Detour - Prologue / 7 + Epilogue

[luna_no_koibito]

Title: Detour
Chapters: Prologue / 7 + Epilogue
Author: luna_no_koibito
Dedicated to: hyprakktiv

Genre: Romance, Angst, Human Drama
Warnings:  cursing, men and men kissing
Rating: PG-15
Pairing: Kai / ??, Ruki / ??,  Shinya / Die (not main pairing)
Bands: the GazettE, Dir En Grey
Disclaimer: I don't own them, and don't wish I did because I'd be sorry for what could befall them （・＿・；）！
Summary: Love is to Life, what a detour is to a road. It comes unexpected, and if we choose to not turn back and take it, it will supposedly lead us to where we think it should. Uke Yutaka is a 21-year old university student in the faculty of transportation engineering, and roads are no secrets to him. In fact, he sees life as a giant map, which he believes he has figured out. However, life is about to detour him into a road he though he had closed long time ago, when it decides to reunite him with his first love. Will he turn back, or follow the detour? And in the case he where to follow said detour … will it take where he thinks it should?

*-@ MAIN @-*



On a Two-way Single Lane:

“Make Room for those Coming Opposite You, Unless You Want to Be Hit Right On”

---@---- *** ----@ ---

Six months before Valentine's day ...

It was refreshing. Working as a part-timer at Metró, a small menswear store in the middle of downtown Osaka, had somehow made a certain aspect of Yutaka's life more enjoyable; almost bearable. Maybe it was the fact that something amazingly bizarre, or stupidly funny, was bound to happen every single day, thanks to Terachi Shinya-san, his extravagantly conceited owner, and Matsumoto Takanori, his incredibly carefree coworker, slash best friend. Or maybe it was simply the idea that a person like himself would actually work in a place like that, he really had no idea why, but the whole “Metró scenario” had surprisingly become so dear to him, that it was really to be considered as a blessing, in so many ways, and he only knew, just how much his life desperately needed something of the sort. Moreover, for an exemplary student such as himself, there were two very fortuitous advantages.

The first was his paycheck, which, because their merchandise comprised brand items that ranged form Dolce & Gabbana to Prada, was quite conspicuous for a student, and it allowed him to pay for part school and life expenses, which also lifted a huge weight from his parents shoulder, and his conscience. Second, but certainly not of any less importance, was the reality that for a fact, men shopped less than women, which allowed him to spend a great amount of time studying behind the counter, while occasionally trying to clue into whatever topic the other two would be discussing, because, no matter if new, old or completely irrelevant, there was always something to gossip about; always, such as in the very moment

-... white linen ... excessively short dress … with black underwear and bra … - stated Shinya in a highly unimpressed manner, while absently twirling some of his blond locks through his fingers, as he observed a middle aged woman walking by with her Chihuahua in her Coach purse -... definitely wrong side of town … - he absently stated rolling his eyes, while turning away to face his own store

-whore - bluntly stated Takanori, who was standing next to him, arms folded in his chest, and still intently observing the woman's stroll down the road

-... I was trying to be polite Takanori - resignedly sighed the owner, walking towards the main counter

-Whatever Shinya-san! - professed the shorter brunette -... whore whore whore and super-whore ...- he then firmly repeated as if arguing with the window -... it is women like her that make some “certain” gay men “magically” turn straight ...- he lowly muttered

-... still brooding on that Kyo guy I see ...- spoke the elder blond under his breath, who was leaning on the main counter, while exchanging an agreeing look with Yutaka, who was behind the main counter busy reviewing the structural drawing of Osaka's main street, but on the record, he was “checking the store's inventory”, not that Shinya cared in the least, in fact he was rather supportive of his educational strive. However, as the brunette glanced at Takanori's questionably nonchalant expression, he had the very familiar feeling that his little study session was about to end

-Tsk! Like hell I am ...- confidently stated Takanori walking towards a table full of shirts that needed to be taken care of -... on another note though, Yucchan, I know I have asked this before, but I still don't get it ...- calmly stated Takanori, with one hand gracefully moving away a lock of wavy black hair from his perfectly made up features, while with the other hand, unceremoniously throwing a salmon colored shirt he was folding, on top of an unfolded pile in front of him

-What … don't you get … Tacchan ...- absently questioned Yutaka, who intentionally stressed the endearing nickname that Takanori had warned him not call him by, but at the same time, Yutaka had as well told him many a time not to call him “Yucchan”, but it was a friendly mutual disagreement that they both truly didn't mind. Though he had to admit that when it came to Takanori, he himself was constantly repeating things over and over again, which used to bother him to no extent. However as their friendship deepened through the past three years, he had learned that the younger's “forgetfulness” wasn't exactly intentional or malicious, most of the times, it was probably a way to introduce another subject, or simply to make him talk

-I still don't get how you can possibly find “streets” a subject worth spending time and money studying, I mean … - bluntly expressed the shorter, joining the eldest man at the main counter, over which he ungracefully slouched raising his elbow on it, which hand was now holding his pouting face

-But I have said it so many times already ...- amusingly replied Yutaka, with an apologetic smile as he looked up at his coworker, wondering what it was that the shorter brunette truly wanted to talk about, while the elder blond simply remind silent, and kept looking out the main window, seemingly searching for something

-… like, really, I mean granted that I dropped out of school long before I even knew there existed anything such as “transportation engineering” - resumed Takanori teasingly making quotation mark signs with his fingers - and also granted that I am most likely not even entitled to tell you this, but fuck, if you have to be studying the shit out of you, in a faculty such as “engineering” … then might as well do something that sounds a bit cooler - he concluded raising up his other hand to nonchalantly pull down his Gucci sunglasses over his dark red eye-shadowed eyes, while observing Yutaka, whose attention was still fixed on the complicated looking diagrams of the city

-... Such as … - kindly inquired Yutaka, smiling up at the shorter, who quickly rolled his head, in pretense annoyance

-I don't know… like spacial, computer, chemical, ... electrical ...- listed Takanori, suspiciously whispering away the last name, at which the taller brunette readily raised his gaze, and slowly shook his head in a resigned manner, while amusingly grinning -... what?!- loudly questioned Takanori, swiftly getting off the counter, and back to his piled up shirts

-He's an electrical engineer, isn't he? You hit on an engineer! ...- inquired Yutaka in a teasingly accusatory tone, finally deciding to roll back his projects, and interestingly walking towards Takanori, and maybe help him do some “actual work” while he was at it

-... bet my ass that he most certainly is ...- absently stated Shinya, who was still intently watching the outside scenery

-... Who is? ...- nonchalantly requested Takanori, not once looking at the elder blond, or Yutaka, who was helping with a pile of black shirt, while intently scrutinizing him with the smuggest grin, under which he knew that Takanori would have soon given up, and spilled the beans, exactly in four, three, two … -okay okay okay, he is! happy? Stop looking at me like that, you know I hate it when you do that ... - grumbled Taknaori, making Yutaka chuckle in victory

-Name, when, where - quickly requested Yutaka in the usual way the three of them did, when talking about their encounters, while he walked away to carry some of the folded shirt to their shelves

-Kouyou, last night, Xander's - as quickly, and nonchalantly replied Takanori

-Last night? ...- swiftly inquired Yutaka sounding slightly dumbfounded, as he turned to curiously observe the younger -... just last night, and you know he is an electrical engineer? … like ... you actually talked?- he then added, as Takanori walked towards him to place his own pile of shirt in the shelf above

-Well .. yeah ...- seemingly bashfully spoke the shorter, catching Yutaka a bit off guard, given that blushing, and acting sort of cute, wasn't exactly the way that Takanori did things, in fact it was quite the opposite -... we actually did have some sort of intelligent conversation, at least on his behalf, cause you know me ...- he quickly grinned, while the other two smirked- and … nothing else … - he happily admitted, going back to the few remaining unfolded shirts

-No … sex, touching, making out … nothing? ...- questioned Yutaka, in a pleasantly surprised manner, following the brunette

-Nope ...- simply stated Takanori, with a gentle smile, as his folding movements decisively slowed down, as if he were recollecting the moment -... he was kind, and polite, he also paid for my drinks, and taxi home - narrated the younger as if in a daze, as Yutaka serenely listened, glad that for once, the younger had been able to find someone, whom didn't want to merely get in his pants, even if only for one night -... and ..well ...- he then stated a little hesitantly, as he resumed folding his clothes at a normal pace, if not quicker

-and what? ...- quickly inquired Yutaka, curiously looking at the suddenly changed expression on Taknori's face, who seemed to want to keep silent. However, since he had been made to leave his dear road projects because of him, Yutaka wasn't going to leave it just at that, and was about to force out the remainder of the story from the shorter, when they suddenly both turned towards the entrance hearing its bells jingle

-Yo … - abruptly blurted a rough voice belonging to a man, whom was dressed up like on of those American Harley rider's, and whom was also Shinya's recent flames. The man called himself Die, or something like that, Yutaka wasn't sure, and as usual he strode like he owned the place, legs wide open like a cowboy, flaming red spiky hair, and holding his helmet, which, telling by the perfect condition of his hair, he doubted he used

-… Hey ...- readily replied Shinya in a low sensual tone, getting off the counter and walking towards the man, who merely nudged his head in a half-assed manner towards Yutaka and Takanori, the first politely nodding in reply, while the latter merely gave him a skeptical look, soon after rolling his eyes

-Ready to go? … - lowly inquired the red-head, who was widely chewing gum, while handing over the helmet to Shinya, and placing both his hands on the blond's hips, roughly pulling him towards himself, and leaning in to sloppily kiss him, making Takanori gesture puking movements, which were promptly halted by Yutaka, who chuckled, and slapped the younger's finger out of his mouth

-... Yeah- was all that the blond managed to reply, after their rather heated make out session, then turning towards the two brunettes -... I'll see you guys, if you could please open the store for me tomorrow, Takanori ...- he announced, and pleading requested, receiving a quick grin from Takanori, who was still disgustingly staring at the incredibly dumb expression on the Die guy -... thank you, bye-bye - he then greeted as he was practically dragged out the store, and Yutaka wouldn't have been surprised if he had been suddenly carried out over the guy's shoulder Tarzan style. The guy truly did look, and sound, like he had no sort of brain activity going on, but if he made the blond happy, who was to complain? … aside from Takanori, of course

-Oh. My. Gush. The fu~ck was that? I mean seriously did you see that? …- indignantly spat Takanori pulling away his sunglasses, and using them to point at the entrance, though which the couple had just left

-If it makes him happy? ...- dared to say Yutaka, widely smiling as he shrugged - … Kyo wasn't that different you know ...- he then quickly added

-Kyo said more than “Yo”, “Can I fuck you now?” - explained the shorter, trying to imitate Die's deep and shallow tone, as Yutaka merely rolled his eyes

-Anyway … -resumed the elder brunette -... what was it you were saying before? You suddenly said “and”, and stopped - he then inquired, determined to get to the bottom of the previous story -and don't say nothing because I know that tone, and that was a “something-nothing” - he swiftly added, as he observed the shorter about to retort- I am going to get it out of you eventually, you know that, so you better spill it now - he concluded challengingly staring at the brunette, who stared right back at him with attitude. However, just as predicted by Yutaka, it took the the shorter approximately one minute to brake the staring context, angrily puff, and spill it

-Fine! - loudly announced the brunette, placing his glasses back on his head- … he said … he'd come and visit me here ... at Metró - he finally stated, discouragingly sighing, as he walked towards a rack of suits -... but you know how that usually ends ...- he then sadly stated, absently looking through the hanging clothes, as Yutaka merely hummed in a low tone, while taking the last pile of shirt to the shelves.

It really was how it usually was. Usually guys went to clubs just looking for a one night stand, and lie out of their pants to get in yours -... yeah ...- he absentmindedly repeated, tinkering with the collar of the uppermost folded shirt. It wasn't even like they could meet other homosexual people as easily as any other heterosexual couples, it was a totally different ball game, and for the two of them, considering their past relationships, a night stand didn't sound so bad after all, if it meant they weren't going to be alone for a while; it was an extremely sad conclusion, but it was their reality -... but he was nice with you at least, you know ... he could have been- tried to console the brunette, but was suddenly cut off by the shorter

-... Here!- loudly squealed the shorter brunette, as Yutaka rapidly turned around towards the suit rack, and witness a seemingly frozen Takanori, who was dazing in a particular direction in front of him, which the elder brunette quickly followed, and which brought his own stare on a blond tall man, wearing eyeglasses, and intently searching for something through the stores window

-He is cute ... - confidently snickered Yutaka, turning to observe a panicked looking Takanori, who obviously hadn't envisioned seeing the electrical engineer ever again. Yutaka then replaced his diverted gaze on the engineer, who seemed to have finally found what, or rather who, he was looking for, his gaze stopping on Takanori, as he kindly smiled, and raised his hand in a single salute gesture -... well? What are you waiting for, go greet him! - incited the elder brunette

-What?! Why?! - quickly protested the shorter, who was tightly holding on of the suits, as if his life depended on it, while they both observed the blond impatiently checking his watch, and looking around himself, apparently waiting for someone -... l-look ...- nervously stuttered Takanori -... he is waiting for someone, must be his boyfriend … he found a good clothing store, and now they are going to come and shop - he professed in a milder tone, apathetically lowering his head, and fixing his gaze on a suit -... I don't even know why I even worked myself over such thing … so stupid- he whispered to himself

-Well lets see just how stupid it really was ...- quickly whispered back Yutaka, as he walked towards the entrance to welcome their blond eye-glassed guest, who had apparently decided to enter the store - Good Afternoon, and welcome to Metró, my name is Yutaka, how may I help you? - he politely inquired with his signature smile

-Good Afternoon ...- as politely replied the blond accompanied with a nod of his head, as he turned towards Takanori's direction - … I ...- he then resumed, apologetically looking down at Yutaka with a grin, as Yutaka turned around towards Takanori, sending him a pointed glare, and swiftly making sign for him to come forward. Takanori replied with a quick pointed look, but eventually dropped the suit sleeve he had been torturing, and joined the two -... Hey... - greeted the blond sounding relieved as soon as the brunette arrived, while Yutaka strategically walked away, carrying away a bunch of belt, and serenely observing the loving scene from afar

-... Hi ...- softly replied the shorter, after which the two remained gazing at each other, both looking serenely lost in a world they only could apparently see, and which Yutaka hadn't seen in such a long time. A world where flying was in the norm, and intelligent conversations really weren't a requirement. It was a wonderful world to be in, however, if left wondering in it without a map for too long, it could become extremely dangerous; and he, better than anyone else, knew that -... y-you looked like you were waiting for someone? - suddenly inquired Takanori breaking their silence, as he glanced outside

-Yeah ...- admitted the taller -... a friend of mine, I had asked him to come with me, to check the place out … - he explained apologetically explaining, while Takanori continuously nodded to every word professed by the taller, in the same way an Hawaiian bobble-head would have, as the entrance bells suddenly ringed again, announcing another visitor -Oh! There he is, you are late ...- chided the blond, as said person speed walked in

-Gomen gomen, I- he tried to excuse, but was abruptly interrupted by the sudden sound of metal clanking to the ground, which quickly shifted everybody's attention towards Yutaka, who had dropped the belts he was carrying, and was now standing petrified with his eyes wide open, as they alarmingly took in the figure of the newcomer.

… How?

Was this really happening? This couldn't be happening, right? he must have been dreaming. Yes, there was no other rational explanation to this sort of “bizarre event” which was absolutely far from being “stupidly funny”. He had to be dreaming, because that had been the only place, in which he had seen said person in the past five years. Even though, he had been explicitly told that he wasn't allowed to even just to that, he had managed to without any harmful consequences

-Yu … Yutaka? ...- whispered in a barely audible tone the newly arrived blond, who seemed to have visibly paled, and whose eyes were as wide as the other's, apparently not believing what was in front of him, as he hesitantly took slow motioned steps towards the brunette, who wanted nothing but to run away, but whose body wasn't allowing him to, for it had longed to truly be in the presence of the blond for so long now; yet he knew he had to move, he knew he shouldn't allow the other to get any closer or else ... -... is it … is it really you? ...- inquired the blond in a tone that sounded like a painful mixture of incredulity, hope, and desperation, as he stopped a few steps away from the still staring brunette. How could this have happened? Why were that voice, that body, those eyes, which he had so strongly fought against in all those years, there right before him? How did their are roads cross again?

-Akira-senpai … - lowly whispered Yutaka, offering a gentle smile to the blond, who seemed on the verge of tears just as much as Yutaka was, and whom, after the brunette's reply, had quickly closed their distance, and was now tightly embracing him. The still noticeably shocked brunette quickly closed his eyes trying to hold up his drops of mixed emotions the best he could, slowly raising his arms to eagerly return the embrace; … and begging to himself for forgiveness. If only the other knew just how much had he missed this embrace, this feeling, and how much it was already getting so hard to bear.

-... Oh my god ...- kept whispering the blond ending with a lowly relived chuckle -... I … I ...- he then uttered breaking the embrace, and slightly backing away from the brunette, while tightly holding him by his arms, and carefully studying him with the brightest of smiles -... I must be dreaming, this is … god ... Kai - he then concluded serenely smirking, both grinning at the mentioning of the used endearing nickname, as a unique type of silence fell upon them, while they kept staring at each other, this time, being their time to take a trip to that invisible world, which however, was a completely different world from the one of the other couple. Theirs had been so much abused by some of its inhabitants, to the point of becoming unlivable for said inhabits, reason why, Yutaka had burned those bridges; or so he'd thought

-So … - began Kouyou, carefully interrupting the sudden reunion -... I take it that you two know each other? - he cautiously inquired, as Akira stupidly blinked a couple of time, and quickly released the brunette form his grip, while slightly turning his body towards his friend

-Y-yeah … I … - he effortlessly admitted, newly turning to glace at Yutaka, to whom Takanori was sending an intense questioning look, and which the elder brunette readily replied with a quick and forceful “Be quiet!” glare -... I am at loss of words at the moment, you'll have to forgive me - lightly excused the blond while laughing

-Did he ditched you, or something? … - attempted to ask Takanori, at which question Yutaka shoot him an offended and incredulous stare

-What?! No! It's nothing of the sor- indignantly loud tried to retort the elder brunette, who was still glaring at a shoulder shrugging Takanori, and whom had been interjected by Akira

-Well sort of? ...- he nervously chuckled, scratching the back of his head, as Yutaka now turned to send him the same type of pointed glare -... more like ...- he then continued looking down at the younger with a sudden serious expression, from which Yutaka gradually averted his gaze -... he disappeared- concluded the elder, whom averted gaze as well

-... disappeared ? ...- confusedly inquired Takanori, who seemed to find the whole situation rather interesting -... from? ...- he then added, given as the two remained silent, and Yutaka had absolutely no intention of wanting to deepen the conversation, but apparently the Akira was clearly of a different opinion

-Yeah ...- he resumed, turning towards Taknori, who was still sneakily glimpsing at his own blond -...we've known each other since childhood, he was probably five, and I was eight ... - began to explain the blond, as Yutaka merely stared to the ground, wishing that the other would say nothing -... at the time he had moved in with his family, in the house next to mine, and long story short, we met, bonded pretty well, and did almost everything together, even school from elementary school all the way to ...well - he then paused, turning back to regard Yutaka, who was still very politely regarding the floor -... part of high school, when he just disappeared, like … I woke up in the morning went to school, and wasn't there … soon after school, went to his house, and him, and his family was gone … just like tha t … no goodbye, no note, no nothing ... - lowly concluded Akira staring at Yutaka, looking lost as if he were reliving the moments he had just narrated.

-The heck, really? ...- inquired Takanori with a furrowed eye brow expression revolved to the taller brunette, who quickly lifted his gaze, and trying to keep his cool he retorted

-There obviously ...- he blurted out, soon after pausing, and newly lowering his gaze, realizing he had sounded much more spiteful than he had intended to -... there obviously was a more than valid reason for that to have happened ...- he informed, in a calmer and lower tone, after which Akira took a few step closer, finding himself at an almost whispering distance, which was making Yutaka uncomfortable beyond belief

-Care to elaborate? ...- he kindly whispered, looking down at the brunette, who in turned raised his gaze to meet the blond's, and then quickly glanced at the other two who were still standing by the entrance, staring right back at him, and Akira's back -maybe at that cafe across the road? … when you finish working? ...- quickly suggested the blond -I'll wait outside until you finish -he then quickly added, probably spotting the slightly reluctant expression on Yutaka's expression

-I still have quite some hours before I am done, I wouldn't want you to- tried to apologetically refuse the brunette, but was pressingly interjected by the elder

-I don't mind, really ...- informed Akira -... please ...- he then practically pleaded, at which tone the younger had not the guts to refuse, and merely nodded - good ….- cheerfully exhaled the elder -... I guess I'll take a look around with Kouyou then, and wait until you're done? ...- he informed, and inquired again, as if to confirm their agreement, to which Yutaka merely nodded once more with a gentle smile -... I missed that smile of yours - observed the blond, smirking , and walking away to join Kouyou, who was being showed around by Takanori.

Yutaka merely stood there for a second, and sadly observing the blond's retracting figure, soon after closing his eyes, in an attempt to regain some sort of calm and rationality, and maybe reopening them to find out that he had been in fact dreaming. Because dreaming about Akira where he could be with him, and happily act carefree like they used to, was all he needed. All he got used to accept, and manage on with. However, as he opened his eyes, the elder was still very much real, and very much there.

And now, what was he to do? He hadn't seen this coming in the least. Five years ago, when he had left their hometown, he thought he had made it, he thought he had been able to successfully change routes of the course of his life, in order to prevent the harm he had seen coming ahead. Yet there he was again, a good five years later, apparently detoured back to that original route, having to once again fear its final destination, and having absolutely no clue about how to get out of it this time.

*-@ CHAPTER 1 @-*

A/N: Ever tried running away from something before? Doesn't feel good when you think you have finally reached a safe point? Then it usually happens, that thing catches up with you, ne? Sooner or later. Thus it would be better to face problem ne? … But... aside from the fact that we are humans, and that facing problems is not exactly our forte [… not mine at least, meaning that I don't willingly do it ] running away is not always bad per say, like life in general, it depends on your situation. So what caused Yutaka to leave his hometown five years ago? And Why is he seemingly so fearful of his reunion with Akira? … find out in the next Detour. Thanks for reading, much Love (^ ^! )/.

“Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth

until the hour of separation.”

by Kahlil Gibran