arashi fiction 70 - August Ficlets Batch #1
Hello readers! I am seriously attempting to get back into writing fanfiction and part of that is kickstarting my brain with a series of ficlets in August. I'm doing one per day based on prompts given to me by tangiblewhimsy (who is doing her own series of drabbles-a-day that I gave her on DW @ mainichi). I will post them in collections of 5. :)
Hope I haven't been gone too long! Enjoy ♥
OH! And out of these 5 ficlets, 3 of them have pairings. If you'd like to be spoiled, check the tags or click this little cut to reveal them: [Spoiler (click to open)]Jun/Toma, Ohno/Aiba, Sho/Nino
#01
Prompt: Knicknacks/Trinkets
Summary: Sho takes a good, hard look around his apartment and discovers some truths.
Sho had stumbled into this apartment after drunken nights, curled up in it after busy ones, and had woken up each morning to find himself in a new, strange, but oddly comfortable position - sometimes alone, sometimes not. He had always done so, however, with the understanding that said apartment represented his private time, his private space, where no work was allowed and never would be.
But now that he was looking, really looking, it was hard to miss the blow-up version of the Eiffel Tower that Ohno had gotten for him in France, now half-deflated yet still recognizably erect behind a stack of unwatched DVDs. It was impossible to spend time in the kitchen without picking up the set of tiger-shaped salt and pepper shakers that Aiba had given him 'now that I know you won't wear the t-shirts' (and all those t-shirts were still perfectly folded in good condition on a shelf in his closet). He couldn't remember the last time he'd had a glass of wine, but the wine bottle holder that Jun had purchased for his birthday still stood on his coffee table gripping a vase of fake flowers Nino had surprised him with one day (so he would stop complaining about accidentally killing real ones).
It was amazing how a little distance and a lot of time could act as a new pair of glasses, the world suddenly sharper to the eye. It was clear to Sho now that Arashi wasn't the work-only kind of existence he'd painted in his mind, feeling guilty when he was told all the group's success was because of their friendship. Arashi was everywhere, all around him, in his home and in his heart. Slowly but surely he'd collected memories, formed attachments, and surrounded himself with Jun, Aiba, Ohno, and Nino - without even thinking twice!
I miss you!, Sho sent to four individuals, collapsing onto his bed and toeing off his socks.
And four friends were quick to remind him that he was being ridiculous. After all, they would see him tomorrow.
#02
Prompt: Better as friends
Summary: Jun is a romantic at heart. It just takes him awhile to know what that means.
Jun had a bad habit of diving quickly and foolishly into relationships. A good-looking student working behind a coffee counter would scratch a number into his cup and they'd be dating by the end of the week (and probably broken up the next). A man could help him carry a heavy box up to his apartment and be nearly living in it a month later (the apartment, of course, not the box). Once, a long time ago, he'd picked up the same magazine as the person beside him in a bookstore and they'd immediately gone out for dinner and drinks. Nothing weird about that kind of scenario, until Jun had found out that his date considered them serious after just that one evening (when he continuously demanded to see Jun's phone).
He wasn't sure what it was about him that brought out a possessiveness in others. He wasn't entirely certain what it was about him that made him attach himself to any sign of potential romantic connection on a whim. He couldn't even say why it was he didn't learn from his history of heartaches sooner and stop taking chances on random strangers when they looked at him in 'that way'.
All Jun knew was that he'd been right to break the pattern eventually. There had been no better decision in his life than to fall for a person who let him be himself. It was his first time making it to a second anniversary, and there was nothing more perfect than listening to his boyfriend whine as Jun refused to let them go home before five.
"It's better this way."
He could see Toma's lips part, probably getting ready to explain that there were much more exciting things they could do in private, but that's not what Jun meant.
"Better as friends first," he clarified with a soft smile, and raised his glass of beer in a toast.
#03
Prompt: Communication devices
Summary: It's not about winning or losing. It's about playing the game.
It wasn't all about winning. If all he wanted was to win at everything, he wouldn't invest his time in so many games where the end goal was just to unlock a story. It wasn't always about feeling accomplished, either. If he wanted to be the very best, he'd make sure to do every side quest, pick up every jewel, find every dragon's egg, retrieve every flag, and so on - but he often didn't find the time to do so until a second or third play through.
What it was about was feeling comfortable, feeling wanted, and having a purpose without any threat of seeing disappointment on a human face. If he didn't save the princess, he could always try again. No one had to know, no one's job was depending on it, no teenage girl's dreams were crushed by it. It was something just for himself to do and with only himself to please.
Except, on occasion, when the controllers in his hand ceased to be for up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, A, B and became instead devices for communication. An encouraging word to a player connected to him through screen name only, but more important to him than he could vocalize anyway.
WarriorQueen83: Do your best!
PonPonPon: I've got your back
Simple words that made him feel like part of something greater in the quiet of his life alone, when the audience had stopped cheering and the other Arashi members had all gone home.
#04
Prompt: Vivid
Summary: A sensation so warm it made the rest of his body feel cold.
"I can smell it," Aiba whispered, closing his eyes and allowing his sense of smell to take over. It wasn't often his nose was perfectly clear for something like this, not so close to allergy season, but it was like there was a fresh bakery right behind him. It was the scent of bread, definitely bread, but of what variety he couldn't exactly tell.
"I don't mean to do it," a soft voiced replied.
When he was touched, the sensation was so warm it made the rest of his body feel cold, a pleasant shiver rushing from his shoulders to his toes. It had been like this the last time they met, Aiba remembered. Only then it had been the sound of tinkling bells and the numbing sensation of snow melting across the bridge of his nose.
"What makes it happen?" Aiba asked him, laughing as he opened his eyes to find the leaves an impossibly vibrant shade of green. No color had ever existed like this one. Sometimes, with him, the world had every marking of a storybook, perhaps a dream.
Ohno laughed and brushed his lips against Aiba's cheek, inhaling so deeply then that Aiba could swear there was no oxygen left for his own lungs to breathe.
"You do," he answered. "You make it happen every time."
#05
Prompt: Quickie
Summary: Sho can make time for the things that are most important.
Sho would never forgive himself if he missed his exams. He'd planned out his schedule so absolutely perfectly that to be late or skip entirely would be inexcusable, and highly foolish given how important the scores were for his future. He hadn't anticipated Nino grabbing him outside of his dorm, that was true, but he had allotted himself an extra twenty minutes for 'miscellaneous activities' before he had to leave - and this had to count as an acceptable way to spend that time. In fact, this was how an extra twenty minutes in a day should always, always be used!
"So warm," he moaned, feeling the flush in his cheeks as he vocalized his pleasure.
Nino chuckled, hardly audible with his mouth so full. Sho loved to look at him in these moments, as they were few and far between lately. Which only proved how busy Sho had been, given how easily Nino could wrap him around his little finger most days - especially when he promised to give Sho exactly what he wanted.
He wished it was possible to stay for seconds, really take his time, not feel like he was rushing to satisfaction. He licked his lips, tossed his head back, and sighed as the alarm on his phone signaled time was up. Fine then. At least he'd given his brain a little extra power with the delicious food.
"Oh ramen, you'll always be my weakness," he whimpered, frantically taking another sip of the broth before collecting his things. It was sad to be treating Nino to lunch and not even get to stick around for the end of it, but he slipped some money from his wallet and placed it by Nino's bowl just the same.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Nino pointed out before Sho could take off in a run as planned. He laughed and turned back around, planting a kiss on his boyfriend's lips.
"You're more delicious than food and I'll prove it to you tonight," he promised.
Yes, he'd most certainly pencil in time for that later.
Hope I haven't been gone too long! Enjoy ♥
OH! And out of these 5 ficlets, 3 of them have pairings. If you'd like to be spoiled, check the tags or click this little cut to reveal them: [Spoiler (click to open)]Jun/Toma, Ohno/Aiba, Sho/Nino
#01
Prompt: Knicknacks/Trinkets
Summary: Sho takes a good, hard look around his apartment and discovers some truths.
Sho had stumbled into this apartment after drunken nights, curled up in it after busy ones, and had woken up each morning to find himself in a new, strange, but oddly comfortable position - sometimes alone, sometimes not. He had always done so, however, with the understanding that said apartment represented his private time, his private space, where no work was allowed and never would be.
But now that he was looking, really looking, it was hard to miss the blow-up version of the Eiffel Tower that Ohno had gotten for him in France, now half-deflated yet still recognizably erect behind a stack of unwatched DVDs. It was impossible to spend time in the kitchen without picking up the set of tiger-shaped salt and pepper shakers that Aiba had given him 'now that I know you won't wear the t-shirts' (and all those t-shirts were still perfectly folded in good condition on a shelf in his closet). He couldn't remember the last time he'd had a glass of wine, but the wine bottle holder that Jun had purchased for his birthday still stood on his coffee table gripping a vase of fake flowers Nino had surprised him with one day (so he would stop complaining about accidentally killing real ones).
It was amazing how a little distance and a lot of time could act as a new pair of glasses, the world suddenly sharper to the eye. It was clear to Sho now that Arashi wasn't the work-only kind of existence he'd painted in his mind, feeling guilty when he was told all the group's success was because of their friendship. Arashi was everywhere, all around him, in his home and in his heart. Slowly but surely he'd collected memories, formed attachments, and surrounded himself with Jun, Aiba, Ohno, and Nino - without even thinking twice!
I miss you!, Sho sent to four individuals, collapsing onto his bed and toeing off his socks.
And four friends were quick to remind him that he was being ridiculous. After all, they would see him tomorrow.
#02
Prompt: Better as friends
Summary: Jun is a romantic at heart. It just takes him awhile to know what that means.
Jun had a bad habit of diving quickly and foolishly into relationships. A good-looking student working behind a coffee counter would scratch a number into his cup and they'd be dating by the end of the week (and probably broken up the next). A man could help him carry a heavy box up to his apartment and be nearly living in it a month later (the apartment, of course, not the box). Once, a long time ago, he'd picked up the same magazine as the person beside him in a bookstore and they'd immediately gone out for dinner and drinks. Nothing weird about that kind of scenario, until Jun had found out that his date considered them serious after just that one evening (when he continuously demanded to see Jun's phone).
He wasn't sure what it was about him that brought out a possessiveness in others. He wasn't entirely certain what it was about him that made him attach himself to any sign of potential romantic connection on a whim. He couldn't even say why it was he didn't learn from his history of heartaches sooner and stop taking chances on random strangers when they looked at him in 'that way'.
All Jun knew was that he'd been right to break the pattern eventually. There had been no better decision in his life than to fall for a person who let him be himself. It was his first time making it to a second anniversary, and there was nothing more perfect than listening to his boyfriend whine as Jun refused to let them go home before five.
"It's better this way."
He could see Toma's lips part, probably getting ready to explain that there were much more exciting things they could do in private, but that's not what Jun meant.
"Better as friends first," he clarified with a soft smile, and raised his glass of beer in a toast.
#03
Prompt: Communication devices
Summary: It's not about winning or losing. It's about playing the game.
It wasn't all about winning. If all he wanted was to win at everything, he wouldn't invest his time in so many games where the end goal was just to unlock a story. It wasn't always about feeling accomplished, either. If he wanted to be the very best, he'd make sure to do every side quest, pick up every jewel, find every dragon's egg, retrieve every flag, and so on - but he often didn't find the time to do so until a second or third play through.
What it was about was feeling comfortable, feeling wanted, and having a purpose without any threat of seeing disappointment on a human face. If he didn't save the princess, he could always try again. No one had to know, no one's job was depending on it, no teenage girl's dreams were crushed by it. It was something just for himself to do and with only himself to please.
Except, on occasion, when the controllers in his hand ceased to be for up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, A, B and became instead devices for communication. An encouraging word to a player connected to him through screen name only, but more important to him than he could vocalize anyway.
WarriorQueen83: Do your best!
PonPonPon: I've got your back
Simple words that made him feel like part of something greater in the quiet of his life alone, when the audience had stopped cheering and the other Arashi members had all gone home.
#04
Prompt: Vivid
Summary: A sensation so warm it made the rest of his body feel cold.
"I can smell it," Aiba whispered, closing his eyes and allowing his sense of smell to take over. It wasn't often his nose was perfectly clear for something like this, not so close to allergy season, but it was like there was a fresh bakery right behind him. It was the scent of bread, definitely bread, but of what variety he couldn't exactly tell.
"I don't mean to do it," a soft voiced replied.
When he was touched, the sensation was so warm it made the rest of his body feel cold, a pleasant shiver rushing from his shoulders to his toes. It had been like this the last time they met, Aiba remembered. Only then it had been the sound of tinkling bells and the numbing sensation of snow melting across the bridge of his nose.
"What makes it happen?" Aiba asked him, laughing as he opened his eyes to find the leaves an impossibly vibrant shade of green. No color had ever existed like this one. Sometimes, with him, the world had every marking of a storybook, perhaps a dream.
Ohno laughed and brushed his lips against Aiba's cheek, inhaling so deeply then that Aiba could swear there was no oxygen left for his own lungs to breathe.
"You do," he answered. "You make it happen every time."
#05
Prompt: Quickie
Summary: Sho can make time for the things that are most important.
Sho would never forgive himself if he missed his exams. He'd planned out his schedule so absolutely perfectly that to be late or skip entirely would be inexcusable, and highly foolish given how important the scores were for his future. He hadn't anticipated Nino grabbing him outside of his dorm, that was true, but he had allotted himself an extra twenty minutes for 'miscellaneous activities' before he had to leave - and this had to count as an acceptable way to spend that time. In fact, this was how an extra twenty minutes in a day should always, always be used!
"So warm," he moaned, feeling the flush in his cheeks as he vocalized his pleasure.
Nino chuckled, hardly audible with his mouth so full. Sho loved to look at him in these moments, as they were few and far between lately. Which only proved how busy Sho had been, given how easily Nino could wrap him around his little finger most days - especially when he promised to give Sho exactly what he wanted.
He wished it was possible to stay for seconds, really take his time, not feel like he was rushing to satisfaction. He licked his lips, tossed his head back, and sighed as the alarm on his phone signaled time was up. Fine then. At least he'd given his brain a little extra power with the delicious food.
"Oh ramen, you'll always be my weakness," he whimpered, frantically taking another sip of the broth before collecting his things. It was sad to be treating Nino to lunch and not even get to stick around for the end of it, but he slipped some money from his wallet and placed it by Nino's bowl just the same.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Nino pointed out before Sho could take off in a run as planned. He laughed and turned back around, planting a kiss on his boyfriend's lips.
"You're more delicious than food and I'll prove it to you tonight," he promised.
Yes, he'd most certainly pencil in time for that later.