Chapter Text
Shu's fine.
Just because he began to spiral a bit doesn't mean he isn't fine.
Just because he started to contemplate suicide again doesn't mean he isn't fine.
Really, he's fine.
…
..But is he?
*-*
Luca really hopes he isn't the only one concerned for Shu. He noticed it a little after the new wave debuted, but the only thing that was going on is a less frequency in streaming. Now, Shu has been late to collabs and a few meetings. Hopefully someone will bring it up.
*-*
Ike is concerned for Shu. Recently, he's been missing some collabs, and he's been streaming less. The only true evidence he can go off of is that Shu has said he's been more anxious, but it was enough to send off alarm bells. Well, maybe not bells. All Ike hopes is that someone else notices and brings it up.
*-*
Vox is fucking terrified. Shu hasn't been acting the same as of late, and he hopped onto VC with him a few days ago to try and make sense of it. However, it was clear that Shu was drunk, and not the normal kind of drunk he normally is. Instead of being more open, he seemed closed off.
When Vox asked about it, he ended up finding out something he theorized could be happening, but wouldn't have ever expected; Shu's mental state was quickly deteriorating, and was lower than Vox thought. The sorcerer confessed that he was trying to talk himself out of overdosing on pills before Vox had messaged him.
It stunned Vox, but Shu already changed the topic by the time he could make sense of what he was told. He knew he had to tell someone, but he didn't know who or how to.
*-*
God, how is all of Luxiem this dense?
That was the question Hikarino was pondering after finding out they had all realized that the sorcerer's mental health wasn't good, but hadn't brought it up with anyone. He would be questioning Shu on why he agreed to partner with the dumbasses, but they're all the reason that he hasn't committed yet, so he has to tolerate them.
However, Shu isn't trying to talk himself out of it this time, so he has to act. With a sigh, Hikarino messages the three idiots, telling them to get into VC. Immediately.
“Shu, you're supposed to be in a meeti-” Vox begins, but halts as soon as he sees who is on the screen. His face pales, realizing what is probably happening right now.
“I'm utterly surprised you were all dense enough to not bring up your concerns with each other,” Hikarino said, which helped Luca to realize that it wasn't Shu who was talking to them. “Only the demon managed to find out what was going on with Shu, despite noticing the signs so much later than you two. Vox, since you have already realized why I am here, why don't you tell them about your conversation with Yamino?”
Ike looked at Vox, who visibly shifted from the uncomfortable atmosphere, trying to piece together whatever happened with him and Shu. Vox gave the answer for him.
“Uhm- About a week ago, I went into VC with Shu, because he had missed a meeting. When he picked up, he was drunk- but not the same kind of drunk we've normally seen. He was shut off, as if he had something on his mind. I- I asked if something was wrong, and he was quiet, and-” It was then Ike realized Vox began crying, and that his own brain may have filled in the blank.
“Vox. What did he tell you?” Ike was surprised at the tone Luca's voice was in, but it was one of concern more than anything.
Vox did his best to calm down, but it didn’t stay when he continued to talk.
“He told me that he was glad I called, that I stopped him from trying to overdose. By the time I realized,” It was safe to say that Vox was full-on sobbing at this point, but somehow managed to continue. “He moved on from what he said, and I didn't know what-”
“Everything that needed to be said has been,” Hikarino interrupted. “I think you two realize the severity of what Shu is experiencing right now, and are probably wondering what you could even do. Well, I-”
“EXCUSE ME, WHAT?” Luca paled, realizing he was still in a collab at the moment.
“SHIT!” He quickly hit end stream, left the call with Fulgur, and privated the stream. A close call too, as his vision filled with a bright light as soon as he confirmed the decision.
*-*
“YOU GODDAMN IDIOT!" Ike yelled at Luca, who looked at his feet ashamed. Vox on the other hand, was messaged by Fulgur wondering if he was alright, along with Shu. Vox replied quickly, saying that he doesn't have an update on Shu, and that he should delete his side of the stream to keep the sorcerer's privacy. When he looked up, he saw Hikarino berating both of them for wasting time. Once he was finished, he looked up at them all, as if analyzing them.
“As much as I detest you right now, you're the best out of them to help Shu,” Hikarino stated, seemingly directed at Luca. “Even if we can't talk him out of trying, you are strong enough to keep him from further injuring himself.”
Luca looked a little happy at that, but his mood quickly changed as he realized what Hikarino was implying.
“Why do you think I could help him? Wouldn't Vox be better?” He exclaimed, but Vox corrected him.
“As much as I would like to, he probably doesn't remember our conversation, which would make it much more awkward.”
*-*
Cut, cut, cut.
Shu couldn't take it anymore.
Slice, slice, slice.
Whatever he did never turned out right.
Slash, slash, slash.
He's only the side character, the one who helps.
Hack, hack, hack.
He isn't a true sorcerer anyway.
Slit, slit, slit.
And people are starting to figure it out.
Carve, carve, carve.
His skin is but a masterpiece, a depiction of what he truly is. Where his magic comes from.
Chisel, chisel, chisel.
Shu now only needs to take the pills, and then he'll be gone. The other alters can take his place anyway.
Spill, spill, spill.
The only thing left of him that's human is that he bleeds, but even that will end soon.
Pool, pool, pool.
All he needs is-
“Are you there?”
Shit.
*-*
Luca doesn't want to break the bathroom door down, but he might have to if his only response is dead silence. He knows this won't work, so instead he repeats himself.
“Are you there?”
Dead silence.
He considers it once again.
He hears a wobbly voice, one that is trying its hardest to stay steady, a voice he knows so well, say,
“Luca?”
If he didn't know any better, he would say Shu almost sounded hopeful. But he knew better. It was of confusion and fear. Luca knew his response.
“It's me, Shubert. Me, Ike, and Vox wanted to see you. Hikarino let us in.”
There was silence again. Then there was a slight fumbling, a shaking of a pill bottle.
Luca assumed the worst. He decided to try a trick from the Mafia instead of breaking it down, it was quicker anyway.
*-*
The sight was confusing to say the least. Shu was standing there with a pill bottle, arms and chest bloody, with strange carvings Luca didn't understand. The floor was bloody as well, and the walls had damage that didn't make sense.
“Shu… Are you…?” Vox trailed off, seemingly in disbelief from his tone. Shu had a look of complete dread. Luca then heard a very audible smack, paired with a pained noise from Vox.
Focus, me. Luca told himself. Shu was currently cowering in the corner of his own bathroom, bloody with scars of mysterious symbols, with unnatural damage in the walls. The closest thing he could think of to explain it was magic, which could be why Vox understood it. But Vox was only experienced in magic involving demons, so why-
Oh.
Luca felt so stupid. Confronting Shu was the obvious wrong choice, so comfort it is then.
Calmly closing the door (keeping the knob turned, so that it couldn't be locked again), he faced the three. Hikarino was glaring at Vox, Vox was confused, and Ike was also confused.
“I feel like I recognize those symbols, but the blood is covering most of it up. Vox, do-” Ike started, with Luca interrupting his question.
“We won't bring up whatever it is unless Shu wants to tell us,” He said defensively. “Hikarino, could you get the first aid kit?”
“Uh, sure. Why?” He voiced, clearly confused, as his voice lost its usual formality.
“I'm planning on helping Shu fix his wounds.” Luca responded. “Ike, I might mess something up, so I would prefer if you helped as well. If Shu is alright with that.”
Ike nodded. He kept silent, as if he was expecting an interjection. None came.