Title: Escalation
Pairing: Nakamaru/ Ueda
Rating: G
Genre: Humour, Fluff
Disclaimer: I don’t own anybody.
Summary: It started from petty things.
Author’s Note: Written for
mixedstrategy based on her prompt
here in lieu of celebrating Ueda’s birthday last month <3
Normal day, normal chores. Nothing was seemingly out of place as Nakamaru did his laundry. He was nearly done with the third load when he noticed an offending piece of clothing in his 'delicates' basket.
Socks.
Nakamaru wondered if he was drunk when he tossed that article in the wrong place. He did have a drop too much at Masuda’s house the night before. Without much fuss, Nakamaru sorted the pair into the correct basket.
*
Given his track record, Nakamaru has never gotten his laundry wrong in two consecutive days. Moreover, he had tea the night before as he carefully studied the script for an upcoming drama.
Caffeine shouldn't have clouded his mind and caused him to make such poor judgements.
Getting a little suspicious, Nakamaru decided it was time to notice the dressing of someone else at home. Although Ueda hardly wore socks, it would be good to imagine the cause being him and not the work of some poltergeists.
Because if the mistake didn't lie with Ueda, Nakamaru might want to move. Dealing with wrongly sorted laundry and a ghost can be simply too much for him. Though he can't really decide if Ueda wearing socks or the existence of ghosts would be more surprising.
And yes, laundry has such an important role in his life since he used to enjoy it till the mystery of the misplaced socks started.
*
Under his close scrutiny for the next seven days, Nakamaru came to one of the most amazing conclusions he has ever made, thesis aside.
By some weird work of nature, Ueda was indeed wearing socks and Nakamaru did not cross out the prospects that extraterrestrial power might be at work since Ueda loved his sandals to death (even at the expense of his chilled toes during winter) and never went without it.
Nakamaru wondered what brought about the change.
Even under the same roof, Nakamaru hadn't been talking much to Ueda due to their respective cluttered schedules. He didn't want their first conversation to include an argument about socks and thought he ought to go about it in a subtle way. After all, based on past experiences, an exhausted Ueda wasn't exactly receptive to being reprimanded, especially when it contained "insignificant topics" such as laundry (which Nakamaru begged to differ but who was he to lecture Ueda about housework without losing in a full-out fight?). The wink up message board seemed like a sound idea and without further delay, he submitted the messages he had for other Johnny's members in September.
Besides complimenting Ueda’s hair as a sign of good measure, Nakamaru squeezed in an extra invitation for Ueda to go indoor soccer with him. If Ueda had time for basketball, he would certainly make some time aside for him as well, Nakamaru reasoned.
For now, he would just have to deal with socks in the wrong laundry basket.
*
To Ueda:
What have you been doing lately? You've cut your hair slightly. It seems like you have been playing basketball recently. I heard that a while ago you played with Taguchi and a group of managers. Somehow, it seems like the managers play indoor soccer too, and I will be joining them next time, although basketball is good too, how about (joining us for) soccer?
Ueda eyewitness account:
Recently he has changed the way he dresses. Somehow he is now wearing socks! From the past he has always been wearing shorts and sandals regardless of the season and hence not wearing socks, recently he has changed the way he dresses. But in the recent music programme he was wearing something like a sleeveless jersey. Does it suit him? It does, right! In any case the way he dresses has changed.
Credit:
here *
It wasn’t his habit to grab a copy of Wink Up himself till their managers issued a free copy but Nakamaru decided Ueda had to see the message and realize his mistake before Nakamaru loses his marbles. Getting the magazine from a publishing acquaintance, Nakamaru set it on their dining table, right under Ueda’s mobile when the other man was off for a shower.
No matter how blind, it’ll definitely be noticed by Ueda.
However, Nakamaru failed to factor in that Ueda would merely cast a glance at it, comment on how early these magazines were reaching their hands in recent times, and ignore it.
It didn’t help that Ueda would rather pick an outdated copy of Duet to pass his spare time.
“What are you reading?” he tried to probe.
“An interview.”
“About?”
“That time… when I was talking with Koki about our respective movies.”
Nakamaru scowled instinctively. He knew it didn’t help to hide it because he wasn’t exactly gifted in concealing his emotions and he had to make it known to Ueda that he was slightly upset about something.
“The one about Eien no Zero?”
Ueda looked up in surprise.
“You remember? Well, I guess. You love that novel, don’t you? Okada-san -”
Nakamaru had tried his best to leave the room quietly. When a loud slam resounded in their silent apartment, Nakamaru wondered if he should have tried harder.
Nah.
*
To Nakamaru:
Hello. About the indoor soccer, if I play indoor soccer it seems like I will mistake Nakamaru's foot as the soccer ball and end up breaking his foot, so let's not do it (laughs). Please work hard playing indoor soccer.
Yucchi eyewitness account:
Nakamaru said that I've changed slightly the way I dress. I ignored it.
Credit:
here *
Come October, socks was but a minor issue. No doubt he was hurt by Ueda’s quick rejection about indoor soccer and ignoring his fashion advices, but such little things no longer mattered when he was about to lose Ueda to his senior. Everything came second in comparison to the realization that Ueda’s cold shoulder could be due to the fact that Okada was entering Ueda’s life (a little too much for Nakamaru’s liking to boot).
The October issue of Potato made Nakamaru flip since Ueda hardly talks during interviews and being able to say a page worth of things about Okada was a definite sign that something was going on between the two.
Nakamaru never thought he would be saying that he’s jealous after all those years together. His trust in Ueda didn’t even waver during the filming of Runaway when Ueda bonded so well with all his co-actors.
When Ueda came home and saw Nakamaru sulking in a corner with a copy of Potato, he merely raised an eyebrow and shrugged.
*
Nakamaru decided that Ueda was definitely pushing his limits when he started bringing home props that were used on the set of Eien no Zero.
“And this is the helmet that Okada will be wearing. It’s consistent with the design that real pilots wore during -”
“So?” Nakamaru interrupted coldly.
Okada. Okada. Okada.
Didn’t Ueda had anything better to say?
*
“Kame, I need a room,” Nakamaru said on his phone as he drove towards his band mate’s apartment. “Is it convenient?”
“I guess.” Kamenashi responded with a light chuckle. “You’re already driving here, aren’t you?”
“How did you know?”
“Taguchi called to let me know that Ueda wanted him in his apartment. I figured something broke out there. It’s hilarious how Ueda is going through war both on screen and at home.”
Nakamaru restrained himself from breaking his mobile as his thoughts linked “war movies” and “Okada” almost immediately.
“It’s no laughing matter, Kame.”
“Just lightening the atmosphere.”
“Your sense of humour is as poor as Taguchi so quit it.”
Nakamaru can almost see Kamenashi’s pout from the weird noises Kamenashi was making on the other side of the line.
“You’re supposed to make me feel better, Kame. Not the other way around. I’ll never fall prey to your whines.”
Somehow, Nakamaru ended up buying dinner for Kamenashi shortly after he had reached his band mate’s house.
*
“So audition for another war movie.”
Nakamaru stared stonily at Kamenashi after setting his chopsticks aside.
“Why should I?”
“You’re just jealous that Ueda is staring in Eien no Zero, no? He tried to make you feel less excluded by bringing back props on set against the crew’s wishes but you totally blew up in his face.”
“How would you know?”
Kamenashi pointed at his earphones and his mobile. “I’m on a call with Taguchi right now,” Kamenashi explained simply. “Both Taguchi and I know what the other person in this squabble is saying. We're well-prepared like that.”
“Excuse me?” Nakamaru questioned, not minding the fact that his privacy was being invaded by Taguchi as well. “When was I ever jealous about Ueda landing a role in Eien no Zero?”
“You’re not? Then what are you pissed about?”
Nakamaru fidgeted uncomfortably. He wasn't one to air his insecurities but...
“Okada-senpai.”
“And what about him? He’s nice…” Kamenashi paused for a moment before enlightenment showed on his face in the form of a devious smirk. “Oh I know, you’re jealous,” Kamenashi grinned. “Like a high school girl whose crush found someone new.”
“So what if I’m 30? I’m only human,” Nakamaru said in his defence.
That only made Kamenashi laugh even harder.
*
The floor was painful for his back and cold to his touch. Nakamaru would very much like to feel the warmth of Ueda by his side rather than spend his night in utter misery. However, any semblance of male pride held him back and there he was, still at Kamenashi's apartment.
After Kamenashi hung up by mistake (he ended up roaring in laughter and disconnecting the line in the process), Nakamaru heard nothing more about and from Ueda. He didn't know if the other man was still mad at him for getting impossibly jealous about Okada and overreacting. His empty inbox and lack of missed calls made Nakamaru worry if Ueda was done talking to him.
It's nearly 3 in the morning when Nakamaru decided he had enough of wondering about possible scenarios and he would just head back. Ueda is a heavy sleeper anyway; making a rush back home to his couch shouldn't even stir the other man a least bit. He knew Ueda had filming in the morning the next day and attempting to reclaim his pillow might sour their relationship further.
After leaving a thank you message on the coffee table to express his gratitude for Kame's hospitality (albeit his unwillingness to let Nakamaru sleep on his imported Italian sofa, lest he drools on it) and willingness to take him in at the oddest hours, Nakamaru set off for home.
*
Nakamaru was not quite prepared when he opened the door to see Ueda on the couch, frowning. It's nearly four and Ueda has to leave in two hours. What was he still up for?
Then it struck Nakamaru that Ueda was probably still up waiting for him. A warm fuzzy feeling snuck into his stomach but nonetheless, Nakamaru was worried about the scary expression on the other man.
"Are you trying to worry me to death?" Ueda snapped in irritation. "I couldn't sleep not knowing what time you'll be back..." he continued in a softer tone, any hint of anger slowly vanishing from his voice.
"You didn't tell me I could come back," Nakamaru muttered under his breath. He regretted it seconds later; Ueda was clearly in no mood to fight so why was he still being so spiteful?
"I was afraid you would still be mad. I mean, you have no idea how scary you looked when you blew your lid."
"I don't carry a mirror with me at all the time."
"Urgh, less than 6 hours and you're as lame as Kame. Take pity on me, Taguchi just left not too long ago."
When neither of them continued, Ueda chewed on his lower lip nervously before letting out a whine which Nakamaru had little idea what it was for. Although Nakamaru was glad that Ueda held no new grudges against him, it didn't mean he had totally forgiven Ueda. He had every reason to get upset over Ueda incessant praises for Okada and the misplacement of socks (oh lord, why was that issue coming back to him now?).
"Hug me to show that we're fine?" Ueda pouted when Nakamaru chose to stare emptily at the spot behind Ueda.
"I'm still jealous though," Nakamaru grumbled as he sat next to Ueda who immediately threw his arms around him. "You rambled on and on about Okada without care for my feelings. Don't even get me started on you rejecting my indoor soccer invitations. And with regards to the socks..."
"Don't worry," Ueda mumbled as he nuzzled into Nakamaru's nape. "I'll show you that my mind is constantly with you from this moment onwards."
"How?"
*
Nakamaru was sorry he asked. He couldn't tell if Ueda was secretly displeased about the entire incident (still) when the other man started showing how he was "constantly thinking of Yucchi".
UNREAD MESSAGES: 4 18:06
From Ueda (17:59): Yucchi ~
What are you doing now?
From Ueda (18:00): I'm rehearsing for tomorrow and even though I’m trying hard to prepare for my script, my heart is still with you~
From Ueda (18:04): Ne Yucchi, are you thinking of me too? ~
From Ueda (18:06): Yucchi, don’t leave me alone here
Being flooded with embarrassingly cheesy messages every hour simply wasn't Nakamaru's cup of tea. And if he failed to reply to any of them, Ueda would send more to ensure that Nakamaru will. Nakamaru wasn't sure how Ueda was capable of accomplishing such a feat even during filming hours and decided he must have used some sort of bot to torment him.
“Nakamaru-san, your scene is coming up next!” his director called out and he hurriedly sent a reply before ditching his phone. Running to the nearest AD to check on his make-up and to ensure that his face wasn’t flushed with embarrassment, he got back on set.
To Ueda (18:07): Love you too
*
UNREAD MESSAGES: 18 20:15
From Ueda (18:08): Really? I’m happy!
From Ueda (18:16): Ehhh
But do you really love me?
From Ueda (18:32): I’m all lonely waiting for your next message
From Ueda (18:45): You’re totally breaking my heart
From Ueda (18:52): I can’t concentrate on anything now!
From Ueda (19:00): Will you be home soon?
From Ueda (19:02): I’m looking through our photo albums because I miss you so much...
From Ueda (19:05): You’ll get it from me when you get home
I gave you undivided attention and you just brushed me off.
...
From Ueda (20:15): Are you really ignoring me now?
Don’t neglect me! I’ll put my socks in the right basket?
End.