Nothing was different but everything had changed and Johan found that he didn t quite know how to feel. He was lighter, free in a way that he had never experienced before.
With that lightness came more perspective, more depth of experience. Before, Tenma was the one person who Johan felt for, but could not read. Now, as if their conversations had finally unlocked a veil over his eyes, he could see him clearer than ever before.
Tenma was pale with exhaustion, dark circles under his eyes. The lines in his face so faint only a few years ago were etched deeper every day. Johan kept silent as they walked back, but finally could hold it in no longer.
Why did you come back to Japan? He broke into the silence between them as the doctor brushed sand off his bare feet, sitting on the back porch of the house.
Tenma was silent, his eyes a bit distant, not meeting Johan s.
Johan pressed him, frustrated. Is this place your Ruenheim?
Tenma frowned deeply, finally looking at him, searchingly. He didn t answer and Johan, frustrated, prodded him again. Is it? Did you come here to die ?
perhaps it was, in a way. Tenma sighed, looking down.
Johan felt almost like flinching, not sure how he felt furious, terrified, relieved. Was? He asked, deliberately keeping the sharp edges from his voice.
Things never stop changing, do they?
Johan growled under his breath and leaned in for a deep kiss aiming to steal the doctor s breath away. If he could just make him forget, make them both forget in this moment . His fingers grabbed madly for Tenma s buttons and he was reassured when Tenma s hands echoed his own, shedding clothes with abandon.
He pressed him back into the wood deck, harder than he thought judging by the way Tenma broke the kiss with a gasp, but it didn t slow either of them down, Johan settling on top of him.
This was right. Real. And he wouldn t let it go, now that he had it.
----
It was a matter of simple research to connect Hattori and Endou Kenji. Tenma s mouth compressed into a fine line when the connection was discovered.
It was a relief when he decided to visit Kenji, and when Tenma insisted on going alone. Johan wanted his own chance to slip off. After all, if he was going to fight for Tenma and for the world, he had to look his enemy in the eye.
It was easy to slip undetected into Hattori s home, to be waiting at the kitchen table when Hattori stepped out of the bedroom in the morning. Johan noted immediately, with a certain satisfaction, the bandage on his shoulder the way his arm was held by a sling.
Good morning, Hattori-san. Or perhaps I should call you Fukubei, like your friends do.
Hattori s eyes narrowed, boring down into Johan s. He felt almost like smiling at the tightening around the corners of Hattori s mouth, the rage in his eyes. You re not my friend.
Johan nodded to concede the point, glad that the tiresome nonsense about trespassing and calling the police was bypassed at any rate. And you aren t theirs either.
Hattori snorted lightly. Why are you here?
Tenma-sensei is mine.
The anger in Hattori s eyes was even clearer now and Johan allowed the smile to show just a bit on his lips.
Yours, you say? Hattori stepped in slowly, but stopped short when Johan brought a gun up calmly, leveling it at his head. He didn t believe Hattori was armed, but he was nothing if not cautious.
The other man s eyes focused on the gun, his lip curling slowly. Your boyfriend s, I presume? Hattori s voice was icy.
Please. Tenma-sensei would not buy himself a gun again I had to force him to take the one he s currently carrying. Johan waved with it a little. Do sit.
I wondered where he learned to shoot. Hattori slipped back into his pleasant role, taking the seat, eyes meeting Tenma s solidly. I suppose you taught him.
Not directly. Johan smiled softly. Though he did learn because of me.
Hattori stared at him uncomprehendingly for several moments before he inhaled sharply, eyes widening with understanding. The newspapers said he was mistaken for a serial killer the worst one in German history. He trailed off.
Johan sat with him in silence, enjoying the moment. From experience he knew it wasn t easy to bring someone like this to a revelation that stunned them. He himself almost never had that moment but then Hattori was nowhere near his caliber.
It was never my intent to have Tenma-sensei implicated. Johan said smoothly, sipping the tea he made. I have a very strong interest in his well-being.
And so you re threatening me. Hattori shook off the shock.
Johan shrugged. I m simply giving you the information you need to make an educated decision about your plans.
Plans? Hattori said smoothly, looking the picture of innocence as he folded his hands on the table.
Plans. Johan shook his head. Don t be foolish. I of course know. As does Tenma-sensei. He allowed himself to smile, to allow admiration to enter his voice. You would be surprised at how competent a detective he is.
I m sure. Hattori drawled a little. And so what exactly is your point, here?
Johan shrugged. Call it professional courtesy. You should know that I have no intention of allowing you to upset Tenma-sensei. And considering that your plans would upset him very much
You intend to interfere. Hattori grit, and not for the first time Johan marveled at his lack of control.
Johan shrugged. Well yes. I do wish to protect my own interests. In fact, Tenma-sensei is currently speaking with Endou-san.
Kenji-kun He said the name slowly, as if in a dream. What have you told him..?
Soon he ll know everything.
Hattori s eyes narrowed. You are becoming quite inconvenient.
Should I apologize? Johan smirked a little, standing gracefully. Be thankful you aren t dead already.
If you haven t killed me by now, you won t. He sneered. I think you ve lost your nerve.
Johan held back a soft laugh, just giving him a small, mocking bow. Think about it What do you do with the world when you have it?
The other s face was cold and set in harsh lines. What on earth are you talking about?
It is a question I was never quite able to answer, myself. I wondered if you have an answer for it Johan watched him for a heartbeat before shaking his head. But you do not. You seem to have less than an answer than I ever did.
----
Kenji? He said it quietly, knowing it was him but the years had changed his friend quite a bit.
Kenji grinned and it was him again, that same manic smile that used to warm Tenma when they were still practically children. Kenzou! Come in!
Thank you. He murmured it softly, smiling and letting himself be ushered in, finding himself quickly seated, with a cup of tea.
I was surprised to get your call Kenji leaned back on his hands, watching him. Though I guess I shouldn t be. After all, your friend was here not too long ago
Friend? Tenma blinked.
Blonde guy. Franz or Fritz or
Johan? Tenma s eyes were wide and he tried to regain his centered self.
Oh.. was that his name? Really? I could ve sworn he said something besides that Kenji s head was tilted, eyes narrowed, thinking.
Perhaps it was his accent. Tenma kept his voice to a murmur, sipping his tea. Well no wonder Johan seemed to know so much about him. He had certainly done his research.
Maybe. He shrugged. He didn t tell you he d been here? So I guess that means he didn t give you back that demo tape I lent him
Tenma sputtered a little. You lent him that piece of crap?
It wasn t crap! Kenji was laughing, and Tenma found himself doing so too. They d had this argument so many times before, it felt like old times.
It was an you know it, Kenji I can t believe it s seen the light of day again.
Well that s what you get for being ridiculously talented at everything you do. The other man chuckled. So what s up? I get the feeling that this isn t just about catching up.
Tenma s face eased out of the smile and he sighed a little, putting down his tea. It s about Hattori-san.
Who?
Hattori-san your childhood friend.
Who? Kenji looked more mystified, and Tenma sat for a moment, unsure how to continue.
After a moment he frowned, pulling out his wallet, digging in it and pulling out a picture. Here.
Oh! Kenji exclaimed as soon as he looked at it. Fukubei, you mean.
Fukubei?
Yeah, that s what we always called him. Kenji smiled in what seemed to be fond remembrance. We all had nicknames. I forgot his real name. Hattori, you said?
Yes.
Kenji nodded thoughtfully, frown lines appearing on his forehead. Is everything okay with him?
Tenma shook his head, mutely. There s something you should know. You ve heard of the Friend cult, right?
Kenji s face changed, becoming serious in a heartbeat. Yes.
Hattori Fukubei-san is Friend.
