Summary: Four months after Yuki and he broke up, Shuichi gives in and agrees to going out with someone else. When this new man starts abusing Shuichi, Eiri steps in.

Key

I = scene change & time passing, and the more there are, the more time has passed

*Caution: Violence

Disclaimer: I don't own Gravitation

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Chap 1: "Not while I'm breathing"

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"What did you say?" Hiro asked, surprised. In the recording studio K was yelling at the phone while Bad Luck sat to eat lunch. Suguru set his textbook down, "I'm going to grab a soda".

Shuichi replied none-too-cheerily, "I'm going on a date with someone tonight".

"Someone who's not Yuki" Hiro stated.

With a silent nod, Shuichi took another bite of his sandwich. Hiroshi didn't want to push the blade further into his best friend's heart, but it just didn't feel right in the world without Shuichi's bright smile because of the romance novelist he was so deeply in love with. The singer never spoke more than once about it, so he still didn't know the entire story behind their breakup, but allegedly it was a mutual decision.

Momentarily looking up, "Yeah, a fan actually".

"You don't say" Hiro ran a hand through red locks, "Good luck".

Suguru came back in, drink in hand. "So you have five new songs for us to try out today?" he asked.

"Yes he does!" K answered instead, his yelling-conversation over. "My favorite singer has a new album coming along, and you'll have it ready by your Tokyo concert in May!"

"K-san that's only one month away" Suguru pointed out, "And I have final exams in May as well".

"Oh Suguru, eggheads don't need to study!" he clapped his hand hard together, "Let's get to it!"

At that, they set to their instruments and began practicing. Bad Luck's new album would contain songs of heartbreak, and struggle.

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At 6:51pm three knocks sounded at Shuichi's apartment; Eiri gave it to him. After spending three years in this home, the pain of the memories wasn't as great as the presumed pain that would come with moving.

It looked nearly the same as the night Eiri left four months prior. That was the worst argument Shuichi ever experienced. He couldn't even remember what they argued about, but was certain it shouldn't have driven them apart; how he wished to turn back the clock.

He opened the door to his date, Kondo Hiroaki. At five-foot-seven the thirty year old wasn't as tall as Eiri, but still taller than the pop singer. Black hair that reached his neck was combed back and gelled. Standing in a black blazer and trousers along with dark crocodile skin loafers. In great contrast, Shuichi wore a lime green button down shirt, and blue trousers with cobalt loafers.

"Ready to go?"

Shuichi did his best to smile. These days the closest he could get to his old toothy grin was a small upturn of his lips.

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He had dinner seven times, and lunch four times with Hiroaki over the next two weeks. Each was filled with charming conversation, especially about how many of Bad Luck's concerts the man had been to, as well as his engineering projects.

With Hiroaki's persistent compliments and advances, they kissed on the third date. After their seventh dinner he convinced Shuichi to come to his apartment.

Laying on the cool tiled floor Shuichi opened his eyes, and peered at the sideways numbers of a digital clock- 3:32AM.

His body ached. His left arm was asleep underneath his stomach, but he didn't move. He couldn't move.

Instances of the night before crossed his mind...

Flashback

Pushing him onto an uncomfortable mattress, Hiroaki gave it to him hard. As he turned to be in a more comfortable position, dark eyes locked on his, "Don't move" his boyfriend commanded.

"Aki-"

"What is it, am I not as good as that fucking romance novelist?!" he angrily demanded.

"This has nothing to do with him" Shuichi replied as his face was pushed into the spotted pillow.

"Of course it does", he pulled out, and climbed off, allowing the singer to turn onto his back.

Moving up onto his elbows, Shuichi tried to force pain of the breakup out of his mind. "You're the one-"

"I'm the one who owns you now, exactly", Hiroaki smirked. Without warning he struck Shuichi across the face. The older man muffled his cry with a hand over his mouth. Black hair matted down by sweat, he leaned down an hissed "You better shut that hot mouth unless I tell youto open it for my dick".

Petrified, Shuichi didn't say a word.

"Good, but I will have to teach you to make sure you understand."

End flashback

The rest of the night was something of a blur, but he remembered the agony very clearly. When Hiroaki was finished, he harshly whispered "Goodnight", then knocked him out.

Now, his ears rang, and vision was blurred. Trying to swallow hurt, his throat was dry but for the cum Hiroaki didn't let him wash out.

Hours passed, and he was too afraid to go back to sleep, too afraid to move. He wondered if Hiroaki would harm him again. Would he be allowed to go to the recording studio today? Would he be kept in this apartment?...

"Wake up Shuichi" said Hiroaki in his usual pleasant tone. Stepping over him, he adjusted his tie, and buttoned his leather jacket. "You have practice today, and I have work" he grabbed the leather briefcase from a wooden stool next to the front door. "Lock up when you leave, alright? I'll talk to you later" he waved then walked out.

Shuichi watched after him in shock; if he were to judge by the man's demeanor, he may believe the night before was a bad dream. Slowly lifting his body, he cried out in pain.

It was no dream. This was reality. He needed to get help.

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Everyone readied in the recording studio, all but a certain singer. "Hiroshi!" K called, "Find out why Shuichi isn't here yet".

Yawning, the redhead pulled his phone out and speed-dialed. "Huh, it went to voicemail".

"Maybe he's asleep" Suguru mentioned.

"Could be, he did go on another date with that weird guy..." The sound of running paused him, "Ah there he is".

Out of breath, Shuichi came in. "Hey are we ready to practice!"

"Yo Shu what's with the bruises?" Hiro asked regarding the marks across his face, and arms.

He wanted to tell them what happened however; "I tripped over my pasta, then hit the stove and the table". It was a very "Shuichi response" so K and Suguru left it at that, but Hiro was concerned. He decided to wait, and ask about it when they were alone.

The band proceeded to practice their new songs.

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As pink hair popped out of the bathroom, Hiro clutched the sleeve of his shirt. "Shu, tell me what happened."

"I can't Hiro... I..."

"Aki did this, didn't he?" Shuichi's eyes told it all. Blinking away tears, the singer shook his head. He didn't know what Hiroaki was capable of, and wouldn't put anyone else in danger.

With a downcast expression Hiro sighed, "Just remember I'm here for you Shu, everybody in the Bad Luck team is".

"Yeah"

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Five days later, watching his black-haired boyfriend Shuichi insisted "No Aki I changed the channel, you-you saw me change it." He cowered behind the man's dark leather couch.

"You knew that fucker was interviewed today." He threw a glass bottle, and Shuichi managed to dodge it.

"Oh you wanna play?" Hiroaki questioned. "No, please Aki-" he was cut off, as was his air supply, when the couch was pushed into him. Hiroaki furiously slammed fists against his face.

Coughing up blood, and gasping for air, he looked at his boyfriend with a pleading gaze.

Yanking Shuichi's arm upward, he wiped his mouth with the sleeve; "I'll accept your apology if you put those lips to work", he pulled the couch back a bit, "And I don't mean singing".

Terrified, he nodded.

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The next day Shuichi didn't come to the recording studio, and Hiroshi feared the worst.

"Bye, I've got a date tonight" he lied, quickly leaving after their short practice.

Entering his car, he picked up his phone, and dialed. "Yuki I don't know what happened between you and Shu, but I think he's in trouble" he paused, "He's been dating this guy Kondo Hiroaki, and I think he's beating Shu. Today he didn't show up at the studio".

Concern was evident in Yuki's tone.

"I know the general area where he lives... alright, but I want to go with you... he's my best friend... break the law? Fine, you take care of it, just make sure Shu's safe, and have him call me."

He hung up.

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Shuichi was woken by loud banging. Trepidation caught the breath in his throat. He wanted to scream, or call for help, because this man was surely going to beat him to death for whatever he assumed the singer did.

Still laying on the floor, the couch blocked view of the door, as well as the rest of the living room. He prayed the banging would stop, but it didn't. Suddenly the door slammed open, and someone walked in.

"Please no" he whispered.

As the footsteps neared, he cried "Please Aki, I'll do anything you want me to, I swear! Just please don't-" he nearly screamed as the couch was quickly pulled from the wall, but stopped when he looked up, and saw those beautiful golden eyes.

"God Shuichi" Eiri whispered, moving the couch further away. That lovely face was bloody, and badly bruised. Other such marks showed on each piece of skin exposed. With crimson splotches all across his bright orange sleeveless shirt, he looked like a murder victim.

Thankful he was alive, Eiri knelt beside his x-boyfriend, and drew the familiar body into his arms.

"H- how did you...?" Shuichi quietly asked, still shaken by fright.

"Hiroshi called me" he responded while standing, lifting the singer he walked out to his car. After setting him down on the passenger seat, the blonde asked "Do you want to go to the hospital?"

"I just want to go home" Shuichi said with tears pouring down his face, "Home with Eiri".

They drove to the writer's new house. As much as both wanted to return to the apartment they made theirs, it wasn't safe. Parking in the driveway, Eiri put an arm around his beloved's back, "This will be your home now".

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Bathing together, Eiri carefully washed away invading red from Shuichi's skin.

After drying off, Eiri prepared a small meal for Shuichi. There was no way of knowing when the singer was last permitted to eat.

Hand in hand, they proceeded to the king-sized bed. Happy in the arms of the one they love, they slept peacefully for the first time in months.

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Shuichi woke to the glow of sunlight pouring through a large window, and the sound of Eiri speaking on his phone just outside the bedroom. "Yes, I'll send you those photos... and the ones of the house... alright... yes, thank you".

"Eiri" he whispered.

The door opened, and in walked Eiri. Seeing those ghastly bruises again reignited his fury; so help him, that Hiroaki would pay. Golden eyes smiling he said, "I cooked breakfast, but if you'd rather rest that's alright too".

Tears resurfaced, and Shuichi reached out to his dearest one.

Eiri took his hand, sitting on the bed beside him, "You're safe now, everything's been taken care of".

"I love you" he whispered through tears as Eiri wrapped strong arms around him.

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End chap 1

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Hope you liked it, please review.