fic; through the camera lenses | chapter twelve part 2

[tatoeba]

“Will you stop being so fidgety?” Jin snapped. “You’re making me nervous. And I never get nervous.”

“Shut up,” Ryo muttered, staring fixedly at the door and tapping his foot on the ground repeatedly.

“He’ll be here,” Jin reassured, patting Ryo’s shoulder.

Ryo bit his lip worriedly. “You don’t know for sure,” he mumbled.

“I know more than you think,” Jin said and Ryo rounded on him.

“What does that mean?” he demanded.

“Oh, look, there he is!” Jin exclaimed, dodging the question, but successfully getting Ryo to turn back to the door, where, sure enough, Shige was just walking through.

Ryo’s breath caught in his throat; Shige was dressed up in a suit, tie and all, and looked, well, hot. He swallowed his sudden nervousness and impeccable desire to take Shige into the nearest bathroom and kiss him senseless, and stood up, wiping his palms on his designer jeans. Shige spotted him and waved and as Ryo walked over, noticed Koyama joining them as well, similarly dressed. Ryo’s eyes narrowed but he put on his best smile to greet them with.

“You came,” he said, looking at Shige, who nodded. “You clean up well, I see.”

Shige blushed slightly but covered it up with a roll of his eyes. “You don’t look half bad yourself,” he replied, eyeing Ryo up and down in a way that made Ryo’s spine tingle. “But you should fix your makeup. Those circles around your eyes are hideous.”

Ryo smirked, but Shige looked serious, said, “I mean it, they’re kind of hideous.”

“He’s telling the truth,” Koyama added, and Ryo glanced at him, then back at Shige. He wasn’t going to fall for this again. Shige shrugged and said, “Well, it’s your show. Do whatever you want.”

Ryo glowered and stomped off to his makeup counter. “There’s nothing wrong with my face!” he exclaimed, and both Shige and Koyama laughed. Ryo shook his head, unable to suppress his own smile, and took Shige aside to whisper, “What’s he doing here?”

“You said I could bring him, remember? The second I told him I was coming here and that Yamapi was performing, he wouldn’t shut up about it,” Shige replied with a sigh.

“Wait,” Ryo said, eyes widening. “The two of you are…”

Shige shook his head quickly. “Just friends,” he said, and then smiled when Ryo looked uncertain. “W-We talked. A lot. And, well. Things are good. He’s still my best friend, Ryo.”

Ryo bit his lip, glanced at Koyama who was chatting with Jin, then back to Shige. He could tell the younger man looked happy, happier about this situation now that his relationship with Koyama was clear. He smiled. “I’m glad,” he said finally, and when Shige beamed at him, his stomach fluttered.

He reached for Shige’s hand, pressed his palm against his, and said when Shige looked at him with confusion, “After the show, I-I want to talk to you. Like, really talk. I-”

Shige cut him off, leaning in suddenly to kiss him softly on the lips. It only lasted a brief second but felt so much longer, and when he pulled away, he was smiling, and his eyes were bright. “Okay,” he said. “I want to talk to you, too.”

Ryo sighed, feeling immensely relieved; he’d been worrying about this for the past week, wondering when to bring it up, how to bring it up, what to say, do, everything. But as Shige smiled at him, Ryo figured he didn’t have too much to worry about. He turned toward the others and noticed instantly Koyama’s dark gaze on them, knew Koyama had just seen them kiss, probably heard what they were talking about earlier. He met Koyama’s eyes and jerked his head to the side and Koyama excused himself from Jin to meet him. Shige glanced between the two of them warily but sighed and joined Jin, deciding it better not to get involved.

“If you break his heart, I’ll break your face,” Koyama said instantly and Ryo nodded.

“I’m not going to hurt him,” he said honestly, hoping Koyama could sense the truth in his words. “I really do love him.”

Koyama sighed. “I know you do,” he replied. “Which is why this is so hard.”

Ryo grimaced. “I’m sorry-”

“Save it,” Koyama cut him off. “I don’t need your apologizes. It’s okay, really. Just don’t expect me to not be around. We’re still friends, Shige and I.”

“He told me,” Ryo replied. “And it’s fine. Thanks for coming, today.”

“Thanks for letting me,” Koyama said and they gave each other small, respectful smiles before joining the others again.

“Aw, no fist fight or something?” Jin complained and Ryo rolled his eyes, smacked him across the back of the head.

Jin opened his mouth to whine but got cut off as the door opened and a frazzled stage manager rushed in exclaiming, “There you are! Come on, we’re starting soon.”

“We should go find our seats, Shige,” Koyama said, pulling Shige by the sleeve.

“Break a leg,” Shige said to Ryo with a smile as he passed, and Ryo smirked, replied, “With you watching, I’ll be sure to break two.”

*

The show lasted a couple of hours but Shige paid little attention unless Ryo was the one walking across the stage, looking more attractive than he’d ever seen him before. He couldn’t take his eyes off him, and it made him more aware of their imminent talk. He was excited, excited to finally get everything between them out in the open, express the feelings they’ve been too stubborn to admit. It frightened him, a little, and he tried hard not to think about it for fear of getting his hopes up too much.

Shige bid Koyama goodbye as the guests all file outside, and then circled around to the dressing room again, grateful for the VIP passes Ryo had sent him. He waited outside the door, not sure whether to go in or not yet, and jumped up every time the door opened, sighed when it wasn’t Ryo who walked out.

Ten minutes later, Shige was starting to wonder if Ryo had left already, had ditched him, had changed his mind, when the door opened again and Jin walked out. He smirked at Shige, jerked his head toward the room, and said, “He’s waiting for you in there. Good luck~”

Shige flushed and quickly ran inside. The second the door shut behind him, he was pushed up against it, and he just barely registered Ryo’s dark gaze find his own before their mouths met in a heated kiss. Shige didn’t even have the chance to think; Ryo was really good at kissing, and the last thing he wanted was to stop the fire kindling in his stomach. But this isn’t what he was hoping for - well, not right away. He wanted to talk, really, knew that they had to talk, and god, Ryo should do that thing with his tongue again and-

“I-I thought we were going to talk,” Shige gasped out before he lost his nerve. It was rather difficult now that Ryo was moving his hips in maddeningly slow circles, pressing Shige hard against the door.

“I’m pretty sure it’s obvious what I’m going to say,” Ryo replied distractedly.

Shige unsuccessfully bit back a moan, curled his fingers into Ryo’s hair and said, “Ryo. Wait, s-stop-”

“What?” Ryo questioned, looking rather annoyed when he pulled back completely.

“Shouldn’t we talk about this?” Shige asked hesitantly; he already missed Ryo’s touch and wondered if talking could wait until later.

Ryo picked up on Shige’s anxiety and his features softened. He smiled lightly, trailed his fingers gently along Shige’s cheek, and said quietly, “This, right now, wouldn’t be happening if we didn’t feel the same way, right?”

Shige’s lips quirked upward. “Right,” he agreed slowly.

Ryo smirked. “So, if we’re on the same page, don’t you think it’d be okay to postpone the talking for awhile?” he continued, and leaned in close to add into Shige’s ear, his breath like silk against his skin, “Besides, I saw the way you were watching me, earlier. Don’t you want this, Shige?”

“You are unbelievable,” Shige muttered, turning his head just enough to catch Ryo’s lips again. Shige felt that he could go on kissing Ryo forever, had been wanting this for so long that he didn’t want to stop, and it looked as though Ryo wasn’t eager for that either. But his conscience nudged the back of his head, over and over, insistent that anyone could come into the room, and with the way things were going, did he really want to do this here? “R-Ryo,” Shige managed to get out. “Wait, wait. Not here.”

Ryo stopped long enough to meet Shige’s eyes and lick his lips; the tiny gesture alone almost made Shige take back his words, but then Ryo nodded. He reached for Shige’s hand, intertwined their fingers, and squeezed gently. “Not here,” he agreed, and pulled keys out from his pocket. “My place is closer. Come on.”

Shige let Ryo drag him away, in no position to pull away, tightening his fingers against Ryo’s. The ride to Ryo’s was the shortest and longest drive Shige had ever been on. Ryo drove a bit like a maniac, but he wasn’t sure if that was how he normally drove or just because of the anticipation, the promise lingering in the air between them. But Shige could barely pay attention to Ryo avoiding near-death collisions in favor of every part of his body focusing on the fact that Ryo had rested his hand on Shige’s leg, his fingers sliding along his inner thigh. Ryo had better hurry up, Shige thought, biting the inside of his mouth to keep from moaning when Ryo started tracing tiny circles with his fingers, or they wouldn’t make it all the way to his flat.

Shige had never been here before he realized as he followed Ryo inside the rather prestigious looking building. Shige’s own apartment was pretty high-end as well, but it was nothing compared to this. He should’ve expected it, he figured, considering Ryo was a top model. Ryo, however, didn’t seem as interested in looking around at the wallpaper and candles and carpeting in the halls he walked through everyday and pulled the distracted Shige along rather forcefully by the hand. They stood side by side in the elevator up to the thirteenth floor, hands clasped together between them, and Shige thought he could hear his heart in surround sound in the small space.

Shige barely got a look past the entrance of Ryo’s flat before Ryo’s pushing him up against the adjacent wall and kicking the door shut with his foot. As Ryo swept in to claim his lips, Shige figured he could wait until after to get a tour of Ryo’s apartment, and wrapped his arms around Ryo’s back, tilted his head to deepen the kiss. Shige reached out to help Ryo out of his coat, sliding it down his shoulders, feeling the muscles of his biceps move under his fingers as Ryo worked on the buttons of Shige’s suit coat. He used much more force than Shige, nearly shoving it down and making a frustrated noise when he realized Shige was wearing a vest, as well as a button-down white shirt.

Shige smirked against his lips and said, reading Ryo’s thoughts, “You said formal wear.”

“I know,” Ryo muttered, angry and turned on all at once.

Shige chuckled into his ear as he stepped back to lift Ryo’s shirt over his head. He let it slip from his fingers behind Ryo’s back as Ryo instantly leaned back in to kiss him again, dictating a rushed pace that had Shige’s mind spinning. He’d seen Ryo without a shirt many times, couldn’t recall the countless photo shoots that had required the older man to strip, but right now it was completely different. Shige couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but it made nearly every part of his body burn inexplicably, watching as Ryo slid his shirt and vest down his arms.

Ryo kicked out of his shoes then and Shige did the same, just barely getting the second one off before Ryo grabbed his hand and pulled, steering him out of the entrance and into the apartment. The first thing Shige saw before he was pushed up against another wall was a huge, rather empty common area, with a row of eight guitars. He didn’t get the chance to admire them as Ryo found his mouth again, hands grabbing his hips and rocking them together in a delicious friction that had Shige hitting the back of his head against the wall in an attempt to moan aloud.

Ryo’s dark eyes met his for a brief second and then he was being pulled again, down the rest of the hall and two doors to a third, which Ryo hastily shoved through; Shige was certain he would have knocked it straight out of the frame had it not already been left ajar. Shige felt his heart thudding like drums in his ear as Ryo gently guided him upon the bed and followed, knees on either side of Shige’s legs, hands propped up by his ears. Shige reached for the hem of Ryo’s jeans, pulling at the belt loops until they were flush together again, moving fluidly against the mattress.

As Ryo trailed his lips from Shige’s jaw to his collarbone, Shige hurriedly loosened his belt before proceeding with the fastenings on his jeans, pushing them over slender hips until Ryo moved away long enough to kick them off. Ryo slipped out of his boxers while Shige removed the rest of his clothing. He just got them over the side of the bed before Ryo was over him again, and now, finally, they were heated skin to heated skin, erratic heartbeat to erratic heartbeat, and Shige had to close his eyes from the overflow of sensations.

Shige felt more than a little nervous. He had never truly been with anyone this intimately other than Koyama, and it was different, now, than it had been back then. He’d forgotten how it felt, the first time, the exhilarating, wind-swept, rollercoaster ride of just finally being together. He’d forgotten how exciting it was, to figure out what the other liked, what made them moan and shudder and breathe out his name. And right now it was mesmerizing, learning those things about Ryo, who was responsive in ways Shige would never have imagined, mouthing the dip along his clavicle when Shige rubbed circles on his hips, rocking his hips forwards sharply when Shige trailed his fingers up and over the curves of his spine, gritting out a soft “Fuck, yes,” when Shige gripped his hair and pulled him up to catch his lips.

It was an amazing feeling, and Shige didn’t want to easily forget it, eyes closing as he relaxed, letting the anxiety from the rush and suddenness of all of this slowly drain from his body. He nearly jumped out of his skin, then, when Ryo slid his hand between them and wrapped deft fingers around both of their erections. A strangled noise escaped his throat which made Ryo smirk against his skin, and he was pushing forward with his hips over and over until he could just about taste release on the tip of his tongue.

Of course that was when Ryo let go, pulling away completely and chuckling at Shige’s deflated whine. He met Shige’s eyes, a silent reassurance, and then reached for the nightstand, hastily pulling out the drawer and fumbling inside for the necessities. Shige sucked in a breath when Ryo gently nudged his legs apart, and leaned back in to kiss him as his fingers brushed along his inner thighs before disappearing and returning, coated now with slick lube. He hissed sharply into Ryo’s mouth when the first finger pushed inside; it had been awhile, and it always stung, but Ryo was careful and considerate, not rushing or teasing just simply rubbing inside until Shige relaxed enough to add another finger.

It didn’t take long before he was rocking back on his own, helping Ryo find that spot inside which would let him see stars. And he did, when Ryo finally found it; pressed determinedly against it over and over as Shige writhed beneath him, curling fingers into Ryo’s elbows.

“Ryo,” Shige gasped, as he felt every inch of his skin sear with pleasure he couldn’t control. It was too much and not enough at the same time. He wanted, needed Ryo; Ryo inside him, to feel him, and finally, no matter how inane it sounded, to be one with him. He couldn’t quite imagine how he’d lasted this long without it; without Ryo’s careful, lingering touch, without his soft sweet kisses, without his intense yet affectionate gaze that never left him, all of it was enough to make Shige fall in love with him even more, and all over again.

“Ryo, please,” Shige managed again, and Ryo licked his lips, nodded, and slipped his fingers out.

Shige whined in the back of his throat at the loss of contact but then Ryo was back, having quickly put on a condom and lubed up, fitting comfortably between Shige’s legs and pushing in with one smooth thrust. Shige let out a loud cry as Ryo groaned deep and low, eyes falling shut and head dropping back, fingers gripping Shige’s hips in a tight vice. Shige breathed out shallowly, reached for Ryo’s face, pressing trembling fingers to his cheek. Ryo opened his eyes and met Shige’s and that was it. They moved together then, Ryo pulled out and pushed in sharply as Shige rocked down, meeting Ryo’s movements and quickly creating their own rhythm. Shige moved his hand from Ryo’s cheek up into his hair, curling into soft locks and pulling down, pressing their mouths together.

Shige knew he wouldn’t last long. Every inch of him was fighting to keep holding on, to let this amazing, amazing moment last for as long as he could. He didn’t want it to end so soon, not after how long it took them to reach this point. But it was becoming impossible to ignore the tell-tale pang of arousal sharp in his belly or the lava-like heat that was enveloping him completely or the way he knew Ryo was struggling to make it last, too.

Shige trailed his free hand up Ryo’s back, fingers bumping over the curves of his spine one by one, slowly and sensually, and Ryo kissed him harder, all tongue and hot, hot air against wet lips. He pressed the heels of his feet into Ryo’s lower back, used the position as leverage and pushing them both closer and closer to that inevitable climax. Shige could feel each of Ryo’s fingers in his hips, nails digging into skin almost painfully but Shige didn’t mind, it was like a confirmation that this was all really happening, the bruises that are sure to come marking him completely, branding him, and binding him.

He could think of worse things to be bound to, as he reached the end of his control, hanging onto it by a thin thread. Shige tilted his head back as Ryo’s mouth find his jugular, his breath hot on his skin and creating tremors that curled and swerved and flowed all over his body. He was nearly blind from the pleasure, coherency an entirely foreign concept, and when Ryo slid his hands from his hips around his back to pull him up as he fell back onto his heels Shige thought his throat might tear from the scream that escaped his lips.

It was impossible now, the angles changing, the rhythm increasing like the crescendo of a grand symphony; his heart the percussion in his ears and Ryo’s soft breaths the light winds. Higher and higher he seemed to go, until he couldn’t hold it back anymore, fingers twisting in Ryo’s hair again, eyes fluttering shut as he whispered those three words he hadn’t had the courage to utter before.

He heard Ryo’s breath hitch and then he was coming, hard as punches, harder than ever, and nothing else in the world mattered than this exponentially beautiful moment. Shige leaned his forehead against Ryo’s shoulder as Ryo fought through the sudden resistance, pushing deeper and faster, over and over, until he followed, his voice a low echoing ring throughout the room.

His skin still tingling from the thrill, Shige just barely realized Ryo was lowering him back down and slipping from between his legs. He forced himself to keep his eyes open, and was glad he did when Ryo found them a few moments later, those bottomless eyes that consumed him whole and had his already strained heart beating even faster. Ryo gently cleaned them both up with a few tissues and then threw the covers over their bodies.

Shige felt himself smiling as he reached for Ryo’s hand and Ryo instantly threading their fingers together, pressed their palms flat, and squeezed tenderly. Shige closed his eyes, feeling overwhelmed, and it didn’t help when Ryo kissed his forehead and said, “I love you, too.”

*

The sunlight and an empty bed roused Shige from the best sleep he’d had in months. He peered his bleary eyes around the room, squinting at the streams of gold that shined on the floor and across the white bed sheets. A small smile crept its way across his face as last night came into focus, remembering heated kisses and lingering touches and words he hadn’t had the nerve to say until now. His heart swelled just from the thought, from finally fitting together that last puzzle piece, everything out in the open and nothing short of absolutely wonderful.

Shige stretched the length of the bed, releasing kinks and sore muscles, before sliding off to look for his clothes. His smile widened when he found them all carefully laid over an armchair in the corner, even his shirt which he was sure had been left in the genkan from their rush last night. He redressed, forgoing the coat and the vest since he didn’t need to be that dressed up this morning, and left the room to look for Ryo.

Shige found him in the kitchen, wearing only his boxers and cooking what looked to be pancakes on the stove. Ryo turned instantly when he heard Shige approach and Shige gave him a small tired smile that Ryo kissed away immediately. Shige’s grin grew against Ryo’s lips, hands sliding along Ryo’s bare arms as Ryo’s tongue met his, until they were both breathless and smiling like it didn’t matter just how goofy they probably looked.

“Good morning,” Shige managed to say with a tiny laugh.

“Why’re you all dressed?” Ryo questioned, pulling at Shige’s shirt with irritation.

“I’m supposed to meet with your agency today,” Shige explained, and glanced at the clock on the microwave. “In an hour, actually.”

Ryo stepped closer to him, mouth a breath from Shige’s jaw, and said, “Skip it.”

Shige rolled his eyes, shoved him away. “I can’t do that,” he said, though he looked like he wanted to, and Ryo noticed.

“Sure you can,” he insisted, his eyes dark. “I could call them right now and say you are…preoccupied.”

Shige laughed. “While that would be nice,” he said, “I really have to go. Besides, I have something I need to tell them.”

Ryo turned away to check on the food and said over his shoulder, “What?”

Shige made a noise of unimportance and replied, “That I’d like to become your permanent photographer.”

Ryo froze, hand still poised over the stove, spatula tight in his fingers, and Shige smirked, leaning back against the counter and shrugging. “Unless you don’t want me to, of course,” he said flippantly, and had to stifle a laugh when Ryo whirled around to face him, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

“Are you an idiot?” Ryo questioned, the spatula still in his hand.

Shige gave into a chuckle. “I take it that’s a yes, then.”

“You really are an idiot,” Ryo said, shaking his head, and turning back to the stove when he cursed at the burning pancake. “Stay for breakfast,” he said as he started another pancake, pouring the batter into the pan.

Shige shook his head. “I really can’t. I have to go back to my apartment to change and pick up the latest photos that I have to take to the meeting.” When Ryo faced him again with a frown, Shige added an apologetic, “Sorry.”

Ryo sighed as Shige turned and led the way to the genkan. Shige felt Ryo’s eyes on him as he slipped into his shoes and tied up the laces. When he straightened up, he met Ryo’s gaze and felt his heart skip a beat from the intensity in that look, from the sudden electricity that seemed to snap and spark between them then. Ryo stepped up to him and pulled him close by the collar of his shirt, crushing their mouths together without a word and Shige reciprocated eagerly, every second from their night together flooding his mind like a cinema behind his eyes. He couldn’t believe they had finally made it, made it to this moment, when nothing was awkward or weird or confusing, just simplicity and understanding and perfection.

With reluctance, Shige pulled away a few minutes later, breathing heavily as Ryo kissed his jaw, clearly not willing to let Shige go. But Shige pressed a shaky hand to Ryo’s shoulder and managed to step away enough to say, “I’ll see you in the afternoon for our shoot.”

“You’re coming back here tonight,” Ryo said, flicking his gaze up to Shige’s. “And tomorrow night, and every night after that.”

Shige laughed. “Let’s just get through today first,” he said as Ryo finally pulled away, licking his lips.

Ryo nodded, albeit a little reluctantly, but opened the door for Shige anyway. Shige smiled at him as he said, “I’ll see you later.”

Ryo brushed his fingers along Shige’s arm, and Shige felt his skin tingle from the touch. “Call me when you’re done with the meeting. I want to know what they say,” Ryo said.

“I will,” Shige replied and let Ryo kiss him one last time before he left with a smile and a wave, heading for the elevator. He didn’t look back, he didn’t have to, because now he knew, knew he loved Ryo, knew that Ryo loved him, and that was all he’d ever need to know. Today was a new day, and a new beginning, and Shige was excited to see where it would take him.

*

six months later

Shige set a box down with a sigh and wiped his brow with the back of his hand, glanced around the room at the many boxes lining the floor.

“Shige, stop spacing out,” Koyama said from the door, leaning against it with another box in his arms. “Come help.”

“Sorry,” Shige said and rushed over to take the box from Koyama’s arms. He set it upon the last one and sighed again. “Is that it?” he asked.

“I think Nishikido has another one.”

Shige gasped in mock surprise. “He’s doing manual labor? Won’t that like, break a nail or something?”

Koyama smirked and Ryo’s voice called out, “Haha, very funny. I work out a lot, I’ll have you know.” And to prove it, he effortlessly strolled inside and placed the box upon another in the corner. “Geez, Shige, why do you own so much stuff?” Ryo said, turning to him, voice laced with annoyance but amusement in his eyes.

“This is hardly anything compared to the extra room you have full of just clothes. Not to mention your eight guitars,” Shige replied, grinning, and Ryo slid an arm around his waist, pressed a kiss to his forehead.

“Hey, third party present,” Koyama said loudly and Shige laughed, slinked away from Ryo who frowned.

“Want to stay for lunch, Kei?” Shige asked as he maneuvered his way towards his friend.

“Can you even get to the kitchen from here?” Koyama laughed.

“If you help clear a path, we will,” Shige replied, grinning.

“Ah, that’s why you want me to stay,” Koyama said knowingly and Shige laughed. “I’m actually supposed to meet Massu soon,” he added with a rather shy smile.

Shige grinned. “You can go out with him anytime. Tell him to come here, too,” he replied. “We can all eat together. It’s been awhile.”

“All right,” Koyama said, pulling out his phone to let Massu know as Shige turned back to assess the damage in Ryo’s expansive apartment.

“This will take us days to get through,” Ryo commented as if reading Shige’s thoughts.

“Not if we start now,” Shige answered brightly and Ryo scowled.

“And what’re you doing inviting people over like that?” Ryo questioned, annoyed. “I know you’re going to make me do the cooking since you’re useless in the kitchen-”

“Am not,” Shige interjected mechanically as he opened a box and pulled out a few books.

“-and, besides,” Ryo continued as if he hadn’t heard him. “You just moved in. We’re supposed to celebrate.”

“Well, we’re celebrating with our friends,” Shige said easily.

“Your friends,” Ryo corrected, then huffed, crossing arms over his chest as Shige went on unpacking, not really paying him attention. He crouched down next to him and leaned in to whisper in his ear, “I meant celebrating alone.”

Shige rolled his eyes and shoved him. “Is that all you think about?”

“No,” Ryo replied unconvincingly and Shige raised a brow skeptically. “It’s not!” he insisted and Shige just laughed, getting up to put the books onto one of Ryo’s bookshelves.

“Fine, fine, I believe you,” he said. “Either way, I want to have lunch with my friends. I haven’t seen them for awhile.”

“You see Masuda everyday at work,” Ryo said. “And you talk to Koyama almost everyday on the phone, too.

“I see and talk to you everyday, too,” Shige retorted and then softened his gaze when Ryo frowned at him. “Come on,” he said softly. “It’s just lunch. And after, we’ll have all the free time to do whatever you want.”

Ryo slowly smirked. “See, that is what I want to hear,” he whispered, leaning in to kiss Shige soundly on the mouth.

“If this is what you’re going to be doing the entire time, I think I’d rather eat elsewhere,” Koyama said suddenly, and Shige quickly broke away from Ryo, who glared at Koyama with narrowed eyes.

“Sorry, Kei!” Shige said. “Don’t leave. If you leave I have no excuse.”

“Please go,” Ryo inputted from beside him and yelped in pain when Shige elbowed him in the stomach.

Koyama shook his head with a small smile and said, “Actually, Massu just told me he got tickets to a movie I want to see and it starts in an hour. By the time we can clear a path to your kitchen, it’ll have started, so I think I will just go.” He laughed at Shige’s face and added, “Sorry, Shige.”

Shige sighed while Ryo beamed next to him and joined Koyama at the door, stepping over boxes on the way. “If you’re sure,” he said solemnly.

“Another time,” Koyama offered and Shige nodded.

“Have fun, then. Tell Massu I say hi,” Shige said as Koyama waved his goodbye and headed for the elevator. Only when he disappeared behind the doors did Shige turn back around, jumping out of his skin because Ryo was standing right before him, unimpressed.

“Don’t look at me like that,” he snapped, shoving past Ryo back into the apartment. “He’s just my friend, Ryo.”

“I didn’t say anything,” Ryo said, shutting and door and following him.

“I could tell from your face,” Shige replied. “It’s been six months, I’m moving in, and you still think I have feelings for him?”

Ryo sighed and shook a hand through his hair with frustration. “No,” he answered honestly, sitting down beside Shige who had returned to opening boxes. “I just don’t like it.” He pouted petulantly and poked at a box.

Shige couldn’t stop from smiling, even though Ryo’s attitude toward Koyama irked him a little. Even after all these months together, that one thing about Ryo hadn’t changed. Shige hadn’t expected him to be so insecure, always so demanding about any time he spent with Koyama. It was cute, in its own way, although occasionally tiring. He understood, however, which is why he didn’t get so angry. This time, he just smiled and pecked Ryo on the cheek, and said, “You know if you gave him half a chance, you could be friends.”

Ryo made a very skeptic noise at that but Shige continued, “Besides, he’s moved on.”

“Really?” Ryo said, surprised, and then gasped. “You mean with Masuda?”

Shige nodded. “It’s still pretty new. Kei only told me about it last week.” He turned to Ryo with a smile. “So, there. You can stop worrying so much.”

“I wasn’t worried,” Ryo muttered and Shige just chuckled, letting him believe what he wanted.

He turned back to focus on getting through as many of these boxes before the end of the day. Most of his clothes had already made their way into Ryo’s closet within the past six months, as have pairs of shoes and even his toothbrush, now sitting alongside Ryo’s in the bathroom. In all honesty, he’d been living here more than he had been at his own apartment, and it only made sense to him to move in when Ryo had asked him a few weeks ago. Ryo had already made him a key, as if he wasn’t going to take no for an answer, and had looked pleasantly surprised when Shige had readily agreed.

He would have moved in sooner but it had taken awhile to sort out things that were his from some of the leftover things that belonged to Koyama. Shige was quite glad to move in here, not only to be closer to Ryo, but to finally leave his previous apartment. Even though being there had many precious memories, he didn’t feel sad when he’d looked through the empty rooms one last time or when he returned his key. It was like closing one chapter of his life and starting another.

It was a lot more convenient living here, anyway. He was much closer to the studio than before, and was always able to make sure Ryo was on time for shoots because they usually left together on those days. Ryo’s flat was also beautiful, and had extra unused rooms, one of which Ryo had offered to turn into a darkroom if Shige so wanted.

“That way,” Ryo had said, looking a little embarrassed when Shige had stared at him with surprise, “you won’t have to spend uncomfortable nights at the studio.”

“No,” Shige had said knowingly. “That way you can distract me more and I’ll never get anything done.” But he’d smiled and told Ryo he’d think about it. They had a lot of time to plan for those things, after all.

It was surprising just how easily everything had progressed these past six months. It was almost as though the months before, all that time spent denying it and hiding it and feeling guilty or confused, had never happened. Shige knew, however, that what he had right now wouldn’t be as perfect had it not been for the obstacles that had been in the way. Now, he could appreciate what he had with Ryo, be grateful for it because somehow, everything had worked out. It was more than he could’ve hoped for, and more than everything he could have wanted.

Shige smiled at the floor, a familiar warmth settling in his veins as he shook the thoughts from his mind and concentrated on moving in. Right now he just wanted to unpack as much as he could before starting lunch, and then afterward he could probably get through the rest if he tried hard enough and-

A sudden all-too-familiar click of a camera shutter caught Shige’s attention and he turned around to find Ryo holding out Shige’s camera, peering through the lenses. Shige’s eyes widened and he snapped, “Ryo!” as he reached forward to snatch his camera from his boyfriend’s hands.

“Calm down, Shige, it was just a little picture,” Ryo said when Shige successfully grabbed it back, holding it protectively to his chest and glaring.

“And I’ve told you not to play with it. Do you know what would happen if this broke?” Shige demanded.

Ryo put his hands up in defense and said, “All right, I’m sorry.” He got to his feet and added when Shige looked at him curiously, “I’ll start lunch. Anything you want?”

“Whatever you’re making is fine,” Shige replied and Ryo nodded before he snaked his way around boxes toward the kitchen.

Shige set his camera down upon another box and then heaved another couple of books from the box he’d been working on and placed them upon the shelf. He arranged them to his contentment and opened another box full of bubble-wrapped picture frames. The first few he pulled were old ones of him and Koyama and Shige quickly hid those back in the box; Ryo would probably set them on fire if he saw them. He found the most recent ones of him and Ryo, the few photos Ryo had gotten Shige to take with him: from when they’d travelled to Osaka together to meet Ryo’s family two months ago, from the opening night of Shige’s newest exhibition, and even from when they’d both fallen ill at once, wrapped up under their covers with red, stuffy noses and watery eyes.

He smiled as he took them out of the wrapping and made space for a few on the bookshelf, another on the entertainment center, and the last on the small side table beside the couch. He stared with admiration at the photo, warmth kindling throughout his chest. Some days he can rarely believe it, just how far they have come, that they’ve made it to this point after all of the obstacles that had been in their way. It was so easy now, to admit his feelings for Ryo, to understand and accept them, and he almost couldn’t believe he’d denied it for as long as he did.

He gave the photo one last smile and turned back to the boxes. However, his camera caught his eye before he could start on another box, and he reached for it instinctively, a thought occurring to him as he slung the camera around his neck and headed for the kitchen. He smirked behind the camera, holding it up to his face and peering through the viewfinder. Ryo was unaware of him, standing before a counter and chopping vegetables, a delicious aroma in the air of their soon-to-be lunch.

Shige crept up behind Ryo and then snapped a photo of him from the side. Ryo turned to him quickly from the sound of the shutter going off and said, “What are you doing?”

Shige shrugged, but a smile played at his lips. “Commemorating my moving in with pictures?”

“That’s pointless unless you’re in them, too.”

“I’ll live.”

Ryo rolled his eyes, set the knife down upon the cutting board and held his hand out. Shige arched a brow and Ryo said, “If you’re going to commemorate this moment, then you’re going to be in one of these pictures.”

Shige shook his head. “I’d rather not,” he said and held the camera back up. “Now smile.”

Ryo glared at him but Shige took a photo anyway. Shige smirked. “That’ll be a great photo, Ryo,” he said lightly. “We should use it as the cover for your upcoming photo book. It’d show everyone what you’re really like.”

Shige frowned as Ryo’s expression didn’t change, though he could’ve sworn he saw his lips quirk at the corners, clearly determined not to give in to a smile. Shige stared back at him for a few long moments before he finally sighed and relented. “All right, all right. I’ll be in the stupid photo.”

Ryo grinned instantly and Shige moved over so they were standing side by side, shoulder to shoulder, and he pulled the camera off from his neck to hold it properly before their faces. Ryo slung an arm around Shige’s shoulders and leaned close, his hair tickling Shige’s cheek, breath hot against his skin, and immediately Shige felt himself smile widely, his heart pounding with an indescribable giddiness.

“Okay,” he announced, “three, two-”

His sentence was left unfinished when Ryo suddenly grabbed his jaw and kissed him full on the mouth just as the shutter on the camera clicked shut.

the end

note: And, well, that is all. :) I-I really, really hope you all enjoyed this, I can't even say how freaked I am about that. Uhm, I’m not sure what else to say other than: THANK YOU all so much for sticking with this story from the very beginning. I can’t have asked for more amazing readers/commenters. You’re awesome and I love you all. I really hope you enjoyed not only this chapter, but the entire story. :) Thank you~ ♥