Blank Pages
By Carter Tachikawa
(Chapter 3)
Disclaimer: Not mine, never has been, never will be. (WHY?!)
Pairings: Ran/Ken, Yohji/Brad/Schu, and Omi/Nagi
Warning: It's an AU therefore it doesn't follow the usual Weiss storyline.
I've returned from my trip, in one piece, and written this baby out for you guys. I hope you were all well. I'd thank you all for the reviews but I'm feeling a little sick so I'll save that for another time. Enjoy this chapter.
* * *
It wasn't long before everyone except for Ran and Yohji had gone to bed. Yohji was still out with his mysterious girlfriend while Ran was trying to shake writer's block off. So far, nothing worked and he was still on the same square. He figured that watching some late night TV could help seeing Yohji wouldn't be in till morning. Maybe he could get some ideas. He was that desperate after all. But first, he had to do his usual routine of 'check everyone out and make sure they're okay in bed'.
He peeked into Omi's room first. Omi was fast asleep, flat on his chest and face hidden in his pillow. His legs were splayed out and the blankets covered only half of his body. But he seemed fine so Ran just closed the door and checked up on his sister next. Aya was also asleep although not in the same fashion as Omi. Then he tried Yohji's room. As suspected, it looked the same as it did in the morning: bed was very badly made, clothes were on the floor, the cigarette ashtray hadn't been cleaned out, and the floor was dirty. Of course, there was no Yohji in this room. That was probably a good thing because if he had been there, Ran would have made his best friend clean the entire room from top to bottom. Yohji was not a lover of housework and he avoided it as much as possible.
Finally, Ran stopped in front of Ken's room. His hand reached out for the doorknob and then jerked away. Ken would probably be offended or embarrassed if Ran opened the door and peeked in. He wasn't used to this 'check up and see if everyone's okay' routine.
*/It's okay./* Ran thought, going downstairs to do some brainstorming for his next novel. */I'll leave him alone./*
Yet he wasn't that thrilled of leaving Ken alone. Oh sure, the guy was cute. And he seemed nice. That didn't, however, make him harmless. Omi could have picked up a criminal for all they knew! Ran was trying to remember if he had seen Ken on TV as one of those criminals on the loose. It was a bad moment.
*/Forget about him now./* His brain was saying. */You have a book to write first./*
"Right." Ran said out loud. "First thing's first."
So he sat down on the sofa and tried to think. At that moment, however, the front door opened and Yohji stumbled in. Just one look at his face was enough to tell anyone that something had gone wrong tonight.
"You're home." Ran noted, doing his best to hide the surprise in his voice. These days, Yohji didn't enter the house till four in the morning, sometimes later. So to see his best friend in before the day was over was a shock. "It's only eleven."
"Yeah, I know." Yohji nodded wearily. He threw his jacket on the floor and plopped down on the couch. "I had one hell of a night."
"Really? Then you two didn't do much. 'One hell of a night' would probably describe you and your date getting wasted at a bar and then getting lost on your way to a make out spot."
"Spare me your humor." Yohji groaned. "Tonight sucked, okay? It sucked."
"Huh?" Ran raised an eyebrow. From the tone of his voice, his friend was definitely having some kind of problem and it worried him. Yohji could be a pain in the posterior sometimes (like the time he dumped strawberry Jell-O down Ran's back when he was sleeping) but he was a good person at times too (like when Yohji let Ran cut in front of him in long lines). Something had gone wrong in the happy land of Yohji and Schu and Ran was ready to hear the whole thing. He forgot about writing and paid attention to everything Yohji was saying.
"Schu and I_" Yohji began but had trouble finishing. "Well, we didn't fight and we're still together. At least, I think we're together. But I'm not_"
Ran bit his bottom lip. So far, he had no clue what had happened. "Well, if you two are still together, then there's nothing wrong."
Yohji shook his head. "It's complicated. Really. Anyway, tell Aya that Schu won't be coming over tomorrow."
"She's not coming?"
For a moment, Yohji didn't know what Ran was talking about. Then he remembered that Ran was referring to Schuldich and winced inside. He still hadn't told anyone that his 'girlfriend' was actually a man.
*/I've got to tell him eventually. He thought. I've got to tell them all. But first, I want this whole thing with Schu and the ex to blow over./*
He looked to find Ran still staring at him. "Sorry, man. This is a lot harder to deal with than to explain. Trust me. I mean, I haven't been so in love someone since Asuka_" He trailed off again and looked sad. Ran didn't even have to prod Yohji to know what he was thinking of. The moment he said that name, everything became clear.
Asuka Murase had been Yohji's girlfriend during college. They had dated during the first two years and got along for the most part. Yohji loved her despite the fact that she could get on his nerves and vice versa. The two had fun bother Ran twenty-four seven while they were in school. (One day, Yohji and Asuka painted Ran's nails and put makeup on him while he slept. Ran woke up to find his fingernails painted purple, his toes painted pink, and his face heavily made up. It was embarrassing because he looked like a hooker trying desperately to get a job at the circus.) But one night changed everything. Asuka and Yohji had gotten into a fight at a party and Asuka left in an angry mood. Yohji regretted what he had told and promised himself to call her as soon as she got home. Unfortunately, she never made it home. The roads had been rather slippery that night because of the rain. Asuka's car skidded to an edge and went over it. Her body was never found.
Yohji was devastated by what happened that he even went lengths to ignore any girls that came his way. He got over that stage in a week but he never could get over Asuka. He didn't even have a grave to visit and that made the recovery even harder. Ran tried his best to cheer Yohji up but it wasn't good enough. Then Schu came and everything was okay again. Yohji was acting like himself.
Or at least, they had been okay. Right now, it was hard to tell what had happened.
"Spill it." Ran said. "What's the trouble between you and your girl?"
*/My girl?/* Yohji wondered. Out loud, he said. "It's a long story, buddy."
"I'm patient. Tell me what happened."
Yohji hesitated for a few seconds but before he knew it, he was telling Ran everything that happened. He went into detail about Schu's dilemma and about the ex-boyfriend coming back.
"I had to come home." He concluded. Then he began pleading again. "Help me, Ran! I've never been in a situation like this before. What do I do? Who do I turn to? What's going to happen?"
"You should_" Ran started to suggest but then paused. He'd never been in this situation either. He personally didn't know what to do yet Yohji was waiting for an answer.
"Talk to her." Someone else finished off for him. Both of them turned around to find Ken, the new guest, standing half-naked in the doorway. Ran tried his hardest not to salivate at the sight of Ken's perfectly toned chest. Holding back that urge, however, was near impossible.
Yohji was also surprised to see him although for different reason. "Who are you?"
Ran blinked, then quickly replied. "Oh! That's Ken! Ken_"
"Hidaka. Ken Hidaka." Ken walked over to Yohji and shook his hand. Upon seeing that perfect chest up close, Ran nearly dissolved into a puddle. "You're Aya's best friend, aren't you?"
"Aya? Oh, you're calling Ran by his penname!" Yohji reached over and punched his ready-to-drool-all-over-the-floor friend on the arm. "I told him a million times not to use his sister's name, that he should use something more original. But no! Aya Fujimiya #2 he is!"
Ken turn deep red. "I'm sorry. I'm still not used to calling my favorite author by his real name."
Now it was Ran's turn to blush. Wiping the little bit of drool that was about to fall out of his mouth, he asked. "I'm your favorite author?"
"Yeah, you are. I know, I haven't read many of your books but I like you. You're the only author that I will ever read. I mean it too." Ken was quick to add at the end.
Meanwhile, Yohji had noticed how Ran was looking at Ken and was suddenly intrigued. His friend had an unusually dreamy look on his face. This guy was a fine looking man, Yohji had to admit, but why was Ran staring at him like that? Feeling a bit uncomfortable, Yohji tried to break the silence.
"You better watch out, Ran! This guy may like you so much, he'll probably give you both of his kidneys!" He joked. Ran made a face and Ken just looked confused.
"What are you talking about?" He asked.
"One of Ran's fans, a girl named Sakura Tomoe, told him she'd give away one of her kidneys if he asked her out on a date." Yohji explained. "I think she's crazy enough to do something like that too. You should see her at all the book signings. She screams louder than the rest of Ran's fans."
Ken looked puzzled. "Okay. But I'm keeping both of my kidneys. I have no intention of giving them away."
*/Good./* Ran thought. He had zoned out again as Ken told Yohji what to do with Schu and the ex-boyfriend. All he could stare at were Ken's abs. */My God, I wish I were an artist. I'd love to have a painting of you hanging in my room. Whoever created you spent a good deal of his life making you perfect./*
"Wouldn't you agree, Ran?"
"Yes." Ran replied dreamily, still focused on Ken. Yohji caught the look on Ran's face and sighed.
"I talking about the advice our new friend gave us, Ran! Do you agree with it or not?"
"Huh? Oh! Oh, that." Ran tried to look as normal as possible. With Ken in the room, bare-chested and smiling, it was near possible. "Well, what do you think?"
"I like it."
"Then follow his advice." Ran nodded.
Yohji's face brightened up. "Great! I'll go and see Schu now. Thanks, Ken. You too, Ran. You're the greatest friend ever. Heck, I could kiss you for being so great!"
"Do it and die!" Ran snapped. Ken just chuckled as Yohji grabbed his jacket and made a beeline for the front door. Soon, it was just the two of them in living room. And it was one hell of an awkward moment.
"So are you going to sit there all night staring at me or are you going to bed?" Ken finally asked. Ran shook his head as soon as he heard that.
"What? No. No, I'm coming upstairs." He said. Then he took a deep breath. "But can I ask you something first?"
"Sure." Ken shrugged and the sight of his shoulders moving upwards made Ran's stomach turn light and feathery.
"What did you do before you came here?" He couldn't help asking.
Ken blushed. "Ah, I'll tell you some other time. It's late. But you'll know soon enough."
Ran nodded though his suspicions had risen. "Fine then."
"Goodnight, Aya." Once again, Ken used the wrong name. Ran let it slide. Besides, it was hard to get mad him. He was cute.
"Goodnight, Ken." Ran watched as he disappeared up the steps still wondering about his new muse. Then he flipped off the light switch and followed him.
* * *
Schuldich had barely fallen asleep when the doorbell rang. Cranky and wondering who was visiting him at such an ungodly hour, he stumbled out of bed and went to see who it was. Opening the door, he saw the last thing that he wanted to see.
"Yohji?!" A surprised Schuldich exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"No time for any major explanations, babe. I just came to apologize for running out on you like that." Yohji barged into the room.
"Uh, okay." Schuldich nodded towards the door and tried to send Yohji out of it. "Well, you said it. See ya!"
"Hey, hey! What are you doing?"
"You can't stay here, babe." Schuldich tried again to send Yohji out but it didn't work. "It's not_"
"Well, I'm not leaving you again." Yohji said firmly. "I'm staying here whether you like it or not."
"Okay, you may stay. But you have to stay out of sight." With that, Schuldich opened his closet door and started to shove Yohji in there.
Poor Yohji was confused. "Schu, baby, what the hell_"
"Just hide!" Schuldich hissed, pushing Yohji into the closet. "I'm sorry but you have to. I'll explain everything but you have to stay in there for now, okay?"
And before Yohji could say a word, Schuldich closed the door on him. Then he hurried back to his bedroom, lit only by the scented candles by his nightstand. He threw off his robe as he entered.
"You sure took a long time." A voice from under the covers piped up. "Who was that at the front door anyway?"
Schuldich sighed and slipped into bed. "Just someone asking for directions. Don't worry about it, Brad."
TBC...
* * *
(Whew! Finally this story gets an update, right? The Nagi/Omi parts are coming soon. Also more people on the way. So hang tight. Read, review, be respectful, and be true!)
~CT
By Carter Tachikawa
(Chapter 3)
Disclaimer: Not mine, never has been, never will be. (WHY?!)
Pairings: Ran/Ken, Yohji/Brad/Schu, and Omi/Nagi
Warning: It's an AU therefore it doesn't follow the usual Weiss storyline.
I've returned from my trip, in one piece, and written this baby out for you guys. I hope you were all well. I'd thank you all for the reviews but I'm feeling a little sick so I'll save that for another time. Enjoy this chapter.
* * *
It wasn't long before everyone except for Ran and Yohji had gone to bed. Yohji was still out with his mysterious girlfriend while Ran was trying to shake writer's block off. So far, nothing worked and he was still on the same square. He figured that watching some late night TV could help seeing Yohji wouldn't be in till morning. Maybe he could get some ideas. He was that desperate after all. But first, he had to do his usual routine of 'check everyone out and make sure they're okay in bed'.
He peeked into Omi's room first. Omi was fast asleep, flat on his chest and face hidden in his pillow. His legs were splayed out and the blankets covered only half of his body. But he seemed fine so Ran just closed the door and checked up on his sister next. Aya was also asleep although not in the same fashion as Omi. Then he tried Yohji's room. As suspected, it looked the same as it did in the morning: bed was very badly made, clothes were on the floor, the cigarette ashtray hadn't been cleaned out, and the floor was dirty. Of course, there was no Yohji in this room. That was probably a good thing because if he had been there, Ran would have made his best friend clean the entire room from top to bottom. Yohji was not a lover of housework and he avoided it as much as possible.
Finally, Ran stopped in front of Ken's room. His hand reached out for the doorknob and then jerked away. Ken would probably be offended or embarrassed if Ran opened the door and peeked in. He wasn't used to this 'check up and see if everyone's okay' routine.
*/It's okay./* Ran thought, going downstairs to do some brainstorming for his next novel. */I'll leave him alone./*
Yet he wasn't that thrilled of leaving Ken alone. Oh sure, the guy was cute. And he seemed nice. That didn't, however, make him harmless. Omi could have picked up a criminal for all they knew! Ran was trying to remember if he had seen Ken on TV as one of those criminals on the loose. It was a bad moment.
*/Forget about him now./* His brain was saying. */You have a book to write first./*
"Right." Ran said out loud. "First thing's first."
So he sat down on the sofa and tried to think. At that moment, however, the front door opened and Yohji stumbled in. Just one look at his face was enough to tell anyone that something had gone wrong tonight.
"You're home." Ran noted, doing his best to hide the surprise in his voice. These days, Yohji didn't enter the house till four in the morning, sometimes later. So to see his best friend in before the day was over was a shock. "It's only eleven."
"Yeah, I know." Yohji nodded wearily. He threw his jacket on the floor and plopped down on the couch. "I had one hell of a night."
"Really? Then you two didn't do much. 'One hell of a night' would probably describe you and your date getting wasted at a bar and then getting lost on your way to a make out spot."
"Spare me your humor." Yohji groaned. "Tonight sucked, okay? It sucked."
"Huh?" Ran raised an eyebrow. From the tone of his voice, his friend was definitely having some kind of problem and it worried him. Yohji could be a pain in the posterior sometimes (like the time he dumped strawberry Jell-O down Ran's back when he was sleeping) but he was a good person at times too (like when Yohji let Ran cut in front of him in long lines). Something had gone wrong in the happy land of Yohji and Schu and Ran was ready to hear the whole thing. He forgot about writing and paid attention to everything Yohji was saying.
"Schu and I_" Yohji began but had trouble finishing. "Well, we didn't fight and we're still together. At least, I think we're together. But I'm not_"
Ran bit his bottom lip. So far, he had no clue what had happened. "Well, if you two are still together, then there's nothing wrong."
Yohji shook his head. "It's complicated. Really. Anyway, tell Aya that Schu won't be coming over tomorrow."
"She's not coming?"
For a moment, Yohji didn't know what Ran was talking about. Then he remembered that Ran was referring to Schuldich and winced inside. He still hadn't told anyone that his 'girlfriend' was actually a man.
*/I've got to tell him eventually. He thought. I've got to tell them all. But first, I want this whole thing with Schu and the ex to blow over./*
He looked to find Ran still staring at him. "Sorry, man. This is a lot harder to deal with than to explain. Trust me. I mean, I haven't been so in love someone since Asuka_" He trailed off again and looked sad. Ran didn't even have to prod Yohji to know what he was thinking of. The moment he said that name, everything became clear.
Asuka Murase had been Yohji's girlfriend during college. They had dated during the first two years and got along for the most part. Yohji loved her despite the fact that she could get on his nerves and vice versa. The two had fun bother Ran twenty-four seven while they were in school. (One day, Yohji and Asuka painted Ran's nails and put makeup on him while he slept. Ran woke up to find his fingernails painted purple, his toes painted pink, and his face heavily made up. It was embarrassing because he looked like a hooker trying desperately to get a job at the circus.) But one night changed everything. Asuka and Yohji had gotten into a fight at a party and Asuka left in an angry mood. Yohji regretted what he had told and promised himself to call her as soon as she got home. Unfortunately, she never made it home. The roads had been rather slippery that night because of the rain. Asuka's car skidded to an edge and went over it. Her body was never found.
Yohji was devastated by what happened that he even went lengths to ignore any girls that came his way. He got over that stage in a week but he never could get over Asuka. He didn't even have a grave to visit and that made the recovery even harder. Ran tried his best to cheer Yohji up but it wasn't good enough. Then Schu came and everything was okay again. Yohji was acting like himself.
Or at least, they had been okay. Right now, it was hard to tell what had happened.
"Spill it." Ran said. "What's the trouble between you and your girl?"
*/My girl?/* Yohji wondered. Out loud, he said. "It's a long story, buddy."
"I'm patient. Tell me what happened."
Yohji hesitated for a few seconds but before he knew it, he was telling Ran everything that happened. He went into detail about Schu's dilemma and about the ex-boyfriend coming back.
"I had to come home." He concluded. Then he began pleading again. "Help me, Ran! I've never been in a situation like this before. What do I do? Who do I turn to? What's going to happen?"
"You should_" Ran started to suggest but then paused. He'd never been in this situation either. He personally didn't know what to do yet Yohji was waiting for an answer.
"Talk to her." Someone else finished off for him. Both of them turned around to find Ken, the new guest, standing half-naked in the doorway. Ran tried his hardest not to salivate at the sight of Ken's perfectly toned chest. Holding back that urge, however, was near impossible.
Yohji was also surprised to see him although for different reason. "Who are you?"
Ran blinked, then quickly replied. "Oh! That's Ken! Ken_"
"Hidaka. Ken Hidaka." Ken walked over to Yohji and shook his hand. Upon seeing that perfect chest up close, Ran nearly dissolved into a puddle. "You're Aya's best friend, aren't you?"
"Aya? Oh, you're calling Ran by his penname!" Yohji reached over and punched his ready-to-drool-all-over-the-floor friend on the arm. "I told him a million times not to use his sister's name, that he should use something more original. But no! Aya Fujimiya #2 he is!"
Ken turn deep red. "I'm sorry. I'm still not used to calling my favorite author by his real name."
Now it was Ran's turn to blush. Wiping the little bit of drool that was about to fall out of his mouth, he asked. "I'm your favorite author?"
"Yeah, you are. I know, I haven't read many of your books but I like you. You're the only author that I will ever read. I mean it too." Ken was quick to add at the end.
Meanwhile, Yohji had noticed how Ran was looking at Ken and was suddenly intrigued. His friend had an unusually dreamy look on his face. This guy was a fine looking man, Yohji had to admit, but why was Ran staring at him like that? Feeling a bit uncomfortable, Yohji tried to break the silence.
"You better watch out, Ran! This guy may like you so much, he'll probably give you both of his kidneys!" He joked. Ran made a face and Ken just looked confused.
"What are you talking about?" He asked.
"One of Ran's fans, a girl named Sakura Tomoe, told him she'd give away one of her kidneys if he asked her out on a date." Yohji explained. "I think she's crazy enough to do something like that too. You should see her at all the book signings. She screams louder than the rest of Ran's fans."
Ken looked puzzled. "Okay. But I'm keeping both of my kidneys. I have no intention of giving them away."
*/Good./* Ran thought. He had zoned out again as Ken told Yohji what to do with Schu and the ex-boyfriend. All he could stare at were Ken's abs. */My God, I wish I were an artist. I'd love to have a painting of you hanging in my room. Whoever created you spent a good deal of his life making you perfect./*
"Wouldn't you agree, Ran?"
"Yes." Ran replied dreamily, still focused on Ken. Yohji caught the look on Ran's face and sighed.
"I talking about the advice our new friend gave us, Ran! Do you agree with it or not?"
"Huh? Oh! Oh, that." Ran tried to look as normal as possible. With Ken in the room, bare-chested and smiling, it was near possible. "Well, what do you think?"
"I like it."
"Then follow his advice." Ran nodded.
Yohji's face brightened up. "Great! I'll go and see Schu now. Thanks, Ken. You too, Ran. You're the greatest friend ever. Heck, I could kiss you for being so great!"
"Do it and die!" Ran snapped. Ken just chuckled as Yohji grabbed his jacket and made a beeline for the front door. Soon, it was just the two of them in living room. And it was one hell of an awkward moment.
"So are you going to sit there all night staring at me or are you going to bed?" Ken finally asked. Ran shook his head as soon as he heard that.
"What? No. No, I'm coming upstairs." He said. Then he took a deep breath. "But can I ask you something first?"
"Sure." Ken shrugged and the sight of his shoulders moving upwards made Ran's stomach turn light and feathery.
"What did you do before you came here?" He couldn't help asking.
Ken blushed. "Ah, I'll tell you some other time. It's late. But you'll know soon enough."
Ran nodded though his suspicions had risen. "Fine then."
"Goodnight, Aya." Once again, Ken used the wrong name. Ran let it slide. Besides, it was hard to get mad him. He was cute.
"Goodnight, Ken." Ran watched as he disappeared up the steps still wondering about his new muse. Then he flipped off the light switch and followed him.
* * *
Schuldich had barely fallen asleep when the doorbell rang. Cranky and wondering who was visiting him at such an ungodly hour, he stumbled out of bed and went to see who it was. Opening the door, he saw the last thing that he wanted to see.
"Yohji?!" A surprised Schuldich exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"No time for any major explanations, babe. I just came to apologize for running out on you like that." Yohji barged into the room.
"Uh, okay." Schuldich nodded towards the door and tried to send Yohji out of it. "Well, you said it. See ya!"
"Hey, hey! What are you doing?"
"You can't stay here, babe." Schuldich tried again to send Yohji out but it didn't work. "It's not_"
"Well, I'm not leaving you again." Yohji said firmly. "I'm staying here whether you like it or not."
"Okay, you may stay. But you have to stay out of sight." With that, Schuldich opened his closet door and started to shove Yohji in there.
Poor Yohji was confused. "Schu, baby, what the hell_"
"Just hide!" Schuldich hissed, pushing Yohji into the closet. "I'm sorry but you have to. I'll explain everything but you have to stay in there for now, okay?"
And before Yohji could say a word, Schuldich closed the door on him. Then he hurried back to his bedroom, lit only by the scented candles by his nightstand. He threw off his robe as he entered.
"You sure took a long time." A voice from under the covers piped up. "Who was that at the front door anyway?"
Schuldich sighed and slipped into bed. "Just someone asking for directions. Don't worry about it, Brad."
TBC...
* * *
(Whew! Finally this story gets an update, right? The Nagi/Omi parts are coming soon. Also more people on the way. So hang tight. Read, review, be respectful, and be true!)
~CT