Title: Games of Betrayal and Loyalty

Author: Andy-chan (antimiya88)

Pairings: Sakuraiba, Junba, Matsumiya, Ohmiya (past), Aiba x Takkey (mentioned), Jun x OC (mentioned)

Genre: AU, Romance, Angst, Slice of Life

Rating: R

Summary: Aiba Masaki and Matsumoto Jun are two of the hottest names in the show business. Both of them successful actors weren't afraid of revealing their relationship and now they are portrayed as the 'ideal couple'  by the media but are they really as happy together as everyone believes? Masaki can't help but feel uneasy when he meets Sakurai Sho, a young journalist, who seems to be able to see through him. Will the secrets be revealed? And if yes, would that mean the end or probably the beginning of something new, a lot more fulfilling?

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the boys, unfortunately.

Part 1   /   Part 2

It was already dark when Nino was able to leave his office. This past few weeks had been hell. He wasn’t able to sleep well and that caused him to be slower during working hours. His paper was selling well, better than ever after the revelation of Matsumoto Jun and Aiba Masaki’s scandal yet it brought him no pleasure… no feeling of accomplishment. Somehow, that actor’s words had been stuck on his mind, playing on a repetitive mode. “If someone truly meant something for you…” There had been… Once. He had given his heart, his body completely, selflessly to the one he thought felt the same just to be deceived… just to be left alone and hurt in the end.

Nino wasn’t naïve. He had been a dreamer but that dream of his had been crushed brutally, leaving nothing but shadows behind. It was these shadows that he was trying to face but no matter how much he tried, it was still too painful. Even at the thought of confronting with the past was unbearable. He might see that he had done mistakes; mistakes that if were discovered, they would destroy him. He didn’t want to know that he was part of the reason why he ended up alone and miserable because no matter how much he was successfully trying to convince everyone for the opposite, deep inside he was weak. Even back then, when he had decided to stand up for the one he loved and speak openly to his father, he had pretended to be strong… Inside he was trembling but he had him… or at least so he thought.

---

“Do you even listen to yourself?”

“I love him and he loves me! What can’t you understand?!” Nino felt like crying but he wouldn’t do his father this favor.

“But… why someone like him?! Even if you’re a…” Nino’s father’s face contracted with disgust “…gay… why can’t you find anyone better?”

“No one’s better than Satoshi!” Nino’s voice was loud. How did his father dare to say that another person could be better?! Satoshi was the one for him… His soul mate…

His father smirked. “He’s a supposed-to-be artist” the word was spoken ironically and managed to get Nino’s full attention. “Don’t you know that artists have already devoted themselves to their art? There’s no room for anyone else!”

“Satoshi loves me! He cares for me! You’re saying all that because you’re jealous. Jealous because someone has truly loved me when you never had this chance. Mother married you because she was obliged… You have no idea how it is to be loved!” Nino said, his chest moving up and down fast. He didn’t want to believe in his father’s words. He only said so because he hated him. He always had.

He ran up to his room and put hastily some clothes in his bag.

“You’ll regret this…”

“I won’t!” Nino said again, trying to sound confident. He wouldn’t… he had Satoshi. He hurried to the door.

“If you open this door, you may forget that you have a family! You’ll be a total stranger to me!”

Nino lowered his head as he opened it slowly. “It doesn’t matter because I already have one waiting for me… Good bye…” he muttered under his breath and stepped out.

He was walking aimlessly around the streets before ending up to the small park. He might have just turned nineteen but had always lived in a secured environment. It was impersonal, cold but safe. Now, he didn’t have that and his heart was beating fast, almost painfully. He knew he had made the right decision but he still felt afraid. He had decided though not to say anything to Satoshi. He knew his boyfriend would feel responsible and he didn’t want that. He only wanted to be by his side… That made every fear and insecurity he felt at the moment worth it. A shy smile appeared at his face as he turned his eyes up to the blue sky. He should think positively because he wasn’t alone; he had Satoshi and he would have him forever…

---

Everything proved to be a lie and the pain wouldn’t leave him easily. Since that night of November, when he saw his apartment door closing and the figure of the man he loved the most in this world leaving him forever, he knew he had to do something; something that would help him face the days that were about to come; something that would prove to him that he had done nothing wrong. So, he started paying close attention to everyone around him; first, with his college friends. If he caught something, he’d immediately reveal it. Was it flirting? Was it cheating? Little did he care. What mattered was to see the pain in the others’ eyes… That way he wouldn’t be the only one to be crushed. Lies were everywhere. Little by little it became his obsession. Now he could see it. There was no true love; there was no forever; and Nino was determined to make sure everyone see it, too.

One day, as he was walking around in Roppongi, he saw a rising-in-popularity idol entering a love hotel with a guy. Without thinking about it twice, he pulled out his phone and took a picture. He sold his first picture at the age of twenty-one. After university graduation he already knew what he would do. He had most of the money and with his instinct he was sure he’d be successful. In only two years, his trashy newspaper was selling well. He knew what he was publishing was considered by the rest in his field trash. But there was a big difference: everything published in his newspaper was no rumor. He had people that would make sure to double-check everything before each ‘scandal’ found its place on the pages. He only published the truth.  

His life continued in the same pattern. But lately things weren’t going the way he wanted. Sho’s visit in his office, that Aiba Masaki’s decision for a press conference, his words… everything was giving him headaches and leaving him pass sleepless nights. Especially that day nothing was going smoothly. There was a delay at the printing of some extra pages, there were reschedules at the appointments with managers and agencies’ representatives who tried to make a compromise so that the scandals of their idols, actors and singers would be kept in the drawer, there was a delay at the transfer of a large sum of money to his personal bank account and it didn’t end there. This morning, Nino was surprised to find that his favorite melon pan wasn’t waiting for him on his desk as always. His new assistant had made a mistake. What had she thought when she happily left that curry pan? Why must she remind him of that person? And after having spent thirty minutes to yell at her and explain what he expected from now on, Nino was pissed to find out that his coffee had already turned cold.

Once again it was dark… once again he would go to his empty apartment… once again he would eat cup noodles and play his favorite games… once again there would be no welcome back… He felt his eyes tearing up and cursed out loud as he pressed the elevator button like a maniac for the nth time. Why would he have to wait for the elevator for two whole minutes? Damn this Aiba Masaki and damn Sakurai Sho! I’m fine! I’m perfectly fine! He was desperate to convince himself for that… He didn’t want to think… It only made him weak and he had made a promise to himself not to ever be one. Once the doors opened with the characteristic bell sound, he entered, pressed the number zero and let his back lean against the mirror behind. His eyes remained closed as he tried to take deep breaths. He had to fight it. He wouldn’t cry…

Everything seemed peaceful around him as he walked down the street after having bought his favorite cup noodles for dinner. He had almost reached his car when he heard yells and curses. Is someone fighting? Curious, he walked till the corner, his eyes bulging at the sight in front of him. It was no one else but his latest “star” prey. Matsumoto Jun had caught a man, undoubtedly a paparazzi, by the collar of his coat while cursing every word existed in his vocabulary. Nino gasped when he saw the actor punching the other who ended up falling on the ground.

Nino had the chance to see the fallen man’s face. Ah! I know him… He’s from Shukan Bunshun… Nino clicked his tongue on his teeth annoyed. I am the one who brought this up! They can stay loyal to their blah-blah rumors!  He was ready to go closer to the two men when Jun’s words made his legs freeze on the spot.

“You’ve ruined me! Why the fuck are you still following me?! I have no movies, no dramas, no CMs, I have no one! Got that? No one! Aren’t you happy? Isn’t that enough?!”

There was desperation in his words… a desperation that Nino was too familiar with. He bit his lower lip, a sharp pain making his heart throb against his chest. That anger… that hurtful anger… he knew it so damn well…

“Please…! Not the camera!” the paparazzi begged Jun who now had the camera in his hand.

“Look at me!” Jun growled angrily as he was ready to break it to pieces with his foot.

“Excuse me!”

Jun turned around frowning. To his surprise, the one who had spoken was a small-figured man who didn’t look older than twenty-five years old. But his aura… there was something cold about him… and that stare… that stare felt like piercing deep down his soul. He had an unreadable smirk as he came closer and kneeled by Jun’s side to get the camera in his hands. He quickly pressed some buttons. Is he deleting my photos? Jun couldn’t believe it.

“You… listen to me carefully!” his voice was showing no trace of anger. It was controlled but nevertheless imposing. “This here never happened... And because I feel generous tonight I’d suggest you head to ‘Beardy Chick’ at Ni-chome. I’m sure your boss will be more than satisfied with the small party that takes place there as we’re speaking” he pulled the paparazzi up. “You should learn to stick to what’s on your level… Got me?”

The paparazzi only nodded and ran away, as fast as possible. Jun would swear that he looked afraid of the smaller man or at least, as if he didn’t want to get into trouble with him. Jun was left there standing without being able to grasp anything. Why had he helped him? Jun felt confused… confused and unease. The cases where he had felt like that weren’t many yet this man had this impact on him. He was only staring at him with that same, mysterious stare and that was enough.

For some reason he couldn’t understand, Jun found himself wanting to know who this person truly was… what he wanted… because everyone wanted something from him; that happened since the very beginning but the scale was way different after the revelation of his scandal and his break-up with Masaki. Even his own agency… they had asked for a ridiculous guarantee to let him remain under their label but he decided to agree. He had lost Masaki, he had lost most of his friends; he just couldn’t bear losing his job as well. He loved it too much to choose something else over it.

Lost as he was in his thoughts, he didn’t take notice that the other was already walking away. Without a second thought, he rushed to him, grabbing him by his elbow.

“Who are you? And… why did you-?”

It might have been his own mind playing with him but he’d swear he saw the other losing the control he had shown till then. That didn’t last for more than a couple of seconds though because after one blink, all he could see was the other smirking.

“If I let you destroy that third-level paparazzi’s camera, then you’d be on the headlines for being aggressive and violent… and that wouldn’t be the exact truth… because the one who was ready to do that was your frustrated self… and frustration is a case of extremity… not logic…”

Nino tried to free himself from the actor but the grip didn’t loosen. He wanted to leave because even if the other asked him a million times, he still wouldn’t be in position to answer any of his questions. Not because he didn’t want to but because he didn’t know the answer himself. Normally, he wouldn’t give a fuck, yet that cry of emptiness, he had distinguished in Jun’s voice, made him move forward before he had the chance to realize what he was doing. Once again he was turning weak… and he hated it.

He knows who I am… Jun thought and smiled bitterly. Of course, he would! “You seem to know much. Who are you?” he asked again, not knowing himself why he insisted this much.

Nino sighed. Stubborn… “Someone who knows how things work… Now, if you excuse me!”

“Tell me your name...” Jun muttered under his breath.

Nino sighed again before bringing his eyes up to the taller man’s. He couldn’t help but gasp. He had never had the chance to look at the other from this close or, if he should be completely honest with himself, he had chosen to never truly look at the other. He had tracked him down personally several times in the past, before the publication, but never got interested in getting closer to him. Yet now he had and it strangely made him lose his composure. His eyes were beautiful… almond shaped with a warm shade of brown but in the same time they were red, filled with tears that were threatening to fall but above all, sad… His heart started beating faster as he felt a strange urge to make that sadness leave away. These eyes were too beautiful to be sad. He shook his head trying to get rid of all the weird thoughts that had started climbing up to his mind. That’s ridiculous… I guess I miss more sleep than I thought.

“You can call me Nino! There you are! Can I leave now?” Nino said irritated.

“Nino…” Jun repeated with a small frown, looking as if it was his chance to think.

Nino found this chance to escape and go to his car. I have my game waiting for me… Enough of this… He had unlocked the doors when he heard Jun’s voice again.

“Would you like to go for a drink with me? I know a bar nearby…”

“Huh?!” Nino couldn’t believe his ears. Had the other just asked him for…?

“As a thank you…” Jun added fast.

Nino knew better because he had done the same, so he immediately threw the dice. “I’d call it more as a prologue for sex. Aren’t I right?”

Jun smirked lowering his head. “Fine. Let’s go with your version. What would your answer be?”

Nino was ready to decline when he was suddenly pressed against the other, his body trembling at the hotness the actor’s body was emitting. How long had it been since the last time he had had sex? He couldn’t remember… but it must have been a while because he felt his mind already going blurry. Damn… It’s a mistake… He knew it was a mistake. He knew that the other wanted to forget… to not think… In any other case he wouldn’t have declined but this time it was different. He didn’t have a nameless man who would let him fuck him in the toilets of a club or in a hotel room. This time he knew who the other was and he knew that he was emotionally broken and that somehow was dangerous. This man had brought up feelings well hidden in the darkest corner of his heart till then, making him weak, vulnerable…

“Fluttered but-” Nino tried to find the power to resist but the more he did so, the more the other wouldn’t let go.

“You’re cute, you know…” Jun cut him off.

Nino managed to push the taller man away. “I have things to do. Ok?”

“What?! Boil water?” Jun asked pointing at the bag Nino was still holding.

“Why don’t you go find someone else?” Nino asked, tired of pretending anymore. “I’m sure there would be many cute guys out there who’d like you to get in their pants!”

“Yes… along with the extra money that would enter in theirs after selling information and photos in the media…”

“And what makes you think that I wouldn’t do that?”

“You wouldn’t have been involved like that earlier…”

“And how can you be sure that I didn’t do what I did only because I wanted it for myself?”

“I just do…”

Nino laughed. “You have no idea who I am…”

“I just know I want you tonight!” Jun said to both his and Nino’s surprise.

It was obvious that this was something the small-figured guy in front of him didn’t expect. Jun got the chance and locked their lips together, a small moan escaping from his throat when he felt the other’s hands wrapping around his neck, as he made their bodies stick together.

Nino was screaming internally but couldn’t stop himself from opening his mouth encouraging the other to deepen the kiss. This was unquestionably a mistake... but he couldn’t remember how long it was since a mistake had felt this good.

His mind turned completely blank as he felt caresses, other softer and other more demanding, being spread all over his naked torso, moving lower in a slow, teasing way. He found himself screaming out loud as two hot lips wrapped around his erected member covering it with a wonderful heat. His fists were grabbing the sheets in an attempt to not fall apart as the other moved inside of him, fast and hard, making him see stars behind his closed eyes leaving his mouth agape in ecstasy.

Nino looked at the sleeping figure next to him. It had been intense… passionate… perfect. Suddenly, he felt tears in his eyes. Why should that word come to his mind again? And above all… Why with Matsumoto Jun?

***

Masaki looked at the man who was holding his hand as he led him fast away from the cameras and flashes that were waiting for him right next to the exit.

It had been a couple of weeks since he started to try his luck at auditions for stage plays that were to open in small theatres. His CMs as well as his upcoming drama were cancelled. He knew he had to change the jobs he was looking for, if he wanted to remain in the field. He was no longer the pure, angel-looking “star”; he was the one who had been used and had cheated his boyfriend, the one who had kept everything a secret pretending to be fine. Yet he didn’t want to stop trying. He loved acting. He needed it like he needed the oxygen to be alive.

Without a manager it was quite difficult to get the information but he didn’t want to lose his hope. He always said that he tried to smile because that way something good would happen. It had been his motto since he was a teenager and was bullied at school for his choice to participate at the drama club and not at the basketball one. He was determined to keep it even during these emotional hardships. Starting over felt as if he was twenty years old again, reminding him the way he used to hope, make dreams and that gave him a bittersweet sentiment. A new start, like every new thing or situation in life, held fear and excitement in the same time.

Lately, he would hear people murmuring things like ‘poor him… to be used like that…’. Jun had made sure everyone found out those aspects of Takizawa which the latter had tried to keep a secret. Masaki knew that his former boyfriend couldn’t stand unfairness but that hadn’t brought him any satisfaction. Everyone would pity him and the media would still be eager to follow his every step.

Being followed by paparazzi that were waiting everywhere for you like birds of prey or being pointed at by passers-by as you walked down the street to go to the combini of your neighborhood wasn’t pleasant but Masaki was determined to fight. He had realized it was time for the media to exploit the misery. No job, almost no friends, no chances… only pity. It was phase two, as he had named it in his mind. He knew how the entertainment world worked but still found hard to accept it on that scale. It wasn’t that he was naïve but it still made him wonder why it should be like a jungle full of predators.

Sho though had stayed by his side since the day of his press conference. He still remembered the latter’s words. It was those four words that had given him strength when he was ready to fall apart.

---

“Sakurai. My name is Sakurai Sho…”

Masaki stared at the man in front of him. His eyes… Those eyes were piercing right in his soul. He had always been someone who kept most of the things for himself. He might look social but in reality, he didn’t like opening up to people. He had a couple of childhood friends and only one from his working field. Those were the ones that knew everything about him. And then there was this journalist. Sakurai Sho…

Somehow, it felt as if he was an open book for the other and he didn’t know how to do about it. Was he supposed to stay away? Was he supposed to let him stay? Was he supposed to bring him closer? He was confused.

“I’ve been following your steps from the very beginning. I always admired that passion you had. Even when the critics were negative, you’d still face them with a smile. ‘I love criticism because it only makes me work harder to reach my goal… I know I am not the biggest natural talent in acting but I know that what I’m the best at is not to give up’. That had been one of your first interviews at the magazine I was having my internship and I’ll be honest. It had impressed me. I mean, you could easily just focus on exploiting your looks but you didn’t. You never went for roles that were based on the image… You wanted depth… You challenged things and never chose the easy way. Somehow, you helped me get over the fact that I was yelled from morning to night or called useless as a journalist...” Sho laughed bitterly. “And I still admire you because today you proved that you still remain the very same fighter. You were a fighter, Aiba-san and you still are…”

Masaki didn’t know what to reply to that. He kept looking at the man for several minutes silent.

“I’m sorry for taking your time… I just wanted to know that not everyone shares the same idea for you…”

Masaki didn’t know what to do. The truth was that he didn’t want to be alone at the moment. He might be a fighter, as this journalist had just called him, but he felt weak… he always needed someone to help him remain focused… to cheer him up. He needed a friend by his side. Someone who would understand him and not judge him. He still didn’t want to go back to Chiba though. He didn’t want his parents see him like this. The journalist was turning the other way to leave when Masaki made a few steps forwards.

“Would you like to go for a coffee? I need it after… this…”

The other looked at him and smiled nodding understandingly. “Of course…”

They went to a small one a few blocks away. The owners were an old couple that seemed not to recognize Masaki. Sho had spoken of his favorite theatrical pieces… It was obvious that he had a great interest in them making Masaki forget about everything. Two hours had passed by and the conversation was still passionate. Masaki felt calmer than he had ever been these past few months. It felt as if he didn’t need to try with this man, as if they knew each other for years.

Sho had managed to make him laugh… and he needed that… He needed someone who could make him laugh…

---

Since then, Sho would be there for Masaki. It was funny how different he and Jun were in Masaki’s eyes yet somehow similar. Sho would always make sure to cheer him up when he was feeling blue, he would always not let him lose hope. Masaki had to admit that little by little, Sho was becoming someone important in his life. Even when they weren’t able to meet, Sho would still send him a text, asking how it had been and try to take his mind away from sadness, if he suspected so. He had an intuition that made Masaki wonder about… It had felt as if the other already knew him. Masaki wanted to believe that it was because the other was really looking at him.

He wasn’t an idiot. He knew that Sho liked him; he had caught him numerous times staring at him with eyes that reflected something more than friendship but had never tried to advance or actually do something. The more time they passed together, the more Masaki wondered what he should do. It was something never spoken, yet he was sure that Sho knew he had realized it but never mentioned anything. The times when he felt that he was taking advantage of the other weren’t few. He wasn’t fair… Sho had given him everything. Masaki really did want to give something back as well but he couldn’t do anything; not until he was 100% sure that he knew what he felt.

Things might have ended with Jun but it was still too soon. He had spent many nights missing the other’s scent and heat. He missed Jun… he missed the times he would place his head on his lap talking about nothing… He missed that pleasant silence… On the other hand, he had come to grow fond of the way the journalist was holding his hand when he saw a hidden camera waiting for Masaki… his toothy smile… But what if it was only gratefulness? Masaki was well aware that he couldn’t play with the other’s feelings; he had no right to. He cared for him too much to do so.

Masaki sighed. I don’t deserve to have you by my side… that thought kept replaying in his mind as they ran to escape. They managed to get into a cab without being caught.

“Now, we can breathe!” Sho said once they were in trying to sound carefree but Masaki could trace the bitterness in his voice.

“Thank you, Sakurai-kun…” Masaki’s voice was tiny. “I really thank you… even though I don’t know if I-”

Sho only squeezed his hand. Once again there was this warm smile and understanding gaze.

“Don’t start questioning yourself, Aiba-kun. I want to help you… and you deserve it…”

A shy smile appeared on Masaki’s lips. “I really don’t know what I’d do without you…” his voice was low but it was the truth.

“You’d still be fine… You’re a fighter, Aiba-kun. If you weren’t, they wouldn’t continue following you…”

“You know them very well…”

Sho sighed looking outside his window. “Unfortunately, I do…”


***

One month later…



“Coming!” Sho opened the door surprised to find his best friend waiting for him. “Sato?”

“Hey!”

“What are you doing here?”

“I need to speak to you…” Satoshi’s voice suddenly turned serious. “It’s about Ninomiya…”

Sho made way for his friend to enter inside his apartment. It was unusual for Satoshi to visit him. Especially now when he had his next exhibition to organize. Only from a quick glance, Sho knew it was something serious.

“Would you prefer tea or coffee?”

“Coffee…”

Sho nodded and went to the kitchen to prepare the drinks. Five minutes later, they were sitting on the sofa, both holding their cups.

“What happened?”

“Have you seen him lately? Have you talked to him?” the smaller man asked, his voice showing concern, agony.

Sho lowered his head. “No matter how many times I’ve approached him, he always refuses to listen to me… In his eyes, I’m as guilty as you…”

“To be fair, he does have right up to a point. I’d also be angry, if I was him…”

“But he’s stubborn and denies to face the truth. We’re not fifteen… All he does is to hurt himself. I could see that since back then…”

“You know that Ninomiya is sensitive, Sho… and I hurt him… deeply…”

Sho looked at his friend. He knew that Satoshi did care for Nino; perhaps not the way the other wished for but even like that, it meant that he wasn’t his enemy; something that Nino denied to accept.

“He’s absolute… ” Sho murmured.

“If he wasn’t, he wouldn’t be Ninomiya”

Sho sighed. Satoshi was right. He wouldn’t be him… “So, what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?”

“I heard it from a friend… his paper faces the threat of a lawsuit”

Sho gasped. Nino… “Why am I not surprised?!” he mumbled, a bitter smile appearing on his face.

Satoshi grabbed him by the sleeve. “He won’t listen to me but he may listen to you. You work in a way in the same field. You have connections. Even if you can’t talk to him, then perhaps do something to help him? It will destroy him completely…”

“But… Satoshi…”

“You still care for him, Sho. He’s your friend. Look, I don’t know what has happened but I feel that he’s changed. Especially after the issue about the two actors… You know this Matsumoto and Aiba-”

Satoshi didn’t have the chance to finish his words as a loud bang was heard behind them. Sho’s eyes bulged when he saw the man he was in love with looking at them with tearful eyes, his beautiful face showing nothing but shock and disappointment.

“You are a friend of Ninomiya Kazunari…! What the hell…? That’s why back then at the interview… you already knew… and you were waiting for the right moment to make your move…”

“Aiba-kun, please… I-”

“You’re the worst Sakurai Sho! The worst!”

Sho couldn’t move from his spot. It had been last week when he had given the other a spare key to his apartment. “For whenever you feel that you want someone to talk to…” was what he had said… Now, these words were echoing in his ears. His eyes moved from the door that had been closed with force to the bag on the floor. He kneeled and looked inside. There was his favorite pie along with two pieces of chocolate cake.

Masaki…



TO BE CONTINUED…







A.N. Sooo minna here's part 3! ^_^ I meant to post it on Sunday but my internet connection decided to play games denying to let me upload the text... >< Yesterday, I was too busy as tomorrow I fly to Greece (yay!) but here I am! Two days later... Hontou gomen! Next will be on time though! ;)
In this chapter I tried to show more of Nino's and Aiba's POV. In the next one, we'll have a focus on Jun's and Sho's POV. Some things concerning Ohmiya were revealed but you'll understand more in the next one. Nino is truly hurt... he has been through many difficulties and hardships in the past. And Ohno appears! I know things are angsty (and there's a cliffhanger at the end ><") but in the next part, I promise they'll start taking the road they need to. There was a reason why I put the last scene take place a month later than the previous Sakuraiba interaction. You'll see! ^^ Fluffy SA moments and more answers to come! ;)


I really hope you enjoyed it and as always your comments are <333!!!




See you very soon,
Andy ^_^