[FIC] One More Try: Chapter 5
Title: One More Try
Author: isha_mabin
Pairing: AKAME, JinxOC
Rating: PG-15 - NC-17
Genre: Romance, AU, Angst
Disclaimer: I only own half of the plot and the original character Stephanie Jones, nothing (and no one) else
Summary: Everything was going well for Kazuya Akanishi. He had an awesome and drop-dead hot (not to mention rich) husband that loves him very much, supportive parents and equally supportive in-laws, crazy but otherwise loyal friends...and to top it off, he had just been promoted to being a director of the biggest interior design company in New York. His life was perfect. Until his husband's past came back to haunt them. And with this past, certain things are revealed and these things threatened to destroy the perfect life Kazuya thought he had.
A/N: Slightly longer chapter coz I love you guys! ^^
For those who haven't seen the trailer for this fic yet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUvpQKiZcQ8
I'm sorry the quality isn't that great. I forgot to set it to High Quality when I was uploading it to youtube. I might re-upload it when I have time though but for now, I'd be glad if you check it out ^^
And thanks to harajukyuu for the wonderful banner!!!
Previous Chapters: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4
CHAPTER 5:
"Um excuse me, can you tell me where Dr. Clarisse Stevens' clinic is?" Kazuya asked the nurse at the hospital lobby.
“Of course sir. Just take a left here and then walk straight down the hallway. Her clinic is the last door on the right."
"Thank you." He smiled at the nurse and took the direction she told him.
Indeed, at the end of the hallway was a door with a simple white card that had Dr. Stevens' name on it.
He knocked and then slowly pushed the door.
Stephanie was already there and a woman in a white lab gown was talking to her. Kazuya assumed that the woman in the lab gown was Dr. Stevens.
“Hi Stephanie,” he greeted politely.
“Hi Kazuya.”
“Where’s Eiji?” he asked curiously, roaming his eyes around the room.
“Luigi is taking care of him for a while,” Stephanie explained. “Kazuya, this is Dr. Clarisse Stevens.”
"Hello Mr. Akanishi, I'm Eiji's doctor." The woman looked behind him after shaking his hand. "Is your husband not with you?"
"Nice to meet you Dr. Stevens. I'm sorry but my husband can't make it today."
"Oh is that so? I had hoped he'd be here because we're going to talk about sensitive issues. But I guess it can't be helped. Anyway, I'm sure you'd be sensible enough to listen to whatever I'm going to say."
"Clarisse, why don't you let him sit first?" Stephanie interrupted.
"Oh I'm terribly sorry. Do sit down, Mr. Akanishi." Once Kazuya was seated, she also sat on her own chair. "Years in med school must have dulled my social skills."
Kazuya smiled a bit. "It's fine Dr. Stevens. And please do call me Kazuya. ‘Mr. Akanishi’ is too formal and would be too confusing if Jin is here."
"Very well, Kazuya." She looked at him and then at Stephanie. "I called you here because Eiji is not responding well to the treatments anymore. In the first place, the treatments are only temporary solutions. He needs a bone marrow transplant, like I've been telling Stephanie before."
"Um, what's the matter? Is it the money? If it is, then Jin and I are willing to pay for everything for Eiji to be cured." Kazuya meant what he said. Despite what his mother did and what he represented, Eiji was still an innocent child. He was never included in the adult's complicated situation and Kazuya never wished for the kid's misfortune.
"No. It's not the financial aspect that we should worry about. A bone marrow should be compatible to Eiji and well, I've checked Stephanie and she's not compatible. I was hoping that your husband would be a different story."
"And if he's not? If his bone marrow isn’t compatible with Eiji either…what happens then?"
Clarisse glanced at Stephanie briefly before answering Kazuya's inquiry. "Then Eiji would need a sibling to donate for him."
"What do you mean? Eiji doesn't have a sibling..." Kazuya asked, confused.
"Yes, I'm aware. That's why in the event that Jin is not a match for Eiji, he and Stephanie have to have another child."
------------------------
"You’re actually considering this?!" Koki didn’t care that they were in a party and his voice was a little louder than necessary.
Kazuya looked at Koki tiredly, "Considering isn’t the word Koki. We’ve already decided."
“Are you out of your mind?! That girl has enough hold on Jin as it is. Adding another child would just tip the scale more in her favor," Koki said. “Marriage is not enough of a guarantee these days. It isn’t as binding as it should be, especially here in New York. You know that!”
Kazuya only told the two of them about what he talked about with the doctor because he couldn’t keep it to himself anymore.
“Another child?” Kazuya took deep breaths. The doctor’s words shook him. “Why? Stephanie has a boyfriend.”
“Eiji’s sibling must have the same parents as he has. Otherwise, the chances are that child will not be a match to Eiji at all.”
“And what are our options? In vitro fertilization?” Kazuya nails dug on his palm in his effort to keep himself calm.
Dr. Stevens looked surprised that Kazuya knew about that procedure. “You’re well-informed.”
“A friend mentioned something like that to me before. I got curious so I looked it up.”
“I assume you know how that works then?” Dr. Stevens asked.
Kazuya nodded. “Yes. So I’m right? That would be the option?”
“Hopefully,” Dr. Stevens confirmed.
“And what happens if the in vitro fails?” Kazuya didn’t want to ask but it’s better to lay out all the cards in the open.
“Then they have to do it the natural way.” Dr. Stevens shrugged and smiled.
It’s been a month since he last visited Eiji’s doctor alone and after undergoing some test, it was found out that Jin’s bone marrow wasn’t compatible with Eiji.
They had no choice but to try the invitro. Even if that would mean Jin would again have another child out of wedlock, a child with Jin’s ex, another child that would remind Kazuya everyday of Jin’s infidelity.
“You’re asking for trouble, Kazuya,” Rino, Koki’s cousin who’s also Kazuya’s friend, cautioned.
“How can I say no? Can I say no to a mother with a dying child? And what about Jin? Can I ignore the fact that he wants a child of his own?"
Kazuya turned away from his friends and stared the other guests in the party without really seeing them. He was thinking about Jin, about all the times friends or acquaintances would talk about their children and he would see the envy in Jin’s eyes.
“He’s happy when he’s with kids,” Kazuya added, placing the plate on the table. He lost his appetite.
Even now if he closed his eyes, he could see clearly all those times Jin would play with his or Kazuya’s nephews and nieces, those times Jin played with Eiji. Jin looked like a dedicated father and not only once did Kazuya think Jin was suited to be a father.
He looked back and something in his eyes must have affected his friends because they were both quiet. “I can’t give him that.” He smiled at Koki although he knew it was tinged with sadness. “I can’t give him children so the least I could do is be supportive of the child he does have today and the child he will have in the future.”
“Kazuya…” Koki was worried.
Kazuya looked strong but Koki knew he was only trying to be that way. When his friend loves, he loves wholeheartedly, all-out, without leaving anything for himself. It was one of the things why everyone who is close to Kazuya tends to cherish him. It was only fair for them to at least try to match what Kazuya was willing to do and give for them.
“Oh I think I have to go.” Kazuya excused himself. “You guys stay here and enjoy okay?”
“Huh? But it’s still earl-ow!” Rino glared at Koki who had elbowed him.
Koki glared back at his cousin pointedly before smiling at Kazuya. “Yeah, we’ll enjoy ourselves. You go ahead. Say hi to Jin for us.”
Kazuya saluted. “Sure thing.”
Once he was home, he sat on the couch and leaned back. A glance at the clock told him that it was indeed still a bit early.
But Jin will be home in an hour.
A smile crept to his face as he thought of an idea. He padded to the kitchen and checked the contents of the refrigerator. It’s been a while since he cooked for Jin because Jin always wanted to show off his culinary skills.
Or so he says but I’ll be willing to bet that he just wants to make sure I’ll eat.
He chuckled as he remembered Jin convincing him to eat more.
“Why won’t you eat? This curry you made is so good!” Jin said in between mouthful of curry rice.
“I already ate,” Kazuya said, watching his husband stuff down the food like its water. It’s really quite endearing.
“Yeah, four spoonful.” Jin chewed the food in his mouth thoughtfully. “Did you put poison in this?”
Kazuya frowned. “Of course not. Why would I do that?”
“Then why won’t you eat?!”Jin exclaimed, pouting.
Kazuya laughed and wiped away the sauce on Jin’s cheek. “I just don’t like eating what I cooked. It’s weird, I know but…that’s just how I am.”
Jin looked thoughtful for a while before grinning widely. “I know! I’ll cook from now on! You won’t be so cruel as to reject what I will make, right?”
“Uh…Jin, you only know how to cook pasta…” Kazuya reminded him.
“I can learn. It’s going to be fun.”
Kazuya shook his head, his lips lifting up at the corners. “You’re hopeless.”
Since then, Jin had created meal after meal and presented it to Kazuya. Most of them were good and Kazuya was surprised because even he wasn’t that good on his first try at cooking.
Eventually he learned that Jin had been asking his employee to sample his cooking and basically demanded for them to evaluate and critique the food honestly so that he can redo the bad ones.
“And your employees actually agreed to be your guinea pigs?” Kazuya asked, amused.
Jin blushed. “Well when I told them it was for you, they all volunteered. You know how they love seeing me flustered over you. Evil people.” He beamed. “It was all worth it, though. You liked the food and you gained weight. Mission accomplished!”
Kazuya laughed. “Yes, yes. Super Jin saves the day. Here’s your reward.” He kissed Jin lightly on the lips.
That turned out to be a long make-out session but that’s not really that unexpected.
Kazuya hummed while preparing the ingredients of the curry he knew Jin loves.
Just then, his cellphone rang. He left the oil heating on a saucepan and went to fetch his phone. He beamed when Jin’s name flashed on the screen. “Hey honey.”
“Hi Kazu,” Jin greeted. “Are you still at the party?”
“Nope. Just arrived home, why?” He said, switching the phone to loudspeaker so he can continue cooking. He chopped the onions and added it into the saucepan.
“Oh. Isn’t it too early to leave?”
Kazuya shrugged even though Jin couldn’t see him. “I left early. I was hoping you could join me for dinner?” He started to sauté the onions.
“Oh. Listen Kazu, I’m so sorry but I don’t think I can come home early,” Jin said from the other line.
“Hmm? Overtime?” Kazuya guessed. “It’s all right, I’ll wait for you.”
“No Kazu. The thing is, Stephanie invited us for dinner at her apartment.”
Kazuya stilled, the spatula hanging mid-air. “Oh”
“I thought you’d still be with your friends so I told her I’ll go alone. Oh God, I’m so sorry hon. I really had no idea you’d go home so early. If you like, I can still cancel. I’ll call her right now-”
“It’s fine, Jin.” He placed the spatula at the sink and turned off the stove. No point in cooking for himself. He would rather just order dinner. “It would be rude to cancel right now. Just go.”
“But hon…”
Kazuya could hear the uncertainty in Jin’s voice even through the line.
“I’ll be fine on my own, Jin. Hug Eiji for me,” he smiled wistfully.
“I don’t know…Maybe you could come with me? I’ll pick you up,” Jin offered.
“It’s alright Jin. I’m a bit tired to go out. I’ll just see you later.”
“Okay. You rest well hon. I love you.”
“I love you too,” he said and made kissing noise.
Jin giggled at the other line. Yes, Jin giggles like a girl sometimes. But he only ever shows that side of him to Kazuya. “I love you, I love you, I love you!” He said in a sing-song voice.
Kazuya laughed. “Hon, put the phone down. You’re driving aren’t you?” Concern sobered his voice.
“But Kazuya, I wanna talk to you!”
“Yes, yes. Later, Jin. Byeeeee!” His laughter remained even when the call ended.
You adorable dork, he thought in amusement, picturing Jin’s face in his mind as he sat down again at the couch.
Images of Jin, Stephanie and Eiji eating together at one dining table - like one happy family - entered his mind. It taunted him and just to make the deal sweeter (note the sarcasm), he could hear that voice at the back of his mind. They all look good together, right? You’re the one who doesn’t belong.
But he pushed those thoughts aside. Jin belongs to him. Jin loves him. He would just have to trust those two things and hope that those will be enough.
------------------------
to be continued...
------------------------
I feel like I'm dragging this out. I'm so sorry but the pace is necessary for the build up to the climax. Just be patient guys okay? Arigatou gozaimasu!!!
Chapter 6
Author: isha_mabin
Pairing: AKAME, JinxOC
Rating: PG-15 - NC-17
Genre: Romance, AU, Angst
Disclaimer: I only own half of the plot and the original character Stephanie Jones, nothing (and no one) else
Summary: Everything was going well for Kazuya Akanishi. He had an awesome and drop-dead hot (not to mention rich) husband that loves him very much, supportive parents and equally supportive in-laws, crazy but otherwise loyal friends...and to top it off, he had just been promoted to being a director of the biggest interior design company in New York. His life was perfect. Until his husband's past came back to haunt them. And with this past, certain things are revealed and these things threatened to destroy the perfect life Kazuya thought he had.
A/N: Slightly longer chapter coz I love you guys! ^^
For those who haven't seen the trailer for this fic yet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUvpQKiZcQ8
I'm sorry the quality isn't that great. I forgot to set it to High Quality when I was uploading it to youtube. I might re-upload it when I have time though but for now, I'd be glad if you check it out ^^
And thanks to harajukyuu for the wonderful banner!!!
Previous Chapters: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4
CHAPTER 5:
"Um excuse me, can you tell me where Dr. Clarisse Stevens' clinic is?" Kazuya asked the nurse at the hospital lobby.
“Of course sir. Just take a left here and then walk straight down the hallway. Her clinic is the last door on the right."
"Thank you." He smiled at the nurse and took the direction she told him.
Indeed, at the end of the hallway was a door with a simple white card that had Dr. Stevens' name on it.
He knocked and then slowly pushed the door.
Stephanie was already there and a woman in a white lab gown was talking to her. Kazuya assumed that the woman in the lab gown was Dr. Stevens.
“Hi Stephanie,” he greeted politely.
“Hi Kazuya.”
“Where’s Eiji?” he asked curiously, roaming his eyes around the room.
“Luigi is taking care of him for a while,” Stephanie explained. “Kazuya, this is Dr. Clarisse Stevens.”
"Hello Mr. Akanishi, I'm Eiji's doctor." The woman looked behind him after shaking his hand. "Is your husband not with you?"
"Nice to meet you Dr. Stevens. I'm sorry but my husband can't make it today."
"Oh is that so? I had hoped he'd be here because we're going to talk about sensitive issues. But I guess it can't be helped. Anyway, I'm sure you'd be sensible enough to listen to whatever I'm going to say."
"Clarisse, why don't you let him sit first?" Stephanie interrupted.
"Oh I'm terribly sorry. Do sit down, Mr. Akanishi." Once Kazuya was seated, she also sat on her own chair. "Years in med school must have dulled my social skills."
Kazuya smiled a bit. "It's fine Dr. Stevens. And please do call me Kazuya. ‘Mr. Akanishi’ is too formal and would be too confusing if Jin is here."
"Very well, Kazuya." She looked at him and then at Stephanie. "I called you here because Eiji is not responding well to the treatments anymore. In the first place, the treatments are only temporary solutions. He needs a bone marrow transplant, like I've been telling Stephanie before."
"Um, what's the matter? Is it the money? If it is, then Jin and I are willing to pay for everything for Eiji to be cured." Kazuya meant what he said. Despite what his mother did and what he represented, Eiji was still an innocent child. He was never included in the adult's complicated situation and Kazuya never wished for the kid's misfortune.
"No. It's not the financial aspect that we should worry about. A bone marrow should be compatible to Eiji and well, I've checked Stephanie and she's not compatible. I was hoping that your husband would be a different story."
"And if he's not? If his bone marrow isn’t compatible with Eiji either…what happens then?"
Clarisse glanced at Stephanie briefly before answering Kazuya's inquiry. "Then Eiji would need a sibling to donate for him."
"What do you mean? Eiji doesn't have a sibling..." Kazuya asked, confused.
"Yes, I'm aware. That's why in the event that Jin is not a match for Eiji, he and Stephanie have to have another child."
------------------------
"You’re actually considering this?!" Koki didn’t care that they were in a party and his voice was a little louder than necessary.
Kazuya looked at Koki tiredly, "Considering isn’t the word Koki. We’ve already decided."
“Are you out of your mind?! That girl has enough hold on Jin as it is. Adding another child would just tip the scale more in her favor," Koki said. “Marriage is not enough of a guarantee these days. It isn’t as binding as it should be, especially here in New York. You know that!”
Kazuya only told the two of them about what he talked about with the doctor because he couldn’t keep it to himself anymore.
“Another child?” Kazuya took deep breaths. The doctor’s words shook him. “Why? Stephanie has a boyfriend.”
“Eiji’s sibling must have the same parents as he has. Otherwise, the chances are that child will not be a match to Eiji at all.”
“And what are our options? In vitro fertilization?” Kazuya nails dug on his palm in his effort to keep himself calm.
Dr. Stevens looked surprised that Kazuya knew about that procedure. “You’re well-informed.”
“A friend mentioned something like that to me before. I got curious so I looked it up.”
“I assume you know how that works then?” Dr. Stevens asked.
Kazuya nodded. “Yes. So I’m right? That would be the option?”
“Hopefully,” Dr. Stevens confirmed.
“And what happens if the in vitro fails?” Kazuya didn’t want to ask but it’s better to lay out all the cards in the open.
“Then they have to do it the natural way.” Dr. Stevens shrugged and smiled.
It’s been a month since he last visited Eiji’s doctor alone and after undergoing some test, it was found out that Jin’s bone marrow wasn’t compatible with Eiji.
They had no choice but to try the invitro. Even if that would mean Jin would again have another child out of wedlock, a child with Jin’s ex, another child that would remind Kazuya everyday of Jin’s infidelity.
“You’re asking for trouble, Kazuya,” Rino, Koki’s cousin who’s also Kazuya’s friend, cautioned.
“How can I say no? Can I say no to a mother with a dying child? And what about Jin? Can I ignore the fact that he wants a child of his own?"
Kazuya turned away from his friends and stared the other guests in the party without really seeing them. He was thinking about Jin, about all the times friends or acquaintances would talk about their children and he would see the envy in Jin’s eyes.
“He’s happy when he’s with kids,” Kazuya added, placing the plate on the table. He lost his appetite.
Even now if he closed his eyes, he could see clearly all those times Jin would play with his or Kazuya’s nephews and nieces, those times Jin played with Eiji. Jin looked like a dedicated father and not only once did Kazuya think Jin was suited to be a father.
He looked back and something in his eyes must have affected his friends because they were both quiet. “I can’t give him that.” He smiled at Koki although he knew it was tinged with sadness. “I can’t give him children so the least I could do is be supportive of the child he does have today and the child he will have in the future.”
“Kazuya…” Koki was worried.
Kazuya looked strong but Koki knew he was only trying to be that way. When his friend loves, he loves wholeheartedly, all-out, without leaving anything for himself. It was one of the things why everyone who is close to Kazuya tends to cherish him. It was only fair for them to at least try to match what Kazuya was willing to do and give for them.
“Oh I think I have to go.” Kazuya excused himself. “You guys stay here and enjoy okay?”
“Huh? But it’s still earl-ow!” Rino glared at Koki who had elbowed him.
Koki glared back at his cousin pointedly before smiling at Kazuya. “Yeah, we’ll enjoy ourselves. You go ahead. Say hi to Jin for us.”
Kazuya saluted. “Sure thing.”
Once he was home, he sat on the couch and leaned back. A glance at the clock told him that it was indeed still a bit early.
But Jin will be home in an hour.
A smile crept to his face as he thought of an idea. He padded to the kitchen and checked the contents of the refrigerator. It’s been a while since he cooked for Jin because Jin always wanted to show off his culinary skills.
Or so he says but I’ll be willing to bet that he just wants to make sure I’ll eat.
He chuckled as he remembered Jin convincing him to eat more.
“Why won’t you eat? This curry you made is so good!” Jin said in between mouthful of curry rice.
“I already ate,” Kazuya said, watching his husband stuff down the food like its water. It’s really quite endearing.
“Yeah, four spoonful.” Jin chewed the food in his mouth thoughtfully. “Did you put poison in this?”
Kazuya frowned. “Of course not. Why would I do that?”
“Then why won’t you eat?!”Jin exclaimed, pouting.
Kazuya laughed and wiped away the sauce on Jin’s cheek. “I just don’t like eating what I cooked. It’s weird, I know but…that’s just how I am.”
Jin looked thoughtful for a while before grinning widely. “I know! I’ll cook from now on! You won’t be so cruel as to reject what I will make, right?”
“Uh…Jin, you only know how to cook pasta…” Kazuya reminded him.
“I can learn. It’s going to be fun.”
Kazuya shook his head, his lips lifting up at the corners. “You’re hopeless.”
Since then, Jin had created meal after meal and presented it to Kazuya. Most of them were good and Kazuya was surprised because even he wasn’t that good on his first try at cooking.
Eventually he learned that Jin had been asking his employee to sample his cooking and basically demanded for them to evaluate and critique the food honestly so that he can redo the bad ones.
“And your employees actually agreed to be your guinea pigs?” Kazuya asked, amused.
Jin blushed. “Well when I told them it was for you, they all volunteered. You know how they love seeing me flustered over you. Evil people.” He beamed. “It was all worth it, though. You liked the food and you gained weight. Mission accomplished!”
Kazuya laughed. “Yes, yes. Super Jin saves the day. Here’s your reward.” He kissed Jin lightly on the lips.
That turned out to be a long make-out session but that’s not really that unexpected.
Kazuya hummed while preparing the ingredients of the curry he knew Jin loves.
Just then, his cellphone rang. He left the oil heating on a saucepan and went to fetch his phone. He beamed when Jin’s name flashed on the screen. “Hey honey.”
“Hi Kazu,” Jin greeted. “Are you still at the party?”
“Nope. Just arrived home, why?” He said, switching the phone to loudspeaker so he can continue cooking. He chopped the onions and added it into the saucepan.
“Oh. Isn’t it too early to leave?”
Kazuya shrugged even though Jin couldn’t see him. “I left early. I was hoping you could join me for dinner?” He started to sauté the onions.
“Oh. Listen Kazu, I’m so sorry but I don’t think I can come home early,” Jin said from the other line.
“Hmm? Overtime?” Kazuya guessed. “It’s all right, I’ll wait for you.”
“No Kazu. The thing is, Stephanie invited us for dinner at her apartment.”
Kazuya stilled, the spatula hanging mid-air. “Oh”
“I thought you’d still be with your friends so I told her I’ll go alone. Oh God, I’m so sorry hon. I really had no idea you’d go home so early. If you like, I can still cancel. I’ll call her right now-”
“It’s fine, Jin.” He placed the spatula at the sink and turned off the stove. No point in cooking for himself. He would rather just order dinner. “It would be rude to cancel right now. Just go.”
“But hon…”
Kazuya could hear the uncertainty in Jin’s voice even through the line.
“I’ll be fine on my own, Jin. Hug Eiji for me,” he smiled wistfully.
“I don’t know…Maybe you could come with me? I’ll pick you up,” Jin offered.
“It’s alright Jin. I’m a bit tired to go out. I’ll just see you later.”
“Okay. You rest well hon. I love you.”
“I love you too,” he said and made kissing noise.
Jin giggled at the other line. Yes, Jin giggles like a girl sometimes. But he only ever shows that side of him to Kazuya. “I love you, I love you, I love you!” He said in a sing-song voice.
Kazuya laughed. “Hon, put the phone down. You’re driving aren’t you?” Concern sobered his voice.
“But Kazuya, I wanna talk to you!”
“Yes, yes. Later, Jin. Byeeeee!” His laughter remained even when the call ended.
You adorable dork, he thought in amusement, picturing Jin’s face in his mind as he sat down again at the couch.
Images of Jin, Stephanie and Eiji eating together at one dining table - like one happy family - entered his mind. It taunted him and just to make the deal sweeter (note the sarcasm), he could hear that voice at the back of his mind. They all look good together, right? You’re the one who doesn’t belong.
But he pushed those thoughts aside. Jin belongs to him. Jin loves him. He would just have to trust those two things and hope that those will be enough.
------------------------
to be continued...
------------------------
I feel like I'm dragging this out. I'm so sorry but the pace is necessary for the build up to the climax. Just be patient guys okay? Arigatou gozaimasu!!!
Chapter 6