Warnings: Spoilers through volume three of the manga.
Notes: You should begin reading with the start of the music. Lyrics precede action, though both should take place simultaneously. If paced correctly (and sorry, you need to be listening to the song to do this), it times out pretty damned nicely, if I do say so myself. If you don't own this song, you can sample it from Amazon, purchase the album online or in (some) stores, or download the track from sites like Napster or iTunes (not that I actually expect anyone to shell out cash just to read one fan fic). I do recommend the album as a whole, though. I find it matches the mood of the series very well. If you aren't comfortable with this way of reading it, please skip to the "extended version" instead.
Disclaimer: "Destination: Anywhere" is owned by Jon Bon Jovi; appearing on his solo album of the same name. Yellow is owned by Makoto Tateno; published in English by Digital Manga, Inc. Lyrics taken from Songme.
Destination: Anywhere
(Guitar intro)
Light streams in through the uncovered window as Taki dresses. It is morning, but the only sound to be heard is the quiet rustling of fabric on body. He buttons his jacket from the top down. One button and then the next. It's nearly time to go as he stalls, savoring these last few moments. At last he brings his hands up to his ear gently.
Hey babe, it's me parked outside your house
It's probably cold outside, but Taki doesn't feel it. All he feels as he steps out of the building is his conviction.
I know that he's asleep, so listen to me now
"I will protect you," he thinks.
"I love you."
"From now on, no matter what... I won't let anyone..."
Darlin', I'm tired of living just in your dreams
"Even though I couldn't say it once."
"No matter what happens."
I'm getting out
"I won't let anyone..."
You know we both sold our souls
Taki reaches the overpass where the car is parked, waiting for him.
We're just growing old in this sleepy, dead-end town
An arm reaches out and grabs his. The car door opens and he steps through...
Gone.
Destination anywhere - Name the place, I'll be there
Goh sits at the bar dejectedly. A man walks through the door. They exchange greetings and size each other up.
Goh. Taki.
Pack a bag and we're out of here - let's run
Their chemistry is immediate.
Taki stands over the other and offers his hand. A partnership.
Baby, we both been running uphill for too long
The warehouse is cold, dark and packed with boxes. Taki and Goh, paired in black, search stealthily. A job.
We both settled for something, got nothing
At home, Goh sneezes and Taki offers him something to drink.
And we both know that it's wrong
Goh takes Taki's mouth instead.
Go on admit it if we lived it
Taki looks into Goh's eyes stiffly.
I'm leaving, get your boots and come on
Almost pain as they create space between them.
I've got my coat and my keys
Partners and nothing more. Lean on each other. Save each other.
I need you next to me then I'm gone, come on
Fight with each other, but never love each other...
Never get close.
Destination anywhere - Name the place and I'll be there
Another case, another day. Taki rifles through a barren apartment, as Goh distracts their target. Taki is caught; shot in the leg by a desperate man.
Pack a bag and we're out of here - let's run
Saved by Goh, only to be shot himself from behind.
As Goh lays bleeding in Taki's arms he offers himself again. "Taki... Buzz off."
Destination anywhere - Left or right, I don't care
Taki panics as he rushes Goh down the fire escape. He won't abandon the other. He curses himself for his foolishness. The sun is setting as they fall to the ground in a heap.
Baby we'll just disappear like the sun, ooh...
The two lay in each others' arms on the ground. Bleeding; spent, as Taki ponders his regrets.
"Ah... I wish I told him that before..."
(Guitar solo)
Lived for another day they eat breakfast together when a young man walks through the door, introducing himself as Kei, Goh's former partner, and creating new tension between the two men.
"You know, Taki? Maybe you're jealous?"
Taki nearly cracks and Goh nearly has him. Terrible secrets and painful memories.
They are left only with a warning:
"...Don't share a bed, you two."
When these wheels spin, baby they can all eat our dust
Another day, another job. A dead doctor. A cryptic warning.
Two lizards, "Don't forget."
The past has caught up.
As far as I'm concerned, this whole town lost its nuts
Taki's time is running out. He embraces a bleeding Goh. His mind is made up as he flees out the door.
We won't be here when they put us down
Taki leans his head back, defeated, as Mizuki clings to him desperately.
It's our big chance, I'm calling you now
They'll never let us go unless we try
Taki steps quietly down the hallway. His pace is slow. He knows what he wants to say, but he doesn't know how to say it. He stands before the final barrier between them; a door.
I'm tired of living just to die
The bedroom door opens and Goh embraces Taki; relieved, sad.
We're getting out of here, destination anywhere
Taki finally understands. He pulls away from Goh and takes the other man's face in his hands. Goh's eyes open wide...
(Pause)
Their lips meet.
Destination anywhere - Name the place and I'll be there
The barrier is broken. All of that wasted time melts away as two men embrace in the soft silence of night.
Pack a bag and we're out of here - let's run
They become one in each others' arms. For the briefest moment "they" are the only ones in the world. They've reached each other at last...
Destination anywhere - Left or right, I don't care
The next morning Taki is walking away from Goh, his earring the only message left behind:
"Don't follow," but Goh knows something now.
Maybe we'll just disappear chase the sun
As he is left behind he understands. For the first time in his life Goh makes up his mind to fight.
Come on, come on, come on
Fight to keep something; someone. He chases.
(Guitar out)
Running after that fleeing car the men exchange looks. Determination, love.
"I am so glad that I could love you," Taki's eyes say.
"...More than anyone... I don't want to lose him as a partner..." Goh's cry.
Their memories of the year they have spent together ring in their ears and the memories of the night they shared weigh on their hearts.
"So I don't forget you..."
"Taki."
"And..."
"I love you, Taki."
"And I, you."
"I had no plans to fall in love."
"I love you... Goh."
"...And took... Every last ounce of love I gave..."
"I will never forget."
End.
9/1/06