arashi fiction 13 - holiday season ficlets
Title(s): Serious, Retrospect, Story
Genres: Fluff, Romance, Slight Angst
Ratings: PG - PG13 (light)
Who: Arashi, Koichi (Ryusei No Kizuna) and Naruse (Maou)
Summary: Some things are serious, some things are ridiculous, and some things are meant to end.
Serious (PG)
Ohno/Aiba - (bunny_d_kate)
When things are normal, Ohno and Aiba sit side by side in the Arashi dressing room, in a manner that suggests they are close, but perhaps not as close as Ohno and Nino like to pretend they are (as often as a camera finds them). They agree that it's not very comfortable to sit against someone's arm, nor is it particularly easy for Ohno to accommodate the limbs of a much taller Aiba in his lap, at least in a way that wouldn't be horribly embarrassing for staff members to accidentally see when calling them in for filming. There's not much talking, there's no unnecessary groping, and if ever Aiba has something to whisper in Ohno's ear, it's something much more boring than Ohno's scrunched up nose might suggest. Aiba's breath is ticklish, but his words are fairly normal. Normal for Aiba, who has said far stranger things without whispering.
When things have gone awry, it's easiest for Ohno to blame himself, as he's never considered himself much of a leader, and it's even easier for the others to blame Aiba, whose enthusiasm and ability don't always quite match the way he expects. In those moments, Aiba apologizes to Ohno for letting him down, Ohno apologizes to Aiba for not stepping up to his position, and the others apologize to them both for making them think they need to apologize in the first place. In the midst of all the 'sorries' there is Ohno's pinky finger curled tightly around Aiba's thumb, a strange and light reminder that they'll make up for everything soon enough. If things go awry, they go awry for both of them, never one or the other.
When things are subtle, it's mostly due to Ohno's refusal to seem interested in either sex and Aiba's reading of the right kind of magazines. It's helped by the look Jun has whenever he looks at Ohno, the amount of time Sho and Aiba reserve for being with each other, Nino's arm around Ohno's shoulder, Aiba's tendency to swoon each time Jun reads a cheesy line, and the claims of 'fan service' that are true more often than not. It's about the lunches they finish for one another, the conversations no one hears but them. It's far better to be subtle, they decide, than to attempt to change the dynamics they already have. There are already several things they aren't subtle about at all.
When things are a little tipsy, Aiba is encouraging and Ohno is willing, at least to an extent. It doesn't seem right to indirectly insult their band members, but the idea of drinking until Jun looks like a woman is just hilarious enough to seem worth trying. For Aiba it's only 3 drinks, but he admits he's got a mind that just works that way, and Ohno gives up when he's too distracted to remember what they were trying to accomplish (Aiba agrees it never really mattered). Aiba truly believes his zoo training qualifies him to give fishing advice, and Ohno is obsessed enough to listen. There's no subconscious game of truth or dare, and only sometimes karaoke, but there's always uncontrollable laughter - the kind that shakes bodies and squeezes tears onto cheeks. Aiba has always made Ohno smile, really, but when tipsy - Ohno actually feels he can return the favor.
When things get serious, Aiba drives and Ohno speaks. His thoughts are scattered, but never irrelevant, and the comments Aiba adds good-naturedly are the perfect compliment to Ohno's own opinion. When it's Aiba's turn to talk, it's a whole new perspective on the world in general, a new set of information for Ohno to process and put into his own (much fewer) words later. Much later, if things get serious, because there is simply no thinking when Aiba's lips are exploring and Ohno's hands are caressing. There's no more reflection on the day's events, the stupid things said or done for better or worse, though each of them know the title of 'idiot' could suit them incredibly well in one way or another. It doesn't matter, when it's time for feeling and not thinking.
When things get serious, things get affectionate, because Aiba is and Ohno loves.
---
Retrospect (PG-13)
Nino/Aiba with hinted Nino/Ohno - (aeslis)
Looking back on it, it was probably the most ridiculous suggestion Aiba had ever made, and yet somehow... somehow Nino had agreed. Had followed through with the idea for curiosity's sake, awkward and unsure as they stumbled into Aiba's bedroom and his shirt sleeve caught on a nail in the door frame.
"Ah, well, it's coming off anyway," Aiba reasoned, though neither of them found it particularly comforting, each attempting to hide reddened faces.
"Remind me, just one more time, why we are doing this?" Nino pleaded as he pulled his shirt over his head, hoping that if he was given the idea just one last time, he'd regain his sanity and put an end to all this immediately.
It couldn't possibly be a good idea. There was no logical reason for either of them to do this. There was Fujiwara Norika and that girl who worked at that convenience store to consider. Besides, Nino had his shirt off already and Aiba didn't seem the least bit interested in that.
"We both signed up with Johnny's for reasons other than singing and dancing. Which means we aren't doing something... well, you know. But everybody thinks that way, and sometimes when I watch Toma and Yamapi... I think I know why they think that way. But we aren't! But maybe we are, so we should see so we know if we can properly defend ourselves."
Nino blinked. Aiba scratched his head. Both were silent, until Nino shrugged his shoulders and Aiba gulped in anticipation.
"Okay, but if things get awkward, we agree to give each other some space to... figure things out," Nino warned, assuming they'd not discover anything they didn't already know. It didn't explain why he was thrilled by the prospect of removing Aiba's belt, or why neither of them was having much trouble in preparing for their experiment. In truth, Nino wasn't really looking for an explanation after fierce kisses and nervous laughs, and that was revelation enough.
But, looking back on it, it was the most ridiculous thing Aiba had ever suggested, and Nino had known Aiba a very long time.
Sitting on the couch next to Ohno, his hand not-so-sneakily wriggling its way behind a pillow to touch the man's lower back, Nino caught Aiba's knowing smile and smirked.
Ridiculous and pointless were two very different things.
---
Story - (PG)
Naruse/Koichi - (carrotfreak)
It's probably not the best idea to feel attached to a lawyer, and a prominent one at that, when he and his siblings have dedicated every moment of their free time recently to swindling money from others and generally involving themselves in not-so-legal activities. Koichi likes to think he's smart enough to know that it's not okay to trust him, not acceptable to think 'I'll get him on our side', when our side means manipulating the police and possibly convicting an innocent man.
Though Koichi can't consider him innocent when his son is that guy and coincidence is looking more and more like evidence anyway. He's too desperate to believe anything other than what Taisuke's eyes said then and what they say now - he left their home that night. He killed their parents.
But maybe, just maybe... he could use the lawyer's opinion.
It didn't have anything to do with attraction, Koichi told himself time and time again. Not that he could claim he wouldn't be attracted to a man. He'd never really given himself the opportunity to experience anything other than being a guardian, his love for his siblings blinding him to any feeling he might have for anyone else. His heart had broken the night of his parents murder, and the only pieces left were reserved for the rest of his family.
But... sometimes, when Naruse looked at him with understanding, eyes filled with a sadness that related to his own so perfectly, he couldn't help but wonder if his heart was working in reverse. Building a new room by tearing down walls.
"Do you ever think that you're like... an author? Helping your clients write the end of their stories?" Koichi asked one day, leaning against the counter and ignoring whatsherface's cry for his attention.
It was silly, really, to want the man to agree with him, to place himself into the metaphor Koichi had created for himself. Each target was like his client, though each crime his own work, and every success shared between himself and his siblings was the end to a story - the guilty punished and the conclusion satisfactory.
"No," Naruse answered simply, a smile starting to form on one side of his face before disappearing once more in a gentle and unreadable expression.
"No," Koichi echoed, disappointment etched in his features. He'd never been able to hide when he was being truly pitiful, much to the dismay of Shizuna. Naruse was kind enough to not notice, that or truly oblivious, pushing his empty plate away from himself slowly.
"I think," he continued as he stood up from his chair, "that the only story you can complete is your own."
It was a statement to ponder alone in his room, wishing he were better at communicating with others, longing for things to have turned out differently. It was the first thing he thought of in the morning, prodding at him as he dressed, claiming his focus as he sloppily served breakfast. It was, probably, an unintended reassurance that he had every right to try and make things better for himself, for Taisuke, for Shizuna. This was their story. He could end it.
"But how?" Koichi asked, knowing there would be no response.
Naruse was not eating today.
Genres: Fluff, Romance, Slight Angst
Ratings: PG - PG13 (light)
Who: Arashi, Koichi (Ryusei No Kizuna) and Naruse (Maou)
Summary: Some things are serious, some things are ridiculous, and some things are meant to end.
Serious (PG)
Ohno/Aiba - (bunny_d_kate)
When things are normal, Ohno and Aiba sit side by side in the Arashi dressing room, in a manner that suggests they are close, but perhaps not as close as Ohno and Nino like to pretend they are (as often as a camera finds them). They agree that it's not very comfortable to sit against someone's arm, nor is it particularly easy for Ohno to accommodate the limbs of a much taller Aiba in his lap, at least in a way that wouldn't be horribly embarrassing for staff members to accidentally see when calling them in for filming. There's not much talking, there's no unnecessary groping, and if ever Aiba has something to whisper in Ohno's ear, it's something much more boring than Ohno's scrunched up nose might suggest. Aiba's breath is ticklish, but his words are fairly normal. Normal for Aiba, who has said far stranger things without whispering.
When things have gone awry, it's easiest for Ohno to blame himself, as he's never considered himself much of a leader, and it's even easier for the others to blame Aiba, whose enthusiasm and ability don't always quite match the way he expects. In those moments, Aiba apologizes to Ohno for letting him down, Ohno apologizes to Aiba for not stepping up to his position, and the others apologize to them both for making them think they need to apologize in the first place. In the midst of all the 'sorries' there is Ohno's pinky finger curled tightly around Aiba's thumb, a strange and light reminder that they'll make up for everything soon enough. If things go awry, they go awry for both of them, never one or the other.
When things are subtle, it's mostly due to Ohno's refusal to seem interested in either sex and Aiba's reading of the right kind of magazines. It's helped by the look Jun has whenever he looks at Ohno, the amount of time Sho and Aiba reserve for being with each other, Nino's arm around Ohno's shoulder, Aiba's tendency to swoon each time Jun reads a cheesy line, and the claims of 'fan service' that are true more often than not. It's about the lunches they finish for one another, the conversations no one hears but them. It's far better to be subtle, they decide, than to attempt to change the dynamics they already have. There are already several things they aren't subtle about at all.
When things are a little tipsy, Aiba is encouraging and Ohno is willing, at least to an extent. It doesn't seem right to indirectly insult their band members, but the idea of drinking until Jun looks like a woman is just hilarious enough to seem worth trying. For Aiba it's only 3 drinks, but he admits he's got a mind that just works that way, and Ohno gives up when he's too distracted to remember what they were trying to accomplish (Aiba agrees it never really mattered). Aiba truly believes his zoo training qualifies him to give fishing advice, and Ohno is obsessed enough to listen. There's no subconscious game of truth or dare, and only sometimes karaoke, but there's always uncontrollable laughter - the kind that shakes bodies and squeezes tears onto cheeks. Aiba has always made Ohno smile, really, but when tipsy - Ohno actually feels he can return the favor.
When things get serious, Aiba drives and Ohno speaks. His thoughts are scattered, but never irrelevant, and the comments Aiba adds good-naturedly are the perfect compliment to Ohno's own opinion. When it's Aiba's turn to talk, it's a whole new perspective on the world in general, a new set of information for Ohno to process and put into his own (much fewer) words later. Much later, if things get serious, because there is simply no thinking when Aiba's lips are exploring and Ohno's hands are caressing. There's no more reflection on the day's events, the stupid things said or done for better or worse, though each of them know the title of 'idiot' could suit them incredibly well in one way or another. It doesn't matter, when it's time for feeling and not thinking.
When things get serious, things get affectionate, because Aiba is and Ohno loves.
---
Retrospect (PG-13)
Nino/Aiba with hinted Nino/Ohno - (aeslis)
Looking back on it, it was probably the most ridiculous suggestion Aiba had ever made, and yet somehow... somehow Nino had agreed. Had followed through with the idea for curiosity's sake, awkward and unsure as they stumbled into Aiba's bedroom and his shirt sleeve caught on a nail in the door frame.
"Ah, well, it's coming off anyway," Aiba reasoned, though neither of them found it particularly comforting, each attempting to hide reddened faces.
"Remind me, just one more time, why we are doing this?" Nino pleaded as he pulled his shirt over his head, hoping that if he was given the idea just one last time, he'd regain his sanity and put an end to all this immediately.
It couldn't possibly be a good idea. There was no logical reason for either of them to do this. There was Fujiwara Norika and that girl who worked at that convenience store to consider. Besides, Nino had his shirt off already and Aiba didn't seem the least bit interested in that.
"We both signed up with Johnny's for reasons other than singing and dancing. Which means we aren't doing something... well, you know. But everybody thinks that way, and sometimes when I watch Toma and Yamapi... I think I know why they think that way. But we aren't! But maybe we are, so we should see so we know if we can properly defend ourselves."
Nino blinked. Aiba scratched his head. Both were silent, until Nino shrugged his shoulders and Aiba gulped in anticipation.
"Okay, but if things get awkward, we agree to give each other some space to... figure things out," Nino warned, assuming they'd not discover anything they didn't already know. It didn't explain why he was thrilled by the prospect of removing Aiba's belt, or why neither of them was having much trouble in preparing for their experiment. In truth, Nino wasn't really looking for an explanation after fierce kisses and nervous laughs, and that was revelation enough.
But, looking back on it, it was the most ridiculous thing Aiba had ever suggested, and Nino had known Aiba a very long time.
Sitting on the couch next to Ohno, his hand not-so-sneakily wriggling its way behind a pillow to touch the man's lower back, Nino caught Aiba's knowing smile and smirked.
Ridiculous and pointless were two very different things.
---
Story - (PG)
Naruse/Koichi - (carrotfreak)
It's probably not the best idea to feel attached to a lawyer, and a prominent one at that, when he and his siblings have dedicated every moment of their free time recently to swindling money from others and generally involving themselves in not-so-legal activities. Koichi likes to think he's smart enough to know that it's not okay to trust him, not acceptable to think 'I'll get him on our side', when our side means manipulating the police and possibly convicting an innocent man.
Though Koichi can't consider him innocent when his son is that guy and coincidence is looking more and more like evidence anyway. He's too desperate to believe anything other than what Taisuke's eyes said then and what they say now - he left their home that night. He killed their parents.
But maybe, just maybe... he could use the lawyer's opinion.
It didn't have anything to do with attraction, Koichi told himself time and time again. Not that he could claim he wouldn't be attracted to a man. He'd never really given himself the opportunity to experience anything other than being a guardian, his love for his siblings blinding him to any feeling he might have for anyone else. His heart had broken the night of his parents murder, and the only pieces left were reserved for the rest of his family.
But... sometimes, when Naruse looked at him with understanding, eyes filled with a sadness that related to his own so perfectly, he couldn't help but wonder if his heart was working in reverse. Building a new room by tearing down walls.
"Do you ever think that you're like... an author? Helping your clients write the end of their stories?" Koichi asked one day, leaning against the counter and ignoring whatsherface's cry for his attention.
It was silly, really, to want the man to agree with him, to place himself into the metaphor Koichi had created for himself. Each target was like his client, though each crime his own work, and every success shared between himself and his siblings was the end to a story - the guilty punished and the conclusion satisfactory.
"No," Naruse answered simply, a smile starting to form on one side of his face before disappearing once more in a gentle and unreadable expression.
"No," Koichi echoed, disappointment etched in his features. He'd never been able to hide when he was being truly pitiful, much to the dismay of Shizuna. Naruse was kind enough to not notice, that or truly oblivious, pushing his empty plate away from himself slowly.
"I think," he continued as he stood up from his chair, "that the only story you can complete is your own."
It was a statement to ponder alone in his room, wishing he were better at communicating with others, longing for things to have turned out differently. It was the first thing he thought of in the morning, prodding at him as he dressed, claiming his focus as he sloppily served breakfast. It was, probably, an unintended reassurance that he had every right to try and make things better for himself, for Taisuke, for Shizuna. This was their story. He could end it.
"But how?" Koichi asked, knowing there would be no response.
Naruse was not eating today.