Chapter Text
Isagi walked slowly down the sidewalk, the sound of snow crunching and boots scraping the sidewalk filled the air with every step. He pulled his scarf closer to his mouth, feeling his warm breath tickle his chin.
“It’s getting colder now, isn’t it?”
Isagi turned to his side. Grey that faded into bright magenta, Alexis Ness. He chuckled quietly before licking his lips, a habit he gained when the weather turned slightly chilly.
Isagi smiled “It surely is, I've been starting to double up my clothes”
“You know, the cold makes people a lot more—warm”
Isagi raised a brow “what do you mean exactly?”
Ness swayed his head to the side, the cool winter breeze brushing up against his face “The weather is quite calming, I suppose. It makes people a little too relaxed”
“I can definitely tell what you mean” Isagi teased as Ness scowled playfully.
“Yoichi, I seriously don’t understand why we need to keep holding hands, my fingers are freezing”
Isagi rolled his eyes “You’re the one who insisted on it in the first place”
Ness laughed softly as Isagi pulled their bodies closer, the light of the streetlights shining onto their backs. Isagi pressed a small kiss onto Ness’ cheek, making the other flush slightly. Ness pulled Isagi into an embrace, prompting his chin onto Isagi’s shoulder. They stood on the empty sidewalk for a moment, basking in each other's warmth.
“I’d like to stay like this always, Yoichi” Ness whispered into Isagi’s ear
“I’ll stay with you forever, Alexis” Isagi grinned, taking Ness’ hands and intertwining them into his.
Isagi quickly buttoned up his coat and threw on a scarf before heading out the door. He hurriedly rushed across the street to the bakery, checking his watch every now and then. Eventually he arrived on time, entering the cafe as the smell of freshly baked goods and coffee hit his nostrils. The woman at the counter greeted him warmly, giving him a cheerful smile. He ordered a few pastries he’d thought Ness would like, as well as a coffee for himself. He soon found a table with two seats near a secluded and quiet area. He checked his watch, Ness was 5 minutes late. It was quite unusual for someone like Ness to be late, but Isagi shrugged it off knowing Ness. Soon the food arrived, yet no sign of Ness. Worried, Isagi sent a text to Ness, hoping for an explanation of some sort.
Isagi: Where are you?
Isagi: Have you gotten sick?
Isagi: I’m worried about you
Moments had passed, and yet Ness hadn’t arrived yet sent a reply. The food was already cold and Isagi had finished his coffee. He decided to pack up and just drop off the food at Ness’ apartment. He wondered if Ness had just forgotten or simply overslept. His thoughts were soon interrupted by the sound of a phone call. It was Kaiser. Isagi hadn't spoken to him in some time, and yet it was Kaiser who decided to speak again first. He hesitantly picked up.
“Kaiser? Since when—“
“First of all, No, we are not on good terms. Second of all, something has happened to Ness”
Isagi paused “I—what? Ness? Isn’t he just at home?”
“He isn’t. He’s currently at the hospital”
“For what reason?”
“He got into an accident. He's currently in the emergency room so I doubt you’ll be able to come in, or at least that's what happened to me”
“…”
“Look, I know it's shocking for you but—“
Isagi’s lip trembled “Accident? Ness? It can’t—it can’t be true right?” Isagi wanted to doubt Kaiser, yet, he sounded almost sincere. No mocking voice, no sneering, just a plain neutral tone.
“Listen, we can visit him tomorrow, if you’d like”
“And I thought we weren’t on good terms?” Isagi was slightly surprised he let out a joke despite the situation
Kaiser chucked through the phone “Although I never really liked you, I’ll help you out. It’s Ness we’re talking about”
Isagi felt like he hadn’t slept the entire night. He only stayed idle in his bed, worrying about Ness. He thought about all the possible accidents he could’ve gotten himself into, hoping it wasn’t anything life threatening. Eventually he started to blame himself, thinking about what he should’ve done to keep Ness safe, like driving him there or walking to his apartment first. By the time he was about to close his eyes, he heard his alarm ring. He tiredly stood up from bed, took a cold shower, got dressed, put on a coat, and stepped outside his apartment. While walking down the steps he spotted a sleek black car parked ahead. The car window rolled open, revealing the driver inside being none other than Michael Kaiser, smug face and all.
“How’s Mr. Boyfriend? It looks like you went through the military” Kaiser grinned
Isagi let out a sigh as he entered the car “Not on good terms, said Mr Emperor”
Kaiser scowled “I told you already. I’m doing this for Ness, not you. And don’t dirty my car”
“You say you only care for Ness yet you offer to drive me”
“Do you ever shut up?”
“Only if Ness tells me to” Kaiser expression only darkened
Isagi quietly peered through the window, observing the soft, thick blankets of snow covering the street and the tops of buildings. While driving past a park, Isagi spotted a young couple walking together, the man carrying a small child on his back. It was an everyday sight, yet, something about how simple and happy the family looked made the scene more heartfelt. Isagi caught himself spacing out for a while, until the sound of a low whistle snapped him out of it.
“We’re here”
Isagi followed Kaiser inside the hospital, the doors automatically opening wide for them to enter. As they stepped inside, Isagi saw many patients being brought around, as well as sitting waiting to be called. His shirt was soon tugged by Kaiser, who was motioning Isagi to follow him to a counter. Isagi watched as Kaiser spoke rapid German to the lady at the desk, unable to translate the conversation as fast as they spoke. Judging by how they were interacting, Isagi could only make out Kaiser trying to persuade the lady to let them visit Ness. Eventually, she asked for their ids and gave them visitor badges before calling someone to guide them to the room.
A small woman with brown hair approached them, giving the pair a warm smile
“Mr Kaiser and Mr Isagi, right this way please”
she gestured to them to follow her up a few stairs. Once up a floor, she counted the room numbers before quietly opening the door. Isagi impatiently stepped in first, Kaiser trailing behind. Isagi quickly spotted a nurse sitting on a chair near the bed. Laying idle on the bed was none other than Ness. He looked the same, grey hair fading to magenta, yet, something about him seemed off.
“Mr Ness, what would you like for lunch?”
“I’m cold”
“I see. I’ll get you a blanket if you’d like”
Isagi’s throat tightened, seeing Ness’ glassy blank eyes instead of his usual friendly demeanor. Seeing the two men stand near the door, the nurse stood up, motioning the two to come nearer. She soon walked out of the door, closing it slowly.
Isagi immediately kneeled near the bed holding Ness’ hand gently and brushing his hair from his face “Lexi, I—I was so worried about you. Are you alright? I missed you” Ness looked at him, blinked a few times and then furrowed his brows
Ness weakly lifted his hand from Isagi’s “I’m sorry I…”
Isagi was faced with confusion “you’re sorry?”
“I’m sorry…I don’t know who you are”
Isagi stood up hesitantly “you—what?”
Ness opened his mouth to respond, but his gaze flickered towards Kaiser. His eyes widened slightly as he stared at the blond and blue man before him
“Micha…”
“Alexis.”
“Micha you—you came…to visit me?”
Kaiser half-grinned glancing at Isagi for a second “Who wouldn’t” Ness gave him a weak smile
“Micha”
“Yes?”
“Whos this kind stranger next to you?”
“Stranger? And kind?”
“He held my hand and fixed my hair, even though we don't know each other”
Kaiser chuckled as Isagi stood frozen, his lips slightly parted “Surely you haven't—"
“Sorry to interrupt, I just need to check Mr. Ness’ vitals” A man walked in, holding a clip board. He stood near the monitor checking off data. Afterwards he turned to Isagi and Kaiser.
“Mr Ness is lucky to have survived such a hit. None of his vital organs were damaged, however, his head was mostly affected causing his brain to forget a few things.”
“Are you saying he has amnesia?”
“I believe so”
Hearing the doctor’s approval, Isagi paused. Everything clicked. Ness had forgotten his memories, specifically his memory of Isagi’s existence. Isagi stared at the magenta haired man laying in the bed. He was still Ness, but not Isagi’s Ness.