A/N: Haji and David have an odd sort of understanding. It's the bromance of silence. There needs to be more fics about the bromance, so here's a quick one-shot.

Disclaimer: I do not, and never will, own Blood+.

Lunch in New York

David and Haji had formed an odd sort of friendship during the fight against Diva. It was not initially based on any genuine affection or respect for each other, but rather on necessity. Haji needed to know Saya was safe with Red Shield, and David had shown him that. David provided Saya and Haji with what they needed to fight and no more. He also held Kai away from them when Haji did not want to deal with them. David needed Haji to help Saya with her fight, and he certainly did that well. Over the course of the battles, they began to form a friendship out of mutual respect for each other.

Now that there was no war, they continued to hold that respect. Although few words were shared between them, they always could count on each other when they needed a conversation with someone mature.

Haji had no friends aside from David; he didn't quite count Kai as a friend, considering Kai's attitude towards his relationship with Saya. His peers at college looked his age, but were a full 130 years younger than him. There was no point to trying to hang out with them: all they wanted to do was get drunk and hook up with girls. He was committed to Saya, and could not get drunk if he wanted to (which he didn't). When he heard them talk about their conquests, he often wondered what had happened to society. Sometimes he wondered if he would fit in the grumpy old man category despite his appearance.

David continued to talk to Haji when he needed sanity. His work for the Red Shield mainly involved monitoring chiropteran activity and investigating possible Cinq Fleches facilities for any dangerous substances. Because Saya was asleep, there was not much he could do if chiropterans were found, so instead he kept a careful watch. It had also been his job to communicate with the UN representative responsible for both keeping Haji and Saya anonymous and making sure they did not kill anyone. The man was nice, but he was certainly overly cautious. Some of the things he had seen the man do to were baffling, and made David wonder why he didn't drink more. Kai had been a good drinking buddy to converse with, but he was still immature. He and Haji still had a silent joke that Kai was a sexually frustrated virgin. It would explain so much Kai said while drunk. Julia could be good to talk to, but she was his wife, and there were some things he just didn't want to talk to her about. Haji was calm, collected, in the know, and decidedly not his wife, so David made an effort to meet with him when possible.

It was a little over four years after Saya began her hibernation before David finally returned to Joel's New York apartment – where Haji stayed for his education – to meet with Haji. Previously, their paths had only crossed in France and Japan, but now that David was in New York, he felt obliged to meet Haji for lunch. As usual, Haji did not prepare any food for himself, but he had prepared a nice French meal for David. A chilled bottle of wine sat on the table between them, and his place was set immaculately. When dining with Haji, David always felt he was at some fancy French banquet, not the apartment of a college student or a family restaurant. It was slightly unsettling that Haji never set a place for himself, but David understood he didn't eat. Whether he physically could not stomach food or chose not to eat was anybody's guess. Even Julia didn't know.

Haji had left the apartment covered in books and academic journals he was reading for various classes. Physically, he appeared the same, but his clothing was more casual and modern than David had ever expected to see it. Instead of his normal black slacks and button-up, Haji had opted for an unbuttoned polo shirt and white slacks. After their normal pleasantries, David couldn't help comment. "What prompted this?"

"Kai insisted I try to update my wardrobe, but Saya only encouraged me to do so shortly before she went to sleep. After I moved here, Joel forced me to meet a consultant to help me pick out new clothes. I wear them only when my other clothes are dirty. Today was one of those days," Haji explained as he walked with David to the table.

"Of course it's Joel. Ever the businessman," David sighed. "How have you been?"

"Good. I am set to graduate in May. Then I will be moving to France to watch over the decorating and reopening of the Zoo," Haji said in his calm monotone.

"That's in September, correct?"

"Yes."

"Speaking of which, Julia suspects Saya will wake up in about a year. She does not know why, but she appears to be entering the final stages of hibernation," David said. Haji showed a look of surprise and what David thought was a small smile.

"Is that so?"

"Yes." David debated about whether or not he should throw in a jab at Haji's old tendency to be found with Saya. As if their inseparable nature was not enough of a joke to Kai, their "newlywed" phase had only encouraged other Red Shield members to get in on the joke. Even though he hated to admit it, David was not immune its charms. For now, he left it alone. "We have already discussed it with Joel. We will leave all care of Saya during and after her awakening to you. Of course, if you need anything, we will assist you."

Haji nodded, remaining silent. David, against his better judgement, decided that it was the time to make his jab.

"However, if you and Saya decide you need time to yourselves for sex, do leave us out of it," he said.

A look of embarrassed shock was on Haji's face, as if he was asking how they knew about that. He realized Kai had caught them a few times, but he did not think Kai would want to remember those times, let alone tell others about them. Then again, Kai did have a tendency to say things when he was a few drinks into any given party.

"We have no intention to do so," Haji said. He had become wittier since he had last seen David, and was keen to get back at him. "If you and Julia intend to have another child, do think to wait until there are no pressing matters."

David nearly spat out his food at that. He didn't know Haji was even capable of having a sharp tongue. "He is well, by the way."

"Of course, Julia is his mother." Another wisecrack. Was this what Haji learned at college? Or was it a quality he had at the Zoo as well, one they hadn't accounted for?

"She is good, isn't she?"

"Yes," Haji said, "She is."

A/N: Short bromance fic with a bit of Julia/David stuff thrown in, and sassy Haji. I don't like how the manga went nearly as much as the anime, but I did enjoy that it gave Haji a bit more personality – one that's more assertive and willing to challenge others.

The ending's a bit abrupt, but that's because writer's block hit and I couldn't think of a better way to end it.