Key of Twilight
By Yanagi-sen
Weiss Kreuz songfic
Usual disclaimers apply. I think if Schu was redesigned, he should have a long black leather trench. It would look so cool on him. I'd just be afraid they'd cut his hair… like they did to poor Yotan… -_-; Anyway, song is from hack//SIGN and called, Key of the Twilight. The composer is Yuki Kajiura.
Warnings: mild language warning, it IS Schu after all
~Come with me in the twilight of a summer night for awhile ~
Standing on the balcony, he still heard the door shut after the kid. He sighed. The poor brat was so messed up. He watched the boy exit the building and stalk off down the street. The young man kept looking back over his shoulder as if afraid they would be coming after him.
He had considered it. He sat down on one of the chairs and stared out at the darkening city. He had considered running out after the kid, demanding to know what the fuck was up with him lately and if he didn't talk then 'rummaging' around for the information. But Braddy had warned him. If he had tried it… Nagi would just leave. And in leaving, he'd end up walking into one of Esset's traps. And he would be killed.
That really sucked. So now he wasn't being able to do anything. But sit here, in the twilight, and hope the boy would be okay.
~Tell me of a story never ever told in the past ~
It was tough being the youngest. Look at that kid in Weiss… Bombay. He got stuck with all the hard work, AND working at that flower shop, AND going to school. At least Nagi didn't have to deal with that crap. They made sure the boy had a roof over his head and food on the table. They didn't wake him up early after a late night. He DID get stuck with a lion's share of the paper and computer work, but that was because no one was better than him on the computer and Brad couldn't do all the paperwork on his own. Farf… when he was sane could handle it, but as for himself. He was too hyper for that. About 20 minutes and he couldn't sit there any more.
He wished Nagi knew how good he actually had it. Yeah, they might not be the most nurturing of families… but at least he had one. If the kid really wanted to argue the point, he could always tell the brat about his own dysfunctional upbringing. Heck, Braddy didn't even know the whole story there.
~Take me back to the land / Where my yearnings were born ~
At least Nagi could be at home in the country of his birth. He didn't feel like he could ever return to Germany. Not to live. There were too many bad memories wrapped up in that land. Whoever the bastard was who fathered him, the coward had run out on his mother before he was even born. To this day he wondered why she had kept him. She hadn't wanted him, she made that abundantly clear. He was a convenient punching bag when she was angry… or for any of the string of boyfriends she brought through their dingy apartment. He thought he was about seven the first time one of THEM decided to use him. He didn't really remember what happened, a case of his mind protecting itself. But the trauma was enough to jumpstart his powers.
It wasn't long after that his mother sold him to a pimp she knew for a couple weeks worth of drugs. He was sold and resold and pimped out for years, till he was finally 'purchased' by Esset.
~The key to open the door is in your hand / Now fly me there ~
They had shown him whole new ways to get back at the world. But they didn't give him freedom. Brad was the first to whisper that thought into his ear. They had talked about it on the way to Japan, in the comfortable seats of one of Esset's private jets. Farfarello was sedated for the journey. Nagi, whom he regarded at the time as little more than a brat to play with, was sleeping as far away from the rest of them as he could get. And Brad… the man hinted about breaking their bonds.
He was the one who had shown them the door… together they had created the key to open it. And now… now they were free.
~Fanatics find their heaven in never ending storming wind ~
It was getting chilly out on the balcony. He hoped Nagi came back soon, or found somewhere warm to be. The boy didn't take his coat, again. Since the kid wasn't there to do it, he went to check on their resident psycho. Farf had been getting better. He wondered what had happened this week, unless the man was picking up on all the tension and stress. It was possible. They weren't really sure what the Irishman's powers really were, but he seemed to be sensitive to what went on around him. Which made his behavior just after they came out of Rosenkreuz understandable, the anger and pain in that place was enough to drive anyone insane.
He peeked in the barred window at the restrained man. Farf seemed to be calmer tonight. Or someone had already given him his meds. He really tried not to peek into Farfarello's head too often. It gave him a headache. He LOVED chaos… when he created it. But what went on inside Farf's head… that was a migraine waiting to happen. Since he didn't care to spend a day moaning in bed and unable to think through the pain, he stayed out of the Irishman's thoughts.
~Auguries of destruction be a lullaby for rebirth ~
It intrigued him, the strange connection between their younger teammates. Farf was decent enough when he had it together, but Nagi actually seemed to regard the guy as a friend. It baffled him. He thought it was a recipe for destruction there. If Farf ever flipped out at attacked Nagi… either the boy wouldn't defend himself, and be dead. Or he would defend himself and the Irishman could wind up dead. Ever since that psychic explosion had destroyed Masafumi's mansion… they tended to step very lightly around Nagi when he was pissed.
He had to hand it to the kid; he didn't think the boy had it in him. That was one Hell of a blast. Too bad Weiss got away. But he really thought they had lost Nagi that time. The young man had suddenly shown up about three days later, weaker than a newborn kitten, bruised up one side and down the other, his clothes in tatters; but alive.
Come to think of it… that was when the kid started changing. Brad blamed it on him growing up. But he wasn't so sure.
~Consolations, be there / In my dreamland to come ~
Speaking of Brad… the man was brooding. He sighed and checking Farf in his cell one more time, headed for the kitchen. The precog was suffering from a headache again, he was sure of it. Between Brad's stress-headaches, Nagi's occasional migraines, and his own telepathy induced agonies… they should have taken out stock in the aspirin company. What they all really needed was a vacation.
He poured a cup of coffee. Of course the man took it black-no sugar. He really wondered if the universe would come to an end if Brad unwound a little. /If you think too much your headache will only get worse./
/I'll thank you to NOT bother me while I'm working./
He smirked and headed for Braddy's office. /You're not working, you're worrying. That's not going to help anyone; least of all you./ He opened the door and walked right in. "Here. This should help you with your headache."
The man accepted the cup and sipped it. "Thank you."
He wondered if Brad would actually volunteer anything tonight. Despite how it might appear, they really did get along fairly well. He would like to move BEYOND fairly well, but the American was resisting. He would have to work on him some more. He sat against the edge of the desk. "So, boss… what's bothering you?"
~The key to open the door is in your hand / Now take me there ~
He knew of course, but it would help Braddy-boy to talk about it. "Do you want an itemized list?"
He almost laughed… almost. "No, just the short version will do."
Brad sighed and set the cup down on the desk. "Besides Esset breathing down our necks? I'm sure you heard Nagi leave."
He tsked and rolled his eyes. "Who didn't? What's his problem lately?"
"In addition to being a teenager?"
"You have a point. Well… stop worrying about it… you'll get wrinkles." He laughed mentally at that one. Just what Brad needed, a bit of distraction. He left, but waited outside the door. Sure enough he heard movement. He bet Brad was checking himself out in the mirror. Not that he really had any wrinkles. Well… just a couple, but the guy was getting closer to 30. Heck, he probably had a couple, from dealing with this crew more than anything else.
Maybe Nagi's problem WAS just because he was a teenager. They were really trying to give him all the options none of them had ever had. It could be that he wasn't quite ready to take advantage of those options yet.
~I believe in fantasies invisible to me / In the land of misery I'm searchin' for the sign ~
HE certainly never had the opportunities the boy was faced with. After spending six years in Rosenhell, his life choices were severely limited. Even coming with Brad to Japan, they had still been slaves. Now, they might actually get free, but what was he going to do? He didn't really have much in the way of an education, beyond your standard high school studies. Anything else he knew, mainly related to weapons and fighting, not exactly marketable skills. It was a good thing he liked Brad, and the American liked him, cause he was basically stuck with the man for life. He wasn't exactly a good candidate to go back to school, he couldn't wait to get out of it the first time. And he certainly wasn't a salaryman. He'd explode in no time. Besides, they had been living pretty well for several years now. He LIKED his comfortable lifestyle.
There was no way he was going back to the misery of poverty. He'd lived enough of that for this lifetime. Here, with Schwarz, he had pretty much everything he wanted. He didn't want to look for more. But Nagi, the boy should be allowed the choice.
~To the door of mystery and dignity / I'm wandering down, and searchin' down the secret sun ~
He wondered if Brad would want company tonight. They tried to keep their… affair… low key, uncertain how it would be received by the other two. Especially with Nagi so… not himself lately. Out of respect he didn't try to read Brad at those times when his naturally heavy shields were… thinner. But sometimes he wondered. He wondered WHAT the man really thought about him. About them being together. About them STAYING together. But it was so hard to tell. The man's mind was locked up like a fortress.
He wandered back to his room. He had a feeling Brad's mind was on things other than their mutual pleasure. He sighed. He had to find a way to get the man past the idea it was just sex. It would be nice to just sleep with someone. He would NEVER admit it out loud, but he liked to cuddle.
He lay down on his cold, and he had to admit, lonely bed. If Brad wanted him, he would knock once on the door as he passed. It was then HIS choice whether to go join the American or not. Not that he had ever refused. And given how he thought he felt about Brad, he doubted he ever would.
~Come with me in the twilight of a summer night for awhile / Tell me of a story never ever told in the past ~
He was shocked when a light tap came to the door. He scrambled up, tossing bedcovers aside. The hallway was dark but Brad had left his door cracked open as he always did at these times. Pushing it open, he could see the American standing at the window, already bare to the waist. He really didn't seem to be in the mood for their usual activities, so what did he want?
"Brad?"
"Do you think he's okay?"
"Nagi?"
"Yes."
"Wouldn't your gift tell you?"
"I'm always afraid this is the time when it won't."
"If you start to doubt your powers, you are going to defeat yourself."
"I know… but…"
It took only a few steps to cross the room, he hugged Brad from behind. The man stiffened at first, then relaxed, accepting the comfort for what it was. "Come on, you're tired. I'm tired. We're getting nowhere with this line of thinking."
"I decided if he wasn't home by midmorning…"
"Then we'll go. For now… let's go to bed."
~Take me back to the land / Where my yearnings were born ~
He let the man hold him like he wanted. It was nice just to lay there and enjoy being close to someone. He listened as Brad's breath evened out and he finally fell asleep. It wasn't like him to doubt his powers like that. Confidence is what made their gifts so strong. Once you started to doubt your talents, that's when you started to have problems with them. He could only attribute it to Brad's overtired state.
He wondered if the dreams would come tonight. With the American there to ward them off… maybe tonight he could sleep peacefully.
~The key to open the door is in your hand ~
It wasn't nearly late enough when he felt the first nudges. "Another hour… please."
"I'm getting up, you don't have to."
He felt the man climb over him and then head for the bathroom. It was entirely too early to even think about moving. The sound of the shower lulled him back to sleep. He was aware when Brad came back in and got dressed, but he didn't really wake enough to do anything. Then it was quiet. Nice and quiet. No Brad bitching… no Farf ranting… no Nagi… Nagi… shit.
He sat up and did a quick 'head count'. Nagi still wasn't back yet. He sighed, and gave up. There was no way he was going to be able to sleep anymore this morning. He showered quickly and headed back to his room for some clean clothes. He could already smell the coffee brewing, thank goodness. This morning might be bearable after all.
Brad was already in his office, pretending to work but really just staring at the paper. Every so often he would look at the clock. Wonderful.
In the kitchen he found the promised coffee. Fixing himself a cup, with a little extra sugar he needed it this morning, he started to pull out the makings of breakfast. He sensed the presence outside the door before he heard the latch click. He walked to the door way and watched as Nagi came in.
"Well… look what the cat dragged in. You okay, chibi?" He thought Nagi looked like Hell actually, pale, almost haggard, and no doubt cold. Somewhere along the way he had picked up a sweatshirt, it was pulled snuggly around his slender frame.
"I'm okay."
He really didn't believe him, but Nagi never had been one to admit when something was wrong. Brad walked into the hall as well. He hoped the man would finally say something to the kid.
"Get some sleep. We will talk later."
He rolled his eyes. Typical.
"Aa." Nagi shuffled off down the hallway toward his room.
'I can't believe you, perfect chance and you blew it…' He knew he was complaining just loud enough for Brad to hear.
"What?"
" 'Get some sleep.'? Can't you be a LITTLE more welcoming?" He couldn't believe Brad didn't take the chance to say something positive to the kid. Like, 'I'm glad you're home'… 'I'm happy you're back'…
"Do you think he would remember it? He's dead on his feet. Let him sleep, then we can talk."
Grrrr… he headed back into the kitchen, complaining mentally the whole way. Brad's shields snapped up fast enough that he swore he could hear them. Good, maybe that will get him thinking. But at least… Nagi's home.
~Now take me there / to the land of twilight ~
This is the first time I've tried to do something like this. Show the same night from everyone's individual POV. Kind of an interesting challenge actually.