Archive of Our Own ^beta

I.

Don't try to make yourself remember, darling

Don't look for me, I'm just a story you've been told

So let's pretend a little longer

'Cause when we're gone

Everything goes on

Well, you were staring at the window

And I said, "I wanna take you to the sea"

And when I'm better, we'll do everything

I gotta stop making promises I can't keep

Ever since Mysta Rias was a little fox cub, he dreamed of being a detective. That’s why he watched crime TV shows, dressed up as Sherlock Holmes for Halloween, solved cases at his school and made tea for his town’s local detective, in the hopes that he would someday solve mysteries of his own. 

“Mysta! Mysta! Your letter came!” That’s why Mysta was so HAPPY when he got a job offer to become Night City’s new detective! 

“Don’t cry Mama, I’m going to be the best detective Night City has ever had! Wait and see!” Mysta said as he hugged his mama goodbye at the train station and saluted his old mentor one last time before charting off into the unknown. 

As the train chugged along through the countryside, hopes and dreams whizzed through Mysta’s mind as he thought about all the cases he would solve, all the interesting people he would meet and all the new friends he would make in the exciting, glamorous metropolitan that was Night City! 

And if he was lucky, he might meet some maidens too! 

“Outta the way, chump!” Mysta felt the air escape his lungs as a burly older passenger knocked him off his ass the minute he stepped off the train. He growled at the rude old man who didn’t so much as look back to make sure he was all right, before picking himself up and dusting off his trousers. 

Little did Mysta know, the rude passenger was just a small taste of how his new city life would be. Because to be quite honest… 

Mysta hates Night City. It was dark and wintery all year around, the food tasted like crud compared to the country stock he was used to having at home and EVERYONE seemed to have a chip on their shoulder. And even though he was the best detective in the entire police department, nobody at the station appreciated him! 

“Fucking pigs…” Mysta slurred as he took another sip of his whisky bottle. “Well at least my mum’s proud of me!” 

And worst of all… he felt more alone than ever without Mama Rias to come home to every night. He wondered if she was home in their tiny little cottage right now, reading in her armchair as their cats and dogs slept by the fireplace… 

“Welp, bottoms up!” Mysta chugged down the whole bottle and let the alcohol work through his system to put him a boozy trance, making him oblivious to the glaring neon lights and loud traffic noises. “My long-necked friend is the only person I can trust in this entire city!” 

As long as he had a bottle of booze in hand, everything would be looking rosy!

Or so he thought, until he cursed alcohol’s sudden but inevitable betrayal! 

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!” when he tripped, he just kept falling and falling, hitting all the steps all way down into hell until a sickening thud darkened his entire world. In his last moments of consciousness, he vaguely heard a “What the fuck was that?” before closing his eyelids. 

"Guys, this doesn’t look good." 

"Let's get him inside." 

"A good cup of tea will sort him out." 

"I don't think tea will cure a concussion..." 

It wasn’t until much later that Mysta woke up covered in an orange blanket and was surprised to be surrounded by four handsome gentlemen dressed in different colours. ‘Are they the power rangers?’ he dizzily wondered until the blue one with glasses exclaimed: “Oh my gosh, I’m so glad you’re okay!” 

“Vox, he lived! I owe you ten bucks!” The blondie (who looked strangely familiar) called to the person in the next room, as the dude with the wildest hair-style Mysta had ever seen started using purple magic to heal the many bruises the stairwell had oh-so kindly gifted the fox detective. 

“Fantastic! I’ve got just the thing that will cure him!” Mysta blinked twice at hearing a familiar British accent, before its owner emerged from the kitchen dressed in red. Something deep and primal inside Mysta screamed “do not trust this sussy man” as the guy in red approached him with a big ass goofy grin on his face and a steaming mug of hot tea.  

“Oh don’t hiss at me like that boy!” Vox tucked the blanket around Mysta tighter, ignoring the way he would struggle against the fabric. “Us brits have got to stick together!”   

“B-but…” Mysta’s concussed brain warbled out of his mouth. “I hate tea!” 

The other boys giggled at the way Vox’s mouth pressed into a pencil thin line at that confession. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that young man!” 

Eventually, Mysta did down the tea when the boy he later would come to know as “Ike” promised he could have hot chocolate (and biscuits!) if he finished Vox’s beverage. It smelt really funny compared to regular tea, which Mysta’s sensitive nose didn’t like to begin with, but after chugging down the liquid he felt much, much better… 

“Are you a witch?” Mysta blurted out as Vox brought him his hot chocolate and biscuits. 

“... Yes.” Vox smirked, before reaching out to tickle Mysta’s side. “The wickedest witch in Night City!” 

“Vox!” Ike chastised him. 

“I just closed up those wounds dude, don’t open them again.” the purple sorcerer, called “Shu”, chuckled.

The group explained that Vox was a demon and Shu was a powerful sorcerer, and together, they not only used their magic to help people, but also ran this hidden bar called “Luxiem.” Their friends, Ike and Luca, were regular patrons of this establishment and were just about to leave for closing time, before Mysta decided to pay them an unexpected visit. 

“When you’ve recovered, you should come back with your friends.” Shu grinned as he put their business card in Mysta’s shirt pocket. 

“I… I don’t have any friends.” Mysta blushed. “I just moved here.” 

“Then come here to make friends!” Luca cried, clapping his hands together. “Luxiem is the best place to meet people!” 

“Luca is right. If you spend enough time here, you’ll make lots of friends in no time.” Shu reassured him. Mysta pulled out the shiny, silver card and mulled over his options, debating whether coming to Luxiem on a Saturday night would be better than playing Animal Crossing… 

“We just spent the last hour tenderly taking care of you while you were knocked out unconscious!” Vox huffed as he started cleaning wine glasses. “Don’t say we’re not friends!” 

Mysta sighed and rolled his eyes at Vox like a cat showing disdain at their clingy owner. “I suppose I could come for one quick drink next weekend…” 

Mysta had every intention of coming to the bar every now and then to socialise and escape the deep, dark abyss which was his tiny ass apartment, but then he started playing ping pong with Luca… he’d bring Ike a coffee as he slaved over his next manuscript… he would listen to Vox talk about that one game he liked and its expansive lore for hours … and he’d regularly tell Shu all about his week at the police station… 

Night City was still dark and damp. Everyone else had the personality of a pissed off chihuahua and while he was fast becoming one of the best detectives in his precinct, that didn’t mean he didn’t clash with the police department. But when the working week was almost over and it would only be one more hour until he got to see his boys, Mysta thought… “Maybe Night City isn't so bad after all..." 

But that was when once again, everything would change. 

“Mysta? Can I see you in my office?” Mysta stood to attention the moment he heard Sonny’s voice. 

“Yes captain!” He was one of the very few police officers he respected in the entire department and if it weren’t for Sonny, Mysta would have probably gone back home and given up on his dreams of being a detective. He didn’t usually meet with Mysta so close to the end of his shift, so he knew Captain Sonny had something important to say. 

And boy was it a doozy.  

"Congratulations Detective Mysta Rias! You've been promoted!” Sonny firmly gripped Mysta’s hand and shook it, grinning ear to ear as he delivered the news that couldn’t wait. “You've solved all the mysteries in Night City and now, Botanical City needs you! Will you answer the call?" 

"... Oh..."

If Sonny told Mysta he was being transferred after his first week in Night City, he’d have been jumping for joy and skipping through daisies. He’d been to Botanical City before and enjoyed how lush and green and beautiful it was, and noted it was a lot quieter and less busy than Night City. He could see himself putting down roots there for a long time, especially since it was only thirty minutes away from his mother by train… 

“Mysta?” But… a very small part of him wants to refuse the promotion. 

“If you don’t want to accept the opportunity, Mysta, I’ll completely understand.” Because while Mysta hated the city, hated how bureaucratic his current police department was and how it didn’t seem to care about the people they were supposed to be serving, he missed the sun, but… but…  

“It’s a big decision to change jobs and move, so I wouldn’t blame you for taking some time to sleep on it.” How could he tell his Luxiem gang he was going to leave them? They… they were his friends. Over time, they became his home away from home. They were… his family. 

But… deep down in his heart he knew leaving was the right decision. He knew he couldn’t stay in a place where he already accomplished everything he set out to do and that now was the right time to move on, even if it was going to be hard to say goodbye to them. 

“No need to sleep on it Sonny.” Mysta takes a deep breath, ignoring the strange hayfever allergy he had just started developing just now and was making his eyes water, what the heck?! "I'm ready to answer the call."  

II. 

But if I was gone tomorrow, won't the waves crash on?

Is it selfish that I'm happy as we pass the setting sun?

Someday I'll be overcast, but you won't have to cry

'Cause we'll do the grieving while I'm by your side

Mysta’s footsteps felt heavy as he saw Ike waiting for him patiently at the bus stop. “Happy Friday Mysta!” 

Mysta could only offer a half-hearted “hehe” in reply as they boarded the bus that would take them to Luxiem. Mysta slowly took out his bus pass before a rude passenger, one who looked eerily familiar to the guy who pushed him the first day he arrived in Night City, told him to “move his ass” and nearly knocked him over again. Mysta was prepared to bite his head off this time, but someone beat him to the punch… 

Ike was seeing red. “Excuse me? My friend wasn’t done paying for his fare. Wait your turn!” 

The guy was at least three feet taller than both Ike and Mysta, but the rude passenger put on a nervous, cheesy grin before slowly backing out of the bus and taking a seat at the bus stop, like he was a school child who had just been told by his teacher to sit in the naughty corner. Ike didn’t take his eyes off the rude fellow until the bus driver closed the doors, and started the journey to their destination. 

Once the jerk was out of Ike’s sight, the novelist’s mood brightened and he flashed a smile at Mysta, before hooking his arm in his. They walked to the back of the bus, where Ike liked to see everyone and everything. Mysta remembered that he said something about people watching being one of his biggest inspirations as a writer. 

When they found their seats, Mysta clung onto Ike’s arm and rested his head on his shoulder. He smiled, before whispering softly: “Thanks Ike.” 

“For what?” Ike winked, as they both quietly enjoyed the ride to Luxiem. Which was… unusual for Mysta. He enjoyed talking, he enjoyed chatting, but with Ike, he didn’t feel like he had to fill the silence. He felt safe, he felt comfortable… 

So that’s when he decided Ike would be the first person to know about his promotion. 

Deep down he hoped Ike would get mad, that he would tell him to buzz off and not come back to Luxiem to make leaving easier. He hoped the novelist would use that award winning wit of his and cut him to the core with his words, so he could sever his ties in a painful, but clean way. 

Instead, Ike took a deep breath and uttered the following words in his soft, beautiful voice. "I… I will be sad to see you go.”  

Mysta could see tears forming in the corner of the novelist’s eyes, but he let him continue. “But I think you're making the right decision. I want you to be happy and if this is what you have to do to be happy, I support you one hundred percent." 

And those were the magic words that finally made Mysta feel like he was making the right choice. 

He pulled the novelist into a bear hug so he wouldn’t start crying on the bus. 

“But will you at least write to me?” Ike asked. 

“Every week!” Mysta promised.  

When they get off the bus, they hold hands and don’t let go, not even when they have to push through the busy crowds, not even when they found Vox, Shu and Luca laughing and enjoying a jug of long island iced tea together. 

Mysta gulped down his own spit as he knew he was about to drop an anvil on them, but Ike squeezed his hand reassuringly and cried: “Hey guys! Mysta has something he wants to say.” 

III. 

Don't try to make yourself remember, darling

Don't look for me, I'm just a story you've been told

So let's pretend a little longer

'Cause when we're gone

Everything goes on

Mysta grew up as an only child in a very small family. It was just him, his mother and his aunt Nina, who helped raise him. Sometimes his cousins would come visit on special occasions and maybe he would have some school acquaintances journey an hour from the closest town to come celebrate his birthday, but most of the time the little fox cub would have to find ways to entertain himself. 

He never told his mother this, but every year on New Year’s day, when he, Mama Rias and Aunt Nina visited the fox shrine, he would wish for a brother to play with. He didn’t even have to be a fox like them, he just wanted the nicest brother the spirits had. 

“That’s the last box taped up, Mysta. Let’s take a break!” Sometimes Mysta thinks the big kitsune in the sky granted his wish when he met Shu. “And don’t worry, I won’t make you drink tea.” 

All the Luxiem boys had very, very busy lives. Vox and Shu had their bar to run, Ike had several deadlines to meet and Luca would spend his nights doing… activities… Mysta was highly suspicious of, but ANYWAY - Mysta half expected to only see them on weekends to have some last-minute fun together before they eventually ghosted him. 

So he was surprised when one day he walked into his flat after work and found that his boys had broken in. Vox was in his red little apron cooking dinner, Ike was cleaning the coffee table, Luca was bossing around big burly men in suits who were organising and moving his things into boxes while Shu fought off the Rice Demon that had been haunting his rice cooker since he moved in. 

“Hello my boy, did you have a good day at work?” Vox greeted him as if nothing untoward was happening in the background. 

Mysta was sure he would be a tired mess after sorting out everything by himself on the last day he would have before taking the train to Botanical City, but the Luxiem boys came in clutch.

“I… can’t believe you guys are being so nice to me after I said I was fucking off to a big new city. I’d be cussing and cursing myself right about now, hahaha!” Mysta chuckled as he hid his face behind his hot chocolate, hoping Shu wouldn’t notice how he was starting to sweat from head to toe. 

Shu blinked owlishly. “Why?” 

Mysta nervously gulped down his hot chocolate. “Well… Well, I’m leaving! You won’t see me again, for a while…” ‘If at all’ Mysta thought to himself, because his introverted ass was rubbish at socialising, let alone keeping friends. 

Shu put down his cup of tea and took Mysta’s hands in his. The sound of Luca playing games with his henchmen, sorry, “buddies” started to fade away as Shu’s voice took centre stage. 

“Back in ancient times, I once knew this kitsune… that means ‘fox boy’, in English.” Shu winked at Mysta. “I once knew this kitsune who would follow me and Vox everywhere we went. I wanted to ask him what he was doing, but Vox told me ‘no, let this boy come to us at his own pace.’ So we left him alone until one day, Vox and I were building a sandcastle on the beach, and the little kitsune said in the cutest little voice…” 

“Can I come play too?” 

“Aww!” Mysta giggled, picturing the little fox cub in his mind with fat chubby cheeks and sweet little furry ears. 

“Vox and I fell in love with him the moment he spoke, and we had been inseparable ever since.” Shu continued, warmth spreading through him as he remembered his childhood. “We were content to spend our days at Akuma Castle for the rest of our lives, until…” 

“Tokugawa.” Mysta chimed in. He had been warned not to mention that name in Vox’s presence early on in their friendship. 

“Tokugawa.” Shu nodded. “I warned my kitsune friend that it would be dangerous for us to stay at Akuma Castle while the invasion was happening. That no matter how much he wanted to be by Vox’s side, he was better off hiding with me until the battle was over.” 

Mysta noticed the way Shu was gripping his mug of tea, as the purple aura around him shifted from a soft and happy amethyst colour to the deep, dark purple of the Hyacinth flower, which Shu told him symbolised sorrow and regret. 

“He must have changed his mind in the middle of the night, because when I woke up the next morning, he was gone…” 

Another friend would have said “I’m so sorry” or “Oh Shu that’s terrible!” but instead, Mysta simply took Shu’s hand and squeezed it, letting his friend know that he was here for him and that he would listen until he finished. 

“I spent hours looking for him until I walked across the battlefield and saw him in Vox’s arms… My brain scrambled for a way to fix him, any spell or curse that would bring him back, but all I could hear was screaming… I’m not sure if it was me, or Vox crying our hearts out. Maybe if I had just supported his decision, I would have been in the right frame of mind to save him…”

Mysta shook his head and made eye contact with Shu: “You did everything you could to help him, Shu. What happened to him wasn’t your fault.” 

A small, grateful smile creeped up on Shu’s lips. “I’m sure you’re right Mysta. You’re always right.” 

Mysta wasn’t magically inclined at all, but he could feel a sudden burst of cursed energy overpower him and anchor him into his seat, as violet flames swarmed the room and danced around them. “Maybe I should curse you.” 

‘What?’ Mysta opened his mouth to scream, but was silenced by the feeling of Shu clutching his other hand. The sorcerer closed his eyes before opening his lids again, his irises glowing with demonic power that could rival Vox’s on any given day. 

“Mysta Rias.” Shu said in a deep voice that almost made Mysta shit his pants. “I curse you!” 

Mysta’s bottom lip wibbled, but he refused to cry. If he was going to die or be turned into one of those Akaname goblin things Shu had told him about when he forgot to tidy his flat, he wanted to go out with dignity! 

“I curse you to live a long and happy life.” Shu said. 

Huh? 

“I curse you to be surrounded by people who love you and support you.” 

Wha? 

“I curse you to be fated to meet with the boys again for as long as we are friends.” 

Was Shu using his cursed energy to… 

“And lastly, I curse you with never-ending good luck.” Shu winked as the flames of his magic started to die down, returning Shu’s aura to a calm and peaceful amethyst once more. “Not that you need it though.” 

Mysta took a deep breath before hugging Shu from across the kitchen table. “Thanks bro.” 

He buried his face in Shu’s neck before he could start crying, allowing his brother from another mother to return the embrace. “No problem bro. That’s what Shupport is here for!” 

“Mmm.” Mysta was so tempted to ask Shu if perhaps the kitsune looked anything like him or if he actually believed reincarnation was a thing, but decided that enjoying the company from the best brother he could have asked for was enough for now. 

When New Years came he was going to give the fox shrine the biggest offering he could afford! 

IV. 

And I'm so scared of getting used to this

All the vines that keep you tethered in your room

Someday both of us are leaving here

But for now, I'll just bring to the sea to you, ooh

Mysta had a secret. Before he left, Mama Rias had gifted him a photo album, so that he could fill it with memories. He thanked Mama Rias but said he didn’t think he’d have time to take pictures, but his mother insisted that he take the album with him. She said he would regret it if he made precious memories and didn’t put them somewhere! 

And as always, she was right. Mysta turned the pages of the album and gazed at all the photos they took together at the first carnival they visited as a group: Shu and him sharing ice cream at a cafe (he could still taste the chocolate on his lips, mmm!), him and Vox going through the tunnel of love (Mysta was always willing to do a solid for Ike), and Mysta winning a lion teddy bear for Luca, who was proudly holding his lucub up to the camera! 

Mysta took out that photo to stare long and hard at it. Luca always had the best ideas for group activities, so if he was going to make new friends in Botanical City, he would need to think just like Luca! 

“Maybe I could take him with me… Hmm…” As Mysta pondered this silly idea, a loud “bang!” disrupted his thoughts. He was going to yell bloody murder at whoever waltzed into his apartment until he saw Luca dressed in a fancy suit and hat, followed by his henchmen - sorry, “buddies”. 

Luca grabbed a chair and sat it facing towards Mysta, his golden eyes glaring into Mysta’s soul. “Detective Rias… Ri… Ass… Hehe!” 

“Boss, focus!” an older man who looked like he belonged in The Godfather chided Luca. 

“Right, right! Mean and evil boss time!” Suddenly Luca’s attention was focused back onto Mysta, who had to bite his bottom lip to make sure he didn’t start laughing. Not because he was afraid of Luca’s gang, but because it was so cute how Luca was trying so hard to be intimidating. 

Luca clicked his fingers. “Drop it, boys!” 

An avalanche of files, photos and strange objects flooded the floor of Mysta’s apartment, covering every inch of Mysta’s carpet. Mysta yelled “what the fuck I just cleaned in here!”, only for Luca to completely ignore him and take centre stage. 

“Detective Rias, you can’t move to Botanical City!” 

“And why is that?” Mysta was half-pissed about his apartment becoming an untidy mess, but half invested in whatever plan Luca was trying to execute. Just as long as it didn’t end with him being actually executed. 

“Because I am the evil and mean mafia boss, Luca Kaneshiro!” Luca announced to the world like he was spilling the biggest secret of the century. Luca’s henchmen, bless them, gave a resounding “Ohhhhhh!” to truly give his confession a dramatic effect. “That’s right Mysta, I’m not just Luxiem’s new bartender in training, I’m also… A criminal mastermind!” 

“Oh my God!” Mysta gasped, making sure he covered his mouth in a way that he hoped screamed: “I am truly caught off guard and never once suspected Luca of ever being sussy! Not even when he came to Luxiem with a million’s worth of diamonds in his gym bag! No sir!” 

“That’s right!” Luca smirked. “Oh my God.” The words I’d hope to hear from my long time enemy. You’ve been a pain in my ass all year, Rias! I’ve spent months evading your watchful gaze and that sniffing sniffly… nose of yours!” 

“It is hard to catch a criminal when they smell so good.” Mysta shrugged. What could he say? He liked Luca’s cologne. And he smelled a lot better than the criminals he usually tracked down.  

“Indeed! I have been outbesting you for a long time, it’s true!” Luca Kaneshiro said, before taking off his hat and passing his cane over to Godfather Henchman. He combed a hand through his hair and his cheeky little smile disappeared. “But that all ends today.” 

“It does?” What a shame, Mysta was enjoying this, whatever this was… 

“Yes! Because you can’t leave without putting me away, for all of this!” Luca dramatically spread his arms wide to gesture towards the mess he made. “THIS is evidence of all the crimes I have committed in Night City! And of all the crimes I will commit again unless I am put away!” 

Mysta picked up one of the files and saw photos of Luca’s buddies beating the shit out of a police officer, putting large bags of money into the backs of their trucks, and stealing puppies from the local animal shelter. 

Mysta always thought the picture of Luca holding a golden retriever was cute. 

“So you CAN’T leave Night City! You’ll have to stay for the lengthy court case it will take to put me away and even then, I’ll just escape and commit MORE crimes! How do you like that, Detective Rias?! Mwahahahahaha!” 

“Hmm…” Mysta pretended to contemplate what Luca had said as he looked at all the photos. “I would be able to put you away for a long time Luca Kaneshiro, especially since you’ve given me enough evidence to keep our team busy for weeks. Maybe months.” 

Mysta tried not to snicker at the way Luca’s puppy dog eyes started to light up when he thought it looked like Mysta was actually going to arrest him. The Godfather Henchman behind him started sweating and wiping his forehead with a napkin, while Luca’s other “buddies” shared concerned glances with one another.   

“So I’m not going to give the evidence team at the police department a headache over this.” 

Luca looked like his heart dropped out of his mouth. 

“You’re not?” Godfather Henchman started to pray to God in thanks for this miracle, while Luca got on his knees and begged to be convicted for his crimes. “B-but I’m a mean and evil mafia boss!” 

Yes, that is what it looked like from the photos, but Mysta knew the context behind them. 

That police officer getting the shit beaten out of him? He’s a serial sexual harasser and keeps getting away with it because his daddy is Mysta’s boss’ boss. That clown was better off in a hospital bed than being allowed to roam free on the streets. 

Those large bags of money? They belonged to a billionaire who avoided paying his taxes and alimony for his kids. A few hundred thousand dollars wouldn’t hurt his bank account, but would make a world of difference for families struggling to feed their kids in Night City. 

Those puppies Luca was stealing? They were going to be put down. At least with the mafia family, they would have a chance to live a long and happy life. Or at least that’s the impression Mysta got when Luca brought his new puppy to Luxiem. 

Normally, Mysta despised Mafia gangs. They chatted a load of shit about being a necessary evil, but the things Mysta had read about the kinds of crimes they committed in other cities made his stomach turn, and Mysta had already seen a lot in his short career. 

Stealing was wrong, beating people up was wrong, but Mysta was fucking proud of his friend for choosing to do the right thing again and again, even when it meant he had to completely change the Kaneshiro Mafia when he took it over from his father. 

Mysta Rias knows Luca Kaneshiro is a good boy. 

Mysta patted Luca on the head. “You deserve a second chance, so I’m going to go on this new journey with the belief that you’ll stay clean and help Vox and Shu run Luxiem. Keep this city safe for me while I’m gone, okay?”  

Luca took in a deep breath, trying to pull himself together before… 

He let out the loudest wail Mysta had ever heard. 

“WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH, MYSTAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” 

He climbed over the coffee table and tackled Mysta onto his couch for a hug. 

“I’LL BE A KIND AND GOOD MAFIA BOSS AND *SOB* MAKE SURE THE CITY STAYS SAFE UNTIL YOU COME BACK, O-OKAY?!” 

Mysta wanted to tear up too, but instead returned Luca’s embrace. 

“That’s my boy.” he managed to wheeze out as Luca squeezed the air out of his lungs. With his last bit of strength, he also managed to pocket the photo of Luca with his puppy. It would make a good story to tell Mama Rias when he finally saw her again. 

V. 

When you meet me in the daylight like we did before

Then I felt you on my shoulder, and you weren't suffering anymore

You said, "I'm sorry that you worry, but don't apologize"

I told you to forget me, but you stayed by my side

Mysta worried about whether Ike would get enough sleep, whether Luca would eventually get caught by a cop who was not as kind as him, and whether Shu could manage his responsibilities as a sorcerer and a club owner. But the one person he wasn’t worried about was the voice demon, Vox Akuma. 

“I’ve made you a packed lunch for your trip, so if you get hungry you don’t get robbed in broad daylight by the train company.” So far Vox was the only person in the friend group who hadn’t cried when he found out Mysta was leaving. In fact, he threw himself into assisting Mysta with his move to Botanical City. It was almost as if he was helping Mysta to leave… 

Which was great! Mysta didn’t want his friends to be sad! He was so relieved that Vox seemed to be hunky dory about the fact he was going! And would perhaps never come back! He complained his heart out to Vox enough times about all his life problems, maybe he was secretly pleased he wouldn’t have to listen to Mysta anymore!  

Vox was the social butterfly of Luxiem - confident, successful, handsome and well-liked, what would he need a whiny loser like Mysta for? 

Even though Mysta had returned the favour to that sensitive, equally whiny-ass demon when they sang their hearts out in their secret karaoke booth, pouring life’s hardships into song! 

Even though Mysta walked Vox home a couple of times after a late shift, because while the demon could take care of himself Mysta didn’t want him to be on his own when he only lived a few blocks away from the voice demon. 

Even though they’d spend hours together and never notice the time passing because seriously, one time Ike thought they had died because they were quietly enjoying each other’s company for a whole afternoon! 

So yeah, why would Vox ever need him? 

“I see you’re drinking your feelings again.” Shu noted. 

“Drinking my wha?” Mysta slurred.  

“I think you’ve had enough bro.” Shu gently took the glass of whisky away from Mysta, hiding it out of his sight and ignoring his protests. 

“But my friend is avoiding meeeeeee!~” 

“Are you sure that’s what he’s doing?” Shu asked as he cleaned Mysta’s glass. 

“... I don’t know.” Mysta shrugged, before laying his head on the table top. “Maybe he would be sad if I was leaving if I actually liked tea…”  

“Well why don’t you ask him about that when you go see him on your little date tonight.” Shu grinned as he started cleaning the countertop. Mysta raised his head and looked at Shu as if he had just grown a pair of wings. 

“I beg your pardon?” The sly sorcerer produced an envelope with the name “Mysta” elegantly written on it. Mysta carefully opened it as if a bomb would go off if he tore the paper, and slowly absorbed the address written in the letter into his drunken brain. Where had he heard of this place before… 

~ 

“Man, I shouldn’t have drunk so much…” Thank God the cherry blossoms were blooming and being scattered about in the wind, just like in those romance mangas Mysta loved to read. The fresh air and the full moon hanging in the sky were already doing wonders for his stomach. 

The walk from the station was also giving him time to try and remember where he had seen “Iluna Cafe” before. 

“Mysta! Mysta!” When Mysta heard his name being called in an accent that reminded him of home, all the memories of that night came flooding back to him. 

Mysta had just closed his first case and was ecstatic. He wanted to tell someone about it immediately . Luxiem was the first place he ran to and when he saw Vox, he grabbed the demon’s hands and started jumping up and down, and proudly told him how he helped find a missing child who was unharmed thanks to Mysta’s quick thinking. 

“Well this is a cause for celebration!” Vox asked an old friend, Oni Giri to cover his shift, so he could celebrate with “his boy.” Oni Giri, with a wink and a “you got it boss”, gave Vox his blessing to leave early. He also asked Mysta to make sure the boss had fun, as Vox hadn’t taken a break in ten days. 

With permission granted, Vox took Mysta by the hand and told him all about this café he had just been dying to try. “They have a big selection of desserts I know you’ll love,” he said. 

Mysta shook in his boots when he finally saw how fancy the place looked, knowing it would be too expensive for his paycheque, but Vox said “it’s on me.” He owed him one for helping him find his long lost friend Oni Giri. And as Vox said, “it was a special day.” 

Mysta hated owing anyone, but he also liked free food. The part of him that loved free food won! 

They wined, they dined and they were the envy of the whole café. No one there was having more fun than them when Mysta was ripping his boss a new one behind his back. “You should have seen his face Vox, he was so pissed that I found the kid before him! He looked like an angry hippo-hippa-hip-hip-hip-”

“Hippopotamus?” Vox grinned. 

“Yes Vox! You’re so smart!” 

Their mirth was so infectious that the horned waiter, which Mysta would later learn was named “Ren Zotto”, was smiling ear to ear when he took their empty plates from their main course. “I’m glad to see you’re enjoying the food. Would you and your boyfriend care for some dessert, sir?” 

“Wha?” Mysta’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. Not only out of shock, but to properly observe their surroundings. There were couples at every table, red love hearts hanging all over the crispy white walls and a musician playing romantic music on the violin. He wished he had noticed the décor and romantic atmosphere sooner, because he would have remembered it was Valentine's Day! Chocolate was going on sale tomorrow!  “Uh… no, we’re just homies, bro.”  

“Oh… Oh~” Ren blushed. “So does that mean I’ve got a chance-”

“We’d like some more wine now please.” Vox interrupted, a vein popping out of his head. 

“Oh, uh, sure!” The blush on Ren’s face went all the way down to his neck, but he still offered Mysta a little wink before he mosied on back to the kitchen. 

If Mysta had been with anyone else he would have immediately left, but before he could entertain the idea of running out the door, Vox and Mysta slowly turned to look at each other. The amused smirk on Vox’s face had them both bursting out into giggles, as if they were school children both in on a secret joke. 

“Here is a rose as beautiful as you are, my lord!” Mysta grabbed a flower from the vase sitting at their table and presented it to Vox with charisma any prince charming would be envious of. 

Vox for a snap second seemed shocked to be receiving a “romantic” gift, like he wasn’t used to receiving gifts of that nature even in jest, but instead of saying anything he snorted. “That’s a poppy, but thanks.” 

After taking the gift he also grabbed another flower from the vase and held it out towards Mysta: “I got you an oxygen daisy, just in case that greasy gourmet burger bursts your windpipe my lord!” 

Mysta gasps, takes the daisy and tucks it behind his ear: “Thank you, I feel so special and pretty!” He batted his eyelids for extra comedic effect, fully aware that the couple sitting at the table next to them were getting a kick out of their antics.  

“As you should my boy! As you should!” They cackled and returned to their drinks, bragging about how they were going to share this story with the other boys back at Luxiem. On the walk home, Mysta even suggested that they should actually pretend to be a couple and propose to each other to get free food, and Vox said that was a splendid idea, he loved acting and needed the practice! 

They never actually went through with the plan because Ike scolded them for wanting to cheat restaurant workers out of their hard earned money and Shu reminded Vox that making enemies was not good business practice. But Vox winked at Mysta when they weren’t looking and said: “Don’t worry boy, we’ll do it at least once! I promise.” 

While they had many good times together, Vox never did actually keep his word and Mysta doubted he would now. 

“Thank goodness Mysta, I thought you had gotten lost!” Mysta rolled his eyes at Vox. He wasn’t that dumb. 

“Yeah, well whatever Vox, what’s this all about…” 

Mysta’s jaw dropped once he got a good look at his friend. Well…. If the girlies back at Luxiem could see Vox now, they’d be swooning because gosh damn, Vox cleaned up nice in a suit AND he had tied his hair up in a cute ponytail. He’d even put a nice little poppy into his front pocket to make himself look even more handsome than he usually did. 

Wait… 

“Is this…” Mysta noticed that Iluna Cafe was almost completely empty and that Vox was holding a single flower in his hand. “Is… is that for me?” 

He was hoping Vox would hit him with sarcasm or flirty banter that would make a sailor blush, but instead Vox just stood there like he was taking in the sight of Mysta for one last time, with a smile as warm as a thousand burning suns. 

“Yes.” He quietly walked towards Mysta until he was standing right in front of him. “It’s for a very special boy who I foolishly let believe I don’t care about him because I was too busy crying my eyes out in the bathroom.” 

Ah. That would explain the frequent bathroom breaks and glassy eyes. 

‘I’m a fucking idiot.’ Mysta thought. 

“It looks just like the one you gave me a few months ago.” He still had the daisy sitting in a vase in his bedroom. He liked looking at it when he wanted to fall asleep at night. 

“You remembered.” Vox gasped, as if he was surprised Mysta would ever recall such an event.  

And… that was all it took to break Mysta.  

That daisy was the first gift he ever received from a friend and even months later, Vox still remembered how special that night was, when Mysta thought he had forgotten about it! 

So… fuck Botanical City!   

He wants to cancel his plans and just stay to be with Vox and his boys. To have tea together (even though he fucking hates tea) and eat together, drink together. To protect and support one another, to laugh through good times and bad together, to make stupid jokes with one another, to grow old together -  

But just as Mysta was about to burst into tears and tell Vox he had changed his mind… 

“When you have settled in…” Vox gently took the daisy and attached it to Mysta’s lapel. 

“And have made new friends and have solved your first case...” he tidied up Mysta’s collar. 

“I'll come visit you, and we’ll go to another café like this one...” And fixed his hat so it sat straight on his head. 

“And I’ll give you another daisy, just like this one." Vox whispered sweetly, stroking Mysta’s cheek. 

Mysta sniffles, tears brimming in his eyelids and warmth spreading throughout his body. He looked deep into Vox’s golden eyes before whimpering: "Promise?" 

Vox tenderly held Mysta’s face in his hands and placed the sweetest kiss on his cheek. "I promise." 

Mysta wraps his arms around Vox’s waist for dear life and buries his face in this chest, so he could commit this moment to memory. 

They hug like they will never let go of one another and in solidarity, ignore how the other one is barely keeping their tears in as they brace themselves to spend their last night together alone in Night City. 

A waiter with yellow and lilac hair gazed out the window of Iluna Cafe, watching the pair standing outside with concern. “Is one of them dying?” 

Kyo, the sous chef, shared his two cents as he threw popcorn into his mouth. He had been watching Vox and Mysta from the window ever since the fox detective arrived. “With the way they’re trying to hold it together, you would think so!” 

“They’re not dying Aster.” Ren smiles as he cleans the wine glasses and looks at the window, enjoying the romantic view of cherry blossoms flying in the wind. “They’re just best friends who love each other.” 

~ 

“So you were crying when we packed all my boxes away?” 

“Yep.” 

“When Luca told me he was a mob boss?” 

“Yep.” 

“When Shu cursed me to have good luck?”  

“Absolutely! Shu talking about the past had me prostrated on the floor. It took an hour for Luca and Ike to coax me out of your bathroom.” Vox chuckled as if he hadn’t been having an extreme mental breakdown. 

“Damn, I’m getting you a glass of water because you must be dehydrated bro.” Mysta almost poured the entire jug into Vox’s empty wine glass. “When I write my letters to Ike, I’m also going to remember to give you a phone call.” 

Vox blushed into his wine glass. “You don’t have to do that.” 

“But I want to.” Mysta grinned. “Isn’t tenderly taking care of your homies all a part of beautiful friendships?”

“... That is true.” Mysta felt relieved when Vox perked up and accepted the glass of water he held out to him. Mysta had no doubt that Vox would be fine, he always was, but that didn’t mean he didn’t want to support him. “I’m glad you have finally started listening to me young man.” 

“Tea is still shit though.” Before Vox could start malding and cursing up a storm that would make even Gordon Ramsey blush, Ren Zotto the head waiter came over to break up the playful banter and present Mysta and Vox with their bill. 

Mysta started hissing at the receipt when he saw how much the bill cost, before Vox chuckled and put it in his pocket. “Take it easy my boy. I’ve got this all under control.” 

Mysta was about to protest and insist that he would at least pay half the bill, before Vox winked at him and got down on his knees. Mysta felt his heart stop when the next few words came out of Vox’s mouth: “Oh Mysta! My son, my wife, my best friend, my sun and stars! My little daisy!” 

Mysta’s eyes nearly popped out of his head when Vox took out a tiny black box from his pocket. “Will you do me the honour of giving me your hand in marriage, my boy?” 

Mysta wanted to scream “have you lost your mind?” and speed dial the other Luxiem boys because while he loved Vox, he was NOT ready for the responsibility of marriage bro! No way in hell was he leaving Night City a married man! He didn’t even get to meet all the maidens he wanted to wine and dine yet! 

But when Vox opened the box and revealed a very familiar item, it jogged a hidden memory in Mysta’s mind. He made eye contact with Vox to make sure this was what he thought it was, to which Vox replied with his eyes: ‘You thought I forgot, didn’t you boy? Well hopefully this proves I keep my promises!’ 

“Oh my God, Vox!” Mysta gasped and covered his mouth with his hands, hoping he was giving an Oscar worthy performance. “This is so unexpected!”

When Mysta won that plastic ring for Vox at the carnival he and the boys visited, Mysta assumed Vox would throw it away because to be quite honest, it was junk. Mysta wouldn’t have been offended if Vox put it in the trash and never thought about it again, but the fact the old demon kept it for the “we’re getting married, give us free food!” scam proved that not only were they only on the same wavelength, but would be best friends for hopefully a very long time. Distance be damned! 

“What do you say my love?” Vox batted his eyelids for dramatic effect. “Will you say yes?” 

“Of course my darling snookums! Take me away!!!” 

Mysta fake-swooned into Vox’s arms. Vox gently picked up Mysta bridal style and walked out of Iluna Cafe, basking in the applause of Ren Zotto and Aster Arcadia, one of whom was crying “you make such a beautiful couple!” and the other screaming: “I knew these crazy kids would get together someday!” 

Kyo however, was not impressed. 

“Hey! Hey!” he angrily called after them as Vox made a break for it. “Get back here, I know you’re straight!!!”  

“Actually, we’re bisexual!” Mysta giggled as he waved Kyo goodbye. 

“Laugh now, but I’ll catch up to you!” Kyo yelled as he chased them down the street. 

“Well good luck he’s leaving soon and I’m a demon, I can outrun the devil himself!” Vox cackled as he carried Mysta off into the night, the moon blessing him with fast feet until Kyo gave up on trying to outrun an immortal demon. 

Vox and Mysta thought they had gotten off scot free until Ike asked them why they were on the front cover of the newspaper, where the headline implied that world renowned chef Vox Akuma had taken a bride while dining and dashing. 

“Ugh, can’t a couple of gal pals just have a fun night out anymore? What happened to supporting women’s wrongs?” 

“MYSTA!” And that yell was when Vox and Mysta knew they had pulled off the best scam of all time. 

VI. 

Don't try to make yourself remember, darling

Don't look for me, I'm just a story you've been told

So let's pretend a little longer

And when we're gone, ah

Everything goes on

Welp. Today was finally the day. And Mysta had made it onto the platform for his train to Botanical City, without crying a single tear! He’s super proud of himself for acting like a masculine giga chad and staying strong for his friends. 

“I love my boys and all, but I couldn’t bring down the mood, you know? As the alpha male I can’t cry like a baby bitch in front of them.” 

“Uh-huh…” Fulgar Ovid, the train driver, seemed unconvinced, but kept his opinions to himself. Mysta was about to talk his ear off about how as the alpha male he would come back to his group to share tales of his seventeen maidens and other giga chad activities, but before he could set foot on the train… 

"MYSTA!" a choir of very familiar voices called out his name. 

The fox detective nearly dropped his luggage. “No fucking way…”  

All his friends were running down the platform, dodging baby strollers and disgruntled passengers to make sure they got to their friend in time, before the last train to Botanical City would take him to his next grand adventure. 

“Looks like your pack is here.” Fulgar grinned, but Mysta was too enraptured by his friends to come up with a witty reply. 

“MYSTA!” The group shouted while holding a bunch of gifts in their arms. “WE HAD TO SEE YOU OFF PROPERLY!” 

“You absolute dumb asses, my train leaves in five minutes!” Mysta shouted back with a smile on his lips and tears streaming down his face, forgetting all about impressing Fulgar. 

As the Luxiem boys showered Mysta with gifts and joined in a group cuddle one last time, Mysta finally gave himself permission to cry with his homies, as they had cried for him all this time. He didn’t care if strangers heard him howling like a lost pup in the forest, especially when the boys, his boys, ran all the way here to see him. 

“Thank goodness, I thought he’d never let it all out!” 

“POG!”

“I’ve got some tissues if you need them.” 

“You’re so cute when you cry!” 

“I’m not crying!” Mysta whined. “It’s hayfever, and I’m allergic to being apart from you guys!”  

After final farewells, he reluctantly goes onto the train with his luggage and arms full of gifts, and is grateful Fulgar gives him a sliver of more time to get into his seat so he can look out the window to find his boys. 

As the train finally moves, Luca, Shu, Ike and Vox start running along the platform, using every last second to wave goodbye and shout out their last well wishes before Mysta leaves Night City.  

“Looks like you made some good friends here Detective.” Fulgar said as they moved farther and farther away. 

Mysta took a deep breath. 

Night City was cold and dark. The food tasted like crud and everyone seemed to have a chip on their shoulder. And the rent was too damn expensive! 

And worst of all… it was where his best friends lived. 

“I did.” Mysta smiled, giving Shu, Luca, Vox and Ike one last wave. As the boys turned into tiny dots in his vision, he looked out onto the horizon, optimistic about his bright future. He made the right choice moving to Night City, so he trusted his judgement and was sure more good things were going to come. “I love them, Mr. Train Driver. I really do.”