[FIC] One More Try: Chapter 15
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: This is the final chapter and I'm a wreck. I cant believe this fic is over. I really, really love this fic you know? And I'm not saying that because I'm the writer. Of all my fcs, this one is my favorite because I really poured all my heart into this. I'm glad of how this fic turned out and I'm glad I didn't rush it. Hope you all enjoyed this journey with me.
For those who haven't seen the trailer for this fic yet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUvpQKiZcQ8
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, Chapter 13, Chapter 14
Chapter 15:
“I’m surprised you two don’t want to interfere.”
Tatsuya looked up from his laptop and saw Maru leaning sideways on the doorframe, his arms crossed. “That pose doesn’t suit you,” he said automatically.
Junno, who was right behind Maru, laughed. “Good comeback Tatsuya!”
Koki ignored the three of them and continued what he was doing since he arrived in Tatsuya’s office - glaring at the glass wall of Tatsuya’s office.
Maru cleared his throat and straightened. “You didn’t answer my question.”
Tatsuya shrugged. “Let them handle it. It’s their marriage. We’ve meddled enough.”
“This coming from the guy who beat up Jin. You didn’t even include me! I wanted to release some of my anger, you know.” Koki scowled.
“Believe me Koki I’ve done enough anger-releasing on him to last a lifetime.” Tatsuya winced. “Maybe a little too much.”
“Oh. So Koki wants to meddle but you’re restraining him here?” Maru deduced.
“Pretty much,” Tatsuya replied.
“But this isn’t just a petty lover’s spat,” Koki said, annoyed.
Tatsuya lost his composure. “Don’t you think I know that?! But this is something they need to do for themselves. They need to get through this. Together. Whatever happens, it’ll free them from guilt and unresolved issue. Whatever the outcome is, at least it will be something they both decided.
Jin needs to save Kazuya this time. He needs to do what he couldn’t three years ago. That way, he won’t forever be insecure and guilty around Kazuya. And Kazuya needs to know that Jin is with him now. He needs to understand that this time, he isn’t alone. He has to restore his confidence in Jin. He needs to trust that his husband will come when he calls for help. That was the kind of faith they used to have with each other. They lost it together. They have to retrieve it together.”
That was why Tatsuya was forcing himself to stay out of it, to stop Koki and any of their friends from stepping in. Even if all he really wanted to do was make everything right for his friend.
“When have you been so wise Tatsuya?” Koki mumbled, finally seeing reason.
“I’ve always been wise, Koki. You are all just too stupid to notice,” Tatsuya smirked.
“Hey!” It was Maru who took offense this time.
“We can help bring justice to what happened to Kazuya however.”
“How?” Junno asked curiously.
Tatsuya looked at the picture on the table. It was three young boys grinning at the camera and was making peace signs. The boys were Tatsuya, Kazuya and Kazuya’s deceased brother Hajime.
When Kazuya’s brother was still alive, he had been Tatsuya’s bestfriend. Hajime Kamenashi was a kind boy who very rarely got involved in fights. He was the opposite of Tatsuya who was rowdy and loud. So it was a wonder how they got along but not only they did get along, they also became best friends.
However, Hajime died young. He and Tatsuya were walking in the streets when an out of control car sped towards them. It all happened so fast. Hajime had pushed Tatsuya out of the way and was hit by the car instead. The last words he told Tatsuya was to take care of Kazuya whom Tatsuya knew Hajime loved to bits. Tatsuya owed Hajime his life so he had vowed since that day that no one would ever get away with hurting Kazuya.
Now more than ever, it was time to honor that vow.
Tatsuya turned to Koki. “We’ll pay some assholes a visit.”
---------------------------------------------------
Kazuya opened his eyes and saw Jin peacefully sleeping beside him, arms around Kazuya’s waist. Jin’s hair was in disarray and his mouth in a slight pout. Kazuya smiled and kissed Jin’s lips.
It’s been a month since Kazuya decided to give him and Jin another chance. It’s been nothing but bliss and happiness within that time. Jin had been so attentive, so caring, so loving and Kazuya felt truly cherished.
He had also started to accept that Eiji and Miyuki as his own children. He had met Miyuki two weeks after he started going home to his and Jin’s house and it was quite a good experience. Stephanie was there and to his surprise, she embraced him the moment she saw him.
“Eiji missed you.”
Such simple words but it encompassed everything else. Eiji liked him enough to remember him, even to miss him. If Eiji liked him then maybe Miyuki will too. Without him saying it out loud, Stephanie had known that Kazuya was worrying about whether or not Miyuki will accept him. After all, Miyuki was a part of Jin’s life, not to mention her eyes were remarkably like her father’s (Kazuya had seen pictures of her before the visit) so a rejection from her would feel like a rejection from Jin.
A woman’s instinct is really scary.
Turns out, he didn’t have to worry.
“Carry Miyuki now!” the little girl demanded from the hospital bed. She stretched her little arms towards Kazuya.
“Miyuki!” Stephanie scolded lightly then looked at Kazuya apologetically. “She isn’t usually this demanding, I’m so sorry.”
Kazuya shook his head, grinning. “It’s alright. She’s Jin’s daughter. She’s expected to be spoiled. It’s in her genes.” He took Miyuki from her bed and gently lifted her into his arms. He felt much better. Yes, this was a mini-Jin he was holding.
Miyuki refused to be put down or handed to someone else so Kazuya sat down on the bed with the little girl still on his arms.
Eiji might have felt left-out because he made a fuss and wanted to be carried by Kazuya too.
“You’re too big to be carried now, Eiji,” Jin reminded. It was true. Eiji had grown in the two years that Kazuya was not around.
“But I want Uncle Kazu!”
Jin sighed and looked at Kazuya helplessly. “Why are you so popular with kids?”
Eventually, Eiji settled in Kazuya’s lap, holding his sister. Kazuya held the two securely in his arms.
Stephanie smiled and pushed Jin lightly towards Kazuya and the children. She took her phone and snapped a picture of Jin, Kazuya and the kids. It was a perfect family picture.
Kazuya smiled again at the memory. This month has been perfect, serene. But Kazuya knew that there were still left unresolved. His heart still wasn’t healed. He would still wake up some nights gasping, the memories of what happened to him two years ago, haunting him.
He was grateful for Jin taking care of him and trying to make him forget his horrible past. He was thankful that his husband was trying to heal him but Kazuya knew he couldn’t go on pretending. He couldn’t ignore what happened anymore. It’s time to face the music.
But this time, he needed to face it alone.
He kissed Jin’s forehead. Bye, my love.
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The old, abandoned warehouse was dimly lit but even then, the men tied down on the floor were still visible. Oh they pretended they weren’t scared. They pretended to scowl and curse at the individual standing some meters away from them. But unlike their trembling, the dark couldn’t conceal the emotion in their eyes. It was fear.
“Well, well, this is quite a turn of events, isn’t it?” Tatsuya glanced at the men in a cold, calculating stare. His voice and posture was calm but deadly. “The big bad wolves all tied up like pigs. This is where you usually do all your shady business right? Drugs, kidnappings…” His eyes hardened even further. “…and also rape. You do it here don’t you? But sometimes you don’t. Sometimes you can’t wait and just assault people on the streets.”
“Let us go you fucking asshole!” one of the men cursed.
Tatsuya sneered then he wordlessly kicked the man hard. “You messed with the wrong people and now you’re going to pay for it.”
“You gonna kill us or something? Go ahead and do it you fucking coward!”
“Kill you? I will do no such thing. That’s too easy for you. No, I’ll let you suffer first. I’ll let you scream in pain, in absolute terror. Trust me, when I’m done with all of you, you’ll wish you were dead. And you know what the fun part is? I won’t even have to get my hands dirty. You have a lot of enemies believe me and I’m more than happy to hand you to them, you disgusting pieces of shit!” Tatsuya’s eyes blazed in anger.
He walked away and opened the door of the warehouse where hundreds of enraged men were waiting. They were livid, all of them. In one way or another, those men inside had wronged them and it was time to extract revenge.
He nodded once and the men charged passed them, the door closing behind him after and then only tortured screams and cruel laughter were heard from there. He continued walking until he was in front of the man who was waiting just in front of the building - Koki.
“I’m surprised you didn’t want to join in,” he commented.
“Oh believe me, I did. I still do but…” Koki sighed. “Kazuya wouldn’t have wanted me to do that.”
Tatsuya nodded. “He doesn’t have to know what happened here, either way. The only thing he’ll know is that the men who assaulted him got caught in a gang war and then put into prison where they’ll rot forever.”
“Yeah, that’s all he needs to know,” Koki agreed. “Junno made preparations for this to be on the news tomorrow. Maru already talked with the police. The others know about it?” He questioned. He was talking about the men who came to beat up Kazuya’s assaulters.
Tatsuya nodded again. “I told them if they’re caught, I won’t bail them out and if they even breathed about me or you, they know the consequences.”
“You’re quite a scary man, Tatsuya.”
“Only when I’m pissed.”
“Tatsuya, you okay?”
Tatsuya turned to look at Junno. “Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”
“You spaced out.”
“I was just…thinking about something.”
“Oh alright.” Junno shrugged then smiled. “Anyway, like I was saying, I saw Jin and Kazuya the other day and they looked happy. Things are really turning out for the better isn’t it? I’m glad.”
“You’re always glad, Junno.” Tatsuya shook his head but smiled nonetheless. Junno will always be a sunbeam. It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, just a little annoying at times.
Junno bowed in an English gentleman fashion. “Well that’s me.”
-------------------------------------------------------
Jin woke up with a smile on his face. He had a good dream but the best part about it was because he could relive it with the star of all his love-filled dreams - Kazuya.
He kept his eyes closed though, an old game he and Kazuya loved to do. Kazuya will have to kiss him awake but for that to happen, he’ll have to wake up the other first.
Still with his eyes closed, he roamed his hands to the left side of the bed where Kazuya had slept last night. His smile vanished and his eyes snapped open however when all he grabbed were tangled sheets and an empty space.
He looked around the room. No sign of Kazuya. Even his husband’s slippers were missing.
He woke up early?
He stretched and got down from the bed to look for Kazuya who was probably just cooking in the kitchen or tinkering with the plants in their glasshouse.
However, Jin grew incessantly worried when Kazuya was nowhere to be found. He checked everywhere and Kazuya wasn’t there.
“Okay, calm down Jin. Maybe he went out to buy something or visits his friend,” he muttered, trying to reason to himself. He knew though that Kazuya wouldn’t leave like that without telling him. He knew they were both sensitive to the issue of anyone of them leaving to do something like that so casually.
He fetched his cellphone and dialed Kazuya’s number. No answer.
He dialed Kazuya’s friends, even Pi. They all haven’t seen him but they were all ready to help find Kazuya.
Then there were 10 people - counting Kazuya’s parents, Jin’s parents and also Reio - frantically looking for Kazuya.
-------------------------
“Dr. Yamashita,” Kazuya greeted.
The woman behind the desk smiled warmly. “Hi Kazuya. Still won’t call me Emily?”
Kazuya shrugged.
“Very well,” Emily said. She motioned the comfortable chair. “Do sit down. Considering you travelled out here in LA on short notice, this talk might be really important.”
“Yes, it’s about my…rape incident years ago…”
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“Where could he have gone?!” Jin was nearly making a hole out of the carpet in his constant pacing.
“Did you do something to upset him? Anything at all?” Maru asked, confused at the sudden disappearance of their friend as well. Kazuya seemed better the last time they saw him. Happy, even.
“Nothing. We stayed at home the whole day yesterday and watched some movies he likes and then he taught me how to bake and we had a lot of fun because I was totally hopeless about it and Kazuya was laughing really hard and his eyes were smiling!” Jin explained as he recalled every detail of their day. He could not remember any instance in which he might have angered or saddened Kazuya. It was a peaceful day, for God’s sake!
“Well there must be something!” Koki said, exasperated. Kazuya wouldn’t just run off without reason.
“I don’t know, okay?!” Jin yelled.
Just then, Junno entered the living room.
“Saw him?” Tatsuya asked urgently.
Junno shook his head. “I’ve called everyone I know to help but no one found him yet.”
“Oh my baby!” Kazuya’s mom cried on her husband’s shoulder. Her husband looked as distraught. Jin’s parents tried to console them.
“The police won’t even help because it hasn’t been 24 hours yet and he’s not a minor,” Tatsuya said, irritated.
“I know. I already tried to call them,” Jin said. He marched over to Pi who had been quiet the whole time as he was repeatedly trying to call someone. “I already tried calling Kazuya. You won’t get through. He turned off his phone.”
“It’s not Kazuya I’m trying to reach,” Pi said calmly, but a frown betraying his hidden worry.
“Then who the hell are you calling in such an important time?!” Jin exclaimed.
“My sister,” Pi said.
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“Thank you for talking with me, Dr. Yamashita.”
“That’s my job, Kazuya.” Emily smiled. She had long understood why Pi took care of this person. Kazuya was a good man.
“Nonetheless, thank you…Emily.”
Emily grinned. “You’ll be fine Kazuya. Just remember what I told you.”
Kazuya nodded and left the office.
Once she was alone, Emily took her bag and was about to stand up to go grab lunch but paused when she felt her bag vibrating.
“Oh, my phone.” She had turned it on silent mode earlier because it would be rude for the client if calls or texts interrupted them. She fished it out of her bag now and saw that her brother was calling her. “Yes, Pi?”
“Emily! Thank God you picked up! Kazuya’s missing! You know how his mind works, where would you go if you were him?! Any specific place?!”
“Calm down, Pi.” Emily shook her head at her brother’s panicking even though he can’t see her. “First of all, I’m a psychiatrist, not a mind-reader. I couldn’t have known where he would want to go.” Pi’s whimpers on the other line were echoed with several others. Oh, so she was on loudspeaker. “Fortunately for you, Kazuya made an appointment with me.”
“He’s there?!” A different voice this time.
“Um, who am I talking to?” She asked.
“Jin. Jin Akanishi, Kazuya’s husband.”
“Okay. Well Jin, your husband was here but he just left. He’s going back there, to what he told me. Don’t panic, he’ll be fine. He’s improved a lot from the last time I saw him. He just needs to get some closure on things that had been bothering him.”
“Things that had been bothering him?” Jin asked.
“Yes. Take my advice and calm down. Kazuya needs to do this on his own. Don’t go after him. Let him return to you on his own. If he’s not there by tonight then that’s when you should look for him but for now, take a deep breath, trust him and stay in your house. He’ll be fine.”
Some sort of discussion was made but it was too faint for Emily to hear and then it was only her brother’s voice on the line. “Thank you, Emily.”
She smiled when she remembered it was the exact same parting words Kazuya had said.
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Kazuya took a deep breath as his eyes roamed the place of his humiliation two years ago. It looked different now that it was swathed in sunlight. The brightness of the sun did nothing to alter the dark memories that he had in this place, however. If anything it just served to make it clearer, more painfully obvious, more real.
“S-stop p-please! Jin! J-jin, save me!”
Kazuya closed his eyes. But the memory only became more vivid.
“Such a tight bitch!”
Laughter. Grunts. Pain. Blood.
Kazuya covered his ears frantically. As if that would make a difference.
He was getting weak. His knees were giving out. Only now was he questioning his decision of going through this alone.
“N-no…Stop…” He whimpered and then louder, “J-Jin!”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Jin, where are you going?” Jin’s mother asked when she saw her son frantically leaving the house.
“Finding Kazuya,” Jin answered as he grabbed his car key from the table.
“But his doctor said-”
“I don’t care what the doctor said!” Jin snapped.
Jin’s mother covered her mouth in surprise but said nothing more as her eldest left the house. Her Jin grew up to be so stubborn and she knew she couldn’t change his mind. She can only hope that he knows what he’s doing.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jin didn’t know why he was driving to that place but his instincts were screaming at him and right now he had nothing else to rely on but his instincts.
Please be alright, Kazu. He didn't notice that it was the exact same plead he thought many years ago when Kazuya disappeared
He stopped the car and went down. What he saw was his husband across the street, walking towards him with a tentative but nonetheless true smile.
Jin smiled back with a mix of relief and confusion. He knew how horrible this place is for Kazuya. He knew this was where his mind was taking him every time he had those awful nightmares. And yet, Kazuya’s smile was so honestly calm and bright. What had happened?
“I don’t know what it says about me but I knew you’d be here. I might have superpowers, Jin,” Kazuya said lightly when he was near enough to touch Jin’s face.
Jin placed his hand over Kazuya’s own. “You look happy.”
Kazuya nodded. “Happier. I was always happy with you these days you know. But I couldn’t love you completely. I was always scared of my past. I was scared it will affect our relationship the way your past affected us. I was afraid I’d never be able to be the same person you loved long ago and that eventually, you’ll get tired of trying to heal me and then you’ll leave.”
Jin opened his mouth to say something but Kazuya kissed him and the words died on his throat.
When Kazuya pulled back, he smiled once more at Jin. “Let me finish.”
Jin nodded wordlessly.
Kazuya continued, “I know I was being a pessimist but then it could really be a possibility for that to happen. Besides, it was unfair for both of us for me to be dependent on you all the time. We’re a couple Jin, we’re partners. You can’t keep walking around me like you’re afraid I’ll shatter with the slightest pressure. But the thing is, that was what I was - a fragile glass. And I didn’t want to be that person anymore. So I talked to my psychiatrist and she told me I needed to accept myself, and everything that happened, first.”
“That’s why you came here,” Jin whispered.
Kazuya nodded. “This was the only thing holding me back from completely loving you Jin.”
“What happened?” Two words but it meant so much more. You must have been so scared so why are you so calm now?
“I remembered you,” Kazuya said, leaning towards Jin.
Jin instantly pulled Kazuya into a warm embrace.
Kazuya smiled. It felt like home. He was truly, finally home.
“N-no…Stop…” He whimpered and then louder, “J-Jin!”
In his despair he pressed his hands tighter against his ears but something cold broke through his consciousness.
He slowly pulled his left hand and looked at it. There, glistening with the rays of the sun is his wedding ring, the symbol of his and Jin’s love to each other, the symbol that the present him was still valuable to Jin, just as valuable as he was in the past, the symbol that someone loved him so much and cherishes him.
“Jin…”
That’s right. Jin was waiting for him to be home. What does it matter if some monster took advantage of him? They were long gone, probably rotting in hell. But Jin…Jin was there, constant, loving.
He wasn’t alone anymore.
He looked up and all he saw was a dirty alley. It was no longer the den of monster. It was just another nameless alley.
It is ambitious of him to think he’ll be offer that incident as easy as that but for the first time since he came back from LA with Pi, he felt hope, pure hope.
And when he turned around and walked to the street and saw Jin with his handsome face evident with worry, he knew he’ll be okay.
It’s okay. It’s worth it. It’s worth one more try.
Bonus:
Ten years later…
“Hey Miyuki, don’t you ever feel like the only reason you were born is to save me? I feel guilty sometimes that you’d ever feel unwanted.”
“I am wanted Eiji. By you, by mom, by dad, even by Uncle Luigi and Uncle Kazuya. And yes, I do know I was born to save you. Actually, I’m grateful to that. If not for you needing a bone marrow, I wouldn’t be here right now. I wouldn’t see such a wonderful world. I wouldn’t have an overprotective-but-otherwise-cool brother, I wouldn’t have four lovely and doting parents.” She smiled and looked at their table where their mother was talking animatedly with their Uncle Luigi. On the other side of the table, their dad was spoon-feeding their Uncle Kazuya who looked embarrassed by the attention. “Have you ever seen a luckier girl?”
“Hmm, you’re right. We’re lucky. Hey Miyuki, I know this sounds sappy and I probably will deny I ever said this but…I’m happy you’re my sister and I love you very much…we all do.”
“Awww, that is so sweet. And I am so telling all of your friends that you said that.”
“Miyuki!”
THE END
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: This is the final chapter and I'm a wreck. I cant believe this fic is over. I really, really love this fic you know? And I'm not saying that because I'm the writer. Of all my fcs, this one is my favorite because I really poured all my heart into this. I'm glad of how this fic turned out and I'm glad I didn't rush it. Hope you all enjoyed this journey with me.
For those who haven't seen the trailer for this fic yet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUvpQKiZcQ8
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, Chapter 13, Chapter 14
Chapter 15:
“I’m surprised you two don’t want to interfere.”
Tatsuya looked up from his laptop and saw Maru leaning sideways on the doorframe, his arms crossed. “That pose doesn’t suit you,” he said automatically.
Junno, who was right behind Maru, laughed. “Good comeback Tatsuya!”
Koki ignored the three of them and continued what he was doing since he arrived in Tatsuya’s office - glaring at the glass wall of Tatsuya’s office.
Maru cleared his throat and straightened. “You didn’t answer my question.”
Tatsuya shrugged. “Let them handle it. It’s their marriage. We’ve meddled enough.”
“This coming from the guy who beat up Jin. You didn’t even include me! I wanted to release some of my anger, you know.” Koki scowled.
“Believe me Koki I’ve done enough anger-releasing on him to last a lifetime.” Tatsuya winced. “Maybe a little too much.”
“Oh. So Koki wants to meddle but you’re restraining him here?” Maru deduced.
“Pretty much,” Tatsuya replied.
“But this isn’t just a petty lover’s spat,” Koki said, annoyed.
Tatsuya lost his composure. “Don’t you think I know that?! But this is something they need to do for themselves. They need to get through this. Together. Whatever happens, it’ll free them from guilt and unresolved issue. Whatever the outcome is, at least it will be something they both decided.
Jin needs to save Kazuya this time. He needs to do what he couldn’t three years ago. That way, he won’t forever be insecure and guilty around Kazuya. And Kazuya needs to know that Jin is with him now. He needs to understand that this time, he isn’t alone. He has to restore his confidence in Jin. He needs to trust that his husband will come when he calls for help. That was the kind of faith they used to have with each other. They lost it together. They have to retrieve it together.”
That was why Tatsuya was forcing himself to stay out of it, to stop Koki and any of their friends from stepping in. Even if all he really wanted to do was make everything right for his friend.
“When have you been so wise Tatsuya?” Koki mumbled, finally seeing reason.
“I’ve always been wise, Koki. You are all just too stupid to notice,” Tatsuya smirked.
“Hey!” It was Maru who took offense this time.
“We can help bring justice to what happened to Kazuya however.”
“How?” Junno asked curiously.
Tatsuya looked at the picture on the table. It was three young boys grinning at the camera and was making peace signs. The boys were Tatsuya, Kazuya and Kazuya’s deceased brother Hajime.
When Kazuya’s brother was still alive, he had been Tatsuya’s bestfriend. Hajime Kamenashi was a kind boy who very rarely got involved in fights. He was the opposite of Tatsuya who was rowdy and loud. So it was a wonder how they got along but not only they did get along, they also became best friends.
However, Hajime died young. He and Tatsuya were walking in the streets when an out of control car sped towards them. It all happened so fast. Hajime had pushed Tatsuya out of the way and was hit by the car instead. The last words he told Tatsuya was to take care of Kazuya whom Tatsuya knew Hajime loved to bits. Tatsuya owed Hajime his life so he had vowed since that day that no one would ever get away with hurting Kazuya.
Now more than ever, it was time to honor that vow.
Tatsuya turned to Koki. “We’ll pay some assholes a visit.”
---------------------------------------------------
Kazuya opened his eyes and saw Jin peacefully sleeping beside him, arms around Kazuya’s waist. Jin’s hair was in disarray and his mouth in a slight pout. Kazuya smiled and kissed Jin’s lips.
It’s been a month since Kazuya decided to give him and Jin another chance. It’s been nothing but bliss and happiness within that time. Jin had been so attentive, so caring, so loving and Kazuya felt truly cherished.
He had also started to accept that Eiji and Miyuki as his own children. He had met Miyuki two weeks after he started going home to his and Jin’s house and it was quite a good experience. Stephanie was there and to his surprise, she embraced him the moment she saw him.
“Eiji missed you.”
Such simple words but it encompassed everything else. Eiji liked him enough to remember him, even to miss him. If Eiji liked him then maybe Miyuki will too. Without him saying it out loud, Stephanie had known that Kazuya was worrying about whether or not Miyuki will accept him. After all, Miyuki was a part of Jin’s life, not to mention her eyes were remarkably like her father’s (Kazuya had seen pictures of her before the visit) so a rejection from her would feel like a rejection from Jin.
A woman’s instinct is really scary.
Turns out, he didn’t have to worry.
“Carry Miyuki now!” the little girl demanded from the hospital bed. She stretched her little arms towards Kazuya.
“Miyuki!” Stephanie scolded lightly then looked at Kazuya apologetically. “She isn’t usually this demanding, I’m so sorry.”
Kazuya shook his head, grinning. “It’s alright. She’s Jin’s daughter. She’s expected to be spoiled. It’s in her genes.” He took Miyuki from her bed and gently lifted her into his arms. He felt much better. Yes, this was a mini-Jin he was holding.
Miyuki refused to be put down or handed to someone else so Kazuya sat down on the bed with the little girl still on his arms.
Eiji might have felt left-out because he made a fuss and wanted to be carried by Kazuya too.
“You’re too big to be carried now, Eiji,” Jin reminded. It was true. Eiji had grown in the two years that Kazuya was not around.
“But I want Uncle Kazu!”
Jin sighed and looked at Kazuya helplessly. “Why are you so popular with kids?”
Eventually, Eiji settled in Kazuya’s lap, holding his sister. Kazuya held the two securely in his arms.
Stephanie smiled and pushed Jin lightly towards Kazuya and the children. She took her phone and snapped a picture of Jin, Kazuya and the kids. It was a perfect family picture.
Kazuya smiled again at the memory. This month has been perfect, serene. But Kazuya knew that there were still left unresolved. His heart still wasn’t healed. He would still wake up some nights gasping, the memories of what happened to him two years ago, haunting him.
He was grateful for Jin taking care of him and trying to make him forget his horrible past. He was thankful that his husband was trying to heal him but Kazuya knew he couldn’t go on pretending. He couldn’t ignore what happened anymore. It’s time to face the music.
But this time, he needed to face it alone.
He kissed Jin’s forehead. Bye, my love.
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The old, abandoned warehouse was dimly lit but even then, the men tied down on the floor were still visible. Oh they pretended they weren’t scared. They pretended to scowl and curse at the individual standing some meters away from them. But unlike their trembling, the dark couldn’t conceal the emotion in their eyes. It was fear.
“Well, well, this is quite a turn of events, isn’t it?” Tatsuya glanced at the men in a cold, calculating stare. His voice and posture was calm but deadly. “The big bad wolves all tied up like pigs. This is where you usually do all your shady business right? Drugs, kidnappings…” His eyes hardened even further. “…and also rape. You do it here don’t you? But sometimes you don’t. Sometimes you can’t wait and just assault people on the streets.”
“Let us go you fucking asshole!” one of the men cursed.
Tatsuya sneered then he wordlessly kicked the man hard. “You messed with the wrong people and now you’re going to pay for it.”
“You gonna kill us or something? Go ahead and do it you fucking coward!”
“Kill you? I will do no such thing. That’s too easy for you. No, I’ll let you suffer first. I’ll let you scream in pain, in absolute terror. Trust me, when I’m done with all of you, you’ll wish you were dead. And you know what the fun part is? I won’t even have to get my hands dirty. You have a lot of enemies believe me and I’m more than happy to hand you to them, you disgusting pieces of shit!” Tatsuya’s eyes blazed in anger.
He walked away and opened the door of the warehouse where hundreds of enraged men were waiting. They were livid, all of them. In one way or another, those men inside had wronged them and it was time to extract revenge.
He nodded once and the men charged passed them, the door closing behind him after and then only tortured screams and cruel laughter were heard from there. He continued walking until he was in front of the man who was waiting just in front of the building - Koki.
“I’m surprised you didn’t want to join in,” he commented.
“Oh believe me, I did. I still do but…” Koki sighed. “Kazuya wouldn’t have wanted me to do that.”
Tatsuya nodded. “He doesn’t have to know what happened here, either way. The only thing he’ll know is that the men who assaulted him got caught in a gang war and then put into prison where they’ll rot forever.”
“Yeah, that’s all he needs to know,” Koki agreed. “Junno made preparations for this to be on the news tomorrow. Maru already talked with the police. The others know about it?” He questioned. He was talking about the men who came to beat up Kazuya’s assaulters.
Tatsuya nodded again. “I told them if they’re caught, I won’t bail them out and if they even breathed about me or you, they know the consequences.”
“You’re quite a scary man, Tatsuya.”
“Only when I’m pissed.”
“Tatsuya, you okay?”
Tatsuya turned to look at Junno. “Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”
“You spaced out.”
“I was just…thinking about something.”
“Oh alright.” Junno shrugged then smiled. “Anyway, like I was saying, I saw Jin and Kazuya the other day and they looked happy. Things are really turning out for the better isn’t it? I’m glad.”
“You’re always glad, Junno.” Tatsuya shook his head but smiled nonetheless. Junno will always be a sunbeam. It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, just a little annoying at times.
Junno bowed in an English gentleman fashion. “Well that’s me.”
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Jin woke up with a smile on his face. He had a good dream but the best part about it was because he could relive it with the star of all his love-filled dreams - Kazuya.
He kept his eyes closed though, an old game he and Kazuya loved to do. Kazuya will have to kiss him awake but for that to happen, he’ll have to wake up the other first.
Still with his eyes closed, he roamed his hands to the left side of the bed where Kazuya had slept last night. His smile vanished and his eyes snapped open however when all he grabbed were tangled sheets and an empty space.
He looked around the room. No sign of Kazuya. Even his husband’s slippers were missing.
He woke up early?
He stretched and got down from the bed to look for Kazuya who was probably just cooking in the kitchen or tinkering with the plants in their glasshouse.
However, Jin grew incessantly worried when Kazuya was nowhere to be found. He checked everywhere and Kazuya wasn’t there.
“Okay, calm down Jin. Maybe he went out to buy something or visits his friend,” he muttered, trying to reason to himself. He knew though that Kazuya wouldn’t leave like that without telling him. He knew they were both sensitive to the issue of anyone of them leaving to do something like that so casually.
He fetched his cellphone and dialed Kazuya’s number. No answer.
He dialed Kazuya’s friends, even Pi. They all haven’t seen him but they were all ready to help find Kazuya.
Then there were 10 people - counting Kazuya’s parents, Jin’s parents and also Reio - frantically looking for Kazuya.
-------------------------
“Dr. Yamashita,” Kazuya greeted.
The woman behind the desk smiled warmly. “Hi Kazuya. Still won’t call me Emily?”
Kazuya shrugged.
“Very well,” Emily said. She motioned the comfortable chair. “Do sit down. Considering you travelled out here in LA on short notice, this talk might be really important.”
“Yes, it’s about my…rape incident years ago…”
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“Where could he have gone?!” Jin was nearly making a hole out of the carpet in his constant pacing.
“Did you do something to upset him? Anything at all?” Maru asked, confused at the sudden disappearance of their friend as well. Kazuya seemed better the last time they saw him. Happy, even.
“Nothing. We stayed at home the whole day yesterday and watched some movies he likes and then he taught me how to bake and we had a lot of fun because I was totally hopeless about it and Kazuya was laughing really hard and his eyes were smiling!” Jin explained as he recalled every detail of their day. He could not remember any instance in which he might have angered or saddened Kazuya. It was a peaceful day, for God’s sake!
“Well there must be something!” Koki said, exasperated. Kazuya wouldn’t just run off without reason.
“I don’t know, okay?!” Jin yelled.
Just then, Junno entered the living room.
“Saw him?” Tatsuya asked urgently.
Junno shook his head. “I’ve called everyone I know to help but no one found him yet.”
“Oh my baby!” Kazuya’s mom cried on her husband’s shoulder. Her husband looked as distraught. Jin’s parents tried to console them.
“The police won’t even help because it hasn’t been 24 hours yet and he’s not a minor,” Tatsuya said, irritated.
“I know. I already tried to call them,” Jin said. He marched over to Pi who had been quiet the whole time as he was repeatedly trying to call someone. “I already tried calling Kazuya. You won’t get through. He turned off his phone.”
“It’s not Kazuya I’m trying to reach,” Pi said calmly, but a frown betraying his hidden worry.
“Then who the hell are you calling in such an important time?!” Jin exclaimed.
“My sister,” Pi said.
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“Thank you for talking with me, Dr. Yamashita.”
“That’s my job, Kazuya.” Emily smiled. She had long understood why Pi took care of this person. Kazuya was a good man.
“Nonetheless, thank you…Emily.”
Emily grinned. “You’ll be fine Kazuya. Just remember what I told you.”
Kazuya nodded and left the office.
Once she was alone, Emily took her bag and was about to stand up to go grab lunch but paused when she felt her bag vibrating.
“Oh, my phone.” She had turned it on silent mode earlier because it would be rude for the client if calls or texts interrupted them. She fished it out of her bag now and saw that her brother was calling her. “Yes, Pi?”
“Emily! Thank God you picked up! Kazuya’s missing! You know how his mind works, where would you go if you were him?! Any specific place?!”
“Calm down, Pi.” Emily shook her head at her brother’s panicking even though he can’t see her. “First of all, I’m a psychiatrist, not a mind-reader. I couldn’t have known where he would want to go.” Pi’s whimpers on the other line were echoed with several others. Oh, so she was on loudspeaker. “Fortunately for you, Kazuya made an appointment with me.”
“He’s there?!” A different voice this time.
“Um, who am I talking to?” She asked.
“Jin. Jin Akanishi, Kazuya’s husband.”
“Okay. Well Jin, your husband was here but he just left. He’s going back there, to what he told me. Don’t panic, he’ll be fine. He’s improved a lot from the last time I saw him. He just needs to get some closure on things that had been bothering him.”
“Things that had been bothering him?” Jin asked.
“Yes. Take my advice and calm down. Kazuya needs to do this on his own. Don’t go after him. Let him return to you on his own. If he’s not there by tonight then that’s when you should look for him but for now, take a deep breath, trust him and stay in your house. He’ll be fine.”
Some sort of discussion was made but it was too faint for Emily to hear and then it was only her brother’s voice on the line. “Thank you, Emily.”
She smiled when she remembered it was the exact same parting words Kazuya had said.
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Kazuya took a deep breath as his eyes roamed the place of his humiliation two years ago. It looked different now that it was swathed in sunlight. The brightness of the sun did nothing to alter the dark memories that he had in this place, however. If anything it just served to make it clearer, more painfully obvious, more real.
“S-stop p-please! Jin! J-jin, save me!”
Kazuya closed his eyes. But the memory only became more vivid.
“Such a tight bitch!”
Laughter. Grunts. Pain. Blood.
Kazuya covered his ears frantically. As if that would make a difference.
He was getting weak. His knees were giving out. Only now was he questioning his decision of going through this alone.
“N-no…Stop…” He whimpered and then louder, “J-Jin!”
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“Jin, where are you going?” Jin’s mother asked when she saw her son frantically leaving the house.
“Finding Kazuya,” Jin answered as he grabbed his car key from the table.
“But his doctor said-”
“I don’t care what the doctor said!” Jin snapped.
Jin’s mother covered her mouth in surprise but said nothing more as her eldest left the house. Her Jin grew up to be so stubborn and she knew she couldn’t change his mind. She can only hope that he knows what he’s doing.
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Jin didn’t know why he was driving to that place but his instincts were screaming at him and right now he had nothing else to rely on but his instincts.
Please be alright, Kazu. He didn't notice that it was the exact same plead he thought many years ago when Kazuya disappeared
He stopped the car and went down. What he saw was his husband across the street, walking towards him with a tentative but nonetheless true smile.
Jin smiled back with a mix of relief and confusion. He knew how horrible this place is for Kazuya. He knew this was where his mind was taking him every time he had those awful nightmares. And yet, Kazuya’s smile was so honestly calm and bright. What had happened?
“I don’t know what it says about me but I knew you’d be here. I might have superpowers, Jin,” Kazuya said lightly when he was near enough to touch Jin’s face.
Jin placed his hand over Kazuya’s own. “You look happy.”
Kazuya nodded. “Happier. I was always happy with you these days you know. But I couldn’t love you completely. I was always scared of my past. I was scared it will affect our relationship the way your past affected us. I was afraid I’d never be able to be the same person you loved long ago and that eventually, you’ll get tired of trying to heal me and then you’ll leave.”
Jin opened his mouth to say something but Kazuya kissed him and the words died on his throat.
When Kazuya pulled back, he smiled once more at Jin. “Let me finish.”
Jin nodded wordlessly.
Kazuya continued, “I know I was being a pessimist but then it could really be a possibility for that to happen. Besides, it was unfair for both of us for me to be dependent on you all the time. We’re a couple Jin, we’re partners. You can’t keep walking around me like you’re afraid I’ll shatter with the slightest pressure. But the thing is, that was what I was - a fragile glass. And I didn’t want to be that person anymore. So I talked to my psychiatrist and she told me I needed to accept myself, and everything that happened, first.”
“That’s why you came here,” Jin whispered.
Kazuya nodded. “This was the only thing holding me back from completely loving you Jin.”
“What happened?” Two words but it meant so much more. You must have been so scared so why are you so calm now?
“I remembered you,” Kazuya said, leaning towards Jin.
Jin instantly pulled Kazuya into a warm embrace.
Kazuya smiled. It felt like home. He was truly, finally home.
“N-no…Stop…” He whimpered and then louder, “J-Jin!”
In his despair he pressed his hands tighter against his ears but something cold broke through his consciousness.
He slowly pulled his left hand and looked at it. There, glistening with the rays of the sun is his wedding ring, the symbol of his and Jin’s love to each other, the symbol that the present him was still valuable to Jin, just as valuable as he was in the past, the symbol that someone loved him so much and cherishes him.
“Jin…”
That’s right. Jin was waiting for him to be home. What does it matter if some monster took advantage of him? They were long gone, probably rotting in hell. But Jin…Jin was there, constant, loving.
He wasn’t alone anymore.
He looked up and all he saw was a dirty alley. It was no longer the den of monster. It was just another nameless alley.
It is ambitious of him to think he’ll be offer that incident as easy as that but for the first time since he came back from LA with Pi, he felt hope, pure hope.
And when he turned around and walked to the street and saw Jin with his handsome face evident with worry, he knew he’ll be okay.
It’s okay. It’s worth it. It’s worth one more try.
Bonus:
Ten years later…
“Hey Miyuki, don’t you ever feel like the only reason you were born is to save me? I feel guilty sometimes that you’d ever feel unwanted.”
“I am wanted Eiji. By you, by mom, by dad, even by Uncle Luigi and Uncle Kazuya. And yes, I do know I was born to save you. Actually, I’m grateful to that. If not for you needing a bone marrow, I wouldn’t be here right now. I wouldn’t see such a wonderful world. I wouldn’t have an overprotective-but-otherwise-cool brother, I wouldn’t have four lovely and doting parents.” She smiled and looked at their table where their mother was talking animatedly with their Uncle Luigi. On the other side of the table, their dad was spoon-feeding their Uncle Kazuya who looked embarrassed by the attention. “Have you ever seen a luckier girl?”
“Hmm, you’re right. We’re lucky. Hey Miyuki, I know this sounds sappy and I probably will deny I ever said this but…I’m happy you’re my sister and I love you very much…we all do.”
“Awww, that is so sweet. And I am so telling all of your friends that you said that.”
“Miyuki!”
THE END