Blank Pages

(Chapter 6: Beautiful Muse)

By Carter Tachikawa

While Yohji was trying to fix things between him and Schuldich and Omi was still dancing around with Nagi, Ran was trying to write. Having Ken around was doing a good thing. Never had he written so much as he did now. Since Ken's arrival, he had finished five chapters of one book in less than four days. He had become a powerhouse as Ken watched him and often pointed out what mistakes he made.

He's cute. Ran thought one night as Ken sat down with him and viewed the next chapter. He does whatever I tell him and doesn't complain. I wish I had more muses like him.

"You see this?" Ken was saying. "The part where Christine has found herself in a dilemma? She can't be with Aaron and she can't be with Steven because she's afraid of hurting both of them."

Ran nodded. "That's true."

"Well, you have to fix that part. You can't have them hanging like this forever."

"No, I can't."

While Ken went on rambling about the story, Ran kept staring at him. He couldn't help himself. Ken was just so beautiful with those chocolate-brown eyes and soft brown hair that fell in his eyes. He loved that smile and that friendly attitude as well.

"Where have you been all my life?" He murmured unknowingly. Ken looked up.

"I'm sorry?" He asked.

"Huh?" Ran shook his head. He turned as red as his own hair color. "I'm sorry, I was just talking to myself. Don't worry about it."

"Oh." Accepting the explanation, Ken went back to reading the story. "I can't believe I'm actually reading Aya Fujimiya's latest story and in his house! I bet any of your fans would be jealous. Well, maybe all of them would be."

Ran smirked. "Especially Sakura Tomoe, the girl who would give me a kidney." They both laughed at the thought of Sakura, on bended knee, handing Ran a kidney on silver platter.

"You poor thing." Ken sighed. "You get stuck with such crazy fans."

Ran smiled. "Or sweet ones like yourself."

"Ah, I'm not sweet. I just love your work." Ken admitted. Lowering his voice, he added. "I like you."

"I like you too, Ken."

"No." Ken shook his head. "I mean, I like you as a person. You're not a cold-hearted jerk as all those other girls were saying."

"Other girls?"

"People I used to work with." Ken explained. "I once told them that" He stopped himself there. "I told them that you were great." He finished off, looking embarrassed. Then his gaze dropped back to the sheets he was holding. It was then that Ran realized Ken was talking about something he used to do.

"What are you, Ken?" He asked. "I mean, what's your job?"

"My job?" Ken put the papers aside. "I don't have a job. I told you. I'm a wanderer."

"Do you get paid for wandering?"

Ken laughed. "No! That wouldn't be bad though!"

Ran joined in the laughter. Ken sounded so cute when he was talking and having fun. But something wasn't right. Why would he suddenly stop talking about his job? And did he even have a job to begin with?

Why are you being so secretive? Ran wondered. Out loud, he asked. "Are you married, Ken?"

Ken gaped at him. "Married?"

"You know, hitched? Do you have a wife?"

"Ah…no! No, no, no!" Ken shook his head. "Wandering doesn't give me time to think about marriage. Sorry."

"Oh." Ran said. He had no idea but he was moving in close on Ken. And Ken wasn't backing away. His eyelids fluttered and his lips puckered up a bit. There was Ken, mysterious Ken, a beautiful muse with an unknown past. Deep down, Ran promised himself to figure out this past even if it took him forever. Ken's breath was fanning his face. It felt nice and cool. And like Ken, it was beautiful.

He's so perfect. I wonder if I can tell him how I feel without having to speak. Or maybe I can.

Before they knew it, Ran was kissing Ken. Ken, surprised but delighted, returned the kiss and let his tongue go down Ran's mouth. Slowly, he put his arms around the author and hugged him tight. At this point, Yohji came in.

"Hey guys, I" Yohji stopped when he saw the two of them kissing. Then he began to back away from the scene. "I think I'll come back another time."

TBC…

(I apologize for the short chapter. I hope you still enjoyed it. Next part will have more!

Read, review, be respectful, be true!)