Against All Odds

Chapter Four

Aya hopped from leg to leg, her childlike impatience beginning to get the best of her. Omi watched as the quiet little girl stubbed the toe of her shoe repeatedly against the sidewalk, creating a makeshift sort of rhythm. She began to anxiously tug at her braids, softly humming a sweet melody in the back of her throat to accompany her tapping foot.

Omi still found it amazing that one so young could be so… depressed. Even now, as she displayed behavior of any normal eight year old girl, there was no denying the underlying note of somberness behind it all. The harmonious tune she hummed sounded terribly sad and mournful, and her movements seemed slow and sluggish. The child's eyes were dark and hollow, staring out blankly into an unseen void.

She looked like a porcelain doll, Omi mused, a broken one. With her pale skin, dark illustrious hair, and simple pleated dress, there was no denying she could easily become a model for a doll-maker.

Omi frowned. If not for ever present sadness, that statement would be true.

They were standing underneath the canopy outside the café, awaiting Ran's return. Omi had insisted that they wait inside at their table, but Aya had persisted that she wanted to step out onto the sidewalk to watch the rain. It was a notion Omi didn't quite understand. If he had been her, rain would have miserably reminded him of…

"You're getting wet," the girl's quiet murmur interrupted his thoughts.

Omi blinked, coming back into reality. "Huh?" he questioned dumbly, blinking again as a cold, wet droplet pelted him in between the eyes.

Omi made a little sidestep, retreating from the rain gushing off the sides of the canopy. He hadn't realized that while lost in his thoughts, he had began to unconsciously gravitate to the right, the water running onto the top of his head and sprinkling on his shoulder.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" He grumbled, shaking the water out of his hair and brushing it off of his coat before it could have a chance to soak through.

Aya shrugged, standing on one foot and twirling in a small circle. "You looked… pre…occupipe," she said slowly, obviously vaguely aware of the meaning behind the word, even if she couldn't say it correctly.

"Preoccupied," Omi corrected, patting her fondly on the head. At least she hadn't lost all of her sense of innocence, he thought morbidly.

Omi lifted his wrist, checking his watch. "Where is that brother of yours?" He mumbled, becoming more miffed as the longer they were forced to await his return. "It's not like him to take so long."

Aya stuck her small fingers out from underneath the safety of the canopy, wiggling them in the small waterfall of rain. "Maybe he's not coming back for me," she said matter-of-factly, as if it wouldn't have surprised her to be the truth.

Omi frowned, staring out into the rainfall for traces of the redhead. "Don't be ridiculous Aya. I don't know what makes you say things like that," he said distractedly.

Omi tilted his head, watching as a tall silhouette suited in black and adorned with blazing red hair began to materialize through the rain. "There he is!" He declared in relief, letting loose a long pent up breath.

And then, another figure came into view. A man, about Ran's height, was walking a few steps behind Ran, though still somewhat side-by-side. A long, dark material hung from his shoulders, twisting and twirling as if the man was wearing a cape. It was strange, Omi thought, how the white clothing underneath stood so stark against the darkened back drop, that it almost gave the appearance that the rain drops were parting in his path. It looked… ethereal, almost otherworldly.

The man's dark head was hung low, and although he and Ran were not engaged in any conversation or even exchanging glances, Omi still had the impression that they were traveling together.

"Ken," Aya murmured gently at Omi's side, her voice sounding airy and light. Omi had almost forgotten for a minute that she was there.

"Aya," he said, squatting down at her side. Omi pulled a handkerchief from his coat pocket, taking her tiny hands inside his own to wipe off the water. "Ken's at home sick. I already told you that this morning," he said shaking his head slightly.

Aya frowned, jerking her hands out of Omi's grasp. "It is, too, Ken," she said moodily, crossing her arms over her chest.

Sighing, Omi rose up and stuffed the cloth back into his pocket. There was no arguing with the girl. Omi had learned early on that she could be very stubborn, even more so than her brother at times.

As the two men drew closer, the rain began to lighten up and tiny hints of sunshine started to peek through the darkened sky. It also became obvious that they were both soaked to the bone, their hair and clothing molded against their bodies. Even from the short distance away, Omi could tell Ran looked very disgruntled and… Omi tilted his head in curiosity as he noticed the large duffel bag hanging from Ran's shoulder.

Ran, apparently noticing them both awaiting his arrival, began to pick up the pace, the man at his foot remaining in his slower, easy stride. Ran reached them in no time, huddling underneath the safety of the canopy.

He frowned, looking over Aya. "She should be inside. She could catch a cold out here."

Omi, distracted by the other man approaching slowly, just shrugged. "I told her that, too. But she wouldn't listen."

Aya, having not paid attention to a word they were saying, stepped over to the very edge of the canopy. Raising her tiny hands and cupping them around her mouth, she yelled to the stranger. "Hurry, up Ken!"

Omi sighed agitatedly, walking over and grasping the girl's wrist. "Aya-chan, that's not…" the man's head snapped up as he was called to. "…Ken," Omi finished in awe, instantly recognizing the man's facial features.

Ran, also in a daze but for other reasons, glanced down at his sister. Ever since she had arrived at his house, he had never heard her speak in tones above a murmur, much less call out to anyone.

Ken began to jog, catching up to them in a matter of seconds. Omi watched curiously as Ken approached, taking note of the wary eyes and slumped posture. He looked fragile, ready to break upon the slightest impact. But as he got closer, something slipped over his face. The haggard look melted away, a more friendly and open demeanor taking over. However, even through the smile Omi could still barely see the traces of grief lingering in Ken's eyes.

The look before had been so strange, maybe even alien. Although he had only met Ken once, he instantly took him for one of those types that constantly remained happy- not a care in the world. To see him like that… well, it brought a chill down Omi's spine.

Ken stepped underneath the canopy, slipping out of Ran's leather coat and shaking off as much water as he could.

"Nice to see you again, Ken," Omi said pleasantly, smiling all the while.

"You, too," Ken replied, draping the wet coat over his arm. He bowed formally, swinging his free arm out to his side to give a dramatic flare. "And the fair lady," he said through a charming grin. The corners of Aya's mouth upturned slightly in response.

Omi realized, as his eyes began to sweep over Ken's frame, that it was almost impossible not to stare now that the long trench coat had been removed. Ken's clothing was mere flimsy white, having become translucent from the rain. Every ripple, every dip and curve, had become painfully obvious from the rain causing the thin material to cling greedily to his skin. The high definition in his abdomen was definitely the results of frequent work-outs, and even the whipcord muscle in his upper thighs was starting to show through as the water dripped off his torso and soaked through his athletic pants.

Beside him, Ran cleared his throat loudly, breaking Omi out of his silent reverie. Omi blinked owlishly, hoping Ran had been the only one to notice his staring. On another level he also hoped Ran had taken it for simple curiosity, Ran still not knowing about Youji and his sexual preferences.

Omi knelt down, grasping the lapels of Aya's coat and beginning to button it up. "Feeling better, I guess?" He questioned in between buttonholes.

Ken gave a quick sidelong glance at Ran, and Omi thought maybe Ken hadn't wanted him to know his personal business.

"Yea," he answered simply. Ken rubbed the back of his neck as if unnerved. "I just needed some fresh air," he added after further deliberation.

Omi nodded, rising from finishing up Aya's coat. "Are we ready to go then?" he directed towards Ran.

Ran opened his mouth to answer, but was cut quick by Ken's curt reply. "After coffee." Ken inclined his head towards the café behind them, offering up his most appealing smile. His eyes flitted over to Ran, locking gazes briefly as if to challenging him to disagree.

Ran sighed. "After coffee," he echoed. He was not one to deny a hot drink when his own body was trying its best not to be racked by cold shivers.

"But you're both soaking," Omi said, raising an eyebrow.

"Ah," Ken raised his index finger into the air, "to go then. You and Aya don't have to wait around for us if you don't want. It is getting pretty cold out here." Ken smiled slyly on the inside, wondering if his little ploy would work.

Ran brightened at that comment, jumping aboard ship. "You take Aya home. I don't want her catching a cold," he said to Omi.

Omi crossed his arms over his chest, stealing a glance at Ken who immediately looked away innocently. "Then how will you get home?" he questioned, vaguely aware of why Ken had decided to play upon Ran's brotherly nature. It seemed the man was intent on getting Ran to finally crack the shell- even if that did mean spending time alone with the "Ice Prince" outside of a business setting.

"My ride is back at the park," Ken answered for Ran, smiling devilishly at Omi.

Omi merely shrugged, tightening his hold on Aya's tiny hand. "I'll stay with her at your house until you get back," he said to Ran, fishing his car keys out of his pocket. "Enjoy your…" he paused, eyeing Ken up and down very deliberately, "coffee."

The two watched Omi and Aya leave, filing into the crowd and sliding over the crosswalk. Aya's head turned back momentarily, and Ken waved jauntily to the young girl who merely ducked her head back against Omi's arm.

"Is there something you two aren't telling me?" Ran said quietly over Ken's shoulder, having apparently not missed the knowing looks between him and Omi.

"You buying, or me?" Ken smiled, avoiding the question altogether. 

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They walked leisurely along the sidewalk back towards the park, steaming cups of coffee clutched within their cold fingers. Clothing was slowly beginning to dry, and the sun was trying its best to peak out from behind dense clouds. Ken's duffel bag still hung from Ran's shoulder, the wet trench coat having been draped on top of it.

Ran took a long sip, his chilled breath causing the steam to roll out over the cup's lid. "Omi was staring at you," he said conversationally in between sips.

Ken smiled lopsidedly, blowing a puff of air across the dark liquid in order to not scorch his tongue. "The real surprise is that you weren't staring at me," he said matter-of-factly.

Ran snorted, rolling his eyes. "You are beyond arrogant."

"It's called 'charming'," Ken attempted to correct him, idly stirring his coffee straw through the cloudy, thick drink.

"Besides," Ran said, absently frowning as a kid rushed past barely avoiding colliding with him, "you're most definitely not my type."

"Oh? What is your type then?" Ken inclined his head in curiosity, eyes sparkling with interest.

"The gender without your particular," Ran eyed Ken's crotch disdainfully, "apparatuses. And someone much less smug," he added on a side note.

Ken laughed genuinely. "I don't believe you."

Ran arched one fine, red eyebrow. "I do too think you're smug."

Ken waved his hand in a round about matter. "No, no, I meant that you're preferences lie strictly in women. I don't believe that."

"Believe what you want," Ran said icily, eyebrows marring as he took another long drink of his coffee.

"I will," Ken replied with a show of straight, white teeth. "But let's say, hypothetically, that you did know someone involved in a same sex relationship. What would you think of them?"

Ran paused briefly in step, eyeing Ken dubiously.

"Hypothetically?"

"Yea," Ken agreed, laying his hand gently on Ran's back to softly push him back into step, his fingers splaying wide against the ripple and flow of Ran's sleek shoulder muscles.

"I'd have no problems with it," Ran answered earnestly, becoming slightly distracted by Ken's warm hand still upon his back.

"Even if it were someone very close to you?"

"Personal matters are personal matters," Ran said, finishing up his last swallow of drink and tossing the empty cup into a waste receptacle as they passed. He peeked over at Ken, noticing his cup was still quite full. "Why do you ask?"

"Hypothetical questions are hypothetical questions," Ken replied, mocking Ran's earlier tone and doing his best 'stick up my ass' facial expression.

"Hypothetically," Ran began, his voice dripping with acid, "how much longer do you think you can keep touching me before I remove your hand by force?"

Ken took his hand from Ran's back, laughing briskly. "Now I know you can't be sure your sexual preference is women only. You probably have never gotten close enough to either gender to make a solid decision." Ken gravitated towards Ran, sneaking his hand up to tug gingerly at one flame colored ear-tail. "Sex requires touching," he whispered to Ran as if it was some great big secret that no one had ever let him in on.

Ran shrugged off the hand, eyeing a food stand as they walked. "I'm perfectly capable of physical interaction," he retorted, highly doubting that what he had just seen could pass as actual food.

Ken took a huge sidestep, moving directly in Ran's path to face him. Ran stopped, crossing his arms agitatedly over his chest.

"Touch me," Ken ordered, his face full of seriousness.

Ran blinked, his stern face slipping a notch. "Wh… what?"

"Touch me," Ken repeated, his voice rising slightly over the bustle of passer-bys.

Ran resisted the urge to blush as an older woman strolled past them, her face a mixture of surprise and embarrassment. Two teenage girls passed on his other side, whispering and giggling quietly at Ken's declaration.

Ran jerked a fierce hold on Ken's arm, dragging him further down the sidewalk with an angered and frustrated growl. "Are you aware of the concept of humility?" Ran hissed in Ken's ear, appalled at even the thought of… touching in public, much less Ken!

Ken chuckled off Ran's irritation, allowing himself to be ushered down the pavement. "Calm down, Ran. I didn't mean sexually."

Oh, he hadn't realized that. "That's not the point!" He grumbled back, determined to keep his annoyance in firm roots. "Do you think they knew that?" He indicated the passing people with a broad sweep of the arm not detaining his captive.

Ken titled his head cutely, smirking at the redhead. "You're embarrassed," it was more of a statement than a question.

Ran stopped abruptly, swinging Ken around to face him toe to toe. "You are incorrigible," he said grimly, his mouth dropping in a stern frown.

"Maybe," Ken smiled sweetly, "but at least I know you weren't lying about being able to physically interact," Ken's eyes darted down to the pale fingers still wrapped tightly around his wrist, the creamy skin tone looking offset against his tanned complexion.

Ran instantly jerked his hand away as if burned, bringing it upward to rub soothingly at his temples. "I swear you will be the death of me."

Ken turned on his feet and started back down the sidewalk towards the park. "But what a way to go!" he called back to Ran over his shoulder.  

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"This… is your ride?"

"You ride it, don't you?" Ken retorted flipping up the seat on his motorcycle and digging around in the compartment underneath.

"I assumed you meant your car. The one you've been driving to my house."

Ken pulled out an extra helmet, tossing it to Ran whom caught it effortlessly. "You know what they say about assuming." Ken began to strap down the duffel bag with an elastic cord.

Ran frowned down at the helmet, seriously doubting Ken's brain capacity. "We're wet, Ken. We're going to freeze." And then there was the little matter of having to sit behind Ken, body to body, clinging tightly. But he chose to overlook that particular factor.

Ken shrugged, unlatching his own helmet from a safety cord designed to thwart off thieves. "My place isn't too far away. We'll stop by there and dry off, and then I'll take you straight to your house." Ken glanced at Ran's frowning face as he climbed atop the bike. "Problem solved," he said simply.

Ran doubted that. He swung his leg over the seat, climbing on behind Ken. The angle of the seat instantly caused him to slide forward, his chest pressing tightly against Ken's back. Taking a deep breath, he slipped on his helmet, the smell of vinyl and plastic filling his nose.

The engine came to life, the purr reverberating against Ran's chest. He sighed behind his visor, looking downward at how he was locked in place thigh to thigh against Ken. The world was against him, he just knew it.

"Relax," Ken said lightly, "I don't think one ride is enough to take away your resolve." He reached back, taking hold of Ran's hands and placing them firmly on his middle. "You are straight after all, remember?" Ken teased, slipping on his own helmet.

Ran didn't hear him. He was too distracted by how nice his hands felt on Ken's trim waist. 

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Ran was mildly surprised when they reached Ken's place. As exuberant as the other man was, he would have guessed Ken's house would be somewhere inside town, surrounded by other people and the interaction he so obviously craved. However, his place was in a quiet little district, the houses scattered far apart enough that each occupant had nice sized yards, and something that could pass as privacy in Tokyo.

As they pulled into the drive, he did a quick survey of the house. It was quite tall, though not very wide, and two floors high. Definitely very large for one person, and Ran figured Ken must be doing something right to have the money to afford the place.

Ken pushed a button on his keychain, the garage door slowly coming to life. He coasted the bike inside, the engine dying out and the stand coming down.

Ran climbed off first, removing his helmet and shaking his hair back into place. There were two other motorcycles in the garage and the car he had seen Ken bring to his house. Ken took the helmet from Ran's hands, unlocking the compartment and stuffing it back inside. Then he untied the duffel bag, swinging it across his shoulder.

"It's the feeling I get from it," Ken said as he noticed Ran staring at his other bikes. "I don't think you would understand."

"Hn," Ran grunted in response, turning to follow Ken inside the house. He fiddled with the keys before it finally clicked unlocked.

"I'm home!" Ken called out, swinging the door open dramatically.

Ran raised his eyebrow, glancing over Ken's shoulder into the living room. Maybe he had been wrong about the place being too large for one person. Perhaps Ken shared it with another.

Before he could open his mouth to voice his query, a large mass of fur bolted from the hallway, torpedoing straight at Ken and knocking him backwards. Ran barely managed to grab hold of Ken's upper arms and lodge him upright before Ken fell backwards onto him.

"Gypsy! Down girl!" Ken grabbed the golden retrievers collar, pulling her away from the doorway before she could tackle Ran as well. "Sorry," he said, kneeling down to scratch her head, "She gets kind of excited when I have company."

Ran eyed the dog warily, Ken's firm grip on the collar the only obstacle keeping him from death by saliva. "Indeed," he said dryly, watching the interaction between master and pet.

When the dog had calmed somewhat, Ken relinquished hold, allowing her to softly pad to Ran's side. She sniffed tentatively at his hand.

"She won't bite you," Ken said smiling impishly as Ran watched the dog through slit eyes.

"If she's anything like her master, that's not the least bit comforting." Nevertheless, he reached out and gently patted the dog's head, earning a strong tail wag for his efforts.

They both slipped out of their shoes, leaving them by the doorway. "Come on in." Ken gestured for Ran to follow as he made his way into the living area.

The cool air pelted Ran as they entered the room, his body reminding him that he was still somewhat damp.

"Wait here," Ken said, starting off down the hall with the gym bag to assumingly get the towels to dry off.

Ran took in the makings of the room. It was very large, and not messy like he had imagined it would be. In contrast to his own living room, Ken's décor was very dark- mostly blacks and deep browns. There were some sort of Tribal masks hanging on the wall, and other jungle-like motifs were scattered about. His eyes landed on a row of picture frames, and instantly his curiosity got the best of him. Ran glided over to the bookshelf.

The first one seemed rather recent, Ken's appearance pretty much identical to his current state. He stood straight and proud, a soccer ball resting between his arm and hip as he smiled openly to the viewer. There were many small children sitting on the ground all around his feet, looking equally as happy though a little more disheveled.

The next picture also seemed to be taken recently. It was sort of far off, but he could definitely make out the two people to be Ken and Youji. They were standing in front of a movie theatre sign advertising the opening of Tried and True. Ran instantly remembered it as one of the screenplays Ken had mentioned working on.

There were a few more pictures lined up. Some of Ken as a child, bright eyed and mischievous, others of him looking adorably upset from a scraped knee or scuffed elbow. However, it was the last one in the row that caught Ran's eye.

There was a man and a woman, probably in their early forties, hand in hand. They were standing outside of a shop of some sort, and although the man was blocking out most of the shop window, Ran could make out the word Koneko.

The woman, Ran realized, had Ken's open and warm smile. Her sleek black hair was tumbling over her shoulder as her free hand waved to the person taking the shot. The man was tall and lean, his skin very dark and tanned compared to the paleness of the woman. His brown hair was wavy and unruly, nearly covering a very familiar pair of brown eyes.

"My parents," Ken said quietly at Ran's back, causing him to jump a little in surprise. Ran gave a sidelong glance at Ken, taking note of the uncharacteristic frown that had crept into Ken's features and the same pair of eyes on the man in the picture.

"You have your mother's smile," Ran murmured in response, turning to look back at the picture.

"Yea, but I think I look more like dad," Ken replied, a little softness creeping back into his face. "He's half American," Ken added thoughtfully. "My grandmother was from New York city."

Ran turned to Ken, suddenly feeling for some reason he needed to take Ken's mind off the photo. It seemed to disturb him. "It's a nice city," he supplied.

Ken walked away from the bookshelf, retrieving the bundle he had placed on the coffee table. "Oh? Been there before?"

Ran nodded. "I spent a lot of time in America." He decided Ken didn't really need to know more than that.

Ken clutched the bundle to his chest, smiling slyly at Ran. "You speak English?" Ran nodded in response. "Say something in English," Ken said, his eyes twinkling with interest.

Ran hesitated, not quite sure what to say. But if Ken didn't know English, he figured it didn't much matter exactly what he said to him. He stared at Ken for a moment, the silence becoming overwhelming.

"You have beautiful eyes," Ran said in perfect English, his Japanese accent not even creeping into the smallest syllable.

Ken smiled, reaching out to hand Ran a towel. "Thank you," he replied also in perfect English.

Ran blinked, suddenly feeling like the biggest fool ever.

Ken's smile broadened so wide, his eyes crinkled at the corners. "What did I say about assuming?" He teased Ran, shaking his head as if he pitied him. "After all, my grandmother was English," he said, unrolling his own towel.

Ran glared back at him, gripping the towel roughly. "I hate you."

Ken shrugged. Not really pressing the subject any further. He felt Ran had been embarrassed enough for one day. He shoved the rest of the bundle into Ran's hands.

"Here's some dry clothes. I'm pretty sure you can fit into my size. The bathroom is down the hall, first door to your left."

Ran nodded grimly, taking off down the hall.

Ken just chuckled softly at his retreating back, making his way into his own bedroom to find a change of clothing.

Shutting the door behind him, he begin to strip deftly, rummaging around in the closet for clean jeans. "Shit," he muttered to himself. "I gave him my last pair."

Ken glanced down at the large bath towel, deciding he would have to make his way to the laundry room to find something to wear. He grabbed up the towel from his bed and wrapped it securely around his waist, opting that it was better than streaking through the house.

He opened the door, stepping out into the hall at the exact same moment Ran exited the bathroom.

Seconds passed as they stood there stalk still, neither one speaking nor moving. Ran appeared frozen in time, his hand still loosely resting atop the bathroom doorknob. A slow, steady grin began to unroll across Ken's face.

"Now who's staring?" He said, watching Ran through half-mast slits of deep brown.

Ran rolled his eyes, as if the spell was finally broken. He turned on his heel, retreating back into the living room.

Ken smiled, pleased. Maybe it wasn't noticeable yet, but he had seen it in that moment -just a small glimmer, a broken shard floating through Ran's eyes. He had, in that instant, let all his shields down, making himself open and vulnerable.

So the fortress walls weren't impenetrable after all. 

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If there's any confusion, the appearance and heritage of Ken's parent's were made that way to fit into my storyline. Oh, and perhaps I should have mentioned this from the start of my story, but the way Ken looks in my fic is based on his character design from Weiss Side B. Because in my opinion, he looks his sexiest there ^_^ His haircut is adorable in Side B. Sort of a boring chapter, but the interaction between Ken and Ran was cute :)