Warnings: Spoilers through volume three of the manga.
Notes: Extended version (for the folks who don't have the song to listen to while reading). This time, the writing is matched better to the lyrics and can affect both what comes before and after them. As a consolation there is more content in this one.
Disclaimer: "Destination: Anywhere" is owned by Jon Bon Jovi; appearing on his solo album of the same name. Yellow is owned by Makoto Tateno; published in English by Digital Manga, Inc. Lyrics taken from Songme.

Destination: Anywhere - Extended Version

Light streams in through the uncovered window as Taki dresses. It is morning, but the only sound to be heard is the quiet rustling of fabric on body. He buttons his jacket from the top down. One button and then the next. It's nearly time to go as he stalls, savoring these last few moments. At last he brings his hands up to his ear gently.

Hey babe, it's me parked outside your house

I know that he's asleep, so listen to me now

It's probably cold outside, but Taki doesn't feel it. All he feels as he steps out of the building is his conviction.

"I will protect you," he thinks. "I love you."

In all this time it took until now for him to come to understand. The clarity gives him strength. His steps bring him further from where he wants to be, but that's okay. This is where he needs to go. This is what he needs to do.

Darlin', I'm tired of living just in your dreams

I'm getting out

"Even though I couldn't say it once," his only regret.

His eyes reflect a fondness, a mind that made up. "From now on, no matter what... I won't let anyone..."

You know we both sold our souls

We're just growing old in this sleepy, dead-end town

Taki reaches the overpass where the car is parked, waiting for him. Mizuki's arm reaches out and grabs his. The door opens and he steps through.

He's gone.

Destination anywhere - Name the place, I'll be there

Pack a bag and we're out of here - let's run

Goh sits at the bar dejectedly. His only real company his sorrow. His lover, his partner, has abandoned him. He vows never to trust again.

A man walks through the door. They exchange greetings and size each other up. Two gorgeous men in the prime of their lives. One gay: Goh. One straight: Taki. Their chemistry is immediate.

Taki stands over Goh and offers his hand. A partnership.

Baby, we both been running uphill for too long

We both settled for something, got nothing

And we both know that it's wrong

The warehouse is cold, dark and packed with boxes. Taki and Goh, paired in black, search stealthily. A job.Their job. Find the drugs, steal the drugs, get paid. Tonight they depart empty-handed.

At home, Goh sneezes and Taki offers him something to drink.Goh takes Taki's mouth instead, but Taki only looks into Goh's eyes stiffly.

Almost pain as they create space between them. Partners and nothing more. Lean on each other. Save each other.Fight with each other, but never love each other; never get close.

Go on admit it if we lived it

I'm leaving, get your boots and come on

Jealous lovers and unreturned advances. Goh gives, but Taki doesn't take. He won't believe that the feelings are real for either of them.

"To become lovers, sexual preferences must match."

I've got my coat and my keys

I need you next to me then I'm gone, come on

When Taki is kidnapped by one jealous lover, Goh throws his relationship away to save him. When Taki is attacked protecting their only link in their case, Goh throws the haul away to have him returned. His kisses are met with punches. His wandering hands met with the barrel of a gun.

"No matter how deeply someone loves another..."

When Goh needs Taki to save him in return, the man obliges. He'll spare no effort to find and free the man from corrupt cops or fight his way through any brawl to keep his partner safe.

They would live for each other and die for each other, but love each other?

"...Perhaps there is a love that cannot be shared in bed."

Destination anywhere - Name the place and I'll be there

Pack a bag and we're out of here - let's run

Another case, another day. Taki rifles through a barren apartment as Goh distracts their target. Taki is caught and shot in the leg by a desperate man. He is saved by Goh, only to be shot himself from behind.

As Goh lays bleeding in Taki's arms he offers himself again. "Taki... Buzz off."

Destination anywhere - Left or right, I don't care

Taki panics as he rushes Goh down the fire escape. He won't abandon the other. He curses himself for his foolishness. They fall to the ground in a heap. The sun sets as the two lay in each others' arms on the ground; bleeding, spent.

Taki ponders his regrets. "Ah... I wish I told him that before... That I..."

Baby we'll just disappear like the sun, ooh...

Lived for another day they eat breakfast together when a young man walks through the door, introducing himself as Kei, Goh's former partner. Invading the space between them and creating new tension between the two men.

"You know, Taki? Maybe you're jealous?"

Taki nearly cracks and Goh nearly has him. Terrible secrets and painful memories.

"What if I... became one with you. Could something change?"

Kei's jealousy breaks and Taki has to save them both.

"I wonder if I'd ever let you know everything about me."

They are left only with a warning: "...Don't share a bed, you two."

When these wheels spin, baby they can all eat our dust

As far as I'm concerned, this whole town lost its nuts

Another day, another job. A dead doctor. A cryptic warning.

Two lizards, "Don't forget."

The past has caught up. Taki's time is running out. Forces are at work beyond his control and he has to act soon, or all will be lost.

Taki embraces a bleeding Goh.

"He's bleeding because of me."

His mind is made up and he flees out the door.

"I can't let him... be taken away from me like that."

We won't be here when they put us down

It all comes back to this. Sandfish. One regretful decision a boy is forced to make haunting him for six long years. A dead girl, a broken family. His broken family.

Taki leans his head back, defeated, as Mizuki clings to him desperately.

"I won't let you leave again."

Taki has made his decision.

"If I stay with you..."

It's our big chance, I'm calling you now

They'll never let us go unless we try

Taki steps quietly down the hallway. His pace is slow. He knows what he wants to say, but he doesn't know how to say it. He stands before the final barrier between them; a door.

I'm tired of living just to die

We're getting out of here, destination anywhere

The bedroom door opens and Goh embraces Taki; relieved, sad.

Taki finally understands. He pulls away from Goh and takes the other man's face in his hands...

Goh's eyes open wide as their lips meet.

Destination anywhere - Name the place and I'll be there

Pack a bag and we're out of here - let's run

The barrier is broken as the two men reach each other at last. All of that wasted time melts away as they embrace in the soft silence of night. They become one in each others' arms. For the briefest moment "they" are the only ones in the world.

Destination anywhere - Left or right, I don't care

The next morning Taki is walking away from Goh, his earring the only message left behind: "Don't follow," but Goh knows something now.

Maybe we'll just disappear chase the sun

Come on, come on, come on

As he is left behind, he understands. For the first time in his life Goh makes up his mind to fight.

Fight to keep something; someone. He after that fleeing car the men exchange looks. Determination, love.

"I am so glad that I could love you," Taki's eyes say.

"...More than anyone... I don't want to lose him as a partner..." Goh's cry.

Their memories of the year they have spent together ring in their ears and the memories of the night they shared weigh on their hearts.

"So I don't forget you..."

"Taki."

"And..."

"I love you, Taki."

"And I, you."

"I had no plans to fall in love."

"I love you... Goh."

"...And took... Every last ounce of love I gave..."

"I will never forget."

End.

9/1/06