doggone

[repeatedprayer]

[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.]

Comments

[siriusly]

Sorry about this, too. [the shirt.

now that business has been taken care of, Manabu's back on the bed, awkwardly tugging at the collar of the shirt he ganked.]

I didn't want to rummage, so I just grabbed whatever was in reach.

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey, on the other hand, is in the kitchen, attempting to figure out how to make a decent meal out of the extremely sparse contents of the fridge and cupboard. But he turns back at the apology, looking puzzled until he notices Manabu's tugging at the collar.]

Oh. I was wondering about that.

[...When Manabu tugs at the collar like that, Grey can get a peek at Manabu's throat and collar bones. He turns back to the kitchen. Cornflakes it is!]

You can keep wearing it if you like.

[siriusly]

[the cornflakes don't work the way their creator intended, Grey.]

Are you sure? I mean--thanks. [it beats being naked all the damn time - it's cold!] Add clothes to the list of things, I guess...

[jeez. can he be more of a burden???]

[repeatedprayer]

[He's getting desperate, okay!]

You're just borrowing it for the time being. Surely that doesn't count.

[Grey pours some cereal into a pair of cheap bowls he picked up at the same discount shop he got Manabu's underwear at, and brings them over to the bed. There is no milk to be had, alas.

He passes a bowl to Manabu. Here. Dinner of losers.]

Perhaps when this is over you can start repaying me by buying me a decent meal somewhere.

[Not that Grey actually thinks he'll be sticking around once Manabu's safe/has all the evidence he needs, but. It's nice to think about, at least?]

[siriusly]

Ye-yeah? [he smiles nervously, taking the bowl.] Is that going to be like steak or something fancy? [surely not ramen or noodle dishes - he's likely to be sick of them, right?

though...wait...

that was a year ago, wasn't it?

dang...]

[repeatedprayer]

Oh, I expect fine dining with champagne and rented suits and the whole nine yards. I intend to give your bank account a thorough beating.

[Though honestly, it would be nice to be eating at Kana's right now.

But what they have right now is cornflakes, so. Munch munch.]

[siriusly]

Gih-- [psychic damage! the economic damage comes later.] Je-jeez... [he's worse than a woman!

or at least, he assumes so. he only hears about expensive dates second-hand.] That's gonna be a lot of overtime for one dinner-date...

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey laughs, enjoying the sight of Manabu writhing. It's basically dinner AND a show!]

Well, you were the one who wanted to repay me. Surely this isn't the worst way to go about it.

[You'd just be paying out the nose to suffer through having to behave in an extremely formal environment. Easy enough!]

[siriusly]

[he utters some kind of rebuttal mid-crunch, but coherency has to wait after he's gotten some food in him.

eventually:] ...It won't be so bad. I can ask around for some good places. [surely Louis will know. or some of the Spica girls.]

[repeatedprayer]

[...Manabu's too sincere for his own good. Grey finds himself wishing he really could have this dinner date with him. He's not actually particularly enamoured with the idea of fine dining, but trying it once with Manabu seems like it could be fun.

Ah well. Best not to let himself get too wistful.]

A word of advice; try not to talk with your mouth full while we're there, or else they'll kick us out.

[siriusly]

[that gets a chipmunk-cheeked scowl before he's done chewing and swallowing his food.]

I know that...!

[gosh. it's like he thinks he's not housebroken or something!! Tabito isn't that backwater - and Grey would know that!

handfuls of cereal later, the empty bowl is set in his cross-legged lap.]

You...don't happen to have any pain medicine, do you?

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey has polished off his own bowl and turns to grab Manabu's when the question comes up. His eyes narrow, shifting into assessment mode.]

I do. What sort of pain is it?

[siriusly]

Just. Um...sore. Muscles, skin. [his shoulders shrug up a bit.]

[repeatedprayer]

Hm.

[Grey snatches the bowl out of Manabu's lap and takes them over to the kitchen sink. A few moments later he's returning to Manabu's side with a glass of water outstretched for Manabu to take.]

Is it all over or concentrated anywhere specific?

[As soon as Manabu takes the water Grey will be heading to the shelves at the back of the room to grab a pill bottle from his travel bag.]

[siriusly]

[after a slow sip:] Near where...the work was done. [ears. tail.]

[repeatedprayer]

I see.

[Well that makes sense. Surgery always fucks a person up for a while.

Grey shakes out two pills into the palm of his hand and brings them to Manabu. He hesitates a moment before voicing his thoughts.]

Before we turn in for the night, you should let me examine you. So far I haven't noticed any signs that we should be worried, but I still think we should take a proper look at the areas where the surgeries were done.

[siriusly]

[he only needs a moment to pop the pills and wash them down, eyebrows lifting while he's wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.]

A...mn. Makes sense. [though it does make him wonder what's to be done if things look bad...a hospital's going to have a lot of questions, right? so much for keeping things under wraps in that case.

he hands the mostly-empty glass over, freeing up his hand to lightly scratch at the back of his head and feel around where his ears were, grimacing. it's itchy where hair's trying to grow back, and there's still a lumpiness from where stitches had been pulled and flesh healing over. it's not terribly new, but given the extensive work done to move whole nerve endings and inner ear things...!]

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey has similar concerns, but... Besides his own medical knowledge and healing powers, if worst comes to worst maybe he can threaten a doctor? Hopefully it won't come to that.

Grey takes the glass and brings it to the kitchen where he gives it and the cereal bowls a quick wash. Once the dishes are dealt with he returns to Manabu. He considers asking how Manabu's feeling now, but it's almost certainly too early for the pills to be doing anything.]

Are you ready to be examined, or did you want more time for the painkillers to take effect?

[siriusly]

I, I'm fine. [can't be a baby about things, right? at least, he certainly can't give himself the leniency to relax a little, despite overdoing things in an attempt to get better. honestly, were CMO Yuki here, she'd have berated him a fair deal for trying too much too soon.

he uncrosses his legs, bringing them over the edge of the mattress to sit, feeling rather self-conscious and silly.]

Ah, ha...did, did you study medicine or something? Or is this just a spot-check for something glaringly bad...

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey hesitates before answering.]

I've studied medicine, but I'm not a licensed doctor. I suppose you could say you're getting what you've paid for.

[i.e. 0 dollars gets you a xerox of a doctor instead of an actual doctor.

Grey moves in front of Manabu and leans over, gently setting his fingertips on Manabu's head. He feels he's gotten quite good at using his eyesight, but touch is always reliable. Using both vision and the light trace of his fingers across Manabu's skin, he begins to look around for irregularities. Occasionally he gives instructions:]

Tilt your head to the left. This way...

[He also asks a few questions, mainly about what Manabu's been feeling and is feeling. How much pressure it takes when Grey prods a spot before it starts hurting, that sort of thing.]

[siriusly]

[Manabu is fairly behaved, given his history of antsiness. pain makes him a bit sedate, so he obediently moves as told, his gaze flitting to and fro and often back to the form right in front of him, here and there sneaking glances up for a peek at Grey's expression.

it takes more intentional prodding for Manabu to admit to pain with little winces, exhaling with a withered sound.

fingers on the back of his neck give him goosebumps and cause to chew on his lip, feeling his face get hot again. this isn't the kind of handling that ever came to mind in the past, but the tactile memories are going to linger and influence, surely...]

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey's expression probably isn't that reassuring. While he does his best to stay detached, to think of this as a medical conundrum for him to work through, he can't completely forget who he's examining and why. Every little scar he feels out or bit of pain that Manabu admits to twists in his guts. He's at least mollified by knowing that the people who did this- or at least, a good chunk of them- have already died by his hand.

Once he's satisfied he's gotten as much information about Manabu's head and ears as he can from looking and touching, Grey withdraws his hands.]

It looks like your injuries are healing well. By the look of things, I'd estimate the surgery was done about a month ago.

[He's guessing he'll find similar results with the tail, since it looks like it came from the same donor as the ears... Not that he's a dog expert by any means.

Of course, now it's time for the part that even Grey has to admit is going to be awkward.]

I need you to turn around and lie on your stomach now. I'm going to examine your spine and tail.

[siriusly]

R...right...

[he hesitates, the awkward kind of leadening his limbs for want to avoid said awkward.

not like he can really make excuses to avoid it, can he? would it be less embarrassing were it Yuki? maybe.

despite being a slug about it, Manabu does comply, smushing his face into a pillow. this is humiliating...]

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey hovers over Manabu, watching the movement of Manabu's back and tail as the other man sluggishly settles onto his stomach. He keeps an eye out for tension, any motions that might indicate pain or stiffness. It shouldn't really be a big deal, but watching Manabu like this, knowing that he's going to have to touch him more is nerve-racking.

Making things considerably worse, Manabu's shirt and boxers are going to be in the way. The shirt isn't so bad, Grey can just push the fabric up to Manabu's shoulders- and an exposed male back surely isn't a big deal? It's really only the pace that gives him pause. Moving too slowly feels like it would be overly intimate, but the idea of just yanking it up doesn't feel right either. He'll have to aim for a good midpoint.

As for the boxers... There is no way to pull a person's underpants down that is going to feel normal. Grey figures he'll just have to pull them down enough to get Manabu's tail free, without completely exposing the buttocks.

Right. He's got a plan now. Grey at least has the decency to give Manabu some warning before going for it.]

I'm going to adjust your clothes now.

[He does not, however, have the decency to let Manabu provide or deny permission. He grips the bottom of Manabu's shirt and pushes the fabric up, then begins to examine Manabu's spine. It's much the same process as with Manabu's head, but with less movement required- gentle touches, lots of quiet looking, and the occasional increase of pressure to find areas of soreness.

It's also just a little harder to feel professional about this, rather than like a weirdo who's fondling his partner in crime.]

[siriusly]

[Manabu reflexively tenses, but is altogether deadset on just being still.

mostly altogether.

his tail does lash out in a vent for his anxiousness, something that just makes him tenser.

he turns his head to utter:] I'm not doing that on purpose!