Staked

Staked


By SailorLight22


Chapter 3 - Facing Your Fears...Or Not

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Heh, maybe the third time's the charm for this?

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The next morning, Hiro opened the door with caution, and laughed outright at the now-familiar box on the threshold. Lifting it, he carried it to the kitchen and opened it expectantly, wondering what lay within. He frowned in confusion as the 'flower of the day' was revealed, a single long-stemmed Iris, it's petals a deep purple streaked with a paler shades of blue. Seeing the expected card, he opened it to find another simple message.

'For stealing my heart before I knew it'

He snorted, amused at being congratulated for something he hadn't meant to do. Still smiling, he arranged the newest addition to his growing collection with the other three, noticing that the colors and scents complimented each other surprisingly well. He glanced at the wall clock, seeing that he was running behind. He locked up, thinking that he should still be able to make it to the studio before K decided to come over for a little 'pep talk'.

The thought led him to wonder at the older man's strange behavior, and he arrived at the studio lot with almost no memory of the drive over. Removing his helmet, he carried it and his guitarcase to the doors, crossing to the elevator with a vague expression and a halfhearted wave to the receptionist. When the elevator doors opened to reveal the object of his confusion, Hiro found that he could do no more than laugh at the irony. "Are you stalking me, or is this my Karma for misdeeds in a previous life?" He demanded between fits of mirth. The man looked at him in mild amusement, nodding.

"Yeah, I was peeking through your window just this morning, and it occurred to me that maybe I should get you a raise so you can afford new pyjamas." The guitarist shoved him with mock severity.

"Hey, I like my stuff. It takes too long to break new clothes in, so I just stick with what feels good.." He trailed off, realizing that the blonde was staring at him oddly. He mentally repeated himself, and winced at his choice of words. "I mean, why waste time being uncomfortable?" He tried to recover, looking away. K nodded, chuckling in agreement.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. Shoes are probably the worst, though." He gestured to his feet, and Hiro looked down, his eyes following the long expanse of the man's leg until he focussed absently on his footwear.

"I don't see how you can wear those things," He muttered, almost to himself. "They look horrible, and they don't really suit you at all.." He snickered at the blonde's indignant huff.

"Well, some of us can't hang out in sneakers all day. But out of curiosity, what do you think would..'suit me', Hiro?" He said, leaning closer. The guitarist thought for a second, and replied confidently.

"Boots, I think. Something more rugged, like a good pair of those black Army ones, maybe.." He inched away from the taller man, noticing his attentive stare. "No offense, but these make you look.." He grasped for a neutral word. "..Tame."

K straightened incredulously. "Tame? Oh, I don't know about that!" He laughed teasingly. "I don't think anyone could accuse me of being tame. Hell, even you say I'm crazy, Hiro.. But speaking of crazy, are you all set for Shuichi's little shindig tomorrow night?"

The boy nodded, strangely relieved at the change of subject. "Yeah, I got my costume yesterday night. You?" The older man smiled mysteriously. "Well, what did you get?" Hiro asked, hearing the elevator chime to announce their floor. K merely snorted.

"You'll see. But I can give you a hint: It sucks." That said, he left, ignoring a confused look from the redhead. As an after thought, he turned back, reaching into a pocket and handing the bewildered teen a slip of paper. "This is a list of songs that I want you guys to work on 'til lunchtime, show it to Shuichi and Fujisaki, would you?" He grinned, thanking the boy as he set out for his office.

Hiro unfolded the paper, walking towards the studio. Just outside the door, he looked it over, and froze.

The handwriting on the list matched the writing on the notes.

For a moment, he laughed at himself. Then he reached into his jacket pocket, remembering that the note from the magnolia left on his bike was there. Opening it, he held it beside the paper. A perfect match.

Numbly, he opened the door, automatically carrying his things to their usual spot and sitting them down. Seeing Shuichi's curious look, he shook his head and shoved the paper at him. "K said that he wants us to work on these until break. Set up, I'll be back in a minute." He ignored the questioning look on the other boy's face, closing the door firmly behind him as he strode down the hall. 'What the hell is he playing at?' He wondered, irritated. He knocked on the man's office door, not waiting for a response before jerking the door open.

K looked up in surprise, but the guitarist cut him off before he could speak. "It was you. Don't act like you don't know what I mean, either." He tossed the card on the desk, waiting for an explanation. Silently, the blonde stood, walking around to stand in front of him.

"You didn't like them?" He asked mildly, raising an eyebrow. "Or were you hoping for someone else?"

Hiro glared at him, shaking his head. "I wasn't hoping for anything! What I want to know is why all the bullshit? Were you trying to make me feel better, or were you playing another game? Nevermind!" He said, waving off the man's response. "Just knock it off, K. I've got better things to do." He stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

K smirked at his hasty exit. "Well, that could have gone better.."

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Hiro spent the rest of the day in forced good cheer, smiling when Shuichi reminded him that the party would begin at 8pm the next evening. Hoping that he appeared eager for the occasion, he teased the boy about his choice of costumes, and also made several allusions to his own while refusing to divulge exactly what he'd decided on. The pink-haired boy had whined and pleaded, but Hiro remained secretive, assuring his anxious friend that he wouldn't have long to wait.

Soon it was time to stop for the day, and Hiro barely had time to wave as the hyperactive singer shouted a final reminder and vanished through the door, presumably rushing home to both decorate for the upcoming festivities and annoy his reluctant lover into choosing a costume of his own. Suguru left, also bidding the guitarist a farewell until the following night, all the while grumbling about wasted time and foolish holidays.

Hiro sighed, retrieving his guitar and placing it gently in it's case. He still couldn't believe the lengths that K had gone to, sending the notes and flowers.. Did he feel sorry for the boy, his loneliness and anger causing the man to pity him? Or was there something else? He growled in frustration, slamming the lid of the case closed. "There's nothing!" He muttered angrily, clenching his fists. "He was being stupid, thinking that I needed something to cheer me up.. Like getting a toy for a kid throwing a tantrum!"

He yanked his jacket on, picking up the guitar case and turning out the lights before slamming the studio door. Looking up, he found himself face-to-face with the one person he most wanted to avoid. "Great, are you here to make sure I'm not going to have another fit? Because I don't.." K raised a hand, cutting him off.

"Stop right there, mister." He said, his eyes narrowed. "I think you have the wrong idea. I wasn't trying to tease you, and I don't expect you to get all riled up again." He smiled suddenly, catching the redhead off guard. "I thought that you might like it, having someone to do things like that for you. Was it because it was me, Hiro? I'm sorry if it disappointed you." The boy shook his head incredulously.

"You..! Why would I care if it was you? That isn't the point, K!" He said, trying to walk around the taller man. K stepped into his path, barring his escape. "Move!"

K shook his head. "I don't think so. What is the 'point' that bothers you? If it isn't me, then what?" Hiro shook his head again, irritated at the blonde's persistence.

"Just forget about it! I don't need anything done for me, I can take care of myself. Now, can I please go home?" He said, moving to the side again. This time the man let him go, waiting until he'd almost reached the elevator before calling after him.

"You might not need it, but is it so bad that someone cares enough to try, Hiro?"

It may have been a hollow victory, but Hiro was proud that his feet paused for only a moment before he stepped into the open elevator.

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Later that evening, he found himself wondering about the man's parting words. Had K really thought that he needed to feel cared for? Or had there been something more..personal about the gesture? The guitarist immediately felt a surge of hope at the idea, but it was quickly dispersed as reality set in. 'Right.. He just suddenly decides that he's madly infatuated with me, and starts sending flowers with cheesy notes to show his undying devotion.' He snorted to himself, imagining the older man desperately plotting ways to get his attention.

"Knowing him, he'd likely just shoot someone with a tranquilizer gun, drag them off to some remote place, and badger them until they either gave in or went mad." He muttered, smiling in spite of himself at the image. "But I may as well try to sleep, since it looks like I'm going to be stuck thinking about him whether I'm awake or not." He made his way through the apartment, collapsing on top of the quilt without bothering to undress.

'Maybe I should talk to Shuichi,' He thought, already beginning to doze. 'He can be really clueless sometimes, but he was able to see that Yuki really did care about him, even when he acted like a prick...' He nodded off, falling into a blessedly dreamless sleep for the first time in weeks.

The next day passed quickly, and almost before he knew it, it was almost time to leave for the party. He dressed, enjoying the silken material of the shirt against his skin before pulling on the pants. Though almost impossibly tight, he found with surprise that they weren't as uncomfortable as he'd imagined. Snickering to himself, he slipped the wings into place, admiring the effect in the bathroom mirror. 'Well, aren't I just adorable,' He thought, laughing.

He turned around, eyeing himself critically. 'Not bad, not bad at all..' He turned off the lights, locking the door as he left. The building was nearly silent, with most of the other tenants already gone with their children, or on their way to parties of their own. Hiro wondered if he should have grabbed his camera, but decided against it. 'Shu will probably end up taking a million pictures anyway' He reasoned, starting his bike and pulling into the street.

A short while later, he parked at the side of his friend's building, mentally preparing himself for what was sure to be a most...interesting get together. Thus fortified, he walked to the front doors, noting that there were already a few children in costume leaving with parents and friends. He nodded to the harried-looking parents of one child, who squealed so loudly that the others people stared at the group apprehensively. Remembering his friend at the same age, he couldn't help but grin as he waited for the elevator.

When it arrived, the doors opened to reveal several more children, all of which scurried toward the exit with barely-concealed excitement. Hiro smiled patiently, entering the now-empty lift. He pressed the floor button, leaning against the wall as he watched the numbered display distractedly. After a few seconds, the doors opened to the corridor, and he walked leisurely to the couple's apartment.

He knocked, soon hearing someone yell that it was open. He went in, closing the door behind him before he kicked his shoes off and entered the spacious living room. Right away, he could see that Shuichi had strewn various seasonal things about, pumpkins and the like lying about in a haphazard manner.

Hiro smiled, spotting the apartment's other occupant leaning boredly against the wall, a beer in his hand as he observed the festivities. Crossing the room, he greeted the man politely. "How's it going, Yuki? You don't look too pleased, something wrong?"

The author eyed him blandly. "Nice costume. And no, nothing's wrong, I'm really not into American holidays."

Hiro smiled, nodding. "I know what you mean. They have some that I don't understand at all." Studying the taller man, he frowned. "Um, not to be rude, but what are you supposed to be?" Yuki took a drink of his beer before replying.

"I'm a heterosexual." He deadpanned, crushing the empty can. "You want one? I'm going that way." Hiro stared at him for a moment before chuckling quietly.

"No, thanks though. Maybe in a while.. Where's Shu? I figured he'd be front and center, since all this was his idea." Yuki snorted in annoyance.

"He's still in the bedroom putting on whatever crap he came up with. He locked the door and won't let me see, so it must be worse than usual." Hiro snickered to himself, once again remembering the boy's tendency to dress outrageously for the holiday he loved.

"Well, I'm sure he won't be too much longer. Is this everybody?" He gestured to the room at large. The author shook his head, smirking.

"Shu's idol isn't here yet, and my idiot brother just called to say he's on his way." He thought for a moment before continuing. "Sakano wasn't going to come, but Tohma called and ordered him to get something on and get his ass over here, so I guess he'll be here too. The maniac that manages you isn't here either." He snorted quietly, moving toward the kitchen. "Have..fun."

Hiro nodded, looking around the room. In one corner, Tohma nursed a drink of his own, his costume simple. He wore a pair of faded jeans, a loose-fitting sweatshirt and sneakers. Seeing the redhead's look, he grinned, turning around to display the back of his shirt. Hiro read the words and snorted.

Just an average Joe

'Yeah, that's a stretch,' He thought, shaking his head. 'I wonder if he can even remember being 'middle class'..' He noticed that Suguru was also there, his expression vaguely annoyed as he sipped his own drink and listened to whatever his cousin was currently rambling about. His costume was also fairly easy to understand, his pale green shirt and pants covered by a white labcoat identifying him as a doctor. Hiro smiled faintly, and the boy jerked his head in acknowledgment before turning to the older man who had obviously just asked a question.

He heard a crash, and turned toward the hallway as the figure of his best friend leaped into the room, grinning hugely. Hiro gaped at him, registering the sudden quiet that enveloped the scene before Tohma howled with unrepressed amusement and Suguru choked on his swiftly inhaled punch. Yuki shouldered the kitchen door open with an annoyed growl before falling eerily silent at lover's...attire. As Hiro shook off his astonishment, he too began to snicker as the blonde author dropped his open drink directly on top of his feet, ignoring the wetness seeping into his socks as he turned vaguely red.

Shuichi bounced on his toes, surveying the impact of his costume with glee. His left eye was covered with a pink satin patch, and on his head was an oddly-shaped black hat with a matching pink skull adorning the front. His upper half was completely bare, save for an obviously false ring on one nipple, and his lower half was barely concealed by what Hiro assumed was the long-lost older sibling of his eyepatch. Hiro also noted that he'd dusted himself with glitter, which did nothing to detract from the effect.

For several long minutes, hilarity reigned. Then the blonde shook off his daze and strode forward, snatching the boy's arm and dragging him into the kitchen. Muffled shouts and whimpers carried through the door, but were soon silenced with a suspiciously timed thump. Yuki emerged, his face still colored faintly as he wiped the beer from the floor in vicious jerks. No one dared comment until he stood, glaring at them each in turn as he reentered the kitchen.

Coughing harshly, the young keyboardist shook his head disgustedly. "What the fuck was that supposed to be?! A hat and an eyepatch..?" He demanded, turning to his weakly gasping cousin, who slumped against the wall as if his legs were at war with gravity. The man waved limply, clutching his stomach as he panted for breath.

"Shindou-san... Has had a misunderstanding, I believe.." He straightened, still holding himself tightly. "If I'm not mistaken, he overheard a comment made by someone and assumed that the remark was complimentary, rather than derogatory in nature." The teenager huffed impatiently.

"That tells me nothing! What the hell did he hear, that made him..?" He gestured at the kitchen, where quiet murmurs had begun to issue from within the room. "There was practically no back on that..thing! Please explain to me, right now, why that is?!"

At the reference, Tohma began to laugh again, shaking his head in silent apology. Suguru stomped over to his bandmate's side, glaring up at him expectantly. "Well? What was that?"

Hiro snickered, rolling his eyes. "That," He pointed, "Was supposed to be Shu's portrayal of an Ass Pirate. May Yuki have mercy on his soul." Suguru stared at him in confusion.

"How do you anything pirate from that?!" He said, waving his arms.

Hiro shook his head in mock sympathy. "You said it yourself, didn't you? There's the hat, the eyepatch..." He paused to contain himself. "It's not too hard to figure out, really."

The boy stared at him mutely. Then he sighed, his expression one of reluctant amusement. "All right, I get it now." He shook his head, walking to a table nearby for more punch. "You'd think that after this long, I'd have expected something like that from him.." He muttered, wiping his face with a napkin. "You're an angel, then?" He asked, glancing at the guitarist's clothing. "Not bad, at least your ass isn't hanging out.." Hiro smirked, nodding.

"Yeah, ass out isn't a good look for me." The boy snorted at his reply, returning to his still-chuckling cousin's side with a slight wave. Yuki emerged from the kitchen, a pouting Shuichi trailing behind. Spotting his friend, he quickly changed from downtrodden to hyper, rushing over to admire his bandmate's costume.

"Ooh, leather!" He said, circling the taller boy quickly. "Nice pants!" He snickered, noticing the close fit. Hiro nodded, shrugging at his amusement.

"Right, yours too. Really Shu, what in the world were you thinking?" The pink haired boy grinned widely, spinning around in a halo of glitter.

"Why not? I thought it was funny, and Yuki didn't kick me out.. Plus," He leaned close, muttering, "He said I have to take a shower before bed, since the glitter will get everywhere. Maybe he'll even help, to make sure I get it all.." He trailed off, his eyes glazing over as he imagined several erotic scenarios involving water, glitter, and his blonde-haired lover. Hiro inched away, nodding.

"Ah, that's.. Well, at least you don't have to worry about someone having the same costume." He said, forcing a smile at the boy's scantily-clad figure. "I think I'm going to get some punch, I'll catch you in a few." Shuichi nodded, bouncing over to his younger bandmate and his boss, the former shrinking away from the singer's attempted glomp. Hiro snickered at the horrified look on the boy's face as he brushed away a smudge of bright pink glitter on the arm of his coat.

Pouring himself a drink, he snuck a quick look at the still-scowling author nearby. The man was obviously annoyed at his lover's audacious getup, but there seemed to be a hint of exasperated amusement beneath his angry look. Hiro sighed quietly, reminded of how happy the cold natured man and his friend truly were. Finishing his drink, he tossed the empty cup into the trash.

He heard a commotion at the door, followed by a boisterous knock that Shuichi raced to answer. Hoping to avoid notice, Hiro walked to the balcony doors, leaving quietly as he heard the sound of several people entering the room. 'I need some air,' He reasoned, refusing to admit that he was trying to avoid a certain blonde maniac...

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K shook his head, laughing at the pink-haired boy before him. "Shuichi," He managed between snickers, "What the hell are you supposed to be?" His companions were also staring, the younger collapsed heavily against the door as he wheezed.

Shuichi smiled brightly, spinning around to give the full effect of his costume as he explained. "I," He proclaimed proudly, oblivious to Tatsuha's almost pained shriek of renewed amusement, "Am an Ass Pirate!" He pointed to his head. "See? I've got an eyepatch, and the hat.." He snickered to himself, turning around. "And.." He laughed, glancing over his sparkly shoulder at the fallen monk, who raised a hand weakly in protest.

"We get it, please, no more!" The boy stood, attempting to shake off his disbelief. "I can't believe that you got away with that.. Eiri must be livid.." He shook his head, turning to the last of their little group, who still couldn't accept what he was seeing. "Yo, Sakano-san, you all right?" The man nodded dumbly, walking past them to enter the living room in a daze.

Following him, Shuichi led the other two inside, quickly dragging his lover's brother over to the author's corner. As Yuki sighed in annoyance, K noticed a flash of white by the door to the couple's balcony. He turned quickly, but the person was gone before he could get a clear look at them. Curious, he glanced around the room, seeing Tohma and Fujisaki to one side. He knew that Ryuichi wasn't there, he'd called to let the older man know that he would be late. So that left..

Smirking to himself, he strode to the doors, easing them open and slipping into the darkness, grateful that his costume blended into the shadows. He leaned against the building, barely able to make out the form of his 'prey'. His identification proved correct, as the height and slenderness of the figure matched exactly with that of his newly-discovered obsession. Hearing the boy mutter to himself, he squashed a flash of guilt at his nosiness, listening to the guitarist's quiet monologue with growing interest..

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All right, there's only two parts left, beware of slight LIME-to-LEMON in them. (Like you really need to be warned ^_^' ) Ja!