Disclaimer: Still not mine… never will be… comprende?
A/N: Wow you guys. Thanks so much for the awesome revs… i'm glad you're interested in this one...
To Akito-kun: my first reviewer... thanks... i also don't mind deathfics when i don't like the character/s who ends up dead...
To Soko: thank you... it will turn up the way plot bunny in my head insists it to be (screaming, yelling, and pounding headaches included) (chuckles)
To Kiori133:Thanks... Yes bad, bad Ran... poor little kenken... the answer to one ofyour questions will be on chapter three... i hope you stick out till then...
To heaven goddess: Thanks very much ... i'll keep what you wrote in mind...
To Rapunzel4: Thank you... especially for the reminder... i often forget to double check my work... i'm the type and post kinda author... guilty... you reminded me the value of revision... i hope i don't make as much errors on this one... i'll correct chap one when i get the chance...
To SachikoV: thanks... unrequited love? we'll see.
To Blackdrak: thanks... yes Ran's a bastard... Youji? see this chap...
To hiro: ran leaves kenken? not in this chap... coz it in Yo-tan's POV
To boXx: thanks... that was a nice long review...
To rebelyell59, Susan,rosefaerietalered, KireiAya, ree, Moon without a Sun, Thanks for reading and reviewing!
I really appreciate it minna san! Made my days...
Okay for this short chap,it's from Youji's point of view… No real Ran-Ken action on this one... this chap is not what i had in mind originally... but oh well, my plot bunny is rude... you are so gonna hate me… probably… here's a hint… Youji's notexactly a bastard… that's all you get… chuckles! I am in the process of digging a hole to hide in now…
On with the torture…
Sweet Nothing
By Kage Kurokawa
Chapter 02 Not What You Need
He wasn't blind. He was far from stupid. He could be accused of many things but dimwittedness was not among them. Of course he knew.
He noticed the subtle stares. The call for attention masked in cold acidic words. The discreet touches in the guise of accidental contacts. The little gestures of allowing cigarette breaks. He knew that Ran Fujimiya was flirting with him, albeit it was a strange form of flirtation if he ever saw one. But it was exactly what it was.
He knew this very well.
After all, he was Youji the Great. Dr. Love. Romance specialist. The amorous Cassanova. Most fuckable man this side of the planet. Ultimate sex god. Playboy extraordinaire… you get the idea. He's seen it all. And he's done it all. (A/N: chuckles… gomen, got carried away…)
It didn't really come as a surprise when he recognized the signs that Ran was attracted to another man. Come on, the way he would brush Sakura off and often avoid her like plague would really make anyone suspicious. He didn't know if that really made Ran gay. Maybe he's bisexual like Youji.
To be honest, he was flattered. He wore that big goofy grin every time he found himself alone. The mere realization that Ran was attracted and interested in him made his pants shrink several sizes smaller. After all, that cold, red-haired bastard was one hot piece of meat. He was very much tempted to throw away that unspoken rule he created about not screwing co-workers. Almost.
If there were no complications, his unspoken rule would have been out of the window in three seconds. But he had things to consider. Not really a what but a who. And the who was in the form of this equally gorgeous brunette with clear blue green eyes. Ken Hidaka. Who also happened to be one of his most trusted comrades. And one of his closest friends. Oh alright, one of his best friends.
Ken was in love with Ran. It wouldn't take a genius like Omi to figurethat out. Or a professional love expert like him. Ken looked at ran the way Ran would sometimes look at Youji when he thought that the blonde's attention was elsewhere. The problem laid in the fact that Youji was not in love with his esteemed leader. Sure Ran would make a good dessert for a night or two. Maybe a week. Or a month at most. But there were many other pretty fishes in the vast ocean. And Youji was never one to say no when the lamb chased the lion.
He knew he couldn't give Ran what the redhead was seeking. Ran was not in love with him. Not yet. But Youji senses that the latter was onhis way there. The glares were becoming a shade softer each day. It would never work out. Of this Youji is certain. They'll only end up hating each other and destroying their already complicated friendship. They'll also hurt somebody else. Ken.
Youji knew that Ran realized that their soccer playing friend was interested with their violet eyed teammate. Hell almost everyone who looked closely enough would know. On the other hand, the blonde believed that Kenken still thought that he was doing a good job of hiding his feelings. Youji almost pities him at times. Ken is a great guy, a bit on the gawky side, often tripping on his feet, but a great guy nonetheless. He bore Youji's antics with a laugh and a blush. He was an easy going fellow. Always the optimist. Always willing to give people their chances. You could accuse him of being gullible and get away with it. Youji often wondered how someone who could kill in cold blood so efficiently be so naïve at the same time. Omi may have the baby face but it was Ken who still had a kid's heart. And it showed when heeverytime he dealtwith his young charges at soccer practices. He's been a good friend all this time. Youji didn't think that a few nights of meaningless trysts with the love of Ken's lifewas gonna be worth losing a great friendship.
If Ken had been interested in him as well, he might also take the man into consideration. He was cute and all that soccer training does wonders for those toned abs, not to mention that shapely ass.
His thoughts turned back to Ran. Ran Fujimiya. Mr. Freeze incarnate. Untouchable. Unreachable. That holier-than-thou-so-go-to-hell bastard. They seldom saw each other eye to eye. But there existed a mutual respect for each other underneath… deep... really, reallydeep down… beyond the sarcastic and heated exchange of words. Maybe that wasthe sexual tension. Okay, so that wasn't a maybe.Their pale comrade had somewhat mellowed down after his sister woke up about eight months back. Aya really made a big difference on her big brother. Her cheerfulness and love for life made her click with everyone. Ran was smiling a bit more freely nowadays. He even joked on rare occasions. They were corny. But you have to applaud the effort.
Ran ignored Ken most of the time, unless it wastoboss him around. Despite this, Youji believed that the brunette was exactly what their leader needes. That was, a good, healthy, loving relationship with all the quirks and sappiness that followed it. Ran needed someone strong but open. Someone who could tell him when he was out of line and yet make him see the simple joys of living. Someone who could make risking his heart worth it. And it was not this blonde, sexy playboy.
Ran needed someone who knew how to give in every now and then. Youji was just about as stubborn as Ran. Ken was not.
Ran needed someone who could be patient enough with him. Youji sure was not. But Kenoften took everything that was thrown to him… within reasonable limits.
Ran needed someone who knew how to cook. Youji and kitchen was synonymous to poison. Ken, however, was a born in the kitchen.
Ran needed someone whowould be loyal and could make him feel secure. Youji just needed a temporary distraction. Ken was in love with Ran.
The two were already friends to begin with. There was trust. And there was respect. All it would need was time.
It was nnever really a question of who must get the red-haired iceman.
It was more of how the hell can this gorgeous creature make Ran see that what he needed was this other gorgeousguy who clearly adored all of him, aloofness, rudeness and arrogance included?
How can he accomplish this without appearing to blatantly reject his leader?
Well his chance of a lifetime came oneevening three months ago…
xxx
The shop closed a bit later than usual. The deliveries took some time and Ran waited for Youji to return. Ken left early to coach his little bunch of misfits and Aya pestered Omi to accompany her to the library for some research. It was already six o' clock when the lanky frame of the awaited one finally entered the shop through the back door.
Ran was standing beside the counter with a glare on his face. The new arrival gave him a lopsided grin and an apology.
"Sorry I was late. The recipient of the flowers moved across town. I got the new address and had to go to another direction." Youji sighed and mused aloud. "If the sender was her boyfriend, how come he didn't know where she was staying now?"
His companion just rolled his eyes. And reached out a palm.
Youji came up to Ran and handed him the keys of their delivery bike. As soon as their fingers touch, it came like a magnet.
Green met violet.
Gazes hold.
Faces meet.
Almost touching.
But not quite.
Youji pull back with a lazy grin.
Ran snaps out of his daze and glowers fiercely.
"Are you playing with me Kudou?" There is frustration and disappointment in that tone.
A sigh.
"No, I am not." Youji backs away a few more paces.
"Then why the hell are you fucking with my head?" Eyebrows raised.
"I'd rather fuck you really. But…" Trailing off.
"But what?" Exasperation.
"Things are a bit complicated Ran." Explanation.
"Is this about Ken?" Demanding.
"What about Ken?" Feigning innocence.
"Don't play dumb. You know about Ken and his little crush on me. Everyone who's not blind can see that." A dare to deny it.
"Partly. But no." Not quite conceding.
"I'm not interested in Ken. I want you." Very direct.
"I'm not healthy for you Fujimiya." Thus a direct response.
"I didn't say you are." An agreement.
"I can't give you what you need." Trying a hand at reason.
"Some part of my body says otherwise." The functions of some human anatomy was seldom reasonable really.
"Yeah mine too. But I'm not to let you make the biggest mistake of your life." A plea for understanding.
"Really?" Skepticism.
"I'm nice that way." Smug.
"So everyone gets it but me. Typical tease, aren't you?" An insult?
"Damn it Ran, I can give you what you want anytime, anywhere. But I cannot give you what you need, get it?" taking on the role of the good guy.
"And what do I need, mother?" Sarcasm.
"You need to have a good stable relationship. Think about Aya for heaven's sake?" Frustration.
"What has she got to do with this?" Fleeing from the subject?
"I don't want to hurt her. I adore your little sister like my own. I don't want that to be ruined because I caused you pain. And I will hurt you Ran. The last thing I need right now be in a relationship that involves anything else other than purely sexual gratification. You are developing feelings for me. And you will hate me after you realize that I am not what you have been looking for." Ah, the dramatic tirade.
"Youji-" Stop.
"Ran, don't give me that no strings attached crap that I've heard countless of times. Strings are deceitfully attached along the way and ending up weaving a spider's web." Very smart blondie.
"There is a point to this conversation right?" It's getting tiresome. Going in circles.
"Okay, you know what? I'll make you a deal. Three months. Give Ken a chance. And I mean a fair, clean chance. If in three months, just three, you still believe that he is not what you need… I'll give you one night to prove to me that I am exactly what you require. What do say?" A challenge.
"Playing saint doesn't suit you Kudou." A taunt.
"Yes, but being a responsible friend does." A sense of justice. Coward.
"Fine, I'll give Ken a chance. If it doesn't work out, it's on your head." Never one to back down.
"Hai. He'll have you wrapped around his long, slim finger yet." Hope.
"I don't think so Kudou. But we'll see…" The doors are opened.
Unknown to the two young men, a certain brunette walked slowly out the still open back door with a wide eyed look of confusion evident on his sun-kissed face. He went back to the shop because he forgot the sports magazine that he borrowed from Omi. He didn't expect to walk in the middle of an almost kiss and then hearing the whole exchange of words. He didn't know if he wanted to cry because of Ran's biting words about him. He didn't know whether to be angry that he's being treated like some racing horse jockey, or be relieved that he'll get a chance to prove his worth to the person who resides in all his midnight dreams.
A week later he said yes.
xxx
Youji let out a long chain of smoke. It was almost three months now. Next week will be Ran and Ken's third month anniversary. He hoped thatfor Ken's sake,Ran forgot about the bet. Not bloody likely. The stoic redhead almost didn't treat Kenken any differently and only acknowledged to the rest of the gang that they were dating. Otherwise, therewere no public displays of the relationship. But he can see that Ken was making an effort to show his affection to his boyfriend in little yet meaningful ways. Home cooked lunch or snacks carefully made. Little notes on order slips. A stolen kiss here and there much to the redhead's dismay, even as that little smirk forms at the edge of his lips. Cooking dinner for the two siblings. He practically lived in Ran's apartment now.
Yes. Ken was turning out to be the perfect, devoted partner to Ran.
He wondered if that bastard appreciated the brunette. He'd better.He should know by now how lucky hewas to have someone as special as Ken to take care of him.
But part of him was quite curious. He wondered if Ran will show up.
Hopefully not.
Youji has found a pleasant way to spend the past three months.
He found himself a new distraction. Something he picked up at a local bar one night.
He was having an inkling that this one would probably last a bit longer than Ran would have.
After all, thisnew hobby was almost as skilled and as experienced as the master of the bedroom arts was.
"Ran out of gas kitten?" a husky voice came from beneath red silk sheets.
"Just taking a breather pretty face." Finishing the cigarette.
"Aww… did I drain the kitty's stamina?" Tease.
"We have all night gorgeous…" A leacherous grin.
"Then better get started now blondie. I hate being kept waiting. Especially when the thoughts are not about me."
"Then don't blame me for your limp tomorrow, my dear berserker."
"That's not me but...hmmm… I might just blow your mind…"
"Shut up and do it then... Schuldich."
End Chapter 02
A/N: Ahhh… a short little chappie… Youji, Youji what have I done? A bet? Tsk, tsk, tsk… And what hell was Schuldich doing here? Kage, Kage… bad, bad Kage. Go and hide…
I didn't think anybody was expecting what I just did…
Hate it? review… disappointed? click the review button and tell me so... intrigued? Please, review. Wanna throw that keyboard at me? Tell me so… review…
Things begin to fly everywhere as different ammunitions are thrown toward the author's hideout… ewww… rotten tomatoes… broken bottles… Hey! Is that a Ken plushie! Scampers quickly to grab plushie and going back to shelter…
If ya don't hate me now… you'll definitely hate me in the next chappie… it's quite long...the scene's complete in my head and am writing I down…
will post in 5 to 7 days...
ja minna!