Author's Note: This is my first fic in the longest while. I've been undergoing a huge hiatus, hoping for my writing style to undergo several changes. I'm a hard person to satisfy when it comes to my own work, and you can say I'm my evilest critic. I've decided to give this thing a go again, though it's been about five years or so since I last publicly posted my work.

I would really appreciate feedback and reviews. Be as harsh or as gentle as you'd like. I may not have posted anything in a long while, but I'm not new to writing, so I guess my being rusty is hardly an excuse. I'd appreciate it all the same. Flames are also good as long as they are constructive and have some kind of basis and truth to them.

I also take requests by e-mail. If you have any fic requests, please check out my profile for the link to my e-mail and all other information there. At the very bottom of my profile is the info I need from you if you'd like me to write something for you. I'd be more than happy to.

Disclaimer: I do not own Weiss Kruez (Knight Hunters), and I do not own the characters.

Warnings: Fluff, shounen-ai. Nothing too deep or serious.

Pairing: SchuldichxKen

Fic Note: I'm writing this pairing because I can't seem to find enough of it. ;; Hopefully it's not that bad. Oneshot. Might become a two-shot if people are curious about Ken's side of the story and I get enough reviews about it. Maybe even the a third part containing the reactions of the other three members. If not, hopefully Schuldich's part of the story will suffice. Sorry if any of this is out of character. ;; It is kind of an AU...I haven't watched enough of the series to make out either character well enough yet. I've only got what I know from the 5 episodes I've seen.

Restitution: Schuldich

Everywhere he looked, a sharp pang would hit his heart, every single time. A pain so unbearable that words couldn't express, nor tears. Even walking down the empty cooridors where there was nothing but silence, Schuldich still heard the young brunette's innocent voice, calling out to him.

"Schu! I'm home! Aren't you going to say hi to me?"

Each time he would turn around, and each time he would only be met with silence. What was meant to be there in the first place. Sometimes Schuldich would laugh at how pathetic he must seem, constantly looking for something that wasn't there. The fact that he was all alone angered Schuldich, and each time he was reminded of his lonliness, he then turned to blaming Weiss. It was, of course, because of them that Ken-his beloved Ken-had gone missing.

Ken and Schuldich had been in a relationship for only three months now, but to Schuldich, it seemed like they had been together for ages. Yet in the blink of an eye, at the first call of a mission, Ken had been whisked away without a trace. Of course, he always thought bitterly to himself when his mind brought up that thought, both he and Ken should have been ready for such a moment. After all, they were both assassins on rival teams, and when you're called for a mission, you are expected to go. When the time finally came about a month ago, Schuldich was surprised at how ready Ken had been. He was even more surprised at how reluctant he was to let the youth go. Of all times for the tables to have turned, it had been then. For once it was not Ken that needed Schuldich, but it was ultimately Schuldich that was in need of Ken.

Ken had been silent all afternoon. He had just simply lay there, content in Schuldich's arms, but there was something that had been bothering the brunette, Schuldich knew. He had been with the youth far too long. However, he would just wait until Ken would say something. He would give the boy his privacy and wait, instead of prying for the answers that Schuldich was dying to know and find. Finally, Ken sighed.

"Schu...?"

Schuldich had smiled and ruffled Ken's hair affectionately, smiling. "What is it, kitten?"

He felt Ken shudder at the touch, not in a disgusted way, but in a way that Schuldich didn't like. Ken had turned around slowly, looking Schuldich in the eyes. "I was recently assigned a mission..."

Schuldich sighed. Was that really all? This happened quite often, after all, they were assassins. Schuldich chuckled. "So why do you look so worried, hm, pet?"

At this Ken had looked down, his face showing one of deep contemplation. Where was that expression of annoyance? Seeing as he wasn't going to get an answer right away, Schuldich let go of Ken for the moment and searched his drawers for a cigarette. He lit it, and began to smoke on it slowly, blowing smoke into Ken's face, hoping to get some kind of amusing reaction. The youth never liked it when he smoked. He got a reaction, it just wasn't the one he was expecting.

His angel was soon crying. Schuldich put the cigarette out quickly, disregarding that he had just ruined his expensive nightstand in the process. "What the hell?" Schuldich had thought, "Is my smoking habit really that terrible to him?"

He held Ken and began kissing him lightly all over the younger boy's face while also wiping away tears. "Come on, kitten. This is ridiculous. You're acting like the world is falling apart."

Ken eventually stopped crying. There was an awkard silence between them, Schuldich watching Ken intently while Ken kept staring at Schuldich's chest, just staring. It was starting to annoy Schuldich very much. It wasn't like Ken to be this angsty. Where had his little light gone? Where was the smile from his beloved angel? Finally Ken decided to break the silence.

"I'm scared, Schu..."

"About...?" Schuldich was getting slightly annoyed since Ken wasn't giving him a straight answer. He was becoming more and more tempted to just rummage through the youth's mind to just get a blunt response.

"The mission."

That again. What was so bad about this mission anyway? It wasn't like they hadn't been seperated before for a mission. In fact, now that Schuldich thought about it, Ken had never been so emotional about leaving for a mission. "Is that really all? Or is something else bothering you?" Schuldich asked, getting a bit more impatient. For goodness sake, why couldn't the kid spit an answer out?

Something inside Ken seemed to snap at that moment, and he looked at Schuldich with anger in his eyes, which left Schuldich confused. Only about three days later could Schuldich assume that the anger he had seen had not been directly for him, rather Ken had probably been furious at himself for not being able to express anything. Ken never seemed to have problem with expression, which is probably why he had looked so upset.

The anger did not last long. In fact, soon after, Ken's expression changed into a very happy smile as he suddenly jumped out of bed and decided that he wanted to have a fun date with Schuldich. Something they hadn't done in a while. Schuldich of course agreed to this, grateful that the mood had loosened up between them. Soon after the date, Ken had to go to the flower shop to meet the other members of Weiss.

And after that...well after that, Ken went missing.

It took Schuldich three days to find out, after badgering Omi for a long time, that Ken had been sent along with Aya and Youji, by Persia for a mission in New York. And only just one day after that, did Schuldich figure out why Ken had been so upset. Omi couldn't have explained it simpler.

"Ken didn't tell you? It's a high-risk mission. They may never come back. If any of them survive, they will probably come individually. Their orders are to attack three different targets. They are not to meet each other after the mission is complete. They kill one, hope for the best, and return."

"Why did you not ask Schwarz for assistance?" because of himself and Ken, a small bond between the two assassin teams formed, and angry feelings cooled.

"It was none of your concerns. There was no need to send in more men than necessary. They are all very capable."

He had said it so non-chalantly, it angered Schuldich. He rammed Omi against a wall. "How can you be so indifferent to this? Where did they go? Why are you the only one here?"

Omi hung his head. "It's not like I wanted to stay..." his head lifted up, tears in his eyes, fist clenched, "I want to be with them too!"

Schuldich snorted, "Oh cut the crap already. You just wanted to save your hide, right?"

Omi sighed. "There are some things you just wouldn't understand..."

"Try me."

He then had to listen to Omi ramble on about how because he was Persia's right hand man, he had to stay behind. If something happens to Weiss, he would have to be the one to continue it and teach the next group the ropes. It wasn't going to be easy for him either, Schuldich knew, but damn it wasn't fair. His beautiful Ken was gone, out on some dangerous mission, and here Schuldich was incapable of assisting. Omi never did tell Schuldich where Ken was specifically. His mind-defenses were so strong, Schuldich couldn't even dig out the information. New York was as much as he could get out of the boy, and as far as he could tell, that might not have even been the truth. Just something for Schuldich to live on, to hope that Ken would come back. Just something for him to think about, letting him know that the boy was somewhere and not nowhere.

Schuldich sighed. Three months, Youji had been the first to return. Five more, and Aya was back with the other two at the flower shop. Schuldich eventually stopped coming by everyday. He was tired of the disappointment of not seeing Ken there. Of not seeing him fighting with Youji, getting cold stares from Aya, and having Omi clean up after his mess. Tired of not seeing him there, waiting for Schuldich, come running to Schuldich every time he would visit with his big brown orbs, smiling at only him. All of Ken's most special smiles had always been reserved for him.

Schuldich, now in a very famous restaurant, sat alone in a large booth, drinking wine and looking out the glass window, thinking about Ken. They had started being together after a chance peaceful meeting in a normal setting. April. Ken had gotten his mission at the very beginning of August. It was now mid-March. Almost time for their anniversary. Only one month left before Schuldich thought he wouldn't be able to bear Ken's memory any longer. One month left.

Setting down his wine glass and tapping the side of it, causing a small ping, Schuldich was soon lulled off into memory.

He had been watching the boy silently, watching him teach the children soccer. He thought with bitter amusement, would those kids still be so trusting and friendly if they knew how many people Ken had killed? Young and old? Men and women alike? Would Ken still retain his innocence even if the whole world knew what was really dormant inside of his friendly exterior?

And yet, Schuldich realized, even if the world knew who he was, Ken would probably never change. He would still be smiling, though perhaps more painfully so, and he would still be a kind, caring, sensitive idiot. Ken probably had the least purpose to kill in Weiss, and that would keep his level of purity, no matter how much blood stained his hands.

When the children had gone, he had snuck up behind Ken, who was packing his things in a gym bag. He was wearing a white soccer jersey and black shorts, with socks up to his knees and soccer shoes. He had just thrown on a thin blue jacket with a hood when Schuldich decided to finally make known his presence.

"So the kitten isn't such a klutz after all."

Ken had turned around, face furious as soon as he recognized who Schuldich was. "You! What do you want?"

Schuldich had raised up his hands in surrender, a smile dancing on his lips. He had been very amused. "Relax, pet. I'm not here to pick a fight."

Ken had looked at him suspiciously. "So what are you here for, then?"

For this, Schuldich for the first time in his life, didn't have some kind of smart remark or answer. Trying to hide his embarassment, he shrugged. "Thought I would spend a bit of time with the enemy, you know, casually."

The suspicion never left Ken's face for a moment. Schuldich chuckled. Ken really didn't have any trust in him at all. "So what are you suggesting we do?"

"Play soccer."

Both of them blinked at this, Schuldich was surprised at how naturally the answer came out, and Ken was shocked at Schuldich even suggesting such a thing. "A-are you serious?" suddenly, Ken's expression changed to one of childish interest, "You really want to play? Do you even know how?"

Schuldich was still trying to understand what kind of situation his big mouth had landed himself into, but he answered Ken with a snap, "Yes, of course I want to play. If I didn't, I wouldn't have said it. And of course I know how to play. I'm not stupid, you are the one with the negative IQ."

As if to emphasise the statement, Schuldich rapped his fist on Ken's head lightly. Blushing from annoyance, Ken pushed Schuldich's hand away, "All right, all right! You don't have to be such a pain about it", curiosity had taken the better of Ken then, as he took off his jacket and reopened his gym bag, "But why play with me? And why now, out of the blue?"

Schuldich laughed as Ken pulled out his soccer ball. The kid was just way too easy. For someone who should be on their guard with talking to the enemy, he was sure eager to play a friendly game of soccer. That was what attracted Schuldich to Ken in the first place. The fact that even though he was on enemy sidelines, Ken seemed to constantly give people like him a second chance. That was sometimes more than what some people actually deserved.

Schuldich found himself relaxing, suddenly, and answering Ken with honesty. Another quality Ken seemed to bring out of people. "I was bored watching you play with children not even in your league. Besides, I want to see how good you really are."

Ken grew flustered and shouted, "You were watching me! Why you-who gave you the right to stalk other people, huh!"

Schuldich allowed himself a small smile as he patted Ken on the head. "There, there now. If you don't want people watching you, you shouldn't be playing games in such an open space. I was only just passing by, when I saw you playing soccer with those little children, and I merely stopped to watch. Just to see you trip all over yourself, but I guess you're not as sloppy as you are in battle", he finished with mock disappointment.

This pissed Ken off. "Just who do you think you are!" Ken tackled Schuldich down to the ground, but only found himself being dominated by his enemy because Schuldich was soon on top of him with a very amused smile, pinning his arms and legs so that the only thing he could do was stare at Schuldich with much frustration.

"Come now, Ken. I don't believe I've done anything illegal", Schuldich said with a smirk.

Ken grumbled, but was blushing because Schuldich was so close. Schuldich noticed. "Mmhmm. I see you don't mind your current predicament one bit now, do you, kitten?"

"Shut up!" Ken muttered and tried to free himself, but failed miserably. He pouted, "I hate you! Get off of me!"

"And if I don't...?"

"If you don't, I'll just-" Ken was cut off at that moment because Schuldich finally gave into the temptation of kissing Ken. Ken's eyes widened as he fought against it.

Schuldich finally let go after a short while, he too had been shocked at his sudden action, but regained his composure quickly, however. Getting off of Ken, he licked his lips, "You don't taste bad at all, KenKen."

Shock turned to annoyance and quickly turned into anger. "You sick, sick bastard!" Ken shouted as he hurridly got up, threw on his jacket and ran with his half-open gym bag into the sunset, heading off to who knew where. Probably to Weiss, Schuldich pondered. He was kind of disappointed that Ken hadn't responded the way he had wanted, but then again, the action was a bit surprising and unexpected to even himself.

He wrote it off as just an action done out of boredom. That was when he noticed that Ken had left behind something. His soccer ball. Grinning, Schuldich took the ball and walked back to his house with it. "He'll be wanting this, I'm sure. I'd better return it to him tomorrow", Schuldich had thought with much amusement. He couldn't wait to see the expression on little Ken's face when he appeared at the flower shop to return the ball.

Schuldich found himself nearby the flower shop, on the opposite side. There he saw the other three Weiss members, looking still a bit sullen. It gave him some personal satisfaction to know that they were still worried about Ken. That they too had not yet forgotten. Probably pained from their own share of happy memories of the youth. Ken had that kind of effect on a person. His positive and idiotic energy could really seep into your system.

He remembered the dangerous look Aya had given him when he had kicked the door open carelessly to the shop. He remembered Omi's wary look and Youji's cautious stare when he snuffed out his cigarette on one of the tables. But he especially remembered Ken's furious expression when he had come out from the back in a cute blue apron, much to Schuldich's amusement. In fact, Ken didn't look all that bad at all, in Schuldich's opinion. Ken had looked like he was just about ready to maul him.

"What are you doing here!" Ken shouted the question that was probably on all of their minds.

"Now now", Schuldich had remembered himself speaking smoothly, "Is that any way to talk to a savior of your greatest possession?"

Ken's eyes widened a bit in confusion, but his voice was still filled with annoyance, "What are you talking about?"

Schuldich had laughed as he let go of the soccer ball at his side and started to dribble. "Oh, I don't know...maybe this round thing looks familiar to you...?" he almost died at the look Ken had on his face. It was priceless. The shock, the recognition, and then the horror.

"Hey! Give that back!" Ken had been so annoyed at the German's presence that he hadn't even realized Schuldich had his ball until he started bouncing it.

Schuldich stopped dribbling it, and held it at his side again, "Hm. I don't think so. If you really want it back, I believe you'd owe me a little something. Besides, you were sure in a hurry to leave it behind yesterday. I doubt you even noticed it missing until now."

Ken growled, "I-I knew it was gone! Now give it back!" he lunged for it.

Schuldich was already ready for Ken's reaction. He had moved out of the way easily. "I don't think so, Siberian! You shouldn't lie to a telepath."

Flustered, Ken eventually gave up trying to get the ball after several attempts. Schuldich grinned, the boy was at his mercy all because of a soccer ball? Schuldich was beginning to consider stealing Ken's soccer ball before every mission they would have against each other. Battling him would become that much easier. Besides, Schuldich was finding himself quite attracted to annoying Ken, and perhaps even a little attracted to Ken himself, much to Schuldich's annoyance.

Schuldich grinned, "All right. I've had my fun. If you really want the soccer ball, why don't you come here?"

The other three Weiss members were on their guard, Schuldich could feel it, but he didn't much care. They all watched as Ken cautiously came up to Schuldich. Schuldich grabbed Ken's shirt, pulling him closer, and quickly whispered, "Now that's a good kitten" before kissing Ken smartly on the mouth.

Ken blushed furiously, shocked. Schuldich laughed as he heard the thoughts swirling in Ken's mind. How he wasn't gay, how he was so embarassed that the other members of Weiss were watching, just as dumbfounded as he was, and how this was ridiculous all over a soccer ball. The last one made Schuldich's day. "Should've thought of that yesterday, pet", Schuldich snickered.

He released Ken, and dropped the soccer ball, leaving the store. He left behind a flustered and confused Ken, and three completely taken aback Weiss members. Schuldich didn't even know what drove him to act that way. It just seemed right at the time. After that moment, Ken couldn't get Schuldich out of his mind. And frankly, Schuldich couldn't forget about Ken either. To a point, that pissed him off. Especially since he eventually found himself looking for Ken everyday, and when he wasn't, when he was trying to stay away from this new addiction, Ken always seemed to end up finding him.

It was always the same. It always started with an excuse, which led to an argument, which led to kissing, which led to more confusion. Confusion led to curiosity, curiosity to a strange sort of friendship, and during that friendship, things began to come together for the two assasin teams, surprisingly enough. They showed up often enough at one another's doors to get the team members of the opposite side to start getting used to them. Tolerance became acceptance.

And in the end, somehow, they got to love.

He was finally back at his house. He dreaded his own home so much now. Nothing, not his riches, not his paintings, not his most expensive items or attire could make up for the void he was feeling right now. A void that was growing in him every single day. Schuldich kicked open the door to his room that he had once shared with Ken. He hadn't stepped into the room in so long, when he went in, the room seemed so cold, dark, and unfamiliar to him.

He lit a cigarette, a habit he recently picked up again since Ken's disappearance. He sat down, and felt under the bed, puffing on his cigarette, he pulled out a small white box. He stared at the white box a moment, not even sure why he was even holding it anymore, or why he even wanted to pull it out to begin with, especially now. But he guessed he just wanted to remember. In fact, truth be told, Schuldich was scaring himself lately. The memories that Schuldich had been holding strong were slowly fading. First the gentle memory of his lover's voice had stopped haunting him in his house. He was starting to hear reality. Silence.

Even trips to the flower shop no longer seemed to trigger many memories. There were still some he remembered, but he was no longer sure if they were real or not. They were no longer as strong. Schuldich realized something else, as he slowly opened up the white box.

He was beginning to accept Ken for dead. And that was the last thing Schuldich wanted to do, without any confirmation from the members of Weiss. And even if it were true, he refused to forget Ken entirely, he felt that he owed the boy that much. Ken was his first lover that had meant something to him. A lover that was more than just a face.

The pictures fell out, and so did a smaller blue leather box. Inside that box was a pair of rings. Ken had been obsessing about wanting to wear couple rings with Schuldich for so long, but Schuldich never saw the purpose to them, until a few weeks before the mission was probably ever mentioned, Ken had brought up the subject again over breakfast.

"Hey, Schu?"

"Hn. What is it, kitten?"

Ken bit a small bit of his sandwich. "Um...I was wondering...if you ever got around to finding time to buy couple rings..."

Schuldich rolled his eyes. "I still don't understand what is so important about them. They're such a nuisance to the finger, don't you think?"

"Oh...yeah...maybe a little", Ken replied with disappointment.

Schuldich sighed, "I just don't see the point to them."

"Schu!"

Ken had looked annoyed at him after that, and began to explain how it symbolized their love. Furthermore, when seperated during missions, it would also be a reminder not to get killed, because they would be waiting for each other. This got Schuldich thinking a bit. A reminder that Ken would always be there for him didn't seem like a bad reason to have a ring on his finger, even if he did hate wearing things he considered so confining. After this explaination, Schuldich had eventually figured out Ken's ring size, and bought the pair of silver rings, deciding to surprise the boy on his birthday that coming December.

But December had come and gone only a while ago, as Schuldich reminded himself bitterly. He had forgotten in his cloud nine bubble of love, that in their line of work, things shouldn't be taken for granted. Tomorrow wasn't always guaranteed for the average human, and yet in their position, the risk of tomorrow not happening for them was even higher. Schuldich cursed himself for not at least giving Ken the small token he always subtly requested for before he had left. Even if when he gave the ring to Ken, it wasn't during a special occassion. Even if Schuldich could still not declare his undying love to Ken, at least he could've hinted it with the rings.

And now that Schuldich was on this line of thought, he hadn't even said his proper good-byes to the youth. He hadn't even declared his love. How the world can turn on a person. How tragedy loves to mock a person and bestow upon them regret.

With much pain in his heart, Schuldich put the leather box aside and rummaged through the few pictures that he had of himself, Ken, and just Ken. He smiled as he looked at several of them, the ones with only Ken in them. The boy was so photogenic. So photogenic in fact, it almost looked as if he would just come right out of the photographs. Each smile Schuldich looked at, put his heart in more and more pain. But Schuldich didn't care, he felt that he deserved it. He wasn't the best boyfriend that he could've been. Ken needed a sensitive, loving boyfriend. Not the jerk that Schuldich had been. Ken never deserved that, and yet, Ken did what he always did. Stuck by and gave Schuldich second, third, fourth, hell-even sixteenth chances. Ken had stood by him, through every heartless word that Schuldich had spoken, taken in all of the verbal and slight physical abuse he put Ken through when in a bad mood-or worse, drunk.

Sure Ken yelled and fought back. Of course Ken got moody as a result as well-but never once did he threaten to leave Schuldich, to give up on their love. Never once. That's what Schuldich missed most of all, over all the reprimanding and the annoyances that Ken provided, he missed Ken's caring. The boy's love. He missed so much how Ken never seemed to expect so much out of him. He was even beginning to miss Ken waking him up so darn early in the morning-a ritual Schuldich hated so much, just so they could both go exercising. He would trade all his money, all that he owned, just to see Ken's face at least one more time. Just to hear that beautiful voice one more time.

And somehow, while looking through all those memories, he snapped back to reality and realized that his feet had unconciously led him to the front door. Placing the box of memories on a table, he opened the door, looking outside, for no particular reason at all. He was greeted by rain. A small, simple shower. Feeling as if he were floating, he stepped slowly outside.

Ken was standing outside in the rain in his soccer jersey and ripped jeans, hair flat against his face and his beautiful head thrown back, his arms spread out, feeling the rain on his hands and fingertips. Schuldich had been brushing his teeth when he spotted Ken like this, outside the window of their house, and smiled. How peaceful Ken looked. How beautiful he was.

He had walked to the door after ten minutes, realizing Ken wasn't coming in. Schuldich was worried the youth would catch a cold.

"You should come inside, kitten."

Ken had turned to Schuldich then, and the sight of him made Schuldich breathless. He was beautiful. Hands on his hips, Ken had thrown back his head and laughed, "Why? This feels just great!"

Schuldich had rolled his eyes, "You'll catch a cold, pet. That's just more work for me. I'll have to sit by your side for the next two weeks cooking for you and making sure you get better, and you know how much I hate cooking."

Ken had laughed again. "Have you ever stood out in the rain before, Schu?"

Schuldich scrunched his nose. "Hmph! I think not. Unlike you, I don't see the use in getting wet."

Ken smiled and whined, "But Schuuuu! It feels great!"

Schuldich groaned. Where did Ken get these weird ideas? To Schuldich, 'great' was not an adjective to describe getting wet in the rain. "You'll come in this instant", he said with a stern no-nonsense tone.

Ken had sighed then, and walked up to Schuldich, providing him an evil grin. "You ruin my fun sometimes", Ken said, but before he went into the house, he shook himself, splattering water all over Schuldich who did not approve at all.

Ken grinned, "But that makes up for it!" and he zipped into the house, heading for the bathroom.

Schuldich frowned, "Hey! Come back here, you'll pay for that!"

Ken had laughed, sticking out his tongue at Schuldich. "Catch me if you can, you crazy German!"

"You mean sexy German", Schuldich retorted before chasing a laughing Ken further into the large house, "Let's not get our adjectives screwed up here!"

"Whatever you say!"

It was raining much harder now. Much like the day Ken had been outside. Slowly, Schuldich found himself walking outside in the rain. He could barely feel the water on him, probably because he was probably devoid of much feeling now. He soon found himself sitting down on the first step, open to the outdoors and not covered by a roof, closing his eyes, and imitating as best he could how he remembered Ken on that day. Eyes closed, head to the sky, arms outstretched...

...And then he heard thunder, and the gate to his house swinging. He opened his eyes when he no longer felt the rain on him. Opening his eyes, he felt himself staring into familiar brown orbs, belonging to a skinny young youth with a small healing wound on the side of his beautiful face, wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans, holding a large, black umbrella over himself and Schuldich.

Schuldich was at a loss for words.

Arms wrapped around his waist from behind. "Schu! I love you!"

He got up slowly, to slowly meet the figure in front of him.

A face buried into his back.

Moving slowly towards the figure, arms rising to meet the youth.

A loving embrace.

Schuldich pulled the young boy into a strong hold, causing the youth to drop the umbrella out of pleasant surprise, returning the embrace with slightly less energy, Schuldich not noticing the small wince the boy gave because of a hidden wound in his side, hidden under his shirt and all the bandages. But Schuldich didn't have to know about all of that now. He knew that the older man must have missed him twice as much as Ken had been missing him.

Three words whispered to him. A voice speaking with such love and care, not really expecting an answer. Not forcing him to reply.

For the first time, Schuldich was crying. Ken was back. His beloved Ken was back. His angel, his smile.

Three words that had always been so hard to believe, so hard to say...

The rain was stopping, the sun was coming out. Schuldich pulled back and took a good long look at Ken, who smiled back at him a goofy smile, as if nothing had changed.

Ken smirked, "I thought you said you'd never let yourself get wet...?"

As if he had never left...

Schuldich leaned in closer to Ken and whispered, "That...was before you came into my life..."

A kiss that always tried to make up for what he could never bring himself to say...until now.

"I love you...Ken."

Ken's eyes widened from the shock of hearing those words, and Schuldich kissed him straight after saying it, causing thoughts of joy and amazement to swirl around wildly in his head.

When the kiss ended, Schuldich pulled away to look at Ken's beautiful face more, but Ken quickly hugged him tightly again. "I love you too, Schu..."

Schuldich would never take his love for granted again. He didn't even complain when Ken caused them both to fall over into Schuldich's garden, causing Schuldich to get all muddy as a result of the rain mixing with the soil. He only thought of Ken. His Ken was back. He was real, and he was here. There was no reason to be sad anymore. No more reason to worry, not for the time being. Schuldich smiled, ruffling Ken's hair. He was all right now, because his angel was back, alive and well.

This time, God was giving him a second chance. And he knew that was far more than he deserved.

OWARI

Saiki.Kensuke.Yuuta: So how was it, everyone? Good? Bad? Please review! I'm thinking of leaving this as a one-shot, but if you want Ken's side of the story of what happened, or the rest of the Weiss team's reaction to Ken's long MIA status in more detail, let me know. If I get badgered enough, I'll be more than happy to do it.

Also looking for one or two friendly beta-readers that don't mind holding a conversation as well as betaing. E-mail me if you are interested!

Thanks for reading! See you next fic I make. Coming up with more soon, promise!