[Akame] Love Stays Strong - Chapter 14
Title: Love Stays Strong
Pairing: Akame
Genre: It's angst, angst and more angst! *runs*
Rating: PG 13
Summary: They told him he had an accident, and had been in coma for two weeks. But he couldn't remember the fateful event at all, he didn't know what and how it happened. Kame just couldn't recall the accident but the thing that hurt him the most was Jin had disappeared during the times he needed him the most.
Disclaimer: Akame characters don't belong to me in any way.
Special note: To dear
takagi for beta-ing this fic! Thank you once again!~
Chapter 14
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Reo rubbed his eyes as he stirred from his sleep; it was already morning, and sunlight filtered into the room through the blinds. As his vision that had blurred a second ago became perfectly clear, he turned to look at the extra presence sleeping next to him on the bed. He sighed, realizing that it was just Yamapi sound asleep beside him.
And then reality hit him. Reo blinked, sat up straight immediately, and looked at the sleeping log again.
“How the hell did we end up in bed together?? That is just so … so disgusting!!!” Reo screamed as he frantically looked at his body and felt relieved that he was fully clothed. Thank god Yamapi was fully dressed as well. But even that could not stop him from feeling disgusted at the image of them sleeping together.
“Reo, shut up … I’m trying to sleep here …”
“And I’m trying my best to stay calm here! What are you doing on the same bed, and in the same room? I thought your bedroom is on the other side of the hallway??” Reo started shouting again as he shook Yamapi rather vigorously, “Yamapi, wake up!!!”
“What is it, Reo?” Yamapi mumbled as he leaned against the board. He looked at Reo sleepily and yawned loudly before him, “why does it matter that we share the same bed? There’s absolute … nothing wrong with it.”
“Oiiii, Yamapi!! What does that mean? You can be gay for all you want but I AM not!” Reo goes to shake the sleeping man again, demanding an immediate answer from him.
“Yamapi!!!!”
“I was about to go to my own room yesterday night, but I was too sleepy. That’s why I ended up here. You don’t mind, do you?” Yamapi grinned at the young man, putting on an innocent face, “After all, you’re Jin’s younger brother. You should be used to seeing Kame and him sleeping together. You should be used to seeing gays as well…”
“What does that have anything with this? My brother is an exception! Their love exceed that relationship! They’re of a special kind. I’ve never seen someone deeply in love like them.” Reo’s tone softened suddenly, remembering the look that the couple shared - so pure, yet so passionate look.
Yamapi patted him on the head and smiled, “Good, you’re not angry anymore. I want to go back to sleep now.” And with that, he simply rolled down to the surface of the bed and went back to a deep slumber.
Reo rolled his eyes as he got out of the bed, leaving Yamapi all alone in the bedroom.
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Eyes fluttered open as he looked at the other sleepily.
“Good morning, sleeping beauty.” Jin greeted his beloved, placing a kiss on his forehead, and smiled at how a pout began to form on the sleepy face of his beloved.
“I’m not a sleeping beauty.” Kame murmured as he gazed lovingly at his lover. He was wide awake already; he was awoken by the noise from the bedroom next door, shouting to be exact. But the continuous tickling that Jin made onto his neck was the main thing that woke him up.
“You’re my sleeping beauty. Does that sound better?”
“Much better.” Kame snuggled closer to Jin, cherishing the moment, his eyes still locked onto his boyfriend’s gaze as he whispered, “Yesterday wasn’t a dream. I still can’t believe we’re back together. It’s like a dream come true. I don’t want to wake up and realize that this is just a dream.”
Jin looked at Kame dearly as he caressed his cheeks full of tender love, “You’re not dreaming, Kazuya. I’m really here with you.” He took Kame’s hands, and placed them on his heart, “This heart is beating only for you. Can you feel that?”
Kame closed his eyes and felt his boyfriend’s heartbeat; he re-opened his eyes and smiled, leaning even closer to him, kissing Jin on the lips.
“Good morning.” He cuddled close to Jin.
The shining light from the window brightened the bedroom, but that didn’t matter to them at; the light in their hearts were glowing with happiness.
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Reo walked out of the bathroom, he had changed into a new set of clothes inside, as Yamapi is still sound asleep in this bedroom, hugging the pillow with a dreamy expression on his face.
He had tried to wake his friend up, only to receive a pout from the latter, and a string of mumbled words, “I’ll wake myself up later.” Reo shrugged as he walked out of the room, and soon, he found himself standing outside the couple’s bedroom.
“Can I come in?” he asked politely, knocking on the door as he waited for a reply. When he heard a muffled voice that sound so much like his brother’s, he slowly opened the door.
Reo smiled for the countless time when he saw the image before him; his brother and Kame in a cuddling position.
“Do you want me to make breakfast, onii-chan? Or would you rather have Kazuya-kun do it for you?” Reo leaned against the door, as he pointed at the sleeping form beside Jin. Somehow Kame had gone back to sleep soon after he had woken up; being in Jin’s arms was so comfortable and he felt safe.
“Well since you’re already awake, you do it.” Jin brushed off some hair from his lover’s face and faced his younger brother again, “How about Yamapi? Has he woken up?”
“No, he is still sleeping like a pig.” Reo grinned.
“Is that so?”
“I’ll go make breakfast then.” Reo was about to walk out of the room when he heard his brother calling him, “Reo!!!”
“Yes, onii-chan?”
Jin looked uneasy, Reo noticed, as the latter clasped his fingers rather nervously, “Can you … I wouldn’t want to trouble Kazuya. So can you help me to the bathroom?”
“Onii-chan, you know that you don’t have to ask like that, you’re my brother, I would be more than willing to help you.” Reo let go of the door knob he was holding and walked to his brother, flashing out an assurance smile.
“Well that’s because …” Jin stopped when he felt the figure beside him stirred. As he looked down to see those angelic eyes he loved, he smiled with happiness when Kame suddenly sat up, and leaned against his chest, closing his eyes back soon after.
“I’ll prepare the bath for both of you.” Reo winked as he entered the bathroom. His comment left a crimson red shade on Jin’s cheeks as he hugged Kame closer.
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By ten in the morning, all four of them gathered at the dining table and had their breakfast together. Laughter lit up their morning with Yamapi constantly making jokes and teasing the couple like there was no tomorrow.
“Hmmm, Hello?” Reo picked up the call when his handphone suddenly rang in the middle of the conservation. His eyes widened when he realized who was on the other line; he immediately excused himself and walked towards the living room to converse privately.
“Wonder who is that call from, he seems so serious.” Yamapi muttered as he munched on his food, his gaze returned to the food on his plate, smiling really brightly at the delicious breakfast fare early in the morning.
Reo returned a few minutes later. Placing his hand phone into his pockets, he muttered an apology for that sudden call.
“Who called, Reo?” Jin asked his food was left untouched since that interruption.
“It’s okaasan. They’re coming back today. They wanted to extend their holiday longer, but dad’s work doesn’t allow it. He is needed at the office as soon as possible. So that means we have to go home, onii-chan.”
There was this awkward amount of silence in the dining table as all four eyes looked at each other. It was as if the time froze, as even the great Yamapi who was enjoying his breakfast stopped munching, his mouth left opened.
“It’s alright.” Kame suddenly voiced out, looking at Jin with determined eyes. “You should go home, Jin. I wanted you to stay longer with me but it can’t be helped … your parents must have missed you so much so it’s better to go home.”
“Kazuya … What about you?”
“I will be fine, don’t worry about me. Yamapi will take good care of me.” Kame nudged his friend.
Yamapi sighed. Looking at the two, he immediately put his fork and spoon down. He stood up and banged his hands on the table, rolling his eyes in exasperation, “Why are you two acting as if this is the end? This is not the end, I’m telling you! So stop acting like you’re not going to see each other again!!”
“Yamapi …” all three were stunned at the sudden outburst.
“Jin’s parents are just coming back from their holiday. What the hell is wrong with that? You can still stay here if you want, Jin, provided that you go home to greet your parents first. I’ll take care of the rest.” Yamapi spoke nicely. He returned to his seat and went back to eating his breakfast.
Yamapi indeed had a different way of dealing problems.
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Akanishi Residence
“Yamapi …” Reo muttered that name when he opened the door. He was shocked to see the young man in front of him. Yamapi managed to surprise him at times like this.
“Reo? Who is that on the door??” Mrs Akanishi shouted from the kitchen, with Jin watching, and his eyes widened when he saw his best friend at the door.
“It’s Yamapi.” Reo replied back to his mother.
“Yamapi?” Mrs Akanishi suddenly peeked from the kitchen to the door, surprised at seeing the unexpected guest, “Ahhh, it’s really Tomo-chan!!!”
“Hello, Akanishi-san! I hope you don’t mind, I brought someone with me.” Yamapi winked as he whispered to someone who had been behind him all along, “Don’t be shy. Let’s go in!” Yamapi clasped his fingers with him as he led him inside. The younger boy looked down on the floor nervously as he got tugged into the living room by Yamapi.
Both brothers were shocked even more when they saw who Yamapi had brought along.
“Kazu-chan!” Mrs Akanishi exclaimed delightedly as she rushed to Kame’s side and gave him one big hug, “Kazu-chan, it’s been so long since we’ve last seen you. Look at how thin you’ve become.” She exclaimed as she inspected the boy’s thin frame, obviously worried about the change.
“It’s been a long time.” Kame whispered shyly, smiling.
“Let’s fatten you up.” She said in a determined tone, turning the gaze to her sons for a moment, before looking back at Kame, and smiled, “You two settle down with them in the living room first. The food will be ready soon.”
Yamapi pouted, gazing at Mrs Akanishi undoubtedly, obviously hoping for something from her.
“Of course I didn’t forget about you, Tomo-chan.” She chuckled, and gave him a hug, pinching his cheeks before returning back to the kitchen.
“It hurts …” Yamapi massaged his cheeks, “Itai!!!~~”
Everyone laughed, amused at how childish Yamapi could be sometimes. Kame immediately took a seat next to Jin on the sofa as they gazed at one another deeply, with Jin stealing touches from his boyfriend each moment.
Everything was going on the right track, as Yamapi had planned.
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“Don’t be shy, Kazu-chan. Eat as much as you want.” Mrs Akanishi smiled, adding a few more dishes to his plate. The latter nodded in appreciation and ate the delicious food slowly as he waited for Jin to come back to the dining table, “What’s taking Jin such a long time in the bathroom?”
“I’ll go check on onii-chan.” Reo said without asking as he got up from his seat almost immediately. There was something wrong with his brother, he just knew it, but he wasn’t sure what. Jin was too stubborn to go for a check up.
“Eat up, guys. There’s plenty of food of all of you!” Mr Akanishi exclaimed, he patted Yamapi on the back gently. Kame chuckled silently.
Jin’s parents are really nice, he thought.
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“Onii-chan, are you alright?” Reo knocked on the bathroom door twice, waiting for a response from his brother but had found none. When he pressed his head to the door, he could hear ragged breathing coming from his brother; it’s as if Jin was in deep pain, “Onii-chan!” he whispered, trying for the door knob, only to find it wasn’t locked. Reo scrambled inside immediately.
He rushed to Jin, who was holding his chest in pain, his breaths ragged, and he was trying hard to breathe properly. Reo looked at him worriedly, “Onii-chan, there is no time to waste anymore. Let’s go to the hospital.”
Jin coughed, holding on to Reo’s arms tightly as he muttered weakly, “This is nothing, Reo. Let’s get back outside, they’re waiting for us.” He was breathing more normally now, and was no longer clutching his chest.
“Onii-chan, please don’t be stubborn. You’re having difficulty breathing. This is no joke! This could lead to something serious!” Reo whispered, tightening his grip on his brother, hoping for him to listen to his advice.
“I’m really okay. Suddenly, this bathroom feels so hot so that’s why I can’t breathe properly.” Jin tried to convince his younger brother.
“Onii-chan …”
“There is nothing to worry about, Reo.” He gave the younger boy an assured smile, “Let’s go back outside?”
Reo could only nodded in defeat as he helped Jin out, pushing the wheelchair for him back to the dining table.
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“Jin, there you are!” Yamapi exclaimed excitedly, hugging his best friend unexpectedly when Reo rolled the wheelchair next to Kame, “Your parents just gave your consent to live with us - in that holiday house!” He let go, and returned back to his seat soon after.
“Eh, really? Is that true, okaasan … otousan?” Jin said with a surprised tone. Reo too was taken aback at this, as they both were absent when this issue was being brought up.
His mother nodded with a smile, “Reo is going to stay there too, with three men looking after you, then we wouldn’t worry so much. Just enjoy the time together. I know that young guys need private moments too.”
“That’s right. Just take good care of yourself, Jin.” His father spoke, “Just call your brother if you need anything.”
“Yes, I know.” Jin smiled, holding his boyfriend’s hand under the table. Both of their hearts warmed with happiness at this golden opportunity.
It’s so good to be born by such great parents.
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A day had passed, and everything seemed to run smoothly in the holiday house. Kame and Jin was being all cuddly with one another, and not even once they wanted to be separated as they stay glued to each other. Reo took care of his brother like he was supposed to, as that was his responsibility, and Yamapi … well he makes the day brighter with his irresistible teasing, making the couple blushed by his words of praise.
But nobody would have expected things to turn for the worst. Kame was in the bathroom, Yamapi and Reo was hanging out in the bedroom, playing play station when Jin had sneaked out of the house, apparently trying to get a couple of groceries for dinner … all by himself.
Kame walked down the stairs as he scanned the living room warily, noticing that there was no sign of Jin at all. Panic struck him as he searched for the whole area on the first floor, only to realize that his boyfriend was nowhere to be found.
That was when he noticed a piece of paper on the table; he took it and read it aloud, only to become more worried instead. Kame shouted at the top of his lungs for his two friends, “Reo! Yamapi! You have to get down here immediately!”
“What?” Yamapi asked him. The two were by his side in just mere seconds. Yamapi took the small piece of paper Kame had handed him, and passed it to Reo after he had finished reading it.
“Jin wasn’t well when I took my bath. In fact, he was coughing badly and had a slight fever. To think he went out in that condition alone! What do we do now?” Kame asked, looking at the two men frantically, his fingers clasped together due to his worry for his boyfriend.
“Onii-chan … when will he ever stop being so stubborn?” Reo sighed as he leaned against the wall for support, “I really have a bad feeling about this.”
“Don’t say that!” Yamapi shouted, as he held both of his friends’ hands, and lead them to the door. He grabbed the key on the entrance table immediately, “Let’s search for Jin! With the three of us, it’s much easier!”
“I’ll drive.” Reo offered, since he knew the way around here than the other two. Yamapi nodded and handed him his car key.
Without further ado, the three went in search for Akanishi Jin. Reo, being pretty familiar with the roads in Kyoto, headed towards a particular supermarket their family always goes to.
Jin might be there.
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“Let’s split up.” Reo said. The other two nodded and went separate ways.
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With a bag of groceries on his laps, Jin wheeled himself slowly. Somehow, the distance back to his home seemed so far away. He felt his temperature getting higher any second and his vision kept blurring every now and then, but even so he kept on going.
Coughing continuously didn’t stop him from moving forward, but the sudden pain in his chest made him stopped abruptly. Jin shivered vulnerably and clutched onto his shirt tightly; he was hoping for the enormous pain to go away, but it did not.
To top it up, Jin had difficulty breathing. He rolled to the floor in agony as he bent down and his wheelchair toppled down with him. The pain was excruciating, and tears cluttered in his eyes due to this one hell of a torturous moment.
Nothing could wash the pain away.
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“Jin!!!!” a voice called out to him. The owner of the voice pulled Jin’s weak body to his warmth, as he immediately took out his hand phone and called the other two. Once he did that, he looked at Jin lovingly.
“You’re going to be alright, Jin. Everything will be alright.” The person said lovingly to Jin, as though to sooth him of his pain.
Though Jin was in deep pain, the thing that had kept him strong was the fact that his beloved boyfriend was there when he needed him the most.
Kame was there for him … that was all that mattered then.
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“Apparently Akanishi-san’s been infected with pneumonia.” The doctor said as he looked up from his writing board and stared at three young men in front of him.
“Pneumonia?” Reo whispered.
“Yes, you probably wouldn’t have noticed but symptoms like cough, chest pains and difficulty breathing are that of pneumonia. Without physiotherapy, high chances this kind of health complications would occur.” Noticing the knowing nod from his listeners, the doctor continued, “I’ve given him antibiotics, but he would have to stay in the hospital for a couple more days, his condition is very weak.”
“Yes, we understand.” Reo replied on behalf of his friends. He bowed to the doctor as the latter retreated out of the room.
Sudden silence fell the three of them as they looked at one another, not knowing what to say or do at this moment.
“I’ll take care of the registration procedure.” Yamapi finally said, running to a certain direction of this hospital.
“Can we go look at Jin now?” Kame asked quickly, worry evident in his tone as he looked at Reo hopingly. A simple nod from Reo made him dash towards Jin’s room in a flash.
Kame wanted to be by Jin’s side during his weakest and most vulnerable moment, and he didn’t plan to leave anytime or any moment.
He would be there when Jin wakes up, he would be there.
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On the seats outside Jin’s room, there was one person sitting on one of those orange colored seats, deep in thoughts.
Heaving out a sigh, Reo placed his clasped fingers on his head as he bent down slightly, recalling the private talk he had with the doctor just a moment ago in the doctor’s office.
“You have to convince your brother in agreeing to physiotherapy, his condition could get ten times worse if this happens again.”
Perhaps this sudden collapse of his brother would make him rethink of his decision regarding therapy, after all his health is being put on risk.
For once, Reo hoped Jin would stop being so stubborn, and listen to what he advised him.
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“Jin, you’re awake!!” Kame exclaimed. He was at his side instantly when he realized that his boyfriend was conscious. Although the gaze that Jin gave him was rather weak, that didn’t matter. He knew Jin would have a speedy recovery.
Behind the locked door, Kame held Jin’s hand into his, as he smiled reassuringly.
Everything will be alright.
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“So I still have to go for therapy?” The serious look on his best friend and Reo’s faces made him sigh as he nodded in defeat, “So there’s just one week left …”
“What are you talking about, Jin?”
“Kazuya has one more week left to stay here, right? Then he would have to go home.” Jin whispered. He had pushed away that fact for some time now, but now, he knew he had to face reality, “I should never have accepted him back …”
“You’re saying that you’re regretting this?” Yamapi asked in disbelief. What he predicted had eventually came true, Jin still chose to let Kame go in the end.
“I just … I don’t want to lose him again. I don’t want that day to come. It would hurt for the both of us so … it’s better if I just end it now.”
“Stop it! No way are you going to tell Kazuya-kun that! You hear me, onii-chan?” Reo shouted in anger, his fingers clasped firmly on his sides, “Kazuya-kun is not a toy where you can play with, he has feelings for god’s sake!”
“Reo …”
“You two would still be together whatever the outcome of the therapy would be, and that’s it. End of conversation.” He crossed his arms, as he stood near the window of the room.
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Not knowing to them, Kame was just outside the door when he heard the entire conversation. He leaned weakly against the door of Jin’s hospital room, a tear escaped from his eyes as he was brought to a realization, recalling Jin’s words in his mind.
Perhaps this was just a mistake, getting back together was nothing but one mistake that they both had made.
It hurt him that Jin still had doubtful feelings over their relationship. And maybe, maybe they weren’t meant to be together after all…
Kame wiped away the tear as he walked away from that room. He had finally decided. To make things easier for Jin, he would leave and head back to Tokyo. He would give Jin the freedom that he yearned for.
There is no turning back anymore, he thought sadly.
It was officially over.
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Author's Note: Gomen ne for the extremely strong angst for this chapter!!! I could have written fluff but I already have the plot in my mind, have to write it. Sorry for the very short author's note, it's already 2 am here. Hehe. ^-^;; Tomorrow, I'm prepared to have a strong reaction from you readers. *runs for now*
Pairing: Akame
Genre: It's angst, angst and more angst! *runs*
Rating: PG 13
Summary: They told him he had an accident, and had been in coma for two weeks. But he couldn't remember the fateful event at all, he didn't know what and how it happened. Kame just couldn't recall the accident but the thing that hurt him the most was Jin had disappeared during the times he needed him the most.
Disclaimer: Akame characters don't belong to me in any way.
Special note: To dear
takagi for beta-ing this fic! Thank you once again!~
Chapter 14
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Reo rubbed his eyes as he stirred from his sleep; it was already morning, and sunlight filtered into the room through the blinds. As his vision that had blurred a second ago became perfectly clear, he turned to look at the extra presence sleeping next to him on the bed. He sighed, realizing that it was just Yamapi sound asleep beside him.
And then reality hit him. Reo blinked, sat up straight immediately, and looked at the sleeping log again.
“How the hell did we end up in bed together?? That is just so … so disgusting!!!” Reo screamed as he frantically looked at his body and felt relieved that he was fully clothed. Thank god Yamapi was fully dressed as well. But even that could not stop him from feeling disgusted at the image of them sleeping together.
“Reo, shut up … I’m trying to sleep here …”
“And I’m trying my best to stay calm here! What are you doing on the same bed, and in the same room? I thought your bedroom is on the other side of the hallway??” Reo started shouting again as he shook Yamapi rather vigorously, “Yamapi, wake up!!!”
“What is it, Reo?” Yamapi mumbled as he leaned against the board. He looked at Reo sleepily and yawned loudly before him, “why does it matter that we share the same bed? There’s absolute … nothing wrong with it.”
“Oiiii, Yamapi!! What does that mean? You can be gay for all you want but I AM not!” Reo goes to shake the sleeping man again, demanding an immediate answer from him.
“Yamapi!!!!”
“I was about to go to my own room yesterday night, but I was too sleepy. That’s why I ended up here. You don’t mind, do you?” Yamapi grinned at the young man, putting on an innocent face, “After all, you’re Jin’s younger brother. You should be used to seeing Kame and him sleeping together. You should be used to seeing gays as well…”
“What does that have anything with this? My brother is an exception! Their love exceed that relationship! They’re of a special kind. I’ve never seen someone deeply in love like them.” Reo’s tone softened suddenly, remembering the look that the couple shared - so pure, yet so passionate look.
Yamapi patted him on the head and smiled, “Good, you’re not angry anymore. I want to go back to sleep now.” And with that, he simply rolled down to the surface of the bed and went back to a deep slumber.
Reo rolled his eyes as he got out of the bed, leaving Yamapi all alone in the bedroom.
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Eyes fluttered open as he looked at the other sleepily.
“Good morning, sleeping beauty.” Jin greeted his beloved, placing a kiss on his forehead, and smiled at how a pout began to form on the sleepy face of his beloved.
“I’m not a sleeping beauty.” Kame murmured as he gazed lovingly at his lover. He was wide awake already; he was awoken by the noise from the bedroom next door, shouting to be exact. But the continuous tickling that Jin made onto his neck was the main thing that woke him up.
“You’re my sleeping beauty. Does that sound better?”
“Much better.” Kame snuggled closer to Jin, cherishing the moment, his eyes still locked onto his boyfriend’s gaze as he whispered, “Yesterday wasn’t a dream. I still can’t believe we’re back together. It’s like a dream come true. I don’t want to wake up and realize that this is just a dream.”
Jin looked at Kame dearly as he caressed his cheeks full of tender love, “You’re not dreaming, Kazuya. I’m really here with you.” He took Kame’s hands, and placed them on his heart, “This heart is beating only for you. Can you feel that?”
Kame closed his eyes and felt his boyfriend’s heartbeat; he re-opened his eyes and smiled, leaning even closer to him, kissing Jin on the lips.
“Good morning.” He cuddled close to Jin.
The shining light from the window brightened the bedroom, but that didn’t matter to them at; the light in their hearts were glowing with happiness.
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Reo walked out of the bathroom, he had changed into a new set of clothes inside, as Yamapi is still sound asleep in this bedroom, hugging the pillow with a dreamy expression on his face.
He had tried to wake his friend up, only to receive a pout from the latter, and a string of mumbled words, “I’ll wake myself up later.” Reo shrugged as he walked out of the room, and soon, he found himself standing outside the couple’s bedroom.
“Can I come in?” he asked politely, knocking on the door as he waited for a reply. When he heard a muffled voice that sound so much like his brother’s, he slowly opened the door.
Reo smiled for the countless time when he saw the image before him; his brother and Kame in a cuddling position.
“Do you want me to make breakfast, onii-chan? Or would you rather have Kazuya-kun do it for you?” Reo leaned against the door, as he pointed at the sleeping form beside Jin. Somehow Kame had gone back to sleep soon after he had woken up; being in Jin’s arms was so comfortable and he felt safe.
“Well since you’re already awake, you do it.” Jin brushed off some hair from his lover’s face and faced his younger brother again, “How about Yamapi? Has he woken up?”
“No, he is still sleeping like a pig.” Reo grinned.
“Is that so?”
“I’ll go make breakfast then.” Reo was about to walk out of the room when he heard his brother calling him, “Reo!!!”
“Yes, onii-chan?”
Jin looked uneasy, Reo noticed, as the latter clasped his fingers rather nervously, “Can you … I wouldn’t want to trouble Kazuya. So can you help me to the bathroom?”
“Onii-chan, you know that you don’t have to ask like that, you’re my brother, I would be more than willing to help you.” Reo let go of the door knob he was holding and walked to his brother, flashing out an assurance smile.
“Well that’s because …” Jin stopped when he felt the figure beside him stirred. As he looked down to see those angelic eyes he loved, he smiled with happiness when Kame suddenly sat up, and leaned against his chest, closing his eyes back soon after.
“I’ll prepare the bath for both of you.” Reo winked as he entered the bathroom. His comment left a crimson red shade on Jin’s cheeks as he hugged Kame closer.
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By ten in the morning, all four of them gathered at the dining table and had their breakfast together. Laughter lit up their morning with Yamapi constantly making jokes and teasing the couple like there was no tomorrow.
“Hmmm, Hello?” Reo picked up the call when his handphone suddenly rang in the middle of the conservation. His eyes widened when he realized who was on the other line; he immediately excused himself and walked towards the living room to converse privately.
“Wonder who is that call from, he seems so serious.” Yamapi muttered as he munched on his food, his gaze returned to the food on his plate, smiling really brightly at the delicious breakfast fare early in the morning.
Reo returned a few minutes later. Placing his hand phone into his pockets, he muttered an apology for that sudden call.
“Who called, Reo?” Jin asked his food was left untouched since that interruption.
“It’s okaasan. They’re coming back today. They wanted to extend their holiday longer, but dad’s work doesn’t allow it. He is needed at the office as soon as possible. So that means we have to go home, onii-chan.”
There was this awkward amount of silence in the dining table as all four eyes looked at each other. It was as if the time froze, as even the great Yamapi who was enjoying his breakfast stopped munching, his mouth left opened.
“It’s alright.” Kame suddenly voiced out, looking at Jin with determined eyes. “You should go home, Jin. I wanted you to stay longer with me but it can’t be helped … your parents must have missed you so much so it’s better to go home.”
“Kazuya … What about you?”
“I will be fine, don’t worry about me. Yamapi will take good care of me.” Kame nudged his friend.
Yamapi sighed. Looking at the two, he immediately put his fork and spoon down. He stood up and banged his hands on the table, rolling his eyes in exasperation, “Why are you two acting as if this is the end? This is not the end, I’m telling you! So stop acting like you’re not going to see each other again!!”
“Yamapi …” all three were stunned at the sudden outburst.
“Jin’s parents are just coming back from their holiday. What the hell is wrong with that? You can still stay here if you want, Jin, provided that you go home to greet your parents first. I’ll take care of the rest.” Yamapi spoke nicely. He returned to his seat and went back to eating his breakfast.
Yamapi indeed had a different way of dealing problems.
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Akanishi Residence
“Yamapi …” Reo muttered that name when he opened the door. He was shocked to see the young man in front of him. Yamapi managed to surprise him at times like this.
“Reo? Who is that on the door??” Mrs Akanishi shouted from the kitchen, with Jin watching, and his eyes widened when he saw his best friend at the door.
“It’s Yamapi.” Reo replied back to his mother.
“Yamapi?” Mrs Akanishi suddenly peeked from the kitchen to the door, surprised at seeing the unexpected guest, “Ahhh, it’s really Tomo-chan!!!”
“Hello, Akanishi-san! I hope you don’t mind, I brought someone with me.” Yamapi winked as he whispered to someone who had been behind him all along, “Don’t be shy. Let’s go in!” Yamapi clasped his fingers with him as he led him inside. The younger boy looked down on the floor nervously as he got tugged into the living room by Yamapi.
Both brothers were shocked even more when they saw who Yamapi had brought along.
“Kazu-chan!” Mrs Akanishi exclaimed delightedly as she rushed to Kame’s side and gave him one big hug, “Kazu-chan, it’s been so long since we’ve last seen you. Look at how thin you’ve become.” She exclaimed as she inspected the boy’s thin frame, obviously worried about the change.
“It’s been a long time.” Kame whispered shyly, smiling.
“Let’s fatten you up.” She said in a determined tone, turning the gaze to her sons for a moment, before looking back at Kame, and smiled, “You two settle down with them in the living room first. The food will be ready soon.”
Yamapi pouted, gazing at Mrs Akanishi undoubtedly, obviously hoping for something from her.
“Of course I didn’t forget about you, Tomo-chan.” She chuckled, and gave him a hug, pinching his cheeks before returning back to the kitchen.
“It hurts …” Yamapi massaged his cheeks, “Itai!!!~~”
Everyone laughed, amused at how childish Yamapi could be sometimes. Kame immediately took a seat next to Jin on the sofa as they gazed at one another deeply, with Jin stealing touches from his boyfriend each moment.
Everything was going on the right track, as Yamapi had planned.
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“Don’t be shy, Kazu-chan. Eat as much as you want.” Mrs Akanishi smiled, adding a few more dishes to his plate. The latter nodded in appreciation and ate the delicious food slowly as he waited for Jin to come back to the dining table, “What’s taking Jin such a long time in the bathroom?”
“I’ll go check on onii-chan.” Reo said without asking as he got up from his seat almost immediately. There was something wrong with his brother, he just knew it, but he wasn’t sure what. Jin was too stubborn to go for a check up.
“Eat up, guys. There’s plenty of food of all of you!” Mr Akanishi exclaimed, he patted Yamapi on the back gently. Kame chuckled silently.
Jin’s parents are really nice, he thought.
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“Onii-chan, are you alright?” Reo knocked on the bathroom door twice, waiting for a response from his brother but had found none. When he pressed his head to the door, he could hear ragged breathing coming from his brother; it’s as if Jin was in deep pain, “Onii-chan!” he whispered, trying for the door knob, only to find it wasn’t locked. Reo scrambled inside immediately.
He rushed to Jin, who was holding his chest in pain, his breaths ragged, and he was trying hard to breathe properly. Reo looked at him worriedly, “Onii-chan, there is no time to waste anymore. Let’s go to the hospital.”
Jin coughed, holding on to Reo’s arms tightly as he muttered weakly, “This is nothing, Reo. Let’s get back outside, they’re waiting for us.” He was breathing more normally now, and was no longer clutching his chest.
“Onii-chan, please don’t be stubborn. You’re having difficulty breathing. This is no joke! This could lead to something serious!” Reo whispered, tightening his grip on his brother, hoping for him to listen to his advice.
“I’m really okay. Suddenly, this bathroom feels so hot so that’s why I can’t breathe properly.” Jin tried to convince his younger brother.
“Onii-chan …”
“There is nothing to worry about, Reo.” He gave the younger boy an assured smile, “Let’s go back outside?”
Reo could only nodded in defeat as he helped Jin out, pushing the wheelchair for him back to the dining table.
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“Jin, there you are!” Yamapi exclaimed excitedly, hugging his best friend unexpectedly when Reo rolled the wheelchair next to Kame, “Your parents just gave your consent to live with us - in that holiday house!” He let go, and returned back to his seat soon after.
“Eh, really? Is that true, okaasan … otousan?” Jin said with a surprised tone. Reo too was taken aback at this, as they both were absent when this issue was being brought up.
His mother nodded with a smile, “Reo is going to stay there too, with three men looking after you, then we wouldn’t worry so much. Just enjoy the time together. I know that young guys need private moments too.”
“That’s right. Just take good care of yourself, Jin.” His father spoke, “Just call your brother if you need anything.”
“Yes, I know.” Jin smiled, holding his boyfriend’s hand under the table. Both of their hearts warmed with happiness at this golden opportunity.
It’s so good to be born by such great parents.
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A day had passed, and everything seemed to run smoothly in the holiday house. Kame and Jin was being all cuddly with one another, and not even once they wanted to be separated as they stay glued to each other. Reo took care of his brother like he was supposed to, as that was his responsibility, and Yamapi … well he makes the day brighter with his irresistible teasing, making the couple blushed by his words of praise.
But nobody would have expected things to turn for the worst. Kame was in the bathroom, Yamapi and Reo was hanging out in the bedroom, playing play station when Jin had sneaked out of the house, apparently trying to get a couple of groceries for dinner … all by himself.
Kame walked down the stairs as he scanned the living room warily, noticing that there was no sign of Jin at all. Panic struck him as he searched for the whole area on the first floor, only to realize that his boyfriend was nowhere to be found.
That was when he noticed a piece of paper on the table; he took it and read it aloud, only to become more worried instead. Kame shouted at the top of his lungs for his two friends, “Reo! Yamapi! You have to get down here immediately!”
“What?” Yamapi asked him. The two were by his side in just mere seconds. Yamapi took the small piece of paper Kame had handed him, and passed it to Reo after he had finished reading it.
“Jin wasn’t well when I took my bath. In fact, he was coughing badly and had a slight fever. To think he went out in that condition alone! What do we do now?” Kame asked, looking at the two men frantically, his fingers clasped together due to his worry for his boyfriend.
“Onii-chan … when will he ever stop being so stubborn?” Reo sighed as he leaned against the wall for support, “I really have a bad feeling about this.”
“Don’t say that!” Yamapi shouted, as he held both of his friends’ hands, and lead them to the door. He grabbed the key on the entrance table immediately, “Let’s search for Jin! With the three of us, it’s much easier!”
“I’ll drive.” Reo offered, since he knew the way around here than the other two. Yamapi nodded and handed him his car key.
Without further ado, the three went in search for Akanishi Jin. Reo, being pretty familiar with the roads in Kyoto, headed towards a particular supermarket their family always goes to.
Jin might be there.
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“Let’s split up.” Reo said. The other two nodded and went separate ways.
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With a bag of groceries on his laps, Jin wheeled himself slowly. Somehow, the distance back to his home seemed so far away. He felt his temperature getting higher any second and his vision kept blurring every now and then, but even so he kept on going.
Coughing continuously didn’t stop him from moving forward, but the sudden pain in his chest made him stopped abruptly. Jin shivered vulnerably and clutched onto his shirt tightly; he was hoping for the enormous pain to go away, but it did not.
To top it up, Jin had difficulty breathing. He rolled to the floor in agony as he bent down and his wheelchair toppled down with him. The pain was excruciating, and tears cluttered in his eyes due to this one hell of a torturous moment.
Nothing could wash the pain away.
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“Jin!!!!” a voice called out to him. The owner of the voice pulled Jin’s weak body to his warmth, as he immediately took out his hand phone and called the other two. Once he did that, he looked at Jin lovingly.
“You’re going to be alright, Jin. Everything will be alright.” The person said lovingly to Jin, as though to sooth him of his pain.
Though Jin was in deep pain, the thing that had kept him strong was the fact that his beloved boyfriend was there when he needed him the most.
Kame was there for him … that was all that mattered then.
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“Apparently Akanishi-san’s been infected with pneumonia.” The doctor said as he looked up from his writing board and stared at three young men in front of him.
“Pneumonia?” Reo whispered.
“Yes, you probably wouldn’t have noticed but symptoms like cough, chest pains and difficulty breathing are that of pneumonia. Without physiotherapy, high chances this kind of health complications would occur.” Noticing the knowing nod from his listeners, the doctor continued, “I’ve given him antibiotics, but he would have to stay in the hospital for a couple more days, his condition is very weak.”
“Yes, we understand.” Reo replied on behalf of his friends. He bowed to the doctor as the latter retreated out of the room.
Sudden silence fell the three of them as they looked at one another, not knowing what to say or do at this moment.
“I’ll take care of the registration procedure.” Yamapi finally said, running to a certain direction of this hospital.
“Can we go look at Jin now?” Kame asked quickly, worry evident in his tone as he looked at Reo hopingly. A simple nod from Reo made him dash towards Jin’s room in a flash.
Kame wanted to be by Jin’s side during his weakest and most vulnerable moment, and he didn’t plan to leave anytime or any moment.
He would be there when Jin wakes up, he would be there.
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On the seats outside Jin’s room, there was one person sitting on one of those orange colored seats, deep in thoughts.
Heaving out a sigh, Reo placed his clasped fingers on his head as he bent down slightly, recalling the private talk he had with the doctor just a moment ago in the doctor’s office.
“You have to convince your brother in agreeing to physiotherapy, his condition could get ten times worse if this happens again.”
Perhaps this sudden collapse of his brother would make him rethink of his decision regarding therapy, after all his health is being put on risk.
For once, Reo hoped Jin would stop being so stubborn, and listen to what he advised him.
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“Jin, you’re awake!!” Kame exclaimed. He was at his side instantly when he realized that his boyfriend was conscious. Although the gaze that Jin gave him was rather weak, that didn’t matter. He knew Jin would have a speedy recovery.
Behind the locked door, Kame held Jin’s hand into his, as he smiled reassuringly.
Everything will be alright.
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“So I still have to go for therapy?” The serious look on his best friend and Reo’s faces made him sigh as he nodded in defeat, “So there’s just one week left …”
“What are you talking about, Jin?”
“Kazuya has one more week left to stay here, right? Then he would have to go home.” Jin whispered. He had pushed away that fact for some time now, but now, he knew he had to face reality, “I should never have accepted him back …”
“You’re saying that you’re regretting this?” Yamapi asked in disbelief. What he predicted had eventually came true, Jin still chose to let Kame go in the end.
“I just … I don’t want to lose him again. I don’t want that day to come. It would hurt for the both of us so … it’s better if I just end it now.”
“Stop it! No way are you going to tell Kazuya-kun that! You hear me, onii-chan?” Reo shouted in anger, his fingers clasped firmly on his sides, “Kazuya-kun is not a toy where you can play with, he has feelings for god’s sake!”
“Reo …”
“You two would still be together whatever the outcome of the therapy would be, and that’s it. End of conversation.” He crossed his arms, as he stood near the window of the room.
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Not knowing to them, Kame was just outside the door when he heard the entire conversation. He leaned weakly against the door of Jin’s hospital room, a tear escaped from his eyes as he was brought to a realization, recalling Jin’s words in his mind.
Perhaps this was just a mistake, getting back together was nothing but one mistake that they both had made.
It hurt him that Jin still had doubtful feelings over their relationship. And maybe, maybe they weren’t meant to be together after all…
Kame wiped away the tear as he walked away from that room. He had finally decided. To make things easier for Jin, he would leave and head back to Tokyo. He would give Jin the freedom that he yearned for.
There is no turning back anymore, he thought sadly.
It was officially over.
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Author's Note: Gomen ne for the extremely strong angst for this chapter!!! I could have written fluff but I already have the plot in my mind, have to write it. Sorry for the very short author's note, it's already 2 am here. Hehe. ^-^;; Tomorrow, I'm prepared to have a strong reaction from you readers. *runs for now*