Chapter Text
Glasses clinked on the bar counter as Gojyo set them aside after wiping them clean. It was another dreary day with the sky dark and the rain coming down in an aggressive drizzle. Guests from out of the city always commented, “if it's a strong drizzle, isn't that rain?” Of course it's not. He shook his head at the thought, as if dislodging something from his red hair.
“A bug?” His boss’ voice floated in the bistro's quiet atmosphere. He turned, red eyes meeting emerald. The brunette looked at him curiously, pushing back a chair into its respective table slot.
“Nahh, just a stupid thought.” He admitted with a shrug. “It's just that, this kinda drizzle is fuckin’ gloomy.”
The other man nodded in understanding, finding a spot on one of the bar stools. He rested his chin on his hand, watching him getting everything ready for the evening. It wasn't long before the man pulled out a book from his person, sliding it open to the last page he’d stopped. He liked this about his boss, just quiet company, unlike his half brother Jien who could be boisterous at times.
A rustling just outside the front door drew their attention to a blond man fighting his retractable umbrella to put on the rack. Based on his expression through the glass panes, he was ready to kick the devil out of hell and replace him.
“Hoo~ it’s the detective.” the brunette hummed, closing his book, glancing at Gojyo with a knowing look. “Looks like it'll be a busy evening.”
“Ch.” the red head could already feel the headache he was about to have. He was supposed to have a date after his shift tonight. He had half the mind to already let his date know he won’t make it. “Don't you dare abandon me, Hakkai..” he said with a lace of a threat.
“What-ever do you mean by that?” Hakkai said with his usual poker face, gingerly stepping off from the stool and waving at the blond, welcoming him into their cafe. The man outside came in with measured strides as if holding back on how much he wanted to destroy the door, the fucking bell, the floor, and explode the cafe with his mood alone.
“Long time no see, Sanzo.” Hakkai greeted, regarding the man who gruffly gave a nod as he took his seat at the bar. Without missing a beat, Hakkai went on. “Well, you know how it's the end of the month…” he slowly made his way to the back room. “I have some balancing to do.” Before Gojyo could protest, the man had already closed the door behind him. That coward, leaving him alone with this ticking time bomb.
Cursing under his breath, he looked at Sanzo, studying his features. He looked worse for wear, as if he hadn't slept for a few days. He guessed he'd want something on the rocks to nurse. “JD?”
A nod.
“Hold the ice.”
Gojyo paused, but prepared the whiskey glass and poured the stiff drink with practiced ease. Gently sliding it in front of Sanzo, he gave him a pointed look, but the man's violet eyes won't meet him. Wiping down the table on his side, he decided to hazard a guess, knowing full well the man wouldn't open up unless you practically pried him with a crowbar. “Is it Deb?”
As if the man's face couldn't sour any further, it scrunched up in disgust at the mention of his wife. This time, his eyes finally found his, glaring with unrestrained animosity.
Yep, definitely the correct crowbar. It was going to be, indeed, a long night. He mentally took note to demand extra hazard pay from Hakkai later. He hoped to whatever god would be listening that there would be no bullet holes on the counter top this time.
“I finally found enough evidence that she's been cheating on me.”
This made Gojyo stare at the man, watching his face for what he’d do next. When he just continued to stare daggers at the displayed spirits behind him, Gojyo spoke. “Well, I can’t say I’m surprised… with how she’s been treating you and your son, it was only a matter of time you’d find out what she was actually up to..”
“Ch!” Sanzo only swirled the drink and took another sip. Gojyo didn’t miss the split-second decision against biting the glass.
“What do you plan to do?”
“Kill her along with that good for nothing guy.” Sanzo stated simply, knocking back the rest of his drink and sliding it towards him. Sighing, he filled the glass with an easy tip of the bottle and a soft clatter on the table. Sanzo always answered with that, no matter the context or the frustration. He’s just thankful that the man still somehow had his iron self restraint with him and never just went home and shot the woman point blank. Deb was still lucky, no matter how bitchy she was.
The drizzle had slowly turned into a proper rain outside, the noise on the awning and the ground feeling like white noise around them. It was his second drink, so it would take one more pour before he asked for the ash tray. The red head casually glanced at his counter to locate his spare ash tray. Securing the frog-shaped receptacle, he slid it to him under the counter. Looking back up at the blond, he was taken aback upon noticing that he had been watching him move.
“What?”
Sanzo shrugged. “I was waiting for you to convince me not to do it.”
Another sip from his glass.
The red head shrugged and gave out a resigned sigh, folding his arms in front of him. “Look, we’ve been through this countless times, and you know I’ll always advise against it, with proper logical reason. We both know what will happen if you do go with it, and it’s Goku who will suffer in the end.” Sitting down on his stool, he watched Sanzo bring out his phone, checking the time, and maybe a few messages before putting it face down on the counter. His eyes were already slightly glazing over with the alcohol. He usually lasted longer before he’d notice it on him, but maybe the man was tired, probably hadn’t eaten, or slept.
“We’ve talked about things so much that I practically know the color of your aunt Kanzeon’s gown when she attended your wedding, and probably everyone else who attended it.” Gojyo continued. He obliged to refill the man’s glass again, following it up with the ash tray. And on cue, the man took out his pack of Merlboros, lighting it and taking a long drag. Smoke wafted steadily upwards. Gojyo fished out his own cigarettes, lighting his own stick. It was almost a silent agreement between them, that him smoking was his signal for him to do the same. “Deborah from Touten Industries..” he muttered, making Sanzo click his tongue in disgust. “Her father, Li, was definitely an ambitious one. It’s kind of annoying that such kinds of arranged marriages still happen in this day and age. It sucks though if you choose to separate amicably, Goku would not inherit anything from his mother.
“Goku’s better off that way.”
“But it’s the public’s opinion that would be swayed on the matter, what with your aunt holding a high position and all that.”
“I knowwww.” Sanzo muttered, dragging the last letter, frustrated at the facts of his own life. It’s also possible that it was the booze. Snuffing the spent cigarette, he lit another one before sliding his glass for another fill.
Gojyo obliged, tipping the bottle and filling the appropriate amount. “That’s your fifth drink already..” he commented, to which the blond scoffed.
“It’s only my fourth..” came the quiet reply, his stare warning him not to test him. The red head shrugged as if to say, he was just trying his luck.
The bell at the door rang as someone walked in, grabbing the attention of both men to an older man in his late fifties. His unmistakable dreadlocks, beard and moustache was enough for the man to stand out, aside from his crisp blue suit. He smirked upon seeing the place practically empty. Sanzo cursed under his breath as Gojyo looked on. It was Li Touten.
“Well if it isn’t my favorite son in law..” the man commented, sauntering over and giving Sanzo a heavy pat on the shoulder. Gojyo found this ironic, because Deb was an only child. He leaned in, as if to whisper, but his words were audible even for Gojyo. “I’m sure you've heard what's been going on with my angel. Heh. Perhaps, spending more time with her rather than this run down place would make you look better. If anything, you were asking for it.”
With one swift motion, Sanzo had the barrel of his gun at the man’s chin, pressing it upward, making it hard for the man to step back, knowing that the man’s finger was on the trigger. Li did not move, a light sheen of sweat forming on his forehead. He still managed to smirk, as if mocking the situation, as if daring Sanzo to actually pull the trigger. Having been used to Sanzo’s habit, Gojyo casually took the empty glass and refilled it for the detective’s fifth drink.
“B-bar keep.” the man addressed him, the panic palpable in his voice. “Aren’t you gonna do something about this??”
The red head shrugged with a smirk. “I’d say you were asking for it.” Li cursed at him inaudibly. Sanzo finally lowered the gun and Li backed away from them, his dignity ruffled at the edges.
“I’ll have this place shut down!” he declared, glaring at them.
Hearing the commotion, Hakkai stepped out of the back room, followed by Jien from the kitchen, looking on. Seeing the gun, they could easily surmise what happened, but they waited for anyone else to say anything.
Gojyo chuckled. “Under what grounds would you have us shut down?” he challenged. “I’ll have you know, we have all our papers in order. And even if you try to sully your son in law’s name, nothing happened here.”
“He pointed his gun at me! He could have killed me!” Li protested, offended that a bar keep had such gumption against him. As this went on, Sanzo had already pocketed his gun, sipping his drink.
“Excuse me but...” Hakkai said, walking forward. “We have to point out that you intentionally walked in here to harass a customer. And even if you file a complaint, I’m inclined to predict it wouldn’t go far as there was no gun out this evening.”
Li balked, realizing what the brunette was implying. Bringing out a handkerchief, he blotted the sweat from his forehead, and maybe to soothe his pride. Glaring at Sanzo one last time, he straightened his suit and walked back out into the rainy evening.
As soon as the man was out of sight, the men all sighed in relief, except Sanzo who just sipped from his refilled whiskey. Their cook, a tall man with black hair, looked over at Gojyo and then back at the detective before heading back into the kitchen.
“Sanzo…” Hakkai addressed, walking up to the blond. He wasn’t one to mince words, especially not with this man. “I know you don’t get along with them, but I’d have to ask you to at least be civil in these kinds of circumstances. I wouldn’t want to lose my business.” Gojyo nodded vehemently in approval. “And besides, Gojyo would be put out on the streets if he didn’t have his job here.”
“That’s going too far, Hakkai, I’m not a dog!” he retorted, glaring at the brunette.
“But you don’t have any other job than this though..” Hakkai pointed out, apologizing with his hands raised in front of him asking for forgiveness.
“I can provide for myself one way or another!!” he retorted, pissed how Hakkai was dealing with the situation as if they’d have absolutely nothing if things went south. The bickering continued for a while until their cook came back out with a platter of seafood appetizers to ease the tension.
“Ah, thanks Jien..” Hakkai said, helping himself to some of the squid tentacles on the platter. Sanzo took a few cubes of meat but said nothing.
The man grinned at them. “S' no point being all gloomy after alla that!” he said good naturedly. He smirked at his brother. “Am proud of you for standing up for us like that, but maybe next time hold back on challenging a bigwig? HAHAHAHA” he clapped him on the back, smirking while Gojyo stumbled back behind the counter. “I think we had too much action for one night!” he declared, going back into the kitchen. Seeing that Sanzo's glass was about to be emptied, he opened the bottle to refill it. Before he could, he heard a familiar tune as Sanzo's phone rang. It was Deb.
“Oi, you shouldn’t answer that.” Gojyo warned, just as the man pressed the green button and put it on loudspeaker.
“HOW DARE YOU THREATEN PAPA LIKE THAT??” the voice immediately went through the phone. “YOU USELESS, USELESS MAN. IS THIS HOW YOU SET AN EXAMPLE FOR OUR SON?? He heard everything when Papa called! You should be ashamed of how you act around my family!”
Gojyo clenched his fists. He wanted to throw the phone away for Sanzo. He watched the blond man take the last sip of his whiskey before answering. “If you were actually good for something, you’d actually know that Goku is with my aunt and Jiroushin for the weekend.” There was a shocked silence from the other end of the line. “So tell me, Deborah Touten.. Who’s useless now?”
With a shrieking noise, the woman ended the call.
Gojyo and Hakkai balked. Jien was peering from the kitchen curtains. The tension was so thick they could cut it with a knife. Without warning, Sanzo reached out over the counter, grabbed the bottle and chugged it down.
“Motherfu-” Gojyo grabbed the bottle, wrestled it out of the man’s hand, but it was empty by the time he pried it loose. “You son of a-” He looked hopelessly at Hakkai. “This better not be coming off my pay..”
Hakkai laughed sheepishly. “Of course not. Make a tab for Sanzo and charge him for his five drinks and half the price of the bottle.”
“No need to make a - a- tab fer me..hic!” Sanzo slurred, tossing his card at Hakkai before clumsily standing up from the stool. “Am goin’ off shoot a bitch..”
Hakkai was quick to lock the front door to stop the man from escaping while Gojyo got out from behind the counter and blocking Sanzo’s way. Hakkai then proceeded to safeguard the man’s card at the back room.
“Easy there rootin', tootin' detective..” he coaxed. “You’re in no condition to be anywhere. Give me your gun, badge and phone.”
Sanzo swayed. “Why should I listen to you??” the man asked, frustrated that his focus was off. He was fumbling to even touch the doorknob.
“Because I’m the barkeep, and I say so.” Gojyo argued, trying his best to guide the man into a cafe seat so he could lean back while they figured out what to do with him. He’d always drank there, but this was the first time that he managed to make this much of a mess of himself. He sat beside the man so he wouldn’t suddenly fall or try to do something stupid.
Jien looked on, worried, and bemused. “Weren’t you meetin’ up with someone tonight, Gojyo?”
Gojyo groaned. “Bro, does it even look like it’s happening tonight??” he whipped out his phone and quickly dialed the girl’s number. The woman picked up immediately. He had to make it quick. “Hey babe, I’m sorry something came up at work. We’ll have to take a rain check.” he could barely hear the woman’s lament before Sanzo lurched, vomiting all over the table and themselves. He could feel the warmth of the stomach juices seeping into his polo and undershirt. Whatever he ate that day, it’s painted all over them now.
“For fuck’s sake! I just got this uniform from the wash!!” He retched, horrified and disgusted at the state of affairs. He wasn’t even sure if he was complaining about the right thing. Hakkai came back into the room, his face fighting not to show the disgust he was feeling before he walked off to get a mop and bucket. Jien was quick to wipe down the splashes on the booth as Hakkai mopped the floor clear and back into the comfort room.
“This day can’t get any worse…” Gojyo challenged at the raining sky outside. Glancing back at Sanzo, they realized that the man had passed out, the side of his face planted on a pool of vomit that Jien was yet to get to. Groaning in exasperation, he looked at Hakkai helplessly.
“Gojyo.. I think you’re able to carry him, why don’t you take him up to your apartment for the night?” Hakkai suggested with a shrug.
“Are you sure we can't just call a cab and take him home?” Gojyo ventured.
“His wife actually might try to kill him in that state.” Hakkai said pointedly.
“Uuugh.. fine fine.” Getting help from Jien, they opened up the back door to the alley. The cold air hit them, along with the scent of the rain. It was barely drizzling now, making it easy for them to get Sanzo's drunk ass into the neighboring building and up a flight of stairs. Easy was subjective, as the man regained consciousness as they were about to go up the stairs, making him flail about.
“Lemme go!!” He protested, trying to pull his arms away from Gojyo's and Jien’s shoulders. “Imma kill all of them!!”
“Yea yea, we know..” Gojyo muttered, hunched over as they slowly made up the stairs.
“If it helps any, let's give you a bit of dignity and actually kill them without smelling of vomit.” Jien chuckled despite himself.
“Noooo... nothing matters anymore. Let. Me. Gooo!” Sanzo abruptly yanked his arm from Gojyo, making them sway and slide a step. Jien managed to hold on, waiting for Gojyo to recover the flailing left arm. Getting back on track, the men made it to Gojyo's apartment, panting from the struggle. Opening the door, they sat the man down in the bathroom toilet to get him out of his vomit soiled clothes. Getting the man down to his boxers, Jien collected the soiled clothes and dumped them to one side.
“Bro, I gotta get back and close up downstairs.” he said, straightening up. “I’ll also go straight home. Yaone and Lirin promised a dessert for me today so I ain’t missing it. Heh” the man disappeared out of the bathroom and closed the apartment door behind him.
Gojyo sighed, looking at the barely conscious blond, getting a towel damp enough to wipe down the man from his own vomit. He’d half the mind to just douse the man with cold water, but a slippery and drunk man was not something he was willing to deal with tonight. In the least he could get him clean enough to get his sorry state onto the couch. As he wiped the man down, he noted that his body was littered with too many scars. He never thought that being a detective was that rough, but maybe, it actually was. He wasn't really one to pry. The spirits he served at the bar was almost always enough to have people talking.
“Alright detective..” he muttered, helping the man off the toilet and into the living room. Roughly getting him into a spare shirt, he found some water. “Drink some of this so your hangover would be a little merciful.” The man glared at him for a bit but accepted the glass and downed it. Making sure the door was closed, Gojyo finally got himself into a quick shower. He grumbled to himself as he went about his bath, his dirty uniform, the cost for the laundry, his lost date.. He had half the mind to punch Sanzo just to feel a sense of justice for all this stupid mess.
Finally feeling a sense of relief after his bath, he stepped out of the shower, only to find Sanzo occupying his bed in a deep sleep. “You son of a bitch.” He muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose before wrestling the blanket from under Sanzo and getting him covered. Moving to the couch, he plopped himself and promptly sank into it, the exhaustion from the day dragging onto him.
He wasn't in the mood to sleep. Grabbing his phone, he checked his messages. It was already past one in the morning. His date had not texted back. He silently clicked his teeth. He'd gotten a great rapport with her for the past few days, only to tank with this shit show. At least he did call her to cancel. Sighing, he browsed his social media until his eyelids felt heavy, lulling him to sleep.
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