The Trick [Reita/Ruki] - One Shot
Title:The Trick
Chapter: One Shot
Author: luna_no_koibito
Genre: Angst, Romance
Warnings: language
Rating: PG-14
Pairing: Reita / Ruki
Bands: the GazettE
Disclaimer: Just need your faces darlings, my fingers will type the rest ..._〆(・∀・＠)
Comment: Don't usually write Retuki, but this is a birthday/Halloween present. HAPPY BIRTHDAY 12thgrave MOMMA LOVES YOU
Summary: Takanori is unknowingly going to receive the best trick of his entire life.
The Trick
The amount of accuracy and and dedication, which was put into this, was always far much terrifying than the result itself. And every year, for the past three years now, it looked more and more believable, so much so, that every year, Takanori would lose a bit of hope. Each time he'd look at that face, reality struck ten folds harder, but he just couldn't give up on hope, not completely, not so easily. His love however, that only, wasn't budging, there was no way it could, and that was the true horror.
“Why aren't you transformed?” asked a notably perplexed blond teen, as the brunette finally found the strength to walk toward him; but kept his distance. It really was marvelous, ever detail of that face, from its paleness, to the random streaks of blood at the mouth's edges. So painful to watch.
“I … I forgot Akira ...” resignedly replied the shorter teen, while glimpsing at the gaze of a grave looking blond. There used to be a time in which Takanori could always tell what was going through the blond's mind by simply looking into those orbs. Now all it did was get him lost in depths he didn't think he could ever return from, so he always only just glanced.
Takanori was expected to fear him, people always did with Akira's kind, put up that look of despise and distaste. But how was anyone, whom truly loved someone, supposed to instantly throw them away just like that. He had no idea of other people, but Takanori knew he couldn't. Things obviously were different, but he still couldn't see it that way, because it still didn't make sense. This nonsense made absolutely no sense.
“What do you mean you forgot? … that's impossible!” jovially snickered the blond, skeptically looking at a listless brunette. He hadn't even thought of a good excuse, so exactly what had he come to do this year? “it's like a human waking up and not knowing how to be a human … come here” he then ordered in a concerned manner, but the brunette stayed put. He'd always keep his distance, lately, because he didn't know how his own body would react at being so close to Akira “... Okay then I'm coming there” nonchalantly announced the blond.
Dramatically shoving over his shoulder that same wide black cloak, which the brunette had seen him use so many times before, Akira walked towards the absently gazing brunette, whom wandered what was best to do. He hated this so much, because he knew they were watching. They always did.
“Here ...” suddenly ordered the brunette, as he gently placed a hand on the brunette's left hip, and the other on his right cheek “... say aah ...” ordered the blond, imitating the action, and showing a pair of perfect fangs. Takanori wasn't shaken by those, he'd seen them plenty of times already, he had some as well. Though not today. What bothered Takanori was the carelessness with which the blond brought their bodies closed to each other. It really was nothing compared to the things that the both of them had already done to each other, but it had been so long since the last time he had been touched by the taller that even just the hand on his hip felt overly physical “… you really have no … fangs … what happened?” finally declared the blond looking uncharacteristically shocked, and unbelieving.
“I don't know Akira ...” sadly replied the brunette, doing the best he could to keep his hands to himself. They were indeed being watched, but they didn't know what Akira and himself truly were, and if Takanori were to have touched him the way he wanted to touch Akira, the brunette felt like he wouldn't have been able to keep himself in control, and then they would have known, and that would have instantly meant the end of everything, for real.
“Mhmm … there should be something in my book of magic ...” pensively announced the blond, as he walked away from the shorter, leaving him standing there, yet unmoving, and observing as the blond composedly sat on the grand, and began to turn pages of an invisible book, looking so serious, and determined to find a solution for brunette's missing fangs, and that Takanori just couldn't watch.
Quickly turning around, he silently breathed and looked up to the ceiling, while frantically flapping his eye-lids. He wouldn’t let Akira catch cry. He wouldn't cry. But that was just so hard to watch, why did it have to come to this? This wasn't fair, they had done nothing wrong, but those around them thought it was so all they had to do was keep pretending and things would have been better than this. "I'm tired of hiding … I'll make them understand" that's what Akira had said, and this is were it brought them.
“Things of this sort are rather unfortunate ...” spoke the man, pitifully looking at Takanori from behind his sumptuous desk, but the brunette, wasn't even looking up at him. He still couldn't believe that Akira, his Akira, was in that state. It just couldn't be “... though I supposed everyone is grateful that he actually didn't lose his life in the accident, that in itself is a miracle ...” continued the man, still failing at getting the brunette’s attention “... Takanori-kun?” he then called, at which the teen slowly raised his head and apathetically stared at the doctor “... you are the only one that has been visiting him here ...” began the doctor.
“I'm his best friend” sharply replied the teen.
“I know … he says that too ...” cautiously replied the doctor “... but no matter the level of friendship … sometimes, particularly for kid-”
“I'm not a kid, just because I am fifteen doesn't make me kid.” strongly corrected Takanori, viciously staring at the doctor, whom didn't seem to be bothered by the interruption, but wasn't being disrespectful about it either “... if you have to refer to me, call me teen, which is the actual definition, or say "people like you", but don't put me on the same level of whatever happy-go-loucky idiot out there, because that is exactly what "people like you" mean when you call "people like me" kids, and I can assure that I am not a kid” concluded the teen. Such a waste of time, him sitting on this chair, when he should have been side-by-side with Akira. What the fuck was this?
“Sometimes, for people in general ...” resumed the doctor correcting his sentence “... it is hard to … be around … people … in the conditions … in which Akira is now.” attempted the doctor, sounding excessively cautious, as if waiting for the brunette to outburst again “... and I am not accusing anybody, it is just very surprising, and pleasing, that there is still someone coming for him ...” he added “... it is not an easy task … to deal with someone with a mental disorder … particularly when the disorder was acquired suddenly, and you had known this person in a … normal state of mind” concluded the doctor, soon after which the brunette smirked.
“Normal state of mind ...” spitefully stated the brunette “... maybe he really is a vampire ...” sarcastically stated the brunette “... maybe we all are, and you all are the ones who are wrong, then what?” Takanori coldly challenged, but the doctor simply remained silent.
“Maybe he is right, maybe we are all vampires ...” calmly replied the doctor “... but you, I, and his parents, whom brought him here, don't believe as much … and as cowardly and low as it might sound to "people like you", "people like me", Takanori-kun, are being paid for a reason” he concluded, standing up from his chair, and walking over the desk, to sit at the edge of it covering the elegant plaque of his name which read Dr. Takashima Kouyou. “Now, I could simply keep having his parents paying for him to stay here, and I can assure you, it is a lot of money, and just stop knocking my ahead against a wall, knowing very well that I am not going anywhere with my treating, because Akira is not responding to anything.” he began, as staring at the distance in front of himself.
“I'm not a psychiatrist, I am afraid I can't help” cynically replied the brunette. Once again, the adult took no offense, merely crossed his legs and arms, and turned his head to the side to regard the younger.
“Well … that is true indeed, but I am sure you can help, if you are willing to ...” lightly smiled the doctor, gaining no friendlier a reaction from the shorter, whom however made it clear that he could keep talking “... there was a fight, preceding the accident. His parents said they were arguing about his future … but something tells me that is not it” he paused “... find the real cause, sometimes can help unblock some minds at times. It can also explain why the brains of certain post-traumatic patients, such as Akira, decide to awaken in the point and time in which they do” explained dr. Takashima, as the younger's gaze turned on his own feet “... Akira believes he is eight years old, and a vampire … and today, Halloween, he truly expected of to come … and I currently do not know why, but if you could please tell me anything it would help, a promise you two made … something trivial or important he told you ...” he then almost pleadingly requested.
“We met on Halloween, the first time ...” Takanori began, as the doctor, scooted closer, visibly restraining his excitement at some form of cooperation “... it was a district Halloween event I was seven, and he was eight. We was dressed as a magician … I was the vampire” simply explained the brunette, as the doctor's eyes slightly widened as if inciting him to say more.
“You just said you were the vampire, and he was a magician right? ...” repeated the doctor, at which Takanori silently nodded, while frustratingly sighing from his nostrils “... did he tell you anything that day … anything at all” politely persisted the doctor.
“I don't know, that was like seven years ago, when we actually were kids ...” Takanori brushed off, while flashing a sarcastic grin.
“Just try, Takanori-kun … anything … anything you can remember at all” pressed on the doctor, at which the younger vexatiously rolled his eyes, while chewing on his lower lip, and beginning to agitatedly shake his right leg.
“He said he'd become a great magician! And one day he'd show me the big-most-fucking-amazing trick of all time!” cynically and viciously spat the younger.
“Given that he does have a magician set that he almost obsessively protects, and also given that I have indeed seen him perform some of his tricks, which were quite impressive, I'd say … I will take what you said as truthful, but I'll by-pass the "fucking" ...” serenely stated dr. Takashima walking back to his seat, as the younger lightly shrugged, even though he knew the doctor had made did right deduction.
Akira had indeed been practicing for a long while to become an affirmed magician, and had indeed told him that one day he was going to show him a sensational trick. However, that wasn't the only thing that Halloween represented to the both of them.
During last year's Halloween the two of them got together. With awkwardly stumbled words and a perfectly performed magic number, Akira had succeeded in asking him out, and though Takanori had thought that there was something somewhat inauspicious about getting together on Halloween, he couldn't bring himself to refuse the elder. He'd been waiting for that for so long after all.
But the fuck he was going to tell about this little detail. Most likely, their relationship had lots to do with Akira's present mental condition, but it was also what had brought him to this point. "… I'll make them understand" he had said, the day before the accident. Surely he had told his parents about his sexuality; and surely enough they hadn’t understood. Moreover, it appeared as if he hadn't even had the chance to mention about his lover, since the Suzukis never bothered to keep him away from their son. Little victories in life he supposed.
That being the case though, what was the point in telling this perhaps truthfully well-meaning doctor about this? If Akira seemed to not want to remember, Takanori wouldn't be the one to bring it all back up. He wouldn't be the one to further keep hurting the one he loved. No matter how painful it was already resulting to be on himself.
“... Tacchan!” almost yelled an aggravated sounding blond, as Takanori swiftly turned to bewilderingly blink at the blond “... I have been calling you for the past minute ...” grumbled the blond.
“Sorry … “ apologized the brunette, lightly smiling, as he shifted his gaze towards the ground, while the blond got up to his feet, and walked towards the brunette, is hands positioned as if he were carrying a book.
“I found how to solve your problem ...” he cheerfully announced with a cheeky smile “... you see here? ...” inquired the elder, as he pointed out invisible lines on his invisible book of magic. Takanori really shouldn't have come after all. It really got worse the more time passed. However, no matter how painful it was to see Akira deteriorate the way he was, the brunette just couldn't seem to want to let go of him. Too many the things they had been through together, too many the emotions invested. This was supposed to be their fourth anniversary, and like a Swiss clock, he was pointedly remained about that, as he saw all the "horrifying" decorations all over town “... all you have to do is say the magic words!”
“Today's visiting time is up, Matsumoto-san ...” politely announced a nurse, entering the room, after which she bowed as another nurse walked in towards Akira.
“It is time for lunch Akira ...” said the second nurse, smiling at the now apathetic looking teen, as Takanori stood and watched how easily the blond' smile had been taken away from him. It really was too much to bare.
“Matsumoto-san?” newly called the first nurse, at which the brunette lightly smiled goodbye at the blond, whom however didn't react as the brunette turned to walk away, when the blond suddenly spoke once more.
“What are the magic words, Ruki?” firmly inquired the blond, making the brunette instantly stop on his steps and and slowly turned to dazedly stare at the blond. Right before that accident, that had been the last time he'd heard the elder call him Ruki.
“T-trick or treat ...” instinctively replied Takanori, like he had every year for the past three years, and as usual Akira would reply "treat", and hand him the usual piece of candy.
“Trick” calmly replied Akira, smiling at the brunette, whom confusingly and silently stared as the elder was being escorted out of his room from the second nurse, soon after which he followed the first nurse down the opposite direction.
… No treat. No candy.
What had that been about? Just when he was expecting "treat" to come out of the elder’s lips like always, there he went acting atypical. But there was more, or so he thought, when for a second there, he thought he had been able to read into Akira's gaze. But that could have been nothing other than his imagination right?
“Takanori-kun?” called a familiar voice, as the brunette, turned to his right to find dr. Takashima standing at the threshold of his office politely smiling at him. The younger merely smiled back. “... I've rarely found such dedicated friends like you in my career, family members, lovers, but not friends ...” he genuinely smiled “... if you ever felt like you can't handle this anymore, don't hesitate in not coming anymore” concluded the doctor, at which Takanori slightly bowed and walked away.
As if he could consciously keep living in Japan knowing that Akira, even if not consciously, was still living as well. Plus, he still was his lover until proven contrary, so he "supposed", as dr. Takashima might have professionally stated, that he fitted that category of dedicated people the doctor had listed. Poor man, even though he truly was a good man, he somehow always ended up being the brunette's constant target of his cynicism.
Resignedly smiling at his hopeless situation, Takanori walked out of the mental institution and into the unusual frigid Tokyo weather, feeling as wretched as ever, but at also as much in love as usual. Kicking a random little stone, which so happened to be "blocking" his path, he hid half of his face into the red scarf Akira had bought him as a present for their first and only Christmas they had spent as a couple. Then, cursing himself for having uncharacteristically forgotten his gloves, as he shoved his hands in the pockets of his long black coat, he was about to start walking back home, when the fingers of his left hand crunched something in the pocket.
Bringing out a now rumpled piece of paper, Takanori stared at the word "TRICK" written in capital letters on the piece folded piece of paper, doubtlessly, that was Akira's hand-writing. Almost shaking while opening the note, as he recalled the moment in which the blond had so nonchalantly placed one of his hands on his hip, he then began to read.
Happy Anniversary Ruki.
To be quite honest, I am not sure if you are going to show up this year as well.
But if you do, and I successfully manage to get you close enough to sneak this
into one of your pockets, then I'll first apologize to you for not believing you
when you had warned me against trying to talk with my parents. I can't
remember, exactly what happened, but it I've heard the story
over and over again from, dr. Takashima, poor man,
there really had been a good month in which I truly had regressed to the time
we first met ten years ago (I wonder if you caught on that), but then,
when you came in to visit me for the first time, you performed the
big-most-fucking-amazing trick of all time, and brought me back.
Thank you. Thank for having cluelessly stuck by me through this three years.
In three months, when you'll turn eighteen as well, I'll perform my last trick
in this town; my disappearance from this institution (and I'll take you along).
I AM TERRIBLY SORRY I DIDN'T TELL YOU ANYTHING, and also sorry it had to take
so long, but until we were BOTH 18, the law would have been against us, and
I couldn't let that happen.
Just three more months baby.
Love you.
Reita
PS. Yes. You can kick the fuck out of me when I'm out.
"Good bitch. As along as you fucking know that that is exactly what's waiting for your sorry ass when we are out of this fucking town" tried to angrily think the brunette, but his mouth seemed to be stuck into an over-rejoiced and wide smile, while tears streamed down, as he walked himself home, is awkward wide smile-crying face managing to freak out a couple of kids and girls in the process.
In the end, like every year without fail, he had indeed received a "treat" after all.
AN: HAPPY HALLOWEEN~ (I am late I know, but it is still Halloween in California!!!) Also once again happy birthday to my "daughter" 12thgrave whom LOVES RETUKI, so I had no other choice but to give you something you like honey LOLOL. Hope you all had a wonderful day. I'm going to watch something, then bed, have to wake up early tomorrow~
ALSO ... THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR COMMENTS ON ALL OTHER FICS! MADE ME SO HAPPY! And as usual, I will take time to properly reply them all as soon as I can m(_ _ )m. THANKS IN ADVANCE AGAIN!
Much Love -LnK♥(~_^ )/-
Chapter: One Shot
Author: luna_no_koibito
Genre: Angst, Romance
Warnings: language
Rating: PG-14
Pairing: Reita / Ruki
Bands: the GazettE
Disclaimer: Just need your faces darlings, my fingers will type the rest ..._〆(・∀・＠)
Comment: Don't usually write Retuki, but this is a birthday/Halloween present. HAPPY BIRTHDAY 12thgrave MOMMA LOVES YOU
Summary: Takanori is unknowingly going to receive the best trick of his entire life.
The Trick
The amount of accuracy and and dedication, which was put into this, was always far much terrifying than the result itself. And every year, for the past three years now, it looked more and more believable, so much so, that every year, Takanori would lose a bit of hope. Each time he'd look at that face, reality struck ten folds harder, but he just couldn't give up on hope, not completely, not so easily. His love however, that only, wasn't budging, there was no way it could, and that was the true horror.
“Why aren't you transformed?” asked a notably perplexed blond teen, as the brunette finally found the strength to walk toward him; but kept his distance. It really was marvelous, ever detail of that face, from its paleness, to the random streaks of blood at the mouth's edges. So painful to watch.
“I … I forgot Akira ...” resignedly replied the shorter teen, while glimpsing at the gaze of a grave looking blond. There used to be a time in which Takanori could always tell what was going through the blond's mind by simply looking into those orbs. Now all it did was get him lost in depths he didn't think he could ever return from, so he always only just glanced.
Takanori was expected to fear him, people always did with Akira's kind, put up that look of despise and distaste. But how was anyone, whom truly loved someone, supposed to instantly throw them away just like that. He had no idea of other people, but Takanori knew he couldn't. Things obviously were different, but he still couldn't see it that way, because it still didn't make sense. This nonsense made absolutely no sense.
“What do you mean you forgot? … that's impossible!” jovially snickered the blond, skeptically looking at a listless brunette. He hadn't even thought of a good excuse, so exactly what had he come to do this year? “it's like a human waking up and not knowing how to be a human … come here” he then ordered in a concerned manner, but the brunette stayed put. He'd always keep his distance, lately, because he didn't know how his own body would react at being so close to Akira “... Okay then I'm coming there” nonchalantly announced the blond.
Dramatically shoving over his shoulder that same wide black cloak, which the brunette had seen him use so many times before, Akira walked towards the absently gazing brunette, whom wandered what was best to do. He hated this so much, because he knew they were watching. They always did.
“Here ...” suddenly ordered the brunette, as he gently placed a hand on the brunette's left hip, and the other on his right cheek “... say aah ...” ordered the blond, imitating the action, and showing a pair of perfect fangs. Takanori wasn't shaken by those, he'd seen them plenty of times already, he had some as well. Though not today. What bothered Takanori was the carelessness with which the blond brought their bodies closed to each other. It really was nothing compared to the things that the both of them had already done to each other, but it had been so long since the last time he had been touched by the taller that even just the hand on his hip felt overly physical “… you really have no … fangs … what happened?” finally declared the blond looking uncharacteristically shocked, and unbelieving.
“I don't know Akira ...” sadly replied the brunette, doing the best he could to keep his hands to himself. They were indeed being watched, but they didn't know what Akira and himself truly were, and if Takanori were to have touched him the way he wanted to touch Akira, the brunette felt like he wouldn't have been able to keep himself in control, and then they would have known, and that would have instantly meant the end of everything, for real.
“Mhmm … there should be something in my book of magic ...” pensively announced the blond, as he walked away from the shorter, leaving him standing there, yet unmoving, and observing as the blond composedly sat on the grand, and began to turn pages of an invisible book, looking so serious, and determined to find a solution for brunette's missing fangs, and that Takanori just couldn't watch.
Quickly turning around, he silently breathed and looked up to the ceiling, while frantically flapping his eye-lids. He wouldn’t let Akira catch cry. He wouldn't cry. But that was just so hard to watch, why did it have to come to this? This wasn't fair, they had done nothing wrong, but those around them thought it was so all they had to do was keep pretending and things would have been better than this. "I'm tired of hiding … I'll make them understand" that's what Akira had said, and this is were it brought them.
“Things of this sort are rather unfortunate ...” spoke the man, pitifully looking at Takanori from behind his sumptuous desk, but the brunette, wasn't even looking up at him. He still couldn't believe that Akira, his Akira, was in that state. It just couldn't be “... though I supposed everyone is grateful that he actually didn't lose his life in the accident, that in itself is a miracle ...” continued the man, still failing at getting the brunette’s attention “... Takanori-kun?” he then called, at which the teen slowly raised his head and apathetically stared at the doctor “... you are the only one that has been visiting him here ...” began the doctor.
“I'm his best friend” sharply replied the teen.
“I know … he says that too ...” cautiously replied the doctor “... but no matter the level of friendship … sometimes, particularly for kid-”
“I'm not a kid, just because I am fifteen doesn't make me kid.” strongly corrected Takanori, viciously staring at the doctor, whom didn't seem to be bothered by the interruption, but wasn't being disrespectful about it either “... if you have to refer to me, call me teen, which is the actual definition, or say "people like you", but don't put me on the same level of whatever happy-go-loucky idiot out there, because that is exactly what "people like you" mean when you call "people like me" kids, and I can assure that I am not a kid” concluded the teen. Such a waste of time, him sitting on this chair, when he should have been side-by-side with Akira. What the fuck was this?
“Sometimes, for people in general ...” resumed the doctor correcting his sentence “... it is hard to … be around … people … in the conditions … in which Akira is now.” attempted the doctor, sounding excessively cautious, as if waiting for the brunette to outburst again “... and I am not accusing anybody, it is just very surprising, and pleasing, that there is still someone coming for him ...” he added “... it is not an easy task … to deal with someone with a mental disorder … particularly when the disorder was acquired suddenly, and you had known this person in a … normal state of mind” concluded the doctor, soon after which the brunette smirked.
“Normal state of mind ...” spitefully stated the brunette “... maybe he really is a vampire ...” sarcastically stated the brunette “... maybe we all are, and you all are the ones who are wrong, then what?” Takanori coldly challenged, but the doctor simply remained silent.
“Maybe he is right, maybe we are all vampires ...” calmly replied the doctor “... but you, I, and his parents, whom brought him here, don't believe as much … and as cowardly and low as it might sound to "people like you", "people like me", Takanori-kun, are being paid for a reason” he concluded, standing up from his chair, and walking over the desk, to sit at the edge of it covering the elegant plaque of his name which read Dr. Takashima Kouyou. “Now, I could simply keep having his parents paying for him to stay here, and I can assure you, it is a lot of money, and just stop knocking my ahead against a wall, knowing very well that I am not going anywhere with my treating, because Akira is not responding to anything.” he began, as staring at the distance in front of himself.
“I'm not a psychiatrist, I am afraid I can't help” cynically replied the brunette. Once again, the adult took no offense, merely crossed his legs and arms, and turned his head to the side to regard the younger.
“Well … that is true indeed, but I am sure you can help, if you are willing to ...” lightly smiled the doctor, gaining no friendlier a reaction from the shorter, whom however made it clear that he could keep talking “... there was a fight, preceding the accident. His parents said they were arguing about his future … but something tells me that is not it” he paused “... find the real cause, sometimes can help unblock some minds at times. It can also explain why the brains of certain post-traumatic patients, such as Akira, decide to awaken in the point and time in which they do” explained dr. Takashima, as the younger's gaze turned on his own feet “... Akira believes he is eight years old, and a vampire … and today, Halloween, he truly expected of to come … and I currently do not know why, but if you could please tell me anything it would help, a promise you two made … something trivial or important he told you ...” he then almost pleadingly requested.
“We met on Halloween, the first time ...” Takanori began, as the doctor, scooted closer, visibly restraining his excitement at some form of cooperation “... it was a district Halloween event I was seven, and he was eight. We was dressed as a magician … I was the vampire” simply explained the brunette, as the doctor's eyes slightly widened as if inciting him to say more.
“You just said you were the vampire, and he was a magician right? ...” repeated the doctor, at which Takanori silently nodded, while frustratingly sighing from his nostrils “... did he tell you anything that day … anything at all” politely persisted the doctor.
“I don't know, that was like seven years ago, when we actually were kids ...” Takanori brushed off, while flashing a sarcastic grin.
“Just try, Takanori-kun … anything … anything you can remember at all” pressed on the doctor, at which the younger vexatiously rolled his eyes, while chewing on his lower lip, and beginning to agitatedly shake his right leg.
“He said he'd become a great magician! And one day he'd show me the big-most-fucking-amazing trick of all time!” cynically and viciously spat the younger.
“Given that he does have a magician set that he almost obsessively protects, and also given that I have indeed seen him perform some of his tricks, which were quite impressive, I'd say … I will take what you said as truthful, but I'll by-pass the "fucking" ...” serenely stated dr. Takashima walking back to his seat, as the younger lightly shrugged, even though he knew the doctor had made did right deduction.
Akira had indeed been practicing for a long while to become an affirmed magician, and had indeed told him that one day he was going to show him a sensational trick. However, that wasn't the only thing that Halloween represented to the both of them.
During last year's Halloween the two of them got together. With awkwardly stumbled words and a perfectly performed magic number, Akira had succeeded in asking him out, and though Takanori had thought that there was something somewhat inauspicious about getting together on Halloween, he couldn't bring himself to refuse the elder. He'd been waiting for that for so long after all.
But the fuck he was going to tell about this little detail. Most likely, their relationship had lots to do with Akira's present mental condition, but it was also what had brought him to this point. "… I'll make them understand" he had said, the day before the accident. Surely he had told his parents about his sexuality; and surely enough they hadn’t understood. Moreover, it appeared as if he hadn't even had the chance to mention about his lover, since the Suzukis never bothered to keep him away from their son. Little victories in life he supposed.
That being the case though, what was the point in telling this perhaps truthfully well-meaning doctor about this? If Akira seemed to not want to remember, Takanori wouldn't be the one to bring it all back up. He wouldn't be the one to further keep hurting the one he loved. No matter how painful it was already resulting to be on himself.
“... Tacchan!” almost yelled an aggravated sounding blond, as Takanori swiftly turned to bewilderingly blink at the blond “... I have been calling you for the past minute ...” grumbled the blond.
“Sorry … “ apologized the brunette, lightly smiling, as he shifted his gaze towards the ground, while the blond got up to his feet, and walked towards the brunette, is hands positioned as if he were carrying a book.
“I found how to solve your problem ...” he cheerfully announced with a cheeky smile “... you see here? ...” inquired the elder, as he pointed out invisible lines on his invisible book of magic. Takanori really shouldn't have come after all. It really got worse the more time passed. However, no matter how painful it was to see Akira deteriorate the way he was, the brunette just couldn't seem to want to let go of him. Too many the things they had been through together, too many the emotions invested. This was supposed to be their fourth anniversary, and like a Swiss clock, he was pointedly remained about that, as he saw all the "horrifying" decorations all over town “... all you have to do is say the magic words!”
“Today's visiting time is up, Matsumoto-san ...” politely announced a nurse, entering the room, after which she bowed as another nurse walked in towards Akira.
“It is time for lunch Akira ...” said the second nurse, smiling at the now apathetic looking teen, as Takanori stood and watched how easily the blond' smile had been taken away from him. It really was too much to bare.
“Matsumoto-san?” newly called the first nurse, at which the brunette lightly smiled goodbye at the blond, whom however didn't react as the brunette turned to walk away, when the blond suddenly spoke once more.
“What are the magic words, Ruki?” firmly inquired the blond, making the brunette instantly stop on his steps and and slowly turned to dazedly stare at the blond. Right before that accident, that had been the last time he'd heard the elder call him Ruki.
“T-trick or treat ...” instinctively replied Takanori, like he had every year for the past three years, and as usual Akira would reply "treat", and hand him the usual piece of candy.
“Trick” calmly replied Akira, smiling at the brunette, whom confusingly and silently stared as the elder was being escorted out of his room from the second nurse, soon after which he followed the first nurse down the opposite direction.
… No treat. No candy.
What had that been about? Just when he was expecting "treat" to come out of the elder’s lips like always, there he went acting atypical. But there was more, or so he thought, when for a second there, he thought he had been able to read into Akira's gaze. But that could have been nothing other than his imagination right?
“Takanori-kun?” called a familiar voice, as the brunette, turned to his right to find dr. Takashima standing at the threshold of his office politely smiling at him. The younger merely smiled back. “... I've rarely found such dedicated friends like you in my career, family members, lovers, but not friends ...” he genuinely smiled “... if you ever felt like you can't handle this anymore, don't hesitate in not coming anymore” concluded the doctor, at which Takanori slightly bowed and walked away.
As if he could consciously keep living in Japan knowing that Akira, even if not consciously, was still living as well. Plus, he still was his lover until proven contrary, so he "supposed", as dr. Takashima might have professionally stated, that he fitted that category of dedicated people the doctor had listed. Poor man, even though he truly was a good man, he somehow always ended up being the brunette's constant target of his cynicism.
Resignedly smiling at his hopeless situation, Takanori walked out of the mental institution and into the unusual frigid Tokyo weather, feeling as wretched as ever, but at also as much in love as usual. Kicking a random little stone, which so happened to be "blocking" his path, he hid half of his face into the red scarf Akira had bought him as a present for their first and only Christmas they had spent as a couple. Then, cursing himself for having uncharacteristically forgotten his gloves, as he shoved his hands in the pockets of his long black coat, he was about to start walking back home, when the fingers of his left hand crunched something in the pocket.
Bringing out a now rumpled piece of paper, Takanori stared at the word "TRICK" written in capital letters on the piece folded piece of paper, doubtlessly, that was Akira's hand-writing. Almost shaking while opening the note, as he recalled the moment in which the blond had so nonchalantly placed one of his hands on his hip, he then began to read.
Happy Anniversary Ruki.
To be quite honest, I am not sure if you are going to show up this year as well.
But if you do, and I successfully manage to get you close enough to sneak this
into one of your pockets, then I'll first apologize to you for not believing you
when you had warned me against trying to talk with my parents. I can't
remember, exactly what happened, but it I've heard the story
over and over again from, dr. Takashima, poor man,
there really had been a good month in which I truly had regressed to the time
we first met ten years ago (I wonder if you caught on that), but then,
when you came in to visit me for the first time, you performed the
big-most-fucking-amazing trick of all time, and brought me back.
Thank you. Thank for having cluelessly stuck by me through this three years.
In three months, when you'll turn eighteen as well, I'll perform my last trick
in this town; my disappearance from this institution (and I'll take you along).
I AM TERRIBLY SORRY I DIDN'T TELL YOU ANYTHING, and also sorry it had to take
so long, but until we were BOTH 18, the law would have been against us, and
I couldn't let that happen.
Just three more months baby.
Love you.
Reita
PS. Yes. You can kick the fuck out of me when I'm out.
"Good bitch. As along as you fucking know that that is exactly what's waiting for your sorry ass when we are out of this fucking town" tried to angrily think the brunette, but his mouth seemed to be stuck into an over-rejoiced and wide smile, while tears streamed down, as he walked himself home, is awkward wide smile-crying face managing to freak out a couple of kids and girls in the process.
In the end, like every year without fail, he had indeed received a "treat" after all.
AN: HAPPY HALLOWEEN~ (I am late I know, but it is still Halloween in California!!!) Also once again happy birthday to my "daughter" 12thgrave whom LOVES RETUKI, so I had no other choice but to give you something you like honey LOLOL. Hope you all had a wonderful day. I'm going to watch something, then bed, have to wake up early tomorrow~
ALSO ... THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR COMMENTS ON ALL OTHER FICS! MADE ME SO HAPPY! And as usual, I will take time to properly reply them all as soon as I can m(_ _ )m. THANKS IN ADVANCE AGAIN!
Much Love -LnK♥(~_^ )/-