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Shintarou could only watch as the blood pooled on the floor, the individual whose gentleness used to keep him close— the only one who could— was dead.
Shintarou could only stand, as if the world stopped before him. His ears rang, The cheers from the crowd went to deaf ears as his breath began to quicken. The man whose silence brought comfort, now bringing a sense of dread within him.
Leon was dead.
And it was because of him.
Shintarou glanced towards the backstage, where humans are kept before their turn on the stage. From the corner of his eye, he sees a familiar red haired boy around his age, crying. Kept in shackles, and a collar connected to a wire, the boy shook and struggled attempting to break free and as if wanting to run wake up Leon himself.
...Felix. He knows him.
However, before he could deduce anymore, he was brought back to the backstage as well. He followed wherever the androids went, and by any moment, he felt as if he'll see the man again, his stoic and gentle self telling Shintarou to not hurt himselves with his own thoughts, that this was another sick thought his head had made up.
But there was no sign of him. Of Leon.
His heart dropped. He was dead. There was no point in indulging in fantasies that'll hurt him. The pungent smell of blood—Leon's blood on his clothes made things way too clear for him.
His collar turned red, a clear sign of him losing his own composure. Without even realising, he had ended up in his waiting spot. (which was has a cocoon-like yet transparent wall, leaving him unable to escape nor hide himself) The memory of them both singing on stage played like a broken record, not giving him a chance to even let him distract himself.
The longer he sat there, the more the needles pricked his heart. Only the sound of his heartbeat filled his ears, adrenaline still pumping inside him before he bit his nail, an attempt to calm himself. The taste of iron landed on his tongue, the stinging pain from his finger made him pull away.
His eyes widen as he sees the blood on his finger, images of Leon's limp body filling his head. The guilt crashed into him tenfold, and it didn't take long for the overwhelmed youth to unconsciousness.
"Brother! Look, look!"
A small hand tugs his sleeves, as the boy's other hand pointed to the big screen. The secondary product—or little brother, as one might call it, pulled Shintarou. The confused child could only follow as he shushed the young boy before him.
"Junta, be quiet..! They might hear."
Junta shut his mouth with both of his hands, before looking up to Shintarou. A whimper of "I'm sorry" was let out from the boy.
Shintarou only sighed softly before ruffling Junta's hair, "It's fine, what did you want to show me?" He says in a soft voice.
Junta smiles, the corner of his eyes crinkled, a giggle accompanying his smile as he pulled Shintarou by the hand this time, bringing the older product to the mesh of their cage.
The boy pointed towards the big screen behind the net-like gate, "What are they doing? It sounds so good!" He says before puttind his hand behind his ear, as if wanting to encapsulate the song in his eardrums.
Shintarou's eyes widen as he sees the screen. The harmony of sound and visual was bright, the beauty tugging his heart as he witnesses a human does things beyond his comprehension.
Each movement took his attention, each sound made his heart tingle. It was as if thousand tiny point of awareness was spread out onto his skin, his cheeks flushed as his eyes brightened.
Both of the youth's hand was holding onto the cold, hard mesh, mesmerised at the scene playing out on the screen. Within the dark and lonesome cage, Shintarou and Junta could only depend on each other as a source of enclosure, as the unknown in the world was difficult—no, downright impossible to reach. He often questioned if it was worth to even try to defy the chains that had been placed upon them since birth, while Junta has tried numerous attempt to try and take off the identification tag off his neck.
Thus, the bright light that shone in front of them was exciting. A glance to the unknown, a glance on what could've been them, or perhaps in the near future, be them. They both stood still, taking in each movement, taking in each light— as if wanting it to be engraved to their retinas.
All excitement was cut short until the big screen turned dark, leaving both products disappointed.
However, even if it was short, the tingling sensation they both felt never left. It was as if the world kept on sparkling. Both products turned to each other, sharing the same excitement thanks to the new sight.
Junta clasped Shintarou's hand, shaking it up and down due to his excitement, his body bouncing excitedly as he pointed towards the now dark big screen. His mouth was open, as if wanting to describe something but no words came out.
Junta trusted that his brother had understood, and he was right. Shintarou shared the same sentiment. "That was amazing!" Both of them yelped, suprised at each other's volume after.
The both of them spent their time after with talking about what the big screen was possibly showing, and hypothesis how those humans did such a nice cry. The both of them took turns unleashing their voice, as the other clapped at in excitement.
They both promised each other, that they'd both be an unstoppable duo on stage, that the world would be their oyster with their voice.
Within that short time, they felt unstoppable.
However, in such a world, their joy accompanied by each other would soon come to an abrupt stop.
Without even a single warning, Shintarou was pulled out of the cage, a large hand dragging him by the back of shirt. He felt his heartbeat rising, his body unable to react as time stilled for him momentarily. Junta reached for Shintarou, and it only took seconds for Shintarou to try and reach his hand.
"Brother—!!"
And yet, even with both of them attempting to reach each other— they were stranded even further away. Junta cried as he rushed to get closer, only to be held back by a similarly large hand. Junta's cries and hasty actions was stopped when a needle pierced the boy's neck, leaving him unconscious.
Shintarou could only let out a gagged sound, the world sucking the air out of him as he was pulled to a world filled of uncertainty, without the only certainty he's was sure to have—Junta.
His eyes flutter slightly, eyes wandering around the area blankly as he tries to regain focus in his eyes. His heavy lids making him blink more than he wants to, making it difficult for him to process the situation at hand. A singular tear dripped down from the corner of his eyes thanks to the emotional turmoil of his nightmare.
He opted to move his glasses, but he remembers that right, his 'owner' had made him undergo a procedure that lets him see without the use of glasses(and of course, that was only one of the many procedures that the owner forced him to have). He wiped the tears with the sleeves of his haori, his eyes leaving a damp spot onto his sleeves. It didn't matter how messy his Haori will be, since Leon's blood has already melred into the fabric anyways. His sigh was shaky, the emotional turmoil of the nightmare and the daunting reality both making him lose his composure yet again.
During situations like these, where he felt things were hopeless, Leon would often find him. It was odd to him, how no matter how Shintarou loathed the man for caring, the man never stopped. His fear of touch (which was thanks to his 'owner') only amplified the frustration he felt whenever the guy tried to comfort him—hell, if the man tried to get closer, he'd smack Leon's hand away, not even wanting to feel the touch the man will leave.
And yet, he stayed. No matter how frustrating he could get.
He remembers how Leon would smile as they both sat under the tree of anakt garden, a sight that was somehow way too common for a stoic boy like him. Leon would try to make Shintarou's fear of touch go away little by little, opting to start by small touches. He would often tucked Shintarou's hair behind his ear, and the corner of his eyes would crinkle, a hopeful light in his eyes whenever Shintarou let him do it. (And Shintarou remembers, because the touches he left lingered onto his skin, and engraved into his memories)
He remembers how Leon would ruffle his hair, during the nights it grew difficult. Shintarou's breath would be short and haggard, and yet Leon would gently remind him to take a deep breath. The way Leon's hand softly rubbed his back in a circular motion, the way Leon's eyes fluttered with worry, the way the artificial light from anakt garden's moon illuminated the boy, making the boy look more ethereal than he should. His skin glistened, his eyes shone brighter— during his darkest days, Leon was the vibrant light that kept him going.
Now, he felt the same as he did during those nights.
The only difference was that Leon was gone, and he would never feel the same warmth ever again.
The hollow feeling in his heart only increased, a sense of dread eating him from the inside. However, a familiar voice put him out of his trance, a voice that was commonly known to be brash, loud, and annoying— now being used into a harmonied yet still holding the unwavering strength and the transparency that reminds him of how he remembers how Junta used to sing.
His eyes landed onto the stage, only to see an appearance that was equally as familiar as the voice.
Felix.
It was impossible to not know him. His outstandingly rebellious behaviour and clumsiness that destroyed multiple equipments in the past made him infamous in the Anakt Garden, aliens making sure to make him be out of reach of anything, while also keeping their distance from the boy as the boy held remarkable strength.
Shintarou only remembers him because of how he would often stick by Leon's side like a glue, and how his eyes would sparkle with excitement, and how his eyes has the same mole like Junta did (it was on the other side of his eye, but it looked similar to him). The boy would hold the same naive smile onto his face, the same look that was on Junta's, yet there was a hint of maturity that traced his features whenever he smiled, often serving as a reminder to Shintarou, that Felix isn't Junta.
The boy sang, his voice making him sound like he left his vulnerability out in the open. And for whatever reason, he resonated with the voice. With how the boy began to shed tears on the stage, his bright usual self gone the moment Leon lost his time. The voice gave him the same exact excitement that he felt during the time he spent his time with Junta, watching the big screen as Alien Stage was displayed.
Only now, the excitement prickled with guilt.
Each goosebump felt like knives slitting him alive, the tears from Felix' eyes making his heart drop. It was because he was responsible of this.
It takes a fool to not notice the affection Felix and Leon shared, the way their touch would make the other giggle or smile, the way Leon would endearingly flick Felix' forehead, the way Felix would touch Leon without a second thought (he bit his lip whenever he watches Felix would touch Leon, because he wishes he could do the same. Without hesitating, without fear)
Leon was Felix' guiding light.
Leon was also Shintarou's guiding light.
And now, the world felt dark without him.
He watches as the music stops, the score witholding a stark contrast between the two individuals. On the big hologrammed screen behind the unknown individual showcased a respectable number of '68', however Felix' score easily overpower his opponent, holding a formidable '89' as his score. For a moment, the world halted. Felix, who was unaware of his score, felt his heartbeat increase immensely, the vibration reaching his head as he felt his swest drip down from his forehead. His fingers grew cold, and it didn't take long until—
—BANG!
...a gunshot was heard, another body dropping onto the ground as another set of blood pooled on the floor.
Felix only glanced towards the dead body, before his eyebrows furrowed slightly, eyes wide as he looks away from the body. The crowd cheers yet again, the sound revebrating the room making it into a sound that's similar as one would describe as cacophony.
The noise, the situation, his vision— everything overwhelmed him. He felt his breathing quicken slightly, hugging his own body as he attempted to distract himself from the body, as well as the pungent stench of blood that filled his nose. His tears began to form yet again, vision growing increasingly blurred as the cacophony became to sound even more muffled, ears beginning to ring as he feels himself losing himself.
As Felix' eyes wander, Both Shintarou and him locked eyes for a short moment before Shintarou turned away, as Felix clenched his fist, feeling his vein pop as he watches the preperator of his friend's death look away from the reminder of his own sin.
His frustration only grew, not caring how deep his nails digged into the skin of his palm, not caring how it began to feel moist, not caring how it began to sting. Leon will— Leon would've bandaged it for him. That revelation only made him more agitated, as the thought that he would never feel Leon's warmth sinks in even more deeper.
However, the one he was the most enraged by was Leon.
For he knows that Leon purposefully hijacked the scores, by destroying his own.
He notices— as much as he hated how it killed him inside, he saw how Leon smiled at Shintarou, before dropping a note from his voice. How Leon easily lets himself die for Shintarou's sake. Within that short time, he remembers his body jolting, his room for vision widening as the chains held him, making him unable to run and stop Leon himself. He hated how Leon never once turned to look at him the moment he stepped onto the stage, as if he has made his own resolve.
He wondered if Leon would've hesitated if he saw him—
Felix bit the inside of his cheek, he could care less about what happens towards other people. In a world like this— only Leon mattered to him. He didn't care if Leon bossed him around when he was a kid, as he was the only one who didn't look at him with contempt due to his lack of restraint. He didn't care if Leon 'changed', because he still held the same look in eyes— the one that looks at him, not with vigilance, not with anger—but something he's unfamiliar with. He doesn't know what it is, but he liked how Leon's orbs would shine whenever it landed onto him, he liked how even if Leon was frustrated, he was never treated him like a walking hazard. He liked it whenever Leon hits him, the pain never lingered. He couldn't ask for more.
He loves Leon. That is something he is sure about. He was willing to let his body rot for Leon's survival, for his memory to be engraved inside Leon's head. It didn't matter if it had to be engraved until it bled, it didn't matter if the blood seeped through his skin as long as he lived, as long as Felix dies before him.
As long as Felix doesn't have to see Leon die.
and yet,
It made him wonder, as much as he hated the thought— if he was the one to face Leon, would Leon do the same for him? He hates to even remember his dead body, but to be loved until they were willing to let their body rot, until the aliens cheered at their demise—he felt himself choke at air.
Did Leon felt the same way he did towards him? Did he do this so he doesn't have to see him die? Or was it simply for Shintarou's sake?
...he didn't want to know the answer to that.
Not that it can, anyways.
As he was brought away from the stage, his hands chained up by hard cold steel, face flushed and yet so drained of colour, his mind recalled a memory.
"Leoon! Leoooon?"
Felix cupped the corners of his mouth with his hands, his bare feet walking onto the fluffy grass. His head turned and turned, to not see a sight of Leon. The boy huffed, reeling in frustration as he realises that Leon is amazingly good at hide and seek.
Though, they aren't exactly playing the said game.
Felix continued to roam around the empty yet vast area of Anakt Garden. Currently, the children should be sleeping on their beds, and undoubtedly, Leon should be quick to fall asleep. This night, he had attempted to sneak into Leon's room, only to see that Leon was nowhere on his bed, making Felix worried.
He walked, walked, and walked until he sees a familiar blonde haired boy. Leon was laying on the grass, hands reached for the sky. Noticing that Leon was distracted, Felix smiled deviously as he began to sneaked towards Leon's direction. He made sure to conceal his footsteps as much as possible, before realising that his footsteps will make noise despite doing his best to conceal it.
Thus, instead of sneaking in, he decided to slide himself on the grass. Positioning himself, he jumped and began to slide on the grass on his side, arm resting on the ground as his head relaxed on the palm of his hand.
"Leon!"
Said boy almost had a heart attack, his shock making his body turn stiff, his voice dying at his throat. It didn't take long for Leon to regain his composure, before sitting up to flick Felix' forehead. Felix only let out a small yelp, before holding his forehead with both of his hands.
"Owww..!"
"What are you doing out here this late?"
Leon questioned almost immediately. The boy with the beauty mark only pouted at the other's words, "I'm out because you're out." Felix huffed, his back now facing the cold grass.
"..Oh."
"But why are you out, Leon?" Felix questions, laying side by side leon, his head turned to face the other's. Watching as his eyes widen at the close proximity, Leon only let out a small hum as he turned his attention and fave away from Felix, thinking of his response.
Felix patiently waited as he watched the boy's face being illuminated by the moonlight, his eyes sparkling like a gemstone, his expression serene and there seemed to be an internal conflict in him.
"..hmm, well, I was just watching the moonlight."
Felix let out a scandalous gasp, "and you're skipping curfew and your bedtime for that!?"
Leon scoffed as he hears those words, turning his head to Felix intending to shoot him and incredulous look before the boy stopped in his tracks. Leon placed his hand gently onto the darkened mark on Felix' face, concern etched his face.
Felix felt himself jolt at the touch, not expecting a touch out of nowhere, before his tense shoulders relaxed, letting Leon carress his cheek. Leon could feel his eyebrows furrowing. Felix wasn't sure what to feel, he wasn't used to such care and attention being given to him in such a gentle manner, that all words died in his throat.
"...did your 'owner' do this to you?"
Felix could feel his eyes widen, before looking up at him (he didn't even know when he started facing down), cheeks flushed as he nodded. The blonde boy felt his anger rushing in, a sense of overprotectiveness running through his blood as he began to caress the spot, noticing the other blemished marks on Felix' face.
Felix holds Leon's arm, putting extra care onto his hold (Felix doesn't want to break him, like how he does to many already) before indulging himself in Leon's touch. Closing his eyes, let let out a soft sigh at the newfound comfort and warmth. However, he notices that Leon's arm was skinnier than he used to be—ever since the incident.
He remembers that one time, Leon was suddenly gone. For a month straight, he couldn't even catch a glimpse of the chubby boy that treated him differently than the others. Used to the chubby boy's presence, not having him made him taste the bitterness of how people used—and still treat him like he was a puddle of mud, only to be stepped on or to be avoided.
Felix remembers how everything became heavier, how his 'owner's hits feel stronger than it used to, and how lonely it was to be by yourself all the time. It felt as if all light was lost from his eyes, and every bit of strength he had left him.
That was, until Leon came back unexpectedly one day as a whole new completely different kind of person. Leon became skinnier, and stopped bossing him around like he used to before. That didn't matter of course, since the look on his eyes remained the same (but he notices, he notices how Leon began to treat him more kindly, a gaze in his eyes that tells him that Leon sees him.)
"..Felix, do you believe the concept of alternate universes?"
Leon muttered. Felix could only looked at him confused, as his eyebrows raised in confusion, lips puckered, "Alter..what? What is that?" Leon blinked a few times, before a soft 'oh' escaped his lips. He pondered for a few moments, gears turning in his head, before gathering his resolve.
"Alternate universes are like different worlds, kind of like how you can draw many pictures with different colors..do you get it?"
Now it was Felix' turn to blink, before he nods, "I think I get it, a little." Leon flashed him a smile, a smile that made Felix' heart beat faster, the kind of smile that msde Felix feel like he's unstoppable and yet would lose with a soft punch.
"That's enough for me."
"Why did you ask that? And also, where did you learn that? I don't think Anakt teaches us that?"
Leon pauses for a moment, tempted to ask him a question that has been ringing in his head but he hesitates. Felix gives him an expectant look, crushing his hesitance before taking in a deep breath.
"Do you think, in another universe, we'll still be friends?"
Leon feels himself sweating slightly, his cheeks reddened as he waited for the boy's answer, axienty gnawing at him each time the second was spent with silence.
"..What are friends??"
Leon could only give him a deadpanned look, as Felix giggle sheepishly. "You say so many words I don't understand.."
Leon let out an endearing sigh, "Friends are people you like to play with, share with, and have fun together."
Felix takes in his words yet again, before nodding his head vigorously, "Yeah! We're friends! And we will be friends in an alternate universe, too!" The boys exclaims as his face inched closer to Leon, "I'll make sure to make that happen!"
Leon, yet again suprised at the close proximity pushed Felix' face away, a whine escaping Felix as he attempted to bring himself closer (though he has to hold back, Leon is fragile to him), a bit upset at the action.
"Leeooon! Why are you pushing my face away??" He whines, Leon could only let out a soft grunt, "You're too close. I can smell the food you ate." Leon retorts back.
Felix notices the way Leon's ears turns red. He wasn't sure on what it meant, but he knows it made him feel good. Felix decides to spare Leon by not pushing further, and Leon sighs in relief.
Laying side by side, both boys remained in a state of comfortable silence. Felix wasn't sure what was so good about the artificial sky light from the Anakt Garden, but he continued to stare since that was what Leon was doing. What he didn't notice however, was the way Leon wasn't looking at the sky, but rather towards the boy.
Leon admired the way the artificial light from the Anakt Garden made Felix glow, the way the light carved every shape of Felix. The way the light made his orbs shine like rubies, the way Felix' hair strands was placed so gracefully onto his face— he loved every single one of it.
He wonders, how would Felix look like underneath the real sky?
"Ah!" Leon jolted at the sound Felix let out, as well because of the fact that Felix was now facing him. Felix pouts, the mass of his cheeks expanded, "You didn't tell me where you learnt that!"
Leon's eyes remained wide before he took it upon himaelf and regained his composure, looking back up at the artificial sky of Anakt's Garden. He gave Felix a look from the side of his face, "..Do you really want to know?"
The red haired boy himself sit up, before Leon sees himself being pinned down by two hands, and Felix's face now in front of him. The contrast from the moonlight that traced Felix's back and the darkness that shadowed Leon's face gave them a sense of privacy. Leon could only feel his face get warmer, eyes widening at Felix' bold action.
"Duh! I want to know. You're my friend!" Felix smiled as he manages to gain Leon's attention, and the fact that he managed to use a new word so easily. His heart swelled with pride, while Leon's heart was beating in such a rapid pace. Out of instinct (and for his poor heart) Leon pushes the boy away by the face yet again, a suprised yelp escaping Felix' lips as he landed on his butt, holding his face with his hands as Leon finally sat up.
"Sorry." Leon says, and Felix simply caressed his own nose before smiling at Leon. Naturally, Leon could do no wrong to Felix, he knows that. Leon pondered for a moment, watching Felix' every move before speaking his mind, "Do you remember the time where..well, I wasn't here for a whole month?"
Felix' eyes widened, Oh, was that how he learnt such a thing? He wasn't sure on what he should say, or how to react. He remembers how during that one months, his sanity was being carved away every minute thanks to the fact that he had no one to spend their time with, no one to care for him. He felt himself frown at the memories of himself without Leon, but the blonde continued his words,
"I was actually kidnapped by a bunch of rebels."
This time, expecting the loud volume to come out of the red haired boy, he took it by himself and used his hand to keep the boy's mouth shut. "Mmph!?" Was the only sound that could be let out by Felix.
Felix hastily removed the hand that covered his mouth, looking at Leon with worry, "Is thay how you got so skinny? Did they do anything to you?" He says frantically before feeling Leon's thin arms. Leon nods, "They didn't do anything to me, rather, they helped me."
Felix looks up to Leon, hands still caressing the blonde's hand as he looks at his face, his mouth shut in order to give Leon time to explain more, "My 'owner' wasn't sure on how to maintain my diet, and I was a picky eater. They gave up quite early, and well.." Leon only chuckles, "You see how that turned out."
"But you see, those kidnappers helped me." Leon smiles fondly, his memories of spending at the place for one month still beautiful in his eyes, "They helped maintain a good diet, and they were humans like us."
Felix began to listen intently, now even more interested at the topic, "They also showed me how vast the world actually is. They showed me every flower, how beautiful the real sky truly is and how we can do more than just be a slave to the aliens."
"..but why are you back?" Felix questioned. He was beyond overjoyed when Leon came back, but did Leon feel the same way?
"..Who knows?" The boy chuckled. It suprised Felix how nonchalant Leon worded his answer. Usually, the boy would be prepared and give the best answer to every scenario, even managing to convince some aliens to let him have even more play time.
The both spent their time in silence, the both of them now admiring the stars that was placed onto the artificial night sky, and how the world felt like it stopped with the both of them together. It didn't take long for them to finally sneak in into their respective rooms. The walk back into their room was silent, (minus the sound of footsteps, Leon's footsteps quieter than Felix' thanks to the shoes his owner had given him) but it was enough for the duo to send each other with a smile.
The next time they woke up, they will be met with a new student. Dark Navy blue hair and a thin framed glasses that covered half of the boy's face, both Leon and Felix were curious of the boy.
As the other students gathered by to see the new student, Shintarou and Felix locked eyes before Shintarou looked away, Felix pouting at the sight.
However, despite the rude behaviour of the boy, he couldn't help but admire the color of his hair, as it reminded him of the sky just before the stars come out, when the light is fading and everything feels quiet. It reminded him of the time he's spent outside with Leon, and the boy himself had delicate, soft features that brought a sparkle onto Felix' eyes.
He was beautiful, and he was sure Leon felt the same.