Gravitation Fan Fiction ❯ A Place To Stay ❯ Chapter 3 ( Chapter 3 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Suguru needs to find a place to stay; Shuichi is in desperate need for a roommate after he left Eiri. A simple placement as friends, roommates, and band mates turned into much more in time, leaving both poor boys confused on their feelings.

Anime/Manga: Gravitation Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Comedy / Angst | Type: Shounen-ai | Uploaded On: 11.27.2005 | Pages: 3 | Words: 10.2K | Visits: 346 | Status: Completed

A Place To Stay

By: Araki

Disclaimer: Maki Marukami owns Gravitation, not I. If I owned it, I wouldn't be sitting here, I assure you. Anything Else I talk about in it (suppose Walt Disney, Cartoon Names, Actors, excreta…) I don't own, because I'm poor.

Pairings: Suguru x Shuichi

Summary: Suguru needs to find a place to stay; Shuichi is in desperate need for a roommate after he left Eiri. A simple placement as friends, roommates, and band mates turned into much more in time, leaving both poor boys confused on their feelings

Warnings: Fluff! Maybe some child molesting on poor Suguru's account

Notes: I really must thank my beta, Mayhem. This wouldn't have been possible if she had deleted her recycling bin (thankfully she didn't). I'm sorry about this delay, here's the chapter!!

~*~*~

I - My computer has Japanese Kanji in it, but it doesn't leave marks. Thanks for liking the chapter (big smile).

Whitewolf - People avoid using Suguru and Shuichi because the manga and anime doesn't but them in the best friend relationship, though they really do well together. But I can't think of who would be the uke…

GoTrinba - Yuki is the antagonist, I'm not sure when he comes back, but I know he does come in chapter 4 (it's also marks a memorable moment in Suguru's life). I try to update weekly, but I'm going on vacation starting Monday, and school starts up again two weeks from now, so I hope to work around my busy schedule on these stories.

Evraen - Thanks for liking my character. No, I don't have a problem with you using anything from this story. Have a blast, hope to read your SugxShu (or vise versa) sometime; they're hard to come by.

DBZ Luver2 - And more shall come, I hope you enjoy future chapters.

Blackrosebunny - No motivation lost, I did delete a few stories the other day that I've lost all hope in ever completing. Gah, some angst in this chapter, but all and all, I got it up in a long period of time.

Leihko - Yes, I have tried Thai food, the baggers my sister works with give her all these Thai dish recipes, the food is delicious.

Anmah - Yes, very love sick fool, Suguru, in this chapter. Of course, he is *this* close to admitting his feelings to Shuichi. So close, unless he chickens out.

Wolfwater - I use myself as examples to what readers want, I get upset when an update is only a few words and I have to wait a long time again, so I figured writing long chapters each update will make people happy, I usually have a “more than 2300 word” thing when I update though.

Christy - He doesn't want to be laughed at for loving the one thing he hates - annoying people. But opposites attracted, and Shuichi is hard to not be attracted to.

DeMoN4EvA - Actually, it is - my beta can vouch I'm a walking plot bunny thinker - yet it takes forever to write. I enjoy this chapter, but I've recently been writers blocked so it's taking longer to type anything. Oh well, I'll be myself soon again.

MonkeyGurL - It took a little longer for this chapter since I had a small computer problem. Hopefully it won't be as long again, but it's inevitable.

Akeaia Mochidzuki Ookami - Ah, just the need for humor (sadly this chapter doesn't have as much). I also like making Suguru squirm in his seat - which will happen until he gets back at Shuichi. Oops. Anyway, happy reading!

~*~*~

A soft groan escaped his lips as he leaned forward putting his head into his hands as he watched the teacher go over the calculus problem, all the other students taking notes. He had been, but it had magically turned into him being bored and drawing stick figures on the side of his paper. Actually, he was still tired and just wanted to sleep right now, but that would have him in a great deal of trouble.

That morning had been horrible. Somehow he had slept past his alarm clock and Shuichi had skidded into his room to wake him up quickly. Drowsily, he had taken a shower, forgot to brush his teeth, and ran into the kitchen half dressed. Shuichi was nice enough to help him get his pants buckled up, the school tie on, and help him with his coat all while Suguru quickly brushed his hair and ate a piece of toast, looking for his back pack. For one unaware of the circumstances they were working with, they would have thought that Shuichi was the loving wife making sure `her' husband got off to work correctly.

`At least he didn't tell me to have a good day at school', Suguru thought as he took in a breath, someone was answering a question, maybe he should be paying attention? Turning his book page, he stared intently at all the expressions written down, and felt very sick. Maybe Hiro could explain all of this to him when he got to work? Nodding, he pretended to be paying attention as the teacher droned on. The monotone was broken with the four chimes of the school bell ringing for lunch, and the class stood up as the teacher left, before breaking into joyous chatter.

If, and when, BAD LUCK lost popularity, he knew whom he would have as real friends, but until then he kept the ones he had before joining BAD LUCK. Three female friends (well, once upon a time it was two female friends and a male…), all in the same class as him, and they immediately ran over to see him after the teacher left.

Shinohara Haruno had always worn her hair in a pony tail, for as long as he could remember. She was also a monstrous music fan, and he had gratefully given her most of his free backstage passes to any concert Tohma gave him that he didn't want to go to. She smiled brightly, sitting in the seat in front of him, very unladylike. If it wasn't for the long skirt the girls' uniform consisted of, she'd be very close to public indecency with her legs spread the way they were. She spoke about how their teacher looked like he should have retired years ago, then muttered that he was past his expiration date. The other two giggled, a small smile quirking on Suguru's lips as he reached into his backpack for his packed lunch.

Next to her, standing short and stocky was his best friend since kindergarten, Takanashi Aki. She wasn't much for the music as the other two were, but she thought it was cool he was in a high-labeled band. She also was the gourmet chef in the group, but rarely brought meals with her to school, something about her cooking class always made something that she would eat. She broke into laughter as they started talking about some boy in their advanced chemistry class (like always, they were assuming he liked men). Digging deeper into his book bag, his brows locked together in a scowl. His lunch…he forgot his lunch…and his wallet.

Last of their small group was Honjoh Kameko, or known by parents and some school staff, Arata. Kameko was the only known transvestite in the making at school. She had a lot of pride in herself, and rarely had Suguru even seen Arata, unless they visited at home and Kameko was changing. Other than that, she was another female BAD LUCK fan. They were changing the subject again, but Suguru wasn't paying attention, he was too busy banging his head against his desk.

Food, he'd left everything at home! He could feel tears coming along, this was the only time he could sit back and eat slowly for lunch. No gun to his back, no deadlines for music to meet. “Are you okay, Sug-kun?” Kameko leaned forward, wiping away the tears. He shook his head, and laid it down. Why him? What had he done to deserve this in his last life? The other two girls rubbed his back as he shrank into his seat, ignoring his growling stomach. K-san wasn't going to allow him to eat at work, he never did.

“I bet his koi didn't pack him a lunch this morning,” Aki nodded her head, sitting upon the side of his desk. Suguru caught himself in mid-nod, staring up at her with shock. Koi? Damn it, they believed the tabloids too? He whined, no, it wasn't right. “I'm sorry Suguru-kun, maybe you should discuss with your lover-boy how things work, he can be your loving wife and make you a nice meal every morning, and you give him a good-bye kiss-”

“What!” Haruno cried out, sitting up properly finally. “How could you say that Aki?” She lowered her voice, only because a group in the corner turned to face them (some with disgust). “You're turning into the rest of Japan now, expecting it's the woman's job to keep the place all tidy, that the husband is prompt and the kids are well fed and have a good education-”

Aki held his hands up in defense, expecting the ballistic girl to swing punches. “I'm just saying, Shindou-sama probably feeds him, I mean, look at the extra pounds Suguru has put on!” She poked the imaginary pounds, and Suguru looked down. Where were people seeing his weight gain? He was hungry still; their argument was just the same as old ones. They'd fight before compromising, and he'd be bored again until the next one. “Well-”

“Fujisaki-san Suguru, to the office,” The intercom came to life, causing several of the students to jump and stare at him. With a sigh, Suguru pulled up out of his seat and started towards the door. He felt like he was on death row, and at the end of the short walk would be Tohma, smiling that ever-pleasant smile. Maybe his guidance councilor wanted to tell him his student ranking was falling and he needed to drop `unnecessary after school activities' to improve that. No, then they would've sent him to the guidance councilor. He frowned. It wasn't worth pondering over. Opening the doors to the office, he stepped up to the front desk, where a petit woman sat going over papers. “Excuse me; I was called to the office a few seconds ago.” He smiled, and she stared up, smiled, and nodded.

“Yes, a young man came and dropped this off,” she handed him a paper bag. “I wouldn't have allowed it if it wasn't for the fact I was sure you knew him.” Opening the bag, Suguru smiled when he saw the smaller bag from Mos Burger(1), he nodded and started out the door, clutching the bag to his heart. Fast food, the top food on K-san's list of what not to eat. Who could have been so nice to deliver this to him? Opening it again, for the wonderful aroma, he caught site of a letter on ripped out notebook paper. Carefully, he pulled it out, and opened it, navigating his way back to the classroom to sit and eat.

Aki, Haruno, and Kameko stared at him with slight wonder as he sat, patiently down and stared at Shuichi's chicken-scratch, otherwise known as kanji.

Suguru,

K decided that today is `No Need for Suguru Day', meaning you don't have to come to work - be happy, he's gone off the deep end and right now is preparing to shoot Hiro until he can get an E Flat note played correctly - even though he can! K-san's just not satisfied with Hiro's ability. If asked, you never saw this lunch. I realized after you left that you forgot some school lunch! Won't be home until tomorrow afternoon, with Sakuma, so you have until then to get your little `study' thing done. Keep them out of my room, please? Shu-chan

“Oh my god! He calls himself Shu-chan! That's so cute, let me have the letter!” Haruno screamed, reaching for the material that was clutched to Suguru's chest from pure shock. They read his private notes! Glaring, he ignored her as he opened up his two bags and took out the mos burger and French fries. Delicious! He smiled; it had been months since he'd had good fast food, it hit the spot right now. “Please, Suguru-kun, give me the letter! I know this girl in Tohoku High who has letters from Shindou-sama to Yuki-sensei! I won't be bad, I'll be nice.” She reached for it, and Suguru held it in the air as he took a bite of his meal. Very satisfying indeed.

“He's ignoring you Haruno, just leave him alone.” Aki muttered; edging the other girl into another fight, after a while Kameko sat there stealing his French fries. “We're going to his place; maybe you can find hand written notes on the `fridge.” She suggested, and Suguru lifted a green eyebrow, notes on the refrigerator? Suguru whined as four chimes came through the halls again, and he carefully rewrapped the rest of his burger. Study hour was next, so he could finish the last of his lunch in there.

~*~*~

He was having a study group for term finals that night (not to be confused with a party), and his three friends had been invited. As he slowly unlocked the door, he somehow felt like a babysitter at a daycare. Somehow he knew the word `no' was not going to be on the girls' vocabulary. “Just…stay in the living room.” He muttered, going towards his room to change, the girls had all done so at school; this was the only chance he got. After looking at his door, he decided changing in the bathroom was his safest alternative.

In seconds, he was walking into a room that was empty, all three girls were missing. Staring around the small space, he expected to find them in the kitchen, looking for notes on the refrigerator. Nothing. Finally, he turned around, and to his shock Shuichi's bedroom door was open. He could put it down to three culprits, as could he hear their giggling as he made his way towards the room.

To say the least, Shuichi's room was a mess; a tsunami would actually clean it. Which explained why Shuichi always had the blinds closed, besides the fact the pesky media hung around all the time, but it was Shuichi's room, as long as the rest of the house remained cleaned, Suguru couldn't care. Clothes piled the floor as well as CDs, papers, notebooks, pocky boxes, and other trash. On the boy's futon, a stereo was being played with by Aki, Haruno was sitting in a far corner of the room with one of the notebooks, and Kameko was looking through the clothes as if trying to find a new outfit for herself (or likely himself, Suguru couldn't tell anymore). Clearing his throat, the three glanced up and grinned.

“You guys get the best clothes! A little off color, too bright for my taste,” Kameko placed one of Shuichi's tight shirts against her fake breast, as if imagining if it would actually fit. Suguru walked towards her, pushing the girl out the door. Next he turned to Aki and pointed towards the door, she tossed the CDs she had been looking at, down, and grumbled out the door, and he made a beeline past the crap on the floor towards Haruno. She smiled brightly up at him, brushing her long black hair back.

“Why didn't you tell me that Shindou-sama had a diary, there are some interesting things about you in here. Well, not as interesting as there are about Nakano-san and Yuki-sensei.” She ignored his menacing glare. “I wonder if any of these poems in here will become lyrics…” Suguru rolled his eyes, reaching for the book that did seem really interesting to him now. As she left the room, he stared at the book, wondering what Shuichi could have possibly written about him. Probably that he was a damn pest - they had mutual feelings at work. Staring around, he tucked the notebook under his shirt, in his pants, and made it out of the room quickly. There were some things Shuichi didn't need to know. He nodded and walked into the living room where all his friends were finally seated and ready to actually study for once.

~*~*~

Around ten, the girls went home, and Suguru barricaded himself in his bedroom. Shuichi was going to be gone all night, visiting his parents. He was going to spend some of the morning with the stupid singer from his cousin's band. Causing mayhem where they went, crowds, Buddha knew what else. Staring around, Suguru could feel the watchful eyes of someone on him. He was invading his roommate's privacy, but he really wanted to know. Opening it up, he was a little shocked to find that Shuichi had actually kept the book since he was ten; the handwriting was larger than what he wrote in now, but still crap.

The beginning was mostly about Hiro and a few other people. He smiled when he read that Shuichi's first kiss was given to Hiro, how interesting. Black mail against the redheaded guitarist. He continued reading, first crushes - some girl in his fifth grade class that had big blue eyes and long black hair that was always tied in a ponytail. She crushed his tiny little heart on Saint Whites Day(2), even though it didn't mean anything. He had tied her ribbon around the scarf of her uniform, she was flattered and all, but the next week she had given it back to him and moved away. Suguru had to brush a tear away after reading that. Rejected on his first try - no wonder he liked boys now.

Around midnight, he got onto when BAD LUCK first started, just him and Hiro (with help from Noriko), he quickly skipped some of that, until he came across his name. “Fujisaki-san,” Suguru read out loud, “seemed like a nice guy when I first met him in the hall, but I guess they were right about judging books by their covers. He's a prick in all ways; I can actually see how he and Seguchi Tohma are actually related. Yuki says I should just get over it, but I can't…” He paused in his reading, shaking his head. Sure, they did get off on the wrong foot, but it was mostly Shuichi's fault! He admitted to playing a small role in it, by being the mature one, but it was mostly Shuichi!

Skipping more pages, he made towards the more recent entries, silently reading them. Shuichi's views on him had changed, of course he was still `The Prick' in some sentences, but Shuichi said he was becoming a `decent person to live with'. The last line written was `I'm really starting to like Suguru-chan, maybe more than I should”. Closing the book, Suguru fell back against his futon, staring up at the ceiling as those words replayed like a broken record in the back of his head.

~*~*~

“Suguru-kun?” Shuichi's voice awoke Suguru the next morning.

Sitting up, the young keyboardist pressed his fist into his eyes to rub the sleep out of them, a tired yawn breaking from his pressed lips as he sat up. Was it noon already? He glanced at his clock, confirming the time. He could hear Ryuichi in the kitchen, laughing and calling for Shuichi to come back and join him, but the pink haired singer stood in Suguru's bedroom door, staring at him quietly, before he opened his mouth once more.

“We brought you back some breakfast; it's in the microwave whenever you're hungry.” His voice seemed dull, as if life was all against him and he'd just finished crying. Judging by his red eyes, he had been, but when? “Ryuichi is going to be here for a few hours while I'm out - since his home is being treated for a recent infestation of ants. It seems one of his neighbor's kids broke an ant farm, and they discovered that Ryuichi eats a lot of sweets.” His complexion didn't change when he got ready to turn and leave.

“Is something wrong, Shuichi?” Suguru finally asked before the singer got too far.

“Huh?” The boy whispered, before shaking his head no. “My mom is sick right now, dad had to take her to the hospital after she fainted while cooking dinner. I need to go make sure she's okay.” He walked towards the living room and turned to the older vocalist. “Take care of Suguru, Ryuichi-kun. He's really mean after he wakes up, so don't take his mean words too seriously.” The two smiled, gave their hugs good-bye, and Shuichi left. Suguru stood outside his room, clad in boxers, and watched carefully.

“I don't need a babysitter.” He finally turned into his room, shutting the door with a slam. What did Shuichi take him for? An irresponsible eight-year-old? Pulling on a casual shirt and baggy pants, he crouched into the corner of the room where his keyboard sat waiting to be played, collecting dust on its pretty little keys. His gaze never let up from his fingers as he played the sorrowful song. He wasn't in the mood for anything upbeat; he was still dazed over what he had read in Shuichi's diary.

. The fact that Shuichi liked him was enough to get his own feelings swarming in both his head and his heart, his stomach did knots and back flips every time he though of the small sentence. Realizing that the next verse of the song required the use of both hands to play a few notes, Suguru put his other hand on the keyboard and started the lines. How much he wanted to ring Shuichi's little throat for making him even think of things like this. Loving another boy? He was straight, he used to stare at guys, and he was only teasing Yuki Eiri when he was talking about his and Tohma's taste in men. Getting people riled up was worth it, but not like this though.

Yet, Shuichi. A flower like Shuichi, extremely delicate, giving, loving, annoying - everything most people wanted. Sweet and innocent, naïve and childlike. What made Suguru want him so…badly? Why couldn't he have a quiet nights sleep without thinking of Shuichi horizontally with him, naked. Sighing, he fumbled with his keys before he pulled his arm back. Shuichi, his Shuichi. He couldn't give the boy up, not to any one. Yet, he couldn't help but wonder why he felt so possessive.

“Yah! Suguru-kun, can you play another song?” A sudden cry rang through out the room, and the green haired boy jumped a few feet from where he was sitting. Sakuma-san. He glared at the man-child that sat before him; Kumagorou sat next to the chestnut haired singer as he leaned forward. “Play!” He grinned.

Suguru's glared lightened as he started again with the beat, making sure the movements were slow to bring out his confusion. Kumagorou was immediately perched from his keyboard speakers, staring at him with the marble-bead eyes that gave great depth. He watched the bunny as he played, watching as Ryuichi's fingers made the toy dance around on its cotton-stitched legs, grinning and laughing like the idiot he was.

“Make a happier song, Suguru-kun!” Ryuichi yelled, but Suguru wasn't taking requests. He was practicing. He didn't have time for stupid people with two personalities. The man pouted when his request was denied, and Kumagorou was pulled away from his keyboard. “You have to play a happier song, Suguru-kun, the one you're playing now makes it sound like Meimi-chan's crying!”

“`Meimi-chan'?” Suguru lifted an eyebrow.

Nodding, the vocalist pointed towards Suguru's keyboard. “Yes, Meimi-chan!”

Suguru stared at his keyboard, then back up at the vocalist. “Who gave you the right to name my keyboard?” He kept his voice low; there wasn't a point to start yelling over a name. “It's just a keyboard; it has no name, and doesn't need a name.”

Ryuichi's eyes filled up with tears, reaching over to pat Suguru's keyboard. “It's okay Meimi-chan, he just doesn't understand all the hard work you do for him.” What the fuck? Suguru snorted, pulling his keyboard closer to his chest and away from the overactive, genki-idiot, known as Sakuma Ryuichi. “You should share friends, Suguru-kun!”

“Get it straight, moron,” Suguru held up one of his fingers, “one, this is a machine. It's made to do my work while I play it. Two,” he lifted a second finger, “it has no name, and never will,” another rose, “three, if you don't get the hell out of my room, I'll kill you for laying a hand on my keyboard.” He stood up; preparing to push the man out of his room, but the singer wouldn't budge as his hands crossed disappointedly over his chest.

“I pity Shuichi for having to live with a mean person like you or Yuki. Neither of you understand anything.” He turned, leaving the room. “Sorry Meimi-chan that you have to stay with Stinky!” He slammed the door, leaving Suguru behind in his room. Idiot. He sat back down, glaring at his keyboard. Meimi-chan his ass, you didn't name inanimate objects no mater how much you liked it.

In a couple of minutes, he found himself unable to play anymore and forced to stand up and walk into the living room to sit in front of the television. It was quiet; Ryuichi must have run out after he left the bedroom. Good. He clicked on the television, staring distantly at the reality television show. Maybe there were people with less intelligence than Ryuichi, but the man has to learn the hard way.

A soft mew made him turn to face Whiskers, and the cat stared up at him before starting to rub against his leg. “What do you want?” He asked, but his glare lightened, playfully for the kitten. “Are you hungry?” Between him and Shuichi, it was like the cat understood the word associated with `food', because when he asked, the creature took off towards the food dish near his litter box. Standing up, Suguru followed behind.

Stinky? Ryuichi dare call him stinky? Such a childish gesture. Suguru poured the cat chow in the dish, watching the cat munch down the food. And what permission did Shuichi have to leave him a babysitter? He even said that he was `cranky' in the mornings - a true statement, but that was private information. He was always cranky! Those two idiots made him this way! He lusted (a verb best used, in Suguru's eyes) for the pink haired baka so much he couldn't sleep at night.

He smiled. There, his whole dilemma was solved. He didn't love Shuichi, just lusted after the lithe body. After one time he'd be back to his usual self - able to move out of Shuichi's apartment, into his own, not having jealous rages because of the thoughts of some other guy in bed with Shuichi. No more worries if Shuichi commits suicide over Yuki, it wasn't going to be his problem anymore. Yet, one part of him told his mind that he was only kidding himself, it was much more than lust, it was love, endless amounts of love for a pink haired idiot.

As the cat gulped down its meal, Suguru walked towards the kitchen, stretching his arms. Reaching over to the answering machine, he hit play, even though it said no new messages. Wouldn't have been a first that Shuichi would leave without telling him his messages, it was why he was missing so many free breakfasts with Tohma. Maybe the boy was doing it deliberately, but Shuichi didn't seem like that type of person.

The first one was for Shuichi, explaining how his mother had been sick and just passed out. So that was his father's voice, Suguru raised a brow; he sounded manlier than Shuichi did. Pouring himself a cup of tea, Suguru leaned against the counter, sipping from it as the phone beeped to introduce the next message. As the voice started, Suguru recognized it, and dropped his cup. He didn't hear the crash of glass as he leaned closer to the answering machine, listening to his father's voice.

Suguru-chan, dad here. Tohma-kun gave me your phone number, thought I'd call and check up on you. It's been a hectic last few months, I'm sorry about June. I'm home now, and I was hoping you wouldn't mind coming to visit, since Tohma failed to give me your address. There's something I wanted to give you, it was for your birthday, but now is as good as ever to give it to you. Wow, my baby boy is already seventeen, how time flies.”

Suguru hit the end button as he lowered his head, allowing tears to fall from his eyes. Dad was home; everything was going to be better. He smiled brightly as he rushed to his bedroom to put on something more for the outside then lounging around the house. In a few minutes, he was once more running towards the door, his socks sliding upon the ground as he fell near the shoe mat, pulling on his sneakers. He couldn't remember ever being this happy. Opening the house door, he was greeted by Sakura comforting the crying Sakuma Ryuichi. Lifting up a brow, he shut the house door.

“Sug-kun!” Sakura ran towards the man, jumping into his arms. Suguru smiled at her, before placing her down. “This is Ryu-chan, he was letting me play with his pink bunny before he told me that he was stupid for naming things.” She ran back to the vocalist that stared at Suguru before turning his head. “I don't understand how it can be stupid to name things, I named all my dolls and Shuichi has that teddy bear he named.”

Rolling his eyes, Suguru turned his head. “I don't have time for this.” He started down the stairs, but Ryuichi stopped him.

“You need to leave a note.” He finally said, and Suguru rolled his eyes once more - he was living around idiots.

“No, I don't. I'm a grown boy, I go where I please.” He tried prying the hands off his shirt, but Ryuichi wouldn't let go. “Go play games with Sakura - you big twit!” He tried moving again, but a secondary weight grabbed his leg, and he stared down into the deep depths of Sakura's eyes. “Please…I don't have time for this.” He tried to shake her off his leg, but she didn't yield.

“You shouldn't be mean to Ryu-chan, he's really nice.” She glared. “You should say you're sorry.”

“Fine!” Suguru turned to the balled up vocalist, watching the serious eyes turn to face him. “I'm sorry, but don't you dare name my stuff anymore.” He got ready to turn when Ryuichi's voice caught up with him.

“I don't accept.” Ryuichi's voice wasn't the childlike one, and the man stood up to his usual height. “You don't mean your apology; therefore, I don't accept it. I named all of Tohma's keyboards, and he doesn't mind, as long as the name is reasonable. You need to loosen up, for once in your life. I don't care if Shuichi can handle your anger, but nobody deserves to be walked on because you think you're all high and mighty. You're still an ant compared to most, no matter what anyone tells you.” He picked up his Kumagorou and started in the other direction, to leave the building.

Suguru's eyes narrowed as he peeled Sakura off his leg. “I have to go see my otousan.” He spoke calmly as he started down the steps. Why should he care what Ryuichi said, the man was always trying to push their buttons. Personally, he couldn't see what Shuichi saw in the moronic singer - but he could always narrow it down to idiots need each other so they can feel better about themselves.

The five blocks to his house seemed everlasting, his anger subsiding as he turned the corner towards his father's apartment complex. Deep down, he continually told himself that things had changed. His father had had rehab, he didn't sound drunk, so things had to have changed. Children ran around the streets, chasing their household animals and laughing while their mothers stood out on the curbs, talking among one another about their recent encounters. Fathers were at work, making their pay to come home to their family, just like his family once was. He could still remember that, clearly.

He could remember running down the stairs of the apartment just to jump into his father's arms, just like those kids the day he first came to visit Shuichi's new apartment. His mother would scowl at him for being out in his house slippers, but the anger would subside as she came into their hug. A small family, his family. The dinners, the laughter, the holidays that had just be them, the pleasant memories that most people didn't realize could one day go into smoke.

The day his mother had died had been really confusing. His father had broken down into tears, lowering his head in shame that he could not have been the one to take her last pain away, but had been at home taking care of Suguru. The four-year-old couldn't understand what was going on, until Tohma had sat down and explained that his mother wasn't going to come back home from shopping. That she was going to watch over…from elsewhere. Suguru hadn't understood, had called Tohma a liar.

He remembered those days clearly. Now, he was coming home to patch everything together, to become a family with his father once more. He gazed up. His father and stepmother. Walking up to his apartment door, he wondered if he should knock or just walk in. Opting with walking in, he opened the door and stuck his head in, staring around for any movement. “Otousan?”

A shuffle of feet permitted him into the house, coming into the warm home that had overcome many changes. The beer cans that once trashed the floor had been cleaned up, the old wood had been washed, possibly waxed - it was different, Suguru realized as he shut the front door. The windows lighted the house; the curtains had been pulled back, the first time in years. A person stepped out of the kitchen, a bowl in his hands and a light smile on his face.

“I thought you ignored my call,” his father whispered, placing the bowl upon the kitchen table and walking towards the green-haired keyboardist. Suguru couldn't hold back the smile that graced his face as his father took the boy into his arms. They hadn't hugged in years, it was wonderful, warm - Suguru didn't want to leave the embrace. “A lot of things happened, since you left.” He sat upon the couch, and Suguru sat next to him, unable to take his eyes off the floor.

It was so much quieter, as if his father was now living alone. He had to figure out why it was like this, he was used to his stepmother's voice addressing for him around this time. “Where is she…?” He asked, referring to the woman that had entered his father's life two years after his wife's death.

“Tohma…” His father started, but closed his mouth to think of a better way of phrasing what he wanted to say. “Shika said she had noticed all your things were gone when she went to make sure you were off to school,” Genji whispered, “and she had awoken me with fear that you were hurt. I had immediately called Tohma, he always knew where you were, and had said that you came to work, after school. He told me you recently put in a change of address, and that he'd look into it.”

Suguru nodded, laying his head upon his knees as he stared back. “I've been living with a band mate. He's a little out of it, but over all, I don't mind him.” A little? Suguru pondered that word, Shuichi was more than out of it. However, the look in his father's eyes was stranger than anything he'd ever seen. One eye was raised to what he had said, his lips narrowed straight, eyeing the off television in thought.

“The band mate that you're living with - your cousin said he was doing drugs. I don't want you in that environment.” He finally said, and Suguru was thankful he hadn't been drinking anything with that comment. Drugs? What had Tohma been saying to his poor father, who had been kept in the dark for so long? Of course, this was Tohma who had kept the man updated to Suguru's whereabouts - the man that couldn't stand a certain pink haired singer and knew that if he couldn't get Suguru to move into a better environment, and then the seventeen-year-old's father could talk the ignorant boy into leaving the `retarded pink haired fool'. Suguru had thought it funny when he had muttered to the man that they preferred the term mentally challenged. Shaking his head, he returned to the matter at hand, straightening his father's facts.

“Shuichi-san,” he stated formally so the man didn't get any more ideas, “is not on drugs. He might act like it, but he's naturally like that. Don't trust anything Tohma has said - nothing is going wrong with me there. I've been paying my half of the bills and rent, I even pay for my own items. If anything, this is teaching me more to live on my own than anything else. Shuichi's even learning how to cook and drive!” That was one of the best things going on, Shuichi learning to drive. He wasn't going for a car, fortunately, but a scooter since Tokyo streets were unbearable with a car - you'd spend a lot of time in traffic jams.

His father nodded, his hands between his knees as he lowered his head in shame. “Why didn't you stop me, Suguru-chan?”

The green haired teen sat back, drawing his legs to his chest as his gaze stopped at a family picture that had been added to the television stand. It was so old; the picture was already yellowing with age. “Because you're my father. I kept telling myself that you'd change, that tomorrow was going to be different. I didn't want to believe that tomorrow was going to be like yesterday.” He turned his head, facing the man he loved and respected. “I fail to see Shika running around.” He looked at his father, expecting any answer that didn't go along the lines that she was at `work'.

“Suguru…” Genji broke off thought, gazing at his hands then up at the family picture. “Tohma told me what she was doing to you with what little he knew. If she was doing something like that, you should have told me. I-” He frowned. “-I might have been drunk, but intoxicated or not, no woman is higher on my list of priorities than my own son.”

“What about mom?” Suguru asked. “Where is she on your list these days? A memory that you want to get rid of? If you wanted to start dating other women to get on with your life, I would understand, but please tell me you're not going to just drop her off the list just because she's dead.”

Genji stood up, his steady feet walking towards the linen closet, shuffling through the sheets and boxes before pulling out a box, clutching it to his chest. It wasn't a big box like most of them in the room, but a dirty box that was no bigger than Suguru's fist. The man sat, once more on the couch, his gaze falling to the ground. “I wasn't home on your birthday,” he changed subject, “I wasn't drinking either.” He cleared that up. “I was visiting your mother, the least I could do. I told her how much of a fine gentleman you've grown up to be - a little too much like the Seguchi's, that shows all the time since your mother had the same stubborn streak. I told her about the band you played with, what you told me at least.”

Suguru sat in his seat, quietly gazing at the man as the box was placed into his hands, but he didn't open it. “Don't think you're the top of my list,” Genji chuckled, “your mother beat you there.” Suguru nodded, a smile on his face as he lifted the lid to the box and gazed at the white ribbon that was there. “I gave that to your mother on Saint Whites day, in college. Four months later, we married. A year later, we were blessed with a little boy. She had asked; that when her baby boy showed interest in girls - or boys for that matter, we didn't care - that we were to give him this to give. You never showed interest, it piled dust.” Suguru let the thin fabric hang through his fingers, his eyes never leaving the object. “I know it's not much.”

“It's wonderful,” Suguru giggled, holding it to his chest. “Arigato otousan.” He gave the man a hug. he felt safe, for the first time in years. Standing up, he smiled at the floor before at his father. “I should return home, I left Sakura there, with her father.” He received another hug from his father. “I promise to visit more, but I like where I'm living and I want to stay there for awhile longer.”

His father chuckled, leading the boy to the door. “Well, don't be a stranger then. I want to meet your room mate sometime.” Nodding, Suguru hugged the man before trotting down the stairs in a better mood than when he had left his apartment. His smile could not falter as he started down the many blocks, watching the kids run by him. Wonderful day, nothing could go wrong.

In his carefree moment, he didn't care if other people were watching him as he jumped up the stairs, but most turned their heads again since it wasn't uncommon, as of lately, for genki people bursting with energy and health to come bounding into and out of the apartment complex. With glazed eyes, Suguru turned the doorknob before he realized he left without locking the door. Another `D'oh' on his behalf, what if some sneaky fan or paparazzi came in and took snap shots of their personal life? Better hope Shuichi put away his sex toys; Suguru snickered at his own joke as he stepped inside. He was too giddy to hold it against himself for leaving the door unlocked, and judging by the house, no one had come in. Falling to his knees, he removed his tennis shoes, gazing at Shuichi's shoes hesitantly. So someone had come in. It wasn't an unwanted guest, so he couldn't say anything.

Slipping on his pink piggy slippers (a gift from Ryuichi, ironically), Suguru started towards Shuichi's closed bedroom door. He could hear the faint sound of Shuichi's television, but not the boy himself. Guessing that Shuichi probably fell asleep in front of his mini-television, Suguru opened the door and froze as Shuichi stared up with a large grin. “Ah! Suguru-kun, didn't hear you come in. Okaeri.” He smiled brightly, and Suguru nodded his own greetings, staring at the music video that was on the television. “Remember that band, a month ago - Twilight Night?” Suguru nodded. “Turns out NG was hounding the area the day we were there, look who has a contract.” He pointed towards the interviewer talking to the band, watching how they laughed and charmed their way into the spotlight. Suguru snorted, they'll learn that with fame comes misery soon enough.

“Good for them, are they any good?” He sat next to Shuichi, reaching for the pocky Shuichi was happily munching on. With a nod, the boy chewed on another cookie, watching as they went into commercials. “How was your mother?”

“Ah, she's okay,” Shuichi smiled, “tough old bird, she was really sick and didn't have enough rest. Her fever won and she passed out, nothing to be worried about, according to her doctor.” Suguru frowned, stretching his stiff back as he lied down, his head on Shuichi's lap, eyes on the television as the show came back on. “Sakura-chan locked the door, Suguru-kun.” He finally said, and Suguru let out a tired breath.

“I'm sorry, I heard the message from my dad, and I wanted to go see him.” Suguru reached for another piece of pocky, putting the treat in his mouth to nibble on, he saw a small look of pain cross Shuichi's face, but it was immediately gone, replaced by the smile the boy usually wore. “It was different, but I don't plan on moving back. Which reminds me,” he turned onto his back, staring up at Shuichi, “I originally just moved here temporarily, until home life got better. Its better and all, but…can that temporary be moved up to a little longer…until I graduate at least?”

Shuichi ran a hand through Suguru's hair, nodding enthusiastically. “Sure.” His eyes fell back once more onto the television as the interview segment started asking questions about if BAD LUCK had really been with them when they were first signed on. Suguru grinned, turning his head from the television and into Shuichi's warm stomach, clinging closely to the vocalist.

“Then. Tadaimai.”

The ribbon he'd received rested in his back pocket, and all he could think about was Shuichi's old problems with the white ribbon. Honestly he couldn't think of a reason why he was so worried if Shuichi would want a ribbon for Saint White's Day in the first place, it was months away! Christmas was coming around, as were many Japanese festivals. He smiled, wrapping his arms around Shuichi's stomach, a tired hand going through his hair as he breathed in the scent of Shuichi's body lotion. Strawberries. That was going to be his favorite food one of these days.

The noise in the room died, and Shuichi laid back but didn't stop petting Suguru. Both men sat there, with their eyes closed, their breathing even. Suguru pulled closer, knowing this was the only way he could be with Shuichi physically without destroying his reputation. Cutting through all his problems with a sharp knife, he narrowed everything down to one thing.

He, Fujisaki Suguru, had gone where no man should ever go. He had fallen in love with the foolish singer of the band BAD LUCK, and was enjoying every second of the twisted relationship that could one day follow. I love you so much, Shuichi… He thought. Yes, he meant that. He had fallen in love with the bane of his existence, and nothing was going to change it except Shuichi's acceptance.

Notes:

(1) Mos Burger - An alternative of McDonalds, but a little more expensive. This place, however, doesn't leave the aftertaste of fast food on your tongue. Most Japanese Students prefer it over McDonalds, however the two are level - just differ in cost.

(2) Saint Whites Day - Boys are suppose to give a girl they like a special gift on this day, if the boy gives the girl a white ribbon and ties it for her, it means forever love. Most girls want the ribbon more than the gift.