A spark of love (Hina/Erika)

[lilly0]

Title: A spark of love
Pairing: Hina/Erika, side: Ryo/Erika, RyoHina friendship. Guest-appearances by Subaru. And a bit Jun and Nino.
Rating: PG-13
One-shot
Genre: romance
Summary: What will you do when the person you fall in love with is the same person your friend falls for? Falling in love is supposed to be a wonderful feeling, but unfortunately it isn't that simple.
Note: Requested by kaigan38. I hope you'll like this!! I know you also like Ryo and Kanjani, so I hope you don't mind that I added Subaru and Ryo to this story. <3

Hina believes that he has never seen someone that beautiful before. Or maybe he has and it's just his imagination that she is particularly beautiful. However, he is sure he has never seen someone like her, with this sparkling eyes, with this radiant smile. He has never met a girl like that before.

******

Watching Ryo and Erika promoting Ryusei no Kizuna is doing strange things to Hina. He feels worried, angry and jealous. Worried at what he is seeing happening between these too (maybe there is more between them than just a normal friendship?), angry at himself for falling for this woman while at the same time he knows that Ryo likes her too - since months already -, and jealous, because he simply can’t fight it.

He can’t wait for them to start filming for Arigato, Okan. He will finally be able to spend some time with her, to get to know her better. Maybe his feelings will disappear then, maybe she is not even half as appealing as she seems to be now. Then he won't need to think about her anymore and how Ryo is obviously in love with her.

“I’m Erika,” she stretches out her hands towards him and it’s such an unusual gesture that Hina can’t help but take her hand and squeeze it happily. She seems so unconventionell, shaking someone's hands like that, as if she doesn’t care for their usual conventions. Hina can’t help but feel drawn to this. It’s not what he expected. She is not as appealing as he thought she would be… she is even more appealing.

“I know,” he chuckles. “We’ve already met before.”

Her eyes gleam happily. “Nishikido-kun introduced us to each other, right?”

“Yes,” he smiles warmly. “I’m looking forward to working together with you.”

“Me too.”

Hina’s heart races at her words, a genuine smile on his lips. But out of the corner of his eyes he can see Subaru, his eyes worried. He is shaking his head and Hina knows that what he is doing here might not be a good thing. But then, she isn’t together with Ryo, she is free. He is not stealing her from him – technically. She is free... Still, it feels aweful. He is happy while at the same time he is scared and feels guilty.

******

“It’s difficult,” Subaru muses. “You should be allowed to love whoever you want.”

It’s silent for a moment and Hina is about to say something, when Jun suddenly interrupts him. “I wouldn’t do it.”

HIna sighs. He wonders why he ended up with these three in a bar, but it’s one of these strange things that just happen. Subaru has pulled him along, feeling hungry and wanting Hina to pay for him. They met Jun and Nino coincidentally. And now, suddenly these three start talking about this.

“You wouldn’t?” Subaru asks. “You would really give up on her because someone else likes her?”

“No, not if it's someone. But I would give up on her if it's one of my friends who likes her,” Jun explains. “Call me stupid, but this is my definition of honor. Wouldn’t you do the same?”

Subaru stays quiet, then he nods. “I couldn’t choose a girl over Ryo or a Yoko or any of my other friends. It feels like betrayal.”

“It is,” Hina agrees, sighing when he sees how the others look at him in surprise. “You really think I’m that heartless? The reason why I didn’t go for her till now is that one of my friends and bandmates likes her. He has already liked her way before I fell for her. Darn, he even introduced us to each other.”

“Are you really sure he likes her?” Subaru wants to know. "It's not like he voiced it, didn't he?"

Hina sighs in frustration. “If you think that he doesn’t like her, why are you sitting here and looking all worried and frustrated.”

Subaru bites his lips nervously. “The group is important to me, so are my friends. Jun’s right. I wouldn’t choose a girl over all this.”

“It happened in my group,” Jun suddenly explains, exchanging some wary glances with Nino, not giving away any names though. “Even watching it hurt.”

“But it didn’t harm your group and friendship?” Subaru wants to know.

Jun sighs slightly. “We made it through it. But it wasn’t easy.”

“As for me,” Nino suddenly says, frowning in highest concentration. “I’m on the lean idiot’s side: Ryo.”

“This here is not about sides,” Hina intervenes. “We are only talking. There wasn’t anything between me and her”

Nino shrugs. “But in the end, there will be. And then people will choose a side. You should get used to it. Some might choose yours, some might turn their backs on you. I, personally, am on Ryo’s side.”

“Thanks, Kazu,” Jun grumbles. “You are really encouraging here!”

“No need to be all cynical,” Nino argues. “Now you are all superior, saying things like that. But when it really comes down to it, on whose side will you be? You are friends with both of them, which friendship will you sacrifice?”

“Damn,” Subaru mumbles as the realization sinks in. It’s easy for guys like Nino or Ohkura or Uchi who are clearly friends with Ryo, but what about those who are equally friends with both, like him or Yasu.

“Okay,” Hina nods. “You are right. I’ll let go of her. It’s not worth it. I’m not going to sacrifice a very important friendship. And I won’t put our other friends into such a position either.” He nods again, this time to underline his words. He needs to encourage himself here, because it’s just so fucked up and he doesn’t want it to be even more fucked up.

******

Hina tries to stay away from her. He is polite as always and sometimes he even flirts, but he doesn’t invite her out, though he knows she wants him to.

His gloomy thoughts get distracted by a well-known person suddenly appearing on their set and waving at them.

“Nishikido-kun,” Erika clings to his arm, smiling brightly. “It’s been forever.”

Hina feels incredibly sorry for Ryo, because she treats him like that. Clinging to him, because she sees him in the same role as in their drama… like a brother. She doesn’t realize that it is hurting him. But to Hina’s surprise Ryo’s eyes don’t give away anything, he just pats her head, joking around with her, before he turns his attention towards Subaru and Hina. “I was filming next door and finished early, so…”

“Good,” Subaru smiles brightly. “We can have dinner together. Shingo invites us.”

Ryo beams. “Really?”

“Sure,” Hina snorts sarcastically, but agrees anyway. He doesn't care all that much and he likes to be around his friends.

“You know,” Ryo tilts his head, a thoughtful expression on his face. “Everyone thinks I like Erika-chan.”

“Eh?” Subaru is surprised by Ryo's sudden change of topic. He glances towards Hina, seeing that he is equally surprised. He clears his throat. “So, you like her?”

“Nope,” Ryo chuckles. “She is just making me nervous sometimes with all her clinging and her confident attitude.” He doesn’t look away when Subaru stares right into this eyes to see if he is telling the truth.

Subaru turns his gaze away. He is afraid of what he might see when he looks deeper into Ryo’s eyes. He is scared that the mask will crumble. He knows Ryo. And he knows himself – Subaru is also a master of using such masks. He can see right through them. Reading Ryo is more difficult though, because if he wants to he can hide behind a mask perfectly. Like now.

Subaru is sure it’s a lie. But he can see by the happy glance in Hina’s eyes that Hina believes him. He hasn’t seen the flicker in Ryo’s eyes.

******

“I need a drink.”

“Well, hello,” Jun angles for Ryo’s arm before he drops to the floor. “I think you had enough.”

“I need more…”

“Certainly not,” Nino argues, appearing at Jun’s side.

“What are you doing here?” Ryo asks bluntly, making Nino blush.

“I was just around.”

“So?”

“So what?”

“Where’s my drink.”

Jun rolls his eyes, grabbing Ryo’s arm again and tugging him to the living room. “Kazu, please bring him a drink… water and magnesium.”

“I don’t want that,” Ryo pouts.

“Oh, really?” Jun pulls an eyebrow up. “Guess what. I don’t care.”

When Nino comes back to the living room Ryo is already dozing off. “Great,” Nino grumbles, making Jun grin. "All the work for nothing."

“You know,” Ryo mumbles all of a sudden, his voice a lot clearer than it’s supposed to be. “She doesn’t love me. She likes Shingo. And he likes her.”

It is silent for a moment, then Nino lets out a frustrated sigh. “I feel like I need a drink now.”

“Told you.”

“Okay,” Nino nods his head. “Let’s drink.”

It’s hours later that Jun starts cleaning up the mess. Nino and Ryo both deep asleep. He wonders if he should call Hina and tell him what’s really going on, but he isn’t sure if he should intervene. He dosen’t know what it would help if he does call him and tells him the truth.

******

“You know,” Erika smiles. She reaches out her hand, like she wants to take his, but then she pulls it back again, most likely realizing that they were still in the public. “I thought you would never invite me.”

Hina chuckles. “I’ve always wanted to invite you.”

“Really?” she smirks. “Why?”

“Secret.”

“Eh,” Erika blinks, looking at him curiously. “Tell me. Please.”

“No way,” Hina smiles. “If I tell you, you’ll get too self-confident.”

She laughs slightly, her voice sending shivers over his spine.

They go to her apartment, but enter the building separately, so that no one would see them. Once the door closes behind Hina, he can feel how she wraps her arms around his neck, a seductive look in her eyes.  “I’ll make you show me your secrets.”

Hina is surprised by her move, but turend on as well. So he wraps his arms around her body, pulling her closer and kissing her. Her lips feel softy, they are parted slightly, inviting him. And he takes the invitation, only too eagerly dreaming of the rest that is supposed to come. He is so happy that she is free, that he is free, that there is no one who wants her love besides himself.

Then he suddenly sees it in front of his inner eye again. The strange look in Subaru’s eyes when they had dinner the other day.

He doesn’t sleep with her that night. He explains to her that he needs to hurry to one of his friends, pretends like he just got a message. That there is something urgent. And she understands him, gladly. Most likely it even makes the picture she has of him better, because he is so loyal and helpful. In reality Hina feels like a jerk.

******

Ryo’s eyes widen when he opens the door. Hina looks at him warily, before he decides that being straight-forward might be the best tactic here. “You like her, don’t you?”

“What… no,” Ryo’s eyes go wide for a moment, looking all shocked, before he gathers his senses again. But the moment is long enough for Hina to get his answer. “I don’t like her. I told you that before.”

“Don’t lie to me,” Hina huffs. “I know it’s not true.”

Ryo frowns, looking away from Hina just to turn his gaze back a moment later. “So what?” He sounds angry, much to Hina’s surprise. “I like her, she doesn’t like me. But she likes you. And it’s very obvious that you like her too.”

“But,” Hina shakes his head. He feels a headache approaching him from all this mess. “I’m not going to risk our friendship.”

“Listen, Shingo-kun…”

Again, Hina is surprised because Ryo never calls him or Yoko by their first names, he is too polite.

“You are saying that you don’t want to risk our friendship. But if you don’t go together with her… what about me? Aren’t I risking our friendship then?”

“What?” Hina blinks in surprise.

“You didn’t steal her from me, because she never was mine,” Ryo smiles sadly. “But she likes you. And I’m not going to stand between you and ruin it for you. I’m not going to sulk and be mad – I’ll just need some time to get over her.”

“But,” Hina shakes his head. “I’m not sure if I can accept this.”

Ryo tilts his head, straightening his back. “Trust me for once, okay? I wouldn’t tell you all this if it was a lie. You know that, right?”

Hina is silent for a moment. He is looking directly at Ryo, trying to read his expression. It’s different than last week when they were out with Subaru. This time his gaze is a lot clearer. “I know,” Hina nods his head. “I believe you.”

“I really want you to be happy.”

“It’s just… that I want you to be happy too.”

“I know,” Ryo grins. “But unfortunately she only likes you. So at least one of us can be happy with her. It would be rather pathetic if we both failed.”

“Yeah,” Hina chuckles. He wavers for a moment, wondering if it’s really okay to hug Ryo now, but then he shoves his doubts away and simply hugs him. Ryo is obviously surprised, then he wraps his arms around Hina’s back. It feels awkward, but also soothing.

“You better be happy,” Ryo mumbles. “Otherwise I’ll get really mad at you.”

“Uh,” Hina smiles soflty. “Scary.”

“So?” Ryo looks kinda nervous. “Are you meeting her or do you have time for a glass of wine?”

Hina smiles. “I’m here already, so, I won’t say no.” He feels glad that things turned out like that, but he still wants to mend his and Ryo’s friendship a bit, not wanting him to be lonely today.

Erika is surprised when the doorbell rings. It's already past midnight. Her heart jumps slightly, she hopes it's the person she expects it to be. When she opens the door, she can't help a bright smile. It makes her feel like a pathetic dork, but she is too happy to blame herself for being so obvious with her feelings.

"Sorry for leaving you alone all of a sudden... and for dropping by so late now," Hina smiles warily. "The lights in your apartment were still on. I thought I could give it a try." He raises the bag in his hand. "Champagne and chocolate."

"Uh," Erika grins, grabbing Hina by his shirt and pulling him into her apartment. "You certainly know how to charm a woman, don't you?"

"I haven't even started yet," he jokes. "Wait till you see all of my qualities."

They both laugh slightly. "I can't wait."

"Me neither."

******
Note: Dear friends and readers! Thanks so much for all your support <3  To thank you I opened up a Request Post. If you feel like requesting a one-shot with a specific pairing or situation you can do so HERE.

Comments

[kaigan38.livejournal.com]

Yatta !
Thaks a lot !!!
It's really interesting how each person write thing from the same settings. When you started to write this one I really wondered what kind of story you will create !

It is a great one, thank you.
Yeah ! Of course adding Ryo, Nino and Jun is good too !
And well... I am happy that Shingo win against Ryo !
... Shiwake no sei desu ne...
When I watch a Shiwake I am fond of Hina, more than Ryo...
And now...
Hina is the best !

Thank you !!

[lilly0]

Thanks so much for your awesome comment!! *HUGS*
I'm really glad that you liked it!!

Well, Hina is awesome, isn't he?
He doesn't have that many fans here on Lj like some of the others, but for me he definitely comes on a second place, right after Ryo. <3 Love these two <3

[lybrint.livejournal.com]

Friendship is something we need to treasure it right? I'm so glad that Ryo opened up with those situation ^_^

Nice fic n thank U 4 sharing =)

[lilly0]

Thanks so much for your lovely comment!! *huggles*
I'm so happy that you read this! <3

[yukitsubute]

read it - I come back later :)

I really enjoyed reading this one. I totally feel with Hina, because it must be hard if one of your band mates and friends falls for the same girl.
I can understand that he doesn't want to be with her when he is hurting Ryo with it. >< It's a hard situation for all of them.

I loved how Subaru is able to read Ryo's thoughts. How he realizes what's going on.

And Ryo is so sweet. He denies everything to make someone else happy. <3 That's so cute. I will care about him, he doesn't need Erika *lol*

Thanks sooo much for this *hugs*

[lilly0]

Thanks so much for reading and commenting, dear!
I'm really happy that you read this, though you are not that much into het stories ^^

They were both in a difficult situation, right? But they worked it out together <3

[mari02.livejournal.com]

well i know it's not ryo-centric but i read this anyway. i loved it! poor ryo though, cause he loves someone who loves someone else. i'm just glad that he;s giving enough to let erika go. at least it's hina, he knows he won't do anything to hurt her because of course if that happens, i guess their friendship will be affected, to.

i'm happy about them discussing things over. i mean, it only means they vcalue their friendship before pursuing a girl. and it's just normal to take sides. i am quite happy that ryo got some support even though the discussion was behind his back. and nino and jun were there for him.

i like how subaru read between ryo's eyes. i know ryo's eyes are very expressive but he's an actor so it was hard. but there, subaru noticed it. ha!

lastly, the conversation between hina and ryo was cute and adorable and touching at the same time. you can feel the strong friendship they have and how open- minded both of them are. with this kind of people working things out, i guess their friends wouldn't have to worry about any gap that might occur.

thanks for this! :D

[lilly0]

Thanks so much for your awesome comment, dear! I'm really happy that you read and liked this!!

It's difficult if two friends fall for the same person, right? Even though it wasn't intended at all... but someone got hurt here.

But they both worked through it and Hina wouldn't have gotten together with Erika if Ryo hadn't given his okay. They both valued their friendship and were generous towards each other <3