Title: Home
Pairing: Ryo/Uchi (friendship, really) Yasu/Baru (minor)
Rating: G. shup ut.
Notes: So Uchi's going to be back. Like, really. I know in this he seems like he hasn't seen them in 18 months, but in my mind, they did used to see each other when they could between September (when he was allowed contact with them again) and say January, but then all this year he was upset over Kusano cockblocking him and withdrew a little, and they all got really busy with work and didn't have time to see him, so they both drifted apart. It makes sense in my head!
Uchi sighed as he stepped out of the jimusyo's courtesy car, the studio standing dauntingly before him. He'd been in there numerous; countless times before, so there was no logical reason for the tightening in his gut, but after a year and a half of absence...he bit his lip and started slowly for the doors.
"Uchi?" A familiar voice called softly behind him. Slowly Uchi turned to face the speaker.
"Good morning, Yasuda." He stuttered out, eyes to the ground as he bowed politely. The guitarist was still as petite as he had ever been, but Uchi was struck with a feeling that he'd grown somehow.
"Hiro-chan, you don't need to be so polite. We're still friends, aren't we?" Yasuda laughed playfully, running to bridge the last few metres between them. Unconsciously Uchi flinched, and Yasuda withdrew a few paces, hurt. "Hiro-chan, are you feeling alright?"
"I..." Was all the youngest could manage. He could feel a lump forming in the back of his throat already. Everything was far too normal already, and he wasn't sure he deserved it.
"Come on, let's go see the others." Shota enthused, hooking an arm through one of the baby's and tugging him towards the doors. "We've been waiting for you."
Why did you even bother? Uchi thought as he allowed himself to be lead along. I let you all down.
And Shota was still merrily chirping about everything that was going on as though Uchi hadn't been gone for eighteen months.
On the other side of the doors they picked up Yoko and Hina, who each gave him a warm hug and a kiss on the forehead, whispering greetings and petnames for their baby.
Maru found them next, and he bounded at Uchi with so much energy that the youngest feared he'd get concussion from being knocked to the ground, and a broken rib or three from being hugged so tightly.
Subaru was half-way to second base with an almost unsuspecting Yasuda before he noticed Uchi, but when he did, he got that rare maniacal parental gleam in his eye and attacked Uchi with a firm hug and mild abuse for being away so long and not calling and growing even taller, which was definitely not allowed.
Ohkura, ever the pervert, gave Uchi's bum a squeeze that made him fall straight into the drummer's arms with a girly yelp.
"So, you're still uke then?" Ohkura drawled, his trademark smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. Uchi struggled indignantly to right himself amidst the giggles of six of his best friends.
Finally they reached the door of the gakuya, and with no more than a gentle nudge, Uchi's escort vanished. Biting his lower lip nervously, Uchi slid open the door and stepped gingerly inside.
His heart leapt despite himself at the sight of the familiar crop of raven hair reclining against the couch; owner facing away from him.
"Tacchon?" Ryo called, not turning around. "Is that you?"
"Tadaima." Uchi whispered as quietly as he could. Immediately he felt the air freeze.
"Uchi?" Ryo whispered back, voice hoarse. The lump had returned to Uchi's throat and he found himself unable to respond. "Hiroki, is that really you?"
Uchi nodded, too dizzy with emotion to take into consideration that Ryo was facing away from him and couldn't see him nod. But somehow, Ryo knew.
"Hiro!" Ryo leapt over the couch and flung himself at the younger male.
Uchi's senses were flooded with his best friend. Touch. The way their bodies fit perfectly together when they hugged. Smell. The shampoo that Ryo always used and the cologne he always wore because Uchi knew it would suit him. Sight. His vision was filled with nothing but the older male's body. Sound. Ryo was openly sobbing now and - taste - Uchi gobbled his tears.
His own pent-up emotion flooded out, soaking Ryo's shirt with reciprocated tears. He wasn't even sure where he ended and Ryo began in the sobbing conglomerate they'd formed.
Finally dehydration and exhaustion forced them apart, though Ryo refused to let go of Uchi's hand.
"Okaeri." Ryo whispered, grinning as broadly as he could through his last few shuddery sobs.
"Okaeri." Another six voices echoed, and Uchi looked around to see all his band mates smiling at him with glistening eyes.
Uchi burst into tears again, so glad to be home.
MK~