Somewhere Between Midnight and Sunrise: Chapter Three
Title: Somewhere Between Midnight and Sunrise
Chapters: 3/?
Band: The Gazette
Pairings: Aoi/Uruha, Reita/Aoi, Ruki/Kai (bolded are present in this chapter)
Rating: R/Light NC-17
Genres: Drama, mystery, suspense, angst
Warnings: Sexual situations, Violence
Summary: Humanity is a vulnerable condition and only more so when emotional factors are thrown into an already delicate balance.
“Wait…wait…wait…” I almost jumped in my chair as the silent one finally spoke up, it was out of excitement rather than surprise or shock that I gave a start. I revealed my teeth again in a wide smile and uttered ‘participation’. His voice was smoother than the other fella, it was softer too but no less demanding. “I thought you said Aoi loved Uruha…”
The way he let his statement hang I knew it was a question but he didn’t phrase it as such so I leaned over a little and eyed him from the side playfully. “Did I say that?” I asked in a charmed voice before I leaned back and shook my head. “I did not. I said he was having sex with Uruha. I never said he loved Uruha, he might have. But that’s a whole other story and I’m getting there. Aoi wasn’t the same after…” I paused and shook my head lightly before I let my smile turn saucy. “Ahh, you almost got me, you’ll mess up the story if you do that.”
“Stop!” The fat one demanded again and I looked over to him.
“You keep saying that.” I retorted in immediate defense as my eyes shot to the silent interrogator as if in the hopes to receive some sort of support. The mouthy one's face responded with a puff of red which started at his neck and bled upward until it reached the top of his forehead at his hairline.
“Look let’s try a simple one. Why does Reita wear the strip across his face?” He was trying to control his voice but it stayed dominate and strained, if I could have described the color of this tone I would have said it matched his face. That too was funny and I actually had to press my fingertips to my lips light in an effort to keep the laugh in.
I shrugged. “I’ve heard lots of reasons, some just stupid but others could be possible. Know what I think?” I leaned over and whispered as if in hushed secret, but before I could go on his face turned from red to purple. And I fell silent momentarily, mostly concerned for his health. If he passed out I wouldn’t have anyone to talk to. “Okay.” I started, slower this time, more pointed. “Just breathe and I’ll go on. I’ll tell you everything.”
“That’s the trouble.”
I ignored him, rather I pretended not to hear him. “Oh right! Uruha and Aoi, that’s where we were. Actually no, backtrack - it’s Uruha you need to know about, to get why Aoi was even there…which brings us to Ruki. And before you ask how I know this one, yes, I was there…”
___________________________
"Get away from that!"
"Oh Uruha, what are a few missing grapes going to hurt? Or crackers? Go ahead and have some." Ruki said to the kitchen aid who was supposed to be replenishing the empty spots in the fruit trays, not taking from them. However Ruki didn't mind, in fact he was amused - if not by the 'thief' than by Uruha's aggravation with said thief. He watched for a moment as the goodies were taken while Uruha was forced to observe.
Ruki smirked; a slim little expression that was the closest he got to a true smile. He was entertained by Uruha’s seething disgust of the help eating from their party’s treats. Ruki seemed to ooze standoffish arrogance, however the truth was Ruki didn’t communicate well with others. He liked people but couldn't really anticipate them and therefore sometimes seemed socially awkward. That annoyed Uruha which made Ruki all the more prone to taunt him. He was dry and painfully honest, which also irritated Uruha. Their world, their society, was meant for puffing each other up and ego stroking of the best kind; Ruki challenged the status quo.
He smoothed the shirt he wore, ensuring it was wrinkle free. He was a tiny bit too tidy and quite enjoyed the array of strange things he could do with the locks upon his head. Currently they existed in flat blonde spears. His pale skin nearly matched the ashen hue of his hair. He liked to harass Uruha because it was so easy to do and of all the people in the inner circles of their world he was the most fragile in his façade.
His eyes flicked over to the table again and he offered the smirk of approval. “Good right? Have some more. Eat up.” Ruki said and with a full mouth the staff nodded but couldn’t respond and shuffled away to gather more to stock the trays.
“Why do you do that?” Uruha asked.
“What? Offer some of our wealth to others?” Ruki retorted, his eyes narrowing slightly.
“No…” Uruha said slowly, “irritate me by questioning me in front of anyone who will listen. You’ve done that since we became peers.”
“We’re peers?” Ruki quipped. “Really? Did it ever occur to you that I don’t necessarily like this life and I just accept it because it’s there to be accepted? I’m not saying that’s the case but have you ever, once, consider any option besides the blatant obvious? Besides what sits right in front of you?”
“Don’t get all philosophical on me, I haven’t the energy to deal with it right now Ruki. Your preachings certainly aren't what I want to talk about tonight.” Uruha retorted, flicking his eyes lazily elsewhere about the room before he glanced briefly to Ruki again. "Your words will fall on deaf ears, I'm giving you a fair warning."
"Then what, pry tell, do you want to discuss, Uruha?" A small smirk crossed Ruki's face as Uruha shot him a darkened scowl.
___________________________
"Just like that--" I nodded my head at the overweight man, and pointed somewhat excitedly, who was scowling down at me, "--tell me...you know Uruha? 'Cause hell, you look just like 'im right now. It's giving me the creeps."
"How much longer do you intend to drag this out?" It was the smaller man that spoke and my eyes flickered over to him. "What do these details have to do with Reita? Or Aoi? Or you for that matter? Or whatever else you've decided to spew at us? How many more lies are you going to feed us?"
"That depends." I ducked my head in against my chest, peaking coyly up to him. "How many more are you willing to listen to? Give me the chance to finish and you'll find out why it matters, yeah? I tell it like I see it--and I'm tellin' you, that's what I saw."
"While stealing their food." I arched my eyebrow at the fatter man when he snapped smugly at me. He was judging me, I could tell by the tone of his voice - that he'd picked up my role in that night's party. I didn't care though and the venom in his off hand remark didn't trouble me.
"Did I say that? Ahh--I suppose I did. You gotta eat, don't you?" I hesitated offering another smile, pondering if he really needed to eat or not. I figured he didn't need another meal but I ignored it, I had other important details to cover. "I do too. I could go for food now too, you know." I paused for a brief second before laughing lowly to myself at the blank stares I received. "All right, all right." I cleared my throat and tried to right myself in the chair so I at least looked as sophisticated as they wanted me to be. "You want the truth. I'll tell you the truth. That was the night Uruha met Aoi...
___________________________
The moment the kitchen aid had disappeared, the tray had shifted hands to another servant. His hair was dark black and his clothes clashed against that of the well dressed party goers. In their expensive suits and gowns, they represented the money each of them relished in. But the black haired man clearly meant to blend in with the people around him, if though that of their servant rather than anything else.
Aoi, dressed in the servant garb, brushed by Ruki and Uruha as they seemed engaged in conversation. He, however, hadn't been able to get more than a step before Uruha's voice rang out, calling his attention. "Come for a moment--is that wine you have? My...friend and I will have some." Aoi paused for a moment but turned back to Uruha, his jaw set tight.
"I'm sorry, sir, but these--" Aoi, however, hadn't been able to finish before Uruha reached forward and took two of them by the stem, offering one to Ruki with a swift hand. Aoi pressed his lips together, his patience faltering for a moment before he took a small step forward and opened his mouth to speak.
"To...your feeble attempts to better the world. May Kai at least pretend to enjoy them." Uruha told Ruki with a knowing smirk before he lifted his cup and then brought it to his lips. He urged Ruki to do the same, all before Aoi could utter a single word to stop either of them.
It happened all, seemingly, in an instant. Ruki had taken a sip of the wine from his glass just as Aoi backed away from them; he didn't make it very far before Ruki choked on the liquid, his fingers rushing to touch his throat. His face was starting to redden in color and the wine glass had slipped from his fingers, crashing to the floor in a slop of liquid and shattered glass.
They'd caught the attention of the people around them quickly as Ruki choked endlessly, trying to catch his breath but failing to do so. Uruha stood dumbstruck for a moment, his eyes wide and unblinking as it took the effort of another to rush to Ruki's side before he was jerked from his confusion. It was in that moment that Uruha's eyes flickered up towards Aoi; their gazes caught for a moment and they seemed locked in the second that passed.
Aoi immediately turned on his heels, shoving the tray to another's hands, and pushed through the people now crowding around Ruki. he was swift and agile but Uruha was after him in an instant, roughly instructing others to get out of his way as he paused through them. Aoi slipped easily towards the front of the massive house, shedding the jacket of his uniform as he moved.
"Stop! Stop, damn it!" Uruha shouted at him; it wasn't until they were outside, the sky streaking with color as night fell over the country, that Uruha got a hold of Aoi's shirt sleeve and yanked him backwards. Uruha was breathing shallowly as he tugged Aoi to a stop. "What the fuck did you do to him?!" He exclaimed, bits of spit escaping him in anger and faltering fear.
"Let go of me." Aoi snapped, pulling himself from Uruha's grasp only to have the richer man attack him again, snatching Aoi's white shirt to prevent his escape. Aoi was quick to respond, catching Uruha's arms and shoving him hard against the now closed door. "I said let go of me--go back inside and help your friend. You took what wasn't yours and you certainly deserve what you get. Stop asking question--you'll wish you didn't." Aoi let him go roughly, spinning away again and leaving Uruha stunned in his spot.
___________________________
"I thought Aoi was in the woods with Reita." The slimmer man said, clearly skeptical of me in that moment. I grinned again, shaking my head at him.
"Yeah sure, when he was younger--that was years before this. Did I not say that? Ahh well...a lot of shit happened between the woods and when Uruha met his fuck buddy; a lot of shit that didn't keep him as cheerful. But see, to tell you that story--you had to know this one. You want your answers or not? I'm the one telling it, aren't I?"
"So tell it!" The other one snapped, his cheeks turning reddish-purple in his irritation. "Stop jumping back and forth and just tell us the damn truth. What happened in the woods? What did they find there? And what the hell does it have to do with why you're here now? Speak, damn it! You're wasting our time otherwise."
I leaned forward, my eyebrows raised. I folded my arms on the table and drew the moment out in silence, watching them both with eager eyes. "With all due respect, sir--you weren't there, were you? For all you know, it's got everything to do with why I'm here. It does too, just in case you were wondering. All right, all right. I'll tell you what happened...see...Reita was pretty interested in it himself, just like you fine folks. Hell I would'a been too if I had been there. So he went back there one night, just to see if he'd see another one of those creatures, because he was sure there was something not right about that woman..."
A/N: So it begins...my inability to keep the chapters short. Though this one isn't my average length its longer than the previous ones. Regardless, I hope you enjoyed it. As before - thank you for reading. Again, I would appreciate any comments my might have.
Previous: One - Two
Next: Four
Chapters: 3/?
Band: The Gazette
Pairings: Aoi/Uruha, Reita/Aoi, Ruki/Kai (bolded are present in this chapter)
Rating: R/Light NC-17
Genres: Drama, mystery, suspense, angst
Warnings: Sexual situations, Violence
Summary: Humanity is a vulnerable condition and only more so when emotional factors are thrown into an already delicate balance.
“Wait…wait…wait…” I almost jumped in my chair as the silent one finally spoke up, it was out of excitement rather than surprise or shock that I gave a start. I revealed my teeth again in a wide smile and uttered ‘participation’. His voice was smoother than the other fella, it was softer too but no less demanding. “I thought you said Aoi loved Uruha…”
The way he let his statement hang I knew it was a question but he didn’t phrase it as such so I leaned over a little and eyed him from the side playfully. “Did I say that?” I asked in a charmed voice before I leaned back and shook my head. “I did not. I said he was having sex with Uruha. I never said he loved Uruha, he might have. But that’s a whole other story and I’m getting there. Aoi wasn’t the same after…” I paused and shook my head lightly before I let my smile turn saucy. “Ahh, you almost got me, you’ll mess up the story if you do that.”
“Stop!” The fat one demanded again and I looked over to him.
“You keep saying that.” I retorted in immediate defense as my eyes shot to the silent interrogator as if in the hopes to receive some sort of support. The mouthy one's face responded with a puff of red which started at his neck and bled upward until it reached the top of his forehead at his hairline.
“Look let’s try a simple one. Why does Reita wear the strip across his face?” He was trying to control his voice but it stayed dominate and strained, if I could have described the color of this tone I would have said it matched his face. That too was funny and I actually had to press my fingertips to my lips light in an effort to keep the laugh in.
I shrugged. “I’ve heard lots of reasons, some just stupid but others could be possible. Know what I think?” I leaned over and whispered as if in hushed secret, but before I could go on his face turned from red to purple. And I fell silent momentarily, mostly concerned for his health. If he passed out I wouldn’t have anyone to talk to. “Okay.” I started, slower this time, more pointed. “Just breathe and I’ll go on. I’ll tell you everything.”
“That’s the trouble.”
I ignored him, rather I pretended not to hear him. “Oh right! Uruha and Aoi, that’s where we were. Actually no, backtrack - it’s Uruha you need to know about, to get why Aoi was even there…which brings us to Ruki. And before you ask how I know this one, yes, I was there…”
___________________________
"Get away from that!"
"Oh Uruha, what are a few missing grapes going to hurt? Or crackers? Go ahead and have some." Ruki said to the kitchen aid who was supposed to be replenishing the empty spots in the fruit trays, not taking from them. However Ruki didn't mind, in fact he was amused - if not by the 'thief' than by Uruha's aggravation with said thief. He watched for a moment as the goodies were taken while Uruha was forced to observe.
Ruki smirked; a slim little expression that was the closest he got to a true smile. He was entertained by Uruha’s seething disgust of the help eating from their party’s treats. Ruki seemed to ooze standoffish arrogance, however the truth was Ruki didn’t communicate well with others. He liked people but couldn't really anticipate them and therefore sometimes seemed socially awkward. That annoyed Uruha which made Ruki all the more prone to taunt him. He was dry and painfully honest, which also irritated Uruha. Their world, their society, was meant for puffing each other up and ego stroking of the best kind; Ruki challenged the status quo.
He smoothed the shirt he wore, ensuring it was wrinkle free. He was a tiny bit too tidy and quite enjoyed the array of strange things he could do with the locks upon his head. Currently they existed in flat blonde spears. His pale skin nearly matched the ashen hue of his hair. He liked to harass Uruha because it was so easy to do and of all the people in the inner circles of their world he was the most fragile in his façade.
His eyes flicked over to the table again and he offered the smirk of approval. “Good right? Have some more. Eat up.” Ruki said and with a full mouth the staff nodded but couldn’t respond and shuffled away to gather more to stock the trays.
“Why do you do that?” Uruha asked.
“What? Offer some of our wealth to others?” Ruki retorted, his eyes narrowing slightly.
“No…” Uruha said slowly, “irritate me by questioning me in front of anyone who will listen. You’ve done that since we became peers.”
“We’re peers?” Ruki quipped. “Really? Did it ever occur to you that I don’t necessarily like this life and I just accept it because it’s there to be accepted? I’m not saying that’s the case but have you ever, once, consider any option besides the blatant obvious? Besides what sits right in front of you?”
“Don’t get all philosophical on me, I haven’t the energy to deal with it right now Ruki. Your preachings certainly aren't what I want to talk about tonight.” Uruha retorted, flicking his eyes lazily elsewhere about the room before he glanced briefly to Ruki again. "Your words will fall on deaf ears, I'm giving you a fair warning."
"Then what, pry tell, do you want to discuss, Uruha?" A small smirk crossed Ruki's face as Uruha shot him a darkened scowl.
___________________________
"Just like that--" I nodded my head at the overweight man, and pointed somewhat excitedly, who was scowling down at me, "--tell me...you know Uruha? 'Cause hell, you look just like 'im right now. It's giving me the creeps."
"How much longer do you intend to drag this out?" It was the smaller man that spoke and my eyes flickered over to him. "What do these details have to do with Reita? Or Aoi? Or you for that matter? Or whatever else you've decided to spew at us? How many more lies are you going to feed us?"
"That depends." I ducked my head in against my chest, peaking coyly up to him. "How many more are you willing to listen to? Give me the chance to finish and you'll find out why it matters, yeah? I tell it like I see it--and I'm tellin' you, that's what I saw."
"While stealing their food." I arched my eyebrow at the fatter man when he snapped smugly at me. He was judging me, I could tell by the tone of his voice - that he'd picked up my role in that night's party. I didn't care though and the venom in his off hand remark didn't trouble me.
"Did I say that? Ahh--I suppose I did. You gotta eat, don't you?" I hesitated offering another smile, pondering if he really needed to eat or not. I figured he didn't need another meal but I ignored it, I had other important details to cover. "I do too. I could go for food now too, you know." I paused for a brief second before laughing lowly to myself at the blank stares I received. "All right, all right." I cleared my throat and tried to right myself in the chair so I at least looked as sophisticated as they wanted me to be. "You want the truth. I'll tell you the truth. That was the night Uruha met Aoi...
___________________________
The moment the kitchen aid had disappeared, the tray had shifted hands to another servant. His hair was dark black and his clothes clashed against that of the well dressed party goers. In their expensive suits and gowns, they represented the money each of them relished in. But the black haired man clearly meant to blend in with the people around him, if though that of their servant rather than anything else.
Aoi, dressed in the servant garb, brushed by Ruki and Uruha as they seemed engaged in conversation. He, however, hadn't been able to get more than a step before Uruha's voice rang out, calling his attention. "Come for a moment--is that wine you have? My...friend and I will have some." Aoi paused for a moment but turned back to Uruha, his jaw set tight.
"I'm sorry, sir, but these--" Aoi, however, hadn't been able to finish before Uruha reached forward and took two of them by the stem, offering one to Ruki with a swift hand. Aoi pressed his lips together, his patience faltering for a moment before he took a small step forward and opened his mouth to speak.
"To...your feeble attempts to better the world. May Kai at least pretend to enjoy them." Uruha told Ruki with a knowing smirk before he lifted his cup and then brought it to his lips. He urged Ruki to do the same, all before Aoi could utter a single word to stop either of them.
It happened all, seemingly, in an instant. Ruki had taken a sip of the wine from his glass just as Aoi backed away from them; he didn't make it very far before Ruki choked on the liquid, his fingers rushing to touch his throat. His face was starting to redden in color and the wine glass had slipped from his fingers, crashing to the floor in a slop of liquid and shattered glass.
They'd caught the attention of the people around them quickly as Ruki choked endlessly, trying to catch his breath but failing to do so. Uruha stood dumbstruck for a moment, his eyes wide and unblinking as it took the effort of another to rush to Ruki's side before he was jerked from his confusion. It was in that moment that Uruha's eyes flickered up towards Aoi; their gazes caught for a moment and they seemed locked in the second that passed.
Aoi immediately turned on his heels, shoving the tray to another's hands, and pushed through the people now crowding around Ruki. he was swift and agile but Uruha was after him in an instant, roughly instructing others to get out of his way as he paused through them. Aoi slipped easily towards the front of the massive house, shedding the jacket of his uniform as he moved.
"Stop! Stop, damn it!" Uruha shouted at him; it wasn't until they were outside, the sky streaking with color as night fell over the country, that Uruha got a hold of Aoi's shirt sleeve and yanked him backwards. Uruha was breathing shallowly as he tugged Aoi to a stop. "What the fuck did you do to him?!" He exclaimed, bits of spit escaping him in anger and faltering fear.
"Let go of me." Aoi snapped, pulling himself from Uruha's grasp only to have the richer man attack him again, snatching Aoi's white shirt to prevent his escape. Aoi was quick to respond, catching Uruha's arms and shoving him hard against the now closed door. "I said let go of me--go back inside and help your friend. You took what wasn't yours and you certainly deserve what you get. Stop asking question--you'll wish you didn't." Aoi let him go roughly, spinning away again and leaving Uruha stunned in his spot.
___________________________
"I thought Aoi was in the woods with Reita." The slimmer man said, clearly skeptical of me in that moment. I grinned again, shaking my head at him.
"Yeah sure, when he was younger--that was years before this. Did I not say that? Ahh well...a lot of shit happened between the woods and when Uruha met his fuck buddy; a lot of shit that didn't keep him as cheerful. But see, to tell you that story--you had to know this one. You want your answers or not? I'm the one telling it, aren't I?"
"So tell it!" The other one snapped, his cheeks turning reddish-purple in his irritation. "Stop jumping back and forth and just tell us the damn truth. What happened in the woods? What did they find there? And what the hell does it have to do with why you're here now? Speak, damn it! You're wasting our time otherwise."
I leaned forward, my eyebrows raised. I folded my arms on the table and drew the moment out in silence, watching them both with eager eyes. "With all due respect, sir--you weren't there, were you? For all you know, it's got everything to do with why I'm here. It does too, just in case you were wondering. All right, all right. I'll tell you what happened...see...Reita was pretty interested in it himself, just like you fine folks. Hell I would'a been too if I had been there. So he went back there one night, just to see if he'd see another one of those creatures, because he was sure there was something not right about that woman..."
A/N: So it begins...my inability to keep the chapters short. Though this one isn't my average length its longer than the previous ones. Regardless, I hope you enjoyed it. As before - thank you for reading. Again, I would appreciate any comments my might have.
Previous: One - Two
Next: Four