Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ Boys in the Attic ❯ In Wait ( Chapter 16 )

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.

In Wait

While Yohji drank to his pleasure, Ken was drinking to his sorrows. Omi had done the best he could to comfort his wilting friend but the older boy was positively miserable for now. He cried without whimpers, only his tears and reddened eyes delivered an idea of what he might be feeling. His silence was eerie but Omi knew not what to do. The younger boy made plenty of tea and no matter how many times Ken shook his head in refusal when offered it, Omi still made sure that he got some in his system, He hoped it would calm Ken's nerves but all the older boy chose to do was liven it up by putting liquor in it.

Omi slumped outside of a locked door, still trying to persuade Ken to let him in. It was so silent inside and it nearly worried blues eyes to tears. Suddenly, music could be heard beyond the wooden door. Omi listened closer. Ken was playing "pity" music. Songs for lovers without love and appreciation lost on account of an ungrateful lover. Absentmindedly, Omi started singing along to the tune playing. [Great, now he's got me turned on to this crap.] Omi ceased his humming and closed his eyes with a long sigh.

Smash, smash. Thud.

"Ken?" Something was going on in the room and it worried Omi. "Please let me in. I just wanna talk." Omi stood on his feet and tried the door handle again. "C'mon Ken let me in!" The door opened.

"Don't worry about coming in Omi, I'll be coming out now." Ken stepped out of the room. His legs were wobbly and his eyes unfocused. Omi grabbed the taller man and tried to keep him from falling. "Arigatou Chibi." Ken steadied himself back against a wall and kept one hand on Omi's shoulder.

"Well," Omi replied. "I care about you."

"I know," Ken added. "Just like I care about Yohji. Yohji who never responded like he was supposed to."

"Well-…" Omi tried to think of something uplifting to say.

"You know what I would do if someone treated me as tenderly as I've treated Yohji?"

"Uh, no but…."

"I'd take'em in my arms," Ken said, pulling Omi closer…" Their faces were nearly touching and Ken's face was tilted to the side a little. "…And I would worship him with every once of me." Omi kept quiet with nervousness as he listened on to Ken's rambling's. "I would do those things that Yohji never did to me but should have." By now the younger man's heart was pounding.

Nervously, Omi thought of something clever to say. "I, uh…I don't know exactly what's going on because I'm only getting the story second hand but what I do know is that whatever has put this split between you and Yohji happened all too quickly and Yohji or whoever needs to realize that it isn't worth the cost of your friendship."

"Exactly," Ken nodded "I've been trying to tell Yohji about it but he won't do nothin'." Ken sort of backed off from Omi's liquid frame.

"So then uh…uh, maybe you could try and do something and…Yohji, would follow your lead!" Omi offered the suggestion with hopes that Ken would take the bait and it would relax his friend at least a little bit.

"Brilliant," Ken said smiling. Omi began to grin with him. "Absolutely brilliant!" Ken yelled, raising his hands to the ceiling."

"Okay, shh, shhh."

"Okay sorry…indoor voices," Ken apologized quietly. "It's the booze."

"I know that," Omi nodded.

"Brilliant," Ken whispered, waving his arms around. Omi laughed. "Alright then. I've decided to take charge."

"That's good."

"If Yohji's not gonna do shit to get rid of the problem between us, then I'm gonna have to."

"Right on Ken, I'm proud of you," Omi said with a yawn. "Well, before I get too tired, I'm going to go hit the showers. And it'd truthfully be in your best interest to get some orange juice in your system. It'll help prevent a massive hangover in the morning."

"I'll get to it," said Ken as he slumped on to the couch. He was having such a dreamy thought. In his mind he pictured himself being courageous and unafraid, determined not to take `no' for an answer. "I'm gonna be in charge…" he mused to himself with a whisper. "And while I still have the guts, why not get started?" He picked up the phone and dialed Yohji's cell phone. Every ring sent a shock throughout Ken's system and he almost hoped that Yohji would not answer.

+++

"I think you'll be the death of me someday."

"Aniki, why do you say that?" the younger boy asked quietly.

"You know why. Because I'm damned for holding you this close but I can hardly let you go. And because I love you in a way that can never leave the walls of this bedroom, the words of my heart stay here for you, they must. But that fact pains me inside because I enjoy nothing more than to spoil you with romance in front of the entire world."

There was a silence that was so thick in the air that it nearly choked the life out of both brothers. Ryu was beginning to become paranoid. What had he just said? What had he just confessesd?! Was it too late to take it all back? Hell, he'd kissed the little fucker and on the neck no less, so pretending like this all was just a big joke or like it was just some quick drunken reaction would be hard to do.

Juro, although Ryu could not tell, due to the fact that he already had a million thoughts on his mind, was feeling really exposed himself. Why wasn't Ryu saying anything? He tried to turn around but before he could, the older boy sort of pushed him away with an utterly confused look on his face. Ryu just sort of stared at the ground in thought. Juro fought against his brother's rejection and was determined to ease the taller man of his worries. Gently the younger boy held his hands to Ryu's hips and led them both over to the bed. Instinctively, Ryu sat down but with a guilty feeling in the pit of his stomach as he allowed Juro to undo his pants and caress his skin that was becoming more and more exposed.

+++

Meanwhile…

Yohji was startled awake when he felt something vibrate in his pants. "Oh my god," he whispered to himself. "You can fucking move on your own?" he said looking down at his lap, then realized that he still had his cell phone in his front pocket. The caller ID read `unidentified caller' which made Yohji very curious. "Moshi, moshi." There was silence on the other end. "Hello?" Still, no one said a word. "Listen, if I start hearing shallow breathing, not only am I hanging up on your ass but I'm going to have this number traced."

"Yohji it's me."

The older man's eyes widened with surprise. "Oh," was all he managed to get out. He didn't know how he felt anymore about the episode that had occurred between himself and his Ken but for now he was pretty calm.

"Are you angry that I've called?"

"No, not particularly." Reflecting on the words of fury shared with his roommate earlier, was slowly fueling old flames. "Is there anything you wanted to tell me? Are you okay?"

"Where are you?"

"That's none of your business."

"Are you coming home?"

"That's not my home anymore, Ken because you've managed to turn it into hell for me." Ken didn't speak which was making Yohji grow impacient. "Look, are you even sorry?" A snort or some sound of a scoffing nature could be heard over the line. Reluctantly, Yohji decided it just might be best to compromise his own pride right now. "Well, I'm sorry," he said sharply. "Although….."

"You hurt me. Sorry, if I was coming on too strong or being too possessive but it's because I care. I never intended to give you pain like you gave to me."

"I was trying to live my own fucking life. Sorry, if that meant associating with life forms other than you."

"No, what happened was you started putting everyone else before me! All you're doing is getting used. And behind your little no care attitude about how casually you and people you DON'T really know are getting serious with each other, I can see to your core! It bothers you like a tick on dog! Yet still, you would rather neglect me, a person who is genuinely fond of you, so that you can be with your users!"

"Stop it, because if I'm getting used by anyone, it's you. This is why I can't move back and why I never should have moved in with you to begin with. You got too comfortable with the idea of me always being there to cook you dinner, do your laundry, touch your dick, and be your housewife. Somewhere along the lines you have really come to believe that you own me. You have dared to interrupt my sense of free will and I doubt it is out of concern for me but rather out of spite and jealousy. Ken Hidaka, either you let up now or lose me for good!"

Click! Yohji hung up the phone. He was so torn inside. Part of him was trying to understand Ken's feelings but a whole other part was trying its best not to care. "What the hell does he know?!" Yohji finally reasoned to himself. Careful not to make himself dizzy, Yohji climbed out of his sitting position and became mobile. He watched each foot pass in front of the other and found it oddly entertaining. But that's what drinking will do to you. [Stupid brat, Ken. I've always kept my friends close and my enemies closer. I'm a proper judge of character so I really wish he'd mind his own bee's wax.]

Yohji listened for any signs of life but the house was all quiet. He called out for Juro's name then Ryu's but never got a response. Yohji was mad that he'd passed out so soon and wondered if he'd missed much. Every door down one hallway was open except for one. [That's gotta be the boss's room. How `bout I pay him a surprise?] Yohji smiled. He crept along the wall trying to be stealthy like a cat and hoped that the closed door was dense enough to keep Ryu unaware of the prowler outside. Yohji was beginning to laugh hysterically and it might blow his cover. He reached for the door but pulled his hand back a minute. He wasn't ready to be seen as he was. Yohji combed his fingers through his hair and made sure that he wasn't drooling or anything by wiping his mouth with the back of his hand….he even tried to check his refection in the face of his cell phone, but just to make sure he didn't have any loose boogies.

Slowly Yohji began to open the bedroom door, a big smile on his face at how sneaky he was being. The further the door opened the more clearly he could make out certain sounds…..certain very familiar sounds that echoed down to the pit of his stomach and made his palms get a little sweaty. He started to close the door again but had to know what was actually going on. Timidly Yohji began to open the door and this time peeked a curious eye around the wooden frame. [Oh my God!] A look of pure horror came over his face as he tried to scream but no words came out. His hands grasped at his head and pulled at his hair. The only reason that Yohji's presence had gone unnoticed was because the two figures he was were facing the headboard in the other direction. The room was dark and so was the hallway that Yohji was in, eliminating any light from giving him away. Even though he'd maintained his secret staring post up to this point, Yohji did not want to wait around and get caught later. This was obviously something he had been left out of on purpose.

Yohji descended a shaking hand from his head to the door handle and slowly closed it back. It'd been hard enough to reach for the doorknob, now he had to summon enough strength to walk away. His legs felt like they were being weighed down by cement, which was how they were going to end up if Ryu ever found out that his houseguest had witnessed him making love to his younger brother. Ryunoske Odaka was good at keeping his own secrets secret. Many people in his innercircle had been known to suddenly skip town and loose all contact with him others well, others who might have had even deeper incriminating evidence on Odaka-san were speculated to have lost more than just contact with an old friend. Although Ryu never saw himself this way, he was a gangster of sorts. He was powerful because of his wealth and success and used it liberally.

Yohji swiftly got back to the guesthouse and started re-packing whatever belongings he had brought here with him. He was really stressing right now and things weren't quite going as planned. Trying to calm himself he steadily pushed the numbers on his cell phone to call Ken.

Ken looked at the caller ID box and rolled his eyes. He just let the phone ring. He felt that Yohji had had a chance to talk to him earlier but chose to hang up so that was on him.

"Please, please Ken. Pick up the phone," Yohji pled to himself. "I need you!" At the same instant that Yohji had given the current thought, Ken sighed to himself and reluctantly picked up the receiver.

"What?!"

"Help me," said Yohji in a frail voice. Much different from the sarcastic one that Ken had heard earlier.

"Are you alright?!"

"No, come get me! I'm at Ryu's house and things have just gotten really weird. Please come get me!"

"I will, I will. Don't worry Yohji!"

"What's going on?" asked Omi as he entered the living. He could tell that something was up.

"I'll be back. I have to go get Yohji, he's at Juro's brother's house," said Ken as he picked up his keys. Omi snatched them away quickly.

"Where the hell do you think you're going while drunk? You'll kill yourself and a million other people if you try to drive like this so if you need to go someplace, I'll be happy to drive you there myself," said Omi and he finished drying his hair with a towel. "Besides, do you even know were Ryu lives?"

"Well,"

"Didn't think so."

"I was gonna ask."

"Whatever, just hang up the phone and lets get going."

The two younger boys locked up the house and started to drive at a steady pace. "Can you hurry up? Yohji sounded like he was really in trouble."

"Look, if I go any faster, I'll either get pulled over and receive a ticket which will make us even later getting to him or I might crash into another car and we might never get to him. It's up to you."

"I'm sorry. I just, love him. He sounded afraid."

"I know Ken. We'll be there soon."

Nearing the Odaka residence, a tall figure, stood at the edge of the property. It was Yohji and he could hardly wait to jump in the car and drive off. Yohji looked tired. His usually sparkling emerald eyes were now a dull green. He just kept staring out the window the whole way home. He was actually kind of mad that Omi was here. Yohji really just wanted to spend some private time with Ken. He was really beginning to see how much he had taken his friend for granted and how valuable Ken actually was to him. Now all he wanted to do was curl up on the couch with him and just…exist. Nothing particularly spectacular had to happen just as long as Ken was there to comfort him.

Omi parked the car in front of Ken's house and started to climb out. Ken tried to do the same but a hand from the back seat pulled him back into his place. "I need to talk to you alone when we get inside," said Yohji. Shit, they'd both been drinking a lot and Ken really hoped that it wouldn't affect their conversation and what kind of stupid things they'd say to each other too much.

Omi began to fall asleep in Ken's bed while the older boy delicately stroked his blonde hair and listened to Ken thank him for how supportive and helpful he'd been all evening. Soon afterward, Yohji came and sat on the bed as well. "So what's up?" Ken asked in a low voice.

"Too much," Yohji said looking down at his hands. He was fiddling with a loose string that had unraveled from Ken's comforter. He sighed and then looked over to see if Omi was really asleep. It sounded like he might be snoring a little so Yohji went on with his tale. "I feel like shit. Honestly, I never wanted to make you feel the way you have and I am so sorry that I stopped listening to you, stopped appreciating you and basically stopped being your friend. I can't explain it. I guess I'm just a jerk. Wait, no. I can explain it." Yohji looked into Ken's inquiring eyes and knew that he was about to hurt the teenager once more but on a different level. It'd be on a level of truth and everyone knows that the truth hurts.

Yohji tried to look for a way to put his feelings and the knowledge of what he'd been holding back into words. "I was looking for something new or different I guess. I thought that I could find it in people like Aya. I thought people like him had something that you didn't and I wanted it. Suddenly you weren't cool enough or interesting enough for me. His lifestyle was hot and radical and I wanted to be a part of it. And you were right; I stopped listening to you and started putting that part of my energy everyone else. I actually believed that it was okay to start ignoring you because we'd already established whatever was between us and I wanted whatever you couldn't give me. I was bored of you and it's surprising that I even took the time to remember your name. I was always to busy posing and trying to be something I wasn't with people I'm not like. I was so wrong to treat you like an invisible man and even now, I am so ashamed that the only thing to shake me out of that mode was when something utterly disturbing happened to wake me up. I couldn't even settle this out with you like a man, I had to come crawling and crying back like the baby that I am.

[Was that an apology or just a really long insult?] Ken mused to himself. He already knew everything that Yohji explained, he'd been complaining about it to the bastard for weeks but now….coming from his actual mouth and knowing that the suspicions were real, this wasn't just hurtful it was degrading.

"You look confused. Surprised? I'm not getting a reading from you."

"I just…I feel…Well to be honest, during this entire experience I felt a world of different things, I felt betrayal, disappointment, fear…I even felt loneliness but it wasn't until now that I really felt all alone. It's no longer speculated it is confirmed that you and I have lost touch. And that…"

"Well this sort of thing happens to everyone," Yohji interrupted. "Friendships have their rough edges sometimes. Things can go back how they used to be," Yohji tried to smile and look positive. "It might be hard at first but…"

"Yohji," Ken said shaking his head and looking down at Omi's sleeping face. It was comforting to look at something more peaceful while conversing about such a tense issue. His eyes were feeling itchy again but he didn't want Yohji's pity so he tried not to cry. "Yohji, I don't think things can go back the way they used to be. It's like the lyrics of that one song:

`Tell me who can I turn to, just who can I believe? I tried to put him out of my mind he'll only cause me grief. I love that boy whatever he's done; you know it hurts me deeply. `Cause there's nothin' in this world to stop me worryin' about that boy.'

"Well, I changed the words around a bit, but the general idea is still there. I thought about those words every time I thought of you and tonight I finally downloaded the unhappy little thing and just sat in my room and died. You see, from the very beginning I never knew who to listen to, my heart, who wanted nothing more than to pursue you, or my eyes who did their best to observe and understand you but obviously failed in their effort. And no matter what, even now I am so passionate for you. But there is nothing in this world to stop me worrying about you. Not after the stunts you've pulled with me. The respect and trust that was once between us is lost on you.

Yohji hadn't any feed back. He'd really fucked up this time and he knew it. He felt like a junkie who had tripped and smoked his whole life away but by the time he'd cleaned up and stopped using, everything he had, he'd lost. "You really don't know what you've got until it's gone……..Ken, I never thought you'd be gone; and it's all on me. I understand that you still love me but that I have forced you to now have reservations about me and it hurts my soul. I'm sorry that I've dishonored the both of us by sabotaging our relationship and I can only hope that you will someday find a way to completely trust and forgive me again. I will continue to honor you for as long as you let me and not just when it's convenient."

Yohji shut his eyes very quickly. His last statement took him back to the reason he had initially called Ken. His breathing quickened and he started to shake. This sort of behavior would have typically been alarming to Ken and the younger boy would have leaped to question what was wrong. Only now Ken's mind was miles away and unconcerned with Yohji's feelings the way the older boy had been with him. He had returned to focusing down on Omi and gently playing with his golden hair.

In thought and in silence Yohji rose from the bedside slowly, taking all things into account. Perhaps he deserved the coldness and the feeling of weakness now. "I never kept this house cold for you, Yohji, I'll not apologize anymore because, I know now that my love was lost on you. I tried with you and failed. But at least I did try. If now you face rejection…blame it on no one but yourself."

What a stinging sensation those words left. But Yohji couldn't give up just yet. After all, Ken did confess that even though he was now weary of the older man's behavior, the younger boy possessed unconditional love for him. If it took all of eternity to win Ken's trust back, then he was prepared to grow old with the matter if it meant he would succeed. The passion he felt now was the same energy he discovered upon first meeting Ken. It was a heavenly thing and it made his spirit glow. Turning his shimmering gaze toward the younger boy's direction, his eyes spoke a million words to Ken's. It was so sincere from Yohji that for a brief moment Ken forgot all his worries and began to climb off the bed to meet Yohji at the door. Suddenly, his own fears meant nothing and all that he cared about were the things in Yohji's best interest, just like he always used to. "Are you alright"?"

"What?"

"You were very upset when I picked you up earlier…" Yohji closed his eyes with dismay and put his hands to his face with a low groan. Ken put a hand to Yohji's shoulder and the older man brought him in for a hug. Ken held him tenderly. He missed being able to do this. It was like Yohji had gone on a long voyage or something of the like and was just returning to land after several months at sea. That was the thing about Ken, he was always so forgiving; which was good for Yohji `cause he needed a lot of forgiveness.

"Uhm… the whole thing tonight. I left with all my stuff 'cause I was afraid to stay here. I ended up hiding out at my boss' house and…"

"And…?"

"…Well, Ryu was just getting a little too out of control, he and…I just couldn't believe him or Juro, he was there too…" "They were being obnoxious. I had to get out of there." Ken started looking around Yohji's body, eyeing his pants. "What's wrong?"

"Oh nothing, I was just checking your pants for any signs of smoke. I hear liars are often very flammable."

"Oh, ha, ha, Ken. I get it. Liar, liar pants on fire. Very funny."

"Well, your story just sounded a little fishy." Yohji's face started to turn red.

"It's a long story. I'm gonna need a little time to myself to think and stuff. But if you need me I'll be out on the back patio."

Ken nodded and climbed into bed with Omi. [They were being obnoxious…whatever. There is something he's keeping from me.]

+++

Yohji was on his second cigarette and pondering the rest of the night away. Meanwhile Omi was careful not to wake Ken from bed as he crept out. His mouth felt so dry and he had to use the bathroom too. So his first stop was the toilet to let go of some liquid and the next stop was the kitchen to get a refill. The curtains to the kitchen window were slightly drawn open and he could see puffs of smoke pass by. Omi went back to pouring himself a glass of juice when he heard a tapping at the window. Yohji was beckoning him to come outside. Omi opened the back door and shut it behind him softly. He sat on the bench with Yohji and crossed his legs to sit Indian style. "What's up?" he asked. "What's on your mind?"

"Omi has…has Juro…"

"Spit it out," Omi said slapping the taller boy's leg.

"Okay please don't take any offense to me asking you this, I know how much you love Juro but…have you ever known him to do completely radical or out of character things with Ryu?"

"How do you mean?" Omi asked with a raised brow.

"I dunno, just, weird stuff in general I guess. But, like I said, I dunno, so let's just forget about it."

"No, if you have a question, ask it."

"He isn't big on fetishes is he?"

"What's your definition of fetishes?" Omi asked smiling.

"Well, you know, insertions, whips and chains, golden shower-urination, costumes, incest…"

"Well who isn't into that?"

"What?!?!" asked Yohji as if Omi had solely confessed to Juro's incest fetish.

"I mean it's not like I haven't been part of it."

"You have?!?!"

"Okay I'll admit, he and I have, you know…once or twice and spanking is fun, not to mention costumes. For Halloween I dressed up like a kitty. He loved it!"

"Oh," said Yohji, exhaling deeply.

"It was so cute, I had a headband with little black velvet ears attached and a collar that had a tiny little bell." Omi added with a silly grin on his face. He looked at Yohji but couldn't read him. Yet clearly he was bothered. "But we don't do that sort of thing everyday," Omi said quickly. He wondered if Yohji thought he was a sick fetish nymph who got off by dressing up like animals and doing his best friend."

"Yeah, that's nice…" said Yohji as he drifted into thought.

"Well, I'm really sleepy. I'm going back to bed now. You should too." Omi padded back inside the house. He rinsed out his glass and put in on the sideboard as he reflected on he and Yohji's conversation. [What the hell was that all about?] Omi went into Ken's room and shut the door behind him. [Is he thinking up next year's birthday gift list? Maybe he wants to buy Juro a dildo.] Omi smiled to himself with amusement as he climbed back into bed and pulled the covers up over himself. Not a second later, his eyes flew open as he related Yohji's first question to his latter inquiries.

{"…have you ever known him to do completely radical or out of character things with Ryu?"}

{"He isn't big on fetishes is he?"}

{"Well, you know, insertions, whips and chains, golden shower-urination, costumes, incest…"}

"Oh fuck no," Omi said plainly. Ken stirred in his sleep. Omi quieted himself. The next day he and Juro were going to have a little talk.

+++

Tuesday morning, Juro caught up with Omi in the school parking lot. "Omi, wait up."

"Ohayo. Ogenki desu ka?" Omi asked smugly.

"What's with the attitude?" said Juro smiling. He wrapped an arm around Omi.

"Nothing." Omi grinned back at Juro. He was going to get his friend to confess his dirty little secret one way or another.

"Oh yeah, there's something really important that I have to tell you by the way."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah, it's totally serious. Let's go sit in my car and talk. We've got about ten or fifteen minutes before school actually starts." Omi agreed and followed his friend. The two boys sat in the car and Omi turned to Juro with full attention. "Are you ready for this?" Omi nodded with wide, unblinking eyes. He wanted details and an explanation as to what had gone on between him and Ryu. "Okay, well put on your seatbelt, `cause I still don't feel comfortable telling you here."

"Sure, of course," Omi replied. He could understand where Juro was coming from. Hell, high school is tough enough as is, without everyone knowing the details of you sex life, especially if it consists of the type of shameful things that gossiping mouths love to spread. You could be the most unknown, unpopular person in the entire school, but if the masses get wind of a humiliating fact about you, everyone WILL KNOW eventually. And what's worse is if those same people from high school end up at your college because they WILL CONTINUE to tell the story, whether you are aware of it or not.

The two friends went to a bakery and ordered some pastries with Chai tea. "This is better than school right?" Juro asked cheerfully?"

"Well, yeah but…what was that whole deal you had to tell me," Omi asked leaning over the table, in Juro's direction.

"What? Oh nothing, that was just an excuse to take you away. You looked stressed or something. I figured we needed a day off. It's not like we're doing anything at school anyway." Omi's jaw dropped. He'd been tricked.

"Was that all?"

"Uhh…yeah."

"Anything interesting happen lately. Anything you want to share?"

"Uhm…no. I stayed the night at my brother's house. Yohji was there. We hung out."

"Is that it?" Omi asked dissatisfied.

Juro could feel his face and ears heating up. "Uh n-yeah," he stuttered.

"You know, if you're hiding something from me. I'm going to find out about it.

Juro stilled. "Well, what do you mean?"

"Let's not play games. You've been bad haven't you?" Juro's eyes widened. "You see I already knew you spent the night and Yohji spent the night because I was the one who drove Yohji home from the house while you were "sleeping". So tell me, what the hell has been going on between you and your brother, because right now, I'm holding some reservations about you."

"Okay," Juro reluctantly agreed. "I'll tell you. But please know that I am the same person you have always known."

"Go on."

"Well…" Juro went on explaining himself and his less than credible actions in detail. And every bit became sour in his mouth; not so much because he was embarrassed but because the previous night had been special for just he and his brother and it was supposed to stay that way. Yet now he was leaking away the secret and somehow deteriorating the magic of it. "…when we were done, or, when he was done since I wasn't able to hold out as long as him. I ended up coming twice. We just lied there, we just breathed and existed. And never did we regret anything, not even with the knowledge that someone might find out about us, eventually. To be honest I don't know how Yohji even found out. I wish he hadn't told you about it. Something like this I would have wanted to tell you myself first."

"Oh, he didn't tell me anything. He just started asking some peculiar questions about you and I put two and two together. I don't think he planned on exposing you or anything. That's not his style anyway."

"Well, I hope you're right `cause if not and he's actually going around being loose lipped about this, which I imagine he wouldn't if he wants to keep his job and his life, then I have to tell Ryu. He'll be on Yohji like a rainbow on an oil slick if you know what I mean."

"Yeah. So it was doggy style, huh?" teased Omi.

Juro smiled. "Be quiet."

+++

Yohji and Ken both stayed home from work. Neither felt sound enough to check in. They just sat in the living room eating breakfast. They'd never done this before but thought of it as perfectly suitable for now.

"So, I should start heading on out soon huh? I mean like on my own," asked Yohji. Ken nodded his head. Yohji was hoping that the shorter boy would not have agreed but they both knew it was time. Ken wasn't ready to see Yohji's face everyday anymore and Yohji had lost the privilege of waking up to see Ken's every morning. "I'll find some place nearby. There are some apartments down the block from here that…"

"Nah," said Ken shaking his head. There aren't any decent apartments anywhere in this neighborhood. Why do you think my parents finally moved out of this house? They wanted to get away before this place turned into a dump too. Only a set of railroad tracks divides us normal people from the heathens and those apartments you were thinking of are definitely in heathen town."

"It wouldn't be so bad as long as I was close to you."

"No, you should get a flat downtown, someplace near your work. You might as well abandon the job at the gym, you're making so much money at the night club now."

"Have I really made such a mess of things that you can't stand to have me anywhere near you? I understand if you want me to move out but suggesting that I stop working at the gym…well, I'd never see you anymore."

"I'm just looking at the big picture is all," said Ken as he grabbed something from a side table. "And I suggest that you start looking at this." Ken handed Yohji an updated rental guide. "I went walking this morning while you were still in bed and picked it up. There's some good stuff advertised."

Yohji started flipping through the pages without actually looking at them. "But I don't want to move," said Yohji with sad, sad, puppy dog eyes.

"But you must," said Ken. "Besides, you need your space. And just think, with me gone, you'll have a lot more room for Aya to hang around," Ken said, half jokingly.

"Oh, please, he's toast. I don't want anything to do with him anymore. I've learned too many things about him and seen too much other crazy shit lately that really just makes me want to stop making friends for a while. I'll just skip the trip to Cheung Chau he wanted to take me on too."

"Cheung Chau? Maybe you should just hold out until after the trip to tell him you don't want to see him anymore. It sounds like fun."

"Nah I'll save that experience for you and I some time." Yohji smiled and Ken reflected the expression.

"Well, now that we've got all of this figured out, what do you want for lunch?"

+++

The sky outside was black and it looked like the clouds were about to burst with buckets of water. The air was humid and the wind was almost unbearable. It had sprinkled now and again but never truly rained.

Ken turned on the windshield wipers and tried to read the directions that he had written down. The ink was smudged in places; preventing him from understanding the note clearly and by now he had the right mind to just head on home. But Ken was a persistent boy and wouldn't give up finding his destination so easily. He'd only been there once before on his own and had nearly gone in circles twice before realizing he was lost.

"Okay," he said aloud to himself. "I turn at this next light." With a smile on his face Ken pulled into the apartment parking lot and pulled into Yohji's stall, right next to his motorcycle. He grabbed the groceries he'd been asked to fetch and let himself in the front door. Yohji was standing in the kitchen making sure that his pot wasn't boiling over and cutting fresh garlic. "Honey, I'm home," announced Ken.

"Oh good, you're back. Now I can finish giving you a proper tour of the flat. Sorry I didn't even give you time to sit down when you first got here but I really needed these extra ingredients and I'd already started cooking," said Yohji as he went through the small grocery bag. "I've just been such a scatter brain lately that I forgot to pick this stuff up myself today. Oh yeah, you didn't wreck my car did you?"

"Uh…"

"Ken!"

"Just kidding, it's fine."

"Yeah, it better be. Well, come on. Now we can finish the tour of my new place." Yohji led Ken through the entire house proudly. He wanted Ken to be proud too. "This is the very best part," Yohji said as he opened his bedroom door. "Ta da!"

"Wow, wery chic! Very you," Ken said warmly as he received a kiss on the cheek from Yohji. His face turned nearly as deep red as the bed covers and curtains that Yohji had bought. The room had sort of a gothic gracefulness to it. It was fit for a prince's castle, with a big giant bed and soft down pillows.

"And one more thing," Yohji said dragging Ken down the hall. "There's a second bedroom for when you want to spend the night or pretend like you're on vacation or something. But of course, you could always sleep in my bed. This one is just a full size," said Yohji as he bounced on the mattress, "but mine can fit the both of us with room to spare."

"That smile on your face looks dangerous, right now. That could only mean trouble."

"Not always."

"Well, when you're ready. We should probably get back to my house and clear out the rest of your stuff. It shouldn't take long."

"Yeah, and we should do it quick. It looks like it's going to start pouring soon. Just let me turn the stove off and put the rest of the stuff you bought in a marinade and pop it in the fridge `til we get back."

+++

The two friends were nearly at Ken's house. "So, does it get lonely there without me?" Yohji asked.

"I manage," Ken smiled.

Craaaaack! CRACK!

"Got damn, that lightning is going crazy."

"It's a good thing the house is just up the street." Ken started sniffing around. "Do you smell something?"

"Oh god, don't tell me it's my car again. I just put a whole load of cash into this thing two weeks ago," said Yohji as he opened the glove compartment for his cell phone so he could call for road side assistance. "Let's pull over"

"Yohji, look ahead of us." A mass of fireman and bystanders were crowding the street. "The house is on fire. My parents fucking house is on fire! And oh my god what he fuck happened to the tree in the front yard?!"

"Oh shit, it looks like the place got struck by lightning. Look at the way the tree is split and the black char marks around. You're folks have got insurance right?"

"Yeah but, well….my fucking house is on fire!" Ken parked the car in front of a neighbor's house and both men climbed out. They stood in front of the house and watched as firemen desperately tried to put out the flames. "Yohji, is this real?"

"Guess who's staying at my house?" sung Yohji. Ken probably should have smacked him for smiling but he sort of felt like smiling toob once he got past the shock of things. "My bed or yours," asked Yohji as he threw his arms about Ken's neck.

"We'll see," said Ken as he closed in for a kiss.

"I just knew we weren't meant to be separated. You went against the gods Ken, and you lost."

"Me?"

"Yes, you, I told you I didn't want to move out but you insisted. So down from the heavens came fire to make things right again. So like I said, you went against the gods, and you got burned, literally."

"You know I could just stay at a hotel don't you," replied Ken smiling.

"Yeah, but a hotel won't give you room service like this," Yohji said, grabbing his friend between the legs."

"Whoa, Yohji! Ahh, oooh…ah. I mean, uh…it's starting to rain. We should get home. I'm sure one of the my parents' friends who live in the neighborhood have called them by now, they can handle all this crap." The two ran back to the car just as the rain began to thicken and consequently helped put out the Hidaka's house fire.

+++

After dinner Yohji was backed into his bedroom by a naked man holding him at shall we say…"gun" point. He'd been running around in just his undies all evening and it was time to take them off as well. He crawled backward onto the bed and started pulling his underwear off slowly as Ken gradually came closer to the bed. Ken came to a stop and Yohji tossed his last bit of clothing to the side. He spread his legs wide and presented himself to his lover. His penis engorged with blood was becoming impatient. "Well, don't you want to touch it at least?" Silence. "C'mon then, don't tease me. Or I swear, I'll jerk myself off right now and all that you'll get to enjoy of me are the little bits that splash onto your face and chest." Ken crawled over Yohji's body and hovered, he held both Yohi's wrists down to the bed, restraining him. Yohji squirmed and whimpered as he felt Ken lower his pelvis onto his own and make fiction between them. Suddenly, Ken just stopped. Yohji's eyes, which had been closed until now, shot open. "Oh don't stop now. Fuck me dammit! Fuck me!" he yelled and ascended his hips. But still he found no reply. "Just do me," he whined.

"Just do me?" Ken asked rhetorically in a low voice. "Well, what's the magic word?"

"Hard."

*You wouldn't believe the crazy things that have prevented me from finishing this story. For example, I just moved across the country and had to wait for my computer to arrive. Thanks to the hurricanes back east that took a LONG time.

Anyhow, thanks everybody who's complimented this story. Sorry about all typos, I have almost never proofread any of these chapters. Maybe I'm just a really lazy kid.

Fondly,

Lord Gackt