A/N: Oh no, it looks like I'm hitting a slump – thank god this fic's almost over! That's right, probably only one or two more chapters until it's over, man! First real fic I've finished in ages – but let's not count the chickens before they hatch, or whatever.
They're getting shorter...
Kuja's hand is still in his when Amarant wakes up. He still feels tired, but he's big and pretty strong when it comes to near death experiences, so he knows it'll pass.
The Genome's asleep in the chair beside the bed, head at an awkward position. His neck is going to get stiff – if it isn't already – and Amarant sighs, sitting up slowly. He's hungry, and maybe, if it's not already too late, that little barmaid – Janelle, he has to remind himself that she has a name – will be up and able to fix him something. If not, he'll scrounge. He stands, hobbles towards the door.
"Where are you going?"
Kuja's looking at him, hair matted and falling in his face, eyes tired.
"Food," he mutters, stretching an arm. "What, you expect me to be comatose for three days?"
"It hasn't been three days. Only two."
Amarant blinks and looks at the monkey, feeling physically struck. "What?"
Kuja sits up and stretches, cracking his neck and sighing. "You've been asleep for two days. We were worried."
"Hn. Don't worry about me," Amarant grumbles, "I can handle myself."
"I'm sure you can," Kuja starts, standing up and crossing his arms, "But it won't stop me – us, from worrying. You've got two girls who like you, and one man who owes you his life."
"We've gone from placing blame to you owing me a life?" Amarant frowns. What's happened in two days might throw him off ever understanding Kuja.
Kuja runs a hand through his hair and Amarant realizes he doesn't look like he's slept very much – or eaten.
"...Come on," the bounty hunter mutters, "You look like you haven't eaten in a while." Kuja stares at him for a moment, and Amarant rolls his eyes. "You're going to follow me, anyways. At least now I don't feel like I'm being stalked." With that, he turns and leaves the room. Just like at the warehouse, he can tell Kuja's following even if he can't see him.
They get downstairs and Janelle greets them with a surprised hello. Lani, sitting at one of the tables, ignores them for the most part, only giving Amarant a quick eye roll. Nothing surprising – Lani always knows he's going to be okay.
"Can we get some food?" Amarant asks, and Janelle nods, laughing suddenly and throwing relieved arms around him in a hug, before blushing and quickly stepping back, eyes darting from Amarant to Kuja.
"He's not going to bite you," Kuja drawls, "No matter how snappish he might be."
"I'll get you something good to eat, Mr. Amarant. I – we were so worried!" She hurries back into the kitchen and Amarant looks around.
"Two questions."
"Shoot," Lani says idly, looking up.
"Why is this place practically empty, and what the hell happened?"
"It's empty because it's nearly one in the morning and all the decent people are asleep, and not much. We-" meaning they "Were too worried to go out and scrounge for information." Meaning they were worried and Lani didn't find anything.
Kuja sighs and falls into a chair, looking worn out. Amarant begins to form a question, but Lani shakes her head and he doesn't ask. She'll tell him later – she'll tell him everything later.
Janelle comes out with bread, fruit, salad, and cold meats – Amarant's glad she didn't go through the trouble of heating it. They all sit at one of the larger tables and take whatever they want – Kuja eats a surprising amount of meat, considering how little he's eaten since Amarant found him. Lani and Janelle are talking about some fop who came into the inn earlier. Kuja makes a few small, smartass remarks, but otherwise he's quiet, eating slowly and giving Amarant shaded looks with weary eyes.
Amarant has no clue what's happened, but he can tell something's changed. The air is charged but not frozen like the times Kuja's gone trance. The girls seem to be fine but maybe it's happened to everyone but himself, so only he notices. He wants to ask, but he knows that sooner or later, everything will come out – it always does, and he always treats situations like this the same. He always will.
Amarant eats as much as he can – he still feels tired so he's slower, sloppier, and then he gets up.
"I'm going to get more rest," he mutters, giving Lani a quick look, telling her silently that she was going to have to tell him what had really happened. He's not too worried about the cutthroats – not like Kuja and Janelle, apparently. He knows that eventually they'll screw up, and he'll be there to grab them by the neck.
Amarant gets to his room and sits on the bed, hanging his head. He feels a lot more tired than he thought he really was. Once Lani comes and tells him what they've been doing for the last two days, he can sleep some more.
Lani is punctual for the first time in their relationship. She comes in and shuts the door, locking it after her, and taking a place by the wall, leaning back and perfecting her Amarant look.
"So?" Amarant asks, looking at her. She stares back, eyes unreadable – another first.
"So what?"
"What happened? I'm out of commission for two days, and suddenly you all act... differently."
Lani sighs, and shakes her head. "While you were out... Not much really happened. I was telling you the truth – we were worried about you."
"That's bullshit, Lani," Amarant says, voice calm and casual. He doesn't mean anything by it. "You know you don't give a shit about me – you don't need to."
"Maybe it's time I started. You obviously can't handle yourself anymore." Amarant glares daggers at her, and she shrugs. "I'm only telling you what I'm seeing."
"And what are you seeing? Remember, you're still talking to a guy three times as big as you."
"Doesn't mean anything," she drawls, "I can take you out. Hell, you get cut on your arm and you're knocked out for two days!"
"It was enchanted, you fool. And I think it was enchanted to do just that – put me out of commission for a few days."
"Why, so you could get some good sleep for once in your life?" Lani frowns in annoyance, "So you can have Kuja fawn all over you?"
"Careful, Lani, you might start sounding jealous." The words are unbidden and Amarant knows better than to bring up old feelings. She shoots him a withering glare. He thinks he should apologize but he doesn't. "Kuja doesn't fawn over me."
Lani laughs a little, shaking her head. "Hah," she breathes. "You have absolutely no clue."
Amarant waves a hand at her, "Don't start talking about body language and watching Kuja, that barmaid already gave me that one."
"Yeah, she told me. I knew you wouldn't get it." Lani laughs again, "You know what? I have no idea what's going on. Absolutely zero. I've been too busy worrying about whether or not that blade was poisoned or had a death curse on it to bother looking around for your attackers. And don't say I don't give a shit," she shakes a finger at him, "Of course I do. You're always going to be my partner, Ama', and besides, Kuja's been damned near breathing worry for you. Of course we'd pick up a bit."
Amarant watches Lani for a moment, curious. "Worried about me."
"Yeah."
"You."
"Is that so hard to believe?" Lani comes to the bed, sitting beside Amarant and looking at the floor. "I mean, just because I know you can handle yourself doesn't mean I don't worry. When you left with that monkey kid, I was worried you were going to die or do something stupid." She grins at him, "Which, you did – you went and played hero. Stupid Ama', you weren't supposed to realize you could do that."
"I didn't play hero," Amarant sighs, "Zidane did all of that. I just hung around because it was more interesting then going to the damned warehouse and looking for bounties and watching you get drunk off your ass."
"Oh, like you didn't do the same."
Amarant smirks. Oh, of course he got blasted right along with Lani – he didn't want to bother having to control her while she was drunk. Besides, the girls seemed to come up to him in hordes when he'd be drinking. Lani always said that they felt safer because he was so out of his mind that he couldn't hurt anyone.
He never told her he could kill a man in twenty seconds or less after twenty drinks. He's timed it.
"What really happened, over there? I never got the full story, other than," Lani puts on a deep voice, crossing her arms, "I kicked some bad guy's ass so now we can drink again."
Amarant chuckles.
"You never collected bounty for that guy you killed, you know. If he was as bad as you said – what was it, 'blew up a world'? If he was so bad, he would've had a bounty." Lani frowns, thoughtfully. "You haven't collected a single bounty since then."
"I don't see the point anymore."
"Did that guy have a bounty? Did you really get it and not tell me? Because you always said that the only reason you would stop fighting would be if you got millions for it."
"There wasn't a bounty. He doesn't have and probably will never have a price on his head."
"Can't get a price if you're dead," Lani drawls.
"He isn't dead."
Lani stares at him and he sighs when she exclaims, inevitably, "You said you killed him!"
"I did. Zidane did. Zidane saw him die."
"You didn't?" Amarant shakes his head. "Maybe he was wrong? I mean, just getting word of mouth isn't the same..."
"...Zidane buried him. He was dead." At Lani's questioning stare, "They were brothers."
"...Oh...?" Lani sighs. "Maybe it's him who's-"
"It's not. Lani, don't go digging. Just trust me," Amarant stops, looking at Lani. She's a smart woman, she'll figure it out later, once this is over and he's away from Kuja and all of the all over again. He reaches out and touches her cheek, "Just trust me."
"...You know I trust you about as far as I can throw you," she jokes weakly. Amarant grins.
"Not very much, huh?" He shakes his head and stretches. "I'm still worn out."
"You should sleep more. I'll let everyone know you're feeling better." She gets up and he lays down, crossing his arms behind his head. Lani reaches the door, then hesitates after unlocking it. "Ama'?"
"Hn."
"...Kuja's more than you think."
He moves to look at her but she's already out the door, closing it after her. He sighs, closing his eyes. A few deep breaths, and he can hear the sea.
Amarant wakes up and there's loud singing coming from down below. Sunlight is seeping through the window and he realizes he's been asleep for a while. When he gets up, he can feel his muscles and he can think straight and walk straight – he must be better now. Stretching, he heads downstairs, in search of someone in charge so he might beat them into shutting up the singer.
It's Arok, and he's cooking.
"I'm going back to bed."
Amarant turns and starts back upstairs, when Kuja's voice catches him. "We're leaving for Alexandria today." His voice is calm and cool, and completely different from before. The bounty hunter looks at the Genome curiously.
"All of a sudden?"
"It's best we leave as soon as possible. Besides, we have to let Lani do her work and discontinue imposing upon Janelle." Still cool, calm, and noble. It's almost annoying.
"'m gonna take y'all t' th' Gargan Roo. It'll take y' direct t' Alexandria."
Amarant frowns, looking at Arok, who's grinning stupidly. "The Gargan Roo hasn't been used in a very long time."
"Naw, naw, th' Queen ordered it open 'cos she ain't takin' airships. 's only fifty gil a ticket. 'N I needa go t' Alexandria, t' see my sister, so I offered t' take y'all."
"How nice." Amarant looks at Kuja and tries to gauge him, but it's impossible. He's wearing a solemn noble's mask and he's not going to take it off for Amarant of all people. He wonders what's happened to make Kuja suddenly stiff and regal, when just a few days ago they were drinking and dancing with cutthroats and pickpockets.
Lani looks at him but offers no answers, shrugging and looking back at her food. It looks good and smells good, so when Arok passes him a plate he eats without too much fighting.
"When you're packed, we can leave," Kuja tells him as he eats, and he nods – it's not like he's brought suitcases full of stuff. He wants to know what Kuja's doing with his stuff, but it's not his problem.
Kuja isn't his problem.
He climbs the stairs after eating and manages to find his old shirt, crumpled up on the floor and half hidden under the dresser. He gives it a long look and then pulls it on over the shirt Kuja gave him – he's too lethargic to change completely and besides, what's the point?
Kuja and Arok are waiting at the door. He gives Lani one long, final look, and they both realize that it's going to be a very long time until they see each other again. Janelle looks over the entire group with omniscient eyes. She knows the most about everyone here, Amarant figures, and she's probably not going to tell him any of it ever. Not that he'll need to know what Kuja's thinking, or how Lani feels about him, after they leave Treno.
He'll make a point not to come back.
Kuja only has a small satchel and the bounty hunter wonders where all of his soaps, perfumes, and candles disappeared to. He realizes that Lani's wearing those red earrings Kuja bought, so maybe most of his stuff was split between the two girls.
Once he gets to Alexandria, he'll probably be royalty. Zidane and Garnet will probably want him to stay at the castle.
They move through the streets easily – Arok's chattering on about something stupid, not noticing that neither Kuja nor Amarant are paying him any attention. Or maybe he does notice, but doesn't want to draw attention to the suddenly stiff air around them.
Arok gets three tickets and they move through another crowd to a new entrance to the Gargan Roo – they've opened up the tunnel so that it's accessible from the street. Kuja smiles blandly at a few people he knows and Amarant crosses his arms, stalking after him and Arok as they move through the tunnel, sloping and being lit by ample candles, to the main platform.
"Tickets, please," a small little guy asks them, and Arok gives them to him. "You'll need to wait for the next Gargant, sir."
"Why?" Arok asks, blinking. The man gives Amarant a worried look.
"The Gargant won't be able to carry all three of you. One of you will need to wait until the next one."
"Ah, 'kay, y'two go on 'n I'll see y' 'round, then." The smaller bounty hunter insists so Kuja and Amarant climb into the carriage – one of the five that are constantly moving along the tracks.
The Gargant is loose and they sway a bit as the beast moves forward, speeding up and slipping into the black tunnel. The only light is from the lanterns hanging at the four corners of the carriage – it feels like they're a single spot in the universe.
Kuja is sitting across from Amarant, hands in his lap, looking out into the black to their left. His hair glows silver in the lamplight, and his eyes...
Amarant needs to be much more drunk before he can look at Kuja like that.
"Once we reach Alexandria castle," Kuja begins, voice quiet and loud at the same time, "I'll be out of your hair."
"Yeah."
"I'll have Moko or one of his compatriots deliver your payment to the inn at Alexandria, unless you're planning on leaving sooner."
Amarant frowns. "Why are you paying me?"
Kuja finally looks at him and he looks so different. "Why wouldn't I? You've successfully transported myself to Alexandria, and have allowed me selected freedoms, considering my current state of affairs. I think that deserves due payment."
Amarant crosses his arms and frowns. This isn't how he wanted to split off from Kuja – with a paycheck and a smooth, faceless glance back.
"...Why are you talking like that?" he asks, and though it's not what he wanted to say, it works the same.
"...I..." Kuja takes a few deep breaths, looking at the black again, lips curving into a smile that doesn't seem happy at all. "If I try to use my emotions, I'm sure the result will be unpleasant. The last way I'd want my brother to see me is blowing up half of his lover's kingdom."
"...Hn."
"So, when we get to Alexandria, do you want to escort me to the castle, or would you prefer to just await your pay at the inn?"
Amarant looks at Kuja – really and truly looks – and doesn't see anything at all.
"I'll go with you."
He sees Kuja's eyes flicker, as if he was holding back something, and Kuja's shoulders slope slightly.
"Thank you."
Lights come up around them, swiftly, and they are in the sun. Alexandria castle looms over them and Amarant hears Kuja let out a deep breath.
"Thank you for traveling with the Gargan Roo," another small little guy drones, "We hope you had a pleasant journey. Please exit to your left."
Amarant and Kuja slip to the left and they stop, standing and facing the castle.
"Are you...?" Amarant stops. He doesn't care, his head insists, just ten minutes and he'll be free...
"Let's go."
They move past traveling salesmen and food stands, past nobles and peasants, people going about daily business and Amarant only just notices a kid playing the violin. He doesn't tell Kuja and they pass right by without a glance from the kid. His arm starts to ache but it'll go away, he's sure of it.
The castle is close and the guards are moving to let them pass. They're expected. The courtyard is alive with training for new royal guards and if Amarant looks closely he can see Steiner in the distance, issuing orders to his knights. He wants to laugh but can't find it in him.
Kuja stops at the steps and Amarant frowns, turning back to look and see why he's stopped.
Zidane stands there – totally decked out, he's a regular prince now – staring at Kuja in an amazed, bursting awe – surprise, shock, horror, excitement, joy – they're all there and accounted for.
"Kuja...?"
"Zidane."
The air crackles.
"I...I'm so... sorry." Zidane laughs nervously, scratching the back of his neck, looking awkward. "I'm... no good at reunions."
"Neither am I," Kuja responds, voice soft again and he's smiling – but it's still not quite happy.
"How are you...? I don't get, I mean... I can't understand..."
"Neither can I." Kuja goes up the steps and Zidane doesn't back away – they've got an understanding.
Amarant wonders what happened at the Iifa tree before Kuja died. Zidane never told him. Probably wouldn't tell him even if he asked.
"I'd like to request your help to solve such a mystery as my own second coming," Kuja speaks smoothly and nobly and oh, yes, Zidane's eyes flash with worry, because the Genome sounds so much like he used to. "If you and Queen Garnet are willing and capable of such."
"...Sure – I mean, I think we can. I don't know how much we can help you, but I'm sure Dagger won't mind."
"Thank you." Kuja turns and looks at Amarant directly, smiling that same stupid smile that doesn't even really count. "Again, thank you, Amarant, for escorting me from such a long distance."
Zidane doesn't say anything, but Amarant can tell he wants to. The bounty hunter shrugs, crosses his arms, and replies, "Hm. I'll be at the inn."
He turns, walks away, and refuses to look back.
And that is it.
This is not the end.