Midnight
a GetBackers drabble

At the stroke of midnight he opens his eyes – and as they adjust to the darkness, he reaches out to the other in the bed, knowing for a few seconds what he has seen in every living moment, since that battle in a virtual Grand Canyon.
He is careful not to touch, however – Juubei rests so seldom, and so lightly, and he will not disturb this sleep.
Outside his window, the city lights are bright and frantic, twinkling insanely, as if to make up for the darkness of the towers that loom above them all.
Mugenjou. Infinity City. A home, and an adversary in itself.
And he and Juubei are as close to its living heart as it is possible to approach.
This room has been made up as a private adjunct to Pharmacist Gen's little infirmary – a semi-long-term residence for a man so mysteriously blinded, betrayed by his own knowledge. It is the center of the search for his cure.
Kadzuki remembers the understanding in Ginji's eyes, the remorse in Makubex's, the hope in Sakura's.
And the quiet understanding in Midou Ban's eyes, behind those dark lenses, still staggers him, more than twelve hours later. Only this afternoon in the Honky Tonk, over cups of Paul's excellent coffee and Natsumi's cheer, did he tell them of his plans. And in the reactions – for a moment he, too, has caught a glimpse of the man his former Thunder Emperor now follows.
/Even if all there is is the merest chance, I must not lose hope. I must not give in to the darkness for I must lead him out of it/
Juubei stirs then, the covers rustling as he slowly sits up. The crazy light from outside the borders of Mugenjou flickers across his impassive features, bringing grotesque life to his unseeing eyes. 'Kadzuki.' It is never a question, when his protector says his name. It is the knowledge of who he was – who they had been – and who he has become – and what they are now.
'Juubei. I was woken up by the cars outside...well, it's over now. Please, let's sleep.'
Juubei is warm, Kadzuki thinks, as they pull the light blankets back on.