Reituki Oneshot ~Escape~
Title: Escape
Chapter: Oneshot
Author:
Genre: Romance
Warnings: Language
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Reita x Ruki
Summary: If there was one thing Matsumoto Takanori hated more than anything else in the world it was being crammed in this tiny tour van. He has no space, no privacy, no way of dwelling on his emotions.
Comments: I'm trying to write at least one short story, fan fiction, etc a week. Hope you enjoy my brand of crazy ;)
Disclaimer: :/ nope... last I checked I didn't own the GazettE... just my thoughts...
If there was one thing Matsumoto Takanori hated more than anything else in the world it was being crammed in this tiny tour van. It was hot, it was crowded, it was uncomfortable, and there was absolutely no privacy. Believe me when I say he hated a number of other things: hypocrisy, society in general, bad hair days… but this van took the cake.
The live had ended at some ungodly hour the night before, and they had stuck around to help with strike (“help” meaning standing by idly and informing the staff that they were doing it wrong and that Reita’s precious bass needed to be handled with care), only to get herded into this tiny, smelly little van.
It wasn’t that he didn’t like touring. The adrenaline rush he got from being on stage was better than any rush alcohol or drugs could give him. Being up there on that stage singing his heart out was a feeling that nothing could replace. It wasn’t that he hated being with his band mates. They were, after all, his chosen family. Each one of them held a special place in his heart and he loved them all. He didn’t even mind the backstage madness that he tried and failed to contain. No. It was just this fucking van he hated. He hated being in this fucking van for endless hours. The anticipation of the coming live, Kouyou’s insistence that he not smoke in the van, the trapped feeling he had, it all built up and made him angry. He just wanted out of this fucking van!
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t distract himself from the reality of being on the van. Watching the countryside fly by outside the window only made his stomach turn. Akria’s manga only made him feel more nauseous. Finally, he resorted to sitting and staring out the front window fiddling with everything. He tapped his feet impatiently. He chewed on pens to the point that they were no longer recognizable as a pen. He tapped his finger against his knee.
Click. Click. Tick. Tack. Tack. Tack. Tack…
Even though it was obvious from the expressions on his band mate’s faces that his incessant fiddling was getting annoying, nobody spoke up. Nobody dared. Nobody fucked with him in the tour van. Nobody.
Exhaustion was creeping up on him.
He had tried to sleep, but he was too wound up. He had laid his head against Akira, and tucked his feet up on the bench. He tried not to let his mind wander, especially with Akira so close to him. He could smell the faint smell of his cologne, cigarette smoke, and sweat… NO! You can’t think about that, just try to sleep. He shook himself, trying to clear his mind. He could hear each breath that Akira drew. He could feel his shoulder rise and fall… He tried not to lose himself in the image of the rippling muscles of Akira’s arms. Somewhere he wondered what it would feel like to run his hand over those smooth, strong muscles. NO! Think of something else. The live tomorrow…
“Eh… Takanori is sleeping on Akira again,” came a snide comment just as Takanori had dispelled images of tripping an falling on his face in tomorrow’s live and was just getting ensnared in sleep’s grasp. He felt his face form a frown, his eyebrows knitting together. Akira grunted and Takanori felt him shift. He couldn’t tell if the shift was an uncomfortable one or Akira lifting his hand to raise a middle finger at Yuu, both were equally likely when it came to Akira. The sound of Yuu laughing under his breath reached Takanori's ears and he let his temper get the better of him. He had no fucking privacy on this fucking bus.
“Are we almost fucking there?” he yelled at no one in particular, his arms flailing, almost hitting Akira in the face. After throwing Akira a quick apologetic glance he returned his angry gaze back on Yuu. “I’m trying to fucking sleep!”
“I can see that,” Yuu answered, cocking an eyebrow suggestively. That fucking ass hole. Why couldn’t he just keep his fucking mouth closed? Why couldn’t he just let Takanori sleep and enjoy the moment?
“Is there a problem with that?” Takanori snapped, venom dripping in his words. Somewhere in a deep part of his mind he knew he was over reacting. It was probably just this fucking bus that was getting to him, making him agitated, magnifying his anger. He had often used Akira as a pillow, especially when he forgot his own pillow making even harder to sleep in the van or back stage. Akira had strong shoulders, the kind that was perfect for leaning on. Oh, and did he mention that he was at the perfect height? All Takanori had to do was lean slightly and his head was nestled in the cup of Akira’s neck. He radiated body heat, and when Takanori shivered (which was often, Takanori was always cold), Akira always pulled him in closer. Akira never complained or pushed him away. Akira knew better. They had been teased on more than one occasion over the years for their extremely comfortable relationship. Usually that didn’t bother Takanori. He couldn’t help it that he and Akira were close, and that he could easily be himself with him.
“Just let him sleep,” came a pleading voice. Leave it to Yutaka to play peacekeeper. But right now, Takanori really just wanted to yell and be angry. He hated being on this bus.
“Well I can’t sleep now thanks to Yuu!”
“Takanori, just calm down. It’s been a long day for all of us,” Yutaka begged. “We are all tired and we know how much you hate this bus, but we’ll be there soon.”
Takanori fell silent. He was still mad. Oh, he was seething. Rage was bubbling under his skin, in his belly. The anger flashed in his eyes like wild fire. Everyone knew when he went this quiet it was a sign of danger. Yutaka swallowed, a look of panic on his face. Takanori crossed his arms, clenched his teeth, and slummed back in his chair.
“Now look what you’ve done!” whispered Yutaka to Yuu, nudging him with his elbow.
“I was just making an observation!” Yuu replied innocently.
“Like fuck you were,” came calm, measured Kouyou’s voice. Kouyou usually remained silent during these little bickers. In fact, before this one had started, he had been sleeping peacefully in his corner. His eyes were still closed. Inwardly, Takanori thanked Kouyou for speaking up. Yuu never said a word against Kouyou. Takanori heard Yutaka let out a sigh of relief; he had obviously come to the same conclusion. Yuu would shut up now and that meant that Takanori’s rage would dissipate...hopefully.
Takanori was too angry now to try and sleep, so he stayed in his crossed armed position until they approached their destination. That was when the activity increased a great deal in the vehicle. Stray objects, such as books and iPods were being returned to their bags. Yuu was helping Yutaka make sure he remembered to repack everything. They didn’t want Yutaka having a melt down in an hour when he couldn’t find his phone and tear apart the dressing rooms, only to remember it was still in the van.
Takanori’s mood might have improved with the impending release from this van if it hadn’t been for what Akira had just pulled out of his bag. All at once his mood turned sour again at the sight of the white surgical mask that was in Akira’s hand. He shot the mask a dark look, furrowing his eyebrows and pursing his lips.
Okay, Takanori might have lied when he said that the thing he hated the most was this fucking van. That mask made his heart hammer against his chest wall with rage. He hated that Akira hid his face behind that mask. As he watched Akira tighten the straps to ensure that the mask didn’t fall off, he felt his jaw clench.
To distract himself, Takanori straightened his hat, pulling it low over his ears and forehead so that it almost completely covered his eyebrows, he replaced his sunglasses over his eyes, and wrapped a scarf around his neck. He thought he heard Yuu grumble something about it being summer, and why was he wearing all the ridiculous stuff. He ignored it. Part of it was to spite Akira. If Akira got to cover his face, then he got to cover his entire body. The other part of it was trying to keep up his public face. His appearance was very important in this business. He loved and hated that aspect of his career. He couldn’t tell, but he thought the look in Akira’s eyes was one of disdain. Takanori smirked. Mission accomplished.
The tour van pulled up to the building. It was huge. Larger than life sized posters of the GazettE were plastered above the entrance. He let a smile stretch his lips. That poster was proof that his dreams were finally coming true, that their dreams were coming true. That poster was just another milestone on their road to their Nameless Liberty. He was just glad he got to share it with Akira and the others.
He felt the van roll to a stop. His heart started racing. He couldn’t get off this fucking van fast enough. He needed air. He needed space. He needed privacy. He needed to think. He hated this fucking van…
Feet hit the paved ground. The crunch of gravel under shoes. The click of the latch inside the van door. The door slid open and fresh air came rushing in. The air was heavy with humidity, the kind of heavy that made him think that it would probably rain later. It made his clothing feel heavy and tight. It made it hard to draw breath past the water in the air. Takanori breathed deeply anyways. His mind cleared instantly. Any lingering thoughts of longing derived from the heat of his body so close to his dissipated, along with the burning anger in his chest. He hated this van, but freedom was just within his reach.
Takanori had planned this perfectly. He would be the first one out of this van and he could escape this enclosed space. He readjusted his scarf, his sunglasses, his hat. He slid out of the van. His feet hit the ground. He resisted the urge to run; to escape. There was so much commotion. People were rushing around, staff that had arrived hours before the rest of the band to start setting up the stage and work with lighting. Camera crews blundered around with heavy equipment trying to capture the moment he stepped off the bus. He took another breath and then pushed past the camera crews and staff members crowding around him. He didn’t even look back to see the rest of the band get out of the van.
Takanori would have gladly have just disappeared and seek out that privacy he so longed while being crammed on that fucking van, but duty called. Nobody knew how to do things right. Everything needed his direct supervision. Already he could see banners going up backwards. He had even spotted a misplaced amp, he would have to correct that at the soonest opportunity. He made his way to back stage to supervise the staff, making sure the costumes were properly cared for during transit and that there was enough make up and hair spray to go around.
He found Kouyou and Yuu crowded around a table piled high with fan art, fan mail, flowers, and pretty bottles of alcohol wrapped up with bows. Kouyou was inspecting each bottle with a seasoned gaze. Occasional grunts of approval accompanied by nods were heard when he came across a particularly good brand of Sake or Vodka. Finally settling on a tall clear bottle with a red label, Takanori couldn’t tell what the spirit was, Kouyou poured himself a generous glass.
“Eh! Ruki! Look! Good haul this time!” Yuu called from over at the table, gesturing with a bottle of something, probably Sake, he couldn’t tell. Takanori rubbed his temples with his fingers in frustration. Sure. They could goof off. Speaking of goofing off, where was Akira? He was supposed to be getting ready to do a sound test. As he hurried off to find Akira, he passed a flustered looking Yutaka rushing off in the other direction.
“You seen Reita?” he grunted as they passed.
“No, but have you seen my phone? I was sure I had it!” Yutaka said, exasperated.
“Did you check your pocket?”
Yutaka stopped in his tracks, a thoughtful look on his face. He plunged his hand in the pocket of his baggy jeans and fished around for a moment only to pull out his cell phone.
Takanori couldn’t take the insanity anymore. Abandoning his search for Akira, he ran for the nearest door to the outside. He found his escape in the form of a door that lead to the roof that over looked the city. He pushed it open and walked out on to the roof. Did that sign say off limits? Who cared, he needed out. Now!
It had started raining. Takanori had expected as much. The air had seemed so heavy when he had stepped off the van. Summer rain showers were his favorite. They were calming. Nothing was more relaxing than standing out in a summer rain shower with a cigarette in hand. He lit the cigarette and took a deep drag. Instantly he felt the tension release from his shoulders. He let out the smoke and watched it rise in the rain. He didn’t know how long he stood there, just standing, watching the smoke rise slowly… he didn’t even notice when he went to take another drag only to find there was nothing left of the cigarette. He tossed the still smoldering filter, and crushed it under his foot. He just stood there for another moment, taking in the peaceful silence that this secluded roof top offered. He lost himself in thought. Oddly enough he found himself thinking back to that moment in the tour van, yes that van he hated so much, where he had been leaning against Akira’s shoulder. He remembered how Akira smelled, the feeling of his muscled shoulders, the warmth of his body…
He was so lost in thought he didn’t remember hearing the door close behind him. He didn’t remember hearing the sound of shoes splashing in the puddles that had formed in the rain. He didn’t remember hearing anything but his own thoughts, so it came as a surprise when he felt a hand close on his shoulder and a gruff voice say in his ear.
“There you are Takanori! I’ve been looking every where for you!” Takanori jumped. He felt his heart hammering in his throat. He turned on his heel towards the hand and voice ready to chastise who ever had disturbed his thought only to see Akira. Akira, or rather Reita for he was definitely no longer the usual Akira he knew outside of preforming, stood there with a stupid grin on his face. Reita was holding a newspaper over his head trying to protect himself from the rain. His hair had been sprayed into submission in the typical faux hawk, the stupid strip of fabric was tied over his nose, and his eyelids were painted with black.
Takanori raised an eyebrow quizzically at Reita. Usually he didn’t do trial make up the day before. In fact, Akira hated wearing the make up so much it usually came off as soon as they got off stage at the end of the night. Yet, here stood Reita with full stage make up a newspaper over his head trying to protect his hair.
“I wanted to make sure this passed the Ruki standard,” he mumbled. Takanori could see something of a blush forming underneath the make-up and noseband. “And then I couldn’t find you. And I was worried. You seemed kind of stressed out in the van. And then you were really quite. And I was worried...”
Takanori smiled. Akira was so cute when he got flustered. Takanori let the words roll out of Reita’s mouth, piling up in a mush of nonsense. It took a moment for Takanori to make sense of what he was hearing. Words like “worried” and "could't find you" and "you were gone a while" were sticking out, well at least from what Takanori could make out past the incoherent mumbling. Takanori felt his skin grow hot as his brain started interpreting the words. How many times had he fallen asleep with his head on Akira's shoulder? How many times had he wished for words like this? How many times had he wished he could just reach out a rip that fucking noseband off his face so he could see his face in its entire perfection? Hadn’t he always wished for exactly this moment? With his heart hammering in his throat and his breathing shallow all he could think was all you have to do is close that space and reach. He stood in the rain, looking up at Reita’s face that thought still lingering in the forefront of his mind. Reita was still fumbling over words.
Takanori had no memory of moving his body. What happened next was pure instinct. His body just moved of its own accord. He turned to face Reita. He wrapped his arms around his thin waist. He could feel the warmth of Reita’s body against his now cold body from standing out in the rain for so long. He stood up on his toes and lifted his face towards Reita’s. At some point Reita had stopped talking. He closed his eyes.
The warmth the exploded on his lips in that next moment was unlike anything he could have expected. He felt his stomach flip and then tie in a knot. He felt his breath grow shallow. He tightened his grip around Reita’s waist, pulled him deeper into the kiss.
He didn’t even care when he heard Yuu wolf whistle from the door.
Nothing could take this moment of freedom in the summer rain from him.
A/N: And there you have my first Reituki fan fiction! I hoped you liked it! I had a lot of fun writing it! =D