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Mikey skips towards Takemichi’s door and knocks on it lightly. He, Draken, and Chifuyu decided to swing by just a short while ago since they were in the neighborhood.
They know that Takemichi tends to vanish from town, jumping from friend’s house to friend’s house. His parents weren’t exactly the most attentive. But Takemichi didn’t worry so Mikey tried not to either. But it became almost impossible when Draken noticed odd inconsistencies in how Michi acts.
Some days he acts so differently. It’s like looking at a different person. Sometimes Michi was attentive, anxious, and so damn caring. While other times, he was nonchalant and way less thoughtful. But both Takemichis seemed to suffer from some type of memory issue. Ironically enough, they asked Takemichi about it. A week later, when he started acting differently again, he had completely forgotten the conversation. Dismissing the whole idea. Once Draken mentioned it Mikey couldn’t unsee the difference. So, they went to the library to find more information. Typing in the symptoms they got:
Dissociative Identity Disorder.
That was their theory. But when they had read about it, Chifuyu mentioned that the only way someone could develop, it was most likely during childhood through constant trauma. Usually involving some sort of abuse. So Chifuyu thought the theory was bogus, but he had yet to offer any other explanation. Michi’s parents weren’t around. And Mikey doesn't like the idea of being in a gang affecting Michi that way. He wants him to stay. But if it was affecting him this badly, should he leave? Would he leave? Takemichi’s close friends also mentioned noticing the difference, and how it only happened recently.
Chifuyu shrugged, “Maybe it’s just memory issues.” No shit. Mikey thinks. Michi’s parents are pretty fucking absent. Maybe that caused some sort of mental scarring. Maybe some days he wanted to forget certain things. He doesn't blame him, Michi’s still a terrible ass fighter. A terrible ass fighter always getting into terrible ass fights. Sometimes Michi didn’t know what was good for him.
Mikey can’t get the thoughts and theories out of his head. So, they knock on his door, not to ambush Michi with questions like Chifuyu was so worried about. Mikey just wants to hang out with him. Nothing more. And if they happen to find more evidence for their theory. Then good. Draken was so worried.
His door opens. Mikey raises his hand to wave. But Takemichi isn’t there. A woman similar in height to Kenny stands there with her eyebrows trembling upwards; grimacing in pain it seems. She has a small bandage on her cheek, she’s rubbing it tenderly. Her hand is shaking a bit as she does it.
“Oh, sorry ma’am-“ Draken says. He bows and slams his hand on Mikey’s back to make him do the same. “It’s nice to meet you.” He says. Mikey and Chifuyu repeat it as well. They all stand up straight and Mikey stares at her. She’s not familiar and Michi doesn’t have any pictures of her anywhere. There’s nothing distinct about her, ignoring her squinting eyes. If he discounts reality, she and Takemichi kind of look alike. Mikey follows her eye line. She’s looking straight at Draken’s tattoo. Not good. Not g-
“Well, you act nice.” She mutters. “Are you friends with Takemichi?” Her voice wobbles, like if they said yes, she’d collapse onto the ground screaming bloody murder. Mikey stays quiet to let Draken answer.
“We’re his friends. He’s a good kid.” Draken adds and the bitch scoffs. It’s the happiest her wrinkled face looks since the start of this interaction. “We wanted to know if he was home. Just stopping by that’s all.” Mikey frowns at her but she doesn’t seem to notice. She mutters to herself then looks up angrily.
“I knew he was doing something!” She screams. All of them flinch back at her outburst. “His father always makes it seem like he’s so innocent. But he isn’t here.” She drops her hands to her side and balls her fist, turning her hand. “He isn’t here to see how messed up he is.” She coddles her own face again.
“Neither are you,” Mikey mutters and Draken wraps his arm around his neck to silence him. But it doesn’t seem like his mother notices or cares. She looks back up at them scowling and gripping the door.
“Takemichi isn’t home! And he doesn’t need more wrong influence from people like you.” The door slams shut. He can hear her footsteps walking further away. The three of them stood there shocked. Draken lets go of his shoulder. On the street, they see Michi’s bike hidden in the bushes. “He could have walked or,” Chifuyu says. He doesn’t finish because even he knows it’s bullshit. They messed up, she’s fucking crazy. Mikey moves away from the door and pulls out his phone. Flipping it open.
“Who are you calling?” Chifuyu askes. He’s calling Takemichi, but the answering machine speaks instead. “Mikey?” Chifuyu and Draken walk to his side looking at his phone as he dials another number.
“I’m calling Emma to see if Hinata knows where Takemichi is.” The phone rings for a second and his sister picks up the phone. “Yo, Emma! Can you ask Hinata if she knows where Takemichi is?”
“Uh, okay. Actually, we’re hanging out right now. Here, you can talk to her.” The phone makes a few shuffling noises and Hinata’s small soft voice speaks. “Hello? Mikey, is everything okay? Takemichi isn’t hurt or anything, right?” Mikey almost chuckles at Hinata’s immediate worry. It’s sweet.
“Well. We’re fine. We just want to know if you know where Takemichi is right now. Nothing serious.”
“Oh, that’s a relief. And no, I don’t know where Takemichi is. But his house is a good start.”
“We just came from there,” Draken says. “His mom said he wasn’t home.”
“His mom was there?” Hinata says, her voice raising slightly. “Hmm. If not there maybe check with his friends. I don’t want him out there getting bruises again. You know how he attracts trouble.”
“Yeah, for sure.” Mikey answers. “So, he was always like this, huh. Even when he was younger?”
“Yeah, I mean. I can only assume. I’ve only seen him fight once. Well, before he joined you guys. But before joining Toma he was always puffed up, bleeding, and he’d never tell me whom he’s fighting.”
“Hinata,” Chifuyu calls. “What’s his mom like? You seem, I don’t know- worried maybe?”
“It’s just rare for her to be back is all. I’ve never met her before. And Michi doesn’t talk about his parents very much. I think he’s sore since they’re gone a lot. He used to wish she’d take him with her to travel but,” Hinata sighs into the phone. “Guess she didn’t want that. I only feel uneasy because Michi worries too much about other people. It’s sweet- but he often neglects himself. Anyway, I’ll let you know if he calls me. Chifuyu, Mikey, and Draken. I tell him his friends are worried about him. Is that okay?”
“Thanks, Hinata.” He hangs up the phone and turns to Chifuyu. “You have the numbers of Takemichi’s closest friends, right?” He nods, taking out his phone. “Tell ‘em I want to talk to them now.”
About an hour later Takemichi’s friends are anxiously standing in front of him at the park of all places. They stand in a line as though they’re about to receive corporal punishment, shivering nervously.
“You all can relax,” Draken says. “Mikey just wants to talk.” He looks down at Mikey for confirmation. “You just want to talk right?” Akkun, Takuya, Makoto, And Yamagishi tense up all over again.
“I do. It’s about Takemichi.” Mikey steps forward. “You four know where he is?”
“He’s at home,” Takuya says. “But his mother is there right now so it’s better to visit another time.”
“We met her,” Chifuyu adds. They all visibly shutter, except Akkun who just stares.
“She said that Michi isn’t home,” Mikey says coldly. “But now I’m thinking she just wanted us to leave.”
“Yeah, that sounds like her,” Makoto mutters. “Scary as hell. Loud as hell. Sharp ass nails.”
“He could have snuck out though,” Takuya says with a single thread of confidence.
“So what is her deal?” Mikey asks. The four boys mutter incomprehensibly looking at each other except Akkun, who still stares down at the ground frowning. Whatever words he’s hanging onto Mikey is seconds away from forcibly pulling them out. Michi said they were close, why would he hesitate?
“Wherever Takemichi is he’ll be fine. You know him, he can take a beating.” Akkun says, strangely. He stares at Mikey for a long time and his gaze grows intense as his words hang in the air. Mikey frowns.
“Guys!” Shattering the silence into pieces, Takemichi runs up to them all. With, of course, bandages all over his face. “Hina called, she said you all were looking for me- Woah.” He reaches them panting lightly. “Damn, I didn’t mean to worry you guys. A search party really wasn’t necessary.” He laughs.
“We swung by your place,” Draken says. Mikey studies his face but nothing changes significantly. He still smiles though his brows turn upwards slightly. He rubs the back of his neck like he’s embarrassed.
“Ah, you met her then?” He asks. Mikey realizes he can’t tell which Michi he’s talking to. 1: considerate yet anxious Michi or 2: nonchalant yet childish and reckless Michi. Ichimichi or Nimichi? Which one? Wh-
“Yeah, she was…” Chifuyu starts. “…intense.” He finishes grimacing. It was an understatement.
“it’s okay I know she can be a little rough.” Rough? “She’s just worried about me joining the wrong crowd.” Mikey doesn’t believe she has any real authenticity. But he can’t tell if Michi believes that or not. Looking at his friends’ awkward glares, they’re just as concerned. But Michi just continues like this is fine. “What did you guys want? Just stopping by?” He looks so genuine. He must know this isn’t normal.
“Yeah.” Draken answers. It was technically true. Takemichi smiles. He seems okay. But their plan of finding more evidence for Takemichi’s DID theory wasn’t a total bust. Quite the opposite and that was bad. His mom was a bitch. And Akkun was still looking at him. Mikey recalls the words, ‘Michi is good at taking a beating.’ What had Makoto said? ‘She was scary as hell, with sharp ass nails.’
“Why didn't you pick up before?” Mikey asks slowly so he makes sure his voice sounds calm.
“Huh? Oh. I was talking to my dad. Sorry.” He wondered how that relationship is going.
“There’s nothing to be sorry about Takemichi,” Draken says. “We dropped by unexpectedly.”
“Hey, I got time now, want to hang out?” He looks at all of them waiting for an answer.
“Sure dude,” Chifuyu answers.
“You guys hungry?” Mikey suggests. “Don’t worry about the cost. Draken get out your wallet.”
“What the hell? Why me!?”
“Nah, I got it,” Michi says. They all look at him silently, but he doesn’t stop smiling.
“For all of us?” Mikey asks. Michi nods. Mikey purses his lips thinking. Michi didn’t have a job. As far as he knew Michi 1 was good at saving his money. While Michi 2 wasn’t. Mikey peers back at Akkun, but this time he looks just as lost. He doubts Hinata knows anything either. The mystery continues.
“Geez, dude. Did you get attacked by another cat?” Akkun walks up to Michi placing his hands right on the small red lines starting from his chin up to his cheeks. Michi laughs, then cringes.
“Ow, Akkun! That hurts! Let go!” Akkun laughs lightly as Michi tries to pull away. Mikey feels-
At the restaurant, after they all finished eating, Takemichi does indeed pull out his wallet filled with large bills. Of course, they all ask where he got it from, and- of course, he can’t give them an understandable answer. Mikey doesn’t like it. “Mikey.” Where would get it? “Mikey!” Michi waves his hands in from of his face smiling. “What’s going on with you today?” Mikey stares at Michi, who is smiling adorably. “Mikey?”
“Nothing,” He answers dismissively. “As long as you’re happy I’m happy.”
“Okay, Mikey.” Michi smiles and continues to talk to him and his friends, he looks happy enough. Right now at least. When they leave, he notices Draken watching from behind Takemichi and his friends. Mikey waits too beside him. Chifuyu notices and hangs back to hear them talk. “What Kenny?” Mikey asks.
“You think Takemichi is a prostitute?” Draken says quietly.
“What!?” Chifuyu yells. The other group of boys stops and waits for them to walk closer, they don’t seem to hear Chifuyu’s cry. Or they don’t think much of it. Mikey looks back at Draken as Chifuyu speaks. “Draken, why would you say that? Of course not.” But Draken doesn’t back down even though he looks like he wants to be wrong.
“Then where is he getting all that money from? Unless he’s stealing it. Which I also highly doubt.”
“But prostitution is believable,” Chifuyu asks sarcastically. “Come on! He would never do that.”
“There are ways of manipulating someone too. Parents do it all the time. I don’t like this theory either but what else? It fits the theory too. Abuse like that is a common trigger for DID it said so in the book.” Chifuyu groans, ruffling his hair. It was just like before in the library when they all wondered if he had DID. Without any reason, Chifuyu didn’t want to believe it, even with some evidence he refuted it.
“Maybe he got the money from his father,” Chifuyu says. “I’ll ask hi-” He starts to say when Mikey yells.
“Hey, Michi! Your dad gives you all that money?” Takemichi shakes his head childishly.
“Nah!” Then he turns back to his own conversation. Mikey looks back at Chifuyu who’s eyeing Takemichi oddly. He looks like he wants to facepalm his own forehead. Or maybe throw Michi down the stairs. But he remains silent this time.
“Any other ideas,” Mikey says. Chifuyu shakes his head. He looks back at Draken. “You going to ask him, Kenny?”
“No, it’s better if we had some actual proof. If it’s true, and it better not be, we need to lay it on him lightly. Tell him he's being manipulated, that the money isn't worth it.” Mikey looks over at Takemichi. He wants to never let him out of his sight. It’s not practical. But he can’t help the rage he feels. This world is dangerous. And Mikey has suffered because of it. If Michi was ever hurt or left- (the thought makes his chest ache.) Whether it was Michi’s mother or father, or some random fucker. If anyone hurt him- he would probably beat them until the walls were red. He knows that’s probably not normal. But isn’t that what love it? He wondered if Hinata felt similar.
“Michi, we’ll visit you tomorrow, yeah?” Mikey asks.
“Yeah, okay! Call first!”
The next morning Mikey meets Draken and Chifuyu right before they’re about to head off to Takemichi’s house. Mikey pulls out his phone and dials Michi’s number. Unlike yesterday Michi’s voice answers fairly fast. “Mikey. What’s up?” His voice is strained. It makes Mikey want to drop the phone and immediately go over to him to make sure he’s safe. “Oh right-” Michi says before Mikey replies. It’s the first time he hears Takemichi sound tired. “You guys are coming over? Now?” Mikey hears fear and he looks up at Draken. Kenny looks back with an uncertain gaze as Chifuyu speaks next.
“Only if now’s a good time.” They all hear Michi shuffle around wordlessly. There are undiscernible sounds that’s like a weird creaking noise and light breathing. Mikey almost asks what’s going on when Michi speaks again with a lighter tone. It’s still tired, but he sounds relieved rather than fearful.
“It’s fine, now’s a perfect time.” Mikey can hear the smile from here. And it warms his goddamn heart.
“Is your mom there?” Mikey asks, failing to hide the bitterness in his tone. Draken nudges his arm trying to reprimand him for it. But Takemichi laughs genuinely at it. It seems like he’s aware to some extent.
“She’s leaving soon, by the time you get here she’ll be gone. Back to travel,” He chuckles. “You were hoping for that weren’t you Mikey?” Michi teases through the phone and Mikey grumbles. He can’t deny it at all.
“We’ll be there soon, Michi.”
“Okay.” Mikey closes the phone and looks up. He meets Draken and Chifuyu’s glare. They both have weird facial expressions that Mikey doesn’t understand. Especially when the two look at each other and snicker. It eventually devolves into laughter which strikes Mikey again with confusion.
“What the hell is so funny?” Mikey asks. Draken pats him on the shoulder oddly. “You,” he says.
“You are so goddamn transparent,” Chifuyu adds also patting him on the other shoulder.
“I know Takemichi seems conventional having a girlfriend and all,” Draken says with a nicer tone. “Not to mention he’s always talking about the future and marriage and kids but he’s still in a gang.” Mikey looks down at his phone. It’s not like he hasn’t thought about it, it just never seemed possible. “I think Michi would marry us all if he could.” Draken lets go of his shoulder and starts walking. “Besides I think most of us play for several teams.”
Mikey stifles a laugh, “You don't need to remind me. I remember walking in on you and Mitsuya smushing faces with each other.” Chifuyu giggles behind him, as Draken remains silent. Mikey starts to walk himself. “It’s good his mother is gone. This way we can look for actual evidence.”
“Oh, you’re not disappointed?” Chifuyu askes. “You looked like you wanted to beat her into a pulp.”
“That’s why it’s good that she’s gone,” Mikey says plainly while Chifuyu nods slowly at his answer.
“Either way,” Draken starts. “This is a perfect time to look around for anything odd.”
“What if we find nothing?” Chifuyu asks still obviously not believing any of their theories.
Draken shrugs, “Then we just ask him. He’s not the best liar.” Mikey nods at this and they continue to walk until they reach Takemichi’s home. His bike is there like before. This time Draken raises his hand to knock on the door but hesitates. Mikey looks over twisting his face, puzzled. Draken leans his ear, so it leans on the front door. Then his eyes went wide. He pushes himself back and raises his foot up to kick the door in. With two swift kicks, the door caves inside before Mikey or Chifuyu can even question him.
But as Mikey looks inside, the rage he sees on Kenny’s face makes so much sense. Takemichi’s mother is standing in the kitchen hunched over, hair ruffled up like lightning struck her and makeup smeared all over her face. She looks over and points at them awkwardly with her left hand because, in her right hand, she’s gripping Michi’s hair as she drags him closer to her. “You three!” She yells accusatory.
“What have you turned my son into!?” Her voice cracks. “I knew you were trouble, but this is-”
“Mom! Let go!” Takemichi struggles against her grip. He pushes against her hand, but she doesn’t budge. All over his face, Mikey can see lines of bloody cuts all over his face and neck. “We can talk about this-!’
“No! You’re coming with me. Someone has to fix you I thought you wanted this-“ Her voice cuts short as she drops to the ground along with one of her teeth. A large thump sounds when she falls immediately. She groans and moves. Mikey grabs her shirt pulling her closer and he raises his hand again. He wants to hit her so badly it hurts.
A small piece of his clothing pulls him back, he looks and Takemichi is there still on the floor, tears (of course) streaming down his face. His voice shutters as he starts to speak. “Please,” he says quietly.
Mikey drops her body with another unsettling thump. But Takemichi doesn’t react to it, he just continues to stare at him with a distressed look. Mikey stares back nervously. He messed up, again, fuck, what's wrong with him. “It’s okay. I get it- it’s okay. Let’s just leave.” Michi stammers, practically pleading with him. It’s then he realizes that Michi is trying to calm him down. Because he was about to beat the shit out of his mother. Michi must have known that if he had started, he might’ve never stopped.
He wouldn’t have.
Mikey turns around, “Michi I-” Draken grabs his shoulder and Michi’s shoulder pulling them to stand.
“You two leave to the hideout. We’ll deal with this.” Takemichi gasps and looks at Draken.
“What do you mean deal with this?” Draken places his hand on his shoulder. “What’re you going to do?”
“Relax we just need to make sure she doesn’t call the police, okay? Go on and get patched up.” While Michi seems reluctant he nods slowly, taking one more glance at his mother and then looking away sadly. Mikey nudges him softly and they walk outside. He pulls Takemichi’s bike from where it’s hidden. Silently Michi hands him the key and gets on with him.
Mikey’s original plan was to keep silent throughout the whole drive to the hideout. But as they continued to drive his anger only simmered. How could he claim to deeply care about someone and let them be hurt? “Does she always do that?” He doesn’t mean to ask but the words come out anyway. Why is he so- Mikey grips the handles of his bike with such force, the bike moves faster in the street.
“What? Oh. No, this was new. Usually, we just scream and fight. Sometimes push but, yeah.”
“Why didn’t you ever say anything? Not that I’m blaming you or anything.” Michi sighs. “I-”
“I don’t know. Maybe it was stupid. But I thought I could fix her or us. Or something. Yeah, I was stupid.”
“You’re not stupid. And I’m sorry that I freaked you out. I messed up.”
“It’s fine, I get it. You’d do anything to protect the people you care about. I’m the same way, Mikey. I just can’t fight as you all can.” He says sadly his voice cracking some. “I’m okay.”
“Takemichi, there are times you don’t remember things. Draken, Chifuyu, and I noticed it. I won’t make you answer. I know I’m dropping too much on you. Just know I will never let her, or anyone do that to you again. Please, if there’s anything going on with your head. Tell me. I’ll help you no matter what.”
“Okay, Mikey.” Mikey feels Michi’s arms wrap around him tightly. As they continue to drive out.
“When you called, I saw that she was leaving.” Takemichi says. Him, Mikey, Draken, Chifuyu, Mitsuya, and Hakkai are all inside the abandoned house they use for certain Toman meetings. Mikey stands close to Michi as he explains. “But after I hung up she said that I was going with her. She didn’t want me to be in a gang anymore. I tried to explain that you guys meant a lot to me but she saw my real meaning.” Michi leans his head onto the wall. “Ah, this is such a dumbass mess!”
“When he got there,” Draken says. “She said, what you turned my son into.” Chifuyu jumps at that.
“She didn’t mean being in a gang, did she? She meant the other stuff.” Michi nods. “Man, I’m sorry.”
“You all didn’t do anything wrong. Well, maybe Draken should cover his tattoo next time.” He mutters. Draken grabs his shoulder but holds it nicely. Mikey knows it’s his form of apology. But he wonders if Michi knows that. From the look on his face, he’s nervous but appreciative at the same time.
“So, she knows that you’re queer.” Mitsuya says quietly. “Isn’t that going to be dangerous now?”
“Hm, we were never going to be close anyway.” He says quickly. Chifuyu looks down sadly. “She said people in gangs are outcasts and that they might turn me weird.” Everyone stays silent. “Like, you know, gay weird.” He adds on quickly rubbing the bandages on his face.
“You’re already that without our help,” Mitsuya mutters while rolling his eyes.
“That’s what I tried to tell her!” Takemichi yells exasperated. “But she wasn’t in the mood to listen.”
“What about your dad then,” Draken asks. Mikey gives him a glare but Michi answers.
“We talk-“ He smiles nervously. “He lives, somewhere- uh- away. Dunno what he would think about me being- weird.”
“You don’t even know where he lives?
“Heh, no not really.”
“Jesus, Michi. Why didn’t you say anything?” Draken pats his shoulder. Michi shrugs and mutters incomprehensively. In the drive here, Michi said that he wanted to try and save her and their relationship. Putting that all on himself. Idiot, you have friends that care about you. Mikey turns to look at Chifuyu.
“Did you know about this?” Mikey asks. Chifuyu looks up at him slightly annoyed.
“You think I’d stay quiet about that. You’re not the only one who wants to beat his parents up.”
“He didn’t know Mikey. My parents are rarely at the house. My dad almost never. He didn’t know.”
“But Akkun did.” Mikey says, looking back at Michi. “Didn’t he?”
“I told him not to say anything. I thought I could handle it.” The whole group seems to groan and roll their eyes. It is enough for Takemichi to understand. “I’m sorry you guys.”
“Takemichi, I have some things I need to ask you,” Draken says. Mikey and Chifuyu look over shocked.
“Shoot,” Michi says.
“It’s better in privacy.”
“I’ve been pretty open today. Go ahead.”
“Okay, you asked for it.” Michi squints his eyes a bit confused.
“Wait, Kenny-!“
“Draken don’t-!“
“Are you a prostitute?”
“What!? No! Of course not!” Michi screams at Draken. He even stands up from the ground. He points at Draken genuinely confused. It brings relief to Mikey’s chest. Draken seems to reciprocate that.
“Good.” He says nonchalantly. “Don’t listen to any adult that tries to manipulate you into it.”
“I won’t! Where did you get this idea from?”
“All that money you had yesterday.” Michi visibly freezes again his finger drops.
“Wait, so who’s been giving you money?” Draken asks with a curious eye.
“Uh, you know, just a friend.” Michi tries to say dismissively. “Nothing special at all.” He says quietly.
“What kid has that much cash to share with a delinquent?” Mitsuya adds.
“Uh- well, you know- I uh- just a friend.” He’s so bad at lying it hurt Mikey to watch this happen.
“Wait, are they not a kid?” Mitsuya says while Draken gives Mikey a look.
“Uhhhhh-” Michi looks around the room trying to avoid everyone’s concerned glare. His only escape is the ceiling or the floor. He chooses the ceiling. “Takemichi,” Draken says sternly as beads of sweat appear on Michi’s face. Did he just shiver. “The truth.” But before he can muster up an answer Mikey wraps his arms around his shoulder.
“Look, if Takemichi doesn’t want to tell us his mystery friend then that’s his business.” Says Mikey.
“Exactly,” Michi says firmly folding his arms.
“Is it Akkun?” Mikey asks coldly.
“No!”
“You two just seem really close.”
“Ugh!”
“Takemichi,” Hakkai speaks up shakes his head. “You’re such a dumbass. Fine, you can stay at my house.”
“Huh-?”
“Why would he want to stay with you?” Mikey says, letting go of Takemichi to fold his arms.
“Wha-!”
“Don’t be possessive, Mikey.” Hakkai says ruffling Takemichi’s hair. “Right, buddy?”
“I don’t-”
“You can stay with me, partner.” Chifuyu smiles, giving him a thumbs up.
“Chifuyu, it’s really not necessary I’m-”
“I guess you could stay with me.” Mitsuya mutters. “If you want.”
“You can’t stay with me.” Draken says plainly. “Absolutely not.”
“I’m not asking to stay with any of you!” The room quiets down after Michi’s little outburst. His face is all red as he balls his hands into fist. Fucking adorable. The room fills with laughter as Takemichi pouts.
“We’ll stay here tonight.” Mikey says as Draken and the others leave. Draken nods telling him to call if anything. Mikey nods and closes the door. Takemichi is dozing off in the other room after they brought food and ate. Mikey lays him on the nicest spare mattress. Draken and Chifuyu already gave some of Michi’s stuff. Like his phone, clothes, and other shit. Then Draken, Chifuyu, and a few other Toman members indiscreetly leave them alone for privacy. Eventually, he wakes up and stares at the ceiling. Mikey stares at him, letting himself breathe.
Takemichi is so-
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Mikey blinks as Michi asks and sits up on the mattress.
“I just never realized.” He speaks softly. “You’re really pretty, or whatever, Takemichi.” Mikey brushes his hair, not to move it from his face, but to feel every strand of his hair intertwining with his fingers. It’s soft and cool. It’s insane how this intense feeling makes him do the stupidest of things.
“Mikeeeey.” He blushes and puffs his cheeks in the most adorable way. “Stop it.” He whispers.
“I know-” Mikey pulls away. “You’re with Hinata and I respect that. Sorry.”
“She wouldn’t mind that,” Michi says quickly. “As long as I tell her. She calls me aro- aromantic. That we can be, um, polyamorous. I’d like that if it’s okay with you.” Mikey nods, and Michi smiles for a second. Then it falls as he sighs.
“What’s wrong, Michi?”
“I’m just worried about the future. I’d do anything to protect everyone, but no matter what I try, it isn’t enough. There's always something else I fail to do. Or miss. Or underestimate. Or-”
“Why do you think that?” Michi sighs tiredly. “You do more than enough.” He shakes his head.
“Not enough to save you.” He looks up, tears are already welling up in his eyes again. “I just want to be okay. I want everyone to be okay. But I can’t help anyone. I never do anything right.” Mikey looks on surprised at how quickly Takemichi broke down into tears. He shouldn’t be surprised.
He should have kept hitting his mother. All these issues in Takemichi’s brain. Mikey needs a punching bag. Mikey lays one of his hands on Michi’s shoulder.
“Hey, hey, calm down. It’s okay.” Mikey lays Takemichi’s head on his lap. His cries have already dissipated, but he can still see tears falling from his eyes occasionally with small hiccups that follow.
“It’s not okay.” He mutters. “How can I claim to love any of you when I can’t even-” He trails off from his confused mutters. Mikey takes a deep breath. He’s out of words to give. What else can he do?
“Will the other you remember this?” Mikey asks running his hand in Michi’s hair once more.
“Probably not. No.” Michi answers, leaning into the soft touch.
“Then you know.” Mikey grazes his hand against Michi’s cheek, carefully so as not to touch Michi’s cuts.
“Yes.” He avoids his gaze.
“Chifuyu knows?”
“…yes.” Mikey wants to scoff. No wonder he was so against all their theories these past days.
“Have you seen a doctor about it?”
“No.”
“Michi…”
“I can't. I just- can’t.”
“Fine, I get it. But please talk to me. Let me help you. Or you could ask Chifuyu I guess. Since he’s your partner or whatever.” He says rolling his eyes with glimmers of jealousy.
“Okay, Mikey.” He says with a chuckle.