I am not jealous, Hisashi thought to himself. I am merely concerned.

Yet he couldn't stop himself from gritting his teeth as he watched Jiro and Teru laughing together, the vocalist's arm slung around Jiro's shoulders as they stood closely together. Hisashi told himself that it was irrational, that the whole idea of Jiro being interested in Teru was impossible. For one thing, their vocalist was straighter than the proverbial rail. He did glomp onto everyone during the concerts, but Teru was almost painfully heterosexual in "real" life. For another thing, Jiro had never shown any interest in Teru before, and Hisashi didn't think he would start now. Lastly, and most importantly, Jiro was with HIM. So really, he had nothing to worry about, right?

Well, that's what it was supposed to be like, but Hisashi knew that the points he had just listed off in his head weren't entirely true.

First, though Teru was straight, he did have a tendency of getting drunk with his buddies. Needless to say, two drunk people often did..."questionable" things, and with Sugizo as Teru's regular drinking partner, Hisashi had a sneaking suspicion that the two might have done more than JUST drink together on occasion. After all, this WAS Sugizo, they were talking about...

Second, though he had told himself earlier that Jiro had no interest in Teru, he knew that was also not completely true. Jiro liked to look at Teru. He had often caught Jiro's eyes fixed on Teru with a sort of admiration in their depths. He had once heard Takuro tease Jiro about it, and Jiro had shrugged. "I can't help it. I think he's pretty," Jiro had replied in what appeared to be a nonchalant tone. However, Hisashi had snuck a peek at Jiro and had caught a faint flush on the younger man's cheeks. Granted, him and Jiro hadn't been together when Jiro had said that, but still...the memory just didn't go over quite well with him...

Third, yes, Jiro was with him but what if he was just some sort of replacement for Teru? At times, Hisashi felt that Jiro had more admiration for Teru than he did for him. Jiro certainly never told Hisashi that he thought he was pretty--or even cute for that matter. Come to think of it, Jiro never mentioned Hisashi's looks at all.

So what did that mean?

It's probably just the most irrational sense of paranoia ever, Hisashi thought wryly to himself. He glanced over at the laughing couple again and felt something clench within him as he saw Jiro suddenly hug Teru tightly. What the--He thought furiously before quickly catching himself. No! Get a grip, Hisashi! He told himself firmly. It isn't like you to get all worked up over something as trivial as this. They're friends, okay? Only /friends/. Just ignore it, and for God's sake, get on with your life.

Hisashi took a deep breath, telling himself to calm down. I'm sure it's nothing, he thought firmly.

However, the seed of jealousy had been planted.

Jiro bounced into the recording room, happily sucking on a piece of strawberry flavoured candy. Teru had agreed to go with me! He thought joyfully, recalling his conversation with the Glay vocalist. He wasn't sure Teru would be accepting of a yaoi relationship, but he was. Now, the only thing he had to worry about was how to break the news to Hisashi...

Lost in thought, Jiro failed to notice Hisashi trailing him into the room and shutting the door behind him. It wasn't until Jiro heard the click of the lock being turned that he realized someone else was with him.

"Wha--?" Jiro began, spinning around in surprise. "Who--oh, Hisashi. It's just you." He flashed a quick smile in Hisashi's direction before turning away and picking up his bass. "Ne, you better unlock the door, Hisa," He said without looking up. "Teru and Takuro won't be able to get in if you don't, you know."

"..." Hisashi watched silently as Jiro fiddled with his bass, "What if," He said slowly after a pause, "I don't want to?"

"Eh?" Putting down his bass in surprise, Jiro turned to face Hisashi and was greeted by a hot mouth suddenly swooping in and claiming his own. Jiro was so startled that he could only manage a small squeak before his lips were completely captured by Hisashi's. Hisashi kissed Jiro hungrily, his tongue slipping into Jiro's mouth, tasting the remnants of strawberry along the roof and tongue of the other's tender mouth.

Jiro moaned slightly, the stiffness of his body melting away as he returned Hisashi's kiss, his hands unconsciously slipping around Hisashi's slim body to bring him closer to his chest. When the two finally parted for air, Jiro sucked in his breath, partly from the surprise and partly from lack of breath. "What--what was that for, Hisa?"

Hisashi shrugged and merely reached for Jiro again, locking them into a tight embrace. When Hisashi tilted his head to kiss him again, Jiro didn't resist and returned the guitarist's kiss with enthusiasm. He had no idea what provoked Hisashi, who usually disliked public displays of intimacy, to be, well--rather eager. When Hisashi's hands crept along his back and down to his rear, his fingers lightly tracing the curve of his buttocks over the denim of his jeans, Jiro quickly ammended his thought.

Make that VERY eager.

Before Jiro could do anything though, he heard voices from the other side of the door.

"Ara? What the--?"

"What's wrong, Teru?"

"Aa, Takuro, I think the door is locked."

"Eh? That's weird, I knew I left it open."

"Should I get a key?"

"No, it shouldn't have been locked... Hey, let's try knocking. Maybe Jiro and Hisashi are in there."

There was a pause, then "Hey Jiro, Hisashi! You guys in there? Open the door!"

"Hisashi--" With a great deal of effort, Jiro managed to break away from their deep kisses as Takuro rapped on the door. "This isn't exactly the place for this... Teru and Takuro..."

"Mmm..." Hisashi made a small murmur of agreement as he pulled away as well, his hands smoothing his clothes down. He glanced sideways at Jiro. "My place? Later tonight?" He asked simply.

"Ah!" If Jiro was an anime character, he would have been sweatdropping. "I can't..."

Hisashi glanced at Jiro, an eyebrow raised in surprise. "Why not?"

Jiro blushed a bit. "I've made plans with Teru."

Hisashi merely stared at Jiro, feeling an acute dread. Jiro was passing up a night with him for TERU? Teru, a friend, over Hisashi, his lover?

Jiro squirmed a bit under Hisashi's piercing gaze, looking a little uncomfortable. "I'm sorry. Can I make this up to you tomorrow or something? I really need to go out with Teru tonight."

Hisashi felt anger replace the sense of dread. So...was that what Jiro wanted? "Fine," Hisashi said coolly, "If that's what you want."

Jiro winced as Hisashi brushed past him to open the door. He knew that he had hurt Hisashi, but... Briefly, Jiro considered telling Hisashi the reason behind his date with Teru right now instead of delaying the news for tomorrow, but Hisashi was opening the door and Teru and Takuro were walking in...

"Man, it took you long enough!" Takuro exclaimed. "Just what were you two doing in here?"

Teru cocked an eyebrow in Jiro's direction, and Jiro shrugged. "Not much," Jiro replied.

Not much?!? Hisashi thought, shooting a deadly glare in his lover's direction. Sure, if you call making out with me "not much".

Takuro frowned at Jiro's reply. "Not much? I don't like the sound of that." He strode over to the door and tested the knob. "Why was the door locked? "When both Hisashi and Jiro didn't answer, Takuro's frown deepened. "I hope you two weren't trying to kill each other."

"Oi! Kill each other?!" Jiro protested.

"I locked it," Hisashi said at the same time.

Jiro whipped around to stare at his lover. Hisashi, what the hell?! He thought, trying to catch the guitarist's attention. Hisashi resolutely kept his attention fixed on Takuro.

"Oh?" Teru teased, his eyes dancing. "And why did you lock the door? Care to tell us?"

Hisashi didn't even blink. "Okay." He turned to Jiro. "Jiro?"

"Eh--Hisa--" However, the rest of Jiro's words went down Hisashi's throat as the guitarist suddenly kissed him. "Mmph..." The bassist made a small noise in the back of his throat as his eyes widened with shock. Hisashi ignored Teru and Takuro and instead kept his eyes closed, kissing Jiro passionately, his tongue entering Jiro's mouth with an uncharacteristic fierceness.

He wanted the others, Teru in particular, to know that Jiro belonged to him. He was not being possessive or anything. He was merely...staking his claim.When Hisashi finally released Jiro, he turned to Teru and Takuro. His eyes flickered between their faces, observing their reactions. Both men had alook of shocked disbelief on their face. Takuro had turned a sickly shade of white while Teru, Teru was looking amused--?

What? Hisashi blinked as Teru let out a hearty peal of laughter, his eyes crinkling. "Teru?"

Teru grinned at Jiro. "Maa, Jiro, looks like you don't have to worry about Hisashi getting mad now." He turned to Hisashi and winked. "I'm glad you're okay with making your relationship together public. Did you know our little Jiro-chan was worried sick that you would be mad at him?"

"Mad at him?" Hisashi repeated, confused. "What? Why?"

"Well, Jiro told me about your relationship together already, Hisa." Teru explained. "He was drunk the other night and accidently let it slip. He was afraid that you would get mad at him for telling, so he asked me today if I could help pick out something for you after practice." Teru laughed again, obviously getting a kick out of the whole situation. "Looks like you worried for nothing, ne, Jiro?"

Jiro merely nodded, still looking at Hisashi in shock.

Takuro's eyes darted from one member to the other and he choked. "I think I need to sit down."

"Maa, you okay, Takuro? You look like you're going to faint," Teru commented, grabbing a chair.

While Teru was tending to their leader, Hisashi turned to Jiro, "I think we have to have a little talk later, don't you think?"

Jiro turned to look at Hisashi. "Aa." He paused. "What provoked that, Hisa? I mean...I never thought you would want the others to know about us. That's why I was so worried about you getting mad at me for telling Teru."

"Aa." Hisashi smiled, feeling almost deliriously happy. For once, he was glad that he had been wrong in his suspicions. "Was that why you had to go out with Teru tonight?"

Jiro nodded. "Aa. Since Teru was so close to you, I thought he could help me pick out something you would like. You know...as a sort of apology gift." He frowned a little. "Anyway, you never answered my question, Hisa. What provoked you to suddenly let Teru and Takuro know about us? Were you just being irrational?"

Irrational? Hisashi pondered the question carefully. He remembered the jealousy he had felt when he saw Teru and Jiro being so close, and the fearhe had experienced when he thought Jiro told him that he had to be with Teru. Was he just being irrational? "No way," Hisashi said firmly, answering both Jiro's question and his own. "No way."

***OWARI***