[Fic] I GOTTA KICK START NOW -part 1-
Shouldn't post this because there's no one left to read it, but I watched way too many L'Arc and Hyde vids recently and a story formed in my head and bugged me so I had to write it out.
The story was meant to be simpler and more light-hearted, but it ran off on its own and became a three-parter ;_;
Title: I GOTTA KICK START NOW
Author: kairi_yume
Genre: AU, light-hearted drama, humour?
Pairing: Gackt and Hyde. Other L'Arc members, VAMPS, GacktJob appear in the fic.
Comments: Gackt tries asking Hyde out on a date and it somehow leads to a battle of the bands?
Not everyone is in the story because I initially thought about mixing the bands up for more AU-ness, but they stayed. Also some other bands cameo in the last chapter but won't be listed because they're not part of the main plot. If anyone reads, thank you and hope you enjoyed it <3
~~I GOTTA KICK START NOW: Part 1~~
The music started.
"I'm gonna try you out..." his voice began. "Just shake and move..."
He was starting to get into the song.
"Not in a nasty waa-" The music then abruptly stopped.
Hyde opened his eyes, realising he had closed them. He turned to his band members to see why they stopped. On the way to look, his eyes stopped at the figure by the door. It was someone familiar, but not someone who should be standing there during their practice. Or at all.
"Who is that?" a band member asked out.
Hyde didn't answer, surprised.
"Hyde." The blond smiled, walking into the studio like he hadn't interrupted everyone. He was holding a single rose in his hand. It was a charming smile, as attractive as its owner himself. But that didn't mean any of this made sense.
"Umm...Gackt," Hyde managed a reply. "What...what are you doing here?"
"You said you practised around here." Gackt still had his disarming smile.
"Yes, but-"
"Here." Gackt offered the rose to him. "I wanted to thank you for a wonderful time last night."
Hyde blinked, not sure what to say. Or what the other members might be thinking.
"At first, I didn't think much of it. You were having drinks with a friend," Gackt spoke. "Then your friend had to rush off and as you sat there by yourself, you noticed that I was alone too."
"I thought it would be more fun to have company," Hyde added.
"Yes." Gackt looked at him. "You approached me and asked if you could join me. Then we drank and talked."
"Yeah..." Hyde was still wondering where this was leading.
"Your eyes had this light to them as you talked about yourself and other things. And when you laughed, I was mesmerised."
"Eh?"
"I found myself looking into your pretty eyes, your face..." Gackt lowered his gaze.
Hyde parted his lips, feeling a bit nervous. "Gackt, what are you-"
"We may have just met but I think that I fell for you."
Hyde heard an exaggerated gasp. It was probably one of the guys behind him.
Gackt saw that he wasn't making any moves to take the flower, and inched forward. Hyde took a sharp inhale as Gackt closed the distance between them. The blond awkwardly looked around for a pocket to stick the rose in, but there wasn't any.
"Gackt...I..." Hyde was at a loss for words.
Gackt settled for sticking the rose into the gap between the buttons of Hyde's shirt.
Hyde could feel the stalk lightly scratching his skin, but didn't say anything because he was still processing what was happening.
"There." Gackt took a step back as he was done. Looking up from the rose, his eyes met Hyde's. "Will you go on a date with me?"
"I," Hyde tried to make a coherent reply. "I'm actually not..."
The hopeful look on Gackt's face made it more difficult.
"I don't think this is a good time."
"You mean because you're in the middle of practice or because you're not looking to date?"
Hyde was surprised at Gackt's self-awareness of crashing their practice time. Before he could answer, his bandmate Ju-ken suddenly popped up beside them.
"This whole scene..." Ju-ken made a circle with his finger. "Is like a drama I can't bear to watch, so I'm going to take a short break. See you."
"Uhh..." Hyde looked from him to Gackt.
"Are you coming, Kaz? Ari?" Ju-ken turned to the others.
"I'll just stay around and wait." Kaz said, appearing somewhat amused, while their drummer walked over to them.
Hyde watched the two bandmates leave, before his attention returned to Gackt, who was staring at him. The blond's presence did have a disconcerting effect. Even if Hyde had been the one to go over and talk to him first, back at the bar.
Those blue eyes had at first coolly glanced at him, before they warmed up and his face showed hints of a smile. Hyde thought he looked cool, before collecting his scattered thoughts and introducing himself.
Then they talked, drank and...
Hyde pulled away from his thoughts. He didn't really want to go there right now.
"Gackt." Hyde carefully took the rose back out from his shirt. He looked back up, before taking Gackt's hand and putting the flower in it. "I'm sorry."
The heat from the hand felt kind of nice against him, that Hyde felt a little flustered. He quickly let go, once Gackt was holding onto the flower.
"I'm just not looking to date," Hyde spoke quickly. "Last night was...nice. But now is just a busy time for me."
"But the sex was great, wasn't it?" Gackt said matter-of-factly.
Hyde was stunned at the blunt statement. "Well...y-yes..."
Kaz snickered somewhere behind him.
"I want to get to know you better," Gackt continued.
Hyde placed his hands on the sides of Gackt's arms. "Let's not discuss this right now."
"Why not?" Gackt wasn't the least bit affected by Hyde's attempt to turn him around.
"I have practice, okay?" What Hyde said was true, but it also sounded like an excuse.
"Then can I come here and try again?"
"Huh?"
Gackt looked determined. "To ask you out."
"Fine, whatever." Hyde wanted Gackt to leave so he can sort himself out first. He helped to push the blond towards the exit.
Gackt suddenly stopped by the door. "By the way, I left my ring on your bedside table this morning."
That was met by a whistle, as Ju-ken neared them, grinning. "I left something behind too. Don't mind me."
**********
"Sooo...who was that?"
"Nobody, Kaz," Hyde was standing by his apartment door. He had answered the phone while unlocking the door, thinking it was something urgent or band-related.
"It's not that I'm snooping," Kaz chuckled at the other end. "I just can't believe mister I-have-no-time-for-romance and we-should-only-focus-on-music has been busy seducing people."
"Hey, it's not like that!" Hyde said defensively, closing the door behind him. "It just happened."
"Sure."
"I don't have to explain myself to you."
Kaz's tone definitely sounded like he was smiling. "Don't worry, I'm not assuming anything about our dear vocalist."
"I'm not interested in dating." Hyde dropped his keys on the table. "That's that. If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."
"I did call to remind you that tomorrow's practice is postponed," Kaz spoke.
"Oh, Ju-ken has to play for his friend." Hyde took his jacket off, switching the phone to another hand.
"I sure hope someday it will be our turn to play at such venues." Kaz sounded wistful.
"Me too." Hyde's lips curled upwards at the thought. "That's why we're trying our best now."
"Yeah, see you at the next practice, Hyde."
"See you." Hyde then placed his phone down. He walked by the sofa, before starting on the buttons of his shirt. A quick shower would be nice for his tired body. He had slept a bit later the night before.
The thought made him stop in his tracks. He had reached his room and was looking at his bed. It was neatly made now, but not earlier in the morning. The memory brought on a flush of warmth to his face. He quickly shrugged it away. He may have made one questionable decision that night, but that doesn't change anything.
Hyde left the room. He was certain that he wasn't going to make the same mistake again. It was a moment of weakness, being impulsive and inviting Gackt-
Someone was knocking on the door.
"Who...?" Hyde glanced at the clock. He couldn't think of anyone who would visit him at this hour.
He went to the apartment door and opened it. As he saw who it was, he wondered if a part of him had expected this to happen.
"Oh," was all he blurted, standing there.
"Hyde." Gackt smiled. "I was just done with work and thought I should come get my ring."
Hyde didn't know what to say.
"It was possible that you wouldn't be home yet. I guess I should have texted you first." Gackt had a sheepish expression on his face.
Hyde couldn't help thinking that it looked kind of cute.
"But you know, since we shared numbers at the bar, we haven't actually contacted each other on our phones so..." Gackt went on.
Hyde crinkled his nose slightly. Was appearing at their studio less weird? He also wondered how Gackt knew where he lived.
"I'm really glad you brought me here last night." Gackt unintentionally answered his question.
Hyde had forgotten that obvious point. "Maybe it was because we were drinking."
Gackt looked at him. "We were."
Hyde could have meant it both ways, forgetting, and for the bad decision. But it wasn't like Gackt could read his mind. Maybe he was just stalling the conversation.
"We spent a couple of hours just enjoying each other's company at the bar."
"Yes but..."
"At the end of it, we weren't drunk out of our minds and just doing impulsive things without consequence," Gackt asserted. "It was something that we both were aware of and-"
"It was impulsive," Hyde cut in.
"Maybe." Gackt's gaze lowered to the skin barely hidden behind Hyde's unbuttoned shirt. "But I had this impression that you wanted me."
"I..."
"And me, you."
"Don't do this." Hyde saw Gackt moving closer, and took a step back. Those eyes had an effect on him, just as they did yesterday. He was starting to recall things. Things that made him feel uncomfortably hot. The lips...and hands that had been on him...
"Can I kiss you again?" The question Gackt asked, almost sounded innocent.
Hyde wanted to say no, but he felt an anticipation within himself. The memory of their skin touching.
Gackt lowered his head to meet his lips to Hyde's. There was no resistance from Hyde, who returned the kiss like it was natural for him to do so. Their breaths grew heavier with each passing second. They moved in, letting the door close. Gackt slipped his hands under Hyde's shirt, wanting to feel him as much as he was tasting him.
Hyde let out a soft groan as soft lips grazed his neck. Maybe, he thought absently, as his hands were making their way around Gackt's waist...maybe he would have to give in to his need this one time. Again.
**********
"So how do you know Gackt?"
The name made Hyde snap his head up. He hadn't heard that name in at least a week. None of his bandmates brought up what happened previously, at the last few practices, and he hadn't seen Gackt since then either. He was relieved that things were just going to pass by peacefully.
Well, that was one way to put it. After that night.
They had lain in his bed once more, covered in a layer of sweat. He didn't have anything to say, and Gackt was quiet too. They stayed that way for a while, letting their heartbeats return to normal. Gackt then glanced at him, before getting up. Hyde had merely looked on as Gackt picked his clothes up from the floor. After Hyde got dressed as well, he accompanied Gackt to the door and they said their goodbyes.
Now, he still couldn't believe that he had been reckless again. It wasn't like him to do that. Getting lost in the moment, only going with his emotions, the sensations. Something about Gackt just...
It wasn't only the physical aspect of it either. The day they met, Hyde had found himself chatting so animatedly to Gackt.
"They met at a bar," Kaz helped to answer Arimatsu, seeing as his friend was lost in thoughts.
"Yeah," Hyde chipped in, when he realised that he hadn't replied.
"I thought you guys were acquaintances," Arimatsu continued.
Kaz looked like he was holding back a half-smile.
Hyde ignored him. "Some sort..."
"He's gaining popularity overseas."
"Huh?" Hyde's attention was back to the topic. Who was Arimatsu talking about? "Popularity?"
"Gackt," Arimatsu stated. "You know what he does, don't you?"
"Hmmm..." Hyde tried to recall, but didn't have an answer.
Ju-ken decided to butt in. "They probably got too busy with something else, that they never got around to talking about it."
Kaz immediately gestured him to zip it.
"Never mind." Ju-ken walked away from the puzzled drummer.
"I think that's enough for our break?" Kaz spoke up, changing the subject. "Everyone's here already, so let's get started."
Hyde shot him a grateful look. Kaz gave a nod as he went to his guitar. Hyde walked over to where he left his music sheet, remembering that he had wanted to note something down.
"Back from the top?" Kaz asked them.
"Actually," Ju-ken spoke up. "I want to try that part again. The one just before."
Hyde put his pencil down, playing the melody in his head.
"Okay, from there," Kaz agreed. Then he paused. "Uhh, Hyde?"
"Yeah?" Hyde turned to him. Before his vision landed on his bandmate however, he definitely noticed someone standing by the door.
For the briefest second, he thought he felt relief lurking behind his surprise.
"Gackt," Hyde uttered the name out, before asking the question that was getting familiar to him. "What are you doing here?"
Gackt smiled, casually walking over. "Did you miss me?"
"I..." Hyde began, as Gackt pushed aside a hair strand from his face. "I guess you kind of disappeared..."
"Work got busy so I could only wait until today to see you."
Hyde looked at him. Then as if recalling they were all at practice, hastily glanced to his bandmates, before moving slightly away from the hand that hovered by his face. "So...why did you come here?"
"To see you," Gackt said out. "And I came here to try again."
"You don't mean..."
"Ask you out on a date."
"Gackt." Hyde's tone was firm. "I'm not going to date you."
Gackt didn't seem to be expecting that answer. "I thought after our second night together-"
Hyde heard a whistle from behind him. "No, I..."
"It was good for you too, wasn't it?" Gackt was intent on getting his date, it appeared.
Hyde immediately grabbed Gackt by the arm, pulling him along. "We are not discussing my sex life here."
As soon as they were outside of the building, Hyde let go of him. Though this was probably not a better place than the studio, with the cars and people going by. At least there weren't many of them at that hour, and he wasn't going to make a scene in front of his bandmates. If he didn't count the last two practice interruptions.
"Why did you sleep with me?" Gackt turned to him.
"I don't know..." Hyde felt put on the spot. "I don't just invite people I meet to my place."
"Then..."
"Maybe I had a great time with you. Maybe I was just...turned on..."
"If you had a nice time, then let's go on a date."
"I can't."
"Why is that?" Gackt was trying to understand him.
"I'm not interested in dating." Hyde remained adamant.
"Are you only interested in a fuck buddy?"
"What?" Hyde was surprised by the question. "No."
"Because you sure didn't seem to mind when we fucked. But somehow draw the line at going out with me."
"It's not like that."
"Then why don't you tell me what it is."
"I just don't want to date."
"Why the hell not?" Gackt started to look weary.
"Because dating is a waste of time." Hyde grew impatient.
"So the time we spent together till now is also a waste of time?" Gackt looked a bit hurt.
"You know I don't mean that! And we're not even dating."
"You don't even look like you know what you want. How am I supposed to know what you mean?"
"You can't say that...you don't even know me."
"Why don't you tell me?"
"Fine. I don't know, okay?"
"Then what was that night at your place?"
"I..." Hyde wished he knew. "You seduced me."
"So it was okay to just use me, to feel good?" Gackt asked.
"I didn't use you."
"I really like you, Hyde. I thought maybe our short time together had meant something to you too."
"It's not nothing..." was all Hyde could say.
"But dating is a waste of time," Gackt repeated his reply.
"I just want to focus on the band right now. I don't have time for a relationship. All that emotions, vulnerability...they only get in the way."
"In the way, huh?" Gackt smiled sadly. "You think that if you don't date, you will do so much better in the band?"
Hyde didn't think exactly that, but he didn't need Gackt to tell him either. "Yes."
"You're going to insist on that?" Gackt's face was a mixture of amusement and mild exasperation.
"Yes," Hyde said, stubbornly.
"I guess we'll find out then, huh?" Gackt shook his head, his lips almost forming a smirk.
"What do you..." Hyde didn't get to finish asking.
Gackt had walked off.
**********
Practice had resumed normally. Kaz only asked if he was okay after he returned, because apparently he looked upset. He didn't even know if he was. He didn't know anything.
"Bye, guys."
Hyde looked up to see Ju-ken and Arimatsu waving, as they headed off in the other direction. He raised him hand up to wave back.
"Ju-ken said..." Kaz suddenly spoke up.
Hyde turned to him, as they both continued walking along the path.
"He said you look smitten, when Gackt turned up."
"Huh?"
"So whatever it is, between you guys..."
"We're not dating."
"I'm just saying that we, as your bandmates, will be understanding. That's all."
Hyde sighed. "I'm sorry. For all the weird interruptions."
"It's alright." Kaz gave a sympathetic smile. "We haven't made it big yet. You can get all the weirdness out now."
"Don't be silly," Hyde chided him lightly. "Either way, it won't happen again."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves there," Kaz said, as he came to a stop. This was where their routes diverged.
"See you tomorrow, Kaz."
After his friend went off to the right, Hyde trudged on his way home. Moments later he was on the train, his mind wandering. He wasn't thinking of anything in particular. He just felt drained. There was also a slight nagging feeling of loss. Whatever that meant.
His phone beeped. He took it out of his pocket, absently tapping on it.
"How did it go with loverboy?" Ju-ken had sent him a message.
Hyde put his phone back to sleep mode. He was about to put his phone away, when he decided to press the button again. He looked at the screen, before tapping his list of contacts. He scrolled through, until he got to Gackt's name. After staring at it for a while, he found himself selecting it.
Should he send Gackt a message? Apologising...but apologising for what in particular?
"I'm sorry I made use of your body." Hyde typed away on his phone. Then just as quickly as he wrote it, the message was immediately erased.
Hyde kept the phone away. He should just let it be. He didn't need to get caught up in distractions after all.
**********
"Yeah that live was great. Should have gotten tickets for you guys."
"Well, there will be others..."
Hyde walked into the studio. Ju-ken and Kaz were looking over pictures on one of their phones.
"Yo," Ju-ken greeted him.
"Hey," Hyde mumbled a bit sleepily.
"Ari's going to be late." Kaz turned to him. "He had to fill in for a friend at their part-time work."
"This morning?"
"Yeah." Kaz put Ju-ken's phone down on the table.
Hyde settled on one of the chairs beside it. "How's it going with the song you're working on?"
"It's pretty uninspiring at the moment."
"You'll figure it out." Ju-ken went past them. "Going to get something from the vending machine outside. Want anything?"
"Nah." Hyde shook his head.
"We're good." Kaz sat down beside him.
"Okie dokie." Ju-ken headed outside.
Kaz looked at Hyde. "You doing okay? I mean I don't know what's going on, but-"
"I'm fine." Hyde smiled somewhat resignedly. He didn't know what was going on either. "It's been a few days anyway."
Ju-ken reappeared at the door. "Guys..."
"What's up?" Kaz noticed the wary look on his face.
"Hyde's boyfri- I mean, acquaintance," Ju-ken corrected himself, after Kaz narrowed his eyes at him. "He's here."
Hyde glanced at Kaz, before slowly getting up. He wasn't sure what to expect this time. Not that he ever did.
He only managed to get halfway to the door, when Gackt stepped into the room. Surprisingly, there were other people walking in with him this time.
"Are those your bodyguards?" Ju-ken spoke up from the sides.
"My band members," Gackt replied, as he stood some distance away from Hyde.
"Band members?" Hyde repeated. Gackt was a musician?
"Hyde." Gackt's eyes were affixed on him. "I'm challenging you to a battle of the bands."
"B-Battle?" Hyde blinked.
"Eeeh?" Ju-ken was echoing similar thoughts.
"What..." Hyde was still taking in Gackt's words. "What do you mean by challenge?"
"There is an event coming up in some weeks." Gackt had a different air to him as he moved in the room. "Different bands compete to get the best score from the judges and viewers, for their performance."
"We're not interested in that sort of thing," Kaz spoke up.
"Don't you wonder how well they would like your performance?" Gackt smiled, though it came off rather cold.
"Even if we do, we're not doing anything you're telling us to."
"I've registered you guys for it." Gackt didn't look like he was listening.
"You can't do that," Hyde protested.
"So all you have to do is just turn up and play your songs."
"Gackt." Kaz saw that the blond was purposely ignoring them. "We're not participating."
Gackt stopped in front of Hyde. "The challenge is simple. Your band just has to score better than us."
Hyde looked back at him.
"If we win, then you..." Gackt pointed a finger to Hyde's face, barely missing his nose from the short distance between them. "Will date me."
"That's what this is about?" Hyde was stunned. "You're even getting your band involved?"
"Don't worry." Gackt smiled, the same odd smile. "They don't mind so much since you guys probably aren't a challenge for them."
Hyde was taken aback by Gackt's attitude.
"What if we win?" Ju-ken shot back.
"If you guys somehow win..." Gackt pretended to think it over. "I'll give up on him."
Hyde was speechless. Gackt didn't seem like himself. He didn't even sound like he wanted the date.
"Wait," Kaz interrupted. "How does this benefit our band at all? You're just telling us to do something you want. Why would we listen to you?"
Gackt held up a pamphlet. "You see, I'm only nice to people I care about. As for you guys, I thought it would be entertaining to have you take part in my little game. And if you don't..."
"We're not entertainment for you."
"If you don't participate, I will crush you."
"Do you mean literally crushing us? Or destroying our band's future in some way?" Ju-ken piped up worriedly. "Like having some secret connections we don't know about..."
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Gackt offered the pamphlet to Hyde. "Your choice."
Hyde shakily moved up a hand up to the pamphlet. He had never felt this confused before. As his fingers were about to reach the piece of paper, he saw Gackt letting it go. Hyde looked up at Gackt, as the pamphlet fell to the floor. The person in front of him had the same handsome features, yet they were twisted in a way that he found...he didn't like.
In the first place, he hadn't gotten to know Gackt all that well. But this was like a different person was standing there, in their studio.
Kaz picked up the pamphlet, as Hyde remained unmoving. Gackt didn't say anything else and left.
The three of them quietly watched as their remaining guests also headed out. After they were on their own again, Ju-ken went over to Hyde and Kaz.
"Are you okay?" Kaz glanced at Hyde in concern.
Hyde wordlessly walked over to the table area and sat down.
"What are we going to do?"
Ju-ken shrugged at Kaz.
"This is because of me..." Hyde dropped his face flat on the table.
"We're not blaming you, Hyde," Kaz told him.
"I don't know what Gackt's problem is." Ju-ken joined Hyde at the table. "It's as if someone...did something to his cereal..."
"I'm sorry." Hyde wrapped his arms around his head.
"Maybe this is just who he is." Kaz dropped the pamphlet to the table.
"It's not your fault, even if you had sex with the guy." Ju-ken touched the back of Hyde's head, patting it.
"I don't like going along with Gackt's game." Kaz looked at them.
"Me too, but what about what he said?" Ju-ken picked the pamphlet up.
"That he could get us in trouble?"
"We don't know if his threat holds up though..."
"We don't know that it doesn't."
"Should I go talk to him?" Hyde lifted his head back up.
"He's not giving us a choice," Kaz pointed out.
"To be honest..." Ju-ken turned to them. "I'm a little riled up at how he treated us."
"Yeah." Kaz agreed.
"He just struts in here with his bodyguards and talks down on us. And then he even orders us around. Who does he think he is?"
Kaz sensed some mean-spirited-ness towards Hyde too. But didn't he want to add fuel to the anger bubbling up in them. At least, until he figured out Gackt's full intention.
"I'm not going to let that jerk pick on any of us." Ju-ken folded his arms across his chest.
"Then what do you suggest? That we just forget about the competition?"
"I don't think we can..."
"Maybe," Hyde spoke up. "We'll just have to beat him at his game."
"Are you sure about that?" Kaz asked.
"I'd rather the three of us go find Gackt and actually try beat him up." Ju-ken was only half-joking. "But that works too."
"I'm sure." Hyde smiled weakly. "Let's go."
"You mean the competition and not finding Gackt right?"
"Okay." Kaz ignored Ju-ken, and held his hand out. "Let's do it."
Ju-ken rested his hand on Kaz's. "We're a team. Us including Ari. Let's kick Gackt and his band's asses."
"That phrasing is a little weird." Kaz turned to him.
"Who cares? Let's do our best and show Gackt that we're not some small band to be trifled with."
Hyde lifted his hand up. There was yet so much for them to achieve, as a band. Would they be ready? Kaz was still working on his song, the rest of them also needed to improve a lot at practice...
"Hyde." Kaz noticed his hesitation. "It'll be okay."
"Yeah," Ju-ken smiled at them. "We're in this together."
"Then..." Hyde placed him hand on top of Ju-ken's, before looking at the two of them. "Let's kick-start this now."
-end of part one-
The story was meant to be simpler and more light-hearted, but it ran off on its own and became a three-parter ;_;
Title: I GOTTA KICK START NOW
Author: kairi_yume
Genre: AU, light-hearted drama, humour?
Pairing: Gackt and Hyde. Other L'Arc members, VAMPS, GacktJob appear in the fic.
Comments: Gackt tries asking Hyde out on a date and it somehow leads to a battle of the bands?
Not everyone is in the story because I initially thought about mixing the bands up for more AU-ness, but they stayed. Also some other bands cameo in the last chapter but won't be listed because they're not part of the main plot. If anyone reads, thank you and hope you enjoyed it <3
~~I GOTTA KICK START NOW: Part 1~~
The music started.
"I'm gonna try you out..." his voice began. "Just shake and move..."
He was starting to get into the song.
"Not in a nasty waa-" The music then abruptly stopped.
Hyde opened his eyes, realising he had closed them. He turned to his band members to see why they stopped. On the way to look, his eyes stopped at the figure by the door. It was someone familiar, but not someone who should be standing there during their practice. Or at all.
"Who is that?" a band member asked out.
Hyde didn't answer, surprised.
"Hyde." The blond smiled, walking into the studio like he hadn't interrupted everyone. He was holding a single rose in his hand. It was a charming smile, as attractive as its owner himself. But that didn't mean any of this made sense.
"Umm...Gackt," Hyde managed a reply. "What...what are you doing here?"
"You said you practised around here." Gackt still had his disarming smile.
"Yes, but-"
"Here." Gackt offered the rose to him. "I wanted to thank you for a wonderful time last night."
Hyde blinked, not sure what to say. Or what the other members might be thinking.
"At first, I didn't think much of it. You were having drinks with a friend," Gackt spoke. "Then your friend had to rush off and as you sat there by yourself, you noticed that I was alone too."
"I thought it would be more fun to have company," Hyde added.
"Yes." Gackt looked at him. "You approached me and asked if you could join me. Then we drank and talked."
"Yeah..." Hyde was still wondering where this was leading.
"Your eyes had this light to them as you talked about yourself and other things. And when you laughed, I was mesmerised."
"Eh?"
"I found myself looking into your pretty eyes, your face..." Gackt lowered his gaze.
Hyde parted his lips, feeling a bit nervous. "Gackt, what are you-"
"We may have just met but I think that I fell for you."
Hyde heard an exaggerated gasp. It was probably one of the guys behind him.
Gackt saw that he wasn't making any moves to take the flower, and inched forward. Hyde took a sharp inhale as Gackt closed the distance between them. The blond awkwardly looked around for a pocket to stick the rose in, but there wasn't any.
"Gackt...I..." Hyde was at a loss for words.
Gackt settled for sticking the rose into the gap between the buttons of Hyde's shirt.
Hyde could feel the stalk lightly scratching his skin, but didn't say anything because he was still processing what was happening.
"There." Gackt took a step back as he was done. Looking up from the rose, his eyes met Hyde's. "Will you go on a date with me?"
"I," Hyde tried to make a coherent reply. "I'm actually not..."
The hopeful look on Gackt's face made it more difficult.
"I don't think this is a good time."
"You mean because you're in the middle of practice or because you're not looking to date?"
Hyde was surprised at Gackt's self-awareness of crashing their practice time. Before he could answer, his bandmate Ju-ken suddenly popped up beside them.
"This whole scene..." Ju-ken made a circle with his finger. "Is like a drama I can't bear to watch, so I'm going to take a short break. See you."
"Uhh..." Hyde looked from him to Gackt.
"Are you coming, Kaz? Ari?" Ju-ken turned to the others.
"I'll just stay around and wait." Kaz said, appearing somewhat amused, while their drummer walked over to them.
Hyde watched the two bandmates leave, before his attention returned to Gackt, who was staring at him. The blond's presence did have a disconcerting effect. Even if Hyde had been the one to go over and talk to him first, back at the bar.
Those blue eyes had at first coolly glanced at him, before they warmed up and his face showed hints of a smile. Hyde thought he looked cool, before collecting his scattered thoughts and introducing himself.
Then they talked, drank and...
Hyde pulled away from his thoughts. He didn't really want to go there right now.
"Gackt." Hyde carefully took the rose back out from his shirt. He looked back up, before taking Gackt's hand and putting the flower in it. "I'm sorry."
The heat from the hand felt kind of nice against him, that Hyde felt a little flustered. He quickly let go, once Gackt was holding onto the flower.
"I'm just not looking to date," Hyde spoke quickly. "Last night was...nice. But now is just a busy time for me."
"But the sex was great, wasn't it?" Gackt said matter-of-factly.
Hyde was stunned at the blunt statement. "Well...y-yes..."
Kaz snickered somewhere behind him.
"I want to get to know you better," Gackt continued.
Hyde placed his hands on the sides of Gackt's arms. "Let's not discuss this right now."
"Why not?" Gackt wasn't the least bit affected by Hyde's attempt to turn him around.
"I have practice, okay?" What Hyde said was true, but it also sounded like an excuse.
"Then can I come here and try again?"
"Huh?"
Gackt looked determined. "To ask you out."
"Fine, whatever." Hyde wanted Gackt to leave so he can sort himself out first. He helped to push the blond towards the exit.
Gackt suddenly stopped by the door. "By the way, I left my ring on your bedside table this morning."
That was met by a whistle, as Ju-ken neared them, grinning. "I left something behind too. Don't mind me."
**********
"Sooo...who was that?"
"Nobody, Kaz," Hyde was standing by his apartment door. He had answered the phone while unlocking the door, thinking it was something urgent or band-related.
"It's not that I'm snooping," Kaz chuckled at the other end. "I just can't believe mister I-have-no-time-for-romance and we-should-only-focus-on-music has been busy seducing people."
"Hey, it's not like that!" Hyde said defensively, closing the door behind him. "It just happened."
"Sure."
"I don't have to explain myself to you."
Kaz's tone definitely sounded like he was smiling. "Don't worry, I'm not assuming anything about our dear vocalist."
"I'm not interested in dating." Hyde dropped his keys on the table. "That's that. If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."
"I did call to remind you that tomorrow's practice is postponed," Kaz spoke.
"Oh, Ju-ken has to play for his friend." Hyde took his jacket off, switching the phone to another hand.
"I sure hope someday it will be our turn to play at such venues." Kaz sounded wistful.
"Me too." Hyde's lips curled upwards at the thought. "That's why we're trying our best now."
"Yeah, see you at the next practice, Hyde."
"See you." Hyde then placed his phone down. He walked by the sofa, before starting on the buttons of his shirt. A quick shower would be nice for his tired body. He had slept a bit later the night before.
The thought made him stop in his tracks. He had reached his room and was looking at his bed. It was neatly made now, but not earlier in the morning. The memory brought on a flush of warmth to his face. He quickly shrugged it away. He may have made one questionable decision that night, but that doesn't change anything.
Hyde left the room. He was certain that he wasn't going to make the same mistake again. It was a moment of weakness, being impulsive and inviting Gackt-
Someone was knocking on the door.
"Who...?" Hyde glanced at the clock. He couldn't think of anyone who would visit him at this hour.
He went to the apartment door and opened it. As he saw who it was, he wondered if a part of him had expected this to happen.
"Oh," was all he blurted, standing there.
"Hyde." Gackt smiled. "I was just done with work and thought I should come get my ring."
Hyde didn't know what to say.
"It was possible that you wouldn't be home yet. I guess I should have texted you first." Gackt had a sheepish expression on his face.
Hyde couldn't help thinking that it looked kind of cute.
"But you know, since we shared numbers at the bar, we haven't actually contacted each other on our phones so..." Gackt went on.
Hyde crinkled his nose slightly. Was appearing at their studio less weird? He also wondered how Gackt knew where he lived.
"I'm really glad you brought me here last night." Gackt unintentionally answered his question.
Hyde had forgotten that obvious point. "Maybe it was because we were drinking."
Gackt looked at him. "We were."
Hyde could have meant it both ways, forgetting, and for the bad decision. But it wasn't like Gackt could read his mind. Maybe he was just stalling the conversation.
"We spent a couple of hours just enjoying each other's company at the bar."
"Yes but..."
"At the end of it, we weren't drunk out of our minds and just doing impulsive things without consequence," Gackt asserted. "It was something that we both were aware of and-"
"It was impulsive," Hyde cut in.
"Maybe." Gackt's gaze lowered to the skin barely hidden behind Hyde's unbuttoned shirt. "But I had this impression that you wanted me."
"I..."
"And me, you."
"Don't do this." Hyde saw Gackt moving closer, and took a step back. Those eyes had an effect on him, just as they did yesterday. He was starting to recall things. Things that made him feel uncomfortably hot. The lips...and hands that had been on him...
"Can I kiss you again?" The question Gackt asked, almost sounded innocent.
Hyde wanted to say no, but he felt an anticipation within himself. The memory of their skin touching.
Gackt lowered his head to meet his lips to Hyde's. There was no resistance from Hyde, who returned the kiss like it was natural for him to do so. Their breaths grew heavier with each passing second. They moved in, letting the door close. Gackt slipped his hands under Hyde's shirt, wanting to feel him as much as he was tasting him.
Hyde let out a soft groan as soft lips grazed his neck. Maybe, he thought absently, as his hands were making their way around Gackt's waist...maybe he would have to give in to his need this one time. Again.
**********
"So how do you know Gackt?"
The name made Hyde snap his head up. He hadn't heard that name in at least a week. None of his bandmates brought up what happened previously, at the last few practices, and he hadn't seen Gackt since then either. He was relieved that things were just going to pass by peacefully.
Well, that was one way to put it. After that night.
They had lain in his bed once more, covered in a layer of sweat. He didn't have anything to say, and Gackt was quiet too. They stayed that way for a while, letting their heartbeats return to normal. Gackt then glanced at him, before getting up. Hyde had merely looked on as Gackt picked his clothes up from the floor. After Hyde got dressed as well, he accompanied Gackt to the door and they said their goodbyes.
Now, he still couldn't believe that he had been reckless again. It wasn't like him to do that. Getting lost in the moment, only going with his emotions, the sensations. Something about Gackt just...
It wasn't only the physical aspect of it either. The day they met, Hyde had found himself chatting so animatedly to Gackt.
"They met at a bar," Kaz helped to answer Arimatsu, seeing as his friend was lost in thoughts.
"Yeah," Hyde chipped in, when he realised that he hadn't replied.
"I thought you guys were acquaintances," Arimatsu continued.
Kaz looked like he was holding back a half-smile.
Hyde ignored him. "Some sort..."
"He's gaining popularity overseas."
"Huh?" Hyde's attention was back to the topic. Who was Arimatsu talking about? "Popularity?"
"Gackt," Arimatsu stated. "You know what he does, don't you?"
"Hmmm..." Hyde tried to recall, but didn't have an answer.
Ju-ken decided to butt in. "They probably got too busy with something else, that they never got around to talking about it."
Kaz immediately gestured him to zip it.
"Never mind." Ju-ken walked away from the puzzled drummer.
"I think that's enough for our break?" Kaz spoke up, changing the subject. "Everyone's here already, so let's get started."
Hyde shot him a grateful look. Kaz gave a nod as he went to his guitar. Hyde walked over to where he left his music sheet, remembering that he had wanted to note something down.
"Back from the top?" Kaz asked them.
"Actually," Ju-ken spoke up. "I want to try that part again. The one just before."
Hyde put his pencil down, playing the melody in his head.
"Okay, from there," Kaz agreed. Then he paused. "Uhh, Hyde?"
"Yeah?" Hyde turned to him. Before his vision landed on his bandmate however, he definitely noticed someone standing by the door.
For the briefest second, he thought he felt relief lurking behind his surprise.
"Gackt," Hyde uttered the name out, before asking the question that was getting familiar to him. "What are you doing here?"
Gackt smiled, casually walking over. "Did you miss me?"
"I..." Hyde began, as Gackt pushed aside a hair strand from his face. "I guess you kind of disappeared..."
"Work got busy so I could only wait until today to see you."
Hyde looked at him. Then as if recalling they were all at practice, hastily glanced to his bandmates, before moving slightly away from the hand that hovered by his face. "So...why did you come here?"
"To see you," Gackt said out. "And I came here to try again."
"You don't mean..."
"Ask you out on a date."
"Gackt." Hyde's tone was firm. "I'm not going to date you."
Gackt didn't seem to be expecting that answer. "I thought after our second night together-"
Hyde heard a whistle from behind him. "No, I..."
"It was good for you too, wasn't it?" Gackt was intent on getting his date, it appeared.
Hyde immediately grabbed Gackt by the arm, pulling him along. "We are not discussing my sex life here."
As soon as they were outside of the building, Hyde let go of him. Though this was probably not a better place than the studio, with the cars and people going by. At least there weren't many of them at that hour, and he wasn't going to make a scene in front of his bandmates. If he didn't count the last two practice interruptions.
"Why did you sleep with me?" Gackt turned to him.
"I don't know..." Hyde felt put on the spot. "I don't just invite people I meet to my place."
"Then..."
"Maybe I had a great time with you. Maybe I was just...turned on..."
"If you had a nice time, then let's go on a date."
"I can't."
"Why is that?" Gackt was trying to understand him.
"I'm not interested in dating." Hyde remained adamant.
"Are you only interested in a fuck buddy?"
"What?" Hyde was surprised by the question. "No."
"Because you sure didn't seem to mind when we fucked. But somehow draw the line at going out with me."
"It's not like that."
"Then why don't you tell me what it is."
"I just don't want to date."
"Why the hell not?" Gackt started to look weary.
"Because dating is a waste of time." Hyde grew impatient.
"So the time we spent together till now is also a waste of time?" Gackt looked a bit hurt.
"You know I don't mean that! And we're not even dating."
"You don't even look like you know what you want. How am I supposed to know what you mean?"
"You can't say that...you don't even know me."
"Why don't you tell me?"
"Fine. I don't know, okay?"
"Then what was that night at your place?"
"I..." Hyde wished he knew. "You seduced me."
"So it was okay to just use me, to feel good?" Gackt asked.
"I didn't use you."
"I really like you, Hyde. I thought maybe our short time together had meant something to you too."
"It's not nothing..." was all Hyde could say.
"But dating is a waste of time," Gackt repeated his reply.
"I just want to focus on the band right now. I don't have time for a relationship. All that emotions, vulnerability...they only get in the way."
"In the way, huh?" Gackt smiled sadly. "You think that if you don't date, you will do so much better in the band?"
Hyde didn't think exactly that, but he didn't need Gackt to tell him either. "Yes."
"You're going to insist on that?" Gackt's face was a mixture of amusement and mild exasperation.
"Yes," Hyde said, stubbornly.
"I guess we'll find out then, huh?" Gackt shook his head, his lips almost forming a smirk.
"What do you..." Hyde didn't get to finish asking.
Gackt had walked off.
**********
Practice had resumed normally. Kaz only asked if he was okay after he returned, because apparently he looked upset. He didn't even know if he was. He didn't know anything.
"Bye, guys."
Hyde looked up to see Ju-ken and Arimatsu waving, as they headed off in the other direction. He raised him hand up to wave back.
"Ju-ken said..." Kaz suddenly spoke up.
Hyde turned to him, as they both continued walking along the path.
"He said you look smitten, when Gackt turned up."
"Huh?"
"So whatever it is, between you guys..."
"We're not dating."
"I'm just saying that we, as your bandmates, will be understanding. That's all."
Hyde sighed. "I'm sorry. For all the weird interruptions."
"It's alright." Kaz gave a sympathetic smile. "We haven't made it big yet. You can get all the weirdness out now."
"Don't be silly," Hyde chided him lightly. "Either way, it won't happen again."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves there," Kaz said, as he came to a stop. This was where their routes diverged.
"See you tomorrow, Kaz."
After his friend went off to the right, Hyde trudged on his way home. Moments later he was on the train, his mind wandering. He wasn't thinking of anything in particular. He just felt drained. There was also a slight nagging feeling of loss. Whatever that meant.
His phone beeped. He took it out of his pocket, absently tapping on it.
"How did it go with loverboy?" Ju-ken had sent him a message.
Hyde put his phone back to sleep mode. He was about to put his phone away, when he decided to press the button again. He looked at the screen, before tapping his list of contacts. He scrolled through, until he got to Gackt's name. After staring at it for a while, he found himself selecting it.
Should he send Gackt a message? Apologising...but apologising for what in particular?
"I'm sorry I made use of your body." Hyde typed away on his phone. Then just as quickly as he wrote it, the message was immediately erased.
Hyde kept the phone away. He should just let it be. He didn't need to get caught up in distractions after all.
**********
"Yeah that live was great. Should have gotten tickets for you guys."
"Well, there will be others..."
Hyde walked into the studio. Ju-ken and Kaz were looking over pictures on one of their phones.
"Yo," Ju-ken greeted him.
"Hey," Hyde mumbled a bit sleepily.
"Ari's going to be late." Kaz turned to him. "He had to fill in for a friend at their part-time work."
"This morning?"
"Yeah." Kaz put Ju-ken's phone down on the table.
Hyde settled on one of the chairs beside it. "How's it going with the song you're working on?"
"It's pretty uninspiring at the moment."
"You'll figure it out." Ju-ken went past them. "Going to get something from the vending machine outside. Want anything?"
"Nah." Hyde shook his head.
"We're good." Kaz sat down beside him.
"Okie dokie." Ju-ken headed outside.
Kaz looked at Hyde. "You doing okay? I mean I don't know what's going on, but-"
"I'm fine." Hyde smiled somewhat resignedly. He didn't know what was going on either. "It's been a few days anyway."
Ju-ken reappeared at the door. "Guys..."
"What's up?" Kaz noticed the wary look on his face.
"Hyde's boyfri- I mean, acquaintance," Ju-ken corrected himself, after Kaz narrowed his eyes at him. "He's here."
Hyde glanced at Kaz, before slowly getting up. He wasn't sure what to expect this time. Not that he ever did.
He only managed to get halfway to the door, when Gackt stepped into the room. Surprisingly, there were other people walking in with him this time.
"Are those your bodyguards?" Ju-ken spoke up from the sides.
"My band members," Gackt replied, as he stood some distance away from Hyde.
"Band members?" Hyde repeated. Gackt was a musician?
"Hyde." Gackt's eyes were affixed on him. "I'm challenging you to a battle of the bands."
"B-Battle?" Hyde blinked.
"Eeeh?" Ju-ken was echoing similar thoughts.
"What..." Hyde was still taking in Gackt's words. "What do you mean by challenge?"
"There is an event coming up in some weeks." Gackt had a different air to him as he moved in the room. "Different bands compete to get the best score from the judges and viewers, for their performance."
"We're not interested in that sort of thing," Kaz spoke up.
"Don't you wonder how well they would like your performance?" Gackt smiled, though it came off rather cold.
"Even if we do, we're not doing anything you're telling us to."
"I've registered you guys for it." Gackt didn't look like he was listening.
"You can't do that," Hyde protested.
"So all you have to do is just turn up and play your songs."
"Gackt." Kaz saw that the blond was purposely ignoring them. "We're not participating."
Gackt stopped in front of Hyde. "The challenge is simple. Your band just has to score better than us."
Hyde looked back at him.
"If we win, then you..." Gackt pointed a finger to Hyde's face, barely missing his nose from the short distance between them. "Will date me."
"That's what this is about?" Hyde was stunned. "You're even getting your band involved?"
"Don't worry." Gackt smiled, the same odd smile. "They don't mind so much since you guys probably aren't a challenge for them."
Hyde was taken aback by Gackt's attitude.
"What if we win?" Ju-ken shot back.
"If you guys somehow win..." Gackt pretended to think it over. "I'll give up on him."
Hyde was speechless. Gackt didn't seem like himself. He didn't even sound like he wanted the date.
"Wait," Kaz interrupted. "How does this benefit our band at all? You're just telling us to do something you want. Why would we listen to you?"
Gackt held up a pamphlet. "You see, I'm only nice to people I care about. As for you guys, I thought it would be entertaining to have you take part in my little game. And if you don't..."
"We're not entertainment for you."
"If you don't participate, I will crush you."
"Do you mean literally crushing us? Or destroying our band's future in some way?" Ju-ken piped up worriedly. "Like having some secret connections we don't know about..."
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Gackt offered the pamphlet to Hyde. "Your choice."
Hyde shakily moved up a hand up to the pamphlet. He had never felt this confused before. As his fingers were about to reach the piece of paper, he saw Gackt letting it go. Hyde looked up at Gackt, as the pamphlet fell to the floor. The person in front of him had the same handsome features, yet they were twisted in a way that he found...he didn't like.
In the first place, he hadn't gotten to know Gackt all that well. But this was like a different person was standing there, in their studio.
Kaz picked up the pamphlet, as Hyde remained unmoving. Gackt didn't say anything else and left.
The three of them quietly watched as their remaining guests also headed out. After they were on their own again, Ju-ken went over to Hyde and Kaz.
"Are you okay?" Kaz glanced at Hyde in concern.
Hyde wordlessly walked over to the table area and sat down.
"What are we going to do?"
Ju-ken shrugged at Kaz.
"This is because of me..." Hyde dropped his face flat on the table.
"We're not blaming you, Hyde," Kaz told him.
"I don't know what Gackt's problem is." Ju-ken joined Hyde at the table. "It's as if someone...did something to his cereal..."
"I'm sorry." Hyde wrapped his arms around his head.
"Maybe this is just who he is." Kaz dropped the pamphlet to the table.
"It's not your fault, even if you had sex with the guy." Ju-ken touched the back of Hyde's head, patting it.
"I don't like going along with Gackt's game." Kaz looked at them.
"Me too, but what about what he said?" Ju-ken picked the pamphlet up.
"That he could get us in trouble?"
"We don't know if his threat holds up though..."
"We don't know that it doesn't."
"Should I go talk to him?" Hyde lifted his head back up.
"He's not giving us a choice," Kaz pointed out.
"To be honest..." Ju-ken turned to them. "I'm a little riled up at how he treated us."
"Yeah." Kaz agreed.
"He just struts in here with his bodyguards and talks down on us. And then he even orders us around. Who does he think he is?"
Kaz sensed some mean-spirited-ness towards Hyde too. But didn't he want to add fuel to the anger bubbling up in them. At least, until he figured out Gackt's full intention.
"I'm not going to let that jerk pick on any of us." Ju-ken folded his arms across his chest.
"Then what do you suggest? That we just forget about the competition?"
"I don't think we can..."
"Maybe," Hyde spoke up. "We'll just have to beat him at his game."
"Are you sure about that?" Kaz asked.
"I'd rather the three of us go find Gackt and actually try beat him up." Ju-ken was only half-joking. "But that works too."
"I'm sure." Hyde smiled weakly. "Let's go."
"You mean the competition and not finding Gackt right?"
"Okay." Kaz ignored Ju-ken, and held his hand out. "Let's do it."
Ju-ken rested his hand on Kaz's. "We're a team. Us including Ari. Let's kick Gackt and his band's asses."
"That phrasing is a little weird." Kaz turned to him.
"Who cares? Let's do our best and show Gackt that we're not some small band to be trifled with."
Hyde lifted his hand up. There was yet so much for them to achieve, as a band. Would they be ready? Kaz was still working on his song, the rest of them also needed to improve a lot at practice...
"Hyde." Kaz noticed his hesitation. "It'll be okay."
"Yeah," Ju-ken smiled at them. "We're in this together."
"Then..." Hyde placed him hand on top of Ju-ken's, before looking at the two of them. "Let's kick-start this now."
-end of part one-