[mult chap] Step and Go
Title: Step and Go
Rating: PG13 (some language)
Pairing: Eventually Juntoshi (side pairing! Sakuraiba)
Genre: Romance
Disclaimer: I guess Johnny’s technically owns Arashi, huh? Not me.
Chapter: Two of about ten
Summary: Nino convinces Ohno to participate in a “who can seduce Jun first” contest after a particularly troublesome rehearsal.
Previous: Prologue, One
Chapter 2
Jun slammed the door behind him and leaned up against it, desperate to keep Nino out of the dressing room.
“Damn little-“ he paused when he noticed Ohno sitting on the beat up love seat across from him, the one Aiba usually used for napping.
The drama star took a moment to run his hand through his hair, making sure it hadn’t gotten too messed up running away from Nino. He cleared his throat, putting on his usual causal air, and hoped that Ohno couldn’t detect how frazzled he was.
“Oh. Hey.” The words came out a little more tense than Jun would have liked, but at least he wasn’t panting for breath. At least he hoped he wasn’t. His breathing sounded normal right?
Ohno looked up from his magazine, nodded at Jun, then looked back down.
Well, if he went back into the studio, Nino would find him immediately. At least in here Ohno would be a buffer (Jun would make him a buffer) between the two of them. Before moving, he tilted his head towards the door to check for any noise in the hall.
Nothing. Good.
Jun strode across the room and plopped down next to Ohno, resting his arms on the back of the couch and behind Leader’s head.
The shorter man finally turned and looked at him again, folded his magazine shut, and placed it onto the table beside the loveseat.
“What’s up?” Jun asked casually, giving him his usual winning smile. Ohno shrugged back at him, his eyes blank. The fisherman must not have been up to much, anyway.
When Ohno didn’t reply, Jun continued talking. He had learned that when Leader wanted to say something, he would, and when he didn’t he’d at least give you a few “hmm”s or nods to encourage you. Even if he wasn’t actually listening.
“What a long day…!” he started, not sure how much he wanted to complain to Ohno, since Jun had realized he’d done more than his share lately. He didn’t want to bother Leader with that sort of small talk, and he wasn’t sure the other man would be enthusiastic about his topic (Nino’s romantic pursuits) anyway.
Ohno surprised Jun by chuckling. He looked over and their eyes met, Ohno’s shining in amusement.
“Kazu’s bugging you again?” Jun couldn’t believe that Ohno had not only guessed the source of his annoyance, but had also brought up the topic as well. Maybe Leader was paying more attention than he thought.
Before answering, Jun let out a few laughs, too, unable to stop himself after Ohno’s cute reaction. “Yeah. Right now he just tried to take my pants off.”
Ohno burst out laughing harder, falling forward to lean on his knees.
“I’m not kidding!!” Jun wasn’t sure whether he should be offended at that reaction or not. Maybe it was a little amusing to someone who hadn’t endured the torture of Nino following him for a week straight. Okay, maybe it was even a little amusing to him, too, when he really thought about it, but it would take a few more hours of sleep at night before he could laugh about it, too.
“What is up with him lately?” Jun already knew Ohno wouldn’t answer, since he’d already tried that approach. “Why won’t you tell me?” he asked instead. “It’s probably just one of your guys’ pranks, anyway…” The star continued without really thinking about it. He had gone through way too many of their pranks not be suspicious when either of the once comedy duo began acting out of character.
Ohno leaned back against his arm and simply smiled. It was The Smile That Told Jun Nothing. It didn’t tell him that it was all a prank, but it certainly didn’t tell him the two were serious, either.
“Well… by far you’re certainly the sanest one to be around right now.” Jun glanced over at his band mate, unsure if saying that was going a little too far.
It was true, though. At every turn Aiba and Sho were making out in plain sight and in the last week he’d had to put up with Nino trying to take his pants off for God’s sake. At least Leader had stayed the same old clueless Leader.
Jun was paying enough attention to note a slight tilt in Ohno’s brow. Better keep talking before Ohno collected himself enough to retaliate.
“Anyway, I’m just saying… It’s not like I have anything against Aiba or Sho… Just…” he crossed his legs nervously, not sure that was the best topic to move on to. “You know, what about kids and stuff like that? They can’t get married or anything…” Jun cleared his throat and didn’t allow Ohno an opening to share his opinion. It would probably only be something like ‘they’re in love, why does it matter?’ anyway. If Jun heard that one more time this week, he might actually have to start seeing a shrink.
“It’s one thing if it’s just fan service, you know, but bringing that sort of stuff into the band…” Jun didn’t know where he was going, he was just talking now. He didn’t know how to say what he wanted to. “I mean, I wouldn’t just bring a girl in here and start making out with her on the couch, you know.” He took a second to swallow, then glanced at Ohno again.
And he couldn’t bring himself to start talking again.
Ohno wasn’t exactly glaring at him. Instead his look seemed to pity him.
Screw that. Matsujun didn’t need anyone’s pity, even if it was Ohno.
Just because he hadn’t found love yet, a person he’d be willing to give up the band, his fame, everything that he had worked hard for. Just because he couldn’t understand when Ohno or Nino said “…but they love each other” or tsked him for asking “what about a family?”.
“Family is what you make it,” Nino had told him the first time Jun had said that.
He didn’t understand that, either.
But that didn’t mean he needed anyone’s pity. Screw that.
Jun realized he was probably over reacting to Ohno’s look and that he could never really be mad at Leader, but he was so confused with all this talk about love and relationships recently. He wasn’t getting enough rest to be able to think about this properly and it was really starting to piss him off.
Suddenly Ohno spoke, a tiny smile on his lips. “Is Aiba ‘some girl’?” he asked, his voice quieter than before.
Jun paused his thinking and swallowed nervously.
No. No, he wasn’t.
He was a part of the group. He belonged there. They both belonged there.
That was the difference.
And Jun hadn’t realized it until now.
He cursed himself for being so stupid. He blamed Hana Yori Dango Final. He blamed Himitsu no Arashi-chan. He blamed the string of concerts he was killing himself practicing for. He should have been more understanding.
Ohno must have noticed his epiphany, because he let the subject drop. Jun was glad for that.
“Ne, Leader?” he asked after a moment of silence.
“Hmm?” Ohno was eyeing his magazine again, probably trying to decide whether he’d go back to reading it already or not. Jun noted it was a fishing magazine.
“Wanna go for drinks tonight? I have tomorrow morning off.”
“Eh? Shouldn’t you get some rest?” Ohno asked, suddenly looking over at Jun, his eyes a little wide.
Actually Jun had had every intention of doing just that. But his conversation with Ohno left him feeling… a little lacking. A little sad, if he was honest. He didn’t want to have to mull over that all night, although he probably should.
No, he would wait until Hana Yori Dango Final was over with to do his heavy thinking. Right now he just wanted to get smashed.
“Naw, it’s okay. I feel like drinking.” He put it delicately. If Ohno knew what he was really thinking he’d probably chide him and tell him to go home.
Leader glanced back at his magazine. He appeared to think over the proposition for a minute before shrugging. “Yeah, I guess.”
Jun smiled at him. “Great.”
Ohno smiled back, silently asking “are we done now?” The magazine had made its way back into his hands and he was unconsciously messing with the pages. Jun looked down at the magazine in Ohno’s grip and felt a little amused. He pulled his arm from around Satoshi, but instead of leaving like he should have, he leaned over, resting his head against Leader’s shoulder. Jun felt Ohno begin flipping the pages, obviously taking his actions as permission to return to reading.
Jun just wanted to stay like this for a little while. Just until his emotions calmed down. Leader was perfect for that sort of thing.
+ + +
Although Jun had every intention of getting smashed, he didn’t want to worry Ohno, so he was taking his beer slowly. He’d only had two mugs in the hour since they had arrived at the small hole-in-the-wall joint that Ohno had suggested. Jun had been here once, with one of his drama directors, but he was glad to be back. It was quiet enough and no one bothered them in the corner, a paper wall blocking out most of the rest of the bar.
“Oh, you should have seen his face when I told him his shirt had mustard on it…” Ohno laughed loudly, picking up one of the pieces of deep fried chicken between them with his chopsticks. Although the captain still hadn’t made it through one beer yet, his drunken giddiness had already come out. Jun doubted he was anywhere close to drunk (he had been drinking with Leader many, many times) but in a bustling, rowdy atmosphere, the star couldn’t help but get sucked in.
Jun laughed as the story ended, although it hadn’t been particularly funny. Stories like that were pretty main stream in the business they worked in.
Unable to think of any comments, Jun simply let the talking die down and took another gulp of his beer.
Ohno continued to smile and pick at the few side dishes they had ordered, the sound of the rest of the bar leaking into their private space under the wall and around the corner of the door.
Jun looked down the chopsticks lying in front of him, considering the topic he wanted to bring up. Ohno was the only one he really had to talk to right now, since he was scared at what would come out of his mouth if it were any of the other three members. He’d said a lot of things in the past few weeks that he hadn’t meant to, and so his general solution had been to avoid them.
That, of course, hadn’t worked very well with Nino hanging all over him whenever the two were in spitting distance of each other. He’d put up with Nino, not because he liked the attention, but more because he was afraid of what he would say if started reprimanding him.
“Jun-kun?” He looked up to see Ohno’s eyes piercing through him. “What’s bothering you?” Jun forced a smile, although inside his stomach was turning. He hoped he’d be able to hold his liquor tonight.
“You know, just work,” he replied, the excuse coming out easily. It was mostly true anyway, but Ohno looked like he didn’t believe him. Jun sighed. How was he going to bring up this topic to Satoshi without being obvious?
“Well…” Jun started, and Ohno perked up. “Actually, I have a question for you, Leader.” Ohno looked curious, immediately setting his chopsticks down in front of him and giving Jun his full attention.
Suddenly the emotionally confused star was deathly embarrassed.
“Do you… I mean… Is there anyone you like?” Jun slowly asked, tripping over his words like he was still a teenager. He’d never seen Ohno with any women, and he would have known if there was a girlfriend. In fact, he prided himself on what he knew about their captain. But this was a good way to introduce his topic anyway, so he went ahead and asked what he thought he already knew the answer to.
Surprisingly, Ohno looked taken aback at the question. He glanced down at his beer, then at the food between them, and then picked up his chopsticks again.
Jun smiled.
Oh.
He had unintentionally hit gold.
Suddenly he was far more interested in this topic than the previous one of “What’s love?”
“Leader…” he said in a teasing tone. “Come on, you can tell me. I’ll swear myself to secrecy.” The grin on his face was only getting wider by the second, as Ohno continued to squirm, either intentionally or not.
“There’s not really anyone in particular…” the short man finally said, picking up some of the side dish of squid delicately with his chopsticks.
Jun’s smile spread as far as it could across his face, so far that his cheeks were burning (although that could have been the alcohol, too). He kicked Satoshi softly under the table.
“Tell me!!” he begged, and Matsujun didn’t beg unless he really wanted something.
Jun linked his fingers together in front of him in a pleading fashion and tried to catch Ohno’s gaze. The other star was avoiding him.
“LEADER…PLEASE…” Jun said loud enough that Ohno kicked him back under the table, a little harder than necessary.
“I told you there wasn’t anyone…” Aw, he was pouting now. Jun wanted to reach across the table himself and ruffle his hair. But he didn’t.
Jun stuck his own lip out in a pout and gave Ohno one final “please tell me” look before he gave up. Although he could have tickled him until he spilled the beans, information received that way was a little questionable. He’d probably say some ridiculous comedian and then insist he was telling the truth.
It was best to go the subliminal route of asking him over and over until he told him the truth. It usually worked when Nino or Aiba did it, anyway.
+ + +
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews! It seriously makes me smile whenever I get one.
I know I only updated two days ago, but I'm going to be busy this weekend and I thought an earlier update was better than a late one.
I hope you're still enjoying the story!
On to chapter three!
Rating: PG13 (some language)
Pairing: Eventually Juntoshi (side pairing! Sakuraiba)
Genre: Romance
Disclaimer: I guess Johnny’s technically owns Arashi, huh? Not me.
Chapter: Two of about ten
Summary: Nino convinces Ohno to participate in a “who can seduce Jun first” contest after a particularly troublesome rehearsal.
Previous: Prologue, One
Chapter 2
Jun slammed the door behind him and leaned up against it, desperate to keep Nino out of the dressing room.
“Damn little-“ he paused when he noticed Ohno sitting on the beat up love seat across from him, the one Aiba usually used for napping.
The drama star took a moment to run his hand through his hair, making sure it hadn’t gotten too messed up running away from Nino. He cleared his throat, putting on his usual causal air, and hoped that Ohno couldn’t detect how frazzled he was.
“Oh. Hey.” The words came out a little more tense than Jun would have liked, but at least he wasn’t panting for breath. At least he hoped he wasn’t. His breathing sounded normal right?
Ohno looked up from his magazine, nodded at Jun, then looked back down.
Well, if he went back into the studio, Nino would find him immediately. At least in here Ohno would be a buffer (Jun would make him a buffer) between the two of them. Before moving, he tilted his head towards the door to check for any noise in the hall.
Nothing. Good.
Jun strode across the room and plopped down next to Ohno, resting his arms on the back of the couch and behind Leader’s head.
The shorter man finally turned and looked at him again, folded his magazine shut, and placed it onto the table beside the loveseat.
“What’s up?” Jun asked casually, giving him his usual winning smile. Ohno shrugged back at him, his eyes blank. The fisherman must not have been up to much, anyway.
When Ohno didn’t reply, Jun continued talking. He had learned that when Leader wanted to say something, he would, and when he didn’t he’d at least give you a few “hmm”s or nods to encourage you. Even if he wasn’t actually listening.
“What a long day…!” he started, not sure how much he wanted to complain to Ohno, since Jun had realized he’d done more than his share lately. He didn’t want to bother Leader with that sort of small talk, and he wasn’t sure the other man would be enthusiastic about his topic (Nino’s romantic pursuits) anyway.
Ohno surprised Jun by chuckling. He looked over and their eyes met, Ohno’s shining in amusement.
“Kazu’s bugging you again?” Jun couldn’t believe that Ohno had not only guessed the source of his annoyance, but had also brought up the topic as well. Maybe Leader was paying more attention than he thought.
Before answering, Jun let out a few laughs, too, unable to stop himself after Ohno’s cute reaction. “Yeah. Right now he just tried to take my pants off.”
Ohno burst out laughing harder, falling forward to lean on his knees.
“I’m not kidding!!” Jun wasn’t sure whether he should be offended at that reaction or not. Maybe it was a little amusing to someone who hadn’t endured the torture of Nino following him for a week straight. Okay, maybe it was even a little amusing to him, too, when he really thought about it, but it would take a few more hours of sleep at night before he could laugh about it, too.
“What is up with him lately?” Jun already knew Ohno wouldn’t answer, since he’d already tried that approach. “Why won’t you tell me?” he asked instead. “It’s probably just one of your guys’ pranks, anyway…” The star continued without really thinking about it. He had gone through way too many of their pranks not be suspicious when either of the once comedy duo began acting out of character.
Ohno leaned back against his arm and simply smiled. It was The Smile That Told Jun Nothing. It didn’t tell him that it was all a prank, but it certainly didn’t tell him the two were serious, either.
“Well… by far you’re certainly the sanest one to be around right now.” Jun glanced over at his band mate, unsure if saying that was going a little too far.
It was true, though. At every turn Aiba and Sho were making out in plain sight and in the last week he’d had to put up with Nino trying to take his pants off for God’s sake. At least Leader had stayed the same old clueless Leader.
Jun was paying enough attention to note a slight tilt in Ohno’s brow. Better keep talking before Ohno collected himself enough to retaliate.
“Anyway, I’m just saying… It’s not like I have anything against Aiba or Sho… Just…” he crossed his legs nervously, not sure that was the best topic to move on to. “You know, what about kids and stuff like that? They can’t get married or anything…” Jun cleared his throat and didn’t allow Ohno an opening to share his opinion. It would probably only be something like ‘they’re in love, why does it matter?’ anyway. If Jun heard that one more time this week, he might actually have to start seeing a shrink.
“It’s one thing if it’s just fan service, you know, but bringing that sort of stuff into the band…” Jun didn’t know where he was going, he was just talking now. He didn’t know how to say what he wanted to. “I mean, I wouldn’t just bring a girl in here and start making out with her on the couch, you know.” He took a second to swallow, then glanced at Ohno again.
And he couldn’t bring himself to start talking again.
Ohno wasn’t exactly glaring at him. Instead his look seemed to pity him.
Screw that. Matsujun didn’t need anyone’s pity, even if it was Ohno.
Just because he hadn’t found love yet, a person he’d be willing to give up the band, his fame, everything that he had worked hard for. Just because he couldn’t understand when Ohno or Nino said “…but they love each other” or tsked him for asking “what about a family?”.
“Family is what you make it,” Nino had told him the first time Jun had said that.
He didn’t understand that, either.
But that didn’t mean he needed anyone’s pity. Screw that.
Jun realized he was probably over reacting to Ohno’s look and that he could never really be mad at Leader, but he was so confused with all this talk about love and relationships recently. He wasn’t getting enough rest to be able to think about this properly and it was really starting to piss him off.
Suddenly Ohno spoke, a tiny smile on his lips. “Is Aiba ‘some girl’?” he asked, his voice quieter than before.
Jun paused his thinking and swallowed nervously.
No. No, he wasn’t.
He was a part of the group. He belonged there. They both belonged there.
That was the difference.
And Jun hadn’t realized it until now.
He cursed himself for being so stupid. He blamed Hana Yori Dango Final. He blamed Himitsu no Arashi-chan. He blamed the string of concerts he was killing himself practicing for. He should have been more understanding.
Ohno must have noticed his epiphany, because he let the subject drop. Jun was glad for that.
“Ne, Leader?” he asked after a moment of silence.
“Hmm?” Ohno was eyeing his magazine again, probably trying to decide whether he’d go back to reading it already or not. Jun noted it was a fishing magazine.
“Wanna go for drinks tonight? I have tomorrow morning off.”
“Eh? Shouldn’t you get some rest?” Ohno asked, suddenly looking over at Jun, his eyes a little wide.
Actually Jun had had every intention of doing just that. But his conversation with Ohno left him feeling… a little lacking. A little sad, if he was honest. He didn’t want to have to mull over that all night, although he probably should.
No, he would wait until Hana Yori Dango Final was over with to do his heavy thinking. Right now he just wanted to get smashed.
“Naw, it’s okay. I feel like drinking.” He put it delicately. If Ohno knew what he was really thinking he’d probably chide him and tell him to go home.
Leader glanced back at his magazine. He appeared to think over the proposition for a minute before shrugging. “Yeah, I guess.”
Jun smiled at him. “Great.”
Ohno smiled back, silently asking “are we done now?” The magazine had made its way back into his hands and he was unconsciously messing with the pages. Jun looked down at the magazine in Ohno’s grip and felt a little amused. He pulled his arm from around Satoshi, but instead of leaving like he should have, he leaned over, resting his head against Leader’s shoulder. Jun felt Ohno begin flipping the pages, obviously taking his actions as permission to return to reading.
Jun just wanted to stay like this for a little while. Just until his emotions calmed down. Leader was perfect for that sort of thing.
+ + +
Although Jun had every intention of getting smashed, he didn’t want to worry Ohno, so he was taking his beer slowly. He’d only had two mugs in the hour since they had arrived at the small hole-in-the-wall joint that Ohno had suggested. Jun had been here once, with one of his drama directors, but he was glad to be back. It was quiet enough and no one bothered them in the corner, a paper wall blocking out most of the rest of the bar.
“Oh, you should have seen his face when I told him his shirt had mustard on it…” Ohno laughed loudly, picking up one of the pieces of deep fried chicken between them with his chopsticks. Although the captain still hadn’t made it through one beer yet, his drunken giddiness had already come out. Jun doubted he was anywhere close to drunk (he had been drinking with Leader many, many times) but in a bustling, rowdy atmosphere, the star couldn’t help but get sucked in.
Jun laughed as the story ended, although it hadn’t been particularly funny. Stories like that were pretty main stream in the business they worked in.
Unable to think of any comments, Jun simply let the talking die down and took another gulp of his beer.
Ohno continued to smile and pick at the few side dishes they had ordered, the sound of the rest of the bar leaking into their private space under the wall and around the corner of the door.
Jun looked down the chopsticks lying in front of him, considering the topic he wanted to bring up. Ohno was the only one he really had to talk to right now, since he was scared at what would come out of his mouth if it were any of the other three members. He’d said a lot of things in the past few weeks that he hadn’t meant to, and so his general solution had been to avoid them.
That, of course, hadn’t worked very well with Nino hanging all over him whenever the two were in spitting distance of each other. He’d put up with Nino, not because he liked the attention, but more because he was afraid of what he would say if started reprimanding him.
“Jun-kun?” He looked up to see Ohno’s eyes piercing through him. “What’s bothering you?” Jun forced a smile, although inside his stomach was turning. He hoped he’d be able to hold his liquor tonight.
“You know, just work,” he replied, the excuse coming out easily. It was mostly true anyway, but Ohno looked like he didn’t believe him. Jun sighed. How was he going to bring up this topic to Satoshi without being obvious?
“Well…” Jun started, and Ohno perked up. “Actually, I have a question for you, Leader.” Ohno looked curious, immediately setting his chopsticks down in front of him and giving Jun his full attention.
Suddenly the emotionally confused star was deathly embarrassed.
“Do you… I mean… Is there anyone you like?” Jun slowly asked, tripping over his words like he was still a teenager. He’d never seen Ohno with any women, and he would have known if there was a girlfriend. In fact, he prided himself on what he knew about their captain. But this was a good way to introduce his topic anyway, so he went ahead and asked what he thought he already knew the answer to.
Surprisingly, Ohno looked taken aback at the question. He glanced down at his beer, then at the food between them, and then picked up his chopsticks again.
Jun smiled.
Oh.
He had unintentionally hit gold.
Suddenly he was far more interested in this topic than the previous one of “What’s love?”
“Leader…” he said in a teasing tone. “Come on, you can tell me. I’ll swear myself to secrecy.” The grin on his face was only getting wider by the second, as Ohno continued to squirm, either intentionally or not.
“There’s not really anyone in particular…” the short man finally said, picking up some of the side dish of squid delicately with his chopsticks.
Jun’s smile spread as far as it could across his face, so far that his cheeks were burning (although that could have been the alcohol, too). He kicked Satoshi softly under the table.
“Tell me!!” he begged, and Matsujun didn’t beg unless he really wanted something.
Jun linked his fingers together in front of him in a pleading fashion and tried to catch Ohno’s gaze. The other star was avoiding him.
“LEADER…PLEASE…” Jun said loud enough that Ohno kicked him back under the table, a little harder than necessary.
“I told you there wasn’t anyone…” Aw, he was pouting now. Jun wanted to reach across the table himself and ruffle his hair. But he didn’t.
Jun stuck his own lip out in a pout and gave Ohno one final “please tell me” look before he gave up. Although he could have tickled him until he spilled the beans, information received that way was a little questionable. He’d probably say some ridiculous comedian and then insist he was telling the truth.
It was best to go the subliminal route of asking him over and over until he told him the truth. It usually worked when Nino or Aiba did it, anyway.
+ + +
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews! It seriously makes me smile whenever I get one.
I know I only updated two days ago, but I'm going to be busy this weekend and I thought an earlier update was better than a late one.
I hope you're still enjoying the story!
On to chapter three!