A/N: Written for the seven_virtues challenge on lj. Also posted on lj (link to journal in profile).

In my version of X/1999 Karen calls her Teddy Mr Teddy, but as I'm using the honorfics that would translate to Teddy-san. Interesting as that's less personal than Teddy-chan or Teddy-kun, but while those can translate to an affectionate "Mr Teddy", I'm going with the Teddy-san for a reason unrelated to this prompt-fic.


Fuel to the Fire
Prompt #007:
Diligence

Seiichiro had to admire Karen's diligence; it was clearly a job unbecoming to her nor one she enjoyed – this he was certain of as he'd bumped into her in front of "Kamui's" old home during her work hours – but when she worked, she did it well. He did not know that from first-hand experience, repeatedly turning down her offers, but he had interviewed several customers in the main longue and found them well satisfied with her performance.

'Why do you work here?' he asked, accepting the tea she had made for him. Several meetings later, things between them were more at ease, and the questions more personal as the editor reached the core of what his author had requested. His first question was however, despite original intention, not for the benefit of his employer but for his own curiosity.

And it seemed Karen understood that, as her smile was melancholic when she answered, fingering a pendant Seiichiro until then had considered a mere accessory. 'There isn't really a place for me in anywhere you would call respectable.' Her eyes drifted to a corner of the room, resting on a shadow artfully concealed. If one wasn't looking in that precise spot, they would not be able to see the fuzzy outline.

The Soapgirl saw him looking, and her smile stretched – although for what reason Seiichiro could not fathom.

'Would you like to meet Teddy-san?' she asked, voice becoming almost tender as she stood, bed creaking under the absence of her weight, and went over. She had a coat over her lingerie that afternoon – he had been unable to secure consecutive early appointments as Karen wasn't scheduled work all mornings of the week.

She picked up the worn stuffed bear and brought it over, seating it carefully beside her.

Seiichiro looked at it. 'Konnichiwa, Teddy-san,' he said, bowing his head at the bear before turning back to the Soapgirl. 'He looks well taken care of.'

'Arigato,' Karen responded, petting it atop the head. 'That's not what many people would say,' she added after a thought.

'Oh?' The editor was still carefully inspecting the teddy-bear; it looked similar to the one he had kept from his childhood to dote upon his first-born child…along with new ones of course. But the worn and faded and far less glamorous one had sentimental value the newer ones lacked…and Shimako agreed with him. In fact, she did the same, bringing along her own treasured stuffed animal from her childhood: a lion cub who was sadly somewhat bold from age. Lack of hair was after all far less becoming on a teddy-bear than a lion, even one of small size.

Something must have shown on his face at that thought, for Karen was giving him an amused look. 'Something funny?'

'I was just thinking about my own childhood teddy-bear,' he replied. 'Looks almost as worn…actually, a little more as I was prone to giving it accidental hair-cuts.'

'With your razor wind?' Karen asked, lips turning up in a genuine smile.

Seiichiro's eyes widened slightly before returning to normal. An easy lead into a very different concentration.

'So you're involved in the end of the world as well.' The question remained unanswered: a Dragon of Heaven…or a Dragon of Earth?

'I'm one of the Seven Seals,' the Soapgirl said anyway. 'As I assume you are.' She rested her chin on a palm, elbow sinking into the mattress beside her. 'Family man you are and all.' The quirk in her lips was very different from the earlier one. 'Ironic really; for the longest time I wondered who I wanted to protect, seeing as my own mother hated me like the Devil…'

Her voice trailed off and to his horror Seiichiro found her eyes shining with unshed tears. Automatically, he offered his handkerchief to her.

She thanked him and took it, dabbing at her eyes and smudging the make-up. 'I look a mess,' she laughed, looking at the smudge.

'You still look beautiful,' Seiichiro countered automatically, before quickly amending: 'I mean – you know –'

'You know…' Karen regarded him. 'If another man said that to me, I'd consider their choice of pick-up lines to be rather abysmal.' She cast a quick glance at the teapot. 'I'll make some more.'

'Go ahead.' Seiichiro could see the Soapgirl needed time to recollect herself. 'Teddy-san will keep me company.'

'Yes.' She said to the bear. 'You will look after Aoki-san, won't you?'