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Lupin III was not a name one associated with domesticity. Not even when he was married. Sure he had his crew – the authorities had been calling them the Lupin Gang for years…but not Pops – and sure he did some basic or on occasion elaborate cooking but the archetype of domestic bliss was not one often connected to the famous thief. And yet tonight here he was, getting out of his arctic cold and soulless linen bedsheets, thinking back to younger days.
Not even the days when he was VERY green and inexperienced, flirting with anyone with a pulse. Or the days before he followed in his grandfather’s legendary footsteps. The days that came to mind on this cold and lonely night? Were much more recent. Before he got married Fujiko and him had engaged in a dance that had steps only they knew how to follow. Lupin would have found out how to walk on the stars themselves or bring back ancient gemstones from Jupiter if Fujiko had asked in those days. He had saved her from their combined chaos many times in the past, betrayal or no betrayal. After all betrayal is a woman’s greatest asset right? Lupin smiled as he thought back to the feeling of her touch. As light as lace and as sensual as Aphrodite herself incarnate.
He tried to deny it now and it had been a few years since the divorce but he still loved her. He had tried to romance and woo other women but no one captured him the way she had. It didn’t matter if it was Countess Teresa, the refined Florence Levasseur or the innocent Patricia the village girl from the town near one of the group hideouts. He always turned them down or the pursuit became ice cold for him when he got close. That was why he was on his own tonight. He had asked to spend some time away from Jigen and Goemon under the guise of ‘planning their next big heist’ but Jigen had seen through him as he always did. Yet he hadn’t called him out on it. Not this time.
Lupin looked over to the empty bed one last time, imagining what had been. What he had lost. And what he looked for yet again. Knowing it was long gone and he’d have to be very honest to have it back. More honest than he had ever been…even with Fujikochan. No…saying that felt wrong now. Even with Fujiko Mine. He walked out of the quite frankly – terrible by his standards – hotel room and started to sing the first song that came into his mind.
Lace and linen on my skin
Waiting for a day I’m back in your arms.
Kissing you would do me in but
I don’t mind.
Far too many years ago
Has it been since I knew how to romance,
From then on I push them back
another time
As the seconds fade away
Hours to the day
I see them fade to grey.
I should ask myself,
Am I afraid of love?
Time is slipping through my hands
Out of my command
There’s nothing left to say
Dare I ask myself,
Am I afraid of love?
Fujiko Mine the heart stealer extraordinaire and queen of jewels and heists looked around herself, lost in thought. She was supposed to be happy. She’d finally escaped the gravitational pull of that incredibly obnoxious persistent monkey man! And yet nothing felt quite right. Her home such as it was, was empty and felt abandoned. Glittering like a star full of diamonds and jewels and memories but they all reminded her of GOD DAMN LUPIN!
She pointed vaguely in a random direction. That piece of gold? Was the only surviving relic of the gold of the Fuma clan. That thing on the other side? Was the printing sets for the legendary Cagliostro goat bills. She knew that name was technically incorrect but who was going to complain about her using Lupin’s name for them? She then pointed to a beautiful ruby and couldn’t help but smile as she remembered a heist they went through in Rome shortly after the Vespania incident. He’d tried to propose to her yet again but there were no diamonds large enough for her mood at the time so she’d challenged him to find the largest ruby in Rome. Surprisingly he’d actually succeeded and charmed her a little that day. Failed marriage or not she was still allowed to remember some things fondly. Wasn’t she?
Slowly she began to think of her recent suitors since her and Lupin had lived apart and knew they weren’t worthy of her. Dukes, Lords and genuine smitten men who didn’t know her history or reputation. Half of them were rich arrogant fools who simply wanted a sexy bimbo trophy wife. While the other half genuinely thought they were in love with her but only loved their fantasy of her. Not the real her. Why couldn’t any of them see her? See through her masks to take her by the hand the way he had? Why did he have to be the only one?
She looked at the linen on her bedroom floor and began to toss and turn, fighting the urge to scream as she tried to imagine his touch again. His sweet nothings. His genuine openness he had only with her. How good it felt to be honest with her thief. The only person who had stolen the only thing she had that was of any true value. She began to hum herself to sleep, not realising it was a tune that was echoing through a forest on the other side of the world.
Many chances come and gone
Seen them in, and waved them on the way out.
Lie awake and wonder what’s so wrong with me?
Linen on my bedroom floor
Lace is on my shoulder, coming undone.
Salt and water crash on, like a stormy sea
As the seconds fade away,
Hours to the day
I see them fade to grey.
I should ask myself,
Am I afraid of love?
Time is slipping through my hands
Out of my command
There’s nothing left to say
Dare I ask myself,
Am I afraid of love?
Lupin sang softly as he walked through the forest next to the small village, he was currently sequestered in. The trees were stunning. Tall oaks, ashes and Norway spruces shot up into the sky around him as he began to think of possible heists in the area. Possibly Scotland had some jewels hidden away? Or beautiful genuine art pieces? Or maybe it would be worth making a visit to France? He did miss good quality Quenelles among other things.
Plus, they did have a hide out in one of the small towns on the border. There was almost certainly something worth stealing and if they bumped into Fujiko along the way? All the better. He remembered the warmth of her touch and sensuous kisses, both on the occasions when she was unguarded and when she had an ulterior motive and smiled softly. Damn it he was in love with her and he wouldn’t be Lupin III if he didn’t love Fujiko Mine.
“We may have our issues…but I hope I see you soon Fujiko-chan. The thrill of the steal isn’t as fun without you. I miss you…and I always will.” He whispered softly into the wind before returning to his song, with one final refrain.
Lace and linen on my skin
Waiting for a day I’m back in your arms.
Kissing you would do me in but
I don’t mind.
Far too many years ago
Has it been since I knew how to romance,
From then on I push them back
another time
As the seconds fade away
Hours to the day
I see them fade to grey.
I should ask myself,
Am I afraid of love?
Time is slipping through my hands
Out of my command
There’s nothing left to say
Dare I ask myself,
Am I afraid of love?