One Shot: The Best
Title: The Best
Pairing: eventual Matsumoto Jun / Sakurai Sho
Rating: PG
He gazed out over the expanse of the large white sofa. It was roomy enough for the five of them to lounge comfortably together, when need be. However, at the moment, only Sho and himself were stationed contentedly at either end of said couch. Arashi had unanimously voted that Matsujun’s apartment would be the best place to unwind after a long day of filiming. And while Jun had loudly and longwindedly protested the decision, they all knew it was only for show. That Jun’s complaints lacked any real venom was only further proof that secretly, he was pleased they had choosen his place.
Sho was stretched out with his legs propped up on the coffee table (something which Ohno knew Jun would scold Sho about, if he ever caught him in the act), absorbed in his pile of newspapers - local and international. Ohno had been diligently working on some casual sketching in one of his books, but had been distracted by a random musing that had wormed its way into his consciousness. The tip of his pen hovered distractedly over the half finished drawing sitting in his lap, as he languidly pondered this thought.
The other members of the group had drifted off to other parts of the apartment. Vaguely, Ohno cold hear Jun and Aiba having a friendly argument in the kitchen about the proper ingredients for curry, with Nino’s voice interjecting every so often.
Without really thinking, he opened his mouth. “Ne, Sho-kun…” Ohno started, his voice sounding loud in the silent room.
“Mmm…?” Sho replied absently, his eyes not leaving his newspaper.
Ohno, still staring at his open book continued on. “I wonder, sometimes…” his voice trailed off as the thoughts in his head continued to run unfiltered through his mouth. Sho had looked up from his paper finally as Ohno’s sentence had trailed off. He cocked his head in amusement at Riida’s vacant expression. “I wonder…” Ohno continued, completely unaware that he now had Sho’s undivided attention, “…who it is that Sakurai-kun favors most in Arashi…”
Ohno’s eyes had finally come up to consider Sho’s reaction, his own face completely relaxed and openly curious. Sho was barely able to keep the explosive “WHAT?!” that had threatened to escape his lips before he realized that the other man was asking him an honest to goodness question. Sho let out a series of indignant sputters before inhaling deeply and letting the breath out somewhat explosively, a bewildered expressison etched across his face. “What do…? Who are…? Ehhh… I don’t…understand…” he finally managed to get out. Sho knew he could be a little slow sometimes, but this was vague even for Ohno.
The older man looked completely unperturbed at Sho’s reaction. He looked at Sho for a couple of moments, gathering his thoughts. Sho squirmed under the scrutiny. “Well,” Ohno finally began, “Sho-kun is very close to all of us in Arashi. In the beginning, he and Jun-kun were very close…always together.” Sho’s newspaper lay forgotten, fanned out across his lap where it had fell from his startled fingers. His face was still screwed up in an adorably confused pout. “…and Sho-kun and Nino-kun,” Ohno went on, “…they always have fun playing the video games, ne?” he asked no one in particular. Before Sho had the chance to respond, Ohno continued on, his confidence building with every word. “And with Aiba-chan…Sho-kun is always very patient and always helps Aiba-chan with his experiments…” Sho’s face screwed up, a protest on his lips. But, he was interrupted by Ohno’s persistence. “And with me,” Ohno was looking directly at Sho now, all traces of hesitance gone. “With me… Sho-kun doesn’t mind sitting with me when I do my art. Even if we don’t talk, it’s always pleasant to be with Sho-kun,” Ohno finished with a shy half smile on his face.
Sho sat in stunned silence. “Wha…I…” He couldn’t get the words in his brain to form a coherent sentence. “You…ahhh…” he coughed nervously, running his fingers through his hair. He looked down at his lap where his fingers were nervously plucking at the newspaper laying there. “Satoshi,” he finally sighed helplessly. “…Oh-chan,” he tried again to put some order into the thoughts running through his brain. He jumped slightly as a hand came to rest on his knee - he hadn’t ever heard Ohno move from his spot on the sofa. ‘When the hell did Riida get so brave with his words?!’ Sho thought to himself frantically. He looked at the hand on his knee and placed his own hand over Ohno’s, entwining their fingers. Ohno squeezed Sho’s hand gently in encouragement, nodding for him to continue with what he had been saying.
Over Sho’s shoulder, Ohno could see Nino leaning casually in the doorway, a knowing smirk fixed on his face. Preoccupied with his frenzied thoughts, however, Sho missed the heated look that flitted between the two. Nino’s grin grew wider as he silently left his position in search of the others.
Sho sighed again, gathering his thoughts and courage as he jumped in. “Oh-chan is right…that I do enjoy playing video games with Nino-kun…because Nino-kun is the hardest to beat and he always has the best insults when we play…” Sho said quietly, speaking to their clasped hands. “He is easy to hang out with because he is very truthful with everyone…and I don’t have to guess at what he is thinking…”
Out of the corner of his eye, Ohno saw Nino return with the other two members. He was making wild shushing motions to Aiba, who looked ready to pounce on the Yama pair sitting on the couch. Jun gave Nino a questioning look, to which Nino waved vaguely at the couch and indicated they should shut up and listen.
Sho looked up hesitantly at Ohno for some raction in the older man, but all he got was a reassuring half-smile from him. Sho sighed again. “…and Aiba-chan…he is so genuine with what he’s feeling…he is innocent but observant. And I cannot say no to him when he asks for something…because his smile and laugh make my heart feel light. Even on bad days…” Sho smiled shyly at this confession, hoping this would be enough to satisfy the older man.
Aiba brorke out into a mega watt grin at this, throwing his hands up in the air and giving a silent, but enthusiastic, “Yaaaaay!” to which Nino promptly cuffed him in the back of the head and shushed him again.
“Oh-chan…why…” Sho started to protest again, but was cut off when Ohno squeezed his hand lightly.
“And what about me, then, hmm?” he asked easily.
Sho searched the other mans face for some indication that this was all just a big joke being played on him. But, all he was met with was Ohno’s calm smile. He ducked his head again as he continued with his awkward confessions. “…with Riida…even though Riida is spacey and doesn’t seem like he’s paying attention, I feel safer when Riida is nearby, watching out for everyone…” he mumbled, slightly embarrassed by the admission. He peered up at the older man through the fringe of his hair, glad that Ohno’s pleasantly calm smile was still on his face. Sho sighed again. His thoughts started to wander again when an urgent tug on his hand jerked his consciousness back to focus on Ohno. The band leaders face had turned slightly more serious, and Sho gulped unconsciously. “Satoshi…what…” but the protest died on Sho’s lips as Ohno gave him a pointed look. Sho gulped unconsciously.
“And what does Matsujun mean to you, Sakurai-kun?” Sho blinked stupidly at the suddenly serious face of Ohno, his face flushing a delicate shade of red. Instinctively, Jun took a step forward as his name was called by Ohno. Quick as ever, Nino was blocking Jun’s path, pinning him in place with a look that said stay very, very still if you know what’s best for you. Confused, but willing to trust his bandmates bizarre behavior, Jun turned his attention back to the conversation.
“Ahh…Jun…kun…” Sho started nervously, gulping down the panicky feeling that was building in his throat. ‘I can’t…’ his inner monologue started to protest. Sho tried to pull away from the other man, but Ohno wasn’t to be deterred.
“Why can you talk about all of us except Jun-kun? What makes it so difficult, hmm? Sho-kun?” Ohno looked at him patiently; he wasn’t upset or condemning him. It was still the same patient, slightly curious look that Ohno had begun this conversation with.
Sho tried to plead with his eyes, not to make him voice it aloud, what he really felt. “Oh-chan…please…I can’t…” Sho could barely breathe at the thought of letting his deepest secret out. Jun’s eyes were riveted to the back of the couch, as if he could see through it to watch this exchange taking place. He hardly dared to breathe in fear he might miss out on something. He hardly dared to hope…
Ohno, reading the panic on Sho’s face, didn’t back off but pulled the younger man closer to him. Sho complied stiffly as Ohno tucked the other man’s head under his chin and held him close. Sho clung to him desperately - he hadn’t ever realized he had been trembling violently. Ohno’s long fingers soothed the younger member as he spoke into Sho’s ear. “Sho-kun, it’s ok. Just let it go, whatever it is that you’re holding onto so tightly.” Ohno spoke barely above a whisper, all the while lightly stroking Sho’s back in gentle circles. “Secrets this deep will only drown you in the end, ne? What can’t you tell me about Jun-kun, hmm?”
Something within Sho broke at the mention of Jun’s name. “I…love him…” Sho gasped out, his eyes widening as he realized how his mouth had just betrayed him. But, now with the floodgates lifted, he couldn’t stop.
Nino and Aiba were now physically restraining Jun. Though he wasn’t putting up a great struggle, there was a definite determination in his eyes. “Don’t!” Nino hissed urgently. Jun stopped his struggle against the two other men, his gaze falling on Nino. The protest died on his lips as Nino whispered, “Not yet. You have to wait for it.” Frustrated, Jun looked ready to put up a fight when Aiba stepped in with a knowing smile on his face and shushed the other two.
The words tumbled from Sho’s mouth with such a desperate intensity that Ohno’s heart broke a little for the pain the other man must have been feeling. “…when I’m with Jun-kun,” Sho struggled for the words, “it’s never enough. Because I want to be the only one that Jun looks at…because when he looks at me…every cell in my body responds to him. And to see him with all those…others…it makes my heart ache…I want it to be me that he can’t wait to see every day…that greets him when he comes home from work…”
Aiba grinned at Nino over Jun’s head as they both released him at the same time. The youngest made his way to the couch, determination rolling off his every stride. Ohno looked up at him as he approached and shot him a pointed look. Jun returned it with a nod of acceptance as he moved forward to take Ohno’s place on the couch. Sho, lost in his cloud of misery, didn’t feel the arms around him release him briefly, as the new pair of arms wrapped around him in a tight embrace. Sho choked on his unshed tears, “…but I can’t be his…because he belongs to everyone else. His fans that love him…and his co-workers…and Arashi. He can’t ever be mine…” Sho trailed off with a strangled sob as he finally ran out of words. The arms around him tightened painfully around him, but Sho clung to them as if they were his only lifeline.
“…baka…Sakurai no baka!” Sho jumped, startled at the accusation. He sat up warily, unsure at the sudden turn of events, but his confusion turned to shock as he took in the man that had been holding him only a moment ago. “Sho-kun no baka,” Jun said again, with less heat this time and more than a little affection written on his face. Slowly, Jun reached out to Sho, and cafeful not to startle the other man, he laid his hands softly against Sho’s neck. His fingers gently caressed the tense muscles there for a moment while Jun took in the older man’s look of bewildered unsurity. Jun smiled softly at Sho. “If I had known, that I could ever stand a chance with you,” Jun whispered, “there would never have been any others.” Sho’s look of disbelief slowly started to melt into a sheepish grin. “It’s always been you that I wanted,” Jun stated plainly. At that declaration, Sho’s grin broke into a full fledged smile, as he brought his hands up to caress the sides of Jun’s face in open amazement. Jun grinned at the gesture, a goofy lovestruck look on his face. “Baka,” he said softly as he pulled Sho in for a kiss, which Sho responded to enthusiastically.
In the doorway behind the sofa, the other half of Arashi watched on with a sense of proud accomplishment
“Ne, Oh-chan, I really didn’t think that you had it in you,” drawled Nino, his amusement clearly evident. Ohno’s cheeky grin in response caused a snort of laughter to escape Nino
“Waa~ now we owe Riidaa ramed for the next month, Nino-kun!” wailed Aiba from behind the pair. Nino’s face fell at the reminder as Ohno’s grin widened. “I thought for sure I would’ve won, ne?” Aiba whined to himself.
“Oi!!”came an irritated growl from the other side of the couch. “I can hear you guys, you know!??” sputtered Sho indignantly. “Riidaa!! You are in soo much trouble! And what do you mean by win?! Were you guys…” But, Sho’s rant was suddenly cut off by Jun plastering his mouth over Sho’s.
“Urusai,” Jun told Sho as they came up for air minutes later. Sho, with a slightly dazed look in his eyes, just grinned stupidly as Ohno laughed merrily and Nino and Aiba catcalled from their spot behind them.
Pairing: eventual Matsumoto Jun / Sakurai Sho
Rating: PG
He gazed out over the expanse of the large white sofa. It was roomy enough for the five of them to lounge comfortably together, when need be. However, at the moment, only Sho and himself were stationed contentedly at either end of said couch. Arashi had unanimously voted that Matsujun’s apartment would be the best place to unwind after a long day of filiming. And while Jun had loudly and longwindedly protested the decision, they all knew it was only for show. That Jun’s complaints lacked any real venom was only further proof that secretly, he was pleased they had choosen his place.
Sho was stretched out with his legs propped up on the coffee table (something which Ohno knew Jun would scold Sho about, if he ever caught him in the act), absorbed in his pile of newspapers - local and international. Ohno had been diligently working on some casual sketching in one of his books, but had been distracted by a random musing that had wormed its way into his consciousness. The tip of his pen hovered distractedly over the half finished drawing sitting in his lap, as he languidly pondered this thought.
The other members of the group had drifted off to other parts of the apartment. Vaguely, Ohno cold hear Jun and Aiba having a friendly argument in the kitchen about the proper ingredients for curry, with Nino’s voice interjecting every so often.
Without really thinking, he opened his mouth. “Ne, Sho-kun…” Ohno started, his voice sounding loud in the silent room.
“Mmm…?” Sho replied absently, his eyes not leaving his newspaper.
Ohno, still staring at his open book continued on. “I wonder, sometimes…” his voice trailed off as the thoughts in his head continued to run unfiltered through his mouth. Sho had looked up from his paper finally as Ohno’s sentence had trailed off. He cocked his head in amusement at Riida’s vacant expression. “I wonder…” Ohno continued, completely unaware that he now had Sho’s undivided attention, “…who it is that Sakurai-kun favors most in Arashi…”
Ohno’s eyes had finally come up to consider Sho’s reaction, his own face completely relaxed and openly curious. Sho was barely able to keep the explosive “WHAT?!” that had threatened to escape his lips before he realized that the other man was asking him an honest to goodness question. Sho let out a series of indignant sputters before inhaling deeply and letting the breath out somewhat explosively, a bewildered expressison etched across his face. “What do…? Who are…? Ehhh… I don’t…understand…” he finally managed to get out. Sho knew he could be a little slow sometimes, but this was vague even for Ohno.
The older man looked completely unperturbed at Sho’s reaction. He looked at Sho for a couple of moments, gathering his thoughts. Sho squirmed under the scrutiny. “Well,” Ohno finally began, “Sho-kun is very close to all of us in Arashi. In the beginning, he and Jun-kun were very close…always together.” Sho’s newspaper lay forgotten, fanned out across his lap where it had fell from his startled fingers. His face was still screwed up in an adorably confused pout. “…and Sho-kun and Nino-kun,” Ohno went on, “…they always have fun playing the video games, ne?” he asked no one in particular. Before Sho had the chance to respond, Ohno continued on, his confidence building with every word. “And with Aiba-chan…Sho-kun is always very patient and always helps Aiba-chan with his experiments…” Sho’s face screwed up, a protest on his lips. But, he was interrupted by Ohno’s persistence. “And with me,” Ohno was looking directly at Sho now, all traces of hesitance gone. “With me… Sho-kun doesn’t mind sitting with me when I do my art. Even if we don’t talk, it’s always pleasant to be with Sho-kun,” Ohno finished with a shy half smile on his face.
Sho sat in stunned silence. “Wha…I…” He couldn’t get the words in his brain to form a coherent sentence. “You…ahhh…” he coughed nervously, running his fingers through his hair. He looked down at his lap where his fingers were nervously plucking at the newspaper laying there. “Satoshi,” he finally sighed helplessly. “…Oh-chan,” he tried again to put some order into the thoughts running through his brain. He jumped slightly as a hand came to rest on his knee - he hadn’t ever heard Ohno move from his spot on the sofa. ‘When the hell did Riida get so brave with his words?!’ Sho thought to himself frantically. He looked at the hand on his knee and placed his own hand over Ohno’s, entwining their fingers. Ohno squeezed Sho’s hand gently in encouragement, nodding for him to continue with what he had been saying.
Over Sho’s shoulder, Ohno could see Nino leaning casually in the doorway, a knowing smirk fixed on his face. Preoccupied with his frenzied thoughts, however, Sho missed the heated look that flitted between the two. Nino’s grin grew wider as he silently left his position in search of the others.
Sho sighed again, gathering his thoughts and courage as he jumped in. “Oh-chan is right…that I do enjoy playing video games with Nino-kun…because Nino-kun is the hardest to beat and he always has the best insults when we play…” Sho said quietly, speaking to their clasped hands. “He is easy to hang out with because he is very truthful with everyone…and I don’t have to guess at what he is thinking…”
Out of the corner of his eye, Ohno saw Nino return with the other two members. He was making wild shushing motions to Aiba, who looked ready to pounce on the Yama pair sitting on the couch. Jun gave Nino a questioning look, to which Nino waved vaguely at the couch and indicated they should shut up and listen.
Sho looked up hesitantly at Ohno for some raction in the older man, but all he got was a reassuring half-smile from him. Sho sighed again. “…and Aiba-chan…he is so genuine with what he’s feeling…he is innocent but observant. And I cannot say no to him when he asks for something…because his smile and laugh make my heart feel light. Even on bad days…” Sho smiled shyly at this confession, hoping this would be enough to satisfy the older man.
Aiba brorke out into a mega watt grin at this, throwing his hands up in the air and giving a silent, but enthusiastic, “Yaaaaay!” to which Nino promptly cuffed him in the back of the head and shushed him again.
“Oh-chan…why…” Sho started to protest again, but was cut off when Ohno squeezed his hand lightly.
“And what about me, then, hmm?” he asked easily.
Sho searched the other mans face for some indication that this was all just a big joke being played on him. But, all he was met with was Ohno’s calm smile. He ducked his head again as he continued with his awkward confessions. “…with Riida…even though Riida is spacey and doesn’t seem like he’s paying attention, I feel safer when Riida is nearby, watching out for everyone…” he mumbled, slightly embarrassed by the admission. He peered up at the older man through the fringe of his hair, glad that Ohno’s pleasantly calm smile was still on his face. Sho sighed again. His thoughts started to wander again when an urgent tug on his hand jerked his consciousness back to focus on Ohno. The band leaders face had turned slightly more serious, and Sho gulped unconsciously. “Satoshi…what…” but the protest died on Sho’s lips as Ohno gave him a pointed look. Sho gulped unconsciously.
“And what does Matsujun mean to you, Sakurai-kun?” Sho blinked stupidly at the suddenly serious face of Ohno, his face flushing a delicate shade of red. Instinctively, Jun took a step forward as his name was called by Ohno. Quick as ever, Nino was blocking Jun’s path, pinning him in place with a look that said stay very, very still if you know what’s best for you. Confused, but willing to trust his bandmates bizarre behavior, Jun turned his attention back to the conversation.
“Ahh…Jun…kun…” Sho started nervously, gulping down the panicky feeling that was building in his throat. ‘I can’t…’ his inner monologue started to protest. Sho tried to pull away from the other man, but Ohno wasn’t to be deterred.
“Why can you talk about all of us except Jun-kun? What makes it so difficult, hmm? Sho-kun?” Ohno looked at him patiently; he wasn’t upset or condemning him. It was still the same patient, slightly curious look that Ohno had begun this conversation with.
Sho tried to plead with his eyes, not to make him voice it aloud, what he really felt. “Oh-chan…please…I can’t…” Sho could barely breathe at the thought of letting his deepest secret out. Jun’s eyes were riveted to the back of the couch, as if he could see through it to watch this exchange taking place. He hardly dared to breathe in fear he might miss out on something. He hardly dared to hope…
Ohno, reading the panic on Sho’s face, didn’t back off but pulled the younger man closer to him. Sho complied stiffly as Ohno tucked the other man’s head under his chin and held him close. Sho clung to him desperately - he hadn’t ever realized he had been trembling violently. Ohno’s long fingers soothed the younger member as he spoke into Sho’s ear. “Sho-kun, it’s ok. Just let it go, whatever it is that you’re holding onto so tightly.” Ohno spoke barely above a whisper, all the while lightly stroking Sho’s back in gentle circles. “Secrets this deep will only drown you in the end, ne? What can’t you tell me about Jun-kun, hmm?”
Something within Sho broke at the mention of Jun’s name. “I…love him…” Sho gasped out, his eyes widening as he realized how his mouth had just betrayed him. But, now with the floodgates lifted, he couldn’t stop.
Nino and Aiba were now physically restraining Jun. Though he wasn’t putting up a great struggle, there was a definite determination in his eyes. “Don’t!” Nino hissed urgently. Jun stopped his struggle against the two other men, his gaze falling on Nino. The protest died on his lips as Nino whispered, “Not yet. You have to wait for it.” Frustrated, Jun looked ready to put up a fight when Aiba stepped in with a knowing smile on his face and shushed the other two.
The words tumbled from Sho’s mouth with such a desperate intensity that Ohno’s heart broke a little for the pain the other man must have been feeling. “…when I’m with Jun-kun,” Sho struggled for the words, “it’s never enough. Because I want to be the only one that Jun looks at…because when he looks at me…every cell in my body responds to him. And to see him with all those…others…it makes my heart ache…I want it to be me that he can’t wait to see every day…that greets him when he comes home from work…”
Aiba grinned at Nino over Jun’s head as they both released him at the same time. The youngest made his way to the couch, determination rolling off his every stride. Ohno looked up at him as he approached and shot him a pointed look. Jun returned it with a nod of acceptance as he moved forward to take Ohno’s place on the couch. Sho, lost in his cloud of misery, didn’t feel the arms around him release him briefly, as the new pair of arms wrapped around him in a tight embrace. Sho choked on his unshed tears, “…but I can’t be his…because he belongs to everyone else. His fans that love him…and his co-workers…and Arashi. He can’t ever be mine…” Sho trailed off with a strangled sob as he finally ran out of words. The arms around him tightened painfully around him, but Sho clung to them as if they were his only lifeline.
“…baka…Sakurai no baka!” Sho jumped, startled at the accusation. He sat up warily, unsure at the sudden turn of events, but his confusion turned to shock as he took in the man that had been holding him only a moment ago. “Sho-kun no baka,” Jun said again, with less heat this time and more than a little affection written on his face. Slowly, Jun reached out to Sho, and cafeful not to startle the other man, he laid his hands softly against Sho’s neck. His fingers gently caressed the tense muscles there for a moment while Jun took in the older man’s look of bewildered unsurity. Jun smiled softly at Sho. “If I had known, that I could ever stand a chance with you,” Jun whispered, “there would never have been any others.” Sho’s look of disbelief slowly started to melt into a sheepish grin. “It’s always been you that I wanted,” Jun stated plainly. At that declaration, Sho’s grin broke into a full fledged smile, as he brought his hands up to caress the sides of Jun’s face in open amazement. Jun grinned at the gesture, a goofy lovestruck look on his face. “Baka,” he said softly as he pulled Sho in for a kiss, which Sho responded to enthusiastically.
In the doorway behind the sofa, the other half of Arashi watched on with a sense of proud accomplishment
“Ne, Oh-chan, I really didn’t think that you had it in you,” drawled Nino, his amusement clearly evident. Ohno’s cheeky grin in response caused a snort of laughter to escape Nino
“Waa~ now we owe Riidaa ramed for the next month, Nino-kun!” wailed Aiba from behind the pair. Nino’s face fell at the reminder as Ohno’s grin widened. “I thought for sure I would’ve won, ne?” Aiba whined to himself.
“Oi!!”came an irritated growl from the other side of the couch. “I can hear you guys, you know!??” sputtered Sho indignantly. “Riidaa!! You are in soo much trouble! And what do you mean by win?! Were you guys…” But, Sho’s rant was suddenly cut off by Jun plastering his mouth over Sho’s.
“Urusai,” Jun told Sho as they came up for air minutes later. Sho, with a slightly dazed look in his eyes, just grinned stupidly as Ohno laughed merrily and Nino and Aiba catcalled from their spot behind them.