New Beginnings

Hide stared into the amber liquid, slowly twirling it in lazy circles on the counter. Another beer appeared by his hand and a tall, heavily tattooed young man sat down at his table.

"Nice shiner." the pink haired man muttered.

"Thanks." Hakuei took a sip of his own beer. "What's up?"

"Aren't you supposed to be tending bar?"

"Taking a break. Kirito can handle it himself for a bit." he grinned. "So, tell me what's eating you, and don't try to lie because I know something is." His face grew somber. "It's written in every move you make."

Hide sighed and took a long draught form his glass.

"It's Toshiya. He's been.. distant lately, avoiding me." he stared down at the amber liquid in his hand. "We don't talk like we used to, he doesn't call or hang around anymore."

Hakuei nodded slowly. "So you miss him."

"Damned right I do!" the shorter man scowled. "I just don't get it. I don't think he's avoiding me consciously.."

"You know, I never have really known if the two of you were.. you know.."

Hide shrugged. "Not in any official sense-"

"What the hell is with you guys and this 'official' bullshit?" Hakuei growled. "I swear, you and Toshiya, everything has to be 'official' for you." he snorted into his glass. "What the hell does that mean anyway?" Hide arched a confused eyebrow at him, but Hakuei waved it away. "Never mind. Please. Continue."

"Well, we've been close friends for awhile now, sometimes taking things a bit.. further, now and then." He fingered a lock of fuschia hair absently. "It was never anything we talked about much; it didn't happen that often, just... every once in awhile, when one of us was lonely, or depressed, or even happy and just needed.. someone..."

"Friends with benefits."

"Something like that." Hide frowned. "I'm pretty sure I always thought more highly of our little 'arrangement' then he ever did, especially now..." he looked up at the older man. "I think he's finally found someone else, someone he really loves."

Hakluei drained his glass, the sighed heavily. "Perhaps you should talk to him."

"I've tried to, but.." he blushed slightly. "Every time I play it out in my head, I always come off sounding like some jilted lover."

"But you really do need to straighten this out with him. Soon."

"I know, you're right." He looked down at his watch. "I better go." He stood, then regarded his friend with a slight smile. "I haven't known you long," he said, placing a friendly hand on the other's arm, "but you are a good friend. Good for us, and good for Tsukasa, and that's whats really important." With that, he turned and left.


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"No.. no, just route all my calls to my cell. I hardly ever answered my home phone even when I was in town." Atsushi paced back and forth across the small kitchen, bare feet padding softly on the tiled floor. "No... no..." he sighed heavily. "Ok, fine. Have them call first thing tomorrow morning. But no more calls after that. I'm on vacation." He snapped his cellphone shut and leaned forward on the counter, arching his back over the sink, shoulders slumped, long dark hair hanging over his tired face.

Long, slim fingers snaked around his waist, working their way up under his t-shirt, embracing him gently from behind.

Atsushi patted the arms around his waist. "Work never really ends, not for me." he sighed. "But I guess we all knew that when we got into this business."

Yoshiki frowned as the other man turned in his arms, cupping his hands around his face, caressing his cheek gently.

"You know more than anyone, just how importnat my work is to me." He kissed Yoshiki's soft lips. "But for right now, I'm here with you. After that call," he slowly kissed down the blonde's sharp jawline, "no more work."

Yoshiki closed his eyes, a moan rumbling in his throat as he felt those soft lips working slowly down his neck.

"You're here now," he breathed as hands traveled over his bare chest, "But that will change, eventually." He pulled back, looking the slightly taller man in the eye. "It always does."

Atsushi sigh, resting his forhead on the other man's" My lease is for six months. I'll be here for the first few, then... I'll work something out."

Yoshiki pulled Atsushi's hips towards his, hands traveling to squeeze his ass firmly. "You know, you could have stayed with me." he murmered. "I have plently of room."

"The last thing I want to do is make your son uncomfortable." Atsushi pulled him close, hands slowly tracing up and down the other man's spine. "Speaking of which, how is he adjusting?"

Yoshiki smiled as the other man rested his head on his shoulder. "Alot better than I had hoped possible, especially so quickly." he ran his long foingers through Atsushi's dark tresses. "He works for me at the bar, has good friends he hangs out with, a boyfriend..."

"Really? Your son's gay too?" The other man chuckled. "Do you actually know anyone who isn't gay?"

Yoshiki thought a moment, then shook his head. "I'm sure I do. Some of his friends aren't gay, and I've known them for years. You should meet them sometime, a good bunch of kids." He cosed his eyes and surpressed a moan as curious fingers slipped under the waistband of his sweatpants. "They... love music, and would probably get a kick out of-" he gaspeda s Atsushi began to stroke him, "out of.. meeting you!" He groaned loudly, hips thrusting into the hand.

Atsushi grinned evily and started leading him backwards out of the kitchen.

"Perhaps later," he whispered in Yoshiki's ear, "But right this moment, my only thoughts are on you."

Yoshiki trembled as that deep voice rumbled in his ear, quickly pulling him into the bedroom and slamming the door shut.