Gravitation Fan Fiction ❯ Center of Gravity ❯ On The Rocks? ( Chapter 5 )

Warning: This chapter contains explicit language and sexual situations.

-o-o-o-

Chapter 5: On the Rocks?

“Come on, Shuichi! Get moving!”

“I'm coming!” Shuichi shouted, but he kept pawing through the pile of clothes on the floor. “Aha! Here it is!” Triumphantly, he produced a bright orange hoodie, rather wrinkled from being crumpled up on the floor under a pile of dirty clothes.

“Is that what you've been doing?” Hiro demanded impatiently from the doorway of Shuichi's bedroom. “Why don't you hang it up in the closet so it's easier to find?”

“I'd never think to look for it in the closet,” Shuichi said, his voice coming out all muffled because he was pulling the jacket on over his head at that moment. He popped his head out and beamed at Hiro. “There! All set. Let's go.”

“Finally!”

Shuichi grabbed his wallet and cell phone and shoved them into the pockets of his cargo shorts as they headed out the door.

“Why do you even bother with a jacket when you're still wearing shorts?” Hiro grumbled. “We're gonna be late.”

“Yuki told me not to catch a cold.”

Hiro threw him a disgusted look. “That's it? He says that one time and you become a religious jacket-wearer and I've been whining at you about putting on a sweater since we were kids?”

“You're like my mother,” Shuichi laughed. “Anyway, I thought it would make you happy seeing me take better care of myself.”

“It does,” Hiro chuckled. “Now if I could just get you to eat like a normal human being.”

“I do! I had ramen last night.”

“And the night before that and the night before that and that night before…”

“So I like ramen!” Shuichi interrupted. “It's normal food.”

“It wouldn't kill you to eat some rice every once in a while.”

“I do!” Shuichi grumbled. “Sheesh!”

Hiro handed Shuichi a helmet. “Put this on. We're taking my bike. It's too late to take the subway.” He settled his helmet onto his own head and straddled his bike, parked against the curb in front of the apartment building.

“Why are we in such a hurry?” Shuichi fumbled for a moment with the chin strap. “It's not like we haven't been late before.”

“We need to be on time today,” Hiro said. “Sakano-san said Wakabe-sama was planning to watch us rehearse today. She wants to hear some of our new songs.”

“Why doesn't she just listen to the demos?” Shuichi climbed on behind Hiro and clasped his waist.

“I don't know. All I know is Sakano-san said she would be there. We need to look like professionals and that means being on time. Hang on!” Hiro kicked the motorcycle to like and they roared into the street.

They arrived at the studio with ten minutes to spare.

“You're here! At last!” Mr. Sakano was waiting for them in the sound booth, dancing excitedly from foot to foot. “Wakabe-sama will be here any minute! Get in there and start playing your new song!”

Shuichi blinked at him. “But I haven't written any lyrics for it yet, Sakano-san.”

“WHAT?!”

“I just finished the melody two days ago. We're still working on the tracks. What's the big rush anyway?”

Mr. Sakano hung his head. “Wakabe-sama thinks we need one more new song for the concert tour. If you don't finish it, I don't know how I will explain it to her. I'll be fired as a bad manager! My dream of retiring with a pension will be lost!” He sniffed and a tear trickled down his cheek.

Hiro patted him on the back. “Don't be so melodramatic, Sakano-san. You know Shuichi insists on writing all of our songs himself, melody AND lyrics. That takes time. But I trust him to finish it. Look Fujisaki's here. We'll go start rehearsing now.”

“Yes, of course,” Mr. Sakano sighed mournfully.

“I don't know why he makes such a fuss,” Shuichi grumbled as he and Hiro went into the studio. “When have I ever not finished a song on time?”

“Well, there was that time a couple of years ago when we were playing at that club and you claimed one song was an instrumental.”

“It made a very good instrumental!”

“It sounded better with lyrics.”

“That's why I added them later!”

“Oh, it wasn't the plan to have lyrics all along?”

“Shut up!”

“Good morning, gentlemen,” Fujisaki greeted them cheerfully. “Did you hear Wakabe-sama is going to watch us today?”

“Yes, we heard.”

“Let's do a good job! I really want to impress her.”

“Geez, Fujisaki-kun, quit sucking up!” Shuichi snorted. “You already got the job.”

“I just want to reassure Wakabe-sama that she made the right choice, that's all,” Fujisaki replied archly.

“Whatever. Let's get started.”

“All right,” Fujisaki said. “I've been working on the arrangement. I think I've come up with a better mix to support the vocals. I'll play it for you.” Fujisaki bent over his keyboard and began to play. Shuichi plopped down on a stool to listen. Hiro picked up his guitar but he just held it, tapping one foot while he listened.

“Sounds good,” Hiro said when Fujisaki was finished. He grinned at Shuichi. “We can work on fitting in the guitar track while Shuichi writes the lyrics.”

“Huh?” Shuichi sat up straight.

“Lyrics would be good.” Fujisaki arched an eyebrow at Shuichi.

“Fine!” Shuichi snapped. “I'll start working on the lyrics.” He produced a pencil out of a pocket with a dramatic flourish and stalked to the small table in the corner where he did most of his writing when he wasn't at home. But writing on demand was hard sometimes. The music didn't bother him, but it was distracting when Hiro and Fujisaki stopped to talk and bounce ideas off each other. Shuichi finally put on headphones to block them out. He sat on the chair with his feet pulled up and his arms wrapped around his knees while he stared at the blank paper in front of him. Unfortunately, the image of Yuki's face kept appearing on the page instead of words, making it even harder to concentrate. He started when Hiro plopped a hand on his shoulder suddenly. Shuichi snatched off the headphones with a yelp.

“It doesn't look like you're making any progress,” Hiro noted.

“I've got ideas brewing,” Shuichi replied defensively.

“Well, it's time for a break. Come have some tea.”

“No, that's ok. I can think better if I'm alone.”

“Ok. We'll be back in fifteen minutes.”

“See ya.”

When they were gone, Shuichi sighed. The quiet was certainly better, but it still didn't give him any ideas. He looked back at the blank sheet of paper on the desk. The song he had composed had a rather plaintive melody. It seemed to speak of rainy afternoons and loneliness. Of course, that's what Shuichi had been feeling at the time. He had been missing Yuki terribly and the melody had arisen from his sadness. Thinking of Yuki inspired both desire and loneliness. Shuichi still couldn't shake the feeling that Yuki was angry with him about the concert tour. The tour was important but it meant spending even more time apart from him. Shuichi sighed again. “Why does it have to be like this?” he whispered. “Why can't we just get past this point to the part where we're both successful and living together?” Shuichi picked up his pencil and began to write.

-o-o-o-

In the velvet dark I dream of you.

I hear the rain but it's part of the dream.

The rain wets your skin like the tears on my face.

Your lips move and shape my name.

But all I hear is the rain.

The dawn shows me your silhouette.

Across the room you draw my eye.

Enthralled by you I try to rise.

But I'm sleeping still;

A prisoner of night.

In my dream you dazzle me.

Your scent carried in by the rain.

Your voice whispers like raindrops on glass.

Whispers my name.

But isn't it just the rain?

The sound draws me awake but you're not there.

I rise, but don't escape the dream.

It clings like threads of gossamer

That shimmer in the dark;

That only I can see.

Shuichi finished reading and looked up at the others expectantly. Hiro had a thoughtful expression on his face. Fujisaki's eyes were bright and he was nodding slightly. Mr. Sakano's hands were clasped together below his chin and tears glistened on his cheeks.

“Brilliant, Shuichi-kun!” Mr. Sakano exclaimed. “I knew you could do it.” He turned to the sound booth. “What do you think, Wakabe-sama?”

Shuichi started. He hadn't realized Ms. Wakabe was there.

She leaned forward and touched the intercom button. “Very nice.” She smiled at Shuichi. “Quite soulful. Will you be able to finish the arrangement of the musical and vocal tracks before the concert? I think I would like to add this song to your debut CD.”

Shuichi bobbed his head without really thinking about her question. Now that he had lyrics, finishing a song never took that long. As much as he hated admitting it, Fujisaki had a good ear for his melodies and always crafted beautiful arrangements to support his vocals. Hiro and Fujisaki echoed his nod.

“Very good.” Ms. Wakabe stood up. “Then you don't need me here making you nervous. I have a meeting to attend. Good day, gentlemen. Keep up the good work.” She left and Mr. Sakano heaved a sigh of relief as the door closed behind her.

“Thank goodness!” Mr. Sakano exclaimed. “Now I can stop worrying. We have all the songs set for both the debut CD and the tour.”

“Don't say that, Sakano-san,” Hiro said brightly. “I'm sure we can come up with something else for you to worry about.”

“What?!” Mr. Sakano waved his hands in panic. “What are you saying? What else should I be worrying about? Oh! I'm a terrible manager!”

“That's better!” Hiro picked up his guitar with a grin. “That's the Sakano-san we all know and love.”

Fujisaki and Shuichi exchanged a glance and snickered.

“Ohhh!” Mr. Sakano groaned. “I'm going back in the sound booth.” He slumped out of the room and sank down on a stool behind the sound technician.

The technician was also grinning broadly. He flicked the intercom. “Do you want to record the next session with vocals?”

“Yes, please,” Shuichi said, suddenly all business. “I need to adjust the lyrics a little to fit the melody and figure out what I want for the chorus.”

“Right.” The technician set up for the recording and then counted down on his fingers. The three musicians watched him and when he made a zero with his thumb and forefinger, Fujisaki began to play.

-o-o-o-o-o-

Eiri turned the ticket over in his hands, reading the information on the front again. Bad Luck Premiere Tour! The bold type seemed to make the ticket shout the name. The date and time, less than a week away, followed with the words VIP Guest. He picked up the paper Shuichi had folded around the ticket inside the envelope. His haphazard scrawl made Eiri smile.

Dear Yuki, here is your ticket for our opening night concert. It's a VIP ticket so you get to sit in the special box seats with the best view. Keep the stub because it's also a backstage pass. I want to see you after the concert! See you soon! Love, Shuichi.

“What's that you've got, Eiri?” Tohma appeared at Eiri's elbow, his pale hair tumbling into his eyes.

Eiri mentally kicked himself for forgetting to close the door to his room before opening Shuichi's letter. “It's a ticket to Shuichi's concert. He's going on tour.”

“Is he really?” Tohma's eyes gleamed. “You must be very proud of him. But I imagine that means you'll see even less of each other.”

“Perhaps.” Eiri glanced at the shorter man. “Is there something I can do for you, Tohma?”

“Always.” Tohma smiled suggestively. “But in fact, I came to invite you to a study session. A group of us are planning to cram for the exams together.”

“When?”

“After dinner in the lounge. Will you join us?”

“Yes, I'll be there.”

“Great!”

Tohma left and Eiri closed the door behind him. Then he carefully filed the ticket and letter away in his desk before picking up his cell phone. It only rang two times before Shuichi answered.

“Yuki! Did you get my letter?”

“Yes, I just received it today.”

“You'll be at the concert, right?” Shuichi sounded a little worried, like he was afraid Eiri would back out after having promised to go.

“Yes, I'll be there.”

“That's great! And you'll come backstage afterward?”

“Yes.”

“I'm so happy!” Shuichi squealed. “I'll have my best performance ever, knowing you're out there watching me!” He lowered his voice to a throaty whisper. “Yuki, I want to do it.”

“What?”

“I'm all by myself. Hiro went out. Come on! Do it with me!”

“You're getting kinky, Shuichi.”

“Please?”

“Very well.” Eiri stepped over to the door and locked it. “Are you still dressed?”

“No.” Shuichi giggled. “I just got out of the shower.”

“All right.” Eiri unzipped his trousers and sat on the bed. “Get on your knees. We'll start out slow.”

-o-o-o-

Eiri finished cleaning up and sank down at his desk with a sigh. Two years ago, an hour of phone sex would not have satisfied him, but now he looked forward to it. I must be in love, he thought. He looked around the small room and sighed again. It was neat and clean, exactly the way he liked it. But it still felt empty, especially now with the echo of Shuichi's cries of pleasure still ringing in his ears. Shuichi had climaxed twice during their phone sex and Eiri desperately wished he'd been there to touch him while it happened. Holding Shuichi while he came was one of Eiri's secret delights. Thinking about it made him hard again, even though he'd come during the phone sex too. But he resisted the temptation to stick his hand back inside his pants. Masturbating with Shuichi on the phone was one thing; doing it alone was just pathetic.

He glanced at the clock and realized that he'd missed dinner. The study session in the lounge had probably already started. He gathered up his books and headed downstairs. He needed something to take his mind off of sex.

But the study session didn't last long. The exams weren't for two more weeks, so obviously someone had suggested the study session as a thinly veiled excuse to get everyone together for a party. Only an hour into the session, someone produced a cooler full of beer.

“Let's party!”

“Yeah!”

Tohma plopped down next to Eiri with two beers. He held one out and waggled it. “Have a beer; you look depressed.”

“I'm not.” But Eiri took the beer anyway and popped it open. “Did you bring the beer?”

“Of course.” Tohma took a long drink. “I'm planning to get you drunk and take advantage of you.”

Eiri snorted. “A couple of beers aren't going to do that.”

Tohma blinked at him with big puppy-dog eyes. “Oh, why be like that? Your lover's not here. You haven't seen him for weeks. I know you're frustrated. Why don't you let me help you ease the tension? He doesn't have to know.” Tohma snuggled up against Eiri's side. “You drive me crazy, you know.”

“Cut it out, Tohma.”

“Oh all right.” Tohma sat back. “But if you ask me, you're ignoring the obvious. Little Shuichi spends all his time with that friend of his; what's his name? Hiro-something? Anyway, I remember he was pretty hot and now Shuichi knows he likes doing it with guys. What do you think happens after those jam sessions of theirs? Or after a concert when they're all excited and worked up after the show? I bet you they do it like bunnies and Shuichi's hiding it from you.”

“Shut up!” Eiri growled. “Shuichi wouldn't do that. They're just friends.” He downed the rest of his beer in one long gulp and stood up. “I thought we were supposed to be studying. If everyone's going to just sit around and get drunk, I'm leaving.” He stomped out of the lounge and went back to his room. But despite himself, he couldn't stop thinking about what Tohma had said. His imagination insisted on presenting him with an image of Shuichi and Hiro wrapped in each other's arms, kissing deeply. Then the image became even more graphic and Eiri cursed angrily. “Damn you, Tohma! Shuichi wouldn't do that! He belongs to me!” He stormed out of the dorm and headed for the nearest bar.

He was working on his third tequila bomb when Tohma appeared at his elbow.

“Tsk, tsk, Eiri! Drinking alone?” Tohma sat down next to him and leaned close. “What are you drinking?”

“Tequila bombs.” Eiri drained his beer and the shot glass at the bottom clinked against the side. He beckoned to the bartender.

“Oh my! It's a good thing you only have to walk home.” Tohma peered into his face. “Although I'm not sure you'll be able to manage that at this point.”

“I'm fine.”

The waitress brought over another beer and tequila shot. She smiled at Tohma. “May I bring you a drink, sir?”

Tohma returned her smile. “I'll have what he's having.”

“Yes, sir.” She hurried away.

Eiri picked up the tequila shot and dropped it into the beer glass. He immediately lifted the beer and drank half of it.

“Drowning your heartbreak?” Tohma asked sweetly. “You think I'm right about your little boyfriend and his buddy.”

“Stick it up your ass, Tohma!” Eiri finished his beer just as the waitress arrived with Tohma's beer and tequila.

Tohma pushed it toward Eiri. “You can have mine.” He watched with sparkling eyes as Eiri downed the drink, swaying slightly. “I think it's time to go.” He pulled money out of his pocket and tossed it on the table. “Come on. I'll take you home.” Eiri leaned heavily on Tohma as they stumbled out of the bar and into the street. “You know, I don't think we'll make it all the way to the dorm. There's a little hotel just around the corner from here. We'll stop there.”

Eiri was only half-listening to Tohma. He really had drunk far too much. He was having trouble focusing. He didn't quite follow what was happening when Tohma paused briefly to talk to someone before dragging him up a flight of stairs and into a bedroom. When Tohma finally dumped him on a bed, Eiri stared around in confusion.

“Where the hell are we?” he muttered. “This isn't my room.”

“No, it's not.” Tohma sat down on the bed beside him. “I decided the dorm was too far for you to walk in your condition.” He began unbuttoning Eiri's shirt. “I'll help you undress.”

Eiri pushed his hands away. “I don't need help,” he grumbled. It was a lot of work, but he managed to undress himself while Tohma watched. Then he stretched out on the bed naked. A moment later, Tohma slipped in beside him. “What are you doing? I'm trying to sleep.”

“Sleep later,” Tohma whispered. His slid his hand caressingly across Eiri's chest and down his stomach. “I've waited a long time to be naked in bed with you. I'm not wasting this moment.” He grasped Eiri's cock and began rubbing it briskly.

Eiri groaned. “Don't do that! I don't want you touching me!”

“No?” Tohma whispered. “What about this?” And he went down on Eiri, sliding his mouth over Eiri's hard erection eagerly.

“Stop! Tohma…” Eiri gasped helplessly. It felt too good to resist or ignore. He let Tohma suck until the pleasure was overwhelming and then he grabbed Tohma's arm and yanked him upright. Eiri scrambled onto his knees, wrapping an arm around Tohma's waist and pulling the young man tight against him. With his other hand, he grabbed his own cock and slid it up against Tohma's buttocks, searching for the opening. With a hard thrust of his hips, he jammed himself in, not worrying about whether Tohma was ready. Tohma wanted Eiri to fuck him, so Eiri didn't see any reason to hold back. He grasped Tohma by the hips and pounded into him eagerly, loving the feel of sex. It had been a long time and he desperately needed to fuck.

Tohma cried aloud as Eiri took him and fell forward onto his hands. “Yes! At last! Don't stop! Go deeper! Harder!”

Eiri didn't think about anything except the sex. That was all that mattered. He would just keep doing it until he passed out.