Angels in Heaven

Epilogue

It was a fine summer's day with perfect weather for basking in the sun and playing on the beach. Schuldich and Yohji lounged on a large blanket taking the time to get a tan and watch the beach bunnies. Jei and Ken went surfing to pass the time. The four teenagers chased each other around with water guns along the shore line. Crawford was conveniently in jail for soliciting a minor in a country with very strict laws.

All was good.

No one tried to kill them or kidnap one of them. The small coastal town was a safe place for the gifted were a flower shop owner did nothing more then sell flowers.

Ran had recovered nicely the move to a new place had done him good. He had forgiven Sake and now they were an inseparable couple only allowed to share a bed because the four adults couldn't find a good argument against it. Besides, he slept better with someone there. Jei was still his adopted father though Ken had argued he had custody first if only by default and not on paper. They were still arguing, but also sleeping together so the fighting was more for the makeup sex then who has claim to one kid.

Nagi had been jealous of Ran and Sake for a while until Omi shyly kissed him on the cheek and asked him out. Everyone thought it was cute and Nagi stopped giving Sake a hard time.

"Hey Schu," Ran panted running up to the two playboys a smile softening his features. "Can we go to the pier?" he asked absently clicking his tongue ring against his teeth.

"For what?" Schuldich asked in charge of the teens while Jei and Ken surfed.

"Ice cream." Ran said waving his hand at the other three. "Omi and Sake said they sell new flavors on Saturdays."

Schuldich and Yohji exchanged glances the blond shrugging faintly. "I don't see why not." The German finally said. "Just don't leave the pier unless you're coming back."

Ran smiled brightly. "Cool," he said turning to run back. "Thank you!"

The change had been real good for Ran. He asked more his age even when in public. The tongue ring was his way of brining back some of the youth he had been denied that Jei and Ken had actually allowed. He had gained the weight he had lost back so now he was just thin not dangerously skin and bones.

Sometimes though the redhead sat at the window seat in his bedroom staring out at the ocean. He would seem depressed then as if he knew he was missing something. When questioned he would shrug and smile then go back to watching the water as if nothing was wrong.

They knew, deep down, that Ran had lost something that day in July. Be it soul or innocence, he had lost a part of himself that would never return and it was at those times he felt it most.

It was at those times Ran would hear a soft whisper of his name and feel a tickle on his nose. Those times he found Ken leaning in the doorway a secret smile on his face. He knew what the redhead had lost though he would never say.

They both had died then came back bringing something with them and left something behind. Both had connected in a way on one could understand and at the same time all of them had connected in one way or another.

Ran stopped halfway back to his friends and looked out at the water. The ocean surf lapped against the shore at his feet. Out in the waves several people could be seen on boards riding the waves with ease. He looked beyond that, past the waves and water to something only he could see and listened to something only he could hear.

"Hey love." Sake said softly stopping beside the redhead slipping an arm around the slim waist. "Whatcha lookin at?"

Ran turned and smiled. "Absolutely nothing." He said honestly. "And absolutely everything."

Sake smiled leaning in to kiss the redhead. "You know I like you at this weight, you fit just right."

The younger teen scrunched his nose playfully and poked the brunette in the side. "I'll race you to the pier." He said and took off running across the sand Sake following close behind.

Owari

Angels in Heaven

The End