Who: Youji Kudou and Ran/Aya Fujimiya
Where: Nectar.
Style: Erin's choice. ♥
Status: Looking like closed.
Note: Continuing from
this call. A moment to stare at the Dreamberry--never mind that he'd hung up on Ran more than once, having Ran hang up on him just threw Youji off. Hadn't much enjoyed their most recent one-on-ones, but the honest truth
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Wasn't much Youji could do about it. He was getting better--he knew that much. But the pointlessness of it all, that was what Omi's departure hammered home. He'd miss the kid. Would probably never see him again (Mamoru would make sure of that), unless it was like what apparently happened to Ken and he magically reappeared, memories gone. But what were the odds? And what would be the point? Everything that happened to Omi in Somarium was meaningless--if what Omi said was true, what Kiyoshi told Omi was true, then, once you left Somarium, your memories of it were gone.
And that was what he'd wanted. To forget everything. What had happened to Omi--twice now. This would be Omi's second time losing a large portion of his memories, and all Youji could think about was the waste, the pointlessness, why did they even bother?
He did, finally, brave a look at Ran. He leaned back against the counter, and tried to keep his thoughts off his face. He hated the thought that he was living until he hit a dead end yet again, was tempted to see if Aya would speak first, but Youji was beginning to dislike the silence. Silence made it far too easy to slip back into his mind and memories, and he'd been careful about not doing that lately.
"Well?"
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It was what he was comfortable with.
But, he chose to speak again this time. Unlike before though, it was just a simple question he asked. Nothing to do with making Youji think about how he would handle his future.
"How are you doing?"
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"I've been better," he said evenly. But he'd also been worse, and that, he though, went without saying. He wasn't thinking about locking himself in his room until the pain receded, and he wasn't looking for substances to abuse. That was a great improvement from when Aya had found him after Kimika's death.
Losing Omi was a blow, had all the finality of death because, if Youji could be permitted to indulge a bit of hyperbole, he'd never suffered a loss of any other kind. And Omi--the kid who juggled school, shop, and assassinations, and was the only thing that changed Weiss from 'guys who kill together' into 'possible friends'--was gone. He would be back with Saijou Takatori, back where he could let his inner Mamoru flourish and thrive, and that was that. Life exactly as it always had been.
Maybe another man could have been grateful for the extra time, for the last chance to know Omi as Omi, but Youji was selfish, self-centered, and cynical. And unhappy with the implications.
"Think Omi'll remember anything when he gets home?" Youji asked. He didn't, remembering what Omi had said about Kiyoshi, and he doubted Aya would, either. But he wanted Aya's thoughts on the matter, and asking a straightforward question was easier than asking for something more abstract.
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He'd stopped having hopes like that a long time ago.
Going over, he sat down on one of the stools that the shop had while he leaned his elbows on the counter. The invitation wasn't spoken but it was obvious after he glanced at another. He wanted Youji to come sit with him. They didn't have to stand while they had this conversation.
He wasn't going to sugarcoat any of this. Much like his simple answer to Youji's question.
As far as he was concerned, Youji deserved better than to have things sugarcoated.
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That thought was enough to give Youji pause. If Omi had heard Sena tell him to his face how Mamoru was responsible for both his death and Kyo's, and then done it anyway...
He didn't want to sit. He wanted to pace, be able to walk towards and away from Ran as the appropriate theatrics suited him--and if not, he didn't want to sit without a stiff drink. But Ran didn't have to come check on him, didn't have to put off his own grief to come and make sure Youji wasn't slipping.
So Youji sat. Desperately wanted the drink, but he sat. And sighed.
"Well, Sena likely won't miss him, at least."
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Oddly enough, that was fine.
Ran glanced over at Youji. Knowing him the way he did, he probably wanted something to drink. He might actually join him in that later. Just one drink and that way his friend wouldn't drink alone.
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Whether it was good or bad, Youji didn't exactly care.
He leaned over, chin in palm and elbow on counter. Pressed on the bridge of his nose.
"How's Aya-chan holding up?"
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Ran sighed and studied the counter for a moment or so then glanced over at Youji. Just to study him then look away.
"I think I need a drink."
Really he didn't. He was saying it more for Youji's sake since he was sure his friend did. Since that was the case, drinking together would be appropriate. Better than doing so alone anyways.
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"I might have something or other floating around," he said slowly. "Nothing too heavy, though, I'm not sending you back to an upset girl if you're falling-down drunk. You don't have my experience."
'With drunkenness or girls' is the subtext there, if Ran chooses to read it. Youji doesn't really care if he does, but it opens up gates for possible teasing. Complete seriousness isn't his strong suit; he can do it for Asuka and little else.
"This is the sort of thing that needs a stiff drink--although." He smiles wryly. "I don't think I'll be drinking to forget this time. You?"
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Ran pushed some of his hair from his face with a little smile. He was ignoring the first part of that intentionally. He wouldn't fall down drunk and he had enough experience. Just...in his own way.
"And I'll only have one of whatever we have."
He really didn't need any more than that.
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He preferred here. He had a few choice wines and some beer in his apartment, and a small stash in the stockroom, too. Nothing that would compromise his abilities on the job, just a quick pick me up on his lunch break if he needed it.
He assumed Aya would, too.
"You're no fun, Aya. Have two."
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"A small stash in the stockroom."
Yes, he'd noticed it and no he hadn't moved it. Or mentioned it. Or done anything about it. It wasn't slowing Youji down or compromising anything so he'd just left it there.
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Youji smiles innocently. Since Aya brought it up, he doesn't have to claim it. Not that it isn't obvious, but there you go. Getting Aya to drink with him was an accomplishment, all things considered. Especially given how Aya found him after his last major drugs-and-alcohol jaunt.
"You know which wine I like best, right? There should be a bottle of it there, with enough left for us to have one each. I'll just take that now, then top it off with a Scotch when I get home."
Hmm, March third. July fourth. Interesting coincidence, right?
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Getting up, Aya went to where he knew the wine was hidden. Yes, he knew what kind of wine Youji liked best. He'd made sure to get him that bottle before. Grabbing it and a couple glasses that they usually used for drinking water, he brought them back to where they were sitting and set them down.
He made no comment on Youji having Scotch later. Not because he didn't want him drinking it but because he personally couldn't stand the taste of it.
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Youji poured for the both of them, and raised his glass.
"To Mamoru Takatori," he said, tone distasteful but not bitter. Not holding a grudge. The pointlessness was still there "May he never become more of a bastard than he already is."
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All the same, Ran raise his glass to the toast and added to him.
"To the good memories of Omi Tsukiyono."
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