rl with Omi

[unjust_siberian]

He'd said to come back and there was no way Ken would say no, even if he was nervous about seeing his closest friend again. It'd been a while since they'd seen each other thanks to the team being disbanded but Ken thought about all of them daily. He just happened to think about Omi a lot more often. Thankfully, he was skilled enough to be able to

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[graceful_bombay]

Omi's new apartment was much smaller than the old one, but then, he didn't have to share it with three other people. He was waiting on the front stoop for Ken to arrive, dangling his keys from one finger and watching them quietly.

When he heard the familiar purr of the bike, he looked up, trying to keep from showing too much hope on his face. Ken was coming back, but that didn't necessarily mean anything, in terms of their relationship. Things might simply return to the way they'd been before.

"Hi."

[graceful_bombay]

"Thanks," he whispered. He was blushing too, looking away as Ken passed him the tea pot. When the water was heated, he measured tea and began whisking it into the bowl with a practiced ease.

"You couldn't find any other jobs like that? Kids love you. You'd be a great coach."

[unjust_siberian]

That uneasy feeling in his stomach just grew a little stronger when Omi looked away and Ken silently kicked himself, thinking he'd made a mistake. Taking a hesitant step back to where he was, he folded his arms against his chest and looked down at the floor.

"I loved working with the kids, but it just didn't feel right, you know."

[graceful_bombay]

"You don't have any reason to be ashamed of what you did."

Omi was looking away to hide the strength of his reaction. After all, when he'd told Ken that he loved him, the other man had yelled at him. He didn't know that his feelings were returned.

Also, hence the tea. It gave him something to do with his hads.

Still, he dared a glance at Ken through his lashes. "Do you have somewhere to stay?"

[unjust_siberian]

Ken hesitated for a moment before he shook his head a little. He could find somewhere else to stay, of course, but just the thought of being that close to Omi again was both nerve-wracking and calming. He hadn't really slept a full night through since he'd left and there was no doubt why.

"I figured I'd find a place to crash once I got here."

[graceful_bombay]

Omi looked down, then up again, blushing.

"I don't have a lot of room, but you can stay here tonight. I'll go get another futon tomorrow."

He hadn't been sleeping great, either.

[unjust_siberian]

His lips curled into a tiny smile, visible before he ducked his head.

"I can take the couch tonight, if you want."

[graceful_bombay]

"I don't mind sleeping on the couch."

Omi's blush deepened as he looked up at him, his eyes shy.

[unjust_siberian]

"You know... couches can be all kinds of lumpy and uncomfortable."

Ken chanced a glance over at Omi and was caught by his gaze.

"... or we could share. We used to, remember?"

[graceful_bombay]

Omi's blush deepened and he looked up at him, his eyes wide and surprised.

"R-really? I- I mean -- that was different..."

[unjust_siberian]

The smile faltered a tiny bit but he didn't look away.

"... yeah. I guess it was."

[graceful_bombay]

"Y-you don't mind? Sharing a bed with me, I mean."

Omi hugged himself, looking down at the ground. Ken wouldn't want him near by, not the way Omi felt about him.

"I promise I won't... do anything. You don't have to be uncomfortable."

[unjust_siberian]

"... I haven't slept as well without you."

Without thinking, Ken reached over and brushed at Omi's hair, idly thinking on how soft it was.

"... I realized something while I've been away."

[graceful_bombay]

The gentle touch brought Omi's head up again, his eyes wide as he watched Ken.

"What...?"

[unjust_siberian]

"... I love you."

There. It was out now. Ken's stomach flipped over with a sudden flare of nerves. He knew he'd hurt Omi in the past and that was the last thing he wanted to do, but he had to be honest. He couldn't stand liars, but in the end, he knew he was the biggest liar of them all.

[graceful_bombay]

Omi's eyes widened, and he pressed his hand briefly to his mouth.

"You -- Ken -- You don't have to -- I mean, if you don't really -- I don't expect you to..."

He was shaking softly, looking up at him.