Title: The Next Best Thing
Author: Janeth "JavaG" Rhian
Email: rune_sphinx@yahoo.com
Anime: Lupin III
Pairing: Zenigata x Jigen
Disclaimer: NC 17 Yaoi. Lupin (c) Monkey Punch. This poem may not be altered or copied in anyway. No copywrite infringement meant. This is a parody done for entertainment value only.
Summary: After Lupin's death, what will happen to his best friend, Jigen, and his most persistent follower? This is a "what if senario I wanted to explore.

Dedicated to Spug 2K4. Inspired by her Zenigate x Jigen picture she did that made me think about this unusual yaoi pairing. Hey, it could happen.

The Next Best Thing
By Janeth Rhian

Hot breath whispers in softness unmatched
As I sit alone in the dark
Night after night
Scotch is my best friend
Wishing to hear you stupid laughing monkey face
Waiting to see your skinny ass walk though that door
Like nothing happened
Then we'd laugh, getting plastered on Jim Beam and champagne
But it won't happen
You're dead now
I always thought that we'd go out together in a huge blow up
Shining like gods in the fray
Not in some back alley
A knife in your back
I was too slow
Too dumb with booze to think straight

I take a swig from the bottle
Burning liquid coats my sore throat
My eyes can't cry anymore

A knock at the door
I know who it is but I don't bother to acknowledge his looming presence
How must the old man feel right now?
Twenty years of his life wasted on chasing a shadow
Only to have his prey taken from him so cheaply
The old man fills the door jab
His wide shoulders slumped, defeated
He's as drunk as I am
Hurting, lost, confused
We don't bother with silly words and sentimental bullshit
About how any minute how Lupin will walk through the door
Grinning like a tomcat and everything will be back to normal
I've seen Lupin "die" so many times during our partnership
We all came close to death many times
Finally the luck of the world's greatest thief ran out
Gambled all his worth and lost
Grim Reaper claimed his chips at the table
Don't pass go and collect $200
No get out of jail free card

The old man shuffles to sofa looking like his will to live was killed
In my booze muzzled brain, I have a twinge of something like empathy

For Totsan his life is over ... in a way
Mine ... hell I don't know what to think that hard
All I wanted to fill at this moment was numbness
I reach for the bottle
I didn't want to feel cuz feeling meant feeling much worse
Remembering that my best friend won't be coming back
Totsan takes the bottle from my hand and he drinks
Long and hard
He doesn't even bother telling me I'm under arrest and flashing the handcuffs
Lifting his head
Connecting eyes lost in grief
Tenderness looking back at me
No pressure, no asking
A simple statement
Gentle kisses upon smiling lips
Not because you asked me
Or told me or forced me
As hands reach to give comfort that we both desire
Because there is no one else in the world who'd understand our loss

Exposed two bodies
Lost in mourning of a charming side burned thief
Whose smile I'd just love to see one more time
Hands move below
My lips rise to meet
Reaching deep to draw out the passion
You've set inside me
I am not longer self-concious of silly things like getting caught
Wholely incredibly comfortable
In the safety of strong arms
Hold me tighter
Convulsions throwing me in waves of painful pleasures
Moans escape my lips
Limp and lifeless I become nothing but feeling in a sea of grief
Tears ... cried don't know if they are mine or yours

Overtaken ... sweet torture ...
If I concentrate I can almost see 'him' over the outline of you
So sweet the pain of living when desire burns so strong
Underlying tones of cosmic
Then we are spent
Reality slams into my heart
You are not coming back
Totsan slumbers deeply besides me
In dark places where old enemies meet on open ground
A truce, a reprieve
Is the next best thing