Chapter Text
CHAPTER ONE: "And I Would Run Away Off the Edge of the World Some Day"
*****
Shouta wasn't sure how long he had been driving.
The skies had shifted from the vibrant sun of the afternoon to the faded hues of early evening to the inkiness of a black, starless night.
His eyes were straining to see the road.
They were bloodshot from lack of sleep and unshed tears. His phone had been binging and ringing non-stop but the only one he had answered was to let his mother know he was okay. He just needed time.
He was still wearing his tuxedo.
The raven haired man had replayed what had happened only hours ago in his mind yet again.
The church had been filled to the brink with family and friends. There were yellow flowers and gigantic swags of silk hung across the balcony. The music echoed through the hall.
She had looked like a princess as she walked down the aisle, her father proudly marching her toward Shouta's waiting arm.
They had reached the time to say their vows and Shouta found himself staring into her eyes.
It was then he saw it.
The look of pure doubt and fear.
It had been a flash, a bare smidge of expression but to someone like Shouta, it spoke volumes.
He had only half smiled at her, his college sweetheart of six years, before turning and walking down the aisle away from his would be bride. He heard the calls for everyone including his mother and his best man, Tensei.
By the time he had reached what should have been their honeymoon transportation, there were shouts of anger and dismay echoeing behind him.
All that he had in there was his change of clothes in a duffle bag.
He didn't bother doing even that.
He just started the car and drove.
Now he was feeling exhaustion pulling at him and knew he had to stop somewhere. A tiny light indicated a pull off in a rather heavily wooded area. Without thought, he veered the car into the small inclave off the road.
His head fell back on the seat as he scrubbed his eyes with the back of his sleeve.
He didn't know why he had left her at the alter. Didn't everyone have that same look when they made that gigantic leap of faith? But somehow to the observant man, he knew that look on her face was her true feelings.
Still, shouldn't he have tried to go through with it? Wasn't that the idea? Try and work through those problems and doubts together?
The raven haired man rubbed his chin, feeling dismayed at his clean shaven appearance. He had been so careful to sculpt himself into something that would make her proud. But now he felt like a shell of his former self wrapped up in an expensive suit.
He sighed softly and turned in the car seat to get comfortable. He knew he would have to head back to the city by tomorrow afternoon. If nothing else, to clean out his items from their apartment before she had them tossed out the door.
Not that he would blame her for doing it.
Strangely, he found it was easy to sleep in the softly blowing trees above his car's roof. There was a certain warmth that permeated through the windows and before he knew it, he found himself embraced by the sweet spell of forest stretching out around him.
*****
The tap on the window was what brought Shouta around.
"Hey." came an oddly familiar sounding voice. "Hey, man, this is private property. You need to move your car."
"O-o-oh, sorry." Shouta murmured. "I didn't mean to fall...."
His words fell off as he gazed into two easily recognizable vibrant green eyes.
".....Yamada Hizashi?"
The lanky man at the window blinked before he tilted his head.
"Holy hell, Aizawa Shouta?!" the other chirped out, his head of long golden hair fluttering in the breeze. "What are you doing all the way out here?"
"I... I, uh, guess I didn't know where I was really going. Why are you out here?"
"I live here. You're in my driveway."
"Oh."
"Are you okay? Do you need me to take you to a doctor or anything? You look like you don't feel very well."
"No, I'm okay." Shouta answered softly. "I should probably get on the road again."
"Hey, why don't you drive your car down the road here and you can rest at my place for a little while? Looks like you've had a rough night."
"I don't want to be a bother..."
"Nonsense!" Hizashi replied brightly. "I don't get many visitors let alone someone I haven't seen since high school. Just head around the bend and park your car by the firewood pile."
Before the other could reply, Hizashi was already making his way down the path. He was whistling a bright tune that the slightly smaller man could swear he knew from somewhere.
Shouta shook his head a couple times and then started the car. He gradually made his way the direction the other man indicated. A large stack of chopped wood greeted his line of sight. He glanced to the right to see Hizashi was standing at the door of a rather small and quaint looking one story house. He waved as Shouta parked the vehicle and crawled out, grabbing his duffel bag.
"Wow!" the golden haired man grinned as the other approached the porch. "Were you getting an award? You're so dressed up!"
"Actually, I... I was... Uh, is it possible for me to change? I really want to get out of this."
Hizashi looked at Shouta curiously but his emerald eyes were gentle. The dark eyed other felt the faint memory of him looking like that when they were freshman in school together. Like he always understood what Shouta was trying to say without him actually saying it.
"Sure, why don't you come inside? You can use my spare bedroom. If you need to take a shower, let me know."
"Thank you."
The inside of the small house was cozy feeling. Standing at the entry way you could clearly make out each room. Shouta slipped off his shoes as Hizashi was already busily moving some sheets of paper on the coffee table. The slightly smaller's eyes fell to nearby wall.
A shelf held two Grammy's and the wall had four gold and one platinum record hanging on it. Shouta couldn't help but wander over and look at some of the photos that were sitting on top of the piano below the display. Hizashi was in each image shaking hands or being embraced with some of the world's top singers and composers.
"......wow." he whispered.
"Don't be too impressed." Hizashi mused. "That feels like a very long time ago. Oh, Do you need to get cleaned up? I was just getting ready to make a late breakfast. Would you like something to eat? We could play a little catch up maybe?"
The other man gave a quick nod. He watched the blonde as he disappeared into a small bedroom and returned with a fluffy towel and washing cloth.
"The water can be a little tricky in this place. Also, if you shower past seven minutes, it's going to get mighty cold!"
Hizashi's grin underneath his well trimmed mustache put the other man instantly at ease.
"You don't have to go to all this trouble, Yamada..." Shouta began.
"Please, it's not trouble! And you can still call me Hizashi, Shouta. I mean, if it's okay with you if I still call you by your first name."
The ruddy eyed man gave a nod again.
"The bathroom is to the left. There is a spare toothbrush in there too if you want to brush your teeth. It's the red one. The green one is mine. When you're done, just come into the kitchen. I'll have something ready to go."
Hizashi was already heading into the kitchen singing softly to himself. Shouta just blinked as he made his way into the bathroom.
He had just ran from his future bride only the night before.
Now he was getting ready to shower in his old high school friend's place.
Check that, he was in Yamada Hizashi's place.
The single student out of their high school to really make it big. He had broken out into the international market with his dance music. He had later evolved into writing motion picture soundtracks and had won two Grammy's three years ago for a movie score and for an instrumental album.
However Shouta couldn't help but wonder....
Exactly why was Hizashi living in such a small house in the middle of nowhere?
And even stranger yet, why did he feel so oddly happy he was there?
*****
Shouta dried off his hair the in the small bathroom. Hizashi hadn't been lying when he said after seven minutes the water in the shower became cold. He almost yelped in dismay as soon as the pipes creaked and the hot tap instantly rebelled.
Despite the shock of it, he had finished his shower quickly and had pulled out a black long sleeved t-shirt and black loose pants he had meant to wear on the airplane. It already seemed years ago despite only having occurred yesterday afternoon.
The dark eyed man made his way into the living room and then poked his head into the slightly larger kitchen.
Golden hair was swaying back and forth in a low ponytail. Shouta noticed that Hizashi was wearing a simple button up green shirt and a pair of slim fitting jeans. Nothing like the flashy outfits he wore in the music videos from years back.
"Hey there, feeling a bit better?" the slightly taller questioned as he glanced over his shoulder. "I heard the 'Cry of Cold' after the seven minute mark."
The blonde let out a warm chuckle that made Shouta's generally stoic lips quirk upwards just slightly.
"Have a seat. I hope you like omelets. The chickens seemed to have had a very successful morning."
"You have chickens?" Shouta couldn't help but look surprised.
Hizashi's green eyes sparkled as he gave a nod.
"Four of them. Two black, one red and a white. I call them 'The Golden Girls'."
Shouta tilted his head and then shook it with a barely there laugh.
"Why am I not surprised?"
"It was a great show! Though I'm pretty sure I was the only Japanese kid that watched all the reruns."
The black haired man realized at that moment Hizashi and he were talking as if years hadn't passed between them. As if he had been always sitting at the small wooden table waiting to have something to eat.
It was oddly calming.
Hizashi set down a fluffy yellow omelet covered in thinly sliced onions, ketchup and a little fresh parsely.
"Do you still drink your coffee darker than night?"
"Yeah, still do."
The other man grinned as he picked up a rather old looking pot and grabbed two mugs. He tipped over the dark brew into both before offering Shouta's his. The slightly smaller took it gratefully. Hizashi set the kettle back down. He added three teaspoons of sugar and a solid douse of cream into his cup.
"I still see you make yours virtually non coffee flavored still." Shouta mused.
"Honestly, I still don't know why I drink this stuff. I don't even really like how it tastes. But, I digress! Please, eat up!"
Shouta and Hizashi clapped their hands together and thanked for the food. The ruddy eyed man took a bite of the omelet and his stomach rumbled its appreciation. Hizashi quirked a light colored eyebrow.
"Sounds like you haven't had anything to eat for a while, Shou." Hizashi stated, using the other's shortened name.
"I... I haven't had very much in the past few days, Zash." Shouta returned, using Hizashi's nickname without thinking.
The two continued to eat quietly. Hizashi took a slow sip of his sugared coffee before looking seriously at the other man.
"Shou, if you don't want to talk about it, you don't have too. But, you were wearing a tuxedo and you were out here in the middle of nowhere."
"I ran from my wedding." Shouta unintentionally snapped.
"Oh, okay." the blonde replied softly.
Shouta swallowed and he rubbed his eyes. He felt an immediate stab of guilt for being so abrupt with the other. All his old friend had been was nice and accomodating to him.
"Hizashi, I... I shouldn't have said it like that. I'm... I'm sorry."
The golden haired man blinked a couple times and then gave him a tiny smile.
"I know you didn't mean it like that. It's pretty obvious you had a very rough day yesterday. You're bound to feel moody and upset. It's only natural."
"Sounds like we're back in high school when you talk like that."
"Old habits die hard, I guess."
The two fell silent. Shouta shifted his spoon on the plate. After a moment, he started to talk.
"You know, she was all I thought I wanted, Zash. I graduated two years before her and started working for her father's company. I waited for her until she was done with her school. We moved in together about a year ago. It seemed like everything just sort of snowballed then. The engagement, the planning, the guests and family, the venue, the wedding. But when it was time for us to say our vows yesterday, I saw it in her face. In her eyes."
"That she really didn't want to do it?" the other man questioned quietly.
Shouta nodded.
"She was scared and doubtful. It took me only that moment to understand that it wasn't going to work. I left her at the altar. I walked down the aisle, got into the car that was supposed to take us to the airport and well, I accidentally ended up here. Now, I'm homeless, pretty sure I'm jobless and I... I don't know what I'm going to do."
Shouta paused and then shook his head.
"Sorry, you don't need to hear all this. I don't even know why I'm telling you..."
"Because you need someone to listen." Hizashi interrupted. "Someone who hasn't been around to make a rash or sudden decision about you."
"Thanks for breakfast, I mean it. But I should probably be going."
Shouta went to stand when Hizashi reached out his hand and stopped him. He squeezed the other's fingers and gestured for the raven haired man to remain sitting.
"You don't have to rush off like 'Tough as Nails Aizawa' any more, Shou. You can sit and finish eating. Enjoy the view around here. Take in the quiet. Meet my roommates."
"You're roommates?"
Hizashi's expression morphed into delight as he released Shouta's hand and stood, walking over to the kitchen window.
"They've been outside for a little bit but I see them coming past the chicken coop. They should be here in a moment."
Shouta blinked as Hizashi opened up the door.
"There are my two ladies! Did you have a nice time outside?"
A slender, elegant gray cat with white paws came walking in, her tail held high. Beside her was a fluffy white kitten with cream tipped ears and a cream tipped tail. It took Shouta only a moment to realize that though the kitten had four legs, it only had three paws.
"These are my lovely companions. The elegant lady you see is Duchess. Next to her is her kitten, Princess Penelope or Penny for short. Duchess was abandoned at my front door a couple months ago and she was very pregnant. She ended up with a litter of five. I managed to rehome the other four but I knew it would be hard to find a special someone to take care of Penny, so I decided to keep her and Duchess."
Shouta slid out of the chair and knelt down. The mother cat and the kitten immediately made their way over to him. Duchess rubbed affectionately against the man's arm as Penny limped slightly to lean against his knees. Both purred loudly.
"Looks like you have a seal of approval, my friend. Then again, cats always adored you."
Hizashi smiled widely as Shouta reached down and picked up Penny. The kitten snuggled down into his arms as he stood. Duchess made a "purp" noise and jumped onto the table to inspect how the man was carrying her baby.
"They're beautiful, Zash!" Shouta exclaimed quietly. "You're so lucky to have them! My ex... My ex-fiancee didn't like cats."
"Sounds like you two were very incompatible then. I can't imagine you ever living without having a cat or twelve in your home."
Shouta actually let out a tired laugh at that. He gently scratched behind Penny's ears, the kitten's front paws happily knitting in the air. Duchess rubbed her face against his elbow, purring bright and warm.
"You know I have an extra bedroom. You could stay here for a while if you want." Hizashi mentioned softly. "It's been a bit lonely out here and it would be nice to have someone to talk too."
"Hizashi, I don't have much money and I couldn't take advantage of you like that."
"Are you still good at fixing things? Like when you rebuilt the shed at your grandmother's house we accidentally knocked over?"
"I guess. It's been a while but I think I still can."
"I've got my own shed out back that needs to be mended and a roof needs to be put on. I also have some materials for about four raised garden beds for the summer time. If you want, you can stay and help repair and build things around the house. That way you won't feel like you're staying without contributing. In return, you can use my spare bedroom and I will make you tasty meals to eat. I'll even buy you some work clothes to wear if all you have is what's on your back and your tuxedo. Unless you want to clean the chicken coop in formal wear."
Shouta shook his head and started to laugh. Soon, Hizashi was laughing with him.
"What do you say, Black Cat? Your whole life changed in a minute yesterday. How about changing it again in a minute now?"
Shouta looked down at Penny sleeping soundly in his arms. He glanced over to Duchess who was resting against his elbow. He then turned his gaze to the vibrant man leaning against the stove in the kitchen.
And something inside Shouta's mind clicked.
"Yeah, let's do it, Sunny."
It was the easiest choice Shouta had ever made.