I'm not good with fancy titles, so you get this.

[chickshades]

[ Finally the day was over. There was nothing about this new job Bandou liked. The hours were shit, the pay was even more shit, and, worst of all, he was forced to wear this uncomfortable uniform all day. If it wasn't for his desperate need of money, he would have quit already.

But even now, as he slumped down into a seat on the subway, he couldn't get himself to put his hat or shades back on. All he wanted to do was barge in on Shouhei, take a shower without asking first, and hope the guy had some beer in the fridge for afterwards.

Yeah...that would make the day better. Bandou grinned stupidly to himself as he cradled his hat in his hands. Maybe the rest of the day would be okay, now that he was off work. ]

Comments

[chickshades]

[ Bandou would have apologized for Eric's over-the-top reaction, but somehow Niouta was still managing to be judgmental - even after having a knife to his neck. ]

He's just being there for me. The way comrades should, the way family should.

[ He steps up next to Eric, placing a hand on his shoulder in a silent 'thanks'. ]

[redstray]

[ He probably butted in on something important without knowing any of what was going on, but he saw that Bandou wasn't happy so he had to help. He would've apologized if he didn't hear what this brother had just said, or Bandou's response to it.

Bandou's family wasn't there for him...And that made Eric a bit angry. ]

Better then hanging out with someone who doesn't respect him. Why take a worthless brother who throws away what they think is beneath them?

He deserves better. You're just pathetic.

[chickshades]

[ Niouta began to protest again. Why was his baby brother defending and standing by some kid who'd just threatened his life? And who was this kid to make any comments on he and Saburouta's relationship? But before he got too much out, Bandou cut him off. ]

Niouta, shut the hell up!

You know, Eric's only just joined HOMRA and he's already willing to do anything to make sure we're all safe and happy and respected. Yet I've been trying my entire life to get you and Ichirou and Father to show me any of that! There's a big difference between encouraging someone to do their best and making them feel worthless for not living up to ridiculous expectations.

[redstray]

[ Niouta gaped at his brother, surprised by the outburst. He looked between this kid and his brother, wondering just what was his brother's life now?

Eric stared at the man until he heard some shouts, looking away he saw two what seemed to be police officers or train security. Oh yeah, he pulled out a knife in a normal environment. Whoops. ]

Bandou, we've got to go.

[ He wanted to start running to head over to the other exit, but he didn't want to leave Bandou behind ]

[chickshades]

[ Bandou would have continued yelling at his brother if Eric hadn't elbowed him and pointed out the cops headed their way. ]

Damnit...

[ Eric was right, they had to get out of there. Bandou gives a short glance to Niouta, silently saying, 'don't rat us out and ruin this life for me, too'. Then the two of them are booking it out of the train station.

Once they think they're in the clear, Bandou gives Eric a smack on the head. ]

Idiot. Don't go pulling your knife out like that in public.

[redstray]

[ Eric gives the man one last glare before joining Bandou in the run. It doesn't take long for them to outrun the cops and he sighs in relief.

Until he feels the hit on his head. ]

Sorry, I thought it was the Colourless King! I didn't... [ Want to lose someone else... but he trailed off. ] I was worried okay? You never said you had a brother before, what was I suppose to do?

[chickshades]

[ He leans heavily against the brick wall of whatever building they'd stopped in front of. He's got that classic Bandou petty look on. ]

I have two of them. And Niouta could never be the Colourless King, he's too damn perfect.

[ He pauses, finally slipping his sunglasses back on. ]

But uh, yeah thanks. Next time, just punch him in the face, instead.

[redstray]

[ He tilts his head at the comment. ]

Can anyone be perfect?

[ He gives a shrug, he had just reacted, it was lucky it wasn't as bad as it could've been or else he might've just killed him then and there. ]

I'll know for next time.

[chickshades]

Yeah! Him and my oldest brother, Ichirou! They were always perfect at everything!

[ Sorry, Eric. Niouta finding him really fucked up his entire day, so he's gonna rant. Maybe Bandou's pettiness makes more sense now? ]

And now the asshole wants to make me feel bad for running away. It was their fault to begin with!

[redstray]

He didn't look that perfect...

[ No he was kind of seeing that now, he was learning a lot about Bandou today. ]

Their fault?

[chickshades]

Well he is! Perfect grades, perfect at every sport he played, always had a girlfriend!

[ He emphasizes the last one as if it's the most important of them all. ]

And since they were so perfect, I was expected to be perfect too. But how the hell am I supposed to please Father when they beat me at everything and make it impossible?!

[redstray]

Sounds like a boring life.

[ It didn't really matter what it sounded like though. Bandou was forced to be someone he wasn't because of his brothers and his parents, and that didn't sound like a very good time to be in. ]

Not much of a father or family, if they can't love their son for who he is.

[chickshades]

[ Sometimes Eric's bluntness really helps. Bandou heaves a heavy, if not sad sigh and relaxes his hands, which were closed in tight, angry fists. ]

Yeah...

That's why I joined HOMRA. It's so much better here with you guys.

[redstray]

[ Eric placed his hand on top of Banoud's head. Everyone always did it to him when he needed some form of cheering up, so Eric was going to do the same. ]

You're a good guy, I'm glad you're in Homra. Family doesn't mean blood, it just means being around those that care about you.

[chickshades]

[ Bandou's not used to head pats since he's taller than most of the other guys. Although weird, it is comforting. ]

Thank, Eric. Just wish Niouta would get it through his head. We used to be really close when we were little.

[redstray]

[ He puts his hand down, sorry if he felt weird Bandou, the only comfort he knows how to do is the stuff people have shown him ]

You stood up for yourself, he saw that. If that doesn't change his mind then he's not worth thinking over.

[ Which was a lot easier said then done, but it would help Bandou to forget people that hurt him in his life, even if they were family. ]

We should keep moving, maybe head back. If you're up to it.

[chickshades]

Yeah... Let's get back to the bar.

[ He pushes himself up from the wall he was leaning on, shoves his hands in his pockets and starts walking in the direction of the bar. ]

And thanks again.

[redstray]

Yeah.

[ He follows after him, slightly behind.

Ah, compliments, those are hard to handle. He shrugs, looking away. ]

You would've done the same.

[chickshades]

Of course I would have!

[ Said all too proud. And compliments are great, Eric. What are you on? ]

Though, maybe without the knife.

[ Nope, he'd just throw himself in the way of the danger. ]

[redstray]

[ He smiles a bit, nice to know people have his back. ]

Heh, do you know how to even use one?

[ Besides tonfas that can bruise, knives can slice and kill, ]

[chickshades]

Oh yeah, definitely. I mean, who doesn't know how to use a knife!

[redstray]

I mean killing someone with one. It's different then chopping onions.

[ Homra always seemed to use fists or blunt objects never anything with a sharp edge. ]

[chickshades]

Oh.

Tch Shut up. How hard could that be anyway?

[redstray]

From holding the knife properly to finding a place to hit, whether to slice or stab...It can be as difficult as hurting yourself instead of your target.

[chickshades]

I guess.

[ Yeah let's not give him a knife any time soon, if that's the case. ]

Still probably makes more sense to use our red aura.

[redstray]

You don't need to learn it, so it doesn't matter.

[ He shrugs ]

Then your brother would've had some bad burns.

[chickshades]

[ He clicks his tongue. ]

Surprised I didn't burn him.

[redstray]

Would you have wanted to burn your brother?

[chickshades]

No, but...

He pisses me off so much, he's lucky it didn't just happen.

[redstray]

Probably for the best then you didn't.

[ He tilts his head as they continue walking. ]

Do families normally fight like that?

[chickshades]

[ Bandou hisses slightly, shoving his hands in his pockets. ]

No! Shouhei always got along great with his parents!

[ Getting petty over Shouhei, instead of his brothers, is somewhat comforting. ]

[redstray]

[ Well he didn't need to know that but it was sort of a frame of reference. ]

Misplaced concern with stubborness, perhaps...

[ He wasn't trying to justify his actions, but it was strange to see family by blood acting like that.

Ah well, he shakes his head. Wasn't his place to guess or poke his head into Bandou's business. ]

You smell like food by the way.