#synchronize au

Six Sentence Sunday: Another Sych Ch 8 Snippet

Sadly my progress is not nearly as fast as I would like so I haven’t been able to make too much headway on the next chapter. but I have been thinking a lot about it and managed a couple snippets the other day…

It’s short but hope you’ll look forward to when I am finally able to update this again…. I really can’t wait myself (lol i wanna read the new chapter too 😂😭)

But everything basically leads to Sebastian getting very close to dying, and this scene is basically Tanaka not wanting to accept this.

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Even when Sebastian had been hospitalized in ICU, Tanaka couldn’t remember him being connected to so many tubes and wires and machines. But back then he hadn’t known one from the other, and sadly, now he could identify each type of pump by sight. Even from a distance, he had an idea what each IV bag held as their contents slowly dripped.

The room was too silent except for the air flowing through the tubing of the bipap that kept Sebastian breathing, the occasional blip of one of the monitors as his vitals shifted, and Agni’s tall form as he worked. They rarely spoke. It felt too much like how people behaved at a funeral: somber and silent, and he hated it.

Sebastian was dying.

The child he loved with every cell in his body was steps from death and all Tanaka could do was help Agni care for him and hold his hand. And pray. And beg him not to give up.

Not yet.

He pulled Sebastian’s limp hand to his lips and kissed the clammy skin. This wasn’t like previous hospital stays or even fever crises. Sebastian was so weak it was like his life was a candle at risk of being snuffed out any moment.

“Please,” Tanaka whispered in Japanese.

You can read chapters 1-7 of Synchronize on AO3!

Six-Sentence Sunday: Synchronize AU, Ch 8

So I know I barely wrote anything in 2024 and it’s been nearly 2 years since I was able to update Synch, but I’ve never stopped thinking about this story and I absolutely want to finish it.

I finally was able to assemble all the disparate pieces/scenes into an order more or less, and I was able to write one scene!, so I am hoping this means I’ll be able to update with something soonish, but again, no promises.

The story so far: Sebastian has been weaned off steroids and despite growing stronger in many ways, his swallowing muscles weaken to the point he’s no longer allowed anything by mouth. But he’s struggling to tolerate the tube feedings, and the last week has been dealing with severe GI symptoms and pain unlike anything he’s ever experienced. And Agni, caught up in his own anxiety, slips too far into nurse mode and fails to truly listen to why Sebastian is so upset…

Anyway, a tiny taste for the 2 people who still care about this story:

from this picrew

This is a scene that will appear in one of the upcoming chapters of Synchronize. Not sure yet if it’ll be in chapter 8 or if it’ll appear later, but it’ll feature this beautiful art I commissioned from @luci-on-the-moon (the full uncropped, color version will be posted with the fic/chapter).

Approximately 25 years ago, Vincent brought the twins and Tanaka on a trip to Japan…

Vincent drained his cup and set it aside, turning to face Tanaka. “Hiro,” he whispered. Just hearing this abbreviation of his name from Vincent’s lips was enough to raise goosebumps on Tanaka’s arms. Vincent cradled his face, smiling warmly. “I never imagined I would ever feel this way about anyone.”

“Hai,” Tanaka agreed before he could stop himself.

Vincent kissed him. Slow, not quite chaste but still restrained, and Tanaka could have sworn the heat from the water was traveling up through his body and winding around his heart.

His eyes fluttered as they pulled apart. “How long were you married?”

“Four years, nearly,” Vincent remarked as he refilled his sake cup.

That’s when it dawned on him. “But—but we first—I had only been working for you a year—”

Vincent smiled. It was glorious as always, though a veil of sadness seemed to have been pulled over it. “Ah, well. To be honest, I was entranced by you from the moment I saw you. And with how easily Sebastian took to you, I was prepared to offer you almost anything if you’d stay by my side.”

…

Vincent’s smile was sweet and genuine. His fingertips teased Tanaka’s short hair. “You should grow it out.”

Tanaka laughed, playing with the dark ponytail draped over Vincent’s shoulder. “The twins need at least one good example.”

Acting as if he were deeply offended, Vincent said, “Are you suggesting I’m a poor influence because I have long hair?”

Tanaka smirked playfully. “No, I’m saying Vincent Phantomhive Michaelis is.”

Melodramatically clutching his chest, Vince replied, “But I thought you loved me!”

Six-Sentence Sunday: Synchronize AU, Ch 8

I’m sadly still quite a long way off from finishing the next chapter, but I was finally able to write a little for it the other day, so here’s a small sample.

This scene is basically one in which Sebastian is having issues swallowing and Agni decides to step in, which leads Sebastian into admitting something.

Agni was always observant, and the instant he heard Sebastian coughing, he was at his side, a concerned expression on his face. “Are you having swallowing problems today?”

Sebastian couldn’t meet Agni’s eyes. “I’m fine. I just need some water.”

Agni frowned but nodded and left to get him some.

Sebastian stared at the cup in his hand, setting it on the over-bed table in front of him. He tried to swallow again and felt like he had to use his tongue and accessory neck muscles to execute it. He shut his eyes tight and swore in his mind. He was supposed to be better. He was stronger. He could sit up unsupported for a short amount of time and even transfer to his chair from bed on his own.

This felt like a slap in the face. He didn’t want to believe it. Maybe he was just tired?

“Here you go,” Agni said, offering him the cup with a straw. “I’m going to put my hand on your throat, but swallow normally.”

Sebastian acted indifferent, but he was scared. And pissed. He hesitantly took a sip of water; it felt like it took five or six swallows when it should have easily passed with only one. And he’d barely finished when he began to cough again, several times, enough that Agni took the cup away.

“You’re NPO until Dr. Albrecht clears you,” he said with authority, taking both cups away, meaning that Sebastian wouldn’t be allowed anything by mouth—not food, drink, or medicine. “I’ll give you your medication via your g-tube and go prepare a liquid meal for you once I’ve done that.”

“No,” Sebastian said, his fingers bunching in the blankets. He coughed again since it felt like the water was still stuck in his throat, even though he knew he had to be imagining it. “Please, Agni.”

Agni paused, cups in each hand, staring down at Sebastian, his face sympathetic, and yet stern. “Aspiration pneumonia is serious. This isn’t negotiable.” Basically, if Sebastian’s mouth and throat muscles were weak, it meant he couldn’t prevent food, liquid, and saliva from going down into his lungs. If that happened enough, it could lead to infection and even death.

Sebastian said nothing else as he watched Agni move, suddenly feeling crushed by despair. It had been foolish to hope, he’d known it.

But Agni made things different, somehow. As odd as it might seem, the one who’d come to care for all the needs he couldn’t attend to alone somehow made him feel more independent than he had in years.

And now . . .

“Sebastian? Are you all right? You’re breathing OK?”

Sebastian’s eyes flew from where they’d been fixed on the feeding tube supplies to those beautiful gray eyes. He wanted to be furious with Agni, as if he were to blame for Sebastian’s body betraying him, but he couldn’t bring himself to take his frustrations out on the nurse. Not now. Not after all they’d been through, how much Agni had helped him, even when he probably didn’t deserve it. “Do you have to do this?”

Agni tilted his head, assessing Sebastian. “I’ll do everything I can so you won’t be nauseous.”

That wasn’t what Sebastian meant, but he sighed and moved the blanket away, lifting his shirt to expose his abdomen, the little button that lay flush against his skin in the lower right just above where his pants waistband would be.

“I didn’t want this,” Sebastian said, watching Agni as he worked.

Agni paused what he was doing. “Sebastian?”

“The tube.”

Bard guided Agni the short distance to his bedroom. Though his head was floaty, he was still aware enough to know where this was going.

“What are you—”

“Taking you to bed.” Bard’s large hands held firm on Agni’s slim waist, steadying him.

“We don’t—I said we didn’t need to do this again.”

“I know,” Bard said, his blue eyes so beautiful. That and his carefree smile had enchanted Agni from the moment he’d first seen him years ago. Bard guided Agni’s head down and planted a kiss on his forehead, then reached for his shirt, tugging it up.

“I still—I never—not completely—” Shit. Shut up, Agni. He doesn’t need to hear your bullshit. Yet he lifted his arms so that they could work off his top.

“Stopped loving me? Like that ?” Bard’s face was kind, his words soft in the quiet, dimly lit room. “I know.” He yanked at the tie on Agni’s scrub pants with one hand, the other cradled in the small of Agni’s back.

“But—”

Bard pushed closer, cupping Agni’s cheek. “I want to do this for you. Unless you’ve changed your mind about that Valium?” Bard’s hand dropped to palm the Kali tattoo on Agni’s right shoulder. “Because otherwise, you won’t sleep. Not when you’re like this.”

Agni nodded, defeated. Bard was right. He was always right about Agni. Even so, Agni never took anything stronger than aspirin. He was too scared of what might happen if he ever let himself . . . “I can’t. I had a beer. I can’t mix them.”

Bard laughed. “You’re such a Girl Scout.”

Agni tried to push Bard away and stumbled, having to lay his hands on the shorter man’s shoulders to stabilize himself. “I can’t—I can’t be hungover tomorrow. I need to call the agency first thing and pray they have a job I can pick up immediately—”

Bard kissed him, silencing him instantly. God, could Bard kiss. Agni melted into it, his brain momentarily shutting off as he was lost in the warm feel of Bard’s tongue tangling with his. Pleasure bloomed with bittersweet sadness and longing Agni did his best to ignore.

But when Bard pulled away, Agni found himself struggling to remember what he’d been so worried about only seconds earlier. He craved more Bard.

“See? I told you.” He slid his palm over Agni’s side, across his stomach, down toward his groin. “You need this. Let me help you relax. No strings, as always.”

Ch 7: Hope Is Never Lost

↱ Read on AO3 ↰

Pairing: Sebagni, Vintaka, Seb & Tanaka, Bard/Agni, Claude/Grey, etc

Words: ~54K total

Chapter Summary: Bard takes care of a drunk Agni, who is left unsettled by what happened with his aunt even after returning to work. He and Sebastian grow closer. Claude begins to have doubts about his relationship with Charles.

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Fic Summary: Agni, a home-care nurse, has had his share of difficult patients, but now he's up for his biggest challenge yet. Sebastian is young, seriously ill, and angry, but Agni is determined to help him anyway. Will the two be able to synchronize and move forward, or will Sebastian forever let his bitterness over his past trauma hold him back?

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Reblogs appreciated, as always!

I’ve had major brainrot for this super super rare pair and decided to share my playlist I have for them. I structured it so it follows their romance arc in the story (to a certain extent). I’ll probably add to it later, but maybe it’ll awaken a few latent vintaka shippers to join me 😈

I know some of these songs are old, but since they were in love in the 1990s, I figured some nostalgia fit.

“The Man to Hold the Water” - Rob Thomas

"Anata no Sobani" - Riria

"I Honestly Love You" - Boy from Oz Musical

“Love Someone” - Lukas Graham

"As Long As You Love Me" - Backstreet Boys

"I Knew I Loved You" - Savage Garden

“Who We Love" - Sam Smith & Ed Sheeran

"Soulmate" - Flora Cash

"In Case You Don't Live Forever" - Ben Platt

"The Day I Died" - Five For Fighting

"Hold On" - Chord Overstreet (tw: suicide attempt)

"Once Before I Go" - Boy from Oz Musical

Only some of the songs are on soundcloud and to listen on spotify you have to have an account/login, so I've included the songs I could below the cut, along with a youtube playlist (I had to remake it bc the other was on my deadname account and I'd rather not share from there). If you like these let me know <3!