Sitting, Waiting, Wishing

Chapter Five:

I keep playing your part

But it's not my scene

Want this plot to twist

I've had enough mystery

Keep building it up

Then shooting me down

But I'm already down

-Sitting, Waiting, Wishing By: Jack Johnson

Really? Shizuki thought in disbelief. He paused mid-step as he was climbing up into the bus he was taking to get home. He tried to determine if what he was seeing was real or a trick of the mind. Someone snapped impatiently at him to 'get on the bus already'. He climbed the rest of the way in, and found out his eyes really weren't lying to him.

Umeda was standing in the middle of the bus, holding onto a strap as he stared out the window.

The doctor glanced over when he saw a flash of gold out of the corner of his eye. He blinked twice in surprise when he saw Shizuki. Are you serious? He thought is amazement. This coincidental shit was really getting out of hand. So much for staying away from each other, he thought ruefully. It had only lasted a few weeks anyways. Then Akiha had dragged Shizuki into his office. After that amazing kiss, the whole trying to avoid each other scenario had gone completely down the toilet. Their run ins had become more frequent than ever before.

Their eyes met from across the bus. Shizuki found himself walking over in spite of his brain saying 'stop right there, you idiot!' "Why are you on this bus?" he blurted out rather rudely.

"Going home. I'm trying to save some money by not driving for a while," Umeda answered coolly. "We really don't live that far apart, you know."

"Yeah, I realized that," Shizuki said sullenly.

Umeda sighed. "You didn't have to stand with me if you didn't want to."

"I think it's rude not to at least say hello if you see someone you know somewhere," the blond explained.

"You haven't said hello," the doctor pointed out bluntly.

Shizuki scowled. "Hello, Umeda."

"Hello, Shizuki," the doctor smiled at him. There was something so amusing about teasing the blond.

They rode together in silence after that. Neither one knew what to say to the other. Both were trying to avoid thinking about kisses and soft touches with the man next to him. Shizuki was so busy trying to keep his mind clear he was caught off guard when the bus jostled hard. He stumbled sideways into Umeda. The doctor reached out and wrapped his arm around the blond just under his ribs, steadying him on his feet. Shizuki gasped sharply. That simple touch had sent a firestorm of tingling sensations shooting up his spin and straight down to his cock. He tried to tell himself it was the sensitive bundle of nerves the man's hand had landed on and not the man who had caused that feeling. He could only lie to himself so much though.

Umeda watched the blond intently. He wasn't stupid. He knew exactly what he'd done to upset Shizuki. He smirked mischievously. He was a doctor after all, and a chiropractor. He knew exactly where to touch to get a certain effect. He was amused to find that this spot was particularly sensitive on the blond. He trailed his hand down the blond's side before slipping his hand away. He did it as casually as possible so Shizuki wouldn't catch onto the fact that the move had been purposefully done. In the few seconds, it had taken for his hand to travel that route, the blond's breathing had turned shallow. His whole body shuddered noticeably, and he flushed crimson. Umeda hid his smile of satisfaction. He tucked those reactions away for future reference in the back of his mind.

"Sorry," Umeda pretended to look apologetic. "I didn't want you to fall."

"N-No, no. It's ok. Thanks," Shizuki managed to get out as he tried to recover his dignity. Unfortunately, his sudden hard on wasn't so easy to will away. He glanced sideways, suspicious of Umeda's true intentions. Maybe that had been all the doctor was trying to do, but Shizuki didn't really believe it. He'd hung around the man long enough to know that every time he got near Shizuki he found some way to touch him—or kiss him. He frowned when the doctor's expression gave nothing away. He was as impossible to read as ever when he wanted to be.

The bus ground to a halt at their stop at last. Umeda led the way towards the exit. He glared at people blocking his way. To Shizuki's amazement people were shifting out of Umeda's way as fast as possible. He understood a moment later when he caught the look in the doctor's eyes. Those dark honey colored eyes were narrowed in displeasure, giving him the predatory cat look that suggested he was staring down at his next victim. Shizuki shivered. He could see why the Osaka students had feared going to Umeda's clinic now like Mizuki had said. With a look like that, Shizuki would run away too. He followed after the doctor quickly before the path he'd created through the people disappeared.

They disembarked- pausing to straighten their clothes- before beginning to walk in the same direction. Now that they were off the bus, and could walk at a safer distance apart, Shizuki could think clearly again. He remembered that he'd actually been hoping (sorta) to run into Umeda. He'd had something important to ask him. He sped up so that he was walking along side the doctor a little closer than he had been before.

Umeda cast him a fleeting look. "I would have thought you'd want to get as far away from me as fast as possible," the doctor remarked, rather surprised at finding the blond at his side.

"Well, normally I would," Shizuki agreed, smiling slightly.

"But?" Umeda asked, smiling back.

They walked in silence for a minute.

"Can I ask you something?" Shizuki finally managed to inquire.

Umeda looked over and shrugged. "Yeah, sure."

"I need help with this medical report. I'm not quite sure how to write it. I've never been much of a writer and I'm not sure how to word everything I wanna say. Would you be willing to help me with it?" Shizuki asked. He quickly tacked on a reason before Umeda could tease him. "I don't know anyone else that might be able to help."

"What about your fellow interns?"

Shizuki looked down. "I don't think anyone would help me as much as you would."

Umeda smiled softly. "I'd be glad to help you. But—I'm not writing it for you."

"I wouldn't ask you to do that!" Shizuki looked scandalized. "I just need some advice on how to approach writing this and some of the wording. That's it."

"I know. I'm just teasing. Relax. I don't have a problem with helping you," Umeda replied, rolling his eyes.

Shizuki shook his head before answering. "Ok. Well, thank you."

"Tonight's the only night I can help you with your report. The rest of the week I have my own article to write for a magazine. Is that ok?" Umeda offered.

"Ummm…yeah. That's fine," Shizuki said, after he thought about it for a moment. "Where are we gonna work on this?"

"Do you feel comfortable working at my place? I won't mess with you," Umeda told him.

Shizuki hesitated. Did he really wanna risk it? He was desperate for help though. "Alright, but only if you promise not to harass me."

"I'll try not to," Umeda smiled. He couldn't make any promises, because Shizuki's body was just to damned tempting for him. He wanted to get his hands on the blone all the time. He thought he could control himself for a few hours though.

Shizuki eyed him warily. He hadn't missed the fact that the doctor didn't promise him that. Oh well. He could always leave if he wanted to. "Ok, can I come over after dinner?"

"Yeah, that's perfect. I'll see you at my place at 6pm," Umeda agreed. He gave the blond his address. "Call me if you get lost or something."

"Ok, see yah tonight," Shizuki waved good bye as he turned to cross the street to go back to the hospital.

Umeda waved back, watching the blond walk away. He observed the people around him watching the American weaving through the traffic too. His hair was a beacon for yards around. Umeda watched until he could no longer see the glint of gold. He was looking forward to having the blond at his place. He couldn't remember the last time he'd had any over for something other than sex. It would be refreshingly different. He only hoped he could keep his hands to himself. He had a feeling though, he wouldn't be able to for long.

/

Shizuki had made it to Umeda'a apartment just fine. He hadn't gotten lost. Umeda had invited him in and thus far had been a very good host. The blond had been impressed with how nice Umeda's apartment was along with all the expensive furniture and designer things he saw everywhere. He didn't think school doctors made that much, but Umeda seemed very comfortable. He also seemed to have expensive taste. Yet, despite all that the place felt cozy as well as homey.

Umeda had been a big help with his paper. They had spread out all the research books and notes on the table. Shizuki had given the doctor his outline while explaining how he wanted to write the paper. Then Umeda had helped him find all information he needed in his notes. After that he'd helped Shizuki set up a good way to present the information. Shizuki had begun to write. Whenever he got stuck or confused on how to phrase something he asked Umeda. The doctor was more than willing to help him find a way to write it out. The paper was almost complete by 9pm.

By then, Umeda had roamed to the couch with a cup of coffee. Shizuki had scooped up his work and followed him. He'd spread out all his work on the coffee table while Umeda switched on the TV. Where before the feeling between them had been completely business like and friendly, but now it had changed to something else. Maybe it was the more relaxed atmosphere since they'd moved over to the couch that had changed the feeling. Shizuki had written for a little while longer, but the strange charged feel of the space between him and Umeda began to get to him. So he paused to analysis the situation.

Shizuki sat on the floor with his back against the couch. Behind him, Umeda was sprawled across the couch taking only mild interest in the show on TV. His eyes seemed to stay longer on the blond than the picture box. It was the staring that was making Shizuki feel the difference in how they were interacting now. Shizuki tried to pretend not to notice. If he ignored the looks and the charged, heated feeling between them, he could almost trick himself into believing he was just hanging out with a friend. He glanced down at his books and the scribbled pages of his article that had barely been touched for the last five minutes or so. It was hard to concentrate with Umeda in arms reach of him, lying like a lion that only pretended at casual interest in his prey. Any moment he expected to feel a hand on the back of his neck or warm breath on his cheek. Umeda just laid there.

"That article won't write itself," Umeda remarked as if he'd just read Shizuki's mind.

The blond started and looked up. "What?"

"What are you worried about?" the older man asked, making sure keep himself away from Shizuki. He'd been ignoring the urge to kiss, touch and taste all of the blond. He figured he was doing pretty good, save for the desire he knew he couldn't completely mask.

Shizuki thought fast. He didn't want to give away that it was Umeda who was worrying him. "I don't think I'll be able to go home for Christmas. I don't have the money or enough time off."

"That bites."

"Yeah," Shizuki relaxed a little, believing he had gotten himself out of that.

Umeda considered for a minute, and then decided 'what the hell?' "Would you like to spend Christmas with my family?"

The blond eyed his suspiciously.

"Relax," Umeda laughed. "The rest of my family will be there. My parents, my sisters, my brother in law, and my insufferable nephew."

"I dunno…," Shizuki stalled. He was honestly tempted.

The doctor encouraged him gently. "I'm sure it would be better than spending it alone."

"Well…"

"Think about it." Umeda said, before letting the subject drop.

Shizuki felt like he'd buried himself further in the grave he seemed to be digging for himself where Umeda was concerned. Really the idea of meeting Umeda's family was intriguing. What kind of people had helped to shape the person that Umeda was today? Were they really as crazy as they sounded? It would definitely be a different kind of Christmas.

"That's not the only thing you're worrying about," Umeda pointed out, sitting up.

Shizuki's shoulders hunched towards his ears as if in a warding gesture when the doctor moved behind him. His actions gave him away.

"Ah, it's me," Umeda smiled sadly.

Shizuki made a strangled sound.

"I can't seem to stay away from you. Even when we did our best to avoid each other," the old man remarked, moving closer still.

Shizuki looked down at his hands, trying to ignore the way his heart had tripped into overtime as Umeda drew nearer. "I think fate or God or something is fucking with us."

I'd rather be fucking you, Umeda thought.

He swung his legs over the side of the couch so that they were hugging Shizuki's sides. The blond flinched. Umeda waited for him to bolt. To his surprise Shizuki stayed where he was, the faint trembling of his body vibrating up Umeda's legs.

"Why do you let yourself fall into this trap if you hate it?" Umeda whispered, as he grasped the blond's chin and tipped it back so their eyes met. "Are you scared, curious, or masochistic? Or do you like leading me on?" He leaned down. "Or do you secretly crave my kisses?" His mouth claimed the blond's in a soft, deep kiss. He was gratified to feel Shizuki's body shudder. He broke the kiss, letting their breath mingle for a moment. He gently nudged Shizuki's face aside. He nuzzled further down to kiss the blond's throat over his pulse. He smiled at the feel of the racing heart beat against his lips. He nipped gently, watching Shizuki's fingers curl into fists in his lap. He slid his tongue over the bite he'd just left, taking in the taste of the skin he'd been wanting to touch all night. Shizuki's breath was beginning to rasp in his throat as he tried to stifle a whimper. The sound betrayed him. Umeda smirked against the blond's skin. He'd found one of Shizuki's instant turn on buttons. He dragged his lips up the column of Shizuki's throat to kiss him once more.

This time it was Shizuki who broke the kiss by shoving him away with a hand to his chest. "Stop."

Umeda sat back, not really surprised. He'd gotten away with more than he thought he would. "If you didn't want the attention you should be more clear about it," Umeda grinned, moving away.

Shizuki flushed. "I have!"

"Oh really? Actions speak louder than words, you know?"

Shizuki shot to his feet, abruptly. "I'm leaving!"

"Alright," Umeda made no attempt to deter him. The blond looked at him with a mix of surprise and suspicion. "Don't forget your article."

Shizuki scowled at the calm tone. The bastard acted like nothing had just happened, despite that the fact that his skin was still tingling and his hard on was throbbing desperately. He snatched up his work and stomped towards the door. He glanced back once to see Umeda sitting on the couch, watching him leave with an amused little smile on his face. The blond scowled before tugging on his shoes. This behavior was not what he was used to in the slightest. But then Umeda was anything but predictable.

/

Umeda waited about an hour until he was sure that Shizuki would have made it back home. He picked up the phone and dialed the blond's number. He tapped his fingers on the TV remote as he waited for his call to be answered. He didn't have to wait long.

"Hello, Ashiya speaking." The blond's voice was pitched lower like he was trying to make himself sound deeper.

Umeda smirked as he answered. "It's Umeda ."

"Ugh," he heard the blond sigh over the phone. He snickered. He could almost see the irritation on Shizuki's face. "What do you want, Umeda?"

The doctor swallowed his laugh so he could answer. "So are you coming with me to my parents' house for Christmas?"

There was a stretch of silence.

"I thought you were gonna give me time to think about it," Shizuki muttered in agitation.

"I did. You had an hour." Umeda shot back. He'd been expecting that.

Shizuki sighed again. "I dunno. What will your parents think?"

"Who cares? They're creepy anyways," Umeda shrugged even though the blond couldn't see it.

"Creepy?"

"You'll have to see that for yourself to understand," the doctor replied cryptically. The blond was wavering. Umeda could tell. "Yes or no. You've got 5 seconds to make up your mind."

"Will there be booze?"

"What are you, an alcoholic?" Umeda teased him. He chuckled when he heard Shizuki growl at him. "Yes, there will be. 5, 4, 3-."

"Alright. I'll come," Shizuki agreed, sounding somewhat hassled.

"Good, I'll pick you up at 2pm on Christmas Eve. Good bye." Umeda hung up before the blond could try to back out of coming. He grinned in triumph. He had figured out the trick with Shizuki was to annoy or tease him until he agreed. Really the boy doctor was just to easy to figure out. He glorified in his victory for another minute then dialed his parents' house number.

"Hello, Umeda residence," His mother's voice sang across the line sweetly. Umeda wrinkled his nose in irritation. His mother still sounded like a high school teenager despite her age. It wasn't right!

"Hello, Mom," Umeda greeted her.

"Hokuto, darling! It's so good to hear your voice! You don't call often enough. I miss you, you know," his mother scolded him gently.

He sighed. "I know, Mom."

"How are you, darling?" his mother asked, slightly worried.

"I'm just fine, Mom. I was calling to ask you a question," Umeda told her.

His mother sounded excited, like she sensed something big was about to happen. "What about, darling?"

"Would it be ok if I bring a friend home for Christmas?" Umeda asked, trying to sound casual. Please, don't ask-?

"A boy?"

Umeda cringed. Dammit. "Yes, a boy—er, man."

"Of course, Hokuto! You never bring any of your friends home. How could I say no?" In the back ground he could hear his father asking her what he was talking about. He winced as his mother whispered loudly that 'Hokuto's bringing a boyfriend home!'

"Ok, Mom, we'll be there on Christmas Eve around 2:30 or so." He did his best to ignore his father's whisperings in the background.

"Alright, Hokuto. We can't wait to see you and meet your friend," his mother said brightly.

"Right," Umeda tried not to roll his eyes. "Good bye."

"Good bye, darling!"

Umeda hung up and muttered. "Thank God that's over."

It wasn't really. It was only just beginning. He couldn't wait to see what his family would be like when he showed up with Shizuki in tow on Christmas Eve. He vaguely hoped they wouldn't embarrass him to much, but he knew that was a useless hope. He prayed they wouldn't scare Shizuki off before he'd even stayed 5 minutes either.

/

Be a responsible reader and review!