Call

Just tell me what happened.

The first thing the vocalist had demanded when he arrived to see the two in the waiting room.

Easier said than done. It took a while for Chacha to pull himself together enough to be able to attempt to begin.

When You had set out that morning from his apartment, he had been on his way to meet Chacha and Masa for lunch, an offer Gackt had been forced to decline because of a coinciding photoshoot that afternoon. After they'd eaten, they took a drive, taking the longest route back to Chacha's apartment, the guitarist driving since the other too had had a little too much to be able to concentrate much on the road. But they'd come to a forced halt when a truck had pulled out suddenly in front of Cha's car, which in turn had smashed into its side and You, who hadn't been paying attention, was thrown forward.

'He's in a stable condition, they say,' the man continued. 'But we haven't been allowed to see him yet. Gacchan, I-' He stopped as Gackt sank suddenly down to the floor, his face in his hands. He could only watch as a panicked Masa knelt down beside the vocalist and tried to talk to him.

*

Relief overwhelmed him almost completely.

'I thought-' His voice came out croaky and he cleared his throat a little and started again. 'When you called me, I thought he- he was-' There was no way he could say it. tears threatened again but this time, he didn't let them fall, instead taking his hands away and standing up, his legs still a little shaky. He turned to Cha, who looked away when their eyes met for a second.

Putting a hand on the guitarist's shoulder, Gackt turned him around to face him but Chacha turned his head.

'Look, this wasn't your fault. Okay? So don't you dare go beating yourself up. He's okay and that's all that matters.'

The other still did not look at him. Masa piped up,

'He's right, Cha..there's no way that it's your fault, right?' He laid a hand on Chacha's arm - something in the familiar way he did it, sparked a tiny flicker of interest in the back of Gackt's mind - and, reaching up with his other hand, laid a finger underneath the other's chin and turned his face to meet his eyes.

After a moment, Chacha nodded slowly. Gackt smiled slightly.

'Now, I need a coffee before I collapse,' he announced. 'Who's with me?'

All I need to do now is see him, he thought as he followed Masa to the coffee machine, Chacha not far behind.

*

'How long have we been here?' Masa asked the other two, brushing his raven hair back behind his ears. Gackt threw him an irritated look.

'That's about the hundredth time you've asked in an hour,' he said. Masa pouted but turned to Chacha instead, who sighed and indulged the other guitarist, checking his watch.

'It's almost seven,' he said. Masa stood and walked down the corridor a little before turning back to look at the others.

'Wait, Masakun, did you call Ren and Toshi?' The vocalist called after him. Masa frowned.

'You know I did. You stood over me and wouldn't go away until I had told everyone. Now...I'm going to find someone and ask if we can see him yet,' he added, face clearing. Gackt nodded, slightly, feeling a little more hopeful.

'Okay. Thanks, Masakun.'

*

Ten minutes later, Masa hadn't returned with the coffee or the news that they might see You. Gackt was growing impatient and had started pacing again.

'What the hell's taking him so long?' He muttered irritably. Chacha raised his head, coming out of a doze.

'Mmm?'

Gackt threw up his hands and came to a stop in front of the older man.

'Masa! Where is he?'

Chacha shrugged and looked at Gackt, a concerned expression on his face. 'Probably arguing with a nurse about seeing Youkun. Ano...Gacchan, you should probably sit. You're wearing yourself ou-'

'I'm okay,' the vocalist replied curtly. Chacha frowned.

'Gacchan...'

'Cha, I...' Gackt trailed off and sighing, sat down in the empty chair beside the guitarist. 'I can't lose him...' he said softly, hiding his face in his hands. He suddenly felt extremely tired. '...I can't. I love him.'

There was silence for a long moment. Gackt lifted his head to guauge the other's reaction and found the older man looking at him thoughtfully.

'You really do mean it.' It wasn't a question, rather a statement of fact. Gackt nodded.

'Probably ever since I met him.' He gave a short bitter laugh and stood again. Where the hell is Masa?

'Does he know? ...Have you told him?' Gackt shot him a look as if to say Are you kidding? Chacha shrugged.

'Well, you might've. How do you know he doesn't feel the same way?'

The vocalist sat again. 'Ergh, I don't know... I just -'

'GACCHAN! HEY!' Masa's voice rang out at that moment and the sound of footsteps as he ran towards them down the corridor. Both the other guitarist and the vocalist stood, their expressions identical, full of hope.


'So?' Gackt said as soon as Masa drew closer. The shorter man halted and looked up, a wide smile on his face.

'Well, we can see him!' He exclaimed, happily. The vocalist stared at him for a few milliseconds then sighed in deep relief, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Chacha grinned and puled Masa into a hug.

'Did you have to argue your way through?' He asked.

'Nope. Apparently, he's doing much better. The doctor I talked to said that he might even be out by the beginning of next week!' He suddenly paused and his face fell. Both Chacha and Gackt moved closer.

'What is it, Masakun?' The vocalist asked, suddenly tense as before. Both of them were surprised when Masa bowed low, then straightened, a solemn expression on his face.

'...Gomen ne...I forgot the coffee...'