Lust
By Tien Riu
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Disclaimer:
Weiss Kreuz and all characters do not belong to me. Plot (what little there is of it ^_^) and depiction of characters are mine.
C&C, R&R and any other derivation there of including flames will be appreciated.
"Lust" is the first of three Weiss Kreuz stories that are determinedly yaoi (that means homosexual relationships for the initiated) and (unfortunately, since I was aiming for a PWP at the start and failed miserable) plot-driven. For those who are interested, "Do you believe in sin?" is a short background story to this series - however, you don't need to read it to understand anything that happens.
Extra Note: And the plot is back.
Once more, thank you for all the reviews, greatly appreciated.
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The clink of cutlery - good natured vengeance
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Ken
"Manx called today." Omi said over the dinner table.
Youji dropped his spoon - it clattered in his bowl, splattering soup; Ken looked up from his own meal.
"What?"
"Manx has another mission for us." Omi repeated - perhaps a trifle impatiently - as he glanced across the table, "Tomorrow."
"Did she say what it might be about?" Ken asked, "Information, retrieval - assassination?"
Omi shook his head, "She said that it was a two-men mission but other than that, she just wanted us to be ready."
The table was silent but for the clink of cutlery. Ken pushed his plate away. The past month had been - good. Peaceful.
Normal.
There was a strange sort of monotony that had been vaguely satisfying with worrying about nothing more than flowers and avoiding the worse of the groping hands. You mean it was nice being a florist?
Ken smiled down at the table - two years ago, happiness had been soccer. The only place where his life had touched on flowers in any way had been when fans had thrown them into the field after a win or when they were delivered to his hotel room.
"What so funny, Ken-kun?" Omi asked, Ken looked up and realised the youngest amongst them was staring at him.
"Oh - nothing." Ken replied, "The past month's been nice - hasn't it?" he said finally when the silence stretched.
"Mmhm." Omi agreed, "Just like a vacation!" he added.
Ken grinned, leaning back, "And it's all thanks to you, Yo-tan -" he said, slapping Youji on the back, and then stopped in mid-sentence as Youji jerked backwards from his touch, falling off his chair and onto the floor; the chair followed him seconds later, thumping against the tiles, "What the hell is up with you Youji? You've been jumpy all day!"
From the floor, Youji swallowed, "Sorry. Startled me." He said, sweeping a hand through his hair as he looked up, "Where's Aya - by the way?"
Ken shrugged, "Aya? He's -" he paused, "Where is he?"
"He said he had some errands to run." Omi said, standing up to clear away the dishes, and frowning, "Youji, are you all right?"
Youji was still on the ground, head bowed; he looked up at Omi's question, "What? Oh - yes. I'm - I'm fine." He stood up abruptly, "I'll - I'll be in my room."
Ken frowned after Youji's departing back, "That was rude."
"What?" Omi asked distractedly.
"Youji - he could at least have offered to help clean up." Ken said, stretching, "Do you think they'll cover the soccer preliminaries on the news?"
"I think something's wrong."
"With the soccer match?"
Omi stared at Ken for several seconds, "No - Youji."
"Why would you think that?" Ken shrugged, "Skipping work whenever possible is exactly like Youji."
"No - I mean he was acting rather. . . Strangely." Omi said after a moment's pause, "Haven't you noticed?"
"Nope." Ken said cheerfully, "Here, I'll help you with those dishes." He added, stacking the plates on the table up and carrying them to the sink, "What do you mean by 'strange'?"
Omi, busy with the leftovers on the table didn't look up as he replied, "Well - have you noticed how he's been - around - Aya an awful lot lately?"
There was a moment's silence, followed by the sound of breaking porcelain.
"Ken!" Omi whirled around and stared, shocked, at Ken on the ground, surrounded by the fragments of their dinnerware, laughing hysterically.
"Youji and Aya - a couple?"
"A what?" Omi stared at Ken in shock, "What?"
Ken wiped his eyes and stood up, gingerly avoiding broken glass, "Sorry - sorry - I'll clean up this mess." He snorted, and walked off to get a broom, "Aya and Youji -!"
Omi stood there, listening to Ken's laughter and sighed.
Aya
"Fujiyima-san." The nurse looked up, smiling at the young man, "You're late tonight."
Aya nodded, "It took longer than normal to leave the store today." He said, "Has there been any -"
The nurse shook her head, "I'm sorry, Fujiyima-san. There has been no change."
Aya nodded, "Thank you." He said and turned on his heel.
The room was quiet, filled with the soft beep of machines and the gentle sigh of her breathing. Ran sat down next to Aya's bed, taking her hand into his own and closed his eyes. In my mind I can see you sitting here, listening to me - like you use to. Remember, Aya? We use to wait till Tillie and Bob finished dinner and then we'd sneak into the kitchen and you'd tell me about what happened in school while we made sandwiches from leftovers. She always seemed to be in constant motion - dancing around the kitchen, jumping on his bed, running through the cold, marble halls of their home - somehow bringing life and warmth where none had existed before. And now -?
Can you hear me, Aya? Can you hear me?
Everything he had read said it was possible that she could hear him - so he continued coming here, speaking of nothing because he couldn't tell her of the true life he was leading. Of the blood that stains your hands - the hands you use with her name. He continued coming, and the silence stretched because there was no more flowers to speak of, no more books to talk about - no more studies, no more future dreams and hopes. But he still came, because he couldn't bear to imagine his Aya trapped in the darkness, no longer dancing and singing her way through the world.
Aya opened his eyes, "Sorry I'm late, Aya. I was held up at the store." He said, "Which is not a very good excuse since we closed on time - for once. Youji was - Youji is -" He paused, unsure how to continue, "Youji." Ran said finally, the name so soft it was a breath in the room, "I think - I think you would like him, Aya." He said, "He would have made you laugh. He would have met you one day, after school perhaps. He would flirt with you and you would have laughed at him - but you would have said yes because -" he stopped.
"Because you would see something in the way he asked and behaved that I never - that I can't." Ran whispered, head bowed, "I would have had to threaten to kill him to stop him from doing forward things with my little sister - and you would have yelled at me in private for embarrassing you." He stopped, fingers tracing patterns over her still hand, "He -" he stopped again, unsure of how to continue.
I wish you were here, Aya. You were the one they all loved. The one who I could talk to. You use to come into my room and drag me out to talk to Mother and Father. You made sure I didn't spend all my time studying or reading. You saw the world in different shades and you made me see it your way. Your world - where beautiful things happened, where justice was a bright, shining force - not something that creeps in the dark, bringing blood and death. But now you're gone. He bowed his head, closer to tears than he would ever willingly admit. And I can't see the world that way anymore Aya. I can't - not without you.
"Fujiyima-san?"
Ran looked up and stared at the nurse standing in the doorway, surprised he hadn't heard her, "Yes?"
"I'm afraid visiting hours are over, Fujiyima-san." The nurse said.
Ran nodded, standing up, "Thank you." He said politely before walking out of the room.
You didn't tell her what you were actually worried about. Aya dug his hands into the pockets of his jacket. I - couldn't. Besides - it's. . . Nothing. It's just Youji acting - strangely. Again.
Omi
Ken cast an amused eye over at the flower arrangement counter, surrounded on all sides by a sea of girls.
"Do you think one of us should help them?" Omi asked worriedly as he rang up another order at the register.
Ken stared at him aghast, "And make it worse?" he asked, then smirked, "Besides, it's funny." He said with a grin.
"Only because we're not in the middle of it." Omi said, but he smiled as he turned to watch the floor show.
Since Youji had taken to working at the flower arrangement counter with Aya, there had been a definite change in the behaviour of the schoolgirls that mobbed the place six days a week. With the chance of gaining the attention of not one but two of their idols, the crowd around the counter - usually the quietest place in the store - had grown.
"What I don't understand is how they're getting the money to order these many arrangements." Ken murmured as a group skipped out of the store clutching not three but four baskets of flowers.
"I wish I knew why Youji-kun wants to work with Aya so much." Omi said, his gaze still on the arrangements counter.
Youji stood there, blond hair tied back in a casual ponytail that bobbed every time he moved. Omi's eyes narrowed. For the fourth day in a row that week, Youji was dressed - unusually.
Unlike the normal, tight fitting clothes he normally favoured, Youji was wearing what could only be described as 'unfitted'. Even Ken would draw the line at wearing stuff that loose. The jumper - a shade of grey that made Youji's eyes glow sickly green - hung almost down to his knees, with sleeves that drooped over his wrists. Every now and then, Youji stopped to shake the sleeves back. And those jeans - I didn't know Youji had jeans. Especially jeans that don't look like they were painted on or worn out in questionable areas!
Something was wrong - something was very wrong.
But what?
Omi absentmindedly rang up another order as he continued to watch Aya and Youji working silently at the counter. Silently. There's another point. I've never known Youji to work without talking - he likes noise. Omi realised - and then wondered when he had last heard Youji's less-than-innocent asides, usually a stable diet when he was working during Koneko's busy period. Two weeks ago - just before he ran into the backroom.
Was there a connection? There has to be - this isn't like Youji. So - follow this logical chain - two weeks ago, Youji ran into the backroom. Aya went in after him and -
And what?
Youji appeared an hour later, looking paler - but he laughed and joked as if nothing had changed. Except. . .
"Youji-kun! Aya-kun said that you were taking the rest of the day off!" I was busy with the two seniors who were trying to get Ken's phone number.
Youji ran a hand carelessly through his hair, flashing his familiar smile, "I felt better - besides, if I don't take care of the women above the age of eighteen, you might break some laws, Omittchi." He added.
"Don't call me that!" I remember smiling because it was nice to know that Youji was back to normal.
"Hey Youji - if you're back here to work, then work!" Ken called from where he was surrounded by girls ordering flowers.
Youji flashed another smile - was that smile strained, I remember that he looked pale and tired. Youji glanced around the store, "Ah -" his gaze lighted on Aya, trying to work at the arrangements counter while glaring at the girls clustered around him, "I'll help Aya shall I?"
Why didn't I realise how unusual that was? Omi wondered, Youji never volunteers to work - least of all with Aya.
Aya was a perfectionist - the only one amongst them that actually understood the art of flower arranging. Which was why he was normally the one working on the arrangements. And yet - Youji had worked there, ignoring Aya's glares and icy corrections without batting an eyelash. And he was there the next day. And the next.
And day-by-day, Omi realised, his attire had changed as well - till loose shirts and pants and baggy jumpers became the norm rather than the exception. But what does this all mean?
"Youji and Aya - a couple?" Ken laughed, surrounded by broken plates.
Omi's eyes widened. It couldn't - could it?
Manx had given him the analysis Kritiker's analysts had developed on Youji Kudou a week before Youji had appeared, still weak and recovering from the accident that had cost him his old life and his fiancée. Omi knew Youji's tastes were far wider than he revealed with his casual flirtations in the store.
The psychological profile had been shockingly thorough - Omi hadn't been able to think about some of the frank comments without flushing for months afterwards. A year and a half - then you read Ken's. He knew the profile of men Youji would likely fall for - But Aya?
Well, he is - beautiful. In a really icy, scary way. Omi considered, staring at the two men working side by side, his eyes narrowed in thought.
Youji - the extroverted playboy whose idea of a good time was a noisy nightclub and drinking to excess - and Aya - the cold, taciturn man - together? When they said opposites attract. . .
Wait a second - I know Youji likes men because Manx gave me his files to read through. Why does Ken know?
"That's it!" the roar of conversation dropped into sudden silence at Aya's growl - emphasised by the crash as his fist slammed onto the counter before him.
"Aya-kun - is - is everything all right?" Omi called, Oh god - if he kills all the girls we'll never get the blood out of the floor! Aya glowered at the girls before him, "There will be no more flower arrangements tonight." He growled, "Or tomorrow. Go away."
The girls stared wide-eyed at the red head, then - to Omi's surprise - turned to look at him.
"Ah - yes. Aya and Youji will be busy tomorrow and as they are the best at flower arranging, we won't be taking any more orders for arrangements." Omi said quickly, and bowed, "We are very sorry for the inconvenience."
"Ne, Youji-kun - what are you and Aya-kun doing?" one fair-haired girl asked as she leaned against the counter and blinked up at the taller man.
Youji looked taken back and then glanced towards Omi. Since when did I become the best at lying? Omi wondered helplessly.
"Ah -" he grabbed at inspiration, "Aya-kun and Youji-kun are looking for an apartment tomorrow."
"You lie well on your feet, Omi." Ken said thoughtfully an hour later as they stood in the dimly lit store front of the Koneko.
Omi scratched the back of his head, "It was nothing." He said, then paused, "You do realise that this means we'll be pulling double shifts tomorrow to cover for Youji and Aya don't you?" he asked.
Ken stared at him then slumped, "Oh yeah." He brightened, "Hey - that means that whatever mission Manx brings, the two of them will have to take it - cause we'll have to cover them here at the store!" he said, grinning, "I hope whatever it is involves very long stakeout sessions." He laughed, "Can you imagine Youji not talking for longer than an hour?"
Omi made a face, "That's cruel Ken." He said, "Wishing Youji death by impalement like that."
Ken stared at him, then grinned, "A joke Omi? At the expense of somebody else? Our bad manners must be rubbing off on you."
"I wasn't joking." Omi said - and managed to keep a straight face for all of thirty seconds in the view of Ken's shocked expression.
"You're definitely growing up fast, chibi." Ken said ruefully, scuffling Omi's hair as he led the way down to the mission room.
Manx was standing before the dark television screen, Aya and Youji seated before her in silence. Omi stared curiously at the two of them - he noticed that although they were sharing the couch, Youji was pressed as far away from Aya as he could get while still being 'close'.
Strange.
"We're sorry we're late - closing up took a little longer than expected." Omi added.
"Is the briefing over?" Ken asked, glancing around the room and taking a seat on the edge of the staircase, leaving Omi the sole armchair.
"Yes." Manx said, "No, don't apologise again Omi." She smiled briefly down at Omi, leaving him with the sensation of having had his head patted, "The mission was open only to Youji and Aya in any case." She continued, "The details are in the manila folder over there," she added, nodding to the discrete folder lying on the table, "For both of your perusals.
Aya stood up silently, "What do you wish us to bring with us?" he asked quietly.
"Weapons that can be concealed. Nothing else."
Aya nodded and left as silently as he had stood; Youji stood up uncertainly, adding hesitantly: "Manx I need - I have to - I need to - to talk to you."
Manx nodded, "I know. Once we get to the safe house, Youji."
And then, Youji too had left, leaving Omi feeling as if he had missed something.
"Damn - does this mean we'll be pulling double shifts for the rest of the week?" Ken grumbled, "I hope the mission involves a lot of time standing in one place and being bored, Manx." He said with good-natured vengeance.