#yumefics

“Oh, someone’s looking all gloomy.” An all too familiar voice… Ah, it’s behind me again. In fact I could tell that he was behind me again, hence why I turned and spotted who was looking over my shoulder… Henry, and that signature smile was still on his face. What had a creepy undertone days ago now was… It felt at least somewhat different, let’s put it that way. “Whatcha doing?”

My mouth wouldn’t open for a short moment, just looking at him. Even though the solution to my problem may have been right in front of me at that moment. Yet my head didn’t want to realize it, at least not yet. Though he felt free to point it out to me anyways by saying: “Oh, what’s that?”

My gaze drifted to my open hands again, the candy wrapped in paper still being in there. I turned back, shrugging. Outside of it being candy I didn’t really know what it was either. The scent was sweet, maybe with a hint of fruit. Strawberry? Or perhaps orange? No matter, it was sweet, very sweet, almost sickly sweet to my own nose. Then I turned back to him and asked: “Do you want it?”

“Who? Me?” He pointed at himself, as if I was just asking something outrageous. He was a little surprised, as hard as it was to tell. He didn’t stop smiling at the very least. 

“Yeah. I… Don’t feel hungry.” That was the truth to be honest. Kind of.

“I don’t mind. Is it poisonous or something?” 

“What? No, it’s not!” I don’t think. No way kids had something poisonous with them. “Just take it alright? It’d be shame to let it rot.”

“If you’re sure about it, I’ll gladly take it. Thanks!”

I nodded and handed it over, right into the palm of his hands. Our fingers came into contact for a moment and again his skin was… Cold. Very cold. Ice cold even. I nearly shivered upon contact. “Enjoy or something.” Instead of the candy lingering in my mind it was the feeling of his skin. 

With each passing day Henry became more and more intriguing to me in some way. It was a morbid curiosity, to say the least. And for a second I wondered… What would it be like to be in his skin? Literally. I… Ah, no, nevermind, not like that would happen.

“Ooh, candy!” The next thing I heard him say like some curious child and he… Looked at me? I think? It’s hard to tell with his eyes constantly closed. “You sure you don’t want any? We can share you know!”

“N… No, I’m fine. Really.”

“But that’s super rare! One bite won’t hurt!”

“You can have it. Don’t–”

“Hmm… No, I’d feel bad about taking it all now. We’re sharing!” He just decided that on a whim without asking me. And yet his voice was a mere contrast to his skin, being all warm and welcoming. Maybe that’s why I had gotten so curious. He persisted, just like those kids did. And yet it wasn’t the childlike wonders or something, kids being kids basically. There was something else within Henry, something I knew he would refuse to acknowledge. He made that very clear whenever he just barely saved my skin.

“Do I have to?”

“Hmm… No. But I might hex you if you don’t.”

“Wha– Are yo userious!?” I squeaked.

“Nah, just kidding.” Oh that guy… “I wouldn’t hex an ally unless asked to.”

“That’s not funny!” I countered, noticing just how my cheeks were puffing up a little.

The response? A laugh. Just a simple laugh. It wasn’t sinister nor was it anything which would ring alarm in any way. Just a laugh. A simple laugh as if he was enjoying himself, though having the mischievous edge of his sometimes. “Nyehehe, too late. Now come on, let’s share this candy already!”

I shook my head. “Hah… Fine, since you insist.” I gave in. I pretty much had to. It was too late to run so I may as well bear it now. Not like I could change his mind about it anyways. Or else Henry might tie me down with some type of curse or something. Best not to test it. 

Although, even back then I thought that his company was slowly becoming not so bad. I… Started liking having him around. Even if he himself could be a little morbid sometimes.

Was this the day to mark in the calendars? Has the great writing genius hit a roadblock? Would this be their first experience of the infamous disease known as writer’s block!? Had they finally caught it just like anyone else with a creative bone in their body!?

It was speculation but that was very unlikely, or so he concluded. After all, they could pull off page after page if they wanted to. Sure it would be a twist of irony but the possibility of that being the case was very low. But if he ended up being proven wrong he would gladly mark it in his calendar as a reminder.

The boy’s gaze wandered through the local once more. Sojiro didn’t seem to come back anytime soon from whatever business he was attending to. And overall the Leblanc wasn’t that busy at this time. There was another customer nearby the door yet they seemed to be attending their own business. And Morgana was upstairs, busy arguing with old timer Ole most likely. So he figured that it should be fine to leave his post for a moment.

And that was exactly what he did, walking over to the table. He started it off very simple. “Hey. What are you doing?”

Lukanja reacted to this pretty much right away, suddenly dropping the pencil and then attempting to hide the blank sheet. Though it was kind of too late, he had already taken a glimpse at it. There were only two words written on it. ‘To Goro’.

At first Akira had to process it for a moment. ‘Who is Goro?’ But it then hit him who it could be. Right, that was Akechi. Sometimes it would slip his mind that this was the guy’s actual first name. After all, anyone else was just calling him by his last name. Though once Akira noticed he chose to not say a word about it and instead let them speak up first. Though their response wasn’t revealing much.

“Ah— N… Nothing! Nothing in particular!” They responded while looking up at him, cheeks flushing for a moment. One would think of it as odd in the beginning. Why were they acting as if he was catching them doing something illegal? “Don’t worry about it!”

“Is that going to be a letter to threaten someone?” He decided to ask, joke around, yet had said it in the driest way possible. Then again, it was also somewhat on purpose. He just couldn’t help himself.

“Wha— No! Of course not! I’d never!” They insisted, looking at him in somewhat of a shock. 

“Are you sure? You’re awfully secretive.”

“Very!”

“Maybe you’re lying.” He even leaned a little more forward to have a closer look at their face. Though they were only looking more nervously at him, fumbling around a little as their gaze kept wandering from space to space. He didn’t falter, making sure to not crack up at that point. He had to act as if he meant it. Why? No reason, really. He just felt like messing around a little.

“No! I wouldn’t even think about that!” They kept on insisting, huffing in the end. “This isn’t funny.”

Oh, so they knew he was joking? Or were they just guessing? In any case, that was where he broke his somewhat stoic expression and instead replaced it with a light yet amused smile, then backing away. “Yes, yes. Sorry.” Though he wasn’t. And they knew that much themself.

“Why are you sometimes like this, Akira–Kun?” Lukanja somewhat mumbled yet then looked back up at him. “But seriously, it’s nothing big. Don’t worry about it.”

“There is nothing you need help with?”

“No, not really. I’ll manage.” They assured him, or tried their best to sound like it. Though they looked away right after with their gaze. “Even if I did, it’s something I gotta do on my own. Sorry.”

Something they had to do on their own? That sounded a little confusing at first. What would be something they would have to do all by themself? He was thinking for a good moment here before his gaze went over to the calendar. The month had been changed, a page lifted up. Not too long ago it had been January. But yesterday was the last day of the month. So naturally it is February now. And if it was February that meant something… It was that time of the year. Or it was fast approaching.

He got it now. All of it finally made sense.That’s what they were working on here. Not surprising at all. 

“If you say so.” Akira finally added. “Good luck with your love letter.”

I let out a scream, panicked deep down. ‘This was it’ I thought, at least in the moment and thus I closed my eyes. However, just as I thought when the Risen would get to me I heard the sound of something akin to an explosion. And when I opened my eyes I saw some purple mist in the air. And as soon as it calmed down, I saw him right in between… It was Henry and he was holding a tome right in his hand, open. And he was laughing wholeheartedly, as if he was having the time of his life. Then again, that was perhaps not too far off. He really has a thing for killing, I always knew that. 

And yet, as soon as the laughing had ceased, I saw his head turning to me and he asked: “Oh, hey there. You two ok?” It was a little sing sangy but of course it was. And yet it was almost like something I had read and at least for the moment– Ah no, I was reading too deep into that action. If it hadn’t been the first time though maybe. But this was far from the first. Honestly, it’s kind of embarrassing.

I hopped off my pegasus and told her to stay still for the time being. She seemed to have rattled up herself from that moment of shock and I couldn’t blame her. Reassuring her to take it easy, the best I could at least. Though I would get help there too. Before knowing it Henry was next to me, in front of my pegasus and started… Petting her. Truth to be told I saw him doing it more often than not, secretly talking to her. Or he thought that he was being sneaky about it because I always managed to catch him. Yet I never had said anything about it either. Maybe he knew though, he wasn’t that clueless. It just was that I barely saw it from up close. Dare I note though that this was one of the few times that his laughing was a little softer? Not to mention a genuine smile on his face, or it became more genuine than before.

“Easy girl You’re fine now.” He said, soothing. And for a moment it also got me into a trance as I looked at it. listening to his words despite them not being directed at me at all. “No one’s going to hurt you or your best friend. Everything is taken care of.” And he calmed her down too, something which took me a little more than just a few words. I… Well, I had no words.

Maybe that’s why it had overcome me suddenly though. I was watching with his side profile right in view. And then… It just kind of happened. I launched forward, right in the middle of everything and… Before I knew it, my lips were hitting one of his cheeks. I felt his skin for the first time in some way, how cold it really was. It was almost frightening. My own lips felt warm in comparison. 

It was only for a moment though. A short, fleeting moment before I pulled away. Yet the aftermath… That wasn’t something what I saw coming. When I looked at Henry once more I saw his eyes open, a rare sight… A very rare sight. An extremely rare sight. No, I had never seen it before until then.

His eyes… They were the opposite of what one would expect. They were cold, lifeless, no light in them. He was staring into nothingness, just into that blank, empty space basically. And he remained like this for a few more seconds, frozen, arms down, just staring.

My stomach twisted for a moment and… Who wouldn’t worry by that point? So I spoke up. “Henry? Are you alright?”

And then a sudden flinch, him moving again. From one moment to the next his smile morphed back onto his face, though I could see him being a little flustered if not strained. Yet he was trying to mask it, pretending that nothing had ever happened to begin with. “Me? Oh, yeah. I’m fine. Just peachy! When I’m not fine? See?” Though it came out quicker than usual, I could tell. 

I wanted to say it, tell him to essentially ‘cut the crap’ yet who am I to speak? At the time I didn’t know him that well. So I had to take his word for it…  “If you say so.” But of course I didn’t believe it. Yet… Leaving it at that? I couldn’t. Not like this… “Thanks by the way.”

“Hm? Why are you thanking me?”

“For… Saving us. You know.”

“Haha, you don’t have to. I just like killing things.”

“But–”

“Really, no biggie. I’m just a guy who likes slaughtering.” Right, he’d say that… Of course. “No thanks necessary~” He may say that but a part of me knew that it was a lie. That or a part of me wanted to believe that it was a lie. Because there’s no way… Right.

Much to Haru’s surprise, very hard. No, almost impossible. Lukanja was surprisingly clumsy when it came to the kitchen itself. They had asked to bake something, practicing to make a chocolate cake. Sounds simple enough at first glance. Yet chaos had already started to ensue when just breaking the eggs. They didn’t even break them, they just threw them into the bowl alongside the shell. Then spilling some milk all over the place or having a dusty cloud of flour within the kitchen itself. Crushing the chocolate was honestly the easy part for them. It was a mess beyond anyone’s comprehension. 

Though Haru took a deep breath. Lukanja had mentioned that they weren’t very good at this. So it should be fine. Just be patient and tell them that they can redo this. Together. Yeah, just be pa—

“Watch out!”

Yet before knowing it a sudden splash. Before knowing it Haru was covered in the first attempt of— No, it was more akin to a very sticky liquid. The bowl had been covering her view, probably right on top of her head. Her clothes were a total mess, she could already feel it. And the glibbery parts, most likely coming from the egg, were dripping down, right onto her clothes. It hasn’t been that long yet slowly even she started to realize why Lukanja has been banned from the kitchen. 

“Ah– Damn it! Sorry! I’m so sorry!” They apologized quickly, even repeating ‘sorry’ over and over. Of course she wouldn’t accuse them of doing this on purpose. They were not that type of person. But this was not what she had expected to happen, at all. And yet patience was key. 

She lifted up the bowl, coming into view with Lukanja who was constantly bowing, up and down, with their face looking right to the ground. Seeing them like this made Haru almost feel guilty herself. Yet she also knew that this was going to be a long day. “Please, don’t worry about it. It was an accident.” She began. She could look past stuff like this, as exhausting as it sounded. “Uhm… How about we take a break and come back to this later?”

“A… Are you su—” Yet once the two came face to face with another again they noticed the sight she probably was. Judging from the wide eyes and sudden gasp at least. “N… No, you’re right. You probably want to take a shower, don’t you?”

She nodded. “That would be appreciated.”

“I’ll show you where it is. Oh, and I’ll make sure to lay out some spare clothes!”

“Thank you.” 

But one thing he knew he always enjoyed was not just the atmosphere of this place but also the music. There was just something about jazz he really enjoyed. Maybe it was the unpredictable nature of the genre as a whole? Or how it always managed to be so soothing? Maybe it was a mix of both. Or just simply that this place was special to him, hence why he held the genre as a whole in perhaps a special regard as well. 

Then again, maybe he didn’t want to get into the details. Because once he did it would lose its appeal. And did he really need to know of a deeper reason than simply ‘he likes it’? No, not really. And he didn’t owe anyone an explanation on it either. 

So it wasn’t exactly a place he would just take anyone with him either. It was rare that he would find himself in someone’s company. Usually he preferred to be all by himself. It would truly take someone special for him to even consider introducing them, let alone dragging them back to this place. 

One person he had taken along here some time ago was Kurusu. Goro didn’t know why exactly and even now it was perhaps still a bit of a mystery to him. Then again, even he would be foolish to say nowadays that he hated the guy. Goro didn’t, not really at least. Kurusu was a bit of a pain in the neck sometimes, given his quips and smartass remarks but if it wasn’t for him then who knows where Goro himself may have ended up at. Even if it was a little difficult nowadays to see him in the eye. Not to mention his rather irritating view on things, especially in the regard he held the former Detective Prince. But alas, he could hardly deny any importance, especially if he had shown his rival this place on his own accord. It was all a… Complicated endeavor. 

As for the second person… Luckily things were more straightforward than anything else. He had taken them too, though the first time he did it was some type of desperation. He had seen them frustrated, sitting in front of the police station and not knowing what to do. He tried to get them to calm down and Jazz Jin was the first thing coming to his mind. It then turned into a temporary meeting spot for a Palace infiltration regarding Officer Sato’s Palace. But by now the place had turned into more than that…

If he was taking someone along to the club nowadays, it would honestly be them coming first to his mind, Lukanja. Turning a place to unwind into an occasional dating spot… A little bizarre at first but by now he had gotten used to this. It was honestly something he looked forward to once in a while. And showing someone important a place he cherishes… Of course that was also not out of the question. Even though it was rather personal it was also… Nice. Having them around. Sitting around, chatting while just taking in the atmosphere.

Even now he caught himself nearly cracking a few smiles. He just couldn’t help himself in this instance or any other. It honestly wasn’t so bad. It just wasn’t something he had ever imagined happening. A lot has happened since and the change that he wasn’t just visiting this place alone anymore was also proof of that. And he wouldn’t have it any other way…

A sudden loud sound had gotten the attention of the little boy’s ears. He had been busy, hooked to the television, watching one of his favorite superhero shows. Yet what had gotten him out of his trance was this sound. And it had been close by too, only a few feet away. Therefore it made him jump up from one moment to the next, worried from one moment to the next. He quickly turned around too, yelling: “Mommy!?” From his mouth, a little bit fearful. Even more when the sight had been in front of him.

A plate had dropped to the ground, his own mother dropping right onto her knees, right in front of the sink. She held herself together, arms wrapped around her stomach as she faced the ground. He could hear it from her mouth, the quiet groans of pain. “Ow”, over and over, a simple “ow”.

He dashed over, right to her side. He didn't expect that. Mommy seemed fine a moment ago. During dinner she was listening eagerly to one of his stories, his adventures outside. She nodded and smiled each time.

But now? It was the exact opposite. She was hunched over, in pain. Worry overcame him, his tiny body trembling. He was at the brink of letting out his tears yet shook his head. No, this wasn't the time to cry. If anyone was allowed to cry, it was probably Mommy. So he held it in, even if he was more than fearful right now.

“Mommy!” He continued to yell as he was now right next to her, hands shaking. He wanted to reach out yet wasn't sure if it didn't cause her any more pain. Though he had to ask, he had to speak up. Even if the answer was right in front of him. “Are you alright!? Does it hurt!?” Though he was terrified all the same. What if–

Any thought was interrupted however when he saw her head lift itself up, right into his direction. And there he saw it once more, her smile, Mommy’s smile. Though it was a little painful to look at. She didn't feel well but that was not the point of the smile. No it was as if to reassure him in some way, even when her hand lifted itself up weakly and placed itself on top of his head. “Sweetie, it’s ok.” She even said, fittingly soft. “I’ll be fine. I just need to rest for a moment.”

“R… Really?"

“Yes. It happens once in a while.”

“Huh!? But that's–”

“Don't worry. All women go through this pain. I’ll be alright."

“All women?” He tilted his head, not understanding at that point in time. Though he was trying here. Wasn't that reason to worry?

“Haha, yes. At some point they do. It will pass with a bit of rest however. So–”

“Then stay right there Mommy!”

“Huh?”

“i’ll get your futon ready!”

“Goro dear, that–”

“No, I insist! I want Mommy to feel comfortable and rest plenty!” A stubborn one when hearing that yet the biy wanted to insist. After all, Mommy always works hard! So this is the least he could do!

She herself looked at him a little bewildered. Though she chuckled it off shortly after, moving her hand on top of his head, ruffling through his hair. “Thank you Sweetheart. I appreciate it."

An initial shock yet the more it had happened the more Goro grew used to this. It gave him an odd sense of respect yet also worry. Anyone who had to endure that was surely something else. Handling such pain, he could hardly imagine nor relate. Even his own mother proceeded usually as if nothing was happening, masking her discomfort. And now he was close to someone who did it no differently.

He had noticed it throughout the day yet had no chance to say anything. They talked to people as if nothing was wrong. They attended to their work as if nothing was wrong. They walked around as if nothing was wrong. And yet there was always a hint of pain – It was that time of the month for them, for Lukanja.

They were probably used to this, given how they handled everything. It was something he came to admire, respect even. In some way they were stronger than him, even if he would not say it out loud. But it was true, at least in his mind. Though he didn't just want to stand by and watch yet had to wait for an opportunity.

Said opportunity would eventually present itself though, on the way home, when both were sitting next to each other in the train, on the way home. Perhaps he had acted a little without thinking but seeing them like this… He couldn't bear it. They will be fine, he knew that. Mother's words were true. They will live. He knew that. But the pain was still something to endure.

He could hear it, their surprised gasp at that moment when he just pulled them closer without warning, making them lean their head against his shoulder. He could hear it, the sudden gasp. Yet before they could say anything he asked: “Is this comfortable?”

He glanced down, seeing just how startled they were, not to mention how red. Had he embarrassed them? Maybe. “Akechi–Kun? Where is this coming from?”

Usually he would just scoff, turn away with fake annoyance. Though this time he couldn't. They wouldn't have the energy to handle it to begin with. So instead he lifted up one of his gloved hands to place it in their head, then softly going through their hair. “You’re tired, aren't you?”

He expected them to protest, as they usually would. However, instead it was met with an awkward chuckle before their answer. “Is it that obvious?”

“If you have a trained eye maybe."

“And here I thought that I had it until getting home.”

“I’m impressed that you even had the energy to get out of bed.”

“Nothing a bit of force can't handle."

“You shouldn't push yourself too hard.” He sighed. Were they careless or did they manage to handle it just fine? He didn't know, though he noticed how they had one hand around their abdomen sometimes, even now. No, especially now. “It can't be helped. I’ll walk you home.”

“Huh!? There's no need for that! Really, I’ll be–”

“No, I insist. We can't have you collapse again.”

A moment of silence. Lukanja looked at him in disbelief, at least for a second before they couldn't help but chuckle weakly. “Thanks. But you worry too much.”

“Better safe than sorry. Especially since you can be a little careless.”

“Ah– Hah, fine. You win~”

“Really? You’re not creeped out by having people watching you eat?” This question had the staff gasp as well, some even having looked away a little awkwardly. Talk about having no filter when speaking. “Weird.”

“Their… Job is to be at our back and call.” He tried to remain calm, not freak out. He had never thought about it like that. Though the phrasing itself was also somewhat insufferable. They could have really put it into kinder words but chose not to. Yet… There was a point to be made here. 

And yet not everyone saw it like that. He could feel the daggering gazes at the young princess, other court members and even the prince’s own father being at the brink of their patience with them. They could kill them for it yet knew that they also had to keep calm. This was the ‘daughter’ of another influential yet late king, the prince’s betrothed. And it would cause issues to talk back to them. Mainly with their mother everyone feared. She had also no filter with her words sometimes, except she was also ready to use violence if she had to. Or being furious.

In any case, the princess paid it no mind. Instead they turned to the staff and asked bluntly yet innocently: “Hey, how about you join us next time?”

“Ah– M… Milady! We can’t just do that!” One of the maids responded, though flustered while fumbling around all over. “After all, it’s… Not appropriate for mere staff and nobles to—”

“It’s no fair if you just watch us eat y’know.” They interrupted her. Talk about a lack of manners.

“B… But…”

“You know what? I would love for you to join us next time! How about it?”

“Uhm… A kind offer Milady… Yet…”

“Haha, don’t worry! I will stand up for y’all. From the next meal onwards you are eating with us!”

An unconventional noble but honestly… It was a little refreshing. Maybe they were the wind this court needed… 

“And? What do you think?” Lukanja had asked Goro, him just finishing up reading that passage. He had been asked to by them very eagerly. 

A story about a prince and a princess, falling madly in love while being married to another from an arranged marriage. It sounded clichée and he wasn’t too thrilled reading about the contents but what they had failed to mention was how the two characters bounced off each other. An unconventional princess, showing the prince a life he hadn’t even considered. The home having been an unusual court and this princess was now carrying out new traditions in this rather conventional court. It makes the princess unpopular at first yet the prince doesn’t seem to hate it at all. So it quickly turned into defying the odds. All while also making sure to anger the prince’s father by getting in between his own plans of taking over the entire continent. He was honestly surprised.

“It’s not the usual fairy tale schmuck.” He admitted. “I… might be a little curious. But just a little.”

“Hehe, good enough for me. Glad to hear that~” They responded with a hum. 

“Although, the characters feel a little too familiar. Who did you base this on?”

“Huh? No one.”

“Riight…” He wasn’t believing that for a second.

“Honest! I just wrote it as I went!”

“Seriously?”

“Yes!”

“I… If you say so…” He wouldn’t get the answer out of them then. Even if he doubted it. After all, he could relate to the prince a little too much.

He knew that they were practically like a cat. They hated getting wet by any sense of the word. It was one of the first things he gad learned. Even the tiniest drop of water made them shake themself. Once more they reminded him of a housecat. Their hatred of water was one of those traits and probably the strongest. Though he was wondering sometimes if they wouldn't just use it as an excuse as well to stay as close to him as possible.

In any case, he found himself walking down the streets with them after some scolding for being once more so forgetful. Or rather, he had tried to scold them but they just wouldn't listen. Instead they were too busy humming while clinging onto him like an octopus, not letting go anytime soon. Their head had also tilted a little to the side, enough to lean against him while walking. And if he stole a glance once or twice he could see a smile on their face. A big, wide smile. It was one of the widest he had seen on them in a very long time.

It may be rainy yet it didn't seem to stop them from having that goofy grin plastered all over their face. They just couldn't let him go, trapping him in their grasp with it for as long as they pleased. And they were enjoying it more than was perhaps necessary. But if it kept them happy, then so be it. After all, he would lie if he claimed that they weren't cute while smiling like this. He couldn’t stay mad at them for too long if they were like this. That was also in the spirit of a cat after all, wasn't it?

Ah wait, here he goes again with the cat comparison. All in the rain too. Oh what an irony. 

“Hey Goro, let's head somewhere together! A little detour maybe!”

“Are you seriously asking to go somewhere in the rain? I thought you hated getting wet.”

“Well, yeah. But if I can stay with you a little longer that way then…”

“Is that all you care about?”

“Why not? Let's have some fun while it lasts!”

“Don't complain to me if you get wet. Got it?”

“Alright alright, I won't complain~ Maybe.”