You saved me, I save you
Title: You saved me, I save you
Pairing: RyoMassu
Genre: Romance
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: People can't own other people. Well, except for Johnny Kitagawa-san...
Summary: Years has passed since Massu rejection. Now Ryo’s in trouble and the last person he had expected comes to rescue him… and to show he has changed.
A/N: English's not my mother language. This is the sequel to my fic The Right to Love and I don’t think it makes much sense if you don’t read that first... ^^’
For my best friend serri_93 <3
You saved me, I save you
A knock on the door. Light, calm. Not persistent like Yamapi’s, not impatient like Jin’s, not annoyed like his manager’s, not loud like the journalists’. Ryo’s heart skipped a beat. He got up from the sofa and went to the hall, opening the door straight away.
“Aren’t you supposed to check who’s at your door before opening it?” Massu immediately scolded him. “You just rushed to open it like it was a race. What if it was a journalist?”
“I know it wasn’t.” Ryo replied calmly as he stepped aside to let the other in.
“How?”
“From the way you knocked.”
Massu looked at him, even more serious than he already was before, and entered the apartment, closing the door behind him.
“Do you know me that well?” he asked.
“You should already know the answer.”
Massu sighed but didn’t say anything. Neither Ryo gave him time to reply; he just turned round and headed for the living room. Massu followed him.
They sat on opposite sides of the sofa. Silence filled the room for many minutes.
“You’re not going to ask me why I’m here?” Massu finally broke the silence.
“Do I need to?”
Again Massu sighed.
“Probably not.”
“How did you get rid of all the journalists? There were at least twenty people in front of my door until fifteen minutes ago.” Ryo asked.
“I persuaded Manager-san to call the Jimusho and ask them to send someone to make the journalist go away.” Massu smiled. “Manager-san said he’ll be here as soon as everyone’s gone.”
Ryo groaned with disappointment.
“Fantastic. Another lecture from him is the last thing I need right now.”
Massu smiled again.
“You won’t have to face him.”
Ryo turned to him.
“What do you mean?”
“Get some clothes and your toothbrush. We’re leaving.” the younger one said as he stood up.
“And where are we going?”
“You’ll see. Now hurry up. We have five minutes. You don’t want Manager-san to find us, right?”
Ten minutes later they were in Massu’s car and Ryo’s flat was getting smaller and smaller behind them.
Ryo sighed with relief and turned to face the street. Beside him Massu was driving silently.
“Care to tell me where exactly we’re going?” the older guy asked.
“You’ll see.” was the only answer he received.
Ryo was starting to get annoyed but didn’t say anything more. He understood that between him and Massu there was a fragile balance and he didn’t want to lose it. Massu was helping him now but Ryo knew he hadn’t forgotten what had happened between the two of them. There were so many things Ryo wanted to ask him, especially about his feelings. He wanted to know if Massu’s feelings for him were still the same, if he was angry at him, if he still was so scared. But he didn’t dare. He thought maybe the other would tell him when he felt ready.
“We’ve arrived.” Massu suddenly said.
Ryo opened his eyes - he hadn’t even realized he had closed them - and looked out of the window. They were in a car park behind a small apartment building. Ryo wondered if it was where Massu was living now. He grabbed his bag from the backseat and got out of the car as Massu had already done. Ryo started walking towards the building but Massu’s voice stopped him.
“Where are you going?”
Ryo turned to him and saw he was heading for the opposite direction.
“Ah, sorry.”
Ryo reached Massu who led him towards a small but nice house on the opposite side of the street. Massu took his keys out of his pocket and opened the door, stepping aside so Ryo could enter first. They took off their shoes and then Massu led him to the living room.
“You can put down your bag here for now. I’ll prepare the guest room immediately. Do you want to take a bath too?”
Ryo nodded.
“Thank you.” he said.
“You’re welcome. I’ll go prepare it then. Make yourself at home meanwhile. If you need anything the kitchen is there.” he pointed to a door in front of the living room, on the opposite wall of the corridor.
“Thank you. I’m sorry for bothering you.” Ryo bowed.
“You’re not bothering me.” Massu smiled and bowed his head a little, before leaving the room.
Ryo put his bag down on the carpet and sat on the sofa. He looked around himself. On the furniture on his left there were many photos. Curious, Ryo stood up to look at them. The first photo he saw was an old one, taken probably more than twenty years before. In the picture there were four people, a couple and two children. The smallest child was still a baby and his mother was holding him, while the father was holding the hand of a little girl. Everyone was smiling in the photo and Ryo recognized in the features of the family Massu’s features. He understood it was a photo of Massu’s family.
Near that picture there were many more. Family photos, Massu’s and his sister’s school photos, Massu’s parents old photos. There was also a couple of Tegomasu’s photos and even one with KoyaShige. Ryo wished he had a so close relationship with Massu too.
“Your bath is ready.”
Ryo turned to Massu with a guilty expression. Massu just laughed.
“You can look at the pictures. But your bath will become cold.”
“Is this your parents’ house?” Ryo asked, approaching the other.
“Yes. They’ve gone to my grandparents’ house for some days. I thought it would be better to take you here instead of my flat. It’s more relaxing and Manager-san won’t find us easily!”
Massu’s laugh was so beautiful Ryo simply had to start laughing too. The younger boy then picked Ryo’s bag up from the floor and headed for the door.
“Come on,” he said, still smiling “I’ll show you your room.”
“Thank you.” Ryo said, following the other upstairs.
The guest room was small and comfortable and perfectly neat, like the rest of the house. Ryo finally understood where Massu had learned to be so tidy. Ryo put down his bag again and Massu handed him some towels.
“The bathroom is the second door on the right. If you need anything else, call me. I’ll be downstairs making some tea. Ok?”
“Yes, thank you again.”
“You’re welcome.” the boy smiled before leaving.
Ryo reached the bathroom and took off his clothes. He entered the bath. The water was perfect, hot but not too much. That room was small too but it had a comforting feeling like the rest of the house. It reminded him of his own house in Osaka. His mother too had photos of family and friends all over the living room. He remembered how she used to prepare a hot bath just like this for him when he was younger. She used to make him tea too.
Ryo sighed, leaning his head on the border of the bathtub. He closed his eyes, thinking. He thought about all the things that had changed since that tour when he had confessed to Massu. The most important change regarded NEWS. Since that tour they had had less and less work together; they had released only two singles in two years. Now it had passed almost two years since their last work meeting together. But they hadn’t been disbanded or anything. They were on a sort of unsaid hiatus. Like the one Takki&Tsubasa had been on some years before. But the duet had restarted activities after a while so NEWS were sure they would be together again too.
The members had continued to see each other anyway. Yamapi had made sure they could gather for dinner or to go out drinking at least once a month. But lately the leader had been very busy, even busier than he usually was. He was going to release a new solo single and do a concert tour and at the same time he was filming for a drama, in Hokkaido. So NEWS hadn’t seen each other for a couple of months. Besides, the other members were busy too. Massu had now two radio shows plus activity with Tegomasu. Speaking of Tegomasu, Tegoshi was busy with the filming of a new movie; this time his partner was Akanishi Jin. Rumors said that the director and the whole staff were exasperate with them because even though they were supposed to work together for more than three months they still didn't get along at all. Shige was in a drama too and he had also started being a regular on a TV show. Koyama was still the MC for ‘Shounen Club’ and he was filming a special drama with a senpai. Lastly, Ryo was still working with Kanjani8; they had just finished a nation-wide tour and they were preparing a new album.
Ryo was glad he got to work more with Kanjani because he spent more time in Osaka. At first it hadn’t been simple. He had refused to go home and he had stayed at Ohkura’s. But slowly he had begun answering his mother’s calls again and he had finally returned home. His mother had hugged him so tight she had almost suffocated him and even his father and brothers were sincerely happy to have him in the family again.
The Osakan was thinking about all this when he realized he had been in the bath for a long time and his fingers were all wrinkled. He finished washing himself and got out. Then he got dressed and left the bathroom.
Massu was waiting for him in the kitchen. He had prepared the tea and he was sitting at the table.
“Did you have a good bath?” he asked when Ryo entered the room.
“Yeah, thanks. I relaxed and got to think about some things.”
“That’s good.”
The younger guy poured the tea in two cups and handed one to Ryo, who had sat in front of him. They sipped their drinks in a comfortable silence. Ryo looked carefully at Massu, at his now manly features, at his eyes, still bright as a child’s. Time had passed for both of them and now Ryo noticed something new in the other. He had a more mature feeling and somehow Ryo felt a new hope being born in his heart.
When they finished Massu suggested they went to bed and Ryo agreed.
Ryo woke up in the middle of the night. At first he felt out of place, then he remembered where he was and he relaxed. He was thirsty so he got out of bed and went downstairs. He took a bottle from the fridge and poured some water in a glass.
When he returned upstairs, he noticed Massu’s door was opened. He knew he shouldn’t enter but he did anyway. The boy was sleeping peacefully in his bed and his back was facing Ryo. The latter stopped near the bed, fighting the urge to sit on the bed next to him. Instead he looked around the room. It was quite empty since Massu wasn’t living there anymore. Near the nightstand Ryo noticed a waste-paper basket. Some papers were coming out of it and they seemed like pieces of a magazine. Ryo grabbed them and saw his own face. Next to the picture the article that had caused all that fuss had been torn apart.
Ryo sighed. The words in the article were still echoing in his head. All the lies they had written still made him angry. He hated paparazzi and gossip magazines. They were always waiting for famous people to make mistakes so they could write articles full of nonsense. They lived off people’s errors and regretful moments. Just like they had done with him.
He looked again at the picture. He looked at his drunk self leaning on a handsome guy and almost kissing him. He snorted. People probably thought he was the kind of guy who spent his nights in clubs searching for people - for boys - to have sex with. He had never cared about what others thought but it still made him made. He hadn’t done anything with that guy. He was at that club with some old friends and that guy had approached him. They had talked and laughed for a while but, even if he was drunk, Ryo had made clear that he wasn’t interested in spending the night with him. But of course the journalists didn’t know that and they didn’t care about it either. They had simply made up a perverted story that had brought a very angry Manager-san at his door at 6 o’clock that morning. Journalist had invaded his apartment building and his cell phone had been ringing non-stop. His mother, Jin, Yuu, all NEWS’ and Kanjani’s members had called him, worried and indignant for the article. While Ryo was on the phone with Pi, Manager-san had been looking at him hopeful all the time. Ryo could tell from the man’s expression that he had been through a tough discussion with the leader who, impulsive as always, wanted to leave the set in Hokkaido to reach his best-friend. But Ryo had managed to persuade him to stay where he was and continue his work. The manager had also spoken with Johnny-san. The Jimusho had denied everything and was trying to save Ryo’s reputation in every possible way.
Ryo hadn’t reacted in any way. He had just followed his manager’s orders and had stayed at home all day. He hadn’t shown anger or sadness or anything. But inside the situation was making him sick. He looked at the words in the article and once again felt how all those people who called themselves ‘normal’ were just pathetic.
And funnily the person who was so obsessed with being ‘normal’, the person he had expected to hate him the most because of that article, came to his rescue: Massu.
The younger boy didn’t seem affected by the article. On the contrary he seemed disgusted by it like his other friends. He hadn’t said this yet but the fact that he had torn the magazine apart was a good hint in Ryo’s opinion.
Ryo suddenly realized he had been standing near the other’s bed for maybe fifteen minutes. He didn’t want Massu to wake up and find him there so he headed for the door.
“Don’t go.”
Ryo’s heart skipped a beat and he stopped. He turned round and found Massu looking at him.
“Come back.” the boy said.
Ryo went back to the bed and sat on it.
“How long have you been awake?” he asked.
“Some minutes. I heard you taking that magazine from the basket.”
“Did you tear it apart like that?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“Because those words are just lies and they don’t even deserve to stay together.”
Massu’s gaze was strong and determined.
“Thank you. It means a lot to hear this from you.” Ryo said.
“It’s just the truth. They don’t have any right to write those things. You’re not that kind of guy. They can’t judge you. And besides everyone make mistakes.”
Ryo nodded, touched by the other’s words.
“I made a big mistake too, that night in your hotel room.” Massu added.
Ryo’s heart skipped a beat again.
“Massu…” he started.
“I’m sorry. I’m really, truly sorry. I acted like a scared child. You were right saying I was pathetic.”
“You’re not-“
“I was and you know it. But I’m more matured now. I can see people’s hypocrisy now. I realized how childish I was when NEWS stopped their activities and I was alone. People in this industry are cruel. They’re ready to slander you just to see you fail and get more work for themselves. I didn’t know how to deal with them at all.” he paused “I admire you, you know. You’ve always got over all the difficult times in your life.”
“You’re idolizing me now.”
“No, I’m not. It’s just what I think.”
“Thank you, Massu.”
“I guess I don’t have the right to ask you to call me by my name anymore, do I?” Massu sighed.
But Ryo just smiled and took the other between his arms. He buried his neck in the other's shoulder.
“Takahisa…” he whispered.
Massu wrapped his arms around the other and held him tightly. When they pulled away they looked at each other’s eyes.
“Ryo…” Massu started.
“Yes?” replied Ryo, loving the way his name sounded on Massu’s lips.
“Remember when I said I wasn’t ready for a relationship with you?”
“Yes…”
“Is… Is it too late to be ready now?” the younger boy’s voice was unsure and his body was almost shaking.
Ryo felt tears coming to his eyes and hugged him again, even tighter.
“You have no idea of how long I’ve been waiting for these words.” he said.
“I’m sorry I’m late.”
“I’ll have you make up for that.” Ryo smirked, pulling away just enough to look into Massu’s eyes.
The latter smirked too and leaned closer. Ryo gently put his lips on his and kissed him slowly, enjoying every second, savoring every bit of Massu’s lips.
When they pulled apart to breath, the younger boy was smiling.
“I missed this feeling.” he said, touching his own lips with his fingers “I missed your kisses.”
“I missed you.” Ryo replied.
“I missed you too.”
“I’ve dreamt about this moment so many times. I imagined so many different versions. But I never imagined it would like this. It’s just wonderful.”
Massu smiled.
“I tried to imagine this too. But every time I felt so guilty for the way I left you.”
“It doesn’t matter anymore. You’re here now. You saved me.”
“No.” Massu shook his head “You’re the one who saved me.”
Ryo smiled.
“Ok. Let’s say we saved each other.”
Massu returned the smile and leaned in for another kiss, which Ryo was happy to provide.
They feel asleep smiling and embracing each other, Massu’s head lying on Ryo’s chest. Outside the cold wind was blowing but inside their hearts there finally was that warmth they had waited since that cold night in that hotel room. The loneliness they had experienced during the past years had been torn apart like the pages of that magazine that they both hated but that had actually brought them together.
#OWARI#
I started this fic this January and finished it in March but I didn’t post it because I wasn’t satisfied with it. I read it again a couple of months ago and I thought “I’m still not satisfied. I’ll re-write it when I have time”. Then this evening I was going to finish writing the fifth chapter of “Healing Hearts” but somehow I felt like reading this RyoMassu once again. And I realized I wouldn’t be able to change it so I thought I should at least post it.
And here you are! I still think it’s lame compared to its prequel but… I hope you enjoyed it at least a bit!! ^w^
Feel free to leave comment saying what you think of it and/or pointing out mistakes. :)
Pairing: RyoMassu
Genre: Romance
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: People can't own other people. Well, except for Johnny Kitagawa-san...
Summary: Years has passed since Massu rejection. Now Ryo’s in trouble and the last person he had expected comes to rescue him… and to show he has changed.
A/N: English's not my mother language. This is the sequel to my fic The Right to Love and I don’t think it makes much sense if you don’t read that first... ^^’
For my best friend serri_93 <3
You saved me, I save you
A knock on the door. Light, calm. Not persistent like Yamapi’s, not impatient like Jin’s, not annoyed like his manager’s, not loud like the journalists’. Ryo’s heart skipped a beat. He got up from the sofa and went to the hall, opening the door straight away.
“Aren’t you supposed to check who’s at your door before opening it?” Massu immediately scolded him. “You just rushed to open it like it was a race. What if it was a journalist?”
“I know it wasn’t.” Ryo replied calmly as he stepped aside to let the other in.
“How?”
“From the way you knocked.”
Massu looked at him, even more serious than he already was before, and entered the apartment, closing the door behind him.
“Do you know me that well?” he asked.
“You should already know the answer.”
Massu sighed but didn’t say anything. Neither Ryo gave him time to reply; he just turned round and headed for the living room. Massu followed him.
They sat on opposite sides of the sofa. Silence filled the room for many minutes.
“You’re not going to ask me why I’m here?” Massu finally broke the silence.
“Do I need to?”
Again Massu sighed.
“Probably not.”
“How did you get rid of all the journalists? There were at least twenty people in front of my door until fifteen minutes ago.” Ryo asked.
“I persuaded Manager-san to call the Jimusho and ask them to send someone to make the journalist go away.” Massu smiled. “Manager-san said he’ll be here as soon as everyone’s gone.”
Ryo groaned with disappointment.
“Fantastic. Another lecture from him is the last thing I need right now.”
Massu smiled again.
“You won’t have to face him.”
Ryo turned to him.
“What do you mean?”
“Get some clothes and your toothbrush. We’re leaving.” the younger one said as he stood up.
“And where are we going?”
“You’ll see. Now hurry up. We have five minutes. You don’t want Manager-san to find us, right?”
Ten minutes later they were in Massu’s car and Ryo’s flat was getting smaller and smaller behind them.
Ryo sighed with relief and turned to face the street. Beside him Massu was driving silently.
“Care to tell me where exactly we’re going?” the older guy asked.
“You’ll see.” was the only answer he received.
Ryo was starting to get annoyed but didn’t say anything more. He understood that between him and Massu there was a fragile balance and he didn’t want to lose it. Massu was helping him now but Ryo knew he hadn’t forgotten what had happened between the two of them. There were so many things Ryo wanted to ask him, especially about his feelings. He wanted to know if Massu’s feelings for him were still the same, if he was angry at him, if he still was so scared. But he didn’t dare. He thought maybe the other would tell him when he felt ready.
“We’ve arrived.” Massu suddenly said.
Ryo opened his eyes - he hadn’t even realized he had closed them - and looked out of the window. They were in a car park behind a small apartment building. Ryo wondered if it was where Massu was living now. He grabbed his bag from the backseat and got out of the car as Massu had already done. Ryo started walking towards the building but Massu’s voice stopped him.
“Where are you going?”
Ryo turned to him and saw he was heading for the opposite direction.
“Ah, sorry.”
Ryo reached Massu who led him towards a small but nice house on the opposite side of the street. Massu took his keys out of his pocket and opened the door, stepping aside so Ryo could enter first. They took off their shoes and then Massu led him to the living room.
“You can put down your bag here for now. I’ll prepare the guest room immediately. Do you want to take a bath too?”
Ryo nodded.
“Thank you.” he said.
“You’re welcome. I’ll go prepare it then. Make yourself at home meanwhile. If you need anything the kitchen is there.” he pointed to a door in front of the living room, on the opposite wall of the corridor.
“Thank you. I’m sorry for bothering you.” Ryo bowed.
“You’re not bothering me.” Massu smiled and bowed his head a little, before leaving the room.
Ryo put his bag down on the carpet and sat on the sofa. He looked around himself. On the furniture on his left there were many photos. Curious, Ryo stood up to look at them. The first photo he saw was an old one, taken probably more than twenty years before. In the picture there were four people, a couple and two children. The smallest child was still a baby and his mother was holding him, while the father was holding the hand of a little girl. Everyone was smiling in the photo and Ryo recognized in the features of the family Massu’s features. He understood it was a photo of Massu’s family.
Near that picture there were many more. Family photos, Massu’s and his sister’s school photos, Massu’s parents old photos. There was also a couple of Tegomasu’s photos and even one with KoyaShige. Ryo wished he had a so close relationship with Massu too.
“Your bath is ready.”
Ryo turned to Massu with a guilty expression. Massu just laughed.
“You can look at the pictures. But your bath will become cold.”
“Is this your parents’ house?” Ryo asked, approaching the other.
“Yes. They’ve gone to my grandparents’ house for some days. I thought it would be better to take you here instead of my flat. It’s more relaxing and Manager-san won’t find us easily!”
Massu’s laugh was so beautiful Ryo simply had to start laughing too. The younger boy then picked Ryo’s bag up from the floor and headed for the door.
“Come on,” he said, still smiling “I’ll show you your room.”
“Thank you.” Ryo said, following the other upstairs.
The guest room was small and comfortable and perfectly neat, like the rest of the house. Ryo finally understood where Massu had learned to be so tidy. Ryo put down his bag again and Massu handed him some towels.
“The bathroom is the second door on the right. If you need anything else, call me. I’ll be downstairs making some tea. Ok?”
“Yes, thank you again.”
“You’re welcome.” the boy smiled before leaving.
Ryo reached the bathroom and took off his clothes. He entered the bath. The water was perfect, hot but not too much. That room was small too but it had a comforting feeling like the rest of the house. It reminded him of his own house in Osaka. His mother too had photos of family and friends all over the living room. He remembered how she used to prepare a hot bath just like this for him when he was younger. She used to make him tea too.
Ryo sighed, leaning his head on the border of the bathtub. He closed his eyes, thinking. He thought about all the things that had changed since that tour when he had confessed to Massu. The most important change regarded NEWS. Since that tour they had had less and less work together; they had released only two singles in two years. Now it had passed almost two years since their last work meeting together. But they hadn’t been disbanded or anything. They were on a sort of unsaid hiatus. Like the one Takki&Tsubasa had been on some years before. But the duet had restarted activities after a while so NEWS were sure they would be together again too.
The members had continued to see each other anyway. Yamapi had made sure they could gather for dinner or to go out drinking at least once a month. But lately the leader had been very busy, even busier than he usually was. He was going to release a new solo single and do a concert tour and at the same time he was filming for a drama, in Hokkaido. So NEWS hadn’t seen each other for a couple of months. Besides, the other members were busy too. Massu had now two radio shows plus activity with Tegomasu. Speaking of Tegomasu, Tegoshi was busy with the filming of a new movie; this time his partner was Akanishi Jin. Rumors said that the director and the whole staff were exasperate with them because even though they were supposed to work together for more than three months they still didn't get along at all. Shige was in a drama too and he had also started being a regular on a TV show. Koyama was still the MC for ‘Shounen Club’ and he was filming a special drama with a senpai. Lastly, Ryo was still working with Kanjani8; they had just finished a nation-wide tour and they were preparing a new album.
Ryo was glad he got to work more with Kanjani because he spent more time in Osaka. At first it hadn’t been simple. He had refused to go home and he had stayed at Ohkura’s. But slowly he had begun answering his mother’s calls again and he had finally returned home. His mother had hugged him so tight she had almost suffocated him and even his father and brothers were sincerely happy to have him in the family again.
The Osakan was thinking about all this when he realized he had been in the bath for a long time and his fingers were all wrinkled. He finished washing himself and got out. Then he got dressed and left the bathroom.
Massu was waiting for him in the kitchen. He had prepared the tea and he was sitting at the table.
“Did you have a good bath?” he asked when Ryo entered the room.
“Yeah, thanks. I relaxed and got to think about some things.”
“That’s good.”
The younger guy poured the tea in two cups and handed one to Ryo, who had sat in front of him. They sipped their drinks in a comfortable silence. Ryo looked carefully at Massu, at his now manly features, at his eyes, still bright as a child’s. Time had passed for both of them and now Ryo noticed something new in the other. He had a more mature feeling and somehow Ryo felt a new hope being born in his heart.
When they finished Massu suggested they went to bed and Ryo agreed.
Ryo woke up in the middle of the night. At first he felt out of place, then he remembered where he was and he relaxed. He was thirsty so he got out of bed and went downstairs. He took a bottle from the fridge and poured some water in a glass.
When he returned upstairs, he noticed Massu’s door was opened. He knew he shouldn’t enter but he did anyway. The boy was sleeping peacefully in his bed and his back was facing Ryo. The latter stopped near the bed, fighting the urge to sit on the bed next to him. Instead he looked around the room. It was quite empty since Massu wasn’t living there anymore. Near the nightstand Ryo noticed a waste-paper basket. Some papers were coming out of it and they seemed like pieces of a magazine. Ryo grabbed them and saw his own face. Next to the picture the article that had caused all that fuss had been torn apart.
Ryo sighed. The words in the article were still echoing in his head. All the lies they had written still made him angry. He hated paparazzi and gossip magazines. They were always waiting for famous people to make mistakes so they could write articles full of nonsense. They lived off people’s errors and regretful moments. Just like they had done with him.
He looked again at the picture. He looked at his drunk self leaning on a handsome guy and almost kissing him. He snorted. People probably thought he was the kind of guy who spent his nights in clubs searching for people - for boys - to have sex with. He had never cared about what others thought but it still made him made. He hadn’t done anything with that guy. He was at that club with some old friends and that guy had approached him. They had talked and laughed for a while but, even if he was drunk, Ryo had made clear that he wasn’t interested in spending the night with him. But of course the journalists didn’t know that and they didn’t care about it either. They had simply made up a perverted story that had brought a very angry Manager-san at his door at 6 o’clock that morning. Journalist had invaded his apartment building and his cell phone had been ringing non-stop. His mother, Jin, Yuu, all NEWS’ and Kanjani’s members had called him, worried and indignant for the article. While Ryo was on the phone with Pi, Manager-san had been looking at him hopeful all the time. Ryo could tell from the man’s expression that he had been through a tough discussion with the leader who, impulsive as always, wanted to leave the set in Hokkaido to reach his best-friend. But Ryo had managed to persuade him to stay where he was and continue his work. The manager had also spoken with Johnny-san. The Jimusho had denied everything and was trying to save Ryo’s reputation in every possible way.
Ryo hadn’t reacted in any way. He had just followed his manager’s orders and had stayed at home all day. He hadn’t shown anger or sadness or anything. But inside the situation was making him sick. He looked at the words in the article and once again felt how all those people who called themselves ‘normal’ were just pathetic.
And funnily the person who was so obsessed with being ‘normal’, the person he had expected to hate him the most because of that article, came to his rescue: Massu.
The younger boy didn’t seem affected by the article. On the contrary he seemed disgusted by it like his other friends. He hadn’t said this yet but the fact that he had torn the magazine apart was a good hint in Ryo’s opinion.
Ryo suddenly realized he had been standing near the other’s bed for maybe fifteen minutes. He didn’t want Massu to wake up and find him there so he headed for the door.
“Don’t go.”
Ryo’s heart skipped a beat and he stopped. He turned round and found Massu looking at him.
“Come back.” the boy said.
Ryo went back to the bed and sat on it.
“How long have you been awake?” he asked.
“Some minutes. I heard you taking that magazine from the basket.”
“Did you tear it apart like that?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“Because those words are just lies and they don’t even deserve to stay together.”
Massu’s gaze was strong and determined.
“Thank you. It means a lot to hear this from you.” Ryo said.
“It’s just the truth. They don’t have any right to write those things. You’re not that kind of guy. They can’t judge you. And besides everyone make mistakes.”
Ryo nodded, touched by the other’s words.
“I made a big mistake too, that night in your hotel room.” Massu added.
Ryo’s heart skipped a beat again.
“Massu…” he started.
“I’m sorry. I’m really, truly sorry. I acted like a scared child. You were right saying I was pathetic.”
“You’re not-“
“I was and you know it. But I’m more matured now. I can see people’s hypocrisy now. I realized how childish I was when NEWS stopped their activities and I was alone. People in this industry are cruel. They’re ready to slander you just to see you fail and get more work for themselves. I didn’t know how to deal with them at all.” he paused “I admire you, you know. You’ve always got over all the difficult times in your life.”
“You’re idolizing me now.”
“No, I’m not. It’s just what I think.”
“Thank you, Massu.”
“I guess I don’t have the right to ask you to call me by my name anymore, do I?” Massu sighed.
But Ryo just smiled and took the other between his arms. He buried his neck in the other's shoulder.
“Takahisa…” he whispered.
Massu wrapped his arms around the other and held him tightly. When they pulled away they looked at each other’s eyes.
“Ryo…” Massu started.
“Yes?” replied Ryo, loving the way his name sounded on Massu’s lips.
“Remember when I said I wasn’t ready for a relationship with you?”
“Yes…”
“Is… Is it too late to be ready now?” the younger boy’s voice was unsure and his body was almost shaking.
Ryo felt tears coming to his eyes and hugged him again, even tighter.
“You have no idea of how long I’ve been waiting for these words.” he said.
“I’m sorry I’m late.”
“I’ll have you make up for that.” Ryo smirked, pulling away just enough to look into Massu’s eyes.
The latter smirked too and leaned closer. Ryo gently put his lips on his and kissed him slowly, enjoying every second, savoring every bit of Massu’s lips.
When they pulled apart to breath, the younger boy was smiling.
“I missed this feeling.” he said, touching his own lips with his fingers “I missed your kisses.”
“I missed you.” Ryo replied.
“I missed you too.”
“I’ve dreamt about this moment so many times. I imagined so many different versions. But I never imagined it would like this. It’s just wonderful.”
Massu smiled.
“I tried to imagine this too. But every time I felt so guilty for the way I left you.”
“It doesn’t matter anymore. You’re here now. You saved me.”
“No.” Massu shook his head “You’re the one who saved me.”
Ryo smiled.
“Ok. Let’s say we saved each other.”
Massu returned the smile and leaned in for another kiss, which Ryo was happy to provide.
They feel asleep smiling and embracing each other, Massu’s head lying on Ryo’s chest. Outside the cold wind was blowing but inside their hearts there finally was that warmth they had waited since that cold night in that hotel room. The loneliness they had experienced during the past years had been torn apart like the pages of that magazine that they both hated but that had actually brought them together.
#OWARI#
I started this fic this January and finished it in March but I didn’t post it because I wasn’t satisfied with it. I read it again a couple of months ago and I thought “I’m still not satisfied. I’ll re-write it when I have time”. Then this evening I was going to finish writing the fifth chapter of “Healing Hearts” but somehow I felt like reading this RyoMassu once again. And I realized I wouldn’t be able to change it so I thought I should at least post it.
And here you are! I still think it’s lame compared to its prequel but… I hope you enjoyed it at least a bit!! ^w^
Feel free to leave comment saying what you think of it and/or pointing out mistakes. :)