Title: Crime and Punishment
Content: shonen ai/yaoi, AU, angst, the works! ^ ^
Disclaimer: *sniffle* Will work for g-boys! Unfortunately, no one pays with them as salary…
~Prologue: New Assignment~
Tiredly, Heero rubbed the bridge of his nose, squeezing his eyelids together, hiding his doubtlessly red and sleepless eyes. Being awake three straight days and nights, with half hour naps in between at random intervals did that to a person. He leaned over his desk, looking over a small pile of papers that had been left there for him. The text on the page before him was blurry and after a minute of trying to read it, he grunted and shoved the papers aside, most of them floating to the ground in his impatient fury. He gathered a few random items on his desk; his small handgun, which he kept tucked in the waistband of his jeans at most times, his black leather badge wallet, which he shoved carelessly deep into the recesses of his pocket, and most importantly, his silver necklace. This was his most valued item, at least that he desired to have with him at all times. He only took it off to shower or if he was going to talk to another convict. The former, because it would tarnish, the latter, because they might try to steal it from him. Either way, he held it in utmost value.
This he clipped skillfully about his neck.
He looked about the area around the desk, checking for any other random items he may need. Sighing heavily, he bent down to retrieve the fallen papers, and straightened them on the surface of his desk. Grabbing his coat, he made his way out of the office, flicking the light switch by the door as he exited. He strolled down the hall of the building as usual, denim coat slung over one shoulder. Some would pass and bid him goodnight, and he'd grunt in reply. Most already new his moods, and tired was one of his worst. Though there wasn't much difference in the way Heero acted towards anybody.
Which made everyone wonder just how he'd picked up the job as a criminal physiatrist.
Heero walked down the street, the brisk air biting at any of his exposed skin. He stopped to shrug his jacket on, and continued walking, though the worn denim did little to cure the cold leaking through. The way Heero composed himself was no different from when he was in or out of the office; he distanced himself, which was evident. His cobalt blue eyes were always focused on the task at hand, his thoughts never strayed. He was, as many of his colleagues joked, the perfect cop.
Reached the worn brick complex building, Heero fumbled through his pocket in search of his keys. His fingertips brushed against the awkwardly shaped metal, and he pulled them out, a look of slight relief gracing his features. Soon, he would be able to sleep.
Thrusting the keys into the keyhole, he stepped in, shutting the door behind him. A grimace replaced his former relieved expression as his head jerked up to regard the several flights of stairs that lie between him and his apartment. He trudged up the stairs, unaware of his surroundings. The murmur of voices merged and hazy from the separating walls floated in the air. He brushed the aside with a shake of his head. Stopping at the highest landing in the building, he unlocked his door and let himself into his room. He walked in, the small space near completely dark. He allowed his eyes to justify themselves, then flicked on an old floor lamp, which shed a dull, struggling light, but enough for him to go by.
He let his jacket drop in an untidy heap on the floor, along with other items he'd neglected to tidy. He'd meant to get to cleaning, but his job had once again beckoned him. He trudged through the mess and crossed the room, which was designed to merge with both his dining room and kitchen to create three rooms in one, and reached into his refrigerator to grab a can of coke. He popped the lid and brought it to his lips. Out of the corer of his eye, he caught an annoying red flashing from the other side of the cramped room. With an exasperated sigh, he walked towards it, kicking off his grungy yellow sneakers as he did so.
It was the answering machine that silently called to him. Carelessly, he pressed to play button, and listened as the small tape rewound itself. A beeping erupted, and he sunk into an old, worn green armchair, taking another swig of his coke. A voice came from small black box.
"Hey, Heero. Long time no see, eh?" a dry, preoccupied chuckle broke through. "Anyway, I've got a new assignment for you." Heero groaned and ran a hand through his hair in annoyance. He glared angrily at his answering machine, wishing fervently it would explode right then. "I know, I know, you just got off that psycho net-stalker case, but you know how many problems the world has…" the man's voice drawled on. Heero shot another glare at the machine.
"Let it solve its own damn problems," he muttered.
"So, we need you in here tomorrow afternoon. We've got a strange case here. Well, maybe not to strange. It's a thief." Heero frowned. "Yeah, I know, but this guy's charged with murder. However, we don't actually know this, but the guy's practically as good as guilty. But you just need to make sure. Find out anything you can. You know the drill." Heero grimaced.
"Yeah yeah," he talked back at the machine. The message sounded like it was wrapping up.
"So, get some sleep. I'll be seeing you tomorrow." Heero scowled.
"How the hell do they expect me to sleep when they keep me up for freakin' hours at a time?" he grumbled, slamming down on the erase button. The machine announced its acknowledgement of the command, and Heero walked off to his bedroom. He chucked the coke can into the trash bin on his way.
He stripped down to his jeans on the way to his room, and didn't even bother to change out of those. He tossed himself exhaustedly into the unmade bed. He stared at the ceiling, his mind empty until he thought of his new assignment. He began wondering why the chief accused that thief so soon. He turned over onto his side and ignored the thought. He'd just do his job, and keep out of the whole situation. The last thing he needed was the burden of others' problems on top of his own.
Shafts of moonlight poured in through the night-exposed window, falling upon Heero's sleeping figure, which writhed uncomfortable every so often, even in sleep. His hand moved to his neck, and his fingers clasped themselves around the silver chain that hung from his neck. Strange visions crept into his head as he slept restlessly.
Black streets were stained forever with the spilt blood of many. It was a word of gangs and mayhem, on the other side of the city. There wasn't much more to say about it. The two halves were anything but whole. They were opposite.
Which was exactly why a young boy from one side should not wander into the other alone. However, everything happens at least once, and so did this. The child was young, lost and vulnerable. Open to all that crept through those eerie shadows, and afraid. His little head whipped about him, sending his messy brown hair scattering about his face. He looked ahead to find frightening eyes staring at him through the darkness.
A group of three people, boys anywhere between their late teens and early or mid-twenties, approached him in a swaggering manner. The one in front got to him first, and cocked his head at the little boy. A malicious smirk took place on his face.
"Oh, well what have we here?" he asked in mock sweetness, receiving vicious snickers from his companions. He laid a hand on the boy's shoulder, which trembled at the touch. "Don't be scared," the man assured him in a tone unfit to be trusted. "We'll help you out," he leaned forward, and the boy's eyes widened in horror.
That was when they were interrupted by a child no older than the boy.
"Hey, you jerks! He's just a kid! Go find yourself some slut to play with!" With this cried, the boy threw a handful of rocks of medium size at the thugs. Reluctantly, they backed up, their pride much dented in the process. The boy glared after them with angry violet eyes, then grinned at the other boy once they were gone. He approached the other boy with vague curiosity, checking him over absently. "Good. They didn't hurt you." He announced with approval. He held a hand out. "Name's Duo." The other boy looked from Duo's hand to his face timidly, then offered his own hand.
"Heero." He stated. Duo smiled. Then he reached into one of his pockets and pulled out a small silver chain with a smile. He placed it in Heero's palm.
"That'll let everyone around here know you have my approval. And that's as good as anything down here." Slightly preoccupied, Duo looked around. "I hafta go, but look me up!" He grinned one last time at Heero, then fled, his long chestnut braid waving like a banner behind him. Heero stared at the spot where Duo had stood, then at the chain. He blinked at it, then fastened it around his neck, and let his fingertips rest on its metallic surface.
If Duo was right, it was his insurance to safety, and out of this place.
Author's notes: Yay! I had been meaning to start this one. Now-time for you, minna, to tell me what you think. Of course, I'll probably have to continue regardless, 'cause my crazy friends will make me, but let me know! ^ ^ Ja ne!