Entry tags:
Fic ~ When the Spiral Comes to a Close
And so we reach the end…
I don’t really have a whole lot to say at this point except that I have really kind of pushed the limits of my PG-13 rating in this. There’s no note from me at the end so just…. ENJOY!
Thank you to![[profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
jenny_desufor asking me to write this and holding my hand through the process. Thank you to everyone who has read and enjoyed this story and a big Happy Birthday to ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
mintceres! I hope you have a great day.
Disclaimer: I don’t own Arashi. I’m just using them to entertain myself.(Just like Jonny) ¬_¬ Neither did I come up with the basic concept of this story; I have simply written it at the request of jenny_desu. I took your idea babe, and I ran with it!
Epilogue ~ Spiral
“Hey, Sho-chan?” Sat at a low table in a corner of Sakurai’s bedroom, Aiba flipped casually through the rappers day-planner. Aiba glanced around to see the older man sitting across his bed with his back against the wall and his laptop balanced on his outstretched legs. “Do we have to go back to the beginning?”
“What?” Looking up from his work, Sakurai waited for the man to clarify his question before he attempted to answer.
“Well, we were together, right? Then we broke up, and now we’re together again, right?”
“Right….” The caster nodded slowly. “Where are you going with this?”
Aiba turned to face his boyfriend fully. “Do we have to start counting from the beginning again, or do we continue from where we left off?”
“What, you mean for anniversaries and stuff?”
“Yeah.”
The older man rolled his eyes with an indulgent smile. “It was only two weeks Aiba-chan.” He reminded the man.
“I know.” Climbing to his feet, he joined Sakurai on the bed. Automatically the caster put aside his computer to give the younger man his full attention. Aiba took advantage of the gesture to lie along the bed and rest his head in Sho’s lap. “It was the longest sixteen days of my life.” He smiled as he looked up at his boyfriend.
“Me too.” He had the grace to look guilty as he caressed Masaki’s brow softly and dipped low to land a gentle peck to the tip of his nose. “I’m sorry.”
“You’re too nice Sho-chan.” The tall man scolded him gently. “If you don’t stop apologising, I’m going to have to do something that will really make you sorry.”
“But I am, you know.” Sho insisted seriously. “I put you through so much and yet… the fact that you still want to be with me….”
“Then you should stop being sorry and start being thankful instead.” The lanky man informed him blithely. “Or you’ll get boring and I’ll just have to dump you.”
Sakurai suppressed a smile. “I’m being serious Aiba-chan. After what I did – especially that time we went back to your place – I wouldn’t blame you if you never forgave me.”
“Ah~ that…” Squirming slightly at the memory, the younger man grinned. “There’s nothing to forgive. Honestly I… I kind of liked it; it was exciting.”
“Aiba!?”
“What?” Looking up at his boyfriend with big innocent eyes, the athletic Idol defended his position. “It’s not I couldn’t have stopped you anytime I wanted to Sho-chan. I’m bigger than you and my muscles have more practice than yours. Besides, a tee-shirt isn’t exactly quality bondage material. But I didn’t want you to stop. In fact, if anything, I should be annoyed at you for getting me all worked up and not sticking around to do anything about it.” He ended with a small pout.
Finally, Sakurai gave in to the urge to smile and chuckled softly. “I’ll have to keep that in mind….” The stated ambiguously as he ran his fingers through Aiba’s hair.
“Mm, please...” Reaching to slide the chain of Sho’s necklace through his fingers, the young man bit his lip. “I don’t want to start at the beginning.” He declared as he fiddled with the circular pendant.
“Oh?”
“Yeah, I’m just going to keep counting.” He informed the older man resolutely. “It’s nearly our six month anniversary, after all. I don’t want to start over at zero with Zero. I’m not even going to push the date back a little. I have decided: We are going to pretend the whole thing never never-ever happened… Understood?”
With his free hand, Sakurai clasped the hand at his necklace and laced their fingers together. “If you want to pretend that we didn’t break-up, Masaki, that’s fine with me; I’ll do the same. But I’m never going to forget what you told me at the hotel that night.”
Aiba preened under the rappers attention. “I did say some pretty good things then, huh?” He replied smugly.
“Yeah…” Sakurai breathed, giving a solemn nod. “You told me that you loved me….”
“And I do.” He smirked. “But you never said it back.”
“Didn’t I?” The caster responded with feigned innocence. “Well then–” Releasing Aiba’s hand, he rested his arm across the young mans torso. “I’ll just have to show you, I suppose?”
“And how do you intend to do that?” Aiba enquired teasingly.
Sho raised his eyebrows speculatively. “Well…I don’t have any handcuffs, but I do own a couple of silk ties that should do the trick.”
“Ooooh… Sho-chan~” Sitting up, Aiba manoeuvred to straddle Sakurai’s lap and draped his arms around the rappers shoulders. “Is that a promise?” He asked, a mischievous gleam lighting his eyes as he brought their brows together and gazed at the older man.
“Hmm…” Steadying the lithe man by holding his hip, Sakurai kissed him then. “Anything for the man I love.” He murmured against the younger mans mouth.
Tangling his fingers in the hair at the base of Sakurai’s neck, Aiba chuckled. “And who is that?” He asked playfully between light kisses before sinking more firmly into the rapper embrace.
“Oh, just some idiot called Masaki who doesn’t know when to shut up and let his boyfriend take advantage of his body.”
Aiba cocked an eyebrow and rolled his hips in a very deliberate manner. “An idiot, am I?” He demanded with a sly smile.
His efforts were rewarded when the shorter man gave a low groan. “Well, maybe not a complete idiot.” Sakurai conceded breathlessly. “And he makes up for it by being incredibly good-looking and amazingly flexible.” He added as he moved to trace the line of Aiba’s clavicle with his tongue.
“Ah~ Then it’s a good thing that… that I have Sho-chan….” The lean man gasped out. “Because someone like that ob- obviously needs a nice stiff c– OW! You bit me!?” Aiba broke away with an indignant bark of laughter. “What was that for?”
“Watch your language.” Sho shrugged casually. “And your volume.” He added with a grin and a sideways glance at his bedroom door.
Aiba froze, his eyes growing wide. “Your brother?” He whispered in tones of horror. “You don’t think…?”
Sakurai purse his lips thoughtfully, trying to hide his amusement. “Who knows? But if he is listening, he’s either about to be put off eavesdropping for life or receive some rather interesting education. Probably both.”
“Hush! It’s not funny Sho-chan.” Masaki hissed quietly. “It’s embarrassing!”
“Then you’d better try to keep your voice down.” The caster countered evenly, happily slipping his hands beneath the fabric of Aiba’s shirt. While the younger man shuddered pleasurably at his touch, Sakurai smiled to himself. Content, he set about the task of making sure his boyfriend was anything but silent for the next hour or three.
* * *
Barely more than a month later and in the middle of a busy concert tour, Arashi were taking a break from their work. The group had slipped effortlessly back to their usual harmonious norm and the drama of the –now happy– couple was all but forgotten. If it was mentioned at all, it was referred to jokingly as ‘Sakurai’s Mid-Life Crisis’ (as dubbed by Ninomiya). And as Arashi’s tenth year drew to a close, the bond between all five members was tighter than ever.
Despite how carefree they appeared as a group, however, the men were not without their individual concerns. Having learned a valuable lesson about communication from recent events, the Idols had gathered and decided to share their worries openly. Matsumoto had made the suggestion originally, empathising how important it was that Arashi never suffer simply from lack of honest discussion.
This was the main reason the five men were crowed together into Ohno’s hotel room just after midnight. The soft spoken leader was sprawled on his stomach at the wrong end of his bed. Beside him, Ninomiya sat crossed-legged holding a pillow he had taken from behind him and using it periodically to stifle derisive laughter. He needed it especially when Satoshi confessed to feeling that Ninomiya had not been touching him as often lately.
“That’s not true!” The gamer objected when he had stopped laughing long enough to form whole words and sentences again. “Then… what was I doing –the whole time– in the minibus on our way here?”
The older man paused to consider thoughtfully. “I guess…” He pouted doubtfully. “But that….” Ohno trailed off, punctuating his half formed sentiment with a shrug.
Jun, sat atop the dresser, opposite the bed and swinging his long legs casually, intervened then. “Somehow Leader, I think you’ve just gotten so used to it that you don’t notice it anymore.”
“Ah, you think so?”
“Probably.” Matsumoto smirked. “Right, Nino?”
“Geez, you’re always so spacey Oh-chan…” Very deliberately, Ninomiya ruffled Ohno’s hair then kept his hand at the older mans nape, idly caressing the short hairs at the back of his neck. “Fine, I got it. From now on, whenever I’m touching Satoshi, I’ll make sure that Satoshi knows he’s being touched. How’s that?”
The diminutive artist seemed taken aback by the tender mocking of Ninomiya’s words and the implicit threat in his tone. Nervously he ducked away from the younger mans hand, his face scrunched with uncertainty. “That’s a little–”
“See!?” The would-be magician turned to the other members in feigned offence. “Look, there’s just no~ pleasing some people…. Honestly, he’s more high-maintenance than Matsujun’s hair!”
“Oi!” Matsumoto struggled to look stern while the rest of the room dissolved in paroxysms of laughter.
“Sorry,” Sakurai bit back another chuckle. He occupied the only armchair, while Aiba sat between his legs on the floor, using Sakurai’s knees for armrests. “Sorry but–”
The youngest Idol rolled his eyes with a tolerant smile. “Whatever. It’s mostly true anyway. But I thought we agreed to have a serious discussion?”
Aiba grinned. “We did, but this is just how it turns out.” He stated with a careless nod. “I guess we just don’t have any serious problems right now.”
Muttering under his breath that he had been serious, Ohno shifted to rest his chin in his hands. The action put Satoshi back within reach of the gamer and drew his attention. “I don’t know about that….” Ninomiya spoke while he offered their leader the pillow from his lap. Ohno took it without a word and rearranged himself once more. “I still think that the fact Sho-kun is living with a spy could be a very big problem.”
Masaki tilted his head back to look at his boyfriend. “You could always move in with me.” He joked lightly.
“You shut up.” Sakurai responded. Without missing a beat he applied pressure to the tendons at the curve of Aiba’s neck in reprimand for his unlikely suggestion. The effectiveness was lost somewhat, when he forgot to take his hand away from Aiba’s shoulder and his quick jab became an absent-minded massage. “Anyway…” Sho continued smugly with a secretive smile. “That’s already been taken care of. It’ll be a long time before my little brother is brave enough to listen at my bedroom door again.”
The other men – very wisely – chose not to question the sudden and very obvious blush that coloured Aiba’s entire face just then.
A few moments later, Sakurai’s expression became sombre and he expelled a heavy sigh. “But, you know… well, this is completely an ‘us’ thing–” He began, indicating that he was referring to the romantic relationship between him and the tallest man. “But… Masaki, don’t you think it’s about time we told your family about us too?”
“No way!” Aiba objected immediately, pulling away from the cradle of Sho’s legs and half turning to regard him with wide eyes.
Matsumoto tried to reason with the taller man. “Aiba-chan, shouldn’t you think about this? I don’t think the rest of us could handle a possible repeat of your previous situation.”
“I have thought about it.” Aiba insisted. “And there is no way I’m telling. It would ruin all my fun!”
His four friends all responded in exactly the same way: “FUN!?”
The doe-eyed Idol nodded vigorously and smiled as he explained. “Right. I told my mother ages ago that I was dating another member. She’s been driving herself crazy for months trying to figure out who it is.”
“You’re kidding, right?” Sho asked hopefully.
“Nope. She has theories…. Right now, she’s certain that it’s Nino-chan.”
The gamer blinked at the mention of his name. Catching Ohno casting him a side-long glance, he reacted by swatting at the older man with a snort. “Why are you getting upset? It’s not even true!”
“It’s not.” Aiba agreed readily. “But she’s convinced herself. Remember when I went home upset? Well she guessed it was because I’d had a fight with whoever I was dating. Then, because I left my phone in my jacket, she saw that you kept trying to call me. That’s when she decided it was Kazu-kun. So she picked up the phone, pumped you for information, laid on the guilt and invited you over… to apologise.”
“Uwah~” Ninomiya held his sides as he rocked in barely contained glee. “So calculating! I knew there was a reason I liked your mother.”
“Yeah, and since I did feel better after we talked, she is really sure that it’s you.”
Sakurai seemed mildly put out by this development. “So your mother doesn’t consider me at all?” He pouted slightly.
The tall man shook with breathy laughter. “That’s not true. She’s been through everyone at least twice. But I told her I wouldn’t tell her who it is until she figures out the reason too.”
“Reason?”
“The reason I decided it was OK to date another member.”
Jumping nimbly from his perch on the dresser, Jun cleared his throat loudly. “This is getting ridiculous.” He said, stating the obvious. Seeing that the eldest man was fighting to stay awake, he smirked. “C’mon guys, let’s leave Leader alone to sleep and go to our own rooms.”
Satoshi stirred. “Don’t want to be alone…” He mumbled thickly through a yawn.
“But it’s your turn to have the room to yourself.” Matsumoto pointed out.
“…It’s lonely.”
Shaking his head, Ninomiya uncrossed his legs and climbed to his feet. “What does that matter?” He asked blandly. “You’ll be asleep the second you close your eyes; you won’t have time to get lonely.”
Ohno gave a sleepy pout. “Stay? Please.” He murmured, summoning the strength to sit up and look the two youngest men in the eye. The trio were still arguing back and forth as Sakurai and Aiba quietly left the room.
Next door, in the room they were to share, the pair took advantage of the privacy to share a few moments of intimacy. They did nothing except stand close, each taking in the scent of the other and breathing the same air. Without words they gazed at one another with barely-there smiles and soft eyes.
When Aiba leaned close enough that their chests met, however, Sakurai could feel his necklace pressing into his skin. The sensation was not unpleasant, but it reminded him of something that made it necessary to step back. “I have something for you.” The caster explained as he walked over to his suitcase and drew out a small box. “Since it’s after midnight, I guess I can give it to you now.”
“Really?” The tall man beamed as he accepted the gift. Examining the small package in his hands for a moment, he dimmed slightly. “Is it really OK? I don’t have my gift with me right now – I was going to give it to you at my place tomorrow – er, I guess I mean tonight now huh? Or is it just later today? Since it’s after midnight… but it’s not that late, so–”
“Aiba-chan~” Sakurai was amused by Aiba’s rambling confusion and touched by his genuine distress. He felt warmed by the tall mans concern even as he waved those concerns away. “It’s fine. Just open it.”
Aiba needed no further persuasion to do as he was told. “Ah~ it’s an earring!” He grinned happily. Bringing the box up to eye-level, he studied the design carefully. “What is it…? Fishpaste?”
“No, you moron!” The rapper laughed. “It’s just a normal spiral.”
“A spiral?”
The older man nodded solemnly. “A spiral. An inward spiral – that’s important.” He stressed the distinction.
“Why?” Aiba asked simply.
“Because, no matter how far apart and spread out it is to begin with, an inward spiral always comes together. It just keeps on growing closer and closer until it merges into one single point. But it never really stops; it just keeps going… forever.”
Aiba’s answering smile was so bright it lit up his face and his eyes shone. “Sho…. Thank you.” He pulled the shorter man towards him and landed wet, open-mouthed kisses to his lips. And then to every other place he could reach easily.
“Hey… Masaki?” Sakurai whispered a few minutes later while the tall man was occupied with undoing the buttons on Sakurai’s shirt.
“Hmm….?” The younger man might also have been a little distracted in that moment by the hands that moved across his own –already bare– chest.
“What’s the reason? Why did you decide it was OK to date me? Why is it OK?”
“That’s easy.” Aiba replied, straightening up to slide the fabric from the rappers shoulders. “Because Sho-chan loves me.”
“Well that’s true.” He agreed. “But… just that?”
Aiba paused to answer sincerely. “As much as I love Sho-chan.” He amended. “And you’re not afraid to show me.”
“Not anymore.” Sakurai promised.
“You never were. Not in private. You’ve shown it from the very first time you woke me up because I was having a nightmare. I can see it every time you put down your newspaper so you can explain a magazine article to me. You show me all the time and I always notice, you know.”
“I’m glad.”
“And speaking of showing me you love me…” Aiba’s eyes sparked mischievously. “There’s a pair of handcuffs in my luggage….”
“Eh!? Um- er, Masaki…. When did y– Where did you…? What?” Sakurai spluttered incoherently.
Aiba, however, understood him perfectly. “Well, it was you who put the idea in my head, you know. So – I didn’t tell him what they were for but – I borrowed them from Kazu-kun.”
The caster stared. “Nino? Why would he even own a pair of handcuffs?”
“Who knows? I assume they’re part of some new magic trick, but…. Honestly? I’m afraid to ask.”
Sakurai laughed. “I bet he was too.” He pointed out. Taking Aiba’s hand, the rapper led the younger man towards the bed. “It’s too bad though, because we’re not using them. Not tonight anyway.”
Aiba pretended to object. “Aw, but–”
“Besides…” Sakurai added darkly. “If you got them from Nino, I wouldn’t trust him not to give you the wrong key just for the fun of it.”
The tall man’s eyes shot open. “They have keys!?”
The End.
___________________________
If you would like to take a look at my other stories, or see the progress of my requests, please check out my post [HERE] I’ll keep it updated with any new information.
Comments, criticisms, opinions and ideas are all welcome! ♥
I don’t really have a whole lot to say at this point except that I have really kind of pushed the limits of my PG-13 rating in this. There’s no note from me at the end so just…. ENJOY!
Thank you to
jenny_desufor asking me to write this and holding my hand through the process. Thank you to everyone who has read and enjoyed this story and a big Happy Birthday to mintceres! I hope you have a great day. Title: Spiral (Epilogue ~ Spiral)
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance/Fluff/Angst
Pairing: Sakurai/Aiba
Word Count: 3,100
Type: Multi-Chapter/Series
Summary: The last instalment in this saga. And it’s just a sugary over flow of cotton-candy fluff.
Prologue - Ouroborus - HERE
Chapter 01 - Parallels - HERE
Chapter 02 - Tempest - HERE
Chapter 03 - Philos - HERE
Chpater 04 - Sacrosanct - HERE
Chapter 05 - Discourse - HERE
Chapter 06 - Reminiscent - HERE
Chapter 07 - Divulgence - HERE
Chapter 08 - Exasperation - HERE
Chapter 09 - Justification - HERE
Chapter 10 - Culmination - HERE
Disclaimer: I don’t own Arashi. I’m just using them to entertain myself.
Spiral
Epilogue ~ Spiral
“Hey, Sho-chan?” Sat at a low table in a corner of Sakurai’s bedroom, Aiba flipped casually through the rappers day-planner. Aiba glanced around to see the older man sitting across his bed with his back against the wall and his laptop balanced on his outstretched legs. “Do we have to go back to the beginning?”
“What?” Looking up from his work, Sakurai waited for the man to clarify his question before he attempted to answer.
“Well, we were together, right? Then we broke up, and now we’re together again, right?”
“Right….” The caster nodded slowly. “Where are you going with this?”
Aiba turned to face his boyfriend fully. “Do we have to start counting from the beginning again, or do we continue from where we left off?”
“What, you mean for anniversaries and stuff?”
“Yeah.”
The older man rolled his eyes with an indulgent smile. “It was only two weeks Aiba-chan.” He reminded the man.
“I know.” Climbing to his feet, he joined Sakurai on the bed. Automatically the caster put aside his computer to give the younger man his full attention. Aiba took advantage of the gesture to lie along the bed and rest his head in Sho’s lap. “It was the longest sixteen days of my life.” He smiled as he looked up at his boyfriend.
“Me too.” He had the grace to look guilty as he caressed Masaki’s brow softly and dipped low to land a gentle peck to the tip of his nose. “I’m sorry.”
“You’re too nice Sho-chan.” The tall man scolded him gently. “If you don’t stop apologising, I’m going to have to do something that will really make you sorry.”
“But I am, you know.” Sho insisted seriously. “I put you through so much and yet… the fact that you still want to be with me….”
“Then you should stop being sorry and start being thankful instead.” The lanky man informed him blithely. “Or you’ll get boring and I’ll just have to dump you.”
Sakurai suppressed a smile. “I’m being serious Aiba-chan. After what I did – especially that time we went back to your place – I wouldn’t blame you if you never forgave me.”
“Ah~ that…” Squirming slightly at the memory, the younger man grinned. “There’s nothing to forgive. Honestly I… I kind of liked it; it was exciting.”
“Aiba!?”
“What?” Looking up at his boyfriend with big innocent eyes, the athletic Idol defended his position. “It’s not I couldn’t have stopped you anytime I wanted to Sho-chan. I’m bigger than you and my muscles have more practice than yours. Besides, a tee-shirt isn’t exactly quality bondage material. But I didn’t want you to stop. In fact, if anything, I should be annoyed at you for getting me all worked up and not sticking around to do anything about it.” He ended with a small pout.
Finally, Sakurai gave in to the urge to smile and chuckled softly. “I’ll have to keep that in mind….” The stated ambiguously as he ran his fingers through Aiba’s hair.
“Mm, please...” Reaching to slide the chain of Sho’s necklace through his fingers, the young man bit his lip. “I don’t want to start at the beginning.” He declared as he fiddled with the circular pendant.
“Oh?”
“Yeah, I’m just going to keep counting.” He informed the older man resolutely. “It’s nearly our six month anniversary, after all. I don’t want to start over at zero with Zero. I’m not even going to push the date back a little. I have decided: We are going to pretend the whole thing never never-ever happened… Understood?”
With his free hand, Sakurai clasped the hand at his necklace and laced their fingers together. “If you want to pretend that we didn’t break-up, Masaki, that’s fine with me; I’ll do the same. But I’m never going to forget what you told me at the hotel that night.”
Aiba preened under the rappers attention. “I did say some pretty good things then, huh?” He replied smugly.
“Yeah…” Sakurai breathed, giving a solemn nod. “You told me that you loved me….”
“And I do.” He smirked. “But you never said it back.”
“Didn’t I?” The caster responded with feigned innocence. “Well then–” Releasing Aiba’s hand, he rested his arm across the young mans torso. “I’ll just have to show you, I suppose?”
“And how do you intend to do that?” Aiba enquired teasingly.
Sho raised his eyebrows speculatively. “Well…I don’t have any handcuffs, but I do own a couple of silk ties that should do the trick.”
“Ooooh… Sho-chan~” Sitting up, Aiba manoeuvred to straddle Sakurai’s lap and draped his arms around the rappers shoulders. “Is that a promise?” He asked, a mischievous gleam lighting his eyes as he brought their brows together and gazed at the older man.
“Hmm…” Steadying the lithe man by holding his hip, Sakurai kissed him then. “Anything for the man I love.” He murmured against the younger mans mouth.
Tangling his fingers in the hair at the base of Sakurai’s neck, Aiba chuckled. “And who is that?” He asked playfully between light kisses before sinking more firmly into the rapper embrace.
“Oh, just some idiot called Masaki who doesn’t know when to shut up and let his boyfriend take advantage of his body.”
Aiba cocked an eyebrow and rolled his hips in a very deliberate manner. “An idiot, am I?” He demanded with a sly smile.
His efforts were rewarded when the shorter man gave a low groan. “Well, maybe not a complete idiot.” Sakurai conceded breathlessly. “And he makes up for it by being incredibly good-looking and amazingly flexible.” He added as he moved to trace the line of Aiba’s clavicle with his tongue.
“Ah~ Then it’s a good thing that… that I have Sho-chan….” The lean man gasped out. “Because someone like that ob- obviously needs a nice stiff c– OW! You bit me!?” Aiba broke away with an indignant bark of laughter. “What was that for?”
“Watch your language.” Sho shrugged casually. “And your volume.” He added with a grin and a sideways glance at his bedroom door.
Aiba froze, his eyes growing wide. “Your brother?” He whispered in tones of horror. “You don’t think…?”
Sakurai purse his lips thoughtfully, trying to hide his amusement. “Who knows? But if he is listening, he’s either about to be put off eavesdropping for life or receive some rather interesting education. Probably both.”
“Hush! It’s not funny Sho-chan.” Masaki hissed quietly. “It’s embarrassing!”
“Then you’d better try to keep your voice down.” The caster countered evenly, happily slipping his hands beneath the fabric of Aiba’s shirt. While the younger man shuddered pleasurably at his touch, Sakurai smiled to himself. Content, he set about the task of making sure his boyfriend was anything but silent for the next hour or three.
* * *
Barely more than a month later and in the middle of a busy concert tour, Arashi were taking a break from their work. The group had slipped effortlessly back to their usual harmonious norm and the drama of the –now happy– couple was all but forgotten. If it was mentioned at all, it was referred to jokingly as ‘Sakurai’s Mid-Life Crisis’ (as dubbed by Ninomiya). And as Arashi’s tenth year drew to a close, the bond between all five members was tighter than ever.
Despite how carefree they appeared as a group, however, the men were not without their individual concerns. Having learned a valuable lesson about communication from recent events, the Idols had gathered and decided to share their worries openly. Matsumoto had made the suggestion originally, empathising how important it was that Arashi never suffer simply from lack of honest discussion.
This was the main reason the five men were crowed together into Ohno’s hotel room just after midnight. The soft spoken leader was sprawled on his stomach at the wrong end of his bed. Beside him, Ninomiya sat crossed-legged holding a pillow he had taken from behind him and using it periodically to stifle derisive laughter. He needed it especially when Satoshi confessed to feeling that Ninomiya had not been touching him as often lately.
“That’s not true!” The gamer objected when he had stopped laughing long enough to form whole words and sentences again. “Then… what was I doing –the whole time– in the minibus on our way here?”
The older man paused to consider thoughtfully. “I guess…” He pouted doubtfully. “But that….” Ohno trailed off, punctuating his half formed sentiment with a shrug.
Jun, sat atop the dresser, opposite the bed and swinging his long legs casually, intervened then. “Somehow Leader, I think you’ve just gotten so used to it that you don’t notice it anymore.”
“Ah, you think so?”
“Probably.” Matsumoto smirked. “Right, Nino?”
“Geez, you’re always so spacey Oh-chan…” Very deliberately, Ninomiya ruffled Ohno’s hair then kept his hand at the older mans nape, idly caressing the short hairs at the back of his neck. “Fine, I got it. From now on, whenever I’m touching Satoshi, I’ll make sure that Satoshi knows he’s being touched. How’s that?”
The diminutive artist seemed taken aback by the tender mocking of Ninomiya’s words and the implicit threat in his tone. Nervously he ducked away from the younger mans hand, his face scrunched with uncertainty. “That’s a little–”
“See!?” The would-be magician turned to the other members in feigned offence. “Look, there’s just no~ pleasing some people…. Honestly, he’s more high-maintenance than Matsujun’s hair!”
“Oi!” Matsumoto struggled to look stern while the rest of the room dissolved in paroxysms of laughter.
“Sorry,” Sakurai bit back another chuckle. He occupied the only armchair, while Aiba sat between his legs on the floor, using Sakurai’s knees for armrests. “Sorry but–”
The youngest Idol rolled his eyes with a tolerant smile. “Whatever. It’s mostly true anyway. But I thought we agreed to have a serious discussion?”
Aiba grinned. “We did, but this is just how it turns out.” He stated with a careless nod. “I guess we just don’t have any serious problems right now.”
Muttering under his breath that he had been serious, Ohno shifted to rest his chin in his hands. The action put Satoshi back within reach of the gamer and drew his attention. “I don’t know about that….” Ninomiya spoke while he offered their leader the pillow from his lap. Ohno took it without a word and rearranged himself once more. “I still think that the fact Sho-kun is living with a spy could be a very big problem.”
Masaki tilted his head back to look at his boyfriend. “You could always move in with me.” He joked lightly.
“You shut up.” Sakurai responded. Without missing a beat he applied pressure to the tendons at the curve of Aiba’s neck in reprimand for his unlikely suggestion. The effectiveness was lost somewhat, when he forgot to take his hand away from Aiba’s shoulder and his quick jab became an absent-minded massage. “Anyway…” Sho continued smugly with a secretive smile. “That’s already been taken care of. It’ll be a long time before my little brother is brave enough to listen at my bedroom door again.”
The other men – very wisely – chose not to question the sudden and very obvious blush that coloured Aiba’s entire face just then.
A few moments later, Sakurai’s expression became sombre and he expelled a heavy sigh. “But, you know… well, this is completely an ‘us’ thing–” He began, indicating that he was referring to the romantic relationship between him and the tallest man. “But… Masaki, don’t you think it’s about time we told your family about us too?”
“No way!” Aiba objected immediately, pulling away from the cradle of Sho’s legs and half turning to regard him with wide eyes.
Matsumoto tried to reason with the taller man. “Aiba-chan, shouldn’t you think about this? I don’t think the rest of us could handle a possible repeat of your previous situation.”
“I have thought about it.” Aiba insisted. “And there is no way I’m telling. It would ruin all my fun!”
His four friends all responded in exactly the same way: “FUN!?”
The doe-eyed Idol nodded vigorously and smiled as he explained. “Right. I told my mother ages ago that I was dating another member. She’s been driving herself crazy for months trying to figure out who it is.”
“You’re kidding, right?” Sho asked hopefully.
“Nope. She has theories…. Right now, she’s certain that it’s Nino-chan.”
The gamer blinked at the mention of his name. Catching Ohno casting him a side-long glance, he reacted by swatting at the older man with a snort. “Why are you getting upset? It’s not even true!”
“It’s not.” Aiba agreed readily. “But she’s convinced herself. Remember when I went home upset? Well she guessed it was because I’d had a fight with whoever I was dating. Then, because I left my phone in my jacket, she saw that you kept trying to call me. That’s when she decided it was Kazu-kun. So she picked up the phone, pumped you for information, laid on the guilt and invited you over… to apologise.”
“Uwah~” Ninomiya held his sides as he rocked in barely contained glee. “So calculating! I knew there was a reason I liked your mother.”
“Yeah, and since I did feel better after we talked, she is really sure that it’s you.”
Sakurai seemed mildly put out by this development. “So your mother doesn’t consider me at all?” He pouted slightly.
The tall man shook with breathy laughter. “That’s not true. She’s been through everyone at least twice. But I told her I wouldn’t tell her who it is until she figures out the reason too.”
“Reason?”
“The reason I decided it was OK to date another member.”
Jumping nimbly from his perch on the dresser, Jun cleared his throat loudly. “This is getting ridiculous.” He said, stating the obvious. Seeing that the eldest man was fighting to stay awake, he smirked. “C’mon guys, let’s leave Leader alone to sleep and go to our own rooms.”
Satoshi stirred. “Don’t want to be alone…” He mumbled thickly through a yawn.
“But it’s your turn to have the room to yourself.” Matsumoto pointed out.
“…It’s lonely.”
Shaking his head, Ninomiya uncrossed his legs and climbed to his feet. “What does that matter?” He asked blandly. “You’ll be asleep the second you close your eyes; you won’t have time to get lonely.”
Ohno gave a sleepy pout. “Stay? Please.” He murmured, summoning the strength to sit up and look the two youngest men in the eye. The trio were still arguing back and forth as Sakurai and Aiba quietly left the room.
Next door, in the room they were to share, the pair took advantage of the privacy to share a few moments of intimacy. They did nothing except stand close, each taking in the scent of the other and breathing the same air. Without words they gazed at one another with barely-there smiles and soft eyes.
When Aiba leaned close enough that their chests met, however, Sakurai could feel his necklace pressing into his skin. The sensation was not unpleasant, but it reminded him of something that made it necessary to step back. “I have something for you.” The caster explained as he walked over to his suitcase and drew out a small box. “Since it’s after midnight, I guess I can give it to you now.”
“Really?” The tall man beamed as he accepted the gift. Examining the small package in his hands for a moment, he dimmed slightly. “Is it really OK? I don’t have my gift with me right now – I was going to give it to you at my place tomorrow – er, I guess I mean tonight now huh? Or is it just later today? Since it’s after midnight… but it’s not that late, so–”
“Aiba-chan~” Sakurai was amused by Aiba’s rambling confusion and touched by his genuine distress. He felt warmed by the tall mans concern even as he waved those concerns away. “It’s fine. Just open it.”
Aiba needed no further persuasion to do as he was told. “Ah~ it’s an earring!” He grinned happily. Bringing the box up to eye-level, he studied the design carefully. “What is it…? Fishpaste?”
“No, you moron!” The rapper laughed. “It’s just a normal spiral.”
“A spiral?”
The older man nodded solemnly. “A spiral. An inward spiral – that’s important.” He stressed the distinction.
“Why?” Aiba asked simply.
“Because, no matter how far apart and spread out it is to begin with, an inward spiral always comes together. It just keeps on growing closer and closer until it merges into one single point. But it never really stops; it just keeps going… forever.”
Aiba’s answering smile was so bright it lit up his face and his eyes shone. “Sho…. Thank you.” He pulled the shorter man towards him and landed wet, open-mouthed kisses to his lips. And then to every other place he could reach easily.
“Hey… Masaki?” Sakurai whispered a few minutes later while the tall man was occupied with undoing the buttons on Sakurai’s shirt.
“Hmm….?” The younger man might also have been a little distracted in that moment by the hands that moved across his own –already bare– chest.
“What’s the reason? Why did you decide it was OK to date me? Why is it OK?”
“That’s easy.” Aiba replied, straightening up to slide the fabric from the rappers shoulders. “Because Sho-chan loves me.”
“Well that’s true.” He agreed. “But… just that?”
Aiba paused to answer sincerely. “As much as I love Sho-chan.” He amended. “And you’re not afraid to show me.”
“Not anymore.” Sakurai promised.
“You never were. Not in private. You’ve shown it from the very first time you woke me up because I was having a nightmare. I can see it every time you put down your newspaper so you can explain a magazine article to me. You show me all the time and I always notice, you know.”
“I’m glad.”
“And speaking of showing me you love me…” Aiba’s eyes sparked mischievously. “There’s a pair of handcuffs in my luggage….”
“Eh!? Um- er, Masaki…. When did y– Where did you…? What?” Sakurai spluttered incoherently.
Aiba, however, understood him perfectly. “Well, it was you who put the idea in my head, you know. So – I didn’t tell him what they were for but – I borrowed them from Kazu-kun.”
The caster stared. “Nino? Why would he even own a pair of handcuffs?”
“Who knows? I assume they’re part of some new magic trick, but…. Honestly? I’m afraid to ask.”
Sakurai laughed. “I bet he was too.” He pointed out. Taking Aiba’s hand, the rapper led the younger man towards the bed. “It’s too bad though, because we’re not using them. Not tonight anyway.”
Aiba pretended to object. “Aw, but–”
“Besides…” Sakurai added darkly. “If you got them from Nino, I wouldn’t trust him not to give you the wrong key just for the fun of it.”
The tall man’s eyes shot open. “They have keys!?”
The End.
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