Let's hear it for the boys (4/6)
Jul. 2nd, 2015 05:19 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wendyjolyTitle: Let’s hear it for the boys
Author: WendyJoly
Beta: The indispensable![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
jtaytt
Length: Chaptered
Rating: From PG to NC-17
Pairing: Sakumiya (Sho Sakurai X Ninomiya Kazunari) , Junba (Matsumoto Jun X Aiba Masaki), special guest : Ikuta Toma, Tomoya Nagase, Juri Ueno
Summary: Ninomiya Kazunari is a heartbroken columnist for a national paper. Repeatedly unhappy in love, he ends by elaborating a theory telling that gay people are meant to be unfaithful, that’s it is in their nature. The day his boss asks him to be hired in a gay club to write a series of article on the subject, he doesn’t think twice and accept this one-time opportunity.
Fourth drink
Nino woke up with his head in a vice. He was on his bed, the sun was already high in the sky and...He was alone. He straightened and cursed the way he drank last night. Did he dream Sakurai's presence in his bed?! He fumbled and put his feet on the floor, discovering a note on his pillow.
“You slept so well, I didn't want to wake you up. Thanks for this night. S.S.”
Holy. Shit. Why did the awful Boss feel the need to mock him each and every time, even after a so wonderful moment of tenderness? As if he had been too drunk to remember this night! Toma hit on him, they danced, Ohno and Jun, his sister Juri, Masaki who was jealous, he watched the previous night in fast forward, yet the episode Sakurai had some blank. It had been too intense. Matthew Arnolds...he smiled and blushed at the thought. Sakurai told him he was adorable and hugged him. What the hell, it had been fantastic. Then they fell on the bed. Together.
He exited his bedroom, ready to struggle against the mess to make his way to the kitchen. Yet, the stairs were cleaned and the house smelled the usual wonderful perfume, not cigarette, alcohol and cheap perfume as he feared.
“A deep breath, then you'll face the floor to make the Cobra pose. Don't hurt yourself. And remember, the breath is as important as the pose itself.”
Nino followed Aiba's voice and stopped short before the scene.
In the living room (perfectly clean) about ten grandmothers laid on the floor, pushing on their arms, raising their heads, their legs slightly spread. And turning his back to Nino, Masaki in sport's outfit, his little bang high on his head. He whirled around when one of the women pointed at Nino.
“Oh Nino, ohayo! Did you sleep well? I prepared a breakfast and a painkiller for you in the kitchen. I hope you don't mind, I had my yoga class today. Ladies, this is Nino my new roommate.”
“Hi Nino!” said the old ladies, waving at him. Nino bowed politely and grabbed Aiba's shoulder.
“Where is it?”
“What?”
“The mess.”
“I cleaned the house.”
He could have tell him it was impossible but the fact was that nothing left from the party and it was so amazing that Nino remained speechless.
“You're a fairy, the best roommate ever.” He murmured, too happy to avoid the usual morning chores after every party.
“Thanks. Want to join us?”
“Later perhaps. By the way?”
“Hm?”
“Did you see Sakurai?”
Aiba gave some new instructions to his students and went back to Nino.
“Let me remember. I saw you disappearing upstairs last night, holding hands and he left the house early this morning, avoiding me on purpose. So how is he in bed? Everybody wants to know. I'm sure he's a beast. Is he a beast?”
“We didn't have sex...”
“Impossible. Sakurai is a lady-killer, he lays every girl he meets.”
“Guess you forget the 'lady' part. I'm not.”
“But he slept in the same bed as you? And he didn't try his luck?”
“He wasn't drunk enough to find me attractive.”
“So what did you do?”
“Nothing, we simply shared my bed.”
“Fishhhhhhy~”
“It...it was great. He has been a real gentleman.”
“You're so in love with him!!”
“Certainly not.” Nino tried to use one of his very special talents. The distraction. “And you, how long since you fell in love with Jun-kun?”
“...You noticed?”
Nino was pretty amazed to not have to push him more to hear his confession.
“He's my type you know. Like the one I could draw if someone would ask me to describe the man of my dream. But...”
“But?”
“I tried at the beginning, a lot, but he rejected me. We kissed sometimes, we made out a bit especially when we were drunk but he doesn't want a whore as lover.”
“What are you talking about?! You're not a whore!”
“I love sex and if I can't have him, what can I do? Be abstinent until the rest of my life? I can't.”
“That's not the problem, Masaki-kun. There should be something else. Who won't fall for you? You're so gentle and cute...”
“Stop it already with your praises or I'll jump at you.”
Nino chuckled, not fooled by the bittersweet smile of his friend.
“A guy told me once “when you can't have the one you want, you look for comfort elsewhere.”, I suppose it's your case. It's not being a whore.”
“He was surely right.”
“Ma-chan?” Masaki smiled, hearing the endearment. “I'm hungry.”
“So let me finish my course and we'll eat together.”
=+
The club was empty when they took their shift. It wasn't unusual, most of the time they opened it by themselves and Nino felt a real relief to not finding Sakurai behind the counter. It was a small respite but nonetheless it was good to have.
Jun passed the threshold with sunglasses covering his puffed eyes and walked straight to the coffee machine. The two guys kept their distance until the end of his first mug.
“Hangover?” asked Nino sitting by his side.
“Yeah...”
“Here.” Aiba handed him a mug with a strange mixture that Jun swallowed without a word.
“What's this?” Nino pointed at the empty cup.
“Aiba's miracle medication. Thanks, Darling.” Jun caressed Aiba's cheek and the latter smirked shyly but Jun didn't seem to notice. How unfair thought Nino, seeing Aiba's gaze full of hope. “How was the night with Sho-kun? Did you finally take his virginity?”
Once again this question. Was it so unthinkable to spend the night with someone without fucking in their world? ...Yeah it was.
“We slept that's all. He's het. Hets don't do gays, right?”
“He's het, you're right but he could totally do you, isn't it Masaki? In my opinion he’s bi even if he refuses to admit it.”
Aiba nodded and Nino blushed once again. Was it true? Could he hope for something real between him and Sakurai? He smiled without realizing it.
When he raised the head and he crossed Sho's gaze.
“Hi guys.” said a woman's voice and Nino thrilled. Sakurai was with a girl. A very beautiful, elegant woman and she seemed to know Jun and Aiba. “You're the new one?”
Nino finally understood that she was talking to him and he nodded vaguely.
“Nino is my new waiter.” answered Sho dryly.
“You didn't tell me you had a new waiter. You're very cute, Nino-kun. The clients are surely crazy about you.”
“He knows he's cute, leave him alone. Now come with me, I'll give you your paper.”
She put her arm under Sho's and they left the place to climb up the stairs leading to his office.
“Who's she?” asked Nino as neutrally as he could.
“Sakurai's regular easy laid.”
“I see.”
“But I'm sure it's different with you!” Aiba tried to cheer up Nino but it was a lost cause.
“There is nothing between him and me, don't worry. I don't mind. I don't even really remember the last night. What are you doing?!”
Nino grabbed Masaki's wrist to take his cellphone.
“I'm calling Toma, you'll need someone to cheer you up tonight. For the time being, can you go to the cold room fetch some coffee packs and I'll show you the barista machine after.”
“I don't~oh...fuck, do as you wish.”
“when you can't have the one you want, you look for comfort elsewhere.” said Sakurai, perhaps was he really right after all.
=+=
Sho woke up early this morning. He was lying in Nino's bed and a soft weight resting on his chest tickled him gently.
Nino was nestled against him, his arm firmly snaked around his waist, his nose caressing the crook of his neck, it was a bit too tantalizing for the man's sanity. He did make a promise to himself a few hours ago, not kiss him without his consent anymore, it was too early to break it.
He moved aside a bit to keep his distance and admired him leisurely like he already did last night, trying to decipher his feelings. Was the magic gone with dawn? Did he misinterpret this attraction? He brushes a wisp of hair from his forehead and Nino smiled in his sleep. What the hell. It was insane. Sho leaned forward, giving up trying to keep his promise. One way or another Nino would wake up and perhaps he would allow him to kiss him, perhaps he would answer and they could caress a bit, making love a bit...
“Crap.” He cursed his cellphone, which vibrated at the worse time. His mother was so talented in killing his love life, it was crazy. He moved back slowly and rose from the bed regretfully, exiting the bedroom to answer.
“Finally!” hissed his mother's voice.
“It's 6 AM, mother. What the~”
“Don't curse please. Are you done with work?”
“I was not working, I was in bed.”
“With your lover?” mocked the woman.
“Indeed.”
He heard her gasping and smirked surreptitiously, no need to lie for once.
“Mother?”
“I'm still here.”
“I'm sorry for the other day.” Sho leaned on the wall, feeling a heavy weight leaving his shoulders.
“Will you share our lunch this Sunday?”
“Okay. I'll be there.”
“It will be the occasion for you to introduce your boyfriend to our family.”
“I~”
She already hung up and Sho sighed, passably pissed. Nino would never accept this, it was a given. Maybe if he confessed his attraction for him? No way, he was serious guy and if he wanted for him to be his boyfriend, it was a totally different story. He had never been someone’s boyfriend before, so beginning with a man sounded crazy. He put his hand on the doorknob to keep on things where he left them, but changed his mind and simply left a note before climbing down the stairs. Sho collected his stuff in the living room and avoided Aiba who was cleaning the house.
He went back home to shower and change his outfit and kept busy all day long to not think too much about the way he would convince Nino to play the game once again. By the end of the afternoon he drove to the club, hoping he could speak to Jun first, he really needed his precious advices.
Yet, he found someone totally unexpected on his threshold.
“Hi Sho!”
The pretty brunette got out of her flashy car to stop him as he was entering the club. To be honest, he didn't see her lately and he didn't wish to. Something held him back and since last night he began to pinpoint the reason why.
“Shizuka. What are you doing here?”
“I'm here for business. My bookkeeper asked me the last statement of assurance of the club.”
“What for?”
“As if I knew...because I'm owner of this club too.”
“At 10% only.”
“I know, I know...”
She approached him, caressing surreptitiously his arm, her look pretty revealing about the real reason for her presence today.
“I miss you.” She uttered, seeking for a contact he refused.
“Come with me, I'll give you the paper and you can go back home, your husband will wait for you.”
He opened the door and once again cursed his bad luck when he spotted the object of his affection at the counter with Jun and Aiba, nicely blushing. He stepped forward to talk to Nino but Shizuka was faster than him.
“Hi guys. You're the new one?”
Sho saw Nino's face changing turning from happiness to incredulity. What could he say to explain who was the girl with him? Nothing which could improve the situation or help him to reassure Nino about his seriousness in love matter.
“Nino is my new waiter.”
“You didn't tell me you had a new waiter. You're very cute, Nino-kun. The clients are surely crazy about you.”
“He knows he's cute, leave him alone. Now come with me, I'll give you your paper.”
He led her upstairs and she closed the door of his office behind while he began to fumble in the drawers of his desk to fetch what she requested.
“He's cute.”
“You already said it.”
“So that's why you stopped calling me.”
“What do you mean?” said Sho, turning his back to her to keep on his exploration on the shelves.
“It's so obvious. Did you already fuck him?”
“You don't have to be vulgar and it's none of your business.”
“I thought we got along well together.”
“What's your point Shizuka?”
“Stop avoiding me. And tell me frankly what's happening.”
Sho froze and walked by the desk to face her.
“You are right. I like him and I want to know if something is possible between us. And...I need to be all alone for this. Because I respect him.”
She smiled bitterly.
“Okay. At least it's clear.”
“Sorry. But we were heading nowhere. You're married.”
“I know, we had fun that's all. So this is a good-bye?”
“It's better this way.”
She smiled unaffectedly and went back to the door.“Ja'”
“Your paper!”
“You'll send it by mail.”
She turned tail, exiting slowly and soon after someone knocked at the door.
“Boss...”
Sho raised from his chair and walked to Nino.
“Hi.”
“Hi Boss. Masaki-kun asked me to ask you if you had sent the order for the coffee machine.”
Sho chuckled.
“He asked you to ask me?”
“Yeah. As idiotic as it seems.”
“I'll check, sit down.”
Nino held the door and complied reluctantly when Sakurai went back to his desk.
“Did you try?” asked Sho.
“Try what?”
“The barrista machine.”
“Masaki sounds determined to make me try at least. He's searching for an ally I guess.”
“Here is the order form of the coffee.” Sho said, handing a bill to Nino “I sent it last week.”
“Okay I'm gonna tell him. Thanks.” said Nino leaping on his feet.
“Nino?”
“Yeah?”
“This...”
Sho pointed to the black apron that was hastily and very clumsily knotted. Nino hung his head.
“Ah, I was working in the cold room when Jun gave it to me, my fingers were numb.”
“Come here, I'll help you.”
“No need, I~”
But Sho was already untying the knot and he made him turn to wrap the apron around his thin waist.
“By the way,” He said in an undertone. “I'm sorry for leaving you so early this morning when I said I won't.”
“I...don't be sorry. It was nice to you to leave me a note.”
“I wanted to tell you I don't do this usually.”
“Leaving a note?”
“Spending a so innocent night with someone.”
“Well I'm a man.”
“I know.”
“And you're not into men.”
“I know that too, but you...” He put his hands to his hips to make him turn around again. “...Nino.” Would you let me kiss you, he was dying to ask.
“What?”
“Would you...be my boyfriend?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Ah...Sunday only. My mother invited us for the lunch Sunday. I know last time was catastrophic but it will be the last, last meeting, I swear.”
Could he beg for more? Sho felt his heart beating like a drum in his chest as if...as if he was really asking him to date him. If he refused, things would be settled between them, if he accepted he would have another chance to try his luck.
“Okay.” said Nino quietly.
“Okay?!”
“Yes, okay. On one condition.”
“I see...what condition?”
“I'd like for you to help me to discover Jun-kun's secret.”
“Are you kidding me?!”
“Masaki is in love with him and Jun likes him too, we don't know what holds him back and we can help him if we know!”
“If he wants to keep it secret it, there must be a reason. We don't have to interfere.”
“And we won't if we can't help him. Please.”
“He's gonna kill us if we're found out.”
Nino stared at him with his so adorable puppy eyes.
“I'll be the best boyfriend you ever had.”
“Ahh stop looking at me this way. It's okay. Do you know how we'll manage to follow him at 3 AM?”
“I have a plan. Thanks Boss.”
Nino left him alone and Sho smiled like a fool, enchanted to become his accomplice in crime.
=+=
“So you're decided to play the boyfriend once again?”
Nino was dressing in his bedroom, knotting his necktie before the big size mirror and Aiba leaned against the door frame, arms crossed, and didn't seem enthusiastic.
“Yeah, why?”
“I don't know, perhaps it is going too far?” He walked through the room, sat on the bed, and grabbed the newspaper opening it to the heart-break column. “Perhaps will you end in one of these columns one day.” I bet I will, thought Nino with a smirk.
“I'm not in love with Sakurai if that's what you're implying. He can't break my heart.”
“Nino please. We haven’t know each other for ages but I like you and I know the way you're looking at him.”
“The way you're gazing at Jun-kun?”
“Exactly.”
Nino turned around and sat by his side.
“I came to Kyoto when I broke up with my boyfriend. He cheated on me with a friend and...he broke my heart, really. So today I'm cautious. I know how it hurts. Trust me.”
“I'm sorry Nino.”
“Just...I'll go there, I'll help Sakurai and when I'll come back you will show me some yoga poses, okay?”
“...Okay.”
Nino didn't want to explain the deal he made with Sakurai, he didn't want for Masaki to feel guilty or indebted. Plus he really couldn't wait to spend a moment with this man who, he could admit it, was his crush. He didn't dream about a future with him, or to make him his real boyfriend (Toma was a far more obvious target) but he couldn't help but like the way his heart beat faster when he was with him, the way he melted each time he stared at him.
“He's here.” groaned Aiba looking at the window.
“Okay, I'm on my way and don't do anything I won't do myself.”
He put on his jacket and climbed down the stairs, opening the door as Sakurai was about to knock. He was wearing a dark suit and his hair was neatly dressed. Stunning thought Nino so loud that he feared he was heard.
“Hi. You're very beautiful today.” said Sho with a seductive smile.
“Nobody is here, you don't have to be such a gentleman. And you're not bad yourself either. Shall we go?”
They walked to the car and Sho opened the door for his guest.
“Tell me about them.” began Nino as soon as the engine started.
“You already met my mother and she won't be worse than the previous time. We'll have to stand firm and play our part the best we can, that's all. My father...like I said he's university teacher and he's a bit cold. Very elite-like, you know?”
“I see.”
“He won't seem surprised and frankly he doesn't give a shit about my life. He won't be a problem.”
“Ohh.”
Nino hung the head and watched outside. Did his father really didn't care or was it the vision of a spoiled child, still searching for paternal approbation?
“That's all. I don't have any sibling. Though, my father chose my cousin as son, years ago, he's very politically correct. A cold heart prick. But I never meet him. We'll go, have lunch and run away as fast as we can, okay?”
“Okay.”
“By the way, how should I call you? Nino?”
“And I'll call you Sho-kun?”
“Sho-kun will be perfect.”
The Sakurai mansion was pretty much as Nino imagined it. An European style white villa, with a big park from where he could sigh a tennis court and a pool. How a man raised in such a house could chose to open a gay club? Especially since he was het? Was it the worst way he found to punish his parents? What for would be the question?
“What are you thinking about?”
“I'm wondering why you chose to open the Lights?”
“Life is full of surprises, isn't it?” said Sho bending over him to open his door.
Nino began to be anxious.
“You have nothing to lose.” Sho gripped his hand as they were getting out of the car. “If we failed, I'll have to meet new girls, that's not a big deal. If you want to cancel, tell me.”
“It will be fine.” said Nino more confidently than he really was.
They passed the threshold, still holding hands and Sho greeted the butler at the door, introducing Nino, then he led him to the living room.
“Good morning mother.”
“Oh, you're here. Good morning.”
She pecked his son's cheek and bowed at Nino who answered the same way. Nino wasn’t able to fathom this woman. She was beautiful, elegant and stylish yet he could perceive something else, a sadness which wasn’t only due to her rebellious son he could have sworn it.
“Hello Sho.”
They whirled around and Sho reached out to shake the hand of the man who just entered the room.
“And you are Ninomiya-san, I guess?”
Nino shook the hand at his turn and smiled to him. He has Sho's smile, or rather Sho had his father's smile and the same light in the eyes. This man was a seducer and abused it with everyone he met. Girls, boys, old, young, he didn't care, he simply loved to be loved. Nino met a lot of men like him during his life and he began to understand what Sho meant when he called him a cold-hearted prick.
“Yes, Sir, I'm Ninomiya Kazunari, nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too. So, you're my son's employee?”
“Indeed.”
“I see. Do you smoke?”
“I don't, Sir.”
“I hope you'll find a way to convince my son to quit.”
“I'll do my best.”
Sho was tensed, Nino could feel it and he moved aside surreptitiously to come closer.
“Let's eat, we will talk a bit.”
His age, his studies, his current profession, his aspirations for the future, less than thirty minutes later, Sho's father knew everything about Nino. Everything he was willing to confess at least and he didn't miss Sho’s and Sakurai-san’s obliteration. This man was charming, true, but he was matter-of-factually the master of the house, he reigned without contest and Nino hated this.
“You graduated in psychology? How strange it is to become a mere waiter in a shabby place.”
“Father...” began Sho with a voice that Nino never heard before and it broke his heart. He could totally imagine the kind of boy he was once, submitted to a tyrannical father.
“It is not a shabby place, Sir. Sho-kun is a hard worker, he built the place from scratch and it's a flourishing business. He has genuine friends at work and to be honest, I'm the one to be happy to be by his side. I'm proud to be his boyfriend. Sir.”
He squeezed Sho's hand under the table and for a moment, Nino thought they would leave the place.
“Shall we eat?” said Sho's mother with an enchanted smile. His father frowned but didn't say a words and as the maids came and went, putting the dishes on the table, Sho briefly brought Nino's hand to his mouth, kissing his knuckles gratefully.
For the rest of the lunch Sho and his mother kept the conversation alive, asking from time to time Nino's opinion. Luckily she didn't seem to set new traps to expose their false love story and Nino was pretty convince that she thought well of the way he talked to her husband.
At the end of the lunch they left the table and Sho invited Nino to visit the library. It was like a wonderland that he never dreamed of visiting. The high shelves were full of old and new books, and like in those ancient stories, a stepladder was necessary to access to the higher ones.
“Tell me something about this place.” asked Nino, marveled.
“What?”
“You should have some stories about it.”
Sho smiled and climbed on the stepladder, fetching for a book.
“This one.” He turned the pages and took out a bookmark that he handed to Nino. “ Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
Marianne Williamson.” That's why I chose the name for the club.”
“It's beautiful.”
“It is. Nino for earlier~”
“Sho, your cousin and his wife are here.” announced Sho's father at the door.
“I didn't know he would come, I promise.” Sho murmured facing Nino.
He was suddenly so anxious, thought Nino without pinpointing the reason. His cousin? He couldn't be worse than his father...
“I don't mind.”
“He's a real jerk, no wonder he's here, he probably heard we'd be here today.”
Nino moved away and he followed Sho to the living room.
His parents were sitting around a little tea-table with a young couple. The butler offered them two armchairs and they had no choice but to sit far from each other. Nino felt immediately uneasy.
“Hi, Sho-chan.” The man Nino supposed to be his cousin said with a charming smile.
“Shin, what a surprise. I didn't know you'd come. Shizuka.”
Nino hated the man at the second he entered his field of vision. He was Sho's father clone, less the natural charm, plus a light of meanness in the eye as he was eyeing him shamelessly.
“This is Nino, my boyfriend.”
“Your boyfriend? So finally you make your coming-out, after all those years spent in this club? I don't mind you know. Really.”
“I don't care about your opinion.” Sho snapped dryly.
Nino didn't miss the bitter tone, so uncommon for Sho but he didn't really mind. He just felt a brick falling in his stomach when the woman turned around to shake his hand. This Shizuka was Sho's easy laid.
“Nice to meet you, Ninomiya-kun.” She said with a smile and Nino had to swallow hard. She gazed at him as if they were accomplices and he hated that deeply. Basically he hated everything related to this woman.
“Me too.” He mumbled unwillingly.
“Shin-kun is a university teacher just like Sho's father” Sho's mother explained gently “And Shizuka's father is the Dean of the university. It's a family business you see.”
“I see.”
Nino didn't gaze at his boss at all, too afraid to burst in anger. Sleeping with a married woman was awful but with his cousin's wife was...unthinkable and morally blameworthy. Learning that he was cheating on someone, even the worst bastard of the town, disgusted Nino deeply. His own memories were too present, still too painful.
He clenched his jaws and listened inattentively to their polite but cold exchanges, accepting willingly a walk into the park with the women of the family, although it meant enduring this Shizuka's close proximity.
As Sho's mother moved away to talk to the gardener, Nino felt his Boss' mistress grabbing his arm.
“So this is Sho's new trick to avoid a wedding?”
“I don't get it.” He said stiffening to the contact.
“Pretending he's gay. Don't get me wrong I have nothing against gay people but Sho...he's such a lady killer. How much did he pay you?”
“He didn't pay me.”
“How nice of you! What a devoted employee...”
Once more, Nino cursed his damn politeness, he had so numerous and unpleasant things to tell to this awful woman...
“I'm going to join Sho's mother if you don't mind.” Nino said, taking off the woman's arm firmly and he didn't leave the owner of the place after that.
When Sho told his parents that Nino was tired and wanted to go back home he was almost grateful to him. But he was too angry with him to be grateful.
=+=
“Wait Nino!”
Nino slapped the door of the car and walked quickly on the pavement, refusing to listen to Sho's calls from behind. He was furious beyond words but Sho caught him when he was opening the door of his house.
“Why are you so fucking upset?!” Sho grabbed his wrist to make him turn.
“Because you're a cheater. You fuck your cousin's wife. That's why I'm so upset. I thought you were a good man and you disappointed me.”
“Look. I'm sorry, okay? I should have warned you when you met her at the club.”
“I don't give a shit about you and her, it's none of my business. Now your parents believe we had a lover quarrel, it's good for you and consider I did my part of the deal.”
“Why are you punishing me for something which doesn't concern you?” said Sho blankly.
“Men are cheaters. You're like each and every men I met. Nothing more, nothing less. ”
They gauged at each other for a moment, then Sho turned his heel, leaving a frustrated Nino on his doorstep.
Then Nino entered the house and found a shelter in Aiba's arms.
=+=
Author: WendyJoly
Beta: The indispensable
jtayttLength: Chaptered
Rating: From PG to NC-17
Pairing: Sakumiya (Sho Sakurai X Ninomiya Kazunari) , Junba (Matsumoto Jun X Aiba Masaki), special guest : Ikuta Toma, Tomoya Nagase, Juri Ueno
Summary: Ninomiya Kazunari is a heartbroken columnist for a national paper. Repeatedly unhappy in love, he ends by elaborating a theory telling that gay people are meant to be unfaithful, that’s it is in their nature. The day his boss asks him to be hired in a gay club to write a series of article on the subject, he doesn’t think twice and accept this one-time opportunity.
Nino woke up with his head in a vice. He was on his bed, the sun was already high in the sky and...He was alone. He straightened and cursed the way he drank last night. Did he dream Sakurai's presence in his bed?! He fumbled and put his feet on the floor, discovering a note on his pillow.
“You slept so well, I didn't want to wake you up. Thanks for this night. S.S.”
Holy. Shit. Why did the awful Boss feel the need to mock him each and every time, even after a so wonderful moment of tenderness? As if he had been too drunk to remember this night! Toma hit on him, they danced, Ohno and Jun, his sister Juri, Masaki who was jealous, he watched the previous night in fast forward, yet the episode Sakurai had some blank. It had been too intense. Matthew Arnolds...he smiled and blushed at the thought. Sakurai told him he was adorable and hugged him. What the hell, it had been fantastic. Then they fell on the bed. Together.
He exited his bedroom, ready to struggle against the mess to make his way to the kitchen. Yet, the stairs were cleaned and the house smelled the usual wonderful perfume, not cigarette, alcohol and cheap perfume as he feared.
“A deep breath, then you'll face the floor to make the Cobra pose. Don't hurt yourself. And remember, the breath is as important as the pose itself.”
Nino followed Aiba's voice and stopped short before the scene.
In the living room (perfectly clean) about ten grandmothers laid on the floor, pushing on their arms, raising their heads, their legs slightly spread. And turning his back to Nino, Masaki in sport's outfit, his little bang high on his head. He whirled around when one of the women pointed at Nino.
“Oh Nino, ohayo! Did you sleep well? I prepared a breakfast and a painkiller for you in the kitchen. I hope you don't mind, I had my yoga class today. Ladies, this is Nino my new roommate.”
“Hi Nino!” said the old ladies, waving at him. Nino bowed politely and grabbed Aiba's shoulder.
“Where is it?”
“What?”
“The mess.”
“I cleaned the house.”
He could have tell him it was impossible but the fact was that nothing left from the party and it was so amazing that Nino remained speechless.
“You're a fairy, the best roommate ever.” He murmured, too happy to avoid the usual morning chores after every party.
“Thanks. Want to join us?”
“Later perhaps. By the way?”
“Hm?”
“Did you see Sakurai?”
Aiba gave some new instructions to his students and went back to Nino.
“Let me remember. I saw you disappearing upstairs last night, holding hands and he left the house early this morning, avoiding me on purpose. So how is he in bed? Everybody wants to know. I'm sure he's a beast. Is he a beast?”
“We didn't have sex...”
“Impossible. Sakurai is a lady-killer, he lays every girl he meets.”
“Guess you forget the 'lady' part. I'm not.”
“But he slept in the same bed as you? And he didn't try his luck?”
“He wasn't drunk enough to find me attractive.”
“So what did you do?”
“Nothing, we simply shared my bed.”
“Fishhhhhhy~”
“It...it was great. He has been a real gentleman.”
“You're so in love with him!!”
“Certainly not.” Nino tried to use one of his very special talents. The distraction. “And you, how long since you fell in love with Jun-kun?”
“...You noticed?”
Nino was pretty amazed to not have to push him more to hear his confession.
“He's my type you know. Like the one I could draw if someone would ask me to describe the man of my dream. But...”
“But?”
“I tried at the beginning, a lot, but he rejected me. We kissed sometimes, we made out a bit especially when we were drunk but he doesn't want a whore as lover.”
“What are you talking about?! You're not a whore!”
“I love sex and if I can't have him, what can I do? Be abstinent until the rest of my life? I can't.”
“That's not the problem, Masaki-kun. There should be something else. Who won't fall for you? You're so gentle and cute...”
“Stop it already with your praises or I'll jump at you.”
Nino chuckled, not fooled by the bittersweet smile of his friend.
“A guy told me once “when you can't have the one you want, you look for comfort elsewhere.”, I suppose it's your case. It's not being a whore.”
“He was surely right.”
“Ma-chan?” Masaki smiled, hearing the endearment. “I'm hungry.”
“So let me finish my course and we'll eat together.”
=+
The club was empty when they took their shift. It wasn't unusual, most of the time they opened it by themselves and Nino felt a real relief to not finding Sakurai behind the counter. It was a small respite but nonetheless it was good to have.
Jun passed the threshold with sunglasses covering his puffed eyes and walked straight to the coffee machine. The two guys kept their distance until the end of his first mug.
“Hangover?” asked Nino sitting by his side.
“Yeah...”
“Here.” Aiba handed him a mug with a strange mixture that Jun swallowed without a word.
“What's this?” Nino pointed at the empty cup.
“Aiba's miracle medication. Thanks, Darling.” Jun caressed Aiba's cheek and the latter smirked shyly but Jun didn't seem to notice. How unfair thought Nino, seeing Aiba's gaze full of hope. “How was the night with Sho-kun? Did you finally take his virginity?”
Once again this question. Was it so unthinkable to spend the night with someone without fucking in their world? ...Yeah it was.
“We slept that's all. He's het. Hets don't do gays, right?”
“He's het, you're right but he could totally do you, isn't it Masaki? In my opinion he’s bi even if he refuses to admit it.”
Aiba nodded and Nino blushed once again. Was it true? Could he hope for something real between him and Sakurai? He smiled without realizing it.
When he raised the head and he crossed Sho's gaze.
“Hi guys.” said a woman's voice and Nino thrilled. Sakurai was with a girl. A very beautiful, elegant woman and she seemed to know Jun and Aiba. “You're the new one?”
Nino finally understood that she was talking to him and he nodded vaguely.
“Nino is my new waiter.” answered Sho dryly.
“You didn't tell me you had a new waiter. You're very cute, Nino-kun. The clients are surely crazy about you.”
“He knows he's cute, leave him alone. Now come with me, I'll give you your paper.”
She put her arm under Sho's and they left the place to climb up the stairs leading to his office.
“Who's she?” asked Nino as neutrally as he could.
“Sakurai's regular easy laid.”
“I see.”
“But I'm sure it's different with you!” Aiba tried to cheer up Nino but it was a lost cause.
“There is nothing between him and me, don't worry. I don't mind. I don't even really remember the last night. What are you doing?!”
Nino grabbed Masaki's wrist to take his cellphone.
“I'm calling Toma, you'll need someone to cheer you up tonight. For the time being, can you go to the cold room fetch some coffee packs and I'll show you the barista machine after.”
“I don't~oh...fuck, do as you wish.”
“when you can't have the one you want, you look for comfort elsewhere.” said Sakurai, perhaps was he really right after all.
=+=
Sho woke up early this morning. He was lying in Nino's bed and a soft weight resting on his chest tickled him gently.
Nino was nestled against him, his arm firmly snaked around his waist, his nose caressing the crook of his neck, it was a bit too tantalizing for the man's sanity. He did make a promise to himself a few hours ago, not kiss him without his consent anymore, it was too early to break it.
He moved aside a bit to keep his distance and admired him leisurely like he already did last night, trying to decipher his feelings. Was the magic gone with dawn? Did he misinterpret this attraction? He brushes a wisp of hair from his forehead and Nino smiled in his sleep. What the hell. It was insane. Sho leaned forward, giving up trying to keep his promise. One way or another Nino would wake up and perhaps he would allow him to kiss him, perhaps he would answer and they could caress a bit, making love a bit...
“Crap.” He cursed his cellphone, which vibrated at the worse time. His mother was so talented in killing his love life, it was crazy. He moved back slowly and rose from the bed regretfully, exiting the bedroom to answer.
“Finally!” hissed his mother's voice.
“It's 6 AM, mother. What the~”
“Don't curse please. Are you done with work?”
“I was not working, I was in bed.”
“With your lover?” mocked the woman.
“Indeed.”
He heard her gasping and smirked surreptitiously, no need to lie for once.
“Mother?”
“I'm still here.”
“I'm sorry for the other day.” Sho leaned on the wall, feeling a heavy weight leaving his shoulders.
“Will you share our lunch this Sunday?”
“Okay. I'll be there.”
“It will be the occasion for you to introduce your boyfriend to our family.”
“I~”
She already hung up and Sho sighed, passably pissed. Nino would never accept this, it was a given. Maybe if he confessed his attraction for him? No way, he was serious guy and if he wanted for him to be his boyfriend, it was a totally different story. He had never been someone’s boyfriend before, so beginning with a man sounded crazy. He put his hand on the doorknob to keep on things where he left them, but changed his mind and simply left a note before climbing down the stairs. Sho collected his stuff in the living room and avoided Aiba who was cleaning the house.
He went back home to shower and change his outfit and kept busy all day long to not think too much about the way he would convince Nino to play the game once again. By the end of the afternoon he drove to the club, hoping he could speak to Jun first, he really needed his precious advices.
Yet, he found someone totally unexpected on his threshold.
“Hi Sho!”
The pretty brunette got out of her flashy car to stop him as he was entering the club. To be honest, he didn't see her lately and he didn't wish to. Something held him back and since last night he began to pinpoint the reason why.
“Shizuka. What are you doing here?”
“I'm here for business. My bookkeeper asked me the last statement of assurance of the club.”
“What for?”
“As if I knew...because I'm owner of this club too.”
“At 10% only.”
“I know, I know...”
She approached him, caressing surreptitiously his arm, her look pretty revealing about the real reason for her presence today.
“I miss you.” She uttered, seeking for a contact he refused.
“Come with me, I'll give you the paper and you can go back home, your husband will wait for you.”
He opened the door and once again cursed his bad luck when he spotted the object of his affection at the counter with Jun and Aiba, nicely blushing. He stepped forward to talk to Nino but Shizuka was faster than him.
“Hi guys. You're the new one?”
Sho saw Nino's face changing turning from happiness to incredulity. What could he say to explain who was the girl with him? Nothing which could improve the situation or help him to reassure Nino about his seriousness in love matter.
“Nino is my new waiter.”
“You didn't tell me you had a new waiter. You're very cute, Nino-kun. The clients are surely crazy about you.”
“He knows he's cute, leave him alone. Now come with me, I'll give you your paper.”
He led her upstairs and she closed the door of his office behind while he began to fumble in the drawers of his desk to fetch what she requested.
“He's cute.”
“You already said it.”
“So that's why you stopped calling me.”
“What do you mean?” said Sho, turning his back to her to keep on his exploration on the shelves.
“It's so obvious. Did you already fuck him?”
“You don't have to be vulgar and it's none of your business.”
“I thought we got along well together.”
“What's your point Shizuka?”
“Stop avoiding me. And tell me frankly what's happening.”
Sho froze and walked by the desk to face her.
“You are right. I like him and I want to know if something is possible between us. And...I need to be all alone for this. Because I respect him.”
She smiled bitterly.
“Okay. At least it's clear.”
“Sorry. But we were heading nowhere. You're married.”
“I know, we had fun that's all. So this is a good-bye?”
“It's better this way.”
She smiled unaffectedly and went back to the door.“Ja'”
“Your paper!”
“You'll send it by mail.”
She turned tail, exiting slowly and soon after someone knocked at the door.
“Boss...”
Sho raised from his chair and walked to Nino.
“Hi.”
“Hi Boss. Masaki-kun asked me to ask you if you had sent the order for the coffee machine.”
Sho chuckled.
“He asked you to ask me?”
“Yeah. As idiotic as it seems.”
“I'll check, sit down.”
Nino held the door and complied reluctantly when Sakurai went back to his desk.
“Did you try?” asked Sho.
“Try what?”
“The barrista machine.”
“Masaki sounds determined to make me try at least. He's searching for an ally I guess.”
“Here is the order form of the coffee.” Sho said, handing a bill to Nino “I sent it last week.”
“Okay I'm gonna tell him. Thanks.” said Nino leaping on his feet.
“Nino?”
“Yeah?”
“This...”
Sho pointed to the black apron that was hastily and very clumsily knotted. Nino hung his head.
“Ah, I was working in the cold room when Jun gave it to me, my fingers were numb.”
“Come here, I'll help you.”
“No need, I~”
But Sho was already untying the knot and he made him turn to wrap the apron around his thin waist.
“By the way,” He said in an undertone. “I'm sorry for leaving you so early this morning when I said I won't.”
“I...don't be sorry. It was nice to you to leave me a note.”
“I wanted to tell you I don't do this usually.”
“Leaving a note?”
“Spending a so innocent night with someone.”
“Well I'm a man.”
“I know.”
“And you're not into men.”
“I know that too, but you...” He put his hands to his hips to make him turn around again. “...Nino.” Would you let me kiss you, he was dying to ask.
“What?”
“Would you...be my boyfriend?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Ah...Sunday only. My mother invited us for the lunch Sunday. I know last time was catastrophic but it will be the last, last meeting, I swear.”
Could he beg for more? Sho felt his heart beating like a drum in his chest as if...as if he was really asking him to date him. If he refused, things would be settled between them, if he accepted he would have another chance to try his luck.
“Okay.” said Nino quietly.
“Okay?!”
“Yes, okay. On one condition.”
“I see...what condition?”
“I'd like for you to help me to discover Jun-kun's secret.”
“Are you kidding me?!”
“Masaki is in love with him and Jun likes him too, we don't know what holds him back and we can help him if we know!”
“If he wants to keep it secret it, there must be a reason. We don't have to interfere.”
“And we won't if we can't help him. Please.”
“He's gonna kill us if we're found out.”
Nino stared at him with his so adorable puppy eyes.
“I'll be the best boyfriend you ever had.”
“Ahh stop looking at me this way. It's okay. Do you know how we'll manage to follow him at 3 AM?”
“I have a plan. Thanks Boss.”
Nino left him alone and Sho smiled like a fool, enchanted to become his accomplice in crime.
=+=
“So you're decided to play the boyfriend once again?”
Nino was dressing in his bedroom, knotting his necktie before the big size mirror and Aiba leaned against the door frame, arms crossed, and didn't seem enthusiastic.
“Yeah, why?”
“I don't know, perhaps it is going too far?” He walked through the room, sat on the bed, and grabbed the newspaper opening it to the heart-break column. “Perhaps will you end in one of these columns one day.” I bet I will, thought Nino with a smirk.
“I'm not in love with Sakurai if that's what you're implying. He can't break my heart.”
“Nino please. We haven’t know each other for ages but I like you and I know the way you're looking at him.”
“The way you're gazing at Jun-kun?”
“Exactly.”
Nino turned around and sat by his side.
“I came to Kyoto when I broke up with my boyfriend. He cheated on me with a friend and...he broke my heart, really. So today I'm cautious. I know how it hurts. Trust me.”
“I'm sorry Nino.”
“Just...I'll go there, I'll help Sakurai and when I'll come back you will show me some yoga poses, okay?”
“...Okay.”
Nino didn't want to explain the deal he made with Sakurai, he didn't want for Masaki to feel guilty or indebted. Plus he really couldn't wait to spend a moment with this man who, he could admit it, was his crush. He didn't dream about a future with him, or to make him his real boyfriend (Toma was a far more obvious target) but he couldn't help but like the way his heart beat faster when he was with him, the way he melted each time he stared at him.
“He's here.” groaned Aiba looking at the window.
“Okay, I'm on my way and don't do anything I won't do myself.”
He put on his jacket and climbed down the stairs, opening the door as Sakurai was about to knock. He was wearing a dark suit and his hair was neatly dressed. Stunning thought Nino so loud that he feared he was heard.
“Hi. You're very beautiful today.” said Sho with a seductive smile.
“Nobody is here, you don't have to be such a gentleman. And you're not bad yourself either. Shall we go?”
They walked to the car and Sho opened the door for his guest.
“Tell me about them.” began Nino as soon as the engine started.
“You already met my mother and she won't be worse than the previous time. We'll have to stand firm and play our part the best we can, that's all. My father...like I said he's university teacher and he's a bit cold. Very elite-like, you know?”
“I see.”
“He won't seem surprised and frankly he doesn't give a shit about my life. He won't be a problem.”
“Ohh.”
Nino hung the head and watched outside. Did his father really didn't care or was it the vision of a spoiled child, still searching for paternal approbation?
“That's all. I don't have any sibling. Though, my father chose my cousin as son, years ago, he's very politically correct. A cold heart prick. But I never meet him. We'll go, have lunch and run away as fast as we can, okay?”
“Okay.”
“By the way, how should I call you? Nino?”
“And I'll call you Sho-kun?”
“Sho-kun will be perfect.”
The Sakurai mansion was pretty much as Nino imagined it. An European style white villa, with a big park from where he could sigh a tennis court and a pool. How a man raised in such a house could chose to open a gay club? Especially since he was het? Was it the worst way he found to punish his parents? What for would be the question?
“What are you thinking about?”
“I'm wondering why you chose to open the Lights?”
“Life is full of surprises, isn't it?” said Sho bending over him to open his door.
Nino began to be anxious.
“You have nothing to lose.” Sho gripped his hand as they were getting out of the car. “If we failed, I'll have to meet new girls, that's not a big deal. If you want to cancel, tell me.”
“It will be fine.” said Nino more confidently than he really was.
They passed the threshold, still holding hands and Sho greeted the butler at the door, introducing Nino, then he led him to the living room.
“Good morning mother.”
“Oh, you're here. Good morning.”
She pecked his son's cheek and bowed at Nino who answered the same way. Nino wasn’t able to fathom this woman. She was beautiful, elegant and stylish yet he could perceive something else, a sadness which wasn’t only due to her rebellious son he could have sworn it.
“Hello Sho.”
They whirled around and Sho reached out to shake the hand of the man who just entered the room.
“And you are Ninomiya-san, I guess?”
Nino shook the hand at his turn and smiled to him. He has Sho's smile, or rather Sho had his father's smile and the same light in the eyes. This man was a seducer and abused it with everyone he met. Girls, boys, old, young, he didn't care, he simply loved to be loved. Nino met a lot of men like him during his life and he began to understand what Sho meant when he called him a cold-hearted prick.
“Yes, Sir, I'm Ninomiya Kazunari, nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too. So, you're my son's employee?”
“Indeed.”
“I see. Do you smoke?”
“I don't, Sir.”
“I hope you'll find a way to convince my son to quit.”
“I'll do my best.”
Sho was tensed, Nino could feel it and he moved aside surreptitiously to come closer.
“Let's eat, we will talk a bit.”
His age, his studies, his current profession, his aspirations for the future, less than thirty minutes later, Sho's father knew everything about Nino. Everything he was willing to confess at least and he didn't miss Sho’s and Sakurai-san’s obliteration. This man was charming, true, but he was matter-of-factually the master of the house, he reigned without contest and Nino hated this.
“You graduated in psychology? How strange it is to become a mere waiter in a shabby place.”
“Father...” began Sho with a voice that Nino never heard before and it broke his heart. He could totally imagine the kind of boy he was once, submitted to a tyrannical father.
“It is not a shabby place, Sir. Sho-kun is a hard worker, he built the place from scratch and it's a flourishing business. He has genuine friends at work and to be honest, I'm the one to be happy to be by his side. I'm proud to be his boyfriend. Sir.”
He squeezed Sho's hand under the table and for a moment, Nino thought they would leave the place.
“Shall we eat?” said Sho's mother with an enchanted smile. His father frowned but didn't say a words and as the maids came and went, putting the dishes on the table, Sho briefly brought Nino's hand to his mouth, kissing his knuckles gratefully.
For the rest of the lunch Sho and his mother kept the conversation alive, asking from time to time Nino's opinion. Luckily she didn't seem to set new traps to expose their false love story and Nino was pretty convince that she thought well of the way he talked to her husband.
At the end of the lunch they left the table and Sho invited Nino to visit the library. It was like a wonderland that he never dreamed of visiting. The high shelves were full of old and new books, and like in those ancient stories, a stepladder was necessary to access to the higher ones.
“Tell me something about this place.” asked Nino, marveled.
“What?”
“You should have some stories about it.”
Sho smiled and climbed on the stepladder, fetching for a book.
“This one.” He turned the pages and took out a bookmark that he handed to Nino. “ Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
Marianne Williamson.” That's why I chose the name for the club.”
“It's beautiful.”
“It is. Nino for earlier~”
“Sho, your cousin and his wife are here.” announced Sho's father at the door.
“I didn't know he would come, I promise.” Sho murmured facing Nino.
He was suddenly so anxious, thought Nino without pinpointing the reason. His cousin? He couldn't be worse than his father...
“I don't mind.”
“He's a real jerk, no wonder he's here, he probably heard we'd be here today.”
Nino moved away and he followed Sho to the living room.
His parents were sitting around a little tea-table with a young couple. The butler offered them two armchairs and they had no choice but to sit far from each other. Nino felt immediately uneasy.
“Hi, Sho-chan.” The man Nino supposed to be his cousin said with a charming smile.
“Shin, what a surprise. I didn't know you'd come. Shizuka.”
Nino hated the man at the second he entered his field of vision. He was Sho's father clone, less the natural charm, plus a light of meanness in the eye as he was eyeing him shamelessly.
“This is Nino, my boyfriend.”
“Your boyfriend? So finally you make your coming-out, after all those years spent in this club? I don't mind you know. Really.”
“I don't care about your opinion.” Sho snapped dryly.
Nino didn't miss the bitter tone, so uncommon for Sho but he didn't really mind. He just felt a brick falling in his stomach when the woman turned around to shake his hand. This Shizuka was Sho's easy laid.
“Nice to meet you, Ninomiya-kun.” She said with a smile and Nino had to swallow hard. She gazed at him as if they were accomplices and he hated that deeply. Basically he hated everything related to this woman.
“Me too.” He mumbled unwillingly.
“Shin-kun is a university teacher just like Sho's father” Sho's mother explained gently “And Shizuka's father is the Dean of the university. It's a family business you see.”
“I see.”
Nino didn't gaze at his boss at all, too afraid to burst in anger. Sleeping with a married woman was awful but with his cousin's wife was...unthinkable and morally blameworthy. Learning that he was cheating on someone, even the worst bastard of the town, disgusted Nino deeply. His own memories were too present, still too painful.
He clenched his jaws and listened inattentively to their polite but cold exchanges, accepting willingly a walk into the park with the women of the family, although it meant enduring this Shizuka's close proximity.
As Sho's mother moved away to talk to the gardener, Nino felt his Boss' mistress grabbing his arm.
“So this is Sho's new trick to avoid a wedding?”
“I don't get it.” He said stiffening to the contact.
“Pretending he's gay. Don't get me wrong I have nothing against gay people but Sho...he's such a lady killer. How much did he pay you?”
“He didn't pay me.”
“How nice of you! What a devoted employee...”
Once more, Nino cursed his damn politeness, he had so numerous and unpleasant things to tell to this awful woman...
“I'm going to join Sho's mother if you don't mind.” Nino said, taking off the woman's arm firmly and he didn't leave the owner of the place after that.
When Sho told his parents that Nino was tired and wanted to go back home he was almost grateful to him. But he was too angry with him to be grateful.
=+=
“Wait Nino!”
Nino slapped the door of the car and walked quickly on the pavement, refusing to listen to Sho's calls from behind. He was furious beyond words but Sho caught him when he was opening the door of his house.
“Why are you so fucking upset?!” Sho grabbed his wrist to make him turn.
“Because you're a cheater. You fuck your cousin's wife. That's why I'm so upset. I thought you were a good man and you disappointed me.”
“Look. I'm sorry, okay? I should have warned you when you met her at the club.”
“I don't give a shit about you and her, it's none of my business. Now your parents believe we had a lover quarrel, it's good for you and consider I did my part of the deal.”
“Why are you punishing me for something which doesn't concern you?” said Sho blankly.
“Men are cheaters. You're like each and every men I met. Nothing more, nothing less. ”
They gauged at each other for a moment, then Sho turned his heel, leaving a frustrated Nino on his doorstep.
Then Nino entered the house and found a shelter in Aiba's arms.
=+=
