beneathmoonlight | Inbox: Atsushi Nakajima

It's about a block from here, I think. Not too...far away...

[It seems silly, the way his gangly body has to be supported by this young man. It almost looks like Atsushi is propping up a dark pool noodle.]

Thanks for helping me. I'm...really grateful.

[He thinks...? Wow, how drunk is Howard right now...]

Of course, Howard-san.

[It’s the least he can do, really, after all that drama.

Once they arrive at Howard’s apartment Atsushi will help him inside and to his room so that he can change clothes if he wishes.]

I still have no idea how you didn’t drown...

I don't...know. An entire hour.

[He sits back on his bed, groaning. He's already feeling less buzzed and more miserable. He starts to pull off his coat, followed by unbuttoning his wet shirt.]

An entire hour in that fountain. [His hands move up to his eye sockets again, fingers tracing along their edges.] I mean...I'm still alive, right? This isn't like...heaven, or something.

You’re still alive, Howard-san. Somehow.

[Atsushi glances away to give Howard some privacy as he changes. They’re both guys, but Atsushi still thinks it’s the polite thing to do.]

You know how some people have gotten special abilities back? Do you think it could be that?

[He rummages in his cabinet, finally pulling out an old sweatshirt to put on. His pants are fine. He's not going to waste effort in changing those.]

I know about that. I can hear things most people can't, you know...things from far away. And now...this.

[He sighs, finally flopping back onto the bed, long hair strewn around him. This has...certainly been a night.]

Do you think I should try it out? [He suddenly gets back up to his feet less than a few seconds after he got on the bed, stumbling towards the direction of the bathroom.] Let me...try it out.

Oh...I had no idea.

[At least he hasn’t been shit-talking Howard or anything, because Atsushi isn’t that kind of guy.

Howard’s hair certainly is long. Atsushi wonders how he even keeps up with it...]

W-what??? N-no!! What if you end up drowning after all?

[Atsushi frantically catches up with Howard, tugging on his sleeve.]

I don’t want you to get pneumonia or something.

I have to try it out. I mean...this is something I need to know.

[Just how far are his changes going? What is he becoming? He would feel more anxiety over this if his mind wasn't clouded with alcohol.]

Let me try. [He shakes Atsushi off, already moving into the bathroom to switch on the faucet in the bath.] I have to find out if it's true...

[Atsushi supposes he can understand why Howard would need to know something so important about himself...]

Okay...but I’m going with you, and I’m pulling you out if I get really worried, okay?

[Atsushi follows Howard, wringing his hands nervously.]

Please be careful, Howard-san...

Don't worry about me.

[He has to wait for the water to get to the right height, but he's already getting on his knees. He just changed. He shouldn't be doing this. What if this goes completely wrong? He switches off the water, and completely ignoring every doubt, he bends over the tub and just...pushes his face into the water.]

[He stays like that for a good minute. Uh. Maybe he should come out by now.]

[Dont worry, he says. As if it’s possible for Atsushi not to worry when Howard could literally drown in his bathtub.

He sits on the edge of the tub and watches as Howard dips his head underwater, and at first he’s not all that afraid. It’s just a little bit of water. It’ll be fine.

Except Howard stays underwater for far longer than he should, and Atsushi ends up freaking out and pulling him out anyway.]

Howard-san?? Are you okay??

[Howard coughs a bit, but he quickly catches his breath as Atsushi pulls him out. He sniffs, grimacing as the water drips from his eye sockets again.]

I'm fine. There...there isn't any water in my lungs at all. I was...I-I was breathing just fine...

[He actually looks incredibly dismayed, for somebody who just discovered a new superpower.]

Then you can breathe underwater.

[Atsushi’s heart aches for Howard now, because eyes or no, he can tell this doesn’t sit well with him. Atsushi wraps his arms around Howard in a shy, tentative hug, more than ready to be told to back off.]

You’re still Howard-san, no matter what powers you get.

I didn't want this, Atsushi. I didn't want any of this.

[It feels like his fate has been tainted, cursed, corrupted into something he barely even recognizes.]

[There's a long moment before his own slender hands move up to slide around Atsushi, returning the hug.]

Why can't I just be normal...?

I’m sorry, Howard-san...

[Despite Howard being damp, Atsushi continues to hold him, not caring in the slightest. His friend may be not entirely human, but in the end, Howard is still Atsushi’s friend, and he wants to be there for him when he can.]

I don’t know why this is happening, and it’s probably scary, but you’re still you. I promise. And I just know that everyone else will support you too, no matter what.

You don't know that. Some people might, but...

[He buries his face in the front of Atsushi's shirt, covering those garish eye holes. He feels like he wants to cry. He probably can't cry. Not with these.]

I don't want to...be hated for something I have no control over...

...I’m sorry.

[Atsushi's heart aches for Howard, and he dares to cradle the back of Howard’s head to hold him close to his chest. God, he’s tearing up too...to think he’d ever see Howard so open and vulnerable...]

You’re right. I can’t promise that everyone will accept you, but...

[Atsushi gently strokes Howard’s long hair.]

If they’re truly your friends, they’ll accept you no matter what. Everyone else doesn’t matter.

[Anyone who would denounce Howard for this doesn’t deserve to know him.]

I don't know. People say they're friends, but...well, I guess it takes the worst to see if that's true.

[His own breath is warm as he continues to be held in Atsushi's embrace. The hand in his hair is making him relax, slowly but surely, his shoulders lowering as Atsushi continues.]

God, my head hurts...

Do you have any aspirin?

[What works for hangovers...? Atsushi is too inexperienced to know.]

I could make you some tea. Or coffee.

Inbox: Atsushi Nakajima

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