Chapter Text
Laurent wanted to talk. It wasn't often he wanted to
just
talk though. Edamura had to prepare for the worst. Laurent was going to ask too much of him and ruin the whole thing he had going on for himself. Like he always did.
Edamura dreaded it. He dreaded being alone with Laurent. All the things he might say, might ask him to do. All the ways he could ruin his quiet life.
He was getting ready in the mirror of a shity motel. Everything was a different shade of yellow. Either they chose to paint yellow or it was horrendously stained. It was all he could afford now that he stopped his conning gig. Coffee shop jobs are minimum wage. That's if they aren't willing to scam you.
Edamura adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves. In 15 minutes he would meet Laurent at a nice restaurant, in his best suit, over a good bottle of wine, just to talk. So that maybe Laurent could get something out of him. Or get him into something. Another scheme of his.
Edamura followed a server around the winding tables over to where Laurent was sitting. A rounded booth away from the tables of people.
Laurent was fidgeting. He never fidgeted, he was always so sure. Edamura couldn't think of a time where he’d seen Laurent hesitate. Now, under the dim, fancy, restaurant lighting, he looked a mess. All sorts of backtracking and rethinking. His pale eyes shot up, all tired, and he smirked. Any tinge of nervousness was gone.
He stood up and grabbed Edamura up in a hug. “It's good to see you, edamura.” no nickname. He pulled away, keeping two steady hands on his shoulders. “How have you been?”
“Fine.” Edamura grumbled. Pulling away into his seat. “Well, go ahead. You can get to the point.”
"My oh my. Already caught on, huh?" Laurent sat down across from him. Smiling only a little.
"I knew from the moment you called. Look, I'm really not stupid." He swirled the wine glass in front of himself. “Of course I knew you didnt call me all the way here for a friendly conversation.”
“You're right. Nothing friendly about it.” Edamura was pleased with his admission.
"So," Laurent paused. "Why did you come?"
"Just to see your face. I guess. Oh! And to turn you down of course." Edamura looked over his glass. Grinning smugly. Any one up he could get, he would take.
“Well,” Laurent cleared his throat. “You'll be happy to know I have nothing to convince you of. No more plans for me.”
“Oh, get real.” Edamura laughed slightly. Almost sarcastically. “Mister Laurent Theiry has no more plans? You must have thought of a real good one if you don't need to come up with any more to top it.” He laughed a little harder. “I'm shocked you could come up with something that good.”
“I'm serious. I've got nothing.” Laurent put his hands up. “Not even a current plan.”
Edamura made a face. It was amusing, to watch him lie so blatantly. Of course it was bullshit. The last thing Laurent would do is settle down. He could never be so docile. It was hard to even start to imagine.
Edamura sipped on his wine glass. Ripping his eyes away from Laurents untelling ones. Besides, why would he tell him?
“ Makoto.” Edamura shot his eyes back up. Laurent smiled so faintly it almost wasn't there. “I'm sick.”
“What?” He set the wine down. So what did a cold have to do with quitting cons all together? Edamura gave a scoff.
Laurent rubbed his temple. He figured it was better to just get it over with, rip the bandaid off. “I'm going to die.” He deadpanned.
Edamura was immediately nauseous. His guts churned. His head hurt. He didn't care about Laurent, he didn't feel anything or anyway about him. If he were to describe their relationship, he would describe it as a lack of one. But he couldn't have another person in his life die . Not like this. It wasn't fair. It wasn't right.
Laurent should have been shot high and dry in a big heist he orchestrated himself. Not ripped away from his own life against his will. A man like him should have gone out big and grand. Sick? He was going to die slowly? It wasn't right at all.
“Are you alright?” Laurent smiled.
“Yea,” he blinked himself back into his right mind. “Yea, it's just, wow. Uhm.” He reached up and rubbed the bridge of his nose. This was crazy. Unreal.
“Not the most exciting news. I'm sorry to spring it on you.” Laurent chuckled softly.
“Do the others know?” Edamura leaned over the table. Keeping it a secret even though no one here knew them, let alone cared. That made it worse for him. To imagine Laurent's death not being headlined on every news station in the world. Laurent was supposed to make an impact. He should've been in history books for his antics.
Laurent just shook his head. “Didn't tell them. They didn't need to know. It's got nothing to do with their lives.”
“What's it got to do with mine?” Edamura shot back.
The silence came on thick. Laurent shot him a guilty look. Like he'd finally been caught after years of running. “I just wanted to see you, I suppose. Does that bother you?” It had the faint of sincerity to it.
“What are you sick with?” Edamura spoke quieter in an attempt to side step the question.
Laurent hesitated. “It's not important.”
“Oh Jesus christ.” Edamuras mind started to wander. His voice went lower still. “Laurent, do you have cancer?”
“No, no no. It's my own fault I'm sick.”
Laurent looked away for a moment. Then back, his eyes fighting the gloss over them. “I'll die from asphyxiation. That's all you need to know about it. Don't stress yourself with the details.”
“Well who's going to take care of you?” Edamura knew it was a stupid thing to suggest. He usually spoke before he could think. Maybe Laurent had been lying this whole time and this exact thing is what he was baiting him into.
This would be a sick joke if he was lying. For all the lack of feeling Edamura had for him, he did trust that he wouldn't lie about sickness like this. He knew how much Edamura had struggled with loss in his life. Laurent had suffered from it too.
“No one. I don't need anyone to care for me.”
In a moment of sick desperation and real emotions popping up in Edamuras gut for Laurent, Edamura offered up his help. “Let me do it. I used to take care of my mom. I can help you.” He paused. “You shouldn’t be alone.” Not just Laurent that shouldn't have to be alone. No one should.
Laurent went through a visible flash of confusion within himself. This was beyond abnormal for him. This was hardly Laurent. Not the one Edamura used to know. He was changed. Maybe they both were.
“I'm sure you'd do a lovely job caring for me, but I'm in no need of it. I'm a grown man you know.” Laurent gave a familiar smirk.
“The most immature grown man I know. It wouldn't kill you to get some help from others.” Edamura huffed. Leaning back in his seat, crossing his arms.
“Sure. You could be right. It might do me some good to have some help near the end. But I'm sensing that a certain someone doesn't really want to help, and just doesn't want his ego hurt.” Laurent peaked up. “Am I right?”
He was right, not entirely. He was never right entirely. “I don't want to help you to make me feel better. I don't want you to suffer by yourself.”
“Suit yourself.” Laurent gave in quick. Quicker than Edamura had ever expected.
“How can I help you?” Edamura was as honest as he’d ever been.
“Why don't you come stay with me for a while?” Laurent half teased. But, he did want him there.
Edamura had been flown over here for just the weekend and didn't have a place to stay. He didn't have a lot of money either. Or many personal belongings that he had not brought. Nothing was holding him back, and admittedly he hated his old job and drab apartment.
If Laurent and him could get along while he was sick, it might be nice to stay in Laurents home. He knew Laurent spared no expenses on luxuries.