Sorry if everyone here is OOC. I haven't really seen the entire series and I'm just drawing personalities from other fics I've read. Hope you all enjoy.

Somewhat explicit sexual encounter ahead (though I'm not one to write lengthy sex scenes since I don't know much about it shrugs). Not for kids.

- Paris

Disclaimer: Get Backers is not mine. The story is fictional and all similarities to people and events in real life are coincidences.

The Man In Your Dreams

Chapter Three: Complications

He knew instinctively that Kazuki needed him. He just felt it in his gut. Without even searching, he also knew how to find his ailing friend. In his mind's eye, Juubei always knew what was needed by and best for Kazuki.

He turned a corner and heard the quick light footfalls of the string master. Then, he heard the sound he never wanted to hear: sobbing.

"Kazuki?" Juubei took long strides in the direction he sensed Kazuki was coming from. Kazuki crashed into Juubei and buried his face into the larger man's chest. Juubei wrapped his arms around his ward and stroked the long smooth hair soothingly. At this, Kazuki's sobs became louder and stronger. "Kazuki, what happened?"

"Oh, Juubei," came the strained reply.

Juubei held Kazuki even tighter. "Hush, you better calm down before you tell me anything."

They stood there for a few minutes just letting the tears pass.

In the common guest area of the resort, Haruki knelt on the floor, exhausted from all the excitement of what he saw. He sat there, at first at a loss for words. The other occupants of the room—namely, Paul, Hevn, Natsumi, Himiko, and Ginji—watched him with interest as he tried to regain his composure.

"You have something to tell us, Haruki?" Himiko raised an inquisitive eyebrow at the Joker.

Even after searching for words, Haruki blurted out the story in the least appealing way possible, "Mido molested Kazuki!"

"WHAT!"

Meanwhile, Ban was still in Kazuki and Juubei's room contemplating all that had happened. Why did Kazuki call out his name? Wasn't his illusion perfect? Wasn't that what Kazuki wanted? Didn't his Itomaki want to be with his protector?

Back in the common area...

"Ban would never do that!" a distressed chibi-Ginji clung onto Natsumi. "Right, Natsumi-chan?"

Hevn put down the cup of coffee she had been nursing even before Haruki had arrived. "Are you absolutely sure of what you saw?"

Haruki nodded almost a bit too enthusiastically, "Yeah! I heard Kazuki cry out then bumped into him in the hallway as he ran out of his bedroom," he looked up at the ceiling, trying to remember the exact events. "I think he was crying."

He paused for a few moments for effect.

Paul frowned. "Get on with it."

"Anyway," Haruki continued. "I looked into the room where Kazuki had come from and saw Mido beside Kazuki's bed."

"I never even considered the thought of Mido being gay..." Himiko looks pensive, "Then again, Kazuki is so pretty he may pass for a woman any guy could fall for."

"No, you should have seen how he was staring at Juubei in the hot springs!" Haruki argued. "It was freaky!"

"But then if what you're saying is true, where's Kazuki?" Natsumi asked, concerned.

"We just passed him and Juubei," Shido, who had just walked in, answered the question. "He looked mighty upset. What happened?"

"This guy here claims that Mido molested Kazuki," Hevn pointed towards Haruki.

Shido glanced at Haruki for confirmation, "Haruki?"

"Yeah, I saw it!" Haruki defended himself.

The Beast Master was thoughtful, "Well, that's an unexpected turn of events."

"What is?" Makubex inquired as he and Sakura walked in. "Why is everyone so upset?"

"Well, that pervert Mido molested Ito no Kazuki."

"Feeling better?" Juubei gently pushed Kazuki away, but kept him close by the shoulders. It was times like this that he wished he wasn't blind so he could gaze into his partner's eyes and show how much he cared. Most people took for granted the power of a reassuring gaze, and Juubei found himself working harder to make his support more tangible.

Kazuki nodded.

"Ready to tell me what happened?"

Kazuki turned away though there were no eyes to avoid. He couldn't bear to look at Juubei after the vision Ban had made him go through. Not after what he thought during the vision. "I'm sorry, I can't."

In any case, he couldn't tell Juubei about his relationship with Ban. What would Juubei think?

"Kazuki..." there was a mild reproach in Juubei's voice. "You know you can tell me anything, no matter how sordid it is."

Kazuki leaned his head on his protector's chest, "Do you promise not to leave me despite anything I tell you?"

"Kazuki?"

Graceful fingers gripped Juubei's yukata desperately, "I can understand if you become disgusted with me, Juubei, or if you end up hating me..."

"...But I can't survive if you leave me."

Juubei kissed the top of the string master's head. "I would never leave you, Kazuki. I probably need you more than you say you need me."

Fresh tears began to fall from pained brown eyes. "The dream was so accurate..."

"Dream?" Understanding came over Juubei. "Did Mido Ban use his Jagan on you?"

"Yes," Kazuki pulled away from his protector and stood a few feet in front of him, hugging himself. "But that's not all. You see, Juubei, Ban and I are..."