Chapter Text
Atsushi curled tight around himself, shivering lightly in the cold of the basement and trying to gain some sort of warmth. The drips of water from the corner drip-drip-dripped down from where the kitchen just barely bordered the edge of the basement.
It was the only sound besides the ones that Atsushi made himself.
Atsushi hated being alone. He craved it at times, in such a large orphanage, but being forced down here was harsh. He did not like being down here without someone to keep him company, because this was a punishment.
The Headmaster always said that this was a punishment from God. All his punishments were.
Being alone. The poker. The nail and hammer. The food being withheld. The grabbing hands of the matrons and the whacking of the rulers.
All of it was apparently something he should be grateful for.
Atsushi didn't know how he could possibly be grateful for pain. Pain was bad, in its constant state on Atsushi's body. Apparently the pain would heal Atsushi's soul?
Atsushi didn't know if his soul could be bruised. Maybe it could be. These people would surely find a way. To bruise a soul, surely someone must be strong over someone else to do such a thing. To have such power, they must hold that power over someone else first.
And yet, Atsushi's soul never felt bruised. Oh it ached at times. It wailed and screamed, and sometimes those sounds carried out through Atsushi's mouth into the air because he was hurting physically.
But his soul itself was never bruised. Merely touched maybe, but not bruised.
If he stayed here, surely it would be bruised one day. These people would find a power to hold over him. Would find a way to hurt him down to his soul.
Atsushi curled around himself, wondering if he should just allow them to hurt him to the soul and let it be done with. It's not Atsushi's soul was so perfect and good anyways. It's not like Atsushi's soul was something that needed to be saved–
A small sound at the top of the stairs. The door opened.
Footsteps, cautious and calm, started to descend the old stairs. Atsushi watched with wide eyes.
A foreign man descended the stairs, one at a time, seemingly concerned that he may fall through the rotten wood.
He landed on the cement floor, and started looking around the basement, not noticing Atsushi and the cage that he was in in the corner.
Turquoise eyes trailed around, before landing on Atsushi.
The eyes widened, and Atsushi marveled at the color, not having seen such a pretty color outside of books before.
"Child, what are you doing in here?”
~~~~~~~~~~
Nathaniel Hawthorne had not expected much to come from this missions outreach. He did not say or think this out of blasphemy to the Lord's work, no. But the matter of fact was that these people were not caring for the children in their care. Not really. They fed them and clothed them, taught them, Nathaniel could see that. But there was little care in the movements that the priests and matrons made towards the children.
He clutched at his rosary as he walked the halls.
"Peace Nathaniel, peace." He muttered to himself. "God led you here for a reason. There must be a reason that you are here, yes?"
Walking the halls was calming and angering at the same time, but he gave it all to the Lord so it was not his anymore. It still kept coming back, but he would bring it up with the leader of this outreach, maybe they could work with the head priest here–
He paused in front of the door on his left, a powerful pulse ripping through him.
He stepped towards it, pressing against the door to try it. God was leading him here, to this door. Perhaps this was why he was led to the missions trip?
Nathaniel tried the door.
Locked.
It was not looked upon kindly, but he quickly created a tiny cut and filled the lock with his blood. Using The Scarlet Letter, he expanded the lock.
Stairs extended before him.
Nathaniel grabbed his rosary and started to descend the stairs one at a time, wary of the fact that the stairs may give way under him, due to the stench of the rot.
Getting to the bottom, he looked around the basement, taking it in.
Why am I here? Why was I called here?
Nathaniel’s eyes continued to wander, before landing on a cage in the corner.
And in that cage–
Purple and gold eyes stared back at him from under a silver fringe, much like Nathaniel’s own hair.
But it belongs to a much, much younger face.
The eyes also had a nearly feral glint to them, and Nathaniel felt his heart and chest constrict with the fact that there was quite literally a child down here, in a cage. Did they get any socialization? Any care? Their hair looked a bit ragged at the ends, so maybe not.
"Child, what are you doing in here?” He whispered, walking towards the cage while clutching his rosary tight. Not enough to bleed, but enough to hope that his prayers were reaching God.
The eyes blinked, before the rest of the head stopped being hidden by the knees and arms. It popped out of its little hole, and Nathaniel nearly wept at the sweet curiosity on the face.
“I'm here because I was bad.” A small voice answered, before leaning forward, closer to the bars as the eyes looked Nathaniel over.
“You're not Japanese. Who are you? Why are you here?”
“I am Hawthorne Nathaniel.” Nathaniel said, kneeling beside the cage, as close as he could. It was so cold and damp down here. How could anyone do this to a child!?
“Hawsorne Nasaniel.” The child echoed, and the mispronounced name made Nathaniel chuckle, just a little.
“How about Niel then? That is easier to say, yes?”
“Niel.” The boy, Nathaniel was quite sure it was a boy, mimicked, before a smile lit the small face. “Niel! It suits you!”
“Thank you.” Nathaniel laughed lightly. “As for why I am here, it is because of a religious outreach.”
The boy nodded, scrunching his nose slightly at Nathaniel’s words as he had stumbled over a few of them, but that was Nathaniel's own fault.
“Religious outreach.” The boy muttered.
“And what is your name?” Nathaniel asked, leaning against the cage's bars. The metal was so cold to the touch, even through the robes Nathaniel was wearing. He couldn't imagine what it was like for the boy, who had a shackle on.
“Oh! I'm Atsushi. Nakajima Atsushi. It's nice to meet you.” The boy introduced himself politely.
“It is nice to meet you too.” Nathaniel whispered, trying to ignore the place that this meeting was taking place in. Atsushi. . . Atsushi-kun? That was the proper suffix, no. No it was an honorific, right? Atsushi-kun had said he was a bad boy, so Nathaniel shouldn't interfere with the punishment.
However, if he simply let it slip to the priest who was heading this outreach of how the orphanage disciplined children? Well no one could point fingers and blame Nathaniel. He was just doing his God-fearing duty of caring for children.
Actually. . . .
“Atsushi-kun?”
Atsushi-kun didn't correct him when he lifted his head, just hummed and watched Nathaniel with dilated eyes. Nathaniel was quite sure if Atsushi-kun was a cat, then he would be swishing his tail in contentment.
“Why are you being punished? If you do not mind me asking?”
“Because I made food.” Atsushi-kun sighed. “I made some food and got caught, so I need to be punished.”
If Nathaniel didn't have control over the very blood that ran through his veins, he would have thought it froze in its passage.
“Atsushi-kun, do you not eat enough?”
Atsushi-kun shook his head, lolling it on his knees. He pointed to the massive-looking manacle clamped around his neck.
“There's a point system you see. Everyone does chores and gains points through that. But I'm always down here, because people are constantly accusing me of doing things that I didn't do. So I can never eat enough.”
The blood that was once thought frozen now felt like it was boiling in the intensity of Nathaniel’s anger.
He was furious.
Children are to be cared for! They're to be loved and cherished, they are a gift from the Good Lord Himself.
And this place–
This place is pitting child against child!? This place is harming the children in order for them to gain food!? What a vile, pitiable place this is.
The anger must be seen clearly on Nathaniel’s face, as Atsushi-kun leans against the wall, fear flickering through the purple and gold eyes. The hands clenched at the knees and the small, fragile body braced himself for a blow that Nathaniel couldn't even hit. Not with the bars separating them, and if Nathaniel had wanted to hit Atsushi-kun (how could he, he was a little boy!?) he would have to use The Scarlet Letter.
Nathaniel would never use his ability to harm another who did not deserve it.
And Atsushi-kun very much did not deserve it.
Nathaniel took in a deep breath, calming the angered roar of his blood, the roar that called for justice to be rained down upon the unrighteous, and let it go. It would stew in the back of his mind for a little while, but he would let it go in time, and with the good Lord’s help.
“I apologize.” Nathaniel said, reaching up and rubbing at the side of his face. “It is unsightly of me to lose my temper in front of you, especially since I am not upset at you.”
Atsushi-kun stared at him.
“Are you real?”
Atsushi-kun's whisper was a broken little thing. Like he couldn't believe that Nathaniel was doing the simple thing of apologizing to him. But it was also so full of hope, asking if Nathaniel was actually a real being and that there was someone who would apologize to him.
And Atsushi-kun looked at him with such wonder when he apologized.
Has no one ever apologized to Atsushi-kun before?
Nathaniel could nearly feel his heart breaking.
But falling apart here would do neither of them any good.
Nathaniel reached for his rosary, feeling the sharp edge of it as he studied the old metal. The rusted metal of this cage. Did he even need to use The Scarlet Letter on this? It was so old and could barely stand, but also–
Nathaniel didn't want to scare Atsushi-kun by using brute force to break him out.
He smiled at Atsushi-kun.
“This may look a little scary, but I promise I will not hurt you. I have impeccable control, and I've never hurt anyone that I did not mean to before.”
Atsushi-kun stared at him inquisitively.
“You can ask, if you feel the need to.” Nathaniel said, bringing the sharp edge of his rosary to his palm.
“What does ‘impeccable’ mean?”
Ah, of course. Atsushi-kun was what, only ten? Maybe nine.
“It means ‘without fault.’” Nathaniel said, drawing blood.
Atsushi-kun sat upright.
“Niel!”
His voice was full of concern for Nathaniel, and it was so sweet. It was good to know that even in the darkest depths of this orphanage, there was still light. Isn't that what God had prophecies anyway? That even in the deepest places of hell, there would be a way for people to know Him? Atsushi-kun was being a wonderful example of that, showing concern for a stranger he had only met not even ten minutes ago.
“It is alright.” Nathaniel assured as the blood congealed, following Nathaniel’s commands. Atsushi-kun’s eyes changed from concern to wonder as he saw the golden writing in the blood, watching with an enraptured gaze.
Nathaniel carefully fed the blood into the lock of the cage, before expanding it rapidly. Predictably, like the lock of the door to the basement, the lock to this cage bent and warped under Nathaniel’s determination.
He opened the door, and took a careful step forward towards Atsushi-kun.
Just because he had been a good person to the boy so far and had apologized does not mean he had gained the child’s trust. He needed to move slowly.
Atsushi-kun, thankfully, didn't flinch when Nathaniel took measured steps towards him, and watched with glittering eyes as Nathaniel carefully fed more blood into the locks surrounding his ankles and his neck.
The boy stared up at Nathaniel as if he was someone who was sent to save him.
Maybe Nathaniel was.
Maybe this was why Nathaniel had felt such a push to go on the missions trip.
Nathaniel crouched, a hand gently extended to Atsushi-kun.
“Can you walk?” He asked, looking at the dirty feet. He couldn't tell beneath the layer of dirt whether or not there were more pressing issues than simply being caked in filth. Atsushi-kun would need a bath once he was out of here, a long one.
Atsushi-kun shook his head. “The headmaster put a nail through my foot, it still hurts.”
Nathaniel’s hand closed fast around the boy's as it was placed in Nathaniel’s, and he had to remind himself to breathe. He couldn't show how angry he was here, because Atsushi-kun may take it the the wrong way, that Nathaniel was angry at him for simply having a hurt foot.
“Alright.” He said slowly instead. “Are you hurt elsewhere?”
Atsushi-kun nodded, pulling his hand out of Nathaniel's hold and pulling his shirt up to expose his ribs.
Burn scars marred the skin.
Nathaniel slowed his breathing. He turned around, putting his back to Atsushi-kun.
“Niel?”
“Can you climb on my back? It would be the easiest position for your body.” Nathaniel said. It also ensured that Atsushi-kun did not see Nathaniel’s face contorting in rage at the sight of the boy’s pain. How strong was one child supposed to be, before he had gained a reprieve? Maybe that's why Nathaniel was pushed so by the Holy Spirit to come here. To be the respite for this child's soul.
Shuffling sounds, and too small, too thin arms closed around Nathaniel's neck. Too thin legs closed around his waist, and a small head was placed on his shoulder.
Nathaniel stood after securing his arms around the small legs.
It was time to bring this child out of hell.
“Comfortable?” He asked as he started to walk, taking care that it was smooth for Atsushi-kun.
A nod into his shoulder. “You're really strong Niel.”
Nathaniel found himself laughing. Because really–
“Atsushi-kun, my strength pales in comparison to yours.”
~~~~~~~~~~
Atsushi hadn't known what to think of the man that found him, Niel.
He had been selfish and told the man about the care that this orphanage, his home had given him. He had simply needed to talk about it, to be assured in his thinking, of the thoughts that ran through his head that said this isn't right and this can't be right.
Atsushi had been selfish and told the man about why the Headmaster locked him up here, just to get a reaction. Just to see if maybe, maybe he was right in his thinking that this place was wrong and that he was right. It was selfish, it was oh so selfish, and it went against everything that Atsushi had been taught.
It went against the fact that Atsushi should be grateful for the pain that the Headmaster had gifted him.
But Niel, he had looked so horrified. He had looked upset.
And once Atsushi had gotten that slight confirmation that he was right, he couldn't stop himself from spilling more secrets about this place. The treatment of him. The way that they treated others.
And Niel–
Niel hadn't left him. Most would, Atsushi was talking way too much and he should have shut up a long while into the talk. But Niel, his Niel, had only pressed closer to the bars, wishing to learn more.
The pretty eyes had grown more pained and more angry and Atsushi wanted to see more emotions in them.
And then Niel had drawn his own blood.
Atsushi had been so worried. Some of the Matrons had talked about “self-harm” before, how it was a dirty and disgusting habit and how they should all be ashamed if they ever stoop to such a low. Niel seemed so nice, he couldn't do such a thing to himself!
But Niel–
Niel had an Ability.
There was another boy who used to have an ability at the Orphanage. Atsushi barely remembered him, he had different colored hair and sister, but he and his sister had escaped.
Atsushi didn't know anyone besides that boy and now Niel, who had an Ability. They were super rare, and could be super dangerous. But both the boy with the sister and Niel had one thing in common.
They were super careful with their abilities.
Niel had been really really careful when feeding the blood into the locks, even when he was doing it to the lock that was farthest from Atsushi. Niel had been really careful, especially when carrying Atsushi.
Atsushi hadn't ever been carried before. He had always been dragged along, either by his hair or by his arm, sometimes even a leg.
But Niel was carrying him on his back, because his foot still hurt from when the Headmaster put the nail through it.
Atsushi thinks he's heard of this before. Someone carrying someone on their back when they were tired. Did he read it? Maybe, he's read so many books.
His head started to press against Niel’s shoulder more, a yawn escaping him.
“Are you tired, Atsushi-kun?”
Atsushi nodded into the shoulder. He was really tired. Even though he had been selfish and he should really stay awake as punishment. He shouldn't be allowed to sleep yet. Not until everyone else was finally asleep, even the Headmaster. But the Headmaster never seemed to sleep.
But they were exiting the basement, walking out of the cold dampness of the room and into the soft warmth of the light.
Maybe Niel was one of the angels that Atsushi had read about in the book that the Headmaster kept talking from on Sundays. It would make sense. Angels were nice, and Niel was nice. Angels saved people, and Niel saved Atsushi. So Niel had to be an angel.
“Why don't you go to sleep? I'll be talking with some people, you don't have to be awake for it.”
Atsushi should struggle to stay awake more.
He didn't.
As soon as his Niel gave the go ahead, his eyes closed and he was drifting off into a blissful, painless sleep.