It was a toss up between "Smoke" or "Breathe" but I think I made the right choice..
---
Tatsumi
I hate that smell. The smell of memories.
Watari once said that, or perhaps thrice said, that smells are hotlinks to memories. They're powerful triggers that are lodged deep within the psyche. Then he started rambling on about bloodhounds and dogs, and what it must be like to have their sesnses and I lost interest as the neuroscience started to go over my head.
Nevertheless, it is true.
And that's why Terazuma is not allowed to smoke in or near my office.
Honestly, it's such an atrocious habit anyways. So disgusting and unhygenic--and that smell.
I hate it.
I hate it with a passion.
Not that I've ever told anyone. (Though it wouldn't surprise me if they knew.)
I'd take in another deep breath if it didn't require filling my nose with that sickly-sweet, noxious smell.
It takes me back to darker days.
Days working the field, wondering why mortals would chose to kill themselves that much faster.
Days of splitting knuckles against another human's flesh, bring burned by a hot, round stub.
Evenings filled with meaningless sex, wondering why I couldn't bring myself to like the woman I'd chosen to bed that night.
And then perhaps the days and mornings and nights most hated of all.
Waking up at five AM, only to find a still smouldering cigarette in an ashtray and still no sign of the man called 'father.'
Coming home at six to find the same sight, to be reminded that the man was still there; it was just that he couldn't stand to look at his only son.
A different smell assaults the senses, one linked to the present.
"Stop brooding, it's not good for you." A different kind of smoke, delightfully chemical and base. It's more... 'honest.'
"Watari-san. Shouldn't you be working at the moment?" A quixotic smile,
"Aren't you ever going to call me 'Watari'?" Another wave of that dizzying, Eau de Sciencé and I consider it.
"You didn't answer my question." The ever-smiling lips twist to form a different one, one of resigned defeat.
"Yes, I am in fact slacking off right now, in order to check up on you. You know me too well." A statement that is... dangerously capable of being reciproacated. I don't know if I like that thought.
"Well as you can see, I am fine now. Please return to your appointed workstation." A wink and a cheery wave and he is gone,
"Sure thing boss-man!"
A deep, oddly relieved breath and I realize what he's just done.
He's taken away the lingering smells with him.
The air is clean again.
...I suppose I should thank him.
I'll find a way.