Chapter Text
The time right after platinum jail is chaotic Mink disappears and Noiz goes back to Germany. Aoba would be lying if both of those things hadn’t hurt him but he had other things to worry about and other people to take care of. Sei fell into a coma after taking down Toue and it is the longest 8 months of Aoba’s life. He visits her every day the others accompany him some times. Ren is still always by his side as his AllMate while Tae-san works on his body. He is so grateful for Ren during these months spent worrying that his sister would never wake up again after everything they had both been through.
She does wake of course and Aoba is so grateful but her awakening happens shortly after Ren has finally gotten his body. Aoba finds himself torn between helping Ren adjust to life in a human body and helping Sei recuperate and transition. The solution of course is the three spending a lot of time together at the hospital. The three siblings grow nearly inseparable Ren and Aoba getting to finally be with and learn about Sei it’s so nice to have her awake.
Of course visiting hours are only so long even for family so Aoba and Ren find themselves in the company of the others when they are not at the hospital. Koujaku is the most helpful in getting Ren used to his flesh body with all of its needs and cravings that more often then not annoyed Ren. It was like raising a child at times Aoba felt and made a point to thank his gran more often for teaching him and taking care of him.
Clear was little to no help in the quest of helping Ren adjust, but they were good company nonetheless. Clear lived the farthest away so Aoba liked going to see them when he could. He worried Clear was spending too much time on their own. Any attempt to bring this up with Clear was met with calm reassurance that they were fine and that they even went out on their own to see Mizuki and Koujaku occasionally. Aoba lets it slide believing Clear, after all the two of them had grown much closer in the last months as well. He was sure Clear knew they could come to him with any problems.
The Black Needle becomes a place for Aoba to blow off steam and whine at Mizuki while he enjoys a few drinks. It is on one of these nights at the Black Needle that the thought first enters Aoba’s mind. He’s complaining about feeling stretched too thin all the time. Mizuki is humoring him having heard it all before saying it’s Aoba’s fault for attracting others like flies to honey. Aoba just rolls his eyes and lets out a sigh “I wished we all just lived together” he hadn’t meant it seriously but now that the thought was in his head he couldn’t stop thinking about it. This kind of wishful thinking made him feel childish and he did his best to squash the thought.
A short time after these thoughts begin Ren ends up in the hospital for a few days for exhaustion. His new body could still be weak and Ren sometimes had trouble knowing his limits and pacing himself during physical and straining activities. Ren was roomed with Sei and after some convincing from the two that they would be fine without him he went to stay with Clear until Ren could come home.
Clear seemed very cheerful at the idea of spending so much time together. It was the morning after his first night at Clear’s that the desire to have everyone live together welled in him once more. This time even more violently than the first time. The sun had woken Aoba and he wondered at how nice it was to wake up like this snuggled up with Clear. Who at that moment opened their eyes and wished him a good morning. Going on to say they hadn’t slept that well in months and how glad they were Aoba-san was staying with them for a few days. That small admittance tugged at Aoba’s heart and prompted him to do something he had wanted to do almost since the day he met Clear. He leaned over and kissed Clear right on the mouth it was just a light brushing of lips but their first kiss nonetheless. Clear’s face immediately became pink Aoba murmured a sorry “but you’re just too cute and I’ve wanted to do that for ages now”. He smirked at the still blushing android who finally got over their shock and leaned in to steal a kiss of their own.
A few days later when it was time to go pick up Ren it was hard for Aoba to leave. He tries talking Clear into going with him urging them to spend more time with him and the others. Clear refuses Aoba’s request mask dug up earlier that morning and firmly in place. Aoba was worried that Clear couldn’t continue to live on their own anymore but Ren was waiting. Aoba squeezed Clear’s hand and placed a kiss on the nose of the mask and left a promise of a visit left in the air. Behind the mask Clear was crying not knowing what to do about their growing feelings and crippling loneliness. How could Clear keep expecting Aoba to come and see them when he had so many wonderful ‘real people’ in his life that needed him. If Aoba had known exactly how Clear had been feeling at the time he’d have never left Clear alone than would have dragged them with him android strength be damned! But as it was Aoba had no idea besides a nagging feeling Clear was a bit lonely. So he went to go pick up Ren and see his sister the two he thought needed him the most.
Aoba got a surprise however when he got to the hospital and learned that both Ren and Sei were ready to come home. So he spent the afternoon doing paperwork to get them both discharged and showed up back home for dinner with both Ren and Sei in tow. While gran was pleased to see Sei healthy and out of the hospital after nearly a year she made numerous remarks on the lack of space in the house and that at this rate she’ll never be able to retire having to feed all four of them. Again Aoba thought he’d love to have a place for everyone and leave Tae-san her peace.
The next week Aoba went back to work having been out ever since Sei woke up and Ren got his body nearly three months ago. Haga was happy to let him have as much time as he needed off. Though he was also glad to have his best (if not only) employee back. This leaves Aoba even less time to spend with everyone. Though Sei and Ren visit him at work often. Sei can’t stand to be inside more than she has to be after finally getting her freedom and clear bill of health. She likes to spend time wandering around shops but particularly likes to spend time at the nearby park. Ren preferred to stay with Aoba at work or go bother Mizuki about his missing tattoos. So Sei gets into the habit of calling Clear when she’s lonely. Clear doesn’t always answer or agree to meet up with her but Sei enjoys the times they do. She finds she enjoys Clear’s company as much as she enjoys Aoba’s and Ren’s.
Sei asked Clear about their mask once wondering aloud if it was due to some fault in their assembly that made it so they couldn’t filter the air directly or something of the sort. Clear had stammered saying it was more of a fashion choice then anything else. Confused Sei said She thought Clear to be the type to like sundresses and cute hair clips more than gas masks. Clear becomes quiet after that Sei tries apologizing not wanting Clear to be upset. They just brush off the apologies and insisted it was time for Sei to go meet with Aoba and Ren as he was about to get off his shift. Sei huffed but didn’t want to press Clear in case they tried to pull even farther away from her. Instead agreeing she smiled brightly and placed a quick peck to the nose of Clear’s mask and chirped a goodbye and went on her way. Clear felt just as stunned by Sei’s kiss to their mask as they had felt when Aoba had first kissed them. Clear wanted to be happy that people liked them enough to kiss them but just felt lonelier instead. They were all real people with souls and flesh Clear couldn’t imagine any of them really wanting to stay by their side.
Aoba had been back to work for nearly a month an entire year since the events of platinum jail had occurred (well a year and one day but who’s counting?). He was at work alone a rarity in and of itself . Ren was off getting more of his tattoos at Mizuki’s and Sei was with Koujaku getting a trim. Her hair had become a bit long to manage after letting it grow out a whole year. Just a trim she had said she really loved her longer hair to go with her new self image. It was on this quite and slightly boring afternoon when Aoba hears the door chime signaling a customer. He looks up to great whoever it is but the words die in his throat when he sees who it is at the door.
It’s Noiz! In a suit with less piercings yes but Noiz all the same. Instead of a greeting Aoba blurts “we really need a house now”. Noiz raises an eyebrow at that and Aoba blushes realizing he’s just spoken out loud and tries again. “Noiz you’re back?” A smirk from the blonde.
“Yea Germany still sucks and college was too easy”
“College?” Aoba tilts his head in confusion
“Yea I figure I’ve got no excuse now not to make an ‘honest living’ or whatever”. Noiz strides over to where Aoba is still seated leans down and plants a kiss right onto the older boys stunned mouth. “Live with me Aoba”. Aoba stammers.
“But, but, but” Noiz looks confused and a little annoyed (as usual).
“No buts I can take care of us. I’m sitting on a small fortune and I can get legal and steady work now. You want to be with me I know it so what gives?” Aoba looks bashful
“It’s not that simple Noiz so much has happened in a year. I’ve grown closer to Mizuki, Koujaku, and Clear. I have Sei to look after and Ren too with his new human body. I’d love to be with you Noiz but I can’t be with just you. Don’t you see?” Noiz makes a show of rolling his eyes.
“Is that all? I figured you’d come with a posse. I already like Clear and Mizuki can’t be more annoying than that old man. Ren with a body though is surprising bet he still likes a scratch behind the ears (Insert eyebrow waggle here). Also it’s good to hear your brother is doing better he was in a coma when I split.”
“Sister” Aoba pipes up eyes bright heart racing “Sei is my sister.” Noiz looks puzzled for half a second then grins.
“Sister of course so will you and all your… date-mates come live with me?” Aoba jumps up from the desk throwing his arms around the blonde.
“Noiz you beautiful bastard of course! As long as I can get them all to agree.” And Aoba kisses him long and deep thinking things were finally going to come together.