bitetoall136 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
bitetoall136) wrote2014-04-10 01:39 pm
bitetoall136) wrote2014-04-10 01:39 pm
Unseen Solitaire - Chapter 4 {Reita & Kai}
Title: Unseen Solitaire
Chapter: 4/??
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
bite_to_all136
Genre: AU, Romance, Fluff, Slice of Life, Comedy, Angst, Drama
Warnings: mxm relationships, inappropriate language, mental instability
Rating: NC-17 (overall)
Pairings/Characters: Reita/Kai, Reita/Ruki, Uruha/OC, Aoi
Summary: Reita is an electrician who lives the life of a bachelor; not caring at all to settle down and put himself in a serious relationship. Will the enigmatic Kai be the one to change his bachelor ways?
Notes:A fill for the 'busted heater in the heart of winter ' square onkrasivayadusha's angst/fluff bingo card. :P
Previous Chapters: (Chapter 1)(Chapter 2)(Chapter 3)
Chapter 4
Unwrapping his arms from around a petite waist, Reita carefully tip toed out of Kai’s bedroom, closing the door partially behind him; leaving a small sliver of crack so he was able to peek inside and keep an eye on the resting figure. Digging through his jean pockets, he pulled out his cell phone, silently scrolling through his contacts until he found the number he desired. With one tap of the screen he lifted the device to his ear, listening to the soft humming noise as he waited to be connected to the other line. It was eight in the morning, meaning at this moment he should be striding through Takashima’s Electric, heading to Uruha’s office where he would collect his list of appointments for the day. Instead, he found himself still dressed in the previous night’s attire, heavy bags under his eyes from being up well past the point of 24 hours. He tried to get some rest last night, but the task proved to be quite impossible, the blond too busy with watching over Kai and making sure his delicate features stayed worry free throughout his slumber.
After Kai’s shocking confession, Reita hadn’t known what to do. He and Kai had simply remained sitting on the futon, his own jaw held sternly together as to avoid having it drop to the floor; Kai’s reprehensible visage hidden under a canopy tress of choppy ebony, teeth still continuing to gnaw into his lip. It was a tense silence, one with a heavy air, and Reita felt more at fault than ever. Six years was a long time no matter how one looked at it. Six years without ever stepping foot out of the house, and while he was thrown into a surprise whirlwind when Kai had uttered that small sentence, he couldn’t help but feel somewhat touched. The young teacher had been willing to attempt breaking his vow of solitude just so he could make their date a successful one, and as much as that warmed Reita’s heart, it’s the very thought that brought on that aforementioned fault.
The image of Kai curled up petrified on the floor, rocking back and forth while terrifyingly mumbling, simply wouldn’t leave his mind, because Reita knew he could have lessened the time in which the younger was in that state. If he had listened to Aoi and gone to Kai’s house when instructed, he would have found him sooner, would have been able to ease and comfort him and stop the mental pain he was feeling. But instead Reita allowed the usually lively instructor to remain that way for over four hours, resulting in a sensation of pinging remorse to come about and refuse to leave.
After a while of remaining silent, Kai had finally been the one to break the apprehensive quiet. Apparently Reita’s unresponsiveness had worried Kai, causing the obsidian haired man to eventually grab hold of the electrician’s hand, which in turn made their gazes meet. In such a short amount of time Kai had went from completely vulnerable to having one of his classic baby grins spread across his face, making the suggestion that they should watch a movie. Reita hadn’t really been left with the option to say ‘no’, Kai having pushed him down onto the padded cushion as he reached back and grabbed his already opened laptop, closing out of the Rikubetsu Virtual School tab and opening up a folder full of downloads.
Kai had insisted Reita pick the movie, but as the electrician scrolled through the list of films still half dazed by the newly acquired information, he heard the glee of delight Kai produced when he’d passed by the classic Edward Scissorhands (which currently still had its DVD title screen splayed across the opened laptop screen) only to look up and find that single dimple etched into the left side of his face; looking completely like a child. The pure look hadn’t given him a choice but to pick the movie, Reita knowing his decision had been the best one when Kai burst into a fit of laughter upon seeing some of the buoyant designs hedges and hair a like were being trimmed into; leaving the electrician’s heart racing in the best way possible.
While the shorter man had been enjoying the film, Reita had been thinking. He thought back to the photos Kai showed him last week, wondering how someone so outgoing had landed themselves in their own solitary prison for years. His mind couldn’t waver away from what possibly could’ve happened, but he couldn’t bring himself to ask Kai, fearing he would fall back into his previous state of panic. So instead of ruining the moment of calm and peace, Reita had decided to push any and all questions far back into his mindset, brushing off the tense atmosphere and admittance from before – just as Kai had.
Throughout the film’s entirety, Reita had had his arm slung across the small of Kai’s back; holding him close. As the movie made its run, flickers of darks and lights from the laptop flared out across the four walls, producing shadows of bamboo stalks to reflect on the ceiling; which only added to the jungle like vibe the room gave off. Reita had been unable to pay attention to the visuals playing on the laptop screen before him, dark gaze constantly shifting back to the man lying beside him. They’d both been stomach down on the soft futon, a pillow a piece tucked under their chins, shoulders touching. Kai’d been heavily focused on the movie, seeming not to have taken notice of the blond or the arm he’d had slung over his back, looking absolutely content as his Bambi eyes glossed over; adding more depth to intense brown irises. That expression of shamefulness which had been stained into his gentle features had completely washed away as he immersed himself in the classic film; having looked for the first time since Reita had known him completely calm and at rest.
In the blond’s mind, it had all started to make sense. The boxes, the copious amounts of unperishable foods, Kai’s sometimes skittish movements and his extremely chatty ways. It all started to come together like an extremely complicated jig jaw puzzle, and each time he’d been able to place a piece in proper alignment and fill an empty space of the mystery that was Kai, something tugged at his innards.
When the movie came to its end, soft snores had echoed through the room, Reita having looked over and found Kai peacefully at rest. The sun was pouring into the room at full shine by that point, and it was only when Reita realized he was to be at work in less than ten minutes did he finally decide he needed to call Uruha, ending him where he is now in Kai’s hallway, waiting for his best friend to pick up.
Sock clad foot tapping against faded wood, the blond’s gaze remained fixated on Kai through the crack in the door, only tearing his vision away when he heard Uruha’s deep voice finally answer. Unexpectedly, Uruha sounded somehow pleased, and without even offering a proper greeting, started in on Reita right away.
“Let me guess, you’re asking to use one of your sick days because you have a bangover?”
For a moment, Reita’s face contorted into confusion, but then he remembered that Uruha knew him better than anybody else in the world. So in knowing Reita had a date last night, Uruha knew that dates typically equaled sex for the blond, which again typically ended in Reita calling up right before his appointed work hours began, indeed using his night of sex as an excuse to be ‘sick’. Of course all these years the father of two had been extremely lenient, showing more inclination for the rules towards Reita than the rest of his workers by allowing his longtime friend more sick leave than the usual yearly allotted eight days.
At first Reita wanted to defend himself and give Uruha a full explanation, but upon thinking further into his current situation, he figured it best to let Uruha run off his assumptions and actually explain his long night to his friend the next time he saw him in person. Chuckling softly, he replied to Uruha, keeping his voice in a low whisper as not to wake up Kai.
“Caught me red handed, Uru. I’ll see you tomorrow then, alright?”
Along with the perks of having a best friend came the faults, Uruha instantly picking up on the electrician’s hushed tone, noting there was something off about the blond’s usual cocky attitude after a night of intimacy.
“Rei…is everything alright? I mean…did the date itself go ok?”
Easily Reita could imagine Uruha sitting up straight at his desk, fingers finicking with the nearest pen and tapping it against the wooden structure, waiting worriedly for his response. Because no matter what – no matter how many fights and disagreements they came across—Uruha would always treat Reita as the younger brother he never had, putting Reita’s happiness before his own; therefore worrying even if something seemed even slightly off.
“Everything’s fine, Uru.” the electrician assured, “I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow, don’t worry.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
“Alight then,” Uruha drawled, Reita able to hear the hesitation in his voice, “I’ll see you soon.”
“Bye, Uru. Thanks for everything.”
“Not a problem, Rei. What’s the use in having your best friend as boss if you can’t use him to get as many off days as you like?”
One last fit of light laughter was exchanged between them, followed by another set of hurried goodbyes, and then Reita was hanging up, shoving his phone back into his pocket. Taking not even a full minute, he strode back into Kai’s room, this time fully closing the door behind him. When he reached the futon, he found Kai still soundly asleep. The image of Kai so peacefully at rest made Reita realize how truly exhausted he was, and without really thinking about it, he plopped himself back down on the futon next to the younger. Turning from his stomach and onto his side, he brought himself closer to Kai, once more resting his arm upon the younger’s back and tightening his grip; stomach now resting against Kai’s hip and face practically buried into his shoulder.
Hibiscus and almond cream attacked his senses, a sigh of content pressing through thin lips as his thoughts continued to waver; this time remembering how this particular fragrance had taken over when he had Kai resting on top of his torso, lips moving together at a tortuous speed of slow and hot, hands knotting themselves in smooth dark locks…
Another sigh was released at the all too fond memories, but this time it turns into a near groan; Reita’s entire body feeling warm. His eyes shut tightly, deeply inhaling Kai’s scent over and over again; getting lost in the sensation that was Kai and Kai alone, loving very moment of heated warmth.
“Is there something…wrong?”
Eyes shooting open at the speed of light, Reita pulled back, shifting his gaze upwards and finding sleepy bug orbs looking his way. The two men stared at one another with slight bewilderment; Reita confused as to the actions of his body and trying to figure out just when the hell Kai had woken up, and Kai simply looking concerned.
The stare only breaches once Kai twists his body so he’s breaking from Reita’s now loose hold and sitting upright; knees buried into his chest and leaving the blond without that small warmth radiating from his body. Thoughts of 2,191 make their way back into Reita’s mindset, now trying to understand why he was more concerned about his rapidly growing attraction for Kai than the fact of the matter as to why the younger hadn’t left the house in over six years.
He couldn’t understand. Before a sexual thought of Kai had never once passed his thoughts, but now suddenly his mind was laced with them. He wanted to press his lips back to Kai’s, feel his warmth and taste him all over again. He thrived to trail kisses across his pale features, to finally get a look of what Kai had to offer under those articles of clothing. What kick started his sudden want of the younger, he wasn’t sure. He didn’t know if he should feel sick that maybe seeing Kai so desperate had made him want to cling onto the online instructor, or that maybe he simply wanted to be close and protect Kai from all his fears of the outside world. What he did know for sure is Kai staring at him, offering that look of innocence which now sported sleep tousled hair, made is extremely hard for him to concentrate; mind divulging into fantasies that did nothing to help his current confused state.
“What would make you ask that?”
Reita tries to cover his small slip, following Kai in sitting up; both of them still on the small futon and having no choice but to touch. The warmth is back, the zing is there, and Reita feels selfish for completely forgetting about the other’s breakdown, lips which were cracking from being dry being his only view.
“You were making weirder noises than that baby pig I told you about before. You don’t have a fever, right?”
And of course Kai’s hand reaches forward, resting upon the electrician’s forehead and searching for heat that’s sure to be there but not for the reason Kai believes. Reita finds his reaction ridiculous, grabbing Kai’s hand and holding it, smiling nervously as he shakes his head and comes up with a rather pathetic excuse.
“No, no. Just kind of tired,” a nervous chuckle follows. Reita’s thoughts may be selfish, but he wouldn’t allow himself to act through on them. Even if it seems Kai’s back to his relatively normal state of not so normal, Reita knows he’s still staggering at a frail point, and he wouldn’t dare chance breaking into shambles what he’d just watched fix itself over the past few hours. Curiosity was high, attraction higher; new questions of ‘how’ and ‘why’ becoming stronger; temptation growing larger. But, he restrained. There were questions he wanted answered, but Kai wasn’t the one who he should ask. “I’ve been up well over a day now, so the hour is just getting to me.”
Kai automatically dips his head, sounding apologetic as he spoke. “I’m sorry. That’s my fault, right? I should’ve just let you go home. You don’t have to stay here if you don’t want to…I understand. Nobody really does after they find out…”
Reita’s jaw tightened again as his fist clenched, Kai’s words bringing a small pit of anger over his usual range of calm. It wasn’t exactly said, but it was easy enough to piece together from Kai’s expression and the way he spoke that there were either family, friends, or both who had swayed their way out of his life because they didn’t know how to work with, or didn’t know how to react to, his closed up ways. Reita didn’t exactly know that feeling of loneliness, seeing as he’s had Uruha to keep him company after he lost his parents, but he could still understand it.
Previous illicit thoughts and curiosity fading from his mind, he raises to his knees and reaches to pull Kai into a tight, secure hug – much like the ones the younger gives him every time he leaves to go back home. He can feel Kai’s body stiffen, probably not expecting such an act, but after a few simple seconds, he relaxes, Reita feeling choppy bits of hair nuzzle into his neck as Kai wraps arms around his back.
“You don’t have to worry about me going anywhere. After all, somebody needs to watch after you and Isola-chan.”
A hum on Kai’s behalf is followed by a light laughter; Reita able to feel lips move across his neck, sending a smile to cross his own pair. It was such an angelic laughter, making him feel like someone straight out of a crappy romantic comedy instead of the 32 year old man who less than a day ago hadn’t ever had the intention of finding somebody special to spend his time with.
“You’re showing favoritism towards Isola, all the other plants are going to get jealous.”
Kai’s words come out as dead serious, Reita’s smile widening as he pulls away; finally meeting the other’s pale features.
“You’re going to try and tell me Isola isn’t your favorite as well? I don’t think it’s fair you can pick a favorite and I can’t.” He mocks Kai’s seriousness, a twitch of lips breaking his stern façade.
“She is,” Kai whispers back, pointing to the shelves of bamboo before continuing in an even softer voice, “but they don’t need to know that. Besides, you haven’t even tried to get to know the others better, you can’t pick a favorite yet, right?”
“I guess you’re right,” Reita answers levelly, settling back into a crisscross position and sitting directly across from Kai. “But I have more than enough time to get to know all your children properly, so I guess we’ll see over time if Isola can keep hold of my heart.”
Kai may be speaking about his bamboo, but Reita’s words seem to hold an indirect connection to the choppy haired man. He’s met the strange side of Kai, he’s met the happy go lucky side of Kai, and now he’s even met the vulnerable side of Kai. So many dimensions learnt of one person in a short month’s time, yet the younger was still able to keep Reita coming back for more. There was no denying that Kai now had a special place in his heart, and it was obvious that Kai liked him to some extent, so Reita could only wonder just how far their relationship would progress; if it would remain the same through and through or change for the better.
For once in his life…he hoped for the later.
“I don’t think she’ll disappoint you, she’s pretty special.”
Reita can’t help but smile at the other’s sincerity, Kai unintentionally feeding into his earlier thoughts, because there was really no going around it; Kai was his own category of special.
“I think you’re absolutely right...”
They end up starting up another movie, Reita nodding in and out of consciousness, only to be brought back to reality by Kai’s small giggles. At some point during the new film, the electrician’s arm found its way back around Kai’s back, it resting there even minutes after the movie ends; the two men laying there in a rare silence, enjoying the close contact and company.
Reita’s body eventually can’t fight through the exhaustion any more, falling into a deep sleep, still holding Kai close. It’s what only feels like minutes later that hawk like orbs are flickering open, finding Kai’s own chestnut pools staring back at him. The room is now encompassed in complete darkness, Reita only able to see the outline of Kai’s visage due to their bodies being lined up right next to the other.
The blond allows his hand to slip forward, running through choppy hair before caressing a wan cheek, thumb running over the small discoloration from a night of distress. “Have you been laying here in the dark this whole time?”
Because Reita realizes the laptop that was once open was now shut, the only light in the room being a small slither of moon. The sun was nowhere to be found, meaning those small minutes of rest had in all actuality been hours’ worth.
Kai nods his head, looking nervous. “Yeah… I wanted to make sure…”
Chestnut irises downcast, fingers again playing with lose strings on the blanket, Kai refusing to look at Reita. Gently, the blond’s fingers grasp Kai’s rounded chin, lifting the smaller’s head with care until their stares meet.
“Make sure of what?”
Only a small silence forms, Reita losing himself in the deep set pools of Bambi eyes, before Kai silently whispers. “That…that you really weren’t going anywhere…”
The feeling of being wanted, of actually being needed for something that wasn’t a quick fuck; the depths of emotional attachment that had silently formed between them. Reita was finally able to wrap his mind around it all, realizing that he wanted Kai in his life as much as the other needed him. They had something new and fragile, something nobody but them could really understand, but it was necessary to keep it alive and going. Be it through friendship or romantic interest, the spark of whatever they’d found in each other had to remain lit.
Leaning forward with weary caution, he presses a kiss to Kai’s temple, watching from half eyes as Kai’s own close fully in delight, a soft sigh following. The small touch sent Reita’s own pair tingling.
“Come on, I’ll make you something to eat.”
It was a simple dinner of some prepackaged miso soup and toast, which of course Kai added sweetened butter and honey to. For once few words were exchanged between the pair, Reita watching Kai contently through flat, blond fringe as the young teacher picked at pieces of bread crumbs, seeming lost in thought as dark chunks of hair covered chestnut eyes the more in depth his thoughts became.
“Rei, if something ever happens to me, you’ll watch after them, right?” Hair black as coal shifted over pale forehead as Kai’s silky question filled the silence, Reita placing down his cup of tea and sending the younger man a placid look of confused and worriment.
“What’re you talking about?”
“My bamboo…you’ll watch after them if something happens to me, right?”
Kai’s words sent Reita’s heart beating a bit faster, a bitter unknowing feeling causing his face to crinkle. Reaching out, he grabbed Kai’s hand. “Kai, nothing’s going to happen-“
“Something can always happen, Rei. Life is unpredictable. Now, will you?”
“Y-yes…” the blond answers hesitantly, slowly lifting his hand up from atop of Kai’s. “Of course I will.”
“Promise?”
“Promise…”
It’s then Reita realizes Kai’s emotional episode last night scared the other as much as it had scared himself – that undying conviction to keep Kai safe gradually growing…
Eventually came the time Reita dreaded – having to inform Kai he had to head home. Upon bringing up the foreboding words that he had to leave, Kai shot him a worried expression. Reita rid him of that dire countenance right away, quickly informing that he had to go so he could take care of his birds and prepare for work the next day, adding that he’d be back sometime tomorrow after five. It was hard to tell if Kai was more excited about the fact that Reita would be back or about the new information he acquired that the blond had birds, but either way, Kai’s happiness was contagious and Reita couldn’t help but answer all his questions about Oscar and Keiji as he began sliding on his coat and shoes.
“Do they get along well?” Kai’s hand hugs the wall, watching as Reita bends down on the genkan, reaching for his shoes.
“They’re like best friends,” Reita replies with a smile, lifting the back of his sneaker up over his ankle, “You can meet them whenever you come to my place...”
Between gathering his belongings and his almost nonexistent amount of sleep, Reita didn’t stop to think on how to phrase his words or what he was even saying in general. It was only when another silence took over did he turn his attention back towards Kai, finally realizing the punch of his words when that same ashamed expression from just a few hours ago stained itself back across the younger’s face. Quickly he stood from the floor of the genkan, his own expression falling worried as he walked up to Kai, a hesitant hand automatically cupping cheek so Kai’s stare lifted from off the ground.
“I’m so sorry…I just wasn’t thinking…” his fast and heartfelt apology was interrupted, Kai already back to his happy self as he waved Reita off with a small grin and shake of the head.
“You know, Rei…I’ve been thinking about something…”
It took Reita a moment to properly register Kai’s words, puzzled at the sudden change of topic. After being around Kai so long he figured he should be used to abrupt conversation jumps, but sometimes the topics varied so drastically he simply couldn’t understand what would even ignite Kai to bring up the new found subject.
“What’s that?”
A tooth baring beam spreads across the other man’s pout, eye lashes batting innocently, and the blond can’t help but wonder just what thoughts are occurring in that spaztastic mind.
“I was thinking of how to make things up to you…”
Reita, for the first time since he’s known Kai, is able to easily detect the hinted undertone to the younger’s words. Kai was gazing at him with suspecting eyes, silently informing the electrician of the carnal connotation of his words.
Before, Reita didn’t know how to react, but now that Kai was being straightforward, the game turned into something the blond was a pro at. Everything from the long evening was forgotten, one hand sliding down to grasp a lithe hip and the other raising above and positioning itself against the wall; entrapping them both and leaving no exit.
“And just what did you decide?”
A whisper so soft, almost sensual, that Kai has to repress a whisky plea. Usually large set eyes turn to almonds, and as Reita stands there close, still, and expecting an equally as quirky reply, he gets shocked once more – surroundings going dark as lids take over his vision, eyes having closed from the complete bliss of feeling his and Kai’s mouths seal together.
At first, when their lips meet, it was an almost gentle caress – a test to make sure they were both ok with it. It was truly only a prolonged peck that allowed Kai the time to lace his arms around Reita’s neck and pull back a small inch in one smooth movement. All it took was that small gap to realize they were both craving more; Kai tilting his head and melting their lips together with much more ferocity than before.
For a moment Reita froze, the reality of the situation crashing down all around him. He restrained himself so well in the earlier hours of the day, worried for Kai’s wellbeing. Kai had even just said so himself that this was his way of making amends, so how could he be sure he was actually ok with all this? However conflicted he felt at the moment, any and all concern drifted away the second a thigh was placed between his slightly muscled legs, Kai rubbing against length rousingly and allowing a soft plead to escape smooth lips.
A hungered growl echoed and then the kiss instantly deepened; Kai moving in and stealing what little breath Reita had left. Their movements were wet, sloppy, and sweet; the desperation melting from each body in a trance of euphoria. Something could be felt welling up in Reita’s chest at such intimate contact, hips unintentionally rocking forward and rolling against Kai’s own; able to feel heat and pure desire.
Everything he felt was nothing he ever experienced with Ruki or any of his other previous friends with benefits. The rapidly beating heart, the immense heat, the raw desire that made his body constrict in unmentionable ways…It was all as addicting as Kai’s charmingly strange personality and that mesmerizing fragrance of hibiscus and almond.
Such desperate movements were sending Reita’s thoughts into overdrive, a heavy groan being released into Kai’s mouth as hands began roaming all over each other’s bodies; Reita firmly holding Kai close. Slight confusion took over when Kai pulled away, but then that smirk was back and Reita was pushed into the opposite wall. His back made a painful ‘thump’ against the wall, a needy gasp right after, and before he could take a proper breath Kai reconnected their lips; moaning into an open mouth and forcing their tongues to wrestle lewdly.
Reita was beginning to feel dizzy from breathlessness, Kai not letting up in the least bit and the blond planning to do the same. The taste, the small, the undying heat. Everything was perfect. He was lost in a pleasured abyss, derailed from thoughts of reasons ‘why’. Before he would have never thought a kiss, such a heated that act that he’d shared with over a dozen people, could have such an effect on him, but this right here, right now, was complete blessedness.
Far too soon for Reita’s taste, Kai was backing away again. A light string of saliva strung between their lips, Kai flicking his tongue out to break the strand, offering Reita another grin as he raised his fingers to swipe his mouth dry. The act, along with the image of Kai’s reddened cheeks, tousled hair, and swollen lips, was enough to make the blond groan internally, head falling back against the wall as his mouth hung open and took in deep breaths of air.
When he finally speaks, he’s still breathless, words coming out in rugged pants. “That’s one hell of a way to make something up to someone.”
Kai simply grins again, bug eyes glistening in mischief. “Text me when you get back to your apartment, alright? I have to give you the second part of my apology.”
And then he’s waving as he turns on his foot, reminding Reita to be safe and turn the bottom lock on his way out. Reita watches Kai’s retreating figure until the online instructor encloses himself in his bed room, only to stare in disbelief for a few moments before he’s shuffling out into the cold of the winter night and driving down the road towards his apartment.
It’s early in the night, only about 6 o’clock, barely any other cars on the road; yet Reita still somehow managed to hit every red light available. Each time he’s stopped and forced to stare at the snowy white ahead of him, he finds his gaze wondering to the town’s side buildings and attractions; spotting Mrs. Sun’s flower shop, the local mechanic, and even the small mini mart he walked to almost daily as a child. Everything was so familiar in the homey town, it allowing him a peace of mind to be just as relaxed as Kai’d been while entrapped in the earlier film.
Whatever state of salvation he’d settled into was quickly ripped out from under him upon driving further down the road, his brain on the incessant track of ‘why?’ again the moment he began passing by Lotus. He tried to keep driving, he really did, but his mind was fumbling with unanswered questions and the very person who he assumed could answer them was just on the inside of those double doors.
And that’s exactly how Reita ended up parallel parking his truck, making his way inside the popular bar within seconds.
Lotus typically opened at eight, but Aoi always came in a few hours before hand to straighten up and count the previous night’s profit, so it was no surprise that there wasn’t a soul in sight as Reita weaved his way through to the backroom, knocking twice before entering with no permission.
Straightaway, Aoi looked up from behind the desk he was sitting at, his threatening glare aimed directly at Reita. “What the hell do you want?”
Aoi sounded more hurt than intimidating, the bills in his hands dropping to the flat surface of the desk. His hair was pushed back even further than usual with a thin hair band of sorts, allowing the deep set blond streak to mix with contrasting ebony tress. Dark hair did nothing but make his already pale features seem even paler, full lips tugged into a stern pout, and eyes dead set in allowing no emotion to pass.
Even through all of this, Reita was able to notice the one change in his friend from a mere few hours ago – he looked tired. Not just physically or mentally tired, but emotionally. His empty stare gave away more than he thought, and Reita had known him long enough to dissect the situation and take in the knowledge that something had indeed happened since he walked out the bar’s front entrance with Ruki the night prior.
“I wanted to talk to you,” Reita offers, removing his jacket and laying it across his lap as he takes the seat across from Aoi. “About…stuff.”
The other sighs, pushing back from the desk before beginning to dig around desk draws. “Stuff, what kind of stuff?” he pulls a bottle from the cubby space, popping two aspirin and swallowing them dry, before beginning a light massage on his temples; eyes closed in search of a form of relief.
“Well, about…Kai.”
Aoi is suddenly more alert, shifting in his seat a bit before threading his fingers together and placing his chin in the small knuckle pit; a visible drape of relief shadowing his pale visage. “You went to go see him…?”
“Not right away, but yeah, I did, and…now I have a few questions to ask you…”
Another pause takes place before Aoi’s shaking his head resiliently, eyes closing half way, and long strands of hair dancing over his strong shoulders. “No…It’s not my place.” He speaks with determined finality, turning his full gaze back to Reita, knowing the blond man well enough to know he’d fight him on the issue.
“Come on, Aoi.” Reita whines as he runs a hand through his flaxen dyed locks, falling back further in his seat. He’d been counting on Aoi to give him at least some kind of information, because at this point, even the smallest details would calm him some. He just wanted to know something so he could begin to understand Kai, to find out exactly what caused such a cheerful man to become so exposed.
“No, ask him yourself.” The bartender announces his words clearly, that finality even stronger than before as he directs his gaze away from Reita, beginning to fumble with the bills and placing them in a lock box.
Sighing, the electrician leans forward, elbows resting on Aoi’s desk and voice dropping to a desperate whisper. “Please, Aoi…I can’t ask him…I- I can’t put him through that again…”
He’s nothing but sincere with his plead, Aoi apparently picking up quite well on that sincerity seeing as the movements on his behalf come to a complete halt; Reita watching as the bartender surveyed his desperate figure, trying to appear scrutinizing, only to purse his lips and fall against his desk; chin resting in the bend of his arm as he meets Reita’s hazel’s through a tress of dark hair; pointing an lecturing finger in his blond friend’s direction.
“I’ll tell you the basics and the basics only, are we clear on that?”
For a fraction of a moment, Reita’s eyes widen, surprised by how easily Aoi has given in. Normally the bartender was resilient, his answer of ‘no’ usually meaning just that; refusing to change his mind for anybody – even if that anybody was Ruki. Coming into Lotus tonight, Reita knew his chances of acquiring information were nothing but slim, but he had to try, for as resilient as Aoi was, Reita himself was just as stubborn; determined to get his way no matter what it took. The pairs disagreeing traits had caused more than a few handfuls of verbal arguments over the near decade they’d known each other, neither willing to give in and become the defeated of the unwritten quarrel. Fortunately for them, Ruki’s sardonic behavior usually ended up being the peacemaker; the fashion journalist easily able to force their fights to die down in just seconds by making a crude comment that left both Aoi and Reita a bit dazed and confused. Ruki; however, wasn’t here at this very moment. Reita came in knowing his simple query had the possibility of not ending very well, so the astonished expression he sported right now suited the situation, his next words finally leaving him after brief glimpses of silence filled the air.
“Y-yeah. Basics only, got it.” He nodded his head, hands unintentionally tightening around the material of the jacket sprawled across his lap as he watched Aoi sit up right, adjusting himself properly in his seat and taking a deep breath.
“Kai…he’s a really good man, Reita.” Reita listened intently, leaning forward with each new word Aoi spoke. The bartender ran his heavily decorated hands through his dark tress, knocking the band out and allowing locks to fall completely flat and encompass he ashen cheeks; sorrow seeping its way into his hardened features. “He really doesn’t deserve half the shit that’s happened to him…”
Reita was getting a bit impatient, air tightening in his chest as he waited for Aoi to continue, only asking a small, meek question when he noticed the bartender staring off into the distance; stuck in reminiscence. “What…happened?” strong hands tightened once more, a damp sweat taking over the calloused appendages due to his suffocating grip on the winter material.
Aoi breathed out harshly once more, fingers beginning to fidget with his abundant amount of silver decorating long fingers. “Has Kai ever mentioned his ex, Ni~ya?” Reita nodded, countless possibilities of what Aoi’s statement could inquire appearing – not one of them having a happy outcome. “Well, Kai…he has a really big heart, Rei. He opens up to and accepts everybody so readily…and that’s just what happened with Ni~ya. They were together a year before something really big went down between the two of them…”
Reita swallowed hard, trying to rid himself of his near cotton mouth, almost feeling nervous as he stated, “Aoi, please. You have to give me a little bit more than that…”
“Told you, I’m only telling you the basics.” Aoi shrugged, leaning forward with a sigh. “You can ask what you want but that doesn’t mean I’ll necessarily tell…”
At that moment, Reita could have asked hundreds of questions. But the one he deemed most important was the one to slip through his thin lips first, “Kai says he hasn’t left the house in six years…why?”
“What happened with Ni~ya really scarred him, Rei…his house is the only place he feels safe.” Reita wanted Aoi the elaborate, but he could visibly see the bartender stiffen up the longer they stayed on the topic.
He knew delving deeper would be surpassing what Aoi considered basics anyways, and even if Reita had been able to break the dark haired man’s resilience once this evening, he knew there was no way in hell he’d be able to do so once again. So instead of skirting around and prying for related answers, he went onto his next question, again watching as Aoi visibly tensed, trying his hardest to keep his stern façade solid. “How do you know them…?”
The electrician really didn’t care to know how Aoi knew Ni~ya seeing as that man was simply a fragment of a photograph he’d seen one time and also someone who’d caused Kai pain at one point or another, but asking how he knew ‘them’ instead of ‘him’ still seemed more appropriate.
“I actually met Kai through Ni~ya,” a small schism of a smile appeared on Aoi’s posh lips, laugh lines and delicate rumpled folds appearing near dark eyes. “And Ni~ya…well, he’s my younger brother.”
The room seemed to completely freeze at Aoi’s words. Reita stared at him with unbelieving eyes and Aoi gazed off into space, easily back in his pattern of reminiscing. The entire seven years Reita has known the other man, never once had he’d mentioned his family. As far as Reita was concerned, Aoi didn’t even have a family. The elder man had simply shown up in Rikubetsu during the summer all those years ago, opened up Lotus, and that was that. Business was successful, he owned one of the most popular bars in their small town and was well known throughout the community as being kind and always there for someone if in need. He lived alone in an apartment complex just two streets down from Reita’s own; not even a pet as basic as a goldfish taking up space in his quarters. So the news that Aoi had a brother was even more disquieting than Kai’s reveal of having not left his house for more than a handful of years.
“Brother? Aoi, I didn’t know you had a brother, why didn’t you-”
“We’re sticking to basics here, remember?” Aoi’s eyes turned threatening just as quickly as they’d turned solemn, his voice sounding agitated and hurt as he allowed a shrill shout to permeate the room’s reticent atmosphere.
Over the years, Reita’d seen Aoi at his angriest, but the expression the other man held right now was a mixture of his enraged attitude mixed with the exact melancholy expression he’d seen spread across Kai’s gentle features more times than he’d like to admit. The countenance stilled the blond, allowing the room to fall back quiet for more seconds than deemed comfortable. That dry feeling began taking over his throat again, and with a hard swallow he cleared his throat, finally finding it in himself to drop the subject and move on, going back to the original topic that was Kai.
“Last night you said Kai needed help…what exactly am I supposed to do?”
Because being able to calm Kai down and allow the online instructor to be himself around Reita was something that blond was looking at as a stroke of good luck. If Kai were to fall back into that state of vulnerability once more, he’s not sure if his same soothing methods would work again. He wanted to be able to help Kai, but wasn’t sure if there was any helping, seeing as agoraphobia was something mentally complex and unpredictable. There was simply no helping if he couldn’t even begin to understand just what it was that led Kai to be the way he is.
A bitter chuckle follows Reita’s question, Aoi throwing himself back in his seat and aiming his eyes in the direction of the ceiling. “You’ve met Isola?”
“Yeah…?”
“Well, Ni~ya bought her for Kai.” The electrician moved to interrupt, but Aoi raised his hand, silencing the other, before continuing. “When Ni~ya first met Kai, he was really struggling with his grandfather’s death. Kai just didn’t know what to do with his life; he was so used to taking care of his grandpa and then all of a sudden he wakes up one morning and no longer has that responsibility…he was having a really hard time accepting, so, Ni~ya gave him Isola -- someone to care for again…”
“Aoi, I don’t get what that has to do with me helping him-”
“Isola is a French name – it means isolation.” Sitting upright, Aoi leans back over his desk, making sure his and Reita’s fixed stares remain on one another. “He’s lonely, Rei…he needs somebody in his life. Talk to him. Be there for him. Understand him. All he needs is one friend to be content…but you can be more than that if you wish to…”
The small smirk Aoi through Reita’s way was completely swept under the rug, Reita needing to know one last bit of information. “Aoi…why didn’t you stay in his life?”
At that, the bartender’s jaw tightened, entire body going frigid with a layer of resentment. Reita was expecting Aoi to yell, maybe even command him to leave, but instead Aoi looked him straight in the eyes, answering sincerely. “I tried to, I really did. But it turns out he’s just one of the few who can’t stand the similarities between myself and Ni~ya…”
Reita’s mind was quickly able to formulate a mental image of Ni~ya, remembering the man’s details from the picture at Kai’s house last week. Instantly, he was able to understand Aoi’s previous statement. The pale skin, dark tress, and strong jawlines were practically identical on each man. If sat side by side there would be absolutely no denying their relation, but from afar one could easily make no connection.
“What do you mean by that?” Curiosity was now peaked again and Reita wasn’t sure if he was pushing his limits now, but he was going to get as much out of Aoi as he could, even if it meant he’d have to stay away from Lotus for a few days as he waited for his friend to calm down.
However, that spark of frustration never came, Aoi coming forth and answering his new query with not a hint of hesitance. “After the whole Ni~ya incident, I tried to go see Kai, but he flipped out on me – broke down before I could speak a single word. I tried calling and going to see him, but each time the same thing happened. After a few weeks it became apparent he wasn’t leaving his house, so I started leaving packages of necessities at his back door so he could take proper care of himself...and what can I say? Old habits die hard.”
Time went still again, Reita properly registering the bar owner’s words. His mouth opened and closed a few times before he finally decided on offering Aoi a smile, “So you’re the one responsible for all those damn boxes?”
Aoi smiled right back, a dusk of youthfulness panning over his facet display as full teeth came into view. “Damn straight. He gets a new one every other Sunday afternoon.”
Both laughed quietly, only to follow the relaxing act with another fit of silence. After a sparse moment, Reita cleared his throat, grabbing Aoi’s attention. “Aoi…you’re a good man.”
And just like Aoi had said earlier about Kai; Aoi didn’t deserve half the shit he was forcefully dragged through. Suddenly, all those nights Reita walked out of the bar with Ruki came flashing before his eyes, Reita feeling like the biggest asshole for putting sex before his friend. He could have denied Ruki all those times, but Aoi never actually came out and asked him not to, so he continued on. Reita may have hurt Kai last night by not going to his home right away as instructed. He may have hurt Ruki that month he put him off and decided hanging out with Kai was more important above all. But the dawning realization that he’d been hurting the man in front of him for over seven years; that he’d been too ignorant to recognize the emotional warfare he was dragging Aoi through…Reita now felt like he owed Aoi something. What that something was, he wasn’t sure. But he’d make it up to his friend one way or another.
“I am.” Aoi stood from his seat, making his way across the room and grabbing his coat from the rack. “Now would you mind driving this good man home? I’d like to get in a shower and power nap before we reopen and I really don’t feel like hailing a taxi.”
“Sure.” Following Aoi in his steps, Reita patted the bartender on the shoulder, sending him a look that spoke something more than thank you. Aoi simply waved him off before shrugging, telling the blond to get to walking, playing it off as if everything he’d just done was absolutely nothing.
By the time Reita dropped Aoi off and finally walked through the archway of his own flat, the exhaustion he’d been suffering through finally fully hit him; the effort to bend down and slide off his sneakers almost too much. It was just a little past seven in the evening, but the only events he had planned were to change Keiji’s and Oscar’s water and then crash into bed for the night. A shower and a decent meal could wait until morning.
In spite of just forming this schedule seconds ago, Reita soon realized there was going to be a small change of events, for the second he opened his spare bedroom door, he was met with what he was hoping was going to be the last surprise of this very long night.
“Ru? What’re you still doing here?”
Ruki was sat on the floor, dressed in clothes he’d very apparently borrowed out of Reita’s closet on his own accord. Legs crisscrossed, his small hands were folded in the center of the manmade circle; hair covering his face as he stared off at the cage in front of him.
“I took a few days off from work and didn’t feel like stepping out into the cold just yet. What, are you going to fucking sue me for over staying my welcome?”
There was a rasp to Ruki’s voice which Reita had only heard less than a handful of times since he’d known the fashion journalist. He could tell Ruki was trying to mask the change with his usual arrant edge, but it was useless – they were friends more than they were friends with benefits and Reita knew Ruki better than the auburn would like to care to admit.
Settling down on the ground next to the smaller man, Reita grasped his chin with a thumb and forefinger, automatically being met with red cheeks and watery eyes. “You’re crying…”
Instantly, Ruki swatted his hands away, turning his face to the side and once more hiding beneath wavy locks of auburn. “I’m not.”
“You are.”
“I’m not, and even if I fucking was it would be none of your business. Just leave me alone, this has nothing to do with you.”
“Ru, you’re crying in my apartment’s spare room. This has everything to do with me.”
Scuffing with disgust, Ruki abruptly stood up, walking towards the door. “You’re so fucking full of yourself. I have other problems bedsides the fact that you walked out on me in the middle of the night to go see your other fuck toy. Grow the hell up, Reita. The entire world doesn’t revolve around you and your cock.”
The blond couldn’t even be surprised Ruki had pieced together he went to go see Kai. The auburn was sarcastic, stubborn, and sometimes downright arrogant, but he wasn’t anywhere near asinine. He would’ve been more surprised if Ruki hadn’t figured out his whereabouts.
Ruki tried to storm out of the room, but Reita was on his feet just a quick and stopped the fashion journalist by grabbing his wrist. “Ru, talk to me and-”
“Just let go, Reita,” he growled, obviously upset, “It’s not worth it…let go…”
Reita knew Ruki wasn’t talking about his wrist at this point. Let go. Let go of everything they’d built up over the past seven years. Let go of their casual title of fuck buddies. Let go and finally grow up and finally move on with his life. He knew this day would come eventually. From the moment he met Kai, this exact scene had been one he’d been trying to predict how it’d play out, but now as it unraveled before him, he was realizing it wasn’t transitioning how he expected it to in the least bit.
But he had to do it. For both his and Ruki’s sake, it had to be done.
“Are you going to be ok?”
Ruki’s tough front broke, lips breaking into a heartrending quip. “Reita, I used you for your cock. I’m sure I’ll be fine without it. Besides, I wasn’t ok long before I met you, I can continue to get by just as I was before you drunk fucked me.”
“Ru-”
“Forget it, Reita. I’m going home, I’m going to drink until I pass out, and if you want to find me I’m pretty sure you know damn well where to go.” Without looking back at the blond, Ruki went to the front of the flat, placing his winter attire on his body. It was only after he placed on the final article did he turn back and face Reita, this time offering a real, genuine smile. “Despite what it may sound like, I happy for you Rei, I really am. You deserve to have a shot at a normal relationship.”
The blond had to hold back a chuckle at Ruki’s words; normal was definitely not a word he would use to define the relationship he and Kai were getting ready to embark on.
Before Reita could respond, Ruki began to exit the apartment. The journalist hadn’t even taken a single step of leave before Reita grabbed his shoulder; their gazes meeting as Ruki turned to look over his shoulder. “Just promise me you’ll be careful, Ru. I still want to see you around…”
The auburn’s body tensed under his touch, Ruki turning around fully so they were face to face. With a gentle smile, Ruki raised himself on his tippy toes; full lips carefully brushing against Reita’s own. Pulling back only seconds later, he padded Reita’s cheek, offering one last smile. “See you later, Rei.”
Without another word, Ruki finally left, leaving Reita to close his door and slide down the smooth expanse; body and mind wishing to finally shut down for the rest of the night.
With a few minutes of silent groveling, he finally forced himself off the ground. Entering Oscar’s and Keiji’s room, grabbing the water bowl and refilling it fresh. By the time he found himself lying in bed, eyes were beginning to shut instantly, but just as he found himself falling into a dreamlike state, his cell phone vibrated in his jeans pocket, causing him to sit up with a grown as he pulled out the device and slid his thumb over the glossy screen.
Did you make it home ok? – Kai
Straightaway his thoughts went back to Kai telling him to text him when he arrived home, making the blond become more coherent and alert, sitting up straight with eyes wide opened as he typed back a quick reply.
Sorry. I had a few things to do before I got home. What else did you have to tell me? – Reita
A few more minutes pass before Reita feels his cell vibrate in his hands once more, this time looking down at the screen and seeing that there’s an incoming picture message loading across the status bar.
I know you didn’t ask for it, but this was the best apology I could think of… - Kai
Scanning Kai’s words, he becomes somewhat confused. Continuing to scroll past the text, the square beginnings of the image come into play, and by the time he’s looking at the photo as a whole his mouth is falling, nether regions clenching up with an automatic wave of warmth.
Because there it was, the ‘picture proof’ Kai had mentioned on more than one occasion.
…Needless to say, Reita was not disappointed with what he saw.
***
Author's Note: Trying to stick to one character's POV is *exhausting* xD And I'm failing quite readily :'D
Anywho~. I've seriously worked on this almost everyday for a month & it's kind of sad that it's about 1,000 words shorter than the last CH - something I wrote in like 4 days (U_U) Overall, this chapter is kind of choppy to me, but lots of info was revealed & that's what really matters. I could spend more time polishing it, but at this point I'm just so *done* with it.
Alright, that's it for my bitch fest this time. Hope you guys enjoyed~. ^_^
Chapter: 4/??
Author:
bite_to_all136Genre: AU, Romance, Fluff, Slice of Life, Comedy, Angst, Drama
Warnings: mxm relationships, inappropriate language, mental instability
Rating: NC-17 (overall)
Pairings/Characters: Reita/Kai, Reita/Ruki, Uruha/OC, Aoi
Summary: Reita is an electrician who lives the life of a bachelor; not caring at all to settle down and put himself in a serious relationship. Will the enigmatic Kai be the one to change his bachelor ways?
Notes:A fill for the 'busted heater in the heart of winter ' square on
krasivayadusha's angst/fluff bingo card. :PPrevious Chapters: (Chapter 1)(Chapter 2)(Chapter 3)
Unwrapping his arms from around a petite waist, Reita carefully tip toed out of Kai’s bedroom, closing the door partially behind him; leaving a small sliver of crack so he was able to peek inside and keep an eye on the resting figure. Digging through his jean pockets, he pulled out his cell phone, silently scrolling through his contacts until he found the number he desired. With one tap of the screen he lifted the device to his ear, listening to the soft humming noise as he waited to be connected to the other line. It was eight in the morning, meaning at this moment he should be striding through Takashima’s Electric, heading to Uruha’s office where he would collect his list of appointments for the day. Instead, he found himself still dressed in the previous night’s attire, heavy bags under his eyes from being up well past the point of 24 hours. He tried to get some rest last night, but the task proved to be quite impossible, the blond too busy with watching over Kai and making sure his delicate features stayed worry free throughout his slumber.
After Kai’s shocking confession, Reita hadn’t known what to do. He and Kai had simply remained sitting on the futon, his own jaw held sternly together as to avoid having it drop to the floor; Kai’s reprehensible visage hidden under a canopy tress of choppy ebony, teeth still continuing to gnaw into his lip. It was a tense silence, one with a heavy air, and Reita felt more at fault than ever. Six years was a long time no matter how one looked at it. Six years without ever stepping foot out of the house, and while he was thrown into a surprise whirlwind when Kai had uttered that small sentence, he couldn’t help but feel somewhat touched. The young teacher had been willing to attempt breaking his vow of solitude just so he could make their date a successful one, and as much as that warmed Reita’s heart, it’s the very thought that brought on that aforementioned fault.
The image of Kai curled up petrified on the floor, rocking back and forth while terrifyingly mumbling, simply wouldn’t leave his mind, because Reita knew he could have lessened the time in which the younger was in that state. If he had listened to Aoi and gone to Kai’s house when instructed, he would have found him sooner, would have been able to ease and comfort him and stop the mental pain he was feeling. But instead Reita allowed the usually lively instructor to remain that way for over four hours, resulting in a sensation of pinging remorse to come about and refuse to leave.
After a while of remaining silent, Kai had finally been the one to break the apprehensive quiet. Apparently Reita’s unresponsiveness had worried Kai, causing the obsidian haired man to eventually grab hold of the electrician’s hand, which in turn made their gazes meet. In such a short amount of time Kai had went from completely vulnerable to having one of his classic baby grins spread across his face, making the suggestion that they should watch a movie. Reita hadn’t really been left with the option to say ‘no’, Kai having pushed him down onto the padded cushion as he reached back and grabbed his already opened laptop, closing out of the Rikubetsu Virtual School tab and opening up a folder full of downloads.
Kai had insisted Reita pick the movie, but as the electrician scrolled through the list of films still half dazed by the newly acquired information, he heard the glee of delight Kai produced when he’d passed by the classic Edward Scissorhands (which currently still had its DVD title screen splayed across the opened laptop screen) only to look up and find that single dimple etched into the left side of his face; looking completely like a child. The pure look hadn’t given him a choice but to pick the movie, Reita knowing his decision had been the best one when Kai burst into a fit of laughter upon seeing some of the buoyant designs hedges and hair a like were being trimmed into; leaving the electrician’s heart racing in the best way possible.
While the shorter man had been enjoying the film, Reita had been thinking. He thought back to the photos Kai showed him last week, wondering how someone so outgoing had landed themselves in their own solitary prison for years. His mind couldn’t waver away from what possibly could’ve happened, but he couldn’t bring himself to ask Kai, fearing he would fall back into his previous state of panic. So instead of ruining the moment of calm and peace, Reita had decided to push any and all questions far back into his mindset, brushing off the tense atmosphere and admittance from before – just as Kai had.
Throughout the film’s entirety, Reita had had his arm slung across the small of Kai’s back; holding him close. As the movie made its run, flickers of darks and lights from the laptop flared out across the four walls, producing shadows of bamboo stalks to reflect on the ceiling; which only added to the jungle like vibe the room gave off. Reita had been unable to pay attention to the visuals playing on the laptop screen before him, dark gaze constantly shifting back to the man lying beside him. They’d both been stomach down on the soft futon, a pillow a piece tucked under their chins, shoulders touching. Kai’d been heavily focused on the movie, seeming not to have taken notice of the blond or the arm he’d had slung over his back, looking absolutely content as his Bambi eyes glossed over; adding more depth to intense brown irises. That expression of shamefulness which had been stained into his gentle features had completely washed away as he immersed himself in the classic film; having looked for the first time since Reita had known him completely calm and at rest.
In the blond’s mind, it had all started to make sense. The boxes, the copious amounts of unperishable foods, Kai’s sometimes skittish movements and his extremely chatty ways. It all started to come together like an extremely complicated jig jaw puzzle, and each time he’d been able to place a piece in proper alignment and fill an empty space of the mystery that was Kai, something tugged at his innards.
When the movie came to its end, soft snores had echoed through the room, Reita having looked over and found Kai peacefully at rest. The sun was pouring into the room at full shine by that point, and it was only when Reita realized he was to be at work in less than ten minutes did he finally decide he needed to call Uruha, ending him where he is now in Kai’s hallway, waiting for his best friend to pick up.
Sock clad foot tapping against faded wood, the blond’s gaze remained fixated on Kai through the crack in the door, only tearing his vision away when he heard Uruha’s deep voice finally answer. Unexpectedly, Uruha sounded somehow pleased, and without even offering a proper greeting, started in on Reita right away.
“Let me guess, you’re asking to use one of your sick days because you have a bangover?”
For a moment, Reita’s face contorted into confusion, but then he remembered that Uruha knew him better than anybody else in the world. So in knowing Reita had a date last night, Uruha knew that dates typically equaled sex for the blond, which again typically ended in Reita calling up right before his appointed work hours began, indeed using his night of sex as an excuse to be ‘sick’. Of course all these years the father of two had been extremely lenient, showing more inclination for the rules towards Reita than the rest of his workers by allowing his longtime friend more sick leave than the usual yearly allotted eight days.
At first Reita wanted to defend himself and give Uruha a full explanation, but upon thinking further into his current situation, he figured it best to let Uruha run off his assumptions and actually explain his long night to his friend the next time he saw him in person. Chuckling softly, he replied to Uruha, keeping his voice in a low whisper as not to wake up Kai.
“Caught me red handed, Uru. I’ll see you tomorrow then, alright?”
Along with the perks of having a best friend came the faults, Uruha instantly picking up on the electrician’s hushed tone, noting there was something off about the blond’s usual cocky attitude after a night of intimacy.
“Rei…is everything alright? I mean…did the date itself go ok?”
Easily Reita could imagine Uruha sitting up straight at his desk, fingers finicking with the nearest pen and tapping it against the wooden structure, waiting worriedly for his response. Because no matter what – no matter how many fights and disagreements they came across—Uruha would always treat Reita as the younger brother he never had, putting Reita’s happiness before his own; therefore worrying even if something seemed even slightly off.
“Everything’s fine, Uru.” the electrician assured, “I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow, don’t worry.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
“Alight then,” Uruha drawled, Reita able to hear the hesitation in his voice, “I’ll see you soon.”
“Bye, Uru. Thanks for everything.”
“Not a problem, Rei. What’s the use in having your best friend as boss if you can’t use him to get as many off days as you like?”
One last fit of light laughter was exchanged between them, followed by another set of hurried goodbyes, and then Reita was hanging up, shoving his phone back into his pocket. Taking not even a full minute, he strode back into Kai’s room, this time fully closing the door behind him. When he reached the futon, he found Kai still soundly asleep. The image of Kai so peacefully at rest made Reita realize how truly exhausted he was, and without really thinking about it, he plopped himself back down on the futon next to the younger. Turning from his stomach and onto his side, he brought himself closer to Kai, once more resting his arm upon the younger’s back and tightening his grip; stomach now resting against Kai’s hip and face practically buried into his shoulder.
Hibiscus and almond cream attacked his senses, a sigh of content pressing through thin lips as his thoughts continued to waver; this time remembering how this particular fragrance had taken over when he had Kai resting on top of his torso, lips moving together at a tortuous speed of slow and hot, hands knotting themselves in smooth dark locks…
Another sigh was released at the all too fond memories, but this time it turns into a near groan; Reita’s entire body feeling warm. His eyes shut tightly, deeply inhaling Kai’s scent over and over again; getting lost in the sensation that was Kai and Kai alone, loving very moment of heated warmth.
“Is there something…wrong?”
Eyes shooting open at the speed of light, Reita pulled back, shifting his gaze upwards and finding sleepy bug orbs looking his way. The two men stared at one another with slight bewilderment; Reita confused as to the actions of his body and trying to figure out just when the hell Kai had woken up, and Kai simply looking concerned.
The stare only breaches once Kai twists his body so he’s breaking from Reita’s now loose hold and sitting upright; knees buried into his chest and leaving the blond without that small warmth radiating from his body. Thoughts of 2,191 make their way back into Reita’s mindset, now trying to understand why he was more concerned about his rapidly growing attraction for Kai than the fact of the matter as to why the younger hadn’t left the house in over six years.
He couldn’t understand. Before a sexual thought of Kai had never once passed his thoughts, but now suddenly his mind was laced with them. He wanted to press his lips back to Kai’s, feel his warmth and taste him all over again. He thrived to trail kisses across his pale features, to finally get a look of what Kai had to offer under those articles of clothing. What kick started his sudden want of the younger, he wasn’t sure. He didn’t know if he should feel sick that maybe seeing Kai so desperate had made him want to cling onto the online instructor, or that maybe he simply wanted to be close and protect Kai from all his fears of the outside world. What he did know for sure is Kai staring at him, offering that look of innocence which now sported sleep tousled hair, made is extremely hard for him to concentrate; mind divulging into fantasies that did nothing to help his current confused state.
“What would make you ask that?”
Reita tries to cover his small slip, following Kai in sitting up; both of them still on the small futon and having no choice but to touch. The warmth is back, the zing is there, and Reita feels selfish for completely forgetting about the other’s breakdown, lips which were cracking from being dry being his only view.
“You were making weirder noises than that baby pig I told you about before. You don’t have a fever, right?”
And of course Kai’s hand reaches forward, resting upon the electrician’s forehead and searching for heat that’s sure to be there but not for the reason Kai believes. Reita finds his reaction ridiculous, grabbing Kai’s hand and holding it, smiling nervously as he shakes his head and comes up with a rather pathetic excuse.
“No, no. Just kind of tired,” a nervous chuckle follows. Reita’s thoughts may be selfish, but he wouldn’t allow himself to act through on them. Even if it seems Kai’s back to his relatively normal state of not so normal, Reita knows he’s still staggering at a frail point, and he wouldn’t dare chance breaking into shambles what he’d just watched fix itself over the past few hours. Curiosity was high, attraction higher; new questions of ‘how’ and ‘why’ becoming stronger; temptation growing larger. But, he restrained. There were questions he wanted answered, but Kai wasn’t the one who he should ask. “I’ve been up well over a day now, so the hour is just getting to me.”
Kai automatically dips his head, sounding apologetic as he spoke. “I’m sorry. That’s my fault, right? I should’ve just let you go home. You don’t have to stay here if you don’t want to…I understand. Nobody really does after they find out…”
Reita’s jaw tightened again as his fist clenched, Kai’s words bringing a small pit of anger over his usual range of calm. It wasn’t exactly said, but it was easy enough to piece together from Kai’s expression and the way he spoke that there were either family, friends, or both who had swayed their way out of his life because they didn’t know how to work with, or didn’t know how to react to, his closed up ways. Reita didn’t exactly know that feeling of loneliness, seeing as he’s had Uruha to keep him company after he lost his parents, but he could still understand it.
Previous illicit thoughts and curiosity fading from his mind, he raises to his knees and reaches to pull Kai into a tight, secure hug – much like the ones the younger gives him every time he leaves to go back home. He can feel Kai’s body stiffen, probably not expecting such an act, but after a few simple seconds, he relaxes, Reita feeling choppy bits of hair nuzzle into his neck as Kai wraps arms around his back.
“You don’t have to worry about me going anywhere. After all, somebody needs to watch after you and Isola-chan.”
A hum on Kai’s behalf is followed by a light laughter; Reita able to feel lips move across his neck, sending a smile to cross his own pair. It was such an angelic laughter, making him feel like someone straight out of a crappy romantic comedy instead of the 32 year old man who less than a day ago hadn’t ever had the intention of finding somebody special to spend his time with.
“You’re showing favoritism towards Isola, all the other plants are going to get jealous.”
Kai’s words come out as dead serious, Reita’s smile widening as he pulls away; finally meeting the other’s pale features.
“You’re going to try and tell me Isola isn’t your favorite as well? I don’t think it’s fair you can pick a favorite and I can’t.” He mocks Kai’s seriousness, a twitch of lips breaking his stern façade.
“She is,” Kai whispers back, pointing to the shelves of bamboo before continuing in an even softer voice, “but they don’t need to know that. Besides, you haven’t even tried to get to know the others better, you can’t pick a favorite yet, right?”
“I guess you’re right,” Reita answers levelly, settling back into a crisscross position and sitting directly across from Kai. “But I have more than enough time to get to know all your children properly, so I guess we’ll see over time if Isola can keep hold of my heart.”
Kai may be speaking about his bamboo, but Reita’s words seem to hold an indirect connection to the choppy haired man. He’s met the strange side of Kai, he’s met the happy go lucky side of Kai, and now he’s even met the vulnerable side of Kai. So many dimensions learnt of one person in a short month’s time, yet the younger was still able to keep Reita coming back for more. There was no denying that Kai now had a special place in his heart, and it was obvious that Kai liked him to some extent, so Reita could only wonder just how far their relationship would progress; if it would remain the same through and through or change for the better.
For once in his life…he hoped for the later.
“I don’t think she’ll disappoint you, she’s pretty special.”
Reita can’t help but smile at the other’s sincerity, Kai unintentionally feeding into his earlier thoughts, because there was really no going around it; Kai was his own category of special.
“I think you’re absolutely right...”
They end up starting up another movie, Reita nodding in and out of consciousness, only to be brought back to reality by Kai’s small giggles. At some point during the new film, the electrician’s arm found its way back around Kai’s back, it resting there even minutes after the movie ends; the two men laying there in a rare silence, enjoying the close contact and company.
Reita’s body eventually can’t fight through the exhaustion any more, falling into a deep sleep, still holding Kai close. It’s what only feels like minutes later that hawk like orbs are flickering open, finding Kai’s own chestnut pools staring back at him. The room is now encompassed in complete darkness, Reita only able to see the outline of Kai’s visage due to their bodies being lined up right next to the other.
The blond allows his hand to slip forward, running through choppy hair before caressing a wan cheek, thumb running over the small discoloration from a night of distress. “Have you been laying here in the dark this whole time?”
Because Reita realizes the laptop that was once open was now shut, the only light in the room being a small slither of moon. The sun was nowhere to be found, meaning those small minutes of rest had in all actuality been hours’ worth.
Kai nods his head, looking nervous. “Yeah… I wanted to make sure…”
Chestnut irises downcast, fingers again playing with lose strings on the blanket, Kai refusing to look at Reita. Gently, the blond’s fingers grasp Kai’s rounded chin, lifting the smaller’s head with care until their stares meet.
“Make sure of what?”
Only a small silence forms, Reita losing himself in the deep set pools of Bambi eyes, before Kai silently whispers. “That…that you really weren’t going anywhere…”
The feeling of being wanted, of actually being needed for something that wasn’t a quick fuck; the depths of emotional attachment that had silently formed between them. Reita was finally able to wrap his mind around it all, realizing that he wanted Kai in his life as much as the other needed him. They had something new and fragile, something nobody but them could really understand, but it was necessary to keep it alive and going. Be it through friendship or romantic interest, the spark of whatever they’d found in each other had to remain lit.
Leaning forward with weary caution, he presses a kiss to Kai’s temple, watching from half eyes as Kai’s own close fully in delight, a soft sigh following. The small touch sent Reita’s own pair tingling.
“Come on, I’ll make you something to eat.”
It was a simple dinner of some prepackaged miso soup and toast, which of course Kai added sweetened butter and honey to. For once few words were exchanged between the pair, Reita watching Kai contently through flat, blond fringe as the young teacher picked at pieces of bread crumbs, seeming lost in thought as dark chunks of hair covered chestnut eyes the more in depth his thoughts became.
“Rei, if something ever happens to me, you’ll watch after them, right?” Hair black as coal shifted over pale forehead as Kai’s silky question filled the silence, Reita placing down his cup of tea and sending the younger man a placid look of confused and worriment.
“What’re you talking about?”
“My bamboo…you’ll watch after them if something happens to me, right?”
Kai’s words sent Reita’s heart beating a bit faster, a bitter unknowing feeling causing his face to crinkle. Reaching out, he grabbed Kai’s hand. “Kai, nothing’s going to happen-“
“Something can always happen, Rei. Life is unpredictable. Now, will you?”
“Y-yes…” the blond answers hesitantly, slowly lifting his hand up from atop of Kai’s. “Of course I will.”
“Promise?”
“Promise…”
It’s then Reita realizes Kai’s emotional episode last night scared the other as much as it had scared himself – that undying conviction to keep Kai safe gradually growing…
Eventually came the time Reita dreaded – having to inform Kai he had to head home. Upon bringing up the foreboding words that he had to leave, Kai shot him a worried expression. Reita rid him of that dire countenance right away, quickly informing that he had to go so he could take care of his birds and prepare for work the next day, adding that he’d be back sometime tomorrow after five. It was hard to tell if Kai was more excited about the fact that Reita would be back or about the new information he acquired that the blond had birds, but either way, Kai’s happiness was contagious and Reita couldn’t help but answer all his questions about Oscar and Keiji as he began sliding on his coat and shoes.
“Do they get along well?” Kai’s hand hugs the wall, watching as Reita bends down on the genkan, reaching for his shoes.
“They’re like best friends,” Reita replies with a smile, lifting the back of his sneaker up over his ankle, “You can meet them whenever you come to my place...”
Between gathering his belongings and his almost nonexistent amount of sleep, Reita didn’t stop to think on how to phrase his words or what he was even saying in general. It was only when another silence took over did he turn his attention back towards Kai, finally realizing the punch of his words when that same ashamed expression from just a few hours ago stained itself back across the younger’s face. Quickly he stood from the floor of the genkan, his own expression falling worried as he walked up to Kai, a hesitant hand automatically cupping cheek so Kai’s stare lifted from off the ground.
“I’m so sorry…I just wasn’t thinking…” his fast and heartfelt apology was interrupted, Kai already back to his happy self as he waved Reita off with a small grin and shake of the head.
“You know, Rei…I’ve been thinking about something…”
It took Reita a moment to properly register Kai’s words, puzzled at the sudden change of topic. After being around Kai so long he figured he should be used to abrupt conversation jumps, but sometimes the topics varied so drastically he simply couldn’t understand what would even ignite Kai to bring up the new found subject.
“What’s that?”
A tooth baring beam spreads across the other man’s pout, eye lashes batting innocently, and the blond can’t help but wonder just what thoughts are occurring in that spaztastic mind.
“I was thinking of how to make things up to you…”
Reita, for the first time since he’s known Kai, is able to easily detect the hinted undertone to the younger’s words. Kai was gazing at him with suspecting eyes, silently informing the electrician of the carnal connotation of his words.
Before, Reita didn’t know how to react, but now that Kai was being straightforward, the game turned into something the blond was a pro at. Everything from the long evening was forgotten, one hand sliding down to grasp a lithe hip and the other raising above and positioning itself against the wall; entrapping them both and leaving no exit.
“And just what did you decide?”
A whisper so soft, almost sensual, that Kai has to repress a whisky plea. Usually large set eyes turn to almonds, and as Reita stands there close, still, and expecting an equally as quirky reply, he gets shocked once more – surroundings going dark as lids take over his vision, eyes having closed from the complete bliss of feeling his and Kai’s mouths seal together.
At first, when their lips meet, it was an almost gentle caress – a test to make sure they were both ok with it. It was truly only a prolonged peck that allowed Kai the time to lace his arms around Reita’s neck and pull back a small inch in one smooth movement. All it took was that small gap to realize they were both craving more; Kai tilting his head and melting their lips together with much more ferocity than before.
For a moment Reita froze, the reality of the situation crashing down all around him. He restrained himself so well in the earlier hours of the day, worried for Kai’s wellbeing. Kai had even just said so himself that this was his way of making amends, so how could he be sure he was actually ok with all this? However conflicted he felt at the moment, any and all concern drifted away the second a thigh was placed between his slightly muscled legs, Kai rubbing against length rousingly and allowing a soft plead to escape smooth lips.
A hungered growl echoed and then the kiss instantly deepened; Kai moving in and stealing what little breath Reita had left. Their movements were wet, sloppy, and sweet; the desperation melting from each body in a trance of euphoria. Something could be felt welling up in Reita’s chest at such intimate contact, hips unintentionally rocking forward and rolling against Kai’s own; able to feel heat and pure desire.
Everything he felt was nothing he ever experienced with Ruki or any of his other previous friends with benefits. The rapidly beating heart, the immense heat, the raw desire that made his body constrict in unmentionable ways…It was all as addicting as Kai’s charmingly strange personality and that mesmerizing fragrance of hibiscus and almond.
Such desperate movements were sending Reita’s thoughts into overdrive, a heavy groan being released into Kai’s mouth as hands began roaming all over each other’s bodies; Reita firmly holding Kai close. Slight confusion took over when Kai pulled away, but then that smirk was back and Reita was pushed into the opposite wall. His back made a painful ‘thump’ against the wall, a needy gasp right after, and before he could take a proper breath Kai reconnected their lips; moaning into an open mouth and forcing their tongues to wrestle lewdly.
Reita was beginning to feel dizzy from breathlessness, Kai not letting up in the least bit and the blond planning to do the same. The taste, the small, the undying heat. Everything was perfect. He was lost in a pleasured abyss, derailed from thoughts of reasons ‘why’. Before he would have never thought a kiss, such a heated that act that he’d shared with over a dozen people, could have such an effect on him, but this right here, right now, was complete blessedness.
Far too soon for Reita’s taste, Kai was backing away again. A light string of saliva strung between their lips, Kai flicking his tongue out to break the strand, offering Reita another grin as he raised his fingers to swipe his mouth dry. The act, along with the image of Kai’s reddened cheeks, tousled hair, and swollen lips, was enough to make the blond groan internally, head falling back against the wall as his mouth hung open and took in deep breaths of air.
When he finally speaks, he’s still breathless, words coming out in rugged pants. “That’s one hell of a way to make something up to someone.”
Kai simply grins again, bug eyes glistening in mischief. “Text me when you get back to your apartment, alright? I have to give you the second part of my apology.”
And then he’s waving as he turns on his foot, reminding Reita to be safe and turn the bottom lock on his way out. Reita watches Kai’s retreating figure until the online instructor encloses himself in his bed room, only to stare in disbelief for a few moments before he’s shuffling out into the cold of the winter night and driving down the road towards his apartment.
It’s early in the night, only about 6 o’clock, barely any other cars on the road; yet Reita still somehow managed to hit every red light available. Each time he’s stopped and forced to stare at the snowy white ahead of him, he finds his gaze wondering to the town’s side buildings and attractions; spotting Mrs. Sun’s flower shop, the local mechanic, and even the small mini mart he walked to almost daily as a child. Everything was so familiar in the homey town, it allowing him a peace of mind to be just as relaxed as Kai’d been while entrapped in the earlier film.
Whatever state of salvation he’d settled into was quickly ripped out from under him upon driving further down the road, his brain on the incessant track of ‘why?’ again the moment he began passing by Lotus. He tried to keep driving, he really did, but his mind was fumbling with unanswered questions and the very person who he assumed could answer them was just on the inside of those double doors.
And that’s exactly how Reita ended up parallel parking his truck, making his way inside the popular bar within seconds.
Lotus typically opened at eight, but Aoi always came in a few hours before hand to straighten up and count the previous night’s profit, so it was no surprise that there wasn’t a soul in sight as Reita weaved his way through to the backroom, knocking twice before entering with no permission.
Straightaway, Aoi looked up from behind the desk he was sitting at, his threatening glare aimed directly at Reita. “What the hell do you want?”
Aoi sounded more hurt than intimidating, the bills in his hands dropping to the flat surface of the desk. His hair was pushed back even further than usual with a thin hair band of sorts, allowing the deep set blond streak to mix with contrasting ebony tress. Dark hair did nothing but make his already pale features seem even paler, full lips tugged into a stern pout, and eyes dead set in allowing no emotion to pass.
Even through all of this, Reita was able to notice the one change in his friend from a mere few hours ago – he looked tired. Not just physically or mentally tired, but emotionally. His empty stare gave away more than he thought, and Reita had known him long enough to dissect the situation and take in the knowledge that something had indeed happened since he walked out the bar’s front entrance with Ruki the night prior.
“I wanted to talk to you,” Reita offers, removing his jacket and laying it across his lap as he takes the seat across from Aoi. “About…stuff.”
The other sighs, pushing back from the desk before beginning to dig around desk draws. “Stuff, what kind of stuff?” he pulls a bottle from the cubby space, popping two aspirin and swallowing them dry, before beginning a light massage on his temples; eyes closed in search of a form of relief.
“Well, about…Kai.”
Aoi is suddenly more alert, shifting in his seat a bit before threading his fingers together and placing his chin in the small knuckle pit; a visible drape of relief shadowing his pale visage. “You went to go see him…?”
“Not right away, but yeah, I did, and…now I have a few questions to ask you…”
Another pause takes place before Aoi’s shaking his head resiliently, eyes closing half way, and long strands of hair dancing over his strong shoulders. “No…It’s not my place.” He speaks with determined finality, turning his full gaze back to Reita, knowing the blond man well enough to know he’d fight him on the issue.
“Come on, Aoi.” Reita whines as he runs a hand through his flaxen dyed locks, falling back further in his seat. He’d been counting on Aoi to give him at least some kind of information, because at this point, even the smallest details would calm him some. He just wanted to know something so he could begin to understand Kai, to find out exactly what caused such a cheerful man to become so exposed.
“No, ask him yourself.” The bartender announces his words clearly, that finality even stronger than before as he directs his gaze away from Reita, beginning to fumble with the bills and placing them in a lock box.
Sighing, the electrician leans forward, elbows resting on Aoi’s desk and voice dropping to a desperate whisper. “Please, Aoi…I can’t ask him…I- I can’t put him through that again…”
He’s nothing but sincere with his plead, Aoi apparently picking up quite well on that sincerity seeing as the movements on his behalf come to a complete halt; Reita watching as the bartender surveyed his desperate figure, trying to appear scrutinizing, only to purse his lips and fall against his desk; chin resting in the bend of his arm as he meets Reita’s hazel’s through a tress of dark hair; pointing an lecturing finger in his blond friend’s direction.
“I’ll tell you the basics and the basics only, are we clear on that?”
For a fraction of a moment, Reita’s eyes widen, surprised by how easily Aoi has given in. Normally the bartender was resilient, his answer of ‘no’ usually meaning just that; refusing to change his mind for anybody – even if that anybody was Ruki. Coming into Lotus tonight, Reita knew his chances of acquiring information were nothing but slim, but he had to try, for as resilient as Aoi was, Reita himself was just as stubborn; determined to get his way no matter what it took. The pairs disagreeing traits had caused more than a few handfuls of verbal arguments over the near decade they’d known each other, neither willing to give in and become the defeated of the unwritten quarrel. Fortunately for them, Ruki’s sardonic behavior usually ended up being the peacemaker; the fashion journalist easily able to force their fights to die down in just seconds by making a crude comment that left both Aoi and Reita a bit dazed and confused. Ruki; however, wasn’t here at this very moment. Reita came in knowing his simple query had the possibility of not ending very well, so the astonished expression he sported right now suited the situation, his next words finally leaving him after brief glimpses of silence filled the air.
“Y-yeah. Basics only, got it.” He nodded his head, hands unintentionally tightening around the material of the jacket sprawled across his lap as he watched Aoi sit up right, adjusting himself properly in his seat and taking a deep breath.
“Kai…he’s a really good man, Reita.” Reita listened intently, leaning forward with each new word Aoi spoke. The bartender ran his heavily decorated hands through his dark tress, knocking the band out and allowing locks to fall completely flat and encompass he ashen cheeks; sorrow seeping its way into his hardened features. “He really doesn’t deserve half the shit that’s happened to him…”
Reita was getting a bit impatient, air tightening in his chest as he waited for Aoi to continue, only asking a small, meek question when he noticed the bartender staring off into the distance; stuck in reminiscence. “What…happened?” strong hands tightened once more, a damp sweat taking over the calloused appendages due to his suffocating grip on the winter material.
Aoi breathed out harshly once more, fingers beginning to fidget with his abundant amount of silver decorating long fingers. “Has Kai ever mentioned his ex, Ni~ya?” Reita nodded, countless possibilities of what Aoi’s statement could inquire appearing – not one of them having a happy outcome. “Well, Kai…he has a really big heart, Rei. He opens up to and accepts everybody so readily…and that’s just what happened with Ni~ya. They were together a year before something really big went down between the two of them…”
Reita swallowed hard, trying to rid himself of his near cotton mouth, almost feeling nervous as he stated, “Aoi, please. You have to give me a little bit more than that…”
“Told you, I’m only telling you the basics.” Aoi shrugged, leaning forward with a sigh. “You can ask what you want but that doesn’t mean I’ll necessarily tell…”
At that moment, Reita could have asked hundreds of questions. But the one he deemed most important was the one to slip through his thin lips first, “Kai says he hasn’t left the house in six years…why?”
“What happened with Ni~ya really scarred him, Rei…his house is the only place he feels safe.” Reita wanted Aoi the elaborate, but he could visibly see the bartender stiffen up the longer they stayed on the topic.
He knew delving deeper would be surpassing what Aoi considered basics anyways, and even if Reita had been able to break the dark haired man’s resilience once this evening, he knew there was no way in hell he’d be able to do so once again. So instead of skirting around and prying for related answers, he went onto his next question, again watching as Aoi visibly tensed, trying his hardest to keep his stern façade solid. “How do you know them…?”
The electrician really didn’t care to know how Aoi knew Ni~ya seeing as that man was simply a fragment of a photograph he’d seen one time and also someone who’d caused Kai pain at one point or another, but asking how he knew ‘them’ instead of ‘him’ still seemed more appropriate.
“I actually met Kai through Ni~ya,” a small schism of a smile appeared on Aoi’s posh lips, laugh lines and delicate rumpled folds appearing near dark eyes. “And Ni~ya…well, he’s my younger brother.”
The room seemed to completely freeze at Aoi’s words. Reita stared at him with unbelieving eyes and Aoi gazed off into space, easily back in his pattern of reminiscing. The entire seven years Reita has known the other man, never once had he’d mentioned his family. As far as Reita was concerned, Aoi didn’t even have a family. The elder man had simply shown up in Rikubetsu during the summer all those years ago, opened up Lotus, and that was that. Business was successful, he owned one of the most popular bars in their small town and was well known throughout the community as being kind and always there for someone if in need. He lived alone in an apartment complex just two streets down from Reita’s own; not even a pet as basic as a goldfish taking up space in his quarters. So the news that Aoi had a brother was even more disquieting than Kai’s reveal of having not left his house for more than a handful of years.
“Brother? Aoi, I didn’t know you had a brother, why didn’t you-”
“We’re sticking to basics here, remember?” Aoi’s eyes turned threatening just as quickly as they’d turned solemn, his voice sounding agitated and hurt as he allowed a shrill shout to permeate the room’s reticent atmosphere.
Over the years, Reita’d seen Aoi at his angriest, but the expression the other man held right now was a mixture of his enraged attitude mixed with the exact melancholy expression he’d seen spread across Kai’s gentle features more times than he’d like to admit. The countenance stilled the blond, allowing the room to fall back quiet for more seconds than deemed comfortable. That dry feeling began taking over his throat again, and with a hard swallow he cleared his throat, finally finding it in himself to drop the subject and move on, going back to the original topic that was Kai.
“Last night you said Kai needed help…what exactly am I supposed to do?”
Because being able to calm Kai down and allow the online instructor to be himself around Reita was something that blond was looking at as a stroke of good luck. If Kai were to fall back into that state of vulnerability once more, he’s not sure if his same soothing methods would work again. He wanted to be able to help Kai, but wasn’t sure if there was any helping, seeing as agoraphobia was something mentally complex and unpredictable. There was simply no helping if he couldn’t even begin to understand just what it was that led Kai to be the way he is.
A bitter chuckle follows Reita’s question, Aoi throwing himself back in his seat and aiming his eyes in the direction of the ceiling. “You’ve met Isola?”
“Yeah…?”
“Well, Ni~ya bought her for Kai.” The electrician moved to interrupt, but Aoi raised his hand, silencing the other, before continuing. “When Ni~ya first met Kai, he was really struggling with his grandfather’s death. Kai just didn’t know what to do with his life; he was so used to taking care of his grandpa and then all of a sudden he wakes up one morning and no longer has that responsibility…he was having a really hard time accepting, so, Ni~ya gave him Isola -- someone to care for again…”
“Aoi, I don’t get what that has to do with me helping him-”
“Isola is a French name – it means isolation.” Sitting upright, Aoi leans back over his desk, making sure his and Reita’s fixed stares remain on one another. “He’s lonely, Rei…he needs somebody in his life. Talk to him. Be there for him. Understand him. All he needs is one friend to be content…but you can be more than that if you wish to…”
The small smirk Aoi through Reita’s way was completely swept under the rug, Reita needing to know one last bit of information. “Aoi…why didn’t you stay in his life?”
At that, the bartender’s jaw tightened, entire body going frigid with a layer of resentment. Reita was expecting Aoi to yell, maybe even command him to leave, but instead Aoi looked him straight in the eyes, answering sincerely. “I tried to, I really did. But it turns out he’s just one of the few who can’t stand the similarities between myself and Ni~ya…”
Reita’s mind was quickly able to formulate a mental image of Ni~ya, remembering the man’s details from the picture at Kai’s house last week. Instantly, he was able to understand Aoi’s previous statement. The pale skin, dark tress, and strong jawlines were practically identical on each man. If sat side by side there would be absolutely no denying their relation, but from afar one could easily make no connection.
“What do you mean by that?” Curiosity was now peaked again and Reita wasn’t sure if he was pushing his limits now, but he was going to get as much out of Aoi as he could, even if it meant he’d have to stay away from Lotus for a few days as he waited for his friend to calm down.
However, that spark of frustration never came, Aoi coming forth and answering his new query with not a hint of hesitance. “After the whole Ni~ya incident, I tried to go see Kai, but he flipped out on me – broke down before I could speak a single word. I tried calling and going to see him, but each time the same thing happened. After a few weeks it became apparent he wasn’t leaving his house, so I started leaving packages of necessities at his back door so he could take proper care of himself...and what can I say? Old habits die hard.”
Time went still again, Reita properly registering the bar owner’s words. His mouth opened and closed a few times before he finally decided on offering Aoi a smile, “So you’re the one responsible for all those damn boxes?”
Aoi smiled right back, a dusk of youthfulness panning over his facet display as full teeth came into view. “Damn straight. He gets a new one every other Sunday afternoon.”
Both laughed quietly, only to follow the relaxing act with another fit of silence. After a sparse moment, Reita cleared his throat, grabbing Aoi’s attention. “Aoi…you’re a good man.”
And just like Aoi had said earlier about Kai; Aoi didn’t deserve half the shit he was forcefully dragged through. Suddenly, all those nights Reita walked out of the bar with Ruki came flashing before his eyes, Reita feeling like the biggest asshole for putting sex before his friend. He could have denied Ruki all those times, but Aoi never actually came out and asked him not to, so he continued on. Reita may have hurt Kai last night by not going to his home right away as instructed. He may have hurt Ruki that month he put him off and decided hanging out with Kai was more important above all. But the dawning realization that he’d been hurting the man in front of him for over seven years; that he’d been too ignorant to recognize the emotional warfare he was dragging Aoi through…Reita now felt like he owed Aoi something. What that something was, he wasn’t sure. But he’d make it up to his friend one way or another.
“I am.” Aoi stood from his seat, making his way across the room and grabbing his coat from the rack. “Now would you mind driving this good man home? I’d like to get in a shower and power nap before we reopen and I really don’t feel like hailing a taxi.”
“Sure.” Following Aoi in his steps, Reita patted the bartender on the shoulder, sending him a look that spoke something more than thank you. Aoi simply waved him off before shrugging, telling the blond to get to walking, playing it off as if everything he’d just done was absolutely nothing.
By the time Reita dropped Aoi off and finally walked through the archway of his own flat, the exhaustion he’d been suffering through finally fully hit him; the effort to bend down and slide off his sneakers almost too much. It was just a little past seven in the evening, but the only events he had planned were to change Keiji’s and Oscar’s water and then crash into bed for the night. A shower and a decent meal could wait until morning.
In spite of just forming this schedule seconds ago, Reita soon realized there was going to be a small change of events, for the second he opened his spare bedroom door, he was met with what he was hoping was going to be the last surprise of this very long night.
“Ru? What’re you still doing here?”
Ruki was sat on the floor, dressed in clothes he’d very apparently borrowed out of Reita’s closet on his own accord. Legs crisscrossed, his small hands were folded in the center of the manmade circle; hair covering his face as he stared off at the cage in front of him.
“I took a few days off from work and didn’t feel like stepping out into the cold just yet. What, are you going to fucking sue me for over staying my welcome?”
There was a rasp to Ruki’s voice which Reita had only heard less than a handful of times since he’d known the fashion journalist. He could tell Ruki was trying to mask the change with his usual arrant edge, but it was useless – they were friends more than they were friends with benefits and Reita knew Ruki better than the auburn would like to care to admit.
Settling down on the ground next to the smaller man, Reita grasped his chin with a thumb and forefinger, automatically being met with red cheeks and watery eyes. “You’re crying…”
Instantly, Ruki swatted his hands away, turning his face to the side and once more hiding beneath wavy locks of auburn. “I’m not.”
“You are.”
“I’m not, and even if I fucking was it would be none of your business. Just leave me alone, this has nothing to do with you.”
“Ru, you’re crying in my apartment’s spare room. This has everything to do with me.”
Scuffing with disgust, Ruki abruptly stood up, walking towards the door. “You’re so fucking full of yourself. I have other problems bedsides the fact that you walked out on me in the middle of the night to go see your other fuck toy. Grow the hell up, Reita. The entire world doesn’t revolve around you and your cock.”
The blond couldn’t even be surprised Ruki had pieced together he went to go see Kai. The auburn was sarcastic, stubborn, and sometimes downright arrogant, but he wasn’t anywhere near asinine. He would’ve been more surprised if Ruki hadn’t figured out his whereabouts.
Ruki tried to storm out of the room, but Reita was on his feet just a quick and stopped the fashion journalist by grabbing his wrist. “Ru, talk to me and-”
“Just let go, Reita,” he growled, obviously upset, “It’s not worth it…let go…”
Reita knew Ruki wasn’t talking about his wrist at this point. Let go. Let go of everything they’d built up over the past seven years. Let go of their casual title of fuck buddies. Let go and finally grow up and finally move on with his life. He knew this day would come eventually. From the moment he met Kai, this exact scene had been one he’d been trying to predict how it’d play out, but now as it unraveled before him, he was realizing it wasn’t transitioning how he expected it to in the least bit.
But he had to do it. For both his and Ruki’s sake, it had to be done.
“Are you going to be ok?”
Ruki’s tough front broke, lips breaking into a heartrending quip. “Reita, I used you for your cock. I’m sure I’ll be fine without it. Besides, I wasn’t ok long before I met you, I can continue to get by just as I was before you drunk fucked me.”
“Ru-”
“Forget it, Reita. I’m going home, I’m going to drink until I pass out, and if you want to find me I’m pretty sure you know damn well where to go.” Without looking back at the blond, Ruki went to the front of the flat, placing his winter attire on his body. It was only after he placed on the final article did he turn back and face Reita, this time offering a real, genuine smile. “Despite what it may sound like, I happy for you Rei, I really am. You deserve to have a shot at a normal relationship.”
The blond had to hold back a chuckle at Ruki’s words; normal was definitely not a word he would use to define the relationship he and Kai were getting ready to embark on.
Before Reita could respond, Ruki began to exit the apartment. The journalist hadn’t even taken a single step of leave before Reita grabbed his shoulder; their gazes meeting as Ruki turned to look over his shoulder. “Just promise me you’ll be careful, Ru. I still want to see you around…”
The auburn’s body tensed under his touch, Ruki turning around fully so they were face to face. With a gentle smile, Ruki raised himself on his tippy toes; full lips carefully brushing against Reita’s own. Pulling back only seconds later, he padded Reita’s cheek, offering one last smile. “See you later, Rei.”
Without another word, Ruki finally left, leaving Reita to close his door and slide down the smooth expanse; body and mind wishing to finally shut down for the rest of the night.
With a few minutes of silent groveling, he finally forced himself off the ground. Entering Oscar’s and Keiji’s room, grabbing the water bowl and refilling it fresh. By the time he found himself lying in bed, eyes were beginning to shut instantly, but just as he found himself falling into a dreamlike state, his cell phone vibrated in his jeans pocket, causing him to sit up with a grown as he pulled out the device and slid his thumb over the glossy screen.
Did you make it home ok? – Kai
Straightaway his thoughts went back to Kai telling him to text him when he arrived home, making the blond become more coherent and alert, sitting up straight with eyes wide opened as he typed back a quick reply.
Sorry. I had a few things to do before I got home. What else did you have to tell me? – Reita
A few more minutes pass before Reita feels his cell vibrate in his hands once more, this time looking down at the screen and seeing that there’s an incoming picture message loading across the status bar.
I know you didn’t ask for it, but this was the best apology I could think of… - Kai
Scanning Kai’s words, he becomes somewhat confused. Continuing to scroll past the text, the square beginnings of the image come into play, and by the time he’s looking at the photo as a whole his mouth is falling, nether regions clenching up with an automatic wave of warmth.
Because there it was, the ‘picture proof’ Kai had mentioned on more than one occasion.
…Needless to say, Reita was not disappointed with what he saw.
Author's Note: Trying to stick to one character's POV is *exhausting* xD And I'm failing quite readily :'D
Anywho~. I've seriously worked on this almost everyday for a month & it's kind of sad that it's about 1,000 words shorter than the last CH - something I wrote in like 4 days (U_U) Overall, this chapter is kind of choppy to me, but lots of info was revealed & that's what really matters. I could spend more time polishing it, but at this point I'm just so *done* with it.
Alright, that's it for my bitch fest this time. Hope you guys enjoyed~. ^_^
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Kai is a little tiger XD! "Making it up" to Reita eh? There better be a smut scene between the two in the next chapter HAHAHAHAHA!
Aoi is Ni~Ya's brother...interesting. I really want to know what Ni~Ya did to cute little Kai.
Please oh please update soon *gives puppy dog eyes*
Oh! My screen is fixed; hence the somewhat coherent comment XD!
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The Ni~ya story line is...complex. That's all I can really say about that :3
I'll try to update soon! I have most of the chapter planned out, just have to find motivation to actually type it xD
Yaya for fixed screens :D
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Anywho~ So much info to be processed!! :O I'm so glad Kai has Reita though, and that they're getting so close~ :') Especially after what Aoi said about Kai being so lonely, needing someone with him, and then Kai being so worried Reita's going to leave... It hits me right in the feels, so hard! :') I really love how their relationship is progressing here, it's just such a nice development! ^^ I think it is interesting though how while the thought of Ni-Ya causes him so much pain that even Aoi makes him flip out, he'll keep Isola, that Ni-Ya gave him.... How curious~
And thank goodness for Aoi too!! :D He's such a saint, I'm glad Reita has realized this~ I hope Ruki realizes this one day too and goes to him and lets Aoi help him out and love him, cause I worry for him too @_@ He seems so sad, even if he is a sassy little shit lol :'D I just want all of them to be happy!! ... Eventually ... Angst and pain first is definitely a must, and a must you're filling perfectly hehe!! XD
Thank you so much for this chapter, deary!! ^^ And I didn't think it was choppy at all, I thought it was perfect, especially for all the information you got in here haha!! Keep up the good work! :D <3
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Reita and Kai just need to be officially squished together already. Then we'll all be pretty happy, I think :P I think the next chapter will finally seal their relationship status as legit, so that's something I look forward to, because dammit, it's hard to have them at arms length with this whole dating-but-not-really situation zD Isola will be brought up contentiously throughout the fic, so nor worries, her presence and the meaning she holds towards Kai will start to make sense...eventually :'3
I want to give Aoi a big ol' hug for being such a sweetie to our Kai bby :'D Ruki & Aoi will get some more screen time and we'll delve more into their warped relationship...which I'm not really looking forward to cause it's so sad D:
Thank you so much <33 I'll be trying to update soon :D *hugs*
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I am finally home and after I made some tea and a soup (+there was cake for me hehe) I start to write this comment (00:54am) and instantly tears are coming up ; ; Like I told you on twitter I get very emotional when it comes to this story. Maybe because I can somehow relate to Kai and it makes me happy that there is Reita who starts to like him very much and so Kai is not that alone anymore. There is now someone he can care about and someone who cares for him.
It was very cute of Reita that he watched over Kai the whole night until he woke up. I loved the scene after Rei’s call with Uru when Rei cuddled up to Kai. I love that Kai’s scent is so captivating to him that he sniffles on him. I think those are things he isn’t used to. So yeah, he asks himself why is he so attracted to the brunette.
God, Sam, my heart is pounding fast right now because I recall what they did after Reita found Kai in the hallway (which was so heartbreaking). Reita is so caring I CAN’T!!!! My poor heart and btw Edward is a really great movie ;w; Johnny ♥
I love the way their relationship develops and Kai.. idk.. it seems to me that he can go from melancholic to hyper and babbling to seducing in mere milliseconds XD Cause in one scene I wanted to start to cry but then Kai was all happy go lucky and I just thought ‘oh, okay, no crying yet, okay –wipes tears away-sniff-‘ XD
AND OMG THE END. I mean…. OMG XDDD THE PICTURE PROOF!!! XDDDD I was speechless. I couldn’t believe it XD He has no sense of shame, hasn’t he? Maybe because he is a scientist (isn’t he?).
Nah I have so much thoughts in my mind, I can’t really arrange them in my head. However, let’s move on to Aoi.
OMG AOI!!! I feel so sorry for him, more than ever because.. The way you wrote that he is EMOTIONALLY exhausted.. Baby ; ; And that’s (maybe not) all bcs of Ruki. I am really curious why Ruki said that he just can’t be together with him and I wonder if Aoi knows that Ruki has said that and moreover if he knows why. I wonder if they’ve ever had a proper talk about that matter. I mean Aoi even dyed a strand of his hair blonde just for this little midget ; ;
I also like the way he treated Reita, lol. That Reita actually thought that Aoi would insist on a NO when he would aks questions but Aoi gave in very easily. Maybe because he also cares for Kai and hopes that things will turn out well for Kai, that things will finally change after so many years. I can imagine that he misses him. Just sending packages isn’t enough. WHICH IS BY THE WAY ALSO SO CARING I CAN’T!!!!! Aoi is really such a good old man. He also deserves all the happiness and especially his happiness with Ruki. He loves him so much. OVER ALL THOSE YEARS!!
It’s interesting that you made him Ni~ya’s big brother. I gasped when I read that and now I am even more curious what happened between Kai and Ni~ya. (But for this revelation I think we have to wait much more chapters longer XD)
Which leads me to Isola-chan. On the one hand I was really moved when Aoi told Reita that Ni~ya bought Isola for Kai after is grandpa died. So that he still has someone to care for and maybe that’s why Kai always says that Isola saved him. But on the other hand.. it is the fact that he got her from Ni~ya and still has her. Doesn’t she remember him of Ni~ya? Like Aoi did and to him he wasn’t able to stand any longer? Or does the sole existence of her outweight the fact that Ni~ya bought it? (Do you know what I mean?) However, her name. Isola… Isolation… THIS IS BREAKING MY HEART. Kai is lonely. He needs someone. HE IS LONELY, god, I’ll start to cry, so I better move on to…
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…RUKI!!
RUKI CRIED? PRECIOUS RUKI CRIED? NOOOOO ; ;
THIS IS ALSO BREAKING MY HEART. Everything is breaking my heart… XDD”” You see I am emotionally really into this story. I love it so so so so so so so so so so so much!!!!! Nevertheless, RUKI!! Oh god I really wonder what bothers him. What his problems are and I think he does give a shit that his fuck affair with Reita is over now. But.. they are still friends.. on the other hand they did this for over seven years (?) so when things end it hits one. I believe him that he is happy for Reita and at the same time I think that he wishes for a relationship himself. I wonder if he has/had feelings for Reita and hoped that maybe one day they will be together and that’s why he is sad. And that’s why he stayed at Reita’s place and can’t be together with Aoi bcs he alrdy loves someone. Hmmmm.. (I know you’re not gonna tell me if I am right or wrong XD So I will patiently wait XD)
Aaaaand with that I think that’s all that’s in my mind and I wanted to write down.
PLUS:
Bangover is such a great word. I really laughed XD
And I love it that the fact that Kai hadn’t left his house for six years doesn’t really bother Reita.
Now it’s 01:48am, so it took me almost an hour to write this XD”
Srry if you don’t understand something I wrote. It is late XD
PLUS I don’t think that this chapter is choppy. So many information!!! And when I read this chapter I often thought ‘Ahhhh now it’s going to end’ BUT NO!! There were more paragraphs and more words to read and I was just happy that it didn’t end this fast QWQ I looove long chapters ♥ And it really doesn’t matter that it is 1000 words shorter (but I get what you wanted to point out with that statement. But don’t worry, don’t stress yourself and don’t put yourself under pressure. One day is not like the other, so ♥)
I am very looking forward to chapter 5! And now I am really out XD (01:55am and almost 1,100 words XD 3 words are missing. Hah no!! over 1,100 words ahaha XD Okay, now I go, I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!)
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Happy to see Kai opening up more xP and learning more about his past. I wonder if Ni~ya was mean or if something else happened....hmmmmmm...
I feel bad for Aoi and Ruki. Ruki is in love with Reita in some messed up way isn't he? T__T
I hope this story becomes easier for you to write, because I absolutely love it and was so glad to see you updated!! <3