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Part 5 They made their way back to the Koneko, the last of the evening sun spilling bloodred over the sky behind them as they reached the store. There was no sign of the other three Weiß members as they ascended the stairs and made their way to Aya's room. In silence, they changed, both putting on their pajamas as though they hadn't spoken in the park at all, then looked at one another shyly. "So..." Chihaya seemed awkward now that it had finally come down to it. He was still blushing faintly, had been since they'd left the park. "So..." Aya whispered back, finally finding the courage to take a step forward. Chihaya moved at the same moment, flowing into his embrace like water into a goblet, clinging tightly to him as he raised his face for a kiss. In response, Aya lowered his head, catching Chihaya's lips in a searing kiss, his hand coming up to cup the back of Chihaya's head as his other arm pressed Chihaya's body against his tightly. Chihaya kissed him back, hands winding in Aya's shirt as he raised up on tiptoe to better reach the taller man's mouth. Their groins met, erections pressing together and drawing a prolonged moan from Chihaya. Aya gasped, catching the lightweight boy up into his arms and striding to the bed, placing him gently on it. He bent, kissing Chihaya again deeply, hands straying over Chihaya's pajamas. Chihaya wrapped his legs around Aya's waist, keeping him from pulling away. "Why did we put these ON?" he asked when they finally broke for air. His nimble fingers danced over the front of Aya's pajamas, teasing the buttons open. Aya laughed breathlessly, staring at Chihaya in amazement. While he'd known the boy had a lover... it hadn't really registered until now. "I have no idea," he admitted, drifting a line of kisses down Chihaya's throat. "Mmm... then again, it's so much FUN taking the clothes OFF," Chihaya murmured, purring into his caresses. He deftly got the top off Aya's body, and his fingers slid over the exposed skin, searching out every sensitive spot on the larger man's body. Aya arched, gasping as Chihaya proved, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he knew exactly what he was doing. His hands finished unbuttoning Chihaya's top, pulling away to slide it from his arms. Chihaya sat up to allow Aya a better angle to get rid of the offending material, and Aya smiled, gathering the boy close, so that their chests were pressed skin to skin. Warmth pooled between them, spreading outward in an incredible wave of feeling. "God... I'd forgotten how good it feels to be held skin to skin like this," Chihaya murmured, nuzzling at the base of his throat. A soft tongue flicked out, tasting the sweat pooled in Aya's collarbone, making the redhead gasp with pleasure. Aya's hand slipped up, burying itself in the silk of Chihaya's hair as his own head arched backwards. His free hand trailed slowly down Chihaya's spine, dragging along the indentation. When it reached his tailbone, it slipped under the loose waistband of his pajama bottoms, continuing against the skin. Chihaya rocked back against his hand, crying out. His back seemed inordinately sensitive, beyond anything Aya had expected. His clever fingers returned the favour, stroking over Aya's chest and pinching at his dusky nipples. Aya growled, grinding their hips together with as much leverage as he could manage, needing the friction. When Chihaya cried out, throwing his head back, Aya leaned in, catching the advantage and nibbling at the join between shoulder and neck. "Oh... Aya..." Chihaya gasped out, one hand pinching harshly at Aya's nipple as the other raised to thread through the silky red hair. "You're so beautiful... so amazing... I never thought I would feel like this again!" Aya moaned, the words catching at him. He slid his other hand from Chihaya's hair, letting it slip down to join the one in his pants, clutching at his rear and pressing the smaller boy close to him. He offered no words of his own, unable to think of anything to say. Chihaya pushed on his shoulders until they were lying sprawled across the bed, Chihaya's smaller body draped over Aya's lean form. Their cocks brushed together through the thin cotton of their pajama pants, making them both moan. Chihaya hefted himself up to his hands and knees and planted his mouth on Aya's throat, sliding his lips and tongue slowly down the length of the man's body towards his groin. Aya whimpered, hands sliding back up Chihaya's back as the other man moved lower, his body arching up to meet Chihaya's demanding mouth. Now the words came, compliments dripping off of his lips intermingling with Chihaya's name, often broken until it was unintelligible. Chihaya continued his downward journey until his lips met the fabric of Aya's pajamas, harsh compared to the satin-over-steel texture of the man's skin. He gripped the edge with his teeth and started tugging downward, looking up playfully at Aya as mischief sparkled in his eyes. Aya gasped, staring in stunned, aroused fascination as he lifted his hips again to ease the way. Purring loudly enough that Aya could hear it, Chihaya used his teeth to pull the pants off his lover, never once touching the fabric with his hands. When he was finished he sat up again, smiling wickedly. This was a far cry from his usual soft, innocent smile. "Where the hell did you pick that up?" Aya asked breathlessly, slipping his fingers into the front of Chihaya's pants and grasping him before the boy could answer. He stroked the satin-hard length slowly, watching Chihaya's eyes. The violet deepened to a royal purple with desire, and Chihaya threw his head back and gasped again, his eyes struggling to stay open. "Just... playing around," he answered. His cock twitched beneath Aya's hand, hardening fully as the redhead stroked. "It's incredible," Aya said, shaking his head. He leaned up, catching his lips on Chihaya's nipple and teasing it to a hard point. Chihaya moaned, fingers sliding down to skim over the length of Aya's cock. He knelt over the taller man, his bottom perched just below Aya's erection, his wide eyes watching Aya's face for a reaction. Aya pulled his head away, looking up at Chihaya through lust-fogged eyes. "Lubricant," he whispered suddenly, letting his head drop down to the bed for a moment. "I think I've got some lotion in the drawer." Chihaya leaned over him, pressing against his entire body as he stretched an arm out to reach the dresser drawer. It would have been much easier for Aya to get it, but this was so much more entertaining. Aya gasped, arms coming up to clutch Chihaya close. "Lover," he whispered, nibbling at Chihaya's earlobe. "Gods... you feel so good.' Chihaya moaned, and Aya felt the muscles rippling in the boy's back under his hands. The youth fumbled in the drawer, finally emerging with the small container of non-heating massage oil. "I'll feel even better when you're inside me," the dark-haired boy whispered in Aya's ear, tongue flicking out to brush over the delicate shell of skin. "Yes," Aya hissed, letting Chihaya sit back up as he reached for the massage oil in the youth's hands. Chihaya let him take it, one hand stroking Aya's cock slowly as he nibbled his way up and down the strong column of Aya's neck. Aya moaned, pouring some of the oil into his hand and offering the bottle to Chihaya to hold while he slicked his fingers in the smear. Oil dripped onto his belly, the small pool smelling of smoke and roses. He watched Chihaya put the bottle carefully on the table, still uncapped, then smiled, sliding his fingers over Chihaya's hips and down the crack in his buttocks. Chihaya squirmed, tilting his hips to grant Aya the best angle for access to his hidden hole. He cried out softly as Aya's fingertip touched the ring of tight muscle. Pouring oil liberally into his own palm, he cupped it for a moment to warm it before turning his hand over and allowing it to drizzle over the length of Aya's cock. When his hand was empty he brought it down and rubbed along the length of the heated member, coating it thoroughly in oil. "Fuck..." Aya whispered, thrusting up into the hand as he tried to gently prepare his lover for the invasion. He was finally forced to reach down, catching Chihaya's wrist and holding him still as he slid his finger inside. A moment or two, and he found the soft gland that would send Chihaya into orbit. Chihaya actually screamed, and Aya was once again fervently grateful for the soundproofing in the walls. Otherwise his teammates would be bursting in about now, to find out why he was killing the boy. Panting, the youth thrust himself against Aya's finger, keening softly in his throat. Arousal growing painfully stronger at the sound, Aya laughed softly, feeling his chest swell with pride. He'd made Chihaya scream, and he would again... Gently, he introduced another finger, nudging it past the outer ring and letting Chihaya feel a little more full. Chihaya's body was tight, as tight as a virgin's, proving that it had indeed been a long time for him. Despite that he seemed to feel no pain at the intrusion, rocking back and forth on Aya's fingers with every evidence of rapture. Eyes closed, head flung back, hands on Aya's shoulders to steady himself, Chihaya was a vision of carnal sexuality. His seeming youth only highlighted his attraction, adding an edge of the forbidden to the knife of desire stabbing through Aya. Aya added a third finger, stroking his free hand over Chihaya's hips, over his erection and sac, fondling the latter absently as he controlled the fingers buried in Chihaya's body. Finally judging the boy to be prepared enough, he withdrew them all, catching Chihaya's hips in each hand and locking eyes with his lover as he positioned himself at Chihaya's opening. "Take me," Chihaya breathed, violet eyes locked on violet. "Make me yours, Aya. Take away the emptiness inside me..." Aya nodded, all speech taken away by the plea. He pressed Chihaya downward slowly, letting himself slowly invade the boy. It felt so good, the tightness wrapping around him as Chihaya's body fitted to his like a glove. "Mine," he finally hissed, buried to the hilt in Chihaya's warm, welcoming body. Chihaya's legs tightened around his waist, and the boy lifted himself marginally before sinking back down again with a drawn-out moan. "You feel so good," the dark-haired youth whispered, eyes half closed in ecstasy. "So amazing... I'd forgotten... it feels so incredible!" Aya's breathing grew harsh and uneven as he tried to control himself, wanting to last beyond the initial burst of pleasure. His hands smoothed over Chihaya's body, rougher than before as he began to lose the fight. He'd never imagined it could be like this. Chihaya was much stronger than his delicate-seeming body would have indicated, thighs clamping over Aya's hips as he lifted himself and thrust back down again and again. They rocked together, their bodies seeming to meld in ways beyond the mere physical joining. It didn't take long before it finally became far too much. Aya arched upward, pressing down on Chihaya's hips with all his strength as he tensed, pulsing into the warmth. He felt Chihaya's inner muscles contract around his cock, the youth approaching his own orgasm with the speed of a runaway freight train. Chihaya was gasping and panting for breath, and his eyes flew open in shock as he felt Aya come within him. "Oh God... I'm going to... SHIT!" His fingers squeezed Aya's shoulders painfully. "No, no... Aya, sto... AH! AhhhhHHHH!" Chihaya screamed as his orgasm hit him all at once, creamy fluid spurting out over Aya's stomach in hot jets. There was a rush of displaced air as a dark feathered wing burst from Chihaya's shoulder, beating frantically at the air around him and nearly drawing him up off Aya's body. Dark, silky hair tangled around Aya's hands, though he hadn't moved them from the boy's hips. Chihaya's eyes were closed, his face screwed up in an expression of mingled agony and ecstasy as he cried, tears splashing on Aya's chest. Aya froze, staring at the change in his lover, his body's pleasure forgotten. His breath came quickly, almost hyperventilating as he tried to reconcile the longhaired, winged beauty with the boy he'd fallen in love with... made love to. Finally, he asked shakily, "Chihaya?" Chihaya ducked his head so that his hair slid over his shoulder, hiding his face. "I'm sorry!" he cried, voice torn with wretchedness. "I... I lost control... you weren't supposed to KNOW!" Still buried in Chihaya's body, Aya did the only thing he could. In a state of half-wonder, he gathered Chihaya to him, stroking the wing-free side of his back as Aya stared up at the ceiling in shock. His hand encountered a mass of scar tissue that hadn't been there before - what felt like the stump of a bone protruding from the boy's left shoulder. Clearly Chihaya had possessed two wings at some point. The winged youth collapsed against him, crying raggedly into his shoulder, dark feathers drifting down slowly from where his wing was spread out above him. "It's okay," he finally murmured, shaking himself to dispel the fog. "Chihaya... it's all right, lover." Chihaya lifted his head enough to allow one teary violet eye to peer up at him from beneath the screen of dark purple hair. "You... you're not... disgusted with me?" he murmured, shocked. "No," Aya hastened to reassure him, though his hand skittered away from the scar tissue and bone. That would take some serious getting used to. "It would've be nice to know sooner, mind you," he said, raising a slender eyebrow at Chihaya. "But, no... I'm not disgusted." Before the youth could question him further, he reached out, catching the back of Chihaya's head and kissing him - deep but tender. Chihaya kissed him back with desperate emotion, tasting of salt from the tears that still streamed over his cheeks. He pulled away after a moment, his eyes serious as he gazed at Aya. "You mustn't tell anyone. Not even your teammates. No one is supposed to know... what I am..." "What are you?" Aya asked, without promising. He couldn't resist another soft kiss, dropped on the corner of Chihaya's mouth. Chihaya slanted him a warning look. "I'm serious, Aya," he said. "They... they could kill me, if they found out YOU knew. This entire mess with Morikawa stems from the fact that I was stupid enough to show my wings to an Earthian, once." "Which doesn't explain what you are, Chihaya," Aya said calmly. "I won't betray you. I just want to know what I'm protecting, since I already know who." Chihaya looked away, sighing. He pulled himself out of Aya's arms, curling up in a ball against the wall as was his wont when he was nervous - knees tucked to his chest, arms folded across them and chin resting on his arms. This time he had the addition of his knee-length hair shielding most of his face and body, as well as the black-feathered wing curving around his right side like a living feather blanket. "You would call us... 'tenshi'. 'Angels'. For lack of a better word, that's what I am." "Angel?" he blinked, startled. A sudden thought occurred to him, and he spoke before he could censor himself. "Those women in the park...?" Chihaya nodded. "Yes. I... am an exile. A 'Fallen Angel'. A 'lucifer', in our terms. It's forbidden for an angel to speak to a lucifer... they could have been cast out just for having contact with me. They knew what I was because... because of my hair." Chihaya touched a dark lock self-consciously. Aya glowered suddenly, reaching out before Chihaya could stop him and dragging the angel to him. "Fuck them," he said roughly, cradling his lover's body. Chihaya made a startled noise and resisted him for a moment, before relaxing slowly against him. The dark wing fluttered momentarily and settled over Aya's chest, the spicy scent of feathers filling his senses. "If that's what they think, they're not good enough for you," Aya continued, stroking his fingers through the now-long hair as he got used to his lover's new body. "You don't understand," Chihaya whispered into his shoulder, though the tension was slowly seeping from his body as Aya stroked him. "Angels don't die, Aya. Not ever... unless they're exiled. Something about Earth, or about being away from Eden, causes them to get sick and die. That's what happened to Kagetsuya. Angels have white wings and pale hair, ALWAYS. A few months before a lucifer is going to die, his or her wings and hair turn black. So to them... black hair and black wings are a death omen, and death is the one thing Angels fear above all else." Aya tensed, then gathered his lover closer still. He said nothing, though, unable to quite figure out what to say to the knowledge that his lover would die in mere months, possibly less. Chihaya glanced at him. "What's wrong? You suddenly went all tense..." "I don't want to lose you now that I've finally found you," Aya admitted, hiding his face in Chihaya's hair. "Lose me?" Chihaya repeated, sounding bewildered. "I... didn't plan on going anywhere..." "Your hair... wings..." Aya whispered, pressing a kiss to Chihaya's temple. Chihaya's eyes widened in understanding. "Oh. No, you see... I was born this way. With black wings. It's why... why they all hated me. Kagetsuya was the only one who would ever work with me... he hated EVERYONE, you see, so it didn't make any difference to him that his partner had black wings." Chihaya shrugged, looking faintly bitter. "Half the angels figured I was a walking omen of destruction, and the other half thought my wings meant that I was destined to Fall. I was almost glad to be exiled in the end... at least here on Earth, people don't cross the street to avoid touching me." "Then you're not going to... to die?" Aya whispered, catching Chihaya's chin and holding him still as he searched his eyes. Chihaya shrugged. "I could die tomorrow, if I was hit by a bus. For a long time after I found out what having black wings meant, I panicked that I would get sick and die. But I never did... I had to sit by and watch Kagetsuya waste away, but I never got so much as a sniffle." The bitterness was much stronger now. "I have a theory... that whatever it is in my genetic makeup that caused my wings to be black, is also protecting me from whatever kills angels on Earth. I've already lived much longer here than any other lucifer I've ever heard of." Aya threaded his hand through Chihaya's hair, gazing at him for a long time before tucking him back against his chest. "Stay with me... for as long as we have..." Chihaya kissed him impulsively. "You've got me for as long as you want me, Aya," he murmured, voice choked. "I guess I did something stupid after all... I don't want to lose you, either." "What's so stupid about this?" Aya whispered, nestling his cheek against Chihaya's. "I'm falling in love with you," Chihaya admitted softly. "It's only a beginning, but... the foundation is there. I promised I wouldn't do that, but I can't help myself." He sighed. "Kagetsuya always did say my wings made me too sensitive to others, even for a positive angel." Aya blushed, closing his eyes as he said quietly, "I'm falling in love with you, too, Chihaya... I've never had love like this before. I'm not entirely certain what I'm doing, and I'll probably screw it up, but... I am." "Screwing up is part of living," Chihaya told him wryly. "I learned that with Kagetsuya. But so long as we always remember that we love each other, we can get through the screw-ups, and come out stronger on the other side. I learned that, too." "I'm not a good guy, Chihaya," Aya warned, drawing them down carefully so that Chihaya rested against his chest. "Your soul is bright, despite the darkness you've surrounded it with," Chihaya corrected him gently. "I knew from the beginning that you were a good person, Aya. It's why I trusted you enough to go with you. I still don't understand exactly what it is that Kritiker and Weiß do, but from some things you and the others have let drop, I think I can guess. You're vigilantes, right?" Aya nodded uncomfortably. "We stop those the police cannot touch, for whatever reason. We don't kill innocents. We try to help them." "Then you ARE doing good, whatever your local justice system might have to say about the matter," Chihaya told him firmly. The stubborn look was back in his eyes. "It's a balance system, Aya... You've saved more lives than you've taken. You've done more good than bad." "Don't paint me the selfless giver, Chihaya. I had my reasons for getting into this work," Aya said dryly, ignoring the way warmth spread through him at the words. "I'm sure," Chihaya agreed dryly. "Most people don't generally take up this sort of thing on a whim. But I'm betting your reasons were NOT because you just wanted to cause pain and suffering. Or you wouldn't care about whether the people you killed were evil or innocent. I spent decades weighing situations just like this for good and evil traits, Aya... I may be an eternal optimist, but I know good when I see it." Aya nodded, eyes beginning to close. He chuckled faintly. "I still don't want to see you as part of Weiß," he admitted. "I don't want you to be on our missions." "We'll talk about it after Morikawa is dealt with," Chihaya told him. He yawned, and blinked sleepily. "I... should shift back to my human form. In case one of the others comes in. It feels so strange to be like this... I've hardly spent any time at all in this form since I... lost my wing." "Go ahead," Aya murmured. "It can't be any more disturbing than watching you change while I'm buried inside you," he added, chuckling faintly. "When you're ready... when it's the right time... tell me what happened to your wing?" "Messiah," Chihaya replied sadly. "When Ashiya was controlling him. I told you he attacked me... he ripped my wing off." His body tensed for a moment, then the wing was gone, the knee-length hair returning to the short hairstyle Aya had become familiar with. "I'm sorry about changing like that... it takes concentration to hold human form, and you overwhelmed me so badly I lost all control. That does NOT usually happen when I come," he added dryly. "I'm sorry I overwhelmed you, lover," Aya murmured, stroking Chihaya's hair gently. His hand smoothed over his back, tender motions. "I didn't mean to." Chihaya shook his head. "No... it was WONDERFUL," the angel exclaimed. "I guess it had just been so long... but it shouldn't happen again." "You're welcome to change for me when we're alone," Aya whispered, as his eyes slid fully shut. "If it's more comfortable or something." "Maybe I will," Chihaya murmured, his voice blurring as he gave in to the need for sleep. "Sweet dreams... love." "Sweet dreams..." Aya returned, almost fully unconscious when his brain picked up on the last word. He fought for a moment to awaken, but the pull of sleep was too strong, and he slid into the darkness with a faint smile on his face.
"Aya..." The whispered name floated through the still room, fading away as Aya's face twisted in agony. He spoke the name again, voice strangled and choked by the tears slipping down over his temples and into the pillow beneath his head. His arm shaking badly, he reached out, flinching when he encountered nothing but thin air. Chihaya woke to the sound of strangled crying. Forcing his eyes open, he looked over to see that Aya was clearly having a nightmare. He caught the out-flung hand, murmuring his lover's name softly. Aya winced at Chihaya's voice, jerking away. "No!" He turned suddenly, the abrupt movement throwing him off of the bed. As he landed on the floor, he seemed to wake, sitting and starting at the bedroom doorway without any real comprehension. "Aya?" Chihaya leaned over the edge of the bed, looking down at the other man. "Are you awake?" He got no answer for several seconds, before Aya turned, looking at Chihaya almost curiously. Reaching out, he touched Chihaya's cheek, seeming to finally return to himself. "Chihaya..." He shook his head to clear it. Chihaya caught his hand again. "Are you all right? You looked like you were having a nightmare." His eyes distanced, skittering away from Chihaya's briefly. "I was," he said once, nodding as he rose. "It happens occasionally." "Generally," Chihaya agreed, still watching him closely. "Does that mean you don't want to talk about it?" Sliding carefully back into the bed so as not to displace Chihaya too much, he gathered the angel into his arms, holding him just a touch too tightly. "It's in the past," he whispered into the dark hair. "She's safe now." Chihaya rested his head on Aya's shoulder. "The past affects us, makes us who were are," he murmured. "It's not even a real nightmare," he sighed, not wanting to lay down just then. Instead, he scooted so that his back was against the wall, drawing Chihaya with him. His arms relaxed then, still holding Chihaya but not in the almost bruising grip he had been. "It never happened. We stopped it." "If it's a bad dream, it's a nightmare," Chihaya pointed out. "Whether it's a memory doesn't really matter. It bothers you." "It's about my... my sister," Aya sighed, finally giving into the need to talk. "I didn't know you had a sister," Chihaya said. Aya nodded faintly. "I know. I don't... I don't talk about her much anymore. I don't want her tainted by this life." He shook faintly. Chihaya regarded him steadily. "What do you mean?" He closed his eyes, pulling an arm free long enough to wipe the wetness on his face away roughly. "She's innocent of all this. She's not a killer like me. I don't want the blood to touch her." Chihaya reached up and caught a tear Aya had missed. "You miss her very much..." Aya sucked in a breath at the touch, catching Chihaya's wrist and holding his hand there. "She's my life." "Does she know about all of this?" "I don't think so," Aya shook his head. "Unless Sakura told her. I'd rather she not know, really." "I hate to see you hurting like this," Chihaya said. "I wish there was something I could do..." "I made my choices," Aya said roughly, cradling Chihaya a little closer. "It's just been hard to say goodbye to her. Aya... was everything." He buried his face in his lover's silk hair, just breathing in Chihaya's scent as he waited for the pain to finally pass. Chihaya blinked. "Aya? Her name is Aya?" He felt Aya's breathing falter, stopping for a moment before finally beginning again. "...Yes." Chihaya made a small sound. He seemed uncertain whether he should say anything... as if he wanted to ask, but sensed that it was a private, painful subject. Aya remained quiet for several minutes, long enough that Chihaya began to wonder whether he'd finally gone to sleep before he whispered, "Ran... Fujimiya Ran." Chihaya regarded him for a long moment, then smiled sweetly. "It suits you... but so does 'Aya'." "Thank you...," Aya whispered, leaning in and pressing a salty kiss to Chihaya's lips, gratitude mixed with a need for comfort. Chihaya kissed him back gently, a gesture more affectionate and comforting than erotic. They remained there, seated with Aya's back to the wall and Chihaya in his lap, wound together, for the better part of an hour before Aya felt safe enough to chance sleep once more. Though he said nothing, Chihaya seemed to realize exactly when he was prepared to lay down, and squirmed away long enough for them to settle back onto the bed in a comfortable position, Chihaya once more cradled in Aya's arms as Aya stared upward. He listened to Chihaya's breathing even out before closing his eyes and following his lover into slumber.
Chihaya smiled brightly as the customer left the store, clutching a potted begonia in her hands. Aya reflected that between Omi and Chihaya, the shop was getting a reputation for adorable salesboys... this was the fourth middle-aged woman today who had come in and immediately exclaimed over the two of them "Oh aren't you just the cutest things ever!" At least Chihaya was getting the hang of the basics of the florists job... he was able to handle the routine bits that often ate up the time of the other four, leaving them to do the more difficult jobs. Chihaya wiped sweat from his brow and leaned back against the table, glancing around the shop which was now empty save for Omi and Aya. "They're very sweet, but I wish they'd stop pinching my cheeks like that," the angel complained mildly, rubbing the offended body part ruefully. Aya couldn't help chuckling, reaching out to brush his fingers against Chihaya's cheek. The caress lingered slightly, just long enough for the two of them to blush faintly before he let his hand drop. "It could be worse, you know," he pointed out mildly. "They could be flirting with you." Turning back to the arrangement he'd been working on, Aya asked quietly, "Did you want to go sketching again, or do something a little different today?" Omi coughed into his hand at the sight of Aya touching Chihaya tenderly, and buried himself in his work with a wide grin on his face. Chihaya blushed a bit more, but didn't hide his eyes. "Did you have something in mind?" he asked Aya curiously. Staring studiously at the flowers as he carefully put them into place, Aya murmured, "I thought we might try a picnic. There's a botanical garden that allows picnickers." Chihaya could easily see red rising into his cheeks yet again. The smaller man lit up with a bright smile. "Oh, that sounds lovely!" he exclaimed. He glanced at the clock. "Shift is almost over... shall we start getting ready?" Omi glanced up at smiled at them both. "There's sandwich makings in the fridge - I went grocery shopping yesterday. Chihaya, would you please empty the rubbish bin in the back before you go upstairs, though? It's overflowing, and if I let go of these flowers the whole arrangement is going to collapse." Chihaya nodded. "Sure, no problem. Aya, why don't you go make the sandwiches and I'll meet you back here?" Aya nodded, watching Chihaya bemusedly for a moment before putting the last flower into place in his own arrangement and stowing it in the cooler. "Yohji can deliver it this afternoon," he said to Omi as he headed upstairs. "The address is on the tag." He smiled faintly, murmuring a thank you before heading up to make the sandwiches. When he descended to the flower shop once more, picnic basket in hand, Chihaya was nowhere to be seen. Omi was still at the table, the tip of his tongue peeking out from between his lips as he concentrated on his work. It had taken Aya a good fifteen or twenty minutes to get the sandwiches ready and find the basket, so he was surprised not to see his little lover waiting for him. "Omi," Aya said, frowning as he sat the picnic basket on one corner of the table. "Have you seen Chihaya?" Even before his teammate answered, Aya was heading toward the back door and rubbish bin, a feeling of wrongness in his chest. "Eh?" Omi looked up and blinked, a bit confused. "Chihaya? Didn't he go upstairs to meet you?" The boy was frowning as he spoke, and he jumped up out of his chair to follow Aya. "Come to think of it, I didn't hear him come back in, but I was thinking pretty hard..." Outside the back door there was a small alley, leading to the garbage bins for the shop and the garage where Weiß kept their vehicles. The only sign that Chihaya had been there was the bag of garbage he had been carrying. It had been dropped unceremoniously on the ground, its contents scattered across the alley. "FUCK," Aya growled, hurrying back to the basket and digging the tracer out of it. His heart was in his throat as he thought of how far away they could really be by now, depending on how they'd taken him. He turned on the unit, watching it as he allowed himself to slip into the mask of a mission, seeking to control his worry before it got the better of him. It took far too long for the little blip to show up, and when it did appear it was faint and at the edge of the screen. "They're almost out of range," Omi said, already snatching his helmet off the rack beside the door. "We don't have time to call the others. Grab Ken's helmet and keys... the bikes will be able to take shortcuts your car wouldn't be able to manage." Aya nodded, hurrying into the mission room to grab his katana before following Omi's instructions. He kept his eye on the blip, praying it wouldn't fade before they could catch up to it. "I'll lead, Bombay," he said sharply, then straddled Ken's bike, starting it and guiding it out into the traffic. Omi was right behind him. Neither were in their mission clothes - there hadn't been time to change - but Aya knew from previous experience that Omi would have his darts with him nonetheless. The tracker led them steadily north and a bit east, still hovering right on the edge of their range. Scowling, Aya wished for the communicators, but in his hurry, he hadn't thought to pick them up, and so had no way to talk to Omi. Grateful the tracker could be fixed to the bike, he kept an eye on it, kicking up the speed as fast as he dared to go. It took them almost an hour of weaving in and out of traffic to reach the outskirts of the city. Just as the last of the buildings fell away behind them, the tracker beeped twice urgently and faded away completely. Aya's heart stopped, his face gone suddenly white. He pulled to the side of the road, checking the tracker to ensure that it was still working properly, his hands moving almost feverishly over it. Omi skidded to a stop beside him, and flipped the visor of his helmet off, holding out a hand. "Here, let me see it," the hacker urged. Aya handed it over, waiting impatiently. Omi fiddled with it, then shook his head. "Nothing. They're out of range. Damn it!" He shook his head. "We could just keep going in this direction and hope it'll kick in again, but if they make any turns we'll lose them entirely." "I keep going. You go back and inform the others," Aya decided abruptly, plucking the tracker from Omi's hands and setting it back on the bike before flicking down his visor. "Hai," Omi agreed. "Call me on your cell if you find them. I'll see if I can throw a more powerful receiver together with the parts I have back at the Koneko. Don't engage them alone, Abyssinian!" He flipped his visor back down and spun the bike around, tearing off back towards the city. Without answering, Aya headed off, aiming the way he had been as fast as the bike could possibly manage. | |
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