Title: Rearview Mirror
Author/Artist: Amethyst Hunter
Pairing: Ban/Akabane
Fandom: Get Backers
Theme: #1 - "look over here"
Rating: PG
Warnings/Spoilers: None
Notes: A short n' sweet sequel to The Gift That Keeps On Giving and Rainbow - it's Ban's turn to give Akabane a goody. (Yes, I had way too much fun writing these. XD )
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em.
Summary: Shiny objects attract certain kinds of people…unluckily for Kagami.
--
It hung smugly from the rearview mirror of Maguruma's truck, dazzling in its luminescence whenever a streak of light - sun or artificial - brushed a bright kiss past its curves. He wasn't exactly thrilled with its presence, thinking that he'd sooner have a pair of fuzzy dice strung up there, but at least it was just for the one trip and given who'd put it up a potential argument and subsequent J-cutting wasn't worth the trouble.
Akabane noticed him staring at it. He reached over Maguruma's shoulder and lightly flicked it with his thumb and forefinger, causing it to sway with a pendulum's motion. "You are getting sleepy…very sleepy…soon you will be completely under my control…" he teased.
Maguruma just grunted. "Who's having us move this thing anyway?" Usually they didn't bother asking unnecessary questions about their cargo but this was a bizarre exception.
Himiko spoke up from the passenger seat. "Mr. Invincible Super-Snake, who else?" she muttered. "He'd better not stiff us on the delivery fee…" Her fingers absently caressed a small bottle of amber liquid, tucked safely in her armory belt.
Akabane chuckled. "It makes no difference to me. Already I can tell that this is going to be a most enjoyable assignment."
Himiko shot him a sour look. She hadn't yet made up her mind whether or not his attaching himself to Ban was an altogether good thing. Since they'd formed their relationship Jackal had cut back on the body count, which relieved her as she didn't care to see so much gore on the job. The downside was that he could be twice as insufferable to work with, and Himiko wouldn't have been surprised to learn that some of Ban's snarkiness was rubbing off on him. "Oh, really. What was your first clue, the cargo itself or that stupid note he sent with it?"
Purple eyes twinkled mischievously. "Now, Himiko-san. You know Midou-kun only has your best interests at heart. As do I," he said as his tone turned haughty. "You deserve a proper suitor, not some - " Akabane looked at Maguruma - "what was it that Midou-kun said?"
"Bar host," Maguruma said, not taking his eyes from the road he was navigating.
"Ah, yes. A proper gentleman caller, not some, and I quote, 'lame cheap-assed Rod Stewart wannabe bar host.' Mm?"
Face aflame with embarrassment, Himiko said through gritted teeth, "I don't need either of you telling me who I should or shouldn't date. Not that I ever had any intention of going out with Kagami," she said quickly upon noticing the slight downward quirk of Akabane's eyebrow beneath his hat. He was oddly…protective of her at times, she'd noticed, and it was starting to make her curious.
She took out the note that Ban had included with their transport item and unfolded it, reading it again:
Jackal,
Hope you like your present. It's from both me and Ginji. Behave yourself at work tonight and I'll see you later.
X O X O X O X O,
The Great Invincible Ban Midou
P.S.: Tell Sparkles if I catch him hitting on Himiko again he'll be wearing his balls for earrings.
She sighed. It was nice, she supposed, to be cared for…even if one's guardians happened to be an arrogant ass and a bloodthirsty sociopath.
A muted chuckle made her look up. Akabane was watching her with an undisguised smirk. "What's so funny?"
"Don't you wonder what Kagami-kun's expression must have been when he discovered it was missing?"
In spite of herself Himiko let a small smile sneak past her thinned lips. "Knowing Ban he didn't just sneak up and swipe it while Kagami was sleeping, I'm sure."
Akabane laughed delightedly at that. "Yes, our dear Midou-kun can be quite imaginative, I've learned."
"Comes with the territory," Himiko said. "He's the one with the fantastic visions, after all - "
A muffled thump hit the roof of the truck.
"Aw, I just had Betty washed and waxed, too," Maguruma complained.
"Ah, that will be the recovery service. Arrived in a timely fashion as promised, I see. Excellent." Akabane grinned and filled his hands with scalpels as he saw the creeping reflection of a windswept blond mane and white suit in the rearview mirror. "Everyone should be so fortunate as to enjoy their work, don't you think?"
