Sound of Silence Chapter 4

[lilly0]

Title: Sound of Silence 4/?
Pairing: Sakumoto, guests appearances by the rest of Arashi (maybe with a surprise side-pairing ;-)), and some others
Rating: up to R
Genre: AU, romance, maybe a bit suspense
Plot: It's in the middle of the night when Sho, a wealthy young business man, stumbles over an unconscious young man, beaten up and curled up in a dark alley. Tired from the way his life goes Sho decides to do something good and takes the man home. Once he wakes up however Sho realizes that the young man has forgotten all about his past, everything he is, and has lost his voice too. Everything that remained from his existence is his name: Matsumoto Jun. But who is he? What happened to him? Why was he lying on the street, beaten-up? And what kind of trauma did he encounter to loose his voice?
Note: This is the story that won the poll on my journal ^^ So, I had started writing it before the poll, kind of lost motivation in the middle of it and then with everyone's encouragement I picked it up again, and voilà :D  I hope this is going to be really interesting for you! There is some suspense in it, and we'll gradually uncover Jun's past.

Sho panicked. He will openly admit it… he panicked. When Jun suddenly broke down, only gurgling something, trying to voice words but obviously not able to say what he wanted to say, Sho’s mind almost went blank. What the hell is he supposed to do in such a situation? How can he communicate in such a moment with someone who can’t talk?

 

He tried to ask Jun, shake him, talk to him, yell at him. He even slapped his cheek. But there was no response coming from him. Jun’s body was just shivering and his eyes clouded with panic.

 

So Sho called Nino.

 

 

 

“Here,” Nino hands him some meds. He drove to his place as fast as possible while giving him advice over the phone. “It’s a panic attack. I thought it was an epileptic shock first, but good thing it wasn’t. He probably remembered something.”

 

“Is that a normal reaction?” Sho asks, watching how Nino forces Jun to take a tranquilizer.

 

Nino sighs slightly. “Not really. To be honest I wasn’t so sure if I believe him or not, but seeing this here…” he points at Jun lying at the floor, covered by a blanket. “I think he has really been traumatized. As a doctor I need to help him now that I know that. As a friend I want you to be careful though.”

 

“Because you think he is dangerous?”

 

Nino grins brightly. “Not at all. If he wanted to get into your pants or kill you, he would have done that long ago already.”

 

Sho blushes slightly, throwing Nino a glare. But this sarcastic prick just laughs. “You think I would be that easy to get?” he grumbles.

 

Nino smirks. “He is good-looking and you haven’t been laid or laid someone since forever.”

 

“How do you want to know that?” Sho huffs.

 

“I know,” Nino teases, and Sho finally gives in with a sigh. No one can beat Nino after all.

 

“So why do you think I should be careful?”

 

Nino shrugs. “We don’t know if someone is after him. To react in such a way because you regain a probably only small piece of your memory, is really appalling. We don’t know if someone did something to him… and what they did to him. That’s what you should be careful about. I’m glad Nagase-san has set his men on you.”

 

Sho sighs. Yes, he is worried too. He looks at Jun’s figure lying next to him. Even in his sleep he looks pressured and stressed, and helpless. Poor guy. What did they do to him?

 

~~~

 

 

When Jun wakes up, he winces a bit like he is in pain, touching his head. Sho and Nino carried Jun to the sofa, and Sho has rested Jun’s head on his lap. Nino has left them alone a while ago and Sho cancelled all his dates for today. He brushes through Jun’s dark strands of hair soothingly. “You are awake?” he asks carefully, taking the towel drenched in cold water and presses it against Jun’s cheeks and forehead.

 

Jun shivers slightly and opens his eyes, and for a moment Sho is mesmerized. Like in the taxi a few weeks ago, he can’t see his reflection in them. He can’t see himself in these eyes. For a tiny second it’s like an open door and he can look deep into Jun. He sees fear and desperation, and confusion. Then Jun blinks and the door is closed again. When he opens his eyes again, Sho can see his reflection in his eyes again.

 

Jun’s lips form a word, and although he can’t produce a sound, Sho knows what he is saying. “Don’t be sorry,” he tells him and brushes his bangs to the side.

 

Jun curls to the side a bit, hiding his face in Sho’s shirt, and Sho just naturally reacts, letting his fingers brush through Jun’s hair soothingly and just humming some sort of song. Any song, he doesn’t even know the title of it. It’s just something he heard in the radio a while ago. They keep this position until Jun calmed down and sits up. His face is flushed like he is suddenly feeling embarrassed about his breakdown. Sho wishes he wouldn’t, because there is nothing to be embarrassed of. When Jun opens his mouth, it seems like he wants to say something, but again he can’t produce a sound.

 

“Don’t worry,” Sho says softly. “Please don’t worry so much.”

 

 

~~~

 

Sho decides they need to go out, although it naturally leads to an argument with Jun… though not really, as he can’t talk back to him.

 

I have nothing to wear!

 

“You can borrow my clothes,” Sho points out.

 

Jun frowns. I have nothing to wear.

 

“They are not that bad,” Sho pouts.

 

Jun rolls his eyes, shaking his head vehemently. It makes Sho sigh theatrically, then he gives in. Seems like he can’t decline his own stray puppy any wish. “Tomorrow we’ll go shopping.”

Jun shakes his head. I have no money, you know that.

 

Sho nods. “I know that, but I’m helping you out of course,” he says, because it just feels natural to do it. To be honest, he doesn’t question it much.

 

To his surprise though Jun frowns, looking angry all of a sudden. When he scribbles his answer in his notebook, he does it almost too fast. I’m not living off you! I’m already living here in your apartment, I’m not going to take your money as well and buy something for me!

 

He wants to write more, but Sho stops him before he can do so. “I didn’t mean to insult you, Jun-kun,” he says softly. “I really didn’t. I know you don’t want to use me for my money.” He pauses. “You know what. Let’s do it differently: Choose something I’m not wearing much and alter it to your liking. How about that? And we can talk about how to get you your own stuff later.”

 

Jun tilts his head before a beautiful smile spread on his lips. He hugs Sho all of a sudden, probably because he can’t tell him his emotions in any other way. Sho can’t help but blush, he is used to using words and to have others show him their opinion of him through words too. To have someone at his side now who is not able to talk and hence refrains to other ways to show him his emotions and respect is challenging him too. It’s a good challenge though, and an important one.

 

Jun has chosen one of Sho’s blue jeans, ripped a few holes into it and attached a few glittery stones to them, the ones that Sho bought for a child of one of his authors once but forgot to give it to them. He takes an additional broad belt now and put some of the tiny stones there as well. And he is wearing one of Sho’s simple black shirts, just that he cut the sleeves off. One side of his hair he has braided back and clipped back, again using some of the glittery stones to decorate the clips.

 

“You know what you are doing,” Sho states calmly. “You also know how to dress up.”

 

Jun looks unsettled all of a sudden and Sho tries to lighten his mood immediately. “It doesn’t need to be something bad,” he urges. “It can also mean you like fashion or you made your own fashion.”

 

He tries to play it down, but still… Jun does look dazzling. With simple things he managed to get the maximum out of Sho’s clothes and underlines his own features. It’s almost like he gives people who look at him a promise that there is more beneath the surface awaiting them. He doesn’t tell it Jun of course, it’s only just assumptions and observation, they might not mean anything.

 

When they leave the house, they stumble over Shun, who is currently watching the entrance door for possible strangers. “Why don’t you call your colleague to replace you and come with us?” Sho offers.

 

Shun smiles and nods.

 

They head for Nino’s bar all together and although Jun looks tensed first, he loosens up gradually.

 

“Shun-san, it’s nice to finally meet you,” Aiba says cheerfully, and clasps his shoulders. He pays them the first round of drinks.

 

Jun watches their banter for a while, smiling slightly. He doesn’t seem to be bothered that he can’t join their talk. “Jun-san, you are looking good today. You know how to make an appearance,” Ohno says light-heartedly all of a sudden, as always spending his evening at the bar. They have a regular’s table once a week, Sho and his friends, but Ohno visits the bar almost every night. Today is one of these regular meetings though.

 

Jun looks uncertain at Ohno’s comment, but Sho just nods soothingly at him and he relaxes. It’s nothing special. He scribbles down.

 

“True,” Nino snickers. “One also needs to have the looks. An outfit alone won’t make you hot.”

 

I’m not hot!

 

Aiba giggles at that comment. “I kind of want to print your image to a few folders for my bar and then hand them to strangers. I’m sure you’d attract people.”

 

Jun blushes while Sho’s eyes widen in horror. “Are you nuts,” he huffs. “Who knows what kind of people you would attract then!?”

 

“Jeez, I was just thinking aloud,” Aiba chuckles. “No need to get defensive. I just thought-“

 

He can’t finish his sentence though as a group of business men enter his bar and obviously want to drink something. Aiba is about to get up with a sigh, when Jun grabs his arms. You should enjoy your evening. I can help!

 

Aiba chuckles. “I’m not going to take advantage of you,” he says. “You should have fun here too. It’s also an evening out for you.”

 

Please. Jun’s eyes get huge all of a sudden, apparently he seems to be really into the thought. Let me try. I think it would be fun.

 

“Well then,” Aiba gives in, of course someone like him can’t say no to Jun’s huge puppy eyes. He is basically melting Aiba’s heart with his charm. Sho is about to argue thought, voicing his worry about Jun wanting to help out at the bar, because… the language barrier, he can’t talk and he doesn’t know how to mix drinks and…

 

Ohno puts a hand on his arm and shakes his head. With a sigh Sho gives in.

 

~~~

 

“I’m keeping him!” Aiba exclaims with a bright grin. It’s 2 AM and he is about to close the bar. “I’m so keeping him! Hands off, Sho, he is mine now.”

 

“What?” Nino snickers. “You think you are in a freaking movie?”

 

Ohno apparently had a few drinks too much and wriggles his eyebrows. “Am I supposed to get jealous now?”

 

“Not at all,” Aiba smirks, blowing a kiss at Ohno. “You’ll forever stay my sex buddy. Jun however will be my bar-assistant from today on.”

 

“Sex buddy?” Nino asks in disbelief. “You two are having sex? No way.”

 

“Assistant?” Sho asks. “No!”

 

“Way to burst out our secret,” Ohno chirps. “Although to be honest we thought you realized it already.”

 

“How?” Nino asks dryly. “You are like the most asexual being ever, Sa-chan!”

 

“That’s because you two shared a bathtub with each other when you were two,” Aiba points out with a wink. “I however know Satoshi’s bad sides. The really bad ones. He is a beast in-“

 

“AHHHHHH,” Nino covers his ears. “Stop it! No details. Never details!”

 

“Fine,” Aiba gives in. “So it’s settled, Jun-chan will work for me.”

 

“NO!” Sho huffs, trying to ignore Jun’s pout and the puppy eyes he shows him. Damn it, suddenly he knows how to use his goodies or what?

 

“Why not?” Aiba asks. “He did so well. He can’t talk with the guests, still he managed to charm them. They gave tons of tips tonight, right Kasumi-chan?” His pretty female subordinate nods excitedly. She is still in collage, having a part-time job here and apparently also very eager to have Jun around.

 

“Coincidence,” Sho huffs. Jun looks upset all of a sudden. “It’s dangerous,” Sho urges. “We can’t watch over Jun all the time when he is here, you know that!”

 

“I’m here too,” Aiba argues.

 

Sho stubbornly shakes his head. He doesn’t know why he is so much against this idea. Of course he knows Jun wants to do something, but here… when Sho can’t watch over him? How can he assure that Jun is safe then? And who will look out for him? What if the person or the persons that hurt Jun will find him here?

 

No, it’s better if Jun stays away from such places.

 

They walk the way back to Sho’s apartment, and Jun apparently decided to ignore him for the time being. Sho sighs, like a little kid really. “I know you are mad,” he says. “But this is for the better, believe me.”

 

Jun crosses his arms, continuing to walk without looking at Sho. Wow, Sho didn’t know beforehand that an atmosphere can become so icy all of a sudden. He also didn’t realize that although Jun does never talk, it’s different when he doesn’t communicate at all. It’s interesting to Sho, how they usually seem to communicate even without words.

 

Shun gives them some privacy by walking behind them, not that they would need any, as there is no conversation happening at all. It’s when they get into the elevator to Sho’s apartment, that Sho turns to face Jun. “Jun-kun,” he says with insistence. “I didn’t mean to upset you or anything.”

 

Jun shoots him a glare, before he grabs his notebook, basically ripping it open. COINCIDENCE!? You jerk!

 

“I didn’t want to belittle your efforts and work,” Sho argues. “I’m just worried.”

 

Jun frowns. I’m not talking to you! He scribbles before he gets off the elevator and stomps into the guestroom that became his over the last couple of months. Sho rubs his temples tiredly, wondering how he should handle this dramatic situation now. He gets distracted by his phone vibrating in his pocket. A message from Ohno.

 

Let him work there.

 

Sho sighs. Apparently he got talked into this whole thing by Aiba, even more obvious as he seems to be Aiba’s lover. He doesn’t feel like typing a message and discussing the issue like that, so he calls his friends. “Masaki-kun told you to talk me into it.”

 

“No,” Ohno says calmly, apparently almost sober again. “Though he was pissed that you declined. This is my own personal opinion.”

 

“It’s dangerous,” Sho argues.

 

“Maybe, but every walk into a supermarket can be dangerous,” Ohno argues. “You can’t lock him in, Sho. Do you even remotely understand how he feels? He doesn’t know anything about his life, nothing, and he can’t contribute anything to his living. He is dependent on you and your kindness. It has to be a horrible situation for him.”

 

Sho stays quiet for a while. “I know,” he admits, because really, it’s just…

 

“If he really means something to you, whatever it is you feel for him, then show him that you respect him and his wishes. Of course you should still be careful and he should be too, it’s good to emphasize that, but Masaki’s bar is small and hidden, and Jun should work there only when Masaki is there too, how about that? Masa is not an idiot, he will watch out for Jun.”

 

“I know,” Sho’s voice trails off. “Just…”

 

“What?” Ohno chuckles. “Don’t tell me you didn’t like that tonight’s guests were checking him out and giving him such a huge amount of tip because they liked him?”

 

Sho blushes, glad that Ohno can’t see it, because yes, if he is honest he didn’t like that. “What if someone tries to do something funny,” he argues.

 

Ohno chuckles again. “He is a grown-up man, Sho. Trust him to set his own boundaries. Besides if really someone tries something, there is Masaki too.”

 

Sho lets out the deepest sigh ever. Bothersome friends, really. “Fine,” he says. “Fine, as long as it’s not every day and Masaki is there too I guess it’s safe enough. And I’ll try to-”

 

Before he can even finish his sentence, he hears a squeal of joy behind him. The door to Jun’s room flies open and Jun suddenly clings to his neck, making them both drop to the floor. Apparently he heard their whole talk. Sho blushes and tries to say something, but Jun doesn’t let him, basically cuddling him like he is some sort of comfortable pillow. Sho just manages to breath out a “calling you later,” towards Ohno, ignoring the way Ohno laughs suggestively, before he puts the phone aside.

 

Sho turns his attention towards Jun. “So you are talking to me again?” he asks teasingly.

 

Jun pulls his eyebrows up, a smirk appearing on his face before he suddenly lets his fingers wander down Sho’s sides… and pokes him. “Stop it,” Sho squeals. “That’s not fair!”

 

He wants to sound mad but can’t. He just has to laugh at this whole silly situation. He hasn’t had so much fun since years. For a moment he looks up, meeting Jun’s eyes all of a sudden. They are so deep, so beautiful in this moment as Jun obviously doesn’t think of his issues right now. He is distracted, and his eyes are more open. Sho feels weirdly drawn to them, reaching out his hand and touching Jun’s cheek. He can only look at Jun now, and he just wishes he could pull him into his arms for real and hold him tight and…

 

No, Sho shakes his head and pulls his hand away from Jun’s cheek. He doesn’t want to force anything on Jun. It wouldn’t be right to make a step at him.

 

Sho’s eyes widen in horror all of a sudden. Wait… Did he really just think that? Does he really want to approach Jun?