Just like old times (Saruhiko x Yata)

Aftermath (p6)

All Misaki could do was watch as the paramedics loaded Saruhiko into the ambulance. Seri took a sigh.

"Thank you for reaching out to me, Yata. I'll make sure he stays safe."

"...yeah." Was all Yata could muster. What was there to say? He had just assaulted someone who didn't even attempt to fight back. And that someone happened to be the love of his life. His eyes were a bright red and tears streamed visibly down his face. His white shirt now carried a dark crimson color in various splotches.

"I'll handle everything with the police. You just get some rest. Okay?" Seri placed her hand on Yata's shoulder in an attempt to ease him at least a little.

"...okay."

Seri gave Yata a sympathetic smile, before boarding the ambulance and driving off. Yata stared as the ambulance road far beyond his line of sight. He didn't know what to do with himself. He just stood there. He didn't know why. Maybe, there was a part of him who thought Saruhiko would just come prancing through the large metal doors, wearing that stupid ass grin like he used to, hoping he'd be there to tease him at least one last time. And maybe, there was a part of him who thought this was all a dream. That he would suddenly wake up from this horrible nightmare and be basking in Saru's arms. If only that were true.

Yata climbed the latter of the loft and plopped down in front of the window. He pulled his legs to his chest as tight as he could manage. With his head down, he could feel the tears start to fall. 

---

Yata woke to a violent buzz coming from his pocket. He weakly rose from his slumber, slowly opening his eyes and being blinded by the sunlight shining through the large warehouse window. He pulled his phone out and glance at the caller ID.

"Mikoto?" With a tiredly yarn, Yata answered. "Hello...?"

"Yata? You finally picked up." Mikoto took a puff from his cigarette, then continued. "Where are you?"

Yata glanced around. "The warehouse... guess I didn't come home." Yata could hear a sigh coming from the other end of his phone.

"Listen, the hospital called this morning. They informed us on Saru..." Mikoto paused. 

Yata could feel his heart skip a beat as a feeling of tension built in the pit of his stomach. "Yata, Saru has fallen into a coma. The doctors... they aren't sure when he'll wake up." He finished.

Yata's grip loosed, allowing his phone to slide out of his hand and onto the loft's floor. An eerie silence arose, along with the weighted feeling Yata knew all too well. He just stared blankly in shock. It was as if his entire world, had just been crushed with two simple sentences.

"Yata-"

"A coma?"

"Yes. His skull had also been fractured, but luckily, no shards made their way to his brain."

"Maybe you shouldn't have added that part." Kusanagi's voice whispered over the call.

Mikoto took another puff of his cigarette. "He's available for visiting hours if you wanted to go see him. Want Kamamoto to come pick you up?"

There was a pause of silence. "...sure." Yata hesitated. His voice was weak - barely audible.

"Okay. He'll be there in a few." Mikoto was about to hang up but felt he was missing something. "Hey Yata? Eat something. Okay?" He added.

"...yeah." Yata mustered. The phone beeped, signaling the ending of the call.

Yata took a heavy sigh before glancing around the loft. The boxes that were once nicely stacked, now toppled over and broken into. Splatters of blood sparkled the floor along with the faint smell of iron that hung in the air. 

Yata slowly struggled to a stand and started making his way to the latter. He looked over the edge and an unsettling thought suddenly crossed his mind.

What if I jumped? 

He snapped himself back to when he noticed something sparkle a little further down the loft. He paced over to investigate.

Looking down at the cause, his heart only sunk another two stories. The broken glass shards littered the carpets, but the frame had only suffered a subtle crack in the side. Yata took a shaky sigh before picking up the glasses frame and making his way back near the latter. He looked at the glasses, then over the edge again. 

The loft was about two or three stories straight up from the ground. When you think about it, stairs would be a safer option. A steep three stories latter doesn't really yell 'safe'. It would definitely be a good spot if you wanted to die peacefully though... this warehouse is abandoned. The likelihood of being found is incredibly low.

Would it really be that bad if I jumped?  Yata peered down at the glasses he clenched in his hand. Would I get to see you again?

"Hey Yata! You in here?" Kamamoto hollered, peering in through the large metal doors. He glanced up to see Yata standing at the edge of the loft. "You coming?"

Yata switched his gaze from the glasses to Kamamoto, then back to the glasses. "Yeah." 

Yata placed Saru's glasses in his pocket and gathered his phone. He glanced at his bat and skateboard, noticing the splotches of blood that had managed to get on the both of them. He sighed and peered away.

Yata descended from to latter and slowly made his way outside the warehouse.

"Catch." Kamamoto tossed Yata his spare motorcycle helmet, which he clipped on. "Let's go." Kamamoto gestures at the second seat on the bike. Yata hopped on and there was a slight pause.

"He's gonna be okay, yata. Try not to stress over it too much."

Kamamoto started his motorcycle and they began for the hospital.