CHAPTER 04
Kane slid into the driver's side of the small pickup that he shared with Hiro, while his twin and their blond friend climbed in through the passenger's door. Lukas was antsy, fidgeting with the end of his braid like a kitten with a string of yarn. It was 16 March, and everyone was anxious to get home, though the twins hid it better then their "adopted" brother.They had all received acceptance letters from the colleges of their choice, except for Akio. Amaya and Gavin were tense, waiting for that letter from Julliard. To avoid the atmosphere that was hanging over the townhouse, the three teens had escaped to New York City for a few days. Akio had opted to stay home, saying he wasn't feeling so hot and didn't want to ruin their fun. Hiro and Kane had bought all the latest manga releases they knew their slightly older brother was reading, while Lukas had burned a handful of mixes so his lover wouldn't go insane without his music fix.
Staying in NYC had been an experience itself, but that didn't stop the boys from shamelessly acting like tourists, going to see all the landmarks. On their second day, Lukas had called home to check up on Akio, but no one had answered. Calling the triplet's cell had resulted in the same thing - no answer, just voice mail.
The blond decided to leave a message at this point, "Hey Akio-chan, it's Lukas. Just calling to make sure you're taking an easy. We miss you; NYC's not the same without you. Call us back soon, all right? We'd love to hear from you." He left their room number, and then hung up, brow creasing in thought for but a moment before Hiro and Kane came bursting in the door, giggling like schoolgirls.
Daylight hours were occupied with museums, shopping and eating lunch in a different restaurant every day, while their nights were consumed by dancing and music so loud that it shook in their bones long after the trio had left the club. Their hotel room boasted a view of the NYC skyline, and a plush king-size bed that the three collapsed on soon after entering their room in the early morning hours.
Four days came and went, and even though they were having the time of their college-bound lives, home and a dear friend called out to them. A last-minute decision led to a night of driving, Hiro and Kane taking turns since Lukas was passed out, leaning heavily against the window. Quiet rock filtered from the speakers, and the DJ announced their arrival home with a declaration that it was 5:56am and the morning show would be coming on momentarily.
Shutting off the truck in front of their home, Kane leaned over and shook Lukas away while Hiro slipped under his brother�s arm to step into the cool spring morning to retrieve their bags from the pickup bed. Tossing the luggage to their respective owners, the three teens marched into the house, heading up to Akio�s room. Simultaneously, they dropped their duffels on the floor and took running leaps, pouncing the sleeping form on the twin-sized bed.
An undignified squeak was heard through the thin blanket and sheets, followed by inevitable giggles from the four teens. The oldest Mendego son poked his head out from under his bedclothes, sticking his tongue out at his brothers and lover before retreating back into the warmth, nuzzling his pillow. His intruders had different plans however; three pairs of hands attacked those olive sides, tickling mercilessly.
Laughter filled the small room as a pillow fight broke out. Soon the four boys were on the floor, panting with flushed cheeks, occasional chuckles still escaping tired lungs. They lay in a heap of tangled limbs, smiles plastered on their faces. A gentle knock on the door revealed Amaya, announcing breakfast was ready even though it was 6:42am. Tantalizing aromas of bacon, eggs and blueberry muffins filled the house, provoking the sated boys into getting to their feet and racing down to the kitchen.
"I sing it one last time for you, then we really have to go. You've been the only thing that's right in all I've done," Hiro sang softly under his breath as he drove home from the market, half a dozen cloth bags stuffed with the items from Amaya's list. "Run" by Snow Patrol always seemed to be in his CD player when he was driving alone; it struck him as vaguely ironic as he continued home.
Being seventeen and having a car was great; he didn't mind sharing the pickup with Kane in the slightest. In fact, Hiro loved to share things with his twin, and it was a wonderful two-way street. Speaking of Kane, where was he again? Ah, yes, he had gone to Waldenbooks with Akio to see if their latest manga shipment had come in.
A smile tugged at the teen's lips as he took a hand off the wheel for a second to brush stray midnight strands out of his face, tucking them behind an ivory shell of an ear. And Lukas? If Hiro remembered right, he was vacationing with his own family in Europe for two weeks.
'Which is why Kane's with Akio right now,' the youngest Mendego mused, his bright eyes swirling with a sea of emotion. He was sure the blond that his older brother called his lover had realized the change in Akio's behavior. Everyone had, even if their parents weren't willing to stomach the issue; leaving the shorthaired triplet by himself was dangerous. With Lukas gone, it became vital for the twins to split their time wisely, ensuring one of them was always with their eldest sibling.
Nearly a month had passed since the trio had returned home and shared that happy reunion with Akio. That very night in fact, the boy who stayed behind and Lukas made love for the first time. Hiroshi and Kane had laid in each other's arm, snuggling close, sharing kisses and curious touches. Yes, they'd all changed, but for the most part, they were happy - save for Akio.
The mailman on 22 March was the unknowing source that set the actor on that downward spiral. The long-awaited letter from Julliard began with, "Dear Mr. Mendego: We are sorry to inform you that you have not been accepted here at Julliard." It continued to ramble on about how much they regretted the choice, but there was nothing they could do, and they encouraged Akio not to give up his acting.
He had been inconsolable for twenty-four hours straight, not even Lukas' soft words getting through to him. After that, it seemed he had gotten over Julliard's rejection. He was smiling and laughing on the outside, and did his best to cover up the pain on the inside. While the public may have been fooled, his younger brothers weren't as blind, for they shared his torment to a certain extent.
Yet he kept up the facade, his mask only slipping in Lukas' presence and rarely in that of his reflections. 'But why? Why do you keep lying to yourself, nii-chan?' Hiro asked silently, knowing the answer didn't exist. He parked the pickup, filled his arms with the groceries and carried them like the good son that he was into the kitchen where he began to put them away.
June arrived, all sunshine, warm rain and humidity, as always. And it seemed Amaya and Gavin were planning to travel back to Japan as they had the year before. They needed a break from New York before they buckled down for the triplets' senior year, and Amaya's birth-country seemed to be the perfect escape. They had their bags packed and tickets bought in a weekend, and left that Monday, leaving their sons and Lukas to fend for themselves for the summer.
An unexpected family emergency in the Anderson family dragged Lukas away from Akio a few days into their time in the townhouse. Usually a young man who kept a steady reign on his emotions, Akio lost control when the blond announced at dinner that he would be gone until his grandfather's affairs were taken care of. A single tear ran down an olive cheek before his chair was pushed back none too gently from the table. Akio ran to his bedroom, berating himself mentally for crying like a girl about Lukas' soon-to-be absence.
Moments later, a soft knock on the door went unanswered. The blond teen opened the door only to be pinned against it the moment he closed it by his emotionally ravaged lover. Desperate lips sought Lukas', hands cupping his tan face lovingly as Akio's lean body was pressed flush against his own. Cropped ebon hair soon had strong fingers laced through it now that Akio was grinding his hips hard against those of his best friend.
"Make the pain go away..." he whispered, another tear cutting a path down his face, shining faintly in the moonlight. Unable to deny the boy anything, Lukas switched their positions, pinning Akio's back against the imitation walnut door, wrapping those long legs around his waist.
"As you wish, Akio-chan," the blond murmured, nipping at an earlobe playfully, thrusting his hips roughly against Akio's, spurred on by the sounds of pleasure that escaped those bruised lips. "My beautiful Akio-chan, I'll do anything for you..."
Forgotten clothing was strewed about the cozy bedroom, though the lovers hadn't moved from their position against the door. Their nude bodies moved in a rhythm as old as time; grunts and moans, whimpers and cries of passion the music to which they made love. Sweat shone on their skin, illuminated briefly whenever a car's headlights passed by. There would be bruises come morning, but neither boy cared as they drove the other to the edge.
One particularly deep thrust caused stars to blur Akio's vision, his spine arching beautifully away from the door. They were trembling; their bodies sought release. Lukas continued to make love to his childhood friend, reaching between their bodies to grasp Akio's erection firmly, pumping it in time with his thrusts.
Akio climaxed mere moments before his blond companion, his body arching hard once more. His essence gleamed on Lukas' hand before being licked away almost lazily by that treacherous pink tongue, and then he threw caution to the wind, falling into oblivion as his own body went rigid. The Mendego boy slumped against his lover, who gracefully crumpled to the floor after reaching his own climax. They laid there, limbs entwined, hearts racing, breathing harsh for what seemed an eternity.
Reluctantly, Lukas pulled out of Akio's body, shakily getting to his feet. He lifted the dozing boy into his arms, carrying him to the adjoining bathroom for a much-needed bath. The lovers cuddled in the warm water, pretending the rest of the world was nonexistent.
Sweet kisses full of promises lasted well into the morning, when Akio and Lukas had finally drifted off to sleep, arms wrapped tightly around each other.
Dawn came all too soon the following morning for the young men, for they could no longer be considered children. College was just around the corner, jobs and commitments trailing on its' heels. They showered together; savoring the hot water that ran down their bodies, gentle hands scrubbing hair and skin alike. Silence descended upon them as they dressed in the room they had shared for what felt like years.
Breakfast waited for them on the table, alongside a note from the younger Mendego boys, saying they had a few errands to run, and wished Lukas the best. A sad smile touched the blond's lips as his mind toyed with memories of the secretive twins; vanishing the moment Akio's lips met his ear, whispering promises of sleepless nights once he returned to New York. Small talk conquered the table as they filled their stomachs with a 4-star breakfast, green eyes never meeting over the food, both afraid to let their emotions best them.
Nine a.m. of 19 June found the pair on the sidewalk, dancing around their goodbyes. Akio handed his friend a couple mixes he had burned in his free time, a letter stuffed between two of the cases. Tears were shed, but neither teen was ashamed. Instead, they threw their arms around each other, sharing a deep kiss that was meant to be burn in memories; a kiss that would be a reminder of what was to come once they were together again.
A chaste kiss and they parted, hands lingering before dropping to their respective owners' sides. "Goodbye, Akio-chan," the blond said, his voice calm only by force, though his bright chartreuse eyes gave away all his secrets.
"Goodbye, Lukas-chan," Akio replied, his own voice strained, his eyes speaking volumes whereas his mouth could not. Unknown to his lover, who climbed into the taxi, and waved until out of sight; those words held a double meaning to the dark-haired teen. And Lukas wouldn't know until it was too late.