teaism | it's a long way forward

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?]

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M'fine.

[He'll let Jae-Ha help him to his feet, but his movements are stiff with pain. Only pride keeps him from clutching at his bruised side.]

You didn't have to help.

I told you before, I'm not going to let them do that to you.

[He doesn't care, he doesn't care...!! He doesn't want to see it happen to anyone. Moving carefully, he tries to brush the dirt from Sanji's robes. He'd heard that comment about him getting in trouble, so if he can reduce it as much as possible.] We stick together, right?

[Sanji... doesn't answer. Can't even open his mouth. His bottom lip trembles and abruptly he turns away from Jae-Ha, angrily brushing at his robes like he means to tear them off.

Whatever, they're gonna be stained anyway. Father might not beat him for this, but the boy knows he'll look disappointed that Sanji couldn't even fight back -- not one single punch. An embarrassment. His friend had to see it, too.

He's probably aggravating his mild wound, but he doesn't care, and keeps beating the cloth with growing fury, ignoring that tears have long since gathered at the corners of his eyes.]

[Mm. Jae-Ha is silent, watching for a quiet moment before the way he's going at it becomes too violent. Then, he steps around to face him, reaching out and grabbing both of those hands tight to stop him. Though he knows Sanji will try to turn away or look down, most likely, Jae-Ha ducks down to press their foreheads together.]

You're stronger than all of them, Sanji. [He speaks seriously, and low, trying to meet his eyes.] Did you see their faces when I hit them with that apple? And even your sister was hiding, afraid to do anything more than that. You're the only one who can be different, and they're mad at you for it.

But you have me. And I don't want to lose you, so don't ignore me. Okay?

[He doesn't feel like he's stronger. Jae-Ha telling him so feels too much like a lie, and it hits Sanji suddenly, the swell of anger and disappointment in himself. Jae-Ha brings their foreheads together, but then Sanji pulls away enough to hide his eyes in the length of his forearm so the other boy won't see him start to cry.

He didn't want him to see. They've been friends for a month but Jae-Ha's never watched his brothers hit him. All Sanji does is lose, and he can hear Father's judgment falling like a gravel around his ears. His shoulders heave in time with his sobs]

[He remembers that Sanji didn't care much for the first hug he tried, and so he doesn't want to try one now. He's not sure he can help at all. A monster like him isn't used to interaction enough. He's probably saying the wrong things, to receive no answer like that.

So, he goes silent and ignores the stinging in his heart. He doesn't turn away from Sanji, nor move to give him more space. He stands there with him, gently wiping away some of the dust as Sanji cries. That's all he can do.

This, and get better at keeping those siblings of his away from him.]

[He stands there as long as it takes him to get his tears under control, shamed by Jae-Ha having to clean him off, but knowing better than to open his mouth when all he'll do is wail like an infant. His arm scrubs at his face until he thinks his face is dry (it isn't), and that his eyes aren't puffy (they are). Then he lowers his hands to his sides, sniffling through his stuffed nose.]

You-- [sniff, and then he continues meekly.] You don't have to... [Another sniff] Father will be upset anyway.

[He wipes at his face again, to be sure the tear stains are gone] ... Wasn't ignoring you. My throat was itchy.

[Jae-Ha is quiet at first, considering all of those words. Father will be upset anyway... He doesn't want to know what that means, but he's going to sneak and watch, of course. But...]

If you ever want to, I can take you away from here. But we'd have to be on the run. [So. He can get it if Sanji doesn't want to do that. Still... He frowns, holding back from cleaning Sanji's face off. His brothers will probably expect the tears, and he doesn't want to wound his pride any further.]

But if you don't want to run away, you should probably hurry back.

I don't wanna.

[To which part, Sanji doesn't specify, and he'd only sound petulant if asked. Or defeated. He's just an eight year old boy, after all, and right now can only think of how much he wishes things were... different.]

You're not gonna leave... [Are you? If Sanji isn't sure what he wants? His eyes start tearing up again and he bites viciously on his lip to keep them from spilling]

No. Nothing could make me leave.

[He reaches to grab Sanji's hand again, squeezing it tight.] And next time they hurt you, I'm gonna kick them from behind instead. They won't know what's coming.

[The other boy really shouldn't; he'll get in so much trouble if he is caught.

... But there's a flicker of a smile, and Sanji's sniffles don't sound quite as defeated. After a moment, he squeezes Jae-Ha's hand back and slowly leads him back for the mansion]

M'sorry. I didn't get the apple.

They interrupted you. It doesn't count. We'll try again later.

[Following along with him back to the mansion, Jae-Ha keeps his eyes mostly ahead, just in case any of those kids had stayed behind or are trying to wait for Sanji. He'll have to disappear from view if that's the case... Unless Sanji ends up in danger. But he won't repeat that again, right now.]

[His brothers aren't waiting for him, no. Sanji isn't worried about it, either. The beatings are done for the day unless he pisses them off, so now it's only Father who he dreads seeing.

Who absolutely can't know about Jae-Ha, and even when they're still a couple of paces away from the main bridge, Sanji stops and turns to his friend.]

I gotta go alone. You should wait in my room.

Where are you going to be?

[It wouldn't be the first time Jae-Ha doesn't listen when he's told to go to the room. But he knows how to sneak! He needs to know Sanji is safe... He's too worried.]

Father's room.

[Giving Jae-Ha a look, but Sanji doesn't bother scolding him. They've had that conversation millions of times already]

I'll be waiting for you, okay?

[But of course he's going to end up sneaking nearby. For now, he'll squeeze Sanji's hand and then hop out of view, towards the mansion. He probably knows great ways to get in through the windows and where to avoid people now.]

[The honest truth is that Sanji wishes Jae-Ha wouldn't leave him, impossible a dream as it is. His brothers might hurt him, mock him, maybe even scare him occasionally, but the boy doesn't care if he loses or gains their respect. He doesn't really care about them at all.

But Father...

He watches the boy hop away and his hand twitches for something to squeeze before Sanji steels himself, forcing his legs to walk the familiar route that will take him to his Father's room. It's deep in the mansion on the second floor, practically a suite, and the door is cracked open. He gives an uneasy sweep of his clothes before slipping inside.

Everyone else is there - Ichiji, Niji, Yonji, and Reiju. The boys in particular sneer when Sanji comes to stand beside them. Reiju, at least, remains mercifully silent, and besides the way his father's nose lifts like he's smelling something foul, Sanji goes ignored by him. The large, towering man continues on without a hitch: in a few month's time, their household will be entertaining the Water Tribe's general, and during the occasion, he hopes for his sons and daughter to demonstrate their physical prowess to one of the highest-ranking officers in the land. It's the chance they've been waiting for, to prove that his specific line of work will benefit the country.

He will accept nothing less than perfection from any of them. Any of them.

... And after the pause, they're dismissed, with Judge not so much as looking in Sanji's direction. He turns away instead and only says this: for the boy to wipe the dirt off his clothes and face, for heaven's sake. He looks like a commoner, and it's exactly this kind of attitude that proves what a disappointment he is.

At least try to pretend you give a damn, Sanji. Act like a noble. He heard from his brothers already - jumping for apples, when he could be training? He'll be expected to work three times as hard to make up for this nonsense.

Sanji doesn't cry on the way back to his room. Frankly, the tears are already spent. Once he clears the doorway, he slips over to the bed and sits beside it, burying his face into his knees]

[Using windows, Jae-Ha gets to Sanji's room first. He's there to lock the door after Sanji enters, watching quietly as the younger boy moves straight beside the bed. He'd heard the conversation enough. What was he expecting of a bunch of children? If Jae-Ha was a monster for being strong, why was Sanji rejected for not being strong enough? It didn't make any sense.

But still, he doesn't know what to say to help. He doesn't know if he helps at all, or if he's just making it worse. Was he distracting Sanji? No, no, he deserved to have fun. He needed a childhood. This was his freedom.

Quietly, he moves over to sit beside Sanji, back against the bed and his own legs pulled closer to his chest.]

[At least the quiet helps to settle Sanji's nerves. Thinking about the situation is beyond him right now, and his brain is a muddled pool with no reflection. Just tired and dirty. When he feels Jae-Ha settle next to him, the only thing he can think to do is lean against him a little for comfort.

Though not two seconds after he does this is when the door knocks, and knowing exactly who it is--]

M'coming... [He stands, tired and sore enough to earn a wince when he moves, but he hobbles over to the door and unlocks it. Of course, it's Reiju who comes sweeping inside.]

You're lucky neither of you are dead. [What a warm welcome, she knows, but Reiju isn't smiling for once. With a bunch of bandages clutched to her chest, and some other supplied held in a basket, she looks more like a disapproving maid]

Edited 2017-03-27 04:45 (UTC)

[Immediately irritated, Jae-Ha moves to stand. Why does he have to answer the door? Ugh. He knows he's not good at this, but she's clearly no better.]

You're lucky I didn't pick a fourth apple. [Stepping over, he reaches to snatch one of the bandage rolls away, like he doesn't need her help.]

[Oh, clever, you green-haired urchin, and Reiju gives Jae-Ha a particular smile that looks like she'd love nothing better than to bite off his head--

But there are children present, yes? Let's play nice.

Sanji, on the other hand, is too tired to tell either of them off. He's familiar with this process - Reiju will bandage him up, berate him for trying to fight back, remind him of why she can't defend him... Really, the only strange part about this scene is Jae-Ha is here now, and the boy looks on in bemusement when Jae-Ha grabs the bandages]

Sanji. [Reiju speaks clearly, and points to the bed with authority] Go sit. You're probably sore. [She lifts her chin while watching Sanji obey] Is it just your side this time? I have enough bandages for any place else.

He doesn't need you. Leave the bandages with me and go away already.

[Jae-Ha certainly isn't like this with Sanji at all, so even for as often as he bickers with Reiju, this is very blunt. He's especially angry after watching her involvement.]

Go pretend to care about someone else. If you really cared about him getting hurt, you'd be stopping it from happening, not nursing him after he's already hurt.

[Sanji might be tired, but he feels the room's temperature abruptly plunge as if it's been dipped in ice, and from his vantage point on the bed, he openly gapes at Jae-Ha verbally assassinating his sister. That's-- that's the angriest he's ever seen Jae-Ha, ever.

But his sister's face is what makes him flinch and nearly cower. There's a barely contained fury lingering beneath her eyes, one that reminds him too much of his brothers. ]

... And you know what would happen if I tried to stop it? [The smile doesn't keep her from spitting the words at him, or that she'll reach to yank the bandage back out of Jae-Ha's hands if he doesn't move] Then both of us would be beat up, and I wouldn't be able to take care of him. The maids won't touch him. Neither will Father.

[So that means two broken children, because that's what this family needs. So thanks, Jae-Ha, but she'll pass on the preaching] Don't forget you're here because I haven't told my father anything. [Because it makes Sanji happy. However, and she speaks this next part in a threat:] If you go sticking your nose into our family affairs, maybe I'll--

No, you can't! [Rushing right back off the bed, Sanji scrambles to get between them, and his face twists in pain and fear at the same time] Reiju, you promised you wouldn't! Please!

If you tell him about the only person here who will really be there for Sanji, then you're just proving how much you don't care about him! I don't care if I end up hurt. I can defend myself, and I'm not going to let you all hurt him.

You're the weakest of them all. [He scowls, snatching the bandage roll back.] At least they're not pretending they're doing the right thing. You're just saving your own skin and telling yourself you're nice.

Go ahead and say what you want about me, but I won't let you hurt Sanji. [In any way. So if she wants to try and run off and tell someone, he will deck her right now, HE WILL DO IT...]

[If Sanji weren't in the way, wasn't standing there between them being the bleeding heart that he always is, Reiju knows she'd jump the distance and punch this boy in the nose.

Sanji must realize it, too, because in an instant he's pushing Jae-Ha back, asking him to please let it go, it's fine, Reiju is just that way, all the while ignoring his injury to keep his friend safe and defend his sister's honor.

Her lips twist as a sour aftertaste floods her mouth.]

You're the one who's hurting him. [Going for the low blows, now, and her voice is soft with a dagger's edge] I came here to help, and you're picking a fight. He's injured but has to spend his time making sure no one finds you.

What happens when you run out of apples? And my brothers see you? And Father finds you? You think that isn't hurting him, watching you run around like a silly bumpkin who can take on the world? You're just a penniless boy my brother took mercy on.

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