warnings: final arc spoilers, proceed at your own risk
He was dying. Draken could tell, he was dying. He tried not to think about what was happening to him, it was obviously a lot more terrifying when you were actually perishing. But he had more important things to think about.
You’re out of touch
Sano Manjirou, a boy of whom was in need of a smack in the face and a good old wake up call. To be taken back to reality, out of this poison fairyland he was being held captive in. Even so, he was also needing a tight, comforting hug that could last lifetimes, and a whisper of comfort, something to assure him that he would be fine, that things will some day go back to normal, that all he needed to do is smile. You see, this boy was drowning. Drowning in pain for losing some of those who he had loved and treated him best, just as he did towards them. Drowning in fury for not being able to save them, to hold their hand even if they didn’t understand. Because of this, the fine line between right and wrong had blurred together, causing Mikey to make choices of which he would never even think about with a clear head. He was hurting and confused, and Draken was determined to help him.
Was; is the key word.
I’m out of time
Now, he was dying. He had been shot three times in his torso in an attempt to protect Takemichi and Senju, thus sacrificing his life for their’s. It was worth it though, he knew Senju would take care of Takemichi when he was gone. And Takemichi can save Mikey for him. Even though he would blame it all on himself, he knew Hanagaki could persist. But god, it was so frustrating. He didn’t want to die, it was bone chilling. Leaving your family and friends without even saying goodbye. Not being able to see his current boyfriend, Inui Seishu, and their bike shop ever again.
“Fuck.” He cursed at himself, eyes beginning to sting with tears. “I don’t wanna go yet.”
But I’m out of my head
Ever since Mikey had abandoned Toman and never spoke to them ever again, things had actually began brightening up for Draken. Because of Toman’s disband, he was allowed to live his life, his real life. He was given the chance to finally open his dream bike shop with the help of Inui, who he later grew a liking to and ended up asking him out. He knew it was still unfair to Inupi though, even if he was the one kissing Draken, the latter really was thinking of someone else. Seishu seemed to have the tendency of attracting people who could use him. Still, it wasn’t just Draken’s life that was turning around.
Pah-chin and Peh-yan for example, those idiots were kick starting a well paying business now. A business. It still felt like a distant dream imagining Pah-chin, the supposed dumbass third division captain of Toman, and Peh-yan, the other half of the former’s brain, helping people find a place to stay in and call a home.
And Chifuyu. Well, it really wasn’t that surprising. Sure, he practically owned the exact same and shared brain cells with Takemichi, but he was a pretty smart kid. Now look at him, going well for his first year in senior high while part timing in a pet shop after school. Draken was sure to cheer him further on in the afterlife.
But don’t get him started on Mitsuya. He could go on and on, bragging about how successful the other Twin Dragon had been so far with his dream career as a fashion designer. He was already looking for a place to call an office with the help of Pah and Peh. He couldn’t wait to hear his name being spoken of as famous designer in the near future.
Life was actually going really well, even without the presence of Mikey, of who still had Draken’s heart in his hand and forever would.
That really would be the only downfall of Draken’s life: not being able to share it with his best friend or lover or enemy, but whatever he was to Mikey, he’d accept it. If he at least was able to even speak or look at him in person, then he’d take any title the boy could give him. He would throw away his whole life for him, well maybe not all of it, in a heart beat just for Mikey. If he could even steal at least a glance, a single stare, that would allow him set for the rest of his life.
But if he was greedy? If he could drop his mask of wisdom and knowledge for a moment with Mikey and got to choose how it happened? He would meet him at the front of Shibuya shrine. Just as he did that night, they would be facing each other, the wind blowing their hair around the place, yet not enough to distract them from the sight of the other. And they would just look at each other. It could last hours.
It drove him mad, how much he desired Mikey.
When you’re not around
Even so, there was nothing he could do about it anymore. Everything was going dark now, blank. All the voices were going softer and softer, until he couldn’t hear them at all. The tear that had been forming was finally rolling down his cheek, just as his soul drifted away slowly from the world. This world was cruel, but boy was it rewarding too. He prayed a silent thanks to any god that was listening for introducing all the people he knew into his life. From his once crush, Sano Emma, to his father figure, Masaway. Draken was sure he’d see them all again one day.
The gates to the after life were opening for him, he was growing tired now, his eyelids feeling heavier than ever before. And as he lived his final breathe, it shared his final thought, “Live long, Manjirou.”
