Kin no Shuichi

Kin no Shuichi
Written by: Chochowilliams
Disclaimer: I do not own Gravitation or the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Summary: Shuichi and Eiri are working things out after a mistake on both of their parts nearly ended their five year relationship. But what about Bad Luck? What does the future hold for them?
Chapter Summary: Shuichi and Eiri take some time to iron out a few things.
Warning: M/M, romance, angst, OOC-ness, language, Shuichi/Eiri, implied Eiri/oc, implied Shuichi/oc
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A/N: Thank you to Sammy, lilgurlanima, Kaoru Sayuri Kamiya, Acherona, Hanamaru, secret hidden within me, for your reviews. I always love hearing from you guys. Some of you had the impression that Yoshio was involved in Shuichi’s rape. That was not the case. Thank God. Actually, I hadn’t even thought of that possibility. I said once before that Yoshio is the type of guy who will do anything to get what he wants and the truth behind what he is up to proves that point. It just goes to show that you never truly know someone.

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Chapter 15: Compromises

One Week Later

“Eiri?” Shuichi’s voice shattered the peaceful silence that had settled around the couple.

Because the two of them had not had a proper night out since Sayo was born, Shuichi decided to surprise his husband with a romantic dinner for two at an exclusive, high-class Italian restaurant that opened recently to rave reviews not too far from their place. Unfortunately, after what happened the week prior, neither wanted to venture out in public for a date. A night on the town was out of the question. So, instead, a quick call was made and Shuichi had dinner waiting when Eiri returned from his appointment with his psychiatrist.

“Don’t worry. I had it delivered,” he assured his husband when the man eyed the meal suspiciously.

Originally, Maiko was going to babysit her niece at their place, but with the change in plans, it was decided that Sayo would spend the night at her grandparents’ house. Mrs. Shindou was absolutely thrilled at being able to spend time with her granddaughter.

“Hm?”

“…Do you…?” Shuichi was not sure if he wanted to ask. It was not the question so much as the answer that bothered him.

“What?” Eiri peered down at the pink head snuggled against his bare chest. He lazily stroked the arm wrapped around him waist. The thick plaster of the cast stopped his movements. Carefully so he did not hurt Shuichi anymore than he already had, Eiri lightly trailed his hand down the cast. The heavy hand of guilt gripped his heart. Was he really responsible for this? God, what had he done?

“…hate me?” The question was asked in a voice barely above a whisper.

The question threw Eiri for a loop, so he could not say anything right away. He was too astonished. Shocked. Bewildered. Dismayed. Eiri was not sure how he felt. Emotionally anyway. Physically, he felt like beating the crap out of Shuichi. It was a given that Shuichi would be an annoying brat. Now “asinine” could be added to the list. Something inside Eiri snapped. “You fucking little idiot!”

Shuichi stilled against him.

“You think I’d still be with you if I hated you?” Eiri shot back hotly.

Shuichi cowered into the smallest possible target he could in the face of Eiri’s anger. He knew he had been out of line. Eiri loved him. He knew that. But after what happened, after what was revealed just seven short days ago, Shuichi had to be sure, even if the question got his ass kicked in.

Eiri tightened his arm around his lithe baka. With his other hand, he caught Shuichi’s chin and forced him to look at him, but Shuichi fought against the action. Giving up, Eiri could only sigh. His anger drained out of him in one fell swoop. He hugged both arms tightly around Shuichi, his life partner and husband, effectively entrapping him and rested his chin on top of Shuichi’s head. “If I didn't love you, I would’ve drop kicked your sorry ass a long time ago,” he confessed firmly.

The confession took Shuichi by surprise. He pulled out of Eiri’s arms and holding himself up above the older man by his good arm, Shuichi glanced down at Eiri with wide eyes. Of course Eiri loved him. No shocker there. It was just hearing him actually say the words. “Eiri,” he breathed.

Eiri’s face softened as he glanced up into Shuichi’s wonder filled face and almost instantaneously lost himself in those vividly violet eyes glistening with unshed tears. He could never stay angry at the baka for very long. It was hard not to be anything other than content (or in his case horny) around the vivacious singer. Lifting a hand, he cupped Shuichi's cheek. With his thumb, he brushed away the stray tears that escaped. Shuichi tipped his head into that intimate touch. Eiri pulled Shuichi down to him and brought their lips together. It was a slow, sensuous kiss that sent tingles through both men. A rosy blush colored Shuichi’s cheeks. It was astonishing how adorably cute he found Shuichi, more so when Shuichi was embarrassed.

Pulling away, Eiri’s gaze shifted to the ugly discoloration marring the left side of Shuichi’s otherwise perfect face. The grip around his heart tightened.

“…Eiri?” Shuichi called carefully as he watched the blank expression roll onto Eiri’s face.

Lifting his other hand, Eiri gently brushed the bruise that he was responsible for creating.

Shuichi winced at the feathery touch with a hiss.

Eiri cringed. “I should be the one asking you that.”

“What? No! No! No! No! No! No! No! I’d never hate you, Eiri! Never!” Shuichi slammed their lips together. “I love you. I don’t blame you for what happened.”

“That makes one of us,” Eiri replied sadly.

“Eiri.”

Eiri pulled Shuichi back down to the bed. He planted a kiss on Shuichi’s soft pink locks as Shuichi curled his naked body around him. He wrapped his casted arm around Eiri’s waist and rested his head on Eiri’s chest. It was the exact position he had been in earlier. The thumping of his beloved’s heart echoed in Shuichi’s ear. It brought a smiled to his face.

“Does it hurt?” Eiri’s whispered voice broke the sweet silence.

Shuichi did not have to ask to know what Eiri was talking about. He shook his head in denial.

Eiri stared up at the ceiling where shadows danced. It was all his fault. If he had not of let Tohma get to him that day, Shuichi would not be laying here in his arms broken.

“I’m not ‘broken’, Eiri.”

“Shu…” Eiri did not realize he had spoken aloud.

Shuichi tipped his head back and glanced deeply into those golden orbs. “It was an accident.”

That may be so for the punch that bruised his Shuichi’s cheek and caused his arm to twist at an unnatural angle had been meant for that bastard Yoshio Nakamura. But that did not change the fact that he hurt his Shuichi. He would never be able to forgive himself.

“Why did you stop me?” he couldn’t help but growl.

Shuichi dropped his gaze. “Because he’s my friend.”

That infuriated Eiri. Even after everything that man did, Shuichi still forgave him. It was one of the traits Eiri loved the most about Shuichi, even if it did piss him off. Eiri would never understand how Shuichi could forgive those who have wronged him. “Next time, don’t stop me.”

Silence.

Eiri poked a finger into Shuichi’s cheek.

Shuichi cried out in pain. He slapped Eiri’s hand away.

“Hear me? That bastard is not allowed anywhere near this building or you ever again. I do not want you to have anything to do with him.” Just the thought of that sorry son of a bitch sent his blood boiling over with rage.

“What? But, Eiri-!”

“Understand?” Eiri snapped.

Shuichi gulped at the golden flames licking those beautiful hazel eyes. He nodded. Yoshio made some unfortunate choices and took advantage of their friendship, but Shuichi could not bring himself to hate him. He just could not do it. But if Eiri did not want him to see Yoshio, then he could do nothing but obey.

Eiri made a noise of disgust at the obvious reluctance. He loved Shuichi. Had since the moment he first laid eyes on the singer. All he wanted was to forever see him smile. When Shuichi was happy, he was happy. But despite, or maybe because of, such intense feelings for the twenty-three year old, Eiri had no qualms about being just a little selfish. He had no desire, whatsoever, to act selfless about this like the characters in one of his novels. Like, if Shuichi wanted to not do things that upset him then Eiri had no other option then to do the same and allow Shuichi to continue seeing Yoshio, even though that was that last thing Eiri wanted to do. He was not that kindhearted. “Shu, he took advantage of you when you were drunk and then he took a photo that he could use as blackmail, which he did,” Eiri added angrily. “His supposed best friend.”

Shuichi tightened his grip on Eiri, but stopped with a hiss when the action caused his arm to throb in agonizing pain. He bit back a cry as tears filled his eyes. Whether they were from the pain in his arm or in his heart, he did not know. “I know,” he choked.

Eiri sighed. He ran his fingers through his hair. Shuichi and Yoshio Nakamura have been friends since they were three, according to Shuichi. So, he could not help but feel partially responsible for their split. He never really had any friends. Especially not any close friendships like Shuichi could form with just about anyone. But it never bothered him. Not really. He’d never been a very social individual anyway. The only real friend he ever had was Tohma. So, he understood the reluctance Shuichi had about breaking off all further contact with his friend. “I shouldn’t’ve let Seguchi get to me,” he said. How many times has he said this same line? No matter how many times it turned out to be, one thing did not change. None of this would be happening now.

“What did he say?”

Truthfully? He could not remember. Just that his sister’s husband had insulted Shuichi. Again.

Though Ryuichi was Shuichi’s hero, the man who changed his life, Tohma was the man who inspired him to start playing the synth. Having the person he aspired to be (1) turn out to be not just his boss, but also his lover’s brother-in-law made the rejection hurt on two fronts. “He hates me.”

“No, he doesn’t.”

“Yuki,” Shuichi scolded.

“Look, Seguchi…Okay, from a certain point of view that may be true.”

There was a pang in Shuichi’s heart.

“But…he…tolerates you because outside of Nittle Grasper, Bad Luck is NG’s biggest group.”

At one point in time that may have been true, Shuichi thought. Before their popularity started to slide. Maybe that was why Tohma could barely stand the sight of him anymore? What use did Shuichi have to the president of the record company now that Bad Luck’s sales have slipped by at least fifty percent? “Oh, great. Yeah. So he likes me because I was his cash cow.”

“Pretty much.”

“Jerk,” Shuichi muttered, slapping Eiri playfully.

Eiri chuckled.

Shuichi played with the baby fine blond hairs on Eiri’s chest.

“But really,” Eiri continued. He combed Shuichi’s pink locks back off his forehead. “He’s just…over-protective.”

“Oh. You mean because of-“

“Yeah.” Eiri heaved a sigh. “And I guess I can’t blame him.” He tightened his grip. “I would be too in his shoes.” Tohma just wanted to protect him from getting hurt again.

“…Yeah…”

“…It’s why I ran from my feelings for you for so long.”

Shuichi shifted his head so that he could glance back up into Eiri’s face without leaving the coziness and warmth of his body pillow.

“The more I fell in love with you, the more I started to remember. With the memories came…” Eiri searched for the proper word choice to describe that stressful time.

“…Yeah.” Shuichi got it. He really did. It did not make it any easier to stomach the fact that one of his idols and now brother-in-law despised the ground he walked on, though.

“But it was because of his over-protectiveness for me that made him spout that crap at breakfast. We’ve been together four years. Four years!”

“Five.”

Eiri blinked down at him. “What?”

“We’ve been together five years. I was eighteen when we got together and I’m twenty-three now.”

Eiri rolled his eyes. “Whatever,” he mumbled.

Shuichi sighed. “So, what did you say?”

It took a moment for Eiri’s brain to switch gears. “I told him to go to Hell. That you’re a permanent part of my life and if he can’t accept that, accept you, he isn’t accepting me.”

Shuichi’s eyes grew wide in wonder. “Eiri.”

Eiri trailed his fingers down Shuichi’s face, being careful of the bruise. He tried to ignore how warm his face felt. “Don’t question my feelings for you. Okay?”

Shuichi smiled brightly. Even he could tell he was glowing. “Never.”

“Good.”

Then Shuichi’s face fell. “So…You really don’t hate me? For…?”

“Look, if I had a yen for every stupid, idiotic decision you made, I would be rich a hundred times over.”

“You are rich a hundred times over.”

Eiri rolled his eyes. “Okay, a trillion times over then.”

Shuichi stuck out his tongue.

Eiri’s chuckle turned into a sigh. “Besides, it’s my fault. I pushed you into it.”

“Eiri-“

“It doesn’t matter.” Eiri was sick of discussing this topic. “It’s over and done with.” He cupped Shuichi’s chin within his firm grip and pressed their lips together. “I’ll forgive you if you’ll do the same.” He searched Shuichi’s face.

“There’s nothing to forgive,” Shuichi admitted. “I love you, Eiri.”

“Me, too…Baka.”

Shuichi giggled. He settled back against Eiri with a content sigh. As much as he did not like to break the mood, there was still something they had to talk about. “…I talked to Yoshio earlier.”

Eiri’s hold on Shuichi became just a tad more restrictive and the expression on his face became unreadable. “We agreed that we’d use one of the pictures I took for your birthday present for the issue of Blaze I was supposed to be in.” They could not very well have a photo shoot with him looking like this. Well, technically, with a little creativity and ingenuity he could, but he had a feeling that Yoshio wanted to keep breathing for a little while longer. His Eiri. So overprotective.

Eiri gave Shuichi a sharp look. Over his dead body. Porn magazine though Blaze may be, some of those photos in the magazine Shuichi created for him were too graphic. Even for Blaze.

“N-n-not all of them,” Shuichi exclaimed blushing hotly. “I-I-I told him that you’d be the one to choose!”

Eiri nodded. He pulled Shuichi back down against him. He felt Shuichi yawn. There would be more compromises he would be outlining for Shuichi being on the cover of Yoshio’s magazine. And then that would be it. If Yoshio tried anymore of the same he pulled last week, he would not get away with just a couple black eyes, shattered cheek bone, split lip and several cracked ribs (those were just the injuries Yoshio occurred that Eiri could remember). “Bastard.”

The sound of soft snoring cut into his thoughts. “Shu? Shu.” Typical. Shuichi fell asleep. Oh, well. He’d let him sleep. For now anyways.

---TBC---

Preview: “Lover”

A/N: I have to admit, I love to see Eiri acting so overprotective of Shuichi. It’s so cute. If you’ve read the manga then you know how protective he can get. I know there is the part in both the manga and the anime where he beats up Maa-kun in order to find out who exactly Taki is after the bastard had Shuichi raped, but towards the end of the manga, we see our favorite writer acting more protective of Shuichi. Even going so far as to beat up his own brother. Now that is love. How can you not love them as a couple?

You’ll get to see the confrontation that happened between Eiri and Yoshio in a flashback in a later chapter. So, for now, what do you think?