Love Episodes - Episode 9: The Black Hole

[yoru-no-hikaru.livejournal.com]

Pairing: KinKi Kids
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Don't own KinKi Kids, or anything JE-related
Warnings: bit dark
Multi-Chapter


Introduction: So, here it is. This takes place not too long after Episode 8. Tsuyoshi's depressions are getting more serious and they affect him in both his job and his private life. Koichi is totally clueless and has no idea what's wrong and what he can do to ease the situation.


Note: I just wanted to finish this story line, so I sat down at my computer and kept writing for hours on. I wrote the entire piece in one go. I split it into three Episodes altogether. I only just finishde my second beta-reading and I decided I wouldn't do more. So you'll have to read it as it is now. I'll update all three parts together to avoid evil cliffhangers. Just in case anybody should wonder, the "optics" stories are all correct. Yes, I too am a geek. ^_^"

“Koichi,” the director called out loudly. “We’re shooting.”

“Right,” Koichi answered promptly, putting away his book.

The director looked curiously at the item. “Not a lot of people read other stuff than their scripts on set,” the man pointed out.

“I know all of my lines,” Koichi assured him. “We can shoot.”

“What is it,” the director wanted to know, “that’s so interesting that you would bring it to work with you?”

 

“It’s a book about optics,” Koichi explained casually.

The director blinked. “Optics?”

“Yeah,” Koichi nodded in confirmation. “Did you know that our colouring system is a mere result of definition? Colours look different to everybody. No two eye-sights are the same. So, what appears yellow to me might be what you see as red. But we labelled it the same, learning that this colour is called a certain name, even though we see it very differently. So, even though you see what I would call red when I saw it, you’d still say it’s yellow, because that’s what you’ve been taught.”

 

“That’s… interesting,” the director mumbled, blinking repeatedly and looking rather confused.

“It is, right?” Koichi agreed, smiling. “Optics will also have things disappear from our sight at the horizon. It’s like…”

“It really is interesting, Koichi-kun,” the director interrupted him. “But now we’ve got work to do.”

“Ah, sorry,” Koichi said apologetically. “Sometimes I just get too into it.”

“Well, you seem to be interested in many different things, that’s good.,” the director told him. “Okay, let’s get started now.”

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

“Otsukare-sama desu,” Koichi declared as he bowed to leave.

“Ne, ne, Koichi-kun,” Kyoko shouted after him, hurrying to his side. “How about we go for dinner?”

“Ano…” Koichi fumbled for words. “Look, I’m sorry, but I can’t tonight.”

Kyoko’s face fell significantly. “This is the third time you’ve turned me down.”

“I know,” Koichi sighed. “I’m sorry, I just can’t.”

“But we will go this week, right?” Kyoko asked with puppy-dog-eyes. “You promised,” she added, pursing her lips slightly.

“Gosh, stop bothering me,” Koichi shot at her.

 

The harsh tone had the girl jump. Koichi squeezed his eyes shut, trying to calm himself.

“I’m sorry,” the boy told her. “Look, I’m really… busy right now. I didn’t mean to yell at you,” he said guiltily. “And we will have dinner. I promise. Just not tonight, sorry.”

Kyoko considered him for another moment, but then nodded, smiling again. “Okay. Sorry for bothering you.”

“No such thing,” Koichi assured her. “But now I have to be off. Jaa.”

“Jaa ne,” Kyoko called after him as he ran off.

 

 __________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Koichi sighed as he slumped down on his sofa, pulling out his cell. He pressed a few keys quickly before holding it to his ear.

“You’re late,” Tsuyoshi complained at the other end of the line.

“Stop bitching already,” Koichi told him. “I totally ran home and now I just had a quick dinner before calling.”

“Sorry,” Tsuyoshi mumbled. “I just wanted to hear your voice.”

“It’s okay,” Koichi assured him. “How was your day?”

 

“Lonely…” Tsuyoshi said so quietly Koichi wasn’t all the way sure whether he had heard it right, or if maybe he’d just imagined it.

Feeling awkward about it Koichi asked warily, “What?”

“Ano… it was exhausting,” Tsuyoshi finally stated more firmly. “I…”

There was a longer pause.

“Yeah?”

 

“… We took two extra breaks,” Tsuyoshi finally answered.

“Oh, that sounds exhausting alright,” Koichi confirmed. “Make sure you watch your blood pressure.”

“Nh,” Tsuyoshi simply made. “Your day?”

“Ano… nothing much,” Koichi said casually. “Shooting was alright. Kyoko is a lot of fun to work with, really. We should definitely invite her to our show some time.”

“Okay,” Tsuyoshi agreed. “Ano… anything interesting?”

 

“Well,” Koichi said, licking his lips. “I bought a new book,” he began warily.

“What is it about?” Tsuyoshi wanted to know.

“Optics,” the older boy answered simply.

“Tell me about it,” Tsuyoshi pleaded.

“Okay,” Koichi said, relaxing on his couch and a vague smile on his face. “Today I’ve read about colours. It was totally interesting. Did you know…”

 

Their talk (or rather Koichi’s monologue) went on for almost two hours before Koichi said he wanted to go to bed. He almost felt reluctant about it, but he explained to Tsuyoshi that they would not talk the following night since he was out with the set staff. He could tell Tsuyoshi wasn’t exactly fond of the idea, but still told him `have fun´ in the end.

Right after putting his phone away Koichi got up to take a hot bath and then quickly go to bed. A new shooting day would be starting soon.

 

 __________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

“Tsuyoshi,” Koichi complained irritatedly. “That’s the third time you’re late for this move. Try to concentrate, okay? And your movements are way too lax. You need to brace yourself more.”

His partner simply nodded, feeling edgy.

“Okay, again.”

The two of them set off their dancing choreography, but Tsuyoshi suddenly broke down. Koichi stopped, alarmed.

 

“Tsuyoshi, are you okay?” he asked, rushing over to his lover.

“Yeah,” Tsuyoshi pressed out, waving him off. “I’ll just… go and cool the ankle a bit,” he said before getting up as best he could and hurrying out the room.

Koichi blinked after him. He pondered whether he should go after the other, but knew that Tsuyoshi liked his privacy when dealing with his own business, so he decided to patiently wait for his return. A decision that cost him quite a few nerves as Tsuyoshi took his time. When the boy finally returned, looking okay again, Koichi rushed to his side, smiling happily.

“You alright?” he asked encouragingly.

 

Tsuyoshi nodded firmly, trying to smile back but looking exhausted.

“Just one more time, then we’ll drop it for today,” Koichi decided.

“I’m okay,” Tsuyoshi insisted. “We can practice a bit more.”

“I’m tired too,” Koichi told him. “And besides…” he added, his voice going lower as he circled his arms around his lover, “I think I’d like to have some energy left for other activities…”

 

Tsuyoshi jut brushed him off. “Not tonight,” he stated shortly.

“Well, okay,” Koichi agreed. “But you realise we haven’t in quite a while. I won’t wait forever,” he teased, pecking the other’s lips, but Tsuyoshi tried to avoid the contact.

Koichi blinked.

“Let’s just finish this,” Tsuyoshi urged.

“Okay,” Koichi nodded, feeling hurt and confused.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________


That's it for this part. Poor Koichi But somehow I liked the idea that he would keep searching for things to talk to Tsuyoshi about.