Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ Zweiter Chancen ❯ Weiss ( Chapter 16 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

*****16*****


Back with Weiss. Not Emery. Not Schuldrich. Not yet. Just us observers, watching these four assassins-by-night, florists-by-day, as they putz around their shared apartment, hoping to come up with something to take their minds off of...everything else.

Not only have all of them lost something dear to them, but they have lost a dear friend as well. It doesn’t make the day or the night move any faster, it just drags life along, and all of them feel as if they have been drug all over town.

Everyone, except...maybe...one particular red-head.

“I’m not saying anything.” Ran sighs, slumping down on the end of the couch. “I just think it’s a possibility. Why else would he steal the very things he knew meant the most to us?”

“To get under are skin, what do ya think?” Youji sneers, easing himself down into a nearby chair, considering his side is still a bit tender.

As for the others, Omi is curled up on the opposite end of the couch from Ran, and Ken is sitting cross-legged on the floor beside the coffee table.

It isn’t very late, a little after 8 o’clock, but without any new missions to worry about recently, they don’t know what to do with themselves, other than discuss the one thing none of them really want to talk about.

“From the sound of things, it seems that all the stuff he took were possessions we all specifically told him about.” Omi comments logically, lying his head back on the arm of the couch. “None of them were anything we really *need*, but he knew we’d miss them anyway. Maybe Youji’s right. Maybe he just did it for one final slap in the face.”

“Sure sounds like something he’d do.” Ken agrees, leaning back on his elbows.

“I’ll admit...” Youji smiles ruefully, in response to his teammates’ suggestions. “...I like Ran’s theory better. I like the thought that he took them because he wanted something to remember us by. Heh. That sounds like some hopeless-romantic drivel out loud, doesn’t it?”

A little. But hey, we are all entitled to our fantasies. Especially when they might just come true.

Weiss continues talking, actually enjoying themselves after awhile. The topic soon leaves their lost tenant and focuses on other things. On everything.

It isn’t often that they have the opportunity to sit down and enjoy a nonlethal evening together. It isn’t often that they take such an opportunity. But tonight...they have.

Youji wouldn’t be able to go out in his condition, anyway, especially for the usual recreation he would be going out for. Ken certainly doesn’t have anywhere he needs to be, since soccer practice is during the day. Omi doesn’t have any backup paperwork to worry about, or any computer work to mess with. And Ran...well...for once, he doesn’t feel like going off on his own.

Rare moments like these are what remind them that they are friends, even if they often forget.

Being so wrapped up in each other, actually, they don’t even pick up on the sound of the door opening and closing below them, nor do they hear the footsteps that soon begin to ascend the stairs.

“Hey, at least I’m not one of the ones who fell right on his ass during that shift.” Youji teases, the conversation having turned to humorous events that have occurred in the shop.

“It wasn’t my fault!” Omi protests, since he *was* one of the ones who fell to the floor the fateful day they are discussing. “Ken-kun sprayed too much water near the daffodils and the floor was all wet.”

“You’re blaming me?” Ken asks, wide-eyed. “I slipped that day, too, ya know? It’s all because of Youji. We got distracted when he tried to set up that quadruple date for all of us.”

Youji tilts his head, dreamily remembering. “You should have agreed, boys. The four girls and I had alot of fun that night.”

Omi and Ken stare blankly a few minutes, before both burst out laughing at such an intriguing statement, and although Ran shakes his head in disapproval, the smallest smile begins to appear on his lips, as well.

“Geez, when was the last time we did something like this?” Youji asks softly, admiring his laughing - and somewhat smiling - friends. “Even without him here, it’s obvious Emery’s had a lasting affect on us. I wonder...I wonder what he’d say...”

“So, I go home, right? No big deal. Lived there for years. Should have been a piece ‘a cake.”

Four heads whip around, instantly tensing at the sound of that nasal voice, and the sight of a red-haired young man leaning over the railing by the stairs.

“Well, it wasn’t a piece ‘a cake. Farf is as psycho as ever, but I don’t find it a comfort anymore. Brad’s the same old jackass, who oddly enough, was a little worried about me this past week, but I feel even more inclined *not* to follow his orders than I did before. As for Nagi...” he continues, by this time having swung his legs over the banister, now sitting on the railing, while ignoring the dumbfounded looks his companions are giving him. “...he gave me a nice, long speech about how it’s my life and I’m the one who has to chose who I am going to be. And you know what? It *is* my life. It’s my choice. And I don’t think it should be them.”

Weiss is still speechless and still, watching as Schuldrich produces that familiar laundry bag and proceeds to dump it out on the floor. The gloves, the keychain, and the stuffed cat, all fall out in a heap. The necklace is also in plain sight, dangling out in the open from around the German’s neck.

“Sorry if you missed this stuff. Couldn’t help myself.” Schu smirks, admiring the perplexed looks he is still receiving. “Look, I’m not Emery, okay? I’m just not. But...I’m not really Schuldrich, either. I remember doing all the things I’ve done, but I remember not remembering, too. I can’t be just one of those people anymore. I’m both. And you’re gonna have to deal with both if you decide to...let me come back.”

Finally, the silence that has overtaken Weiss consumes the entire room. Schuldrich is waiting for an answer, but the others are too stunned to give him one.

(This is insane.)

(How can we trust him?)

(He’s probably just playing with us again.)

(I wonder if...it could really be possible...)

Oh, yes, the air is silent, but what lies buried deep beneath everything else, rings loud and clear to Schuldrich. Can he blame them for having doubts? Hell, even he has doubts. The real strange thing, though, is that one string of hope. The one mind that jumps first to believing in him instead of believing harsh things about him.

I’m sure you can guess who belongs to that string.

“Why the sudden change of heart?” Ran questions suddenly, hiding something behind his usually masked, violet eyes. “I believe I remember someone telling me that there is no hope or second chances for people like us. Was that you, or were you someone else when you said that?”

Schuldrich casts his gaze away, down at the floor, still swinging his legs from his perch on the railing. “You want the truth? The truth is...half of me is ready to sprint back down those stairs and go home. But the other half...hehe...the other half thinks *this* is home. I made a choice once, and I didn’t like it, so I’m trying again. Whether I’m welcome back...well...that’s up to you.”

Weiss sit stunned, including Ran. After all, even he didn’t know how Schuldrich was going to answer him. Every last one of them wants to answer back, but none have the strength to say a word. None know what they *should* say, because as much as they have hoped for this very moment, nothing is easy when something like this lands at your feet.

Finally, when the silence in the room is about ready to burst, a certain blue-eyed bishounen leaves the safety of his seat on the couch, and with a very familiar lunge forward, he clings to Schuldrich’s chest, nearly toppling the red-head over the edge of the railing.

“Emmy-chan!” Omi cries happily, no need for tears this time around.

“Deja vu, kid.” Schu grins, tentatively slipping his arms around Omi’s shoulders to hug him back.

The young blonde shakes his head, pulling Schuldrich off the banister into a true hug, tight and close. “Iie, Emery. You didn’t push me away this time.”

“Yeah, well...don’t hang on so tight. I wasn’t kidding when I said I’d just had this suit cleaned.”

Omi laughs, reluctantly pulling away, and miraculously enough, Ken and Youji join in. Ran would have, too, but getting a laugh out of him comes about once a year, at best.

It isn’t easy to slip back into a familiar pattern when the very makeup of that pattern has changed, but they are certainly willing to try.

The stolen items are tossed back to their rightful owners as Schuldrich takes a seat on the arm of the couch. All except for the necklace. It isn’t on purpose, and Ran knows that, which is why he doesn’t mention the fact that Schuldrich has grown comfortable enough with it to forget it is still around his neck.

“You have to understand.” the nearly out of place German begins, nervously wringing his hands. “If you let me stay, you’re lives will be in danger. More so than usual.” He swallows, attempting to pass his anxiety off with that common smirk, but failing miserably. “Brad knows. I’m sure he knows by now. And...they’ll come for me. Farf’s gonna want to kill me, I can guarantee you that, and it’ll be a pain in the ass to stop him. If Brad gets to me first, whatever he has planned will be even worse.”

“Worse than psycho-boy cutting you apart?” Ken questions with a raised eyebrow, not holding back his disgust for the brutal Irishman in the least.

Schuldrich raises an eyebrow of his own, looking Ken right between the eyes. “You have no idea.” he breathes, utilizing a terribly frightening tone. “Brad knows how to get to people - and I mean *really* get to them - even better than I do. And that’s saying alot. You think you’ve seen what he can do? You think you’ve seen what Schwartz can do? We’ve gone easy on you. Taking over the world wouldn’t be half as fun without someone trying to stop you, even if they don’t stand a chance. And believe me, you didn’t.”

Every last member of Weiss swears the room just dropped a few degrees. They almost would have taken Schuldrich’s words as mere intimidation, but the way he had said it, they way he hadn’t broken or stumbled over the words once, gives them pause.

They were destined to lose, and had only been kept around for entertainment.

“What about the little guy?” Youji prompts, after digesting what Schuldrich had said. “The telekinetic, Naoe. You didn’t mention him.”

Schu shrugs, lifting himself out of the dark aura he had been so consumed in. “He’s not worth mentioning. Don’t get me wrong, the kid’s more powerful than all of Weiss and Schwartz put together, but he doesn’t know how to harness it yet. Even if he did, he wouldn’t go against Crawford. He wants to, but he can’t. Hell, he’s the reason I’m here, even if he can’t get out himself.”

“What do you mean?” Omi questions, truly fascinated by this whole conversation.

“I mean...if he hadn’t talked to me about what an idiot I’d been for choosing Schwartz over you in the first place, I’d probably still be staring at your crap on my dresser, wondering... ‘what if?’ If you get what I’m saying.”

“So...Nagi’s not a threat?” Ken restates, half saying it to himself.

“Oh, he’s a threat, he just won’t enjoy it. Not like the other two. He’ll regret the whole mess, but he’ll do what Brad tells him. He doesn’t know anything else.”

Great. So they have a war on their hands, so to speak. The question is, when will Schwartz strike and how? Well, there are still a few more questions to be answered besides that.

“Do you think we stand a chance?” Youji inquires earnestly, not even dancing around the idea of simply kicking Schu out to save himself.

In fact, despite what Schuldrich expected, the thought of rejecting him hasn’t crossed a single mind for even the briefest moment. They accept him, just as Nagi knew they would.

“I mean, we outnumber them, ne?” Youji continues, trying to hide the wince of pain that shoots up his side when he shifts in his seat. “Injuries aside, we’ve got a pretty powerful weapon having you with us.”

“Don’t get stuck on the novelty.” Schu dismisses. “Farf’s mind I can read, but he’s way too one-track. Nagi’s mind isn’t too hard to breach, but...he’s getting better all the time. And Brad...well...Brad can keep me out 99 times out of 100. The only times I even come close are when I really piss him off, but he’ll be on guard way more than usual. It won’t be easy.”

Hopping to his feet, Ken takes in Schuldrich’s somber mood and turns it around, practically beaming. “You’ve still got those lightening reflexes, Em.” he states proudly, not faltering with the use of Schuldrich’s true name in the slightest. “Even Crawford can’t beat your super-speed, psychic premonitions or not. All five of us as a team are gonna cream ‘em.”

“Yeah!” Omi chirps, bouncing up off the couch. “We won’t let them win no matter what.”

“We’ll protect you just like we promised, even if they come at us with everything they’ve got.” Youji joins in next, standing perhaps the tiniest bit slower than the others.

Even silent Ran offers support through an uncharacteristically warm smile, and Schuldrich...Emery...has reason to believe in something again.


*****


Talk about a restless night. Don’t get me wrong, the boys didn’t drag themselves off to bed until well past midnight, but now that they are snuggled in, very few are actually asleep. Their minds are overrun with thoughts of Death coming to claim them in their sleep, most likely in the form of either an Irishman or an American.

I’m sure you can understand.

Omi is happily off in dreamland, quite content to focus on how their dear friend is back where he belongs. Youji is...close, but the discomfort of his injured side makes everything a little bit harder. Paranoid Ken is tossing and turning, always with a nervous eye on his window. And Ran is staring up at his ceiling, exhaustingly tired, but far from the satisfaction of sleep.

As for Emery...

Knock. Knock.

Tossing a knowing glance at his door, Ran sits up in bed, suppressing a small smile. “You can come in, Emery.”

The young German enters, closing the door behind him with a devilish smirk. “How did you know it was me?”

“Lucky guess.”

“It’s weird hearing you call me that name now. It almost doesn’t fit anymore.”

“I think it fits fine. And it’s nice to know that *those* fit, too.”

Obviously, Emery can’t borrow Omi’s clothes anymore, and since he hadn’t brought any of his own back with him, he is now stuck borrowing from someone else. No, not from Youji, as most would guess, even if their styles match up the best. No. Emery is closer in size to Ran, and stands in front of the red-head now wearing a pair of blue pajama pants identical to Ran’s black ones.

And that is all he bothered to put on.

“Yeah, well, I could have stuck with Omi’s shorts...” Emery grins. “...but I think the term ‘pornographically tight’ would have been involved with that. Hmm. Maybe I *should* go get them.”

Ran replies to this with a mildly amused and very skeptical look. “What do you want, Emery? It’s getting late.”

That world renowned grin grows a mile longer, and Emery slowly saunters his way over to the bed, not bothering to hide how he is clearly checking Ran out. The sheets have fallen away from his chest and lie just below the waist, showing a hint of those infamous black pants, and a little of those familiar hip bones, as well.

Licking his lips far too hungrily, Emery sits on the edge of the bed and leans forward, bending Ran back onto the mattress.

“I thought we could pick up where we left off...” he purrs, nipping at Ran’s delicious jawline, and adoring the tremor that proves the trapped red-head has been caught off guard.

“Don’t.” Ran stops him, holding Emery back with both hands. “You know we can’t.”

“Says who?”

“Me.” Ran stresses, pushing the German all the way away and sitting back up again. “The same reasons for waiting still apply.”

“The same reasons?!” Emery repeats, his eyes flashing with sudden anger. “You mean reasons like waiting to see if I turn back into Schuldrich because we don’t know what’s going to happen? I don’t mean to state the obvious, but have you taken a look at me lately?”

Ran sighs loudly, returning that fierce, blue gaze completely unwavering. “That wasn’t the only reason and you know it. I live my life in a way that makes it easy to regret most of what I do. I don’t want a reason to add something that should have meaning as just another mistake.”

For countless moments, Emery attempts a comeback, but falls short everytime just before opening his mouth. There has to be a way to throw Ran’s words back in his face. There has to be, as far as Emery is concerned.

But there isn’t. So, he settles for going around the truth instead of shattering it.

“You’re really full ‘a shit, you know that?” he laughs in a somewhat scornful voice. “We’re two consenting adults who obviously want each other. Who says we have to regret anything?”

“Stop making this harder than it has to be.” Ran groans, knowing that he is already far too close to giving in. “It wouldn’t be right.”

“So you’ll sleep with a little kid, but you won’t give *me* the time ‘a day?”

“That isn’t fair.”

“Life isn’t fair, but it belongs to us. Meaning...we’re supposed to make the most of it. Now, just because I chose to come back here and play the good guy doesn’t mean I don’t still have certain...needs...that border on the part of me who’s still a little naughty. Get me?”

Ran opens his mouth to counter, but a long finger placed over his lips silences his last chance for rebuttal. Once again, he is pressed back against the mattress, unable to fight his companion off, especially with the feel of such smooth hands running over his chest.

“All I’m asking...is for a chance to make you change your mind.” Emery whispers, leaning in so close, their breath mingles, and their noses are practically touching. “If you still want me to stop, I will, but I’m not going without a fight.” Grin. “Who knows...maybe that’s what turns you on.”

“How dare you -”

“Just yanking your chain...Ran...” he cuts in, playing with the sound of that name as it tumbles off his tongue. “Come on now...I promise I’ll play nice...” Teasingly, he darts out that silver tongue and licks the tip of Ran’s nose. “...for a little while, anyway...”

Ravenously, Emery devours his semi-willing prey’s mouth, holding nothing back as he dives in deep, claiming everything as his own. What can Ran possibly do but respond? This is no childish game or timid test of faith. Both know full well what the other is capable of, and both are going to use that knowledge to their full advantage.

Hands stray as quickly as idle hands can, soon becoming everything *but* idle. Emery has control and he likes it that way, smoothing a feather-light touch across Ran’s white chest with one hand, while the other digs into fire-red hair.

Ran allows all of it, clinging to the young - but not too young - body that is lying on top of his own. He holds tight, both arms around Emery’s neck, and kisses back passionately, dancing his tongue along with the one that is still roaming his mouth.

This is not at all like what he felt before, and yet it is exactly the same. Emotions pulse hotter, intentions even less pure, but the attraction is the same. Nothing that he adored about Emery is gone from him now that he has grown, it has merely been combined with something else.

Something that knows exactly what it wants.

“...looks like...I changed your mind, after all...” Emery smiles, breathing heavily after breaking from their kiss. “...how about...I keep changing it...all night long...?”

Naughty hands stray down the front of Ran’s chest and lower still until reaching those owe so enticing hip bones. Emery looks up into violet eyes - half-lidded and hazy - before pressing deeply along the grove of Ran’s hips, massaging over the soft skin. A low groan escapes the back of Ran’s throat, the very sound even young Emery had adored, and Ran unwittingly bucks upwards, anything to get closer to those hands.

“...that’s the answer I was looking for...”

“...wait...” Ran commands in a hoarse whisper, just as Emery had began slipping those black pants off. “...I’m not going to force you to stop...but I need to know...why you want this...”

Pulled out of his blissful ravaging, Emery tenses, lifting himself up to look at Ran’s face more closely. As flushed as it is, it is also very serious. “What do you want to hear? Not... ‘because you’d be one hell of a fuck,’ I take it. So...what? I love you? Is that what you want?”

“I just want the truth. Emery...young Emery...was infatuated...probably with the idea of me as someone who could protect him...but was still...untouchable.”

“Heh. Sounds like someone has a bit of an ego.”

“Make fun if you want, but I’m right. He...for some foolish reason...admired me...and wanted me...and even though I see some of the same in you...I don’t get it. Why do *you* want me...?”

Well, plainly put, Emery is stumped. He didn’t expect an interrogation. He barely expected to get what he came for. He is achingly close to claiming what he wants, but now he has to think about it.

Damn. What luck.

Rolling off of Ran disgruntledly, Emery lands on his back beside him, lying next to the insistant red-head with a suffering sigh. Neither look at the other, they just stare up at the ceiling. Ran is what Emery isn’t: patient. He will wait as long as it takes to get an answer.

(Do I have to say this out loud?) the somewhat frustrated German thinks into Ran’s mind.

“No. I just want an answer.”

(Then I’m going to answer like this, so I don’t chicken out by hearing my voice say it, okay?)

“An answer, Emery. All you have to do is tell me the truth.”

Slight pause. The truth isn’t something that comes easy to someone like him. It rarely comes easy to anyone. (It’s not because I love you.) he answers, as truthfully as he knows how. (I don’t think it’s that. I don’t know, maybe that *is* part of the reason. I know I think you’re beautiful. I’ve thought that all along, even as the kid. That was my excuse. ‘He’s beautiful and I want to be apart of it.’ But like I said, that’s just an excuse. You’re gorgeous, don’t get me wrong, but that’s all attraction, and this isn’t just about attraction. I...feel like I need you.) Pause again. (Scheise, it even sounds stupid when I think it.)

“It doesn’t sound stupid to me. Why do you think I keep letting you in?”

(What, you need me, too?)

“Even the devil has friends, but sometimes friends aren’t enough.”

The bed creaks and shifts, suddenly thrown into movement again. Ran has rolled over and now swings one leg to the other side of Emery’s body, straddling his waist. Lowering himself just enough to catch the German’s eye and keep it, Ran allows the pinned, young man to see something incredibly rare.

A striking smile.

“Hey, what’s the idea?” Emery asks with the raise of a sunset-colored eyebrow.

Ran’s smile twitches. “You gave me an answer. I don’t know what I was hoping for, but I liked what was offered.” Lowering his head to the crook of Emery’s neck, he places the softest kiss on the other red-head’s cheek. “I want you...just you...but…not yet. You’ve only just discovered your own identity. We have time.”

“Time? Damn. And here I thought I was changing your mind.” Emery sighs, tossing Ran a sideways smirk, and then suddenly pulls his unsuspecting companion back down onto the mattress beside him, close against his chest. “I hope it doesn’t turn you off, but...I’m a little worn around the edges, if you know what I mean. So…if and when we ever go further…”

“It doesn’t bother me. Everyone has baggage.”

“Even you?”

“Honestly...? Only one. But that doesn’t mean I look down on you for having more.”

“Good. ‘Cause I’m not giving you a number. Oh…and by the way…”

(...I love you...)

The violet eyes that had been closed in such blissful comfort, spring open. “You...what? But...just a moment ago you said…well…do you really mean that?

“You kidding?” Emery grins, snuggling against Ran much as young Emery would have a few days ago. “I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean it. Well, thought it, at any rate. Is it so impossible?”

Ran grins in return, thoroughly enjoying being held. “I suppose you’re right. Oh...and in case you were wondering...”

(I love you back.)

Emery laughs, peering down into Ran’s smiling eyes that are so breathtakingly gazing back at him. “I heard that, you know? And I plan on making you prove it…as many times as it takes.”