King of Hearts Ch. 1

Pairing: Ban x Akabane

Summary: You can tell a lot about a person from their heartbeat...

Disclaimer: I own nothing. If I did, at least I'd be able to pay for my fandoms.

WARNING: This fic contains- M/M pairing, eventual violence, graphic scenes, and eventual adult content. Don't like, don't read.

Author's Note: Feel free to read and review! Do me a favor, though- constructive criticism is welcome, but just don't be hateful about it. That takes the fun out of everything! If this sort of story isn't your cup of tea, I won't force you to read it- I'm sure there's plenty of other things you can read and enjoy on FFnet!

It was raining again in Shinjuku- for the fourth time this week. Akabane Kuroudo carried his bag of groceries close to his body- this allowed him to make judicious use of the wide brim of his hat and negated the need for him to carry an umbrella. Akabane hated the rain. It was too cool, drowning out the warmth of the beating hearts that surrounded him and normally filled his senses. He could tell a lot about a person from their heartbeat. His own, for example, reflected him rather nicely- although it was often quickened in the heat of battle, it never missed a beat. Except at the moment of an opponent's death, it thrummed steadily, waiting patiently for the moment when he carved his signature into unsuspecting flesh. Waiting to be pulled into the moment of that fate… waiting to match the other's falter.

A heartbeat approached, and he felt his own quicken in anticipation- this was a beat he knew well, and a beat which his own heart ached to be near. The beat was slow and deep in such cool weather, barely quick enough to sustain life. It mattered not whether this heartbeat lived in the presence of adrenaline or whether it lay dormant in the depths of sleep, the beat never changed, barely increased by more than a beat or two per minute. Such was the heartbeat of Midou Ban.

"Hiya, Jackal," Midou carried no protection from the pounding rain, and his clothes and hair clung to him wetly. Akabane thought it might have been the single most attractive thing he had ever seen. He would have to be careful tonight or he might give himself away. "What heinous crimes are you committing tonight?"

"Just a bit of shopping, Midou-kun. I found myself without several basic necessities after my last job," he held up his shopping bag illustratively. As quickly as the striking snake that he was so famous for, Midou snatched the bag from Akabane's hands and began rifling through it.

"Milk… bread… eggs…shampoo? Papaya extract shampoo?" Ban snickered at his find, "Really, Jackal, we've got to work on finding you a more murderer-appropriate scent. It's too bad they don't make blood-scented shampoo, eh?"

Composing his face into an appropriately annoyed expression to cover his acute embarrassment, Akabane slipped a scalpel into his neatly gloved hand, "Midou…"

Ban caught the warning in his voice. He wasn't particularly interested in having a fight in the rain tonight… "Far be it from me to interrupt the mission of Akabane Kuroudo-sama!" Ban chortled as he handed Akabane his bag, "I'll leave you to your business then!"

As he sauntered away, Akabane exerted all the control he possessed to ignore the shiver that had just passed up his arm and throughout his entire frame- he had been caught unprepared as Midou had handed off his shopping bag; it was the first time they had touched outside of battle. He took a few moments to calm his pounding heart before disappearing into the shadows. That was close…

Akabane remembered the exact moment when he realized that he was intrigued. He remembered the look on Midou's face when he had asked him if he had beaten Raitei. He remembered wishing that he could see such astounding prowess in action. He could not remember when interest became infatuation or when infatuation became obsession. He dearly wished he could remember… then at least he might have some inkling of the proper method to fight it.

Akabane sat quietly in the cab of Maguruma's truck, brooding. He barely even registered the fact that Maguruma was speaking to him. "What?" he queried, needing the question repeated.

"I asked you if you had ever been hired to transport something like this before," Maguruma Gouzou glanced at him, concerned, "I would have thought carrying a human skull as cargo would have sparked your interest. Is everything alright, Doc?"

Akabane curled his upper lip in a small snarl, "How many times have I told you not to use that infernal nickname you seem so fond of? Be assured that this will be the final time I shall do so politely."

Maguruma easily saw through the attempt to change the subject, "You're dodging the question, so I assume all is not sherry and giggles in that homicidal head of yours." Maguruma never could leave well enough alone, "Need to talk?"

Yes… "Not particularly. I was just thinking about several jobs that I have planned." Nothing could have been farther from the truth, but Akabane felt no desire to share his feelings concerning a certain abrasive retriever and would rather Maguruma let it be. He thought of his retriever and their incident in the alleyway several nights before… he ducked his head so that his hat might conceal his blush if Gouzou should happen to look at him too closely.

"You know, Kuroudo, you actually can talk to me if there's something you need to get off your chest. We've known each other too long to…" Maguruma's attempt to get Akabane to open up was interrupted by the faint sound of a speeding car behind them. "Damn retrievers…" he grumbled.

Damn retrievers indeed… Akabane thought as he felt his pulse quicken slightly at the thought of the impending battle. Curious as to who the opposition might be this time, Akabane peered into the side mirror of the truck. A familiar little vehicle greeted his eyes. It would have been too much to hope that it would be someone else, yes? He could see, with his sharp vision, Midou Ban's icy blue eyes over the rims of his trademark purple glasses. So be it. "Stop the truck please, Maguruma-kun."

Ban was ready. He could feel the battle-heat thrumming through his veins, along with a peculiar feeling he couldn't describe. He knew it was Akabane in the truck ahead; he had seen that accursed hat stick itself out the window a moment ago. I hate that hat. It makes him look like an idiot. Although I have to admit it was doing a pretty good job of keeping him dry the other night… For some reason, Ban couldn't get that night out of his head. It wasn't the first time he'd run into Akabane outside of a professional situation, but the thought of Akabane doing something as mundane as grocery shopping made him feel a little uneasy and he couldn't pinpoint why. And the energy I felt when I accidentally touched him… that was weird… It was almost enough to quench his battle-thirst…

"Aw, man… it's Akabane isn't it, Ban?" Ginji's whining sliced through his concentration. He could understand why Ginji had such a difficult time with Akabane- his own past already held too many ghosts to shoulder the burden of deaths that followed Akabane like a dark cloud.

"Of course it's Akabane," Ban snapped. Ooh… that may have come out a little more harshly than I meant for it to… "It's always that damn transporter… you'd think he was the only one in all of Shinjuku…" he continued a little more calmly. At least he'd get some exercise today… Akabane was nothing if not athletic.

"What are we going to do this time? We barely won the last time I had to fight him, and I ended up stuck in the back of Mr. No-Breaks' truck!" Ginji was worried. Every time the Get Backers met Akabane, something unpleasant happened. He and Ban had been up late celebrating a successful retrieval that had ended with them having a bit of cash, so he really wasn't in the mood to fight too hard today.

"I'll take care of Akabane and you'll be getting the goods today, Gin," Ban felt the beginnings of a very foul mood coming on- it would be nice to take it out on Dr. Jackal. "That bastard's not getting away so easily this time. I'll meet you back at the Honky Tonk when I'm done."

Without much warning, the truck ahead of them began to slow and pulled off to the side of the road. "So much for having no breaks, eh, Gin?" Ban laughed quietly with anticipation. This was going to be fun. Maybe…

Indeed, this should be fun

"Are you ready, Dr. Jackal?" Ban's cigarette bobbed slightly as he spoke.

I do wish he'd give up that disgusting habit…"Of course, Midou-kun. The true question is whether or not you are prepared for me." Akabane hoped that Midou took that statement at face value and ignored the innuendo Akabane couldn't keep from his voice.

The first droplets of rain began to fall with another deafening crack of thunder. It was no time before it came gushing from the sky in slanted sheets. "Let's do this then," Akabane barely had time to register the fact that Ban had moved before he was behind him, "SNAKEBITE!!"

Akabane loved fighting with Ban. He's always so wonderfully unpredictable! Both of their bodies were a blur as they danced around each other in a beautiful and deadly rhythm. Akabane had landed half a dozen little stinging nicks to Ban's flesh, but barely anything more than a paper cut. Ban had delivered several small blows to Akabane's person, but nothing harder than a couple of bone bruises. The dance might have gone on for quite some time if not for the rain… they were both in magnificent form tonight.

Akabane's thoughts ground to a halt as he felt his boot slip on the ever thickening mud beneath him. I'm going to fall! So this is it? He knew there was no way that Ban would pass up such an obviously easy opening.

He felt the impact with the earth as a hideous squelching noise and immediately felt the crushing weight of Ban's titanic grip around his throat as Ban settled himself on his chest. "You lose, Jackal."

Ban couldn't believe it- he slipped!! I'll bet he's never made such a careless mistake in his life! He watched as panic flashed across Akabane's face as he realized that Ban was coming for him. Ban carefully controlled the pressure of his snakebite as he felt his hand close over Akabane's throat.

Akabane was down.

"You lose, Jackal." Ban grinned, "One move and I remove your head from your shoulders." He pulled his glasses to the tip of his nose and prepared to give Dr. Jackal a mild dream. Wouldn't want anything too bad to happen… He closed his eyes and mulled all the memories he could think of over in his head, picking bits and pieces from them to weave into his dream web. His eyes snapped open and Dr. Jackal stiffened slightly as the dream swept him into a sea of memory and illusion.

Ban's favorite aspect of his jagan was not making the dreams, or delivering them, but watching his victims as they lived through illusions stemming from their own memories. There was nothing he couldn't create in his mind to send to his subjects. The only limiting factor was how much he could remember on any given day, and today he was feeling fairly ingenious, so he watched Akabane with rapt fascination. He never knew exactly how a dream would play out in his target's mind; he presented them with fragments of memories and left the rest up for interpretation by the dreamer. Oftentimes their own subconscious was far more creative than him and pasted together their worst fears in a way he would never be able…

Akabane gasped, he knew he had entered Ban's jagan when the rain disappeared. Ban was still there, he knew- he could hear his heartbeat- but was no longer straddling his chest. He sat up carefully; he knew that Ban was a master of memory and was constantly looking for those that would create the most mischief in his dreams. Upon glancing about, he found that he was seated on the sidewalk in front of the Honky Tonk.

Hmm… what's this? He rose from the ground and went inside. Ban and Ginji were sitting at the counter. Ginji was wearing his ever-present grin and Ban was, as usual, trying to beat it off of his face. Akabane felt himself smiling at the familiar scene…which is, of course, invariably the prelude to something that kicks me in the- he saw it… but not in time to stop it.

The small flame from behind the counter spread more rapidly than any true fire could, engulfing the tiny café in an inferno the likes of which Akabane had never before seen. Oh no… please no… I want to wake up now…please… PLEASE!!!! This dream was particularly realistic, and Akabane couldn't help but be immersed in it. He could hear Midou's agonized screams. He could smell the burning flesh over the smell of the smoke and could even faintly see Midou flailing in a vain attempt to extinguish the flames that consumed him. The smell was horrible…

Akabane dimly realized that the anguished cries he heard over Ban's shrieks were coming from his own throat, and the curious wetness he felt on his cheeks was cascading from his own eyes. He doubted it was from the smoke, since his body seemed to be unaffected by the conflagration around him. He felt Ban's heartbeat slow… and slow… and falter… and stop.

No…oh dear God… it's too much…please oh please let me wake up now no God no the smell MIDOOOOOUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!

Ban looked down on Akabane's furrowed brow as the dream began to take hold. I wonder what he'll get…

Ban was taken completely by surprise when Akabane's eyes flew open and he gasped sharply. He looked beyond horrified, as well as completely and utterly devastated, and tears began to course down his temples to soak his hair.

Ban was stunned. It had only been a few seconds and Akabane was already sobbing to the point that he could hardly catch his breath. Oh my… I only showed him a memory of us at the Honky Tonk! What fear could his mind have possibly conjured that would affect him like this?! He honestly had thought he'd given him a fairly unambiguous memory that wouldn't be particularly unstable. How could I have done this to him? He was almost friendly the other night, and I could have sworn he was joking with me a bit before the fight started with that "prepared" business… I didn't want to hurt him- it's just another job!

Ban was pulled from his remorse as he realized that Akabane was speaking softly through his sobs.

"P-p-p-please…"sob-gasp, "oh please…w-wake up! It's… it's t-too m-much no please!"

Ban could hardly stand it… thank God the minute was almost over…

"MIDOOOOOUUUU!!!! NOOOO!!" Akabane screamed and his eyed squeezed shut.

ME??? I was there? What does he see!? Ban felt a familiar tug as the time for the dream wore out.

Akabane gave a strangled cry and his eyed flew open, revealing tear-muddied violet irises. Ban thought he must have been the most heartbreaking thing he'd ever seen. Mud, rain and tears had carved trails down his face. His eyes were puffy and slightly swollen and held all the pain of the past minute within. His lips were parted slightly and the lower one quivered with barely controlled sobs. He looked lost, as if his entire world had completely vanished, leaving him bereft of life and limb.

Ban felt beyond terrible. I'm pond scum. I'm lower than pond scum… I'm fungus… the kind that grows on pig shit and ends up covered in flies… He laid what he hoped was a comforting hand on Akabane's shoulder.

The touch on his shoulder finally broke through the memories. Akabane looked up to se Ban's worried face hovering above him. "Jackal? God, Jackal, are you alright? I didn't know it would-"

The relief that washed through Akabane's body was physically too much to bear. He rolled to his side and emptied the contents of his stomach into the grass. Try as he might, he couldn't seem to restore the veneer of calm to his expression, a thought which was mortally distressing and embarrassing in and of itself. The fact that he couldn't seem to get those infernal tears and sniffles to stop very nearly undid him.

As he worked his way painfully through the dry heaves that followed his impromptu purging, he felt a hand awkwardly brushing his hair from his forehead and a shuddering breath flit over the skin of his neck. Akabane sat up, daintily blotting his face with the back of his gloved hand, and took several deep breaths to calm his raging nerves. The hand, which had left his hair and stopped to rest tentatively on his shoulder, had not moved, and he turned to look at Ban, cheeks bright red from weeping and embarrassment at the loss of control he had displayed.

Akabane was at a loss to describe the expression on Ban's face…Is he in pain? Did I strike him during my dream by accident? No… I see no blood. Oh my- his heartbeat is faster than I have ever sensed it. Ban's heartbeat practically thundered in Akabane's senses, adding an interesting dimension to the rain that continued to pour around them. I'm so pleased that the dream is over… that was horrifying. Akabane could not conceal his shiver as the events of his dream resurfaced in his mind. Unthinking, he reached out and placed a hand on Ban's chest to reassure himself that the heartbeat was undoubtedly present. He had barely registered that he had touched Ban when the other man enclosed Akabane's fingers in his own.

It felt completely natural to lean in closer.

What am I doing?!

Ban would never admit it aloud, but despite his vehement support of the ladies, he had always harbored some interesting thoughts concerning both sexes. He thought that Ginji perhaps had his suspicions, but he hadn't pressed the subject other than a single question which had precluded a rather severe thrashing from Ban.

Well whaddaya know- that must be why I felt like Jackal was hiding something the other night. I would never have thought JACKAL of all people would hold nearly as much emotion in him as Ginji! He closed his fingers around Akabane's trembling hand and was shocked when Akabane leaned closer and rested his forehead on their intertwined digits. That dream must have been a humdinger. His face was cool to the touch and wet from the rain. His dripping hair flowed over Ban's hand in ebony ribbons, and Ban could feel him shaking with cold and dream-reaction.

"Jackal," Ban said a bit more gruffly than he had intended, "m'sorry." The words were more than Akabane had expected, and apparently more than his over stimulated body could handle. Much to his chagrin he began to feel a bit lightheaded.

"I think," he rasped- his voice was barely recognizable from the perfect cultured tones of its usual timbre, "that I should be going."

Ban was left kneeling in the sodden grass as Akabane slowly rose from the ground, retrieved his hat and disappeared into the shadows of the night with hunched shoulders.