All You Need Is Love (MewGulf AU)

🌞Chapter 50🌻

PRESENT
🌞🌻

Eight years ago, they had believed that they could be together because they wanted to be and never have to worry about adult problems. Would they have to be pulled apart again now? Gulf couldn't bear the idea.

"Gulf---do you understand what you're saying?"

"Yeah, I do. I'm telling you this because I know what I want."

Gulf grabbed Mew's shirt and brought their faces close together. The scent of tobacco tickled his nostrils. Before, he had thought it was the smell of an adult man, but now it was a drug that seized Gulf and refused to let him go.

"I'm with you because I want to be here. I wasn't forced into it, and no one coerced me. I tried to pretend I was doing it to make up for something, but I can't lie to myself anymore."

"Your life might depend on that."

"I know."

"I might not be able to save you."

"I know that."

Gulf knew that the man he loved was no ordinary man, and with that knowledge, he couldn't help but love him. He was prepared for anything.

"I say I know, but I can't even begin to imagine a lot of the stuff that could happen. And there are some things going on right now that might make me want to run away. But even the idea of those things can't keep me away from you, Mew."

Gulf regretted what he'd done eight years ago. It was wrong to have left Mew, even if someone threatened him. He wouldn't make the same mistake again now, eight years later. He didn't believe there was any special value in his own life. But since someone wanted it, he would surrender it gladly. That was how much he loved him.

Gulf's fingers trembled. "You've given me so much already, Mew. Ever since we were students, you had something that I didn't. I didn't have anything."

Gulf took a deep breath. His chest hurt. Desolation and tenderness ruled his heart. He had never imagined that Mew's presence inside his heart gotten so huge.

"You had a way to protect yourself and money. I don't plan to quit my job. If I couldn't offer you anything, I might become a burden on you or a weakness if things go bad."

"Gulf---are you sure?" Mew's voice was husky, knowing that there was no lie in Gulf's words. He repeated his question quietly, as if gauging the strength of Gulf's convictions.

"I'm sure."

If Mew wanted him to swear by something, Gulf would say anything he asked. He would swear that he loved Mew.

"I can't give you anything useful. But if you say that you don't care, I have one thing that I can give you, Mew."

"What is it?" Mew's voice cracked ever so slightly. Gulf took tight hold of the hand that Mew hesitantly stretched out to him and brought it to his lips.

"My life---and my love," Gulf murmured. Mew caught him up in a tight embrace. He squeezed him so hard that it hurt. Gulf could hardly breathe. Afterwards, a hot whisper caressed his ear.

"That's enough."

The voice was shaking. Mew's hands, resting in Gulf's shoulders, shook as well. This strong man, who seemed stronger than any other, was laying bare for Gulf what he really was.

"All I need is love. So---" He cut himself off quickly, then continued quietly. "I want you."

At these thrilling words, all of Gulf's hesitation disappeared. As long as he was with this man, Gulf wouldn't need anything else either. The difficulties ahead of them on this path were waiting further ahead than they believed.

Gulf didn't know the first thing about the world of the yakuza. He would probably be shocked by harshness much greater than he imagined. But he could recognize reality better than he could have as a child eigjt years ago. And since he couldn't leave Mew, he had no choice but to prepate himself for what lay ahead.

"Make me yours. Body and soul."

Gulf wanted that so much more than to be driven away with things unfinished. He understood Mew's reasons for worrying about him perfectly. But when he had told Gulf that they had no connection, he'd been surprised at how much that upset him. He never wanted to feel that way again.

"Gulf."

Mew stroked Gulf's face, his palm sliding over Gulf's cheek. It was warm, full of tenderness, and Gulf pressed his own hand against it. He was pulled against Mew and their lips touched.

They had kissed hundreds of times before, both in high school and since their reunion. But there was something in this one that was different from all the other kisses they had shared.

It went on and on, but it wasn't enough. Gulf wanted to touch Mew more. He wanted to consume him. They tried to consume each other's lips, all the way to their hearts.

"Mm---ahh."

They pressed their lips together desperately, barely allowing enough time to take a breath. Their tongues tangled together and they drank up the saliva that rose in their mouths, pressing even harder together.

"Gulf---Gulf---"

Each time Mew called his name, Gulf's body reacted. He locked his arms behind Mew's back, arms resting agaisnt the fabric of his suit jacket, and he hung from him, clawing at him frantically. Mew's hands fumbled over Gulf's body impatiently. He pulled open his jacket and pressed his hand against the flesh at the collar of his shirt.

"Mew---we can't...not here."

"I know," Mew's breathing was ragged as he nibbled on Gulf's upper lip.

"I know, but I can't stop."

Mew's hips pressed against him, and Gulf knew that he was already rock hard. He wanted to get it into his body and feel his hunger for it. But he couldn't ignore the fact that he jumped every time someone walked by, though each time their kisses were renewed.

"Mew---please. We need to go somewhere else." Feeling desperate, Gulf pushed back Mew's muscular chest, pleading his feelings. "I can't take my time with you here."

"Damn it," Mew spat in annoyance. He roughly grabbed Gulf's arm and went back to the main street of Kabuki-cho, covering it in long strides. Gulf began to wonder where they were going when they arrived at a cabaret.

"I'm gonna take a room." Mew barged into the building, and the staff got into a commotion.

"What is this?"

"I want a room in the back. And no one comes in."

Mew glowered at the man who looked like he was in charge and, never releasing Gulf's arm, he pulled him into a small room deep in the building. It was a tiny room, smaller than a public bathroom, that stank of cigarettes, lit only by a dim orange fluorescent light.

"Sorry about the scenery." Locking the door behind him, Mew loosened his necktie. "I can't wait to take you all the way to a hotel."

The moonlight coming in through the window illuminated Mew's face, revealing the face of a man at the end of his rope. He bit down on his lip, wrinkles gathering between his eyebrows, revealing his sincerity.

"Anywhere is fine with me." Gulf took off his jacket and loosened his necktie. "I can't wait much longer either."

"Gulf---"

"Besides, I think this place is perfect for the two of us."

A sour-smelling building in Kabuki-cho, whose thin walls let Gulf hear the shouts of drunks outside and the sound of cars going by and told him that this was reality---not some perfect dream of starched sheets pulled tight over a hotel bed.

A reality that was not merely sweet and tender, but harsh. And Gulf wanted Mew anyway.

TBC