Chapter 14: Wake-up Call

"Don't be afraid, break free from your cocoon,spread your colorful wingsFly, fly beyond the clouds, beyond the stars,to the bright sunlight"Butterfly by Loveholics

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The insistent clang of the doorbell shattered the drowsy silence, but Sho and Takuya remained locked in each other's arms, still recovering from their wild night after the proposal. Things got pretty steamy until the sun started to peek in. Groaning softly, Sho extricated himself from the tangled sheets, his gaze lingering on Takuya's slumbering form. He leaned in, planting a lingering kiss on his partner's forehead

Sho glanced at the intercom screen, recognizing the face instantly. He headed to the door, greeting Takuya's younger brother, Naoya, with a warm smile. "Naoya-kun," he began, "sorry for the wait. Just getting myself up. Takuya-kun's still hibernating. Please, do come in and make yourself comfortable."

Naoya's smile crinkled the corners of his eyes. "Couldn't wait to see how you two are enjoying the aftermath. That proposal was in every newscast I saw! Did you guys get a chance to catch it on television?" he asked, heading towards the family room with Sho.

"I haven't been online or watching TV. Things got a bit wild last night." Sho's tone dimmed a shade as he wrapped up his remarks, leaving a hint of unspoken thoughts.

Naoya chuckled, a playful glint in his eyes. "Wild? Did you two break the bed or something?"

"Intense-well, things got a little out of hand. Everyone was so hyped, and we ended up enjoying ourselves a little too much, shall we say." Sho scratched his head, attempting to clarify his earlier remark.

Naoya laughed, a hint of mischief in his voice. "I get the feeling there was more to it than your words say, Nishigaki-kun. And that's perfectly okay. I'm just glad everything turned out well." He smiled softly, a trace of longing lingering in his gaze. "Just wish Taku-nii, could loosen up and share like you do to me, Nishigaki-kun."

Sho was keenly aware of the unique dynamics between the brothers. Takuya's quiet kindness and professional demeanor seemed to unconsciously extend to his brother, putting up a bit of a barrier in their workplace interactions. While not a conscious decision on Takuya's part, this subtle separation had, over time, widened the gap in their sibling relationship. Sho hadn't seen Naoya much since he and Takuya started dating, could barely remember the last time they talked outside of family gatherings.

"Naoya-kun, I've watched closely how Takuya-kun navigates the professional sphere, and trust me, your reputation is one he fiercely guards. And then there's the autonomy he grants you. He genuinely believes in you. It's all about providing fertile ground for your skills to blossom. Takuya-kun wears his emotions close to the chest, his actions speak louder than words." Sho shared openly. "Of course, I'm just an outsider looking in, and my interpretation might not be the whole picture." he added, offering Naoya a glass of mineral water.

Naoya accepted the glass, a subtle smile gracing his lips. "Thanks, Nishigaki-kun. Even though you're younger, but there's something about you... It feels like having another older brother, someone I can really talk to. And Taku-nii, I get him very well, even if he doesn't always show it the way I'd like."

"I'm truly happy to hear you have such a positive view of your brother," Sho replied, a sense of relief washing over him.

"Sho..."

A faint call interrupted their conversation. Takuya's voice, barely audible from the living room, mumbled Sho's name. Both men paused, ears straining to confirm what they had heard.

"Sho..."

Naoya's gaze instantly snagged on Sho as Takuya's voice filled the air again. "Maybe we should check on Taku-nii? Sounds like he needs something," he suggested, a hint of concern in his voice.

Sho shook his head slightly, he refused Naoya's suggestion. Then, he said, "Maybe it's best if you go check on him, Naoya-kun. It sounds like Takuya-kun might be on the verge of throwing up, and he could use your help."

Naoya's eyes widened in horror. "No way!" He bolted towards the bedroom door, fear lacing his voice. "Wait up, Taku-nii!"

"Hold on," Sho said, rushing to grab a plastic bucket and a towel. He thrust them into Naoya's outstretched hands, who snatched them without hesitation.

A flicker of confusion crossed Takuya's face as he saw Naoya. His body, already halfway out of bed, froze in surprise. "Naoya?! What... what are you doing here?" he managed, his voice laced with bewilderment.

"Take your time, Nii-chan," Naoya reassured, holding a plastic bucket nearby. "Go ahead and empty your stomach, I've got you."

"Sho, fill me in," Takuya requested, eyebrows furrowed as he tried to piece together the reason behind Naoya's sudden panic. "What's the commotion?"

Sho chuckled dryly, "Seems Takuya-kun was so surprised by your visit, everything else momentarily slipped his mind. Even that feeling of nausea seems forgotten for now."

"I didn't even chuck once!" Takuya grumbled at Sho. "Yesterday was brutal, though. Feel like I could use a whole new skeleton, everything hurts, stiff and throbbing."

Naoya's eyebrows shot up as he recognized the shift in the atmosphere. "Hmm, seems like you two have something going on," Naoya said with a knowing smile. "I'll give you some privacy. Just let me know if you need anything, alright?"

"Yes-"

"Why don't you keep Takuya-kun company?" Sho suggested, placing a hand on Naoya's shoulder. "I'm going to get started on our meal. He might feel a bit weak, and having someone around would be helpful." Sho added as he walked out of the room.

Naoya lowered himself onto the bed, the creak of the mattress barely audible in the quiet room. His gaze flitted to Takuya's discarded shirt lying near the footboard, and without a word, he reached out and retrieved it. The soft fabric brushed against his fingertips as he held it out to Takuya, who began dressing with hesitant movements. Naoya stayed silent.

"Tell me why you're here," Takuya commanded, cutting straight to the point.

"I wanted to congratulate you in person, Nii-chan," Naoya said, his voice warm despite the underlying sadness. "Plus, I wanted to make sure I welcome Nishigaki-kun into the family."

Witnessing Takuya's close relationship with Sho triggered a flicker of envy within Naoya. The fear of losing his brother, the anchor of his life and the spark that ignited his dreams, gnawed at him. Takuya, more than just an older brother, was the reason Naoya stood on stage, the very reason for his dreams. Before the wedding changed things forever, Naoya wanted to find a way back into Takuya's world, to rebuild the bond they once shared.

Takuya beamed, still basking in the afterglow of Sho's proposal. "He pulled off everything I could have ever imagined," he gushed, his voice overflowing with enthusiasm. "And I think, he has a good read on you too. There's something else you want to talk about, something beyond congratulations, right?"

"Taku-nii," Naoya whispered, his eyes filled with a mix of fear and longing. "Just don't push me away now. Don't let me lose you before I've truly felt loved by Taku-nii. I need to know that Taku-nii is still care, you're not leaving me behind, and that I still matter." he expressed, sharing his vulnerable feelings with his brother.

Naoya's words hit Takuya like a punch to the gut. He'd never meant to hurt his little brother, not at all. Yet, he often found himself rationalizing the need for a certain amount of space in their relationship.

As Naoya's gaze dropped, Takuya met his eyes with a warm smile, hoping to dispel the shadows with his unspoken warmth. "You've always held a special place in my heart, little boy," Takuya reached out to gently tousle Naoya's hair. "But as we've grown older, I don't show it the same way anymore, Naoya, but my love for you is as strong as ever. This distance isn't about pushing you away, it's about giving you the freedom to grow into your own person, to find your own voice, and to shine on your own terms. One day, you'll see the meaning behind what I'm doing." Takuya finished his explanation, his hand lingering on Naoya's cheek with a gentle warmth. As Takuya slowly let go of Naoya, he offered a reassuring smile. "You'll always be my little brother, and I'll forever be your big brother, no matter what. Sho is cool, I can't live without him, but he's not stealing me away from you."

"Nii-chan..." Naoya's eyes brimming with unshed tears, threatening to spill at any moment.

"Sho's usually pretty private about this bedroom," Takuya said thoughtfully. "So him letting you in here says a lot. Guess you must hold a special place in his heart, just like you do in mine." Takuya smiled warmly at Naoya. His eyes held a flicker of pride as he looked at his brother. "Keep your head up and keep moving forward, Nao-chan." He placed a hand on Naoya's shoulder, his gaze steady and unwavering.

Hearing Takuya address him by the familiar name from their younger days was like finding a hidden treasure chest of forgotten memories. Naoya's eyes glistened, his arms slowly extending. "Do you mind giving me a hug?" Naoya asked, his voice a little soft.

With a soft laugh, Takuya stepped forward, his arms engulfing Naoya in a warm hug. "Alright, alright, one quick squeeze for you."

In Takuya's view, he felt grateful to Sho for creating this space for an intimate conversation with Naoya. His decision to include Sho in his life was proving more rewarding with each passing day. Every selfless act by Sho deepened Takuya's love and appreciation, cementing the sense that to be with him was the right choice.

"I get it now," Naoya stated, releasing his hold. "It's clear that Nishigaki-kun cares deeply about making you happy, and I can see why that would mean the world to you. Going to such lengths for me, simply because I'm your brother, his commitment to you, extending to your family, shows just how much he values your relationship. That's truly beautiful."

Takuya's face lit up. "His thoughtfulness is certainly admirable," Takuya's eyes softening. "but loving him isn't about what he does for me, it's about who he is. All the extra stuff he does is like the delicious dessert at the end. Sweet, I like it, but not the reason I came to the table."

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