The Painter [Chapter 18]
Title: The Painter
Chapters: 18/20(?)
Genre: Romance. Angst. AU. Fluff. Smut. Humour.
Warnings: Angst.
Ratings: PG-13
Pairings: AoixUruha (main), ReitaxRuki (side), KiyoharuxRuki, ReitaxUruha
Disclaimer: I only own my imagination ♪
Synopsis: A painter which convictions and hopes are destroyed by a single man. A single man who would change his life.
Comments: No thanks.
Yuu pouted in front of the doors of his building, ready to go out and to avoid the one who was making him angry.
- Yuu!
He sighed, annoyed, adjusting his black jacket, for once ready to rush out to his work so he'd forget his troubles.
- Yuu come on! You don't wait for me, it's not polite at all. You should always open the doors for a lady!
- Since when you're a lady?
She stuck her tongue out at him with a grimace and caught him back, instantly holding his arm as if they were a couple. She forced him to stop in front of a glass and showed the reflection.
- Look. We're nice. We suit each other.
She shot him a stare full of hope.
- In your dreams.
- Yuu...
He pushed her away from him and ignored the reproaching tone in her voice. He wasn't in the mood to think about the stupid things she wanted. Kouyou was all over his mind and it was worrying him so much he still had no news from him since he left Kanagawa. And it was making Yuu was even more grumpy than usual. The sound of her high heels behind was something he could hardly bear and he suddenly stopped, turning around to say:
- Leave me alone. Stop following me everywhere like a fucking puppy. There is no way I'm going to do anything for my father, do you hear me? Tell him, he's not going to have any of my support, ever!
She showed a sad expression.
- Yuu...He's your father, he cares for you even if he has his twisted way of showing it.
- He cares in your head only. The only thing he wants from me isn't my love but my reputation. If people come to know he's my father, they're going to lick his feet even more. I'm not going to give my father a chance to sell his unworthy and non-existent talent.
She shrugged her shoulders. Yuu could get so rude sometimes.
- But it has nothing to do with me...Your dad's wishes. I came by myself.
The critic screwed up his lips and his hands went to hide in his pockets, before he wore his coldest mask.
- What do you want?
She looked at the ground.
- Told you.
He sighed again.
- I'm not someone made for you. You can see it right? I'm busy, I'm an asshole, I hate our fathers and we already know that you and I, it's a wonderful joke.
She kept her eyes looking at Yuu's shining shoes. She knew it all. And she still wanted to try again because, she wanted him that much. Because nobody could help her forget him and the sweet past. And at the way her eyelids fluttered, Yuu realized he had been a bit too rough. He came closer and tried to stroke her arm gently, calling her name but she burst out crying in the middle of the pavement and Yuu raised his head, looking up at the sky before pulling her against his chest.
- I'm sorry but I told you the truth. I don't want to paint life in fake and ugly colors like my father does. I'll just hurt you more and more and I don't want that either. Do you understand?
She nodded in his embrace, hurt a little more anyway.
- You're not an asshole. You just pretend to.
Her crying voice achieved him. He couldn't stand that anymore.
- I'm going to drive you home.
She refused vehemently, eyes still wet and black trails of make up on her cheeks.
- No. I'm a big girl, I'll go home by myself. I'm sorry I bothered you Yuu.
- You didn't bother stupid.
He looked away and back at her.
- Look at your face, it's all messed up.
She laughed, pulling out a tissue from her bag to clean her sadness.
- Who's fault is it hu?
- Not mine. I never asked you to cry.
- You made me cry!
- Just control yourself.
- Well you're an asshole indeed!
The critic chortled and crossed his arms.
- See? You feel better now?
She didn't reply and only smiled back at him. You make me feel like shit and amazing at the same time.
- I haven't forgiven you though.
- Fine, go join the club at home.
- They miss you.
- Ah come on stop defending them! I don't want to hear anything anymore.
Softer now:
- Be careful on your way home.
When Yuu's lips were felt on the skin of her forehead, she closed her eyes. When she opened them again...
He was walking away and she felt miserable, alone on the pavement.
His trembling hand wiped away his tears, locks of blond hair stuck to his face because of the wind.
He walked away too and he felt miserable, in his heart.
Takanori smiled to his agent, seeing him ripping his contract into pieces in front of him. They went on the windows of Kohara's now ex office and they had watched them flying high before they disappeared completely of their sight.
- It's over now. You can be yourself Taka.
The writer smiled, deeply moved.
- I don't know how to though.
- It's not going to be easy.
He nodded.
- Yutaka offered me to work for him but...I wouldn't put up with his tantrums. He's like a tyrant when he's in his kitchen. And I'm so clumsy when I try to cook...
Kohara laughed and it faded away with the wind.
- You should use your writing talent. Find something from your world.
Takanori smiled, pleased by the idea. Since he was now in a less popular agency, he couldn't earn as much money as he used to and it was unconceivable to think he could live decently now with the only money his books could provide him. He had to find a part time job and the fact was...Takanori had never properly worked until now. Nothing long lasting, nothing to make him appear as a serious future worker for employers.
Except for his talent, Kohara was right.
- I'll try to ask around me, I'm sure we can find you something good.
- Thank you. I'm sorry as well you had to resign...I still don't get why you would give up this job for me. You could have become Yamaguchi's agent maybe?
Kohara shook his head.
- Taka, we're the same. I don't want to take what I have right in front of me. It's too easy. Like you, I need to struggle, to show what I am capable of. Being Yamaguchi's agent? Why would I do that when I have one of the most talented raising writer next to me?
Takanori looked at his feet, blushing madly.
- What the...Seriously stop trying to get me in your bed.
- I tried anyway. I think I might consider the offer though, I'm sure Yamaguchi would throw his blankets on the floor for me.
They laughed and the agent said again:
- It's a secret, I really hate Yamaguchi too. When I became an agent, he rejected my application. He was getting more and more known at that time, and already big headed.
Takanori wanted to laugh when Kohara made few steps toward his desk, checking his phone, tight in his leopard pants.
- I want to help you to surpass that stinky man. I won't stop working for you until that day arrives.
- Kohara...
The agent glared at him.
- Until when are you going to call me so formally?
Takanori laughed and dragged him out of the office, both getting in the elevator:
- Come on we're going for drinks now! I'm finally free!
The doors were about to close when a hand prevented them to. They both didn't care until they noticed it was Yamaguchi's hand, followed by a familiar face. Takanori couldn't hide his exasperation and sighed. This day had started so nicely...
- Well well, see who's in there...
The writer shot him his most unpleasant stare and when his eyes met Kiyoharu's, his jaws dropped.
- Wh-What happened to your face?
Kiyoharu's right cheek was tinted purple, yellow and blue, swollen, just under the eye.
Yamaguchi turned around, mad:
- You have the fucking guts to ask?
- I wasn't talking to you!
Kiyoharu raised a hand to have their silence, Kohara was tugging on Takanori's shirt so he would calm down. But Yamaguchi didn't.
- Go ask your beloved boyfriend!
Takanori frowned.
- Akira did that to you? Are you serious?
Yamaguchi snorted:
- No Kiyoharu simply plays in the next Crows movie!
Kiyoharu's silhouette hid Yamaguchi's when Takanori was about to come closer. Only Kohara was grinning in the corner, watching silently the whole scene now.
- Open your damn mouth one more time and I give you a chance to join the cast too!
The cheeky writer didn't seem to be pleased by the news and showed his back as to say he wasn't up for those kind of fights.
When the doors opened, Kiyoharu stopped Takanori and told his friend he would come soon.
The writer was stroking the leaves of a plant that was near the elevator call button, suddenly worried by his ex's intentions.
- I looked for it.
He showed his bruised cheek.
- What do you mean?
The older crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.
- I met him yesterday. Well, I called him for us to gather in a bar, I wanted to talk to him about you. I was a bit drunk...I guess he wasn't sober either after a little while. And I talked badly about him and...He punched me. I kind of passed out when we got kicked out of the bar and I woke up at Akira's, an ice pack on the face.
Takanori understood now why the other wasn't bothered by what had happened. The guilt could be readable on his face.
- I'm sorry for the troubles. I just have to accept your decision right?
Kiyoharu had admitted defeat. He couldn't tell though Takanori that he was only suffering this loss because of Akira's kindness to him, the past night. If it hadn't been for that, he would still be fighting to gain Takanori's love back.
But it was too late...If only...
A gentle stroke on his cheek, Takanori smiled weakly at his ex boyfriend.
- Forgive me.
- You're forgiven Haru.
The writer could feel his heart beating fast in his chest.
And it wasn't for the man walking away.
Akira groaned, tired, a glass full of a mix of water and aspirine in hand. Who could bother him now? Kouyou? He wasn't in the mood to see anyone. He wanted to sleep and to forget why his life wasn't simple and joyful. He wanted to forget he had lost Takanori.
At least for few hours.
When he opened his door, he thought it was a dream. Painful. Because Takanori was kissing him and it felt so real. Wait. He wasn't dreaming. The pair of lips on his were indeed real, were Takanori's and naturally, Akira wrapped his arms around him, kissing him back.
But then it was over, his arm was violented.
- Where the fuck did you hide all that time? Haven't you some pride? I waited for you to show up and to apologize!
Akira screwed up his eyes, his brain going on stand by.
- Wait. You just kissed me. Can we stay focused on that part? Because I've missed kissing you.
He forced Takanori into another one and the shorter pushed him away after few seconds.
- No we are talking now!
But the attraction was irresistible. And they stole each other's breaths away with each kiss, hands taking off every clothe and re-discovering each other's bodies. When Akira's hand slid in his pants, a loud moan could be heard and teeth were shining in the darkness of the living room.
Akira lay down Takanori's body again, the comfortable mattress of Akira's bed welcoming the writer's back. The agent's hand instantly touched his lover's cheek. He wasn't smiling and Takanori thought he'd never seen so many emotions in his eyes.
- I'm sorry.
A deep breath.
- For everything.
The writer kissed his lover.
- You're late but I don't mind. You've hurt me but you're forgiven. Just...
Takanori kept quiet for seconds that were too long for Akira. He came closer and hated how fragile his lover was, imagining the worst things he had gone through and how almost similar it had been to their this foolish argument...
- Just what?
The writer looked up to drown in Akira's questioning eyes, how they seemed to penetrate deeply into his mind.
If you look at me with those sad eyes, is it because you understand? Do you remember what I told you that day when Kouyou passed out, drunk, when we found him in his appartment? And when he...
- I don't want you to act like Kou. If you need an outlet to your anger or anything else, don't use that. Don't drink like my father...
Takanori was hiding his tears with one of his arm, covering how weak he was being and when Akira could see his face again, the writer couldn't stand to be seen in this state, finding refuge in the crook of the other's neck.
How warm and sweet it was to have someone to embrace when remembering was a torture.
- It'd never be a habit. It was just a horrible pain not having you anymore...I'm sorry baby. I'm really sorry...
He sniffled and nodded.
Later, the writer fell asleep in Akira's arms, smiling as he heard a last I love you.
- Maybe Kou's enjoying to find back his Yuu.
Akira smiled.
- Maybe.
Not.
His bed.
His big cold bed.
A bottle on the nightstand.
Curling up. Crying.
He looked at the ceiling through his tears. A light flashing above him and raised his head to see his cellphone's screen flashing on and off, resting on the white blanket.
Incoming call: Yuu.
He closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, the screen was back to black.
-------------------------------
Cruel Cursed never dies. RFOL. Okay, what can I say? You know I can't write straight ahead what I have in my mind for BTR so as I had this finished at 80%, I thought, WHY NOT THE PAINTER, besides, I miss my dumb characters there and yeah, last chap was left at a particular fucked up situation. Can I say nothing is solved and everything hurts? XD
Chapters: 18/20(?)
Genre: Romance. Angst. AU. Fluff. Smut. Humour.
Warnings: Angst.
Ratings: PG-13
Pairings: AoixUruha (main), ReitaxRuki (side), KiyoharuxRuki, ReitaxUruha
Disclaimer: I only own my imagination ♪
Synopsis: A painter which convictions and hopes are destroyed by a single man. A single man who would change his life.
Comments: No thanks.
Yuu pouted in front of the doors of his building, ready to go out and to avoid the one who was making him angry.
- Yuu!
He sighed, annoyed, adjusting his black jacket, for once ready to rush out to his work so he'd forget his troubles.
- Yuu come on! You don't wait for me, it's not polite at all. You should always open the doors for a lady!
- Since when you're a lady?
She stuck her tongue out at him with a grimace and caught him back, instantly holding his arm as if they were a couple. She forced him to stop in front of a glass and showed the reflection.
- Look. We're nice. We suit each other.
She shot him a stare full of hope.
- In your dreams.
- Yuu...
He pushed her away from him and ignored the reproaching tone in her voice. He wasn't in the mood to think about the stupid things she wanted. Kouyou was all over his mind and it was worrying him so much he still had no news from him since he left Kanagawa. And it was making Yuu was even more grumpy than usual. The sound of her high heels behind was something he could hardly bear and he suddenly stopped, turning around to say:
- Leave me alone. Stop following me everywhere like a fucking puppy. There is no way I'm going to do anything for my father, do you hear me? Tell him, he's not going to have any of my support, ever!
She showed a sad expression.
- Yuu...He's your father, he cares for you even if he has his twisted way of showing it.
- He cares in your head only. The only thing he wants from me isn't my love but my reputation. If people come to know he's my father, they're going to lick his feet even more. I'm not going to give my father a chance to sell his unworthy and non-existent talent.
She shrugged her shoulders. Yuu could get so rude sometimes.
- But it has nothing to do with me...Your dad's wishes. I came by myself.
The critic screwed up his lips and his hands went to hide in his pockets, before he wore his coldest mask.
- What do you want?
She looked at the ground.
- Told you.
He sighed again.
- I'm not someone made for you. You can see it right? I'm busy, I'm an asshole, I hate our fathers and we already know that you and I, it's a wonderful joke.
She kept her eyes looking at Yuu's shining shoes. She knew it all. And she still wanted to try again because, she wanted him that much. Because nobody could help her forget him and the sweet past. And at the way her eyelids fluttered, Yuu realized he had been a bit too rough. He came closer and tried to stroke her arm gently, calling her name but she burst out crying in the middle of the pavement and Yuu raised his head, looking up at the sky before pulling her against his chest.
- I'm sorry but I told you the truth. I don't want to paint life in fake and ugly colors like my father does. I'll just hurt you more and more and I don't want that either. Do you understand?
She nodded in his embrace, hurt a little more anyway.
- You're not an asshole. You just pretend to.
Her crying voice achieved him. He couldn't stand that anymore.
- I'm going to drive you home.
She refused vehemently, eyes still wet and black trails of make up on her cheeks.
- No. I'm a big girl, I'll go home by myself. I'm sorry I bothered you Yuu.
- You didn't bother stupid.
He looked away and back at her.
- Look at your face, it's all messed up.
She laughed, pulling out a tissue from her bag to clean her sadness.
- Who's fault is it hu?
- Not mine. I never asked you to cry.
- You made me cry!
- Just control yourself.
- Well you're an asshole indeed!
The critic chortled and crossed his arms.
- See? You feel better now?
She didn't reply and only smiled back at him. You make me feel like shit and amazing at the same time.
- I haven't forgiven you though.
- Fine, go join the club at home.
- They miss you.
- Ah come on stop defending them! I don't want to hear anything anymore.
Softer now:
- Be careful on your way home.
When Yuu's lips were felt on the skin of her forehead, she closed her eyes. When she opened them again...
He was walking away and she felt miserable, alone on the pavement.
His trembling hand wiped away his tears, locks of blond hair stuck to his face because of the wind.
He walked away too and he felt miserable, in his heart.
Takanori smiled to his agent, seeing him ripping his contract into pieces in front of him. They went on the windows of Kohara's now ex office and they had watched them flying high before they disappeared completely of their sight.
- It's over now. You can be yourself Taka.
The writer smiled, deeply moved.
- I don't know how to though.
- It's not going to be easy.
He nodded.
- Yutaka offered me to work for him but...I wouldn't put up with his tantrums. He's like a tyrant when he's in his kitchen. And I'm so clumsy when I try to cook...
Kohara laughed and it faded away with the wind.
- You should use your writing talent. Find something from your world.
Takanori smiled, pleased by the idea. Since he was now in a less popular agency, he couldn't earn as much money as he used to and it was unconceivable to think he could live decently now with the only money his books could provide him. He had to find a part time job and the fact was...Takanori had never properly worked until now. Nothing long lasting, nothing to make him appear as a serious future worker for employers.
Except for his talent, Kohara was right.
- I'll try to ask around me, I'm sure we can find you something good.
- Thank you. I'm sorry as well you had to resign...I still don't get why you would give up this job for me. You could have become Yamaguchi's agent maybe?
Kohara shook his head.
- Taka, we're the same. I don't want to take what I have right in front of me. It's too easy. Like you, I need to struggle, to show what I am capable of. Being Yamaguchi's agent? Why would I do that when I have one of the most talented raising writer next to me?
Takanori looked at his feet, blushing madly.
- What the...Seriously stop trying to get me in your bed.
- I tried anyway. I think I might consider the offer though, I'm sure Yamaguchi would throw his blankets on the floor for me.
They laughed and the agent said again:
- It's a secret, I really hate Yamaguchi too. When I became an agent, he rejected my application. He was getting more and more known at that time, and already big headed.
Takanori wanted to laugh when Kohara made few steps toward his desk, checking his phone, tight in his leopard pants.
- I want to help you to surpass that stinky man. I won't stop working for you until that day arrives.
- Kohara...
The agent glared at him.
- Until when are you going to call me so formally?
Takanori laughed and dragged him out of the office, both getting in the elevator:
- Come on we're going for drinks now! I'm finally free!
The doors were about to close when a hand prevented them to. They both didn't care until they noticed it was Yamaguchi's hand, followed by a familiar face. Takanori couldn't hide his exasperation and sighed. This day had started so nicely...
- Well well, see who's in there...
The writer shot him his most unpleasant stare and when his eyes met Kiyoharu's, his jaws dropped.
- Wh-What happened to your face?
Kiyoharu's right cheek was tinted purple, yellow and blue, swollen, just under the eye.
Yamaguchi turned around, mad:
- You have the fucking guts to ask?
- I wasn't talking to you!
Kiyoharu raised a hand to have their silence, Kohara was tugging on Takanori's shirt so he would calm down. But Yamaguchi didn't.
- Go ask your beloved boyfriend!
Takanori frowned.
- Akira did that to you? Are you serious?
Yamaguchi snorted:
- No Kiyoharu simply plays in the next Crows movie!
Kiyoharu's silhouette hid Yamaguchi's when Takanori was about to come closer. Only Kohara was grinning in the corner, watching silently the whole scene now.
- Open your damn mouth one more time and I give you a chance to join the cast too!
The cheeky writer didn't seem to be pleased by the news and showed his back as to say he wasn't up for those kind of fights.
When the doors opened, Kiyoharu stopped Takanori and told his friend he would come soon.
The writer was stroking the leaves of a plant that was near the elevator call button, suddenly worried by his ex's intentions.
- I looked for it.
He showed his bruised cheek.
- What do you mean?
The older crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.
- I met him yesterday. Well, I called him for us to gather in a bar, I wanted to talk to him about you. I was a bit drunk...I guess he wasn't sober either after a little while. And I talked badly about him and...He punched me. I kind of passed out when we got kicked out of the bar and I woke up at Akira's, an ice pack on the face.
Takanori understood now why the other wasn't bothered by what had happened. The guilt could be readable on his face.
- I'm sorry for the troubles. I just have to accept your decision right?
Kiyoharu had admitted defeat. He couldn't tell though Takanori that he was only suffering this loss because of Akira's kindness to him, the past night. If it hadn't been for that, he would still be fighting to gain Takanori's love back.
But it was too late...If only...
A gentle stroke on his cheek, Takanori smiled weakly at his ex boyfriend.
- Forgive me.
- You're forgiven Haru.
The writer could feel his heart beating fast in his chest.
And it wasn't for the man walking away.
Akira groaned, tired, a glass full of a mix of water and aspirine in hand. Who could bother him now? Kouyou? He wasn't in the mood to see anyone. He wanted to sleep and to forget why his life wasn't simple and joyful. He wanted to forget he had lost Takanori.
At least for few hours.
When he opened his door, he thought it was a dream. Painful. Because Takanori was kissing him and it felt so real. Wait. He wasn't dreaming. The pair of lips on his were indeed real, were Takanori's and naturally, Akira wrapped his arms around him, kissing him back.
But then it was over, his arm was violented.
- Where the fuck did you hide all that time? Haven't you some pride? I waited for you to show up and to apologize!
Akira screwed up his eyes, his brain going on stand by.
- Wait. You just kissed me. Can we stay focused on that part? Because I've missed kissing you.
He forced Takanori into another one and the shorter pushed him away after few seconds.
- No we are talking now!
But the attraction was irresistible. And they stole each other's breaths away with each kiss, hands taking off every clothe and re-discovering each other's bodies. When Akira's hand slid in his pants, a loud moan could be heard and teeth were shining in the darkness of the living room.
Akira lay down Takanori's body again, the comfortable mattress of Akira's bed welcoming the writer's back. The agent's hand instantly touched his lover's cheek. He wasn't smiling and Takanori thought he'd never seen so many emotions in his eyes.
- I'm sorry.
A deep breath.
- For everything.
The writer kissed his lover.
- You're late but I don't mind. You've hurt me but you're forgiven. Just...
Takanori kept quiet for seconds that were too long for Akira. He came closer and hated how fragile his lover was, imagining the worst things he had gone through and how almost similar it had been to their this foolish argument...
- Just what?
The writer looked up to drown in Akira's questioning eyes, how they seemed to penetrate deeply into his mind.
If you look at me with those sad eyes, is it because you understand? Do you remember what I told you that day when Kouyou passed out, drunk, when we found him in his appartment? And when he...
- I don't want you to act like Kou. If you need an outlet to your anger or anything else, don't use that. Don't drink like my father...
Takanori was hiding his tears with one of his arm, covering how weak he was being and when Akira could see his face again, the writer couldn't stand to be seen in this state, finding refuge in the crook of the other's neck.
How warm and sweet it was to have someone to embrace when remembering was a torture.
- It'd never be a habit. It was just a horrible pain not having you anymore...I'm sorry baby. I'm really sorry...
He sniffled and nodded.
Later, the writer fell asleep in Akira's arms, smiling as he heard a last I love you.
- Maybe Kou's enjoying to find back his Yuu.
Akira smiled.
- Maybe.
Not.
His bed.
His big cold bed.
A bottle on the nightstand.
Curling up. Crying.
He looked at the ceiling through his tears. A light flashing above him and raised his head to see his cellphone's screen flashing on and off, resting on the white blanket.
Incoming call: Yuu.
He closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, the screen was back to black.
-------------------------------
Cruel Cursed never dies. RFOL. Okay, what can I say? You know I can't write straight ahead what I have in my mind for BTR so as I had this finished at 80%, I thought, WHY NOT THE PAINTER, besides, I miss my dumb characters there and yeah, last chap was left at a particular fucked up situation. Can I say nothing is solved and everything hurts? XD