A/N: Fave, Review, comment. Send me some pie babes! No flames or the sheep will eat you!
Chapter 88 [REMINDER. FANFICTION VERSION OF "Continuation" based on Manga progression.] [This is kind of a Yogi-heavy chapter. I actually really got into writing him and I enjoyed getting inside that guy's head. I also realized how kind of fucked he is and I'm starting to get a sense that the "government" is more corrupt than it lets on. MWAHAHA... Politics always give me a headache so blagh... Also, enjoy Hirato's usual prankiness and Karoku is like a fun cat to poke at. I really think Karoku is Yandere. He's so funny to mess with! And I mess with Tsukumo soon too! Enjoy!]
If Wishes Were... Like Being a Prince.
Chapter 3
"Ah! Nai-chan!" A familiar blonde head raised from the table where he'd been sitting. In his yellow top, green ripped leggings, and sporting a wonderfully purple clashing bracelet with white pearls on his right wrist, was Yogi.
"You returned! Welcome back!" Nai said cheerfully, excited to see another familiar face. Yogi was hugging a Nyanperowna plush to his chest. They must have gone to a shop recently. Yogi tilted his head at Nai.
Captain already informed Tsukumo and I of the situation regarding this "Red". I have to find a smooth way to bring it up. If it's a threat we can't give any indication that we are treating it as such otherwise it could force us to lose the hand we have in the pot. Yogi's thoughts rolled into his mind and around a bit as he watched Nai go over to the kettle and put it on. "Yeah, Tsukumo went to her room to rest. It's just me right now in here."
"Did you have a good outing?" Nai asked, smiling warmly at the Nyanperona obsessor. Yogi smiled. He enjoyed Nai's sweet gentleness. Nai was one of the few people that didn't look down on him for his hyper behavior. Rather Nai took it in stride. He could never imagine hurting a hair on this kid's head.
Yogi looks to be a in good mood. I'm glad. He misses Gareki too. Although Gareki doesn't really text him at all and I can tell it tears him up. Maybe...Maybe I should step in? For Yogi's sake? Nai typically stayed out of other people's affairs since Karoku had scolded him before that Nai had a natural knack it seemed for drawing trouble to himself for being what he was and he didn't want Nai to go running around getting into trouble because of his caring heart. "Yeah, I did. Tsukumo and I did a lot of fun stuff today. And…" Yogi quieted down. Nai tilted his head.
"I wish Gareki would be at my birthday…" That thought was so powerful that even without Yogi saying anything, Nai found himself "hearing" it verbally. Usually he could only sense emotions but Yogi was sometimes so open about his feelings that they were practically their own language. He smiled. "I know what to get you for your birthday," his eyes lit up. He had learned what a birthday was recently when he had learned that Yogi's was coming up.
Yogi's eyes lit up with stars and no doubt Nyanperona cat faces. "Uwah! Really? I'm so excited. Nai-chan is so awesome! No matter what it is! Big! Small! Medium sized! I will accept it with all your feelings put into it," he gave Nai a big thumbs up. Nai was happy. Gareki and him had met these guys back in late November and so much had happened since then.
Karoku hovered in the hallway as Nai chuckled and waited for the kettle to boil. Karoku felt uncomfortable on the ship. Not to mention he didn't want to walk into that blonde's arms on accident. Already twice Yogi had tried to make him feel welcome with some bone crushing hug and frankly Karoku didn't like the closeness one bit. He was wary. Though they weren't a threat, he'd nearly killed Gareki upon sight the first time he saw him back in De Paseru area of the country Satanika. "You know, if you keep acting suspiciously like a stalker, Nai-chan will start realizing you may be one," a humorous voice snapped Karoku out of his fixated trance. He looked behind himself, over his shoulder at the top hatted man. His face sort of dead-panned.
"Oh. It's you," He said dismissively, putting one hand in the pocket of his jeans, the other gripping his pant leg subtly. He didn't like this feeling of nervousness he had but he knew why he was here. He was their "key" to Kafka...the only reason he wasn't handed over to the government on a silver platter. They had managed to convince the government that Karoku was working with them against a "clone" of himself. Hirato noted the tenseness and he patted Karoku's shoulder.
"Mr. Arumerita," the 6'1 taller man leaned towards the shorter 5'9 foot male who found himself with his back to the wall, eyes darting towards the entrance of the kitchen and self-consciously wondering how no one could hear Hirato outside of the kitchen. Especially Nai. "I-" He was cut off when Nai popped his out of the doorframe.
"Ah! There you are Karoku!" He brightly beamed, ignoring the hilariously borderline weird visual before him with the blue haired boy backed up against the wall and Hirato blocking his escape with his arms. Yogi poked his head out too and although he naturally began to see the awkwardness of the situation, Nai remained oblivious and Hirato's look shut Yogi up quickly from remarking on anything suggestive-at least in front of Nai. Hirato broke away, twirling his cane that he materialized out of thin air as something to hold onto and look cool with at the moment. Karoku remained a bit stock still. Nai trotted over and grabbed Karoku's hand. "Karoku?"
Karoku blinked at him, eyes avoiding Hirato. He was irritated that he had to be seen in a compromising situation but he wasn't stupid. Hirato was someone who could be either your ally or your worst nightmare. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up slightly. Whatever Hirato was going to say, he knew the bastard would find a way to tell him later. He focused on Nai, blatantly ignoring the purple haired man and enjoying with smug satisfaction the slightest hint of irritation that flickered oh so momentarily on that otherwise smug smarmy asshole's face. Yeah, enjoy being ignored. I have to work with you-not have to like you. "Come, I want to see what types of tea we have to choose from," Karoku beamed at Nai. Nai beamed in return excited as Karoku took the initiative and was the one to drag Nai into the kitchen. Yogi remained in the hall, lounging against the wall. Nai was simple minded still so he didn't think too hard when Yogi didn't return right away.
Hirato however raised a hand to his mouth to stifle a laugh. Karoku is starting to be more like a normal teenager thanks to Nai-chan. He smirked behind his glove. Yogi could tell something was going on underneath that top hat and to be honest he didn't really want to know what. However, he kept his gaze on Hirato. Hirato looked at him, noting that Yogi wasn't being overly hyper like he typically would be around anyone. Then again, he was the captain. "Do you need something?" He asked Yogi calmly, leaning on his cane.
"May I speak to you in your office," Yogi sounded humble. Hirato blinked. Oh? This was serious, wasn't it. It may be about Nai. He nodded. He turned on his heel quietly. Yogi followed after him. Walking down the halls, something felt different without Gareki there. They all knew this. But this was to help Gareki make an honest making for himself. Besides, Hirato began to wonder if Yogi knew how attached Yogi had become to Gareki. It was like Yogi was this blonde pooch desperately waiting for his master to come home. Hirato's smirk remained on his face even as he opened the door to his study, allowing Yogi to enter first. Shutting the door behind himself, he walked over to his desk, sitting at it with a sigh. He hated stuffy settings. However formalities were something he'd have to deal with. "Captain, I have something to report," Yogi said with a small sigh.
Captain Hirato's good mood shifted. Oh. Goody. He gazed at Yogi over his spectacles, his expression remaining unreadable. "Yes?" He sounded calm though he was a bit surprised. They were stationed in the woods currently where they wouldn't be bothered by any neighboring towns. He didn't think Yogi would have found anything interesting visiting the small town of Darinka. It was a small port off the coast of the flower country of Palashia. However, since Yogi's attitude looked rather serious, Hirato just beckoned for him to proceed.
"While Tsukumo and I were in Darinka," Yogi began, "We encountered some Varuga."
Hirato let that hang in the air. He stared at Yogi. His calm expression switched to one of restrained anger. Tsukumo and Yogi had neglected to alert him of this fact. Yogi continued and though he looked intimidated, he remained composed. "We were trying to help some neighborhood kids find their cat, Toto. However Toto ran into an alley. I ran after because I was faster and Tsukumo stayed behind with the kids when I sensed the Varuga where the cat was. I know we should have said something but there wasn't any time. I shouted to her to distract the kids. While she swiftly moved them from the area I came across a couple of Varuga children."
"Did you deal with them?" Hirato's tone was forced calm.
"I…" Yogi bit his lower lip, and he looked at his feet. "I… injured one...but he was protecting his little sister...and…"
Hirato put his gloved hands over his temples, rubbing them. "Yogi." His voice was stern. "You know we've talked to you about this again and again. You can't look at Varuga like they're people anymore. They're monsters." His cold dissatisfaction caused Yogi to look at the ground, his hands in his lap, and he felt the guilt wash over him.
The alley was dark despite the sun in the sky overhead. The tall crumbling buildings offered little warmth as their faces shielded the alley from the rays of the sun. Cold and damp, Yogi stepped carefully around the trail of blood, and it led to the inside of an abandoned factory. He bit his lip. Tsukumo had already ushered the kids they were helping away from the area. He summoned his thorn like épées. His expression was grim for one who normally laughed and played like a child. This was different. This was work.
He braced himself for what he'd find. His eyes moved from the growing trail of blood to the sound of crying. Crying?
Yogi's eyes widened. He ducked behind an old machine and peered around it. There was a boy, with shaggy long red hair to his waist, in rags, holding a little girl with blonde hair, chopped at the neck like they'd sold it recently for some money. She was also in rags. "Maria…" the little boy was crying, holding his sister. That's when Yogi's eyes fell upon the mottled corpse to the boy's left. Though he wanted to hurl, he wasn't even sure what was going on. Who exactly were the victims here?
Suddenly the boy stiffened. He laid down his unconscious sister. Yogi tensed. Uh-oh. Had he been spotted? Suddenly he felt claws at his neck. With a yell of shock, Yogi commanded, "V-Vase!" thorns erupted from his blades and arms and wrapped around the struggling boy.
"L-Let me go! Bastard! You won't take her!" the boy yelled. His eyes were purple with red dotted centers, while his fangs were long, over biting on his mouth, and his fingernails were claw like. On his head instead of normal ears were two long fuzzy ears that made him look a bit like a werewolf. He snarled. He had some horns protruding from his forehead through his skin. Small and nubbish at the moment.
"I'm not here to take your sister or whoever she is," Yogi said firmly, lowering the boy, still bound.
Stop it Yogi.
"What do you care! You want to take her away to that damn place, don't you!" The boy yelled.
You have to kill them. It's protocol.
"I … is that person over there...someone who attacked you?" Yogi found himself asking calmly. He had to at least know. He was no murderer. He didn't slay without a conscience. At least he hoped he didn't.
"He's some prick from Kafka! I don't want to even know what organization you're from, blondy!" The boy yelled.
Yogi flinched. Why wasn't there a way to protect these children. He hadn't completely become corrupted by the varuga cells-though Yogi didn't think there was a cure for being Varuga. It had always been explained that once someone falls "ill", there is no return. However, this boy was specifically triggering his ability to protect his sister who Yogi could only assume was a Varuga too. "You both are Varuga."
"Varu-what? What the hell is that?" The boy snapped. "My sister and I were given special medication. We were making money for the first time in months! My sister only has me. I'm all she's got! Since they were vitamins I didn't think it was bad!"
Yogi's heart went out to the boy. He was a young boy, no older than ten perhaps, protecting his little sister and having no idea just the kind of shit they landed themselves in big time. Yogi's eyes welled with tears. The boy looked startled. "Uh...uh…" Yogi sobbed.
"What the heck! Now you're crying? How lame are you!" The boy squirmed. However his Varuga state was starting to manifest itself. Yogi didn't know why but that boy was hurting him inside. He was looking at the boy, as the tears rolled down. These kids. They were so young. Given such a bad lot in life. And what was Yogi gonna do? Just gut them like they were "monsters"? The poor girl was unconscious. If anything, Yogi felt strongly these kids should have a chance to find a cure or something. Yogi wasn't very scientifically challenged-not like Gareki who seemed capable of handling anything...or Karoku or even Hirato. Yogi was...Yogi. His eyes flickered and he lowered the boy, the vines loosening. He wiped his eyes on his sleeve.
Yes. I'm...a sacrificial pawn. Yogi's purple eyes seemed to dim and he lowered his épées. The vines unwound and the boy landed on his butt with an oof. His eyes were wide and he watched as Yogi made his weapons disappear. Yogi took a step back. "Go." He said quietly. The boy's eyes widened. He swallowed. But he scrambled over to his sister, picking her up. Yogi thought a moment. He reached into his back pocket.
Without a word, as the boy was hoisting his little sister over his shoulder, the boy found a wallet in front of his nose. Blinking he looked up to see Yogi's solemn expression. "What the fuck… I'm not a charity case!" The boy angrily turned his head away. Yogi pulled his wallet back, watching the boy quietly. Then he went ahead and he pulled out his cash. Luckily he'd pulled out some since there had been rumors of credit theft recently in these parts. He had at least 100 dollars worth of bills in cash. He almost kicked himself for not being able to do anything more for these children.
The boy opened his mouth to protest but Yogi just silently pressed it into the boy's left pocket and without a word he pulled the boy and the girl on her brother's back, into his arms. The boy's eyes widened in surprise and distrust but there was something about Yogi that made it hard to believe his feelings weren't sincere. The boy's eyes welled with tears. "You are a good boy," Yogi said quietly. "Go now, and protect your sister okay?"
The boy quivered and Yogi could feel the wetness in his shoulder grow from the boy's tears and most likely snot. His Varuga parts had managed to retract. "W-Who are you?" The boy asked in a small much more shy tone. The fight had finally left him.
Yogi paused. Then he smiled. "I'm Yogi...a prince who delivers the wishes of children," he said warmly. The boy sniffled.
"Lame." Yogi almost cried from the remark but then he saw how the boy was smiling past the running nose and tears. Yogi felt his heart soar. Circus did good right? Besides, as long as he took the fall, he could take the punishment. It was worth it to see an innocent spared a cruel end at the end of his thorny blades.
Hirato would have prefered to have Silver Yogi if only because at least Silver Yogi knew how to get the job done without hesitating. This Yogi was too gentle. Even to the Varuga if they were women and children. "Sir...I… they ended up running. He was protecting his sister...they weren't trying to do anything...and they looked really guilty and scared because they had killed someone-" Yogi continued in a timid rush.
Hirato knew that Yogi couldn't bring himself to kill Yotaka because of Gareki and Tsubame and the fact that Yotaka was practically a child had caused Hirato to force his own hand because if he didn't-then Gareki would have had the burden of having killed his own family. Hirato took a deep slow breath in and out of his nose. When he spoke it was crisp and icy. Yogi's body stiffened as Hirato spoke. "Yogi. You are to report every and all Varuga attacks. Do I make myself clear." His gaze bore holes into Yogi's stomach.
Yogi couldn't bear to look him in the eyes. Hirato was mad. And Yogi knew he had a right to be. That's why he had reported this instead of Tsukumo. He had asked Tsukumo to keep it quiet. If someone was to take the fall for this one, Yogi didn't want Tsukumo to be faced with the disappointment. It would make her incredibly sad and it wasn't even her fault. Yogi lowered his head. "Y-yes...Captain." He replied with a weak shaky submissive tone.
Captain Hirato sighed. What was he going to do with Yogi sometimes? Honestly. The kid was useful out in the field but his wavering loyalty was going to be a problem. He knew Yogi wouldn't ever willingly leave Circus to join the Varuga cause. But then again, blonde Yogi's memories were tightly sealed. He was under the impression his family was alive and he was just recruited as a child to work with Circus to protect his home.
"You're dismissed. If I catch you acting on your own like this, you will be severely punished. This is a warning. You're grounded to the ship for the time being," Hirato said firmly. "Oh and Yogi?"
Hirato hadn't the heart to tell him that Yogi had no home to go back to there. His sister was dead along with the rest of the royal family. By some miracle, because he was royal blood and naturally it was theorized that the royal family had "cradle cells" that could withstand the genetic modifications...Yogi had survived because his cradle cells had handled the Kafka experimentation. Besides, the government had figured it'd be better to keep this hush hush. They had promised Yogi that once Kafka was destroyed he'd be allowed to go "home". Because Kafka was an ongoing battle, Hirato knew he still had at least a little time before shit really hit the fan. If Yogi did turn on the government for keeping the truth from him it was Hirato's job to take care of Yogi since it was him who had dragged Yogi into this life instead of killing him on the grounds of being a Varuga all those years ago when he was only but a young ten year old.
"Y-yes?" Yogi said, getting to his feet, his stiff posture matching the wobbly knees.
"Tell Tsukumo that she is also to stay on board ship for going along with your scheme. The next time you two don't follow protocol it won't be just you that gets punished. You two are a team. If things had gone horribly wrong then what? What would you use as your defense Yogi?" Hirato spoke calmly and with the air of someone who was disciplining a child for repeating the same offense of spilling his milk over and over again.
Yogi swallowed dryly. "I...need to put Circus and our mission first," he said weakly.
Hirato nodded. "Damn straight. Dismissed." He looked away. Yogi flew out of the room, not wanting to be there another second. Yogi ran down the hallway only to have a sheep trip him.
"Whargh!?" He face planted at the red toed heels of a particular blue haired woman with a violet dress on with some scandalous leg showing for whatever reason. He quickly rolled to his feet.
"Ah? Yogi. There you are," Iva said, crossing her arms. "Have you seen Tsukumo?"
Yogi blinked. "Ah...she said she was in her room," he confessed.
Iva frowned. "Huh...that's strange. I didn't see her there."
Yogi frowned. "Oh, she may be in the kitchen. Nai was making tea with Karoku if I recall."
"Understood. Later," she turned on her heel and clacked down the hallway. Yogi took a deep breath. He ran a hand through his golden locks. Oh man. He had narrowly avoided the hang man's noose that time. Hirato was not happy with him one bit. But he knew that if Tsukumo had been the one to get scolded that she may not talk to Yogi for a week. His heart sank. She may even go as far as to hate him. He hugged himself. Please don't hate me. I only wanted to make children happy. He groaned. He already had Gareki giving him the cold shoulder most of the time. Gareki hadn't replied since that one time that he'd made nyanperowna stickers with Nai to send to Gareki since he had wanted to make less wordy messages for Gareki.
Yogi trudged to his room, his energy drained. He fell into his bed of stuffed nyanperowna animals. Hugging one to his chest, he caressed it's yellow head. Fiddling with the candy wrapper bow in it's right ear. He sniffled. "...uh...uh… " Yogi buried his face into his doll. "I … wish Gareki were here…"
Karoku had returned to his room. Nai noticed that Karoku looked lost in thought. Nai had left him to his books. Wandering the hall after enjoying a fun tea time talking about bugs and flowers, Nai was looking for Yogi's room. He found it with the help of one of the sheep. The ship was rather big and it was easy to get lost. There were a lot of noises so Nai had grown accustomed to tuning certain noises in and out thanks to Gareki's coaching.
"Thanks," he said to the sheep as he knocked on Yogi's door. "Ah, Yogi? Are you there?"
"Baah, you're welcome." The sheep trotted off.
There was no answer. Nai put his ear to the door. He could hear the sound of Yogi sleeping. He blinked. Oh. Now was a bad time to talk about his birthday. He pulled back. He trudged back in the direction of the room he shared with Gareki. He wouldn't allow himself to feel lonely when he was alone in that big room. No way.
He lay on his bed but after a few minutes he moved into Gareki's bed. His smell lingered if only a little. Nai's eyes watered. He curled up in a ball, sniffling into his arms. "I miss you...G-Gareki…" The little Niji trembled. This was going to be a long year. And he knew what he was about to do was probably not going to be the wisest and was probably going to be really reckless. Thanks to Karoku's lectures, Nai had a better understanding of what being "impulsive," "brash" and "brazen" meant.
Karoku heard a knock on his door. He didn't raise his head from his book on biomechanics. "Come in," he called as he read about the screws and bolts of putting together a basic mecha-arm. This was considered light reading for the blue haired young man. A familiar top hatted face popped in. Karoku stiffened like an angry cat preparing to hiss, though he was silently gazing at the words and diagrams on the pages.
Hirato quirked a brow, amused. "Well, hello to you too," he said, pulling up a chair and sitting on it at the small table near the bed. He left enough space between them this time. Earlier had been more for kicks anyways. He did love getting a rise out of this blue haired boy because unlike tsundere little Gareki, this guy actually came off as a harder nut to crack. As Karoku was not forthcoming with any further conversation, Hirato continued in his usual amused tone. "I'm here regarding the dream boy that Nai cooked up," and he was amused to see the boy twitch. He watched the internal battle the blue haired boy was clearly having over whether or not to give Hirato the time of day. "He's going to stay with Yogi in Yogi's room," he continued and he saw how the young man turned a page, "-and there's only one bed. They'll have to get cozy." That was the straw that snapped the camel's back.
"Like Hell I'm letting that blonde cat-loving freak touch Nai!" the book was thrown square in between Hirato's face with such speed and precision that Hirato's arm barely blocked it as the pages fluttered against his nose and cheek before the book fell to his feet at the floor. Well. Looks like he got the brat's attention. He smirked as the book made a clattering noise on the floor.
"Oh come now. This is Yogi we're talking about," Hirato said humorously, "...he touches just about anything that moves." He of course meant that non-sexually but it was funny to see Karoku's overprotective streak light up like the runway lights in an airport. Nai was honestly the best button to push with this guy. Hirato propped his chin into his hand, propping his elbow onto the table, and drumming his other hand on the table. "Now, if you can reign it in for a second, champ," He said amused, "Yogi can tell me if Nai sees things again."
"And I can't fulfill that?" Karoku asked coldly, though he gazed at Hirato with a tense sense of formality. Hirato sighed through his nose. Really, this kid was way less trusting than even Gareki, and that was saying something. Although Gareki was a lost street kid and this guy was a part of the enemy organization so technically speaking he figured he could understand this boy's cold attitude. Of course, he didn't seem to support Kafka in the least and Hirato was still having Jiki poke around to try to get more answers. Jiki and Kiichi could take care of that.
"Ah, well, Yogi is actually bored," Hirato spun a little white lie that wasn't entirely untruthful. "And I figured that since it's his birthday tomorrow as it is, it'd make him feel better to have a little "sleepover" with Nai. This isn't permanent. I merely want to put Nai with someone who is as innocent and if no doubt more clueless than he is," he hummed the slid in insult and Karoku began to wonder just what this four eyes was planning. Knowing it was pointless to argue and technically he knew he was a "prisoner" anyways of war, Karoku just turned away and hugging his knees to his chest, stared out of his window broodingly at the forest and the setting sun laid out before them. The sun set a bit later in this country. Places like Karasuna and Geraseki had an earlier sunset. Being set in the west, it was obvious the sun set in the east which was the direction of those places. There were many little countries sprinkled throughout the world and Karoku didn't know them all. But he knew one thing. He'd grown up Satanika.
Hirato got to his feet. He didn't see the need to harass Mr. Blueberry any further for the time being. He opened the door. He paused for a moment. "...You said that guy's birthday...is tomorrow?" he turned his head in surprise to look at Karoku. Karoku looked at him.
"Yes?" Hirato confirmed with arched brows.
"...I see," the boy looked out of his window wistfully. Hirato blinked. Was he trying to imply that he was going to celebrate it with the rest of them? Hirato smiled. Despite the boy's silent social ineptitude, he could see that he was trying.
"The party will be tomorrow around dinner time. I planned a little gathering so we'll be getting a visit from the First Ship as well. I even invited Dr. Akari," Hirato said cheerfully. The blue haired boy almost cracked a smirk. Almost. He knew as well as any of them that Dr. Akari as hell in a handbasket and he seemed especially low tolerant of Yogi's childishness.
"Is...the boy attending?" Karoku found himself asking.
Hirato knew of course who he was referring to. His face gave nothing away. "He has school, and unfortunately because he already blipped out once…" Hirato sighed. "My influence is only so much before he gets expelled."
Karoku nodded but Hirato noted how he visibly relaxed. Huh. So he was asking most likely so he could gauge whom Nai would be spending the most time with. Smirking to himself he left the room. Honestly, he was being a brat. It was like he was jealous. Hirato pause on the way to his own room for the evening. Huh. Jealous. He wondered how he hadn't noticed before. He laughed out loud. Some sheep looked at him strangely.
"Baah, detecting abnormal behavior," one of the sheep said.
A voice laughed from behind the sheep. "No, that's actually kind of normal."
Hirato's eyes widened. He whirled. Standing behind him was Tsukitachi, with his hands on his hips and a wide grin on his face. "Tsukitachi! What are you doing here? Why wasn't I notified?"
Tsukitachi smirked. "Aw, but I had to practice my infiltration skills," he teased. "Relax. I beamed myself here ahead of schedule. The rest of my crew can deal without me." He waved a hand dismissively. "I put Jiki in charge so it shouldn't be a problem. Besides, I wanted to see your baby face."
Hirato's eye twitched. He hated being told he had a baby face. By this guy. This guy was his friend since his own academy days. In fact, he was the only person seemingly in his age group who put up with his antics as Hirato tended to have a personality that easily split people down the middle. "Delightful." Tsukitachi giggled at Hirato's reply.
"Owch. Cold. Come on, I brought something to cheer you up," and he waved a bottle of fine wine in the air. Hirato perked up. Now Tsukitachi was talking. Like a puppy he didn't mind letting Tsukitachi lead them to the comfortable library space where they both sat down and proceeded to drink themselves drunk. Like good hard-working adults.
