Stinky Spoiled Brats
I guess this isn't something for everybody's taste. Thank you ashi_ga_demasu for your suggestions and opinions. You motivate me to write again :3 though I still insist your fic contains a cannon error :P
Can you imagine what it would be like if people didn't grow up and change?
"You think they're gone?"
"Maybe? I don't hear anything else."
"Yeah, it's too quiet. What time do you think is it?"
"I don't know. I don't like this, Jin. It's scary. Do you think they're really gonna leave us like this?"
"I... Maybe. I don't know."
"I really didn't sign up for this. This is no fun at all!"
"Hey! It's not like I wanted this, either! I won that thing for chrissake! And you're just a tag along. Beggars can't be choosers, you know!"
"Yeah right, like I'd ever beg for this nightmare."
"At least we're not freezing our asses of in Hokkaido, that would've been an even stupider choice for a trip!"
"Shut up!"
The two boys lay with their backs to each other, each of them pouting and keeping their hands fisted under their sleeping bags to avoid throwing a punch. Not one of them dared to utter a word and admit defeat. The silence stretched on but fatigue of the long day soon eased the furrows off their brows. With the rhythmic splashing of the waves lulling them to sleep, it wasn't long before they gave in to a deep and dreamless slumber; their meaningless argument forgotten.
Kame opens his eyes and quickly shields them from the glare of the midday sun. The familiar crashing of the waves is the only remnant of his all too real dream. No, he wasn't dreaming more than he was remembering. And it's too real because it was real. It's been too long a time since has spaced out like that. He'd rather call it spacing out than sleeping because he never thinks when he is asleep. He dreams but he never remembers memories that he has pushed back into the deeper recesses of his mind. He sits up and looks at the scene around him. He loves the sea.
The waves are not more than a foot high. It's calm for the time for the day. The sun's reflection makes it sparkle like it is a sea of diamonds rather than just the plain and expected salt water. Despite the season, the sun is shining brightly, and the wind is just a tad warmer than it is in Tokyo. This place has no winters, it is always summer. He loves this place. It's a love affair that has been going on since he was fourteen.
Jin is bored. He hates waiting for elevators. Almost as much as he hates riding them and spending almost an eternity listening to corny music over the speakers before finally reaching his floor. He yawns and presses the up button a couple more times. The large lobby doors slide open and he hears determined footfalls crossing the hall and heading towards the elevator. He turns and hopes it's someone fun, like Nishikido or Yokoyama because Yamapi doesn't walk like that. The floor was suddenly abuzz with excited whispers. Jin can almost touch the thick tension in the air. When he finally sees the source of the anxiety, he freezes. The person he doesn't want to share an elevator with is heading straight towards him.
Kamenashi walks up beside him and waits for the same elevator. Dressing as the perfect cookie-cutter idol he always pretends to be, he is clad in a bejeweled coat that flaps around his knees, and tattered jeans that are more tatters than jeans. He had on a pair of light brown aviators that contribute to his celebrity aura; sort of like saying, "Hey, I'm a celebrity." He looks so full of himself. Jin snarls in disgust.
Jin thinks about taking the stairs instead, but then he remembers he has about 10 flights to take, and besides, he isn't about to give Kamenashi his elevator. As if fate was playing a trick on him, the elevator doors open just a few seconds after Kamenashi arrives. As though even the elevator was against him.
Kamenashi gets on it without batting Jin an eyelash. Jin hesitates, but he figures if Kamenashi can ignore him like that, then he can ignore Kamenashi just as much, too. He steps inside and waits for other people to get on, silently prays for other people to get on, as if it'll be less awkward that way. He selects his destination and notices that Kamenashi's going off a few floors before him. He breathes a silent sigh of relief, thinking that that would give him some time to compose himself before meeting some higher ups. To his disappointment, the suffocating tension between them scares off any other person who is about to take the elevator, and the door closes with just the two of them inside.
He nervously peeks at Kamenashi from the edge of his eye, and quickly averts his gaze before his co-passenger can notice. He feels as though he's about to go cross-eyed from the sudden exercises he's giving his ocular muscles, but there's no way he's going to let Kamenashi get the satisfaction of knowing he's looking.
"What?" Kamenashi coldly says out of nowhere.
"Er...Nothing."
Kamenashi sighs and rolls his eyes and Jin suddenly feels like strangling him.
Jin watches as the numbers light up one after the other, approaching Kamenashi's floor. He's got less than a minute of torture left so he stuffs his fists in his pockets and clenches his jaw.
The bell rings a single time; Kamenashi's cue to get off. Jin doesn't know what suddenly hits him, but as if automatically, he blocks the opening doors and traps Kamenashi inside. Maybe it's the guilt eating him up, or the repressed anger, or just the need for Kamenashi to acknowledge he exists.
Kamenashi cocks an eyebrow at him.
"We need to talk."
"We don't."
"We do."
With Kamenashi glaring at him, he forces out a word he's not used to saying, "Please?"
That takes Kamenashi by surprise, and Jin wonders for a little bit if Kamenashi can be as cold as to humiliate him like that when Kamenashi just checks his watch.
"This better be quick." Kamenashi finally concedes in a stilted tone.
"So? What is it that we really have to talk about"
Jin knows Kamenashi can throw killer glares when he's not in the mood, but it's definitely a hundred times more intimidating when he's being forced to do something against his will. When Kamenashi agreed to talk, Jin picked the first location that came to his mind and that happens to be the Jimusho rooftop. So without meaning it to be one, the situation channels a perfect scene out of a television drama.
If only Kamenashi will stop being such a bitch.
"You keep cancelling our meetings, why won't you talk to me?"
"What is there to talk about?"
"I'm sorry."
Kamenashi stares at him devoid of emotion, "I've said this before, haven't I? It’ll be the best for everyone if we can keep going with the path we chose and work hard at that."
"Bullshit! Stop being the robot you always are!"
Kamenashi takes a hold of his collar and hisses close to his face, "Trust me, you don't want to hear what I have to say."
They struggle for a bit before Jin finally pushes him away, "I hate you for throwing me out!"
Kamenashi unexpectedly punches him in the face. They stare at each other in horror for a moment, Kamenashi agape at his tightly coiled fist, and Jin equally shocked at the protruding knuckles. Kamenashi sure as hell learned those boxing lessons by heart. For all the times they've argued in the past it has never come to blows. He brings a hand up to his lip as it starts stinging, and becomes absolutely enraged when he sees a tinge of blood staining his fingers. He lunges at his opponent and lands a jab on Kamenashi's left temple, knocking the signature shades off.
"I hate you for always leaving!" Kame sneers.
They throw punches at each other, mostly hitting air. They're idols, not fighters, after all. Kamenashi grabs a hold of Jin's torso and tries to throw him down, but Jin, being the meatier of the them, makes it difficult, especially when he, too, is struggling. They collapse against each other, on their knees, panting.
"You're a selfish bastard, Akanishi."
"Well you're a spiteful bitch, fuck you to hell!"
"Fuck you, too!"
They resort to not saying anything to each other again, but Jin can't let it go. Somehow it still matters what Kamenashi thinks of him, "Do you hate me?"
"Yes," Kamenashi doesn't forgive so easily.
It crushes Jin. It makes him wish they can go back to how they used to be, arguing about stupid things, and fighting over something as mundane as face cream.
"Yeah, well I hate you, too." Jin realizes they sound just like stubborn teenagers, and he laughs bitterly, "Why does it end up like this? We used to be friends."
Kamenashi snorts, "I was young and stupid, if I knew better then I wouldn't have hung out with you."
Kamenashi's words hurt, but it's something Jin has been expecting. He knows what he has done. It is just but a tiny bit of consolation for him to note that the hate seeping from Kamenashi tone has diminished.
"You look like a hobo."
Like always Kamenashi tends to go off track. And Jin smiles at the unexpected turn of events, not quite with relief as though a thorn was taken from his heart, but with bittersweet peace of the aftermath of their feud. They may still hate each other, but they are honest enough to admit it. Just like how they used to be transparent to each other. No more appearances.
"You look ridiculous... as usual," Jin retorts.
"Hmph... Like I'd take fashion tips from a hobo."
Jin blinks at the sunlight up above and looks at Kame. "You haven't spoken to me for over a year."
Kamenashi shrugs, "We always fight like this."
"Yeah, that’s true..." Jin notices Kamenashi's broken aviators, "Hey, I'm sorry about that, I'll buy you another pair..."
"Nah, it's fine."
"I guess you can afford it fine, huh?"
Kamenashi's eyebrow rises, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I mean with the sports car, and the beach house, and all that, must be spare change for you."
"Huh? Where'd you hear all that?"
"Well, I see your car parking lot, and people talk about huge splurge purchases, you know. Especially if it’s a house in Okinawa."
Kamenashi smiles, "I work my ass off. Gimme a break."
"Yeah, you're living my dream. You know how I've always talked about buying land, right? You've had the house for a really long time and you never told me..."
If Kamenashi isn't mistaken, Jin seems like he is sulking. It amuses him, "Wait, don't tell me you're gonna sulk because of that!"
"You were keeping something from me!"
A look of utter confusion mixed with exasperation crosses Kamenashi's face. After all that has been done, Jin has the gall to react that way about something so petty. "What are you, twelve?! I didn't even know you cared!"
"I had a feeling something was up," Jin explained, "But I thought you were just seeing someone or something..."
"Oh..."
They avert their gazes. Their relationship is a complicated one. They don't talk about who they’re going out with nor did they want to know about that aspect of their lives, but somehow they'd always get that feeling when someone’s keeping secrets from them, and assume one of them having a fling or something like that. They end up being awkward and avoidant of each other.
"I love Okinawa, so I thought, why not?" Kamenashi shrugs.
"Don't talk about it like you're the only one. I love it as much as you do!"
"Yeah, sure, fine. Whatever."
"You should thank me for letting you tag along that one time."
"Worst trip ever."
"No, it wasn't! It turned out fun."
"Hmm... yeah... Still. Worst trip ever."
"No."
Kamenashi rolls his eyes at Jin again, but this time he makes an offer, "Hey, why don't we go there sometime. You can take a look at the house, if you want."
"That'd be great. It's been a really, really long time since we went to the sea together."
"Let's go surfing or something."
"Yeah. I bet it's great having a house there. I wish I have a house there."
"Maybe if you spent half as much effort working as you do partying..."
"Yeah, yeah, don't start lecturing me about that again."
Kame smirks, "It'll be fun, though."
"Yeah. Just don't cancel on me for no reason again. I'll think you didn't want to go in the first place."
Kame laughs, "I won't."
They sit in contended silence for a bit before trying to think of passable explanations about their cuts and bruises and why they were late for their appointments. When they were juniors, they didn't need to worry about explanations; everyone just assumed they fought because they were teenagers. It's much different when they are adults; they're expected to be responsible. They're always expected to act properly and have a reason for everything they do.
As of yet, the truce still seems unreal to Jin, but he's willing to take everything in stride. They take one last look at the impressive sky-scraper dominated horizon before they go back to their usual lives.
It will never be the same, Kame knows that. They're way too different than what they used to be. There are some people who used to be best friends in elementary school and eventually grow apart and become adults who have very different interests and personalities. In the end those people might evolve to be mere acquaintances. It's all part of living, learning things, and liking things. And yet there are some things that may never change. There are some quirks people never lose. Quirks that will remind others that they are still the same person. There are some moments that will somehow bring back the memories of the good times they've shared with those they've grown apart from. Some people grow apart but find it so easy to pick up where they left off. Others find it more difficult to relate to someone who used to be their friend, but has since changed into a complete stranger. Yet there is still that undeniable bond. That moment when one of them says, "Hey do you remember...?" and then it opens the floodgates of happy memories and good times.
Kame assumes he and Jin will always have Okinawa.
He takes out the phone that is incessantly ringing in his pocket, and his lips twitch up in surprise to see the Akanishi calling him. The bruise on his left temple suddenly started throbbing.
"Yep?"
"Whatcha doin'?"
"Going home. You?"
"Same. Take care."
He smiles, "You, too," And hangs up.
---End--
Can you imagine what it would be like if people didn't grow up and change?
"You think they're gone?"
"Maybe? I don't hear anything else."
"Yeah, it's too quiet. What time do you think is it?"
"I don't know. I don't like this, Jin. It's scary. Do you think they're really gonna leave us like this?"
"I... Maybe. I don't know."
"I really didn't sign up for this. This is no fun at all!"
"Hey! It's not like I wanted this, either! I won that thing for chrissake! And you're just a tag along. Beggars can't be choosers, you know!"
"Yeah right, like I'd ever beg for this nightmare."
"At least we're not freezing our asses of in Hokkaido, that would've been an even stupider choice for a trip!"
"Shut up!"
The two boys lay with their backs to each other, each of them pouting and keeping their hands fisted under their sleeping bags to avoid throwing a punch. Not one of them dared to utter a word and admit defeat. The silence stretched on but fatigue of the long day soon eased the furrows off their brows. With the rhythmic splashing of the waves lulling them to sleep, it wasn't long before they gave in to a deep and dreamless slumber; their meaningless argument forgotten.
Kame opens his eyes and quickly shields them from the glare of the midday sun. The familiar crashing of the waves is the only remnant of his all too real dream. No, he wasn't dreaming more than he was remembering. And it's too real because it was real. It's been too long a time since has spaced out like that. He'd rather call it spacing out than sleeping because he never thinks when he is asleep. He dreams but he never remembers memories that he has pushed back into the deeper recesses of his mind. He sits up and looks at the scene around him. He loves the sea.
The waves are not more than a foot high. It's calm for the time for the day. The sun's reflection makes it sparkle like it is a sea of diamonds rather than just the plain and expected salt water. Despite the season, the sun is shining brightly, and the wind is just a tad warmer than it is in Tokyo. This place has no winters, it is always summer. He loves this place. It's a love affair that has been going on since he was fourteen.
Jin is bored. He hates waiting for elevators. Almost as much as he hates riding them and spending almost an eternity listening to corny music over the speakers before finally reaching his floor. He yawns and presses the up button a couple more times. The large lobby doors slide open and he hears determined footfalls crossing the hall and heading towards the elevator. He turns and hopes it's someone fun, like Nishikido or Yokoyama because Yamapi doesn't walk like that. The floor was suddenly abuzz with excited whispers. Jin can almost touch the thick tension in the air. When he finally sees the source of the anxiety, he freezes. The person he doesn't want to share an elevator with is heading straight towards him.
Kamenashi walks up beside him and waits for the same elevator. Dressing as the perfect cookie-cutter idol he always pretends to be, he is clad in a bejeweled coat that flaps around his knees, and tattered jeans that are more tatters than jeans. He had on a pair of light brown aviators that contribute to his celebrity aura; sort of like saying, "Hey, I'm a celebrity." He looks so full of himself. Jin snarls in disgust.
Jin thinks about taking the stairs instead, but then he remembers he has about 10 flights to take, and besides, he isn't about to give Kamenashi his elevator. As if fate was playing a trick on him, the elevator doors open just a few seconds after Kamenashi arrives. As though even the elevator was against him.
Kamenashi gets on it without batting Jin an eyelash. Jin hesitates, but he figures if Kamenashi can ignore him like that, then he can ignore Kamenashi just as much, too. He steps inside and waits for other people to get on, silently prays for other people to get on, as if it'll be less awkward that way. He selects his destination and notices that Kamenashi's going off a few floors before him. He breathes a silent sigh of relief, thinking that that would give him some time to compose himself before meeting some higher ups. To his disappointment, the suffocating tension between them scares off any other person who is about to take the elevator, and the door closes with just the two of them inside.
He nervously peeks at Kamenashi from the edge of his eye, and quickly averts his gaze before his co-passenger can notice. He feels as though he's about to go cross-eyed from the sudden exercises he's giving his ocular muscles, but there's no way he's going to let Kamenashi get the satisfaction of knowing he's looking.
"What?" Kamenashi coldly says out of nowhere.
"Er...Nothing."
Kamenashi sighs and rolls his eyes and Jin suddenly feels like strangling him.
Jin watches as the numbers light up one after the other, approaching Kamenashi's floor. He's got less than a minute of torture left so he stuffs his fists in his pockets and clenches his jaw.
The bell rings a single time; Kamenashi's cue to get off. Jin doesn't know what suddenly hits him, but as if automatically, he blocks the opening doors and traps Kamenashi inside. Maybe it's the guilt eating him up, or the repressed anger, or just the need for Kamenashi to acknowledge he exists.
Kamenashi cocks an eyebrow at him.
"We need to talk."
"We don't."
"We do."
With Kamenashi glaring at him, he forces out a word he's not used to saying, "Please?"
That takes Kamenashi by surprise, and Jin wonders for a little bit if Kamenashi can be as cold as to humiliate him like that when Kamenashi just checks his watch.
"This better be quick." Kamenashi finally concedes in a stilted tone.
"So? What is it that we really have to talk about"
Jin knows Kamenashi can throw killer glares when he's not in the mood, but it's definitely a hundred times more intimidating when he's being forced to do something against his will. When Kamenashi agreed to talk, Jin picked the first location that came to his mind and that happens to be the Jimusho rooftop. So without meaning it to be one, the situation channels a perfect scene out of a television drama.
If only Kamenashi will stop being such a bitch.
"You keep cancelling our meetings, why won't you talk to me?"
"What is there to talk about?"
"I'm sorry."
Kamenashi stares at him devoid of emotion, "I've said this before, haven't I? It’ll be the best for everyone if we can keep going with the path we chose and work hard at that."
"Bullshit! Stop being the robot you always are!"
Kamenashi takes a hold of his collar and hisses close to his face, "Trust me, you don't want to hear what I have to say."
They struggle for a bit before Jin finally pushes him away, "I hate you for throwing me out!"
Kamenashi unexpectedly punches him in the face. They stare at each other in horror for a moment, Kamenashi agape at his tightly coiled fist, and Jin equally shocked at the protruding knuckles. Kamenashi sure as hell learned those boxing lessons by heart. For all the times they've argued in the past it has never come to blows. He brings a hand up to his lip as it starts stinging, and becomes absolutely enraged when he sees a tinge of blood staining his fingers. He lunges at his opponent and lands a jab on Kamenashi's left temple, knocking the signature shades off.
"I hate you for always leaving!" Kame sneers.
They throw punches at each other, mostly hitting air. They're idols, not fighters, after all. Kamenashi grabs a hold of Jin's torso and tries to throw him down, but Jin, being the meatier of the them, makes it difficult, especially when he, too, is struggling. They collapse against each other, on their knees, panting.
"You're a selfish bastard, Akanishi."
"Well you're a spiteful bitch, fuck you to hell!"
"Fuck you, too!"
They resort to not saying anything to each other again, but Jin can't let it go. Somehow it still matters what Kamenashi thinks of him, "Do you hate me?"
"Yes," Kamenashi doesn't forgive so easily.
It crushes Jin. It makes him wish they can go back to how they used to be, arguing about stupid things, and fighting over something as mundane as face cream.
"Yeah, well I hate you, too." Jin realizes they sound just like stubborn teenagers, and he laughs bitterly, "Why does it end up like this? We used to be friends."
Kamenashi snorts, "I was young and stupid, if I knew better then I wouldn't have hung out with you."
Kamenashi's words hurt, but it's something Jin has been expecting. He knows what he has done. It is just but a tiny bit of consolation for him to note that the hate seeping from Kamenashi tone has diminished.
"You look like a hobo."
Like always Kamenashi tends to go off track. And Jin smiles at the unexpected turn of events, not quite with relief as though a thorn was taken from his heart, but with bittersweet peace of the aftermath of their feud. They may still hate each other, but they are honest enough to admit it. Just like how they used to be transparent to each other. No more appearances.
"You look ridiculous... as usual," Jin retorts.
"Hmph... Like I'd take fashion tips from a hobo."
Jin blinks at the sunlight up above and looks at Kame. "You haven't spoken to me for over a year."
Kamenashi shrugs, "We always fight like this."
"Yeah, that’s true..." Jin notices Kamenashi's broken aviators, "Hey, I'm sorry about that, I'll buy you another pair..."
"Nah, it's fine."
"I guess you can afford it fine, huh?"
Kamenashi's eyebrow rises, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I mean with the sports car, and the beach house, and all that, must be spare change for you."
"Huh? Where'd you hear all that?"
"Well, I see your car parking lot, and people talk about huge splurge purchases, you know. Especially if it’s a house in Okinawa."
Kamenashi smiles, "I work my ass off. Gimme a break."
"Yeah, you're living my dream. You know how I've always talked about buying land, right? You've had the house for a really long time and you never told me..."
If Kamenashi isn't mistaken, Jin seems like he is sulking. It amuses him, "Wait, don't tell me you're gonna sulk because of that!"
"You were keeping something from me!"
A look of utter confusion mixed with exasperation crosses Kamenashi's face. After all that has been done, Jin has the gall to react that way about something so petty. "What are you, twelve?! I didn't even know you cared!"
"I had a feeling something was up," Jin explained, "But I thought you were just seeing someone or something..."
"Oh..."
They avert their gazes. Their relationship is a complicated one. They don't talk about who they’re going out with nor did they want to know about that aspect of their lives, but somehow they'd always get that feeling when someone’s keeping secrets from them, and assume one of them having a fling or something like that. They end up being awkward and avoidant of each other.
"I love Okinawa, so I thought, why not?" Kamenashi shrugs.
"Don't talk about it like you're the only one. I love it as much as you do!"
"Yeah, sure, fine. Whatever."
"You should thank me for letting you tag along that one time."
"Worst trip ever."
"No, it wasn't! It turned out fun."
"Hmm... yeah... Still. Worst trip ever."
"No."
Kamenashi rolls his eyes at Jin again, but this time he makes an offer, "Hey, why don't we go there sometime. You can take a look at the house, if you want."
"That'd be great. It's been a really, really long time since we went to the sea together."
"Let's go surfing or something."
"Yeah. I bet it's great having a house there. I wish I have a house there."
"Maybe if you spent half as much effort working as you do partying..."
"Yeah, yeah, don't start lecturing me about that again."
Kame smirks, "It'll be fun, though."
"Yeah. Just don't cancel on me for no reason again. I'll think you didn't want to go in the first place."
Kame laughs, "I won't."
They sit in contended silence for a bit before trying to think of passable explanations about their cuts and bruises and why they were late for their appointments. When they were juniors, they didn't need to worry about explanations; everyone just assumed they fought because they were teenagers. It's much different when they are adults; they're expected to be responsible. They're always expected to act properly and have a reason for everything they do.
As of yet, the truce still seems unreal to Jin, but he's willing to take everything in stride. They take one last look at the impressive sky-scraper dominated horizon before they go back to their usual lives.
It will never be the same, Kame knows that. They're way too different than what they used to be. There are some people who used to be best friends in elementary school and eventually grow apart and become adults who have very different interests and personalities. In the end those people might evolve to be mere acquaintances. It's all part of living, learning things, and liking things. And yet there are some things that may never change. There are some quirks people never lose. Quirks that will remind others that they are still the same person. There are some moments that will somehow bring back the memories of the good times they've shared with those they've grown apart from. Some people grow apart but find it so easy to pick up where they left off. Others find it more difficult to relate to someone who used to be their friend, but has since changed into a complete stranger. Yet there is still that undeniable bond. That moment when one of them says, "Hey do you remember...?" and then it opens the floodgates of happy memories and good times.
Kame assumes he and Jin will always have Okinawa.
He takes out the phone that is incessantly ringing in his pocket, and his lips twitch up in surprise to see the Akanishi calling him. The bruise on his left temple suddenly started throbbing.
"Yep?"
"Whatcha doin'?"
"Going home. You?"
"Same. Take care."
He smiles, "You, too," And hangs up.
---End--