Chapter Text
Back…
Go back…
Further, and further…
Further.
Further…!
Takemichi’s eyes snap open, his view is met by a cream colored ceiling, his lungs heave. He hadn’t triggered the leap this time. Takemichi opens his mouth and wheezes, tiny hands gripping the sheets below him. Flashes of death from the past run through his mind, the child with him recoils, he’s so startled by the child’s presence that it breaks him from the memories.
“Who are you?” The boy asks fearfully, timid as if the smallest sound would shatter the world around them like glass.
“Hanagaki Takemichi” He answers, refusing to look away from the ceiling. He can't afford to break down just yet, even if tears already threaten to spill over his cheeks.
“...but that’s my name” The child protests weakly, as if Takemichi would hurt him for his answer, the child whimpers “give me back my body!”
“please…!”
Takemichi inhales sharply, the child’s cries muffled in the back of his mind. When he sits up on the bed he can see no child in the room. His room. Filled with toys and paints from over twenty years ago.
“I don’t know how” He whispers looking down at his palms in shock “I’m sorry… I don’t know how, I don’t- I’m sorry!” He wraps his arms around his shoulders in a feeble attempt to comfort himself.
“I’m sorry”
“I’m sorry”
“I’m sorry!”