A second chance // Banana fish ff

one ♡

*Eiji's pov*

I looked behind the railing, to see Bones, Kong and a few other people from the gang all huddled up together, waving Ibe and I goodbye. I've always hated airports. They're cold and gloomy, like no one wants to be there. You have people trying to sleep with their heads on their suitcases, children running around and crying, and parents yelling at baggage control because their suitcases are heavier than whats allowed.

"Bye Eiji! Visit us soon!" yelled Bones, trying to climb onto the railing and closer over to see us, but getting dragged back down by Alex. "Oi dumbass, get back down. If you hurt yourself, I'm the first one Ash will scold". He was holding an alligator plush in his arms. Cute I thought to myself. I kept looking around, waiting for him to show up, but he never did. I was sad to leave everyone, sad to leave New York, my friends, but more importantly, sad to leave the one who accepted me for who I was. Ash Lynx as they call him. 

I wonder if he got my letter...I'm sure he did, Sing promised he would deliver it as a goodbye gift to me, and I trust he kept his word. So then... why isn't he here? Why isn't he here to say goodbye or board the plane with us? 

"He's not coming Eiji...we should start heading to baggage control. The sooner we get to the gate, the less stressed we'll be". I looked up at Ibe, as he came from behind my wheelchair and bent down to eye level with me. "Just a little longer please, I know he'll show up" I pleated with him.

He took a deep sigh but smiled in agreement. The guys were still behind the railing, talking to each other and smiling. I unintentionally put on one myself and closed my eyes, thinking about all our happy memories together. I remember the first time Ash and I met, I asked to hold his gun and he surprisingly complied. Everyone's faces dropped and even Skipper was shocked, congratulating me on getting Ash to do the impossible. 

I'll never forget when Ash told me he was afraid of pumpkins, or the time he cried on my lap like a little baby. Our lives are so different, his experiences are so much darker and he's lived a life I could never survive as long as he did in. Even though he's more mature than me, I still feel the need to protect him as the oldest one between us. His child like behaviour comes out when he's vulnerable. 

My thoughts were interrupted by the screams of a man I couldn't distinguish until he came a little closer to the railing. He had short brown hair and dark blue eyes. I had no doubt in my mind that was Max. "EIJI,IBE! DON'T BOARD THE PLANE, ASH IS IN THE HOSPITAL, HE'S BEEN STABBED!" I turned to look at Alex, his face had dropped. He looked at his phone, looked at Bones and then back at us. "He's not lying, I just got a call from Cain." I felt my heard sink into my chest and my vision go blurry. My ears started to ring and I could barely hear the people around me talking.

I turned my head back and looked up at Ibe, he sighed "I know, I know... he looked away for a second and then looked back with a smile on his face, Let's go save the lynx" He'll be okay right? It's just a stab wound, nothing Ash can't handle. He's strong, he'll fight through this like he's done before. I thought to myself. I felt horrible for even doubting Ash not coming to say goodbye on his on free will. Of course something must have happened! Max turned to Alex "We'll use my car, it's the closest parked and will get us there the fastest." Alex didn't argue and just nodded in compliance

We all headed to Max's car, Ibe helping me in and puting my wheelchair in the back. We all sat in silence until Bones turned around to me and said some of the most comforting words I needed to hear in that moment "Hey, don't look so worried Eiji, Ash is a tank, he'll get through this like he's done with everything else. Remember his battle against Arthur? Or the time he went to jail? Have faith in him" He cheerfully uttered, the others joining in in agreement. He was right, I couldn't wait to see him, hello again New York, you're the gift that keeps on giving.

Writers note: I hope you guys liked this chapter, I have big plans for this ff and am excited to write it! If you have any ideas or suggestions you'd like to see, feel free to write them in the comments. Thank you <3