Eric Surt (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
redstray) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
homralings2014-11-30 10:45 pm
redstray) wrote in homralings2014-11-30 10:45 pm
Entry tags:
Writing Prompts Catch All
Every week (Or two weeks) Three prompts will be given to write a drabble based off of any character from K. Feels, hilarity, action, drama, more feels will ensue
no subject
old drabble things
Week 1
1301. Black and White
1532. Never leave me again
Never leave me again
What day was it…? Doesn’t really matter. Since he’s awake, he might as well take a shower and head to the bar. It’s not like it’d be empty, no matter the time. And well…if it is empty, he can at least do things there; there’s always something in the bar that needs to get cleaned for more reason than he needs something to do.
Mind made up, he got out of bed. On his way to his shower, the date flashed in the corner of his vision. December 7th.
[blah blah blah nnot interesting currently sooooo]
He stopped, feet almost stuck to the ground at the sight before him. Tatara was in the bar, laughing as he swept up something that he’d probably gotten onto the floor with that ridiculous smile spread across his face.
He never thought he’d see it in person ever again, and the few pictures and recordings they had of him would never ever be the same.
No sound came out the first time he tried to speak. He swallowed, a lump rising in his throat. “Totsuka?”
The boy gave him a bright smile, different from the last one slightly. “Good morning, Kusanagi-san. Did you sleep well?”
Inside of him, a mass of words were trying to bubble out—you’re alive, you’re alive, you’re here, it must have been good sleep if my best friends aren’t dead anymore, I hope this isn’t a dream, but this probably isn’t reality…the words bubbled and boiled inside of him like his emotions and flames had so many times, and he tamped them down, just like his flames. Instead, he smiled, walking over and ruffling Tatara’s hair. “You bet.”
Tatara gave him a mildly disbelieving look and shrugged. “That’s good. Since you’re here, maybe we should get most of the stuff for Anna’s birthday today while both of them are still sleeping.”
“Sure,” Izumo agreed, looking down at his friend. “But if you’re planning on filming something for her tonight, I’m coming with you.”
Starting backward, Tatara stared up at Izumo. “Did I tell you about that…?” he asked, trailing off into thought at the end.
“It ain’t that hard to think you might want to, seeing as how you’ve been recording things a lot outside of this place recently.”
[skipping for now because]
Izumo swore, hovering over his friend’s body, already calling an ambulance. He was here this time. He’d been here and Tatara was still shot, still bleeding out on this rooftop, maybe still going to die.
He was here, and he wasn’t even able to stop his friend from being shot. Here he’d been thinking (hoping) that maybe this was another chance—a chance to actually see his friends grow old, or at least older, than they had in that nightmare.
The paramedics arrived, and rushed Tatara away. Izumo stood there, shock still freezing his muscles and stopping his mind from acting. It wore off. He pushed past the people there maybe to make sure he was okay, maybe to make sure he wasn’t going to rush off after the guy who did it (what good would that do? He knew how Homra would function after it lost Tatara and Mikoto, why would he ever try and see if they would work any better after losing him?), maybe to make sure he wasn’t doing what he was doing right now—following Tatara.
People stopped him, multiple times, but he gently (maybe less gently) got them to let go of him and so he continued, until he reached the actual ambulance with Tatara inside.
[‘ll add this stuff later more importantly--]
Sitting on the hospital bed beside him, Izumo carefully hugged Tatara, taking extra care to make sure he didn’t jostle his friend and his wound. Tatara’s head was almost pressed into Izumo’s chest; Izumo’s head was almost resting on top of Tatara’s. Taking a shaky breath, Izumo mumbled, “Never leave me again.”
Cautiously, Tatara wrapped his own arms around Izumo, leaning away slightly to speak. “I’d never leave you or King or the rest of Homra behind. Not on purpose. You know that Kusanagi-san.” There was almost a smile on Tatara’s face, despite the worried look not quite hidden in his eyes.
Izumo bopped him on the head, too gently to earn a cry of pain from Tatara. “Then don’t scare all of us like this again.”
Tatara frowned at him and rubbed his forehead against Izumo’s collarbone. “I didn’t do it on purpose!”
That earned a short bark of laughter from Izumo. “Yeah. Doesn’t make it any better for those of us waiting.”
“Well…” Tatara tugged lightly on some of Izumo’s hair, leaning backward to try and look him in the eyes. “It worked out, didn’t it?”
It’ll work out…sorry. The words from that dream rang in his head, but Izumo smiled anyway. “I guess it did.” This time.
The door opened, Mikoto pausing in the doorway with a raised eyebrow.
Izumo rolled his eyes. “Come over here, Mikoto. You should hug him too.” With that dream, he needed to hug them both. They were here still—they didn’t leave him alone.
--
I'd add more but I haven't been thinking of things that'd work in the blanks and Idunno okay. Sounds off to me but I don't really care at this point orz I just wanted to kinda finish something. maybe'll try and start writing that other option. on the bright side this is way happier than I thought it'd be?
Never leave me again
Shouhei shifted to his side, adjusting the tiny pillow beneath his head just a bit. The couch San-chan had wasn't very big or comfortable, but it'd make do until he was able to find a new job and get back on his feet again. He was just happy San-chan had said yes and let him stay over. Not that he thought he would say no, but he knew how upset he'd been and...
Shouhei sighed, shifting again to roll onto his back. Okay so, the couch wasn't really all that uncomfortable, but if so, why was he having such a hard time falling asleep?
"Weird," he said aloud, but then quickly hushed himself when he heard the creak of footsteps in the hall, and a click of the bathroom light sent a flood of yellow across the living room ceiling.
---
Bandou paused, hand on the light switch. Why had he gotten out of bed again? Oh right, the bathroom. No wait that wasn't it. He hadn't been able to sleep and...
He looked up, seeing the illuminated back of his living room couch. From the hallway you couldn't tell there was anyone sleeping on that couch.
Bandou glanced into the bathroom briefly before looking back at the couch.
---
Shouhei had been holding his breath, staring up at the light shining across the ceiling.
He breathed out slowly and quietly. Why didn't he want Bandou to know he was still awake, anyway?
There was a huff, and the light suddenly flicked off. Heavier footsteps than had came into the hall, suddenly exited. Alone again, Shouhei relaxed into the couch, turning to see if sleeping on his right side would work.
---
Bandou flopped face-down onto his bed. If he could just fall asleep, he'd wake up tomorrow and Shouhei would be there eating breakfast at the kitchen table and everything would be fine and normal. He wouldn't have to think about the past and remember that day Shouhei had told him he was moving away with his parents. Or all the days that followed where he'd needed someone to lean against and there had been no one.
But Shouhei was here. He'd come back from Sopporro and was asleep on the living room couch, so why couldn't he just fall asleep, himself?
"Uggghhh!!" Bandou groaned loudly into his pillow.
---
Laying on his right side hadn't helped. Shouhei'd been staring at the reflection on the blank T.V. screen for nearly ten minutes now. He sighed. Had he really upset San-chan that much by leaving? His old bosses said he'd been emailing them nearly nonstop. He hadn't meant to hurt San-chan, just wanted to help his mother out, but...
"I'm sorry..." Shouhei whispered to the silhouette of Bandou that slowly appeared on the screen's shiny surface. His eyes widened suddenly when he realized that really was Bandou, who had emerged from his room yet again and was standing in the kitchen.
Apparently, Bandou hadn't heard Shouhei speak, and he bit at his lip wondering if he should repeat his apology. He sat up, slowly, peering over the back of the couch. Bandou was getting a drink of water from the sink.
"San-chan, are you okay?"
"Nothing!" Bandou jumped, answering all too quickly. "I mean, yeah I'm fine! Just getting water..." He choked down the rest of his water before hurriedly shuffling off back to his room.
---
45 minutes later and Shouhei was still restless. After Bandou left the kitchen, Shouhei had laughed and thought, "Same old San-chan." But something was still bothering him. It must have been, because he was still lying here, mind abuzz with concern.
"Move over," Bandou was standing over Shouhei with two giant pillows in hand and a long comforter trailing behind him.
"Ah! San-chan?" Shouhei startled. He hadn't noticed Bandou enter the living room at all, this time.
"I said move over."
"It's a small couch, San-chan," Shouhei gave his signature smile and laugh, despite his confusion at his friend's request.
"Well, then sit up and make room."
Shouhei obliged and Bandou tossed a pillow into his lap before nestling down next to him and tucking the blanket around them both.
A heavy silence fell between them and Bandou slowly drew his knees up to his chest. Even though he was seated right next to him, if he closed his eyes, it pretty much felt like Shouhei was still gone. He shook the thought out of his head. He had to say something.
"Don't ever do that to me again."
"Ah?" Did Shouhei really need to question what Bandou meant? Probably not, but the silence was broken so abruptly that the expression came out without him even thinking.
"Leave."
"Oh. I don't want to. I missed everyone too much," he paused, smiling his usual smile. "I missed you, San-chan."
Bandou blinked a few times and quickly looked to the side. He was in his pajamas, not covered up like he usually was and well, everything he was feeling was just written all over his face.
Shouhei's smile slipped at Bandou's reaction. He couldn't quite see his face, but he could sense the unease. Was this way San-chan wore those giant sunglasses all the time?
"San-chan...?"
"Shut up--" He knew Shouhei was trying to see the expression in his large, dark eyes, but that said too much; that said everything. But he had to show him something. So, Bandou turned just precisely enough to lean his head dependently against Shouhei's shoulder, "...just don't go anywhere, okay?"
The smile returned to Shouhei's face at the contact. "I won't. We're comrades, remember." That's something San-chan had taught him, all that time ago.
Bandou blinked. That wasn't exactly what he needed to hear but--
"No," Shouhei pondered, and rested his own cheek against the top of Bandou's head. "More like family."
It was silent for a good moment before Bandou finally responded.
"Go to sleep, idiot." It was a typical San-chan response, but Shouhei could tell that he'd said it with a smile.
Week 2
1380. Finally together
1427. Once again
bad balance but idc--posting because I already....wrote a thing ahahahahahaaaaa and so needed the top level comment thing yes
He couldn't even begin to understand what he'd done to deserve this
It certainly wasn’t something he’d expected, all those years ago when he’d met Mikoto and the years later when he first met Tatara—but he didn’t mind.
At that time, it was hard to imagine a life where Mikoto didn’t become their king, where the three of them didn’t become friends (or whatever word best described them now).
But that was before. Before the night not so long ago where he’d been called to a rooftop and watched one of his best friends die in Yata’s arms. Before he had to call Mikoto, not for the first time, and tell him some bad news—though this was by far the worst news he’d ever had to share.
Before Mikoto’d caught the Colorless King, and before his two best friends were hopefully reunited.
After, it was still hard to imagine a life where Mikoto didn’t become the Red King, where they didn’t take his hands. It was easier to imagine a world where Tatara never told them the warning he’d gotten from Anna, where he didn’t share the fears that Blue (Shiotsu) had planted, where Mikoto shut them out even more than he did.
Even a world where they didn’t have the words (or they weren’t discovered that day), or their words were different—not each other’s or not the same, or not all three of theirs—was easier to imagine than a world where they didn’t take Mikoto’s hands.
Now he was alone, though. Not really alone—he had the rest of Homra still; Anna, Yata, Kamamoto, and the others. But he was still alone, in a way. Tatara’d never whine at him and sprawl against him like that’d help his case again (it usually didn’t). Mikoto’d never
break something in the barsmile slightly at the antics of his clansmen, or ask Izumo for food even though he could get it himself.They were gone now. He couldn’t even begin to imagine what he’d done to deserve that.
(Rationally, he knows that’s not how it works. His thoughts aren’t always rational, for all his spoken words are.)
okay I posted a quickly written thing /flees into the night and sleeps
I GUESS THIS IS once again BUT UH
11:45pm
You know how this will end.
You tried to convince him to stay, to wait for you, to take someone else with him, but he refused, smiling and saying that catchphrase of his that shouldn’t fill you with dread but does. How could it not? In less than half an hour you’ll likely be hearing the corrupted form again.
He knew you were worried. He’s good at telling things like that, but he wants to film the cityscape for Anna. You can’t deny her anything, but it would really be better if he couldn’t, didn't, go this night. Couldn’t go onto that rooftop and—BANG!
Your phone rings. You pick up, already knowing it’ll be him speaking, panting with a hole in his chest.
Again. You wave for Yata-chan to follow and run, run, run. He’s fairly close by, has to be since he left not too long before, and this time—every time but the first—you don’t have to search. He half-babbles in your ear as you run up the stairs, taking two at a time to reach him faster.
(You wonder why you thought sending someone with him might help—Mikoto’s too unstable for the task; his sword would just fall earlier, and Munakata might not be there to stop him. Only a King can kill a King, and a King is who they’d have to face. They might’ve been able to save Totsuka, but he doesn’t want to lose anyone else. Totsuka wouldn’t like that as the price of his life.)
He's dying again, always in Yata’s arms as emotions bubble up your body, feeling like your flames the first couple of months after the three of you started this kingdom. You tamp it down, just like before.
You know what will follow.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. It’ll work out…I’m sorry.”
Don’t.
Don’t apologize. Not when you’re the one who couldn’t save him, couldn’t change this day even though you don’t know how many times you’ve found yourself back at it.
Don’t look at you so sadly, as life leaves him, once again. Don’t apologize for something he couldn’t help.
You turn away, closing your eyes as you pull up your phone to make a too familiar phone call. “Sorry, Mikoto. I’ve got bad news.”
This time it plays out the same as the last. Within two weeks, both of your friends are dead. Again.
When you wake up, it’s December 7th once again. You aren’t sure if you should feel relieved to see them or sad for what is soon to come.
1259. He couldn't even begin to understand what he'd done to deserve this
But then there were the rest of them. Kusanagi-san and Chitose with their multiple girls a month. Kamamoto got all the girls in summer and then he even had that one girl who fawned over him like crazy in winter. Even Yata had chicks checking him out at the beach that time. Which was total BS cause the twerp could hardly even keep a normal toned face while talking to a girl.
Dewa probably had someone on the side. He thought he'd heard him mention someone once or twice, but it'd be like him to keep whoever it was out of his HOMRA life. And Shouhei...Damnit. Just thinking about him and Saya-chan still made him angry.
But him? He didn't have anyone. He'd never had anyone. No one was ever interested.
Bandou gave a frustrated groan and pulled the pillow out from under his head. He gripped it close to his chest. It was cold now, but in a few minutes it'd be warm from his body head and then maybe he could imagine it was something other than a pillow. Another person. Someone who wanted to hold him and let him fall asleep with his head rested against their chest.
He buried his face in the pillow, shaking slightly from how tight he was clinging to it. There was a pain in his chest and a stinging chill that ran through him. Was the term heartache supposed to be taken literally? Because that's what it'd felt like, no question.
Once Again (This is very bad and such guilty pleasure)
Once Again
Kusanagi stared up at the sign that floated near their heads in stone. The way the atmosphere was around them with the sun shining and birds flying everywhere it almost looked like a joyous day.
Once again they were at this place.
Once again, they were at the cemetery.
Not to say they were burying anyone, no. This had been a request to the bartender. An unlikely request from an unlikely person.
And that person was with him and two others.
As he stubbed out his cigarette he looked over to the side. Totsuka and Fujishima were waiting patiently just like him for the other to make any sort of movement on where they were to go. Inside, or outside. In the cemetery, or back to the bar.
Kusanagi vaguely thought this was the longest they had lasted so far as he eyed the growing blond in between the others. Eric’s look was of either concentration, fear, confusion or anger that all managed to go into the face of the normally masked young man.
Two months ago, Kusanagi had received the strange request. He had almost saw it coming from the week of restlessness that was radiating off of him. So when he was closing and he spotted Eric taking a seat at the counter and speaking softly, unsure of any of the words coming out of his mouth, the bartender listened intently, willing to aid the younger one in whatever he was trying to ask. He was not, however, ready for what was to come.
‘I want to see my parents.’
Kusanagi could not remember the last time he had to ask a more awkward question then: Aren’t your parents, well, dead?
The whole conversation turned from awkward to silence when Eric tried to explain that indeed, they were departed, but he had no idea where they had been buried. And that it was during the funeral he had been taken by his previous gang. He wished to see where they had been buried to pay respects.
Kusanagi wasn’t going to ask what spawned this question, or the very reason why he wanted to see his parents tombstones, the only thing he did ask were names, and anything that may help deciding where they might have been buried. To have watched Eric struggle remembering his father’s name would have been quite amusing if it weren’t so sad. He supposed just calling them ‘mom’ and ‘dad’ were more natural to a young child but from the frown appearing on Eric’s face, he doubted that would’ve been any consolation.
They were quite easy to find by last name alone. There weren’t a lot of foreigners in Japan, let alone just in Shizume City and they did not exactly have a very common last name either. Within just a few days of calls and searches he finally came to find the two. When he went to notify the other of his findings, the myriad of emotions that went in and out of his eyes was confusing as it was concerning. Totsuka and Fujishima had also been told of this small request and offered their support to the blond, which at least made him a little more comfortable. Kusanagi mentioned that he would help by driving them there whenever he was ready to see them.
The first visit lasted less than twenty minutes and they barely got out of the car before Eric began snapping at everyone, refusing to leave the van until they were safely back at the bar with more questions than answers. Kusanagi couldn’t believe how patient Fujishima was, as the red head tried his best for hours trying to get the other to calm down and not try to attack Yata after a small comment. He was more than glad that his bar was safe from any scorch marks or damages.
The second time, Eric had managed to get out of the van to walk a few feet until the cemetery came into view then he stopped. Fearing for another fistful, snapping attack the three escorts were prepared for anything. Except for watching the blond shake his head and begin to tremble. The bartender didn’t realize that Eric could move so fast as he ran off to who knows where, Fujishima shocked as much as he was and Totsuka jogging lightly to see where the other was off to.
It took half the day to find him. Chitose had managed to locate him in between a bunch of crates and a large garbage dump. When he was brought back he was greeted with relieved worry and positive energy. Another day he began to eat a small amount again. Two more before they finally heard him speak. As Eric napped on the couch one rainy fall evening Fujishima wondered if doing this was a good idea at all, seeing the struggle that was going on inside the young man. Kusanagi could only wonder the same thing.
Here they were, once again, the third time. That one was usually the charm, no? They had gotten farther than the last two combined. Himself, along with Totsuka and Fujishima, were expecting anything to happen. It was a waiting game at this point.
“W-where…”
The eldest turned to look at the person with the small voice. Eric was looking down, hands clenched and visibly stiff, but there was something else there as well. Determination. He wanted this time to go well too.
“Where, are they? In there…” He mumbled out, looking at Kusanagi for the answer.
Kusanagi gave him an encouraging smile. “I can show you where, they shouldn’t be too far in.”
“Are you ready to go inside?” Fujishima asked quietly, looking at Eric with encouragement as well as concern.
There was a long pause as the three looked and waited for a sign of yes or no. It seemed like forever but the blond finally nodded. “Let’s go…”
~
It didn’t take too long at all.
The one tombstone erupted from the ground in a field of others. Laid out simply, some groundskeeper had kept to its upkeep it seemed, though it was bare from flowers or any sorts like so many others were until recent. Totsuka had decided to bring flowers so they decorated the stone delicately.
Eric stared at his parents grave with a mask on his face.
Fujishima was beside him, Totsuka and Kusanagi just a little behind the two. The bartender couldn’t help but notice the dates, not of the birth of his parents, but of the death. More than six years ago…Eric had been ten when he had lost them. Too long ago he thought, way too long.
“What should I…”
A calm mumbled whisper made it out of Eric’s mouth. Fujishima and Totsuka took it to quietly explain a few things for ceremony, doing the actions as they were said. Eric followed along silently. Kusanagi himself did the same affects, if only for out of respect to the blond for coming here. Not a few minutes went by after a small pray went through did things go silent again.
Eric still blankly watched his parents grave, as if staring at it long enough would make sense to him.
“What…”
Another mumbled mess was spoken and Fujishima this time couldn’t decipher it, none of them could. Eric had his face looking to the ground, his fists clenched and latched onto his sweater, something was wrong.
“What is it?” Totsuka asked, smiling. Even he was concerned about the sudden change in his attitude.
“What should I, be feeling, right now?” Eric asked, slouching even more. “What should I be doing?”
The others each exchanged glances, not sure what they themselves should be doing or even how to answer.
“What do you mean, Eric?” Fujishima broke the silence, getting closer to the blond in case of anything.
“Should I hate them, and not even mourn them?” Eric snapped out, his body all but rigid, his head dipped so that his bangs covered almost his whole face. The three of them were taken aback by the sudden outburst. “Because if they hadn’t done what they did, I could’ve…They could’ve still been around.”
“Eric…”
“Or should I laugh at them, because this is what they deserved? Everything that they had done, all the bad things, came back to bite them. Or…or should I…”
Only now did Kusanagi realize that Eric was shaking, his voice had begun to crack at the end. He slumped his head somehow even further as he bit his lip, turning it into a sad smile.
“I miss them…”
The English words were said before a sob broke out and Eric doubled over. Fujishima grabbed him instantly and carefully held him. Enough grip to keep him afloat, but not enough that it was unbreakable. The red head was good at that.
The blond cried, anytime he drew a shaky breath he tried to speak broken words. All of it was in English. As Fujishima rubbed circles on the younger one’s back and as Totsuka knelt beside him for comfort, Kusanagi stared at the grave of the two adults that were Eric’s parents.
Though Eric didn’t hate them as he thought he did, the bartender couldn’t say the same for him.
~
“What did Eric say?”
Kusanagi did a quick glance to the passenger side of his van before setting his eyes back on the road. Totsuka was staring out the front window with a strange expression on his face. Fujishima and Eric in the back, Eric leaning up against the other as he slept, exhausted from all that had happened.
“What d’you mean?” He asked, though he already had a bit of an inkling.
“At the end he spoke in English, I couldn’t understand it but it looked like you had.” Totsuka tore his eyes away from the flying scenery and looked to the elder member.
Kusanagi stopped at a red light and blew out some smoke from the cigarette he had lit. He heard Fujishima sit up a bit as well, curious to what he was going to say.
He sighed. “A lot was just some mumbled gibberish.” He started, running a hand through his hair. “He said he missed them though, he was sorry, and that he still loved ‘em.”
He couldn’t help but snort a bit at the last part. Eric had gone through a lot, a lot more than any human child or anyone should ever have to go through. All because his parents made the stupid decision to join a gang, and one that had gotten them killed for that matter, leaving behind a son that would learn to survive so cruelly.
He looked up to his rear view mirror and saw Fujishima look at the sleeping form, anger and worry in his eyes as well. Eric’s steady rise and fall of his chest was a comfort as it wasn’t racked with sobs and hyperventilating as it had been just a short while ago. Once again they had adopted another broken human, and once again they watched as he was slowly being rebuilt for the better.
Kusanagi went back to looking at the road.
HAVE A THING. HAPPY (LATE) BIRTHDAY IZUMO
(Though, some of them aren’t orphans, so he’s still not alone in taking care of them. It feels like it though, since a little over a year ago there were three of them taking care of them—though Totsuka was more help than Mikoto and he can’t believe he just thought that.)
But back then was back then. He wonders what Anna would say if he asked her about her family now. Out of all of Homra, all of her new family, who has what role? Does he even want to know now?
It would’ve been different, he thinks, if he’d asked before the events of a year ago. Asking now, after her two most important people (two of her most important people, but he doesn’t feel like he should belong in the same category as them) died a little over a year ago.
Sometimes, when it’s late and all the others have gone home or gone to sleep and he no longer has any need to help Anna control her new flames, he misses them. He misses his two best friends; the fool who smiled almost constantly but was almost always right about his feelings when it came to what sort of person someone was and the boy he’d taken the hand of after he destroyed a building and a sword appeared above his head.
[I’m not sure where this drabble went but have a ???? thing that probably isn’t finished but hey it’s a thing. And not really really really ?????? so that’s a success??????? I wanna write but I don’t wanna write and ~family~ prompts got me this /squints]
Week 3 - months and months later...
422. If Only
509. Wedding Cake
716. On the Side of the Road
1307. Defiant
1619. Illusion
Dance! small alterations from what I turned in for school
“Isn’t it enough that I say I don’t want to?”
“It…would be, if it didn’t sound off.”
“‘Sound off’?”
“It’s hard to explain. Sometimes people say things but…it’s like,” he gestures vaguely. “And they’re thinking,” another set of gestures.
“That makes no sense.”
“Yeah, right? I told you it’s hard to explain.”
“Why do you always ask me to dance with you? It’s not like I’m the only person you could ask.”
“Hmmm…That’s true. But I want to dance with you sometime.”
“Sometime is sometime. We’ve got years ahead. Why not ask me to dance then?”
“Ah, right. Years.” If you stay around that person, you won’t live very long. He smiles at the bar counter.
“What’s wrong? You don’t think we’ll be around each other for years yet?”
“That’s not quite…You never know what’ll happen. Right? Maybe you’ll be here for years, but I’ve only got one. Or something.”
“Worrying about dying? That’s not like you. What happened to your way of smiling and saying that everything will work out?”
“I…don’t know. Didn’t you say it annoyed you? Thought you might be glad I’ve kicked that habit.”
“Maybe I would’ve been, if we’d just met. Now it’s just worrying.”
“Now it worries you? Would it make you feel better if I started saying that again?”
“Not after asking me, it won’t. What happened to you?”
“That’s the question, huh. Are you sure I’m the only one who changed?”
“Well, no. But you’ve definitely changed.”
“Isn’t that what happens when you grow older?” he smiles, looking up into his old friend’s eyes.
“I don’t think you’d change this much just because of age. I’m not even sure what I really think about your change.”
“So? Are you going to dance with me today?”
“Not even gonna comment on what I said?”
“What about what I said?”
“I spoke first.”
“Ah, that you did. I don’t know what to say, honestly.”
“What kind of dance were you thinking of anyway?”
“Waltz! It always looks so interesting.”
“Waltz?” the older boy asked, picking up a glass of water and downing it. “Why? Did you think about the roles in that thing?” He got up to refill his glass from the pitcher.
“I thought about it! I’m shorter, so I thought I’d follow your lead.”
Turning back around, he raised an eyebrow. “Did you really.”
“How rude! I thought hard about it, truly. I thought it’d be really hard for you to follow me, since you’re like, way taller than I am.”
“I see. My height would probably make it harder to follow you, but we’re just doing this for fun, right? Why not try leading for a change?”
“I’ve lead people in dances before!”
Sitting down with a smile, the older boy said, “Yeah. Sure.”
“You’re so mean…I’m not actually sure I’d be able to lead you in a waltz comfortably though. We’d probably just look silly.”
“That mean you want to try?”
“If you’re offering?”
“C’mon then.” After drinking his second cup of water, he stood up and offered a hand to his friend. “Let’s get this over with.”
no subject
The Wineglasses
At the end of the day, or when he has nothing to do, he’s usually stand behind the bar counter, polishing the many wineglasses, whether they need it or not. It’d started long before his best friends died, but it’s more frequent now.
The Sunglasses
Years earlier he began wearing them, but there wasn’t a prescription on them. Maybe he just wore them to make it a little harder to see his eyes. He never wanted to let anyone see the sadness there, wanting to help them through their own sadness instead.
The Knight
When his friend asked him years ago what chess piece he thought he was, he’d answered “the knight”. He thought he’d always be there to protect the other two and their little family of misfits. He never thought maybe his protection wouldn’t be enough.
The Fish
When his friend had brought back fish tanks and fish, he’d refused to let him set them up in the bar. That had lasted for all of a few days before he had let him set up the fish tanks, grumbling that he’d end up feeding them instead of the friend who’d bought them.
The Lighter
Just before he got into high school, his uncle gave him a lighter. He kept it, flicking the top occasionally when he thought about things. It wasn’t terribly surprising when he started smoking before high school ended. It might’ve been remembrance for that same uncle.
The Ascot
When he no longer needed to wear a tie as part of a uniform, he started wearing an ascot all the time. They were varied, but he never left home without something tied around his neck, tight or loose.
Fantasies
Sometimes he mentioned wanting to see them again. His best friends were taken from the world, from him, within two weeks of each other. It’s been a year, but sometimes he thought he could still hear their voices, talking with each other and calling him over to them. He thought he’d like seeing them again, but he wouldn’t leave the others left behind and didn’t want to join them where they were. He wished for a world where they were still alive, still laughing, still next to him. He wondered if they were still here as ghosts, watching him and the others as they grieve and continue to live. He smiled sadly and continued on his way. No point fantasizing when he still had to live.
WE NEED TO DO THIS IN A MORE SCHEDULED MANNER DAMNIT
1499 - Trauma
1543 - Grim
I still like writing in second apparently - warmth/warm
That fire hadn't left when Totsuka died. In fact, it had flared when you saw him lying on the rooftop, blood all around him and the phone he called you with lying on the ground beside him. Its too much for you to control and do other things--you were used to not showing emotions, but this, this was attacking you on more than one front. You stay standing there, forcing the flames that live in you down so they don't burn away the rooftop as you fight to hide your anger and helplessness as one of you clansmen, one of the younger ones, the one who used to be part of your duo of vanguards before his partner left the clan, holds Totsuka to his chest.
Even now, Totsuka's trying to say that everything will work out somehow. He mangles his catchphrase, ending it with sorry, and you pull out your phone to call the other member of your now broken trio, saying, "I've got bad news."
It was just past midnight into your adoptive daughter's birthday--Totsuka had gone onto the rooftop to film a birthday gift for her after all. You hang up and head back to your bar with his body in your arms, telling your clansman to carry the mangled camera.
You plan to burn his body the next day, and you brush some of Totsuka's hair out of his eyes (not that it matters, he can't see anymore) before Mikoto comes in and you see the red reflecting in the earring that used to be Totsuka's. It's in the same spot. You ask Mikoto what he's going to do now, and he smiles sadly at the two of you, one dead and one alive, the ones who made this kingdom with him.
He carries the body out to the rest of the clan, setting him in a coffin gently while you all watch. With tears in their eyes (your own remain dry), you chant your clan's cry with the others and Mikoto ignites it. His power used to cancel out at Totsuka's touch--this is the real proof for all of you that Totsuka's gone. The body disappears without any ash remaining, only the blood in the earring in Mikoto's ear remaining of Totsuka's body.
Two weeks later, the flame in your body sputters and returns with less force than before. Your daughter cries out and your clan knows what you've known for a long long time--Mikoto died. You hold her as you pay your respects, the remnants of his power floating up like red lanterns into the sky.
Months later, you feel the fire come back to life with as much force as the first time--your daughter has taken his place. Now she's the King, and you are her knight as well as her father.
Years later, you feel the warmth one more time. You'd gotten into a fight and, unlike before, you couldn't handle it. As that warmth leaves you, another finds its place inside.
You look up, and Totsuka and Mikoto are there.
"You're early..." Totsuka says, a sad smile on his face.
You shrug. "The kids have grown up. They'll be fine now." You pause, "well, better than when you two died, anyway."
Mikoto hits you on the head--funny thing, that, apparently ghosts can feel each other.
"Besides," you continue, glaring at Mikoto without much feeling, "I wasn't nearly as early as you two. If I hadn't been this early...You both died too young."
"Shut up," Mikoto grumbles, pulling on your ascot.
"I guess it really did work out somehow," Totsuka says, grabbing one of your hands with a smile.
You frown--that still makes you think of him dying, but...you suppose it did. You're all together again, and the kids are alright. It'll still hurt, but they'll be alright.
They can look after each other now.
Trauma - I DONT EVEN KNOW IM SO SORRY
Closest one was the first target. He slashed his knife in the air with ease, cutting into flesh. He saw blood and the body go down.
He didn’t waste time before he turned to the one that had been beside him. He moved his knife along in the air, getting their arm to make sure they wouldn’t pick up a weapon or use it for defense. They backed off holding it in pain. He used that to his advantage, swiping his leg to teeter them to the ground, their head hit the pavement hard. He’ll deal with that later, he had to get rid of another one first. More taken care of in the chaos the better, the easier it was to do more damage. He was good, he knew what he had to do.
Eric.
He shook his head, tuning out that voice. No one called him that anymore, it was just his imagination. He moved quickly over to another close target, one that was getting ready to defend. He would stop them before they finished.
It was easy once again, a running kick to their center had them winded, another slash of his knife them screaming in pain collapsing. Blood began to pour out of their chest. He hit a good mark. Good work, good boy.
He lifted his knife above his head, getting ready for the killing blow but then something happened. He had no idea what but suddenly he couldn’t move his arm. Looking to the side, he saw someone trying to hold it down. That wasn’t going to work.
Eric.
He didn’t like half-finished jobs. He had to be good. He wasn’t going to be punished for failing. No more pain.
Eric was fast, knocking the hand off of his own and swiped at the person that was trying to stop him from accomplishing his orders. The other would have to wait for now while he dealt with this one.
Eric stop.
There was a scuffle as he tried to get this person away from him, but they were fast, and something kept colliding with him. He finally landed a good kick before they backed off enough for him to concentrate on someone else. More targets, more chaos. He had to do a good job. He was a good boy.
He felt himself being tackled, his knife flying out of his hands. As he went to grab it, a hand came and pressed his own into the ground. He went to push them off but his other hand went into the same position. Bad, bad it was bad. Bad dog, fight, fight, get back up.
“ERIC THAT’S ENOUGH!”
He blinked, jumping a bit at the loudness of his name being called so close to him. He tried to move one his arms only to find it being held and he began to struggle. A voice in the back of his head told him to stop, to calm down but he couldn’t, he had to get up, he had to fight. Bad things would happen if he couldn’t get up.
“Stop moving, just relax.”
He shook his head, still struggling under the grip. He had to finish his job. He can’t, he can’t fail, failing was bad, failing was bad. If he could just get some room…
“Eric, please…snap out it.”
The voice sounded familiar but it wasn’t his voice. Only listen to him, only him. None of these voices were his, where was he? He had to give him more orders. Why wouldn’t this person let him go?!
“You’re okay, you’re safe. Eric look at me, just calm down. Everything’s okay.”
That voice was attached to someone. Someone that was on top of him. That annoying voice was just sitting on him. He blinked again and paused in his struggles, staring up at the person that was holding him down. He knew that person, but, he wasn’t from his gang. Or was he…someone new? No, there was more to it than that. Something else was making him think. He was in his gang, just…not the one he thought.
It was Fujishima. Fujishima was on top of him and holding him down. That voice…was Fujishima as well. He was talking to him so oddly, why?
“…Fujishima?” He called up to the other, blinking in confusion. His voice felt weird, like it wasn’t his own. It felt heavy on his tongue.
He saw Fujishima sigh, his shoulders slumping, grateful for a vocal response finally. “Yeah, it’s me. That’s great, you’re doing good. Do you remember where we are?”
He tilted his head, what kind of reaction and question was that for? He moved his head around, beginning to see others. Others from Homra, yeah that was the name of the gang. Those people were Homra. There were more as well but, he didn’t know them. Was he supposed to know them? “A warehouse.” He trailed off as he went back to looking up at the older man, noticing the concern on his face. But there was more, there was fear as well. “What’s wrong?”
Fujishima shook his head. “It’s fine. Eric, I’m going to get off of you and I want you to promise me you’re not going to struggle or anything, you’re just going to stay there alright? Do you understand?” When Eric nodded, the red head nodded along. “Okay good, just stay lying down okay? I’m getting up now.”
Eric felt the weight that had been grounding him lift off slowly. His mind told him to run, swipe at him, attack, something but he stayed where he was. Fujishima told him to stay so he will.
As the older one got off of him completely he looked over and waved at others, calling them over. After that he turned to Eric and asked him to sit up which he did so immediately. He watched as Fujishima’s hand rose up in front of him, as if he was making sure he wouldn’t go too far. He really was acting strange.
“Is he back to normal?”
“He’s responding now at least…”
He tilted his head as he heard the small conversation taking place, his eyes scanning the area. Anything he needed to know? Anything to see? That he needed to be ready for? Some other people, Homra, were looking over some others. It all seemed boring, there wasn’t anything he needed to know here unless they were his next--
“Eric?”
He snapped his head to the voice that called his name, blinking in acknowledgement to Totsuka who was kneeling beside him now. Kusanagi was just behind him, standing. They each looked strange in their expression, he didn’t see them that way often and couldn’t figure it out.
“Sorry, sorry. I asked if you were okay?” Totsuka said lightly, quietly. It was a calming tone.
“I’m fine.” Eric looked away, head down, eyes down. That was bad, he was supposed to pay attention.
There was a long silence before he heard a sigh, it sounded like Kusanagi. “I’m going to cut to the chase here. Why did you attack those people, Eric?”
He tilted his head to the side, that was a strange question. “I was told to.” He explained.
“By who?”
“You.”
There was another silence and Eric glanced up at the three, each with very strange looks on their faces. Totsuka looked thoughtful if not a bit sad, Kusanagi’s he couldn’t even begin to understand. Fujishima’s was combined with worry and guilt, one he wore often when Eric did something he thought was wrong. He didn’t like that look.
“You said to take care of them, I was just following orders.” He clarified, maybe that would help. He did give him orders, he gave them all that order, right?
“We were warning them to leave and they were doing so. Tell me Eric, how is attacking someone agreeing with our terms a good thing?”
There was a hand raised, making a swiping motion. It had a cigarette in it. No, no he had been good!
Eric flinched, prepared for a hit as he looked away from the others. He didn’t understand he had followed orders exactly, why was he going to be punished?
There was another silence as Eric continued to look down, waiting for something, anything to come into contact with him. But it never came. He heard words but they weren’t registering, they weren’t for him so he didn’t need to know, then he heard footsteps. What was going on?
Fujishima came into his view and he smiled calmly, gently placing his hands on Eric’s shoulders. He said that he was going to bring him to the bar to rest and if he understood that. He nodded, looking over to where Kusanagi and Totsuka had been to find them gone. That was something he didn’t understand. All he did was follow a command
~
“We’re not putting him on any more.”
“Kusanagi-san…”
“Fujishima.” The sternness in his voice made the red head stop in his tracks. “I know what you’re going to say, and I understand. But it’s too soon for him. Unless you want him to think we are using him like a dog, there’s no other way.”
“I don’t, but he doesn’t want to be alienated from the group. He feels useless when we don’t let him do things for Homra. We can put him somewhere at least, can’t we?”
Kusanagi lit a cigarette and took a long drag, blowing out the smoke slowly as he chewed on his thoughts. “I’ll put him in the van, and he can go on information gathering missions.” He saw Fujishima relax a bit at those words but he continued. “But none that could lead into any fighting. Unless we know that whatever state he put himself in doesn’t happen again, it’ll all go to waste.”
A shout from one of the others calling for Kusanagi, dropped the conversation as he went over to check whatever Yata was shouting over. Fujishima watched him leave, at least glad that Eric wasn’t going to get into trouble.
“Kusanagi-san feels pretty bad for unknowingly making Eric do those things.” Totsuka placed a hand on Fujishima’s shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. “It’ll just take more time than we thought.”
He nodded, before he too decided it was best to leave for now. This whole thing was a mess. He remembered the look on Kusanagi’s face when Eric thought he was going to hit him, realizing by simply moving his hand in a small gesture received such a fearful reaction. The looks that the others gave Eric as he led him back to the bar, even Mikoto would glance back at the young man. How Eric was acting as if nothing mattered, following along like a blank robot, like a dog simply following his master in silence.
~
Fujishima sighed, opening the door to the living area. This had been an exhausting day and it would be good to get some rest.
He paused in his walking, noticing where Eric had been laying down and frowned. It was different, Eric was sitting up and not lying down. It looked like he as curled up in a ball, rocking back and forth, that was not a good sign.
"Eric? Are you awake?" He asked quietly, walking over to the hunched over blond. Something in his gut telling him something was wrong.
As he got closer his gut feeling turned true as he saw what was happening. Eric was clinging tightly to his head, pulling and tugging out hairs and digging into his skin. There were splashes of red on his fingers mixed with his sweat, dampening his skin and hair. There was no response as he watched the blond continue to rock back and forth.
Fujishima’s heart dropped into his stomach, registering what was happening as he lunged forward and tried to get Eric’s hands away from himself. “Eric, no…stop it…calm down it’s okay. No, don’t…don’t do that, you’ve got to stop okay? It’s okay, just…Eric, snap out of it!” He used his own hands to try and grab Eric’s, but it soon became a battle of the blond trying to get away from the red head, while still trying to grab onto himself, yanking out hair or digging his nails into his palms. Through all of this, Eric never said a word, only heavy breathing and strange noises that didn’t sound like they were human.
What had happened this morning came back to his mind as he struggled to get Eric to be responsive to anything. It was almost as if Eric was no longer there, his body was here but his mind was gone, there was no Eric.
Hours felt like they had passed before finally Fujishima had both of Eric’s hands in his own. He winced when he felt nails pierce his skin but refused to move them. Better his hands then Eric’s. He continued to speak softly to him, trying to reach wherever he was, to try and bring him back to the place he was now. He was safe here, he didn’t need to hide.
Eric mumbled out something so softly, so quietly that Fujishima couldn’t even figure out what language it was. “Eric?”
“I…I didn’t mean to…”
Fujishima opened his mouth to ask what he meant but closed it again. The scene from the warehouse playing in his mind once more, Eric’s not caring, cold attitude afterwards, he knew what he meant. He closed his eyes and stayed close to him, his hands still holding the others. They hurt, but they weren’t hurting as much as Eric was right now.
“I didn’t mean to. I didn’t. Didn’t mean to I didn’t mean to I didn’t, I didn’t…”
The nails were digging more into his hands and he bit his lip, but stayed where he was. He wanted to try and give Eric at least some comfort while he was going through what he was, as he kept repeating those words.
“I didn’t mean to, I didn’t want to. Didn’t want, didn’t want, no no no…didn’t want. Didn’t mean to.”
“I know, I know, we all do.” Fujishima whispered. He wasn’t sure if he heard him or not, but he continued none the less. “It’s okay, no one blames you.”
The hands that had been clasped tightly on his own were finally loosening; they weren’t trying to harm either of them anymore. Cautiously, the red head wrapped a free hand around the other’s shoulder, hoping that would help to calm him down further. His other hand stayed holding Eric’s. Better to have one hand in case of anything. And at this point, anything could happen.
“…Did…did any of them…” He heard Eric’s words trail off into a mumbled mess. The one hand that was still in Fujishima’s tightened and he winced, he felt the blond’s whole arm shake from the effort. “How many did I kill?”
Fujishima closed his eyes, squeezing Eric closer to him. Death happened in gang fights, none of them were strangers to it. Even still, these people were not meant to die by their hands that day.
“…Two.” Fujishima replied quietly, knowing the truth would be out sooner or later.
How did they think it was okay to bring Eric along on this job? How could they have known this would happen the way it had? He had gone on other missions before and had been doing so well. Something so simple could trigger such an effect on this poor kid that just learned it to survive.
Kusanagi’s decision made sense, he didn’t want Eric to be hurt like this again. He can’t go back into… whatever mindset, whatever other self that had been.
The flinch and shaking he felt course through Eric’s body, made the other start to rub his damp back, any comfort he could give, he would. It was going to be a long night, but he would stay awake, protecting the blond from himself, and from his nightmares.
Totsuka had said something that night they found out about Eric’s past that Fujishima didn’t really understand until now. But now he finally got what the older man saw that he was seeing now too. Eric really never had been thinking kill.
Grim - like 5 months later
Also I need to edit it cause some of it's worded horribly or is unclear but whatever it's almost 2 a.m."Hm." The reaper gave a vaguely interested hum, as he watched each frame of Totsuka Tatara's cinematic record closely.
"What? Don't just make noises like that! Can you spare him or not?!"
"That has yet to be determined. And if you continue to distract me with your outbursts, I will finalize this case now and save myself from having to work any overtime." William T. Spears gave the young man next to him a glare that was usually reserved for a certain redhead in his dispatch division.
"Alright, fine." It was, perhaps, the first time anyone had gotten Bandou Saburouta to hush himself so quickly. He folded his arms over his chest and clicked his tongue. How he'd ever gotten this stuffy old man as one of his roommates was beyond his comprehension. But if the guy had the ability to revive Totsuka-san from his death, then he was certainly worth being here.
In fact, William was the first person Bandou thought of when news of Totsuka-san's death had reached him. He'd slowly backed away from his shocked comrades and found where William was - standing above the crime scene with ribbons of film dancing in the air around him. He knew from previous interactions with the reaper that death wasn't final for everyone.
"He certainly brought a lot of trouble upon himself." William noted rather blandly. "Honestly, I am surprised the man lasted as long as he did."
Bandou was about to jump up and defend the honor of Totsuka-san when he got the glare again. He huffed and fidgeted with his hat. The anticipation for William's decision was almost unbearable and he tried to distract himself by thinking of anything else.
"You don't think that...that crazy guy with the notebook did this, do you?"
"Teru Mikami? Absolutely not. I confiscated that Death Note from him the moment I learned he was in possession of it."
"Oh yeah..." Bandou knew it couldn't have been him, but he was trying to think of any logical reason why this would have even happened. Totsuka-san was a great guy...who would want to do this to him?
"What about that creepy guy in the purple leggings?" Bandou pulled a weird face at the thought of that weirdo. That was another one he couldn't understand why he'd been paired up with.
"You mean The King of All Cosmos." William made a face eerily similar to the one Bandou wore, but then shook his head. "The entirety of this planet would be gone if that were the case. Why are you so insistent upon it being one of our roommates?" Obviously, the kid was nervous. William'd grown fairly numb to the concept of death by this point, but there was still that memory of what had happened in his own mortal life. Death certainly wasn't something easily coped with.
Bandou merely shrugged. Of course it wasn't any of them, but something in him wanted it to be, just so he could get to them quicker and take revenge for what they'd done to his comrade. He sat quietly for the next few minutes. This was taking forever, but then again, William was looking through Totsuka-san's entire life, trying to find some evidence that he should be spared.
Finally, he spoke up again. "What was so funny before?"
"I've never viewed the record of others within a victim's record before." William briefly looked away from the flickering film to see Bandou's reaction to his statement.
"...huh?"
Just as he'd expected. William indicated the slides currently playing, a silent gesture for Bandou to step up and see what he meant, firsthand.
What Bandou saw was himself. Him and Shouhei, and Kusanagi-san and Anna-chan. Their King and the bar. Everyone. "Are those...Totsuka-san's movies? He always had that camera out, recording us when we weren't looking."
"Exactly." It was a unique way of viewing someone's life - by seeing what they wanted to capture and remember.
"Unfortunately, I cannot revive him." As he anticipated, Bandou had turned and was about to protest. "But," he stated firmly. "It is because his death is far more important than his life. For all of you."
What that meant, Bandou had no clue. He slumped against the nearby wall. Even if he hated William's decision, he knew the reaper well enough that he wouldn't spare someone just for the sake of it. If something important was to come of all this, William would not stand in its way. With a hollow sadness, Bandou looked up to his roommate. "Can we keep a copy of his record? ...to watch and remember?"
"It will be in my files. You're free to access it when you wish to."
Bandou gave the smallest smile as Totsuka-san's cinematic record came to its end. "Thank you."
Random Drabble
“Is it that hard to believe, Yata-san?” Kamamoto asked. “I mean, he had been here a few days already. It makes sense.”
“That’s not the problem!” Yata shouted. “The little bastard tried to kill Mikoto-san!”
“And Totsuka-san!” Bandou added, also a bit angry. “And he almost did if Fujishima didn’t show up! What would’ve happened if he actually stabbed him?”
Kusanagi sighed as the others began to protest about their newest member. Luckily, Eric was led outside with Fujishima to keep him busy as the bartender explained everything that had happened to the others. They had been unaware of what transpired just yesterday and when they arrived with Eric, now with the mark of Homra on his shoulder, it was time to tell the whole story.
He supposed after hearing this kid was part of a gang and did try to kill two of their members, they would be a little angry.
“I mean, it’s fine, right?” Shouhei said, trying to calm the tension. “Kusanagi-san said it was because of that gang, Hikawa, right?”
“I suppose if Mikoto-san gave him the test and he passed…” Chitose trailed off, not liking the idea either but accepting it a lot better than a few others. “A lot of us joined under weird circumstances.”
“Kusanagi-san,” Dewa spoke up, beside Chitose. “If he wanted to not only kill Totsuka-san but also Mikoto-san, why keep him around? He’s obviously dangerous. It could be another trap”
“Because those were orders to him, Dewa. And the people who gave those orders aren’t around anymore. He’s as harmless as a pup now.” The bartender’s hand twitched as he said the word ‘pup’. It felt wrong to use those kinds of words on the kid, he’ll have to make sure the others don’t use them either anymore for him.
“Moving on,” Kusanagi took an empty glass and began to clean it. “We need a place for him to stay. Last night he was with me, but I can’t be the one supervising him all the time, I won’t be home enough. Yata-chan, you’ve got an extra spot in your place, can he stay with you?”
“What?!” Yata almost jumped out of his seat. “I…come on, Kusanagi-san, I’m not really home much either, I’m too busy and he’ll just slow me down.” He froze a bit as he saw Kusanagi give him a disappointed look. “Wha…what about the bar?” Yata suggested.
Kusanagi shook his head. “It’s cramped in here enough with Mikoto and Anna, she took up the last livable room.”
“Can’t he stay with Totsuka-san? He’s got a nice place and he isn’t there half the time.” Bandou half shouted, his arms crossed.
“Exactly.” Kusanagi stated. “Leaving Eric alone might not be the best at the moment. And I thought you were so concerned about Totstuka’s wellbeing before, Bandou. Unless you’re volunteering your own apartment.”
“Y-yeah, right!” Bandou deflated a little. Eric had tried to kill Totsuka, leaving them alone together like that was the last thing Bandou had wanted. “And, I mean I would but, I’m in between jobs again and there’s so little space and food in my place, we’d be standing on top of each other…”
Kusanagi turned to the others. “Chitose? Would he be able to stay with you?”
“Ah, well…” Chitose brought his hand up to rub his hair. “I mean, I don’t mind, but my grandparents are in a bad spot with the store you? An extra mouth to feed…”
Kusanagi sighed. “Dewa?”
“No.”
Chitose chuckled. “Not even a reason?”
Dewa scoffed. “Why would I need one? And what about Fujishima? He’s the one that picked up that strange kid in the first place.”
“His parents barely tolerate him bringing animals in their house, another human is out of the question.” Kusanagi explained, exasperated. Mikoto really should have thought of things ahead of time, where would they place this kid that hasn’t had a home in years?
“He can stay with me, Kusanagi-san.”
Kusanagi turned to Shouhei, who had his hand up as if answering a question for a teacher. “Would that be alright with you Shouhei?
The other nodded. “Yeah, I’ve got an extra futon he can stay on. It might be a bit cozy, but I don’t mind the company.”
The bartender smiled thankfully at Shouhei. One problem solved. If only he knew that was the easiest problem to solve involving their newest member.
~
“So Shouhei, what’s it like? Having Eric stay over?” Bandou asked.
“Hmm, it’s not so bad.” Shouhei answered, thinking thoughtfully. “He’s really quiet, and doesn’t do a lot. The other day I went out and got him a nightlight.”
“A…a nightlight?” Chitose repeated, his eyebrows raised at the sudden comment.
Shouhei nodded. “Yeah, I don’t think he likes the dark that much. He always opens the curtains or curled up in some space near a light.”
“Does he move the futon around then?”
He shakes his head this time. “I don’t think he sleeps so well either. Anytime I wake up in the middle of the night, he’s always out of his bed, curled up somewhere else. And if I see him sleeping, he doesn’t use the futon like a futon.”
“What do you mean?”
“Ah, well…he sleeps on top of everything, blankets and all. I told him he could go under the covers but I don’t think he wants to. Doesn’t even use the pillow just sort of, curls up in it you know?” He shrugged. “Maybe he’s just warm.”
“Maybe he’s waiting for the perfect moment to slice your throat.” Chitose kidded, earning an elbow to his stomach by Bandou. “Just a joke okay? A joke.”
“Does he do anything? At the bar, he just follows Fujishima around or sits on the couch.” Bandou asked.
Shouhei shrugged. “He basically does the same thing. Just, sort of sits there. I don’t mind, and if I ask him to help with something he’ll help. Well, try to help, he doesn’t seem to know a lot.”
Chitose tilted his head, before shrugging. “What a weird kid.”
~
“Yata-chan, go wake up Eric, will you? Then we can all eat together.” Kusanagi ordered, setting up the plates for the dinner. Everyone else had gathered around the bar counter, eagerly awaiting the meal. The only one missing was the one not even aware it was dinner, dozing soundly on the couch.
Yata scoffed, but did as he was told, walking over to the sleeping tiny form that was Eric on the couch. Shouhei had mentioned that he didn’t seem to sleep through the night, he certainly slept a lot at the bar. Someone had even given him Totsuka’s blanket.
“Wake up, it’s supper time.” Yata stated, his arms crossed. He growled light in irritation as there was no response. He decided to place a hand on the other, shaking him slightly. “Hey come on, I said ge—“
Blue eyes popped open, staring wide at him. He wasn’t expecting the blond to jerk away from him, or for him to yelp as if he was in pain. Unfortunately, the fumbling that Eric had done, slid himself off of the couch and onto the floor, curled up in a ball.
“I’m sorry!” Eric cried out, holding his head in his hands.
Yata paused, now more confused than ever. “Huh?” He turned to look at the others at the bar, everyone silent and in shock by the sudden reaction. He looked back to the younger one. “Look, all I said was there food. You don’t need to—“
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’ll be good! I’ll be a good dog.” Eric’s trembling increased as he tried to flinch away from the approaching skater.
“What are you talking about?“ Yata’s shout was cut short as he saw Fujishima suddenly appear beside Eric, taking him in his arms in a loose, awkward hug. The other whined and shook in place, not seeming to know where he was.
“Walk away slowly, and make as little noise as possible.” Fujishima whispered, his eyes on Yata before bringing his attention back to Eric.
Yata could only nod, and head over to the bar, as quietly as he could. He joined the other confused and shocked members, all their eyes on the two on the floor.
“What the hell did you do, Yata?” Chitose hissed out as quietly as he could.
“How should I know? I just tried to wake him up!” Yata defended quietly.
“He’s not here.”
“Anna?” Kamamoto asked, turning to the one girl. Everyone else followed.
She looked up at him. “He’s not here, in his mind. He’s somewhere else, where there’s a lot of pain.”
The others blinked, confused at the statement, before they all looked back to Fujishima, who seemed to finally have calmed down Eric enough to stop crying.
“He does this sometimes at my place too.” Shouhei added quietly. “It takes a while but he’ll be fine again soon.”
“You serious?” Bandou asked.
Shouhei nodded. “He’s had it pretty rough, anything I can do to help make things easier, it’s the least I can do, you know?” He slide off of his bar stool and grabbed a glass of water. “Kusanagi-san even said, he used to be a dog in a gang, for who knows how long. I can’t even imagine living that way. So, the more we help him, the better.”
With that, Shouhei walked over to the two, kneeling down a little ways away from them and reached out to give Fujishima the glass of water. The red head smiled, accepting it, before showing it to Eric to take.
Kusanagi’s face was sad and concerned, but, there was smile there all the same, glad that Shouhei was helping. “I suppose now, you finally understand a little more what I said last time.” They nodded. “He’s been through a lot. And we won’t know everything, how to help him, how something might hurt him, but, be patient. We’re going to learn a lot from him as he is from us.”