#experimantal

(This is an OC x Canon fanfiction, so .. be aware of that? I dunno man.)

(Did I forget to mention that this is about Black Hat meeting Liam? Well uh .. This is! Cool, right?)

(Oh yeah it isn’t Liam’s birthday just yet- Planning on doing something even more special for when that comes along- This was just because I didn’t know how else he’d meet the hat man …)

(One last thing, Liam is in fact still dead. Just a materialized ghost here vv)

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    This was it. The night before Liam’s 27th birthday … Or at least, it would have been. Of course, since it’s such a confusing time for Elliot, she wasn’t exactly feeling the greatest.

    Elliot was supposed to be asleep at this time, but alas, she couldn’t. Not now, when every memory of him was coming back. She … Still felt guilty about it. It wasn’t something she could just let go after all.

    She lay awake next to Black Hat in his room due to her nightmares, but she wasn’t getting any tonight. That’s because … She can’t get nightmares if she can’t fall asleep, right? At least, that’s what she tried to tell herself.

    Obviously, Black Hat isn’t stupid, he knew that she was awake. He just … Didn’t say anything about it. He didn’t know how to deal with other people’s emotions and feelings since he … Didn’t exactly feel empathy. But he always felt something akin to it whenever he saw that Elliot wasn’t feeling her best. It was something he could never truly understand himself.

    Tick, tock. Tick, tock. Tick … Oh look, it’s sunrise. How convenient.

    The clock struck 8AM, and Elliot immediately sat up abruptly, practically leaping out of bed and beginning to get ready. This … Confused the ever-loving hell out of Black Hat, since he didn’t exactly celebrate much himself. Well, other than the end of the world, of course, but that was a special holiday.

    Soon enough, Elliot began to count her money, trying to see if she’d saved up enough. For what? Well, for Liam’s birthday gifts of course! He deserved it after all for being the .. Best brother ever.

    Curious, Black Hat sat up, feigning a yawn before looking at Elliot. “What’s all this for, hm? Going somewhere special without me?” He teased, though there was an undercurrent of genuine curiosity in his tone.

    ‘I can’t miss it! He turns 27 today! I have to get him something special!’ Elliot exclaimed, providing no further context before attempting to bolt out of the room.

    “Wait.” Black Hat stood to his feet, snapping his fingers and getting himself ready instantly. “Mind if I join you?” He asked, holding out his hand to her. “You’re going to need a ride, aren’t you? I’m sure he isn’t here on Hat Island now, hm?” He added in his know-it-all tone. Though, he really did know it all, didn’t he?

    ‘Oh—Sure!’ She nods a bit, though she seems a bit rushed as she pretty much runs over to him and grabs his hand, dragging him out the door. He followed closely, not minding being the one to follow for once.

    They made a pitstop at the store to get Liam a birthday card and to grab a pen for Elliot to write on it with. On the way, she was writing the whole time, even as Black Hat supernaturally transported them to the city. Elliot led him to the graveyard in a more secluded area, and it was rather quiet and … Peaceful. Ironic, isn’t it?

   With a heavy heart, Elliot rushed over to Liam’s gravestone, kneeling in front of it. She had memorized the route there, it seemed to be muscle memory for her. It was the least she could do for him after all.

    She placed the card down, taking an older one off of the gravestone and pocketing it. She cleaned up the roses she decorated the stone with a bit, making them look newer and nicer. ‘There you are … Good as new. I’m sorry I haven’t visited in a while, Liam … I’ve been busy.’ She mumbled out, her voice shaky from grief. It seems this is her coping mechanism to deal with it all.

    At first, Black Hat just watched, not wanting to interrupt the siblings’ ‘heartfelt moment’. He almost thought it was silly before he noticed the figure that seemed to materialize behind the gravestone.

    Wait a minute … That’s not normal. Even Elliot was surprised by that, gasping and moving back slightly before her eyes filled with an almost childlike joy. Joy? Yes. That’s right.

    “It’s fine, Ell. I’ve been doing well good for myself over here. In your absence, I figured out how to make myself known to the living. Cool, right?” Liam chuckled, resting his elbows on his own gravestone, propping his chin on his hands. ‘Liam-!’ Elliot exclaimed, rushing to hug him, though she only phased through him. ‘Liam … Oh, I missed you …’ She sniffled, tears streaming down her face. Liam seemed to want to comfort her, though he couldn’t exactly hug her or anything. Ghost, remember?

    “I take it this isn’t a usual occurrence?” Black Hat commented, his eye almost sizing Liam. “Nope. Hey, wait a minute … Aren’t you that Black Hat guy? The one with the big company for villains? Why’re you here?” Liam asked, also sizing Black Hat.

    ‘Well … I was going to tell you now, but you uh .. Kind of distracted me for a moment… He’s—‘ Elliot started.

    “Her lover.” Black Hat finished, smirking widely.

    Liam’s eyes widened. He couldn’t believe his ears … He looked almost disgusted. Almost. He was never one to judge, but— “Seriously?” Liam blurted out, raising an eyebrow. “How did- This is like the last person I expect you to get with, Ell-!” He processed, baffled.

    ‘It’s … A long story, heheh—‘ Elliot fidgeted with her hands a bit. ‘But .. I promise, looks aren’t everything … Even if it seems like it. He’s very handsome …’ She complimented innocently, letting out a soft chuckle. “Alright, sure, but … Why? Isn’t he like- The literal definition of evil?” Liam commented.

    “Why yes, and I take much pride in that.” Black Hat grinned, showing off his unnaturally sharp teeth. He seemed to be amused by this entire situation. “Say … Why don’t we go out for dinner sometime, Liam.?” He teased, knowing full well that Liam could no longer physically eat.

    Liam almost chuckled, but he stopped himself. “You know what? Fuck it, sure,” He replied, letting out a joking sigh.

    Elliot was glad they were already getting along. She was almost worried they’d clash, but … As much as Liam hated to admit it, he seemed to match Black Hat’s energy well. In some aspects, of course.

    The End.

    I picked this up from @teorama68 on ig. This is a haiku by Natsume Sōseki,

and the still is from the movie Kristallnacht(1979) or the Night of the Broken Glass by Chick Strand.

It actually goes like this:

白菊にしばしたゆたふはさみかな

shiragiku ni shibashi tayutou hasami kana

The translation is always varying and not as sweet as the actual poetry so if you understand this particular language, i envy you :)

“Aquatic Freedom”