Business as Usual Sidetrack Nine
wherein Jin and Yuki make a commitment
by Laura Bryannan

Yuki's call came in as Jin was getting ready for bed. “My mother's found out about us,” he whispered, “and she's totally pissed.”

Jin's heart clenched. “I thought she knew.”

“I thought so too,” came the anguished voice. “I mean, it's been almost four years, hasn't it? But she was either looking the other way or just being clueless, because she's freaked enough now to pull my college funding.”

“Oh no!” Jin cried, unbelieving. Hojo-san was such a wonderful lady. She'd treated him like a son, always kindly, so he couldn't reconcile his knowledge of her with what Yuki was saying.

“School's been horrible with you away,” his lover continued, passionately, “and seeing you over Winter break just made it worse. But now I can't come to OU after all. She told me she'll pay for anywhere but there, and our family is too wealthy for me to get a loan. I know you chose Okinawa University to escape your uncle's reach, but I hate that you're out of mine too. I miss you so much!”

“I miss you too,” Jin replied honestly, his mind racing. The opportunity seemed too good to be true, but he didn't hesitate. “Do you want a job?”

“A job? What do you mean?”

“I've started a little bike messenger service to make some extra money,” Jin told him. “The three of us are doing the running around, but it would be great to have someone manning the office. I can't pay you much right now, but since you'd have room and board covered, how....”

“Jin!” Yuki gasped. “Did you just say what I think you said?”

“Yes I did. I can move out of the dorm in May, and so....”

“YES!” came the happy shout. “Of course I'll come. I love you!”

“I love you too, but you were accepted at two other universities. Shouldn't you go to school somewhere else? I don't want you to screw your future over our relationship, although perhaps in a year you'll be able to pay your own way to OU. ”

“Come on, Jin,” Yuki argued. “I'm not like you. School is about the social stuff for me, not the academic. Attending OU was gonna get me back in your bed, so I figured I'd deal with it. But I didn't really want to go. This is a relief. Honest!”

Jin was delighted to hear him laugh. “Do you need money to book your flight?”

“Thanks, but I've got it covered. I'll fly out the day after graduation.”

“And what's your mother going to say about all this?”

“What she don't know won't hurt her,” Yuki stated conspiratorially. “I'll be gone before she can do anything about it. She'll get over it eventually, of course. We're talking about my mother, here.” There was a short pause, and then, “I can't believe this is happening.”

“We can finally sleep together and not have it be a euphemism.”

“What?”

“Never mind. Goodnight Mister Operations Manager.”

“Ooooh, I like that. G'night, Jin. Good luck with your exams.”

“You too. Study hard so you actually graduate, alright?”

“I'll be good, I promise!”

“I'll start looking for an apartment.”

“Wow, okay. You know, I've always dreamed about something like this, but I never thought....” There was an audible gulp, and then, “I was so upset a minute ago, but not anymore! I love you.”

“I love you too,” Jin replied sincerely, feeling the most profound relief. After the mess he'd made of his emotional life in the past six months, he wanted Yuki back in his arms more than anything in the world. But still, there was concern. “Are you sure you want to do this? Do you really think you can put up with me 24/7?”

“You ass! Of course I can,” Yuki declared with certainty. “I miss you something awful. In fact, I'm so excited, I'm gonna have to lock myself in the bathroom after this call.”

Jin chuckled. “An alluring thought. Thanks for loving me.”

“You're mine, Jin-nii. I'm not ever letting go.”

“I'm glad, my beloved. I'll hold you to that.”

end