Disclaimer: you know the drill. Not mine, blah, blah, blah….

A/N: This is a shorter chapter because it didn't really flow with the next chapter's content so I split it up. But at least I posted both at the same time. That's a good thing, right? Anyway, enjoy!

Death and the Assassin

Chapter 8

A Birthday Wish

"A little birdie told me that you have a birthday coming up."

"That little birdie wouldn't happen to be blonde would he?"

Ken smiled as he settled onto Duo, straddling his lover's hips, his fingers tracing light patterns on his stomach and around his navel. He smiled as he felt the muscles contract under his touch.

"So tell me….what do you want for your birthday?"

"Nothing. I don't care to celebrate my birthday. The only reason I even know my real birth date and age is because of that nosey little bird."

Ken frowned at his lover. "Quatre means well. He's your friend and he cares."

"I know. But you'd think after all these years he'd get the message and leave me alone about my stupid birthday."

"Why do you not like your birthday?"

"Well my parents obviously never cared about the day I was born so why should I?"

Ken dropped himself lower, his hands resting on either side of Duo's head, face inches away, his voice a whisper. "I care. I care very much Duo. The day you were born is the most important day to me because you are the most important thing to me."

Duo craned his neck and kissed the serious man hovering above him. "Thank you Hidaka."

Ken lay down on Duo, their bodies pressed together, and he nuzzled the other man's neck, kissing and licking the warm soft flesh, slowly making his way up to an ear.

"Tell me what you want for your birthday. I'll give you anything you want. Just tell me."

Duo closed his eyes as he felt his earlobe being sucked into a warm wet mouth, teeth nipped it playfully before leaving to roam other areas of exposed flesh. He moaned and brought his hands up to hold onto Ken's hips.

"Tell me Duo. What do you want?"

The whispered demand was there again and when Duo asked the question of himself he could think of only one thing.

"I want you. Marry me."

Everything suddenly went very still. Neither man moved and Duo held his breath as he waited for Ken to process, then react to his request. He remembered how Ken reacted when he suggested they move in together so he was prepared for a shocked and slightly put off reaction.

Ken slowly pushed himself up and looked down at his lover. He searched the handsome face for answers to any of the questions furiously racing through his mind. But those purple eyes were giving him only one answer no matter the question. Because I love you.

Ken continued to stare, his mind racing. What do I say? I know he's serious. He'd never joke about something like this. Do I want to marry him? I love him. I don't want to be away from him for even a day. He reached out a slightly trembling hand and let his fingertips brush against the flushed cheek.

"Ok." A smirk broke out on the brunette's face. "Let's get married."

Before Ken could say or do anything else, he found himself thrown backwards as Duo abruptly sat up and pushed the brunette backwards, pinning him to the bed. Duo's mouth devoured Ken's as both men clung to each other desperately, hungrily.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Ken and Duo arrived at the Koneko right at closing time. The Weiss boys hadn't even removed their aprons, they were still cleaning up from the day's business.

"Hey guys!"

A round of greetings and smiles and one glare were exchanged as Ken fell right into helping with the day's cleanup routine.

"So what brings you to our humble establishment?"

Yohji, as usual, was leaning on the counter 'supervising' as the others worked. Duo was standing with him on the opposite side of the counter.

"We had some good news so we thought we'd stop by and share."

"You hear that Aya? They're going to share. That's what friends do."

Duo didn't dare show any reaction to Yohji's comment knowing that the redhead wasn't his biggest fan. He watched as Aya stopped what he was doing and threw daggers with those amethyst eyes at the unfazed blonde next to him. Ken sighed and pulled on Aya's arm, saying something for only the redhead's ears and Duo wasn't surprised to see Aya calm down immediately and he even saw the hint of a smile. Duo knew there would always be something between those two. Ken seemed to be Aya's best friend, the one he opened up to and trusted. And that's why I love you so much. You have such a good heart.

"Anyway….as Duo was saying, we have some good news." He looked at Duo, unable to get the stupid smile off his face. "We're getting married."

"What!" Yohji dropped the unlit cigarette he had been holding in anticipation of getting off work and he stared, dumbfounded, from Ken to Duo.

"Oh my god that wonderful!" Omi launched himself at Ken, hanging from the man's neck.

Duo chuckled as he watched Ken try to breathe and still be polite to the enthusiastic little florist. Then his eyes found Aya who was only standing a few feet from Ken. The redhead was standing there and if Duo had to describe the look on his face, it would be dumbstruck. Well, that's better than angry or sad.

Suddenly Duo was caught in a bear hug by Yohji had had come around the counter unnoticed.

"This is wonderful you guys. Congratulations!"

"Thanks man."

Duo and Yohji turned to Ken and their smiles disappeared as they saw the showdown unfolding on the other side of the store. Omi had backed away from Ken and now Aya and Ken were standing about a foot apart, just staring at each other. Nobody dared to say anything.

"Aya?"

Ken's soft voice was barely heard by Duo and Yohji but the small sound made the redhead blink and broke the trance.

"Say something."

Ken knew that if Aya got angry, that would be it. You're my friend Aya, but I love him and I will choose him over you.

Aya could read Ken so easily it was scary. He knew the brunette would choose Duo over him every time. But that was ok, because he was happy for his friend. He just wanted him to be happy. He looked over at Duo who wisely had an unreadable face, which was more than he could say for the tall blonde next to him. You can't threaten me with those eyes Yohji.

Aya looked back at Ken one more time before turning and walking towards Duo and Yohji. He met Yohji's eyes briefly and despite his better judgment, Yohji backed away a few steps from Duo. Aya continued towards Duo and didn't stop. He saw Duo's face start to show some emotion and he suppressed his own smile. Nervous Duo? Good. 'Cause if you ever hurt him…..

Duo's body tensed the closer Aya got and when the redhead showed no signs of stopping he got ready to block a punch. But to his and everyone else's utter shock, Aya walked right up to him and gave him a hug. It took Duo a few seconds, but he eventually returned the gesture, wrapping his arms around the slender man. It was then he heard Aya whispering in his ear.

"Just love him and make him happy. That's all I ask." Aya pulled back, a smile on his face. "Congratulations Duo."

Duo studied the amethyst eyes and when he was satisfied Aya's sentiment was genuine, he chuckled and his body completely relaxed.

"Thanks Aya."

Aya nodded and turned to see a smiling Ken walking towards them. He quickly stepped back from Duo, knowing how fond the man was of group hugs but he wasn't counting on Yohji and he soon found himself trapped within Yohji's, Ken's, Duo's and even Omi 's arms.

"Guys this is so great!"

"I can't believe you're getting married!"

"I can't breathe."

"We're doing the flowers of course!"

"If you don't let go now I'll---"

"Wait 'til Manx hears this."

Aya realized the only way he was going to escape was by physical force so he centered his frustration on Yohji, his favorite target. He pushed hard, breaking the suffocating hug.

"Enough!"

Everyone laughed at the outburst and the seething redhead. Ken put a hand on his shoulder and rested his forehead against Aya's.

"You love it and you know it."

Ken gave him a quick kiss on the cheek then left the blushing assassin behind to stand next to Duo who was leaning against the counter with Yohji. "So who's ready to go out and celebrate?"

"Now you're talking Kenken. Let's go boys!"

Yohji threw an arm around Aya's neck and dragged him to the back of the store and back into the private residence, followed by Ken and a gushing Omi who kept peppering Duo with questions of how the engagement happened.

To be continued…..