Fake Fan Fiction ❯ Three Times A Charm ❯ Chapter 29

Title: Three Times A Charm

Author: JadeHeart

Archived: If anyone would like it, please ask me first!

Fandom: Fake

Rating: NC-17

Warnings: some bad language, sexual thoughts

Timeline: follows on directly from the end of Vol 7

Summary: All it needs sometimes is a catalyst to make a chain reaction.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this, they belong to the creator of `FAKE', nor am I making any profits from it.

 

 

 

Chapter 29

 

Ryo quietly opened the door, looking in to see Dee still slumbering, with the dawn's rays just beginning to filter into the room from around the closed curtains, sending tiny dancing lights skittering over the floor and walls and across the crumpled bed clothes half draped over his sleeping form.

 

He stood there for a moment, then his feet unconsciously drew him inwards, bringing him closer, walking almost silently to stand by the side of the bed. He gazed down at his sleeping partner, the white sheets pushed down around Dee's waist, tanned chest rising slowly before falling, one long, still muscular arm stretched out, reaching for the other side of the bed as though seeking something. A soft smile curved Ryo's lips as he noticed the locke of dark hair falling over the brow and closed eyes, spreading out across the pillow the head rested on.

 

Dee looked very peaceful in sleep. It was the only time that Ryo ever saw him truly at rest, his whole being relaxed. Dee was naturally a person with boundless amounts of energy, no matter how tired he was, always active, always on the go. It was only on such rare occasions as this that he could ever appreciate a completely relaxed Dee. He liked these stolen moments of being able to see another side to Dee.

 

Ryo couldn't prevent his hand reaching out, hovering a scant millimeter above the resting head, as he slowly traced the curve of the head, feeling the odd silky strand of hair touching his skin in passing. His hand continued, making its way around to Dee's face, gliding over, though never touching, feeling the warmth rising up to contact the palm of his hand. As he made to move his hand away, Dee shifted slightly and one knuckle lightly brushed the cheekbone, bringing a sleepy murmur from Dee.

 

Ryo froze at the unexpected contact, but Dee then settled back down and he slowly withdrew his hand, feeling it tingle where he had brushed Dee's skin. He looked down at his partner for a moment longer, feeling calm himself, then turned and left as silently as he had come, the door closing behind with a faint click. He had to get to work but he hoped that Dee would be all right whilst he was gone.

 

********

 

Dee blinked a little sleepily, yawning, wondering what had aroused him. It had been a small sound, nothing startling, yet for some reason it had penetrated his deep slumber. He had been dreaming something very pleasant, although it was already fading from his memory as his consciousness cleared. All he could recall was that it had been about Ryo and he in happier times and it had left him feeling warm and at peace. He could even believe that he could still feel Ryo's touch on his face.

 

He opened his eyes fully, yawning again, and turned his head to look around the room. The curtains were still drawn, although he could see the light filtering in around them that indicated it certainly was morning. He continued checking. There was nothing out of place that he could see. He glanced at the closed bedroom door and frowned. Could it have been that that he had heard?

 

He sat up carefully, pleased that there didn't seem to be as much discomfort as yesterday. In fact, every day appeared to be getting better for him for which he was very grateful. He was finally beginning to believe what the doctors had said, that he would be able to get back to his old self. For some time there he had completely despaired that that would ever happen. Now he felt he was finally on the road to recovery.

 

He felt the cool wooden floor beneath his feet, as he sat on the edge of the bed for a moment and yawned widely enough that he felt his jaw pop. He scrubbed a hand through his hair, vigorously scratching at his scalp, as he stood and padded over to the door, opening it gently and peering out.

 

All was silent in the rooms beyond as he listened, failing to detect any sound at all in the apartment. Looking over his shoulder he could see the time on the clock beside the bed. Well, the monkey had probably headed off to school already, mostly so he would be able to play some basketball before classes actually started, not because he was that keen to get to lessons! He guessed that meant that Ryo had probably gone to work. In all the turmoil he had been feeling last night, he had completely forgotten to ask what shift Ryo was on.

 

He suddenly felt very alone. Since waking in the hospital he had had Ryo by his side every day and he had to admit that he had got used to that. Even when they were working, they had seen each other practically every day. In fact, the only real time apart they had spent was during the secondment itself and he had found that enforced separation very hard to take. The regular phone calls they had fallen into making, and the odd meetings here and there, had at least sustained him during that time. Without those he would have gone crazy with longing. Now, with the silence surrounding him, he felt alone for the first time.

 

Trying to shake him out of the funk threatening to send him straight back to bed, to bury himself under the sheets as he curled up and cried, he pushed the door open further and made his way to the kitchen. A cup of coffee, have some breakfast, then he could start his day. He wasn't just going to sit around and brood! That was Ryo's job! He made his way directly to a cupboard, pleased to see when he opened it that the mugs were still where he remembered. Ryo hadn't changed anything at all, which made him smile for some reason. It gave him a nice feeling to think that he knew his partner's place so well. He set it on the table and it was then that he noticed a piece of paper left prominently in the centre. He looked over it and found it was a note for him. It was brief:

 

Dee,

Help yourself and call me if you need anything.

See you later.

Ryo.

 

He reread the note, then, with a sigh, put it back down on the table before turning to the coffee pot in the corner. Ryo always made his notes so clinical and formal. Probably came from all the report writing at work that he was so good at. But, although it might be good for work purposes, it didn't come across as particularly friendly, or loving, at home. He recalled another note Ryo had left him, now a long time ago, and he had to smile. You would never have thought that they had just been together intimately for the first time from the note Ryo had left the next morning. Dee hadn't known whether to cry at the lack of romanticism or yell for happiness at the fact that Ryo had left him a note in the first place so everything was okay. He had settled for whooping with joy because he had just been so overwhelmed that his dream had finally come true! That note was still carefully folded and tucked safely in the back of his wallet.

 

A quick touch to the coffee pot told him that it was actually still hot enough to drink, although not as boiling as he generally liked it, which meant that Ryo couldn't have been gone long. Had that been what had awoken him? Had Ryo come in to see him, to say goodbye? The thought of his partner standing that near to him as he slept filled him with happiness, and also made him flush a little with pleasure. He chided himself for those additional thoughts, although he couldn't deny that there was something that he had to attend to as the tenting in the front of his pyjama trousers attested. He couldn't help it if he was a morning person - in more ways than one.

 

He sighed a little sadly. He'd had to `do it alone' for so long it was just becoming purely mechanical with no pleasure in it at all, just a means to an end. It still gave some short-lived pleasure but he craved for the touch of another's hand instead of his own. And not just anyone's; Ryo's. Ryo's fingers were long and firm, and seemed made to fit around his full erection which he could remember only too well. In fact, Ryo certainly had no small amount of skill in that area, being able to bring Dee to the peak quicker than he could do so by himself, and, if he was perfectly candid, quicker than any prior partner had as well. He knew that Ryo had never touched another man before so it wasn't from practice, so all he could put it down to was that Ryo really had a knack for it. Although he really hoped that it had more to do with Ryo really loving him which made both of them respond so much to each other.

 

He felt his erection twitch, the touch of moisture against his skin as the soaked cloth brushed against him. He let out another deep sigh, gazing morosely down at the trembling fabric, feeling sorry for himself. Well, that had better be the first thing, then a shower, and then coffee.

 

After that, he had no idea what this day would bring.

 

*************

 

Ryo sat at his desk and wrote quickly and neatly, eyes scanning over the other papers set before him as he hurried to finish the report. It wasn't that he was late for a particular deadline, but that he wanted to make certain that everything was done and there was nothing that could possibly hold him up today and prevent him from leaving on time. He underlined the last word and put his pen down, leaning back and stretching cramped muscles.

 

He had called early in the morning, just after arriving at work, to check on Dee but had only got his own answering machine. Not surprising really as he knew that Dee wouldn't have been so rude as to pick up his phone, but he also hadn't done so when Ryo had spoken to the machine. Ryo had panicked for a moment then, almost getting up and driving back immediately, horrifying visions of Dee having a really bad coughing attack, struggling to breathe, until he passed out from lack of oxygen. Visions of Dee lying sprawled on the bedroom floor, covered in blood because there had been some complications from his wounds - what Ryo didn't know, his imagination wasn't being that practical. Visions of Dee having done something as simple as slip over in the shower and knock himself out, the list of possible accidents and scenarios continued, pummeling Ryo's mind with terror.

 

Then he managed to take hold of himself, forcing himself to remain seated and not going haring off, taking deep, calming breaths until he stopped hyperventilating. When he was able to slow his racing thoughts he took a moment to consider. The fact that Dee hadn't answered once Ryo had spoken on the answering machine did not automatically mean that something was wrong. He could still be asleep, which would be a good thing as he still needed the rest to recuperate. He could be in the bathroom, which is a normal morning routine for anyone. He might have even gone out for a coffee, it's not like Dee didn't know the area around Ryo's apartment really well and there was a great little place not far from there that they had often stopped at. Dee might have just wanted to go out and get some fresh air now that he was finally out of hospital.

 

None of that meant that anything was wrong, although Ryo had to calm the twinge of worry at the thought of Dee being alone outside so quickly after his release. He was concerned he would try and overexert himself but at the same time, if anything did happen he would be around other people and so they would make certain he received immediate help.

 

The other reason Dee may not have answered was that Ryo may have forgotten to turn up the exterior volume on the machine. He thought that he had but he wasn't one hundred percent sure with everything that had been going on. So Dee just might not have heard him at all. He refused to think that it was because Dee didn't want to talk to him at all. Surely it hadn't reached that point. He still desperately hoped that they would be able to salvage something of their relationship. Perhaps they might never be able to be together again, but he truly hoped that they would be able to once again be close as friends and partners. And, the thought refused to go away completely, perhaps from there they might, just might, be able to go beyond that once more. That is what he was clinging to at this stage.

 

“Hey,” a voice called from the door behind him. “Don't tell me you're finished already?”

 

Ryo turned his head to see JJ leaning against the doorframe, frowning. “Just now.” he said, dropping his arms and rolling his shoulders with a sigh. They were still feeling tight and just now he would have given anything for one of Dee's great shoulder massages. That was one thing that Dee was really good at. His strong, firm fingers could seem to find all those hard to reach points and sooth away the discomfort. Ryo felt his face suddenly flush at the memory of what else Dee's hands could do to his body. His partner wasn't just good at shoulder massages, a full body one would turn Ryo into a quivering puddle of erotic goo.

 

He suppressed the shiver of sexual pleasure that ran through him, turning away and quickly gathering papers and files together to hide his blush from JJ and calm his rapid breathing. Not to mention ensure that the other man couldn't see under the desk and notice revealing evidence of another matter.

 

“Man, you are going to make the rest of us look bad at this rate!” JJ walked in and threw himself into the chair opposite, Dee's chair. Ryo automatically opened his mouth and then shut it quickly before saying anything. What was with him? He had been about to tell JJ he couldn't sit there because it was Dee's! How childish!

 

Instead he smiled at the younger man, swiveling back and forth in the chair. “I just don't want to have anything left outstanding.”

 

JJ rolled his eyes. “Ryo, you've got to slow down. You'll put yourself out of a job! Think about the rest of us!”

 

Ryo looked at him quizzically and JJ continued. “Look, if you keep finishing everything so quickly, the `powers' upstairs,” and he jabbed a finger towards the ceiling. “will think that there's no need for another detective and fire you, which will leave the rest of us,” and now he stabbed the finger at his own chest, “to have to try and cover your normal workload all the time!” Now he waggled the finger in Ryo's direction. “You are being extremely inconsiderate. Do you want to drive us all into an early grave from overwork?!”

 

Ryo had to grin at JJ's absurd reasoning. “I somehow don't think that you'll be in much danger of that.” he said calmly.

 

“Okay, but if you keep working at this pace the damn Chief is going to expect the same from all of us! Drake's already complaining about it and moaning how he doesn't have time for a girlfriend anymore. Not that he's had one for a while now, not after getting dumped. Again!”

 

“I'm sure you'll cheer him up, JJ.” Ryo said, finally able to stand and collect what he needed to drop off.

 

JJ smirked at him. “Oh, I'm trying - believe me!”

 

Ryo looked down at him, a little puzzled. What did JJ mean by that statement? Was he and Drake…? Ryo mentally shook his head. No, surely not. Drake was as heterosexual as they come and had been from the time Ryo had met him. But then….and he thought about it a little more. He had thought he was pretty much hetro too - until he met Dee. Could Drake be going through the same thing? He certainly seemed to have no problem with Dee's sexual preferences, or in being partnered with JJ knowing how he was. So Ryo knew that Drake wasn't concerned about that sort of thing, but he still hadn't picked him as being one to go that way as he had never given any indication that he was interested.

 

Or did this just mean that JJ was giving up on Dee? Well, that would be nice, Ryo had to admit that. He didn't particularly like seeing Dee being pawed by JJ, even before they had got together so he wasn't completely sure how he would handle it now. Or perhaps JJ was just jerking him around because he was bored and liked to tease him, which was probably the case!

 

Ryo turned and made his way to the door. “Well, I've got to drop these off so I'll catch you later.” he said, giving a half-salute to JJ, still seated.

 

“Sure,” JJ replied with an airy wave. “Catch ya!”

 

Ryo shook his head as he made his way down the corridor to the Chief's office. JJ was a real enigma. Every time you thought that you knew everything there was to know about the flighty man, he would do or say something that would completely surprise you.

 

********

 

JJ stared at the doorway through which Ryo had gone, continuing to swivel in the chair as he thought. Ryo seemed a little sad, though not as worried as he had been the past few days. It had been understandable that Ryo would be extremely worried whilst Dee was in hospital. Hell, it had been all JJ could do to hold himself back from camping out in Dee's room during those first weeks he had been so beside himself! But at the same time, he acknowledged that it wasn't his place to do that so he had left it to Ryo.

 

JJ had noticed that things seemed a little strained between the two of them whenever he had visited. He couldn't put his finger on it, but he knew that something wasn't right. He had thought that the two of them would be busy making plans during this time to play happy families or all over each other and making gooey eyes in each other's directions and stuff. Instead, they seemed to always be sitting as far away from each other as possible and the atmosphere in the room was depressed and strained.

 

He had hoped it was just due to Dee's illness and slow recovery. He knew that Dee wasn't the best patient when he was sick so he had thought that perhaps that was the cause. However, he had thought that once Dee was told he could be released from hospital that both of them would start to perk up, especially when Dee was going to be staying with Ryo.

 

Instead, the last week or so the tension seemed to have got worse, so much so that Ryo had looked like death warmed up most of the time with dark shadows around his dark eyes that indicated he was sleeping even less than he had been for the past six weeks which had concerned JJ greatly.

 

He absently played with a pencil left on Dee's desk. He didn't understand what was happening between those two. Firstly Ryo finally admits that he was in love with Dee which made JJ just giddy with joy, even though it did put a dampener on his own fantasies, but he had still been holding out for being best man at their wedding. He thought he would look really good in tails and weddings were great places to pick up someone!

 

But instead of wedding bells and blissful smiles, the two of them looked like they were being dragged to their execution! What the hell had happened? If they had broken up then, yes, that meant Dee was back on the market, but that thought didn't bring him the delight that he once might have felt. He didn't want Dee as anyone's seconds, and the thought of a heartbroken Ryo filled him with equal sadness. He was finding that he spent just as much time now worrying about Ryo's feelings as he ever did Dee's.

 

He sighed and pushed himself out of the chair, chuckling to himself. He must be getting soft in his old age, he thought ironically. Who would have thought he would come to care for his rival in love so much?

 

Ah, Ryo, he mused, making his way back to his office. What am I going to do with you? I can't help but wonder if you have broken up with Dee if I wouldn't be better off chasing you instead!

 

“Where have you been slacking off?” Drake yelled out as he entered their shared working space.

 

JJ dropped into his chair, pulling a folder towards him. “Just trying to convince Ryo to slow down and not make the rest of us look so bad.” he said lightly.

 

Drake rolled his eyes. “As if! That guy's a workaholic!”

 

“You sound jealous. Is work taking up all of Ryo's time so lil' Drakey-poo can't play?”

 

“You're an idiot.” Drake replied flatly, glaring at him. “I meant that the guy doesn't do or think about anything except work! He's got to get a life, get out and enjoy himself, see someone!”

 

“Really? Are you lusting after Ryo?” JJ smirked at his partner then dodged the thrown eraser.

 

“That's your past-time!” Drake snorted, turning back to his work. “You'll chase anything in pants!”

 

JJ watched his partner stand and open the filing cabinet across from where he was sitting, giving him a full view of his back. He ran his eyes down the long figure, pausing for a moment at the lean waist and hips and the rounded buttocks.

 

Hmm, JJ's thoughts dwelt there for a moment. Drake was a fine figure of a man, with a pleasant, cheerful personality and a big heart. More importantly he made JJ feel very comfortable just being around him. Drake had been the best partner he had ever had.

 

He felt his face heat a little and dropped his head quickly. Perhaps Drake was right. Perhaps he did chase anything in pants. He sneaked another peak at his still standing partner. If that was the case, then Drake had better damn well watch himself!

 

************

 

Ryo glanced at his watch. Almost end of shift.

 

He breathed a sigh of relief, feeling some of the tension begin to lessen. He had tried not to worry all day but he couldn't help it. He was constantly wondering if Dee was all right, and had forced himself not to continue to phone knowing that he would only be more upset if he did and still got no answer.

 

He wondered if Dee had spent most of the day sleeping, just trying to recover his strength. He was sure that he would find the bed comfortable enough to do that. Dee had never complained about it before. He hoped that Dee had been certain to eat something during the day also. Ryo had made certain to stock up on all the foods that he knew Dee liked, even cooking various meals up, freezing some and leaving the rest accessible in the fridge. There should have been at least something there that Dee would have found appetizing.

 

A smile tugged at his lips. Perhaps Dee's spent the day lounging on the couch, watching TV. He wouldn't even put it past him to have ordered pizza and been drinking beer! Yes, that is probably the most likely scenario!

 

He packed up the last of the papers and lifted his jacket from the stand in the corner, laying it neatly over his arm. Time to go. He had to admit that as much as he wanted to go home, he was feeling a little nervous as well. He didn't know what reception he was likely to get from Dee and just hoped that things may have eased between them. He had had such a good day remembering all the things they had done, the way they used to be. He really wanted to have back that easy camaraderie and closeness they had once shared.

 

“Leaving already?” A voice made him turn to see Commissioner Berkley Rose standing behind.

 

“Yes, sir,” he replied.

 

Rose fell into step beside Ryo as he continued on his way out. “You have been extremely fastidious in your work lately.” he continued. “It's good to see someone putting such dedication into their job.”

 

Ryo cast a quick glance to the man at his side as he replied, “Thank you, sir.”

 

Rose smiled at him as they rounded the corner to reach the side entrance to the car park. “Why don't you join me for a drink, Ryo? There's a place not far from here, and we could have a pleasant meal afterwards. It seems to have been a long time since we've had the opportunity to talk.”

 

“Ah, no thank you, sir.” Ryo quickly replied. “I have to get home.”

 

They had reached the door and as Ryo put his hand out to turn the handle, Rose turned and laid both hands flat against either side of his body, trapping him against the door. Ryo gulped as the Commissioner leant closer, face mere inches from his, lean body well and truly closer than what would be considered to be polite.

 

“Come now, Ryo,” Rose's voice dropped so it was almost a whisper, every word caressed before it was spoken. Ryo couldn't help the shiver at those sounds. “Surely I could provide you far more….interesting enticements than your young charge or a convalescent? They will, after all, still be there afterwards.”

 

Ryo's hand scrabbled frantically behind him, trying to gain purchase on the handle which slipped against his sweaty palm. He gulped as Rose drew even closer, feeling the other man's breath brushing against his slightly parted lips. He couldn't deny that Rose was an attractive man, and he exuded huge amounts of sexual prowess with a sense of danger mingled with it that was a little exciting. But Ryo still wasn't attracted to him in that way, and he certainly didn't want to be kissed by him. In fact if he let that happen again, Dee would kill him!

 

His searching fingers finally found their goal as he hurriedly said, “Sorry, sir, but I've really got to go!”, and with a quick twist the handle turned, the door swung outwards and Ryo flew down the stairs to disappear into this car, as Rose hurriedly had to grab for the doorframe to prevent himself falling in an unseemly pile down the steps as he lost his purchase.

 

He gazed after the disappearing car and then turned, ensuring the door was closed securely behind him before leaving. So close. A slow smile spread across his face as his eyes twinkled with what some would say was an evil glint. Ah, well, he thought, unperturbed by his lack of success. You can continue to run, Ryo, but it doesn't mean that I won't still have my eye on you. My chance will come.

 

***********

 

“Hey, you big slob!”

 

The penetrating cry made Dee wince as he opened his eyes to glare at the noisy creature that stood before him, hands planted firmly on hips.

 

“Shaddup,” he growled, pulling a cushion over his head. Just his luck. He had forgotten all about the brat.

 

A sudden whack against his bare feet made him jerk upright, cushion falling to the ground. “OW!! That hurt, you little shit!!”

 

Bikky just matched him glare for glare. “What the hell do you think you're doing, you stupid idiot?!” the boy almost shouted.

 

“Just shut the HELLL UP!” Dee roared back, throwing another cushion which the boy dodged with ease. “What's got your jocks in a twist?!”

 

“Look at the mess you've made!!” Bikky pointed and Dee now took in the scattered dishes, some with portions of uneaten food still in them, newspapers and magazines lying over the floor, and empty coffee mugs and beer bottles dotting numerous surfaces. Not to mention a couple of damp towels, one hanging over the back of the couch, the other in a heap on the floor.

 

“You bastard!” Bikky continued to rant, hitting Dee on the feet once more with his school bag. “You lie there like a slug and are going to expect Ryo to come home after working hard all day and cleaning up after your sorry fat arse! You're nothing but an inconsiderate slob!”

 

“I am not!” Dee shouted back, drawing his abused feet out of reach of the boy. He looked at the mess again, a little embarrassed at what he was seeing. He hadn't realized just how much had built up during the course of the day. He had spent most of it catnapping on the couch, not wanting to remain in the bed because it felt too lonely with Ryo not there beside him. So his day had passed quietly enough. He had had every intention of making certain things were cleared up before Ryo arrived home but he had dropped off to sleep once more and had forgotten that Bikky was likely to be home first.

 

“Liar!” Bikky snarled at him, stalking to his room to relieve himself of his bag. He returned in a moment and with a last glare at Dee, silently picked up a couple of the mugs and began taking them to the kitchen.

 

“Hey!” Dee said, standing. “I can do it!”

 

“Yeah, right!” Bikky snorted, returning for more dishes. “Don't strain yourself!”

 

“Why you….” Dee grabbed the beer bottles up in both hands and took them out to the kitchen, placing them in the recycling box. “I did intend to clean up before Ryo got home.” he muttered under his breath. Bikky just snorted again and they continued to clean up in silence.

 

Bikky picked up the damp towel from the back of the couch, frowning at where it had been laying before turning to Dee. “If that leaves a stain you're paying for the cleaning, or you can buy Ryo a new one!”

 

“Yeah, yeah,” Dee grumbled, brushing the crumbs from the coffee table onto one of the plates as Bikky made his way to where the other towel lay. He reached over to pick it up when Dee suddenly remembered what he had used that towel for. “Don't touch that!” he shouted and launched himself at the startled boy who held the towel by just one corner before it was snatched from his grasp.

 

Bikky looked confused at Dee's behaviour for a moment as he watched the older man scrunch it up into a small ball and hold it behind his back when he caught the whiff of a scent that he knew. He screwed his nose up in disgust.

 

“EW!!! You are so gross!!!” he shouted, pointing an accusatory finger at Dee. “How dare you be jerking off in this house!!! And I bet you were doing it while having indecent thoughts about Ryo, you pervert!!! You are just so disgusting!!”

 

Dee felt his face flush bright red with embarrassment, but he couldn't honestly deny it. He had used the towel to clean up after pleasuring himself on more than one occasion. The sudden surge of sexual tension he had experienced during the course of the day, he had put down to having been sick for so long. His illness and wounds had sapped his strength and libido completely, and even if it hadn't he'd been so weak he'd have been unable to deal with anything if it had risen to the occasion. Thinking about it, it would have to have been the longest period of abstinence since he'd discovered the pleasures of sexual gratification, be it alone or with company. The fact that he was surrounded by so many things that triggered erotically charged memories of Ryo probably had assisted in bringing him to an aroused state on no less than five occasions during the course of the day. So the towel had definitely been needed because he hadn't wanted to constantly be getting up to clean away the mess and trying to not get stuff on his clothes. He hadn't, however, intended for some nosey kid to find it!

 

His cheeks burnt as he rushed into Ryo's bedroom, heading for the bathroom to drop the incriminating evidence into the laundry basket. Damn it, he snarled, leaning against the wall and breathing heavily. He couldn't remember being sprung like this since he was a teenager and Mother had walked in on him at a most inopportune moment. Now that had really been embarrassing! Compared to that, this was nothing - but it was still so god-damn awkward to have the baboon-boy be the one to bust him! What if he told Ryo?!

 

Dee took a deep breath, standing up and setting his shoulders back. Fuck it, Laytner! Get out there and face it like a man! Why the hell are you hiding in the god-damn bathroom from a kid?!! He closed his eyes, took one more fortifying breath and strode back out to the living room, face set in a scowl. Bikky looked up from where he was collecting some more bowls, a matching scowl to Dee's on his small features.

 

“You are such a freak!” he said with a sniff. “What the hell Ryo sees in you I don't know!” He stomped out to the kitchen with his load as Dee collected the last few items and followed.

 

He dumped everything into the sink and turned the faucet on. He wasn't going to leave all dishes there for Ryo to do, he wasn't that much of a slob. “You so much as breathe a word of that…” he threatened Bikky darkly, rolling his sleeves up as the water level rose.

 

“Puleeeeze!!!” Bikky sneered, rolling his eyes, nose wrinkled in distaste. “As if I would want to upset Ryo and tell him that you've been doing the dirty in his house while he wasn't here!”

 

“Hey, it's a perfectly natural function!” Dee protested in an attempt to justify matters as he began to wash up.

 

“Not doing it all over the couch where we sit, or in the room where we eat, or using the bath towels that Ryo uses after a shower!!” Bikky snapped back, picking up a tea towel and drying the first clean dishes Dee set out.

 

“Are you going to try and tell me that you aren't doing the same?” Dee said petulantly, then almost bit his tongue in wanting to take that back. It really wasn't any of his business if Bikky was beginning to masturbate, and he really didn't want to know if the kid was. That was actually just way too frigging disturbing to even be thinking that the brat was old enough to be getting that way inclined!! In fact, that just made Dee fell old!

 

“Forget it!” He almost shouted, diving his hands so hard into the water that it slopped over the side and onto his bare feet. “Ow!” he shouted, jumping back and hopping away from the hot water.

 

“Great!” Bikky said, just watching as Dee quickly grabbed another towel and wiped his scalded feet. “Now we've got to mop the kitchen floor as well!”

 

Dee shot a glare at him but refrained from saying anything as he went back to finish the remaining dishes. At least Bikky had got distracted and hadn't answered the question. “There,” he said, placing the last mug in the rack. “That's it.”

 

“Finally,” Bikky muttered, quickly wiping the last. “Now hurry up and put them away.”

 

“Why should I have to?” Dee wanted to know.

 

Bikky just looked at him as though he was exceptionally dense. “Because you're the slob that used most of them, that's why!”

 

Dee grumbled but complied as Bikky directed him as to where everything belonged and wouldn't let him leave until he had also located the mop and bucket and completely cleaned the kitchen floor, not just the puddle by the sink. Once he had done that task, the boy herded him back into the lounge and sat on the couch as Dee was forced to retrieve the vacuum cleaner from the hall cupboard and thoroughly clean the entire living room floor until the little blond Hitler watching was completely satisfied.

 

“Are we done now?” Dee almost whined as he ensured the vacuum cleaner was put back where it belonged. He waited for Bikky's answer, seeing the boy look carefully around the room and giving a brief nod.

 

“Yeah, that looks okay.”

 

Dee let a whoosh of air and relaxed, making his way in a slouch to the large cushion lying back on the floor where it belonged and throwing himself down on it.

 

“Hey, what do you think you're doing?”

 

Dee looked up to see an upside down Bikky peering at him. “What do you mean? You said we were done?”

 

“In here. What about the bedroom?”

 

“Whadda ya mean, the bedroom?” Dee growled.

 

“I mean the bedroom,” Bikky continued to scowl down at him. “Get your sorry arse in there and strip that bed down and put clean sheets on. I am not having Ryo's bed dirtied by you!”

 

“What does it matter? He's not even sleeping in it right now!” which sadly was too true, much to Dee's chagrin.

 

“That is beside the point!” Bikky stated firmly. “I want that bed to be clean in case he does decide to sleep there.”

 

“As if that's gonna happen!” Dee spat out, crossing his arms across his chest, whilst his lips went into a sulky pout.

 

“And whose fault is that?!” Bikky reached down and whapped Dee hard across the head.

 

“OW!! You damn brat!!!” Dee shouted, sitting up hurriedly and rubbing at his aching skull. “What the hell was that for?!”

 

Bikky just sat back on the couch, crossing his legs beneath him and his arms over his chest, pinning Dee with an angry glare.

 

“I mean, that it's all your fault that Ryo's all upset and won't even sleep in his own bedroom! What gives you the right to drive him out of his own bed?!”

 

“When are you going to get it through that pea sized brain of yours that I haven't driven him away from anything?!” Dee pushed his face forward until he was nose to nose to the boy.

 

They matched glare for glare, growl for growl, neither backing down. Then Bikky turned his head away and calmly reached out and whacked Dee on the head again, beating him to the floor.

 

“Frigging hell!!” Dee's muffled curse rose from the thick pile of the rug, before he bounded up with fists clenched and a face that threatened mayhem. Bikky just sneered back, completely unfazed by the other's antics.

 

“You're the one who won't have anything to do with Ryo! What do you expect? He's not going to sleep in there with you when you're treating him like a leper!”

 

“What the god-damn hell are you talking about, you pipsqueak?!” Dee roared at him, almost spitting in rage.

 

“Ryo frigging loves you!!!!” Bikky roared right back, spittle spraying Dee's face, then he clapped both hands over his mouth as though trying to stop the words that had already spilt out.

 

Dee froze where he was, unable to move a muscle. He felt his eyes widen in surprise, his slack jaw drop in shock. “He…..he…..” he couldn't put any more of the question together.

 

Bikky sat and stared at him a moment, and then his lips began to twitch, before he finally could no longer contain himself and grasped his stomach as loud gales of laughter burst forth. “You….you…” he struggled to gasp out, pointing a shaking finger at a still stupefied Dee. “You look like an idiot!”, and he continued to roll on the couch in mirth.

 

Dee finally gathered himself together and reached out, grabbing Bikky by the front of his shirt and shaking him ruthlessly. “How do you know? What has he said? Tell me!!”

 

Bikky batted at him but Dee refused to release him. “Let me go, you rock ape!” he shouted.

 

“Not until you tell me!” Dee yelled back.

 

“I said let me GO!” and with that Bikky opened his mouth and bit down hard on Dee's arm.

 

“SHIT!!” Dee bellowed, pulling back and letting the boy fall back onto the couch. “You damn cannibal!”

 

“Touch me again and I'll tell Ryo!” Bikky threatened.

 

Dee let himself fall to the floor in a sitting position. “Okay, okay!” he agreed reluctantly. The last thing he wanted to do was to have Ryo pissed off with him for hurting Bikky. “But come on! Tell me what you meant?”

 

Bikky got up and began to walk away. “I'm not saying anything more.”

 

“Bikky!” Dee begged, hating himself for doing so but he couldn't forget what Bikky had said. “Please!”

 

Bikky paused at his bedroom door and looked back at Dee on hands and knees, looking at him with pleading eyes and he relented a little. “All I know is that when you got hurt Ryo was really in a bad way. He tried to pretend that there wasn't anything wrong but I could tell. I've never seen him like that before. He never said anything but I had a really bad feeling about it all.” Dee could detect the touch of fear that crept into the boy's voice as he retold the story. Obviously it still affected him, even now. “I knew that Ryo was up to something,” Bikky continued quietly. “But he packed me off right away so I wasn't around. Hell, I didn't even know anything had happened to you because he never said a word!”

 

“Maybe he just didn't want to worry you.” Dee said softly.

 

Bikky looked at him with scorn. “Like I would be worried about you, jerk!”

 

Dee rolled his eyes and bit back on his retort, not wanting to do anything to stop Bikky's story. Fortunately the boy did continue after only a brief pause.

 

“All I know is that Ryo really cares about you and he had stuff he wanted to talk to you about. And I know that some sort of bad shit was going down at that time which he won't say anything about but what ever it was it made me really scared.” Bikky's voice dropped. “It….reminded me of how I had felt when I lost my dad. I thought it was going to happen all over again, that somehow I was going to lose Ryo too. He seemed so…distant. I….I didn't know what was going on and I was just too scared to say anything. I didn't even try and argue when he sent me away, even though I didn't want to leave him alone. I should have been here for him at that time. We're supposed to be family! I just kept wishing there could have been something I could have done for him. I wanted to help so bad but I didn't know how to or what I could do. And so I just let him send me away.” Bikky's head was bowed, his voice quivering a little. “I should have said something! I'm such a coward!”

 

“Don't be stupid,” Dee said quietly. Bikky looked up at him, anger flashing in his eyes. “There's no shame in being afraid of losing something that you don't want to lose. That's called being human. You can't help anyone who doesn't wish to be helped. You probably did the best thing that you could have done in the circumstances by just doing what Ryo asked of you and not giving him anything else to worry about.”

 

“Anyway,” Bikky stood a little straighter. “Since he's been back he's not like that anymore so he seems a bit more normal. But now I know that he's completely miserable because he thinks that you don't like him anymore!”

 

He walked the last few steps to his room, opening the door and then turning to glare back at Dee. “I just wish the hell that you two could get your frigging act together for once!”, and on that note, slammed the door shut.

 

Dee remained kneeling on the floor for a long moment, just staring at the closed door. Was Bikky right? Did Ryo still care for him? Could he really and truly love him?

 

He stood and allowed himself to fall onto the couch, staring up at the ceiling. He felt a smile begin to stretch upon his face. If Bikky was right, then there was still a chance for them!

 

Then the smile slipped a little. But what else had been going on with Ryo during that time? Bikky wasn't the sort of kid to make something like that up. If it had been enough to get him that worried about Ryo then it probably meant that something had been happening, but what could it have been?

 

From the sounds of it, it was high time that he and Ryo had a long overdue talk.