Fallen Angels Epilogue
Title: Fallen Angels
Author: hippiefox
Pairing: Ohmiya, Juntoshi (slightly onesided), hints of Sakuraiba
Rating: definitely R.
Genre: AU, drama, action, violence, romance
Summary: Even fallen angels have angels.
Disclaimer and chapter list. Please read.
Epilogue
Jun was glad the first snowfall had melted before the day of the funeral. He didn’t want to be freezing cold while he was trying to say good-bye to his friends. Not that it mattered, he was still numb from shock and sadness anyway.
He sat in his bedroom on the foot of the bed, dressed in a melancholy suit and an old note in his hands. It wasn’t a shock really, what Ohno had written. He really should have seen it coming.
Ohno had told him everything. Start to finish.
From growing up in a perfect home with his mother, father and sister to the point when he was fourteen and fell in with the wrong crowd.
Drug deals, weapon sales and the black market, Ohno was picked up by a man who needed protection from an underground drug lord. Ohno was a skilled gunman and with the right upbringing from that man, Ohno grew into a deadly hitman.
After killing the first man in his life, Ohno turned to his family that night with bloodstains on his hands and clothes. He begged for help but was turned away by his frightened family.
With nowhere to run, Ohno found his way into the lap of the top boss of professional assassins.
From there, Jun knew the history. Taking up college life as a cover, being assigned to kill a man named Ninomiya, trailing him for two years and fighting his emotions against killing the person he unexpectedly fell in love with. The note apologized to Jun, Sho and Aiba. Ohno apologized for tricking them, for lying and using them to get close to Nino and for putting them in danger.
Ohno couldn’t run anymore. He had to try to save Nino from his unknown fate.
Jun folded the note slowly, swallowing the threatening tears and standing from the bed. He remembered the faces of Aiba and Sho when they read the letter, confusion and then devastation.
This note was their good-bye and the last they would see of their friends.
Placing the note tenderly in his suit jacket pocket, Jun walked to his door and out into the world.
Everything was gray. The snow clouds were thick and dark and the air was crisp. There were no birds, no chattering of people, only a haunting breeze making the old temple creak.
The temple was hardly full, fifteen people at most, the majority being Ohno’s classmates who still believed Ohno was killed by a hit and run.
The only people on Nino’s side was Jun, Sho, Aiba and two girls that Jun didn’t know. They introduced themselves after, of course, thanking Jun, Sho and Aiba for holding the funeral.
"He was a longtime friend of mine… he really did save my life." the girl Tamiko sobbed, being patted on the back by her younger friend, Rio. While Aiba and Sho comforted the girls, Jun turned to look at the double coffins.
Ohno had asked for this in his note. He asked to be with Nino.
No one would object… because no one was around to object.
Jun ran his hand along the glossy wood of Ohno’s coffin until he came to the photo framed by flowers. It was a stupid picture, one that Ohno and Nino had sent to Sho on their day at the beach. Jun smiled at their carefree grins and wrinkled noses as they pressed their cheeks together.
Jun could picture them on the train, taking pictures of each other and laughing as they sent them out… Jun was already missing their laughs.
He took a shuddering breath and closed his eyes for a minute, just to let the reality sink in just a bit more.
He listened to the girls talking, telling stories of Nino and how he would be missed. And on the other side, Jun heard stories of how graceful and amazing Ohno was from his classmates. Stories from class and life… Jun couldn’t take it.
It was his fault after all. He could have stopped them, but he didn’t. He could have stopped Nino and Ohno from going to their deaths.
Jun opened his eyes and caught a glimpse of a very familiar man in a black suit standing at the temple doors, giving him a very subtle gesture to follow him.
Scowling slightly, Jun straightened up and excused himself quietly.
Walking out onto the frozen grass, Jun made his way around back to the tombstones and a waiting black car, shivering slightly and puffing warm air into his hands. Okamoto stood by a tiny shrine, flanked by Hino and another man.
Jun stopped walking a few feet behind them, glaring at them through his wind tousled hair. Once Okamoto was finished praying, he turned and looked Jun in the eye.
"Matsumoto-san… it has been some time, huh?" Okamoto grumbled, walking closer with his men behind him. Jun didn’t move an inch.
"What do you want?" he asked sharply. Okamoto stepped closer, his eyes still locked with Jun’s.
"You fucked up. You fucked this up real bad, so don’t act like nothing happened." Okamoto growled, a trembling anger shaking him.
"I had no control-"
"You let your emotions blind you! I hired you to watch over Ninomiya! Watch his back for assassins! What the fuck do you think your society is for!?" Okamoto almost yelled, his face twisted in anger.
"And you didn’t?" Jun snapped back, crossing his arms tightly to control the urge to hit the man in front of him.
"What did you say?" Okamoto hissed dangerously.
"You forget we know everything about our clients, Okamoto-san. Your jealous rage against Nino’s father just because he took away your childhood sweetheart." Jun said slowly and tauntingly, watching the fire of anger flash in Okamoto’s eyes.
"She didn’t love you, so you killed her and the whole family. Was that your assignment, Okamoto-san? Killing the innocent people in that family?"
Okamoto breathed angrily through his nostrils, but never answered.
"You were blinded as well." Jun whispered. Okamoto made a move for his gun, but Hino and the other body guard got there first to hold back their boss. Jun watched unfazed as the man struggled, cursing Jun for anything and everything.
"I let Ohno into Nino’s life because he needed it and so did Ohno. I knew Ohno was targeting Nino, Okamoto-san, but I also knew something else. I knew Ohno could save Nino in a way my society or I could never do." Jun spat, glaring down Okamoto.
"I paid you for your fucking protection!" Okamoto shouted, reaching for his gun and successfully pulling it out, aiming it at Jun. Everyone held their breath, but Jun remained as composed as ever.
He narrowed his eyes at Okamoto and swallowed.
"Did you forget we’re a branch of the police, Okamoto-san? One shot from that gun and they’ll have your whole fucking society in jail."
Jun watched Okamoto’s face tighten angrily and his hand shake. But Jun took a step forward, not entirely caring what happened next.
"I don’t care… you can shoot." Jun said quietly, letting his arms drop to his sides and not stopping the overdo tears from sliding down his cheeks.
Okamoto considered his options, glaring in hatred at the young man before him, eyes closed and holding back tears. Slowly, Okamoto lowered his gun and his face softened.
He knew Jun’s pain, he knew Jun didn’t care whether he lived or died right now… he’d lost a friend and someone he loved.
"I expect your boss to pay me back in full." Okamoto said calmly, meeting Jun’s exhausted dark eyes.
Jun cleared his throat of tears and nodded in understanding. Okamoto nodded in return and turned on his heel back to the waiting black car. While Jun took this time to wipe his eyes dry, he was approached by Hino, who held out his hand to Jun.
"These were theirs, Ohno-san and Ninomiya’s… Sakamoto said there’s pictures in here you might want." Hino said gruffly, dropping the two cellphones in Jun’s hands.
"Hino-san… I’m sorry about Himura." Jun mumbled as strongly as he could, looking up at the towering man. Hino dropped his eyes from Jun and if he ever showed his tears, Jun didn’t know, for Hino turned away too quickly to see.
As the sleek black car pulled away, Jun looked at the phones in his shivering hands.
Sniffing back the threatening sobs, Jun opened them up and let out a teary laugh at the wallpapers.
"Idiots…" Jun sobbed quietly, blinking away his growing tears.
The guests in the temple were leaving now, filing out in tears and heavy hearts. Sho and Aiba had been trying to find Jun for several minutes, but finally found him in the cemetery just staring up at the grey clouds. Sho put his arm around Aiba’s shoulders, pulling the crying man closer to him and softly kissing his head in comfort.
They approached Jun slowly, their shoes crunching over the grass and frost.
"Jun." Sho said quietly, stopping himself and Aiba behind the man. Jun came out of his trance, blinking quickly and turning towards the two. He knew he probably looked just as pathetic as Aiba did, but he knew he was less composed as Sho. Sho had to be strong for Aiba, after all.
"It’s time to go now." Sho said, offering an arm to Jun. Jun looked at Sho, torn between moving on and being stuck in sadness. It wasn’t fair… not being able to scream out his anger and guilt.
He had to bottle it all up, not able to let it out. Luckily, Aiba was able to do it for him.
"It’s not fair!" Aiba suddenly exclaimed, burying his face in his jacket sleeves. Sho reached out his arms again, biting back his own tears. But Aiba pushed Sho away angrily, starting to cry all over again.
"Why’d they have to be involved with them?" Aiba cried loudly.
"Masaki…" Sho said quietly, his voice broken with tears. Aiba sobbed a few times, wiping his tears away. Jun remained silent, watching his two friends in tears and their hearts broken. They knew now that Ohno and Nino had been involved with the underground but they did not know that Jun was a part of it as well.
And, unfortunately, it would stay that way. Jun bit his lip and let the cold tears slide down his cheeks as he watched Aiba get angry now, pushing away from Sho’s comfort and shouting at him for not "understanding". Sho stared painfully at Aiba’s back.
"They’re not coming back, Sho!" Aiba spat angrily, glaring at Sho. Sho made a quick move toward Aiba, but Jun was one step ahead.
"Stop. Aiba-chan…" Jun said sharply, stopping both Aiba and Sho and turning their attention to him. Jun walked between the two, grabbing both their arms and bringing them close again. Sho and Aiba didn’t meet each other’s eyes, they only stared at Jun’s strange and teary smirk.
"Let’s go back to the café. It’s cold here." Jun suggested, patting Aiba’s back softly and kissing the side of his head. Sho nodded slowly in agreement, quickly wiping his tears on his jacket sleeve and hugging Jun before finally moving to Aiba.
"Sorry…" Aiba whispered as Sho kissed his forehead and rubbed his thumbs over his wet cheeks.
"It’s okay." Sho smirked, allowing Aiba to hide his face in his neck and cry once again. Jun smiled softly at the two and with a heavy heart, followed them out of the graveyard.
A year to the day had passed and the café had never been busier.
Aiba, Sho and Jun had set up a tiny shrine behind the bar, complete with photos of Ohno and Nino and a few group pictures, but none compared to the two angel photographs framed in gold.
After a long day of noisy customers and rushing about, Aiba wished the last customer good night before shutting the door and flipping the sign to "Closed". He smiled at the first flakes of snow, glittering on the ground under the streetlights.
"We should make a snowman by the door! It can hold a greeting sign!" Aiba suggested happily, pulling the curtains down over the windows as Sho cleaned the bar and Jun smiled into his coffee.
"Masaki… the kids would knock it down." Sho laughed. Aiba giggled in agreement before throwing himself into the booth next to Jun.
Jun studied Aiba’s suddenly faraway stare out the window next to them. He gently set down the mug and looked out the window Aiba left open on purpose.
"What do you think they’re doing?" Aiba asked curiously, looking at Jun. The café went silent for a long while until Aiba started to laugh.
"Why are you guys so quiet?" he asked, looking at Sho and Jun’s slightly weary expressions.
Talking about Ohno and Nino wasn’t easy for a long time, but Aiba was bursting to talk about them and Jun and Sho went along with it, just because it made them miss the two a little less.
"If I know them… they’re probably doing stuff." Sho said slowly, making Jun snort into his coffee.
"Oh! Angels can do that!?" Aiba asked happily. Sho laughed and made his way around the bar and over to the booth, joining the two. Another long silence filled the café until Aiba cleared his throat again.
"But the café is well known now because of that shooting!" Aiba said, hoping to brighten everyone’s mood. Jun and Sho laughed softly... but even Aiba was waiting for a sarcastic remark and airy laugh that never came.
"I put the note in the shrine… I couldn’t keep it around anymore." Jun said softly, keeping his eyes downcast to the table. Sho made a noise of acknowledgement and Aiba made a soft "Oh" sound before falling into silence again.
The orange streetlight outside cast tiny shadows of the falling snow onto the café table, giving the three men something to watch.
"I… I think they’re still here." Aiba said timidly, slowly raising his eyes to look at Jun and Sho.
"Here?" Jun asked curiously. Aiba nodded and leaned forward on the table.
"I’ve been feeling things and hearing things lately… ever since we put their shrine up." Aiba said seriously with a hint of excitement in his eyes. Sho crossed his arms and leaned back.
"Masaki, I haven’t heard anything." he smirked, reaching out and patting Aiba’s hand.
"If they were here, they’d give all of us a sign." Jun smiled, finishing his coffee and getting up to wash it. Aiba gapped after the nonbelievers and pouted after Sho joined Jun behind the bar.
"I’m serious! They’re here!" Aiba whined, reaching over and closing the curtains before walking over to the shrine.
It had become a nightly habit of the three to say good night to Ohno and Nino and to say good morning to them when the café opened.
As the three closed their eyes and bowed their heads, Jun cleared his throat.
"This year we’ll visit you, okay?"
"On Christmas! And on New Year’s!" Aiba chimed in happily. Sho snickered and opened his eyes to smile at the last group photo they took.
"Good night, you two."
The three spent a few moments scanning over the photos, remembering the laughs and tears and love they all shared over the days. Jun was the first to turn away, fetching his coat and scarf, Sho following suit after tugging on Aiba’s hand. But Aiba stayed just a bit longer as Sho and Jun got dressed.
"Aiba-chan, are you going to stay the night?" Jun called from the door as Sho flicked off the lights, startling Aiba.
"I’m coming, I’m coming…" Aiba grumbled, rushing behind the bar to grab his coat.
"Oh… it’s really snowing now." Sho said as he and Jun walked out, leaving Aiba in the doorway. As Sho and Jun’s chatter faded, Aiba lingered in the doorway, his eyes roaming the dark and silent café.
Setting his hand on the handle, Aiba smiled widely at the pictures once more.
"Good night." Aiba whispered.
And as he closed the café door, Aiba was certain he had heard tiny whispers and the faintest flutter of wings.
END.
.
AN: That's it for the series! ^____^
Though it was a sad ending.... hopefully you all enjoyed it and the little surprise with Jun.
I'm not planning on having anymore series until the new year, but i will have a couple oneshots here and there so you can check on the new ones in the master post <3
The next series to look forward to is the sequel to " Words"! So, hope to see you all again! :D You're all so great <3
Thank you all sooo much again for sticking with these stories!!!! Have a great rest of the year!!!
♥♥♥♥♥
Author: hippiefox
Pairing: Ohmiya, Juntoshi (slightly onesided), hints of Sakuraiba
Rating: definitely R.
Genre: AU, drama, action, violence, romance
Summary: Even fallen angels have angels.
Disclaimer and chapter list. Please read.
Epilogue
Jun was glad the first snowfall had melted before the day of the funeral. He didn’t want to be freezing cold while he was trying to say good-bye to his friends. Not that it mattered, he was still numb from shock and sadness anyway.
He sat in his bedroom on the foot of the bed, dressed in a melancholy suit and an old note in his hands. It wasn’t a shock really, what Ohno had written. He really should have seen it coming.
Ohno had told him everything. Start to finish.
From growing up in a perfect home with his mother, father and sister to the point when he was fourteen and fell in with the wrong crowd.
Drug deals, weapon sales and the black market, Ohno was picked up by a man who needed protection from an underground drug lord. Ohno was a skilled gunman and with the right upbringing from that man, Ohno grew into a deadly hitman.
After killing the first man in his life, Ohno turned to his family that night with bloodstains on his hands and clothes. He begged for help but was turned away by his frightened family.
With nowhere to run, Ohno found his way into the lap of the top boss of professional assassins.
From there, Jun knew the history. Taking up college life as a cover, being assigned to kill a man named Ninomiya, trailing him for two years and fighting his emotions against killing the person he unexpectedly fell in love with. The note apologized to Jun, Sho and Aiba. Ohno apologized for tricking them, for lying and using them to get close to Nino and for putting them in danger.
Ohno couldn’t run anymore. He had to try to save Nino from his unknown fate.
Jun folded the note slowly, swallowing the threatening tears and standing from the bed. He remembered the faces of Aiba and Sho when they read the letter, confusion and then devastation.
This note was their good-bye and the last they would see of their friends.
Placing the note tenderly in his suit jacket pocket, Jun walked to his door and out into the world.
Everything was gray. The snow clouds were thick and dark and the air was crisp. There were no birds, no chattering of people, only a haunting breeze making the old temple creak.
The temple was hardly full, fifteen people at most, the majority being Ohno’s classmates who still believed Ohno was killed by a hit and run.
The only people on Nino’s side was Jun, Sho, Aiba and two girls that Jun didn’t know. They introduced themselves after, of course, thanking Jun, Sho and Aiba for holding the funeral.
"He was a longtime friend of mine… he really did save my life." the girl Tamiko sobbed, being patted on the back by her younger friend, Rio. While Aiba and Sho comforted the girls, Jun turned to look at the double coffins.
Ohno had asked for this in his note. He asked to be with Nino.
No one would object… because no one was around to object.
Jun ran his hand along the glossy wood of Ohno’s coffin until he came to the photo framed by flowers. It was a stupid picture, one that Ohno and Nino had sent to Sho on their day at the beach. Jun smiled at their carefree grins and wrinkled noses as they pressed their cheeks together.
Jun could picture them on the train, taking pictures of each other and laughing as they sent them out… Jun was already missing their laughs.
He took a shuddering breath and closed his eyes for a minute, just to let the reality sink in just a bit more.
He listened to the girls talking, telling stories of Nino and how he would be missed. And on the other side, Jun heard stories of how graceful and amazing Ohno was from his classmates. Stories from class and life… Jun couldn’t take it.
It was his fault after all. He could have stopped them, but he didn’t. He could have stopped Nino and Ohno from going to their deaths.
Jun opened his eyes and caught a glimpse of a very familiar man in a black suit standing at the temple doors, giving him a very subtle gesture to follow him.
Scowling slightly, Jun straightened up and excused himself quietly.
Walking out onto the frozen grass, Jun made his way around back to the tombstones and a waiting black car, shivering slightly and puffing warm air into his hands. Okamoto stood by a tiny shrine, flanked by Hino and another man.
Jun stopped walking a few feet behind them, glaring at them through his wind tousled hair. Once Okamoto was finished praying, he turned and looked Jun in the eye.
"Matsumoto-san… it has been some time, huh?" Okamoto grumbled, walking closer with his men behind him. Jun didn’t move an inch.
"What do you want?" he asked sharply. Okamoto stepped closer, his eyes still locked with Jun’s.
"You fucked up. You fucked this up real bad, so don’t act like nothing happened." Okamoto growled, a trembling anger shaking him.
"I had no control-"
"You let your emotions blind you! I hired you to watch over Ninomiya! Watch his back for assassins! What the fuck do you think your society is for!?" Okamoto almost yelled, his face twisted in anger.
"And you didn’t?" Jun snapped back, crossing his arms tightly to control the urge to hit the man in front of him.
"What did you say?" Okamoto hissed dangerously.
"You forget we know everything about our clients, Okamoto-san. Your jealous rage against Nino’s father just because he took away your childhood sweetheart." Jun said slowly and tauntingly, watching the fire of anger flash in Okamoto’s eyes.
"She didn’t love you, so you killed her and the whole family. Was that your assignment, Okamoto-san? Killing the innocent people in that family?"
Okamoto breathed angrily through his nostrils, but never answered.
"You were blinded as well." Jun whispered. Okamoto made a move for his gun, but Hino and the other body guard got there first to hold back their boss. Jun watched unfazed as the man struggled, cursing Jun for anything and everything.
"I let Ohno into Nino’s life because he needed it and so did Ohno. I knew Ohno was targeting Nino, Okamoto-san, but I also knew something else. I knew Ohno could save Nino in a way my society or I could never do." Jun spat, glaring down Okamoto.
"I paid you for your fucking protection!" Okamoto shouted, reaching for his gun and successfully pulling it out, aiming it at Jun. Everyone held their breath, but Jun remained as composed as ever.
He narrowed his eyes at Okamoto and swallowed.
"Did you forget we’re a branch of the police, Okamoto-san? One shot from that gun and they’ll have your whole fucking society in jail."
Jun watched Okamoto’s face tighten angrily and his hand shake. But Jun took a step forward, not entirely caring what happened next.
"I don’t care… you can shoot." Jun said quietly, letting his arms drop to his sides and not stopping the overdo tears from sliding down his cheeks.
Okamoto considered his options, glaring in hatred at the young man before him, eyes closed and holding back tears. Slowly, Okamoto lowered his gun and his face softened.
He knew Jun’s pain, he knew Jun didn’t care whether he lived or died right now… he’d lost a friend and someone he loved.
"I expect your boss to pay me back in full." Okamoto said calmly, meeting Jun’s exhausted dark eyes.
Jun cleared his throat of tears and nodded in understanding. Okamoto nodded in return and turned on his heel back to the waiting black car. While Jun took this time to wipe his eyes dry, he was approached by Hino, who held out his hand to Jun.
"These were theirs, Ohno-san and Ninomiya’s… Sakamoto said there’s pictures in here you might want." Hino said gruffly, dropping the two cellphones in Jun’s hands.
"Hino-san… I’m sorry about Himura." Jun mumbled as strongly as he could, looking up at the towering man. Hino dropped his eyes from Jun and if he ever showed his tears, Jun didn’t know, for Hino turned away too quickly to see.
As the sleek black car pulled away, Jun looked at the phones in his shivering hands.
Sniffing back the threatening sobs, Jun opened them up and let out a teary laugh at the wallpapers.
"Idiots…" Jun sobbed quietly, blinking away his growing tears.
The guests in the temple were leaving now, filing out in tears and heavy hearts. Sho and Aiba had been trying to find Jun for several minutes, but finally found him in the cemetery just staring up at the grey clouds. Sho put his arm around Aiba’s shoulders, pulling the crying man closer to him and softly kissing his head in comfort.
They approached Jun slowly, their shoes crunching over the grass and frost.
"Jun." Sho said quietly, stopping himself and Aiba behind the man. Jun came out of his trance, blinking quickly and turning towards the two. He knew he probably looked just as pathetic as Aiba did, but he knew he was less composed as Sho. Sho had to be strong for Aiba, after all.
"It’s time to go now." Sho said, offering an arm to Jun. Jun looked at Sho, torn between moving on and being stuck in sadness. It wasn’t fair… not being able to scream out his anger and guilt.
He had to bottle it all up, not able to let it out. Luckily, Aiba was able to do it for him.
"It’s not fair!" Aiba suddenly exclaimed, burying his face in his jacket sleeves. Sho reached out his arms again, biting back his own tears. But Aiba pushed Sho away angrily, starting to cry all over again.
"Why’d they have to be involved with them?" Aiba cried loudly.
"Masaki…" Sho said quietly, his voice broken with tears. Aiba sobbed a few times, wiping his tears away. Jun remained silent, watching his two friends in tears and their hearts broken. They knew now that Ohno and Nino had been involved with the underground but they did not know that Jun was a part of it as well.
And, unfortunately, it would stay that way. Jun bit his lip and let the cold tears slide down his cheeks as he watched Aiba get angry now, pushing away from Sho’s comfort and shouting at him for not "understanding". Sho stared painfully at Aiba’s back.
"They’re not coming back, Sho!" Aiba spat angrily, glaring at Sho. Sho made a quick move toward Aiba, but Jun was one step ahead.
"Stop. Aiba-chan…" Jun said sharply, stopping both Aiba and Sho and turning their attention to him. Jun walked between the two, grabbing both their arms and bringing them close again. Sho and Aiba didn’t meet each other’s eyes, they only stared at Jun’s strange and teary smirk.
"Let’s go back to the café. It’s cold here." Jun suggested, patting Aiba’s back softly and kissing the side of his head. Sho nodded slowly in agreement, quickly wiping his tears on his jacket sleeve and hugging Jun before finally moving to Aiba.
"Sorry…" Aiba whispered as Sho kissed his forehead and rubbed his thumbs over his wet cheeks.
"It’s okay." Sho smirked, allowing Aiba to hide his face in his neck and cry once again. Jun smiled softly at the two and with a heavy heart, followed them out of the graveyard.
A year to the day had passed and the café had never been busier.
Aiba, Sho and Jun had set up a tiny shrine behind the bar, complete with photos of Ohno and Nino and a few group pictures, but none compared to the two angel photographs framed in gold.
After a long day of noisy customers and rushing about, Aiba wished the last customer good night before shutting the door and flipping the sign to "Closed". He smiled at the first flakes of snow, glittering on the ground under the streetlights.
"We should make a snowman by the door! It can hold a greeting sign!" Aiba suggested happily, pulling the curtains down over the windows as Sho cleaned the bar and Jun smiled into his coffee.
"Masaki… the kids would knock it down." Sho laughed. Aiba giggled in agreement before throwing himself into the booth next to Jun.
Jun studied Aiba’s suddenly faraway stare out the window next to them. He gently set down the mug and looked out the window Aiba left open on purpose.
"What do you think they’re doing?" Aiba asked curiously, looking at Jun. The café went silent for a long while until Aiba started to laugh.
"Why are you guys so quiet?" he asked, looking at Sho and Jun’s slightly weary expressions.
Talking about Ohno and Nino wasn’t easy for a long time, but Aiba was bursting to talk about them and Jun and Sho went along with it, just because it made them miss the two a little less.
"If I know them… they’re probably doing stuff." Sho said slowly, making Jun snort into his coffee.
"Oh! Angels can do that!?" Aiba asked happily. Sho laughed and made his way around the bar and over to the booth, joining the two. Another long silence filled the café until Aiba cleared his throat again.
"But the café is well known now because of that shooting!" Aiba said, hoping to brighten everyone’s mood. Jun and Sho laughed softly... but even Aiba was waiting for a sarcastic remark and airy laugh that never came.
"I put the note in the shrine… I couldn’t keep it around anymore." Jun said softly, keeping his eyes downcast to the table. Sho made a noise of acknowledgement and Aiba made a soft "Oh" sound before falling into silence again.
The orange streetlight outside cast tiny shadows of the falling snow onto the café table, giving the three men something to watch.
"I… I think they’re still here." Aiba said timidly, slowly raising his eyes to look at Jun and Sho.
"Here?" Jun asked curiously. Aiba nodded and leaned forward on the table.
"I’ve been feeling things and hearing things lately… ever since we put their shrine up." Aiba said seriously with a hint of excitement in his eyes. Sho crossed his arms and leaned back.
"Masaki, I haven’t heard anything." he smirked, reaching out and patting Aiba’s hand.
"If they were here, they’d give all of us a sign." Jun smiled, finishing his coffee and getting up to wash it. Aiba gapped after the nonbelievers and pouted after Sho joined Jun behind the bar.
"I’m serious! They’re here!" Aiba whined, reaching over and closing the curtains before walking over to the shrine.
It had become a nightly habit of the three to say good night to Ohno and Nino and to say good morning to them when the café opened.
As the three closed their eyes and bowed their heads, Jun cleared his throat.
"This year we’ll visit you, okay?"
"On Christmas! And on New Year’s!" Aiba chimed in happily. Sho snickered and opened his eyes to smile at the last group photo they took.
"Good night, you two."
The three spent a few moments scanning over the photos, remembering the laughs and tears and love they all shared over the days. Jun was the first to turn away, fetching his coat and scarf, Sho following suit after tugging on Aiba’s hand. But Aiba stayed just a bit longer as Sho and Jun got dressed.
"Aiba-chan, are you going to stay the night?" Jun called from the door as Sho flicked off the lights, startling Aiba.
"I’m coming, I’m coming…" Aiba grumbled, rushing behind the bar to grab his coat.
"Oh… it’s really snowing now." Sho said as he and Jun walked out, leaving Aiba in the doorway. As Sho and Jun’s chatter faded, Aiba lingered in the doorway, his eyes roaming the dark and silent café.
Setting his hand on the handle, Aiba smiled widely at the pictures once more.
"Good night." Aiba whispered.
And as he closed the café door, Aiba was certain he had heard tiny whispers and the faintest flutter of wings.
END.
.
AN: That's it for the series! ^____^
Though it was a sad ending.... hopefully you all enjoyed it and the little surprise with Jun.
I'm not planning on having anymore series until the new year, but i will have a couple oneshots here and there so you can check on the new ones in the master post <3
The next series to look forward to is the sequel to " Words"! So, hope to see you all again! :D You're all so great <3
Thank you all sooo much again for sticking with these stories!!!! Have a great rest of the year!!!
♥♥♥♥♥