Title: Released
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: some fluff
Characters: Kaoru x Saga
Summary: “I’m surrounded by idiot, stubborn guitarists.” He mumbled, curling up tighter in Kaoru’s lap. “You included. I should keep you all on a leash you know. I can walk you with Chiko.”
Comment: Takes place right after Tora's injury.

Saga ran into the apartment. It was late, the other man might not even be awake but Saga needed to be there. He ran towards the bedroom, assuming the older man would be there and almost ran past him. The flashing images on the TV were what caught his attention. He tripped over a broken amp that Kaoru had never gotten around to throwing out in his struggle to stop himself. Kaoru was immediately off the couch, papers tossed aside. He crouched beside the bassist, curling an arm around his waist to help him back to his feet. Before they were even fully up Saga threw his arms around the older man, burying his face against his neck.

“Don’t do anything stupid. Please.” He whispered.

“Takashi?” Kaoru asked hesitantly, sounding confused as he hugged Saga back. Carefully he maneuvered them back to the couch and pulled Saga down into his lap. The bassist lifted his head enough to look at Kaoru and he felt the adrenaline that had kept him going for the past countless hours finally start to leave him.

“I’m surrounded by idiot, stubborn guitarists.” He mumbled, curling up tighter in Kaoru’s lap. “You included. I should keep you all on a leash you know. I can walk you with Chiko.”

One of Kaoru’s hands rested on his leg, gently holding him in place. Saga’s shin ached dully where he’d hit the amp but it didn’t really bother him. He was too caught up in other thoughts to even think of it. “You hurt yourself?”

“No. Tora had to be taken to the hospital. The hospital! Cause he’s too stupid to say he’s in agonizing pain and he couldn’t even move his arm today. Yesterday? I don’t know anymore. It was a fucking chaotic mess and we couldn’t even tell the fans ourselves because we barely knew what was going on and he never thought to tell us so we assumed he’d be able to play and why would he just say something?” He paused to take a breath, Kaoru stayed quiet to wait until he was done. While with the band and the staff and other people Saga had struggled to be restrained. Nao had had to be the responsible one so Saga had wanted to be there for him. He hadn’t wanted to add on to everything by breaking down around his band mates. He continued after a second sounding slightly calmer but not by much. “I can’t believe we didn’t notice anything either. We say we’re friends and maybe Tora and Shou really are but none of us noticed. Or if we did we just assumed he hadn’t taken the meds he was supposed too. Maybe we’re stupider then he is. We believed him when he said he was ok when we all know what a stubborn idiot he is. And then we just kind of forgot.”

Kaoru held him through his rant, never interrupting or trying to stop him. He felt drained when the last words left him. Empty. Saga let his head fall back onto Kaoru’s shoulder. Silence fell heavily around them all Saga could hear was his heartbeat, or maybe it was Kaoru’s. He felt himself start to drift, mind wandering from thought to thought with no coherency.

“He didn’t want to disappoint you.” The quiet murmur finally shattered the silence, bringing Saga harshly back to reality. He pulled back, staring at Kaoru in complete disbelief.

“But he –”

This time Kaoru cut him off before he could get started. The guitarist kissed the tip of his nose, smirking as Saga spluttered indignantly. “I have my own idiot, stubborn guitarist remember? No more buts. When are you returning to your tour?”

Saga pouted, still upset over being interrupted so casually. “We decided we’re going to wait until Tora’s better.” Kaoru nodded and seemed to be considering something, but Saga wasn’t in a waiting mood so punched him in the shoulder. “What are you thinking?”

“Get up.” Kaoru ordered and gently pushed at him when Saga didn’t move. “Get up please.”

“Because I punched you?” He asked in disbelief. He’d punched Kaoru before and Kaoru usually punched back.

“No. Get up and you’ll find out.”

Saga looked at him suspiciously but finally stood without taking a step back so when Kaoru stood as well they were pressed together. Kaoru smirked and leaned in to give him a quick kiss before ducking away, grabbing a jacket thrown haphazardly over the arm rest as he went. With his free hand he grabbed Saga’s wrist, dragging the younger man after him. The bassist almost fell again at the unexpected tug. “Kaoru!”

“Shhh. It’s late.” Saga’s own jacket had ended up on the floor in his rush to get inside and find the other man. Kaoru let go of him long enough to pick it up and hand it to him. He put his own coat on while Saga worked out the sleeves. Patiently he waited for Saga to get it on before taking his hand again and leading him outside. They rarely did this, went out together. Usually it was too risky but now it was dark out and almost no one was outside. Kaoru led him confidently through the streets, obviously with a very clear destination in mind. None of his nagging to find out where they were going paid off and Saga eventually gave up, turning the conversation to other things.

They finally reached Kaoru’s destination. And Saga almost burst out laughing at who ridiculous it was. “How did you…?”

“By accident.” Kaoru answered the unfinished question, leading him the rest of the way to the store front. “Die and Shinya decided they wanted ice cream while we were working late once.” There weren’t that many people there luckily so they could walk in together without feeling uncomfortable. Until the last possible minute he held tightly onto Kaoru’s hand. They both quickly ordered a scoop and Kaoru stepped in before Saga could to pay for it all. Kaoru handed him the cone with a pleased smile and Saga let his arguments go. They made their way back outside, away from the few customers. There were a few small tables set up all of which were unoccupied and they found one that was at the edge of the store’s lights.

They were quiet at first until Kaoru nudged him under the table with his toe. “So want to tell me what happened now? The first version didn’t have many details.”

Saga reached across the table for Kaoru’s hand, pulling it back to him to steal a taste of his ice cream. The guitarist rolled his eyes but let him. When Saga had taken all he wanted Kaoru leaned forward across the table and flicked his tongue over Saga’s lips, picking up the last traces of ice cream there. The bassist took a frantic glance back and forth down the street but no one was around. “Thank you.” Saga whispered, knowing Kaoru could hear him and then started to explain.