Protection

By: Elizabeth Whittaker

Author's Notes: This is a yaoi fanfiction about the series Gravitation.

When writing this, this is after book 12 and the OVA "Lyrics of Love". THERE ARE SPOILERS. You have been warned.

Yes, Yuki is being called Eiri in this story because every time I see Yuki, I think of Yuki Sohma, Fruits Basket was my anime before Gravitation. The only one who calls him Yuki is Shuichi, because let's face it, he will always call him Yuki.

All characters in this series belong to the owner.

This is a one shot fanfiction, I think.

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It was after the Tokyo Bay Music Festival that Tasuha had seen an improvement in his brother's behavior. He was still a bit upset that Eiri had written lyrics for Nittle Grasper, but after her saw Shuichi jump down from the special guest balcony to sing with Ryuichi Sakuma, Tasuha was not that mad anymore. In fact, he enjoyed the song. Not to mention glancing at Ryuichi every chance he could.

Tasuha just wondered of he could find love, too. After all, his cold hearted brother did. Why couldn't he?

He had risen from Eiri's couch, wondering why his brother was so lucky to have Shuichi. Shuichi, while being emotionally taxing, was good for his brother. It also seemed that Eiri didn't seem to mind to have the young rock star around. In fact, he had just took a break from his novels to go on a vacation with Shuichi and returned a few days ago. And Tasuha had ended up inviting himself over and staying for a few days.

And he was jealous of the things going on behind the scenes. Even though he was disgusted with the thought of them making love, he wanted something to call his own as well. How Tasuha wished for love.

It was just a shame he could not try for Shuichi, and it really was not worth getting rebuked or killed over by his cold, blond haired brother. So, this left him in a bit of a rut.

The door opened, knocking Tasuha out of his thoughts. He turned around to see Eiri and Shuichi walking into their home, with Eiri glaring at Tasuha as he stopped to take off his shoes. It was rather hard for Eiri to do when Shuichi was glued to his arm, but for the moment, Eiri ignored Shuichi. "Tasuha," Eiri addressed him.

"Have fun, bro?" The black haired man asked.

"Would have had more if you hadn't been standing around," Eiri replied as he put his slippers on and walked on the hardwood floor. "It's been three days. Either tell me what you want or get the hell out. I can't stand—"

Tasuha sighed as Shuichi put a hand on Eiri's arm. "Yuki, calm down."

"Shuichi." Eiri had spoke softly, but it still stopped Shuichi, making him glance at Eiri tearfully. Tasuha revolted inside as he watched the scene and wanted to take back Eiri's hand that he placed on Shuichi's cheek. "Go in the bedroom. This won't take long."

Tears came to the boy's face. "You said—"

"Go, Shuichi," he growled, then softened as he gazed at him hanging his head. Eiri cupped his chin and kissed his cheek. "Go on. I won't be too long."

So this is what love and romance is supposed to be about? Tasuha thought softly, taking a deep breath. No wonder Bro always gets troubled when Shuichi gets upset or leaves. "So, is this what love is—"

Shuichi looked up at Tasuha and sighed. "Damn it, don't judge us just cause we—YUKIIII!" He screamed as he was pushed bodily into the bedroom and Yuki closed the door. A click was heard as it was pushed closer and Shuichi banged on the door. "Yuki! Open up! YUKI!"

This was left unheard as Eiri stepped away from the bedroom door and glared once again at Tasuha. "You are starting to get on my nerves. Since when can you judge love, Tasuha? I thought you abhorred the fact that I turned gay." The coldness returned to his eyes, but did not match the smile on his face. "Why must you stay here? Go bug Mika. She'd let you stay with her. Or did you try to try to curse Tohma with that voodoo kit too?" Eiri asked as he walked to the couch, reminding his brother of his desperation several weeks earlier. "That was a stupid stunt you pulled to see Ryuichi. One would think you're in love with him."

The words were cold, and harsh as Tasuha heard them. "That—that's not it!" he said softly. "I just think he's—"

"If you say he's a god one more time—" Eiri warned, glancing down at him.

"But---" Tasuha stopped as he glanced at Eiri's bedroom door once more, noting that the cries from Shuichi stopped. He smirked. "Then again, one would think you love Shuichi from how you're hiding him from this harsh moment. Isn't that—"

"Shut up, Tasuha. You're being stupid." Eiri turned around and had proceeded to turn to go to his bedroom, loosening his tie as he walked. "Don't bother finishing that sentence. Just go home."

Tasuha smiled. "So you do."

Turning around, Eiri picked up a video that was near the table he was standing beside. "What are you doing, watching Shuichi's concert videos all the time? It's scary. It makes you look like you're obsessed with him or something. That scares even me, Tasuha. Just go home."

"But I do," Tasuha said. He did it without really thinking and covered his mouth as he did so. He knew he was about to get his ass reamed out for telling Eiri what he thought of his lover. "I mean, I didn't mean it that way, Eiri. Honestly. Just…he's good in concert."

This did not stop the novelist from going back over and getting within an inch of his face. "He may be good, but his lyrics suck. We all know this. Don't tell me you're trying to steal my piece of ass away from me. It's bad enough when the kid leaves."

"Don't play tough. You love him. Truth is, he don't deserve you from the way you treat him. You just regard him as another fuckhole when you get bored."

Tasuha enjoyed his glory for a moment before Eiri pushed him against the couch.

"Do you know how many times I've had to come back to get Shuichi to come after you? Do you know how much I hated watching that boy suffer, and you didn't give a fuck about him! Do you realize that everyone has feelings too, that you can't be cold all the time? I don't get why you treat him the way you do but—"

"Shut up." Eiri's eyes went deathly cold.

Tasuha blinked as he nervously ran a hand though his hair. "Excuse me?"

"Just shut up, Tasuha. You don't know anything about this. Honestly. If you still think I'm like that, then you try to make love to the boy. I guarantee that he won't go after anyone else except me. And that's the way it'll stay." Tasuha sighed as Eiri smirked. "He does worm your way into your heart, let's just say. It's better then rereading a draft of my romance novels. They make them sound cheap and lame."

"So why exactly do you keep him around?" Tasuha asked. "If you don't love him—"

"I do," Eiri said. "And if I find out you're stealing him away from me, touching him, or doing anything else, I will beat your ass, blood or no. So just give up on Shu and go home, alright? You can let yourself out." As Eiri moved away from the couch and to his bedroom, he called, "If you don't, I'll kill you." His hand moved to the bedroom door as he opened it and closed it behind him, cries of passion coming from inside.

Shuichi…damn you. Sometimes, I could really hate you for having my brother wrapped around your finger. As Tasuha rose, he grabbed his jacket and headed for the door. I wanted to be around your finger. And sometimes…I wanted you to be wrapped around mine.

A shame it won't happen now. But you helped change Eiri.

I guess I can be grateful for that.

Tasuha opened the door to the apartment and walked out, closing it behind him and heading for the stairway. He saw two people holding hands down the hall, two nameless guys that were heading for their own room. He overheard some of the conversation and smirked as he realized they were talking about Bad Luck's new album release with a special song written by Eiri Yuki.

In the end, I guess I was meant to be alone. This doesn't mean anything. I still hate how you made me love you. But I know I can never get that in return.

I hope you're happy . . . Shuichi. You've made my brother smile again.

But I wish I could make you smile too . . . But you only have room for Eiri and not for me.