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Pewter shifts uncomfortably in his cell, antsy. His brain ticking a mile a minute with none of his usual tricks or strategies readily available to him. Not that he's surprised per say. He betrayed ABIS. Boss and the higher ups have every right to keep him in the cell he's currently in. He hates how his eyes brim with tears. He did all of that to help Renju. He hates that fact he put Renju over Abis, over Date. He loves both his partners equally, yet was so willing to throw everything with Date and all of ABIS away because Renju asked him to.
Renju’s gone. Boss told him everything that happened. Renju wasn't truly Renju. He’s been gone since Shoko’s death in early November, due to all of the body swapping shenanigans with Saito and the prototype Psync Machine. He hates how something of his own creation led to Renju’s end. He hates how he couldn't tell that it wasn't Renju asking him to do such a thing.
He tries to blink the tears out of his eyes, but more only replace them. He sighs, tilting his head back against the wall of his cell. He longs for comfort. From anyone. For fuck’s sake he knows he messed up, but his boyfriend still died. All he feels in here is guilt and grief and longing for Date.
Can he even call him Date anymore? He was never truly Kaname Date. Simply Hayato Yagyu in Saito Sejima’s body. Saito’s dead, having been blown up by Aibi before all of her data was wiped.
He groans at remembering that fact. He even went as far as wiping all of Aibi’s data for who he thought was Renju. He tries to ignore the tears streaming down his face, yet he can't. He's overwhelmed by his own emotions and his thoughts, his vision blurs further through the tears as his chest feels tight, his body feeling stiff, like he can't move. He can't breathe. He can't take a breath. Everything is too much.
He’s surprised by the sudden, pleasant weight draped over his back, his hands still trembling, his breathing still frantic and uneven, but he feels clearer. Comforted. He blinks the tears out of his eyes, staring in confusion at Boss, who crouches in front of him. His brain finally slows, catching up with reality. The weight around his shoulders is the weighted blanket he kept in his lab for whenever he was particularly struggling.
“You with me?” Boss speaks in a hushed voice, standing to sit next to Pewter on the bed, leaning her back against his side, adding extra pressure to him. He can't help but stare teary eyed at her, looking into her eyes, unable to read her expression. He nods a little, unable to find words at that moment in time. He wraps the weighted blanket tighter around himself, enjoying the comforting weight against him. He doesn't know how long they stay in silence, Pewter simply basking in the pressure both from the weighted blanket and from Boss.
“I don't want to keep you locked in here, please know that. I hope you know that. You're a great friend to me, Futa, not just one of the brains behind ABIS. Please know I'm fighting for you. I don't want you stuck in here, but the higher ups won't budge without proof that you're reliable. A lot of proof I'll get with you being stuck in a cell though. I'll figure something out, okay?” She stands up, heading towards the cell door to leave. Pewter panics slightly, reaching out to grab Boss by the wrist.
“Shizue, wait! I…I think I can think of a way to prove myself…all I'll need to access to the lab, I'll take whatever supervision is required, but I can prove myself trustworthy again. Just, Shizue please give me a-” Pewter’s rambling is cut off by Boss placing a hand over his mouth.
“...I’ll come grab you whenever I can, okay?”
It takes him a few months due to the limited time he's able to stay in the lab at once, but after sleepless nights, Pewter manages to restore Aiba to her former glory. Boss watches over his shoulder as he boots her up, both waiting painstakingly as she downloads her restored data and memories. After a brief, drawn out moment, Aiba boots up, her protective gel-like casing forming around her.
“Aiba? Can you hear us?” Boss leaning on Pewter’s shoulder, watching as Aiba turns to face them, looking all around the lab.
“I can indeed hear you. I also remember everything.” Both let out a sigh of relief. Pewter slumping into his desk and Boss reaching a hand out to scoop Aiba up, holding her close.
“I'm glad. It's great to have you back. How does it sound to get back to your old home? Well, same man, different body.” Pewter perks up at the mention of Date, both Aiba and Boss catching him doing so.
“Boss- if possible…could I give Aiba back to Date? I mean- since he's in his original body now, he's going to have to have the artificial nerve reinstalled.” Boss looks between Pewter and Aiba, before nodding.
“The higher ups may not trust you, but I certainly do. I’ll get you brought in when it's time, alright? Thank you, Pewter.” He tries to stop himself from tearing up, blinking back the tears as Boss’ gaze on him softens, leaning down to wrap her arms around him in a hug, which he all but sinks into, burying his face into his shoulder. He feels the slight weight of Aiba leaping into his shoulder. He sighs as Boss pulls away, turning to glance at Aiba on his shoulder.
“Thank you for bringing me back.” Pewter can't help but smile a little, bring a hand up to slightly pet Aiba.
“It's the least I could do.”
It feels strange, standing in front of Date, so different from what he’s used to. He lacks what are seen as Date’s defining features, yet he isn't the picture perfect image of Falco either. His hair is longer, falling close to its length when he was in Saito’s body, his face now cleanly shaven as well. He finishes the careful procedure to install the artificial nerve, before reaching into his pocket and placing Aiba into Date’s socket. After checking a few details to confirm everything, Pewter takes a step back, taking in the drastically different appearance of the man he loves.
It doesn't take long after he’s finished for Date to wake up, showing confusion both to being in the Psync room, and to Pewter being there.
“Pewter?” He takes a moment to register the different voice, before sighing a little, gesturing for his babysitter to take his leave into the control room, so he can keep an eye on Pewter just like instructed, but be unable to hear his conversation with Date. “What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be locked up?” He cringes at the bite in the other’s words, but he can't be mad at Date’s reaction.
“I am. I've spent the past three months in a horrible detention centre with equally horrible food, but when this opportunity arose, I couldn't let it go.” He hesitates for a moment before meeting Date’s gaze, staring into the grey and yellow eyes of his ex-partner. At least one of the eyes are the same.
“What moment? Did you Psync with me?” Date steps more into his space, Pewter surprisingly not backing down.
“I did not. I didn't harm you in any way. You think I'd want to harm you?” Pewter’s chest tightens at Date's scoff.
“You didn't seem to hesitate to hold a gun to me.” Pewter’s heart sinks at the words. He can't refute against that. Date’s got a point. Despite how much he hated himself at that moment in time. He thought he was helping Renju. He thought he was saving his partner.
“I’m not here for forgiveness, Kan-...Date. I wouldn’t expect that so quickly. I…betrayed ABIS, but especially you, and I cannot even begin to put it into words, how sorry I am. I thought…I was helping Renju, and I know this isn’t an excuse, but imagine hearing his voice, while in so much pain, knowing he should be at hospital at this point, asking me to do that for him. I couldn’t bring myself to say no, Date. I just, couldn’t. Not to Renju. I didn’t want things to happen the way they did, and I’m so, so truly sorry that they did…” Pewter’s words catch in his throat, tears flowing freely down his face. He was never able to hide from Date, and that seems to be true even now. Even when he looks and sounds completely different. It’s the Kaname Date he knows and loves. As Pewter turns to step away, to turn and leave, a hand grabs his wrist, tugging him in close, a pair of arms curling around his back, so unfamiliar yet so comforting at the same time. Pewter all but crumbles into Date, pressing his face into Date’s hair as he always did, wrapping his arms firmly around the other.
“You always let that head of yours run wild, huh?” Date speaks into his chest, tightening his arms closely around Pewter. “I knew something was up. I could tell. But I couldn’t risk losing anyone. I thought Renju was still alive, I was confident I could save him. Saito told me he called you when I got there. I wanted to hate you…but I couldn’t when I knew I would have done the same.” Date pulls away from the hug slightly, chuckling when Pewter tightens his grip on Date to try and prevent him from doing so. He places a hand on Pewter’s jaw, lovingly holding his face in his hand. “I just wished you would have told me. We could have figured it out together.” Pewter chokes a sob, leaning in to press his forehead against Date’s, who brushes away more tears with his thumb.
“I’m sorry, Kaname. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know what to do, I-” Date gently shushes Pewter, cupping his face in both hands to wipe away his tears.
“I know, I know. It’s okay, I’m not mad.” They stay like that for however long, Pewter doesn’t know or even care. When Pewter has calmed down, Date slowly pulls away, brushing one final stray tear away. “I’ll be waiting for you when you get released, okay?” Pewter stares blankly for a moment, before nodding, giving Date another quick hug before making his leave.
It's only a week before Pewter hears the clicking of Boss’ heels down the hall of the detention centre. He glances up at her, watching as one of the guards unlocks his cell. Boss steps in, taking the few steps needed to reach Pewter. She reaches a hand into her jacket, holding out a card to Pewter. Pewter stares at Boss in confusion, before taking the card, taking it over in his hand, his eyes widening at the sight of his old ABIS card.
“Welcome back, Pewter.” He stares blankly at her for a moment, before standing and wrapping his arms around Boss, pressing his face into her shoulder.
“...Thank you, Boss. Thank you.” Boss happily wraps her arms around Pewter, returning his hug and rubbing his back soothingly.
“Come on. I'll take you back to ABIS. A certain partner of yours is waiting.” Pewter feels his stomach twist even at the vague mention of Date. He also assumes his face heats up, if the smug look on Boss’s face is anything to go off of. “He really isn’t mad at you, ya know. He’s been non-stop asking about you. I told him he could always just visit but he kept saying that it would be ‘awkward’. You’re just as bad as each other sometimes, it’s impressive.” Pewter chuckles, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly.
“I don’t blame him for thinking that though. He is in a different body afterall. I can only imagine how strange that must be.” Boss smirks as she and Pewter walk side by side, nudging him slightly with his elbow.
“We could always Psync and switch.” Pewter cringes just at the idea of being in Boss’ body. He can only imagine how horrible it was for Date during the first few weeks of being back in his original body. To be completely different to what he was used to for the past six years. If only he could have been there for him.
It feels great to be back in his own lab again. All of his stuff returned to its rightful place. He currently sits at his workbench, focusing on rescrewing the tiny screws that holds Tama’s back panel on. He registers the sound of the lab door opening, assuming it's simply Ryuki here to grab Tama. He’s proven very wrong, as before he can get a word out, a hand is placed on his shoulder, and a kiss pressed on the small amount of skin that the high collar of his bodysuit doesn’t cover, sending a shiver down his spine.
“Fucking hell- Date!” Pewter gently places Tama down, spinning in his chair to face Date, pausing for a moment to take in Date’s appearance. He looks shockingly like he used to, like Saito. His hair is a little shorter, but the same shade of blonde, half tied up in a ponytail. His eyes are the only majorly different thing, his right still that warm grey, and his left is Aiba’s vibrant yellow.
“What? I always do that! What’s with the surprise?” Pewter simply stares for a moment again, blinking owlishly at Date, before sinking back into his chair.
“In my defence, it’s been months. I…I’m not used to the affection.” Date’s gaze softens, his hand on Pewter’s shoulder tightening its grip a little. Pewter glances up at Date, seeing the conflict in his eyes. Even without his impressive knowledge of psychology, Date is painfully easy to read. “I never said it was a bad thing.” Pewter reaches a hand up to brush his hand against Date’s cheek, smiling slightly at the faintest scratch of stubble against his glove. Date relaxes into his touch, leaning slightly into his hand.
“We should probably have a proper talk at some point. Since a lot has happened.” Date struggles for a moment to get his words out. He stands to his full height, slightly shorter than he used to be. He uses his grip on Pewter’s shoulder to spin his chair slightly, his other hand grabbing Pewter’s chin and making him look up at Date. “No, I'm not breaking up with you. No, I don’t hate you for what happened. Try not to overthink, okay?” Pewter smiles, grateful that Date settles his anxieties before they could even start up. He places his hand over Date’s, leaning into his hand, wishing at this moment in time that neither of them had their gloves on. As his hand moves to Date’s wrist to pull his glove off, he pauses at the feel of a very familiar object around Date’s wrist. Pewter pulls his glove off, pushing Date’s sleeve up slightly to make it visible, his eyes already starting to brim with tears.
“Ren’s watch.” Pewter manages to get out, brushing his thumb over the strap of the watch. Date hums a little, stepping closer into Pewter’s space.
“Boss gave it to me. I’m surprised it barely has a scratch from the car crash.” Date gives a little sad smile, leaning in to press his forehead against Pewter’s, wordlessly brushing away the tear that rolls down his cheek. “Can I keep it on? I know it was your gift to Ren and I-” Pewter chuckles a little, nuzzling Date slightly, wrapping his arms around his waist.
“God, yes, you can. I know I gave it to him but he was your partner too. I…I like that you’re wearing it actually.” He hears Date let out a sigh of relief, tugging Pewter into a kind of awkward hug due to Pewter still sitting down, Pewter’s face pressed into his Date’s stomach. “And you told me not to overthink.” Date snorts a little, pulling Pewter’s arms away from his waist to pull Pewter to his feet, snaking his own arms around Pewter’s waist, under his loose fitting lab coat. One hand presses between Pewter’s shoulders while the other slips under the utility belt slightly.
“My place? I asked Mizuki to stay with Iris.” Pewter huffs, feeling the way his face heats at Date’s mischief. He chuckles, wrapping his arms around Date in return, nuzzling his face into the collar of Date’s coat, sinking into him.
“We could have just gone to my place. No need to bother Mizuki.” Date nuzzles Pewter back, pressing a kiss to his temple.
“We both know if we head to your place no talking is getting done.” Pewter can’t help but laugh into Date’s neck at his words. He isn’t completely wrong though.
It was hardly even a month of peace before things went downhill again. Pewter rushes over to the hospital as soon as Boss contacts him. The cathedral collapsed, and Boss refused to elaborate over the phone.
“Shizue!” Pewter calls out to her as soon as he spots her, rushing towards her where she stands, the look in her eyes impossible to read. “Is everyone alright? What on Earth happened?” Boss places her hands on Pewter’s shoulders, and Pewter instinctively places his hands on her forearms. Her expression is hard to read. It normally is in serious moments like this.
“Tearer set off an explosion that caused the Cathedral to collapse. Gen and Lien are unharmed, if a little scratched. Ryuki’s…shaken. He’s currently unconscious. Kizuna’s in surgery, Gen protected her from the explosion but all the rumble still injured her. We don’t know the extent yet.” Pewter tightens his grip on Boss’ forearms, his heart racing.
“What about Mizuki and Date? Are they okay?” Pewter bites the inside of his cheek as Boss sighs, swallowing audibly. “Shizue.” Pewter prompts her. He can’t take being left in the dark any longer. He only just got Date back, he can’t lose him again. He’s only met Mizuki briefly, but she’s Date and Renju’s daughter, and Pewter’s worried about her.
“Mizuki’s recently out of surgery. Her left eye got hurt in the explosion and they had to remove it.” Pewter tenses. She’s alive at least, but a missing eye is a massive injury to adjust to. “We…haven’t found Date yet. We have people looking. Gen and Lien said Ryuki stayed to look for him, but came out alone, too shaken to properly speak. So we’ll know more once he’s awake.” Pewter forces himself to remain calm. Mizuki’s injured and there’s no sign of Date. That also means there’s no sign of Date’s corpse. While the situation isn’t great by any meaning of the word, it’s not the worst it could be.
“Where’s Mizuki?” Pewter swallows the lump in his throat and forces the words out. Mizuki can’t lose both of her Fathers in such a close period of time and be alone. Pewter wants to do what he can for her. Boss silently leads Pewter to her room, leaning against the wall.
“I’ll be here if anything happens. I’ll keep you updated on Date.” Pewter nods, muttering a small ‘thank you’ to Boss before he carefully pushes the door to Mizuki’s hospital room open.
She’s sitting against the headrest, her hair out of its usual ponytail, flowing freely. Her left eye is covered, wrapped in bandages. She has other plasters and bandages around, mainly on her arms, presumably from other smaller injuries from the explosion.
“Pewter?” She speaks so softly, almost confused as Pewter steps into the room, gently shutting the door behind him as he makes his way towards her bedside.
“How are you feeling? Any pain?” Mizuki shakes her head, tracking Pewter’s movements. He stands on her right, watching her closely. Her remaining eye tracks his movement, full of confusion and concern.
“Are the others okay? What about Kizzy and Date?” Pewter swallows. Mizuki deserves to know the truth. It doesn’t matter that it isn’t ideal. She deserves to know if her friends and father figure are okay.
“Kizuna’s currently in surgery, I don’t know more than that, unfortunately. Gen and Lien are unharmed, and Ryuki’s physically fine, but extremely shaken and currently unconscious. Date’s…not been found. People are looking for him now.” Pewter watches Mizuki’s expression closely, catching the minor shifts and changes to her face as she tries to hold back her emotions. “I’ll keep you updated, okay?” As soon as I know anything, I’ll let you know.” Mizuki brings her hand up to wipe away the tears that brim in her eyes before they can flow. Pewter feels a pang in his chest at the sight. Mizuki’s already so young, and having lost both of her parents, and now Date, and so close together as well is a lot for someone her age to experience. He places his hand on her shoulder, hoping to give her at least a little bit of comfort in the moment. Pewter’s heart only breaks more as Mizuki stares up at him, tears starting to spill from her eye. As she shifts towards the edge of her hospital bed, Pewter takes a step closer, wrapping both his arms around Mizuki, cradling her to his chest as she clings onto his lab coat, trying to suppress her sniffles and cries. Pewter hesitates for a moment before he gently cards his fingers through Mizuki’s hair, silently hoping the action helps to soothe her. He refuses to move until Mizuki’s a bit more calm, even when he notices Boss walk in, he keeps Mizuki close to him, gently breaking through the knots and tangles in her hair. Once she is calm, Pewter slowly releases the hug, keeping his hands on Mizuki’s shoulders as he turns to face Boss.
“Ryuki’s awake. I need you to come see something.” Pewter nods, going to step away from Mizuki, but stops when he feels her grab onto his sleeve. He turns to face Mizuki, seeing the borderline fear in her eyes at the thought of being left alone. Pewter gently tugs her hand off his sleeve, holding her hand in both of his own.
“I’ll be right back, alright?” Mizuki stares at him with hesitation, before nodding. Pewter smiles slightly, letting go of Mizuki’s hand and following Boss out of Mizuki’s room, and down the hall towards Ryuki’s.
Pewter can tell just by looking at Ryuki that he’s far from okay. Ryuki’s mental health has always been poor, but since the start of the HB case, he’s been far worse, and Pewter can only imagine how much worse it’s about to get. Physically, Ryuki seems mostly unharmed, that’s a start. “Show him.” Boss speaks firmly, with almost no emotion in her voice. It unnerves Pewter slightly. Ryuki reaches into his blazer, pulling out Aiba, her body cracked and damaged. Pewter swallows the lumb in his throat as he takes Aiba in his hands, examining the damage.
“She can be fixed, however the information she received while with Mizuki the past week won’t be available.” Pewter forces himself to take a deep breath, tucking Aiba away in his pocket. He turns to face Ryuki, his eyes empty and hollow. “Tama? What happened?” Pewter forces himself to speak with some stability in his voice. He and Boss watch as Tama pops out of Ryuki’s left eye, making herself comfortable in the crook of Ryuki’s neck.
“Tearer was at the Cathedral. The locks that kept Kizuna to the chair were linked to an explosive that Tearer had, he also had a dentator for it. He threatened that he’d set the bomb off if Ryuki didn’t kill Date there and then.” Pewter feels his stomach sink at Tama’s words. Ryuki would never do such a thing. Anyone can see how much Ryuki admires Date. He wouldn’t do such a thing. “Ryuki didn’t shoot him, so Tearer set off the bomb.” Pewter forces himself to push back his immediate thoughts, waiting for Tama to explain the whole story. “After the explosion, we got the others out of there first, then looked for Date. We found him pinned under some rumble. Ryuki attempted to help him, but he told Ryuki to go, giving him Aiba as well. Before he could do anything else, more rumble fell. It’s…difficult to say whether he’s okay or not.” Pewter forces his emotions now for the meantime, watching Tama and Ryuki. Ryuki’s eyes brim with tears, Tama pressing more into his neck. He doesn’t say anything, simply nodding.
“Thank you, Tama. We’re looking for any sign of Date now. I’m trusting you to take care of Ryuki, okay?” Tama nods, playing one of her hands on Ryuki in a sign of comfort. Pewter takes a shaky breath in, then out, glancing at Boss. She gives him a nod, and Pewter nods back at her, taking his leave back to Mizuki’s room.
It’s around early March by the time Pewter gets Aiba up and running again. Unexpectedly, she remembers nothing of her week spent with Mizuki Kuranushi or the explosion. Pewter catches her up verbally, forcing himself to recount the events of Date’s disappearance once again.
“They’ve turned the cathedral, more so what’s left of it, upside down. Absolutely nothing. No blood, no corpse.” Pewter racks his nails through his hair, glancing at Aiba, who’s perched on the edge of his workbench.
“While not the best news, the lack of corpse means it's likely that Date is alive, further enforced by the lack of blood as well. I’m sure Date will find his way back to us eventually. Although, I would recommend placing a tracker or GPS on his person in the future.” Pewter snorts a little, a small smile etching its way to his smile at Aiba’s words.
“He wasn’t kidding, you do have a bad personality.” Before Aiba can complain, the door to his lab opens. He spins in his chair to face Mizuki, watching as Boss follows in behind her, a knowing smirk on her face as she glances between Pewter and Mizuki. Mizuki looks cautious at first, before her expression shifts slightly, a small smile creeping its way onto her face.
“Aiba!” Mizuki rushes to Pewter’s side, gently scooping Aiba up in her hands. Pewter feels a dull ache in his chest at the sight of Mizuki, the plain white eyepatch covering her left eye makes his heart ache. At least that’s why she’s here.
“We’d like you to have her, Mizuki.” Pewter starts, unable to hold back the smirk on his face when Mizuki turns and stares at him in surprise.
“H-huh?” Mizuki blinks in confusion, reaching up to place Aiba on her shoulder, turning to look at Boss as she starts talking.
“It’s complicated. We can’t simply hand you this highly intelligent AI. But, what we can do, is get some form of contract or legal document which will make you an honorary member of ABIS until you’re old enough to actually become a member-”
“Wait, so you’re also inviting me to ABIS?!” Pewter smiles at her voice. He’s not heard her like this before in real life. Only in brief interactions he’s seen from Aiba’s data. He’s glad she’s able to find happiness in some parts of life.
“By technicality. You won’t be an official member until you’re 18, if you’d like to be, that is.” Mizuki nods frantically, a large grin covering her face.
“So I can have Aiba even now?” Pewter nods, but holds a hand up to pause Mizuki before she can continue.
“She’ll be more like a pet to you for now. I’d like to give it more time before you get the artificial nerve installed so Aiba can be a companion to you like she was Date-” Pewter pauses as Mizuki practically throws herself at him, tucking her face into his shoulder.
“Thank you. Both of you.” Mizuki sniffles a little, clinging on tighter to Pewter. He sighs, wrapping his arms tightly around Mizuki in return, resting his head against hers.
“It’s the least I could do.”
Six years. Six years without Date. Pewter hasn’t given up hope. Date’s alive somewhere. Yet he can’t help but wonder if Date’s moved on. Started a new life. Deep down Pewter knows that Date would never abandon him. He knows Date would never abandon Mizuki. Something is keeping Date from them, and one day, he’ll make his way back to them.
He didn’t expect for it to be exactly six years afterwards that he'd see Date again. No warning. No words from him. Simply him, both Mizukis, and Amame bursting into his lab demanding to psync with Amame, similar to what Ryuki did yesterday. Pewter finds himself constantly glancing at Date as Mizuki catches them up, explaining the situation. Pewter knows he can't acknowledge Date at this moment in time, despite how much he wants to. He has to focus on the Psync. As he sits in his chair, watching as Mizuki and Aiba work through the multitude of mental locks in Amame’s somnium, Pewter flinches slightly as a pair of arms, so extremely familiar, drape around his shoulders, Date burying his nose in Pewter’s hair.
“We’ll talk after this. I promise. I'll explain everything.” Pewter simply nods, bringing a hand up to squeeze one of Date’s hands tightly, receiving a squeeze back, quickly followed by two more. Pewter can't help but smile at the gesture, quickly returning it as he focuses on the Psync.
Pewter waits that night. He’s received updates through Aiba, Tama and Marco. Mizuki and Ryuki are in the hospital, Mizuki for minor injuries, and Ryuki was rushed in by Date after taking a bullet for him. Thankfully, Ryuki’s stable, but still unconscious as of now. Pewter lounges on his sofa, keeping an ear out for his phone while he reads the latest volume of the manga he’s currently reading. What he doesn't expect, however, is for his door to simply open, softly closing again soon after. Usually, the irrational part of Pewter’s brain wouldn't hesitate to kick in, going off about how he must have forgotten to lock the door or that he’s being robbed. Yet the familiar fall of Date’s steps cause him to immediately spring to his feet, meeting Date half way as he tightly wraps his arms around Date, a hand immediately sinking into his hair, wrapping tightly around his waist as Date clings onto him just as tightly, both of them refusing to let go of each other. Pewter does his best to hold back his tears, to prevent himself from crying now he finally has his partner back in his arms, but he can't. He lets out a choked sob as he holds Date closer, gripping onto the fabric of his coat.
“I finally have you back. Six years, Kaname, six whole years-” Date tugs Pewter in for a kiss, tilting his chin down and locking their lips together without hesitation. It's been a while, yet their lips move together perfectly, practiced.
“I know, I know, I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you sooner, I did, but I had to focus on the case.” Date presses his forehead to Pewter’s, holding Pewter close by the back of his neck. “I lost my memory when the cathedral collapsed. Tearer captured me, but I managed to escape. Spent those six years aimlessly wandering trying to find myself. I regained my memories when I saw the second half of Jin’s body, or whoever that half belonged to. I rushed back here to help with the case.” Pewter takes in Date’s words for a moment before nodding, pulling Date’s hair from its tie to comb his fingers through the strands.
“I see. Thank you for explaining.” Pewter leans down to brush his nose, against Date’s, who happily nuzzles back, pressing his lips to Pewter’s once again. As Pewter’s hand goes to trails to Date’s hip, the other suddenly pulls away with a gasp of pain, immediately shifting his weight off his right leg, his balance unsteady. Pewter holds onto Date tightly, helping support him as he guides him to sit down, crouching in front of him.
“Sorry about that. I think my leg didn't heal properly from the cathedral. It flares up at times.” Pewter ignores the tightness in his chest as he brushes some of Date’s hair out of his face, his other hand resting on his thigh.
“Anything I can do to help now?” Date pauses as he thinks, before shaking his head.
“Not really. Just gotta wait it out really-” Before Date can finish his sentence, Pewter effortlessly picks Date up, a hand supporting each of Date’s thighs as he makes his way towards his room. “Fucking- warn me before you do that!” Both descend into laughter as Pewter gently places Date on the edge of the bed, going to step away, but Date grabs onto his lab coat before he can move more than a step. Date leans forward to get a proper hold on Pewter, tugging the other into his lap, Pewter’s leg either side of his own. “Stay. Please. Let me hold you some more.” Pewter immediately melts, settling in Date’s lap, his arms wrapping around Date’s shoulders, burying his face in Date’s hair, breathing in deeply before exhaling again, sinking further into Date, who’s arms snake around Pewter’s back, pressing him as close as humanly possible. He doesn’t care for the passage of time right now. He’s perfectly content to sit and bask in Date’s comfort again. For Date however, it’s not enough. Pewter blinks and finds himself with his back flat against the mattress, blinking owlishly up at Date as the special agent shrugs his coat off, tossing it carelessly to the side, taking the fabric of one of his gloves between his teeth before tugging it off, causing Pewter to immediately feel the heat rising in his face. Date takes his other glove off, in a normal way this time, before unbuckling the straps of his gun holsters, once again carelessly tossing them to the side. Date fights off his waistcoat and turtleneck as well, before reaching out to do the same for Pewter’s bodysuit.
“Kaname! Slow down!” Pewter chuckles a little, taking a hold of Date’s wrist to prevent him from going any further. Date’s brain seems to catch up with his body, as he stares at Pewter with his sole green eye for a moment before his actions click into place.
“Shit, sorry, that’s not- I’m not trying to start anything, I just-” Date pauses, taking a moment to form his words. “I want to be as close to you as possible. I want to feel you.” Pewter smiles fondly, brushing his hand against Date’s cheek, toying a little with the strap of his eyepatch.
“It’s okay, Kaname. Just slow down a little, okay? We have time.” Date simply stares for a moment, swallowing the lump in his throat. Slowly this time, and with the help of Pewter, they tug Pewter’s bodysuit down to rest around his waist, Date immediately dives for Pewter’s neck, burying his face as he sinks into the warmth of Pewter’s chest. Pewter shivers a little at the cool press of metal against his side. He reaches for Date’s wrist, smiling at the sight of Renju’s watch around Date’s wrist, surprisingly the only damage to it is a small surface scratch. “This watch can really withstand anything, huh? First a car crash and now a cathedral collapsing.” Date’s chuckle rumbles through Pewter’s chest, Date shifting to rest his head over Pewter's heart.
“I was so pissed when I saw the scratch when I got my memories back. I remember when Renju got really upset at me when I split my drink on it once at Marble. Only time I've seen him that pissed is when he came to me after he saw Shoko hit Mizuki.” Pewter smiles a little, at the story of Renju being so ferociously protective of the watch he gifted him. He runs his nails down Date’s back, enjoying the weight of Date on top of him.
“So you were the guy who advised him to get a divorce. Sure you weren’t biased by the fact you had the hots for him?” Date lightly jabs Pewter in the side, shifting a little to be able to look Pewter in the eyes.
“I didn’t even know I liked men at that point. I was hardly two years into having memories and not even a year into knowing Ren, it was strange to have him ask for him to stop at my place so suddenly. I can’t blame him though.” Pewter nods at Date’s words. Renju spoke to him one night about the end of his and Shoko’s relationship. Renju had said that he didn’t want to excuse Shoko’s actions, but also wanted to understand that her actions came from a place of trauma. He told Pewter about his friend who pushed for him to divorce Shoko. Even with her trauma, it wasn’t acceptable for Shoko to keep acting the way she did, especially with her refusal of and kind of counselling. “Did he tell you that the final straw was when she hit him?” Pewter tenses at Date’s words, processing them.
“He didn’t.” Date sighs a little, reaching out to take one of Pewter’s hands in his own, squeezing his hand.
“They got into an argument over Mizuki. Renju let it slip that he considered putting Mizuki in my care and Shoko was not happy. When Renju tried to calm her down, she slapped him. He told her there and then that they were getting a divorce.” Pewter takes the words in, soaking in the true extent of Shoko’s abusive behaviour.
“Is that why he was jumpy for a while?” Pewter remembers his first meeting, more of a reunion, with Renju at Marble. He vividly remembers how Renju flinched slightly when Pewter reached out to place a hand on Renju’s shoulder upon first hearing about the divorce. He didn’t think too much of it at first, but now it hurts his heart a little.
“Yeah. I think it was when you two started dating that I noticed him relax. You did a lot for him, Fu.” Pewter smiles fondly, tilting his head to press a kiss to Date’s forehead, reaching up to play with Date’s hair.
“Don’t sell yourself short. You did a lot for Ren as well.” He watches as Date sniffles a little, tucking his face back into Pewter’s neck. “Oh, Kaname.” Pewter holds Date close, pressing his face into Date’s hair, whispering sweet nothings into Date’s hair, hoping to calm him down.
“Fuck, I never get this emotional. I just…I missed you so much and…I miss Renju.” Pewter nods into Date’s hair, understanding Date’s sudden onslaught of emotions. Date only regained his memories five days ago. He spent six years of his life unaware of who he was, any connections he had, the lover he had lost and the one he left behind. Pewter can only imagine the heavy burdens that settled on Date’s shoulders came rushing back to him a second time.
“It’s okay, Kaname. You’re allowed to show emotions, especially with everything that’s happened. How about we go visit Renju’s grave after you’ve rested?” Date takes in Pewter’s words before nodding into his neck, tightening his grip around Pewter.
“I’d like that.” Date sits up, wiping his head up to wipe away his tears, tugging his eyepatch off and placing it to the side. Pewter takes his face in his hands before Date can bury himself back in his neck. Date stares at Pewter, his eye a little red from crying. Pewter can’t help but sigh fondly at the sight of Date. He isn’t the proper, perfect special agent who works for ABIS. He’s human. His hair down and tousled, the black roots of his hair starting to show a little. His guard down. Date knows he’s safe in Pewter’s arms, and Pewter wouldn’t have it any other way.
“God, you’re gorgeous.” Pewter chuckles a little, placing a hand on the back of Date’s neck, guiding him down to lay against his chest again, pressing a kiss to Date’s forehead.
“You missed.” Pewter snorts a little at Date’s words, meeting his eye and his smug grin. Pewter sighs fondly once again, before he leans in and kisses Date, who happily hums into it, bringing his hand up to cup Pewter’s jaw, trying to keep him as close as possible. Date breaks the kiss to speak briefly, whispering into Pewter’s lips. “I’m back.”
“Welcome home, Kaname.”