Love Episodes - Episode 26: 5x9=8 pieces of pizza

[yoru-no-hikaru.livejournal.com]

Pairing: KinKi Kids
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Don't own KinKi Kids, or anything JE-related
Warnings: some swearing, slightly angsty
Multi-Chapter


Intro: Set right after episode 25. Koichi returns home after a long time of being busy with SHOCK. He feels wary, since Tsuyoshi is still mad at him. How will they deal with the situation? And Koichi's dieting problem is not really solved yet either.


Note: I've been looking forward to posting this. And now I'm doing it express, especially for zombiezahn , who seems to be unable to sleep with the matter unsolved. ^^ Hope you like it. ^_^

Koichi halted with his hand on the door knob. He took a deep breath, then braced himself and turned the key. The door sprang open readily and Koichi was immediately wrapped in the familiar smell that came wafting in his direction. He closed his eyes for a moment. That smell always made him feel comfortable and save. It smelled like home and he felt he had finally returned from an incredibly long journey. As soon as he opened his eyes, though, reality shot right back into his mind. He sighed. Tsuyoshi was still pissed at him. He hadn’t even called. When Koichi called, he would pick up and he’d send an occasional message – but that was mainly to remind him that he should eat.

 

Koichi discarded his shoes carelessly, took his scarf off and left it on the cupboard and then made his way into the apartment. Once he was in the living room, he put his black bag on the floor and released Pan from her travelling accommodation. The dog happy jumped out and immediately went looking for Kenshiro. Koichi smiled. He had noticed she had missed her companion. He closed the bag and put it on the sofa. As he straightened up, he jumped, startled, then froze. In the door to the kitchen stood Tsuyoshi, eyeing him suspiciously, if also a bit warily, Koichi thought. He cleared his throat.

 

“Ano… tadaima,” he mumbled out, not knowing what else he could possibly say.

“Okaeri,” Tsuyoshi nodded vaguely. “I didn’t expect you back so early,” he added randomly.

“Oh, yeah. Well,” Koichi stuttered, “we decided to go straight home and meet some other time. We’re all tired.”

“Oh,” Tsuyoshi made simply, taking a sip from his glass and walking past Koichi to sit down on the sofa.

Koichi screwed his eyes shut. The atmosphere killed him.

“Tsuyoshi,” he addressed his partner. “I hate this,” he stated simply.

“Sucks,” the other returned casually.

 

“Tsuyoshi, I… I made a mistake. Please, I’m sorry. It won’t happen a…”

“We’ve had this conversation, Koichi,” Tsuyoshi interrupted him. “We had it four years ago. And you sound like a broken record repeating those words.”

Koichi blinked at him. “What… what are you talking about? I didn’t do anything?”

“No?” Tsuyoshi bit at him and Koichi felt a sting in his heart as he thought he detected disregard in the other’s gaze.

“What, you… you’re talking about… when I cheated… But really, I didn’t do anything. You can’t think Nakai-kun…”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” the younger man said dismissively.

“But then why…? I didn’t…” Koichi stammered helplessly.

 

“Sex, or not, the issue is exactly the same,” Tsuyoshi explained. When Koichi just kept blinking at him, he sighed. “Don’t you get it? The problem is exactly the same as before. You were overly careless and you lied to me. Whether it’s cheating, or… well, this, doesn’t matter. You repeat the same pattern, over and over. Usually someone will catch you along the way, but if there’s no one, you’ll run straight into disaster and I…” He broke off, shutting his eyes and shaking his head.

“What?” Koichi choked out.

“I don’t want to watch it,” Tsuyoshi hissed out. “And I can’t trust you. I believed you. I thought you had learned. That I can trust you to take care of your own business. I keep on fighting, fighting real hard, so the darkness won’t claim me again. I thought you’d make the same effort, but here I find you haven’t changed at all.”

 

“But it was really just this once...” Koichi mumbled out in a small voice.

“But that exactly is the problem,” Tsuyoshi burst out. “How do I know that? You had this `only once´ thing before and I believed you and now you’re doing this to me again.”

“Well, I…” Koichi began, then thought the better of it and started over. “I see… your point. Really. I have to admit, I haven’t given the situation that gravity, but your thoughts on this are… totally understandable.”

“Are they, now?” Tsuyoshi scoffed. “What, are you trying to analyse me now? You should not go there,” he warned.

“No,” the older man stated, shaking his head, “all I’m saying is that I understand you’re hurt.”

“Good.”

 

“And you’re worried too. And maybe the worries and your pain and your strong emotions make you exaggerate the whole thing a little bit.”

Koichi could see the moment when Tsuyoshi snapped. His eyes burnt and his body shook with restricted anger.

“Exaggerate?” he asked, almost breathlessly. He laughed a little in disbelieve and then he burst out. He shot up from the sofa, flinging Koichi’s bag to the floor in the progress and advanced the other furiously. For just one second Koichi was sure he’d get the punch of his life, but then Tsuyoshi just threw his arms out wildly, screaming out his frustration.

 

“I exaggerate? Are you fucking kidding me? Do you… do you even know what I have learned to accept, what I have decided to endure to allow you what you claim makes you so happy?! All the things that you do… starting with throwing yourself down a staircase and finishing with wearing costumes that have half your body weight. And there are a million things in between. Strings, ropes, jumping, fighting, flying – all of that is dangerous. Do you think I enjoy seeing that stuff, knowing what could happen to you? And you seem to simply not care. I saw you on TV the other day. You looked like you could have dropped to the floor right there and doze off. I… I never say anything, because I know you love it. It makes you happy and I cannot give you this part of happiness and I don’t want to deny you what you love. I always keep telling myself that you’ll watch out, because you know I’m worried and I’m important to you, so you will make sure that I have nothing to worry about. And now with this… I cannot trust you to know your lines. And you don’t even know how you torture me with this. You just go and do as you please and you don’t give a shit about my feelings.”

 

Tsuyoshi heaved, still shaking. Koichi wasn’t sure whether his outburst was really over, or if he was just catching his breath to continue. Not really wanting to find out he decided to voice again.

“Tsuyoshi… I had no idea,” he stuttered out, sounding quite helpless. “I mean, I realise you’re worried, but I never would have thought you feel this way. I… What should I do now?”

Tsuyoshi sighed. “I don’t know. I need some time to sort this out. I’m sorry I burst out like that. I didn’t mean… well, it’s hard to explain. I mean, I wanted you to know how I feel and right now the only way I knew how to was to scream it into your face. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Koichi assured him. “I understand. And if you want me to, I’ll just… leave for a while.”

 

Tsuyoshi looked at him, apparently considering the thought.

Koichi nodded, a sad smile on his lips. “It’s not a problem,” he assured. “Can you just tell me… I’m sorry, but I have to ask you… is this… I mean, how serious… no, what I mean is… are we talking about a break-up right now?”

The look that came to Tsuyoshi’s face was hard to read. Koichi thought he saw confusion, surprise, a little bit of amusement, concern and yet still a good amount of anger.

“It’s late,” Tsuyoshi stated simply. “You should go and rest. Try and sleep well, I can tell that you need it.”

“But…”

 

“Please,” Tsuyoshi said, trying to smile reassuringly, but somehow it turned out apologetically. “I said I was sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you like that. I’m not thinking about breaking up, or anything along such lines. Neither do I want you out of the house. I just need to find a way to work this out.”

“Tsuyoshi, I’m really sorry,” the older man said sincerely. “I’m really… what did I say again back then – scum?”

“Stop it already,” Tsuyoshi demanded. “I... might have exaggerated a little bit with the comparison,” he said, blushing lightly. “I was just furious.”

“And you sure know how to use words,” Koichi told him. “I really thought you’d throw me out again.”

 

“No such thing,” Tsuyoshi assured him. “I really didn’t mean to scare you.”

“You just wanted to make me feel like shit?” Koichi mused.

“Maybe a little,” the younger man admitted.

“Mission accomplished,” Koichi told him, but even though he had meant to bite at the other, the words came out in a strangely comforting voice.

“Trying to return the favour?” Tsuyoshi asked sarcastically.

“Give and take,” Koichi shrugged.

The air around them was suddenly lighter. Koichi could feel the other sigh in relief and felt his own chest lighten again.

 

“Woah, when was the last time we fought like that?” Koichi asked.

Tsuyoshi thought on that for a second. “I think that was in our last vacation together. You had that ridiculous crush on the barkeeper and you kept flirting, so I went for payback and signed up for tennis lessons, just to hit on the trainer.”

“Oh my god,” Koichi burst out, “right. We even smashed a window.”

“You smashed a window,” Tsuyoshi corrected him.

“And then we almost ruined the bed too,” Koichi recalled, a small grin coming to his face.

“Nice thought, but tonight it’s not that kind of fight,” Tsuyoshi told him. “Go to bed.”

“What about you?” Koichi asked. “You’re not sleeping out here, are you?”

 

“No,” Tsuyoshi said, smiling slightly. “I’ll just be another few minutes. There are some things I have to finish. Laundry, dishes, feeding the dogs. You go on.”

“Okay,” Koichi sighed, but smiled back. “Good night.”

“Good night.”

 

 _______________________________________________________________________________________

Koichi sighed as he opened the door to their apartment. Tsuyoshi was right, he definitely had to cut back on his work. Today was different, however. Other than the day before, he was very much looking forward to coming home to his lover.

“Tadaima,” he called into the room, kicking off his shoes.

“Okaeri nasai,” he heard Tsuyoshi’s voice from the living room. “Sorry, I can’t greet you properly, but the dogs kinda have me busy.”

Koichi smiled at that. He had left Pan at home for the day, knowing she would enjoy spending more time with Kenshiro.

 

“Hey,” Tsuyoshi smiled as he saw his partner coming in.

“Hi. I’m early again,” he stated, grinning.

“Good boy,” Tsuyoshi teased.

Koichi laughed lightly as he saw Pan and Ken-chan fighting over the best spot on Tsuyoshi’s lap. He bent down to give the other a light kiss, then petted both dogs lightly, but lovingly.

“Hey, Ken-chan,” he said merrily. “And hello my dear. Did you miss me?”

“She sure did,” Tsuyoshi told him. “She was lying in your bed almost all morning, looking as though she was determined to make you appear by merely staring demandingly enough at the door.”

 

“Aw,” Koichi dragged out, petting Pan some more. “I’m sorry, dear. But Tsuyoshi and Ken-chan take good care of you, ne?”

“Which is quite a task,” the younger man informed him. “She’s quite as spoilt as you are.”

Koichi stuck out his tongue playfully, then drew back. “What’s for dinner?”

“Oh, I haven’t really cooked yet,” Tsuyoshi told him.

“Not a problem,” the older man smiled. “I’ll just check the fridge. You stay right here.”

“Okay.”

Tsuyoshi did exactly that, sitting on the sofa, petting the dogs, counting the seconds before his lover’s return.

“Tsuyoshi?”

 

28.

 

“Yes?” Tsuyoshi asked casually.

“Ano… the fridge is kinda empty,” he stated carefully. “Shall I go and buy something?”

“If you like,” Tsuyoshi shrugged.

“What do you mean, if I like?” Koichi asked in confusion. “Don’t you want to have dinner? What have you eaten today? And when?”

“Nothing,” Tsuyoshi informed him.

Koichi stared. “What?!”

“I haven’t eaten,” the younger man repeated casually.

“But… why?” Koichi wanted to know.

 

“Because I have decided to change to a very special diet,” he announced.

“Special diet?”

“Yes, the Domoto Koichi diet.”

“Eh?!”

Koichi shook his head in confusion.

“This is how it’s going to be,” Tsuyoshi explained. “I have decided to eat what you eat. Only what you eat.”

“Only what I eat?” Koichi gasped out, eyes wide. “What – are you mad?”

 

“That’s debatable,” Tsuyoshi said, a rather sly grin on his face, his amusement now clearly showing. “I know it must feel a little bit like blackmailing, but I think this is a very good way to make you see your own life style. I’ve decided to only eat what you eat and when you eat. No more.”

“You are kidding me,” the older man muttered, still staring in disbelief.

“No kidding,” Tsuyoshi stated firmly. “So, you will see on me how you treat your own body. If you feel I’m not eating well, that’ll be because you’re not eating well. And if you want me to be well-fed, you must first look at your own eating habits.”

 

Koichi could only gape. Then he shook his head. “What – really?”

“Really,” Tsuyoshi confirmed. “I’ve also talked with Ma-kun about this and he thinks it’s a very good idea and he has kindly agreed to make a record for me.”

“So I won’t cheat?” Koichi made a face. “You think I’d do that?”

“Most probably not,” Tsuyoshi gave him, “but for now I just want to be sure.”

“I… I don’t know what to say,” Koichi admitted. “I’m quite speechless. You decided to do this for me?”

 

“Well, I admit, I was hoping I’d hit a nerve,” Tsuyoshi winked.

“Tsuyoshi,” Koichi sighed, flinging himself at his partner. “I love you so much.”

The younger man smiled, patting his lover’s head softly. “I love you too.”

“You must love me. Only love would make you do something stupid like that,” Koichi laughed slightly. “Thank you,” he whispered, pecking his lover on the lips lightly.

He pulled back, waiting for a reaction, and got one when Tsuyoshi cupped his face and pulled him in for another, more demanding kiss.

 

“You hungry?” Koichi asked, as they pulled back, foreheads still resting against each other.

“Mh, very,” the other admitted.

“How about pizza?” Koichi suggested.

They both chuckled a bit, and Koichi sighed happily, feeling his partner against his body, holding him and feeling strong arms around himself, supporting him and making him feel safe.

 

Five minutes later they were both bent over the flyer of a near-by pizza delivery service.

“Hey,” Koichi asked, “is it too early to consider sex?”

Tsuyoshi blinked at him.

“Well, I feel like having garlic on mine, but if sex is an option, I might reconsider,” he explained.

Tsuyoshi laughed at that. “Not exactly romantic – garlic, or sex.”

“Sorry,” Koichi chuckled. “I’m always weird when I wary.”

“Wary?” Tsuyoshi asked, blinking.

Then he grinned, pulling Koichi into a kiss that took his breath away.

 

“Wow,” Koichi commented when he was released, licking his lips.

“There’s more where that came from,” Tsuyoshi told him suggestively. “I’m not saying you get sex tonight,” he added playfully, “but you should know that when I want you, I’ll take you with our without bad breath.”

Koichi eyed him carefully, then grinned too.

“Sounds good enough to go with curry rather than garlic,” he decided.

 

“Curry on pizza,” Tsuyoshi laughed, shaking his head. “Only you would eat that.”

“Not true,” Koichi pouted. “Yo-kun likes it too. Oh, btw, I’ve been thinking, instead of playing video games, or eating out big, how about we go for karaoke sometimes, or meet at people’s places in circles. That way you can join a lot more often.”

“Well,” Tsuyoshi mused, “if you can find my presence more appealing than hitting your controller…”

“Much more appealing,” Koichi grinned, pulling the other close. “How about we postpone dinner?” he suggested.

 

Tsuyoshi eyed him warily.

“Well, I was just thinking… when I’m full I can’t…”

“Again, who said you’re gonna get any?”

“Okay, how about this? I’ll feed on you for the time being.”

Tsuyoshi laughed at that. “Why, that’s a thought. Hold on.”

He picked up the phone and dialled. Koichi blinked at him.

“Yes,” Tsuyoshi suddenly spoke into the phone, “I want to order number 17 and number 21 with curry, please.”

“Oi,” Koichi protested.

“Yes, thank you.”

 

With that Tsuyoshi hung up. When he looked at his lover he tried to look pouty, but he could tell that Koichi actually felt a bit hurt. He chuckled lightly and pulled his lover close.

“You have 30 minutes for your appetizer,” he whispered in his ear.

At that Koichi grinned at him. “If I don’t eat a lot, I can sure eat fast.”

Another soft chuckle, as Tsuyoshi pulled Koichi into a loving kiss.

 

 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Okay, this is new. I don’t really break off at the good part. But somehow it felt like this was kinda private. ^^ So, I’ll skip this sex scene. But there’s more to come. Hope you all liked. Finally the eating issue is dealt with. (I wish. -_- Koichi really should eat more. If anyone who knows him should get to read this: FEED HIM! NOW! ) Next chapter will be lighter again. At least that’s the plan. ^^”