thebastion | Day 154

Entry tags:

Day 154

Who: Hikaru Hitachiin and anyone willing to help out
Open: Open
When: Day 154
Where: Open Plains
What: A rough landing, and a new arrival.
Format: I'll match whatever
Warnings: Someone's had a very unfortunate landing, and may end up quite antagonistic. Also, drama.

When Hikaru wakes, it's not to the sound of an alarm or the smell of breakfast being delivered. He's not surrounded by perfectly plush pillows, and he's not laying on top of the best mattress money can buy.

When Hikaru wakes, it's to a horrible, sharp aching pain in his arm. He fails to notice anything else - not the grass he's on, the clear and open sky, or the very distinct lack of the luxuries he's used to. Just the incredible pain, which immediately brings tears to his eyes and sets his body to gasping for breath. On instinct, he rolls onto his right shoulder to curl around his arm - broken, a perfect fracture of both the radius and ulna. He doesn't know that; all he knows right now is that something is terribly, terribly wrong and he's starting to panic.

"Kao--", he gasps out, his first conscious reaction being to call for his twin. "Kaoru!" Where was he? They were never far from each-other. He grits his teeth, trying to work past the pain. What was going on--?

And with a sudden burst, he remembers. They were chasing after Tamaki - he'd been driving the horse carriage. Kaoru had told him he was going recklessly fast, but they had to or they wouldn't be able to catch up. Then... he doesn't know what happened, but he remembers being thrown from his seat. Did the carriage hit something? Was Kaoru okay?!

With great effort, he heaves himself up with his left arm, panic for his twin overriding his own pain. His eyes quickly scan the land before him, searching for any sign of Kaoru. There are no roads in sight; he must have been thrown really far. Panicking, he quickly gets to his feet, stumbling but ignoring his dizziness and clutching his right elbow in a lame attempt to stop his arm from being jostled. He blinks rapidly, trying to clear the tears from his eyes, and looks around hopelessly - Kaoru could be anywhere.

His first few steps are hard to take; his entire body aches, and it's hard to keep himself moving when every step sends a shooting pain through his legs. He's scared, he's worried, and he needs to find Kaoru - these are the only things that keep him going.

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[The point is for him to let it all go, anyway. Hikaru has no interest in watching Kaoru bottle up his feelings; that's just not something that they do with each-other. He has to sniff himself now, with a few tears dropping from his eyes. He may have already had his freak out, but he knows intimately how Kaoru feels and - dammit, he's never been able to not cry when Kaoru is. Especially not after such a rough day.

He swallows hard and presses his face against Kaoru's head, his hand coming up to brush through his hair. There's something a bit... off about it, but he's got other things on his plate right now and it's still hard to focus, besides.

He keeps up a steady stream of murmured assurances, just for an extra layer of comfort. If he were to be asked later what he was saying, he would genuinely have no idea - in his view, it's not the words that are important; it's his voice.]

[Okay. This was. ... awkward.

Yup. That was really the only way to describe it, at least from an outside perspective. Rin, bless her, actually manages to keep respectfully quiet through it all, though, even the drink spilling. She just stares at her own drink quietly, but eventually she does speak up.]

... your arm is broken. 'least I'm pretty sure that's a break.

[Just... contradicting that whole "I'm okay" statement he keeps making.]

You're here. You're here. You're alive and you're here…

[muffled against Hikaru's good shoulder like he can't believe it - like he's trying to make himself believe it - between sobs.

…god he smells like home... it had been so long he'd forgotten that scent and he breathes it in shakily, trying to calm down. It was all right. It was going to be all right. They might never be able to go home but at least Hikaru was here. That's good. Really good. A really good thing]

[Oh crap he didn't realize Rin was even around. Hikaru ceases all function as soon as she talks, but resumes stroking Kaoru's hair again shortly. Aside from that, he doesn't change position at all. He's not going to let any old stranger see he's been crying, even if she did save his life and bring him to Kaoru and, if he really thought about it, probably would have seen tears on his face at least once during their short but exciting journey together.]

You're still here? [That's directed at Rin, bluntly. He shifts his body around slightly, as if to block Kaoru from her, but stops pretty immediately as every part of him protests it. Hikaru's not sure how comfortable Kaoru is with Rin, but if it were him, the answer would be 'not comfortable enough to be crying in front of her'.

But then Kaoru talks, and his attention is back on his brother. Screw Rin, he'll deal with her weird voyeurism later.]

I'm here, Kaoru. [He agrees, voice quiet but firm. He squeezes him a little to reinforce his words.]

Edited 2014-02-05 11:21 (UTC)

[takes a shaky breath and straightens up, leaning his forehead against Hikaru's temple and nods slightly, shutting his eyes.]

I just… I'm just afraid you'll get taken away again.

[he doesn't particularly mind either way, whether or not Rin sees his tears or not. He's cried on Rin. She's cried on him. Through all these tears they have cemented their friendship - that and intimate knowledge of what the other was going through, both of them missing their twins, both of them being the leftover odd half of their pairs.]

[Another little sniffle and he swallows, trying to clear his throat a little]

Don't move like that if it hurts you.

And don't be grumpy with Rin-chan. She's only trying to help.

Edited (I've only been doing this for years...) 2014-02-05 11:38 (UTC)

[He turns his head to kiss Kaoru's cheek, closing his own eyes and breathing out harshly in annoyance at the temporary dizziness that accompanies the movement. He's starting to get really sick of that.

'Taken away again'? What? Does Kaoru think he's going to go and make a habit of driving horse carriages five times too fast to be safe? He's learned his lesson on that one, don't worry.]

I'm not going anywhere. [Especially not 'again'. Once was enough, thanks.

He hesitates, then - quietly, so that only Kaoru can hear;]

It's nothing, compared. [Seriously, Kaoru, you should know this by now. He could be burning alive and he'd still feel that seeing you upset was the more painful thing.

...but he won't be moving again soon anyway. It really did hurt.

And even quieter, barely moving his mouth to say it;]

She's being a creepy voyeur. Is she one of our type? [If she's a fan of the 'Brotherly Love', that would explain so much.

At least he's become lucid enough to start with the insults?]

[lucidity does not exempt Hikaru from medical attention, sorry. Pressing the heel of his hand against one eye, then the other, trying to pull himself together and not do that hiccuppy-sobby thing. Though he may do some more crying later, when this whole story comes out.]

[Not entirely sure how good Rin-chan's hearing is with those ears, but he refrains from repeating Hikaru's exact words-[ I asked her to stay, Hikaru, so she's neither of those things. [or… not how Hikaru thinks. Rin kind of is the same "type" as them but not in terms of Host Club Categorisation, anyway.] Try to be nice.

[lifting his hand to brush Hikaru's hair back again and look into his eyes, giving a smile that is almost as shaky as his hands. Hikaru certainly has a little colour back. That's good.]

I'm always nice. [He says flippantly, blatantly and knowingly lying. He checks Kaoru's eyes carefully, looking for any signs of--well, anything concerning. He can tell that they're not done with this, but he'll follow Kaoru's lead on it and not push until they're actually alone.

He moves to mimic Kaoru automatically, brushing Kaoru's hair back as well. He continues on, tucking whatever is long enough behind Kaoru's ear. And then down more. And more. He stops and, confused, looks at his fingers. They're still in hair. After the point where it should have stopped.]

...Kaoru?

[Uh.

He's gonna

stare

for a while

because that really doesn't make much sense. Did Kaoru put in extensions while he was gone...? But he didn't feel any. Is he hallucinating? Maybe he actually passed out a while ago, and this is a dream. He's pretty sure they're not supposed to be due for haircuts just yet, but then hey, he's the one with the concussion - maybe he just forgot?

...maybe he should go to the hospital.]

[he missed this, this kind of touching just because. Not that he didn't have it with Seimei - Kaoru was the type to thrive off touch in his close relationships. But it was different because it was Hikaru. Because of their sixteen years of shared This. Because of his three months spent without. And he is content with the touch until Hikaru inexplicably stops.]

[…why did he stop? Looks back at him questioningly, until he realises where Hikaru's hand is. Offers a sheepish smile, despite knowing full well that it's not going to cut it]

Ah. Mmm. There's uh… there's a lot to explain.

[Please, Hikaru. Please. Can they just… can they just get you fixed before Kaoru has to start worrying about the awkward questions]

[So he's not hallucinating it, then? His mouth opens and closes, wanting to ask but not sure of what his question actually is. He winds up closing it firmly with a frown, still staring at the hair in his fingers.

You should probably start explaining, Kaoru. Hikaru gives a sideways glance to his twin, confusion clear in his expression.]

Did we miss an appointment...?

[It would've been better to try and convince him it wasn't real.]

[ He had watched and listened the entire time from overhead, just out of view on the second floor. The shouting and happy cries and pain, all of it so easy to hear. He didn't know what the best course of action was, which unsettled him since he'd only recently decided to accept that Kaoru made his life more complicated in a good way. It was a lot to do that much, but now his wish for the boy was granted and he was afraid. Afraid it would change everything? Afraid his wish for Kaoru's happiness would come at the cost of his own?

It didn't matter. Kaoru would be happy. That was all that mattered.

The soft, barely audible creak of weight on the wood floor above them was the only indication that anyone was there, Seimei tapping a finger lightly three times on the railing before sighing and turning away. The quiet whisper and click of the paper doors to his room closing behind him told Kaoru that the onmyoji had chosen to give them space. They were already deciding on the hospital as a viable route and according to what he heard from Rin, it was simply broken bones in the arm. Nothing fatal or life-threatening.

If the redhead thought Seimei was abandoning him, however, that concern was brushed aside when footsteps decided the stairs to the side, Taisan's beaming face, dazzling hair and too-blue eyes brightened the hall. ]

Hey hey hey! Look what the hellcat dragged in! I do believe I'm seein' double-double! [ The shikigami grinned ear to ear, shooting finger guns at Rin before doing a quick circle around the twins. ]

Nice. Twice the talent at half the price. Anyways, the master of the house extends his greetings but regrets that he cannot entertain guests. He wishes you the very best in your road to recover and asks that you call on him in the event that you need anything. In the meanwhile, he's sent me along to help out.

[ He gave barely perceptible smile to Kaoru, the boy knowing that anything said or done around Taisan would be known to Seimei as well, so by extension, Seimei was there to help, he just wasn't using his own two hands in order to give the twins necessary space. ]

So! [ He clapped his hands together once with another face-splitting smile. ] Anyone need to be carried or anything? I'm totally down for a bridal carry. I'd make a cute heroic knightly husbandy type, yeah? I promise no groping, too.

You didn't. [it's not supposed to be cryptic, but it kind of is, and he sighs apologetically, stroking Hikaru's cheek]

…I will explain it all. I promise, I will.

[glances up to the ceiling for a moment. As happy as he is to see Taisan - good to know that Seimei is near, if not exactly right here - when he speaks, is that a slight hint of waspish annoyance in his voice? Of course it's too much to ask that Taisan not… be like that. Of course he has to jump in and overturn everything. He holds Hikaru a little bit protectively with something like a pout.]

It may or may not be needed. [it's Hikaru's choice, really. If he's okay with the bridal carrying then that's fine with Kaoru, too. Not that Hikaru is heavy, it's just that the hospital is far] If it is, it's only happening if you promise to be gentle.

And if you do try anything, I'm telling.

Edited 2014-02-05 21:18 (UTC)

[Well that sure was a thing.

It took every ounce of will power Rin had to not verbally tear in to Hikaru for what he said, and it was only out of respect for both of them (because she respected Kaoru and therefore respected Hikaru by proxy) that she managed to keep her damn mouth shut.

But she was pouting. Hard. Head turned away, chin on her hand, elbow on her knee with her tea still being held in the other hand, tail lashing behind her back angrily.

And then Taisan came in to the room, and for once she was actually happy to see him there. Some of her irritation faded as he brought up what she had been trying to say all along, and she sat up a little, putting her tea aside.

She even let the 'hellcat' comment go because really she just wanted some one to do something about the situation that didn't end in her yelling and swearing like a sailor just to get their attention on more important matters. Like getting Hikaru's arm set before he made the injury worse.]

I'll make sure he doesn't do anythin', Kao-chan.

[Saved by the weird annoying guy, Kaoru. You bet Hikaru was just about to demand answers from you - "you didn't" - what kind of cheap response is that supposed to be?

He quickly places his left arm around Kaoru's shoulders protectively, again ignoring the twinging it causes, and tugs him away from the direction of the weird guy just slightly. If he were in better condition, he would have gotten to his feet instead. He'll make do with what he can.]

Who the hell is this guy?! [The volume of his own voice ends up making him wince, but it doesn't take long before he brushes it off and settles into a glare. Kaoru seems to know him, so at least it's not a total stranger... Still, Hikaru's not happy.

He is not going to let this guy anywhere near him.]

[The anklegator in Rin's lap gives a little huff and rolls over contentedly, now there are three people in the room that she adores. Still confused, but belly rubs make things better]

[Kaoru sighs quietly, because he sure did catch that wince.]

I told you, stop that. See, this is why we need to get you taken care of. Taisan… he's not dangerous. Just annoying. And with a pretty high opinion of himself.

[come to think of it… gee, who does that remind him of?]

Uh, correction. I am totally dangerous. [ He drawled with a pout, snapping his fingers, a flame appearing in his palm before puffing out. ] I mean I can turn into a damn flaying, shrieking ball of fire.

And you're totally off base - you're cute and all, and so is he since, you know, you're pretty identical - but uh, I've got a hot piece sleepin' upstairs. And lets be real - Alu-boo is so much hotter than both of you, and I make a better red-head. So its whatever.

Also, is your bro on the level, because he hasn't noticed he's on a floating island, you're holding a spiked crocodile-snake and now he's floating.

What's that you say? But Taisan, he isn't floating? GASP. Shock and awe, you're totally right. [ Another snap of the fingers, and sure enough, Hikaru was no longer touching the ground, his body weightless. ]

Oh look, he's flo~ating. And he can't fight twisty space anti-gravity woobidy boogity stuff so while your concussed jerkface brother is all free-balling, we should probably get him to the hospital and maybe sedated. Or I can sedate him. you want me to sedate him? I can do that. You want em to do that, Rin? He's bein' kind of a prick.

So can I and you don't hear me braggin'...

[Even though she totally does.

The comment about Alucard got a "when did that happen?" quirk of her eyebrow, but she doesn't ask, and there's kind of a half-shrug at the idea of it. Everyone hooking up at the end of the world, no big deal.]

I think he's in shock, Taisan. ... so yeah, sedate him. It'll be good for him.

[Okay maybe she was a little vindictive about the voyeur and furry comments.

Sorry, Kaoru.]

[he tries to hold on as Taisan sends Hikaru floating out of his arms - wants to grab for him, he does but he knows how he hurts and he doesn't want to make it worse - but if he doesn't grab for him, for all he knows Hikaru could go, and he doesn't want that to happen, and it actually throws him into rather more of a panic than is reasonable, given the situation.]

Stop it, stop it Taisan, stop it. [glancing between the three of them, reaching for Hikaru to try to gently pull him back down] Nobody is sedating anyone, now stop it.

[his voice comes a little shrilly but he can't help it - he wasn't exactly calm in the first place, and certainly not ready to let go. Could have picked a better time to prove a point, Taisan.]

[Tama-chan, meanwhile, is not happy that Kaoru isn't happy. She rolls off Rin's lap to come to his side instead, baring her teeth and hissing at the two of them - probably the closest either of them have seen her to angry.]

[The fire had actually been a pretty cool trick, and it was interesting enough that he was willing to put aside his annoyance and trust Kaoru's opinion.

...But then the nonsense words start, about floating islands and crocodile snakes, and the only thought Hikaru has is 'this guy must be high'. ~~Though a spiked crocodile snake did sound pretty cool.~~

And now. Now he feels something disorienting; it feels like he's... being pulled up from Kaoru? If Kaoru's voice is shrill, it's absolutely nothing in comparison to Hikaru wordless cry of surprise. He instantly struggles, grasping at his twin with his left hand, and without thinking tries to do the same with his right. The only thing that accomplishes is a searing, white-hot pain as he yanks his arm roughly against his makeshift sling. He chokes on a gasp, bending over double in an entirely instinctual attempt to protect the arm. He was light-headed before, but it's nothing compared to the narrowing vision he's getting now. He's floating. He swears to God he is floating and his arm is on fire. Kaoru had better be fine with Hikaru's hand clinging onto whatever part of him tightly, because he doesn't have a choice in it right now.

Dammit Taisan, surprising a guy like that when he's already in a bad state isn't a very good thing to do. It would probably be much kinder to go ahead and sedate him now before he starts to shut down again.]

[ The shikigami blinked slowly, tilting his head to regard the twins, particularly Kaoru. Their panic was a curious thing, and not entirely understood, but he felt the fear. What mad him stop, however, was Tama-chan. As a more animal than human person himself, he felt more direct kinship to the little Anklegator, and was disappointed by her anger.

Shrugging and stepping forward, Taisan clapped a hand over Hikaru's eyes and just like that, the boy was overwhelmed with a need to sleep. His limbs became heavy, his brain sluggish, his eyes filled with the sandiness of being open for too long. Stepping back and dusting himself off, Taisan shrugged. ]

What a bunch of drama queens you are. Tch. All this shrieking and flapping, like a bunch of hens. He's not going to float away for goodness sake. Calm down already. And you! [ He turned, crouching and pointing accusingly at Tama-chan. ]

You don't hiss at me, little miss! I've got orders and this idiot has a broken arm. you think these kids standing around like a bunch of dumb turtles is fixing anything? He needs to go to the hospital and he's being a belligerent little shit. Don't you start, too.

[ The shikigami stood, drawing himself up and staring hard at Kaoru with blue eyes, one hand jerking in a gesture to one side. ]

Well? Take your stupid brother to the stupid hospital and fix his stupid arm. And while you're at it, see if they have replacement attitudes.

[Whoops. That had not gone at all like how Rin had expected it to. She had just been teasing, really, but Kaoru's reaction made her regret even letting that much out. She went quiet again, realizing that if she had been in Kaoru's place with Yuki, she probably would have had the same reaction.

She moved off the seat and went to her knees, pulling Tama-chan back in to her arms to calm her down, watching them all with a worried, guilty expression.

This was just not a good day for her...]

[Tama-chan gives Taisan an extra hard hiss before Rin takes her, nipping at her hand with rather more teeth than necessary, and comtinuing to make all the dissatisfied noises. Nope, sorry. Whether she likes you or not, you upset Kaoru, you upset her.]

[He doesn't care even that Hikaru is holding his hand painfully tight. It hurts more to see him hurt like that; his grip is nothing. Once he is safely back in Kaoru's arms he checks him over frantically just to be sure that he is just sleeping and not... not anything else, God forbid, before looking up at Taisan]

Believe it or not, I do actually get it. He was a mess when he got here and I wanted to actually calm him down a bit before dragging him to the hospital. Because I was worried about him, because I was selfish, because I just wanted to be with him and make sure he was okay. Not that you'd understand any of that, would you? For all you want to look like us, and act like us, and love like us, you're only ever going to be pretending to be like us. [looking towards Rin, holding Hikaru a little bit closer] ...and you? I don't even know what to say to you.

[he pushes his hair off his face frustratedly, then gets to his feet, bringing Hikaru up with him. He knows what he said was horribly out of line, and he will feel awful for it later when he looks back on it. But he is too highly strung to care right now.]

Fuck, whatever. You have a problem with me, take it out on me. Don't use my brother to prove a point.

[Rin said nothing. Even when Tama nipped at her hand hard enough to draw blood, she didn't cry out. Her head stayed down, shoulders tensing when Kaoru spoke to her, a tremor working through them. Slowly she let Tama go back down to the floor and rose.

Without a word, she stumbled out of the house, leaving the Kaoru to deal with his brother and Taisan alone.]

I like you Firecrotch, I really do, but you need to remember something. [ Taisan leaned in, arching a brow slowly as he lowered his voice. ]

I don't work for you. My main priority is Foxface. He said get this kid to the hospital, I'm doing it. You can have your little reunion when he isn't in danger of an infection or poisoning because marrow is leaking into his bloodstream, yeah?

[ The shikigami sniffed, leaning back and dusting his hands off. ]

Now, if you want to make sure he's not getting jostled about and you're grinding bones, I can float him on over to the hospital. Or you can keep being a nervous nag and burning your bridges, because I'm pretty sure you just ran Rin right off the reservation. I know you're glad to have your brother back, but if you want to fall back on old habits, you might remember that your life isn't just about you anymore. [ He hissed, jerking his head in the direction of the upstairs rooms. ]

Lets get this kid to the doctor.

["Let's". As in "Let Us".

Us Right. Yes. Let's.

Kaoru just... holds Taisan's gaze as he makes sure he has a secure hold on Hikaru, then starts out of the room, lips pressed into a thin line]

[at this point, he really doesn't care how petulant he may be coming across. He just wants out of here right now and like hell he's handing Hikaru over to anyone else]

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Day 154

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