[Multichapter] The Watches Series: Apocalypse (1/??)
Title: The Watches Series: Apocalypse
Authors: syunikiss1990 & tsuchi8562
Beta: andreja1989 <-- as always arigatou ♥
Pairing: SakurAiba, MatsuMiya
Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Romance
Rating: PG-13 (this chapter)
Disclaimer: No, we don't own anything... We're just Border Watch's glaziers
Summary: It looks like the end of everything they knew... Will their world collapse?
A/N: This is fourth and last unless we won't think of something knew xD part of The Watches Series. You can find links to previous parts here.
*MASTERPOST*
Sakurai hated it when he had to work late. Even though he had been transferred to Chiba and forced into a simple office job way below his capabilities, he was able to live with it with Aiba by his side. Normal office hours and going home to the, no matter how cheeky he thought it would sound, sunshine of his life had made his life happy and in a way relaxed. Masaki had found a job in a small bookstore in town, working fewer hours than Sho and always making sure to have a hot meal waiting for him. They made jokes about it, calling Aiba Sakurai's wife but at the same time it felt like the truth which they both loved. But from time to time something happened at the office which forced Sakurai to stay late and he simply hated it. Less time with Aiba and no home cooked meal but a rushed sandwich between work made him always grumpy and something about tonight made it even worse. Some kind of feeling something bad was about to happen made him jumpy and irritated by the smallest things.
"I'm home." He mumbled when he stepped inside the shared apartment but to make his day even worse Masaki was nowhere to be seen to greet him. Normally when Sho would be late Masaki always waited for him to greet him with a bright smile, shower him with some kisses which made the day much more bearable. But the greeting stayed out and as soon as he stepped inside the living room he knew why. His boyfriend was animatedly talking through the phone, giggling happily and grinning widely. When Sakurai stepped inside the younger man turned around surprised.
"Oh, Sho is home. I have to go." Aiba said in broken English and Sakurai immediately knew who the other was talking to. Just the cherry on top of the awful day.
"Sho-chan, welcome home." Masaki greeted him with a bright smile. "Nila called and she told me something really interesting." Without wasting time the younger man started to talk about the Indian vessel they met years ago but Aiba had still kept contact with. No normal greeting, nothing like 'how was your day', just straight to that Nila woman again. Sho had never heard of two vessels staying in such close contact after the exchange before. On top of that, they were both retired vessels, unneeded for the Watches anymore. Masaki had absolutely no reason to stay in contact with that woman, he didn't need to help her anymore in any way.
"Sho-chan." Aiba's voice was soft when he called out for him. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. Tired." Sakurai mumbled. "I'm going to take a bath." He wanted to rush out of the room before he would do something stupid but the younger man grabbed his arm.
"How many times do I have to tell you that Nila is just a friend." Masaki said madly. "Your jealousy is getting annoying Sho."
"I'm not jealous." Sho lied, trying to get rid of the tight grip on his arm. But instead of letting go the other only tightened his grip.
"I'm the only one here who can lie convincingly. You are jealous for no reason." Aiba said.
"No reason?" Sho hissed between clenched teeth. "I have every reason Masaki. You talk to her more than you talk to me. Every time you talked to that woman you have a stupid grin on your face as if you are in love. Tell me why I shouldn't be worried if you look like that every time!" He hadn't really meant to raise his voice but all the unconscious frustration about Aiba and Nila seemed to come out right now.
"There is nothing between her and me!" Masaki yelled in frustration. Sho forced his arm out of the taller mans grip.
"Wrong answer." He muttered, taking a few angry steps to the bathroom and slamming the door behind him. To his surprise the younger man didn't follow him like he always did but Sakurai was glad he didn't. It would only make things worse right now and that was the last thing he wanted. He just needed to cool down a bit, he knew pretty well himself he had no reason to be jealous. But there simply was no button where he could turn it off just like that. Whether he wanted it or not, every time Aiba talked about Nila it made his blood boil. Every time he thought about his boyfriend and the woman all he could see were their lips pressed together for too long. He filled the bath with hot water, almost ripping off his own clothes and closing his eyes when he had finally washed himself and stepped in the tub.
"Stupid woman." He muttered softly to himself, sighing deeply and trying to relax enough in the hot water. Slowly his tensed muscles started to relax, making his head much clearer as well. His mind wandered off to all the events that had started 7 years ago. The case together with Ninomiya and Matsumoto, his job as the protector of the vessel and therefore Aiba. Their second clash with Ohno which eventually leaded to his demotion to Chiba. If he hadn't witnessed everything with his own eyes he was sure he would never believe any of it but he knew very well that it was the truth. Even though it was a very well hidden truth by now. Here in Chiba nobody seemed to know about what happened back then and there were absolutely no records in the system. But it was behind him and he didn't think of it too much. It wasn't that strange that it had been hidden, he was sure that there were more cases like this that almost nobody knew about. The Watches simply did what they thought was right to keep peace after all.
The water had turned cold by the time Sho finally stepped out of the bath. Shivering against the cold that wrapped around his body he quickly toweled himself dry, wrapping it around his waist before stepping out of the bathroom again. Almost the whole apartment was dark, a soft light only coming from their bedroom. Taking a deep breath he opened the door, seeing Aiba was already in bed but watching him when he stepped inside and turning the TV off. Sakurai sighed, feeling calmer now and knowing that the only right thing to do now was apologizing.
"I'm sorry Masaki." He mumbled, looking at the taller man who glared at him. "It's just... It was a long day and even though I wish I could control that stupid jealousy towards Nila I can't. Can you please forgive me?"
"You should know better." Aiba said mockingly. "But I should apologize as well. I know that Nila is a bit sensitive subject for you and I know that after such a long day it's not good to bring it up." Sakurai quickly put on his boxers and pajama's before slipping into the bed next to the younger man.
"Can we start over?" Sho said with a slight smile, his heart beating a bit faster when Masaki smiled as well, surprising him once again that even though they were together for quite a while already, his body could still react like this to the simplest things.
"Welcome home Sho-chan." Aiba said softly, leaning closer to give the older man a soft kiss on his lips. "How was your day?"
"Horrible." Sakurai sighed before he started to give his boyfriend a brief report of his working day. There had been some troubles between the Light and the Dark Watch in Chiba, some small misunderstanding almost leading to a clash but the Border Watch had managed to interfere just in time. But situations like this always leaded to a lot of paperwork which had to be done by Sakurai, making him work longer than normal. The younger man listened quietly, frowning from time to time.
"It seems there is some tension lately here." Masaki said thoughtfully, making Sho nod.
"There is a bit more tension than normally but it have been some hectic times so it's normal. I just hope it will be boringly quiet soon again though, I don't like coming back home late." Aiba smiled at Sakurai's words and cuddled closer.
"I like it better that way too." The younger man mumbled. "I guess it's just something in the air though. Some costumers today were pretty grumpy as well, it seems like everyone is just easily irritated."
"Must be the time of the year." Sho sighed, kissing the younger man on the top of his head. Masaki slowly nodded and sighed as well. For a while they stayed silent, just enjoying each other's warmth.
"Are you sleeping?" Sakurai asked after a while. The taller man moved slightly, looking up.
"Something wrong?" Aiba asked.
"Not wrong. I was just wondering how Ninomiya and Matsumoto are doing. When I was in the bath I found myself looking back to those times again and I now wonder how they are doing." Masaki hummed softly.
"I guess the same as always. Maybe we can go to Tokyo sometime soon?" Sho smiled.
"Reading my mind like always." Aiba laughed softly.
"It's a gift." He said jokingly, giving Sakurai a kiss. "But it's late and tomorrow might be long again. Let's sleep and see about it tomorrow?"
"Great idea." Sho moved up a bit to turn off the light before making himself comfortable in bed, the younger man immediately moving against his side. After a softly mumbled exchange of goodnights and a sweet kiss they slowly drifted off, leaving their worries of the day behind in their sleep.
***
"I said no! This ugly thing won't stay under my roof, so better take it back to the store or I will smash it on your stupid curly head!" Ninomiya crossed his arms on his chest and looked at the man in front of him. Kazunari in fact didn't care about the huge black porcelain dog which Matsumoto bought today. To be honest he would agree even on yellow walls in purple hearts if this would make Jun happier but he had to play his role. After all their relationship was based on those fights which in ninety-five per cents ended in bedroom. Of course Nino had feelings for the latter and he strongly believed the latter feels the same for him but without those arguments it would fade in no time.
"You are telling this only because you want to get to my ass. No way grumpy, it's stays on our living room, end of discussion." Matsumoto smirked and pushed the dog under the window ostentatiously. The shorter man chuckled and shook his head, leaning against the wall and observing the younger man struggling.
"Need help?"
"No, thanks... I got it." Jun smiled and patted the porcelain head which reached his waist. Kazunari looked at the latter for a longer while and took a deep breath. How long they were together? It were almost eight years already but it seemed as if they had met just yesterday. Ninomiya's thoughts ran back to the first meeting and their investigation, Ohno's trial and his decision to erase his memories. Images from the time he had an 'amnesia' were blurry but he still could catch some details from that part of his life. Every single choice he had made till now brought him to the place he were standing right now. In rather small apartment, staring at a man he loved polishing huge black porcelain animal. Nino didn't regret anything, even the fact he was Light Watch's public enemy after switching sides. Suddenly his phone rang and after seeing the name on the screen it only could mean trouble. Kazunari moved back to their bedroom and answered, hoping that his boss calls with something really stupid and unimportant.
"Yes?"
"Fight in front of Akai Ribbon club in Ginza. At first sight nothing serious, but one of guys is from the Light Watch and since it was Takahashi's bachelor party, you can imagine what happened. Go there and check if that was just regular stupid fight or something more. Oh, and go alone. Jun has a day off after all." Without even waiting for a reply the man hang up.
"It was my day off as well you asshole..." Ninomiya sighed and threw his phone on the bed. Recently the situation between Light and Dark Watches was tensed practically to the limits. Even though both institutions didn't like each other since forever, previously they didn't show it so obviously. Right now if you had a Light officer and Dark one in one room, be prepared for a fist fight. Kazunari put on his warm sweater and slowly shuffled to genkan for his shoes and jacket.
"Going somewhere? Decided you can't look at the dog and you want to drink till you like it?" Matsumoto chuckled.
"No, I am going to buy milk." Nino answered seriously and looked around to find his keys. Jun frowned and crossed his arms on chest.
"I just bought two bottles yesterday... Hey, is it about work? Something happened?"
"Listen princess, I am going to buy some milk. I will be right back." The older one slipped the keys in his pocket and left, hearing Jun's raised voice.
"Remember if you are cheating on me you're dead meat!"
When Nino arrived on the scene everything seemed to be settled. Takahashi was sitting on the sidewalk, pressing gauze to small wound on his eyebrow. To from Light Watch didn't look better, but at least pretended they are totally fine. Kazunari looked around and sighed, thinking he wasn't needed here in the first place, as some older officers from both sides and even a Border Watch worker handled everything already. However, since he was already here, he decided to ask about what happened.
"Nothing serious. Just typical tension between Watches, that's it. And since Takahashi drank a bit too much, you can see the results." Dark Watch officer shrugged and finished writing his official note. Ninomiya went to his wounded coworker, asked about the incident and heard practically the same story, though filled with such hate that scared him. Kazunari smiled bitterly, patted his coworker on the shoulder and went back to his car wondering why he was called here in the first place. It was true that he switched sides just so he can be with Jun but this constant testing him was tiring already. Ninomiya didn't want to come back home yet, so he reached to the glove compartment where he hid a package of cigarettes. He inhaled deeply, kept the smoke in his lungs until he felt dizzy and slowly exhaled. The situation was tougher than before and with passing time it was getting more and more complicated. Tension between officers o both Watches rose and of nothing will happen, war will knock to their door. For now nobody was killed but with how things are now it was just the matter of time. It seemed that both sides were just waiting for any excuse to start open attack. Kazunari sighed and closed his eyes for a while. Was it his Light part talking through him right now?
"Sentimental bullshit..." Nino whispered and drove off home, making sure he will buy a bottle of milk before he reaches their apartment. He was away for almost two hours and he thought that Matsumoto was probably sleeping already or reading a book. Ninomiya found his boyfriend in the kitchen, sitting in the dark and playing with a pen.
"Where the hell were you buying this fucking milk?! In China?! Or maybe you were milking cow yourself?!" Jun raised his voice and that meant he was truly mad. No wonder, they were about to spend this day together and he rudely just went out with the stupidest excuse ever. Kazunari put the bottle in the fridge and stayed silent for a longer while, not listening to what the taller one was saying.
"I want to go to Chiba." Nino stated randomly, looking at the later. Matsumoto stopped in the middle of the sentence and frowned.
"What?"
"I said I want to go to Chiba. I think it will be better if I go first thing in the morning, don't think he will work on Saturday..." Ninomiya talked quieter with each word, as if he was talking to himself. He slowly walked to the bedroom, lost in thoughts and bumped on his boyfriend who apparently blocked his way.
"What the hell is going on here?! You go out in the middle of the night to buy some milk, came back after hours and decide to go to Chiba. So whether something happened or you went totally crazy. Now spit it before I rip the truth out of your throat!" Matsumoto took a deep breath to calm down, but waited for any answer. Kazunari sighed and told about the phone from his boss and the incident in Ginza.
"Don't tell me you didn't notice what's going on recently. Light and Dark ones want to slay each other. Balance is endangered and the only one who knows the most about it are the Grey ones. And with all due respect the only Grey I trust is Sakurai." Nino sighed again and rubbed his face. He was tired and wanted to take a shower and go to sleep. The taller one stayed silent for a while, thinking through the things the other one said.
"We will have former vessel there as well, so maybe he will be able to put a new light on everything? At least we will know if similar situation is going on in different part of the country..." Matsumoto chew his lower lip and nodded. Kazunari smirked, because he knew well what that meant - Jun will go with him and that was another reason why Ninomiya loved him. They may fight and threw some insults at each other but they will stick together no matter what. Of course before their trip they will need to think of some excuse for their boss but that wasn't the hardest thing to do. The head of Dark Watch will be busy with other things, like getting Takahashi out of troubles and smooth things out. The last thing The Watch needs is getting in open war with their opponent.
"I need a shower..." Ninomiya said out of sudden and slowly went to the bathroom followed by the younger man. Even if they don't have sex under running water, taking the shower together was calming and somehow very natural to them. Neither of them said a word until they slid under blankets and made themselves comfortable on the bed.
"I still won't forgive you lying to me. I would go with you."
"That's why I didn't tell you. At least one of us should have a decent day off." Ninomiya sighed and put his hands under his head, staring at the ceiling in the darkness. The hot water made him wide awake instead of pushing him into slumber. Jun placed his head on the latter's chest and sighed.
"You're getting softer Kazu... Be careful or I may stop loving you..."
"Me? Soft? Tells the guy who cuddles out of sudden while trying to stay mad at me..." Nino smiled and played with Matsumoto's curly hair. "Let's sleep, if my feelings are good we have long day tomorrow..."