He had forgotten just how different thing had been when Ginji was the Thunder Emperor, leader of the Volts. When they had all had the power to keep peace among the Lower Levels of the Limitless Fortress. Had had forgotten, also, just how charismatic Ginji was. Even this boisterous, slightly dorky Ginji drew people to him, like moths to a brightly lit lantern. Children gathered around him easily, and carefree laughter filled the air again. It was a sound that Makubex hadn't heard in a long time, hadn't even realized how much he missed it until it was back.
With a quiet sigh, Makubex turned back to his work. The time he had to work on his calculations was severely shortened with Ginji and Ban's presence with the walls of the Fortress, and he still couldn't figure out what he was missing. It was only at times like this, when Ginji dragged his reluctant partner outside to go play with the children, or spar with Kazuki and Shido, who had returned to visit, that Makubex could work on his newest project.
Unfortunately, Makubex thought glumly, his work was made more difficult by the fact that he wanted to be out there with them, watching Ginji play with the children, while conversing with Kazuki. He missed listening to Juubei's calm reasoning, and Emishi's stupid jokes. Even Sakura spent time outside with the others.
Shaking his head sharply, Makubex chastised himself under his breath. "If you don't get this done, you won't have to worry about what's going on outside, because it will cease to matter!" Sighing, he forced himself to focus back on his work, his fingers flying across the keyboard again. Maybe if heβ¦.
A few keystrokes later, and Makubex gave up on that train of thought. Obviously, he was missing something, and if he couldn't figure it out soon, he'd have to ask for help, which he was loathe to do, because it meant dragging Ginji into yet another dangerous job that he hadn't signed up for.
A loud crash, followed by laughter, indicated that Ginji was back inside, and had probably tripped or something. Makubex shook his head at the older boy's antics. He understood why Ginji behaved that way, though, and he couldn't fault him. Ginji was so afraid of becoming the Thunder Emperor again that he did everything with a sort of manic, childlike energy to keep him pushed back. Still, the Thunder Emperor would not be held back for much longer, especially with the Fortress feeding its Emperor more power with every passing hour, but hopefully, Ginji and Ban would be leaving before Ginji became what he most feared once more.
Tempted to roll his eyes, Makubex again set aside the data and turned towards the door, his face as neutral and calm as always. He wouldn't bother Ginji with his problems just yet. After all, Ginji had already come to the rescue twice now. He didn't deserve to keep getting pulled back to the one place that he had been so desperate to leave that he had abandoned all of them to go off with a complete stranger as his new partner. It wasn't fair to ask so much of him.
Makubex was jarred abruptly out of his musings by the arrival of the very man he had been thinking about. Ginji's face was flushed with laughter and embarrassment, and Ban stood over him, mussing his spiked hair and teasing him about being such a klutz. Watching them together, Makubex felt a pang of jealousy, but shook it off. He had known, when Ginji left the first time, that he would never be back for more than a short visit. At the time, a visit was the most that Makubex could hope for, if he hoped for anything at all.
Feeling the gaze on him, Makubex lifted his head and found his eyes locked with Ban Midou's. He had a brief thought for avoiding the man's full gaze, but he immediately discarded that idea. He was of no threat to Ban right now, and the other man was very careful about when and how he used his Jagan.
One slender eyebrow raised up as those violet eyes stared at him over the sunglasses, and a curious smile played around the edges of his mouth. In the next instant, the moment was lost as Ginji stumbled into the room, tripping, gaining both men's attention. Ban just shook his head in exasperation at his partner's antics, and the tension was broken. But it didn't matter now. That single moment of eye contact had done the trick. Ban knew that Makubex needed Ginji, needed the Thunder Emperor and leader of the Volts back. Just as Makubex knew that Ban would never let Ginji go.
Still, Makubex thought, watching absentmindedly as Ban whacked Ginji on the back of his head, Ban's reaction hadn't been what he had thought it would be. Apparently, he had misjudged the partners. Not that it really mattered, but Makubex found it curious nonetheless. It was obvious that they cared a lot for each other, and that they would do anything for each other. Their personalities were so different, but they worked together as a nearly unstoppable force. Strong and determined in battle, and completely guileless β there was no deception, no secrets in their friendship. They each knew exactly who and what the other was, and it bound them tightly to each other. But deep friendship was as far as it went.
These thoughts flew through Makubex's head as he smiled at the two men. "You two are completely hopeless. Do me a favor, and don't destroy our home while you're at it, okay?" he asked, teasing just a little bit.
Ginji grinned up at him from his position on the floor, where Ban had pinned him during their wrestling match. "Nah, Makubex. We wouldn't do something like that! At least not on purpose!" he assured the silver-haired boy, his eyes sparkling with laughter. Still, for those who were observant enough β and both Makubex and Ban were β the shadows were there, lurking just under the surface, controlled for the moment, but only through sheer force of will. Ginji would have to leave, and soon. Already, his powers were increasing exponentially, as they had every time the blonde walked into the Fortress that he had once called home.
Makubex both rejoiced in Ginji's inevitable departure, and felt a great sorrow at having to watch the man he adored walk away from him yet again. Still, it would do no good for Ginji to remain there, interrupting Makubex's work and risking his sanity with every passing hour.
For now, though, Makubex would enjoy the next couple of days until Ban and Ginji were forced to depart once more, for what would possibly be the last time. Shaking his head, the silver-haired boy pushed all sad thoughts from his mind, and joined in the fun.
