Fake Fan Fiction ❯ Three Times A Charm ❯ Chapter 30

Title: Three Times A Charm

Author: JadeHeart

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

Fandom: Fake

Rating: NC-17

Warnings: sexual acts

Timeline: follows on directly from the end of Vol 7

Summary: First contact.

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 30

 

Ryo thankfully turned the key in the lock and opened the door to step into the safe refuge of his apartment. He couldn't stop the small sigh of relief in having escaped unscathed from Rose's attentions. Sometimes his Commissioner's persistence was just downright unnerving.

 

Funny though - when Dee was just as pushy it hadn't bothered him like this. Perhaps that should have been the first hint for him in realizing that there was a lot more to his partner than he had at first given credit. Ryo knew he was actually a pretty good judge of character, his instincts had rarely lead him astray, so perhaps he should have listened more closely to them back then. Oh, well, that was all water under the bridge now. Now, it was time to start afresh and see if there was anything he could salvage from the mess that he had created.

 

“Hello?” he called out, dropping his keys on the hall table, slipping out of his jacket and hanging it in the cupboard. “Anyone home?”

 

“Ryo! You're back!” Bikky burst out of his bedroom, broad smile on his face. “Finally! I've been waiting ages for you!”

 

“Hello, Bikky,” Ryo replied with a smile, reaching out and ruffling the boy's hair which was received with a scowl and a swat.

 

“Hey! Cut it out! I'm not a little kid, you know!” the boy almost whined, stepping out of Ryo's reach.

 

Ryo smiled at him. “Yes, I know.” He turned and made his way into the kitchen. “So how was school?”

 

“The same as always.” Bikky said, grabbing an apple from the bowl on the counter and biting into it.

 

“Do you have any homework?” Ryo asked as he checked the coffee maker and refilled it ready to go.

 

“Yeah,” Bikky began then turned along with Ryo when they heard the step of another as Dee entered the room and pulled a chair out to sit.

 

“How have you been, Dee?” Ryo asked, concerned, although he was pleased to note that Dee did in fact look much better, with a little more colour in his pale face and his eyes seemed a little less shadowed and sunken. It looked like the rest might have truly done him some good.

 

Dee shrugged, leaning forward with his elbows on the table, resting his chin in his cupped hands. “Fine, I guess.” he replied then yawned widely, scrubbing a hand through his hair and pushing it back from his eyes. He had obviously just woken up.

 

Bikky glared at him and then turned to Ryo. “He's done nothing but pig out on your food and drink all your beer!” he stated bluntly.

 

“Hey! I thought you weren't going to tell!” Dee sat bolt upright and snarled at the boy.

 

“I never promised anything at all! Why shouldn't Ryo know what a slob you are?!” Bikky yelled right back.

 

The two of them went nose to nose as they glared at each other and Ryo just sighed. Some things really don't change at all!

 

“That's fine, Bikky. I'm glad that Dee is eating. It'll help him get better quicker.” he said calmly, hoping to diffuse the situation.

 

“Alcohol's not supposed to be good for you!” Bikky said loudly, pointing an accusatory finger at Dee.

 

“Well, no, but in small quantities it won't hurt, and I'm sure Dee was drinking other liquids apart from beer.” At least Ryo hoped Dee had been sensible and done so.

 

“Humph!” Bikky snorted, completely unconvinced. “But you should have seen the mess he made!”

 

Ryo glanced through the open doorway back into the living room with surprise. “What mess?” he queried a little confused. Everything looked fine to him from here.

 

“That's because I made him clean it up before you got home!” Bikky declared, sticking his tongue out in response to Dee's growl. “It was really bad.”

 

Ryo smiled at Bikky. “Then thank you for helping out. I appreciate it.”

 

“That's okay,” Bikky said a little more softly, mellowing under Ryo's smile. He was always happy to be able to do something to please Ryo. Then he remembered how Dee had messed the place up and his anger rose again. “But it was really bad! There were plates and cups and bottles and all kinds of stuff! “

 

“I washed those!” Dee put in quickly, looking up at Ryo. “Every single utensil that I used, I washed up. You won't find a single dirty dish anywhere in the place, I swear!”

 

“Thank you,” Ryo turned his appreciative smile on Dee, who felt himself melt a little at the sight. Damn, but Ryo could do that to him every single time.

 

“But he also had left these gross towels around which he'd used to….mmph!....mmph!”
Bikky's tirade was cut off mid-way and Ryo looked over his shoulder in confusion to find himself confronted by a most bizarre sight. Dee had Bikky almost in a head lock with one hand clamped over the struggling boy's mouth while his arms flailed around.

 

“Ah, don't mind us.” Dee said, smiling innocently as though he was doing nothing untoward. “The baboon and I have something to discuss. Excuse us!” and with that he rapidly exited the kitchen, dragging the still muffled Bikky under one arm.

 

Ryo let out another deep sigh and shook his head. As much as he wished he could say that that had been an unusual sight, unfortunately it wasn't. He turned back to his coffee. No doubt by the time he had finished it, Dee and Bikky would have sorted out what ever they had to.

 

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

 

“I thought we'd agreed that you weren't going to say anything to Ryo,” Dee hissed at Bikky behind his closed bedroom door, glaring at the boy. “Especially about that!”

 

Bikky turned his head away and crossed his arms over his chest in defiance. “It just sort of slipped out.” he grudgingly admitted.

 

“That is not something that you just let slip out!” Dee shouted at him. “It is not something that you bring up in general conversation, and certainly not over coffee at the kitchen table, you idiot!”

 

“Don't call me an idiot, you jerk! You're the bigger idiot for not `fessing up to Ryo!” Bikky pushed Dee out of his way and reached to open the door. “Just because you're such a frigging coward don't take it out on me!!” and he stormed out, slamming the door behind him, leaving Dee sitting on his butt.

 

“Damn fucking brat!” Dee fumed, standing and exiting as well. He made his way back towards the kitchen to find Bikky already there and Ryo seated with a steaming cup of coffee.

 

“I'm going over to Carol's for tea, is that okay?” Bikky was saying as he entered.

 

Ryo looked up from his coffee in surprise. “Isn't that a bit sudden? I thought you would be home tonight.”

 

“Nah, Carol said she'd help me with my essay and stuff, so I'll be staying the night there. You okay with that?”

 

“Are you sure it is all right with her family?” Ryo was concerned that Bikky may over stay his welcome with Carol's aunt if he stayed over too often.

 

Bikky nodded his head earnestly. “Yep, it's all okay. You can call and check if you want.”

 

Ryo shook his head. “No, that's fine.” He smiled at the boy. “It's not that I don't believe you, Bikky, but I just thought we could all have dinner together tonight.”

 

Bikky threw a look of disdain at Dee. “Well, it's not like the big jerk over there isn't going to be here for a while so I'm going to have to put up with having dinner with him other times!”

 

Ryo couldn't help but chuckle. “That's true. Okay, then, I don't mind if you go.”

 

“Great!” and the boy rushed out only to return a minute later. “I'm ready!”

 

“That was quick!” Ryo stated, startled.

 

Bikky grinned at him. “I already had pretty much everything packed and ready to go. So can you drop me off now?”

 

“All right,” Ryo said, standing and following the boy out to the living room. As he picked up the keys from the hall table he turned to Dee and said, “I won't be long. Do you mind waiting a little bit for dinner?”

 

“Sure, that's fine.” Dee replied, still leaning against the kitchen door frame. Ryo thought he looked really good just at that moment in that relaxed pose, shirt half unbuttoned showing a broad expanse of chest and the long line of throat. He suppressed the thoughts quickly before they got out of hand.

 

“I've be back soon.” Ryo promised and ushered the eager boy out of the apartment and closed the door behind them.

 

Once the door was closed, Dee threw himself back onto the couch with a sigh. Shit, that had been close! Damn sawn-off rock-ape! Nearly blurting that out! What the hell would Ryo have said if the kid had managed to spill everything? Probably have looked at Dee with those big soulful eyes full of reproach and no little disappointment at this sign of Dee's lack of control.

 

Dee sighed heavily. Yeah, that's probably exactly what would have happened. Ryo wouldn't say anything, but that look would say it all. Hell, it's not like Ryo would look happy to know that Dee was jerking off in his place! Certainly not if he knew it was to thoughts of him.

 

Dee let his head slip back to rest on the couch and closed his eyes. Well, one good thing is that the brat was out of the way for tonight so now he was determined to confront Ryo about a few things. He knew his partner too damn well, and knew with all certainty that he was hiding something from him, and it was something he was worried that Dee might find out. Dee didn't like surprises so he wanted to know what it was now, and directly from Ryo. The last thing he wanted was to hear about what ever it was from someone else! So it was time for Ryo to spill the beans!

 

The next thing he heard was the sound of the front door opening and realized that he had drifted off to sleep again. He was a little irritated at how easily he kept dropping off but it was probably to be expected. He rubbed his eyes and looked to see Ryo entering.

 

“Sorry, did I wake you?” Ryo said softly, noticing the sleepy expression still on his partner's face.

 

Dee yawned again. “'S all right,” he mumbled, carefully stretching his arms. “I've been sleeping most of the day. As soon as I sit down I seem to nod off.”

 

Ryo smiled as he made his way into the kitchen and opened the fridge. “At least you're resting, so that's a good thing.” he said, returning and handing a beer to Dee.

 

“Guess so,” he responded, accepting the bottle.

 

Ryo seated himself at the other end of the couch with a small sigh making Dee look over at him. “Rough day?” he questioned.

 

“No, not particularly.” Ryo said taking a drink. He looked over at Dee, smiling. “I'm just glad to be home.”

 

Geesh, Dee thought, why is he so god-damn gorgeous? He makes my heart skip every time I see him and when he smiles like that it just stops. “Uhm, well, it's always good to be able to relax after work.” he said rather lamely.

 

“At least you didn't drink all the beer.” Ryo said with a grin, holding up his bottle.

 

“I would have gotten more if I had.” Dee defended himself.

 

“Yeah, I'm sure you would have.” Ryo took another drink. “So what do you fancy for dinner? I had intended to cook since I thought Bikky was going to be here as well.”

 

“How about we just go for pizza?” Dee said, noting just how weary Ryo appeared. “I haven't been allowed junk food for weeks. I'm dying for some!”

 

“Are you sure you're up to it?” Ryo asked cautiously.

 

“Absolutely!” Dee declared. “Beer and pizza - my staple diet!”

 

“Which is why you were starting to get a little thicker around the middle.” Ryo stated mildly.

 

“Whaaaat?!” Dee looked down frantically at his midsection, one hand lifting his shirt so he could examine his bare skin. “I have not!”

 

“That's because you've lost weight from being in hospital.” Ryo said with a straight face. “Too much bad food will do that to you.”

 

“But you saw me just before I was shot. I wasn't getting fat! Was I?” Dee pleaded for reassurance from his partner.

 

Ryo maintained his poker face with difficulty as he replied, “Well, I do remember there were starting to be some love handles there.'

 

“No way!” Dee quickly placed his beer on the table and unbuttoned his shirt fully and began pulling at the flesh around his waist, pinching it between his fingers. “I couldn't have been. I don't remember you being able to grab onto anything!”

 

Ryo watched Dee's frantic actions for a moment and then could no longer contain himself and burst out laughing.

 

Dee looked up and frowned. “What now?!” he snapped.

 

Ryo just kept chuckling, being careful to not spill his beer. “You! So worried about your figure. Anyone would think you were a woman!”

 

“Hey, there's nothing wrong in wanting to look good!” Dee declared, pouting at his partner. “Everyone wants to look their best, how else are they going to please their partner?”

 

“Not everyone would care whether their partner was putting on weight or not.” Ryo replied, standing and making his way to the phone in the hall. “Isn't that what it's supposed to be about? Being able to accept the other person for exactly who and what they are, no matter the physical changes?” He looked at Dee as he pressed the speed dial and waited for the pick up.

 

“Well, yeah, I agree with that, but it doesn't mean that you don't still want to try and give your partner the best.” Dee said.

 

Ryo opened his mouth as though to reply when obviously his call was connected and he instead turned to the business of ordering the pizza. As he returned the phone to the cradle he spoke, “It should only be about 15 minutes so why don't we take a quick walk down to the corner and pick up a few more beers?” He smiled over at Dee. “We have just drunk the last so by the time we do that and get back we shouldn't have long to wait.”

 

“Sure,” Dee agreed, standing and making his way back into the bedroom, only to return a moment later with shoes and jacket. “I'll grab some cigarettes while we're out as well.”

 

“Do you think that is a good idea?” Ryo queried with some concern, opening the front door and waving Dee through.

 

“Aw, come on, Ryo! You know I haven't had a smoke for weeks. It's killing me!”

 

Ryo locked the door securely behind them and made his way to the lift, Dee by his side. “It's the killing you if you use them that concerns me.” he said softly.

 

“Look, I could get run over by a bus tomorrow, or shot again as much as I might get lung cancer!” Dee said briskly. “I don't see any point in worrying about `what ifs'.”

 

“Does it really not matter to you if you're perhaps hurrying your death? Are you really not concerned about maybe cutting your life short?” Ryo asked quietly as the lift reached the ground floor and the doors opened.

 

Dee stepped out, heading towards the front doors with Ryo following. “So what's a few less years?”

 

“Oh,” was Ryo's single reply.

 

Dee looked over his shoulder to see Ryo still trailing behind, head hanging down as he seemed to be examining the pavement intently. “Hey! What's with the long face?” He stopped where he was as Ryo looked up, face serious. He began to walk again as Ryo caught up with him and they walked side by side for a few steps in silence.

 

“Do you really think that throwing a few years of your life away means so little? Is that really what you think?” Ryo finally asked.

 

Dee glanced at his partner, feeling puzzled. “Well, I hadn't really thought about it before, not in any great depth you know.” He shrugged. “I guess I just reckon that my life is going along okay so I don't see any point in changing anything. It's not like I've got a reason to do so.”

 

“So you would change if you had a reason?” Ryo pressed.

 

Dee scrubbed a hand through his hair. “I guess so.”

 

“So what type of reason would you need?” Ryo asked as they reached the corner store.

 

“Hell, I don't know!” Dee said in some exasperation, pushing open the door. “Some momentous revelation I suppose would make me think about giving up.” He headed for the counter to get his cigarettes as Ryo moved towards the fridges. “Why do you want to know anyway?”

 

Ryo gave him a small smile before he turned away. “No reason.”

 

Dee stared at his partner's back, frowning. Just what was Ryo getting at, he wondered, when a polite clearing of the throat reminded him that he was being served. He quickly purchased his cigarettes, restraining himself and only getting one packet. Perhaps Ryo didn't like him smoking in his place. He had always done so before but perhaps Ryo didn't want to set a bad example for Bikky or something. Or maybe he just didn't like his stuff smelling of smoke when he wasn't a smoker himself.

 

Dee wandered down to where Ryo was collecting an interesting assortment of beers into the basket he was carrying. But that didn't seem right to him. Ryo usually was pretty up front with things like that so it didn't seem likely that was the reason but for the life of him Dee couldn't figure out what the point of the conversation they had just had was.

 

Ryo quickly paid for the purchases and Dee grabbed one of the bags. “Are you okay with that?” Ryo asked, reaching out as though he believed that Dee would drop it.

 

“Course I am. What do you think I am, a five pound weakling?!” Dee glared at his partner stalking out of the store leaving Ryo to scramble to collect the second bag and follow.

 

“No, it's not that at all. But I don't want you straining any of your wounds and ending up back in hospital. Is that so wrong?” Ryo said a little sharply.

 

Dee threw a glance across to his partner and gave a little sigh. “No, it's not. Look, I promise to be careful, all right?”

 

Ryo rolled his eyes. “All right.” He gave a small crooked smile then. “It's not like I could really change your mind anyway.”

 

“Damn right about that!” Dee said with a grin.

 

By this time they had reached Ryo's apartment and Dee immediately deposited the majority of the drinks into the fridge to keep them cool, bringing two back into the living room and placing them on the table. As he did so there was a knock on the door and Ryo went to open it, paying for the pizza before returning.

 

“That was perfect timing if ever I saw it!” Dee declared, eying the boxes in Ryo's hands. He rubbed his own together in ill-concealed glee. “Come on, come on! What's the hold up? Gimme one of those!”

 

Ryo chuckled at his partner's obvious impatience in getting into his much desire junk food. He was tempted to withhold the box just to see what antics Dee put on but then thought better of it. One thing he knew was not to get between Dee and pizza, so he handed it over to have it almost snatched from his grasp.

 

“Yeessss!” Dee almost salivated over the top of the box as he sat himself down cross-legged on the floor, opening the box on the top of the coffee table and immediately bringing one triangle to his mouth.

 

“Careful,” Ryo warned him, seating himself more sedately on the couch. “It's hot.” Then watched in amusement as Dee desperately sucked air into his mouth as he tried to chew the too hot mouthful, quickly grabbing his beer to try and wash it down and sooth his scalded mouth. “I told you.” Ryo couldn't resist adding.

 

“Yeah, yeah,” Dee mumbled around another, more careful, mouthful. There wasn't a great deal of talking whilst they both polished off the pizzas. At least Dee did most of the polishing, finishing his own in record time and then eying Ryo's so intensely that finally Ryo handed over the other half to his seemingly ravenous partner. He had already finished, not having felt that hungry, and had only intended to store it in the fridge for Bikky to have the next day. This time however it appeared that Bikky would have to miss out as the last crumb disappeared into Dee's mouth.

 

“Feeling better now?” he queried, amused still by Dee's behaviour.

 

Dee leant back against the couch with a happy sigh, hand resting on his full stomach, eyes closed. “Oh, yes. That is so much better.” He gave a belch making Ryo roll his eyes. “I saw that,” Dee said, still with eyes closed.

 

“How could you see anything with your eyes closed?” Ryo questioned.

 

“Because I don't need to have my eyes open to know exactly what you just did.” Dee replied, cracking one eye open this time and looking up at Ryo. “You just rolled your eyes and would have had this pained expression what would have meant something like, `Why me?'”

 

“I don't know what you're talking about,” Ryo said, reaching forwarded to pick up his beer and taking a drink.

 

“Yeah, right. So you say. I, however, know better.”

 

Ryo stood and began collecting the empty boxes and grabbed Dee's empty beer bottle also. “Want another one?” he asked as he made his way to the kitchen.

 

“Nah,” Dee called out. “I've already had a few today so I had better not over do it.”

 

“What?” Ryo stuck his head around the corner, looking surprised. “Do my ears deceive me? Are you practicing restraint here?”

 

“Hah, hah,” Dee responded flatly, showing Ryo he wasn't amused. “Sometimes I know when I've had enough.”

 

“I didn't think you knew the meaning of the word.” Ryo said as he returned to the living room and sitting back where he had been before, though this time drawing his legs up onto the couch.

 

“Let's just say that recent events have made me pay a little closer attention to some things.”

 

“Guess it would at that.” Ryo agreed quietly.

 

A moment of silence settled between them and for the first time since he had become ill Dee realized that it wasn't strained. In fact this entire night had been going so well, almost like old times. He was loath to do anything to change that and almost decided he would just forget about speaking with Ryo but he knew that if he didn't do it now, he would probably never do it. So he gritted his teeth and steeled himself for what ever was going to happen and asked, “So what did you do that was so bad you can't tell me?”

 

“Huh?” Ryo said, looking down at the top of his dark haired partner's head. “What do you mean?”

 

Dee leant his head back so he could look up at Ryo, meeting those dark eyes and holding them. “What were you doing during those few days that I was missing that made Bikky so damn scared he was losing you?”

 

Dee saw Ryo pale, his face draining of all colour. He tried to turn his head away, breaking eye contact. “I….I don't know what you mean.” he began when Dee interrupted him sharply.

 

“Don't give me that crap, Ryo! I'm too fucking tired and sore to put up with this shit any longer!”

 

Ryo's head snapped back round, meeting Dee's eyes once again as he continued. “Don't think that kid is stupid because he's not. Annoying as all hell, yes, but definitely not stupid. He knew something was up but he didn't know what and he was shit scared that you were up to something bad. I might not like the snotty brat but I trust his instincts. If he was that scared for you then you were doing something that there's no way you should have been!”

 

“I was just worried about you. That's all.” Ryo tried saying though Dee saw the faint flicker of his eyes that betrayed the lie.

 

“That's bull shit, and you know it!” Dee growled. “Try again.”

 

“Look, it was nothing. And it's all over with anyway. It doesn't matter any more.” Ryo tried to smile which unfortunately trembled a little and Dee refused to be swayed by it.

 

“Sure it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter so much that you can't even look me straight in the eye and you're still lying to me. Spill it, Ryo. I'm not going to stop asking until you tell me the whole gruesome fucking story.”

 

He held Ryo's gaze this time, refusing to let the other look away. At first it seemed that Ryo would continue to refuse to confide in him and at that point Dee was seriously considering physical harm if necessary when he saw Ryo close his eyes briefly and sigh, a pained expression flash across his face.

 

“All right, I'll tell you.” Ryo whispered.

 

Dee didn't take his eyes from his partner's face, seeing the flashes of fear, pain and resignation and felt his heart plummet. Oh, shit, this looked so bad. Now he was beginning to wonder if he shouldn't have let sleeping dogs lie. Too late now.

 

“So tell me,” he said softly, never taking his eyes from Ryo.

 

Ryo looked up and met his gaze and gave a small sad smile. “When I heard about your...accident I thought you were…..dead.” Another flash of pain. “I…felt completely lost. Worse than when I lost my parents. I've dealt with loss before, I know what it's like to lose people you love, but this…..this felt so much worse.” Ryo looked away, one hand drawing a cushion to his chest that he hugged tightly and Dee could see his fingers digging into the soft material.

 

“I…didn't know what to do. I didn't want to go to work, I didn't want to do anything. Everything just seemed….wrong. The only thing I could think about was that I wanted to make the person who had taken you away pay.”

 

Dee felt his breath catch in his throat, his eyes widening. Oh, gods, is Ryo saying what I think he is, he thought frantically. Had he been wrong? Or had he been right from the start? Oh, shit, oh, shit, oh fucking shit!

 

Ryo continued softly. “I knew that I couldn't do anything as myself so I made some… arrangements.”

 

“Like what?” Dee asked just as quietly, listening with dread, waiting for the blade to fall.

 

“I've got some contacts so I had some false personal papers made up so I could get a gun.”

 

Oh fuck, this is not looking good! Dee frantically wondered if he should just tell Ryo to stop now. To not continue with his story because he didn't really want to hear it at all, but it was far, far too late for that now. He had insisted on hearing this story and now he had to hear it all the way through to the final bitter pill.

 

“So did you get one?”

 

Ryo nodded slowly, “Yeah.”

 

Dee took a deep breath. “Than what?”

 

“I'd already got all the information about your case that they had so it was enough to start with. It would have taken too long to track the guy through the normal channels so I…asked for some help.”

 

“From who?” Dee wanted to know, absently picking imaginary lint from his track pants.

 

“Alicia Grant.”

 

Dee's head shot up and he turned to look at Ryo again, meeting his eyes once more. Ryo nodded at his surprise. “Yeah. I went and saw Leo's wife.”

 

“And she actually saw you?” Dee was still surprised. The last he had seen of Alicia Grant was at her husband's funeral. Now there had been a tragically twisted love story if ever there was one.

 

“Yes, she did. You know she's heading Leo's organization now, don't you?”

 

Dee couldn't help his eyebrows rising as though they wanted to crawl into his hairline. “You're kidding me?” he said incredulously.

 

Ryo shook his head. “No, it's true. Like she said, she really didn't have any choice. They weren't going to just let her walk away, not with everything she knew about the family, and with Leo gone there was no one to take over the reins. She had the standing and the breeding to fit right in and funnily enough by Leo taking the rap for everything she had set up before it actually gave her a very good standing in the Family.”

 

“Geez, that must suck for her after everything she did to try and get away from it.”

 

“Yeah. Although she's looking at it more as atonement for her sins.”

 

“So what did she do for you?” Dee wanted to know bringing the conversation back on topic.

 

“She gave me the location of your shooter.

“Just like that?” Dee was skeptical. There had to be a catch there.

 

“Just like that.” Ryo confirmed. Well, maybe Alicia had just done Ryo a favour. She was a pretty intense lady and always had done exactly what she had wanted and believed in and to hell with the consequences. That made her a very dangerous lady as well. Dee was beginning to wonder if she wouldn't be more dangerous as head of the Family than Leo Grant ever had been.

 

“So then what?”

 

There was a pause for a moment before Ryo spoke, “I staked out the place.”

 

“With the gun.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

Further silence that continued to stretch.

 

“Was the guy at home?” Dee finally broke the impasse with his question.

 

“He got in whilst I was there.”

“So could you have taken the shot?”

 

“Yes. It was a clear shot from my location.”

 

Dee dug his nails into his knees through the fabric as he asked the next question. “So then what?”

 

“My phone had been going off whilst I was waiting.”

 

Dee remembered something then. “Was that JJ trying to get you?”

 

“Yeah. I hadn't been answering.”

 

“Having a phone going when you're lining up for a shot would be a little distracting.”

 

“I actually had it on silent mode, but it was vibrating. I was just ignoring it.”

 

“Hmm. So what happened?'

 

Another pause.

 

“I was all lined up. It was perfectly set up, I couldn't have asked for a better arrangement. All I had to do was pull the trigger and that would be it. It would be done with.”

 

“Is that what happened?” Dee held his breath as he waited for the answer.

 

“No. The phone was annoying me too much as it just kept going so I stopped to pull it out of my pocket. If it had just been more voice mail messages I would have just continued to ignore it and finished the job. But this time there was a text message and I accidentally hit the read button as I was putting it down.”

 

“It was from JJ?”

 

“Yes. Telling me that you were in the hospital and alive.”

 

Dee looked back up at Ryo. “So what did you do?”

 

“I…almost didn't believe it, it seemed too good to be true. Then I packed up the rifle and went straight to the hospital.”

 

Dee felt the constriction in his chest begin to unwind. “So…you didn't kill the guy?”

 

Ryo shook his head slowly, maintaining eye contact with Dee. “No.”

 

“Ah.” Dee said, taking a deep breath and turning away for a moment to swallow hard against the lump in his throat. “So what did you do with the gun?”

 

“I hid it in the car that I had got and took them both to the scrap yard the next day where they were crushed immediately. There's nothing left of them now.”

 

“I suppose that is for the best. Not really anything to incriminate you in this whole deal then.”

 

“Yeah.” was Ryo's quiet reply.

 

Dee tilted his head back, starting at the ceiling. “So is that it?” he asked. “Is that everything that you weren't telling me?”

 

“Yes.” Ryo said. “Sorry to worry you.”

 

“Hmm,” Dee then stood, brushing his pants down.

 

“Are you really that angry with me?” Ryo asked, swinging his feet to the floor and standing also, looking at Dee with some concern. “I didn't want to bother you with all that.”

 

“Tell me,” Dee said, his back still to Ryo. “What were you going to do after? If you had killed the guy?”

 

“I….” Ryo turned his head aside, remembering how he had felt at that time. “I had arranged everything so Bikky would be well looked after.” he said softly.

 

The temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees lower. “Are you saying that you were going to kill yourself afterwards?” Dee's question could barely be heard.

 

Ryo didn't answer, yet that was all the answer that Dee needed. He felt his blood begin to boil, his breathing speed up a little as his hands clenched into fists at his side. He spun around to see Ryo standing only a few feet from him and lashed out, striking Ryo firmly across the jaw and sending the man stumbling to the side to collapse onto the couch, one hand coming up to cradle the assaulted side of his face. Ryo looked up at Dee with astonished eyes as he glared down at him.

 

“You fucking selfish jerk!” Dee almost screamed at Ryo in anger. “How dare you even think about doing something like that? Do you think that is what I would have wanted? That if I was dead that I would want you killing yourself, throwing your life away? For me? What the fuck good would it do me if I was already fucking dead, you stupid moronic asshole?!”

 

He reached down and grabbed Ryo by the shirt front, hauling him closer so they were almost touching noses. “Listen here, you idiot! I would not want you dying for any reason, and most certainly not over such a stupidly pathetic thing such as my death! Do you hear me!!!”

 

Dee had never felt this angry before, it was almost as though he were in a killing mood and he couldn't understand why he was reacting so strongly until he realized that the anger was covering an intense fear that was deep inside him. The fear that he had nearly lost Ryo over this. “So get that through your thick skull and get your head out of your arse!”

 

He turned away and tried to stalk away when Ryo leapt up and grabbed his arm, spinning him around. “It's not stupid!” Ryo shouted directly at him, his grip like a vice. “You're everything to me, Dee. Don't you see that? If anything happened to you I don't know what I would do. I couldn't go on!”

 

Dee shook him off. “Don't be crazy! You don't know what you're saying!”

 

He turned away again and headed for the bedroom to escape all that he had just heard when Ryo spun him around once more and pinned him up against the wall.

 

“I'm not crazy and I know exactly what I'm saying,” Ryo grated out, staring directly into Dee's eyes with a wild intensity that he couldn't recall ever seeing before. “You're everything to me, Dee, and I'm not letting anything take you away from me again.”

 

Suddenly Ryo's hot mouth was pressed hard against his, his tongue pushing forward and between Dee's slightly parted lips. He tried to yank his head away, hands coming up to rest on Ryo's chest to push him away. He didn't need this kind of crap. He didn't need a confused Ryo just trying to make it up to him out of pity or obligation because of all the crazy shit that they had both been through. He wouldn't take this as some sort of consolation prize.

 

“Fuck off, Ryo!” he snarled, managing to twist his face aside to speak.

 

Ryo wound his hand into Dee's hair, tightening his grip and holding his head in place so he bring his lips back to Dee's mouth. “No, I won't.” he whispered and Dee couldn't suppress the shiver that ran down his spine at the soft touch of Ryo's warm breath over his own lips.

 

“I've been wanting to do this for so long.” Ryo touched his lips to Dee's again, the kiss no longer hard and forceful like before, but this time gentle, almost teasing and Dee felt his resistance beginning to melt away.

 

“I've wanted to be with you again,” Ryo breathed against Dee's skin as he moved his lips to his cheek, then out to his ear. “I've wanted to hold you, and kiss you, and touch you again.” His tongue caressed Dee's outer ear, flicking inside gently before teeth lightly nipped at the lobe making him moan softly. “I love you, Dee,” Ryo whispered, as he trailed kisses down Dee's neck and under the soft underside of his jaw, making him tilt his head back allowing the other man better access. “I love you so much.”

 

Dee couldn't fight any longer. The last of his resistance fled and his hands came up to thread through Ryo's hair to pull his lips back to his. He let his lips part fully, allowing Ryo to push his tongue forward and plunder his mouth. Dee shivered at the touch as Ryo's tongue wound round his, sucking it into his mouth. His mouth seemed so hot, almost burning, creating corresponding fires through Dee.

 

Ryo leant forward further, pushing Dee back against the wall, one leg sliding between his, making him let out a deep moan that was immediately swallowed by Ryo as he felt the pressure against his groin which sent an immediate jolt of pleasure straight through every nerve. Ryo shifted slightly, applying a little more pressure and Dee moaned again, feeling his knees begin to weaken. It had been so long since he had felt another's body against his in this way.

 

He was still surprised by Ryo's aggressiveness. He was trying to remember the last time Ryo had taken the initiative like this and realized that he never had, at least not when he was in his right mind. Usually it was Dee who instigated any kiss, even when they finally got together intimately. Generally Ryo would always ask for permission before kissing Dee, which was cute in a way but frustrating as well. Now Ryo continued to plunder his mouth thoroughly, pressing down on him, leaving him no room to escape although all thoughts of fleeing had faded long ago.

 

Ryo leant closer and marveled at the feel of Dee's lips beneath his, savoured the warm moistness of the interior of his mouth, sucked on Dee's tongue, feeling it flick against his in answer to his demands. He pressed closer, leaning his body against his partner's, feeling their hips pressed tightly against each other. He gloried in the sound of each moan that fell from Dee's lips, moans that told Ryo that his partner was enjoying this, if the firm evidence pressing against his hip wasn't enough. He was beginning to feel that he was on fire, the sensation of heat building all over his body making every muscle quiver.

 

He wanted this man before him so badly, with an intensity that was almost frightening but at the same time still drew him closer, sucking him in like the centre of a whirlpool, drowning him in need and desire.

 

He lifted his leg a little so it rubbed Dee's crotch and applied a little more pressure and distinctly felt the shudder that run through his partner's entire body, felt his hands leave his hair and grasp his shoulders, fingers bunching into the cloth of his shirt and digging into the skin beneath and the long deep moan that issued from Dee's delectable lips was almost enough to make Ryo come on the spot, making his own hips thrust forward automatically in response. He held himself in check though, trying to force calm through the haze of pleasure and eroticism that was clouding his mind.

 

He let his hand fall from where it had cupped Dee's face until it rested on the front of his chest. Slowly he pushed outwards, sliding the material of the already unbuttoned shirt aside, removing this obstacle until he felt the hard nub of Dee's nipple bump against his questing fingertips.

 

He rubbed one finger lightly around the nipple, feeling it harden even further under his ministrations and he could feel Dee's skin ripple under his touch as he shuddered. Ryo continued playing, lightly rubbing, then gently pinching, alternating these touches until Dee was pressing back against him urgently.

 

Ryo finally released Dee's mouth but not his attentions to his nipple, and as Dee's head fell back to rest against the wall, Ryo leant down and attacked the long neck presented to him like a sacrifice. He rained kisses across the soft skin, flicking his tongue out to lave the flesh from the base of the throat right up to the tip of the chin, then followed the strong jawline out to the ear where he would suckle for a moment on the lobe before retracing his path. As he did so he listened to the ragged breathing issuing from his partner, the hitches in his breath as he touched on a particularly sensitive spot, the soft moans that fell into the silence.

 

Ryo could feel Dee's hands flexing on his shoulders, the shivers that would race through Dee's body and through Ryo's hands touching his flesh. He dropped his other hand to Dee's chest, releasing his previous hold as he was certain now that Dee wasn't going to try to escape him. His second hand sought and found its goal, Dee's other nipple, and proceeded to bring that one to the same peak of intensity that the first had succumbed to. Dee's hands tightened on his shoulders, pressing him closer and Ryo dropped his head lower, tongue slowly trailing down the centre of Dee's chest, then slipping out to one side until he fastened his lips over one raised nipple.

 

Dee let out a hoarse shout as he felt Ryo's hot mouth encompass his already aching nipple and arched into the touch. He was so close to coming the pain was getting to be almost unbearable. Whilst he pleasured himself during the course of the day he hadn't reached a peak anywhere near this high. He arched again as Ryo nipped gently, sucking strongly then lightly circling the red nub with his tongue, flicking over the tip before swallowing it again into that burning heat of his mouth.

 

Dee felt he was going to hyperventilate soon he was panting so fast. He couldn't control his breathing at all. It was as though his higher brain functions had shut down completely and only his pleasure centers were operating.

 

He moaned as Ryo released the nipple he had been gently abusing and turned to assault the other. At the first contact Dee tensed completely, almost rigid, a small cry falling from his lips. His hips thrust forward, seeking further pressure, needing more friction, anything to ease the fiery ache that was burning in his groin. He was almost crying with need. There really was a very fine line at times between pleasure and pain and right at this moment he was there, flicking from one side to the side. He needed more!

 

Ryo felt like he was burning up, his entire body on fire and hot enough to burn the clothes from his back. When Dee had cried out and arched up against him, pressing into his body so suddenly he had thought he was going to come. It would have had to have been the most erotic moment that Ryo had experienced. He had never seen Dee acting so wanton before. Pushy, yes; sexy, yes; but not this….needy.

 

It was a heady experience for Ryo to take in. To realize that he was the one responsible for making Dee behave like this. He was the one responsible for Dee making such arousing sounds. He was the one responsible for the shivers and shaking that ran through his partner's body under his touch. He was responsible for the heat that seemed to be rising from Dee's bare skin as though there was a raging fire burning deep inside. He was responsible for the hard shaft straining against the front of Dee's track pants and pressing against his leg. Just knowing that, knowing he was responsible for all of that and more, made Ryo feel incredible. He was the one bringing out all these responses in Dee. He was the one who Dee was responding to in this way. Him.

 

Dee was almost squirming under his touch now, twisting and turning, but not in any way trying to escape his ministrations, in fact every movements sole purpose seemed to be to try and force Dee closer to Ryo's touch. It was too much for Ryo.

 

He lifted his head and latched back onto Dee's lips, sucking the bottom lip into his mouth, nipping at it lightly as Dee clawed at his back. He pushed Dee's shirt from his shoulders, forcing his arms down and pinned him like that for a moment. Dee tried to twist his mouth away from Ryo's but he wasn't releasing him. Instead he used Dee's shirt like a rudder and steered him a few feet along the wall until Dee now had his back to the open bedroom doorway.

 

Slowly Ryo walked Dee backwards, still kissing him thoroughly and not releasing his advantage. Ryo knew exactly how many steps it was to his bed, it was his house after all and he didn't need his eyes to be open to tell him when he had reached the side. He now pushed Dee's shirt completely off his arms, dropping it to the side so it drifted to the floor, and wrapped his arms tightly around the bare torso presented to him.

 

He raised one leg and knelt on the bed, leaning forward and using his own body weight to press Dee backwards, gently controlling his motion so he would not land hard or awkwardly. Even through the passion Ryo was still aware that he had to be careful, that Dee wasn't fully recovered from his recent illness and wounds and he wanted to cause no further hurt.

 

Dee now lay under him and Ryo felt a shiver of excitement course thorough his body as Dee wrapped his arms fully around him, as tongues dueled for supremacy as Dee matched his own ardour. He felt a plucking at his throat and lifted his head.

 

“Get this damn thing off.” Dee whispered hoarsely, tugging at Ryo's tie.

 

Ryo smiled at him and leant back a little further so Dee had better access. He wasted no time in bringing both hands to the job, loosening the tie only enough to pull it over Ryo's head before attacking the buttons. Ryo couldn't help but smile at Dee's expression of concentration as he quickly got the better of the fasteners, tugging the shirt out from Ryo's trousers so it hung loose to get to the last few.

 

When they were all undone Ryo sat up a little more as Dee pushed the shirt from his shoulders, shrugging out of it and tossing it aside, then remained where he was for a moment on hands and knees, gazing down at the prone Dee. His partner's deep green eyes stared back up at him, filled with that look of passion at Ryo remembered from before, a look that he realized he had been yearning to see again for so long.

 

Dee slowly reached up and traced one long finger delicately over Ryo's lips, almost tickling. Ryo lipped it gently before sucking it into his mouth, running his tongue around it. He saw Dee close his eyes as he did so and a shudder shake his body. His eyes opened again as Ryo released the now moist digit and leant lower to place a soft kiss on his parted lips.

 

Dee threaded his fingers through the silky hair and deepened the kiss, feeling Ryo slowly lower his body until his bare chest was resting against his own. That touch of heated flesh against his was almost his undoing and his fingers raked Ryo's back, eliciting a long moan from the other as Ryo pressed down harder against him, hip bone grinding against his erection.

 

That was the last straw. The sexy sound of Ryo's voice in remembered passion, the pressure against his already straining cock, the heated and slick flesh sliding over his was just too much for his starved and overloaded body. With a loud cry his head fell backwards, tearing his mouth from Ryo's, and his entire body thrust upwards, pressing against Ryo's firm body, as he grunted and cried out, fingers clutching the strong back that was above him.

 

“AHHHHHHH!!”

 

The cry was drawn out of him, his body still thrusting, forcing his release over and over again. It seemed to go on and on, exhausting him, dragging him through the ecstasy like it was torture. He felt Ryo's soothing hands running over his sides, holding his hips, Ryo's soft lips kissing against his extended throat, tongue flicking out to lick up the tears that had leaked from the corners of his eyes. Finally the last spasm passed and his whole body collapsed, leaving him lying there panting shallowly, lungs aching, throat feeling raw. A small quiver would run through his body every now and then, making his muscles twitch but that was all that he could do. He lay there with his eyes closed, feeling the tears still slowly sliding from his eyes.

 

“Just stay still,” Ryo's quiet voice penetrated his sexually hazed mind. “Don't worry about anything. I'll clean up.”

 

Dee couldn't actually have done anything just then anyway, yet still he felt a little embarrassed that he hadn't been able to have better control, that he had lost it so completely around Ryo like that. Further tears were shed.

 

“Hey,” He felt Ryo's breath on his cheek as a gentle hand wiped the wetness away. “What's this for? Are you hurt?”

 

Dee managed to shake his head just slightly and whisper, “No.”

 

“Then why the tears?” Ryo continued to wipe away the still falling tears that Dee couldn't halt as that soft touch soothed him. It felt so good and he had so missed it.

 

He finally opened his eyes and managed a very wane smile. “It's okay,” he finally said. “I'm just a little embarrassed that I lost it like that.”

 

“Why should you be embarrassed?” Ryo asked quietly, leaning back a little and looking down at Dee.

 

“Well,” Dee turned his head away, feeling his face begin to heat. He really felt uncomfortable talking about this to Ryo at the moment. “I just usually have better control.”

 

“Do you really dislike it so much?” Ryo asked, touching Dee's chin and gently turning his head so he could look at him. “You would make me come first all the time.”

 

Dee blushed, almost more from hearing Ryo speak so calmly about such a thing without a hint of embarrassment as he once used to, but also from the many memories of doing just that. He wondered now if Ryo had ever felt this embarrassed after Dee had done that to him. He had never bothered to ask before but now he couldn't help but wonder.

“Did…did you feel like this after?” he finally asked.

 

Ryo looked at him silently for a moment. “I guess I did at first.” he admitted. “It's not something I had ever done in front of someone else before. I mean, when you're with a woman it's different.”

 

“You never said anything.” Dee said.

 

Ryo tilted his head to one side. “Would you have understood if I had?”

 

Dee thought about that for a moment and then grudgingly acknowledged, “No, probably not.”

 

Ryo smiled at him gently. “See, there wouldn't have been any point in saying anything then. Besides, I started to get used to it so I didn't feel so bad.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes,” Ryo leant down and brushed a light kiss over Dee's lips in reassurance. “Lie still while I get these pants off.”

 

He knelt back and undid the drawstring then hooked his fingers into the waist band of the pants and began to pull down, collecting Dee's briefs as he went. He could see the large still-spreading stain on the front of the pants, evidence of just how intense Dee's orgasm had been, if he hadn't witnessed it first hand. He felt his own rock hard erection twitch urgently.

 

When Dee had come, Ryo had thought he was going to also. The look of intense pleasure etched across his partner's face, the shuddering feel of Dee's body quivering under him, thrusting hard against him as though demanding more, ryo really had thought he was going to lose it completely. But he had managed to hold on and just gain pleasure in seeing his partner lost in ecstasy as he had rarely had the chance to see before. It was certainly a sight to behold and it was the desire to see that again, to see more of that, to bring that expression to Dee's face a second time that had given him the will power to hold on.

 

Now, as he eased Dee's stained pants off revealing his now flaccid cock, he had to exert all his control on his own body. He wasn't able to prevent from smearing some of the excretion as he removed the trousers and the sight of Dee's limp shaft still glistening with moisture, the small pool of fluid on his flat stomach matting his dark pubic hair, and the shiny trail down the inside of his thigh was erotic in the extreme.

 

Ryo swallowed hard and took a couple of deep breaths as he stripped the pants from Dee's feet. “I'll….” Ryo swallowed again, trying to gain better control over his voice. “I'll be back in a sec.”, and he fled to the bathroom.