9 1/2 Weeks - 02 - (Week 1: Monday)
Dec. 24th, 2012 09:30 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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The monkeys are great. They all love the monkeys, and Jin loves the monkeys the most when he watches Akira giggle as two of the red-butted pavians chase each other from swing to swing and one of them misses and falls one storey down.
"That was dumb," Akira says, but then he stands on tiptoe to make sure the pavian is all right. Akira liked the tigers, too, but they couldn't make him drop the cool silent act.
"Hey, he's just a guy having a bad day," Jin sticks up for the incompetent monkey, and then the incompetent monkey opens his scary mouth and shrieks at the visitors, and Sara-chan squeals and hides her face in Jin's neck, her short legs wrapping around Jin's waist.
"You're a little monkey, too, aren't you?" he says. It's true, he hardly even has to hold her up, though he thinks with a pang that she feels heavier from the last time she crawled all over him. Taller, too.
"I'm not!" she declares. "But monkeys are scary." Then she pretends to bite him, and it makes them all laugh.
There are baby monkeys, too, adorable things with spindly-strong arms, and they watch those for at least half an hour, Sara making up stories for what they are fighting about and Akira helping her out when her plot goes in a circle or she loses track of which one was the girl monkey. It's the happiest Jin's been in weeks.
Then it's time for ice cream. In his head, Jin thinks this is for celebration, though he doesn't tell them that.
The zoo is crowded, Golden Week and good weather. Families everywhere, men who work hard all year on a welcome break.
Jin never envied them. So much they miss out on, with their hours and their offices. Then again, they don't have to give spontaneous performances for entitled jerks so they can see their kids, so maybe it all comes out in the wash.
"Mom said your work was very busy," Akira says, eating his ice cream with his typical fastidiousness. Sara, in contrast, has managed to get the chocolate smears near her eyebrow. "Were you working with famous producers again?"
It's such a grown-up question. Meisa worries about being a bitch, but in truth she's kinder than Jin could ever expect. "Not so famous," Jin says. "Just very demanding. Kept us up all night, I'm glad it's over and I have more time now. How is school?"
"Hm," Akira says.
"How's that new homeroom teacher working out?" He heard about her on the phone, complaints starting with the first day of the new school year, four weeks ago.
"She's totally useless." Akira kicks a stone along the gravel path. "I wish we had a proper teacher."
"I hate her too," Sara announces.
Jin frowns at her. "Don't say stuff like that," he says. "And you don't even know her."
"She's mean to Akira," Sara says stubbornly. "And he always does his homework, ask him."
"She's more mean to my friend," Akira says. He's focusing on his ice cream and avoiding his sister's determined glare.
"Park-kun?" Jin asks. "Mean how?"
Akira shrugs. "I don't know." He shrugs a little more, and Jin knows enough to wait. "She called him lazy and when I said that he's not, we both got detention. It was really stupid."
Jin stops with his ice cream; then starts again because he needs just one moment to think. "You shouldn't talk back to the teachers, they're working very hard to teach you things," he says, because he knows it's important. "But it's good you stand up for your friends."
Akira looks at him, totally noticing the contradiction. It hurts him not to have a good, clean answer. He's proud, crazy proud Akira has this kind of courage... but how can Jin encourage him to be a troublemaker?
"What do you think I should have done?"
"I think," Jin says slowly, "that it would have been best if she hadn't called Park-kun lazy. But it would have been the worst if he'd felt alone and like nobody was on his side."
Akira looks at him for a moment before remembering his ice cream, and not letting it drip on his fingers. But something about that seems to make sense to him.
"Do you want us to go talk to her?" Jin asks.
He watches carefully. If Akira looked afraid or panicked, it would settle the question right there, Jin would be there this instant. But Akira is weighing it carefully, in one of those moments Jin thinks he must have gotten all his brains from someone else.
"No, I don't think so," he says finally. "It was just a detention."
Sara has been watching quietly, not butting in. She's a good girl. She'll be as smart as her brother, as smart as her mom.
*~*~*
They take the train home among the throngs of Golden Week travellers. Sara is playing monkey again, before living up to her heritage and falling asleep. Jin clutches Akira close to him, ignoring that Akira is used to the trains and finding him fussy.
His arms ache by the time they arrive, but he could do this forever, Sara breathing sleepily into his neck, smelling like home and love, trusting him so completely. He could have had half a dozen and he'd love them all just like this.
They pass a newsstand, and for once Jin doesn't sharply ignore anything that might be familiar. Like Kamenashi. They outgrew the idol magazines a few years ago, so he's not everywhere, but two glossy ones still have KAT-TUN on the cover, mature and serious KAT-TUN, all four of them in suits. Even in the picture Kamenashi looks cold.
He delivers the kids and Meisa asks him in for tea and he stays, and gets to put Sara to bed, sing her favorite songs for her, and when he leaves he knows he can be back soon.
The monkeys are great. They all love the monkeys, and Jin loves the monkeys the most when he watches Akira giggle as two of the red-butted pavians chase each other from swing to swing and one of them misses and falls one storey down.
"That was dumb," Akira says, but then he stands on tiptoe to make sure the pavian is all right. Akira liked the tigers, too, but they couldn't make him drop the cool silent act.
"Hey, he's just a guy having a bad day," Jin sticks up for the incompetent monkey, and then the incompetent monkey opens his scary mouth and shrieks at the visitors, and Sara-chan squeals and hides her face in Jin's neck, her short legs wrapping around Jin's waist.
"You're a little monkey, too, aren't you?" he says. It's true, he hardly even has to hold her up, though he thinks with a pang that she feels heavier from the last time she crawled all over him. Taller, too.
"I'm not!" she declares. "But monkeys are scary." Then she pretends to bite him, and it makes them all laugh.
There are baby monkeys, too, adorable things with spindly-strong arms, and they watch those for at least half an hour, Sara making up stories for what they are fighting about and Akira helping her out when her plot goes in a circle or she loses track of which one was the girl monkey. It's the happiest Jin's been in weeks.
Then it's time for ice cream. In his head, Jin thinks this is for celebration, though he doesn't tell them that.
The zoo is crowded, Golden Week and good weather. Families everywhere, men who work hard all year on a welcome break.
Jin never envied them. So much they miss out on, with their hours and their offices. Then again, they don't have to give spontaneous performances for entitled jerks so they can see their kids, so maybe it all comes out in the wash.
"Mom said your work was very busy," Akira says, eating his ice cream with his typical fastidiousness. Sara, in contrast, has managed to get the chocolate smears near her eyebrow. "Were you working with famous producers again?"
It's such a grown-up question. Meisa worries about being a bitch, but in truth she's kinder than Jin could ever expect. "Not so famous," Jin says. "Just very demanding. Kept us up all night, I'm glad it's over and I have more time now. How is school?"
"Hm," Akira says.
"How's that new homeroom teacher working out?" He heard about her on the phone, complaints starting with the first day of the new school year, four weeks ago.
"She's totally useless." Akira kicks a stone along the gravel path. "I wish we had a proper teacher."
"I hate her too," Sara announces.
Jin frowns at her. "Don't say stuff like that," he says. "And you don't even know her."
"She's mean to Akira," Sara says stubbornly. "And he always does his homework, ask him."
"She's more mean to my friend," Akira says. He's focusing on his ice cream and avoiding his sister's determined glare.
"Park-kun?" Jin asks. "Mean how?"
Akira shrugs. "I don't know." He shrugs a little more, and Jin knows enough to wait. "She called him lazy and when I said that he's not, we both got detention. It was really stupid."
Jin stops with his ice cream; then starts again because he needs just one moment to think. "You shouldn't talk back to the teachers, they're working very hard to teach you things," he says, because he knows it's important. "But it's good you stand up for your friends."
Akira looks at him, totally noticing the contradiction. It hurts him not to have a good, clean answer. He's proud, crazy proud Akira has this kind of courage... but how can Jin encourage him to be a troublemaker?
"What do you think I should have done?"
"I think," Jin says slowly, "that it would have been best if she hadn't called Park-kun lazy. But it would have been the worst if he'd felt alone and like nobody was on his side."
Akira looks at him for a moment before remembering his ice cream, and not letting it drip on his fingers. But something about that seems to make sense to him.
"Do you want us to go talk to her?" Jin asks.
He watches carefully. If Akira looked afraid or panicked, it would settle the question right there, Jin would be there this instant. But Akira is weighing it carefully, in one of those moments Jin thinks he must have gotten all his brains from someone else.
"No, I don't think so," he says finally. "It was just a detention."
Sara has been watching quietly, not butting in. She's a good girl. She'll be as smart as her brother, as smart as her mom.
*~*~*
They take the train home among the throngs of Golden Week travellers. Sara is playing monkey again, before living up to her heritage and falling asleep. Jin clutches Akira close to him, ignoring that Akira is used to the trains and finding him fussy.
His arms ache by the time they arrive, but he could do this forever, Sara breathing sleepily into his neck, smelling like home and love, trusting him so completely. He could have had half a dozen and he'd love them all just like this.
They pass a newsstand, and for once Jin doesn't sharply ignore anything that might be familiar. Like Kamenashi. They outgrew the idol magazines a few years ago, so he's not everywhere, but two glossy ones still have KAT-TUN on the cover, mature and serious KAT-TUN, all four of them in suits. Even in the picture Kamenashi looks cold.
He delivers the kids and Meisa asks him in for tea and he stays, and gets to put Sara to bed, sing her favorite songs for her, and when he leaves he knows he can be back soon.
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-24 09:44 am (UTC)The only thing I have to point out is, when you mentioned KAT-TUN, you wrote "all four of them in suits." Didn't you mean all five? :)
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-25 10:49 am (UTC)Just kidding...Yes, Jin will always be great at being a dad. Enough to make any mother jealous... >_>
We meant what we said. #mwaaaahahaha #evilcackle
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-25 04:53 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-24 11:15 am (UTC)And Kame lookng cold...why? Hmm... :/
Let's wait and see how the story unfolds!~
Thanks for the update and Merry Xmas! :D
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-25 10:50 am (UTC)Jin is not the most unbiased observer of Kame, but yeah, he can look pretty forbidding in photoshoots.
He can scare the bejeezus out of you now and nowadays he's a fluffykitten...Merry Xmas to you too! :D
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-25 04:16 pm (UTC)ps: Sorry I deleted the previous comment cause I think I felt I knew the Kame you were writing though its not true. Must keep reminding myself that this is a fiction! lol
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-27 02:19 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-24 12:53 pm (UTC)Sara seemed to have inherited being a messy eater from Jin. LOL!
And Akira sorta reminds me of Kame in a way.
Regarding KAT-TUN's magazine cover, "all four of them in suits", does this mean another member left?
Can you tell me who it is? *puppy eyes*
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-25 10:50 am (UTC)That's intriguing, how does Akira remind you of Kame?
Yes, somebody else is gone. Please forgive us for keeping it secret just a little longer. (Feel free to start a betting pool. *g*)
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-25 11:47 am (UTC)To answer your question, Akira's way of thinking things through before speaking his mind reminds me of Kame. Almost calculating what his words could result into. I know he's still a kid but it's just my impression based on this chapter.(^^,)
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-27 08:42 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-24 02:43 pm (UTC)But... but... somehow I feel a little sad while reading it ;_______;
Dunno how to explain, but I can't get rid of that feeling :"(
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-25 10:50 am (UTC)Still, he can be with them more often now, and they love him too, so all is good. :)
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-24 05:28 pm (UTC)It's the happiest Jin's been in weeks.
This is all Kame's influence :D This makes me happy as well ^^
Then again, they don't have to give spontaneous performances for entitled jerks so they can see their kids, so maybe it all comes out in the wash.
Considering that they even see their kids or are interested in them. Jin, you should be a mom.
She's a good girl. She'll be as smart as her brother, as smart as her mom.
I'm not that fond of kids either, but this Jin works on me. *____* ALL THOSE FEELS. all those kids feels, damn it
mature and serious KAT-TUN, all four of them in suits
Did you kill Junno? because of his jokes & his mumbling?
when he leaves he knows he can be back soon.
Even if Kamenashi is a jerk, he's still trusting him to come back, this is amazing.
Trust Kamenashi, the solution to all your problems. This should be a slogan.
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-25 11:01 am (UTC)Ha ha, yes, Jin is happy because of Kame. Kore tte DESTINY!
We're sorry for the kid feels. We sometimes can't believe the degree to which this is kidfic. *facepalm* But, well, BLAME JIN. We know we do. He should be a mom, yeah.
Even if Kamenashi is a jerk, he's still trusting him to come back, this is amazing.
Yes, that is well-observed. *G*
Did you kill Junno? because of his jokes & his mumbling?
Interesting theory... :DDD
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-26 01:06 pm (UTC)Nothing better than a notification about a new day ♥ (ok, I'm starting with hearts again, you're doing your job well)
That guy is the perfect mom! Any special reasons you went for Akira and Sara? Akira 明? and Sara because it's foreign, but you can write in without problems in Katakana?
Believe Kame's every word, I'm back, I'll be back, I'm Kamenator. Kaminator?
Either killing Junno or Ueda went away to live with his fairies.
Unfortunately I don't believe in a typo here. Kôki opened an animal zoo with dangerous and playful cats or Nakamaru discovered his dangerous site and produces now television shows with questionable content.
Looking forward to the solution XD
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-28 04:54 pm (UTC)See, this is where speculation is so dangerous, your scenarious for 4nin KAT-TUN are so fascinating... ^^;;
(no subject)
Date: 2013-01-17 09:37 am (UTC)Thanks for the name explanation. :D
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-24 07:36 pm (UTC)He delivers the kids and Meisa asks him in for tea and he stays, and gets to put Sara to bed, sing her favorite songs for her, and when he leaves he knows he can be back soon. - love this..
did someone left KAT-TUN?it was mentioned that there were only 4 of them in the mag covers..
thanks for sharing!!!
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-25 10:58 am (UTC)it was mentioned that there were only 4 of them in the mag covers..
Indeed it was. *g*
Thank you for the comment, much appreciated!
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-24 08:51 pm (UTC)all four of them? 0_0 who's missing! >_<.
Looking forward to the next one ^_^
HAPPY HOLIDAYS XD ♥♥♥
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-25 10:59 am (UTC)Someone is missing. ^^;;
Happy holidays to you too, hope you have a great and relaxing time!
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-25 10:28 pm (UTC)Also really like the fact that despite whatever it is that happened between Jin and Meisa, she's trying her best not to let that influence Jin's relationship with the kids.
Same as everyone else's reactions - there's only 4 in KAT-TUN?!?!?!
I hope it wasn't another painful breakup.
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-26 10:33 am (UTC)Jin and friendship and making trouble -- yes, exactly that. :-) Thank you for picking up on that!
And yes to Meisa. We're glad that's coming across like that!
I hope it wasn't another painful breakup.
We didn't want to give out spoilers but there's really been an alien abduction... >_>
Thank you for this cool comment, and we hope you enjoy the rest of the holiday season! :D
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-26 12:23 pm (UTC)He's adorable. And Jin is so adorable with his kids ;www; ♥
But
guys
KAT-TUN, all four of them in suits
OUCH ;;_______________; WHO LEFT?! Alright, not like you're gonna tell me XDD You evil do-S... fic-writing... writers. XD
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-27 02:20 pm (UTC)do-S all the way. #whip HAHA!
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-26 02:49 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-27 08:45 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-27 09:00 pm (UTC)they couldn't make him drop the cool silent act.
I like how Akira in this mini-chap is not just any kid, but a kid with a distinct personality that also fits what a lot of children his age act like. Cool balance I think.
"Hey, he's just a guy having a bad day," Jin sticks up for the incompetent monkey
Says a guy who had a lot of them on live television. xD
Then it's time for ice cream. In his head, Jin thinks this is for celebration, though he doesn't tell them that.
This hit me hard. It's so sad, and so happy, and so sadly happy. Oh Jin. ;__;
"Do you want us to go talk to her?" Jin asks.
This is so asdfafd, how he is immediately willing to do that and trusts Akira's judgment of the situation. I love that you don't shy away from portraying Jin as a father through and through, and a very caring one at that. I really enjoy seeing him act around his children.
She'll be as smart as her brother, as smart as her mom.
*sadface*
He could have had half a dozen and he'd love them all just like this.
The guuuh and the sadness in all this, just. guuuh. *puddle of wallowing mush*
The yonin-Kat-tun was kind of a shock. I just hope nobody died. Did Koki get busted with drugs or hookers? Or did Taguchi marry? all the not-kowing, gah. you evil people.
I was so glad about Meisa covering for Jin, and letting him stay to be around his children some more after the zoo visit. Though it also is very saddening that his seeing his children seems to be tied to his child support payments. so basically, he lets kamenashi be entitled just to be with his kids, and that is just so selfless, or heroic, or desperate, or dumb, idek. ;________;
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-28 04:55 pm (UTC)I like how Akira in this mini-chap is not just any kid, but a kid with a distinct personality that also fits what a lot of children his age act like.
Thank you! We were hoping they'd have actual characterisation, not just be The Cute Kids, so this pleases us a lot.
Says a guy who had a lot of them on live television.
LOL!! SO TRUE.
It was alien abductions, Nanni. Prepare yourself for the reveal in chapter 7.
Seeing the kids is tied to the child support, yes. Which... it's harsh, but it makes a certain amount of sense. (And fits in with why they split up in the first place.)
and that is just so selfless, or heroic, or desperate, or dumb, idek
We don't really know either. But isn't that a good description of Jin overall? :-)
Thank you for commenting despite your Xmas backlog! It really made us smile.
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-28 01:20 pm (UTC)They pass a newsstand, and for once Jin doesn't sharply ignore anything that might be familiar. Like Kamenashi.
I wonder what kind of relationships they have before.
I like how Jin is trying to be carefull with his advices to his kids, paying so much attention and trying to be right to himself and explain what is really important not just brushing away with some phrase.
(no subject)
Date: 2012-12-28 04:57 pm (UTC)He loves his kids and they are interesting and funny and cute, but it seems he can't see them always when he wants.
No, when he's behind on the child support, he doesn't get to visit. :-/
Meisa is... strict with Jin, for her own reasons, but she doesn't want the kids to think badly of him, no. She really does try. *sigh*
I like how Jin is trying to be carefull with his advices to his kids, paying so much attention and trying to be right to himself and explain what is really important not just brushing away with some phrase.
We love this observation. *_____* (Sometimes, writing Jin is just so much fun, and when he's being awesome with his kids, that even makes writing kids fun. :P)
(no subject)
Date: 2013-01-10 03:32 pm (UTC)Okay that was creepy.
Anyway.
I just loooove Jin with his kids. This is totally how I'd picture him with his kids, all loving and cheesy and so affectionate and even if he thinks Akira did the right thing standing up for his friend he's still not going to encourage it, and that's really dad-like, I think. Like, he's thinking like a father. I love that. And I love you two for writing him that way. It's just lovely to read!
But seriously which one of KAT-TUN has gone?(no subject)
Date: 2013-01-10 07:15 pm (UTC)Also, NOT SAYING. HAHA.
So you're an Ueda fan? The wonderful wonderful woman who made our banner is one, too! We like Ueda fans. :)
Jin will have no shame with his kids, he'll be TOTALLY CHEESY. And very protective. And responsible, where he can, yes. We're really happy you like it.
Still not telling... gollum(no subject)
Date: 2013-01-10 07:58 pm (UTC)Damn, and here I was hoping my Gollum impression would do the trick lol
(no subject)
Date: 2013-01-10 08:05 pm (UTC)Jo considered going to the fan meeting but when she googled the place, it seemed to be at the end of the world and she couldn't find any hotels. >_> We ended up referring to it as Mordor. (seriously!)
(no subject)
Date: 2013-01-10 08:22 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2013-01-10 08:31 pm (UTC)Solo was tempted too, but it was impossible to get affordably to Brussels from Scotland on a weekend (all those Europe politicians flying around, we figure), and then there was the accommodation situation.
We'd love to meet more European fans. Just... life. We all have hard lives. (But not as hard as Jin...)
So, was it you that organized that con? We thought it was somebody called Nika, not, uh, AKIRA. :p
(BTW, your icon is so amazingly appropriate for this story....)
(no subject)
Date: 2013-01-10 08:38 pm (UTC)Wow, Scotland! That's so cool! I'm imagining Solo rockin' a kilt now! Where's Jo from? I kind of assumed you two are, like, real life bffs or something. Either way you make a great team!
Yeah I don't think anyone's life is as hard as Jin's atm. WHOSE FAULT DO YOU THINK THAT IS.
Funny thing is I didn't! I'm not Nika xD She lives nearby though, and I didn't know of her existence until the gathering popped up and I was like, "WAIT WHERE IS IT TAKING PLACE?" Honestly for organizing it pretty much by herself, she did an awesome job! KAT-TUN REMIX AWW YEAH. That was awesome! Get your Ueda uchiwas out!
(Ahahaha, it is, isn't it! From now on I shall always use it when commenting on this story!)
(no subject)
Date: 2013-01-12 11:12 am (UTC)WHOSE FAULT DO YOU THINK THAT IS.
Oh, we know whose fault it is.
That must be great, to suddenly realize that another fan is living so close to you. :) We heard good things about the meeting, too, it was just impossible for us logistically.
(no subject)
Date: 2013-01-20 08:46 am (UTC)Sara, in contrast, has managed to get the chocolate smears near her eyebrow
Never underestimate a girl’s hungry eyebrows. *g*
But it’s nice how he’s still giving his kids some advice and how they seek advice. (and I like the advice Jin gives here.) I guess this could be a lot worse for him and them. But it’s actually sweet. And I guess it helps him a lot that they’re still there like that. Sara clinging to him and Akira telling about his problems.
She'll be as smart as her brother, as smart as her mom.
Which actually reminds me of discussions over Christmas lunch, when my grandmother said that the longer the fingers the more intelligent a person is. *g* I don’t know, I immediately had to think of Jin back then. >__>
He could have had half a dozen and he'd love them all just like this.
Awwww! But well, it’s Jin. So that fits just perfectly.
But wait…. KAT-TUN has only four members now? Ô___o More KAT-TUN –related angst. #BOO I wonder if it was another huge scandal. Or just… Maru going because he suddenly felt destined to be the world’s biggest protector of the environment? Or found a girl and started to fancy a normal life? #throwinginsuggestions which now reminds me… didn’t they once say in an interview that Maru was likely to be the first one to get married only he would totally do this secretly? #ohtheirony
Yay for KAT-TUN in suits, but it’s a shame Kame seems to look so cold. (Or maybe it’s just Jin thinking that?) What has happened to him in all those years? D: I hope there’ll be more on that. Even if it’s not from Kame’s POV. >__>
…and when he leaves he knows he can be back soon.
This is sweet. And I wonder how Jin feels when thinking about this is actually thanks to Kame. If he thinks about that at all or if he’d rather not.
(no subject)
Date: 2013-01-20 07:56 pm (UTC)You're right, it could be a lot worse. But he and Meisa are both very responsible parents and they want their kids to have a nice childhood and a happy (as far as possible) family. And Jin is just so great with kids... no wonder they love him!
Solo thought it was 'the longer the fingers, the longer the dick'. Don't tell your grandmother.
What has happened to Kame... hm. Life. Office politics. People proving untrustworthy. High stakes. Stuff. :/
Jin doesn't exactly avoid thinking about Kame in the 'he can be back soon' equation, it's just that Kame isn't particularly relevant to that except for the purpose he serves. He's got his questions about Kame, but when it's about playing songs = money = kid!time, that's simply straightforward.