Schuldich stared at Ken , stricken .
He couldn't possibly be hallucinating , could he ? Maybe it was the booze , or the fantasies that Ken would just magically appear at his door . Maybe it was both .
He rubbed his eyes and blinked , as if trying to discern whether Ken was an apparition or reality .
Ken stared back , mustering his courage .
" Ken ... I ..." Schuldich was at a loss for words , he wanted to hug Ken despite his state of disgrace . Even through the haze of alcohol , he knew that his present disarray was more than shameful . He didn't want Ken to see him like that ; he didn't want Ken to know what kind of wretch he was .
Ken had stood there , motionless , his molten eyes stirred like a brewing storm and Schuldich was afraid ... he was so very afraid that he was never going to be forgiven; that Ken would turn away and leave him there alone in his misery .
Schuldich blinked away the haziness . He wanted to utter a thousand apologies , but his tongue had grown stiff with emotion – inebriation and days of not speaking . His hoarseness would not permit it either and yet , he knew he had to apologize . To make things right again .
" I'm sorry . I know I've hurt you Ken . I know I've made many mistakes ..." Schuldich started , his jade gaze dull with agony .
" But ... please know that I didn't mean ... I know what happened was unforgivable ... it's okay if you never want to speak to me again ... but please ... I beg you ... to forgive me ." His eyes pleaded , his voice sounded foreign even to his own ears , as if he was hearing another person .
" I'd die if you remain angry at me ." Schuldich took an unsure step forward , swaying lightly on his heels . He wiped his hands nervously on his shirt , his skin felt clammy ; sweaty .
Ken didn't know what to do , he didn't know what to say .
" Ken , please ... say anything ! Punch me , shout , kill me for crying out loud ! Just ... just please ..." Schuldich begged , he took another uncertain step forward , his naked feet muffled against the plush carpet .
And suddenly it was raining .
Salty drops were falling from emerald skies . Schuldich felt the tears streaking burning trails down his cheeks .
Schuldich Schwarz was crying , and he did not know if he could ever stop .
Slowly , he was standing just inches from Ken , who still had not said a word . He was several inches taller than Ken . His frame was bigger compared to the younger boy's ; and yet , he felt so small . Just so , so small ...
He opened his arms , and engulfed the brunette in a tight trembling embrace as if he would never let go .
Ken watched him , his lips trembling . It was no use ... he could never refuse Schuldich . Never .
He loved him too damned much to do that .
Schuldich buried his face in Ken's sweet-smelling hair . " I love you Ken ..." He whispered huskily .
" I love you too ... Schuldich ." He heard the whispered reply .
His embrace tightened . He felt like had just started to live again , after two weeks of existing , suspended , without life or emotion , he felt like he'd started to live again .
The bottle dropped on the floor and shattered into a thousand fragments .
Schuldich didn't care .
Two weeks ago , it had signaled his misery .
Tonight , it had made whole his heart .
His eager lips sought those that sweet ones .
He had missed the scent , the sweet taste rolled in his tongue . He felt that he had just been given ambrosia and sweet nectar ; the food of the gods .
He felt Ken respond to his sweet caresses and gentle kisses . He shut the door .
He knew that he had just been forgiven ; and it was the best feeling he could ever have .
† † †
Brizey : And I guess they have ne ? Brace yourselves though , only two more chapters typed out , which means only two more weekends of steady updating until I get new chappies typed out .
Dan : Oh , people tell me that ALL the time ! ^__~ I don't mind though , even I know I'm crazy so that's nothing new to me !
Pandora.81 : Oops , maybe I was wrong about the fluff warning ! Is it even fluffy enough ? I don't know if it will satisfy all the fluff-starved readers out there ! ^__^
Whisper_Reilman : Sorry bout the long update ; and just two pages to complain about . Congratulations ! I hope you get the job ! You go girl ! Just scare your bratty roommate half to death and you'll get a brand new one who still doesn't know you're a little bit psycho ! ^__~ kidding !
Misura : Well , I had to make it exciting didn't I ? Otherwise there'd be no one reading this little ole' garbage of mine and there'd be no one to review for little ole' me ! ^__~ Arigatou !
Mariki : Neeee ! O__O;;; Ken-chan , Mariki's threatening me ! *hides behind Ken's back*
Ken : *pats pats* Don't worry Redemption , I'll take care of you . I won't let anybody hurt you !
R_M : *self-satisfied smirk*
Muchacha : Well hello there ! Arigatou ! ^__^
Anna Hibiki : Mwahahaha ! Yo-tan's cute ? O_O;; ... well , I guess so ...
Natakus Ribbon : Gomen nasai !
Schu : Poor Schu ? What about poor Ken ? Kidding ! Well , at least they're all fine now right ?
Ketty : Arigatou ! I'll hope you'll keep on RnR'ing ~ ^__~
Ran Mouri : Huh ? O__O;; *doesn't get it* Who were such assholes ? What decoration ? O__O;;; *ish getting really nervous* ... *LOL*
Zeto : Get them ALL killed ? Hmpf , I hardly think that Aya'd let that happen to him – or Crawford , or Schuldich or Farf ... Well , I guess you have the answer to your question ne ? *winks*
Chahiya : I'm glad that they do too ! Hopefully I passed my tests . I will continue writing , don't worry , *LOL at the 'study hard' part* Arigatou .
R_M : Wow ! 14 reviews ! 3 more record-breaking reviews for me ! *LOL* That goes to show that I should make Ken and Schu break up and make up more often . I'm so glad that this fic has so many devoted fans ! Arigatou to all of you !