Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ Boys in the Attic ❯ Damn It All to Hell ( Chapter 15 )

Disclaimer: Nope, don't own Weiss Kreuz nor am I profiting from this, it is for pure reading enjoyment. The wonderful Koyasu Takehito is the creator.

Damn It All To Hell

Ken came home late. It was dark inside the house so he felt along the wall for a light switch. Finding it with his fingers he flipped it upward. He shielded is unprepared eyes that burned from the light but soon his blurred vision detected something very attractive to him in the kitchen. It was the cookie jar, a ceramic cat with a chef's hat on to be more exact. Ken's stomach began to talk to him. Most of the conversation consisted of low gurgles but the gibberish meant perfect sense to Ken. It told him to attack the cat and steal the treasure inside.

Roughly Ken grasped the cookie jar and removed its lid. He stuck his hand in and pulled out a homemade chocolate chip cookie. It smelled good and he greedily began to stuff it into his mouth, once it was gone though, he replaced it with another. [Mmm, so tasty…] Ken thought to himself. [So sweet, so delicious, so…] While taking another bite, part of the cookie broke away and fell to the floor. […so messy.] Luckily, not too many crumbs had gone astray so clean up would be simple. The boy bent down and picked up the lost piece of food. He walked over to the kitchen garbage and tossed it in. As he was about to turn away, something caught his eye. Ken reached into the garbage bin and retrieved the rental guide that Yohji had thrown away earlier. "What the hell…" He thumbed through the first fifty pages or so and with the turning pages he could see the glow of every highlighted selection. "That son of a bitch!" Ken said aloud.

Hurt and doubly cross, Ken stormed down the hallway to Yohji's room. The older man was still sleeping but soon was awaken when Ken busted the door in. It swung and smacked against the inner wall. Yohji stirred in bed. He rubbed his eyes and looked up. "Ken? What's going on?"

"This!" Ken threw the rental booklet at Yohji. It hit him in the shoulder as he tried to shield his face. "When were you planning on telling me, the day that you fucking moved out? Or were you just going to leave and have me figure it out for myself?"

"Oh shit," Yohji said under his breath. "Ken, you don't understand."

"I think I understand perfectly."

"Ken, listen to me. You're a smart boy and you know me. I wouldn't do that."

"Shut up!" Yohji tensed. "I knew that this would happen. You fucking changed on me!" Yohji rose from his bed to get closer to Ken. "No! You stay right where you are!" Ken yelled as he pointed to Yohji's position on the bed. The younger boy was whimpering to himself now. He'd tried so hard to fight all of his tears but they seemed to be swelling up in his eyes now. "Why?" He asked looking up at Yohji. "Why did I ever let myself become such a fool for you? I did it all on my own and I don't know how." Yohji looked at him with a loss for words. He didn't understand what Ken was saying. The younger boy started laughing to himself pathetically. "I can't let this eat me up inside anymore, it's killing me." Ken's voice choked with the last few words but he was managing to pull himself together rather well. He was prepared to say what had been on his mind for so long but suddenly anger overtook him. "Just know now Yohji, that if you do want to leave…"

"I don't!" Yohji still tried to convince his friend.

Ken looked at Yohji with depression in his adoring eyes. "Why did I ever fall in love with you, Yohji Kudou?" Yohji paled. Had he heard Ken correctly? "Why did we ever kiss that first time? I never thought that just a little kissing and touching would send me to toil over you and now I'm a jealous wreck all the time. Everything was fine before that first kiss," said Ken, thinking back to he and Yohji's first romantic encounter. "But now it's all gone to shit because friends aren't supposed to get that close. I learned that the hard way. I let my body and my heart become hopeless for you." Yohji swallowed hard. "And that's not the half of it. Moreover, my obsession has left me little tolerance to stomach seeing you with that damn redhead. I nearly threw up when you told me that you gave him oral. Even now, I can still see his rancid secretions all over your lips and his invisible fingerprints are mapped between your thighs. I've tried not to let it all bother me but it has. That beast has fouled you for me. My libido for you is thrown off by the very thought of him, that jackal, that snake, touching you and…"

"Well, which one is he?" Yohji asked with a bit more than just a hint of sarcasm. He felt very threatened right now and it was causing him to become defensive. It sounded like Ken was putting all the blame on him for how the younger man was feeling. "If you're going to insult him like that than at least figure out what is that you actually want to title him first."

"A snake then. He doesn't mean you any harm but he sure as hell doesn't mean you any good either. You've changed since you've been with him. You aren't nearly as attentive with me as I am with you anymore. You don't listen to me properly, you don't take me seriously…" Ken's voice started to weaken. He thought back to when he'd initially tried to pay homage to how he felt about Yohji and how the older boy just let it roll of his back like a bead of sweat, he didn't even try to consider Ken's verbal affection for him as legitimate. It was discrediting and embarrassing.

"Get out." Such painful words, another shot of neglect.

Ken looked up at Yohji with an aching throat and reddened eyes. He did as he was told and rushed to the bathroom. He locked the door and slumped to the tiled ground with his head in his hands. This was too much. When he'd initially tried to get close and be romantically responsive with Yohji, he'd been too possessive; now that he'd tried to give their relationship some breathing room, it looked like Yohji wanted even more space by just moving out. What was Ken to do? His latest confession was supposed to be relieving but it only made him troubled even worse.

Hastily Ken was at his feet and pacing in the small bathroom. None of this was turning out right and he felt so heated that he could just break down the walls.

PUNCH!

Uh,oh. In the heat of things he managed not to break the walls down exactly but he sure did leave a nasty mark in one with his fist. This was probably a painful thing to do but he was so mad right now that he could sense no discomfort.

Down the hall, Yohji heard a loud thump. It startled him. He and Ken had never been in a situation like this. He didn't know what the younger boy was up to but by the sound of things, he didn't want to find out either. "Shit, shit, shit." He was starting to panic. He felt like he should get out of the house but his car was unreliable and he might not get far on foot if Ken was really angry enough to come and find him. With one quick decision he left his room and snatched Ken's keys. With his pulse skyrocketing, he nervously approached Ken's motorcycle. Even when they weren't fighting, this was a No, No, but he had to get out. Yohji took a chance by pushing the bike out of the driveway and starting it just a short ways down from the house. All he had to concentrate on now was making sure that he wasn't pulled over by the police.

[Now what to do? I don't even know where I'm going.] With no particular plan in mind, Yohji headed in the direction of an old hang out.

The old dilapidated restaurant was clear in view. He parked Ken's bike out front and speedily walked in. His nerves were bad. He wanted coffee but knew that the boost of caffeine would only make him more anxious. He parked the bike and started for the building entrance. He had a million things on his mind and could barely remember even coming through the doorway when his senses went haywire. [Is that who I think it is?] At the cash register was Odaka-san. "What are you doing here?" Yohji asked curiously.

"I like it here." Yohji stilled stared at the man wearily and confused like. "You're the one who introduced me to this place. Do you remember?"

"…Oh, oh yeah I do. I brought you here when the line was too long at the mall coffee shop."

"Correct," Odaka nodded. "But I'm afraid I'm not here for coffee this time. I rather enjoy the food though." Yohji didn't respond. "Are you alright?"

"…What? Oh…I just feel shot to pieces right now," Yohji said, fiercely gripping his hands through his hair and shutting his eyes."

"You don't look like you should be out. You look ill."

"I feel ill."

"Come back with me to Club Kyoto. You can rest there."

"Rest? At Club Kyoto. That's seems out of character. I've never gone to a night club for rest before."

"You've never been to the executive lounge either."

After Yohji bought himself a pastry and some water, he followed his boss back to the club.

"Here we are," said Odaka as he unlocked the door to the executive lounge. It was gorgeous, furnished with imported Italian everything and it even had its own miniature bar. The other employee lounge that Yohji was used to visiting was automatically put to shame. "Lay out on the couch you'll feel better."

Yohji tried his best to make himself comfortable but his nerves stayed tense. That vacation to Chung Chau with Aya was sounding sweeter and sweeter. He felt like he just had to get away from Ken for a while which was an odd feeling because he had never thought like this before.

"Do you want anything?"

"Pardon?"

"Do you want anything? I mean we kind of left the restaurant in a hurry, did you want anything more? I'll call you something up from the downstairs if you like."

"Can you call up Fujimiya?"

+++

Ken sat in his secluded spot for nearly an hour, just thinking and being regretful. What was supposed to happen when Yohji came back, that was if he came back?

[Get up Hidaka,] Ken thought to himself. He rose to his feet and looked in the mirror. The vessels in his eyes were clearly visible and he looked like hell. True, he was miserable but his misery wasn't getting him much or very far. He needed another chance to talk to Yohji again. Hopefully this time he'd be able to say whatever was on his mind but not get too emotional about it. [Moving out?] Ken worked over the thought in his mind. He'd been avoiding it to spare himself the pain but he'd have to face the issue. "If that's what he wants…" Ken breathed with ill feeling in his heart. "I won't stop him." Sure he was mad, he was disappointed in both Yohji and himself that things had come to this but if this single action would make the older boy happy then Ken didn't want to interfere. Besides, right about now it looked like his golden age with Mr. Kudou was over and nothing lasts forever…though it is a sad thing here.

Ken left the bathroom and called after Yohji. He got no response but only figured that maybe older man was just ignoring him. He searched the house and upon checking the garage to see if Yohji's car was still there he noticed that his motorcycle was gone. [Great, he must have taken my bike because his car still isn't working.] Ken went back to the house and searched for Yohji's keys being that Yohji had obviously taken his in order to drive the bike. He locked up the house and walked around the neighborhood a bit to see if Yohji was anywhere in range or if he'd stopped in a nearby shop. No luck. He returned home and called Omi to help with the search. Omi picked up Ken and they drove around a while both to look for their missing friend and to calm Ken's nerves.

+++

"Fujimiya, did you say?"

"Yes, please."

"Well, whatever it is I'm sure I can help you just as well."

"…No, I need Aya."

"He isn't here. He hasn't been all day"

Yohji frowned to himself. "Are you sure?" Yohji asked. He remembered that Aya had explained earlier that he needed to get back to the club in order to speak with Odaka. But Yohji wasn't ready to give up that information yet. He was suspicious of Odaka now but he also wanted to see where all of this was going.

"I'm sure." Odaka thought to himself for a moment. Maybe Aya had actually told Yohji that he'd called the redhead earlier and requested to see him.

"Oh, it's just that I could have sworn when he left me earlier he said it was to meet you and that you had left him a voice message" said Yohji sort of smiling to himself and calling the older man's bluff.

Odaka thought quickly. "No, but maybe he was just mistaken."

[Hmm…] Yohji thought to himself. For some reason he felt like Odaka was being shady with him.

"Actually, gave him the day off because he told me he wanted to make a date with his lover or someone. I don't know who really." Odaka's knowledge of how Yohji and Aya spent lunch together would benefit him now.

"Oh," said Yohji with a smile in his voice, though he tried to hide it. He couldn't help but to feel happy to think that Aya had cleared his entire schedule just for their date.

Odaka could sense a glow from Yohji and he relished in the mess that he was about make. However, a liar with details is hard to differentiate from a wise man. He knew that Yohji was trying to call his bluff and his new response would completely throw the younger man off. "All he really said was that he needed time off so that he could take his little boy toy out to lunch and still have time to spend breaking in his new one." Yohji went stiff and Odaka noticed. This was going perfect. "It's sad really, the first poor guy doesn't even know he's about to get dumped. It's a pattern that Aya has." Yohji could feel his cheeks burning. "What did Fujimiya say the boy's name was?" Odaka said rhetorically. "Hmm…perhaps he never mentioned it."

"Perhaps."

"After all, whoever the person is, I know he'll be out of the picture soon. I give it a week or so."

Yohji's brain began to pound. Could this all be true? Was he up for a harsh dumping or…wait, it shouldn't matter anyhow. He and that redhead hardly had more than air between them. Nevertheless, it stung to feel set up, to have someone you'd been close to pull away when you weren't quite ready to give them up yet. "Ken," Yohji said softly to himself. So this was how the little brunette must have been hurting but on a much larger and more serious scale.

"You look so troubled."

"I've had a long day sir," replied Yohji.

"Now, how about I order you up some food and a little wine to calm your nerves?"

"How about some scotch on the rocks if you don't mind."

Odaka made up the order and handed it to his guest. "So what's the story?"

"How do you mean?"

"This is not you Yohji," Odaka replied, pouring himself a glass of red wine. "I hired you here because I could tell what a fiery spirit you have, perfect for this atmosphere. Now you're just acting like it's all been put out. What's the deal?"

"Problems at home," Yohji said after a deep breath.

"Oh?"

"Me and my roommate, we just aren't seeing eye to eye right now and I don't think that I can stay at the house a moment longer. I think I'll have to stay at a hotel, at least for tonight but I'm scared to even go back and get the things I really need from my house." Yohji put the cold glass of scotch up to his forehead. "Oh shit. I forgot. I have to go to work with him too. Dammit. Not to mention I have to return his motorcycle." Yohji sighed with defeat. "I've really messed things up for myself this time."

"Don't worry. This isn't the end of the world. If you'd like, I can even escort you back to your house to collect your things. I'll be your moral support."

"I dunno."

"What've you got to loose?"

"Are you sure you don't mind?"

"Hey, I'll even let you stay at my guest house if you don't want to stay in a hotel. Besides, you still aren't sure how long you want to be gone from your real home. If it's definitely going to be an extended time away, then hotel fees are going to break you. Not to mention the fact that despite the `do not disturb' tags that everyone hangs on their doorknobs, hotel help has been known to ignore them and rifle through your belongings. And I wouldn't want some maid "accidentally" flushing anything of mine down the toilet."

"That's true," Yohji nodded, he'd actually had some experience with this and finding his stuff in the trash on occasions when hotel help had come into the room unauthorized. He couldn't afford to have that happen with the stuff he wanted to take from home.

"Deal," Yohji said and held out a hand. Odaka shook it to confirm the arrangement.

"Then it's set."

+++

Some time later, Yohji climbed back onto Ken's bike, still slightly buzzed from the alcohol but mostly okay. Odaka followed him in the car.

As Yohji slowed to a stop his heart jumped up into his throat. [Dammit,] he cursed himself. He parked the bike in the garage but instead of going through the door that lead into the house, he went out of the side and door and back out to the front yard. He was somehow afraid of Ken's presence inside the house.

Odaka stepped out of his vehicle. "Would you like me to go in with you?" he asked, noting the ever-visible tension in the young man's demeanor.

"Yes, please," Yohji nodded. He was really in no mood to go about this alone. He just knew that Ken would be inside waiting. That boy had a hot temper and Yohji feared what his soon to be "ex-housemate" might do. Pausing just a minute at the door to think things through, Yohji drew out his keys and tried them. The door unbolted and gave way. Cautiously he stepped into the silent living room with Odaka following close behind. "Ken," he called out as his eyes searched around with rapid speed. His stomach was curdling now and his arms were shaking so he folded them. The quietness that echoed to him was unnerving. [God, I hope he isn't hiding some place. All I need is for him to jump out and stab me to death with one of my own kitchen knives.]

"Yohji, I really don't think he's home."

For a little while, Yohji had been so nervous that he'd forgotten he wasn't completely alone and the sound of Odaka's voice was so reassuring of some safety that he might posses right now. He turned back in Odaka's direction. "Okay well…I guess I should make this quick then, huh?" Yohji questioned with sort of a laugh, a pathetic one at best. He was still very anxious and wanted to get the hell out of there as soon as possible.

Striding down the hallway, Yohji looked at the photos of he and Ken on the walls. It was hard to imagine that he and Ken's relationship had gone from them taking friendly photos in the park (not to mention more than friendly photos at home) to feeling forced to make an escape number while his younger companion was away.

He found a suitcase and started filling it with all of his favorite and most needed clothes. That way, if Ken became very upset and decided to torch everything, at least his Versace jeans would be saved from the flames. In a smaller case he packed his paper materials, birth certificate, Diploma, postcards from his grandparents in Switzerland, things of that nature. He raided his jewelry collection, putting all of his rings on at once and filling his pockets with bracelets, watches and necklaces; all things Ken might try to pawn or sell. With everything secure he scurried out of the room and back toward Odaka who offered to carry his larger suitcase. Yohji handed the bag to his friend gladly and as they were both about to head out of the door he set his other bag on the floor and ran back down the hallway. Odaka watched the younger man go with a look of curiosity.

Yohji looked from side to side decidingly before he swiped what he considered to be a good picture of he and Ken together down from the wall and made his way back out from the hallway. "Ready," he said with sadness in his voice. He picked up the bag he'd set down and took one last look around before looking up the door. "Good bye house," said Yohji as he climbed into Odaka's car. They pulled away from the curb and drove toward South Pointe.

"Don't look so sad my dear. Things will work out fine. Trust me I know about being through hell and back." Yohji tried to smile a little and nodded. Perhaps the older man was right. "Speaking of hell," Odaka began with a slightly more upbeat voice. "I'm afraid I have to swing by the grocery store, do you mind?"

"Not at all."

"Then, we're off." Odaka pressed a little harder on the gas and the car sped up.

"You love this car don't you?"

"You have no idea how much."

+++

Yohji was gradually starting to unwind. A walk through the supermarket, being that it hadn't been very populated inside, kind of calmed him down.

Another short drive and they were at Odaka's home. He pulled as far up to the front door as he could so that it'd be easy unloading groceries and parked.

After piling a couple bags into his arms Odaka took the house keys from out of his pocket and searched for the one to the front door. Yohji looked around in amazement at all of the shrubbery and the home's majestic style. Above him was a twilight sky that crept from east to west.

"You coming?" Yohji's eyes snapped down in front of him. Odaka had opened the door and was holding it open for the both of them.

"Sorry," Yohji apologized.

"It's quite alright," smiled the older boy. He shut the door firmly and locked it.

"You have a nice place."

"Do I?" Odaka asked rhetorically with a smirk. Yohji didn't even catch the friendly sarcasm, he just heard the words.

"Yes you do. It's very beautiful."

"I'm glad you think so."

"Must take a lot to clean," Yohji said while slightly wandering and curiously inspecting his new surroundings.

"That it does. But I'm sure you'll be a lot more interested in other features of this house as opposed to its tidiness. Right?" Yohji nodded his head. "Well, follow me. I'll show you where you'll be staying. Just leave your things here for now and I'll help you collect them later," said Odaka as he carried the grocery bags through to the kitchen and set them on the counter.

Approaching the back door, Yohji trailed close behind his boss. The house was big and he didn't want to loose himself. Odaka unlocked the back patio doors and led Yohji outside. A glimmering pool with shallow waves was presented before him. It was modern in every aspect, shape, design, character…yet was the smaller one of the two on the Odaka premises; beyond that and a carpet of green lawn was a quaint guest house that awaited Yohji's arrival.

The house door was opened and Odaka's hand searched the wall for a light switch. "This is your place. Stay here as long as you need." Yohji stepped in cautiously and eyed the two-bedroom house. It was nice and it was safe. That's all he wanted right now. "A little plain, I know. But I haven't gotten around to beautifying the place just yet."

"I think it's lovely."

"Well, good. Now, come back to the main house, we still have to get your stuff and sort out what groceries I bought just for you, which I suppose would be most of them, seeing as I only bought myself a few of things."

They went back to the house and as said, Odaka picked out the few things he'd bought for himself. That list included a bottle of alcohol for drinking, sunflower seeds mix for the birds that came around during the morning, and lubricant for, well…you know…screwing; unless he just wanted to rub the lube all over his body and then roll in the seeds, but that doesn't seem…correct. Unless of course he drank all the alcohol first. That seems like a credible story. Anyhow, Yohji took the rest of the groceries back to his new `apartment' and Odaka brought by his luggage. "If you need anything," the older boy started, "Just call me up at the main house." The older man left and Yohji was alone.

Yohji put away all the perishables into the refrigerator and contemplated what he should make himself for dinner. Ramen noodles. It was the simplest and he really didn't feel like cooking for just one. "Oh well," he said under his breath.

Meanwhile…

After trying all across town, the Omi and Ken finally gave up and decided to return to Ken's house, maybe Yohji had come back home.

"Yohji," Ken called as he opened the front door. "Are you home? Talk to me."

"Ken you check the house, I'll see if he's in the backyard," suggested Omi.

Ken walked down the hallway toward Yohji's room and noticed the missing picture from the hallway wall. He stopped and stared for a moment, then proceeded to Yohji's room. It was obviously different, lots of things were missing. "Oh shit!" he yelled and started scrambling through the house again. "Yohji! Yohji! Where are you?!" [God let him still be here!] Ken ran to the garage and saw his bike replaced. "Shit!"

"What?! What is it?" Omi questioned.

"He's really fucking gone. He's taking his stuff out of here in a little at a time when I'm not around because he doesn't want to see me."

"You don't know that." Omi tried to be comforting.

"Yeah, I do. He hates me. I scared him away," Ken whimpered. He held his hands to his face and started to cry. "I scared him away…" He started knocking things over in Yohji's room and shoved off whatever was left present on his roommate's dresser, then headed to his own room and took a bottle of liquor from one of his drawers. Ken opened the cap and started guzzling the liquid down sloppily, it started running down his face and neck. Omi tried snatching the bottle away quickly. "Stop!"

"You stop! This is ridiculous and oh so cliché! You should be embarrassed!"

"I should be fucking drunk, so give it here!" Ken took the bottle back and shoved the smaller boy away with one hand as he drank the slowly emptying bottle.

"C'mon Ken, stop it!"

+++

Juro passed by his brother's house on the way home, at first he just kept going but about half a block later he decided to turn back around. [Wonder what Ryu's up to,] he thought to himself. It couldn't hurt to just stop by and he wasn't in a hurry to get anyplace.

Ryu heard a knock at the door. He knew exactly who it was. Juro had a certain knock that always gave away his identity. "What do you want?" Ryu asked smugly as he opened the front door.

"Let me in," whined Juro as he pushed his way through the small entrance between his brother and the door panel.

"So what brings you by?"

"Oh you know, brotherly love, all that good stuff."

"I see. Define that term again, would you?"

"Just the same old, same old. Mooching, borrowing, keeping stuff that doesn't actually belong to me or at least breaking it."

"Yes, now I remember. But come in anyway -Oh, I forgot, brotherly love must also mean that siblings are obligated welcome themselves into their family's homes, sort of the way you just did; you know by just barging in."

Juro removed the light jacket he was wearing and hung it in the cloakroom. "So what are we up to tonight?"

"We? I've been a busy man today. I just want to unwind."

"Are you that bored of me?"

"Iie, just tired. I helped Yohji Kudou move into the gatehouse tonight."

"What?!"

"That's right, he and his roommate aren't on friendly terms right now so he's gonna be my guest for a while."

"Well, no sense in making him stay all by his lonesome back there. He can hang out with us."

"Juro."

"C'mon, let's do something. We'll watch a movie together and eat junk food and stuff, even+ if it's just you and I. It's something we always do." Juro started heading toward the kitchen, Ryu followed with a sigh. "Besides, I don't suppose you had anything more planned." Upon entering the kitchen and catching a glimpse of both the rum and the lubricant on the counter, Juro stepped back a moment. "Or maybe you do," he said raising an eyebrow. Ryu rolled his eyes, he knew what was coming. "This stuff doesn't happen to be for you and a certain someone does it?" Juro asked referring to Ryu and Yohji.

"No Juro I simply - "

"I know how it works Aniki, I'm a big boy now. You find someone, give'em a little to drink and help the mood, lube'em up, feed'em some…bird…seed," Juro said furrowing his eyebrows. "I guess this could be considered an aphrodisiac but I really would've gone with some chocolate or oysters because - "

"Juro," Ryu started rather quickly "the bottle of rum is a replacement for the one you and your smelly little friend Omi raided, the lubricant is for the next time I want to have sex of course and the sunflower seeds are for the Cardinals that hang out during the day."

"Okay, `nough said. I guess."

"Fine then, let's get started on this whole movie thing. I'll get out some chips and soda, you go pick out what you want us to watch."

"Can Yohji join us?"

"I think he's a little down right now. I don't want to bother him."

Juro shrugged his shoulders and headed to the television room. Odaka opened the cabinets and pulled down a bowl, he filled it with chips and got a couple of bottles of cola from the fridge. Doing so, he peered out of the kitchen window and across the back lawn to the guesthouse. He could see lights go on and off as Yohji went from room to room. He turned back to what he was doing and poured himself just a little rum.

"No fair," said a voice. Juro was back. "I want some too." Ryu handed over what was left in the glass that he'd been drinking from; it was still about half full. Juro threw it down. "Burrrrrrns," he ground out. "Mm, but oh so good." Ryu poured a little more into the glass and drank it, then poured some for Juro who gladly accepted the offer. "That'll do it," said Juro.

The two went into the living room and started the movie. Not fifteen minutes had passed before Ryu wanted another drink. "Hey Juro, go fill up that glass I had again." Juro paused the movie and went to the kitchen. Ryu sat in his comfy chair just trying to relax, the buzz that the rum gave him was helping. Suddenly he could here a small voice in the background. Was Juro talkling to someone? As it were, yes, Juro was talking to someone. He'd taken it upon himself to call Yohji and invite him in to the main house for drinks. Ryu got up from his seat just as Juro hung up the phone. The younger boy readied three glasses and unlocked the back porch for Yohji. "Juro did you just do what I think you did?"

"I know you said not to bother him because he seems down but I also know Yohji, and I could tell that it'd do him good to have some company around right about now."

"Alright."

"You gave in rather quickly. What's your alterior motive? It can't be that you want to sleep with him, you'd have done it by now and you've never been one to invite temporary bed buddies to your house. I'm on to you Ryunosuke."

"Well, you sound like you're on something," Ryu teased.

The handle to the back door turned and Yohji stepped in. "Yohji!" Juro cheered.

"Hey," Yohji responded softly. "So…I here you've somethin' for me."

"Cooomin' get it," said Juro pushing a short glass along the counter to Yohji's direction. "Wow, Kudou. You don't waste much time," noted Juro as he watched Yohji down his entire glass as if it were just a few drops."

"Pour him another, Juro," suggested Ryu. Upon refilling Yohji's drink and sending it back to him, the three men all held their glasses.

"Cheers, gentlemen," said Yohji. They moved their glasses forward without actually clashing them together and then took a drink all at the same time. "I believe I was also promised a movie," added Yohji playfully.

"Yeah, yeah," said Juro and led the way into the living room. And there they sat quietly. Only Ryu was actually trying to watch the movie for if he didn't, his groin might get the best of him and an embarrassing little tent would show through his pants. Juro was staring at his brother who looked worried or bored or something. Sure, Ryu appeared to be watching the movie but he obviously had something else on his mind.

Yohji was of course thinking about Ken and the picture he'd taken from the hallway of them both. He closed his eyes and desperately prayed for things to be the same again between he and Ken. The liquor Juro gave him and the little bit that he'd packed in his suitcase and drank was getting to him. Not believing much in prayer, he hoped to see a falling star tonight he could wish on to repair the friendship. But that was a silly thought, wasn't it? A reaction from the rum. [Too bad,] Yohji thought to himself.

"No one's actually watching this are they?" asked Juro.

"I'm watching it," said Ryu.

"No you aren't I can tell you're preoccupied, or drunk, but I doubt the latter."

"Well, I've got to make a quick stop at the little boys room," said Ryu standing up just a bit too fast. The room spun a little. He vanished down the hall with Yohji and Juro to entertain each other. Juro smiled widely at his friend and then darted up to the kitchen. He stumbled slightly, he'd had more to drink than he thought. Yohji followed him and together they reopened the liquor bottle.

+++

Ryu washed his hands thoroughly and dried them on a nearby towel. He studied his reflection in the mirror with satisfaction. He'd been persuasive with Yohji, his natural charisma had taken things this far and all he counted on now was human temperament and the desire to mate. He was feeling happy, finally he would have a lover that could keep his attention away from Juro and away from all sorts of other stressful things perhaps. Yohji was unique and that's what had made him different from all of Odaka's other lover's all the rest had been much too predictable. Yohji would keep him on his toes. Maybe even some day he'd become serious about the younger man.

Smiling to himself, Ryu headed back to the living room but found it empty. It was quiet, too quiet. [God no,] Ryu thought to himself. [I hope they aren't plotting a surprise or a trick on me,] Ryu sighed. "Come out, come out, where ever you are," he mumbled to himself. Hearing some movement from the kitchen that sounded purposely quiet, Ryu arched an eyebrow with speculation and headed in that direction way to `out' his guests. Reaching the kitchen threshold he started to announce his presence, "Alright, then you jack a -…" [Whoa. Wasn't expecting this.] Juro and a now shirtless Yohji had themselves cornered and were kissing each other madly. Whether they realized that they had gained an audience or not was a mystery. And if they were conscious of it, they didn't seem to care.

Ryu for once had no clue how to react to a situation like this. He was both jealous yet aroused at the same time. After all, both of his respective love interests were making out right in front of him like little drunken sluts. "Break it up," he said. Yohji seemed sort of responsive because his green eyes actually focused on Ryu but Juro kept his oral hold on Yohji's bottom lip for just a moment more before stopping.

"We were just playing," said Juro.

"Playing what?"

"Shots," Yohji slurred. "And you have to play too, Odaka-san. We're seeing who can handle the most." Juro scurried for three tiny shot glasses and Yohji filled them. "While you were gone, me and Juro have each had about three or four, we don't know exactly, we've just been estimating while drinking out of the big glasses. Now you try."

"I'll just play score keeper. How can you tell who can handle the most if you don't even truly remember how many you've had, you need a more sober person to tally everything up and…"

"Lame," Juro interrupted. Ryu frowned at him. "Lame, lame, lame." Juro grabbed the entire bottle of rum and shoved it into his brother's hands. "No excuses, drink it."

"I really don't want t..."

"Lame!"

"Okay Juro, just pipe down!" Ryu took a long swig of rum straight from the bottle but the looks on Juro and Yohji's faces were unsatisfied so he took another and another. The affects seemed minimal until Ryu started searching for the cap to the bottle. Just reaching out with his arm seemed like a new experience and walking was even stranger.

Juro started laughing hysterically as his older brother stumbled off balance and Yohji `sort of' caught him. Yohji smiled in his face and unexpectedly kissed his boss on the mouth. Instinctively, Ryu kissed back and held Yohji close. Juro came behind Yohji and started kissing his friend's neck and shoulder. Consequently, when Ryu's mouth drifted from Yohji's lips to his neck, both he and his younger brother's mouths were in very close proximity of one another. They watched each other kiss and lick Yohji's neck; their eyes were unblinking until Ryu finally decided to close his. Juro's blue stare was haunting and he couldn't watch it anymore, he was getting too horny over the wrong person. Ryu opened his eyes again only to realize that his brother was still staring at him.

Ryu wanted to lift his mouth from Yohji's neck in attempt to back away from the entire situation but Juro's hypnotic eyes stopped him from moving. The younger boy instead lifted his own mouth from Yohji's neck and kissed his older brother on the cheek. Usually that is a `safe' sort of kiss but it was very romantic and sexual the way Juro did it. [I really liked that,] Ryu thought to himself. But suddenly his eyes widened. [Oh crap! Did Yohji see that?!] Ryu looked at Yohji's face, his eyes were closing and he could barely stand, the only thing keeping him up was Ryu's embrace. [Good, he probably didn't notice.] "Juro help me carry Yohji to the recliner I was sitting in." The younger boy did as told and tried to make his friend as comfortable as possible without actually lying him down incase he started to vomit in his sleep and choke.

Juro noticed that his brother had disappeared suddenly and sought the older man out in his room. He was brushing his long dark hair. Yohji had mangled his hands through it during their make out session.

"Get out, Juro." Ryu's voice was rough with annoyance. Juro didn't understand why.

"Is something wrong? Did I do something?" No response. "Aniki?" he questioned quietly.

"I don't want to talk! You're annoying me and making me yell. I don't want Yohji to have to hear all this either."

"He's asleep," Juro said closing the bedroom door for privacy.

[God Juro, just leave. You don't know what you do to me.] "Well….!" Ryu tried to think of anything to say that would ward the kid off. Obviously anger wasn't the way so he tried to be kind. "I just need to be alone."

"Don't shut me out. I love and trust you but you're not acting like you feel the same about me. That's not right." Those words made Ryu feel bad. He gave Juro sort of a limp hug and pop kissed him on the mouth.

"Gomen nasai, Juro. I didn't mean to come across that way." Juro smiled. [Good, maybe he'll leave now.] Ryu started to break the embrace but Juro pulled them together soundly with a big grin on his face and his eyes closed firmly…….that is until he felt the erection his brother was obviously trying to hide by getting him to leave and giving him a lousy excuse for a hug. Ryu pushed him away hoping that Juro hadn't noticed how aroused he was and Juro pretended like he hadn't.

"Okay, Aniki. You win. But just give me one more little kiss before I head to one of the guest rooms." Finding the terms suitable, Ryu leaned down to kiss Juro on the forehead but the sneaky little brat rose up on his toes and met Ryu's mouth hard. He wrapped his arms around the taller boy's shoulders and held him in place as he intensified the kiss. Soon he stopped, noting that Ryu was unresponsive. Juro settled back on his heels with confusion and growing embarrassment. "That isn't what you want?" he asked sheepishly. "Oh….I'm sorry." Juro backed off, turned around and headed for the door but strong arms held him back from leaving and soft lips caressed the side of his neck.

*Sorry again for re-issuing so late. I was nearly done with chapter 15 over a month ago when some how, all of my work was erased. Every damn word went down the drain. And re-writing each word has been a struggle with work and school at hand. Oh well, I've been able to recapture most of the things I wanted to say in this installment and I hope you liked it.