by Yanagi-sen
Weiss Kreuz songfic
Usual disclaimers apply… song by Bon Jovi.. characters not mine… don't sue… the usual…
Warnings: angst, yaoi, more angst…
/character thoughts/
~You want commitment
Take a look into these eyes ~
It's his eyes. Those amazingly expressive pools of midnight blue. His face often reveals nothing, but those eyes… they reflect what is in his soul. Right now, inches from my own, they are hazy from our loving, as content and peaceful as I've ever seen them… or him.
He curls into my embrace, face tucking into my shoulder. He's like a kitten, accepting the warmth and comfort of loving arms around him. It's taken a while to get to this point. He's still a little wary. Afraid that once again, this fragile feeling of trust will be broken.
I accept his fear. It isn't unfounded after all. I knew from the first, that he was no innocent. But he is still shy with me sometimes, afterwards. He's not used to having someone stick around, having someone hold him, having someone committed only to him.
~They burn with a fire, just for you now ~
He sighs as he pulls away. He doesn't want to go. I don't want to go. But the back office of a rice warehouse isn't exactly the ideal place for a romantic rendezvous. But for now, it's the best we can do.
It gets harder and harder to part every time. I can feel the shock in his body as I press him against the wall and plunder his soft mouth with my own. A month ago, if I had tried this, he would have thrown me across the street. Not on purpose, just a reflex. But now, all that happens is that he stiffens before relaxing into the kiss. When I pull back, his eyes are full of wonder. We whisper our goodbyes and part in the night, to sneak back into our respective homes. I wouldn't do this, creep around behind my friends', my family's backs, for just anyone. But I do it for him… only for him.
~Until the end of time
I would do anything
I'd beg, I'd steal, I'd die ~
Omi bit at his lip. Nagi's message worried him. He didn't seem to think his fellow Schwarz members would do much, or rather; he did, but was trying to make Omi think they wouldn't. He quickly erased the message from his inbox and trash, he couldn't risk Ken-kun or Youji or worse yet, Ran seeing it. Omi didn't really fear for himself. But he was afraid they'd find some way to keep them apart. He was more worried about Manx or Kritiker finding out. Manx had changed since Persia's death. She wasn't as… kind to Weiss as she had been. Almost as if she blamed them for not having saved Shuuichi.
He sighed and logged out, then went up to the back room of the shop. He made a cup of tea and then sat down to work on the accounts. Youji had done inventory last week and everything was a total mess. It wasn't that it was wrong. It made total sense… to the tall blond… but was incomprehensible to anyone else. It didn't help that Omi found it hard to concentrate.
"Hey, bishounen… trouble with your girlfriend?"
"Youji!"
"Okay… boyfriend then?" Omi groaned and hid his face in his arms. "You need some advice from the great Youji?"
"No I do NOT!"
"Do not what?"
Omi groaned again as Ken and Ran finished closing the shop and came to the back. "Nothing! All right?"
"You okay, Omi? What's wrong?"
He sighed. "A friend of mine is having trouble with his family. I'm worried about him." He squirmed inwardly but it wasn't a complete a lie. Schwarz WAS the closest thing Nagi had to a family.
"You know, kid, if your friend needs a place to stay I'm sure we can find something."
"Thanks guys, but I'm hoping it won't come to that." /I hope not… but if I have to, I'll do anything for him. Even keep him here./
~To have you in these arms tonight
Baby I want you like the roses
Want the rain ~
/He's not coming./
/It's been over an hour. He's not coming./ Omi slowly turned toward home. /Oh god… what's happened?/ His mind raced through the possibilities, everything form Nagi grounded and in his room to his lifeless body getting dumped in the bay. /No… NO… don't think like that! I'd die if anything happened to him. I'd just die./
He quietly let himself in. He didn't expect anyone to be around. Ran and Ken were probably asleep and he was sure Youji would have gone out.
"Omi?"
The small blond was sure he jumped a foot as the quiet voice came out of the dark. "Y.. Youji… I thought you went out."
"Didn't feel like it. You okay? You look pale."
The words tumbled out before he could think of them. "He didn't come."
"Who? That friend you're so worried about? Was he supposed to meet you?"
"Um… err…" He stared at his feet. He'd said too much already.
"Omi…" Youji laid a warm hand on his shoulder. "I don't know why you don't feel you can talk about him. But if you are this concerned you need to do something."
"Youji… I… I just don't want him to be hurt anymore."
~You know I need you
Like a poet needs the pain ~
The knock at the door was both startling and a relief. Omi turned from Youji gratefully and headed down the stairs. "JUST A MINUTE." It was after one in the morning. Who could it be at this hour? Except maybe Manx. He deactivated the security alarm and unlocked the door, opening it just a crack. All he could see was a small dark shape huddling to one side. "Yes?"
"Omi?"
~I would give anything
My blood my love my life ~
His voice was so full of pain and even before the light spilled out onto him, I knew. I knew he wouldn't be standing there if he were okay. Even so, I wasn't prepared. I wasn't ready for the bloody, mangled wreck that was my boyfriend. /My God… what have they done?/
I couldn't move. I couldn't speak. I could only stare at my fragile lover in horror. Nagi seemed unable to move as well. He was nearly collapsing and I wasn't able to do a thing.
"Omi… what's…" The words seemed to die on Youji's lips. Again I was afraid. What would he say? What would he do? Would he toss Nagi back out onto the street? I could see things working in his head, suspicions and deductions falling into place like the pieces of a puzzle. "Chibi, get the first aid kit, quickly." He gave me a little nudge and suddenly I could move. I ran up the steps and tore into the kitchen, searching under the sink for the large first aid box we kept there… the one we use after missions. I could hear Youji coaxing Nagi inside and up the stairway.
~If you were in these arms tonight
I'd hold you
I'd need you ~
I sat behind Nagi on the linoleum floor, supporting him as Youji treated his numerous injuries. I kept touching him gently, his hair, his cheek, trying to give him the anchor he seemed to need so desperately, but not hurting or scaring him in the least. I knew he was unable to fight back against Crawford… but if he panicked now… well, we weren't on his mental list of untouchables. The whole bloody tale came out, in ragged spurts mingled with many tears and soft moans of pain. I was trying to juggle icepack, and bandages and Nagi when Ran and Ken finally came in to see what all the commotion was about. Youji was trying to wrap my lover's sore and possibly broken ribs and couldn't see them. Nagi's eyes were squeezed shut against the agony in his torso. I was the only one who saw them enter.
Ken just stopped and stared. It must have seemed like a dream. I mean, here we were… on the kitchen floor, treating the wounds of one of our 'enemies'. Ran wasn't so frozen. His face got cold… colder than even when he accused me of being Takatori Mamoru, his eyes becoming little chips of amethyst. "What is this?"
Nagi jerked, I could feel his heart thumping in his chest.
~I'd get down on my knees for you
And make everything alright ~
"A… Aya-kun…" In my arms Nagi was panicking, I could tell. His body was vibrating, a strange otherworldly breeze ghosting over our skin, the glass on the counter started shaking.
"Relax…" Youji's voice cut through the fear, smothering the fire before it could really get going. He looked up, catching my lover's terrified eyes. "I promise, no one is going to hurt you here."
Nagi pulled his power back into himself. But he still shook in my arms like a leaf in the wind. Moving very slowly, as if the boy was a wounded animal, Youji reached up and laid a gentle hand against his cheek. "Calm down. All you're going to do is hurt yourself farther. Don't worry about them…" he nodded back over his shoulder. "I'll take care of it, okay?"
My fragile, broken lover nodded and I could feel him relax slightly. Youji smiled and stood, in between us and them. "Yes?"
"What is HE doing here?" Ran's voice very hard, very cold… and set Nagi shaking again.
Youji shrugged slightly. "He's hurt. He needed help."
Ran grit his teeth and Ken took the opportunity to jump in. "Then why isn't he with the rest of Schwarz?"
"Not Schwarz…" Nagi's voice sounded very thin, weak, tired.
"Huh?" Ken looked genuinely puzzled.
"I'm not Schwarz… not anymore…"
There wasn't much they could say after that. I could see Ken taking in Nagi's injuries as was Ran. We all knew what it took to inflict wounds like his… we did it on an almost nightly basis. Youji nodded shortly and then turned to us.
"Come on… I'll help you get him to your room."
~If you were in these arms
I'd love you
I'd please you
I'd tell you that I'd never leave you ~
Youji helped me lay Nagi out on my bed and then left to deal with our less-than-pleased teammates. I got water and painkillers from the bathroom, then dragged a chair over next to the bed. The whole time, Nagi watched me with puzzled eyes.
"What?"
He jerked slightly, wincing, I must have startled him. "I don't understand…"
I sat down and took his hand in mine… one of the few places on his body that I could touch him and not hurt him. "What don't you understand?"
"I thought that you might not want to help me. I… I know how important THEY are to you."
"They are important… but so are you. And you're hurt." Didn't he realize I would do anything for him? All he had to do was ask. But then… no one else had ever cared for him before, why should he simply assume something he has never experienced. I can see the tears… just below the surface. As carefully as I can, I maneuver myself onto the bed and take him in my arms… I seem to be doing a lot of that lately. I don't mind.
"I know it hurts."
"Yeah."
"I don't just mean your body?" He can't move, but I can just imagine the inquisitive cock of his head. "Being thrown out by Schwarz. I mean… they were your family the way Weiss is mine. It has to hurt." I could feel the hot tears starting to escape his eyes. One was nearly swollen shut, the bruise was bound to be nasty. I had to find a way to get a doctor to look at him… tomorrow. Tonight… I just want to hold him, and let him know it'll be okay.
"Nagi… my love… it's gonna be alright. You'll see. At least now we don't have to sneak around anymore."
"But what if…"
"I'm not going to let anything happen to you. And I'm not going to leave you. I promise."
~And love you till the end of time
If you were in these arms tonight~
Finally, he falls into an uneasy sleep. I'm glad… cause I can still hear the shouting from down the hall. Mostly Ran and Youji, but every once in a while I think I hear Ken too. I'm too tired to deal with them now. I just have to trust Youji to handle the situation. I'm not giving Nagi up. Not now… not ever.
~We stared at the sun
And we made a promise
A promise this world would never blind us ~
The guys are really quiet in the morning when I came down for my shift. I had awoken, stiff from sitting up all night, but so happy that Nagi was with me, even in his condition. He hadn't wanted to move, but I got him up and helped him to the bathroom and even got him to eat a little. Not a lot, but it's a start. I settled him back in and promised I'd be up to check on him if I could. He just nodded and tried to go back to sleep. I don't think he believes me. Probably not used to anyone taking care of him, knowing what I do of Schwarz… I'm not surprised.
But as a consequence of taking care of him… I'm late. Ran doesn't even look in my direction, it's as if I'm invisible. I sigh, he did this just after we found out my identity too. Ken gives me a slightly forced smile but he is clearly uncomfortable. Youji… is Youji. He's already sitting down with his feet propped up on the counter, pretending to go over invoices but actually just slacking off.
"So…" my blond teammate drawls as I lift my apron from its peg and put it on. "How's your little friend this morning?"
"Sore."
Youji snorts. "I'm not surprised… they did a Hell of a job on him."
Ran snarls, Ken looks up from the cash register. "Do you have to talk about him?"
"What's the matter, Ken-ken?"
"He's… well… he's SCHWARZ!"
I looked over in time to see Youji's eyes narrow dangerously. "He's also only 17 years old, has been beaten nearly to death, and then thrown out of the only house and family he's ever really known. I'm surprised at you Ken… and you too Ran. You've both lost family, I'd think you'd be a little more compassionate."
Whatever Ran was going to say was suddenly interrupted by a muffled crash from the apartment upstairs. I'm halfway up the stairway before I ever realized it.
"NAGI!!!" I freeze in the hallway… hoping he'll give me some indication of where I should go. I hear a faint curse from the kitchen and head that way. I find my little love on the floor in front of the sink… trying to pick up the shattered remains of one of Youji's coffee cups. "Nagi… what are you doing?"
"I'm sorry." He looks up, and his eyes are still dark with pain. I notice his hands are shaking making it difficult for him to get a hold of the wet shards of porcelain. I pick up the pieces of the cup, luckily it isn't one of Yotan's favorites and toss them in the trash. I notice the sink is full of dishes and water… a few plates already drying in the strainer. Nagi just sits forlornly on the floor. I kneel in front of him.
"You okay?"
~These are my words
Our words were our songs
Our songs are our prayers
These prayers keep me strong ~
"I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it. Youji's not really attached to that cup. But what are you trying to do."
He gestured up at the sink. "The dishes."
"I can see that, but why?"
"I don't want to be a burden."
"Nagi… you're not a burden."
"But…"
"You shouldn't be up. You should be in bed."
"But… if I can't help you somehow… then I'm not useful. Useless things should be gotten rid of."
I can't believe it. How can anyone do this to another human being? He's actually afraid we will toss him out on the street if he isn't 'useful'? He didn't get this idea on his own. How many times has he heard this threat from Crawford? How many times has he pushed himself to do things he had no place doing just to keep a roof over his head? I'm suddenly feeling ill, and also very glad I don't know where Crawford is… I want to hurt something.
"Nagi." I tilt his head up so he has to look me in the eyes. "I'm not going to make you leave. You need time to recover. That doesn't include doing the dishes. If when you are better you want to help out, we'll find something for you to do. But for now… what you need to do is rest. Okay?"
"But I'm so weak… you must despise that about me."
No you're not. You're not weak at all. You're one of the strongest people I know. But you'll never believe me. Not now.
~It's what I believe
If you were in these arms tonight ~
I sigh. "For now. The only thing you need to worry about is getting well. I love you. I don't mind taking care of you. I know you would do the same thing for me."
"Omi… is everything all right in here." Ken stands in the doorway. I'm a little surprised at the concern in his eyes. I guess Youji's scolding made him think a little.
"Um… we're fine. I'm gonna get him back in bed and then I'll be down, okay?"
"Sure kid. Take you're time. It's a slow morning."
It takes a fair amount of time and patience to get Nagi back into my room and settled back down again. I don't know how he made it to the kitchen under his own power. Then again… I don't know how he managed to make it here at all. "Need anything before I leave? And I better NOT see you out of bed unless it's to go to the bathroom."
"But the dishes."
"I'll take care of the dishes." I gently brush the hair from his bruised face. "Besides… it's supposed to be Youji's turn."
~If you were in these arms tonight
I'd hold you
I'd need you
I'd get down on my knees for you ~
"He okay?" "What happened?" "…" I'm barely back downstairs before they start in on me.
"He's fine… he's fine. Well, he's not but he's as good as can be under the circumstances."
Ran places himself directly in front of me. He's tall enough that I have to look up. I'm sure it was very intentional, him towering over me like this. Just a reminder that despite my role as tactician and planner, HE'S the leader of Weiss. "Yes, Ran?" My use of his name is very deliberate… and he knows it.
"What happened?"
I rolled my eyes. "He was trying to do the dishes." I step around Ran and head for the watering can… some of the arrangements need water again.
"Why?" I can hear the puzzlement in Ken's voice.
"Because he doesn't want to be a burden."
"Or he's just trying to make us think so."
I just saw red… "Dammit, Ran! He shows up in the middle of the night… bruised up one side and down the other, BLEEDING from being whipped, in shock physically and mentally; and all you see is that he USED to be Schwarz! USED TO BE!! He isn't now! It's not like he had a choice in the first place. Do you KNOW what his life was like before?"
Youji grabbed me from behind, trying to get me to calm down… but it wasn't happening. Ran wanted the truth? Well dammit I was gonna give it to him.
"Before being taken in by that asshole Crawford… Nagi lived on the street. He lived there and sold his body for a chance to eat and maybe a warm place to sleep. The other kids hated him cause he was different, they would throw rocks and beat him up. And then Crawford appears. It must have seemed wonderful. Food, shelter, clothing… and all he had to do was learn how to use that same talent that made everyone else hate him!
"And what happens? He ends up a slave to Esset! Someone for them to abuse until he was no longer useful and then what do they do? They throw him back out on the streets! You wanna know WHY he couldn't fight back? Cause Esset screwed with his head so he had no choice but obey that American prick! He couldn't fight back even if he wanted to!
"Nagi comes to ME! The one person on Earth who actually gives a damn about him. Do you have any idea how terrified he is of you?! How scared he is that Weiss will throw me out the way Schwarz did to him?" I was starting to fall apart… tears flowing down my face and suddenly… I had no strength left. I just collapsed in Youji's arms, crying. "I just don't want to see him hurt again. That's all anyone's ever done to him before. I love him…"
~And make everything alright ~
The backdoor opened suddenly and Manx stood there looking at us. We all kinda stared at her for a moment. I don't think we were expecting any interruptions today.
"Manx." Ran's voice was the same flat tone he always used with the woman.
"I understand you have a Schwarz member on the premises."
I pulled out of Youji's arms and stood, quickly wiping my tears. "FORMER Schwarz. And yes, Nagi is here."
"I see. Well in any case I am here to take him off your hands."
"Now wait a moment…"
Youji took a step forward, cutting me off. "Manx. The boy is injured and we offered him protection. I don't think it is a good idea for you to take him now."
The redhead frowned, she wasn't used to being thwarted in this way. "But we really need the information he has… How about this? I take him and get him medical attention and ask him a few questions."
"I don't know…"
"Omi… he really needs to have those ribs checked out. And we can't tell if he has internal injuries. I think it would be a good idea for him to get some professional treatment."
I pulled Youji over to the side. "Do you really think he'll be okay? What if he refuses to answer their questions?"
"Omiitchi… we just have to trust Manx."
"But…"
"I know… she's not the same person who raised you. But she's still a good person. Nagi will be okay and you can go down after work and check in on him."
I sighed. I really feel this is a bad idea. But Youji has a good point. If something is really wrong, we can't help Nagi any farther. "Okay."
~If you were in these arms
I'd love you
I'd please you ~
"Nagi?" He's sleeping when I take Manx up to my room. I hate to wake him. He looks so beautiful as he rests… even with bruises covering almost every inch of visible skin. We'd dressed him in an old t-shirt and a pair of sweats, but he was still swimming in them. I guess I never realized how much smaller he was than me. We're almost the same height… but he carries a lot less weight. That can't be healthy. First order of business… get him healed up… second… get more meat on him. I sit on the edge of the bed and stroke his chocolate-colored hair. "Nagi…"
"Hmm?"
"I need you to wake up now." Midnight eyes open and he stares sleepily up at me. I nod toward the door and his eyes follow my gesture. He sees Manx and tries to push himself up, I stop him and help him to turn and sit against the headboard, propping a couple pillows behind him.
"Yes?" His voice is quiet, reflecting none of the pain I KNOW he is in.
"I'm here to take you to a Kritiker facility for medical attention."
He looks at me, obviously questioning her sincerity. I just shrug. It's like Manx to omit the real reason she came. He seems uncertain. "I think it would be a good idea, Nagi-chan." He doesn't answer, just nods his acquiescence. "Manx… can you give us a minute, I'll bring him down." She frowns, but leaves.
"Are you okay with this?"
Nagi bites his lip but nods. "Yeah… I really need to know how bad it is I guess. Schu used to take me to an Esset clinic but…" he shrugged.
I hugged him as gently as I could, mindful of the bruises and lash marks criss-crossing his frame. "Okay. You go with her and I'll be by to see you later. I love you, Nagi."
~I'd tell you that I'd never leave you ~
I'm thinking more and more that this WASN'T a good idea. I' supposed to be potting those bulbs we just got in, but after having to redo one three times, I've decided it was worthless to continue. I'm just puttering around back here, idly cleaning, organizing, moving things around. I should have gone with him. Or told Manx I'd bring him myself after work.
Ah yes, work. The usual crush of high-school fangirls is on, but I was so inept Ran sent me out. I find myself staring at the clock… again. Only two minutes later than the last time I looked. I sigh… this day is lasting forever.
~And love you till the end of time
If you were in these arms tonight ~
FINALLY! It takes me all of five minutes to change, grab my jacket and helmet, and get on the road. I don't think the doctor would be letting Nagi leave tonight. If by some miracle they are, I can always call Youji to come get him.
The trip across town seems to take forever, between the traffic and those pesky things called traffic laws.
/Please be alright, Nagi. I should have come with you. I hope nothing is seriously wrong. Oh gods… what if you need surgery? What if right now some doctor you don't know is operating on you? Why do I always think like this? You're fine… I know you are… you have to be./
Two more blocks and I'll be there. Then I can tell him how much I love him.
~Your clothes are still scattered
All over our room ~
I can't believe what I'm seeing… I got suspicious when the intern at the desk directed me to this wing. Last I knew, there were no examination or recovery rooms this way. No one questioned me as I walked down here. I'd grown up in this place, everyone know I am Weiss. Undoubtedly the rumors had gotten around that he was Schwarz. That a member of Weiss would be coming to see him was probably a given. So no one was around to see my reaction to finding Nagi locked in a small, barren cell rocking back and forth on his knees.
"Nagi?" He doesn't seem to notice my entrance, highly unusual. His past has always made him hyperaware of his surroundings. For some reason he is missing his shirt, so I can see where some attempt had been made to treat him. So Manx didn't completely lie to me, but how much other damage had they done. "Nagi-chan?"
He stops and his eyes slowly drift up to meet mine. The pain in them… it is indescribable. "Omi?" His voice is just barely above a whisper. I fall to my knees beside him and hold him as he flings his arms around my waist and starts to cry. I realize that the shoes and socks he was wearing are missing as well. I see the clothing tossed into a corner. There is only a think pallet on the floor and a toilet in the corner. No blanket, no sink, no food or water.
I'm going to kill Manx one of these days.
~This old place still smells like
Your cheap perfume ~
It hurts… it hurts so much to have to leave him there, especially with him so visibly upset. That is what disturbs me the most. He's usually so private with his emotions, he's got to be so torn up to act like this. I wrap him in my coat and promise that I'll be back for him. I'm not sure he believes me. Why should he? I also promised him everything would be okay.
He's curled up, facing the wall as I turn to go. Something in me dies to see him like this. I need to find Manx.
The red-haired bitch is still in her office when I stalk in and slam the door. She looks irritated. Good.
"What is the problem, Bombay?"
Oh, so we're being impersonal are we? Fine. "What did you do to Nagi?" See, I didn't even swear, Ken would be so proud of me.
"We simply asked him a few questions."
"A few questions?! He's a wreck!"
"Well, he didn't want to answer them. And we DID treat him first."
I'm trying … gods know I'm trying. But I am swiftly losing what little patience I have. "Did you ever consider that maybe Esset messed with his head so he CAN'T answer questions?"
"Of course. So we tried a few experimental drugs…"
"WHAT?!"
"They should be perfectly safe."
"They SHOULD be? Have you bothered to check on him?"
"Well… no. I just told Sasaki to find a place for him."
"He's in a FUCKING CELL!!"
Manx seemed a bit taken back by my tone. I don't yell at people too often, I usually find it unnecessary. But tonight, I'm making a special case… "There's no need to get mad at me." She's getting rather snippy herself. "He should be in a cell. He's SCHWARZ!! Have you forgotten everything they've done? The people they've killed?!"
"He isn't Schwarz anymore. He's a seventeen year old boy!"
"This is a war, Bombay. And everyone has to pay the price."
I wasn't going to get through. I can see that. This bitter, vengeful woman isn't the Manx who raised me. I turned to leave, ignoring her orders to stop. I paused and looked back, one last time. "I'm sorry Manx. And I think Persia is too. I don't know you anymore." And I left.
~Everything here reminds me of you
And there's nothing that I
Wouldn't do to be in your arms ~
I race home and by some miracle, everyone is out. I start my computer running a contingency program I designed and hurriedly pack. We won't be able to carry a lot, changes of clothes, basic necessities, my laptop. I raid the kitchen for easily transportable food and drink. A half hour and my entire life is sitting in four bags. I check my program… still working.
I decide individual notes would be best. I try to apologize to Ran, convince Ken we will be okay, and tell Youji my plans. I leave them down in the shop, where they won't be found till morning with my keys and the list of passwords for the computer, the Koneko's files, and mission logs.
I force myself to eat, knowing I won't be able to later and pace until the computer chimes. Hurriedly I feed the proper papers and within minutes, Nagi and I have new lives, right down to birth certificates. I set up this program as a precaution for Weiss, I never though I 'd actually have to use it.
I set my clean-up program in motion and grab my bags. I look back one more time. I'm going to miss this place, it's the only home I've ever really known.
~And these were our words
They keep me strong ~
It's harder, getting back in without anyone noticing me, but I HAVE been in and out of this facility since I was six. I used to play hided and seek with Botan. I probably know every back hallway and crawlspace better than the architects themselves. I'm counting on that knowledge now.
/I'm coming Nagi./ I have to stay strong, Nagi needs me. I cling to that, even as I realize everything I've known in falling apart. It's child's play to get around security, physical and electronic. Puleeze! I DESIGNED most of their systems.
/Hold on./ Please Nagi, you'll be okay. I'll get you out and we'll just disappear. No Schwarz, no Weiss, no Esset, no Kritiker, just you… and me.
~I'd hold you
I'd need you ~
"Nagi…" I whisper, just loud enough for you to hear me from where I am in the duct. You roll over and I can't help but notice the surprise in your midnight eyes. You really didn't think I'd come for you.
In moments, I have the grate off and you in my arms. For now, that is enough.
~I'd get down on my knees for you
And make everything alright ~
It's slow going, to crawl out through the maze of ductwork. It's harder for you, your body rebelling, you mind in turmoil. I'm actually a little surprised you trusted me to follow. Who knows what those drugs are doing to you, but you are obviously not all there. I'd half expected to have to plead with you. But somehow, in spite of the pain confusion, you remember that you trust me.
Soon, we'll be out of here, soon. And then I can make sure no one will hurt you like this ever again.
~If you were in these arms
I'd love you
I'd please you ~
We are lucky that is isn't far from Kritiker headquarters to one of the main stations for the rail system. As much as I hate having to make Nagi walk, it's necessary. I left the bike back at Kritiker, I don't want them to realize a) that we've left and b) how we left. I know they'll catch on, but hopefully by then we'll be are enough ahead.
"Omi?"
I turn, expecting him to collapse at my feet. Somehow, someway, Nagi's still standing, and his eyes are more lucid than they were before. "Nagi-chan?"
"Thank you."
"For?"
"You've given everything up. For me. I'm not worth it."
I very carefully set the bags on the ground and pull him close. "Nagi-chan… you are definitely worth it."
~I'd tell you that I'd never leave you ~
"I promise, no matter what happens, YOU are worth it."
~And love you till the end of time
If you were in these arms tonight ~
TBC