Something About Records And Memories (Fatal Fury, Duck/Billy, #5)
Title: Something About Records And Memories
Author: Ruko Hanaji
Pairing: Duck King x Billy Kane
Fandom: Fatal Fury
Theme: Number 5 - "Hey, you know..."
Ratings: PG13 for language
Disclaimer: I don't own these guys, SNK Playmore does, though I would be pleased to have a Duckie of my own.
Southtown - 1993
"Ano saaa..." Joe said, looking at Duck out of the corner of his eye, "Lillychan to oresama ga-"
"English, Higashi," Duck cut him off, not even bothering to look up from the stack of albums he was picking through. He knew it was a mistake to invite Joe into the sound booth, especially after the Muay Thai champ had already put a few drinks away. "Maybe Andy can understand you, but I sure as hell can't."
Joe rolled his eyes, but rather than argue he continued, "I was going to say, I was out with Lilly last night, and she told me something."
Duck knew exactly where this was going; he said noncomitally, "Oh yeah? I hope you're treating her right. If you ain't I'll have to help Billy kick your ass."
Higashi grinned widely. "See, that's it; she told me something very interesting about her brother. And you."
Then Duck looked at Joe, one eyebrow raised, and waited for him to continue.
"She said you two used to hang out all the time as teenagers, you and Kane."
"And your point, Joe? You've obviously got one here."
Joe's cocky demeanor faltered a moment, and then a rush, "Shesaidthatonceshecaughtyoukissinghim."
There was no point in denying it; Duck wasn't ashamed, that was for sure. He just looked pointedly at Joe over the rims of his glasses, and drawled, "Shit, I thought that was old news by now, because Terry saw us once too."
"You mean it's true?" Higashi's tone was incredulous. "Dude, sick."
Duck frowned a little, and then turned back to his records, wondering why the hell he was feeling so defensive.
"Oh hey, don't get me wrong," Joe said hurriedly. "Not saying 'cause he's a guy, but come on." He made gagging noises. "I mean, it's Billy."
Duck was quiet, looking at his vinyl and simply wishing things had turned out differently.
He had met Billy back when he himself was simply a lanky, bespectacled black youth of fifteen. Duck had been spending a Saturday afternoon at Dirt Cheap Records on 14th St and Pecos (which these days was a Starbucks) looking through the stacks. He had a nice little pile going on, balanced beside him on the edge of the bin while he looked. Without warning someone brushed abruptly by him, enough to make him jostle his stack of albums and send one sailing to the floor.
"...Shit!" Duck quickly bent to pick it up, giving the culprit a quick, angry glance.
The person who'd knocked into him was a grubby little punk who looked around Duck's age, with clumsily cut blond hair and purple-streaked bangs. "Sorry, mate."
The punk dropped down to take hold of the record himself, his paler hand brushing against Duck's. They blinked at each other, then both looked down at the album they held between them, Cheap Thrills.
"You like Janis Joplin?" the punk boy said, his British accent thick and incredulous.
"She wasn't bad," Duck replied with a shrug, his face suddenly very warm, "for a white girl."
Then the other boy had cackled, "Well, she was no Sandy Deny, but she was wicked for a Yank." He gave Duck a grin. "Hey, you know, there's no reason we can't both enjoy this. C'mon."
The next thing Duck knew the punk boy had dragged him to the counter and made him buy the record, chattering all the while. And then across town to an inconspicuous apartment to howl along with Janis on Piece Of My Heart while Billy swung his kid sister around in circles. Having lost both parents, the Kanes had been shipped to the United States under the uncaring protection of relatives who gave them no other attention other than enough money to live off of. Having learned frugality on London's streets, Billy had set up house in the apartment; sure, maybe his uncle's name was on the lease, but as far as Billy was concerned, the place was his and Lilly's alone.
That apartment became young Duck's second home, and his friendship with Billy had grown into something more. All of it had come to an end after highschool, after Billy had gotten that job, after...
"Well," said Duck finally, turning his attention back to Joe. "It was a long time ago."
Higashi nodded, but kept watching him, bushy brows furrowed. After an awkward second or two, he asked, "Hey, um, you ever think about trying to get back with him?"
Duck started a little, then looked hard at Joe. "Since when have you been so interested in my lovelife, Higashi?"
"Well, I figure if Billy's getting laid regularly he'd be less likely to harrass me about dating Lilly."
"Oh, what the hell." Duck narrowed his eyes at the Muay Thai boxer, folding his arms. "Look, Joe, if you're expecting me to be some kind of wingman for you-"
"No, it ain't like that," Joe said, waving a hand dismissively. He shrugged a little. "It just looks like you still feel something for him, you know?"
Damn right he still felt something, but there was no point in pursuing it. These days Duck occasionally ran into Billy on neutral turf, like the Pao Pao Cafe, or their old stomping ground near the West Street subway line. They'd talk, but Duck avoided discussing Billy's job and Billy seemed content to leave the subject be. Of course, it wasn't Billy's job so much as his employer that Duck had issues with. And the last thing Duck wanted was to talk about any of this with Joe Higashi, of all people.
Instead Duck gave a shrug of his own. "...You think so?"
Another uncomfortable silence. Then Higashi grinned and asked, "Terry really saw you two kissing?"
"Oh lord." Duck rolled his eyes at the memory. "That was years ago. He called us fags and asked 'who's the girl?'"
"You're shitting me!"
"I shit you not." Duck snorted. "I had to drag Billy away so he didn't kill the little snot."
Joe laughed. "...I'd have paid good money to see that."
"Yeah, well this little trip down Memory Lane has been nice and all, Joe," said Duck drily, tucking his records under his arm. "But I gotta go, and since I don't think Richard wants your scrawny ass in here alone, that means you gotta go."
"Okay, okay," chuckled Joe, getting to his feet.
Shooing Higashi out of the sound booth, Duck followed and locked the door behind him. Heading down the short flight of stairs towards the exit, he waved at Meyer, cleaning up the bar. "Yo, Richard! I'm cutting out. Is that cool?"
Richard waved back. "Go on, Duck. We'll see you tomorrow night."
"Hey, you want a ride, Duck?" Joe said suddenly.
"You have a car?"
Following Higashi out to the street, Duck was mildly surprised at the sight of Joe's car, a candy apple red Lamborighini Diablo, sleek and polished to a shine. He was even more surprised to see Billy Kane standing next to it smoking, wearing a business suit and looking annoyed.
At the sight of Kane, Joe yelped and nearly dove behind Duck.
"Oshitoshitoshitoshit," babbled Higashi. "Why's he here? What am I saying? I know why he's here, he's here to kick my ass..!"
"Calm the fuck down," Billy snapped. He tossed the remains of his cigarette to the sidewalk. "I just got out of work, and I am not in the mood. Lilly asked me to tell you she'll be workin' late."
"That is such bull! Why didn't she just try to reach me on my beeper?"
"Uh, didn't you say you had it turned off to avoid getting paged while you were eating?" interjected Duck.
"...Oh yeah."
Billy gave Duck a look that clearly said You see what I have to put up with? and said aloud, "In any case, she's at work, and wants you to stop by. Why she's interested in a twat like you I haven't a fuckin' clue, but I promised her I'd deliver the message."
Joe scratched the back of his head. "Um. Okay. Thanks, Kane."
Popping open the suicide door, the Muay Thai boxer slid into the bucket seat and closed the door. After fastening his seat belt he rolled down his window, leaning out a little.
"Later, Duck. Remember what I said, okay?" Joe grinned cheekily as he stuck the key in the ignition, and paused. "Hey, Kane?"
Billy sighed with irritation. "What, Higashi?"
"I banged your sister," said Joe, and he then sped off before Billy had any chance to react.
Duck rubbed his temples. Oh, you're on your own on this one, Joe.
Billy squawked, and Duck was half convinced that Kane was going to go chasing the car up the street.
"Oh! Oh, you fucker..!" Kane howled.
"Calm down, Billy, " Duck scolded. "You're gonna give yourself an ulcer if you keep that up."
Billy stopped flailing and stood glaring up the road, chin jutting out in that way it did when he was annoyed. "... I am gonna tear that cheese-knob a new arsehole when I see him again."
"Lilly might object," Duck pointed out. "He is her boyfriend."
"'S'alright," panted Billy, calming down. "I'll just pop down to the pound and get her a puppy. It'd smell less."
Duck laughed at that. He looked Billy again, fondly, and hesitated when Joe's earlier words came unbidden to mind.
You ever think about trying to get back with him?
"Hey, you know..." Duck nudged at Billy's arm with his own. "If you ain't doing anything tomorrow night Kane, we should hang out."
Billy looked askance at Duck. "Are you sure about that, Duck?"
Duck didn't dare let himself hesitate. He bravely took hold of Billy's tie, drawing him close to kiss. The kiss was light enough to keep things neutral, but still firm enough to make his intentions clear. He pulled away, trailing the striped tie though his fingers before letting it fall again.
"Yeah. Meet me here tomorrow," he said casually; now that he'd made up his mind, he was grinning. "We'll grab some dinner, have a few drinks, see where the night leads..."
Billy looked at Duck for a long moment, and said, "I'd rather like that."
"I'll see you then." Feeling fine, Duck turned without another word and headed home, records under his arm.
Author: Ruko Hanaji
Pairing: Duck King x Billy Kane
Fandom: Fatal Fury
Theme: Number 5 - "Hey, you know..."
Ratings: PG13 for language
Disclaimer: I don't own these guys, SNK Playmore does, though I would be pleased to have a Duckie of my own.
Southtown - 1993
"Ano saaa..." Joe said, looking at Duck out of the corner of his eye, "Lillychan to oresama ga-"
"English, Higashi," Duck cut him off, not even bothering to look up from the stack of albums he was picking through. He knew it was a mistake to invite Joe into the sound booth, especially after the Muay Thai champ had already put a few drinks away. "Maybe Andy can understand you, but I sure as hell can't."
Joe rolled his eyes, but rather than argue he continued, "I was going to say, I was out with Lilly last night, and she told me something."
Duck knew exactly where this was going; he said noncomitally, "Oh yeah? I hope you're treating her right. If you ain't I'll have to help Billy kick your ass."
Higashi grinned widely. "See, that's it; she told me something very interesting about her brother. And you."
Then Duck looked at Joe, one eyebrow raised, and waited for him to continue.
"She said you two used to hang out all the time as teenagers, you and Kane."
"And your point, Joe? You've obviously got one here."
Joe's cocky demeanor faltered a moment, and then a rush, "Shesaidthatonceshecaughtyoukissinghim."
There was no point in denying it; Duck wasn't ashamed, that was for sure. He just looked pointedly at Joe over the rims of his glasses, and drawled, "Shit, I thought that was old news by now, because Terry saw us once too."
"You mean it's true?" Higashi's tone was incredulous. "Dude, sick."
Duck frowned a little, and then turned back to his records, wondering why the hell he was feeling so defensive.
"Oh hey, don't get me wrong," Joe said hurriedly. "Not saying 'cause he's a guy, but come on." He made gagging noises. "I mean, it's Billy."
Duck was quiet, looking at his vinyl and simply wishing things had turned out differently.
He had met Billy back when he himself was simply a lanky, bespectacled black youth of fifteen. Duck had been spending a Saturday afternoon at Dirt Cheap Records on 14th St and Pecos (which these days was a Starbucks) looking through the stacks. He had a nice little pile going on, balanced beside him on the edge of the bin while he looked. Without warning someone brushed abruptly by him, enough to make him jostle his stack of albums and send one sailing to the floor.
"...Shit!" Duck quickly bent to pick it up, giving the culprit a quick, angry glance.
The person who'd knocked into him was a grubby little punk who looked around Duck's age, with clumsily cut blond hair and purple-streaked bangs. "Sorry, mate."
The punk dropped down to take hold of the record himself, his paler hand brushing against Duck's. They blinked at each other, then both looked down at the album they held between them, Cheap Thrills.
"You like Janis Joplin?" the punk boy said, his British accent thick and incredulous.
"She wasn't bad," Duck replied with a shrug, his face suddenly very warm, "for a white girl."
Then the other boy had cackled, "Well, she was no Sandy Deny, but she was wicked for a Yank." He gave Duck a grin. "Hey, you know, there's no reason we can't both enjoy this. C'mon."
The next thing Duck knew the punk boy had dragged him to the counter and made him buy the record, chattering all the while. And then across town to an inconspicuous apartment to howl along with Janis on Piece Of My Heart while Billy swung his kid sister around in circles. Having lost both parents, the Kanes had been shipped to the United States under the uncaring protection of relatives who gave them no other attention other than enough money to live off of. Having learned frugality on London's streets, Billy had set up house in the apartment; sure, maybe his uncle's name was on the lease, but as far as Billy was concerned, the place was his and Lilly's alone.
That apartment became young Duck's second home, and his friendship with Billy had grown into something more. All of it had come to an end after highschool, after Billy had gotten that job, after...
"Well," said Duck finally, turning his attention back to Joe. "It was a long time ago."
Higashi nodded, but kept watching him, bushy brows furrowed. After an awkward second or two, he asked, "Hey, um, you ever think about trying to get back with him?"
Duck started a little, then looked hard at Joe. "Since when have you been so interested in my lovelife, Higashi?"
"Well, I figure if Billy's getting laid regularly he'd be less likely to harrass me about dating Lilly."
"Oh, what the hell." Duck narrowed his eyes at the Muay Thai boxer, folding his arms. "Look, Joe, if you're expecting me to be some kind of wingman for you-"
"No, it ain't like that," Joe said, waving a hand dismissively. He shrugged a little. "It just looks like you still feel something for him, you know?"
Damn right he still felt something, but there was no point in pursuing it. These days Duck occasionally ran into Billy on neutral turf, like the Pao Pao Cafe, or their old stomping ground near the West Street subway line. They'd talk, but Duck avoided discussing Billy's job and Billy seemed content to leave the subject be. Of course, it wasn't Billy's job so much as his employer that Duck had issues with. And the last thing Duck wanted was to talk about any of this with Joe Higashi, of all people.
Instead Duck gave a shrug of his own. "...You think so?"
Another uncomfortable silence. Then Higashi grinned and asked, "Terry really saw you two kissing?"
"Oh lord." Duck rolled his eyes at the memory. "That was years ago. He called us fags and asked 'who's the girl?'"
"You're shitting me!"
"I shit you not." Duck snorted. "I had to drag Billy away so he didn't kill the little snot."
Joe laughed. "...I'd have paid good money to see that."
"Yeah, well this little trip down Memory Lane has been nice and all, Joe," said Duck drily, tucking his records under his arm. "But I gotta go, and since I don't think Richard wants your scrawny ass in here alone, that means you gotta go."
"Okay, okay," chuckled Joe, getting to his feet.
Shooing Higashi out of the sound booth, Duck followed and locked the door behind him. Heading down the short flight of stairs towards the exit, he waved at Meyer, cleaning up the bar. "Yo, Richard! I'm cutting out. Is that cool?"
Richard waved back. "Go on, Duck. We'll see you tomorrow night."
"Hey, you want a ride, Duck?" Joe said suddenly.
"You have a car?"
Following Higashi out to the street, Duck was mildly surprised at the sight of Joe's car, a candy apple red Lamborighini Diablo, sleek and polished to a shine. He was even more surprised to see Billy Kane standing next to it smoking, wearing a business suit and looking annoyed.
At the sight of Kane, Joe yelped and nearly dove behind Duck.
"Oshitoshitoshitoshit," babbled Higashi. "Why's he here? What am I saying? I know why he's here, he's here to kick my ass..!"
"Calm the fuck down," Billy snapped. He tossed the remains of his cigarette to the sidewalk. "I just got out of work, and I am not in the mood. Lilly asked me to tell you she'll be workin' late."
"That is such bull! Why didn't she just try to reach me on my beeper?"
"Uh, didn't you say you had it turned off to avoid getting paged while you were eating?" interjected Duck.
"...Oh yeah."
Billy gave Duck a look that clearly said You see what I have to put up with? and said aloud, "In any case, she's at work, and wants you to stop by. Why she's interested in a twat like you I haven't a fuckin' clue, but I promised her I'd deliver the message."
Joe scratched the back of his head. "Um. Okay. Thanks, Kane."
Popping open the suicide door, the Muay Thai boxer slid into the bucket seat and closed the door. After fastening his seat belt he rolled down his window, leaning out a little.
"Later, Duck. Remember what I said, okay?" Joe grinned cheekily as he stuck the key in the ignition, and paused. "Hey, Kane?"
Billy sighed with irritation. "What, Higashi?"
"I banged your sister," said Joe, and he then sped off before Billy had any chance to react.
Duck rubbed his temples. Oh, you're on your own on this one, Joe.
Billy squawked, and Duck was half convinced that Kane was going to go chasing the car up the street.
"Oh! Oh, you fucker..!" Kane howled.
"Calm down, Billy, " Duck scolded. "You're gonna give yourself an ulcer if you keep that up."
Billy stopped flailing and stood glaring up the road, chin jutting out in that way it did when he was annoyed. "... I am gonna tear that cheese-knob a new arsehole when I see him again."
"Lilly might object," Duck pointed out. "He is her boyfriend."
"'S'alright," panted Billy, calming down. "I'll just pop down to the pound and get her a puppy. It'd smell less."
Duck laughed at that. He looked Billy again, fondly, and hesitated when Joe's earlier words came unbidden to mind.
You ever think about trying to get back with him?
"Hey, you know..." Duck nudged at Billy's arm with his own. "If you ain't doing anything tomorrow night Kane, we should hang out."
Billy looked askance at Duck. "Are you sure about that, Duck?"
Duck didn't dare let himself hesitate. He bravely took hold of Billy's tie, drawing him close to kiss. The kiss was light enough to keep things neutral, but still firm enough to make his intentions clear. He pulled away, trailing the striped tie though his fingers before letting it fall again.
"Yeah. Meet me here tomorrow," he said casually; now that he'd made up his mind, he was grinning. "We'll grab some dinner, have a few drinks, see where the night leads..."
Billy looked at Duck for a long moment, and said, "I'd rather like that."
"I'll see you then." Feeling fine, Duck turned without another word and headed home, records under his arm.