With the project in its infancy, both men had plenty of time to get to know one another as they waited.
When they had to focus on some work at headquarters, they would team up, usually if it related to their project.
Sebastian wanted to make sure that he knew what was to be done, the other willing to show him.
The younger man was in awe when he first saw the premade lab for the DNA samples to be repaired, watching the other work.
He almost felt like a kid in a new toy store, but unlike most kids he kept his hands to himself, willing to watch the other work.
Anything he did do in the lab was minimal.
He was a genius, no doubt about it, but there were areas even he wasn't as talented in as he would have liked.
But his company seemed the world to Fuji, so he was content to sit, either make small talk or read as he waited.
As days turned to weeks and months, spending time together, both became close friends, nearly inseparable. They would often be found walking together, eating, even laughing and poking fun at one another.
Sometimes they would step out for drinks or go out and watch a movie, giving themselves fresh air. But most of the time, they stayed in the base; keeping close to their work to ensure nothing went wrong.
Many who knew the cold scientist were surprised just how human he really was, that this new face brought this side out.
Both men knew it wouldn't last forever, once the DNA is repaired, have been stabilized, they would separate.
They would be sent to their own respective labs to work without interruption, isolated from many to avoid being caught.
Sebastian wasn't sure if he'll know where Fuji will work on his projects or if the man is allowed to tell him and vice versa.
But neither of them really despaired all that much, they were sure they would have plenty of times to meet still.
They would likely have to return here, to send in reports about the clones' progress, comparing notes with each other. They may even be given some new projects to work on outside the clones.
But between that, they could use the time before returning to their labs, to hang out and share things. Catch up on how the other is doing, learn any new things, maybe share a few funny stories that went on during their time apart.
It wouldn't be easy, but both were determined to make their newly made friendship work in this dreadful place.
"Shi!" Fuji called happily.
The older man had walked over, a lunch tray in possession, his smile resting on his face, enough to light a room.
Despite the sunny smile given, Sebastian still scowled at the nickname, the other teasing him not to pout. It didn't last, being replaced with a rather mischievous smirk, the older one still grinning like a goof.
"Hello to you too, Tommy."
His smirk only widened as his friend's smile turned into a pout of his own, something no grown man should be capable of. But it didn't last long, breaking out into his familiar smile, laughing as did he.
"You seem awfully happy," Sebastian chuckled as they ate.
"I finally finished putting together teams for our projects. You'll love your team, they'll be perfect," Fuji answered in between mouthfuls.
"Oh really?"
"Well, being that we're bringing life in the world, they'll be confused, scared even. They need people who'll treat them with compassion, to ease them into a new life. I wanted to make sure that who we get will fit those roles as well as know what they're doing to avoid any screw-ups."
"That and we're dealing with psychic types."
"Exactly, my friend. They'll be more sensitive to emotions, which will make them more difficult if you have the wrong person handling them."
"Anything else I should know?"
"Yes, I found one of them is quite knowledgeable about evolution, even hailing from Kalos. So I'm sure he'll be of great use to you with that research as much as the clones' development."
"That's great, I appreciate it."
"No problem."
As they talked some more, a woman slowly made her way over, a cruel grin across her face.
Taking advantage with them so engrossed with their conversation, she startled them by speaking, leaning over the table.
While she had no visible cleavage showing, her shirt was tight enough to leave little for imagination.
"My, my, Shiranui, I never thought a cold bastard like you would be capable of making a friend. I'm quite surprised."
"Meiya…" the other growled softly, his cold mask reforming.
Seeing him act like this, Fuji couldn't help but frown a little, wondering what kind of history these two must have.
Turning back towards the beautiful woman, he tried to give her a friendly smile, even holding his hand out to her to shake.
He hoped that if he gave some respect, maybe she'll act nicer as would the younger man, ending whatever issues they have.
"Hello, I don't think we ever met before. I'm Thomas Fuji," he greeted with his familiar smile.
However, the woman simply gave his outstretched hand a sneer, making him recoil it as if he had been bitten.
"I know who you are," she responded, not all that interested in him.
"Is there a reason that you're here?" Sebastian half growled, trying to keep his temper in check.
How dare she come by and ruin their conversation!
She even had the gall to toss aside Fuji's kindness like it was used tissue!
"Can't I say hello every once in a while?" the woman teased.
"Only when you have something to rub into my face," the other spat.
"Smart man."
"If it'll get you out of our faces, what is it?"
Appearing delighted to brag, she gave them a grin, "Oh it's really nothing. I just happened to have gotten a rather big promotion."
"Heh…who'd you have to blow to accomplish that?" Sebastian sneered, his smirk growing by how red her face became.
What he didn't expect, was how fast she slapped him across the face, the force being enough to knock his glasses to the ground.
"I'd watch what you say to your superior, you little worm!"
With that, she stormed off, the other still seated, obviously furious as he held his stinging cheek, gritting his teeth.
"Shi, what the hell happened?" Fuji asked with a light hiss.
He wasn't sure whether or not to be angry, just couldn't decide it was from his friend's rudeness or the woman's attitude.
"My ex-wife…" he growled, nursing his cheek.
Okay, that was really stupid of him; he was just lucky she simply slapped him and didn't pull a gun or knife on him instead. She didn't even think about beating the living shit out of him.
"Ex-wife? Wait, then she's the mother of your daughters?"
"Yeah, that cheating hussy is the mother of my girls!" he snapped, getting up to search for his glasses.
He was startled when they were placed into his hands, making him turn to Fuji's blurred face.
"Thanks…"
"Shi, come on now, just what happened between you two?"
"She used me, that's all there is to it."
"You really cared about her, didn't you?" Fuji asked softly so only the other would hear than nosy people.
Gently, he placed a hand on his friend's shoulder, willing to hear him out.
After a bit of a pause, clearly unsure, or maybe still finding it hard to trust another, the Johto scientist finally surrendered.
Then again, he just couldn't find any good reason to say no when that man made such a pitiful face.
How they even became friends is beyond him, but he isn't complaining.
It has been rather nice having someone to talk to, have someone care about you, want to know more about you and you know more about them.
"Fine, but could we go somewhere more private?"
"Sure thing."
Helping him to his feet, the two collected their trash, throwing it out, anything else pocketed if possible to eat later.
Both went to one of the vacant rooms, the younger man knowing it isn't wired, so they would be safe, he would be safe telling.
Once they were settled, the other almost began to fidget, unsure how to begin, but seeing the reassuring smile, he started.
"I thought I did long ago. I was new, practically an intern fresh out of college, one of the youngest. You could even say I was a prodigy from all the diplomas and certificates I had earned. Yet despite how brilliant I am, I was still gullible enough to end up working here, meeting her."
"What about her though?"
"She was a new grunt brought in, a couple years older than myself. We met in the same team for a project. I instantly fell for her. She was beautiful, she was smart, had a laugh that could melt hearts. I was young and really stupid. I didn't see or refused to see past who she really was."
"Things like that happen though…"
"I know, but it still hurt far worse than you could imagine. When the time was right for her, she flat out told me how she never loved me. She simply used me for her own entertainment, to avoid boredom. She thought I was a cute toy to play with, watching as I do anything for her."
Fuji could see the other's face turn a shade darker, head turned away in shame, clearly hurting at the memories.
Whatever she did to him, it must've been uncomfortable or possibly to humiliating to ever repeat with another.
"She married me more for her own amusement, seeing how far I'd go, seeing how happy I was being with her. She didn't marry me for my money. She didn't marry me for my research or any recognition. She did it solely out of boredom… That's what hurt me the most, that and when she became pregnant."
"Shi…" Fuji sighed, seeing how hurt the other was, starting to understand why he acted cold around so many save for himself
This woman, she abused his trust, crushing it into the dirt.
The man was right, the way she did it, why she did it, it hurt far worse.
If she had done this for his money, he'd be angry and hurt, but he'd also heal.
Instead, she merely toyed with him, even willing to get pregnant so she could in a sense utterly destroy him.
She ruined his love life, and likely made him feel insecure about himself.
Then not only leaving, but wounded him further by taking away his daughters to Arceus-knows where.
It made him wonder though, the way he talked about himself, namely when he first joined this place…
"Shi, how old were you when you graduated?"
"Fifteen, like I said, I was considered a prodigy…" he answered softly.
"And her? How old were you two when you met?"
"I was sixteen and she was eighteen."
He wondered if the other will turn against him, finding just how much of a dumb kid he was all those years ago.
"When I turned eighteen, I proposed to her and we married the next year, and a few months after that, she became pregnant."
"Oh Arceus."
Hearing this, it really broke his heart, seeing how much his friend had suffered for another's entertainment.
"I'm sorry, Thomas, but could we drop it, please?"
A little disheartened, he also could see how distraught he was.
His dear friend didn't want to deal with the painful memories any more than he may already.
He didn't want to recount when he lost custody of his daughters, lost them completely to that witch. May not want to think about whether they know him, if they love him or hate him.
But hearing how young he was, they had to be close or are young adults by now, unsure how many times he got to see his girls.
Would he know them if they walked down the hallway or would they recognize him as their father?
No, he didn't want to be responsible pushing his friend over the edge.
So he did what he felt any friend should do…
"Sure thing," he answered, a comforting smile on his face. "Just know this; I'm always here for you. We're friends, we support one another."
Still unsure, having mostly spilled his guts out to a man he was still learning, he gave a hesitant smile.
"I will; thank you."
I apologize if Sebastian seems to OOC, but at the same time, he is a minor character, so who knows what kind of a person he really is, right?
I tried to at least work it, if anything more of how he became the way he is, and in a sense, how much he trusts Dr. Fuji to tell him something so personal. I hope I nailed it or was close enough to make sense.
Please read and review