[Fic] - The Hard Way - chapter 8
Title: The Hard Way
Author: shiroakuma
Pairings: HayaRyu, RyuRen, YamatoRen
Genre: angst, romance
Rating: pg-13
Disclaimer: Do not own anyone or any of their lovely body parts…
Note: My first Fanfic and my grammar is not all that bright
Summary: With no Yankumi to bring them back together, Hayato and Ryu must go through the hard way to renew and refine their friendship. But clashing with Gokusen 3 boys, Ren and Yamato, they will find an unexpected perspective on their relationship along with new obstacles
Chapter 8
It was a new day. The sun was bright, the birds outside could be heard and even though it was winter, the warmness accumulated within the room was evident to its residents. Ryu woke up to such a morning feeling somewhat content and pleased to have finally rested properly without the night rendering him sleepless.
Out of habit he clenched on to his futon tightly and turned to his other side, his forehead touching something soft. He lifted his head and to his surprise he met with a familiar dark, messy hair sprawled on the side of his pillow. He instantly recognised the said hair and half expecting the boy to be by his side, he straightened himself up. Hayato was close to him alright but he had put his futon perpendicularly so that only their pillows were actually touching. And there was a safe ninety degrees angle between their bodies which made Ryu chuckle at the sight as Hayato had to curl up in order to fit into the small space left for him to sleep in.
He couldn’t help but ruffle the older boy’s hair when Hayato made a move to extend his limbs but hit the wall which caused him to cry in silent pain, pulling his legs towards himself afterwards. It was definitely rare to witness him whining even in his sleep. Ryu felt the warmness spread in his stomach.
He had missed this.
Ryu leaned forward kissing the boy’s temple and enjoyed the serenity between them. There was no argument, no questions waiting to be answered, no tension and no secrecy. Ryu loved these moments and having the privilege to watch a peaceful Hayato was even better. He did so until the sleeping figure started stirring.
The light brunette reviewed his options; Going back to dreamland and snuggling as close as possible to Hayato - and acting as if it was accidental- sounded like a good idea though with troublesome results, especially after last night’s events; he could get up, get dressed, give thanks to the household and leave before he can meet Hayato but that would be running away and it was the one behaviour Ryu had learned that the older boy didn’t respond well to; or he could always jump onto Hayato startling him and enjoy scaring the boy this way, that would have been funny.
He weighted the options and favoured in dressing up and going downstairs where he was greeted by Ogata’s mother. The gentle woman beamed a smile at him and seeing he was the only one awake, Ryu decided in helping her with the breakfast as a way of thanking.
Fifteen minutes later, the other two boys were up and about wondering where the constant chatting and delicious smells were coming from. They found the location of the source to be the kitchen as the duo in the room was preparing the table of four for a nice early morning breakfast.
Yamato narrowed his eyes to the unknown person in doubt and as he remembered his late night guests, he sighed in relief thinking that his mother had found a cooking buddy. He left for the bathroom and nodded his head towards Hayato who seemed oblivious to his surroundings.
Hayato had woken up to a cold room. There was not a sign of Ryu around him but a neatly folded futon which still carried Ryu’s scent, in the corner. He honestly thought the younger had left. He wouldn’t blame him if he did. He sat up cross legged for awhile, trying to find a solution to his aching heart and the sinking of his hopes but as an unexpected but very welcomed smell filled his nostrils, he found his way to kitchen, his tummy grumbling. He wished he could always wake up to such a scene; Ryu in a simple red apron, cooking in joy with his auntie, well he didn’t want his auntie to be there in his dream but it would have to do until he made up with Ryu.
Professionally Ryu poured the contents of the frying pan in to a middle plate and adjusted the cutlery. The woman requested for the juice and the boy opened the fridge searching for it. He didn’t find it in the overly crowded fridge and before the woman could point out its whereabouts, a long arm reached out over his shoulder.
“It’s at the top, behind the water” said the person to his ear, voice hoarse and body almost fully touching to his own. Hayato surpassed a giggle as Ryu stiffened and;
“Hey, ‘morning” he said. Ryu looked up and his smile faltered a bit yet not completely disappearing. He did avert his eyes though, after whispering a “good morning” to Hayato.
Maybe he was pushing his luck; nevertheless he pulled back, leaving the juice on the table. “Morning, Auntie. I’ll take a shower if it’s alright?”
“That’s fine honey. Be quick though we are almost done and Odagiri-kun here has prepared a mouth watering meal for us.”
“I am sure he did” Hayato answered sending a wink at the blushing Ryu.
He knew it was a lie but Ryu felt happy at this fake family, at least on his side. The rest was a real family after all. Ogata was sitting at the head of the table like the man of the family. His mother was by his right eating happily and glancing at the crowded table. Hayato was in front of her, engrossed in his food in an attempt to avoid Ryu when the said Ryu was sitting by his side.
There was peace in the room as well as awkwardness which was continuing from the night before. No one has opened their mouth other than to make happy comments and sounds about the food. Ogata was looking distant as if wishing for someone else to be there as well or maybe even daydreaming about it. Ryu didn’t need to guess twice on whom that may be.
“Thank you for giving me a hand Odagiri-kun” said the lady “You have a natural talent in cooking.”
“It was nothing and thank you for letting us stay here.” He humbly answered.
“As long as you do the cooking please do stay” butted in Yamato earning a playful glare from his mother and burst out laughing “I didn’t mean to insult your meals mom but it was more than once that we ended up with burned waffles.”
“Well excuse me for trying to feed a gluttonous and picky son of mine” was the smart come back.
“Don’t listen to him, auntie. I love your meals.”
“That’s because you only eat premade food in your house.” said Yamato in his defence.
“True and Taku is not all that good at cooking either” Hayato frowned.
“Hmm, and you don’t let your brother hear that or you’ll be left to starving as you-” Ryu started but broke off suddenly. Hayato was eyeing him fondly, smiling.
“As I am a horrible cook” The older finished his sentence for Ryu and with that, the nervous air started dissipating afterwards.
“So what is the plan?” asked Ogata when his mother has left earlier than them for work.
“There is no plan”
“As expected from you Nii-san. Odagiri-senpai?”
“I don’t want to hinder you any more than necessary, Ogata so I’ll meet up with Ren and go over how we can calm my dad down. I-”
“And what are you going to do until then?” asked Hayato sounding angry “Hide in a corner? Wonder around like a stray cat? Run away from the bizillion men your dad dispatched after you.”
“What the hell? You are exaggerating. I am sure I can hide for a while without problems, Yabuki.”
“Yeah, yeah. I am sure you can. Of course you and your beloved boyfriend can solve all of the problems without us like last when he came, helping you escape. Oh wait, he didn’t! It was me! And it was Yamato who opened his house’s doors to you, not Ren!”
“Hayato...” Ryu’s eyes widened hearing the boy who kept on mumbling.
“Then again, who we are to be considered your friends willing to help, right? You don’t need us to be around unless, oh yeah you need us to get your ass out of a fucking fight or when you lay unconscious, broken and bleeding non-stop! You don’t even need to see us unless you feel obliged to do so. You can always lie your way out of troubles with the scenarios you created with Ren! At the end he is the only one who stands by you and protects you, right?
“No, you definitely do not need us!” Hayato banged his hands on to the table surface harshly and stormed out of the kitchen leaving no room for argument. Ryu stood up but Yamato called out to him.
“Allow him to take a breath in alone.”
“I, yes.” He sat back down fidgeting. “I didn't know he was this against Ren.”
“He’s not.” Yamato said soothing Ryu “He is angry at you because when in a tough situation, the first person you come up with is Ren. It would have been normal if you were with him but after Nii-san breaking you out of your house, I don’t think Ren was the name he wanted to hear from you right now. It’s as if you ignore his help constantly, always seeking someone else in his place.”
“Oh,” Ryu felt idiotic. Ogata was right, going on about Ren this, Ren that near Hayato wasn’t the best of ideas and specifically not after a confession. “I didn't mean to do that. It’s just he already helped me a lot and asking for more will be too much. He doesn’t have to comply with my problems all the time. I have already been such a burden.”
“Just let us be the judge of that.” Second time that morning Ryu felt a shiver down his spine, first one being at in front of the bridge. Hayato had talked standing by the door frame while rubbing his eyes. He had calmed down but seemed tired all of a sudden. “Are we friends, Ryu?”
He sounded so serious that Ryu couldn’t help but nod.
“Even if I wish for the two of us to be more than that?” Ryu gulped down hard. Why was Hayato bringing that up now, before Ogata of all places?
“I shouldn’t have made a move so suddenly last night. I am sorry if I got carried away but I am not sorry for kissing you. -‘So that’s what happened’ was heard from Yamato- It felt like the right thing to do and it still feels the same. Apparently it is not the case with you so I’ll just ask you once and if you do not want it, us, I’ll drop you at Ren’s. You can do whatever you want there.” Ryu didn't like the resignment in Hayato’s voice. It never suited the dark brunette to give up or to hand something that was his over to someone else. Wait, Ryu wasn’t his, what the hell was he thinking?
“This once are you going to have us standing by your side? Let us help you with the ways we can and allow me to protect you, not anyone else but me?”
“I...” Ryu didn’t know how to answer back. He really must have pissed Hayato if the older has sounded so desperate. In reality Ryu wanted nothing more than Hayato himself but imagining a confrontation with his dad while Hayato was there; he thought of all the things his dad would throw at Hayato, all the accusation of leading Ryu towards a bad life, or insults as if Hayato was stupid. Those words would hurt him and Ryu didn't wish for his best friend to be humiliated that way. Senior Odagiri wouldn’t do that to Ren for some unknown reason so having Ren there was safer. It wasn’t enough but it was safe for Hayato’s sake.
Maybe Ryu was at wrong with playing the safe card and pushing Hayato away.
“I see” Hayato said when the light brunette didn't answer back. Just as he turned around he heard Ryu calling him out.
“You are mistaken, Hayato. It’s never been a matter of me wanting you around. The truth is you already always been with me. That comes with the best friend name description, doesn’t it? It wasn’t my intention to exclude you or else but since our fight, perhaps even before that I learned to solve my own problems or ask Ren for advice. It’s all habits, that’s all.” Ryu skipped the part where he thought Hayato would get hurt in order to not to hurt his pride.
“You have always taken me for granted” he answered cheekily “So that means?”
“I can use your help” Ryu whispered. The taller boy was about to press on the subject but Yamato stopped him with a look cast at him.
“Since we established our mutual agreement on helping you, Odagiri-Senpai, we’ll contact Ren and get together. Ok?”
“Let’s do that.”
“Well then,” Hayato squeezed Ryu’s shoulder gently, “Any ideas?”
“Idiot, you are supposed to provide not ask for ideas when I need your help!”
“Oh, but you have always been the one to come up with them!” Hayato whined.
“Yeah, it’s called using your brain and thinking, Yabuki! You see why I don’t ask your help now?”
“Ah...”
“Explains much” added Yamato as well “We’ll be skipping classes then, I’ll inform Ren and others”
“You shouldn’t bother everyone, Ogata. Just the three of us will be sufficient to find a way. Others’ should stay in class as not to attract attention or dad may suspect something fishy.”
“Got it.”
“Just the three of us? I thought Ren was necessary here.” said Hayato trying and failing to sound sarcastic.
“Yeah, he is. I meant me, Ogata and Ren are essential to find the way out. You know, these things require thinking and-”
“Oh shut up!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“God, we suck!” whined Hayato again. It has been more than three hours of thinking and they couldn’t get any results. Ryu sighed
“It can’t be helped. There are no other options. Take told me that my dad is threatening them with expulsion. They will be staying low for the time being. Also I did appreciate having the bit of a normal morning earlier but I should either go to someplace else or back to my house.”
“Coming to my house is not happening since your father is certain you’ll end up there at some point and kept on nagging at my head.” said Ren.
“Sorry about that”
“I am more worried about you, Ryu. He will not allow you to go back to school so maybe it is the best if you sort things out with your dad.”
“NO!” yelled Hayato causing glares to be sent at him in the cafe “I won’t let Ryu anywhere near that angry bakemono, no offense Ryu.”
“None taken.”
“Then what do you suggest?”
“Dunno” The tallest boy’s head hang low. “What if we all went together? Maybe if we all showed our sheer determination, he’ll let it go?” He sounded like a kid almost as if afraid of having said the wrong thing but shockingly it stimulated a brain storming of sorts between the trio.
“Actually it can be done”
“It might make him feel uncomfortable and cornered”
“Maybe we’ll break his stubbornness as well.”
“It might actually work.”
“We should face him head on too, to create suspense.”
“Not exactly necessary but it can assist in strengthening our resolve.”
“Good thinking, Senpai”
“Yeah, nice going, Nii-san”
“Really?” Asked the older boy, unsure if he is being teased but the genuine smiles made him relax and accept the compliments shyly.
After paying the bill and leaving for Ryu’s house, Ryu approached Hayato patting the boy in the back.
“I knew you could come up with a good idea.” He said grinning. Hayato mirrored his grin and asked
“Is that why you only counted the three of you before hand?”
“No, I knew making you a tad bit of angry increases your chances of creativity. So I used it.”
“Cheater.” But thanks
part 2
http://shiroakuma.livejournal.com/4212.html#cutid1