Warning!  This is an adult fiction story.  If you are not legally an adult in your jurisdiction, go back now and enjoy the rest of this site. 

Warning!  This story contains yaoi (gay) relationships between male characters (KenxYouji, YoujixAya).  Explicit sexual situations, violence, angst and sap abound.  Ken and Omi are meanies.

Disclaimer: The characters in this story are the property of various entities who own the rights to Weiss Kruez.  This is a work of fanfiction and an expression of our love for this wonderful anime series.

Part Four:

Though his loins were on fire from the moment he stepped from the car, Youji found his arms were not full of Ran, but of Ken and Omi. "You're so mean, Fujimiya! Keeping all of Youji for yourself!" Youji slopped a kiss on each of his youngers' heads and then twirled Omi around just to hear his laugh. He even curled his arms around Ken and hugged him tightly. "Okay, guys! Guys! You've both been visiting me everyday for a month! Really!" And I need sex!

 Aya blushed, knowing why Youji was really in a hurry, and "Hnned" at everyone, shouldering Youji's bags from the trunk of the car. He couldn't meet Ken's or Omi's eyes as he caught Youji's hand and dragged him toward his apartment.

 Waving, and promising lunch for them both, Youji clung onto Aya's hand and laughed. He didn't say he wanted sex out loud, but it was most likely written all over his face. He kissed the redhead's hand and raced him up to his apartment. "Move in with me."

 Aya paused at his door and smiled. "Yes." he answered, having hoped for such an invitation. He got the door unlocked and held it open for Youji, who almost didn’t recognize the place. Not that Youji was a slob, but his apartment had never been so clean! Everything was polished and gleamed in the way that only a worried obsessive compulsive can make things gleam. Aya carried his bags to the closet, where he'd long since reattached the aluminum rod and rehung all Youji's clothes, pressing all of them since they were wrinkled after laying on the floor for almost two weeks.

 "What the heck did you do to my clutter!" Youji cried, checking his closet and under the sink right away to make sure that all of his important things were still as he had left them. He blinked. His clothing was bagged and moth balled to keep them from deteriorating, his hair care products were categorized. Everything was... "RAN! You do know I love you, right?" Stars shimmered in his eyes. "This is...amazing.."

 Ran straightened his shoulders. He'd been a little afraid Youji would be angry that he had done all this. But he had remembered the closet rod the day after Youji had woken from his coma and the hospital staff had convinced him to go home. He'd come in to repair that damage and the cleaning had just...spread. He needed to be close to Youji during the hours when he wasn't allowed at the hospital and this was the only way he knew. He didn't tell Youji he'd been sleeping in his bed all these weeks. He hadn't washed Youji's scent from the sheets either. Having set the bags down in the clear space at the bottom of the closet, Ran returned to the comfort of Youji's embrace.

 Youji did notice the way that the sheets on his bed were wrinkled, unable to be straightened by hand, and figured out why that was almost instantly. He pulled Ran down on top of him as he fell back onto his bed, and wrapped his arms around him. "Surrounded by Ran," he said softly, loving the scent of the sheets. "But now I want to be surrounded in a different way." The good thing about being in the hospital? Free blood test. And he was clean.

 Ran closed his eyes. "Yes." he said breathlessly, and captured Youji's mouth. His hands tangled in Youji's hair as he finally began to believe that everything would be all right. Youji had told him the truth back at the resort after all.

 Youji took his time, even if he felt like rushing, and undressed Ran over a quarter of an hour's time. Each revealed bit of flesh was kissed and tongued with the utmost care. The rest, well the rest was too amazing for Youji to comprehend. One minute he was tasting Ran's thighs and probing his very deepest entry point with his tongue, and the next, Ran was curled up on his side and Youji was inside of him, with him, within him.

 Ran let the cries of pleasure and sobs of relief out in the quiet privacy of their apartment. Without a single word he conveyed to Youji how much he loved him and needed him.

 The position made kissing Ran nearly impossible, but they could always kiss in a minute or two, just after Youji had brought them both flying over the edge. It didn't even take that long. With his hand between Ran's legs, stroking him quickly, Youji released. How good it felt, bare, and natural, inside of Ran.

 Ran's gutteral cry when he came had a primal sound to it, and he drifted in a dreamlike daze for a long time after. Youji had touched something so deep inside him even he didn't know it existed. He felt connected to the man as if their hearts were linked. He hoped that was true. He mumbled a protest when Youji started to withdraw, wanting to hold onto the feeling of being filled up by him just a little longer.

 Youji did a few acrobatics and managed to pull himself behind Ran without removing himself completely from within his lover, In fact, with a little bit of angling, he even managed to keep himself semi hard and tightly lodged. His arms around Ran, he fiddled with his band, still in awe of it.

 As Youji settled back down still inside him, Ran gave a contented sigh. "I'm never moving again." he said, snugging his head a little closer to Youji.

 "Yeah, until you have to pee." Youji hugged Ran closer still, and as he did that, his cell phone rang over in his bags in the corner. He groaned.

 Ran clenched himself tight around Youji in an internal hug before regretfully slipping forward. "Stay put." he said, padding over to the bag and crouching to find the phone. "If it's Hidaka or Tsukiono I will kill them." he said, handing the still ringing phone to Youji before sliding into the curve of his body.

 Giving himself a hardy stroke, Youji guided himself back into Ran, his seed lubricating the way. He sighed as he heard Ran cry out softly and then answered with a faint: "Moshi Mo--HIDAKA!" Ran's shoulder was kissed. "Yes, I'm busy. Yes, that's exactly what I'm doing. Well, my whole closet smells like mothballs. No, you can't come over. No, you can't peep in my window. Yes, I'll have dinner with you. No, I won't fuck you. Yes, I'm certain. Bye, Ken." Youji threw the phone back into the corner.

 Ran was shivering with delighted surprise. He hadn't known that Youji could do that, come back inside him so soon. In a dreamy voice he said, "I'm going to kill him. Not now. Tomorrow." He shifted against Youji, feeling him slip a little deeper inside. "Or the next day."

 Sucking in a breath, Youji kissed Ran's shoulder and slipped a knee between his thighs. "Or the day after that." Kissing Ran's cheek, Youji rolled forward (a delight for Ran) to that he could reach his bedside drawer. Surely, Ran had found his little treasures in this drawer. Youji pulled out a slim blue dildo and plopped it into Ran's hand. "I need to go out later, but we can rig you up with this if you'd like." He knew his redhead was blushing.

 Ran closed his fingers lightly around the tantalizing object. He'd found most of Youji's sex toys and literature. But he had simply dusted, organized and filed them away. They held no interest without Youji. Now, though, it was an object of some interest. "It doesn't feel at all like you." he said, reliving the vivid memory of Youji's stiff member twitching in his hand.

 "Well," Youji began, looking up from where he was kissing Ran's neck. He turned the dildo over to it's base an flipped a small switch he found there. Immediately the plastic, jelly filled object in Ran's hand began to heat up and vibrate. "See? Not really like the real thing, bit it works. I have a smaller one too, that one you can actually leave in under your clothing."

 Youji didn't have to look at Ran, he could feel the heat of his blush radiating from his skin. "You are so hentai, Kudou." he breathed, watching the thing in his hand writhe in fascination, realizing the thought of it was giving him a hard on. "You are going to make me just like you." He moved his hips experimentally, and was rewarded with Youji's groan.

 "Ah, hardly," Youji said, shifting his weight to grab Ran's erection. "I like you just as you are...it...it's..." Youji held Ran closer, biting his shoulder as he felt himself hardening in Ran's bowels. "It's good...to know how good...how...fuck it." Youji began to pump again. It would be the second time of their fated six times to do so that night...

 Elsewhere: Ken approached Omi where he was playing on his interminable online roleplaying game. "Give it up kid and get a real life." he said, ruffling the blonde's hair. Leaning on the edge of Omi's desk facing him, he asked, "How are you set for money?" He knew the young hacker kept a full bank account.

 Omi blinked two huge blue eyes up at Ken and then smirked, true to his Taketori blood. "Tell me you need to borrow some again."

 "Well..." Ken hedged. "I was thinking we could go 50-50. Or more like...um..30-70? Before the accident, Youji said something about him and Aya," the name still stuck in his craw a little but he was beginning to get used to the idea, grudgingly, "...not getting a honeymoon. I thought maybe we could, you know, ship them off someplace so we could have the place to ourselves. They're pretty disgusting to look at, don't you think?"

 "I thought you hated Aya-kun." Omi's eyes never left the computer screen. His fingers click clacked the keys, even as he spoke. "Why're you suddenly acting like Youji-kun's best friend again?" Suddenly, Omi logged off, and turned around in his computer seat. He leaned back, and took a moment to look at Ken before he smiled. "I really do think he's happy with Aya-kun...and after the mission, if you really want to give Youji-kun a wedding present..." That made him laugh. Aya and Youji getting married! "...I think a honeymoon" (more laughter) "is a good idea."

 Ken blushed at that. "I'm not saying Aya's my best buddy or anything. But Youji is." His shoulders sank. "When I thought he was gonna die after the accident, all I could think about was how stupid I was to be fighting with him in the first place. It's not like I wanted to marry the guy." Like Youji, Ken was bisexual. His dreams of the future included a wife and a pack of sons with one pigtailed daughter to round out the family. "I just think maybe this would be a way of telling him--and Aya--that it's okay with us." He looked at Omi for confirmation of the idea.

 "Good." Omi seemed pleased with that answer, mostly because he could care less who was having what relationship so much as everyone was nice to him and good at their jobs on missions. Otherwise, fucking order was best kept out of his sight. Omi crossed his legs and his arms and then took on a thoughtful look. "Hm, where should we send them? New York?" That was certainly going to be a 70-30 job. Omi smirked. Why was he the only one that knew how to hack into banks?

 "New York." Ken mused. "Or maybe LA? They could meet movie stars.  Someplace where the weather is nice. What's it like in the US right now?"

 "I donno, full of terrorists I think. LA...that could be a problem with the language. What about Disney World?"

 Ken snorted, trying to picture Aya at Disney World. "Sure. Or Disney Europe. They'd have the whole place to themselves."

 "Nah, that sucks." Omi stretched and got up to get himself some juice. He knew Ken would follow. "I donno, you pick. I can afford it." Though Omi would die to see Aya in a big dumbo.

 "Why don't you just type Romantic Holiday in your computer and see what it thinks?" He considered. "Someplace that won't care if they're both guys."

 "Err..." Omi sighed and sat down, flipping on his computer again. "Okay, romantic places...romantic places....Hey, how about Egypt? They could explore places and...I donno. Why don't we give them money and they can choose?"

 Ken thought about it and nodded. "That's a good idea. I could stop and get one of those travel wallets and we could put the cash inside."

 "There you go. How about if we get a ticket to Italy, and a European train pass, and..AH!" Omi began to type fast and furious. "Let's give them a European tour!" He began to book hotels while Ken watched over his shoulder. "Two weeks...five countries..." His tongue was stuck out the side of his mouth. "Think of all the souvenirs they'll get us!"

 Ken watched in fascination as Omi whirled through the travel plans. He could have scraped up enough money if he'd really wanted to, but this planning was what he really needed the kid for. And it didn't hurt that he was going to pick up a big chunk of the tab. Ken headed to the fridge and got himself a sports drink and Omi another juice.

 "Ah, thanks." After half an hour, Omi finally had come up with a complete travel itinerary, using fake names and false bank accounts and... "Okay, you owe me fifty bucks." That was half of the real bill. The rest...well...Omi wasn’t the best of the best for nothing. With a wink and a click, Omi slipped away from his computer, pleased with himself, and headed for the door to show Ken out. "You have dinner in an hour, go get changed."

 Ken dropped a kiss to the top of the kid's head, knowing he'd hate it, and practically skipped out of the apartment with his prize clutched tightly in one hand. He hurried to his place, showered and changed, actually dressing up for his dinner with Youji.

 Tired, but cleanly showered and shaved and dressed, Youji appeared at Ken's door on time for once. He rapped on the door and hung his head in when Ken answered. "C'mon, sexy. I'm starved."  Ah, being starved. That was beside the point. His bones hurt. Aya was quite a little insatiable.

 Ken came out, a little embarrassed now that he'd decided to dress up, but stepping out the door and turning the lock in it. "I thought we'd go to Stetson." he said, naming an expensive American style steak place they'd eaten at once or twice. "I'm buying this time." Omi's thrifty hacking had left plenty of money in his pockets.

 "Good, because I was going to make you." Youji grinned as he wrapped an arm around Ken's shoulders. It was a good thing Stetson was in walking distance. Seven was still not up and running. And well...Youji was starting to get really weepy about his baby being gone. They sat down for their meal, aware that the last time they had eaten together had left Youji in a coma. After they had ordered, Youji slipped his hand across to Ken, and then realized he hadn't read what was in the ring.

 Ken met his hand with a solid squeeze of his own, just short of painful. "Look, I'm sorry I was a dick." Ken started bluntly. He figured once he got that out of the way, the awkwardness would mostly be gone and he and Youji could be good friends again.

 Smiling, Youji nodded and took his hand back. He was a married man now, wasn't he? When the drinks came, Youji didn't sip, he gulped. "AAAH! I'm so hungry...I hope they hurry up with that steak!"

After they had wolfed down their salads and copious number of sweet yeast rolls, their thick steaks were placed in front of them and quickly made to disappear.  Of all his friends, only Ken could give Youji a run for his money in the eating department.  In the manner of old friends who’ve had a fight, they reinforced the concrete of their relationship by sharing lots of stories of good times they’d had in the past.  Ken seemed to be almost completely at ease when Aya’s name came up, and refrained from the sort of insulting jibes they used to use to talk about the uptight swordsman in deference to Youji’s new attitude.

Ken's accepting smile and sweet, caring approach to the entire ordeal made Youji slip into ease which he had rarely enjoyed of late.  Keeping his eyes closed and his head slightly canted, Youji listened to Ken speak, his old, familiar voice soothing.  "I'm really glad you're still talking to me.  I have no idea what I'd do without you."  He eyes sparkled crimson with the reflection of the wine in his glass.

 He let Ken pick up the tab, even though he protested that Ken spent all of his money on his 'kids.'  Finally conceding, he slipped a fifty to the waiter to take that much off the bill when it came.

“Well, you kinda made me think about what I’d do without you, and I didn’t like it one bit.” Ken admonished, not completely successful in keeping the light tone.  “Next time we have a screaming fight, I’m the one that gets to be rushed to the hospital and get all the sympathy.  We still haven’t dug our way out of all the orders for flowers the fangirls wanted sent to your room, even though we told them you couldn’t get flowers in ICU.  Your apartment is going to be full of flowers for the next month!”  His eyes softened a little.  “That was what finally convinced me to give Fujimiya a break.  The way he acted.  Anyway,” he went on, brightening, “...so me and Omi have a little gift for you guys, for after the mission.”  He pulled the folder full of travel documents, bound with a little copper colored ribbon, from the inside pocket of his jacket and slid them across the recently cleaned table toward Youji with an expectant look.  While he waited for Youji to open the envelope, he received the bill and cast a suspicious look at his friend at the amount, but decided to let it pass and paid without comment, too excited to see the blonde’s reaction to worry about the bill.

At first, Youji thought it was one of those prank cards, or trick gift boxes.  He opened it gingerly and wrapped the elastic that kept it together around his wrist.  Opening the lip and scanning the interior made him nearly drop it into his lap.  "What the hell is this?" he whispered, looking at the travel destinations and the thick stack of traveler's checks, the hotel reservations under their assumed names and even a few pre-paid restaurant reservations at the most exclusive places in each city.  Pressing his hand to his mouth, Youji laid the envelope on the table, stood up, and literally pulled Ken into his arms.

"God damned bastard, what go into you?  You...you shouldn't have."  Youji knew the cost was probably little with Omi's hacking abilities, but it was the thought.  "All we have to do now is clear it with Manx..."  Even if she said no, Youji's eyes would still light up whenever he thought of the gift.  It was too amazing for words.  "T-thank you.."  People were looking at them, Youji didn't care.

Ken was just glowing with pleasure as he clasped his best friend tightly against him and made a rude face at a couple who were staring at them from a neighboring table.  “You said you wanted a honeymoon, and knowing what a sappy guy you are I figured you’d never stop whining about it.” He said fondly, giving him a chaste kiss on the cheek and letting him go.  In that moment any reservations he’d had about letting go his anger and salvaging their friendship evaporated.  “You ready?  I know you must be in a hurry to get home to ‘the wife’.” He said with a teasing smile.

"If you call him that to his face he might forget you're my best friend," Youji said with a laugh as he headed off down the street towards home, the fat little gift wallet bulging in his inner suit jacket pocket.  He kissed Ken on the mouth, closed mouth and chaste, his hug as tight as his emotions.  "I love you, you jerk," Youji said before he parted with Ken at his door and walked down back down the steps to his own place.  Keys rattled in the door.  He wasn't sure what state he'd find his 'wife,' having left him sitting on the kitchen counter with his lipstick vibrator up inside of him.  People awakened to their sexuality so late in life always seemed to need pleasure constantly to make up for their missed time.  Youji looked down at his crotch and said: "I hope you're ready again ol' boy."  He almost heard it cry out for no more.  Six times in four hours...was...insane.  He'd just dribble a bit next time before he fell into over-sex induced coma.

Aya had fallen asleep over a textbook, curled in the big chair in the living room area.  He blinked to wakefulness just as Youji came in, closing the book with a welcoming smile lighting the corners of his mouth.  He received Youji’s kiss, almost toppling him into the chair with his warm hug, relaxed and glad Youji was home.

 Youji curled his arms around his lover and kissed him along the jaw.  It was so nice coming home to someone.  So very nice indeed.  "Did you have fun while I was gone," Youji asked, slipping his hand down the back of Ran's pants to see if what he had left him with was still there.

Ran raised a little to allow Youji to touch him, closing his eyes in pleasure and rubbing his head along Youji’s jaw like a cat.  The toy was long gone, Ran had lost interest in it without Youji to share in the fun.  “Ken okay?” he inquired, his hands rubbing Youji’s shoulders.

"Ken'd be my best friend if he wasn't already."  Smiling happily, Youji slipped a dry finger up inside his lover, listening to him squeak like a mouse in pleasure and hold tightly to his shoulders before sitting back to impale himself all the way up to the band Youji wore for him.  "Why don't you check my jacket pocket?" he suggested, wiggling his finger a little before laughing at the erection Ran now had trapped between them.

Moaning into his neck and moving up and down against the pleasant intrusion, it took Ran a minute to process what Youji had said and he settled, looking up at him curiously before patting him down with a killer’s efficient hands and quickly finding the packet of papers.  He tugged them out and pulled the ribbon off with small white teeth.  Fanning the papers out in his hands, he looked up at Youji again with wonder in his eyes, the ribbon still trailing from either side of his mouth, gripped in his teeth.

"Guess where our honeymoon's gonna be."  Youji's smile couldn't have been any brighter then it was now, letting Ran process the information given to him through the haze of pleasure he was delivering.  "Ken's and Omi's gift for the wedding," he said softly, still amazed at what they had promised each other, still amazed that Ran could do such a thing.

A disbelieving smile widened Ran’s mouth and he tossed the packet to the table before reaching with both hands to pull Youji down for a lingering kiss.  He couldn’t believe the other two had given them such a gift.  Youji, really, but it still meant they had accepted that they were together, that they wouldn’t be trying to force them apart.  He was so happy to know that Youji wouldn’t be forced to choose between him and his friends.  Twisting once or twice more to enjoy Youji’s touch deep inside him, he reluctantly pulled away and tugged his sweats back in place.  Taking Youji’s hand, the one with the ring, he led him out the apartment door to his apartment and opened the door.  The room, never warm, was completely bare, save for a small stack of boxes in the middle, a katana propped against them.  Ran turned to look up at Youji and gauge his reaction.  Even though his love had done nothing but reassure him every waking moment (and those had been too few), he still felt insecure in every major step he took.

"You know what we should do," Youji asked, only half serious (or maybe half kidding) "Since we're right above each other, we should put a hole between us and have a house." For someone who had been terrified of relationships, he had fallen in love in two days, gotten married two days later, and even though it was only a month since their fateful trip to the springs, Youji was talking about setting up a household. It was insane for murderers, living on borrowed time, to be thinking this way. Youji leaned against Ran a moment, still holding their gift, and picked up two of the boxes by the door. "Well, let's move this crap."

Ran nodded, only his eyes showing his relief, and tucked the katana under his arm before picking up the two top boxes, one of which had all his Weiss gear in it. He headed out the apartment door. Ken, on his way up to Youji's apartment to ask him to a professional soccer game next week, saw them and grinned. He headed over to meet them. "Want a hand?"

"Oh fuck yes! For someone who doesn't own a lot of stuff, there sure are a whole lot of books. It weighs a ton." Youji winked at Ken and started on the first of three trips up and down the steps.

Aya offered Ken one of his small smiles, and Ken accepted it with a laugh before heading in to grab a couple of heavy book boxes and lug them up the stairs, good naturedly complaining every step of the way. Omi heard the noise and arrived to supervise, although he didn't carry any boxes. Soon they found themselves having an impromptu housewarming in Youji's apartment. Aya was very glad he'd cleaned up, made the bed and put away all Youji’s toys before he'd gone down to throw his own things into boxes.

Becoming the bartender, Youji even spiked Omi's drink just a little and curled his arms around the boy when he asked in a coy way about how they liked the trip. "Still gotta ask the boss lady," Youji said, though his hug made sure Omi knew that he was in love with it. Surveying the area, Youji shook his head a little. "We're going to need to redecorate this place...no more bachelor pad I guess."

Ran came from the kitchen area carrying a couple of bowls of snack foods and put it on the coffee table before settling on the floor near Youji's favorite chair, waiting for him to settle so he could lean against his legs. He had little to add to the conversation, but his choice of seats and relaxed posture said enough.

Gently stroking Ran's fine red hair as he leaned against his knee, Youji made lewd comments, laughed a whole lot, and swapped stories and remembrances with his friends. Having Ran so close, tugging gently on his pants, even if he stayed silent, made Youji happy. He felt so very lucky to have someone and wondered why it had taken him so long to get to this point.

Ran listened to all the stories with interest, most of them new to him. Humor twinkled in his eyes when they all laughed, and he felt more a part of the team, the group of friends, than he ever had before. He made sure everyone's drinks stayed full, although he left the distribution of alcohol to Youji's experienced hands, and kept the snack bowls filled till everyone was yawning and the other two decided to turn in.

Like a true host, Youji walked them to the door and hugged them both. "Be safe on your way home guys. And really, thanks again." He gently closed the door behind Ken, who had gotten his little friendly, only more so, kiss before Youji leaned back and stretched. "Oh man," he said, pushing off the door to walk lazily towards Ran. "You made a lovely hostess...and...I'm so glad you're all okay with each other." The pleasure in it his eyes proved those words were true. "And just think...a trip to Europe.."

Ran showed his teeth at the hostess bit, but the rest of it made him smile. He finished carrying the dirty dishes to the kitchen and began rinsing them with quick efficiency and setting them on the sideboard to dry. "We can ask Manx at tomorrow's meeting." he said, setting a glass on a tilt so it would dry quickly.

"Ah, speaking of which Mr. tell you in the car." Youji hugged Ran around the middle and laid his chin against his shoulder. "What IS this mission?"

"Hn." Aya replied, realizing he had forgotten to talk to Youji about the mission. It was hard to think straight when Youji was touching him. He stepped to the cupboard, pulling gently out of Youji's arms and started drying the glasses and placing them in their precise place. "It's a straight hit on a white slave trader Kritiker has been watching for over a month. There's a shipment being sent out from the harbor tomorrow night and he'll be there." Setting the last glass in the cabinet and closing the door, he turned and leaned against the counter to give Youji the news he wouldn't like. "You're on tactical in the van."

Smirking, Youji crossed his arms and leaned against the counter opposite. "Why am I tactical? That's Omi's job." He knew the answer, he just got out of the hospital, he needed to stay safe. Youji frowned even more. "I really hate this Ran...I hate the idea that you're point again." He waited for the redhead to slip into his arms and then pressed his face to his neck. "Die on me, and I'll kill you."

“Now Kritiker has more money invested in you than in Omi.” Aya joked lightly, rubbing his fingertips over the skin where his lover’s shattered ribs had been repaired.  He didn’t want to jinx anything by promising not to die, so instead he looked up at Youji and spread his hands over the leanly muscled back.  “Make love to me, husband.” he said in a low and hungry voice.

The next morning found Youji almost unable to leave the side of his lover, delicate pale fingers spidering across his chest, warm breath on his shoulder. Youji watched the sunrise on the ceiling as light crept into the room. He didn’t have many opportunities like this, to watch his young 'wife' sleep so peacefully beside him. Seven o'clock hit, another Sunday, another day they didn't have to get up for. Youji turned his eyes to the traveler's envelope on the table across the room. All they needed to do was get past the next three days...and then they could be gone.

Ran slowly blinked awake, accustomed to rising with the sun, work or no, He found Youji's lips. "The meeting is at nine." he said, stroking the hair from his lover's sleepy face. "And visiting hours are at ten. You can sleep in if you like." he smiled, slowly beginning to disentangle himself.

"And it's barely seven o'clock now." Youji held Ran captive in his arms, made love to him again in the shower, and then decided to skip seeing Aya today so that Omi could teach him all the techicals in the van.

The nine o’clock briefing was straightforward enough.   Three vans carrying 20 captives ranging between the ages of 8 and 14 would be driven to a large warehouse near the docks, where they would be met by a boat bound for climes receptive to such trade.  Their target would be inside the warehouse, inspecting a special cargo before boarding the boat along with it.  Intelligence had been unable to determine the nature of the special cargo.  Bombay and Siberian would take on the ten outside guards and free the prisoners.  Abyssinian would enter the warehouse and eliminate the target and his three bodyguards.  Balinese would monitor all the activities from the van.  They would arrive on scene at nine that night, an hour before the enemy was scheduled to arrive to get into place.  Aya left Youji to sweet talk Manx into allowing them to have some time off.  He swiftly put together a small arrangement of flowers and headed to the hospital to spend some time with his sister, already feeling a little guilty about planning to leave her alone for two weeks, but sure she’d approve.  He spent two hours keeping company at the hospital and then returned home.  Finding the apartment empty, he went to the roof to work out and relax in the discipline of the sword.  After a little more than an hour, he returned to the apartment to shower and change.

Tired, and wanting nothing more then a nap, Youji crawled into bed just around one o'clock.  He had successfully negotiated two weeks off with Manx (in exchange for some snapshots of her two kittens doing the nasty and postcards), learned how to use the van not only to help guide his teammates through the complex tunnels and alleys in the dockside warehouse district, but to use it's weapons to defend it should it be attacked. 

 Knowing Ran was either outside on the roof or at the hospital, Youji curled into bed without him, already figuring out how to rig a camera so at least he could capture a head giving session or something like that for her.

 Youji presented a very tempting figure sprawled in their bed like that, and knowing Youji it was hard to guess if the pose was deliberately seductive or natural.  But Aya had been losing ground on his schoolwork with the long vigil in the hospital and now they had a two week vacation coming up. He promised himself a nap if he finished the paper that was due tomorrow afternoon.  He showered and dressed in his worn jeans and a cotton sweater, brewed a pot of tea while the laptop was booting up, then settled with a pile of books, a cup of tea and the laptop into Youji’s comfy oversized chair.  He was swiftly growing to love that chair.  It smelled of Youji.  It was almost four when he finally saved his paper to both disc and hard drive and closed the laptop.  He stood, stretching like a cat and looked again at Youji sprawled asleep on the bed.  With a smile he stalked up and crawled on top of him like a hungry tiger, kissing and nipping his way to his mouth.

 What a wonderful way to be woken up!  Youji rolled over under the redhead as he sought out his lips, stretching his arms up and around his body to pull him closer.  And closer.  And as close as humanly possible.  Youji was hungry for his lover like a man thirsting for water in a desert.  They would make love again, because Youji couldn't be without Ran's body when it was so willing and as needy as his own, and afterwards, fall back into a nap that would prepare them for tonight's mission and tomorrow’s packing.

 Youji nipped at Ran's ear just after sunset and pulled out of his lover.  "I love you," he said, "But you have to wake up now."

 Ran groaned at the loss of that treasured feeling and blinked sleep hazed violet eyes up at Youji.   He used Youji’s neck to pull himself up for a kiss and slid out of the bed.  He paused at the head of the bed, rubbing one finger reflectively over the notches carved there.  Glancing through long lashes at his lover, he asked, “Which of these am I?”  He was trying to look stern, but the hint of a smile ghosted his lips.

 Pillowing his head on his forearms, Youji looked over Ran, his naked body fit and trim and looking extraordinarily beautiful in the darkness with only the bathroom light shimmering around him. "You're all the untouched wood, Ran," Youji said, his eyes mellow in the darkness. "Now, come back over here."

 Ran's mouth was ravaged with Youji's tongue, and then the sweat still lingering on his thighs were cleaned off then after....and after that...

 Well, let's just say that poor Ran and Youji had to run to catch up with Ken and Omi who had already packed up without them.

 In changing into his assassin gear, Aya seemed to have undergone a radical shift in personality as well, although hints of amusement and affection glinted from his eyes when they fell on Balinese, lean and elegant in his cross bedecked duster. He listened closely as Bombay repeated the mission profile and briefing, and then slipped from the van to enter the warehouse and take a place of concealment until the target arrived in an hour.

 Youji refrained from smoking while he watched the 3D monitors and switched between the comm frequencies to whisper sweet nothings into his beloved's ear. He was, even with doing such a terrible thing as neglecting his post,  right on target when the shit began to go down. Being on the surveillance, in-the-van guy wasn't so bad. His fingers flew over the keys that controlled the video angles and the comms. It was just like killing, only he didn't have to get bloody. He worked just like the machine he was trained to be. Fortunately, nothing too terrible happened. Omi did trip on rendezvous and skinned both knees, but that was the extent. They were silent on the ride back, and even when Youji got Ran alone in the bathroom to clean the blood from his face. He had no idea what they were supposed to do after-missions. Talk? Make love? Or just go to sleep.

 It took an hour or more for Youji to coax Ran back out from behind the facade of Abyssinian. The man who was a confused montage of college student, devoted brother and husband, and ruthless killer had a great deal of trouble integrating all these parts of his life. In order to become the dispassionate killing machine that Kritiker and Weiss needed, he had to suppress the gentler parts of his nature. But in the aftermath of a mission, Aya had to find a way to reconcile what he had just done. He was not a moral coward, and he didn't let himself off the hook by telling himself those he killed were deserving of death.  Instead, he accepted that he was doing the only thing he could to accomplish his goals, and that his hands would be forever stained with blood. In the hour after the mission, Youji found him cold, unresponsive, and completely rejecting of human touch or affection. Only through patient persuasion was he able to reach the man he loved.

 Youji was on the verge of tears, trying so very hard not to raise his voice or to shrink away from the way his lover was. He called him by his codename, touched his shoulders, helped to unwrap him from all of those buckles... Gradually, he was allowed to give Ran more and more affection, kissing his throat, his chin, and then his lips. He helped the fragile redhead in the shower, washing off any of the blood that might have accidentally touched him through his clothing. He even washed his hair. As lavender eyes raised up to meet his own, Youji's heart sunk in and then refilled with passion. "There's my angel," he said softly, thankful for the look those eyes now held.

 Ran laid his head against Youji's chest and let the warm water wash over him. He had found someone who understood; who carried his own burden of guilt and shame and could accept him with the stain of blood. He had never had anyone else to hold him before as he struggled to find his way back to humanity, always terrified that one day he would not, and would be lost to the darkness. Now he had a light that would always be there to help him find the way. He clung to Youji as if he feared he'd be washed away down the drain with the blood that was long gone, but still so visible in his mind's eye.

 Licking Ran's ear, Youji shut off the water and then wrapped the slightly shivering redhead in a one of his huge fluffy towels. "C'mon, let's get you an orange." Youji didn't mind playing caregiver when Ran so obviously needed him to. Dressed in Youji's own robe (he seemed to need his scent more then anything else), Ran was placed on nice clean sheets while Youji went to slice some fruits. He would feed Ran from his own hands, kissing his cheeks and ear as he did so the fear and self loathing melted away.

 Ran ate the fruit with great solemnity, remembering quite vividly the importance of the shared orange to Youji. As the meal progressed and he began to relax and feel more himself, he licked and sucked the sweet juice from Youji's long fingers as he settled with his eyes half closed in the comfort and safety of their bed.

 Pressing close to Ran, his body weight holding the redhead to the mattress, Youji's hands began to wander, trying to make Ran feel safe, secure...and most of all, forget all about what had happened tonight. "We leave for England in two days...how's your English?" Such casual conversation, when his hands were already stroking Ran's cock.

 Ran shivered under his touch and said in badly accented English, "Just enough to get me trouble."

 "Hmm..." Youji said, chewing on Ran's ear. "I didn't understand that at all.

 He pushed his hips against Youji's where his weight pressed down on the outside of the covers, trapping his hand. "I don't think we'll be talking to many people."

 "Don't you think?" Youji's mouth drifted down Ran's bare chest, parting the robes as if they were sacred garments, and Ran's throbbing cock like it was a prayer. Youji heard the faint click, and hoped that was enough for Manx.

 Ran started at the click, still primed for combat, but it took only another heartbeat for Youji to make him forget everything except the molten pleasure he could bring with even the most casual of touches, much less this intimate gift. Youji played his body like an instrument, and he gave back what his inexperienced but powerful passion could.

 Curled up together like kittens, Youji let Ran hold tightly to him as they breathed each other in, sticky again after their shower, but hardly minding. Youji stroked Ran's hair, carefully, as if it were made of silk so rare it was worth a fortune and quite a gift to have spread across your chest. "Never leave me," he whispered. It was common.

 "I won't." Ran whispered as always. With a sly grin he tilted his head at the unmarked wood of the bedpost. "And I'd better not come home one day and find any new notches." He tickled Youji's ribs with clever fingers, having found all those sensitive spots in another capacity over the past few days and taking advantage now of the intelligence gained. Here he had an advantage. Youji was bigger, stronger, heavier-- but Ran was not ticklish. He made his partner squirm and laugh and then, shifting gears abruptly as he sometimes did he said in a very serious voice, "Thank you."

 "You never need to thank me for that." Youji tilted Ran's head back and kissed him long and hard until they both were breathless. "Ne..." he asked, sometime later, a small frown on his lips and eyes. "Do you trust me..?" It wasn't just Ran's bedpost comment. It was...well...Youji was a slut.

 Ran thought Youji was suggesting some new bedroom acrobatics, and he looked a little wary as he said--"Umm, yes?" Then he realized that his lover's face had been far too serious for that topic and rethought the question, realizing he didn't really understand it. "What do you mean?" he asked.

 "Do you trust that I won't...that I'll be...faithful?" Youji looked up at the ceiling, as if he had been asked that question by a man notorious for breaking the hearts of his lover. He looked suddenly at Ran, kissed him softly, and waited for the answer.

 "I know that you won't ever hurt me." Ran replied immediately, then went on more slowly, "I also know that you're used to more...experienced partners, and that you like women. If you need to...be with someone else, I'll understand. Just please tell me, don't make it a secret. Okay?" Ran asked, looking up at him with a deep vulnerability in his eyes. His own lack of self worth made it hard for him to imagine Youji wanting to be with him exclusively, and he had thought for a long time about that. Although it did give him a twist of jealousy to think of it, he had decided that, if the only way he could have Youji was to share him, then he would find a way to live with it.

 "You're all I can safely handle," Youji said finally, a smile on his face as he climbed up over Ran to straddle his hips. "You wear me out, Fujimiya." As he spoke, Youji slipped himself inside of his lover, his cock hard and slick with saliva. He gazed at Ran as they thrust into each other, gazed as him as they both came, one right after the other. Youji bent his head to kiss Ran's hip and then pulled out of Ran with a very audible popping sound. He curled up in Ran's arms this time and closed his eyes, exhausted. "I only want you, angel," he whispered. "I only...want you.."

 Ran felt more filled up by those words than he had when they were making love. He stroked Youji's hair until he went to sleep, and then watched him dream for perhaps an hour before slipping under himself. Even Youji's embrace couldn't fully ward off the post mission nightmares which usually had him pacing the streets all night, but tonight’s demons were only half formed and when he twisted in their grip Youji instinctively pulled him tighter and murmured words of love which banished them back to the redhead's subconscious. Finally he fell into a deep and dreamless sleep and only Youji's awakening drew him out of it.

 Morning breath never seemed to be an issue. Youji kissed Ran awake with all the passion that he always kissed him with. Watching the sunlight streak across his skin and his hair was always a treat. Having him for breakfast was even better. Youji huddled under the sheets between Ran's legs. Now THIS was a way to wake up.

 Ran came with a shuddering cry and lay back on the sheets panting, staring up at the ceiling. Youji was such a kind lover, so solicitous, so caring---why was the sun shining on THAT part of the ceiling? He turned his head to look at the clock and sat up abruptly. He was almost an hour late for his morning shift at the shop. And Youji was supposed to be on shift with him, which meant there was no one there to open. "We're late!" he exclaimed, trying to get up, getting tangled in the sheets and landing on the floor with a thump.

Youji stretched feline across the length of the bed, one foot pressed to the window. "Yanno, that shop doesn't need to be opened until at least nine for the earliest of customers." Youji unwrapped some sheets from around Ran's leg and kissed the arch of his foot. "Do you really think those two will open the shop this early while we're gone? Let's leave it closed today and take them to the amusement park before we leave. We have two weeks of packing to do, anyhow." Youji's hands crept up the back of Ran's leg. "Besides, when is once ever enough in the morning?"

Ran was doubtful. They'd never just blown off opening the shop during the months he'd been with Weiss. He was concerned that slacking off on their responsibilities might make Kritiker decide they were going to interfere in the relationship between two of their top assets. As far as he knew, Youji was pretty much immune to their influence, but they had a very big bargaining chip in the form of his sister with which to force his obedience. Still, the mission last night had gone off without a hitch, and that was their real job. The Koneko was just a cover. And two newlyweds choosing to stay in bed rather than show up for work could only support their cover. And Youji's hand sliding up the inside of his thigh was lighting a fire which had only been extinguished a few minutes ago but always seemed ready to kindle at his lover's skilled touch. Letting his head fall back to the floor with an audible thud, he surrendered.

Two hours later, Youji finally made it down to the shop. Ran had gone ahead because Youji was taking too long on his hair to open the shop and set up for the day. He had not had any customers since he got there, and he and Youji shared a cup of coffee out front until people actually began to show up. It was in between the times the school kids usually showed up for their trek to school and back home again. Someone stopped in around lunch time and even asked Youji what had happened to the ice box. Youji was only too glad to chirp: "I happened," and to show off his band. That was something that needed duplicating, something he needed to pick up later that day to give to Ran sometime after they landed in Europe. Such a gift would only lead to sex, so Youji had to make sure it was given in private.

Ran blushed at the discussion between Youji and the girl and went to straighten the flowers on display a few feet away, but he came back fairly glowing when she moved on, lifting Youji's hand to kiss the ring. He'd been startled and grateful when Youji chose to share the news of their relationship rather than keep up his image and flirt with the girl. "Do you want to close when Omi comes in from school and take he and Ken to the amusement park?" he asked, not yet relinquishing his hand.

"That had been my plan," Youji said as his lips gently pulled the smallest kiss he could from Ran. The day was slow, but Youji hardly minded, giving Ran a little head in the backroom during lunch, having his cheek and fingers to kiss when no one was around. His affection for the redhead had grown in epic proportions, startling even him. He didn't notice when Omi finally arrived, he was too busy standing in the threshold of the stock room, making out with his lover and listening (not too well) for customers that might need assistance. "Get a room."

"We already have one, Omi-kun!" Youji said, letting go of Ran to scoop the blond into his arms. "Wanna skip work today?"

Ran was mortally embarrassed by being caught by the youngest Weiss in the embrace of his lover. Youji taking him in the back room had been equal parts mortification and excitement, but being caught was purely embarrassing. He was still very shy about public affection, and fled to the alley with the hose to let Youji and Omi work out the details of the afternoon.

Omi rolled his eyes and shifted his hat backwards. He took a spot in Youji's lap because he was still seen as a child, and was small enough to. "Okay, Papa, why don't I have to work today?" Youji flicked the kid's nose and tried to push him off his lap. If there was one thing he hated more then being called Papa, it was being reminded that he was getting no younger. "Go get the asshole and get your stuff together. Mama and I are taking you to the amusement park." Omi's eyes shined with humor, knowing Ran had heard Youji. He scooted out the door right away before the katana came out.

Hearing the reference just as he walked in the door reeling in the hose, he growled and squirted Youji with the plant sprayer. He started sweeping up the few scraps of plant matter scattered on the floor from the scant amount of work the two of them had gotten done that day.

Youji took his abuse well. He didn't even retaliate, except to say that he was going to force Ran onto the funhouse ride with him. That was where it all began after all. How long ago was that? Over a month, almost two. Youji didn't have the date of that kiss in his mind, but he had all the details. The way that tongue throbbed in his mouth, the way Ran melted so beautifully against him. Watching Ran work now, Youji realized that anything in his past he went through to get to this moment wasn't just worth it. He'd have done it all again at twice the difficulty if he had to. Maybe even three times. "C'mon, the floor's not getting any whiter. Let's go get a shower before we go." Youji winked. A shower was just another excuse for some love making.

Ran stacked the broom and dustpan in their appointed spots and came to take his hand, a bit of color on his cheeks showing that he knew what taking a shower meant. "If we get squashed in that funhouse, I'll kill you." he joked softly as they walked together back to the apartment. As soon as the door was locked behind them he was stripping out of his clothes, which he folded neatly and slipped into the drawer, heading for the bathroom to start the water running. He met Youji under the artificial waterfall with greedy hands and mouth. Something about the way Youji had spoken so proudly about that ring made him hungry to have him inside.

Eager to taste that mouth, that body, Youji wasted no time in bracing Ran against the tiled walls, one leg up, and giving into what they both desired...lubricated only by hair conditioner. Youji was louder in the shower then normal, something about the water beating on his back and the very positioning making him feel very animalistic. He loved the way Ran clawed at his back and nipped his throat, the way the slickness of the conditioner let him slip almost effortlessly inside of Ran's tightness. Youji also had a tendency to speak in the shower, making Ran blush as he described the feeling, the pulsing, the way Ran was glove-like and perfect inside. The second pass (once was never enough) found them both on their knees on the floor of the shower. Youji grabbed Ran's hips and swayed behind him, moaning loudly into the steam. He played with him a little after, the redhead still without release, his thighs soaked with more then conditioner and water. Youji probed inside with whatever he could reach: his fingers, the shampoo bottle cap, the back-scrubber handle, a high powered stream of water from the shower massager, even part of the bar of soap.

Ran was half out of his mind with pleasure, sinking his teeth into Youji's shoulder hard enough to draw blood, not even realizing it in the pounding of the water and the powerful feeling rocking him as Youji explored his limits. Fingers like claws dug into his lover's arms as he stroked that magic spot deep inside with improvised toys and his own flesh.

Rinsing Ran out from all his playing took the better part of fifteen minutes. Youji knew Ran wouldn't mind, the water jet zinging that pleasure spot over and over and over again as the conditioner and soap suds ran out of him and down his thighs. Not even noticing he was bleeding, Youji pulled Ran out of the shower, rough, but not so as to hurt him, and threw him naked and dripping into the chair they so often shared together at night to read. Youji milked Ran, kneeling between his thighs on the floor, for everything the redhead was worth. It was like divine torment. For every time Ran came, Youji's fingers would be back up inside of him, probing, causing that erection to come again. He hadn't realized how much time had passed until he heard a knock at the door. Wiping his mouth, he left Aya draped over the chair, almost beyond exhaustion, to find Omi standing there looking at him...and past him. "Okay, half an hour more, then we're hijacking Seven without you." Youji didn't even stop to consider Omi's words. Seven was totaled after all. He merely smiled and then hopped back down to Ran's side. "Once more." He heard the groan. Ran wasn't going to be able to come for weeks after this torment!

Ran tangled his fingers in Youji's hair and whispered, "What a way to die." then all language was robbed from him as Youji's mouth closed over him and his fingers slipped back inside to stroke and probe him into another cycle of wild passion. When Youji finally relented to get dressed, Ran couldn't find the strength to do it. He felt as wrung out as a rag mop. His lover had to pull clothes onto him as if he were a child and bundle him into his jacket against the growing fall chill. He fumbled the keys to his porche out of his pocket and pressed them into Youji's hand, leaning against him for support and still hungry for that physical contact.

Standing just on the apartment side of the door, Youji wrapped his arms around Ran and gently placed a few kisses on his cheek and temple while trying to run some life into his body. Youji smiled, his eyes almost paternal in the way he wanted to care for Ran, his body shivering with pleasure from just the memory alone. He led Ran down the steps, nearly carrying him, and promised that he could sleep in the car on the way there to regain in strength to play again. It was while Ken came over to ask why Ran was completely boneless that Youji saw the glint of something...miraculous. "Here," he said, handing Ran over to Ken in a hurry, his eyes impossibly wide as he jogged around the corner. There was Omi, leaning against his baby, car keys dangling from his hand. Youji burst out in tears.

"I love you guys!"

Startled at being handed to Ken, who had hated him so thoroughly not long ago, he almost pulled away and chose the wall instead. But Ken closed his arm around him, gentle in his sure strength and stepped them both around the corner of the building to find Youji alternating between kissing Omi and hugging the car. Aya's eyes widened as he saw the wonderful old car reborn as if it had never been damaged. All the while Ken was whooping and hollering at Youji. Feeling the tense form of the swordsman relax in the curve of his arm, Ken looked at him. "How?" Aya asked, amazement and gratitude in his violet eyes.

"Because I'm a genius," Omi said, grinning from ear to ear as Youji checked the tires, the engines, the mirrors, the plates, the interior...everything. He was still crying half way through the car trip, sniffling in his happiness and the joy of having everything, EVERYTHING he had ever really wanted. A family. His car. And a trip abroad. He had to give his car over to Ken to drive, his vision blurring, but he didn't mind that at all. He got to snuggle with his lover in the backseat.

Ran huddled into Youji's arms, half asleep and filled with a sense of wonder at his good fortune. He was afraid to fall asleep for fear of awakening in his old life, realizing this had all been a dream. He didn't think he could survive in that sere world anymore. His mind wandered to the marathon lovemaking session that had begun in the shower and ended in the living room, Youji taking him to places he didn't think he could go, teaching him more every time he touched him. His body began to respond to the memory and he stirred, mumbling against Youji, knowing this was not the place nor the time, fearful that perhaps Youji wouldn't agree if he gave him any incentive and Ken and Omi were right there--OMI! With cruel clarity his mind replayed the image of Omi, standing at the door to the apartment, staring at him with an expression of mildly embarrassed amusement where he lay sprawled like a harlot on the big chair in the living room. He sat bolt upright in the seat and covered his mouth, his face turned an improbable shade of red only achievable by those with very fair skin. His eyes met Omi's in the mirror and he sank back into the corner of the seat, wishing he could die now of embarrassment and never have to look the precocious teenager in the face.

Rolling their eyes at the same time, Ken's questioning going unanswered, Youji and Omi burst into laughter. "It's not a big deal," Youji whispered, his mouth to Ran's ear. "They'll just think that I've gone and corrupted you." Youji's arms were warm and comforting as he guided Ran's head to his chest, kissing his forehead. "Try to rest a little. Ken might be fast on a motorcycle, but he's never been driving a car. We have a while still." Youji lazily traced patterns on Ran's back, laughing with Omi at the way Ken was STILL complaining about never being told anything. Youji reached up to ruffle Ken's hair and to wink at him.

Ran buried his face in Youji's chest and hoped that they would never arrive. He could relax here, buried in Youji's scent and feeling the wind lash their hair together. The wind was a little cold, but Youji's arms were warm and strong and would protect him from the humiliation that was waiting as soon as the engine died.

A humiliation that only he felt, for Ken and Omi were already racing towards the ticket window and looking as if they were about to pee their pants waiting for Youji and Ran to get their acts together. Youji forcibly grabbed Ran's hand and pulled him along behind him to the ticket window. Being the good father, he paid for them all, bracelets and food passes included, and then led Ran into the gates and immediately found a nice place by the rollercoaster to sit and watch Ken and Omi in line. Youji gently kissed the back of Ran's hand, letting the blush drain out on its own. "Are you okay now," he asked, just as Ken was helping Omi buckle

Ran kept his eyes firmly on his feet, but he squeezed Youji's hand tightly in his own. He was beginning to gain confidence in his sexuality, initiating lovemaking sessions and letting go his reservations about the more adventurous things Youji wanted to try in the bedroom. And the bathroom. And the kitchen. And the living room. But he was a deeply private person, and he had suppressed his own needs for so long that it was very hard for him to feel unashamed when exposed. After a little while of sitting on the bench and holding hands like fifth graders, Ran glanced up through long lashes and said, "Ice cream?"

"Sure, any flavor you want." Youji's eyes sparkled as he kissed Ran on the cheek, careful not to display too much affection for him in public. He craned up his neck as the siren blew and Ken and Omi were taken on their first leg towards the journey of making sure Omi would throw up. Lowering his eyes again, Youji seemed only to want to kiss his redhead. He even ignored the pair of girls casting eyes at him, their breasts almost falling out of their shirts.

Glancing at the ride when the horn blew, Ran smiled a little. "I'm betting on Ken this time." he said, rising to his feet, hand still firmly set in Youji's. He didn't even notice the girls, but then he'd never much noticed girls. He did notice the way Youji seemed to have only eyes for him and basked in it, even as he kept a demure distance and only held hands.

Laughing, his voice joyous, Youji slipped his arm over Ran's shoulders and pulled him tightly to his side. When his turn in line came, Youji ordered the Ark. It was aptly named, being in a boat shaped bowl and filled with one scoop of every flavor of their ice cream and all of their topping. He got four spoons and tucked them into his shirt pocket before he found a spot in the shade to wait for Omi to finish puking in the trashcan and then come over to share in the ice cream with Ken. "What do I have to give you? You won."

"You owe me a kiss. In the funhouse." Ran said, his eyes full of mischief. "And your heart forever." he added as if it were an after thought.  He offered the younger team members a small smile and a pair of spoons as they slid into the seat, amazed that Omi could eat anything after retching up his lunch in the nasty park trash container.

Digging into his ice cream, Youji only nodded as his punishments were terribly grave. The headache he was going to get was going to push him over the edge, but Youji didn't care. He threw most of it at the boys, and even chucked the cherry at Ran. Omi found that to be too funny and commanded Youji to pop it again. Youji's legs braced even as he laughed, just in case Ran tried to run...or to beat Omi to a pulp.

Aya was eating his ice cream slowly, savoring each bite. For the most part he was ignoring the antics of the other three, paying only enough attention to dodge incoming food. So when the sudden silence at the table caught his attention and he realized all three were looking at him with expectant expression, he had to rerun the last few seconds through his mind. Biting his lower lip a little in vexation, he fixed Omi with one of the old icy Aya glares. Then, with exquisite car, he slipped his spoon under the cherry where it lay on the table and dipped the edge of the spoon in a generous amount of whipped cream before rising to lean across the table and thrust the spoon into Youji's mouth, making quite certain all the cream didn't make it in. With a satisfied harumph he sat back down in his seat and folded his arms, giving Omi a challenging look. He had learned early with the other Weiss assassins to never back down to a challenge and he wasn't going to start now, no matter how red faced he ended up.

Blinking, spoon shoved into his mouth with the whipped crème running down his chin, Youji turned his head to looked first at Ken, who was nearly dying from laughter, to Omi who just...stared back at him. "Arrraahh..." Youji tried to speak through the spoon, his tongue wrapping around it. He stood up suddenly and then remembered to pull the spoon out of his mouth before he spoke again, a huge smile on his face. "Um...next time...don't feed me stuff from off a public dining table, okay?" Tears filled his eyes from laughing so hard, everyone but Ran erupting with him, Youji leaned across the table and laid a huge, wet kiss on his lover, slipping into his lap. "Now I'm all sticky," he whined, nuzzling Ran's cheek, the whipped crème rubbing from his chin all over his lover's face.

With a look of unabridged distaste on his face, Aya leaned back so far that they were both in jeopardy of tumbling onto the debris littered concrete. Grabbing Youji by the ears, Aya growled in a very low voice "Next time, it won't go in your mouth." The malevolent glow in his amethyst eyes gave Youji every reason to believe he was serious before a pink tongue flicked out to gather a bit of cream from the tip of his nose. "Off me, Kudou!" he snarled and shoved Youji to his feet.

"But I love you!" Youji cried, holding tightly to Ran around his neck. The other two, and several onlookers, just stared for several minutes of Youji acting like a three year old and Ran like an asshole father. Finally, Omi stood up and took Ken's hand to pull him away from the sight. It was too saccharine to be cute and too cute to be anything but sickening. Youji kissed Ran's ear and refused to get up, or to let go. "Raaaaan...I looooove yoooooouuuuu...!"

Slipping between their bodies in an almost unnoticeable gesture, Aya's hand found Youji's package and gave it a seductive but threatening squeeze. "And I love you." he said in the same low voice, rumbling like thunder with the promise of lightning. He impaled a couple of onlookers with his stare before sweetly whispering to Youji, "Even when you make a scene." He punctuated each word with a little squeeze.

Grumbling softly, Youji laid his head on Ran's shoulder and calmed down at once. "Don't do that to me here," he pleaded, his voice soft as he gently ran his fingers over Ran's cheek. Youji knew they had been left, knew that even though people were looking at them, they were passing by too. Youji grabbed at Ran's wrist, trying to pull his hand away from his crotch.

"Look who's talking." Aya replied in the same low voice he had been using. Nonetheless, he let go, his fingers trailing with genuine appreciation before he allowed Youji to pull his hand away. He looked at his lover's head on his shoulder and smiled a little. "You have fudge in your hair."

Grabbing hold of Ran's hand, Youji pulled him towards the bathroom, a lot more then fudge on his mind. He pulled his lover into the handicap stall, its bigger space perfect for what he wanted, the personal sink within it even better. "Help me get it out," he asked softly, guiding Ran's fair, finely boned hand not towards his hair, but towards the ache he had created.

The fire smoldering in Ran's eyes flared up as he stroked the bulge from the outside. "Nothing broken I see." he said. He slid his hand down inside the waistband of Youji’s tight pants and rubbed against the erection he found there, his thumb finding the tip. Removing his hand, he began to undo the buttons with maddening slowness, hands wandering between each button to stroke the flat tummy and the bulge below. Finally the pants were open and the black silk boxers were all that protected the prize. Pushing the pants down and the boxers with them, he stopped to admire the fine thing he had uncovered.

"How can I help it?" Youji breathed as he locked the door and started to run the water. Looking at himself in the mirror, Youji realized that there was a whole lot more then fudge in his hair. Any anger he had for Ken and Omi making him a ball of ice cream completely vanished as Ran finally stopped playing around and finally got down to business. Youji leaned his upper body forward slightly to rest his head on Ran's shoulder, gently petting his hair as his pleasure built. Already, Youji's knees were weak, his breath so hot it was almost scalding. "Aaa...aahh...Raaan..." His lover was so good to him.

Ran approached this task with the same dedication and concentration he used in studying or training. This had been the hardest part of love making for him to accept. Fastidious and inexperienced, taking Youji into his mouth, swallowing when he came, had been very hard. He had managed not to let Youji know how much this distressed him the first few times, determined to give Youji every pleasure the other so freely gave to him. And finally he had begun to understand, to enjoy, to see this as a form of worship, very intimate and powerful adulation for Youji and this special part of him that brought so much pleasure. Now, balanced on one knee at the end of Youji's steel toed boot--he wasn't about to kneel on a public bathroom floor-- he licked and sucked and swallowed with delight.

Balancing on the end of the sink, Youji let his shoulders lean back against the glass mirror as his eyes closed. Ran's mouth had always been so perfect. And Youji, for all his sensitivity, had never bothered to notice Ran's initial fear of this simple act. Focusing now on the velvety texture of Ran's mouth, Youji moaned in soft, low, long gasps as he steadied his hips to keep from thrusting. He didn't really mind being in the filthy bathroom, and he didn't want the moment to stop for a very, very long time. Finally, though, Youji came, and as he did, he placed his hand on Ran's cheek to warn him so that he could catch the liquid in his hands. It pleased him, though, as it always did, when Ran swallowed him, a satisfied glow in his eyes from such a small thing.

Ran gulped as the salty liquid filled his mouth and throat, making himself not choke, still not quite used to the amount that would suddenly be there. He appreciated Youji's polite warning, Ran was never in enough control of himself when Youji's mouth was on him to do anything but feel. Making sure he had captured all of it, he tugged Youji's boxers up and then drew the tight pants over the long legs as he came to his own feet. He found Youji's lips and gave him a long and deep kiss, letting him taste his own essence, blended with the lingering sweetness of ice cream.

Wrapping his arms tightly around Ran, Youji held him close. He stroked his back and his hair and shared in that more intimate of kisses with the only man he had ever truly loved. There was only so much bathroom cuddling one could do, though, and after a few moments, he led his perfect redhead back out into the sunlight to ride a few of the safer rides like the merry-go-round and the giant slide. "Haunted House now?" Ken and Omi exchanged looks and laughter, and then ran off together to another ride. Omi called back a faint: "If you get stuck in there, we're stealing Seven and going home!"

"Only if you're ready to pay off the bet." Ran answered with a small smile. He looked up at the tacky facade and thought how little he had guessed that his life would be changed in such a place. In a very real way this was where he'd lost his virginity, and the silly place would always hold certain significance to him. He watched for the car they’d ridden in before, with the goofy looking green ghoul leering from the side, and tugged Youji's hand to drag him into that one.

Crossing his legs as the bar came down to hold them in, Youji made a fake yawning and stretching motion just as he had before, pulling Ran closer than he had dared on that first time they were in this stupid ride together. Youji let Ran rest his head on his shoulder and rubbed his arm as the costumed people tried halfheartedly to scare them. No luck. They were killers. There was no way possible for them to get scared on such a thing. As the walk through came, Youji held tightly to Ran's hand. His memory was perfect from the first time they had gotten lost in the mirror maze. Youji already knew the way out, and led Ran through protectively as the dry ice mist curled around his ankles. Finally, they made their way to the final scare, and as the lights flickered and the walls pressed in, Youji kissed Ran with all his might. And just as he expected, Ran melted against him.

Ran pressed his body close against Youji's remembering how much he'd wanted to do this the first time. How badly he'd wanted Youji to hold him and touch him. And how certain he'd been that the playboy would laugh at his clumsy attentions. How little he had known Youji those short weeks ago. Even if nothing had ever come of it, the playboy would not have been cruel to him on that account. But even without him giving in to his desires that day, Youji had still pursued, caught and completely tamed his heart. His body, on the other hand, knew what it wanted now and was not nearly so shy about expressing its desires these days.

The ride ended without a hitch, the door opening for them without any coaxing. Renewed in love and in devotion, Youji held Ran's hand the way newlyweds do, fingers laced and palms together. They went on only a few more rides, this time with Ken and Omi tagging along, before they all piled into Seven for the ride home. Youji drove his car home, eyes sparkling in the darkness as he pulled up outside their apartments. "Everyone out," he ordered, then pointed at his lover. "And you, start packing. Our flight is tomorrow morning." After making sure the car was unpacked, Youji pulled his car into the garage, his heart racing at doing this after so long. He hugged his steering wheel before he got out to join his lover. "I missed you, Seven!"

Ran hurried to the apartment, hauling his and Youji's bags out of the closet and opening them on the floor. He began packing for them both, quickly and efficiently selecting things that he knew Youji would want, leaving space in his big suitcase for additional items Ran was unsure of. He was half finished by the time Youji entered the apartment, looking up at him over a handful of plain white cotton boxers that indelibly made them his own.

Youji smiled at his lover as he kicked shut the door and shrugged out of his leather jacket. He dropped to the floor on the other side of the suitcases and leaned over them to kiss Ran with special tenderness before he began to select from his wardrobe what things to take. In the end, Youji decided to take only three outfits. When Ran looked over at him, jaw dropped, Youji pointed to the wad of traveler’s checks he had been given. "I'm going to buy us new clothing! And besides, this way we'll have lots of room for souvenirs. Now...I need a shower. Coming?" Youji winked as he stripped right in the middle of the room and strode into the bathroom.

Soon, Ran thought with an internal smirk, and consigned his clothes and Youji's discarded ones to the laundry bin. He frowned at it, and made a date with it for later that evening, after Youji went to sleep. It certainly couldn't wait till they got back, with ice cream smeared on both their clothing. Naked, he surveyed the room and made a short list of things he needed to get done before they left, then stepped into the bathroom and spent a long moment admiring the lean, muscled shape of his lover.

"Don't just look at, c'mere." Youji was as insatiable as always, taking Ran without complaint only once before he fell asleep in Ran's arms. Curled up, safe, and warm, Youji's head on the redhead's chest, Youji let his eyes fall closed and then gently slipped his fingers through hair as red as blood. It was quite unconscious, but Youji's need to touch and be touched made him work his way as close to Ran as he could, even in his sleep. It was the same way on the plane the next morning, Youji's head firmly planted on Ran's shoulder. They had a nine hour flight to London. And Youji slept almost the entire way, only waking at the stewardess's loud, rough words. English. Yuck.

Ran didn't sleep at all on the plane.  He never slept in the company of strangers.  He stared out the window for most of the flight, paying little attention to the people around them.  The feel of Youji’s head on his shoulder offered all the company he needed, the words he murmured in his sleep all the conversation he wanted.  He felt guilty about leaving his sister for so long, but he knew she would want this for him.  When the plane landed, the stewardess came around to collect any debris from the long flight and woke Youji.  Ran had planned to let him sleep till most of the other passengers debarked.  Slipping his hand into his lover’s he asked, “Sleep well?”

Blinking his eyes sleepily, Youji pulled Ran's hand to his mouth and spent all of their decent into London kissing his fingers and nuzzling his palm.  The stewardesses and most of the female passengers found it to be utterly adorable, and more so when they asked and received Youji's answer of: "We're going abroad on our honeymoon."  He was going to be relying on Ran's English skills and all the guide books he insisted on purchasing to get them through it too.

 The airport was a hassle, as was renting a car to get them from the baggage claim to their five star hotel.  But once they had arrived...Youji nearly crumpled in delight in the lobby alone.  And the bridal suite (which they received with a faint look of amusement and lust from the help behind the counter)...Youji was like a child.  "Who wants to go out when you're in a place like this!" he exclaimed, startling the English bell boy with his thick Japanese.  Youji explored while Ran paid his tip, and as soon as they were alone, Youji drug him into the bedroom, already undressing his beautiful lover with a need that, even for him, was strange.  It had to be the huge satin four poster bed.

Something about the huge suite was both intoxicating and intimidating. Ran looked at the huge bed and back at Youji with a strange mixture of lust and shyness. He swayed under Youji's hands, compliant but only beginning to help in the task when Youji had him completely undressed. Before Youji got a chance to start on his own clothing, Ran caught him by the collar of his shirt and pulled him down for a deep, searching kiss. His other hand found the back of Youji's head and tangled in his hair, kissing him long and deep, feeling the world slip away from him. Then he began to undress Youji in a way that felt almost ritualistic, pausing to kiss the bandage on his shoulder which covered the disinfected bite. Then he continued to undress him, worshipping with eyes alone the beautiful body.

Hardly shy, Youji allowed Ran to watch him with such lust, his own eyes mirroring the same for his lover. It was when he was standing naked (except for his socks and steel toed boots) that he remembered his little present, his gift for his lover. Walking slowly towards their discarded suitcases, muscles flexing, Youji squatted down with his back towards Ran and began to search through the pocket of his carry on. The ring box was cleverly disguised in a 6 inch square box, wrapped in gold foil and tied with a burgundy ribbon.  It looked just like a box of fancy chocolates.

Expecting that Youji was digging out lube, Ran crossed his arms and watched the play of muscles across his lover's back with interest. Like all of them, his beautiful skin was marred with a few scars, although Kritiker's physicians were expert at concealing the marks left by bullets, knives, fire. The physical scars anyway. But you could find them beneath the skin with your fingertips and you could see traces of them if you knew where to look. To Ran, Youji's faint scars weren't flaws. They were signs of strength, badges of survival. They gave Ran assurance that his lover was strong enough to stay alive and fulfill his promise to stay with him.

Eyes clouded over with love, Youji crawled back and placed the package right over Ran's erection as if trying to cover it up. "Here," he said, kneeling between Ran's thighs. "A little celebratory sweetness for my love."

Ran examined the box curiously, looking up at Youji, then slowly pulled the burgundy ribbon loose. Settling his bare ass gingerly on the edge of one of the ornate chairs, he set the box on his knees so he could lift off the top and set it aside on the table. He moved with care, far too slowly for Youji's liking. But it had been a long time since anyone had given him a gift and he was going to take his time and enjoy it.

"Open it," Youji insisted, his hands laying on Ran's pure white thighs as he sat back on his booted heels. The band Ran would find was identical to his in everyway but the inscription.

Finally he made his way to the prize and almost dropped the box in startlement, looking up at Youji again.  Without touching the ring, he raised the box and tilted it under the light so he could read the inscription.

Sliding down off the bed, Youji crouched at Ran's feet, his hands resting across his unoccupied knee, his cheek resting on the backs of his hand. Youji mouthed the word as Ran read them to himself, his cheeks stained pink with pleasure. "To my sanity, always keep my heart safe." Youji felt like crying when he saw the expression on Ran's face. "You make me so happy," he whispered.

Ran slid down from the edge of the chair to his knees in front of Youji and held the box out with both hands. His face was so still, his eyes so full of love and promise, he seemed almost a statue kneeling in supplication.  Shifting the box to his right hand, he held out his left to Youji.

With pride in his dark green eyes, Youji pulled the band from it's crushed green velvet base and slipped it onto Ran's finger. His own left hand lifted then to lace his fingers with Ran's. Their bands were pressed together as was their palms. Very very slowly, almost timidly, Youji leaned forward to kiss trembling lips and pull his lover, his husband, into his arms.

Ran clenched his hand tightly over Youji's and slipped into his embrace. They had come to fit together as if they had been shipped to Earth in the same box, and Ran nestled into Youji's arms with a sigh of utter contentment. He felt the slow and steady beat of Youji's heart against the side of his face, and the strong cords of the muscles in his back beneath his fingers. The scent of him was the focal point of peace and he drew it in along with the warmth from his skin. He had no intention of moving from this spot till it was time to go home, and maybe not even then.

The End

If you want a happy ending.  If not, then go on to

Part Five

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Last updated: 03/21/03.