The phone rang once, twice and again. Die wondered if it was not being picked up purposefully. Then there was a fumble and a click.
"Hello?"
"Shinya?"
"Yes?"
"It's Die."
"I know."
"Oh. Well� I just called to apologise. It was out of order for me to leave you there� I owe you much more."
"Really? So tell me." Shinya hadn't meant to sound to haughty, but he was enjoying the attention.
"Well� the other night was great. I hope it meant as much to you as it did for me. I shouldn't have left you like that� and� please don't shut me out now."
"Oh okay�" Shinya sighed over-dramatically. "But you'll have to make it up to me!"
"Oh, I will, I will! What do you want me to do?"
"Uh� well I suppose� But I'm sure you wont be interested�"
"No, no! Tell me! I'll do it!"
"Well� Toshiya is having a dinner type do. It'll be him 'n' me and our friend Miki. Toshiya says to bring your little blond friend. Oh and bring something foody. Dress is smart but not too smart. Okay?" Shinya was feeling much better now.
"Sure! I'd love to!"
"Great. Look forward to seeing you there! Bye!"
"Bye!" It was a good five minutes after he had recovered from the phone conversation before Die realised he had none of the details and had to call back.
*
"So what do we have to do?"
"You have the list Miki!"
"Right. Uh, well the list says 'rice, ice cream and underwear'. I'm guessing the last bit is your input."
"Well yes, but you promised!"
"That I did Shin-chan. Are you ready?"
"As I'll ever be!" He followed Miki into yet another women's clothing shop. He hadn't been in there before, mainly because it was out of his everyday price range. But Miki had cash to spare. She looked beautiful in her silks and pure cottons, whilst Shinya slouched in cutesy tops and women's Levis. He followed her into the lingerie section.
"Hmmm� It�s a good job you're so bloody skinny, else I'd end up having to find a really large chest width for you! Though I'm afraid you're going to be a AA cup at biggest. Never mind, we'll find you something with a nice load of padding, eh?" Miki winked mischievously.
"Excuse me ladies, can I help you?" A polite saleswoman smiled at them in a friendly manner.
"Uh�" giggled Miki "Sure� my friend here has never got fitted for a bra before. I was wondering could you do an estimation? Also looking for some push-up and padding, aren't we?" By this point Shinya was blushing a little.
"Sure! It's what I'm here for. Lift your arms please." Shinya complied, as the assistant pulled out a tape measure. "Yes, I hate to break it to you, but you really have very little to work with. I suggest you check out the padding section. I'm sure you'll find something to your liking."
"Thanks" The woman gave him a funny look as a deep and very male voice escaped his glossed lips. She watched as Miki quickly grabbed Shinya and dragged him off.
*
There was only one changing room left, but Miki and Shinya had been sharing changing rooms since way back. Besides, here they could gossip to their hearts content.
"So Toshiya tells me you've found yourself a nice young man."
"Teehee, I guess you could say so� though he's four years older than me."
"Oh so you've found yourself a pervy old man instead?"
"Haha� no. He's really sweet, and he's good with his hands."
"Oh great. And the underwear has nothing to do with him?" Miki winked as she leafed through what she had helped Shinya pick off the racks.
"Well no. You know I've wanted some since forever. But then I'm not denying that he might find it entertaining. Off that topic, how are things with you and your Danna? What was his name again?" Miki told him. "Oh yeah, I remember. Quite a pretty name really."
Miki nodded.
"And he's not my Danna. He's a sugar daddy, so there! But he's fine."
"Really? I've hardly talked to you since you moved. The club much nicer then? Toshiya's told me about it."
"Well yeah. But then he has the money to make it better. So people pay more to get in, and I get better paid. Plus when you're sleeping with the boss you can spend money anyway. It's very fun."
"Yeah, I'm sure." Shinya pulled off a bra that sagged ruefully over his flat chest. He had spent hours learning exactly how to do up and undo them from the point of view of the wearer in front of a mirror. He slipped onto something padded and decided it was much better. "So if you're sleeping with the boss, who is loaded and pays you a bundle just to look pretty, how is he in the sack? Seriously?"
"Ha! Wouldn't you like to know? And I'd go with the padding. It really suits you."
"Well yes honey, that�s why I asked! And thanks."
"Fine, keep your knickers on Shin. He's good, okay - very missionary. Perhaps a little kinky elsewhere, but hey, who am I to complain?"
"Oh yeah, kinky like how?" Shinya giggled loudly.
"Well. He's like the opposite of you. He likes to feel like the man. So he has to go on top. Like he has to prove it, you know? And also�"
"What? It's not like I'm going to tell anyone. Except maybe Toshiya when I'm drunk. But not intentionally!"
"Well sometimes, in his inner most throws of passion etcetera he likes me to call him� okay this is stupid, but� 'name of the devil'� I think maybe its something... that he's too scared to let out the rest of the time I�" She stopped as Shinya giggled. "I guess it�s a guy thing� and before you say anything about it not being your cup of tea, you don�t count, Shinya."
"Gee thanks. I mean� wait... is that a good thing?" He looked confused for a second and then pouted at the sight of Miki. As she sighed critically at the sight of her posterior in the mirror, Shinya was reminded of all that he didn't have.
He would never naturally have breasts like that. Though he had started on his hormone treatment, his hips would never curve the same way and the line of his shoulders would never be so soft. Of course he could grow his hair long. His was longer than Miki's and he'd dyed it to a suitably flattering shade of auburn-brown. He'd blown savings for education on electrolysis for his face, and body hair was removed frequently by waxing, courtesy of Matsumoto-san, the chirpy beautician round the corner. Slowly he had been re-saving in the hopes that one day� He snapped back. Miki was re-dressed, and so was he.
Miki picked up her chosen items and watched Shinya as he did the same.
"Yeah I'd stick with the black if I were you. And there's no point in buying the push-up if you've got nothing to push, sweetie."
"I know... but it's pretty�" He caught Miki's look. "Okay fine. I like the others better anyway." They both stepped out of the changing room."
"Good, good. Anyway, I'm sure you've heard enough about my romantic exploits. " They made their way towards the counter. "What can I expect from this Die bloke? And Totchi's new play mate� Kyo was it?"
They placed the lingerie on the counter and the assistant ran it through the till, trying her hardest to hide her confusion as Shinya's masculine voice replied
"Die's fab. He's taller than I am and he has the best hair ever. And I think he really likes me. It's going to be great, you'll like him too. And Kyo? He's err� short. You've been warned. He's very introverted. But he opened right up for Toshiya, you should have seen. Almost beat the shit outa some guy who got a little too gropey for Toshiya's liking as well. Plus it's good for Toshiya to move on and away from Kaoru. Sexy bugger was doing him no good."
"Yeah. It�s a shame, that. They had such potential. So very beautiful the both of them." Miki sighed as she collected the bag and her credit card. She signed the receipt "Okay, so now we need rice and ice cream� and sake? Who thinks we need sake?"
"Me!"
"Good enough for me!" She took Shinya's arm, and together they wandered off to buy 'necessities' for Toshiya's dinner party.
*
"How is my hair?"
"Your hair is fine Shinya, now shut up and help Toshiya get the plates on the table.
"Yes Miki!" He said meekly, looking at himself once more in the mirror before walking into the kitchen to help out his friend. He was so nervous� he hadn't seen Die since the other night, and it had been dark, and what if he didn't want the same things as Shinya and-
"SHINYA!"
"Sorry!" Shinya caught the plates just in time.
"You have to pay attention to the rest of the world, okay?"
"Easy for you to say when you look great already and� and�"
"Shin-chan, you look a babe, now help me or I'll throw you out and you can go look pretty some place else!" Toshiya irritably brushed the hair out of his eyes.
"Yes Totchi."
There was a knock. As Shinya ran his fingers through his hair one last time, Toshiya opened the door.
In the doorway stood a slightly embarrassed looking Die, holding a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of wine.
"Hi Die!" came the frantic greeting from Shinya. "Please come in!" Toshiya was about to inquire into the location of Kyo, but as Die stepped inside, he revealed that the shorter man had been standing behind him. Bearing various foodstuffs and his habitual pout, Kyo remained silent out of nerves rather than anything else.
"Kyo! It's great that you could come! Please come inside!" Toshiya took some of the heavier items and they both placed them in the kitchen. Then leading back into the main room, he began introductions.
"Kyo, Die, I would like you to meet my long time friend Miki. Miki this is Die and this is Kyo."
"Well I must say it's a pleasure to finally meet the two that Shinya and Toshiya have told me so much about."
"Well you guys sit down while I go get the food. Make yourselves at home!" Toshiya grinned excitedly before skipping off to the kitchen.
"So Die, Shinya tells me you came to see him in the club? How's the old place going?"
"The club? It's a really nice place. How do you know about it?"
"Used to work there. I've often wished I could go back there just to look at how things are, but clubs don't like having ex-members coming back. Probably think we're coming to steal ideas or something stupid."
"That's a shame. So if you enjoyed it so much, how come you left?"
"Moved on to something bigger and better. I work at Not Kabuki now. You been there?"
"Nah. It's not exactly my scene." At the questioning look from Miki, he explained. "All the dancers are girls."
"Ha! Say no more. Yeah I guess the old club has a slightly wider audience. And Kyo, you went too? Hey snap!" Miki pointed at her labret piercing and placed her tongue behind her bottom lip, making the stud more prominent. "Bit of a piercing fan then?" She grinned. Indeed, Kyo had practically his entire set of face metal on.
He smiled shyly.
"Yeah� As soon as I left home. I just had to become more of myself."
"Yeah you should have seen it." Laughed Die. "One minute there was just a sweet little guy moving in with me, and two days later he had yellow hair and a face full of metal. Wasn't half a shocker." He laughed and gave Kyo a playful punch in the arm.
"You lived together? When was that?" Shinya was aware they didn't live together anymore, else Kyo would have been at the apartment the previous night. He was eager to learn of Die's past.
"Yeah� during High School. Kyo moved from home into a dorm. I was already staying there, so he decided to come and stay with me. We were about sixteen. Remember Kyo?"
"Yeah... that was an eventful year." He smiled and then Toshiya came in with a plate on each hand.
"Who's hungry?"
"Well I don't know about these guys, but shopping all day with Shin-chan has given me an appetite." Miki smiled as Toshiya put down the plates and everyone tucked in.
"Sake, anyone?" There was a chorus of nods.
"Sorry, I� I don't drink." Came Kyo's mumbled reply. He looked nervously at his fingernails under the incredulous looks he got from the other people at the table.
"It's true. He�" Die caught Kyo's eye. "He just doesn't drink is all."
"Fair enough!" Laughed Shinya. "More for me!"
Through the evening, more and more was learned about the two different groups of friends. Kyo and Die had first met in Primary school, but had not become friends until High School. Kyo had moved in with Die half way through. Now they worked in the same Laboratory complex.
Miki delighted in telling the story of how she, Toshiya and Shinya had met.
"Why, I practically taught Shinya everything he knows. Isn't that right?"
"Ha! You wish!"
"And as for Toshiya. He's just a big soppy thing. Still sleeps with stuffed toys on the bed. You know one time, when we were together, he even-"
"Miki!"
"I was only going to say about-"
"I know. That�s why I stopped you."
"Well how about that time with the teddy, when we-"
"Miki! What did I just say?"
"Fine." Miki winked.
The chatter continued. Soon they were all sitting on the couch laughing. Die and Shinya were sitting next to each other, both too nervous to make a move. Kyo smiled, laughing at Die's jokes and telling a few of his own as he looked sleepily at his surroundings. Internally, Toshiya was beaming. He couldn't have planned this better. All his friends, all happy.
Then there was a pounding at the door.
"TOTCHI!" The whole room seemed to freeze. The colour drained from Toshiya's face. Oh no, he didn't need this right now. There was another stream of banging. "TOTCHI I NEED YOU!" Miki took one look at Toshiya's face and understood immediately who was outside.
"I'll get it." Slowly she moved towards the door. Upon opening it, she was not surprised to be greeted by the sight of a rather drunken Kaoru.
"Kaoru. What are you doing here? You're not wanted."
"Is that you Miki? Miki-chan my love, where is my beautiful Toshiya? I have to� I have to� I have to talk to him!"
"Toshiya doesn't want to talk to you right now. Go away."
"But no� just a little talk? He's here, isn't he? TOTCHI?" There was audible whispering before Shinya appeared beside Miki. He joined in the look of distaste
"Like Miki said, Toshiya doesn't want you here. That was a bad thing you did."
"Shinya, baby. Looking good. You wouldn't be so mean as to deny me from seeing Toshiya one more time?"
Shinya grimaced. He knew Miki was feeling it too. Kaoru was too damn hot.
"I er� I" He stumbled for words. Surely someone that stunning couldn't do too much damage. Maybe if-
Then Die's arms were enclosing about Shinya's skinny form. He was reminded that he didn't really want Kaoru. "Go away! Haven't you done enough to Toshiya yet?"
Kaoru was caught with yet another frown from Die, who had perched his chin on Shinya's shoulder affectionately, clearly marking his territory.
"Ooh, who is your handsome new fella Shinya?"
"He's� Shut up!"
"I just want to talk to Toshiya." This comment sparked more shouting. This time both Miki and Shinya were yelling at him to leave. Then there was a quiet cough. Everything went silent. Miki, Shinya and Die all slid uncomfortably back into the apartment.
"To� Totchi?" Tears were running down Toshiya's face. He was over Kaoru; he was over Kaoru, he was- "Totchi?"
"Don't call me that."
"Why? I always used to."
"Things were different then. That was before you started getting about. That was before things got crappy. I told you once, things are over between us."
"But why Totchi? We were great together. Everything was great."
"Yeah, that was it, you were just a little too great. And when your oh-so-great tongue ends up down someone else's throat, things stop being quite so dandy for me."
"But I love you."
Toshiya's stomach tightened. This wasn't what he wanted to hear. It made things that much harder, that much more complicated.
"Then I'm sorry Kaoru, but that's not enough. How long before your mind and hands wander again? I can't do this any more. It breaks my heart."
"But I love you."
"Leave Kaoru. We're finished."
"No�" Toshiya could smell it now. The odour of liquor radiated around Kaoru like thick smog. His emotion swung quickly from confusion to anger. "No. You can't end it! I won't let you!" he tried to pull Toshiya in for a kiss.
"Get away from me! It's OVER! LEAVE!"
"I LOVE YOU! HELL TOTCHI - I NEED YOU!"
"Well, I don't need you! Go away!
"No! You can't make me."
BAM.
"And that is where you are wrong." Said Kyo quietly, massaging his knuckles, getting blood on his fingers from where the skin had split. Toshiya slammed the door. Tears were streaming down his face. What gave Kaoru the right to spoil things like that?
"Oh God�" Toshiya whispered as he wiped his face with clumsy fingers. Suddenly Shinya was hugging him.
"I'm sorry babe. I'm so sorry." Things were breaking down. Miki took control.
"Okay everyone, I'm sorry to say that it's over for tonight. However, we're lumped with one unconscious Nikuura-san on the door step."
"I'm sorry� it was just the way he was acting towards-"
"That's fine Kyo. It's probably best that it's an unconscious Kaoru and not a drunk and angry one. This way the police don't have to get involved. We'll drop him off back home. I know where he lives, but I'll need some help carrying him there. Die, do you think you could give me a hand? I expect you'll be walking Shinya home any way." Everyone nodded. There was shock still reverberating around and Miki's organisation was absorbed without question.
"Don't� don't leave me by myself." Toshiya was standing, looking afraid.
"Hmmm�" Miki tried to rearrange her thoughts. "Kyo� would you mind staying with Toshiya, at least until I get back?"
"Uh... sure."
"Toshiya... we'll only be a second. Kyo will stay here with you. Can you go and get some bandages for his hand?"
"Yes�" Toshiya blinked and his eyes began to focus on that around him. "Of course."
Miki pursed her lips and nodded to Shinya and Die.
"C'mon. Remember, think un-sexy thoughts."
They opened the door and stepped outside. Kaoru was still lying crumpled on the floor, his right eye starting to swell.
Die looked a second, taking in the man who had just caused so much destruction. His pinky-purple hair was an elegant mess and perfectly defined cheekbones framed a small, half-dribbling mouth.
"Wow� I can see why Toshiya fell for him-"
"UN-sexy thoughts." Miki grabbed Kaoru round the middle. "Die, you take his shoulders. Shinya, you can carry his feet." There was a moment of concentrated silence as the trio balanced out Kaoru's weight. "Listen, Shinya and I already know this, but Kaoru is one hot guy. His attractiveness, on occasion, tends to overwhelm. So think un-sexy thoughts." Everyone nodded. They started on the wobbly and unstable way to Kaoru's place.
*
"I'm sorry I punched him."
"No you're not." Toshiya replied, a fleeting smile appearing on his lips for a second as he cleaned Kyo's knuckles.
"Well no, I'm not. But I'm sorry that you're upset."
"Hmmm�"
"That's two out of three."
"What?"
"Two out of the three times I've met you, you've got upset, and I've knocked someone out." Kyo grimaced as the white gauze was wrapped tightly around his hand. "Thanks."
"Any time. I'm sorry that the night turned out like this. It was supposed to be about forgetting that bastard. And look how that turned out." With a flicker of anger, Toshiya half threw the remaining bandage onto the tabletop.
"Well I had a great time. Like Die said, I don't get out much. It's really nice to have found another friend." Various metal studs moved around his face as he smiled nervously.
"Aww, thanks Kyo." Toshiya hugged the small man tight as tears flowed down his face once more. Scared witless, Kyo squirmed a little, and then thought better of it. If he was going to knock people out all day, he might as well level out his karma by hugging someone. He felt wet patches forming on his shoulder, where Toshiya's tears had fallen, so he hugged tighter, unsure of what else to do. There was a gentle snore, and Kyo realised Toshiya had fallen asleep. He had been trying his hardest not to give into slumber up until that point, but after sitting still with Toshiya propped up against him for ten minutes, there seemed no other option, and within moments, he too was fast asleep.
*
"Okay, I think this is it. Uh, Shin do you remember if Toshiya said what number apartment Kaoru's was?"
"Um�" Shinya strained under Kaoru's weight "Well no� but I'm sure it was this floor. Can't we just put him in the corridor and run for it?"
"Shhh! Let me think. Now I came round here once. I'm sure it was at the very end. There are two doors down there, we�ll leave him in between the two."
"Suits me fine." Murmured Die as they stumbled down the corridor as quietly as possible. On reaching the end, they attempted to put Kaoru down as gently as possible, but the end result was still a rather juicy thud as he hit the floor. Still he continued to snore loudly. Shinya wobbled slightly from a combination of over exertion and alcohol.
"Right. Our work here is done. Die, can you walk Shinya home? I'm going back to check on Toshiya and then I'm going home. It's been a pleasure meeting you Die. It's nice to see that Shinya's found himself a nice pervy old man." She winked lovingly as Shinya blushed. "I'll see you soon." Miki took the stairs down, as she could feel herself sobering up. Die and Shinya took the lift.
Shinya leant heavily on Die as if tired.
"He wasn't that heavy, Shinya."
"I know." He smiled mischievously.
When they got to Shinya's place, there was a moment's hesitation at the door.
"Thanks for walking me home Die."
"It was a pleasure. Good night" He leant in to kiss Shinya. Their lip met, then opened and tongues pressed against each other. Die pulled Shinya closer, stroking his hair and neck. It was Shinya who broke free, gasping for air.
"Good night Die." He opened the door and stepped inside. He stared at Die for a second, smiled and then closed the door. Grinning madly, Die started on his way home.
*
Miki took out her key ring and pulled out her spare to Toshiya's flat. Once inside she looked around.
"Toshiya, I�" She cut off when she saw him asleep. Miki felt she was witness to possibly one of the cutest sights ever. Toshiya always managed to strike it lucky some how, he could charm blood out of a stone. Smiling at the sleeping pair, she picked up her bag and left.
*
"Miki? Is that you?"
"Yep. It finished a little early. Toshiya's ex turned up and things got a little screwy. But I think things are okay now." She came and snuggled up to her lover in front of the television.
"But did you have a good time?"
"Heh� yeah. It was fun. Though I'm sure Toshiya's lost more weight. I don't understand the boy. He eats better now than he ever has and look where it lands him. And his thighs are nicer than mine are. Makes me mad� all my chub ends up there." She giggled. "I hope it works out for those guys. They deserve it." Miki turned to look at him, to find he was staring straight at her. She wondered why he kept her dancing, working at Not Kabuki. Why he held her in his bed, why he kissed her so eagerly. There were many slightly more traditional looking girls out there who could dance better and whose chub did not collect around their thighs.
"I'm sure they will. I'm glad you had a good time."
She looked at him, his wide but well sculpted features were almost perfect. His face had always been surprisingly hairless, and his eyebrows were just shadows above his dark eyes. Long ears, rather rectangular, Miki had always thought. Square hands. Beautiful, soft, but square. Blunt, and rather mannish. Miki took one and hugged it tight to her. She leaned on his shoulder and fell asleep, whilst he stroked his other hand through her hair.
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