Been a Long Day
Title: Been a Long Day
Author: jareth_cohen
Status: Complete
Rating: G
Pairing: m/m
Summary: Aki trying to get Rei and Mahiro to realize they're attracted to each other.
Note: Based on the How to Succeed song Been a Long Day.
Been A Long Day
“I think this is a good place to stop,” Rei said, looking over the lyrics they'd completely torn apart. Apparently he was that bad at pop. “I'll look this over,” and ignore everything you changed. This duet was supposed to merge their talents, so naturally it would be 90% rock and 10% whatever Mahiro contributed that Rei approved.
“Alright,” the younger musician nodded, suspecting his ideas would be tossed in the trash the second he was out of here. As he gathered up his things, he absently sang under his breath what they'd worked on. Knew it was probably the last time that tune would be sung, if Rei had any say in it.
The redhead stopped moving so he could listen, not making a sound, pretending to read something on his desk. Mahiro had such a lovely voice~
You know. For a beginner.
“Wait one second,” he said to the boy almost out the door. “I might as well head down too. We can go together.” Mahiro nodded with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. The other man ignored that.
Oh good grief. “Hey you guys!”
Rei groaned as Akihiko approached. Why had he told him Mahiro would be here today? Aki always showed up to do his best to torment Rei in front of Mahiro without it being obvious to anyone but the rock star. “Hi Aki.”
“Fancy meeting you here.” The top floor that was home to Rei on the day he'd mentioned he'd be here with his kouhai. “Going down?”
“As if we could go up?” Rei scoffed. He had kind of been hoping to chat to Mahiro during the ride down. Now that would be impossible.
Chat to get ammunition to use against him one day. That kind of talking. Not like bonding or creating a friendship or anything. Mahiro was cute but not Rei's type.
“Say Rei,” Aki said loudly as they approached the elevators. “Where are you having dinner tonight?” He nodded discreetly toward Mahiro.
“Oh, um.” What was he motioning to him for? “I don't know. That depends.”
“On what?” his best friend asked.
Rei was looking at him with a peculiar expression. What was Aki up to? He looked at Mahiro, who was facing the other way. It almost looked like his ear was perked up, but...why would he care what Rei's plans were? “On...where I'm having dinner.” It was clear Rei's mind was not in this conversation. Would Mahiro be interested in what I was doing...? Not that he cared if Mahiro cared.
“What?” Aki asked. That didn't make any sense. Then he realized Rei was still looking curiously at Mahiro, like he had hoped, and he smiled. Standing between them, he glanced at Mahiro to see the boy looking at him, then Mahiro quickly averted his eyes and chose to stare at the numbers above the elevator.
Alright. It was the end of the business day, and they had had a good session. Did their evening have to end there? Aki thought it would be good for them to get to know each other outside the studio. They weren't very well acquainted despite the months they'd worked together. Run in, run out, complain about each other.
It was all a big show, the complaining, but unfortunately everyone knew that except the stars. Mahiro didn't hate Rei as much as he insisted, no way he would stick around this long if he did, and Rei obviously was infatuated with him. All he talked about was Mahiro. And even though it was 99% negative, the kid was always on his mind, and Aki knew him well enough to know that he ignored things he despised and tried to hide all evidence of them.
The silence stretched on, but Aki didn't think it was an awkward one. The other two probably didn't notice. He could tell their minds were busy running over various facts, and it was almost like he could hear them.
Rei was thinking I wonder if we'll walk the same route...? Hopefully without Aki. Then they could talk without Rei worrying about what his best friend thought. Aki always smiled at him like he knew something Rei didn't, and it bugged the heck out of him.
Opposite him, Mahiro was going over their latest work. If Rei would be willing to leave it where they'd ended today, the younger musician thought it would do well. As much as he was loathe to admit it...There could be quite a thing between us. Professional of course. This duet thing. Wasn't so bad. Rei knew what he was doing, and Mahiro knew how to spin it for the girls who wanted it a bit more poppy. He glanced over to Rei, but noticed Aki grinning and quickly looked back to those fascinating numbers above the elevator.
Rei picked at his nails. The elevator was taking forever. He almost complained, but since no one else was, he stayed quiet. Now that he thought about it, Mahiro rarely complained about anything, even Rei's treatment of him. The star knew he could be a bit better with him, but he wanted to establish authority. Let the kid know he was the lead and Mahiro should be grateful to have the opportunity to work with him.
He did feel a little guilty. (Don't tell anyone.) Poor Mahiro really was a sweetheart, and he took Rei's attitude better than most others would. But Mikage Rei couldn't treat him as an equal...what of his career? Everyone expected him to be number one, if he gave Mahiro a fair shot...what if the boy did well? Became competition? He would have sabotaged himself! No it was best to keep this talent hidden, squash it now before it was too late.
Mahiro yawned loudly. Rei immediately turned to him, as did Aki, but his mouth opened and nothing came out. After blinking at him a few times Rei finally decided on, “It's been a long day, eh?”
“Yeah,” he nodded, “Been a long day.” Rei nodded too, then after looking at him for another few seconds, awkwardly turned back toward the doors. Aki ran a hand down his face. That would have been a good time to start talking again, but they both seemed determined to stare at nothing. He noticed Mahiro frown, and that made him wonder if he'd forced out a fake yawn-
Ding!
“Finally,” Rei sighed. The three got in and hit L for lobby, knowing the ride down from the top floor would take ages.
Aki ended up between them again, and he elbowed Rei before nodding at Mahiro again. Talk to him he mouthed. He knew Rei wanted to.
The star rolled his eyes, looking like he couldn't be bothered with that. On the inside he was frowning too. I wish that he were more of a flirt. Draping himself over Mahiro hadn't ever gone over well, and that was how Rei usually got to know people. What other approach was there?
How could I get Rei to let up on the bullying? Mahiro wondered. Maybe if they found a way to be friends instead of arch enemies...he'd lighten up? Maybe even let him have a say in the song? But how to get through to the idiot? With a grimace he realized he knew the answer. I guess a little flirting won't hurt...Tomorrow. He'd start tomorrow.
“I was thinking about taking Aimi out to eat,” Aki said in the silence, mostly directed at Rei. “She was saying we don't get out enough these days.”
“Oh. Yeah?” Rei said absently. Hm. He didn't go out that often either, for meals anyway. Usually he hit the sleazy clubs and that was it. Well if Aki was busy there was no reason he couldn't ask someone else to go. Like Mahiro. They could meet somewhere for dinner, right? They were partners. That was acceptable.
“Mhmm. Date night. We used to do it a lot.”
It wouldn't have to be a date, Mahiro was thinking, But we both have got to eat. And we're probably both hungry now. No, Rei would just laugh at him and say he suffered enough this evening, he didn't need to spend more time with an amateur like Mahiro. Before he could pout properly he felt a sneeze coming on. Tried to prevent it but “Achoo!”
“Gesundheit,” Rei said before Aki even had time to know who it had been. Mahiro quickly piped out a “Thank you,” and they were staring at each other again.
“...Well it's been a long day,” Rei said again, turning away. Mahiro agreed and looked to the floor, and Aki smacked his friends arm. Was he ever going to get a real conversation going?
Alright, the date night idea hadn't been enough to get either of them to act. Shaking the newspaper he'd been carrying, Aki cleared his throat loudly and opened to the entertainment page. “Hey,” he said to Rei, nudging his arm and speaking with more volume than necessary, “Look at this, a special on your favorite steak, only $190 a plate.” Cheap for Rei's usual tastes. Then as if realizing a handy coincidence, he said, “Oh Mahiro, isn't Sardi's your favorite restaurant around here?”
“Yeah, it is,” he said quietly. Out of a courtesy to Aki he leaned over, sparing a fleeting glance over to Rei.
“And at the bottom of the ad,” Aki continued, shaking the paper again to make sure he had Rei's attention, “Not bad. Service for two, $358.” Rei, sensing what Aki was up to, glared at him. He didn't need any help, thanks. If he wanted to see Mahiro - which he didn't! - he wasn't in need of any petty attempts like this. Leaning closer to the star Aki continued with, “To make a bargain,” jabbed him with an elbow, “Make a date."
Rei huffed. Perfectly capable of making his own plans. He looked over at Mahiro, expecting him to look terrified and dreading Rei listening to his best friend. He was surprised to see him fighting off what looked like an expectant look.
There was a good four second pause. “That's a good deal, considering what Sardi's usually charges,” said Mahiro in a small voice. “Is that where you're taking Aimi?”
“No, she said she's in a chinese mood tonight.”
“Ahh.” Quiet again.
Rei ran a hand through his hair. His favorite food, Mahiro's favorite place...was this fate trying to tell him something? Were they supposed to jump on this opportunity? Well Mahiro certainly wasn't eager to ask him out.
Still, he was already thinking of ways this could be to his advantage. If they finally got to friendlier terms, work would improve. It might be enjoyable. Having another friend was always a good thing. It was get Aki off his back. Aimi might like him more if Mahiro praised him around her. Mahiro was also very attractive. Part of his mind was thinking about what kind of trap he could set to lure him back to his apartment...
Mahiro thought Rei was going to say something, but time dragged on and the three were just standing there on the elevator ride that never ended. He might as well forget the whole thing. No dinner, no friendship, this project was going to suck forver.
With the prospect of Mahiro in bed dancing before him, Rei suddenly seemed much more interested. Their car stopped at the second floor, and Rei shuffled over to stand beside Mahiro to give the newcomer some room. Suppose I just... Like he had done the month before, Rei gave in to his tendency to touch and slipped an arm around Mahiro's waist.
The boy instantly tensed. When no hands wandered and Rei stayed where he was, he surprised himself by thinking, Well really, what's the harm...? and let him remain in the older mans' hold.
“...You hungry?”
Mahiro's wide eyes fixed themselves on Rei, wondering what he was supposed to say. He hated Rei and they never spent time together. Now they were standing here hip to hip and Rei was inviting him out to dinner? This wasn't right. Yet his answer was a delayed, “....yeah.”
“Yeah?” Rei asked, surprised. He'd honestly expected to be shot down.
“Yeah.”
“Yeah!” Aki silently cheered behind them, pumping a fist in the air.
Ding!
Rei lead Mahiro off, keeping him close so as not to loose him in the end of day foot traffic in the lobby, suggesting places to go should they not be in the mood for Sardi's, forgetting to say goodbye to his friend.
“Hey babe,” Aimi smiled, kissing Aki's cheek when she reached him. She'd been waiting near the front desk for him. “You ready to go?” He sighed, still smiling, and nodded. “What?”
“Nothing,” he chuckled. “Just been a long day.” It took forver to get those two together.
Author: jareth_cohen
Status: Complete
Rating: G
Pairing: m/m
Summary: Aki trying to get Rei and Mahiro to realize they're attracted to each other.
Note: Based on the How to Succeed song Been a Long Day.
Been A Long Day
“I think this is a good place to stop,” Rei said, looking over the lyrics they'd completely torn apart. Apparently he was that bad at pop. “I'll look this over,” and ignore everything you changed. This duet was supposed to merge their talents, so naturally it would be 90% rock and 10% whatever Mahiro contributed that Rei approved.
“Alright,” the younger musician nodded, suspecting his ideas would be tossed in the trash the second he was out of here. As he gathered up his things, he absently sang under his breath what they'd worked on. Knew it was probably the last time that tune would be sung, if Rei had any say in it.
The redhead stopped moving so he could listen, not making a sound, pretending to read something on his desk. Mahiro had such a lovely voice~
You know. For a beginner.
“Wait one second,” he said to the boy almost out the door. “I might as well head down too. We can go together.” Mahiro nodded with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. The other man ignored that.
Oh good grief. “Hey you guys!”
Rei groaned as Akihiko approached. Why had he told him Mahiro would be here today? Aki always showed up to do his best to torment Rei in front of Mahiro without it being obvious to anyone but the rock star. “Hi Aki.”
“Fancy meeting you here.” The top floor that was home to Rei on the day he'd mentioned he'd be here with his kouhai. “Going down?”
“As if we could go up?” Rei scoffed. He had kind of been hoping to chat to Mahiro during the ride down. Now that would be impossible.
Chat to get ammunition to use against him one day. That kind of talking. Not like bonding or creating a friendship or anything. Mahiro was cute but not Rei's type.
“Say Rei,” Aki said loudly as they approached the elevators. “Where are you having dinner tonight?” He nodded discreetly toward Mahiro.
“Oh, um.” What was he motioning to him for? “I don't know. That depends.”
“On what?” his best friend asked.
Rei was looking at him with a peculiar expression. What was Aki up to? He looked at Mahiro, who was facing the other way. It almost looked like his ear was perked up, but...why would he care what Rei's plans were? “On...where I'm having dinner.” It was clear Rei's mind was not in this conversation. Would Mahiro be interested in what I was doing...? Not that he cared if Mahiro cared.
“What?” Aki asked. That didn't make any sense. Then he realized Rei was still looking curiously at Mahiro, like he had hoped, and he smiled. Standing between them, he glanced at Mahiro to see the boy looking at him, then Mahiro quickly averted his eyes and chose to stare at the numbers above the elevator.
Alright. It was the end of the business day, and they had had a good session. Did their evening have to end there? Aki thought it would be good for them to get to know each other outside the studio. They weren't very well acquainted despite the months they'd worked together. Run in, run out, complain about each other.
It was all a big show, the complaining, but unfortunately everyone knew that except the stars. Mahiro didn't hate Rei as much as he insisted, no way he would stick around this long if he did, and Rei obviously was infatuated with him. All he talked about was Mahiro. And even though it was 99% negative, the kid was always on his mind, and Aki knew him well enough to know that he ignored things he despised and tried to hide all evidence of them.
The silence stretched on, but Aki didn't think it was an awkward one. The other two probably didn't notice. He could tell their minds were busy running over various facts, and it was almost like he could hear them.
Rei was thinking I wonder if we'll walk the same route...? Hopefully without Aki. Then they could talk without Rei worrying about what his best friend thought. Aki always smiled at him like he knew something Rei didn't, and it bugged the heck out of him.
Opposite him, Mahiro was going over their latest work. If Rei would be willing to leave it where they'd ended today, the younger musician thought it would do well. As much as he was loathe to admit it...There could be quite a thing between us. Professional of course. This duet thing. Wasn't so bad. Rei knew what he was doing, and Mahiro knew how to spin it for the girls who wanted it a bit more poppy. He glanced over to Rei, but noticed Aki grinning and quickly looked back to those fascinating numbers above the elevator.
Rei picked at his nails. The elevator was taking forever. He almost complained, but since no one else was, he stayed quiet. Now that he thought about it, Mahiro rarely complained about anything, even Rei's treatment of him. The star knew he could be a bit better with him, but he wanted to establish authority. Let the kid know he was the lead and Mahiro should be grateful to have the opportunity to work with him.
He did feel a little guilty. (Don't tell anyone.) Poor Mahiro really was a sweetheart, and he took Rei's attitude better than most others would. But Mikage Rei couldn't treat him as an equal...what of his career? Everyone expected him to be number one, if he gave Mahiro a fair shot...what if the boy did well? Became competition? He would have sabotaged himself! No it was best to keep this talent hidden, squash it now before it was too late.
Mahiro yawned loudly. Rei immediately turned to him, as did Aki, but his mouth opened and nothing came out. After blinking at him a few times Rei finally decided on, “It's been a long day, eh?”
“Yeah,” he nodded, “Been a long day.” Rei nodded too, then after looking at him for another few seconds, awkwardly turned back toward the doors. Aki ran a hand down his face. That would have been a good time to start talking again, but they both seemed determined to stare at nothing. He noticed Mahiro frown, and that made him wonder if he'd forced out a fake yawn-
Ding!
“Finally,” Rei sighed. The three got in and hit L for lobby, knowing the ride down from the top floor would take ages.
Aki ended up between them again, and he elbowed Rei before nodding at Mahiro again. Talk to him he mouthed. He knew Rei wanted to.
The star rolled his eyes, looking like he couldn't be bothered with that. On the inside he was frowning too. I wish that he were more of a flirt. Draping himself over Mahiro hadn't ever gone over well, and that was how Rei usually got to know people. What other approach was there?
How could I get Rei to let up on the bullying? Mahiro wondered. Maybe if they found a way to be friends instead of arch enemies...he'd lighten up? Maybe even let him have a say in the song? But how to get through to the idiot? With a grimace he realized he knew the answer. I guess a little flirting won't hurt...Tomorrow. He'd start tomorrow.
“I was thinking about taking Aimi out to eat,” Aki said in the silence, mostly directed at Rei. “She was saying we don't get out enough these days.”
“Oh. Yeah?” Rei said absently. Hm. He didn't go out that often either, for meals anyway. Usually he hit the sleazy clubs and that was it. Well if Aki was busy there was no reason he couldn't ask someone else to go. Like Mahiro. They could meet somewhere for dinner, right? They were partners. That was acceptable.
“Mhmm. Date night. We used to do it a lot.”
It wouldn't have to be a date, Mahiro was thinking, But we both have got to eat. And we're probably both hungry now. No, Rei would just laugh at him and say he suffered enough this evening, he didn't need to spend more time with an amateur like Mahiro. Before he could pout properly he felt a sneeze coming on. Tried to prevent it but “Achoo!”
“Gesundheit,” Rei said before Aki even had time to know who it had been. Mahiro quickly piped out a “Thank you,” and they were staring at each other again.
“...Well it's been a long day,” Rei said again, turning away. Mahiro agreed and looked to the floor, and Aki smacked his friends arm. Was he ever going to get a real conversation going?
Alright, the date night idea hadn't been enough to get either of them to act. Shaking the newspaper he'd been carrying, Aki cleared his throat loudly and opened to the entertainment page. “Hey,” he said to Rei, nudging his arm and speaking with more volume than necessary, “Look at this, a special on your favorite steak, only $190 a plate.” Cheap for Rei's usual tastes. Then as if realizing a handy coincidence, he said, “Oh Mahiro, isn't Sardi's your favorite restaurant around here?”
“Yeah, it is,” he said quietly. Out of a courtesy to Aki he leaned over, sparing a fleeting glance over to Rei.
“And at the bottom of the ad,” Aki continued, shaking the paper again to make sure he had Rei's attention, “Not bad. Service for two, $358.” Rei, sensing what Aki was up to, glared at him. He didn't need any help, thanks. If he wanted to see Mahiro - which he didn't! - he wasn't in need of any petty attempts like this. Leaning closer to the star Aki continued with, “To make a bargain,” jabbed him with an elbow, “Make a date."
Rei huffed. Perfectly capable of making his own plans. He looked over at Mahiro, expecting him to look terrified and dreading Rei listening to his best friend. He was surprised to see him fighting off what looked like an expectant look.
There was a good four second pause. “That's a good deal, considering what Sardi's usually charges,” said Mahiro in a small voice. “Is that where you're taking Aimi?”
“No, she said she's in a chinese mood tonight.”
“Ahh.” Quiet again.
Rei ran a hand through his hair. His favorite food, Mahiro's favorite place...was this fate trying to tell him something? Were they supposed to jump on this opportunity? Well Mahiro certainly wasn't eager to ask him out.
Still, he was already thinking of ways this could be to his advantage. If they finally got to friendlier terms, work would improve. It might be enjoyable. Having another friend was always a good thing. It was get Aki off his back. Aimi might like him more if Mahiro praised him around her. Mahiro was also very attractive. Part of his mind was thinking about what kind of trap he could set to lure him back to his apartment...
Mahiro thought Rei was going to say something, but time dragged on and the three were just standing there on the elevator ride that never ended. He might as well forget the whole thing. No dinner, no friendship, this project was going to suck forver.
With the prospect of Mahiro in bed dancing before him, Rei suddenly seemed much more interested. Their car stopped at the second floor, and Rei shuffled over to stand beside Mahiro to give the newcomer some room. Suppose I just... Like he had done the month before, Rei gave in to his tendency to touch and slipped an arm around Mahiro's waist.
The boy instantly tensed. When no hands wandered and Rei stayed where he was, he surprised himself by thinking, Well really, what's the harm...? and let him remain in the older mans' hold.
“...You hungry?”
Mahiro's wide eyes fixed themselves on Rei, wondering what he was supposed to say. He hated Rei and they never spent time together. Now they were standing here hip to hip and Rei was inviting him out to dinner? This wasn't right. Yet his answer was a delayed, “....yeah.”
“Yeah?” Rei asked, surprised. He'd honestly expected to be shot down.
“Yeah.”
“Yeah!” Aki silently cheered behind them, pumping a fist in the air.
Ding!
Rei lead Mahiro off, keeping him close so as not to loose him in the end of day foot traffic in the lobby, suggesting places to go should they not be in the mood for Sardi's, forgetting to say goodbye to his friend.
“Hey babe,” Aimi smiled, kissing Aki's cheek when she reached him. She'd been waiting near the front desk for him. “You ready to go?” He sighed, still smiling, and nodded. “What?”
“Nothing,” he chuckled. “Just been a long day.” It took forver to get those two together.