Escape.

From the city and its crowded streets. From work. From these new feelings. From confrontations. From him.

Yoji was standing here, waiting. One of them dared to toss her hair flirtatiously and give him a wink. Even though the word "pretty" registered in his head, he did not bother to return the gesture.

None of them had red hair.

The bus arrived. Empty seats waiting...it was a sight for somebody who had been waiting for a long time.

"Hey, buddy! Are you coming in or not?" the bus driver yelled.

Yoji shook his head.

* * *

"Clean up," Omi said.

"Clean up?" Ken echoed sleepily. He warned. "But it's 10:30 in the morning!"

"So what?" Omi grabbed Ken's wrist, coaxing the latter gently. "Think about it, Ken. You can sort your things out, you don't have to trip over your stuff, and you won't have any trouble sleeping," he reasoned.

Ken grinned mischievously. "Well, you don't have any trouble sleeping in my room."

Omi flushed. He did not know if it was anger or embarrassment that prompted him to but whatever it was, he did not like it. He twisted Ken's arm.

"Oww!" Ken yelped.

"That's it!" Omi released his hold on Ken's wrist and spun around. He placed his hands on his hips. "Your soccer ball has to go. And that stupid useless yellow thing you always wear around your waist, too!" He added, "And while we're at it, you can sleep alone from now on!"

"Omi-chan, honey, I'm sorry. I--"

"Aya!" Yoji shrieked. "Make them stop!" He gagged.

But Aya wasn't even listening. He wasn't even wearing his usual expressionless mask. If anything, he looked quite amused. It was a funny thing for him to be amused by a couple. Especially by a pairing like that. He didn't mind, actually. It was something he couldn't have.

Money.

It was a very good motive. He could easily forget. He had to forget...

Aya found himself staring at Yoji. He was currently teasing an embarrassed Omi. Aya did not know how he managed to get away with acting so happy even though he was just as messed up as he was. Maybe that was...

Aya mentally shook himself. Money. He should be earning money. "Break it up. We've got work to do."

* * *

She loved this place. She loved this table. She loved the view. They would sit here, admire the view, talk, drink...

"May I take your order?"

"Two cups of coffee," Yoji automatically replied. He tore his gaze from the window and settled it on the waitress. He smiled. She was wearing earrings.

Aya's earrings.

Yoji wondered if Aya would like this spot. Would they also sit and talk and drink coffee? If it were so, would it be the same?

When Yoji looked at the empty seat across him, it was no longer Asuka that he saw. Instead, it was a young man, red-haired, purple-eyed.

Since when did it become Aya?

* * *

Yoji made up his mind. He would leave. He was about to check the time when he felt someone tug his sleeve.

An old woman was standing beside him. Her gray hair was pulled up in a soft knot and her face showed age lines. She smiled at Yoji. "Would you mind helping me cross the bridge, young man?" she asked.

Yoji smiled back and nodded. How could he refuse?

She had purple eyes.

After helping the old lady, Yoji was about to go back but stopped.

He missed the bus.

* * *

"What would we do without your daily dose of sweetness?" Yoji commented dryly.

Ken and Omi were sitting on the couch, hands linked. Omi's head rested on Ken's shoulder while the latter played with his fingers. The couple paid no attention to Yoji.

They seemed to be doing that a lot, Yoji observed. Especially before they went to their missions. It was both wise and foolish.

Walking contradiction.

All of them. Florists/assassins. Justice/murder. They could not help it. Yoji glanced at the quixotic couple. Ironic. They looked so sweet that it was sickening but later they would be ruthless. They had to kill.

Yoji glanced at Aya.

* * *

Trapped.

They had decided to go by pairs--Aya and Yoji would go in first and Ken and Omi would be back-ups. Hey, got the target but it was harder for them to get out. The target's henchmen were after them. They were outnumbered. They couldn't get out.

"Where are they?" Yoji closed the door after taking a peep. "Are you sure that you sent out a signal?" It wasn't like Yoji to fret but he was beginning to feel uncomfortable. Trapped with Aya. The storage room was pretty small. It was not an unlikely idea, but...

"They increased security. They might be delayed." Aya reached for the doorknob.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Yoji hissed. "You want to die?"

"I'll act as decoy. You get out of here."

"No!" But Aya was already out.

God, no. Not again!

Gunshot.

* * *

"A few cuts and a broken arm. Nothing to worry about."

Yoji frowned. He finished dressing Asuka's wounds. "Maybe you should stop doing this. I can handle the assignments all by myself, you know."

"Don't be ridiculous. I can take care of myself and you can't handle the assignments alone." Asuka laid a hand on Yoji's shoulder. "Don't worry. I'll be OK." She smiled.

"I know, but..."

* * *

Yoji was furious. But he kept his anger in check. "You're lucky. Ken and Omi got there in time," he said as he finished dressing Aya's arm.

"That idiot didn't know how to shoot."

"Really."

Aya touched his arm gingerly. "This won't kill me. And even if it would, it doesn't matter. I've got insurance anyway."

Doesn't he even care? "You are one sick bastard." Yoji tried to keep his voice calm but he couldn't. He felt like crying. He was worried for Aya. And this was how had been repaid? Damn you.

Aya placed his hand on top of Yoji's. "A scratch, Yoji. Just a scratch, "he said softly. "Nothing to worry about."

"I know but..." I don't want to lose you, too.

* * *

Yoji checked his watch. The bus would be arriving soon. He sighed.

From Asuka to Aya...he didn't know what to do about it. It was too late for him. All he could do was...

Run away.

It sounded like a bad soap opera. Yoji didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"What are you doing?"

Yoji almost jumped. Relax. It's only Aya. He turned to the young man beside him and replied, "Waiting for the bus."

Aya was silent for a moment. Then, he said, "It would be better if you walk."

Aya stood there, waiting.

* * *

"There seems to be a lot of work for us to do," Omi observed.

"It's Aya's day-off and Yoji hasn't been in for days," Ken reminded him. He placed the clay pot that he had been carrying down. "This is so unfair," he complained.

Omi nodded. "But don't you think it's a little...awkward?"

"I don't care! There's a lot of room for privacy with them away." Ken grinned wickedly, his tone suggestive.

Omi pulled Ken's ear. "You idiot. That's not what I meant." He sighed. "Ken, I'm worried."

"Aw, Omi-chan." Ken wrapped his arms around Omi. "You worry too much."

"Disgusting as ever."

The couple sprang apart. "Yoji!" Omi exclaimed.

"Get to work, you asshole," Ken said. "We are working like hell for days."

"You seem to be enjoying it." When Yoji saw Ken's dark look, he quickly changed the subject. "Actually, I came here to tell you that I'm not going to be here for a week or so."

"Leave?" Omi asked, confused.

"Leave?" Ken echoed, outraged. "How come he gets to have a leave while we--OWW!"

Omi released Ken's ear. "Is there anything wrong?"

Aya.

"Talk about workaholic," Ken said dryly.

"Aya!" Omi cried in surprise. "How come you're here? It's your day-off."

"I'm going." Yoji turned and came up face-to-face with Aya. Their eyes were locked for a moment. Then, Aya broke the contact and settled his eyes on the floor. Yoji passed by him and left.

"OK, what is going on?" Ken crossed his arms, obviously waiting for an answer.

* * *

He pinned him against the wall. Aya glanced at him, acting like the uncaring bastard that he was. Beautiful eyes but so adamant.

Maybe this will soften him a bit.

Yoji leaned closer and kissed him gently. Then, his mouth became persistent, demanding. But Aya wasn't doing anything. Yoji pulled back and gazed at him.

Aya looked at him nonchalantly. Aya was acting like the uncaring bastard that he was.

* * *

"Then what?" Omi asked.

"He left," Aya replied.

"You mean you didn't do anything to stop him?" Ken asked incredulously.

Aya shook his head.

"What?" Ken yelled. He stood up so abrupt that the chair he was sitting on fell.

"Poor Yoji," Omi said. "He never thought that there would be another one after Asuka. Then, you came along, Aya. But you rejected him."

Aya was furious. Being scolded and yelled at, this was a disgrace. He wanted to give them a piece of his mind but he remembered that he had hurt Yoji. His anger faded.

"Well, tell me one thing, Aya. Did you like it?" Ken asked.

Aya looked very uncomfortable.

Ken slammed his hands on the table. "What?!"

Omi placed a hand on Ken's arm to calm him down. "Tell you what, Aya." He stood up and took Aya's wrist, coazing him to stand up. "Why don't you take a walk and let your feet lead you?" He pushed Aya out of the store. With a final wave, Omi closed the door.

But Aya did not feel like walking.

He felt like taking the bus.

* * *

The bus was late.

Or maybe he was too early? Yoji didn't know. He wanted to leave. He needed some time off. A lot of time.

The bus that he had been waiting for finally arrived. It was nearly full. It was as if to tell him not to go. For a moment, Yoji hesitated.

"Hey, buddy! Are you coming in or not?"

Yoji stepped in. Finally. Now that he was leaving, Yoji wondered if he would forget.

Yoji started to look for a seat as he walked down the aisle. Then, he froze. Slowly, his lips curved into a smile.

Aya was there, waiting.

end