Just like that, Tyson kept to his word, Sebastian getting safely tested without anyone finding out the truth. And to make things better, all the tests came back negative, reliving them greatly.
Yet, he still felt horrible, feeling filthy, the feeling only going away when Fuji was nearby, calming him down.
Though when they got the Pokégears, again with Tyson's help to get the best and making sure no one would listen in, it made things a little better.
The reception wasn't great, but it was better than nothing, Sebastian talking to his dear friend whenever he was free.
He'd go outside, finding a decent spot to talk with him with little trouble, calling him in hopes of him picking up.
Sometimes he'd call on planned hours, other times he'd be frantic, having had nightmares of the assault.
Two years of this passed, the older man wishing to help more, the younger one grateful for the help he is getting just talking with someone.
However, Sebastian began to feel strange around the man, either standing with him or when they talk on the phone, their conversations more personal.
It was only after a particular dream he knew why he felt so odd now around his best friend…
He was in love.
Somehow, fell madly in love with his best friend, the only friend he's ever made in this organization.
He honestly thought he forgot how to love since Meiya, the closest being his love for his daughters.
He felt happy, but was scared because of it too.
How would Fuji react if he told him?
Would he reciprocate his feelings?
Would he reject him? And if so, do it gently or find him disgusting and shove him away, never speaking to him again?
Those thoughts terrified him, knowing it was uncommon for two people of the same sex to be in an open relationship.
It was almost taboo, unsure how others would react if they did pursue such a relationship, if they did end up together.
So many awful thoughts plagued his mind far more than the nightmares.
He couldn't tell Fuji how he felt, that was the last thing he'd ever do.
He didn't want their friendship ruined, the time they spent destroyed.
It tore him up so much, he loved the man so much, wanting to share that love with him, wanting to spend the rest of his life with him.
He admired the man, admiring his kindness with him and to others, regardless who they are. He was willing to be friendly to his ex-wife before learning the kind of monster she really is. He made friends so easily because of his kind nature, bringing out the better sides in people.
He admired his determination, how he won't give up and when he's close to doing so, something pushes him onward.
He was far more courageous, willing to speak his mind more openly about things, namely when it came to arguing with Giovanni when it came to the clones.
As he thought more about Fuji, Sebastian felt his face heat up, burying his head into his bedding as deep as it'd go, not caring if he suffocated.
Why did he have to be so handsome?
Have surprisingly strong arms, such a warm body whenever they would hug?
Why did he have to be so affectionate anyway?
Why? Why? Why?
He could easily pick out all the little features the man had.
He could point out the few wrinkles that were on his face and hands.
He could easily spot the tiniest strands of color that remained in his hair.
He knew his favorite colors, favorite foods, what he didn't like.
He knew the prescription for his glasses, blood type, birthdate…
Oh Arceus, he wasn't just in love, he was obsessed!
Sebastian let out a frustrated groan, unable to get the man out of his mind, his dreams not helping.
While it was far more pleasant than his nightmares of that night, he wished it was something less arousing.
So many times he woke up with problems in bed, nearly caught if someone came to wake him if he overslept or something came up.
He wanted to curse Fuji, but he couldn't, he loved him too much.
Arceus-dammit, he felt like some school girl!
How could this man have this effect on him?
He didn't even expect to find himself attracted, yet here he is, having fantasies in his sleep. He would even space out while awake, thankfully when he's out on a walk, thinking about the man.
It didn't help how awkward it'd get they meet up to turn in reports, struggling to keep up appearances.
He can't risk blushing or becoming a mess if the affectionate man hugged him or simply talked to him.
It was that, and the fact Fuji somehow talked Giovanni into letting them share a room so they could get more work done.
Of course, that had been done long before he realized his feelings for the other.
It had been done not only to do more work regarding the clones, but for the younger man to sleep peacefully. When he tried sleeping alone, he woke up in a cold sweat, sometimes screaming, unable to go back to sleep.
He still couldn't remember who attacked him, who beat him those two days, deducing he must've been drugged. Either something had been slipped into his drink at the bar, or when snatched off the street.
Not that it helps much now, whatever was used is long out of his system, the effect it left in blurring his memories a painful reminder.
But because he couldn't sleep and it began to affect his work, namely starting to doze off at the table, Fuji decided they'd share a room.
The man wasn't afraid to go near him if he heard him calling out in his sleep, begging, sometimes even crying to his faceless attacker to get off.
He wasn't afraid or ashamed to share the bed, keeping his arms wrapped protectively around him, letting him cling like a child all night long.
But now he had a new reason to get little rest…
Fuji simply wanted to protect him from the night terrors, reassure the other that he has nothing to fear now.
Sebastian on the other hand, watching his crush sleep, wanted to kiss him, run his hand through the hair or trace the features of his face.
There was no way Fuji loved him the way he does.
He loves him as if he were a younger brother.
He loves women, without saying a word; he knew that he still thought about his wife, wondering if he could get back with her after Amber's revival.
Fuji's completely pure, like an angel, while he was the complete opposite, tainted, fallen from the heavens.
He doesn't deserve a wreck like him…
Sebastian nearly jumped when feeling a hand pat his arm, staring at the familiar hand, following it up to that same face.
He's walked his crush to the train station that'd take him to the ship leading to New Island to continue working on Mewtwo.
If only this damn train would take him to Johto, he wouldn't mind riding with him just to stay closer longer, then go back. He wouldn't mind the longer time, spending extra money out of his own pocket.
He knows that once the older man's train is out of sight, he'll head back to base to hop a cab and take a flight back to Johto.
"I gotta get going, Shi," Fuji spoke, pulling the man close, giving him a long hug the other never wanted to have end. "I'll see you again."
Being this close, it tore the man's heart apart, making him silently cry, somehow forcing real tears not to fall.
He wanted to tell him right here and now.
He wanted to show him, kiss him so badly.
He wanted to cry, to beg him not to leave.
He wanted to tell him how precious he's become.
He wanted to…
"He…he's dead?" Sebastian gasped, eyes filled with absolute horror.
It was roughly six months since they returned to their labs, only to be brought back instantly, no word why.
The second that he arrives in headquarters, spotting Tyson standing outside the building, leaning against it, he knew something was wrong.
He was smoking, something he did when upset or particularly stressed out and by how long he took the drags, he was upset.
The mere sight made his stomach do flips, wishing he never walked in, walked past the brunette and go straight to the boss' office.
From there, he was led to where they now stood, learning what had happened to the team on New Island.
It was so surreal, he almost didn't want to believe it, that it was just a bad dream, he'd wake up on the plane. He prayed he'd wake up to the Pokégear ringing, answering and hearing the voice of the man he's fallen in love with.
As his eyes slowly trailed down to where his boss stared, staring at the monstrosity the love of his life died making.
Mewtwo…
The Pokémon was apparently asleep, supported by various machines to give energy to the armor he wore.
He had been filled in that this armor was used not only to protect the Pokémon, but help control its psychic powers.
The scientist couldn't help but note that the designs seem to be of Dr. Zager's, meaning what Giovanni said was true.
The sight alone made his heart crack and crumble into thousands, no millions of pieces, his stomach knotting up painfully.
He lost his only friend, the only person who cared for him, protected him from nightmares, the only man he loved.
Why couldn't it have been him to die?
Why leave him in this world to suffer?
Why take away such a wonderful man?
"At least Dr. Fuji didn't die in vain. Mewtwo is perfect. I can only hope that Beta and Omega will be as well once they are done," the leader's voice echoed darkly in the back of his mind.
Sebastian felt himself nod numbly, unable to take it anymore, walking away the second he was allowed to do so.
As he left, he swore he saw the cloned legendary twitch, unsure if it was reflex or it had sensed his internal pain.
He hoped it did, knowing it's the cause for taking away the only man to make him feel truly happy.
He even cursed Arceus to hell, wishing he could literally throw the damn Pokémon into the fiery pits; make it suffer as he's sure Fuji must've.
Before he knew it, he was back in his hotel room, the very same one he and Fuji began sharing, reality finally sinking in.
All the tears he held, the sobs and screams he choked down, they exploded from his very being.
He crumbled to the floor, sobbing loudly, not caring how loud he was, how destructive he became.
Chairs were upturned, curtains torn apart, desk shoved and toppled, scattering any books or papers on it everywhere. The bed was a mess with the sheets and blankets torn apart, the bathroom mirror having been broken.
He didn't care anymore, he didn't care how pissed off Giovanni would be when he gets the bill. He doubted any beating he got could replace the pain in his broken heart, wishing the pain would end, that he could fall asleep and stay asleep forever.
Exhausted from his emotional meltdown, he collapsed onto the mangle bed, sobbing hysterically into the only surviving pillow.
Curling up, he cried harder, his memories of his rape coming back, Fuji unable to chase them away.
It's as if his rapist was in this room now, taunting him that his protector wasn't here, running those horrible hands all over him again.
Fuji wasn't here to hold him, to rub his back and hug him, telling him to wake up, that he's safe, that things will be okay.
But things will never be okay, never again…
He continued sobbing before he had eventually passed out, his adrenaline finally crashing, letting him fitfully sleep.
He felt so pathetic, so weak…
He lost track of how long he stayed in that room, refusing to get up for anything.
He felt his stomach growling for food, but he didn't care, he didn't have the energy to get up. He couldn't even think about eating, convinced it wasn't worth getting up to look for something, to even find something to drink.
At some point, knocks were on the door, but he ignored them, knowing in the back of his mind they'll break in. They had to be agents sent in to retrieve him, to send him back to Johto and finish the cloning project among others.
To hell with it all, he couldn't go back. He'd rather die than continue…
A snap of wood, hinges broken, it was as he predicted, they stormed inside, ignoring how much of a mess he is.
He was too weak to move, feeling them grab him, obviously alarmed by how far he had been wasting away.
At some point, he was brought somewhere, not a hospital, too obvious of a choice with his miserable luck.
IVs and air tubes were inserted; body stripped and scrubbed clean, a feeding tube forced down his throat.
At that, his mind went blank, falling almost in a sleep, going in and out, his strength slowly returning.
Why did it have to return?
He was so close to falling blissfully into an eternal slumber.
He just wanted to sleep forever, forget everything that hurt him in his life.
When his strength returned, it had to have been at least a month, forced into new clothes and taken some place he didn't recognize.
He was so numb, he didn't want to go with the agents escorting him, but knew he wouldn't win.
They were trained for fieldwork, from robbing people and places to scouting, to actual fist fighting. He doesn't have that kind of training to help him escape, to runaway someplace, anyplace than wherever they were taking him.
Arriving to a van, they were driven to an unfamiliar route, kept in the back to avoid him pulling anything funny.
He had an agent on either side, reminding him of his hatred of planes, but he just didn't have the strength to bark at them to back off.
When the van finally stopped, he was dragged out; taking note they were in Saffron City, escorted to a train station.
When did that appear?
Who cares? He sure didn't…
Shoved up the platform, taken to a private cart, hardly taking note of how they arrived, his escorts dressed as bodyguards.
When he was brought inside, made to sit down, they left, either returning to their duties, or were going to wait somewhere else.
A loud noise echoed around him, the scenery beginning to whip past him, realizing they were moving.
After a few minutes, a door opened, footsteps walking inside, a familiar face and his pet taking a seat in front of the broken man.
"So glad that you decided to join me, Professor," Giovanni growled, obviously angry at him. "You gave us quite a scare with that stunt of yours. You realize how much time and money was lost because of your stupidity?"
"Why do you care?" he asked numbly.
"Because you still have work to do."
"You don't need me."
"Oh, but I do, my dear professor. You don't realize just how valuable you are to this organization. You know of Dr. Fuji's work, you're the only one who can ensure the completion of Beta and Omega."
"You don't need them, you have Mewtwo. What use do they have? What use do you have for me?" Sebastian partially growled, his depression clouding his judgment of the repercussions he could earn.
"We need your clones more than ever… Mewtwo has escaped," Giovanni answered flatly, taking note of the other's surprise.
"Mewtwo…escaped?" he repeated softly, glassy eyes widening before turning into a dark scowl. "Lucky bastard."
This he muttered under his breath, the other luckily not hearing the comment.
"Yes, he's escaped. Because of that, we now have an extremely powerful Pokémon roaming Arceus knows where. Not only must we recapture him, but if there is a chance he decides to attack, we'll need your clones ready."
"They can't be released early," Sebastian growled, daring to fight his boss much like his beloved Fuji would. "If you do, they'll surely die."
"I know that, so until then, I'm having all of Dr. Fuji's research we could salvage brought to your lab. You knew the man best; you'll be capable of figuring out where he went wrong and prevent it with the other two. I do not want a repeat."
"What makes you think I want to work for you still?"
"Come now, Professor Sebastian, are you honestly willing to throw everything away because someone died?"
"He was my friend."
"Friend or not, you will continue to work for Team Rocket."
"Fuck you."
Angered, the crime lord rose, stalking over, grabbing the other by the front of his jacket, forcing him to look him in the eye.
"You don't have a choice," he snarled, the other staring at him with minimal interest. Ready to strike him, an idea popped into his head, making him grin darkly. "If that's how you feel, if you won't work willingly, then I guess you don't care what happens to your daughters."
Eyes snapped to attention, the shorter male's lips curling to a snarl.
"Don't you dare touch them!"
"Then continue on the project and any others I assign and I assure you that no harm comes to them."
"How do I know you won't hurt them?"
"I can give you a monthly report on their progress. If you agree that is."
Gritting his teeth tightly, he hung his head, knowing he was caught; he was backed into a corner.
"I'll continue…"
"Very good, Professor."
Things became bit of a whirlwind, not so much to speed things up, but more to delve into the various emotions he would go through, good and bad alike.
For the love part...I sort of winged it, I never "fell" in love, not even having a crush on any one, real or fictional alike. So if I got it wrong or anything on how to portray it, I'll take any critique that may help.
And for his emotional breakdown? Part of it was of my experience, never to that extreme of being destructive and such, but sure felt it from when I lost my grandmother when I was little, a friend a few years back, and losing two cats I was particularly close with. So I decided to use the emotions I felt from those times and tried to portray them on someone like Professor Sebastian.
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