A colorful AU!

[crab_rangoon]

The world is gray. Always gray. He had thought once, as a little boy, that the emergence of color would be a wonderful thing. He used to dream that finding that person, that getting to see everything in brilliant Wizard Of Oz technicolor would be something he would always cover until it happened.

But after Ishwari, after the betrayal and the loss, after Ajay and Lakshmana left to America after Mohan's failed assassination attempt, Pagan just gave up on that dream. Love, he decided, was just for those who have given up on themselves. Not worth the trouble.

Yuma became the face of Kyrat after that and Pagan stepped back, letting her handle the death threats and the rebels and all of the bullshit that he just didn't want to deal with. Pagan ruled from the back, tempering Yuma's impulsive bullshit with a cooler head, though no less ruthless. However, the arrangement left him free to roam the world, taking care of his business in Hong Kong and the mainland unmolested. His father might not have had the desire to rule the Triads, but Pagan sure as fuck does. Even if it means he has to go and do things himself.

It's this reason, chasing spineless Hong Kong assholes, that lands him in Japan. He has a small security detail that walks the crowd, but otherwise Pagan is by himself as he walks the streets, checking his phone for his victim's last location.

Comments

[crab_rangoon]

Pagan has been thinking about that part, at least. He doesn't like this position that he's in but only because it's so unfamiliar.

"What I intend to do is try and take you the fuck with me. But since that doesn't seem to be a good option right this goddamn second, then I suppose I'll have to leave and come back. I'm not - giving this up, you realize. Just because it caught me by surprise."

[lone_horse]

"I thought you were dead," he says quietly as he nods towards Pagan. "I thought, if I had a match, they'd been killed years ago. I never believed it was possible. I've been... alone. For most of my life."

[crab_rangoon]

"And I didn't give a shit about whoever mine was because - well, the one person I loved, I thought she would be the only one I would ever love. Could ever love. So we're broken men, but that's something we both knew about each other."

He picks up his glass and just stares at the remining drink.

[lone_horse]

He looks at his own for a good long time. And when he opens his mouth, he wishes he didn't have to say this. But he knows he does.

"...I want to go with you. I want to try a life with my soulmate. I have...

"My life is almost entirely empty now. I gave up everything for my kids. For their future. What I do now, I do because I can't do nothing. This is what's left to me.

"And I don't think you will. I think it's the last thing you'd want to do."

He turns to look at Pagan.

"But if you hurt my kids, in any way, I will tear you, and everything you've ever built, apart at the seams with my bare hands. And even if I'm lonely every day of my life after that, I will not regret it."

[crab_rangoon]

Pagan sets his glass down and reacts to that threat not with anger or amusement, as he would with anyone else, but with true seriousness. He rests his fingertips against the glass.

"I know you will," he assures him. "But I don't want to hurt your children. Or you. In fact, all of the resources I have at my disposal are yours. Whatever you need to do."

[lone_horse]

He watches Pagan for a moment... and then he nods.

"Like I said: I don't think you would. But part of being genuine with you is making that clear. We're bound together. You should know what matters. No surprises."

He glances over at Pagan then.

"Is there anything like that for you?"

[crab_rangoon]

"Just my children, in America," he explains. "And I have no worries for that. Well, not from you, at least."

He turns, meeting his face. "Nothing else in my life matters, honestly."

[lone_horse]

He considers that as well.

"Both of us without a purpose beyond our children," he says carefully. He looks to Pagan.

"Do you think our meeting might change that?"

[crab_rangoon]

He considers that very seriously. "Ah, now that is a question. A very good question, but one that I don't know if I can answer. Do I - want it to? Now that's the right question."

Pagan leans forward, folding his hands together.

[lone_horse]

"Dreams take root in our hearts whether we want them to or not," he says in counter. "But whether you choose them or pursue something else... that's what can change things."

[crab_rangoon]

Pagan's laugh isn't bitter, but it's certainly not warm. He's never encountered a situation like this before. Never thought he would have the chance to.

"I - want to hope for it."

[lone_horse]

He nods.

"I'd like to too. I think-" and this is clearly something that takes him a moment, that takes effort- "I think we leave a bad example, only living for others. Our responsibilities, they're important. But if we only live for them, we only show them how to be trapped."

[crab_rangoon]

"And you are trapped here, Kiryu Kazuma," he says firmly. "Even I can see that fucking much. Trapped in this life. And I'd like to think that it's more than this goddamn bond that makes me want to help free you from it."

[lone_horse]

"I like to think that too," he says honestly as he breathes in, takes a sip, and puts down his drink.

"...so let me know when you're ready for the two of us to introduce ourselves properly."

What, you thought he forgot that part?

[crab_rangoon]

He chuckles. "I hesitated earlier because - well, I didn't know if it would be worth it." He wanted to have a talk, this talk, first.

"But now I think it is. And I'm rather looking forward to it."

[lone_horse]

He nods... and he'll finish his drink.

"No rush. I don't have anywhere to be and I think you said you're the same?"

[crab_rangoon]

"No, I have nothing. But I'm not inclined to leave you so soon. And if I'm going to get my ass properly kicked, I might as well do it sooner rather than later."

[lone_horse]

"I hope you'll give me a challenge, at least."

[crab_rangoon]

Pagan shoots him an offended look that's not in the least bit sarcastic. "Why would you even say such a thing? I can be realistic and prepared to give you as good as I can."

[lone_horse]

And Kiryu will give him a very innocent look.

"I like being challenged. And I think you've got more in there than you realize."

[crab_rangoon]

"Eh," he says. "Well, then let's do it." Maybe it's the drink or maybe it's the way that Kiryu looks at him, but he certainly wants to know him.

[lone_horse]

That's a nod, and he'll finish his drink in one go as he stands up. He'll wait for Pagan before he starts moving towards the door.

"Same place as before. Just a different floor."

[crab_rangoon]

"Lead the way," he tells him. And then, because it seems important to note - "My security is gone for the night. Dealing with my pesky family issue."

[lone_horse]

"I appreciate that," because he does. It's very clear that the man is very different in front of other people.

He will start to head towards the building.

"Do they know what happened?"

[crab_rangoon]

He sticks close.

"They would be fairly shitty security if they didn't notice," he points out with a scoff.