Title: Strings of Fate
Author: IchigoGalaxy
*Disclaimer: I do not own the Get Backers. Also, lyrics (which I don't own either) are translated from the song titled Mask by Aqua Timez, an awesome Japanese band.
Summary: Oneshot - On a night when he should have beeen sleeping, Ginji recollects on the meaning of his friendship with Ban…
"You found and embraced the loneliness within me when I had lost my way,
And you told me that it would be fine for me to cry now.
I trained myself to hold on to my tears no matter how sad I feel.
But for all this time, I have always wanted to cry.
I have always wanted to smile freely, without having to put a mask over my heart."
From his reclined position, Amano Ginji looked over to the driver's seat and studied the sleeping form of his best friend, Ban Midou, and enjoyed this moment of tranquility. He had never been as content with his life as he was now, and it was all because of Ban. Even though life wasn't easy, it was definitely better than residing in Mugenjou as the Lightening Emperor, Raitei.
Raitei.
Ginji shifted his eyes to the face of his companion and the thought of those eyes crept to the forefront of his mind. Those eyes could calm the raging storm of Raitei's anger, of his sadness as Ginji tried to cope with a world filled with death and deception. Only Ban's piercing blue eyes could look deep inside his own and find the real him, only they could coax Amano Ginji forth, and let his bright soul shine through the darkness clouding his heart.
Ginji felt that he could never be strong enough to protect those he loved, but Ban had shown him different. As Raitei, Ginji learned to bury his emotions under the façade of power, because emotions were for the weak. At least, that's how it seemed within the no man's land of the Lower Town. But what everyone saw in him was his inherent kindness, his instinct to protect and love every human being. Because no one deserved to suffer in this life, no matter the character that they presented to the world.
Kazuki, Masaki, Shido, Makubex, Juubei, Emishi, Sakura. Ginji smiled and closed his eyes. He turned his head to face the passenger side window. All of his friends were so strong and he accepted them without a second thought, just as they accepted him. They would follow him to the ends of the Earth if that were what the end of his path came out to be. He would make sure that would never happen or course, but the thought of his friends holding him in such esteem didn't bother him, because he would do the same for them. His thoughts were interrupted when Ban spoke in his sleep. Ginji turned to see a small frown on his face.
"No, Ginji… my sushi…" Ban shifted a little after making another sound, and then remained silent.
That made Ginji chuckle. He should be the saying that since he never got to the good sushi before Ban already had them stuffed down his throat. Fighting over food was a normal occurrence for them, at least when they were lucky enough to get the food in the first place.
Being a member of the Get Backers had its ups and downs, but the satisfaction of completing a job far outweighed the cons. Being able to help others, to return to them something that meant the world to them, was what made doing it worthwhile. In a sense, he was doing the same thing he was doing the in Lower Town. Eradicating suffering and bringing as much light into the lives of those that had been obscured by a life of violence.
In Mugenjou, although temporary, he had brought a period of peace, even if it came with a price to his own wellbeing, as long as those around him could live life to their potential, it was ok if he lost some of himself. But Ban had thought otherwise.
Ban 'got back' what Ginji had lost as Raitei. Ginji's true nature was enough to influence those in his presence; if Ginji was happy, so was everyone else. Ginji now believed that with unwavering certainty. Be an example of what you are trying to achieve.
Ban and Ginji were almost like two sides of the same coin, both of them sharing this one life. Each of them attached to the other for their own reasons and couldn't fathom a life apart. Even though Ginji knew that there may come a time when their joined path in life will eventually go their separate ways, he just couldn't see it happening in the near future. Everything was connected, everything and everyone will reunite at some point in time, in this life or the next, and Ginji was satisfied with that knowledge.
Ginji couldn't resist anymore, he had to hug his friend, he had to show how much he appreciated him, how much he honestly loved him. Happy tears brimmed his eyes as his emotions washed over him and he launched himself across the center console to plop on Ban's prone figure. He squeezed tight as he hugged him, causing Ban to curse loudly as he was jostled out of his sleep.
"Ginji! What the hell is wrong with you? I'm tryin'a catch some z's here!"
"Oh Ban-chan!" Ginji raised himself enough to look as Ban's sleep dulled eyes and his lips quivered.
"Ban-chan! Don't leave me! Don't ever leave me Ban-chan!" Ginji wailed in Ban's ear as he dropped his head in the crook of Ban's neck and shoulder.
Ban placed his arm that wasn't trapped beneath Ginji's body across his back and returned the hug. Ban smiled a little in the darkness as he replied.
"Hey, who said I was going anywhere?" he murmured, "I'll always be here, you know that. Now get your heavy ass off before I suffocate to death!" Ban began to push at him as Ginji scrambled off to sit back in the passenger seat, his wet eyes shining back at Ban.
Ban shook his head as a smile played at his lips, then he laid back and put his arm across his face, covering his eyes.
"Get some sleep Ginji; we have a whole day of promoting ourselves to the people of Shinjuku. We can't be nodding off while trying to make money," Ban lowered his arm and crossed both over his chest, getting as comfortable as he could in a reclined car seat, especially one as small as their Lady Bug.
Ginji smiled and laid back down, sleep finally deciding to catch up with him. He loved to tease Ban, even though he meant every word, he knew deep in his heart he would always have his friend, no matter what.
