Hiro and Tohma are determined to protect what's precious to them.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gravitation

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Chap 6: "Protecting what's precious"

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"Nakano-san" the chief executive officer approached. "I must apologize for my behavior yesterday".

In no mood to talk, Hiroshi shrugged "We were defending people we care about and got out of hand, it happens".

"Shindou-san is very lucky to have a friend like you"

"He knows he can always count on me"

Tohma understood his hidden meaning: He can always count on me, but not Yuki.

Smiling the usual way, "Well then, K-san is waiting for you and Suguru-san, I already told him Shindou-san has a pass for today".

Nodding, "Thanks Seguchi-san".

Hiroshi continued down the corridor, and Tohma turned right. Arriving at his office he was unsurprised to see who was seated at his desk.

"Eiri. How are you?"

"What happened yesterday Tohma?"

"Ah I see my concern was warranted, I should have brought you home-"

Cutting him off Eiri answered his unasked question, "Yes I drank".

"Quite a lot it seems"

Banging the wooden desk, "Cut it out and tell me what happened Tohma. What did I do? Did I hurt Shuichi? Is that why he never came home?"

Sitting in the guest seat, his brother in law sighed. "I don't know all that happened, but Shindou-san was crying and yelling... I almost killed one of my employees- Nakano-san after he hit you."

Frustrated and angry with himself Eiri laid his head on the back of the office chair, "Did he...?"

"I don't think it was completely established whether or not you and he are still in a romantic relationship".

Relieved, the taller man's muscles relaxed. Sitting up, "Is he here?"

"No, although Nakano-san took him to his house last night, he didn't bring Shindou-san today, so I'm sure it's safe to assume he's still resting. Eiri, I think you should go home and rest. When Shindou-san comes back, you can speak to him about what happened".

His sister's husband gave good advice, but he made his own decisions.

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"Yes Nakano-san, I understand the situation better than you I'm sure... Nakano-san I would think a man your age would have stopped with foolish games like that... as I said... Nakano-san I would prefer that you not shout... No I... Nakano-san, I have a great deal of work to do" hanging up the phone, Tohma peered at the wall clock.

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Ending the call, Hiroshi growled in exasperation, slamming his cell phone on the counter.

Taking on a cheerful face, he reentered his apartment and called down the hallway "Shuichi, you okay in there?". He paused, waiting for an answer.

"Yeah Hiro" came the reply as the sound of water bring sucked down the drain reached his ears.

A short time later out came his bud with wet pink hair, and a towel wrapped around his lower body.

"Thanks for letting me use your tub Hiro".

"Anytime"

Not that Shuichi typically had much of his body covered, but Hiroshi was glad to easily see that aside from the bruises from his traitorous boyfriend's hand, there weren't any marks of abuse on his friend's body.

"I'll make something while you dry off and change". Shuichi donned an amazed expression. "Hey I can cook, besides I've learned a bit from watching Ayaka" he smirked.

"Didn't you give one of your last girlfriends food poisoning?" he asked innocently.

"Ah there's that sense of humor!"

Shuichi walked into the bedroom, closing the door, and Hiro began collecting ingredients. As he placed a large pot on the stove, he heard a knock at the door.

Still with a cheerful smile, he opened the door, and his expression turned cold as ice. "What do you want?"

"Is he here?" Eiri asked.

"What do you care?"

"I want to talk to him"

"Oh now you want him?"

"I didn't come here to argue"

"Good thing I don't care what you want"

"I need to see Shuichi"

"He's not here"

"Tohma said he was here"

"Was, now he's not"

Just then the twenty-year-old called from down the hall, "Hiro can I borrow some clothes?"

Eiri glared, Hiro scowled right back.

"Go ahead buddy" he responded.

He turned back to the detestable man, "Leave before you start more trouble". It wasn't a request, but the blonde wouldn't allow anyone to talk down to him.

A moment later, a thoughtful expression on his face, Shuichi walked into the room and froze.

Grimacing, the blonde started "Shuichi I-".

"Was just going" Hiro concluded.

Eiri glanced at him, then turned back to the shaking singer. Tears wetting his face again, he looked so broken.

Reaching for the despicable author's arm, and being swatted away, Hiroshi growled "I told you! Now get out of here before I-".

"Hiro" the pained singer quietly interjected. His head was pounding.

Sympathetic blue reflected the tears shining in his friend's eyes. "Shuichi I can't just stand here and watch him hurt you", he indicated the bruises from Yuki's hand-print.

Through gritted teeth "I won't hurt him".

"Listen you bastard!-"

Heart pounding in time with his head, Shuichi cut him off, "Hiro I... need to talk to him".

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End of chap 6

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Hope you liked it, please review.