Some of my readers was kind enough to point out that my chapter was repeating itself at the end of the chapter. I accidentally copied the first part again at the end. I'm sorry about that. Thank you for pointing it out. When starting to upload my story here, I wasn't familiar with FFN, so if I made some mistakes, feel free to point them out.
Never thought I'd come back here.
Standing in front of the hospital's entrance, he could still hear the siren ringing in his ears. Still see the red lights dancing in front of his vision. Still see Ash's pale face lying on Eiji's letter in the public library, his blood and tears mixing in with Eiji's clumsy handwriting. That last image still haunted him, engraved in his memory forever.
After seeing that Ash had been taken care of at that private hospital, Sing hadn't visited again because he didn't want to give away Ash's location to anyone. He had stayed in contact with Eiji, though. That had been more than two months ago. Or maybe longer, he wasn't sure. But even after all that time Sing still couldn't believe that idiot had really done that.
He'll only be killed if he brings it on himself.
This sentence that Cain had said about Ash when they had been sharing a prison cell had never rung truer. But even after seeing Ash's desperation when giving him Eiji's letter, Sing had never expected Ash to do exactly that. Maybe it was because he had looked up to him a bit too much and that had clouded his mind, but he had never imagined that Ash would just give up so easily. Resigning to his fate. Returning calmly to his favorite place without getting help. He had never thought that Ash would go so far and indirectly kill himself. But then again, he had never envisioned Lao trying to stab Ash either, just because of a duel they both hadn't even been serious about...
Anyway, he didn't particularly look forward to returning here, since he wasn't a big fan of hospitals to, begin with. But he didn't have a choice since this was the only secure place where he could say goodbye to both of them.
Eiji had asked him to come by in the afternoon, so here he was. He had asked Eiji if he was sure that was such a good idea, knowing that Ash would disapprove of the idea, worrying someone else could find out their whereabouts.
But Eiji had defiantly told him that he didn't care if it was risky and that he wanted to tell Sing goodbye in person. That it would be more than rude to do that over the phone or in some even more impersonal way after all he had done for them.
According to Eiji Ash wanted to thank him as well (although it was more likely Eiji had convinced him to do so). And Ash wouldn't stay at the hospital anyway because he would get discharged soon.
Sing could hear the determination resonating in Eiji's voice and realized that he wouldn't change his mind no matter what he said or did. But honestly, he was glad he had gotten the chance to see Eiji and Ash one final time before they would be leaving. Japan wasn't exactly around the corner.
In the meantime, he had been busy dealing with that disaster of a human being called Yut Lung. He had kind of emotionally blackmailed him to ask Blanca if there would be a way to get flawless documents for Ash, such as a passport and an ID card with a new name. Yut Lung got furious at first, eyes burning bright with anger, and refused to do anything for him.
Sing had anticipated that stubborn reaction from him, though. He was a pain in the ass sometimes and hard to handle. But he had a soft spot for Sing. And Sing had used that to his advantage. He wouldn't let him off that easily. Not after allying himself with Dino and turning his own Chinese brothers into traitors. He would never forgive him for that, ever!
"Why would I ever do that?", Yut Lung asked, crossing his arms in defiance. "You know I despise both of them." Sing just sighed dramatically, giving him a pitiful look. When he was standing stubbornly like that with crossed arms, Sing was reminded that those two were totally alike. Yut Lung shared the same dark past with Ash and even the same stubborn personality and good looks. And both of them would rather die before admitting how much they had in common. It was so ironic, Sing nearly had to smile.
"It's not Ash's fault that he found someone who makes him happy. That Eiji made him open up and made him wish for a better life. That Ash found what you never could. That he chose to love instead of hate. You're just jealous. But turning my own gang into traitors to kill Ash and Eiji is pretty low even for your standards.", Sing accused him, glaring at him, his eyes glowing furiously.
"Shut up. What the hell do you know?", Yut Lung exclaimed angrily, clenching his hands into fists.
"I may not know everything about you, but I know that like Ash you can't forget your past and have lost your purpose in life after your abusers died. You both needed someone to hate to be able to survive.", he remarked bluntly while Yut Lung just stared at him wide-eyed for a moment, then stubbornly looked away. Sing smiled. Bull's eye.
"And I know that I can't hate you. I don't know why exactly, but I can't get myself to hate you.", Sing admitted sadly, looking down at the floor. After a moment, he raised his head and glared at him, determination flooding his features.
"So you'll help me to make things right again. As a form as repayment for your vicious actions you will help me get rid of the chaotic situation in Chinatown. And you'll call Blanca and get Ash new documents with a new name. Flawless ones. Or you organize them yourself, I don't care how you do it. You owe those two that much. Ash and Eiji nearly dying is entirely your fault and you did it for an embarrassingly petty reason no less. If you don't, you'll lose the only friend you have left in this world. Me. Because I will never see you or talk to you again. Just try me.", Sing challenged him, a defiant expression running over his face.
Yut Lung just stared at him incredulously, a single tear running down his face, his tough facade finally cracking and shattering into countless little pieces.
Sing just told him to stop being such a crybaby and call Blanca. Then he walked away, knowing perfectly well that Yut Lung would do it. He always acted tough but Sing knew only too well that his words would leave an impression on him.
Several days later Sing had called Max and handed him the documents. He had also told Max that Blanca had gotten these documents through one of his old contacts and had already gone back to the Caribbean. That this was his farewell gift for Ash.
And he had promised him that Yut Lung wasn't any threat to Ash anymore. Max had thanked him for his help and had handed the documents to Ash a few days later. Eiji had contacted him as well to thank him because he experienced Yut Lung's hatred towards him first hand and had been completely stunned that he of all people had lent a helping hand in getting these documents.
Of course, he had been suspicious but when he had learned from Sing that those documents were originally from Blanca and Yut Lung had just reached out to him, he had relaxed slightly. Thanking him in person for Ash's new documents was probably another reason why Eiji had asked Sing to visit them today, several weeks later.
So here he was on his way to Ash's room. Eiji had told him the room number and that he would have to organize some things for their departure with Max and Ibe, so he might not be on time.
When Sing entered, Ash had just stopped reading a book, some classic novel Sing didn't know, suddenly tensing up, his eyes burning dangerously in the room's dim lighting. But seeing that it was Sing, he relaxed slightly.
Looking at him more closely after such a long time, Sing was astonished how much Ash had changed. He looked more at ease and even though he had tensed up when hearing him, his posture showed that he wasn't as edgy and nervous as he used to be, seeing enemies at every corner.
Still, his jade green eyes had the same intensity as always that could silence an entire room in the fraction of a second.
"Hey, Ash. You look much better now.", Sing greeted him, the slightest trace of hesitation in his voice. He had secretly hoped Eiji would already be here, but apparently, he was still talking to Max and Ibe. Shit. What the hell was he supposed to say? He couldn't remember when he had talked to Ash more than three sentences. And they had mostly been related to business and gang stuff, never personal.
The most personal interaction between them had been when he had given him Eiji's letter asking him why he wouldn't see Eiji off and Ash telling him he couldn't see him off because Eiji was his friend and that he didn't belong in his world.
He would never forget the desperate and resigned expression on Ash's face that day, his green eyes flooded with unbearable sorrow, practically screaming in agony. He had never seen Ash so vulnerable, so ... he didn't know how to describe it... so emotional? That wasn't the most feared gang leader of New York he knew but a confused and hurt teenager who had lost the only person that had meant something to him in this world.
And, if memory served, that conversation hadn't ended so well since he had run off, calling him a stubborn idiot.
So after that last failed conversation, he had no idea what he was supposed to say to break the ice. Ash wasn't a person for small talk, so, unfortunately, that wouldn't work either. So, leaning against the door frame, he just waited for Ash's reaction, hands in his hoody's pockets, wondering when Eiji would come back to save him from this awkward situation. Shit. Here goes nothing.
"What the hell are you doing here, Sing?", Ash asked bluntly, glaring at him. So much for a greeting. Typical Ash. But his look was softer than before, for the first time there was a light flickering in his eyes, making his eyes glow bright green. His glare was milder as well and there was a hint of humor in his eyes. The empty look and the darkness normally overshadowing his eyes had nearly faded into oblivion, leaving only a tiny trace lingering behind. Sing was so dumbfounded at the change that his mind went blank for a minute, but he recovered quickly.
"What do you mean? Eiji asked me to come here. He said you both wanted to see me before you would leave for Japan.", Sing responded confusedly, wondering why Ash didn't know that.
"Oh, right. Eiji has told me something like that.", Ash said more to himself. Then he directed his gaze at Sing again.
"Goddammit, Sing, don't just stand there, come over here. And close the fucking door.", Ash said in an impatient tone. "What are you waiting for, a written invitation?"
Yes, that's the Ash I know... Sing thought, smiling inwardly, relaxing a little. "That's the rude Ash Lynx I know and can... barely tolerate. The same stubborn idiot as always. I was worried for a moment, you know?", he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Ash just crossed his arms, a smug look on his face.
Sing slowly went over and sat in the chair at his bed, wondering why Ash hadn't told him to leave, that he would only put Eiji in danger if anyone learned of this location and that he should have never come here. That was the reaction he had anticipated from him. But then he realized that had he really wanted to tell him that, he would have already done so. Ash always got straight to the point ignoring all kind of small talk or politeness along the way. He was also sure that Eiji had initiated his visit, telling Ash that thanking Sing over the phone was just plain rude after everything he had done for them. He had told him the exact same thing after all.
So instead of doing that, Ash looked at him with this penetrating stare he had sometimes, his green eyes boring directly into his. Sing nearly flinched from that gaze. But then the look in his eyes changed to a softer one and he sighed dramatically, running a hand through his hair. Wait, could it be that he was also nervous? That he didn't know what to say either? No, that was impossible..., right? He was Ash Lynx after all...
"I heard that you convinced Eiji to go back to Manhattan. To come back for me. And that you saved my life. Thank you, really, Sing. I owe you. Without your help I wouldn't even be here...", Ash said, a half-smile appearing on his features.
"No, you don't.", Sing replied honestly.
Ash just stared at him in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"Sorry, I meant you don't owe me anything. We're even now. Or have you forgotten how you saved my life during our last mission against Foxx?", Sing reminded him.
"Oh, you're right. I had kind of forgotten that after all that shit going down at the time. Seems like a lifetime ago, huh? Thanks anyway. For saving me. And helping Eiji as well. I couldn't believe it when I heard Eiji was still here." Then his evil grin returned. "Although at the beginning I wanted to kill you for making Eiji return to Manhattan in his injured state." Sing flinched a bit at that.
"Yeah, I knew you'd be mad about that later. But I just had a bad feeling about you. So did Eiji. He just needed a little push and a little... assistance. Being in a wheel chair and all... His eyes were drowning in the same sorrow as yours ,so you both really left me no choice here..."
Ash just stared at him, a frown appearing on his forehead, but remained silent. Sing wondered if he had imagined the spark of guilt overshadowing his eyes for the tiniest moment.
"Hey, it's not my fault that I have only stubborn idiots as friends. Someone had to do something, you know?", he defended himself. "Since both of you were too busy feeling sorry for yourselves.!"
"But why did you care so much in the first place?", Ash asked curiously.
"How can you even ask that?", Sing exclaimed in amazement. "You didn't see your face when I gave you Eiji's letter. I've never seen you so ...
Pathetic?, Ash finished with a smirk.
"I was going to say desperate. As if you had completely given up and nothing mattered to you anymore. I couldn't forget that look on your face... It had burnt itself into my memory. And unlike you I have no pokerface. You know that better than anyone. Of course Eiji saw right through me and asked me what was wrong. So I told him." Ash just nodded, understanding flashing in his eyes.
"However, I still can't wrap my head around the fact that it was Lao who stabbed you. I'm entirely to blame for that. I'm so sorry! I knew Lao wasn't satisfied how I handled things and that I sided with you. And about our duel. But I'd never imagined that he'd outright attack you.", he tried to apologize, his features drowning in regret.
"I'm really sorry, Ash. If I had been a better gang leader that wouldn't have happened.", he concluded, looking down, a hand resting over his eyes to cover up his tears.
"Still a crybaby, I see.", Ash scolded him, half-smiling. "But honestly, it's ok. It was my fault as well since I agreed to the duel. And I let my guard down after reading Eiji's letter. Let's just forget all that shit, ok? And you did save my life in the end.", Ash reminded him.
" I still can't believe you really did that. Bleeding out and not calling for help. You're a complete idiot, you know that, right?", Sing told him angrily. "I'd really like to punch you for doing that." Ash just sighed and then looked at him. His eyes were overpowered by regret and sadness.
"Yeah, I finally got that message loud and clear when Eiji yelled at me a few days ago. I've never seen him so mad. And hurt. Guess I've never realized that my death would hurt him so much.", he admitted, guilt darkening his green eyes for a moment. "Of course, I thought that he'd leave me after that stunt I pulled. That he just stayed until I had recovered. But instead Eiji told me he'd never leave me again and asked me to come to Japan with him." The look in his eyes had softened considerably when mentioning that last part, making his eyes light up with a slight touch of happiness.
Sing just shook his head in disbelief at Ash's cluelessness. He had to be the only one who hadn't still figured out how much Eiji would do for him. How much he meant to him. But it seemed that Ash had at least understood by now that Eiji won't leave him again. And he didn't try to push him away anymore. That was a start, he thought, feeling relieved.
"And you really agreed? To go to Japan with him?", Sing asked, surprise written all over his face. "Doesn't sound like you..."
"Eiji left me no choice. He told me that if I don't go to Japan with him, he'll stay in New York with me!", Ash exclaimed, resignation crossing his face.
"Yeah, that sounds like Eiji all right.", Sing agreed with a smirk on his face. "He'd really be that stupid and would stay here with you despite all the danger.", he agreed, smiling at Ash.
"I'm glad you agreed to go with him. You'll be both fine as long as you're together.", Sing assured him. Ash stared at him wide-eyed, utterly shocked, as if that was the last thing he expected Sing to say.
"Hey, I didn't go through all the trouble of saving you and giving you new documents so you would stay here and get yourself killed in the process!", he scolded him.
"I guess not...", Ash agreed reluctantly.
Then Ash's eyes suddenly shifted to the door, but instead of tensing up, as Sing had expected, he relaxed completely, smiling at the person opening the door. Sing had never seen Ash smile like that. Ever. No smirk, no sarcastic sneer, no smug look, but instead a small, but honest smile that even reached his eyes, making them shine with happiness. Sing couldn't help but stare at him and Eiji wide-eyed, completely dumbfounded at this new side of Ash he hadn't seen yet.
"Hey Sing, good to see you. Seems as if you're still alive", Eiji greeted him, a small grin on his face while entering the room, oblivious to Sing's reaction.
"When Ash woke up and I told him what had happened, he told me he'd kill you."
Sing turned around to face Ash again, staring at him incredulously. "That's the first thing you told Eiji when you were waking up? Really?" Ungrateful bastard... Sing mumbled barely audible at the end.
"Hey, I was on fucking painkillers. And to be precise I told Eiji I'd kill you after thanking you for saving my life.", Ash defended himself. "And I've just done that, so I guess if you insist I can get to the killing part now. This location would be perfect. They even have a morgue here. And a doctor who fakes death certificates...", Ash explained rationally, but he was only teasing Sing. Who just scowled at him and crossed his arms stubbornly before turning around to Eiji.
"Eiji, please remind me again why we bothered saving that idiot? Or worrying about him?
My memory seems to have suddenly failed me.", Sing said, feigning irritation.
Eiji just grinned. "I know the feeling, believe me. He can be a handful and an annoying smartass sometimes. But at the end of the day he's normally worth it."
"Can you please talk about me as if I'm in the room with you?", he complained to them, crossing his arms again, but his annoyance didn't reach his eyes. Instead Sing noticed that Ash's features had softened and his eyes were radiating a warmth that hadn't been there before. He was also more at ease now and even more talkative since Eiji had come in.
Sing just grinned at him and changed the topic to something else he had been curious about.
"So when are you getting discharged, Ash?"
"Tomorrow.", Ash said. "Finally. I can't stand hospitals. Took me forever to convince the doc to let me leave earlier. But I guess I'm lucky to be here at all, so I'm not complaining.", he admitted honestly.
"And your flight?"
"It's in three days. We stay at a hotel near the airport in the meantime.", Eiji explained to him.
"Don't you dare visit us there. Or at the airport. You only lead people to us and blow our cover.", Ash said stubbornly, green eyes burning dangerously in the dim lighting of the room. Eiji just stared at him, wide-eyed. "Ash!"Ash just shrugged, avoiding his gaze.
"He meant that as a question. With a "please" at the end.", he translated Ash's rude outburst while still making a half-hearted attempt to glare at him accusingly. And gloriously failing. Sing had to chuckle at those two. But after a moment, Eiji got serious again, facing him once more.
"And please don't tell anyone that Ash is still alive. Except for Alex and Cain maybe. But no one else.", Eiji added, worry reflected in his brown eyes.
"Don't worry. I know all of that. And I won't jeopardize your departure. And Yut Lung won't do anything either. He isn't interested in you anymore. He was only jealous of Eiji. And interested in you, Ash, as a rival.", Sing assured both of them. "I will tell Alex and Cain after you've safely boarded the plane.", he promised.
"I'm really sad that you're leaving, but I really hope you have a better life on the other side of the world. That you both can be happy.", Sing added, smiling at them reassuringly.
"Thanks, Sing. We will be.", Eiji said, radiating complete confidence. "I'll make sure of that."
"Well, as far as I'm concerned it can only get better. I only hope that my enemies really believe I'm dead and won't start looking for me again...", Ash said more to himself than to anyone else, staring holes in the opposite wall, his eyes darkening with worry.
"Stop overthinking things, Ash, and look forward to your new life. Sometimes good things just happen. Without a deeper meaning behind it. Just accept it.", Sing replied encouragingly.
Ash looked sadly at him. "I'm trying. But it's not that easy for me."
"It's gonna be ok. You'll see.", Eiji promised him.
"I wish you a safe trip to Japan. Make sure you enjoy your new life, Ash. And don't forget that you still have friends in NYC as well. And that cell phones work in Japan as well.", Sing said, smirking at him, knowing fairly well that Ash would never be the one to call him.
"Good bye, Sing. And thanks for everything. For the documents as well. I mean it.", Ash said, smiling at him. "Tell Alex to take care of my guys. Or I'll come back and punch him so hard that he doesn't need an airplane to visit Japan.", Ash grinned viciously.
"Alex will just say That sounds like Ash.", Sing grinned back. "I'll be going now."
"Take care of yourself, Sing. And do me a favor and stop being a gang leader. Try something else. Something less dangerous."
"I'll think about it.", he promised.
"I'll walk you to the exit.", Eiji said, following him.
They walked for a few minutes in comfortable silence until they reached the exit. Eiji turned to Sing. "Thanks again for convincing me to save that stubborn idiot. I can't stop thinking about... that was cutting it really close. If we hadn't found him in time..." Now there were tears welling up in Eiji's eyes, running down his face. Sing just hugged him, not saying anything, just held him. After a moment Eiji pulled out of the hug, wiping the tears away with his sleeve. "I'm sorry, Sing. "If I think about how close he was to dying... What if we had only arrived a few minutes later... "
So Eiji wanted to hide his tears in front of Ash, Sing realized with a start. To hide from Ash how much that memory still hurt him. He could relate to that. He couldn't forget those images of Ash bleeding out either. But the fact remained that Ash was alive. That was the most important thing. Nothing else mattered.
"But, Eiji, no matter how close he was to dying, Ash is still alive. So enjoy your time together with him. The beginning won't be easy, but I'm sure you'll work it out. Ash really needs you now. Especially because he isn't used to such a peaceful way of life. And because he also has to adapt to a new country. A new world. But remember that you're not alone. If you have any problems or just need to talk, just call me, ok?", Sing assured him.
"Ok. Thanks, Sing. I really owe you.", Eiji smiled at him.
"And don't try to do everything by yourself all the time. Ash can help you as well, you know? He may be a stubborn idiot, but he would do anything for you. Try to rely on him as well.", he reminded Eiji.
"I will. I'm gonna miss you, Sing. Tell Alex and the others goodbye for me and that I'll be thinking about them. Cain, too."
"I promise. I'll miss you, too. Please tell me if you've landed safely in Japan."
"Ok.", Eiji hugged him again and then gripped his shoulder, smiling at him. "Come visit us in Japan one day."
"Yeah, I definitely will. I promise. Bye, Eiji. Have a safe trip. And take care of yourself and that stubborn idiot.", Sing added with a smile, getting on his bike.
Eiji waved at him when Sing drove away. He waved back, hoping those two would have a better life from now on. But as long as they were together they would be fine.