocking My Love: Chapter 2


Shuichi pushed his hands deep into his pockets against the chill of the night air. His slightly-too-large shoes (borrowed from Hiro) splashed in the puddles on the pavement, sending up sprays of droplets. The bottom of his pants were already well on their way to being soaked but he wasn’t paying that much attention to them. He cast a wary eye to the sky above not wishing a repeat of earlier this night and being caught in a downpour, however it remained clear, not a cloud to be seen, just the glitter of stars.

He walked briskly down the street. He didn’t want to get a cab just yet, he wanted some time to think and he normally did that best when he was moving. Sitting and musing usually resulted in him tying himself in knots and still resolving nothing.

He continued on his soggy way, letting his thoughts go back over the events of this night. Looking back at it he felt like he had gone through a lifetime of changes in the space of a mere few hours. From his feelings of depression, to his crushing fear and confusion over his sexuality and the resulting turmoil that generated, to his discussions with Hiro and Tohma, all culminating in that final, fateful meeting in the park. It seemed like that was more than enough for one person to experience at one time.

How did he feel about it all now?, he pondered, splashing along, the lights reflected in the puddles shattering as his feet broke each mirrored pool with every step. He had been scared by those memories – really and truly scared. And confused. He shuddered as he was once again assaulted by those images, his body alternating between flushes of hot and cold as the conflicting emotions swept over him. He was still confused, not knowing how to deal with these new memories and sensations. Talking with Hiro had calmed him down a little. It had helped him distance himself from those moments, making him view it more objectively and give his emotions a break. So that had truly been helpful, but it hadn’t actually resolved anything. All those feelings were still there.

Then, following close on the heels of those emotions, had been anger. He had begun to feel really and truly angry. The more confused he felt, the more uncertain, the angrier he grew. He had felt so....cheated. The more he remembered of his life before, of his time with Yuki, the more he felt how much had been…lacking since his return. He had been feeling quite lost, almost incomplete and he hadn’t known why. Now he did. Which was a good thing, yes, but it had been so hard living with before. Now he had found what had been missing. And he was angry that everyone had wanted to keep that from him.

His talk with Tohma had been good - and bad. Yes, Tohma had told him the truth of his relationship with Yuki so at least he knew now that he wasn’t going completely crazy. Those dreams he had been having hadn’t just been dreams, they had been memories, memories pushing to the surface of his subconscious, demanding to be recognized. He had been glad to learn of that; it had been a huge relief.

However, the bad had been realising just how many people had been in on the deception, including Tohma. His friends, even his family, everyone he knew and thought he could trust had been lying to him all this time. He had felt a huge betrayal at that realization. But far the worst was that it had been at Yuki’s request. That had hurt most of all!

He hadn’t known what to think of that. He had been shocked when Tohma had told him, then upset, scared, and then deep down angry. He had tried to keep a lid on all those emotions, had tried to hold them in check until he could speak to Yuki in person and find out why he had wanted to deceive him, to ask him why he had wanted to make a mockery of their previous life. However, he had been completely unprepared for the gambit of emotions that had struck him when he accidentally came upon the man in question at the park of all places.

When he had recognized that tall lean form leaning against the railing in the distance his heart had given such a lurch that it had left him with a feeling almost like pain, and that feeling had overridden the anger that had been churning inside.

Yuki hadn’t seen him at first. He had been looking at something in his hands. Shuichi had just stood there for a moment, torn between walking forward, and turning around and walking away. The anger was still there, deep inside, simmering quietly, silent yet still burning hot. But something else had kept him frozen in place.

He had watched that piece of paper, stark white against the darkness of the night, lift from Yuki’s hands and drift towards him to settle at his feet. As he had leant down to pick it up, he had remembered again their first meeting here, and his mischievous streak couldn’t resist rising to the surface and making that comment, “Zero. You’ve got zero talent”.

Oh, yes, he remembered those words so clearly like they had been said just yesterday to him! How could he ever forget them? Those words were the start of everything; that scrap of lyrics the catalyst to what then occurred between the two of them. That meeting there in the park back on that night had turned his world upside down and spun him around dizzyingly until there were days he no longer even knew who he was anymore. He went from being an ordinary high school student with a grandiose dream, to something much, much more, and all in the space of that moment to pick up a piece of paper.

That time had been completely overwhelming and frightening, and little exciting; yet through it all there was one thing that he had been certain of, no matter how weird or strange it had been, and that was that he had wanted to be with Yuki. That was the only thing he had known was real, that felt real, and it was the only thing that had grounded him during that time. No-one else seemed to understand that. Hell, he hadn’t even been able to understand it fully himself so how could he have ever been able to explain it to someone else?! But whatever the reason; fate karma, destiny, whatever you wanted to call it, it was still the one and only truth that he clung to even now - Yuki.

He continued walking on his way, heading in the direction of his home, still thinking. So yes, he had repeated those first words. They had brought back so many memories and feelings of those early days; those first confusing meetings, the bizarre dance that he and Yuki had played out. It had brought a smile to his face as those thoughts came back to him again.

As he had walked closer to Yuki he had thought he would have found a smile on his face too, yet instead he had been forced to view the completely impassive features staring down at him. He could detect nothing, no emotion at all either on the face or in the shadowed eyes watching him.

His heart had tightened painfully in his chest again at that moment. So it had all been true - not that he thought for a moment that Tohma had lied to him about any of this, but this did just confirm what he had been told. Yuki had wanted the lie. Yuki hadn’t wanted to see him. That’s why the deception.

He hadn’t known what to do then. It was too late to just walk away, he had started this conversation and there was now no comfortable way to just end it. What should he do?, he had thought. Perhaps just say something simple. Yes, keep it simple and short and finish things up so he could then go and escape this now awkward situation.

So he had continued speaking, intending to maintain a polite distance in the conversation, not trying to be too friendly. He was just going to let Yuki know he had finally remembered everything so there was no longer any need for the lies to continue but he had suddenly felt the urge to go on. He had so much to say, so much he had to say - even if Yuki wasn’t interested in hearing it! His intention to just keep it casual vanished as he couldn’t halt the flow of words spilling from his lips.

He had hoped, hoped so much, that Yuki would say something to him during that time - anything. To say some words to him, to interrupt him, to apologise for the deception - but there had been nothing.

He hadn’t intended to tell him about his break up with Annette. He still hurt over that, even though he knew it was for the best. No, not for the best. It had been the only thing he could do and be true to himself - but it had still hurt. Right at that moment he would have given anything for her comforting and supportive presence by his side!

Still he had blurted it all out, and still Yuki said nothing. Shuichi had felt his world crumbling again, the fragile picture in his mind fading away. Damn him! he screamed to himself. Damn you, Yuki, for bringing me back to this! If he could have found the energy he would have flung himself at the man and squeezed the life out of him. Anything to get a reaction out of the seeming marble-like statue before him that was incapable of anything remotely resembling emotion.

But he couldn’t do it. He was too tired, too emotionally drained. He just couldn’t cope anymore with all this. He had just collapsed internally then, completely and utterly defeated, his emotions folding like a house of cards.

He had been fighting to keep the tears from his eyes by that time, not wanting Yuki to see him cry. He couldn’t have borne it if he had broken down then. Yet at the same time he couldn’t seem to make himself walk away just yet. So he tried once more to speak to Yuki, hoping against hope to see something of the caring he had believed they had shared…or had all that been a lie also?

Instead of any such signs, Yuki had turned away, and before he could stop it he had found himself saying those words - those three words. He hadn’t been intending to do so – he didn’t even know where they had come from but there they lay, blurted out into the night air, to hang heavily between them. Shuichi tried not to have the mental image of those three poor little words swaying in the wind like felons on the gallows. He felt responsible for dooming them to this horrible demise they now faced.

Yuki had stopped after he had said those words but still hadn’t turned around and Shuichi then felt a wave of unreasoning panic. What to do? What should he do?! He couldn’t take them back, not after it had been said. And it wasn’t exactly a lie either but he knew himself he wasn’t prepared for them yet. Why wouldn’t Yuki say something? Anything?! Why didn’t he yell, or scream, or throw something at him? Where were the cold cutting remarks, the put downs? Anything would be better than this drawn out silence!

He couldn’t take it any more then. The silence, the unknowing, the fear, the anger – everything, he just couldn’t take it any more. He had found himself moving then, pushing away from the railing and running those few feet until he stood in front of Yuki. Enough, he had been thinking to himself. He had to have an answer, some form of explanation for what had happened, for what Yuki had down. He deserved that much at least!

Yet when he had fronted Yuki what he had seen had stopped him in his tracks and halted all words. The single tear that traced a silvery trail down that pale cheek glistening in the lamplight like a precious jewel, caught at his heart and stopped the angry words about to pour out. He had hardly ever seen Yuki cry in all these years. It was only at very emotional times that tears could seem to manage to break through the cold façade that Yuki generally maintained to escape their master’s iron-willed cage. Yuki was not one to cry over nothing. Could it be because of him?, Shuichi wondered, watching in amazement as the tear slowly wound its way to the tip of the sharp chin. Could he have touched something in this man after all? Could it be because of those words he had said?

He couldn’t help it then. He just had to reach out and touch that beautiful face before him. The warmth of the skin under his fingertips reminded him of his dreams. No, his memories. He knew this face; his hand cupped the cheek, moulding itself over the contours in a well known gesture, moving without conscious thought. Yes, he knew this face, he knew this touch.

“Aren’t you happy?” He had asked, desperate for an answer. He couldn’t ask the question the way he had wanted to, like ‘Aren’t you happy to see me?’, or ‘Aren’t you happy I love you?’. Did Yuki understand those silent questions he didn’t dare utter out loud?

When Yuki had finally answered in the affirmative, he still didn’t know which question he was answering; the voiced or the silent, yet Shuichi had felt a great feeling of relief anyway.

Yuki was looking at him now, really looking at him and with an intensity that made Shuichi’s heart soar, even whilst it made it flutter with something akin to fear. He had felt himself relaxing a little though, all his tense muscles releasing as he basked in that look. The light banter following relieved him even more, the words and rhythm so familiar to him it was like being wrapped in a warm comforting blanket. Or the arms of a lover.

Then, when Yuki had held up the necklace, when the glitter of gold had cascaded downwards before his eyes and he had heard Yuki say those words, he had thought he was going to die from the happiness he was feeling. As that chain had been poured into his open receiving palms he had felt such indescribable joy. He couldn’t remember being so happy, not ever. Not even when he and Yuki had first got together. This was a different kind of happiness, a feeling of coming home. Of finally coming home after a very, very long time.

He had thought everything was perfect then. He was so happy that he was having trouble even thinking straight and his ability to speak had suddenly deserted him. It had been Yuki that had taken charge, steering him out of the park, flagging a taxi down and directing it to his apartment.

Shuichi remembered standing there on the sidewalk, looking up at the apartment block as Yuki paid the fare. He knew this place, it was the same address, it was his home. No, he amended in his mind, their home. A silly grin spread across his face. Their home – it had a nice ring to it. He had liked it.

He had silently followed Yuki inside, feeling a little nervous suddenly and not understanding why. He should be happy to be back here, surely? Yet, as he had entered that room, he suddenly realized that things weren’t the same, and could never be the same.

It had spiralled down hill from there.

Shuichi stomped along the darkened street, his steps indicating the depth of the anger that slowly and insidiously crept to the surface of his mind. No longer was it hiding, lurking in the depths of his psyche, now it was released and making itself known. His feet slapped against the wet pavement with more force as his steps quickened in time to his rapid thoughts.

How dare Yuki take him back there just to rub his nose in the fact that he didn’t want him there?! The bastard had not only packed up all his stuff, he had bought a new couch as well! How dare he do that, and then sit there acting as if nothing had changed? That nothing was different? The prick! The jerk! The fucking bastard!

Shuichi’s steps were so fast now he was almost running, the anger fuelling his stamina. He ignored the splashing water that was sending dirty droplets high up his pants almost to his waist. He couldn’t have stopped even if he had wanted to.

Damn him! Damn Yuki!

He ran harder.

When he had seen those boxes he had never felt so angry in his life. He refused to acknowledge to himself that the feeling he had actually experienced at that time was loss – a deep grieving loss that had made his heart ache. Damn the man!

Yet…and his steps slowed again, gradually falling back to a walking pace. Yet Yuki had sat there and just watched him, watched everything he did. He had seemed a little…nervous perhaps? Maybe it had been just as awkward for him? But if that was so, why had he bought Shuichi back there? What had he wanted? If he hadn’t wanted Shuichi there why did they go there? What did Yuki want?!

Shuichi breathed rapidly as he gulped in more oxygen to fill his starved lungs. He didn’t understand any of this. Yuki didn’t seem to want him, or anything to do with him, or even any reminders of him, but….

He had still put the necklace on him.

Shuichi’s hand stole up to wrap around the charm nestled against his skin. Yuki had given that to him. He had told him that he was the key to his heart. Okay, it was a bit corny and something at any other time Shuichi would never have believed Yuki would have been capable of saying, yet…..

It had felt so right. Just then, right at that moment in time, it had been perfect between them.

Then reality had hit.

However Yuki had still put the necklace on for him. He hadn’t asked for it back and hadn’t even tried to brush it all aside and pretend it meant nothing. Something had been there. It must have been!

Shuichi stopped and took a deep calming breath, exhaling slowly, trying to release the tight muscles in his shoulders. Okay, so Yuki didn’t want him living with him but still…what?

Shuichi tried to think through it rationally for a moment, trying to put things into perspective. Yuki hadn’t tried to severe all ties with him, in fact by giving him the necklace it was almost reaffirming their bond - sort of. He glanced down at his hand, unable to see the scar wrapped around his finger yet knowing it was still there. He didn’t know if this was the same as the rings had been but it had still been a gift to him. Yuki had got it for him, and him alone. You don’t give a gift like that to someone you don’t want to have anything do with. So just what did Yuki mean by it?

Shuichi shivered a little as a chill gust swept over him. Right, enough thinking, it was time to get home before he froze to death, he thought and called a taxi, not having long to wait before one arrived and he gratefully climbed into its warmth. Thank goodness for Hiro’s thoughtfulness in providing him with some money.

So what did it all mean?, he thought as he gazed out at the blurred scenery. If Yuki didn’t want him to live with him but wasn’t telling him to leave, what did that mean? He raised his hands to his head, tangling his fingers in his hair and tugging it in frustration. Why couldn’t the man just talk to him? Why couldn’t he just tell him what he wanted? Why the hell was he trying to guess?!

Oh! He suddenly sat up straighter as a thought crossed his racing mind, seeing the eyes open wider on his reflection in response. Oh, shit!

He closed his eyes briefly. That must be it, he thought. Yuki doesn’t think I’m into guys anymore since I was with Annette. Aw, crap! Shuichi grimaced now, recalling the clearly shocked expression on Yuki’s face when they had first met in Quebec. So Yuki’s having doubts about me, is he?

Suddenly the anger flared anew. Well, what does he expect?! He wasn’t there for me! I was all alone and I did the best that I could! What did he expect? Was I supposed to be just sitting around waiting for him or something? That would have been a bit hard since I didn’t fucking remember him! This isn’t my fault. I’m not to blame for any of it and I’m not going to take the blame for it! And to hell with him!! He’s the one who lied to me! And made everyone else lie as well! That bastard was trying to control my entire life - even worse than Tohma ever had! He had no right to just arbitrarily decide what he thought was right for me, just because he thought he might get embarrassed by it or some other such drivel. The jerk!

Shuichi stewed in the cab, the anger continuing to burn. Yuki had no right to do what he did, he fumed. He’d better have a damn good reason for it when I ask him about it! A real good reason!

***********

“No, no, no! That’s not it! What is going on with you today? Go over it again!”

Sakano’s wail was punctuated by the shots K was firing off like an unholy chorus as the other occupants in the room just looked on wearily. It was hardly worth getting excited about as it was about the sixteenth time already this same scenario had played out and they hadn’t even made it to lunch yet.

Shuichi glared back at the two demanding a repeat of the song they were currently working on, about to explode with the emotions that had been churning inside him all night and still building even now.

“I think a break would be more beneficial, don’t you?” A quiet voice said from the doorway.

Turning Shuichi saw Tohma Seguchi leaning there, smiling calmly.

“Oh, Mr. President!” Sakano bowed, a little flustered. “Of course, yes, if you think so. Very well, everyone, break for lunch now.”

“And be back here promptly,” K said, fingering his now holstered weapon. “We don’t want to be having to hunt you down now, do we?”

“Shindou, would you please come with me for a moment?” Tohma requested.

Shuichi followed him as Hiro and Suguru thankfully escaped out the door heading in the opposite direction with his friend giving him a silent thumbs up of encouragement.

Tohma led him into one of the waiting lounges, not back to his office as Shuichi had expected.

“You appear to be somewhat distracted today,” Tohma said quietly, taking a seat.

Shuichi glared at him, an act that made absolutely no impression at all on its intended target until he finally sighed in defeat and gave it up as a lost cause, while the anger drained way. He pulled a chair out opposite and slumped in it dejectedly.

“Is it because of our conversation last night?” Tohma queried as the silence lengthened.

Shuichi squirmed a little. “Yeah, I guess so.”

“You saw Eiri,” It was a statement, not a question. Had Yuki already talked with Tohma this morning?, Shuichi wondered. What had he said?

“I haven’t spoken to Eiri yet,” Tohma said as though in answer to Shuichi’s thoughts. “I was hoping that you both would have a chance to discuss things first. I gather you have.”

Shuichi was confused. If Tohma hadn’t spoken to Yuki yet why does he sound like he knows everything?

“Shindou,” Tohma said, then, “Shuichi,” he amended, with a small smile that made Shuichi sit up abruptly in shock. Tohma /never/ called him by his first name! “It’s not that difficult to realize what is troubling you. The only times you are ever so incapable of concentrating on your music is when you have an issue with Eiri.”

“Doesn’t mean I’ve seen him.” Shuichi said a little sulkily, wondering why he didn’t want to admit to Tohma that he had done exactly that. Maybe he just didn’t like Tohma being able to second guess him all the time.

“Then you should button your shirt higher,” was Tohma’s even reply.

Huh? Shuichi’s hand automatically rose to his collar, brushing past the material and bare skin to touch something thin, smooth and metallic. Oh, he blushed, realising it was the necklace and it would be visible around his neck.

He opened his mouth to deny it, to make up some story to cover up its presence, when Tohma interrupted. “Before you try and say how do I know that has anything to do with Eiri, it’s fairly simple. You’ve never worn it before today; you’ve not been anywhere lately to have purchased such an item, and to be perfectly frank, it is not your style. It is too tasteful to have been something you would have chosen for yourself and I don’t believe it’s something Nakano would have either. Most telling though is that during the course of the morning at various times you have reached up to touch that item and in a way that denotes it has a very special meaning for you, and the expression on your face at those times is one that I have only ever seen you wear in relation to Eiri. Does that now answer all your questions?”

Shuichi scowled. Why was Tohma always so damn right all the time?!

“So what?” was the only response he could make, surly as it sounded. He knew he was acting childish but he couldn’t help it.

“You’re angry with him, aren’t you?”

“Yeah,” There really wasn’t much point in trying to deny it.

“Hmm,”

Shuichi glared at Tohma. “Are you going to tell me that I shouldn’t be?” he demanded, almost itching for a fight.

“Not at all,” was Tohma’s calm reply, deflating him once again. “You have every right to be. However,” and he cocked his head to one side, pining Shuichi with his steady gaze so he felt like a butterfly mounted under a glass casing. “Don’t let your anger rule your entire thoughts, or life. You have a big tour coming up. This is Bad Luck’s rebirth in many ways. Do you want to jeopardize that?”

Shuichi shook his head. No, he didn’t want that to happen. They had all worked so hard to get to here and he now wanted it to be a great success, as did Hiro and Suguru. So, no, he didn’t want to destroy all that.

But he was still angry!

“I know you are angry, Shindou,” Tohma continued in a quiet voice. “You have things to sort out and there is a lot to be resolved between yourself and Eiri. But will you at least give him the opportunity to explain his reasons? Will you at least give him that much?”

Shuichi had been struggling with himself all morning. He had found himself torn between wanting to see Yuki again, almost immediately, to never wanting to lay eyes on the man ever. The extreme pendulum swings in his emotions was wearying to say the least.

He suddenly let out his breath in a deep sigh. “Yeah, all right,” he agreed resignedly, “I will.”

“Good!” Tohma said briskly. “Now have a break and try your best tomorrow. I think I’ll have K let you all leave early today.” He smiled down at the youth. “I believe it will be more beneficial for you to have a chance to clear your head a little, remember we go on tour in just a week.”

“Yeah,”

A week, it wasn’t that long to go and then they would be away for three weeks. Three weeks of not being able to see Yuki. Suddenly he felt panicked by that thought. That’s crazy, he chided himself, trying to get a grip on his roiling emotions. Why was he getting so upset at not seeing Yuki for just three weeks when it’s been months up till now and he hadn’t seen him?!

The image of Yuki’s face as he presented the necklace to him swam before his eyes. Yuki, his thoughts said gently and a soft smile tugged at his lips. Who was he kidding? No-one obviously - judging from Tohma’s observations. Now he had found Yuki he didn’t want to be parted from him for three weeks. He was still angry, he still had many questions that needed answers, he still had uncertainties and doubts. But he still wanted to see Yuki.

He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket. He would call him and see if they could meet for a coffee since he was going to be finishing early today. He turned his phone on and heard a voice issuing out of it immediately, “Hello?”

He stared at it in shock. He hadn’t even dialed yet!

“Hello?” the voice said again, a little more sharply. Then, “Crap!”

“Wait!” he shouted, fumbling a little as he tried to get the phone to his ear quickly. “Yuki, wait!”

“Shuichi?” It was Yuki, he hadn’t been mistaken! “Is that you?”

“Yes, yes, it’s me,” he said feeling ecstatically happy for some reason.

“What are you playing at?” Yuki asked sharply. “What’s the big deal with not answering straight away?”

“I’d only just turned the phone on!” Shuichi said defensively. “You surprised me.”

“That’s not hard to do!” was Yuki’s response.

“How….are you?” Shuichi asked a little hesitantly.

“I think I caught a cold.”

“Oh. Is it bad?” Shuichi asked with concern.

“No. What about you?”

“I’m fine,” Shuichi said brightly.

“Damn idiot,” Yuki said gruffly, “You ‘re the one that was running about half wet and you don’t even have the decency to get sick!”

“That’s hardly fair!” Shuichi shot back.

“Huh!” There was silence for a moment. “Thought you were supposed to be working? How come you’re slacking off?”

“I’m not,” Shuichi bristled. “We’re on a break.”

“Huh!”

Shuichi could hear the exhalation over the line. Yuki was obviously smoking. “Why were you calling?” he asked.

“Ah,” Yuki seemed hesitant to say. “No particular reason.”

Shuichi rolled his eyes to himself. This all seemed so familiar somehow. “Yuki, you must have had a reason if you phoned me.”

“Perhaps I pressed the wrong button!” Yuki replied on the defensive this time.

“But that means you’ve got my new number programmed in your phone.” Shuichi teased even though he felt a little tingle of pleasure at that thought.

“Moron,” was Yuki’s only reply.

Shuichi rolled his eyes again. “Hey, Yuki?”

“Yeah?”

“Want to grab a coffee?”

“When?”

“This afternoon.”

“You skipping work? Better watch it or Tohma will have your balls.”

“Tohma was the one who told us to leave early.”

“He must be getting soft in his old age.”

“Well, that’s Mika’s problem. You’d better not be doing a touch test yourself!”

“Don’t gross me out!” Yuki’s distaste practically oozed down the line.

“So you’re free?”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“Okay, pick me up at the studio at three this afternoon.”

“When are you going to get a car?” Yuki complained.

“What do I need one for,” Shuichi said mischievously, “when I’ve got you?”

“What am I, your personal fucking chauffer?”

“Yep! I think you’d look really cool in one of those suits and hats!”

“In your dreams!” Yuki snarled.

“Oh, you’d have less than that on in those!”

Shuichi suddenly flushed as he realized what he had just said. Damn it, he hadn’t meant for that to come out like that! He couldn’t seem to help it. They would fall into this comfortable banter and he would start to think subconsciously about Yuki in ‘that’ way! He didn’t even know if that is what he wanted!

He held his breath as Yuki replied, finally breaking the silence. “You are going to get yourself into major trouble one day with your big mouth.”

“I…I’m sorry,” Shuichi stuttered a little, still knowing he was blushing.

“Idiot,” was Yuki’s answer, which sounded almost amused. “Let’s take things a little slower before you freak out completely.”

“Ah, okay,”

“So coffee is still on?”

“Yes, definitely!”

“Fine. I’ll pick you up at three then. Don’t be late or I’m leaving.”

“Aw, come on, Yuki! I can’t help it if I get caught up a little longer!”

“Not my problem.” Yuki replied calmly. “Be there or walk.”

“Fine then,” Shuichi grumbled. “Don’t you be late though!”

“What are you going to do if I am?” Yuki asked with actual curiousity.

“I’ll…I’ll…” Shuichi couldn’t think of anything just at that moment then, “I’ll tell Tohma that you confessed you had a huge crush on Ryuichi!”

“Whaaaat?!!” Yuki’s surprised roar reverberated in Shuichi’s ear drum and he smirked. Got you!, he thought happily to himself.

“See you at three!” he chirped in the phone.

“Don’t you…” he heard Yuki saying as he cut the connection.

He turned and left the lounge, smiling broadly now, his earlier troubled thoughts seeming to have fled. He began to laugh and was soon almost skipping back to the studio. He would be seeing Yuki soon. The thought pleased him immensely.

And even better – he had got the last word in as well!