"Sunshine… on my shoulders makes me… happy," I slur under my breath. What the hell is wrong with the world? Sunlight… too much sunlight…. "Omittchi! Argh, Omittchi!?" I wave my hands around lamely in the air. I'm in danger of falling off the couch.

"What, Youji?" he snaps from somewhere behind me.

"Help me, Omi-chan… the light… it hurts," I moan. He stomps around the couch and stares down at me with narrow eyes. Hmmm… Omi with narrow eyes. Not something we get to see often. He doesn't say anything as he stomps to the window and snaps the blinds shut. "Ahhh… thanks, kiddo."

"You know, Yotan, if you weren't such an onna tarashi[1] and didn't come home drunk every night, maybe you wouldn't be so hung over all day! Putaro[2]!" he yells. God my ears are ringing. I'd like to get the little shit drunk… really drunk just once so he'd know what this feels like.


"Listen to the mouth on the bishounen today," I say. "Where'd you learn to talk that like, Omittchi? It isn't becoming."

"Zakennayo! It's a good thing for you that Ken and Aya sent me up here to check on you, or else you'd just be S.O.L. It isn't like Aya to be doling out free time, and since they have to pull double duty this morning that means we are going to have to pull the long haul till closing. Thanks a lot Youji! I hate Saturdays," he grumbles.

"Oh, hell it could be worse. I'll be fine by our shift as long as you keep bringing me that water. And some coffee would be nice…."

He smacks my arm, hard. "I am not your personal maid!"

"Well, what the hell did you come up here for then?!" I growl. "You're supposed to be helping me recuperate! Now stop being a bitch and make some coffee."

He glares at me. "Why couldn't Ken do this?! Or Aya?! They know I hate looking after you when you're hung over. Why can't you just stay home for once?"

I look over at him blearily. "What did you want me to do, Omi-chan? It was Friday night! I –had- to go out."

"You didn't –have- to do anything!" he snaps. Then he stomps away into the kitchen. I hear him rattle with the cupboards. I settle back against the couch and drape my arm over my eyes. Ohhh, I shouldn't have gone that last round of shots, but it seemed like such a good idea at the time.

I ruminate. Come to think about it, it was weird that Ken and Aya had sent Omi up to baby-sit me. In fact, come to think of it a lot of things about Ken and Aya were weird lately. Aya seems so blissfully unaware of his surroundings, which isn't normal. It's normal for Aya to be aloof, sure, but not with a smile on his face. And Ken's so… jumpy lately. I mean, yeah, he's a spaz, and we all know that, but lately it's like you bump him and he freaks or touch his arm to get his attention and he jumps out of his socks. The kid's weird. And what the hell was up with the other day? Aya making weird faces behind Omi's back at Ken. And *winking* at me! What was that?! And now Ken's blowing off Omi for no particular reason, or because he's 'tired.' That's not like Ken. The guy loves to work out. He takes pride in his athleticism. It's all weird.

I think over this and come to a decision. "Omittchi!" I wave my hands above the couch again. I hear him grumble and stomp back towards me. He smacks my hands down and I grab his arm firmly.

"What do you want? I was just making you coffee," he snaps.

I tug on his arm. "Tell me, Omi-kun, do you think things are weird around here?"

He tugs back. "How so?"

"Like… noticed anything weird about either of our teammates lately?" I ask rubbing my eyes.

"Umm… well, Ken has been a little short lately. Snapping at me when I want to do stuff with him, like going running. But that's just because he hasn't been sleeping well."

"Did he say that?"

"Yeah. Every time I wake him up," Omi says peevishly.

"Hmmm… and what about our fearless leader?"

"Aya? I don't know he seems uncharacteristically happy lately, but that's a good thing. I mean he did tell us he wanted to start opening up. So I figure… call it victory."

I think about this for a few minutes. It could just be as Omi says. There might not be anything odd going on. It might just be the ebb and flow of personalities. But then again… there was that smell. The smell, yes what about that? I first smelled it last night when I came home, just before I passed out in the hallway. And I seem to recall that I knew at that time exactly what the smell was, but now I can't remember. I was all over the upstairs. Faint… almost undetectable, but it was a smell I knew and knew well… but what exactly was it?! No something was defiantly going on. I wasn't a detective for nothing. I had intuition about this shit. Why did I have the feeling that it was something blatantly obvious…?

"Well, Omi-kun, be that as it may, I think that something is going on. And I will not rest until I figure it out."

Omi pulls his arm away and I can feel him roll his eyes. "What kind of something do you suppose, oh hung over guru?"

"Something secret."

"Oh, you are so profound," he says in exasperation. "There is nothing going on. People get in bad moods and good moods for that matter. Let it go, Yotan."

I drape my arm back over my eyes. "Oh, you just wait and see, Omittchi, you just wait and see. There is something going on and I am going to find out what. Just keep your eyes and ears open."

"Whatever," he sighs. He turns to go and then pauses and looks back at me over his shoulder. "Well… there was last night…."

"Last night?"

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure that Ken and Aya got in a pretty big fight. And pretty late at night too. It woke me up and they were just letting into each other… at least I think that's what I heard. I was too tired to go and yell at them so I put my headphones on and went back to sleep. Maybe they aren't getting along. Maybe they're fighting again like they used to and that's what's keeping Ken up…."

I eye Omi from beneath my arm and sniff once. "Maybe, but somehow that doesn't seem quite right. Besides they weren't mad at each other this morning were they?"

Omi shrugs and shakes his head. "No… not at all. They were quite pleasant actually. Well, whatever."

I hear him walk away, past the couch into the kitchen. I grumble and roll over, burying my face in the couch pillows, "Hurry up with that coffee!"

* * * * * *

We are standing on the docks. Damn it's cold. It's times like these that I wonder why I wear a crop top. It makes little sense. I wear this big ass coat that is completely defeated by the lack of shirt not covering my stomach. I shiver. The wind is whipping the harbor around us into a little frenzy of white caps. The docks pitch up and down. Omi doesn't look so good.

"Ok, so let's get this over with!" I snap clutching my arms around my body. Aya looks over at me with passive, empty eyes. Even in the dark I can see how they glow.

"Be patient."

"Fuck patient, I'm freezing and Omi is about to hurl. If you are going to make us stand here can I at least borrow Ken's sweater?" I say through gritted teeth.

"No!" Ken says incredulously.

"Why? It's not like you're actually using it!" I shoot back.

He glares at me, I glare back. Omi makes a squelching sound and Aya grumbles in exasperation. Another mission off to a great start.

Aya motions to us and we huddle up. "There are two targets. The occupants of slots F14 and G5. We know why we're here. This should be very straightforward. We'll split into two teams. Ken and I will take F14. Youji you take Omi and…."

"Wait a second," I hiss. "That's not a good idea, fearless leader."

Aya glares at me. I roll my eyes. "You can't put the two long range guys together. If we get rushed in a tight spot… like a boat… then Omi and I will have no way to defend ourselves hand to hand. Razor Wire is all well and good if I've got some room to use it, but point blank it's like slapping people with floss."

"Yeah," Omi pipes up, "and I'm terrible at hand to hand. I can cover one of you guys," he indicates Ken and Aya, "but I can't throw darts at people in boat corridors!"

Ken and Aya exchange a funny glance. I look over at Omi and he shrugs.

"Oh for the love of God! Ken's with me, Aya you take Omi. Enough said!" I snap. Aya looks like he's going to protest. I can't imagine why. He knows that I'm right. It's foolish to pair Omi and me up on a mission like this.

Ken breaks in before Aya can say anything. "Sounds good. Youji's obviously right," he says firmly. Again that funny glance between them. I log it for later processing.

"Let's go," Aya says. He and Omi slip off into the shadows of a large fishing boat. I shake my head.

I look over at Ken who is watching them as they disappear into the gloom. "Hope they're ok…."

"What is wrong with you?" I snap. He looks over at me with wide eyes. He swallows hard and looks away again.

"What do you mean?" he squeaks.

I shake my head. "Never mind. Let's just get this over with, Kenken." We both move off down the docks. Spaz.

* * * * * *

Mission accomplished. I help Ken down from the blood slick yacht deck. He took a nasty blow to the head with a lifeboat oar and he's weaving a bit. He slumps against me and makes a funny sound. I sling his arm around my shoulder and get him moving.

"Come on, Ken, walk it off," I say softly. He mumbles something incoherent. Good thing the adrenaline kept him on his feet up till now. I'd have been a sitting duck if he'd gone down on the boat. "Walk it off."

"Where's… Aya-kun?" he groans.

"On the other boat. Hopefully he and Omi are done by now."

"Hope…fully…." He sighs and I have to mostly drag him down the pier. We're supposed to be meeting back at the harbormaster's. The idea of getting to carry Ken all the way back up there is not overwhelmingly joyous. I make a decision. I sit us both down in the shadow of a large ship and pull out my wristwatch, pressing a small button. A series of bleeps echoes over the headset in my ear. I wait.

"*Crackle* What?" it's Aya. "Where are you?"

"Pier G, somewhere. Ken took a hit to the head. I think he's in concussion city. Oh, no no Kenken, no sleepy time," I say gently slapping at Ken's face as he sags against me.

"Sleepy… time…." He murmurs.

There is a pause over the headset and then, "I'm coming for you. Wait there." Was there an unprecedented amount of concern in that statement or was it just me? I lean back against the ship and slap at Ken's face again.

"Sit up, Kenken."

"Just… let me sleep… koi…." My eyebrows shoot upwards. Koi? Who's koi? Now I know there is something funny going on. At least with Ken. Is Ken getting late night booty calls without my knowledge? But that can't be right. I can smell a woman a mile away. Especially a woman I don't already know. Maybe he's been sneaking out… third-rate romance, low rent rendezvous? Ken?! It would explain his lack of sleep, but it seems rather ludicrous. But still….

I must have been pondering for longer than I thought because suddenly the sound of feet thudding down the pier breaks my reverie. I look up and there's Aya, larger than life streaking towards us. Man he's hustling.

"Over here, fearless leader," I call. He stops and whips his head around. He peers into the shadows and then walks hurriedly towards us. He ignores me completely. He kneels down next to Ken and roughly grabs the poor kid's shoulders. He shakes him. He turns Ken's head and examines the gash in his hairline. Ken sags and mumbles something inarticulate.

"Ken!" he snaps. "Stay awake."

Ken's head lolls on his shoulders and he slumps forward against Aya's chest. "Ok… koi," he mumbles.

My eyebrows shoot up again. Did I just hear what I think I heard? I look at Aya, but he either didn't hear Ken or what he said didn't faze him. He props Ken's head up and slaps him hard. I flinch just thinking about it. "I mean it, Ken! No sleeping!"

Ken's eyes snap open and he touches his face where Aya hit him. He blinks rapidly and then nods. "Ok."

Aya tries to make Ken stand up, but his knees keep buckling. Finally Aya gives up and hoists Ken onto his shoulder. "Make sure he doesn't fall asleep, Youji."

"Okie-dokie." I walk behind Aya and occasionally tap Ken on the head so that he looks up at me. I feel kinda bad now. I mean I'm even bigger than Aya, I should have been able to carry Ken. I didn't need to call Aya. Aya should have just told me to carry him up… he didn't really need to come down here.

Omi is waiting for us at the harbormaster's. He comes forward worriedly fussing over Ken who is now beginning to get his wits back. "Is he ok?" Omi squeaks. He looks pointedly less green than before.

"I'm fine," Ken slurs. "C'n I ge' 'ff now?"

Aya plops him down and puts his hand against Ken's forehead. Ken smiles and leans into the touch. Again with the eyebrows.

"Hi, koi…." Ken says softly.

"Shhh," Aya hisses sharply.

Omi doesn't seem to be paying much attention. He is gathering his weapons together. "… a loss of four! Can you believe that, Yotan?! A loss of four darts!" I hear him say. I blink. I look at Omi, I look at Ken and Aya, I look at the night sky. Well I'll be fucked.

I grab Omi and squeeze him. He makes that funny squelching sound again. "Haha! Oh, Omittchi, I'm nearly there!"

The poor bishounen squirms and pushes away from me. "Get off!" I hug myself and giggle maniacally.

"Oh the pieces. How they will fall into place. How they will fall," I exclaim gleefully. Just then Aya hoists Ken to his feet and begins to steer him away, back towards our vehicle of choice.

Aya looks back at us. "Let's go."

I smile slyly and wink. "Whatever you say, fearless leader."

* * * * * *

I watch as Aya helps Ken to his room. I am beginning to doubt my conclusions. Come on. That's ridiculous. I mean… really. Right? Ken was delirious. Concussion delirious. I'm still sure he's getting booty from somewhere. But from…. Nah. That's just… nah. I shake my head and smile at myself. Omi bounds up the stairs in front of me.

"Bed time!" he cries gleefully, flying down the hallway, slamming his door happily behind him. As soon as the door is shut I can hear music playing loudly. Oh the little rituals. I follow after the kid and stop as I notice that Aya's door is open. Aya never leaves his door open. Curiosity overtakes me. Even though I know there is nothing interesting in Aya's room I have to poke my head in just because the door is open.

I push it open just a fraction wider and stick my head in and it hits me. The smell. That smell! This is the core of the smell! It isn't a bad smell… much the opposite. It makes me smile. It's so… intangible, less a smell than a sense. But it's definitely coming from Aya's room. But what the hell is it?! It's something I've smelled so many times that I hardly even noticed it at first. Why can't I put my finger on it? What is…

Suddenly Omi bursts out of his room already decked out in his goofy pajamas. He leaps into the hallway, music following him. "'I smell sex and candy here!'" he screams along with the music. It's in English but I know exactly what he said.

Snap! The ka-ching sound goes off, the light bulb turns on. That's the smell! It -is- sex! Aya's room smells like sex! My mind it blown. I stand there as Omi dances his way to the bathroom.

Wait. It's process time. Aya's room smells like sex. Aya is happy. Ken is tired. Ken said koi. Ken said koi to Aya. Ken has been getting booty. So, apparently, has Aya. Without any hint of bringing in or going out for significant others. Oh, the pieces fall in place. Late night fight my ass! Ken and Aya are both getting booty! Each other's! Holy fuck! I hug myself. I'm so clever. Just one more test to be sure.

I walk down the hallway, beaming with my newfound secret. Ken's door is partway open. Aya didn't bother to shut it behind him. Rather uncharacteristically sloppy of our leader. I peer into the room, hanging back enough so as not to be noticed. They are both sitting on Ken's bed. Ken is shaking his head dazedly; his assassination clothes have been removed and he's already in his boxers and t-shirt. Aya's coat is lying over the back of Ken's desk chair. His gloves are laid neatly on top. I watch with wide eyes as he leans forward and places a hand gently on Ken's face, turns his head to examine the gash in his hairline, and then softly kisses him on the cheek. Ken flinches away, touching his head and then collapses forward into Aya's arms, his head buried in his shoulder. Aya kisses Ken's hair and rubs his back.

I pull back from the door and brace myself against the wall. My eyes are so wide I'm sure I look like Omi. I put a hand up to my mouth and smile wickedly. "Busted!" I hiss. Content with my findings I run a hand through my hair and exhale softly. This is going to take some processing. I squeeze my eyes shut and then pull away from the wall and saunter to my room. This is going to be good.

* * * * * *

Ah, morning. And what a morning it's going to be. Shop opens late on Tuesday. After all, nobody shops on Tuesday. I get out of bed, throw on a shirt, tie off my flannel bottoms, and walk downstairs. Aya is sitting alone at the kitchen table sipping a cup of tea, reading the investment page of the paper. I slide into the chair next to him and smile, propping my chin in one hand. After a moment he realizes that I'm not going to go away and he looks at me with narrow eyes.

"What?" he snaps.

"Oh, nothing. I just thought that maybe we should have a little… family meeting today," I say, smiling evilly.

He arches one fine red eyebrow but doesn't betray any emotion. "Oh?"

"Yeah. Just to… discuss things. Certain things. You know, clear the air, get those festering secrets out into the open," I nod quickly.

Aya pauses mid sip and then continues. "If you say so."

"Oh I do," I answer and then get up, stretching. "You should go get Ken. He definitely needs to be there. I'll fetch the bishounen." I slap Aya on the back.

I walk away up the stairs. I hear Aya mutter something unpleasant under his breath. I jog to Omi's room and fling his door open. Poor kid's all tangled up in his sheets. I tackle him, diving onto the bed. He screams as he wakes up.

"Get up, Omittchi! I told you something was up and you are about to find out what!"

He thrashes around and smacks at me feebly. "Get off!"

I yank back his covers, forcibly untangling him from the sheets. He shivers at the sudden exposure. "Ai-yah!" he cries.

I get up again and throw his bedclothes to the floor in a heap. "Let's go, bishounen. We're having a team meeting downstairs."

He rubs his eyes and starts to pull himself out of bed as I walk away. I notice that Ken's door is open as I pass and trot down the stairs. I can hear Aya's voice coming from inside. I smile to myself. This is probably really evil of me, but secrets like this should not be kept from the people you are living with.

I plop myself down on the overstuffed chair and wait. Omi follows me in and sits on the floor by the coffee table. He puts his head down and starts to mock snore. I nudge him with my toe and he bats me away.

"What's the meeting for?" he asks sleepily. "Is Manx here?"

"Nope. It's not that kind of meeting."

He grumbles. "Well what kind of meeting is it then?"

"A 'family meeting,'" I say.

"Whatever…."

I look up as Ken and Aya finally join us. Ken doesn't look so good. His eyes are wide and ringed with dark circles. He looks over at me hastily and I twinkle my fingers at him, smiling. He balks and looks over at Aya. Aya looks like he's ready to shove my balls down my throat. He takes Ken's hand in his and leads him to the couch. They both sit. Ken stares at the floor. Aya glares at me.

Omi looks up blearily and yawns. "Now what?"

"This is what, Omittchi," I say. I point a finger at Ken and Aya. "You two… ohhh, you… and you…," my finger darts back and forth between them and I try to think of what exactly to say. I shake my head.

"What us, Kudou?" Aya says dangerously.

I look over at him and shake my head again. "Look, Aya, you've got the wrong idea here, ok. I don't really care what you two want to do with each other. I'm not judging you, whatever. I just don't think that you should keep it a secret. You're busted… so busted. Admit it."

Omi looks up and looks over at Ken and Aya. "Admit what? Who's busted?"

Aya glares at me. Ken squeezes his eyes shut. Poor kid. Maybe I shouldn't have rushed this…. Too late now. I lean forward and jab a finger at Aya and Ken. "You two are fuck buddies," I say evenly.

Ken whips his head up. "We are not!" he cries. He grips Aya's hand tighter. "We are not, 'fuck buddies!'" He spits the words. Omi's eyes are big as saucers.

"Oh come on, Ken, get over it! I figured it all out, don't try to deny it! Don't look so devastated. I'm not condemning you. I've had my share of homo-moments; I'm not a hypocrite. I just think you two need to get it out in the open. This secret keeping shit is making both of you weird, high strung, and grumpy. Just admit it and that'll be that," I snap.

Ken stands up, letting go of Aya's hand. "Alright fine! I admit that Aya and I are… on intimate terms," he cries. Aya puts his head in his hand and shakes it slowly. "But we are not 'fuck buddies!' That is the crudest thing I've ever…." He cuts off and stands there shaking with indignation.

Omi looks back and forth between Ken and me. "Wait…," he says slowly.

Ken sits back down and leans against Aya, burying his face in his shoulder. "I don't care any more! I can't take any more of this."

Aya slips an arm around him and turns to whisper something into his ear. I watch them, fascinated. Omi looks confusedly from one to the other.

"Ok, Ken," I say, "if you're not fuck buddies, just what exactly are you? Don't tell me that you're…." The way Aya looks over at me makes me shut up. Ken looks up from Aya's shoulder. His eyes shift to glance at Omi who is now sitting at full attention, hands spread on the table. Ken's eyes dart back to look at me and then look down. His arms snake around Aya's middle and hold him close. He doesn't say anything.

Are they snuggling? I raise one eyebrow. This isn't what I thought at all….

"We are together. We have feelings for each other," Aya says calmly. Ken kisses his shoulder softly and hides his face again. I feel my mouth go dry. I look over at Omi. He looks about how I feel. His mouth is slightly open, he's staring at Ken. Somebody just lost his best friend.

"Wait a second," I say sharply. "Are you telling me that you and Ken believe that you are… in –love- with each other? That's ludicrous!"

Aya's eyes flash dangerously, and I know I've overstepped my bounds. "Say what you want. I know how I feel. I know how Ken feels. You can feel however you want to about that. But just remember who's in charge in the end. This doesn't change anything as far as Weiss is concerned."

I sit back and look Ken and Aya over. I can see it now. The bonds. The caring. It's a little painful to see. I'm not exactly sure why… but it's probably because I'm not a part of it. I blink. Shit. This is really… something.

Ken stands suddenly. He looks down at the floor and then bows shallowly. "There, now you know," he says softly, "I'm going back to my room. Excuse me." He turns and walks towards the stairs, he runs a shaky hand through his dark hair. This really shook him up. I feel like a bastard.

Omi still looks like he can't figure out what's going on. He glances over at Aya who is staring resolutely at the backs of his hands, which are on his knees. "I'm glad that…. I hope… I hope you make each other happy," he says trying to smile. Then he stands and rushes from the room.

That leaves Aya and me. He looks over at me. He's not smiling, and neither am I. "Zakennayo," I hiss through my teeth. "Damn it, Aya, I would never have done this if I'd ever imagined that you and Ken were serious. I just thought… we should all know… share the wealth." I shake my head.

"Yeah well, fuck the wealth, Youji. Do you have any idea how bent Ken has been about this? How fucking scared shitless he's been about you and Omi knowing? Thanks for confirming his fears."

I swallow hard. "I'll talk to him. Look, if this is for real… I can't say anything to that. I admit it's a little hard to understand, but hey I'm a New Aged Sensitive guy, right? I can accept you and Ken. Sure. Why not?"

Aya glares at me. "Thing is, Youji, I don't give a crap if you accept us or not, so don't tell it to me. Tell it to Ken."

"I will."

"Good." With that he stands and walks away, one hand in his pocket. I sit back and run my hands over my face. Great, just great.

* * * * * *

(POV Change)

I race into the kitchen. I'm trying to pull this all into perspective, trying to work it out in my mind. Ken and Aya… are… lovers?! No, they aren't just lovers they are in some sort of a –relationship-! Isn't that what Aya was saying, isn't that what Ken was so indignant about?

Ken….

I need a glass of water.

I open one of the cupboards and grab a glass; my hands are shaking. I flip on the tap and fill the glass. I bring it to my lips and drain it in a matter of seconds. I feel slightly better. I set the glass down and grip the counter. I close my eyes. I'm not sure what I feel more: angry at the fact that Ken didn't tell me, resentful towards Aya for becoming closer to Ken than I ever can, relieved that there's a reason for Ken's strange behavior, or happy that two of the most important people in my life have found happiness in each other? I should be happy for them, shouldn't I? Then why am so frustrated?

I feel a heavy hand on my shoulder and jump, nearly banging my head on the overhanging cupboards. I turn around. Aya is staring at me with intense eyes. I subconsciously pull away from him, backing farther into the counter. His grip tightens on my shoulder. I blink rapidly and look away.

"Are you ok, Omi-kun?" he asks. There is a certain amount of concern in his voice. Am I ok? Sure I'm ok, no cuts or bruises. But that's not what he means. What he means is 'am I ok with this morning's revelations.'

I look up at him and clear my throat. I nod hesitantly. I try to smile, I'm pretty sure I fail miserably. "I will be," I say softly.

Aya's lips twitch at the corners and he ruffles my hair. He turns to leave. "Any time you want to talk," he says waving at me over his shoulder.

I do want to talk. But not to Aya. I want to talk to Ken. I need some sort of explanation for all this. I watch as Aya walks up the stairs. He doesn't go into Ken's room. Good. I get another glass of water drink it down and then race up the stairs. I stop at Ken's door and then turn the handle, opening it a crack. I stick my head inside. It's dark. It smells like Ken. It's warm.

"Can I come in?" I call softly.

Ken looks over at me from where he is sitting on his bed. His legs are drawn up against his chest his arms wrapped around them. He looks miserable. I wonder if he's been crying. "Sure."

I walk into the room and close the door behind me. I walk over to his bed and flop myself down next to him. I dig my toes into his carpet and fiddle with his bed cover. I think about what may have been going on in Ken's bed lately and put my hands in my lap. He notices and snorts disdainfully though his nose, looking away from me.

We sit in silence. I'm not sure what to say. I don't want to get Ken angry with me. But I have to admit that I am rather confused about the whole thing. Finally I look over at him and he looks up to meet my eyes.

"Um… so you and Aya are…." I trail off. Ken smiles sadly and nods, putting his face back in his knees.

"How long have you been… together?" I ask.

He talks into his legs. "A little over a month."

My mouth falls open. A month?! They've been doing this behind our backs for over a month!? Ken notices my face and chuckles nervously. "Why didn't you tell me?" I blurt out.

Ken raises his head and looks at me intently. "Why didn't I tell you…?"

"Yeah. Why did you keep it a secret? You could have told me!"

Ken looks surprised. He hadn't expected this. "Omi… I just didn't want you to… to be weirded out by it. I didn't want you to think of me any differently. I didn't know how you would take it!"

"So you wait around for Youji to figure it out?! 'Cause obviously it was much easier to hear it from him than from you!" I snap.

"Look this isn't how I wanted you to find out! I… I wanted to tell you but I needed to wait for the right time. Don't you think I've had a hard enough time dealing with this myself?! I never planned on falling in love with Aya and this has been really hard!" he cries. He runs the back of his hand across his eyes. Is he fighting back tears?

"Well you still should have told me anyway! I'm your friend, Ken, in fact I think of you as my best friend. I wouldn't have rejected you if you'd told me. I would have supported you, I do support you, but I feel betrayed that you didn't think you could tell me!" I crawl up onto the bed so that I am sitting next to him. I put my arm around his shoulders. I feel kinda weird… should I be putting my arm around Ken? I don't want him to think…. I shake my head. That's stupid, he wouldn't think that.

"So you're ok with it, right?" he asks after a few moments.

I take a deep breath. "Yeah. Whatever makes you happy, Kenken. God knows we've all had little enough happiness."

He chuckles. "Too true."

We sit like this for a few minutes. I wonder what he's thinking. I should say something. I have so many questions. "Can I ask you some things?"

He looks over at me and smiles. "Of course, anything you want."

I let go of his shoulder and pull my legs into lotus position. I play with my toes. "So… have you always been…."

"Gay?" He breaks in as I flounder.

I try not to giggle nervously and nod.

"I don't think so, I mean there was Yuriko," he says slowly. "I don't really think I am now, you know. I mean… I don't find other men attractive, really. It's just Aya-kun. I'm still attracted physically to women, but I –love- Aya. It didn't start out physical at all."

I look over at him. "Start out physical… so that means that it's physical now, right? Have you and Aya…?"

He looks over at me and a trace of a blush chases across his cheeks. He nods and smiles softly. "Yeah, we have."

I swallow and blush as well. I look down into my lap and go back to playing with my toes. "Oh," I say softly. Now I'm really curious. I open my mouth to say something but nothing comes out. I close it again and take a breath.

"What?" Ken asks, there's a laugh in his voice.

"Well… what was that like?" I ask in a rush. I look over at him; we're both blushing rather furiously.

He punches my arm. "Omi!" He laughs.

"What?! You don't have to give me details, I'm just curious! I mean… with Aya…."

He laughs again and hugs his knees tighter. He smiles distantly and I know he's not thinking about me sitting next to him on the bed. "It's… I can't explain."

I roll my eyes. "Just pick an adjective. Is it horrible, wonderful, nice, hellacious, scary, weird, forgettable, awesome, vile, sticky? What?!"

Ken really laughs this time, "Yeah, that's it, Omi-kun, it's 'sticky!' Give me a break! Ok fine, it's nice. It's very nice. It's… it's wonderful, but kinda strange too. But mostly it's just nice, nice to be with someone like that… someone you feel that way about. And in actuality it is kinda sticky…."

"Ok, that's enough information for now," I say sharply. We giggle. After a few more moments I stretch my legs out and start to get up. "Well, I should go get dressed, and Youji made a mess of my bed sheets this morning when he got me up, so I have to fix them."

"'K." Ken smiles at me. I walk to his door and pause. I look back over my shoulder.

"Thanks for telling me, even if it had to go through Youji first."

"Thanks for being ok with it. It really means everything to me that you guys can accept this."

I smile. "Like I said, whatever makes you happy, Kenken."


[1] onna tarashi pretty much means 'player.' A party boy.

[2] putaro is basically 'lazy bum'

Comments: One more chapter to go! Whee! Hope everyone is still enjoying the story. Dun be shy about leaving comments, ne? ~_^

Disclaimer: I dun own the boys, we all know that.