Chapter 6 – Epilogue

Summary: Ken was injured on last night's mission and Aya finally catches Ken in his room and forces the talk on him. Confidences are shared and attraction revealed. Now for the morning after!

Hugs to Moonraven, Medusa Davenport and Wai-Aki!

13.09.04 - Last chapter finally! Edited for sexual content (which was really tame to begin with). The full version will be posted on my website which will be up soon, else you can mail me for the full version.

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It's early in the morning when I wake. My leg is throbbing and I shift to try to ease the ache. As I turn, my knee connects with a large warm object.

I turn my head to gaze at the sleeping man next to me. The ruffled red locks are splayed on the pillow. In sleep, Aya's stern features are relaxed and he looks at peace. I never imagined that he could look so young and innocent.

He murmurs in his sleep and turns over causing the covers to shift, leaving one bare white shoulder exposed. And I know he's not wearing anything except a pair of briefs under the covers. My thoughts are now anything but innocent. I'm getting a different sort of ache now.

Last night was a monumental night as both Aya and I took a chance on each other and revealed our feelings. If you'd have told me last week that Aya would be in my bed this morning, I'd have told you that you were crazy and delusional.

After our revealing confessions I was all for consummating our newfound relationship but it seemed fate, after being so kind all day, had other ideas. Seems my lunge for Aya wasn't appreciated by my leg. The wound had reopened from the sudden movement and had soaked through the bandage by the time I realised. Well actually it was Aya who discovered it, I was preoccupied by other things at the time and my pain threshold is quite high.

I've already learnt two things about Aya. One is that he's got fantastic night vision. I mean, I knew it was good, having been his partner numerous times on missions, but I didn't realise it was that good. How did he see the blood coming through the bandage in an unlit room on a night with only a dull crescent moon?

It was no surprise that Aya can be a really stubborn bastard. After I was re-bandaged, he flatly refused to continue with our previous activities. I could hear him muttering about injured idiots with too many hormones as he stalked to the bathroom for the fresh bandages.

The second thing was an eye opener. Seems our fearless leader is a closet snuggler. I was resigned to a quiet night but my heart gave the biggest thump when Aya snuggled up to me, putting his arm around my chest and resting his cheek on my shoulder. Even when I moved, he'd just resettle back around me. My theory on this is that since Aya's cut himself from people, he hasn't been getting enough human contact. Just things like a simple touch, his body is craving it. But no complaints here, it felt so right for him to be in my arms. And that's how I fell asleep.

But now I'm awake. I peek down the covers at my thigh. The bandages are still snowy white. Good. However the pain is still there. I could get out of bed and take some painkillers, but I think I'll go for the natural method this morning.

I roll onto my side so I'm facing Aya who is also lying on his side. I smooth away the errant strands of hair covering his eyes. Damn, he looks good. I could get used to waking up to such a beautiful sight.

I feather light kisses down his cheek as I smooth my palm down his back. Aya's skin is absolutely delicious. It's intoxicating me, combining with the heady scent that is Aya.

Aya lets out a small moan but remains sleepily unaware of the plans I have for him.

I gently push him onto his back and continue my path of kisses down from his face. I linger on his neck, nibbling and sucking on the firm skin. My hands are busy exploring his shoulders and down his chest to his stomach.

"Ken… Aa… That's good…" Aya is waking up now. I like the little sounds of pleasure he makes. Even more, I love the way he says my name in that husky voice. I want to hear him call my name when I'm inside his body.

I drop my head and let my mouth follow the path taken by my hands. I've reached one brown nipple and am happily exploring it when a hand settles on my hair, pulling to get my attention.

"Ken no baka! What the hell are you doing?"

I look up to Aya's face which is displaying a combination of concern, exasperation, passion and sleepiness.

I deliberately lick his nipple again. "If you don't know what I'm doing, then you're a lot slower than I gave you credit for."

"But you're injured! How can you be so blasé about your health, baka! Here let me check your leg."

But I refuse to move from my position and I move the lower half of my body over Aya's, pinning him down. I do have more muscle than him, but I know that Aya isn't protesting very hard because he's worried about hitting my leg.

"I've already checked it. I'm not stupid enough to contemplate making love to you if I was going to be bleeding all over you." I wrinkle my nose at the thought.

Aya sighs. "I just think you shouldn't be moving around so much while your injury is still fresh. I want you to be careful. I don't want to see you in any more pain." He traces a finger down my face.

I cave in on seeing the pleading look in those amethyst eyes. I reluctantly roll off Aya's legs and wiggle up until my head is back on its pillow.

"Fine fine," I grouch.

"You're so impatient. Now I want you to be good and not move around, okay?"

"I already said I wouldn't. How many times do you want me to say it?" My tone is grumpy at Aya for not letting me continue playing with his body. But it's just silly. How could I be mad at Aya for caring about me? I should be glad that one of us has sense because I probably could reopen my wound again.

"Thank you Aya. You're right, of course. I'll be good, I promise." My smile is reluctant but no less sincere.

"How is your leg feeling?" Aya asks as he peeks under the covers at the limb in question.

"Oi! Wanna start something huh babe?" I raise an eyebrow suggestively.

Aya smiles as he shakes his head in mock dismay. Ooh! My first full Aya smile. It's absolutely exquisite in the morning light. God, his face is transformed when he smiles. It's gorgeous normally, but now it's downright heart-thumping beautiful, and the thing that makes it the best is that this smile is just for me. My heart skips a beat and I'm sure I've stopped breathing.

"Ken?" Aya looks worriedly at me.

"Aa… It's throbbing a little. Maybe I should get some painkillers." Back to the boring method of pain relief for me.

"Hn." What is that smirk I see on Aya's face? Why isn't he getting out of bed, but instead moving closer to me?

"Let's see if I can distract you from your pain for a while. Remember your promise," is the last thing Aya says before his hand disappears under the covers to trail down my chest.

"Nani?" I'm astonished, shocked and starting to feel very hopeful. "I can't move? Aya, that's not fair!"

"Deal with it. You got yourself shot, so you have to be good and lie still, while I… take care of you." Aya runs his teeth lightly over my earlobe and I shiver in reaction and anticipation.

His unoccupied hand reaches for my face and he tilts my face so that our faces are in alignment.

Aya bends his head and once again we're caught up in discovering just how much passion there is between us. Our mouths slide back and forth against each other and it's perfect. There's just no other way to describe it.

I gasp as Aya's other hand reaches the top of my boxer briefs. But he stops there and is just playing with the elastic and toying with the faint smattering of hair on my lower belly. He's such a tease. I endure the sweet torture for as long as I can, enjoying the way his fingers feel against my skin.

But two can play this game.

Aya's curled up on his side pressed against me. I can feel his hardness pressing against my hip.

I want to drive him as mad as he's making me.

I reach over and press my hand against him, rubbing slowly.

"Ken…" Now it's Aya's turn to gasp. Good.

Aya's breathing is erratic, his eyes are closed and his cheeks are slightly flushed. He looks eminently desirable.

Oh well, screw that promise. I push him onto his back and reverse our positions. I pull off the covers and move down his body.

"Ken… you can't… your leg…" Aya manages to get the words out.

There's no way I'm going to stop now. I stopped noticing my leg a while ago.

"It's fine. I mustn't be doing a very good job if you can still remember that. I'll have to work harder."

Aya lets out a deep moan as I move lower. He doesn't last long under my ministrations.

I straighten up and kiss my way up his body, back to his lips.

"You… are… delicious…" I punctuate each word with a kiss.

Aya opens slightly dazed eyes. "Ken no baka."

"Hey! What kind of comment is that for your new lover?" I give him an affronted look.

"Your leg is injured. Now let me look at it." Aya sits up and leans over to peer at my leg. This time I don't say anything. "You know, you broke your promise," he remarks conversationally.

"I'm sorry." I give him my puppy-dog look, but I can't maintain it for very long. "Wasn't it worth it?" I waggle my eyebrows.

"Ken." Aya gives me a stern look, but I see the passion in his eyes as he gazes back at me. "Since you broke your word, I'll have to… punish you."

That's all the warning I get. Ah, turnabout is fair play.

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I wake up again and it's now late morning. The sun is shining brightly through and it's an absolutely beautiful day.

I feel different today. There's a lightness within me, a feeling that I can do anything and everything. And I realise that I'm actually looking forward to the coming day.

I'm smiling as I reach sideways for my red haired lover, but my hand touches only empty sheets. I turn to the place where Aya had slept and see the slight indentation in the pillow. Good. It wasn't a dream. I don't know what I'd do if it was only a dream.

A hint of red catches my eye. I look at the bedside table on which lies a small tray with a glass of water, a box of pills, a handbell and a single red rose. There's a note written in Aya's neat writing. It says 'Stay in bed and rest. Ring the bell if you need anything.'

I'm smiling again. I've turned into a hopeless sap.

But I need to go to the toilet and no one can help me do that. I pull myself up and swing my legs out of the bed. I pull on a shirt before I take the painkillers and then slowly make my way out of my room to the bathroom.

I've relieved myself, washed my face, brushed my teeth and am in the process of changing my dressing when the door is suddenly flung open.

"Ken! What are you doing up?" Aya looks me over assessingly.

"Ne… koi, ever heard of knocking on the door first? What if I was pissing or something?" I finish wrapping the fresh bandage on my leg.

"Oh." Aya looks at the floor. He mumbles, "I wanted to change your dressing for you."

"It's really not that pretty." I sit down on the edge of the bathtub to put my shorts on. "But you can do it tonight if you really want to."

Aya walks over to assist me. As he kneels to pull my shorts up my legs, I can't help but imagine what else he could be doing in that position. Of course, my body reacts to the thought. There's no way Aya's gonna miss that.

I abruptly stand up and Aya follows suit. He raises one eyebrow as he looks at me whilst smoothing the waist elastic of my shorts.

"What can I say? You're really hot." I say defensively.

"Can't you control your hormones?" Aya sounds amused, but he's left his hands on my waist.

"Can you?" I ask challengingly as Aya's fingers idly caress the skin above the back of my shorts.

"Of course." Aya drops his hands and moves to leave.

I move instinctively to stop him, grabbing his arm and pulling his unresisting body back against mine.

"Umm… my leg's hurting a bit. Wanna distract me a bit?" I shamelessly use the excuse of my injury.

Aya is quick to read the mischievous look in my eyes. "Ken…"

"No? Okay, how about just kissing me for the heck of it then?" I proclaim cheerfully.

Aya smiles again and it's as glorious as before. "Baka." But he bends his head to mine.

After what seems only a few seconds of bliss, there's the sound of someone running up the stairs.

Aya pulls away from me and turns to face away from the door. I only have time to straighten my shirt and wipe the silly smile off my face before Omi's hesitant voice is heard from the hallway.

"Ano… Ken-kun." I can hear him knocking on my door.

"Hey Omitchi. I'm in here. What's up?" I poke my head out the door and smile at the young blonde.

"I wanted to see if you were hungry and wanted breakfast yet. Oh Aya-kun. What are you doing here? Helping Ken-kun?"

Aya nods stiffly as my stomach rumbles on demand at the thought of food. I laugh.

"Looks like that's your answer. Just let me grab a jumper and then I'll be down."

"Hai!" Omi disappears as quickly as he can, though not without a quizzical backward glance at us.

The chibi's right to be suspicious. When was the last time Aya came to help him after being injured? I'm not talking about the initial treatment of the wounds. After a mission, we all have an understanding that whoever needs help will receive it. But for assistance after the initial part, I'm sure that Aya would help any of us if we asked him to, but I was always closer to Yohji and Omi and would generally ask them for their assistance. I'm pretty sure that those two did the same thing. Aya does have an unapproachable air about him.

"Hn." Aya looks at the departing blonde with narrowed eyes.

"It's your fault you know. Ambushing me in the bathroom when I'm injured and my resistance is low." I tell Aya jokingly.

"My fault?! You asked me to kiss you!"

"Are you saying you didn't want to kiss me?" I raise an eyebrow. If Aya keeps this up, he's gonna find himself in trouble.

Aya correctly reads my belligerent expression and quickly says, "Of course not. Come on. Let's get you downstairs and fed."

There's another little scuffle when Aya wants to carry me down the stairs to the kitchen.

"You have got to be kidding?! I weigh more than you!" I laugh at the thought.

Aya's face ices over. "I'm glad you find it so amusing."

"And I'm only a few centimetres shorter than you. We're not quite the same as Yohji and Omi." I'm still giggling. 1

"What? Yohji and Omi? What do you mean, Ken?" Aya gives me a suspicious look.

Oops. Me and my big mouth. "Nothing. I just meant that if it was Yohji and Omi in this situation, or even either of us and Omi, then we could carry Omi down. But it just wouldn't happen with anyone else." I hope Aya's gonna accept this explanation.

"Hn."

"But thank you for the thought, koi." I start down the stairs slowly holding onto the banister.

Aya steps down beside me and takes my arm from the railing and places it around his waist. He puts his arm around my shoulders supportively. Wow. This togetherness concept is really blowing my mind. I snuggle closer to Aya loving the feel of his slim body against mine.

We pause at the landing between the staircases. "What should we tell the others?" I turn to Aya with a serious look on my face.

Aya shrugs. "I don't care. Whatever you want."

"You don't mind?" I say questioningly.

"Ken, I don't care what they think. I only care what you think. If you want to tell them, then tell them. If you don't, then don't."

"Aww… Isn't that sweet, Omitchi? What do you think they want to tell us?"

Aya and I look down the stairs to find a smirking Yohji and smiling Omi looking up at us.

I sweatdrop. "What are you guys doing here? Aren't you supposed to be working?" It seems there's no decision to be made anymore.

"I was just coming to tell you that your breakfast is ready in the kitchen." Omi's big blue eyes blink innocently up at me.

"Oh. Thanks Omi."

"And I was just taking a break 'cause the shop's empty. Momoe-san is out there in case anyone comes in. So… you melted the Ice Prince, ne Kenken?" Yohji winks at me.

"Kudou…" growls Aya.

"Come on Yohji-kun. They'll never get down the stairs if you keep talking. You can talk in the kitchen while Ken-kun is eating." Omi drags Yohji off to the kitchen.

"Oh well, that was easy." I say as Aya and I continue down the stairs.

"Hn."

We've reached the bottom of the stairs when Aya says, "What did Kudou mean when he said that you melted me? How does he know about us?"

Damn Yohji and his big mouth. "Umm... koi… Yohji told me that he knew we were attracted to each other. He was encouraging me to tell you."

"Hn." Aya looks thoughtful.

"You're okay with this, aren't you?"

"Of course. I don't care if they know." Aya pauses to lightly caress my cheekbone. "I was just surprised that Kudou picked up on my feelings." Aya suddenly grimaces. "I'm not looking forward to the ribbing that's undoubtedly coming."

I flash my red-haired partner a cheeky smile. "Well, I don't think that'll be a problem. Just leave this one to me, koi. Let's go. I'm hungry."

"What do you know Ken?" Aya asks persistently as we walk to the kitchen.

"Nothing! Why can't you just leave this to me? I promise you, there won't be any teasing by Yohji."

It's not my secret to tell so I find myself reluctant to reveal Yohji and Omi's relationship to Aya. I don't even know if they are ready to go public yet. After all, Omi is only seventeen and Yohji has always said that he likes girls over the age of eighteen. Besides it's kinda nice to have something over Yohji. And it'll make Aya feel better if Yohji isn't teasing him all the time.

The kitchen is empty when we arrive and I sink gratefully onto the chair. Omi's made me a huge breakfast, rice, fish, egg, miso soup and vegetables.

Aya goes to the counter to make tea as I begin to eat.

Yohji enters via the back door after a few minutes. He places his lighter and cigarettes on the counter and sits down. Ah, should have guessed he'd be smoking out the back.

"So Kenken. How's the leg today?"

"It's okay. Bit sore, but bearable."

"Good good. Do you think you're up to coming and working at the register in the store? I wanna send the chibi to school. He misses too many classes as it is. But he wanted to stay home today in case you weren't feeling up to it."

I nod. It's true that Omi does miss a lot of school. But he's lucky that his teachers like him and understand that he also works to support himself as he has no parents. And Omi is a smart student and keeps up with the class easily, so they are happy to support him.

The kettle boils and Aya puts the tea leaves in the pot to brew. He gets our cups and joins us at the table.

"Ah! So domestic already." Yohji smirks at Aya.

Aya glares at him, so Yohji turns his attention to me.

"Got frostbite this morning, Ken?" he says conversationally.

"Don't you think it would be 'bad luck' for you to continue this conversation?" I emphasise the words bad luck.

Yohji stops smirking. He remembers that I was in the kitchen with him and Omi last night.

"Sure Kenken. I better go send the chibi to school. If he leaves soon, he'll only miss a couple classes." Yohji pauses when he reaches the door. "Truly I'm happy for you guys. We all need something to hold onto and survive for." He flashes us a smile and then he's gone.

I look at Aya and he's looking at me. I smile and reach out to lace my fingers through his pale fingers resting on the table.

"What's up, koi?"

"I can't believe he stopped when you told him to. What hold do you have over him?"

I laugh. "Nothing. You're so suspicious. Are you like this all the time Aya?"

"Aa… Ken…" Aya looks at me warily. "I wanted to tell you, I really like the nickname you've given me. But I also wanted to tell you… My real name is Ran. Aya is my imouto's name. I was using it as a way of keeping her alive."

"I guessed that Aya wasn't your real name. Thank you for sharing your real name with me. What do you want me to call you? And I want to hear about your sister. Where is she? How can you be in Weiss with a sister?"

"I'd like it if you called me Ran, but you can call me whatever you want. I want to tell you about Aya-chan too, but it's a long story and I might leave it till later, if that's alright."

I squeeze his hand. "Ran-koi. I like it. We're only at the beginning and I'm looking forward to discovering all about the real Ran Fujimiya."

"Me too." Wow. I can't believe the look in Ran's eyes, it's so open and relaxed.

I sigh happily in contentment.

"Oh Ken, you forgot to give me my book from when we went shopping."

"Did I? Oh yeah. I just threw the bag in my closet. I'll go and get it for you later. You know, I was so surprised when you picked up that book. That Yuki's pretty hot, huh? I looked at the author's photo on the cover." I smile at the memory.

"Ken, you're still looking at other guys?" Ran looks at me with slightly narrowed eyes. I'm worried that he's serious and I'm spluttering "Ano… Ran…" when he sighs dramatically and says "I can see that it's going to be a lot of work to keep you in line."

"What?!" I exclaim. "You were just pulling my leg!"

Ran smirks as I groan.

"I think I'll have to punish you for that. And I think I've got just the thing… in my shopping bag…" I scratch my chin as if deep in thought.

"Ken, no way. There's no way I'm going to wear that thong." Ran is shaking his head at me.

"No? But I think you'll look extremely sexy. C'mon Ran. I won't make you wear it around all day, just model it for me, huh?" I plead.

"No." Ran is still shaking his head.

"I'll model it for you next time." I wink suggestively at Ran.

"Hn…"

"I'll take that as a yes."

- Owari -

1. It's true! Though sometimes Ken is drawn as much shorter than Aya, the Weiss Kruez Film Book (official, so it must be right!) says that Aya is 178cm and Ken is 175cm. Perfect! (Yohji is 182cm and Omi is 163cm, in case you are interested…)

And that's the end… Thank you for reading!
Hope you enjoyed it and please let me know what you think!