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FIC: Unmasked, Part 21 of 25
Title: Unmasked, Part 21 of 25
Rating: NC-17 overall
Fandom: Haru wo Daiteita (Embracing Love)
Pairing: Kikuchi/Onozuka, Iwaki/Katou, Yoshizumi/Kenzaki
Characters: Kikuchi, Onozuka, Yoshizumi, Kenzaki, Iwaki, Katou
Disclaimer: No money is being made off this story; consider it a little wish fulfillment on my part.
Word count: ~6,170
Sequel to: Unexpected Opportunities, Comeback (Part 1 and Part 2), Forgiveness, Firsts, First Date (Part 1 and Part 2), Going Steady (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6), Audition (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), Cookout (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), Press Conference (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), Sanctuary, The Prince vs. the Groupie (Part 1, Part 2), Family Visit: Tokyo (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5), Gigolo (Part 1, Part 2), Yoshizumi's Night Out (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), Family Visit: Okinawa (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5), and Interlude. The series also includes two side-stories that are outside of the main timeline: Valentine's Day Surprise and Strictly Business.
Summary: Kikuchi and Onozuka have passionate make-up sex, and Yoshizumi and Kenzaki start their relationship anew. Meanwhile, Iwaki spends a sleepless night at Katou's bedside.
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20
***
Onozuka walked into Kikuchi's apartment for the first time since before their fight, and there was an awkward moment as they stood there staring at each other. The usually confident and arrogant Kikuchi looked hesitant and unsure of himself, and he seemed afraid to make the first move for fear of being pushed away. Onozuka found it surprisingly sweet and touching.
At the same time, he felt a different sort of tension filling his body. All his previous visits to Kikuchi's apartment had been primarily to have sex, and Onozuka found himself getting aroused by those memories and by the thought of how long it had been since they'd last slept together.
Kikuchi cleared his throat and said, "Yuu...I know that there's a lot I need to apologize for--"
"Later," Onozuka interrupted in a husky voice. "I know that we need to talk, but please...later." Kikuchi nodded, and Onozuka said, "Good," then sealed his mouth over Kikuchi's.
Kikuchi froze in shock for just a second, then wrapped his arms around Onozuka and returned the kiss hungrily, pushing his tongue between Onozuka's lips. And that was all it took for both of them to lose control, frantically trying to get each other's clothes off as quickly as possible as they stumbled towards the bedroom.
Their jackets were shed easily enough, dropped carelessly on the floor near the front door. "Someday I'll show you how to take this off properly," Kikuchi said, cursing under his breath as he struggled to unknot Onozuka's tie, his fingers clumsy with impatience. "But right now I can't wait." He finally got the tie loose and yanked it off, casting it aside on the floor.
"What do you mean?" Onozuka asked, preoccupied himself with unbuckling Kikuchi's belt. Kikuchi didn't answer, concentrating instead on unbuttoning Onozuka's shirt. He pulled it open and his mouth latched onto Onozuka's exposed neck, biting down sharply. "Ah!" Onozuka cried, that sudden pain causing a corresponding flare of arousal in his groin.
Kikuchi released him long enough to growl, "Filming is over, so it's okay if I mark you, right?" Before Onozuka had a chance to reply, Kikuchi's mouth closed on his neck again, biting and sucking on the same spot. Onozuka had teased Kikuchi before about his vampiric impulses, but he found himself moaning now. He didn't know why being bitten on the neck should be so erotic but it was, and he pressed his body against Kikuchi's, allowing his lover to feel how excited he was.
The pressure on his neck eased off as Kikuchi opened his mouth to groan loudly. "I've to have you now," Kikuchi panted, and they renewed their assault on each other's clothing. They left a trail of clothes all the way from the front door to the bed, along with a few buttons that got torn off in their haste to undress.
But finally they were naked, and they fell into the bed together, and Onozuka luxuriated in the sensation of Kikuchi's bare skin moving against his own with nothing between them. Onozuka claimed Kikuchi's mouth in a deep kiss while his hands caressed Kikuchi's body, and he greedily drank in the scent, touch, and taste of his lover.
Kikuchi's hands moved on his body just as greedily, with the ease of long familiarity, knowing exactly what would excite Onozuka most. Onozuka was forced to break off the kiss, moaning uncontrollably, and Kikuchi smiled with satisfaction. "I missed you so much, Yuu," Kikuchi whispered into his ear. "Did you miss me?"
It was stupid--not to mention pointless--to worry about his pride at a time like this, but Onozuka was still embarrassed to admit that he had. Or maybe it was that he was still a little shaken by how much he had missed Kikuchi during the past couple of weeks, and what a relief it was to be here with Kikuchi again.
"What do you think?" Onozuka replied gruffly, then cried out as Kikuchi's fingers tweaked his nipple, sending a little surge of pleasure-pain through his body, while Kikuchi's teeth nipped at his earlobe sharply.
"What I think..." Kikuchi murmured, pausing to lick Onozuka's earlobe more gently now. "...is that I'd like to hear you say it, your Highness." Kikuchi's hands caressed Onozuka lightly and teasingly, one hand stroking the inside of his thigh as the other drifted slowly down his stomach towards his crotch.
Onozuka moaned in frustration, his body arching up off the bed, seeking more contact with Kikuchi's hands and body. "Yes, of course I missed you, you smug bastard!" he groaned, but as he said it, he realized that there was a hint of insecurity in Kikuchi's eyes, despite his smug smile.
The insecurity was replaced by a look of relief as Kikuchi laughed, "That's not very gracious, your Highness." Then he smiled at Onozuka tenderly and said, "But as long as it's sincere, it makes me happier than any amount of false princely flattery."
Onozuka blushed and muttered, "Yoshizumi would say you're being nauseating."
"Yoshizumi can go to hell," Kikuchi growled, and Onozuka blinked in surprise at the heat in his voice. "Sorry," Kikuchi apologized in a normal voice, but his eyes still glittered with jealousy. "I didn't mean to snap at you, but you know I don't like hearing you talk about other men--especially when we're in bed together!"
He really was serious, Onozuka marveled as he looked back on all Kikuchi's joking complaints about how much he talked about other men, and realized now that it hadn't been a joke, after all. He felt a little guilty, but at the same time, it made him inexplicably happy.
"I thought you were only joking," Onozuka said aloud.
Kikuchi gave him a look of exasperation mixed with fondness, and growled--in a more seductive voice this time, "Shall I show you how serious I am, then?" Without waiting for a reply, he kissed Onozuka fiercely and ceased with the teasing caresses, his hands moving on Onozuka urgently, until Onozuka was panting and moaning incoherently with desire.
"Please," he gasped. "Katsuya...please!"
"Finally," Kikuchi whispered, his eyes lighting up. "I was afraid you were never going to call me by name again!"
Onozuka hadn't realized that it had bothered him so much. It was amazing, and maybe a little frightening, how much the things he said and did could affect Kikuchi. "Katsuya," he repeated, wrapping his arms around Kikuchi. "Please...I want you."
"Shall we take up where we left off, then?" Kikuchi purred in that deep, husky voice that always drove Onozuka wild.
"Yes, please," Onozuka moaned. "Hurry!"
Kikuchi reached for the bottle of lotion that he always kept in the nightstand drawer, and Onozuka chanted softly, "Hurry, hurry," as Kikuchi seemed to take way too long fumbling with the bottle. Kikuchi could be a terrible tease, but for once he didn't seem to be doing it on purpose: his hands were trembling slightly as he poured out the lotion, slicking it over his fingers and his cock. A small part of Onozuka's mind marveled once again that he could have such an effect on Kikuchi, but most of his brain was preoccupied with thinking about how much he wanted Kikuchi inside him.
He moaned with pleasure as Kikuchi's fingers finally slid inside him, but he was too impatient to allow his lover more than minimal preparation time. "Just do it already," Onozuka groaned, pushing Kikuchi's hand away.
"Are you sure?" Kikuchi asked doubtfully. "I don't think I can hold back tonight, and I don't want to hurt you."
Onozuka moaned loudly at the thought of Kikuchi not holding back. "Damn it, just put it inside me already! I swear if you don't, I'm going to kick you out of the bed!"
"It's my bed," Kikuchi pointed out mildly, but he shoved Onozuka's legs apart and thrust into him without any further argument.
Onozuka cried out, with pleasure and relief. His body was so keyed up with lust after their long separation that he almost came as soon as Kikuchi entered him--not quite, but it was a near thing, and he didn't last much longer than that. Kikuchi pounded into him without any teasing or finesse, and in what seemed like no time at all, Onozuka was coming, crying out, "Katsuya!" as he clawed at Kikuchi's back.
"Yuu," Kikuchi groaned, thrusting hard into Onozuka a couple more times before he came as well. He rolled off Onozuka and collapsed on the bed next to him with a contented sigh. "Yuu," Kikuchi whispered in a gentler voice as he pulled Onozuka into his arms. "I love you."
The tenderness in his voice brought tears to Onozuka's eyes, while at the same time a tremor of sheer panic wracked his body, and Kikuchi tightened his hold on Onozuka, as if he sensed Onozuka's urge to run.
"Relax," Kikuchi whispered soothingly. "I don't mean to pressure you. I know that we still have a lot of things to work out, and you don't have to say it back to me until you're ready, but...I really do love you, Yuu."
Onozuka finally dared to believe that he was telling the truth, and he wondered why that scared him far more than the thought that Kikuchi might be lying. "You sound pretty confident that I will say it sometime in the future, you arrogant bastard," Onozuka said gruffly to cover up his confusion.
Kikuchi grinned at him and said, "Let us say 'hopeful' rather than 'confident,'" but Onozuka couldn't shake the feeling that Kikuchi could see right through him.
He laid his head on Kikuchi's chest and whispered, "I really did miss you." That was all he could manage right now, but Kikuchi seemed to understand what he meant.
"I missed you, too," Kikuchi replied, reaching up with one hand to gently stroke Onozuka's hair.
They rested in each other's arms, and after the long and harrowing night they had just experienced, Onozuka should have fallen asleep right away. But his body seemed to want to make up for lost time, because sooner than usual, he found himself aroused and eager for more.
"Hey Katsuya, let's do it again," Onozuka whispered, nipping playfully at his lover's neck.
"Already?" Kikuchi asked, with a look of exaggerated shock and dismay. "Have pity on an old man!"
"I've told you before, I don't buy that 'old man' excuse," Onozuka retorted. "Especially since I'm usually the one collapsing from exhaustion before you do!"
"Well, how can I refuse my prince anything that he wants?" Kikuchi laughed, kissing Onozuka. "But seriously, I do need a little longer to recharge my batteries than you do." He pulled Onozuka on top of him and purred in a seductive voice, "So why don't you do me this time?"
"Gladly," Onozuka replied, returning the kiss. With the edge taken off his lust, he was able to stretch out their foreplay in a more leisurely manner, taking time to revel in the sensation of Kikuchi's skin beneath his hands and mouth. It seemed that Kikuchi really hadn't lied about needing to "recharge his batteries," because he didn't get hard, although he did make soft noises of pleasure as Onozuka's fingers teased and stroked and prepared him.
"Mmm, that feels good," Kikuchi murmured, and it didn't seem to be just for the sake of soothing Onozuka's ego. He looked beautiful lying there sprawled out on the bed, completely relaxed and smiling up at Onozuka with a lazy, sensual smile.
"God, I just want to devour you!" Onozuka groaned.
Kikuchi looked startled, then smugly pleased, and gave Onozuka a delightfully wicked grin. "Devour me, then," he purred, holding his arms out invitingly.
Onozuka didn't need to be asked twice; he slid into Kikuchi, literally, and into Kikuchi's waiting embrace. He moved slowly at first, enjoying the little sighs and murmurs of pleasure that spilled out of Kikuchi's mouth, and then more urgently as the tension in his own body built to a peak.
Kikuchi's body responded to his, moving less languidly and meeting his thrusts in earnest now, and the soft sighs gave way to louder pants and groans. Just as he was on the verge of climax, Onozuka could feel Kikuchi beginning to grow hard against his belly.
"I'm sorry, but I don't think I can hold back much longer," Onozuka moaned.
"Then don't," Kikuchi whispered huskily. "Come for me, Yuu." And Onozuka gasped as an orgasm swept over him, taking him almost by surprise as his body responded obediently to Kikuchi's command.
"Sorry," Onozuka said sheepishly once his body had stopped trembling enough for him to pull out and lie down next to Kikuchi.
"Don't be," Kikuchi replied, looking quite smug and pleased with himself. "I love to watch your face when you come."
Onozuka blushed. He was hardly a prude, but it still amazed him how Kikuchi could say such things without a shred of shame or embarrassment. Then again, the man was utterly shameless.
"How do you do that, anyway?" Onozuka muttered, more to himself than to his lover, but Kikuchi overheard him.
"Do what?"
Onozuka felt his face turn even redder as he mumbled, "Make me come with your voice."
"I don't think it's just my voice that makes you come," Kikuchi chuckled. "But I'll take it as a compliment that you find it so arousing."
"Smug bastard," Onozuka grumbled, but he found himself smiling at Kikuchi's proud, unrepentant grin. He had missed this--not just the sex, but the teasing and joking and laughter, and yes, even Kikuchi's infuriating cockiness, which was just charming enough to let him get away with it.
"It's your fault that I came so quickly, but do you want me to return the favor?" Onozuka asked. He smiled wryly as he reached out to lay his hand on Kikuchi's half-erect penis, adding, "Although I think I'll need to use more than my voice."
Kikuchi's breath hitched when Onozuka touched him, but he gently pushed Onozuka's hand away and murmured, "Just relax; there's no rush."
Onozuka was a little surprised, but he obeyed and relaxed, lying back as Kikuchi kissed and caressed him, gently and unhurriedly. It felt good, and he sighed happily, but now that his desire was finally sated, the caresses felt more soothing than arousing. He half-drowsed in a pleasant daze, not fully awake but not quite falling completely asleep either, for...how long, he wasn't sure, but long enough for his body to begin to stir and take interest in the proceedings again. As one of Kikuchi's idle caresses brushed across a nipple, a tingle ran through his body and Onozuka gasped, beginning to wake out of that dreamlike trance.
Kikuchi's hands started to move more purposefully, and his mouth grew more insistent, nipping at Onozuka's neck and ears, and claiming Onozuka's lips in deep, tongue-entwining kisses. Onozuka moaned, returning the kisses and caresses eagerly, and only then did Kikuchi push his legs apart and enter him for the second time this evening--no, morning.
But this time it wasn't frenzied; Kikuchi moved slowly and deliberately, while Onozuka grew more and more aroused with each agonizingly slow, deep thrust.
"Katsuya," he moaned. "More...I want more!"
"And I want you," Kikuchi breathed, staring at Onozuka tenderly and possessively, as if he couldn't get enough of him. "I want to watch you come for me again."
Onozuka moaned loudly, wrapping his legs around Kikuchi and digging his nails hard into Kikuchi's back. "Damn that voice of yours," he panted.
"Oh?" Kikuchi asked. "So it's just my voice that turns you on, and not this?" He thrust into Onozuka, a little harder this time, causing Onozuka to cry out. "Or this?" Kikuchi whispered, leaning down to kiss Onozuka. "Or this?" Kikuchi continued silkily, wrapping one hand around Onozuka's erection.
"All of it," Onozuka gasped. "I want all of it...all of you." Kikuchi obliged, kissing him and stroking him and thrusting into him with increasing urgency until Onozuka felt dizzy with pleasure. It fleetingly crossed his mind that he wouldn't be able to tease Katou and Iwaki about going at it all night anymore, and then he thought that Kikuchi would probably be angry that he was thinking about Katou at a time like this, and then he couldn't think at all as Kikuchi groaned into his ear, "Hurry, Yuu--I can't wait! Please, Yuu...come for me."
And he did, his body arching up into Kikuchi's as he called out, "Katsuya!" Kikuchi's eyes were fixed intently, hungrily on his face the entire time, somehow making Onozuka's climax even more intense. Only when Onozuka fell limply back on the bed, completely exhausted and sated, did Kikuchi finally allow himself release, thrusting hard into Onozuka one last time as he growled, "Yuu," and pressed his lips against Onozuka's neck.
"'Old man,' my ass," Onozuka said breathlessly, attempting to glare at his lover although he was too tired to really pull it off.
"What I said was that I needed more time to recharge," Kikuchi chuckled, brushing his lips against Onozuka's tenderly.
"Just as long as you aren't planning to 'recharge' anytime soon," Onozuka said, wrapping his arms around Kikuchi. "I don't think I'm going to be able to move for the next several hours."
"It's flattering that you think I could manage to get it up again tonight," Kikuchi laughed, kissing Onozuka again. "But you seem to have a very overinflated impression of my stamina."
"You're such a liar," Onozuka started to say, but found himself yawning before he could finish the sentence.
"Go to sleep, your Highness," Kikuchi whispered, pulling him close. "There's always tomorrow."
"Yes, tomorrow," Onozuka murmured sleepily, although "tomorrow" was technically today. But yes, there was today and tomorrow and the day after that, and even though he knew that an angry lecture from their managers awaited him, as well as a more private and probably uncomfortable discussion with Kikuchi about their relationship, Onozuka still looked forward to the days ahead because he knew that Kikuchi would be there with him.
The last thing that Onozuka remembered before he fell asleep and slipped into unconsciousness was Kikuchi saying in a very quiet but fierce voice, "I swear that I'll never let go of you again, my prince."
***
Kenzaki's apartment was closer to the hospital, so Yoshizumi agreed that they should go there instead of his place, although Kenzaki would have been happy to drive the extra distance. But it was Yoshizumi's way of showing that he trusted Kenzaki, and to help make up for how badly he'd handled Kenzaki's confession at the restaurant.
Kenzaki didn't seem to want an apology, though. He just seemed happy--almost deliriously so--that Yoshizumi had changed his mind, and there was a look of joy and wonder on his face, as if he hardly dared to believe that this was true.
"This really is happening, isn't it?" Kenzaki asked, reaching out to touch Yoshizumi's face as they walked into the bedroom together. "I'm a little scared that I'll wake up and this will all have turned out to be a dream."
"This is real," Yoshizumi assured him, turning his face to press his lips against Kenzaki's palm. "And I'm sorry that I ran out on you like that the other day--regardless of how I felt, I should have stayed to work things out. You would never have done that to me."
"It's all right, Yoshizumi-san," Kenzaki said gently, running his fingertips across Yoshizumi's lips. "I know that I gave you a big shock but you're here now, and that's what matters." They kissed, and then Kenzaki hesitantly pulled back, saying, "I know that you must be tired. Did you just want to go straight to bed--er, I mean, to sleep?"
Kenzaki blushed, looking almost shy, despite the fact that they'd slept together numerous times before. It was sweet, and at the same time, Yoshizumi felt humbled by the reminder of how Kenzaki always took such good care of him. Why had it taken him so long to notice that?
Well, he could begin to make it up to Kenzaki now. "Yes, I want to go to bed--but not to sleep," Yoshizumi said, smiling at his friend--no, lover.
Kenzaki's blush grew deeper, which was really quite adorable. Rusty Nail's clients, who knew only the smooth, suave host, would be shocked to see him looking so shy and awkward, and Yoshizumi cherished the fact that he was allowed to see this other side of Kenzaki that no one else saw.
They took their time undressing, kissing and caressing each other as they did so, but finally they were nude, and Kenzaki looked amused when Yoshizumi paused to neatly fold and drape their clothes across a chair.
"What?" Yoshizumi asked defensively. "You ought to take better care of your clothes, considering how much they cost. The price of that suit could probably feed a poor family for a month!"
"And your practicality is part of what I love about you," Kenzaki laughed, reaching out to pull Yoshizumi into his arms. Yoshizumi's heart beat faster when Kenzaki mentioned the word "love," but he squelched his automatic urge to flee in terror, and that moment of panic eased with surprising quickness when Kenzaki's arms wrapped around him.
"So what would you like?" Kenzaki murmured as they stretched out on the bed together.
"You always take such good care of me, Kenzaki-kun," Yoshizumi said, stroking Kenzaki's face tenderly. "What I would like is to focus on you tonight, to give you as much pleasure as possible. Will you let me do that?"
"Y-yes, of course," Kenzaki stammered, looking startled but incredibly touched. Once again, Yoshizumi cherished the trust that look implied, but would prefer to erase the surprise that Kenzaki seemed to feel whenever he expressed words of affection. That was his own fault, of course, and Yoshizumi intended to remedy that by making his feelings clear enough that Kenzaki would never have to doubt them again. It wasn't something that could be accomplished in one night, but he could make a start at it, and he was confident now that they had time enough to work things out between them, regardless of where his next job took him.
Kenzaki laid back, staring up at Yoshizumi with complete love and trust in his eyes, and Yoshizumi very tenderly and methodically set about kissing and caressing every inch of his body. He took his time about it, allowing Kenzaki's desire to gradually build, easing off as Kenzaki's breath began to quicken, then starting all over again until Kenzaki was writhing beneath him and moaning uncontrollably.
"Yoshizumi-san, please!" Kenzaki gasped.
"Then may I make love to you?" Yoshizumi murmured, brushing a light kiss against Kenzaki's neck.
"Oh, yes," Kenzaki said fervently, and Yoshizumi slowly pushed into his lover's willing body, savoring the low moan that Kenzaki made. He had intended to stretch out this part of their lovemaking as well, but Kenzaki had reached the limit of his patience, and his eager gasps and moans caused Yoshizumi's control to break, too. Kenzaki's arms and legs wrapped around him, pulling him close, and their bodies moved together urgently, but with a harmony that just felt, well...right somehow. They'd had great sex in the past, but there was a new intimacy, a sense of connection that heightened the pleasure, bringing tears to Yoshizumi's eyes as he came. Kenzaki cried out in ecstasy a moment later, and Yoshizumi could see tears in his eyes, too--as well as a look of pure, unadulterated joy that took Yoshizumi's breath away.
"I'm so happy, Yoshizumi-san," Kenzaki sighed, smiling up at him contentedly.
"Me, too," was all Yoshizumi could manage to say, but he meant it with all of his heart.
***
In spite of the doctor's encouraging words, Katou looked frighteningly pale and weak to Iwaki's eyes. He lay there on the bed, looking almost as white as the sheets, not moving at all except for the slight rise and fall of his chest as he breathed in and out. Iwaki focused on that movement, trying to reassure himself that it was proof that Katou was alive.
He and Katou's family took turns sitting next to Katou and holding his hand, although Iwaki had to fight off the selfish urge to keep Katou all to himself. He knew how worried Katou's parents were, especially since they'd already gone through the pain of losing one child, and he was ashamed of his selfishness. But still, he didn't want to let go of Katou's hand for even a second--he felt the need to be there, as if his grip was a lifeline that would keep Katou from drifting off and slipping away from him forever.
Youko seemed to understand, at least. She smiled at him sympathetically, and after her parents had sat with Katou for a bit, she gently urged them to "get a little rest, and let Iwaki-san look after Oniichan."
Katou's father nodded, with understanding in his eyes. He placed his hand on Iwaki's shoulder and said, "We will, and you should get some rest, too, Iwaki-san. You'll worry Youji if you wear yourself out looking after him."
"Thank you, but I'll rest easier here at Katou's side," Iwaki replied. He did doze off and on in the chair next to Katou's bed, holding onto Katou's hand the entire time. But it was difficult to sleep when Katou's hand rested so limply in his own--it was uncharacteristic of Katou to be so still and passive, when he normally radiated an aura of strength and energy when he was awake. Even when he was sleeping, he would hold onto Iwaki with an embrace that was firm and secure. But now when Iwaki squeezed Katou's hand, hoping for reassurance, Katou's fingers didn't squeeze back.
So Iwaki's sleep was fitful and restless, although Katou's mother eventually fell fast asleep in a chair in the other corner of the room, worn out by sheer exhaustion. When morning came, Youko left the room to call her husband, who had stayed at home to look after little Yousuke.
"Keita's worried about Oniichan, too," she told Iwaki, whispering to avoid waking her mother. "And to be honest, I'm a little worried about Yousuke--I've never stayed away from him overnight before." She laughed softly, adding, "Although if Keita says he was just fine, then I'll be a little hurt that he didn't miss his mommy!"
Iwaki smiled at her. Youko's good humor made him feel a little better although it couldn't erase his worry completely, and he wished that he could share her confidence and positive attitude.
Katou's father also left the room to go get some food and coffee, although Iwaki suspected it was more to have something to do than because he was hungry. He promised to bring something back for Iwaki, saying, "You need to keep up your strength for Youji's sake."
Iwaki politely agreed and thanked him, but he didn't feel the least bit hungry, despite not really having eaten since lunch yesterday. He knew that he should be starving, but there was a hollowness inside him that had nothing to do with hunger and everything to do with the bleak possibility of a life without Katou in it.
Shimizu had been angry about Onozuka's outburst last night, but the truth was that Iwaki had already been thinking the same thing. Katou was always putting Iwaki first, always rushing to protect Iwaki without any thought to himself, and Iwaki couldn't seem to cure him of that reckless behavior. He knew that Katou was doing it out of love, but damn it, didn't Katou realize how devastated he would be if Katou died trying to save him? How could he possibly live with that kind of guilt...?
And then Iwaki felt a very faint, gentle pressure on his hand, and suddenly realized that Katou's fingers were curling around his own. "Katou?" he gasped.
Katou's eyelids fluttered open, and he asked weakly, "Are you okay, Iwaki-san?"
"You idiot!" Iwaki shouted. "Why are you asking me that, when you're the one who got shot?!"
"I guess you must be okay if you have enough strength to yell at me like that," Katou said with a sheepish grin that finally made Iwaki feel like everything would be all right.
"Youji?" Katou's mother gasped, woken by the shouting. "Is Youji all right?"
"I'm fine, Mom," Katou said, and he did look better--there was color in his cheeks now, and his hand was gripping Iwaki's with more strength.
"Oh, Youji," Katou's mother said, bursting into tears of relief as she rushed over to his side.
Iwaki found himself crying, too, clutching at Katou's hand as he wept, "I'm sorry for yelling at you, Katou. I was just so worried!"
"Hey, it's okay," Katou said gently. "Really, I'm okay, you guys--there's no need for all these tears."
"I was afraid I was going to lose you," Iwaki whispered, bringing Katou's hand up to his mouth and kissing it reverently.
All the commotion caused a nurse to come in and see what was going on, and after seeing that Katou was conscious, she quickly summoned a doctor, who examined Katou and smiled. "Well, you are recovering much faster than we had expected, Katou-san," he declared. "I'd like to keep you here for observation for a few more days, just to be on the safe side, but I have no doubt that you'll make a full recovery." As Katou grinned and tried to sit up, the doctor added sternly, "As long as you follow instructions and don't try to overdo things. You seem to be a remarkably resilient man, but still, it will take some time before you're back to full strength."
Iwaki gave Katou a fierce glare, and it was more that than the doctor's warning that caused Katou to settle back on the bed. "Yes, Sensei," Katou said meekly.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure that he takes care of himself," Iwaki said in a steely voice.
The doctor raised an eyebrow, then regarded Iwaki with a look of respect. "Yes, I believe you will," he said.
Just then, Youko appeared in the doorway, along with Katou's father, who was carrying some sandwiches and a cardboard tray filled with cups of coffee--which he nearly dropped when he saw his son awake and gazing at Iwaki with a look of trepidation in his eyes.
"You see?" Youko said triumphantly, grinning widely. "I told you that Oniichan would never die and leave Iwaki-san all alone!"
"Never," Katou said, tightening his grip on Iwaki's hand as he stared at his husband with a look of complete devotion. "I would never leave you, Iwaki-san."
Tears spilled from Iwaki's eyes as he kissed Katou's hand again and said hoarsely, "I'll hold you to that promise, Katou."
***
Yoshizumi awoke to the scent of brewing coffee, and the sound of Kenzaki softly singing some pop tune--a bouncy, cheerful love song that sounded vaguely familiar and was probably a current radio hit, although Yoshizumi didn't pay much attention to pop music.
As he blinked and looked around, he realized that he was alone in the bed, and Kenzaki's voice sounded distant--he was probably in the kitchen. Yoshizumi got out of bed, poked his head out of the doorway, and called out, "Is it okay if I take a shower?"
"Sure, go ahead," Kenzaki called back. "I'll get breakfast on in the meantime. Oh, and feel free to borrow some of my clothes if you like!"
Feeling refreshed and much more alert after a hot shower, Yoshizumi rummaged through Kenzaki's closet for something more casual and comfortable than his usual host-clothes. Pulling on a t-shirt and a pair of jeans, he went to join Kenzaki in the kitchen, and then burst into laughter at what he saw.
Kenzaki was standing over the stove, tending to something in a pan, but that wasn't what had made Yoshizumi laugh. Rather, it was the kimono that Kenzaki had wrapped around himself like a dressing gown--one made of blue, wave-patterned pseudo-silk, covered with shimmering, exquisitely embroidered fish that seemed to be swimming across the cloth. He had given it to Kenzaki last Christmas, although he had been careful to say that it wasn't a Christmas gift (with all the romantic implications that went along with that holiday), but that he'd merely bought it at a fundraiser to help out a production company he had worked with in the past, and that he thought the kimono would look good on Kenzaki.
He had, of course, been deluding himself about his lack of romantic intentions, but Yoshizumi had been right about one thing: the kimono looked beautiful on Kenzaki, or perhaps it was that Kenzaki looked beautiful in it. If Kenzaki had been an actor in one of Yoshizumi's historical dramas, he would have made a beautiful page boy, or even better, a brave and gallant young samurai lord, and Yoshizumi grinned at that whimsical thought.
"Do I look that silly?" Kenzaki asked, grinning back at him.
"No, not at all," Yoshizumi assured him, although Kenzaki seemed unoffended by Yoshizumi's laughter. "I was just surprised and delighted to see you wearing my gift. It looks really good on you, by the way."
"Thanks," Kenzaki said, looking pleased by the compliment. "It's beautiful, but there aren't many occasions on which I can wear it, so I thought I could at least wear it for you now. And it is surprisingly comfortable."
"Perhaps you should have a kimono day at the host club," Yoshizumi suggested. "I bet the women would love seeing all you handsome men decked out in a kimono!"
"Hmm," Kenzaki said thoughtfully. "You know, that's not a bad idea, but I'd have to factor in the cost of the kimono rentals..."
"I was mostly joking, Kenzaki-kun."
"I know, but it's a good idea," Kenzaki replied. "I think our clients would enjoy a bit of novelty to break up the usual routine. I'll ask Shou to research it and work out an acceptable budget. It might be more economical to do it during the summer and use yukata instead of formal kimono."
"I admire how devoted you are to your work," Yoshizumi chuckled, but he really was impressed. It was another thing they had in common, he suddenly realized. Most people probably thought that being a host or hostess was a trivial profession, but Kenzaki took his work as seriously as Yoshizumi did acting. Kenzaki had enough looks and charm to get by without exerting himself, but he held himself and his hosts to a high standard, and was always thinking of ways to improve the club.
"Thanks," Kenzaki said. "But right now, I should concentrate on breakfast before I burn this." He took the pan off the stove and said, "I'm not much of a cook, but I can at least manage scrambled eggs."
The eggs were fine, despite Kenzaki's disclaimer, and there was some fresh fruit to go along with it--a gift from one of Kenzaki's clients.
"I wonder how Katou is doing?" Yoshizumi mused aloud as they washed the dishes after they'd finished eating.
"I'm sure that Iwaki-san would have called you if something had changed," Kenzaki said sympathetically.
"If he's busy worrying about Katou, it might not have crossed his mind," Yoshizumi replied. "I don't want to bother him, but maybe Onozuka-kun or Asano-kun might have heard something."
Kenzaki scowled at the mention of Asano's name, but didn't object as Yoshizumi went to get his cell phone. "I'll turn on the TV," Kenzaki said. "Maybe there will be something on the news about Katou's condition."
"Oh damn," Yoshizumi said when he flipped open his phone and looked at the screen. "The battery died. I was carrying it around with me all day, and I didn't think about charging it up when we got home. Maybe Iwaki-san did try to call, but couldn't reach me."
"The news is reporting that Katou is conscious and in good spirits," Kenzaki said, and Yoshizumi hurried over to the couch to watch the news show with him.
"That's great," Yoshizumi said with relief as an official hospital spokesperson spoke at a press conference, essentially saying that Katou was expected to make a full recovery. "I'd still like to talk to Iwaki-san, though. Do you mind if I use your phone?"
"Of course not," Kenzaki replied. But before Yoshizumi could get up from the couch, the newscaster said, "We also have more breaking entertainment news--this time about Katou-san's friend, Onozuka Yuu, also known to his fans as the Golden Prince..."
"Uh-oh," Kenzaki and Yoshizumi chorused as they watched the images that flashed across the screen.
Part 22
***
Afterword: Sorry I ended on a cliffhanger again! The scene involving the exposure of K&O's relationship and the subsequent press conference turned out way longer than planned, so I split it off into two separate chapters. They're pretty much done; I just need to proofread and polish before posting.
Moving on to my usual post-chapter ramblings...
Once again, I referenced Bronze Ribbons' Present Understanding story, in which Yoshizumi gave the fishie kimono to Kenzaki as a not-Christmas gift.
Background cultural notes: in Japan, Christmas lacks most of the religious connotations associated with it in the West, and is considered primarily a romantic holiday, somewhat akin to Valentine's Day. (Although it's also celebrated by many families, and children look forward to getting presents from Santa.) It's a day for couples to have a romantic date and exchange gifts, and singles might feel a little depressed and left out (at least in shoujo manga, anyway ~_^).
A yukata is cotton kimono for summer wear, lighter and less formal (and less expensive) than a regular kimono, which is traditionally made out of silk. The idea for a kimono day at Rusty Nail was partly inspired by Stolen Hearts, an adorable shoujo manga in which a teenage girl winds up working at her classmate's family's kimono shop in order to pay for a kimono that she accidentally damaged. (Linking to a review rather than the official site, since US publisher CMX unfortunately went out of business. There should still be copies available at the usual retail and online vendors for now, though.) It's sort of an opposites-attract type love story involving the tiny, doll-like Shinobu and the huge, gruff Koguma, who has a heart of gold beneath his intimidating exterior. Anyway, one of the storylines in Book 1 involves having the guys in Shinobu's class dress up in kimono to run a café for the school festival, and as you may have heard me mention before, one of my favorite things is cute guys in kimono! ^_^
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By the way, I think you have a typo here:
"Onozuka didn't need to be asked twice; he slid into Kikuchi, literally, and into Kikuchi's waiting embrace. He moved slowly at first, enjoying the little sighs and murmurs of pleasure that spilled out of Kikuchi's mouth, [and and] then more urgently as the tension in his own body built to a peak."
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I'm glad that the chapter was satsifying, even with the cliffhanger! ^_^
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Is there more than one more chapter? I assume that you'll be covering the "uncomfortable conversation" Kikuchi will eventually have with Onozuka. It'll be sad to see this end, but it has turned into something of an epic.
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I have two more chapters nearly finished, which cover the "uncomfortable conversation" and them being outed to the press. There will be at least one more chapter after that, since I promised one reader that I would write the delayed dinner party scene at Iwaki and Katou's house.
Kikuchi and Onozuka's adventures will continue, though. Onozuka still needs to resolve things with his family, but since, as you say, this has turned into an epic, I want to give that plot a separate story of its own.
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I look forward to the resolution of Onozuka's estrangement from his family. You're right, I had expected that to be resolved too, but so much has happened since Onozuka and Kikuchi's falling out that I'd forgotten about it. :D
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Right, next part.
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great news about Katou too ^^
and now that they're all happy and rested, i'll really enjoy seeing them swept away by the next malicious seed of chaos: the press gossip! *hehehehe*
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