thehauntedfrequency

doggone

[In the time following his departure from Tabito and Manabu's company, the alias "Grey" has wound up sticking.

Not that everyone calls him that, he's used a few other aliases since then, but it's what he's wound up thinking of himself as. If Grey had taken the time to think about it a bit more he might have picked something with a little less connection to Rezo's name, but it's still leagues better than thinking of himself as "Rez- wait, no, just a copy." And maybe that's why he's felt significantly calmer since he left Sairaag.

By his own standards, Grey has been laudably well-behaved; sure, he's been mostly doing under-the-table psychic work, often on behalf of criminals, but! He's been trying to keep a low profile so it's usually things like clairvoyant spying rather than anything violent, and he's been making a point of not doing anything that directly impacts the galaxy railways.

It would be extremely awkward if Manabu Yuuki had to try and arrest him, after all.

He's found himself frequently thinking about Manabu, much to his annoyance. He has no serious expectations of ever seeing Manabu again, so it's simply a waste of mental bandwidth to find himself wondering what Manabu is doing right now or where he is, or to reminisince over their incredibly brief acquaintanceship. Grey can only suppose that because Manabu was the first reasonably normal person he got to know after leaving Sairaag that Manabu is going to stick out in his mind for a while.

And it's probably because of the real estate that Manabu is hogging in Grey's mind that he's been very aware of every mention of the SDF that crosses his path. He hasn't exactly been tracking the SDF's activities deliberately, but he does pay attention to the news and the SDF frequently winds up in there, even if Manabu's name in particular isn't normally dropped.

Until the day it does.

SDF Officer Taken Hostage By Pirates]

* * *

[It's taken several weeks of investigating, but Grey has been able to track down The Huntress's client, a Dr. Parish and associates. It must be a small galaxy, because Dr. Parish is someone Grey knows. Sort of.

Rather, Dr. Parish was a colleague of Rezo's who collaborated with the man on chimera research (and other unsavory things) in the past. Not only that, the man was an ardent admirer of Rezo's superior psychic prowess, and desperate to improve his own meager abilities.

He'd had quite a shock when Grey approached him in town, but after the initial surprise it had been sickeningly easy to convince Dr. Parish that he was the real Rezo. Grey can only surmise that the man wants to believe too badly to let himself be properly suspicious. It had only taken a day for Grey to be invited to tour Parish's laboratory.

The lab's located on the grounds of a former Marquess's estate, a ways out of town and secluded by trees, a high wall, and a long drive. Grey's done a little recon before, but actually being here is different, especially since he has to navigate by cane at the moment. Grey is doing his best to politely nod and smile as Parish guides him from room to room, explaining their work and occasionally handing him things to examine himself.

But evidently Parish realizes that "Rezo" isn't entirely interested, because he stops partway through an explanation of some stem cell experiments he and a few others have been working on to say "Of course, the really interesting specimens are kept in the basement floor."

Grey already knows this. He hopes his expression seems the right sort of eager.]

Interesting?

["Something along the lines of what we did in the past. Would you like to see them?"]

Nothing would please me more.

[Grey can practically hear Parish's delighted grin. To soothe the surge of irritation, Grey reminds himself that he's going to kill this man before the end of the day and allows Parish to guide him out into the hall and to the basement entrance at the back of the building.]

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[There's a beat for Grey to process that.]

...You think I could go there? [He hadn't really considered it; Tabito, like so much to do with Manabu, has felt lost to him.]

I mean, short of an asteroid, there's fewer places more out of the way...but also, people know you're good there! [not just his mom, but some of the workers in the mines, too, for sure.]

It wouldn't be starting from zero, either, right?

Hm. [Grey thinks about that.] In theory, that's a strike against it if the purpose is to keep me in hiding. [But...] However, none of the people we're prosecuting know me as "Grey." That's an identity that only Tabito and the SDF know me by.

[So in theory...] It would be unorthodox, but there's no pressing reason why I couldn't. And I've travelled enough and- well. [He gestures at his face, the identical-to-Rezo one.] Being recognized is a risk just about anywhere I could go.

And if I get to leave, I could get there, too! [he sits forward, nodding.] So it'd be something, right?

[More than something, it would be everything. Even if Manabu wasn't already the man he loves, he's also the one with the best understanding of Grey's situation. But getting his hopes up-] You don't think you'll be allowed to leave here?

[he deflates a little, propping his chin on a hand like a sullen schoolboy in detention.]

I don't know. Any time I ask, nobody has a word to say about it! I don't get to rejoin the platoon, either. And they won't say how long that is.

If I'm going to be put on ice, then wouldn't I just get to go home...? [but if he can't, maybe it'd be some tiny consolation if Grey could tell his mom he's not dead?

...she'd kill Manabu for that one the second she saw him again. ugh.]

[Probably an indefinite timeline, Grey presumes- contingent both on how long it takes Manabu to sufficiently recover physically and mentally from his ordeal, and to close the case on the investigation.

Since they have an audience Grey refrains from reaching out to comfort Manabu, instead gently stretching his leg out under the table to lightly nudge Manabu's foot with his own.]

If they're concerned about associates of the lab trying to track you down, then I can see why they'd be reluctant to send you to Tabito. But from a recovery standpoint I think Tabito might be the best place for you.

[Tabito might not have supremely advanced medical facilities but from a psychological POV he thinks Manabu would do better in a familiar environment with supportive family... And okay, fine, he also has some ulterior motives.]

And it would be ideal if we could be near each other, wouldn't it?

[he makes a face at the reasonable and likely true assessment, but is mollified by the gesture it comes with. he even cracks half a smile, albeit sheepishly, at the addition before ducking his head. it's still enough that the captain can see it from afar; he hasn't seen Manabu smile since rediscovery, so it's something of note.]

I mean, it's--half of why I suggested you go there! [he looks back up, shrugging.] Sorry. Selfish.

[Half-smile though it may be, it gets a returned one from Grey- though he wonders at Manabu's description of himself as selfish. Isn't it obvious that Grey wants to be around Manabu just as much, if not more so? Still...]

You can be selfish with me.

[Manabu looks away, but the happy tail gives him up.]

Then... [he looks back, nodding.] Let's meet there. Tabito. No way I get stuck here forever, and Tabito's got to be an okay place to hide out, right?

[hell, maybe he won't complain about all this if they can do that much.]

[Just listen to it swish!

Grey returns Manabu's nod.] Right. That can be our goal. [Just having a goal, something to aim for besides going along with what the SDF rules, the hope of it is enough to warm him.] I'll find a way to suggest it at my next meeting with my supervisors.

[it's enough to finally give Manabu something of an appetite, so the remains of his meal is scarfed up...but not too fast. it'd mean separating quicker otherwise. but stalling intentionally is a bit beyond him, so his hunger just dictates the end just in time for Bulge to move over and ask for Manabu to come along, mentioning that Big One is leaving in a few hours.]

Eh? Wait, I thought I was staying here.

["You are.]

...

[he goes quiet, save for a soft farewell to Grey before getting up and following along, looking back before disappearing to other areas of the facility.]

[It's nice to see Manabu stuffing his face again, even if it heralds the end of their conversation. But Grey can at least feel better for having had it, and the reassurance that Manabu still wants to be around him. He'd like more time to catch up, but this is a good start.

Grey doesn't speak up when Bulge approaches, though the exchange about the Big One leaving earns a wincing of the eyes on Manabu's behalf. Grey knows from experience that Manabu does not enjoy being left behind.

As Manabu bids him farewell, Grey's response is gentle but resolute.]

Until we meet again.

[Grey watches Manabu go, and when Manabu looks back he gives him a tentative little wave before he finally leaves.

...

Grey should probably get his own breakfast.]

[it seems so unfair, and Manabu's not the only one who thinks it: the rest of the Platoon isn't pleased to be packing up and going without their long-lost member, but they're beholden to the calls of work. CMO Yuki agrees with the stationed medics that Manabu's not ready for active duty, so regrettably, they have to part. not without promises to come back as soon as they can, of course.

doesn't make it any easier to be left behind - worse when he doesn't get to see Grey anymore once whatever deal he's brokered with the SDF uppers is done and he's on his way. he hopes it's Tabito. or...at least somewhere close.

away from the lab, time is painfully easy to keep track of, and Manabu spends two more months doing physical therapy and being examined and re-interviewed. if he's going to be going through this endlessly, then he's going to endlessly ask when he can leave.

at least here he can exercise his frustration away, rather than just lay there. at least while in motion it feels like he's getting back to the people he cares about, even if it's a glorified hamster wheel.

so it goes.

Manabu can barely sit still by the time he gets clearance to be relocated, still traced, to Tabito. he's irritated that despite passing some of the physical tests, he's not being let back onto Sirius Platoon, but that's less about his health and more about the ongoing investigation. it really gets to him that his comrades are out there chasing down the leads the data dug up without him, but...but what is he gonna do? crime??

seeing Mom again, though... and maybe, hopefully, Grey? it makes him a fidgety mess. he all but leaps off the platform with his duffel of scant supplies given him, squinting into the dry, dusty wind.

first: home. Mom. and then...depending...]

[Grey's honestly surprised that the people handling his case don't need more arguing to transfer him to Tabito, although it's under the provision that he be able to find a job and boarding there. The SDF is handling the matter of setting Grey up with the documentation he'll need, but he's expected to be fairly independent once he's away from SDF headquarters. Fortunately, he's able to remotely interview for a few positions across the colony and lands a job as a bookkeeper for one of the mining operations near the Tabito train stop. The position comes with an optional room at a boarding house on the mine grounds, so that covers that. He desperately wants to tell Manabu about all this, but his movements are still restricted and he's not lucky enough to cross paths with him before he's put on the train to Tabito.

So off he goes, with a sparse set of belongings (partly provided by the SDF, partly made up of whatever of his old belongings they were able to retrieve from Ruvinagald) and an ID. A real one this time, with his current mismatched appearance, even if certain details like the birthdate are technically false.

The name on this one is Rue Grey. There isn't a deep meaning behind the first name, though Grey did have to think hard on what legal name he wanted to commit to. His mind just started wandering over his own knowledge base, including medicine, chemistry, botany, and this felt right, somehow. He still thinks of himself as Grey but if infamous pirates can go primarily by their last names then so can renegade science experiments.

The station officer at Tabito gives him a ride to the boarding house where he'll be staying, and Grey spends the next few days settling in, establishing a routine, and getting to know the various residents of the house and members of the company. Several of them are able to recognize the tall, odd-eyed man who ran deliveries with Kana's boy, and Manabu's right that that bit of prior history gives him an advantage in being accepted as one of their own. Although when he's asked about Manabu, Grey can only sadly shake his head. No, I haven't seen him since then. I heard about the news, but...

The work itself is easy, although Grey's ~~socially maladjusted~~ introverted enough that sharing close quarters with a hoard of burly macho types is sometimes a strain, even if he keeps out of any real fights. He's seen as an oddity, an eccentric with prissy manners and an occasionally sharp tongue, but an overall good man who keeps the books with honesty and isn't above getting his hands dirty when work is needed around the boarding house. The landlady in particular appreciates that Grey keeps his space very tidy and organized.

After those first few days Grey skips dinner one evening to head into town. It's been so long since he was employed at Kana's, it takes a bit of wandering and uncertainty before he's able to find the little restaurant. It's closed by the time he finds it, but he insistently knocks and rings the doorbell until someone answers. Kana looks surprised to see him (but not entirely; gossip spreads fast on Tabito) but mostly just tired. Bereavement has a way of aging people.

She lets him in to talk, and that's when Grey tells her the most important information.]

Manabu's alive. He's safe, with the SDF, but he's involved in a classified incident. I'm not supposed to tell anyone about it, but I felt I should tell you that much.

[And then Grey has to figure out how to handle a crying Mrs. Yuuki.

After that, Grey becomes a regular visitor to Kana's, and a sort of friend to Kana in his own right. He doesn't tell her that much more about the incident, but does admit to using his own criminal background to find Manabu, hence why he's under witness protection. Strangely, she doesn't hold his background against him. They also make regular casual conversation about their daily lives and interests, and Grey winds up trying a lot of different noodle dishes. Kitchen sink ramen remains his favorite. He's a little afraid of the SDF showing up and interrogating him about the time he's spending with Manabu's mother, but it seems the SDF either isn't paying that close attention or they prefer to look the other way.

Towards the end of his first month on Tabito he visits the historical society again, and volunteers to do some dusting. It isn't long before he's offered a deal by the old man who runs the place. If Grey takes over the upkeep, he can live in the floor above and have a bit more space and considerably more privacy than he does at the boarding house.

Grey accepts the offer, and running the tiny museum becomes a secondary job. Not a profitable one, the stipend the society gets from the Tabito government is a begrudging one, but it's satisfying to tidy up and organize the collection, and arrange his living space to his liking. The evenings and Sundays he keeps the museum open to the public are never busy, but he does get the occasional drop in from those curious to see what he's done with the place, and a regular group of old timers who like to gather to drink cheap coffee and talk about how things used to be.

After two months, Kana finally gives him the news that Grey's been hoping and praying for.

Frustratingly, it's a work day when Manabu's set to arrive. Grey spends most of that day struggling to focus on columns and tallies and reports and failing not to replay his various memories of Manabu. Two months... Has Manabu been well? He must have been, if they're clearing him to go home. Has he slept alright, has he managed to regain weight? How does Manabu feel about the separation? He's out of work like a shot once it's finally time to clock out, and it takes an effort to walk at a normal pace back to Kana's.

His heart is beating very fast when he approaches the now familiar door, and rings the bell.]

[arthritic old Shutaro offers one obligatory bark, but it's not him who hastens to the door. Kana's already raising her voice to slow down, but it does nothing to slow fast-moving steps or the near bodyslam of the door. it's flung open just as quickly, and lo and behold--]

Grey!

[Manabu looks leagues better than he did last time they saw each other, filling in his clothes and finally free of the weary bags under his eyes. they're just red from the to-be-expected emotions, but the smile that fills his face goes leagues farther than any distress.

he only hesitates a breath before hopping up to hug him around the shoulders.]

You made it!

[granted, it's Grey who should be saying that, but--]

[The bark isn't a surprise, but the sound of a stampede has Grey lifting his brows, unsure whether to be amused or alarmed. He barely has time to process it before that door bursts open.

It's him.]

Manabu!

[He's not fully prepared for the sense of elation that floods him, months of hope and worry and yearning finally breaking down in face of his beloved Manabu gazing up at him. Grey very nearly kisses Manabu, right there in front of his poor mother and Shutaro. Grey certainly tightens his grip and lifts Manabu off his feet in an enthusiastic returning of the hug. When he sets Manabu back down, he's grinning ear to ear, and there's a distinct shine to his eyes that betrays the strong emotions he can't fully hold back.]

I'm here.

[Kana's not keen to interrupt, but she does insist Manabu close the door since he's...well. the tail. she's not quite over the tail, it still distresses her to see (especially wagging as it is?), but she knows better than to risk prying eyes and unwelcome questions.

Manabu's not listening, just thrilled to be able to hold and be held by someone he's had on his mind for so long, denied the chance to act as he pleases for so long. he grips onto Grey's shoulders, delighted by the look he sees in looking back up, feeling fit to burst. only then does Kana's call "Ma-na-BU!" make him jump and step back, pulling Grey inside so he can shut the door, he almost trips over Shutaro in the process, but is hardly ruffled by it.

with a wavery laugh in his voice:] Ah, hum--wanna stay for dinner?

[Grey hasn't told Kana much about his relationship with Manabu, just letting her read whatever she will into the fact that Manabu was important enough for him to look for and put himself into SDF custody for. Perhaps the way Grey stays so close to Manabu might let her fill in some more details, the way he always keeps a hand on Manabu if Manabu himself isn't already holding onto him in some way. He can't stop smiling, letting himself be pulled around and maneuvered however Manabu likes.]

If it's no trouble.

[His gaze flicks to Kana at the invitation. This is, after all, not just Grey's reunion with Manabu. Though he certainly would love nothing more than to just stay here.]

[there's a bit of exasperation, but none that can't be smoothed over with a bit of excess energy put into making a meal.

"Come chop some vegetables, then."

because it gives them all something to do other than sit around a table discussing harrowing things. (no, better to discuss the harrowing things while wielding cutlery)

once Grey's got his shoes off, Manabu pulls him along by the sleeve.]

Is everything okay here? Mom said so, but she's not the one working in the mines, so--

Thank you.

[Kana gets a grateful nod at the acceptance, relieved that she's allowing him to take part in this homecoming.

Grey's familiar enough with the layout of the place by now, but he's happy to let Manabu pull him along.]

Everything's going well, although I'm not actually working in the mines. I'm a bookkeeper for one of the local operations. [If Grey were working in the mines themselves he'd be banging his head a lot more, that's for certain.] Did Kana tell you about my job? [He's not sure how recently Manabu arrived, just that it was sometime before Grey got off work. Time enough to share a few details, at least.

Grey steps into the kitchen after Manabu and easily takes a place by the counter, accepting whatever he's handed.]

No, tell me! [though it's weird to hear his mom's name from Grey, Manabu goes with the flow, eager to listen and fall into a rhythm that feels like home, even if this is the most crowded home's been for some time. proof that he's still himself, missing subtlety, he's slow on the uptick when it comes to his mom still being so rattled (you don't just get your kid back in an altered state and bounce right back mere hours later), so catching up to her tasks and taking them over when her hands aren't deft enough just happens in the midst of talk and Manabu feels compelled to just finish the prep for her. why not? when's the last time he made anything for her?

it gives her moments when he's distracted to hide her face and try to recompose, adapt, and swallow back on the cocktail of grief and gratitude that's been served her today. the Yuuki household isn't stranger to it, but it's never been utterly open to overt displays with company around.

her eyes glint with fresh incoming tears when Manabu points out that still nobody else has figured out how to make noodles as good as hers, and she pretends a few tail swishes are Shutaro.

as for his own ventures, he's not heard his return date (much to Kana's selfish relief), and he did see his platoon once more for a small stint before duty called. heck, they even called the moment he arrived, as if they weren't privy to the train schedules and could just know his engine checked in. he doesn't mind a bit, though, and it shows in his grin.

it takes Kana quietly excusing herself from table cleanup for Manabu to get a damn hint, and he hesitates before sheepishly peering up at Grey.]

Hey... When's your next day off? I, I can visit later.

[Grey's more cognizant of Kana's complicated emotional state, even if Manabu's joyousness is infectious. The only thing he can think to do for her is pretend not to notice, and contribute to distracting Manabu so Kana's under a little less pressure. Fortunately, there's plenty of information for Grey to share, to keep Manabu occupied with conversation as well as dinner prep. He talks about the job interviews he went through and expands on his duties as a bookkeeper at the mining op, about the time spent at the boarding house dealing with the slovenly louts he lived with, his side gig at the Tabito museum and his efforts to tidy up the collection and set up his own home above it. There's a lot of mundane details involved and it's nothing as exciting or impactful as the life Rezo was leading, but Grey's oddly proud to share it.

He's interested in hearing about what Manabu's been up to as well (and shares Kana's relief that Manabu isn't going to be heading out with the platoon right away) and listens with an attentiveness borne of his sheer hunger to hear and see Manabu again. In fact he's involved enough that it takes him a longer time to eat his own damn food, because he's just happily distracted by watching Manabu slurp down noodles.

He feels as though his heart might burst from it all, and it's bittersweet when dinner starts drawing to a close. He's still watching Manabu, resting his cheek in one hand with an elbow propped on the table.]

Oh- I have the weekends off, although I usually open the museum to visitors on Sundays. [So Saturdays he's entirely free... But honestly Grey would probably close down the museum on Sunday as well if Manabu wanted. It isn't as if it's a bustling locale.]

Museum Curator Grey, eheh... [he chuckles a little, saying it. but it's nice. Grey's got a piece of himself here, even though it was rather forced on him, and that'll stick.]

I'm gonna visit on Saturday, then. All day! So don't make any other plans. Okay?

Now what's so amusing about that? [Grey reaches across the table to give Manabu's cheek a poke. This turns into a gentler touch as he leans forward.]

Agreed. Come Saturday, I'll be all yours.

[Grey sits back in his seat again, but he doesn't take his eyes off Manabu.]

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