Written: 11.10.03
Pairing: Ginji + Ban
Warnings: shounen ai, sap, fluff
Spoilers: Episode 42 (not major, it just refers to something Paul said.)
Separation by Lev
Ginji stared at the roof of Ban's car, unable to sleep. He peered at Ban out of the corner of his eye and saw that his eyes were closed, but that didn't necessarily mean he was sleeping.
"Ban-chan?" Ginji whispered.
One brilliant blue eye opened. "Hm?"
"Do you..." He trailed off. It sounded childish and irrational now in his mind--he couldn't say it. "Ah... I was just wondering if you were awake."
Ban turned in the seat to face his partner. "I obviously am. Something bothering you, Ginji?" Ban's tone clearly implied that he knew something was, but he wasn't going to pry.
"Ah, Ban-chan, can we go sit in the park for a while?"
Ban didn't reply, but silently got out of the car and waited for Ginji to walk around to his side. They crossed the deserted street and entered the heavily shadowed park; Ban hung back a step, letting Ginji take the lead. They ended up sitting on the slope of a small, grassy hill, staring at the stars. Ginji sat very near to his partner, almost touching--suddenly he wished they were closer, just to reassure himself that Ban was still there...
It was glaringly obvious to Ban that the man beside him was very upset about something. They'd had a busy day, and normally the blond slept heavily after so much activity. He nudged a bit closer, repositioning himself so he was supporting his weight on his arms, letting their shoulders come into firm contact. Ginji glanced at him, faintly startled but grateful. Ban just smiled at him.
After several minutes of silence, Ban flopped onto his back, tugging Ginji with him. Ginji, caught off guard, landed sprawled on Ban's chest with a soft, "Oof." His first reaction was to pull away--Ban generally didn't like people touching him--but Ban's arm descended gently on his shoulders, silently telling him he was more than welcome to stay. He wiggled around a bit to make himself more comfortable, letting out a small sigh of contentment, worries momentarily forgotten.
Ban stared at the blond-haired head resting on his chest, wondering what had Ginji so worried. He'd been subdued ever since they left the Honky Tonk, but nothing particularly upsetting had happened ther-- "Ginji..."
"Ban-chan?" Ginji sounded at ease and more than a bit sleepy and Ban was almost sorry to continue.
"Were you thinking about what Paul said?" He felt Ginji flinch against his chest. "About--"
"A time coming for us to separate," he finished. "Ban-chan, I--I..."
"Paul's right."
Ginji's eyes widened, then he squeezed them shut. That was not supposed to be Ban's answer--he was supposed to say that... that... He stopped himself from crying, but tears still silently collected in his eyes.
"As much as I don't like to think about it," Ban continued after a moment, "we're going to die sometime. I'd kind of like us to die at the same time so we could meet up in the afterlife as soon as possible, though."
Brown eyes snapped open and Ginji levered himself up so he could look Ban in the eye. "B-Ban-chan..." A blindingly happy smile lit Ginji's face as he hugged Ban as best he could lying on the ground. "Ban-chaaaan."
Ban laughed quietly and ruffled Ginji's hair, leaving his fingers intertwined with the blond locks. "I thought that's what was bothering you. Paul and his friend... they're different from us."
Ginji nodded, snuggling into Ban's chest even more. "Together forever," he proclaimed happily, and quite promptly fell asleep.