Chapter 11
Nonsense and Common Sense
DivineAngel
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"So Consider it an EXCEPTION! I am not going to make you boys go back into protocol right away. I would prefer to…feel this out if that's ok with all of you." Mr. Brine mused, and he smiled when the man glanced at them through the rear-view-mirror. They were all in the back of the van again. After that semi motivating speech. Or at least it seemed that way. Mr. Brine had walked into their room, with them all thrilled to see him again, and started delivering a nice motivational speech about how they should come back, and learn to fight. That the organization had noticed qualities in them they wanted to keep before just…totally switching over to the fact he'd bring them back to the flower shop. Feed them, get them some new clothes, and let them stay there.
That's all any of them wanted to hear. More than being assassins, or runner up anything, or bettering themselves, or leaning first-aid, combat, skill full anything…they all just wanted a place to belong. In the back of their minds…they all just wanted to stay together.
"I said does that sound good to you boys?" Mr. Brine cut through his thoughts and he looked up at the cocked eyebrow expression that turned around to them. "Understand I DO Expect A YES SIR! Unless I need to give you all A MEMORY JOG when I Stop this CAR!"
"YES SIR!" They all yelled immediately, and Mr. Brine nodded.
"Good. When we get there, bring your things upstairs, your still in the room arrangements we left off on. Consider this an un-pause since you've last been here boys. All the rules, times, and regulations are the same! So don't SCREW UP ON THEM! Or you'll find the punishment is the same." They all silently groaned. You think for being thrown out for a month, and then reeled back in they'd at least get a few get-out-of-jail-free cards. "After you bring your things inside! You better start cooking dinner! Or do you boys not! Want to eat!"
"NO! We definitely want to eat sir!" Yohji yelled up to Mr. Brine and he was nodding right away.
"I thought so. Kudou, Hidaka, after we get some food in you…we've got to talk." They both nodded when Mr. Brine glanced at them pulling up to the flower shop.
They all filed out onto the sidewalk and looked up at the building they hadn't seen in a month. It was like a weird dream to see it again, he was expecting to wake up any minute. To have this building, his friends, and Mr. Brine all disappear, it would just be another joke. It would just be another time he'd wake up inside an alley with Yohji and realize he was never going back. He'd just miss it forever. Instead this time, Mr. Brine walked over and unlocked the front door before turning back to them with a smile as it opened and they all stood looking in before Yohji started forward.
He had to follow, it were as though there was an invisible appendage between him and Yohji now. He didn't have the chance to make up his mind when Yohji started forward, his feet activated themselves. Omi and Aya followed them too, and Mr. Brine shut the door again. Letting them take a moment to just look at the flower shop they knew so well. Most of the flowers had been restocked, the cash register, and carts had been put back. As they kept going past the shop and into the actual house. The kitchen was fully back together, the living room almost completely.
This was insane. After getting all these rooms, and then watching them disassemble and disappear it was a little much. He grabbed Yohji's arm to make sure the blonde wouldn't wander off to get a better look at anything because he'd simply freak in this head trip if he turned around and Yohji was missing.
Omi's mouth was almost on the floor, and Aya looked a little tense with all of this.
"RELAX!" They all jumped with Mr. Brine's yell, and the man chuckled as they all spun towards him immediately. "Hahaha…Relax. I'll answer any questions you have during dinner. Bring your things upstairs." They all started upstairs. However the phrase -bring your things- was kind of ridiculous. He didn't have any things, neither did Yohji. Aya and Omi had duffle bags, but Aya's looked much smaller since they had last seen it.
He watched Omi and Aya go to their bedroom doors and bring their bags in. He just kind of lingered in the hall with Yohji. There was no reason why they should even pretend they had anything. All their money, and Omi's school address was buried across town. All they had on them were some knives, and their clothes. "What do you think he wants to talk to us about?" He whispered turning to Yohji with a shaky expression, but the blonde just grunt. Smacking his clothes slightly and watching some dirt fall to the floor.
"Take a guess KenKen." The green eyes were still smiling as he sighed.
"What do you think he's going to say?"
"I have no idea, but remember." Yohji grabbed his shoulder, pulling him in close and slinging an arm around his neck. "We keep our lips buttoned. No stealing, robbing…other. We just got by. Ok?" He nodded, by other Yohji meant all the times they were jumped, or attacked. What happened at the shelter, or that night Mr. Brine had found them. They got by and nothing really difficult came there way.
"Yeah we got by." He nodded looking up as Omi started coming toward them. Slowing slightly as though hesitant he were interrupting something but Yohji instantly grinned and dropped him.
"Omi!" Yohji slung his arm around the thin boy whom scrunched his nose with the dirt so close. "How have you been. Do you have any wild stories for us? Huh?" He grinned as Yohji gave Omi a strong elbow and wink. "Spying in the girls locker room you say?"
"No." Omi looked baffled and shocked as he shook his head.
"Yes you were." Yohji only grinned a wink with his firm tone. "I know you were, you naughty, sneaky assassin."
"What are you doing idiot." Yohji turned to Aya's smiling comment when the red head came out and caught the two. Yohji's wide grin, and Omi's stoned expression. "Let's go, we've got to cook dinner." He nodded starting for the stairs, but Aya grabbed him. "Not you, or you." Aya spit pointing to him and Yohji. "Your both so filthy I wouldn't want you near my food. Go shower, Omi and I will cook."
"Shower?" Yohji made a face but he just grunt.
"Yeah sure, and what are we supposed to change into?" He gave Aya a look. "This is all I have." Yohji nodded, and Aya just looked at both of them with a frown before nodding towards his room. "Don't tell me you have extra clothes Aya?" He made a face, wow Aya must not have done *that* bad if the guy still had extra stuff.
"Not much, but I can sleep in what I am wearing." They watched the red head dump his duffle bag onto the king bed. Aya was right, he didn't have much.
"You can borrow anything I have." Omi offered and they all turned to the boy because that was the very first thing he had said to them.
"Ah thanks Omi." Yohji smiled. "But I don't think…we're the same size." He nodded, he was only going to squeeze into Omi's stuff if Aya ran out. Omi looked annoyed with this, and glanced at the door like he might walk out.
"Here." Aya said and he caught the shirt Aya tossed over. Slowly, and gingerly he pulled his dirty sweatshirt off, before the two long sleeve shirts he had on, and then three t-shirts. Aya's violet eyes were wide with disgusted as he peeled the dirty layers off and drop them to the floor.
"Oh Ken!" Omi gasped at the wound he had been playing with.
"Ow!" He shoved the thin hand away as Omi gently touched it. "It hurts enough without people poking it!" He snapped and Omi took a step back quietly regaining his annoyed expression as he gingerly covered his wound. It had gotten worse since he'd seen it last and Aya shoved his hand away.
"That's infected Ken." Aya stated as the guys violet eyes threw him a concerned expression and he rolled his eyes.
"No. You think!?" He snapped pulling away, and looking down. His wound had gotten much redder, and part of his gash was oozing puss. "Stings like a bitch." He looked down, gently rubbing the skin around it and wallowing in the tingly, numb sensation it gave him.
"What happened to you both?" Omi asked quietly. Glancing from him to Yohji who was peeling off layers too.
Yohji shrugged. "We got by. We're fine Omi." Omi made a face.
"Look. I am supposed to be YOUr Team mate! So don't lie to me ok! If you think I am going to buy that, than your all dumber than you look!" Omi yelled and Yohji turned around surprised by Omi's words. The boy's finger pointing at the blonde accusingly before switching to all of them and leaving the room.
He glanced at Yohji when the blonde turned to him and Aya. "What's his problem?" Yohji asked.
Aya sighed. "Ken I am getting some stuff to clean your wound. If you have *any* others." They both frowned as Aya started pointing at them now, threatening lightly. "I want to know where they are when *I* come back."
Yohji made a face and gave him a heavy sigh as Aya left, watching him slowly peel off his pants. "All this over a little infected gash." Yohji snort and he nodded slightly, sitting down on the bed. God it was soft. "Kenken, is it me or…is there some serious hostility floating around this place." Yohji asked with a soft singing tone.
"I am stressed too." He said confirming Yohji's question, before watching Aya come back and right to him. Shoving him a little roughly so he laid back on the bed with a frown. Looking up at the ceiling so he could ignore Aya until his chest started stinging pretty bad. Still, he didn't make a sound, he just curled his fingers into the bedspread and endured as Yohji went to the bathroom and showered.
"Ken." Aya finally spoke his name and he looked up. Aya stopped working for a moment and looked to him. "Are you both ok?" Aya asked and he nodded, but the violet eyes just remained locked on his. Aya was seriously concerned, and figured he'd never get a straight answer out of Yohji.
"Yes." He nodded with his voice, and Aya's eyes left his. Gently bandaging his chest as Yohji came back in wearing a towel before sliding Aya's shirt on. "Thanks for the clothes Aya." He said and Aya's hands stopped again as the guy looked up before nodding once and standing up.
"There." Aya said. "Make sure the infection is gone in a day." Aya ordered taking all the little bloody rags and cotton balls from the side of the bed to the trash as he started for the bathroom.
Stopping in the doorway because Omi was at the sink filling a cup with water. "Hey." The blue eyes glanced at him as the cup filled before turning to him while drinking. "Are you mad at us?" He asked and Omi just squint at him for a moment before walking past and leaving the bathroom.
"I just don't appreciate being lied to Ken." Omi answered bitterly and he watched the thin boy start down the stairs, before popping something in his mouth and washing it down with the water. What was that? Wait…Damn, that little brat had candy and wasn't even sharing! He frowned flicking the bathroom door shut behind him and starting the shower. Aya and Yohji were apparently going downstairs to start dinner too. Either bickering or joking all the way through the hall until it was hard to hear them anymore. Either way, he didn't care, he had hot water, and clean towels. Heaven.
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"What the hell is this?" Mr. Brine made a face at his plate as he came to the table and sat down. He assumed the expression would have been hysterical, but he was too busy stuffing his face with Yohji to look up.
"It's a string bean dish sir." Aya answered and Mr. Brine's frown became even more baffled.
"You made this Fujimiya?" Aya nodded, chewing as he forked up more string beans and sauce. "With string beans?"
"Omi helped." Aya nodded again as he continued eating.
"Fujimiya, your two team members are half starved." Mr. Brine said motioning to him and Yohji and he stopped eating. Yohji didn't stop though. "And you make their first meal…string beans? You couldn't have tried to put a little meat on their bones?"
"But all the meat what frozen Sir." Omi spoke up shaking his head as Mr. Brine turned to him. "It was." Omi reassured.
"And just what was not frozen Tsukiyono?" Mr. Brine sighed/smiled.
"The string beans." Omi answered with a frown like that should have been so obvious. Mr. Brine sighed harder then and simply sunk into his chair with the answer before poking some string beans around unimpressed.
"Well. Do any of you have any questions?" Mr. Brine asked and Yohji raised his hand immediately, full cheeks chewing faster, trying to speak.
"Iwannaknow-I want to know(swallowing) I would like to know if we can wear boxers now instead of briefs."
"A HAHAH!" Mr. Brine started laughing immediately and Yohji grinned, continuing to eat as Mr. Brine smacked the table with a laugh.
"Why. You boys don't like your briefs?" They were all silent, but looked slightly annoyed. "Fine. Done. We've got to get you all some clothes anyway. We'll take care of that tomorrow. You'll all have four hundred dollars to get wardrobes." Mr. Brine informed and they were all dead silent. "I know that isn't much, especially when you have to buy everything but it's something. And make no mistake." Mr. Brine said pointing his fork at them. "I am *Not* just going to *Give* you the money, I'll be shopping with you so choose wisely. Or I'll pick out your clothes." Mr. Brine snapped a glare at Yohji when he snorted and the blonde looked down to hide his grin. "You'll also have three days of rest, before you'll start your morning run, and basic training again. I don't suppose I'll have any objections?" They all shook their heads. "Good. I'll give you the low down on the situation tomorrow. For now are there any other questions?"
"Yeah." He swallowed to clear his mouth. "When will we get our own rooms?" Omi turned to him immediately, but he just glanced away. It's not like he didn't want to share with Omi, he was just curious.
"When I say so Hidaka." Mr. Brine gave him a very stern answer, so there would be no arguing and he nodded quickly. Mr. Brine seemed satisfied no one argued and he slowly sat his fork down with a smile. "Now there's something I've got to…got to tell you boys." Mr. Brine said and they all stopped eating, watching the man slowly look up at them, and glance at each and every one. "I know you boys have had it rough. I won't pretend to be blind. I see you all here today, and you remind me of the boys I had the first night I brought you here. Your defensive, very stressed, about ready to take off each others heads. Except for you Kudou and Hidaka, and your case in understandable." Mr. Brine nodded at them and they said nothing. "I want to make this very clear to you all. *Very* clear, because as of now, your looking at….this shop and…this job as permanent. You are our new winners."
"What!?" Yohji choked slightly, dropping his fork to the dish. "BUt I-"
"-Kudou." Mr. Brine held up his hand and Yohji silenced but their mouths were all hanging open. "What I am trying to say to you boys is…that you can all just relax. Don't worry about what happened last time. I can tell you it's not even an option for what could happen this time. You are the winners. You will not be shipped out, or pulled apart again. I am not blind to the damage I see that's done, and I can tell you I'll do my best to fix it, but I need your cooperation, and more importantly I need your trust.
"We're…we're the winners?…Now?" Aya choked on the question and Mr. Brine nodded.
"Yes you are, what you saw before, all the people working for you, are still there. No ones given up on you boys since you were last here. All your missions have been reviewed, and more importantly I got the organization to look at the tapes of you here at home."
"Wait!" He yelled and everyone turned to him. "We're recorded here!?" Mr. Brine nodded. "Here. In the flower shop?" Mr. Brine nodded again.
"Not just the flower shop Hidaka. Every room except the bathroom, and your bedrooms."
"Oh my god." He choked glancing around the table. Aya wore such a frown, and Yohji and Omi looked shocked. "Why weren't we told?"
"You would act different. Intentionally or unintentionally, it's a proven fact when people know they are being recorded, their behavior changes. But…the cameras have all been pulled out since this is the real deal. Your still training but you are already our assassins. Just…rusty assassins." Mr. Brine grinned at them, slowly pulling a video tape from under the table and sitting it in front of them. "Before you all go to bed. Of which I'd like to say all of you owning articles required for sleep, better be wearing them. Just because I haven't been taking your ears off since you've arrived doesn't mean I've gone soft boys." He shivered when Mr. Brine gave them all an evil grin before handing Aya the video tape. "Before you go to bed, I'd like you all to watch this. I think you'll find it very amusing. It's been edited, so the few hours in which nothing under that camera happens skips right to the juicy parts." He smiled with Mr. Brine's chuckle. "So eat up."
Eat they did. Yohji and him ate twice as much as Aya, and whatever Omi didn't eat. The boy didn't seem very hungry so they literally ate off his plate. Omi's blue eyes brightened as they argued over which string bean was on who's side of Omi's portion that was theirs until they were all done. Full of food, with sleepy smiles they followed Mr. Brine to the living room and slouched into the couches around the boxes of unpacked stuff as Aya put in the tape.
"So what is this?" Yohji winked at Mr. Brine while growing a sly grin.
Mr. Brine sighed and snapped a frown. "Get your head back on the ground Kudou. I will never give you boys anything like that." The man spit and Yohji groaned a shrug, and sat up as a picture hit the screen.
It was the corner of their building, late at night. "Some of the audio recording we obtained from the outside of the building has also been voiced over…consider this a…welcome home present boys."
They all leaned closer when Aya appeared at the window opening it and looking down. "Oh my god…" Yohji grinned immediately, watching the red head slowly start climbing out as the blonde appeared helping him down. "Oh my god I know what this is."
"What?" He frowned leaning farther out of his chair as he and Omi appeared in the window, with a fuzzy audio of Yohji threatening them not to fall. "Oh my god!" He laughed, watching himself slowly start climbing out. "Hahah!" From below Aya start helping him before Omi started climbing out, and then Yohji. It was that night they had all snuck out and skipped off to that bar. They were all smiling as they watched themselves start down the street before the camera no longer covered them.
"This is my favorite part." Mr. Brine grinned, watching the tape fuzz for a second, before the time at the bottom read early mourning hours. All four of them were coming back a little drunk and laughing. Trying hard to be quiet as Yohji started climbing back up the trellis. Giving them half-ass slurred directions on how to get up. Tripping and slipping a few times and every time Omi would start breaking down. Laughing hysterically at the blonde that was swearing up by the open window. Aya was throwing up next to them when Yohji finally made it to the window and just fell in.
"HAHA!" He laughed when Yohji reappeared frowning and cursing as he beckoned for them to come up with a -Get up here you ass-you-ass-you assholes!- Instead of coming he and Omi waved up thinking Yohji was waving to them in their drunken state. -Noooo- The blonde hissed down at them -I mean I want you to get up. Get up- Yohji ordered pointing at the window sill firmly and on screen he started laughing as Omi smiled a -But we are up Yohji-kun- Yohji only groaned and laid his head on the window sill before remaining motionless for a good three minutes as he goofed off with Omi until Aya finished puking and felt good enough to start trying to make Omi climb the trellis.
"I think I was sleeping there." Yohji grinned pointing to himself. "I remember waking up with Omi in my face, like Woo What the hell is going on." As if on queue Omi made it to the top and grabbed the window sill watching Yohji bolt back and fall over into the room. The recording played a small thud and curse that was Yohji toppling over to the floor before Omi laughing. Becoming weak and slipping down and stepping on the blonde.
"I still remember you stepping on me Omi." Yohji muttered and he grinned as Omi side glanced at Yohji from where he was watching. Laughing slightly as the Ken on screen started laughing curses up at Omi to get off the trellis. Until Yohji drug him in the window, cursing as the thin boy puked on him. A loud whined -No!…NoO! You couldn't have done it in the alley Oooomiiii! No!- coming from the recording before Aya's -move your ass Ken. I feel sick- growled up at him as he drug himself into the window sill before Aya fallowed. Slipping and falling in like Yohji.
The camera slowly zoomed in to the window so you could see Yohji peeling off his puky shirt with an expression like he would cry with frustration as Omi laughed apologies. Aya just walked over and flopped onto the bed as he started undressing. On screen he sat down next to Aya and asking if the red head was ok Before laughing at the -Get the fuck out of my room- when in fact Aya was in his room
Yohji finally coaxed Aya out as he climbed into the bed in his jeans to Yohji's reassurances, and Omi crawled in to. Almost half asleep and laying on part of him as Yohji shut out the light. There was a moment where you couldn't see anything, until the camera zoomed back out to the rest of the building, and half of the screen switched to heat sensor. So you could see their bodies inside.
Mr. Brine flicked the remote off. "I thought that would be something good for you boys to see. Of course I saw the tape the mourning after you actually went on your little night venture. But you had been so quiet, and actually managed to get up and run the next morning I let it go. Ironically your little act of disobedience, was what helped to decide you winning call. It shows you applying your assassin skills to the real world, and quite successfully I'll admit had the camera not caught you I never would have known." He snickered when Mr. Brine sent them all a sly smile.
"Sir we're…" Omi trailed uneasily watching Mr. Brine's smile grow.
"Don't worry boys, non of you will be punished for your winning video however…." Mr. Brine's smile faded. "If I ever see that again." The man's eyes turned right to Aya and Yohji. "Seeing as I have countless video's of you two sneaking out that same window in the dead of night. Which is something we'll have to work on fixing. Hidaka and Tsukiyono you sleep far to heavily if two of your teammates can actually sneak in and out of your room without waking you."
"Out of our window?!" He threw a wild grin at Yohji and Aya, but Yohji just grinned, and Aya shrugged. "Geez, thanks."
"Nothing personal Ken." Aya gave him a smile. "You had the best window." He shook his head with his grin but Mr. Brine was still giving them a firm look.
"I don't want to see it again. If you boys feel you need a night out, or some time in the surrounding area we can arrange it. It's dangerous. Especially now." Mr. Brine said firmly.
"Why now Sir?" Omi asked, raising his hand slightly.
"I'll explain tomorrow. Everything will be explained tomorrow boys. Now it's time for bed. Get some shut eye." They all nodded getting up, and chuckling at the tape that was rewinding on screen. They *had* looked ridiculous, and it was a nice welcome home present to say the least.
"Sleep Well Boys! Tomorrow…we'll all chat. After we get you some clothes." Mr. Brine followed them up the stairs before muttering a good night and walking to his own room and shutting the door. They were all left in the hallway and he felt a bit uneasy until Yohji threw him a smile.
It was weird thinking he would have to go with Omi instead of staying with Yohji. He could see the same expression in the blondes face. It was weird to be apart, it made him slightly nervous. Even with something as ridiculous as sleeping in a different room. For a month they had been together for ever single second, the had done everything together especially the big things like sleeping, or eating…Now would be the first night away.
"Night Ken." Yohji gave him a thumbs up, and to everyone else the blonde looked fine, only he saw the nervous edge behind the grin.
"You know where I'll be." He nodded following Omi to their room as Yohji disappeared into the one he shared with Aya.
The minute he came in and shut the door Omi turned to him "Ken…if you…don't want to be in my room anymore than.." Omi shrugged for a moment when he trailed. "I-I won't mind you switching with someone else." Omi muttered before turning away and starting to his duffle bag. Great so he put himself in the dog house with that question did he? He could already see Omi took it, he wanted to get out of the room, and away from him.
"That's not it Omi." he smiled pulling the sheets and blankets down and glancing at the door. God he never thought he'd miss Yohji so much. "I only asked about our own rooms because I was curious. I don't mind…." He trailed when Omi's eyes flicked up at him. It was a harder look than the expressions he ever remembered the boy having. "..I don't mind sharing with you." He quickly said and Omi looked skeptical as he slid into the bed with his clothes. The pants were a little big since Aya was taller, and shirt that was a little loose again for the same reason. "I really don't mind. You're a nice roommate." He said before frowning as Omi stopped moving for a second with the word -roommate- before leaving with his clothes to change. He sat up frowning as Omi left. Since when did Omi leave the room to change? He was insulted, and he sat there and watched the door until Omi came back. "Ok." He barked the second the boy walked in and Omi stopped dead a bit startled and turned to him. "Maybe I got this wrong. Maybe it's *you* who don't want to share a room with *me.* Is that it?" He asked annoyed.
"No." Omi muttered shaking his head quickly and almost apologetically so. That was an expression he remembered. "I did not mean to…give you that impression." Omi reassured before walking to his duffle bag and shoving his old clothes back in.
"Oh." He said, a bit skeptically as he lay back. "Ok." He said sounding more sure now and he watched Omi put some of his things back into the dresser bottom drawers before walking over to the side of the bed.
He was watching the door by the time Omi finally decided to get in. The boy quickly dropped his robe to the floor and climbed in without a word. He just couldn't think of a reason why he'd have to go see Yohji and Aya. Nothing he forgot to tell the blonde, or questions he needed to ask either of the two guys. He frowned, glancing at Omi who was laying on his side away from him completely quiet, before turning to the clock. It was going on nine, he felt his fingers start to fidget so he gabbed the blanket and held it. It felt weird to be in such an open room all by himself. Weird to be in a bed with blankets, without Yohji.
He rolled over, pulling part of his pillow down so he could hug it, but it wasn't firm like Yohji, Didn't have any body heat to it, or breathing movement, it wasn't the same thing. I can do this, he thought. I can sleep by myself! I am not two, I am not scared of the dark or this stupid house. Technically I am not even really alone because Omi's here with me he thought. So he lay there, hugging part of the pillow, willing his body to stay completely still just because small parts of him wanted to fidget. He felt so open and exposed! There was just too much of the room to watch! To many shadows! And without Yohji he felt totally alone. Totally defenseless because he was so easily overcome alone on the streets.
When he glanced at the clock again it was twenty minutes later. Omi still hadn't moved or made any noise, and when he listened hard enough he could hear the kids soft breathing. He must be dead asleep by now, he thought. So he gently let go of his pillow, and ever so carefully slid over to where Omi was so he was closer up against the boy's warm back. Finally inching himself up so he could feel Omi pressed against him and slowly setting so he was comfy when Omi suddenly spoke. "Ken?" Omi said still without movement and he frowned. Glancing to the blue eyes that slowly glanced over their shoulder to him confused.
"Omi do you mind if I sleep closer to you?" He asked bluntly. There was no reason in beating around the bush. He just couldn't stand being alone on the other side of the bed. He didn't remember the mattress being as big as it felt, but instead of frowning Omi's eyes lightened slightly with his honesty. He didn't say more and after a moment of silence Omi shook his head. "Really?" Omi's head shook again and he sighed. "Thanks." He said relieved quickly getting closer and worming his arm around Omi's middle so his stomach and chest were pulled up to Omi's back. His forehead leaning into the thin shoulder, and body as Omi suddenly tensed up like a board.
"Ken?" Omi spoke his name a bit uneasily.
"Hmm?" He sleepily hummed at the nervous mutter that was his name.
"What are you doing?" Omi whispered and he looked up. Omi wasn't looking back at him though, the boy was staring ahead a bit wide eyed with the way he was suddenly up against him.
"Sleeping…you?" He muttered sarcastically as he leaned his forehead back where it was until he felt Omi move slightly. Just a tad, arching his chest forward to put some space between them. When he felt the movement he moved his arm. Pulling it out from where it was hooked around the boys middle so Omi could move if he wanted too. As soon as his arm disappeared Omi quickly pulled away, sat up, and spun to him with a wide eyed glare. "What?" he asked frowning as the shaky blue eyes only looked down to him. Omi was staring at him but he didn't make a move, he just lay there waiting for Omi to say something. "What Omi?" He finally asked, a bit impatiently this time.
"C-could you just…move over a little bit." Omi finally muttered nodding to all the empty space in the bed and he frowned sliding back an inch or so. "More Ken." Omi quickly spit.
He sat up, watching the blue eyes become shorter than his own. "What's wrong with you?" He asked gently while giving Omi's tense face a playful frown. He didn't want to criticize the boy, but he was curious.
"Nothing's wrong with me." Omi immediately spit defense. "I said you could-I said you could sleep *Near* me Not-Not *On* me. I just think that's a little weird." Omi exclaimed quietly while giving him a look like he should agree.
He frowned "You think I am weird?" he spit before shoving Omi's shoulder a bit with his words and the boy frowned back.
"No! I just think maybe-" Omi trailed, shaking his head slightly as he spoke and part of his hair ran down his forehead before his hand brushed it away. "I think-think I want a little more space ok! You never did that before. Your-YOUr So close it's-It's too close! Just back off Ken!" Omi yelled, his words shaky but trying to be direct. The stray piece of hair wondered back to Omi's forehead and he reached over and brushed it aside. Omi bolted away from him immediately, grabbing the hair he had just touched and feeling it. "What'd you do." Omi suddenly squint at him.
"What?" He frowned confused as Omi's thin fingers examined his hair like he'd poisoned it.
"What did you do!!? What did you put in my hair!?" Omi demanded.
"What!?" He exclaimed quietly. "Nothing! I don't have anything to put in your hair!" He raised his hands, and Omi looked at them. The boys eyes were frantically running over him and his palms skeptically before feeling other spots he had touched as though suspicious he had poisoned those too. "Why are you so defensive!" he snapped. "Why would I put something in your hair? I thought we were friends!?" He said giving Omi an insulted look.
"We were." Omi hissed.
"I thought we were, as in now. Current friends. Instead I get accused of putting something in your hair? Don't you think that's sort of ridiculous?" He frowned shoving Omi's pillow at the thin body and wife beater. "If your so suspicious I am trying to destroy you while you sleep why don't you just sleep on the floor."
"No! Why don't you sleep on the floor!" Omi shot back and he got mad when the pillow he shoved flew back and smacked him in the face. "I can sleep here. This is my side!"
"Yeah well I am older than you Omi, so you better get out of this bed or apologize for insulting me."
"Bite me Ken." Omi hissed through grit teeth. Little eyes squinting at him both scared and self-protective before almost jumping up as he shoved the pillow back.
"Get on the floor." He ordered pointed to the floor and watching Omi's face start caving. Omi wasn't going to be able to put up a good front for long. "Now." he demanded pointing to the side of the bed. "Get on the floor or apologize." To both of them his order to get on the floor was symbolic. It meant he was in control, he would dominate the room. Omi knew it, and that's why the boy made no move to listen to him, he just looked back. Slowly loosing control of his chest, and letting it hitch a few times. "Than apologize." He offered keeping his eyes locked with Omi's as the blue color slowly welled with tears. Omi didn't know what to do, but he wouldn't get on the floor. The boy didn't mean to make him so mad he just…was so used to being harassed. Omi was so cautious now, so suspicious of everything.
He turned to the soft knock on the door before blinking as Yohji came in. The blonde's smile washing away when he got a look at them and their expressions.
He turned back to Omi, dropping his hand slightly. What was he doing? This wasn't like him. "Omi?" He reached forward and Omi jumped away like he thought he'd be struck. Omi quickly scrambled up and pushed past Yohji running out.
"Omi!" Yohji called after the boy but Omi ignored it and Yohji's -What'd you do- facial slump slowly turned to him. "Ken." Yohji stated his name almost accusingly so and he sighed.
"I don't know. He, well first he was mad about what I asked downstairs about having single rooms. Than he said I was weird for sleeping to close to him so I…I…"
"-You told him to get on the floor didn't you." Yohji asked with a sigh, the blonde knew him too well now. He didn't answer. "Didn't you?" Yohji asked again and he nodded. "Good job Ken. Way to welcome the squirt home." Yohji commemorated him gently and he frowned.
"Well how would you like it if he called you weird!" He snapped. "You should have seen his face." He growled getting up as Yohji just sat down on the side of his bed.
"If you ask me, their going to think we're both weird but I don't care." Yohji snort. "I still wouldn't have kicked him out of the bed."
"Shut up Yohji." he sighed frustrated. "We already know you're the saint and I am not ok." He snapped and Yohji turned to him with a lazy eyebrow raised. "Ok I am sorry. I just stressed."
"I can see that Ken." Yohji sighed again, watching him get up and pace.
"I don't think I can stay here." He suddenly spit but Yohji didn't say anything. "It just feels to weird. Like I stick out. We both stick out. You know I always thought that…if something happened and…we ever all got to see each other again. It would be Aya who…would make me feel that. Instead it's Omi. It's like he's changed. He's so different." Yohji nodded slightly he had noticed the change but was going to let him get this off his chest. "He's so defensive. He actually accused me of putting something in his hair a second ago. What's his problem?"
"We've all got problems KenKen."
"Yeah well I don't need his. So he should just shut up and deal with them." He snapped before he stopped pacing. He couldn't believe he just said that. That was his temper, not who he was talking. "I am sorry." He apologized.
"Don't apologize to me." Yohji said and he turned to the blonde. Yohji was still patiently waiting for him to finish. The blonde was already aware it was his temper which had spoken. "I am not the one you tried to kick onto the floor."
"Ahh damnt." He scowled crossing his arms over his chest and sighing. "I guess I'll apologize when he comes back then." He concluded
"You mean if he comes back Ken." Yohji said.
"Of course he's coming back." He snapped giving Yohji a look. "Where else is he going to sleep. This is his room."
"You didn't seem to want him in it. A second ago you thought this was your room. Are you trying to lay claim like we did on the streets Ken?" His eyes widened when Yohji said that. Oh my god, that's exactly what he was doing. Yohji was right. He had found something good. The bed, warmth, and was trying to take it like he would on the streets. Challenge Omi for the bed he was supposed to share with the kid. "Ken?"
"…Why am I so stupid." He groaned and Yohji smiled. "He probably thinks I hate him or something."
"Or something." Yohji grunted, standing up and starting for the door. "Look I'd love to stay, but I have to force myself to sleep with Aya again. That is what we're supposed to do, you understand?"
"Yeah." He nodded. Yohji was letting him know he would miss him, and felt just as awkward as he did before he left. He sighed heavily, walking over and sitting on the edge of his bed. Glancing at the clock, it was going on nine forty now. He sighed waiting another ten minutes before looking up as the doorknob slowly twist. Then the door opened silently before Omi looked in. Apparently trying to see if he was asleep before giving up, and just quickly walking in ignoring him when the boy caught him sitting there looking back.
He stood up and started for the door before shutting it and turning around in front of it. Stopping Omi dead from where the thin boy was going to walk back out. Omi had just come to get his pillow and extra blanket, just what he figured.
"Omi." The blue eyes took a step back when he looked up at them. "I want to apologize. I was, you wouldn't understand what I was doing but I am sorry. I want you to stay." He said glancing up, but Omi's face didn't look convinced. "Please…stay." He tried.
"Move Ken." Omi ordered but he didn't and he didn't even budge when Omi tried to shove him aside before backing up as he went to touch him.
"I am sorry ok. You can't hold it to me if I am apologizing." He argued and Omi's face fell with a bit of his forgiveness. "I am sorry Omi it's just…I have this habit of trying to…take what I know I'll need from people around me." Omi's face scrunched to a -What!?- "It's a recently acquired habit." He quickly spit. "I am going to fix it." He reassured. "I really would like you to stay. To be honest I don't think I could sleep in that bed alone. I am so used to sleeping with people." Omi took a fast tense step back. "With people near me I mean." He quickly corrected, watching the blue eyes continue to skeptically study him. "That it would just freak me out." He said giving Omi a soft smile from where the thin boy stood in his robe, holding his pillow. "Ok?" He smiled a little brighter. "I am sorry, and I do want to…be your friend now." Omi's eyes hardened instantly, as if when he asked to be a friend, he had asked for Omi to stand still so he could kick him. "Omi What?" He side glanced for a second, he thought he was doing good. "I mean...what…Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Ken-kun." Omi muttered and his face went slack when he heard that. He had never heard something so nice. "Promise me you won't…your just saying you want to be my friend so you can pretend to like me and then spread everything I tell you."
"What?" He choked surprised as Omi squint at him.
"Is that what your doing!?" Omi squint at him accusingly. "Cause I am not going to fall for it a second time!"
He blinked. A second time? "Someone did that to you Omi?" He asked his voice sympathetic, and truly sorry, and Omi's eyes widened slightly. Like the boy was temporarily unsure of what to do know that he had accidentally devolved information. "At your school?" Omi looked away. "Cause I never did that Omi. I'll never do that." He reassured softly.
"Ken-kun." Omi breathed his name out in a cringe and he smiled. Omi's defensive tone had disappeared and suddenly sounded so sweet and vulnerable. All he wanted to do know was hug the thin figure in front of him, but Omi quickly backed up when he took a step forward. The boy was a bit startled with his sudden advance and dropped something to the floor. They both looked down with the sound of it hitting the wood, but it was too dark near the floor to really see what fell.
"I got it." He offered casually, his eyes squinting trying to see what it was as Omi looked into his hands and stuff he held. The boy's eyes widening slightly when he realized what he was missing, what he dropped.
"No! I got it Ken!" Omi quickly reassured just as he bent over and grabbed the little bottle. He was standing up with it when Omi's hand shot at his and tried to yank it away. On instinct his fist tightened, concealing the little thing, and keeping it in his possession. "Ken!" Omi breathed his name out desperate. "Please give that to me Ken."
"What is it?" He frowned, moving to open his hand but Omi's second dropped his pillow and stuff and slapped over his.
"Ken! Jusst…Give it to me please Ken-kun. Please can I just have it!" Omi was whining desperately, the boy's thin fingers worming into his as he relaxed his grip slightly. "Please Ken-kun, I'll sleep on the floor." Omi's blue eyes looked down, surrendering to him as his hands tugged slightly. "I'll sleep where you tell me Ken-kun just…can't I have it?"
He frowned at the soft whining, gently letting his hand relax so Omi could grab what it was. He couldn't image what was so important, and small Omi would have surrendered for, and such a fast surrender too. "No." He shook his head. "I want you to sleep where you want. I am not going to take this, you can have it." He muttered and Omi's distressed blue eyes looked up at him as though skeptical before nodding while his hands became more aggressive. Omi's fingers wrapping around the thing and one of his fingers and prying it from his lax grip. "Here." He loosened his hand completely and Omi snatched the thing from him. Keeping it concealed within his fists before ducking away with it. Nodding a small -thanks- as he went back to his bag and buried it inside. "Can I ask…what it is?" He asked and Omi side glanced at him uneasy. His mouth gapping for an excuse, Omi didn't look like he wanted to tell him. "Never mind Omi." He quickly reassured and Omi's eyes locked on his searching for a trick. "It's not my business." He climbed back into the bed, giving the thin boy a smile as he covered up and put the pillows back where they went.
Omi came over immediately, the boy looked worn out with all of this. Omi quickly climbed back into bed an lay down on his back looking over to him as he stared up to the ceiling. "Where did you go Ken? For the last month." Omi asked quietly.
He smiled, bitterly. "Everywhere. You wouldn't believe some of the places I've been." He muttered and Omi was quiet for a minute before muttering a small -What-what kind of places? He turned to the blue eyes, they were sleepy, but looking at him. "The worst kind. Why? You been anywhere special?"
Omi's face saddened with the question. "No where."
"Were you at the school for the last month?" he watched the blue eyes nod, laying still as he ran a hand onto his shoulder. "Sorry." He whispered and Omi's eyes just closed for a moment before reopening and looking at him. "Hopefully, we can all stay here now."
"I hate it here to now Ken." Omi whispered and he frowned. "I don't think I can stay here." his eyebrows shot up when Omi said exactly what he said a few minutes ago. "I feel weird here Ken-kun. I know I never fit in before but now, I really feel weird here now. I don't want to stay because…because it was hard enough leaving last time. What if we're here for six months or-or a year or something before they say they don't need us again. I-I don't think I'll be able to go back I-I don't want to." He nodded immediately, watching Omi's face scrunch upset as he fell asleep talking. "I hate it, hate everything…hate everyone…cause they all hate me."
"Omi." He grabbed the boy's shoulders and Omi quickly snapped back to life startled. "That's not true, I don't hate you. I do not hate you, and I know Yohji doesn't hate you. Or Aya either."
Omi just looked at him, dully. "Your exceptions. The three exceptions to my life." Omi muttered unimpressed and his mouth fell open. "In my school, we did an exercise a sociology excercise. How humans interact with other humans through emotion. It was supposed to be for fun, to find out how much of an impact you've hand on others lives. What you did was, consider if you died how many people would come to your funeral…How many people would actually miss you when you were gone. My teacher said if you had ten sure people you were doing great."
"Omi." He frowned.
"Do you know how many I had Ken?" he shook his head, not because he wanted to know, but because he didn't know what to say.
"None." Omi whispered saddened. "I thought about putting you guys but then it occurred to me if I did die, no one would know how to contact you. So you didn't even count, cause you would never have known."
"No Omi." He shook his head at the soft monotone talking. "Your wrong, your…your thinking the same way I am."
Omi's eyes both frowned and brightened at the same time. "Your thinking the way I am?"
"Yeah! Before you came in, I said the exact same thing to-" He stopped as their door opened and Yohji came in with his pillow. "Yohji! Didn't I just tell you that I felt odd here. Like I stuck out?"
"Move over Ken. I am sleeping with you." Yohji muttered with eyes at half mass. "Aya finally fell asleep." the blonde shoved him, watching him start moving over with Omi.
"Yohji! Didn't I just say that!?" He nudged Yohji's shoulder as the blonde lay down looking at both of them like they were idiots for still being awake.
"Said what?" Yohji slurred.
"Said I felt odd here, like I stuck out. That I didn't think I could stay." He asked and Yohji nodded making Omi brightened further. "See." He turned to the blue eyes with a smile. "Maybe we all feel that way, maybe that's why we're not getting along."
"No." Yohji cut in sitting up some. "What you have to understand Omi is that, Ken's just like that. He's always pissing and moaning, for as long as I've known him that's what he does." Yohji explained with a serious tone before winking at him and he grinned. "Especially within the last month. Yohji I am hungry, Yohji I am cold, I have to piss, I want to get laid."
"No I never said that." He grinned shaking his head immediately as Omi cracked a smile.
"Your right it was more like…Yohji I *need* to get laid." He grinned as Yohji whined out the phrase now. "Yooohji I need to get Laaaid Sooo baaaaad."
"Shut up." He gave Yohji a playful shove, watching the blonde just chuckle and lay back. Wrapping himself in blankets before snuggling closer to him. He lay back with the feeling, watching Omi look at the way they were sleeping as though realizing he wasn't lying before. Omi was still skeptical with what he had said, but after watching Yohji, Omi seemed to let it go. "There a.." He muttered turning to Omi and the boy looked at him. "There might not be a lot of room, do you want me to move so…you can have space?" He offered Omi a smile. He didn't want to make the boy upset if he got to close to him again.
"No." Omi smiled with his question. "I'll be fine Ken-kun. I won't mind at all." Omi reassured and he nodded as Omi lay down next to him so their arms were touching. Purposely reinforcing his statement when there was enough room for them not touch at all. He smiled, as Omi slowly took his hand with a sigh. It was a gesture of friendship and brotherly affection, and Omi smiled when he squeezed back. He closed his eyes satisfied, now he could definitely get some sleep.
…..
Suddenly the door knob turned, and they all looked at the door as it opened and Aya came in frowning. "Why are you all sleeping in here?" Aya asked walking right to the side of the bed and crossing his arms with a frown demanding an explanation.
"Ahh…You see Aya." Yohji grinned immediately because he was thee most guilty and Aya cocked an eyebrow eager to hear just what they'd say. "Omi here was…." Yohji trailed. "You see Ken here was telling this story about a ghost, an old woman and a hooker and Omi got so upset, I…I had to come in and calm them both down." Yohji explained before planting a wide innocent grin across his features.
Aya frowned skeptically. "A ghost, old woman, and hooker?"
"Yes!" Yohji chocked a laughed answer. "It was like this, there once was…a man…named Thomas….and…"Yohji glanced at him as though for help but he only shrugged. "And the man wanted to get laid sooo baaaad so he went to this house where…woman of the night congregate. And hired one." Aya made a face, but he didn't interrupt. "So this…horny horny horny bastard hired this beautiful cake of a girl and brought her upstairs. But as soon as….he got in the bed with her…her beautiful front…ahh…melted! And-and she became this old woman. Now! Understandably the guy was horrified, and I mean horrified." He stifled a laugh, with Omi as Yohji started adding hand motions of disgust. "So horrified he almost threw up in her face. Which would have been very un-cool so it's a good thing he didn't." Yohji threw Omi a smile, since Omi was the one of their group notorious for throwing up on people. "But he was sooo horny, and I mean sooo horny plus he already had it out."
"Ahh Yohji." He grimaced a wave at the laughing blonde.
"He decided…what the hell…I already paid I just won't look at her face."
"Ahh! Yohji!" He grimaced louder, and Aya made a face with Omi.
"So he gets ready and that's when the most horrifying thing happened. The part that…you know got...Ken, I mean Omi so upset and the reason why *I* obviously had to…you know come in and set things straight." Yohji grinned, nodding at Aya who was still arms crossed at the side of the bed frowning.
"…So what happened?" Aya asked after a moment of silence.
"Oh!" Yohji laughed. "Well the guy realized he was dead! And therefore couldn't have her anyway. Hence the description of the ghost, old woman, and hooker. It just ah runs backwards, so you can't guess how…the story goes. The horny bastard is denied sex forever Hahah!" Yohji laughed before they all turned and smiled up at Aya with wide innocent grins.
Aya stood there for a moment looking at them. Silent, and still frowning before shifting his weight, sighing and finally muttering a. "Move over, I am sleeping in here too."
"Hahah!" He laughed and Omi joined in.
"I told you it was scary!" Yohji grinned, scooting over towards them as Aya squeezed in.
"It was." Aya frowned laying down with a heavy sigh.
They all managed to fit with the exception he and Yohji were pretty much one person now, but he didn't care and neither did Yohji. Omi had the most room a he closed his eyes with a satisfied smile for the ceiling. He was tired, and relaxed, *finally* he could get some sleep. Somehow they managed the night in the bed comfortable until they woke up. At which point Aya scowled over the fact he had lost his pillow, never mind it was down there with Yohji's as well. Omi had no blankets and was cold, even though the boys legs were comfortably using his body as a prop while Omi's body twisted to a slant, which cramped Aya. Yohji was the only one without complaint. Like always, easy going, not a shred of dignity and only concerned with getting Omi to fetch his cigarettes. Which after twenty minutes of poking, rewarded in one, crushed, filthy package containing two bent cancer sticks being tossed in Yohji's general direction.
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Hehe! Well the Ghost, Old Women, and Hooker was kinda random. Hope you liked it, please leave a review for me so I know what ya think and what you guys wanna read! I'll have more chapters up soon! Ja!