Awakening Gentians

Awakening Gentians

Chapter One : Crucifix

* * *

"Ran-kun?"

Violet eyes didn't move from the window Ran was staring out, watching the scenery fly by as the quartet drove through the mountains many miles south of Tokyo. His chin was resting in his hand, for all intents and purposes he seemed to be just staring off into space, and he had been, half an ear listening to the conversation Omi, Youji, and Ken had been having on the long drive. When he heard 'his name' though a flicker went across his shoulders, his head turning a bit to the side though he used no words to acknowledge he'd heard Omi.

Time had passed as it usually did. Wounds healed as they always did in that time. It had been exactly eight weeks since the day Weiß charged in like a cavalry to the abandoned Schwarz base, Ken like some dashing knight on a white steed with a shining blade to save his damsel in distress. Only it was no damsel, just a man known mostly by his sister's name. There was no shining blade, just a borrowed handgun. There was no white steed, only Balinese's Roadster.

Whoever said fairy tales never came true?

Eight weeks. Fifty-six days. One thousand three hundred forty-four hours. Eighty thousand six hundred forty minutes. A whole lot of seconds. And through every single moment the traumatized redhead had hardly been left alone, Ken nearly always at his side. Ready to give him space if he so requested with a look or a word, ready to give him a comforting smile to soothe away his fears when the nightmares rose at night. Ready to just be Ken. Omi of course had fussed about him in a way that only the genki kid could make tolerable, bringing Ran fresh cookies every day. Because cookies and milk makes everything better you know? Youji had figured he had enough 'mother hens' pecking away at him, so had just gotten them movies and made fast food runs on occasion when requested to, and printed out Aya-chan's emails when they came. All and all... having the three worry over him in their own respective ways had been... nice.

There had been a few missions as usual, Manx doing her best to siphon them out, knowing Abyssinian was hardly in the condition to do the type of work Weiß demanded. She also feared what would happen should they run into Schwarz... on both Weiß and Schwarz's sides. As for the now trio of psychic powered assassins... not a word. Not a single peep had been heard from them from any branch of Kritiker. Which brought the secretary a bit of relief tinged with worry. The longer they lay in quiet, the more time Ran and Ken both could recover, but the more the festering hate of Weiß would boil. Something was going to happen soon. She did not need to be a precog to know that.

Which was why the four were driving to the destination they were now. Manx had sent them an order. Relax for a week away from all Weiß duties or she'd personally shoot them all. It was an order not to be taken lightly. Within an hour of hearing the mission orders from the crimped redhead, every single member of Weiß was packed for a week's break in a mountain hot springs resort far from Tokyo.

A deep amethyst gaze blinked as Ran heard Omi's cheery voice once more, asking if he was listening. Ran looked away from the window to see Omi peeking over the top of the car's passenger seat, staring at him with his ever-present sweet smile.

"Yes. I was listening."

Rosebud lips pulled into a grin as Omi snapped his seatbelt off, the car pulling to a stop. "We're here!"

* * *

Quiet. How very quiet it was lately. It amazed him to think he had once desired the silence, without those teasing hentai German tones ringing continually in his ear. Without the feeling of the mind game playing man settling happily in Crawford's silent and comforting mind, letting Schuldich get a break from the constant screaming his telepathy powers delivered to him. Now... he really didn't know what he would give to have Schuldich sprawl in his lap, nibble at his ear, call him Bradley. He knew the deaths of four certain kitties... two in particular... would not bring him back. But it may help. Poetic justice.

"Stop thinking only of the past..." A careful hand rose to adjust the precog's glasses, sitting silently in his room. If he were back would it change how he had acted towards the German? Most likely not... It was how they interacted. Maybe though... just once... he would have taken him up on the oil and leather offer.

"Crawford..." Nagi's voice was quiet as he leaned on the doorframe to his leader's room, staring at the man for awhile just sitting, thinking. "See anything?"

Amber gold eyes opened, the American man of Schwarz looking over to see the young boy standing there, even more sadness in those midnight blue eyes than before. Over the last two months Nagi Naoe had grown even quieter. And Farfarello... Farfarello had not left the site of the exploded building, even erected a small tombstone to the late German. Crawford even had been hard pressed to keep the Irishman under control. When God hating psychos mourned, it was not a pretty picture. Weiß had taken the mind of their group. Game playing, manipulative, devious... but so damned careless. According to Farfie, God had danced a jig as that building exploded, the fires like the Biblical burning bush, calling to the single deity. Berzerker was currently heavily tranq'ed and at home, securely locked in his cell with his straight jacket on while Nagi and Crawford were here at the hot springs. They had things to tend to and Farfarello was not stable enough right now to handle it.

See anything... did he see anything indeed? It had been his precognitive visions that had led the group to that mission Weiß was on so long ago. It was supposed to have been fortunate for them. Not -this-. Not this at all. Schuldich... damn that man. Had he just told Crawford what he wanted, the Oracle could have easily arranged something. Seeing the state that Aya had been in when Weiß had pulled him out of that building, had the rest of Schwarz been there, had Schuldich not quarantined himself away from them, they could have arranged something. Made it so it didn't all end up like -this-. Abyssinian would have been ready to tell them anything. Possibly even abandon Weiß, become Schwarz's little toy against them until Crawford tired of it all and killed him.

But the future vision had shown him none of this. None whatsoever. So here they were staying at the hot springs for a few days, come to meet the new telepath SZ had found for them. Crocifisso. An Italian man and powerful telepath. But power meant nothing. Only how you handled it. As... Schuldich had proven all too well.

Standing to his feet, Crawford pulled his glasses off and retrieved a soft cloth from his Armani suit pocket, wiping the lenses carefully. "The new Mastermind is waiting. Let us go, Prodigy."

* * *

With the motion of the car stopping and Omi's cheery voice echoing in the car along with Ran's stirring it was any wonder Ken was suddenly now awake. His free hand rubbed his sleep-ridden eyes as he blinked into focus. The other squeezed lightly around Ran's hand. His eyes fell to the pale appendage in his own and smiled. He pushed himself off lightly from the redhead's shoulder and smiled, but not before dropping a feather light kiss to his cheek. "I suppose we're there?"

"Nice of you to finally wake up Sleeping Beauty. Thought you were gonna take a drive shift." Youji smirked and shook his head quirking a pale eyebrow at Ken through the rearview mirror.

"Did I say I was gonna?"

"Yes you did."

"I forgot."

"What else is new Kenken."

Ken rolled his eyes but was interrupted by a cute yawn. "Yoooooooouji. Shaddup."

"Damn you must still be half asleep if that's the best comeback you can come up with." The tall blonde smirked as he pulled his lanky frame from the convertible. The playboy had gone into his normal habits once it looked like Ran was indeed returning Ken's feelings. Sure, he was more than a bit upset that their stoic leader had won Ken's feelings and finally admitted to having some instead of abusing the poor kid. Even he had to wince at the term abuse. At first it might have been that, but seeing the two of them know... Ran simply hadn't known how to show Ken so had done what he did to Ken. Though from someone who didn't know it seemed one sided and cruel. Yet this was Ran. His nightly sojourns into Ken's room before the incident had been no secret to the blonde and had been a point of upset that Ken had inadvertently gone to Youji to sort out. He'd wanted to kill Ran on the spot but in Ken's retelling it had seemed that he didn't mind it, and what bothered him was more of Ran 's lack of emotion.

But that had all changed hadn't it. Ran had no problem showing his emotions toward Ken now. When he thought no one was looking there was a look of awe and wonder on his face every time Ken walked into the room after the briefest absence. It was so obvious that he had eyes only for Ken, and that the brunette was more than willing to look back at him.

When he'd officially moved in with Ran that had been the last straw for the playboy. No more pining over Ken. It just wasn't worth the heartache. Hell... he was but he couldn't be the martyr. Not when the pair had so obviously reconciled something between them and seemed to be everything the other wanted and needed in a partner. Now it was time for him to move on. Oh he knew he'd never be able to replace what Ken had come to mean to him, nor could he ever find someone like Ken. So he was resigned to splash around in the endless sea of meaningless relationships that sank and drowned before they ever came up for air. It's what he'd done after Asuka, and what he would do now after Ken.

Go back to what you know.

Ken was... to say happy would be a severe understatement but it was the only word he could think of. He knew Ran cared about him and trusted him. The mild hero worship he could understand because he knew at least for Ran it wasn't about that. It was about someone going out of his way for -him- just because he was Ran and expected nothing in return. The same way the redhead had done everything for his sister.

The entirely new tender and childlike side of the assassin was utterly endearing and made Ken fall even more hopelessly in love with the older male. The hours of sweet kisses and gentle petting before finally falling asleep only to have them continue in the early dawn hours was a ritual he was quickly becoming addicted to. Ran's kisses were sweet nectar. His touches shy and delicate and utterly curious. He seemed to delight at the purrs and moans he would elicit from Ken, and smile softly at some new sound he made.

Yet things were progressively becoming hotter. Kisses becoming more passionate, touches bolder, caresses more insistent. Yet Ken was taking his sweet time often finishing with an icy cold shower twice a day some times more. Ken didn't mind in the least. The last thing he wanted to do was pressure Ran about sex, especially after the ordeal with Schuldich. He was amazed still that after eight weeks Ran was recovering as he was. He wanted to take some credit but knew it was mostly the male's determination and strength of character that he was slowly coming to regain. The confidence was slowly returning, yet this time there was no ice. Yes he was still the most serious of them, but he didn't seem as standoffish and frigid. The fact that he, Youji and Omi had come to Ran's rescue that long ago day seeming to melt through that tundra he kept himself behind.

All in all... life for Ken couldn't get better, he had everything he could possibly hope for.

* * *

Known only to SZ as Crocifisso, the new telepath for Schwarz was currently lounging in one of the hotel's hot springs chatting away with a divine male of Schwarzenegger proportions.

The Italian Oracle and Prodigy were to pick up was in one way much like Schuldich. They both had an overzealous appetite for sex. Unlike Schuldich this man was utterly flamboyant. The term 'Flaming Fag' had been coined to describe this man and this man alone. Although the man was born and bred in Italy and looked it in his complexion, his mannerisms and speech patterns screamed 'Ricky Ricardo.'

Crocifisso had been in SZ's care for twenty of his twenty-seven years on the planet. While Schuldich had been a sort of jack of all trades when it came to telepathy, mind control, mind suggestion, mind reading, mind fucking. This man, while he could do all of the above, specialized in mind warping. Twisting the thoughts of another person until they were no longer recognizable. This man could make Farfarello want to become a priest if he so desired, by picking the right thoughts and rearranging them together in new and fascinating ways. In short, he could take a Da Vinci and turn it into a Picasso. He could make a cow produce chocolate milk. I'm kidding but that would be cool.

As he waited for his new teammates he was currently in deep conversation with a heavenly male. This man was completely and utterly straight. Wife, three kids, happily married. Wealthy. In other words. Perfect. Yet, Crocifisso was having fun. He took the memory of his dead dog and supplanted it with his wife so he now believed that his wife had been electrocuted by an electric fence while trying to pee on it. That made the blonde and ice chip blue eyed telepath giggle. Next were the kids. His son the upstanding Yale-ie was now the Hare Krishna he'd seen at the airport. His two daughters had suddenly become the two cats he'd had during his childhood. Once he'd been supplied enough alcohol he could come to believe those memories as gospel, coupled with the mental suggestions he'd been planting that told this nameless sap that Crocifisso was the sexual Adonis of the 21st Century, in a matter of hours he would be enjoying this man in as many positions as possible. What a way to start the day!

* * *

A flicker of a smile touched over Ran's lips as he got out of car with Ken close at his side, his slim fingers clasped in the bronzed hands of his boyfriend. He squeezed Ken's hand gently, getting out his bags from the trunk along with the duffel bag, slinging both his luggage and Ken's over his shoulder. His walk was smooth and graceful once more, his numerous wounds and lacerations healed and fading with surprisingly little scarring on his pale flesh. The quiet confidence was returning to the male but lacking the harsh authority and domination he'd yielded over Weiß with little mercy or regard for what his words and glares did to them.

Pale lilac looked over the resort, Ran staying close to Ken's side for support should he need it and also he just enjoyed how he felt near him. The man's close proximity was something he'd never found much comfort or use in, never feeling that he needed anyone or really wanted anyone. He much preferred solitude so he could be alone with his dark brooding. Weiß coming to his rescue and being there for him, helping him heal, seeing him at his weakest moments and still respecting him changed all that. It also made him realize what an utterly selfish jerk he'd been to treat them as he had, even his own lover. These were the three males who'd risked their lives for -his- sister. After he'd walked out on Weiß not once but twice for his own searching of revenge and justice. Their selfless attitudes to him was amazing and restored once more in him his faith in humanity that first Takatori had taken then Schuldich. Always it was the lazy playboy, the genki kid, and the charming soccer player that led him back to some sort of stable reality. He just hoped that he would be able to make them all realize just what they all meant to him. They'd all gone through emotional and physical Hell for him, and he hadn't made his supposed thanks very much different.

He only hoped that they would not have to go through anymore and though he was happy now... he was still himself. Still a realist, a slight pessimist. Expecting the worst to be prepared for it while enjoying the best. He'd been able to gather small details on how Schuldich was killed and knew that Schwarz was not about to let that go. The details came in the dark of night within the first few weeks, when the nightmares would still come to him, Schuldich coming back to hurt him more by hurting Weiß, the men who had saved him in so many ways. They'd only thought he was dead and he was back, this time to violate Omi, Youji, Ken, in ways that made Ran's days with him seem G-rated. He'd woken up nearly in tears, Ken telling him he'd tried to wake him up for awhile to stop his trembling and whimpering. It was then he demanded to know as many details as Ken would tell him, the first time any of the man's old authority had returned. After that it had progressively returned but with a tender gentleness to the edge.

"Oooooook so how long are you guys gonna just stare at it! Can we go in yet come on come on we only have a week! If you just stare we'll be here when it's time to go again!" Omi hopped lightly, holding his own bag. In true genki fashion it was decorated with Sailormoon, Pokemon, and Sanrio iron on patches. The bag holding his laptop computer had a pink winking Chibimoon patch, with an ironed on Black Lady next to it. Youji said she was hot. For a pansy fuku magical girl.

Smirking faintly, Ran lifted a hand to brush away his crimson red bangs, eyeing the bouncing kid. "Shall we then? And... Omi... what is that pink... thing on your bag?"

Omi brightened and held out the bag proudly to the once icy assassin. "-This- is Sailorchibimoon, the smallest of the sailorsenshi but she's really cool and has a rod that shoots pink hearts! Her full name is Princes Small Lady Serenity Usagi Chiba and she's the daughter of Tsukino Usagi and Chiba Mamoru! Mamoru throws roses and has cool intro lines, kinda like you used to do! When she first appeared she looked nine but she was really nine hundred! Well that kinda depends on if you go by anime or manga..." Continuing to blabber on about why Chibiusa totally ruled, Omi started moving towards the resort, walking backwards to talk to the other three.

* * *

"Impressive."

"I suppose so."

"He should fit in well with Schwarz."

"If you say so."

Crawford sighed faintly and looked over at Nagi who was holding a copy of the files SZ had sent them on Crocifisso. His specialties, his mission completions, methods he had been trained, all the things of the like that SZ had on him. There was a lot after twenty years in their service. The personality and personal habit section had made Crawford pause and wonder if they should just forgo this meeting but the powers and specialties had automatically drawn his attention.

For the entire past two months Nagi had been withdrawn. Even more so than usual. Brad Crawford, Farfello, Schuldich, and Nagi Naoe had been together for more than four years. They were a team, working together like a well-oiled machine. Nagi had his soft heart, Schuldich his weakness for games, Farfarello his obsession with God. But all were easy to control and manipulate. He gave them order, gave them acceptance in a world that had only hurt them and outcast them. He was surprised to feel the deep hurt Schuldich's absence had left him. And Nagi's withdrawing. He still had control.

He just had to figure out what it was he was controlling. Schuldich had been the laughter of the group, the ever-annoying presence but he was the glue. Without him...

"Nagi. I know he is not Schuldich. No one ever will be." Amber eyes looked down at the small boy, a flicker of sympathy passing through his eyes before once more being the chilled gold. "Come on." Replacing the files into the thin briefcase he held, he moved out to the hot springs where the hotel staff had told him he'd find the Italian. His glasses were perched on his nose neatly, hair impeccable, suit neat and pressed as always as he approached the telepath, Nagi following along behind him in simple black attire. Crawford's mind was silent and soothing as he approached, the same comfort as it had been to Schuldich for so many years.

"Crocifisso? Boku wa Brad Crawford, my name is Brad Crawford, il mio nome è(1*) Brad Crawford."

The blonde telepath turned from his amusements with a frown and a quirk of his delicately shaped eyebrow. His hand slipped under the water and within minutes the well muscled bodybuilder emerged from the water. He looked to the Italian for his next direction. The man was dismissed with a flick of the wrist. In a few hours this nameless man would remember his normal life coupled with the recent memories of suckling Crocifisso under the water. What he did with the memory of orally fucking the telepath, Crocifisso didn't care. If he killed himself it would be another obituary to add to his ever-expanding scrapbook.

The male stood without a care for his nudity. He stood there before Nagi and Crawford an olive toned blonde with piercing blue eyes. The chiseled bodylines of an Olympic class swimmer and gymnast. He was still hard from the oral sex that had been interrupted but at the sight of his new teammates, especially Crawford it didn't waver. A tilt of the head, and an appreciate glance at Crawford, the man smiled displaying a sight that had gotten him into the beds of many a dignitary all of them male, all of them quite satisfied after.

"Japanese is fine. Crocifisso. I'm sure you know that already. Naoe Nagi I presume? Where is Farfarello?" Grabbing a towel from a nearby rack he wrapped it about his waist before offering his hand out to his new boss.

* * *

Ken slid his hand out of Ran's but only to slip it around his waist while his other hand came to clasp it about the front dropping his head on the taller male's shoulder. He felt comfortable with Ran wrapped in his arms, secure that the male was going to be safe, that nothing would come to harm him. He listened to Omi's chatter, laughing and nodding at all the right parts of the little speech, and nodding toward doors before the youth crashed into them. The four of them together once more, in seeming normalcy in a beautiful mountain resort with his friends who were more family than not, and the man he loved above all else. Ken was quite content at the moment. Whatever dream this was he hoped it wouldn't end. Ran was utterly perfect, Youji was moving on or trying to, and Omi was just as he always was. Omi. Nothing could possibly make him happier than he was at that moment.

The eldest of the quartet was only giving Omi half an ear. The other ear was busy trying to remember the room numbers that were being called out to him. His eyes were everywhere scoping for this week's entertainment. He hoped to have at least twenty-one lined up before they checked in. A man after all needed three meals a day to survive, and Kudou Youji never missed a meal.

"... anyway I just found all of those similarities between Pokemon and Card Captor Sakura to be kinda freaky. Dontcha think? And it's not just because they're both collecting something, either cute little animals to keep in balls or escaped Clow cards into... er... cards!" Omi slowly took in a breath, tilting his head at his somewhat attentive audience.

The way too genki and waaaay too hyper boy had chattered on about his favorite anime had bounced and hopped along the center sidewalk to the main doors, admiring the lush landscaping. He was playing a small game with himself that he -said- helped with aim and accuracy, but it was really just a lotta fun. He walked along the sidewalk, avoiding the cracks as best he could.

"Ah... Omi?" Ran asked softly, warm and cozy in Ken's arms. He only edged away from the hold to sign the check in papers and get all four of their keys. But the name they were registered under was not his or any of his teammates, but rather Shion Honjyou, not wanting to be able to be easily found should anyone from SZ be on a Weiß hunt. Shion... the name of the man who taught him his skills with the blade. Honjyou... the last name of a man who could always challenge him in debates about justice and honor in the world.

"I need to shut up don't I?" the boy asked sheepishly, looking up at the redhead through his pale lashes.

A faint smirk touched Ran's lips as he looked at him. Months ago he would have answered 'yes'. No, months ago he would not have even come on this vacation. Or come separately. Said he wasn't coming, come separate, and stayed the Hell away from the others. It was supposed to be a vacation ne? And hanging out with them was -hardly- a vacation. But that was then. This was now. Now he found Omi's sweet chatter though... never ending... but very sweet. Very Omi. Even with all the Hell Schuldich put him trough, he was able to justify its good by knowing it was him to go through it, not the hacker. It had overall turned out for the best anyway.

"Actually my sister watches those anime every once in awhile and sent me a few episodes on media player, so I will have to agree with some points of your anime dissertation." Handing out the keys to his teammates, his eyes fell on the boy. "I was actually going to ask if on the trip up you decided to forgo drinking your usual Jolt or just injected it from a syringe?"

Scrunching up his nose, Omi looked down and swung his bag idly, feeling that gaze on him. "Mou, gomen ne, minna. I'm just... really happy!"

"I think we guessed that..."

"I mean it's not often we all get a... uh, paid vacation and school holiday," he winked at the three, "and just get to be together. Ne? It's just... really nice I guess."

* * *

The charming smile from the telepath got no reaction from Crawford, only a light eyebrow quirk. Were -all- telepaths sex fiends? It was a bittersweet resemblance to the old Mastermind. The man would be able to replace something Schwarz was missing but Schuldich would never ever truly be replaced or forgotten.

His hand enfolded over the olive toned fingers, pale brown eyes meeting evenly with ice blue as he shook his hand. Pulling it back, he picked up one of the smaller towels to wipe his hand before he got water stains on his suit cuff. If Crocifisso took offense, oh well. "Yes this is Nagi. Japanese it will be then." Barely even looking at the man's brief nude state or his departing company, somewhat used to toned males prancing about nude after living with Schuldich for four years. Used to nude males and their hentai comments, stabbing knives and hurting god comments, and floating objects and 'I hate society' comments. Oh yes the Schwarz household was a thrill a minute.

"Farfarello is a bit... perturbed still about the loss of our last Mastermind. It was best he stay in Tokyo until we return. He is not good at first impressions."

"That is one way of putting it," Nagi said flatly, his eyes looking across the hot springs at a happy couple sitting at a small table. As he was staring blankly off, he blinked his midnight blue eyes, noting them looking at him. Laughing. They were actually laughing at a comment one of their companions made but it grated on Nagi's nerves, feeling it must somehow be directed at him.

The chairs were yanked out from under the pair and dropped carelessly to the side, the table flipping over to spill everything and anything that had been on its surface into a bubbling spring nearby. Looking back at the new telepath, Nagi's faint smirk faded. "Must have been a small earthquake... they are common around here I hear." The boy had always had a lot of pent up hatred and feelings of being an outcast, emotions that Crawford used to manipulate him. Schuldich had always brought some sort of calm to it with his teasing and snuggling of his 'Suess-chen'. With him gone, it was just there eating at him.

"Shall we go inside to discuss further?" Crawford said, holding up a terry cloth robe to the Italian before turning on his heel, not waiting for an answer.

A casual shrug rolled over the new telepath as he shrugged into the robe. Crocifisso disliked the cheap terry cloth preferring something a bit more to his tastes something infinitely softer and less coarse. His body was a temple and one he respected above all else. If it were possible this telepath was more vain that Schuldich had been. A veritable snob and very little passed his inspection. Nothing was too good for this man. He followed his new teammates easily enough, their stuffy demeanor more than stood out amidst the half naked bathers of the springs. There was a highly effeminate gait to his walk as if he were perpetually on the runway. In fact the entire world was his runway and people on it were just spectators there for his amusement.

* * *

The quartet made it easily to their small condominium. It was in short three small quaint apartments all interconnected to each other offering everyone their needed privacy yet giving off the same homey feel that they had back home. It was intimate and cozy. Perfect for the four of them. Ran and Ken could have their privacy as could Youji and Omi.

Upon entering Youji immediately flopped near the phone and started writing down every single number that he'd heard. Amazingly remembering every single one. Once that small task was done, he pulled out his day planner and started calling each one and penciling them in for the week. It was safe to assume that Youji would be spending his vacation doing what Youji did best. Screw around. Literally.

"Saaaa, Youji make sure you pencil us in for some dinners and lunches too." Ken smirked lightly as he returned from directing the bellhop to their room and flopping down on the couch across from him, swiftly pulling his redheaded boyfriend into his lap without a second thought. He smiled softly before dropping a kiss to his pale neck.

"Already done, Kenken. Tonight dinner with the three of you, unless you and Ran are having your own private dinner or should I just expect it to be dessert." The blonde winked at the two.

Ken blushed a furious shade of red as he hid his face further in Ran's shoulder, "Youji! We're not like that."

"Yeah. Sure."

"We're not!"

"Yet."

"..."

"Haha! Point for Uncle Youji."

"Bastard."

"Baby."

"Schmuck."

"Twit."

"Dipshit."

"Doofus."

"Ass."

"Shithead."

"Dick brain."

"Fuck head."

"Bitch."

"Dummy."

"Dick-prick-penis-wrinkle-hose-face."

"That's more than one word, Ken."

"So that's still an insult."

"Moron."

"Whore."

"So?"

As the two bickered their usual name calling fight, Ran just blinked idly and looked over at Omi, his hand resting in Ken's hair to stroke the strands softly, curling them about his fingers as he snuggled comfortably in the brunette's lap. "Ne Omi?"

"Yuh?" the boy answered, rolling his eyes lightly. They did this -every single- day. He used to keep a list of how it all started... one of them commented on the other's flower arranging skills, one of them stole the last apple from the basket in the kitchen, one of them just looked at the other wrong, a type of greeting, a type of goodbye... The list kept growing and just began to give him a headache so he just tuned the two out most times, learning new and interesting insults if he ever chose to listen.

"Do they do this often?" Ran asked softly, running his fingertip lightly over one of Ken's shirt buttons, sighing softly as he just enjoyed the feel of the man next to him.

The youngest of the group just laughed softly. "Hai, Ran-kun, -all- the time."

"How have I missed this?"

"You usually just put them on ignore, or glared and they stopped, or just walked out of the room, I guess, Ran-kun. Sometimes they did it to see if you'd join in and add some of your own insults."

"Oh. Well... isn't 'dick brain' also more than one word?" he asked innocently, trying to find the logic in that.

"I think it counts the same as 'shithead', only being a single word in that context. You'd have to ask them. They have rules or something in their insult wars." Omi shrugged lightly, wandering around to check out the place. Looking back over his shoulder, the young boy had to giggle at the surprisingly cute and curious look on Ran's face still. "Hard to believe that Youji's the oldest ne? You should have seen us all before you joined... actually. No. You shouldn't. It was... scary. Imagine that only ten times worse and even -on- missions."

"..."

"Baah... So what if we were that bad. We got the job done." Ken turned his attention back to the other two occupants in the room.

"And we provided entertainment, amusement, and education." An agreeable nod from Youji followed suit after Ken's statement.

"Educational? How?"

"You think either of these two grannies can swear like we can?"

"Hrm... You've got a point Youji. You gap toothed trailer park discount whore!"

"Lying sack of Siberian snake shit."

"Cum-guzzling two-bit road whore from Hell!"

"Anally retentive Pubic Louse."

Youji snickered at that one, "No... That was Ran before you fixed him."

Ken gaped and picked up the ashtray and chucked it at the playboy. "He was not!"

The redhead froze at Youji's last words, slowly getting up from Ken's lap as his stomach tightened. Deep down he knew the man knew no harm by it, but it just struck a nerve deep in him. His violet eyes clouded for a minute, almost as if Schuldich was once more in his mind, telling him the sickening truth of his actions towards the only people he could ever really call friends.

You're lovers... Would you call us lovers... -Aya-? You slip into his room... You have no regard for his pleasure, just your own need ... We're the same stock... you and I. It's always about you, it's always about me. ... you're less than human, people think I'm the devil.

His hand curled into a tight fist on his leg before releasing, his eyes falling shut as he shuddered, hating to think of how he had been to them before... that. Before Schuldich had treated him with the same disrespect and disregard for his own comfort he had shown so many. Violet eyes slowly opened once more, the male picking up his bag. "I'm... going to unpack. Suman." Turning, he slung his bag over his shoulder to walk to the nearby door of the apartment he was claiming as his and Ken's for the week.

"Ass. Hole." Ken stood up and followed Ran back to the room, but not before delivering a hard punch into Youji's stomach. Which only elicited a strained curse from the playboy. He looked back at Omi a forced smile on his lips. He dug out a bag of loose coins and tossed them over at the teen. "I think I saw an arcade down stairs." He winked lightly before slipping into the room with Ran.

Ken's toned arms slipped around the redhead as he came at him from the side. He would have rather preferred resting his check against his back but the action was just something he could never bring himself to do. Too reminiscent of the way Schuldich had cradled the assassin. Ken's hand found Ran's and pulled it to his lips to drop a light kiss on his palm as his soft aqua eyes rose to the porcelain face. "Ran? Are you okay? Anything I can do?"

Blinking, he looked over at Ken, stroking his fingers softly over the male's cheek while letting his palm lie over his sweet lips. Even though the man had just been in the apartment for a few brief moments, every single light was turned on, not letting a single shadow in the rooms he stayed in most often. Was he scared of the dark? Not really... it just reminded him of the three days of pure Hell he'd spent in Schuldich's arms in the dark prison, only the pale light from the tiny window allowing him not to be dragged deep into the darkness of Schuldich and so often his own self.

"Don't be mad at Youji..." he said and slipped his arms about Ken's waist, resting his cheek against his, rubbing gently. "These things happen... I know I was a jerk to all of you, especially you, even after my vengeance on Reiji had been sought out and my sister had been saved. I just... try not to think about just how much of one I was..."

"I still fell in love with you despite how you were. Remember that Ran. No matter what, through it all, everything you said. I still loved you and continue to do so. Nothing you say or do will -ever- change that. I gave myself to you long ago, and irregardless of how you treated me, I never held anything from you, such was the depth of my love." Ken smiled and licked at his palm while continuing to kiss it. "Need help unpacking, koi?"

A faint smile touched over his cupids bow lips as he slowly drew his hand away to rest it on the man's shoulder, dropping touch a kiss full of gratitude and growing love over his supple mouth. "Thank you, Ken. I don't know what I would have done had it not been for you... all of you. They know that ne?" He left his lips a few inches from his lover's sweet mouth, staring into the deep aqua eyes that were always so full of love it almost made him want to cry. It had been that tiny window that he had always stared at when it was daylight, the sunlight warm like Ken's touch the color of the distant sky that pale blue, the only comfort he had those days. "I do not have all that much to unpack... Ken... just... hold me for awhile?"

Ken melted into the soft kiss wrapping his arms about the taller male. He sighed softly at the depth of emotion in the kiss. When Ran pulled away he smiled. "Isn't that what I'm doing now?" Smirking playfully he untangled himself and tugged off his shirt knowing how Ran found comfort in his skin and most importantly the sound of his heartbeat under his ear. Taking Ran's hand he led them to the bed and climbed into it after removing his shoes and loosening his slacks. He held the blanket up while patting the spot next to him on the bed. "Come're."

Following after him, Ran's free hand slowly unbuttoned his shirt to drop it over a chair, his shoes slipping off to rest by the bed. His chest and back were perfect and nearly flawless once more, only having a single long scar running diagonally across his back. One day when Ken had come to see Ran agonizing over his pale marred body, the crimson locked man surprisingly vain and meticulous with his looks, Ken had been able to cheer him up by touching on all of the wounds, telling him they were just little road maps for him to trail his tongue over leading to every single pleasurable spot on Ran's body. It had been utterly ridiculous but so endearingly sweet, the charming brunette bringing a more relaxed state to Ran when shirtless. He had been for awhile ashamed of the marks on his body from Schuldich's attentions, but Ken's ever-persistent words had been there to soothe his concerns.

Lying down beside him, he sighed softly and rested his hand over Ken's stomach, his cheek pressing close to his smooth pectoral muscles, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart, a sound he often went to sleep with under his ear. A sound that was as natural and comforting as anything he could ever imagine, a sound that brought him as much happiness as his sister's sweet laughter. A sound that let him know with painful pleasure that he was falling in love with him, and had been since the first moment he saw the male.

Ken's fingers combed themselves lightly through Ran's hair as he lay on him. His other hand rubbed along his back, fingers tracing lightly along the scars, making small affectionate words and phrases into his skin. He closed his eyes and just let the lethargic warmth spread over him. The seductive laziness that seemed to flow over him when they were together like this, curled about each other, Ran's breath tickling lightly over his navel, toying with the swirl of dark hair around it with his finger. The way Ran's fingers would curiously explore the crests and valleys of his toned abs. Or better still when Ran would take one of his precious ear tails and wetting the end of it with his mouth would quote sonnets on his stomach. That feeling always brought him peace and always stirred a quiet passion he hoped someday Ran would allow them to share.

Soft lips slowly moved over Ken's bare chest, his tongue touching gently over the pale pink nipples before moving down the center of the broad mass of muscle. His head was tilted up to watch Ken's face, loving the way his lips parted in soft gasps and moans of pleasure, the way the soft blush started in his cheeks and traveled down, flushing his entire body, the way his eyelashes fluttered over his cheeks whenever they laid like this, just curled in each other's warmth. It was a level of comfort and intimacy he was very much glad Schuldich had never tried to mock or violate something that he had never allowed himself to have with Ken before the incident. Every single soft moan and warm touch that Ken gave him let him make his kisses a bit bolder, his touches a bit more private and intimate. "Ken...?" he said in a low voice, looking up from where he was once again memorizing the planes of his toned abdomen with his tongue and fingers.

A heady look of passion turned Ken's sea green eyes a dusty shade of old glass bottles. His hand lay on Ran's shoulder moving slowly up and down his arm and back as his beloved explored his body. At the question in the passion thick voice of the redhead, Ken lifted his head to look down into the aroused lilac gems of Ran's eyes. He smiled warmly and brought his finger to trace over the older man's moist and slightly pouty lower lip, "What is it, Ran?"

"I want..." He swallowed and darted his tongue over his lips, rubbing his hand over his side slowly, his fingers eventually coming to rest on the waistband of his jeans. He looped a finger through a belt loop, idly stroking over his lower belly. His eyes met with those lovely green eyes, the calming blues evaporated away by the heat he could feel in the body under his. For a moment he flinched at the green eyes, but it soon passed as he felt the soft finger over his lips. Schuldich's eyes had been like emeralds, the smiles and grins never touching them, hard and jaded with more than a touch of insanity. Ken's eyes were soothing greens, the smiles he gave the world always first in his eyes before on his lovely lips. Words suddenly failed him and he just dipped his head back down, pressing a soft kiss over his fly. "You..."

At the touch of Ran's lips, all Ken could respond with was a soft whimper and nod of consent. His hips arched forward of their own accord closer to his seeking lips. The hand that had been on his shoulder slid into his hair. He tried desperately to keep his desire in check not wanting to frighten him. He'd been scared to approach anything concerning sex, for Ran's sake and to give him time to heal. He never once pressured him, only taking what he could and giving what was allowed never asking for more, just being the ever patient boy who loved this man to distraction. A soft tongue slipped over to wet suddenly dry lips as he swallowed. "If you're sure, Ran."

Lifting his head to stare at Ken, a soft smile touched over his lips as he reached his hand up to stroke over his boyfriend's cheek, wanting to capture the sweet almost desperate look on his face forever. Ken had been so patient and loving for so long, their relationship hardly what it once had been. Where it had once been ... nothing, hardly able to even call each other lovers in that sense... it made him breathless to realize how different they were now, even though they hadn't done anything under the belt since the night before he was kidnapped by the German. They laid awake every night for hours after retiring to bed, just talking and cuddling, Ken never once asking for anything more, giving Ran all the time in the world to heal and for that he just fell more and more in love with him than he had been. He'd yet to tell Ken that... unsure of exactly how to bring that up. He just... everything else about their relationship had been so odd and with bad timing, he just wanted that to be perfect.

His fingers were shaking lightly as he slowly drew Ken's jeans down, the man lifting up from the bed to let him slide them all the way down and drop them to the floor. He smiled faintly at the silk kissy mark boxers his lover was wearing, his eyes traveling up his chest back to his face. "I'm sure..."

A light blush colored his cheeks at his choice of undergarments but faded as he saw the passionate heat in Ran's eyes. A warm loving smile touched on Ken's lips as his hands reached down to pull at the boxers and reveal himself to his beloved. He blushed again realizing that Ran had never seen him nude before. Sure they'd had sex but Ken had always been face down in a pillow, pajama bottoms only half way down his legs. It had also been the dark of night, and he'd seemed hardly interested in looking at him more than slaking his own passion.

Now it was different and Ken suddenly felt shy around the redhead. He suddenly felt like the shy virgin he still felt himself to be at times. No one had ever seen him nude. The shared showers with Ran after the incident Ken had always worn his underwear not wanting to scare him. Now it was the middle of the day, and Ran was looking at him with intent to touch him. After months of itching for him to do so and weeks of innocent intimacy, Ken was afraid. Afraid he'd disappoint Ran, but he wasn't going to let the fear get a hold of him. If Ran wanted him... then he would do his damnedest to please him.

Orchid blushed eyes clouded with passion, a hot fire of desire kept in careful check flashing in the man's eyes as he looked at Ken's completely nude form. There was the sweetest blush on Ken's cheeks, something that he saw extended all the way to his toes. God... what beauty had he been denying himself by coming to Ken's room every night as he once had? He could have had the man in any position, any way, any number of times, and he had chosen the least personal, an almost degrading way to take him. He didn't know what deity up there was eyeing him favorably, making him so lucky to have another chance with him as he did. It was one he still felt as if he did not fully deserve but it was not one to be wasted, most definitely.

"Ken..." he whispered, just staring down at the male. It was exquisite torture to lay here with him, the late afternoon sunlight streaming through the window, his golden tanned body contrasting so beautifully with the light sheets and covers of the bed. It was as if the resort had known his favorite color on the aqua-eyed brunette. White. The color just did... delicious things to him. It was just such a bright, pure color, containing none of the darkness of the cell he'd been kept in for so many days. Symbolizing his return to Weiß, the white, away from Schwarz, the black. Showing the brightness in Ken, the male holding none of the darkness Schuldich had reveled in.

"You're absolutely breathtaking, Ken... I wish I could find better words than that..." He looked up to his face once more, slowly skimming his hands up his chest, never taking his eyes off of his face as he slowly touched him, just wanting to know the warm feel of his skin. He felt clean, so pure... so Ken. His last... bedmate had not the same feel, always feeling dirty somehow, Schuldich drowning in the guilt he was named for. The sight of the greatly aroused organ did make him pause, the reason he kept his eyes on Ken, not wanting to forget who this was. The man he loved, the man he admired, the man who saved him. He paused when he saw the odd glint of blue in Ken's eyes, something akin to fear, his head tilting curiously to the side. "What is it...?"

"Um... I'm nervous. I've never... with anyone. Just you. You're the only one who's even ever seen me like this, or touched me. I don't want to disappoint you." Ken's blush brightened as his hand reached out to touch Ran's a light shy and sheepish smile on his lips. "I just love you so much and want everything to be perfect. You've been through so much. I just want to please you."

Ivory fingers laced through Ken's bronzed ones, Ran's eyes staring intently at their clasped hands before looking up to his eyes once more. Leaning forward, he pressed an equally shy kiss to Ken's shy smile. "Don't worry about a thing, Ken. You never... ever... displeased me. Ever. It displeases me now to think on how things were done on my part but..." He shrugged faintly, trying to pass it off as nothing but he hardly ever did in his mind. His other hand moved to caress along Ken's cheek, their clasped hands sliding down his chest to rest right above the golden erection, the redhead uncurling his fingers only to wrap them slowly about his width, gasping softly at the hot feel of him under his hand. "Yes I've been through a lot but... you never left my side through any of it. Just... let me take care of everything, Ken?"

He arched up to his touch rubbing his arousal against their joined hands gasping softly at the jolt of pleasure that zipped through his body. "There was nothing... to forgive. I... understand why you... were that way, and I still loved you... while you did that... and I still love you now." Another loud moan escaped Ken's lips as he continued to instinctively push his erection against Ran's hand. "Oh, God... Ran... please... I'm yours. Sooo yours."

"Then let me pleasure you as I should have so many times before... I like those close to me to be happy... especially if I can lend to that." Leaning over to place a soft kiss to the male's thigh, he continued the slow loving strokes over his perfect arousal, enjoying the searing heat under his palm. That's what Ken was to him, a burning glow that dispelled any darkness or chill about him, the fire in his life he hoped would never extinguish. Because when it did he knew he would soon follow it. His hand left Ken's arousal, hearing him moan in protest but he paid it no heed, knowing that he would soon more than make up for it. His ivory toned hand reached up to touch softly along Ken's face, the trace drops of fluids on his fingers being brushed over the man's lips. His passion clouded lilac gazed down at his lover's awaiting form, like honey and chocolate, the golden flesh rising proudly from a nest of dark brown curls. He was such utter perfection, his perfection, it nearly made Ran want to cry. But better time for that. His head slowly dipped and moved over to him, still stroking his cheek and jawline as soft shy kisses were placed over the silky skinned head of his arousal, a soft moan touching over his lips at the faint taste of his love beading on the tip quickly rolling over his tongue.

Arching violently off the bed at the touch of Ran's lips on him, Ken lost any semblance of control and climaxed suddenly. Years of aching for this man, coupled with the sweetly torturous days and nights of sharing Ran's bed and easing him back into a more physical relationship, the pent up passion was finally too much. Finally seeing... well rather feeling it come to fruition finally was too much. The white-hot fissures of pleasure that raced over his body sending him quickly over the edge. His body shook and trembled as his passion flowed from the tip against Ran's lips without warning.

Finally catching his breath he looked sheepishly over at Ran a furious blush on his cheeks of pure embarrassment. He wanted to curl up and hide. The best he could do with Ran sprawled on his lower limbs as he was, was grab the pillow to try to suffocate himself. Angry sobs of disappointment and shame could be heard from beyond the pillow.

The sweet liquids flowed over his lips, causing Ran to move his mouth lower to suckle the tip, not wanting a single bit of the droplets to go to waste. Schuldich had tasted bitter, much like the seawater he'd taken in after the building collapsed, salty and burning the throat, suffocating, drowning, disgusting. He had made the redhead want to throw up many times over after having it deposited in his mouth. But Ken... Ken was warm cream, liquid sugar, smooth honey, melted caramel, everything sweet and good in this world. There were so many differences in how he tasted and how he reacted it was growing nearly impossible for Ran to think of what Schuldich had done to him and what he was slowly easing into with Ken the same acts. They were so very different, Ken so much sweeter and gentler, never pushing or demanding. Perfection.

His lips finally left his lover's softening flesh, his tongue having completely cleaned him from the sudden release, every single warm and treasured droplet gliding down his throat with a completely delectable taste that only left him wanting more. Looking up his soft smile faded as he heard Ken's crying, all he'd been able to hear for awhile was the rush of blood in his ears and Ken's soft sounds of orgasm, only able to feel the vein on the under edge throbbing against his lower lip. Slowly sliding up Ken's body, he hugged his arms close about his lower torso, nudging the pillow away as he rested his chin on his shoulder. "Ken... look at me Ken..."

The pillow came off without much resistance. Ken's eyes were lightly rimmed in red and a soft disappointed pout curled his lower lip. He couldn't meet Ran's eyes from the shame burning in his. "I'm sorry. I couldn't help it. I tried..." He sighed, "I'm a lousy lover, Ran. You deserve better." His head turned to the side to stare at the corner of the bed. At that moment he looked like a crestfallen boy, who'd lost his favorite toy. He couldn't bear to look at Ran not after what happened. He looked utterly forlorn and depressed. "I'm so not worthy of you."

Pale fingers touched lightly on Ken's cheek, turning his head to force him to meet his violet gaze. There was only tenderness in the plum irises, no accusation or hints of disappointment. His tongue flicked over his lip, gathering a few beads of the spilled lust from his bottom lip. "Ken..." He smiled softly, stroking his hand over his cheek. "You tasted so good, Ken, thank you. That was beautiful. Don't be ashamed, koi, don't ever be ashamed when with me. Please? There's nothing to apologize for... Answer me this. Did I give you pleasure?"

"God yes." He could do naught but nod helplessly and stare in wonder that Ran could ask such a preposterous question. "How can you ask that? Nothing has ever made me feel -that- good in my life ever!" Aqua eyes rounded to saucers as he gazed up at him. Ken clutched tightly to Ran's hand holding it desperately as if it would fall away. He still looked a bit scared and incredulous that Ran wasn't upset with him, but actually pleased. "I just wanted our real first time to be special. I feel like I've sorta ruined it. You really mean it though? You're not mad or hurt or upset? I just love you so much, Ran. If I ever thought I'd done anything to hurt you or make you angry or sad, I'd just die."

"You've done nothing of the sort! Don't even think that. You've ruined nothing." Swollen moist lips touched into a tiny smile, Ran clasping Ken's hand tightly in his. The tanned fingers were brought to his lips, soft sweet kisses of reassurance being placed on the tips as the older man stared at the man who meant the most to him. "All I wanted to do was give you pleasure... and that's what I did." Blushing, he glanced down to see Ken's organ flaccid and kissed clean, his passion spent for now. "By the looks and ... the taste of it, something I did very well." Glancing back up at him, his long eyes met with those adorably large aqua ones, seeing the uncertainty he'd felt for so long in the turquoise depths. "Everything with you is special... koi. Don't you ever die, don't you ever leave me alone."

"Never Ran. You're my heart, I can't live without it, now can I?" A pleased and relieved smile touched on his lips, adoration in his eyes. Lifting his head Ken brought his lips to Ran's kissing him deeply, his tongue slipping easily between the petal soft lips. A light purr droned in his throat at the taste of himself in Ran's mouth. His arms slipped around Ran's waist and pulled his slacks and undergarments down, and helped him kick them away. They found themselves wrapped about Ran's neck once more as the kiss deepened still. Lean muscular legs wrapped around the slender waist of the man above him. His sex rose to attention once more at the sweet contact of their lips, coupled with Ran's hot arousal against the wet, and limp flesh. Lips quirked into an innocent smile while they nuzzled sweetly. "Make love to me, Ran.... I missed having you inside me."

A soft squeak of a sigh escaped Ran's lips as he felt the hot arousal press against his belly once more, a light groan soon following. He looked down at Ken lying under him, shuddering lightly as he remembered himself in the same position at Schuldich's hands. Wrapping his arms about him to pull him close, he pulled up into a sitting position, keeping Ken close against his form, legs still wrapped about his waist. "This is better...." he said softly, cupping Ken's cheek gently with his palm, just staring at his blushing sweet face. "Ken... I..." He looked down, feeling his own blush touch his cheek, wondering if this was the right moment or the completely wrong one.

Ken smiled warmly and slipped his arms under Ran's arms his hands cupping his shoulders and slid down fingers skimming over the contours of his sinewy arms. He pulled his hands and began kissing them, palm, fingers, every inch of them. There was near worship and adoration in his eyes mixed with curiosity at the unfinished statement. His lips were too busy to voice the question. Ken's legs adjusted to a better position, knees drawn up against Ran's back, ankles hooked. A mere tilting of his hips would complete the union, but he wanted Ran to lift him and push into him. That familiar heat but out of tenderness, not the cruelty he'd known before. God how he loved this man.

Ran stayed still, feeling tightness and passion wash over him as he felt his erection press close against Ken's willing body, the heat from his waiting body pulsing over him, just waiting in exquisite torturous moments to engulf him. He sighed shakily, letting his hand stay against his mouth, his fingers softly being suckled. He saw the question in his eyes and in answer, slowly thrust up, his free hand dropping onto his shoulders to push him down onto him all the way to the base. As he inched his way into Ken's warm body, waiting to perfectly fit him in, three words fell from his lips to soften the pain he imagined his lover was feeling from something of his size being in him again after so long. "I love you."

Once more Ken arched upward, but this was something he was used to, something he could control. Good God how he loved the feel of Ran deep inside him. "God, Ran.... I love you so much and you feel so good. Don't stop, Ran. I need you." Ken pulled his eyes forward to look into his stunning violet orbs and began rocking in circles. The familiar feel of him intoxicating. This is the type of union he'd always wanted with Ran. His words of love like a balm to his soul. The confession lifted his spirits and made him feel lucky. This man loved him. After so much... through the Hell and the darkness they'd finally come to Eden. This bed this moment and every moment that would follow like this would be paradise. Ran was his world and his embrace was his universe. Their union... timeless.

"I'm not... hurting you am I?" Ran whispered with a slight bit of fear in his voice, that being the absolute last thing he wanted to do in this act. Hs pale lilac eyes stared deep into the man's sweet blue eyes, slowly rocking back against him.

Ken shook his head and smiled, his own hips rocking naturally with the rhythm Ran created. He leaned forward and began the ritual kissing and licking of Ran's scars. Those that remained from the ordeal. The light pink trails on his shoulder were kissed and licked and lightly suckled on. His hands reached back to lightly caress those that crisscrossed his back, alternating between feather light touches and harder ones. Hands, eyes and lips moved over the pale skin in worship. Worship as he had longed to do every night Ran and slipped into his room in the middle of the night. Yes the feel of him inside him was blissfully familiar yet the loving tenderness was a gift to him. A gift he would always treasure. He felt utterly treasured for the first time in his life and it was an odd feeling, a feeling he wanted to bestow upon Ran at the earliest possible convenience. Planting more kisses along his neck and shoulders while his arms curled up his back, and hips rocked back and forth, Ken's smile softened and a light blush suffused his cheeks as his head rolled back in ecstasy. "It's... perfect."

Ran stared at that warm inviting column of golden flesh of Ken's neck that was tipped back just so, staring in amazement at how the light hit the bits of sweat glistening on it just right, turning his skin into molten gold, only able to be cooled by the redhead's touch. He moaned softly at the light kisses to every single faint scar, his own lips dipping to trail along the chords of Ken's neck, soft and loving, memorizing every single dip and curve of the mans body he had once ignored, only focusing one one thing. Himself, his own selfish need to get off. He still cursed himself for using Ken like that no matter what the man said, something he always carried with him as reminder to never treat him like that again, never take for granted this beautiful man that had stolen his heart when he thought he had none, this charming man that had been his secret strength to get through the ordeal with Schuldich, this endearing man that had been able to melt through his ice with his own natural warm cheer. "Ken..." he whispered, shutting his eyes as he nuzzled his lips against his neck, trying not to cry from the pure sweet emotion of the moment. His hand moved from the bed to wrap around his length, stroking up along it gently, refusing to let himself orgasm until he had given his beloved another.... and another... and another... wanting desperately to make up for all the times he had screwed him and left, not a single word to him or touch to reciprocate the physical pleasure. "Ken... Ken... aishiteru, Ken..."

Ran's words coupled with his gentle stroking and the feel of him sliding effortlessly and lovingly in and out of his body, pulled him in the grips of his second orgasm since they'd began. Ken once more vocalized his passion in deep throaty cries of pleasure. His body tightened and rocked with Ran still locked deep inside him. He shivered and trembled like a falling leaf caught in the winds of passion and helpless to keep himself from falling. He was lost, lost in the delight Ran was drawing out from his body and soul, with his touch, his kiss and most of all his love. His arms curled around Ran's chest holding him tightly as the hot lust surged from the purple head of his sex. His back arched and his head still thrown back he rolled it forward his voice raspy from his expounded ardor, "Aishiteru... Don't stop... please don't..."

"Oh I don't plan on it..." he whispered back, holding him close against him. As Ken's hot and sweaty body locked down on him, he whimpered and felt his male self twitch, threatening to release with the luxurious tight heat about him, wrapping close as he slowly stroked along him. He whimpered and tightened his own muscles, willing himself to not reach climax yet, not until Ken was too overcome with pleasure and could take no more. This was what he wanted for his first time, just hours of lovemaking, never giving the other a moments break from the pleasuring touches, kisses, strokes, looks. He switched hands, bringing up his passion smeared fingers which had been cupped over him upon release to his mouth, licking the sweet liquids while his eyes stayed locked on Ken's, watching him with every single time his tongue darted over his skin to gather more wonderful moisture. A pity he'd never tasted it before. Had he, it would have been the first thing he strove to enjoy every time he entered Ken's room. His other hand dropped down to touch gently over Ken's softening flesh, dancing his fingers over the sensitized length, trying to bring him back to life once more to give him a third.

Ken whimpered softly at the sight of Ran's fingers sliding in and out of his mouth. Drawn to the coated fingers he leaned forward to lick at them as well, moaning softly at the taste of his own fluids mingled with Ran's skin. The entire spectrum of sensation, Ran's mouth on his fingers, his own licking, the gentle stroking... all of it was bringing his sensitive flesh back to rigidity slowly but surely. Ken shivered from head to toe the conflicting wonders being delivered upon his body. The lethargic afterglow and the desire to feel yet another climax rip through his body. He felt like putty in Ran's hands at the mercy of this man's touch and love. It was a thrilling feel and one he hoped would never go away.

"I told you... you taste like white chocolate..." Ran whispered as he continued holding his hand to both their lips, his tongue licking over one side of his finger while Ken's was on the other. He sighed softly, letting the warm breath rush over the passion soaked fingers and across the rosen lips, moist with his own sweet fluids. His own lips touched on Ken's as he brought his cleaned fingers down to touch on Ken's waist, the kiss sweet and slow like his thrusts, more for Ken's own pleasure than his own. Not to say he wasn't enjoying it, oh hardly so, but the feel of the brunette melting to his touch was better than any climax ever could be. This was how he'd always wanted to be, this was the only man he ever wanted to be so with. Even though the brunette had never once fought him and his frequent visits to his bed, he would always feel he had something to make up for, for those numerous months of timed sessions of visiting Ken's room, his actions mechanical, like he had been trying to prove something to himself. What that had been he'd yet to fully figure out. In time he supposed. It didn't matter anymore... to Ken... but it did to him. All he knew was this was how he wanted things to be now. Watching Ken climax the now two times was the most beautiful scene he'd ever witnessed, something that made him ache to know he'd denied them both of that.

His hand continued moving along the once more firm flesh as he kissed him softly, his tongue darting out to delicately part the rosen petals of his lips. Five more snowy white fingers, glistening softly from being licked clean, joined the others, rubbing small circles over the spheres of flesh at the base, every action sweet. Slow. Adoring. Worshipping. The tender seduction that Ken so deserved, not something like cruel and impersonal as it had been before, Ran not even giving Ken the respect a ten-cent street whore received. At least they received some payment, some type of regard for their services. All Ken had received was a door closing, Ran not even helping him to pull his pajama bottoms up, leaving him with only the memory on the rumpled sheets. Not even passion soaked or sweat soaked... because the redhead had never once broken a sweat. Very unlike now. His pale skin was aglow with the sheen of sweat from their gentle lovemaking, making every single move easier and more fluid, the two moving with the experience of knowing the other's body, at least in some fashion.

Despite the near exhausted state he was in, with Ran's persistent strokes and caresses, and murmured words of love it wasn't long before he shuddered once more in climax. This one tamer than the previous two. A soft sigh, a mild arch of his body followed by uncontrollable shivers as his arousal jerked in Ran's hand again coating the attentive fingers with the last remaining fluid he could give. He clung tightly to Ran, his head falling on his lazy kisses falling on his mouth as the corner quirked into a soft smile, "Your turn, koi."

Bringing his hands up after a final stroke on his flaccid and spent organ, Ran laced them about his waist, holding him tenderly as he continued to stroke rhythmically and with extreme care. "Just let me look at you... do you have any idea how beautiful ... everything you do is?" Stretching out their legs carefully, he leaned back to lay down on the bed, easily pulling Ken down with him without ever breaking the contact. He stayed still for a minute just staring up at his lovely face, the soft brunette strands falling down over his forehead to hang in front of his aqua gaze. Sighing softly he locked his legs around Ken's waist and shifted down to adjust his positioning, slowly stroking into him once more while pulling his silky lips down to his own.

Despite his exhaustion, Ken found himself rocking naturally back and forth matching Ran's gentle rhythm. In his kiss was everything he felt for the redhead, love, adoration, gratitude, happiness... Planting his hands on the smooth pale chest, Ken pushed himself up to a seated position while still impaled on his lover. Ran's long and thick arousal rubbing continually against the pressure spot deep inside him. Even in his brief attentions, Ken had loved the feel of this man plunging in and out of his body. He'd grown accustomed to the roughness, but this gentleness was infinitely pleasing. Ken's hands skimmed down Ran's thighs to push himself up and down the throbbing flesh. In quickening the pace and with Ran's ever present touch, Ken's organ flared to life. God how this man just -knew- how to play his body and Ken was just so willing a bed partner. He could deny Ran nothing even in his exhaustion. His eyes locked with Ran's as he smiled, already feeling himself twitching for another release. "Together. I miss the feel of your climax inside me."

A sweet smile of love touched on Ran's lips at the softness in Ken's voice, feeling his worn and nearly sated body stroking along him to coax him to a slow orgasm. His hand rested on his hip to guide him and help him set the pace, his hips rocking up into the beautiful body resting on his. Long pale fingers wrapped about his tender arousal to gently run up and down the length, moving with the same lazy pace of their lovemaking. The entire tempo was achingly slow and gentle, all the tenderness and warmth he'd ever wanted from the male in bed with him currently. Nothing hard or fast, each pushing the other to orgasm before even thinking about themselves. Two lovers finally finding something that had been missing the entire time they'd known one another's bodies and taking all the time in the world to enjoy and explore it.

The final climaxes same almost completely simultaneously, the feel of the thick organ twitching under his palm making his own pulse to the finale of the long lovemaking session. Warmth coated over the ivory fingers as a similar cool heat was released into the golden body, only a sweet moan of his lover's name echoing from the redhead at his release. The spent soft organ slid out of the warm sheath of Ken's body, Ran's own lithe form sinking into the mattress in lethargic pleasure, an air of calm he'd been searching for ever since discovering sex finally found. Pale and tanned limbs entwined together as he just stared into his lover's jeweled eyes with his own, not knowing want to say. Only knowing he never wanted to leave his arms.

Warmth and safety he'd never known fell quietly like a soft cloud over Ken's body. Nothing he'd ever experienced in his life felt quite like this. It was beyond words and normal emotions to describe. The closest he could hope to come to was 'good' but even that simple word didn't seem to do his feeling justice.

Ken's arm draped lightly over Ran's chest despite the white mess there. His lips nuzzled lazily against his neck, only to pull away and rest his head on Ran's shoulder to cuddle in the perfection of his arms. A weak smile played on his lips as he gazed at the redhead. "That was... indescribable. I love you so much, Ran, and if you try to make me move right now, I'll hurt you."

"I wouldn't move from this spot even if I could..." Ran smiled softly in return, finally finding his voice that had left him while the orgasm had moved through him. But he did in fact move, only to pull the rumpled light colored sheets up over them, never releasing Ken from his tight hold as he did so. Lifting his head up, he glanced at the clock on the side table, blushing faintly to see it had been close to three hours since they'd entered the room. "Mm. Plan. Nap for a bit until dinner, wake up with enough time for showers before going to eat with Omi and Youji?"

Ken merely mumbled a yes and curled up most happily in Ran's arms. He was asleep before the blanket fully settled around him. His head rested on Ran's shoulder while his arm lie on his chest. His fist was held to his lips evidence that Ken had been a thumb sucker when he was younger. A soft smile of contentment dusted his peaceful features. All in all... Ken couldn't ask for a better way to sleep.

A sweetened plum gaze stayed locked on Ken's face while he quickly fell to slumber, a full smile curving Ran's lips as he stared at the man once more his lover. A soft sigh touched over his mouth as he felt his eyelids droop shut the exertions of the lengthy lovemaking finally completely settling over him. He lifted his hand across his chest to rest on Ken's curled hand, stroking his fingers faintly over his hand while he slipped off. A light kiss was brushed over his cheek before his head fell to rest against Ken's, warm in his hold and with the late afternoon sunlight spilling onto the bed, their slow even breathing the only sound in the room.