Fake Fan Fiction ❯ Dee ❯ Chapter 4

~AN~ This story is set not long after volume 7 of the manga. More details of the precise setting will be revealed in later chapters. Enjoy!

 

~ Disclaimer ~ I do not own FAKE, or any of it's characters - they belong to Sanami Matoh. I would not object to them being donated to me though. I also do not have a beta - these chaps are all me. You see a mistake, you NOTIFY me! Please!

 

 

 

 

The man that walked into The Talisman late that afternoon at half past four was a different man than the timid newcomer that had gawked at it's interior just three hours prior. His step was more confident, his gaze was level, and the sultry smile that adorned his face spoke volumes.

 

James, the owner, directed him to the backroom where Mary handed him a white shirt, an orange waistcoat and a black tie.

 

“Don't ask. People around here get so drunk; they NEED us to wear this horrible colour in order to be able to tell who they can ask for drinks. But I warn you, when someone has to squint at you before they talk to you, ask for the money up front. You keep more of your paycheck that way.”

 

“Somehow, I don't find that hard to believe.” Ryo raised an eyebrow before he pulled of his shirt. Mary appreciatively eyed his back before her eyes were drawn to a bullet wound at his side.

 

“You never answered my question this afternoon, you know.”

 

Ryo smiled. He was waiting for that one.

 

Time to act Dee.

 

“I didn't? You can't blame me - I wasn't expecting it so bluntly.” He turned to her as he buttoned up the orange monstrosity. “I prefer the term bi,” he hauled his shoulders up. “More variety that way.”

 

And an easy excuse to show interest in anyone.

 

Mary seemed to be impressed with his answer, and flipped her brunette locks over her shoulder. “So, do you know your drinks? I've got enough time to quiz you on it.”

 

“Yeah, I was on the internet earlier and looked up a few extras. I don't think this is the right place to mix anything up - I might end up as road kill, and to tell you the truth, I rather like my face in tact.” He smiled at her and stepped back.

 

“So, do I look the part?”

 

Mary studied him for a few seconds.

 

“Okay, don't take this the wrong way, but you look hoity-toity. Don't you have earrings or something?”

 

Ryo self-consciously reached for his ears. “Earrings? How would that help?”

 

Mary reached for the rings she had in her own ears. “Well, you look a little too prim-and-proper for this place. It can't be the shirt, `cause it was Quinsy's and he looked like a rat in it. All I can think of is your face and hair.” She ruffled his hair and held the two rings next to each ear respectively, before holding both by his left ear.

 

“So what do you think? I know Andy three stores away. He won't give you a discount, but I might be able to persuade him to do a proper job.”

 

~$~

 

Dee trudged up the stairs to Ryo's apartment with three files in his hand. Normally he wasn't the type to bring work home with him, but with Ryo gone, there wasn't much else for him to do. Bikky's playstation was at the shop because of a manufacturer's error, so conversation between him and the brat was going to be tight.

 

As usual.

 

The plan for the next undetermined amount of days was to stay at Ryo's apartment. He practically lived there anyway - most of his stuff was in there already.

 

He still remembered the morning where he had stumbled into the bathroom and had to blink twice before registering that the toothbrush labeled `Dee' wasn't one that he had seen before. It brought tears to his eyes - in a way he saw it as concrete evidence of Ryo's invitation into his life.

 

But now, as he opened the door, he was greeted by blaring rap music. He stood in the doorway long enough for Bikky to notice him, and then, with resolute determination, slammed the door. For a while he stood there indecisively, then turned on his heel and stalked back towards the stairs.

 

Fuck this shit.

 

If he had to be tortured, he might as well go with the lesser evil. The precinct it was.

 

The sudden lack of sound wasn't lost on him though. He rushed his steps and slid down the banister.

 

“Oi! Perv!” The call resounded.

 

Like hell was he going to let Bikky catch up with him. He wasn't in the mood for trouble right now - the result of the stress build-up he had to suffer through since the previous evening.

 

He underestimated the youngster's mobility however, as a hand reached out to grab his jacket and the files he had had in his hand tumbled to the floor.

 

“Hey! What the fuck was that for? I know you ignored me on purpose!”

 

Dee stared at the papers on the floor. He could do this. He could do this.

 

Ryo.

 

He could do this for Ryo.

 

“Language,” was the only word he said as he bent down to pick up the fallen sheets.

 

“Ryo's not here, dumb ass.”

 

That did it. Quickly hustling the papers together, he clutched it in one hand and hauled Bikky over his other shoulder. Stomping up the stairs, he ignored the angry protests while mentally preparing the first lecture he was ever going to give.

 

~$~

 

“Hey, Alex! I need a hand here!”

 

Ryo almost melted with relief as he excused himself from the boisterous lady's presence. The woman had been harassing him all evening, feigning interest in the different beverages and the processes of making them. Normally, he would have tolerated it, but since he didn't have the best idea about what he was doing, he was becoming flustered.

 

Mary's call was a godsend.

 

“What do you need help with?”

 

She sent a sarcastic look his way. “I don't. You're the one that needs help. Tell her to fuck off!”

 

Ryo rolled his eyes. “I did. She must have a selective hearing impairment. I tried hinting, stating the obvious, and outright rudeness. I'm stuck.”

 

Mary blinked. “Tell her you're gay. She looks like the homophobic type.”

 

Ryo skeptically play-punched her. “If that works, I'll get those piercings you want me to get.”

 

“Piercings AND a tattoo if she dumps her drink in your face.”

 

“Like that would ever happen!”

 

~$~

 

JJ stared out of his bedroom window with his pillow clutched tightly in front of him. His mind was a mess, and as much as he knew he needed it, sleep wasn't coming soon.

 

He had thought that with Ryo gone, he might stand a chance with Dee. He really had thought that.

 

Now, not even one day later, he was as confused as he ever remembered being. Dee had been meaner than usual - in a way he knew that he should have expected that.

 

But that was not the cause of his confusion.

 

Oh, no, his confusion was wrapped in a box labeled `Drake Parker'.

 

And it didn't come with instructions.

 

~$~

 

Five a.m. the next morning after a busy evening and only one screw-up, a very smug Mary accompanied a dejected Ryo past Andy's tacky store to point out earrings…

 

…and tattoos.

 

~$~

 

 

 

 

 

~AN~ Okay, not as much action as I bargained for. I suppose the interesting stuff I have planned can fall into place next chapter.

 

You guys have my dad's car to thank for the sudden update increase rate. The landrover broke down, and trading it in for a new one is a better option than fixing it, so currently we only have one car to go round in. And that also leaves me stranded at home with nothing to do but draw and write.

 

So, thanks Dad!

 

~Me~

 

~Daxemon~ Thank you! You do realize that you're worming your way into becoming one of my muses? *Hug*

 

~Kita and Subu-chan~ YAY! You heard Daxemon right? No abandoning me! Good luck with the moving! (Oh, Subu? I suggest you two never visit me. My mom bakes cake for a living - so there is chocolate EVERYWHERE in this house… Does that explain my rants? WAI!)

 

~catti-dono~ I think I took your advice a little too much to heart, but don't get used to this update rate! Ps - is feeding Kita chocolate a good thing? I've been in trouble with Subu before…