Happy Santa_Smex, Sharpie!

[reposoir]

To: sharpie
From: g3ssh0ku

Title: Endless Sonata
Recipient's name: sharpie
Rating: R
Pairing(s): Yagyuu Hiroshi/Niou Masaharu
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created by Konomi Takeshi. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Author's Notes: Sorry that I didn't get to hit more of your kinks, but I hope you like it all the same. And a special thanks to my betas. Happy Holidays~



"And did I tell you what happened the other night with this girl? Couldn't believe what she was trying to do!" Marui ranted with his arms flailing around, conscious of his actions enough not to hit his friends who were seated with him around the small cafe table. "Thought she could get a free drink if she flashed some skin. And when that didn't work she..."

Both Niou and Yukimura listened on as he went off on how the girl was probably underage and didn't know what the hell she was doing and wouldn't be able to seduce the easiest guy around.

However, while Yukimura thought the whole thing to be horribly amusing, Niou was only listening with half an ear. But thankfully he was paying attention enough not to earn an earful from Marui or a smack in the face. He'd managed to master this ability a long time ago and more often than not had been using it when around the others. The mask that he'd constructed most likely helped too.

It wasn't like Niou minded hearing out what Marui -- or even Yukimura whenever the former captain needed to talk about something -- had to say. In fact, he was all the more satisfied to just sit there and listen to other people's problems. It was the timing that was bad.

Niou had a feeling that his friends knew this, hence the little outings that were occurring almost daily despite their schedules. Marui usually worked late at the club as a bartender and Yukimura buried himself in his studies to earn that degree he'd been aiming since the beginning. Yet, they still made the time to see him. Especially around this time of year when it was the coldest and everything was covered in a blanket of falling snow.

Because they knew what this time of year did to him, ever since three years ago. Ever since they all graduated from the Rikkai high school division. Ever since he left with just a letter addressed to him telling, in a round about way, that he wouldn't be around anymore.

Yagyuu.

"Hey Haru! Stop looking like you're doped up on drugs and pay attention. This is the best part!" Marui said, snapping his fingers to get Niou's attention. He was just seconds away from smacking Niou upside the head. And it was likely that he would do it anyway out of spite.

One blink and green eyes crossed to look at the fingers just centimeters away from his face. Niou turned his gaze back to Marui and gave him a sheepish look. It was a look that wasn't common on his face and both of his former teammates knew it. He only had that look around this time.

"Marui, no need to act like a girl. You always want all the eyes on you, don't you," Yukimura teased, his usual smile in place. The smile widened a little when Marui flushed at the playful accusation before going on a tirade about him not trying to be a girl at all and whatnot.

Niou, for his part, looked amused by the whole exchange but let it go in one ear and out the other. He did have to thank Marui for preventing his thoughts from veering to the place it usually did around December. He'd find a way to return the favor, like he always did. And he knew the best way to do that.

"You guys want to come over and eat at my place tonight?"

"Dude! Can you make that whatchamacallit thing again? And that one cake thing that I nearly ate the whole thing of?" Marui asked, delighted at the chance to eat those foods again.

Yukimura chuckled at the Marui's antics while Niou tried to figure out just what Marui was talking about.

"You need to be a little more detailed when you're trying to describe something Maru. 'Whatchamacallit' and 'cake thing' aren't enough to tell me what you want," he pointed out, a flat glare marring his face, though inwardly, he was amused as well. He never would have thought Marui would have approved of his mediocre cooking skills.

Marui frowned. "You know. That one dish that had the noodles and all the seafood in it. And that to-die-for cake," he stressed, hoping that Niou would know. Why did they have to have complicated names anyway? Something that good should have a simpler name and he told the others as such.

"Sorry that whoever came up with the recipes to them didn't think 'orgicious' or 'yumtastic' were good enough names for what they created," Niou said, poking fun.

"They should!" Marui stated, a little indignant that Niou would make fun of him, but in some respects he was glad for it. "Or maybe you should label them that way so you know what I'm talking about."

Niou scoffed, waving the idea aside. "No way. I'm not going to desecrate the names of famous dishes just for your sake. Besides, you'll probably get them all mixed up yourself," he said, pointing out a valid truth. He grinned when all Marui did was just glare at him with a frown that bordered a pout.

"No I wouldn't!"

"Hey, stop bickering you two," Yukimura said, placating. "Haru, I think the foods that he means are linguine ai frutti di mare and tiramisu." His usual smile was set into place when Marui nodded his head vigorously in agreement.

"Yeah, yeah! Those things! So, can you make them?"

Pursing his lips, Niou thought about it and all the ingredients he would need to make something of that nature for his friends. Some of the seafood ingredients might be hard to come by, but it was doable. And he hadn't made those things in a while either...

But in the back of his mind, he knew what the two were doing for him. Still providing a distraction and focusing his attention elsewhere. And it would have worked had they known that those two dishes were the first he'd made and asked that guy to test them for him. The end result was a small trip to the hospital and the vow not to mention it to anyone, ever. But something had come out of it as well. Realization.

And again, he was pulled out of his thoughts at the insistent shaking of Marui.

"So, can you make it? I really want to eat it again," Marui asked in a pleading, whiny voice that he knew grated on Niou's nerves. It was his way in getting his old friend to do something that he wanted. And it usually worked, unless Niou was truly against it.

Niou slapped Marui's hand away and cast Yukimura a withering glance for finding entertainment in his predicament. "Fine, whatever. I can do it," he conceded, letting out a small groan at Marui's victorious cheer. "You know, I would offer to teach you how to make it so that you wouldn't have to hound me, but then you'd blow up the kitchen."

He let out a short laugh when all he got was a punch to his shoulder.

-----

A tired sigh was all that Niou could manage when the evening was done and over with.

Things had gone on like they usually did when the three of them were together. Talking, goofing off, and remembering the old days. It was the latter that he didn't particularly want to touch on, and Marui and Yukimura always led the conversation to the better, finer times of their school days.

But now that there were no distractions to steer his thoughts, he let them roam.

December was the time of year when he wasn't his usual self. At least to the people who knew and could tell the difference between mask and genuine. Otherwise he seemed like his trickster self. Though, if anyone bothered to take note, they would see that that his pranks were less amusing and the remarks were less rude. It was as if a shadow took his place for just this one month.

And the reason for that had plagued Niou's mind since that day that he expected to wake up to a mop of brown hair and piercing eyes, only to be wrapped in cold sheets and left with words of empty promise.

Unbelievable at first, he placed his trust in the letter that had meant to console and in the man who had written it. But over the course of time, it was for naught. That letter had been the last he heard of Yagyuu Hiroshi.

Denial had hit hard with a mantra of "He's not like that. He wouldn't do that" ringing in his mind for days on end when he'd received none of the promised letters and emails and phone calls. And it had only been with the help of Marui and Yukimura the he finally realized and understood. His lover was not coming back. Yagyuu had left Niou behind to pursue his future and he wasn't going to come back.

No one would have believed it if they were told that Niou Masaharu's facade had cracked and crumbled. He was the ever-smirking one with a prank or two up his sleeve, ready for the next person to fall victim to his trap. The trickster who didn't know how to show any other emotion besides amusement at others' misfortunes.

But he did show something else with Marui and Yukimura having front row seats to the unveiling of the person beneath the actor.

Niou closed his eyes as the memories from long ago surfaced once more, as per routine during December.

Despite the bad times, there had been good times as well. Whether the good and bad were of equal weight and measure, he wasn't sure yet. As he thought about it, he tried to conjure up as many of the better times as he possibly could.

A hollow laugh managed sprung loose when a particular year came to mind.

It had been their junior year in high school and on Niou's birthday. Though they had arranged to meet beforehand, a sudden snowstorm thwarted their plans, confining each in their house. Thankfully there was still electricity, so they had found other means to communicate: via the computer and webcam.

What had started as a joke from Niou turned out to be an eye-opener when Yagyuu agreed to his wishes.

Just this once. Besides, it is your birthday and our previous plans have to be postponed.

Niou had become the only witness to a once-in-a-lifetime show that starred Yagyuu.

What ensued was something he'd NOT imagined a strip tease from Yagyuu to be. Playful and somewhat curious was how it had started out, with flashes of skin that tickled Niou's nerves as he watched from his seat. There was a lack of music to go along Yagyuu's moves, but somehow Niou heard it in his head. Like Yagyuu was making the music with his dancing.

But once the buttons of his school uniform had finally come undone, there was a shift in movements. They were slower and much more deliberate, making Niou anticipate the next movement from the last. And the quick heated glances that Yagyuu sent the webcam's way managed to elicit soft moans that Niou quickly had to drown out with sudden a blast of music. He wasn't taking any chances for disruptions from his family.

As the show went on, it was becoming apparent that Yagyuu liked to tease to agonizing degrees and Niou was already at the point where he'd undone his own pants and shoved his hand down to reacquaint the two long-time friends. He was so lost in the light haze that his friend had managed to create that he didn't notice the flickering lights and strong winds banging on his window until it was too late. His focus was solely on he brunet on the computer screen.

Right at the moment he was about to reach that plateau of adulterated bliss, his room became encased in darkness, the monitor was nothing but black, and the music that he'd put on came to an abrupt halt. As did his show that had been freely given to Niou by Yagyuu. All that he was left with was frustration and a hard-on that he needed to take care of quick before someone would come pounding on his door.

That had been one of the best and worst birthdays he had up to that date, Niou mused now with a wry grin.

He dropped onto his messy bed and curled on his side as more thoughts began to pervade his mind. Though that had been a fun and interesting experience, it couldn't outdo the Christmas surprise of their last year in high school. Niou doubted he would ever forget.

+

"Sure that it's okay that you're not with your family this year?"

"I'd rather not go to a place that's even colder than it already is here," Yagyuu replied as he took his coat off and handed it over to his host for the next week. "And would you rather be alone during the holidays?"

Niou scoffed a little as he hung up Yagyuu's coat. A wry grin occupied his lips as he thought about Yagyuu's last words. His own family left him behind to "teach him a lesson", and everyone else would have been out of town with their families.

But he'd been a little surprised that Yagyuu had volunteered to stay behind and not go with his family when Niou had informed him of his "punishment".

"I would have found things to occupy myself with," he said, leading the way further into the house.

"I'm sure you would have."

Niou noticed that there was a slight amused edge to Yagyuu's words and he hid his own grin. Only Yagyuu would know what kind of entertainment Niou would find for himself. And only he would be able to keep him in check long enough.

He opened the door to his room and gestured for Yagyuu to enter first. "Do you have any better ideas then?" Niou asked.

Pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, Yagyuu hummed, near inaudible, before walking into the one the room he was most familiar with in the house. Yagyuu had been to the Niou household numerous times since the two became partners on the tennis courts, but it was Niou's room that he could describe to the last dust mote. He was probably more at home in this room compared to his own.

"A few possible things come to mind."

"Oh? And those would be?" Curiosity nibbled at Niou and he knew that the further this conversation went on, the more his curiosity would sink its teeth into him.

"I'm sure you'll figure it all out soon enough. You always do," Yagyuu responded, the corner of his mouth twitching upward.

Niou hummed in mock thought, glancing at Yagyuu with a barely concealed smirk.

Yagyuu seemingly ignored the look directed at him as he placed his bag in the same spot he always did when he stayed over. He glanced around. "So where will I be sleeping? Or are you going to subject me to the couch downstairs?"

"And where do you usually sleep whenever you're over?" Niou mused.

The gentleman didn't say anything for a moment as he watched Niou move around the room. His eye wasn't as keen as Niou's but even he could tell that the other's steps were different than usual. And he knew all too well that when something was even a hint off with Niou, he had some kind of scheme stewing in his mind. Yagyuu resisted the urge to raise an eyebrow when the other finally settled on his bed.

"The answer's already known, so what is the point in giving it to you?"

"Humor me."

"I humor you all the time, Niou-kun," Yagyuu responded, slowly making his way to where Niou was.

The trickster stared at Yagyuu as he tried to figure out what the male was thinking as Yagyuu inched closer. Unfortunately, the light was reflecting off of Yagyuu's glasses, shielding his intentions. At least for the moment. "You're not humoring me now, are you?"

"Niou-kun, I believe you're defining 'humor' differently than I am now," Yagyuu pointed out, stopping right in front of him. He idly fingered Niou's loosely knotted tie.

Though Yagyuu's glasses were in the way, Niou met his gaze head on, not at all deterred by Yagyuu's stare on him. It was nothing new for him. "So how are you defining it then?"

It was in Niou's nature to be the one who surprised and sprung unexpected things on people, but it was rare that he was the one who was on the receiving end. And even less were the number of people who've done it. For the moment, Yagyuu was the one holding the number one spot in surprising him and none of the surprises were unpleasant.

This was another time to add to Yagyuu's ever-growing list.

A warm hand cupped the back of Niou's head, angling his face upward. The position was slightly uncomfortable but that was the last thing on his mind as Yagyuu lured him in without much effort. He would never be able to resist the other male, no matter how much he wanted to.

Niou clutched onto Yagyuu's shirt and tugged, indicating for him to go along and not to protest. The feeling of the warm body hovering above him sent a thrill down his spine and oddly enough, a sense of comfort as well. Only Yagyuu made him feel this way.

Fingers stopped playing idle, moving over clothed skin, and elicited small tremors wherever they touched. There was no proverbial burning feeling so often promised by clichés, but there was something there. The feelings only increased as clothing became barriers and were peeled off bit by agonizing bit.

The breaths that were once steady became labored and hitched as the teasings traveled from their initial positions. Moans and the rustle of sheets joined in the noise of pants and twittering pleas for more. The sound level only escalated as desires were slowly fulfilled.

Skin rubbed against skin, marking areas red, as wants became desperate needs. There was a moment of a standstill when a single question was conveyed through hazed eyes. Though the lust clouded their minds, both of them were still able to read between the lines.

Are you ready?

They gave their answers in sync as erections ground against each other and twin moans escaped from their throats.

Despite all the exploring that they had done it the past, this would be the first time that they would reach that final step with a connection that they'd yet to experience together. Before, there seemed to be an unspoken agreement that neither was ready during their "play" time. So they had waited... until now.

Preparations were careful with an edge of timid-ness since they treaded on non-ventured grounds. But even with all the measures taken, a strangled noise echoed within the walls of the room. Movements paused and after some torturous moments, the body beneath lost a good amount of its tension.

Thrusts were slow and awkward, causing more pain than the pleasure that they believed would come. However, as the shallow pace continued, the uncomfortable feeling eased away and the coil of bliss that had been lost began to tighten once more. And eventually, the movements turned sure, more confident, as keening cries for more resounded. The fog heavied and instincts took over as needs became priority over anything else.

And it wasn't long before both finally reached that summit of unbound pleasure in the midst of soft cries and low groans.

Erratic breaths mingled once more as they collapsed on the soiled sheets, embracing as if seeing each other again for the first time in years.

+

Niou stared ahead, eyes out of focus as the events of that night flashed back through his mind. Their first time. Though it was nearly impossible to get very far out of bed the next morning, it was worth it.

Normally he wasn't one to be overly sentimental about things, or anything for that matter. But he wouldn't deny that something had been planted that night, something that germinated with time. What it was, he hadn't been able to identify it, even now.

But that something had gotten worse after Yagyuu had gone away.

Screwing his eyes shut, he rubbed his face roughly before threading his fingers through messy silver-white hair. There wasn't any point in thinking about that guy anymore. He hadn't contacted him at all since he left. Niou doubted he'd ever hear from him again.

Besides, he needed to rest up. No doubt that Marui and Yukimura would drag him out again.

-----

"Ow! What the fuck, Maru?"

"You need to stop zoning out when I talk, Haru," Marui berated as he poked Niou on the shoulder.

Niou gave Marui a look. "You talk too much, did anyone ever tell you that?"

Marui frowned at his friend before his lips morphed into a grin. "All the time. By you."

"I'm not appreciating your cheek, Maru."

"All right you two, your daily bickering quota has been met," Yukimura intervened, an amused smile gracing his lips. Entertainment never ceased with the two, he thought in passing.

Niou sent a quick thankful look Yukimura's way before trying to figure out what he was thinking about before Marui snapped him out of it. The thought escaped him, but it was probably for the best. That day was drawing closer after all. He toyed with the straw from his drink and just listened again with half an ear.

Unfortunately for him, Marui wouldn't leave him be in his own world.

"So did you hear?"

Niou glanced over at him with a raised eyebrow. "Would it matter? You're going to tell me anyway." When he noticed the silent exchange between his two friends, his brows furrowed as a questioning look took hold of his face. "What?"

Marui picked up his drink and pointedly took a slurp.

All Yukimura did was let out a small sigh before turning to Niou. "Haru, you mean you didn't get a letter?"

"Depends on what kind of letter you're talking about," Niou responded, suspicion and curiosity flashing through his eyes. Something was obviously going on that he didn't know about. Usually the two were forthcoming with any kind of information, but this time they were hesitant. And if they were withholding from him, then it probably had to deal with him.

Yukimura frowned a little. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a folded envelope and handed it over to Niou, only earning a slightly concerned look from Marui. "We got this just today."

Taking the envelope, Niou glanced between his two friends for a second before unfolding it and pulling out the letter. His eyes skimmed through its contents, eyes widening fractions the further he went and hands dropping the paper once he finished.

Yagyuu Hiroshi

"Is this...for real?"

"Yeah, he even called and told us when his flight was coming in," Marui replied in a quiet voice, unlike his usual boisterous one.

"And you're only telling me this now?" Niou questioned, anger edging into his tone. He looked at both expectantly, waiting for an answer but all he got was the top of their heads to stare at. "I'm out." He got up from his seat and left the two, heading back to his place.

Once he reached his apartment, he trifled through his mail to see where the allusive letter that he was supposed to receive could be. Tossing aside the bills and throwing away the junk mail, he finally found an envelope that was similar to the one that Yukimura had shown him. He stared at the words written on the front, familiar with the flow of the ink that formed his name.

Niou didn't know what to do now.

He had resigned himself long ago to the knowledge that Yagyuu wouldn't be coming back, no matter the false hopes that the others had tried to instill in him every once in a blue moon. But to hear and finally see that Yagyuu would be returning for the holidays put Niou in a slight fix. It was messing with that something within him.

Questions ran through his head, the base being why. Why here? Why now? Why all of a sudden?

And he wondered what he should do, especially when Yagyuu arrived.

But time was going against him since it was only a matter of time before Yagyuu would touch ground. Though he didn't hear the exact time Yagyuu would be arriving, the letter he read had stated the date, which was just around the corner. Unfortunately for him, answers for what he should do were eluding him at the moment.

Niou had never really felt this way before or had been in this situation, so he was at a loss. Slumping against his table and burying his fingers in his hair, he clenched onto the silver-white strands. What to do... There was a chance that history could repeat itself and he didn't want that. Another letter, a chance for an endless cycle.

His head shot up at the sound of knocking at his door. A frown marred his face as he got up to answer it. "Probably Maru and Yukimura," he mumbled under his breath. Instead of the duo that he expected when he opened the door, there was a single bespectacled figure with a small suitcase resting on the ground by his side.

"Yagyuu," Niou breathed, eyes wide at the sight before him.

Yagyuu pushed his glasses up the ridge of his nose.

"It's been a while, Niou-kun."

And apparently time was up.