Writer's note: +peeks in under the table+ Alrighty then, this was re-written from the notebooks as well. I only post one chapter this time. Next time, though, will be two chapters. Until then, enjoy reading this one!
Pairings: Ran + Omi / Ken + Yôji (I decided to add this coupling into the fic as well… more is on its way…)
Rating: T (for now. This fic soon will turn into an M-rated!)
Category: Multi-part, shounen-ai, yaoi, definitely an AU
Fiction note: Takes after the ending of the anime. Remember, that this is a sequel to the prequel "Something Much More"-fanfic. Every soul has someone. Every soul needs someone. Ran is becoming more his old self again… and less the Abyssinian of Weiß.
Warning: This fic contains mild male x male relationship. If you're bothered with that please, leave! Those who aren't bothered and are matured enough, enjoy reading the fic!
LONELY SOULS
Chapter 9: Confessions
Written by M.K. a.k.a. Fall Angel © 2004 - 2005
"I finally realized what my feelings for him were; it was love. Not as a brotherly love or a love of a friend, but as a lover."
Those words were Omi's and they kept haunting him in his mind, all day long. Ran didn't know what to think of it. First time in his life as a recently became ex-assassin, he was clueless, unable to shake off the feeling of relief and happiness which was growing stronger within him.
It had been long time since he had heard confession of love – none of those childish ones that he hears every time at the flower shop from his fan girls, but a genuine confession. Last time he had heard anything like that was his time at high school.
The thing was: what ever will he do now that he accidentally heard it? How will confront Omi… after coming to a conclusion that he too has feelings for him?
"Eeh, this is the third time in this week that Ay- I mean, Ran changed the schedule with me. I wonder why he's doing this?" Ken asked as he replaced the boxes a bit far from the doorway, so nobody would stumble on them (mainly him) and fall down.
Omi looked a little bit down when he heard him. "I don't know… maybe he wants some time with Aya-chan…"
"Could be."
"Speaking of which, where's Yôji-kun? He should be here by now," Omi looked around for their lanky blonde playboy. "Honestly, what ever will I do with him…?"
"Where do you think he is?" Ken pointed at the stairways.
"In his room." Both of them said at the same time, with a mutual annoyed look written over their faces.
"I will go and get him then," Omi sighed and went to the upstairs.
"Gambatte!" Ken shouted out after him.
'Believe me I need all the luck when I try to wake up Yôji-kun.' Omi arrived to Yôji's door, knocked few times, but there was no answer. "Yôji-kun? Are you there? Yôji-kun!"
No answer. Omi pressed his ear against the door to listen. All he could hear was Yôji's soft snoring and some sheet rustling. Yup, he was in his bed after all. Figures.
"Mou… That man." Omi shook his head in disappointment and knocked the door even harder. "Yôji-kun! Wake up! It's already noon!"
Still no answer. Well, he could hear him mumbling something in his sleep, and that was all. It seemed like Omi didn't have any other alternative. First, he needed to make a quick visit at the bathroom. Soon Omi came back with a watering can; he opened the door and went in.
Downstairs, at the shop, Ken took care of the flowers, cutting off the unwanted leaves and arranging them for the future costumers when…
"UWAAAAAAAAA!"
"Ack!" Good thing that Ken didn't cut the flower into half when he heard Yôji's scream. Moment later, Ken heard someone running quickly from the upstairs. Golden-honey, blue and white zoomed past him and into the backroom.
Only few seconds later, another rapid stomping was approaching him. When Ken looked up, he couldn't hold in his laughter.
"Gee, Yôji… I thought the "wet-look" was "out"?"
"That's… not funny, Ken!" Yôji looked around, wet and enraged. "Where did Omi go to?"
"Er, I dunno…" Ken nervously laughed, sweatdropping. Apparently, Omi's method to wake Yôji up was not in the playboy's number one in his list. With a watering can full of cold water: cold water plus warm body equalled rude waking from a wonderful dream.
'I wouldn't want to be in Omi's shoes now,' Ken thought. 'Yôji looks so pissed now! Hmm… then again… he kinda looks good in his hair down…' Ken blushed at his thought, and shook his head to get rid of it. 'What on earth am I thinking!'
"Are you sure that he's not here? Knowing Omi, he never misses his work here… ever! He's a workaholic!"
("That's true… He doesn't go out and have some fun at all…") Ken fidgeted with the leaves.
"By the way, isn't it Ran's turn at the shop? I mean, what are you doing here? Don't tell me that Ran changed turns with you again?"
"(It's a wonder that he remembers some other's schedule, but not his own.) Yeah, it was and yes, he changed his turn with me… again."
Yôji stretched his arms above his head, giving Ken a nice view of his bare chest and abs. Again, Ken blushed at his own thoughts and turned away from the lanky blonde before he noticed his reactions.
"I wonder what's up with him, anyways? Changing his time at the shop all the time… Is Aya-chan gone as well?"
"I haven't seen her either. It could be that she and Ran went out together."
"Ah, the family bonding is a beautiful thing…" Yôji chuckled amusedly.
"Just, when did you become such a sentimental?" Ken stared suspiciously at chuckling older man.
"What's with the look? I've always supported the family bonding…"
"…"
Yôji sighed. "Well then, now that I'm out of the bed, I might as well drink some coffee. (That doesn't mean that Omi's off the hook…)"
Ken sweatdropped as he watched the lazy blonde go to the kitchen. When he was gone from his sight, Ken peeked at the backroom, noticing that Omi had been observing them since Yôji stepped into the shop.
"Omi, you do know that he's planning something for you… for pulling a stunt like that. (Though I've been tempted to do the same thing for couple of times…)"
"Yeah, I know. But whatever he has in his mind, I can handle them. I think."
"Let's just hope so, Omi. Now then, should you get back to work?" Ken scowled at the younger boy.
Omi laughed at Ken's attempt being serious and taking Ran's role. "Ken-kun! Just when did you become Ran-kun?"
"Since the day he kept changing our turns all the time."
Again, the shop was filled with Omi's amused laughter.
While the others remained at the 'Koneko', the so-wanted Fujimiya siblings were both at the park. The very same one from where Ran once found Omi months ago, after paying a visit to Aya at the hospital.
Aya and Ran were sitting on a bench; Aya was feeding the ducks and birds with bread while Ran observed their surroundings. So many people at the park, it seemed.
"Ne, 'niichan?"
"Aa?" Ran turned his head a bit to look at his sister from the corner of his eyes.
"Why did you change turns with Ken-kun… again?" Aya stared at him, with her eyebrow lifted up.
"No real reason. I just wanted to be with you." Ran mumbled.
Aya looked suspiciously at him; not believing what he said. "Liar."
"Hm?"
"Though you've changed much within two years, I still know you well, 'niichan. Something's in your mind, I just know it." Aya stated out.
"What makes you think like that?"
"Well," she started, looking at the sky for a moment, "first of all, you've been avoiding Omi-kun for some odd reason. I mean, you don't even eat with us when Omi-kun's around."
Ran's body twitched.
"And, you twitch everytime I mention Omi-kun's name!"
'Damn it. I thought I had more control over my body and my emotions!' Ran thought bitterly at his body's betrayal.
"So, what's the deal here, 'niichan? Hmm? Spill it out!"
But the scarlet-haired man remained stubbornly quiet. Not even looking at his sister anymore, only at the huge pond before them.
"'Niichan? What do you think of Omi-kun?"
Ran sharply turned to look at Aya; his eyes didn't hold the usual cold look anymore. They haven't been like that since the day Aya came to live with them. The amethyst-violet eyes of his have softened, all because of Aya… and Omi.
"What do you think of Omi-kun, 'niichan," Aya asked again.
When Ran didn't answer to her question, Aya let out a frustrated huff, she was annoyed of her brother's stubbornness. Only things she heard now were the voices of the people and sound of the birds. Still, that didn't mean that Aya was giving up.
So the both of them sat on the bench in silent; neither of them spoke a word.
Finally, after an hour, Ran sighed in defeat and began to talk with Aya.
About Omi.
It was evening and the 'Koneko' had been already closed for the day. Currently, Omi was at the kitchen, enjoying a cup of tea while looking through the flower list and orders. So far, he got everything written down. All he had to do was to have them done before the appointed time. And also pre-order new flowers to the shop.
Omi sighed into his steaming cup; welcome to the normal life.
To some, this sort of thing would be stressful, but not to Omi. He finds this quite delightful. (You try to live and grow up as an assassin, not having a chance to live a normal life.)
That's right; no more killing, no more bloodstained hands… just a normal life.
The sound of door opening and then closing made Omi to look up from his drink. Soon he heard two voices closing in; a young woman's and a man's. Ah, the Fujimiya siblings had returned home.
Omi stood up and was planning to welcome back when something made him stop by the doorway.
"Are you going to talk with him, 'niichan?" Aya asked.
"Aa. Like you said at the park, there's no way out for me but to talk with him…"
'"Talk with him?" Talk with whom? What are they talking about?' Omi's curiosity took hold of him and leaned closer as possible to listen more.
"Good. I'm glad to know that you've finally grown some backbone!" the younger Fujimiya said teasingly. Ran grumbled something under his breathe, which Omi couldn't hear clearly.
The honey-blond youth didn't know why, but his heart started to beat rapidly. He brought his hand over his chest, as if trying to steady it. His heart beat even more rapidly when he heard the foot steps coming closer to the kitchen. Omi panicked and quickly went back to his seat and started to shuffle the papers again, as if nothing happened.
Ran stepped into the kitchen and saw Omi by the kitchen table – from to looks of it, reading stack of paper and drinking tea or coco. (He knew that Omi didn't like coffee much, but occasionally he drunk it as well.)
"Ah! Ran-kun! Okaeri nasai! Anoo, where's Aya-chan?"
"Went to her room."
"Ah, sou ka?"
"Hm."
'Well… this is… awkward…' Omi sweatdropped, sipping on his tea. 'Here I am, finally alone with him… and… I can't say a word with him!' He really wanted to hit his head against the table for his shyness and lack of words. 'What will I do!'
The chair scraped against the kitchen floor, making Omi jump in fright. "Uwaa! Ran-kun! You startled me!"
"You were in your thoughts… What was in your mind?"
"E-eh? Ah! Nothing much! Just the usual stuff!" Omi laughed nervously. 'Oh no! I'm avoiding it again! Aya-chan asked me to consider and to confess to Ran-kun! C'mon Omi! You can do it! Just speak out and tell him!'
Omi gulped and opened his mouth, but was beaten by Ran, who started to speak first.
"Omi, there's something I've to say to you."
"Eh?"
"First, I apologize for… ignoring you past these three days. From what Aya-chan told me, my actions forwards you had pained you."
Omi gave a fake smile. "W-what are you talking about, Ran-kun? I understand if you wanted to be alone… I—"
"Omi." Ran cut him off firmly. "Please, don't give me that smile."
"E-eh?"
Ran narrowed his eyes at Omi's smile. "That smile… is not real. Don't smile when you're not really happy."
'Hm? He… he saw through me!' Omi gaped at the older man.
Something unthinkable happened, Ran's lips turned into a slight smile for Omi. "You always try to hide your emotions into that smile. On rare occasions, I've seen you smile for real." (With that comment, a blush appeared across Omi's face.) "Like the one I saw at the hospital when you were injured," Ran sighed deeply, "You've no idea… how it made me feel to see you there, lying in a hospital bed… looking so vulnerable."
The blush over Omi's face grew redder.
"But that was nothing comparing to the feeling at the moment when you were shot. Never – not even when Takatori Reiji was at sight – have I felt so much anger… when you got wounded. Anger, helpless and need to protect you."
"B-but Ran-kun! It wasn't your fault! It was entirely my fault! I was careless! I-I…!"
"Omi," Ran stopped his rambling, "I once made a promise to myself, long time ago. A promise, to protect you and to guard your back. Because…" 'This is difficult. But I'm sure of them now!'
"Because…?" Omi looked at him curiously, feeling his heart beat more and more rapidly against his chest.
Ran brought his hand close to Omi's face, stroking Omi's smooth skin with the back of his fingers. The slight touch over his cheek, made Omi shiver – not from fear, though. Maybe, just maybe… No, Omi didn't dare to hope too much, but still… the way Ran was behaving now… wasn't as you could say: "normal" for him.
"I can't hide them any longer, my feelings, I just can't. If do, I will regret for not telling you about them." (Omi's eyes widened.) "All my time that I've been with you, I've learned to know you, what kind of a person you really are…"
"Ran-kun… n-nani--?"
Omi was prevented from talking, by Ran's chaste kiss over his lips. That was not what Ran had in his mind in the first place but seemed to work out just as well. If he couldn't say the actual words out loud, his only hope now laid on his actions, hoping that it would tell more than the words themselves. Also, hoping that the honey-blonde youth wouldn't reject him or was disgusted of what he was doing.
The moment Ran kissed him; Omi's brains went all haywire with different thoughts, not to mention his emotions. Panic, relief, disbelief, hope, joy and… love.
Finally, it registered into his mind: Ran kissed him. Ran kissed him! He just KISSED him!
Omi leaned quickly back to his seat, his right hand covering his lips, and eyes wide-open in surprise. He just received a kiss from Ran! So that meant that… he… likes him as well?
Unfortunately, Ran saw Omi's quick retreat as a rejection and was about to leave the youth alone, when suddenly he felt something taking a hold of his hand, stopping him. The older man turned to look, and what he saw was pair of baby-blue eyes, shining with emotions.
"Ran-kun, don't go." Omi said emotionally. "I… I feel the same way…"
Ran sat back to his chair, staring into those pleading eyes.
"I… I've meant to tell you… about my feelings for you, but… I was afraid that you… wouldn't feel the same way…" Omi explained, feeling like he wanted to cry for some odd reason. Ran squeezed the hand, which was still holding onto his as a reassurance.
The older man leaned closer to Omi's face, their foreheads touching. Ran whispered something to Omi, which made the honey-blond youth smile a genuine smile and to lay his head over Ran shoulder, sighing deeply. Ran accepted his closeness, wrapping his arms around the smaller body to bring him closer to him.
Whatever Ran whispered to him, Omi looked happy hearing it.
One thing was certain between them. After all the hardships they have been through; finally, they could freely love each other. Without any fears of rejection from one and another.
To be continued…
Next: Chapter 10: A Nigh Out
Translations:
1. –chan a suffix meaning cute or little, a common endearment; used to address children, (close) younger friends and relatives, mainly females.
2. –kun a suffix used for people of equal / younger age and equal (social) standing.
3. gambatte! good luck!
4. mou a mild curse, or an expression of frustration or anger; "drat", "rats", "geez", "gawd".
5. Koneko Kitty.
6. ne? a very common supporting word; "eh?", "right?"
7. (o)niichan older brother, big brother; 'niichan can also be translated as 'bro'.
8. aa "yeah", "yup"; a masculine expression.
9. okaeri nasai! welcome back!
10. anoo an interjection; "well", "um..."
11. nani? what?
First draft: March 11 – March 16, 2004
Re-written & second draft: June 19 – June 24, 2005
Ater words: Wo-hoo! Done! What do you think, you guys? Good? Bad+sighs+ Personally, I liked this chapter. 3 Hmm, I should re-edit the chapter into better look... but I'm too lazy! Oh well, and now, to answer some reviews:
Joan Mistress of Magic: Ack+falls down+ Alright, alright! Here's the new chapter! (Oh yeah, you must have read it already…) Hopefully you liked this one as well! XD
Memory Dragon: Heeeyy… you changed your pen name… Anyway, glad that you liked Aya-chan's shounen-ai fantasy-moment. 3 I was worried that I over-did her personality… then again, there's no actual knowledge of what kind of a character she really is in manga or anime. (No, I haven't seen ALL the episodes of WK… only the first 5 episodes… ;.;)
Blade6: Wo-hoo! Chocolate+munches it down+ Yummy… Looks like we both were in the same boat with our fics, huh? Anyway, thanks for the review!
Kasra: +blushes at the compliment+ Thank you! Yes, it has been LONG time from the fic's previous update. (A year and half…) o.o But, I'm glad to know that you were able to remember the whole fic, even after the long absent. Also, it's nice to hear that you liked the personality I gave to Aya-chan to go with Ran's. 3 I always do like it that there's a nice balance between the two siblings.