Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ The Sous-Chef ❯ Chapter 7

A/N: feurig - I don't know German, so if I'm using this word in a way no German would, please correct me. It's a word with a lot of different shades of meaning; it means `red' but it among its other meanings are `passionate', `fervent', `fiery', `spirited', `mettlesome'… Schu uses this word only half ironically. I thought it made a good nickname.

 

As always, I don't own WK and as always, thank you very, very much to my reviewers. It wouldn't be worthwhile to me to spend so much time on this story if it wasn't for you.

 

Chapter 7

 

Yohji stepped into the garage as Ken was taking his helmet off. Ken froze instantly upon seeing him, but seemed to recover himself just as quickly. “Hey, Yohji,” he said quietly.

 

Yohji lit a cigarette. “Hey, Ken,” he returned, leaning against the wall in a deceptively casual stance, cigarette dangling from his lips.

 

“You look good,” Ken observed. “Lightly bronzed, pretty, healthy. Being on the run agrees with you.”

 

Yohji snickered. “I think it's more that Schuldig agrees with me. Although most of the time he doesn't, just to be a pain in the ass,” he said affectionately.

 

“He's always been good at that,” Ken muttered.

 

“He takes pride in it,” Yohji chuckled. “You look good with your hair longer. That's a good style on you.”

 

“Thanks. Now I think it's time for us to quit discussing hair and boyfriends so you can tell me what you came out to meet me for. Obviously you have something you want to say to me.” Ken stepped up to Yohji, his eyes darkening.

 

Yohji stood up. He almost reached up to take his shades off when he realized he wasn't wearing any, hardly ever wore them anymore. Must be being around Weiß, he thought. “Ken…you know you deserve to be dipped in boiling tar and eaten alive by troglodytes for hurting Aya, don't you?” It wasn't what he'd planned to say, but he decided it expressed his sentiments well enough.

 

Ken looked for a second like he would become hostile, but then he turned and sagged against the wall beside Yohji. He wrapped his arms around himself. “Yes, I know that,” he whispered. “I hate myself for that more than anything else I've ever done.”

 

“I don't think it's really sunk in yet for me, that you would…” Yohji sighed, dropping his spent cigarette on the cement floor and crushing it.

 

“Yohji, I love him so much. I think I've loved him since a few months after he joined Weiß. I definitely loved him by the time you two…got together.”

 

“Yeah, I figured that out later. I had wondered why you started shutting me out.”

 

“It hurt so much, seeing you two, knowing that he loved you.” Ken laughed bitterly. “Still does, probably. Maybe not in the same way. But I didn't start to hate you for that until after the tower, when he'd gone. I started to hate everything, everyone. I kept losing time and coming around with blood on my hands, my chest, my face, and didn't know what I'd done or who I'd done it to.”

 

Yohji nodded.

 

Ken exhaled loudly, shakily, and looked up at the ceiling. “After I got out of the institution I felt…euphoric. Like Superman, you know? Invincible. You weren't in the picture anymore, and I felt like I was finally good enough, sane enough to be with Aya. Of course, when I found him, he was only interested in looking out for Aya-chan, but I knew how frustrated she was with him. She used to vent to me when he wasn't around, which wasn't often, but he trusted me with her. I was so fucking happy about that, that he trusted me with his precious little sister.” Ken's voice was thick and tremulous, though his eyes were dry. “She told me she was going to leave, and I… I didn't say anything to him about it.”

 

“Oh, fuck, Ken,” Yohji breathed, crossing his arms. “You fucking asshole.”

 

“I promised her I wouldn't, but of course that wasn't the reason I didn't. I wanted her to leave. I wanted her to hurt him so that I could save him. I wanted him to focus on me, the way he focused on her. I wanted him to love me…I want that so badly. It's the only thing I want in this world.”

 

“Do you understand how fucked up all of this sounds? You're more like a stalker than a lover,” Yohji said, and Ken turned to look into his eyes.

 

“I know that. I…damn it.” Ken took a shuddery breath. “Farfarello and the fall from the tower really fucked me up. It's like there's a… I don't know how to describe it. Like a new brain is growing inside the old one, and there are demons living in it, pulling my strings, taking me over no matter how much I fight them. Even so, I can't make myself leave Aya. Even if I hurt him. I don't want to hurt him; that's why I started taking the damn medicine. Aya is a necessity in my life, Yohji. I can't be without him.”

 

“You're going to have to be without him, because you two have got to be separated. This can't go on any longer, Ken. I won't let it. Maybe Mamoru couldn't bring himself to interfere, but I can.”

 

“Maybe if we move out of this damn house, it will be different,” Ken continued as though he hadn't heard. “We should move out of Japan. He won't be so oppressed, and everything will be new, so - “

 

“Ken! Are you hearing me?” Yohji took Ken by the shoulders and stared angrily at him. “That's not going to happen, Ken. We're getting out of here, probably tomorrow. Aya will be coming with us. You will not. Do you understand me?”

 

Ken stared at him, puzzled. “That's it? You came here just to snatch up Aya?”

 

“We're not `snatching' him. He's agreed to it.”

 

Ken's nostrils flared and he knocked Yohji's hands off of this shoulders.

 

Yohji sighed. “Look, maybe we should go inside and - “

 

Before he even realized it was happening, Yohji's arm was wrenched up painfully behind his back and he was smashed face-first into the cold cinderblock wall. “You're so fucking superior, aren't you. You won't LET me be around Aya.” Ken's voice dropped lower and Yohji could feel Ken's breath on his ear. “How are you going to stop me, you fucking prick? Shit!” Ken wrenched Yohji's arm higher and Yohji yelled, unable to move, unable to fight.

 

Yohji had known it was somewhat foolhardy to say what he'd said to Ken when they were alone - or even around other people, except for maybe Nagi. He wondered if Nagi was in the house. He tried to concentrate on contacting Schu, but Ken jerked his arm again and he couldn't focus.

 

“You think you can just waltz in here after being gone for five fucking years and start directing everyone's lives? What the fuck have you ever done for Aya, huh? Where were you when his sister left? Screwing around with that telepath bastard on a tropical beach somewhere? At least I was here, at least I was trying. I tried so hard. What the fuck makes you so much better for him?”

 

“Ken, I can't - “

 

“Fucking hell!” Ken roared, whirling Yohji around and catching him under the chin with an uppercut that knocked him off his feet.

 

Yohji's ears were ringing and he was seeing stars, but he sprang to his feet like a cat, barely dodging Ken's next blow. ::Schu! Where are you!::

 

::I'm driving to the house with Nagi, why? What's wrong?::

 

Ken had grabbed a tire-iron to extend his reach, and Yohji didn't think there was enough room in the garage for him to evade it. Damn it, hand to hand wasn't his specialty. ::I'm in trouble here!::

 

::What kind of trouble?::

 

Yohji ducked a swing that knocked a chunk out of the wall. Ken's eyes were empty of everything except the hunt, the damning desire to draw blood, to hurt, to maim, to murder. ::Ken! Tire iron!::

 

::Goddamnit, I knew I should've come straight back!::

 

Yohji didn't have time to reply, because Ken caught him by the hair and whacked him brutally in the left kidney. Yohji's knees buckled, his eyes tearing with the pain, and Ken began to drag him - Yohji never knew where, because it was then that he heard Aya saying, “Let go of him, Ken.”

 

To Yohji's amazement, he let go.

 

Yohji turned around as quickly as he could, gasping, to see Aya with his katana at Ken's neck. Ken was snarling, practically foaming at the mouth. He tried to leap backwards, but Aya matched his movements perfectly, almost herding him, until he was trapped between the wall and Aya's sword. Blood ran down Ken's neck from where the edge had parted skin.

 

Mamoru was saying, “Aya, I'm going to tranq him. I don't want this to happen again, damn it!”

 

“Mamoru, I told you, until you can tell me exactly how your concoction will react with the medicine he's on, I'm not letting you drug him.”

 

Mamoru gave a hefty sigh of exasperation. Keeping a wary eye on Ken, he walked over to Yohji. “Are you okay?”

 

“Sure, sure,” Yohji muttered, attempting to stand. A bolt of pain shot up his spine like a ragged gasp. “Nothing a few pints of bourbon won't fix.”

 

There was a racket of pounding feet, and Schuldig burst into the garage. He looked around frantically, spotted Yohji and ran to his side. “Yohji! Yohji, are you alri - no , of course you're not alright. You rat bastard son of a bitch,” he spat, evidently speaking to Ken, who seemed to be coming back to himself. “The fucking kidney? How low is that to do to someone who…shit. What buggering use is it to talk to you? When I'm done with you - “

 

“No!” Aya yelled, looking alarmed. He almost faltered with the blade, but managed to keep it together. “Don't fuck with his mind. Please, Schuldig.”

 

“Aya, you can drop the sword. I've got him,” Nagi said from the doorway.

 

“Alright, I won't fuck with his mind, Aya, I promise. It's fucked up enough in there.” Schuldig said, picking up the tire iron off the floor.

 

“Schuldig - “ Aya began.

 

“Take Yohji inside and get him some painkillers and a heating pad, would you, Aya?” Schuldig said, approaching Ken with an almost speculative air.

 

“Come on, Yohji,” Aya said, obeying Schuldig instantly.

 

::Schuldig, what are you going to do that's so bad you had to brave Aya's mind so you could compel him to leave the room?:: Yohji asked as he was herded past Nagi and Mamoru.

 

::Nothing much. Little retribution. Wanna watch?::

 

::Shit, Schu,:: Yohji fretted, as Aya guided him to lay down on the couch, and then went off to find painkillers. ::I don't - ::

 

::Think of him, attacking Aya like that. Over, and over, and over.::

 

Yohji buried his face in his hands. ::He can't have, Aya would be dead! Goddamnit, Schu -- ::

 

::That just makes it worse. He obviously had some control over himself when he beat Aya, and didn't use it to make himself stop.::

 

::I hate this, I hate this, I hate this shit…::

 

::Relax, I'm done already.::

 

The garage door opened, and Nagi came in with Mamoru. Behind them floated Ken, courtesy of Nagi. Ken was sweating and gasping, his face twisted in agony. Yohji couldn't see any blood or visible wounds on him. ::What did you do to him?:: Yohji asked as the three of them went past, taking Ken to his room.

 

::Not much. Just broke his right wrist and most of his ribs, and whacked him in the kidneys.:: Schuldig strode into the living room and leaned against the wall, looking peeved. ::Is that acceptable, Mr. Softy?::

 

Yohji felt like pulling all of his hair out. Maybe Schu's, too. He couldn't pick an emotion that fit this situation, and the conflict inside him was making him sick to his stomach. In his mind Ken's feral gaze became the clear, smiling, naïve face of Ken before the tower, and his guts twisted. He felt acid in the back of his throat. “Damn it,” he choked.

 

Schuldig was at his side immediately, taking Yohji gently in his arms. “Hey, I'm sorry, baby,” he whispered, stroking Yohji's golden hair. “I'm sorry. I'm sorry.”

 

“Why did he look like he was dying of the pain? Ken can handle injuries like the ones you said you…without…” Yohji shook his head.

 

::I amplified the effect in his mind so that he thinks he's in a hell of a lot more pain than he really is.::

 

Yohji wanted to tell him to stop the amplification, but…

 

::Just let me worry about it. I promise not to torture him more than necessary.::

 

Yohji raised an eyebrow. ::There's a `necessary' amount of torture?::

 

Schuldig's face darkened. ::Oh yes. There absolutely is.::

 

Yohji couldn't handle thinking about it anymore, it was too much. He took a deep breath, and realized that his pain was negligible. ::Schu, you're -- ::

 

::Yes, and don't argue with me about it.::

 

“Okay, but Aya was supposed to bring me pain meds - he's been gone a long time,” Yohji explained, dread making him nauseous again.

 

“I'll go check on him. I'm sure he's…well, not alright, but…”

 

“Yeah, yeah. Just go!” Yohji lay back down on the couch and put an arm over his eyes, trying to calm down.

 

A minute or so later, Schuldig sent, ::Aya's not doing so hot.::

 

Yohji groaned. ::What do you mean?::

 

::Bathroom floor, fetal position, shaking. You stay put though, I'm going to mellow him out a little. Just enough so that he doesn't go catatonic on us.::

 

::Fabulous.::

 

::Mamoru says he's arranged accommodations for Ken back at the Kritiker asylum. They're sending a van to pick him up. So if you have anything you need to say to him, say it now.::

 

Yohji thought his heart would split. Ken had tried so hard, Yohji knew he had - Ken was always goal oriented, and once he set a goal he would not stop until he reached it. For him to be unable to keep the freedom he'd fought his condition for, unable to keep the man he'd striven for… Yohji wouldn't want the decision to put him in the asylum again reversed, because that was obviously where he needed to be, but he knew this failure would be devastating for Ken. Yohji ached for him, but could think of nothing to say except good-bye.

 

::We'd still have decided he needed to go to the asylum even if he hadn't attacked me, wouldn't we?:: As soon as he sent that Yohji felt silly.

 

He heard Schuldig `tsk' in his head. ::Feeling guilty? You ought to. Don't think I'm not going to chew your ass out for putting yourself in that situation. I tried and tried to get inside his mind and make him stop before we got there, and I couldn't. It was like there was a fucking chaos force-field. He could have killed you, easily, and for what? So you could tell him what an asshole he is? He already knows that. Damn you, Yohji.::

 

Yohji hadn't thought he could feel any worse. He decided he was going to go into hibernation for several years, right on Aya's couch, and he wouldn't wake up until everyone in the house had a sunny goddamn disposition.

 

::You sure he didn't hit you in the head? You've become delusional.::

 

Yohji turned on his side and pressed his face into the cushions. ::Just take care of Aya and let me sleep, okay?::

 

::Mmhm, I'm taking very good care of Aya. Damn, he's well-built…::

 

Yohji smiled. ::Don't make me come in there.::

 

::Mind your own business. This is private:: Schuldig teased.

 

Yohji chuckled and let himself drift.

 

*******

 

The first thing Aya said when he woke from his Schuldig-induced slumber was, “Where's my katana?”

 

Yohji, sitting on the chest of drawers, took a drag on his cigarette and chuckled. “Some things never change.”

 

“It's in the rack on the wall,” Mamoru supplied helpfully. “I cleaned it for you.”

 

Aya sat up, blinking, glance flickering over to the rack as if to reassure himself. He turned his head, looking somewhat surprised that Schuldig was nonchalantly sitting in bed next to him, leaning against the headboard. “What are you doing here?”

 

“Awww, don't tell me you're kicking me out of bed now, after what we've shared?” Schuldig mock-pouted.

 

“I…” Yohji looked on, amused, as Aya took stock of the situation - both he and Schu were fully dressed, they weren't even under the covers, and Yohji and Mamoru were also in the room. Aya finally settled on “Go to hell,” which seemed to be directed to the room at large, and started rubbing his temples. “Are you alright, Yohji?”

 

“Yeah, except that I'm a total moron. Thanks for saving my ass, Aya. I'm sorry you had to do it,” he added. He offered his cigarette pack to Aya, who declined.

 

“I'm sorry also. If Nagi and I hadn't decided to drive around a bit and talk, we might have been able to prevent the whole thing.” Schuldig looked rueful. While Yohji didn't agree with his sentiments, that expression was so foreign on Schuldig that Yohji decided he had to savour it for a minute or two.

 

“I blame Kase.”

 

Everyone looked at Aya, mouths agape. Including Schuldig, who recovered first. “Was that a joke, feurig?”

 

“No way!” Yohji cried, “I blame Kase too.”

 

“Like hell,” Schuldig growled, throwing Yohji a menacing glare. “You're not getting off the hook with that, Yohji.”

 

Yohji cringed, sheepish.

 

“Anyway,” Schuldig continued, “I know you didn't do it for my sake and you might not care what I think, but thanks for saving my man.” To Yohji's astonishment, Schuldig leaned over and kissed Aya on the cheek. Aya accepted the gesture impassively. “You too, Mamoru,” Schuldig added, looking over at the silent figure by the window.

 

“I didn't do anything,” Mamoru protested.

 

“You would have if Aya had let you, or given you a clear shot,” Schuldig said.

 

Aya mumbled something.

 

“What, Aya?” Yohji asked, stubbing out his cigarette and coming over to Aya's side of the bed. He sat on the edge and took Aya's hand. “What did you say?”

 

“I want to talk to Ken.”

 

“Is he awake?” He added, to Schu, ::Do you think that's wise?::

 

“He's not awake, but I can wake him if Aya wants.” ::If Nagi stays in the room with them, there's no reason not to let Aya say goodbye.::

 

“Before that, I want to discuss what's going to happen now,” Mamoru said. “I'm going to need to go back to Tokyo to make sure everything goes smoothly with Ken's admission. Before I leave, let's decide what's next.”

 

“Aya, you've already said you don't want to stay with Nagi and Mamoru in Tokyo, is that right?” Schuldig asked.

 

Looking sullen, Aya shrugged. “It wouldn't be my first choice.”

 

“Do you have a first choice?” Yohji asked, squeezing Aya's hand.

 

Aya sighed, taking his hand from Yohji's and running his fingers through his hair. “No.”

 

“What would you think,” Yohji said slowly, looking intently at Schuldig, “of Aya coming with us?”

 

Schuldig looked at Yohji for a long time. Mamoru, who had come to sit at the foot of the bed, said, “Is that wise? Isn't Esszet still after you, Schuldig?”

 

“Not actively. Crawford's information says that most of the organized factions are concentrating on more worthwhile endeavours. It shouldn't be a problem for Aya to travel with us.”

 

::Is it a problem for you?:: Yohji asked. He looked at Aya, who was disheveled, tired, unhappy and…devourable. ::I can't promise I'll never lose my head around him.::

 

::You take advantage of him, you will definitely lose your head,:: Schuldig sent, sounding…protective? “What do you think, Aya? Wanna broaden your horizons?”

 

Aya looked at Schuldig skeptically. “Why would you want me to come with you?”

 

::I'm wondering that myself,:: Yohji added. ::I thought you'd be completely against the idea.::

 

::Is that what you were hoping?:: Schu asked, raising an eyebrow.

 

::Well, no, but -- ::

 

::You want him to come with us?::

 

::Yes, but -- ::

 

::Then shut up.:: “Yohji's friends are my friends. Besides that, I know I can trust you, and I think I can be of some help to you. Also, you're pretty and I kinda like you,” he said, grinning.

 

Aya looked from him to Yohji to Mamoru. “It's…you'll let me go with them?”

 

Mamoru looked very thoughtful. “Retiring you won't be a problem, if you're worried about that. I'll take care of the construction company, also. Is this what you want to do, Aya?”

 

“I…don't really want anything. I just wasn't expecting…” Aya looked at Yohji. “You really wouldn't mind?”

 

“Hey, I was the one who asked in the first place, wasn't I? Of course I don't mind.” Yohji smiled and squeezed Aya's shoulder. He had a little trouble forcing his hand to abandon all that tight muscle.

 

Aya looked down for a minute, letting his hair curtain his face. After a moment, he looked up and said, “Alright.”

 

“Good, I'm glad that's settled,” said Mamoru, patting Aya's leg and hopping off the bed. “You'd better come talk to Ken now, Aya; the van will be here in a little while. Schu, can you make sure Ken's awake, and not in too much pain to talk?”

 

“Done already, little boss.”

 

Mamoru glared at him, but said nothing. Aya silently crawled off the bed and left with Mamoru a few steps behind.

 

Yohji stretched out on the bed next to Schuldig. “You kinda like Aya now, huh?” he teased wryly, poking Schu in the ribs. “Aya Syndrome working its magic on you?”

 

“Nothing magical about it,” Schu said, slipping an arm around Yohji and snuggling up to him. “He's too pretty and deadly to be so wounded, and he really needs to get out of here. I think leaving Japan will be good for him. What can I say, I like people who would behead their lovers to protect you,” he added, hugging Yohji close.

 

Yohji's brows drew together. “He wouldn't have killed Ken.”

 

“Yeah, he would have. He was projecting the intent very strongly. It was really hurting him, and he would almost certainly have killed himself after, but he still would have done it if he'd had to.”

 

“Shit,” Yohji breathed, dragging a hand over his face. “I'm really an asshole.”

 

“You're really an asshole,” Schu agreed, burrowing tighter against Yohji's side.

 

Yohji sighed. “So where are we taking Aya?” he asked, eager for a change of subject.

 

“I've been thinking about that,” Schu said. “I think that since you're reuniting with a teammate, I'd like to reunite with one of mine.”

 

“Who, Nagi? We can hang out in Tokyo for a little while, I guess, if you want to spend some time with him.”

 

“I would like that. Maybe we'll do that, but that wasn't who I was thinking of.”

 

“Crawford?” Yohji asked incredulously. “I thought nobody even knew exactly where he was!”

 

“No, not Crawford, you dimwit,” Schu said, reaching up to smack Yohji's head. “Hanging out with Crawford is as fun and exciting as organizing a sock drawer. A sock drawer full of white socks,” he added, disgusted.

 

Yohji sat up, staring down at Schuldig. “You want to take Aya with us to go visit Farfarello? How the hell is that conducive to good mental health?”

 

“Hey,” Schuldig said, sitting up and glaring at Yohji. “I've told you, he's not Berzerker anymore. From what Crawford's said, he's really gotten his shit together. Was going to school and everything.”

 

Yohji held up his hands, placating. “Okay, okay. I was just wondering if there might be too many parallels between Farfarello and Ken, or if Aya might resent him for what happened to Ken at the tower.”

 

Schuldig looked thoughtful. “I honestly think Aya's beyond caring about stuff like that. I doubt any of that will occur to him. Don't remind him, in any case,” he warned.

 

Yohji sighed, and relaxed against Schu again. “Okay, let's go see what the great albino psycho's up to. I've always wanted to see Ireland.”

 

“He's not in Ireland anymore. Hasn't been for years.”

 

“Oh? Where is he now?”

 

“I don't know; I have to talk to Crawford.” He stretched languorously, yawning.

 

“What brought on this sudden desire to see him again?” Yohji asked, turning on his side and running a hand down Schu's side to his hip.

 

“Nothing, really, it's just that Nagi and I were talking about him, and I was trying to figure out where we should go.” Schu lay down and slid an arm under Yohji's neck, pressing close. “It seems like as good an idea as any. Plus, I'm really curious to see how he's doing.”

 

“Mmm,” Yohji murmured, taking in Schu's big blue eyes and wide, sensuous mouth. “Okay.” He kissed Schuldig , softly at first, and then more and more firmly until their teeth clicked together as they ravaged each other's mouth.

 

“Wait,” Schuldig cried, panting. “Your back…”

 

“I can hardly feel it,” Yohji said, trying to yank off Schuldig's shirt.

 

“That's because I'm not letting you. I don't want to aggravate it,” he argued, batting at Yohji's wandering hands.

 

“We won't. We'll be gentle. I'll bottom for you.”

 

“I - “ Schu began, as Yohji slipped a leg between his thighs and started rubbing against him. He moaned, tilting his head back, and Yohji latched on to his neck and bit down gently. “Oh, hell. Alright.”

 

There were no more words, no more thoughts for quite a while.