Inbox: Atsushi Nakajima

[beneathmoonlight]

Atsushi Nakajima

Atsushi Nakajima here! Sorry I missed you! Please leave a message or voicemail and I’ll get back to you ASAP! ^_^

VOICE | TEXT | VIDEO | ACTION

Comments

[ohrlyeh]

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.]

[beneathmoonlight]

[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??

[ohrlyeh]

[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.]

[beneathmoonlight]

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.

[ohrlyeh]

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...?

[beneathmoonlight]

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.

[ohrlyeh]

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...

[beneathmoonlight]

...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.]

[ohrlyeh]

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...

[beneathmoonlight]

Do you have any aspirin?

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

I could make you some tea. Or coffee.