Kanri

Mostly just random HypMic ideas. You can probably tell I really, really like Jakurai. AO3: Kouen_chan

[kanri-tea]

Ghost AU?

The Dead Who Walk Among Us

AU where some of the hypmic cast are ghosts but there's still hypnosis mic and drbs.

Going to be real here, I wrote this months ago and forgot about it. I just rediscovered it and it was long enough that I just decided to post it here. If I ever remember where I was going with this, I might pick it up again.

This is chapter 1 of what was supposed to be 6, so it's Jakurai-centric.

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When Jakurai was a child - well, not that he still wasn’t a child, but you get the point - there was hope. Hope that the war would end, hope that death wouldn’t come to their doorsteps.

Mother and father though, Jakurai knew even at the tender age of 6, did not hope. They drank a stinky water that made them act mean and loud and would eat a smokey thing that smelled weird and permeated everything for days. The things they said made Jakurai sad, so very sad.

W̵̜͇͗͐ḩ̶̂̇͌y̵͙͛͋ͅ ̴̪̋ď̶̬̬̣̓í̷̻̙͜ḍ̵͚̋ ̵̦̽͛͘y̷͙̓o̴̞̖̖͑̾̀ư̷͖̽ ̶̎̈́̉ͅh̶̗̫̅̀̏a̸̗͒̈́t̵̜̪̗̏̚̕é̶͍͔̅ ̵͌͜m̵̗̅͂̆è̶̠͕̙̃?̶̞̀̍ ̷͙͙͝Ǐ̵̲ ̸͓̝͌͌d̸̢̖͓̐́ĭ̷̟͖͠ḋ̴͉̱n̸̡̖͒’̶̧̳̼̕ẗ̷̰̺̓ͅ ̸̞͍̉͠a̸̘̙̰̐š̴̳̪̓̑͜k̶̪̏͝ ̵̤̪̈́͜t̴̛̤o̶̩͠ ̷̝̏̈́ͅḇ̵̝̓̾̄ͅẹ̵͓̅̾͘͜ ̶̠̩̋̍b̵̝́o̶̖̓r̴̫̆̉̋n̴̲͛,̴̺̱̗̔ ̷̞͎̇̓Í̸͍̿͠ ̸̡̹̊͘̚d̶̤͓̓̊̊i̶̺̖̤̊̓͊d̵̺̀ń̶͕’̴̨̳̆͆̎t̵̺͎̹̓̓͠ ̴̛̝͑ả̷̲s̴̤̿̂k̷̢̬̎̌ ̷̹̩͂̄ͅf̵̝͚̜͆͠o̷̧̊r̴̛̹̎̿ ̴̨̤͎̊̉̓t̵̜͗͜h̴̡͆͗̋ỉ̸̡̘̩ś̴͍ ̷̛̤̠̭͂̆p̷̨̫͗̂ą̸̻͊i̴͚͠ṇ̸̚.̸͚͊͘

So, for Jakurai at least, it was never a surprise when they found a way to get rid of him. The laboratory they sold him to was, in contrast, cold and unnerving. Whereas back with mother and father, people prayed to keep death away, shielding the people of their community away from the pain and horrors of war.

Here though. Here, the scientists reveled in it. The many children who went into the labs rarely ever came out. And if they did, they were never the same again.

And thus, Jakurai kept his head down and kept quiet. It wasn’t enough, it usually wasn’t. By the time Jakurai was decided to become the next test subject, the friends he’d made when he’d first arrived had already been killed off - their blood staining the walls of this cold prison - and the ones he had now would soon follow.

Maybe it took days. Maybe it took hours. Jakurai hadn’t known. All it took was a tiny injection, and then everything felt like it was on fire.

T̸̛̙͝h̴̞̜͂͝ͅè̴̮̈́ỵ̶̢̨̄ ̸͍͇̽͘͜c̶̢̥̻̃̐ǘ̴̯̀̔ẗ̵̢̢̬́ ̴̱̒̕o̷̤̒̈́̑f̸̟̑f̵̰̌̋̌ ̸̦̞̖́m̴̮̺͒͘y̸͉͇̰̓̔ ̷̹̯͙͗h̴͈͊͒̅a̶̹̳̔̃̐ͅn̵͖͆d̸̤͑s̶̝̥͖͝.̷̹̓̚̚ ̷̜̺̜̆T̶̖͖͂̑̕h̴̛̪̋͝ȅ̴͔̈n̴̺̏̐ ̷̨̣͚͌ṱ̴̠̆̚h̸̞̖́ė̷̞͉̓̓ỹ̸̘͉ ̷̢̭̫̀̈́̋ç̸͍̲̂̌̂u̴̟̻̣͋̈́t̶̙̼͐͊ ̵͇͋o̴̡̢̳̓́͠f̸̥̙́̌͝f̴̦̒̐ ̶̗͍͒̔̆m̴̖͗ỹ̷̧͔̚͝ ̴͖̥̊͆̎͜f̵̰̃͝e̵͓̻͖̽̂͂ę̵͎̰̿t̷̻͓̖͛.̸̩̍ ̵̝͎͋W̶̼̅h̴̠͔̦̅͐̐y̵̦̮̓͐͜͝ ̴̧͔̈́̆d̸͉̀ͅi̵̻̓̌d̸͓̥̰̀́͌ ̷͖́̚ť̴̥̜h̷̢̻́̂́e̴̬̤͊̍͊͜y̷̢̪͠ ̴͈̭͐̀͑d̴̞̳͉̎o̷̱͆̿̾ͅ ̵̙͐t̸̘̗̣̄h̸̖̊͛i̴̢̝̗̚ś̵̻͜?̶̺̯̌̾ ̶̩͍̿W̵̹̹̰̏̍h̴̫͕̟̽͘y̸̠̝͑̊͑ ̵̘̠̏d̸̫͐̌ȋ̶̡̙͎͐d̶̳͖̩̎ ̶̺̞͐̿ͅṱ̶͍̽h̵̭̜͕̚͠e̴͓̐͒̈y̵̠̓̚͝ ̸̡̇h̸̜̭͚̅͂͑û̴̢͙̦͋ṟ̵̼̞̅ṯ̸͕̯̀̕̕ ̶̝͓̖͐̊u̸̮͈̅̐̌͜s̶̥̃̽̾?̵̡͙͈͆̕ ̵͉̜͛E̶̘͊́͝v̵͚̼̔ḛ̴̱͓̎r̵͙̱̎̿ỳ̷͕̽̊t̵͙̗̐͂h̵͔̫̬͛̂̈i̷̙̟̔̒n̷̘͈̙̋g̴̯̖̥͝ ̶̛̦̼̱̉͗h̶̫̻͐ũ̷̘͚͚̊r̴͚͙̯̈́͐̓t̷̞̽̇ ̵̡̡̂s̸̖̿̏ö̶̞͗̕ ̴̘̬̫̃͗̚b̴̬̉̿a̴̛̦̻̘d̴̮͚̑ļ̶̏ỷ̷͉̹ ̷̤̊̾͌a̵̻͆͛̿ṋ̸̖͓̀̈ḓ̷̭̂ ̸̗͈̺̏͝w̴͔̿͒h̶͖̝̘̉͗͝e̴̡̪͆͝n̵̝͕̜̾ ̸͓̬͒̏t̵͓̍̏h̸̯̻͒̃̈́e̵̲̭͗́ȳ̵̺͓͐ ̵̟̊̑f̷̧͖͈̎̾͝ȋ̸̫̟̚ṋ̴́a̶̬̙͐l̴̲͇̀̕l̷̛̦̟͐y̶̳͠ ̴̝̓c̷͍͘͝ù̷̬̌t̷͙͙̜̅̔ ̸͈̃͠o̷̟̠̐f̵̼͛̅f̸͍̦̦̀̋͝ ̵̰̈́̀̀m̶̟̝̒̓͝y̷̺̹̝͑̊ ̶̻̫͂̕ḩ̶̰̮̈͗͘ḛ̸̣̻͌̓̊á̷̳͇̲̓d̴̝̮̓͊̒,̵̛̬̟͐͊ͅ ̸͚̠̭̍̓i̴̜͖̓̓̈́t̶̫͋́ ̴̨͕̞̓̃w̷̠̐̓͐a̷̯͐͌ş̸̜̝͑̌ ̸̝̭̇͘͜ạ̷̰͝ ̵̡̤̉ͅr̸̨̦̝̒͊ẽ̸̟͈̀l̵͕̝͑̆̈ȉ̷̻̹̅é̶͍͎̕f̸̭͕̃̎͐.̸̪̻̤̾̈́̎ ̸̧̰͈̈́ ̴̰̱̣̎̅D̶̞͚̑̀ē̴͓͖͍͠ȧ̵̦̥̦t̷̻̊̒̀ͅȟ̶̟̼ ̶͎͎̈́̓͌w̸̜̺̏a̸͖̱͂s̶̹͒͑́ ̵͚̓ͅm̸̰͝y̶͇̠̼̕ ̵͉̆͊ŗ̶͈͗̆̋e̷̝͎͒̎͑l̴͉̰̑͛̇i̷̝͜͠e̵̼̩̗̐͗f̵̥͎̲̅̎.̶̨̔̍

When the scientists were finally done, he finally D I E S

. . .

There is this curious phenomenon that has been observed for centuries. It occurs when tragedy occurs in multitudes, and some theorize that it is a reminder to humanity of its failings. Others hypothesize that it’s simply the strength of human will that allows for this phenomenon to occur. Most though, most believe it is a reminder from the gods to be humble. To be kind. To show empathy and sympathy.

A reminder from the gods that the sins of humanity can and will haunt you.

.

.

The dead walk among us, especially the ones who never got their promised happy ever afters. Be careful who you anger, because you never know if they’ll come back as a ghost, and who knows, maybe they’ll be coming to take their revenge too.

.

.

.

“Neh, neh,” a small child crowed, “Hifumi-kun, Doppo-kun, can you play with us?”

Hifumi cheerfully smiled, Doppo carefully mirroring his expression to the best of his exhausted abilities.

Today was one of Doppo’s rare days off, and yet here they were in the middle of a park surrounded by children. He’d very much rather be back in their shared apartment sleeping, but… seeing the smiling faces of all these kids, Doppo thought, just for today, it would be okay. As the children formed a circle to toss around a shiny red ball, they began to sing their haunting tune.

“̶K̸a̴g̸o̴m̴e̸ ̸k̷a̵g̶o̴m̶e̸,̸ ̷t̵h̵e̷ ̴b̸i̵r̵d̷ ̸i̵s̸ ̵i̶n̵ ̵t̵h̶e̴ ̴c̷a̴g̷e̴;̵ ̶W̶h̴e̸n̶,̵ ̶o̴h̷ ̴w̶h̶e̵n̸ ̸w̸i̷l̴l̵ ̶i̴t̸ ̷c̶o̴m̷e̴ ̵o̶u̵t̷;̸ I̴n̴ ̵t̴h̶e̴ ̸n̸i̵g̸h̴t̶ ̸o̵f̷ ̷d̸a̶w̶n̷;̶ ̸T̵h̶e̶ ̵c̵r̵a̴n̵e̶ ̶a̶n̴d̶ ̴t̴u̶r̶t̶l̴e̷ ̴s̵l̵i̶p̴p̴e̸d̶;̴ W̵h̷o̵ ̸i̶s̴ ̵b̷e̷h̵i̵n̵d̶ ̷y̷o̴u̶ ̵n̴o̷w̵?̸”̶

It’s funny, Doppo thinks to himself even as he absentmindedly catches and tosses the ball around, how a children’s song can take a whole new - and rather terrifying - meaning.

To these children - these children who were killed for nothing but the foolish greed of men searching for immortality and using war as a cover-up - it was their game and song that kept them sane and relatively ignorant to the true horrors of their lives.

These tiny ghosts who had heavy scarring around their wrists, ankles, and throats. These tiny ghosts who wore dirty and torn garbs around their gaunt bodies.

“Ah! Doppo-kun!” Jinguji Jakuri calls out, “Hifumi-kun!”

There is no pitter-patter of tiny feet running towards them, ghosts cannot truly interact with the world of the living after all. But to Doppo, it’s all the same. He kneels down to pseudo-hug the child ghost, ignoring every fiber of his being that tells him to destroy whoever hurt this small child. To take his mic and destroy the cruel men who cut off this tiny child’s limbs and then killed him by cutting off his head.

But Doppo cannot. He’s over a century too late, for all these children have been dead for years and years and years. This is the curse of the dead who walk among the living, rarely ever able to move on from their regrets and anger.

They’ve talked about it before, him and Hifumi. About how much they wanted to keep this little child safe, how much they owe Jakurai for stepping in and protecting Hifumi from his crazy stalker even though the little ghost could’ve just ignored them like any other spirit. About how incredibly kind and incredibly adorable and most importantly, how incredibly sad Jakurai was.

It’s foolish talk though, Doppo knows, after all, they weren’t the first living beings Jakurai had become friends with over the years - they just happen to be his current ones.

(He quietly ignores the part of his brain that asks about the TDD. The TDD is over - Jakurai has said so himself, a quiet and mellow declaration in contrast to his usual cheery spirit. He quietly ignores who the former members of the TDD come and go from Shinjuku, always the ones to initiate contact that Jakurai happily receives. The ghostly members of the other divisions are a whole other can of fish that neither Doppo nor Hifumi are willing to open just yet, but well, ghosts were a different matter.

No, Doppo was not jealous. He was an adult and could handle the fact that Jakurai had other living friends maturely.

… Okay, so maybe he was a little jealous of the way Jakurai would brighten up every time he saw Yamada, Aohitsugi, and Amemura, but so was Hifumi.)

They were Matenrou, they were the Shinjuku Division in this wild era of microphones and rap battles, and they would watch after each other, even if their precious leader didn’t quite understand that just yet.

But he would. Hifumi and Doppo would make sure Jakurai knew that he could count on them.

Ḩ̶̿e̴̪͆y̶͎͠,̶͇̐ ̵̰͛ẁ̸̤ȃ̶̪n̵̘͐n̶͓̈ā̶̞ ̴̼̔ḳ̷̿n̸̬͗o̴͓͐w̸͉̃ ̶͖̏a̵͍͗ ̵͙̚s̸̼̄ë̷̩́c̸̟̈́r̴̲̀e̷͇̐t̸͇̒?̷̡̍ ̸͔̄T̸̘͌h̵̝́e̵̢̽ ̷̬͑s̴͓͑c̶̫͂í̷͓ḛ̸̂ṋ̸́ţ̵̋i̴̻̍s̶̤͌t̸͖̂ ̵̳̃ų̵̋s̷̱̒e̶͖̓ď̵̤ ̶͚̔t̷͚͒o̷̠̍ ̷̲̊s̷̯͝a̷͈͘y̵̺̓ ̴̤͛t̸̗́ḩ̵͒ȧ̵̳t̵͝ͅ ̷̘̏ṱ̵̒h̷͙̐e̸͇͝ỵ̵̋ ̴̥̃ẅ̸͓́è̴̖r̶͍̒è̵̱ ̴̡̑s̷̹͗ẹ̵̈ř̴̳v̴͙͛î̵ͅn̵̹͊g̸͙͘ ̵̱̌h̸̦̒u̶̅͜m̶̫̿ă̶̬n̶̤̏i̷͎͆t̷͙̚y̷̟͛,̸̘̔ ̶̛̤t̷̨̅h̶̰̍a̶̟͑t̴̂ͅ ̷̗̂t̶͙͝ḧ̸̼́i̸̪̅s̷̙͑ ̷̗̐w̷͔͒a̸̧̾s̶̳͂ ̵̲͝m̶̬̂y̴̘̏ ̶̧̐p̷̢̔ǘ̶̯ř̷̼p̷̧͐ȏ̵̬s̴̗̐e̵̲͠.̴̽ͅ

̷̤͗Ḅ̴̊ű̵̺t̷̞̆ ̵̡̈w̵̨͘h̷͈͝ā̵͜ṭ̵͐ ̵̢̈́d̶̩̈́o̴̞͐ĕ̴̥s̷͕͆ ̸̳̔i̷̯̕t̴͎̀ ̶̺̎m̵̢̍è̸͉ǎ̶̺n̶̞̓ ̴͍͘t̵͙̍o̶̦͠ ̶̛̱s̷̰̈é̷̞r̷͔̚v̴̱̔e̵̗̊ ̴͍̎h̵̙̀ǘ̶̯m̴͚͂a̸͕͑ņ̸̿i̷̞͐ţ̷̒ẙ̸͚?̷̍͜ ̷͎͆W̴͉̽h̸͈͑y̷̍͜ ̴̯̐d̶̻̀ĩ̵̹d̶̡̒ ̵͙̾Į̶̈́ ̵̲͐h̶͓͑a̶͇̅v̸̭̓e̷͚̋ ̴̨̚t̷̘̀o̸̭̓ ̸̛̮s̵̥̚ą̶̌c̴̜͂r̶̾ͅỉ̷͚f̴̫͠i̸̠͌ć̸̟ĕ̶̦ ̴̨̂m̵̼̏ỳ̸͎ ̶͒͜ḷ̴̈́i̵̟͒f̶̳̚ḛ̸͗ ̶̫͐f̶̡́o̸̼͝r̵̛̬ ̴͍̈ţ̸̈́h̵̠͝ǐ̶̼s̶̖̾ ̷͙̌s̵̙̓o̵̝͝-̶̠͑ĉ̸͙a̵͚̔l̶̙̏l̵̥̽e̸̢̎d̴̤͛ ̶͎̾h̶̩͋ũ̶͓m̴͖͠a̷̤̚n̷̻̒ì̶̝t̶͎̀ỳ̶͔?̶̬̅

̵̥̀T̸͈͆h̸̥͋i̸̞̇s̸̙̓ ̷̳͗p̵͖̕a̸̗͛i̸͍͌n̵̡̆ ̴̮͊a̴̟̋n̵̮̕d̶͔̐ ̵̫̿s̶͙̓ù̴͔f̵̤̒f̵̞͗e̴̻͝ṙ̶͖į̷̌n̷̮͋g̸̠̉,̵̼̈ ̶̮̓a̵͇͠l̵͇͆ḽ̷͑ ̶͚̚t̶̑ͅẖ̴̍ȩ̸͠s̶̜̚e̵͚͛ ̸̠͌s̵̬͑e̸̫͠n̴̖̎s̶̪͋e̸̲̓l̸̬̊e̷̟͒s̷̯̾ş̸̕ ̴̣̈́d̵̟͂e̷͈͝ȧ̷͈t̴̡̉h̵̥̄s̸͘ͅ.̶̈́͜.̷͇̈.̵̗̈ ̴͇̈M̶̱͗r̴̰̾.̵͖̚ ̸̺͝Ş̵͊c̷̮̔i̸̫̒e̸̺̚ň̸͈t̷̳̆i̸̪̅s̸̢̔t̴̺́s̷̺̕,̴̯͝ ̶̛̪w̵̞̾ȟ̵̨ȍ̶̥ ̵͉̉i̴̻͗s̴̰̿ ̴̫̚ḯ̵̬t̶͓̚ ̴̧̃t̷͔̆h̶̜̒a̶̙͆t̴͕̃ ̴̧͒y̸͔̓ö̴̜́u̵̜̐ ̴̜͒t̶̥̑r̶̭̄ụ̶͌l̸̝̈y̶̧͊ ̶̟͐s̸̗̕é̸̬r̵̨̓v̴͘ͅe̶̠͘d̸̙͒ ̶̱́i̶̻̐n̶̙̚ ̶͍̓t̴͎̊h̵͉̑ḙ̶̆ ̴͔̈́v̴̈́͜ê̵̪r̸͎̒y̸̯̎ ̸̖͗ë̸͇ň̵͜d̷̟̚?̵̘̂ ̸̜͐H̷͕̚u̵̢͝m̷͇͂à̶̳n̵̝̑i̴͍̒t̴̹̽ỵ̷̉,̷̦͊ ̸̡̌o̶̪̓r̸̬͋ ̸̻́r̴̙̍à̶̱t̸͕͌h̵̻̉è̶̪r̴̡̐ ̸͎́y̵̩͐o̴͕͂u̴͙̓r̵̬̈́ ̸̪͐o̵̤̊ẃ̴͉n̷͍̐ ̴͔̂s̸̙̐e̵͔̍l̵̝͂f̵̞͒i̵̼͑s̶̟̈́h̸̪̍ ̴̤͐d̶̞̓e̵̯̚s̸͓̅ì̷͔r̷̹̆e̷̯̚s̷͉͝?̷̞̐

If Jakurai had to describe the TDD in a single word, it would probably be warm. Warm like the way Hitoya-kun made him feel when he said Jakurai did a good job.

[kanri-tea]

JakuRei Flufftober Day 14

Day 14: Trust

Going to give a fair warning that I only really know the basics of the AU, so please bare with me!

*************

If Jakurai had learned anything over the last 35 years of his life, it was that Dom/Sub dynamics weren’t just a matter of sexuality or power, it was a matter of trust.

This, of course, was something most would learn over the course of many relationships. The absolute power a dominant had over a submissive was something easily abused. Thus, trust was needed to maintain and keep a functional relationship. Of course, there were other means… but those relationships often left the sub broken and the dom imprisoned, among many other things.

“Kneel.”

The sub in front of him kneeled.

Jakurai rain a hand through soft, silky black hair.

“Good boy,” he hummed and the body under his hands shuddered. Half-lidded heterochromatic eyes stared up into Jakurai’s own blue ones.

Jakurai was the type to indulge in his instincts at every given opportunity. To see satisfaction and full-hearted trust in a sub was something that brought him elation. To Jakurai, being allowed to nurse a sub through their drop was of the highest honor, and something he would see to the fullest of extent.

Rei, on the other hand, preferred hiding his dynamic. The disparity between his appearance and his dynamic brought no small amount of self-consciousness and irritation to the bigger man. To indulge in his instincts was something of a shameful act and was done in private and never to be brought up again.

Yet here they were, Rei on his knees and Jakurai humming a tuneless song as they worked through Rei’s first sub drop in long, long while.

Jakurai internally sighed. What a stubborn and prideful man, to hold off on having a sub drop for such a long time. But that was what made Rei who he was, and Jakurai loved him as Rei was, stubbornness and cunningness and pride and all.

“That’s right,” Jakurai softly cooed, “You’re doing great, Rei.”

As Rei’s eyes glazed over, the sub drop overtaking his mind, small whimpers escaped from his mouth. Jakurai continued to stroke Rei’s hair, long fingers digging through a head of thick hair and nails lightly scraping the sub’s scalp. Jakurai started from the temple and slowly moving back towards the nape of Rei’s neck, and then the cycle started from the beginning once again.

It doesn’t take long for Rei to fully drop into sub space, and it’s to be expected. It’s late too, so as Rei’s glazed eyes and laxed body start drifting off, sleep becoming a more and more pressing matter, Jakurai decided to end their session for the night.

“Come here,” he commands and without a second thought, Rei crawls onto the bed and into Jakurai’s arms. He chuckles lightly, quickly working to tuck Rei into bed even as Rei became more and more like a lump of dead weight.

As they lay in bed, Rei having already drifted into Morpheus’s hold, Jakurai let’s the warmth engulf him.

“Thank you for trusting me,” he whispers, and for a minute, Jakurai thinks he sees the barest hint of a smile from Rei.

[kanri-tea]

JakuRei Flufftober Day 13

Day 13: "I'm cold." "Here, have my jacket."

*************

It’s one of Jakurai’s rare days off and despite how cold out it was, of course their date ends up in a botanical garden. Rei isn’t surprised whatsoever, but he does wish Jakurai had chosen somewhere a bit warmer, he thinks as he watches the lankier man shiver again despite the turtleneck sweater and doctor’s coat he wore.

“…cold…”

“Hmm,” Rei startled out of thoughts, “Did you say something, sense?”

“No, it’s nothing,” the kindly doctor smiles, nose tinted red from the cold, “Isn’t it calming here?”

“Yeah. It’s nice.” Definitely not Rei’s scene though, preferring to go to bars or just chilling at home with some alcohol. Since Jakurai didn’t drink though – and for good reason – dates often ended up in quaint and idyllic places like these.

Taking Jakurai’s hand into his own, fingers intertwining together, Rei noted how cold the doctor’s hand was. Too cold, he thought with a slight frown. What a stubborn man, to not even admit to being cold. Rei knew this sort of attitude was what made so many people think that Jakurai believed himself above them, but after countless dates and getting to know the younger man better, Rei knew it more along the lines of shitty self-esteem.

Sighing silently, Rei let himself be tugged along the path of the garden. It’s not a bad sight to behold, even in the winter, Rei admitted to himself, though the pretty man in front of him made this all the more better.

“It’s lovely, isn’t it,” Jakurai whimsically asks, “Even in the winter, the gardeners keep this place so well-maintained…”

“Mm-hmm.”

Jakurai smiled at him, an apologetic one, and asked, “Am I boring you? I apologize, I know this isn’t quite your scene.”

“Nah,” Rei shrugs, “Places like this are good every once in a while. Nice and peaceful.”

The smile Jakurai has on his face is less apologetic and more elated now. Good. Rei hated the idea of making Jakurai apologetic for being who he was.

“Though, I hadn’t realized how cold it would be today…” Jakurai trails off, another set of shivers wrecking his body. He really was too thin and scrawny, Rei thinks.

“Here,” Rei took off his fur coat and placed it onto Jakurai’s shoulders. Despite its gaudy and ridiculous appearance – and yes Rei adored it for those reasons alone – the coat was very comfortable and warm.

“Ah! It’s not necessary,” Jakurai protested, “You should keep warm too.”

Rei snorts. “Jakurai, at this rate you’re going to become an ice cube. I, on the other hand, run warm. You, not so much.”

Jakurai blushed, snuggling slightly into the warmth of the coat and hands fiddling with its edges. The shivering had stopped, so that’s good. Despite being the taller one out of the two, the coat absolutely dwarfed Jakurai. Rei blatantly ignored the horny part of his brain yelling about how good Jakurai looked in his clothes, even if it was only the coat.

“… Thank you.”

“For you, Jakurai? Absolutely anything,” Rei grinned, taking Jakurai’s hand into his own once again as they continued their date.

[kanri-tea]

JakuRei Flufftober Day 12

Day 12: Proposal

*************

How many years has it since he’d met Rei? How many years has it been since he’d begun to date Rei?

Jakurai quietly waited in his seat, people bustling and laughing around him. Across from him was an empty seat, waiting for its inhabitant still.

It wasn’t that Rei had decided not to show up – no. It wouldn’t be the first time Rei was late to a designated meeting, and it probably wouldn’t be the last. The older man was as flighty as the birds in the sky and loved being independent and free to do his own things.

But today would go a little different. Today, Jakurai’s pocket was heavy with a ring, a ring to tie Rei down. A ring that would signify that they would get married. Jakurai’s fingers nervously tapped in anticipation.

It wasn’t as if Rei and Jakurai had never discussed it. It was something they both knew they wanted eventually, but just not knowing when. After a while, it just became a bit of a competition to see who would propose first, with jokes thrown in about the ring and all. While Jakurai had no idea if Rei had even bought a ring, or if the man had planned a proposal yet, Jakurai had finally given in to his urges and bought a ring. It was a pretty little thing, a simple gold band with a diamond embedded into it, but the subtlety, Jakurai felt, sort of suited Rei.

And oh boy, had it taken ages to choose. It had eventually gotten to the point where Hitoya, Jakurai’s guide in expensive and luxurious goods, had gotten fed up with the violet-haired man. Jakurai silently swore to send a nice fruit basket to the poor lawyer. Gods know that Hitoya had already been stressing over Jyushi and Kuko’s relationship already, the poor man didn’t more stress because of Jakurai.

“Yo,” a hearty chuckle was heard from behind, “Sorry I’m late.”

Jakurai tilted his head back until his eyes met with Rei’s heterochromatic ones.

“It’s no problem,” Jakurai smiled, “I’m glad you’re here.”

Rei laughed again, finally seating himself and grabbing a menu. After a while, they placed their orders and as they idly chattered, Jakurai felt his nervousness ramp up. Would Rei like the ring? Would Rei accept the proposal?

As the two began to finish their meals, it was now or never, Jakurai decided.

“Rei,” he began, “We’ve been together for many years now. And I’ve loved each and every one of them.”

Rei hummed, eyes watching intensely with a tilt of his head. The conman had already caught on then.

“I know I can be a bit underwhelming, and you overwhelming at times, but you know, somehow we work. You make me a very happy man, Amayado Rei. When we met for the first time, I fell head over heels, and to this day, I still feel the same.”

Jakurai took out the ring box. Opening it and sliding it across the table, Jakurai hesitantly smiled.

“It would be my greatest honor and pleasure to be beside you for the rest of my days, and you with me. To be together through the good and the bad, through hard times and fun ones. Rei, will you marry me?”

The rest of the world felt frozen in place, a bubble of serenity that enveloped just them, but Jakurai watched as Rei gently took the ring, eyes shadowed. Would Rei finally let himself be tied down?

“I… I – Yes. You know what, yeah, let’s get married, Jakurai.”

Rei looked up, a roguish grin spreading across his face. Unspoken words and unshed tears were silently conveyed, and Jakurai knew.

“May I?” Jakurai tentatively asked.

Rei extended his left hand. Jakurai quickly removed the ring from the box and placed onto Rei’s ring finger. A perfect fit, Jakurai sighed in relief. Good.

“Marriage, huh,” Rei murmured, looking down at his fingers, now adorned with the ring.

“Marriage,” Jakurai affirmed, a bright smile slowly growing.

Leaning over to grab Rei’s hand into his, Jakurai felt a warmth spread throughout his chest. This was his happiness. This was how Jakurai had decided to spend the rest of days.

And nothing could make him happier.

[kanri-tea]

JakuRei Flufftober Day 11

Day 11: Sleepy

*************

Generally, Jakurai was a morning person. He was the type to rise with the sun no matter how late he ended up going to bed the night before. Even after a hard day, Jakurai rose like clockwork, never letting himself stay asleep for too long.

Rei, on the other hand, was firmly not a morning person. If anyone could resemble a lumbering bear waking from its winter-long hibernation every morning, it would be Rei. If he could get away with it, the heterochromatic man would wake in the late afternoon every day.

So obviously, it was a treat for Rei to finally get to see Jakurai, on one his rare days off, acting bleary-eyed and sleepy in the morning instead.

“Still tired, sensei?” Rei teased, taking a sip of coffee to hide his grin.

“… Nnngg,” Jakurai mumbled in response, fighting off a yawn rather unsuccessfully. It was early enough that Jakurai hadn’t bothered to brush his hair, leaving the knots and oddly positioned strands of hair that had accumulated over the course of the night alone. Rei wondered if he could convince Jakurai to let him brush it. It looked ridiculously soft even in its disheveled state and Rei’s hands itched to run through it.

Choosing to skim through the newspaper while Jakurai went through his usual morning routine, Rei tuned out the world. It wasn’t until a cold hand wrapped around his neck – making him jump a bit, not that the conman would easily admit it – that he snapped back to reality.

“Mmm…” Jakurai breathed next to Rei’s ear, “You’re warm.”

“And you’re cold,” Rei retorted, pretending to not notice the reddening of his ears, “Get off. Your hands are below freezing.” He tacked on, complaining.

Jakurai ignored the complaints, choosing to instead nuzzle Rei’s neck, nose sniffing at the whatever cologne Rei had decided to put on that morning.

“No.”

“Ahh,” Rei sighed, “You’re so shameless when you’re sleepy.”

“Since I’m sle –“Jakurai’s sentence broke off in favor of another yawn, “ – sleepy, I think I’m going to sleep on you… You’re so warm…”

“Oh my god, you’re going to be so embarrassed when you actually wake up,” Rei snickered before pulling Jakurai into a cuddle. It wouldn’t hurt for the younger man to sleep for a little bit longer, after all, Jakurai had been overworking himself quite a bit recently.

As Jakurai nodded off again to dreamland, Rei had a fond smile on his face. Well, if Jakurai was going to be asleep for a little bit more, than it wouldn’t hurt for Rei to take a quick nap too.

Carrying Jakurai over to the couch, Rei cuddled closer to Jakurai, noting the light lavender fragrance that seemed to follow Jakurai. Closing his eyes, Rei drifted off, breath evening and in sync with Jakurai.

It was a rather nice way to start the day.

[kanri-tea]

JakuRei Flufftober Day 10

Day 10: Childhood (Ageswap! AU)

Sort-of based on my ageswap! AU . Not really needed to understand what's going on here, though basics are that Jakurai is 14, Rei is 16, and Ichiro is Rei's dad and Rei does not like him.

*************

“… Rei?”

Standing in front of Jakurai was Rei, soaked in the bone and desperately clutching onto the hem of shirt.

“What’s wrong?” The younger boy asked, concerned. It wasn’t particularly usual for Rei to call or come over upset, whether it be because of another argument with Sasara and Rosho, or an encounter with Ichiro. But today… Today felt different.

“S’ nothing,” the heterochromatic teen mumbled, “Just… can I come in or not?”

“Of course!” Jakurai stepped away from the entrance of his apartment. “Do you wanna shower first? Or at the very least, dry off? You’re going to catch a cold at this rate.”

“Mmm.”

As Jakurai listened to the sound of the shower, he lied down on floor, thinking. What could possibly make Rei so upset? The usual suspect, Ichiro, had been busy this week, so Jakurai knew it wasn’t him. An argument with Sasara and Rosho then? The problem with that, Jakurai frowned, was that it was highly unusual for an argument with Sasara and Rosho to get so bad that Rei left Osaka to Shinjuku because of it.

“Thanks for lending me your shower,” Rei called out, stepping out into the hallway. Plopping down on the couch, Rei seemed to melt and become one with it.

“… So,” Jakurai casually asked, “What happened?”

“… Don’t wanna talk about it.”

“Either you tell me, or Sasara or Rosho are going to tell me. It takes what, like three hours to get here by bullet train? They’re totally going know that you’re not in Osaka anymore, and the first person they’re probably going to call is me. Or maybe even worse, Ichiro.”

Rei glared silently at the wall. Well, if nothing else, Jakurai knew Rei would spill once Ichiro entered the equation.

“They...” Rei struggled to form words, “Sasara ‘n Rosho were talking about, y’know, college and stuff. Dreams for the future and other stupid crap like that.”

“Mm-hm,” Jakurai hummed, “Don’t teachers talk about that every year though?”

“Yeah,” Rei sighed. “But this time, they were really pushing it. Like, asking me what I was going to do with my life, if I was gonna go to college. Like I can even afford it…” The teen grumbled.

Jakurai stilled. It wasn’t a secret that Rei had been pretty much struggling by himself and stubborn about help. It wasn’t until recently, where Sasara and Rosho forcibly took in the teen that Rei had finally accepted any help at all.

College, Jakurai knew, was very expensive. It would be an expense that Rei would be unable to afford and would refuse for anyone else to pay for him – whether it be out of pride or shame, that was up for debate.

“Saasara and Rosho, they were being super pushy, and I guess, I uh, I just blew up, y’know. S’not like I really gave much though about the future, other than surviving…”

“Well,” Jakurai lightly said, hoping to break the grim mood, “Who knows what’ll happen in the future, it’s always in motion after all.”

“True.”

“Ooh, maybe we could get married! You can be my sugar baby!”

“Oh my god,” Rei snorted, “Whose been teaching you this shit? And sugar baby? No way! I’m going to get rich, and you can be the sugar baby!”

The two shared a look before breaking out into raucous laughter. The future seemed pretty grim for now, but who knows what’ll happen then? Jakurai and Rei were content to revel in to now and leave worries of the future to the adults in their lives.

[kanri-tea]

JakuRei Flufftober Day 9

Day 9: Pet Names

*************

It actually takes a ridiculously long time for anyone to figure out Amayado Rei and Jinguji Jakurai’s relationship. Everyone was aware that they were in a relationship, just not with who.

Back during the days of the TDD, whenever prompted, Jakurai would simply reply that his partner did not desire for their status to be public. For Ichiro and Samatoki, this answer was more than enough for them, so they let it be. Ramuda, on the other hand, while curious himself, did not further investigate until ordered to by the Chuuoku. He, like many others before him, eventually turned up empty-handed.

(Unfortunately for them, Rei is a sneaky son of a bitch.)

For Rei, Dotsuitare Hompo was simply a means to an end. Sharing information, bonding – these were all pointless activities meant to fool Sasara and Rosho, to make them lower their guards. Letting tidbits of his personal life slip here and there, this was the bread and butter of being a conman. Of course, this didn’t mean he couldn’t be annoying about it either, choosing to call Jakurai a myriad of pet names ranging from “sweetheart” to “honey boo” to “my sweet darling and beautiful knight in white armor and the fairest one of all!”

(Was Rei particularly drunk for that one? Maybe. Did Rosho attempt to bean Rei for his vague and ever-changing descriptions? Yup. Sasara ended up spending that evening playing peacemaker.)

When Jakurai and Rei’s relationship finally does come out, it also opens a gate that several people sincerely regret. It’s not that they’re a bad couple – though some might disagree – they get along well despite their clashing personalities.

No, rather, it’s the pet names.

“Aren’t you rather beautiful today, sugarplum?” One would hear Rei say, adoration and teasing in equal parts in his tone.

“Oh, dear heart, you exaggerate,” Jakurai would laugh, leaning in closer to the broader man.

In the background, one could possibly see a certain pink-haired midget faking gagging. Close by, a red-and-green eyed teenager could be seen having an existential crisis, a white-haired punk not too far behind.

To Jakurai and Rei, this was a game, a game of love and of words. Rei would tease, Jakurai would laugh. Like a tennis ball, they tossed pet names and flowery words back and forth.

Kitten, beloved, darling, beautiful, handsome, jewel, doll – these were all words, words spoken, words heard. In the end, didn’t they all mean one thing?

I love you.

And well, isn’t that dandy?

[kanri-tea]

JakuRei Flufftober Day 8

Day 8: Looks

*************

As much as Jakurai pretended otherwise, he was an extremely desirable and beautiful man. Whether it be Jakurai’s long and silky hair, or his sharp yet delicate bone structure, even the most fervent of haters could not deny this fact.

Rei, on the other hand, was handsome in his roguish sort of way. Whether it be his broad-shoulder tallness or the scar over his eye, or maybe just the general suspiciousness that radiated off him in waves, it was obvious to the people Rei wasn’t trying to con outright that he was dangerous.

So, when their relationship finally went public – the saint of Shinjuku and a conman from Osaka, how scandalous! – it drove the media crazy with theories of how they met, how the fell in love, and on. They were an odd couple, and a rather disconcerting one too.

“Oh my god, it’s just two old men fucking,” one anonymous source had said, rolling their eyes and lollipop in hand.

“I, uh. I hate Amayado, but it’d be cool to have sensei has a parent…” Another anonymous source said, eyes glazing over and mind thousands of miles away from reality. The media promptly decided that maybe these hypnosis mic users weren’t very good interviewees. Not very romantic, the lot of them.

Eventually, like any sensational news story, the interest died down. It became the new norm and the media moved on to more sensational, more controversial news.

“You’re too beautiful, y’know that, sensei?” Rei laughed, head in Jakurai’s lap. Jakurai smiled, happy to finally be able to watch the news without having their relationship pop out for one reason or another.

“You flirt,” he smiled back, “I’m nothing special. Rather, aren’t you too handsome?” Jakurai teased back.

“Ha! As modest as always.”

“But aren’t you quite beautiful yourself,” Jakurai countered, “Your eyes are so pretty, and your bone structure is very nice.”

Rei snorted, “You’re literally the only person who’d use bone structure as a compliment. And of course I’m beautiful, I’m amazing after all.” Rei wiggled his eyebrows.

Jakurai’s shoulder shook with silent laughter, mirth in his eyes. Rei grinned back, eyes gleaming with joy. It was another day together, and it was another day well spent.

The one thing that everyone eventually ended up agreeing on was that Jinguji Jakurai and Amayado Rei were a happy couple. They found solace in each other and together, it was almost like the outside world did not exist.

As the world watched, Jinguji and Amayado both oblivious to the rest of the world, it was then decided that maybe, they were a beautiful couple. Not a conventional one by any means, but a very beautiful and exotic one, nonetheless.

[kanri-tea]

JakuRei Flufftober Day 7

Day 7: Drunken Confessions

*************

“Goddammit, you’re drunk,” Rei bemoans his shitty luck.

“Reeeii,” one very much drunk Jinguji Jakurai slurred, “you suck!”

What led to this, one might ask. Well Rei had no fucking clue either. Most people who’ve known Jakurai for more than a week know well enough to not let the lightweight drink. It’s amazing how much some people are affected by alcohol, Rei thinks, and how little too.

“Thanks for telling me how you really feel,” Rei rolls his eyes, dodging another swing from the drunk doctor, “I think you’ve had more than enough.”

“You’re always smoking,” the drunk man complained, “And you taste in furniture is terrible!”

“Is this about the living room?” Rei asked, “Because I really like that rug. It had tiger prints.”

“And your beard is scratchy!” Jakurai continued rambling, expertly – or probably just drunkenly – ignoring Rei, “You’re never home either!”

“Because I live in Osaka, and you live in Shinjuku.”

Watching Jakurai take another drunken stumble forward, Rei sighed. The man was stubborner than a mule whenever he got drunk, so Rei tugged the man along, hoping to get back to Jakurai’s apartment without any further incident.

“… Do you love me?”

Rei froze. This… This wasn’t exactly a new topic of contention between them.

“Course I do,” Rei gruffly replied, “How about you, sensei? Seems like you always have something to complain about.” Rei tried to tease back.

“But y’know,” Jakurai hums, “I think I do love Rei the best. I love Rei’s smile and everything ‘bout Rei. Did you know, I loved you at first sight? You were so pretty ‘n cool. I love Rei more than anything in the world. ‘Cept maybe Yotsu.”

Rei stills. Jakurai was staunch with his love, always telling Rei every opportunity he had. It was one of the reasons Rei loved the man so – including the fact the Jakurai never asked his expressions of love to be reciprocated. Rei wasn’t great at being expressive, and in the end, it had hurt Jakurai in a way.

“Tell me that when you’re not drunk, idiot,” Rei mutters, pulling his hat down to hide his spreading blush. Man, he was totally getting old if this mushy shit was getting to him.

“Mmm…”

“Ack! Are you already falling asleep?”

Rei sighed fondly. This wasn’t the first time Jakurai would get drunk and sappy, and it probably wasn’t the last. The man would definitely not remember anything by the time he woke up the next day, but hey, Rei could be nice. If faking a drunken confession or two made Jakurai happy, well, Rei was happy to oblige.

Rei promised himself to try to express his love a little better. After all, relationships were a two-way street.

[kanri-tea]

JakuRei Flufftober Day 6

Day 6: Soulmates

*************

When Jakurai was a child, he used to daydream about what his soulmate was like. Maybe it was a kind woman with patients in spades, or maybe it was a strong man who could protect Jakurai from both the cruelty of the world and his mind.

Everyone’s soulmate mark was different, each one representing their partner. And somehow, according to all the books Jakurai had read, soulmates would recognize each other immediately thanks to the power of the soulmates mark. Jakurai’s own soulmate mark was a black lion with grey and green eyes. It had always been there as far as he could remember, and even the ones that raised him had mentioned that Jakurai had been born with it. Which meant, Jakurai supposed, that his soulmate was the older than him. Whoever they were, Jakurai wished they could’ve whisked him far, far away from the cruelty and darkness of the underworld.

But, as time passed, the longing thoughts of soulmates turned to disinterest. The world was a big place, and the statistical likelihood of meeting your soulmate nowadays was less 1% – according to the media anyway. Jakurai had always found it suspiciously convenient how more often than not, soulmates tended to meet each other despite the low odds. Maybe the gods were actually romanticists.

(Once upon a time, Jakurai had hoped with all his heart that maybe he was just defective. Had hoped that Amaguni Hitoya – his one and only friend – was actually his soulmate. It was a silly thought, and when Hitoya left Jakurai’s heart crushed beneath his heel, Jakurai quietly took it as a sign from the universe to stop hoping.)

Jakurai had no use for soulmates, had no interest in them. He was going to be doctor, was going to serve humanity – even if it meant sacrificing his own. He would pay for his sins.

It’s not until many, many years later that Jakurai really does finally meet his soulmate. In the meantime, Jakurai grows up. He watches and he learns. He watches Ichiro fall in love with Samatoki, watches as soulmates come together and break apart. He watches Ramuda’s attempts at wooing, let’s himself be charmed for just a bit. In the end, the TDD makes Jakurai cement his decision in not caring for soulmates.

Matenro, on the other hand, gives Jakurai hope. Jakurai watches Hifumi and Doppo love and love and love. Their loyalty towards each other boundless and their happiness glows brighter than the sun. Sometimes, watching them makes Jakurai think, I want this too.

When Jakurai finally does meet his soulmate, it’s anticlimactic and a bit disappointing. He watches the conman who carries his mark – a violet and lavender-furred wolf – and wonders for a bit if the universe is laughing at him. They’re an odd match, a suspicious conman, and the so-called saintly doctor of Shinjuku.

But it works.

Somehow, it’s Amayado Rei that finally draws out a truly happy smile out of Jakurai. It’s Amayado Rei that Jakurai think that he wants to spend the rest of his life with. It’s Rei whose smile is mischievous and playful, who smokes too much, who understands that some days are too much for Jakurai.

Romantic love had always been a childish and foolish notion to Jakurai. But with Rei… Maybe it was the way Rei would take his hand, larger, rougher fingers wrapping around long, thin fingers. Maybe it was the way Rei would quietly let Jakurai count each fluttering beat of the older man’s heart, head on Rei’s chest and hair splayed everywhere. Maybe it was the way Rei showed vulnerability in his darkest times and forcefully laughed through the roughest ones.

It’s Rei that makes Jakurai think, maybe this is love.

Maybe, Jakurai thinks, the gods do know what they’re doing after all.

[kanri-tea]

JakuRei Flufftober Day 5

Day 5: Meddling Friends Kids

*************

“Oh my god – you like, like sensei!”

Sometimes, Rei wondered why he’d ever even wanted to reconnect with his kids. Every single one of them – Ichiro, Jiro, and Saburo – was a little shit. Rei should know, he used to be one himself. On the other hand… Rei was very much okay not being the third wheel to Sasara and Rosho’s PDA, at least for the moment anyways. The two of them were primetime entertainment and Rei wasn’t going to give that up anytime soon, but sometimes the swooning would get a little too annoying.

Hence, here Rei was, spending time bonding with his estranged kids. Attempting to, anyways. Despite having planned three extra back-up plans in case things went south – including if Amemura showed up – the one thing Rei had decidedly not planned for was for Jinguji Jakurai to bump into the strange group.

“Ichiro! Jiro! Saburo! It’s been a while. How are you doing?” The kind doctor questions, “Ah, Amayado? Hello, I’m sorry, I didn’t notice you at first.”

As the brats give their greetings to Jakurai, Rei stands to the side awkwardly.

“Yo,” he greets, “Been a while, sensei. How’s hospital work?”

“It’s alright,” Jakurai breezily laughs, tucking away wayward strands of hair, “Busy as usual. How are you? I suppose being a conman is busy in its own way.”

Rei could cry, this man was too pretty and toogood for this world. It was like standing next to an angel sometimes, a drink of cold water in an endless desert, a fresh breeze of air after being in a dingy sewer for ages, it was like – well, you get the idea.

(Rei might like to pretend to be a stone-cold liar, but the truth of the matter is that Rei whenever Rei fell in love, Rei fell hard.)

After some mindless chatter, Rei pulled away, leaving Ichiro to chat with Jakurai. Rei turned around, feeling twin stares boring into his back.

“What?” He huffs out, ignoring his still-pink ears. Thank every deity out there that Jakurai was a fairly oblivious person, otherwise Rei would’ve been outed ages ago.

“Oh my god –“Jiro starts, wide-eyed, “You – you –“

“Oh my god – you like, like sensei!” Saburo practically shouts, and it takes almost all the self-control Rei had to not and attempt to brain either child. Fuck, how was this his life. How many sins did he commit – wait never mind, scratch that, Rei had probably committed millions of sins at this point, but still.

With a devious look in his eyes, Saburo began to call out to Jakurai before Rei could stop him.

“Neh, neh, sensei,” Saburo Cheshire-grinned, eyes gleaming with evil, “You know our sperm do – I mean, our dad, right?”

“I do.”

“Y’know,” Saburo casually continues, dodging Rei’s attempts to silence the brat, “It’d be totally sad for an old man like him to just spend time with us the entire time he’s in Tokyo. I mean, he’s probably all lonely and sad.”

“Is that so?” Jakurai laughs indulgently. Forget trying to bond with these brats, Rei was going to murder them.

“Yup!” Saburo nodded in fake enthusiasm, with Jiro playing along to the side. At least Ichiro was alarmed and startled. Rei could at least take comfort in one kid’s misery.

“Hmm,” Jakurai hummed, a gentle and playful smile dancing on his lips, “Are you going to be staying in Tokyo for a while?”

“Uh,” Rei stuttered, brain malfunctioning, “Yes…?”

“Then, would you like to get dinner with me tomorrow? I believe you have my number, and my shift ends at five. There’s this place I’ve been wanting to try for a while now.”

“That,” Rei attempted – to various degrees of success – to ignore the giddy and childish bubbles in his chest, “Would be great! Hehe…”

“Good,” Jakurai smiled, satisfaction coloring his tone, “It’s a date.”

With that, the doctor left with a swish of his hair, disappearing into the afternoon crowd as quickly as he appeared, leaving Rei frozen in place. It takes a couple of seconds before he reboots, and by the time he does, he’s met with two smug smirks and a judging glare.

“You meddling little shit,” Rei groaned, face in hands.

“I just scored you a date with sensei,” Saburo – the little demon – replied, sticking out his tongue, “be grateful, asshole.”

“Especially since sensei way too good for you,” Ichiro muttered under his breath shooting a glare from behind Saburo.

“This is going to be a disaster,” Jiro gleefully starts laughing, “There’s no way in hell this is going to even work out!”

Rei groaned again, wondering why he’d ever chosen to bond with these hellions over suffering through Sasara and Rosho’s PDA. At least Rosho was easy and amusing to piss off!

Well, if Rei could manipulate Sasara and Rosho into getting back together, he could totally manipulate his way into having a good dinner date.

Maybe.

[kanri-tea]

JakuRei Flufftober Day 4

Day 4: Coffee

*************

“What do you love more, me or coffee?”

Jakurai froze in the middle of taking a sip of his fourth coffee. This… was unusual. Rei, Jakurai knew, was a rather confident man, and rightfully so. Yet here they were on a bright and sunny morning, with Jakurai being forced between a rock and a hard place.

“… May I ask what brought this on?” Jakurai asked tentatively, staring down into his reflection in the dark liquid.

“Nothing much,” Rei denies, a pout on his lips. As amusing as it was to watch a fully grown man pout, Jakurai was more concerned about the current ongoings of Rei’s mind.

“Did… did someone say something?” Jakurai gently pushed. It wouldn’t be the first time someone had decided to make a couple of snide comments about their relationship (namely, Ramuda) and while it tended to leave Jakurai spiraling into self-doubt, it was rare for it to affect Rei.

“Like I said, it’s nothing,” Rei stubbornly replied, “So, which do you love more, me or coffee?”

Jakurai hummed contemplatively. It wouldn’t be too much of stretch to say that coffee had been the only reason he’d managed to get through medical school and had been the only reason he’d even be functioning at all during the war. Without coffee, Jakurai would’ve probably ended up being a very bitter and temperamental person, especially in the morning.

Ah, but to answer Rei’s question. Well, it wasn’t a hard one. If Jakurai had to choose between coffee – an ambrosia of the gods – and Rei, the choice was obvious.

“Rei, of course,” Jakurai firmly decided, “I love Rei the most. Coffee is amazing, but I very much prefer you.”

Rei glanced away, “That’s… good. Good.”

Hm. Jakurai might not have been able to see Rei’s face, but the redness of the older man’s ears told him everything he needed to know. Jakurai chuckled quietly into the rim of his coffee. Rei might act big and mighty most of the time, but the conman could be cute when it came down to it.

“May I ask again what’s wrong?” Jakurai questioned again, “Did Ramuda say something insensitive again? You know the things he says can be rather…”

“Nah,” Rei denied, “Not Ramuda. This time anyways…”

“… Ichiro, then?”

The silence told Jakurai all he needed to know. He sighed. The relationship between the Yamada brothers and Rei could be rocky sometimes, but they were trying. Most of them, anyways. Ichiro – stubborn and loyal to a fault – had not taken the bonding attempts well. Nor had he taken the news of Jakurai and Rei’s relationship well either, but that part he didn’t have much of a say on. Thankfully, Jiro and Saburo were always ready to curb Ichiro’s overprotectiveness and (rightful) anger.

“I’ll talk to Ichiro later,” Jakurai promises, “but I want a kiss right now, so please come here.”

“Ha! Like Ichiro has ever listened to anyone in his life,” Rei laughed, leaning over to place a kiss.

“Your breath smells like coffee.”

“And yours smells like cigarette smoke,” Jakurai breezily says, content, “We all have our vices. Mine just happens to be coffee.”

Sharing a look, Jakurai and Rei break out in snickers. It’s a bright and sunny morning and Jakurai can’t help but adore the warmth and happiness that spreads in his chest.

[kanri-tea]

JakuRei Flufftober Day 3

Day 3: Blankets

*************

Cough Cough

Rei could easily count the number of times he had been sick throughout his 46 years easily on one hand. However, a certain comedian had apparently decided to power through a division bonding day despite being sick the other week.

Rei was going to murder Sasara. Being sick sucked and Rei had absolutely no problems about whining like a child throughout the entire duration of it.

“Please try to eat a little,” Jakurai sighed to the side. Being the kind and wonderful person that he was, Jakurai had immediately taken some time off from work and traveled all the way to Osaka to take of Rei in the meantime.

(Had Rei mentioned how much he loved Jakurai? Not only was Jakurai beautiful, but the man was also amazingly patient and good-natured despite Rei’s constant whining and complaining.)

“No,” Rei grumbled stubbornly. He hadn’t managed to keep anything down for the last two days and he wasn’t in the mood to try again to only end up vomiting it all back up again moments later.

Jakurai sighed again. “At least drink some of the soup,” he nudged. Rei reluctantly took the spoon, inwardly gagging at the thought of attempting to down anything. Hesitantly, Rei took a couple of sips. Deciding that he probably wouldn’t throw it all up immediately, he continued to eat.

“Can I have another blanket, at least? I’m cold,” Rei whined, ignoring the fact that his slowly growing pile of blankets had probably reached the double digits at this point.

“How about a hot bath instead,” Jakurai suggested, “You’re going to overheat at this rate. No more blankets for you, I’m cutting you off.”

“Eeh, this old man is cold though,” Rei groaned and coughed, curling up under the blankets.

“Nope,” Jakurai quietly laughed, “In fact, you shouldn’t have so many blankets in the first place. It’s bad for your fever. I’m going to remove some.”

Rei continued to grumble and whine half-heartedly as Jakurai proceeded to take away half the blankets. The doctor wasn’t wrong, but it didn’t mean that Rei had to like it.

“I’ll go and start a bath, alright?” Jakurai smiled, hands running through Rei’s hair. It felt good.

“Hmm,” Rei mumbles, “Stay here instead? I can take a bath later.”

Rei watched Jakurai hesitate.

“Please?” Rei pushed gently. Jakurai tended to fold easily to the whims of others, and Rei wasn’t above taking advantage of that, “Stay with me for a bit? I just wanna nap for a bit first…”

The moment Jakurai sighed, Rei knew it was his victory. Crawling under the blankets, Jakurai intertwined their hands together.

“I’m not going to cuddle you because you’re sick,” Jakurai informs Rei, quietly huffing, “And if I get sick, it’ll be all your fault.”

Rei laughed, “Ha, like you’ve ever been sick in your life.”

Stomach partially filled and warmth seeping into his bones, Rei drifted off. The blankets may have been wonderfully warm, but nothing could ever beat the warmth of being with Jakurai, Rei decided sleepily.

[kanri-tea]

JakuRei Flufftober Day 2

Day 2: Cooking

*************

“I’m home!”

“Welcome home!”

Rei had deigned to return to Tokyo from Osaka for a weekend, staying over in Jakurai’s apartment as usual.

Jakurai ran a hand through his hair, tired. It had been a long day at the hospital, but at the very least, he had something to look forward to when he got home. Taking off his shoes, the scent of tempura wafted from the kitchen.

Taking a peek, Jakurai watched as Rei fried shrimp and vegetables while humming a tune that Jakurai recognized from some anime that Ichiro had shown him years back.

“Ah! You didn’t have to cook,” Jakurai smiled, “You’re a guest. We could’ve ordered ramen or something.”

“Nah,” Rei snorted, “It’s fun to cook every once in a while. And your kitchen is disgustingly nice for someone who can’t cook.”

“I can cook…” Jakurai protested, “Kind of…”

“I’ve seen you burn water,” Rei deadpanned, “So get the fuck out of the kitchen before something randomly combusts from you just being in proximity of it.”

Jakurai nervously laughed, heading over to sit down at the counter. Watching Rei putter and move around the kitchen was… relaxing. Leaning down onto the counter, Jakurai smiled to himself. Being with Hifumi and Doppo was fun and all, but sometimes, there was nothing better than being together with one’s partner.

Long distance relationships could be hard, but Jakurai was happy to maintain this one. Rei may be a conman by trade, but Jakurai couldn’t help but find Rei to be awfully sweet and wonderful.

“Dinner’s ready!”

Rei was a fairly good cook – which Jakurai felt was unfair when compared to his ability to randomly combust anything that could heat up – and dinner, as usual, was good.

(“You’re literally the only person I’ve seen to mess up miso, tempura, and rice,” Rei deadpanned.)

“Ah, man some beer would be good with this,” Rei mused.

“Sorry,” Jakurai chuckled, “I don’t have any alcohol in the apartment.”

Rei rolled his eyes. “Of course not. Not that anyone wants to see you drunk.”

“I,” Jakurai lies blatantly, “have no idea what you’re talking about.”

He shared a conspiring look with Rei before they both broke out in laughter. As the night darkened, their conversation continued, fingers eventually intertwining and shoulder brushes turning into warm cuddles.

Jakurai smiled contentedly. No matter how old he got, there was nothing better than having a meal and spending time with the person he loved.

[kanri-tea]

JakuRei Flufftober Day 1

Day 1: Pregnancy (A/B/O)

*************

T/W for implied abuse and societal sexism

Rei looked in the mirror, disgruntled. His stomach was visibly much bigger now, at 7 months pregnant, and as much as he hated to admit it, the changes to his body were starting to bother him.

It’s strange, Rei thinks to himself, he wasn’t this bothered when he was pregnant with Ichiro, nor was he overly bothered when he was pregnant with Jiro. Yet, here he was, staring at the mirror and fixating on his body for simply being pregnant. It was stupid, but Rei couldn’t help but wonder if his Alpha even found him desirable in this state. Omegas were meant to be pretty, meant to be delicate little things for Alphas to enjoy and treasure and adore. Yet here Rei was, none of those things and pregnant with a pup that didn’t even belong to his current Alpha. Jinguji Jakurai was a kind Alpha – that was undeniable – but Jakurai was also so much younger and could easily have an Omega that was much, much better than Rei.

As he continued to stew in his thoughts, Ichiro toddled up to Rei.

“Mummy?”

Rei looked down. Ichiro stared back with wide-eyed concern. He was a perceptive little brat, Rei thought to himself fondly as he picked Ichiro up and showered him with kisses and cooing. On the other hand, Jiro had already fallen asleep watching anime, and with how peaceful the little hellion looked, Rei decided against waking him up for now.

At the sound of a door opening, Rei stiffened. It looked like his Alpha was finally home.

“Rei?”

“Hey,” Rei grinned, another wave of self-consciousness overtaking him.

Jakurai tilted his head, blue eyes staring directly into grey and green ones, eyebrows furrowed.

“Is… is something wrong?”

“Nah,” Rei continued grinning, hoping that Jakurai wouldn’t sense anything amiss. The urge to hide away was growing stronger by the second. Jakurai probably wouldn’t judge… but Rei had learnt early on that Alphas were rarely kind to Omegas like him.

“Mummy feels bad cause his belly is big with a baby,” Ichiro - the little traitor - tells Jakurai and well. Fuck. Resisting the need to burrow his face into his hands and crawl into a closet and cry, Rei scowled and stared at the ground, refusing to face Jakurai.

“I see,” Jakurai hummed, expression unreadable, “I think mummy and I should talk for a bit. Ichiro, can you watch over Jiro for a bit?”

As Ichiro nodded and toddled over to Jiro, sending worried glances every once in a while, Rei continued to glare at the ground.

“Rei…”

“It’s stupid, okay!” Rei grounds out, a fist clenching the edge of his shirt and a hand placed over his belly.

“It’s – “

“I know I’m not really that pretty and desirable. I’m such a shitty Omega,” Rei sniffs, horrified by the tears that threatened to spill, “Can’t even look right. And I’m so… so fat now too!”

As silence overtook them, Rei couldn’t help but mentally hit himself for the outburst. Fuck these stupid hormones and fuck this stupid pregnancy, he bitterly thinks.

“You’re not,” a gentle hand cupped Rei’s cheek, “You’re very pretty. I find everything about you very much desirable,” Jakurai tells him, wiping away the tears.

“Liar.”

“Am not,” Jakurai laughs quietly, “I did tell you it was love at first sight, didn’t I? You’re so pretty and amazing, Rei.”

Rei blushed, pink spreading across his cheeks and ears. Jakurai brushed away dark, wavy hair to reveal teary grey and green eyes.

“You’re amazing for carrying our pup inside of you. I don’t think I could ever do that. And not just because I’m an Alpha,” Jakurai adds as Rei opened his mouth to protest, “I don’t think I’d have the strength or bravery to do so.”

“I’ll love you no matter what,” Jakurai continues, “I promised that didn’t I, during our wedding? And I don’t break promises.”

“… Even though this pup isn’t yours?”

“Whoever said that blood meant family?” Jakurai countered with a smiled.

Rei nestled into the crook of Jakurai’s neck, a little bit surer of himself and a little bit happier. Jakurai was not like his previous Alphas – no, Jakurai was kind and Jakurai loved Rei for who he was.

This pup, Rei felt for certainty, would be loved and welcomed when he finally comes out. Not like how it was before with Ichiro and Jiro.

Maybe being pregnant wasn’t so bad, Rei thinks, but for now, he snuggles into the warmth of Jakurai and laughs at the children clambering onto their laps and demanding attention.

[kanri-tea]

Horsemen of the Apocalypse! AU

Horseman of the apocalypse get reborn as hypnosis mic characters. Jiro as Pestilence, Dice as Famine, Rio as War, and Jakurai as Death.

I wrote this while mildly sleep-deprived, so sorry for the not great grammar that may or may not appear.

Pestilence

When Jiro was born, it was a celebration, a joyous occasion of new life entering this world.

For Jiro though? Pestilence screamed at the top of his lungs, confused and baffled by the turn of events. Just moments before, he had been wandering around the empty plains in northern America, peacefully waiting until the he was called again to usher in another apocalypse.

Growing up a second time is... daunting to say the least. While Pestilence's now-parents weren't in the picture anymore (and curse his soft heart for still loving the man who'd loved them then left them), Pestilence now had two brothers, one older and one younger.

Pestilence learns to love Ichiro and Saburo, learns to laugh and fight and love. It's so very much different then his relationship with the other harbingers. It had been difficult to truly love the others, Death with his aloofness, War with his wildness, and Famine with his cruelty. But even so... a part of Pestilence yearned for them, yearned for his kin.

In a funny twist of fate, Pestilence Jiro ends up meeting Famine ("Arisugawa Dice," the man murmurs in between pachinko machines, a look of wildness in his eyes that had never been there before) first. Dice, he calls himself now, and quietly tells Famine Dice his ("Yamada Jiro"). There's no fireworks, no bursting emotions, nothing. To the world, it's just another day, but to Jiro... it means everything and more to know that they are here too. That Pestilence is not alone.

Jiro doesn't end up meeting either War or Death until the rap battles (and isn't that a strange thought in itself? man, he thinks, humans were weird). War, he finds is every bit as intimidating as before, human or not. A former veteran, and how fitting is that? In the end, they part ways before the battle without exchanging names, exchanging confirmations of each others identities, but that was okay. Jiro knew. And so did Busujima Rio.

Death on the other hand... Well, people can't say that Death doesn't have a sense of humor any more, Jiro supposes. Long grey and lavender hair and a kind, gentle demeaner, Death presented himself as a saint, as a holy man. It was strange, to say the least. Jinguji Jakurai, Jiro knew, was anything but. Death may be kind, but it was also callous and cold. Uncaring.

The world continues turning, the cogs of fate continue to work. Jiro doesn't know why the world had decided to snatch him from his peaceful wandering and thrust him into this strange, strange situation, but he would wait. Sure, it was strange to be able to move around populated areas without spreading diseases, but Jiro could be content for now.

The apocalypse would come eventually, and Jiro would ride alongside the others to usher it, just like he'd done countless millennia before. There was no need to rush. If nothing else, the harbingers had patience in spades and were no strangers to waiting.

(There is a small niggling of doubt in the back of his mind. What of Ichiro? What of Saburo? If the apocalypse truly came in their lifetime... could Jiro truly usher their deaths? Would he be able to spread diseases and doing his duty without hesitating? Could he truly watch them die?)

Famine

Arisugawa Dice was not born as Arisugawa Dice. That is a fact of life. But despite what others thought, Tohoten Daisuke Dice was not born originally as his mother's child either.

Famine snarled as best as he could at his so-called 'mother.' It was rather difficult as a baby, but he managed. The women flinched back, as if struck, but soon calmed herself, delusioning herself that her so-called child was just that. A child. Famine inwardly sniggered, but kept his face blank.

It was annoying, being a small human. It's not too bad though, to be free of his duties as a harbinger, free of the expectations that the others brought with them. As time passed, observing the woman who constantly hovered and the man that was rarely ever there soon became routine in his new life. Famine does not care though. Famine is cruel and cold and uncaring. There is no love nor hope nor mercy in a famine after all.

It's not until he's a bit older, a bit wiser, and a bit more human that he realizes, oh. Maybe he did love this human woman, this mother of his. That, even as he snarled and clawed at the man who dared to call himself Famine's father, he might just be able to love and care for another being. That his righteous and protective anger may have just been triggered by this mother of his.

The truth of the matter, though, is that Arisugawa Dice's first love is not his mother. He might not have realized it at the time, and it would take years upon years before he would realize the love that came to be, that made him human, was first born from his love of dice and gambling. That same love would soon take over his life, leaving him a gambling addict and so, so very much like the human he despised.

Famine spent little time thinking of his kin. The truth of the matter is that they were not close, each one content on doing their own thing. It's not until he runs into Pestilence ("My name," a pair of young eyes quietly watched the pachinko machine twist and turn, "is Yamada Jiro.") that it comes to the forefront of his mind. If Pestilence was here... there was a good change War and Death were here too. It's strange and discontenting to think about, after spending so many years thinking that he was free.

He ends up meeting War as a part of Amemura Ramuda's meddling. They are a team now, Fling Posse, and well, it's interesting. They're fun and even though Dice sometimes wanted to wring Ramuda's neck, sometimes wanted to toy with Gentaro until the man broke, he held back. Arisugawa Dice was not cruel like Famine. He was an idiot gambling addict.

War ("Busujima Rio," War's uncharacteristically serious and quiet tone takes him off guard. It's strange and Famine hates it.) is so, so very different from before. Dice mentally compares the wild and loud War with the quietness and stillness of Busujima Rio and finds it lacking. There are parts of War still in Rio, Dice can't deny that, but it comes in small bits and pieces and rarely. War, Dice finds, has grown tired of war. How ironic.

If Dice found War ironic, Death was even more so. Ramuda wasn't incorrect in finding the so-called saintly doctor of Shinjuku a hypocrite. It's nothing short of a surprise in finding out that Death ("Jinguji Jakurai," Death smiles, and for a second, Dice wonders if he's in hell, "A pleasure to meet you, Arisugawa-kun.") is a doctor of all things. A doctor known for saving many people, as a person who brought life and not death. It's slightly terrifying, but if Death enjoyed it, Dice squinted, then more power to him, he supposed.

Time goes on. Things change and grow and die, an endless cycle. If Dice happened to wonder why they'd all been dragged in to this world, he never says it out loud. In some ways, it's strange to be a another normal being and not a bringer of misfortune. In others, it's frustrating being so weak and fragile now. But Dice was content. He had his mother and gambling. He had his posse.

The apocalypse would approach eventually and Dice was fine with waiting. He'd spent much of life waiting in the past and now would be no different. He had been born to usher the apocalypse and that was what he would do.

(There's a quietness in his mind that shows up on his bad days, when he gambles away everything. It's a quietness that reminds him that if the apocalypse ever shows up, it won't be him who dies. It'll be his mother. It'll be Ramuda and Gentaro. It's an unsettling thought, and so he pushes it away, hidden for another day.)

War

War is born into a family a veterans. Each one of them have fought battles, both out in the field and the ones in their minds. To them, they were battles worth fighting and they present their scars proudly to the world.

Busujima Rio, they call him, and he accepts that name just like he's accepted the countless other ones that he's worn to battle. In truth, it's not war that he loves the most, it's the thrill and adrenaline. He grows up a second time as rambunctious and energetic as the first from countless millennia ago, a spitfire in human clothing, as some would call it.

It's not until he's older that Rio starts to lose his enthusiasm for war. He fights in a pointless war, another meaningless battle in the vast field of other meaningless battles in the course of history. He watches his brothers-in-arms lose hope, lose their lives, and wonders. How ironic, he thinks, for War to lose interest in war.

It's there that he meets Death, Death who is oh-so-beautiful and ethereal. Death has always been beyond human grasp and untouchable, and in his human skin, Jinguji Jakurai is even more so. Rio watches with wide eyes and disbelief as Death hurries around in the medical bay, saving and healing as many soldiers as he could, his fellow doctors working alongside him to do the same.

Meeting Death was an experience in itself, and also a reminder that the other harbingers also existed. War had rarely ever thought of the others, though War had been more prone to run into the others, it was merely in passing. In the end, he doesn't meet the others until years later, not until Division Rap Battles begin and the start of the H era.

When Japan is called back from the war, Rio moves away from society. Maybe it's because he's so human now, maybe it's because he's seen to many good men try and fail for their ideals, but Rio is tired. He's tired of noise, of people, and of fighting. He watches as his former platoon fight against the new government and instinctively already knows that they will fail. The itch of war has not returned and Japan will remain peaceful for some time yet, Rio knows.

When Mad Trigger Crew is formed, Rio spends little time thinking about it. His agreement comes from the small, aching desire for fighting that War always felt, albeit now overshadowed by Rio's exhaustion. Samatoki and Jyuto, Rio finds, are entertaining. Their personalities clash, but both are so very easy to rile up. If Rio happened to just terrify them into submission via his so-called 'survival cooking,' well, that was no one's business.

Funnily enough, Rio meets Famine on accident. The man is wandering around, hungry and lost. Famine ("Arisugawa Dice," Famine grins, so much more wild and somehow just as viscous as always, "Nice ta meet 'cha!") has always been a bit more cruel then the others, but there's a wildness in his eyes that wasn't there before. Rio quietly feeds him and sends him on his way, neither commenting on how different War is now. Dice is unnerved, Rio knows, but chooses to ignore it. If the man asked, Rio would answer, but until then, he would stay silent.

He doesn't meet Pestilence until the rap battles, and even then, Jyuto is with him and Pestilence has another boy with him, his younger brother if Samatoki is to believed. Pestilence had always been the kindest of all of them, and now in a human skin, Rio sees that Jiro is no different. Fighting him on the battlefield of the rap battles will be fun, he thinks. In the end, they don't exchange names, they don't confirm identities, but that's okay. The harbingers would always recognize each other, and now was no different.

The world marches on. Rio never says it out loud, never mentions it to the others, but oftentimes, he wonders why they were dragged into this soft world. There is no need to fight for one's survival or a constant war to fight. It's peaceful. It's a bit strange, to be surrounded by nature and calmness rather then war and bloodshed, but Rio is happy. Rio was happy with his little campsite, with knowing the others are fine, with Mad Trigger Crew.

When the apocalypse comes - when, not if - Rio would return to his role as War. It was his duty and purpose. He would usher in the apocalypse like he'd done so many times before.

(The one bad thing about the quietness of the forest is that Rio cannot distract himself from his doubts. Could he truly usher the apocalypse during Samatoki and Jyuto's lifetime, should it come? Could he really stand aside and watch as they died? If they died from war, the war that the apocalypse always brought with it, the war that War would incite, Rio wasn't sure he could ever forgive himself.)

Death

Jinguji Jakurai was born into the darkness of the underworld. It's nothing new to Death, the cruelty of humans, and while amusing at times, it is nothing surprising. They teach the newly reborn Death the best ways to kill a person, to take out targets without hesitation. Death knows that his casual indifference to killing is unnerving to many, especially in a child's body, but he does not care.

The truth is, Death is indifferent. Whether mortals were to live or die, Death does not care. They fear what they do not know, but Death has always been. It can be patient and it can be callous, but in the end, Death can be kind. Jinguji Jakurai cuts down his targets with ruthless efficiency, as painless and quick as possible.

It's not until he's a bit older that he begins to meet humans again, begins to be reminded why humans were so fascinating. Each one so different and fragile in their own ways, Death quietly fell in love. Death's love couldn't truly be called love though, and neither did he ever call it that, but it's then that for once, Death choses to save these mortal lives instead of reaping them. (Jinguji Jakurai writes down on his high school career form that he wanted to be a doctor. Beside him, Amaguni Hitoya does the same, but for completely different reasons.)

Death had always known that the other harbingers were reborn as well, as his domain over death extended a bit to rebirth as well. He leaves them be though, for there is no apocalypse and therefore no reason to interact with the others. It's not until he sees War again during the war that they're actually closer then he thought they were. Busujima Rio, Jakurai sees, may be War, but becoming human has changed the being. It's actually a rather exciting realization, for none of the others had ever truly been mortal before. Not like Death. Jakurai felt a spark of interest in seeing what had become of the others for the first time since before their rebirth.

After the war, after the change in eras, Jakurai is left wandering Shinjuku. The TDD had broken apart, and feeling emotions that he could only describe as hurting, Jakurai meets Doppo and Hifumi. It's... strange. He forms Matenrou, creates a place for them, smile unwavering and kind. He knows what they call him, what the world calls him (saint, kind, holy) and the irony of it all is oh-so very amusing.

He sees Pestilence and Famine again during the rap battles. Pestilence, Jakurai notes, are as kind and sad as ever, fittingly in a body of a child for their gentlest member. Pestilence may have brought pain and drawn-out sadness, but in the end, the boy was the kindest and most understanding of the all (after all, he was one of the lepers, of the outcasts).

Famine on the other hand is just as different as War is now. Maybe even more so, Jakurai muses. The harbinger was now more wild, more playful then before. As he watched Famine taunt and play around with the other members of his division, Jakurai finds himself glad that the boy had found himself to belong, even if it was with Amemura Ramuda.

They're all unnerved by his profession, Jakurai sees, and it amuses him quite a bit. Maybe he is a little bit tired of only taking the lives of mortals. Maybe he does find a bit of sadistic joy in knowing that it was Death that saved their lives, but in the end, Jakurai wasn't spilling. It mattered none to him, because after all, all mortal beings will return to death, whether they fear him or not. Death could patiently wait his turn, for Jakurai would save as many lives as he could.

Life moves on. Time marches forward. Humans are born and others die, but Jakurai continues doing what he knows. There's a bit of wonder sometimes, if this was the doing of a higher being, if the fates was setting something in motion, but Jakurai ignored the thought. If it was truly the work of the fates, then things will happen when it happened, whether he wanted it or not. He was content with Matenrou, content with his job. Jakurai would take his happiness where he could.

Death was constant and Jakurai would always exist as long as there was death. The apocalypse might appear one day, it might not, but it did not matter to him. He would do his duty as he had done so since the beginning of time.

(Jakurai closes his eyes to the possibility of losing Doppo and Hifumi. Death was inevitable, but some came sooner then later. He might not know if he could truly reap their souls should their time come too early, but should they live long, happy lives, he would send them off to the next world with a smile. Death is inevitable, Death is unavoidable, and in the end, Death is patient. Everyone will die one day and Jakurai would patiently wait for when life ceased to exist. And then Death too, would finally die.)

[kanri-tea]

Someone made a Chinese translation for the Jakurai dies au! Check it out here on Lofter by @ara-swallow!