Come What May
Local God
NC-17
If you have time, please review. Thank you!!
Note: Thank you so much to all who have taken the time to review. And I apologize for whining about the lack of reviews last time.
A glimpse at other experiences in recent days has made me acutely aware of how precious time is for both Kri and Ashcat. I am truly lucky they give me so much of their time, because as I’ve stated before, this story would not exist without their help.
Have any of you been wondering about Kyo? Well, here he is, and he’s petulant about being ignored for so long. Be warned though, smut ahead. (It is Kyo, after all!)
Come What May
Chapter 6
Local God
Be my Romeo
Please be my voice in this world
I can’t sing the songs that you sing
I can’t find the gorgeous words
Will you be my Romeo?
My go-go Romeo
I see you twist and turn you look so stupid
I feel just like a local god when I’m with the boys
We do what we want, yes we do what we want
I feel just like a local god when I’m with the boys
We do what we want, yeah we do what we want
********************************
You are a very lucky man, Inoue Kyosuke, I thought as I watched my sleeping lovers.
Hiroshi lay sprawled out as he usually did, limbs comfortably extended and wildly askew. My longhaired lover was much more expressive in slumber than he was awake and frankly, something of a bed hog. Whereas Suguru lay between Hiroshi and me, curled into a tight ball, his curved back pressed against me, unconsciously seeking heat and comfort.
Who would have ever thought Suguru would have turned out to be the more demonstrative of the two? Well, at least where sleep was involved, he was much more affectionate and even bordered on the clingy side.
This was something of an adjustment for me; I was very much a do-not-touch type of sleeper. I wasn’t sure if Hiroshi and Suguru were aware of it, but I was struggling with becoming acclimated to living with two lovers. I had lived such a solitary, arbitrary existence up until now that I found there were times when our living situation became almost overwhelming for me.
My claustrophobic fears caused me to be unsure if I was worthy of their love. I was unaccustomed to feeling… inadequate and I wasn’t entirely tolerant of my new found limitation. It was almost as if some part of me was eroding under the strain of a serious relationship. Uncertainty was a new experience for me and I cannot say that I appreciated it.
I turned my thoughts away from the internal struggle I was dealing with and back to my sleeping lovers.
The lovely, lean, and graceful Hiroshi had a moody, brooding streak in him that made our particular circumstances difficult at times. He had a surprising amount of jealousy and possessiveness in him, although both Suguru and Shuichi had indicated his tenacity for me was something neither of them had witnessed before. But he also had a quiet strength that he would lend me without hesitation. He was loyal and unassuming – the complete opposite of me. Watching his steady breathing, I felt my heart race. There was no doubt I loved him.
The adorable, slight, and demure Suguru remained somewhat aloof and distant much of the time. He appeared to be more confident than he once was, even revealing an increasing penchant for our kinky games. However, he remained slightly insecure, continuing to treat our relationship as a temporary arrangement. But he had an uncanny way of getting to the heart of matters, of cutting through all the emotional entanglements and seeing the situation, whatever it might be, clearly. He was brutally honest in everything he did, but he was also timid and unsure of himself – again, very different from me. I brushed at his hair and he snuggled against me. More than anything I wanted to protect him, to keep him safe from the harsh realities of the world.
He, on the other hand, kept a distance between us, keeping his heart just out of my reach. I supposed I could not fault him for his skepticism. The last few weeks had been a whirlwind of trial and error for all three of us. At the moment, the trial we had recently endured was Hiroshi coming to an understanding about my lack of jealousy.
For the most part, by my very nature, I am not a jealous person. I’ve always been secure in my varied and numerous relationships over the years. I assumed people stayed together because they wanted to. I didn’t worry about the possibilities of someone better than me coming along and stealing away my lover. To me, the action of ‘being stolen’ translated to the relationship not being strong to begin with.
Yeah, I’ve been slapped - or worse - a few times for “not caring.” But, if there was another person my lover would rather be with, how could I stand in the way? And what would my complaining about the situation accomplish?
I hoped my lovers didn’t expect me to chase after them all of the time. I would do it for a while, as I had with Hiroshi a few nights ago, but I had my limits. Just as I had with Shu.
Did the lack of pursuit make me a poor lover? Maybe. As humans, we all had character flaws. I supposed problems would arise if my lovers could not deal with my…imperfections.
“Are you going to make coffee?” Suguru asked quietly as he looked over his shoulder at me.
I ran my hand along his arm as I nodded. His skin was sinfully soft.
His eyes narrowed as he said, “You are not thinking of cooking, are you?”
Hmm. Another failing. I could not successfully boil water.
“No,” I smiled before continuing, “but I can make coffee.”
“I never thought I’d say this,” Suguru said with a yawn. “But where food is concerned, I miss Shuichi.”
Snaking an arm underneath him, I pulled his back tight against me, inhaling deeply. Suguru had a spicy, erotic scent, a combination of cedar and sex. He looked so innocent and yet he exuded pure pheromones. What made him more tantalizing was his own ignorance of the affect he had on people, he was totally unaware of his own sensuality.
As far as Bad Luck was concerned, Shuichi was the charismatic force of nature, and Hiroshi the calm, steady beauty. It was easy for people to overlook the seemingly normal, innocent and doe-eyed Suguru.
That is, until you were fortunate enough to have had a taste of him.
“Uh oh,” I whispered into his ear as I pressed against him. “I think I want something other than coffee.”
“So I feel,” he answered me with a chuckle as he pushed back, rubbing against my erection.
“Do you mind?” I asked as I slid my hand down the front of him as I gauged his reaction. Touching his fully awake cock, I didn’t think he would protest.
“I don’t mind,” he whispered.
“Should we wake Hiroshi?” I asked as I nuzzled Suguru’s neck.
“No. I think you and I gave him everything he could want and more last night. But you… you are the one who is so ravenous, Kyosuke,” Suguru said with a sigh. “It’s a good thing there are two of us, because I don’t think you are ever completely sated.”
Oops. Another flaw, perhaps? “Well, I wouldn’t say I’m never sated. You two are simply too tempting and luscious.”
“Is that so?” he did not sound convinced.
“Yes, that is so,” I answered sternly, before I resumed nuzzling his neck and cupping his twitching erection. “Now, what do you want?”
“You.” He said quietly. And then he whispered, “Inside me.”
“What? No oral sex?” I wrapped my hand around him and squeezed.
“Uh… Not this time.”
“Okay, but you know what I want first, right?” I crooned in his ear.
“Kyosuke…”
“No whining,” I said as I nipped at him.
He wiggled far enough away from me so he could lay on his back. He met my stare with lust-filled eyes. “I don’t get it.”
Chuckling I said, “What’s there to get? Hiroshi loves pain. You love oral sex. I love to watch. We all have our own set of switches.”
He rolled his eyes, “Ha! Yes, you love to watch, and top, and toys, and baths and I could go on and on. Besides, you love oral sex as well!”
I laughed now. “Well, you like to be on top, too.”
He blushed before he said, “Actually, I like being in the middle the most.”
Raising my pierced eyebrow in surprise I asked, “Really? As a participant or as… the toy?”
His blush deepened. Dear gods he was adorable. “Maybe I should wake Hiroshi after all.”
“Not this morning,” he shook his head. “I really want you to… to have me.” His hand ran down his naked belly and he grabbed his erection.
I stopped his hand, “Wait.” I sat up and reached for the lube. I poured some into his hand and placed his hand back on his cock. I poured some of the lube in my own hand, recapped the bottle and sat back to watch.
He was the best I had ever seen do this. I think I enjoyed the fact I was one of two people in the world ever to witness Fujisaki Suguru touch himself. There was something about watching his uptight exterior melt away as he pleasured himself.
“Kyosuke,” he moaned at me as he stroked himself.
I pushed his damp hair away from his half-lidded eyes, “You are so sexy, ‘Guru.”
“I’m afraid I’ll be very quick,” he panted at me.
“Why would you be afraid?” I asked as I resumed watching him, sliding my lubed hand over my own erection, preparing myself for what would happen soon.
“Of disappointing you… oh!” His hand moved faster and he wantonly spread his legs.
I moved so that I sat on my knees, between his opened legs. He always protested masturbating in front of me, blushing and telling me he was too embarrassed to do it. But when he gave in and touched himself under my scrutiny, the resulting orgasm was always extremely fast and powerful. He loved to be watched—there was no doubt. He also loved to have sex in public places. Our seemingly reticent lover had turned out to be a wild exhibitionist.
But this morning seemed slightly different, Suguru was not bargaining or arguing with me or trying to get out of giving me my show in any way. Was he adjusting to our way of life? Or maybe he was learning to trust me. If so, well, all the better. I licked my lips as I observed his rapidly increasing strokes. He reached down with his free hand and cupped his balls, his fingers becoming coated and shiny with excess lube.
I had to clear my throat before saying, “How could you possibly disappoint me?”
“Because,” he said as he let his fingers dip further down and circle his entrance. “I’m always so quick!”
“You always give me exactly what I want.” I watched one of his fingers slide inside. “Titillating and enticing me with your vampish ways.”
He added a second finger. For some reason, my quiet chastising turned him on even more. It was easy enough for me to do my part and I continued. “My salacious little tease. You are such a bad boy, writhing around and touching yourself.”
That was all it took. “Ahh!” He cried out as he spilled the milky white strands onto his stomach. He panted, his eyes closed as he said, “I’m sorry, I’m too quick.”
“Circular reasoning, my dear Suguru. Do I appear to be disappointed?” I asked as I leaned forward to lick his cum off of his belly. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Hiroshi’s opened, storm-colored eyes observing us. I took my time as I licked him long and thoroughly, giving both of them the show they wanted. By the time I was done, Suguru was hard again.
I swirled my tongue lower, around the tip of his cock and his breath caught. I lapped at the length, tasting the vanilla flavored lube mingled with Suguru’s unique taste. I was aching with my own desire but I needed to give him more. I needed to let him know I loved him. My mouth closed over the head of his cock and I slid my lips further down, my tongue pressing tight against him. Further still, and I could feel the tip of his penis tickle the back of my throat. And I applied suction and moved my head.
“Oh…” he moaned.
I looked up and the met his eyes and he moaned again as he watched his cock slip in and out of my mouth.
He hissed this time before he said, “You are so good at that…”
Huh. What do you know, a compliment from my uptight boy. I tightened my lips on him and I felt him become harder. Would he come again so soon?
“Kyosuke,” he panted as he threaded his fingers through my hair and pushed my head down ruthlessly.
He did come again as he thrust into my mouth and cried out. More of his warm saltiness spilled into me as I swallowed greedily.
I sat back, licking and smacking my lips before I teased, “I think you’re right. You have no control.”
“What?” he panted. “It’s because you…”
“Because I’m so good?” I needled. “Because you can’t resist sexy me and my overwhelming charms?”
“Ftt,” he said dismissively. “You do have a very charming mouth. That is, when you are not spouting ridiculous nonsense.”
I laughed softly as I moved along side of him, so I was facing Hiroshi. I adjusted Suguru, so that he too was on his side facing our lover. I positioned his legs so I had access to his entrance. Suguru was already lubed up from his earlier performance so my cock slid relatively easily into his very snug passage without any obvious pain or difficulty on his part.
“Oh, Kyosuke… you are almost too much to take.” He whispered.
“Mmm,” was all I could manage to reply as his taut heat clasped me. This was a sweet position and allowed a lot of touching so I did not think I would last long myself. Mornings tended to be somewhat intense for me, and especially when I was inside the tight ass of one of my lovers and watching the other touch himself.
Hiroshi’s eyes remained locked on Suguru’s or my own as he drew his hand over his own erection. He had managed to get to the lube and he stroked his hardened length with languorous movements. Just as Suguru had done for me earlier, Hiroshi now gave us both a show.
Suguru reached out and I got the hint. I withdrew from him and said, “Rollover, ‘Guru. On your knees.”
He did so as Hiroshi sat up and moved forward, within reach of Suguru’s mouth. Our shorthaired lover swallowed Hiroshi’s erection down and was rewarded with a hiss of pleasure. “I think he wants to be our bitch this morning,” Hiroshi said as he grabbed Suguru’s head and leaned forward, towards me.
I pushed back inside our lover, the penetration was deeper in this position and I had to concentrate so I did not come immediately. “Yes, I think we should take advantage while we can.” I answered and then I met Hiroshi’s lips and kissed him deeply. The touch of his tongue sent me over the edge and I came with a shudder.
I pulled out moved so I had a better view to watch as Suguru continued his blowjob on Hiroshi. I was fairly sure with a little more time I would be back inside him again. Or maybe Hiroshi, this time.
Have I mentioned the fact I am a very lucky man?
“Say that again,” I said as I withdrew my head from underneath the shower and met Suguru’s dark eyes.
“What do you think about me getting my tongue pierced?” He asked as he ran a towel over his freshly washed hair.
Hiroshi stopped his movements, hair covered in shampoo as he stared out of the shower at our lover with me.
Suguru sighed, “I knew it. You guys think I’m weird.”
I closed my mouth with a snap, “Hardly. Let’s talk about this as soon as Hiroshi and I rinse off.”
A few minutes later, we all sat at the kitchen table sipping coffee and tea.
“Now, Suguru,” I began quietly. “Explain about the piercing.”
“Well,” he said as he slid his finger over the handle on his cup. “I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. We still have several weeks before the tour starts and I don’t sing much backup.”
“But why?” I asked. “This sounds like something Hiroshi or Shuichi would be into, not you.”
He shrugged and his cheeks turned pink as he said, “I think it’s cool. And there are other… bonuses in it.”
“I think you should do it,” Hiroshi nodded with obvious enthusiasm. “It would be hot.”
“Hiroshi, behave,” I scolded. “This isn’t a game. Getting your tongue pierced is painful.”
“Now, how would you know, Kyosuke? I wonder.” He asked me with a jealous edge to his voice. “Besides, you can’t fool me, you are thinking of Suguru’s pierced tongue on you, just like I am. Don’t tell me you aren’t turned on by the idea.”
I rolled my eyes, “Of course I’m turned on by the idea. But it is painful and we would have to take it easy on him for a while. Suguru, have you done the research on this?”
“Yes, I did the research,” he said with apparent irritation. “And it’s not as if I have to ask your permission, Kyosuke.”
“I don’t expect you to ask for my permission, I simply want you to consider the possible problems and dangers.” I answered patiently. I really hate it when I’m forced to be the voice of reason.
“Kyosuke,” Hiroshi interjected, “this is Suguru we are talking about. He’s all about research, you know that. Give him some credit, will you?”
I threw my hands up in surrender. “You’re right. You’re both right and I’ll say no more.”
After a moment Suguru placed his hand gently on my thigh, attempting to sooth my ruffled feathers. “I’m sorry, Kyosuke, I shouldn’t have snapped at you. I know you are worried about me and I appreciate that. But I really want to do this. It’s sort of my way to be more individual without anyone knowing that doesn’t need to know.”
“Your way of being individual but not?” Hiroshi questioned.
“I want the three of us to share something, okay?” He answered with renewed exasperation. “I guess I’m not explaining it well.”
“No, you are,” I assured him quietly as I closed my hand over his and looked at Hiroshi pointedly. “I understand what you are saying, ‘Guru-kun, and I apologize for not being more supportive to begin with.”
Hiroshi shrugged, “I’ve already told you both I think it would be hot. If you want to do it, Suguru, I’m all for it. Can I watch you get it done?”
“Of course you can watch,” Suguru answered with a chuckle.
“Well, I guess all that is left is to decide when do you want to go,” I said.
“Tomorrow. It doesn’t take long.”
“Tomorrow?” I said with surprise. “You have a place already picked out to have it done at?”
He nodded, “That place Shuichi and Miki went to.”
He had done his homework, I had to acquiesce to that. “Well, I guess I’ll have to get all my kissing out of you tonight.”
“And oral sex,” Hiroshi said as he lit a cigarette. “How long will you be out of commission?”
“A couple of weeks at most,” he said with a sly smile.
“Really? Is that all?” I asked with a grin. “Oh, then yes, please do it!”
Lucky, lucky me.
A few days later, I was working at home on our schedule when my phone rang.
“Ah, Kyosuke,” my cousin’s smooth voice greeted me.
“Hey, Tohma. How are you?”
“I am well. How are the details coming along on the schedule?” He asked quietly.
Hmm, odd. “Tohma, you get an update everyday.” I reached for my cigarettes.
“I suppose you do send me a report everyday,” he replied.
Lighting a cigarette, I asked, “Then, what is the real reason you are calling me?”
“I never could fool you, Kyosuke.” He answered.
I braced myself for whatever he was about to tell me.
“You have been introduced to Takahashi-san, have you not?”
“Our media spin doctor? The one who was mysteriously fired from her last job after a clandestine meeting with you? Of course I know her,” I took a drag.
He paused, “I think, perhaps, it would be best if you and Nakano-san went public with your relationship.”
Sitting up straight I said, “What? Why?”
I could hear his chuckle, “Are you worried about it? That is very unlike you.”
“No, Tohma,” I exhaled. “For your information, I am not worried about myself. I am worried about Hiroshi. And I am even more concerned about the impact of going public with Hiroshi might have on Suguru.”
“Yes. It is for Suguru-san’s sake that I wish you to go public with Nakano-san. There are many rumors circulating about your very complicated relationship. I must say, Kyosuke, the three of you have not been very discreet concerning your public image.” He paused again before continuing. “My aunt has made an inquiring phone call to NG. I would appreciate not having to deal with another one from her.”
So, Suguru’s witch of a mother was on the prowl. “Well, I know Suguru would appreciate not having to deal with her as well, however, I understand your point.”
“Excellent,” he said, I could see the plastic smile of relief through his voice.
It was time to burst his bubble. I smiled before I said, “I promise I’ll speak with the two of them, when Suguru learns to speak again.”
“When he learns to speak again? Kyosuke,” he began slowly, “I fear to ask, but what have you three been up to now?”
“Not much. A little tongue piercing is all,” I answered nonchalantly. “It was entirely Suguru’s idea by the way. There was no coercion from anyone.”
“Tongue piercing? No coercion? I am certain at the same time you did not try and persuade him otherwise.” He said wearily.
“Not true,” I chuckled. “Once again, I was the voice of reason in this sea of chaos.”
“Were you? Then I fear all hope for Suguru’s salvation is truly lost,” he answered lightheartedly. “I suppose we will have to deal with my aunt sooner or later.”
“Maybe you should let me handle this one, Tohma. I think the three of us need to tackle it together.”
“Perhaps… I will.” He said grudgingly. “And I think she fears you a bit more than me.”
He had given up so easily, I was convinced he had more on his plate than he was letting on. “Besides, you sound tapped out.”
“Do I? How interesting.” I could hear the strain in my cousin’s voice but surprisingly he did not conclude the phone conversation.
“Is there something else on your mind, Tohma?” I asked him, trying to push him into speeding up the conversation. I should have known better. Tohma always moves at his own pace.
“Yes, as a matter-of-fact, there is.” He answered.
I paused and slowed my speech, we would play it his way for a while. “And what might that be?”
“Ah, well. I was hoping that, as a favor to me, you might indulge me.”
“Of course, Tohma.” I smiled. He could be so egocentric sometimes. “But what could lowly me do for the omnipotent God of NG?”
“Kyosuke…” he said tolerantly, “Behave yourself.”
“You started it,” I laughed. “Come on, Tohma, get to the point already!”
He sighed, possibly out of frustration. His power play games never did work on me and it drove him crazy, resulting in an infinite amount of joy for me. No wonder I was his favorite cousin.
“I would like to ask that, if you could, the next time you speak to Shuichi-san, you might attempt to dissuade him concerning his regrets about you.”
“What? Is he still pining over me?” I answered.
“I believe so. Or, perhaps not about you, but about what might have been.”
Hmm. I smiled again before saying, “Well, that knowledge must be driving Yuki-san insane with jealousy.”
“Yes.”
“How odd. I wonder why he has not given up on that dream,” I said. “It’s not as if we ever really had much of a relationship. Well, other than friendship.”
“Oh, do not sell yourself short, Kyosuke. It has always been my belief that if you had come back sooner, Shuichi would have fallen into your lap.”
Flattery. What was he up to, I wondered. “Oh, I don’t know, Tohma. If we had gotten together, chances are high we would have ended in tears.”
“Perhaps. Even so, will you consider what I have asked?”
“Say no more, Tohma. I’ve already had the conversation with him a few nights ago.”
“A few nights ago, did you say?”
“Sure. He was upset out about something – freaked out I should say. Hiroshi told me Shu was worried about dumb things he did after I left Tokyo.” Hmm, my brain began attempting to connect some dots. “You wouldn’t know what he was so worried about would you?”
“Kyosuke,” he said very, very patiently. “Will you continue to help?”
So, Tohma did know and was avoiding the question. That meant one thing, he was protecting someone one. But who was he protecting? Shuichi? Maybe. Yuki? Probably. Himself? Unlikely.
Wait a minute, was it unlikely he was protecting himself? Hmm.
“Kyosuke?”
“Of course I’ll help Tohma. He needs to get over this obsession with me.”
“I’m not sure it’s an obsession with you, per se…” he began but I interrupted him before he could finish.
“Of course he’s obsessed. Warm hearted, beautiful me instead of dysfunctional, cold Yuki-san? What’s the choice? Only, now he’s waited too long and I’m taken, so Shuichi can only dream… and be filled with regret,” I said dramatically.
Tohma began to laugh. “I do believe it will be better in the long run for Shuichi-san to finally let loose of his long-denied adoration for you and somehow find a way to go on in spite of his searing disappointment.”
“Now, that’s the spirit!” I also laughed. “Don’t worry, I’ll be talking to him soon, anyway. Hiroshi’s been acting strange as of late, so Shuichi’s input would be good. Also, I think Hiroshi encouraged Shu to talk to me about dealing with ‘past indiscretions’ or some such nonsense.”
After a long pause he said very slowly, “Past indiscretions, did you say?”
“Oh, am I mistaken or did those words get to you? Hmm, could Shuichi’s ‘past indiscretion’ involve you, Tohma? Mmm?” I teased.
“Kyosuke, please excuse me, I must see to some other business. I would ask you to do your best.”
“Uh, okay.” I answered, surprised at his abrupt change.
He hung up without saying goodbye.
That was odd.
I hoped that didn’t mean what I imagined it to mean. Shuichi and Tohma? Impossible.
“Go public?” Hiroshi said, his eyes wide.
“Yes. Tohma feels he can no longer contain the media curiosity. So, he is calling for a preemptive strike.”
Suguru nodded, “Yeth. Tha woul be withith courth of act’on.”
I ran my hand through his hair and smiled at him. “Are you trying to say: ‘Wisest course of action’?”
He nodded. “Whe’ do we do ith?”
“Not you, my love,” I said quietly. “Tohma feels in order to pacify the press and your mother, it will only be Hiroshi and myself who go public.”
Suguru shook his head, “No.”
Hiroshi put his arm around Suguru, “It will hold your mother at bay.”
“Fu’ my muter!” He yelled. “I will no’ be leffed ou’!”
“But… ‘Guru, this will be… scandalous. I mean, it’s rough enough to come out, but our relationship is totally out of the norm.”
“Tho? Do you thin’ I woul’ run?”
I sat down next to him and pulled him into an embrace, “This will be ugly. The world already knows about Hiroshi and I, but you…”
“I don’ care,” he snapped.
Looking over his head, I met Hiroshi’s eyes, “How do you feel about it?”
He shrugged, “I never had any intention of hiding how I felt for either of you, so I’m okay with it. How will Tohma take it?”
“I’ll handle telling Tohma. What about K?”
Hiroshi laughed.
“Hirothi can get K to eat from hith hand,” Suguru muttered.
“Really?” My pierced eyebrow shot up, a strange emotion swelled inside me. “And how exactly do you get him to eat from your hand, Hiroshi?”
He stopped laughing abruptly and looked at me.
“I believe you’re jealouth,” Suguru said with surprise as he sat back and studied me.
“Am I?” I asked in confusion.
Hiroshi smirked at me, so I assumed that meant yes. Huh.
“All right. I know Tohma, and he’s not going to like this. So be prepared for him to go around me and talk to you. We have to work on our strategy for dealing with him.” I looked at Suguru again and touched his cheek gently, “Are you sure?”
“Yeth.” He smiled at me. “I’ve never been more thure.”
“Then we need to have a strategy for your mother as well.” I chewed on my lip. I wondered if Dad would talk to her. Well, I wouldn’t ask him unless it got completely insane. “How will your dad be about this ‘Guru?”
“Whipped. No’ worried abou’ him.”
“Okay,” I said as I nodded. “Hiroshi, what about your family?”
He shrugged, “They gave up on ‘reforming’ me a while ago. I might get one or two crazy calls, but I know how to hang up.”
Nodding again I said, “Then I’ll call Takahashi-san. I’m sure a photoshoot will be in order.”
Hiroshi lay down on the couch, his head in Suguru’s lap, “Can we make the photos hot and sweaty? We might as well get it all out.”
“Fine with me. Suguru?”
“Thweaty!” He lisped with a grin, the glint of metal inside his mouth caught my eye.
“I hope you re-learn to talk by then. And make sure you stick your tongue out at the camera – no sense in being shy about anything at this point.” I sighed. “Maybe we should talk Hiroshi into a tattoo of some sort. You know, to complete our bad boy image.”
I knew this idea had a high possibility of becoming a very ugly situation for us. I was fairly sure Europe could handle it – but I wasn’t sure about Asia. Maybe I needed to speak to Dad after all, to warn him at least. This declaration had the potential of destroying my lover’s careers… yet I found I could not help feeling a little elated by it.
“You theem happy, Kyothuke.”
“I am happy. I love you, Suguru.”
He blinked his eyes, “You do?”
“Yeth,” I smiled at him and leaned forward so I could kiss him lightly. “Very much.”
“Hey!” Hiroshi complained. “What about me?”
“I love you, too.” I leaned over further and kissed him, hard. “Time for us to plan our strategy.”
We were in the studio, Suguru at the harpsichord, Hiroshi on a stool with a classical guitar and I was sitting on my own stool with, of all things, a violin. I could play the violin passably, but it was not as if I was actually good at it.
Makeup and hair spray, silk shirts and leather pants. As if we always appeared in public like this.
Suguru had his glasses on and Hiroshi’s hair was loose. Usually in the studio we were all unkempt and comfortable. I was always very casual. This felt silly and I wasn’t used to it. Unlike Suguru and Hiroshi. I didn’t know how they managed this pretense for so many hours.
There was a malfunction with one of the light fixtures, so I took a moment and set my violin down on a table and made Suguru make room on the bench for me. I loved playing duets with Suguru. He was much better than I was on the piano, but I still loved playing with him. He immediately broke into the opening movement of a Mozart duet we loved to play.
After we were done with this part of the shoot, we were to do the spicy part of it, and I was looking forward to that. At least I would be able to touch them a little.
As I drove us home after the shoot, all I could think about was taking a shower and rinsing off all the makeup and hair product. I was strangely exhausted.
But not enough to miss the sight of a sleek, foreign car in front of the house. I saw Nakamura outside, speaking to someone, easing any fear and giving me the gentle reassurance that my visitor, whoever it might be, was not a threat.
Then I saw whom he was speaking to. It was Ishida.
"I hope you two are ready for this," I muttered as I parked the car.
"What are you talking about?" Hiroshi asked.
At that moment, my front door opened and a tall, handsome man dressed in an Armani suit stepped out. I threw the car door open, stepped out and moved towards him.
"Hey, wait. You need to explain who that is..."
I lengthened my steps to reach the newcomer as he did the same to close the distance between us.
Suguru’s voice become quiet and soft as he attempted to reason with a very agitated Hiroshi.
The two of us collided in a fierce embrace and Hiroshi went ballistic. The snarling, loud and accusatory phrase “man-whore” hit me from behind.
His always calm, steady voice said in my ear, “That must be your jealous Hiroshi. You were not exaggerating about that. How cute.”
“Hiroshi!” Suguru screamed over our lover’s long-winded rant. “Stop your childishness and listen to what I’m saying.”
Pulling away from our embrace he said, "Hello, Suguru-san. You have turned out to be a fine young man."
Suguru blushed deeply in response to my father’s accurate, albeit shameless, flattery.
"Who are you?" Hiroshi spat like a wildcat as he moved closer.
I had to cover my laughter as Suguru scrambled to step in front of a furious Hiroshi. Bowing he said, "Hello, Uncle Inoue. I hope you are well."
"Un...Uncl...?" Hiroshi stuttered, his eyes very wide as he stared. "But wouldn't that mean you... you are..."
"And Nakano-san," my father's green eyes almost crackled with contained amusement. "Thank you for looking after my troublesome son."
"Sss...son?" He was still stuttering and Suguru finally whacked him on the back of the head so he would bow. "Forgive me... I didn't know."
Father gave them a wide smile. I heard a collective intake of breath from the two of them.
"Wow. Kyosuke looks just like you, Uncle," Suguru said and then he broke into his own smile.
"Does he? With that long hair of his, I always thought he favored his mother more. Even if it is currently blond, I can see so much of her in him." He tipped his immaculately groomed head my direction and studied me with a melancholy gaze. We shared a moment together, both of us keenly aware of mother’s absence.
Suddenly his sadness passed and his smile was back, and brighter than ever, as he said, "However, he is very handsome, so it is likely he takes after me."
"Well, after that comment, there is no doubt he is related to you." Hiroshi said with a chuckle. "But if Kyosuke manages to look half as good as you in 20 years, well... lucky us."
"Yes," Suguru agreed with a nod. "Lucky us."
I blinked my eyes at my smiling boys. They had paid me a compliment and I could feel the unusual heat of a deep blush on my cheeks. They had also alluded to the hope of our relationship lasting for 20 years.
Well, I thought to myself, what do you think of that, Inoue Kyosuke?
Lucky, lucky me.
TBC
Lyrics for Local God by Art Alexakis and Everclear