Fading stars (ch 2/?)
Title: Fading stars
Author: Me ^.^
Pairing: Masuda/Tegoshi
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Angst, romance
Summary: It felt like a dream, like a nightmare, something that would turn out to be his imagination once he woke up. Because this just couldn’t be real, how could his beloved and peaceful hometown suddenly have turned into a field of something that looked like, no, more like definitely was…war?
Notes: English is not my native language, I’m still studying it, but I'm doing my best to avoid mistakes.
Chapter 1
*~*~*~*~*~*
Tegoshi gazed anxiously at their surroundings when the walked up the stairs of the building where Masuda apparently lived. People were looking at him, and their gazes sent shivers down his spine for reasons he really couldn’t explain. The stairs seemed to never end, and Tegoshi wondered why they couldn’t use the elevator instead, but didn’t have the courage to point it out. When they finally reached the top, Masuda led Tegoshi to the end of the corridor, unlocking a door and holding it open, nodding to Tegoshi to enter. “This is where I live.”
Tegoshi walked in slowly, feeling like an intruder, the bad feeling in his stomach returning. Masuda seemed to notice this, and followed him, closing the door behind them. “You don’t have to worry, I won’t hurt you.”
Tegoshi didn’t know what to answer, so he stayed quiet, looking around, meeting an apartment that wasn’t like he expected it to be. He thought that it would be dull and dark, but instead I was clean and fresh, looking like a real home.
“You expected something different, didn’t you?”
Tegoshi turned around, meeting Masuda’s gaze, feeling almost a bit ashamed. “I…I did.”
Masuda smiled slightly, and took his jacket off, revealing quite impressing muscles since he just wore a tank-top underneath. Tegoshi made a mental note to not ever try to pick a fight with this guy, because he wouldn’t stand a chance.
“This is my refuge. If this place would be like it is outside, I wouldn’t stand it.”
Tegoshi gazed at Masuda, and he had to admit that it seemed like he was a good person. “Why did it become like this?”
Masuda turned his gaze away, making his way into the kitchen; Tegoshi presumed that it was the kitchen anyway. He came back soon, holding a riceball in his hand, handing it to Tegoshi. Tegoshi looked at it sceptically, not really wanting to take a bite.
“It’s okay, I didn’t poison it or anything.” For some reason, Tegoshi believed him and took a small bite, despite not having that much appetite. Masuda smiled slightly, sitting down at the couch in the middle of the room. “I understand that you’re scared, but I guarantee that you can trust me.” Masuda looked Tegoshi in the eyes, his own showing only kindness. “I want to help you.”
Tegoshi looked down on the floor, biting his lip. “Why am I even here?”
Masuda rose from the couch, walking towards Tegoshi and placing a hand on his back. He led him towards the couch, making him sit down. “You should rest some before I answer all of your questions.”
Tegoshi shook his head almost violently. “I need answers. Please, I don’t understand a thing…I don’t want to be here…”
Masuda nodded and sat down on the couch with a sigh. “You shouldn’t have to be here.”
Tegoshi felt how his heart sank in his chest. “Then…why? Why do I have to be here?”
Masuda hesitated for a while before sighing deeply. “It’s complicated, but I’ll try to explain it lightly to you.” He sighed again before continuing. “Do you know anything about the military and the power they have got in the politic?”
Tegoshi nodded. “A little. Far from everything, though.”
“There are few who know everything, and you can be glad that you’re not one of them. I don’t know any details, but the things I know is enough for me to figure that it’s dirty business they’re doing. It started with only a few politicians who didn’t like the way the country was ruled. Their number increased quite quickly, but in the shadow of the big leaders taking the great decisions. I don’t know for sure, but they had contacts in the military, and that made them able to tie important bonds, creating an alliance, one that still is covered in darkness for the rest of the country.”
Tegoshi looked at Masuda sceptically. “Aren’t people noticing this? I mean, all these soldiers, isn’t their families wondering where they are?”
Masuda bit his lip, staring down his lap. “The pay is good. That’s enough for common people to enlist, isn’t it? They get order to tell their families that they’re working away from town. But they are prohibited to tell them anything about the military’s business. That’s how we succeed to keep this a secret from people. These headquarters location, what we’re doing, everything is top secret. Even from almost everyone who have signed up and are working as soldiers.”
Tegoshi just stared at Masuda, feeling tears starting to sting in the corner of his eyes. “Is this the…headquarters for all this shit?” Masuda nodded sadly. “But…what have happened to all the people who lived here? My family, where are they?”
Masuda lifted his gaze, his sad eyes meeting Tegoshi’s. “Everyone living here was evacuated, and now they’re staying somewhere else.”
“You were just…forcing them out of their own homes? That’s so…cruel.”
Tegoshi wiped away a tear that escaped his eye, and could see in the corner of his eye that Masuda was looking at him, full of concern and compassion. “I can guarantee that they’re safe, we didn’t hurt anyone during the evacuation.”
“How could you? They had families, they were happy…why here?”
Masuda was quiet for a moment before speaking. “It’s small and lies far enough from the main city. Since it’s so devious, people wouldn’t notice if we took control here.”
Tegoshi didn’t know what to say, and he let the tears fall silently from his eyes. “What are they trying to accomplish by doing this?”
Masuda looked at him, his face turning sad and troubled. “I don’t know.”
“You knew a little, didn’t you?” Tegoshi knew that he was playing with fire, but the rage started to burn inside him despite the fear that made him tremble.
“Even if I knew, I couldn’t tell you.”
“Why?” Tegoshi stared at Masuda, meeting his uncomfortable gaze. The man sighed deeply, facing Tegoshi, their eyes meeting. “Because the more you know, the harder it will be to get you out of here.”
“Get me…out of here?”
Masuda nodded slightly. “You’re here because another company ordered some soldiers to catch civilians by the border; they’re obviously in need of more men.”
Tegoshi felt how his heart started beating faster in his chest, and he just stared at Masuda. “I’m going to be a…soldier?”
Masuda didn’t say anything as he rose from the couch, looking at Tegoshi. “Not if I can stop it. I cannot promise that I’ll succeed to get you out of here, but I will do all I can.”
Tegoshi nodded. “What if you fail?”
Masuda avoided his gaze and opened a locker, taking out a pillow and a blanket. “Let’s take that tomorrow. It’s late already, you need to rest.”
Tegoshi looked sceptically at Masuda, but the other man just smiled slightly at him, as if he wanted to calm him down. “Don’t look at me like that; I won’t do anything to you. If it makes you feel more comfortable, you can sleep in my room; it has a lock on the door.”
Tegoshi bit his lip, facing the floor. “This couch is fine.”
Masuda eyed him. “Are you sure?”
Tegoshi just nodded, trying to hold himself together. “Can I trust you?”
Masuda was quiet for a moment before answering. “You can trust me. I won’t hurt you, and tomorrow I will go see the general and try my utmost to get you out of here.”
Tegoshi nodded, feeling a bit calmer than before. “Thank you.”
Masuda shook his head, smiling slightly. “Nothing to thank for. I will leave you alone for a while now, but feel free to eat anything you find and take a shower if you want to.”
“Okay.”
Masuda gave Tegoshi one last smile before grabbing his jacket and made his way out the door. Tegoshi sank down on the couch, pulling his knees up against his body. He felt a bit calmer than before, but the fear still had the overhand. Because if Masuda would fail to get him out of here, what would happen? The thought alone sent a shiver down Tegoshi’s spine, and he pulled his knees even tighter against his body.
****
Masuda sighed and leaned against the door he had closed behind him. He shut his eyes for a moment before taking a deep breath and started walking towards the staircase, moving up the stairs and soon arriving at the roof of the building. Another person where already standing there, looking out over the city under them. Masuda smiled slightly, making his way towards the person. “Ryo.”
The man turned his head, smiling slightly at Masuda. “How did things turn out with the boy they had found?”
Masuda leaned against the fence and looked out over the city. “He’s in my apartment now.”
Ryo nodded, a touch of surprise on his face. “What will happen to him?”
Masuda sighed. “I’ll try to talk to the general and get him out of here. I’m afraid that it’ll be difficult, though. He has seen too much, they wouldn’t want to let him out of here when he knows this much.”
“I see.”
“He shouldn’t have to be here, he’s not suited for war.”
Ryo looked at Masuda, a sad expression on his face. “Neither are you.”
Masuda gazed up at the black sky above them, sighing. “You know that I belong here. I cannot turn back; it’s too late for that.”
“I know. But I pity you, you shouldn’t have to…”
“Ryo, I have nothing to return to. All I can do is to try to save those who actually have something to return to; families and friends, people they love.”
Ryo didn’t say anything after that; he just gazed at the city below, dark and gloomy. Masuda did the same, but the silence was suddenly broken by the sound of gunshots in the far distance.
“Is there a battle?”
Masuda nodded. “I guess it’s the separatists who have attacked the troops located in the woods again.”
Ryo was quiet for a moment. “Do you think this will develop to a big war?”
Masuda just sighed, the answer making him sad and frustrated. “I don’t know. But the more people will get to know about the military’s dirty business, the more they will oppose it. And who can blame them?”
“You’re right. I hope things will get calmer with time, many of these soldiers are young: they have their entire lives in front of them.”
Masuda didn’t say anything, he just sighed deeply. “Masuda, do you think many people will die?”
Masuda sighed sadly again. “I don’t know. I hope we can spare as many lives as possible, that’s my goal by being here and that’s why I’ve worked my way up to being a colonel. I want to send as many men back home as possible.”
“Like that boy you have in your apartment?” Masuda just nodded. “It’s not like you to let a stranger into your home; your free zone. Is he…special?”
Masuda looked at Ryo, his eyes expressing surprise, just because Ryo had hit the exactly right spot. “I…” Masuda couldn’t argue it, because what Ryo had said was indeed true. “When I saw him in that dark barrack, he looked so vulnerable, so weak and lost. I just couldn’t leave him like that, looking like he would break down any second.”
Ryo just nodded, waiting for Masuda to continue. “He wears an engagement-ring; at least I think it is one. If he has a person he loves that much, one who loves him too, then I have to get him out of here.”
Ryo smiled tenderly, patting Masuda’s back. “I knew it was because of something like that. You’re weak against sweet puppy-love, aren’t you?”
Masuda shook his head, his cheeks taking a light shade of pink. “Not at all, but lovers shouldn’t have to be separated. Especially not like this.”
Ryo looked like he was going to say something, but kept quiet. “I hope you’ll get him out.”
Masuda just nodded, eyes showing determination. “I will get him out. No matter what, I will get him out of here alive.”
*~*~*~*~*~*
So sorry for the delay >___< I’ve been on vacation, and since I came back I’ve purely lacked the motivation to write at all…(more about that here if anyone’s interested about what I did on my vacation)
I’m still very unconfident about this story, truth to be told. It can turn out to be a disaster it feels like, but I’ll try to take my time and write it well.
I’ve actually thought another story up as well; I’ll see when I’m finished with it and can post it. That one will be much more fluffy and cute than this one ^.^
Thanks for reading ^.^<33333 Comments are very loved <3
Author: Me ^.^
Pairing: Masuda/Tegoshi
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Angst, romance
Summary: It felt like a dream, like a nightmare, something that would turn out to be his imagination once he woke up. Because this just couldn’t be real, how could his beloved and peaceful hometown suddenly have turned into a field of something that looked like, no, more like definitely was…war?
Notes: English is not my native language, I’m still studying it, but I'm doing my best to avoid mistakes.
Chapter 1
*~*~*~*~*~*
Tegoshi gazed anxiously at their surroundings when the walked up the stairs of the building where Masuda apparently lived. People were looking at him, and their gazes sent shivers down his spine for reasons he really couldn’t explain. The stairs seemed to never end, and Tegoshi wondered why they couldn’t use the elevator instead, but didn’t have the courage to point it out. When they finally reached the top, Masuda led Tegoshi to the end of the corridor, unlocking a door and holding it open, nodding to Tegoshi to enter. “This is where I live.”
Tegoshi walked in slowly, feeling like an intruder, the bad feeling in his stomach returning. Masuda seemed to notice this, and followed him, closing the door behind them. “You don’t have to worry, I won’t hurt you.”
Tegoshi didn’t know what to answer, so he stayed quiet, looking around, meeting an apartment that wasn’t like he expected it to be. He thought that it would be dull and dark, but instead I was clean and fresh, looking like a real home.
“You expected something different, didn’t you?”
Tegoshi turned around, meeting Masuda’s gaze, feeling almost a bit ashamed. “I…I did.”
Masuda smiled slightly, and took his jacket off, revealing quite impressing muscles since he just wore a tank-top underneath. Tegoshi made a mental note to not ever try to pick a fight with this guy, because he wouldn’t stand a chance.
“This is my refuge. If this place would be like it is outside, I wouldn’t stand it.”
Tegoshi gazed at Masuda, and he had to admit that it seemed like he was a good person. “Why did it become like this?”
Masuda turned his gaze away, making his way into the kitchen; Tegoshi presumed that it was the kitchen anyway. He came back soon, holding a riceball in his hand, handing it to Tegoshi. Tegoshi looked at it sceptically, not really wanting to take a bite.
“It’s okay, I didn’t poison it or anything.” For some reason, Tegoshi believed him and took a small bite, despite not having that much appetite. Masuda smiled slightly, sitting down at the couch in the middle of the room. “I understand that you’re scared, but I guarantee that you can trust me.” Masuda looked Tegoshi in the eyes, his own showing only kindness. “I want to help you.”
Tegoshi looked down on the floor, biting his lip. “Why am I even here?”
Masuda rose from the couch, walking towards Tegoshi and placing a hand on his back. He led him towards the couch, making him sit down. “You should rest some before I answer all of your questions.”
Tegoshi shook his head almost violently. “I need answers. Please, I don’t understand a thing…I don’t want to be here…”
Masuda nodded and sat down on the couch with a sigh. “You shouldn’t have to be here.”
Tegoshi felt how his heart sank in his chest. “Then…why? Why do I have to be here?”
Masuda hesitated for a while before sighing deeply. “It’s complicated, but I’ll try to explain it lightly to you.” He sighed again before continuing. “Do you know anything about the military and the power they have got in the politic?”
Tegoshi nodded. “A little. Far from everything, though.”
“There are few who know everything, and you can be glad that you’re not one of them. I don’t know any details, but the things I know is enough for me to figure that it’s dirty business they’re doing. It started with only a few politicians who didn’t like the way the country was ruled. Their number increased quite quickly, but in the shadow of the big leaders taking the great decisions. I don’t know for sure, but they had contacts in the military, and that made them able to tie important bonds, creating an alliance, one that still is covered in darkness for the rest of the country.”
Tegoshi looked at Masuda sceptically. “Aren’t people noticing this? I mean, all these soldiers, isn’t their families wondering where they are?”
Masuda bit his lip, staring down his lap. “The pay is good. That’s enough for common people to enlist, isn’t it? They get order to tell their families that they’re working away from town. But they are prohibited to tell them anything about the military’s business. That’s how we succeed to keep this a secret from people. These headquarters location, what we’re doing, everything is top secret. Even from almost everyone who have signed up and are working as soldiers.”
Tegoshi just stared at Masuda, feeling tears starting to sting in the corner of his eyes. “Is this the…headquarters for all this shit?” Masuda nodded sadly. “But…what have happened to all the people who lived here? My family, where are they?”
Masuda lifted his gaze, his sad eyes meeting Tegoshi’s. “Everyone living here was evacuated, and now they’re staying somewhere else.”
“You were just…forcing them out of their own homes? That’s so…cruel.”
Tegoshi wiped away a tear that escaped his eye, and could see in the corner of his eye that Masuda was looking at him, full of concern and compassion. “I can guarantee that they’re safe, we didn’t hurt anyone during the evacuation.”
“How could you? They had families, they were happy…why here?”
Masuda was quiet for a moment before speaking. “It’s small and lies far enough from the main city. Since it’s so devious, people wouldn’t notice if we took control here.”
Tegoshi didn’t know what to say, and he let the tears fall silently from his eyes. “What are they trying to accomplish by doing this?”
Masuda looked at him, his face turning sad and troubled. “I don’t know.”
“You knew a little, didn’t you?” Tegoshi knew that he was playing with fire, but the rage started to burn inside him despite the fear that made him tremble.
“Even if I knew, I couldn’t tell you.”
“Why?” Tegoshi stared at Masuda, meeting his uncomfortable gaze. The man sighed deeply, facing Tegoshi, their eyes meeting. “Because the more you know, the harder it will be to get you out of here.”
“Get me…out of here?”
Masuda nodded slightly. “You’re here because another company ordered some soldiers to catch civilians by the border; they’re obviously in need of more men.”
Tegoshi felt how his heart started beating faster in his chest, and he just stared at Masuda. “I’m going to be a…soldier?”
Masuda didn’t say anything as he rose from the couch, looking at Tegoshi. “Not if I can stop it. I cannot promise that I’ll succeed to get you out of here, but I will do all I can.”
Tegoshi nodded. “What if you fail?”
Masuda avoided his gaze and opened a locker, taking out a pillow and a blanket. “Let’s take that tomorrow. It’s late already, you need to rest.”
Tegoshi looked sceptically at Masuda, but the other man just smiled slightly at him, as if he wanted to calm him down. “Don’t look at me like that; I won’t do anything to you. If it makes you feel more comfortable, you can sleep in my room; it has a lock on the door.”
Tegoshi bit his lip, facing the floor. “This couch is fine.”
Masuda eyed him. “Are you sure?”
Tegoshi just nodded, trying to hold himself together. “Can I trust you?”
Masuda was quiet for a moment before answering. “You can trust me. I won’t hurt you, and tomorrow I will go see the general and try my utmost to get you out of here.”
Tegoshi nodded, feeling a bit calmer than before. “Thank you.”
Masuda shook his head, smiling slightly. “Nothing to thank for. I will leave you alone for a while now, but feel free to eat anything you find and take a shower if you want to.”
“Okay.”
Masuda gave Tegoshi one last smile before grabbing his jacket and made his way out the door. Tegoshi sank down on the couch, pulling his knees up against his body. He felt a bit calmer than before, but the fear still had the overhand. Because if Masuda would fail to get him out of here, what would happen? The thought alone sent a shiver down Tegoshi’s spine, and he pulled his knees even tighter against his body.
****
Masuda sighed and leaned against the door he had closed behind him. He shut his eyes for a moment before taking a deep breath and started walking towards the staircase, moving up the stairs and soon arriving at the roof of the building. Another person where already standing there, looking out over the city under them. Masuda smiled slightly, making his way towards the person. “Ryo.”
The man turned his head, smiling slightly at Masuda. “How did things turn out with the boy they had found?”
Masuda leaned against the fence and looked out over the city. “He’s in my apartment now.”
Ryo nodded, a touch of surprise on his face. “What will happen to him?”
Masuda sighed. “I’ll try to talk to the general and get him out of here. I’m afraid that it’ll be difficult, though. He has seen too much, they wouldn’t want to let him out of here when he knows this much.”
“I see.”
“He shouldn’t have to be here, he’s not suited for war.”
Ryo looked at Masuda, a sad expression on his face. “Neither are you.”
Masuda gazed up at the black sky above them, sighing. “You know that I belong here. I cannot turn back; it’s too late for that.”
“I know. But I pity you, you shouldn’t have to…”
“Ryo, I have nothing to return to. All I can do is to try to save those who actually have something to return to; families and friends, people they love.”
Ryo didn’t say anything after that; he just gazed at the city below, dark and gloomy. Masuda did the same, but the silence was suddenly broken by the sound of gunshots in the far distance.
“Is there a battle?”
Masuda nodded. “I guess it’s the separatists who have attacked the troops located in the woods again.”
Ryo was quiet for a moment. “Do you think this will develop to a big war?”
Masuda just sighed, the answer making him sad and frustrated. “I don’t know. But the more people will get to know about the military’s dirty business, the more they will oppose it. And who can blame them?”
“You’re right. I hope things will get calmer with time, many of these soldiers are young: they have their entire lives in front of them.”
Masuda didn’t say anything, he just sighed deeply. “Masuda, do you think many people will die?”
Masuda sighed sadly again. “I don’t know. I hope we can spare as many lives as possible, that’s my goal by being here and that’s why I’ve worked my way up to being a colonel. I want to send as many men back home as possible.”
“Like that boy you have in your apartment?” Masuda just nodded. “It’s not like you to let a stranger into your home; your free zone. Is he…special?”
Masuda looked at Ryo, his eyes expressing surprise, just because Ryo had hit the exactly right spot. “I…” Masuda couldn’t argue it, because what Ryo had said was indeed true. “When I saw him in that dark barrack, he looked so vulnerable, so weak and lost. I just couldn’t leave him like that, looking like he would break down any second.”
Ryo just nodded, waiting for Masuda to continue. “He wears an engagement-ring; at least I think it is one. If he has a person he loves that much, one who loves him too, then I have to get him out of here.”
Ryo smiled tenderly, patting Masuda’s back. “I knew it was because of something like that. You’re weak against sweet puppy-love, aren’t you?”
Masuda shook his head, his cheeks taking a light shade of pink. “Not at all, but lovers shouldn’t have to be separated. Especially not like this.”
Ryo looked like he was going to say something, but kept quiet. “I hope you’ll get him out.”
Masuda just nodded, eyes showing determination. “I will get him out. No matter what, I will get him out of here alive.”
*~*~*~*~*~*
So sorry for the delay >___< I’ve been on vacation, and since I came back I’ve purely lacked the motivation to write at all…(more about that here if anyone’s interested about what I did on my vacation)
I’m still very unconfident about this story, truth to be told. It can turn out to be a disaster it feels like, but I’ll try to take my time and write it well.
I’ve actually thought another story up as well; I’ll see when I’m finished with it and can post it. That one will be much more fluffy and cute than this one ^.^
Thanks for reading ^.^<33333 Comments are very loved <3