--Recap from Chapter 14 -------------------------------------------------------------------------
The car stopped, and Mr. Brine gave them a smile. Watching them pick up their duffle bags and hop out, before turning around. Making sure they wouldn't miss any directions or anything, but Mr. Brine only smiled and point a "Behave" finger at them before driving off.
"Well." He sighed turning towards the building they were dropped in front of. It had two stories, no one told them exactly where to go or what to say. "Guess we'll just go in and look around."
"Or buy some coffee."
"What?" He turned to Omi who only pointed to the sign. They were in front of a coffee shop.
"Hey! Maybe this is like…our flower shop! Only they have a coffee shop." He grinned, excited he got this before sighing at Omi's -You think- look the boy held because he had also silently come to that obvious conclusion. "Shut up." He playfully shoved the skinny boy and walked by, so Omi would have to hurry to keep up with him, which he did with a smile. Opening the coffee shop door and walking in only a step before the smell hit him and he had to stop and smile. "Man I am thinking.."
"We got hosed Ken-kun." Omi finished his sentence and he nodded with a sleepy grin. This place looked worlds better than the dirt and crap they dealt with at home. However, the minute Omi said his name, two guys a little older than him looked up from behind the counter. "Ken-kun." Omi nudged him as though to point this out, but he just started forward.
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Chapter 15
Ground Zero
DivineAngel
"Hey." He grinned, leaning into the counter like maybe he'd buy something. "I am looking for a Mr. Clarke." He watched the boy smile at him, leaning into the counter as well to imitate. So he was inches from his face with a playful smirking grin. A cunning depth running from his jade eyes as he looked at him, like he was seeing more than the portion of his face reflected back. The guys hair was short, cut to his head, but it looked as though it were growing out, and the top had been spiked in just the slightest fashion. As though the boy could have stepped from the shower that mourning, ran his dampened hand through those carroty strands and never once touched them again. The overall appearance to this guy was immense, a sly, crafty awe that made you slowly repeated each sentence you planned to say inside your head for fear he'd either already know or immediately prove you wrong.
"Why are you looking for him little White Rabbit?"
He pulled back from the counter immediately, a little wide eyed with the voice he recognized. His eyes leaving the face for the body that on this encounter was no longer hidden in black cloth. It was a strong form, not tight and buff like Aya, but more like him. Muscles that were worth the curves they provided, but not so visible he looked like some freak body builder. The guy's chest was firm and strong, his torso winding down like Yohji's. In fact the guy was rather lanky no matter how toned he was. Just a simple white button up shirt, jeans and apron looking at him. Waiting for his answer and enjoying his stunned silence until Omi reappeared at his side from where he had wondered away to look at all the coffee deserts.
"Hi." The guy turned to Omi immediately, watching the blue eyes smile. "We're looking for a Mr. Clarke, is he here?"
"You must be Omi." The guy smiled suddenly, extending his hand to Omi whom seemed ever so delighted to be there, and the guy seemed ever so amused with this. "Yes, I know where he is."
"Great." Omi smiled, briefly shaking the strong hand before watching him imitate. The guys grip was smooth, and almost mesmerizing. It hardly held your hand, and yet it felt as though if he suddenly needed to harness the strength to hold you there, you'd never break free from his grip. "This is Ken." There was a silent pause until Omi introduced him because he never introduced himself.
"Yeah." He quickly spoke, geez it was like he was lulling to sleep watching this guys eyes. "Hidaka, where's Mr. Clarke?"
The head of carroty strains nodded to the right slightly. "In the back, come around the counter and there you shall be brought." Omi smiled slightly with the sly tone and wink the guy sent them as they slipped under the counter and started following the stroll to the back room of cups and dishwashers and coffee beans. "Sir!" an older man like Mr. Brine turned around. Looking at them immediately because they were foreign in the back room and nodding as the guy said. "The other team is here." Mr. Clarke smiled at them, extending his hand to Omi as he glanced at the guy. Never once did he tell him they were the other team, nor did he ever remember mentioning Omi's name.
"Wonderful to be meeting you, I am Mr. Clarke." A firm grip took his hand and he nodded back. "Your Hidaka?" He nodded before Mr. Clarke turned to Omi and muttered and your "Tus-Tuskeeyono?"
"Tsukiyono." Omi repeat while nodding, indirectly correcting his name while managing to agree at the same time. Mr. Clarke looked amused with the tactic as he studied the thin fifteen year old for a moment before turning back to the guy who'd brought them in.
"Royce take them upstairs will you. Show them their room, I'll be right there." Mr. Clarke said and the guy nodded, before starting for the back stairs and they followed. Funny, he just now realized the guy never introduced himself, where before he hadn't even felt the slightest bit curious to know the name.
"This is our apartment." The guy opened the door with a smile. "As you can see it is above the coffee shop, hence the good aroma." Omi smiled, the boy seemed to be amused with the guys speech. "Your room is this way." they followed inward past a basic living room. Furniture about the same as theirs, only it was painted a deep green. Upward past the living room was a small hall of four doors. "This is my room, I share with Jei, he's downstairs. Your rooms here." Their door was opened and they fallowed the guy in. Letting their duffle bags slip to the floor as they looked around. The room was drastically different from their old room. All tope with gray carpeting, two twin beds on each side and end of the room. A desk and dresser in the middle on opposite walls, and some shelving under the windows. "Put clothes or anything you want to unpack under your beds here." The guy lifted the bedspread some and the bottom of the bed was made of heavy wooden drawers. "There aren't any closets, aside from the coat one…but you aren't wearing coats."
"We share this room?" Omi asked watching the carroty strands stand up slowly with a smile that eyed Omi's thin figure.
"It would appear as such, wouldn't it." Omi looked away, as though trying to decipher if he were being insulted with the comment.
"Ok well…do we have to…do anything? Can we unpack now?" He asked.
"Do we Have To Do Anything." They all turned to the doorway where Mr. Clarke was standing. The guy was smiling slightly, but like Mr. Brine he held a steel impression that made you wonder how well you could take him. "You sound like Mr. Brine's students alright. That man never ceases to amaze me with his failure to enforce proper manners." he and Omi frowned immediately. For some reason hearing Mr. Brine insulted was like the man directly insulting them to their face.
"For your information we have fine manners. We were just asking a question." Omi said, still annoyed, but Mr. Clarke just grunt at them.
"Alright than fine, you can both stop frowning and relax. The apocalypse isn't coming boys. And don't worry about your little memo, I got that too."
"What memo sir?" the guy whom brought them in asked curious, and he was mentally beating himself with a stick to try and remember the guys name.
"The memo that says these two here are working on a different scale of discipline, and I am supposed to set my standards for them accordingly." The guy frowned annoyed, giving them both looks. "So! According to the memo, and some of your instructors own notes, Tusk or whatever your name is as soon as we're done here you'll work four of the toughest coffee hours of your life for your last comment." Omi frowned but didn't argue. "As for what you should both do. Yes, I have scheduled in time for you to unpack. Did Royce show you where to put all your stuff?" They both nodded. Oh yeah, Royce that was his name. "Good. Do whatever you want, than you'll work downstairs with the others. Royce will show you what to do, and you can ask him anything you want or need help with." Mr. Clarke threw Royce a firm look as the guy started getting annoyed he would have to help them. "Rules around this house are basically as simple as yours. If you behave you won't find yourself in any trouble. Don't break things, don't vandalize, or destroy anything. Don't flood, set fires, traps, or leave surprises for any of your teammates unless it's their birthday and it's safe, harmless, and appropriate in everyway. Dinner is at six o'clock and it's mandatory. I don't care what your story is, or what's happened over the course of the day, your butt is to be at that table when the hands on the kitchen clock change or your in a whole world of trouble." The nodded slightly when the man paused his firm tone, and he tried to think of a time when Mr. Brine had ever been so specific with directions. These were crazy, who would vandalize or set fire to their own house? "You can not take things from the kitchen without asking, even if you put them back when your done mutilating them. Do Not cut things up, and that goes for everything. All the knives are counted every night so I don't expect to find any missing. There will be no name calling, or bulling, you can not tie any one up, or harass anyone in any way. You must perform all the chores given to you, or work at them till your done. Lunch and breakfast you guys can make yourself, we don't have scheduled times for those. You can not build anything dangerous at all. Tusk-"
"-Tsukiyono." Omi repeated a little annoyed the guy couldn't get his name right.
"Tsukiyono I hear you like computers and things? Mr. Brine said gadgets?" Omi nodded. "One of the team members here shares that interest, and you are to follow the same rules as him. You can not build anything that can possibly harm anyone, or any system. If I find you hacking into security systems, particularly this or our security systems I'll beat the life out of you before I send you home and write you up for everything I possibly can. Do you understand that?"
"Yes sir." Omi obediently answered as quick as possible. His face shocked as if he had just been accused of doing these things.
"Good." Mr. Clarke nodded. "Bed is at ten. What do you two normally wear?"
"Umm…anything ranging from just our boxers to t-shirts and pj pants sir." He answered.
Mr. Clarke nodded slightly, as though considering this. "Well my boys aren't allowed to wear that yet because they haven't earned it. So try not to wear too much or you'll make them feel underdressed." Omi snickered a little before taking a step towards him when Royce sent him a cold look. "Now bathroom routine I've totally given up on. So it's first come first serve, and we don't have endless hot water. There isn't a lock on the door so I'd advice you to prepare yourself, but I shouldn't have to referee you boys like your three and line you up to take a shower. So deal with it yourselves and just work it out." They both nodded. That shouldn't be hard, it was never a problem back home. Unless Yohji refused to get out of the shower, but those were rare occasions. Like when he was grounded and couldn't see Azuka, so they just kinda let that go. It was understandable. "Do you have any questions?"
"What time do we get up?" Omi asked.
"Six. And you have to run two miles everyday." He made a face. "Is that not to your fancy Hidaka?"
"No it's fine I guess." He shrugged slightly, they were only going to be there for four days, it wouldn't kill him to run two extra mornings.
"Good." Mr. Clarke nodded at them, starting back for the hall. "Than let me know if you have any other problems, you have a half hour to unpack and come downstairs. And Tsukiyono! Your to come right to me."
"Yes sir." Omi nodded before sighing as the guy disappeared. They each grabbed their bags and both turned to Royce whom was still standing there.
"So did you guys bring anything good?" Royce asked with a smile.
"Like what?" He frowned slightly, shifting his duffle bag to his shoulder.
"Anything good you could smuggle through your bag checks."
"We don't have bag checks." Omi said sounding baffled with the concept.
Royce frowned for a second. "It's not a custom?"
"Funny I thought it was a courteously." Omi answered with a frown heading towards one of the beds before abruptly stopping and turning to him.
"Go ahead, I'll take whatever one you don't want." He said shrugging, he didn't care.
"Well which do you want?" Omi asked, pointing to both.
He shrugged again. "Doesn't matter." Omi nodded and chose the bed closest to the door and began pulling the drawers out from under it to unpack. "So is it nice to run a coffee shop?" He asked and Royce turned to his question from where the guy was watching Omi after their conversation like he was disgusted in some way.
"Enjoyable?" He nodded. "Define what you find enjoyable Hidaka."
"I am Ken." He gave the guy his first name with a short smile. "I like sports. Soccer. Do you play?"
"Play soccer?"
"Excuse me. Why do you repeat what we say?" Omi suddenly asked and Royce's face went sort of slack as he slowly turned to Omi. Omi's bright blue eyes were watching the guy however, content to stand and wait for an answer he honestly wanted.
"Why do I repeat you?" Royce asked and Omi nodded when the guy repeated the question. "Because you are confusing to me."
"What country are you from?" He frowned slightly, ok there was definitely an accent to the guys words, he wanted to know what it was.
"It's nationality, what nationality are you Ken-kun." Omi corrected turning to him with a smile.
"Yeah he knows what I meant." He sighed but Royce looked more dumbfounded.
"Can I ask…are you gay?"
"Me!?" Omi exclaimed turning to Royce with widened eyes. "Or…" Omi trailed pointing to him slightly.
"I meant both of you. Are you lovers?"
He dropped his bag. "Is that supposed to be funny!?" Omi just made a face as he took a few steps to the guys and frowned.
"Actually it was curiosity, sorry I misconstrued. I just became consumed with the way you communicated." Royce answered with a sly grin.
"Are you like some type of weird dictionary? What's with the big words. And No we're not gay."
"Your not?"
"Stop repeating me!" He yelled, but the guy only looked amused and maybe a little happy he was so mad. "That's what I said isn't it, unless your deaf."
"No I am not." He growled a little annoyed taking a step back and slamming his bag onto his bed. "We're friends."
"Friends?" The guy repeated and he grit his teeth. Omi had been relatively quiet through all of this and was just watching them. "Your just friends?" Royce asked again and Omi answered a -Yes, just friends- from where he stood. "That's a shame." Royce suddenly sighed. "To communicate like that, and not spend time in love…" Royce trailed with his darkening expression. His eyes turning to little slits as he pushed into Royce's face, daring the guy to say another word. "He'd fit so nicely underneath you too." Royce suddenly chuckled before laughing as he grabbed the guys shirt and shoved him back a step. "Haha Hostile! I am sorry, I did not realize he was the one on top! Haha!"
He threw himself at the guy in one wild swoop and Royce was up against the wall with that grin in his face.
"Ken-kun!" Omi attached to him in a second. "Let it go. Don't listen to him." Omi spit frowning at Royce. "Let it go, remember why we're here." Omi whispered slightly, the boys hateful glare leaving Royce and gently turning to him. "Ken-kun?"
"Fuck off." He spit to Royce backing up, but not before shoving the guy good. "Get out of here, before I do something about it." He growled, glaring as Royce chuckled, straightened his shirt and quietly left. "What a freak." He spit, marching back to his bag and ripping it up. "Doesn't it bother you he said that stuff!?" He snapped looking over to Omi who was watching him cautiously.
"Of course." Omi answered bitterly. "But I know he's full of it, so…."Omi trailed, shrugging slightly and he nodded.
"Your right." He sighed, Omi was right. Royce was just being a dick, he didn't need Mr. Brine's phone to be ringing so the man could hear how he started a fight, and Omi mouthed off the second they got there. Not only would they get in trouble with Mr. Clarke for that, but he could already see Mr. Brine's disapproving look waiting for them to get home. He didn't want that. He honestly didn't want to disappoint the man.
After they unpacked they went down to the coffee shop and for him it was a little discouraging to have Omi suddenly separated from him and sent to the back room to wash stuff as he was moved up front with Royce. Working behind the counter and taking orders with a much more pleasant attitude then the guy he was working with. The guy seemed patient, but didn't seem to really be enjoying his work in any way as he took and answered orders with routine, rather than a smile. Since they arrived kind of late because of, what happened with Yohji he only got a chance to work in the open shop for three hours, but Mr. Clarke said he was a natural with the customers. Only when the closed shop did he finally got his opportunity to see the rest of the place.
It was only the front room that looked nice, like the flower shop. A nice coffee ed counter top with glass display cases of pastries and coffee treats, before the wallpapered room the customers were in. Another soft coffee brown with squiggly black lines going up the wall and small metal tables and chairs. It was interesting, and smelled like nice warm coffee, a neato change from the smell of fresh cut flowers which pricked you. Behind the counter area which was in the main room was the back room. This room was not so stylish, like the greenhouse of the flower shop it was kinda messy and it was where all the coffee was made, and all the dishes washed. "Well this was a good first day for you Hidaka." Mr. Clarke said approvingly when he walked into the back
"Thanks sir." He smiled and the man nodded. "Same for Tsukiyono, he has a rather determined spirit." Mr. Clarke chuckled.
"He's a good fighter too sir, just a little small." He added.
"Small is right." Royce grunt at his comment immediately, but the guy wasn't insulting or joking, he was serious. "Like a pea, between your fingers. Lush and gentle." Royce mused and he ignored the comment, the fact a person could ever be lush and gentle like a vegetable was something that had never dawned on him so he didn't answer. On the other hand Mr. Clarke seemed oblivious to the words, and the fact Omi looked half dead to him when he finally saw the boy.
"Hi." He grinned into the dishwashing room, and Omi looked up at him from one of the sinks where he had been scrubbing large parts of the coffee machines all day.
"Ken-kun." He got a smile, but it was an exhausted exhaled one. "This is…" Omi started looking around before spotting the second little figure which came in carrying a tray filled with dishes. "Nagi."
"Hey." He waved at the small boy, but he only stopped when their eyes met and stared back. He looked much younger than Omi, and much smaller as well. "My name is Ken."
"Nagi." The boy answered nodding to him before continuing by and he just shrugged and turned to Omi.
"He doesn't talk much, seems shy but he's nice." Omi said giving him another exhausted smile and pause to catch his breath and turn to him. "How was your first day Ken-kun?"
"Fine I guess. It's kinda….weird around here." He whispered and Omi quickly nodded.
"Jei kept watching me, he's creeping me out a little."
"Jei?" He frowned confused before watching Omi nod to the tall thin figure that came in with a small bag of coffee mix and went right to the piping hot coffee maker and added the grinds before turning to them. Eyeing him as though he were an eyesore in the kitchen before walng over.
"Who are you." Je asked, stopping directly in front of him.
"Hi I am Ken." He extended his hand and the guy took it. Smiling at him as he gently rubbed his thumb into his hand before he pulled back.
"You take very good care of your skin."
"Ah…Thanks" He mustered a lop sided, something of a smile, but the guy smiled back. This one seemed weirder than Royce. He was tall, taller probably with a thin form that wasn't lanky, just thin. White hair that was sloppily added to his head and piercing eyes that glared at him even with a glance. Jei seemed quiet too, something he'd noticed about everyone here. No one was overly friendly like Omi, or overly loud like Yohji, they were all quiet…glare-ers. "What are you doing!" Jei barked at Omi, ripping the thin body back from the sink by his wrist and messing with the water knobs.
"I was washing!" Omi yelled back in defense watching the guys eyes flick up. Pointing to the small drain…thing that was sticking out and Omi sighed. "I didn't notice it popped out. I was busy."
"Busy not paying attention. Come here." Jei ordered and he moved out of the way, the guy was strangely calm when he yelled. Giving Omi harsh orders, without the slightest bit of irritation. At first he almost freaked when the guy shoved Omi back hard enough to make the thin boy fall, but the guy kept a steadying grip on Omi's wrist to keep he from slipping, while ordering him with force. "Mistakes do not happen to the dead do you know why?" Jei shoved Omi back in front of the sink and steadied the large pot in it. "Turn on the water." Omi did, watching the pot fill a little. "Now go ahead and wash it."
Omi sighed, rolling his eyes before grabbing the washcloth and reaching in. "AHH!" Omi ripped his hands out immediately, cringing with the reddened burning that had wrapped itself around his fingers and palms.
"You can not die more than once." Jei said, as though Omi burning his hands should have answered the question for him. "Mistakes are a plague for life small boy." Jei spoke into Omi's cringing face as the boy shook his hands in the air. "You'll be fine now." Jei grunt, patting Omi's shoulder for a moment before walking away. "You won't forget the knob now that you've been burnt by it. Always Remember the little knob or the water gets too hot for you!" Jei called back as he left, laughing a bit.
Omi stood there frowning, watching the guy leave before scowling as he disappeared. "Damnt. I should have watched this stupid knob!" He sighed as Omi slammed the small knob in with his palm before flicking on the water and running his hands under the cold trickles. He reached for Omi's arm to see the injury. "I am not burned." Omi yanked from his grasp and grabbed the washcloth again. "You don't have to watch over me while we're here Ken-kun." The blue eyes shot him a scolding look. "I can do it fine."
"You look tired." He stated, and Omi grunt at his comment, continuing to wash for about a minute before muttering an -I am.- into the sink as he added more soap and water. "When can you stop?""When I am told I can." Omi spit bitterly, scrubbing harder for a moment with his irritation. "I never should have mouthed off like that about our manners. It just slipped out when I wasn't thinking." He nodded, even though Omi wasn't looking at him. "If Yohji-kun's not home Ken-kun." Omi turned to him suddenly. "Do you think we can call the hospital and see if…." Omi trailed, watching his face which he quickly tried to make look reassuring after it started sinking to a -like hell.- He could just envision the nurses hanging up on them with some bullshit excuse about Yohji needing rest . When in reality what Yohji would really need, would be to hear their voices, or see their faces.
"I don't know." He sighed. "I guess we could try." He shrugged before turning to the back-room door that opened.
"I am washing!" Omi yelled over to Mr. Clarke who came in and looked at them.
"You're a determined little thing aren't you Tsukiyono?" Mr. Clarke laughed, watching Omi scrub away at his pot with disgust.
He could see Omi grit his teeth into the sink with the comment before a soft "Yes Sir." answered with only the slightest hint of the boys true irritation.
"Well then rinse that off and dry up. I've worked you enough son." Mr. Clarke said and Omi dropped the pot on instant and turned on the water to rinse it. "I hope your both hungry, and ready to just eat pizza because we didn't make any dinner for you today." Mr. Clarke informed, but he grinned immediately.
"Pizza sounds great sir." he smiled, pizza was a treat in their house. Mr. Brine insisted they make everything, and even had to make some things from scratch. Pizza would be a great treat, he hadn't had some in about eight months.
"Glad to hear it." Mr. Clarke said before swatting Omi in the back, and smiling as the hard impact made the boy cough for a moment before shakily turning to the man unsure if he had just done something wrong and was smacked, or simply swatted with amusement. "Hurry up! Tsukiyono!" Mr. Clarke smiled, watching Omi's thin pink hands place the pot on the counter to dry and rip his apron off before following them upstairs while wiping the back of his hands on his pants.
The minute he got upstairs to the apartment he could smell the pizza and it made him crazy. He definitely wanted some. The small kitchen table had two take out boxes, with a stack of plates, cups and litter of soda. "Can we eat right away?" He asked looking around for the clock, but Mr. Clarke nodded so he gave up trying to find one and walked to a chair and first glancing around to make sure it wasn't anyone else's. He had decided and was now mentally reassuring himself that being polite was what Mr. Brine would want, and not for him to sit down and stuff his face and stomach with as much pizza as he could which was what the rest of his brain was telling him. At home they didn't have any assigned spots, or preferences to where they sat, they just did. Here he wasn't sure, and he didn't want to offend anyone, so he grit his teeth and wait a bit for some of the other team to sit.
"Will you be seating yourself?" he turned to Royce's smirk watching him. "Or…would you like directions for this…Ken."
He sat down with a frown and short glare he gave the older nineteen year old. To hell with being polite. He took a plate when one was offered, the young one was handing them out. "Thanks" he stated automatically before stopping as the small eyes fixed on him frozen with his comment for a moment before continuing. Everyone else ignored it too and in a matter of second Royce flipped one of the pizza boxes open and grabbed four slices.. He grinned grabbing three for himself before glancing around for Omi. "Hey Omi!" he called towards the small hall where their bedrooms and bathroom were located. "Hurry up or you won't get any at all!" The first box was already gone and shoved aside for the bottom one that had white cheese on it. He watched Royce spit something to…..Jei in…some other language before handing the guy some pizza the Irish glare looked displeased with. "What language do you speak?"
Royce turned to him, eyeing him suspiciously.
"Royce speaks German fluently." Nagi answered, quietly cutting his pizza into pieces so he could fork them up. "He's learning English and Japanese now. He's only been in Japan for five months."
"Shut up Nagi." Royce spit, shoving the small body roughly to the side and the little face got dreadfully annoyed. Ignoring the shove and continuing to cut his pizza into pieces with a knife and glare. "Eat your pizza right you're freak doing that." Royce grunt, bringing his own pizza to his mouth.
"Your filthy." Nagi growled and Royce stopped dead grabbing Nagi's thin head and some of the boys pizza before smooshing the two together. "Mm! STOP!" Nagi snapped wiggling.
"You have worries non at this time Nagi." Royce grinned dropping the small body wiping sauce off himself frowning down at his dish.
"Enough! Both of you." Mr. Clarke barked, glaring at Royce and Nagi whom simply grunt acknowledgements and pretended to start acting more civilized as Omi came in and sat down. "Where have you been?" Mr. Clarke asked.
"My shirt was wet sir, I just changed it." Omi smiled at them grabbing the two remaining pieces of pizza and cramming his mouth as full as possible. Chewing with full cheeks he dropped his half devoured pizza back to his plate and glanced around the table at the four other team mates quietly eating. Omi was eyeing the tall chewing German whom smiled at him when he looked up before glancing at him.
He was still staring ahead at the skinny boy cleaning sauce off his face, the entire pizza scene caught him totally of guard. Shouldn't Mr. Clarke have something to say about that!? He frowned over at the guy who was eating. Didn't he even mind Royce was picking on his own team member, or…didn't the other team members care? He looked over at the end of the table, where Jei sat, but the guy didn't even seem to notice, in fact he seemed to be making some type of odd contact with Royce who was motionless. His frown deepened as he kept watching the two, it were as though they were having a staring contest from the corner of their eyes, and neither of them were moving.
"Ken-kun?" He turned to Omi who was looking at him oddly while chewing away. "What are you (chewing) looking at?"
"Huh?" He asked and Royce and Jei turned to him immediately. "Nothing."
"Hahah" Jei laughed suddenly, strong and loud making Omi jump with the sudden noise. Nagi and Mr. Clarke stopped eating as well to look over at Jei's chewing smirk which was slouched into the table smiling at him and Omi.
"What's funny Jei?" Mr. Clarke asked, tone as though the man were too exhausted to find out.
"I think those are funny." Jei smiled, pointing two fingers out. One at him and one at Omi. "Very."
"Why are we funny?" Omi asked eyebrows raised slightly with curiosity.
"You know why." Jei smiled, and Royce chuckled for a moment, but Nagi looked clueless and annoyed and just continued eating his pizza with his fork while Mr. Clarke shook his head and sighed.
"No I don't know why." Omi spit at Jei who's smile fell for a moment and the guy just glared at Omi. "Why don't you tell me?" Omi continued, giving the guy a smug look until he elbowed him. Omi was just tired and crabby, and they'd both do better not messing around with the stupid guy. He looked crazy anyway. He'd never seen anyone sit slouched down peeking up at everyone like Jei did. "Sorry." Omi quickly apologized with his nudge and turned back to his pizza. Ignoring the small grunt and chuckle Jei made before sliding closer to him.
"Testy little girl." Jei whispered smiling as Omi's blue eyes flicked up.
"Mr. Clarke." He turned to the guy with that comment, and Omi looked more than pissed to him. "I would like to know exactly what your definition of harassment is sir?" Mr. Clarke only looked up at him from where he was about to take a bite of pizza.
"My definition Hidaka?"
"Why didn't you say anything when Royce did that to Nagi?" He asked pointing to the skinny little boy on the other side of the table who looked royally pissed this was being brought up. "Is Royce allowed to do that?"
"Do what Hidaka?" Mr. Clarke frowned confused.
"Sir, he shoved pizza in his face." Mr. Clarke put his pizza down and turned to Royce and Nagi suspiciously. However Nagi looked fine, not a trace of sauce on his face and Royce only shrugged. Mr. Clarke turned back to him a little annoyed and dumbfounded. "Sir! You yelled at them after, you said -Enough you two- or something. It just happened!"
"I don't know his speaking sir." Royce said turning to Mr. Clarke and shaking his head.
"I don't either sir." Nagi said, giving him a look and his mouth almost fell open.
"What?" He frowned confused.
"What are you talking about Ken-kun?" Omi looked just as confused when he glanced at Jei but instead got caught on the baffled blue eyes watching him. "What happened just now?"
"Not just now I mean at few minutes ago, you were changing your shirt." Oh, Omi's face looked clarified now. "But what you just said…" He pointed at Jei and let his sentence trail.
"And what did I just say?" Jei smiled at him and he glanced at Omi whom was watching him with an uneasy expression. Omi didn't really want that repeated, so he just glared at the guy who's smile widened. "Nothing." Jei smiled. "I say nothing." the guy grunt at them before picking up his pizza and slowly eating while smiling at Mr. Clarke whom turned to him.
"Are we through now Hidaka?" Mr. Clarke asked annoyed, and he sighed and shook his head. He just saw that happen, he saw it! Yet somehow, Mr. Clarke seemed to have…forgotten it happened or…something.
"Yes." He spit down towards his food, he didn't want to look up at Royce's smirk. "Yes I am."
"Good. I don't know what Brine lets you boys do, but I don't find that stuff funny. I've had a long day and so has everyone else. Lets keep the games to a minimum understand?" Mr. Clarke stated and his jaw was almost on the table as he stared at Mr. Clarke and the harsh, drained look the man was giving him. "I said do we understand Hidaka?"
"…Yes sir." He nodded slightly. "I think I do." He turned to Royce, who was smirking away just the way he envisioned. "I think I do."
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"I don't know?…What type of answer is that?" He frowned into the inside of his shirt as he pulled it over his head and threw it at his bed before turning to Omi. "That's a lame answer Omi. I know. I heard him. He called you a girl." He frowned at Omi's skinny figure in his boxers tugging a long t-shirt over his head. "And you don't caaare he did this?"
"I am ignoring him Ken-kun, why should I care what he says. We both know I am not a girl." Omi answered and he smiled at the annoyed tone that almost spit literal disgust with the word -not-
"Well you definitely sound unbothered to me." he grunt sarcastically and Omi gave him an annoyed grunt as he pulled pajama pants out for himself. "I think it's ridiculous….Omi." He waited for the blue eyes to stop dressing and turn to him, which they did when he didn't continue talking. "I am serious about what I said at the table. Royce grabbed Nagi by the neck and rubbed pizza in his face. The kid even yelled for him to stop, and Mr. Clarke yelled at them for it." He walked over to Omi's short form holding his pants as he spoke. "Then I brought it up again and he didn't seem to know what I was talking about."
"Did he really do that Ken-kun?" Omi gave him a skeptical look and he nodded a -Yeah! Why would I make it up?!- "I don't know, but…it's…not plausible he could have forgotten about it. If it happened fast like you said."
"Then what was he doing?" He made a face and Omi shrugged.
"Maybe he was ignoring it. Just too tired and didn't feel like dealing with it, like Mr. Brine late at night when Aya gets snappy. He lets Aya's comments go." Omi suggested.
"Yeah, but Aya's not rubbing pizza in our faces Omi." He gave Omi a look. "Don't you think that's a pretty poor analogy?"
"Well I didn't see it Ken-kun." Omi frowned. "Besides…I think...the guys here are a little weird so…maybe that's just…"
"Ok don't try to tell me rubbing food in others faces is normal." He got annoyed and Omi sighed with his fast comment. "I don't care how weird they are. That's not what you do, and Mr. Clarke should have said something, putting aside the possibility of dismissing it if he were tired. Personally I think staying here is a load of crap. The second I left that coffee shop I feel like I've been in some type of wacko movie where everything is messed up and only one personal realizes it, and eventually goes crazy!"
"Are you going crazy Ken-kun?" Omi asked.
"Yes! You're the only one who seems normal, and your even getting a little weird."
Omi frowned insulted. "I am not." Omi snapped at him before starting to the door. "I think you're the one getting weird. Ken-kun, I didn't see anything and neither did anyone else. Maybe you should just relax and let it go." Omi gave him what he would call a scolding before leaving the room for the bathroom and he sighed. Squinting at the empty doorway annoyed he was scolded, and annoyed Omi didn't seem to think the pizza thing really happened. He knew what he saw, and he saw Royce do that, and Nagi even got annoyed! Why wouldn't the kid have said anything to Mr. Clarke? He frowned and started to the doorway when he heard a small thud. His face sighing heavily as he opened the door and looked down at Omi who was sitting on the floor.
"For heaven's sake Omi." He groaned at the kid who never failed to amaze him with how often he would trip himself. "What'd you trip on this time?" he sighed.
"Yes." He looked up at the foreign voice which suddenly backed him up. Royce was there, standing about a foot behind Omi smiling. Royce looked innocent enough, even though he was the perfect distance away to have tripped the boy. "What did you trip on this time?" Omi just got up with the question and shoved past him into the room. Ignoring the heavy German laughter as Royce walked into the bathroom, and Omi ripped his toothbrush from his bag mad before coming back at him.
"What's up with you?" He asked, but Omi literally shoved him out of his way and walked by before gabbing the closed bathroom door and flicking it in with a heavy squint, before squeaking as he was suddenly yanked inside. "Hey!" He yelled starting towards the bathroom and grabbing the handle that wouldn't budge. What!? His mind spit baffled, Mr. Clarke specifically said they didn't have a lock! "Omi?" He knocked quickly, frowning at the handle that wouldn't even jiggle as he heard Omi yell a -I don't think it's funny!- from where he was in front of the sink before Royce answered an -I do-. -If you want to barge in on me, than I can barge in on you!- Omi shouted again before the voice came towards the door and grabbed the handle on the other side. -Unlock the door!- Omi yelled at the German smirking behind him before turning to his "Omi?" and muttering a -Ken-kun?- "Omi unlock the…" he trailed when Nagi walked up to him and stopped. It took a moment for him to pull his eyes from the skeletal form in a white beater and briefs before he reached the boys face. "Is there a key?" He asked.
Nagis dull and almost annoyed eyes blinked slowly with his question. "There is no lock Weiss." The boy answered, a slow smile growing over his face, and reaching its peak the moment the door burst inward. Yanking his arm forward and running him smack into Omi whom was coming out. "Idiots." Nagi spit under his breath.
"Ken-kun!" Omi cried a little in shock as the boy reached up to his forehead where they had just bumped heads. "What are you doing so close to the door?"
"Trying to open it." He frowned rubbing his own forehead as Omi walked into the hall exposing Royce who was smiling behind him.
"There is missing lock to this door." The German smiled at them, watching him wiggle the handle. The thing couldn't have turned smoother if it were greased, yet moments ago it wouldn't budge. "Come inside." Royce took a step back and turned the sink on for him, and he glanced at Omi who was glaring at the guy. "Both to…clean your teeth. I want hospitable for you."
"I would like to be hospitable, Royce." Nagi corrected monotone before walking into the small white tiled room, taking a few tissues and walking back out without looking at any of them.
"Tell me." Royce smiled at him as he came in and Omi followed. "Weiss, do you know what it means?" He shook his head. Manx had always told them to look it up, but the fact of the matter was they were all to lazy, and Omi had tried but couldn't spell it. "White."
"Oh." He nodded, brushing his teeth and watching Royce smile before reaching his one arm under Omi's which held the faucet to get his own toothbrush. Their eyes were almost locked because Royce kept looking at him before waving to him with his other free hand thee exact same second Omi spazed. Spinning towards the guy with a wild aggressive look and ripping the toothbrush from his mouth.
"Keep your hands off me." Omi growled at the guys innocent expression, before turning to him, as though for backup.
"What is your meaning small boy?" Royce only managed to smirk through his blank, supposedly innocent expression making Omi frown harder. A little shaken as the guy took a step forward as though to hear better. "Speak louder."
"I mean it!" Omi shoved the guy back when he leaned closer to his face.
"Omi chill out." he grabbed Omi's spindly arm with a smile, watching the blue eyes widen with his statement. "So he touched you a little, no big deal." He shrugged, all the guy had done was reach under Omi's arm to get something. So what. With the odds the way they were around there, they could be showering in the same room with the guy tomorrow, but Omi looked stunned with what he said.
"You-you saw him?" Omi asked pointing to Royce slightly and he nodded.
"Yeah so what?" He shrugged, dropping Omi's arm and the boy stood there for a moment before looking back at Royce whom smiled. "Omi?" The blue eyes didn't turn to his call, instead Omi stood stunnned before throwing his toothbrush into the sink and walking out. "Omi!?" He called after the thin figure that just stomped around the doorway and disappeared before turning back to Royce.
"He is…suffers from paranoia? What is his meaning?" Royce asked.
He sighed squirting toothpaste onto his brush before slipping Omi's into his pant pocket. "I don't know. He is really paranoid sometimes but….he's usually fine with people touching him." He started brushing his teeth as the guy just thought about this while applying toothpaste onto his own brush.
"Usually paranoid? Why?" He shrugged slightly. "Many people are paranoid, does he hear things in his head?"
"What?" He made a face, stopping his brushing for a moment.
"Powers in his mind? Does he have them?"
"What are you talking about?" He made a face, but Royce seemed satisfied with his confusion. "As far as I know, the only thing he's ever heard in his head is the desire to correct all my sentences and scold us for doing what we're not supposed to." He shrugged a grin to the guy. "Smoking, drinking, girls…stuff like that. He gives us lectures on it."
"Can't get it up." Royce smiled
"That's not what I said." He frowned, before rinsing his mouth. He gave the guy a look as he stood back up, talking to this guy was confusing, it was like a head trip of some sort. "Night." He grunt his leave and left, anxious to get back to his own room and at least the comfort of a bed. Instead Omi gave him the sharpest look he'd ever seen the second he came in. He stopped dead with it, pulling the toothbrush from his pocket and extending it slowly. "What?"
Omi just squint at him, as though the boy were too mad to know what to say before snapping the toothbrush from him and throwing it back at his face. "OW!" He yelled when it hit him, the way Omi threw things was amazing and Painful! "What the hell!" He yelled at Omi whom simly stood up and shoved him.
"I do not like being here Ken-kun! And I would think that YOU would at least-Side with ME! I can't believe you said that! I can't believe you…said that! I am definitely telling Aya-kun what you said!" Omi yelled.
"Said what!?" He frowned rubbing his face as he shoved Omi back, and watched him trip and fall with his own clumsiness. Sinking into the bed and looking even more mad and upset he could be knocked over so easily. "What have I said about throwing things at me Omi!" He frowned before turning to the bedroom door that opened after a knock and Royce stuck his head in.
"Here." The guy came in, extending some toothpaste while throwing Omi a wink. Omi immediately scrambled up from where he was sprawled from the fall and looked away. "Keep this for mourning because Jei often…fiddles with what you leave in the bathroom. It's not good to be leaving things in there." He nodded taking the tube with the hand he was holding his face with. "What happened to your face Ken?" Royce asked, surprised with the deep red swell by his eye.
"He threw something at me." he nodded annoyed at Omi whom just looked mad and defensive all around. "That's what he does. Throws things, and now I'll probably have a Bruise! on my face!" He yelled at the squinting blue eyes that looked at Royce when the guy walked over to him.
"I want ask you a question small Omi." Royce said and Omi was heaving into Royce's face as Royce calmly stood there with his small twisted smile as though he were thrilled with something. He sighed and started to his bed to put the toothpaste away as the guy leaned down and whispered something he couldn't hear into Omi's ear which made Omi's squinting blue eyes widening before jumping back a bit with a grimace.
"Get OUT!" He turned to Omi's shaken yell, watching Royce back up a step nodding.
"For practice." Royce said "I just want to know with me if you practice tomorrow."
"What!?" Omi looked utterly confused before the guy took a step forward and gently grabbed Omi's shoulder. "Leave me ALONE!" Omi yanked to pull away, but Royce only squeezed a harder, holding him firmly. "KEN!"
"Hey." He shoved the guy off Omi his scream, while staring baffled at the carroty strands and confused expression the guy gave him.
"What is wrong with him?" Royce turned to him confused.
"Ken-kun! Kick him out!" Omi yelled nudging him to hurry up and do it.
"What? Why?" He frowned confused looking from Omi's upset expression to Royce who still looked innocent.
"KEN-KUN! What's wrong with you!?" Omi looked blasted with what he said. Frowning away as though he'd lost his mind until the door opened and Mr. Clarke just came in, glaring at them.
"What's the problem? You two are beginning to wear my patients." the man frowned at them watching Royce back up and shrug.
"We're fine." He nodded quickly. "It's some type of misunderstanding."
"NO! It's not! I don't want him in my room Mr. Clarke! I don't like the things he says to me! Please can I kick him out?" Omi asked and Mr. Clarke made a face with the childish request. He had gotten up for this?
"Let me explain something Tsukiyono." Omi nodded quickly, and he could see how stressed Omi seemed. In a few minutes if things didn't calm down, he'd put money on the fact Omi might cry. "When I am sleeping. Something I really dislike, is having to get up and referee misunderstandings." The guy shot him a look with use of his word. "Do you understand that?"
"Yes I definitely understand sir, and I sorry I bothered you but I feel uncomfortable with-"
"-Assassins do not feel uncomfortable with new settings Tsukiyono." Mr. Clarke snapped. "I am beginning to think this switch was a good idea no matter how much of a pain in the ass it's becoming. You need to loosen up boy because your going to find yourself in many new settings." Mr. Clarke threw his finger into Omi's face and Omi quickly nodded caving to tears. "Now if I hear one more loud word from your mouth, misunderstanding or not I guarantee you'll be in the hall regretting it, and everyone will hear you with it so quiet. Am I clear?" Omi nodded, sniffling as the finger was pulled from his face. "No. I expect an answer, nodding isn't good enough Tsukiyono. Now am I clear?"
"Yes sir." Omi whispered watching the man nod before turning to him and then Royce.
"Get in bed both of you. It's been a long day." Mr. Clarke ordered before shoving Royce out the door and leaving. He waited until the door shut to turn to Omi, whom simply dropped onto the edge of his bed and slump his head into his hands.
"Are you ok?" He asked concerned. It certainly wasn't like Omi to make a big stink over nothing.
"Why are you doing this Ken-kun?" Omi whined without looking up and he frowned.
"What? What do you mean? What am I doing?" He asked baffled. "You're the one freaking out the minute the guy touches you in the slightest way."
"I think you'd probably feel the same way if you had someone squeezed your ass Ken-kun! I can't believe you'd say!-(Omi shoved him back as he took a step forward)-That to me!"
"Keep your voice down!" He hushed becuase Omi was yelling at him. "And what are you talking about?!"
"I have had enough of people playing dumb with me tonight Ken." Omi gave him a hard look and grit teeth growl with his phrase, on top of pulling the kun pulled off his name for being a bad friend. "You could at least humor me and say you weren't even in the bathroom when he did it! And you admitted to seeing it and now change your mind!"
"Omi!" He slammed his hand over Omi's mouth with the shrill scream. "Shh." He whispered and Omi didn't shove him off, but the boys thin hands grabbed his wrists and held them as he and nudged him back so he sat into his bed more. "Now be quiet." He took his hand off the thin mouth which stayed closed. "And move some of your pillows over because I am sleeping with you."
"No." Omi shook no immediately. "Then they'll really think we're queer Ken. You have to sleep in your own bed tonight."
"Whaaat?" He groaned making a face. "I don't care what they think, I don't like sleeping alone and you know it."
"Well what are you going to do when you don't share with me anymore!? You can't sleep with someone forever! And I do care what they think! I don't like what they say to me!"
"Ok!" he slapped his hand over Omi's mouth again and Omi frowned at him from over his palm.
"Ok. I understand, just…no more talking. No more talking right now." He stood up slowly and drew his hand back before starting to his bed and heading back with his pillow.
"Ken-kun no." He threw it into Omi's bed and crawled around the thin hands which grabbed his arm and tried to push him back out only to give up when he resisted. "Ken-kun no."
"Okaay." He groaned, lying down and snuggling under the covers. "Only while you talk so we can whisper ok?" Omi looked skeptical but got under the covers and lay down next to him before rolling to face him. He smiled slightly, he had no intention of leaving, and as long as Omi talked till he was tired, he would give up on forcing him. "Now." He took a breath and started "What the hell are you talking about in the bathroom?" He whispered. "I never saw him touch your ass."
"He did!" Omi yelled, and he gave the boy a look causing Omi to pause and lick his lips before whispering a "He did, and when I told him not to, he just pretended he didn't. Then when I was going to say something about it you started talking, and then…said you knew what I was talking about."
"No way." He shook his head, watching Omi's face become confused. "Omi, I was watching his hands the entire time. He never touched you."
"I felt it Ken-kun." Omi growled at him, pointing at him before grabbing his shoulder and gently rolling his palm over it before squeezing. "That was how he did it."
He was quiet for a moment, considering this before shaking his head. "Omi…I just…I could see his hands the whole time." Omi's face scrunched up when he repeated himself sympathetically. Yeah he felt bad Omi was upset but, he didn't see the guy do that! And why would he!?
"How caaaan you not believe me Keeen-Kuuun?" Omi suddenly whined, small features cringing distress.
"Well I just didn't see him do it. Don't you think that's crazy? You sound crazy Omi?" He whispered, nodding his words.
"Whaaat? Why would I maaake thaat up?" Omi's said running a hand over his face and hiding it as he started crying. "I am saaaaying, I knooow what I feeelt and he did, I don't want-and then in the room he said-I just don't(sniffle)" Omi looked up at him. "I just don't like how they treat me here. They're insulting me." Omi sniffled.
"Yeah but…we used to insult you too when we didn't know you were a good fighter." He shrugged, but Omi's facial scrunch became harder.
"No you didn't! Not like they DO!"
"Ok!" Hey yelled again, gritting his teeth. "Look Omi if you don't shut up we're both going to be in the hall getting I don't know what and I am going to have to hold that against you."
"Yooou know." Omi whined calming his voice slightly. "I've been thinking about what you said at the table. I think it's possible Royce did that. I believe you Ken-kun, you wouldn't make that up. And there's something funny about him too. Nagi says he's learning English and Japanese now, but when we got here he spoke fine. You even said something about the big words he used, and now all of a sudden he can't make a single sentence. This is bullshit, he's messing with us. He's lying to your face, and he did do what I said, and you could at least believe me when I believe you even though I didn't see him do anything to Nagi." Ok, Omi had him there. He was beginning to feel really guilty as those big crying blue eyes point at him with their finger before getting up and sniffling after his second scolding-but at least the kun was back on his name
"Where are you going?" He frowned as Omi got out of the bed and walked to the door.
"To get the phone. I want to call Aya-kun cause he'll listen to me."
"What!?" He gave Omi a look but the thin boy already disappeared into the hall. He sighed heavily rolling to his back and frowning. "I was listening. Stupid Aya." He frowned harder, if it wasn't Yohji out stepping him with his actions, it was Aya out stepping him with his ear. All he seemed to be good for was goofing off. Hadn't Omi even considered how late it was? He'd probably get in trouble for calling at this hour, especially once Mr. Brine heard he was supposed to be in bed. Then Mr. Brine would reprimand Omi when they got back for breaking the rules, even if he got away with it here. "Stupid little idiot" He stood up growling, he wasn't going to let Omi get the phone. He was going to hang it back up and demand he be talked to, Omi would probably give in to that he thought triumphantly as he opened the bedroom door. Stopping as he caught sight of Royce in the hall, blocking Omi's path back to the room. Stepping from either side to keep the thin figure that was trying to move around it from passing.
"Where are you going now small boy?" Royce smirked down, the guy was maybe a foot and a half taller than Omi. Omi's head was just up to the mid of his chest, and the way Royce's hair stood up made him seem taller still. "Hmm? Where? Back to your room? Why do you need the phone?" He frowned with the sentences he heard, Omi was right! The guy was speaking perfect now! "Shh these little tears." Royce hushed reaching down and smearing a tear off Omi's cheek before Omi smacked his hand away. "So much pain in that little mind of yours, so many people laughing at you…Those very mean students." Omi quickly tried to get around the guy again but Royce blocked him.
He frowned, wishing he could walk out and shut the guy up, but he wanted to see just how right Omi was. He wanted to see if this guy had really done what Omi said, since Omi seemed to be right about the language stuff, maybe Omi was right all around! He sighed in his head when he thought this, really he shouldn't find that so surprising since Omi was usually right anyway. "Do you know what they were thinking?" Royce smiled at Omi's stiff body which kept his eyes fixed on the lower walls and floor and just stood tightly clenching the cordless. "Run Omi run, he'll never make it. They were smiling, waiting for you to fail last minute. Waiting to see your very first tear…it is the very first one that is the best. The very first one that says, I. Can't. Do. This. Anymore." He gripped the door when he saw Omi's face hitch slightly from where he stood crying without sound stuck in the hall. He wanted to wait, it was killing him to wait but he wanted to! Wanted to see if the guy would do anything else! Just one move and that'd be it, he'd be so ready to dial Mr. Brine himself and demand to leave! There wasn't a doubt in his mind Mr. Brine wouldn't come right now, come and get them. In his mind, and Omi's too, the man was like their parent and savor. He wouldn't leave them, or abandon them. He was different from Mr. Clarke, it were as though a piece of that man's brain had been cut out and destroyed or…shut down.
"Mooove."
He snapped back to reality with Omi's small plea, but Royce only grinned. "Tsk tsk tsk little Omi. Are you really thinking Ken's going to believe you when you go back. Why would Ken think that way. Even your friends are not so stupid Omi. How old are you?" There was a silence because Omi didn't answer, he only continued to cry silently. "Fifteen? You are very young, with a birthday not so far from new year too." He frowned, Omi hadn't answered! How did Royce know!? Even he didn't know what month Omi's birthday was! Ok he remembered Aya saying something about it being during winter but…it's not like he remembered the date! "I usually go for little girls fifteen and up…but you smell very yummy to me."
That was it! He ripped the door open as the phone was ripped from Omi's hand and he stumbled back against the wall afraid. Finger twitching for a moment in search of the darts Omi loved. "Omi!" he spit the boys name in a harsh whisper and Royce turned around to him with a smile.
"You waited longer than I thought." The guy smirked at his rushed appearance. "I was beginning to think I was going to have to grab those little cheeks he's hiding to make you leave the room Ken."
His eyes widened with the words! With the smirk! With the fact they guy knew he was watching! Listening! Waiting! Royce wanted him to come out! Wanted him to feel bad! Wanted Omi to know he could have come at any time and didn't! Wanted to show him what he could do! How thoroughly upset he could make the little blue eyed and hundred and twenty pound boy cry. Wanted to make Omi upset, and mess up his head. Royce was playing. Playing with both of them, using them against each other!
Royce moved and quickly blocked Omi as the boy tried to get to him. Grinning triumphantly before grunting as Omi brought his knee into the guys crouch like he had to Yohji and ran to him. Spinning around only once safely behind him to see Royce grunt and grab himself before disappearing into bedroom and leaving him there for the face off to wrap everything up.
"Testy." Royce grinned at him as he looked up, but he wasn't smiling.
"Get out of here before I tell Mr. Clarke." He frowned at Royce's bitter face.
Royce grunt, before slowly growing a smile. "Don't threaten me Ken." Royce hissed, squinting at him, as though annoyed he thought he could utter those words. "Or you'll find...Mr. Clarke is….not on your side." He frowned with the statement, watching Royce slowly start down the hall before backing up and into the room.
He closed the door and grabbed the handle, looking down at it. "There is no looock on our doooor." Omi whined immediately watching him, and already a step ahead. "He could just come back like that Ken-kun."
He turned to Omi's crying face as the boy snapped his fingers with the word -that- afraid. "No he won't." He shook his head, walking to Omi whom quickly stood close enough for contact. "He's done. He just wanted to show me what he could do."
"Keeen-kuun." he smiled softly as Omi's head dropped down and covered with the boys hands. "He knows stuff about us. Knew when my birthday was, knew stuff that…stuff that happened at my schooool." He nodded softly walking Omi back to his bed and watching him quickly get in and cover up as he looked around the room for something to wedge the door with when Omi turned back to it alarmed. Omi wouldn't get any sleep with the thing unlocked.
"I am going to wedge it shut." he nodded at Omi's upset expression curled under the blankets.
"I want to leave Ken-kun."
He nodded at the soft phrase as he pulled one of the shelves out of the unit under the window and walked to the door with it. "We'll call Mr. Brine tomorrow. We'll tell him we want to go like he said, say it's important and then go." He wedged the slat under the doorknob and against the floor firmly before backing up and testing the handle. "But until then." he nodded coming back to the bed and climbing in quickly. Burrowing under the covers like Omi. "We just pretend this didn't happen."
"What?" Omi made a face, wiping his tears away. "Why? Shouldn't I tell Mr. Clarke in the mourning what he said?"
"No." He shook his head, laying his hand on Omi's shoulder, and letting the boy snuggle up with his shoulder to his chest. "I don't think that's a good idea. I don't know why but….I feel like…it's a rigged game around here Omi." Omi nodded slightly, wiping more tears off his face. "We're on the wrong end you get me?"
"I'll pretend it didn't happen." Omi answered obediently, taking his hand as he watched the door.
"And we'll tell Mr. Brine everything when we get back. Something's weird here, and I think he should know. Mr. Clarke doesn't seem to be running anything, in fact… I feel like it's the other way around.
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HeY! ff.net's Quiet edit/preview is awesome and terrible!! OMG! I love being able to touch my work, but this chapter would have been uploaded three days ago if the stupid quick edit could understand flat lines. Instead I had to go back and change them all to dashes (----) before any of you got to the story : ) hehe. ANYWAY! Thanks so much for reading! How's that for suspence, and it's not over-nono-I had to break this chapter up, orriginally it kept going for about fifteen pages, but I thought it'd be too long. The next chapter has some action and angst for you! Sniffles Poor Omi and Ken, have they seen the worst? Or is there more to come...
Please remember to review!!