October 4th

[vessel_ken_amada]

[CW: death]


It was a day where Ken was nowhere to be seen. Not in his room, the house, his old room, or anywhere he usually was. His phone was off, too. It may have seemed like he completely disappeared, had he not told Raven quickly before leaving that he'd be busy all day - just for the sake of not having a search party for him.

Someone going in that shady spot behind the Tatsumi Port Island station, however, would find him. He was there the whole day, just standing in the middle, not moving, seeming almost lifeless, his gaze lost in the void.

It was October 4th.

The day where she died.

The day where she was brutally murdered.

A scream. Sickly green hues. A giant monster suddenly appearing. Everything breaking apart. Rubble everywhere. She was shouting at him, pushing away, saving him. Blood. Terror.

...

...

Will someone approach him?

Comments

[vessel_ken_amada]

It's all too much. He falls on the ground, hugging his knees, shaking like crazy. He starts sobbing loudly.

At least, now that he can properly deal with his feelings, the feeling of death stops building up and slowly recedes.

[fogboundcrow]

"Ken..." Raven still doesn't move. Not yet. "Do you need us to come closer? We can, if that's all right."

But he doesn't want to push it. Can't push it. It wouldn't be right.

[minipancake]

"You're our friend, Ken," he says again, clinging to Raven's hand with a painful, indignant grip. "We're here for you, okay? We're here."

[vessel_ken_amada]

Ken is not listening. He's too overwhelmed to pay attention to the outside world. He just keeps here, crying and sobbing, shaking, for what seems like an eternity.

[fogboundcrow]

Raven sits down, watching. His Shadow fidgets some more, when an idea pops into his head.

"Why don't you find us some food? We may be here a while."

"Oh. I suppose that's not a terrible idea..."

Though his Shadow hesitates, he soon wanders off.

Raven will wait as long as necessary for his friend.

[minipancake]

And time passes. Raven's Shadow returns with drinks and snacks, including Ken's favourites, which they distribute within easy reach of everyone. There's also hot soup, warm and comforting, which Wagtail at least is glad of in the autumn chill.

It's worrying, the longer this goes on. The cold is getting to him, and he's sat right here with Raven. It's hard to believe Ken doesn't feel it at all.

[vessel_ken_amada]

As time passes, his shaking becomes less intense, his sobs more quiet. It takes forever, but after an hour or two, he's finally calm enough to open his eyes and perceive the outside world again, although he is far from okay.

"...you're still here??"

He's baffled. Why would they stay for so long in the cold just for him?

[fogboundcrow]

"You're our friend. Isn't that reason enough?" It is a bit cold, even with his Shadow sitting beside him and Wagtail.

The soup is nice, at least. His Shadow sips from his own little bowl. "Are you hungry?"

[minipancake]

"Of course we're still here." He draws up his knees, cradling his third bowl of soup—the third lot Raven's Shadow has fetched—in his hands. "Want some soup? You can just hold it, if you want."

[vessel_ken_amada]

Ken shakes his head, refusing Wagtail's offer. But... he's not trying to run away, either, nor is he showing any sign of wanting to. He's just... looking at the three of them, still a little incredulous.

[fogboundcrow]

"Would it be all right if we moved closer?" Best to ask. Ken did just go through quite an ordeal, after all.

[minipancake]

Wagtail waits, soup bowl in hand, watching Ken. The moment he gets the nod, he's going to leap forward like a cat.

[vessel_ken_amada]

And they do get, after some time, a very small nod from Ken.

[fogboundcrow]

That's reason enough for Raven to move closer, sitting beside him. His Shadow follows along, radiating in warmth as he always does.

[minipancake]

And, as was promised, Wagtail springs forward, coming close—not close enough to touch, as much as he wants to.

"Hey," he murmurs, bringing the soup flask, and the bowl that's been waiting for Ken all along. He pours some, offering it with hopeful hands.

[vessel_ken_amada]

"...I'm not hungry," he murmurs softly.

It was... weird to have so many people who liked him around him, but... oddly comforting.

[fogboundcrow]

"What do you need right now?" He offers a hand, in case Ken needs it.

[minipancake]

"Take it anyway," he urges, easing closer to hold it out one last time. "It's warm. You don't have to drink it."

[vessel_ken_amada]

"I don't need it," he insisted. "I don't feel temperature the same way than you do."

Nevertheless, he finally takes the bowl, if only so that Wagtail would stop trying to offer it to him.

As for what he does need...

"Do you want the honest answer?" he asked Raven.

[fogboundcrow]

"You shouldn't have to hide your feelings for our benefit." Regardless of how dire it is, it's important.

Plus, Ken deflects far too frequently.

[minipancake]

That may be the case, but Wagtail doesn't buy it. He's seen Ken eat and drink; he knows Ken isn't immune to all sensation. Even if he doesn't suffer from cold, maybe the cup can warm his heart.

He draws up his knees, listening quietly.

[vessel_ken_amada]

He sighs.

"What I really need right now is to go home."

And by 'home', it's clear he doesn't mean the house he's living in here.

[fogboundcrow]

"Oh." Raven slides just a little closer. "Did something come up?"

[minipancake]

Yeah, that doesn't sound good. It's never good when Ken starts talking about going home again. A lying on the floor crying for two hours sort of not good.

[vessel_ken_amada]

"He knew!" he shouted. "Crow-san knew this whole time... and he never told me anything! I've been here for over half a year!"

He tries to calm himself down, to not shout at the three gathered here just to help him.

"But now I know who murdered my mother," he adds in a quiet voice.