Goodbye.
Title: End it with a bang
Characters: Oshitari Yuushi x Atobe Keigo
Rating: PG
Summary: Atobe always kept his promises.
The end of a year always did weird things to Oshitari Yuushi. Usually, he found himself thinking about the future, reflecting on the past, evaluating strengths and weaknesses. But this year, he found himself fantasizing about fairy tales, myths and legends. He was certain it had to be all that Santa Claus crap that’s gotten over him.
But the Kansai man knew better than to dream of happily ever afters. A practical man by nature, he believed that fairy tales only take place in children’s picture books and he was most definitely no longer a child.
In fact, the coming year is when he will come of age.
Yet the coming year isn’t one that he looked forward to. He was glad that he was finally old enough to demand to be heard like a rational adult but there were just too many premonitions that he had for the upcoming year and none of them were pretty. The New Year brought a strong sense of foreboding that he couldn’t explain.
“Stop thinking.”
“Whatever gave you the idea?”
“That amused look on your face,” Atobe smirked at Oshitari’s surprised look. He was right on target.
“No one can run away from Ore-sama’s insight, not even you, Yuushi.” But the said man just remained silent.
A hint of annoyance flashed pass Atobe’s features. He knew Oshitari won't stop musing and it didn’t look good.
The limo pulled to a stop and Atobe dismissed the chauffeur. Spending the evening of New Year’s Eve at the Atobe mansion wasn’t Oshitari's idea. He would rather the diva choose somewhere less oppressing or humongous as the main Atobe estate. But as usual, Atobe would have it no other way.
“I refuse to stoop down to commoners’ levels, especially not on New Year’s Eve.”
“And staying home is not common?”
“My house is far from common Yuushi.”
It was almost too surreal to be true. The entire estate was at their disposal. Oshitari wasn’t sure to grin or to worry. Atobe couldn’t survive without Kabaji or his servants. The diva probably didn’t know what to do in the event of a blackout or where the fuse box was. But it was New Year’s Eve and the former captain assured him that he was perfectly capable of handling such menial tasks if they were to occur. Oshitari knew better than to fight Atobe when he was in one of his moods. He would just play along.
Atobe led, he followed. He recognised the route. It led to his favourite place in the whole estate - the garden.
And what met his sight when he arrived made Oshitari grin uncharacteristically.
The entire East Wing garden had been transformed into a balmy private island paradise, complete with palm trees and a little man-made beach. Japan was not a natural habitat for palm trees but he knew whatever Atobe desired, he wasted no time in getting.
The usual Victorian structures had been replaced with wooden huts. It was a stretch to say that the huts were like those he had seen in the movies for stranded survivors. But if he ignored the fact that the rosewood furniture were polished, accompanied by silk cushions and other silverware, it was more or less a hut, albeit with a lot more class.
“I take it as you approve?” Atobe gestured towards his little New Year’s Eve surprise.
Oshitari did not reply, instead he kicked off his shoes, sinking his bare feet in the sand. The sand was warm and finer than he imagined. The sun setting in the horizon and the breeze light, he could almost hear the sound of the crashing waves surround him. And if he closed his eyes, he could see a tropical pacific island before him.
For the longest time, he soaked in the blessed serenity. And just as he was about to open his eyes, he felt a hand on his face. Before he knew what was happening, his glasses were yanked off his face rudely.
“You have perfect eyesight.” Oshitari glared. “And you definitely won’t need glasses here.”
Atobe ignored the look of annoyance and proffered one champagne flute to the Kansai man. He didn’t even protest when the said man pulled him down to the sand and laid down, in all of Armani’s grandeur. Both men laid silently till stars appeared.
“You kept your promise.”
“I’m a man of my word Yuushi.”
They had planned to go to Mauritius for a New Year holiday. The South African country was known for its clear waters and fine beaches. This was no Mauritius but Oshitari made do. It was the best Atobe could do in the situation.
The sky was an inky blue, shrouded by grey clouds and barely-there-yet stars.
Everything was perfectly set up. The final piece of the puzzle was in place. Apart from occasional chink of champagne flutes, the pair was silent. Words seemed almost unnecessary between them. They both knew the inevitable was coming.
“We’ve been together for almost five years now.”
“Five of the best.”
“Hopeless romantic.”
"You’re the bigger sap between us Kei.”
Somewhere far off, they heard a distant chime of the clock. Time had flown by and it was already the eleventh hour. New Year was beckoning.
Oshitari turned to face Atobe but the man had his eyes fixed upon a distant star.
“So it’s tomorrow isn’t it?”
The ‘Ice Emperor’ did not answer, so he tried again. “If it’s a 1am flight, shouldn’t you be getting ready now?”
“What’s the point of a private jet and airport if I can’t leave at whim?”
The ‘tensai’ stood smirking. He brushed the sand off his back and extended a hand. Atobe did not take it.
“Do you remember the day I got my license, Yuushi?”
“I never understood why told you wanted a license. You were born to be driven.”
“I just laughed and pushed you into the Ferrari.”
“And you drove like a man possessed.”
“Your face as blue as your hair by the time we reached the beach.”
“And who’s fault was that Kei?” And for the first time the whole day, both men relaxed.
“I’m never going to drive again.” Oshitari cocked an eyebrow. He knew Atobe loved the thrill of a fast spin and wondered what prompted the change.
“The ocean was stormy that day, wasn’t it Yuushi?”
“It was drizzling and you insisted we walk the shoreline.”
“And I fell sick immediately after.”
“Yet the next day, you insisted on those Tango classes.”
“You said you wanted to learn from the best.”
“Not when the best was half dead to pneumonia.”
The memory was bittersweet and both men couldn’t help but smile a little. Quietly and gracefully, Atobe stood and joined him. And for a moment, the diva could have sworn he saw the sweetest sadness apparent in Oshitari’s eyes as he turned to face him.
“You know I’m not going to do them ever again.” Oshitari kept quiet.
“Star-gazing, tango, driving, beach-hopping, this…”
“Just because you’re leaving Japan?”
“You know it’s not a short term thing.”
“That doesn’t change anything, Kei.”
“No, it changes everything.” Atobe turned his back to him and slipped his shoes on.
'Because you're not next to me.'
They were both aware that sooner than later everything they had worked so hard to build together would come crashing down on them. And it was going to hurt but the neither man knew how to stop it. Their pseudo friendship had boarded a one-way train trip to lovers’ hell and it was no secret that only one could survive this heartbreak. Oshitari wasn’t sure if he was prepared for the imminent doom.
Atobe glanced at his watch, ten minutes till midnight. Ten short minutes and he had to leave everything he ever cared about behind. But for the sake of one Kansai man, he knew he would give the world and still think it was the least he could do.
“Mother promised.”
“I can handle it myself.” Oshitari spat bitterly.
“She will make sure Gakuto gets back in shape.”
“In exchange for your freedom?” Atobe refused to take the blatant bait.
“Take care of Kabaji for me.”
“I’m sick of being your babysitter.”
Atobe felt his insides churn violently at the quiet rage in Oshitari’s voice. He had no choice, his father was on his deathbed and the Atobe Empire was in turmoil. As the heir, he had to put on an appropriate front. It didn’t help the situation with Kabaji’s sister getting married and Gakuto’s family abuse lawsuit. Furthermore, the media had found out about his less than savoury relationship with Oshitari that resulted in the Kansai man being thrown out of his family. As if all that wasn’t enough, the stock prices for the proud Atobe Empire was at its all time low.
Atobe had no choice.
He had to go. He had to leave it all behind, his heart including.
“Don’t make it harder than it already is, Yuushi.” He refused to look the man in the eye. He feared he might lose all the determination with one look.
“No Kei, you’re the one making it difficult.”
With one swift action, Oshitari turned Atobe round and held him close. He wanted to memorize this familiar heat, feel his solidness and smell that uniquely-Atobe lavender scent one last time.
“It doesn’t have to be so complicated Kei.” The ‘tensai’ whispered at his ear.
“You don’t break promises right Kei?”
The diva nodded wordlessly. If he spoke now, Atobe knew Oshitari would break.
But Oshitari released him slightly and with a crooked smile, he gazed at his lover.
“Then promise me it won’t be forever.”
Without waiting for a reply, he crushed Atobe’s lips with his, closing their distance. Holding him so tight, it hurt his arms. Oshitari wanted nothing to come between them and time to stop. But he knew wiser than to dream of the impossible.
The clock struck twelve and above them, the sky exploded in a rainbow of fireworks.
The fireworks ceased and his world went dark.
New Year came and he left.
A sense of déjà vu gushed through Oshitari, it was that sense of foreboding again. His instincts were right from the start.
Atobe had instructed his men to send him home but he had declined. The chauffeur handed him his glasses, which he gratefully put on and left. Oshitari was very much alone but he was glad.
The very ground he stood, the very air he breathed, were sacred. And he didn’t want to share. He wanted to drink in the sights and relive their memories one last time.
As the lone man watched their footprints wash away, it struck him. Oshitari finally knew how Prince Charming must have felt when Cinderella disappeared.
‘You must have wanted to chase but didn’t know where or how to start right?’
The thought amused him but he couldn’t bring himself to laugh.
“At least we’re under the same sky, Kei.” Oshitari thought aloud.
And with a little whimsical smile, he tossed his glasses into the sand.
Till the end, Atobe was right. Oshitari didn’t need any glasses. He only wore them to catch Atobe's attention.
'It isn't the end, Kei. Our future has just begun.'