Lonely Hours and Moments of Despair [ONE SHOT] - [AOI/KAZUKI]
Title: Lonely Hours and Moments of Despair
Chapter: One Shot
Author:luna_no_koibito
Genre: Angst, Romance, Crack!
Warnings: none
Rating: PG 13
Pairing: Aoi/Kazuki
Bands: the GazettE; SCREW
Disclaimer: Just need your faces darlings, my fingers will type the rest ..._〆(・∀・＠)
Summary: To conform, or not to conform that was this morning's dilemma, and not-caring wasn't an option, because nobody truly didn't care, thus it was the easiest way to have unwanted pity floating around, plus taking a stand was always more fun anyways. Thus, staring at his black "No thanks, I don't do chocolate" T-shirt, versus his pink "love me tender, love me sweet" one with a drawn arrow pointing downwards ... [Kazuki POV].
comment HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYBODY. Either you had one or not, I'm sharing the love.
Lonely Hours and Moments of Despair
Even the sky seemed to be dressed up for the occasion, all those pink clouds pompously making their random way over it without permission, and they were literally everywhere. The poor sun was still trying to make its ascent through all the fluffy pink mess, among which Kazuki could have sworn there were quite a few heart-shaped. Those insolent clouds, how dare they blocked the coming out of the mighty sun! And maybe the sky didn't feel like celebrating Valentine's Day, but did they care? Didn't look like it.
Surely enough though, nobody had asked him to wake up this early, nor was he asked to look at the dawning sky either. Yet, had he turned around, he would have had to get out of bed, into the bathroom, and all the other consecutive steps which he would had to perform to get ready for another day. Even though today wasn't just another day, like it ought to have been. No, today was Valentine's day and radios, TVs, people, animals, bugs, and even the sky weren't going to make him forget such fact. Where was his pink shirt anyways?
To conform, or not to conform that was this morning's dilemma, and not-caring wasn't an option, because nobody truly didn't care, thus it was the easiest way to have unwanted pity floating around, plus taking a stand was always more fun anyways. Thus, staring at his black "No thanks, I don't do chocolate" T-shirt, versus his pink "love me tender, love me sweet" one with a drawn arrow pointing downwards he seriously pondered for a second, just to then bite his fingers, and sit on the edge of his bed.
Such stubbornness. Trying so hard to make a statement about something he cared about after all. Of course he did. There was nothing bad in either loving or being loved, nor in having a single day dedicated solely to such purpose. He actually really wanted to celebrate to and the lack of lover wasn't his issue, but in this case the presence of this particular lover was the problem.
He loved Aoi with every fiber of his being, however, he didn't think the elder to be the "Let's celebrate Valentine's Day!" type of person. And though he had no way to surely ascertain such hypothesis, since this would be their first, there were too many tell-tell signs which pointed at that.
For starters, he had proposed for them to go out together at their favorite pub, stressing the words “this Tuesday night”, and Aoi's first reaction had been “well then let's also invite Mizuki”. Had it been another day, he would have managed to pretend to not be irritated about the fact that the two were just too clingy for mere friends, but given the elder the benefit of the doubt he then stressed “this Tuesday, the 14th ?” and the elder merely looked at him like he had no idea where he was trying to go with the conversation.
Thus, he told him to forget about it, and he left it at that. Persuasion wasn't one of Kazuki's strong points at all, in fact he was quite to quick to give up too many a things, just to then secretly brood over them. He was also the type of guy whom found satisfaction in bringing a smile on people's face, the type of guy who liked to console, or even spoil, and perhaps that was the reason why inversely, for at least once, be it godforsaken Valentine's day, that he wouldn't have minded being the one to be spoiled instead.
However, he wouldn't say it, he never said out loud what he wanted, because he unfortunately had this bad trait of wanting others to read his mind. So if he didn’t get what he wanted who else was to blame but himself? It was indeed an awful trait, but in his defense, he did try to give hints here and there, hints which required the person in question to have previously or recently lived in his head.
Finally choosing on the pink T-shirt, he made a dragged himself to the bathroom concluding that he wanted his special day after all, and that if wearing this shirt would have helped hint enough his desires then so be it. Yet saying it out loud would have been so much easier. Yet again he really wanted Aoi to surprise him somehow, in any way. Yet again, perhaps he should have just wore the black one.
As expected, most of everyone in PSC was in the mood for romance, or rather, they seemed to have confused the day for a national holiday, yelling “Happy Valentine!” at every passing person as if it were Christmas. A few staff personnel chuckled at his T-shirt, which he already forgot he was wearing, and at his usual, he replied with a flirtatious grin, or chasing a few girls singing the words on his shirt in a perfect imitation of their original author Elvis Presley.
“Happy Valentine ...” smugly greeted Byou as they met each other, and quickly groping him between his legs once closer, which was to be expected; the shirt was indeed asking for it. Replying with a pleased moan, he turned around, hugged the other from behind, and made him drag him along “you're heavy get off!” playfully ordered the vocalist in a deep angry sounding Kansai-accent.
“But I love you Chawa~n, don't leave me!” loudly whined the guitarist, still holding on to the struggling vocalist “... where are you going anyways, the studio is over there” he then added, now dragging him back towards his previous direction.
“I have to pee! Get off!” begged the vocalist while laughing, as he held the wall and began to drag them both forward towards the restroom. Once Byou finally managed to make them turn right and find themselves right in front of the restroom, what they found was a hooded person bullying another a brown-haired boy, his hair completely flat down and covering his face. Looking closer, Kazuki recognized him as being the GazettE's Kai, and if that was the case, he needed not to see the other person to know his identity.
“Kai-san! Fight-o!” playfully incited Byo as he finally managed to release himself from Kazuki, whom had stayed put in his place
“I'm trying!” mumbled Kai.
“Liar! You are not even facing me! Ok I'm done” finally declared, whom Kazuki had righteously guessed to be the GazettE's Reita “That's for your regular share … later, I'll give you a special Valentine's Day share” he then suggestively spoke.
“Don't say things that other might misinterpret Reita.” quickly retorted the drummer, as he followed the bassist out.
“Happy Valentine!” wished Kazuki with a broad smile as the pair passed by them.
“A! Kazuki-kun! Happy Valentine to you!” wished Reita.
“Has Aoi-san arrived?” randomly inquired Kazuki, regretting it right as he spoke. He really could have asked anything else, at least not something he could have easily texted the person in question about.
“Don't know actually, that is a good question, we should get going Reita ...” observed the drummer, as Kazuki mechanically nodded, glimpsing to his sight to notice Byou gone. “I love your shirt!” Kai then excitedly added.
“As I thought, you are a pervert” solemnly spoke Reita in a feign resigned tone, as Kai's performed a "not-true!" shocked pout.
“I was talking about the lyrics Reita! The lyrics! They are from my favorite Elvis song ...” precised the drummer.
“Is that so ...” promptly replied the bassist in a playful sarcasm.
“It is! I also said it once on Radio Jack! You were there too!” kept defending the drummer, as Kazuki suddenly wondered why was he still standing there.
“I don't recall” plainly replied Reita “See you later Kazuki-kun” he then added as he began to walk away, followed by an exasperated Kai, whom was still trying to make his point. As he watched them go, Kazuki felt a hint of disappointment, which made him realize that perhaps the reason why he had stayed standing there was that he was hoping to see the elder guitarist magically appear. Not like the GazettE members were magnetic or anything.
“A~ that sure felt good ...” exclaimed Byou as he strutted out the bathroom, looking rather pleased.
“You said you were gonna take a leak …” suspiciously observed Kazuki, newly latching himself to the vocalist.
“Well, I had more complicated business, any problem?” remarked the vocalist, as he kept trying to free himself from the guitarist, whom as they walked, caught sight of Alice Nine's Nao drumming his way away into one of the sound proof rooms.
He was dressed in jeans and a yellow shirt, with a Pikachu on it, no signs of pink, no signs of having his head in the clouds, just seriously doing his work, almost too seriously, as expected from somebody when at work anyways, as he himself should have been doing instead of wasting time on such trivial things. Yet he couldn't help but think whether the drummer himself was trying to ignore the festivity.
“Is that the shirt a perfect with a boyfriend should be wearing?” lowly and smugly spoke a familiar voice, as Kazuki turned his head to the opposite direction, just to notice Byou gone again, and Aoi just a few feet away from him. It was incredible how much impact that voice always had on him, he'd probably never get used to it. However, he wouldn't be caught blushing about it like a little virgin either.
“I think you are mistaken Aoi-san!” playfully retorted Kazuki, feeling his heart-beat slowly pick the closer the elder got “this is exactly what a person with a boyfriend would wear” concluded the younger with a sheepish grin, as the elder's face was now a few inches away, amusingly smiling and nodding his head in pretense bewilderment.
“I see” he then spoke a few second of excruciating silence later, after which he playfully slapped the younger's head “back to work ...” he jokingly stated in his typical Kansai accent “... youngsters shouldn't be wasting times in corridors” he added as he kept on walking.
There were an infinite number of things he wanted to have done in the few second in which they stood face to face, an infinite number of things he would have wanted the elder to have done, and another infinite he could have done from that point, none of which safe-for-work, none of which he was going to do.
And it wasn’t because he was being mindful of his surroundings, if he had, he wouldn't be part of SCREW in the first place. Kazuki was irrationally irritated because of the fact that nothing had happened in those now lost seconds, but particularly, he was expecting Aoi to take hold of the situation. But that didn't happen so now it was officially whatever. Or something like that.
The first half of his practice had proceeded as its usual. Kazuki was his usual self, talking when not asked, funny when needed to be serious, and serious never. A normal flow for what had become a normal day to him, or at least that was what he kept repeating to himself at regular intervals, while his subconscious was wailing in utter shame and surprise to how much he truly cared about this freaking day.
The few minutes he had for a breather, he spent it in, he didn't even know what it was, but he knew nobody went there, so he had figured it would have been an optimal place to be left alone with his pathetic self. Nonchalantly looking around at his surrounding, he searched the ceiling for water sprinklers, feeling the urgent need to try and finish his unopened pack of cigarette's as fast as he could, when the door suddenly opened.
“Areeeeee! Kazuki-kun?!” exclaimed Alice Nine's Nao in pleased surprise “What ar eyou doing here?!” he inquired, closing the door behind himself and walking in.
“Nao-san” politely greeted the guitarist, while bowing his head “... I was figuring out whether it was safe to smoke in here” humbly replied Kazuki with another sheepish smile.
“I wouldn't try it, if I were you!” playfully stated the drummer with a feign haughty look, which made the guitarist smirk “... you never know, we could explode and- ...” he then assessed, and was probably on the verge of telling one of his trademark absolutely not funny jokes, but quickly stopped perhaps taking a glimpse at Kazuki's suddenly turned slightly awkward features.
“So Nao-san, any special plan for today?” and there he went again. He really needed to drop the case.
“Nope. Just me and my computer.” instantly replied the drummer, as if it were a recorded voice message which was set to speak after that specific question. Obviously, he did not have a date, obviously he probably wanted to not talk about it, and obviously Kazuki was supposed to move on from it.
“It is a whole big fuss for nothing anyways” lowly added Kazuki, really talking to himself, but the elder seemed to have caught every word.
“You shouldn't be so pessimistic Kauzki-kun!” cheerfully declared the elder “... love comes when you least expect it” he added, with one of his embarrassing and cheesy wink, which however weird, manage to bring a smile on the younger's face “look at me, I'm going to spend my thirty-first Valentine's Day alone, and sure it is a bit depressing, but in the long run I hope, and look forward to my next one ...” he explained.
“It is depressing Nao-san” instantly replied Kazuki with a teasing serious expression.
“Oi!” playfully warned Nao, as they both laughed “... but you know, you shouldn't be like your senpai” he then resumed, sitting on a chair next to the younger “I protect myself from everything be it good or bad, so I can't let anything happened to me bet bad or good. I don't put myself out there, never take the first step ... I am somewhat of a coward. So until I work on that a little, until I change some aspects of myself that are a constant obstacle to me, I can blame none but myself for most of everything, my lack of a "Valentine" included” he serenely smirked.
Where he got the will to always keep smiling and carelessly look like a fool, Kazuki had no idea, but somehow he now found himself admiring the drummer, even if just a little, particularly given that even though he himself always did smile, there was a much higher chance that Nao always did so genuinely. Differently from the drummer Kazuki did have a "Valentine", and his issues were on a completely different level, but the main issue remained the same; he also needed to work on himself some.
“Aaa … already time to go for me, I have been around for too long now” nonchalantly stated the drummer getting to his feet, with Kazuki doubting the fact, remembering how serious he had been on his drum-set “don't burn down the pace now!” he playfully warned, as he walked out.
“I'll try my best senpai!” shouted Kazuki, meaning the sentence in more ways than one, as he also got to his feet, placed the still unopened pack in his pocket and proceeded back to their practice room.
The second half of his practice almost went as smoothly as the first, if it weren't forth jokes coming a little late, the laughter sounding a bit forced, and random moment of seriousness caused by his pondering. He thought over the fact that he had been the one to make the decision to be with Aoi, he had decided to take him for what he was. Thus, if he wasn't the Hall-Mark lovey-dovey type then it shouldn’t have mattered right? And if it did, then he should have to tell him, right?
“Yo!” suddenly called Rui's voice, as they all got ready to leave “... everything alright? You looked a little distracted during the second half of practice” calmly expressed the bassist. This boy, he'd been with them only two years and it already felt like he'd been around him forever, which was frighteningly impressive.
“If I said it was nothing would you believe me” playfully challenged Kazuki in hie overly dramatic way, making the other chuckle.
“If you wanted me to, I would ...” mirthfully replied the bassist, placing his chin on the guitarist shoulder.
“Convenient” smugly replied the guitarist, sounding attracted by such trait.
“Yeah whatever ...” laughed off the bassist “... well then, if it is nothing, I'll go home, I have a date with Maru-san~” Rui chanted.
“I'll give you a ride home” firmly declared the guitarist bringing out the keys to his vehicle.
“Are you sure?” skeptically inquired the bassist “... I have to stop at the convenient store, it might take me a while … and I figured … you'd be busy” he trialed off, trying to sound scrupulous, but clearly not disliking the idea of a ride for a change.
“Yup yup” instantly declared the guitarist “I'm as free as it gets~” he sing-sang, while he began to walk out, with the other in toe.
Rui wasn’t joking when he had mentioned that it was gonna take him a while. The bassist was religiously checking every ingredient he set his hands on, which was expected of a rather decent cook, plus the fact that Kazuki was acting as childish as usual, putting stuff they didn't need into the basket, just to have Rui remove, probably didn't help the time consuming.
Once they got to the bassist place, had finished unpacking their shopping bags, and Rui had gone to start cooking, Kazuki dropped on the couch, and began to coo Maru-san over. The cat initially, walked right past him, but then seemed to have second thoughts and walking back it leaped on the guitarist, whom satisfyingly began to pet it.
“What are he eating, honey~?” shouted Kazuki, imitating the voice of a loving husband.
“It's a surprise, darling~!” replied the bassist in toe, shouting from the kitchen.
“Okay~” answered the guitarist, as he bitterly thought at the fact that in the end, he really just would have liked to be with Aoi, either it be a pub, or wherever. Checking his cell-phone ever so often to and replying to all the Valentine messages he had, he was also every so often about to text the guitarist, but eneded up not. This was getting to be idiotic.
“Dinner is read-” came out to announce Rui, whom however couldn't finish his sentence when the doorbell suddenly rang, at the same time in which Kazuki's cell-phone vibrated with a message from Aoi.
From:That Sexy Guitarist from Mie
To: Me
Where are you?!!! It's almost dinner time and you are not here!! ヽ(#`Д´)ﾉ┌┛
Before he could even have the time to stupidly marvel at the text, or even formulate a simple reply a secon text came in.
From:That Sexy Guitarist from Mie
To: Me
Forget that!! Get your ass in my house now (っ｀Д´)っ
Still silently looking rather dumbly at both messages, Kazuki mechanically stood up, and just as he turned around, Rui came in sight followed by none other than MUCC's Yukke. Trying to not simply stare at the scene before him wide-eyed, Kazuki quickly bowed his head at the elder.
“Yukke-senpai! Long time no see” he then greeted, as he darted his eyes to Rui who was staring right back at him with a "Could you please vanish in thin air?!" gentle glare.
“Hello Kazuki-kun, sorry for intruding ...” kindly replied the elder.
“No no no” instantly replied the guitarist, as he made his began to walk “I was actually just on my way out, and Rui made an awesome dinner for two so, I'd say you got here right on time” quickly said Kazuki with the widest of smile, as he approached the entrance door waking backwards, keeping the two of them in sight. If Rui's eyes could have do as far shoot laser beams, Kazuki would have presently been with none, thus with a quick wave of he disappeared.
Shaking like a virgin bride the night after her wedding ceremony, Kazuki managed to not get into an accident as he got himself to the elder's by now very familiar apartment, in front of which he stood still for a good while, until the door suddenly opened.
“Where you panning on ringing the bell, or did you want me to keep reading your mind ...” nonchalantly replied the elder, as Kazuki merely stood there speechless, trying to formulate something witty, but not even a stupid "hello" made its way through “Seriously ... always trying to hint me to something instead of clearly telling me what you want, mr. "Love me tender, love me sweet"” resignedly stated the elder with a gentle smile, slowly pulling in the younger by the front of his pink shirt.
“Sorry” humbly replied Kazuki, presently think back to the fact that perhaps vanishing into thin air hadn't been such a bad idea after all. God he felt so stupid “... I thought you weren't the Valentine's Day type of guy” apologetically expressed the younger, as the elder made sign for his jacket.
“You assumed I wasn't the Valentine's Day type of guy” corrected the elder, as he hanged up the younger's jacket “which was a safe assumption, because I'm not” Aoi continued, as a rather loud "I knew it!" shouted into his head, followed with light shower of disappointment. Yet, in the end, all he wanted was to have been in with the elder, hadn't it? Wasn't he?
“I wouldn't mind a little romantic dinner … every once in a while … once a year ...” finally stated the guitarist, feeling incredibly lighter immediately after, but at the same time fearing the other's reply.
“I figured ...” replied the elder switching to Kansai, as he resumed walking, with Kazuki following, and as soon as they got into the kitchen, the younger stopped and stared, as Aoi began to light the set of candles at the dining table, along side with the set of plates, gasses, even napkins, which he hadn't seen before.
“I ...” attempted Kazuki, as his heart genuinely began to race at the tender sight, but the doorbell suddenly rang, and panic newly ensued. This was going to be a couple dinner, right?
“Finally, jeez ...” muttered Aoi “... could you get that for me please? While I dish out the food” he then requested of Kazuki, whom at first turned around to go do as he was told, but then turned back again, deciding it was time to apply his changes to himself right from then.
“Could it be just the two of us? ...” he hesitantly inquired, as the elder, quickly glimpsed up at him.
“How many sets of plates do you see?” he inquired. Kazuki quickly looked and dumbly noticed that it was just two “... Just relax and go answer the door please ...” newly requested the elder.
With his tail between his legs, Kazuki finally turned around and went to the door, hoping not to impulsively punch the person if it happened to be someone even resembling Mizuki. In fact, he wasn’t even too sure it would stop at one punch, you know, this newly reinvented-impulsive self.
“Yeah I know I am late ...” instantly spoke somebody's voice, whom Kazuki couldn't see because covered by how many red-roses the boy couldn't even begin to count “Yo, this shit is heavy, is Kazuki here yet? ...”
“I'm Kazuki, Reita-san ...” finally spoke the younger, as he spotted Kai walking in a few seconds later.
“Oh shit” quickly swore the bassist “well, yeah, uhm … ” he vaguely stated, dropping the massive bouquet in the middle of the hallway “...enjoy!” then concluded in terrible English, which was quite the shocker considering how short was the word in itself, but soon after that, there was no trace nor of Reita or Kai.
Bending to the ground, he picked up the bouquet, which indeed was heavy, walked his way to the living room, and was about to drop the bouquet as he gazed at the sea of lit candles and petals decorating the living room.
“Well … thanks to the comic-duo, the surprise was ruined ...” commented Aoi, grabbing the roses from Aoi, and placing them at center table, which was now shifted all the way to the side.
“I think I love you” playfully stated Kazuki, at the elder gave him a playful skeptical look
“Are you sure?” he inquired, walking back to the younger, and stopping right in front of him, he wrapped his arm around his waist “... cause if this isn't of your taste, we can go to that pub as you had awkwardly suggested ...” lightly laughed the elder.
“I was trying to make it easy for you, because I thought-” quickly tried to excuse the younger, but instantly stopped as the elder gave him a pointed look “I assumed and I was wrong, and you are amazing, and this is amazing, and I still can't believe this ...” concluded Kazuki.
“Well since we are here … might as well” stated the older bringing out a remote from his back pocket, and pointing it towards his stereo, but nothing happened “... no way ...” lowly hissed the elder, as he kept pushing the button, but still nothing happened. Kazuki began to laugh, as Aoi resignedly threw the remote on the couch, and leaving the younger's side, he walked to the center of the room and began to serenade the younger, in extremely bad English, but Kazuki could really care less.
“Someone to care … someone to share … lonely hours and moments of despair … o! To be loved … to be loved … what a feeling to be loved~!!” dramatically sang the elder, and it was really a pity that all that Kazuki felt like was laughing, as he dropped to into the couch.
“Someone to kiss … someone to miss … when you are away to heal from each day .. to be loved … O! What a feeling to be loved~!!! ...” continued the elder, getting sliding his way to Kazuki, getting on his knees, and shouting his heart out.
Pulling up from the chair, Kazuki welcomed the elder man presently on his knees between his legs and kissed him with all that he had, and the kissing went on and one, and progressed, leaving untouched food to cool, candles to turn off, but the events unfolding on the couch keeping the hot atmosphere with which they began.
Funny it was how little he had to say now, considering how much he had complained. Yet other than thank you and I love you nothing really came to mind or seemed any more fitted. He'd gotten his Valentine alright, and the world seemed perfect, except for those black clouds making their way across the setting sky, seemingly demanding an apology from him, but was he going to care? Didn't look like it … not while under Aoi at least.
-♥- Fin -♥-
AN:*coughs * It's still Val's Day Cali time *coughs *
I really wanted to write an Aoi/Kazuki~ it had been a while since I did, and this is what came out. Hope you all liked it!!! (pooobaihr in particular ...♥). *The song that Aoi is singing in the end (and from which I got this title) is the dear old, but still fantastic "To Be Loved" by Jackie Wilson~
Much Love -LnK♥(~_^ )/-
Chapter: One Shot
Author:luna_no_koibito
Genre: Angst, Romance, Crack!
Warnings: none
Rating: PG 13
Pairing: Aoi/Kazuki
Bands: the GazettE; SCREW
Disclaimer: Just need your faces darlings, my fingers will type the rest ..._〆(・∀・＠)
Summary: To conform, or not to conform that was this morning's dilemma, and not-caring wasn't an option, because nobody truly didn't care, thus it was the easiest way to have unwanted pity floating around, plus taking a stand was always more fun anyways. Thus, staring at his black "No thanks, I don't do chocolate" T-shirt, versus his pink "love me tender, love me sweet" one with a drawn arrow pointing downwards ... [Kazuki POV].
comment HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYBODY. Either you had one or not, I'm sharing the love.
Lonely Hours and Moments of Despair
Even the sky seemed to be dressed up for the occasion, all those pink clouds pompously making their random way over it without permission, and they were literally everywhere. The poor sun was still trying to make its ascent through all the fluffy pink mess, among which Kazuki could have sworn there were quite a few heart-shaped. Those insolent clouds, how dare they blocked the coming out of the mighty sun! And maybe the sky didn't feel like celebrating Valentine's Day, but did they care? Didn't look like it.
Surely enough though, nobody had asked him to wake up this early, nor was he asked to look at the dawning sky either. Yet, had he turned around, he would have had to get out of bed, into the bathroom, and all the other consecutive steps which he would had to perform to get ready for another day. Even though today wasn't just another day, like it ought to have been. No, today was Valentine's day and radios, TVs, people, animals, bugs, and even the sky weren't going to make him forget such fact. Where was his pink shirt anyways?
To conform, or not to conform that was this morning's dilemma, and not-caring wasn't an option, because nobody truly didn't care, thus it was the easiest way to have unwanted pity floating around, plus taking a stand was always more fun anyways. Thus, staring at his black "No thanks, I don't do chocolate" T-shirt, versus his pink "love me tender, love me sweet" one with a drawn arrow pointing downwards he seriously pondered for a second, just to then bite his fingers, and sit on the edge of his bed.
Such stubbornness. Trying so hard to make a statement about something he cared about after all. Of course he did. There was nothing bad in either loving or being loved, nor in having a single day dedicated solely to such purpose. He actually really wanted to celebrate to and the lack of lover wasn't his issue, but in this case the presence of this particular lover was the problem.
He loved Aoi with every fiber of his being, however, he didn't think the elder to be the "Let's celebrate Valentine's Day!" type of person. And though he had no way to surely ascertain such hypothesis, since this would be their first, there were too many tell-tell signs which pointed at that.
For starters, he had proposed for them to go out together at their favorite pub, stressing the words “this Tuesday night”, and Aoi's first reaction had been “well then let's also invite Mizuki”. Had it been another day, he would have managed to pretend to not be irritated about the fact that the two were just too clingy for mere friends, but given the elder the benefit of the doubt he then stressed “this Tuesday, the 14th ?” and the elder merely looked at him like he had no idea where he was trying to go with the conversation.
Thus, he told him to forget about it, and he left it at that. Persuasion wasn't one of Kazuki's strong points at all, in fact he was quite to quick to give up too many a things, just to then secretly brood over them. He was also the type of guy whom found satisfaction in bringing a smile on people's face, the type of guy who liked to console, or even spoil, and perhaps that was the reason why inversely, for at least once, be it godforsaken Valentine's day, that he wouldn't have minded being the one to be spoiled instead.
However, he wouldn't say it, he never said out loud what he wanted, because he unfortunately had this bad trait of wanting others to read his mind. So if he didn’t get what he wanted who else was to blame but himself? It was indeed an awful trait, but in his defense, he did try to give hints here and there, hints which required the person in question to have previously or recently lived in his head.
Finally choosing on the pink T-shirt, he made a dragged himself to the bathroom concluding that he wanted his special day after all, and that if wearing this shirt would have helped hint enough his desires then so be it. Yet saying it out loud would have been so much easier. Yet again he really wanted Aoi to surprise him somehow, in any way. Yet again, perhaps he should have just wore the black one.
As expected, most of everyone in PSC was in the mood for romance, or rather, they seemed to have confused the day for a national holiday, yelling “Happy Valentine!” at every passing person as if it were Christmas. A few staff personnel chuckled at his T-shirt, which he already forgot he was wearing, and at his usual, he replied with a flirtatious grin, or chasing a few girls singing the words on his shirt in a perfect imitation of their original author Elvis Presley.
“Happy Valentine ...” smugly greeted Byou as they met each other, and quickly groping him between his legs once closer, which was to be expected; the shirt was indeed asking for it. Replying with a pleased moan, he turned around, hugged the other from behind, and made him drag him along “you're heavy get off!” playfully ordered the vocalist in a deep angry sounding Kansai-accent.
“But I love you Chawa~n, don't leave me!” loudly whined the guitarist, still holding on to the struggling vocalist “... where are you going anyways, the studio is over there” he then added, now dragging him back towards his previous direction.
“I have to pee! Get off!” begged the vocalist while laughing, as he held the wall and began to drag them both forward towards the restroom. Once Byou finally managed to make them turn right and find themselves right in front of the restroom, what they found was a hooded person bullying another a brown-haired boy, his hair completely flat down and covering his face. Looking closer, Kazuki recognized him as being the GazettE's Kai, and if that was the case, he needed not to see the other person to know his identity.
“Kai-san! Fight-o!” playfully incited Byo as he finally managed to release himself from Kazuki, whom had stayed put in his place
“I'm trying!” mumbled Kai.
“Liar! You are not even facing me! Ok I'm done” finally declared, whom Kazuki had righteously guessed to be the GazettE's Reita “That's for your regular share … later, I'll give you a special Valentine's Day share” he then suggestively spoke.
“Don't say things that other might misinterpret Reita.” quickly retorted the drummer, as he followed the bassist out.
“Happy Valentine!” wished Kazuki with a broad smile as the pair passed by them.
“A! Kazuki-kun! Happy Valentine to you!” wished Reita.
“Has Aoi-san arrived?” randomly inquired Kazuki, regretting it right as he spoke. He really could have asked anything else, at least not something he could have easily texted the person in question about.
“Don't know actually, that is a good question, we should get going Reita ...” observed the drummer, as Kazuki mechanically nodded, glimpsing to his sight to notice Byou gone. “I love your shirt!” Kai then excitedly added.
“As I thought, you are a pervert” solemnly spoke Reita in a feign resigned tone, as Kai's performed a "not-true!" shocked pout.
“I was talking about the lyrics Reita! The lyrics! They are from my favorite Elvis song ...” precised the drummer.
“Is that so ...” promptly replied the bassist in a playful sarcasm.
“It is! I also said it once on Radio Jack! You were there too!” kept defending the drummer, as Kazuki suddenly wondered why was he still standing there.
“I don't recall” plainly replied Reita “See you later Kazuki-kun” he then added as he began to walk away, followed by an exasperated Kai, whom was still trying to make his point. As he watched them go, Kazuki felt a hint of disappointment, which made him realize that perhaps the reason why he had stayed standing there was that he was hoping to see the elder guitarist magically appear. Not like the GazettE members were magnetic or anything.
“A~ that sure felt good ...” exclaimed Byou as he strutted out the bathroom, looking rather pleased.
“You said you were gonna take a leak …” suspiciously observed Kazuki, newly latching himself to the vocalist.
“Well, I had more complicated business, any problem?” remarked the vocalist, as he kept trying to free himself from the guitarist, whom as they walked, caught sight of Alice Nine's Nao drumming his way away into one of the sound proof rooms.
He was dressed in jeans and a yellow shirt, with a Pikachu on it, no signs of pink, no signs of having his head in the clouds, just seriously doing his work, almost too seriously, as expected from somebody when at work anyways, as he himself should have been doing instead of wasting time on such trivial things. Yet he couldn't help but think whether the drummer himself was trying to ignore the festivity.
“Is that the shirt a perfect with a boyfriend should be wearing?” lowly and smugly spoke a familiar voice, as Kazuki turned his head to the opposite direction, just to notice Byou gone again, and Aoi just a few feet away from him. It was incredible how much impact that voice always had on him, he'd probably never get used to it. However, he wouldn't be caught blushing about it like a little virgin either.
“I think you are mistaken Aoi-san!” playfully retorted Kazuki, feeling his heart-beat slowly pick the closer the elder got “this is exactly what a person with a boyfriend would wear” concluded the younger with a sheepish grin, as the elder's face was now a few inches away, amusingly smiling and nodding his head in pretense bewilderment.
“I see” he then spoke a few second of excruciating silence later, after which he playfully slapped the younger's head “back to work ...” he jokingly stated in his typical Kansai accent “... youngsters shouldn't be wasting times in corridors” he added as he kept on walking.
There were an infinite number of things he wanted to have done in the few second in which they stood face to face, an infinite number of things he would have wanted the elder to have done, and another infinite he could have done from that point, none of which safe-for-work, none of which he was going to do.
And it wasn’t because he was being mindful of his surroundings, if he had, he wouldn't be part of SCREW in the first place. Kazuki was irrationally irritated because of the fact that nothing had happened in those now lost seconds, but particularly, he was expecting Aoi to take hold of the situation. But that didn't happen so now it was officially whatever. Or something like that.
The first half of his practice had proceeded as its usual. Kazuki was his usual self, talking when not asked, funny when needed to be serious, and serious never. A normal flow for what had become a normal day to him, or at least that was what he kept repeating to himself at regular intervals, while his subconscious was wailing in utter shame and surprise to how much he truly cared about this freaking day.
The few minutes he had for a breather, he spent it in, he didn't even know what it was, but he knew nobody went there, so he had figured it would have been an optimal place to be left alone with his pathetic self. Nonchalantly looking around at his surrounding, he searched the ceiling for water sprinklers, feeling the urgent need to try and finish his unopened pack of cigarette's as fast as he could, when the door suddenly opened.
“Areeeeee! Kazuki-kun?!” exclaimed Alice Nine's Nao in pleased surprise “What ar eyou doing here?!” he inquired, closing the door behind himself and walking in.
“Nao-san” politely greeted the guitarist, while bowing his head “... I was figuring out whether it was safe to smoke in here” humbly replied Kazuki with another sheepish smile.
“I wouldn't try it, if I were you!” playfully stated the drummer with a feign haughty look, which made the guitarist smirk “... you never know, we could explode and- ...” he then assessed, and was probably on the verge of telling one of his trademark absolutely not funny jokes, but quickly stopped perhaps taking a glimpse at Kazuki's suddenly turned slightly awkward features.
“So Nao-san, any special plan for today?” and there he went again. He really needed to drop the case.
“Nope. Just me and my computer.” instantly replied the drummer, as if it were a recorded voice message which was set to speak after that specific question. Obviously, he did not have a date, obviously he probably wanted to not talk about it, and obviously Kazuki was supposed to move on from it.
“It is a whole big fuss for nothing anyways” lowly added Kazuki, really talking to himself, but the elder seemed to have caught every word.
“You shouldn't be so pessimistic Kauzki-kun!” cheerfully declared the elder “... love comes when you least expect it” he added, with one of his embarrassing and cheesy wink, which however weird, manage to bring a smile on the younger's face “look at me, I'm going to spend my thirty-first Valentine's Day alone, and sure it is a bit depressing, but in the long run I hope, and look forward to my next one ...” he explained.
“It is depressing Nao-san” instantly replied Kazuki with a teasing serious expression.
“Oi!” playfully warned Nao, as they both laughed “... but you know, you shouldn't be like your senpai” he then resumed, sitting on a chair next to the younger “I protect myself from everything be it good or bad, so I can't let anything happened to me bet bad or good. I don't put myself out there, never take the first step ... I am somewhat of a coward. So until I work on that a little, until I change some aspects of myself that are a constant obstacle to me, I can blame none but myself for most of everything, my lack of a "Valentine" included” he serenely smirked.
Where he got the will to always keep smiling and carelessly look like a fool, Kazuki had no idea, but somehow he now found himself admiring the drummer, even if just a little, particularly given that even though he himself always did smile, there was a much higher chance that Nao always did so genuinely. Differently from the drummer Kazuki did have a "Valentine", and his issues were on a completely different level, but the main issue remained the same; he also needed to work on himself some.
“Aaa … already time to go for me, I have been around for too long now” nonchalantly stated the drummer getting to his feet, with Kazuki doubting the fact, remembering how serious he had been on his drum-set “don't burn down the pace now!” he playfully warned, as he walked out.
“I'll try my best senpai!” shouted Kazuki, meaning the sentence in more ways than one, as he also got to his feet, placed the still unopened pack in his pocket and proceeded back to their practice room.
The second half of his practice almost went as smoothly as the first, if it weren't forth jokes coming a little late, the laughter sounding a bit forced, and random moment of seriousness caused by his pondering. He thought over the fact that he had been the one to make the decision to be with Aoi, he had decided to take him for what he was. Thus, if he wasn't the Hall-Mark lovey-dovey type then it shouldn’t have mattered right? And if it did, then he should have to tell him, right?
“Yo!” suddenly called Rui's voice, as they all got ready to leave “... everything alright? You looked a little distracted during the second half of practice” calmly expressed the bassist. This boy, he'd been with them only two years and it already felt like he'd been around him forever, which was frighteningly impressive.
“If I said it was nothing would you believe me” playfully challenged Kazuki in hie overly dramatic way, making the other chuckle.
“If you wanted me to, I would ...” mirthfully replied the bassist, placing his chin on the guitarist shoulder.
“Convenient” smugly replied the guitarist, sounding attracted by such trait.
“Yeah whatever ...” laughed off the bassist “... well then, if it is nothing, I'll go home, I have a date with Maru-san~” Rui chanted.
“I'll give you a ride home” firmly declared the guitarist bringing out the keys to his vehicle.
“Are you sure?” skeptically inquired the bassist “... I have to stop at the convenient store, it might take me a while … and I figured … you'd be busy” he trialed off, trying to sound scrupulous, but clearly not disliking the idea of a ride for a change.
“Yup yup” instantly declared the guitarist “I'm as free as it gets~” he sing-sang, while he began to walk out, with the other in toe.
Rui wasn’t joking when he had mentioned that it was gonna take him a while. The bassist was religiously checking every ingredient he set his hands on, which was expected of a rather decent cook, plus the fact that Kazuki was acting as childish as usual, putting stuff they didn't need into the basket, just to have Rui remove, probably didn't help the time consuming.
Once they got to the bassist place, had finished unpacking their shopping bags, and Rui had gone to start cooking, Kazuki dropped on the couch, and began to coo Maru-san over. The cat initially, walked right past him, but then seemed to have second thoughts and walking back it leaped on the guitarist, whom satisfyingly began to pet it.
“What are he eating, honey~?” shouted Kazuki, imitating the voice of a loving husband.
“It's a surprise, darling~!” replied the bassist in toe, shouting from the kitchen.
“Okay~” answered the guitarist, as he bitterly thought at the fact that in the end, he really just would have liked to be with Aoi, either it be a pub, or wherever. Checking his cell-phone ever so often to and replying to all the Valentine messages he had, he was also every so often about to text the guitarist, but eneded up not. This was getting to be idiotic.
“Dinner is read-” came out to announce Rui, whom however couldn't finish his sentence when the doorbell suddenly rang, at the same time in which Kazuki's cell-phone vibrated with a message from Aoi.
From:That Sexy Guitarist from Mie
To: Me
Where are you?!!! It's almost dinner time and you are not here!! ヽ(#`Д´)ﾉ┌┛
Before he could even have the time to stupidly marvel at the text, or even formulate a simple reply a secon text came in.
From:That Sexy Guitarist from Mie
To: Me
Forget that!! Get your ass in my house now (っ｀Д´)っ
Still silently looking rather dumbly at both messages, Kazuki mechanically stood up, and just as he turned around, Rui came in sight followed by none other than MUCC's Yukke. Trying to not simply stare at the scene before him wide-eyed, Kazuki quickly bowed his head at the elder.
“Yukke-senpai! Long time no see” he then greeted, as he darted his eyes to Rui who was staring right back at him with a "Could you please vanish in thin air?!" gentle glare.
“Hello Kazuki-kun, sorry for intruding ...” kindly replied the elder.
“No no no” instantly replied the guitarist, as he made his began to walk “I was actually just on my way out, and Rui made an awesome dinner for two so, I'd say you got here right on time” quickly said Kazuki with the widest of smile, as he approached the entrance door waking backwards, keeping the two of them in sight. If Rui's eyes could have do as far shoot laser beams, Kazuki would have presently been with none, thus with a quick wave of he disappeared.
Shaking like a virgin bride the night after her wedding ceremony, Kazuki managed to not get into an accident as he got himself to the elder's by now very familiar apartment, in front of which he stood still for a good while, until the door suddenly opened.
“Where you panning on ringing the bell, or did you want me to keep reading your mind ...” nonchalantly replied the elder, as Kazuki merely stood there speechless, trying to formulate something witty, but not even a stupid "hello" made its way through “Seriously ... always trying to hint me to something instead of clearly telling me what you want, mr. "Love me tender, love me sweet"” resignedly stated the elder with a gentle smile, slowly pulling in the younger by the front of his pink shirt.
“Sorry” humbly replied Kazuki, presently think back to the fact that perhaps vanishing into thin air hadn't been such a bad idea after all. God he felt so stupid “... I thought you weren't the Valentine's Day type of guy” apologetically expressed the younger, as the elder made sign for his jacket.
“You assumed I wasn't the Valentine's Day type of guy” corrected the elder, as he hanged up the younger's jacket “which was a safe assumption, because I'm not” Aoi continued, as a rather loud "I knew it!" shouted into his head, followed with light shower of disappointment. Yet, in the end, all he wanted was to have been in with the elder, hadn't it? Wasn't he?
“I wouldn't mind a little romantic dinner … every once in a while … once a year ...” finally stated the guitarist, feeling incredibly lighter immediately after, but at the same time fearing the other's reply.
“I figured ...” replied the elder switching to Kansai, as he resumed walking, with Kazuki following, and as soon as they got into the kitchen, the younger stopped and stared, as Aoi began to light the set of candles at the dining table, along side with the set of plates, gasses, even napkins, which he hadn't seen before.
“I ...” attempted Kazuki, as his heart genuinely began to race at the tender sight, but the doorbell suddenly rang, and panic newly ensued. This was going to be a couple dinner, right?
“Finally, jeez ...” muttered Aoi “... could you get that for me please? While I dish out the food” he then requested of Kazuki, whom at first turned around to go do as he was told, but then turned back again, deciding it was time to apply his changes to himself right from then.
“Could it be just the two of us? ...” he hesitantly inquired, as the elder, quickly glimpsed up at him.
“How many sets of plates do you see?” he inquired. Kazuki quickly looked and dumbly noticed that it was just two “... Just relax and go answer the door please ...” newly requested the elder.
With his tail between his legs, Kazuki finally turned around and went to the door, hoping not to impulsively punch the person if it happened to be someone even resembling Mizuki. In fact, he wasn’t even too sure it would stop at one punch, you know, this newly reinvented-impulsive self.
“Yeah I know I am late ...” instantly spoke somebody's voice, whom Kazuki couldn't see because covered by how many red-roses the boy couldn't even begin to count “Yo, this shit is heavy, is Kazuki here yet? ...”
“I'm Kazuki, Reita-san ...” finally spoke the younger, as he spotted Kai walking in a few seconds later.
“Oh shit” quickly swore the bassist “well, yeah, uhm … ” he vaguely stated, dropping the massive bouquet in the middle of the hallway “...enjoy!” then concluded in terrible English, which was quite the shocker considering how short was the word in itself, but soon after that, there was no trace nor of Reita or Kai.
Bending to the ground, he picked up the bouquet, which indeed was heavy, walked his way to the living room, and was about to drop the bouquet as he gazed at the sea of lit candles and petals decorating the living room.
“Well … thanks to the comic-duo, the surprise was ruined ...” commented Aoi, grabbing the roses from Aoi, and placing them at center table, which was now shifted all the way to the side.
“I think I love you” playfully stated Kazuki, at the elder gave him a playful skeptical look
“Are you sure?” he inquired, walking back to the younger, and stopping right in front of him, he wrapped his arm around his waist “... cause if this isn't of your taste, we can go to that pub as you had awkwardly suggested ...” lightly laughed the elder.
“I was trying to make it easy for you, because I thought-” quickly tried to excuse the younger, but instantly stopped as the elder gave him a pointed look “I assumed and I was wrong, and you are amazing, and this is amazing, and I still can't believe this ...” concluded Kazuki.
“Well since we are here … might as well” stated the older bringing out a remote from his back pocket, and pointing it towards his stereo, but nothing happened “... no way ...” lowly hissed the elder, as he kept pushing the button, but still nothing happened. Kazuki began to laugh, as Aoi resignedly threw the remote on the couch, and leaving the younger's side, he walked to the center of the room and began to serenade the younger, in extremely bad English, but Kazuki could really care less.
“Someone to care … someone to share … lonely hours and moments of despair … o! To be loved … to be loved … what a feeling to be loved~!!” dramatically sang the elder, and it was really a pity that all that Kazuki felt like was laughing, as he dropped to into the couch.
“Someone to kiss … someone to miss … when you are away to heal from each day .. to be loved … O! What a feeling to be loved~!!! ...” continued the elder, getting sliding his way to Kazuki, getting on his knees, and shouting his heart out.
Pulling up from the chair, Kazuki welcomed the elder man presently on his knees between his legs and kissed him with all that he had, and the kissing went on and one, and progressed, leaving untouched food to cool, candles to turn off, but the events unfolding on the couch keeping the hot atmosphere with which they began.
Funny it was how little he had to say now, considering how much he had complained. Yet other than thank you and I love you nothing really came to mind or seemed any more fitted. He'd gotten his Valentine alright, and the world seemed perfect, except for those black clouds making their way across the setting sky, seemingly demanding an apology from him, but was he going to care? Didn't look like it … not while under Aoi at least.
-♥- Fin -♥-
AN:*coughs * It's still Val's Day Cali time *coughs *
I really wanted to write an Aoi/Kazuki~ it had been a while since I did, and this is what came out. Hope you all liked it!!! (pooobaihr in particular ...♥). *The song that Aoi is singing in the end (and from which I got this title) is the dear old, but still fantastic "To Be Loved" by Jackie Wilson~
Much Love -LnK♥(~_^ )/-