[Uraboku] Bruises and Bitemarks (2/?)

[rooftop_sakura]

Title: Bruises and Bitemarks
Author: masanami
Character(s): Hotsuma/Shusei, mentions of Senshirou/Kuroto, Takashiro, Tachibana, and others
Word Count: 9,050
Rating: R
Warnings: Host AU. Suggestive material.
Summary: Shusei's the perfect host and Hotsuma's the perfect person to ruin everything for him.

Comments

[ragingfirefall]

Yay, part 2! :D

Thanks so much for posting this. I've been looking forward to it, and was far too happy when I came across the link on my friends page. XD I enjoyed this just as much as the first one, and can't wait to read more and see what directions you take it in.

It's great to see more of the canon characters appearing (though I also like that their cameos never take over from the central Shusei/Hotsuma storyline) and to figure out where they stand in the AU you've built. I like that you haven't simply defaulted to making everyone hosts, but instead have them playing different parts in the circle connected to the club. Although now I'm on the lookout for anyone and everyone... I've already found myself formulating theories about who Hotsuma's roommate might be, if anyone. XPAnyway, I love watching how you explore the boys' relationship through this AU. It's an interesting way to go about it, because it takes away one of the defining things about their canon relationship: their childhood bond, the fact they've been best friends

[masanami]

Wow. What an amazing comment for me to receive ♥ This AU has been far more difficult than I anticipated to write, especially--as you pointed out--since I took out one of the huge anchoring points in Hotsuma and Shusei's relationship--the fact that they have known each and been together since childhood. I struggled for SO long on their scenes together in this chapter because it was really important to convey the dynamics of their relationship in the AU so that there's actual development as the story progresses. I am SO glad and relieved and happy to hear that it's still fascinating without the canon background--as I attempt to weave in aspects of their canon relationship with new twists brought in by the AU setting

[masanami]

Thank you~ I'm glad it's working out well so far! I'm certainly giving it a good shot :)

[anima57]

this is just amazing work. I have tried to read fan fiction before from other stories, but only once did it move me, until now. you have kept the people genuine and real and connected to the original story (dvd for me), but have taken them in a different direction that is plausible and believable as characters and as a development in the story. the host club, the emotional distance, the unexpected intensity of emotions are all exactly right. I cannot wait to read more. one question though, I do not remember who Kuroto is and his actions in this story make me want to learn more. thanks so much for this story. if you have other work out, I would be interested in reading it. thanks again. cindy

[masanami]

Whoa--what a compliment! Thank you SO much ♥ Being able to move a reader is such a huge compliment as a writer and I thank you for sharing those feelings with me! It's been a real struggle on my part to keep everything balanced, in-character, and canon (well as canon as an AU can get lol) and being recognized for that is such a treat^^

Kuroto and Senshirou come in a bit later, around episode 13-14 I believe? Bit of a spoiler but in canon they are both another pair of guardians for Yuki--Senshirou being a new guardian that replaced Kuroto's previous guardian after his partner was killed.

[anima57]

I remember Kuroto and Sehirou now, and K was prickly! I have only seen the anime once and really hope it will be released in the US. if you are not already a published or attempting to be published writer, I would encourage you to give it a shot. thanks again for a moving story--cannot wait for more.

[masanami]

Oh wow thank you for even thinking my writing is publishing-worthy! It's certainly an eventual achievement I would like to one day accomplish :)

[tsubakig]

This AU fic just left me wordless. It's just so AWESOME.
Shusei is getting more concious of Hotsuma and Hotsuma is being so cute here XD

I love how canon characters joined in in each part of the story, kuroto blushed XD adorable!♥
You capture the surrounding of each scene so nicely that images in run in my mind naturally.
I just have to keep going and going and ack! it ended!

I cant wait for the next chapter!

(That makes me wanna fly to Tokyo!)

[masanami]

Thank you sweetheart! I'm glad you were able to enjoy this chapter as much as the last one even if there wasn't a steamy kiss this time ♥ I'm trying hard to include the canon characters without overloading them or taking away from our boys--so I'm happy you enjoyed that aspect of it as well!

Writing this fic is making me SO miss Tokyo!

[ravanna]

Oh my, you have no idea how much I was actually waiting for this and how happy, just how happy this chapter somehow made me.

I just LOVED how you started. I loved, loved waking up with Shusei, I think all the little descriptions and the way your style seemed to flow as soon as you wrote him was superb, not reading fiction but at least feeling like literature. The scene, as simple as it appeared, was well-done with him trying to figure out what happened last night (describing Hotsuma as trouble was SO making me smile; I LOVED how you put that thought into Shusei's head, it fits him so well), but I also loved his way to work.
No one wants to meet the gaze of a host-of a beautiful man whose job is to lure a person in with a single smile meant to snatch both money and affection. kinda got stuck as a line in my head; it really fulfills its way of concluding what Shusei does - what he IS, funnily, is something he seems to know well enough; and yet you managed to show it as if it's understandable, really, why Shusei does what he does, and

[masanami]

Oh dear, your words just leave me speechless. The fact that you were waiting for this chapter and that it made you happy just...ahh...makes me really happy!! You are definitely one of the readers in the back of mind when I'm writing this--one of the opinions I value very highly ♥

I think Shusei would instantly recognize Hotsuma for the trouble he is even if I haven't really gotten much into their backgrounds yet--what led them to the places that they are now except for a small gleam from Hotsuma. The entire scene from the subway was one SO true in Tokyo and Kyoto. You could tell the hosts apart from other people and it was so obvious and out there, and it made me wonder what it felt like for them...and I just had to explore that with Shusei--that knowing that people know what you do and the lifestyle you live just by a single glance.

Oh Jekyll and Hyde will certainly be causing mischief~ I imagine them to be quite abrasive in this AU setting, and not so fond of the number one host Shusei who so obviously looks down on others <3

[ravanna]

Haha, oh my; now you make me feel honored like crazy. It's - it really touches me, that you value my opinion, for I feel very much the same whenever I post something, it feels like: She'll read it. gosh, will she approve it

[masanami]

Haha I feel SO the same way^^ You and a few other special people are the one's whose opinions matter the most to me :)

ahhh...Shusei...that is exactly why he instantly came to my mind as being a perfect host. He always has that distance that acts just accordingly in any situation. The perfect student that finds no love in any of the things he does...except for Hotsuma ♥

I love how you put that. "Social patterns of the club" is so how I see it. I think it is sad because that says a lot about Shusei as a character in this AU and what he lacks in individuality because of the lifestyle he's chosen...and ultimately the things that brought him there...and just the value he places in himself as an individual person.

gaaah~ you compliment me TOO MUCH ♥ but oh my it's makes me grin like crazy too LOL I hope the world this AU creates continues to be one in which Odagiri's characters can thrive^^

(haha I love it too. pfft. love you daring~)