Fic: The Colors of Sunday Monday
Hey, je_holiday fics were revealed! Not that I've been stalking the comm or anything.
Title: The Colors of Sunday Monday
Pairing: Ohno/Nino, PG-13
Summary: The first time Ohno sees the guy he's sitting at the bar at Sunday Monday.
Notes: This was written for je_holiday. :D It seems honooko enjoyed it, for which I'm glad! The original post is here.
The first time Ohno sees the guy he's sitting at the bar at Sunday Monday.
The rhythm of the beat works itself over Ohno's skin like a warm caress as he moves, drops of sweat streaking down his cheek and catching wetly in his collar. In this odd landscape where shining lights illuminate the dark, other people are flashes of white skin and dark hair, glimmering eyes and laughs Ohno catches in the corner of his vision as he spins like a dervish.
Ohno is never looking for anyone in particular. He comes to drink enough that he can dance freely, losing himself in the movements and the flows of the music. When the song ends he exhales with the last note, pulling trembling limbs into himself as he weaves his way off the dance floor.
The bar is busy and the only open seat is to the left of a young man with hunched shoulders. Ohno slouches into it and orders his last drink. It burns down his throat and he sighs, wishing he could feel confident enough to dance without making himself at least halfway drunk at first. But it's the only thing that works.
As he's fumbling in his pocket for his wallet, skin slick and slipping, he sees the young man glancing at him out of the corner of his eye. He throws back a confused smile but only sees a slightly rounded nose and smooth cheeks before the other man turns away, curling in on himself.
Ohno leaves.
***
A pillow thrown with great force nearly beans his post-hangover head as he walks into rehearsal. For all that the air in the room is pleasantly warm, the atmosphere is frigid. I should've gone fishing, Ohno thinks inanely, they didn't even need me today.
"He quit?" Jun is saying, low and dangerous, clutching another pillow in his white fingers. Meanwhile, Ohno tries to slink around to behind the dressing room couch.
The staff member pales. "Well, Matsumoto-san, more like--"
"No," Jun interrupts, "let me explain." He puts down the pillow and picks up a water bottle instead. "As I've heard it, he had a secret girlfriend that he never told me about. Then she became pregnant. Then Mizuno-kun ran off on us, leaving us without a lead actor in the only stage production that's been getting our work media attention. Is that what you were going to tell me?"
"Matsumoto-san--"
"How about the fact that everyone knew about this except me? Did I not say that cast members were not allowed to take on hobbies or relationships that would take up time during this production? Did I--"
Ohno interrupts quietly, "Jun-kun," because Jun's starting to wave his hands around and the water bottle looks like it's on a trajectory for the staff member's face. Jun takes a deep breath and closes his eyes, putting the bottle down and curling his hands into fists.
"Leave," he says tightly, and the staff scurries out.
Jun stands in the middle of the room for a moment, his back tense and looking lost, before he collapses backwards on to the couch and buries his face in his hands. "What am I going to do now? How am I going to find another lead on such short notice? It's over."
His shoulder is warm under Ohno's palm, and Ohno squeezes it. "We'll all try our best," he says quietly, because he doesn't really know what to say. "Something will work out." And even though Jun probably knows Ohno has no idea what he's talking about, Jun leans into his touch anyway.
***
Now that rehearsals have been stalled due to their lack of a lead actor and Jun has been running around trying to find a new one, Ohno has had a lot more time to go to the bars. The difficulty isn't due to any defect of Jun as a director; the problem is that he's a newcomer on the scene, fresh-faced with a whole list of credentials but not one stage production to his name. This one was supposed to be his first. Jun is one of the most talented people Ohno knows, and his talent is offset with his passion and enthusiasm. But that hasn't helped him with getting sponsors for all the costs, and it certainly hasn't helped him with finding an actor who'd be willing to step in so late in the game for a director that wasn't any guarantee of success.
So really, Ohno has had a lot of time to go to the bars, and he realizes something. The guy's at Friday Faraways, too. And Morning Flash. The young man that he'd sat down next to in Sunday Monday might as well be a permanent fixture. Ohno always sees him sitting in front of the bartender, back curved awkwardly as he slouches over a drink.
Ohno's not sure why he keeps checking for him. The guy's attractive in a skinny way, but Ohno's seen so many attractive people in his work as a choreographer, both men and women, that that's not exactly a selling point for him about anybody. Maybe it's the guy's bag (it has a rare Doraemon charm attached to the zipper), maybe it's the way his short fingers curl around the glass, maybe it's the faraway look in his eyes - but Ohno's interested.
On the third day of Ohno sitting next to the young man whenever possible (or the third day of what normal people would probably call stalking), the guy spins in his seat and sends him a glare, slurring slightly. "Why are you everywhere?"
"No," Ohno replies, confused. "You are." There's a pinkish-red smudge of alcohol under both of the young man's eyes, and Ohno decides he likes his face.
The young man pauses, deliberating. "Right," he says finally. Then, dropping his eyes, he says, "I've seen you. You're a good dancer."
"Thanks," Ohno says happily, and downs his drink. It gives him enough impetus to take hold of the other man's wrist, because he's drunk and he's interested, and tug him up out of his seat. "Dance with me, okay?"
"Wait, wait," the guy says, practically digging in his heels, but Ohno takes him deep into the crowd and drops his hands to the other's slim hips.
"Follow me," he murmurs into the young man's ear, and those dark eyes are brighter than all the surrounding flashes and lights before they flicker away and the other man wraps his arms around Ohno's neck. They move to the music and Ohno is pleased to notice that his partner has a great sense of rhythm, the way he moves is so correct. "What's your name?"
There's silence in stark contrast to the pounding music, and then Ohno feels the sharp point of a chin coming to rest on his shoulder. "Nino."
"Nino," Ohno repeats, pulling back and smiling. "Hi. I'm Ohno."
They dance and Ohno dares to press closer, the heat settling everywhere on his skin. He slides a hand down to rest at the small of Nino's back, and gets a raised eyebrow before Nino plucks it away. Ohno laughs and tucks his face into the junction of Nino's neck and shoulder. "Why are you always drinking at these places?"
The reaction is almost instantaneous. Nino's eyes narrow and he tears himself out of Ohno's hold, striding angrily back to the bar. It feels like everyone on the dance floor gets in Ohno's way as he attempts to follow him, and by the time he's caught up Nino's already thrown on his coat and is slinging on his bag.
Ohno barely has time to pick up his own things as they both walk through the door, Nino's whole frame tense. Cold night air smacks into Ohno's face as he clumsily shoves his jacket on, bringing him to some small degree of sobriety. "Wait, I'm sorry--"
"I'm an alcoholic," Nino turns around, his eyes blazing in anger. "Might as well be, okay? That's why I'm at these dives all the time. Not exactly the best person to become friends with. So don't."
But you're not, Ohno thinks in confusion. From what he'd seen Nino had never been one of those people sitting at the bar who were drinking in desperation; he'd always been drinking like he was going through the motions, not like he'd needed it.
A car goes by with its horn blaring, the yellow spilling from its headlights and throwing Nino's face into relief. Ohno finds himself strangely devastated because of someone he's barely known for almost no time at all.
"I'm sorry," Nino says abruptly. "You seem like a nice guy. Just," he breaks off, looking frustrated. "I'm sorry, okay?"
When he starts walking away, Ohno finally finds his voice. "Hey! I'll see you tomorrow."
Ohno's not sure if Nino looks back, but he's fine with that.
***
By noon the next day, Ohno knows he's not going to make it anywhere this evening.
"I don't really have any choice but to make Sakurai-san the lead," Jun says to Ohno under his breath. Ohno peeks over Jun's shoulder to see that the background cast member is looking far more terrified than enthusiastic and, honestly, he can't blame him. "He's the only one that was a nerd enough to read and memorize the whole script, and he's visually attractive enough. You'd just have to teach him the moves."
Ohno frowns. "I could try."
Jun sighs. "I know it's short notice, but I can't move anyone else out of their role. If we can get him good enough, then..."
By six PM, Ohno's learned that Sakurai has acrophobia and hates doing things in high places - like necessary choreography on wires above the stage. And while he's intelligent and understands what he needs to do, the body doesn't necessarily follow the brain. Unlike Mizuno-kun, Sakurai hadn't been a dancer half his life before turning to acting.
"I apologize," Sakurai pants, looking miserable. "Damn..."
"It's all right," Ohno says, but he can't help taking a quick glance at his cellphone to check the time. Nino is probably there already, sitting quietly over his drink.
By midnight, he's too tired to do anything except leave the rehearsal hall, go home, and crawl blearily into bed.
***
When Ohno finds Nino at Sunday Monday two nights later, Nino's drunker than Ohno's ever seen him. There's a collection of empty glasses and bottles in front of him, and he's not so much sitting as leaning heavily on the bar.
"Nino," he says quietly as he sits down beside him. Nino turns his head to look at him, his skin flushed red and his face vulnerably open.
"Ohno," Nino says. "Ohno. I remember. Oh-chan."
Ohno can't help reaching out to touch Nino's side, tilting him gently so that he's no longer in danger of tipping off of his stool. "Yeah, it's me."
"Bad day at work today, Oh-chan." Nino pouts, flopping drunkenly on the counter, and Ohno suddenly notices he has a mole on his chin. "I really... really hate it. Bad day at work yesterday too. All the time. And you didn't come like you said you would. Bad day. Just... hate it." He pauses. "Why am I telling you this?"
"I'm listening," Ohno answers. It's difficult to listen here, though. Suddenly, Ohno thinks that it'd be better to leave. Nino's already drunk enough, and Ohno knows of a good place to go. "Come on, let's go somewhere else, okay?"
Nino frowns. "I think my mom always said something about going off to strange places with strangers." He stops to think. "...not sure she ever said anything about being drunk while doing it, though. So, okay." He grabs up his coat, swaying alarmingly, and plops a large wad of bills on the bar. "Lead on, Captain."
Ohno winds his arm around Nino's thin shoulders and they stagger out, looking for all the world like a happy pair of drunks. Luckily, the place he wants to take Nino to isn't far. It's a small overlook that Ohno used to draw paintings from, when he was still in art school with Jun and hadn't yet decided between illustration and dance yet. It's a beautiful place.
"Wow," Nino says, looking at the lights of the city below them. "Wow," he repeats, fainter and more awed.
"Yeah," Ohno agrees, and tugs Nino down beside him on the grass. They breathe side by side for long minutes, and Ohno's strangely content.
"My name's Ninomiya Kazunari," Nino says quietly, sounding less drunk than he was before. "Nino's a nickname. It's... it's fine."
Ohno blinks. "Ohno Satoshi. It's nice to meet you," he adds, it suddenly occurring to him that is the first time they've really introduced themselves to each other.
"Why did you start talking to me?" Nino asks, voice subdued. "You look more like a guy who'd go after a hot girl."
"Because..."
He's not really sure why, himself. Ohno has never been good at trapping his feelings into words, so he finally just shrugs without trying. Nino sighs and shifts closer to Ohno, their body heat mingling.
"Things are so stupid."
Ohno raises himself up on his elbow. "What?"
"People. Jobs. Everything. Stupid," Nino repeats, shaking his head.
"I'm dumb too, then," Ohno laughs. "I'm a dance choreographer, but I think my own dancing sucks."
"No," Nino says, and lightly slaps Ohno's thigh. Then he sits up, still tilting to port a bit, and stares down through the bars at the lights in the distance. "I work in an office, okay? And I make a lot of money. I thought I'd be happy, but I'm not. When I was little we had this dumb factory that all the money went to, and we couldn't afford shit, so I thought - I'd get a job where I could make money and I'd be happy, but I'm fucking miserable!"
"Nino," Ohno sits up, alarmed, and wraps Nino up in a loose hug. Then he stills, because it's more than he's touched Nino since the beginning, much more intimate than teasing touches on a dance floor. He wonders if it's okay but Nino doesn't fight him, one hand digging into the fabric of Ohno's jacket on his shoulder. "Nino, what did you want to be?" He doesn't know where the question is coming from, but for some reason Ohno knows it's important to figure out what it is that Nino wants so he could try and help him.
Nino shifts, curling more towards him. "I like writing music. And acting," he mutters into Ohno's neck. "But who the hell would take someone who only acted in high school and then told everyone he knew that he'd never do it again? I was lying."
"You thought you wouldn't be able to make money from it," Ohno deduces.
"Look where that's gotten me."
"Wait," Ohno says, his brain finally catching up on everything that was said. "Acting?"
"Just a dumb dream--"
Now that he's gotten the idea, he can't stop thinking about it. It's crazy, but when has that stopped Ohno from anything? "Nino, listen. Right now I'm working with a stage play, and my friend from school's the director, the lead role disappeared on us and it's not prestigious at all, but Jun really needs someone... if you want to audition or something for it--"
The blood's drained from Nino's face. "You're serious?"
"Yes," Ohno says. "Come with me tomorrow, and I'll introduce you."
Nino falls into silence. The grass under them is beginning to get damp and the air's getting colder, the lights of the cars traveling below them dimming as the evening rush slows down. It's still too much light to see the stars, but the sky above them is remarkably clear.
"Why would you do all this for someone you've barely known two days?"
"Because," Ohno says again, leaving it at that, and then tries to scramble out of the way as Nino goes to hit him.
***
"Let me get this straight," Jun sighs. "You met this guy at a bar, you haven't even known him for a week, and although you haven't see him do it you're going on his word that he can act?"
Ohno thinks about it. From this perspective, it does seem kind of odd. "Um, yes."
"Well, let's see what he can do," Jun says, his eyes following Nino as he emerges from the dressing room. "Matsumoto Jun."
"Ninomiya Kazunari. Thank you for your consideration." Nino drops a deep bow, then starts bouncing slightly on his toes. He doesn't look nervous, only anxious and slightly excited. Ohno documents this too; like everything else he's observed about Nino, it's important.
"You've read through the excerpt, right?" Jun asks, leading them along the corridor and towards the stage.
Nino steps in front of them and opens the door himself. "Yep. It's the story of a singer who loses his voice and then works through difficulties to get it back." He pauses, looking at them somewhat challengingly. "It's perfect."
"It's a good script," Jun agrees. "And that's why I need a good lead role." He doesn't need to add, I need it within the next two weeks. They all know it. "Get up there, Ninomiya-san."
Ohno and Jun sit down with the other staff as Nino climbs up to the stage, now looking calm and collected. "Hm," Ohno hears Jun say to himself from his left, but he keeps his eyes on Nino.
Nino stares out at them, eyes blazing the same way they'd been as when he'd first yelled at Ohno outside Sunday Monday. Suddenly he turns around, swinging his hands in front of them, and when he turns back, he's a different person. The gait across the stage is different, the atmosphere, even his voice--
Jun makes a sound strangely similar to happy choking beside him but Ohno stares at Nino acting, utterly captivated. Something in his chest burns.
"How did I do?" Nino asks when it's over, back to being himself and sticking to Ohno's side (now he's nervous, Ohno thinks). "Was it okay?"
"You--" Jun's blinking rapidly. Ohno's known that Jun is a giant crybaby ever since they roomed together, and now he's probably on the verge of tears of happiness. "Do you know how to dance?" he finishes weakly.
Nino shifts awkwardly. "Well--"
"Yeah," Ohno cuts in. "He knows how to dance." From this close he can see the faint red flush that colors Nino's cheeks and the same place in his chest grows warm again, burning brightly.
"Oh my god," Sakurai says from behind them, "Ninomiya-san, thank you. You are my new best friend."
***
"We're here again," Nino smiles, somewhat disbelievingly, glancing around squintingly in the bright colored lights of Sunday Monday. "Did we really have to celebrate me getting the part? I usually come drinking here because I'm upset, not because I'm overjoyed."
"I know," Ohno says, "but we did need to celebrate." Now that he knows what he's looking for he can't help running his eyes over the curve of Nino's cheek as he smiles, the way his slightly shaggy black hair goes smoothly over his eyes, the way he looks happier.
Nino takes a sip from his glass, then leans back. "I'm going to quit my job."
"Really?"
"Yeah," Nino says in a final tone. "I don't know where it's going to go after this play, but Jun said he'd be able to connect me to some people. Or if he can use me again, he said he would. I trust him. He seems like a good guy."
"He's the best," Ohno agrees, and tosses back another shot because at least one of them has to celebrate. Nino rolls his eyes, but then a smile that seems out of his control spreads on his face. Ohno likes it.
Two hours later, Ohno's utterly soused and draped heavily on Nino's side as the other man leads him out of the bar.
"Well, this is great," Nino grumps. "The alcoholic leading the casual drinker home."
Ohno laughs, leaning heavier on Nino and sticking his nose into Nino's neck. There's a hint of frost to the air and it carries away the scent of beer. "You're not an alcoholic," he whispers, letting his breath touch on Nino's ear.
Nino stills. "What am I, then?"
"You were sad," Ohno says, and pats Nino's shoulder when he jerks violently away from Ohno's side at the statement. "But now you're going to be an actor, and then Nino-chan's gonna be... happy..."
Nino's silent for a minute, and then he nods. "Yeah, I'm going to be happy. We're going to my apartment, okay? It's closer."
"Sure," Ohno warbles, and the next thing he knows he's tumbling down ungainly with Nino into a bed, looking into Nino's surprised eyes.
"Is this okay?" Nino asks. He sounds hesitant and shy.
"Yes," Ohno says, and tugs Nino closer to himself before sleep takes him away.
***
Ohno wakes up to warmth and the hangover from hell. He groans quietly and twists his face into the pillow, only backing up slightly in surprise when he realizes the laundry smell is different from his own. When he looks down, he figures out why. Nino's sleeping against his chest, his eyelashes smooth on his cheeks and his lips slightly parted. He must've gotten their shoes and jackets off, somehow. He also looks kind of grumpy even in sleep, which makes Ohno want to laugh - but instead he reaches out and gently draws a finger down the side of Nino's face. Then he gets out of bed quietly, finds the bathroom and Nino's medicine cabinet, and finally ends up in the kitchen.
The whole apartment is somehow very Nino. There's one room that's filled with a piano, sheets of music tacked up on the walls, and a guitar sitting in a stand. His living room has numerous game consoles around the TV and a well-used couch. It's messy, but everything has meaning, even the silly giant jar that Ohno imagines is Nino's piggy bank.
He's making omurice for them when a key twists in the lock. "Ninooo," sings out the person behind the door. "Nino, I'm bringing your favorite bunny dumplings! You're not throwing up everywhere, are you?"
Nino's apartment door swings open and Ohno has a terrible moment where he's afraid he'll be called a thief and will be arrested and jailed, but the young man who's standing in the doorway just blinks and then says, "Oh, Ohno-san?" without losing an inch of his big smile.
"Good morning," Ohno says. "Um..."
"I'm Aiba Masaki!" The guy grins. "But you can call me Aiba-chan. I'm Nino's friend. He told me about you. Well, if you're here, I'll just leave these bunches of deliciousness on his table, okay? Take care of him!"
"I-- okay," Ohno says, because Aiba's just spoken very fast. "I will."
Aiba stills by the door. "Actually... um. I just wanted to say this." He sweeps his light brown hair out of his eyes and leans on the wall, smiling in slight embarassment. "Nino-chan's really strong, you know? We've been friends since we were little, and I've always really looked up to him. And he's been really down, but lately-- well. For whatever you did for him, I'm really grateful."
Ohno can feel his own blush descending down his neck and he looks down bashfully. "I didn't do much."
"No," Aiba says. "You did a lot! Um, don't tell him I said all of that." He wags his finger and, as quickly as he had shown up, he leaves. Ohno's left slightly flabbergasted. For lack of anything, he opens the bag Aiba had left on the table. Within the container are dumplings shaped like bunnies. They're cute, but when Ohno lifts one to curiously nibble it -- "Mabo? Pepper?" he wonders, raising his eyebrows.
"Ugh," he hears, and when he looks up it's to Nino emerging from the hallway, his hair mussed and sleep still on his face. "Was Aiba here? How many times do I have to tell him that I don't actually like his weird culinary experiments..."
"It tastes good though," Ohno offers.
Nino raises an eyebrow. "Either you're lying or you have no tastebuds." He makes no move towards the dumplings.
"I made omurice, anyway," Ohno says, and a wondering, soft smile comes to Nino's face.
***
The muffled sound of the audience applauding reaches underneath the stage easily and Ohno exchanges a look with Jun, both heaving a sigh of relief. This is the third round of applause, the cast having already come on the stage twice for greetings and thank yous. Their first performance has been a rousing success and Ohno can see the pride coursing through Jun, and he's glad for the happiness this is bringing him - but he's waiting for someone else.
At that moment Nino sweeps down the stairs, sweat shining at his temples, and he looks so happy that Ohno can't help it. He reaches out and Nino barrels into his arms, grabs him by the sides of his face and kisses him, breathing in between, "Thank you, thank you."
Title: The Colors of Sunday Monday
Pairing: Ohno/Nino, PG-13
Summary: The first time Ohno sees the guy he's sitting at the bar at Sunday Monday.
Notes: This was written for je_holiday. :D It seems honooko enjoyed it, for which I'm glad! The original post is here.
The first time Ohno sees the guy he's sitting at the bar at Sunday Monday.
The rhythm of the beat works itself over Ohno's skin like a warm caress as he moves, drops of sweat streaking down his cheek and catching wetly in his collar. In this odd landscape where shining lights illuminate the dark, other people are flashes of white skin and dark hair, glimmering eyes and laughs Ohno catches in the corner of his vision as he spins like a dervish.
Ohno is never looking for anyone in particular. He comes to drink enough that he can dance freely, losing himself in the movements and the flows of the music. When the song ends he exhales with the last note, pulling trembling limbs into himself as he weaves his way off the dance floor.
The bar is busy and the only open seat is to the left of a young man with hunched shoulders. Ohno slouches into it and orders his last drink. It burns down his throat and he sighs, wishing he could feel confident enough to dance without making himself at least halfway drunk at first. But it's the only thing that works.
As he's fumbling in his pocket for his wallet, skin slick and slipping, he sees the young man glancing at him out of the corner of his eye. He throws back a confused smile but only sees a slightly rounded nose and smooth cheeks before the other man turns away, curling in on himself.
Ohno leaves.
***
A pillow thrown with great force nearly beans his post-hangover head as he walks into rehearsal. For all that the air in the room is pleasantly warm, the atmosphere is frigid. I should've gone fishing, Ohno thinks inanely, they didn't even need me today.
"He quit?" Jun is saying, low and dangerous, clutching another pillow in his white fingers. Meanwhile, Ohno tries to slink around to behind the dressing room couch.
The staff member pales. "Well, Matsumoto-san, more like--"
"No," Jun interrupts, "let me explain." He puts down the pillow and picks up a water bottle instead. "As I've heard it, he had a secret girlfriend that he never told me about. Then she became pregnant. Then Mizuno-kun ran off on us, leaving us without a lead actor in the only stage production that's been getting our work media attention. Is that what you were going to tell me?"
"Matsumoto-san--"
"How about the fact that everyone knew about this except me? Did I not say that cast members were not allowed to take on hobbies or relationships that would take up time during this production? Did I--"
Ohno interrupts quietly, "Jun-kun," because Jun's starting to wave his hands around and the water bottle looks like it's on a trajectory for the staff member's face. Jun takes a deep breath and closes his eyes, putting the bottle down and curling his hands into fists.
"Leave," he says tightly, and the staff scurries out.
Jun stands in the middle of the room for a moment, his back tense and looking lost, before he collapses backwards on to the couch and buries his face in his hands. "What am I going to do now? How am I going to find another lead on such short notice? It's over."
His shoulder is warm under Ohno's palm, and Ohno squeezes it. "We'll all try our best," he says quietly, because he doesn't really know what to say. "Something will work out." And even though Jun probably knows Ohno has no idea what he's talking about, Jun leans into his touch anyway.
***
Now that rehearsals have been stalled due to their lack of a lead actor and Jun has been running around trying to find a new one, Ohno has had a lot more time to go to the bars. The difficulty isn't due to any defect of Jun as a director; the problem is that he's a newcomer on the scene, fresh-faced with a whole list of credentials but not one stage production to his name. This one was supposed to be his first. Jun is one of the most talented people Ohno knows, and his talent is offset with his passion and enthusiasm. But that hasn't helped him with getting sponsors for all the costs, and it certainly hasn't helped him with finding an actor who'd be willing to step in so late in the game for a director that wasn't any guarantee of success.
So really, Ohno has had a lot of time to go to the bars, and he realizes something. The guy's at Friday Faraways, too. And Morning Flash. The young man that he'd sat down next to in Sunday Monday might as well be a permanent fixture. Ohno always sees him sitting in front of the bartender, back curved awkwardly as he slouches over a drink.
Ohno's not sure why he keeps checking for him. The guy's attractive in a skinny way, but Ohno's seen so many attractive people in his work as a choreographer, both men and women, that that's not exactly a selling point for him about anybody. Maybe it's the guy's bag (it has a rare Doraemon charm attached to the zipper), maybe it's the way his short fingers curl around the glass, maybe it's the faraway look in his eyes - but Ohno's interested.
On the third day of Ohno sitting next to the young man whenever possible (or the third day of what normal people would probably call stalking), the guy spins in his seat and sends him a glare, slurring slightly. "Why are you everywhere?"
"No," Ohno replies, confused. "You are." There's a pinkish-red smudge of alcohol under both of the young man's eyes, and Ohno decides he likes his face.
The young man pauses, deliberating. "Right," he says finally. Then, dropping his eyes, he says, "I've seen you. You're a good dancer."
"Thanks," Ohno says happily, and downs his drink. It gives him enough impetus to take hold of the other man's wrist, because he's drunk and he's interested, and tug him up out of his seat. "Dance with me, okay?"
"Wait, wait," the guy says, practically digging in his heels, but Ohno takes him deep into the crowd and drops his hands to the other's slim hips.
"Follow me," he murmurs into the young man's ear, and those dark eyes are brighter than all the surrounding flashes and lights before they flicker away and the other man wraps his arms around Ohno's neck. They move to the music and Ohno is pleased to notice that his partner has a great sense of rhythm, the way he moves is so correct. "What's your name?"
There's silence in stark contrast to the pounding music, and then Ohno feels the sharp point of a chin coming to rest on his shoulder. "Nino."
"Nino," Ohno repeats, pulling back and smiling. "Hi. I'm Ohno."
They dance and Ohno dares to press closer, the heat settling everywhere on his skin. He slides a hand down to rest at the small of Nino's back, and gets a raised eyebrow before Nino plucks it away. Ohno laughs and tucks his face into the junction of Nino's neck and shoulder. "Why are you always drinking at these places?"
The reaction is almost instantaneous. Nino's eyes narrow and he tears himself out of Ohno's hold, striding angrily back to the bar. It feels like everyone on the dance floor gets in Ohno's way as he attempts to follow him, and by the time he's caught up Nino's already thrown on his coat and is slinging on his bag.
Ohno barely has time to pick up his own things as they both walk through the door, Nino's whole frame tense. Cold night air smacks into Ohno's face as he clumsily shoves his jacket on, bringing him to some small degree of sobriety. "Wait, I'm sorry--"
"I'm an alcoholic," Nino turns around, his eyes blazing in anger. "Might as well be, okay? That's why I'm at these dives all the time. Not exactly the best person to become friends with. So don't."
But you're not, Ohno thinks in confusion. From what he'd seen Nino had never been one of those people sitting at the bar who were drinking in desperation; he'd always been drinking like he was going through the motions, not like he'd needed it.
A car goes by with its horn blaring, the yellow spilling from its headlights and throwing Nino's face into relief. Ohno finds himself strangely devastated because of someone he's barely known for almost no time at all.
"I'm sorry," Nino says abruptly. "You seem like a nice guy. Just," he breaks off, looking frustrated. "I'm sorry, okay?"
When he starts walking away, Ohno finally finds his voice. "Hey! I'll see you tomorrow."
Ohno's not sure if Nino looks back, but he's fine with that.
***
By noon the next day, Ohno knows he's not going to make it anywhere this evening.
"I don't really have any choice but to make Sakurai-san the lead," Jun says to Ohno under his breath. Ohno peeks over Jun's shoulder to see that the background cast member is looking far more terrified than enthusiastic and, honestly, he can't blame him. "He's the only one that was a nerd enough to read and memorize the whole script, and he's visually attractive enough. You'd just have to teach him the moves."
Ohno frowns. "I could try."
Jun sighs. "I know it's short notice, but I can't move anyone else out of their role. If we can get him good enough, then..."
By six PM, Ohno's learned that Sakurai has acrophobia and hates doing things in high places - like necessary choreography on wires above the stage. And while he's intelligent and understands what he needs to do, the body doesn't necessarily follow the brain. Unlike Mizuno-kun, Sakurai hadn't been a dancer half his life before turning to acting.
"I apologize," Sakurai pants, looking miserable. "Damn..."
"It's all right," Ohno says, but he can't help taking a quick glance at his cellphone to check the time. Nino is probably there already, sitting quietly over his drink.
By midnight, he's too tired to do anything except leave the rehearsal hall, go home, and crawl blearily into bed.
***
When Ohno finds Nino at Sunday Monday two nights later, Nino's drunker than Ohno's ever seen him. There's a collection of empty glasses and bottles in front of him, and he's not so much sitting as leaning heavily on the bar.
"Nino," he says quietly as he sits down beside him. Nino turns his head to look at him, his skin flushed red and his face vulnerably open.
"Ohno," Nino says. "Ohno. I remember. Oh-chan."
Ohno can't help reaching out to touch Nino's side, tilting him gently so that he's no longer in danger of tipping off of his stool. "Yeah, it's me."
"Bad day at work today, Oh-chan." Nino pouts, flopping drunkenly on the counter, and Ohno suddenly notices he has a mole on his chin. "I really... really hate it. Bad day at work yesterday too. All the time. And you didn't come like you said you would. Bad day. Just... hate it." He pauses. "Why am I telling you this?"
"I'm listening," Ohno answers. It's difficult to listen here, though. Suddenly, Ohno thinks that it'd be better to leave. Nino's already drunk enough, and Ohno knows of a good place to go. "Come on, let's go somewhere else, okay?"
Nino frowns. "I think my mom always said something about going off to strange places with strangers." He stops to think. "...not sure she ever said anything about being drunk while doing it, though. So, okay." He grabs up his coat, swaying alarmingly, and plops a large wad of bills on the bar. "Lead on, Captain."
Ohno winds his arm around Nino's thin shoulders and they stagger out, looking for all the world like a happy pair of drunks. Luckily, the place he wants to take Nino to isn't far. It's a small overlook that Ohno used to draw paintings from, when he was still in art school with Jun and hadn't yet decided between illustration and dance yet. It's a beautiful place.
"Wow," Nino says, looking at the lights of the city below them. "Wow," he repeats, fainter and more awed.
"Yeah," Ohno agrees, and tugs Nino down beside him on the grass. They breathe side by side for long minutes, and Ohno's strangely content.
"My name's Ninomiya Kazunari," Nino says quietly, sounding less drunk than he was before. "Nino's a nickname. It's... it's fine."
Ohno blinks. "Ohno Satoshi. It's nice to meet you," he adds, it suddenly occurring to him that is the first time they've really introduced themselves to each other.
"Why did you start talking to me?" Nino asks, voice subdued. "You look more like a guy who'd go after a hot girl."
"Because..."
He's not really sure why, himself. Ohno has never been good at trapping his feelings into words, so he finally just shrugs without trying. Nino sighs and shifts closer to Ohno, their body heat mingling.
"Things are so stupid."
Ohno raises himself up on his elbow. "What?"
"People. Jobs. Everything. Stupid," Nino repeats, shaking his head.
"I'm dumb too, then," Ohno laughs. "I'm a dance choreographer, but I think my own dancing sucks."
"No," Nino says, and lightly slaps Ohno's thigh. Then he sits up, still tilting to port a bit, and stares down through the bars at the lights in the distance. "I work in an office, okay? And I make a lot of money. I thought I'd be happy, but I'm not. When I was little we had this dumb factory that all the money went to, and we couldn't afford shit, so I thought - I'd get a job where I could make money and I'd be happy, but I'm fucking miserable!"
"Nino," Ohno sits up, alarmed, and wraps Nino up in a loose hug. Then he stills, because it's more than he's touched Nino since the beginning, much more intimate than teasing touches on a dance floor. He wonders if it's okay but Nino doesn't fight him, one hand digging into the fabric of Ohno's jacket on his shoulder. "Nino, what did you want to be?" He doesn't know where the question is coming from, but for some reason Ohno knows it's important to figure out what it is that Nino wants so he could try and help him.
Nino shifts, curling more towards him. "I like writing music. And acting," he mutters into Ohno's neck. "But who the hell would take someone who only acted in high school and then told everyone he knew that he'd never do it again? I was lying."
"You thought you wouldn't be able to make money from it," Ohno deduces.
"Look where that's gotten me."
"Wait," Ohno says, his brain finally catching up on everything that was said. "Acting?"
"Just a dumb dream--"
Now that he's gotten the idea, he can't stop thinking about it. It's crazy, but when has that stopped Ohno from anything? "Nino, listen. Right now I'm working with a stage play, and my friend from school's the director, the lead role disappeared on us and it's not prestigious at all, but Jun really needs someone... if you want to audition or something for it--"
The blood's drained from Nino's face. "You're serious?"
"Yes," Ohno says. "Come with me tomorrow, and I'll introduce you."
Nino falls into silence. The grass under them is beginning to get damp and the air's getting colder, the lights of the cars traveling below them dimming as the evening rush slows down. It's still too much light to see the stars, but the sky above them is remarkably clear.
"Why would you do all this for someone you've barely known two days?"
"Because," Ohno says again, leaving it at that, and then tries to scramble out of the way as Nino goes to hit him.
***
"Let me get this straight," Jun sighs. "You met this guy at a bar, you haven't even known him for a week, and although you haven't see him do it you're going on his word that he can act?"
Ohno thinks about it. From this perspective, it does seem kind of odd. "Um, yes."
"Well, let's see what he can do," Jun says, his eyes following Nino as he emerges from the dressing room. "Matsumoto Jun."
"Ninomiya Kazunari. Thank you for your consideration." Nino drops a deep bow, then starts bouncing slightly on his toes. He doesn't look nervous, only anxious and slightly excited. Ohno documents this too; like everything else he's observed about Nino, it's important.
"You've read through the excerpt, right?" Jun asks, leading them along the corridor and towards the stage.
Nino steps in front of them and opens the door himself. "Yep. It's the story of a singer who loses his voice and then works through difficulties to get it back." He pauses, looking at them somewhat challengingly. "It's perfect."
"It's a good script," Jun agrees. "And that's why I need a good lead role." He doesn't need to add, I need it within the next two weeks. They all know it. "Get up there, Ninomiya-san."
Ohno and Jun sit down with the other staff as Nino climbs up to the stage, now looking calm and collected. "Hm," Ohno hears Jun say to himself from his left, but he keeps his eyes on Nino.
Nino stares out at them, eyes blazing the same way they'd been as when he'd first yelled at Ohno outside Sunday Monday. Suddenly he turns around, swinging his hands in front of them, and when he turns back, he's a different person. The gait across the stage is different, the atmosphere, even his voice--
Jun makes a sound strangely similar to happy choking beside him but Ohno stares at Nino acting, utterly captivated. Something in his chest burns.
"How did I do?" Nino asks when it's over, back to being himself and sticking to Ohno's side (now he's nervous, Ohno thinks). "Was it okay?"
"You--" Jun's blinking rapidly. Ohno's known that Jun is a giant crybaby ever since they roomed together, and now he's probably on the verge of tears of happiness. "Do you know how to dance?" he finishes weakly.
Nino shifts awkwardly. "Well--"
"Yeah," Ohno cuts in. "He knows how to dance." From this close he can see the faint red flush that colors Nino's cheeks and the same place in his chest grows warm again, burning brightly.
"Oh my god," Sakurai says from behind them, "Ninomiya-san, thank you. You are my new best friend."
***
"We're here again," Nino smiles, somewhat disbelievingly, glancing around squintingly in the bright colored lights of Sunday Monday. "Did we really have to celebrate me getting the part? I usually come drinking here because I'm upset, not because I'm overjoyed."
"I know," Ohno says, "but we did need to celebrate." Now that he knows what he's looking for he can't help running his eyes over the curve of Nino's cheek as he smiles, the way his slightly shaggy black hair goes smoothly over his eyes, the way he looks happier.
Nino takes a sip from his glass, then leans back. "I'm going to quit my job."
"Really?"
"Yeah," Nino says in a final tone. "I don't know where it's going to go after this play, but Jun said he'd be able to connect me to some people. Or if he can use me again, he said he would. I trust him. He seems like a good guy."
"He's the best," Ohno agrees, and tosses back another shot because at least one of them has to celebrate. Nino rolls his eyes, but then a smile that seems out of his control spreads on his face. Ohno likes it.
Two hours later, Ohno's utterly soused and draped heavily on Nino's side as the other man leads him out of the bar.
"Well, this is great," Nino grumps. "The alcoholic leading the casual drinker home."
Ohno laughs, leaning heavier on Nino and sticking his nose into Nino's neck. There's a hint of frost to the air and it carries away the scent of beer. "You're not an alcoholic," he whispers, letting his breath touch on Nino's ear.
Nino stills. "What am I, then?"
"You were sad," Ohno says, and pats Nino's shoulder when he jerks violently away from Ohno's side at the statement. "But now you're going to be an actor, and then Nino-chan's gonna be... happy..."
Nino's silent for a minute, and then he nods. "Yeah, I'm going to be happy. We're going to my apartment, okay? It's closer."
"Sure," Ohno warbles, and the next thing he knows he's tumbling down ungainly with Nino into a bed, looking into Nino's surprised eyes.
"Is this okay?" Nino asks. He sounds hesitant and shy.
"Yes," Ohno says, and tugs Nino closer to himself before sleep takes him away.
***
Ohno wakes up to warmth and the hangover from hell. He groans quietly and twists his face into the pillow, only backing up slightly in surprise when he realizes the laundry smell is different from his own. When he looks down, he figures out why. Nino's sleeping against his chest, his eyelashes smooth on his cheeks and his lips slightly parted. He must've gotten their shoes and jackets off, somehow. He also looks kind of grumpy even in sleep, which makes Ohno want to laugh - but instead he reaches out and gently draws a finger down the side of Nino's face. Then he gets out of bed quietly, finds the bathroom and Nino's medicine cabinet, and finally ends up in the kitchen.
The whole apartment is somehow very Nino. There's one room that's filled with a piano, sheets of music tacked up on the walls, and a guitar sitting in a stand. His living room has numerous game consoles around the TV and a well-used couch. It's messy, but everything has meaning, even the silly giant jar that Ohno imagines is Nino's piggy bank.
He's making omurice for them when a key twists in the lock. "Ninooo," sings out the person behind the door. "Nino, I'm bringing your favorite bunny dumplings! You're not throwing up everywhere, are you?"
Nino's apartment door swings open and Ohno has a terrible moment where he's afraid he'll be called a thief and will be arrested and jailed, but the young man who's standing in the doorway just blinks and then says, "Oh, Ohno-san?" without losing an inch of his big smile.
"Good morning," Ohno says. "Um..."
"I'm Aiba Masaki!" The guy grins. "But you can call me Aiba-chan. I'm Nino's friend. He told me about you. Well, if you're here, I'll just leave these bunches of deliciousness on his table, okay? Take care of him!"
"I-- okay," Ohno says, because Aiba's just spoken very fast. "I will."
Aiba stills by the door. "Actually... um. I just wanted to say this." He sweeps his light brown hair out of his eyes and leans on the wall, smiling in slight embarassment. "Nino-chan's really strong, you know? We've been friends since we were little, and I've always really looked up to him. And he's been really down, but lately-- well. For whatever you did for him, I'm really grateful."
Ohno can feel his own blush descending down his neck and he looks down bashfully. "I didn't do much."
"No," Aiba says. "You did a lot! Um, don't tell him I said all of that." He wags his finger and, as quickly as he had shown up, he leaves. Ohno's left slightly flabbergasted. For lack of anything, he opens the bag Aiba had left on the table. Within the container are dumplings shaped like bunnies. They're cute, but when Ohno lifts one to curiously nibble it -- "Mabo? Pepper?" he wonders, raising his eyebrows.
"Ugh," he hears, and when he looks up it's to Nino emerging from the hallway, his hair mussed and sleep still on his face. "Was Aiba here? How many times do I have to tell him that I don't actually like his weird culinary experiments..."
"It tastes good though," Ohno offers.
Nino raises an eyebrow. "Either you're lying or you have no tastebuds." He makes no move towards the dumplings.
"I made omurice, anyway," Ohno says, and a wondering, soft smile comes to Nino's face.
***
The muffled sound of the audience applauding reaches underneath the stage easily and Ohno exchanges a look with Jun, both heaving a sigh of relief. This is the third round of applause, the cast having already come on the stage twice for greetings and thank yous. Their first performance has been a rousing success and Ohno can see the pride coursing through Jun, and he's glad for the happiness this is bringing him - but he's waiting for someone else.
At that moment Nino sweeps down the stairs, sweat shining at his temples, and he looks so happy that Ohno can't help it. He reaches out and Nino barrels into his arms, grabs him by the sides of his face and kisses him, breathing in between, "Thank you, thank you."