[FIC] One More Try: Chapter 12
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: Late upload, I know. I got sick :( I'm really really sorry for making you guys wait though. I hope you like this chapter...
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, Cahpter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11
Chapter 12:
“What is this?” Jin glared at the documents in front of him.
“Divorce papers,” Kazuya said calmly. Inside though, he was anything but calm. He gripped Pi’s hand tightly, drawing strength from the other.
“You disappear for two years, cut me off your life and now that you’re back, this is the first thing you do? Divorce me? What the hell, Kazuya?!” Jin fumed. His anger was instantaneous. He nearly bolted out of the door the moment his secretary told him who was waiting for him. He thought, finally, finally Kazuya came back! Only to be crushed when the first thing that came out of Kazuya was ‘I want a divorce’.
“Jin, just accept that this is the end for us. Our marriage was on the rocks even before I left,” Kazuya explained. “Be glad that I even had the decency to talk to you about this in person. Most people would have let their lawyers handle this.”
“So you expect me to actually be grateful to you for doing this? Wow Kazuya, why don’t we pop champagne while we’re at it?” Jin said sarcastically.
Kazuya quietly sighed and Pi did not miss the action. He squeezed Kazuya’s hand, silently offering encouragement.
“Spare us both a headache and just sign Jin,” Kazuya said, bravely meeting Jin’s eyes.
“No. I won’t sign that,” Jin said stubbornly.
“Very well. This is the last time I’m talking to you. You’ll have to talk to my attorney then. Pi, let’s go.” Kazuya stood up and showed himself out the door.
Pi followed after him. He was stopped however by Jin’s words.
“I trusted you Pi.”
Pi stopped in his tracks.
“Don’t think I didn’t notice the two of you holding hands. How long has this affair been going on?” Jin asked with thinly-veiled anger.
“You lost the right to ask that the moment you abandoned him,” Pi said.
Jin felt a vein throb in his head. “Fuck you! I didn’t abandon him! He disappeared on me!”
Pi regarded him seriously. “And whose fault do you think that is?”
He couldn’t answer that. He knew it was him. He was the reason why Kazuya left and he was probably the reason he didn’t come back. Because of that, he said nothing and could only watch as Pi left.
~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~
“Are you alright?” Pi asked Kazuya when he caught up to him at the car.
Kazuya stared at his hands which were still shaking until now. He thought the scariest thing he had to go through was what happened two years ago the night he tried to chase after Jin.
He remembered it all. He remembered the fear, the panic…
They were chasing him! He needed to escape!
“My vision is…blurring.” He rubbed his eyes and continued running. He needed to get away!
“Come on princess, why don’t you play with us for a while?”
“Leave me alone!” Why? Why couldn’t they just leave him be?
“Why should we? We’ve got wonderful cocks. You’re so girly, I bet you love it up the ass!”
The tattooed bald guy caught up to Kazuya and smirked. His comrades laughed and cheered as he pinned his prey on the floor.
Kazuya trashed and tried to kick the man on top of him. His pride wouldn’t let him take this without a fight. Despite the alcohol in his system, Kazuya managed to tug his hand away from the man’s grip. He immediately punched him on his face. His fist connected with the man’s nose and he heard a resounding crack.
The man stumbled back, screaming as he held his bleeding nose.
“Boss!” One of the leader’s men snarled. “You bitch! How dare you-”
The boss’ laugh stopped him however. “You’re a feisty one, aren’t you?” He stood up and glared at Kazuya as he wiped the blood from his face. “I was thinking of having you for myself but since you’re obviously so energetic…” His smile was full of malice as he glanced at his underlings.
The other men snickered. “I bet his hole can take us all, boss.”
“Definitely.” The boss sneered. “Isn’t that right sweetheart?” He punched Kazuya’s stomach and pinned him on the floor once again, ripping his pants off with a blade.
“No! Stop it! Jin! Jin, save me! Save me!”
He shuddered at the memory. That night…it was a nightmare. A nightmare that was replayed to him in his mind even when he’s not sleeping, often leaving him gasping like a drowning man.
But today, it was equally hard to breathe as he looked at Jin and realized that despite the years apart, he could still read Jin like an open book. Even now, he could recognize the concern that went beyond Jin’s anger. It was unsettling because despite his best denial, he couldn’t help but think that maybe the real reason he talked to Jin in person was because he wanted to see that concern shine in his eyes.
“Kazuya?”
“I’ll be alright,” he reassured Pi. “Let’s go?”
Pi nodded and said nothing but in his head, he could see the moment he received a call from an unknown number, two years ago.
Pi stared at his cellphone curiously when the device flashed an incoming call the moment he arrived in New York. The number was unregistered. Usually, he doesn’t answer unknown numbers to avoid trouble. After all, he is a young, attractive bar owner. He’s had offers from different kinds of customers who managed to obtain his number and those calls could get nasty. So he tends to avoid it altogether. Now however, it didn’t feel right to ignore this call. So being the man who never ignores his gut feel, he answered the call.
“Hello?”
“Good evening Sir. I am Nurse Alicia Collins from Monroe General Hospital. Am I speaking to Mr. Tomohisa Yamashita?”
“Yes this is he. What can I do for you Nurse Collins?”
“Sir, please do not be alarmed but your friend Kazuya Akanishi has been admitted due to several injuries. He listed you in his immediate contacts so we would appreciate it if you could go here and-”
“I’ll be there,” he cut in, terribly worried about his friend’s condition.
He must have yelled at the cab driver to speed up several times in his haste to get to Kazuya.
When he reached Monroe General Hospital, the nurse explained to him what happened. Apparently, the police called because they found Kazuya in some alleyway almost unconscious, beaten up and his clothes ripped. They took him to the hospital where they asked him for his immediate relatives. Even in his battered state, Kazuya didn’t want his parents to know what happened so he gave them Jin’s number but his phone couldn’t be reached. After that, he gave them Pi’s number.
It broke Pi’s heart to hear Kazuya scream and freak out the moment the doctor tended to him. The medical professionals had to restrain him so they could treat his wounds. He was crying the whole time and he kept calling Jin’s name. He was hysterical and with the danger of him reopening his wounds if he moved too much, the doctor decided to inject him with a tranquilizer. Kazuya’s tear-drenched eyes slowly closed and his breathing evened out as he was lulled into sleep by the medicine in his system.
After that, Pi decided to take Kazuya with him to L.A. for psychiatric treatment. Fortunately, his sister is a good psychiatrist there and he had already called her and told her about the situation.
The only one who knew about what really happened to Kazuya and where he was going was Tatsuya.
“I think this is the first time we met,” Pi said as he talked to Kazuya’s childhood friend. “It’s just fate’s cruelty that we had to meet in this circumstance.” He glanced at the silent Kazuya.
“Yeah. It would have probably been for the best that he didn’t call me when he was in the hospital though.” Tatsuya followed Pi’s gaze. “Even now I have the urge to kill the bastards who did this and to beat the hell out of Jin who let it happen in the first place.”
“That won’t help and you know it. For now, I’m taking Kazuya to my sister. She’s a psychiatrist in LA. It would probably be better for Kazuya if he’s not here to be reminded of the incident while he’s still healing,” Pi explained. “But I think he doesn’t want to tell his parents what happened. Could you lie for him?”
Tatsuya nodded. “I’ll tell them Kazuya is having a soul-searching vacation and must not be disturbed. It’s not far from the truth and he’s that kind of guy anyway so I think they’ll believe me.” He paused and brushed Kazuya’s hair, not minding the younger’s flinch at the touch. “Take care of him, Pi. I’ll visit frequently there.”
Since then, Pi took care of Kazuya. They lived in the same house and Pi watched Kazuya like a hawk. Kazuya looked so fragile…so near breaking point that Pi was alarmed. So he made sure to give him lots of attention and affection, like his sister suggested.
“Let him know that he is still needed, that he is that same wonderful man he was before the incident. Let him know that he’s not alone and you don’t even have to make it verbal,” Pi’s sister had said.
Naturally, people thought Pi was Kazuya’s lover, with the way he was always hugging Kazuya or holding his hand but Pi and Kazuya both knew the real score. They were both just friends. Kazuya needed support so Pi was giving to him and if the whole world thought bad of it then they could go to hell for all Pi cared. They hadn’t suffered like Kazuya did.
~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~
“Daddy, are you okay?”
Jin smiled at Eiji reassuringly. He visited his son today in the hospital as per his routine.
Beside the little boy, Jin’s 15 months old daughter was blinking at him. “Dada!”
A few months after Kazuya left that fateful night, Stephanie told him he was going to be a father again. He visited often starting that day - to check up on Eiji and also to help Stephanie on her pregnancy. Thankfully, Stephanie had gotten back with Luigi and the man was graciously looking out for her.
Jin was there when Stephanie gave birth to a baby girl whom he named Miyuki. 13 months later, Miyuki’s bone marrow was donated to Eiji. Thanks to that, Eiji is now recovering and showing drastic improvement. The doctor said it won’t be long before he can be fully healed. Miyuki too is okay. She was a happy, bouncy kid and having surgery at an early age didn’t change that.
Eiji was okay. Miyuki was okay. He was grateful for that. But sometimes he would find himself selfishly wishing that Kazuya could spend time with Eiji again and also meet Miyuki. Eiji had really liked Kazuya and the boy would often wonder where ‘Uncle Kazu’ was. Jin used to wonder why Eiji was so attached to Kazuya but then he remembered Kazuya had always been kind to the boy.
Only recently did Jin fully realize how hard it was for Kazuya to even smile at Eiji. But Kazuya did all that and more. Jin’s husband has a wonderful heart. And he was a fool for breaking it. Now he’s suffering the ultimate price - Kazuya was leaving him.
“Daddy?”
“Huh? Oh yes of course. I’m fine. However you two should be taking a nap.” He smiled at his two lovely children.
“But Daddy, we want a bedtime story.”
“A bedtime story? But it’s just an afternoon nap. Shouldn’t bedtime stories be at night?”
“Bedtime story,” Eiji insisted.
Miyuki clapped in agreement.
“Alright, alright. Here it goes…” Jin sat next to the children. “Once upon a time a person was split by the Gods in half and thus he became two persons - the Left and the Right... The Left part wanted shiny things so he collected them and the Right part let him. But one day Left part saw a huge shiny pendant with a shiny chain. He couldn’t carry it alone so he asked Right part if they could share the necklace. ‘We’ll place it around both of our necks!’ he said. At first Right part refused but once he saw how sad Left part is, he agreed eventually. But it became too much. The necklace was too heavy, too painful on their necks but Left part always wanted a necklace like that - it was his dream since very young. Right part told him ‘you have to carry it around your neck yourself but I will hold it from time to time so you won’t get tired’. Left part got angry and told him ‘that is not enough!’ Right part then said, ‘would you prefer if I leave?’ In a fit of anger Left part said, ‘fine. Leave!’ He didn’t mean it but it was too late. Right part went away. And never came back.” Jin stopped.
He had just realized that his story was a reflection of what was happening with him and Kazuya. He asked Kazuya to carry a burden that was too heavy and when Kazuya refused to see it in his way, Jin had lashed on him. Like a fool, he had done and said things that were unforgivable. And because of that, Kazuya left - both literally and emotionally.
“Then what happened, Daddy?” Eiji nudged Jin impatiently.
Jin’s gaze was far away as he said, “Left part became so lonely, so very lonely because he lost the one thing that could ever matter to him… He lost the one thing that could ever make him whole.”
“But Daddy if Right part went away, can’t Left part search for him? Why is Left part just waiting?” Eiji asked like it was the easiest solution and Jin was dumb for not thinking of it.
“Eiji, you’re a genius! Left part should search for his other half! He shouldn’t give up right? Yes, that’s what he’ll do!” Jin kissed his son’s forehead. “Now go to sleep. Your sister didn’t even last half the story and already doze off. You should too.” He stroked Eiji’s hair until the boy fell asleep before slowly leaving the bed and the room.
Outside, Stephanie was just walking towards the room to check on them.
“The kids are asleep,” Jin informed. “Anyway, I’ve got to go.”
“Wait Jin. Um listen, Luigi and I have been thinking of going back to LA when Eiji and Miyuki’s condition becomes okay. I know it’s far from here but that doesn’t mean I’m taking the kids away from you. No matter what, you’re still their dad.”
“But I won’t be able to see them regularly if you moved away. I only just made up with all the times I wasn’t there on Eiji life. And how about Miyuki? Am I going out to miss out on her childhood too?”
“No, of course not Jin. This time, you know where to find us. I just think it’s better for all of us if we leave.” Stephanie looked at him emphatically. “I know you’re torn between your kids and Kazuya. Go to him, Jin. You both deserve a happy ending. And don’t worry about Eiji and Miyuki. You won’t lose them. I swear you won’t lose them.”
“Thanks Stephanie. And you deserve a happy ending too. If Luigi’s the guy you share that happy ending with then he’s one lucky guy,” He smiled good naturedly. “Hey, I gotta go. There’s someone I need to talk to. Wish me luck,” He said and hurried away, his steps light with hope.
~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~
“What are you doing here?”
Jin smiled at Kazuya. “I brought you some food.” He lifted the container he was holding. “You look so skinny. I bet you’re skipping meals again aren’t you? I told you Kazuya, that’s not good for your health.”
Kazuya frowned. “Jin, we’re going to divorce. Why the hell are you acting like this?”
Jin stiffened but immediately smiled again. “So, can I come in?”
“No!” Kazuya massaged his temples.
Jin shrugged. “Well then, you just have to eat this lasagna out here in the porch. Good thing I came prepared.” Jin opened the container and showed the lasagna as well as the spoon inside. He beamed and extended the container to Kazuya. “Here, have a taste. I-”
Kazuya tossed the entire thing aside.
“-made it myself,” Jin finished. He watched the food that he had spent hours on making and perfecting splattered on the ground. His heart stung with Kazuya’s rejection but he determinedly put on a smile again when he raised his head. “Ah you don’t like lasagna?”
“It’s you I don’t like here. Go play games with someone else Jin.” He slammed the door shut in Jin’s face.
Jin looked at the closed door and his shoulders slumped in dejection. He came here however with the full knowledge that winning Kazuya back was never going to be easy so he wasn’t about to give up with just thrown food and slammed doors. No, it would take a hell lot more to keep a guy like Jin Akanishi from his husband.
So what if he slammed the door shut in my face? Next time, I’m sure it would be different.
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to be continued...
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Operation ‘Win Kazuya back’ just officially started folks! Hmm, it might actually be kind of fun, in a sadistic kind of way *gets bricked*. Anyway, I know things aren’t perking up but be patient with me and this fic okay?
PS. I hope I was able to answer your questions last chapter. ^^
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: Late upload, I know. I got sick :( I'm really really sorry for making you guys wait though. I hope you like this chapter...
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, Cahpter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11
Chapter 12:
“What is this?” Jin glared at the documents in front of him.
“Divorce papers,” Kazuya said calmly. Inside though, he was anything but calm. He gripped Pi’s hand tightly, drawing strength from the other.
“You disappear for two years, cut me off your life and now that you’re back, this is the first thing you do? Divorce me? What the hell, Kazuya?!” Jin fumed. His anger was instantaneous. He nearly bolted out of the door the moment his secretary told him who was waiting for him. He thought, finally, finally Kazuya came back! Only to be crushed when the first thing that came out of Kazuya was ‘I want a divorce’.
“Jin, just accept that this is the end for us. Our marriage was on the rocks even before I left,” Kazuya explained. “Be glad that I even had the decency to talk to you about this in person. Most people would have let their lawyers handle this.”
“So you expect me to actually be grateful to you for doing this? Wow Kazuya, why don’t we pop champagne while we’re at it?” Jin said sarcastically.
Kazuya quietly sighed and Pi did not miss the action. He squeezed Kazuya’s hand, silently offering encouragement.
“Spare us both a headache and just sign Jin,” Kazuya said, bravely meeting Jin’s eyes.
“No. I won’t sign that,” Jin said stubbornly.
“Very well. This is the last time I’m talking to you. You’ll have to talk to my attorney then. Pi, let’s go.” Kazuya stood up and showed himself out the door.
Pi followed after him. He was stopped however by Jin’s words.
“I trusted you Pi.”
Pi stopped in his tracks.
“Don’t think I didn’t notice the two of you holding hands. How long has this affair been going on?” Jin asked with thinly-veiled anger.
“You lost the right to ask that the moment you abandoned him,” Pi said.
Jin felt a vein throb in his head. “Fuck you! I didn’t abandon him! He disappeared on me!”
Pi regarded him seriously. “And whose fault do you think that is?”
He couldn’t answer that. He knew it was him. He was the reason why Kazuya left and he was probably the reason he didn’t come back. Because of that, he said nothing and could only watch as Pi left.
~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~
“Are you alright?” Pi asked Kazuya when he caught up to him at the car.
Kazuya stared at his hands which were still shaking until now. He thought the scariest thing he had to go through was what happened two years ago the night he tried to chase after Jin.
He remembered it all. He remembered the fear, the panic…
They were chasing him! He needed to escape!
“My vision is…blurring.” He rubbed his eyes and continued running. He needed to get away!
“Come on princess, why don’t you play with us for a while?”
“Leave me alone!” Why? Why couldn’t they just leave him be?
“Why should we? We’ve got wonderful cocks. You’re so girly, I bet you love it up the ass!”
The tattooed bald guy caught up to Kazuya and smirked. His comrades laughed and cheered as he pinned his prey on the floor.
Kazuya trashed and tried to kick the man on top of him. His pride wouldn’t let him take this without a fight. Despite the alcohol in his system, Kazuya managed to tug his hand away from the man’s grip. He immediately punched him on his face. His fist connected with the man’s nose and he heard a resounding crack.
The man stumbled back, screaming as he held his bleeding nose.
“Boss!” One of the leader’s men snarled. “You bitch! How dare you-”
The boss’ laugh stopped him however. “You’re a feisty one, aren’t you?” He stood up and glared at Kazuya as he wiped the blood from his face. “I was thinking of having you for myself but since you’re obviously so energetic…” His smile was full of malice as he glanced at his underlings.
The other men snickered. “I bet his hole can take us all, boss.”
“Definitely.” The boss sneered. “Isn’t that right sweetheart?” He punched Kazuya’s stomach and pinned him on the floor once again, ripping his pants off with a blade.
“No! Stop it! Jin! Jin, save me! Save me!”
He shuddered at the memory. That night…it was a nightmare. A nightmare that was replayed to him in his mind even when he’s not sleeping, often leaving him gasping like a drowning man.
But today, it was equally hard to breathe as he looked at Jin and realized that despite the years apart, he could still read Jin like an open book. Even now, he could recognize the concern that went beyond Jin’s anger. It was unsettling because despite his best denial, he couldn’t help but think that maybe the real reason he talked to Jin in person was because he wanted to see that concern shine in his eyes.
“Kazuya?”
“I’ll be alright,” he reassured Pi. “Let’s go?”
Pi nodded and said nothing but in his head, he could see the moment he received a call from an unknown number, two years ago.
Pi stared at his cellphone curiously when the device flashed an incoming call the moment he arrived in New York. The number was unregistered. Usually, he doesn’t answer unknown numbers to avoid trouble. After all, he is a young, attractive bar owner. He’s had offers from different kinds of customers who managed to obtain his number and those calls could get nasty. So he tends to avoid it altogether. Now however, it didn’t feel right to ignore this call. So being the man who never ignores his gut feel, he answered the call.
“Hello?”
“Good evening Sir. I am Nurse Alicia Collins from Monroe General Hospital. Am I speaking to Mr. Tomohisa Yamashita?”
“Yes this is he. What can I do for you Nurse Collins?”
“Sir, please do not be alarmed but your friend Kazuya Akanishi has been admitted due to several injuries. He listed you in his immediate contacts so we would appreciate it if you could go here and-”
“I’ll be there,” he cut in, terribly worried about his friend’s condition.
He must have yelled at the cab driver to speed up several times in his haste to get to Kazuya.
When he reached Monroe General Hospital, the nurse explained to him what happened. Apparently, the police called because they found Kazuya in some alleyway almost unconscious, beaten up and his clothes ripped. They took him to the hospital where they asked him for his immediate relatives. Even in his battered state, Kazuya didn’t want his parents to know what happened so he gave them Jin’s number but his phone couldn’t be reached. After that, he gave them Pi’s number.
It broke Pi’s heart to hear Kazuya scream and freak out the moment the doctor tended to him. The medical professionals had to restrain him so they could treat his wounds. He was crying the whole time and he kept calling Jin’s name. He was hysterical and with the danger of him reopening his wounds if he moved too much, the doctor decided to inject him with a tranquilizer. Kazuya’s tear-drenched eyes slowly closed and his breathing evened out as he was lulled into sleep by the medicine in his system.
After that, Pi decided to take Kazuya with him to L.A. for psychiatric treatment. Fortunately, his sister is a good psychiatrist there and he had already called her and told her about the situation.
The only one who knew about what really happened to Kazuya and where he was going was Tatsuya.
“I think this is the first time we met,” Pi said as he talked to Kazuya’s childhood friend. “It’s just fate’s cruelty that we had to meet in this circumstance.” He glanced at the silent Kazuya.
“Yeah. It would have probably been for the best that he didn’t call me when he was in the hospital though.” Tatsuya followed Pi’s gaze. “Even now I have the urge to kill the bastards who did this and to beat the hell out of Jin who let it happen in the first place.”
“That won’t help and you know it. For now, I’m taking Kazuya to my sister. She’s a psychiatrist in LA. It would probably be better for Kazuya if he’s not here to be reminded of the incident while he’s still healing,” Pi explained. “But I think he doesn’t want to tell his parents what happened. Could you lie for him?”
Tatsuya nodded. “I’ll tell them Kazuya is having a soul-searching vacation and must not be disturbed. It’s not far from the truth and he’s that kind of guy anyway so I think they’ll believe me.” He paused and brushed Kazuya’s hair, not minding the younger’s flinch at the touch. “Take care of him, Pi. I’ll visit frequently there.”
Since then, Pi took care of Kazuya. They lived in the same house and Pi watched Kazuya like a hawk. Kazuya looked so fragile…so near breaking point that Pi was alarmed. So he made sure to give him lots of attention and affection, like his sister suggested.
“Let him know that he is still needed, that he is that same wonderful man he was before the incident. Let him know that he’s not alone and you don’t even have to make it verbal,” Pi’s sister had said.
Naturally, people thought Pi was Kazuya’s lover, with the way he was always hugging Kazuya or holding his hand but Pi and Kazuya both knew the real score. They were both just friends. Kazuya needed support so Pi was giving to him and if the whole world thought bad of it then they could go to hell for all Pi cared. They hadn’t suffered like Kazuya did.
~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~
“Daddy, are you okay?”
Jin smiled at Eiji reassuringly. He visited his son today in the hospital as per his routine.
Beside the little boy, Jin’s 15 months old daughter was blinking at him. “Dada!”
A few months after Kazuya left that fateful night, Stephanie told him he was going to be a father again. He visited often starting that day - to check up on Eiji and also to help Stephanie on her pregnancy. Thankfully, Stephanie had gotten back with Luigi and the man was graciously looking out for her.
Jin was there when Stephanie gave birth to a baby girl whom he named Miyuki. 13 months later, Miyuki’s bone marrow was donated to Eiji. Thanks to that, Eiji is now recovering and showing drastic improvement. The doctor said it won’t be long before he can be fully healed. Miyuki too is okay. She was a happy, bouncy kid and having surgery at an early age didn’t change that.
Eiji was okay. Miyuki was okay. He was grateful for that. But sometimes he would find himself selfishly wishing that Kazuya could spend time with Eiji again and also meet Miyuki. Eiji had really liked Kazuya and the boy would often wonder where ‘Uncle Kazu’ was. Jin used to wonder why Eiji was so attached to Kazuya but then he remembered Kazuya had always been kind to the boy.
Only recently did Jin fully realize how hard it was for Kazuya to even smile at Eiji. But Kazuya did all that and more. Jin’s husband has a wonderful heart. And he was a fool for breaking it. Now he’s suffering the ultimate price - Kazuya was leaving him.
“Daddy?”
“Huh? Oh yes of course. I’m fine. However you two should be taking a nap.” He smiled at his two lovely children.
“But Daddy, we want a bedtime story.”
“A bedtime story? But it’s just an afternoon nap. Shouldn’t bedtime stories be at night?”
“Bedtime story,” Eiji insisted.
Miyuki clapped in agreement.
“Alright, alright. Here it goes…” Jin sat next to the children. “Once upon a time a person was split by the Gods in half and thus he became two persons - the Left and the Right... The Left part wanted shiny things so he collected them and the Right part let him. But one day Left part saw a huge shiny pendant with a shiny chain. He couldn’t carry it alone so he asked Right part if they could share the necklace. ‘We’ll place it around both of our necks!’ he said. At first Right part refused but once he saw how sad Left part is, he agreed eventually. But it became too much. The necklace was too heavy, too painful on their necks but Left part always wanted a necklace like that - it was his dream since very young. Right part told him ‘you have to carry it around your neck yourself but I will hold it from time to time so you won’t get tired’. Left part got angry and told him ‘that is not enough!’ Right part then said, ‘would you prefer if I leave?’ In a fit of anger Left part said, ‘fine. Leave!’ He didn’t mean it but it was too late. Right part went away. And never came back.” Jin stopped.
He had just realized that his story was a reflection of what was happening with him and Kazuya. He asked Kazuya to carry a burden that was too heavy and when Kazuya refused to see it in his way, Jin had lashed on him. Like a fool, he had done and said things that were unforgivable. And because of that, Kazuya left - both literally and emotionally.
“Then what happened, Daddy?” Eiji nudged Jin impatiently.
Jin’s gaze was far away as he said, “Left part became so lonely, so very lonely because he lost the one thing that could ever matter to him… He lost the one thing that could ever make him whole.”
“But Daddy if Right part went away, can’t Left part search for him? Why is Left part just waiting?” Eiji asked like it was the easiest solution and Jin was dumb for not thinking of it.
“Eiji, you’re a genius! Left part should search for his other half! He shouldn’t give up right? Yes, that’s what he’ll do!” Jin kissed his son’s forehead. “Now go to sleep. Your sister didn’t even last half the story and already doze off. You should too.” He stroked Eiji’s hair until the boy fell asleep before slowly leaving the bed and the room.
Outside, Stephanie was just walking towards the room to check on them.
“The kids are asleep,” Jin informed. “Anyway, I’ve got to go.”
“Wait Jin. Um listen, Luigi and I have been thinking of going back to LA when Eiji and Miyuki’s condition becomes okay. I know it’s far from here but that doesn’t mean I’m taking the kids away from you. No matter what, you’re still their dad.”
“But I won’t be able to see them regularly if you moved away. I only just made up with all the times I wasn’t there on Eiji life. And how about Miyuki? Am I going out to miss out on her childhood too?”
“No, of course not Jin. This time, you know where to find us. I just think it’s better for all of us if we leave.” Stephanie looked at him emphatically. “I know you’re torn between your kids and Kazuya. Go to him, Jin. You both deserve a happy ending. And don’t worry about Eiji and Miyuki. You won’t lose them. I swear you won’t lose them.”
“Thanks Stephanie. And you deserve a happy ending too. If Luigi’s the guy you share that happy ending with then he’s one lucky guy,” He smiled good naturedly. “Hey, I gotta go. There’s someone I need to talk to. Wish me luck,” He said and hurried away, his steps light with hope.
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“What are you doing here?”
Jin smiled at Kazuya. “I brought you some food.” He lifted the container he was holding. “You look so skinny. I bet you’re skipping meals again aren’t you? I told you Kazuya, that’s not good for your health.”
Kazuya frowned. “Jin, we’re going to divorce. Why the hell are you acting like this?”
Jin stiffened but immediately smiled again. “So, can I come in?”
“No!” Kazuya massaged his temples.
Jin shrugged. “Well then, you just have to eat this lasagna out here in the porch. Good thing I came prepared.” Jin opened the container and showed the lasagna as well as the spoon inside. He beamed and extended the container to Kazuya. “Here, have a taste. I-”
Kazuya tossed the entire thing aside.
“-made it myself,” Jin finished. He watched the food that he had spent hours on making and perfecting splattered on the ground. His heart stung with Kazuya’s rejection but he determinedly put on a smile again when he raised his head. “Ah you don’t like lasagna?”
“It’s you I don’t like here. Go play games with someone else Jin.” He slammed the door shut in Jin’s face.
Jin looked at the closed door and his shoulders slumped in dejection. He came here however with the full knowledge that winning Kazuya back was never going to be easy so he wasn’t about to give up with just thrown food and slammed doors. No, it would take a hell lot more to keep a guy like Jin Akanishi from his husband.
So what if he slammed the door shut in my face? Next time, I’m sure it would be different.
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to be continued...
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Operation ‘Win Kazuya back’ just officially started folks! Hmm, it might actually be kind of fun, in a sadistic kind of way *gets bricked*. Anyway, I know things aren’t perking up but be patient with me and this fic okay?
PS. I hope I was able to answer your questions last chapter. ^^