Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ BodyHeat ❯ Shout the Illusion ( Chapter 7 )

**All previously stated Disclaimers, warnings and notes about this fic apply….please don't make me move this around too much if you can't handle this because you won't read…

~BodyHeat~

With a moment of absolute clarity, peppered by the urge to giggle, Ken assumed he must have been dreaming.

Daisuke couldn't be kissing him. Not a boy of such life and passion…kissing him-yet-

-warm lips still pressed against him, a hand cupping his face with welcome warmth and the other-Ken didn't want to think about where the other hand would be in a moment. He couldn't think. A heady sense of exhilaration drugged him, sped through him and sent him reeling as Daisuke tilted his head, leaning closer until his body brushed Ken's.

This was happening.

That other hand, sliding impishly along his side, traced patterns over his hip and sneaked under the edge of his draped shirt. Another moment passed, a split-second edge of thought that had no relation to normal was skittering through him-he realized his hands were pressing urgently against Daisuke's compact torso, but he wasn't sure if he was pushing away or pulling. He should be pushing away, he knew that, but…

Daisuke was leaning closer, somehow, his head angling as he touched the tip of his tongue to the warm mouth beneath him, a speck of heat somehow warmer than Daisuke's mouth. Shivering, tile pressed against his back and his hands grazing the silky fabric, Ken opened his mouth with a soft-uttered inhalation, taking in Daisuke's particular scent and the warmth of his skin and mouth.

~…do I want this to happen?…do I dare…~

Daisuke, slowly, carefully, pressed his lips against Ken with more insistence. He was kissing Ken somewhat sweetly, oddly enough, and the fact did not go unnoticed. Lost in the feeling, Ken frowned slightly, and fought the urge to yank the other boy closer.

~…Apparently…~ a smirking voice grinned at him, but he wasn't sure if it was his own thoughts or another

The hand cupping his cheek slid back to tangle itself into the indigo hair-the right hand was traveling along the sensitive skin of his waist-and Daisuke was suddenly pulling his head away.

His eyes flying open, with the realization he hadn't remembered closing them, Ken frowned at the face still only inches away from him. He was mildly comforted by the fact that the hands were still in place, but Daisuke had stopped kissing him.

Unacceptable.

"Ken-?"

His lips parted, a tongue peeking out to graze his lower lip as Ken stared at Daisuke searchingly, demandingly, heatedly. Daisuke exhaled softly in surprise, his hesitating questions forgotten, frozen while his body brushed against Ken's lithe form, which was in turn braced against the wall, and invariably dropped his eyes to where Ken was quite unconsciously licking his lips. Desire kicked him low, pooling rapidly in his belly as the slightly ruffled and flushed look. Fingers tightened in the cloth of Daisuke's shirt, and with the condemning thought that he was going to mess up his life severely, Ken pulled the other boy slowly against his body, his face scant centimeters away. Eyes made slightly wild blinked slowly, and the redhead wondered just what was going through that head.

He got his answer a split second later, as Ken grinned a slightly wolfish grin, and closed the miniscule distance between them with that maddening slowness, his mouth open and hot and hungry as it closed over his. Thinking that it was too good to be true, since Ken was an incredibly gorgeous boy, he kissed back with as much force as he could muster since the other boy so obviously wanted to be kissed like that, thrilled by the response and the sudden heat of Ken's tongue against his.

Arms wrapped around his neck, as Ken angled his head and engaged his tongue with a faint groan. Daisuke didn't know when his arms had wrapped themselves around Ken's narrow waist, or when the other boy had begun to undulate his body in subtle movements, but he remembered the sound of the breath whooshing out of Ken's lungs as he sandwiched their bodies against the wall. A faint hiss between teeth as he pressed close.

~…yes…~ thought Ken. ~Oh…yes…~

The kiss was feverish, something unleashed out of a sudden passion, or a hidden one, that left both boys breathless as they gasped for breath and entangled themselves further, arms and mouths twining. Daisuke slid his fingers under the edge of the shirt again, and slid them much further than before, his palms pressing against the spine where Ken arched away from the wall to press slender hips against him. A moan fluttered out of the throat, swallowed by the redhead's eager mouth as Daisuke pumped his hips slowly, but with enough force to mash the body back against the wall, trapping his hands between the tile and skin. He could feel the rapid heartbeat just under the narrow blades of the shoulders as he grazed them with his palms, his mouth still busy mapping out the new region.

Somehow, between the kissing and touching and primal driving force, both of them missed the tiny insignificant sound of the door unlocking, and a voice apologizing for the lack of bathroom availability. The door swung open, and the middle-aged man, a normal man who was stopping on his way home, walked in.

This is what he saw:

A couple, because at first he believed a boy had snuck his girlfriend into the men's room for a quick kiss, was entwined in a way that only bedrooms should see, mouths joined in a deep kiss that lovers shared after years apart. At second glance, in disbelief, he watched a hand travel slowly over the thin flat chest. Hips pushed insistently against the black-clad lower body of the boy braced against the wall-somehow, they managed to keep the kiss without appearing to breath.

The briefcase clattered to the floor.

~~~

"Moshi Moshi, Miaki speaking."

"Hi Mia-kun, is Daisuke there?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. Takeru, right? He left with his study-friend. Do you need to leave a message?"

"Naw, that's okay. I'll try calling Ken's. Thanks!"

The older woman, a smile in her voice, replied and stated her goodbyes; Takeru frowned, raising a brow at the phone after she had hung up. ~Odd.~ Shrugging, he slipped the receiver back into the cradle, and slung his bag over his shoulder. His jersey sticking to his back, skin sheened over with a light covering of sweat, he turned from the payphone. His shoes squeaked faintly as he trotted back to were Iori was waiting.

"Did you get ahold of him?" the slender brunette queried.

Takeru shook his head with a second shrug. "Nope. Left with Ken, she said."

Iori, much to his surprise, raised a brow and smiled. "Really."

"Yeah, really."

Iori hopped nimbly off the low bus-rail, dressed casually in a tee and shorts, and strode to Takeru's side. "Well, better than the Kaizer, I suppose," he dead-panned.

"Not funny," Takeru rolled his eyes. "Dai's really into him. I mean, jump-him-in-a-dark-alley kinda into. It's not…I just don't think it's a good thing. There's too much crap going on around that guy-it's not safe."

"Aa, Take-chan. I know."

"Well, anyways, I'm done with practice for the night. Wanna hit the showers with me?"

Iori smirked faintly. "Only to keep you clean," he replied, and ducked as Takeru swung half-heartedly.

"Baka," Takeru muttered. "See if I wash your back anytime soon."

Fingers threaded through his, and Iori, nearly the same height as his blond counterpart, merely winked at him.

~~~

"Will he be here tonight, Sir?"

Akira looked up, feeling impossibly old, and glanced at the young blond. "Makeda," he said in greeting. "I don't know. You know how he is."

The younger man nodded. "I expect a turnout, either way," he murmured.

The larger and older manager, sometimes bouncer, merely nodded his head. "Just keep a sharp eye out. We had three kids last night come in with higher levels than usual-you're in charge of the liquid tonight. Make sure there's no one slipping into the drinks or into the minors. And I don't want any 'pleasantries' offered to the minors, for that matter. Pull out the "Legal or Leave" sign beforehand."

Makeda nodded. "Anything else?"

"Yeah, keep an eye out for the redhead the Kaizer was into. Someone might…decide to have some fun." Akira smiled faintly and shook his head. "Poor kid doesn't know what he's playing with."

"Never thought I'd see the day that the boss went after someone. Real strict, that one," Makeda grinned back. "He choose a nice one, too."

"Yeah, well, make sure that he's watched. I saw Kekui getting his thong in a twist over him."

"Gotcha."

"Then get going-stuff to finish." Akira waved his checklist at him, already setting his mind to the next task, and didn't see the younger blond leave. Sighing suddenly, he shook his head once more at the extent this all had fallen. ~Ken's beginning to crack-this is getting to him. He's made a few enemies-and no matter what, he'll never be safe.~

The bald man flipped his page, running a pen down the next set of rules and regulations, ticking them off absently. ~Not even I can keep him safe, Osamu-san. Forgive me, but I don't know what he needs to keep him safe.~

~Not like this…not as the Kaizer.~

~Not when it's all starting to happen again…~

~~~

At the offending sound, they both froze into stillness and broke apart, Ken almost automatically tucking his head against the slightly-heaving chest of the redhead, his cheeks flaming, fingers clenched in the softer fabric.

Someone was in the bathroom-had they locked the door?

Someone had seen-!

Daisuke was looking over his shoulder with a mixture of surprise and nervousness marring his face. "Um…" was all he managed to say as the flushed and staring man bent to grope after his briefcase, eyes fixated on the two boys.

Eyes sliding shut, Ken gave a soft curse, fighting for control, even as the Kaizer lay silent, and found himself pushing Daisuke away insistently out of the instinct to keep himself distant. "Gomen, Motomiya-kun, I didn't, I-I thought-"

~What have I done?~ he thought in blind dread.

Bewildered, Daisuke turned his head, lip caught between white teeth, and opened his mouth to ask "Ken, what-" before he caught a glimpse of the mortification blazing in the pale cheeks. ~I did something wrong,~ was his first thought.

Ken didn't raise his head. "I'm sorry," he whispered before Daisuke could say another word, and focused on unhooking his hands from the silky fabric.

The man who had unknowingly entered upon two boy throwing themselves at each other, gathered his briefcase close, giving them one last confused and wide-eyed look, the kind you give to dangerous animals, and backed out of the room.

"What are you sorry for? He wouldn't have known who you are, Ken." Daisuke asked. "We didn't-do anything wrong…did we?" In his rising confusion, he allowed Ken to back away, even pressing himself against the wall as Daisuke stood there.

Ken seemed to draw upon himself, gathering his shoulders into a straighter line. "…that wasn't supposed to happen at all," he said in a subdued voice. "I won't allow it to happen again."

Blinking suddenly, ~Okay, wait a minute-~ and back to biting his lip, Daisuke eased himself away a small distance and scratched at his head, tugging on his hair. "It…Didn't I-" Blushing, he looked down, closed his eyes. "I just thought-" ~Such an idiot to think he'd be interested.~

"Daisuke…"

"I mean," the redhead continued without hearing. "I guess you won't want to go out tonight, then-it's okay" he amended hastily. "I mean it-you don't have to do anything you don't want to-"

"Daisuke," Ken replied in a sharper tone, raising his head enough to glance up at him.

The redhead fell silent, then, the words upon his lips hovering just inside his lungs. A glint of something indiscernible, colored with hope and disappointment all in one, brightened his eyes into gleaming whiskey-brown. Their eyes met, held for a wrenching tiny amount of time before Ken fought back a bitter twist of the lips, and turned his face away.

"I still want to go…I just…that can't happen again. It just can't."

"But-"

"No!" Ken snapped, his head ducking enough to hide the torment in his eyes before it escaped. "Please-understand that it must be so. I'm sorry I can't explain this but-It's better this way, Daisuke."

Even so, even as he spoke those words, feeling them for the truth he knew it must be, Ken felt his insides burn. A part of him whispered to him, begging him to think about it. His lips still prickled from the nearly bruising force of Daisuke's mouth, his skin still sensitive where that warm hand had traced patterns. Vivid images of what could be danced through his head, something he could have had…

A moment ago, he might have reconsidered.

~A moment ago,~ he told himself, ~was a mistake.~

"But…you still want to come out tonight?" Daisuke said in a soft voice. His eyes, warm and inexpressive, settled on his face.. "You don't have to…"

"I want to," Ken replied, restrained. "I think I need to." ~And it's a better way to see what's really going on when I'm not there.~

"All right, then." Daisuke merely said. "I didn't mean to do something that you were uncomfortable with. But, I think we should get your hair done soon. Someone else might come in." And as quick as that Daisuke slipped back into the role of friendship. "And we don't want to be late, do we?"

Ken nodded, his gaze shuttered. He didn't feel like himself. He didn't feel like anything he had ever felt like before. It was different. Strange. Thrilling, in a way, and somehow gratifying that he could break the bounds of his rules and structure in such a base way.

~I'm doing the right thing by telling him no,~ he told himself. ~Besides, it's not me he's really interested in. I can't give him who I am…but..~

~You'll give him to me?~ the Kaizer said in disbelief. ~I don't believe you…you bitch and moan whenever I try something-but when you do something, it's horrible and awful and so wrong…~

Ken was silent to his inner voice, even as Daisuke steered him next to the sink and opened the faucet.

~You're an idiot,~ the harsh criticizing voice told him. ~We're the same person! How can you lie to him, when all you're doing is running away from it all? You're the one hiding, Ken. You're the one lying and burying secrets!~

~I'm not you,~ Ken thought, feeling hateful and vicious and ashamed. ~You're just a part of me that I created. You're not me!~

Daisuke had him leaning over the sink, soaking his hair, and saying something about his old school as the same fingers that had glided across his skin began separating strands of his hair and squeezing the excess water from them. The pungent smell of the mild dye reached him, but it passed quickly before the hidden turmoil inside Ken's mind. Time itself seemed to flicker away, leaving standing in a wake of something he couldn't identify as Daisuke ran fingers against his hair and changed his outward appearance. When Ken stood straight once more, water slid unpleasantly down his neck before Daisuke shoved a handful of paper towels into his loose palms to hold against the flow.

"Hold those there," he instructed, and mutely, Ken did so. His face was still terribly red-how he could stand there, looking back at the redhead and even speaking when necessary was beyond him-a part of him was firmly trenched in the belief that he should be as far away from Daisuke as possible. The boy had the ability to slip around his control and Ken inexorably felt like he was trying to catch a cloud with his fingers.

He should leave. He had no reason to stay.

But he promised. And he needed to know the responsible parties behind the teenage drugging. He needed to find out-and this was a possible way to do so.

~I am you,~ the Kaizer whispered, almost too soft to hear. ~You just don't know it yet.~

~~~

Standing outside the edge of a doorway, trenched in shadows and watching the growing crowd with eager glittering eyes, Azumi flicked a cigarette from his fingertips, watched it arc and sputter into sparks along the pavement. From the looks of it, the Kaizer was out for the evening. From his sources, the damnable boy wouldn't be there to interfere with his business.

And that was just how Azumi liked it. The more crowd, the better chances he had of increasing sales…and more importantly, profit.

In more ways than one.

Grinning to himself, the somewhat burly man buffed his fingers against his vest, biding his time and waiting for the moment when he would be able to enter the club. That pig-sucking ass Akira was taking down entries tonight-it'd be tough sneaking enough dope into the place to get enough kids strung up. The place was good; The Kaizer was dangerous.

~Always room for challenge,~ he thought. His supplier had hinted he might attend himself, to 'sample' the crowd. All the better.

Even now he could see several possible selections, young slender waifs all dressed up in the pretense they were someone else. Typical teens, desiring to change themselves to fit in. Someone who would welcome a bit of change, the sort he could provide.

Young and stupid. Casually, Azumi glanced down the alley, catching a glimpse of movement, thinking ~Stragglers,~ and still examining his nails-

-and promptly forgot about all of his other prospects.

~~~
Walking down the alley, Ken felt absurdly like himself, and at the same time like a clown out of season. Even looking in a mirror hadn't helped him come to terms with what he was doing-Daisuke had done wonders with the make-up and dye.

~I don't even look like myself,~ he had thought then, looking at himself in mirror, under the fluorescent lighting of the bathroom. And he hadn't. His hair was dyed enough to look black with blue streaks; it covered his face, hiding his right eye from view while it feathered back from the left without obscuring the vision. A touch of gloss, something Daisuke had thankfully let Ken apply himself, glistened on his lips. Pale iridescent glitter dusted the ridges of his cheekbones, the open collar of his shirt.

~Of course not,~ the other muttered. ~Can't look like me tonight, can you…~

Even without trying, Daisuke claimed, Ken looked fey. Coy and alluring, even with that wide-eyed innocent look. He had said it without a trace of guile, honestly believing it so, and grinned at him. Ken had felt the small tremble that denied his control and fluttered through him, and looked away.

~Innocent?~ came the slur. ~Ha. You weren't innocent before…~ and the voice dissolved into a spate of giggles.

Ken didn't know whether to be relieved that Daisuke hadn't glanced at him in that way, like he had done occasionally since the first day in the classroom, or sit down and throw a fit that he wasn't. He didn't know what he wanted-he didn't dare make a choice between. He couldn't.

~I have things to do,~ he told himself. ~I have to find them. I have to--~

~Do what?~ the Kaizer murmured. ~You can't do anything, dearie. You're only Ken tonight…~

Ken scowled inwardly, and shoved the voice away. Ahead of him, Daisuke was walking slowly, the faded light from the lowered sun somehow still catching upon his skin. He looked golden, in the light, all fires and embers and liquid movement. Looking at him, Ken felt his heart jump unexpectedly, and something akin to panic curled in his belly.

~Look…I'm serious. The Kaizer isn't making an appearance tonight-you are. There will be other people around…if things get bad…~ he heard a moment later. ~Don't hesitate…~ The voice was cautious, suddenly, and Ken wondered if some hidden sense was tripping.

His skin shivered, then, suddenly. ~I know,~ he thought.

"Ken?"

His inner thoughts shimmered away. "Yes?" he replied automatically, and looked up to see Daisuke turned on his heel to regard him with an oddly unreadable face.

"I am sorry for what happened in the bathroom," the redhead shrugged, a shy smile tugging his lips, and he shook his head. "I just want you to have fun tonight and not worry about anything. I hope I haven't-made a mistake that you'll hate me for."

Disbelieving, Ken blinked at him. ~He's apologizing for kissing me..~ he thought. "Dai?"

"Anyway, I guess…if you wanna back out, you can. I don't-" he paused a movement off to his left, something almost out the line of his sight and his eyes turned automatically.

A cigarette bounced, sparks flying, and Daisuke traced its arc to where someone was standing in the shadows.

~That man…he's watching the crowd,~ Daisuke thought. Eyes narrowed, he almost missed what Ken was saying, his gaze was so intent on the man standing in the shadows. Something about the way he stood, like a hungry feral beast, was sending the wrong signals down his back.

"Daisuke…it's okay. I'm just not…available, really." Ken felt his cheeks flush again, and ducked his head. "Maybe some other time," he said softly, and missed the sudden change the flickered over the other boy's face. ~Some other time?~ he thought. ~What a great line.~

~And he's looking at Ken…~ snarled another voice.

"Daisuke?"

That man was…

~Dealer,~ he assessed, and suppressed an inward growl, and heard Ken say his name again.

He broke off the stare to look at Ken, seeing the innocent and guarded boy underneath all the glamour, thought of what he was going to say.

"I don't want you to do something that you'll regret," he finished slowly, and pushed the paranoia out of his mind. Even if that freak was somehow targeting Ken, there was no way he'd be able to get near.

Something akin to relief flickered through Ken's eyes, making Daisuke wonder what he was worried about that put so much stress upon his narrow shoulders. Then for a moment he thought of the way Ken had felt in his arms, the way he had kissed back. Then, he had been sure, that Ken was just as attracted to him. It had been in his kiss. His eyes.

And now something equally strong was keeping him away.

But he forced the thoughts away, and grinned then, seeing how Ken seemed to relax, and received a small smile in response. "Hey, you're not nervous, are you?" he teased.

Ken shook his head, rolling his eyes and waved him off. "Why should I be nervous? I've put up with cameras, commercials, fame…This is nothing…"

A sly grin crept across Daisuke's features. "Then, oh famous one, shall we?"

~~~

Watching them walk towards the line of the door, approaching the door itself instead of lining up like the others, Azumi smiled darkly. The slim one in the red and black, with his dark hair…that one would do nicely…

Just from looking at him for the first time, however, he wouldn't have guessed that a spark of life moved him at all. It had been the mere twist of the lips, a habit he knew a lot of punks developed. A signal that somehow told him that the boy, the slim gorgeous boy, would be a nice addition to his bed.

Now, to get him doped enough to follow and lose that fiery boy tag-along. The redhead looked street-wary, almost as if he knew what was going down. If he managed to spoil the night…Azumi would lose his chances of getting a sweet deal from supplier.

And he couldn't have that happen.

Already, Azumi felt his pants tighten, just thinking about how the boy would squirm and scream and moan…he'd be a welcome diversion until his boys brought the Kaizer to his knees before him. Why not have both?

Grinning, the dealer settled further into the shadows and lit up again before pulling out a slim cell phone and dialing a number.

"Hey," he said as the other end picked up. "Mark the guy with the Kaizer's bitch. Good. Yeah, why not? Alright, then. Later."

Why not indeed?

~~~

Akira raised a brow at the outraged screech of a young man, and patiently replied that without ID he wouldn't have entry tonight. Today was the night that the Kaizer wasn't around, although he wasn't about to tell that to the man, so tonight was for everyone under 18.

Even despite the age limit, he knew that it would be a long night. It was up to them to make sure the people allowed inside were clean, and would stay clean. It was up to them to keep any advances or attempts to seduce the unwilling down to a minimum, even prevented completely, if possible. Liquor wouldn't be served, just the regular soft drinks and water, or the occasional order of fries or snacks.

"Man, check it again!" came a shout from further down the line. Makeda, in a surprising thoughtful moment, had suggested that one of the other bouncers save time and run the ID check down the line. That way, when they came to where Akira was admitting through the only entrance allowed, only those on the list would be allowed. Troublemakers were spotted, and removed. There were searches just on the inside of the door, and a scan to check for weapons. Everything and anything went into the box, and the kids told to 'have a good time' and ushered into the main hall.

Everything was looking good, so far, and nothing could be allowed to pass through that would endanger the place, or the kids. And it was Akira's job, in the absence of the Kaizer, to make sure that nothing did happen.

It was the oddest feeling, however, that told him something was going down.

Tonight.

He only had a moment to dwell on the peculiar thought, momentarily pausing in scanning the list, before the foremost people began to catcall. He turned his head, looking in the direction of the jeers, and raised a brow. Walking in from the other side of the street, the boy Daisuke sauntered in, towing a young man with dark hair and clothing nearly as dark as the shadows they were emerging from.

Akira felt a stab of annoyance, odd enough, at the sight-Ken, as the Kaizer, had expressed an outright interest in the boy, and here he was, dragging in some other boyfriend-

-Then outright shock as the boy behind Daisuke turned his head to face him, the hair whispering away from his face just enough to get a glimpse.

Ken, despite all previous declarations of never attending as himself again, was there standing before him.

~Guess that doesn't count as cheating.~

~And something must be wrong…~ he thought, then, and knew he was right when Ken's eyes flickered downward, avoiding his gaze.

"Hey, long time, no see," Daisuke grinned widely, as they both drew near.

Still in shock, Akira could only shake his head helplessly. "Daisuke?" he said after a moment. "I should have known you'd be back again." Again, his gaze flicked to the silent Ken. ~He must have a good reason to show up as Ken,~ the larger man thought. His unease tripled.

"Oh," Daisuke, shrugging, motioned to his companion. "This is Ken-I figured he needed a night to relax. Let us in?"

Akira smiled, feeling the urge to laugh at the flicker of emotion. "Of course, Daisuke. You've been cleared already. Him, too." Then, looking down at his page, he scribbled a note to himself, and waved them on. "Just tell Makeda I said you're both good-he'll let you by."

"Yeah, thanks!" Daisuke winked at him as Ken nodded briskly and stepped around the redhead, passing through the narrow door and into the depths. Without looking, as Daisuke moved in after his friend, the redhead whispered, "Dealer in the alley, past the third doorway," and slipped by.

Feeling a second jolt of shock, Akira had to force himself from turning to stare in astonishment. Who was this kid? ~There was a dealer? What the hell?~ How had he known, without asking the man, that he was a dealer? How could he tell, if all they had done was walk by?

The first thought that flickered into his mind was that Daisuke had been or was involved with the drug world. There was no better explanation, as Akira focused his attention on the next person in line, his mind wandered, lightning fast, to the question of talking to Daisuke as soon as possible.

But more importantly…

~Just what is Ken doing here?~