Free (Enomoto/Aoto)

[lilly0]

Title: Free
Pairing: Enomoto/Aoto (Ohno/Toda Erika)
Genre: romance, dorama
Raiting: PG-13
Warning: Spoilers!!
One-shot
Summary/Note: Set somewhere between Enomoto solving the last case and his call to Aoto.
Written for fazlyn_n for the help_pilipinas fundraising. Thanks so much for your donation!! <3








Though I’m on the other side of the window, I’m free.

No glass is surrounding me.

Aoto always liked it how Enomoto’s eyes were lighting up when an idea struck him, how he was curling his nose when he was concentrated, how there was an almost invisible smile on his lips – only a hint of it – when he was successful.

But in fact, she didn’t know anything about Enomoto Kei. Nothing at all.

The shelves in Enomoto’s office were empty, no locks, no implements, no sheets of paper, no pencils lying around anymore. Nothing of the usual equipment. It was empty.

It was then that she suddenly realized that she didn’t know anything about him at all. She didn’t know his favourite food, or his favourite movie. She didn’t know how he grew up, nothing about his family. She didn’t know if he had friends, or if he preferred it to be alone. She didn’t even know if he had a girlfriend, maybe he was married. Engaged. Gay.

She didn’t even know his address.

She didn’t know anything about him. He remained a mystery, till the end.

“Where are you?”

Serizawa sounded annoyed, but not all that angry. In the end he always let her do what her instincts told her. In the whole world there was no more self-centred, but also understanding chief than he was.

“I’m at Enomoto-san’s place.”

Serizawa sighed. “You are freaking out over nothing. He will come back.”

Yes, maybe, but a small part inside her doubted it. There was no reason for Enomoto not to call them. He didn’t do anything wrong, he helped them to solve the last riddle. Why should he hide?

When she stayed quiet, Serizawa yawned theatrically. “I wonder if he is still signed with his company. Or got his money from the bank.”

Aoto blinked at that, surprised when her chief suddenly hung up on her. Then she chuckled. It was so like him to give her hints, trying to hide his helpful nature, while he was in fact trying to help.

“Enomoto-kun quit his job today.”

The words were echoing in Aoto’s ears. Enomoto quit. He got a better job offer.

Where will he go to? Where will he work from now on?

They didn’t know the answer. Just like her they didn’t know anything about his dreams, his wishes, his goals. They didn’t know anything. Not his boss, not his co-workers. Friends he apparently didn’t have.

******

Aoto was sitting on a park bench. She had searched everywhere, checked on Enomoto’s co-workers and on every place she connected with him. Even places where they solved some of their cases, but he was nowhere around.

She wondered what her grandfather would do in such a case. She had become a lawyer because he had been one, because she had always looked up to him and wanted to be like him. When he died, she felt like she needed to follow this dream and make him proud.

What would her grandfather do now?

Aoto nodded hear head. She needed to get some clear thoughts. She needed to talk to him.

One hour later she was walking through the cemetery, towards the grave of her grandfather. She knelt down there, cleaning the gravestone a bit. It had rained yesterday.

“What should I do?” She stared at the gravestone, tilting her head. “Tell me.”

There was no answer, of course not, so she lay down on the warm ground, looking at the sky. The sun was tickling her nose until she sneezed. When she sat up again to look around, her eyes suddenly widened in surprise.

He was standing at one of the graves right next to her, stroking over the gravestone tenderly. She was sure that she could hear him say ‘good bye’.

Aoto was up her feet immediately, eyes widened in shock. “Enomoto-san!?”

Enomoto turned around, not the slightest surprise in his eyes. “Oh,” he only said, before he turned towards the grave again. “Good-bye, I might not visit for a few months…”

Aoto was watching him in awe. There were a hundred questions she wanted to ask, but she settled in for a “You didn’t call!”

Enomoto was surprised, at least for a tiny moment and it made Aoto feel almost proud to get this reaction from him. “Well…”

“Won’t you apologize?”

Enomoto sighed. “If you want me to: I’m sorry.” With that he turned around, about to leave the cemetery. Aoto hurried after him until she caught up.

“You are leaving?”

He merely shrugged. “Well…”

“You know,” she started again. “I’ve always been on your side.”

For a moment Enomoto paused, looking at her insistently. Then he nodded his head, a tiny smile on his lips. “I know.”

“You’ll call, right?” When Enomoto stayed quiet, Aoto grabbed his arm to stop him from walking away. “You’ll call?”

He smiled slightly. “I will.”

******

Actually Aoto was very surprised that Enomoto called for real, but what he was telling her left her completely surprised. “Where are you?”

“Is that Enomoto-chan?”  Serizawa asked, bending forward to hear what she was talking with him. Clear hope and interest in his voice.

Aoto nodded her head, before she repeated her question. “Enomoto-san, where are you?”

“I’m sorry I didn’t call the last time,” he said, his voice unusually soft. “I’ll be leaving.”

“Eh?” Aoto’s eyes widened in shock. “Where to? Why?”

“I’ve made some extra money,” he explained randomly. “There are places I want to visit.”

Aoto nodded her head, remembering how his former chief had told her that he had a new job offer. “Where are you going to?” She could hear noises coming from the background, it had to be the airport. “Where are you?”

“Bye,” Enomoto said instead of answering her question. “I’m glad that we met.”

“And?” Serizawa asked when he she had hung up.

Aoto wavered for a moment, then she suddenly started to run. “Sorry,” she called towards her chief. “I’ve to leave, I’ll call.”

“Call?” Serizawa grumbled. “I’ve already heard that from somewhere else... You two have hung out with each other way too often.”

There was surprise in Enomoto’s eyes when she was suddenly standing in front of him. She smiled. “Tokyo airport. My parents are visiting me once a month. We all use frequent flier miles. And I know this airport better than any other place.”

“I see,” Enomoto nodded his head. He smiled slightly, much to Aoto’s relief.

“You are really going?” Aoto asked. “Is it because of what happened? Of what they accused you of?”

Enomoto stayed quiet for a moment, then he shook his head. “I was hurt, once, but I’m not feeling any grudge anymore.” His gaze grew darker for a moment. “Okay, maybe I still feel a grudge sometimes, but nothing against you or Serizawa.”

Aoto was surprised by the honest answer. “This man wasn’t treating the people around him well,” she admitted. “I’m sorry for that.”

“It’s not your fault,” he stated calmly.

“I know, but still, I feel responsible.” She paused. “You know, I and Serizawa-san were always at your side.”

“I know.”

“You are one of us.”

Enomoto had to smile at that. “No I’m not. I’m still at the other side of the window.”

“But,” Aoto shook her head. “Not for me.”

Enomoto sighed slightly, before he looked at her directly. “I like to be free. Can you understand that?” When she shook her head, he looked away and towards the airplanes. His gaze was thoughtful, as always, but it was also softer than usual. “Did you ever just run? Step forward?”

******

“Where are you Aoto-san!? Two days ago you said you would call!” Serizawa’s voice sounded slightly aggravated, which was never a good sign. But Aoto only smiled.

“I’m sorry,” she answered. “I can’t come to work for a few months.”

“Why the hell can’t you come to work!?” Serizawa blurt out.

“Well,” a bright smile appeared on Aoto’s face. “I’ll be leaving for some time,” she explained simply. “There are some things I need to do…I’m going to step forward for once.”

Did you ever just run? Step forward?

No. But today I will. With you.

******
Note: Dear friends and readers! Thanks so much for all your support <3  To thank you I opened up a Request Post. If you feel like requesting a one-shot with a specific pairing or situation you can do so HERE.