A Game of Love - The Law of Attraction
Title: The Law of Attraction (10/?)
Pairing: NishiKato (with appearances of TegoMasu and some OC’s in some parts)\
Genre: Romance
Rating: for now, PG 13
Disclaimer: purely fiction
Summary: Shige dismissed his meeting Ryo as a fleeting one. But when fate played its hand and their paths collided again, sparks started flying and the law of attraction took its toll.
Previous: 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09
Chapter 10
“You seem determined to marry me off Mother, so, for the second time in your life, I would like you to meet your second in-law, my future spouse ---- Kato Shigeaki.” Ryo told his mother, placing his hand around Shige’s shoulders.
Shige drew in a sharp breath, not sure who was more surprised with Ryo’s triumphant announcement, him or Ryo’s mother.
“Shige?” his mother spat the name at him venomously. “Are you out of your mind, Ryo?”
Shige would have spoken the same lines had Ryo not gripped his shoulder so hard that he winced. What the hell is Ryo saying?
“Not to my knowledge, no,” Ryo answered his mother dryly, his face twisted as he tried to put all of his weight on just one side of his body, leaning heavily on Shige. “Shige, I don’t want to be a nuisance, but I think . . . . . I think I need to go to the hospital.” He grimaced in pain. Shige would have told him how he was actually becoming a nuisance but he can’t do that in front of his mother.
He did look uncomfortable, Shige realized, feeling guilty. After all, if Ryo had not been working at the shop tonight, he would not have fallen off the ladder, but a part of him was thinking that Ryo was better off falling off the ladder than spending the evening with the beautiful Makoto. He flushed at the thought and looked guiltily at Ryo, who smiled so innocently at him.
Remembering the earlier announcement, Shige thought that perhaps he should take him first to the hospital -- he can always kill him later.
“Can you walk?” he prompted with concern.
“If you’ll help me,” Ryo nodded grimly, turning to his mother. “If you’ll excuse us Mother,” he added, his arms around Shige’s shoulders as he helped him to a chair.
Sure that Ryo’s sitting comfortably, Shige went to get their coats and his car keys from the backroom.”
“Ryo!”
Ryo threw his mother a cold look. “Are you still here?” he bit out harshly. “I thought we’ve said we need to say?”
“Ryo, if you go through with this crazy idea of an engagement ---------“ She started angrily but Ryo cut her off.
“It isn’t a question of going through with it, Mother,” he drawled coldly. “It’s already a fact.”
“If you go through with this,” his mother continued determinedly. “Then I will wash my hands off you!”
“Can I have that in writing,” he replied, raising an eyebrow.
“I mean it Ryo. There will be NO eleventh-hour reconciliations. I will --------------” his mother snapped angrily, but was again cut off.
“Again, can I have that in writing?” Ryo cut in firmly. “After the things you said earlier to Shige, and the way you spoke to her, you can’t expect me to talk properly with you, let alone reconcile with you. You should be apologizing to him! But I know you too well!” he continued harshly, not letting his mother to cut in. “Let’s just say that there will be one less guest on our wedding, shall we?” he dismissed scornfully.
“Wedding! his mother’s voice came out in a high-pitched screech. “Ryo, I really can’t allow this -------------------“
“I AM OVER TWENTY ONE Mother - well over! I’m not asking your permission, let alone your approval of who I should marry.” He said harshly. Turning to Shige, he said mildly “I really think I ought to go to the hospital now, sweetheart. I think my ankle is starting to swell up.”
Sweetheart? Really, Ryo is going way overboard tonight. Torn between bashing him on the head, and concern over his swelling foot, concern won over. He started to take off his boots to check the severity of the damage on his foot.
“Ryo, once I leave here tonight, there will be no turning back.” Ryo’s mother delivered her ultimatum furiously.
“Make sure you close the door on your way out,” he said drily, not even looking up to his mother, he was too busy watching Shige as he slowly tugged at the bootlace. “Just take it easy,” he groaned, as if event the smallest amount of movement caused him severe pain. It seemed to take forever to get the boot off his foot - which seemed to be getting bigger by the second, now that constriction of the boot has been removed.
By the time Shige was done with the task, it was to find himself alone with Ryo once again, realizing that he had not even been aware that Ryo’s mother had left the room, not hearing the bell as the door closed.
Shige drew in a deep breath. “Ryo ----“
“Not now Shige,” he bit out between clenched teeth, his face paling.
Not now? He jerked up accidentally bumping Ryo’s thigh, causing his injured foot to touch the floor. Ryo screamed in pain. His face paling more by the second, in his condition, Shige doubted he could even move Ryo, let alone help him get up. And Ryo’s screams of pain is just causing him to panic.
Ryo’s eyes widened in surprise. Of all the things that he had expected Shige to do, it was definitely not this. He felt his lips widen into a smile at Shige’s obvious attempt to stifle his screams of pain and shut him up. He supported his weight with his hands, taking care not to hurt his injured foot and let himself enjoy the lips that are now kissing him. It was a gentle kiss, shy at first, but it invoked in Ryo a surge of hunger. And if only his foot is not hurting by the minute, he would have pinned Shige down and to hell with biding his time. When Shige broke the kiss, Ryo gazed lovingly at him and said, “If you don’t get me professional help soon, this may get embarrassing, because I may just pass out,” he said with a shaky smile.
Shige didn’t need any further urging to get Ryo to the hospital. After what seemed like ages, he was finally able to get Ryo out of the shop and to his car. Within minutes, they’re well over on their way to the hospital.
++++++++++++++++++++++
“Slow down Shige,” Ryo grumbled from behind him. “I haven’t got the hang of these damned things yet.”
These damned things were a pair of crutches that the local hospital issued to Ryo after checking his foot and confirming that he had not actually broken his ankle, but just sprained it. Although the doctor informed them that it may take several weeks to heal, hence, the crutches.
Shige turned to glare at him, the anger inside him giving him the extra impetus. “How dare you name me as your next of kin?” he demanded furiously.
“What else was I supposed to do?” he snapped impatiently. “Yuya is still on his honeymoon and you heard mother earlier. She has disowned me. Do you think she would come running should anyone from the hospital call her?”
“She actually just preceded me by a minute. How dare you tell her that the two of us are engaged?” he demanded furiously and continued. “You have gone too far Ryo. I realize she has been pushing you to marry Makoto but I refuse to be used by you in your -------------“ he stopped ranting as he notice a group of nurses passing by the corridor, whose eyes were on them.
“Let’s get out of here,” Ryo rasped softly. “You can tell me how much you hate me once we’re out of here.”
But he doesn’t hate Ryo. As much as the man had taunted, annoyed and tormented him, he never hated him. And he realized just how much he did not hate Ryo when he made that stupid announcement to his mother. It would have been better if he did hate him, because then he would not be feeling sorry for himself. What he felt for Ryo was in fact the opposite, he's in love with the man.
He had realized he was still attracted to him at Yuya’s wedding, he just didn’t realize how much until he saw him dancing with the beautiful Makoto. And for a moment, just for a brief moment, earlier that evening, when he had made that announcement, Shige had ached and wished it to be true.
He had been attracted to Ryo that night at the Country Inn, hence their little interlude. And though he may have turned tail and ran then, in the weeks that followed their first meeting, remembering the kiss that they had shared, he had longed to see Ryo again, to see the laughter in his eyes, to feel his arms around him once again.
Ryo knew his name, and if he had wanted to find him again, it would have been very easy for him, with Shige leaving in the neighboring countryside of the Tegoshi residence. But weeks passed and no Ryo showed up. Shige then thought that Ryo must have thought of their encounter as no more than a fleeting moment. It helped that his father left the running of the bookshop to him. He had been busy, so much so that he was able to keep Ryo in a locked compartment at the back of his mind. And his heart.
Until that day he was introduced to Shige as Yuya’s brother and Yuri’s childhood friend. He felt his world tumbling down, he had been so afraid then that he would fall under Ryo’s spell again, that as soon as Yuri had popped up the question, he said yes without thinking.
But when exactly did he fall in love with Nishikido Ryo? Shige looked at Ryo as they make their way to the car. Does it really matter when it happened? All he knows is that he has loved the man for some time. A man, no person in his right frame of mind, should fall in love with. A man who treats everything as a game, a man who would use anybody just to get back at his mother. And woe betide him for falling for such a man.
“Get in,” he rasped harshly as he unlocked his car. Glancing across him as Ryo made no effort to do so. He sighed impatiently, “Look Ryo, it’s late and ----------------“
“And you haven’t eaten,” Ryo admitted dryly. “I noticed that you get -irritable - when you’re hungry,” he explained at Shige’s blank look.
This just irritated Shige even more. “My irritability has nothing to do with my having not eaten yet this evening.” It’s all because of you, you idiot. “Will you just get in?”
“But that’s just it, I…..I can’t get in,” Ryo admitted softly, motioning at his crutches. “I can’t manage the crutches and get into the car at the same time.”
His sprained ankle, Shige groaned inwardly, is going to be a damned nuisance --along with the owner himself. He sighed, “Give me your crutches while you hold on to the car and swing yourself inside.”
“As my mother had thrown me out, we might as well go back to your place,” Ryo muttered grimly as soon as he had maneuvered himself inside the car. He rested his head wearily against the seat and closed his eyes.
He looked terrible, Shige acknowledged. No, it was bad enough that he loved him, the last thing he needed was to feel sorry for him. Although Ryo had injured himself while helping him out at the shop. . . . . Agh, he’s doing it again! He glanced irritably at Ryo and realizing he had fallen asleep, Shige studied him for a brief moment, and started the car, his mind on Ryo’s sleeping figure.
With his eyelids closed, all cynicism appeared to have been wiped off his face. Ryo looked somehow younger, and vulnerable. He would look like this if he was asleep on a bed. But then his chest would be bare and if he was to kiss him there --------------------. Shige shook his head at the way his mind was running. It was one thing to admit to himself that he loves the man, but to have erotic fantasies about him is something else entirely.
Besides, any fantasies he might have had about the man would be instantly erased as soon as Ryo raises those eyelids and opens his mouth to tease Shige about his feelings. Because Ryo might enjoy kissing him occasionally, but as far as he was concerned, Ryo enjoyed teasing and tormenting him more than kissing him.
“What are you thinking about?”
Shige glanced at Ryo and found him still sitting relaxed against the seat but his head is now turned in his direction, steady deep dark gaze fixed on him questioningly.
Shige glanced quickly away again, unnerved by his own intimate thoughts.
“You looked - wistful,” Ryo murmured curiously.
Wistful? Was that how he looked when plagued with a physical need for him? Because that’s exactly how he feels - plagued - he couldn’t think of a better word to describe these feelings he has for Ryo, a plague that has no cure and will be the death of him yet.
++++++++++++++++++++++
After helping Ryo ease his way onto the couch at his house, Shige straightened. “I’ll go and get us both something to eat. I’m sure you must be feeling hungry by now.” Although he had lost his own appetite since realizing the depth of his feelings for the man.
Ryo’s mouth twisted ruefully. “I thought I was cooking steak tonight?” he reminded him.
Shige smiled and shook his head. “I’ll manage, You have to rest your foot. I’ll come and get you when the food is ready.”
“Finally got me where you wanted huh?” Ryo replied with a sweet smile.
Shige threw him a sharp defensive look. Has Ryo somehow guessed that he’s in love with him? Had he been so transparent earlier that his feelings showed in his face? Had he given himself away? He groaned inwardly, wondering what to do.
“At your mercy,” Ryo explained and frowned, confused at the sudden panic in Shige’s eyes.
He hadn’t given himself away. Shige sighed with relief. He was so relieved that he threw Ryo an impish grin. “That would be a novel experience.”
“Don’t get used to it. I can still talk.” Ryo said smugly. Loving he smile on Shige’s face.
“I think you’ve talked enough for the day, Ryo.” Shige replied.
Ryo smiled, remembering just exactly how much he had talked that evening. But he loved talking to Shige. “I think it’s just as well that I left most of my stuff at my apartment downtown. Otherwise, Mother would have thrown them all out by now.”
“Do you think she was serious at disowning you?” But even as he asked the question, he knew that Ryo’s mother was deadly serious. She never gave idle threats anyway. And with Ryo thwarting his mother’s plans to further her own ambition, disowning his elder son won’t be a surprise.
Ryo grinned unconcernedly. “Does it matter? I may have agreed to do her bidding by coming back to the house but marrying me off to Makoto Kitagawa wasn’t part of our deal. She’s not for me, whatever my mother has planned to the contrary.”
Shige shrugged. “You obviously found her attractive enough to ask her out on a date this evening,” a fact that didn’t please him one little bit. He looked away quickly - afraid that the jealousy he’s feeling would show in his face.
Ryo threw him a questioning look, he thought he had seen something in his eyes but Shige looked away before he could decipher it. Spoilsport, he thought, and then he drawled softly, “Actually, SHE asked me out, but it would be ungentlemanly of me to say so.”
Shige glanced back at him. “Extremely!” he agreed. Makoto asked Ryo out? He smiled, glad that Ryo wasn’t gentleman enough to break off the date.
Ryo shrugged. “I may have been brought up a gentleman but I never liked scheming women.” His eyes narrowed. “I swear she and my mother are in cahoots about the whole thing. One scheming woman is bad enough, my life will be a living hell if I’m to live with two. Besides, Shige,” he added softly, “you’re missing the whole point of my mother’s remark to you earlier. I broke off the date with Makoto so that I can come to the shop and help you.”
Fixing shelves and painting was preferable to him than spending an evening with a beautiful woman? Or dared he read more than that? Could Ryo have wanted to spend the night with him instead? NO! He didn’t dare. It’s too impossible. Ryo is a very unpredictable man when it comes to his actions, it would be a huge mistake to read anything. Collecting himself, he started for the door. “I’ll go and prepare our dinner,” was his parting shot before escaping into the kitchen.
He leaned weakly against the kitchen door. What is he going to do about Ryo? What can he do? Nothing, came the blunt answer of his mind. If Ryo had felt anything towards him other than amusement, he would have said so by now. What Ryo did feel about him, remembering his mother’s remark earlier, was a certain sense of responsibility, with him being Yuri’s ex-fiance and Yuya’s friend, Ryo must have felt responsible towards him when his father died. He had no next of kin anyway. But Ryo didn’t need to feel that. His father left him an enormous trust fund, enough to last him a lifetime. What had his mother said earlier? Ryo has always had a soft spot for the injured and supposedly helpless”! Pity, that was what it amounted to. And pity is the last thing he wanted from Ryo.
The mere idea of it filled him with anger as it tug at his heart, and as he banged about in the kitchen preparing their meal, he was barely aware of what he was doing, too busy muttering to himself to even give a damn. Ryo could damn well keep his pity! Maybe when the re-decoration of the shop is done, he would hire someone to look after it so he can travel. And maybe, just maybe, when he comes back, Ryo would be well out of his life and OUT OF HIS HEART.
“What have those ever done to you?” mocked an amused voice behind him.
Shige stiffened at the sound. Ryo, of course! Who else can it be? He turned around to see him leaning against the door. How long had he been standing there, he wondered. More to the point, had he heard any of his mutterings?
Ryo raised a mocking eyebrow. “You’re slapping that poor defenseless meat around as if you were wishing it was - me!”
Not him exactly, just these unwanted feelings he had for him. Not that he can be blamed for falling in love with Ryo, though. He’s an extremely handsome man, humorous, his love for life always showing in his face. He could be warm and kind too. And the way he gets protective, is something that he would never forget, remembering the way Ryo stood up against his mother for him.
“Not at all,” Shige grimaced, feeling suddenly shy. “I was just told that it’s better to tenderize the steak while cooking it.”
Ryo grinned. “I don’t think battering it into submission qualifies.”
The steaks are ready now. Shige sighed gratefully. It indicates an end to any further remark so he asked, “Would you be better eating on the sofa with a tray?”
“I would be better if I have not fallen off that ladder,” he rasped impatiently.
Shige shrugged. “Eavesdroppers never hear anything good about themselves. Maybe if you had gotten out of hiding earlier, you would not be so mad coming down the ladder, you wouldn’t have missed a step.”
“And miss hearing my mother in full blow? No, it was better that way. Anyhow, as you can see, I am totally incapacitated at the moment. And the doctor said it would take a few weeks for my ankle to completely heal. My apartment in town in your typical bachelor’s pad, no food stocked in for emergency, no one to help with the cooking, etc. And now that my mother has thrown me out, I’ve pretty much nowhere else to go. . . . .”
Shige had a terrible feeling he knew exactly where this was leading. And he didn’t like it one bit.
“Not that I’m willing to go back to the house anyway. My mother will be the one doing the apologizing this time, not the other way around.” He announced firmly.
“You were saying……?” Ryo was straying to the point so Shige prompted stiffly, waiting for what’s to come next and bracing himself.
“I was saying Shige . . . . . . .” Ryo threw him an endearing grin and continued “for now, you’re stuck with me. I have nowhere else to go. I can’t drive, I can barely walk, damn it. So, if it’s okay with you, I’ll just stay here for a week or two until I’m back on my feet.”
But he did mind. It was impossible. Ryo can’t stay here, in close proximity to him, night as well as day.
He couldn’t! He just couldn’t. . . . . . Shige gave an inwardly groan as he looked at Ryo’s smiling face.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
So, what do you think will happen next?
Guys, just so you know, this is nearing its end - just about 3 or 4 chaps to go . . . . . .
Pairing: NishiKato (with appearances of TegoMasu and some OC’s in some parts)\
Genre: Romance
Rating: for now, PG 13
Disclaimer: purely fiction
Summary: Shige dismissed his meeting Ryo as a fleeting one. But when fate played its hand and their paths collided again, sparks started flying and the law of attraction took its toll.
Previous: 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09
Chapter 10
“You seem determined to marry me off Mother, so, for the second time in your life, I would like you to meet your second in-law, my future spouse ---- Kato Shigeaki.” Ryo told his mother, placing his hand around Shige’s shoulders.
Shige drew in a sharp breath, not sure who was more surprised with Ryo’s triumphant announcement, him or Ryo’s mother.
“Shige?” his mother spat the name at him venomously. “Are you out of your mind, Ryo?”
Shige would have spoken the same lines had Ryo not gripped his shoulder so hard that he winced. What the hell is Ryo saying?
“Not to my knowledge, no,” Ryo answered his mother dryly, his face twisted as he tried to put all of his weight on just one side of his body, leaning heavily on Shige. “Shige, I don’t want to be a nuisance, but I think . . . . . I think I need to go to the hospital.” He grimaced in pain. Shige would have told him how he was actually becoming a nuisance but he can’t do that in front of his mother.
He did look uncomfortable, Shige realized, feeling guilty. After all, if Ryo had not been working at the shop tonight, he would not have fallen off the ladder, but a part of him was thinking that Ryo was better off falling off the ladder than spending the evening with the beautiful Makoto. He flushed at the thought and looked guiltily at Ryo, who smiled so innocently at him.
Remembering the earlier announcement, Shige thought that perhaps he should take him first to the hospital -- he can always kill him later.
“Can you walk?” he prompted with concern.
“If you’ll help me,” Ryo nodded grimly, turning to his mother. “If you’ll excuse us Mother,” he added, his arms around Shige’s shoulders as he helped him to a chair.
Sure that Ryo’s sitting comfortably, Shige went to get their coats and his car keys from the backroom.”
“Ryo!”
Ryo threw his mother a cold look. “Are you still here?” he bit out harshly. “I thought we’ve said we need to say?”
“Ryo, if you go through with this crazy idea of an engagement ---------“ She started angrily but Ryo cut her off.
“It isn’t a question of going through with it, Mother,” he drawled coldly. “It’s already a fact.”
“If you go through with this,” his mother continued determinedly. “Then I will wash my hands off you!”
“Can I have that in writing,” he replied, raising an eyebrow.
“I mean it Ryo. There will be NO eleventh-hour reconciliations. I will --------------” his mother snapped angrily, but was again cut off.
“Again, can I have that in writing?” Ryo cut in firmly. “After the things you said earlier to Shige, and the way you spoke to her, you can’t expect me to talk properly with you, let alone reconcile with you. You should be apologizing to him! But I know you too well!” he continued harshly, not letting his mother to cut in. “Let’s just say that there will be one less guest on our wedding, shall we?” he dismissed scornfully.
“Wedding! his mother’s voice came out in a high-pitched screech. “Ryo, I really can’t allow this -------------------“
“I AM OVER TWENTY ONE Mother - well over! I’m not asking your permission, let alone your approval of who I should marry.” He said harshly. Turning to Shige, he said mildly “I really think I ought to go to the hospital now, sweetheart. I think my ankle is starting to swell up.”
Sweetheart? Really, Ryo is going way overboard tonight. Torn between bashing him on the head, and concern over his swelling foot, concern won over. He started to take off his boots to check the severity of the damage on his foot.
“Ryo, once I leave here tonight, there will be no turning back.” Ryo’s mother delivered her ultimatum furiously.
“Make sure you close the door on your way out,” he said drily, not even looking up to his mother, he was too busy watching Shige as he slowly tugged at the bootlace. “Just take it easy,” he groaned, as if event the smallest amount of movement caused him severe pain. It seemed to take forever to get the boot off his foot - which seemed to be getting bigger by the second, now that constriction of the boot has been removed.
By the time Shige was done with the task, it was to find himself alone with Ryo once again, realizing that he had not even been aware that Ryo’s mother had left the room, not hearing the bell as the door closed.
Shige drew in a deep breath. “Ryo ----“
“Not now Shige,” he bit out between clenched teeth, his face paling.
Not now? He jerked up accidentally bumping Ryo’s thigh, causing his injured foot to touch the floor. Ryo screamed in pain. His face paling more by the second, in his condition, Shige doubted he could even move Ryo, let alone help him get up. And Ryo’s screams of pain is just causing him to panic.
Ryo’s eyes widened in surprise. Of all the things that he had expected Shige to do, it was definitely not this. He felt his lips widen into a smile at Shige’s obvious attempt to stifle his screams of pain and shut him up. He supported his weight with his hands, taking care not to hurt his injured foot and let himself enjoy the lips that are now kissing him. It was a gentle kiss, shy at first, but it invoked in Ryo a surge of hunger. And if only his foot is not hurting by the minute, he would have pinned Shige down and to hell with biding his time. When Shige broke the kiss, Ryo gazed lovingly at him and said, “If you don’t get me professional help soon, this may get embarrassing, because I may just pass out,” he said with a shaky smile.
Shige didn’t need any further urging to get Ryo to the hospital. After what seemed like ages, he was finally able to get Ryo out of the shop and to his car. Within minutes, they’re well over on their way to the hospital.
++++++++++++++++++++++
“Slow down Shige,” Ryo grumbled from behind him. “I haven’t got the hang of these damned things yet.”
These damned things were a pair of crutches that the local hospital issued to Ryo after checking his foot and confirming that he had not actually broken his ankle, but just sprained it. Although the doctor informed them that it may take several weeks to heal, hence, the crutches.
Shige turned to glare at him, the anger inside him giving him the extra impetus. “How dare you name me as your next of kin?” he demanded furiously.
“What else was I supposed to do?” he snapped impatiently. “Yuya is still on his honeymoon and you heard mother earlier. She has disowned me. Do you think she would come running should anyone from the hospital call her?”
“She actually just preceded me by a minute. How dare you tell her that the two of us are engaged?” he demanded furiously and continued. “You have gone too far Ryo. I realize she has been pushing you to marry Makoto but I refuse to be used by you in your -------------“ he stopped ranting as he notice a group of nurses passing by the corridor, whose eyes were on them.
“Let’s get out of here,” Ryo rasped softly. “You can tell me how much you hate me once we’re out of here.”
But he doesn’t hate Ryo. As much as the man had taunted, annoyed and tormented him, he never hated him. And he realized just how much he did not hate Ryo when he made that stupid announcement to his mother. It would have been better if he did hate him, because then he would not be feeling sorry for himself. What he felt for Ryo was in fact the opposite, he's in love with the man.
He had realized he was still attracted to him at Yuya’s wedding, he just didn’t realize how much until he saw him dancing with the beautiful Makoto. And for a moment, just for a brief moment, earlier that evening, when he had made that announcement, Shige had ached and wished it to be true.
He had been attracted to Ryo that night at the Country Inn, hence their little interlude. And though he may have turned tail and ran then, in the weeks that followed their first meeting, remembering the kiss that they had shared, he had longed to see Ryo again, to see the laughter in his eyes, to feel his arms around him once again.
Ryo knew his name, and if he had wanted to find him again, it would have been very easy for him, with Shige leaving in the neighboring countryside of the Tegoshi residence. But weeks passed and no Ryo showed up. Shige then thought that Ryo must have thought of their encounter as no more than a fleeting moment. It helped that his father left the running of the bookshop to him. He had been busy, so much so that he was able to keep Ryo in a locked compartment at the back of his mind. And his heart.
Until that day he was introduced to Shige as Yuya’s brother and Yuri’s childhood friend. He felt his world tumbling down, he had been so afraid then that he would fall under Ryo’s spell again, that as soon as Yuri had popped up the question, he said yes without thinking.
But when exactly did he fall in love with Nishikido Ryo? Shige looked at Ryo as they make their way to the car. Does it really matter when it happened? All he knows is that he has loved the man for some time. A man, no person in his right frame of mind, should fall in love with. A man who treats everything as a game, a man who would use anybody just to get back at his mother. And woe betide him for falling for such a man.
“Get in,” he rasped harshly as he unlocked his car. Glancing across him as Ryo made no effort to do so. He sighed impatiently, “Look Ryo, it’s late and ----------------“
“And you haven’t eaten,” Ryo admitted dryly. “I noticed that you get -irritable - when you’re hungry,” he explained at Shige’s blank look.
This just irritated Shige even more. “My irritability has nothing to do with my having not eaten yet this evening.” It’s all because of you, you idiot. “Will you just get in?”
“But that’s just it, I…..I can’t get in,” Ryo admitted softly, motioning at his crutches. “I can’t manage the crutches and get into the car at the same time.”
His sprained ankle, Shige groaned inwardly, is going to be a damned nuisance --along with the owner himself. He sighed, “Give me your crutches while you hold on to the car and swing yourself inside.”
“As my mother had thrown me out, we might as well go back to your place,” Ryo muttered grimly as soon as he had maneuvered himself inside the car. He rested his head wearily against the seat and closed his eyes.
He looked terrible, Shige acknowledged. No, it was bad enough that he loved him, the last thing he needed was to feel sorry for him. Although Ryo had injured himself while helping him out at the shop. . . . . Agh, he’s doing it again! He glanced irritably at Ryo and realizing he had fallen asleep, Shige studied him for a brief moment, and started the car, his mind on Ryo’s sleeping figure.
With his eyelids closed, all cynicism appeared to have been wiped off his face. Ryo looked somehow younger, and vulnerable. He would look like this if he was asleep on a bed. But then his chest would be bare and if he was to kiss him there --------------------. Shige shook his head at the way his mind was running. It was one thing to admit to himself that he loves the man, but to have erotic fantasies about him is something else entirely.
Besides, any fantasies he might have had about the man would be instantly erased as soon as Ryo raises those eyelids and opens his mouth to tease Shige about his feelings. Because Ryo might enjoy kissing him occasionally, but as far as he was concerned, Ryo enjoyed teasing and tormenting him more than kissing him.
“What are you thinking about?”
Shige glanced at Ryo and found him still sitting relaxed against the seat but his head is now turned in his direction, steady deep dark gaze fixed on him questioningly.
Shige glanced quickly away again, unnerved by his own intimate thoughts.
“You looked - wistful,” Ryo murmured curiously.
Wistful? Was that how he looked when plagued with a physical need for him? Because that’s exactly how he feels - plagued - he couldn’t think of a better word to describe these feelings he has for Ryo, a plague that has no cure and will be the death of him yet.
++++++++++++++++++++++
After helping Ryo ease his way onto the couch at his house, Shige straightened. “I’ll go and get us both something to eat. I’m sure you must be feeling hungry by now.” Although he had lost his own appetite since realizing the depth of his feelings for the man.
Ryo’s mouth twisted ruefully. “I thought I was cooking steak tonight?” he reminded him.
Shige smiled and shook his head. “I’ll manage, You have to rest your foot. I’ll come and get you when the food is ready.”
“Finally got me where you wanted huh?” Ryo replied with a sweet smile.
Shige threw him a sharp defensive look. Has Ryo somehow guessed that he’s in love with him? Had he been so transparent earlier that his feelings showed in his face? Had he given himself away? He groaned inwardly, wondering what to do.
“At your mercy,” Ryo explained and frowned, confused at the sudden panic in Shige’s eyes.
He hadn’t given himself away. Shige sighed with relief. He was so relieved that he threw Ryo an impish grin. “That would be a novel experience.”
“Don’t get used to it. I can still talk.” Ryo said smugly. Loving he smile on Shige’s face.
“I think you’ve talked enough for the day, Ryo.” Shige replied.
Ryo smiled, remembering just exactly how much he had talked that evening. But he loved talking to Shige. “I think it’s just as well that I left most of my stuff at my apartment downtown. Otherwise, Mother would have thrown them all out by now.”
“Do you think she was serious at disowning you?” But even as he asked the question, he knew that Ryo’s mother was deadly serious. She never gave idle threats anyway. And with Ryo thwarting his mother’s plans to further her own ambition, disowning his elder son won’t be a surprise.
Ryo grinned unconcernedly. “Does it matter? I may have agreed to do her bidding by coming back to the house but marrying me off to Makoto Kitagawa wasn’t part of our deal. She’s not for me, whatever my mother has planned to the contrary.”
Shige shrugged. “You obviously found her attractive enough to ask her out on a date this evening,” a fact that didn’t please him one little bit. He looked away quickly - afraid that the jealousy he’s feeling would show in his face.
Ryo threw him a questioning look, he thought he had seen something in his eyes but Shige looked away before he could decipher it. Spoilsport, he thought, and then he drawled softly, “Actually, SHE asked me out, but it would be ungentlemanly of me to say so.”
Shige glanced back at him. “Extremely!” he agreed. Makoto asked Ryo out? He smiled, glad that Ryo wasn’t gentleman enough to break off the date.
Ryo shrugged. “I may have been brought up a gentleman but I never liked scheming women.” His eyes narrowed. “I swear she and my mother are in cahoots about the whole thing. One scheming woman is bad enough, my life will be a living hell if I’m to live with two. Besides, Shige,” he added softly, “you’re missing the whole point of my mother’s remark to you earlier. I broke off the date with Makoto so that I can come to the shop and help you.”
Fixing shelves and painting was preferable to him than spending an evening with a beautiful woman? Or dared he read more than that? Could Ryo have wanted to spend the night with him instead? NO! He didn’t dare. It’s too impossible. Ryo is a very unpredictable man when it comes to his actions, it would be a huge mistake to read anything. Collecting himself, he started for the door. “I’ll go and prepare our dinner,” was his parting shot before escaping into the kitchen.
He leaned weakly against the kitchen door. What is he going to do about Ryo? What can he do? Nothing, came the blunt answer of his mind. If Ryo had felt anything towards him other than amusement, he would have said so by now. What Ryo did feel about him, remembering his mother’s remark earlier, was a certain sense of responsibility, with him being Yuri’s ex-fiance and Yuya’s friend, Ryo must have felt responsible towards him when his father died. He had no next of kin anyway. But Ryo didn’t need to feel that. His father left him an enormous trust fund, enough to last him a lifetime. What had his mother said earlier? Ryo has always had a soft spot for the injured and supposedly helpless”! Pity, that was what it amounted to. And pity is the last thing he wanted from Ryo.
The mere idea of it filled him with anger as it tug at his heart, and as he banged about in the kitchen preparing their meal, he was barely aware of what he was doing, too busy muttering to himself to even give a damn. Ryo could damn well keep his pity! Maybe when the re-decoration of the shop is done, he would hire someone to look after it so he can travel. And maybe, just maybe, when he comes back, Ryo would be well out of his life and OUT OF HIS HEART.
“What have those ever done to you?” mocked an amused voice behind him.
Shige stiffened at the sound. Ryo, of course! Who else can it be? He turned around to see him leaning against the door. How long had he been standing there, he wondered. More to the point, had he heard any of his mutterings?
Ryo raised a mocking eyebrow. “You’re slapping that poor defenseless meat around as if you were wishing it was - me!”
Not him exactly, just these unwanted feelings he had for him. Not that he can be blamed for falling in love with Ryo, though. He’s an extremely handsome man, humorous, his love for life always showing in his face. He could be warm and kind too. And the way he gets protective, is something that he would never forget, remembering the way Ryo stood up against his mother for him.
“Not at all,” Shige grimaced, feeling suddenly shy. “I was just told that it’s better to tenderize the steak while cooking it.”
Ryo grinned. “I don’t think battering it into submission qualifies.”
The steaks are ready now. Shige sighed gratefully. It indicates an end to any further remark so he asked, “Would you be better eating on the sofa with a tray?”
“I would be better if I have not fallen off that ladder,” he rasped impatiently.
Shige shrugged. “Eavesdroppers never hear anything good about themselves. Maybe if you had gotten out of hiding earlier, you would not be so mad coming down the ladder, you wouldn’t have missed a step.”
“And miss hearing my mother in full blow? No, it was better that way. Anyhow, as you can see, I am totally incapacitated at the moment. And the doctor said it would take a few weeks for my ankle to completely heal. My apartment in town in your typical bachelor’s pad, no food stocked in for emergency, no one to help with the cooking, etc. And now that my mother has thrown me out, I’ve pretty much nowhere else to go. . . . .”
Shige had a terrible feeling he knew exactly where this was leading. And he didn’t like it one bit.
“Not that I’m willing to go back to the house anyway. My mother will be the one doing the apologizing this time, not the other way around.” He announced firmly.
“You were saying……?” Ryo was straying to the point so Shige prompted stiffly, waiting for what’s to come next and bracing himself.
“I was saying Shige . . . . . . .” Ryo threw him an endearing grin and continued “for now, you’re stuck with me. I have nowhere else to go. I can’t drive, I can barely walk, damn it. So, if it’s okay with you, I’ll just stay here for a week or two until I’m back on my feet.”
But he did mind. It was impossible. Ryo can’t stay here, in close proximity to him, night as well as day.
He couldn’t! He just couldn’t. . . . . . Shige gave an inwardly groan as he looked at Ryo’s smiling face.
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So, what do you think will happen next?
Guys, just so you know, this is nearing its end - just about 3 or 4 chaps to go . . . . . .