Pride 1/2
Title: Pride
Author: write_my_dreams
Pairing: Hints of one-sided Gackt x Hyde
Genre: AU, crime, action
Warning/Disclaimer: Contains some violence. All J-Rockers own themselves, I just own the crazy people in this story.
Rating: PG-13
Chapters: 1/2 (So long I have to split it into two parts)
Summary: Hyde hates how everyone is out to protect him and wants to prove that he doesn't need to be babied. So when the chance to prove himself arrives, he lies to Asagi and learns the consequences of letting pride rule his actions.
Author's Comment: This fic is based on a dream I had a few weeks ago. Apparently combining PVs and tumblr leads to dreams. I thought it was a little bizarre to have Asagi and Hyde in the same dream since I'm positive they don't know each other in real life, but the concept was so interesting I had to write it. My dream only had the violent scenes so it was up to me to fill in the rest and make a concrete story. I didn't expect Pride to be so long, but I had a lot of fun writing it and I'll definitely be writing more in this universe!
Not sure how many people will read this since it is a rather strange cross over, but pictures so readers can visualize Hyde and Asagi (take away the red contacts though):
“More!” Hyde beamed as his empty plate refilled with fresh soba. He’d stumbled across this restaurant purely by accident. The smell of the hot food had caught his attention as he walked down the street. Tempted and curious, he’d gone inside. The chance find had turned out to be the restaurant of his dreams. The food was delicious and anything he ate or drank automatically refilled itself when he said ‘more’. This was amazing… why hadn’t he discovered this restaurant sooner?
Hyde frowned and lowered his chopsticks as his phone buzzed. Who was texting him? He looked down at his plate with a sigh. He really wanted to keep eating his soba, but knew he couldn’t ignore the message. It might be his boss. Hyde fished his phone out of his jeans pocket and blinked at the strange number. He read the message, blinking again.
Wake up.
Wake up? Hyde stared at the two words in confusion. What was that supposed to mean? He wasn’t sleeping… and this couldn’t be a dream since everything was real. The smell of his green tea, the taste of the soba, the feeling of food filling his stomach since this was the third time he’d asked his plate to refill itself. This couldn’t be a dream… his imagination wasn’t that good. And it wasn’t as if he was eating in his sleep. He gave his red curls an experimental tug and winced. Definitely awake. It must be a wrong number.
Hyde set his phone aside and resumed eating his soba. Much to his irritation, the phone continued to vibrate. Each message had the same two words: wake up. The redhead frowned and looked at his plate. Wait… whenever he went to a restaurant and wanted more food he had to ask his waitress to bring him more. Food, unfortunately, didn’t magically appear at his command.
This was a dream.
The redhead’s eyes opened as he accepted the truth. He was lying on Asagi’s couch with a blanket draped over him. The shoulder of his t-shirt felt a little wet… ugh he drooled on himself while he slept. Now he was uncomfortable and hungry. Hyde slowly sat up and brushed his messy curls back from his face. How had he gotten to the couch? Last he knew he was curled up in the armchair reading a magazine. He remembered feeling tired, having a hard time focusing on the articles. Asagi must have noticed he was asleep and moved him to the couch. That was sweet of him.
Wake up. Hyde remembered his phone and took it out of his pocket. He half expected to see “wake up” as the message, but it was a text from Gackt. His boss.
Come to my office and pick up a package. I won’t be there so use your key. It’s on my desk and has a sticky note with your name on it. Take Asagi with you and deliver it to the Rainbow Star. There’s an address on the note. Give it to Ogawa Tetsu. He’s the owner.
Hyde texted his agreement, amused that Tetsu and Asagi had the same surname. I’ll leave soon.
Gackt responded immediately. Stay safe. Call me when you’ve dropped off the package.
The redhead sighed and pocketed his phone. He hated how he wasn’t allowed to make deliveries or do anything by himself. No one was. It was too dangerous for yakuza to wander through Tokyo alone. Things had changed so much… Tokyo used to be a city where yakuza could thrive. Then the police started cracking down on organized crime. The citizens followed their lead and fought back against the yakuza. Showing a tattoo nowadays brought a world of trouble on the poor soul who’d done it. Hyde knew Gackt was just looking out for his men by insisting they travel with company, but it still bothered him.
“Asa-chan?” Hyde rolled off the couch and stretched. He and Asagi had been working late into the night. The redhead had been too lazy to go back to his apartment on the other side of town - something that happened often - so stayed here instead since Asagi’s apartment was bigger and cozier.
“In the kitchen.”
Food! Hyde went into the kitchen, only to be disappointed since Asagi wasn’t cooking. He hadn’t even started yet. Instead, he was looking at a cookbook while his Persian meowed at his feet. Asagi picked up the fluffy white cat and glanced at Hyde.
“How did you sleep?”
“Great,” the redhead said. “Thanks for moving me.” He rubbed his stomach as it growled. “We’ll have to get takeout or have a late dinner… Gacchan just texted me.”
Asagi set the cat down. “What does he want?”
Hyde told him and leaned down to stroke the cat when she rubbed against his legs. “Are you coming with me?”
“Of course. You know we can’t make deliveries by ourselves.”
“I know.” Hyde held back a sigh as he looked up at Asagi. He knew it was wrong to envy his friend, but he couldn’t help it. The other man was tall and, like Hyde, he was often underestimated because of his looks. Asagi was gorgeous and had long, silky hair that women would kill for - but he was strong. He could easily prove that he was a force to be reckoned with. It was harder for Hyde to do so. Even though he worked out every day, his fragile-looking body was his undoing. His friends worried about him no matter how hard he trained.
“I assume he wants us to go now?” Asagi was already leaving the kitchen.
“Yes.” The redhead followed him to the doorway. He tugged his shoes on and laced them up then slipped into his blue leather jacket. He had a weakness for jackets and this one was his favorite. Hyde immediately pouted as he saw Asagi pulling on boots. Those made him even taller… and he always felt a little uncomfortable when his already tall friends wore height enhancing boots. He didn’t complain though since doing so would be childish.
“Let’s get a bento on the way. I’m starving.”
“You’re always hungry.”
Hyde huffed and picked cat hair off his jeans. “I need to eat to keep up my strength.”
Asagi cast him an amused look. “The strength to sit on my couch and change the channel?”
The redhead scowled. “I work out every day! I need energy.” Well, the rest of the time he was so lazy he couldn’t repudiate Asagi’s words…
* * *
Hyde walked up to Gackt’s door. Even though he knew his boss wouldn’t be here he knocked for politeness’s sake. There was no response. The redhead took his keys out of his pocket and unlocked the door. Gackt let him have a copy of his office key since he sometimes wasn’t there when he needed Hyde to make deliveries. And he wants to get in my pants. Gackt’s desire for him was obvious, but he never pressured him or tried to force his affection on him. They had a one night stand years ago… the sex was amazing, but Hyde wasn’t happy in the morning. Gackt was his boss, and he didn’t want to be the office whore who fooled around with the boss. He remembered feeling nervous as he explained himself to Gackt. The other man had been disappointed, but understanding. After a shower and breakfast he’d taken Hyde home, kissed his forehead, and told him he was just a phone call away if Hyde should change his mind. He had yet to do so. They were still good friends, even though Gackt liked to flirt with him. But his boss liked to flirt with everyone.
The redhead opened the door and flipped the lights on. Gackt’s office was neatly organized and smelled strongly of Platinum Egoiste - just like the man himself. A small package lay next to his computer. Hyde noticed his name on the sticky note and picked it up. This was the one. He shook it experimentally, hearing the rattle and wondering what was inside. He knew better than to ask Gackt though. His boss would never tell him.
“Got it.” Hyde tucked the package under his arm and left the office. He flipped the lights off, pulling the door shut behind him before locking it. “Do you want to take the train or drive?” Making deliveries via public transportation was a pain, but sometimes it was easier than dealing with Tokyo’s infamous traffic.
Asagi took the package from him and studied the address. “Let’s drive.”
“All right.” Hyde reclaimed the package and followed Asagi out of the building, glancing back over his shoulder. From the outside it looked like a standard office building. Black, several stories high, parking ramp for employees… he remembered being surprised the first time Asagi had taken him here.
“This is where you work? But it looks so… ordinary.” Hyde had been disappointed. He’d expected a grand building tucked behind a security gate with guards patrolling the entrance. Not this.
“Don’t you remember what I told you? Appearances are deceiving.”
Hyde had certainly been fooled. All it took was one step inside. Security cameras above the doors tracked their entrance and more lined the lobby and various hallways in the building. The lobby had marble floors and security guards positioned at the doors and elevators. The elevators had transparent walls so security could see who was coming and going. No office looked like this. Even the decorations were different: paintings done in a traditional style, elaborate kimonos, authentic katanas, drawings of tattoos… it’d been a little overwhelming to take everything in.
The redhead focused on the present again as they reached Asagi’s car. He unlocked the doors and got inside. Hyde joined him and fussed with the radio once the other man had started the car. It was a little annoying how he always had to be the passenger. Asagi didn’t like him driving his car since Hyde got distracted by food signs and the radio. He was also, according to the dark-haired man, a hazard to drive with.
“Oh!” Hyde smiled as a song he liked came on. He turned the volume up and started to sing along. Asagi was quiet at first, concentrating on the road, but soon raised his voice to join him. Both of them loved to sing. “We sang this the night I met you, remember?”
“We did?”
Hyde blushed. It was a little strange that he could remember that night so well. “Yeah… we did. Neither of us wanted to go first since we couldn’t decide what to sing. So we just sang a duet instead.”
“I remember now.” Asagi glanced at him, smiling a little. “Your hair was as long as mine then.”
The redhead made a face. “I was going through my princess phase.” He toyed with the curls, thinking back to that night five years ago. Hyde had a girlfriend then and they were supposed to meet at their favorite karaoke bar once he got out of work. Like Asagi, his girlfriend enjoyed singing too and so they often went on karaoke dates. But she didn’t show up. Hyde had started to worry and was about to call and ask if she was all right - then she called him. And told him the truth. She’d been cheating on him with a baseball player for a month and couldn’t keep lying. “I like you, Hyde. I really do… but I like Daiki more.” Crushed, Hyde looked for an empty table so he could mope in peace. The bar was crowded that night and the emptiest table already had Asagi. Hyde asked if he could sit with him and did so when he said yes.
“I take it you won’t grow it that long again?”
“No, everyone thought I was a girl.” Hyde made a face, then turned to Asagi and laughed. “I remember being afraid to talk to you since you looked so serious.” He really had looked intimidating with his black clothes and long hair covering half his face. But he’d been perfectly polite and moved his chair so Hyde would have more space. It’d been awkward sitting with a complete stranger, but he needed alcohol and didn’t want to go anywhere else.
“Appearances are deceiving.” Asagi liked reminding him of that.
“They are,” Hyde agreed. Despite his appearance, the dark-haired man had proven to be very kind. He noticed Hyde’s distress and asked him what was wrong. The redhead ended up confiding in him, tearing up by the time his beer arrived. Asagi had been sympathetic and expressed his condolences. Not wanting to have a complete meltdown, Hyde changed the subject to music and movies instead and found out they had a lot in common. They both liked to sing, watch vampire movies…
“I want to hear you sing!”
“I don’t know what to sing,” Asagi had admitted. “Will you go first so I can look?”
“I don’t know what to sing either.”
“Let’s just sing the first duet we find then.”
Asagi only had time for four songs before he had to leave, but they exchanged phone numbers and arranged to meet again. They quickly became friends after that. When Hyde lost his job, Asagi was there with a new offer: yakuza. He was shocked when he learned that was his friend’s occupation and had been reluctant to accept. He could easily find another job that wouldn’t make him a criminal. But despite his initial misgivings, he finally agreed. And he’d never regretted it.
“We should go back there… for old time’s sake,” Hyde suggested.
“We will then.”
*
With traffic, it took about half an hour to get to the club. Hyde had never been to the Rainbow Star and wondered what it would be like. It seemed popular since there was a line of people outside and cars packed the street. Asagi noticed an empty space and pulled in, then shut the engine off. Hyde tucked the package under his arm and got out of the car. He noticed a sushi bar next to the club and grinned. That would make the perfect dinner. Asagi wouldn’t stop to get a bento since he wanted to get to the club quickly. Hyde had searched through his car for snacks, but remembered eating them all last week…
“Sushi!” the redhead pointed. “Let’s eat there after we’ve dropped this off. And don’t say no because I’m starving.”
Asagi studied the restaurant. “All right, we’ll eat there.”
Hyde breathed a sigh of relief. Sometimes Asagi didn’t want to stay out longer once a delivery was complete, but he’d cooperate tonight. “Let’s go then.” He headed towards the club’s entrance. A tall bouncer who looked like he spent his days in the gym stood outside, checking IDs if someone looked too young. Hyde got into line with Asagi and glanced up at the building. It seemed perfectly normal from the outside. The sign stating the club’s name used rainbow colors for the ‘Rainbow’ portion and silver for ‘Star’. Hyde stood up on tiptoe in an attempt to see inside, but shrank down with a huff. He was too short to see over everyone’s heads.
Fortunately, it didn’t take long to get through the line. The bouncer looked them over and was about to let them in… then he noticed the package. “What’s that?”
“My boss asked me to deliver it to Ogawa Tetsu,” Hyde explained.
“What’s in it?”
“That’s between him and our boss,” Asagi replied.
The bouncer looked a little suspicious. He glanced between them then at the package, but finally opened the door for them. “He’s in his office.” He waved the pair inside. Bouncy pop music blared from the speakers, making Hyde’s eye twitch. He hated mindless pop music. It was crowded inside and the walls were… colorful. They’d been painted black and covered in glitter and glow in the dark stars. He could even see clouds of glitter blowing around the club. Tetsu would surely be an interesting character. Hyde wasn’t sure if he was eager or nervous to meet him now. He scanned the club, but couldn’t see anything that looked like an office.
Asagi pulled him closer so they could talk. Still, he practically had to shout so the redhead could hear him. “I can’t see anything that looks like an office.”
Hyde looked up at him. “Me neither. Do you want to start looking? I’ll see if the bartender knows where Tetsu’s office is.”
Asagi shook his head. “You know the rules. We go together.”
The redhead huffed. He knew it was for his own good, but it still bothered him that he couldn’t even be alone in a club. “Let’s start at the bar then.” He grasped his friend’s sleeve so they wouldn’t get separated in the crowd and brought him to the bar. The stools were star shaped and had rainbow charms hanging from them. Hyde’s curiosity about Tetsu was growing by the minute. He took a seat at the bar and set the package in front of him. Absently, he pulled the sticky note off the package and stuffed it into his pocket.
The bartender, taller than him but shorter than Asagi and thin as a rail, noticed them and came up to them. “What can I get the two of you?” He didn’t smile and looked very serious - a surprising attitude for a bartender. Usually they were cheerful and inviting.
“We have to do business first, unfortunately.” Hyde smiled a little. “Our boss asked us to meet with Ogawa Tetsu. I heard he’s in his office, but we’ve never been here before…”
The bartender nodded. “See the bright pink star?” he turned and pointed. “It’s the huge one up on the back wall.”
Hyde peered at the star in question. It was certainly hard to miss. “Yes.”
“The door is right under that.”
“Thank you,” Asagi said.
The bartender nodded. “Come back when you’re done.”
“We will,” Hyde promised. They might as well have a drink while they were here. He grabbed the package and slid off his stool, glancing up at Asagi. The dark-haired man was quiet as he scanned the club. Their tattoos were thoroughly covered and they were always careful to keep the ink hidden when they were in public. Neither of them had exposed their tattoos before and didn’t need to worry about being recognized, but Asagi was always cautious. “Coming?”
“Yes.”
Hyde blinked as he saw something shining in the other man’s hair. Was that…? “You have glitter in your hair.”
Asagi’s hands flew to his hair. “I do?”
“Yeah,” he smirked. “Pink glitter.” He probably had it in his hair too… Hyde sighed and decided to worry about the glitter later. He followed the bartender’s instructions and soon found himself standing in front of the door to Tetsu’s office. It was closed, but he could see light from under the door. He knocked, waiting for an answer.
“Come in,” a chipper voice called.
Hyde opened the door and stepped inside, blinking several times. The office looked like a rainbow had thrown up on it. With glitter. The walls were covered in brightly colored posters, artwork, and scarves. Glowing stars decorated the walls and ceiling too. The man sitting behind the desk was just as colorful. He wore leopard print jeans with hot pink shoes, a bright yellow shirt, striped scarf with multiple colors, and at least a dozen sparkly bobby pins in his light brown hair. Hyde recovered from his shock to bow politely. “Hello. My name is Hyde and this is my partner, Asagi. We work for Gackt and he asked us to deliver a package to you.”
Tetsu smiled and got up. “Yes, I’ve been expecting you.”
The redhead presented the package to him. “I hope we can continue to do business together.” Partnerships like this were vital to their organization.
“So do I.” Tetsu set the package on his desk. “Is this the first time you’ve come to my club?”
Hyde blinked. “Yes.” He hadn’t expected to be asked that.
“What do you think?” Tetsu surveyed the walls, looking extremely proud. He obviously loved what he’d done with the place.
The redhead exchanged a look with Asagi. Both of them preferred darker colors and avoided glitter like the plague. “It’s very unique. I’ve never seen a club this colorful before,” Asagi said, smile a little pained as he ran his fingers through his long hair. There was still glitter in it.
Tetsu beamed. “Exactly! So many clubs are just dark and boring. There’s no character to them at all.”
“I definitely won’t forget this place,” Hyde said.
Tetsu looked pleased. “Would you two stay and have a drink?”
“We would love to, but unfortunately we have to get back to our office,” Asagi said.
Hyde pouted. “Why? There’s no rush.” They didn’t have any jobs after this so they had plenty of time to have a drink. He ignored the dark look Asagi gave him.
Tetsu laughed and took a star-shaped coin off his desk. “Show this to Yukihiro, the bartender. He’ll give you a free drink. Consider it payment for coming out here.” He handed the coin to Hyde, who pocketed it.
“Thank you, I will.” He bowed politely before leaving the office.
“Hyde, we should just leave. You can have a drink at the sushi bar.”
“Stop being a worrywart,” Hyde muttered. “We’ll just have one drink, I promise, then we’ll leave.” He wasn’t going to pass up a free beer.
Asagi sighed. “Fine, one drink.” He knew how hard it was to change the redhead’s mind. Hyde returned to the bar and showed Yukihiro the coin.
“What can I get you?” he pocketed the coin.
“I’ll have a Corona.”
“And you?”
“Nothing, thank you.”
“Asa-chan,” Hyde huffed. “Just have a drink.”
Asagi sighed again. “Red wine, please. It doesn’t matter what kind.”
Yukihiro nodded again and left to get their drinks. Hyde noticed empty seats at the end of the bar and moved there. He felt less exposed down here. He unzipped his jacket and draped it over the bar stool then sat down. Yukihiro returned with their drinks. They thanked him, and Hyde turned to lean his back against the wall so he could watch the people. Asagi sat next to him with his back to the bar.
Hyde was quiet as he sipped his beer. Mm… he loved Corona. “How’s the wine?”
“I haven’t tried it yet.”
“You should.” The redhead took another swig of his beer. He could have easily gotten a fancy mixed drink, but it was too easy to get drunk on those. And so hard to settle with just one.
Asagi rolled his eyes as he tried his wine. “It’s good,” he murmured.
“I’d like to come back here someday.” The overkill of glitter had turned him off at first, but after watching people dancing and drinking he’d changed his mind. There was just something fun about this club’s atmosphere. It was infectious. People were laughing, talking, enjoying themselves… it’d been so long since Hyde had come to a club for pleasure instead of business.
“Maybe… but we really should leave.”
“After we’ve had our drinks,” Hyde promised. He held back a sigh as he took another sip. Asagi was just being stubborn and overly concerned. Hyde, knowing the other man would be irritated if they were here too long, tried to be quick about drinking his beer. Asagi was barely paying attention to his wine, focused on the people around them instead. The redhead pressed his back closer to the wall, frowning as he felt something digging into his spine. A nail? He shifted away from it.
“Restless?” Asagi glanced at him.
“No, but I know you are.” Hyde sighed. He couldn’t properly enjoy his beer when his friend was being this edgy. He took one last sip then set the bottle on the bar. “Let’s go then. I know that’s what you want.”
Asagi set his wine glass next to the Corona and got up. “Let’s.”
Hyde slipped off the stool, surprised as he felt his shirt catch on something. It was too late to free the garment though since his body was already moving. He cringed as he heard his shirt tear. Nervous, he reached up to touch his back and swore as he felt the bare skin of his shoulder blades. The feeling of being watched settled in, and he looked back. People were staring at them. At the angel wings on his back.
Asagi swore and threw Hyde’s jacket over him. “Move.” He seized his wrist and pulled him towards the exit. People moved to block their way, but he pushed past them and escaped with Hyde. Asagi started running the second they were outside. The redhead was jerked after him, holding his jacket around his shoulders as he struggled to keep up with Asagi’s longer legs. He hated being led like this, but he didn’t protest. This was serious… and a glance over his shoulder showed that they were being followed. Asagi ducked down an alley and exited onto a crowded sidewalk.
“Are they still following us?”
“I don’t know.” Hyde glanced back again, bumping into someone as Asagi started to weave through the crowd. Apologizing, he gave up on looking after that and focused on keeping up with him instead. Asagi pulled him across the street when they reached a cross walk and headed down a less crowded sidewalk. Then another. And another. Hyde swallowed the whine about walking so far, how Asagi still hadn’t let him go, how he was walking too fast. He had gotten himself into this mess by insisting they stay in the club so had no right to complain. Finally, the dark-haired man stopped and released him.
“Is it safe to go back to the car?” Hyde pushed his arms through his jacket and zipped it up to his chin.
“Maybe,” Asagi said quietly.
The redhead bit his lip as his stomach growled. He was still hungry… but he didn’t dare ask to stop for food.
“Hungry?”
Surprised, Hyde looked up at him. “Yes.”
Asagi pointed down the sidewalk. “There’s a crepe stand over there. It’s not the sushi you want, but given the circumstances… I think you can handle this.”
The redhead nodded. “Crepes are fine.” He fished his wallet out of his pocket and caught up with Asagi. “I’ll treat us.” He owed it to his friend after insisting they stay in the club. They bought crepes from the stand and continued down the sidewalk. It was surprisingly deserted. It was a little eerie walking by themselves… usually it was hard to find solitude in Tokyo.
Hyde again swallowed questions about returning to the car and ate his crepe in silence. They would go back to the car when Asagi decided it was safe. He felt thirsty once he’d finished his crepe and looked at the shops they passed. Most were closed or in the process of locking up for the night. The few that were open were clothing and shoe stores. Nothing that would sell water. And there wasn’t a vending machine in sight. They turned the corner and finally saw a small convenience store at the end of the street.
“I’m going to get some water.” Hyde looked up at Asagi. “Do you want any?”
“Sure.”
They had to walk past an alley to reach the store. Hyde glanced down it automatically. Sometimes - unless Asagi dragged him back - he used alleys for shortcuts, but there was just something creepy about them. He froze as he heard grunts of pain and looked down the alley. Several people were beating a tattooed man. This was a fate almost guaranteed to yakuza who exposed their tattoos in public. Hyde stepped forward to help, but was stopped by Asagi throwing his arm across his chest. “Asa-chan,” he protested. They needed to help this man.
“I know.” Asagi looked pained as he took Hyde’s arm again. “I want to help him too… but there’s nothing we can do. There are eight of them and two of us. They’d only beat us too.” He gently pulled Hyde away. “Let’s go back to the car.”
The redhead bit his lip and glanced back again. It felt so wrong to leave the poor man like this, but he knew Asagi was right. The man’s attackers would only have more victims if they stepped in to help. So he followed Asagi back the way they’d come without protest.
* * *
After his angel wings were exposed, Gackt ordered Hyde to lay low for a few days - with Asagi. “It’s for your own good,” his boss had told him when he protested. Hyde liked Asagi’s apartment, but he’d rather be home. Where he didn’t have to pick cat hair off his pillow before going to sleep or wake up to a cat demanding his attention. Gackt wouldn’t take no for an answer though and so he had no choice but to stay here. Hyde had spent the first day sulking since he was a grown man, not a child that needed to be babysat.
“Still pouting?” Asagi wasn’t sympathetic. It was Hyde’s fault that he’d gotten himself into this mess, but at least he wasn’t saying I told you so. The redhead hated hearing that.
“Yes! I don’t need you to babysit me. I’m a year older than you! I can take care of myself.”
“Stop sulking and help me with the dishes then if you’re so mature. Sulking is childish and you deserve to be babysat if you’re just going to sit on my couch and pout.”
Hyde knew he was right. He apologized for his behavior and helped with the chores. After that, he took over the TV to watch dramas and play video games. Asagi at least had a cupboard stocked with games and DVDs. The cats helped keep him amused too. It was fun watching them pounce on their toys or chase a laser pointer around, but inevitably they got bored or tired and left. They were napping now so Hyde was watching True Blood. Which was getting old… along with this entire routine. When would this forced vacation end?
The redhead was halfway through yet another episode when his phone buzzed. He picked it up, assuming it was a text from his parents or just Gackt checking in on him. His boss had texted him, but the message wasn’t what he expected.
Do you want to make a delivery tonight? If so, come to my office and I’ll tell you more.
Hyde grinned. I’d love to. He’d been so bored… he could only play with the cats and watch TV so much before he started to go crazy. Which was already happening since this situation was so frustrating. It’d just been a tattoo sighting. All he had to do was wear a disguise and then he could safely continue working. But no one would listen. “What if your shirt rips again and someone recognizes your wings? It’s too dangerous. You need to lay low for now.” It was all the same. Everyone wanted to protect him instead of giving him a chance.
He read through the message again, biting his lip as he thought of an idea. What if… Hyde didn’t tell Asagi and made this delivery by himself? He could lie to his friend. Tell him that Gackt said it was safe to go home. Then when Hyde was in Gackt’s office he could say that Asagi was on the phone and waiting in the car since it was an important conversation. Yes… that would work. Then Hyde could prove that he was perfectly capable of taking care of himself.
“Do you want any coffee?” Asagi called from the kitchen.
“Please.” Hyde rolled off the couch and joined him in the kitchen. The dark-haired man was pouring coffee into two mugs. “I just got a text from Gacchan,” he announced. “He said I can go home.”
“He did?”
Hyde was relieved that Asagi had his back to him. It was easier to lie when he wasn’t looking at him. “Yeah. So I’ll go back to my apartment… you’re probably ready for a break from me anyway,” he said lightly. He’d been here for almost a week. “You could go out with some of your other friends tonight now that you don’t have to look after me.”
Asagi turned and handed him a mug. “I’m not tired of you. You know I always like having you here… but yes, I will do that.”
Hyde fought the urge to come clean at the sincerity in his voice. He hated lying to Asagi. Especially after he’d said something so sweet… “Want to come over for dinner tomorrow then? I owe you after how long I’ve been mooching off you.” He rubbed the back of his neck and sipped his coffee.
“I’d like that. Has Gackt said anything about you working again?”
Hyde took another sip of his coffee. He tended to stammer and give himself away if he looked Asagi in the eye while lying. “No… not yet. But I imagine he’ll give me a job soon since he did say I could go home.” Actually he hadn’t said so, but Hyde assumed it was safe to return to his apartment. The redhead looked up at Asagi. “I’m really sorry about last time. You were right… we should have just left the club after delivering the package.” That at least was sincere.
Asagi sighed softly. “I forgive you. Just be more careful from now on.”
“I will,” Hyde promised.
“I’ll take you home once we’ve finished our coffee.”
“Thank you.” He still felt guilty for lying, but he needed to prove everyone - and himself - that he didn’t need to be babysat anymore.
Author: write_my_dreams
Pairing: Hints of one-sided Gackt x Hyde
Genre: AU, crime, action
Warning/Disclaimer: Contains some violence. All J-Rockers own themselves, I just own the crazy people in this story.
Rating: PG-13
Chapters: 1/2 (So long I have to split it into two parts)
Summary: Hyde hates how everyone is out to protect him and wants to prove that he doesn't need to be babied. So when the chance to prove himself arrives, he lies to Asagi and learns the consequences of letting pride rule his actions.
Author's Comment: This fic is based on a dream I had a few weeks ago. Apparently combining PVs and tumblr leads to dreams. I thought it was a little bizarre to have Asagi and Hyde in the same dream since I'm positive they don't know each other in real life, but the concept was so interesting I had to write it. My dream only had the violent scenes so it was up to me to fill in the rest and make a concrete story. I didn't expect Pride to be so long, but I had a lot of fun writing it and I'll definitely be writing more in this universe!
Not sure how many people will read this since it is a rather strange cross over, but pictures so readers can visualize Hyde and Asagi (take away the red contacts though):
“More!” Hyde beamed as his empty plate refilled with fresh soba. He’d stumbled across this restaurant purely by accident. The smell of the hot food had caught his attention as he walked down the street. Tempted and curious, he’d gone inside. The chance find had turned out to be the restaurant of his dreams. The food was delicious and anything he ate or drank automatically refilled itself when he said ‘more’. This was amazing… why hadn’t he discovered this restaurant sooner?
Hyde frowned and lowered his chopsticks as his phone buzzed. Who was texting him? He looked down at his plate with a sigh. He really wanted to keep eating his soba, but knew he couldn’t ignore the message. It might be his boss. Hyde fished his phone out of his jeans pocket and blinked at the strange number. He read the message, blinking again.
Wake up.
Wake up? Hyde stared at the two words in confusion. What was that supposed to mean? He wasn’t sleeping… and this couldn’t be a dream since everything was real. The smell of his green tea, the taste of the soba, the feeling of food filling his stomach since this was the third time he’d asked his plate to refill itself. This couldn’t be a dream… his imagination wasn’t that good. And it wasn’t as if he was eating in his sleep. He gave his red curls an experimental tug and winced. Definitely awake. It must be a wrong number.
Hyde set his phone aside and resumed eating his soba. Much to his irritation, the phone continued to vibrate. Each message had the same two words: wake up. The redhead frowned and looked at his plate. Wait… whenever he went to a restaurant and wanted more food he had to ask his waitress to bring him more. Food, unfortunately, didn’t magically appear at his command.
This was a dream.
The redhead’s eyes opened as he accepted the truth. He was lying on Asagi’s couch with a blanket draped over him. The shoulder of his t-shirt felt a little wet… ugh he drooled on himself while he slept. Now he was uncomfortable and hungry. Hyde slowly sat up and brushed his messy curls back from his face. How had he gotten to the couch? Last he knew he was curled up in the armchair reading a magazine. He remembered feeling tired, having a hard time focusing on the articles. Asagi must have noticed he was asleep and moved him to the couch. That was sweet of him.
Wake up. Hyde remembered his phone and took it out of his pocket. He half expected to see “wake up” as the message, but it was a text from Gackt. His boss.
Come to my office and pick up a package. I won’t be there so use your key. It’s on my desk and has a sticky note with your name on it. Take Asagi with you and deliver it to the Rainbow Star. There’s an address on the note. Give it to Ogawa Tetsu. He’s the owner.
Hyde texted his agreement, amused that Tetsu and Asagi had the same surname. I’ll leave soon.
Gackt responded immediately. Stay safe. Call me when you’ve dropped off the package.
The redhead sighed and pocketed his phone. He hated how he wasn’t allowed to make deliveries or do anything by himself. No one was. It was too dangerous for yakuza to wander through Tokyo alone. Things had changed so much… Tokyo used to be a city where yakuza could thrive. Then the police started cracking down on organized crime. The citizens followed their lead and fought back against the yakuza. Showing a tattoo nowadays brought a world of trouble on the poor soul who’d done it. Hyde knew Gackt was just looking out for his men by insisting they travel with company, but it still bothered him.
“Asa-chan?” Hyde rolled off the couch and stretched. He and Asagi had been working late into the night. The redhead had been too lazy to go back to his apartment on the other side of town - something that happened often - so stayed here instead since Asagi’s apartment was bigger and cozier.
“In the kitchen.”
Food! Hyde went into the kitchen, only to be disappointed since Asagi wasn’t cooking. He hadn’t even started yet. Instead, he was looking at a cookbook while his Persian meowed at his feet. Asagi picked up the fluffy white cat and glanced at Hyde.
“How did you sleep?”
“Great,” the redhead said. “Thanks for moving me.” He rubbed his stomach as it growled. “We’ll have to get takeout or have a late dinner… Gacchan just texted me.”
Asagi set the cat down. “What does he want?”
Hyde told him and leaned down to stroke the cat when she rubbed against his legs. “Are you coming with me?”
“Of course. You know we can’t make deliveries by ourselves.”
“I know.” Hyde held back a sigh as he looked up at Asagi. He knew it was wrong to envy his friend, but he couldn’t help it. The other man was tall and, like Hyde, he was often underestimated because of his looks. Asagi was gorgeous and had long, silky hair that women would kill for - but he was strong. He could easily prove that he was a force to be reckoned with. It was harder for Hyde to do so. Even though he worked out every day, his fragile-looking body was his undoing. His friends worried about him no matter how hard he trained.
“I assume he wants us to go now?” Asagi was already leaving the kitchen.
“Yes.” The redhead followed him to the doorway. He tugged his shoes on and laced them up then slipped into his blue leather jacket. He had a weakness for jackets and this one was his favorite. Hyde immediately pouted as he saw Asagi pulling on boots. Those made him even taller… and he always felt a little uncomfortable when his already tall friends wore height enhancing boots. He didn’t complain though since doing so would be childish.
“Let’s get a bento on the way. I’m starving.”
“You’re always hungry.”
Hyde huffed and picked cat hair off his jeans. “I need to eat to keep up my strength.”
Asagi cast him an amused look. “The strength to sit on my couch and change the channel?”
The redhead scowled. “I work out every day! I need energy.” Well, the rest of the time he was so lazy he couldn’t repudiate Asagi’s words…
* * *
Hyde walked up to Gackt’s door. Even though he knew his boss wouldn’t be here he knocked for politeness’s sake. There was no response. The redhead took his keys out of his pocket and unlocked the door. Gackt let him have a copy of his office key since he sometimes wasn’t there when he needed Hyde to make deliveries. And he wants to get in my pants. Gackt’s desire for him was obvious, but he never pressured him or tried to force his affection on him. They had a one night stand years ago… the sex was amazing, but Hyde wasn’t happy in the morning. Gackt was his boss, and he didn’t want to be the office whore who fooled around with the boss. He remembered feeling nervous as he explained himself to Gackt. The other man had been disappointed, but understanding. After a shower and breakfast he’d taken Hyde home, kissed his forehead, and told him he was just a phone call away if Hyde should change his mind. He had yet to do so. They were still good friends, even though Gackt liked to flirt with him. But his boss liked to flirt with everyone.
The redhead opened the door and flipped the lights on. Gackt’s office was neatly organized and smelled strongly of Platinum Egoiste - just like the man himself. A small package lay next to his computer. Hyde noticed his name on the sticky note and picked it up. This was the one. He shook it experimentally, hearing the rattle and wondering what was inside. He knew better than to ask Gackt though. His boss would never tell him.
“Got it.” Hyde tucked the package under his arm and left the office. He flipped the lights off, pulling the door shut behind him before locking it. “Do you want to take the train or drive?” Making deliveries via public transportation was a pain, but sometimes it was easier than dealing with Tokyo’s infamous traffic.
Asagi took the package from him and studied the address. “Let’s drive.”
“All right.” Hyde reclaimed the package and followed Asagi out of the building, glancing back over his shoulder. From the outside it looked like a standard office building. Black, several stories high, parking ramp for employees… he remembered being surprised the first time Asagi had taken him here.
“This is where you work? But it looks so… ordinary.” Hyde had been disappointed. He’d expected a grand building tucked behind a security gate with guards patrolling the entrance. Not this.
“Don’t you remember what I told you? Appearances are deceiving.”
Hyde had certainly been fooled. All it took was one step inside. Security cameras above the doors tracked their entrance and more lined the lobby and various hallways in the building. The lobby had marble floors and security guards positioned at the doors and elevators. The elevators had transparent walls so security could see who was coming and going. No office looked like this. Even the decorations were different: paintings done in a traditional style, elaborate kimonos, authentic katanas, drawings of tattoos… it’d been a little overwhelming to take everything in.
The redhead focused on the present again as they reached Asagi’s car. He unlocked the doors and got inside. Hyde joined him and fussed with the radio once the other man had started the car. It was a little annoying how he always had to be the passenger. Asagi didn’t like him driving his car since Hyde got distracted by food signs and the radio. He was also, according to the dark-haired man, a hazard to drive with.
“Oh!” Hyde smiled as a song he liked came on. He turned the volume up and started to sing along. Asagi was quiet at first, concentrating on the road, but soon raised his voice to join him. Both of them loved to sing. “We sang this the night I met you, remember?”
“We did?”
Hyde blushed. It was a little strange that he could remember that night so well. “Yeah… we did. Neither of us wanted to go first since we couldn’t decide what to sing. So we just sang a duet instead.”
“I remember now.” Asagi glanced at him, smiling a little. “Your hair was as long as mine then.”
The redhead made a face. “I was going through my princess phase.” He toyed with the curls, thinking back to that night five years ago. Hyde had a girlfriend then and they were supposed to meet at their favorite karaoke bar once he got out of work. Like Asagi, his girlfriend enjoyed singing too and so they often went on karaoke dates. But she didn’t show up. Hyde had started to worry and was about to call and ask if she was all right - then she called him. And told him the truth. She’d been cheating on him with a baseball player for a month and couldn’t keep lying. “I like you, Hyde. I really do… but I like Daiki more.” Crushed, Hyde looked for an empty table so he could mope in peace. The bar was crowded that night and the emptiest table already had Asagi. Hyde asked if he could sit with him and did so when he said yes.
“I take it you won’t grow it that long again?”
“No, everyone thought I was a girl.” Hyde made a face, then turned to Asagi and laughed. “I remember being afraid to talk to you since you looked so serious.” He really had looked intimidating with his black clothes and long hair covering half his face. But he’d been perfectly polite and moved his chair so Hyde would have more space. It’d been awkward sitting with a complete stranger, but he needed alcohol and didn’t want to go anywhere else.
“Appearances are deceiving.” Asagi liked reminding him of that.
“They are,” Hyde agreed. Despite his appearance, the dark-haired man had proven to be very kind. He noticed Hyde’s distress and asked him what was wrong. The redhead ended up confiding in him, tearing up by the time his beer arrived. Asagi had been sympathetic and expressed his condolences. Not wanting to have a complete meltdown, Hyde changed the subject to music and movies instead and found out they had a lot in common. They both liked to sing, watch vampire movies…
“I want to hear you sing!”
“I don’t know what to sing,” Asagi had admitted. “Will you go first so I can look?”
“I don’t know what to sing either.”
“Let’s just sing the first duet we find then.”
Asagi only had time for four songs before he had to leave, but they exchanged phone numbers and arranged to meet again. They quickly became friends after that. When Hyde lost his job, Asagi was there with a new offer: yakuza. He was shocked when he learned that was his friend’s occupation and had been reluctant to accept. He could easily find another job that wouldn’t make him a criminal. But despite his initial misgivings, he finally agreed. And he’d never regretted it.
“We should go back there… for old time’s sake,” Hyde suggested.
“We will then.”
*
With traffic, it took about half an hour to get to the club. Hyde had never been to the Rainbow Star and wondered what it would be like. It seemed popular since there was a line of people outside and cars packed the street. Asagi noticed an empty space and pulled in, then shut the engine off. Hyde tucked the package under his arm and got out of the car. He noticed a sushi bar next to the club and grinned. That would make the perfect dinner. Asagi wouldn’t stop to get a bento since he wanted to get to the club quickly. Hyde had searched through his car for snacks, but remembered eating them all last week…
“Sushi!” the redhead pointed. “Let’s eat there after we’ve dropped this off. And don’t say no because I’m starving.”
Asagi studied the restaurant. “All right, we’ll eat there.”
Hyde breathed a sigh of relief. Sometimes Asagi didn’t want to stay out longer once a delivery was complete, but he’d cooperate tonight. “Let’s go then.” He headed towards the club’s entrance. A tall bouncer who looked like he spent his days in the gym stood outside, checking IDs if someone looked too young. Hyde got into line with Asagi and glanced up at the building. It seemed perfectly normal from the outside. The sign stating the club’s name used rainbow colors for the ‘Rainbow’ portion and silver for ‘Star’. Hyde stood up on tiptoe in an attempt to see inside, but shrank down with a huff. He was too short to see over everyone’s heads.
Fortunately, it didn’t take long to get through the line. The bouncer looked them over and was about to let them in… then he noticed the package. “What’s that?”
“My boss asked me to deliver it to Ogawa Tetsu,” Hyde explained.
“What’s in it?”
“That’s between him and our boss,” Asagi replied.
The bouncer looked a little suspicious. He glanced between them then at the package, but finally opened the door for them. “He’s in his office.” He waved the pair inside. Bouncy pop music blared from the speakers, making Hyde’s eye twitch. He hated mindless pop music. It was crowded inside and the walls were… colorful. They’d been painted black and covered in glitter and glow in the dark stars. He could even see clouds of glitter blowing around the club. Tetsu would surely be an interesting character. Hyde wasn’t sure if he was eager or nervous to meet him now. He scanned the club, but couldn’t see anything that looked like an office.
Asagi pulled him closer so they could talk. Still, he practically had to shout so the redhead could hear him. “I can’t see anything that looks like an office.”
Hyde looked up at him. “Me neither. Do you want to start looking? I’ll see if the bartender knows where Tetsu’s office is.”
Asagi shook his head. “You know the rules. We go together.”
The redhead huffed. He knew it was for his own good, but it still bothered him that he couldn’t even be alone in a club. “Let’s start at the bar then.” He grasped his friend’s sleeve so they wouldn’t get separated in the crowd and brought him to the bar. The stools were star shaped and had rainbow charms hanging from them. Hyde’s curiosity about Tetsu was growing by the minute. He took a seat at the bar and set the package in front of him. Absently, he pulled the sticky note off the package and stuffed it into his pocket.
The bartender, taller than him but shorter than Asagi and thin as a rail, noticed them and came up to them. “What can I get the two of you?” He didn’t smile and looked very serious - a surprising attitude for a bartender. Usually they were cheerful and inviting.
“We have to do business first, unfortunately.” Hyde smiled a little. “Our boss asked us to meet with Ogawa Tetsu. I heard he’s in his office, but we’ve never been here before…”
The bartender nodded. “See the bright pink star?” he turned and pointed. “It’s the huge one up on the back wall.”
Hyde peered at the star in question. It was certainly hard to miss. “Yes.”
“The door is right under that.”
“Thank you,” Asagi said.
The bartender nodded. “Come back when you’re done.”
“We will,” Hyde promised. They might as well have a drink while they were here. He grabbed the package and slid off his stool, glancing up at Asagi. The dark-haired man was quiet as he scanned the club. Their tattoos were thoroughly covered and they were always careful to keep the ink hidden when they were in public. Neither of them had exposed their tattoos before and didn’t need to worry about being recognized, but Asagi was always cautious. “Coming?”
“Yes.”
Hyde blinked as he saw something shining in the other man’s hair. Was that…? “You have glitter in your hair.”
Asagi’s hands flew to his hair. “I do?”
“Yeah,” he smirked. “Pink glitter.” He probably had it in his hair too… Hyde sighed and decided to worry about the glitter later. He followed the bartender’s instructions and soon found himself standing in front of the door to Tetsu’s office. It was closed, but he could see light from under the door. He knocked, waiting for an answer.
“Come in,” a chipper voice called.
Hyde opened the door and stepped inside, blinking several times. The office looked like a rainbow had thrown up on it. With glitter. The walls were covered in brightly colored posters, artwork, and scarves. Glowing stars decorated the walls and ceiling too. The man sitting behind the desk was just as colorful. He wore leopard print jeans with hot pink shoes, a bright yellow shirt, striped scarf with multiple colors, and at least a dozen sparkly bobby pins in his light brown hair. Hyde recovered from his shock to bow politely. “Hello. My name is Hyde and this is my partner, Asagi. We work for Gackt and he asked us to deliver a package to you.”
Tetsu smiled and got up. “Yes, I’ve been expecting you.”
The redhead presented the package to him. “I hope we can continue to do business together.” Partnerships like this were vital to their organization.
“So do I.” Tetsu set the package on his desk. “Is this the first time you’ve come to my club?”
Hyde blinked. “Yes.” He hadn’t expected to be asked that.
“What do you think?” Tetsu surveyed the walls, looking extremely proud. He obviously loved what he’d done with the place.
The redhead exchanged a look with Asagi. Both of them preferred darker colors and avoided glitter like the plague. “It’s very unique. I’ve never seen a club this colorful before,” Asagi said, smile a little pained as he ran his fingers through his long hair. There was still glitter in it.
Tetsu beamed. “Exactly! So many clubs are just dark and boring. There’s no character to them at all.”
“I definitely won’t forget this place,” Hyde said.
Tetsu looked pleased. “Would you two stay and have a drink?”
“We would love to, but unfortunately we have to get back to our office,” Asagi said.
Hyde pouted. “Why? There’s no rush.” They didn’t have any jobs after this so they had plenty of time to have a drink. He ignored the dark look Asagi gave him.
Tetsu laughed and took a star-shaped coin off his desk. “Show this to Yukihiro, the bartender. He’ll give you a free drink. Consider it payment for coming out here.” He handed the coin to Hyde, who pocketed it.
“Thank you, I will.” He bowed politely before leaving the office.
“Hyde, we should just leave. You can have a drink at the sushi bar.”
“Stop being a worrywart,” Hyde muttered. “We’ll just have one drink, I promise, then we’ll leave.” He wasn’t going to pass up a free beer.
Asagi sighed. “Fine, one drink.” He knew how hard it was to change the redhead’s mind. Hyde returned to the bar and showed Yukihiro the coin.
“What can I get you?” he pocketed the coin.
“I’ll have a Corona.”
“And you?”
“Nothing, thank you.”
“Asa-chan,” Hyde huffed. “Just have a drink.”
Asagi sighed again. “Red wine, please. It doesn’t matter what kind.”
Yukihiro nodded again and left to get their drinks. Hyde noticed empty seats at the end of the bar and moved there. He felt less exposed down here. He unzipped his jacket and draped it over the bar stool then sat down. Yukihiro returned with their drinks. They thanked him, and Hyde turned to lean his back against the wall so he could watch the people. Asagi sat next to him with his back to the bar.
Hyde was quiet as he sipped his beer. Mm… he loved Corona. “How’s the wine?”
“I haven’t tried it yet.”
“You should.” The redhead took another swig of his beer. He could have easily gotten a fancy mixed drink, but it was too easy to get drunk on those. And so hard to settle with just one.
Asagi rolled his eyes as he tried his wine. “It’s good,” he murmured.
“I’d like to come back here someday.” The overkill of glitter had turned him off at first, but after watching people dancing and drinking he’d changed his mind. There was just something fun about this club’s atmosphere. It was infectious. People were laughing, talking, enjoying themselves… it’d been so long since Hyde had come to a club for pleasure instead of business.
“Maybe… but we really should leave.”
“After we’ve had our drinks,” Hyde promised. He held back a sigh as he took another sip. Asagi was just being stubborn and overly concerned. Hyde, knowing the other man would be irritated if they were here too long, tried to be quick about drinking his beer. Asagi was barely paying attention to his wine, focused on the people around them instead. The redhead pressed his back closer to the wall, frowning as he felt something digging into his spine. A nail? He shifted away from it.
“Restless?” Asagi glanced at him.
“No, but I know you are.” Hyde sighed. He couldn’t properly enjoy his beer when his friend was being this edgy. He took one last sip then set the bottle on the bar. “Let’s go then. I know that’s what you want.”
Asagi set his wine glass next to the Corona and got up. “Let’s.”
Hyde slipped off the stool, surprised as he felt his shirt catch on something. It was too late to free the garment though since his body was already moving. He cringed as he heard his shirt tear. Nervous, he reached up to touch his back and swore as he felt the bare skin of his shoulder blades. The feeling of being watched settled in, and he looked back. People were staring at them. At the angel wings on his back.
Asagi swore and threw Hyde’s jacket over him. “Move.” He seized his wrist and pulled him towards the exit. People moved to block their way, but he pushed past them and escaped with Hyde. Asagi started running the second they were outside. The redhead was jerked after him, holding his jacket around his shoulders as he struggled to keep up with Asagi’s longer legs. He hated being led like this, but he didn’t protest. This was serious… and a glance over his shoulder showed that they were being followed. Asagi ducked down an alley and exited onto a crowded sidewalk.
“Are they still following us?”
“I don’t know.” Hyde glanced back again, bumping into someone as Asagi started to weave through the crowd. Apologizing, he gave up on looking after that and focused on keeping up with him instead. Asagi pulled him across the street when they reached a cross walk and headed down a less crowded sidewalk. Then another. And another. Hyde swallowed the whine about walking so far, how Asagi still hadn’t let him go, how he was walking too fast. He had gotten himself into this mess by insisting they stay in the club so had no right to complain. Finally, the dark-haired man stopped and released him.
“Is it safe to go back to the car?” Hyde pushed his arms through his jacket and zipped it up to his chin.
“Maybe,” Asagi said quietly.
The redhead bit his lip as his stomach growled. He was still hungry… but he didn’t dare ask to stop for food.
“Hungry?”
Surprised, Hyde looked up at him. “Yes.”
Asagi pointed down the sidewalk. “There’s a crepe stand over there. It’s not the sushi you want, but given the circumstances… I think you can handle this.”
The redhead nodded. “Crepes are fine.” He fished his wallet out of his pocket and caught up with Asagi. “I’ll treat us.” He owed it to his friend after insisting they stay in the club. They bought crepes from the stand and continued down the sidewalk. It was surprisingly deserted. It was a little eerie walking by themselves… usually it was hard to find solitude in Tokyo.
Hyde again swallowed questions about returning to the car and ate his crepe in silence. They would go back to the car when Asagi decided it was safe. He felt thirsty once he’d finished his crepe and looked at the shops they passed. Most were closed or in the process of locking up for the night. The few that were open were clothing and shoe stores. Nothing that would sell water. And there wasn’t a vending machine in sight. They turned the corner and finally saw a small convenience store at the end of the street.
“I’m going to get some water.” Hyde looked up at Asagi. “Do you want any?”
“Sure.”
They had to walk past an alley to reach the store. Hyde glanced down it automatically. Sometimes - unless Asagi dragged him back - he used alleys for shortcuts, but there was just something creepy about them. He froze as he heard grunts of pain and looked down the alley. Several people were beating a tattooed man. This was a fate almost guaranteed to yakuza who exposed their tattoos in public. Hyde stepped forward to help, but was stopped by Asagi throwing his arm across his chest. “Asa-chan,” he protested. They needed to help this man.
“I know.” Asagi looked pained as he took Hyde’s arm again. “I want to help him too… but there’s nothing we can do. There are eight of them and two of us. They’d only beat us too.” He gently pulled Hyde away. “Let’s go back to the car.”
The redhead bit his lip and glanced back again. It felt so wrong to leave the poor man like this, but he knew Asagi was right. The man’s attackers would only have more victims if they stepped in to help. So he followed Asagi back the way they’d come without protest.
* * *
After his angel wings were exposed, Gackt ordered Hyde to lay low for a few days - with Asagi. “It’s for your own good,” his boss had told him when he protested. Hyde liked Asagi’s apartment, but he’d rather be home. Where he didn’t have to pick cat hair off his pillow before going to sleep or wake up to a cat demanding his attention. Gackt wouldn’t take no for an answer though and so he had no choice but to stay here. Hyde had spent the first day sulking since he was a grown man, not a child that needed to be babysat.
“Still pouting?” Asagi wasn’t sympathetic. It was Hyde’s fault that he’d gotten himself into this mess, but at least he wasn’t saying I told you so. The redhead hated hearing that.
“Yes! I don’t need you to babysit me. I’m a year older than you! I can take care of myself.”
“Stop sulking and help me with the dishes then if you’re so mature. Sulking is childish and you deserve to be babysat if you’re just going to sit on my couch and pout.”
Hyde knew he was right. He apologized for his behavior and helped with the chores. After that, he took over the TV to watch dramas and play video games. Asagi at least had a cupboard stocked with games and DVDs. The cats helped keep him amused too. It was fun watching them pounce on their toys or chase a laser pointer around, but inevitably they got bored or tired and left. They were napping now so Hyde was watching True Blood. Which was getting old… along with this entire routine. When would this forced vacation end?
The redhead was halfway through yet another episode when his phone buzzed. He picked it up, assuming it was a text from his parents or just Gackt checking in on him. His boss had texted him, but the message wasn’t what he expected.
Do you want to make a delivery tonight? If so, come to my office and I’ll tell you more.
Hyde grinned. I’d love to. He’d been so bored… he could only play with the cats and watch TV so much before he started to go crazy. Which was already happening since this situation was so frustrating. It’d just been a tattoo sighting. All he had to do was wear a disguise and then he could safely continue working. But no one would listen. “What if your shirt rips again and someone recognizes your wings? It’s too dangerous. You need to lay low for now.” It was all the same. Everyone wanted to protect him instead of giving him a chance.
He read through the message again, biting his lip as he thought of an idea. What if… Hyde didn’t tell Asagi and made this delivery by himself? He could lie to his friend. Tell him that Gackt said it was safe to go home. Then when Hyde was in Gackt’s office he could say that Asagi was on the phone and waiting in the car since it was an important conversation. Yes… that would work. Then Hyde could prove that he was perfectly capable of taking care of himself.
“Do you want any coffee?” Asagi called from the kitchen.
“Please.” Hyde rolled off the couch and joined him in the kitchen. The dark-haired man was pouring coffee into two mugs. “I just got a text from Gacchan,” he announced. “He said I can go home.”
“He did?”
Hyde was relieved that Asagi had his back to him. It was easier to lie when he wasn’t looking at him. “Yeah. So I’ll go back to my apartment… you’re probably ready for a break from me anyway,” he said lightly. He’d been here for almost a week. “You could go out with some of your other friends tonight now that you don’t have to look after me.”
Asagi turned and handed him a mug. “I’m not tired of you. You know I always like having you here… but yes, I will do that.”
Hyde fought the urge to come clean at the sincerity in his voice. He hated lying to Asagi. Especially after he’d said something so sweet… “Want to come over for dinner tomorrow then? I owe you after how long I’ve been mooching off you.” He rubbed the back of his neck and sipped his coffee.
“I’d like that. Has Gackt said anything about you working again?”
Hyde took another sip of his coffee. He tended to stammer and give himself away if he looked Asagi in the eye while lying. “No… not yet. But I imagine he’ll give me a job soon since he did say I could go home.” Actually he hadn’t said so, but Hyde assumed it was safe to return to his apartment. The redhead looked up at Asagi. “I’m really sorry about last time. You were right… we should have just left the club after delivering the package.” That at least was sincere.
Asagi sighed softly. “I forgive you. Just be more careful from now on.”
“I will,” Hyde promised.
“I’ll take you home once we’ve finished our coffee.”
“Thank you.” He still felt guilty for lying, but he needed to prove everyone - and himself - that he didn’t need to be babysat anymore.