[fic] Fading Stars and Piano Keys (6/6)

[kiyala.livejournal.com]

Six. Daryan is at work the next day, in the best mood he’s been in for a very long time, when someone approaches his desk, clearing their throat. He looks up, recognising Detective Ema Skye, who had joined the police a few years after he had. He knows that she works with Klavier on a regular basis and nods in greeting. “Hey. You need something?” “I just wanted to ask…” she says, clearing her throat and folding her arms across her chest, “I haven’t heard anything from Mr. Gavin today. He hasn’t called in sick and didn’t reply when I called him on any of his numbers. You’re friends with him, aren’t you?” Daryan frowns. “You haven’t gotten anything?” “No.” Ema shrugs casually. “Not that I actually care or anything—it’s just inconvenient, that’s all. I have work to do, you know.” Daryan’s already taking his phone out, calling Klavier’s number. He receives no reply and frowns in thought. “I’m going to go check on him, okay? Tell Gumshoe that I’ll be back as soon as possible.” Daryan goes over the possibilities as he goes down to the car park and gets into his car. Klavier isn’t the type of person to take a sick day without letting as many people know as possible—or at least the detective he’s working on a case with, because he takes his job incredibly seriously, no matter what. He wouldn’t be surprised if the events of the previous day have finally caught up to Klavier—if he’d woken up to the thought that Kristoph was actually dead and just couldn’t deal with it. He just hates himself a little for the fact that he hadn’t stayed at Klavier’s place. The thought had occurred to him, once Klavier was breathing deeply and his expression had finally relaxed, and it had been extremely tempting, but Daryan had decided to give him space—now, he wonders if that had been the best idea. Klavier is the most dramatic person he knows. He’s usually fairly predictable and reliable, but never when he’s depressed, which means that right now… Daryan shakes his head furiously, pushing it out of his mind. He’ll just have to get to Klavier’s house and see what’s going on for himself. The door is unlocked, which Daryan decides might be a good sign. He’d left it locked last night, which means that Klavier must have unlocked it himself. He pushes it open, calling out, but receives no reply. “Where are you, man?” he asks, shutting the door behind him, stepping further into the house. He checks the lounge room, but there’s nobody there. He hears a faint cough and turns, immediately going to Klavier’s bedroom. He’s there, almost exactly as Daryan had left him, except he’s dressed himself for the work day and then apparently collapsed back in bed. “Klavier?” he frowns, stepping forward, brushing Klavier’s hair out of his eyes and swearing at how hot his forehead is. Klavier opens his eyes blearily, but doesn’t seem to notice anything he looks at. He makes a muffled sound, so quiet that Daryan barely hears it from this close. Daryan runs his fingers through the blond hair again, taking his phone out with his free hand and dialling work. “Hey sir,” he greets when Gumshoe answers. “Just went to Klavier’s place to check on him. Detective Skye told me he didn’t show up to work and he’s here—he looks sick. He’s probably exhausted himself or something.” “Prosecutor Gavin?” Gumshoe hums in thought, “Well, Mr. Edgeworth told me that you two have something going on. I’ll leave you to take care of him, okay?” “Thanks.” Daryan hangs up, then looks back at Klavier. “Right, man, let’s get you to a doctor.” Klavier’s fever is a result of being far too stressed and neglecting himself. Daryan’s seen it before, when they’d been working on a new album and Klavier would focus on nothing else than getting the tracks finished and ready. There’s not much to do than make sure Klavier gets the rest he needs, so Daryan takes him home, making sure he’s tucked back into bed comfortably. “You take care of him,” he says to Vongole, “and I’ll be back as soon as I can, okay?” He arranges a week off from work, letting the Prosecutor’s Office know that Klavier will be out of commission as well, and moves some of his belongings into the guest room of Klavier’s house. He takes Sophie with him, both surprised and relieved when she and Vongole barely react to each other. Vongole follows Sophie around curiously for a while, giving up when Sophie manages to climb a bookshelf and settles there like she owns the place, blithely ignoring him. “Don’t worry, she does that to me too,” Daryan mutters, scratching Vongole behind the ears before going to check on Klavier. “Daryan,” Klavier mumbles, eyes still shut and his brows drawn together. He reaches out and Daryan takes his hand, brushing his lips against the bony knuckles. Klavier looks uncomfortable, and even his hand is far too hot to the touch. “I’m right here,” Daryan whispers, but Klavier doesn’t let go until they’re both lying side by side in the large bed. “Stay with me,” Klavier says, his eyes still shut though his frown is easing. Daryan wraps an arm around Klavier, only meant to be reassuring contact, but falls asleep before he even realises. Klavier’s much more lucid when they wake. Daryan wakes to the feeling of Klavier shifting in his arms and opens his eyes immediately to the sight of a wonderfully familiar smile. “Your cat is sleeping on the foot of my bed,” Klavier points out and Daryan lifts his head to look. Sophie blinks calmly back at him from where she’s curled up on top of the covers, in the space between their legs. “Well, if you’re going to take issue with that, instead of me being in your bed…” Daryan shrugs. Klavier smirks, “I’d have more of an issue with it if you weren’t.” He leans down to kiss Daryan, who kisses him back with plenty of passion, but then pulls back. “Now Princess, I know you like getting what you want, but you still look way too tired.” “Shut up, Sharky. I’m perfectly fine—” “You remember when we were working on Gunna Lock You Up?” Daryan asks with a raised eyebrow. “And you stressed yourself out to the point that you couldn’t keep solid food down? I’m not letting that happen again.” “You pick the worst times to act like a gentleman,” Klavier grumbles. Daryan snickers, rolling onto his side and nuzzling against Klavier, nibbling on his earlobe. “I promise I’ll make it up to you.” “Your filthy promises are my favourite,” Klavier chuckles, sitting up properly and stretching. “I’m hungry. Do you want anything?” “You sit right here,” Daryan is already getting out of bed, absently patting Sophie as she stands on the bed. “I’ll get you what you want.” “Mm, like my own personal maid.” Daryan flips him off. “Seriously, man? Between you and me, you’re the one more likely to put on a maid outfit.” “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Daryan is already heading to the kitchen. “Can’t tempt me, Klavier.” “We’ll see,” Klavier replies with a sly grin. Thing is, Klavier truly does make an effort to tempt Daryan into bed. Daryan refuses him as gently as possible each time, continuing to take care of Klavier, who can barely walk by himself, and they never talk about it. Another day, another lingering glance, another stab of disappointment and irritation when Daryan turns away and gets back to his work. Daryan’s moved some of his belongings into the guest room, but he never sleeps there. Every night, he tucks Klavier into bed and crawls in beside him, refusing to do anything more than actually sleep. It’s frustrating, because Klavier knows that Daryan wants him; he’s seen the desire in his eyes, when Daryan thinks he isn’t looking, and it makes no sense. “What’s the real reason you won’t sleep with me?” Klavier asks, apropos of nothing, one night when Daryan is getting undressed for bed. He sleeps in a pair of old track pants and no shirt, which just serves to leave Klavier all the more frustrated. Daryan huffs out a short laugh, sliding under the covers. “I’m right here, aren’t I? Been sleeping with you for the past few days.” “You know that’s not what I mean.” Klavier’s strength is returning to him as he gets closer to being fully recovered. He rolls onto Daryan, straddling him and spreading his hands out on the smooth, muscled chest that Daryan still works out on a regular basis to maintain. “I know I’m not entirely better just yet, but I’m sure that even if I was completely healthy right now, you would still come up with some sort of excuse.” Daryan looks away with a loud sigh, which is how Klavier always knows that he’s right. “Well?” he prompts, and rolls his hips against Daryan’s. Daryan swears, his hips automatically responding to the movement. His hands come up to hold Klavier’s forearms and his grip is tight. “I’m not sure you really wanna do this, man.” Klavier laughs with disbelief. “No? Despite the fact that I’ve been suggesting it for the past week or so?” “Look, Klavier. It’s been a week. A week since your brother died.” “Oh, don’t tell me you’re using that excuse—” “Listen to me,” Daryan’s grip tightens, just for a brief moment. “Every single time we used to fight, or something was wrong back before… we’d just fuck it out of our systems. Look where that got us.” Klavier laughs disbelievingly. “That was when we were young. We know better now.” “Do we?” Daryan raises an eyebrow. “This is unhealthy, Klavier. For us, but more importantly, for you. You need some time to sort all this shit out in your head, and I know that because I know you. If we’re gonna do this, we need to figure out how to make sure we don’t fuck up again.” “I don’t think we will,” Klavier says, but he’s easing off Daryan now, lying on his side, and Daryan decides to take that as a good sign. “We won’t make the same mistakes twice, because we’re too clever for that. Because I love you too much to let us do that.” Daryan grins, and presses his lips to Klavier’s. “Get some sleep, yeah?” It takes half of another week before Klavier fully recovers his strength. During this time, there are long periods of silence where he sits by himself, guitar in his hands, staring into space. Daryan knows to leave him alone then, because he knows what Klavier’s thinking about. If Klavier returns with traces of tears on his cheeks, Daryan kisses him but never comments. Klavier stops propositioning Daryan at every opportunity he gets, and it’s much easier for both of them this way. They lie in each other’s arms at night for hours, talking until they fall asleep, and it feels like they’re rediscovering how to be friends before they try to be lovers again. Then, once Klavier’s recovered and Daryan’s spending his last night at the house before heading back to his own, Klavier straddles Daryan and kisses him hard, his intentions clear in his eyes. He doesn’t even realise he’s holding his breath in anticipation until he releases it as a relieved sigh when Daryan grins and kisses him back. “Tonight?” Klavier asks, just to be sure, even though it’s fairly difficult to misinterpret the warm hands slipping beneath his shirt. “You’re the one who gets to decide that,” Daryan murmurs against his ears. “What do you think?” Pinning Daryan down to the bed, Klavier rolls his hips in one slow, deliberate motion and smirks wickedly. “Yeah. Tonight.” • When they wake up again the next morning, they’re both exhausted for all the right reasons. Klavier hums contentedly, rolling onto his side and pressing his lips to Daryan’s forehead, the way he used to when they fell asleep beside each other, years ago. “‘Morning,” Daryan mumbles, not opening his eyes. “I’ll make the coffee,” Klavier smiles, getting out of bed. He feels much better today, and it has very little to do with the fact that he can feel that his energy’s returned to normal and everything to do with Daryan stretched out in his bed, satiated the same way he is. They don’t even try to keep their hands off each other; they shower together, they end up grinding against each other on the couch halfway through watching a movie, and Daryan throws Klavier over his shoulder, dumping him on the bed and crawling onto him so they can fuck properly. Klavier is demanding and needy, as he has always been, and Daryan loves it. He knows exactly what Klavier wants and how to give it to him, relishing the moans he gets in reply. Klavier knows Daryan’s body almost as well as his own and it isn’t long before they’re too exhausted to do anything but lie beside each other, panting for breath. Daryan’s phone starts ringing when they’re about to drift off to sleep. With a grumble, Daryan reaches over to answer it, frowning at the Caller ID. “Justice?” “Hey, Crescend.” Apollo sounds far more sure of himself these days, which Daryan thinks is a nice change. “Just calling to check on Klavier. I heard he was sick.” “Klavier?” Daryan repeats, looking at the man lying in bed beside him, a content look on his face. “He’s fine. I’m at his place right now.” Klavier snorts at that, mouthing, in bed, and Daryan whacks him in the shoulder. “So are you… back together?” Apollo sounds curious, and a little hopeful. Daryan is surprised at the sigh of relief he hears when he confirms it. “I’m glad. He—I think you both need each other.” “Mhmm,” Daryan replies, non-committal, as he reaches over to stroke his fingers through Klavier’s hair, earning a warm smile. “Oh! I’m not, uh, interrupting anything am I?” “No,” Daryan laughs. “Fuck no. I wouldn’t even bother answering the phone if—” “Yeah,” Apollo says hastily, sounding embarrassed. “Right.” “Man, I would’ve thought Klavier would have left you with no inhibitions to speak of.” “Not for lack of trying,” Klavier speaks up, taking the phone from Daryan’s hands and talking to Apollo himself, getting into a short, friendly conversation before finally hanging up. “Apollo mentioned that Wright and Edgeworth have a new idea to implement in the legal system. This time, it’s more directly related to police practices and the kinds of things you’d be doing. Conducting line-ups and other things,” Klavier says, linking his fingers with Daryan’s. “We’ve got three more days off, including the weekend. We could drop by Wright & Co. later this afternoon and then we’ll have the entire weekend to ourselves.” “Uh, what are you going to do about Kristoph?” Daryan asks hesitantly; he’s been curious since the execution, but hasn’t known how to bring it up. “I asked for him to be cremated. I’ll—pick up the ashes when I’m ready. They were kind enough to hold onto them for me.” Daryan nods, then strokes Klavier’s cheek gently. “You know, whenever you do go to pick them up—” “I know you’ll be there for me,” Klavier says with a smile, nuzzling into Daryan’s hand. “Which I am glad for. Thank you.” “I love you,” Daryan says, quietly like it’s a sacred truth. “It actually scares me when I think about just how much.” “I love you,” Klavier repeats back to him, getting up and looking around for his shirt, finding Daryan’s instead and pulling it on. “Hey.” Daryan says as a token protest, though he’s already grinning at the sight. “I haven’t worn your shirts in forever,” Klavier says, thrilled. “They look different on you now, though,” Daryan observes. Because of the weight Klavier has lost, Daryan’s shirts are no longer tight on him. Such a pity, Daryan thinks, licking his lips absently. “I’ll wear them all the time if it makes you look at me like that,” Klavier murmurs, chuckling. Daryan shakes his head, looking amused. “Come on. Let’s get to Wright’s office before we get sidetracked. Again.” Daryan drives them there, and the conversation they have with Wright and Edgeworth is brief; they’re still sorting out the idea itself, with Edgeworth coming up with a new training program for detectives and Wright full of suggestions on how to introduce them. Daryan sees through the thinly veiled excuse to check on Klavier after his brother’s execution and he’s sure Klavier does too, from the way he sincerely thanks them both before they leave. “Got a surprise for you,” Daryan says when they get back into the car, refusing to give Klavier any more details when he is asked. He doesn’t drive back to Klavier’s place, but takes a long, winding route that Klavier finally recognises. “We’re going to Xander’s place?” he asks, just as they turn into the long driveway. There are other cars and bikes parked just outside the house and Klavier’s heart skips a beat when he recognises them. “Did you—?” “Let’s just go in.” Daryan is grinning as he turns the engine off. “Save it for when we’re inside, okay?” It isn’t exactly a surprise, when Klavier knows what to expect, but this doesn’t make him any less happy to see Xander and the rest of the old members of The Gavinners waiting for them when Daryan leads the way inside. “It’s been way too long since any of us have seen you,” Ike declares, pulling Klavier into a hug and slapping him on the back. “Crescend organised this on the fly, just for you.” Klavier turns to Daryan with a brilliant smile. Daryan ducks his head, suddenly very interested in his conversation with Xander. They catch up on years’ worth of news, enjoying each other’s company the way they all had when they were in the band together. Xander even has his music room set up and they relocate there, jamming for the fun of it, making up new songs off the top of their heads. Klavier comes up with what he warns is his sappiest love song to date, singing directly at Daryan, who doesn’t break eye contact once, grinning as he plays the guitar. “Thank you,” Klavier says once they’re done playing the song, reaching across and kissing Daryan right there, as the others wolf-whistle. “Least I could do, man,” Daryan murmurs, squeezing Klavier’s sides and kissing back. Klavier smiles, realising that despite the amount of pain it took to get here, he’s finally happy now, surrounded by his good friends, with Daryan giving him a look of clear adoration, no longer trapped by all his memories and self-loathing. And it’s all Daryan needs, to be here together with Klavier again, with Xander alive and well, all of their friends reunited for the first time in years. There’s blood on his hands and there’s no way he’s going to change that, but the way Klavier is looking at him now makes Daryan think that at least he might be able to make up for everything he’s done. If Klavier’s forgiven him, then maybe he can figure out how to forgive himself. Really, Daryan can’t ask for any more than that. x

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this! ♥ ♥ ♥ :)

Comments

[ilovetakahana.livejournal.com]

You are amazing, did you know that? This is a fandom I am truly unfamiliar with - all I have are the Takarazuka Kagekidan musical versions - and you managed to pull me into the characters, into Gavin and Daryan's hearts and worlds. You show them trying to man up and get back together so beautifully. I love the nods to PW and ME and the mentions of all the other characters. You are amazing; your writing is always so lucid and gorgeous. Beautiful work. Thank you.

[kiyala.livejournal.com]

N'awww! *blushes* thank you so much! I'm really happy to hear that you could enjoy this, even without being familiar with the characters (and seriously, thank you so much for reading it despite that fact!)
You are so wonderful ♥

[irtion.livejournal.com]

I still absolutely adore this fic! <3. The characterization is wonderful and the atmosphere you created is lovely (I'd quote something but I'm not too sure where I'd start!

also, um, I'd splurged through your stuff a while ago and imagine my surprise and delight when it turns out you've written some of my favourite meme fics. :D (I would've mentioned this earlier but I was a bit embarrassed. >.<)

[kiyala.livejournal.com]

Aww, thank you so much, my dear! :D ♥

Oh wow, really? *__* That makes me so happy to hear! :D (and no need to feel embarrassed!!)

[hidden-gems.livejournal.com]

Finally finished reading it!! \o/

Just like ilovetakahana said, I loveloveLOVE how much you can make me care about these guys when, really, to me they're just these 2 guys with funny hair that you've showed me pictures/gifs of XD And I also really enjoyed the fact that, for once, the sex was put to the side and left for us to imagine. You know I love every single smutty scene you write, but it's a nice change (occasionally ;p)

[kiyala.livejournal.com]

:D Yaaaay! Thank you so much for reading, especially when you don't really know all that much about them. I'm glad that I could still make you care about them, though! :)

And yeah, it was very nice to leave the sex to the readers' imagination, too xD

[yu-chan88.livejournal.com]

this was so. awesome T_T honestly! i started reading some hours ago and i couldn't stop one single time. not even to go to the toilet.. haha
i just got the idea yesterday to search for daryan x klavier fanfictions and yours is like the 3rd i read until know. the first one was short but nice, the second one totally crappy and yours was... i love it.
your style of writing, the atmosphere you create, the way you describe their characters.... how it takes so long for them to get back together.. just everything ♥
this fanfiction is so adorable. i keep on sighing in satisfaction for like about 10 minutes now.. ;) thanks a lot!
going to bookmark it so i can read it again sometime. :)
(you got more stuff like this?)

[yu-chan88.livejournal.com]

just found your other fics :3 *happy*

[kiyala.livejournal.com]

Aww, thank you so much :) I'm glad that you like this, and that you found it so compelling that you couldn't stop until the very end hahaha! :D ♥

[sameekin.livejournal.com]

Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for writing this!

I've read some of your other Daryan/Klavier stuff and I wanted to thank you for your dedication to this pairing (how else would I be able to read so much awesomeness?). This is the happy ending these two deserve.

[kiyala.livejournal.com]

Thank you :)

I'm so glad to hear it! It always makes me happy to know there are other Daryan/Klavier fans out there, because sometimes they seem to hard to find. Thank you so much ♥