Maple Trees in Autumn

Sequel to "A Smile for Ken-kun"


Chapter III: Lemon Marmalade

*** I know the legal age for drinking in Japan is 20 so Omi sharing a drink or two in this chapter may seem inappropriate


Just a few more seconds before the bomb detonates. All they have to do is leave the scene and the mission is complete. As Bombay jumped off the roof, he slipped his foot through the tiny floor gap that has been resting on the long abandoned building. He was stuck. Just a few more seconds. Ken and Youji had secured themselves and Ran was more than half way through to reaching the safe zone when he noticed Omi wasn't going anywhere. Without hesitation, he rushed back and used himself to cover him as shards of glasses and debris flew everywhere.

"Aya-kun! Aya-kun!" teary eyed, Omi never left his side as they rushed him to one of Kritiker's private hospitals

"It's all my fault!" he was not going to leave him even when he was heading to the ER. Ken had to hold his lover back.

"Omi! Omi calm down, he's going to be ok" he tried to reassure him

"But if it wasn't for me, he - "

"Don't worry Omi-kun, remember, it's Aya we're talking about, he'll be fine" Youji added

It was painful for Ken to see Omi worry like that, but was even more painful was that, he was worried about Ran.

He didn't want to ready anything into Omi's naive concern for the older Weiss but he was jealous.

Omi has been insisting on looking after Ran in the hospital as he still blames himself for what happened.

As much as Ken would like to stay with him and be able to secure him from the redhead, he is unable to. It was business as usual at the Koneko no Sumu ie and Yoji can't handle the workload by himself. He could only fetch Omi from the hospital as soon as the shoppe closes.

He slowly opened his eyes, his scarlet locks touching his brows. The brightness of the room hurt his sight as he had been accustomed to the darkness being asleep for the past 2 days. He moved his aching hand, bruised and battered. He gazed at the youngest Weiss sleeping uncomfortably at the edge of his bed.

"Omi... "

He brushed his hair gently only to wake him up

"Hnm?..ugnn..A-Aya?"

"You should probably head back to rest" he offered

"No, I'm ok, I want to make sure you're ok"

To Omi's surprised, he gently placed his shaking hands on his cheeks, caressing them, but he didn't utter a word.

After being checked for the last time, Ran was released from the hospital the same day he woke up. The doctor insisted though that he still be under bed rest for the remaining of the week.


"Make sure you drink ALL of you medicines this time ok Aya-kun? I'll drop by again later for your supper" Omi gently closed the bedroom door

"Omi!" Ken was not impressed at how the koneko has been continously taking care of his rival even when they're back at the safe house. He dragged him to his room

"Huh? what is it Ken-kun?"

He couldn't stand how naive and innocent he looked, questioning him like that, implicating that he has no clue on what's going on.

"Don't you think you've been spending too much time with Aya?"

"Huh? I didn't think so, I mean he is sick Ken-kun"

"He's a grown man, he can take care of himself, for goodness sakes Omi, he's our stronger than us!"

"He's sick because of me Ken! because of me!"

"Omi it wasn't your fault, it was an accident"

"If he didn't came back for me, I would've been in his position right now"

The reality hit Ken, he would rather see Aya in that state rather than Omi. Maybe he was over reacting a little, maybe he was really just jealous knowing Aya feels the same way towards Omi. Maybe he's really just reading something into things he shouldn't be.

Omi proceeded to leave, as he was about to slip through the door, he sadly commented

"... . I was actually hoping it was you who saved me that night Ken"

"Omi... "


Cuts and bruises covered his entire body, but his stance was regal, elegant, gorgeous.

"I got your supper, is curry rice ok?"

"You don't have to bother yourself Omi, you need to take a break"

"No, it's ok, it's because of me that- "

Somehow, Ran didn't like the direction where the conversation was heading. He closed the door and pulled him close to his chest before he could react, being the stealth assassin that he is. Omi was stunned, his heart pounding uncontrollably

'Wh-what is he doing? Aya-kun' he blushed asking himself

"tell me Omi, is guilt the only reason you're doing this?"

"What? I- No, that's not it Aya-kun"

He held him even closer, so close, too close

"If guilt is the only reason you're doing this... " diving in for a kiss, he continued

"...I won't take it" his breath was warm and enticing, it melted in Omi's mouth

"I love you Omi" he paused only to free those words from his yearning lips

'W-what?! d-did Aya-kun just said...'

His bruised lips continued to brush accross the corners of his mouth, like a cat demanding attention

Bombay's eyes felt heavy, the air in the room steaming with desire. But then, a sudden knock on the door

"Oi Aya! you've got a visitor"

"Y-Yoji-kun? Sakura-chan! " Omi opened the door, the redhead standing right behind him, pissed at the impediment

"Omi?"

"I just got Aya-kun his dinner, I'll be on my way" with that, the younger weiss left

A glimpse of Ran was enough to make Yoji suspicious

"Oi Omi" he sat beside the kitten at the kitchen counter

"What happened back there?"

"Eh? w-what do you mean? knock it off Yoji"

'Aya-kun ... just said... he .. he... loves me?'

"Fine, let me ask a different question then, how's it going with Ken?"

surprised, he almost spat out the lemon soda he was drinking

"What on earth do you mean by that?!"

"Hahahah you're really turning red now aren't you" laughed Balinese

"Eehhh?"

He handed him a glass of scotch

"You know, this always helps" winked Yoji, intending to have Bombay release some stress seeing how tired Omi looks.

He wasn't sure why or what's bothering the kitten but he cared enough for him to notice how strained he was.

Omi has no experience with alcohol, but at this point, he was willing to do anything to get his mind off of Aya's sudden confession. He was very confused, should he tell Ken? What would he say? what would he do? Abyssinian's lips just touched his, no, it was more than just a brush of his breath, it was covetous. What was more startling was the mere fact that he almost returned the kiss. It was almost... mutual. But why?


end of chapter 3