Disclaimer: Weiss isn't mine. Shocker, I know.

Did somebody ask for some angst? Get ready…

Heart's Truth

Chapter 4

Omi had noticed the change in his longtime friend and he was happy to see the man so content. It was like having the old Yohji of years ago back in his life.

"So are you going to tell me what has you so happy?"

Yohji smiled around his chopsticks at the man across from him. No matter how powerful he became, or how much his looks matured, he would always see the perky kid with baggy shorts and big blue eyes.

"Not 'what', but 'who'." He saw the eyes widen and chuckled. "I met someone."

"Really? That's wonderful, Yohji." Omi waited for Yohji to continue but the man just smiled and ate his food. "You know, playing mind games is bad for your digestion." The smile got bigger. "Being coy does not become you, Yohji." Omi clenched a fistful of napkin in his lap and kept his voice even and his smile friendly. "Why must you do this? Am I not your friend? Just tell me about this person so I can be happy for you." Yohji tilted his head and eyed his friend with a raised eyebrow. "Ok, fine. I take it all back. It's not bad for your digestion, I don't think you could look bad doing anything and I'll be happy for you no matter what but I'd really like to know more about this person so I can run a background check."

Omi huffed and sat back in defeat, reaching out for a sip of his wine to calm his nerves. Nobody could get to him like Yohji. He had learned to meet and defend against Ran's steely glare and curt words, and there was no need to defend against Ken because well, he was Ken. But Yohji….he'd always had a soft spot for the lovable playboy.

They'd always teased Omi about being a mother hen to the group of assassins but in all honesty, through the years he'd let go of that persona. He had to in order to run Weiss and ultimately Kritiker. He still cared for his friends, but he didn't hesitate to send them out on missions that could prove to be their last. They all knew the risks.

But over the years Omi had come to realize that at some point, he'd developed a bit of a crush on the older man. It was juvenile really and he knew nothing would ever come of it, but there it was. So whenever Yohji played coy and flashed his smile and those damnable green eyes, he was a goner. Years of built up barriers and the calm, calculating persona of Persia melted away, leaving a fifteen-year old boy to defend himself against the great Kudoh Yohji. There was no contest.

"His name is Sai. I met him at a bar and we've been dating for about four months now."

Omi noticed Yohji's omission of Sai's last name. He sat forward again, resuming his meal. "What does he look like? What's his job?"

Yohji chuckled and sat back, reaching for his cigarettes until Omi shot him a deadly glare. He raised his hands in defeat.

"I don't need your permission to date him, Omi. You're not my father and I'm definitely old enough to make my own decisions."

"Spill it or I'll fly Ken in to harass it out of you."

"Fighting dirty? That's so unlike you." Omi smiled sweetly. "Anyway…..Sai is tall, dark and handsome. Literally. He comes off as kinda quiet, but when it's just the two of us, he's much more open. He grew up abroad but came back to attend university. He's been gone for the past year and now he's back."

Omi listened and watched closely as Yohji relayed the events of his fourth-month courtship with Sai. He saw how the green eyes danced when he spoke. With one exception.

"…..and I know this sounds crazy coming from me but I think…..well, being with Sai makes me happy and I don't want it to end."

"Does Sai feel the same way?"

Yohji caught the look in Omi's blue eyes. It was curious, calculating. He'd caught something in Yohji's story and he was fishing for answers. He looked out over the street, watching all the people walking and driving by, lost in the rhythm of the city.

"I don't know."

"It's ok, you know. Being scared is all part of falling in love."

Yohji smirked and turned back to face his lunch companion, finally seeing a glimpse of the man he'd become after all these years.

"Is that so? And who said I was falling in love?"

"I know you too well, Yohji. And I'm happy for you." The waitress arrived and cleared their dishes, and Omi waited until she was out of hearing range before speaking again. "Do you think there's a possibility of meeting this Sai person sometime soon?"

"Maybe. I'll ask him when I see him tomorrow."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Hey there, Katzchen." Schuldig kissed Yohji hello and then backed up to allow the man into his apartment. "You're early, that's very convenient."

"Convenient? For what?"

"For me." Schuldig grabbed the collar of Yohji's jacket in his fists and pulled the man in with a rough yank and kissed him deeply. "I missed you."

"Prove it."

Twin lustful smiles met before being crushed as the two came together. It wasn't long before they were both panting and lying on the floor. Moments of such intense lust never last long, but the aftershocks remain as a pleasant reminder. And that's where the pair found themselves right now. In each other's arms, on the floor, letting the ripple-effect of their orgasms flow through their bodies.

"I think you proved your point."

Schuldig stared up at the ceiling, a contented smile on his face. As his fingers absently played with Yohji's hair, he realized with a certain sense of satisfaction that it was getting longer. He'd liked the former assassin's shoulder length locks and was a bit disappointed to see him with short hair.

"You're letting your hair grow out."

"I'm feeling like my old self again so I thought I'd look the part. Do you like it?"

Schuldig tugged on a piece of hair playfully. "What if I don't?"

"I'll cut it."

Schuldig leaned up on his elbows and looked down at Yohji in wonder. He suddenly realized just how deep he was getting and it alarmed him. How did I let this happen? How could I have been so careless?

"Babe? What's wrong?" Yohji reached up and brushed back the black bangs hanging down, wanting to look into the eyes of the man who suddenly seemed troubled.

"I…I don't want that kind of power over you."

Yohji frowned and sat up to face Sai. "What are you talking about? It's just my hair."

"No. It's not just your hair….is it?"

Yohji saw the fear in the deep green eyes and his heart felt like it was in a vise.

"I wasn't going to say anything yet, but….."

"Then please don't, Yohji."

"I'm in love with you, Sai."

Yohji blurted out his confession a few seconds after Schuldig made his plea. Yohji stared in wonder at the man next to him that somehow felt miles away despite his close proximity. What happened here? Weren't we just happy together, calling out each other's name in a moment of passion?

He turned away from Sai and looked around the room that had clothes strewn everywhere. No, this wasn't love that just happened. It was pure lust. Did I misread the situation that badly?

Yohji got up and started to get dressed, looking for his discarded clothes while making sure to avoid eye contact with the man still sitting on the floor.

"Yohji….."

"No, I understand, it's ok. I'll just…..I'll see you later."

Yohji shrugged his jacket on and headed out the door. Schuldig turned, his mouth open to call Yohji back, tell him not to go, that he felt the same way, but no sound came out. This is for the best. I was fooling myself to think this could last. I've put both of us in danger by staying here for so long.

To be continued….