GRAVITATION STORY: SOLITUDE

[moon71]

SOLITUDE by Moon71

SUMMARY: After the public “outing” and Hiro’s decision to quit Bad Luck, Shuichi goes to Eiri for consolation, but Eiri isn’t in a consoling mood. Why? Oh, how Eiri hates to be asked that question…

TIMELINE: The “sequel” to a scene in Track… oh gawd, now I’ve got to look it up… hold on… Track 10, Heads or Tails, where Shuichi

Comments

[moon71]

Hi!

Sorry for the loooonnnnnnnngggg delay in replying!!!

I did enjoy writing this - I think my brain often fixes on scenes where Eiri's behaviour is curious, or where they end just a little too quickly for my taste! Eiri's behaviour after the "outing" was certainly odd!

I do also like to show a slightly jealous Eiri - not, as you say, in a Hiro / Shuichi way; for me, like Tohma / Eiri, that is far too literal minded and doesn't do the characterisation justice. I do totally take on board what you said about Eiri's not seeing Shuichi as a friend - I'll return to that in a mo - but what I was trying to examine was Eiri's confused feelings for Shuichi and how he finds it difficult to cope when he's parted from him and finds the reality of that difficult to deal with too. I tend to see Eiri as being underdeveloped and childish when it comes to non-sexual relationships - he doesn't seem to know how to talk nicely to people sometimes (!) and I tend to think he would actually be uncomfortable with any relationships Shuichi had, because he hadn't had anything similar.

All his "friendships" mentioned in the manga or anime, except with family, girlfriends or work, are with men older than him, which I think in traditional Japanese culture involves a teacher-student or senior-junior element and so having peers isn't something he's used to.

Back to the Eiri and Tohma friendship - you made a very valid point which I'd overlooked - not so much in this story as in another I've been working on where Eiri considers his relationship with Tohma, when it's at its most destructive (when Eiri runs away to NY and leaves Shuichi at Tohma's mercy.)

Mainly because I get pissed off with Tohma/Eiri crud, I had indeed overlooked the positive aspects of their friendship - Eiri does of course confide in Tohma and is obviously more relaxed in his company because, as he says in the manga, Tohma doesn't see him in a sexual way. And of course Tohma isn't afraid to make fun of him, or question him. I do sometimes wish Ms Murakami had explained Tohma better - most particularly such things as what he thinks about the arranged marriage to Ayaka and what he thinks about Eiri refusing to go home.

But then again, that's what makes me write fanfics! Thank you for your supportive comments, and thank you for your honesty! That always gets the creative juices flowing!!!!

[yellow_moth]

Being the rabid Eiri/Shu shipper I was, I used to hate any character who got in the way of my OTP. It always seemed to me that Eiri trusted Tohma far more than Shuichi and even his own family. Also, Eiri was always quick to stand up for him, something he rarely did for Shuichi. That closeness always bothered me and confused me. In my eyes, they act more like (ex)lovers than friends more often than not. Whatever was the case, we cannot deny that Eiri appreciates Tohma’s concern and enjoys (and even need) his company.

I tend to see Eiri as being underdeveloped and childish when it comes to non-sexual relationships

True, very true. I think there are more aspects of his personality that need to grow up.