A/N: Well, here's the next chapter. I hope that you enjoy it. I'm having fun writing it, but I feel as though it keeps getting stupider and stupider... Hmm... Let me know if you feel the same. The disclaimer is the same as it has always been. Well, enjoy!

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Ken gasped and then flinched as Ran pulled him back, expecting to hear words of scorn and disgust. The response he did get, however, was one that shocked him so much, that he forgot to take a breath. Ken felt himself being pulled flush against Ran's body. A gasp escaped Ken's parted lips as he felt Ran's arms wrap around him. He turned in Ran's embrace, and turned imploring eyes to Ran.

"Aya," he started, but was cut off by Ran's slender finger on his lips.

"Ran." He told Ken. "Call me Ran. Aya is my sister." He added as an afterthought. Ken looked at Ran, confused and wary over what was happening. Why was Ay- no, Ran being so gentle with him? Didn't Ken repulse him? Or was he going to let Ken down easy, to lessen the damage done to Ken, therefore lessening the damage to the team?

Soft and surprisingly warm lips on his own interrupted his thoughts. Ken had always thought that Ran's lips would be cool, just like Ran's personality. Or rather, what Ken had thought to be his personality. Ken was beginning to understand that the frigidness was a mask. Everything that Ran was doing as of late was turning Ken's earlier perception of him upside-down, right down to his warm, moist tongue running along Ken's lower lip, trying to push past the barrier to enter the warm cavern of Ken's mouth.

Ken automatically let him in, gasping at the electricity that Ran's touch invoked, as well as the passion that it awakened. Soon, the only the thought of Ran ran through Ken's mind. His head, on the other hand, was a whole other matter. As well as that, there were so many emotions running coursing through Ken's body, most of which he didn't recognize, that they were practically choking him. Ken suddenly pulled away, feeling as though the walls were closing in on him.

"Too fast." Ken managed to gasp out, fingers rising to his kiss swollen lips, all the same. Ran just smiled warmly at Ken, not at all annoyed, although he was regretful of rushing Ken like that. Ran pulled Ken into a warm hug and smiled as Ken tucked his head under his chin.

Soon after, the two fell into a warm and comfortable silence, which soon turned into a peaceful sleep, devoid of the recurring nightmare of the dead coming alive to take their revenge, ex-lover Kase along with them.

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Ken woke up the next morning with the sunrise shining through his window. He felt better rested than he had in a long time. He turned to look beside him, expecting to see Ran, but was torn to find the bed empty. He guessed that once Ran had figured out that he wouldn't get what he wanted from Ken, he left.

Just like Kase. Ken had asked Kase to take it slow, and it had seemed as though Kase was okay with it. But then… the whole soccer scandal happened. Well, at least Tan wasn't hiding how he really felt. It hurt more to be betrayed after sharing a lot of precious and happy memories. Still, it hurt. All Ken had actually asked for was for Ran to stay to keep the nightmares away. Not for Ran to start a relationship with him. He hadn't even been expecting the passionate kiss that Ran had given him.

Ken curled up in the bed in an attempt to fend off the pain, but it didn't seem to help, since the pain was in Ken's heart. Ken wished that he hadn't given his heart that quickly to Ran, but he had already had a crush on Ran, and when Ran had kissed him, Ken had dared to hope, and his heart had gone through his mouth to Ran, only to be chewed up and spat out when he was already vulnerable. Ken curled up tighter, wishing that the pain wasn't so unbearable.

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Ran came back into Ken room carrying the American breakfast dish that he just made because Ken loved it the best on a tray. He almost dropped the tray in surprise when he found Ken curled up and tangled in the sheets, silent tears running down his cheeks.

Ran quickly put the breakfast tray on the nightstand and pulled Ken into his arms. "Ken," Ran asked, slightly frantic, "what's wrong? Did you have another nightmare? I knew I should've waited for you to wake up before making breakfast." Ran added, his voice laced with regret.

Ken could only cry harder. He was horrified with himself for doubting Ran like that while Ran had been downstairs making them breakfast, and from the smell of it, Ken's favorite dish, too.

"I'm sorry." Ken whimpered. "You just got up, and I already started to doubt you! I feel so awful! I'm sorry. So, so sorr-" Once again, Ken was cut off by the feeling of Ran's finger on his lips. Ken ducked his head, unable to meet Ran's eyes, afraid of what he might find in them. He was not, given the option to attempt to avoid Ran's gaze, however, since Ran was gently tilting Ken's head up with his fingers cradling Ken's chin. Ran softly brushed his lips lightly across Ken's forehead before he spoke.

"Ken," Ran started, "it's not your fault. I should've known not to leave you to wake up alone like that. I knew that your mind was, no, is in a fragile state. I could've at least left you a note. I just didn't expect you to wake up this early. I'm sorry." Ran added, voice soft, silently reprimanding himself inside for leaving Ken alone like that.

Ken crawled over and laid his head in Ran's lap in an attempt to comfort him. "So it's both of our faults." Ken mused. "Mine for jumping to conclusions, and yours for leaving without letting me know. Problem solved." Ken grinned up at Ran, proud to have solved the issue. Ran smiled tenderly at Ken, heart melting at Ken's innocent gaze.

He found himself slowly leaning closer and closer to Ken. Ken's eyes widened slightly at first, but darkened as he relaxed once more. Soon, their lips met, and they were lost in the other's eyes.

Ken still couldn't believe that Ran was actually being so gentle with him. He couldn't believe that Ran seemed to care about him so much.

Ran was glad to be with Ken. He had always had an attraction to Ken, but could never bring himself to pursue his feelings.

The two lovers drowned in the deep affection they felt towards eachother, glad to have it, and willing to go far with it.

The moment was shattered however, when Ken's stomach growled. They broke apart slowly, and Ken grinned sheepishly, a blush spreading across his cheeks. "Sorry," he said, embarrassed, "I guess I'm hungry…"

Ran chuckled and just ruffled up Ken's hair. "Well," he said, "since we're not going to the café for breakfast, we'll just go for lunch and have our talk." Ken nodded, mumbling his assent, though not quite paying attention to Ran, but rather reaching for the food. Ran laughed at Ken's antics and pulled him into a hug.

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Next Time... Choices, Choices

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Well, there it is. Getting pretty chessey... Hn.

I need a beta reader for this fic. If you're interested, just mention it in your review, and I'll get back to you.

Well, I hope that you enjoyed reading this installment. Don't forget to leave a review on your way out. Oh, and scratch the cat by the door behind its ears.

Signed,

PrincessFlame91