[A new path]
lol, not quite what I meant it to be, but here's a snippet from my Striketeam verse, because I missed it and I can. 8((( ♥
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“Forever,” Kitayama repeated carefully, turning that word over on his tongue for a moment and not liking it one bit. He looked through the observation glass to the other side, where Fujigaya twitched and wriggled as he waited. Though there were no machines, no wires and needles, it reminded Kitayama too much of when he’d found his missing agent by staring through another observation glass, in the clutches of the enemy.
Ishigaki nodded solemnly. “Even if he makes a full recovery, there will always be scars somewhere. He’ll be able to deal with them as best as he can, but… well, Kitayama, he’s not going to be the same. We’re not even sure yet if he’ll recover enough to return to field work.”
Kitayama could only nod. He was well familiar with the harsh realities of war, but it was still a blow to have one of his men so damaged. While Fujigaya no longer woke himself by screaming, nor did he try to set himself on fire anymore, he was still somewhat fragile and insecure.
Fujigaya was resisting treatment and therapy at every turn and Kitayama needed him back, if for nothing else than because he was missed dearly by the team. All of his men were lively and spirited, but nobody had ever been as vivacious as Fujigaya and while Kitayama usually found this trait irritating… it had been good for the team.
And more importantly, as Kitayama quickly reminded himself, was that Fujigaya was the key (or at least a key) to a very covert operation and that none of their superiors would bring Kitayama in until Fujigaya was at least cleared for tactical assistance or declared permanently disabled.
He realized that Fujigaya was peering at the glass towards them, and Kitayama wondered if the man knew he was on the other side, watching him. Giving Ishigaki a nod and a handshake, Kitayama ducked out of the observation room and into the room on the other side.
“Captain,” Fujigaya said, instantly straightening, but there was a flash in his eyes that Kitayama hated, and he still tapped nervously on the table’s surface. “Kitayama,” he added quietly, managing a tiny smile that wobbled at one corner.
“Hey,” Kitayama said as casually as possible, unable to really make himself return the smile. “I came to check up on you.”
Fujigaya looked guilty at this, dropping his gaze to the side and shifting left and right and left and right, before shaking his head. Kitayama was about to back off, knowing he shouldn’t try and push Fujigaya yet, when Fujigaya stilled completely, squaring his shoulders and lifting his chin. “I will be fit for duty again soon, sir.” There was another flash in his eyes, but this was one Kitayama knew and it made his heart give a small squeeze of hope. That flash of stubbornness and determination.
Ishigaki was right, Fujigaya was not going to be the same. But he would - Kitayama sincerely hoped, anyway - still be Fujigaya.
He nodded, completely serious as he looked down at Fujigaya. “You better be, agent. We’re waiting for you.”
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Your turn next, mousapelli!