Unlocking My Love

Author: JadeHeart
Fandom: Gravitation
Warnings: bad language
Author’s Note: Thank you to all the readers for being so patient. I am not deliberately trying to drag it out or any such thing, but this time of year is very busy for me with business which also involves me being away a great deal from home. So having the opportunity to indulge in past times such as writing really isn’t something I can do often. I do hope that you enjoy this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this, they belong to the creator of ‘Gravitation’.


Unlocking My Love: Chapter 5


“Things are coming to a head,” K said. “I don’t think we can avoid it much longer.”

The three men who stood in the room were K, Sakano and Tohma, spaced evenly around the spacious office; Tohma ensconced behind his large mahogany desk, Sakano standing almost to attention in one corner and K leaning nonchalantly by the door. Of them all he looked the most relaxed, certainly more so than Sakano who seemed almost rigid in his stance.

Tohma tilted his head a little so as to view K better waiting for him to continue. The blond man pushed himself away from the wall and walked forward, speaking, “There are questions beginning to be raised,” he said, reaching Tohma’s desk before turning and perching on the corner.

Sakano gasped at this sacrilege and looked about to faint in horror. Tohma just raised an eyebrow to which K just grinned back, refusing to budge. Tohma let it pass. “What questions?” he queried instead.

K crossed his arms. “How’re the love birds going to respond to Shuichi being away on tour?”

Tohma swiveled his chair around 90 degrees, crossing his legs elegantly. “Really?”

K nodded. “Yep. The vultures are suddenly beginning to notice that Yuki’s not been around so they want to know what’s up.”

“Hmm,” Tohma murmured, steepling his hands under his chin, eyes gazing off into the distance.

“So what are we going to do?” K asked, leg swinging, the only sign of any inner agitation. “Looks like we’ll have to go into damage control.”

“It was bound to happen sometime,” Sakano spoke up for the first time stepping forward to close the triangle between the three of them, pushing his glasses up his nose.

“True,” K agreed. “We’ve been damn lucky so far that we’ve got away with it up till now so I guess we should be thankful. We were going to have to face the reality sooner or later.” He shrugged. “It’s just a shame that it’s all going to come out now right before the tour. I’m not sure that it will do Bad Luck a lot of good.”

Tohma stood and walked to the floor to ceiling window, looking out over the city before him, his back to the others. “Arrange for a press conference tomorrow afternoon,” he said evenly.

K and Sakano both looked at his straight back. “Who and how many?” K asked.

“Everyone,” Tohma glanced over his shoulder, a wry smile on his lips. “I doubt you’ll have any trouble in getting them to agree.”

K looked surprised, “So what do we tell them it’s about?” he wanted to know. “We’ll have to have something to dangle before them so as to entice them to come. So what’s going to be the carrot?”

“An exclusive interview with Shuichi Shindou and Eiri Yuki, of course.”

K slipped off the edge of the desk in shock, catching himself at the last minute though Sakano was not so dignified, keeling over in a dead faint.

Tohma turned at the thud as Sakano’s body hit the floor, the full impact absorbed by the thick carpet. He stared down at his comatose assistant calmly assessing his state and, upon determining that he had, and would, suffer no harm, turned to address K. “Be certain to organize things, and have Nakano and Fujisaki ready to attend also.” He turned back to the window once more.

“Are you certain about this?” K queried, regaining his composure as he leant down to haul the woozy Sakano to his feet, supporting him when he swayed dangerously, still pale. “Will Shuichi and Yuki even go along with this?”

“There’s a lot to do,” was Tohma’s only answer. “I suggest you begin as soon as possible.”

K shrugged to himself, turning to the door. “Fine, it’s your funeral. I’ll begin working on it and get the word out. Where’s it going to be held?”

“We shall host it here.”

“Good. At least we’ll have control over things to some extent then.” K stated, opening the door. “It’s going to be rough on them both. There’s bound to be a hell of a lot of talk, you know.”

“I’m sure they will be able to handle it.”

“Okay. I’ll let you know when I’ve got some idea of who’s coming.”

Tohma heard the door close behind him.

“He’s only half right, isn’t he?”

The quiet voice told him that he wasn’t alone as he had thought. Looking over his shoulder he saw Sakano still standing at the closed door, the plush carpet had concealed the fact that only one person, K, had left. He didn’t say anything and simply watched as Sakano pushed his glasses up in his habitual motion. He then stepped forward, drawing nearer, face serious and never taking his eyes from Tohma. “You’ve done all this deliberately.”

He wasn’t asking a question so Tohma just turned to continue looking out the window. In the reflection he could see that Sakano had stopped just behind him. “You’ve not just covered for the situation since Shindou was missing but also ever since he returned. That is why you were so insistent on getting Bad Luck started on this new album and a new image.”

Tohma didn’t respond and Sakano didn’t seem to expect him to.

“While Shindou was with his family, when he first came back, you ensured that there were photos of him with them, as well as Yuki with his, sent to the media. It made it seem as though they were just having time with family after their ‘romantic’ holiday; whilst neither confirming nor denying they were officially ‘married’.” He cleared his throat a little uncomfortably. “I still find it a little difficult to believe that you did that to them although I do understand why. It certainly allowed for their lengthy absence to be explained.”

He smoothed down the front of his buttoned jacket as he continued, “I also know that you put out an edict to all the press that if there was anything untoward printed about either of them NG Productions would blacklist them, effectively cutting them off from any exclusive details from there on.” Tohma couldn’t prevent his eyebrows climbing in surprise though he kept the rest of his features schooled. Sakano saw the involuntary motion. “I came across the email you sent.” He explained, blushing a little at his audacity. “You had placed it in my archive folder by accident.”

Though then again, Sakano thought, perhaps it wasn’t by accident. Tohma Seguchi rarely did anything by ‘accident’, there was usually a reason behind every action he made. For that information to be placed in Sakano’s data could be two things; one that Tohma had wanted him to find it, albeit eventually as it wasn’t in a place he went to frequently, and two that if anyone searched for it through Tohma’s folders it wouldn’t be present. Either way, he would probably never know for certain which one it was.

“Of course, to be able to enforce that you had to indicate that there would be something else worth writing about. They would hardly just give up their livelihood simply because you asked them to, so you would have had to give them something else.” Sakano absently played with one of his jacket buttons, twisting it back and forth. Tohma watched him in the reflection. If he wasn’t careful he might just pull it off completely, he thought.

Sakano continue, “So that is why you recreated Bad Luck.” He took another half step closer. “That is why you pushed the Bad Luck replays on the radio and TV, filling every available commercial spot that you could, raising their image and shamelessly promoting them to the exclusion of your other concerns. Even the time Shuichi was spending with his family you fed the media as being due to him focusing on his lyric writing and was seeking some peace and quiet to be able to concentrate on that. As soon as Shindou was back in Tokyo you made certain to provide photos of him working here in the studio to continue to present the image that nothing had changed. You kept giving them just enough crumbs to satisfy their hunger; no more, no less.” He pushed his glasses up again. “It was quite masterfully managed I must say.” His tone was one of admiration.

“But you knew that just that wouldn’t be enough. As the months went by they would have been demanding more, insisting on more and their focus would start to come back to Shindou’s relationship with Yuki, something you didn’t want to happen. So you took things to the next level. You recreated Bad Luck entirely, and especially Shuichi Shindou.”

Sakano licked his dry lips, unfamiliar with speaking for such lengths, most certainly with his superior. “There was no real commercial need to change Shindou’s image. The fans still loved the old one, no-one had tired of it yet so things could have remained as they were. That boy-toy look was still very popular, especially with the female fans. However, despite your seeming indifference to what Bad Luck was doing and acting as though the idea came from elsewhere, it was really at your insistence that his image was altered.”

“It was a brilliant move, it truly was. You knew that this would focus the media’s attention on the image change and not on the fact that Shindou and Yuki weren’t together any longer. Of course, you had also ensured that everything leading up to that had provided every reason for their lack of being together, what with the intensity of recording an album and the time it takes. The new image and push with the release of the new single leading to the album release was a very good cover. It explained nicely why they weren’t seen as a couple and focused the media attention on Shindou almost solely, keeping Yuki safe in the background which would have been your main concern. Of course, with Yuki recently releasing a new book it also nicely explained the gap. It really did create that plausible belief that all was still well.”

Sakano looked at his boss’s straight form before him as Tohma clasped his hands behind his back, for all the world completely unmoved by anything he was saying, neither confirming or denying any of the statements. He was quite certain of his assumptions, it was all too neat, too perfect for it to be a coincidence. It had all the hallmarks of Tohma Seguchi’s touch, that smooth, flawless motion. The only way it could have run so perfectly would have been at the President of NG Productions machinations. He pushed on. “You have been orchestrating this the entire time, a little here and a little there, all the time ensuring that it remained on track and covering the real issues. The release of the photo of Yuki attending Bad Luck’s unannounced concert was a masterful touch as it enabled the public to continue to believe they were together.”

Tohma’s hands clenched a little. It had been more good luck than any design by himself that he had been able to do that. The club had had a security camera network, not uncommon in many places nowdays, and so it hadn’t been difficult for him to obtain a copy of the tape from the night of the concert and capture a shot of Yuki being present at that time. The main reason he had released it was to try and ensure that it would deflect any prying into Eiri’s accident that same night. That he didn’t want getting into the papers. Sometimes even the gods were smiling on him and he was thankful for such small mercies.

Sakano paused for a moment then stepped up beside Tohma, reaching up to pull his glasses off, polishing the lenses absently as he too looked directly out the window. “It’s all been carefully planed and played out as only you could do so. In fact it has gone like clockwork. Everyone has been protected and kept away from any prying and intrusive comments.” He slipped his glasses back on. “But it can’t continue any longer, can it?”

For the first time he turned to look at his boss directly. “That’s why you’ve called this press conference. You have to give them something more now or the speculation will run rife, especially with Shindou heading off on tour. His absence afterwards, alone, is easily understandable then and it also gives Yuki a reason to remain alone for that time. But you have to give the media something more.”

He turned full circle so now he was facing the door, back to the window, shoulder to shoulder with Tohma. “Do you think this will work?” he asked quietly, standing perfectly still.

Tohma spoke for the first time, still gazing out the window. “It has to,” Now he turned his head to look at Sakano. “For both their sake’s.”

Sakano looked over and their eyes met. He matched Tohma’s steady gaze, one of the few people who actually could. “Then I will pray for your success,” Sakano said steadily with no mockery. “Mr. President,” and he turned and bowed deeply and respectfully before straightening and smartly making his way to the door. Tohma saw him in the window’s reflection turn and once more bow before closing the door behind him.

He took a deep breath, holding it for a moment then expelling it slowly, feeling the tightness in his chest releasing a little at a time. There was a lot for him to do; calls to make, arrangements to be made. He had to ensure both Eiri and Shindou would turn up for this process, which was not likely to be an easy task.

He turned and sat carefully in his chair, leaning back tiredly. Why couldn’t it be easy? It should have been. The hardest part was supposed to have been over. He had so hoped that happiness would follow the reconciliation but that did not seem to be the case. He had tried everything he could, everything within his power without jeopardizing the people concerned but he had reached the end of his limits as much as he hated to admit it. It would appear that things had not gone well between Shindou and Eiri yesterday. He didn’t know any details but the fall-out was rather evident, from Shindou’s bad mood today as well as red eyes that betokened a drunken night, to Eiri’s refusal to answer his phone most of the day and when he finally did his raspy voice bespoke of a night spent with drink, cigarettes and no doubt lack of sleep, probably just as much as Shindou - at least regarding the drink. Not a happy time obviously for either of them.

Another sigh.

Well, he had done all he could. Whatever the two of them did now was up to them, it was out of his hands. However, this press conference wasn’t for their relationship, it was business – his business. He had worked hard to make NG Productions what it was today, a world recognized concern. He had done that by being able to recognize new talents; able to recognize, nurture and create something fantastic that would hit the world by storm. Bad Luck had been just such a creation and he wasn’t about to let that go, not yet at least, not while they were still such a growing concern and had such a future before them. No, he wasn’t going to see that thrown away. He would find a way to deal with the fallout of the break-up of Shindou and Eiri later but at least for the moment he had to keep NG and the future of Bad Luck as secure as possible, at least to get through this tour which was to re-establish Bad Luck’s popularity. After that they would probably be able to weather most things.

He rubbed a hand tiredly over his eyes. So much to do but he just didn’t feel like facing any of it yet. He reached out to pick up the phone. He was going to make another call first, knowing it was just putting off the inevitable as he dialed the international number but he just needed to have a brief break from these pressures, just for a moment, and he knew one person who could make him forget.

He heard the ringing and then the American voice answered.

“Hello?”

************

The ringing was irritating. So irritating that he finally had had no choice but to actually answer it. He knew who it was anyway.

“What do you want?” Yuki growled into the phone, making no effort to be civil.

His head still hurt, aching abominably, temples pounding. His eyes still felt gritty as though he hadn’t had enough sleep, which was completely true, and no matter how many times he had rinsed them during the day they hadn’t improved. Of course, the continuous smoke haze surrounding him probably hadn’t helped any. His stomach gave another lurch and he clamped his teeth together in an effort to ensure that the bile stayed down for once. His throat was already sore enough from vomiting a number of times. He had stubbornly refused to take his medication this morning and his body was making him suffer for his pigheadedness. The last thing he wanted to be doing right now was dealing with Tohma.

“Now, Eiri, you know I worry about you. I just wanted to make certain you were all right.”

“You’ve already called me, numerous times, so piss off.” Yuki grated out.

“True,” Tohma replied calmly. “But there was something else I wished to speak with you about.”

“What?” Yuki was getting that itching sensation at the back of his brain that was like a warning signal. He only ever got it from Tohma. It was like a sixth sense, a learnt survival instinct from being around Tohma Seguchi for so long. He just knew that something was coming that did not bode well for him.

“I require you to attend a press conference at NG tomorrow afternoon.”

Yuki couldn’t even speak he was so dumbfounded. Dumbfounded that his brother-in-law even had the audacity to ask that question – though then again it hadn’t been a question, Tohma had made it a statement as though he just expected Yuki to agree to it. Well, like hell he would!

“Get fucked!” he snapped out forcefully.

“There is no need to be crude, Eiri. I require you to attend this event. It is very important.”

“I don’t give a flying fuck what is important to your fucking business!” Yuki fumed, getting angrier by the minute. How dare Tohma think he could ask such a thing? Who the hell does he think he is?!

“This isn’t just about business, although it is to ensure that Bad Luck is promoted correctly. We need to lay a few rumours to rest before the beginning of the tour so it can all run smoothly. Shindou does not need to be distracted by frivolous questions from reporters about your lack of appearance in his life. This way we give them a small taste and let them go away thinking they have received a feast. How you and Shindou intend to resolve this afterwards is up to you. However, in the meantime, we are buying a little quiet time for all concerned.”

“I don’t care. Let the fucking idiots think what they want. They only write crap anyway!”

“Perhaps, but it is ‘crap’, as you so elegantly put, that millions around the world read and believe. All of Bad Luck will be attending so Shindou will be present also. I need you to put in an appearance and be completely civil through the function.”

“How many times do I have to say this?” Yuki almost shouted, his headache pounding harder. “No fucking way!”

There was silence for a moment, broken only by his own ragged breathing.

“Very well,” Tohma finally said, “You leave me no choice.”

Yuki stiffened where he was sitting hearing the steel enter Tohma’s voice. That was never a good sign, and wasn’t usually one that was directed towards him. He wasn’t going to like this.

Tohma then spoke in a clipped tone. “You will attend the interview. You will be punctual and charming, and answer the questions appropriately. You will not turn the event into any form of debacle, thus jeopardizing Bad Luck’s current status. Is that understood?”

Instead of throwing another tantrum as he felt more inclined to do, Yuki just asked, “Why should I?” He managed to still growl this question out though he was getting a very, very bad feeling about this.

“Because you owe me,” Tohma said in a flat, even voice that sent a chill down Yuki’s spine.

Shit. Tohma was right. He did owe him – big time.

Yuki chewed on his bottom lip aggressively, ignoring the pain that was beginning to generate from the lacerated flesh. He felt hot like he was running a fever as his anger burnt higher but he didn’t vent it. What would be the point? It was Tohma, and such a thing as anger made no difference to him at all.

And Tohma was quite correct. He did owe him, for everything that he had done for him all through his life but most importantly in his search for Shuichi. Now Tohma was finally calling in his marker and Yuki had no choice but to pay up.

His shoulders slumped a little as he let out an angry sigh. “Fine,” he snarled, “I’ll do it.”

“Good,” He was sure he could hear Tohma’s satisfaction in that one word so with an inarticulate growl he slammed the phone down.

He took a couple of deep breaths trying to get past the rage. He didn’t want to go to any fucking interview; especially not one that was going to be prying into his personal life! Because he was not so naïve as to think that it wouldn’t. The fucking paparazzi were going to be out for the slightest bit of juicy gossip they could get so they could embellish it out of all proportion and plaster it across the tabloids. He would probably sneeze and next it would be that he was dying from new strain of rare disease! On top of that they would want to know every little aspect about his supposed life with Shuichi, a life that didn’t exist. They would keep digging, keep questioning, gnawing at him like irritating termites, trying to get to the truth and Tohma was telling him that he had to cover that. They couldn’t know the truth yet, he had to try and convince them that everything was still okay. How the hell was he supposed to do that?! Everything wasn’t okay! Shuichi didn’t want him!!

He picked up his mobile phone and sent it flying across the room to strike the wall on the opposite side in a shattering crash.

He stood for a moment longer, breathing heavily as he surveyed the broken pieces in dissatisfaction. The destruction hadn’t made him feel any better it only added to his irritation. He was almost shaking with his fury as it continued to build. He didn’t want to go to this event, he didn’t want to be there, he didn’t want to be near anyone there, and he especially didn’t want to be near HIM!

He sat with a thump and clasped his shaking hands together tightly, squeezing until he felt bones grind beneath his grip. Fuck it! Fucking shit! He cursed over and over, breathing raggedly through gritted teeth. His jaw ached with the effort of holding back the violent words he wanted to spew forth.

Damn them! Damn them all to fucking hell! Why the fuck couldn’t the press have found some other fucking idiots to badger? What was so fucking fascinating about his life that they still pursued him after all this time? Why don’t they get a fucking life!

His anger needed an outlet so his leg lashed out, kicking the edge of the coffee table before him, sending it skidding across the floor violently for a few inches before teetering on one slightly upraised floorboard and then toppling over on its side with a resounding crash.

He stared at the damage before him; phone in pieces, table overturned, ashtray and prior contents scattered over the floor. Shit, he thought feeling a little pathetic as he surveyed the mess which solved nothing and only meant that at some stage he would have to clean it up. He slumped back into the couch, letting his head fall to rest on the top and stared morosely at the ceiling. Oh, shit.

He took a deep calming breath before standing to walk over to the remains of his phone, staring down at the pitiful pieces. With another deep suffering sigh he crouched and sifted through the pieces, finally finding the section of the inner workings that still held the card. Carefully removing it, his further inspection seemed to reveal that it had suffered no great mishap but the proof would be when he inserted it into his other phone. He hoped it wasn’t damaged – it would be such a pain to have to get another.

He looked up at the window above where he knelt as a cloud scurried across the sky, blocking the sun for a brief moment before passing on its way. There was no getting out of this one, not this time. He was going to have to let himself be subjected to all the crap and questions and probing, though he did suddenly wonder why there had seemed to be very little fuss since he and Shuichi had returned home. Admittedly when he had first returned he hadn’t been in that great a shape to want to know what the rest of the world thought of him, and he personally hadn’t cared anyway. Since then he hadn’t been trying to find out what was getting printed about the two of them never having been that interested in the tabloids and his family would not have raised the issue either, and if anything he had gone out of his way to avoid knowing anything. Yet still he hadn’t even heard any whispers, which was a bit unusual he now realized.

I wonder why, he thought, twirling the tiny card in his fingers, I wonder why they seemed to have left me alone till now? Perhaps Tohma had had something to do with that. He wouldn’t put it past his brother-in-law. He, more than nearly anyone, knew exactly to what lengths Tohma Seguchi would go to protect his interests. Yeah, that must be it.

But about this press conference. What the hell was Shuichi going to say about this? Had he really already agreed to it?

Yuki snorted. Of course he had, he wouldn’t have had any choice – just like he hadn’t. When Tohma Seguchi said he wanted something, he got it. One way or another. Shuichi wouldn’t have had any option but to agree with his boss’s demands no matter how unreasonable they were. He bet the brat wasn’t any happier about this than he was. Especially after yesterday.

Shit, yesterday. He tried not to think about it, having spent a sleepless night doing nothing but rehash the events and conversation over and over again in his mind. How the hell had it turned out like that? What the hell had happened?!

Yuki stood and headed for his study in search of his spare phone. He was sure that it was in there somewhere although it had been awhile since he had tossed it in a drawer when he had upgraded to the one that now lay shattered over the floor. They just don’t make things like they used to.

Yeah, Shuichi was probably going to be really pissed about this too, getting forced into something he didn’t want to do but neither of them had much choice. It was something they were both going to have to face sooner or later and they may as well try and come up with a good cover story for the moment and work out how to deal with all the crap afterwards when the public finally found out the truth.

He began opening drawers and angrily pushing the contents around in search of his goal. Gods, he was going to hate tomorrow!

************

Yuki sat in his car and looked up at the frontage of NG Productions. He was tempted to just restart the engine and get the hell out of there, head home or go anywhere. Anywhere that Tohma wouldn’t find him.

Which meant that there was nowhere for him to go. Tohma’s arm was long and if he didn’t turn up today he wouldn’t be able to escape and for once Tohma’s wrath would be directed at him, something he didn’t particularly want to have to deal with. He had seen the results of Tohma’s displeasure too many times to want to be on the receiving end.

He finally got out of the vehicle and strode towards the front doors, chewing on the cigarette clamped between his lips. He just wanted to get this over and done with yet at the same time the nerves were eating away at his insides at the prospect of seeing Shuichi again so soon after their disastrous coffee date. That thought stopped him dead in his tracks in shock and the cigarette fell unheeded from his mouth. Did he just actually admit that it had been a ‘date’? He had barely taken Shuichi out on a ‘date’ ever, even when they were together! Was he trying to ‘date’ the young man? Was he the one chasing him?!

He shook his head violently, trying to ignore the rational, factual voice telling him that that was exactly what he was doing. He was Eiri Yuki; world-renowned novelist, cool, suave, composed and fully in control of his life. He did not go on ‘dates’! He simply chose his partners as he wished, took what he wanted and that was the end of it. He did not ask prospective partners on ‘dates’!

He took the lift up to the nerve center of NG Productions, Tohma’s inner sanctum. The secretary merely waved him forward, motioning for him to enter through the sturdy, ornate wooden doors that in their own right screamed out power to anyone approaching and the sheer expense that was part of it would make most people feel more than a little insignificant. They didn’t have this effect on Yuki though. One thing he wasn’t intimidated by and that was money.

He pushed through without even knocking, not caring if he caught his brother-in-law in the middle of anything important. Inside Tohma was sitting at his desk, papers placed in neat piles before him. He looked up as Yuki strode forward but didn’t say anything. Yuki glared down at him, only holding back his anger with great effort. He didn’t appreciate being coerced, not by anyone. Tohma merely continued to look back impassively.

After a moment longer of them staring at each other finally Tohma stood, pushing his chair back and picking up a slim folder before him. “Are you ready?” he asked Yuki calmly as he stepped around his desk.

“And if I said, no?” Yuki growled.

Tohma didn’t bother answering, just began making his way to the door and Yuki had no choice but to follow or be left standing in the office alone. They didn’t speak as Tohma lead them to one of the waiting rooms on the same floor a little further down the hall. He opened the door and motioned Yuki forward which he did, throwing a scowl in Tohma’s direction as he stalked into the room with the curtains pulled back to let the sunlight in, making it bright and cheerful. That only made Yuki frown deeper.

A scuff from behind made him turn his head and he froze. There he saw Shuichi slowly standing from where he had obviously been sitting on the high backed couch. Oh, fuck, he thought, what the hell was he supposed to say?!

“As you can see,” Tohma said as he closed the door behind him and walking towards the center of the room. “Shindou had indeed agreed to this.” He threw a quick smile towards Yuki, tipping his head to one side. “I had no need to lie to you,” he confirmed. Then he looked over to Shuichi. “And I must thank you for agreeing to this.”

Shuichi nodded warily, not certain how to deal with a ‘nice’ Tohma Seguchi. Yuki eyed him carefully. Yeah, he doesn’t look too happy about this, he thought, noticing the slightly thinned lips even though the rest of Shuichi’s features were completely blank.

Tohma laid the folder he was holding on the table and spoke to them both. “This is a list of the questions that will be asked relating to the tour and Bad Luck. The attendees have been provided with these so I suggest that you take note of the relevant information that will answer those.” He glanced between the two men on either side of him. “What you say in relation to any other questions I leave to your discretion.” He checked the expensive watch on his wrist, noting the time. “You have about 5 minutes before it begins. You know where it is,” he directed the last towards Shuichi, “so don’t be late. I’ll leave you to it.”

“You’re not going to be there?” Shuichi was surprised. It was unlike Tohma to let them have free rein especially for such an important conference as this.

Tohma gave him a smooth smile which did nothing to reassure him. “I’m sure you will be able to handle this.” was his reply as he gave a cheerful wave to them both as he left, closing the door behind him.

Yuki automatically pulled out his cigarettes and lit one, anything to try and stall for time. He pushed his hands into the pockets of his jacket, looking Shuichi over. He felt his heart give a lurch. He looks good, he couldn’t help but think as he took in the precise costuming, well groomed hair and slight makeup to enhance his looks. He felt his face beginning to flush with more than embarrassment for his thoughts and cast his eyes down to the table to hide his features.

“I suppose we’d better look through that,” he said a little gruffly, meaning the folder Tohma had left behind.

“I wouldn’t bother about it,” Shuichi said, stepping forward and picking it up. He flicked through the pages, “It’s really all about the tour and the band so it’s not like you’ll have to answer any questions about that.” He looked up from the pages, gazing directly into Yuki’s face. “Just direct any questions about that stuff to me, they wouldn’t expect you to know anything about it.” He turned and began making his way to the door. “Besides, you never knew anything about my stuff before so nothing would have changed.” With his back still to Yuki he didn’t see the older man flush then turn pale or the visible flinch as though he had been struck by a hard blow. Shuichi cast a glance over his shoulder as he opened the door, “Coming?”

“Yeah,” Yuki managed to say, forcing the words out between clenched teeth. Shuichi didn’t wait any longer and Yuki just followed him down the corridor and into the nominated conference room.

As soon as they entered they were assailed by the flash of cameras and the cheers and applause. The place was packed, larger cameras set up on tripods at the back, the hot portable studio style lights set out around the perimeter of the room casting their heat haze over the entire room. There were so many bodies packed into this area that already the air conditioning was having trouble coping. Yuki felt sweat beginning to break out on his forehead, although it was not all entirely from the heat being generated externally. His own inner nerves and turmoil were only adding to it.

Shuichi on the other hand looked calm and cool, smiling widely at the crowd, waving and joking, winking and smirking. In general just playing the crowd as only he could do. Yuki envied him at that moment.

They took their seats next to the already seated Hiro and Suguru, who both rose and made quite a fuss over Shuichi’s appearance, before turning a more subdued greeting towards him. As the noise quietened, the questions began in a fairly orderly fashion, adjudicated meticulously by Sakano who Yuki hadn’t even noticed as he had entered. He wouldn’t have thought the mild mannered man would have been the best choice but with K looming ominously behind him, hand resting on a clearly visible gun, he supposed Sakano did have enough presence to pull this task off.

The questions began sedately enough, although they were certainly enthusiastic still. They focused mainly on the band, Bad Luck’s new image, their new single and the new album also. This took up some considerable time and Shuichi seemed more than eager to discuss all the ins and outs of this and the audience didn’t seem tired of hearing about it.

“So why the change of image?” was one question, chorused by other voices to indicate that more than one person wanted to know.

Shuichi laughed loudly, eyes shining brightly. “What? Don’t you like it?” He leant forward, nearly oozing onto the top of the table, half lying across it and facing the crowd directly, ensuring he kept eye contact with the young female reporter who had first asked the question. His gaze was openly seductive, a cross between all out slut and faint tease. The reporter blushed bright red and even from this distance Yuki could see her chest rising and falling rapidly. She wasn’t the only one either. There was more than one flushed face in the audience and more than one set of glazed eyes, even from some of the men. Seeing Shuichi behave in that manner and look as he was just then, Yuki felt the front of his trousers tighten almost painfully.

“Oh!” the original questioner finally managed to find her voice, “Oh, no! It’s truly magnificent! Completely and utterly enthralling!”

Shuichi slithered back to his seat and smiled happily, looking more like his old teenage self. “That’s good!” he declared brightly. “Otherwise it all would have been a wasted effort!” He bestowed that joyful look on everyone ranged before him. “A lot of thought goes into how the band looks and we wanted to make it something special. I’m really glad you like it.”

“Oh, we do. We do!” The chorus was more than enough evidence of their sincerity.

Finally the topics relating to Bad Luck were exhausted and the questions now turned to Yuki and the release of his new book. “It had been a while since your last novel,” one questioner began, “so your loyal fans were beginning to be concerned. Everyone was very relieved to see you back. However, your latest book had a much darker overtone than your previous stories which did surprise many readers. They were most likely expecting something far more romantic after your recent ‘holiday’,”

The emphasis on the last word told Yuki that they were obviously referring to his time in the USA and their mistaken belief that he and Shuichi had been there for a romantic interlude. Well, he wasn’t going to fall into that one. “Then I’m glad that I was able to surprise the readers,” he answered calmly, keeping his features smooth and pleasant. “If my readers always knew what one of my books would be like they would become bored quite quickly. I want to continue to be able to surprise them and excite them so they want to continue to reader further stories.”

“Your books do quite well overseas now also,” Another question came from the back. “You held an unannounced book signing in New York a number of months ago whilst you were in the United States which received wide-spread coverage afterwards. Was that an indication that you are looking at the possibility of a book tour over there to further promote your novels?”

“Not at all,” Yuki denied. “It was really just a one-off occurrence and certainly not planned in any way. Think of it as more of an experiment only.”

“So you aren’t planning to go back over there any time soon?”

Yuki shook his head, “No. I’m quite happy to remain at home. I have no desire to go elsewhere.”

“So you won’t be accompanying Bad Luck on their upcoming tour?”

Here it comes, Yuki thought, feeling his headache start up with a vengeance. The carrion eaters are snapping at his heels. “No. There is no need for me to do so.” he managed to say without it sounding like he was in pain to speak the words.

“So, Shindou, aren’t you going to miss Yuki while you are gone?” The next question was directed to Shuichi. Yuki refused to look at him, almost holding his breath as he waited to hear what Shuichi was going to say.

“Of course I will!” Shuichi responded firmly. Yuki cast a quick startled glance towards his partner and saw the smiling face. Shit, he was good, he couldn’t help but think. He can lie so easily now – and actually look like he really means every word.

“So are you two just as close as ever?”

“What makes you think that we wouldn’t be?” was Shuichi’s quick response. Good save, Yuki thought, watching the younger man fence with the press. He’s gotten good at this, he suddenly realized. He couldn’t remember the last time he had sat through an interview or some such thing with Shuichi so he hadn’t seen his partner deal with this type of thing before. Guess he has grown up after all.

“Well, there’s been rumours that you have been living elsewhere. Alone.” This particular reporter was unshaven looking and Yuki dislike him immediately. His eyes narrowed as he took in the slimy smile on the man’s face. He was obviously one of the gutter reports, those bottom-dwelling slimebags that were only out to dig up the dirt and find ways to make it even dirtier.

Well, in this case, for once such a shit as this was completely right. Anyway, this did give the perfect opportunity for Shuichi to either come out and tell the truth fully, and to hell with what Tohma wants, or at least make up a cover story for him having his own place and set up the scene for when he comes back from tour to say that the two of them had broken up and he could continue living on his own. Yuki steeled himself for the pain that he knew was to come.

Shuichi laughed, “Oh, that!” he laughed again. “I got that place so I could really concentrate on this latest album.”

“Why would that be?” The slimebag was in there like a shot. “You’ve never had to do that before so what’s different? Have you and Eiri Yuki had a fight or something?” The man was smirking like he knew that he had them. Damn him, Yuki glared at him wishing that he could leap over the table before him and wipe that smug grin from his fucking face!

He jumped a little as an arm slid around his shoulders, holding him tightly. He turned his head to see Shuichi’s leaning in close to his, still looking directly at the sleazy reporter grilling him.

“Well you see, after our time away,” and Shuichi flashed his one hundred kilowatt smile at those assembled before him, “I was a little out of practice in disciplining myself to concentrate on my work so I was finding it hard to concentrate. And so many other exciting things had been happening that were much more interesting than working.”

“So you’re claiming that everything is fine in your relationship with Eiri Yuki?” The reporter didn’t want to give up, his smile slipping as he felt his thunder being stolen and he was about to look like a fool.

Shut up! Yuki snarled silently, glaring harder at the man. Just shut the fuck up!

“Absolutely!” Shuichi declared. “Well, you know that every couple has its moments and we are no different to any other couple, but this was simply to help get Bad Luck back on top. Besides,” and now Shuichi leant in even closer to Yuki, so close he could feel the other’s warm breath caress his cheek which sent a shiver down his spine. “It’s very hard to concentrate on work when there are far more….delectable distractions with your partner.”

That comment was the last straw and effectively concluded this press conference as more than half the audience, mostly female, swooned on the spot and the rest of the members, mostly male, were forced to try and catch and revive their female counterparts. Yuki and Bad Luck were not slow in taking advantage of this opportunity and with Sakano and K running interference they managed to escape into the corridor.

“Whew!” Hiro said, slumping against the wall and wiping a hand over his brow. “Am I glad that’s over with!”

“Yes,” Suguru agreed, looking a little pinched and pale. He had never liked interviews being somewhat shyer than his two band mates. “Now that’s done with I’m going home.” He turned and began to leave.

“Hey, wait up!” Hiro said, taking off after him. “Let’s go for a drink then I’ll take you home!”

“Okay,” Suguru agreed still walking.

“Hey, Shuichi,” Hiro called back. “Want to come?”

“Nah,” Shuichi waved them on with a smile. “I’ve got something to do. See you tomorrow.”

Hiro’s eyebrows rose, flicking a quick glance towards Yuki standing a little behind Shuichi, but he said nothing. “Sure thing. See ya!”

Shuichi turned and began walking in the opposite direction. “You got a moment?” he said as he passed by Yuki. “We need to talk.”

This is it, Yuki thought as he followed the young man with leaden steps. Now he’s going to tell me how he hated having to lie like that in front of so many people.

They entered the room they had first met in and Yuki stayed near the door, although he did close it behind him. He wanted to be as close to the exit as possible, so if it got too painful he could just leave. It may be running away, but he really didn’t care.

Shuichi turned and perched on the table edge, looking at Yuki. He crossed his arms a little defiantly over his chest but didn’t immediately speak, so Yuki decided to get in first.

“I’m sorry you had to put on that spectacle.” He said gruffly. He itched to take out a cigarette but felt that Shuichi might think he wasn’t being sincere if he seemed too casual about things.

“No biggie,” Shuichi shrugged. “It’s not like I’m not used to it.”

“Yeah. But you usually don’t have to lie.”

Shuichi tipped his head to one side. “Who was lying?”

Yuki’s brain froze. Wh…a….t?

He looked back at Shuichi, eyes wide, mouth opening and closing with no sounds emerging. Shuichi just gazed back silently. He still didn’t know what to say. He then saw a tic begin in Shuichi’s cheek, then a twitch at the corner of his mouth and suddenly the youth let out a loud laugh which just continued. That brought a frown to his face which began to flush.

Shuichi continued to laugh, arms now holding in his mirth. “You…” he gasped out between laughter, “you look….like….. a goldfish!” Shuichi mimic a fish face, bringing his hands up to his own face to purse his lips out and opening and closing them in imitation of a fish. He looked totally stupid and Yuki flushed harder to think he looked anything slightly as ridiculous as that!

Shuichi waved a hand at him in a calming motion, obviously noting his growing irritation. “Oh, keep your shirt on, Yuki!” he said, still snickering. “You look cute!” That made Yuki’s face heat even further. Cute?! He didn’t do ‘cute’!

“Stop trying to change the subject!” Yuki managed to rasp out in an effort to cover his embarrassment.

“Who’s changing the subject? I thought we’d finished.” Shuichi pulled himself up onto the table so he was properly seated now. “I told you I wasn’t lying.”

“How…” Yuki struggled to get the words out but manfully continued although his insides were knotted tightly. “How could you not have been? We..” Now he couldn’t continue.

“Okay, so I told a little white lie,” Shuichi said with a half shrug. “Just because we’re not living together at the moment doesn’t mean that it was all a lie.”

Did that mean…?, Yuki felt a surge of hope. Was Shuichi saying that he wanted to try again? That he wanted them to go back to the way they were?

“Look, Eiri,” Shuichi continued. Again his name, Yuki felt a flush of pleasure at the sound of his name falling from those lips. “Things are a little….weird just now aren’t they? I mean, between us.” Now that was an understatement if ever there was one, Yuki thought. “But I want us to…” Now it was Shuichi’s turn to stall and look away in discomfort. “At least try to see if we can become friends. I….I still…..feel things for you,” Shuichi looked back at him, completely seriously. “But I can’t quite figure out what those feelings mean yet or what I want. What do you want?”

What did he want? Yuki’s chest tightened. Gods, he wanted Shuichi back with him! He wanted him living in their home, his stuff cluttering up the entire place. He wanted him annoying him when he was trying to work, playing his music too loud, talking to himself as he played his video games. He wanted him praising him for his cooking skills and eating the food he made for them. He wanted him near to hold and kiss and undress. He wanted him lying in his bed, slick with sweat and moaning with pleasure. His whole body was beginning to feel that it was on fire.

“I want…” He began again. “I want…to try again as well.”

Was that a look of relief that just flashed across Shuichi’s face, Yuki wondered. Had he been as nervous about this conversation as Yuki had been?

“Great!” Shuichi jumped off the table and walked over to Yuki. In the boots he was wearing the youth was only a couple of inches shorter than him, almost able to look him fully in the eyes. “I’m really glad!” The smile that Shuichi shone on him was almost enough to make Yuki go weak at the knees. That was one thing that he had always had to fight against; that wonderful, brilliant smile.

“So are you up to trying again with a coffee?” Shuichi asked him with a grin. “I didn’t exactly get the chance before.”

“And whose fault’s that?!” Yuki snapped out automatically, then could have bitten his tongue off at his careless remark. Damn it, don’t antagonize him! He screamed at himself mentally. Don’t piss him off now!

Shuichi just laughed, “Mine entirely!” he answered easily. “At least for storming off before getting my cup!”

“Well,” Yuki mumbled, “I’m sorry…for what I said.”

Shuichi batted his eyes at Yuki. “Be still my beating heart!” he said dramatically. “Is that an actual apology?”

“Don’t push it!” Yuki glared at him but without any real malice.

Shuichi grinned back letting it slide. “Well, I’d better go report in to Tohma. He’s had enough time to get the lowdown from Sakano and K so he’ll no doubt want to grill me next.”

“Want me to come with you?” Yuki offered his support, not really comfortable with letting Shuichi face his brother-in-law alone.

Shuichi waved his concern aside. “Nah, it’s fine. So I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Yeah. Shall I call you?”

“Sure!”

“Okay.”

They looked at each other a moment longer, neither moving, both shuffling their feet. How were they supposed to end this conversation? They had said all there was to say, but what did they do now? Should he just turn around and walk away, Yuki wondered. That seemed pretty damn cold, especially after everything that had just happened.

He reached out hesitantly with one hand, stretching it towards Shuichi. Should he touch him? Should he hug him? That seemed too presumptuous. What? Shuichi looked just as uncertain as he too began to stretch out a hand. Their fingers were almost touching when Shuichi jerked his back a little and Yuki’s involuntary flinch withdrew his also by a few centimeters. Shuichi’s surged after his then began a hasty retreat but Yuki took a deep breath and pushed forward to wrap his clasp around those smaller digits. There was a brief moment of stillness as they both froze at the contact of bare flesh against bare flesh, and as clichéd as it sounded Yuki could have sworn he felt electricity running through his veins at the touch. Then he felt the warmth of those fingers wrap tightly around his in a firm grip. Shuichi looked into his eyes, a gentle smile on his lips and what could have been the glisten of tears beginning.

“I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” he said in a soft voice and slipped his hand from Yuki’s grasp as he brushed swiftly past his shoulder and was out the door before Yuki could move.

Yuki stood there for a long moment after, cradling the hand that Shuichi had held as though he could keep that warmth from fading. Tomorrow, he would see him tomorrow. His lips thinned. This time he wouldn’t screw up! No matter what!