Many, many thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter.

This chapter gives Aya a chance to be normal.


Aya awoke alone, and felt both fear and relief.

Fear, because he thought there might be a chance Yohji would have seen his breakdown for the weakness it was.

And relief, because he needed a few moments alone.

His mind felt clean and fresh, free of its usual darkness. He felt well-rested, and realized that sometime after he had fallen asleep, Yohji must have undressed him. He could only feel grateful for that thoughtfulness – he hated to fall asleep in his clothes. He trusted completely that Yohji would not have done anything…untoward

Strange that he still wasn't certain he could trust the man with his heart.

Aya's breaking had destroyed, at least temporarily, the last of his mask. Yohji would never again see him as the strong and dependable man who had led Weiss.

Was that all right, Aya wondered? Was he allowed to be weak and frightened and sad now? Would Yohji still be able to love him now that he had learned how fragile he really was?

The darkness began to seep back into his mind, ushered in by the sudden doubts.

The door opened, and Yohji walked in with a tray of food. He wore a smile, and not much else.

"Please tell me you didn't cook in your underwear." Aya blurted.

Yohji stumbled a step.

"What?"

"It's unsanitary."

"Unsanitary or not, you should be appreciative." Yohji informed him with a pout. "I worked my ass off so I could bring you breakfast in bed."

"I hope you didn't." Aya glared as Yohji sat down beside him.

"Huh?"

"Work your ass off. I said I hoped you didn't. I rather like it."

A full, boyish grin spread across his handsome face as Yohji gave a burst of surprised laughter. The hint of unease that had been hiding in his expression vanished.

"There's that sharp-tongued little charmer I fell in love with."

"And do you remain in love with him?" Aya questioned as idly as possible, plucking a piece of bacon off the plate and nibbling it, refusing to meet his lover's eyes.

Yohji kissed him quickly on the cheek.

"There's nothing you can ever do to make me stop, bunny thong," he murmured quietly, voice gone so husky and intimate that Aya found himself closing his eyes and leaning in closer.

"Tell me you love me," he whispered.

Yohji kissed his cheek again, and Aya could feel him smile against his skin.

"I love you. I'll always love you. You're everything to me."

"Don't ever leave me, Yohji," he whispered, taking a shuddering breath.

"I won't. Not ever. I promise."

"No matter how weak I am?"

Yohji tenderly brushed long strands of hair from Aya's eyes.

"You aren't weak, Aya," he swore gravely. "You're human. It's nice to be reminded of that sometimes…nice to know that you need me and that you aren't as perfect as you seem. If anything, it makes me love you more."

"Thank you, Yohji."

The blonde pulled him into his arms, kissing him gently.

"What do I have to do to prove to you how much you mean to me?"

"Nothing." Aya answered truthfully. "Just be patient…it's going to take a while for me to get used to the idea that this is real."

"I'll give you all the time you need, bunny thong. Don't you know I'd do anything for you?"

"I appreciate you bringing me breakfast."

"No problem."

"Do I have to eat it, though?"

Yohji pulled back.

"Why?"

Strangely, Aya found himself blushing.

"I can think of better things to do in bed," he answered at last.


Aya missed work both Monday and Tuesday, preferring to spend those days allowing himself to be weak – allowing Yohji to take care of him.

The only reason he worked in the first place was to have something to do with his days. Without his sister's hospital bills to worry about, the bulk of Aya's savings from his time as an assassin was going unused. The redhead might even have enough in savings that he wouldn't have to work at all if he didn't want to.

Yohji was relishing the new level their relationship had taken on. Having Aya need him was too amazing for words.

And seeing trust and affection and hope shine in those violet eyes was a treasure he had never dreamed he would one day possess.

"We could leave the city," Yohji suggested Tuesday afternoon. He had managed to convince Aya that a "lazy day" was perfectly normal and managed to coax the man onto the couch to watch movies despite the fact they had spent so much of the previous day in bed.

Aya, snuggled closely to his side, didn't so much as lift his head.

"Hm?"

"Just picture it – a little house way out in the country where no one could find us. Just you and me, all alone with our love."

"We would end up hating each other if we were that isolated."

"Aw, c'mon. Just picture it. We could have a big front porch with rocking chairs, and when we're old and our hips are too brittle for sex, he can sit in those chairs and talk about sex."

There was a smile in Aya's voice.

"You disturb me sometimes, Yohji."

"Only sometimes? I must be losing my touch." Yohji let his fingertips play along the bare skin of Aya's arm, coaxing out goosebumps and a delightful little shiver. "It's sad to think about though," the blonde decided.

"What is?"

"That one day we'll be too old for sex."

"By that time, Yohji, we won't be interested in sex anymore." Aya sighed and snuggled closer. Yohji took great pleasure in the fact he didn't argue with his assumption that they would still be together when they were that old. "All we'll care about is bingo."

"You honestly can't see me in a walker, chasing you around the cruise deck? How depressing." Yohji let his hand casually drop into Aya's lap. "So, if we're going to be like that one day and we know it, don't you think we should fool around while we still have the chance?"

"What – on the couch?"

"We've never done it here before?"

"We've never done it outside the bedroom."

"Or the shower." Yohji reminded him.

"Or the shower." Aya agreed.


They were dozing on the living room floor when the phone began to ring. Aya managed to answer it before it woke Yohji.

"Hello?"

"Don't hang up on me."

Narrowing his eyes, Aya managed to squirm from Yohji's arms and sit up.

"You still there?"

"Hold on."

Rising, Aya managed to throw on some clothes, then, with a glance at the slumbering Yohji, removed himself to the kitchen.

"What the hell do you want, Hidaka?" he demanded at last.

"Why are you mad at me? I don't care if you fuck Yohji."

Aya paused a moment, then switched the phone to his other ear as he moved to put some water on the stove to boil it.

"You don't?" he asked at last.

"You know Omi – he thinks he has to protect everyone."

"I don't need protection."

"Hell no you don't – which is why I don't care. I have to admit that it was a little creepy at first, but as long as you don't do anything in front of me, then there's nothing for us to have a problem with."

Aya closed his eyes, leaning back against the counter.

"Thank you, Ken."

Ken coughed, obviously uncomfortable.

"Right…uh…yeah. Anyway, Miyo thought I should call and make sure you knew that we were okay. I didn't want to bother you, but…"

"No, I appreciate it. Thank her for me."

"So…is Yohji with you right now?"

"He's asleep. We're having a lazy day."

"Lazy? You?"

"Shocking, isn't it?" he asked dryly, taking the now-boiling water off the stove.

Silence passed for a moment, then Ken sighed.

"Do you ever miss the old days, Aya?"

"No," he answered without hesitation.

"I do. I miss Weiss…my family. Do you think we'll ever be friends again?"

"You and I, or the whole group in general?" Aya asked, pouring the water into a mug and dipping in a tea bag.

"I don't know. Both. Either."

"I don't know." Aya admitted.

Ken sighed. "Me neither. Hey, hold on a minute," he spoke to Miyoko for a moment, muffling the receiver. "Aya?" he asked at last.

"Hn?"

"You think you and Yohji would be willing to go out with Miyo and me sometime?"

Aya hesitated.

"I'd have to ask him, but it's probably possible," he answered at last.

"Have to ask me what?" Yohji yawned, padding into the kitchen.

Aya quickly covered the receiver with his hand.

"How do you know I'm talking about you?"

"Oh, I know, baby."

"For gods' sake, Yohji, put some clothes on."

"Why?"

"It's unsanitary to be naked in the kitchen!"

"Fine, fine." Yohji grumbled, stalking back out.

"You still there, Ken?" Aya asked, sitting down at the table with his tea.

"Yeah. Do I want to know what's going on over there?"

"Probably not." Aya smiled to himself, surprised by how good it felt to be talking to his teammate again.

A small laugh sounded from the other line.

"Why don't we ever talk anymore, Aya?" the brunette asked, as if he had read Aya's thoughts.

"I'm antisocial."

"Really? I never would have guessed."

"Ass."

"Who's an ass?" Yohji asked, kissing the top of his head as he re-entered the kitchen.

"Ken."

"Oh…there was some kind of argument that he wasn't?"

"I heard that!" Ken protested.

"He heard that." Aya told Yohji.

"Good. Hiya, Ken-Ken!" he called with false cheer. "Fucker!"

"Tell him I love him, too."

Aya dutifully relayed the message and Yohji chuckled.

"You make fresh coffee yet, bunny thong?"

"No; I didn't want the smell to wake you."

"Either you're sweet, or you're a perv who was planning to molest me while I was unconscious." Yohji kissed the top of his head again, giving his shoulders a warm squeeze. "Either way, I'm flattered."

Yohji passed by to make coffee, and only then did Aya realize that, though the man had put on a shirt, he hadn't bothered with pants or underwear.

"Kudoh!"

"What?" the blonde asked innocently.

"What's going on over there?"

"Ken? I'm going to have to call you back."

Aya hung up before his former teammate could respond, and rose quickly from his chair.

He knew the expression on his face must have been truly dangerous, because Yohji began to laugh, holding out his arms to him.

Aya came willingly into the embrace, reaching around to pinch one bare cheek hard enough to make Yohji yelp and release him.

"No. Naked. In. The. Kitchen." he glared.

Yohji only pouted.


To Be Continued

Response to Unsigned Reviews:

CaT70 - Ah Bob...do you really think he's so easy to kill?

glinwulf - thank you very much!

talietim - Oh, I would never, ever consider leaving Aya out, trust me. I love him too much to ever consider it - especially after this fic. And don't wory; the weiss boys live in my head now - I doubt I'll ever lose interest in writing about them. (As if they'd let me, anyway...)

Thanks again, everyone! The countdown has begun; only four chapters left!