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"Jazz Bata"Written By: t-shirt Disclaimer: Gundam Wing and its characters are
copyright to Sunrise, Bandai, Sotsu Agency, and associated parties.
I make no money with this fic. Rating: NC 17 Warnings: AU/Romance, Fluff, WAFF ^-^, Sap, mild
angst, mild language, mild lemon, ditzy Relena (background support/tiiiny
little part) Pairings: 1x2, indication of 5x6 Summary: A quite, young musician with a bright future gets his world rocked by a newbie vocalist. "Jazz Bata"
Ch 2 A quiet serenity had descended on the thirteenth floor of the GWR building. Otto reached to adjust some minor setting trying to keep his movements to a minimum less he disturb the young man from the depths of his dream. Hiiro had chosen an unlikely warm up, as he had never shown much interest in reproducing Satriani’s works. However, the mesmerizing quality of the melody quickly prompted Otto and his crew to covertly record the song in spite of Hiiro’s insistence that he be allowed time to settle in. Something was different today; something none of them understood but it came clear in the compelling seduction of sounds pouring from the young mans hands. Noin swallowed absently as she watched deft fingers caress steel strings, the purplish light Hiiro preferred bathing his snowy, white guitar in violet shades that danced over his face. She wondered what he could be thinking, what secret world lie inside the quite, Japanese boy as the tempo moved on in a steady beat, the energy of the song swelling until her lips pursed in anticipation before gently bringing her back down to rock on the hypnotic rhythm once again. It was Wednesday, not a notable day by any means other than Duo’s eminent arrival. Even Une had shown up to witness the demonstration that was to take place though the prospect of interviewing any musician that had managed to impress Hiiro was intriguing. Wufei’s presence was definitely worth the trip downstairs but most everyone attending was more interested in watching the drama unfold. Hiiro sank deeper into the music as the odd query brushed over his mind that perhaps he had chosen “All Alone” for a reason. The song was lilting and passionate allowing him to vent the uncontrollable desire that burned inside him but it was also sad, a solitary melody that required nothing more than a prerecorded percussion accompaniment to give him the outlet he needed. He thought of Duo as he fingers glided over the strings, each movement weaving the sounds into a feeling he couldn’t express any other way and he relished the way the music came back to embrace him, touching him deep inside. His heart ached like never before, wanting, needing more and he squeezed his eyes closed against the pain when he understood the song was meant for him and let the last of his despair seep away with the final notes of his song. There was no applause when silence fell but there was nothing unusual about that, the people he worked with had heard him play hundreds of times before but when he opened his eyes his face flushed lightly upon seeing his co-workers quietly watching him. It took no more than an instant for his eyes to find Duo, the expression on the braided boy’s face one of utter incomprehensibility as he stood perfectly still beside Wufei. Zechs smiled from behind the visiting pair making Hiiro feel even more self-conscious. He hadn’t expected Duo to show up so soon, the song he’d picked out for his demonstration was much better suited to display his skill than what he had just played but what was done was done. There was no chance for a second first impression so he would just have to make the best out of it. “Turn it off,” Zechs chuckled smacking Otto in the back of the head. “You recorded that?” Hiiro admonished setting his guitar aside as the door to the studio opened. “Uh, must’ve forgotten to turn it off,” Otto replied but the smirk on his face as he turned, flipped and slide his many, many controls told a different story. Hiiro’s eyes flashed to Duo who was looking decidedly off balance as his eyes flicked from the purple lamps to the white guitar and back again. He was wearing a red shirt today, covered with a black leather jacket and form fitting black jeans. The guy had a thing for black clothes but considering how good they looked on him Hiiro wasn’t about to complain. “Magnificent as always,” Une smiled laying a hand on his arm briefly. “It was just a warm up,” Hiiro replied modestly earning a chuckle from the room at large so he just shut up. It was a little scary how his body reacted when Duo chimed in with… “Sounded pretty hot to me.” “If you like canned percussion,” Wufei commented. “It was incredible.” Hiiro’s expression did some strange things at the sound of Zechs sister’s voice. He hadn’t realized she was there until she pushed her way through the crowded doorway to beam a bright smile at him. “That was sooo beautiful,” she smiled reaching to take his hand but he suddenly needed to sit and take his guitar up again. “I could feel it,” she continued undaunted. “Right here.” Hiiro’s eyes sought out his controls instead of her bosom where she had clasped her hands over her heart. “You play love songs so well.” “It wasn’t a love song.” The girl turned to Duo as if offended by the remark but he could only offer, “It was just so… lonely.” “Very well played,” Wufei sighed. “Can we go now?” “That wasn’t what I wanted you to hear,” Hiiro shot quickly kicking himself for reacting foolishly at the though of Duo’s leaving so soon. “You don’t seem very anxious to show us your skills,” Une commented looking the Chinese boy over critically. “I’m not signing…” “He’s just nervous,” Duo cut in stepping firmly between his drummer and the tall lady with the scary eyes. “You’ve got ten minutes to warm up,” Otto informed them from his control booth. “I don’t need it.” “Fei…” “This is redicul…” “What is he playing?” the longhaired boy asked Hiiro. “Whatever he likes,” the Japanese boy replied. “I will free style an accompaniment.” Wufei eyed him with narrow intensity for a moment before a slow smile curled his lips. “Try to keep up,” he grinned breezing by to take his seat at the unfamiliar drum set behind Hiiro. Everyone else cleared the room save for Duo who picked up a pair of headphones designed to keep the noise to a minimum inside the studio and took a seat by the wall. It was clear the Chinese boy meant to embarrass Hiiro as he lit into a driving rhythm that stood Otto’s hair on end. The man rushed to adjust for the manic beat, a wild light in his eyes as he hovered over the boards as Hiiro rose to his feet and set his strings on fire. It was more like a battle than a duet. Hiiro was aware of the Chinese boy’s efforts to trip him up mixing the changes and switching from one rhythm to another without much warning but he had little trouble keeping up which only served to frustrate his opponent to the point he was beating the drums with near hysterical frenzy at the end. Wufei finally stopped, his black eyes trying to bore holes in the smug looking Hiiro as he let his final note fade slowly into the past and awaited the final verdict. “Mr. Chang,” Une’s even tone sounded over the speaker and Wufei’s heated gaze switched from Hiiro to her face behind the glass as she simply asked. “What are your terms?” “Duo…” “Can we get on to the demonstration?” Duo cut in with an apologetic smile at his friend. “I have some other things to attend to this afternoon if you wouldn’t mind discussing this when we’re done?” “Very well,” Une agreed sensing the excitement in the gathering go up a notch. “I’ll back you up,” Wufei offered seating himself once again. Hiiro didn’t object, Wufei had proven more than apt in his skill leaving him with no reservations that the demonstration would suffer due to his involvement but his hands were already sweating just thinking of what he was about to do. Playing for others had never bothered him in as much as he feared they would disapprove but he was playing for Duo now and that put a whole new spin on things. On the one hand, he wanted him to understand the depth of what he was trying to accomplish and realize how very difficult it would be for someone like him to make it big in the biz but on the other, he desperately didn’t want to offend or hurt him. It was a difficult situation but it was much too late to back out now. “What’re you going to play?” Duo asked seemingly unperturbed by the nature of the performance. “Metallica.” “You listen to Metallica?” Duo shorted. “Kirk Hammett is a formidable talent,” Hiiro defended sounding put out by the comment. He had chosen ‘Until it Sleeps’ lead not because of it’s complexity but to demonstrate the difference between what he considered decent music and the rot he had heard Duo screeching at Pops. James Hetfield had an easy, comfortable control that belied the rough, heavy metal quality of his voice blending the music and tenor in a way that was exciting without grating on the nerves. It was something he wanted Duo to realize he couldn’t achieve simply by screaming into the mic but his heart felt heavy as he began to play, every fiber of his soul regretting the possibility that he might just be trampling the beautiful young vocalists dreams. Otto moved about in the booth making it clear the song would forever be a part of at least his personal collection as he flashed a manic grin into the studio. Relena was standing beside her smirking brother but Hiiro had no time to deal with her giddy adoration or his arrogance. Une stood calmly watching, her face as impassive as it ever was while the world moved on around her but it was Duo’s face Hiiro was watching. For a time the braided boy simply sat and watched listening to the rich sounds as he and Wufei came together as one. It was incredible having a drummer to back him up that seemed to really understand the music. It wasn’t about flawless duplication of notes and rhythms; it was letting the music flow through you and giving birth to a sound that was completely your own no matter what you played. Hiiro watched as the melody slowly penetrated his visitor, his eyes sliding shut as his body began to sway to and froe making Hiiro smile with the hope that he finally understood. However, his entire outlook changed when Duo suddenly opened his mouth and began to sing. Hiiro’s world shattered on the first note, his entire perspective shifting as a strong, thick sound poured form the braided boy’s throat. He knew that voice but could hardly believe it was coming from the same person that had been screeching on stage that night at Pops. He had heard it backstage however, he would have known it anywhere and felt his chest swell with excitement as Duo smiled and delivered the powerful chorus without missing a beat. A quick glance at Zechs confirmed the smug looking man had been fully aware of Duo’s wide range and ability but he hadn’t bothered to clue Hiiro in, something the Japanese boy swore internally to seek vengeance for at the first opportunity as his face reddened with each word Duo sang. ” So tear me open, pour me outThere's things inside that scream and shoutAnd the pain still hates meSo hold me, until it sleepsJust like the curse, just like the strayYou feed it once, and now it stays.” The intensity of his eyes drew Hiiro deeper into the song, the words seeming to touch something in the back of his mind as Duo stood and moved closer. His body rose of its own accord to meet him as Wufei once again slammed into his drums and lead Duo into another verse. ” So tell me why you've chosen meDon't want your grip, don't want your greedI'll tear me open, make you goneNo more can you hurt anyoneAnd the fear still shakes meSo hold me, until it sleeps…” He was so close now, his body moving, the rich vibrations in his tone mingling with Hiiro’s guitar as he leaned in and breathed the final words of the chorus over Hiiro’s wet lips and he became vividly aware of how his body was rising to the occasion. Everything about Duo reeked of sensuous pleasure, the sleek waist and wide chest, hair of deep fiery reds in the purple light and eyes of smoldering violet flame. His hands played the strings but his mind was moving over Duo’s body longing to remove the barriers that separated them as Duo slowly descended allowing him to hover over him then suddenly the tenor changed again, the raw power building as Duo rose pushing him back by sheer force of will until he was all but shouting the lyric’s in his face, ‘So tear me open, but beware...’ Damn! He was right there! ’The things inside without a care.’ Hiiro pushed forward again hoping, needing to feel the heat of Duo’s breath but he moved away, his body rolling, teasing as he sang. ’ And the dirt still stains me…So wash me, 'till I'm clean...’ sounded like a damn good idea to him but no matter how hard he tried he couldn’t get any closer. Duo grinned staying just out of his reach and for the first time ever Hiiro wanted to toss the damn guitar aside and take something else in his arms. Duo finished the song, the gentle repetition of ’untill it sleeeeps’ washing over Hiiro’s mouth where it hung a mere breath way until the last note died and he was suddenly looking into the most beautiful expression of smug arrogance he’d ever seen in his life. “You can sing,” Hiiro stated softly. “No shit?” Duo grinned maintaining the close proximity until Relena suddenly screamed. “HIIRO! THAT WAS AMAZING!” The Japanese boy cursed openly when Duo suddenly disappeared almost hanging himself when he reached the end of his cord in his effort to chase after the retreating vocalist but Duo didn’t slow down. “Wait,” Une barked as he passed but she was ignored as well. “Duo!” “Give it up,” Wufei laughed. “You totally blew it, man.” “Why didn’t you tell me he could sing?” Hiiro snapped managing to untangle himself from this equipment. “We tried,” Zechs chuckled as he barreled through the booth but when he reached the hall there was no sign of the longhaired vocalist. “Damn it!” “Hiiro?” “What?!” he snapped only mildly sorry when he realized it was Une. She paused to send him a message of disapproval before gliding purposefully to his side. “I want him,” she stated firmly. “I don’t care what the cost. That boy is a gold mine.” Hiiro groaned knowing full well he’d managed to seriously offend not only the sexiest man he’d ever met but also the first and only singer he had ever felt compelled to play with. “He won’t work with you,” Wufei informed them draping his coat over his shoulder as he sauntered by. “Not after you insulted him.” “Then offer him a solo contract,” Une retorted. “We have our own band…” “You’re support is sub standard,” Hiiro tossed in still looking up and down the hall. “Right,” Wufei snipped. “Just like Duo can’t sing.” “No,” Zechs interjected. “He’s right about that. You and Duo are well advanced over your band members. Solo and Hilde are ok for weekend concerts at Pops but you have the potential to go world wide.” “Where would he go?” Hiiro asked Wufei. “Anywhere you’re not,” the Chinese boy replied shortly. “I don’t care how you get him,” Une reiterated. “But get his name on the dotted line.” “I’ll see what I can do,” Zechs grinned collecting his starry eyed sister before heading for the elevator. “Bye, Hiiro,” she smiled giggling at something only her adolescent mind could comprehend before the sliding doors shut. “What happened?” Hiiro wanted to know and Wufei smirked as he started down the hall. “All he did was scream before.” “It was a head bangers ball,” the Chinese boy chuckled then explained, “Duo’s a performer, he just gave them what they wanted.” Hiiro kicked himself again for having not realized, for having been so blind as to think any talented singer wouldn’t be able to deliver what their audience desired and stormed off in the opposite direction determined to set things right. ** “You what?” “He refuses to work with you,” Une reasoned shuffling papers around on her large, highly polished desk. “It was the next best option.” “But why would he sign on with Oz?” Hiiro wondered aloud. Zechs was a formidable competitor for the top spot on GWR’s most wanted list but he knew he could play circles around him any day. Not to mention Oz was a fluff band, they only played music that had been demographically proven to have hit potential and Relena was a mediocre singer at best. His brow shot up in horror when it clicked. “Relena…” “She’ll get over it,” Une cut him off. “But she’s his sister!?” “And Duo is a genuine vocal genius,” she countered offering him an expression that just dared an argument. He sighed knowing very well how brutal the business could be. His problem wasn’t Oz dumping Relena, he was upset that Zechs had won Duo over when he couldn’t even find away to contact him. “Walters is open for reassignment if you’re still interested in a drummer,” she told him confirming the afterthought that if Zechs had Duo he must have Wufei too. “No,” he replied absently. “Wufei was the only one… have you set up a debut yet?” he asked changing subjects in midstream. “The Carousel,” she informed him bringing a disdainful exclamation to his eyes that she promptly ignored. “This Friday. You’re welcome to attend if you think you can refrain from further annoying our new, number one vocalist?” “I’m sure he doesn’t want me there,” Hiiro grumbled dejectedly. She favored him with a rare smile. “Yes, but Zechs will sulk for a month if you don’t show up so he can shake it at you.” Had it been anyone else he might have laughed, had it been on any other subject he was sure he would have choked at her words but as it was he barely heard them before wandering down the hall to collect his guitar and head home. It took less than ten minutes for him to find his doorstep between the trolley and underground tunnel that connected his apartment building to the garage across the street. He preferred to keep a low profile that would attract the fewest fanatic’s but an artist without promotion didn’t stay an artist for long so he often used this route to avoid any overzealous fans that might have found their way to his door. It was a double blessing tonight as the tunnel was deserted allowing him to stew in his own thoughts until he opened the door to his small, studio apartment and heaved a deep sigh of resolution. Duo didn’t like him. That much was obvious and he couldn’t really blame him after everything that had happened. He snorted as thoughts of finding a way to get closer to the braided beauty seeped from his head. What in the hell was he thinking? He didn’t even know if he had really been interested. Just because he had flirted with him didn’t mean he was serious, for all he knew he’d been playing with him from the beginning. That made more sense; the entire scene in the studio had to have been nothing more than revenge. He plopped down in his chair absently reaching for his acoustic in the dark, the large windows that made up the outer wall of his one room apartment admitting shards of distant light from the street below as he strummed randomly along the strings. He sighed closing his eyes to listen to the birth of a new melody as his fingers found the notes and gently released the sorrow inside him. It was a heartbreaking tune that made him wish for tears but only the music would cry. It went on for some time, until his stomach rumbled reminding him that he hadn’t eaten dinner yet and he forced the mire away. “Get a grip, Yui,” he mumbled setting his guitar aside to head into the kitchen. It was absurd the way he was acting and he came to the conclusion by the time he’d finished eating that his depression had little to do with Duo. It wasn’t the sexy vocalist that was haunting him so despairingly but what he had represented in his life. Had it been only a year ago his foster father had introduced him to one of his client’s daughters and bade him ‘entertain’ her while they were in town? He shivered just to remember the awful scene on their third date when she grew impatient for his affection and tried to force a kiss. He sighed shaking off the heavy memories of how he’d almost broken her leg by pushing her so hard she’d fallen off the porch. Her father had been furious refusing the deal Odin had been working on for months and it had all been Hiiro’s fault. If he had just kissed her none of it would have happened but the thought of laying his mouth against a girl’s still made him shudder. That was when he’d finally understood it wasn’t a girl he wanted to kiss It was clear to him by morning that he owed Duo an apology not only because of his lack of insight but for having treated him like a party favor as well but there was no sign of him or the other members of Oz at work that day. He had three recordings to do which took up most of the morning and part of the afternoon, as one was a movie score that just went on and on and on. His impatience to be done with it set him back more times than he cared to think about as he kept pushing the tempo too fast and having to start over. His search for Duo was fruitless regardless, however so he spent another long night in dark contemplation wishing he could just get it over with and get on with his quite life. The next day was no better though he was free to roam about, as his schedule didn’t include anything he really needed to come into work for anyway. However, there was still no sign of Duo, Wufei or Zechs. He even tried to locate Oz’s keyboardist, Dorothy, who was a friend of Relena’s but no huge fan of Hiiro’s only to find she, too, had been dismissed and replaced. That meant the only original member of Oz left was Zechs, which led Hiiro to wonder just what the tall, blond man was up too. ~ * ~ tbc... |
