On the Street of Dreams

Chapter summary: Shuichi sighed loudly. “No, Mom! I need to get birth control!”

***

Promises


Hiro frowned after his green friend. He looked up and saw Suguru approaching, a questioning expression on his face.

“What’s wrong with him?” the keyboardist asked.

“No idea,” Hiro said truthfully.

“I wonder if he’s sick,” Suguru wondered out loud.

So did Hiro, but he was not so sure that Shuichi was sick. This was not something new. Though Shuichi tried to keep it a secret, Hiro knew that his friend suffered from stage fright. It got so bad he would get physically sick right before a show, but he always sucked it up and went on with the show. He wondered if this was one of those times, but what was there to be nervous about?

All they needed was their parent’s permission in order to sign with NG Pro and he knew Mr. Shindou would readily agree to have his son become the next big thing, if for nothing more than to get the boy out of his hair.

So, if it was not nerves, Suguru was probably right. Shuichi was most likely sick, but something just did not seem right about that assessment.

A tap on his shoulder brought Hiro back out of his thoughts. He looked up, following Suguru’s pointing finger and was only half surprised to see the new arrivals. He stepped forward and bowed. “Mr. Shindou. Mrs. Shindou,” he greeted.

Mrs. Shindou inclined her head. “Hiroshi. Suguru.”

“Good evening,” Suguru bowed. “It’s good to see you again.”

Mr. Shindou remained silent, a stern expression on his face.

“Good evening everyone,” Tohma Seguchi greeted as he appeared seemingly out of nowhere. He glanced at the gathered group. “It appears everyone’s here. If you would all please take a seat, we can get this meeting underway.” He gave them his patent smile and moved to his place at the head of the table.

The others soon followed, smiling, greeting and introducing themselves.

As Hiro took his seat besides his brother, Mrs. Shindou turned towards him and whispered, “Where is Shuichi?”

“Shuichi?” Hiro glanced around and noticed that his friend had not yet returned from the bathroom. Suguru caught his eye and threw him a questioning glace. Hiro shook his head. “He went to the bathroom.”

Maybe he was sick after all. Standing up, Hiro excused himself and headed towards the bathroom. As he stepped out into the bar area, which also served as the waiting room, he saw a black and pink blur race by the door.

“Shu?”

He trotted out of the bar into the foyer just in time to see the back of a diminutive black suited man with pink hair. It was definitely Shuichi. No one else he knew had pink hair, at least no guys anyway.

Out in the parking lot, Hiro glanced around and was just about to give up and go back inside when he saw him. Hiro did a double take, blinking in surprise. “Shuichi?”

*

Shuichi moaned into Eiri’s mouth, wrapping his arms around his neck and fingering his hair. Eiri’s hand groped Shuichi’s butt, pulling him tightly against him. He broke the kiss and hissed, then let out a deep throaty moan as he felt a hard bulge pressing against his own throbbing need. With a flex of his hips, he pressed his lower body into the large jut. A need so great poured over him. God, he wanted this man.

Eiri barely suppressed a shiver at the erotic sensation that rushed through him as their hardened cocks rubbed together through the thin layers of their pants. His breath came out shakily.

He could not believe his good luck. It had to be more than coincidence that he just happened to run into the boy who stole his heart in a city with a population of more than 1.4 million people. But what? Fate? Destiny? He did not believe in that crap. He did not even write about it in his stories, but what else could it be?

Eiri leaned forward and gave Shuichi a chaste kiss on the lips, holding him tightly against him as he leaned back against the side of his car. “Well…”

He studied his young lover, his eyes roaming over his boyish yet feminine features. His large violet eyes, those lush, pink lips, that long tan neck…It took everything Eiri had not to ravish the boy right there and then.

Shuichi felt himself blushing under Eiri’s intense gaze. He dropped his eyes, blushing deeply.

To get him mind off of what his other head wanted to, Eiri wondered out loud, “I don’t think I told you my name.” Though that really should not matter. Most people knew who he was, even if they did not read his books, but then again, Shuichi was in another league of his own.

Shuichi shook his head, confirming Eiri’s suspicions. “You didn’t.”

“Oh?” He cocked an eyebrow in curiosity. “What did you do? Go to the library and conduct some research?” he joked. He was not even sure if Shuichi knew where the nearest library was.

Feeling himself blushing once again, Shuichi shook his head. “No. I asked your brother.”

Eiri nearly choked. He pulled the singer away and glared at him suspiciously. “My brother? How do you know Tatsuha?” he demanded, feeling the first stirring of jealousy.

Hearing the possessive tone that the writer had not managed or bothered to hide, Shuichi stared at him curiously. “He’s dating my brother,” he told him in a ‘no duh’ tone.

Eiri blinked in confusion.

Shuichi’s eyes widened in realization. He gasped and slapped a hand over his mouth. What the hell was wrong with him? If it got out, he was related to the great rock god Ryuichi Sakuma…

“So the rumors are true then,” Eiri chuckled.

Shuichi dropped his hand and stared at the older man with large pleading eyes. “Promise you won’t tell anyone? Nobody can know! If-“

Eiri kissed the teen to shut him up. He smiled, thinking how cute Shuichi was when he was blushing. “I promise.” Feeling as if he was being watched, Eiri looked up and saw a man dressed formally in a nice black suit with an iron on t-shirt under an open button down shirt. His long reddish-brown hair was pulled back neatly in a ponytail. He looked familiar but Eiri could not…Ah! The guitarist. “It looks like we have an audience,” he told Shuichi matter-of-fact.

An audience? Shuichi dropped his arms and took a step back. He glanced over his shoulder curiously. There standing outside the restaurant and watching them was Hiro. Cursing soundly, Shuichi flung himself away from Eiri, his eyes wide in disbelief, shock and horror.

This was not happening! How long had he been standing there? How much had he seen? Oh, God!

Eiri frowned at the expression that crossed his young love’s face. He tapped Shuichi under his chin, forcing his eyes from the panicky sight of his friend. “Hey, hey,” he said. He was not sure if it was just to quell the fear that engulfed the boy when he realized they had been caught or if Eiri just wanted Shuichi’s eyes on him or a combination of both.

Shuichi forced himself to look away from Hiro. Licking his lips, he glanced up at the man who had stolen his heart, a mask of anxiety strapped across his face.

“Don’t worry about him,” Eiri told the boy.

“But-“

Eiri cupped Shuichi’s chin and stared deeply into his eyes. “Don’t worry about him,” he stated firmly. He fingered the boy’s hair, watching with a tender gaze as the soft pink tresses slipped through his fingers. “He can’t see us from over there. He only knows it’s you because you’re the only idiot walking around with pink hair.”

A surge of relief rushed over Shuichi. The last thing he needed was for Hiro to find out his newest lover was none other than Mr. Romance Novelist, a man six years his senior, a man twenty-two to his mere sixteen years. If Hiro discovered the truth, it would no sooner reach Ryuichi and than all hell would break loose.

Shuichi froze, just realizing Eiri had insulted him. He shot Eiri a heated glare. “Hey!”

Eiri snorted, shaking his head. His lover was just a little slow on the uptake. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught movement. Lifting his head, he frowned. The red head was coming towards them.

Shuichi glanced over his shoulder. With a suddenly rapidly beating heart, Shuichi turned a face full of trepidation towards the blond writer. Grabbing Eiri’s shirt, Shuichi searched his face with large pleading eyes. “Y-you have to go before he sees you!” Shuichi glanced quickly over his shoulder. “Please, Eiri!” Tears welled in his eyes, blurring his sight.

With a sudden scowl, Eiri pried Shuichi’s hands from him. Straightening his suit, he glared at Shuichi in annoyance. “So that’s how it’s going to be?”

Shuichi blinked at him in confusion, a stray tear rolling down his cheek. “Wha-?”

Eiri shoved away from the kid and flung open the car door with enough force to rip it off its hinges. “I’m not going to be something you keep hidden away, Shuichi. I’m not going to pretend to be friends with you in public.”

He was sliding into the car when Shuichi realized that Eiri had somehow misunderstood him. “Nonononono,” Shuichi cried, jumping forward and grabbing Eiri’s arm. “You don’t understand!” He took a quick glance over his shoulder. Hiro was halfway across the lot.

Eiri shook off Shuichi’s hand and slid all the way in the car. “I do understand,” he shot back, hurt. “You obviously are ashamed to be seen with me. Why else-“

“Dammit, that’s not it, you asshole!” With tears trickling down his face, the teen searched Eiri’s face frantically trying to make him understand. “You’re so quick to dismiss the fact that I’m only sixteen! But if they find out you’re not only dating a minor but sleeping with one, you…you…Please! Eiri! Please!”

That was what this whole thing was about? The idiot was afraid for him? Eiri sighed, shaking his head. “Unbelievable,” he muttered. Picking up his sunglasses from the console between the driver’s side and passenger side seats, he slipped them on.

“Please, Eiri! Please,” Shuichi was begging repeatedly.

Eiri leaned out the window and crooked a finger come hither. Wiping away his tears, Shuichi bent down and watched Eiri lean towards him until their lips touched. Shuichi gasped, his eyes widening in shock. Before he could get over his astonishment, Eiri pulled back. “Two hours,” he told his young lover. “Meet me at the corner,” he indicated out through the windshield.

A bright smile illuminated Shuichi’s face. He stepped back and nodded energetically.

Eiri started the car. “Two hours,” he reminded him.

Shuichi nodded again, still smiling.

Eiri nodded back and pulled away with a loud squeal after one last scornful gaze at the boy who needed a haircut.

“Who was that?” came a sudden emotionless voice behind Shuichi.

Shuichi jumped with a muffled gasp, startled. What was he supposed to tell Hiro? He could not tell him the truth. He could not take the risk that this information would fall into the wrong hands. “Um…nobody?” Shuichi watched until the black foreign sports car vanished from sight. A huge smile on his face, Shuichi turned around and dropped his arms around his friend’s shoulders. “C’mon,” he said happily, as he steered Hiro back to the restaurant. “Let’s get back inside before the others send out a search party.”

Humming happily, Shuichi skipped ahead. Hiro frowned after him, unsure if he should press the issue or not.

*

Over a light, but expensive dinner, Tohma Seguchi explained to everyone present about the changes taking place within the record company. The biggest ones were the fact that the new corporate headquarters was going to be moved to Tokyo in a year’s time, which meant that the boys would have to be pulled out of school. Mr. and Mrs. Fujisaki were outraged at the idea. After Tohma assured his aunt and uncle he would hire the very best tutor so their son, as well as Mr. Nakano, could finish their studies, they consented reluctantly. He also informed them that he had been able to secure an abandoned building in the heart of Tokyo that would be perfect for the new NG corporate headquarters. The whole building needed to be gutted and remodeled to accommodate the change, but Tohma was certain everything would be set for the grand opening next year. Lastly, he told them that appropriate housing would be secured for them before the official move.

Hiro had to admit that Tohma Seguchi was a very efficient and thorough man.

Tohma than passed out copies of the contract to everyone to look over and explained in agonizing detail what he expected from the band and what they should expect from him and the business in general.

Everything flowed in one ear and out the other for Shuichi though. The only thing of interest to him was the time.

Hiro also had a hard time paying attention. He kept glancing at Shuichi, wondering just what was going on with the boy. He noticed that Shuichi kept glancing at his watch and became increasingly fidgety as the meeting wore on. He wondered if he was supposed to meet up with that guy he had seen him with.

He was extremely curious as to whom that blond man was. He had been too far away to get a good look at him and by the time he was close enough, the guy had raced off. The one thing Hiro was sure of was that this man, whoever he was, was older than his friend. He hoped Shuichi knew what he was getting himself into, though he had to admit, Shuichi had undergone a magical transformation tonight. For as long as he has known Shuichi, he has been moody and distant. He hardly ever smiled and when he did, it always seemed to be forced. There had been moments when Shuichi acted like a complete goofball, but that had not seemed real either, but now Shuichi’s eyes were bright and he was smiling. The boy was actually smiling a real smile. It lit his face and gave him a healthy glow. He was like a kid in a candy store. Was it this mystery man who changed Shuichi from a gloomy-put-on-a-smile-because-it’s-required friend into this happy-carefree boy? He wondered.

Speaking of which, when had Shuichi been into guys? He was not sure what surprised him more, the fact that anyone could make Shuichi look like he won the lottery or the fact that the one responsible was a guy. He had seen men hitting on Shuichi on more than one occasion and Shuichi in turn flirted back. He teased Suguru all the time, but never had Hiro ever thought it was anything other than a little innocent fun. Hiro shook his head. Gay or not, whether it was a guy or a girl, as long as Shuichi was happy and it was obvious this man made his friend happy. That is all he wanted for his friend.

Before he knew it, dinner was over and contracts were being signed. Happily and astonishingly all parties agreed with the terms presented and as Hiro’s turn came to sign the contract, he could not help but feel as if this whole thing was a dream. It seemed so surreal, like a fantasy. He had a hard time believing it was real.

“Well,” Tohma was saying as the congratulatory's and tears were passed around. “Tomorrow, I have to go to dinner at my father-in-law’s house-“

Tatsuha made a gagging, retching noise to Ryuichi. The last thing he wanted was to step foot in that damned house again, but he did not have a good enough reason to stay home.

“-but if you should have any questions, do feel free to give me a call. You should have my home and cell number.” He clapped his hands. “And if that’s it, I’ll wish you all a very good night.” With a bow, he turned to leave, but remembered something and turned back around. “Oh, and Bad Luck, I expect you to be at the studio first thing Monday morning,” he ordered with a bright smile. “Good night.”

“Night,” everyone returned.

*

In the parking lot a couple minutes later, Shuichi waved as the Fujisaki’s turned out of the parking lot. He then headed towards his brother and Tatsuha who were talking with Hiro and his brother, Yuji, when someone called his name. He glanced over his shoulder and saw his mother heading towards him, a familiar black bag in her hand.

Over her shoulder, he saw his father sitting in the car, fiddling with something on the console. He had not said one word to Shuichi the whole night. He had not even acknowledged his presence. It was nothing new, but it still hurt.

Shuichi turned his attention back to the backpack his mother was holding. A bright smile flashed across his face. He thought he would never see it again! When Kizou tossed him out last week, he had left everything behind.

Mrs. Shindou walked up to her son and handed him the bag. “This was dropped off at the house the other day by some boy. I believe he said his name was Narata. Said he was a friend of yours. He also said to tell you, ‘sorry’.”

Shuichi took his bag with a sad smile. Narata was a good guy. He was one of the few people he knew from Kizou’s who he could honestly say was a friend. He was also the only one who had figured out he was a neutral. Narata had been the only person who had accepted him for who and what he really was. It was rare and Shuichi had coveted his friendship. It was the only thing he could truly say he missed about hanging out with Kizou. Being groped, pawed at and passed around like a joint was the first thing he was grateful to leave behind.

And strangely enough, ever since he came to the realization that he wanted both Eiri and the contract Tohma had decided to honor, he has not once felt the urge to take those damn pills. He had not even thought about them until now. Besides, according to Kizou, they were nothing more than placebo’s anyway.

Shuichi turned his head when he felt the weight on the bed shift and watched as a naked Kizou waltzed across the bedroom to the dresser. The older man grabbed a plain, white pill bottle and walking back to the bed, tossed it to him.

Sitting up, Shuichi caught the bottle, hearing the pills jangle loudly. He folded his legs under the sheet that covered the lower half of his body and studied the bottle as if it could tell him all the secrets of the universe.

“What are these exactly, Kizou?” Shuichi asked. He looked up when the older man slid back under the sheets.

“Nothing,” Kizou said. He lay back, folding one arm behind his head and pulling Shuichi down with the other. He held the boy securely to his side.

Shuichi frowned. “Nothing?” He propped himself up on an elbow. “Come on. There must be uppers, LSD, cocaine…something in these pills.”

Kizou shook his head. “Nothing.”

“Kizou, nothing does not make me feel like I can fly.”

The older man shrugged as he pulled Shuichi back down. “They’re placebos. A bunch of nothing.”

Shuichi rested his head against Kizou’s chest and studied the bottle of pills.

Kizou never did go into any specific details about the ingredients in the pills. He either ignored the question and changed the subject or got real angry. The only thing he would ever say about them was that they were “placebos”. There were no side effects, no ill effects because they did nothing. If that was the case, then why had the man given them to him in the first place? And why had they seemed to make him feel as if he could do anything?

“Do you know this boy?”

Shuichi snapped out of his retrieve. “Huh? Oh, yeah.”

Mrs. Shindou nodded. “Alright. Are…are you staying with Ryuichi tonight?”

“I don’t know,” he admitted truthfully. An image of Eiri flashed through his mind. “A…friend wants to hang out later.”

“Okay.”

Shuichi and his mother glanced quickly at the elder Shindou as an angry honk echoed in the air. “Let’s go,” came an impatient shout.

Mrs. Shindou turned back around and threw her son an apologetic smile. “Take care, Shuichi and don’t cause your brother too much trouble.” She hugged her son briefly. As she started to walk away, Shuichi called out to her. She stopped and turned around, watching her son trot after her.

“I, uh…” He was suddenly very nervous and a little embarrassed to be bringing something like this up, especially to his mother. Part of him wanted to sat “screw it” and forget the whole thing. Unable to meet his mother’s innocently naïve gaze, he dropped his head and fidgeted. “I need to go to the doctor’s,” he blurted out.

“Alright,” Mrs. Shindou nodded. “I’ll call your doctor on Monday.”

“No, mom,” Shuichi shook his head exasperated. “Not that doctor.” She was making this so much harder.

Mrs. Shindou blinked. “Then what doctor? Are your allergies-“

Shuichi sighed loudly. “No, Mom! I need to get birth control!” Realizing what he just said, his eyes got huge and he slapped a hand over his mouth. He glanced around to see if anyone had overheard him. He was relieved to see that no one had.

His mother’s eyes were wide in her pale face. She stared at her son in horror and shock, like he just spewed blasphemy. “B-birth c-con…trol?” She stumbled, momentarily losing her balance. Clearing her throat, she tried to compose herself. “Why would you need you get,” she closed her eyes and stuttered, “b-birth control?” She said the last like it was painful.

Shuichi rolled his eyes. “Well, I don’t have to get it. I mean, if you want to be a grandma…”

Mrs. Shindou went white. Shaking herself, she chuckled, but still looked ill. “Oh, you mean for your girlfriend?”

Shuichi blushed, thinking about Eiri. “No, Mom, for me.”

His mother choked. “For you? B-b-but why…You’re a guy, Shuichi. Only woman get b-birth control.” She chuckled again and hugged her boy tightly. “Besides, your only 16, still a child. If you’re going to have sex, you should wait until you meet the right girl and get married.” She pulled away and studied him intently. “Is there a girl you like? Are your friends pressuring you into-“

“Mo-om,” Shuichi cried frustrated. He pulled away from her and stared at her incredibly. He could not believe what he was hearing! “Wha-what are you saying? Mom, I’m not a-”

“Let’s go! I have to get up early and go to work,” came the angry shout.

Mrs. Shindou waved to her husband then turned back towards her son. She lightly stroked his cheek. “I love you, Shuichi.” She kissed him on the forehead. “Be good and stay out of trouble.”

“But, Mom! Mom, wait! Mom!” Shuichi watched as his mother crossed the parking lot to her husband’s car. She waved one last time, threw him a kiss and slid inside. His father peeled out of the lot like a demon was hot in his trail. Shuichi was completely speechless and dumbfounded. Was that truly how his mother thought of him? Was that the only reason why she was not exactly like his father, completely ignoring his very existence? Because she was deluding herself?

*

Shuichi slowly walked over to his brother. Yuji and Hiro left shortly after his parents. He was still troubled over the conversation he had with his mother.

“Come on, Shu. Let’s get out of here. It’s getting late,” Ryuichi called out to his little brother.

Shuichi blinked and lifted his head. “Huh?” His eyes widened. “Shit! What time is it?”

Tatsuha glanced at his watch. “Just about eight, why?”

“Fuck! I gotta go!” He took off across the parking lot. He had to get to the corner and fast.

“Shuichi,” Ryuichi called after him. “Where’re you going?”

Shuichi stumbled, but did not slow down. “Uh…” What could he say that would please his overprotective brother? “Going to hang out with a friend!”

“Don’t stay out too long! Be sure to call!”

Shuichi waved his brother’s concern aside as he vanished out of the lot and tore down the street, weaving and darting in and out of the light throng of people.

The street seemed to stretch out before him and go on forever. No matter how long he ran, the corner never seemed to get any closer. But finally, after what seemed like forever, Shuichi came to the light at the end of the tunnel. Skidding to a halt, Shuichi stood at the street corner doubled over and panting heavily. Gulping, he took a deep breath and slowly exhaled as he tried to slow his racing heart.

Straightening, he glanced around the intersection, loosening his tie and undoing the top few buttons of his shirt. He did not see Eiri or his car. Was he early or was he already too late? Had he missed him? God, let him be early! He had been given another chance, a second opportunity here. If he blew it, he would never forgive himself.

Squinting, he gazed down the street and thought he saw a black foreign sports car heading his way. Shuichi’s heart fluttered in his chest. He bounced slightly, a huge smile on his face. Thank God, he had not missed him!

Suddenly, the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. He tensed as he sensed someone behind him. Before he could turn around, arms suddenly encircled his waist, holding him securely to a muscular chest.

***