Love is not Extinct

Halloween Special: Weekend Haunt

"Man, what a night!"

Sawamura looked over at his partner as they walked into the little coffee shop that had become a frequent stop for them during their patrol shifts. Futakuchi shook out his short brown hair, flipping his bangs to the side to keep them out of his face, as he reached his arms above his head, stretching.

Sawamura hummed in agreement as he placed their order before they took a seat at a table in the back corner of the cafe. "Typical on Halloween. People think they can do crazy things just because it's socially acceptable to walk around in disguises."

"It's the same every year," his partner agreed, leaning back in his chair as he looked out the window, watching the people pass by. "Though I have to admit I wasn't much better growng up. I never did anything illegal but I definitely caused my share of mischief on nights like tonight in my youth."

"That does not surprise me." Sawamura chuckled.

"But all those days are behind me. Now I am a respectable keeper of the peace with a typical domestic life," Futakuchi mocked with a smile, but his partner knew that the man was quite happy where he was now.

"How are things going with you and your wife?" Sawamura asked as he nodded and smiled at the waitress who set down their drinks for them before walking away. "It's been three months since the wedding. Is she sick of you yet?"

"Ha ha very funny." The younger of the officers smiled, taking a sip of his coffee, relishing in the warmth and strong taste. On late nights, especially nights like tonight, nothing beat a rich coffee to push him through the last of his shift. "Things are going well. Honestly, she is an angel. I come home from work to a home cooked meal, and being able to see her without having to make time to drive out and visit her is the best. I love being able to come home and she is there, smiling and happy to see me. Beats the bachelor life of living alone any day."

Sawamura smiled, remembering what it had been like for him when he first got married almost four years ago now. It seemed like so long ago, it was hard to picture everyday life without Yui around. And now, with their daughter in the picture, he felt truly blessed. Pulling out his phone, he opened up the text that Yui had sent him earlier. It was a picture of their daughter in her Halloween costume, a yellow and black striped onesie with little wings attached to the back and a headband with bouncing antenna. He knew he was biased but he thought she was the most adorable baby he had ever seen. Every time he looked at her his heart overflowed with gratitude that he was blessed to be this angel's father.

"What are those idiots up to?..." Futakichi's comment brought Sawamura out of his train of thoughts, causing him to look up from his phone to see his partner looking out the window at a couple of kids who were having a heated argument outside, which looked like it was about to get physical. With a heavy sigh Futakichi stood up, and when Sawamura went to stand up as well, his partner just held up his hand. "I'll go check it out. It's just a little spat. I don't think both of us need to go, you stay and enjoy your coffee."

Sawamura didn't argue as he watched his partner walk out of the diner. He leaned back, taking another sip of his beverage and closing his eyes for a moment. Only a few more hours left of his shift and he would be able to head home. Tenshi would already be in bed but he would be able to take a warm shower and then curl up with his wife and talk until they both fell asleep. It was the simple things that were the most precious to him. Those little moments that were so easy to overlook made everyday worth it.

He was pulled out of his thoughts by a sudden commotion in the cafe. Looking up, he saw two people dressed in black cloaks with animal masks covering their faces. Both had guns out. The one who was wearing a tiger mask was waving his gun around wildly, threatening everyone to get down on the ground, while the other one wearing a dragon mask, was at the register pointing their weapon at the poor young barista.