Fic: Paper Houses, chapters 5 & 6
Apr. 30th, 2016 09:33 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cloversworldPaper Houses 5&6/10
Uta no Prince-sama x La Corda d' Oro crossover
Jinguji Ren/Hijirikawa Masato, Tsuchiura Ryoutarou/Tsukimori Len
written for Small Fandoms Bang 2016 - round 5
written for Trope Bingo round 6, for the prompt/trope square 'marriage'
MASTER POST
chapters 3 & 4
5.
It will be a complete lie if Ren says he doesn't miss the pandemonium that naturally settles around them when they gather together. It's been a while since he's last seen his friends – the other former members of STARISH – and he's wrapped in a blanket of sentiments the moment most of them arrive.
"Everyone!" Otoya yells at the top of his lungs. They're out in the garden so his voice resonates through the open space. "I just got off the phone with Cecil and he says he'll be flying in from Agnapolis tomorrow morning."
Ren shakes his head. Already in his early forties but Otoya is still as exuberant as he had been in his teen years. "Well that's good news," he tells Tokiya in particular. "I was afraid he won't be able to leave his kingly duties even for a few days."
"I'm sure Cecil wouldn't miss this for the world." Tokiya lifts the can of grape sparklers to his lips and takes a sip.
There's a grain of truth to what Tokiya says. Cecil and Mariko have, at one point, become real close back when Mariko was 15, a confused teen who had then thought running away was her only option to flee from the pressures of life choices and to break away from people's expectations because of who her parents were once upon a time. Agnapolis became her sanctuary then and Cecil and his wife have welcomed her with open arms. Ren knew then and still knows now that he and Masato aren't perfect parents – but they try to make up for it by being attentive to their children's needs.
"Dad!" The stentorian voice of Tokiya's son pulls Ren out of his musing. "Here you go." The indigo-haired boy tosses a set of keys – car keys, he presumes – to Tokiya then stalks off to where Otoya is fussing over their younger daughter.
It's amusing to think that Tokiya and Otoya's son looks so much like Tokiya in appearance, but is as vibrant as Otoya.
"I heard Taiki got the part he auditioned for in that famous manga-based musical," Ren says, flicking his head to the teenage boy's direction.
"Yeah." Clear pride shines on Tokiya's eyes. "I heard Ryusei is going to be in the same musical, even part of the main cast."
"That's right." This isn't going to be the first stage project for Ryusei but it is his first time to be given a lead role and Ren harbors gratification over his son's accomplishment. "He's actually been offered the part but he still had to audition for it."
The topic of conversation shifts to their other children but Ren can feel Tokiya is tiptoeing on a particular issue so he isn't all too surprised when Tokiya eventually asks, "So how are you and Masa-kun doing?"
The 'in terms of your marriage' is left unspoken but Ren knows for a fact that Tokiya has always been Masato's confidant so he's certain that their marital problem isn't much of a secret from their common friend.
"I'm working on it." Ren decides that will be enough, not wanting to divulge too much.
Otoya bounds over to them looking like a ray of sunshine and falls right into Tokiya's waiting arm. "I spoke with Otosan earlier. He says he's stuck in Fukuoka since he has to cover for Masa, but he'll definitely be here on the wedding day."
Poor Shining, Ren thinks but it's thanks to the man's dedication and hard work that Masato is able to return to Kyoto right away. But if Saotome didn't sign up that arrogant pop idol into his agency and hadn't chosen Masato to do the arrangement for that bastard who thinks the world revolves around him then his life will be a little easier. "Do me a favor, Ikki. Don't tell Masa about Shining's dilemma or he'll be brooding with guilt for leaving your father to deal with his share of the job."
"Don't worry, I won't." Otoya tucks himself closer to Tokiya. "I can't believe Mari-chan is already getting married," he says, eyes sweeping the area and pauses where Mariko seems to be having an animated conversation with Haruka and her husband several feet from them. "And I'm glad Nanami-san is able to make it. I was afraid her husband would come up with spontaneous excuses why they couldn't be here."
A sharp puff of breath escapes Tokiya. "Can't blame the guy. He's well aware that at one point, we all pined for her. But I can't believe his insecurity hasn't waned."
"Well, look who's talking." Ren raises the can of sparklers trapped in the circle of his hand to point a finger at Tokiya. "Don't you still get restless whenever Ikki here gets all chummy with just about anyone? I remember when we were in the master course. Whenever Otoya drifts off to fantasize about the little lamb, you get all, Otoya, remember, we are not allowed to fall in love or else you'll be fired." He says the last part in a poor imitation of Tokiya. "But then you jump him the moment someone does show interest on Ikki."
"I think jump me is too mild of a word," Otoya quips then jolts with a screech when Tokiya jabs him at his side, probably at a ticklish spot.
"Tokiya-ojisan! Otoya-ojisan!" Mariko pounces on the couple with her arms stretched out to give them both a hug. "I missed you!"
Otoya regards her with an arched eyebrow. "I missed you too but Mari-chan, didn't we see each other five weeks ago when I brought Sachi to your mother for her piano lessons?"
"What? Can't I miss you in five weeks?" Mariko juts her lower lip out in an affectionate pout that Ren knows she reserves for only those she holds dear.
Tokiya's eyes are pinned on Otoya when he says, "Or maybe you just dropped our daughter off and went some place else to go moonlighting," in what Ren perceives as a playful taunt but he leaps at the chance of using this to justify his earlier remark.
"See what I mean?" Ren blurts out and when Mariko looks at him quizzically, he gives her a clipped recount of their conversation.
Then Otoyo drops a bomb that pushes Ren into his own insecurity corner by saying, "Imagine if Mari-chan has her babies, then Ren and Masa will be grandparents."
Ren pictures little ones running around him calling him 'Ojiisan' and he suddenly feels he's aged ten years at a snap of a finger. "I told you to wait 'til I'm fifty," he tells Mariko who cracks up, her euphonious laughter spiraling in the open space.
*
*
The music room seems crowded even with just the four of them. Masato's hands are resting languidly on the piano keys, fingers feeling stiff and it's only been an hour since they started. He's been playing music for most of his life but never has he felt the pressure of keeping up with two violinists and a violist.
Syo, Len and Natsuki's views on perfection don't clash, so it shouldn't be a problem for Masato to accompany them. It's just that so many things – Ren in particular – have been haunting his thoughts that concentrating is a feat in itself.
"So let's try the next piece." Natsuki sets his copy of the sheet music on his stand and when Masato doesn't move to pull out his own copy from the stack resting on the music rack, he tips his head to peer into Masato's face and asks, "You okay Masato-kun?"
Masato blinks at Natsuki, says, "Yeah, 'm fine," and reaches out to spread the piece Natsuki has requested.
"Let's try first at B minor," Len says, violin already tucked between his chin and shoulder. With his bow poised over the strings, he gives the signal and the mellifluous trill of the strings fills the room once more. Masato waits for his cue before his fingers start dancing on the ebony and ivory keys.
Halfway through, Syo stops, raises his bow and says, "Wait, wait, wait. I think the tempo is a little too fast for the mood we're trying to create."
It's Natsuki who asks, "Should we lower it at half?" and while he and Syo discusses how to modify the composition, Masato looks out the window distractedly just in time to see Asumi rushing down the pathway with Ryoutarou at her heels.
"Where's Asumi going?" Masato asks merely out of curiosity but he's still struck with shame for sticking his nose into other people's business even if it isn't his intention.
Len responds anyway, says, "I don’t particularly care," and slides his violin back under his chin. "Shall we start from the top?"
"How long have you and Ryou been divorced?" Masato knows it's not his place to ask. It's not like him to pry either so he's not even sure why the words just tumble out of his mouth.
Len doesn't look like he's dismissing the topic though. He lowers his violin once more and heaves a sigh. "Legally, a year and a half. But we haven't been living together for two years." His eyes soften when he meets Masato's gaze. "I heard you and your family had been there for Yusuke when I left for New York. I know it's been hard for him so… thank you."
It had indeed been a tribulation for Yusuke and it pains Masato to recall how such a sweet, fun-loving boy turned gloomy while dealing with his parents' separation. "Yusuke is a good kid. He's like a son so." He wants to add how he thinks Yusuke is strong but then Ren waltzes into the room to inform Len that his friends have arrived.
So Len excuses himself, lays his violin in its case and leaves.
Ren settles on the bench beside Masato and plants a kiss on Masato's cheek. "Missed you," he says in a gravely tone.
The sound of throats clearing impels Masato to pay heed to Natsuki and Syo who both had ludicrous grins drawn across their faces.
"Should we leave?" Syo asks with his teeth on full display as if he finds the entire situation amusing to the imbecilic degree.
"Don't be silly," Masato spits out but without the harshness he intends. "We're in the middle of arranging music."
Natsuki has already started to put his viola away. "Well, Len-kun isn't here and we need his input, so I think we should call for a break." He closes the lid of his viola case and pulls on the zipper. "Besides, I need to check on Maya-chan, Tsuki, and Hana."
A long, exasperated sigh gushes forth from Masato's chest. "I can't believe you had to bring your dogs with you."
Wide green eyes hidden beneath round spectacles stare at him with evident incredulity. "It's not all of them!" Natsuki says quite defensively. "It's just those three who are closest to me and Syo and we couldn't find it in our hearts to leave them."
"Don't drag me into this, Natsuki," Syo says, shaking his head. "You're the one who wanted to bring them along, not me." His eyes shift to him and Ren, says, "I'll see you guys around," then strolls out of the music room with his husband.
Once they're gone, Masato turns to Ren with his eyebrows drawn together. "Why don't they have kids?"
The silky laughter that rolls out of Ren's mouth is soft and low that it causes goosebumps to burst out of his skin. "Neither of them are carriers so," Ren says close to his ear, his lips grazing along the lobe.
Masato's hackles suddenly rise when he feels the wet tip of Ren's tongue dipping into his auricle. He swallows down the moan threatening to gush forth and he gasps out, "They could've adopted kids, not packs of dogs."
Ren shrugs, says, "You know how Shinomi is," then he hooks a finger under Masato's chin, forcing him to look into deep aquamarine eyes that causes Masato's gut control to sink in. "Now why don't we take that break that Shinomi had suggested in our room?"
The suggestive way Ren has spoken and the way he waggles his eyebrows are slowly breaking down Masato's resolve. But then he recalls where they are and deliberates the long list of duties he has yet to carry out so he slaps Ren's hand away. "Stop that, will you? It's too early and there are things to do."
But his husband is as persistent as always. Ren snakes an arm around his waist and starts planting kisses at the side of his neck, saying, "Just a quickie. Please? Thirty minutes, tops."
"Do you seriously think we both can come in thirty minutes?" Masato can't believe he's giving in to Ren's coquetry when he has been contemplating about dumping his sorry ass and filing divorce just weeks ago.
Ren's lifts his head, his lips close to Masato's ear. "I can make you come twice?" he whispers then dives down and sucks on a spot along his collarbone.
"Would you guys please do that in the privacy of your bedroom?"
The satiric remark, delivered with a hint of teasing, causes Masato to push Ren away so hard that his husband actually falls off the bench and lands on the floor butt first with a resounding thud.
Hideaki rushes over to Ren, giggling. "You okay, Papa?"
Masato offers a hand, which Ren grabs, and he glares at their son, says, "Do I look like I'm okay?" before hoisting himself up. Then he coaxes Masato on his feet and slithers an arm around Masato, eyes still on Hideaki. "Now if you don't want to watch me and your mama make out, I suggest you leave."
Hideaki slaps a hand over his eyes, leaving a small gap between his fingers. "I'm leaving, I'm leaving. It's just that Otoya-ojisan sent me to ask you guys if we can have barbeque tonight. He said he and Tokiya-ojisan can go grab whatever's needed if it's fine."
"Yeah, yeah." Ren waves a dismissive hand. "It's fine. Now go." As soon as Hideaki is out of the room, Ren pulls Masato closer, breath ghosting over Masato's lips. "Where were we?"
Rationality packs up and leaves him and any form of protest dissipates somewhere between his brain and his mouth the moment Ren claims his lips.
* * * * *
6.
They must be causing quite a scene and Ryoutarou curses fate and cosmic timing for having his and Len's friends arrive just as he's running after Asumi. Now she's glaring daggers at him while his entire bulk is blocking the taxi's door to prevent her from getting in.
"You can't leave!" Ryoutarou exclaims though deep inside, he's aware that there isn't an ounce of genuine emotion in those words.
Asumi stares him down with narrowed eyes and if looks can kill then he'll be a goner. "Why can't I? Give me one good reason why I should stay."
The sense of defeat, aggravation, self-reproach all simmers at the top of his head that he can feel a migraine starting. "Please, Asumi. Don't do this. Let's talk first and—"
"I don't think there's any need for us to talk. It will only be pointless." The anger burning in her eyes evanesces and is replaced with something akin to pity. "Be honest, Ryou. Tell me that you don't love your ex-husband anymore."
The incident from yesterday replays in his mind and Ryoutarou recalls the yearning that has roiled inside him when his hand came in contact with Len's soft skin, the way his heartbeat raced when he kissed his ex-husband, the way his thoughts have been invaded with nothing but images of Len these past few days. He parts his lips but he's not able to utter a single word.
"I knew it." A sad smile slides on Asumi's lips. "I guess I've known all along. It's clear you're still in love with Tsukimori-san. I guess I was stupid enough to hope that it will change in time, but I don't think it will." She stands on her toes and presses a kiss on Ryoutarou's cheek, says, "Do yourself a favor, Ryou. Go salvage whatever is left from your marriage before it's too late. I don't think the divorce made any difference anyway," then she pulls the taxi's door open and creeps inside with her luggage. "Don't give up on him, Ryou, I can tell Tsukimori-san still loves you, too."
Ryoutaro is paralyzed with helpless vacillation that he can't even lift a finger to stop her from leaving. Her words claw at the back of his mind as he watches the taxi disappear at the end of the driveway and into the streets of Kyoto.
"I hope we didn't come at a bad time." The voice prompts Ryoutarou into whipping around. Hihara Kazuki is standing a few feet from him, hands tucked in his jean pockets.
"No, you didn't. It's just…" Ryoutarou rubs his head, now feeling embarrassed of the possibility that his friends may have been watching the drama between him and Asumi unfold. "Um… where are the others?"
Hihara flips his head toward the house and says, "They went ahead to look for Len," then starts the trek down the pathway.
Ryoutarou takes it as his cue to follow but chooses to hold his tongue in and only when they are crossing the genkan did he speak. "I heard Hino won't be able to make it huh? Is she still in Australia with her husband?"
"That's what she said." Hihara is uncharacteristically quiet, as if he's drafting his next words in his head and his tone is weighed with hesitation when he asks, "Was that your girlfriend back there?" to which Ryoutarou barely lowers and raises his head in answer. "Judging from the luggage she's carrying, I think it's safe to presume she's not coming back?" The only reaction Ryoutarou can manage is a laconic shrug. "Why did she leave then?"
One thing that hasn't changed with Hihara is his profound curiosity and his endless appetite for causeries. At least he does it with a laid-back manner now rather than with annoying persistence like he used to when they were much younger.
Ryoutarou has no energy left to beat around the bush, or to even whip out a spontaneous tale so he settles for the truth. "She caught me and Len making out."
A low, melodic whistle slips past Hihara's lips and he nudges Ryoutarou with his shoulder. "I knew you weren't really over Len." He pauses mid-step, propelling Ryoutarou to keep still as well. "Are you guys getting back together?"
How he wishes he has a definite answer to offer. Ryoutarou isn't even sure if Len feels the same about him, but the way Len has returned his kiss and the way he's been receptive to his touch are enough to give him hope. "Maybe? At least that's what I hope to happen."
"I hope so, too. I think you guys are just made for each other." Hihara proceeds down the rouka, taking slow, short strides, his words joining Asumi's in Ryoutarou's already exhausted brain.
*
*
There's a sudden change in the air when Len is left alone with Yunoki Azuma. Something about this man always stirs up relentless discomfort in his gut. It's not that they're not on good terms. Yunoki has in fact been a good friend, but he unleashes a certain aura that makes breathing alone difficult.
Now Len regrets having asked one of the villa helpers to show Kaji Aoi and Shimizu Keiichi to their rooms. He should've asked them to stay. At least Shimizu can diffuse the tension that's growing thick in the air. He's always been the one to keep the balance among them. Even now in his late thirties, he still gives off a childlike vibe that Len finds calming somehow.
"I really appreciate how you're taking care of this personally," Len says when Yunoki informs him that he has gone to Hokkaido himself to supervise the flower-picking as a guarantee that they have the best bunch for the wedding.
"I can't possibly entrust something so important to anyone," Yunoki explains, voice soft like silk as always. "I'll even arrange the bridal bouquet myself." He pulls out a magazine from his shoulder bag and hands it to Len. "This is our latest brochure. Ask Mariko to choose a style she likes. Or I can customize one for her, if she wishes."
Len murmurs out a barely audible, "Thanks."
Yunoki slings the strap of his bag over his shoulder. "If I must say, a western-style wedding ceremony is a wise choice."
"It was my mother's idea and everyone has agreed that there would be less fuss." Len leads him out of the waiting room and into the rouka where he can see Ryoutarou and Hihara at the opposite end.
"I saw Tsuchiura-kun when we arrived. Who was that woman with him?" There's always an undeniable innocence in Yunoki's inquisitive nature but Len has known him for years and is well aware that Yunoki is anything but innocent.
So Len doesn't take the bait and decides to be blunt instead. "That was Ryou's girlfriend." The sudden realization that he has just used past tense to refer to Asumi's relation with Ryoutarou as if assuming they are over jumps at him but he brushes the thought aside and quickly adds, "If you'll ask why she seems to be leaving, it's because she caught me and Ryou about to have sex and no, we're not getting back together. Yunoki-senpai—" He bites his tongue, realizing he has just addressed the man the way he used to back in high school. "I mean, Yunoki-san. This week is about Mariko and Yusuke. Let's try not to redirect the spotlight to anyone else."
There's a spark of comprehension in Yunoki's eyes when he says, "I understand."
As if the odds are working on Len's favor, Mariko emerges from one of the rooms ahead. He decides to grab this chance to get Yunoki off his back so he introduces them as soon as he's able to gain her attention. "He's the one I spoke about," Len explains, handing her the booklet. "He owns the flower shop in charge of the flower arrangement for the wedding." Then he makes the subtle suggestion that they talk about the bridal bouquet and leaves Yunoki under Mariko's care.
It's just unfortunate that he has to go past Ryoutarou and Hihara on his way out of the main house but it's a good excuse to greet Hihara. After a brief exchange of unnecessary pleasantries, the man eludes him with a clever excuse that he's tired and hopes to retire to his room. Len watches Hihara march towards Yunoki and Mariko, leaving him and Ryoutarou alone with an awkward unease hanging between them.
"So…" Ryoutarou starts, scratching the back of his head before slipping both hands into his pant pockets. "Asumi left."
Len almost blurted out, 'Yeah, I saw her,' but then he doesn't want Ryoutarou to come up with an asinine conclusion that he's been spying so instead, he says, "Will you not be going after her?"
"I know I should." Ryoutarou inhales long and deep before releasing air in an audible sigh. His hand wipes off the anxiety that seems to be taking shape on his face then pins Len in place with an unwavering gaze. "But that's not what I want to do. Look, Len. We need to talk—"
"Oyaji!" Yusuke rounds the corner, waving his phone. "Baachan wants to talk to you."
Ryoutarou grunts in frustration then offers Len a timid smile, saying, "Maybe later, okay?" just as he's taking the phone from Yusuke.
Once he disappears inside a nearby room, Yusuke says, "I'm sorry, Tochan. It seems I showed up at the worst timing, ever," sounding genuinely repentant.
"Don't worry about it." Len leaves Yusuke without another word, his pulse galloping at such speed that's making him dizzy.
chapters 7 & 8
Uta no Prince-sama x La Corda d' Oro crossover
Jinguji Ren/Hijirikawa Masato, Tsuchiura Ryoutarou/Tsukimori Len
written for Small Fandoms Bang 2016 - round 5
written for Trope Bingo round 6, for the prompt/trope square 'marriage'
MASTER POST
chapters 3 & 4
5.
It will be a complete lie if Ren says he doesn't miss the pandemonium that naturally settles around them when they gather together. It's been a while since he's last seen his friends – the other former members of STARISH – and he's wrapped in a blanket of sentiments the moment most of them arrive.
"Everyone!" Otoya yells at the top of his lungs. They're out in the garden so his voice resonates through the open space. "I just got off the phone with Cecil and he says he'll be flying in from Agnapolis tomorrow morning."
Ren shakes his head. Already in his early forties but Otoya is still as exuberant as he had been in his teen years. "Well that's good news," he tells Tokiya in particular. "I was afraid he won't be able to leave his kingly duties even for a few days."
"I'm sure Cecil wouldn't miss this for the world." Tokiya lifts the can of grape sparklers to his lips and takes a sip.
There's a grain of truth to what Tokiya says. Cecil and Mariko have, at one point, become real close back when Mariko was 15, a confused teen who had then thought running away was her only option to flee from the pressures of life choices and to break away from people's expectations because of who her parents were once upon a time. Agnapolis became her sanctuary then and Cecil and his wife have welcomed her with open arms. Ren knew then and still knows now that he and Masato aren't perfect parents – but they try to make up for it by being attentive to their children's needs.
"Dad!" The stentorian voice of Tokiya's son pulls Ren out of his musing. "Here you go." The indigo-haired boy tosses a set of keys – car keys, he presumes – to Tokiya then stalks off to where Otoya is fussing over their younger daughter.
It's amusing to think that Tokiya and Otoya's son looks so much like Tokiya in appearance, but is as vibrant as Otoya.
"I heard Taiki got the part he auditioned for in that famous manga-based musical," Ren says, flicking his head to the teenage boy's direction.
"Yeah." Clear pride shines on Tokiya's eyes. "I heard Ryusei is going to be in the same musical, even part of the main cast."
"That's right." This isn't going to be the first stage project for Ryusei but it is his first time to be given a lead role and Ren harbors gratification over his son's accomplishment. "He's actually been offered the part but he still had to audition for it."
The topic of conversation shifts to their other children but Ren can feel Tokiya is tiptoeing on a particular issue so he isn't all too surprised when Tokiya eventually asks, "So how are you and Masa-kun doing?"
The 'in terms of your marriage' is left unspoken but Ren knows for a fact that Tokiya has always been Masato's confidant so he's certain that their marital problem isn't much of a secret from their common friend.
"I'm working on it." Ren decides that will be enough, not wanting to divulge too much.
Otoya bounds over to them looking like a ray of sunshine and falls right into Tokiya's waiting arm. "I spoke with Otosan earlier. He says he's stuck in Fukuoka since he has to cover for Masa, but he'll definitely be here on the wedding day."
Poor Shining, Ren thinks but it's thanks to the man's dedication and hard work that Masato is able to return to Kyoto right away. But if Saotome didn't sign up that arrogant pop idol into his agency and hadn't chosen Masato to do the arrangement for that bastard who thinks the world revolves around him then his life will be a little easier. "Do me a favor, Ikki. Don't tell Masa about Shining's dilemma or he'll be brooding with guilt for leaving your father to deal with his share of the job."
"Don't worry, I won't." Otoya tucks himself closer to Tokiya. "I can't believe Mari-chan is already getting married," he says, eyes sweeping the area and pauses where Mariko seems to be having an animated conversation with Haruka and her husband several feet from them. "And I'm glad Nanami-san is able to make it. I was afraid her husband would come up with spontaneous excuses why they couldn't be here."
A sharp puff of breath escapes Tokiya. "Can't blame the guy. He's well aware that at one point, we all pined for her. But I can't believe his insecurity hasn't waned."
"Well, look who's talking." Ren raises the can of sparklers trapped in the circle of his hand to point a finger at Tokiya. "Don't you still get restless whenever Ikki here gets all chummy with just about anyone? I remember when we were in the master course. Whenever Otoya drifts off to fantasize about the little lamb, you get all, Otoya, remember, we are not allowed to fall in love or else you'll be fired." He says the last part in a poor imitation of Tokiya. "But then you jump him the moment someone does show interest on Ikki."
"I think jump me is too mild of a word," Otoya quips then jolts with a screech when Tokiya jabs him at his side, probably at a ticklish spot.
"Tokiya-ojisan! Otoya-ojisan!" Mariko pounces on the couple with her arms stretched out to give them both a hug. "I missed you!"
Otoya regards her with an arched eyebrow. "I missed you too but Mari-chan, didn't we see each other five weeks ago when I brought Sachi to your mother for her piano lessons?"
"What? Can't I miss you in five weeks?" Mariko juts her lower lip out in an affectionate pout that Ren knows she reserves for only those she holds dear.
Tokiya's eyes are pinned on Otoya when he says, "Or maybe you just dropped our daughter off and went some place else to go moonlighting," in what Ren perceives as a playful taunt but he leaps at the chance of using this to justify his earlier remark.
"See what I mean?" Ren blurts out and when Mariko looks at him quizzically, he gives her a clipped recount of their conversation.
Then Otoyo drops a bomb that pushes Ren into his own insecurity corner by saying, "Imagine if Mari-chan has her babies, then Ren and Masa will be grandparents."
Ren pictures little ones running around him calling him 'Ojiisan' and he suddenly feels he's aged ten years at a snap of a finger. "I told you to wait 'til I'm fifty," he tells Mariko who cracks up, her euphonious laughter spiraling in the open space.
*
The music room seems crowded even with just the four of them. Masato's hands are resting languidly on the piano keys, fingers feeling stiff and it's only been an hour since they started. He's been playing music for most of his life but never has he felt the pressure of keeping up with two violinists and a violist.
Syo, Len and Natsuki's views on perfection don't clash, so it shouldn't be a problem for Masato to accompany them. It's just that so many things – Ren in particular – have been haunting his thoughts that concentrating is a feat in itself.
"So let's try the next piece." Natsuki sets his copy of the sheet music on his stand and when Masato doesn't move to pull out his own copy from the stack resting on the music rack, he tips his head to peer into Masato's face and asks, "You okay Masato-kun?"
Masato blinks at Natsuki, says, "Yeah, 'm fine," and reaches out to spread the piece Natsuki has requested.
"Let's try first at B minor," Len says, violin already tucked between his chin and shoulder. With his bow poised over the strings, he gives the signal and the mellifluous trill of the strings fills the room once more. Masato waits for his cue before his fingers start dancing on the ebony and ivory keys.
Halfway through, Syo stops, raises his bow and says, "Wait, wait, wait. I think the tempo is a little too fast for the mood we're trying to create."
It's Natsuki who asks, "Should we lower it at half?" and while he and Syo discusses how to modify the composition, Masato looks out the window distractedly just in time to see Asumi rushing down the pathway with Ryoutarou at her heels.
"Where's Asumi going?" Masato asks merely out of curiosity but he's still struck with shame for sticking his nose into other people's business even if it isn't his intention.
Len responds anyway, says, "I don’t particularly care," and slides his violin back under his chin. "Shall we start from the top?"
"How long have you and Ryou been divorced?" Masato knows it's not his place to ask. It's not like him to pry either so he's not even sure why the words just tumble out of his mouth.
Len doesn't look like he's dismissing the topic though. He lowers his violin once more and heaves a sigh. "Legally, a year and a half. But we haven't been living together for two years." His eyes soften when he meets Masato's gaze. "I heard you and your family had been there for Yusuke when I left for New York. I know it's been hard for him so… thank you."
It had indeed been a tribulation for Yusuke and it pains Masato to recall how such a sweet, fun-loving boy turned gloomy while dealing with his parents' separation. "Yusuke is a good kid. He's like a son so." He wants to add how he thinks Yusuke is strong but then Ren waltzes into the room to inform Len that his friends have arrived.
So Len excuses himself, lays his violin in its case and leaves.
Ren settles on the bench beside Masato and plants a kiss on Masato's cheek. "Missed you," he says in a gravely tone.
The sound of throats clearing impels Masato to pay heed to Natsuki and Syo who both had ludicrous grins drawn across their faces.
"Should we leave?" Syo asks with his teeth on full display as if he finds the entire situation amusing to the imbecilic degree.
"Don't be silly," Masato spits out but without the harshness he intends. "We're in the middle of arranging music."
Natsuki has already started to put his viola away. "Well, Len-kun isn't here and we need his input, so I think we should call for a break." He closes the lid of his viola case and pulls on the zipper. "Besides, I need to check on Maya-chan, Tsuki, and Hana."
A long, exasperated sigh gushes forth from Masato's chest. "I can't believe you had to bring your dogs with you."
Wide green eyes hidden beneath round spectacles stare at him with evident incredulity. "It's not all of them!" Natsuki says quite defensively. "It's just those three who are closest to me and Syo and we couldn't find it in our hearts to leave them."
"Don't drag me into this, Natsuki," Syo says, shaking his head. "You're the one who wanted to bring them along, not me." His eyes shift to him and Ren, says, "I'll see you guys around," then strolls out of the music room with his husband.
Once they're gone, Masato turns to Ren with his eyebrows drawn together. "Why don't they have kids?"
The silky laughter that rolls out of Ren's mouth is soft and low that it causes goosebumps to burst out of his skin. "Neither of them are carriers so," Ren says close to his ear, his lips grazing along the lobe.
Masato's hackles suddenly rise when he feels the wet tip of Ren's tongue dipping into his auricle. He swallows down the moan threatening to gush forth and he gasps out, "They could've adopted kids, not packs of dogs."
Ren shrugs, says, "You know how Shinomi is," then he hooks a finger under Masato's chin, forcing him to look into deep aquamarine eyes that causes Masato's gut control to sink in. "Now why don't we take that break that Shinomi had suggested in our room?"
The suggestive way Ren has spoken and the way he waggles his eyebrows are slowly breaking down Masato's resolve. But then he recalls where they are and deliberates the long list of duties he has yet to carry out so he slaps Ren's hand away. "Stop that, will you? It's too early and there are things to do."
But his husband is as persistent as always. Ren snakes an arm around his waist and starts planting kisses at the side of his neck, saying, "Just a quickie. Please? Thirty minutes, tops."
"Do you seriously think we both can come in thirty minutes?" Masato can't believe he's giving in to Ren's coquetry when he has been contemplating about dumping his sorry ass and filing divorce just weeks ago.
Ren's lifts his head, his lips close to Masato's ear. "I can make you come twice?" he whispers then dives down and sucks on a spot along his collarbone.
"Would you guys please do that in the privacy of your bedroom?"
The satiric remark, delivered with a hint of teasing, causes Masato to push Ren away so hard that his husband actually falls off the bench and lands on the floor butt first with a resounding thud.
Hideaki rushes over to Ren, giggling. "You okay, Papa?"
Masato offers a hand, which Ren grabs, and he glares at their son, says, "Do I look like I'm okay?" before hoisting himself up. Then he coaxes Masato on his feet and slithers an arm around Masato, eyes still on Hideaki. "Now if you don't want to watch me and your mama make out, I suggest you leave."
Hideaki slaps a hand over his eyes, leaving a small gap between his fingers. "I'm leaving, I'm leaving. It's just that Otoya-ojisan sent me to ask you guys if we can have barbeque tonight. He said he and Tokiya-ojisan can go grab whatever's needed if it's fine."
"Yeah, yeah." Ren waves a dismissive hand. "It's fine. Now go." As soon as Hideaki is out of the room, Ren pulls Masato closer, breath ghosting over Masato's lips. "Where were we?"
Rationality packs up and leaves him and any form of protest dissipates somewhere between his brain and his mouth the moment Ren claims his lips.
6.
They must be causing quite a scene and Ryoutarou curses fate and cosmic timing for having his and Len's friends arrive just as he's running after Asumi. Now she's glaring daggers at him while his entire bulk is blocking the taxi's door to prevent her from getting in.
"You can't leave!" Ryoutarou exclaims though deep inside, he's aware that there isn't an ounce of genuine emotion in those words.
Asumi stares him down with narrowed eyes and if looks can kill then he'll be a goner. "Why can't I? Give me one good reason why I should stay."
The sense of defeat, aggravation, self-reproach all simmers at the top of his head that he can feel a migraine starting. "Please, Asumi. Don't do this. Let's talk first and—"
"I don't think there's any need for us to talk. It will only be pointless." The anger burning in her eyes evanesces and is replaced with something akin to pity. "Be honest, Ryou. Tell me that you don't love your ex-husband anymore."
The incident from yesterday replays in his mind and Ryoutarou recalls the yearning that has roiled inside him when his hand came in contact with Len's soft skin, the way his heartbeat raced when he kissed his ex-husband, the way his thoughts have been invaded with nothing but images of Len these past few days. He parts his lips but he's not able to utter a single word.
"I knew it." A sad smile slides on Asumi's lips. "I guess I've known all along. It's clear you're still in love with Tsukimori-san. I guess I was stupid enough to hope that it will change in time, but I don't think it will." She stands on her toes and presses a kiss on Ryoutarou's cheek, says, "Do yourself a favor, Ryou. Go salvage whatever is left from your marriage before it's too late. I don't think the divorce made any difference anyway," then she pulls the taxi's door open and creeps inside with her luggage. "Don't give up on him, Ryou, I can tell Tsukimori-san still loves you, too."
Ryoutaro is paralyzed with helpless vacillation that he can't even lift a finger to stop her from leaving. Her words claw at the back of his mind as he watches the taxi disappear at the end of the driveway and into the streets of Kyoto.
"I hope we didn't come at a bad time." The voice prompts Ryoutarou into whipping around. Hihara Kazuki is standing a few feet from him, hands tucked in his jean pockets.
"No, you didn't. It's just…" Ryoutarou rubs his head, now feeling embarrassed of the possibility that his friends may have been watching the drama between him and Asumi unfold. "Um… where are the others?"
Hihara flips his head toward the house and says, "They went ahead to look for Len," then starts the trek down the pathway.
Ryoutarou takes it as his cue to follow but chooses to hold his tongue in and only when they are crossing the genkan did he speak. "I heard Hino won't be able to make it huh? Is she still in Australia with her husband?"
"That's what she said." Hihara is uncharacteristically quiet, as if he's drafting his next words in his head and his tone is weighed with hesitation when he asks, "Was that your girlfriend back there?" to which Ryoutarou barely lowers and raises his head in answer. "Judging from the luggage she's carrying, I think it's safe to presume she's not coming back?" The only reaction Ryoutarou can manage is a laconic shrug. "Why did she leave then?"
One thing that hasn't changed with Hihara is his profound curiosity and his endless appetite for causeries. At least he does it with a laid-back manner now rather than with annoying persistence like he used to when they were much younger.
Ryoutarou has no energy left to beat around the bush, or to even whip out a spontaneous tale so he settles for the truth. "She caught me and Len making out."
A low, melodic whistle slips past Hihara's lips and he nudges Ryoutarou with his shoulder. "I knew you weren't really over Len." He pauses mid-step, propelling Ryoutarou to keep still as well. "Are you guys getting back together?"
How he wishes he has a definite answer to offer. Ryoutarou isn't even sure if Len feels the same about him, but the way Len has returned his kiss and the way he's been receptive to his touch are enough to give him hope. "Maybe? At least that's what I hope to happen."
"I hope so, too. I think you guys are just made for each other." Hihara proceeds down the rouka, taking slow, short strides, his words joining Asumi's in Ryoutarou's already exhausted brain.
*
There's a sudden change in the air when Len is left alone with Yunoki Azuma. Something about this man always stirs up relentless discomfort in his gut. It's not that they're not on good terms. Yunoki has in fact been a good friend, but he unleashes a certain aura that makes breathing alone difficult.
Now Len regrets having asked one of the villa helpers to show Kaji Aoi and Shimizu Keiichi to their rooms. He should've asked them to stay. At least Shimizu can diffuse the tension that's growing thick in the air. He's always been the one to keep the balance among them. Even now in his late thirties, he still gives off a childlike vibe that Len finds calming somehow.
"I really appreciate how you're taking care of this personally," Len says when Yunoki informs him that he has gone to Hokkaido himself to supervise the flower-picking as a guarantee that they have the best bunch for the wedding.
"I can't possibly entrust something so important to anyone," Yunoki explains, voice soft like silk as always. "I'll even arrange the bridal bouquet myself." He pulls out a magazine from his shoulder bag and hands it to Len. "This is our latest brochure. Ask Mariko to choose a style she likes. Or I can customize one for her, if she wishes."
Len murmurs out a barely audible, "Thanks."
Yunoki slings the strap of his bag over his shoulder. "If I must say, a western-style wedding ceremony is a wise choice."
"It was my mother's idea and everyone has agreed that there would be less fuss." Len leads him out of the waiting room and into the rouka where he can see Ryoutarou and Hihara at the opposite end.
"I saw Tsuchiura-kun when we arrived. Who was that woman with him?" There's always an undeniable innocence in Yunoki's inquisitive nature but Len has known him for years and is well aware that Yunoki is anything but innocent.
So Len doesn't take the bait and decides to be blunt instead. "That was Ryou's girlfriend." The sudden realization that he has just used past tense to refer to Asumi's relation with Ryoutarou as if assuming they are over jumps at him but he brushes the thought aside and quickly adds, "If you'll ask why she seems to be leaving, it's because she caught me and Ryou about to have sex and no, we're not getting back together. Yunoki-senpai—" He bites his tongue, realizing he has just addressed the man the way he used to back in high school. "I mean, Yunoki-san. This week is about Mariko and Yusuke. Let's try not to redirect the spotlight to anyone else."
There's a spark of comprehension in Yunoki's eyes when he says, "I understand."
As if the odds are working on Len's favor, Mariko emerges from one of the rooms ahead. He decides to grab this chance to get Yunoki off his back so he introduces them as soon as he's able to gain her attention. "He's the one I spoke about," Len explains, handing her the booklet. "He owns the flower shop in charge of the flower arrangement for the wedding." Then he makes the subtle suggestion that they talk about the bridal bouquet and leaves Yunoki under Mariko's care.
It's just unfortunate that he has to go past Ryoutarou and Hihara on his way out of the main house but it's a good excuse to greet Hihara. After a brief exchange of unnecessary pleasantries, the man eludes him with a clever excuse that he's tired and hopes to retire to his room. Len watches Hihara march towards Yunoki and Mariko, leaving him and Ryoutarou alone with an awkward unease hanging between them.
"So…" Ryoutarou starts, scratching the back of his head before slipping both hands into his pant pockets. "Asumi left."
Len almost blurted out, 'Yeah, I saw her,' but then he doesn't want Ryoutarou to come up with an asinine conclusion that he's been spying so instead, he says, "Will you not be going after her?"
"I know I should." Ryoutarou inhales long and deep before releasing air in an audible sigh. His hand wipes off the anxiety that seems to be taking shape on his face then pins Len in place with an unwavering gaze. "But that's not what I want to do. Look, Len. We need to talk—"
"Oyaji!" Yusuke rounds the corner, waving his phone. "Baachan wants to talk to you."
Ryoutarou grunts in frustration then offers Len a timid smile, saying, "Maybe later, okay?" just as he's taking the phone from Yusuke.
Once he disappears inside a nearby room, Yusuke says, "I'm sorry, Tochan. It seems I showed up at the worst timing, ever," sounding genuinely repentant.
"Don't worry about it." Len leaves Yusuke without another word, his pulse galloping at such speed that's making him dizzy.
chapters 7 & 8