Chapter 1 : " It just happened to be "
Schuldich woke up with a start , in the middle of a dream about his bed and a beer to see his editor , Yohji Kudou grinning down at him .
Damn . He had fallen asleep on his desk , with the envelope full of his new prints on the table .
Yup , Schuldich Schwarz had spent a miserable New Year's Eve sleeping on his desk , without the hot shower , without his warm bed , and without his cold beer .
" You look like hell , man ." Yohji teased .
The blonde was towering over him , in his fresh clothes , freshly shaven and looking like he had the best night of his life . Schuldich almost envied the bastard .
" Thanks ." He muttered , tossing the manila envelope at Yohji . " I'd say you look a bit chipper today , Kudou . You got yourself laid or somethin'?"
Yohji grinned and tossed his long blond hair behind him . " You bet your ass I did . So would you if you had scored last night ."
" You don't mean you had gotten that redhead you've been after into your bed ?" He scoffed . Yohji was a ladies man , but that particular conquest was evidently out of his league , or so he had thought when the lady dissed Kudou the week before .
" You got it man . And she was a tigress in bed too . Rowr !" Yohji laughed as he scanned the prints , his smile getting bigger by the second . " I can see your sexless night had been productive . These are ... hmm , I guess all right ." he said as he examined the last of the photos , pretending to be a little disappointed .
" Well , that's what you get for having a crummy editor who spends his nights having sex while his number one photographer is busting his ass for a deadline ." Schuldich said darkly , he got to his feet with a feral yawn and stretched lazily .
" Why don't you run along man , I can take it from here . Hey , don't even bother with the soccer ad today . Just get some rest ." He meant it too . Schuldich might be a prick and a prima Donna at times , but he was a great friend , and he was the best photographer around .
The redhead grabbed his camera from the table , it expensive lens banging loudly against the edge ." Yeah , thanks ."
" Hey , watch it ! That lens cost me an arm and a leg ." Yohji wrinkled his nose in distaste . " Take a bath before you crash man . I wouldn't want you showing up for dinner tonight smelling like that ."
" Of course , mother ." An extremely grumpy Schuldich stalked out into the waiting elevator , leaving a lone Yohji laughing in the middle of the empty office behind him .
- - -
Snow had stopped falling the night before , leaving the streets knee-deep in the white blanket . Even his Beemer was having trouble wading through the damned stuff . It was just purely irrational .
He turned the heater up and listened to the faint strains of music emanating from his radio , this was turning out to be one hell of a day , and it hasn't even started yet .
Without warning , the black Beemer's engine sputtered and died right in the middle of the street .
Cursing , he jumped out of the vehicle and snapped the hood open , gritting his teeth and anger . The engine glared back at him , smoke rising from its innards like a lazy chimney .
How could the thing overheat in this weather ?!
He bit back the urge to shout curses , to preserve his dignity from the none-too-sympathetic passersby .
Damn .
He slammed the hood shut and looked around the place , his eyes murderous , slitted like a hungry bird of prey .
Thankfully , he recognized the place , he was just a few blocks away from his condo building , just through the other side of the park .
He narrowed his eyes , and pulled his black coat closer , the strap of the camera chafed against the nape of his neck , barely keeping his savage snarling and cursing in check .
No one , not the dumbest person on the face of the planet could miss that he was dead pissed .
He rubbed the stubble of a beard roughly as he stalked through the snow- covered park , glad that it was deserted . He didn't know what he could do if another person just as much breathed his way .
Schuldich was almost past the center of the park , still fuming . He couldn't wait to reach his place and crash in bed .
It was then he heard a faint noise .
Thump . Bam ! Thump . Bam ! Thump . Bam !
It was coming from behind the statue of George Washington rearing up on a horse .
Funny , he didn't notice any movement before . Despite himself , his curiousity got the better of him and he stalked off to investigate the source of the sound .
Thump . Bam !
He arched a red brow when he caught sight of a boy , a teen of about eighteen or nineteen kicking a soccer ball against the base of the effigy .
Thump . Bam !
The boy was so engrossed with his activity that he wasn't aware of the redhead approaching towards his direction .
Schuldich studied the boy carefully , his keen eyes taking every detail with professional precision . Years of being a photographer taught him never to take anything at face value .
The boy was handsome . More than handsome - he was perfect .
His face had an innocent quality so uncommon to kids nowadays , he had an honest look , one that you feel drawn to trust him with anything , even your security number .
His thick white clothes engulfed him almost completely , so Schuldich couldn't comment on his build . His hazel-coloured hair was thick and glossy , his skin perfectly tanned to a fault .
Schuldich guessed that the boy was an athlete - a soccer player and a damned dedicated one too , considering that he was kicking a ball around in this condemnable weather .
Thump . Bam !
" Hey , kid . You're going to get sick if you keep on playing around like that ." He called out suddenly .
Schuldich didn't know why he had bothered . He wasn't exactly a friendly guy , so the effort surprised even him .
The boy looked up at him , startled , his leg in mid-strike . His eyes met Schuldich's .
Schuldich noted that his eyes were unique , he had never seen eyes like that in all his years as a professional ; a blend of dusky grey and flecks of gold .
Amazing .
" It's cold here . Why don't you run along and go back home ." His lips twitched in a small smirk .
" I'd rather not . Besides , my brother wouldn't be back till late ..." The boy paused , as if musing and then added " Thanks for the concern , mister ." The boy grinned at him as he said the honest words ; making his heart lurch unexpectedly .
It surprised him that the boy would entrust those details to a complete stranger - when he could be a mugger and kill him right there especially since there wasn't anyone to look for him until late .
Schuldich paused , watching as the boy resumed his ball kicking .
" Well , why don't you go back to your family ? I'm sure they're waiting for you ." He said , after several moments .
The boy looked up at him again , gazing at him with his smoky grey eyes . " My brother's at work ." He said simply . He stopped the bouncing ball and flicked it up into the air with his toe and caught it with his white- mittened hands .
" Oh ." Realization hit him . So the boy didn't have parents or anything .
Suddenly , all the previous peeves and annoyances since the night before were forgotten and Schuldich put his hands into his pockets . " Hey , I'm sorry kid ."
" Don't sweat it ." The brunette gave him a small smile .
" Hey , why don't we get a cup of cocoa . I live around here and I know a place that serves great breakfasts ."
The boy raised an eyebrow quizzically . " Really ? ... I don't know ..." he started hesitantly .
" Hey . Don't worry , I won't mug you or anything . I know I look like a desperate man but ... well , hey , I'd like a cup of coffee too ."
The boy laughed .
He had a perfect laugh , Schuldich thought .
" Well , what do you say about it ?" Schuldich grinned .
" I guess . If you don't mind me tagging along ." The boy put an arm around black and white ball .
" I wouldn't ask if I did , would I ?" He walked towards the direction of his condo , the teen-ager falling into stride beside him .
Glancing at the boy beside him , he offered his gloved hand . " By the way , I'm Schuldich , Schuldich Schwarz ."
" Ken Hidaka ." Was the response , and a strong hand gripped his own . Schuldich was surprised at the lack of recognition on the Ken at the mention of his name .
* I guess I'm not as popular as I thought I was .* He mused to himself .
They lapsed into silence , each lost in his own thoughts .
" So you're a photographer ?" Ken asked politely , obviously trying to start a conversation .
" Yeah ... how did -"
Ken grinned and pointed at the bulky contraption hanging from his neck . " I figured that out by myself ."
" And you're a soccer player ?" Schuldich countered amicably , gazing at the profile of the boy , just a few inches shorter than him .
" I ... I used to be ." The voice had grown softer , Schuldich could tell he had touched a nerve , but he couldn't restrain himself from probing a little deeper .
" What made you stop ?"
" Problems ." He refused to elaborate , so Schuldich chose to speak of other things .
" What's your brother's line of work ?"
" He works as a waiter at a bar downtown . It doesn't usually open till six in the evening but well , today is , after all , New Year so it's gonna be packed early . The manager wanted them to fix something , I guess ."
They broke through the perimeter of the park and onto the sidewalk , Schuldich could see his condo .
" Would you mind if I go to my place and change ? I feel like a stinkbomb ."
Ken laughed again , his eyes twinkling merrily . " Go ahead . There's nothing I can do stop you ."
Actually , there is . A voice in Schuldich's head piped in suddenly .
Where the hell did that come from ?! Schuldich frowned .
" Why don't you come on up , instead of waiting here . It's warm there . 100% guaranteed . You can grab a Snickers bar too , I've got a ton of those . Funny how loaded you can be when a company sponsors you . I don't even eat chocolate bars ."
Ken shook his head . " I'm just going to mess up your floor - my shoes are wet ."
Schuldich glanced down to see the boy's rubber shoes . " Are you crazy ?! Why are you wearing sneakers ? You're probably freezing ."
" I kick better with these . My boots at home are kinda small ." Ken's embarrassment was apparent . Obviously , they didn't have the money to buy boots his size that could protect him from the weather .
Schuldich patted Ken's back and herded him towards the entrance . " Come on , let's get you warm ."
He had absolutely no idea why he was he was acting that way . It was new to him , being nice and charitable to a total stranger . But this kid was different . Schuldich felt different around him for some bizarre reason .
" Thanks ... but I can -"
" No buts , kid . You better listen to me or I just might mug after all ." Schuldich winked led the brunette towards the elevator .
This wasn't a bad day after all .
- - -
Kaen-chan : *Shakes in fright* Stalking list ? O_O;; *faints* haha ! Alice by Mami-san ? No , I've never read that . It's SchuKen too ? *pouts* Actually ... *stubs her foot on the floor* I wrote this after watching a really mushy movie . *runs away and hides* I'm so yucky ne ?
Mariki : *Laughs and shakes her leg* You know , I have a puppy IRL who act like you do , oooooh ! KAWAII !!! Oh no ! *runs away screaming* Twinkles ! A magical hippo !
Marsupial : *pats pats and hands hankie*
Misura : Waaaiii ! Really ? Thankies !
Schu-chan : Answers your question ne ? Wheeee ! (loves SchuxKen) ^_~
Arigatou to the five of you ! ^_^
Schuldich woke up with a start , in the middle of a dream about his bed and a beer to see his editor , Yohji Kudou grinning down at him .
Damn . He had fallen asleep on his desk , with the envelope full of his new prints on the table .
Yup , Schuldich Schwarz had spent a miserable New Year's Eve sleeping on his desk , without the hot shower , without his warm bed , and without his cold beer .
" You look like hell , man ." Yohji teased .
The blonde was towering over him , in his fresh clothes , freshly shaven and looking like he had the best night of his life . Schuldich almost envied the bastard .
" Thanks ." He muttered , tossing the manila envelope at Yohji . " I'd say you look a bit chipper today , Kudou . You got yourself laid or somethin'?"
Yohji grinned and tossed his long blond hair behind him . " You bet your ass I did . So would you if you had scored last night ."
" You don't mean you had gotten that redhead you've been after into your bed ?" He scoffed . Yohji was a ladies man , but that particular conquest was evidently out of his league , or so he had thought when the lady dissed Kudou the week before .
" You got it man . And she was a tigress in bed too . Rowr !" Yohji laughed as he scanned the prints , his smile getting bigger by the second . " I can see your sexless night had been productive . These are ... hmm , I guess all right ." he said as he examined the last of the photos , pretending to be a little disappointed .
" Well , that's what you get for having a crummy editor who spends his nights having sex while his number one photographer is busting his ass for a deadline ." Schuldich said darkly , he got to his feet with a feral yawn and stretched lazily .
" Why don't you run along man , I can take it from here . Hey , don't even bother with the soccer ad today . Just get some rest ." He meant it too . Schuldich might be a prick and a prima Donna at times , but he was a great friend , and he was the best photographer around .
The redhead grabbed his camera from the table , it expensive lens banging loudly against the edge ." Yeah , thanks ."
" Hey , watch it ! That lens cost me an arm and a leg ." Yohji wrinkled his nose in distaste . " Take a bath before you crash man . I wouldn't want you showing up for dinner tonight smelling like that ."
" Of course , mother ." An extremely grumpy Schuldich stalked out into the waiting elevator , leaving a lone Yohji laughing in the middle of the empty office behind him .
- - -
Snow had stopped falling the night before , leaving the streets knee-deep in the white blanket . Even his Beemer was having trouble wading through the damned stuff . It was just purely irrational .
He turned the heater up and listened to the faint strains of music emanating from his radio , this was turning out to be one hell of a day , and it hasn't even started yet .
Without warning , the black Beemer's engine sputtered and died right in the middle of the street .
Cursing , he jumped out of the vehicle and snapped the hood open , gritting his teeth and anger . The engine glared back at him , smoke rising from its innards like a lazy chimney .
How could the thing overheat in this weather ?!
He bit back the urge to shout curses , to preserve his dignity from the none-too-sympathetic passersby .
Damn .
He slammed the hood shut and looked around the place , his eyes murderous , slitted like a hungry bird of prey .
Thankfully , he recognized the place , he was just a few blocks away from his condo building , just through the other side of the park .
He narrowed his eyes , and pulled his black coat closer , the strap of the camera chafed against the nape of his neck , barely keeping his savage snarling and cursing in check .
No one , not the dumbest person on the face of the planet could miss that he was dead pissed .
He rubbed the stubble of a beard roughly as he stalked through the snow- covered park , glad that it was deserted . He didn't know what he could do if another person just as much breathed his way .
Schuldich was almost past the center of the park , still fuming . He couldn't wait to reach his place and crash in bed .
It was then he heard a faint noise .
Thump . Bam ! Thump . Bam ! Thump . Bam !
It was coming from behind the statue of George Washington rearing up on a horse .
Funny , he didn't notice any movement before . Despite himself , his curiousity got the better of him and he stalked off to investigate the source of the sound .
Thump . Bam !
He arched a red brow when he caught sight of a boy , a teen of about eighteen or nineteen kicking a soccer ball against the base of the effigy .
Thump . Bam !
The boy was so engrossed with his activity that he wasn't aware of the redhead approaching towards his direction .
Schuldich studied the boy carefully , his keen eyes taking every detail with professional precision . Years of being a photographer taught him never to take anything at face value .
The boy was handsome . More than handsome - he was perfect .
His face had an innocent quality so uncommon to kids nowadays , he had an honest look , one that you feel drawn to trust him with anything , even your security number .
His thick white clothes engulfed him almost completely , so Schuldich couldn't comment on his build . His hazel-coloured hair was thick and glossy , his skin perfectly tanned to a fault .
Schuldich guessed that the boy was an athlete - a soccer player and a damned dedicated one too , considering that he was kicking a ball around in this condemnable weather .
Thump . Bam !
" Hey , kid . You're going to get sick if you keep on playing around like that ." He called out suddenly .
Schuldich didn't know why he had bothered . He wasn't exactly a friendly guy , so the effort surprised even him .
The boy looked up at him , startled , his leg in mid-strike . His eyes met Schuldich's .
Schuldich noted that his eyes were unique , he had never seen eyes like that in all his years as a professional ; a blend of dusky grey and flecks of gold .
Amazing .
" It's cold here . Why don't you run along and go back home ." His lips twitched in a small smirk .
" I'd rather not . Besides , my brother wouldn't be back till late ..." The boy paused , as if musing and then added " Thanks for the concern , mister ." The boy grinned at him as he said the honest words ; making his heart lurch unexpectedly .
It surprised him that the boy would entrust those details to a complete stranger - when he could be a mugger and kill him right there especially since there wasn't anyone to look for him until late .
Schuldich paused , watching as the boy resumed his ball kicking .
" Well , why don't you go back to your family ? I'm sure they're waiting for you ." He said , after several moments .
The boy looked up at him again , gazing at him with his smoky grey eyes . " My brother's at work ." He said simply . He stopped the bouncing ball and flicked it up into the air with his toe and caught it with his white- mittened hands .
" Oh ." Realization hit him . So the boy didn't have parents or anything .
Suddenly , all the previous peeves and annoyances since the night before were forgotten and Schuldich put his hands into his pockets . " Hey , I'm sorry kid ."
" Don't sweat it ." The brunette gave him a small smile .
" Hey , why don't we get a cup of cocoa . I live around here and I know a place that serves great breakfasts ."
The boy raised an eyebrow quizzically . " Really ? ... I don't know ..." he started hesitantly .
" Hey . Don't worry , I won't mug you or anything . I know I look like a desperate man but ... well , hey , I'd like a cup of coffee too ."
The boy laughed .
He had a perfect laugh , Schuldich thought .
" Well , what do you say about it ?" Schuldich grinned .
" I guess . If you don't mind me tagging along ." The boy put an arm around black and white ball .
" I wouldn't ask if I did , would I ?" He walked towards the direction of his condo , the teen-ager falling into stride beside him .
Glancing at the boy beside him , he offered his gloved hand . " By the way , I'm Schuldich , Schuldich Schwarz ."
" Ken Hidaka ." Was the response , and a strong hand gripped his own . Schuldich was surprised at the lack of recognition on the Ken at the mention of his name .
* I guess I'm not as popular as I thought I was .* He mused to himself .
They lapsed into silence , each lost in his own thoughts .
" So you're a photographer ?" Ken asked politely , obviously trying to start a conversation .
" Yeah ... how did -"
Ken grinned and pointed at the bulky contraption hanging from his neck . " I figured that out by myself ."
" And you're a soccer player ?" Schuldich countered amicably , gazing at the profile of the boy , just a few inches shorter than him .
" I ... I used to be ." The voice had grown softer , Schuldich could tell he had touched a nerve , but he couldn't restrain himself from probing a little deeper .
" What made you stop ?"
" Problems ." He refused to elaborate , so Schuldich chose to speak of other things .
" What's your brother's line of work ?"
" He works as a waiter at a bar downtown . It doesn't usually open till six in the evening but well , today is , after all , New Year so it's gonna be packed early . The manager wanted them to fix something , I guess ."
They broke through the perimeter of the park and onto the sidewalk , Schuldich could see his condo .
" Would you mind if I go to my place and change ? I feel like a stinkbomb ."
Ken laughed again , his eyes twinkling merrily . " Go ahead . There's nothing I can do stop you ."
Actually , there is . A voice in Schuldich's head piped in suddenly .
Where the hell did that come from ?! Schuldich frowned .
" Why don't you come on up , instead of waiting here . It's warm there . 100% guaranteed . You can grab a Snickers bar too , I've got a ton of those . Funny how loaded you can be when a company sponsors you . I don't even eat chocolate bars ."
Ken shook his head . " I'm just going to mess up your floor - my shoes are wet ."
Schuldich glanced down to see the boy's rubber shoes . " Are you crazy ?! Why are you wearing sneakers ? You're probably freezing ."
" I kick better with these . My boots at home are kinda small ." Ken's embarrassment was apparent . Obviously , they didn't have the money to buy boots his size that could protect him from the weather .
Schuldich patted Ken's back and herded him towards the entrance . " Come on , let's get you warm ."
He had absolutely no idea why he was he was acting that way . It was new to him , being nice and charitable to a total stranger . But this kid was different . Schuldich felt different around him for some bizarre reason .
" Thanks ... but I can -"
" No buts , kid . You better listen to me or I just might mug after all ." Schuldich winked led the brunette towards the elevator .
This wasn't a bad day after all .
- - -
Kaen-chan : *Shakes in fright* Stalking list ? O_O;; *faints* haha ! Alice by Mami-san ? No , I've never read that . It's SchuKen too ? *pouts* Actually ... *stubs her foot on the floor* I wrote this after watching a really mushy movie . *runs away and hides* I'm so yucky ne ?
Mariki : *Laughs and shakes her leg* You know , I have a puppy IRL who act like you do , oooooh ! KAWAII !!! Oh no ! *runs away screaming* Twinkles ! A magical hippo !
Marsupial : *pats pats and hands hankie*
Misura : Waaaiii ! Really ? Thankies !
Schu-chan : Answers your question ne ? Wheeee ! (loves SchuxKen) ^_~
Arigatou to the five of you ! ^_^