Chapter Text
Goto awoke slowly, feeling very comfortable and relaxed. Memories of the previous evening arose, but failed to disrupt his peace. It wasn’t a big deal if Hino was having trouble adjusting; they had plenty of time to get used to each other. Wait, what kind of thought was that? It was the sort of thing you’d think after moving in with your lover. Or moving in with anybody! Goto couldn’t let his romantic feelings get out of hand. It wasn’t fair to Eiji, and he’d only frustrate himself imagining their relationship. Hino was only staying for a little while, until he found himself his own place. There was nothing between them but friendship, and not even a close one. Goto threw his blankets off and swung his legs over the edge of the bed, sitting up. I’ll be seeing the Izumis in a few hours, he thought. It was his last day off of the week and he was determined to enjoy himself. As he stood and began making the bed, he wondered what Eiji might like for breakfast. He hadn’t eaten until midday yesterday, but his appetite seemed healthy enough. His physical recovery was well underway, but it was likely still too early to hope he’d want something in particular for breakfast. I’ll just make whatever I want. Hino had likely eaten all kinds of things in his adventures, anyway.
“But not yet,” he told himself softly. He’d cook later, when Eiji woke. Goto walked over to his window and opened the blinds, enjoying the view for a moment. A nice morning like this just demanded to be taken slowly.
So it was that by the time Eiji tottered out of the guest room, clad in different but still too-large pyjamas, Goto was on the couch, reading. He observed his rumpled houseguest with a slight smile.
“Good morning. How was your sleep?” Eiji turned to him, squinting a bit against the sunlight.
“Oh, fine. Having such a nice bed is a big change.” He approached, leaning over the back of the couch to look at Goto’s reading material. “What’s this?” Goto flipped the cover shut so he could see. “‘History of Clothing Manufacture’...? I didn’t know you liked clothes, Goto.” He shrugged.
“I used to model back in school. Fashion is interesting, especially in a historical context.” Eiji looked both baffled and amazed.
“Huh, like, as a job?” This side of Eiji was almost unbearably cute.
“Yes, in my late teens and early twenties. I was contracted to an agency, but I quit before going to the police academy. Would you like to see some of my work?”
“Ah, that’s okay...” Eiji was blushing again. Wasn’t this just what I was trying to avoid? But Eiji was the one who’d asked! Goto sighed minutely and stood up.
“Now that you’re up, I’ll make breakfast.”
“Can I help?” Eiji asked, sounding somehow like a child.
“Hm.” His expression was just too genuine and innocent. “Okay, you can cut up some fruit. But not just yet!” He amended his statement as Eiji all too eagerly headed for the kitchen. “Relax for now, okay?”
“Okay.” Eiji sat down but clearly did not relax.
“You can use the TV, right?” He nodded.
“Sure.” He didn’t look sure, but Goto was resolved to stop bothering so much. Let him figure it out, he thought. I’ve got breakfast to make.
~ooo~
Left to his own devices in Goto’s nice living room, Eiji felt like a house pet gone feral. Relax? How am I supposed to do that?! He’d had either his self-imposed mission to pursue or someone else telling him what to do for over half the decade. The various remote controls on the coffee table meant nothing to him, and even just sitting here, aware of the well-kept indoor surroundings, felt wrong somehow. I want to be in his bed but I don’t want to be in his house? Eiji’s feelings were in conflict with themselves but just like before, he only wanted to flee. Being away from Goto might seem easier in the short term, but Eiji was sure it would only be worse in the long run. And if I run I’ll never see any of them again , he told himself. He was meeting his friends today, he should be excited! I am looking forward to seeing them... That was a simple enough emotion, and an honest desire. I wonder how the place will be decorated when we get there. Some of the happiest times of Eiji’s life had happened under that roof, wearing strange costumes and waiting tables with Hina and Goto. I must have been dreaming, thinking those days could have lasted forever. He found he was smiling despite himself. It would be alright, if he had them by his side again. The warm feeling in Eiji’s chest was one he’d nearly forgotten, but he welcomed it back, a comfort. He’d missed his friends, and wanted to be near them. The fierce, hot attraction he felt toward Goto was terrific in its intensity, but it wasn’t all he felt. From his seat in the corner of the long couch, Eiji peered over his shoulder at the other man in the kitchen. He’s so willing to care for me, he thought. And so patient, as he remembered their many awkward interactions.
“Eiji?”
“Yes?” Goto was looking back at him now, with that pleasant smile Eiji wasn’t yet used to.
“It’s time for that help.” Goto directed his focus back to the large pan in front of him as Eiji entered the narrow kitchen. A cutting board and a knife had been set next to a bowl of apples and oranges, just far enough away that they wouldn’t be jabbing each other with their elbows. Goto glanced his way again as Eiji took his place there. “You’re under my supervision,” he said, serious but for a slight quirk to his lips.
“Don’t you worry, I’ve eaten whole meals with just my knife before.” This level of proximity was fine so long as Eiji didn’t look at Goto too much, didn’t let his eyes linger on the shape of his shoulders under his shirt. He cut the fruit and tried to think only of that, at times aware of Goto watching him. This is kinda nice. Eiji could get used to being around Goto, but that pesky libido! He put it out of his mind. Today I’m going to have a nice day and catch up with my friends.
~ooo~
Cous Coussier’s eclectic exterior hadn’t changed a bit in seven years. The gates, with their distinctive tableware-shaped hinges, stood open as if beckoning. The drive to the restaurant had been dominated by an anxious silence, Eiji too focused on the destination to talk much. Goto couldn’t be sure how the other man was feeling even as they approached the doors. Was he nervous about seeing Hina and Shingo, or Chiyoko? Did he fear seeing the dining room would trigger him? Or was he only anticipating socializing with some old friends? Eiji’s face betrayed nothing. I’m worrying too much. Goto shook his head minutely and pushed the large doors open, stepping inside with only a glance at his newfound roommate. He couldn’t keep doting on him, in fact Eiji wouldn’t let him. The restaurant’s cave-like interior was empty of guests and decorated with Italian souvenirs. Goto spotted the Izumis seated further inside, both with slightly amused expressions. What are they looking at?
“Eiji!” Chiyoko rushed in from the kitchen with a huge smile on her face.
“Ah, Miss Chiyoko?” Eiji had little time to react before the older woman wrapped her arms around him in a hug. Goto muffled his laughter as best he could. Chiyoko let him go after a moment, brow furrowed with concern.
“They told me you got hurt. I’m sorry I couldn’t visit, but you could have said something before getting yourself into trouble again.” Eiji looked at the floor.
“Sorry.” Chiyoko’s smile came back after a moment.
“Aw, you’re all right.” She put her arm around him, patting his back. “You’ve got us.” She gently steered him toward their table before returning to the kitchen. “Lunch will be ready soon!”
~ooo~
Eiji liked being inside the restaurant again. It was still the place he’d called home for the longest since leaving his parents’ house, and the familiarity of the dining room was comfortable. Even so, he wasn’t doing too well on the catching-up-with-friends front. Goto and Shingo had struck up conversation immediately, something about Shingo’s work, but Hina and Eiji had become stuck in an awkward silence. Hina hardly showed any sign of disconcert, resembling nothing more than the young professional she was. Though she was only a few years younger than him, Eiji had gotten used to seeing Hina as a kid thanks to her being Shingo’s younger sister. Now it was as if she’d become the more mature one. Hina sighed quietly.
“I’m glad you came,” She said. “I was so worried I wouldn’t be able to spend any time with you now that you’re back. Would it have been impossible for you to call ahead?” She was smiling.
“Well, maybe...” Eiji tried to remember exactly when he’d last had access to a method of communication that would have let him tell anyone in Japan where he was. “I’ve never been much for making firm travel plans,” he finally said. Hina laughed.
“That’s what I figured. At least everything went okay after all.” She sipped from her drink, some kind of colourful juice. “You look better already.” Eiji smiled.
“I’ve been receiving the highest standard of care from Goto.” Goto rolled his eyes at this.
“So he’s really been staying at your house, Goto?” There was something devious in Shingo’s grin. Goto was clearly wise to whatever was going unsaid.
“Hino is a very low-maintenance houseguest. And he’s only staying until he can get back on his feet.”
“I really can’t impose on Goto for too long, he’s done so much for me already.” Eiji turned to the other man. “I’ll pay you back for all this someday.” Goto gave Eiji his usual frown.
“Just focus on getting better for now.” The siblings seated on the other side of the table shared a meaningful glance but didn’t comment. Eiji hadn’t seen them both together very often while Ankh wasn’t around, and was charmed by how they resembled each other when they smiled. Shingo smiled more often than not, in contrast to Ankh who’d rarely done anything but frown. Even if Shingo’s face had belonged to the Greeed for so long, they had little in common. The elder Izumi’s hair was still brown but it was longer and a little wavy. He wasn’t as thin as he’d been years ago, and Eiji noticed his fingernails were painted black. He looks cool.
“By the way, Hino,” Shingo was saying. “I’m not busy at the moment, so I thought I’d start looking into where Ankh might be. Do you feel up to helping me out?” Rather than speak the enthusiastic assent that immediately came to mind, Eiji held back.
“Is that alright? I’m grateful and all but won’t you get in trouble for using police resources for personal matters?” he asked instead. Shingo looked astonished for a second before bursting into laughter.
“I’m not a cop anymore, I’m a private investigator now,” He said, his smile audible in his voice. “Nobody uses my resources but me, and I’ve got no work right now. It isn’t any problem, really.”
“Well in that case, sure.” At the back of his mind Eiji wondered why Shingo would do this. Hadn’t Ankh stolen his life out from under him? But that was his business. Just then Chiyoko reemerged from the kitchen, bringing with her several plates.
“Lunch is served!” She declared, setting the food down on the table. “I was getting to the end of some of my pasta so I threw a bunch of it together with meat sauce.” She pulled a chair from beneath a neighbouring table and sat down with the four around their table. “I’d like to avoid having leftovers so clean your plates, and that goes double for you Eiji.” Chiyoko’s look of concern was back. “You’re too skinny.” Eiji observed the heap of mismatched pasta shapes beneath their thick coat of red sauce and smiled.
“I’ll do my best.” He took a bite and savoured the richness of the flavours for a moment. “Both you and Goto are determined to feed me up.”
“Goto does prefer guys who are bigger than him,” said Shingo. Goto, who was in the midst of completely covering his pasta in cheese, shot him a look.
“You two are kinda close these days, huh?” Eiji commented. The two men answered at once.
“We are!”
“I wouldn’t say that.” Goto’s glare intensified while everyone else laughed.
“In fact he’s at my office whenever he gets time off, so I’d say we’ve gotten to know each other pretty well.” Shingo said, watching Goto who had taken a big bite of his pasta as if to stall for time. He swallowed, still frowning.
“Izumi’s office has a lot of useful resources for my own work,” he admitted. “But we don’t talk very much unless we’re helping each other out directly.”
“Or talking about boys,” Hina added. Shingo nodded.
“That too.” Goto seemed to be too mortified to say anything, but regained his composure as Eiji watched.
“I can only say that I’m not out to many people, so I take what opportunities for that kind of talk I can get.” There was a tinge of pink in his cheeks. Eiji got the feeling there were many things his friends had shared while he was away that he was just going to have to be alright with not understanding.
“Eiji?” Hina drew his attention.
“Yes?” Her face suggested she wasn’t sure how to phrase her question.
“You did a... magic ritual to bring Ankh back. Right?” Eiji nodded.
“Yep, that’s right. I’m not a wizard now or anything, I only learned that one spell.” Hina’s look of confusion didn’t change at all.
“Okay, but how did you learn it? Did you find somebody who knew about the Greeed?” Eiji focused and began to recollect some of the details.
“In Lebanon I think, I met a man who recognized the core medal. He said he was an alchemist, inheritor of ancient scrolls or something like that. The spell he taught me is for giving a body to a spirit, where you basically use magic to turn raw material into a living organism. He had some little things, they were like toys that moved on their own, but he’d never tried to make something human-sized out of flesh before.” Eiji smiled. “Too bad I can’t remember his name, he’d be glad to know his spell worked.” Chiyoko, Goto, Shingo and Hina were all looking at him funny now. “It’s a crazy story, but it really happened, I swear.” Goto had his hand on his forehead as if a migraine was coming on.
“That’s what all the meat was for...” Now the table’s focus shifted toward him.
“What exactly does that mean?” Hina asked. Goto looked tired all of a sudden.
“Kogami had me investigating a series of meat thefts a week ago. Weird stuff like that always interests him. There were some bone specimens that went missing too.” Oh boy, I remember doing that. Eiji’s palms felt sweaty. He was already a criminal, but the things he’d done lately were a little more egregious than his usual loitering and trespassing.
“Wow. Lucky neither of us are cops anymore,” Shingo said lightly. “We’d have had to take you in.” He looked at Goto as he said this.
“If it was to bring Ankh back, I don’t think there’s anyone here who wouldn’t do something illegal.” Hina looked resolute, and Eiji’s heart warmed.
“Well... yeah, I can’t deny that.” Shingo agreed.
“I’ve already committed a crime for Ankh,” Chiyoko contributed. “Let me know if I can help you with searching for him.”
“We’d be very grateful.” From there the conversation shifted to lighter topics, and Eiji was glad to simply listen to his friends’ voices as they talked about their lives. It was a relief to know they’d stayed close even without him around. He could hardly be envious while enjoying their company like this, though he couldn’t help but think of Ankh. Was he alone now, or had he found someone else to rely on? Eiji had no doubt that his erstwhile companion could track him down easily, though he tried not to think of why he might not do so. But now that he had more time to himself, his thoughts and memories couldn’t be pushed aside as easily. Ankh had called him an idiot that night, not exactly unusual for him, but it seemed awfully cold in context. Maybe he really didn’t want to come back. There was no way that was true, right? Or does he not want to be around me? Eiji shook his head slightly. There was reason to sit here contemplating that while he was with his friends.
“Hino, you alright?” Goto nudged him gently.
“Fine, just fine.”