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Ken insisted that he pay for his lunch, but Ryuu stubbornly handed his card to the cashier. The redhead huffed. It was like being treated like a child! Whatever, more cash for him!
As Ryuu signed the receipt, Ken leaned an arm on the counter and looked around. He stopped when he saw something familiar. Yeah, there was no doubt about it. He recognized those ears anywhere!
"Bae!" he breathed, causing the blue-haired man to turn. Ryuu looked at Ken's smile then followed his gaze to the man from the rival band. His eyes narrowed. Of all the places to run into him, it had to be when he finally gets alone time with Kenshin?! He tried to grab his friend's arm and insist they get the food to go and leave, but the redhead was already gone.
"Who would've thought I'd see a live inu!" Ken said with a cheeky grin as he headed towards Bae.

"Not my fault you're getting old." scoffed the redhead as he crossed his arms at the table. He turned but smirked at the brunette. "I can head over around eight." he said.
Suddenly, two drinks were slammed down onto the table, making the redhead jump.
"Kenshin," Ryuu said in a gentle tone, though by the look in his twitching eye it was obvious he was angry. "What are you doing sitting with someone from the other band? You, of all people, told us not to."
A bead of sweat dropped from the side of Ken's head. "Uh, well... I was just trying to see what they were going to do for out joint concert." he said snootily.
"Is that right?" Ryuu mused with a raised eyebrow, unconvinced. "Then let me sit down too so we can discuss more." He made the redhead scoot over and sat down beside him. His eyes were kind when they were on the redhead, though they turned fierce when aimed at Bae. "Please fill me in on what happened." he said without a hint of a smile.

"Yes. Because he felt more comfortable talking to his rival than someone like you. Ironic, isn't it, Loverboy?" seethed the blue-haired man. He was well aware of the gossip of Bae's feelings towards Ellery. What he wasn't aware of, however, was Ken's involvement in any of it. So without knowing it, he struck a chord with the redhead.
Ken hesitated when he heard the comment and opted to look out the window. He hated being reminded about Bae and Ellery's relationship. They were just friends, there was nothing really between that. Yeah, right. It took more than one comment to convince him, especially against all the unintentional comments Bae would say about the "beautiful, talented songwriter".
Ken looked at the front, relieved to see his order ready. "I'll, uh, go get my food." he mumbled and moved out of the booth awkwardly, eager to get away from them for a moment.
"Ken?" Ryuu blinked as the redhead hurried off. He was acting strange again. He wasn't angry that the bassist had actually talked to a member of the other band, was he?

Kenshin continued staring at the worker that went to get his food, though his eyes glinted with guilt when he saw Bae near him through his peripherals. "No... Yes. I don't know." he admitted and dipped his head. "Saying you don't like him is one thing, and it's one thing against tons of... of things like pictures and articles. Even I saw the way you look at him. You can't just say you don't have strong feelings for him and stare at him like he's the best thing that's ever happened to your life."

"But you did. You had feelings for him. You said you always loved me, but you left me-" Ken looked at Bae. "-to fall for him. I can't ignore that, Bae. I can't just toss aside all those years I waited for you just to watch you on the internet get attention for some secret love triangle. I trust you, okay? It's just... going to take me time, is all." He turned when the worker came back and took his food with a smile and a thanks. He glanced at Bae for a second before moving back to the table, though he wasn't sure if staying at that table was a good idea right now.
Ryuu silently watched Ken slide back into his seat. He'd been around the redhead long enough to know when he wasn't as happy as his expression showed - mainly because Ken doesn't smile when he's not on stage. This was because of Bae. Again.
"Why don't we get that food to-go and go to my place?" Ryuu offered as he stayed standing in case Ken saw the logic. "We can watch that movie I just got. You told me you really wanted to see it, didn't you?"

Ken looked at Ryuu when offered to leave. Maybe that would be a good idea, give him enough time to clear his mind. He was shimmying out of the booth when he felt something on his wrist and looked over to see that pleading look in Bae's eyes. Ken went silent. All that was waiting here was an awkward silence, what was the point? If he left, though, that would make this fragile connection between them threaten to break. Besides, the fact that he was casting aside his pride just to keep him here, he couldn't ignore that.
"... I'll stay." Ken said eventually and returned to his seat.
Ryuu blinked. "What?"
"I said I'll stay." Ken repeated, having stared at Bae the entire time.
Ryuu stared for a moment. He wasn't that surprised, but he was still angry. What power did Bae have that was so strong over Ken? Well, he wasn't going to give them the satisfaction of alone time. He'd stay here too and keep Bae from making Ken anymore upset!

Ken felt himself smile a little at Bae. At least he had the reassurance that leaving terrified this guy. As he opened his mouth to say something, a hand shot out between them and practically ripped Bae's hand off the wrist.
"That's enough of that." Ryuu said with venom in his tone. "Ken, eat quickly. We need to leave and go over the next concert." he ordered, his dark eyes never leaving Bae. He looked like a dog protecting his master.