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]

[it's difficult to properly calculate the time between those breaks in weakened composure and the weariness draining grief of momentum, but Manabu eventually just doesn't have the energy to sob the way he needs to, instead just going as still as trembling misery allows while awake. even then, it's not long before fitful sleep gloms on (poor Grey, subject to even more twitchy limbs and restless rest thanks to a confined bag on the floor), and Manabu's more overwarm than cold - a sweaty, fidgety shape whose fever is only discontent.

even that wears out at some point, though not swiftly, but there's maybe an hour or two without all the twitching or stifled grumblings of fitful sleep where real rest can happen, for all the good it'll do. better than nothing, really.

the remains of those mumbled assurances, real or just wished for, linger at the edges of consciousness when Manabu blinks his eyes open and realizes he's not constrained by medical restraints - that's just Grey's body.

he's still not made any of this up yet.]

[repeatedprayer]

[Neither of them are getting much in the line of proper rest. Grey dozes on and off throughout most of the night, his thoughts rarely further than the man in his arms. While Manabu is fidgety, Grey is fairly still; however, both of them are fairly sweaty by the end of the night. It's a damn shame they're no longer staying upstairs from a laundromat.

Eventually the sun rises, climbing the sky far enough that a bit of actual sunlight penetrates the room and fills it with dim light. When Grey opens his eyes and stares blearily out across the floor, he can finally see that the carpet is green.

He feels vaguely proud of himself for being able to identify the color. Green's a tricky one.

Grey winds up staring at the carpet for a long enough period of time for it to be embarrassing before he finally shifts his head to peek down at Manabu.]

[siriusly]

[Manabu doesn't let himself move much, even though he's starting to feel the ache of lying too still. for a bit, he just listens to breath and heartbeats and the periodic settling of the building, taking stock of himself beyond pain and putting all of that back into place.

still here, still left as a byproduct of not just scientific lunatics, but the many who love and care for him. he's what's left, but not yet left behind. not yet.

he blinks against the stinging sensation of his eyes and swallows against the raw feeling in his throat.

quietly:] Are you awake?

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey honestly can't see much besides hair (and ears) but he has a feeling that Manabu's awake even before he hears the other man's voice.]

Yes.

[Grey speaks quietly as well. There's something about this morning that feels fragile, like he might break something by speaking too harshly.]

How are you feeling?

[siriusly]

[good question.]

...Not great. [...] But...better than earlier. Am I sick? [or is it just sweating to death in a sleeping bag that's doing it?]

[repeatedprayer]

I hope not. [Grey frowns, and shifts his arm before realizing that he can already feel how warm Manabu is pretty well.] Er. Why don't we get dressed and see how you feel then?

[re: get out of the portable sauna they've made.]

[siriusly]

[Manabu agrees, shifting and stilling so Grey can do the honors of untangling first before there's leeway for him to roll and wriggle free. the cool, musty air is already a balm; he feels better almost immediately and sighs gratefully for it.

he sits on his knees, hands on the floor.]

What about you? [he looks over.] Are you okay?

[repeatedprayer]

[Some awkward wriggling and scooting around later and the two of them are out in the air. The coolness of it is a relief, but Grey suspects it may quickly turn too cold, so he doesn't hesitate to start getting dressed.

As he's tugging his underwear back on, Grey shoots Manabu a look of mild surprise at the question.]

A little stiff I suppose, but not ill.

[siriusly]

[he smiles wanly.]

Thanks for the save. I, I don't think I said thanks for this one yet? Since I was so queasy before. [and then utterly miserable. pathetic, really. the fact Grey just looks surprised rather than outright disgusted is something Manabu can't take for granted.]

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey isn't sure if the save is referring to warming Manabu up, or to him taking them away from their former hideout so quickly. He focuses instead on the latter bit.]

Then I take it you're not feeling nauseous anymore? [Or at least, less nauseous, hopefully.

He picks Manabu's shirt off the floor and casually holds it out to him.]

[siriusly]

Only the normal amount for being kind of scared, eh, eheh... [the laugh is feeble, no real mirth behind it.] Pre-mission queasy, I guess.

[because this is what it is, right? the dawn on the mission.

Manabu pulls the shirt from Grey's hand, holding it in his lap for a bit, feeling a twinge.

everything will change...when they leave this building.

Grey will probably leave for good.

Manabu's smile falters in a twitch.]

...No chance I can...cook us up breakfast this time around, huh...

[repeatedprayer]

You'll be fine.

[It's an attempt to be reassuring, but with Grey's brisk tone it may come off as dismissive instead. Because Manabu will be fine! He's an experienced SDF officer with a murderous copy protecting him!

But Grey sill falters as he's tugging his pants on. He's going to miss those breakfasts with Manabu.]

...I don't think so.

[Grey hadn't even bothered to pack any food when they'd left. They don't even have any of those damned cornflakes.]

[siriusly]

[Manabu by contrast, may as well be made of molasses. it's how he gets when emotions weigh too much, even when vented to the degree they'd been. he's at least not catatonic, but he's not going to be winning any marathons at this rate, either.

the chilly hand of that old habit of immobility sure is alluring, because if he doesn't move, then they don't have to separate, right?

but that won't be good for either of them. Manabu exhales, forcing himself to pull the shirt back on, focusing on buttons before letting himself think of next steps.

next steps? pants. where...where pant.]

[repeatedprayer]

[On the floor, for the record. The same floor from which Grey has already retrieved his shirt and is now grabbing his jacket. However, seeing how slow Manabu's progress is makes him slow down a bit himself. He pauses with the jacket in hand and for a long moment simply casts a sidelong, concerned glance at Manabu.

It's fairly obvious Manabu has a lot on his mind. Grey also doubts he slept much better than Grey did. Thinking on that...]

Shall we get coffee after we leave? [Not that caffeine will be great for any jitters but.]

[siriusly]

Eh-?

[it takes a few seconds for Manabu to even register the question, just pulling the inside-out leg of his pants right-side-out.]

Aa, yeah, probably. [...

blink.]

...We still have money?

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey smiles thinly.] I did make sure to bring that, at least. We won't be able to afford anything ritzy, but coffee's cheap. [Two black coffees from WcDomald's (ranked top choice for fast food amongst anime characters everywhere) is certainly doable.

Since Manabu's gotten him onto the subject of cash, Grey ponders the issue more.]

Our biggest money issue will be getting off planet... [And that's expensive in a way where having a few ables more or less isn't going to make much of a difference.] I have my contact who might be able to smuggle us onboard a ship, but he'll definitely charge us through the nose for the privilege.

[siriusly]

[again, Manabu is slow to register or respond, having to wobble up onto his feet and pull his pants up to the point where he feels his tail getting cramped, reminding him he should've bound it first. stupid, stupid t--]

...Y-you're going to come with me? [he nearly drops his pants, looking up owlishly.] Really?

[repeatedprayer]

[Seeing Manabu's surprise takes Grey slightly aback himself. He does his best to clarify:]

I always intended to see you safely to Destiny, at least. [His rough plan had been to drop Manabu off near SDF HQ and then run like hell in the opposite direction, hoping that by the time Manabu had explained things and the SDF sorted out what the hell was going on Grey would have slipped out of their grasp.] Once you've reunited with your allies you won't need me anymore, but I never intended to leave you alone.

[siriusly]

[even if Manabu was trying to play it cool, the tail is a snitch: it begins to wag, slowly, but certainly.

it stops dead after a second, once the whole response sinks in.

you won't need me anymore.

that doesn't feel good to hear. his brightened expression quickly sobers, gaze drifting away, and down.]

S-so you... [he's staying because Manabu needs the help, and no one else can do it. he cares, but only as a means to an end?] Ah. Uh. R-right. Okay. Sorry, that...should've been clear already, huh.

[repeatedprayer]

[Ah. Grey's chest feels strangely tight, like it's collapsed in on itself.]

It's fine.

[It's not.

God, just looking at Manabu and thinking about it, Grey can feel himself wavering. He doesn't know how the hell he's going to walk away when the final moment is upon them. Let alone what he's going to do afterwards. He tries to remind himself that he'll be free, not rotting in a lab or jail cell, but somehow it doesn't make him feel much better.]

[siriusly]

[he can't force Grey into the light, he reminds himself. why would he if it's not inviting? that's...what Manabu has to do. make the light inviting.

or something. it's a sort-of metaphor, and Manabu's not good at sort-of metaphors.]

Can, uh...I need a hand. With the tail. [something he needs to learn to do by himself, certainly. but right now?

right now, he...doesn't even bother trying, instead slumping against the nearest wall behind him while Grey comes to help, unable to stand the divide that circumstances want to put up, even though he's right there.

his expression pinches with discontent, with yearning, biting at his lip.]

[repeatedprayer]

[Grey blinks, attempting to shake off a little of the gloom. Right, he still needs to help Manabu-]

Ah, to tie it up, right?

[He glances across the floor and struggles to remember where they put the cord before he remembers that he packed it up back on the factory roof.] Hold on...

[Luckily it doesn't take much rummaging before Grey's able to find it. He coils one end of it around his hand and steps over to Manabu.

Seeing him slumped against the wall like that reminds Grey painfully of the day they'd first kissed. He'd been so lethargic afterwards, Grey had had to carry him to bed. Where they'd lain in awful silence, until...

Grey sinks to his knees and reaches out to gently grasp Manabu's tail. The fur is still scrunched up from the hours it spent tied down yesterday. Will Manabu still remember to brush it every now and then after they part ways?]

[siriusly]

[Manabu isn't thinking about the tail at all, beyond what it feels like to have him handling it; even gently it's still a reminder of harsher sensations. Grey, knelt before him, stirs up roiling, needy feelings, fueled by the dread omens that this is really it, this is the last time they'll be alone.

if he messes up, of course. and the odds there are...hm...

it goes against the spirit of binding the tail up, but again, he's not thinking about it when crouching down to meet Grey and kiss him before too much of a question can get out.]

[repeatedprayer]

[He feels Manabu shift and looks up, his lips parting with some vague intention forming to ask what's wrong. Grey doesn't really think it through before he registers that Manabu's face is drawing closer and he responds accordingly.

Grey drops the cord, drops the tail, and reaches up to circle his arms around Manabu as their lips meet. Any further attempts at a question die unsaid, as Grey clutches desperately at the back of Manabu's shirt and returns the kiss with everything he has.

He's a little afraid if he speaks, even just to moan Manabu's name, he'll break this last moment. How fortunate that they can forgo words like this.]

[siriusly]

[Manabu sinks and folds into that grip, fast to wind his arms around Grey’s shoulders as he’s emboldened to match the desperation. he whimpers against his mouth, threading and curling fingers through Grey’s hair, parting only to suck in a quick breath before lunging back in.

every second counts, and it’s a second stolen in favor of something warmer and more comforting than the ominous precipice they have to walk off.]