Chapter Text
KAZ
Kaz Kaan identified as a lot of things. He was a magistocrat, a demon slayer---like the line of Kaans that preceded him---and Neo Yokio’s second most eligible bachelor. But as Christmas rolled around and gave way to New Year’s Eve, Kaz only identified as sick and that irked him immensely.
His friends had opted to cheer him up, yanking him into some clothes and tugging him down to the Caprese Bar. It was quaint. Quiet. He almost forgot how much he missed this place, missed its subtle yet rustic elegance, missed being around Gottlieb and Lexy. Behind Lexy was the clutter of alcohol, a mismatch of different colours and shapes.
Kaz planted his hands onto the wooden countertop and eased himself behind it, plopping his fever-ridden body into the seat. He slumped forward, groaning. “End my suffering.”
Gottlieb sat down beside him, patting him on the back. “Nah.” A pause. “At least not tonight.”
“Speaking of which--” Kaz turned to face him, pouting. “--why drag me here? You guys certainly didn’t care when I was sick on Christmas. Alone.”
Lexy and Gottlieb shared a look, but Lexy looked back at Kaz, pouring him a glass of water. “Man, you really spent Christmas alone?”
“Don’t remind him,” Gottlieb whispered. “It’ll only make him feel worse.”
Kaz bit back a small laugh, smiling. “It wasn’t so bad. Charles kept me company.”
He recalled the story. One involving sales clerk---Herbert---, capitalism, drugs and Christmas. It was an odd tale, if he was being honest, but it had lulled him to sleep while the rest of Neo Yokio delved into depravity and overindulgence. It was odd, sure, but it left him thinking, left him with an unwanted pile of what-ifs and theories. Aunt Agatha’s reclusion hadn’t helped much either.
“He’s obligated to, Kaz.” Gottlieb grinned. “And besides, Charles--”
“Man, fuck Charles!” Lexy muttered angrily, gesturing to himself and Gottlieb. “You could’ve called us!”
Kaz clutched his head. “Remind me to do that next time I’m contagious, guys.” He winced. “But honestly, I’m alright. Being sick is a drag, but I feel a lot more humble than I am weary. I just need to…” A shiver rippled through him. “... fight it off in time for January.”
Gottlieb cocked a brow. “You can fight it off with room to spare. The new Caprese photoshoot isn’t for another week.”
Kaz shook his head. “Though I’m glad about that, I had something else in mind.” Another sneeze came from him. “Think about it. January. Snow’s still fresh on the ground. Christmas decorations are still up. But the year’s afresh, anew, and the sun peeks her head out. It’s warm enough for people to be up and about, too.” He stood up, waving a hand in the air to push his image across. “It’s straight out of some fairytale, guys.”
“One that sucks, but keep going.” Lexy grinned.
“Guys, it’s the perfect time for photographers to come around!” Kaz felt the room spin around him and he hastily reclaimed his seat, wincing. “N-Neo Yokio’s going to be swarming with photographers. And, well, I’m quite popular, you know.”
“We know,” his friends chimed.
A tinge of embarrassment swelled within him. “O-Oh.” Perhaps the bachelor board had truly gotten to him, encroached in the back of his mind, waiting to bare its fangs. He would be lying if he claimed otherwise. It was a ruthless game until the end. But now, what would be made of the eight bachelors who’d been fortunate enough to be in its ranks, to have their names engraved in its death?
Gottlieb rummaged through a box on the ground, plucking out a white hoodie and matching hat, both embellished by the Caprese logo. “Which is why you’ll be wearing these!”
Kaz jerked upright, eyes narrowing into suspicious slits. He’d seen those before. Somewhere. His gaze flitted between the two pieces of clothing, then absentmindedly fell to the window. A light snow fell outside. Outside.
“Charles!” He sprang up, albeit weakly, and darted to the exit. Swinging the door open, his attention rested on his mecha butler, before he gestured inside. “Charles, don’t these seem familiar?”
Gottlieb and Lexy exchanged a look. “Huh?”
Charles poked his head inside. “If I’m correct, I described them in that story you fancied so much.” He returned outside, affording his master room to stand before him but remain in the comfort of the bar. “Is something the matter, Master Kaan?”
A sneeze escaped him. “Ah-- No. I just… I guess I was overthinking things.” He shook his head and smiled. “Take me home, Charles.”
“With pleasure.”
His back unfolded for Kaz to clamber onto, hands clenched around the hold. “Bye, fellas.”
“Kaz! We aren’t done yet!” Gottlieb called after him, rushing out with his box of clothes.
Lexy followed suit. “Yo, what about the firewo--..”
Suddenly, Charles took to the air and Kaz held on tighter, peering beyond the mecha butler’s shoulders.
Their groans of frustration were drowned out by the sounds of Neo Yokio. Light chatter flooded his eardrums, talk of the impending fireworks, of repairs to the bachelor board, of nothing. In the air, the city was all the more breathtaking. Skyscrapers jutted out alongside villas. Clouds dispersed around them at the slightest brush against Charles’ armour-like body. He released one of the handles, holding his hand out and towards the clouds. One crashed into his hand, droplets coating his fingertips as he recoiled back, awestruck and dizzy.
Kaz almost forgot that he had fallen out of love with Neo Yokio weeks ago. Helena. He shook the thought from his head. There was a whole world out there for her to explore, and Kaz needed to accept that. But until he did, and until she returned, Neo Yokio could prove a much needed distraction.
The incoming photographers would have a field day.
As for Kaz- He’d be lucky if he weathered this cold by the time they arrived.