[Fic] Rain Closed Eyelids (6/?)
Title: Rain Closed Eyelids
Pairing: RyoJin, RyoUchi, Akame, TomaPi
Rating: NC-17
Genre: Angst, romance, au
Summary: The night Jin came into Ryo’s life, it was raining. Ryo never thought he would need him.
A/N: Early chapter because I love you guys. Just a friendly reminder that right now the story is taking place in November of 08. It will progress years in advance but for now it is in 08.
Summer 2008
“Do you really have to go?” Shota said as he stood on the platform with Ryo and Ohkura.
Ryo turned to see the train start to pull into the station.
“It’s for the best, the best thing for Uchi,” Ryo mumbled quietly as he picked up his bags.
“We’ll come visit when save up more money,” Ohkura declared, more to comfort Shota then Ryo.
“I’ll miss you,” Shota cried as he flung himself at his friend.
Ryo could hear him crying softly into his shoulder. Ryo freed one of his hands by dropping a bag on the ground. He reached out to pet Shota’s head as the train opened its doors behind them. Ohkura picked up Ryo’s bag and held it out to him. Shota pulled away and tried to look happy.
“Good luck in Tokyo,” Ohkura said while patting Ryo on the back.
--
“Are you at the station?” Ryo asked, searching for the rest of his clothes.
“Yeah, I was going to catch a cab to your place,” Shota replied.
“Don’t. I’m not at home right now. I’ll go pick you up,” Ryo replied hastily while pulling on his jeans.
“Are you okay? You sound weird,” Shot asked, suspicious.
“I’m good. I’ll be there as soon as I can,” Ryo said before hanging up.
“Who was that?” Jin asked as he watched Ryo.
“A friend that showed up in the city out of the blue,” he said, his voice muffled by the shirt over his head.
“From Osaka?” Jin asked excitably.
Ryo bit his lip and turned away from Jin.
“I’m going with you then,” Jin declared, getting up to collect his clothes as well.
“Jin,” Ryo whined, trying to hold back his tongue.
“There’s really no way to stop me,” Jin grinned up at Ryo as he buckled his belt.
“I know,” Ryo sighed, deflated.
--
Ryo spotted Shota easily with his pink polka doted shirt and neon blue shorts. He raised his arm to wave, in an effort to catch his friend’s attention. When Shota saw him, his eyes lit up, and he raced over. With his bag still in his hand, he flung his arms around Ryo in a hug. Ryo hugged back, missing all of Shota’s attention. He could faintly make out the smell of tempera paint and Ohkura’s cologne in Shota’s hair.
“I missed you. I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner. We didn’t have enough for Tacchon to come yet,” Shota said before giving Ryo a kiss on the cheek.
The conversation was interrupted when Jin made a clearing of his of his throat to make himself known. Ryo and Shota turned to look at Jin with sheepish expressions.
“Is this the guy you were telling me about,” Shota grinned mischievously as his eyes traced over Jin.
“Maybe,” Ryo mumbled, clearly embarrassed.
“You should have told me you two made up or was that what was going on when I called,” he laughed loudly, watching Ryo’s face go crimson.
Jin watched the display in awe. This person just knew how to bring Ryo’s emotions out in full view. Jin wasn’t going to deny that it did make him jealous in more ways then one. Seeing this person only made him further realize that he truly didn’t know anything about Ryo. Jin felt his heart grow heavy as he looked at the pair.
“Sorry to cut in on your time together,” Shota said as he turned to Jin. “I’m Yasuda Shota.”
He smiled brightly at Jin before moving to kiss him on the cheek as well.
“Uh Akanishi Jin,” he stuttered, still not used to the man’s affectionate gestures, “Yasuda-kun then?”
“Just Yasu is fine,” Shota said, “or you could be like Ryo-chan and call me Shota.”
“Stop that,” Ryo growled, his face still flushed.
Jin finally laughed at Ryo, and Shota soon joined in.
“I’m going to leave you both here,” Ryo threatened as he gave them a mock glare.
--
“So how long have you known Ryo?” Jin asked while in the back of the cab with the kansai pair.
“Since we were kids. We used to live next door to each other,” Yasu said as he looked out the window.
Jin wanted to ask more, but he wasn’t sure what to say in front of Ryo.
“So how long are you in Tokyo?” Ryo asked as he looked at Shota on the other side of the cab.
“About a week. There is a new piece I need to finish by the end of the month,” he answered, taking out his phone to check his mail.
“Piece? You’re an artist?” Jin asked curiously.
“Yep!” Shota answered cheerfully and closed his phone. “Sorry Tacchon couldn’t come. Even if we did have enough money, he’s been so busy with work.”
“You two doing okay?” Ryo asked with concern in his eyes.
“Other then the fact he’s always out, pretty good,” Shota said genuinely, “He can’t help the fact his father has him running everything with such little pay.”
“Still being difficult huh?” Ryo remarked with disgust in his voice.
Jin looked back and forth between them as they talked, astounded.
“He doesn’t want his son dating some like me,” Shota said quietly with a frown.
“Subaru and Maru?” Ryo inquired in order to change the subject.
“In love as always. Subaru has been getting a lot of gigs lately. Maru’s shop is doing well. He says he misses you, but you know he’d never admit that in front of the others,” Shota said with a sigh.
“I wouldn’t want to make him choose between me and them,” Ryo mumbled, uncharacteristically laying his head on Jin’s shoulder.
“You know that he doesn’t have to choose. I had a choice. So did Tacchon,” Shota claimed as he turned to look over at Ryo.
“And that almost cost you your relationship with Ohkura. Maru saw that. He doesn’t want it to happen with Subaru,” Ryo snapped as he pressed himself even closer to Jin.
“But-
“How are Yoko and Hina?” Ryo interrupted, clutching his fist.
Jin placed his hand over Ryo’s and squeezed in an act of comfort. Ryo let out a short breath that tickled Jin’s neck. Shota admired them warmly from the corner of his eye, but made no sign that he acknowledged their cuddling. The artist tried to formulate a way to talk about Hina and Yoko that wouldn’t involve Uchi. The three were practically inseparable to the point that they should have been attached.
“Same as always,” Shota finally said without much else to go on.
Ryo’s fist tightened even further under Jin’s hand. Unsure of what to do, he let his head rest on top of Ryo’s as Shota continued to look out the window.
--
Empty beer cans and pizza boxes littered the coffee table in Ryo’s living room. Ryo laid passed out across Jin’s and Shota’s laps as they tried to watch the television. Nothing had been said since Ryo went to sleep, but that was his last order before his eyes closed. They had looked at their drunk friend with confusion but tried to obey. However, an hour without talking was eating at them. Jin wanted answers, and Shota wanted details.
“I guess there is a reason why he doesn’t want us to talk,” Shota presumed while gazing down at his friend.
“He doesn’t want me digging into his past. He knew I’d ask you,” Jin replied, his eyes on the TV.
“So it wasn’t his idea to bring you to the station,” Shota realized with a sigh.
“He didn’t wand me to come,” Jin mumbled defectively.
“I don’t know why he’s so afraid to tell you. It isn’t like he killed anyone or anything,” Shota said while patting Ryo’s leg.
Jin went stiff; the air in the room went stale, and Shota noticed. He could feel Jin’s discomfort, but he was unsure what he did to trigger it. Moving slowly, Jin attempted to move Ryo off his lap without waking him. Shota helped, trying to break free as well. The pair drug the sleeping man into the bedroom and placed him on the bed. After they left the room, Shota gave the waiter a questioning glance.
“I didn’t upset you, did I?” the artist asked as he leaned against the wall.
“No. I need to go home. I have work tomorrow. If you and Ryo aren’t busy then you should stop by the restaurant for lunch,” Jin said with a smile.
“I’ll be sure to tell him,” Shota nodded.
“I’ll go now,” Jin turned to leave, but Shota’s hand caught him.
“It was nice meeting you,” Shota said before giving him a hug.
“You too,” Jin said before letting himself out.
When the front door had closed, Shota headed back into Ryo’s bedroom. He silently pulled off his shirt before crawling into the bed. He leaned over, nudging his friend’s shoulder. Ryo grumbled in his sleep and moved his body away from Shota’s touch. Shota tired again, shaking Ryo’s body and calling his name. Ryo just growled as he stuffed his head under his pillow.
“Ryo-chan, I think I made Jin mad,” Shota whispered quietly.
He finally turned over to look at Shota with glazed over eyes.
“What could you have done to make him mad?” Ryo muttered his voice rough with sleep.
“I’m not sure. We were talking about you, and how secretive you are about your past,” the artist began.
“Did you tell him?” Ryo asked seriously.
“I didn’t have the chance. All I said was I’m not sure why you are. I mean it isn’t like you killed someone or something. He just went stiff and decided to leave.”
“Damn it,” Ryo rasped into his pillow.
“I didn’t mean to upset him,” Shota said sadly, hanging his head.
“It’s not your fault. You wouldn’t have known. I’m sure he isn’t mad at you. I’ll talk to him tomorrow,” Ryo said, his voice becoming clearer.
“Oh yeah, he said the two of us should meet him where he works for lunch tomorrow,” Shota piped in, almost as if he forgot.
“Okay. I’m off tomorrow anyway. Now go to bed,” Ryo ordered before turning back around.
--
Spring 2000
It was a routine that had become familiar to them since they had met half a year ago. Jin always tried to get Kame’s attention in a none-too-subtle way while Kame always rejected him in a way that was just as subtle. The two danced around each other in a way that was painful for Toma and Pi to watch. The first couple of months, the pair tried to ignore the fact Jin was head over heels for Kame. But six months later, Jin made sure to let everyone know of his feelings, even at Kame’s expense. It wasn’t like they were choosing sides, but Pi and Toma were slightly weired out.
“Aw Kame, what would it hurt for just the two of us to hang out at my house,” Jin whined as he walked beside the younger boy.
Toma and Pi had opted to go to karaoke, and Kame had declined so by default, so did Jin.
“And why would I want to be alone with you?” Kame asked as his voice edged deeper into annoyance.
“Don’t you want to be friends?” Jin asked, grabbing Kame by the elbow.
“Not really. But I doubt being friends is what you had in mind,” Kame spat, jerking his arm away from the older boy.
“What does that mean?” Jin stopped to stare at the other.
“Like you don’t have a reputation for dating any girl that falls at your feet,” Kame remarked, his eyes filled with mixed emotions.
“What? Is that how you see me? As some skirt chasing punk out to get laid?” Jin growled as he grabbed Kame by the shoulder.
“That’s exactly how I see you,” Kame barked, failing to pull out of Jin’s grasp.
“No wonder Pi called you a prick for so long. I wonder why he even stopped. Maybe if you weren’t so full of yourself you would see that I really like you and that those rumors are a bunch of bullshit,” Jin yelled, tightening his grip on Kame’s shoulder.
Kame didn’t get to even think of a comeback before Jin moved in on him. With Kame’s shoulders held tightly in his hands, he pushed his lips against Kame’s in a bruising kiss. As mad as he was, Jin relished the feel of Kame’s lips. He could finally feel the younger boy trying to push him away, after the initial shock wore off. Jin finally pulled away, his face positively glowing.
“You better learn more about me before you start making more assumptions,” Jin declared before turning and walking away.
Kame stared at his retreating back, unsure of what to feel.