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Current music:	"Push" - Sarah McLachlan
Entry tags:	gravitation

Gravi fic: Tabloid Darling 3

Shuichi brought back the tea to the studio, giving a forced smile as Suguru gave him a questioning look. He sat beside him and absently chewed on the end of the stick of strawberry Pocky in his mouth.

“So, Shuichi,” Aika said with a mischievous glint in her eyes, “Who are you really dating? Joshuya Eiji or Suguru here?”

Shuichi’s eyes rolled over to her wearily.

“I don’t think he’s in the mood, Aika,” Kimi said quietly. “Why don’t we go down to the lobby and annoy the new security guard you think is cute?”

“I guess,” Aika said sullenly, then brightened. “Oh, can we make faces at all those stupid photographers outside through the window?”

“Sure, honey,” Kimi said, shaking her head.

“Sorry if I said something wrong, Shu-chan,” Aika said as they walked out of the door.

“Yuki-san?” Suguru asked. Shuichi nodded.

“What did he say to you?”

“That’s just it. He didn’t say anything,” Shuichi said.

“Well, if it’s any consolation, he really doesn’t come to see Tohma all that often. I’m rather surprised he was even here today,” Suguru said. “Are you going to be all right?”

“Yeah, I just -- I didn’t expect it to be quite like that,” Shuichi said.

“Maybe he just has a lot on his mind,” Suguru said. “You know, this floor isn’t exactly on the way to Tohma’s office. Maybe he wanted to see you, but just didn’t know what to say.”

“It’s no big thing. I was prepared,” Shuichi said with a forced smile. “Hey, I was listening to one of the demos you had for Sand. Do you think we could use their bass player for the closing track? I think it would add a really cool sound.”

“Oh, that’s a great idea!” Suguru said excitedly, tilting his head back and closing his eyes as if he were imagining the sound in his mind.

Shuichi watched his face, smiling to himself at his friend’s shared enthusiasm for the music. He felt the strangest urge pass through him, his fingers twitched, and words seemed to form in his mind like someone unseen were whispering in his ear. He shivered. It had been a long time since he’d felt that sensation.

“I’ll be right back,” Shuichi said, grabbing his messenger bag and running out of the studio, ignoring the confused look Suguru gave him.

OoOoO

It seemed to be a quiet understanding that neither of them even discussed when Suguru helped Shuichi repack the clothes strewn over the hotel bed and brought him back to his home. Ashia gave them a raised eyebrow as they entered, but said nothing.

“So, you liked Sand, huh?” Suguru asked as Shuichi gathered plates for the supper Suguru was preparing.

“Yeah, they’ve got a really neat style. Do you think Tohma’s going to sign them?” Shuichi asked. Suguru was silent for a moment.

“Can you keep a secret, Shuichi?” Suguru asked, glancing at the kitchen door.

“Sure, what is it?” Shuichi asked.

“Those demos aren’t for NG. They’re for my own project,” Suguru said with a smile. “I’ve been wanting to tell you about this for a while, and now is as good a time as any, I suppose.”

“You’re starting your own label?” Shuichi asked with disbelief, as Suguru placed a finger to his lips and winked.

“It’s nothing personal against Tohma or NG or anything. I just want to branch out on my own now that I have the money and reputation, you know? I want something smaller, where I can focus my energies on just a select roster of artists,” Suguru said.

“That’s really great, Suguru!” Shuichi said. “When do you plan on starting it?”

“The building is already finished. Sister Moon’s new album is going to be my last project with NG. Sand is going to be my first act for GL,” Suguru said.

“GL?” Shuichi asked. “What does it stand for?”

“Good Luck,” Suguru said with a grin. Shuichi laughed.

“Are you girls through socializing yet, or do I need to order pizza?” Ashia called through the door.

“Coming dear,” Suguru answered sarcastically. Shuichi frowned as Suguru dutifully prepared his lover a plate and brought it to him.

Dinner was pleasant enough, despite Ashia’s occasional jabs at his imagined rival for his meal ticket, Shuichi and Suguru excitedly discussing the possibilities of what they could accomplish in the studio with both Sand and Sister Moon. After their meal, Suguru and Shuichi sat at the grand piano, Suguru even coaxing the singer into doing a rendition of a few Bad Luck songs. Ashia rolled his eyes at them, before surprising them by joining in on a few traditional numbers.

After they’d turned in for the night, Shuichi carefully drew his notebook out of his bag, and laid across his bed to look at what he’d written. After crossing out and adding a few things, he restlessly wandered towards the kitchen to get a soda. On his way back to the guest room, he passed Suguru’s, where he heard the unmistakable moans and creaks of bedsprings. He felt both nauseated and strangely aroused as he went back to his room, laying the notebook aside and instead fishing out a full bottle of vodka he was thankful had remained undiscovered at the very bottom of his box of clothes.

OoOoO

“Brat.”

“Yuki.”

The exchange went exactly the same, for the third day in a row, almost becoming a comforting sort of ritual, as Shuichi stepped out to get everyone tea.

“Why has he been coming here every day, when he usually comes by once every couple of weeks at most, I wonder?” Suguru asked with a knowing smile.

The tabloid papers were still abuzz with Shuichi’s and Suguru’s lover’s spat that had thrown him into the arms of Joshuya Eiji, along with speculations that Shuichi was making music again, but without anything new to go on, the crowd outside Suguru’s and NG’s doors had slowly begun to thin.

“We’ve been working awfully hard,” Suguru announced while they made dinner that night. “Why don’t we give the girls a rest tomorrow?”

“But the album’s almost finished,” Shuichi said, leaving unspoken that a day away from the studio was a missed opportunity to see Yuki, if just for a moment.

“Well, we’re way ahead of schedule. Wouldn’t you like to have a day off?” Suguru asked. Shuichi shrugged.

“Yeah, I guess that would be all right,” Shuichi said.

“Good, because I have a couple of places I want to take you tomorrow,” Suguru said.

Another comforting ritual Shuichi had was quietly drinking himself to sleep alone in his room once Suguru and Ashia retired. It helped him face the long night and empty bed that awaited him, with Yuki still so fresh upon his mind, and the frightening sensation of being set adrift without Hiro in his life to ground him.

He stumbled back from the bathroom, cursing as he stubbed his toe on a chair and hopped over to the bed. The door to his room opened a crack, letting in the light from the hallway.

“Shuichi, are you okay?” Suguru asked.

“Fine. Stubbed my toe, s’all,” Shuichi slurred, staring up at the ceiling and feeling dizzy. The door swung wider, throwing light across him as Suguru stepped inside.

“You’re drunk aren’t you?” Suguru asked. His voice did not sound accusing, just vaguely sad.

“Yep, pretty much,” Shuichi said with a joyless laugh. Suguru sighed, shutting the door behind him and walking over to sit on the bed.

“Want to tell me why you’re sitting in here in the dark getting wasted?” Suguru asked, timidly reaching over and smoothing the hair out of Shuichi’s eyes.

“My mom used to rub my head just like that when I was a kid. Feels nice,” Shuichi murmured. “Did you just ask me a question?”

“I asked why you were in here drinking,” Suguru repeated, sighing.

“Beats the alternative,” Shuichi said, awkwardly stumbling over the last word.

“You just need to refocus your energies. I thought being back in the studio would help,” Suguru said, then froze as Shuichi snuggled up against him.

“I miss having sex,” Shuichi murmured. “Gets so lonely.”

“Uh, I’d better go back to bed now,” Suguru said in a choked voice, sliding off the bed.

“Nobody wants me anymore,” Shuichi sniffed, turning away on his side.

“Goodnight, Shuichi,” Suguru said gently, crossing the room and going back into the hallway.

OoOoO

Shuichi woke to the sounds of raised voices from the front room. He stirred sleepily, trying to decide whether to go and investigate or put the pillow over his head and drift back into peaceful oblivion. He heard the front door slam and the voices fall silent, giving the ceiling a good hard stare before finally willing himself to move.

Suguru was crouched in the floor, sweeping up what looked to be the remains of the glass surface of one of the living room end tables.

“Be careful, there’s glass,” Suguru said, not looking up.

“Yeah, I can see that,” Shuichi said. “What happened?”

“Just Raiden being an ass,” Suguru said shrilly, his emotions getting the better of him for a moment. “I’m sorry if we woke you.”

“No, it’s okay,” Shuichi said, taking a step closer.

“Shuichi, the glass,” Suguru warned again. “I’ll be fine. Why don’t you just get a shower, and I’ll make us breakfast, all right?”

When Shuichi returned, all evidence of the incident had been swept away, Suguru giving him a bright smile as he placed a pitcher of orange juice on the table. The shower had seemed to clear his head, and his stomach growled appreciatively at the smell of food.

Memories of the night before had begun to slowly come back to him while he showered, and he felt awkward, not quite meeting Suguru’s eyes as he served him a plate.

“Suguru,” Shuichi began, “I -- about last night --”

“You were very drunk. And while I don’t hold you accountable for any actions you took while you were, I am kind of concerned that you were in the first place.

“So, everything’s cool? With us, I mean?” Shuichi asked.

“Of course,” Suguru said brightly. “We just need to get you into some sort of routine that doesn’t involve getting plastered and sleeping with the nearest warm body.”

“Hey!” Shuichi said indignantly, looking up.

“I’m just glad it was me and not someone who would take advantage of you,” Suguru said, touching his index finger on the tip of Shuichi’s nose scoldingly.

“What did you and Ashia-san fight about?” Shuichi asked quietly as their eyes met. Suguru flinched and looked away.

“It’s not important,” Suguru said, then nodded to Shuichi’s plate. “Eat up before it gets cold. Tohma taught me how to make those crepes. They’re awesome.”

Shuichi nodded, watching Suguru as he turned to get his own food ready, a slight stoop to his shoulders.

OoOoO

“Why are we in my old neighborhood?” Shuichi asked in confusion, frustrated that Suguru had refused to explain where they were headed. “Are you taking me to see my mom?”

“No, but I probably should. I’ll bet she’s worried sick over you,” Suguru murmured evasively.

“Doesn’t look like she’s home, anyway,” Shuichi said, craning his neck to look at his childhood home as they turned onto his street. Suguru passed it, slowing to a stop outside of another familiar home a few doors down.

“We’re going to see Hiro’s mom?” Shuichi asked in confusion, before looking out of the window and into the front yard.

Hiro was mowing the lawn, his hair pulled back into a ponytail, wiping his brow before looking at Suguru’s car with curiosity.

“Shuichi?” He saw Hiro mouth his name, before hurriedly turning off the mower and walking towards him.

“Hiro!” Shuichi called, running to meet him. They both stopped short as they reached one another, staring at each other cautiously, before Hiro broke into a warm grin and pulled him into a tight hug.

“It’s great to see you, bro,” Hiro said, sounding choked up. He released him, still holding him by the arms, and studying him. “You’re too skinny, Shu. Did you forget to eat without me around?”

“Probably,” Shuichi said, in no mood to argue. “What are you doing back in Tokyo?”

“Well, my mom’s been getting worse, and we didn’t know if she’d be able to make it out to Kyoto for the big day,” Hiro said with an enormous grin, nodding towards the front door. Shuichi turned around, his eyes growing wide as he took in a very pregnant Ayaka standing on the front stoop, giving him a little wave.

“You’re -- she’s --” Shuichi stammered.

“Any day now,” Hiro said, beaming with pride.

OoOoO

“I work in a pharmacy now,” Hiro explained as he served them tea in the front room, giving Ayaka a peck on the forehead as he passed her. “I’m still taking classes when I can, so I can get my degree.”

“That’s great,” Shuichi said, feeling oddly out of place, and saddened that he no longer seemed to quite fit into the life of his best friend.

“Yeah, it’s quiet, and probably seems pretty boring to you, I guess, but I’m good with it,” Hiro said, looking more or less content.

“Sometimes boring’s good, you know?” Shuichi said with a shrug.

“Sounds like your life’s been anything but lately,” Hiro said with a playfully accusing look. “I’m glad Suguru’s decided to help straighten you out. I’ve been worried about you.”

“I know, I know, I’m a mess,” Shuichi said with frown.

“He’s been an enormous help to me in the studio,” Suguru said.

“That’s good to hear,” Hiro said. “Are you working on anything of your own?”

“Not exactly,” Shuichi said with a shrug.

After a pleasant conversation full of reminiscing about the old days, they said their goodbyes, Hiro promising to call when his son was born. They drove in silence for a long while as they left the suburbs for the city.

“Thanks for taking me to see him,” Shuichi said at last. “Are you okay?”

“Hmm? Yeah, of course,” Suguru said, his smile just a little bit too bright. “He seems happy now, doesn’t he?”

“Yeah,” Shuichi said, unsure of what else to say.

OoOoO

Suguru seemed to fidget a bit with excitement as they drove, tapping his fingers in time with the music on the steering wheel.

“Where are we going now?” Shuichi asked.

“You’ll see. We’re almost there,” Suguru said, speeding ahead of the cars in the next lane as the light turned green.

Soon, Suguru’s car slowed and pulled into a small parking lot outside of a modern styled two story building, it’s large front windows trimmed in black and chrome. The wide, red double doors of its entrance each held two oddly shaped windows near their center spelling out the letters “GL”.

“It’s your studio,” Shuichi said in awe. “This is really cool.”

“Wait to you see the inside,” Suguru said proudly, killing the engine, as he pulled up to the front walk, which was bordered by two tall topiary bushes in the shapes of music notes.

Suguru led him to the doors and unlocked them, switching on the lights from a little paneled door just inside. The bright track lights above lit up the lobby, with its checker board tile floor, black lacquered front desk, and cushy red armchairs. There was a strong smell of fresh paint, but everything seemed to be in place and ready for business. Shuichi spotted several framed Bad Luck records along the hallway that led beyond the room, and smiled.

“The best part’s the studios, of course,” Suguru said in response to Shuichi’s look of awe, leading him down the hall. There were four doors with recording lights above their frames, Suguru opening the first with a grand gesture, and a broad grin. Inside was a large studio every bit the match in size and technology of any at NG’s.

“You’ll love this part,” Suguru said with a laugh, taking him from the studio to the marked break room, which was lined with a variety of vending machines, comfortable couches, and a large screen television complete with games systems.

“Can I live here?” Shuichi asked, taking everything in.

“That’s kind of the idea,” Suguru said with a shrug.

“What do you mean?” Shuichi asked.

“Shuichi, how would you feel about signing with GL?” Suguru asked.

“I’m not so sure,” Shuichi said, frowning and sitting on one of the couches with a sigh.

“There’s no pressure,” Suguru said, holding up his hands. “It’s just something I’d like you to seriously consider, okay?” Shuichi nodded, his expression tense.

“I want you to hear something. And before you get mad, I want you to just listen,” Suguru said, his shaking hand revealing briefly his nervousness, as he reached for the remote to the sound system in the cabinet beside the television and turned it on.

The first thing Shuichi wondered, strangely enough, was where in the world the busy producer had found the time to record something like this. His stomach twisted at the familiar tune that he had never heard anywhere outside of his own mind, as his imagination filled in the vocals of a set of lyrics that no longer meant anything to him other than self-mockery. But even as hard as he fought to be offended by their irony in light of present events, he could not deny that Suguru had done a spectacular job with the song.

“I’m sorry. I know you’re probably upset with me for going behind your back like this, but I couldn’t resist. It’s really a great song,” Suguru explained anxiously.

“So all of this -- your being so nice to me all this time -- it was to sweeten a business arrangement, huh?” Shuichi said. Suguru gave him a stunned look, turning off the music and sitting across from him.

“Well, of course,” Suguru said. Shuichi flinched and looked at the floor.

“Let me explain, okay?” Suguru said, lowering his head in an effort to bring Shuichi’s eyes back up to his. “Of course that was why I initially contacted you. You’re a major talent, and I need a big name to start my label. I know how much potential you have, and there was no way I was going to let you waste it. But, you know what?”

“What?’ Shuichi whispered, looking up at him at last.

“I’ve -- I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you better, Shuichi. You’re my friend. My best friend, really,” Suguru said, looking a bit awkward and coloring slightly. “I guess I kind of understand now how having that kind of support and match for your enthusiasm in the studio could be so sorely missed. I can never replace Hiro, I know, but I’ll be in your corner when you want to try again.”

“Thank you, Suguru,” Shuichi said, overcome. “That was a really dumb thing to say after all that you’ve done for me. Thank you for believing in me, but I don’t know if I’m able to live up to it.”

“Oh, please,” Suguru said, rolling his eyes and giving him an affectionate smile. “You know why I risked your getting pissed by recording that song?” Shuichi shook his head.

“Because I didn’t want you to use the argument that you can’t write new songs anymore when I tell you what I’m planning,” Suguru said.

“What are you planning?” Shuichi asked.

“There’s an entire album’s worth of Shindou Shuichi compositions sitting on the shelf at NG right now that I’d very much like to make an offer on,” Suguru said. “That is, if you’ll agree to record them.”

“You’re kidding!” Shuichi said, shooting up from his seat in excitement, then sobering slightly. “Do you really think Tohma will go for that?”

“I do,” Suguru said with a knowing smile. “I have an enormous ace in the hole when it comes to dealing with Tohma that just happens to be very much on my side in this particular negotiation.”

“What’s that?” Shuichi asked.

“Yuki Eiri,” Suguru said.