Chapter 8: "Veritas" (truth)

Ken, and Aya, both knew the answer that he was looking for. Whether or not he would get that answer, only Aya really knew.

The brunette grew wide-eyed at his own rudeness, and wondered if Aya would give him another good punch to the stomach. It was a possibility; after all, Aya was quite unpredictable. What on earth makes me decide to do such stupid things? He mentally smacked himself.

To Ken's dismay, the redhead didn't give an answer. He simply stood from where he was sitting, brushed off his pants, and walked away. Now Ken was even more shocked than he was before. He wasn't even going to get an answer? Maybe Aya was afraid. Ken was, that was for sure. He wasn't sure what he was afraid of, but he was definitely shaking.

Maybe Aya didn't know the answer…?

Ken unconsciously reached out a hand to Aya's retreating form. I'd give up eternity.. forever.. just to.. to…

---

"Aya knows the answer."

"But Yohji, he just-"

"That doesn't mean anything."

Siberian looked up at Yohji and into his narrowed eyes. He rolled over on Yohji's bed and wondered how his companion seemed to know anything and everything. Kudou sat on the edge of his bed and sighed at Ken.

"Ken, we've had this discussion before. Aya isn't like you, remember? It's going to take more than that simple question to get things out of him."

Ken rose and banged his head against Yohji's chest.

"Then how do I get him to tell me how he feels?"

A long pause.

"You have to melt his ice."

---

Yohji is a fucking retard. An idiot. Why do I listen to him?

Ken stood outside Aya's bedroom door after his interesting conversation with Balinese. His proposition to 'give Aya what he wanted' really didn't sound right to Ken, but hey, he'd been right about everything so far. He still didn't see how trying to seduce Aya was going to make him confess his love.

He really wished he had more self confidence.

Ken gave a light tap to Aya's door, almost inaudible. Well, muffled to Ken, anyway, because a quiet 'come in' was heard from the other side soon after.

The door made a creak as Ken eased it open and poked his head inside, to spot Aya lounging on his bed. He shut the door without a sound and stood there, staring. Aya didn't bother to look up at him.

"Why did you just-"

"Don't speak."

Ken raised an eyebrow. He wanted to know why Aya left without an answer.

"But Ay-"

"Just come here."

Hidaka took two steps forward, hesitated, then took another two steps. He stopped when his shins hit up against Aya's bed, and looked at his comrade's sitting form. Even though Aya couldn't realize, Ken's heart was beating so fast at that moment he thought it was audible.

Aya motioned for him to sit down. After he did, Ken lost control.

"How could you do that to me, Aya? I was reaching out to you; ready to scream out that I needed you and wanted you there forever. I was ready to say that I loved you and needed you so much and you just walked away. You just walked away and it seemed like you would never come back."

Aya just looked into the depths of Ken's pained eyes. There was nothing he could say. So instead, he leaned forward and pressed the gentlest of kisses to Ken's lips.

"I'm sorry, Ken. But I don't know love. I'm trying, but it's very hard…"

"Sometimes you feel angry because you have these feelings."

"Yes."

"Sometimes you think it's all for nothing.."

"Yes… how do you know?"

Ken just shook his head. It was useless trying to explain these things to the redhead, because he'd probably never understand. Not unless he really started to realize what love is.

It was an impulse. It was instinct, too. Ken had Aya close to his chest, his arms wrapped around a lithe, pale figure. He wasn't sure whether Aya needed comforting, but he was sure that they were both confused. They sit in silence, just listening to each other's heartbeats, and Ken could swear he felt a teardrop hit his skin.

---

"I thought you worked things out?"

Yohji sat in the leather couch, still agitated that KenKen was glum again. Maybe it was because his plans never fail, or maybe it was because he was also annoyed that Ken didn't take his advice. Ken plopped down on the couch next to him.

"He pushed me off the bed and yelled at me claiming I was the source of all his stress and anguish. Now tell me, Yohji, is that a man who is willing to learn what love is?"

Suddenly Omi popped into Yohji's head. Maybe that little squirt was the answer to all of Ken's problems. But the trouble was, Yohji wasn't sure if Omi would really agree to anything he said. Unfortunately he was smarter than that. But then again, a little seducing never hurt anybody.

"I have an idea."

"I'm sick of your ideas."

"Do you trust me?"

"Not really."

"Good."

Yohji got up and went to search for Omi. Meanwhile, Ken sat there wondering what the hell he was plotting, and why the dumb blonde didn't bother to tell him about it. But Ken knew whatever it was; it would probably cause more problems than it was worth.

All Ken wanted to do was be able to keep Aya warm at night. To give him a reason for living. And he was almost sure that lady-killer Yohji had no idea how to help him with that…

"Basium dano ops redimio animus pro infinitio."