Embrace - Volume 2

"The cat has thrown up on my clothes again," Jiro snorted as he was looking through his closet. Natsuo glanced at their calico-coated pet, who had climbed onto a bookshelf and glared at them in a threatening way.

Natsuo named her Miso after he found her licking the soup bowls clean in the kitchen one day. It had been a few weeks since they adopted her from the shelter, but it seemed she wasn't fond of her owners.

"For fuck's sake..." Jiro sighed as he found more hairballs inside his wardrobe.

"Just leave them and I'll wash them for you," Natsuo said trying to lighten up his mood.

Jiro was a ticking time bomb of emotions, ready to explode at any moment. Sometimes he was loving and caring, showering Natsuo with kisses and intimacy. Other times he was cold and impatient, snapping at Natsuo for the smallest of things and often taking his frustrations out on him. He would become distant, shutting him out and refusing to talk about any of his feelings. Natsuo had learned to adapt to Jiro's ever-changing moods, but it was still difficult to understand where they were coming from.

That day Jiro had been strangely in a positive mood since he was heading out for the first time since his accident. He was heading out clubbing with Rei and her friends, something he had been looking forward to for a while. His natural dark hair was cut in a crew style and he had let his beard grow long, giving him a rugged and rough look.

"Thanks. You are the best," Jiro said as he ruffled Natsuo's brown hair, making his lips curl into a smile.

"Are you sure you don't want me to take you there?"

Jiro's eyes narrowed and a scowl crossed his face as he adjusted the lapels of his favorite leather jacket.

"No, I'll be fine."

Natsuo had bought another car, a black sedan with four seats, a few weeks ago after their sportscar had crashed in Jiro's accident. He had been so terrified after the incident that he had refused to get into a car, no matter how much Natsuo tried to encourage him. They had argued two days after Natsuo drove the vehicle into their yard, with Jiro demanding that he needed to return it. He was adamant neither he nor Natsuo would drive again.

"Call me if you want a - "

"I'm fine," Jiro emphasized, misting himself with perfume. He gave Natsuo a quick kiss on the lips, grabbed his keys and walked out the door.

Natsuo had built a study station in the living room for himself, complete with a laptop, snacks, and hot coffee. He had been studying for weeks, spending a few hours a day in the living room while Jiro watched TV in the bedroom.

He loaded the washing machine with his boyfriend's clothes and sank into the world of chemistry, surrounded by the warm glow of his laptop.

(Later that evening)

Natsuo had been writing essays, reading for exams, and doing homework as the evening wore on. He had been making steady progress, but he couldn't help but worry about Jiro. The texts he sent to him remained unanswered, not even seen as Natsuo tried to check on him.

Someone knocked on the door, distracting Natsuo from the physics equations he had been solving. He opened the door, surprised to see Hide standing on their doorstep with a bag in his hand.

"I brought you dinner with non-alcoholic wine," Hide said, apologizing for coming without notice.

Natsuo smiled in appreciation and welcomed him to come in.

"I heard that you were studying and thought maybe we could do that one research together," Hide said, blushing faintly on his cheeks.

"Sure... were you at the same party with Jiro?" Natsuo asked as he opened the bag, revealing a steaming box of noodles and a bottle of non-alcoholic red wine.

"Yeah."

"How'd it go?" Natsuo asked curiously.

"Well, they decided to go to a rave. I chose to pass on that."

Natsuo grabbed two glasses from the kitchen and placed them on the living room table next to the food. He took a deep breath, choosing to have faith in Jiro and trust that he would reach out if he needed anything.

"I got it from the restaurant down the street," Hide said as he left his shoes neatly at the entrance.

"Thanks," Natsuo replied as he poured the plum-red beverage.

"When did you get a cat?" Hide asked when Miso emerged from her hiding place and sniffed Hide's leg, meowing softly.

"Wow... she doesn't do that to us," Natsuo said astonished, watching Hide crouch in front of her and letting her smell his fingertips.

"My grandparents always had cats. They are lovely animals," Hide smiled as Miso nuzzled her nose against his hand. Natsuo couldn't help but observe how gentle and kind Hide was being with Miso, something that Jiro had never taken the time to do. The first time Natsuo was aware of the hot air in his chest as he stared at him.

"So, do you want to do the history assignment?" Natsuo asked as he tried to brush off the feeling. Hide smiled sweetly at him and nodded his head in response.

Natsuo lifted the hood from his hoodie as he noticed his cheeks warming up as well, embarrassed by the strange emotions he was suddenly having.

(Later that night)

Natsuo and Hide sat on the living room floor after dinner, drinking wine and finishing their homework, talking about their lives and enjoying one another's company. Throughout the night, their conversation became more intimate, and Natsuo found himself feeling a connection with Hide he had not felt before.

"Did he act that impulsively before?" Hide asked when their subject changed to Jiro.

Natsuo shook his head, reminiscing about how friendly and caring Jiro used to be. He was always thoughtful and generous, taking the time to really listen and understand everyone around him.

"Are you happy with him?" Hide asked and Natsuo remembered that his biological mother had asked the same question almost six months ago. He had answered yes without a second thought, but now he paused as he considered how much had changed since then.

"Was he checked for a brain injury?" Hide asked, adding that his behavior might be explained by it.

Natsuo was deep in thought as he considered Hide's questions. He wanted to confide in Hide and open up to him, but he was feeling too shy to express his true feelings.

His phone suddenly buzzed, breaking the silence between them. He quickly grabbed it and saw a text from Rei, asking him to come over to the club and pick up Jiro since he wasn't feeling well.

Natsuo let out a deep sigh, grabbing his bomber jacket and explaining the situation to Hide.

"I must go get him."

"I'll come with you. Maybe I can help," Hide said with a determined look.

(A while later)

When they arrived at the rave club, the beat was blaring and the lights were flashing, creating a chaotic atmosphere. People were dancing and shouting as they moved around the venue, the smell of sweat and alcohol hanging heavy in the air.

Rei approached them, her face illuminated by the neon lights. She was wearing a bandana over her head and a tight leather dress that hugged her petite body.

"Did he drink?" Natsuo inquired after she motioned for them to follow her to the back of the club.

"Sure, but not nearly enough to knock him out like this," Rei explained, causing Natsuo to rub his eyes in frustration. He had warned Jiro not to mix alcohol with the opioids he had been prescribed, but it seemed that his boyfriend had not heeded his advice.

When they finally reached their destination, Natsuo's stomach dropped as he saw Jiro lying against the table, completely passed out. He checked his pulse and breathed a sigh of relief when he found a steady beat.

Natsuo shook his shoulders and gently cupped his sweat-drenched face, but Jiro remained unresponsive. He looked at Hide with a pleading expression, but his friend could only offer him a weak smile of sympathy.

The music was so loud that it made their ears ring and drowned out all conversation. Hide stepped in and lifted Jiro's limp arm over his neck, his face contorting with the effort. Natsuo hurried over to help and together they managed to get Jiro up and onto his feet.

(Later that night)

Natsuo sat watching Jiro with grief as they succeeded in getting him back home, feeling helpless as he gazed at his unmoving body on their bed. The sight of him lying there brought back painful memories of his overdose and how he had slipped into a coma.

Hide put a reassuring hand on his shoulder and gave him a supportive look.

"He'll be okay."

Natsuo opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but no words came out. His mind was racing, but he couldn't seem to form a single thought.

He stroked Jiro's short hair gently, tears stinging his eyes. He had decided to stay by his side until he woke up, no matter how long it took. The fear that he might not open his eyes gripped his insides so tightly that he could hardly breathe as he watched Jiro's chest rise and fall with labored breaths.

"Is it okay if I leave?" Hide asked in a low voice.

"Yeah... Thanks for the help," Natsuo answered in a broken tone and was caught off guard when Hide hugged him. He hesitated for a second before returning the gesture, wrapping his arms around Hide in a friendly embrace.

He was startled when he heard movement from the bed and quickly glanced over his shoulder, seeing Jiro rising from his sedated sleep.

"What the hell is going on here?" He asked in a slurred voice, his dazed eyes narrowing at the sight of them hugging each other...