Disclaimer: Nope… nada… still not mine. Will never be… sad, sad fact of life… so now on with my consolation… writing this fanfic…

A/N: This baka is back minna san! Gomenasai for the uber-lateness, demo if I write all the reasons its gonna take forever, but simply put--- life happened and totally bitched with me… stress, system crashes, falling sick, muses leaving.. the works… so I decided to be out of civilization for a while to recuperate… and I know I should have left a message or something but it totally escaped my overdrained brain… so sorry…forgive this baka and call back all those shi-ne mode bishies you've been sending to chase my hide?

Anyway… THANK YOU SO MUCH to all those who read and reviewed this fic… imagine my shock 89 revs… (author faints…)

For this chap… guess who's pov is at the start?

Okay enough chitchats for now I'll just do the… responses on the last chap... this is the second to the last part…

FROST by Kage Kurokawa

Part VII Suspended in Winter

A month.

It's been a fucking month.

What the hell are you waiting for Kenken?

A damn proposal from the bastard!

Not gonna happen anytime soon you know.

You really have to open your eyes soon, sleeping beauty?

I'm mean, how many kisses does it take for you to finally wake up?

Honestly, you give fairy tales a bad name!

But then again, I didn't prince charming was supposed to be a bastard, ne?

You probably needed a dashing, debonair, knight in shining armor like me…

Unfortunately, there's only one of me… and I value my stunningly gorgeous self too much to fall victim to that viciously, shiny katana.

Honestly couldn't you have chosen someone who's a bit… oh I don't know… less obsessive-compulsive maybe!

Oh come on Kenken, the shop's been quite lonely without you there acting all naïve and flustered. Hell, I could swear that a certain corner stool misses you tripping over it.

Your fan girls are forever asking about you. It's getting quite difficult for me. Yyou know I don't want to entertain girls below eighteen. Hehehe…

The chibi misses you too. You should know that. He always comes down here when he's free. I should know coz that pretty little nurse down the hall told me so. He probably couldn't come till a bit later today, if at all. He's in school and it's White Day. He'll most likely be sidetracked by those cute schoolgirls who gave him chocolates last Valentines. Lucky twerp!

We've got the afternoon shift. I'm glad I'm not working with His royal crabbiness today. Ugh… don't get me started on him again…

What you see in him totally escapes me. But oh well… you're not the first blind moron in existence…

Hmmm… you're probably wondering why I'm here and not picking some hot chick on the road. Well, for one, I've got a particularly hot date tonight… and I mean HOT… and smart… I can't have you accusing me again of always choosing airheads so I can easily get some… ouch… besides, I've got a few numbers earlier, including one of the pretty staff here… probably the only consolation in this whole affair…

Also because I'll have my ass fried again by you-know-who if I'm late for work, as he so kindly put it yesterday. And beautiful distractions might make me forget the time…

Our esteemed leader seems to have an appointment somewhere this afternoon. Maybe he's got a date too. Doesn't it bother you?

Will you wake up to kick his butt if you knew he was cheating on you while you were asleep? You know, tonguing someone else while you're in dreamtown? I mean come on, can you blame him, when your pretty face gets paler and thinner everyday till it's pretty no longer? Wake up…

Sigh. You know, this is no fun. Me, givin' you a classic heart-to-heart and not seeing you go all red and flustered. Tsk, tsk. A tragedy I tell you…

You know, when I dwell on it, I think loverboy won't be able to cheat on you even if he tried. Hehehe… I mean he'd probably use old "'shi-ne' with a glare" for a pick up line. Who the hell does that?

Screwed in the head I tell you… or maybe… just desperate to screw you… hehehe…

He may not admit to anybody face and would willingly kiss a skunk rather than do so… but I 'know' for a fact that he 'does' care deeply for you.

Maybe in his own drastically cold and rigid way he actually loves you. Yes, LOVE. How do I know?

Simple, I saw and overheard some things last week that I probably should not have. I smile at the mere thought of it. I would have wanted nothing more than to delightfully shove the words in his face, use it for blackmail, but I wanted to be alive and roaring for my hot date tonight. Anyway, how long are you going to make us wait? I'm snapping my foot here with that irresistible frown pasted on my face as a sign of impatience…

We are you're friends. Your comrades. In many ways, we are a twisted sort of family. You don't just fucking turn your back on your family because they tend to mess up once in a while or give up on them just because they're hopelessly pig-headed. Where's the unconditional love? Uh, okay, getting carried away…

But honestly Kenken, despite the prick that he is, you should listen to Aya once in a while… he loves you in spite his obvious lack of public display. He's just, well, confounded. He's been confused for a long while, struggling with (what is left of) his emotions and trying to push them away. But he's also been failing for the longest time. Trust me, I know. After all I'm Youji the Great… a.k.a. master lover… I know what I'm talking about…

Anyway, I'll see you later Kenken. It's almost time for my shift… don't want to be target practice for that well-polished blade that has not seen some action for a while… like it's owner… hehehe…

Ja!

xxx

Koneko Flowershop

"You're late, Yo-tan."

"I'm perfectly on time, Chibi. Where's you-know-who?"

"He left a few minutes ago. Momoe-chan stayed for a while. He seemed to be in a hurry. I wonder why?"

"Oh. He's probably going to his date."

"He's seeing someone?"

"Don't look so shocked Omi. Our iceman's been enamored with a pretty face for quite some time now."

"Really who?"

"Oh. Just someone."

"Sakura?"

"No."

"Anyone I know?"

"I guess. I only learned that he was seeing this person last week."

"How?"

"Oh you know me. Subtly and gracefully walking into things…"

"You were eavesdropping on Aya-kun?"

"No, no, chibi. I merely heard things by accident."

"Right… how long have they been seeing each other?"

"I'm not sure. Over a month I guess. But I believe the courtship period was longer."

"Over a month?"

"Hai."

"Oh. Poor Ken-kun."

"I don't know about that…"

"What did you say?"

"I said, oh yeah too bad…"

"Youji-kun, you're smirking!"

"Am I? I wonder why?"

"You mean---?

"Oh, I don't mean anything at all?"

"You're a lousy actor Yo-tan."

"I beg to differ."

"Tell me…"

"Some other time. I need blackmail material on the bastard."

"Please Youji-kun."

"Sorry, chibi."

"Please Yo-tan."

"Damn, not that look."

"What look?"

"Omi…"

"Pretty please…"

"I hate you…"

"Yes!"

"Damn big puppy dog eyes…"

"Yo-tan…"

Sigh. "Fine…"

xxx

One week before…

It was half past eight in the evening. Way past visiting hours in the hospital. Of course Youji knew this. However, he had been stupid enough to leave something important in Ken Hidaka's room earlier that day. Something like his house keys for instance. He smacked himself again for the umpteenth time as he was now officially late for his date with new paramour. Damn. He charmed his way in quite smoothly with the lady guard and the young nurses and made for his still sleeping friend's room.

He was about to open the door when he thought he heard something thud inside. His assassin instincts took over and with praticed ease opened the door cautiously and quietly. Just enough get a peek into the room within. What he saw nearly gave him a heart attack. Good thing he's already in a hospital.

There by crouched by the bed with his back behind a door was the unmistakable figure of Aya Fujimiya. Youji felt his jaw dropped open as he saw his leader slowly leaned over the catatonic form on the bed. His eyes grew wide as he saw one pale hand gently land on a passive face, stroking it in a seemingly tender manner for a few seconds before…

Youji was glad the corridor is currently empty because knew that he probably made a fine interpretation of a fish as his eyes were treated to the sight of the redhead kissing the sleeping brunette. Kissing!

'What's this? Aya 'fucking cold bastard' Fujimiya was kissing Kenken! My, my what is the world coming to?' The spying blonde thought smirking smugly after he got over the initial shock.

He guessed that the redhead had finally ended his useless denial.

So okay, it's not like he heard a fancy, sappy, cheesy declaration of undying love then and there, but still the uncharacteristic action of his 'cold' leader leads him to believe that the said bastard might be harboring strong feelings for his soccer playing friend.

Too bad the said soccer playing friend involved is still too unconscious to respond.

This left Youji wondering.

Is this what it takes for Mr. Scrooge to admit his feelings, Kenken in a coma. What in the world will it take for him to ask the brunette out for a date?

At this the blonde playboy shook his head. Poor Kenken.

Well at least he's got something to hold over Aya now, he realized smugly.

But damn it. This means he won't be able to get his keys tonight without alerting the flame-haired bastard. And he can't have that.

Oh well, who needs the keys anyways? It's not like he's sleeping in his room tonight at any rate. He'll just have to tell Stacey that he lost his keys and couldn't get in the house to change after work. She'll understand. Youji's charming enough to pull it off, besides working in a flowershop makes one smell like flowers anyway…

And thus, off he goes unnoticed by the occupants of the room, sparing one last glance at his teammate holding the hand of his brown-haired friend while talking softly to the latter. He smiled as he walked out of the hospital and into the night...

xxx

Present time…

For some reason he is nervous. It's not like he's never done this before. In fact he'd done this previously so many times that he could do this with eyes clothes and arms tied.

He let out a small sigh. It's not like he's never been here. On the contrary he's here almost every night for…

It's different this time, he thinks, as he surveys the place with distant, uninterested eyes. It's the first time he's ever been here quite early. It's the first time he comes to a place like this bearing gifts for someone other than his sister. The first time he's decided to throw all caution to the wind and just follow impulse. The first time he's made the choice of finally admitting openly his sentiments for a certain brunette. The first time anyone would probably see him visit. A day of firsts… He's just so tired of hiding.

The doctors had said that the brunette's condition was stable and is now in good health. All physical and internal injuries sustained were healed. So why has the idiot not yet open those eyes of his. Even the attending physicians didn't know. The only explanation they gave according to a loudmouthed blondie is that the patient will wake up when he is ready to… of course said blabbermouth kept giving not-so-subtle innuendos about kisses and sleeping beauties every a certain crimson head in orange sweater pops into his view.

Footsteps falter slightly as the intended room came into view. Several foot dragging and deep breaths later found a red-haired man in front of a door. Hands hesitantly gripped the handle of the knob, when it suddenly opened from the inside to reveal a startled middle aged nurse.

"Oh, another visitor," she smiled. "I've never seen you here before."

"Aya?" A surprised voice came from one side of the room.

Omi.

There's no backing out now.

Aya nodded briefly to the smiling nurse before the woman left, thinking to herself how their handsome young patient have such attractive friends.

Aya scanned the room and saw Omi still looking at him curiously as a growing knowing grin appeared on the chibi genki's face and he groaned inwardly. This is what he gets for stopping by this early.

"Hey Aya, we were just talking about you."

At these words violet eyes automatically turned towards the bed and saw a sight that made his insides clench painfully. Steady blue-green eyes met his own.

"You're awake." Geez. Great statement Fujimiya. Really smart. Brain is officially shutting down for a while.

Those haunting eyes continue to hold amethyst gaze.

"Hello, Aya." That voice. He missed that sound for so long. Who knew that even with two words all stubborn logic and resistance lodged in his system will come crashing down?

"Ken." Another very intelligent comment.

Omi looked at his two comrades grinning and decided that it might be if he started to make himself scant. The tension in the room was so thick you'll probably need a chainsaw to cut it, when he was suddenly met with a sight that he thought he would never thought of witnessing in a million years--- Aya purposely striding swiftly towards the bed, a string of emotions shining in his eyes, giving him a look so alien from the usually stoic or otherwise pissed off expressions he wears.

Omi could only gape and wonder as his team leader flopped down the bed and kissed the daylights out of his suddenly dazed bestfriend.

Recovering his wits slightly, he discretely left the two to their own devices. And closed the door softly. Though he doubted that it would have made a difference if he slammed it behind him. And the young man walked out of the hospital in contemplation of what he had witnessed and wondered if he should tell Youji.

xxx

Meanwhile at the hospital room…

When the need to breathe finally forced the two occupied people apart, they studied each other silently while catching their breaths.

"I miss you." Aya quietly admitted.

Ken scrutinized the man in front of him. The redhead had this certain habit of always catching him off-guard at the most inopportune moments. His thought flashed vaguely back to earlier events…

He woke up a few hours before and was declared healthy after a thorough check up by his doctors. He only needs to stay another day for observation.

When Omi arrived later, the younger man was shocked and elated to find his best friend awake. They talked about a lot of things. Mostly, they spoke of trivialities as Omi knew that Ken isn't ready yet to talk about heavy stuff. But eventually, the topic of discussion landed on Aya and Ken's feelings. They were merely starting when the object of their thoughts came in proceeded to take his breath away...

As he stared at his teammate, he saw the latter looking thinner and slightly paler than when he last saw him. The amethyst gems that he so enjoyed gazing at, were now flooded with so many emotion, that Ken felt dizzy at the intensity of those normally cold orbs.

The ex-J-leaguer would like to believe that it was indeed his leader that faces him at this particular moment. But he's so… changed.

Ken felt himself lean in to the pale arms that embraced him once more.

There were no words. But Ken felt something so warm… so comforting… so securing... in that one embrace… unlike before…

As memories torrentially flowed back into the brunette, a wave of confusion overcame him. And then hesitation…

Everything felt good and right and this moment…

But…

And with that one word. That flicker of pause… made Ken decide…

"Ken." Aya's voice brought him back to reality.

Blue-green eyes looked down. Before meeting deep violet.

"Ken. I-" Fingers touched red lips…

xxx

He stared out the window of his room with eyes glazed over indicating that their owner was not anywhere in real time.

It's been two months now.

Spring is almost over and yet… he did not feel it come at all. The first flower bud that was supposed to bloom had died… leaving his world suspended in winter…

And only an echo remains now… playing the softly spoken words over and over again…

"Take a walk under the rain and maybe spring will come…"

End chapter

A/N: Err… Am I getting rusty? Not the romantic wake up chappie you've been waiting for huh? Oh well… I mean, three months of not being able to write anything makes one feel a bit bent… losing rhythm and all… furthermore I'm getting sappy these days… sheesh… sorry for the evil cliffie… so like it? Hate it? Comments, suggestions, not so violent reactions are more than welcome…

Last chappie will be posted next week (currently partly finished)… hopefully I'll be healthy enough to write more ficcies then… I mean I've got ideas swirling here and there... oh and I have to review some stories I've read earlier…

Thanks again for the reviews minna!

Anyway it's 2 am here… so I'd better rest before I'm forced to be bedridden for longer than I could care for again…

Ja mata!