Kumagoro\'s New Shiny

**Typical fanfic warnings—we don’t own Gravi or it’s characters. Please be respectful to our originals and not use them without asking. This fic takes place near the end of Ryuichi’s time in America, shortly before the beginning of the anime.

Major angst warnings—if you’re hoping for a constantly bouncing Ryu-chan, this isn’t the fic to read. -_- This is angst angst angst, so read at your own risk!

//= Thoughts
*= emphasis
::= speaking in Japanese
**


Kumagoro’s New Shiny
Chapter Three

Jace all but bounded from the taxi once he\'d reached the right building, and regretted it: the sheer size of the building, combined with his still healing head, nearly made him dizzy enough to fall over. //Holy shit, he really is well off.// Suddenly glad he\'d dressed somewhat tamely--ripped blue jeans and a tight, gray T-shirt--he rode the elevator up to the seventh floor and knocked on the door. //Here goes nothing, I guess.//

Ryuichi nearly tripped as he hurried to the door, opening it enough for Kumagoro to poke his head out. \"If it\'s the police,\" the rabbit said. \"We have nothing at all suspicious in here.\"

Jace snatched the rabbit out of Ryuichi\'s hands, planting a kiss full on its rabbit lips. \"Long time no see, pal,\" he laughed. \"You look a little...pink.\"

\"Ah! Kumagoro!\" Ryuichi quickly opened the door, laughing as he welcomed the other inside. \"That\'s not playing very nice--he\'s my doorman!\"

Jace rose up on his toes to grant Ryuichi a kiss for himself before starting into the apartment. \"He should be more careful,\" he laughed. \"If he doesn\'t want to be kissed, he shouldn\'t be...so...holy shit.\" Jace turned in a circle, taking in the huge apartment and expensive furniture. \"It\'s a goddamn mansion.\"

Ryuichi flushed darkly, shutting the door and following, stealing Kumagoro back and hugging him against his chest. \"It\'s not really mine,\" he tried to explain. \"I\'m renting while I\'m here. And it\'s not even really me; the company took over the whole floor, basically....\" He trailed off, knowing his excuses probably sounded rather poor to the other.

//Man, you could fit a dozen of my places in here.// Jace picked a couch to flop onto, pressing into the cushions. He laughed. \"God, I feel like Pretty Woman.\" He stretched out on his side. \"Did you order something for us?\"

\"Yeah, should be here soon,\" he replied, moving to grab two cans of cola before dropping to the floor beside the other. \"What\'s Pretty Woman?\" he asked curiously.

\"Hm? Oh, that\'s right, you wouldn\'t know.\" Jace took one of the cans, popping it open. \"It\'s an old American movie--a rich guy falls in love with a hooker.\" He rolled his eyes. \"Not that great of a movie, actually, but it had moments.\" He took a long sip of his soda, feet kicking idly.

//Rich guy and a hooker, huh?// Ryuichi chuckled at that. \"Sounds interesting.\" He drank from his own can, looking the other over. \"You seem better, though. I\'m glad.\"

\"Yeah. I still get a little woozy if I move around too much, but I\'m doing okay.\" Jace smiled almost shyly. \"Thanks to you.\"

He shrugged. \"You don\'t need to thank me. I\'m just sorry it happened.\" Ryuichi shook his head--he didn\'t want to talk about it. Luckily, there was a knock on the door, and with a cheer he sprung up to answer it. \"Pizza!\"

Jace sat up, watching as Ryuichi accepted and paid for the pizza. //He\'s…so weird. All that bouncing around of his, but…the other night, he was so....// He frowned thoughtfully. //It\'s not an act, is it? Or just the way he is....// \"So what did you order?\"

He giggled as he returned. \"Meat-lovers,\" he replied smartly. \"Two, just in case, and leftovers for breakfast.\" Dropping to the floor, he happily opened the box to offer the other a slice.

\"Mm, you\'re after my heart after all,\" Jace chuckled, helping himself.

The pair ate and chatted for a while, just enjoying each other\'s company, watching television. Kumagoro made a few appearances that, while still amusing, got Jace wondering again. He licked his fingers of sauce. \"Hey. Can I ask you something?\"

\"Sure.\" At the moment, Kumagoro was perched in Ryuichi\'s lap as he finished off his last slice. //This is fun, just hanging out. I never really get to do this much anymore.//

\"Don\'t take this the wrong way, but....\" Jace eyed Kumagoro, wondering if this was really a good idea. \"But what\'s up with Kumagoro? I thought maybe it was a gimmick but you didn\'t take it on stage, so....\"

\"Hmm?\" He glanced down at the rabbit in consideration, and it looked back to him. \"Kumagoro? He\'s my friend.\" Grinning, he lifted the bunny up onto the edge of the couch so he could wave at the boy.

Jace put his hand on the rabbit\'s head, bending it down so he could still see Ryuichi\'s face. \"I mean, really,\" he said, trying to sound serious but casual at the same time. He didn\'t want to upset him. \"He\'s cute and everything, but...you know. Why?\"

Ryuichi\'s grin faded, just slightly, as Kumagoro made small distressed movements with his arms. He...wasn\'t really sure how to answer that, and so he shrugged. \"Why not? He\'s always been with me. He…keeps things fun.\"

Jace\'s expression softened. //It\'s…a stuffed animal.// Slowly he pushed Kumagoro down. \"Well, I\'d rather spend time with *you*,\" he said, sliding his hand down to Ryuichi\'s wrist.

Sighing, Ryuichi used his other hand to return the rabbit to his lap. //You...don\'t quite get it.// \"He is me,\" he said, quietly, as if not meaning to actually speak aloud. He turned his hand on the couch up, fingers scraping against Jace\'s warm skin.

\"But then why not just be yourself?\" Jace asked, lowering his head so that Ryuichi\'s fingers brushed his cheek. //I want to understand. It\'s not even that I mind all that much, just.... //

Ryuichi shrugged again. \"Kumagoro is more fun. Singers have to be serious too much.\" He moved his fingers against the other\'s cheek, his free hand still playing idly with the stuffed rabbit. //I can\'t believe I\'m actually telling him this. I never talk to anyone about him.// \"Is it...bad?\"

\"Not really,\" Jace admitted. \"I mean, it\'s fun sometimes. But...it makes people wonder, you know?\" He turned his face slightly into Ryuichi\'s touch. \"No offense. I\'m just not sure what to think of it.\"

Ryuichi considered that a moment, and he finally pushed to his feet. \"Wait here a moment,\" he said, taking both rabbit and leftover pizza with him, storing the latter in the kitchen before taking Kumagoro into the bedroom to leave on the dresser. He returned to his previous place with a faint smile, resting his arm back up on the couch. \"He can stay in there for a while.\"

Jace grinned, somehow touched by the gesture. \"I...really don\'t mind,\" he said, drawing Ryuichi\'s hand back to his face. \"If...you\'re more comfortable with him around....\"

He shook his head. \"I\'ll be fine.\" //Just...don\'t be disappointed or anything.// Ryuichi glanced down at his hand, watching as his fingers drifted slowly over a smooth cheek. \"I\'m glad you could come over,\" he said softly.

\"Yeah, me too. It\'s been real boring, being laid up.\" Jace\'s lips moved slightly when Ryuichi\'s fingertips skated close. //This isn\'t right. We\'re both going to get the wrong idea about…something....// But he was still touching the back of Ryuichi\'s palm, keeping his hand close. \"Thanks for having me.\"

//I\'d...really like to kiss him, but....// He met Jace\'s eyes a moment, trying to read his intentions but somehow unable to. //If I try to do something...will he just charge me?// The thought made his stomach twist in discomfort. \"Why did you come?\" he suddenly asked. \"You could have said no, but....\"

Jace\'s gaze slipped away. \"Well, I\'m no good at saying no,\" he said, stalling. \"Just....\" Hesitantly he looked back. \"I didn\'t come here to trick you into paying me. If that\'s what you want to ask.\"

That helped his aching stomach, if only a bit. \"So....\" Ryuichi moved his hand, slowly cupping the boy\'s cheek. \"Is this okay?\" he asked, brushing Jace\'s lips with his thumb.

Jace gulped, suddenly made quiet by the intimate affections. //He…might actually care about me....// \"It\'s okay,\" he said softly, dropping his gaze again. \"Don\'t get the wrong idea, okay? It\'s still going to be my job, after I go....\"

Ryuichi watched him a moment, shifting faintly closer. //I do like him. He came to the concert, looked for me after...asked about Kumagoro.// He licked his lips as he continued to move his hand. \"Is there anything you like to do...with someone...that\'s not a part of your job?\"

Jace\'s shoulders crept up. \"There isn\'t anyone who\'s not a part of my job,\" he murmured. //And there\'s nothing I haven\'t done.// He slid off the sofa, still keeping Ryuichi\'s hand close against his face. \"It doesn\'t matter.\"

Ryuichi\'s expression grew serious as he regarded the other. //Jace....// \"Am I still part of your job?\" he asked, tone low but without any sign that he would be disappointed by the answer--a simple question.

\"I said you didn\'t have to pay, right?\" Jace said, trying to smile. It faded quickly. \"Listen, Roo. I do like you. And…you *are* really hot.\" He twisted his arms around Ryuichi\'s neck and hugged him close. \"But let\'s not get carried away. You\'ll go home and I\'ll...still be here.\" His fingers curled and tightened around his shirt. \"Right?\"

His eyes narrowed. Maybe.... He pulled the other closer, resting his chin on the boy\'s shoulder. \"Maybe.\" Ryuichi tightened his embrace. //What would be carried away? Letting myself care for...someone like him.// He turned his face into Jace\'s neck, for the moment too confused to do more.

//Ryuichi....// Jace swallowed hard. //This is such a mistake.// \"I...finally figured out I\'d been pronouncing your name wrong,\" he said quietly, shifting slightly. \"It\'s Ryuichi, right? You should have told me.\"

He smiled, just faintly. \"I did,\" he replied quietly. \"But...no one here can say it right anyway.\" Ryuichi leaned back against the couch, keeping Jace with him a moment longer before urging him back. He used both hands to raise his chin. \"Say it again?\"

\"Ryuichi..?\" Jace attempted again, suddenly wary of being wrong. He smiled hopefully.

Ryuichi grinned. \"Keep it up and you\'ll really be speaking Japanese,\" he teased before slowly pulling the boy into a kiss. //I wonder...if I couldn\'t take care of you this time, Jace.//

Jace felt a little flutter behind his ribs despite himself. //Maybe it\'s not so bad.// He twisted so that he was settled in Ryuichi\'s lap, kissing him back...slowly, this time. //Maybe we can take our time, like lovers are supposed to.//

Ryuichi kept them together a while longer before he needed breath. He nodded towards the couch. \"Want to move? My butts gonna go numb down here.\"

\"Can\'t have that.\" Jace pushed off him and clamored onto the couch, feeling...oddly nervous. //I don\'t want it to be just like the rest. But…how do I do that? And what if it just ends up being....// He wriggled on the cushions to keep from looking nervous.

Ryuichi moved to his side, and he gently urged the other to lay back. //I\'ll take care of him.// He rubbed at the boy\'s stomach, touching his hairline. \"Is your head okay?\" he asked seriously.

\"Yeah--I took some stuff before I came, just in case.\" Jace tried to relax, but there were too many things passing through his mind as he drew Ryuichi down to him. \"Just be gentle.\"

He smiled around a soft kiss. \"Sure.\" Ryuichi continued to bring their lips together, coaxing Jace\'s apart as his hand kept moving over his stomach. //Slow. He...might need that.//

Jace let his eyes flutter shut as he kissed Ryuichi back. He wasn\'t unaccustomed to letting someone else take the lead, but they were never this slow, this attentive, and it was...nice. Not earth-shaking, but nice. He tilted his head back, eyes still closed. \"You\'re not so bad.\"

Ryuichi chuckled as he trailed his lips down the side of Jace\'s cheek, paying special attention to the soft flesh of his throat. \"Don\'t take this the wrong way,\" he said quietly, \"but are you clean?\"

Jace smirked dryly. \"Yeah, I\'m clean,\" he assured. \"I get tested regularly.\" He touched Ryuichi\'s hair lightly and chuckled. \"Are you?”

He smiled in relief. “Clean as soap,” he replied teasingly, pulling back for another kiss. Ryuichi added a bit more strength than before, though he still kept their pace slow as he licked at the inside of Jace’s mouth. His hand finally slipped beneath the boy’s shirt to scratch lightly as his stomach.

Jace twisted his arms around Ryuichi\'s neck as his back arched subtly. //He\'s being so nice to me. It…feels good.// He parted his thighs around Ryuichi\'s hips to encourage him closer.

Ryuichi let his hand drift down, rubbing at Jace\'s thigh in encouragement before returning beneath his shirt. //I want him to enjoy himself. It\'s just been a while since I was with someone....// He didn\'t set too much of his weight on the boy just yet, his lips gradually drifting along the line of Jace\'s jaw to the back of his ear.

Jaw pawed at him lightly; he wasn\'t used to this slow pace, and he wasn\'t sure what he was supposed to do in return. He let his head fall to the side as Ryuichi continued to kiss him. \"Ryu....\" He chuckled breathlessly. //I don\'t know what to do. I\'m afraid I\'ll…ruin whatever it is he\'s doing.//

\"Is this okay?\" he asked, pulling back as he started to pull the boy\'s shirt off, head tilted questioningly.

\"Yeah,\" Jace assured, raising his arms. He shivered a little at the cool air against his bare skin. \"It\'s just not what I\'m used to.\" He smiled thinly as he helpyuicyuichi out of his shirt as well. \"Going slow like this, I mean.\"

He grinned, sitting back a moment to just run his hands over Jace\'s uncovered skin. \"You don\'t mind, do you? I\'m in that kinda mood, I guess, but if you prefer something else....\"

\"No,\" Jace said quickly. He smiled in embarrassment. \"It\'s just fine.\" He drew his fingertips over the backs of Ryuichi\'s palms. \"Your hands are soft....\"

Ryuichi chuckled, playfully tickling the other\'s ribs. \"It\'s the lotion, I assure you. But if you don\'t mind....\" He leaned close to draw his tongue along the side of Jace\'s throat before tilting his head to suck at the joint of his shoulder. He was tempted to ask the other what he liked, but...he almost wanted to find out for himself.

Jace squirmed, and though he pressed his lips a thin squeal escaped anyway. \"Ah! That tickles.\" He kicked his feet lightly at the cushions.

Laughing, Ryuichi continued his mild attack a moment longer. He liked Jace\'s voice, he decided. //I\'ll make him moan later--I bet he\'ll sound amazing.// His hands abruptly moved lower to rub the hollow between Jace\'s stomach and thighs, lips fastening around a dark nipple.

Jace gasped quietly in surprise. //He\'s teasing me.// It was strange, and somehow sobering; his fingers curled hesitantly in Ryuichi\'s hair. //He\'s doing this for me.// He whimpered softly as he stretched out on the sofa.

Ryuichi decided he liked the way Jace squirmed. He sucked and nibbled at the other\'s skin until his breath gain a slight catch. His hands caught the boy\'s hips, holding them down as he began to trail his tongue towards Jace\'s belly.

Jace murmured softly in complaint; his fingertips skated along Ryuichi\'s cheeks and ears, not sure if he wanted to urge him back up or further down. He spread his thighs obediently.

Ryuichi grinned. //Don\'t worry--I\'ll take care of you.// His fingers curled. //Eventually.// Nearly ruining it with a laugh, Ryuichi pressed his lips firmly against the flesh of Jace\'s abdomen and delivered a perfect raspberry.

\"Hey!\" Jace wriggled beneath him, though he was already laughing. He tugged playfully at Ryuichi\'s hair. \"Don\'t tease me!\" he protested. Though...something in his chest was aching.

Ryuichi laughed, burying his face against warm skin and nuzzling. \"But it\'s so fun!\" he whined, tickling his sides again. \"Playing is much better.\" Pulling himself abruptly higher, he bent into nibble at Jace\'s neck, still poking at his sides occasionally.

\"Hey...hey, cut it out.\" Jace bit his lip to keep it from trembling, tilting his head back so that Ryuichi wouldn\'t be able to see. //Stop. I\'m not....// He wrapped his arms suddenly around Ryuichi\'s neck, holding him still.

\"Hmm?\" Ryuichi squirmed within the other\'s hold, falling still when he felt Jace trembling slightly. //I didn\'t hurt him, did I?// He tried to lift himself up to better see his companion. \"Jace?\"

\"I\'m....\" Jace pressed his face against Ryuichi\'s hair, breathing him in. \"I\'m not worth it, you know,\" he whispered. \"I\'m just....\"

//Jace....// He pushed himself up, pulling Jace\'s arms from his neck so he could meet the other\'s eyes. His expression was one of absolute seriousness as he brushed thin blond hair from dark eyes. \"You\'re what?\" he asked softly.

Jace started to answer, but he faltered when faced with Ryuichi\'s seriousness. He gulped. \"I\'m...just a whore,\" he answered, very quietly.

Ryuichi kissed him, very softly, just to be sure Jace would know he was sincere. \"Not right now you aren\'t,\" he replied as he gently settled his weight over him. \"You\'re my friend.\"

//Not right now, but....// Jace sniffled quietly, closing his eyes as he pulled Ryuichi closer. //These things never work. It\'s just…going to hurt, later.// He sighed. \"Thank you.\"

//Damn right, thank you. There\'s not many people I call that, you know.// Ryuichi kissed his cheek, running a hand slowly up and down Jace\'s side in hopes of comforting him. The mood had soured, just a little, but he hoped to build it back. \"Just relax,\" he murmured in his ear. \"Don\'t worry about those kinds of things now; we can work on that later.\"

\"Okay....\" Jace took a deep breath, trying to push aside his own fears, the image of Tracy\'s angry face he would probably be coming home to. //But we\'re here, and we like each other, right?// He tugged at Ryuichi\'s chin so he could kiss him, deeply, hoping he hadn\'t ruined anything.

Relieved, Ryuichi fell easily into the kiss, his hands strengthening. //I want to take care of him. It might be stupid of me, falling for someone like him, but....// He rubbed at Jace\'s stomach, playing with the edge of his pants even if he didn\'t venture further just yet.

//That\'s better. I just won\'t worry about it.// Deciding that for now they didn\'t have to think about it Jace kissed him again, with greater insistence. But then he remembered how softly Ryuichi had kissed him before, how...nice that had felt, and he tried to do the same.

//I need to lighten the mood.// When their kiss ran out, Ryuichi abruptly giggled and sat up. \"It\'s too quiet!\" he proclaimed, tickling Jace\'s ribs. \"You stay right here--I\'m gonna put on some nice music, okay?\" He leaned in for another kiss, a little more passionate than before. \"Really get you in the mood, hmm?\"

Jace smiled. //Sorry, Ryu, for bringing us down.// \"Something of yours?\" he asked, wriggling a little. \"I still haven\'t really heard you sing yet.\"

That brightened him immediately. \"You wanna hear? I think I\'ve got something--\" Ryuichi rolled off the other, landing in a heap on the floor before springing to his feet. He vanished into his room a moment to retrieve his boom box, find a CD, and take off his socks. He gave Kumagoro a quick pat on his way out. \"Found one!\"

Jace rolled onto his stomach and pushed up on his elbows. \"Oh yeah? It better be good.\" He kicked his feet lightly in the air as he watched Ryuichi come back.

Ryuichi only grinned as he set up the music. Soon the intro to Sleepless Beauty was filling the room, and his eyes narrowed happily. //This is how music should sound.// He couldn\'t help bobbing his head in time with the music even as he fought not to get too into it. Turning, he started to crawl across the floor towards his companion.

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