White Rabbit

Note:Alright. Here's where I got to before...I'll post my update! After a bit more remodling...*nervous fidgetting* ^^'

Chapter Fourteen

Ashi bit his lip, fidgeted. He wished he didn’t, knew it made a fool of him, even considering only he and Garnen occupied the room, but he felt an endless restlessness, and no matter how he tried, he couldn’t push back that looming feeling of dread since he first heard of Lan’s situation. The wall clock showed just past eight. He and the officer arrived almost thirty minutes ago, at his insistence, and had yet to receive any information.

He kicked his toe dully at the floor, trying to concentrate on anything but the situation at hand, and resisted the urge to start spinning in the chair. He glanced up again, and caught almond watching him, concerned, almost understanding. His thoughts flickered back to the night before and he wondered, fleetingly, what might have happened had the chief not called at that moment. Would anything have passed between them? Would the officer be regretting something right now instead of watching him with worry?

He looked away again, the answers to these questions deluding him just as those that pertained to his friend, each turn as frustrating as the next. Finally, after what felt like hours, but the clock told as only a few minutes, the door opened, and his gaze lifted instantly to the intruder.

The chief looked tired. Even having seen him only once or twice before, Ashi knew he looked far more wearied than usual, and the look took an effect on his age. At that moment, he may have guessed the man ten years older than the last time he viewed him. Not so much dark circles and ashen complexion, but just an overall sagging posture, expression, everything, gave him away, and Ashi knew then the foreshadowing feeling of dread. The man before him carried bad news.

He gave a small smile as he entered, and it only served to enhance the look. “So nice to see you made it. Sorry I’m late...a bit backed up with the press.” His eyes fell on the rabbit and he gave a brief nod of acknowledgment. “Nice to see you as well, Mr. Tekieri, I’m afraid this has quite a lot to do with you...”

Ashi said nothing, only watching as the man came in, tape in hand, and he’d never felt so helpless. So much more than a simple answer rested on the contents of that video.

It looked new, probably just bought and made to assure it arrived readable and in good condition for those intended to view it. Lavender followed the tape like nothing else lay in the room but that single rectangular box, and his eyes stuck to the screen as it came on.

Predictable static came first, but only lasted for a few seconds before Ashi heard it, the most cruel and horrible voice that never left his thoughts since that single fateful night. Carlos. But his wasn’t alone. The voice came through clear, and cold. He could almost believe the man stood there talking, directly to him.

“Well, my little rabbit, I hear you’ve run to the cops, so I’m hoping this will get to you. I surely wouldn’t want this all a waste of time.”

Until then, the screen had kept dark, only sound, but at that point, it flickered, then came to life, and a terrified, obviously shaking golden-headed body came into view, held back apparently by binds, and chin held forward by someone not visible on the screen, head above the limit.

“Lan...” He felt his grip tighten on the arms of his chair, almost unintentional as his teeth grit in hate. He hated that man. Hated him.

“He’s such a pretty little friend...a loud screamer too.” Lan looked on the verge of tears, trembling like a leaf beneath the hand that now graced his cheek, anything but comforting. Ashi cursed. “I’m afraid though...if I don’t have your pretty screaming voice by Halloween. He’s gonna be deathly pale for the occasion. I hope your officer friend doesn’t mind.”

Lan was now trying to shake his head, but not succeeding against an apparently painfully tight grip as he winced in the other’s hold. “Halloween night, ten o’clock, 22nd Tariff St. behind the old graveyard. No cops, no guns...and...don’t forget to come dressed for the occasion...” Ashi heard the chuckle, low, cruel, and could almost see the smirk, hear it in the tone. Lan’s tightly shut eyes dotted shining cheeks with moisture just before the screen faded out.

Ashi spoke the instant he ended. “I’m going.”

“No you’re not!” Garnen instantly objected and the smaller man spun on him.

“I can decide what to do with my life! Did you see Lan!? Did you look at him?? They’re gonna kill him! Carlos...is going to kill him...if I don’t get there.” Ashi shook his head. “I’m not worth that. Lan never deserved-“

“Screw that! Ashi, you’re the only thing that keeps Carlos on the run right now! That man, without you, is home free! We never get a face, clues, he was dead stupid when he let you live-“ Lavender shot up and Garnen stopped. “I didn’t mean-“

“Yes you did.” And Ashi was gone in an instant.

The chief tried to stop him, but he only snapped back at his words. “Mr. Tekieri-“

“You’ve never done anything for me! You’ve never helped me, I don’t care how many people Carlos kills! I’m never testifying, I’m never giving another damn bit of information! You don’t care about me, you don’t care about Lan! You just care about your precious public, the news, how you look when you catch him. I don’t want a part of that! I love Lan! He’s fifteen and a beautiful boy who doesn’t deserve to die! He has a life ahead of him! Don’t try and stop me...” He locked on almond but continued with no interruption. “...I’ll kill you.”

Ashi didn’t know his direction, had no real place to go anyway, but he knew he needed to escape, leave, anywhere. Carlos’s words kept filtering through his head, over and over, and no matter his efforts, every time his eyes shut, even to blink, try to just block out the world, Lan’s tear-streaked face invaded his vision, thoughts. He never left.

The rabbit cursed, digging hands into his pockets as he left the building. The sunlight came anything but comforting, warm against his skin, but the cold air cancelled the effect, and he shivered, digging out a cigaret. To long since he’d had a good smoke.

His eyes traveled the near empty parking lot. Apparently the news crews that tormented the chief had departed for more important matters. He cursed under his breath as he lit up, taking the small strip between his lips easily and instantly feeling his body relax to the returned addictant. Definitely too long without a smoke.

A small smile twitched at his lips, somehow attempting to lighten his mood and he let his eyes shut. Maybe that’s all he needed, just a bit of peace and quiet. Alone. A voice interrupted him, dispersing that hope quickly and he looked up with an uncaring flicker to the larger man as he exited the building.

“Those things will kill you.”

“So I’ve been told.” Ashi blew out the smoke, ignoring Garnen’s comment with the simple ease he did for many things these days, and returned his gaze back out to the parking lot, refusing even a second glance to the taller officer.

“I didn’t mean it the way it came out, Ashi. I really didn’t.” The smaller man paid him no mind, as if not even hearing him, and Garnen frowned. “Ashi, look at me...” Again the other denied his request, but the officer persisted nonetheless. “Ashi please.”

Lavender flickered up. “Something the matter, lieutenant?”

Garnen frowned, coming up to stand in front of the other instead and placing a hand over him for balance against the brick column Ashi’d leaned upon, ending up as more of a hovering gesture as he took in the form below him. “Don’t call me that.”

“Why not?”

“You either say that when you’re making fun of me, or mad. And right now I get the sense you’re pissed.”

The rabbit rolled his eyes, taking the cigaret from his mouth to speak properly and giving a slight blow of smoke to the other for good measure. “Yeah? Where do you get that?” His eyes sparkled dark in challenge, in no mood to back off, but ready to listen.

Garnen frowned with a small sigh. “Can’t you ever just accept sorry and give up?”

Ashi chuckled lightly, holding humor now, but he shook his head. “Now...where would the fun be in that? You’re so much more easier to toy with when confused...”

Almond narrowed in a mild glare, though it held little malice. “Toy with, eh?”

“Yeah...” Lavender dragged slowly over the face above him, sure to make positive the other noticed every bit of his inspection. “Toy with...” The words came quiet, low, as his gaze finally landed on the inquisitive dark above him. Their faces hung mere inches apart and bubble-gum lashes flickered slightly, briefly fleeting to the other’s lips, so very close.

“You know...if you don’t quit doing that...”

A tiny smirk curled at his lips and Ashi gave a purr of fake innocence to his tone. “Doing what, officer? I’m afraid I have no idea...what...you’re talking about...” He felt the other’s body heat around him, warming even through the cold nip of morning, and his face heated, eyes flicking back up to almond.

“Oh...I find that very...very hard...to believe...”

A hand trailed over his cheek and Ashi leaned to the touch, catching his lip with a tiny frown and letting his eyes flutter shut again. “Their gonna kill him Garnen...” He whispered. “They’re gonna kill him...and it’s my fault...I-“

“It’s not your fault. Look at me, Ashi.” Lavender lifted directly this time, meeting the other’s gaze, now clouding with worry, but Garnen showed only comfort. “It’s not your fault. Even if you do go, even if they don’t kill him first, even...even if they let him go! You’ve got to know you’ll never come back...?”

The already wavering gaze lowered. “Yes. But-“

“No but’s, Ashi.”

“Garnen, I-“

“I can’t let you do that.”

The rabbit shook his head. “Garnen, I have to, if I don’t-“

“I’m not letting them kill you!” Violet snapped up roughly at the outburst, surprising as Garnen usually took more to get so riled. “I won’t let you...” His words came grit, fierce. “I’m not losing you.”

The smaller man narrowed his vision, glaring tightly, though Garnen could feel him shaking. “Do I belong to you now, Garnen? Am I yours? You kiss me...and now my life doesn’t matter? If-“

“Don’t you dare tell me that! I’m not the one saying your life doesn’t matter, you are!” His voice rose now, abruptly, and it startled the other greatly at the continued ferocity of his words. “I won’t let you say that, Ashi! Your life isn’t pointless! It matters to-“

“To who, Garnen? To you? Do you really care...what happens to me? A stupid, street-trash whore. You said so yourself. No one cares about me! I care about Lan, and-“

“I lied.”

“What?” Ashi looked up again, surprised at the dynamic shift, Garnen’s voice suddenly quiet again.

“I care.” The rabbit stared, but the man showed no hidden emotion, no lie behind his words, only open, sincere honesty as he spoke. “I care about you, Ashi. I can’t let you die like that...I can’t let you die period. I...I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you...”

Ashi looked momentarily stunned, wavering in indecision, trying, somehow, to see anything but the truth Garnen’s words gave. “I...but...” He frowned and glanced away. “Why? What have I ever done for but try to throw you off course? I invaded your house, ate your food, shouted, screamed, almost puked on your bed...”

“You puked on my bed?”

Ashi grinned slightly. “No. But I wanted to see your expression.”

Garnen though, instead of glaring, simply raised an eyebrow, chuckling lightly. “Ah. Yes. Well, see there?”

“See what?”

“That’s what I don’t want to loose.” Ashi frowned in incomprehension. “Your smile.” The rabbit raised an eyebrow and Garnen smirked. “Your expressions in general.” The smaller man snorted folding his arms and sticking out his tongue indignantly. “Each of which as adorably cute as the next...”

Lavender narrowed. “Ok now I know you’re lying.”

The officer chuckled. “Surprisingly, no. You’re intelligent...I don’t want to loose your conversations, despite your tenancy to turn them into engaging arguments.”

“Ha. My tenancy? How about your tenancy? And that’s a nice name for them...” Ashi lifted his cigaret again, speaking around it as he took in a breath. “...engaging...yeah...that’s it.” He smirked at Garnen’s slight glare, but knew it held nothing unfriendly.

“I was trying to lighten the mood.”

“Yeah? Well how ‘bout you kiss me and get it over with.”

The officer grumbled. “You do realize that completely ruins all romantic potential...”

“Screw romance.” Ashi blew out smoke and removed his cigaret carelessly, lifting the other hand up to drape it over the man’s neck. “The lovey-dovey crap gets old.”

“Yeah? Well sometimes...the ‘lovey-dovey crap’, has it’s own benefits...” Their lips met, not rushed or urgent like the night before, nothing frenzied and needy, just simple, slow and lazed. Ashi smiled into the warmth, letting his eyes drop shut and gripping his hand slightly tighter behind the man’s neck.

“Hey Garnen?”

“Hm?”

They didn’t break really, just keeping up soft, simple kisses between words. “Does this mean you’ll fuck me now?” Garnen froze and felt Ashi’s chuckle near instantly against him. “Oh come now...I’m only kidding.” Their lips met again, more tightly. “Well...not totally.”

The other growled lowly with a small ‘hmph’ noise before shifting, now pinning Ashi with both arms against the brick and getting a pleasantly surprised muffled squeak from the smaller man.

“Mm...Garnen?” The man gave a small nod of acknowledgment and Ashi circled a second arm up, pulling himself to rise into the kiss. “If you keep this up...you better be planin’ on takin’ me home soon, ‘cause...unless you like public-“

“Ahem!” Both faces separated instantly and Garnen felt temporarily frozen at the look of his confused and, albeit, slightly disturbed looking boss. “I thought I made it quite clear I never wanted to see that again, Evans?” The chief frowned slightly, deepened in confusion over the still entwined pair. “Can’t you at least find someplace more...secluded?”

At Garnen’s apparent inability to speak except for a few stuttered mumbles, Ashi answered for them. “I’m sorry, but we were completely alone, that is, until you so ungraciously interrupted us...and if you can kiss your wife in public, why not Garnen me, hm?”

The chief looked less than pleased nonetheless. “Unless you’re engaged, I don’t see how that comparison works. Besides, the scene’s gonna give me nightmares for days...good day, Evans...and...Mr. Tekieri. I’ll need to speak to you again on a later date, likely later today, or tomorrow...I’ll expect you sufficiently...off...of each other by then?”

Garnen stared after as the man left, and by the end, he did, in fact, disentangle himself from the other, considering the chief’s considerably mild response, all things considered, with a curious air. Ashi quickly voiced similar thoughts.

“Well, that went well.” The officer nodded blandly, but frowned as the man lifted his forgotten cigaret back up to his lips.

“Will you please quit that? You taste like smoke.”

Ashi raised an eyebrow. “Oh? So now it’s not about my life...but what my mouth tastes like?”

Garnen chuckled even as he lead the other back to the car. “Whichever gets you to quit faster, loss of life or loss of kisses.”

Ashi gaped as they entered. “You wouldn’t!”

The officer shrugged, starting the vehicle once the other got safely in. “Depends. Are you gonna quit smoking?” The rabbit glared and brought the strip to his lips again with a frown forward, blowing a light stream out the window before tapping off the end outside and grumbling.

“It’s kinda harder than that.” He mumbled lowly.

“I have faith in you.”

Lavender lifted. “Really?”

Garnen glanced back to the other briefly. “Yeah. Really.”

“And you really care about me?”

The officer frowned slightly, trying to focus mostly on the road, though he knew Ashi’s words held heavy importance. “In a way...yes. Ashi. I do.”

“Then you respect me?”

“Ashi...yes. At...times.” The albiri glared. “What? There are certain aspects I find hard to respect...but mostly, yes. I respect you...when you’re in a good mood, healthy and on your feet...you make pretty decent choices...what are you getting at?”

“I’m getting Lan out.” He interrupted before Garnen could speak again. “One way or another, Garnen. I’m not living the rest of my life with his blood on my hands.” The officer frowned but said nothing. “You of all people must know what that’s like...” At the man’s continued silence he went on.

“If you help me, maybe...I can get out of this alive, alright? If you don’t...I might end up just as dead as my friend...and nothing will come out of it. Garnen looked obviously distressed. “Hope you have fun looking at my dead body in the back of the morning paper...” The officer’s vision snapped over at this.

“Ashi, you know I-“

“Help me, Garnen.” He should have been staring at the road, should have been watching, but lavender kept him, held him in place. “I don’t ask for that often. I don’t like to beg, I don’t like to plead, I’m an independent person...or I try to be. Right now...I’m asking you...please help me, Garnen?”

The officer groaned and turned back to the road with a deep frown and frustrated shake of the head. “What have I gotten myself into...”

Ashi’s expression lit instantly. “You’ll help me?”

“It’s foolishness...it’s stupid and crazy and-“

“Thank you!”

“Eeesh! Don’t make me crash! Or it’ll all be nothing...” Ashi sobered up slightly at that, but his mood kept obviously lightened, at least a flicker of hope in the likely dim future he faced not so far ahead.

Note: Well, that wasn't to hard. Only the update to go. ^^'