Geh. I woke up at an ungodly hour this morning and started writing. *sigh* ^^;; This could have been a lot longer, but.. it's just a little blurb. ^^ If you want me to continue it, I guess I could.

Notes: Shounen-ai, sap, WAFF, OOC (it's unavoidable when I'm writing -.-) a bit of angst.. and spoilers, too! First person, present tense, Ken's POV.

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Be There For Me
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After missions, he always retreats into himself. I know he doesn't like killing people, for all that he acts like a statue of ice. I can't keep him from shutting himself away, no matter how hard I try.. but -tonight-, I'm not giving up. Tonight, I'll keep him from withdrawing.
As soon as we return to the Koneko, he goes into his room and shuts the door. Youji and Omi leave, both of them making some kind of lame excuse that I see right through. Naturally, they're going to see Schuldich and Nagi, respectively. Heh, like I care? It gives me time to be alone with Ran! Ahh. Yeah, I know his real name. Surprise you? He's not -all- that bad. The day he told me he loved me, he told me his real name. He said he didn't want any lies or illusions in our relationship.
I knock on his door quietly, and he responds after a few seconds. "Who is it?"
Smiling faintly, I respond. "Ken."
Silence for a few seconds, and then, "Come in."
I open the door slowly and close it behind me, then walk to the bed and sit down next to him. He's changed into a pair of flannel pajamas - yes, Fujimiya Ran the Ice Man actually wears flannel pjs, it's really cute! - and is laying on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. His hair is wet, and I know he must have taken one of those famous speed showers. I swear, the man could spend thirty seconds in the shower and be totally clean when he comes out.
"Hiya," I say, sitting next to him. I've changed too, into a comfortable pair of sweatpants and an old t-shirt.
He looks up at me with luminous violet eyes and smiles very faintly. "Hi."
I recline next to him and yawn a bit, then roll onto my side and look at him. "Are you hungry?"
"No," he says softly, turning his head to look at me. "Thank you for asking, though. Right now.. I just want to lay here."
"Mm," I reply. "I understand that feeling." I yawn again, and he chuckles, rolling onto his side and pulling me into his arms.
"Go to sleep, Ken," he says fondly.
"No!" I protest, sounding like a little kid. "I wanna stay awake and lay here with you."
He's really smiling now, I can tell. "You'll still be laying here with me if you're asleep, you know."
"I know," I say, smiling at him. "But I like being awake better."
He sighs. "Whatever you want, then," he says, still amused.
I don't say anything after that, except for one thing. "I want to be here for you." I tuck my head under his chin and relax.
Silence for a few minutes, and then I feel his body start to shake. I quickly reverse our positions so that his head is tucked under my chin. I hold him tightly while he cries, and I smile faintly. I've accomplished my goal. I've kept him from withdrawing.. and maybe melted a bit more of the ice that keeps him from the rest of us. I only say one more thing, and I think that may be the most important thing I've -ever- said to him.
"I love you, Ran."

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The End
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-- Cheyne
cheyne@musician.org
8:46 AM 6/7/01