The Changing Tides

Title: The Changing Tides: Chapter 6
Author: JadeHeart
Archived: Found on gurabiteshiyon.net. If anyone else would like it, please ask me first!
Fandom: Gravitation
Rating: R
Warnings: bad language, sexual situations
Timeline: Not long after the anime/manga finishes.
Characters: Shuichi/Yuki
Feedback: Feedback is always welcome!
Summary: Can Shuichi withstand the ebb and flow of Yuki’s affections?
Author’s Notes : I must admit that I’ve actually really enjoyed writing the last two chapters – they’ve even put a smile on my face!
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, they belong to the creators of ‘Gravitation’, nor am I making any profits from this.


The Changing Tides: Chapter 6

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It used to taste so good hand-made
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“Come on, Yuki!” Shuichi whined, almost hopping from one foot to the other.

Yuki just glared at him, as he continued to walk in slow, measured steps towards the front door. “Stop nagging.” he growled, picking up his keys as Shuichi opened the door, stepping quickly into the hall.

“But we’re going to be late!” he said earnestly, almost skipping towards the stairs. “I told them we’d be there by 10am. They’ll be expecting us.”

Yuki joined him in the hall and ensured that the door was securely locked behind him. “They know we’re coming, it’s not like they’re not going to wait for you.”

“I know.” Shuichi said, starting to hurry down the stairs. “But I don’t want to be late.”

Yuki looked after the disappearing figure and called out. “Then why are you taking the stairs instead of the lift?” he said in a tired voice.

Shuichi stopped mid-step, and sheepishly looked over his shoulder at his partner above him. “Oh, yeah.” and he turned to remount the stairs whilst Yuki had already turned to walk towards the lift at the other end of the corridor. By the time Shuichi had caught up with him, he had pressed the button and the doors were opening.

Shuichi crowded in with Yuki. As the lift descended, Shuichi continued to fidget. “Will you stop that! It’s damn annoying!” Yuki snapped in irritation.

Shuichi glared at him. “I can’t help it! I can’t think of anything to take my mind of being late!”

“Fine! I’ll give you something else to think about!” Yuki turned and pushed Shuichi back against the wall, trapping him within the circle of his arms placed on either side of the boy.

Shuichi’s breath stopped in his throat, just before Yuki’s lips claimed his in a hard, forceful kiss that sucked his breath away, and turned him weak at the knees. Oh, the touch of Yuki’s lips on his, the feel of Yuki’s body pressed up against him, pushing him back against the wall! He felt his desire mount, his skin tingling with wanting to feel more of Yuki, to touch more. His arms had wrapped around Yuki’s waist, pulling the man closer, as he parted his lips to allow Yuki’s insistent tongue easy access.

As Yuki’s tongue delved inside his mouth, his own wrapped around it, pulling it in deeper, welcoming and inviting Yuki to explore those depths further. Yuki accepted and swirled his tongue around Shuichi’s mouth, brushing over his teeth, wrapping around his tongue, before pulling back a little to trace the outline of his lips lightly. Shuichi felt like he was melting, wanting to meld with Yuki and get closer and closer.

Yuki raised his head, breaking the contact with a last gentle brushing caress of tongue over lips. Shuichi found he was breathing hard, and his heart was pounding in his chest. He could feel his erection straining against the confinement of his pants. He knew that part of his excitement was because they were in the elevator; that brought back memories of their very first kiss. Also, the elevator was a very public place, and they were doing something rather illicit which only added spice to the already sexually-charged situation.

He looked into Yuki’s intense pale eyes, waiting for him to make the next move, anticipation building along with his desire.

“At least you’ve stopped fidgeting.” Yuki finally said, suddenly moving away as the elevator rang its arrival on the ground floor, and the doors opened.

Shuichi watched Yuki stride out in utter amazement. Whaaaaaat?!, he thought. Yuki was just leaving him like this!

“Hey!” he yelled, squeezing out of the lift as the doors began to close, threatening to trap him inside. He followed after Yuki, walking a little awkwardly due to his aroused state, and full of anger at Yuki’s deception. He caught up with him, just as Yuki was reaching his car and unlocking it.

“That’s not fair!” he said, glaring at his partner as he opened his door.

Yuki raised one eyebrow at him over the roof of the car. “What? That you’re so easily distracted, or that you’re so easy to turn on?”

Yuki slid into the car as Shuichi stood there spluttering, trying to find a suitable response, and failing. Scowling, he also got in and slammed the door, slumping into his seat as Yuki started the engine, moving out of their bay to merge with the morning traffic, and they began their trip.

After about five minutes of silence, Yuki spoke, “Stop sulking.”

“I’m not!” Shuichi snapped back, refusing to look at him. Suddenly Yuki’s hand was in his lap, cupping his genitals gently. His erection that had eased after leaving the lift, immediately sprang back into life under Yuki’s touch.

“Do you really want me to do this?” Yuki asked, not taking his eyes from the road.

“Huh?” Shuichi moaned.

“Thought you were in a hurry to go?”

“I…I…am.” Shuichi managed to gasp out as Yuki’s hand began to stroke him through his pants.

“Yet you want me to go on.”

“Ah…” Shuichi moaned again softly, as his hips involuntarily shifting closer into Yuki’s touch.

Yuki continued to stroke him, long fingers manipulating him expertly, taking him to higher planes of desire. “You know, if you come, you’re going to have to sit in the mess until we get there, and then you’re gong to have to explain the stain.”

Mess…..stain… , Shuichi’s mind was struggling to fully grasp what Yuki was calmly saying, as his hand continued to make him ache. Explain…..yes, I would….

“Oh!” His eyes suddenly shot open as what Yuki has said finally sunk in. He hurriedly pushed Yuki’s grasping hand away, although it was with some regret, and he resolutely tried to clamp down on his desire. He reached down, trying to rearrange himself and calm his racing thoughts.

Yuki returned his hand to join the other on the steering wheel. “Guess you’ve changed your mind.”

Shuichi glared at him. “You’re a bastard!” he stated. “How would you like it if I did that to you?”

“Do so, and I’ll run the car into the closest brick wall and kill us both.” Yuki replied in a flat voice.

“Humph!” Shuichi huffed. The problem is that he didn’t know if Yuki was bluffing or not, and he wasn’t about to put it to the test!

Shuichi wriggled in his seat. Yuki shot him a withering look. “If you start fucking fidgeting again, I’m going to dump your sorry ass on the road-side and you can walk.”

Shuichi glared right back, wriggling again. “Well, if you hadn’t made it so uncomfortable for me, I wouldn’t have to!”

“Have some self control!”

“It’s a bit hard when your hand is wrapped around my dick!”

“Watch your language! You’ll shock your parents.”

“As if you care! You were going to make me come in my pants so I’d embarrass myself completely when I got there!”

“Not my problem if you can’t keep it in.”

“I’d like to see you do better under the circumstances.” Shuichi retorted. “How about I drive home and molest you?”

“How about you shut up, or drop dead? Take your pick.”

“Jerk!”

“Dumbass!” and they continued on their way.

Shuichi wriggled again, ignoring Yuki’s sharp look. They’d be at his parent’s soon. It would be really good to spend some time with his family, and he was so pleased Yuki was coming also. He didn’t always. If he was busy, Shuichi didn’t press him to do so, but whenever he said yes he’d come, Shuichi’s heart soared. It really felt like a proper family gathering when Yuki was with him, having his lover at his side and spending time with his family. It was the best time in the world, and he had been so delighted when Yuki had said he would accompany Shuichi this trip.

He sat up straighter as they drew closer to his parents’ home, his excitement building. He couldn’t wait to see them! As they parked, he was already reaching for the door handle, and hopping out. Yuki came round the car and reached Shuichi’s side so they could walk in together.

“I’ll make it up to you tonight.” Yuki suddenly said, fingertips lightly brushing the back of Shuichi’s hand. Shuichi looked up at him in surprise, then smiled in delight, as a little shiver of desire ran up and down his spine at the thought of what Yuki had in mind for him later that evening. This was going to be such a good trip!

*************

“Oh, it is just so peaceful here!” Shuichi sighed happily, letting the sun warm his face.

He sat up and reached for his cool drink at his side. He intended to make the most of this day. It was the first day off he had had in the past month whilst ‘Bad Luck’ finalized the last few tracks and the album was cut. The release date was tomorrow, so K had insisted that all the band members have this day of freedom to revitalize themselves, ready for the hectic time to come.

There was always such a frenzy when a new album was released; magazine interviews, tv appearances, radio guest spots, autograph sessions, promotional photo shoots, concerts, the list went on. Shuichi had come to appreciate the amount of work both K and Sakano did on behalf of ‘Bad Luck’. The band just had to put the music out, and turn up when they had to. Okay, that was a pretty big deal and they all worked damn hard to do a good job of it, quite often under extreme pressure to meet deadlines. However, there was so much more that went on behind the scenes as well. All the rest of the organizing, the choreographing of every step, every move they made down to the tiniest detail, was laid out, scrutinized, executed, analysed and watched over by K and Sakano.

Even Tohma Seguchi had his finger constantly on the pulse of ‘Bad Luck’, keeping track of that steady beat; although that thought made Shuichi envision Tohma as a doctor hovering over a terminally ill patient, ready to switch off the life support at the slightest hint of expiration.

He shuddered as a wave of coldness ran up and down his spine. He knew that he was being very unfair in his assessment of Tohma, but he just couldn’t /like/ the man! He didn’t exactly dislike him, not really, but there was something so….elusive about Tohma Seguchi. No matter how much time Shuichi had spent with the man, no matter how many years he had associated with him, he still didn’t feel that he knew the first thing about him! The Tohma that he, and the rest of the world, saw he just knew was not the real Tohma, at least not all of him. That niggled at Shuichi. He hated secrets, especially those kept from him. The fact that it was probably absolutely none of his business what secrets Tohma had, he completely ignored!

“What’s up with you?” Yuki said, noticing Shuichi’s quiver. “Goose walk over your grave?”

Shuichi looked over at him and shook his head. “No, nothing. Just thinking.”

“Don’t hurt yourself.” Yuki mumbled, leaning back against the wall in the shadows. With his fairer skin he was staying out of the direct sunlight. The last thing he needed was getting sunburnt. It hurt like hell when he did!

“Are you glad you came?” he heard Shuichi ask.

He cracked an eye open to see his partner looking over at him, having returned to his earlier position of lying on his back. He could see the glisten of sweat sheening the boy’s face and neck. If the kid stayed in the sun much longer even he was gong to end up burnt, and Yuki was damned if he was going to listen to the wails about that!

He leant forward and reached out a long arm to grip the upper portion of Shuichi’s closest arm, dragging the boy towards him. His clothed body slid easily across the smooth wooden floor, fetching up against Yuki’s feet. He was now lying mostly in the shade, only his lower legs and feet still in the sunlight. Shuichi glared up at him, lips pouting.

“Humph.” Yuki snorted, taking in the expression. Even though he knew every expression that Shuichi could make, he still had to fight against them and not crumble to his wishes. The youth actually was rather manipulative when he wanted to be, and Yuki had to keep a close eye on him to not let him get away with too much.

“What did you do that for?” grumbled Shuichi, trying to wriggle back to his spot.

Yuki retained his grip, tightening it further, just short of being painful. “Because I have no intention of sitting here watching you trying to do an impersonation of a boiled lobster, and then have to listen to your moans for the next week about how much you hurt and that all your skin is peeling. Not again.”

Yuki could distinctly remember the last time Shuichi had allowed himself to get sunburnt after falling asleep at the park in the middle of summer, without a hat or sunscreen, and he had been stupid enough to be only wearing shorts and a tank top at the time.

When he had entered the apartment that evening, Yuki could say nothing, but just stared at the bright-red figure before him, large eyes staring out of a glowing face. Shuichi had been burnt so badly he was lit up like a neon light. Yuki couldn’t resist making a comment about if he had hung the boy outside over the balcony, he would have a steady stream of ‘clients’ knocking on the door, thinking it was a hooker’s boudoir.

He’d had to pour Shuichi into a tepid bath, trying to draw as much of the raging heat from his small body as he could, without shocking it too much and damaging the fragile skin further. Then he had had to go to the chemist nearby and purchase large quantities of various moisturizers for sensitive and over dry skin, and go through the painstaking, and messy, process of lathering his crying, writhing, moaning idiotic boyfriend from head to toe. The performance Shuichi had put on had just about driven him mad, but he had forced himself to continue to be gentle, though it took all his self-control at times when all he wanted to do was slap the silly fool for getting himself into such a predicament in the first place.

Yuki didn’t get much sleep that first night for two reasons. One being that Shuichi spent the entire time moaning and crying, which was understandable in a way as he was definitely in some pain and so Yuki knew it wasn’t all put on. Secondly, because he had to re-moisturise Shuichi about every two hours as his poor dehydrated skin sucked up the soothing cream desperately.

Due to Yuki’s quick actions and attentions, the next day Shuichi was in far better shape than he deserved to be. He was still in pain, but it had diminished to a more manageable level. The only good part about the whole episode, as far as Yuki was concerned, was seeing the expression on K’s face when he was confronted the next morning with a beetroot-red lead singer, who incidentally was supposed to have been heading off for a photo shoot that very morning. However Yuki had to give K credit for being adaptable.

After stammering and spluttering, whilst waving a gun around in despair, the man had pounced on the phone to give some hasty last minutes orders for the shoot, then with a last couple of fired shots, fortunately none of which did any further damage to Yuki’s much abused apartment, had dragged his whimpering charge out the door.

When the final pictures of the shoot were released Yuki took his hat off to K for a job well done. At least, he knew that Tohma certainly would have done exactly that, and not just figuratively. The man had saved ‘Bad Luck’ from some horrific bad press as a result of Shuichi’s stupidity. The photo showed Shuichi all in red, Hiro all in blue, and Fujisaki all in green; and he meant all. Every item of clothing each of them was wearing was of the nominated colour, and body paint had coated every portion of skin. Although in Shuichi’s case, Yuki was absolutely certain, looking at the picture, that they hadn’t bothered trying to paint him at all! It was all ‘a la naturale’! Now that, Yuki would have even paid money to see! And the caption blazing across the top of the picture in the magazine read, ‘The Colours of the Rainbow!’. How poetic. What crap!

However, that episode wasn’t the end of it for Yuki though. Although the redness and the pain rescinded in record time, probably due to Shuichi’s youth and overall good health, the next stage was the worst for Yuki. Shuichi then began to shed. His skin began to slough off like a snake’s.

Yuki began to find large filmy portions clogging the drain of the shower, and scattered over the lounge. When Shuichi arrived home and walked from the hall to the bedroom, he left a trail of fluttering portions behind him. It was enough to almost make Yuki barf. Just something about pieces of Shuichi lying all around made his stomach churn.

During this shedding process, Shuichi was still forced to remain with his stringent regime of coating his body in slimy concoctions of various moisturisers to hydrate, protect and heal the newly emerging flesh underneath. Of course, during all this time Yuki had been unable to come near to the youth. Initially because the slightest touch to the abused skin brought tears of pain to Shuichi’s eyes, so there was no chance of any sex occurring. Secondly, even when the pain was no longer an issue, Shuichi was always so slick that Yuki couldn’t even get a grip on him. The only time they had tried to have sex resulted in Shuichi sliding completely off the lounge, and continuing the motion across the floor to fetch up against the far wall, leaving a shiny streak to mark his passage. Yuki had given up in disgust after that.

So sunburnt Shuichi was not something that Yuki wanted to repeat in any way, shape or form!

“Well?” Shuichi asked, finally ceasing to struggle against Yuki’s grip.

“What?” Yuki snapped.

“Are you glad you came?” Shuichi glared up at him, waiting for an answer.

Yuki shrugged, leaning back and closing his eyes.

“Yuuuki!”

Yuki gritted his teeth at the wail. Shuichi knew how much he hated it when he did that! And he knew that he would get no peace at all until he answered the question.

He sighed softly and looked down at Shuichi. “Yeah, I’m glad. Alright? Happy now?”

Shuichi smiled up at him, “Yeah.” he said quietly, closing his eyes.

Yuki watched the youth’s smiling face. He really did look happy. Yuki shook his head, still amazed at how easy Shuichi could be made to smile, how easy it was to please him. He reached out and rested his hand gently on the boy’s head, threading his fingers through the soft hair. Shuichi kept his eyes closed, but the smile on his face grew broader. At least the brat had learnt when to keep his mouth shut – at least sometimes!

“I just love coming down here with you. It’s wonderful to have mum cook for us. Food always tastes so good when it’s home-made, and she makes the best tempura around!”

“Hey,” Yuki said with a gentle tug at the strands of hair in his hand, “I cook most of the time at home. Are you saying you don’t like my cooking?”

Shuichi opened his eyes, looking up at his partner. “You know I don’t mean that, idiot.” Yuki raised an eyebrow at Shuichi’s use of his favourite word for the boy. “I just mean that when food is cooked and shared with the people you love the most, it always seems to taste incredible. So much better than having the same thing on your own, or at a restaurant, or as take-away.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.” Yuki said, still softly stroking Shuichi’s hair. “Food’s food.”

Shuichi rolled his eyes at Yuki’s response. “If you say so. Anyway, mum loves having you here. She really enjoys swapping recipes, and we always eat so great whilst we are here because you and she end up having cook-offs trying to out do each other in the kitchen!” He grinned up at Yuki. “And we get to take heaps of left-overs home so I know I’ll be able to eat my favourite foods for at least a week!”

“You think with your stomach.”

“I don’t see you refusing any of it when we get home either!”

Yuki shrugged in reply, whilst Shuichi chuckled. With a sigh, the boy closed his eyes again, and Yuki felt him shift a little closer to his legs. “I’m really glad we came.” he murmured sleepily.

Oh, yes, Yuki thought, it was a good thing he got Shuichi out of the sun when he did. The idiot was going to go to sleep! He closed his own eyes, whilst his hand continued its slow, soft motions through Shuichi’s hair.