The world spins round and round (AibaRyo)
Oct. 31st, 2015 12:22 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lilly0 posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
yume_to_ameTitle: The world spins round and round
Pairing: Ryo/Aiba, guest-appearances by Jun and Yoko.
Rating: PG-13
Beta:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
silverdoll14
Warnings: none
Summary: Ryo stars in a new drama. It’s all set, perfect and doesn’t sound unnecessary cliché. But to his surprise his co-star is a well-known person…
Notes: Written for![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
k8_rabu_rabu for yukitsubute.
Lost in seasons. Ryo looks down at the title of the script. He is not sure what to think about it because it sounds a bit too unpredictable for his taste. He hates not to know what he gets himself into because, seriously, this drama could be about anything. It could be a horror plot where he is being hunted by monster called season. There is also a fantasy one where he is literally lost in seasons. Perhaps it’s even sci-fi – hello time-traveling! – or it could be a romance with a cliché plot about how he falls in love throughout the seasons - Thank you very much, he hates romance dramas. Even a dramatic plot is an option, and though he tends to turn into a crying mess over sad plots, it wouldn’t be the worst option compared to the other genres that are spinning through his mind.
“It’s a good drama,” his manager tries to reassure him, apparently catching on his wariness. “A primetime drama even.”
“Are you sure?” Ryo frowns. “What is it about?”
“It’s in a school setting,” his manager explains. “You are a teacher in a small all-boys school at a far – and very cold and snowy – corner of Hokkaido, the boys there go through various troubles with life and love with the nearby all-girls school. You are feeling pretty lonely too because there are only a very few teachers, and the town is so small. However, you then start a spontaneous pen pal-friendship with someone. Another male teacher. Things light up from then on.”
Ryo giggles. “Sounds like a boys love story, I hope you know that?”
“I know.” His manager laughs. “But it’s more about friendship, being dedicated to work and looking after the students. Besides you will meet a female teacher etcetera.”
Ah, etcetera. “Kiss scene?”
“I don’t know.” The answer seems honest, but Ryo is pretty sure that his manager is hiding the potential yes. Most likely they are still negotiating. He frowns a bit, skimming through the draft of the script. Well whatever. It doesn’t sound too bad, and a primetime drama on top of that!
“Okay, I’ll take the offer.”
~~~
“Aiba-kun?”
It’s his first day on set. He has studied the script for the first two episodes thoroughly, and though it’s dramatic and all (one student gets hurt badly and can only be saved by the girl of his dreams at last minute – ugh! Plus there is also the school nurse with a huge bust size – hello cliché!), it’s not too cheesy. It’s only a tiny bit cliché. Could be nice, really. He knows some of his Juniors will play roles as students, and Ishihara Satomi is the woman who’s going to be his character’s main love interest, which could be worse, because she is cute, likeable, and funny.
The cast and the plot are all set, and it doesn’t sound too bad. Ryo is more surprised when he suddenly meets Aiba on set.
“Oh, Ryo-kun.” Aiba waves happily. “Why so surprised?”
“Are you staring in this drama too,” Ryo wants to know.
Aiba blinks. Once, twice, then he smiles brightly. “Didn’t they tell you?”
Ryo frowns. Obviously not.
“I’m playing the other teacher, Suzuki-kun.” Aiba helps him out when Ryo stays silent, his eyes are twinkling slightly. “The pen pal. It’s going to be so much fun!”
Ryo’s eyes widen in surprise. So, Aiba is going to play the friend he’ll find in that school. Okay, that’s new and all. He hasn’t expected to co-star with one of his so well-known senpais, but it doesn’t sounds like a bad choice actually. He is more comfortable when there is someone on set he knows anyway. He bows a bit. “Let’s work well together then.”
“We will,” Aiba chirps with confidence.
At least for the first day on set, he is right because everything seems to go smoothly, and they can even wrap up a bit earlier than planned. Aiba really has that certain aura to him where things seem to get lighter and easier – it’s like he is radiating, and his sunrays are affecting all the people around him in a good way. Ryo too. He feels comfortable and relaxed even around Satomi. The only thing that is bothering Ryo which Aiba can’t erase with his miraculous smile is-
“A kiss scene?” Aiba chuckles when they go for a drink together and sit down at a place in a faraway corner of the bar. “Is there one?”
“Yes, there is one, the director just told me about it.” Ryo whines while he leans his forehead against the table.
Aiba smiles sympathetically and hands Ryo one cup with sake. “Is it that bad?”
“I hate kiss scenes on screen,” Ryo mumbles tiredly. “It’s so awkward. And I have to pretend to be into that person, to be attracted to her, but not too much because of the fangirls watching, and it’s so embarrassing.”
“I know what you mean,” Aiba reassures him, nodding understandingly.
“So, how did you handle your dorama’s kiss scenes?” Ryo wants to know, hoping for some actual advice. He could have asked Jun, of course, or even Pi because all they seem to do is to make out on screen – but he is pretty sure they would only laugh at him, or just come with tons of advice for kissing techniques, which wouldn’t help him at all with the actual problem. Aiba on the other hand seems like he is sincerely nice and understanding. And he has just admitted that he knows that problem. So-
“Oh.” Aiba smiles apologetically. “Didn’t have one till now. Sorry.”
Ryo feels like dropping his head down on the table at that answer. To imagine that his group calls him the guy who talks without thinking beforehand is unbelievable. “Why did you say then that you know what I mean?”
“I have a vivid imagination,” Aiba jokes, and at that, Ryo can’t help a laugh. It’s going to work, he thinks, this is going to work well. Who cares if he has to kiss Satomi or not, at least Aiba is going to be there to light up the situation.
~~~
The drama hits it off well. The ratings for the first episode are pretty high, and Ryo feels happy and chipper the whole day long. He even invites some of his juniors out after filming for Janiben. He even takes over the job of writing one song for Johnny’s WEST and two for his own band. And, of course, he studies the script properly and decides, since his character is a semi-professional former snowboarder, that he needs to take extra lessons in that area.
Aiba’s eyes are wide opened when they meet at set again, and Ryo tells him about what he has been doing during the last days. “All of that in only three days!?” Aiba asks in disbelief. “Are you even sleeping?”
“Are you?” Ryo asks back.
Aiba shrugs. “But I didn’t overload my schedule by myself,” he explains, and it sounds remotely like a reprimand though he hides it behind a smile.
“Don’t worry, Aiba-kun,” Ryo reassures him with a bright smile. “I have it under control.”
“Hm…” Aiba tilts his head. “What if there is suddenly more work coming, adding to your already full schedule?”
Ryo is surprised by that. “Why should there be more? We just had a concert tour, the drama is happening right now anyway and I just did a CM.”
“Well.” Aiba shrugs. “You never know.”
Aiba is right four days later when Ryo’s manager basically bursts into his dressing room, panting heavily with his hair sticking to his forehead. “Nishikido-kun!” he calls out, taking a deep breath. “Duo. Special. Sub-unit. Great, great, great, great!”
Ryo blinks while he puts his bag aside. “What?” he asks. “I didn’t get anything.”
His manager clasps his shoulders. “Since the first two episodes did so well and you and Aiba-san have so much chemistry on screen-“ he grins, making Ryo blush a little. Like it’s something bad to have good chemistry with one of your co-workers and senpais. Screw it! Last week Yoko has said something similar while twinkling very suggestively. “-the management decided to form a temporary sub-unit with you.”
“With who?” Ryo asks dumbfounded.
The other man laughs. “You and Aiba-san. You’ll even get a single release together. Isn’t that awesome?”
Ryo’s eyes snap open when the news finally sinks in. A Sub-unit. How long has it been since he is in a sub-unit, a real one that will release a single even? Never. Oh my god. He has never done that before. The moment he realizes that this here is something new and awesome, he goes through various stages of emotions: from happy to wary to nervous to happy to self-doubts to happy to absolute excitement and back to happy again.
So when his manager leaves him alone again, he decides to go for the only possible reaction: Call Aiba. The other answers his phone almost immediately. “Did you hear it already?” Ryo asks immediately.
Aiba giggles. “What? The weather news? Sho’s newest report in News Zero, or that we have a single together?”
Ryo smiles and blushes at the same time. “Sorry for not being clear enough,” he says and bows though Aiba can’t see him.
“Ah, it’s okay!” Aiba says. “We should soon meet up for the details. It’s going to be cool hopefully.”
The song is indeed cool. Ryo plays the guitar at the beginning, and Aiba starts singing the first lines. It sounds like a ballad first, but soon it picks up in beat, and they are singing quicker parts to a soft-rockish tune then. There is also a lot of dancing which worries Ryo a bit. “Is it really okay?” he asks Aiba. “I’m not really confident in my dancing.”
The latter is surprised. “Why? You are dancing really well, Ryo-kun.”
“Isn’t it better if I play the guitar for you, and you dance alone?”
Aiba’s lips twitch like he isn’t sure if he should sigh in frustration, or laugh. His lips finally tug into an awkward smile. “Now I finally get what Jun and Nino meant,” he mumbles much to Ryo’s surprise.
“Hm? What?” Ryo is sincerely shocked. He has to admit that he’s been through a horrible awkward and embarrassing phase when he was shooting with Nino before. But seriously, he has grown since then, hasn’t he?
“Nothing.” Aiba smiles and makes a dismissive gesture with his hand. “Your dancing is good, Ryo-kun, you are not holding me back. This is going to be awesome because it’s the both of us doing it together. So are you in it?” He reaches out his hand, waiting until Ryo takes it and shakes it. The smile that graces Aiba’s lips is so beautiful and sparkling that Ryo almost feels he is swept away by it – it’s not only the smile though, but also the way Aiba’s eyes shine. It’s warm and understanding. It’s so precious and so honest that Ryo swears he is not going to do anything to make that smile go away – Aiba should always be happy.
“Let’s do this together,” Ryo says earnestly, still shaking Aiba’s hand and eager to make up for the awkwardness he apparently brings to their meetings. They keep holding each other’s hands a bit too long, Ryo thinks, but he doesn’t want to pull his hand away, and Aiba doesn’t let go either.
~~~
Ryo is pretty serious with his new found resolve not to be too awkward around Aiba anymore and not to make him feel upset or weird. But the major dancing aspect of that single – and there are promotions and Music Station performances coming up where they need to sing and dance live – still weighs on his mind. So he goes for the obvious help – Jun.
“You want me to do what!?” Jun asks him in disbelief.
“Teach me some dancing,” Ryo explains for what feels the hundredth time. He has invited Jun over to his own place, cooked something for him – some soba and crab rolls because he knows Jun loves that – and opened a bottle with exquisite wine – mainly to bribe him into this.
Jun frowns and stops eating his soba for a moment. “Okay, just to repeat your request: You want me to help you practise the dance steps for your single with Masaki. But by no means should I tell him about it?”
Ryo shrugs. “Exactly.”
“Don’t you think you are overthinking this?” Jun lets out a frustrated sigh. “Masaki-kun is a sincerely nice guy, he would never see you as a burden.”
“I know, he won’t ever say it, or do anything to make me feel uncomfortable.” Ryo blushes slightly. “But I’m still not good enough to dance at his side. I feel like a burden.”
Jun looks downright frustrated, probably annoyed in getting into a mess that’s not his own. “Let me just ask you one thing,” he finally says. “You are obviously more skilled in singing than Masaki is – do you think he is a burden to you?”
“Of course not! I would never think like that about him!” Ryo huffs in defence.
“So why do you think he is seeing you as a burden?” Jun wants to know. “And besides his opinion, the other important point is your fans’ reactions. And believe me, the fans won’t care if you aren’t the most awesome dancer ever as long as you look hot while doing it, and you cuddle with Masaki.”
“I just-“ Ryo sighs nervously, looking down at his glass of wine. “I have no confidence in that case, and if I have no confidence it will be a natural catastrophe. You know that,” he finally says silently. “I know he won’t see me as a burden. But I don’t want to bring him into a bad position. So…” he looks at Jun pleadingly. “You are really the only one I can ask for help.”
“Awesome,” Jun grunts, but Ryo knows he has already half given in. He won’t turn down a friend who needs help.
~~~
Ryo has to admit that Jun is a good teacher. He shows him some tricks which he has never heard of before, even though he had dance practise since years already. Unfortunately they can only meet at night, or very early in the morning when Jun’s schedule isn’t too packed, and none of the others will interrupt them.
“I don’t get your problem,” Jun tells him at one point. “I understand that Kanjani’s main work isn’t dancing, but you are doing well. You are pretty decent as a dancer, definitely good enough for a sub-unit!”
Ryo nods, he knows it’s stupid to have that many doubts, but he can’t help his feelings. Practising hard makes him feel better! So when he meets Aiba for their rehearsals the next time, he already feels more confident. And it shows apparently because Aiba beams at him and hugs him out of the blue. “Ryo-kun! Finally you relaxed a bit! Did you see how easy it is?”
Ryo blushes at the spontaneous reaction. It’s not a bad feeling though because Aiba feels soft and warm. Ryo is relieved. He is glad that Aiba is happy and content, glad that Aiba smiles genuinely like that. Aiba is such a nice guy, sincerely nice. Being pushed forward by these thoughts, he just decides to dash forward without shying back like normally. “Want to go for dinner later?” he asks.
“Sure,” Aiba says with a warm smile. “Why don’t we go to my parents’ restaurant? You never visited it, right? My mother will definitely cook us something nice, and we’ll have some privacy.”
Ryo doesn’t know what to say to that offer. It comes so sudden and so out of the blue that he feels a bit taken aback – not in a bad way. It’s more like he has never expected Aiba to be that kind to him. There is something warm and fuzzy in Ryo’s stomach suddenly, something he isn’t quite sure about yet.
It’s only when Aiba blushes and stutters something about “Maybe a bad idea, sorry, it’s really awkward and not the nearest place to reach and-,“ that Ryo realises his friend still waits for an answer. So he interrupts him with a forceful: “Thank you, Aiba-kun! I would love to have dinner with you at your parents’ place.”
~~~
Aiba didn’t promise too much. The moment they step through the back door of his parents’ house, his mother already shoves them upstairs, with the promise to cook the best ramen ever for them.
So all they need to do is to settle down in Aiba’s old room and just chat and wait. They do so by talking about the drama. “It’s actually quite good,” Aiba muses. “Don’t you think so?”
“Yes,” Ryo nods. “I like the whole teacher-student plot and also the one where we two become friends. But the romance plot feels awkward.”
Aiba laughs. “I’m sure they only included it so that it wouldn’t be too boys-love-ish. If you get what I mean.”
“Totally.” Ryo chuckles. “It’s because we have too much chemistry with each other,” he says randomly.
Aiba throws him a surprised glance like he has just said something weird, but Ryo doesn’t question it much. He is feeling comfortable and relaxed right now, so he doesn’t want to ponder too much. It’s only at Aiba’s next suggestion that something in his minds snaps, reminding him that some things are still so awkward. “Do you want to practise it?”
“Practise what?” Ryo wants to know.
Aiba smiles brightly. “The kissing scene, idiot! You are freaking out over it since we started filming. And next week you have to get down to it. So?”
“But isn’t that…” Ryo blushes, not sure how to continue. “…weird?” he finally manages to ask.
Aiba shrugs. “Why? Isn’t it actually even more weird and complicated with a complete stranger?”
That’s probably right. Still, it’s also wrong. Ryo doesn’t have enough time to wonder and worry about it because Aiba immediately gets down to business. “Which scene is it actually? How does it work?”
“Miharu and I are meeting coincidentally,” Ryo explains. “We get into a fight. She slaps me and then kisses me.”
Aiba blinks, then he breaks down laughing. “Classical romance crap 101,” he giggles. “Fine, let’s do it.”
“Are you sure?” Ryo asks, still weakly trying to cling to his reasoning. It sounds somewhat alluring, he has to admit that much, because Aiba is so damn nice, so helpful and actually really pretty, (not that this is in any way a reason for him to agree on kissing him, of course not!) but still it is weird.
He will later blame it on the whole cosy atmosphere, and because it feels like home to sit here next to Aiba, he agrees to it. Aiba has been looking at him for minutes, without saying anything, just watching him through these warm caramel-brown eyes. “Okay,” Ryo finally rasps out.
The words have merely left his mouth that Aiba slaps him across the face, grabs his collar and pulls him forward to smash their lips together. Ryo gasps, at all of it. Aiba’s slap has left a prickling feeling on his cheek, while his lips are simply demanding, kissing him passionately. In a faraway corner of his mind, Ryo thinks that probably the kissing scene in that drama won’t be like that. It’s supposed to be more innocent and careful and not traumatize fangirls around the world.
It gets even more intense when Aiba’s fingers are suddenly brushing over his cheek and down his neck, before a hand slips under his shirt. Ryo is pretty sure that this is not going to happen in the drama either.
Ryo is still wondering how to react and what to do when he feels Aiba’s second hand on his hip, pushing him back against the wardrobe. He feels a bit like one of the students of the drama, like a teenager, because his heart betrays him by beating faster all of a sudden. His stomach is tugging and twisting sweetly like there are a bunch of butterflies caught inside. When Aiba kisses his neck, Ryo brushes his fingers through Aiba’s soft hair, a sigh escaping his lips. He isn’t sure what’s going to happen next, and he isn’t sure if he is sad or relieved that he won’t find out because there is a sudden knock against the door . Both of them basically hurry apart.
It’s Aiba’s mother with two huge plates of ramen, and Ryo has difficulties to hide his embarrassment for almost getting caught in the almost-act. When she leaves again, he eyes Aiba carefully. The latter just smiles though. “See,” Aiba says, but his voice wavers slightly much to Ryo’s surprise. “It’s going to be easy to do the kissing scene.”
~~~
Ryo feels confused during the next days, majorly confused. He is caught so much in his thoughts that during his next secret rehearsal with Jun, the latter switches off the music all of a sudden. “You need to focus more,” Jun says calmly.
“I…” Ryo sighs. “Sorry, it’s difficult today.”
“Why is it difficult?” Jun wants to know. “You know, Masaki-kun was weird during our rehearsals yesterday too. What the hell happened?”
“Nothing,” Ryo stutters.
Jun pulls an eyebrow up, throws him a suspicious glance and turns the music on again. “Since it’s nothing, we can continue,” he says casually, only sounding remotely annoyed. “Just focus, otherwise my work won’t be of much help.”
Ryo nods. He tries, he really does. He can’t help it though. Whenever his thoughts wander off, they are circling around the evening at Aiba’s place, their kiss, the continuation of it, the interruption – and whatever it almost turned into. There’s also the thoughts of Aiba’s smile and sparkling eyes whenever they are doing promotions for their single. Oh dear.
He is so preoccupied with his confusing thoughts that it’s only when he stumbles over the cable on the floor. He realizes he has been shifting into the wrong direction. “Be careful!” Jun yells, and is at his side immediately. He catches him with a swift movement before Ryo can drop to the ground. “Damn it!” Jun huffs. “I told you to focus!”
“Sorry,” Ryo sighs. “Thank you.”
“What happened?” Jun asks again, still holding Ryo’s arm. And this time Ryo is really allured to tell him, share his problem with one of his friends though he isn’t quite sure what his problem actually is. He is about to tell him everything when the door to their little rehearsal room flies open all of a sudden.
Ryo just stares at the figure at the doorframe in mere surprise. Jun turns his head too and smiles. “Hi, Masaki,” he says, smiling at Aiba warmly.
“I called you, Jun,” Aiba stutters, while he raises his hands in slight defence. “I-well-“ he pauses. “Nothing, it doesn’t matter.” He blushes and bows deeply. When he gets up, he stares at Ryo in shock. “I’m sorry,” he says again, and Ryo isn’t sure what he is talking about.
Then he leaves. Ryo wonders what the hell just happened.
~~~
The single sells well. Oricon place 1, single charts. And everyone is happy, Ryo too, and Aiba apparently too. After their weird meeting when Aiba bumped into him and Jun practising, Aiba has gathered his composure swiftly. When they meet for the next time, he is all normal and smiley, but also very busy. He didn’t have time for any extra meetings – sadly.
Ryo doesn’t get it at all to be honest because it’s all back to awkward and weird. He does the obvious: Works hard.
When he meets Yoko for a casual lunch, the latter throws him a weird look. “You look pale,” he says like he is one to talk. “Did you work too much?”
“No, I’m fine,” Ryo says. “Work is alright.” It’s the truth, actually, work is really okay, but other things are off. Since Yoko didn’t ask him about his private life though, he sees no reason to tell him.
He still wonders how to get on friendship terms with Aiba again, when the drama’s schedule helps him.
“A special episode?” Aiba asks in surprise when the director tells them about it.
“Yes, we are driving to Wakkanai for it,” the director explains. “Please prepare for a week to be there. We already checked with your management concerning your schedules.”
“Okay,” Ryo says. Nothing unusual for him. He is used to travel in between Osaka and Tokyo and go to other places for dramas. Aiba looks at him through questioning eyes. When Ryo turns his glance towards him, Aiba blushes a bit.
“Fine with me too,” the latter stutters.
“Good,” the director laughs. “It’s going to be really cold by the way, so take enough warm clothes with you.”
“Awesome!” Ryo smiles at that news and when the director is away, he grins brightly. “Wakkanai is known for ice-hiking, did you know that?”
“Really?” Aiba looks at him in surprise. “Sounds like fun.”
“We should totally give it a try!” Ryo beams. “And drive on an ice-breaker ship! Okay?”
Aiba’s eyes gleam all of a sudden. “Yes!” he exclaims happily and grabs Ryo’s hands, apparently all excited now. “Let’s do that together.”
Ryo smiles, deciding to take advantage of Aiba’s sudden happy mood. “Let’s go for dinner now to celebrate,” he suggests. To his relief Aiba immediately nods. They just grab their stuff from the set and hurry to a nearby soba restaurant.
It’s a place Ryo frequents quite often, so he knows he can manage to get a private area for them.
“Nice place,” Aiba smiles, sounding all relaxed. He sits down at the other side of the table. “I’m glad that the drama did so well.”
“Yes,” Ryo nods happily. “The ratings were fine too. Thanks so much for your hard work, Aiba-kun.”
Aiba smiles. “Just call me Masaki, will you? Feels weird after everything to be so formal.”
Normally Ryo would have pondered longer over this suggestion and feel embarrassed and all, but Aiba is so casual and laid-back that he doesn’t mind. “Yes, thank you, Masaki-kun.”
They both chuckle, and when their soba arrived, they order a bottle of sake for the both of them. Their little private celebration continues well, casual and almost as relaxed as they were before Aiba saw him practising with Jun – maybe he is a little pissed that Ryo has done some extra work behind his back, so not to be a burden?
It’s when they empty the last part of their sake bottle that Ryo’s head feels slightly dizzy. He drops to the side a little, trying to regather his composure, when he suddenly feels Aiba’s warm hand on his arm. “Are you alright, Ryo-kun?” he says in concern.
Ryo nods, then he giggles, taking Aiba’s hand into his. “You have beautiful fingers,” he mumbles, not able to stop the words from spilling his mouth. Stupid sake.
Aiba chuckles, turning his hand so that their fingers are intertwined. He tugs at Ryo’s hand a bit until Ryo robs closer and sits right in front of Aiba now. Aiba reaches out his free hand, curls it around Ryo’s neck and pulls him closer. Then he surges ahead, kissing Ryo. This time it’s not as heated and uncontrolled as when they practised Ryo’s on-screen kiss, it’s more tender and soft. It makes Ryo’s head go even more dizzy. Everything seems to turn around him. It’s white and blank in front of his eyes, like a fog surrounding him.
Then suddenly it’s all black.
When he wakes up again, he is lying in a bed that is not his. He feels panic spreading through him – where is he? Why is he here? What the hell happened!? This is not his freaking bed after all, fuck it!
When he sees Aiba approaching him, he calms down immediately. He takes a wild guess that it’s Aiba’s bed, and that everything is somewhat alright. Aiba has this ability to give him this feeling, to stop him from freaking out. “What happened?” Ryo mumbles.
“You collapsed.” Aiba sits down at the edge of the bed, brushing through Ryo’s hair softly. “You should have told me that you weren’t feeling well.”
“I am okay,” Ryo tries to reassure him. “I just drank too much.”
“Hm.” Aiba frowns, apparently not really believing him. “Nino told me that you have the tendency to work too much.”
“I’m okay, Masaki-kun,” Ryo says with emphasis. “Just overwhelmed and all.”
Aiba blushes a bit and looks away from him. “I’m sorry,” he mumbles tiredly. “I mean, I don’t get myself. I don’t understand why I did this a second time. Knowing that you and Jun-“ he pauses, coughing slightly. “I mean, Jun is one of my best friends. I’m just a horrible person I guess.”
Ryo’s eyes widen. He tries to sit up to see Aiba’s face properly. The latter however has turned his face away, but even though his hair is blocking his face, he looks sad. Ryo blinks. What the hell is that guy talking about anyway? What’s going on with him and Jun?
“I-“ Ryo starts, but doesn’t get to finish because there is a sudden knock at the door. It’s Yuu, much to Ryo’s surprise.
“Thanks so much for coming,” Aiba bows deeply in front of Yuu. “I thought you two were really close, so I called you. I’m sorry. I don’t know where Ryo-kun’s apartment is, so I didn’t know where to take him too.”
Yuu grins brightly and pats Aiba’s shoulder. “No problem,” he smiles and throws himself on the other side on the bed, next to Ryo. “You don’t look bad though. I have seen you worse.”
Ryo has to laugh at that. “See.” He smiles at Aiba. “I told you I’m fine.”
~~~
Ryo loves Yuu dearly, as a friend. He is thankful that he was there to take him home and help him, but he is also feeling a bit pissed that his talk with Aiba got interrupted again! Now with the whole promotions for their single subsiding, with the rehearsals and the drama shooting stopping, and the photo shootings coming to an end, he has only one more opportunity to understand what the hell is going on.
He has tried to ask Jun about it, but the latter has just sighed deeply and told him to talk to Aiba directly. He also said something about two idiots ,going on his nerves, Tennen for sure, and I’m going to grow grey hair if this really works out . Ryo has no idea what to make out of these comments.
~~~
Aiba’s eyes gleam in amazement when they see the white, glittering landscape in front of them. Of course they have seen plenty of snow until now, but it’s different to be so far away in the nothingness of the mountains and rustic northern seaside. “WOW!” he breaths out. “This is amazing. I can’t believe I was never there.”
“Well,” Ryo yawns a bit and stretches. “It’s not particularly close to anywhere we work and live normally.”
Gladly Aiba is friendly as usual and tries to be normal around him, even though he keeps his distance carefully. Ryo hopes that the new surroundings and the activities will give them the one or other chance to get closer again. To talk.
First though they have to do some shootings for the dorama. The atmosphere at the set is light and happy, everyone seems to enjoy his time here. So it doesn’t even feel much like work. At the end of their work for today, Aiba smiles at Ryo. “I envy you a bit, you know?”
“For what?” Ryo asks in surprise.
“You are such a good actor.” Aiba shrugs. “I had to work hard to be able to keep up with you at least a bit. I took extra lessons, you know? I didn’t want to pull you or the drama down with a bad performance.”
Ryo is speechless for a moment. So Aiba felt like he did for the dancing part of their single? There is basically no difference in their doubts. He is about to tell him about his own attempts to improve his dancing with Jun’s help, but unfortunately they get interrupted by some of the younger actors who want to thank them for their brilliant lead and all.
Once again, they are distracted. It feels freaking frustrating though the younger ones are all nice and sweet, and it’s a lovely gesture, of course. Ryo had has it with all the interruptions though, and he swears to himself not to let another opportunity slip.When they are finally leaving the set for today, and the others want to go to have dinner, he grabs Aiba’s arm. “Sorry,” he says to their co-workers. “Masaki-kun and I just made an appointment for driving with the ice-breaker ship.”
It’s not even a lie, he has really made an appointment, just that Aiba didn’t know about it. Gladly the other is so surprised by his sudden approach that he tugs along without questioning him, or arguing. It’s only when they reach the harbour and Ryo talks with the captain of the ship that Aiba finally opens his mouth to say something. “You really made an appointment!?” he breaths out. “I thought it was a joke.”
“No,” Ryo smiles happily. “We talked about it before after all. And you were so excited about it. To be honest, I am too. Maybe we’ll even see some northern lights!”
Aiba smiles. “Even if don’t see the lights, it won’t matter. It’s still going to be cool.”
They don’t talk much when the ship leaves the harbour. They just watch the scenery in front of them. Below them the ice breaks, the sound of it is so weird and fascinating, but the scenery around of them is even more alluring. There is endless ice in front of them, and the ship just drives through it, breaks it. The sky is full of stars, and sometimes it gleams. It’s better than Ryo has imagined it. It doesn’t even matter that it’s freezing cold because even though he has brought some extra jackets and scarfs he feels like a stupid icicle.
He smiles when Aiba approaches him, putting a second scarf around Ryo before putting it around his own neck as well. Then he grabs Ryo’s left hand and puts them into the pocket of his jacket. His own fingers are wrapped around Ryo’s hand. He smiles shyly when Ryo looks at him through questioning eyes, and Ryo decides to finally gather his courage. “What did you mean when you said you felt like a bad friend? When we were in your apartment…”
Aiba doesn’t say anything for a long while. but then he sighs all of a sudden. “You and Jun like each other, don’t you?”
Ryo snorts. “Do you really think I would be standing here and share a scarf and jacket with you if I was in love with Jun?”
Aiba shrugs helplessly. “But when I bumped into you a few weeks ago, you were about to make out?”
Ryo blinks in surprise. It takes him a while to gather his senses, and when he does, he can’t help but laugh loudly. He is giggling so much that Aiba throws him a grumpy glance.
“So that’s what your weird behaviour is about?” he chuckles. “Jun was just helping me practise the dance steps for our single. Just like you with your acting, I was afraid to ruin our live dancing performances. And on that day, I was confused because you and I kissed a few days ago. I stumbled and Jun prevented me from getting hurt. He was pretty pissed actually.” Ryo smiles. “It just so happens that I know that he likes someone else. Definitely not me.”
Aiba stares at him in utter surprise. “So Jun didn’t lie when he said he didn’t like you?”
“No, why should he?”
“He likes someone else?” Aiba asks, pouting a bit. “Why don’t I know that!? Who is it?”
“Secret,” Ryo giggles. “But it’s someone from your group.”
Aiba just shakes his head in disbelief. “So I’m not getting in Jun’s way by kissing you?”
“Nope.”
“And we can continue this here?” Aiba makes a gesture with his chin, like he is pointing at Ryo and himself. “Whatever it is.”
Ryo smiles a bit. “I certainly hope so,” he says. When Aiba tightens the grip around his hand, he feels warm all of a sudden. “I hope so,” he repeats.
Pairing: Ryo/Aiba, guest-appearances by Jun and Yoko.
Rating: PG-13
Beta:
silverdoll14Warnings: none
Summary: Ryo stars in a new drama. It’s all set, perfect and doesn’t sound unnecessary cliché. But to his surprise his co-star is a well-known person…
Notes: Written for
k8_rabu_rabu for yukitsubute.Lost in seasons. Ryo looks down at the title of the script. He is not sure what to think about it because it sounds a bit too unpredictable for his taste. He hates not to know what he gets himself into because, seriously, this drama could be about anything. It could be a horror plot where he is being hunted by monster called season. There is also a fantasy one where he is literally lost in seasons. Perhaps it’s even sci-fi – hello time-traveling! – or it could be a romance with a cliché plot about how he falls in love throughout the seasons - Thank you very much, he hates romance dramas. Even a dramatic plot is an option, and though he tends to turn into a crying mess over sad plots, it wouldn’t be the worst option compared to the other genres that are spinning through his mind.
“It’s a good drama,” his manager tries to reassure him, apparently catching on his wariness. “A primetime drama even.”
“Are you sure?” Ryo frowns. “What is it about?”
“It’s in a school setting,” his manager explains. “You are a teacher in a small all-boys school at a far – and very cold and snowy – corner of Hokkaido, the boys there go through various troubles with life and love with the nearby all-girls school. You are feeling pretty lonely too because there are only a very few teachers, and the town is so small. However, you then start a spontaneous pen pal-friendship with someone. Another male teacher. Things light up from then on.”
Ryo giggles. “Sounds like a boys love story, I hope you know that?”
“I know.” His manager laughs. “But it’s more about friendship, being dedicated to work and looking after the students. Besides you will meet a female teacher etcetera.”
Ah, etcetera. “Kiss scene?”
“I don’t know.” The answer seems honest, but Ryo is pretty sure that his manager is hiding the potential yes. Most likely they are still negotiating. He frowns a bit, skimming through the draft of the script. Well whatever. It doesn’t sound too bad, and a primetime drama on top of that!
“Okay, I’ll take the offer.”
~~~
“Aiba-kun?”
It’s his first day on set. He has studied the script for the first two episodes thoroughly, and though it’s dramatic and all (one student gets hurt badly and can only be saved by the girl of his dreams at last minute – ugh! Plus there is also the school nurse with a huge bust size – hello cliché!), it’s not too cheesy. It’s only a tiny bit cliché. Could be nice, really. He knows some of his Juniors will play roles as students, and Ishihara Satomi is the woman who’s going to be his character’s main love interest, which could be worse, because she is cute, likeable, and funny.
The cast and the plot are all set, and it doesn’t sound too bad. Ryo is more surprised when he suddenly meets Aiba on set.
“Oh, Ryo-kun.” Aiba waves happily. “Why so surprised?”
“Are you staring in this drama too,” Ryo wants to know.
Aiba blinks. Once, twice, then he smiles brightly. “Didn’t they tell you?”
Ryo frowns. Obviously not.
“I’m playing the other teacher, Suzuki-kun.” Aiba helps him out when Ryo stays silent, his eyes are twinkling slightly. “The pen pal. It’s going to be so much fun!”
Ryo’s eyes widen in surprise. So, Aiba is going to play the friend he’ll find in that school. Okay, that’s new and all. He hasn’t expected to co-star with one of his so well-known senpais, but it doesn’t sounds like a bad choice actually. He is more comfortable when there is someone on set he knows anyway. He bows a bit. “Let’s work well together then.”
“We will,” Aiba chirps with confidence.
At least for the first day on set, he is right because everything seems to go smoothly, and they can even wrap up a bit earlier than planned. Aiba really has that certain aura to him where things seem to get lighter and easier – it’s like he is radiating, and his sunrays are affecting all the people around him in a good way. Ryo too. He feels comfortable and relaxed even around Satomi. The only thing that is bothering Ryo which Aiba can’t erase with his miraculous smile is-
“A kiss scene?” Aiba chuckles when they go for a drink together and sit down at a place in a faraway corner of the bar. “Is there one?”
“Yes, there is one, the director just told me about it.” Ryo whines while he leans his forehead against the table.
Aiba smiles sympathetically and hands Ryo one cup with sake. “Is it that bad?”
“I hate kiss scenes on screen,” Ryo mumbles tiredly. “It’s so awkward. And I have to pretend to be into that person, to be attracted to her, but not too much because of the fangirls watching, and it’s so embarrassing.”
“I know what you mean,” Aiba reassures him, nodding understandingly.
“So, how did you handle your dorama’s kiss scenes?” Ryo wants to know, hoping for some actual advice. He could have asked Jun, of course, or even Pi because all they seem to do is to make out on screen – but he is pretty sure they would only laugh at him, or just come with tons of advice for kissing techniques, which wouldn’t help him at all with the actual problem. Aiba on the other hand seems like he is sincerely nice and understanding. And he has just admitted that he knows that problem. So-
“Oh.” Aiba smiles apologetically. “Didn’t have one till now. Sorry.”
Ryo feels like dropping his head down on the table at that answer. To imagine that his group calls him the guy who talks without thinking beforehand is unbelievable. “Why did you say then that you know what I mean?”
“I have a vivid imagination,” Aiba jokes, and at that, Ryo can’t help a laugh. It’s going to work, he thinks, this is going to work well. Who cares if he has to kiss Satomi or not, at least Aiba is going to be there to light up the situation.
~~~
The drama hits it off well. The ratings for the first episode are pretty high, and Ryo feels happy and chipper the whole day long. He even invites some of his juniors out after filming for Janiben. He even takes over the job of writing one song for Johnny’s WEST and two for his own band. And, of course, he studies the script properly and decides, since his character is a semi-professional former snowboarder, that he needs to take extra lessons in that area.
Aiba’s eyes are wide opened when they meet at set again, and Ryo tells him about what he has been doing during the last days. “All of that in only three days!?” Aiba asks in disbelief. “Are you even sleeping?”
“Are you?” Ryo asks back.
Aiba shrugs. “But I didn’t overload my schedule by myself,” he explains, and it sounds remotely like a reprimand though he hides it behind a smile.
“Don’t worry, Aiba-kun,” Ryo reassures him with a bright smile. “I have it under control.”
“Hm…” Aiba tilts his head. “What if there is suddenly more work coming, adding to your already full schedule?”
Ryo is surprised by that. “Why should there be more? We just had a concert tour, the drama is happening right now anyway and I just did a CM.”
“Well.” Aiba shrugs. “You never know.”
Aiba is right four days later when Ryo’s manager basically bursts into his dressing room, panting heavily with his hair sticking to his forehead. “Nishikido-kun!” he calls out, taking a deep breath. “Duo. Special. Sub-unit. Great, great, great, great!”
Ryo blinks while he puts his bag aside. “What?” he asks. “I didn’t get anything.”
His manager clasps his shoulders. “Since the first two episodes did so well and you and Aiba-san have so much chemistry on screen-“ he grins, making Ryo blush a little. Like it’s something bad to have good chemistry with one of your co-workers and senpais. Screw it! Last week Yoko has said something similar while twinkling very suggestively. “-the management decided to form a temporary sub-unit with you.”
“With who?” Ryo asks dumbfounded.
The other man laughs. “You and Aiba-san. You’ll even get a single release together. Isn’t that awesome?”
Ryo’s eyes snap open when the news finally sinks in. A Sub-unit. How long has it been since he is in a sub-unit, a real one that will release a single even? Never. Oh my god. He has never done that before. The moment he realizes that this here is something new and awesome, he goes through various stages of emotions: from happy to wary to nervous to happy to self-doubts to happy to absolute excitement and back to happy again.
So when his manager leaves him alone again, he decides to go for the only possible reaction: Call Aiba. The other answers his phone almost immediately. “Did you hear it already?” Ryo asks immediately.
Aiba giggles. “What? The weather news? Sho’s newest report in News Zero, or that we have a single together?”
Ryo smiles and blushes at the same time. “Sorry for not being clear enough,” he says and bows though Aiba can’t see him.
“Ah, it’s okay!” Aiba says. “We should soon meet up for the details. It’s going to be cool hopefully.”
The song is indeed cool. Ryo plays the guitar at the beginning, and Aiba starts singing the first lines. It sounds like a ballad first, but soon it picks up in beat, and they are singing quicker parts to a soft-rockish tune then. There is also a lot of dancing which worries Ryo a bit. “Is it really okay?” he asks Aiba. “I’m not really confident in my dancing.”
The latter is surprised. “Why? You are dancing really well, Ryo-kun.”
“Isn’t it better if I play the guitar for you, and you dance alone?”
Aiba’s lips twitch like he isn’t sure if he should sigh in frustration, or laugh. His lips finally tug into an awkward smile. “Now I finally get what Jun and Nino meant,” he mumbles much to Ryo’s surprise.
“Hm? What?” Ryo is sincerely shocked. He has to admit that he’s been through a horrible awkward and embarrassing phase when he was shooting with Nino before. But seriously, he has grown since then, hasn’t he?
“Nothing.” Aiba smiles and makes a dismissive gesture with his hand. “Your dancing is good, Ryo-kun, you are not holding me back. This is going to be awesome because it’s the both of us doing it together. So are you in it?” He reaches out his hand, waiting until Ryo takes it and shakes it. The smile that graces Aiba’s lips is so beautiful and sparkling that Ryo almost feels he is swept away by it – it’s not only the smile though, but also the way Aiba’s eyes shine. It’s warm and understanding. It’s so precious and so honest that Ryo swears he is not going to do anything to make that smile go away – Aiba should always be happy.
“Let’s do this together,” Ryo says earnestly, still shaking Aiba’s hand and eager to make up for the awkwardness he apparently brings to their meetings. They keep holding each other’s hands a bit too long, Ryo thinks, but he doesn’t want to pull his hand away, and Aiba doesn’t let go either.
~~~
Ryo is pretty serious with his new found resolve not to be too awkward around Aiba anymore and not to make him feel upset or weird. But the major dancing aspect of that single – and there are promotions and Music Station performances coming up where they need to sing and dance live – still weighs on his mind. So he goes for the obvious help – Jun.
“You want me to do what!?” Jun asks him in disbelief.
“Teach me some dancing,” Ryo explains for what feels the hundredth time. He has invited Jun over to his own place, cooked something for him – some soba and crab rolls because he knows Jun loves that – and opened a bottle with exquisite wine – mainly to bribe him into this.
Jun frowns and stops eating his soba for a moment. “Okay, just to repeat your request: You want me to help you practise the dance steps for your single with Masaki. But by no means should I tell him about it?”
Ryo shrugs. “Exactly.”
“Don’t you think you are overthinking this?” Jun lets out a frustrated sigh. “Masaki-kun is a sincerely nice guy, he would never see you as a burden.”
“I know, he won’t ever say it, or do anything to make me feel uncomfortable.” Ryo blushes slightly. “But I’m still not good enough to dance at his side. I feel like a burden.”
Jun looks downright frustrated, probably annoyed in getting into a mess that’s not his own. “Let me just ask you one thing,” he finally says. “You are obviously more skilled in singing than Masaki is – do you think he is a burden to you?”
“Of course not! I would never think like that about him!” Ryo huffs in defence.
“So why do you think he is seeing you as a burden?” Jun wants to know. “And besides his opinion, the other important point is your fans’ reactions. And believe me, the fans won’t care if you aren’t the most awesome dancer ever as long as you look hot while doing it, and you cuddle with Masaki.”
“I just-“ Ryo sighs nervously, looking down at his glass of wine. “I have no confidence in that case, and if I have no confidence it will be a natural catastrophe. You know that,” he finally says silently. “I know he won’t see me as a burden. But I don’t want to bring him into a bad position. So…” he looks at Jun pleadingly. “You are really the only one I can ask for help.”
“Awesome,” Jun grunts, but Ryo knows he has already half given in. He won’t turn down a friend who needs help.
~~~
Ryo has to admit that Jun is a good teacher. He shows him some tricks which he has never heard of before, even though he had dance practise since years already. Unfortunately they can only meet at night, or very early in the morning when Jun’s schedule isn’t too packed, and none of the others will interrupt them.
“I don’t get your problem,” Jun tells him at one point. “I understand that Kanjani’s main work isn’t dancing, but you are doing well. You are pretty decent as a dancer, definitely good enough for a sub-unit!”
Ryo nods, he knows it’s stupid to have that many doubts, but he can’t help his feelings. Practising hard makes him feel better! So when he meets Aiba for their rehearsals the next time, he already feels more confident. And it shows apparently because Aiba beams at him and hugs him out of the blue. “Ryo-kun! Finally you relaxed a bit! Did you see how easy it is?”
Ryo blushes at the spontaneous reaction. It’s not a bad feeling though because Aiba feels soft and warm. Ryo is relieved. He is glad that Aiba is happy and content, glad that Aiba smiles genuinely like that. Aiba is such a nice guy, sincerely nice. Being pushed forward by these thoughts, he just decides to dash forward without shying back like normally. “Want to go for dinner later?” he asks.
“Sure,” Aiba says with a warm smile. “Why don’t we go to my parents’ restaurant? You never visited it, right? My mother will definitely cook us something nice, and we’ll have some privacy.”
Ryo doesn’t know what to say to that offer. It comes so sudden and so out of the blue that he feels a bit taken aback – not in a bad way. It’s more like he has never expected Aiba to be that kind to him. There is something warm and fuzzy in Ryo’s stomach suddenly, something he isn’t quite sure about yet.
It’s only when Aiba blushes and stutters something about “Maybe a bad idea, sorry, it’s really awkward and not the nearest place to reach and-,“ that Ryo realises his friend still waits for an answer. So he interrupts him with a forceful: “Thank you, Aiba-kun! I would love to have dinner with you at your parents’ place.”
~~~
Aiba didn’t promise too much. The moment they step through the back door of his parents’ house, his mother already shoves them upstairs, with the promise to cook the best ramen ever for them.
So all they need to do is to settle down in Aiba’s old room and just chat and wait. They do so by talking about the drama. “It’s actually quite good,” Aiba muses. “Don’t you think so?”
“Yes,” Ryo nods. “I like the whole teacher-student plot and also the one where we two become friends. But the romance plot feels awkward.”
Aiba laughs. “I’m sure they only included it so that it wouldn’t be too boys-love-ish. If you get what I mean.”
“Totally.” Ryo chuckles. “It’s because we have too much chemistry with each other,” he says randomly.
Aiba throws him a surprised glance like he has just said something weird, but Ryo doesn’t question it much. He is feeling comfortable and relaxed right now, so he doesn’t want to ponder too much. It’s only at Aiba’s next suggestion that something in his minds snaps, reminding him that some things are still so awkward. “Do you want to practise it?”
“Practise what?” Ryo wants to know.
Aiba smiles brightly. “The kissing scene, idiot! You are freaking out over it since we started filming. And next week you have to get down to it. So?”
“But isn’t that…” Ryo blushes, not sure how to continue. “…weird?” he finally manages to ask.
Aiba shrugs. “Why? Isn’t it actually even more weird and complicated with a complete stranger?”
That’s probably right. Still, it’s also wrong. Ryo doesn’t have enough time to wonder and worry about it because Aiba immediately gets down to business. “Which scene is it actually? How does it work?”
“Miharu and I are meeting coincidentally,” Ryo explains. “We get into a fight. She slaps me and then kisses me.”
Aiba blinks, then he breaks down laughing. “Classical romance crap 101,” he giggles. “Fine, let’s do it.”
“Are you sure?” Ryo asks, still weakly trying to cling to his reasoning. It sounds somewhat alluring, he has to admit that much, because Aiba is so damn nice, so helpful and actually really pretty, (not that this is in any way a reason for him to agree on kissing him, of course not!) but still it is weird.
He will later blame it on the whole cosy atmosphere, and because it feels like home to sit here next to Aiba, he agrees to it. Aiba has been looking at him for minutes, without saying anything, just watching him through these warm caramel-brown eyes. “Okay,” Ryo finally rasps out.
The words have merely left his mouth that Aiba slaps him across the face, grabs his collar and pulls him forward to smash their lips together. Ryo gasps, at all of it. Aiba’s slap has left a prickling feeling on his cheek, while his lips are simply demanding, kissing him passionately. In a faraway corner of his mind, Ryo thinks that probably the kissing scene in that drama won’t be like that. It’s supposed to be more innocent and careful and not traumatize fangirls around the world.
It gets even more intense when Aiba’s fingers are suddenly brushing over his cheek and down his neck, before a hand slips under his shirt. Ryo is pretty sure that this is not going to happen in the drama either.
Ryo is still wondering how to react and what to do when he feels Aiba’s second hand on his hip, pushing him back against the wardrobe. He feels a bit like one of the students of the drama, like a teenager, because his heart betrays him by beating faster all of a sudden. His stomach is tugging and twisting sweetly like there are a bunch of butterflies caught inside. When Aiba kisses his neck, Ryo brushes his fingers through Aiba’s soft hair, a sigh escaping his lips. He isn’t sure what’s going to happen next, and he isn’t sure if he is sad or relieved that he won’t find out because there is a sudden knock against the door . Both of them basically hurry apart.
It’s Aiba’s mother with two huge plates of ramen, and Ryo has difficulties to hide his embarrassment for almost getting caught in the almost-act. When she leaves again, he eyes Aiba carefully. The latter just smiles though. “See,” Aiba says, but his voice wavers slightly much to Ryo’s surprise. “It’s going to be easy to do the kissing scene.”
~~~
Ryo feels confused during the next days, majorly confused. He is caught so much in his thoughts that during his next secret rehearsal with Jun, the latter switches off the music all of a sudden. “You need to focus more,” Jun says calmly.
“I…” Ryo sighs. “Sorry, it’s difficult today.”
“Why is it difficult?” Jun wants to know. “You know, Masaki-kun was weird during our rehearsals yesterday too. What the hell happened?”
“Nothing,” Ryo stutters.
Jun pulls an eyebrow up, throws him a suspicious glance and turns the music on again. “Since it’s nothing, we can continue,” he says casually, only sounding remotely annoyed. “Just focus, otherwise my work won’t be of much help.”
Ryo nods. He tries, he really does. He can’t help it though. Whenever his thoughts wander off, they are circling around the evening at Aiba’s place, their kiss, the continuation of it, the interruption – and whatever it almost turned into. There’s also the thoughts of Aiba’s smile and sparkling eyes whenever they are doing promotions for their single. Oh dear.
He is so preoccupied with his confusing thoughts that it’s only when he stumbles over the cable on the floor. He realizes he has been shifting into the wrong direction. “Be careful!” Jun yells, and is at his side immediately. He catches him with a swift movement before Ryo can drop to the ground. “Damn it!” Jun huffs. “I told you to focus!”
“Sorry,” Ryo sighs. “Thank you.”
“What happened?” Jun asks again, still holding Ryo’s arm. And this time Ryo is really allured to tell him, share his problem with one of his friends though he isn’t quite sure what his problem actually is. He is about to tell him everything when the door to their little rehearsal room flies open all of a sudden.
Ryo just stares at the figure at the doorframe in mere surprise. Jun turns his head too and smiles. “Hi, Masaki,” he says, smiling at Aiba warmly.
“I called you, Jun,” Aiba stutters, while he raises his hands in slight defence. “I-well-“ he pauses. “Nothing, it doesn’t matter.” He blushes and bows deeply. When he gets up, he stares at Ryo in shock. “I’m sorry,” he says again, and Ryo isn’t sure what he is talking about.
Then he leaves. Ryo wonders what the hell just happened.
~~~
The single sells well. Oricon place 1, single charts. And everyone is happy, Ryo too, and Aiba apparently too. After their weird meeting when Aiba bumped into him and Jun practising, Aiba has gathered his composure swiftly. When they meet for the next time, he is all normal and smiley, but also very busy. He didn’t have time for any extra meetings – sadly.
Ryo doesn’t get it at all to be honest because it’s all back to awkward and weird. He does the obvious: Works hard.
When he meets Yoko for a casual lunch, the latter throws him a weird look. “You look pale,” he says like he is one to talk. “Did you work too much?”
“No, I’m fine,” Ryo says. “Work is alright.” It’s the truth, actually, work is really okay, but other things are off. Since Yoko didn’t ask him about his private life though, he sees no reason to tell him.
He still wonders how to get on friendship terms with Aiba again, when the drama’s schedule helps him.
“A special episode?” Aiba asks in surprise when the director tells them about it.
“Yes, we are driving to Wakkanai for it,” the director explains. “Please prepare for a week to be there. We already checked with your management concerning your schedules.”
“Okay,” Ryo says. Nothing unusual for him. He is used to travel in between Osaka and Tokyo and go to other places for dramas. Aiba looks at him through questioning eyes. When Ryo turns his glance towards him, Aiba blushes a bit.
“Fine with me too,” the latter stutters.
“Good,” the director laughs. “It’s going to be really cold by the way, so take enough warm clothes with you.”
“Awesome!” Ryo smiles at that news and when the director is away, he grins brightly. “Wakkanai is known for ice-hiking, did you know that?”
“Really?” Aiba looks at him in surprise. “Sounds like fun.”
“We should totally give it a try!” Ryo beams. “And drive on an ice-breaker ship! Okay?”
Aiba’s eyes gleam all of a sudden. “Yes!” he exclaims happily and grabs Ryo’s hands, apparently all excited now. “Let’s do that together.”
Ryo smiles, deciding to take advantage of Aiba’s sudden happy mood. “Let’s go for dinner now to celebrate,” he suggests. To his relief Aiba immediately nods. They just grab their stuff from the set and hurry to a nearby soba restaurant.
It’s a place Ryo frequents quite often, so he knows he can manage to get a private area for them.
“Nice place,” Aiba smiles, sounding all relaxed. He sits down at the other side of the table. “I’m glad that the drama did so well.”
“Yes,” Ryo nods happily. “The ratings were fine too. Thanks so much for your hard work, Aiba-kun.”
Aiba smiles. “Just call me Masaki, will you? Feels weird after everything to be so formal.”
Normally Ryo would have pondered longer over this suggestion and feel embarrassed and all, but Aiba is so casual and laid-back that he doesn’t mind. “Yes, thank you, Masaki-kun.”
They both chuckle, and when their soba arrived, they order a bottle of sake for the both of them. Their little private celebration continues well, casual and almost as relaxed as they were before Aiba saw him practising with Jun – maybe he is a little pissed that Ryo has done some extra work behind his back, so not to be a burden?
It’s when they empty the last part of their sake bottle that Ryo’s head feels slightly dizzy. He drops to the side a little, trying to regather his composure, when he suddenly feels Aiba’s warm hand on his arm. “Are you alright, Ryo-kun?” he says in concern.
Ryo nods, then he giggles, taking Aiba’s hand into his. “You have beautiful fingers,” he mumbles, not able to stop the words from spilling his mouth. Stupid sake.
Aiba chuckles, turning his hand so that their fingers are intertwined. He tugs at Ryo’s hand a bit until Ryo robs closer and sits right in front of Aiba now. Aiba reaches out his free hand, curls it around Ryo’s neck and pulls him closer. Then he surges ahead, kissing Ryo. This time it’s not as heated and uncontrolled as when they practised Ryo’s on-screen kiss, it’s more tender and soft. It makes Ryo’s head go even more dizzy. Everything seems to turn around him. It’s white and blank in front of his eyes, like a fog surrounding him.
Then suddenly it’s all black.
When he wakes up again, he is lying in a bed that is not his. He feels panic spreading through him – where is he? Why is he here? What the hell happened!? This is not his freaking bed after all, fuck it!
When he sees Aiba approaching him, he calms down immediately. He takes a wild guess that it’s Aiba’s bed, and that everything is somewhat alright. Aiba has this ability to give him this feeling, to stop him from freaking out. “What happened?” Ryo mumbles.
“You collapsed.” Aiba sits down at the edge of the bed, brushing through Ryo’s hair softly. “You should have told me that you weren’t feeling well.”
“I am okay,” Ryo tries to reassure him. “I just drank too much.”
“Hm.” Aiba frowns, apparently not really believing him. “Nino told me that you have the tendency to work too much.”
“I’m okay, Masaki-kun,” Ryo says with emphasis. “Just overwhelmed and all.”
Aiba blushes a bit and looks away from him. “I’m sorry,” he mumbles tiredly. “I mean, I don’t get myself. I don’t understand why I did this a second time. Knowing that you and Jun-“ he pauses, coughing slightly. “I mean, Jun is one of my best friends. I’m just a horrible person I guess.”
Ryo’s eyes widen. He tries to sit up to see Aiba’s face properly. The latter however has turned his face away, but even though his hair is blocking his face, he looks sad. Ryo blinks. What the hell is that guy talking about anyway? What’s going on with him and Jun?
“I-“ Ryo starts, but doesn’t get to finish because there is a sudden knock at the door. It’s Yuu, much to Ryo’s surprise.
“Thanks so much for coming,” Aiba bows deeply in front of Yuu. “I thought you two were really close, so I called you. I’m sorry. I don’t know where Ryo-kun’s apartment is, so I didn’t know where to take him too.”
Yuu grins brightly and pats Aiba’s shoulder. “No problem,” he smiles and throws himself on the other side on the bed, next to Ryo. “You don’t look bad though. I have seen you worse.”
Ryo has to laugh at that. “See.” He smiles at Aiba. “I told you I’m fine.”
~~~
Ryo loves Yuu dearly, as a friend. He is thankful that he was there to take him home and help him, but he is also feeling a bit pissed that his talk with Aiba got interrupted again! Now with the whole promotions for their single subsiding, with the rehearsals and the drama shooting stopping, and the photo shootings coming to an end, he has only one more opportunity to understand what the hell is going on.
He has tried to ask Jun about it, but the latter has just sighed deeply and told him to talk to Aiba directly. He also said something about two idiots ,going on his nerves, Tennen for sure, and I’m going to grow grey hair if this really works out . Ryo has no idea what to make out of these comments.
~~~
Aiba’s eyes gleam in amazement when they see the white, glittering landscape in front of them. Of course they have seen plenty of snow until now, but it’s different to be so far away in the nothingness of the mountains and rustic northern seaside. “WOW!” he breaths out. “This is amazing. I can’t believe I was never there.”
“Well,” Ryo yawns a bit and stretches. “It’s not particularly close to anywhere we work and live normally.”
Gladly Aiba is friendly as usual and tries to be normal around him, even though he keeps his distance carefully. Ryo hopes that the new surroundings and the activities will give them the one or other chance to get closer again. To talk.
First though they have to do some shootings for the dorama. The atmosphere at the set is light and happy, everyone seems to enjoy his time here. So it doesn’t even feel much like work. At the end of their work for today, Aiba smiles at Ryo. “I envy you a bit, you know?”
“For what?” Ryo asks in surprise.
“You are such a good actor.” Aiba shrugs. “I had to work hard to be able to keep up with you at least a bit. I took extra lessons, you know? I didn’t want to pull you or the drama down with a bad performance.”
Ryo is speechless for a moment. So Aiba felt like he did for the dancing part of their single? There is basically no difference in their doubts. He is about to tell him about his own attempts to improve his dancing with Jun’s help, but unfortunately they get interrupted by some of the younger actors who want to thank them for their brilliant lead and all.
Once again, they are distracted. It feels freaking frustrating though the younger ones are all nice and sweet, and it’s a lovely gesture, of course. Ryo had has it with all the interruptions though, and he swears to himself not to let another opportunity slip.When they are finally leaving the set for today, and the others want to go to have dinner, he grabs Aiba’s arm. “Sorry,” he says to their co-workers. “Masaki-kun and I just made an appointment for driving with the ice-breaker ship.”
It’s not even a lie, he has really made an appointment, just that Aiba didn’t know about it. Gladly the other is so surprised by his sudden approach that he tugs along without questioning him, or arguing. It’s only when they reach the harbour and Ryo talks with the captain of the ship that Aiba finally opens his mouth to say something. “You really made an appointment!?” he breaths out. “I thought it was a joke.”
“No,” Ryo smiles happily. “We talked about it before after all. And you were so excited about it. To be honest, I am too. Maybe we’ll even see some northern lights!”
Aiba smiles. “Even if don’t see the lights, it won’t matter. It’s still going to be cool.”
They don’t talk much when the ship leaves the harbour. They just watch the scenery in front of them. Below them the ice breaks, the sound of it is so weird and fascinating, but the scenery around of them is even more alluring. There is endless ice in front of them, and the ship just drives through it, breaks it. The sky is full of stars, and sometimes it gleams. It’s better than Ryo has imagined it. It doesn’t even matter that it’s freezing cold because even though he has brought some extra jackets and scarfs he feels like a stupid icicle.
He smiles when Aiba approaches him, putting a second scarf around Ryo before putting it around his own neck as well. Then he grabs Ryo’s left hand and puts them into the pocket of his jacket. His own fingers are wrapped around Ryo’s hand. He smiles shyly when Ryo looks at him through questioning eyes, and Ryo decides to finally gather his courage. “What did you mean when you said you felt like a bad friend? When we were in your apartment…”
Aiba doesn’t say anything for a long while. but then he sighs all of a sudden. “You and Jun like each other, don’t you?”
Ryo snorts. “Do you really think I would be standing here and share a scarf and jacket with you if I was in love with Jun?”
Aiba shrugs helplessly. “But when I bumped into you a few weeks ago, you were about to make out?”
Ryo blinks in surprise. It takes him a while to gather his senses, and when he does, he can’t help but laugh loudly. He is giggling so much that Aiba throws him a grumpy glance.
“So that’s what your weird behaviour is about?” he chuckles. “Jun was just helping me practise the dance steps for our single. Just like you with your acting, I was afraid to ruin our live dancing performances. And on that day, I was confused because you and I kissed a few days ago. I stumbled and Jun prevented me from getting hurt. He was pretty pissed actually.” Ryo smiles. “It just so happens that I know that he likes someone else. Definitely not me.”
Aiba stares at him in utter surprise. “So Jun didn’t lie when he said he didn’t like you?”
“No, why should he?”
“He likes someone else?” Aiba asks, pouting a bit. “Why don’t I know that!? Who is it?”
“Secret,” Ryo giggles. “But it’s someone from your group.”
Aiba just shakes his head in disbelief. “So I’m not getting in Jun’s way by kissing you?”
“Nope.”
“And we can continue this here?” Aiba makes a gesture with his chin, like he is pointing at Ryo and himself. “Whatever it is.”
Ryo smiles a bit. “I certainly hope so,” he says. When Aiba tightens the grip around his hand, he feels warm all of a sudden. “I hope so,” he repeats.
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Date: 2015-10-31 01:59 pm (UTC)This is utterly cute. The insecurities both of them have and how they both want to be their best for this new collab. How they're always getting interrupted by someone (Johnnys Interruptus!) every time things have a chance to be cleared up between them. It literally takes getting away from everything into the (ice) desert to finally be able to talk it all out. <3
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Date: 2015-11-02 01:22 pm (UTC)I'm happy you liked this!! It's my first time giving that pair a serious try :D
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Date: 2015-11-01 09:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-11-02 01:23 pm (UTC)I'm happy the pair seemed to work :D (and since I love Aiba and Arashi, I'm definitely going to write more Aiba :-))
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Date: 2015-11-01 01:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-11-02 01:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-11-04 04:37 pm (UTC)Thanks so much for writing this for me <3 Aiba and Ryo are so sweet, and I can so imagine them going on Jun's nerves *lol*
Poor Jun....those two stupid....XDDDD
But I am happy that they found each other in the end, even though I had the feeling that they'd dance around each other till forever *lol*
Thanks again, my dear <3 I am really happy that I recieved this one for the exchange <3
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Date: 2015-11-05 08:41 am (UTC)It was fun to give this two a try! Was my first real attempt :D
*lol* Poor Jun grew some grey hair with these two :D