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It had been six months since they’d gotten engaged, one year since they’d left Fukuoka, and two years since they’d started dating. Everything had changed during those times. It was still strange to live away from those people they had become close to, but life had become dull, work had become hard, and they just needed to move on.
Their new apartment --well, if you’d consider living there for a year to be new-- was much larger than the old one. There was a bathroom already installed, a full kitchen area with plenty of counter space and cabinets, a large entertainment area and couches, and a little patio out the back with lawn chairs and a table for gentle mornings. Their bedroom wasn’t much different from the old one, except Lin did a better job at ensuring it was clean now. He had more time to.
It was hard to adjust to the life of a normal person. They had to be careful at first, make sure nobody knew their faces, and went under new aliases. Over time, people became less suspicious, and they became accustomed to the new names. They still held onto their old ones when they could, though.
Life was the best it had been in years, and they were still in contact with the baseball team. They invited them over for dinner sometimes, or they’d play a game when it was nice out. Banba often still complained that it wasn’t enough, but living in peace was still worth the price.
It was a Saturday morning. No work, but they had a lot to do before the day was over.
Lin woke up first, he almost always did. Banba still snored softly under the lump of blankets. Lin patted the spot on the lump that he assumed to be his fiance’s shoulder before rolling out of bed.
He got to making breakfast and coffee, since he also was the one who made every meal. There was no way he’d trust Banba to cook anything that was even somewhat decent. Everything he’d eaten before Lin showed up was pre-packaged garbage or some form of noodles.
Lin sighed at the memory. When he started living with Banba in Fukuoka, his refrigerator had been barren. It was pathetic. Lin would drag him along to the store to get better food to eat, no matter how much he'd complained.
As he was pouring water in the coffee machine, Lin felt arms wrap around his middle.
“Didn't think you'd be up so early,” he said, reaching for a spoon to dump coffee into the filter.
A bony chin dug into his scalp. A muffled whine accompanied the tightening of the grasp around his waist. “...couldn't go back to sleep…” Banba drawled, words slurring together.
“But you're still tired? Idiot, go lay down.” He shrugged his shoulder to force the weight on his back to lighten. Though, Banba had a firm hold, and didn't seem like he was going anywhere. “There a reason you're clinging to me?”
The chin wasn't on Lin's head anymore, but it poked at his shoulder as Banba's head buried there. “I can't sleep without you.”
Lin sighed, watching as the coffee machine began dribbling a thin stream of caffeinated liquid into the pot. “You baby, stop using that excuse.” Lin was content watching the pot fill until he'd have to pry his bear hugger of a fiance from his torso. But that was interrupted when Lin's breath caught in his throat.
Soft, almost undetectable pressures were being peppered along the base of his neck to under his ear lobe. Lin shivered, closing his eyes and barely managing, “I have things to do, Banba, stop distracting me.” He wished he could say that he'd gotten used to things like this, but it was far from the truth. Banba did this often, but it was something that always made Lin weak.
“Lin-chan~” Banba whispered in a singsong tone. “I always miss you when I have to sleep alone.”
Lin rolled his eyes, “When was the last time I wasn't here at night? You can't complain.” He wriggled his arms free to turn off the coffee machine and put the coffee tin away.
Weight rested on his head again. “You always get up too early when we have nowhere to be. Couples are supposed to enjoy each other's company during mornings off.”
Lin shook his head, “Wouldn't you agree we aren't a normal couple, though?” Lin put his hands over Banba's and gently moved them from their firm place on his abdomen. He turned to look at his fiance. Banba's hair was always a mess, but it looked even more disheveled now than normal. He did have pretty intense bags under his eyes.
Lin stood on his tiptoes and wrapped his arms around Banba's neck. “Don't we have plans for today?” He was met halfway for a kiss.
Banba's eyes remained closed even when Lin was flat footed again. “Yeah, sorry,” Banba said, but sounded very detached.
“You really are tired...did you stay up again last night? You knew we were doing something today, didn't you?” Lin scolded, though his tone wasn't rough. Not like when they had arguments years ago. Every part of Lin was softer now; he felt like he could relax more. These complaints were only for Banba’s own good.
“Hmmm,” Banba hummed, “yeah, I did...it's not my fault, the game was extended.”
Lin grumbled, “Couldn’t you have recorded it to watch later?” When Banba just pouted at that, Lin crossed his arms over his chest. “Lucky for you the place doesn't open until noon.” He grabbed Banba's hand and dragged him along back to their bedroom.
Though Lin was wide awake, he returned to the warmth of the covers for the sake of his exhausted and whiny fiance. He settled into the pillow and looked at Banba who was still standing, his mouth slackjaw.
“Quit gawking at me with that dumb look on your face and take a nap.”
Banba still stared on. “What about the coffee? It'll get cold…”
“Just lie down,” Lin demanded. “You were complaining a minute ago about how tired you are, so why don't you take care of that?”
Banba looked like he was going to argue, but he held his tongue and slid under the covers again. When he’d been walking around the chilly, hard floor, he’d woken up slightly, but sinking back into the enveloping warmth of the comforter brought back his forgotten exhaustion. Lin was right, as he generally was when it came to things such as this, and Banba really needed the extra sleep. It was a mistake to keep the game on last night, but it would have broken the routine Banba had found himself in.
The suggestion of recording it made sense, but Banba was determined to watch all games live. It was a quirk that Lin would never understand.
“Better?” Lin asked, turning so he was on his side. “I’ll stay here if that means you get some sleep.”
Banba hummed, “Thank you.”
He fell back into unconsciousness not more than ten minutes later.
---
Lin shook at Banba’s shoulder, speaking softly at first, but gradually raising his voice until he was yelling in his ear. Banba eventually stirred, eyes blurry and throat parched, holding a hand up to stop his fiance from rattling him any further.
“Your definition of a nap is very different from mine,” Lin said, sitting back on his knees. “You would’ve slept all day if I let you. But we have things to do today, right? We’re still doing it?”
Banba’s hum came out as more of a choke, but he nodded, “How long was I asleep?”
“Four hours. You seriously should’ve just kept sleeping when I got up.”
“Oh. Did you make fresh coffee?”
Lin’s face twisted, but he exhaled and shook his head, “We can get something on the way there. Just get ready.” He slid off the bed and onto his feet.
Lin had gotten up from the bed an hour prior, had gotten tired of waiting and decided to clean some things up and get ready himself. He smoothed out his skirt and adjusted his blouse to turn back and said, “I’ll be waiting in the car.”
He left, and Banba watched as the long blond hair swished across his back and disappeared into the hallway. He rubbed the lingering sleep from his eyelids and sighed into the darkened room. Lin had drawn the curtains to let Banba sleep since the sun had come up hours before.
It was strange. Before, when they worked together in Hakata, Banba would be the one taking care of Lin. Lin was reckless, he would hurt himself to get the job done, and Banba had to watch him like a hawk. He would nurse Lin’s wounds back to health, and comfort him in the times his past came back to haunt him. When Qiaomei died, and when Lin killed Fei-Lang, he was a mess in those times, understandably, and Banba would help. Lin didn’t always accept it, but he always offered and kept a close eye on him.
But now, with all of that behind them, and Banba staying up too late to watch a baseball game, Lin was there to care for him instead. Even though it wasn’t severe, and even though Banba could take care of himself.
It was nice, and it was part of the reason they had agreed to get married in a few months. Along with this “thing” they were doing this afternoon.
Banba finally moved, still sluggish and stiff, but he stood from the bed and set to getting himself ready quickly so Lin wouldn’t have to wait too long.
---
When they got out of the car to enter the building, each with a more-sugar-than-coffee drink in hand, Banba felt a jittery excitement coursing through him. And it likely wasn’t because of the liquid dessert.
He hesitated when Lin pulled the door open to enter the lobby.
“What’s wrong?” Lin asked, holding the door open with his elbow in order to turn.
“Excited,” Banba mumbled, grinning. “We’re gonna be like a real family.”
Lin scoffed, “You idiot.” He turned his head as not to let Banba see his matching grin.
They walked up to the little desk in the center of the room against the back wall. The woman sitting there looked up from her papers and greeted them. “Is there something specific you’re looking for?”
“Can we look at the cats?” Banba answered. He bumped his hand against Lin’s and was met with a gentle squeeze. The cold metal of the engagement ring on Lin’s finger was stark against the warmth of their hands. It reminded him of why they were here.
The woman nodded, “You’ll have to leave your drinks out here, but I’ll take you back there, no problem.”
The coffees were left on the desk and they were escorted by the small woman to a room full of cats. It was chaotic with sounds and smell. Half of the cats were meowing, loudly, and they all sounded either very interested or entirely distressed. The air was hung with the pungent odor of scented litter and wet cat food.
“Just ask if you want to look at anyone in particular. And if you have any questions, feel free to ask,” she informed them.
They wandered to each cage, inspecting the tags attached to the bars with the cat’s name, gender, age, and any health problems. Banba hummed joyfully as he admired the little balls of fluff.
“Any you like?” Banba asked Lin.
Lin shook his head, until they came upon this one. It was a little gray cat, with piercing yellow eyes, sprawled out in her cage. She stared at them, with what looked like annoyance, and purred loudly. “This one.” He pulled a hand up to the cage to let the cat sniff at him. She did, and let out a tiny sneeze that made Lin’s heart melt.
“Ha, does she even like you?” Banba teased. “She’s cute, though!”
Lin turned to the woman. “Can I see this one?”
The woman perked an eyebrow. “Are you sure? Hana here has a bit of a temper.”
“Yes.” Lin was set on this one. He wasn’t entirely sure why, but this cat was one he felt a bit attached to already.
The woman pulled her out, though she let out a crying meow in protest, and set her in Lin’s arms. Hana struggled, tiny claws digging into Lin’s bare skin.
“Hey, it’s okay,” he said, cradling the cat and rubbing at her head. Her purr returned, and she closed her eyes in contentment at the soothing motion. “Do you want to come home with us?” Lin stopped petting her, and she started panicking again. He laughed, and rubbed behind her ears.
The woman shrugged. “She likes you. Huh, she never warmed up to anyone here before.”
“Where was she rescued from?” Lin asked. He wondered what could’ve happened to make this cat hate everyone, and why she’d be so tense in the presence of other people.
“Ah, she was rescued about four months ago, and she was found on the side of the road. She was a house cat before, but the owners got sick of taking care of her, and let her out in the wild. We don’t know how long she was out there alone, but she survived, barely. She was horribly skinny when we found her, and her fur was falling out. But, she’s healthy now, so if you do decide to take her, don’t worry,” the woman explained.
Lin looked over at Banba. Banba nodded, “You like her?”
“Yeah. Did you want to hold her?”
Banba nodded, holding hands out to take the cat. She began struggling against Lin again as he held her out to Banba. “Make sure you hold her like I did.”
He did, but she didn’t melt into Banba like she did for Lin. She didn’t seem to exactly hate him, but she squirmed more and seemed to want to leap out of Banba’s grasp.
“Huh, she doesn’t like me,” Banba said with a pout.
He gave her back to Lin, shoulders drooping.
“Are there any you like, then?” Lin asked. “We can adopt two if you want.”
Banba glanced around the room. There was one cat with his paw sticking out of the cage, batting at the little name tag. He was larger and fluffier, with brown stripes. “Oh, maybe that one.”
The woman chuckled. “You’ve chosen the two most opposite cats in this room.” She unlocked the cage and pulled the fluffy cat out, who was squirming far more than Hana was. “He doesn’t really like to be held,” she huffed as the animal sprinted out of her arms.
Lin hummed as Hana rubbed her cheek against his face. “Of course.”
Banba’s shoulders drooped again. “I thought one would like me at least.”
“Don’t start whining already, just look at another one, or play with that one.” Hana started purring louder, and Lin hugged her tighter.
The woman added, “Some cats just like doing other things. He’s a bit younger than Hana, so he’s going to be more energetic than her. They also just have different personalities, so don’t worry about him not liking you! He likes pretty much everybody.” She pulled out a stick with a string a little plushie mouse attached to it and handed it to Banba. “Try playing with him.”
He took the toy and stared at it for a second before fully registering what he was supposed to do. It had been a while since he’d really been around animals.
The cat had run under the row of cages and was camping out, staring at the feet of the people who’d dared to hold him. Banba sat on his knees and wiggled the string in front of the space under the cages. The cat leaped and batted at it, but quickly retreated to his safe zone. He repeated this, until eventually he grew tired of playing and sat on the floor to groom himself.
Banba laughed, and reached out to pet him.
“What’s his name?” he asked the woman.
She raised her eyebrows, “Oh, he doesn’t really have one yet. He’s only been here a few days.”
“So I can name him anything if I adopt him, right?”
She nodded, “Yes, of course. Are you interested?”
Banba hummed, “Maybe.” He pet the cat again, a purr resonating as a response. The cat closed his eyes and rolled over on his back, batting at the hand attempting to rub his belly. “Aww, okay I think we’ll adopt him. What do you think, Lin?”
“Yeah, I think so too. What are you naming him?”
He tapped at his chin for a minute, thinking. “How about Hock?”
Lin screwed his face, “Why? That doesn’t even sound like a cat name.”
“Do you not know where that name is from?” Banba asked, with equal panic and disbelief in his voice.
Lin just stared at him, the cat in his arms squirming a bit. “No?”
The woman, who was standing in the corner by the door, cleared her throat and mumbled something as she exited the room.
Banba crossed his arms, “Obviously it’s one of the members of the mascot family for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. Don’t you pay attention?”
Lin rolled his eyes, “Why the hell would I pay attention to some dumbass mascot names? Aren’t they only there for like five minutes anyway?” Hana began gnawing on the ends of Lin’s hair, batting at it when it left her mouth. Lin moved it behind his back. “You’re really going to name that cat after a dumb mascot? That’s a permanent name.”
“Yes! It’s a great name,” Banba said, but his enthusiasm wavered at the end of the sentence. “Why does it matter to you anyway?”
Lin looked like he wanted to argue, but he sighed and shook his head, “It doesn’t really matter.”
“If you think I should change it, that’s okay too. They’re both our cats, right?” Banba said, beginning to feel bad about the argument he’d started.
“No, it’s fine. I’m sure I can get used to it,” he gently lowered himself to the ground next to where Banba and Hock were sitting. Hana struggled and eventually leaped out of Lin’s arms. She strode over to Hock and sniffed at him. They regarded each other, and Hana slumped over to lie down maybe a foot away. “They seem like they like each other. That’s good.”
The light feeling that had been present when they first arrived returned to Banba’s chest.
After everything they’d been through, everything they’d seen and done, this was such a breath of fresh air. The idea of adopting animals had been in the back of Lin’s head since their fake marriage. When Banba had offhandedly mentioned it, he latched onto the idea. Banba hadn’t known then, that it was so important to Lin.
The idea was nothing but appealing to him. To have a life to look after rather than the consistent destroying of life was a relaxing thought. Lin had been wanting this for months, but with settling into a new place, finding a new job, learning to interact with normal people again, they’d never had time. Then they got engaged, and Lin brought it up again.
“So, this means we’re together permanently now? Could we get a cat like when you mentioned when we started dating?” Lin asked, admiring the shiny ring on his finger.
Banba quirked an eyebrow. “You want to get a cat? When did I even mention that?”
Lin couldn’t really be upset about that. It wasn’t something ever brought up again, and it had only been an offhand comment to get those idiots off Lin’s back.
“When we had dinner with our targets at that resort. I didn’t really expect you to remember anyway. But,” Lin dropped his hand back to his side and offered a tiny smile, “I’d really like it if we got a cat. I can’t imagine adopting kids, but I still want something to take care of. Maybe that’s weird, but it’s what I want.”
Banba leaned against the railing of the bridge they stood on. “It’s a good idea. I’d like that. Especially if that’s what’ll make you happy.”
Excitement overtook Lin, and he tackled Banba in a hug.
Banba smiled at the memory fondly.
Lin was smiling at the two cats sniffing each other. “I’m really happy right now,” he announced, eyes drifting from the cats to Banba. “Thanks.”
“This wasn’t all me. I should be thanking you too.” Banba reached out to stroke Hock and he nuzzled his hand. “I would've never thought about getting cats again.”
Lin snorted softly, “Don't make this sappier than it has to be.” He stood up from the floor and brushed off his skirt. “I'll let her know we're ready.”
Banba nodded, watching Lin exit, leaving him with the two cats sprawled out on the rug.
---
After signing papers, purchasing two carriers, and corralling Hana and Hock, they returned home, their icy drinks melted and watered down now.
It felt like the family was complete. Both were ecstatic to be in the other's life, and the knowledge of their wedding on the horizon was exhilarating, but this really was the final step. Most couples would think about raising children, but neither Banba nor Lin felt like they were parent material. But cats they could handle.
They pulled up to their apartment complex and unloaded their precious cargo from the back seat. Hana had been complaining the whole way, but let out a curious mew when the door opened. Hock only let out a few complaints, and was more occupied with sniffing at his new friend.
When they were let out into the apartment, Hana hid under the couch and Hock trotted around to mark everything with a rub of his cheek.
While they were occupied, the couple set up the necessities the cats would need like food, water, and litter.
They retired to the couch and watched as their new family members found their way around the place. Lin curled up against Banba's side and rested his head on his shoulder.
“They're cute, aren't they?” Lin hummed.
Banba nodded and kissed the top of Lin's head. “Sure are.”
The warmth and relaxation of this gorgeous Saturday afternoon settled around them like a sigh.
This solace and security that they felt wasn't something either had thought they'd ever be able to feel. They lived their lives before thinking they'd die horrible deaths, and never find peace or happiness. Those who kill others are doomed to face an untimely end. Or, that's what they'd been told.
Something had changed. And now they could live normally. They could adopt cats, and have a normal job, and live in a normal apartment. They made nice with the neighbors and sometimes would do favors for them. They sat in the living room on days off and watched TV.
Things were calm. Finally.
And now, on those lazy nights of TV watching, they could pet a purring kitty and feel like everything in the world was right, even if just for a second.
This apartment was now a true home.