Gravitation Fan Fiction ❯ Sorry ❯ chapter 14 ( Chapter 14 )

Sorry

Written by: Chocho

Disclaimer: I don't own Gravitation, or the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Story summary: AU. Ryuichi? Or Eiri? That is the question. Who will Shuichi chose? (Shu/Ryu, Ryu/Tatsuha, Shu/Eiri)

Chapter summary: Tatsuha tries to get information about Ryuichi's whereabouts from Tohma in Tokyo while Eiri and Shuichi confront Ryuichi in Toronto.

Warning: Language, OOC (Duh! Do I look like the creator?)

Sources: Based on the song “Sorry” by Madonna

A/N: This chapter overlaps with chapter 9

 

***

 

Chapter 14

 

[Shuichi lifted his head and gazed deeply into the golden eyes watching him. “Can I ask…a favor of you, Yuki? I need…I need you to do something for me.”

 

Eiri dropped his brows. A favor? Where was the baka going with this? What was he thinking?]

 

*

 

(Midnight-Crowne Plaza Hotel, Toronto- Shuichi's Suite)

 

The night was warm but a cool breeze stirred across the region. It violated the dimly lit suite, fingering the sheer curtains. The vertical blinds that had been opened some time in the course of the night slapped together playfully. A stray cloud sailed passed the pale moon, momentarily obscuring her sight. When the loiterer finally moved on, the moonlight illuminated a fair skinned man standing out on the balcony, leaning back against the sliding glass doors with a smoldering cigarette in his hand. Grey tendrils of smoke curled into the night air and vanished.

 

Eiri stared out over the city, watching the twinkling sea of lights that stretched out into the distant horizon and listened to the sound of traffic. Somewhere out there was Sakuma. He snarled in disgust as the realization hit him.

 

[“…there's something that I must do.”]

 

Eiri took a drag from his cigarette. Flicking off the ashes gathering on the end, he tipped his head back and with a sigh, exhaled a cloud of smoke into the warm night air.

 

[“I'm sorry Yuki, but before I can decide anything, I need to talk to Ryu.”]

 

With smoke trailing after him, Eiri pushed off the door and stepped through the curtains into the suite. Rounding the armchair, he leaned over and ground the cigarette butt in the ashtray sitting besides Shuichi's laptop computer. Straightening, Eiri ran his fingers through his damp hair and laced them together behind his head. He stared blankly at the closed bedroom door.

 

[“…I need you to do something for me.”]

 

If it was anyone else who had asked, he would not have agreed to such a cowardly plan, but it was not anyone else. It was Shuichi. Besides, he added with an evil smirk, it would be so much fun to mess with Sakuma's empty head. He chuckled lightly. This was going to be so much fun.

 

Taking a deep breath, Eiri exhaled a heavy sigh. The smile fell from his face. Dropping his arms, he frowned. He wondered, though, if Shuichi was truly alright with this.

 

*

 

Curled on his side on the far end of the queen sized bed, Shuichi stared out the window into the still night, but he ignored Heaven's lights shinning brightly high above in the Great Beyond. He did not see the lights of the city or the horizon hidden in shadow.

 

He gave a start, his body jerking in reaction as he heard the bedroom door open with what sounded to him like an explosion. Unfolding his body, groaning as his stiffened limbs protested, he glanced over his shoulder and watched as Yuki stepped into the bedroom, shutting the door firmly behind him.

 

“Hey,” Eiri greeted him.

 

Shuichi blushed hotly as he drank in the sight of Yuki's scantily clad body. In his embarrassment, he wanted to look away, but found he could not tear his gaze away.

 

Yuki's hair, damp from his shower, was slickened back from his face. A white towel hung draped around his wide, square, naked shoulders. Shuichi's breath quickened as his gaze slowly roamed down a well tone, but very muscular chest. He licked his lips as he followed a line of dark hair starting at Yuki's navel that trailed down his abdomen and vanished under red boxers that Shuichi could clearly see through the undone fly of Yuki's jeans.

 

“Like what you see?” Eiri teased, rounded the bed.

 

Shuichi's blush flared hotter in response.

 

Eiri chuckled. He grabbed the towel from around his neck and slid it off; tossing it non-chalant onto the foot of the bed next to his discarded button up shirt.

 

Embarrassed to the nth degree, Shuichi turned onto his side and curled into a snug ball, pulling his knees to his chest and wrapping his arms around the pillow. He returned his attention back out the window, trying to ignore the heated gaze on him.

 

Loving the reactions he could get out of the young vocalist, Eiri lowered himself onto the mattress.

 

A serious expression slipped onto Eiri's face. He cast a quick look out of the corner of his eye towards Shuichi. Those violet eyes had a vacant, faraway look to them as they stared out the window. He wondered, not for the first time, what the pink haired wonder was thinking. Facing forward, Eiri doubled over and stared down at his hands clasped between his knees. His face was carefully void of any expression.

 

Silence lapsed between them as the two men each lost themselves to their thoughts.

 

After what seemed like an eternity, but was in actuality only a handful of seconds, Eiri spoke up. “Hey.”

 

Shuichi made no indication he heard him.

 

Eiri rubbed his hands together, feeling nervous for some inexplicable reason. “Are you sure about this?” he asked in a whispered tone. He held his hands still between his knees.

 

There was no immediate response from Shuichi or a reaction of any kind indicating he was even listening.

 

“Shu-?”

 

“No.”

 

Eiri blinked. He closed his open mouth. Part of him had expected that answer, but it did not soften the astonishment. After all, this was Shuichi's plan.

 

[“Other than Mr. Seguchi, you are the only one who has any chance of getting the truth out of him.”]

 

Damn that brat and his flamboyant wiles. Shuichi had him wrapped around his little finger and he knew it. All Shuichi had to do was pout those full, luscious lips, bat those tear filled puppy dog eyes and tilt his head to the side and he had Eiri at his every beck and call.

 

[“Why?”

 

“Because he hates you.”]

 

If that was not reason enough, Eiri was not sure what was.

 

“But it's the only way.” Shuichi's voice came out so soft that Eiri had a difficult time hearing him.

 

[“I'll never get the whole truth about him and your brother out of him. He lied to my face nine months ago. What's to stop him from doing the same this time?”]

 

Eiri glanced over his shoulder at Shuichi. A swell of sadness rose up in him as he took in the troubled look on Shuichi's face. Eiri disliked seeing Shuichi so distraught. The boy deserved so much more.

 

Sitting up, Eiri reached out a hand toward the boy huddled in a white anime convention tour t-shirt and dark blue boxer shorts. He was not sure what, if anything, he could do for the distressed boy, but he had to do something to take away such an unbecoming expression. But something caught his attention before he could do anything. He paused his forward motion, his hand frozen idiotically in midair and listened intently, not completely sure if he had actually heard something or if he had imagined it.

 

There was movement besides him. “Yuki?” Shuichi asked in a hushed, fear lined voice.

 

Eiri patted the air between them. “Stay here,” he ordered.

 

“But-!”

 

Eiri glanced over his shoulder at Shuichi and when he saw the panic and fright shimmering in those supernatural eyes, he reached out for Shuichi's hand and held it gently clasped within his own. His gaze unconsciously took in Shuichi's other hand resting on the bed besides him. He smirked. Slowly raising his head, golden eyes locked onto Shuichi's violet ones. Eiri lifted Shuichi's hand and pressed a lingering, but chaste kiss on the back. When he heard Shuichi's quick in drawn breath and saw the rosy tint color the boy's cheeks, he chuckled lightly.

 

Reluctantly, he let of Shuichi's hand and stood up.

 

“Be careful,” Shuichi called after him. He wanted desperately to call Yuki back. He was so scared that something would happen to him.

 

Eiri glanced back and smiled. “I will,” he promised.

 

Shuichi kept his eyes glued to Eiri's back as the older men stalked like a thief around the bed to the bedroom door. His heart pounding heavily in his chest, he watched as Eiri quietly opened the door.

 

Eiri stuck his head out of the bedroom and immediately spied a man who at first glance appeared to be Shuichi's twin who was standing in the middle of the living room. The interloper was staring down with an angry intent at the objects on the coffee table, the half filled ashtray and empty cigarette wrapper in particular.

 

A cocky grin spread across Eiri's face. Crossing his arms over his chest, he propped himself against the doorframe.

 

“Yuki,” he heard the older singer growl.

 

“Sakuma,” Eiri retorted in amusement.

 

In the bedroom, Shuichi gasped, his eyes going wide. Ryuichi was here? Shuichi wrapped his arms around his churning stomach and dropped forward, burying his face in his lap. He suddenly felt sick.

 

“You!” He jumped as he heard Ryuichi's furious curse.

 

Lifting his head, he watched as Eiri dropped his arms and pushed away from the door.

 

The author stepped into the dim light of the living room, shutting the door softly behind him. He was fully aware of how his appearance would be taken by his rival and that was half the fun.

 

Shuichi swung his legs out from under him and hugged his knees to his chest.

 

“Bastard!”

 

“You have some nerve showing your face here.”

 

“Look who's talking!”

 

And it begins, Shuichi thought sadly as the two men continued bickering. He collapsed onto his side, staring blankly at the door. A stray tear rolled down his cheek, vanishing into the comforter.

 

*

 

(NG Pro Executive offices, Tokyo - Monday 2PM)

 

Tatusha slapped his palms on the desk, his face contorted in growing rage. “You owe it to me!”

 

Tohma laced his hands over his stomach and leaned back in his chair. “I don't remember owing you anything,” he told the young monk calmly.

 

“Dammit Seguchi!”

 

“Don't you think you've caused enough damage?” Not expecting a reply, Tohma continued. “I suggest you go back home and forget you ever met Ryuichi.”

 

Having known the man most of his life, Tatsuha knew a threat when he heard it. He had expected him to say as much, but it still pissed him off. “I can't do that.”

 

“You can and you will.”

 

Another threat. “I love him,” Tatsuha protested. It sounded weak even to him, but it was all he had. He loved Ryuichi and wanted to be with him, no matter what it took, even if it meant defying the Great Seguchi.

 

“And look what your `love' did,” Tohma snarled, his eyes hard. He tossed the rolled paper across the desk.

 

Tatsuha did not even have to look. He knew what his brother-in-law was referring to and it pissed him off. He felt bad enough as it was. His hormones had gotten the better of him. He had screwed up. He knew it and if this mess cost him Ryuichi, he would never be able to forgive himself. But Tohma's accusations angered him. It was Mr. President's true nature coming through. “All you care about is protecting your interests!” he accused.

 

Tatsuha's stubborn attitude was starting to wear thin. “You're damn right,” Tohma snapped. “Thanks to you, I have some major damage control to do. The investors, the Board, the police…they're all asking questions and sticking their noses into things that don't concern them!”

 

Tatsuha found that to be a bitter pill to swallow because the reality was, he had caused a lot of trouble for a lot of people. The guilt ate away at him like acid, but it was not going to stop him from getting what he wanted and what he wanted was Ryuichi. “That has nothing-!”

 

“Still the same immature child. You never take responsibility for your actions.”

 

Tatsuha clawed his fingers into hard, tight fists. What the hell was that supposed to mean?

 

“And you just. Don't. Think.”

 

And what the hell was that supposed to mean?

 

“Did you ever once consider what would happen if your affair with Ryuichi was made public?!”

 

Tatsuha paled.

 

“Of course not,” Tohma continued, pleased with the reactions his words were having, “cause if you did, you would have realized just how dangerous it is for him to be seen with you!”

 

Tatsuha began to panic. The last thing he wanted was to cause trouble for Ryuichi. He did not want Ryuichi to hate him. He would not be able to handle it if Ryuichi hated him. But why was Tohma so against them being together? Was it because of their age difference? Because he as a minor? Maybe because Ryu was in a committed relationship with Shuichi? Tatsuha had a feeling it had to do with all of the above, but not because Tohma believed he knew what was “best” for everyone. No, this was all about protecting the reputation and image of his precious company. That realization made Tatsuha see red. “The only danger to Ryu is-“

 

“Enough,” Tohma commanded. He had heard more than enough. Gripping the arms of his chair tightly, he pulled himself up. “I think you had better leave Tatsuha,” he warned, “before I have security `escort' you from the premises.”

 

The two men glared hotly over the desk at one another, neither one willing to fold.

 

But finally Tatsuha had had enough. “Fine, but this is far from over,” he promised. Pushing off the desk, he strode to the office door. Throwing it open, he paused. “I wonder,” he said in a soft voice, “if it's even worth mentioning…”

 

Tohma rolled his eyes. He returned to his seat and maneuvered the soft leather chair to the desk. Picking up the contract he had been going over before he was so rudely interrupted, he gave the boy a last parting shot. “I think you have said more than enough for one day.”

 

Tatsuha, watching his famous brother-in-law over his shoulder, snorted. With a shake of his head, he tossed out as non-chalant as he could, “If you say so, Tohma. Then I guess I won't tell you that there was another person out in that parking lot last night.” Without waiting for a reply that he knew would never come, Tatsuha stepped out into the hall and shut the door behind him.

 

Tohma, he face revealing nothing, had grown cold when he heard Tatsuha's admission. Setting the contract back down, he laced his fingers together and brought the clasped hands to his mouth. His brows furrowed in thought.

 

*

 

(Crowne Plaza Hotel- Toronto)

 

He had been played, forced to play the part of a fool. He felt like such an idiot. Shuichi had to admit that part of him enjoyed having Ryuichi and Yuki fighting over him. What was better than having two hot, gorgeous, drop dead sexy men chasing after you and both claiming that you belong to him? But then he would be jolted awake by a hard slap upside the head by reality when he suddenly remember those incriminating photograph; photographs, he had to confess, he had been hoping that Ryuichi would be able to some how explain away. Even though Shuichi knew that if by some miracle Ryuichi was able to come up with some cover story to justify his actions, there was no guarantee that anything would change. Things would continue on as they have been. He had voluntarily let himself fall for Ryuichi's excuses before because the alternative had scared him to death. But Shuichi was tired of playing pretend. Besides, this time he had nothing to be scared of because this time he had Yuki.

 

Shuichi pulled Yuki's shirt tighter around him, trying to keep out the chill that had seeped deep into his bones. He hugged his arms around his middle and dropped his chin to his chest.

 

He had been hoping that this was just some sick joke. Hoping, but the hard truth was that when confronted with what he had allegedly done, Ryuichi had not denied anything.

 

Squeezing his eyes shut against the sudden onslaught of stinging tears that blurred his eyes, Shuichi sobbed quietly.

 

What did it mean when it hurt more to think about what could have been then what was?

 

He could hear Yuki and Ryuichi's voice coming through the door as they argued out in the other room, but their voices had fallen so Shuichi could not make out what was being said. He wondered, though, if he even wanted to know what they were saying.

 

“Shut up!”

 

Shuichi jumped, startled by the sudden scream that echoed through the quiet suite.

 

“I bet he doesn't even give two fucks about you other wise.”

 

“Shut up! Just shut the fuck up! You don't know a goddamn thing!”

 

“Then explain it to me!”

 

“You wouldn't understand!”

 

“Then make me understand!”

 

“Fuck you!”

 

“Dammit, Sakuma! If my brother loves you like you claim then he must have sent Shuichi those photos!”

 

Shuichi cringed.

 

“Never!”

 

“And why the hell not?”

 

“Because he would never do this to me! To us!”

 

Shuichi went completely still. Then his violet eyes, swimming in a pool of tears, flew open as he inhaled sharply. Growing cold, he stared down at the carpet under his bare feet blankly as he clutched the over sized white button up shirt with fisted hands.

 

In his state of shock, his missed what Yuki said, but he could clearly heard Ryuichi.

 

“He wouldn't! He's nothing like you!”

 

He could not believe this was happening, but then, is this not what he wanted?

 

“Oh? Why?”

 

“Because I love him!”

 

Shuichi's head snapped up. His eyes grew wide. His eyebrows shot into his hair. His jaw dropped. His grip on the shirt slackened. As if in slow motion, his arms fell to his sides.

 

“I've always loved him!”

 

Ryuichi's voice, thick with tears, penetrated through the static buzz in Shuichi's head. His hands clawed into tight balls of fury. His eyes narrowed. He clenched his jaw and pursed his lips. His nostrils flared as pressure built up within him.

 

“No matter what happens with Shu and me, nothing'll change between Tatsuha and me!”

 

[“It was a mistake, Shuichi. You have to believe me! I love you! I never meant for it to go this far! I, I was just lonely. You were, you were always working and… I don't know what came over me. I just… Please, Shuichi! Tatsuha meant nothing! Nothing! It was only a one time thing! I, I called him that day to, to break it off! Please! Shuichi!”

 

“Why should I believe you after what you did to me?”

 

“God, Shuichi! I'm sorry! It won't happen again. I swear to God! I never meant to hurt you! Never!”

 

“…”

 

“I swear to God it'll never happen again! Please, just, just give me a second chance!”]

 

His mind flashed back six months to when he had confronted Ryuichi about seeing him kissing Tatsuha in that café. He will be the first to admit that while he may not have believed everything Ryuichi said to him that day, he had been willing to give him a second chance, which was a hell of a lot more than most people would have done.

 

[“Do you love him enough to give him a second chance? Even after all he did to you?”

 

“Why would he? Hiro, you know that if he did it once, he'll do it again.”

 

“You don't know that Fujisaki. Shu, it's up to you. Do you love him enough to give him a second chance? To forgive him?”

 

“I personally think you should dump his ass and tell him to go to hell.”]

 

Hiro and Fujisaki were proof of that.

 

Furious that he had been the butt of a very fucked up joke, Shuichi flung open the bedroom door. He had the pleasure of seeing a look of surprise cross Ryuichi's face as he looked over to see him standing there. Then panic and alarm set in as the man realized that Shuichi had heard everything.

 

“Shuichi,” Ryuichi called out to him.

 

Regret was written all over Ryuichi's face, but what was he sorry for? Being caught or was he truly remorseful for what he had done? Either way it was too late. Far too late.

 

Shuichi backed away from the hand Ryuichi held out to him and shook his head.

 

Never again. Because now he knew. No he knew that going home with Ryuichi a year ago had been the biggest mistake of his life. And now it was time to rectify that mistake.

 

***