Author: Jasmine Flame, AKA Mirai. All flames can be directed to jasmine_flame@hotmail.comPRIVATE

Rating: M.

Pairings: Yuki x Shuichi, Ryuichi x Shuichi

Notes: I don’t know if I’m happy with this chapter, but at 5 in the morning, I’m not particularly happy with anything. *smirks* Enjoy!

Misread Circumstances

Tohma wrapped his arms around Ryuichi and hugged him lovingly.

“You knew this would happen. This is why I told you not to.”

“I can’t help it Tohma!”

“I know…its okay…” Tohma whispered, patting Ryuichi’s hair. Shuichi had long cried himself to sleep and now it was the three of them sitting outside, wondering what exactly was going to happen.

Ryuichi curled his fists into Tohma’s jacket, refusing to let go until he felt remotely better. The odds of that ever happening were not looking good.

“Ryuichi…I’m sorry I pushed you away…”

“It’s okay Tohma-kun…”

“No. It’s not okay. If I’d let you talk to me…stay with me for a while…this might not have happened.”

“It probably would have anyhow…eventually.”

Tohma sighed, “Are you ready to do the right thing?”

Ryuichi pulled away slowly and looked at Tohma, “Do you have a plan? I…I don’t want this to be happening anymore.”

“I know. Yes, I have a plan.”

“I have to talk to Yuki-san…don’t I?”

“Yes. I’ll be there though…he won’t hurt you.”

“What about Shuichi…”

Tohma squeezed Ryuichi’s shoulder before moving to Shuichi’s side, shaking him lightly.

Shuichi frowned and furrowed his brows before his eyes slowly opened. He squinted against the light and brought his hand to his face.

“What…what are you doing here?”

“Ryuichi called me. Come on. We’re going up to see Yuki.”

“What…no…he’s still angry! He’ll…”

“It’s okay Shu-chan…I have to talk to him. You can stay with Tohma. He won’t hurt either of us.”

Shuichi glanced at Ryuichi before looking back at Tohma and nodding.

Tohma smiled and helped Shuichi to his feet before they headed upstairs.

Tohma knocked on the door and stood back a step to wait.

The only thing he received was a heated reply from inside.

He looked back at Shuichi, who was dancing from one foot to the other anxiously.

Tohma knocked again and leaned closer to the door, “Its Tohma. We need to talk.”

There was silence from the other side and Tohma waved Shuichi and Ryuichi away. Both scampered away to hide down the hall.

Tohma listened closely and heard footsteps approaching the door. He took a step back to wait.

The door was unlocked and slowly opened.

“May I come in?” Tohma asked and Yuki opened the door further, letting him into the apartment.

Tohma smiled lightly, “Some interesting things have been happening, haven’t they?”

“You could say that.”

Tohma sat down and stared at Yuki, “I won’t play on these formalities. I’m here to talk about Shindou-san.”

“Really,” Yuki said with the sarcasm very evident in his voice.

“I need you to talk to Sakuma-san.”

“I bet that’s just what Sakuma-san had in mind while he was—”

The glare from Tohma told him he should not continue that sentence.

Yuki sighed quietly and sat down, knowing that Tohma wouldn’t let him escape this one. He just wanted to be left alone to fume. Left alone to wonder how long this had been going on, or if it had only been this once.

He wanted to be left alone to wonder why Shuichi would do this to him.

Of course he had a pretty fair idea. Shuichi was probably sick of dealing with him. Maybe he’d finally broken the poor boy and drove him into the arms of another; in this case, Sakuma-san. He wouldn’t be surprised.

“I think it’s important you hear what he has to say.”

Yuki stared at him for a moment before making a noncommittal sound and reaching for the new packet of cigarettes.

Tohma took that as a yes and stood to go fetch Ryuichi.

“Tohma...I don’t know if I can do this…”

“You have to. You know this is the right thing to do.”

Ryuichi frowned but nodded. He was beginning to hate the ‘right thing.’

Tohma led Ryuichi into the apartment and over to where Yuki was sitting. He gave Ryuichi’s shoulder a gentle squeeze before going to look after Shuichi.

Ryuichi shuffled his feet, feeling very uncomfortable. Yuki-san looked furious with him.

“I…ummm…”

Yuki sighed, “That better not be it.”

“No! It’s not!” Ryuichi cried, holding up his hands, “It’s just…hard. I suppose…I’m sorry? It’s not enough, I know but it's not what you think. I know that I—we—that’s not the point. The point is that Shuichi loves you and this is entirely my fault. Shuichi felt that…I might do something…something terrible. He gave me what he thought I wanted but I realized that Shuichi will never love me like I want him to. I want him to love me like he loves you Yuki-san. During…” Ryuichi blushed lightly and looked away, “He called your name.”

Yuki made no response except to take a long draw on his cigarette, watching Ryuichi with careful scrutiny.

“I can’t make him love me Yuki-san…he’s too in love with you. It wasn’t right but you have to forgive him and take him back! He only did it because he's a good person...he only did it to help me. He told me that it would never mean anything because he loves you. He was so scared that this would happen and then I told you…because I thought if you threw him out, we could be together.”

Ryuichi sighed and bit his lip. He wished he had Kumagarou to make him feel better. He wanted to go home and hide in his bed and not think about this ever again. But he just had to make Yuki-san take Shuichi back.

“It was so, very wrong Yuki-san, but please don’t blame Shuichi! Blame me, please! It’s my fault and not Shuichi's and…just…please don’t stay mad at him. Please don’t make him cry.”

So quickly, Ryuichi almost missed it, Yuki shot a glance at the door before returning his intent gaze back. Ryuichi held his breath, hoping that Yuki would say something.

The silence hung in the air for a moment while Yuki finished his cigarette then dropped it into the ashtray.

“Where is he?” he asked finally.

“Are you going to—”

Yuki stood and frowned at Ryuichi. He didn't need any further encouraging though and ran towards the door, hoping Yuki would follow. He did.

Shuichi sobbed into his hands and Tohma tried to offer him cheap comfort in the fact Ryuichi was speaking with Yuki.

Tohma went silent though and Shuichi could hear footsteps coming towards them. He held back his tears, listening carefully before slowly looking up.

“Come inside,” Yuki said. There was no emotion in his dull voice, but Ryuichi and Tohma took the chance to leave while they could.

Shuichi stood and bit his lower lip, not wanting to do anything that may anger Yuki any more. He carefully slipped his hand into Yuki’s and when the author didn't say anything, he sighed in relief and allowed himself to be led inside.

Ryuichi leant against Tohma, not certain if he could hold himself up. It hurt so much. Yuki-san was taking back Shuichi, which was good, but it also meant he'd truly lost him. Shuichi belonged with Yuki-san…not with him.

And he was all alone again.

“You did the right thing Ryuichi,” Tohma said softly, putting an arm around Ryuichi's shoulders.

“I know,” Ryuichi sighed.