Work Text:
I know you're clinging to the light of day
To tell you everything's A-okay
Emu kept wondering why everyone seemed so distant lately. It felt odd to him, he even felt as if Parado was distant. To him, it felt like everyone was miles away from him even when they were in the same room.
He wondered that maybe they just pitied him, that they only saved him from Mighty Novel X to use Hyper Muteki in future battles. Then again, that was a good enough reason to save him. The pediatrician then thought maybe they were all distant because he almost killed everyone while he was brainwashed.
And medication don't do much
Yeah, it just numbs the brain
That's a feeling he will never get out of his brain. He was aware of what he was doing, but his thoughts were clouded. It was as if he couldn't think, that the only thing on his mind was protecting his own heart.
Guess you might say I'm a little intense
But he hated this feeling of being distant with everyone. It made him feel disconnected, discombobulated, confused, and hurt. The feeling made it harder and harder to speak these days. Every time he opened his mouth to say something, he felt as if he were ignored. So he gave up trying. Just like with his father. Just like with his entire life. Afterall, he didn't deserve to have a good life for what he's done—for who he is. If anything, Parado was the one who deserved to have everything. Parado was brought into this world innocently, influenced by Emu's own thoughts and emotions.
I'm on the bright side of being hell bent
It made Emu reevaluate his life, everything he had done. So many unneeded deaths could've been avoided had Emu's upbringing been better. Then again, that was his own father's fault, wasn't it? No, it was his own fault for trying to kill himself. For thinking he could just reset. For thinking life wasn't worth living, that there was no value in life.
So take it from me, you're not the only one who can't see straight
Before he knew it, he was standing on the rooftop, crying. The crying turned into sobbing as he let himself collapse onto his knees. He further collapsed, his hands now on the ground beneath him—the rooftop. He's realized it.
If you're ever in doubt,
He's been the distant one. No, that wasn't the only thing. He's been scared. He's been terrified of himself, of what the future holds. The problem has been him the entire time, hasn't it? If he was the problem, shouldn't he just delete himself? It'd be just like on a computer, just open task manager and end task. There's only one way he could do it without anyone realizing—without anyone noticing. He could activate Chronicle, or even Proto Mighty Action X Origin. Or could he use Mighty Novel X to erase himself?
Don't sell yourself short, you might be bulletproof
Even if bugsters were technically glitches, they had hearts. They deserved to live. Emu didn't. He didn't deserve to be a doctor, he didn't deserve to have a good life. He should've never been born. If he wasn't born, maybe his mom wouldn't have become sick and died. If he wasn't born, maybe his dad would've been a better person. If he wasn't born, maybe Kuroto Dan would've never started the pandemic with his father.
Hard to move mountains when you're paralyzed
But yet... he wanted to live. He was scared. He was scared of himself, of life in general. He further collapsed onto the ground, his head pressing against the rooftop as he continued sobbing. "Help me... please..." he murmured between sobs. If only someone was out there to help him, to save him from himself, from what he thought he deserved. Emu wanted help but he was terrified to ask everyone for it.
But you gotta try
Afterall, he's burdened them enough, hasn't he? They've had to rescue him countless times, even Parado had to rescue him from being brainwashed. Everyone had to see his past to save him. Everyone knew how horrible his life was, what his family situation was like.
And I'm calling out
"Emu."
He lifted his head up, staring at the person he realized was knelt down in front of him. Parado was the one knelt down in front of him, he put a hand on Emu's shoulder. The look on his face was full of kindness and worry. The vision of his bugster blurred as he continued crying.
Get up, get up, get a move on
"Emu—" Parado had helped him sit up. "We've been trying to help you, you know. You've been evading everything. Emu, if you want help, then let us help you. I promise you, you will be okay. Everyone else is in it for the long haul with you. Every life is worth saving, right? You taught me that."
Get up, get up
What's taking so long?
Emu couldn't speak, he couldn't find his words. Only sobbing was all he could manage. So Parado wrapped his arms around him, holding onto him tightly as he gently began to rock him briefly. The pediatrician couldn't help but continue sobbing, hugging Parado back.
Stop stalling
I'm calling out
"So please, let me in. Let us in, let us save you, Emu."
Get up, get up, get a move on
He just nodded in response, the sobbing becoming a bit less frequent. "I'm sorry."
Get up, get up
Ain't nothing wrong
"Don't be. It's not your fault. None of it is your fault." Parado didn't let go, but Emu didn't want him to. He needed this.
'Cause I believe you can be whatever
"Parado..." he murmured against his jacket, "thank you."
And I agree you can do much better
Parado smiled. Then he stood up and held his hand out to Emu. "Get up. Let's get a move on." He had a warm smile on his face.
Emu took his hand as Parado helped pull him up.
Trust me