Warnings and stuff: AU and that means completely. I don't think there's a Valensburg out there last time I checked. Some weird crap to come. Bear with me here, thank you.
Pairings: Ken/Omi , Yohji/Aya
Disclaimers: I don't own Weiss Kreuz.
Believing The Dream
Chapter Three: Where Ken Meets Omi
The path wasn't steep but the breeze stirred up mini duststorms, making it hard to see the narrow ledge ahead. I sneezed every now and then, making birds and small animals flee from the thick grass into the hedges. Guess animals here aren't used to human company. Especially big, clumsy Ken-type human company.
That train of thought made me feel suddenly guilty entering this place. It felt like I was trespassing. Such reckless failures did not belong here. Sighing and shaking my head furiously, I pushed the coherent thoughts out of my brain. Couldn't it go on a vacation for once? I needed some soccer, some fresh air, and some nice green grass. Nothing would deter me.
I trudged along, scuffing up more dust while looking forward to my stay here in Valensburg. Here was a place I could chill, regather all my ideas and start over. Seemed like a plan to me. Not that I was actually doing any of that, rather I was revisiting what I shouldn't be doing. That threw off my plan completely.
Oh well, I'm a procrastinator, I'll think about things later, whenever that might be.
As I stood there on the long abandoned path, I felt like I was in the middle of two different worlds. Behind me was the buzz of technology, busy, never ending loops of wires and mechanics. But ahead of me was something out of a dream. Untouched, untainted, unspoiled. Sure, people had lived here at one time but they hadn't wrecked the place. I bet all cities used to look like this and yet this little pocket had been spared. I was thankful for that.
I would be spending a lot of time here anyway.
As I neared the end of the path, a particularly strong breeze encompassed me with a cloud of dust. I sneezed and blindly put my foot out, groping for the path ahead. Instead it met air.
Ah, the wonders of air, we can't live without it. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depends on what the circumstance is), it's not very solid.
"Gyah!" I managed the cry out before I landed face down in a clump of sweet smelling grass. It tickled my nose. I sneezed again though it's sort of hard when one's nose is smushed against the ground. It ended up sounding something like a disoriented pig. Great, now it was Hidaka Ken: Hog. Guess I'm just a very multi facet person.
Whether I be, goalie, loser or pig, I am such a klutz sometimes...er...all the time. Hey, so maybe I'm just a little bit clumsy. Perhaps, it could help get me out of the flower shop job Yohji offered...? I mean, he couldn't possibly have some one breaking things and scaring away customers right? It was worth a try. Later. Now, I had to savor my freedom while it lasted.
I propped up onto my elbows. The grass was soft and comfy. I didn't want to get up. Not even to play soccer. (Wow...) I just felt so at peace. I wonder if it's a sin to be this relaxed. It wasn't happiness or anything, just a sense of freedom. The feeling that you have no limits even though you don't have the heart to go test it out. I wouldn't be regretting this anytime soon, that was for sure.
My eyes roamed around. Ahead of me was a seemingly endless expanse of grass, dotted with hedges, a few trees and a pair of bright red sneakers. So beautiful, so...
Wait a sec...bright red sneakers?
I rubbed my bleary eyes. The last thing I need is glasses. But there they were, not two feet in front of my face, a pair of bright red sneakers, slightly dusty from use.
Now why would sneakers be down here in the middle of nowhere? I wracked my brain for answers.
"Uh...excuse me...?" a soft voice questioned from above. The angels are speaking to me! Not. Reality was slow to reach my mind.
Oh oops, of course, the sneakers were being worn by someone. Real smooth there, Ken. I lifted my gaze from the sneakers, to a nice pair of legs, followed by some shorts, a t-shirt and finally a face, adorned with shining blue eyes and crowned with wheat colored hair.
"Um...hi!" I said lamely, slowly recovering from my stupid spell.
The boy smiled and knelt down in front of me, holding my soccer ball. "Is this yours?"
Ah! I was wondering where it went. I sat up, reluctantly leaving the plushy grass, and took the ball from his outstretched hand. "Yeah, thanks, must've lost it when I fell." How long had he been standing there anyway? Hopefully not long enough to have seen me go splat.
He turned to look at me. He was around my age, probably a bit younger. His eyes were sparkling and cheery as well as his smile. The sun reflected off his golden hair. The sight made we want to smile as well.
"Hi! I'm Omi Tsukiyono. Not many people come down here..." his smile faltered a little bit, "but I'm really happy when someone does...what's your name?"
"Ken..." I answered, not really sure of my voice. This boy, this Omi, made me have strange feelings.
"Ken..." he said my name lightly, testing it out. I liked the way he said it. He needed to say my name more.
Omi stood up abruptly. "You wanna play?" he asked, gesturing to my momentarily forgotten soccer ball. He blushed. "I've never played before...but I'd like to try."
I returned his smile. The little bubble around me was feeling strangely worn, as if it was ready to pop anytime. "Sure! I'd be glad to show you." Not even a day had passed and I'd found a soccer buddy already. Lucky me.
I stumbled to my feet. They had fallen asleep long ago and were feeling very numb. After wobbling around, I managed to steady a bit. Omi stood there patiently.
I scooped up the ball with my foot expertly and placed it under one arm. "Why don't we start with passing?" I kicked the ball in his direction. Omi managed to stop it and passed it back.
He used his toe. A common mistake. No biggie. "You might want to try using the side of your foot instead," I suggested, aiming a little to his left before kicking it off again. He nodded and kicked it back.
Soon we were running around among the long blades of grass, passing the ball back and forth, laughing at each other. I showed him a couple of moves and steps. I was surprised how fast he caught on. My stay here would be great with Omi around. He was the very image of what I used to be. Young and happy and really cute the way his tongue would stick out a little bit in sheer concentration.
Not that I ever did that and looked cute or anything...
Pegging it as hard as I could back at him, I flopped down on the soft grass, sweaty, stinky, and really happy. A few moments later Omi plopped down next to me, ball in hand and just as stinky and sweaty as I was. Well, maybe he didn't reek as much as I did but that's okay.
His bangs stuck to his forehead and his cheeks had turned all rosy. Aww...
Omi beamed at me, panting softly. "That was great! Do you think we could do it again sometime? I can't really remember the last time I felt so good," he giggled. "I felt just like a little kid again."
I gazed at him. He really was cute and innocent. "I'd love to do it again," I replied after awhile. "I haven't done anything like that for a loooong time." Well, six months wasn't that long of a time but if it was between me and soccer, heck, it was forever.
"Say, Omi," I started softly. Omi. Omi Omi Omi. The name stuck like honey. Sweet and sticky.
He peered at me through soppy bangs. "Yeah, Ken?"
His beautiful blue eyes shone in the setting sun. The sun was setting? I needed to go soon but not before I got some answers and satisfied my curiosity.
"Do you live down here?" I plucked at a weed. Weeds were bad right?
"Yeah," Omi looked out into the distance, "by the river that runs through here."
I scooted a little closer to him. The coherent part of my mind screamed at me. 'WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!' 'Shut up' I shot back, extremely annoyed. I could do as I please! Humph!
"Do you live alone?" I realized first of all, that question had way too many meanings and second, I was speaking in a near whisper. The moment seemed...somehow sacred.
"Yeah..." he hugged his knees. Thank god he didn't read into the perverted side of the question. "With my cat." He laughed and stood up, looking down at me. "I need to go. It's getting dark."
"Yeah, same," I stood up and sadly watched him walk away.
He stopped a few feet away and turned around hesitantly. "Hey...Ken?"
"Hm?" I didn't trust myself with words at the moment. I felt so very peaceful.
I think he blushed but the setting sun was bathing everything in red so it was hard to tell. "I'd be happy if you came and visited when you're not busy..."
"O-okay..." I was lost in his eyes. Pure, clear, beautiful.
"Thank you...Ken." He turned around again and walked away.
I watched his back fade into the distance.
TBC...
~*~
See? I told ya Omi would be showing up. R&R pleeeeeeez??????? I don't think this chapter was very good, personally. It was corny, to put it very bluntly. Oh well, I'll try to get another chapter up ASAP. In the meantime, I crave feedback! I need some inspiration! So please review. ^_^
. I'm listening to smashing blue. It's a very..stick in the head sort of song. Gack. Anway, you didn't need to know that. R&R, thank you!