Eternal (Tackey & Tsubasa ficlet as screenplay)
Characters: Tackey and Tsubasa
Genre: Angst, fluff and romance
Rating: PG
Summary: Some people are pit stops in your life, others are the journey.
Source: Duet magazine
Eternal
INT: TAKKI-CHAN'S BEDROOM - AFTERNOON
The room is a tidy teenage boy's room, except for the clothes strewn on the floor. Two naked teenage boys lay asleep, huddled together on a single-sized bed, covered with a thin blanket. There's a knock on the door. But the boys continue their slumber. The door opens. Takki-chan's father, Takki stands at the door. His eyes widen in shock. Shortly after, he is pulled away by his longtime friend and work partner, Tsubasa, who closes the door gently.
INT: TAKKI'S LIVING ROOM - AFTERNOON
Takki sits gravely and silently on the sofa. Tsubasa stands by the window, looking out, unable to look his friend in the eye.
Takki: You know about this?
Tsubasa nods slightly.
INT: TSUBASA'S KITCHEN - AFTERNOON (LAST WINTER)
Tsubasa returned home early after a photoshoot was cancelled due to bad weather. In the kitchen, he chanced upon his son, Tsubasa-chan hand-feeding a croquette to another boy his age, his best friend and childhood buddy - Takki-chan. Takki-chan, on the other hand, seems more interested in his son's fingers.
Tsubasa-chan: (Giggling at Takki-chan licking his fingers) Not those. They're my fingers.
Takki-chan: I prefer them. They taste better.
INT: TSUBASA'S KITCHEN - AFTER DINNER (LAST WINTER)
The father and son are washing dishes after dinner.
Tsubasa: You've been friends with Takki-chan for a long time, haven't you?
Tsubasa-chan: Yep, all my life.
Tsubasa: Do you like it?
Tsubasa-chan pauses then chuckles.
Tsubasa-chan: Actually, I've never thought about it. To me, he's like... like air. It's only natural to have him around.
INT: TAKKI'S LIVING ROOM - AFTERNOON
Takki: (Stares at him in disbelief) Why didn't you stop them?
Tsubasa doesn't answer.
Takki: How long have they been...
Tsubasa: I don't know.
Takki: Don't know? Didn't you ask Tsubie-chan? He's your son, for Christ's sake!
Tsubasa lowers his head.
Takki: No, I've got to stop them!
Tsubasa: Takki, don't!
He holds the agitated man back by the arm.
Takki: Why? Why not? Don't tell me you're ok with this.
Tsubasa looks away, uncertain.
Tsubasa: I don't know.
Takki: Then let go.
Tsubasa: I can't.
Takki: Why not?!
Tsubasa: Because they're happy.
INT: AT THE BACKSTAGE OF YOKOHAMA AREANA - NIGHT (MAY 1999)
Takki and Tsubasa are resting backstage after their performance of SMAP's Run Run Run at Johnny’s Jrs. Fresh Spring Concert.
Tsubasa: Why're you smiling so much?
Takki blushes a little.
Takki: Because... just now on stage, I had that feeling.
Tsubasa: That feeling?
Takki: Yeah, you know... that kind of feeling when you look at someone and... you know.
Tsubasa: Know? Know what?
Takki looks at Tsubasa, exasperated. Then he smiles again.
Takki: Nay, nothing. I'm just happy.
INT: TAKKI'S LIVING ROOM - AFTERNOON
There are sounds of footsteps coming down the stairs. The boys have woken and are heading for the kitchen. Takki-chan follows behind Tsubasa-chan, pinching his bum as they go.
Takki-chan: I want Coke.
Tsubasa-chan: No Coke. It'll make you fat.
Takki-chan pounces Tsubasa-chan from behind.
Takki-chan: What? You're gonna stop loving-
Abruptly, Takki-chan stops and gets off Tsubasa-chan's back. The boys see their fathers in the living room.
At the sight of the boys roaming naked, Takki's anger is fuelled.
Takki: Go put some clothes on!
INT: TAKKI-CHAN'S BEDROOM - AFTERNOON
Tsubasa-chan, visibly shaken, sinks into the bed, covering his face in guilt. Takki-chan squats close in front of him.
Takki-chan: It's okay. It's no big deal.
Tsubasa-chan: No, it's not. It's not okay. I've never seen Takki-san looked so angry or so hurt.
EXT: DISNEYLAND TOKYO: AFTERNOON (WHEN THE BOYS WERE 5)
Takki buys 5-year old Tsubasa-chan a double-scooped ice-cream.
Cut to: Takki-chan sulking at his single-scooped one.
Tsubasa-chan is thrilled.
Tsubasa-chan: Thank you, Takki-san!
Takki smiles at the beaming child and ruffles the little boy’s hair lovingly.
INT: YAKINIKU RESTAURANT: AFTERNOON (WHEN THE BOYS WERE 10)
Takki picks the largest and juiciest slice of cooked beef and places it into 10-year old Tsubasa-chan's rice bowl.
Cut to: Takki-chan sulking at his empty rice bowl.
Tsubasa-chan is thrilled.
Tsubasa-chan: Thank you, Takki-san!
Takki smiles at the beaming child and ruffles the little boy’s hair lovingly.
INT: TAKKI-CHAN'S BEDROOM - AFTERNOON
Takki-chan is seated next to Tsubasa, anxious yet clueless at how to comfort his friend and lover.
Tsubasa-chan: What if Takki-san doesn't forgive us?
Takki-chan: Forgive? But we haven't done anything wrong!
Frustrated, Takki-chan paces about the room, picks up his clothes from the floor and wears them.
Takki-chan: And besides, we don't need forgiveness from a hypocrite.
Tsubasa-chan: Hypocrite?
Takki-chan: Yes! And a coward and a traitor too!
INT: TAKKI'S HOME - LAST SUMMER NIGHT
Takki-chan, who finds it hard to sleep, heads to the kitchen for a drink of ice water. He stops at the guest room and peeps through the slightly opened door.
INT: GUEST ROOM IN TAKKI'S HOME - LAST SUMMER NIGHT
Takki-chan sees his father seated on the floor by the bed, gazing at a sleeping Tsubasa-san.
INT: TAKKI'S LIVING ROOM - AFTERNOON
Fully-clothed, the boys finally come downstairs to face their fathers. The fathers appear calm but solemn. Takki is seated on the sofa with Tsubasa by his side. Takki-chan is wary of his father but tries to hide it. Tsubasa-chan only looks timidly at his father, who in return only lowers his gaze.
Takki-chan: (Very casually) Today was the photoshoot for your album covers, right? So how did it go?
Awkward silence.
Takki: We're not gonna pretend that nothing happened.
Takki-chan: I don't intend to.
Takki: Good. Then end it.
The boys are taken aback, even Tsubasa. Takki remains stoic-faced.
Takki-chan: Wait! Don't we get a say in it.
Takki: No. It's wrong. So stop it.
Takki-chan: It's wrong?! What's so wrong about it?
In a further act of defiance, Takki grabs Tsubasa-chan's hands in his.
Takki-chan: If me sleeping with Tsubasa-chan is wrong, then what about you watching Tsubasa-san sleep? What's so right about that?!
Overwhelmed by the second blow of the day, Takki goes into a daze. But his reflexes still manage to stand and slap Takki-chan. Clutching his cheek, Takki-chan glares at his father.
Takki-chan: You're the disgusting one!
Takki-chan storms out of the room, leaving behind his distraught and disgraced father. Tsubasa-chan glances at his father, who nods at him, permitting him to chase after Takki-chan.
Takki: Wait!
Hurriedly, Takki draws a key from a drawer. As he passes it to Tsubasa-chan, he notices tears forming. He hesitates but gives in and gently ruffles the teenager's hair.
Takki: Don't cry. You're not a child anymore.
Tsubasa-chan starts crying.
Takki: That idiot probably forgot his key. This is yours.
Tsubasa-chan nods as he wipes his tears away. He bows deeply to both fathers and leaves.
INT: TAKKI'S FORMER RENTED APARTMENT - AFTERNOON (2002)
Takki hands Tsubasa a key.
Tsubasa: What's this?
Takki: A key.
Tsubasa: Duh?
Takki: The key to my place. Didn't you tell that magazine that my place is your villa, your second home? How can you not have the key to your home?
INT: TAKKI'S LIVING ROOM - AFTERNOON
Tsubasa, standing by the window, smiles faintly at his recollection. Takki is by his side, more somber than before.
Takki: (Cautiously) What are you smiling at?
Tsubasa: (Pauses briefly) Nothing. I'm just...
He smiles some more, a little more easily now.
Tsubasa: I'm just thinking that Takki-chan reminds me of a younger you - hot-headed and hot-blooded.
For the first time that since the discovery, Takki smiles.
Takki: (Softly) But he's one thing I'm not.
Tsubasa: What's that?
Takki looks away into the distance.
Takki: I'm not that brave.
His eyes begin to moist.
Takki: Tsubasa... I'm sorry.
Tsubasa's face begins to scrunch.
Takki: I... I....
Tsubasa feels like he could break down and cry. But he doesn't. Instead, he smiles brightly.
Tsubasa: I know. I know...
END
Note: The title is borrowed from Jin's song, Eternal (music video comes with English translation too). The lyrics are rather fitting to this story too. Despite what happened between him and Kattun, it's a beautiful song. Do check it out.
Rate this story or vote for it here. Rewards with Takki picspam: Peter Pan's Secret to Eternal Youth.