Gravitation Fan Fiction ❯ Center of Gravity ❯ Diverging Futures ( Chapter 4 )

Warning: This chapter contains explicit language and sexual situations.

-o-o-o-

Chapter 4: Diverging Futures

“I'm very impressed, Yuki-san.” Mr. Hodo, one of the principal editors at Kiyamura Publishing, smiled expansively. He folded his hands across his ample middle. “This story is very appealing. The heroine has just the right mix of innocent charm and gritty determination. Our young female readers should snap this up.”

“Thank you, Hodo-sama.”

“I find it unusual that someone your age could write with such realism,” Mr. Hodo continued. “You don't look like you have suffered difficult life experiences.”

Eiri managed to suppress a frown. He found it extremely irritating when people used his age as an excuse to expect less of him and then acted pleasantly surprised to discover that he was quite competent. “I researched my subject matter carefully,” he replied in a neutral tone.

“Ah, research! Excellent!” Mr. Hodo chuckled jovially. “Now then, I've discussed this with the other editors here at Kiyamura and we would like to offer you a three book deal, starting with the one you have already submitted. I think you will find our terms extremely generous. Don't worry if the initial royalties seem low. If your books go into a second printing because of demand, which I'm certain will happen, the royalties will go up.” He chuckled again. “Our best authors are quite well off, I can assure you.”

“I see. If I agree to a deal, however, I wish to retain artistic control of my work. I don't want anyone dictating what kind of stories I write or making changes of which I don't approve.”

Mr. Hodo frowned slightly. “Well, you do understand that Kiyamura Publishing only produces stories in a set group of genres.”

“I understand. I only plan on writing romance novels.”

“Oh, that's all right then.” Mr. Hodo perked up. “I think we should be able to arrive at a satisfactory agreement. Now, as to the details…”

Eiri left Hodo-sama's office feeling rather proud of himself. He had thought he would be able to get his first book published, but to come away with a three book deal was even better. He overheard the bevy of assistant editors, most of whom were female, whispering about him as he waited for the elevator.

“He's so cute!”

“Isn't he?”

“I heard Hodo-sama offered him a three book deal after reading his first book.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, and he's only twenty years old, too.”

“So young!”

“And so good looking!”

“I wish I were young and talented.”

The elevator arrived and Eiri stepped in. As he turned to face the doors, he favored the young women with a slight smile, earning squeals of delight that were cut off when the doors closed. Yes, it was good to be young and talented.

-o-o-o-o-o-

Eiri didn't say much during dinner Friday night, mostly because Shuichi wouldn't let him get a word in edgewise. In fact, the only time Shuichi had stopped talking was when he went down on Eiri right after Eiri arrived at his apartment. For several blissful minutes, he hadn't said a word while providing Eiri with some very much needed stress relief. After that, they had fucked urgently for several hours, until Shuichi's growling stomach had finally drowned out his cheerful babble and they had decided to take a break for dinner.

But Eiri didn't feel the need to listen to Shuichi too closely. Most of what he was saying he had already told Eiri on the phone.

“But one of the best things about working at N-G is the cafeteria. It's really good and pretty cheap, too. Hiro and I eat there every day.” Shuichi paused and looked around. “It's not like this place though. This is a really nice place. Isn't it kind of expensive? I mean, I have a contract and everything now, but it's not like they pay us. We need to sell CDs and do concerts in order to make money.”

“I can afford it,” Eiri said calmly. “I sold my book yesterday.”

“You what?!” Shuichi squeaked. “You sold your book? What book? You didn't tell me you were writing a book!”

“Yes I did. But I was making out with you at the time, so you probably weren't listening.”

“That's not true! I listen to everything you say!” Shuichi appeared not to notice the discrepancy between his words and the proof Eiri had just presented. “What's it about again?”

Eiri suppressed a sigh. He had already told Shuichi this, too. “It's a romance novel about a girl from the country who comes to the city to make a living. She gets involved with a rich man who mistreats her and she ends up returning home to the country. It's a little bit trite, to be perfectly honest, but it's the sort of thing girls are reading these days. Your sister Maiko reviewed it for me and she said she liked it very much.”

“A romance novel? About a girl? But Yuki…” Shuichi scratched his head. “You sleep with a guy.”

“So? I used to sleep with girls. I know what they're like.”

“I guess.” Shuichi blinked uncertainly and turned his attention to his food.

Watching him, Eiri wondered if Shuichi felt threatened now that Eiri had a career too. Or was he bothered by the idea that Eiri still thought about girls enough to write an entire novel aimed at them?

“I've always planned on becoming a novelist,” Eiri said. “Journalism has only been a hobby; a chance to get my work published.”

Shuichi hung his head unhappily. “I guess I spend so much time talking about what I'm doing, we never talk about you. You must think I'm really selfish.” His eyes grew bright.

“Don't cry, Shuichi.” Eiri looked around. No one was paying any attention to them, except for a couple of women who couldn't keep their eyes off of him, but it was still a little embarrassing. “I don't think you're selfish.”

“Really?” Shuichi looked up at him. His large eyes looked soft and vulnerable from the unshed tears. When he looked like that, it made Eiri want to kiss him.

“I'm not interested in talking about myself anyway,” Eiri said. He sipped his beer. “Let's finish dinner. I want to go back to your apartment.”

Shuichi's unhappy look turned to a tentative smile. “Do you want to go back to bed?”

“Yes.”

“Ok!”

They finished dinner and walked back to Shuichi's apartment quickly. It was raining and a cold breeze had driven most of the people from the streets. Shuichi huddled against Eiri's side, shivering.

“Man, it's cold!”

“Most people wear long pants in the winter,” Eiri remarked casually.

“Long pants remind me of my school uniform,” Shuichi sniffed. “And I like having lots of pockets.”

“They make cargo pants too, you know.”

Shuichi chuckled. “Yeah, I know. But since I spend most of my time indoors writing or rehearsing music, it didn't seem necessary to get more than a few pairs of shorts.”

“Maybe you'll start dressing more fashionably when you become a famous rock star.” Eiri opened his coat and wrapped an arm around Shuichi. “At any rate, you're much too skinny to be running around half-naked in this weather. You'll catch cold.”

Shuichi snuggled under Eiri's arm and pulled the coat tight around him. “I have a sweater on.”

“Oh yeah, like that's going to help.” Eiri rapped his knuckles gently against the side of Shuichi's head. “I don't want to hear about you getting sick, Shu-chan. Take better care of yourself.”

“Yes, sir, Yuki-san!” Shuichi giggled. When they were back inside his apartment, he rubbed his hands together briskly. “Oh, it feels good in here! It's nice and toasty.”

Eiri shook water out of his hair. “Let's take a shower. My skin is cold.”

They stripped out of their clothes and went into the bathroom. Shuichi turned on the water and adjusted it to a deliciously warm temperature. Then he ducked under the spray and let it sluice over his skin, slicking down his hair.

“Yum…” he sighed. “This feels great.”

Eiri stepped in behind him and slid his hands around Shuichi's waist. He pressed up against Shuichi's back and kissed him on the neck. “Yes it does.”

Shuichi leaned his head back against Eiri's shoulder. “Oh man, I'm already hard! Being naked, wet and warm with your hands touching me is such a total turn-on.”

Eiri slid his hand down and caressed Shuichi's erection. “That's an impressive boner.” Shuichi moaned. “But let's not rush things.” He slid his hands up Shuichi's torso and captured his nipples with his fingertips. “I think some slow stimulation is in order.” He kissed Shuichi's neck again with his mouth open, stroking his tongue across the warm, wet skin. He closed his lips, sucking slightly, before parting them again and licking his way slowly to a new spot. He pinched Shuichi's nipples while he kissed him, twisting the erect nubs gently between his fingertips. Shuichi pushed back against him, moaning softly. The water sluicing down his back formed a small torrent between his firm buttocks, cascading over Eiri's erection. Shuichi rubbed up and down against him, trying to lift himself onto it. “You're getting impatient,” Eiri murmured.

“I want to get fucked!” Shuichi groaned. “I can feel how hard you are! I want it inside me!”

“Now, now! How can you truly appreciate it if I just jam it in there the instant it's hard? A good erection should be savored.”

“I'll savor it!” Shuichi moaned desperately. “I'll savor it with my ass!”

Eiri chuckled. “I can see there's no convincing you.”

Shuichi pushed away from him and leaned against the wall, thrusting his bottom toward Eiri and spreading his legs. Eiri stepped forward and grasped him by the hips. Although he had been teasing Shuichi about taking his time, Eiri was eager to fuck him. He positioned himself and pushed slowly into the tight opening in Shuichi's backside. The delicious, familiar sensation of near orgasm shuddered through him as he penetrated Shuichi's body. He thrust all the way in until his hips were pressed against Shuichi's bottom and then he pulled slowly back out, shivering with excitement.

Shuichi gasped aloud. “Go faster!” he begged. “Do it nice and hard!”

“Don't rush the master,” Eiri ordered breathlessly. “I'm working up to it.” He continued to move slowly, pushing in and pulling out with deliberate speed. Shuichi groaned deeply with every movement he made. Eiri picked up speed gradually, sliding his hands slowly up Shuichi's body and inside his arms until he was holding him by the shoulders. Then he braced his knees against the inside of Shuichi's legs and starting thrusting up into him urgently.

“Yes!” Shuichi cried out. He lifted his hips so Eiri could get into him more easily, bouncing up and down with the force of Eiri's thrusts. “Oh! Oh! Yes! Yuki! Yes!”

Eiri pounded into him with his eyes closed, loving the feel of Shuichi's body in his arms and delighted by Shuichi's enthusiastic response. Shuichi's passion was one of the things that attracted Eiri the most.

“Don't stop! Oh god! Yuki!” Shuichi cried aloud and he came, his body arching up rigidly as orgasm rocked him.

As his body shook, the spasms jerked on Eiri's cock and he exploded with pleasure. He came hard, pulse after pulse of cum spurting into Shuichi's body. When he finished, he slumped against Shuichi's back.

“That was really good,” Eiri groaned.

“Yeah,” Shuichi panted.

“Let's finish our bath and go to bed,” Eiri said. “I'm ready to lie down for a while.”

“That sounds like a good idea.”

Later, in the bedroom, Shuichi curled up against Eiri's side, his right arm draped across Eiri's chest and his head cushioned on Eiri's shoulder.

“I really like it when you can spend the night. I hate sleeping alone.”

“That's funny because we hardly ever sleep together.” Eiri frowned as an unwelcome thought sprang into his mind. “What about Hiro? He's right in the next room.”

“That's not the same,” Shuichi said absently. “Besides, we haven't shared a bed since we were kids.”

“You used to sleep with him?” Eiri asked. He made an effort to keep his tone casual.

“Sure. We used to sleep over at each other's houses. But it wouldn't be the same now. I mean, back then I didn't know I liked guys. It would seem awkward now.”

Eiri absorbed this information in silence. He felt like an idiot for being jealous of Hiro. He knew there was absolutely no reason for him to be jealous. But all the same, the thought kept nagging at the back of his mind about all the time Shuichi spent with his childhood friend. There was no denying they were close. What was to stop Hiro from pushing the relationship that one last step?

“Does Hiro have a girlfriend?”

“Nah. He says he wants to focus on the music right now.”

“So what does he think of you having a boyfriend?”

Shuichi shrugged. “I don't think he cares, except when he thinks I'm thinking about you instead of singing.”

“I see.” Eiri fell silent. Shuichi obviously didn't think there was any conflict between his relationship with Hiro and his relationship with him. But then, in all likelihood, Shuichi didn't really think about it at all. He stroked his fingers through Shuichi's hair and Shuichi sighed happily.

“I love you, Yuki,” Shuichi mumbled sleepily. “Let's go out for an American breakfast tomorrow. I want to have pancakes.”

“All right.”

Shuichi fell asleep almost immediately. Eiri lay awake for a long time afterward, thinking about their relationship. He really did love Shuichi. It was such an odd feeling to care so much about another person. Shuichi was so open about his affection for him; he didn't deserve Eiri's jealousy. Eiri studied his face as he slept. Shuichi looked like a little boy when he was asleep, completely innocent and not the sensuously sexual creature he could be when he was awake. Desire stirred and Eiri closed his eyes. It wouldn't be fair to awaken Shuichi now, after having spent half the day fucking him. He turned on his side and cradled Shuichi in his arms. Obviously, the thing to do was to just go to sleep. He was clearly tired or otherwise he would not be having these foolish jealous thoughts about Hiro. Shuichi loved him and that's all he needed to think about.

-o-o-o-o-o-

Eiri woke up to the sound of Hiro's guitar. So he's back already, he thought sleepily. Then he glanced at his watch. It was after 10am. “Crap!” He sat up. “Wake up, Shuichi. Hiro's back and we were supposed to go out for breakfast.”

Shuichi groaned and hid his head under the blankets. “Too early!” he mumbled.

“Get up.” Eiri stuck a hand under the blanket and smacked him on the butt. “Do you want pancakes or not?”

“Ok! Ok!” Shuichi shoved the blankets down with another groan. Then he blinked. “Hey! That's my new song.” He rolled onto his side and sat up on one elbow. “Hiro's re-working the guitar track a little bit for the single. Since we can increase the volume of my vocals in the studio, we decided to punch up the guitar in a couple of places. Doesn't it sound nice?”

“It's very pretty.”

Shuichi sat up and crawled into Eiri's lap. He put his arms around Eiri's neck and kissed him soundly on the mouth. “If I promise to read your book will you promise to come to my next concert? I really want you to see me on stage.” He stared earnestly into Eiri's eyes.

“All right, I'll come to one of your concerts. But I can't promise it will be the next one. I do have classes to attend.”

“Thank you!” Shuichi hugged him tightly. “I'll send you a text message with all my concert dates and you figure out which one you can attend and I'll send you a ticket.”

“Sounds like a plan. Now what about breakfast? I'm hungry.” Eiri hesitated. “Should we invite Hiro?”

“Yeah.” Shuichi responded without hesitation. “And then let's see if we can get him to go out somewhere so we can come back here and fuck some more.” He kissed Eiri sloppily and flopped out of his lap. “I gotta pee.”

Eiri slumped back on his elbows and looked around. His clothes were scattered between the bedroom and bathroom doors, jumbled together with Shuichi's clothes. The mess annoyed him a little bit. Shuichi wasn't very neat, but Eiri preferred an ordered environment. He rolled onto his knees and started straightening the room. As he did so, it occurred to him that if he ended up living with Shuichi, he would probably be doing this all the time. He sniffed Shuichi's clothes as he picked them up. Not terribly clean, he thought. I'd probably have to do his laundry, too. He dropped Shuichi's clothes in the corner that apparently served as his laundry hamper and got dressed.

Shuichi was still in the bathroom, so Eiri went into the living room. Hiro was seated cross-legged on the floor with his guitar in his lap, his fingers flickering across the strings. He looked up at Eiri with a friendly smile.

“Morning, Yuki-san. Shuichi hogging the bathroom again?”

“Yes.”

Hiro looked back down, apparently reading the music sheets lying spread out on the floor in front of him, allowing Eiri to study him openly. Hiro's long hair spilled over his shoulders as he played, swinging slightly as he moved. He had a very natural charm that enhanced his handsomeness. He was just cool; the kind of guy who appealed to everyone, girls and guys alike. Eiri realized he was frowning again. This was the guy Shuichi spent all his time with. They lived together and worked together. They had been best friends since childhood. There were undoubtedly many things Hiro knew about Shuichi that Eiri did not. In the past it had never bothered Eiri if he didn't know all that much about the person he was sleeping with, but Shuichi was different. Eiri felt very possessive about Shuichi. But when he thought about it, he wasn't sure he liked this behavior in himself. Shuichi had a life of his own and so did he. He shook his head, trying to shake the stupid thoughts away.

“We're going out for pancakes. Would you like to join us?”

“Thanks, but I can't.” Hiro didn't look up. “I'm meeting Fujisaki at the studio to work on the music track for this song.”

“Fujisaki… Is that your new band member?”

“Yeah.”

“Shuichi doesn't talk about him much. What's he like?”

“He's a fantastic musician.” Hiro chuckled. “Shuichi probably doesn't talk about him because he's a little jealous. He hates it that Fujisaki is better on keyboards than he is. And he's younger, too.”

“Younger than Shuichi?” Eiri was surprised.

“Yup. He's only sixteen. He studied music overseas instead of going to high school in Japan. But when he came back, he disappointed his family by refusing to become a classical pianist. So they got him the job at N-G. I think they were hoping he'd hate it so much he'd come running back to the piano, but apparently he thrived on it. Our producer thought he was good enough to work in a band and she was just waiting for the right band to come along. Bad Luck happened to be that band. But he's working out pretty well, even with all of Shuichi's whining.” Hiro strummed a finale and looked up. “But we need to finish the music track so Shuichi can start the vocals on Monday, assuming he's finished the lyrics.” Hiro chuckled. “He still insists on composing all of our melodies and when he's doing that, he's not writing lyrics. We need to come up with at least four new songs for our concert tour.”

“You're going on tour?” Eiri was taken by surprise. Shuichi had said nothing about it.

“Starting in about a month. Didn't Shuichi tell you? It's our big promotional tour. We'll be traveling all over the country. We'll probably be gone for months.”

“No, he didn't tell me.” Suddenly, Shuichi's endless babbling made a strange kind of sense. He had been talking about everything except the tour. “He mentioned something about me coming to one of your next concerts, but he didn't say anything about a tour.”

Hiro looked sheepish. “I probably shouldn't have mentioned it. He was probably trying to think of a way to break it to you.”

Eiri said nothing. They hardly ever saw each other as it was. Now, with Shuichi going away for months, they would not get to see each other at all, unless Eiri went out of his way to meet him.

Shuichi appeared at last. “The bathroom's free. Hey Hiro, did Yuki ask you about joining us for breakfast?”

“He did, but I can't. Fujisaki and I are going to work today.”

“Oh.” Shuichi didn't look or sound disappointed. “We'll see you later then. Are you ready to go, Yuki?”

“Why didn't you tell me about your concert tour?” Eiri crossed his arms.

Shuichi's face fell. “Oh! Um…” He glanced at Hiro, who shrugged and resumed playing quietly. “I'm sorry. I was going to tell you…”

“When? Shuichi, we hardly see each other at all. How are we supposed to have a relationship when we don't see each other for months at a time?”

“I'm sorry, Yuki!” Shuichi put his arms around Eiri's neck and hugged him. “I didn't know how to tell you. I hate that we hardly ever get to spend time together. But this tour is important! This the best way to get people excited about the band and to get them to buy our CDs.” He looked up at Yuki and blinked away tears. “You aren't mad at me are you?”

Eiri sighed. “No, I'm not mad. Let's go have breakfast and you can tell me all about it.”

“Ok.” Shuichi stuffed an assortment of personal items into his pockets and glanced at Hiro. “Um… Hiro, when were you going to the studio?”

“Pretty soon.” He smiled lopsidedly at Shuichi. “I'll be out until after dinner, probably. There's a lot to do. You should have the place to yourself all day.”

“Thanks!” Shuichi led the way out of the apartment. Eiri followed him, still frowning slightly. He was starting to wonder if their relationship would last until he finished college, much less after that. Did a serious novelist like himself really belong with an excitable and impulsive rock star-to-be like Shuichi?