Title: Violets and Roses
Pairing(s): Akame, Pin friendship
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance and a bit of angst
Beta by: Unbeta-ed
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot
Summary: His smile is his undoing
A/N: This fic is dedicated to
aishi07 who I promised this fic to. I hope you like it! And as always, comments are love!
“Otsukaresama deshita!”
Kamenashi kazuya bowed at the staff before slinging his bag over his shoulder. Kame was not shocked nor fazed that he had work during the holidays He was an idol, after all. Sometimes, he wished he could be a normal guy with a normal job. But, Kame can’t deny he loves what he is doing now.
A familiar melody sliced through the silence. Kame fumbled for his phone, checked the caller ID before flipping it open. “Pi?” Kame asked as he wondered why his friend would call. With his free hand, he fumbled with his car keys and opened his car and got in, shivering because of the cold.
“Hey Kame! Uh…I have a favor to ask…” At this, Kame raised an eyebrow at Pi’s tone. The last time Pi had asked him for a favor, Kame ended up taking smashed idols home. Kame grimaced at the memory. He made a mental note not to let Pi ride his car. Ever.
“…It depends.” Came Kame’s weary answer.
He heard Pi clear his throat before speaking in hushed tones. “Well…You see, my best friend got into an accident and well…I’m in the hospital now. But, I got called to work and…Can you please stay with him till I’m done?” Pi’s hopeful voice floated over to Kame’s end and he hesitated. “Please Kame! You’re the only one I can depend on now! Ne, Kame-chan?” Pi whined.
Kame sighed and reluctantly said, “Fine. Tell me where you’re at.” A hum was heard as Kame started the engine to his car, appreciating the heat that blared from the heater. He listened to Yamapi’s endless ‘thank you’s and to his directions before they both hung up.
---
Kame parked his car in the almost empty parking lot, placed his shades on for good measure (in case the paparazzi were somehow lurking around) and hastily made his way inside the hospital. As soon as he entered the automatic glass doors, a certain Yamashita Tomohisa pulled him by the arm and immediately dragged him to the ICU on the sixth floor. Kame just grumbled at the rough treatment he received from Yamapi all the way.
“In case he,” Kame knew Yamapi was referring to his best friend, “wakes up, tell him that I would be right back, okay, Kame?” Kame nodded in understanding and Pi took a look at his watch and cursed. He was running late. Giving Kame a wave and a thank you, Pi left, leaving Kame alone.
---
Kame sighed for the nth time that night. He didn’t know how to introduce himself to Yamapi’s so-called best friend. He is Kamenashi Kazuya, after all. And well, he’s pretty much relieved that Yamapi’s best friend isn’t a girl. The last thing he wanted is a fan girl.
A doctor came out of the room of Pi’s best friend. Kame locked eyes with the doctor and both bowed as a greeting. Straightening, Kame cleared his throat, “Um…how is he?” Kame asked, a feeling of awkwardness seeping into him. He doesn’t know the guy and yet, he is, acting all familiar with Yamapi’s best friend!
“His injuries have been tended to and would heal slowly. However,” Kame sucked in a breath despite himself. He somehow had a feeling that what the doctor would say next would be bad news, “the patient might be robbed of his eyesight.” The doctor continued after a brief silence. “We already operated on him but the chances of the patient getting his eyesight back are slim.”
Kame bowed his thanks to the doctor. And, at that exact moment, his mobile rang. Kame glanced at the caller. Pi. “Hey, Pi.” Kame greeted, his throat a bit dry. He licked his lips.
“Hey, Kame. How is he?” Kame could hear orders being shouted in the background and he surmised Pi was still at work. “Pi, he’s-” Kame hesitated, not knowing how to say it to his friend. Pi, noticing the sudden silence, gasped. “Is he…dead?” Pi choked out the last word. Kame started, “What? No! He’s just injured and well…the doctor said that your friend lost his eyesight.” Kame went silent, waiting for Pi’s reply.
There was shuffling heard. “So…he’s blind?” Pi exhaled. He couldn’t believe this was happening to his best friend.
“The doctor said that they have operated on him. But the chances of him having back his eyesight are slim.” Kame narrated what the doctor had just said to him. There was more shuffling before Pi said, “I’ll be right there.” And then he hung up.
---
Pi’s manager was furious when Pi decided to leave the studio halfway through work. However, Yamapi wasn’t fazed a bit. He knew where he had to be and nobody was going to stop him. After repeatedly bowing and saying sorry to the entire crew, he dashed out of the building and into his car in record time.
“Jin…” Pi muttered as he drove.
Pi and Jin had been best friends ever since they were in diapers. They were inseparable and would often hold sleepovers at each others houses. They both had once dreamed to form a band together and be famous. However, when they were teens, Yamapi and Jin both auditioned for Johnny’s Entertainment but Yamapi was the only one who passed the auditions and got accepted.
Flashback:
“Jin…I-I’ll say no, okay?” Yamapi said as he looked over his best friend, placing a hand on Jin’s shoulder. “No need, Pi.” Jin gave a small, sad smile that made Pi’s heart ache.
“But Jin-”
“Pi, wasn’t it your dream to become famous? Here’s your chance!” Jin exclaimed, idly playing with the hem of his shirt. In truth, some part of him wanted Pi to decline the agency but he felt it would not be fair for Pi.
“Just…Don’t let the glamour get to you.” Jin smiled and held out his pinky.
“Of course not.” Pi chuckled, “You’ll still know me as the Pi you know after many years, Bakanishi.” He linked his pinky to Jin’s.
Yamapi clutched the steering wheel harder and drove to the hospital.
---
“Kame!” said person started as he sees Pi running towards him. Kame nodded in greeting. Pi bent down to catch his breath. “Is a doctor inside?” Kame shook his head. Pi was about to say something when they both heard someone shifting from behind the door. A groan was heard next.
Pi pushed the door as quietly as he could, peeking inside. “Ugh…” was heard from the patient and Pi made his way inside the room. Kame awkwardly shifted from one foot to another, suddenly feeling like an outsider.
“Jin…?” Pi whispered as he touched Jin’s hand ever so softly. The reaction was immediate; Jin flinched away from the touch, “W-who are you?” Jin panicked. Why was it so dark? Ugh. His body hurts all over.
Pi made soothing sounds and drew circles absentmindedly on Jin’s hand. “Shhh, Jin. It’s me. Pi.” Jin was silent for a moment. “Pi…?” He reached a hand out and felt Pi’s hand. “It really is you!” A small smile was present on Jin’s face. Kame, who was by the door felt his breath catch at the sight of the smile.
Pi smiled briefly but frowned immediately, “Jin? Do you remember what happened to you?” Jin was silent for a few moments, the smile on his face gradually disappearing. He remembered that he was driving home from work when a truck rammed into his car. His car turning over. And then there was pain. Jin gasped when it all came back to him at such a fast rate. He clutched his head and his hand ran over the bandage over his eyes.
“I remember everything.” Jin breathed. “A car accident…”
“Jin?”
“Pi…w-what’s wrong with me?” Jin’s voice quivered.
Pi hesitated. “You have a lot of injuries, Jin. Thankfully, those injuries are not fatal. A miracle considering how badly your car was wrecked. But…you may not be able to see.” It hurt Pi to say those words to his best friend. And when Jin tightened his grip on Pi’s hand, Pi took Jin in his arms.
“The doctor says the chance of you regaining your eyesight is slim. But I’m sure you’ll have your eyesight back, Jin.”
Jin nodded wordlessly, still shaken up by the news. Everything was so dark. What about his job? Would he depend on a lot of people because of this handicap? Endless questions were circulating in Jin’s mind. A shuffling caught Jin’s attention and he snapped his head towards the sound.
“Pi? Is someone else with us?” Jin asked, uncertainty lacing his tone.
“Ah. I asked him to watch over you for a short while.” Pi explained, beckoning Kame to come closer.
“Thanks, by the way.”
“It was no problem.” That voice…!
“K-Kamenashi Kazuya?” Jin asked, stunning Kame. How did he-? Oh. Right. Of course people knew him.
“Nice to meet you Akanishi-san.” Kame said anyway, out of courteousness. “Jin is fine, Kamenashi-san. Calling me Akanishi-san feels…weird.” There was a curve at the edges of Jin’s lips and Kame found himself smiling back.
“Then, Kame is fine too, Jin.” Jin nodded.
Gradually, Jin hand reached out and grasped Pi’s sleeve, whose arms were still around Jin in a loose embrace. “Pi, I want to go home.” He said in a tiny voice. “Jin…you know you can’t. Not yet, anyway.” Jin harrumphed. “But I don’t like hospitals, you know that.” Pi sighed but a smile was on his lips. He ruffled Jin’s hair, “Don’t worry. You’ll soon be back in our apartment with Pin and Maru.” Pi assured.
Jin was silent for a few moments. “You better visit me, Pi.” He said and both Kame and Pi broke out in quiet laughter. “Of course, you Bakanishi!”
Looking at the two friends, Kame felt like he shouldn’t be here in the first place. So, with a quick wave and a lame excuse to leave, he bade goodbye to the friends and swiftly exited the room.
Pi looked at the spot where Kame once was and raised an eyebrow. Jin spoke up, “Kame sure seems weird in person.” Pi couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
---
As promised, Pi visited Jin as often as he could. Two weeks later, Jin was moved to a regular room and although he was still very much bothered he couldn’t see, he tried to cope with it by familiarizing himself with his surroundings by using his hands.
Pi was ever so helpful and called the university Jin was working at and explained the details to the chairman of the school. Thankfully, the school decided to not fire Jin and just make him take a leave; after all, Jin may still regain his eyesight back. That and, he is irreplaceable as an English teacher. Pi was glad. He knew Jin loved his job. When he told Jin of the good news, Jin was extremely happy.
Three weeks later, the doctor deemed it alright for Jin to be released. His wounds are healing along nicely and there is no infection. But he needed to come back after a month to take off his bandages around his eyes. When asked why, the doctor announced that Jin would regain his eyesight. Jin was so ecstatic he practically screeched the good news to Pi’s ear, almost rendering him deaf. Nonetheless, he was very happy for Jin.
---
“Home at last!” Jin rejoiced. Maru and Pin appeared and barked excitedly towards their master. Jin felt for them and scooped them up and cuddled them close. “I’m home, you guys.”
Jin roamed around the apartment and was glad that nothing changed much. Although it had been messier than he remembered (he had tripped over a few articles of clothing), he was glad it still felt like home.
“Welcome home, Jin.” Pi’s voice sounded somewhere behind Jin.
“I’m home.” Jin smiled.
---
It was a week later when Kame came by (Pi had asked him a favor yet again) to accompany Jin. He really did not know why he had to take care of Jin. Surely, there were better candidates for that. He rang the doorbell and heard barking from the other side. And then Jin’s muffled voice came through. “Who is it?”
Kame cleared his throat. “It’s me, Kamenashi.”
A click sounded before the door was opened, revealing Jin and two excited dogs. “Ah, come in Kame. Sorry if it’s a bit messy.” Jin apologized. Kame merely brushed it off with an ‘it’s okay’ and entered the apartment and made it his task to close the door behind him.
“Any reason for your visit, Kame? Pi’s not home at the moment.”
“Oh, no. Pi asked me to come here.” Jin raised an eyebrow.
“That Pi. I told him I would be fine on my own for a few hours!” Jin muttered, making Kame stare at him disbelievingly. He couldn’t believe that Jin said he could handle himself. Definitely not, Kame thought, especially when he’s…blind. Kame watched Jin pet one of his dogs.
“So…Kame, how was work?” Jin asked, head turned towards him.
“Work is…horrible, to be honest” Kame admitted, making Jin chuckle. “Being an idol sure is hard.” Jin commented. Kame was about to answer when Jin’s stomach gave a loud growl. There was a silence and then Kame laughed.
Jin listened to Kame’s laughter, very different from the laugh he usually hears from the television. “I like your laugh Kame, it’s nice.” He commented out of the blue before standing up and heading to the kitchen. Kame abruptly stopped his laughter and blushed a faint red. Why was he turning red over a simple compliment? Shaking his head, he followed Jin to the kitchen.
“Hold it right there, Jin.” Kame started with a warning.
“I will not let you cook, let alone touch anything in your condition.”
Jin froze on his spot before sitting down on a chair and crossed his arms. “What do you suggest I do? Starve?” Kame shook his head but remembered that Jin cannot see. “No, silly. I’ll cook for you.” That said, Kame familiarized himself with Pi and Jin’s kitchen.
Jin intently listened as Kame made his way around the kitchen. The clinking of the pots, the sizzle of oil, and the clang of chopsticks to the side of the pan or a bowl was music to Jin’s ears. What seemed like forever, a mouthwatering aroma greeted Jin’s nose. “Tempura and…” Jin tried guessing. “And fried rice.” Kame finished.
Kame laughed as Jin perked up and sat straighter and was smiling in anticipation. Kame set Jin’s plate down in front of him and guided Jin’s hands to the chopsticks and to the plate. He slowly let go but once he saw Jin struggling and spilling some rice, he worriedly went near.
Sensing Kame’s movement, Jin barked out a “Don’t come closer!” to Kame, rendering the man speechless and gaping. “Don’t.” Jin repeated this time his tone quiet but firm. “I want to do this on my own.” He tried scooping some rice and failed again. This continued for a few minutes, Kame watching Jin with growing worry. Jin’s lips thinned and the next thing Kame knew, Jin slammed his chopsticks down. “Damn it!” Jin roared, blindly swinging his arm and collided with the glass of water by his side. The glass shattered upon contact with the marble floor.
Kame acted. Soon, Jin felt slender arms wrap around him. One around his shoulders and the other around his head to hold him in a firm hug. “It’ll be alright, Jin.” Kame’s soothing voice reached his ears. Calm, and soothing. And Jin had the urge to cry all of a sudden. He felt helpless at the moment. He couldn’t even eat on his own! How pathetic. However, Jin enjoyed the warmth that Kame emanated and found himself leaning to the other’s embrace just a little.
---
Kame wanted to slap himself in the face for acting overly familiar towards Jin - hugging him and all. He only did it because he had seen Yamapi hug Jin, too, in the hospital. He tightened his hold on Jin. Also, Kame had been slightly afraid that Jin could’ve hurt himself if he let Jin continue.
He smiled a bit as Jin leaned to his embrace. He hugged Jin tighter once more before letting go. Taking Jin’s chopsticks in his hand, he scooped up a portion of rice and shrimp to Jin’s mouth. Obediently, Jin opened his mouth and Kame fed Jin the food.
“This is good Kame!” Jin complimented between mouthfuls of rice and shrimp. Kame was glad that the tense atmosphere was gone and the Jin that Kame was used to seeing (from the little time they saw each other) was back. Kame snapped out of his musings when Jin opened his mouth again. With a chucke, Kame fed him another bite.
“I like you, Kame. Visit again, okay?” Jin innocently asked, still chewing the portion of food and flashed a sweet smile at Kame.
Kame wonders why his heart fluttered at Jin’s words as he continued to feed Jin.
---
To be continued.
So…I’m writing again! [uncomfortable laughter] I hope you guys like this. I spent a lot of time writing this and I hope you comment on it as well XDD Comments are what keeps me going! *bricked* So, can anyone guess why the fic is called Violets and Roses? Cookies to those who are able to guess why~~~ [for the exception of
aishi07 cause you already know what it means!] XDDD;;