9 1/2 Weeks - 06 - (Week 2: Thursday)

[haikuesque.livejournal.com]

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Week 2: Thursday

"Sorry I'm late," Kamenashi says blandly, stepping out of his shoes again. The floor is clean, again. He called an hour ago. Probably got stuck in traffic.

"I'm not in any hurry," Jin says, because why not. Kamenashi doesn't even make a quip. Picky about his digs of superiority. Maybe he's taught himself some taste.

The guitar is ready by the chair. Jin's ready too, prepared as he'll get, he's— what? Fucking what is the staring about?

Oh, right, the haircut. He hates himself a little for the flash of nervousness. The way it fades at Kamenashi's nod.

Kamenashi looks like before, despite a different suit, a red shirt. Like he's a drawing of himself. Sharp and chiselled and unchanging.

Jin wonders, if you'd asked the eager little kid to draw himself, twenty years down the line, what that would have looked like. Like this?

If you'd asked Kame to draw himself... Jin laughs, and then it hurts, and damn he didn't see that coming.

"What?" Kamenashi frowns.

"Nothing." Nothing divided by years is still nothing. Jin got his haircut. They can get to it.

Kamenashi stands where he was, close to the chair, close enough. "I assume you're better prepared this time?"

Oh, yeah, Jin's prepared the fuck out of this. He could give Kamenashi lessons on preparing for this. "Sure," he says. As long as Kamenashi's brought the cash. Five minutes, sitting and singing. That's all it is now. "Anything else, or can we move on in your busy day?"

"Go ahead," Kamenashi says. A drawing. Just as cold. Jin wonders if he prepared too.

He settles with the guitar, strums the strings lightly to check that the tuning's held. All good. So he launches right into it, because he knows what he's doing and it won't touch him.

Four bars in, a high-pitched, monotonous bleeping sound comes from Kamenashi's jacket, and Kamenashi reaches inside.

"I have to take this," he says, with a glance at the guitar. His cell is slim, Jin's seen those fragile ones in ads. "Yes," he says when Jin has killed the reverb.

Jin can't make out anything from the other end, only that it's loud. A guy, he can tell it's a guy. Kamenashi lets him be loud for maybe half a minute, then he says, "Okay, calm down. From the start. When was this?"

Jin lowers the guitar and rests it between his feet. Settles in.

"They've finished shooting? Is he still there?" Kamenashi has started flipping through a notebook. A notebook. Who still does that? "Okay, I'll talk to him. Can you look up the director's number in the meantime? Thanks. Also get me the producer's. No, I'm not at home. Ten minutes. Yeah, thanks." He presses the screen; wipe, press, wipe. Waits. "Kamenashi here. Yes, I... yes, he told me. I'll try to fix it."

Jin can't help it; he wonders vaguely what it is, who he is, whether this is some scandal that can make the front pages or just some Junior insulting a show host by having the wrong hair.

"Don't thank me yet," Kamenashi is saying, "and you can apologize later, for now I need you to tell me exactly what happened. Make yourself look as bad as you possibly can because that's the version I'll be answering to."

Then he listens. He doesn't pace. He doesn't take notes, only nods occasionally. Jin thinks that once, there's a tiny inaudible, "Damn."

"Okay," he says in the end. "I'm going to make some calls. Don't go partying, stay out of people's way. Keep your cell on."

Swipe, swipe, bleep, "Do you have the numbers?" Scribbling, "Thanks, later."

Okay, Jin thinks, that's either a PA or a good friend. He doesn't know which thought annoys him more, or how it makes him feel that as far as Kamenashi is concerned, he might as well have ceased to exist right now.

Kamenashi straightens his shirt sleeves, his tie. He's standing right there in the middle of Jin's apartment and there's that focus Jin remembers from when they worked together, the focus just before the cameras started rolling.

And then the picture flickers as Kamenashi transforms himself into a smiling, friendly guy anyone would love to know and he dials a number he's scribbled down and introduces himself, is so sorry about intruding and so pleased that the director will make time for him, recalls with great fondness the last time they met and the director's amazing duck imitation, concedes that the director outdrank him neatly and he had a terrible hangover, takes only five more minutes to bring the conversation around to the afternoon's filming of—

Oh, Jin thinks. It was Tegoshi. And the discussion is too disjointed still, so much hinted and unspoken, but... something about an actress, and men getting out of hand. A nice dress, Kamenashi says full of adoration. Tegoshi didn't mean it.

It doesn't sound like it was anything clever.

But why does Kamenashi have to... why would Kamenashi want to get involved with that? Tegoshi isn't even in his band.

Kamenashi laughs, bright and chipper. And apparently somebody asked Jin's question, because Kamenashi is coming out with stuff like 'disruption of working patterns' and 'agency standards' and 'responsibility', and then he stops short and says, "Oh, has she."

Jin can feel the ice from here. There's a lot of listening now. "And what do you think about that?" Kamenashi asks eventually, and listens some more. Agreement here and there, a semi-chirpy, "Well, as you say, between men...," and eventually he says, "Yes, I would be happy to call him, if you have no objection, yes, that would be kind, thank you very much, yes, I have a pen." He studies his notebook while presumably he is being told a phone number and makes no move to write it down. Another minute of thanks and assurances of mutual respect, and that one is over.

Kamenashi doesn't even pause before continuing. Same persona, and Jin can start to put it together, first director, now producer, and who knows, maybe next the head of NHK. Same spiel, only this time they met at some award event and the special skill at which he beat Kamenashi was ballroom dancing and they shared deep wisdom about teenagers. Ten minutes later, the afternoon's incident. "Has anybody from our agency already been in touch about this?" Kamenashi asks, and the answer makes him frown, but the longer he listens, the more the frown clears.

"I'm very pleased to hear that," he says, "that's a great help. It may interest you to know that the agency has also spoken to the director of the segment, if you wanted to co-ordinate your approach. No, please don't thank me, I have to thank you, I'm very glad that we are in such agreement..."

And another five minutes of peace to the world, Kamenashi at his most shamelessly seductive, until he finally hits the off button.

Then that smile slips off too, and he straightens, and breathes slowly, and blinks. Looks at Jin, at Jin's room, like he doesn't know how he got here.

Blinks again and remembers.

"Please bear with me," he says, impeccably polite all of a sudden, a hangover maybe from good little Kazuya-kun. "Only two more minutes."

But he doesn't wait for Jin to even react.

"All clear," he says after the next swipe and tap. "Tell him all clear. Tell him debrief at seven tomorrow morning, unless he's got work then. The usual place."

This time when he hangs up, he slips the phone back into his jacket.

"What was that all about?" Jin asks.

Kamenashi stares at him. Yes, hi, Jin is here, it's Jin's apartment. And Kamenashi's remembering, good little Kazuya-kun clearing like a dull fog from a cool wind.

"Nothing that concerns you," he says.

"Since when does Tegoshi concern you?"

"Also doesn't concern you," Kamenashi snaps. "You made that very clear."

"You know they fired me, you arrogant shit."

There, that feels better. Even Kamenashi angry feels— Kamenashi's paused, and for a change he really seems to see Jin. "People don't usually call me that to my face."

"Well, I'm just special."

"Weren't you always," Kamenashi says, and it carries so much, such a fucking old weight. Too special for Johnny's, yeah.

But Kamenashi seems off that track now. The irritation's gone, his eyes… intrigued. "You got your haircut."

"Yes," Jin says patiently. "You noticed earlier. Tidy enough for you?"

"It suits you much better."

Well, good thing Jin spent so much time comparison-shopping for hairdressers.

"And you practiced?"

Jin taps his guitar. "Cut my hair, practiced my little song." And fuck if he knows why Kamenashi seems to find that fascinating when he really doubts the jerk spends sleepless nights wondering about the quality of Jin's five-minute special performance. "So, you want to hear?"

"I do," Kamenashi says.

Yeah, good, wouldn't do to waste all that practice. And Kamenashi's five minutes, that would be terribly inefficient. Never mind that hour of Jin's life wasted listening to one-sided phone calls.

Focus.

Care came back hard, but now he's got it, clear from the first chord.

Kamenashi is close like he wants to watch Jin's fingers. But there's nothing to see. It's a song, and Jin can sing it so it has meanings for strangers but not to him.

The first eight bars go steady, the next eight too, nothing on him but Kamenashi's laserbeam stare, the air around them coming to rest. Just a clean song cold like nothing and he's thinking maybe this is all and that was the last of the weirdness, when Kamenashi moves.

So, right, Jin thinks when those fingers probe his hair again. Physical inspection clearly part of the admission price here. Just as well he set it high.

It's strangely easy not to be bothered by it, to keep the words lining up one after the next while Kamenashi's thumb strokes over his forehead and wisps whatever imaginary strands he finds there out of his eyes.

Distracting, for a moment, when a hand moves down the side of his face, and lightly along his jaw – he's singing here, trying to enunciate, yes? The touch smells of nicotine, a bite sunk deep into the skin.

But somehow it works, stays just this side of interfering. His cheek, and down, his neck. Just happening. Suddenly Jin has to bite back a giggle, because what the fuck. What the fucking fuck, Kamenashi.

But then he gets it together again, next verse and whatever, vee of his t-shirt and whatever, Kamenashi's not going to go for Jin's collarbones and ruin his pretty song. Kamenashi is careful. And Jin keeps singing. Like this is normal, like he isn't being felt up by an idol and a schemer and a jerk, like he knows what he's doing, what they're doing.

He wonders if Kamenashi knows what he's doing. He wonders if Kamenashi knows he's turned on and Jin, where he's sitting, is in prime position to know it.

He loved that song once, and now it's clear as water, concluding easily. It's all easy.

Kamenashi's fingers are dry, just at the edge of Jin's t-shirt. Jin can smell his perfume under the crisp shirt, a scent he doesn't know, harder and more masculine. Five minutes, a song's worth of whatever. Jin waits; counts.

Kamenashi takes his hand away. "That was flawless," he says.

Yeah, flawless like a vocaloid. He made damn sure of that. "Expected something different?" Bet he did. But Jin can sing songs like Kamenashi wears his Gucci shoes.

"Just glad you made use of the time you had," Kamenashi says. "I appreciate it."

He still has some red in his cheeks, from the appreciating. Maybe that's all he has for getting his jollies these days, bossing people around and feeling superior.

"...beer?" Kamenashi is saying, and Jin blinks.

"What?"

"Do you have any? I'd like some."

"Yeah," Jin says. "I'm months behind on my rent and child support because I spent it all on beer, my fridge is full of it and there's another stash in the guitar case. Help yourself."

Kamenashi stares at him, and for a moment, Jin stares back. And then somehow, it's an old feeling, older than that song even, familiar from twenty years and more.

"I don't have beer, are you brain damaged?" he says. "You can have tea if you want."

Kamenashi only hesitates for a moment. "Fine." And finally he takes a step back, so Jin can get out of his chair and be of service.

Thankfully Jin's got water hot and waiting. He keeps busy with pot, leaves, strainer, until they're both standing there with steaming cups in their hands and then it's... quiet.

Kamenashi studies the Costco Special Value brew like he's trying to read his fortune in the dregs Jin didn't quite manage to filter out.

"So, what did Tegoshi do, and why are they calling you about it?"

That brings Kamenashi's focus back. He thinks about the question, or maybe about Jin, for a tense moment. "Tegoshi complimented an actress' dress. The comedians on the show joined in and the complimenting got a little out of hand."

"That doesn't sound so terrible," Jin says.

"You'd think so, wouldn't you."

Jin waits, while Kamenashi frowns to himself. He's the same glib, polished bastard he was last week, and Jin doesn't know why this feels so undramatic. "So why you?" he prods.

Kamenashi has the first sip of his tea, managing to make it look like a shrug. "I merely offer guidance," he says, which is total bullshit, that humble act was bullshit twenty years ago.

Jin may be a loser, but he's not stupid.

Kamenashi looks around again, at Jin's very tidy, extra special audience guest proof place. "So what do you do all day?"

Jin lifts his shoulders, and oddly enough really doesn't give a fuck. "This and that. Go for walks. See the kids. Look for jobs." He waits to see if further insults start happening, but Kamenashi just seems to process this information about Jin's illustrious lifestyle.

"Exciting," he says.

Jin shrugs again. "Hey, I've got lots of time for comparison shopping."

Kamenashi snorts. It looks like an accident, a twist his smug bland face wasn't meant for.

"Want any tips?" Jin asks, just because, just because he can't help grinning a bit, and just like that Kamenashi sobers again.

"No, thank you," he says in a clipped tone. "I don't exactly have your kind of time."

Well, good they have that cleared up. Jin puts his cup down. "Well, please don't let me keep you from your exciting life. I couldn't handle the guilt."

Kamenashi is a bit slow to find a suitable place for his own cup and settles on the empty row in the bookcase where Jin moved the kids' pictures away. "Don't worry on my account," he says. "I'd hate to add to your burdens."

Fuck him. Him and the shiny shoes he walked in on.

"Okay," Jin says, ready to remind the guy about his rate, but Kamenashi is already fishing for his wallet. He flips through it almost carelessly and holds out a fan of bills.

"Here," he says. "And thank you for the tea, it was... wet."

"What do you want next week?" Jin asks as he pockets the cash.

It seems to bring him up short. Getting a bit lost in our condescension, were we? "Pick something," Kamenashi says finally. "But work on it."

Well, they have established Jin can just about fit it into his schedule. One flawless Hot Dog in Central Park, coming right up.

Kamenashi turns like he could never wait to leave, and then he's gone.

Outside it's dark, but the room doesn't feel much brighter. Jin stares for a moment and gets his head together, and then he picks up their cups, might as well, for once his apartment's clean. Bastard didn't even finish it.

He rinses the cups, then remembers he wants to wash his face too, what with the five minute quality check and all.

It's hard light from a shadeless lamp. Jin dries his face, his precious new hair damp from the splash. He used to look better even in bad light; not so ghostly, not with the shade of lines around his eyes when he looks too hard.

Flawless.

Now flawless is meaningless melodies and lyrics he can't feel. Focus and indifference, and Kamenashi's condescending face.

Jin smacks the towel on the rack and stops looking at his eyes or his jaw or his neck, or the line of his t-shirt.


 

Comments

[nimlothemeli.livejournal.com]

*___* My brain is mush after this update. This was just AMAZING!!! All the unsaid things hinted in the text, Kame almost drooling all over Jin (naughty turtle what are you doing?), those phone calls!? Oh I don't know anything anyore x__x. I really loved it though <3 I'm glad I didn't have to wait very long from when I last spoke about it :P

THANKS for the update!!! *_*

[haikuesque.livejournal.com]

Wow, you were FAST! :D And what a lovely comment, thank you! Not going to apologize for the mush. >_> See, our S posting schedule has advantages, wait's not (usually.....) very long! Thank you, glad you enjoyed it so much!

[tokoyam1.livejournal.com]

wow.. sound kame actually have feel toward jin..>_<
thanks btw..

[haikuesque.livejournal.com]

Hee, you might be on to something there. ^^;; Thank you for commenting, much appreciated!

[brindhakrishnan.livejournal.com]

Awesome chapter simply because we get akame interaction even if its not exclamation of love for one another. hehe What exactly does Kame have in mind for Jin I wonder... Its good to know Jin sang care well. And I completely loved this line!

"But Jin can sing songs like Kamenashi wears his Gucchi shoes."

That is certainly saying something!

[haikuesque.livejournal.com]

Heee, Kame's shoes are feeling appreciated! :D And we liked writing their interaction too, so glad you liked it. *g* Exclamations of love next week... MAHWHAHAH or not. Thank you so much for your comment! <3

[krystal-32206.livejournal.com]

Uhm...Kame, what are you doing? Why are you caressing Jin while he's singing?
And did I read it right? That Jin got turned on by Kame's stares and caresses?

"Flawless. Now flawless is meaningless melodies and lyrics he can't feel." ~ Oh, god, Jin! Did you lose your love of music?

And Kamebeing "shamelessly seductive to get what he wants" and switching from "good little boy Kazuya-kun" to "cartoon character condescending faced Kamenashi" must be really exhausting to keep up with. Jin's mind must be reeling on what Kame had turned into.

Am I making sense?^^ Anyways, thanks for the update! A longer one, too.^^,)v

[haikuesque.livejournal.com]

You are making complete sense. Kame has changed a lot and Jin is finding it quite... weird, to say the least, even though he can tell how some of it is familiar.

As for what Kame is doing... good question. Maybe he doesn't know himself. :)

Thank you for commenting! ♥

[miyajima-juri.livejournal.com]

it pleased me to know that after all, jin cares... i eman he's in denial stage and all that shit but, he cares, don't he?
i like the sarcasm here~ i might try learn from this week about sarcastic remarks and all... thanks so much for updating... :D

[haikuesque.livejournal.com]

Jin will never not care about Kame. :) Whether he likes him, that's a different question. :p

Oh yes, those two are good for learning sarcastic remarks from. >_>

Thank you for commenting ♥

[cagnurit.livejournal.com]

Yay! Happy Thursday for Akame fangirl !? (cause the interactions only happen on Thursdays, for now :))

I've read this chapter twice, and still so happy to see them talking to each other <3 And oh God, so many precious details in this chapter, I can't.
Jin must be beautiful with his new haircut, Jin feels less nervous when Kame approves of the new hair, Jin laughs as he thinks about Kame's drawing XD, Jin pays very close attention to Kame's phone calls and everything he's doing, (and why does Jin calling Kame "you arrogant sh*t" and their argument (?) sound dear to me?!? am I an M or what >__<), oooh the song and the stare and then the creepy behavior, Jin's calm enough to have an (almost) giggle :)), Kame has a turn on O_________o (I don't know how to interpret that, or not to assume wrongly U____U), their banter (?) about drinks and lifestyle and shopping <33333

But in the end, there's only Jin with his loneliness and misery. It breaks my heart. Please rescue him from those soon.

I'd like to ask a question. Is this story totally told by Jin's POV? (If this question is too much, please ignore it, nee?)

[haikuesque.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this lovely comment. We're really happy that all these little details work for you. LOL, yes, Jin calling Kame an arrogant shit is like an endearment, in a way. We think Kame even takes it that way. >_>.

Yes, the story is only told from Jin's POV. We considered using Kame's a couple of times when we started out, but decided that just having Jin's would be better in this case. :)

Thank you for your cool feedback! :-) :-)

[sablenoir4.livejournal.com]

there were times during SDW where i would hold my breath before/during/after reading. that setting seems to be permanently 'on' with this. whatever else, you have 'upped the anti' with this. it's undiluted, concentrated - what? idek. but it's strong. and will take time to distill/percolate, whatever. [i seem torn between caffeine and alcohol metaphor >.<]. meanwhile no real words, but a lot of brain-jam/collision, with random gut punch phrases highlighted [e.g Nothing divided by years is still nothing. - i mean wth did this come from?] i fear this may be the way of chaps to come. if the comments are minimal, please read between the lines/words, and know i) i just don't have them yet (words), and ii) am teary-eyed with worship over this. and possibly you. ha!

[haikuesque.livejournal.com]

Undiluted and concentrated, huh? :) Actually, we think we know what you mean. SDW had pretty leisurely pacing, and we needed to build the entire world and backstory, so there were long sections of less intensity when we were setting stuff up. Here, we don't need to do that (much), so we can focus much more on punch and the snarl. :)

Just don't get hiccups! ^^

[abyssinian13.livejournal.com]

hi again!!
first of all, jin's dig on kame drawing something made me laugh..
kame touching jin again and getting turned on, what's up with that?is it the song or is it jin?and looks like jin's feeling something too..
glad that they had a longer interaction here compared to their earlier meetings..
looks like kame holds some power on j.e. now..i'm assuming that johnny is either retired or resting in peace already..
thanks for the update..

[haikuesque.livejournal.com]

first of all, jin's dig on kame drawing something made me laugh..

Hee. Some habits are hard to break. ^^

Yeah, what's up with that? Does Kame even know? Stay tuned on this channel... ;p

Kame does hold some power in JE, you'll hear more about that, too. And about Johnny.

Thank you for commenting and wondering about these things! :)

[starg8fan-liz.livejournal.com]

awesome update 0__0 soooo looking forward to the next and the next one with Kame XDDD wonder how far he'll go next time *__* XDD♥♥♥♥

[haikuesque.livejournal.com]

Our lips are sealed. Very very sealed. :x

Glad you liked! ♥

[lieben-kame.livejournal.com]

AHHHH OKAY FAVORITE CHAPTER SO FAR HOLY SHIT HOW DO YOU MANAGE TO FIT IN SO MUCH BRILLANCE IN ONE CHAPTER /FEELSOVERLOAD. I have so many favorite lines, PREPARE YOURSELVES.

Jin wonders, if you'd asked the eager little kid to draw himself, twenty years down the line, what that would have looked like. Like this?

If you'd asked Kame to draw himself... Jin laughs, and then it hurts, and damn he didn't see that coming.


This really, kinda hit home, if I was at all emotional I'd probably sob. It's just, it really sucks when you're having fun when you're young and everything is great and then you grow up and turn into someone you might not even recognize and you don't even know how it happened. DX A lot of people always pick on Jin for changing so much and that they want the "old" Jin back, but I think they've all changed a lot, Kame too. Even tho Real!Kame isn't like this- well, at least it doesn't seem like it, who knows lol- for the way that he is in this fic, being so cold and distant, it's so fitting. And Jin suddenly laughing and then hurting because old Kame feels and awww. And while I'm on this topic:

Suddenly Jin has to bite back a giggle, because what the fuck. What the fucking fuck, Kamenashi.

He still has some red in his cheeks, from the appreciating.

Kamenashi snorts. It looks like an accident, a twist his smug bland face wasn't meant for.

I love when these little "cracks" in their "I DON'T GIVE A FUCK ABOUT YOU" facade happen, it makes me so happy, because it proves obviously they do still have some type of feelings for each other, even if they're faded and washed out, but they're still there. X3

And then the picture flickers as Kamenashi transforms himself into a smiling, friendly guy anyone would love to know

I really loved this line too, I was talking to solo____ some weeks ago about Kame and what I call his "idol mask" that he tends to put on a lot while on TV, though he's definitely becoming more down to earth as the years go by and having more fun. But I feel like, truly, we'll never really know who the real Kazuya is. I imagine he's so much different off camera than he is on camera and I always feel he'll have that weird, mysterious air about him. He's a tough puzzle to figure out sometimes, especially here, from being normally rude to Jin, than calming down, then molesting him again, then being polite for a bit before snapping back into cold, douchey Kamenashi. |D I don't even think HE knows what he's doing LOL. I feel like he's trying to have everything go smoothly and planned, and acting like he doesn't care, but Jin keeps ruining it. XD These lovely dumbasses, I swear. <333

And I really love the humorous way you're writing this, it makes me laugh so much! Especially:

Oh, yeah, Jin's prepared the fuck out of this. He could give Kamenashi lessons on preparing for this.



/REVELANT TEGOSHI GIF. Also:

You know they fired me, you arrogant shit.

I WAS WAITING FOR HIM TO SNAP. And Kame is just like



ALRIGHT I THINK I'VE FLAILED ENOUGH, ima shut up now. #crazyassotp #whydoIevenshipthis #idk #theyreamess #butaperfectmess ALSO I HOPE KAME GETS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO JIN'S THIGHS NEXT TIME EHEHEHE.

[haikuesque.livejournal.com]

WE ARE BUT MERE SERVANTS OF THE AWESOME OF AKAME. #humbleshadows

Sorry to make you all hypothetically-emotional. >_>

And what do you mean, feelings for each other?!? This is a rational rent and entertainment arrangement, quality-controlled and regulated by...... Okay, okay. :-)

I don't even think HE knows what he's doing LOL. I feel like he's trying to have everything go smoothly and planned, and acting like he doesn't care, but Jin keeps ruining it.

Jin is just too Jinnish to be contained. :p

I HOPE KAME GETS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO JIN'S THIGHS NEXT TIME

Maybe the website should have a Fondl-O-Meter...

Your comment is awesomesauce as ever, and our reply only a bit short because of travel stuff. Thank you so much!

[akiracheng.livejournal.com]

Wow, a proper (semi-non-hostile) conversation! And it's only the 3rd date!

Kame'sappreciation - eventually, Kame's order for next time will be for Jin to install a pole and give a performance...

On the other hand, it's nice that Jin's getting more interested in Kame's life and Kame isn't shutting him out completely, although I'm sure both me and Jin still have lots of questions for him...

Re: Hot Dogs in Central Park- I really want to hear this song! I can see the Kame now being absolutely gobsmacked (and not necessarily in a complimentary way) by the song, and then also Kame in 7 weeks time laughing and maybe even humming along to it.

Anyway, really looking forward to the next episode!

[haikuesque.livejournal.com]

Heeee, third date! If you told Kame you called it that... ;-)

Though we have to watch it so you don't give him ideas about the pole! :DDD

We're glad you like the hot dogs. They made us giggle a time or two during writing too.

Thank you for this cool comment and your observations! ^^

[nightinbird.livejournal.com]

AND THEY MET AGAIN. *___* These two make me so giddy with anticipation, they don't even have to do something and I still read it i na kind of hypo-ventilation (because I can't hold my breath that long) "OMG WHAT'S NEXT NEXT LINE NEXT LINE" mode. >.>

(did I dream that or did they change their meeting day? @.@ maybe kame had a day of appointments and saving fellow idols, so he didn't have time wednesday... ;) )

If you'd asked Kame to draw himself... Jin laughs, and then it hurts, and damn he didn't see that coming.

This line, and the one before. How this, the young eager kid, is Kame, and just remembering him and his measly drawing skils cheers Jin up. And then older, chiselled-cold Kamenashi, who makes Jin angry. All the references in this chap to the two of them when they were young, the time that's passed, they've aged, and it's just so bitter. T__T TOtally loved them all, though. And then, how Jin reverts into Kame&Jin oldschool mode here:

"I don't have beer, are you brain damaged?" he says. "You can have tea if you want."

This sounds exactly like that kid who would charge his friends 5 bucks to enter his house. I'm glad this is still there.

a hangover maybe from good little Kazuya-kun.

lol. Lovely attitude, astute obserbation. xD The whole Kame going still and then changing into Kazuya-kun, and Jin recognizing the pattern, was so fascinating (and kind of amusing) to watch, but also makes me want to know more. You fisherwomen and your hooks!! :p

Suddenly Jin has to bite back a giggle, because what the fuck. What the fucking fuck, Kamenashi.

LOL now that in turn made me giggle in surprise. I love this reaction. I love how Jin reacts to that whole touching thing, all wtf and what a jerk, and does he know I'm looking straight at his boner?! And that bit about Kame's jollies. Unexpected but awesome.

Jin smacks the towel on the rack and stops looking at his eyes or his jaw or his neck, or the line of his t-shirt.

Loved the way this ended. Quite a punch.

This was fun to read, looking forward to the next bit!! :D

[haikuesque.livejournal.com]

Breeeeeathe. Don't die so early into the weeks, that would be sad. >_>

Yeah, Kame has a busy schedule and really can't just block off the same time for Jin every week. Not that he would ever do that. It's just convenient, really.

Your old school observations are *_______* the 5 bucks thing, omg. And yeah, bitter. Fun for authors sometimes but not always for characters. >_>

LOL, yeah, Jin and his boner viewing and the Wtf. That was great fun to write, we confess.

Glad you had so much fun with this! And thank you for this awesome comment!!

[kurakura-chan.livejournal.com]

i love this series ♥
cant wait for another update :D

[haikuesque.livejournal.com]

Thank you for commenting! Happy you liked this! :-)

[ttalktomesoftly.livejournal.com]

Aaaaaaaaah, the tension. This is so precious.

This part was ♥:

"You know they fired me, you arrogant shit."

There, that feels better. Even Kamenashi angry feels— Kamenashi's paused, and for a change he really seems to see Jin. "People don't usually call me that to my face."

"Well, I'm just special."

Trust Jin to be a little too honest with people xD Kame's reply surprised me, I have to say, and then Jin adding the "I'm just special" made me crack up xD

Anyway, good job guys, I can't wait for next update :>

[haikuesque.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Glad you liked the chapter, and that part. Jin just can't help himself sometimes. (Nor can anyone else...)

Thank you for commenting!

[rydion9.livejournal.com]

aaa~ just read this from the epilogue and yes!! the story is interesting!
how bossy kame is and jin, oh jin X''DD
can't wat to read the next chapter *_____*
and oh tegoooooooo~~ hahaa XD

you know, even the comments above make me laugh LOL

[haikuesque.livejournal.com]

Hi!!! Glad you found this and are enjoying it. :)

Kame is The Boss. :D Jin is... yeah. 'Oh, Jin.' We've said that a lot over the last year or so... >_>

We're pleased you find Tego entertaining. Poor guy, he didn't mean anything bad.

Thank you for commenting! ♥

[circuside.livejournal.com]

Kame, please don't ever become like this in real life D: PLEASE DON'T. He's so... not him (yet very much like something he could become if things happened... I don't know what happened in the fic but anyway, and that's what's scary - he's so not Kame but he is) and it's a stab in the heart.

What the fucking fuck, Kamenashi.

MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY.

But I'm loving this fic so much ;;______; ♥♥ I feel like they're slowly starting to AJSHSJFDHF I CAN'T WORD MY THOUGHTS, slowly starting to not exactly get closer to each other but something like that? XD

[haikuesque.livejournal.com]

Kame, please don't ever become like this in real life

*seconded*

*thirded*

We obviously think that Kame could be Really Damn Hardass if he wanted to / had to, but we really hope he continues on his current, much happier-looking trajectory. #guiltyauthors

(But then he is raising a baby with Jin and having to support a family, he doesn't have time to take over the world.)

slowly starting to not exactly get closer to each other but something like that? XD

Something like that. :p We know what you mean.

Your comments are a joy, Heli, thank you very much for the flail. :DD

[bellemelody.livejournal.com]

I love this part!!!!! I love every part with Akame interactions, because it's Akame interaction and I'm very curious about the past they have, because it seems they have interesting past and so many moments and memories they shared.

Some moments and sides of Kame still can make Jin smile, touching and even causing the pain. The same with Kame, he can feel bitter. The weird situation makes sense. From the beginning I was very curious why it was so easy for Kame to come and for Jin to let Kame in. They both still care and mean something to each other, the memories ♥. I find it great!!

So!!! what kind of past Akame shared? What kind of present Kame is sharing with Tegoshi? I like the line about the concentration a lot! How Kame forgets about surrounding being professional himself and taking care about work and things he thinks he should take care about!

I love how with every part the conversations are longer and more personal.

Also The moments about Kame's appreciation of Jin's singing... WHAT KIND OF PAST THEY SHARED?!?! I will die from curiosity.. This is so unfair

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I love this part!!!!! I love every part with Akame interactions, because it's Akame interaction and I'm very curious about the past they have, because it seems they have interesting past and so many moments and memories they shared.

Some moments and sides of Kame still can make Jin smile, touching and even causing the pain. The same with Kame, he can feel bitter. The weird situation makes sense. From the beginning I was very curious why it was so easy for Kame to come and for Jin to let Kame in. They both still care and mean something to each other, the memories ♥. I find it great!!

So!!! what kind of past Akame shared? What kind of present Kame is sharing with Tegoshi? I like the line about the concentration a lot! How Kame forgets about surrounding being professional himself and taking care about work and things he thinks he should take care about!

I love how with every part the conversations are longer and more personal.

Also The moments about Kame's appreciation of Jin's singing... WHAT KIND OF PAST THEY SHARED?!?! I will die from curiosity.. This is so unfair <_<

And about flawless. I like this moment. And i wonder what will make Jin to change it.

<i>Now flawless is meaningless melodies and lyrics he can't feel. Focus and indifference, and Kamenashi's condescending face.</I>

I think this line is about both of them. Kame is flawless by his appearance and Jin by him music, like something died inside and they will need more private moments together to make IT return to life XD XD XD

It also seems like they are making some dancing steps near each other trying to be careful and not give away how they both really care and feel, but sometimes they failed and I love this moments!!

Thank you a lot for this wonderful part! I have read it few times just enjoying so many great lines and moments! I love it :D

[haikuesque.livejournal.com]

I love every part with Akame interactions

We thought you would hate this part because there are no unicorns in it. T_________T

Thank you, glad you liked it so much!

We're happy you liked professional Kame, we had fun writing him, slick little shit. *g* And that you found them intriguing in this. Even if we will continue to be unfair, totally unfair. :p

I love how with every part the conversations are longer and more personal.

:DDD We love this observation. Wheeeee.

Kame is flawless by his appearance and Jin by him music, like something died inside and they will need more private moments together to make IT return to life

YOU ARE THE WISEST, PERI.

Thank you for this wonderful comment and we hope you'll enjoy week 3!!!

[manuuchin.livejournal.com]

"What the fucking fuck, Kamenashi." THIS. no one knows anything anymore or Jin just ruins Kame's plan or whatever.

"It's all easy." that was just after Jin realised Kame was with a boner. Is Jin so disconnected from reality that not even something to be shocked about? Music, love life...he really lost it all, huh?

thanks for this :D

[haikuesque.livejournal.com]

"It's all easy." that was just after Jin realised Kame was with a boner.

LOL! That is a very true observation. *g*

Thank you for the comment, great to hear Kame is having an effect! >_>

[weirdsora.livejournal.com]

Can't wait for the third week ;D

[haikuesque.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :D Half of it already there, not much longer to go. >_>

[6neiro.livejournal.com]

Thanks for update :)

May i say that this is another puzzle about Kame?
What his business with Tegoshi's problem? Even handle it until all was clear.
I had a though that Kame now is an important person in JE office, based on how he called the people that have 'position' in entertainment world.
But its just my thought :p

Curious to know what his 'true' intention to his ex-member and what his real identity (except being an idol xP).
Waiting for the next 'week' update ^^

[haikuesque.livejournal.com]

You have a good theory there! >_> Kame likes to play it close to the chest (he'd be pleased he's a puzzle...) but you'll get a little more on this stuff later.

Thank you for the comment, hope you enjoy week 3! :DDD

[anais-bayrakdar.livejournal.com]

At first I was very confused about the posting in parts, but now that i get it I think is so awesome! :3 It makes a lot of sense, and it keeps me speculating all week XD

Also, I know the story is just beginning, but so far I have no idea how the story is going to unravel. And that is something I love about good books, but it's hard to find in fanfics. And you girls rock it! :D

Just one last thing... and I feel so stupid pointing it out... but the brand is GUCCI (no H in the middle)
(and no, I'm not a brand freak or anything, I just have good visual memory -////- )

[haikuesque.livejournal.com]

Sorry about the confusion! But we're happy you like the concept now that it's all clear. :)

We like that it's not obvious how the story is going to progress. We always think we're so predictable, so we're pleased when that turns out not to be the case. Hope you enjoy developments. *g*

Thanks for the Gucci tip, we'll sneakily amend that when we get a chance. :3

Thank you for commenting! ♥

[loveyourself6.livejournal.com]

Jin laughs, and then it hurts, and damn he didn't see that coming.
This is just sad. Like, really, did you have to add this? I didn't see it coming either and then there it was, and I was like, oh no Jin, don't remember.

At first I thought Jin wasn't all that affected by Kame's touching, which I found weird. But then the last couple of lines came and I felt justice had been done. Or whatever, something that sounds less dramatic xD Anyway, good to know he's... I don't know, bothered by it? Somehow? It'd be really strange if he wasn't, in some way.

And also, the entire Tegoshi thing? You didn't make him join KAT-TUN and Jin just doesn't know because he's not following the band's every move or something right? I'm pretty sure that's not it but, well, who knows. That'd be some kind of plot twist!

[haikuesque.livejournal.com]

Like, really, did you have to add this?

We did. Because it hurt us too, so we knew it was good. >_>

Oh yes, he's bothered. He finds it pretty weird. But hey, it's Kame, he can roll with it. Wait and see.

LOL no, we promise we did not make Tegoshi join KAT-TUN. :))

[prologuesized.livejournal.com]

Ah, seems like I have a lot of catching up to do... Oopsie. Well. Here we go.

If you'd asked Kame to draw himself... Jin laughs, and then it hurts, and damn he didn't see that coming.
Kame's nonexistent drawing skills ♥ It's nice that Jin can still feel amused by it, even if the timing was... well... awkward, and the thoughts that left up to the tiny memories were... yeah.

"Nothing that concerns you," he says.
"Since when does Tegoshi concern you?"
"Also doesn't concern you," Kamenashi snaps. "You made that very clear."
"You know they fired me, you arrogant shit."
Ooh, Jin's snappy. It's strange how these two keep doing these weekly meatings yet they're so distant with each other. I mean, I don't expect them to start being friends again all of the sudden, not at all, but not talking about anything at all or even trying, just Jin singing and Kame basically molesting him... It's really uncomfortably strange.

Distracting, for a moment, when a hand moves down the side of his face, and lightly along his jaw – he's singing here, trying to enunciate, yes? The touch smells of nicotine, a bite sunk deep into the skin.
Again, lovely little details and... really strange and charged atmosphere ♥ Love it.

"Yeah," Jin says. "I'm months behind on my rent and child support because I spent it all on beer, my fridge is full of it and there's another stash in the guitar case. Help yourself."
Jin's getting really good with this sarcasm thing :'D Then again, Kame kind of had it coming.

[haikuesque.livejournal.com]

Kame's drawing skills are just... unforgettable. They etch themselves onto your brain, we're sure.

Uncomfortably strange is not wrong! But we also loved:

just Jin singing and Kame basically molesting him...

as a summary, it totally cracked us up. But, yes. *g*

Glad you like Jin's attitude, we're happy that comes across well. And sarcasm and details. :D

[b_akakame.livejournal.com]

Yay for another Kame date. :3 Well… kind of. *g*
It’s actually cute how Jin’s nervous about the haircut. Nice, how there’s a part of him that wants to please Kame. And does please.

If you'd asked Kame to draw himself... Jin laughs, and then it hurts, and damn he didn't see that coming.
I’d want to see that picture. OMG.

But Jin still remembering that as well. Remembering how Kame was always poor at drawing. (And suddenly thinking of him as ‘Kame’!) Maybe even remembering things Kame once drew. Remembering their past and how the image of Kame has changed over the years. Wondering whether young Kame would’ve ever expected becoming like that. Whether he maybe even planned to become like that or whether he became like that because something or someone got lost along the way. someone like Jin, for example.

Jin seems to think more about their past lately. Or allows himself to think of it. But maybe that just happens when you can start comparing.

And it’s interesting how Jin sees so many different sites and emotions of Kame this time. Of the new Kame he hasn’t had anything to do with in years.

"Please bear with me," he says, impeccably polite all of a sudden, a hangover maybe from good little Kazuya-kun.
How he suddenly thinks of him as Kazuya. And remembers how he was back then. When he wasn’t a stranger to Jin. When he wasn’t a ghost of the past that hunted Jin down for no understandable reason. And how Jin actually sees that there might be some remains of the old Kame still there. Buried deep down behind that cold and professional mask. That mask that comes on again when Kame is aware of Jin. Is aware that Jin listened and demands an explanation. Or rather is interested in one.

I somehow… like that moment when Jin sings and Kame touches him. It’s interesting how there is that sense of familiarity. But how it is also so new and confusing. Also how it seems so normal. How they just let it happen. Jin not really retreating for reasons unknown and Kame just there touching. I wonder if Kame has planned that or if it just happened. Maybe Jin’s not the only one craving for touches here. Maybe Kame hasn’t been touched for a while as well and knows he has become cold and now there is Jin and memories and Kame acting on impulse. Because I couldn’t really imagine that he’s doing that so that Jin feels better. As well as the compliments. That’s more like… self-satisfaction.

Nevertheless I love how they still argue every now and then. How both of them just can’t shut up or let the other one have the last word. That feels familiar, too. Though in a little painful way sometimes. But I guess both of them don’t quite know how to explain what’s going on between them. Especially Jin. Kame maybe has a plan there, but well.

Interesting how Kame is more relaxed concerning the question about Tegoshi after he’s got to touch Jin. And hear the song. How both of them seem a bit relaxed at first. Though they also seem awkward about what has just happened. And not ready to quite process it. With Jin just wanting to wash the touch away and not able to look at his own face. As if that could hurt and god… they’re such a mess. :/

[haikuesque.livejournal.com]

We've been told they're PLAYDATES. We find that weirdly appropriate. *g*

Nice, how there’s a part of him that wants to please Kame.

NEVER! JIN DENIES THIS ACCUSATION! He is merely pleased he got value for money at the hairdresser's. Yes, yes.

Wondering whether young Kame would’ve ever expected becoming like that. Whether he maybe even planned to become like that or whether he became like that because something or someone got lost along the way.

Yes. *sigh*

Jin seems to think more about their past lately. Or allows himself to think of it. But maybe that just happens when you can start comparing.

And when you've been startled out of your perpetual blue funk, we assume. *g* Makes one think indeed.

Your analysis of Jin watching Kame, and then Kame touching Jin, is *____* and ^____^ and spot on and there's really nothing to add.

And we love that the bitchiness they have with each other seems to be coming across just right. *g*

And hear the song. How both of them seem a bit relaxed at first. Though they also seem awkward about what has just happened. And not ready to quite process it. With Jin just wanting to wash the touch away and not able to look at his own face. As if that could hurt and god… they’re such a mess. :/

Yes, and yes, and yes and yes and yes.

[http://users.livejournal.com/___clash/]

So, after reading this chapter - and pretty much against all odds - I've decided I quite like this Kame! In a 'hey, he's a nice guy' kind of way. He's actually rather sweet, you know? Or... uh. Maybe I just pity him. I'm not entirely sure.

I realise Jin thinks he's this smug jerk in a suit who randomly - Haha! Right. - shows up in his apartment to brag at him because Jin fails at life or something, but it seems to me like most of the nastiness on Kame's part has actually been accidental so far - more about weirdly (this is Kame!) losing control than about consciously trying to be mean to Jin, somehow? In fact he's never so much mean as... I don't know, snappy maybe. All those touchy topics *g* What have they done? There must have been something, in the past, why is Kame fixating so hard? Why are they both so... affected by each other? What the hell? And why does any of this matter to Jin?! :B

Anyway, I started this as a comment about Kame so I might as well get back to that >.> Kame seems... well, perhaps a bit on edge, but mostly just confused and lonely and a little bit desperate, okay? And obviously burdened with a dreadful case of bad publicity in the form of Jin narrating the story, I guess! ^^;; My point is... I feel horrible for him. I don't even fully understand why - just as I still don't get what he thinks he's doing or why - but... well sometimes it's like he's momentarily stunned, like he really.... he doesn't know. And I'm afraid he's set this terrible thing in motion that's actually bigger than him, and I don't think he knows why he's done it, or even what he's doing or... anything, but he's started something and it can't be stopped? O.o

Guys I'm so behind on this, so behind, ashdjsjdjSORRY I hope you don't think I'm not commenting because I don't like it, because I do actually, you see, and I'm just really behind on all things fun these days, which rather sucks but... well it is what it is OTL

This comment makes perfect sense.

[haikuesque.livejournal.com]

Hiiiiii!

Very very interesting. We've missed your Kame appreciation! :-)

I realise Jin thinks he's this smug jerk in a suit who randomly - Haha! Right. - shows up in his apartment to brag at him because Jin fails at life or something, but it seems to me like most of the nastiness on Kame's part has actually been accidental so far - more about weirdly (this is Kame!) losing control than about consciously trying to be mean to Jin, somehow?

Hmmmm, we think he occasionally likes rubbing it in. But we actually also think that he doesn't go for the nastiest stuff he could, maybe that's also coming through? You also have some chapters to go, though of course we hope you'll still like Kame after them. >_> We like him too! That smug ass.

Maybe you just like smug asses? >_________>

And I'm afraid he's set this terrible thing in motion that's actually bigger than him, and I don't think he knows why he's done it, or even what he's doing or... anything, but he's started something and it can't be stopped?

THAT THING IS CALLED AKAME.

But, yes, we think you're right. *g*

We were admittedly wondering what was up, because we know you have exams but even examkittens need to play sometimes! Poor kitten. But good to know it is not the sudden and dramatic downturn of our quality of output. *g* But thanks for telling us what you think when you are here!! It made sense, what?