it's a long way forward
[It's been days since he left that village behind, and he hasn't had nearly enough time to stop and rest. Every village or town he's run across has chased him off for falling out of the sky, too poor to offer any help of their own and too afraid to attempt to question his state. Desperately, he's kept his presence disguised, hiding from those other colored entities that were part of this destiny he wanted nothing to do with. He slept in trees for a couple hours at a time, moving again before too long when it no longer felt secure enough.
He was running from something he couldn't escape, but each time he tried to find somewhere to go, it wasn't right. Maybe his predecessor was right. Maybe there wasn't anyone who would take him like he is, green leg showing in the spot that his shoes don't cover. Maybe he was too much of a monster.
No. Determined, Jae-Ha urged himself forward despite that worry. No matter where he ended up, or if he had to live alone for the rest of his life, it was better than existing and waiting in that prison of a village. He wouldn't become like his predecessor. He wouldn't wait around to take it out on the next generation.
When he spots a blonde boy crouched near something in a clearing of the woods, Jae-Ha's chest tightens. This could be a chance, couldn't it? He was his age— younger, clearly, but not an adult like all of the ones that have chased him off. And better than that, he was alone. Maybe, just maybe, he could say something to reach him, to get some food other than the occasional bits of bread or fruit he's stolen from carts or nabbed from trees along the way.
His appearance comes in a flash, a green blur dropping out of the sky and right in front of Sanji. He's a mess in his dirtied robes, his face and body still badly beaten from a few days prior, his hair dirty and sticky even tied back, and heavy bags beneath his eyes from the lack of rest. When he drops down to a knee, both to temporarily hide the green of his right foot and to humble himself, it's more of a fall of pure exhaustion.
He doesn't bow his head like you should with a gesture like this, instead staring directly at Sanji with determined eyes.]
Please, let me stay with you, at least for a night. I'll do anything.
[It's about time for a desperate offer like this, isn't it?]
He was running from something he couldn't escape, but each time he tried to find somewhere to go, it wasn't right. Maybe his predecessor was right. Maybe there wasn't anyone who would take him like he is, green leg showing in the spot that his shoes don't cover. Maybe he was too much of a monster.
No. Determined, Jae-Ha urged himself forward despite that worry. No matter where he ended up, or if he had to live alone for the rest of his life, it was better than existing and waiting in that prison of a village. He wouldn't become like his predecessor. He wouldn't wait around to take it out on the next generation.
When he spots a blonde boy crouched near something in a clearing of the woods, Jae-Ha's chest tightens. This could be a chance, couldn't it? He was his age— younger, clearly, but not an adult like all of the ones that have chased him off. And better than that, he was alone. Maybe, just maybe, he could say something to reach him, to get some food other than the occasional bits of bread or fruit he's stolen from carts or nabbed from trees along the way.
His appearance comes in a flash, a green blur dropping out of the sky and right in front of Sanji. He's a mess in his dirtied robes, his face and body still badly beaten from a few days prior, his hair dirty and sticky even tied back, and heavy bags beneath his eyes from the lack of rest. When he drops down to a knee, both to temporarily hide the green of his right foot and to humble himself, it's more of a fall of pure exhaustion.
He doesn't bow his head like you should with a gesture like this, instead staring directly at Sanji with determined eyes.]
Please, let me stay with you, at least for a night. I'll do anything.
[It's about time for a desperate offer like this, isn't it?]
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[The normally quiet boy retreats and Sanji watches wide-eyed as the fear rebounds at him, but can't stop his mouth from running in protest. Jae-Ha's reaction only cements Sanji's suspicions, and he stumbles back to his feet]
Don't lie, you need medicine! [Like Mother did -- the thought freezes him like a statue, color draining from his cheeks. It stops his tirade mid-sentence and his voice chokes out a fear he didn't realize was buried in his chest]
If you don't, you're gonna-- [Is that why Jae-Ha got kicked out? Because he's sick and contagious. Sanji tries again, feebly] You have to get medicine so you don't die.
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[Jae-Ha yells again, despite his usual silence, body so tense that he's actually trembling a little. He wishes it were as easy as finding medicine.] I was born like this! It's a curse I can't get rid of. I ran away... I don't want to go back. I won't go back, so don't tell anyone!
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Sanji's expression morphs again: not of sympathy, not of confusion, but this time of dawning realization and understanding. There is not one kid, even a noble-born, who doesn't dream of escape at some point.
He just never thought he'd meet someone who'd actually do it]
I won't. [he doesn't have it in him to sound stung, so he stands there and feels his heartbeat slow.] M'not gonna.
[His eyes fall back on the strip of green he can still see from here, but finally, Sanji seems to have fallen back on manners instead of the subtle but engrained sense of entitlement. The boy stands quiet and doesn't approach]
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Those words are a muted relief over the panic rising in his chest. There was shock at his foot, of course, and now he's a monster for sure. Now he'll question it until he figures it out... And if anyone else finds out, he'll be chased out or chained down. He doesn't want either.
His hunger and exhaustion is getting to him, and his vision feels like it's getting blurry as he stares strained at Sanji. He's just working himself up, which isn't helping himself at all. But he stays standing, raising that damp sash to his warm face to help cool it down and hide his own expression.]
Do you want me to leave now?
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Sanji doesn't have the experience required to hide his disappointment, however. No sooner has he finished shrugging that he looks to Jae-Ha and quickly, earnestly shakes his head. No, he doesn't want Jae-Ha to leave yet.
With Mother gone... there's no one else for Sanji to talk to like this.]
Does it hurt? [The curse, he means.]
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[He assumes that's the topic they're still on, and he's confused for it. Sanji didn't want him to leave? Even after seeing it? Jae-Ha lowered the sash from his face, taking a testing step closer once more.]
No. Why would it hurt? It's just a leg. [He doesn't even assume the more reasonable question of if his wounds hurt, which he'd also answer no to. He's too used to it to feel anything right now.]
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You said it was a curse! [Pointing to Jae-Ha's leg] Aren't those supposed to hurt? [He's still equating "curse" with "sickness", tiny brain buzzing with confused semantics.]
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[He steps over the rest of the way, lifting a hand to swat away Sanji's pointing one lightly.] It doesn't hurt, it just makes me strong, and people don't like it. It's why they kept me chained up there all this time, until I got strong enough to get away for good.
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[Jae-Ha, you can't tell an 8-year-old that you're strong and then not show off the goods. The fact that the other boy isn't lying about his lack of pain has erased Sanji's concern, and he's gone back to being demanding.]
Let me see.
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Okay, but keep it a secret. [He steps back, then jumps, just like that, from his right foot. He launches into the sky far above any trees, and then finally comes back down. Not the flashiest, but he's tired... and he doesn't want to kick a tree down into someone.]
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Holy shit W H A T.]
-- You-- you can fly! [Jae-Ha isn't even on the ground yet when Sanji clamors around him with noise and enthusiasm, unable to hold still and having to twist his hands inside his robe to keep from reaching over and touching the other boy's leg.
That's straight-up magic, a level of physical prowess even his brothers can't boast.] Did you fly all the way here? Is that why you landed -- [A finger points in the direction of his mother's grave, except Sanji is so busy running off at the mouth that the gesture gets lost in the string of questions] How high can you go?
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Yeah. I kept jumping like that. And I can jump higher than buildings or trees! [His own excitement slips out even as his head feels light. He loves the feeling of flying. That's been the one thing he's enjoyed the past couple of days, even if thinking of it also made his heart hurt for Garou. Flying felt so freeing. He could go anywhere he wanted.
It would help a lot if that were more true. No one would take him. Except... maybe this boy?]
Up there, nothing is holding me down. I'm free.
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I wish I could do that. [Flying, jumping, whatever would give him the freedom Jae-Ha speaks of. His eyes trace against the few scales he can see peeking out from atop the other kid's foot, and with a dimming smile, Sanji drops his stare to look at his own leg, completely covered by his pants and shoes.
A weak leg attached to a weak body, like his brothers always yell at him.]
Where are you gonna go? [Not right now, he hopes, because Sanji still doesn't want Jae-Ha to leave.]
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[Just bluntly saying that... But he lets Sanji stare at him, even if it makes him frown. He's been... mostly frowning this whole time, so.] I keep looking for someone to let me stay, but no one has yet.
[Hopeful again, he curls his fingers into the sash he's still holding, looking Sanji straight in the eye again.] Can I stay with you?
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Father will throw you out if you get caught. [And that's after thoroughly punishing Jae-Ha for sneaking into the mansion. So his answer isn't a yes... but it's not a no, either, made all the more apparent when Sanji peeks at Jae-Ha through his bangs] And my brothers are jerks so you have to stay away from them.
... Reiju's okay. [straightening up some] My older sister. She won't tell on you.
[Neither would she lift a finger to help, bent on making sure no one hits her either, but Sanji discards the detail as he shifts out of his resigned disappointment and into a hopeful attitude.] And my bed is huge, so we can both fit on it.
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He brings one of his hands to his head, lightly pressing at his own forehead to test the heat and move bangs from his eyes as he thinks.]
I would get you in trouble, wouldn't I?
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But that's not what bothers him the most. In his heart, Sanji thinks his mother would approve of him helping another person, which is all the justification he needs to make his decision - but what will happen if Jae-Ha is caught?]
I'm already in trouble. [Dismissive of that point, he glances at Jae-Ha again] But if they catch you, you have to run away.
[That's the deal. The moment they're caught, Jae-Ha runs and doesn't look back. It's the only way Sanji can think to help.]
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[This is the most he's spoken at one time ever, probably, and it feels strange to do it. His first instinct is to stay quiet and observe, and react after that. But this boy... he seems fine to talk to. More than fine, actually.
But before he agrees to anything like that, he's distracted by this point.]
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"Why are you in trouble?"
("Why doesn't your Father like you?")
Sanji's face scrunches up and he snaps back]
Who cares? I'm not gonna get you in trouble, too!
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In response to the snapping, he doesn't appear upset or flinch back or anything. He just slowly extends his hand with the longer bit of chain.]
If you want, I can help you escape, too.
[That's what he wants to say. More than anything, an offer of freedom, to take him to the skies and wherever he wants to go. Maybe together, they could find some place, or find more people like them...
But he's so exhausted, and finally, all of that energy and effort has burnt out. His world sways a little too much and he crumples to the ground.]
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Sanji would stand there with blank shock written all over his face if Jae-Ha didn't suddenly pitch to the ground like his legs have given out.]
-Jae-Ha?! [Screaming the other boy's name, Sanji throws himself after him, afraid at first to touch him but then even more afraid to leave him there. He pulls until the green-haired boy is forced to lean against him for support, and there are already tears clogging his throat.
His mind echoes in the voice of his sister, calling him a cry-baby. That only spikes his fear]
You said you weren't sick!
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I'm not. [There he is, even if his voice sounds a little rough.] I'm just really tired. It's been days...
[He'd explain in more detail but that is too much effort to expend. So instead, he shuts his eyes again while he leans against Sanji. It's kind of comfortable. He'd be more worried if he were less exhausted, really.] Let me catch a fish.
[He says, not moving...]
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Didn't stop them from putting her in the ground.]
No, you can't move! [Yelled like an order, and Sanji is demanding Jae-Ha follow it] Let me get it! There's food at my house!
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I'll stay put, so can you bring me something? I'll make it up to you, I promise.
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We've got lots of bread and fruit! [Rice, too, though that might be trickier to sneak out. His face sets with determination as he pulls back, making sure Jae-Ha is comfortable on the ground before standing.]
Just stay here, I'll be back! [Repeating it with added emphasis before the boy takes off in a blur of blond hair and blood red robes. He disappears from sight.
The Vinsmoke mansion isn't too far off if you take the cobbled path over a nearby bridge, except Sanji knows better than to use a route covered with guards. He sneaks in the back way, through a ticket of well-groomed trees that's set near the kitchens. The staff isn't surprised to see him, actually - they're all familiar with their young lord's rebellious streak, his refusal to stay out of the kitchens - but all the more reason why no one is willing to risk their necks helping him.
Sanji grabs fresh bread, fruit, a bowl of rice, and he might as well be invisible for all the attention he gathers.
He hurries back just as quickly to Jae-Ha, his heart beat not settling until he sees that the older boy has kept his promise and is just resting by the creek. Not wanting to startle the other (or simply being too excited by his success to care), Sanji calls out to signal his approach and sets down the bounty once he's close enough]
Here! I didn't know what you like so I got a bunch.
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