Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ Shades of Grey ❯ Chapter 6

Part Six

"…And I was so embarrassed," Omi finished, feeling his cheeks redden at the memory, "so I ran back to my room and hid under the covers." He laughed at himself a little, then glanced at Nagi. Nagi's eyes were bright with laughter and mischief.

"So you walked in on Kudo-san and his date, huh?" he asked, grinning. "What did Hidaka-san say when you saw them?"

"Nothing…" Omi's eyes widened. "How did you know it was Ken?" he blurted out. Nagi laughed at the dismay on Omi's face.

"How could I not know?" he teased. Seeing Omi's distress he sobered. "Schwartz keeps tabs on Weiss. We know a lot about all of you. Besides, for some reason Schuldich likes to play with Balinese's mind."

Omi was slightly disturbed that Schwartz knew so much about them. Weiss's intelligence couldn't even begin to match Schwartz's, especially with a clairvoyant and a telepath on Schwartz's side. Even if Kritiker had more info on Schwartz, they wouldn't give it to Weiss unless it was absolutely necessary. But the fact that Schwartz knew that much about them also reassured him a little. Surely if Schwartz was actively after them, all of Weiss would have been dead by now. It relieved a small worry at the back of Omi's mind that he was just a source of information for Nagi and Schwartz.

The two of them were sitting in the park where they'd met the day before, spending their last hour or so of free time talking. They'd spent the morning window-shopping at computer stores and games boutiques, and after lunch they went to an arcade to play video games until they ran out of money. They'd walked back to the park and strolled around in the aging sunlight without talking much, content to be in each other's company. Nagi couldn't believe he felt so comfortable with Omi already.

"What's your schedule like for the next week?" he asked as they sat close together on the bench. The sun was beginning to set, sending red streamers of cloud across they sky.

"Mostly school and work," Omi replied. They had agreed not to talk about their real jobs with each other, so Nagi knew Omi was referring to the Koneko. "I don't think I have an evening off this week, and I'm working all day Saturday and Sunday afternoon."

Nagi chewed on his lower lip, thinking. "You want to meet for breakfast Sunday morning?" he asked. "We can always talk online for the next week. And I have my own phone line," he said. "You could call me." His face lit up, and Omi laughed.

"I have my own line too, so I can call you after I'm done work. But when am I going to do my homework?"

Nagi made a disparaging sound. "Who cares about homework? What about me?" He leaned his head on Omi's shoulder and looked up into Omi's face.

Nagi was impossibly cute, Omi thought. He'd have to be careful or he really would start to let things slide. That would mean the school would call his legal guardian, Aya, and Aya would not be happy that he was drawing attention to himself. He'd try and find out why Omi wasn't doing so well, and that was a very bad thought.

"I have to keep up my grades or the others will wonder why I'm not doing well," he said, smiling at Nagi's scowl. "But anyway, where do you want to go for breakfast? And when do you want to meet?"

"You know the place next to the ice cream shop near here?" Omi nodded. "Meet me there at nine, okay?"

"Have you ever been there before?" Omi asked. Nagi shook his head. "Good, neither have I… and I've been most places Aya and Yoji and Ken have been to. Besides, Ken and Yoji are working in the shop Sunday morning" Omi blushed a bit as he thought of them again, "and Aya's spending next weekend somewhere with Aya-chan."

"It's safe enough. Nobody ever lets Farfie out alone, and Crawford works every morning in the house. Schu may be sleeping or something, I don't know," Nagi said.

"You don't seem all that concerned about Schuldich," Omi observed. Nagi shrugged.

"If Schuldich wants to know what I'm doing he'll find out. So whether we run into him or not, sooner or later he's going to know I'm seeing you." A lot sooner than later, he added mentally.

"Nagi…" Omi was surprised at how calm he sounded. "What will Crawford do if he finds out?"

"I don't know," Nagi admitted. "But I think it would be a lot worse if Fujimiya-san found out."

Omi fervently agreed. "We'll just have to be careful then," he said, resting his cheek against Nagi's hair.

They sat that way until the sun had finally died a bloody death and twilight was lingering in the air. Regretfully Omi broke the silence. "Nagi?"

"Hmm?"

"I have to go," Omi said softly. "It's getting late and I've been gone all day. They'll wonder where I went."

Nagi moved his head a little so he could see Omi's face, but didn't raise it from Omi's shoulder.

"Do you really have to go?" he asked. Omi nodded, and Nagi sighed. He tilted his head up and placed a soft kiss on Omi's lips.

Startled, Omi broke the kiss and stared at Nagi. He searched Nagi's eyes with his own. "So Sunday is a date, then?" he asked hesitantly.

"Of course," Nagi replied. "I thought you knew that." He kissed Omi again, gently. "You'd better go. I'll call you tomorrow?" he asked tentatively.

Omi smiled. "I'm done work at eight. Call me then." He leaned over and kissed Nagi again, this time letting his mouth open a little. The tips of their tongues pressed together briefly, then Omi pulled back. With a shy smile and a wave, he walked towards his apartment. He'd only gone a few steps when he felt the brush of phantom fingers on his cheek. When he looked back, Nagi was already gone.

Today just had to be a busy day, Yoji thought sourly, ringing in the latest purchase. He and Ken were working in the shop alone this morning and it would have been the perfect opportunity to talk to Ken about their situation before Aya came in for his afternoon shift.

He gave change back to the customer and was instantly besieged by another. Ken was busy answering questions and putting together bouquets for the customers who just kept coming. They could really have used Omi right about now, but Omi had gone out somewhere and he didn't say when he'd be back.

Thinking about Omi made Yoji uneasy. He'd been genki as usual this morning, acting as if everything was fine, but Yoji had felt uncomfortable around the younger boy. What must Omi have been thinking last night? It was one of the things he'd wanted to discuss with Ken this morning. They'd woken up almost late and had to shower and dress quickly if they were going to open the Koneko on time. Ken hadn't seemed concerned that Omi knew, but Yoji didn't even know what Ken wanted from him. And then there was Schuldich.

Yoji sighed, feeling a little guilty. He hadn't told Ken everything last night. He and Schuldich had spent a lot more than one night together. The redheaded German held a deadly fascination for Yoji, one that Yoji had only managed to break seven months ago. Since then the only times he'd seen Schuldich had been when the redhead was with Schwartz, but that didn't stop the German assassin from making unwelcome visits to Yoji's mind whenever he felt like it. He seemed to think he could play with Yoji whenever he wanted.

"Have a nice day," he responded automatically as he handed another customer his change. He blinked and realised that the shop was empty for the first time that morning. Finally, he thought, and looked around for Ken.

"Want some coffee, Yoji?" Ken's voice floated out from the adjoining kitchenette. Yoji sniffed the air as the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifted out to reach him. He could feel his muscles relax a notch. Coffee would be wonderful.

"Yeah, thanks Ken," he called back, and eagerly reached for the mug when Ken brought it out to him, cradling it in his long fingers. He felt immeasurably better after the first sip. Coffee and cigarettes, breakfast of champions. The thought immediately set his fingers twitching for a smoke. He glanced at the clock. It was almost one.

"Aya should be here soon," he said. Ken nodded, and went to sit at the table with his coffee. Yoji followed him. "Ken," he began.

Ken looked at him questioningly.

"What do we do about Omi?" Yoji asked. Ken looked a little baffled.

"What about Omi?" Yoji stared at him in disbelief.

"Ken, he saw us last night."

"So?"

Yoji couldn't believe that Ken was so nonchalant about this. "So, what do we say to him? Or do we say anything at all? Or…"

"This is really bothering you, isn't it?" Ken asked curiously. "Omi won't say anything to either of us unless we say something to him about it. He's probably more embarrassed than you are about the whole thing." He sipped casually at his coffee, his eyes sharply assessing Yoji's face.

"Aren't you embarrassed at all?" Yoji asked incredulously. Ken shrugged.

"Should I be?" he asked.

"He walked in on you and I making out on the couch!" Yoji exclaimed. He couldn't believe that it didn't bother Ken at all.

"Omi knows I'm gay, Yoji. He's old enough that we don't need to tiptoe around him. It sounds like you're the one who has an issue with it." His eyes bored into Yoji's. "If it bothers you that much, Yoji, it doesn't have to go any further than it has. We can end it." Ken hid his feelings behind an impassive face and a flat voice. If this was where it ended he wasn't going to show Yoji how much it hurt.

"End what, Ken?" Yoji nearly cried in frustration. "What exactly…" he broke off as he heard the door open. Aya stepped inside the Koneko.

"Good afternoon," he said, noticing the tension in the air but not remarking on it. He went to get his apron. Ken laid a hand on Yoji's arm.

"We'll talk about this later okay? I promise." Ken said, his expression softening. He withdrew his hand as Aya walked back in. "Did you have a good time with Aya-chan?" he asked Aya.

Aya's face unfroze. His lips turned up at the corners. "We had a good day. It looks like you did too." His eyes flicked to the hickey on Ken's neck, and Ken felt himself flush. Aya was always a little less cold after spending time with Aya-chan. The coldness was just habit by now, and it helped him deal with killing for a living. Ken grinned at Aya.

"Definitely a good night," he agreed.

"Where's Omi?" Aya asked.

"He went out this morning before we opened the shop. It's his day off." Ken replied. Aya frowned. "He's been out studying a lot lately," Ken continued. "I guess he has exams or something." Aya just nodded.

"Any orders?" he asked.

"A few," Ken said. "It was really busy this morning so we didn't get to any."

Yoji listened to the two of them talk, feeling no desire to enter the conversation. He was so frustrated that he didn't know what to do. Well, Ken had promised that they'd talk about it tonight, and Yoji would hold him to it. His eyes narrowed. They'd go out somewhere tonight, someplace where they didn't need to be afraid of being overheard.

Aya looked at Ken curiously. "What's wrong with him?" he asked, indicating Yoji. Ken shrugged.

"He was on time for work." Aya nodded sagely as if that explained everything.

The Koneko was closed and the shutters down when Omi finally returned. He detoured up the fire escape stairs and unlocked the door, slipping into the living room cautiously. No one was around. He closed the door quietly. If he was lucky he'd make it to his room without anyone seeing him. He had to pass by Ken's open door to get to his, and he heard Ken call out to him.

"Oi, Omi, " Ken called. "C'mere for a minute, okay?"

Omi winced, and then went back to Ken's open door.

"Yeah, Ken-kun?" Ken was standing in the middle of the room in black pants, towel-drying his wet hair.

"Where were you all day, Omi? I was kind of worried once it got dark. I know it's stupid but still," Ken dropped the towel onto a chair and crossed to his closet, his back turned to the door as he hunted for a shirt.

Omi noted Ken's tattoo with some interest. He wondered when Ken had gotten it. He hadn't had it a year ago.

"I was out with a friend," he said. He'd already prepared an answer to that question in case anyone asked.

Ken shrugged into a shirt that was somewhere between blue and green, almost exactly the colour of his eyes. He looked hopefully at Omi. "Someone from school?" he asked. Omi nodded, and Ken smiled in relief. "I'm glad you're having fun," he said. "What are you dong tonight?"

"I have some homework to finish for Monday," Omi said quickly. "Are you going out tonight?" He liked the shirt; it wasn't flashy but Ken looked really good in it.

"Yoji and I are going to a club," Ken responded. He saw Omi drop his eyes and went over to him. "Hey, don't worry about last night," he said, catching Omi under the chin and tilting his head up so Omi had to look at him. "It wasn't your fault. Don't be embarrassed." Omi's eyes slid to the hickey on Ken's neck.

"I just thought that Yoji…" Omi stopped, confused.

"So did I," Ken grinned. "It was a pleasant surprise. But anyway, don't worry about it, okay?"

Omi smiled. "I'm not, Ken-kun. Have fun tonight. You look really nice."

"Thanks," Ken laughed, tousling Omi's hair. When Omi scowled at him he grinned unrepentantly. "Introduce me to your friend one of these days," he said. "I'd like to meet him. Is he cute?"

Omi looked startled.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone you're seeing someone. I recognize the symptoms," Ken said, his eyes dancing. "I'm just glad you found someone you like being with. A lot." Ken smiled again.

"Thanks, Ken-kun. Maybe you'll meet him sometime. Good night," Omi added, and left Ken's room. His heart was beating a little too fast. Had he been that obvious? Nobody else seemed to notice anything. He supposed it was because Ken knew him so well. He knew that Ken felt responsible for him, and was very protective of him. It was a surrogate kinship, but it was satisfying for both of them. He guessed that it might be worrying Ken not to know what he was up to, but Ken wouldn't push if Omi obviously didn't want to talk about it. He was grateful he had someone to talk to if he needed to.

Omi closed his door and turned on the computer. He'd play around for a bit; calm himself before he started his homework. He had to work all day tomorrow so he couldn't do it then. He remembered that he hadn't given Nagi his phone number, and went online to see if Nagi was on.

He was disappointed when Nagi's name didn't come up on his screen, then he laughed at himself. He'd just spent over twelve hours with Nagi. Surely that was enough for one day? He felt a little silly. All the same he e-mailed Nagi his number, just in case.

Ten minutes later the phone rang.