[Fic] Help Me Get Him? [1/2]
Not sure if anyone will read, but here we go.
Title: Help Me Get Him?
Author: kairi_yume
Genre: AU, light-hearted drama, humour
Rating: PG-13?
Pairing: Gackt and Hyde, Tetsu and Sakura. Other L'Arc members and Gacktjob may appear in the fic.
Comments: Tetsu wants help with Sakura, but Hyde has his own misunderstandings with Gackt. The 'get' in the title refers to literally getting someone and also getting in the sense of trying to understand someone. Any comments are welcomed~
~~Help Me Get Him?: part 1~~
Tetsu was standing by the door of the apartment, waiting for it to be opened.
He glanced at his watch. He had tried the doorbell and knocking, but there was no response for the past several minutes. He thought about turning around, when he heard approaching footsteps from inside. The door was soon opened by his messy-haired vocalist.
"Woke you up?" Tetsu greeted him.
"Sorry..." Hyde rubbed his eyes sleepily. "Couldn't find my shirt..."
Tetsu's gaze went to said shirt and he noticed that the buttons were done up mismatchedly. Hyde must have hurried through them. He also seemed to have forgotten his pants, something Tetsu wondered if he should bring up. The shirt was long enough to not flash underwear to passing neighbours though. It should be alright to leave Hyde to be aware of the missing pants himself, right?
"I missed practice," Hyde spoke, as if just realising the fact.
That got Tetsu's attention back to why he was there. "You were late twice this week too."
"I'm sorry..."
"It's not just about me. The other guys were counting on you too," Tetsu chided him. "I know that Gackt was busy for a while and you guys didn't get to see each other, but him having time to spare now doesn't mean that you can ditch your own responsibilities."
"Yeah," Hyde agreed apologetically. "It won't happen again, Tetsu."
The band leader's expression softened slightly. "You better make sure of that."
"It's just...sometimes...Gackt can go for eight hours and-"
"What?"
"Uhh..." Hyde smiled sheepishly. "I mean, you'll see me at the next practice and on time."
Tetsu wasn't going to ask. "Right..."
"How did you know that I was with Gackt?"
"You've been looking distracted lately. Also, you smell of Gackt."
"I do?" Hyde sniffed the back of his wrist. "I can't smell anything anymore when he stays over..."
"It just gets everywhere, huh?" Tetsu mumbled.
"I don't know how much of the cologne he puts on. When he showers, it isn't so bad but his shirt still has the scent."
"That's his shirt?" Tetsu pointed to the one Hyde was wearing.
"I didn't check." Hyde scratched his head. "Grabbed the first thing I saw."
"Are you guys in the middle of something? I can go if you are," Tetsu quickly said.
"No, we were sleeping. But I'm up now." Hyde moved back a step. "Do you want to come in?"
"Well, there is something..." Tetsu hesitated, before Hyde motioned him in. He had temporarily forgotten that he was anxious about it. "I don't know if I should even tell you, because it might not turn out to be anything."
Hyde looked like he was thinking of something as he closed the door. "Tetsu...give me a minute, okay?"
Tetsu saw Hyde grabbing the television remote from the table, before it was placed in his hand. "You want me to watch TV meanwhile?"
Hyde didn't say anything as he walked off. Tetsu eyed the remote he was holding and made his own way to the sofa.
"Ah...I didn't button my shirt up properly..."
Tetsu turned to see Hyde stopping halfway to his room. Hyde had his back to him and was checking the mismatched buttons he only just noticed. Unfortunately, he was pulling the shirt up to get a better look at its front and that pulled up the back of the shirt too, which revealed something else Hyde had forgotten to wear. Other than his pants.
"It's too early to be seeing my vocalist's bare ass," Tetsu muttered, looking back to his front. There wouldn't actually be an occasion to see it, but he didn't have to argue that point with himself.
He was soon left alone. Sitting quietly across from the television, he gave the remote a go.
As he changed the channel on the television, his mind wandered. Was it a good idea to come here and talk to Hyde? Maybe he was being too serious over the matter. The feelings would pass, wouldn't they? He could just forget about them, and eventually there wouldn't be anything to worry about.
Tetsu glanced to the direction Hyde had gone. It was more than a minute already. He didn't expect Hyde to be back that quick, but he began to wonder if Hyde was with Gackt and they had...stuff to do. Not that he cared, but it was taking a lot of his nerves to be there and talk about what was bugging him. Each second that passed got him more nervous. There was also the other point that he shouldn't be there if they were really at it.
"I probably shouldn't disturb them," Tetsu thought aloud.
"Disturb who?"
Tetsu looked up and saw a glass of orange juice hovering a little above his head. Gackt was standing by the sofa, offering him the juice.
Tetsu self-consciously took the glass from him. He was secretly relieved that Gackt was dressed. "Thanks. Are you leaving for work already?"
Gackt nodded, before adjusting the sleeves on his jacket.
Tetsu took a sip of the juice. Gackt was just standing there. Maybe he should try making small talk. He only knew Gackt because Hyde was close to him. There was no harm in getting to know each other better.
"Umm..." Tetsu cleared his throat.
Gackt looked at him.
Tetsu then felt his mind conveniently go blank. "The..."
Sure, sometimes he got the impression that Gackt was more suave and composed than humanly possible, but it wasn't like he was intimidated by him. Couldn't he think of even something mundane to talk about?
"E-Eight hours!" Tetsu blurted out without meaning to. "Do you guys cuddle some of the time or just go for eight hours straight?"
"Huh?"
Tetsu wanted to tug a beanie over his whole head. Too bad he wasn't wearing one. Why did he have to recall just now what Hyde said?!
Gackt smiled, not appearing fazed by what was stuttered out. "See you, Tetsu."
Tetsu waved a weak goodbye, before Gackt turned to leave. After the door closed, he fell back on the sofa, hoping he could somehow sink into the cushions and disappear. He had to mention that to Gackt of all things. He must have gotten desperate.
It was all thanks to his little problem. Because he felt anxious, his mind was occupied and couldn't think up something smart to say to Gackt. That was how he consoled himself anyway.
"I really need to get this over with..."
"Tetsu?" Hyde finally returned, with a towel in hand. "Are you sleeping?"
Tetsu sat back up. "That wasn't a minute."
"Gackt was already getting dressed, so the bathroom was free..." Hyde dried his hair as he sat down.
"You thought that you could shower in a minute?"
"I hurried," Hyde said dismissively. His tone then turned curious. "What did you want to talk to me about?"
Tetsu hadn't quite planned how he was going to tell it to his friend. "It's kind of silly..."
"You can tell me."
Tetsu felt embarrassed, lowering his gaze. "I have this crush on a guy."
"And you want me to help you with it?"
"I want you to help me get over him."
Hyde looked at his friend, as if not understanding.
"At least, distract me until the feelings pass," Tetsu added.
"Why?"
"It's just a crush. It doesn't have to go anywhere." Tetsu sounded determined.
Hyde wasn't as sure. "What is it about this guy that makes you not want it to go anywhere?"
"It's a crush. The guy doesn't feel the same way about me, and I might not actually like him," Tetsu insisted. "We don't have to make it out to be anything."
"If you're bothered to the extent of asking me for help, then isn't it not really nothing to you?"
"So you're not going to help?"
Hyde relented. "If you want a distraction, I might have something to take up your time on Friday."
"Thanks, Hyde." Tetsu was relieved.
"Sakura will be back from his drumming gig three days from now. We're going to meet up for drinks." Hyde smiled kindly to his friend. "You can come with us."
Tetsu blinked. "Sakura?"
**********
~THREE DAYS LATER~
"He's late again..." Sakura scanned the place, not seeing Hyde anywhere.
He turned back to his drink on the counter. It wasn't much fun drinking alone. At that moment, he was seated beside two empty seats, one on each side of him. He hadn't sat in the middle on purpose. Everyone else who came afterwards happened to take the other seats.
"Can't blame him though," Sakura commented cheekily. "He probably can't walk too fast with his short legs-"
"That joke again?" a less-than-amused voice asked from behind him.
Sakura swiveled around to face his friend. "I was actually talking about someone else."
"Were you?" Hyde wasn't convinced.
Sakura then noticed the person a step back from where Hyde stood. "Tetsu! You're here too!"
"And you've been spared because Tetsu is here..." Hyde muttered, before taking the seat to Sakura's left.
Sakura gave him a curious glance, before moving his attention to Tetsu. "I'm glad to see you."
"It's been awhile." Tetsu smiled.
"It looks like you get this lucky seat." Sakura smiled back, patting the empty seat to his right. As Tetsu sat down, Sakura began, "You know..."
"Hmm?"
"It's really nice to see you again."
"Eh?" Tetsu looked like he was at a loss. Then he lowered his gaze, before managing out, "Y-You too. I mean me, seeing you."
"Are you okay?" Sakura saw that Tetsu's cheeks were getting red. "Your face..."
"Yes!" Tetsu cut in animatedly. "I just need a drink. Lots of it!"
"I like the enthusiasm." Sakura patted him on the shoulder. "Drinks are coming up."
"Great," Tetsu spoke, even though not appearing all that relieved.
Sakura ordered their drinks. While the guy behind the counter got busy, he turned to his left. Hyde was still eyeing his phone with a frown. "What's the story with you two?"
"What do you mean?" Hyde asked defensively.
"I'm drinking with Mister Grumpy and Mister Jumpy."
"Tetsu's not jumpy. He just has stuff to think about."
"What about you? I thought it was my lame joke that brought this on." Sakura pointed to the corners of Hyde's lips. "But someone needs to push them upwards."
"Don't even think about doing that. I'll bite you," Hyde warned him.
"Somehow, I don't doubt that at all."
Hyde checked his phone again, before he sighed. "Sakura..."
"Yeah?"
"I know we made plans to go drinking today."
"But?" Sakura sensed one coming.
"I really need to go. I'm sorry," Hyde apologised, before getting up from his seat.
"Hyde...where are you going?" Tetsu stood up as well.
"You can continue your distraction with Sakura," Hyde said encouragingly. "It will be okay."
"But..."
"I'll see you guys."
Sakura said his goodbyes, though not getting what Grumpy and Jumpy were talking about. Tetsu was watching Hyde leave, looking like he wanted to go with him.
"Are you leaving me behind too?" Sakura grabbed Tetsu's arm on reflex.
"I thought it would be better with all three of us here," Tetsu replied a little nervously.
"But Hyde has to go. It's fine with just the two of us, right?"
"I suppose." Tetsu was hesitating, before he sat back down.
"Do you have something to do too?" Sakura was surprised by his own disappointment. Maybe he had been looking forward to hanging out with them more than he thought. "Of course, it's not a big deal if we don't stay here today. We can just meet up another time, but..."
"You missed us or something?" Tetsu teased. Sakura's words had made him feel less worried.
Sakura folded his arms across his chest. "Not in that ultra mushy way you might imagine."
"I'll drink with you then."
"Really?" Sakura's face brightened up. "I'm glad you're here today."
"Me too." Tetsu smiled, as his drink was brought to him.
Sakura grabbed his own glass. "We're going to drink a lot today. You'll have to piggyback me home later."
He was joking, of course. If they both got drunk, no one was going to be able to carry the other home. But it wasn't like they were going to buy drinks until they could barely walk.
Some time passed as they sat there and drank.
"How many rounds was that already?" Tetsu asked.
"I can count it with one hand, so we're still good." Sakura grinned.
"We might have talked more than we drank."
"I had stories from my gigs...and you with the guys..."
"Hyde's been in a bad mood all day," Tetsu recalled, after his band mates were brought up.
"I thought he just woke up on the wrong side of the bed," Sakura spoke.
"He did fall off one side of his bed this morning."
"Hyde told you that?"
"Yeah, but I don't think that's it."
"Oh? What about you?"
Tetsu brought up his glass. "Me?"
"You were all uneasy earlier," Sakura pointed out.
"It's nothing," Tetsu shrugged it off and downed his drink.
"It must be love troubles. You want to confess to someone?"
Tetsu spat his drink back into his glass. "W-What?"
"No?" Sakura didn't seem to notice, instead thinking up something else. "You got your heart broken?"
"No..."
"You're right. That can't be it. You would be more depressed than jumpy."
"I'm not jumpy."
"I got it." Sakura had a triumphant look on his face. "It's unrequited love. Or...you haven't been rejected but you haven't done anything either. Maybe you don't think you would win if you did."
"It's not like that. Why would I be jumpy if I wasn't intending to do anything?" Tetsu put his drink down coolly, despite starting to look anxious again.
"I've been through something like that before. Unrequited feelings."
"You have?"
"But I got over it."
"How did you do that?"
Sakura leaned over and motioned with his finger for Tetsu to come even nearer. "I...had sex..."
"I don't get it."
"With someone else, that is." Sakura straightened back up.
"How does that help anything?" Tetsu was puzzled. "You didn't have to whisper that to my ear, by the way."
"It doesn't solve the problem," Sakura admitted. "But sometimes another person gets you moving on."
"I still don't think that would be a good idea," Tetsu said skeptically.
"Won't know till you try."
"Sure, you're distracted while you are with that person but-"
"Wanna give it a try?"
"Eh?" Tetsu stared at Sakura dumbly.
"It's not like I was planning to jump on the first person I hung out with today. Although I haven't had any of that sort of action in a while..." Sakura went on thoughtfully. "But you're here and..."
Silence then followed for a few seconds, before Tetsu responded in a weirded-out voice, "You aren't really serious, are you?"
Sakura was also silent for a second, before shaking his head. "...Nah."
"I didn't think so." Tetsu felt slightly amused.
"Ridiculous, huh?" Sakura began to chuckle.
"You must be getting drunk already."
"You think you're red in the face because you're embarrassed?"
"It's not red. And my words aren't slurred too."
"Mine aren't either," Sakura countered. "Are we going for more rounds?"
Tetsu looked at his drink. "I can use a new glass."
**********
~THREE DAYS EARLIER~
"So what did Tetsu want this morning?" Gackt asked on the phone, as he rested against the table behind him.
"He just wanted to talk. It wasn't anything important," Hyde replied vaguely.
"Then..." Gackt sounded contemplative. "What are you wearing right now?"
"Are you seriously asking me that?" Hyde laughed. "Am I supposed to mention my underwear or something?"
"Since we're on the subject of underwear, you didn't wear the thong I bought for you last Christmas."
"I'm a boxers kind of guy."
"It's a present. No harm letting me see you in it."
"A thong isn't really comfortable to wear. I mean, I don't have a thong-loving butt like you do."
Gackt smiled. "I like your butt just the way it is."
"If you keep going that way, I might get turned on and then I'll have to go over to your office to jump on you," Hyde joked.
"I would like to see you try."
"Don't think that I can't take you on."
"You wanna wrestle me?"
"You bet your thong-loving ass I would."
Gackt then noticed You standing by the doorway, looking amused. "Uhh, You's here. I need to go. See you later, my princess."
"Princess?" Hyde repeated, before Gackt hung up the phone.
You walked into the room. "Are you sure that you're allowed to hang up on Princess?"
Gackt smiled. "Are you making fun of me?"
"You don't have to hide it, you know," You told him. "Your relationship. The few of us here know already."
"I'm just being discreet," Gackt spoke.
"About it being a guy? Or the person being Hyde?" You asked.
"I don't know." Gackt shrugged. "It's better to be careful about things."
"Hyde, huh?" You sat down on the chair behind the table. "He doesn't mind your weird habits?"
"I don't have weird habits."
"If you say so."
"We get along and there are things that we like about each other. He's a nice guy." Gackt then added, "Except for the time when he was filming something and got mad at me about the weather being hot over there. He even asked me why the hell I was eating...at lunch time."
"He sounds kind of weird too."
"Too?"
"You're overlooking the obvious though," You pointed to Gackt.
"What's that?" Gackt wondered why You was pointing to him.
"You're both good-looking. It's probably some shallow vain-ness that attracted you to each other."
"I don't really see what you're getting at."
"I'm not trying to insult you. It's just likely that Hyde couldn't resist your physical qualities. Not many people can."
"You're saying people would only want to be with me because of that?"
You shook his head. "They wouldn't only be after your body. Although it's an obvious factor..."
"Is there some point to this?" Gackt looked at him.
"I guess not. Sometimes it looks like anyone would jump at the opportunity to get in bed with you. But you're attracted to Hyde too and you're not just with him for his looks."
"If you want to talk about just anyone, you're not interested in me that way."
"Because we've been friends for a long time maybe. Or you're not my type. Anyway, we need to be attracted to the other person so you don't have to be worked up over-"
"I'm not worked up," Gackt interrupted. "You were just saying things that didn't need to be said."
"It was something that crossed my mind. You don't have to let it bother you," You spoke cautiously. "Truthfully, I am happy for you guys. I haven't seen you this happy in a while."
"Thanks." Gackt said curtly, getting up from the table. "I'm going to head back. Bye, You."
"Already? Okay..." You was eyeing him curiously as he left.
Gackt was alone at the corridor, his brisk footsteps echoing off the carpeted floor. It wasn't like You said anything wrong. There was nothing for his friend to explain too. But somehow...he felt a bit annoyed.
Gackt came to a stop before he reached his car. He had heard music coming from his phone. Taking the phone out of his pocket, he saw that it was a text message from Hyde.
'You're getting dinner today, right? I'm hungry already.'
Gackt felt the ends of his lips curling upwards slightly. Hyde tended to have that effect on him.
He was soon standing near the entrance of a ramen house, being handed a bag by the cheery shop owner. "One normal, and one with more meat and no noodles. Thanks for always coming by!"
Gackt nodded to the man, before walking out to his car. He had frequented the shop because it was on the way to Hyde's place. The food was decent too, so they didn't have any complaints.
Sitting behind the wheel once again, Gackt put the food down on his left. When was it that they had started going to this ramen house to eat? It couldn't be that long ago, since they were dating only a little over a year now. Gackt remembered. They became friends after meeting a couple of times, then on one of the days that he was working till late, Hyde called him up.
He had actually worked until the next morning that it was close to afternoon when Hyde asked him out for lunch. Hungry and needing a break, the invite was a welcoming one. Hyde suggested the ramen house because it was near enough for the both of them, even if he hadn't tried there before. Gackt quickly freshened up, got a change of clothes and went to the place. He recalled feeling self-conscious for some reason, but he was pretty exhausted at the time.
"You look handsome today," Hyde had greeted as he saw him. Then he seemed slightly shy, before saying that Gackt always looked good anyway.
Gackt was surprised by the compliment, but felt relieved too. Secretly, he had thought that Hyde was attractive too, even dressed down.
They got a table and sat down, ordering their food soon after. The food came quickly and their conversation drifted from one subject to another long after they were done eating. They were leaving, when Hyde asked Gackt if he needed to be back at work.
"We can continue this at my place if you don't have to go back in a hurry," Hyde had spoken innocently.
It wasn't like they planned anything. But moments later, Gackt found himself with his back against the sofa seats, his lips locked to Hyde's. He couldn't remember how it happened. It was as if they had gravitated towards each other after the apartment door closed behind them. Hyde had a hand on the sofa, not wanting to rest his full weight on him as they kissed. It was all so spontaneous that when they finally pulled apart, it was like they weren't sure where they wanted to go with it.
Hyde looked flustered as he offered to get Gackt a drink. Gackt took him up on it, since Hyde looked like he wanted to run off to the kitchen. Sitting alone on the sofa, Gackt picked a magazine up from the coffee table to flip through. He didn't know what he was doing either, or what he wanted to be doing.
The problem solved itself however. He had felt too tired and too comfortable on the sofa, that the soft cushions lulled him to sleep. When he woke up, the magazine was back on the table and Hyde was sitting beside him playing on his game console.
"I tried to wake you but you sleep like a log," Hyde told him after pausing the game. "You must have been really tired, Gacchan."
"Sometimes when you call me that, it's like the sound of something breaking," Gackt commented drowsily.
Hyde merely smiled in amusement. "Go take a shower. You look like you're going to fall sleep again."
"What time is it now?"
"Morning. I have the day off so I'll make you breakfast."
"Morning?"
It was then that he realised he probably had less than an hour to get to work. He rushed to get ready. Hyde then handed his breakfast to him, self-consciously mumbling that it might be weird of him to pack food for another guy. Gackt thanked him and Hyde said that he was always welcomed to drop by.
Gackt did, many times after that.
Now looking back to when Hyde had first suggested them going back to his place...
"Was Hyde trying to seduce me from the start?" The present-time Gackt glanced to the packed ramen beside him. He had already reached the apartment building.
He made his way up with the food. Hyde had given him a spare key for safe-keeping and he took it out, unlocking the door.
"Hyde?" he called out as he put their dinner down on the table. He could hear water running in the bathroom.
He went over, the sound of the water getting louder as he got nearer. Without hesitation, he opened the door and stepped in.
"Gackt." Hyde turned to him in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"You said I could come over. I got dinner too."
"I mean in here." Hyde quickly shut off the water. "Your clothes will be wet."
"I wanted to see you." Gackt looked on as Hyde grabbed a towel to dry himself.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Gackt walked up to him.
"If there's anything..." Hyde didn't get to finish as Gackt kissed him, his shirt pressing against his damp skin.
Gackt liked the taste of those lips, the warm wetness that invited him. Hyde kissed him back readily, but his arms were kept at his sides to not get more water on Gackt's shirt.
"You could wait until I'm done here," Hyde managed after Gackt moved back.
"Why are you with me?"
"Eh?" Hyde was puzzled by the question. "Why are you suddenly asking me that? You're looking so serious too."
Gackt didn't answer. It felt like a dumb question to ask, but he had done it anyway.
Hyde pinched his cheeks, his expression turning cheeky. "For the sex, of course."
Hyde was kidding. Gackt knew that. It was obvious. He smiled back, as what would be expected in that instance. But his smile didn't carry the same emotions as was on Hyde's face. His grip on Hyde's wrist tightened.
"Gackt?"
"Let's do it then."
"R-Right now?" Hyde was pulled out of the bathroom to the bedroom. He protested as water dripped on the floor.
He was then pushed to the bed, looking stunned as he fell back on it. He could only blink as Gackt began unbuttoning his shirt before getting on the bed.
"You don't want to do this?" Gackt asked, his hands moving to his pants.
"Well, I can't say that you're not getting me excited." Hyde's gaze had lowered to where Gackt was undoing his zipper. He turned to the towel in his hand. "Can I at least dry myself? I'm getting the bed-"
Gackt kissed him again. The feel of their bodies against each other shut Hyde up, as his concentration began to stray. When their lips parted briefly, Gackt grabbed the bottle from the bedside table.
Hyde watched him rub his fingers together a few seconds later, before he pulled Gackt closer, meeting their lips together. Gackt had his hand on him, his fingers tracing a path slowly to where he knew Hyde would want him to touch. Every movement and stroke was teasing. It made him feverish. Even more so when they could hear each other wanting it.
Gackt looked at his lover, his own breathing growing uneven.
Hyde had his reasons for liking him. But if Gackt wanted to...
Even if Hyde was joking...
He could treat him that way too. Just for his body.
**********
~BACK TO THREE DAYS LATER, THE NEXT MORNING~
"Just what is his problem?" Hyde muttered as he stepped out of the elevator.
He left Tetsu and Sakura behind because Gackt had left a message telling him that he was free to drop by that night if Hyde wanted him to. It was far from his usual charm, but Hyde said okay to it. He needed to talk to him.
It had only been a few days, but it was driving him crazy not being able to figure Gackt out at all. Unfortunately, talking to Gackt got him nothing. Gackt said there wasn't anything wrong and that was the end of it.
"How can there not be anything wrong? You don't suddenly go from wanting to have sex with me to being cold the next day for no reason!" Hyde knew that he was talking to himself, but he was getting frustrated.
He wanted to know why. If it was something he did, he wanted to know that too. Gackt wasn't outright avoiding him, but he couldn't tell if that was a good thing or not. When Gackt stayed over the night before, he was in the living room doing his work while Hyde slept. It wasn't like they had a fight, but Gackt seemed too detached from his usual self.
Hyde even lost his temper this morning, from not being able to muster much reaction from Gackt. He happened to be holding an onigiri at the time and it flew to Gackt's head before he knew it. The rice ball hit Gackt on the cheekbone, before it bounced off and fell onto the table. It then rolled off the edge of the table and dropped onto Gackt's pants. After that, everything went completely still and silent.
Gackt shot him a look so deadly, that his blood ran cold. But it was only for a second or so. Gackt regained his composure quickly and his expression returned to how it was before the rice ball attack. It was dull, too calm.
"For all the things you're amazing at, you don't seem to catch very well," Hyde had commented in a controlled voice.
Gackt stood up without looking at him, announcing that he was leaving for work.
Now thinking back to it made Hyde annoyed again. He messed his hair up in frustration. "I should have pelted him with the whole plate of onigiri!"
He had contemplated leaving Gackt alone. It was only two days or so since Gackt started acting up. Maybe things would sort themselves out after a couple more days. But he felt worried nonetheless.
"What should I do?" Hyde said resignedly, before he reached the door he was looking for.
He was passing by Tetsu's apartment that day, so he decided to stop there and return the CDs he had borrowed. He kept forgetting to bring them out with him.
"Tetsu wouldn't be home at this time..." Hyde searched his pocket for the extra key. "I'll just put the CDs on the table and let him know later."
He turned the key in its lock and opened the door. Before he could take a step into the place however, he stopped in his tracks.
"Yo," Sakura greeted him a bit too cheerfully.
"This is Tetsu's place, isn't it?" Hyde checked to be sure.
"Ahaha, of course!" Sakura replied in the same tone, as he stood in Tetsu's living room.
"Then why are you naked?" Hyde asked bluntly.
"Uhh..." Sakura looked down to the cushion he was using to cover himself. "You see..."
"Is this some habit you have in other people's apartment?"
"What? No! I just...umm...Tetsu said I could make myself comfortable..."
"So you do have this habit."
"It is kind of looking that way right now..."
"Is Tetsu here?" Hyde turned to the rooms.
"Yeah. He's in his room. He doesn't want to be disturbed though."
Hyde immediately remembered Tetsu needing him at the bar and began to feel bad for ditching him. "Is he alright? I came by to return his CDs."
"He's fine."
"I'll go see him."
"No, you can't!" Sakura exclaimed, his arms outstretched towards Hyde.
"Why not?"
"H-He said he wanted to be alone." Sakura scratched his head nervously. "Tetsu's fine. He is just tired after hanging out with me. We were drinking until really late and his place was nearer so I even crashed here. I'll let him know you dropped by though."
"Oh..." Hyde wasn't sure what to make of it. He put the CDs down on the nearest table. "Okay. I'll be going then."
He gave Sakura a confused glance, before leaving. He still didn't get why he was naked.
-end of part one-
Title: Help Me Get Him?
Author: kairi_yume
Genre: AU, light-hearted drama, humour
Rating: PG-13?
Pairing: Gackt and Hyde, Tetsu and Sakura. Other L'Arc members and Gacktjob may appear in the fic.
Comments: Tetsu wants help with Sakura, but Hyde has his own misunderstandings with Gackt. The 'get' in the title refers to literally getting someone and also getting in the sense of trying to understand someone. Any comments are welcomed~
~~Help Me Get Him?: part 1~~
Tetsu was standing by the door of the apartment, waiting for it to be opened.
He glanced at his watch. He had tried the doorbell and knocking, but there was no response for the past several minutes. He thought about turning around, when he heard approaching footsteps from inside. The door was soon opened by his messy-haired vocalist.
"Woke you up?" Tetsu greeted him.
"Sorry..." Hyde rubbed his eyes sleepily. "Couldn't find my shirt..."
Tetsu's gaze went to said shirt and he noticed that the buttons were done up mismatchedly. Hyde must have hurried through them. He also seemed to have forgotten his pants, something Tetsu wondered if he should bring up. The shirt was long enough to not flash underwear to passing neighbours though. It should be alright to leave Hyde to be aware of the missing pants himself, right?
"I missed practice," Hyde spoke, as if just realising the fact.
That got Tetsu's attention back to why he was there. "You were late twice this week too."
"I'm sorry..."
"It's not just about me. The other guys were counting on you too," Tetsu chided him. "I know that Gackt was busy for a while and you guys didn't get to see each other, but him having time to spare now doesn't mean that you can ditch your own responsibilities."
"Yeah," Hyde agreed apologetically. "It won't happen again, Tetsu."
The band leader's expression softened slightly. "You better make sure of that."
"It's just...sometimes...Gackt can go for eight hours and-"
"What?"
"Uhh..." Hyde smiled sheepishly. "I mean, you'll see me at the next practice and on time."
Tetsu wasn't going to ask. "Right..."
"How did you know that I was with Gackt?"
"You've been looking distracted lately. Also, you smell of Gackt."
"I do?" Hyde sniffed the back of his wrist. "I can't smell anything anymore when he stays over..."
"It just gets everywhere, huh?" Tetsu mumbled.
"I don't know how much of the cologne he puts on. When he showers, it isn't so bad but his shirt still has the scent."
"That's his shirt?" Tetsu pointed to the one Hyde was wearing.
"I didn't check." Hyde scratched his head. "Grabbed the first thing I saw."
"Are you guys in the middle of something? I can go if you are," Tetsu quickly said.
"No, we were sleeping. But I'm up now." Hyde moved back a step. "Do you want to come in?"
"Well, there is something..." Tetsu hesitated, before Hyde motioned him in. He had temporarily forgotten that he was anxious about it. "I don't know if I should even tell you, because it might not turn out to be anything."
Hyde looked like he was thinking of something as he closed the door. "Tetsu...give me a minute, okay?"
Tetsu saw Hyde grabbing the television remote from the table, before it was placed in his hand. "You want me to watch TV meanwhile?"
Hyde didn't say anything as he walked off. Tetsu eyed the remote he was holding and made his own way to the sofa.
"Ah...I didn't button my shirt up properly..."
Tetsu turned to see Hyde stopping halfway to his room. Hyde had his back to him and was checking the mismatched buttons he only just noticed. Unfortunately, he was pulling the shirt up to get a better look at its front and that pulled up the back of the shirt too, which revealed something else Hyde had forgotten to wear. Other than his pants.
"It's too early to be seeing my vocalist's bare ass," Tetsu muttered, looking back to his front. There wouldn't actually be an occasion to see it, but he didn't have to argue that point with himself.
He was soon left alone. Sitting quietly across from the television, he gave the remote a go.
As he changed the channel on the television, his mind wandered. Was it a good idea to come here and talk to Hyde? Maybe he was being too serious over the matter. The feelings would pass, wouldn't they? He could just forget about them, and eventually there wouldn't be anything to worry about.
Tetsu glanced to the direction Hyde had gone. It was more than a minute already. He didn't expect Hyde to be back that quick, but he began to wonder if Hyde was with Gackt and they had...stuff to do. Not that he cared, but it was taking a lot of his nerves to be there and talk about what was bugging him. Each second that passed got him more nervous. There was also the other point that he shouldn't be there if they were really at it.
"I probably shouldn't disturb them," Tetsu thought aloud.
"Disturb who?"
Tetsu looked up and saw a glass of orange juice hovering a little above his head. Gackt was standing by the sofa, offering him the juice.
Tetsu self-consciously took the glass from him. He was secretly relieved that Gackt was dressed. "Thanks. Are you leaving for work already?"
Gackt nodded, before adjusting the sleeves on his jacket.
Tetsu took a sip of the juice. Gackt was just standing there. Maybe he should try making small talk. He only knew Gackt because Hyde was close to him. There was no harm in getting to know each other better.
"Umm..." Tetsu cleared his throat.
Gackt looked at him.
Tetsu then felt his mind conveniently go blank. "The..."
Sure, sometimes he got the impression that Gackt was more suave and composed than humanly possible, but it wasn't like he was intimidated by him. Couldn't he think of even something mundane to talk about?
"E-Eight hours!" Tetsu blurted out without meaning to. "Do you guys cuddle some of the time or just go for eight hours straight?"
"Huh?"
Tetsu wanted to tug a beanie over his whole head. Too bad he wasn't wearing one. Why did he have to recall just now what Hyde said?!
Gackt smiled, not appearing fazed by what was stuttered out. "See you, Tetsu."
Tetsu waved a weak goodbye, before Gackt turned to leave. After the door closed, he fell back on the sofa, hoping he could somehow sink into the cushions and disappear. He had to mention that to Gackt of all things. He must have gotten desperate.
It was all thanks to his little problem. Because he felt anxious, his mind was occupied and couldn't think up something smart to say to Gackt. That was how he consoled himself anyway.
"I really need to get this over with..."
"Tetsu?" Hyde finally returned, with a towel in hand. "Are you sleeping?"
Tetsu sat back up. "That wasn't a minute."
"Gackt was already getting dressed, so the bathroom was free..." Hyde dried his hair as he sat down.
"You thought that you could shower in a minute?"
"I hurried," Hyde said dismissively. His tone then turned curious. "What did you want to talk to me about?"
Tetsu hadn't quite planned how he was going to tell it to his friend. "It's kind of silly..."
"You can tell me."
Tetsu felt embarrassed, lowering his gaze. "I have this crush on a guy."
"And you want me to help you with it?"
"I want you to help me get over him."
Hyde looked at his friend, as if not understanding.
"At least, distract me until the feelings pass," Tetsu added.
"Why?"
"It's just a crush. It doesn't have to go anywhere." Tetsu sounded determined.
Hyde wasn't as sure. "What is it about this guy that makes you not want it to go anywhere?"
"It's a crush. The guy doesn't feel the same way about me, and I might not actually like him," Tetsu insisted. "We don't have to make it out to be anything."
"If you're bothered to the extent of asking me for help, then isn't it not really nothing to you?"
"So you're not going to help?"
Hyde relented. "If you want a distraction, I might have something to take up your time on Friday."
"Thanks, Hyde." Tetsu was relieved.
"Sakura will be back from his drumming gig three days from now. We're going to meet up for drinks." Hyde smiled kindly to his friend. "You can come with us."
Tetsu blinked. "Sakura?"
**********
~THREE DAYS LATER~
"He's late again..." Sakura scanned the place, not seeing Hyde anywhere.
He turned back to his drink on the counter. It wasn't much fun drinking alone. At that moment, he was seated beside two empty seats, one on each side of him. He hadn't sat in the middle on purpose. Everyone else who came afterwards happened to take the other seats.
"Can't blame him though," Sakura commented cheekily. "He probably can't walk too fast with his short legs-"
"That joke again?" a less-than-amused voice asked from behind him.
Sakura swiveled around to face his friend. "I was actually talking about someone else."
"Were you?" Hyde wasn't convinced.
Sakura then noticed the person a step back from where Hyde stood. "Tetsu! You're here too!"
"And you've been spared because Tetsu is here..." Hyde muttered, before taking the seat to Sakura's left.
Sakura gave him a curious glance, before moving his attention to Tetsu. "I'm glad to see you."
"It's been awhile." Tetsu smiled.
"It looks like you get this lucky seat." Sakura smiled back, patting the empty seat to his right. As Tetsu sat down, Sakura began, "You know..."
"Hmm?"
"It's really nice to see you again."
"Eh?" Tetsu looked like he was at a loss. Then he lowered his gaze, before managing out, "Y-You too. I mean me, seeing you."
"Are you okay?" Sakura saw that Tetsu's cheeks were getting red. "Your face..."
"Yes!" Tetsu cut in animatedly. "I just need a drink. Lots of it!"
"I like the enthusiasm." Sakura patted him on the shoulder. "Drinks are coming up."
"Great," Tetsu spoke, even though not appearing all that relieved.
Sakura ordered their drinks. While the guy behind the counter got busy, he turned to his left. Hyde was still eyeing his phone with a frown. "What's the story with you two?"
"What do you mean?" Hyde asked defensively.
"I'm drinking with Mister Grumpy and Mister Jumpy."
"Tetsu's not jumpy. He just has stuff to think about."
"What about you? I thought it was my lame joke that brought this on." Sakura pointed to the corners of Hyde's lips. "But someone needs to push them upwards."
"Don't even think about doing that. I'll bite you," Hyde warned him.
"Somehow, I don't doubt that at all."
Hyde checked his phone again, before he sighed. "Sakura..."
"Yeah?"
"I know we made plans to go drinking today."
"But?" Sakura sensed one coming.
"I really need to go. I'm sorry," Hyde apologised, before getting up from his seat.
"Hyde...where are you going?" Tetsu stood up as well.
"You can continue your distraction with Sakura," Hyde said encouragingly. "It will be okay."
"But..."
"I'll see you guys."
Sakura said his goodbyes, though not getting what Grumpy and Jumpy were talking about. Tetsu was watching Hyde leave, looking like he wanted to go with him.
"Are you leaving me behind too?" Sakura grabbed Tetsu's arm on reflex.
"I thought it would be better with all three of us here," Tetsu replied a little nervously.
"But Hyde has to go. It's fine with just the two of us, right?"
"I suppose." Tetsu was hesitating, before he sat back down.
"Do you have something to do too?" Sakura was surprised by his own disappointment. Maybe he had been looking forward to hanging out with them more than he thought. "Of course, it's not a big deal if we don't stay here today. We can just meet up another time, but..."
"You missed us or something?" Tetsu teased. Sakura's words had made him feel less worried.
Sakura folded his arms across his chest. "Not in that ultra mushy way you might imagine."
"I'll drink with you then."
"Really?" Sakura's face brightened up. "I'm glad you're here today."
"Me too." Tetsu smiled, as his drink was brought to him.
Sakura grabbed his own glass. "We're going to drink a lot today. You'll have to piggyback me home later."
He was joking, of course. If they both got drunk, no one was going to be able to carry the other home. But it wasn't like they were going to buy drinks until they could barely walk.
Some time passed as they sat there and drank.
"How many rounds was that already?" Tetsu asked.
"I can count it with one hand, so we're still good." Sakura grinned.
"We might have talked more than we drank."
"I had stories from my gigs...and you with the guys..."
"Hyde's been in a bad mood all day," Tetsu recalled, after his band mates were brought up.
"I thought he just woke up on the wrong side of the bed," Sakura spoke.
"He did fall off one side of his bed this morning."
"Hyde told you that?"
"Yeah, but I don't think that's it."
"Oh? What about you?"
Tetsu brought up his glass. "Me?"
"You were all uneasy earlier," Sakura pointed out.
"It's nothing," Tetsu shrugged it off and downed his drink.
"It must be love troubles. You want to confess to someone?"
Tetsu spat his drink back into his glass. "W-What?"
"No?" Sakura didn't seem to notice, instead thinking up something else. "You got your heart broken?"
"No..."
"You're right. That can't be it. You would be more depressed than jumpy."
"I'm not jumpy."
"I got it." Sakura had a triumphant look on his face. "It's unrequited love. Or...you haven't been rejected but you haven't done anything either. Maybe you don't think you would win if you did."
"It's not like that. Why would I be jumpy if I wasn't intending to do anything?" Tetsu put his drink down coolly, despite starting to look anxious again.
"I've been through something like that before. Unrequited feelings."
"You have?"
"But I got over it."
"How did you do that?"
Sakura leaned over and motioned with his finger for Tetsu to come even nearer. "I...had sex..."
"I don't get it."
"With someone else, that is." Sakura straightened back up.
"How does that help anything?" Tetsu was puzzled. "You didn't have to whisper that to my ear, by the way."
"It doesn't solve the problem," Sakura admitted. "But sometimes another person gets you moving on."
"I still don't think that would be a good idea," Tetsu said skeptically.
"Won't know till you try."
"Sure, you're distracted while you are with that person but-"
"Wanna give it a try?"
"Eh?" Tetsu stared at Sakura dumbly.
"It's not like I was planning to jump on the first person I hung out with today. Although I haven't had any of that sort of action in a while..." Sakura went on thoughtfully. "But you're here and..."
Silence then followed for a few seconds, before Tetsu responded in a weirded-out voice, "You aren't really serious, are you?"
Sakura was also silent for a second, before shaking his head. "...Nah."
"I didn't think so." Tetsu felt slightly amused.
"Ridiculous, huh?" Sakura began to chuckle.
"You must be getting drunk already."
"You think you're red in the face because you're embarrassed?"
"It's not red. And my words aren't slurred too."
"Mine aren't either," Sakura countered. "Are we going for more rounds?"
Tetsu looked at his drink. "I can use a new glass."
**********
~THREE DAYS EARLIER~
"So what did Tetsu want this morning?" Gackt asked on the phone, as he rested against the table behind him.
"He just wanted to talk. It wasn't anything important," Hyde replied vaguely.
"Then..." Gackt sounded contemplative. "What are you wearing right now?"
"Are you seriously asking me that?" Hyde laughed. "Am I supposed to mention my underwear or something?"
"Since we're on the subject of underwear, you didn't wear the thong I bought for you last Christmas."
"I'm a boxers kind of guy."
"It's a present. No harm letting me see you in it."
"A thong isn't really comfortable to wear. I mean, I don't have a thong-loving butt like you do."
Gackt smiled. "I like your butt just the way it is."
"If you keep going that way, I might get turned on and then I'll have to go over to your office to jump on you," Hyde joked.
"I would like to see you try."
"Don't think that I can't take you on."
"You wanna wrestle me?"
"You bet your thong-loving ass I would."
Gackt then noticed You standing by the doorway, looking amused. "Uhh, You's here. I need to go. See you later, my princess."
"Princess?" Hyde repeated, before Gackt hung up the phone.
You walked into the room. "Are you sure that you're allowed to hang up on Princess?"
Gackt smiled. "Are you making fun of me?"
"You don't have to hide it, you know," You told him. "Your relationship. The few of us here know already."
"I'm just being discreet," Gackt spoke.
"About it being a guy? Or the person being Hyde?" You asked.
"I don't know." Gackt shrugged. "It's better to be careful about things."
"Hyde, huh?" You sat down on the chair behind the table. "He doesn't mind your weird habits?"
"I don't have weird habits."
"If you say so."
"We get along and there are things that we like about each other. He's a nice guy." Gackt then added, "Except for the time when he was filming something and got mad at me about the weather being hot over there. He even asked me why the hell I was eating...at lunch time."
"He sounds kind of weird too."
"Too?"
"You're overlooking the obvious though," You pointed to Gackt.
"What's that?" Gackt wondered why You was pointing to him.
"You're both good-looking. It's probably some shallow vain-ness that attracted you to each other."
"I don't really see what you're getting at."
"I'm not trying to insult you. It's just likely that Hyde couldn't resist your physical qualities. Not many people can."
"You're saying people would only want to be with me because of that?"
You shook his head. "They wouldn't only be after your body. Although it's an obvious factor..."
"Is there some point to this?" Gackt looked at him.
"I guess not. Sometimes it looks like anyone would jump at the opportunity to get in bed with you. But you're attracted to Hyde too and you're not just with him for his looks."
"If you want to talk about just anyone, you're not interested in me that way."
"Because we've been friends for a long time maybe. Or you're not my type. Anyway, we need to be attracted to the other person so you don't have to be worked up over-"
"I'm not worked up," Gackt interrupted. "You were just saying things that didn't need to be said."
"It was something that crossed my mind. You don't have to let it bother you," You spoke cautiously. "Truthfully, I am happy for you guys. I haven't seen you this happy in a while."
"Thanks." Gackt said curtly, getting up from the table. "I'm going to head back. Bye, You."
"Already? Okay..." You was eyeing him curiously as he left.
Gackt was alone at the corridor, his brisk footsteps echoing off the carpeted floor. It wasn't like You said anything wrong. There was nothing for his friend to explain too. But somehow...he felt a bit annoyed.
Gackt came to a stop before he reached his car. He had heard music coming from his phone. Taking the phone out of his pocket, he saw that it was a text message from Hyde.
'You're getting dinner today, right? I'm hungry already.'
Gackt felt the ends of his lips curling upwards slightly. Hyde tended to have that effect on him.
He was soon standing near the entrance of a ramen house, being handed a bag by the cheery shop owner. "One normal, and one with more meat and no noodles. Thanks for always coming by!"
Gackt nodded to the man, before walking out to his car. He had frequented the shop because it was on the way to Hyde's place. The food was decent too, so they didn't have any complaints.
Sitting behind the wheel once again, Gackt put the food down on his left. When was it that they had started going to this ramen house to eat? It couldn't be that long ago, since they were dating only a little over a year now. Gackt remembered. They became friends after meeting a couple of times, then on one of the days that he was working till late, Hyde called him up.
He had actually worked until the next morning that it was close to afternoon when Hyde asked him out for lunch. Hungry and needing a break, the invite was a welcoming one. Hyde suggested the ramen house because it was near enough for the both of them, even if he hadn't tried there before. Gackt quickly freshened up, got a change of clothes and went to the place. He recalled feeling self-conscious for some reason, but he was pretty exhausted at the time.
"You look handsome today," Hyde had greeted as he saw him. Then he seemed slightly shy, before saying that Gackt always looked good anyway.
Gackt was surprised by the compliment, but felt relieved too. Secretly, he had thought that Hyde was attractive too, even dressed down.
They got a table and sat down, ordering their food soon after. The food came quickly and their conversation drifted from one subject to another long after they were done eating. They were leaving, when Hyde asked Gackt if he needed to be back at work.
"We can continue this at my place if you don't have to go back in a hurry," Hyde had spoken innocently.
It wasn't like they planned anything. But moments later, Gackt found himself with his back against the sofa seats, his lips locked to Hyde's. He couldn't remember how it happened. It was as if they had gravitated towards each other after the apartment door closed behind them. Hyde had a hand on the sofa, not wanting to rest his full weight on him as they kissed. It was all so spontaneous that when they finally pulled apart, it was like they weren't sure where they wanted to go with it.
Hyde looked flustered as he offered to get Gackt a drink. Gackt took him up on it, since Hyde looked like he wanted to run off to the kitchen. Sitting alone on the sofa, Gackt picked a magazine up from the coffee table to flip through. He didn't know what he was doing either, or what he wanted to be doing.
The problem solved itself however. He had felt too tired and too comfortable on the sofa, that the soft cushions lulled him to sleep. When he woke up, the magazine was back on the table and Hyde was sitting beside him playing on his game console.
"I tried to wake you but you sleep like a log," Hyde told him after pausing the game. "You must have been really tired, Gacchan."
"Sometimes when you call me that, it's like the sound of something breaking," Gackt commented drowsily.
Hyde merely smiled in amusement. "Go take a shower. You look like you're going to fall sleep again."
"What time is it now?"
"Morning. I have the day off so I'll make you breakfast."
"Morning?"
It was then that he realised he probably had less than an hour to get to work. He rushed to get ready. Hyde then handed his breakfast to him, self-consciously mumbling that it might be weird of him to pack food for another guy. Gackt thanked him and Hyde said that he was always welcomed to drop by.
Gackt did, many times after that.
Now looking back to when Hyde had first suggested them going back to his place...
"Was Hyde trying to seduce me from the start?" The present-time Gackt glanced to the packed ramen beside him. He had already reached the apartment building.
He made his way up with the food. Hyde had given him a spare key for safe-keeping and he took it out, unlocking the door.
"Hyde?" he called out as he put their dinner down on the table. He could hear water running in the bathroom.
He went over, the sound of the water getting louder as he got nearer. Without hesitation, he opened the door and stepped in.
"Gackt." Hyde turned to him in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"You said I could come over. I got dinner too."
"I mean in here." Hyde quickly shut off the water. "Your clothes will be wet."
"I wanted to see you." Gackt looked on as Hyde grabbed a towel to dry himself.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Gackt walked up to him.
"If there's anything..." Hyde didn't get to finish as Gackt kissed him, his shirt pressing against his damp skin.
Gackt liked the taste of those lips, the warm wetness that invited him. Hyde kissed him back readily, but his arms were kept at his sides to not get more water on Gackt's shirt.
"You could wait until I'm done here," Hyde managed after Gackt moved back.
"Why are you with me?"
"Eh?" Hyde was puzzled by the question. "Why are you suddenly asking me that? You're looking so serious too."
Gackt didn't answer. It felt like a dumb question to ask, but he had done it anyway.
Hyde pinched his cheeks, his expression turning cheeky. "For the sex, of course."
Hyde was kidding. Gackt knew that. It was obvious. He smiled back, as what would be expected in that instance. But his smile didn't carry the same emotions as was on Hyde's face. His grip on Hyde's wrist tightened.
"Gackt?"
"Let's do it then."
"R-Right now?" Hyde was pulled out of the bathroom to the bedroom. He protested as water dripped on the floor.
He was then pushed to the bed, looking stunned as he fell back on it. He could only blink as Gackt began unbuttoning his shirt before getting on the bed.
"You don't want to do this?" Gackt asked, his hands moving to his pants.
"Well, I can't say that you're not getting me excited." Hyde's gaze had lowered to where Gackt was undoing his zipper. He turned to the towel in his hand. "Can I at least dry myself? I'm getting the bed-"
Gackt kissed him again. The feel of their bodies against each other shut Hyde up, as his concentration began to stray. When their lips parted briefly, Gackt grabbed the bottle from the bedside table.
Hyde watched him rub his fingers together a few seconds later, before he pulled Gackt closer, meeting their lips together. Gackt had his hand on him, his fingers tracing a path slowly to where he knew Hyde would want him to touch. Every movement and stroke was teasing. It made him feverish. Even more so when they could hear each other wanting it.
Gackt looked at his lover, his own breathing growing uneven.
Hyde had his reasons for liking him. But if Gackt wanted to...
Even if Hyde was joking...
He could treat him that way too. Just for his body.
**********
~BACK TO THREE DAYS LATER, THE NEXT MORNING~
"Just what is his problem?" Hyde muttered as he stepped out of the elevator.
He left Tetsu and Sakura behind because Gackt had left a message telling him that he was free to drop by that night if Hyde wanted him to. It was far from his usual charm, but Hyde said okay to it. He needed to talk to him.
It had only been a few days, but it was driving him crazy not being able to figure Gackt out at all. Unfortunately, talking to Gackt got him nothing. Gackt said there wasn't anything wrong and that was the end of it.
"How can there not be anything wrong? You don't suddenly go from wanting to have sex with me to being cold the next day for no reason!" Hyde knew that he was talking to himself, but he was getting frustrated.
He wanted to know why. If it was something he did, he wanted to know that too. Gackt wasn't outright avoiding him, but he couldn't tell if that was a good thing or not. When Gackt stayed over the night before, he was in the living room doing his work while Hyde slept. It wasn't like they had a fight, but Gackt seemed too detached from his usual self.
Hyde even lost his temper this morning, from not being able to muster much reaction from Gackt. He happened to be holding an onigiri at the time and it flew to Gackt's head before he knew it. The rice ball hit Gackt on the cheekbone, before it bounced off and fell onto the table. It then rolled off the edge of the table and dropped onto Gackt's pants. After that, everything went completely still and silent.
Gackt shot him a look so deadly, that his blood ran cold. But it was only for a second or so. Gackt regained his composure quickly and his expression returned to how it was before the rice ball attack. It was dull, too calm.
"For all the things you're amazing at, you don't seem to catch very well," Hyde had commented in a controlled voice.
Gackt stood up without looking at him, announcing that he was leaving for work.
Now thinking back to it made Hyde annoyed again. He messed his hair up in frustration. "I should have pelted him with the whole plate of onigiri!"
He had contemplated leaving Gackt alone. It was only two days or so since Gackt started acting up. Maybe things would sort themselves out after a couple more days. But he felt worried nonetheless.
"What should I do?" Hyde said resignedly, before he reached the door he was looking for.
He was passing by Tetsu's apartment that day, so he decided to stop there and return the CDs he had borrowed. He kept forgetting to bring them out with him.
"Tetsu wouldn't be home at this time..." Hyde searched his pocket for the extra key. "I'll just put the CDs on the table and let him know later."
He turned the key in its lock and opened the door. Before he could take a step into the place however, he stopped in his tracks.
"Yo," Sakura greeted him a bit too cheerfully.
"This is Tetsu's place, isn't it?" Hyde checked to be sure.
"Ahaha, of course!" Sakura replied in the same tone, as he stood in Tetsu's living room.
"Then why are you naked?" Hyde asked bluntly.
"Uhh..." Sakura looked down to the cushion he was using to cover himself. "You see..."
"Is this some habit you have in other people's apartment?"
"What? No! I just...umm...Tetsu said I could make myself comfortable..."
"So you do have this habit."
"It is kind of looking that way right now..."
"Is Tetsu here?" Hyde turned to the rooms.
"Yeah. He's in his room. He doesn't want to be disturbed though."
Hyde immediately remembered Tetsu needing him at the bar and began to feel bad for ditching him. "Is he alright? I came by to return his CDs."
"He's fine."
"I'll go see him."
"No, you can't!" Sakura exclaimed, his arms outstretched towards Hyde.
"Why not?"
"H-He said he wanted to be alone." Sakura scratched his head nervously. "Tetsu's fine. He is just tired after hanging out with me. We were drinking until really late and his place was nearer so I even crashed here. I'll let him know you dropped by though."
"Oh..." Hyde wasn't sure what to make of it. He put the CDs down on the nearest table. "Okay. I'll be going then."
He gave Sakura a confused glance, before leaving. He still didn't get why he was naked.
-end of part one-