Disclaimer: Don't own the boys. Gundam, Weiss or otherwise.

A/N: Many many thanks and hugs to QueenNarca, Burned Vamp, Sniper67, popelady and insanechildfanfic for your comments and reviews. You guys are great and I'm glad you're enjoying the story. I'll strive to remain worthy.

Death and the Assassin

Chapter 11

Ken moaned as he awoke to a pounding headache. He was grateful that it wasn't quite daylight yet, but he could see that it was getting light outside and when that sun came up, Ken was going to be in even more pain. He saw the tray with water and aspirin and praised Yohji, silently swearing to worship the man for his thoughtfulness.

As Ken reached up for his salvation, he froze when he felt an arm slide along his hips. He had been so distracted by the pounding in his head, he hadn't noticed that he was not alone in the bed. Suddenly he was very well aware that he was naked and he didn't know who was in bed with him.

Yohji? Did I possibly ask him to stay with me in a fit of pathetic, drunken depression?

Or could it be….Aya? I don't remember seeing him last night but that doesn't mean anything. Did he see me and try to take care of me and in a fit of pathetic, drunken desperation to feel loved, I….we….?

Ken groaned as he braced himself to turn around, hoping for the lesser of two evils. Please be Yohji, please be Yohji, please be Yohji….

"Just take the aspirin and lay down. I'm getting cold."

"Oh shit!"

Ken scrambled out of the bed and looked up in shock from his position sitting on the floor. Duo was sitting up, leaning on his hand, looking down at him, chestnut hair loose and falling around his shoulders and over his chest, large purple eyes full of concern.

"Are you ok?"

"What! When did you…? How…?"

Duo chuckled and offered his hand to the naked man on the floor.

"Get in bed. You were keeping me warm."

"No! Not until I get an explanation."

Duo lay down on the bed, his head resting on his arms, looking down at Ken from the edge.

"I'm so sorry for what happened Ken. I was so caught up in how hurt I felt, I didn't consider how much courage it took for you to say something and what your honesty truly meant. I should have never kicked you out." He reached out and lightly caressed Ken's cheek with his fingertips. "Will you forgive me for being such a heartless bastard?"

"So…you forgive me?"

"No, Ken, no I don't forgive you." Duo quickly got out of the bed and knelt in front of Ken, his hands cupping the other man's face. "There is absolutely nothing to forgive. You did nothing but love me and make me happy and I acted selfishly and cruelly. I am begging your forgiveness. I am begging you to take me back. I want to marry you and make you happy and live the rest of my life with you."

Ken's mind was trying to catch up to everything Duo was saying. He felt those strong slightly course hands against his cheeks and he closed his eyes. He missed those hands. He missed the voice speaking to him right now. For the past four days he would have been willing to trade his soul for those things. And now, here was Duo, out of nowhere, on his knees, begging for his forgiveness?

After everything he had been through the past four days….

Ken put his hands over Duo's and regrettably guided them off his face. "Why are you here? Did Yohji call you?"

"No. I called him looking for you. Your cell phone was off and not accepting messages. I went to see 'Fei and when Yohji said he hadn't heard from you in three days and didn't know where you were, I came back home to find you."

"You found me."

Duo just nodded his head.

"What were you doing at Wufei's?"

"I didn't want to stay at the apartment."

"After you kicked me out!"

Duo hung his head and ran his hands through his hair. "I know, I know. But I couldn't sleep in our bed. I even tried the sofa but I couldn't sleep there either. So after trying to sleep on the floor for two nights, I left for 'Fei's."

"I can't sleep without you either."

Duo's head shot up and when he saw that half smile that he loved so much, he couldn't control himself any longer. He lunged for Ken, capturing the lips he craved for the past four days with his own as they fell back onto the floor, Ken's head hitting the floor with a muted thud.

When Duo broke the kiss he leaned up on his hands and gazed down at sparkling blue eyes that were smiling up at him.

"So, you forgive me?

Ken ran his fingers through the long chestnut hair that fell around Duo's face. "Of course I forgive you. Anybody who would stand up to Yohji for me is worth it."

"How did you know about Yohji?"

Ken chuckled as the two climbed off the floor and back into bed. "Because I know Yohji. And I know what condition I was in when he found me."

The two lovers snuggled back down into the covers, Duo's arms wrapped around Ken, his face nestled at the juncture of his neck and shoulder. He placed soft reverent kisses along Ken's neck, his voice a whisper.

"I'm so sorry. What happened to you?"

Ken closed his eyes and smiled at the gentle attention and voice.

"Nothing that I blame you for. I basically just drank myself stupid the whole time. I know I got into a couple of fights but I don't seem hurt so I'm assuming I won."

"Where were you staying if you didn't come here?"

"Please Duo, let's just get some sleep."

Duo's stomach lurched. Oh gods, did he sleep with someone else? But this was all my fault anyway, I have nobody to blame but myself. Ken was just---

"It's not what you think so stop panicking." Ken heard the slightest of gasps by his ear then he felt Duo smile against his neck. "I'll tell you if you promise not to laugh."

"I didn't make fun of you being a florist did I?"

"True." He exhaled sharply, hoping for the best. "I slept under that big tree where we had our first date."

Ken didn't hear anything but he could feel Duo tense up a bit and he thought the other man was trying to suppress his laughter as he felt small tremors from the body pressed against his, but soon Ken felt a wetness on his skin as Duo squeezed tighter.

Ken managed to turn around within the tight grasp and faced the silently crying man. He gently wiped away the tears and kissed him tenderly, that half smile in place.

"You're not allowed to cry either baka. Now close your eyes and go to sleep."

Ken settled down with his arms wrapped around Duo, his fingers tangled into the long chestnut hair, while Duo snuggled into his chest.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Ken and Duo finally got out of bed around 10a.m. They'd slept soundly since waking up earlier that morning and didn't even hear Aya, Yohji and Omi whispering about them at the open door.

"So what happened?"

"Ken blabbed about his past."

"And Duo kicked him out?"

"Bastard."

"Aya! That's not nice."

"Hey, I called him the same thing."

"Look at them, they're so cute together. I'm glad they made up."

"They haven't made up yet chibi."

"Sure they have. Look at them."

"They haven't officially made up until they've had makeup sex and we would have heard it if they had makeup sex."

"Gods Yohji, is everything about sex in your world?"

"Only the good stuff fearless leader."

"Hmph."

"We should leave before we wake them up."

"C'mon guys, the fangirls await."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

When they did wake up, Ken realized that he would need some clean clothes to wear home. Omi was too small and Yohji was too tall, but Aya…..

"Oh c'mon Aya! I just need something to wear home."

"No."

Aya turned away from the pleading brunette quickly to hide his smile. Of course he would lend Ken some clothes. But he wanted to hear him beg for them. Gods he missed hearing him beg….

"Why are you being such a dick?"

"I am not doing this out of spite." He turned around again, grabbing another box of ribbons and looking Ken up and down with a raised eyebrow. "I heard what condition Yohji found you in and I don't want the same thing to happen to my clothes."

"I'm just going home!"

"Then ask Yohji."

"He's too tall."

Aya let the smallest of smiles pull at the corner of his mouth, amethyst eyes glinting with delight. "Then just go home naked."

Ken glared at the redhead as he continued about his work of stocking the shelves with the latest delivery. He knew Aya was just being difficult, but he really wasn't in the mood for this. He couldn't go home in this towel and he certainly couldn't go home naked!

Suddenly a wicked smile sprang to Ken's face and he walked up to Aya, catching the redhead with his back to him. Ken put his arms up on either side of Aya, grabbing the shelves, effectively trapping him.

"Aya…I won't beg." Aya managed to turn around within Ken's arms and wished he hadn't. Their faces were very close and he immediately felt the heat rise to his cheeks. "Just let me borrow some clothes or I'll be forced to strip you here and now and shove you out in the store to be eaten alive by fangirls."

Amethyst eyes narrowed. "You wouldn't."

Kens arms quickly wrapped tightly around Aya's waist, pinning his arms to his side while he untied the apron.

"Just give in Aya."

Ken grabbed Aya's shoulders and pulled him down to the floor where he managed to straddle the struggling assassin. Unfortunately, his towel lost its grip and fell loose. Aya growled and looked away as he continued to struggle.

"Don't play shy with me Aya. You've seen it before and if I remember correctly you've laid more than eyes on it." That earned Ken Aya's deadliest glare but all he could do was chuckle.

By now, Ken had managed to unfasten Aya's pants and yank them down past his boxers.

"Hey, these lavender boxers really bring out your eyes Aya."

The redhead growled in defeat. He was no match for Ken today.

"Alright! You can borrow my clothes! Just get off of me! And for god's sake cover up Ken!"

Ken sat on the fuming assassin triumphant.

"Thanks Aya. You're a true friend."

Before Ken could get up, Yohji appeared in the doorway of the storage room looking at the two over his sunglasses, a knowing smile in place.

"Well, well. I see the negotiations were intense. But I'm glad to see you came out on top Kenken. And nice boxers Aya. They really bring out your eyes."

"Shut up Yohji!" Aya knew his face was as red as his hair and he was just thankful that nobody else was around to witness his embarrassment.

"Hey, there you are."

Ken was just getting to his feet, refastening his towel around his waist and Aya was pulling his pants up when Duo decided to make an entrance.

"Good news. Aya agreed to let me borrow some clothes."

"That's great but…." He raised an eyebrow at the obviously uncomfortable redhead across the room. "What did you have to do to convince him?"

Ken shrugged as he walked past Duo into the private residence attached to the Koneko. "I said pretty please."

"Oh." Duo smiled at Aya and gave him a wink. "Nice boxers Aya. That color really brings out your eyes."

He didn't stick around to see or hear Aya's reaction, but he smiled as he heard Yohji's laughter ring out loud and clear as he followed Ken back to their room upstairs.

To be continued…