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The ballroom was alive with the echoes of laughter and revelry but all Takumi can feel is the unbearable suffocation plaguing his every wake.
Shortly after Takumi made the ultimate decision for the SDU to continue to fight for humanity, Sirei announced the following morning a grand ball will take place within just a couple days— sprucing up one of the nearby building close to the academy as the venue of choice that can still fall under the undying flames protection. And to top it all off, human delegates from the Exodus Project will be in attendance to show their "undying appreciation for their contribution to the war effort."
Takumi could read between the lines well enough: the humans found out that they all know the truth and are scrambling to make sure that their precious tools continue their mission no matter what.
While everyone else can go and just simply "enjoy the night", unfortunately for Takumi he had the grand task of chaperoning Eito throughout the ball. As Sirei graciously stated, he never disclosed the fact to the higher ups that Eito has a "glitch" and as far as they're aware he is just a sickly boy who loves humanity to the bottom of his heart. They can't simply leave him in the cage either because the humans expect every single accounted for member of the SDU to show up.
So of course since Takumi decided to keep him alive, Eito is now his responsibility.
Responsibility? More like a pain in his side because Takumi doesn't trust Eito as far as he can throw him. Putting Eito in an enclosed space with the people he hates more than anything sounds like a recipe for disaster. Knowing him, if Takumi lets Eito out of his sight for more than one second he will probably find some way to poison everyone's champagne while starting a fire in the ballroom.
Takumi couldn’t possibly think of a better way to spend his night. And to think he could be comfortably sleeping in his bed right about now.
Instead Eito was strangely subdued as the night went on. It was like he was going through the motions Sirei enforced in him, bowing when he needed to, smiling when pleasantries were exchanged, making eye contact when a conversation started, the list goes on. Takumi could see how Eito was acting like nothing more than an echo of his former self, with eyes that glazed over with each new passing person that approached— which unfortunately was many as they all wanted to approach the leader of the Special Defense Unit.
Despite sticking together the whole night, Eito didn't speak one word and it wasn't like Takumi was making any effort either whenever it was just the two of them. Takumi wouldn’t have anything nice to say to Eito even if he decided to speak up.
Sirei did tell Takumi that he will take necessary steps to make sure Eito can't do anything to ruin the night and to "not worry a single thought about it". Despite how he feels about Eito, he really hopes that Sirei didn't choose to sedate Eito, or worse, use the Dolmenic Cognitive Reconstruction Therapy on him. Whenever he remembers that horrible machine all he can think of is Eva blank eyes staring back at him, something Takumi will never be able to erase from his mind no matter how hard he tries.
When they finally had some breathing space away from the masses, they both found themselves gravitating to the nearest wall and sticking themselves on it like a wallflower. Takumi fixated his gaze outwards, seeing how his friends were having a better night than him. Ima was constantly parading Kako around as the most important person in the whole room, with a fancy over the top ball gown to boot. Tsubasa and Takemaru constantly kept tabs on Gaku to make sure he didn't make a fool of himself from grabbing plates full of hors d'oeuvres to asking out any attractive guest that happened to be of the opposite sex. And then there was Nozomi, whose worries and anxieties melted away as she danced without a care in the world with Moko and even Yugamu from time to time.
Takumi wished more than anything to join Nozomi, instead here he was stuck with Eito. And to top it all off, Eito was obnoxiously scratching a black choker on his neck which was incredibly distracting to say the least. It was the one thing from his whole uniform that stuck out like a sore thumb and the way he was itching it was aggressive— almost seemed like maggots were gonna sprawl out at any second. Takumi didn't get it, why wear something so unruly if you were gonna just pick at it all day?
He has to say something, the last thing he wants is for Eito to somehow find a way to kill himself and bleed out in front of everyone in this ballroom— an appropriate final spiteful farewell from Eito Aotsuki.
"Eito, are you—?"
"Good evening esteemed guests! Can I have everyone's attention please?"
Only a couple words spilled out of Takumi's mouth before he got interrupted. Takumi whips his head to see Sirei clinking a fork against his sparkling champagne as the ballroom falls silent.
"I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for being here on this auspicious night, especially during a critical phase of this mission. I know it means a lot to our ever faithful soldiers that you all came from the Artificial Satellite to be here with us— to really show how much you value the hard work they are putting in to make sure this operation is a success and making this world our new home once and for all. Although I am the commanding officer there is a certain someone I'd like to thank for leading our brave troops to where we are now."
Takumi can practically feel the cold beads of sweat start glistening from his forehead, he knows where this is going and he doesn't like it one bit.
"I, of course, am talking about none other than the leader of the Special Defense Unit. Give it up for Takumi Sumino!"
If he could, Takumi would find the nearest table to duck under and never come out. But of course this is the one time he didn't have the luxury of making a choice, unless he wanted to embarrass himself in front of all these people. Takumi's face turns a new shade of red as everyone claps for him, even Eito is mockingly clapping along applauding his fearless leader. He knows Eito just wants to see him make a fool of himself, probably the only entertainment he'll get all night.
"Well what are you waiting for? Come on up here and say a few words to our esteemed guests!"
Takumi is quite aware that this wasn't a suggestion but an order and starts carrying his heavy legs to Sirei's side. Just before he makes it to his destination, someone Takumi doesn't know approaches him to shove a giant bouquet into his arms. The bouquet is filled with an assortment of pink and red Earthen flowers like roses, chrysanthemums, and daisies but all Takumi saw was a burdensome load to carry.
After looking down at the flowers for longer than he has to, Takumi scans the crowd of people staring at him. He had no idea what he wanted to say and frankly he didn't even want to speak, even if Sirei gave him a script beforehand. Despite choosing to fight for humanity, Takumi truly hated every last one of these people from the bottom of his heart. It's because of these pompous bastards he has to deal with the loss of his dear childhood friend that never existed in the first place. The only reason he knew what any of these flowers were is because of her. If anything he would rather throw this bouquet at the crowd and tell them all to fuck off.
But it isn't until Takumi locked eyes with Nozomi that his bitter emotions melt away as she nods towards him in encouragement.
It's just a few words. After he says it he doesn't have to communicate with any of these "esteemed guests" for the rest of the night.
"So, um" Takumi clears his throat before continuing on. "I wanted to thank everyone for such a wonderful night. We will make sure to, uh, continue… fighting our hardest! Yup fighting our hardest for not only you but er… the rest of humanity and…"
He has no idea what he was saying, if anything he was just painting himself as a gargantuan fool. Takumi doesn't know why but he subconsciously tries to look out towards where Eito would be. He finds himself missing his friend from his first 100 days now more than ever, the one who would always give him advice when he was about to trip up. Not wanting to admit it but more than anything he always felt safe staring at his pale blue eyes. If anyone would be able to dig themselves out of this train wreck of a hole, it would be him.
But when he looks outwards, he realizes Eito is nowhere to be found. The wall they were wasting away at was completely empty.
Shit.
This isn't good at all.
Takumi scans the whole venue back and forth, hoping that Eito just simply moved himself somewhere else. It was no use though, Eito Aotsuki has disappeared— vanished without a trace.
This is it, Eito will find a way to ruin everything they worked hard to achieve in these past 80 days, undone in an instant. All because of his carelessness.
The feeling of dread exemplified as the crowd stares at him and to each other in bewilderment, whispering in hushed tones. It wasn't until he felt a sharp manicured hand on his shoulder that the million thoughts racing through his mind screeched to a halt. Takumi snapped his head to see that it was none other than Hiruko that was right next to him, swooping in to save him from this mess.
"Please forgive our beloved leader, he gets rather tipsy after one too many drinks" Hiruko curtly explains.
"But I didn't—" Hiruko slaps a hand on top of his mouth to stop him from speaking any further.
"What he was trying to say is that thanks to your gracious efforts we wouldn't be where we are today. Soon this war will be over and this chapter of bloodshed will be put behind us as we will be able to live side by side together in our new home. All for a better tomorrow." Hiruko's sleek black sheath dress sparkled in the light as she raised her glass in the air.
"Elegantly put Miss Shizuhara! To a better tomorrow!" Sirei proudly echoed back, raising his glass as well.
"To a better tomorrow!" Everyone else parroted back the same words as they cheered and drank their champagne in merriment.
All the while, Takumi was squirming in place, desperate to make a break for it to find Eito before it's too late. He was then visited by a sharp jab from Hiruko's shoulder as she crouches her head down to talk.
"I would suggest you leave now before you get bombarded again. You better find him before the night ends, we don't want a situation on our hands."
Takumi blinks in disbelief at how Hiruko manages to read him like an open book every time. "How did you kn—?"
"I just do, now go."
"Th-Thanks Hiruko, I owe you so much."
"Don't worry I'm already thinking of ways for you to owe me back." Hiruko deviously smiles back at Takumi, she nudges him forward, encouraging him to get moving.
With that Takumi manages to slip into the crowd before the cheering ends. He searched every corner of the ballroom but the silver runaway was nowhere to be seen. Even the kitchen and bathrooms were accounted for as well. It was easy for panic to take over but Takumi instead tries to close his eyes and concentrate. He remembers how he always managed to find Karua— if he could find her, he could find Eito.
His instincts are telling him that he isn't inside but outside where a dense tree thicket resides next to the venue. With only his intuition to guide him, Takumi sets out hoping that he doesn't mess up.
It didn't take long to get to the thicket, Takumi had to simply hop over the gaudy entryway refurbished with pillars in Sirei and the late Nigou's image. After taking a few steps in, Takumi was visited by the sound of retching nearby, which could only mean one thing.
"Eito? I know you're out here!" Takumi yelled out.
"Don't get near me you… you—" Eito couldn't even finish his sentence before his insides got flipped over once more.
Thanks to his response, Takumi manages to find him a couple trees over and it wasn't a pretty sight that awaited him either. Eito's face was pooling with beads of sweat as stray strands of his slicked back hair fell out of place— bellowing up copious amounts of vomit that would even make Tsubasa blush. It dawns on Takumi that this is the first time he ever actually seen Eito throwing up, he always says how the sight of other humans makes him nauseous but now Takumi knows well enough that he isn't lying about it.
"Well well, if it isn't the man of the hour." Eito lightly chuckles, taking deep amounts of breaths in the process.
"Eito, are you ok?"
Takumi's first instinct is to swoop in to rub his back and hold on to his hair like he has done in the (fake) past with Karua. Seeing Takumi approach him, Eito instinctively hisses, recoiling his body away from Takumi.
"Get away from me you putrid ogre!" Eito spats in Takumi's direction as thick saliva runs down his lips.
Takumi rescinds his hand, a confusing mix of rejection and annoyance rises in him. This is what he gets helping someone like Eito out anyways.
"Alright, in that case enjoy vomiting out here all by yourself."
"Ugh fine… if you want to stay, go plant yourself over there." Eito points towards a tree that's over a couple meters away as he continues on his business.
Takumi just groans as he leans on Eito's tree of choice, watching his partner of the night puke his guts out. Even in this messy state Takumi can't help but think of how beautiful Eito looks, especially with how the soft glow emanating from the Artificial Satellite extenuates some of his finer features. A warm disgusting sensation starts seeping into Takumi's thoughts, he can feel his throat constricting as he watches how Eito's thick eyelashes flutter with each passing breath.
God, what is he thinking?! The man in front of him has done nothing but lie, deceive, and betray his trust and yet seeing him in such a sickly and fragile state is stirring this awful sweltering sentiment he wants to claw out with his own two hands.
Eito is just manipulating him as usual, that has to be it.
"Parading me around all those revolting humans… You're so awful and cruel you know that, T-Takumi?" Eito broke the silence as he stammered his words across the forest.
"This wasn't my choice, you know that, right? I would've never chosen to have this stupid party to begin with. If you want to blame anyone, blame Sirei."
"Oh but it was your choice, Takumi. We're here now because of the decision you made. You wanted to continue fighting for humanity despite the consequences in exchange for safety."
Takumi couldn't respond back because Eito was absolutely right. Not a day goes by that he questioned his choice to stay by humanity's side. His mind is constantly in flux wondering how things would've been different if he decided to be brave and stand up against his makers.
"Heh… but I guess I'm the bigger fool for choosing to stick by your side no matter what."
Eito, finally emptying out all the contents of his insides, tries to stand up tall once more. He walks away from his safety pillar that is the vomit soaked tree but stumbles after his first step. At this point, Takumi can't stand to the side and watch this pitiful display anymore and decides to rush next to Eito by putting his arm over his shoulder in support. He could feel Eito's whole body quiver in response when Takumi made physical contact with him but Eito just as quickly gave into his touch, his sticky sweat seeping into Takumi's suit.
"Let's just get you somewhere to sit down first and then you can continue monologuing about how terrible of a leader I am, ok?"
Eito simply nods as Takumi guides him back to the entryway where the Sirei and Nigou pillars meet him once more. This was probably as good of a place to rest, there was nobody here and Eito can get all the fresh air he wants. Takumi moves Eito's limp body to sit on top of the smooth surface that rested on top of the pillars, placing the bouquet of flowers that he honestly forgot he was holding until now, right next to him.
"Are you starting to feel a bit better?"
"No obviously not, thanks to you splattering your disgusting mucus all over me." Eito grimaces, clutching his hand to his chest. As if he is one to talk, getting his sweat all over him. "At least make yourself useful and get me some water."
Every fiber in Takumi's body yells at him to not leave Eito alone. He can't trust him, he can't trust anything he does. Eito is using his weak state to manipulate him like usual. At the same time though, his golden opportunity to run away already came and went yet he stayed.
Eito's words echo back in Takumi's mind: "I'm the bigger fool for choosing to stick by your side no matter what."
Takumi's moronic bleeding heart ultimately wins out, his gut is telling him to trust Eito. He truly hopes in the bottom of his heart he isn't proven wrong.
"Fine, I'll be right back. Don't move an inch from where you are."
"Whatever you say, dear leader."
Takumi makes a hasty journey back inside the venue ensuring that he doesn't stare directly to any wandering eyes. Making his way to the kitchen, he grabs a cup and fills it with tap water, Takumi then rushes back outside while making sure none of the water splashes out. The faster he can get back to Eito the better.
Shockingly true to his word, he finds Eito exactly where he left him— not daring to defy his dear leader's orders. What has changed though is the position he finds Eito in.
He is visited by an Eito curling himself up like a ball with his knees drawn up as he tucks his head behind them. It was strange seeing Eito like this, he was someone that appeared so big and opposing in Takumi's eyes but now he is trying to make himself look as small as possible, trying to hide himself from the rest of the world. Eito was twiddling with… something in his hands. It was impossible to see thanks to their dark surroundings and his long legs covering up most of what he was doing. Was he playing with a flower from the bouquet? Takumi honestly couldn't tell.
Eito's demeanor immediately shifts when he sees that Takumi has arrived back, he jolts his head in surprise and shoves whatever he was messing with back in his pocket. Dropping his legs down in a normal sitting position, he simply scoffs at Takumi's direction pretending nothing ever happened.
"Took you long enough. It seems like your legs are as slow as your brain." Eito says snatching the water from Takumi's hands.
"You're welcome by the way." Takumi retorts back as he watches Eito chug the full glass of water all in one take without taking a single break.
Eito lets out a huge sigh finishing the glass of water and graciously places the cup right next to him, staring at the distorted reflections bouncing right off of it towards where Takumi is standing.
"But seriously… I appreciate it." Eito speaks in a small voice still looking downwards towards the cup.
Just as Takumi was about to start moving again, Eito let out a shiver. While it was a particularly warm day, even at nighttime thanks to the undying flames surrounding the area, Eito's body temperature was still in flux thanks to his puking episode from earlier. Takumi lets out a sigh and removes his cape, draping it over Eito.
"And what do you think you're doing?"
"You were cold and you're obviously use to having more layers on so I'm just helping you out." Takumi simply hums in acknowledgement and sits next to Eito, the only thing between them is the giant bouquet of flowers.
"Do you possibly believe I want something that touched your abhorrent maggot-infested body? I'd rather freeze to death."
"Well in that case I'll gladly take it back."
When Takumi tried to reach back towards the cape, Eito jerks his whole body away, clutching the cape around him tighter than before. Typical.
Eito might not be the person he wants to be with this night but Takumi sure prefers being out here where it's quiet and peaceful instead of being around all those terrible people. He can at last rest and clear his mind after who knows how long.
But once again the calm silence is interrupted by the sound of incessant scratching as Eito returns to mess with the choker on his neck, his skin surrounding it becomes a distracting pulsating red against his pale flesh.
"Ok, I have to ask, why do you keep on scratching your neck like that? You've been doing it all night. Just take off that choker if it bothers you that much." Takumi huffs, finally speaking up.
"Oh trust me if I could remove it I would. It was a generous "gift" provided by Sirei. Not only does it suppress hemoanima but it also silences me whenever I step foot into that building, so as badly as I wanted to tell those disgusting demons all my thoughts and feelings, I couldn't. And oh! How could I forget? It also emits a poison straight into my neck if I decide to do anything out of line that will instantly kill me. Worst of all, it is also rather uncomfortable. Any more questions?"
"Um… no I'm good." Takumi shuts himself up right away. At least that explains why Eito was so eerily silent the whole night to the point Takumi was starting to miss the sound of his constant prattling.
"Since you got to ask a question, now it's my turn. What is your opinion of this ball so far?" Eito inquires, he couldn't avoid his piercing gaze even if he wanted to.
"Why do you ask?"
"Just color me curious, I guess. This night is happening because of you after all."
"Honestly, I probably would be enjoying it a lot more if it was just us and we didn't have those… extra guests." Takumi sighs "It's just so unbearable in there, pretending that everything is fine when it isn't. Just to think that one of those people is responsible for the memories they implanted in me, makes me wish I could… I could… ugh whatever! You know what I mean."
"You wish you could hurt them the same way they hurt you."
"…"
Takumi remains silent for a moment before answering back, it's too late to deny it at this point.
"Yeah I do."
"But seeing everyone else happy makes it worth it in the end," Takumi adds. "So if they're enjoying themselves then I think this ball was a success."
"I'm happy for you, regardless of your feelings at least you can get to enjoy the ball." Eito hums looking out to the night sky, there was a bitterness escaping his lips that he couldn't hide.
Takumi had to do a double take repeating the words Eito said to him in his mind. Was Eito actually… jealous? The Eito Aotsuki that hates anything humanity has to offer wanted to enjoy this ball?
"What do you mean?"
"Hmm I wonder what myself… Tell me, have you ever heard of Cinderella before? It's an ancient folktale."
"Cinder… ella?" Takumi simply blinks in confusion. What the hell is a Cinderella?
"Aschenputtel, Rhodopis, Ye Xian, Cenerentola, Mahpishooni. Seriously, do none of those names ring a bell to you?"
"N-No…?" Takumi felt his brain falling apart at the seams with each new foreign word Eito brings up.
"You really are more hopeless than I thought." Eito groans as he presses his gloved fingers to his forehead. "God forbid you try and educate yourself for once in your sad life."
"I get it already!” Takumi snaps. “Not only am I ugly, I'm also dumb, etcetera. If you don't start telling me what this story is about I'm gonna walk away right now."
"Well at least we can finally agree on something! But to get to the point, it's a story about a girl who loses her mother at a young age. Before she passes her mother makes the girl promise to her that she will always be kind and with a pure heart no matter what. Later on, her father remarries to a new woman who has two daughters of her own. The three newcomers were cruel to the girl to say the least, forcing the girl to wear rags and making her do all the work in the house, catering to her stepmother and stepsisters whims— essentially becoming their servant whom they gave her the ever so kind nickname "Cinderella". Meanwhile, her father turned a blind eye to her plight allowing this abuse to go on."
"Even her father didn't do anything to help her out? That's pretty cold-hearted."
"It really is cold-hearted, isn't it? Unfortunately I’m all too familiar with parental figures like that" Eito remarks. "But continuing on, it was announced that the royal family will be hosting a ball that will take place over three nights, all for the sole purpose of the Prince to find a bride to marry. Cinderella wanted to go to this ball more than anything but her stepmother forbade it, she didn't want to ruin her own daughters' chances for being picked. So Cinderella went to cry at her mother's grave, with only one wish: to be given a dress beautiful enough so she can abandon her rags and attend the ball. Two white doves then ascended from a tree that was growing from her mother's grave and gave her a dress adorned in silver and gold. With this gracious gift, Cinderella was able to go to the ball and there she immediately captured the attention of the Prince."
"So was she finally able to escape the terrible situation she was in?" Takumi interjected, getting more absorbed into the story.
"You're jumping too far ahead, there is just a bit more. During the ball, The Prince only had eyes for her but whenever the clock strikes at midnight she had to run back to her home and return the clothes to the doves, in fear of getting caught by her stepmother. The same song and dance continued on for the rest of the ongoing nights, with Cinderella disappearing at midnight before the Prince could find out more about her. On the final night as she runs back home she drops her gold slipper in a hurry. The Prince, managing to find it, starts a manhunt the following day throughout the kingdom to find his mystery woman, using the slipper to find the perfect match. When he got to Cinderella's house the stepmother made sure her daughters mutilated their own feet, like cutting off their toes and heels to ensure the shoe fits. They were both about to get away with it if it weren't for the doves alerting the Prince of them bleeding through the slipper. When the Prince got back to the house he asked if there was another maiden in the house, the father replied that only a kitchen-wench his late wife left behind remained. The Prince nonetheless asked them to summon her and when he put the shoe on Cinderella he finally found his perfect match. And thus, Cinderella and the Prince both live happily ever, with Cinderella breaking free from her awful stepmother and stepsisters."
"I’m glad there was a happy ending but I wasn't expecting that whole part with the stepmother going so far as to cut off her own daughters toes and heels. None of the stories I was told as a kid were ever that violent." Takumi scratches the back of his head in disbelief.
"Well in my eyes they deserved it after everything they put Cinderella through. Oh! I can't forget my favorite part: the stepsisters tried to win favor with Cinderella after becoming the Prince's bride but they were met with the doves flying in and plucking both of their eyes out, rendering them blind. Truly the perfect retribution for both of them, don’t you think?"
"Um... yeah sure." Takumi tried to ignore the fact with how Eito seemed a little too excited talking about the grotesque violence the stepsisters had to endure.
"Cinderella was one of the first stories I read as a kid. I found myself relating a lot to her and her struggles— being trapped in a hopeless position due to the monsters in your life with no way out. This is why I always dreamed of going to a ball, just like Cinderella. I felt as though it was the only way I could find my own freedom too at the time. Finding a prince that didn't look ugly or malformed to whisk me off my feet and take me far away from that terrible hospital."
"Wait a prince? Don't you mean a princess in this case?"
"No, Takumi. I don't make mistakes when I speak, unlike you. I don't know why I bother to talk to you if that's the only thing you got out of that." Eito grips the cape tighter, looking away humiliated.
"Hey I'm sorry, ok? It just caught me off guard is all..." The more Takumi thought about it, the more it hurt his brain, so he decided to move on. "But you know there is a difference between you and Cinderella, I can't really say you were also kind or have a pure heart."
"I guess that's true... Maybe that's why the night has turned out the way it has so far. Literally silenced, being surrounded by those vile humans, and vomiting in a forest— nothing like the balls I dreamed of. Can't say I deserve the same happiness Cinderella has gotten after all I did."
If Takumi could punch himself he would. Here Eito was actually opening himself up for once in his life and here he was saying all the wrong things. Takumi wasn't wrong but a lingering anxiety creeps up inside him because of his words Eito may close himself off for good, never letting him into his world.
Takumi glances downwards to see Eito's hand resting on the edge of the marble base right next to the bouquet. He wants to reach out and intertwine their hands together, to tell him that he apologizes and that this ball isn't the end all be all of everything but Takumi can't lie like that. Not when it means so much to Eito.
"Eito, I—"
Just as Takumi was about to reach his hand closer he was interrupted by a burst of flashing lights in the sky. They both look up to see a parade of fireworks have begun, leave it to Sirei to be as bombastic as possible to appease his lauded guests. It was an assortment of beautiful colors exploding throughout the night sky one after another, blooming like flowers bursting with life then slowly withering away. Takumi can't help but look at Eito during this spectacle, staring up above him in a childlike wonder he has never seen before.
"It's beautiful…"
Eito isn't a good person, far from it but he had dreams as a child just like everyone else. A child who was alone and scared out of his mind in a hospital, with only fairytales to keep him company. Takumi thinks back to his own childhood dreams, dreams he can never accomplish anymore because Karua will never be there by his side. The ghost of a girl who never lived to begin with.
"C'mon Takkun, I won't ever forgive you if you don't make things right."
Karua was sitting right next to Takumi in a silver dress, pouting at him. Even now he can still feel her presence as she scolds him. She may have not been real but Karua Kashimiya will always be a part of him no matter what and that alone can put him at ease. And if he can't accomplish his childhood dreams maybe he can make someone else's dreams come true.
There is no room for fantasies in the reality they live in. But it doesn't mean he can't try, maybe he can pretend just for one night.
Instead of going towards Eito's hand, Takumi pivots to the bouquet in between them, grabbing out a singular flower. Tracing his fingers around the fully bloomed red rose, Takumi snaps the stem where only a sliver remains next to the peduncle. After removing the remaining thorns, Takumi takes a deep breath— telling himself it's now or never and gets up to stand in front of Eito, blocking his view of the fireworks.
"This night isn't over yet so I wanted to know… do you care to have this dance together?"
Takumi extends his left hand towards Eito while clutching the rose close to his chest on his right. His false sense of calmness and composure almost collapses when he sees Eito stare at him with bright eyes, afraid and uncertain. Eito's hand trembles bringing it closer to link with Takumi's but retreats it at the last moment.
"I…"
"I want to dance with you Eito. We don't even need music, we'll come up with our own rhythm. Today didn't turn out how either of us wanted to but I want to end it on a good note… So what do you say?"
Eito doesn't respond but instead starts bursting out laughing so hard that tears start glistening in his eyes.
"E-Eito?"
"You're ridiculous, you know that?" Eito wipes a tear from his face (Takumi couldn't tell for a moment if it was from the laughter or if he was actually crying) and finally accepts Takumi's hand, letting go of the cape.
"Very well then, I'll accept this dance" Eito bows his head while rising to his full height.
"Before we start…" Takumi interjects. Moving the rose he was holding tightly, he extended his body using the balls of his feet to tuck the rose in Eito's hair.
"You look more beautiful with some color on you." Takumi smiles brightly.
Eito's face almost becomes the same color as the rose, whipping his head away in embarrassment.
"Why do you have to be such a loathsome creature?"
"I'll take that as a compliment" Takumi beams back at the beet red boy. "I'll lead, you follow."
Takumi's right hand entwines with Eito's left, he grabs a hold of Eito's right hand to place it on Takumi's shoulder. With almost everything in place Takumi moves his own left hand, hugging Eito's broad waist, which is met with a shudder from his dancing partner.
"Do you have to hold me like that? I can feel the pus from your tendrils seeping into my suit."
"I know this is a lot for you but you can trust me, I won't let you go."
Eito gazes into Takumi's eyes for far too long, his periwinkle irises wobble not sure how to react. But Eito answers back by gripping Takumi's hand tighter, clinging to his spoken vow.
"You promise?"
"Promise."
And so they dance. They dance as though they were the only two living beings on Futurum, the nervous rapidness of their hearts beating together in tandem when their ever shifting bodies were out of sync. Their movements were nothing short of terrible, Takumi constantly stepped on Eito's toes, Eito found himself bumping into Takumi's body more than he liked to but it didn't matter— nothing matter except for the warmth of their flesh becoming one.
The only thing guiding them forward was the uneven rhythm of the fireworks as they swayed together without a care in the world. It was awkward taking the lead given their height difference but Takumi made it work, for each step they took he can feel Eito's inhibitions lighten, letting go of his internalized fear. Trusting Takumi to hold him tightly no matter what.
And Takumi in turn is learning to trust Eito again, beat by beat. They have long given up doing anything that remotely looked like a facsimile of a waltz and instead held each other tightly moving back and forth as Eito hummed sweet nothings burying his face in the red forest of Takumi's hair.
"Heh I guess my eyes were right all this time."
"How so?"
"You were born with two left feet, Takumi."
"Sh-shut up! It's not like you're any better." Takumi barks back at Eito, craning his head to look at the silver débutant as he feels his whole body vibrating in laughter. I guess it has to mean something if the Eito Aotsuki is cracking jokes about his righteous eyes right now.
"I'll have you know, I've actually had experience dancing before unlike you."
"You have…?" Takumi can't believe for a second Eito has allowed himself to dance with anyone else.
"In other versions of Cinderella, instead of doves aiding her before the ball she has a fairy godmother. You can say in a sense I also had a fairy godmother, she was the nurse who introduced me to reading. After I finished reading Cinderella for the first time, I kept on asking her about balls— it was actually the first time I spoke to her. I couldn't picture it in my head, the only world I knew where those four white walls staring back at me, I couldn't imagine something so grand existing. She then asked me if I wanted to dance to see what it was like but I was still very much afraid of other humans touching me so I refused her offer. So she instead got me "tickets" for a masquerade."
"Masquerades… I remember Karua telling me about them, they're basically balls but you wear a mask and costume kinda like Halloween."
"Very astute Takumi! I knew there was something in that head of yours. The nurse came back the next day with masks for the both of us. The mask didn't fully help, she was still hideous with it on but… it was enough for me to finally get out of bed and dance with her. We danced the full day away, just the two of us even if the mask I had was a little too big for my face and didn't support my glasses as it kept on drooping off. It was… nice. She made me believe even for a brief moment that with a fairy godmother my dreams could come true but it was foolish to think such a thing could ever happen."
"You miss her, don't you? I'm sorry, I get it though." Takumi stroked Eito's back with his thumb, drawing tiny circles. If there was any consolation, at least Eito had one happy memory from his fake reality he can fall back to.
"I don't think missing is the right word, it's more like… mourning but I appreciate it." Eito spoke quietly, nudging his head deeper into Takumi's hair.
They stood like that for a while, swaying together to a tune that never has or will exist. Life and death never mattered for tools of wars like them. It was one in the same, especially so for the phantoms that only resided in their minds. Frayed and fractured, just like them.
Their idyllic dream is cut short when they're interrupted by a sound of a loud bell ringing that makes Takumi's core tremble as they both look up.
"It must be midnight…" Eito speaks solemnly in a low voice before returning his gaze back at Takumi. "I'm sorry Takumi, this is where we must part ways for tonight."
"What do you mean? You're not leaving with the rest of us?"
"I'm afraid not. Don't worry, I already got Sirei's permission beforehand." Eito smiles at Takumi while playing with his stray locks. "But before I go, do you mind granting me one selfish request?"
"Uh can I ask what you're planning on doing?"
"I just need for you to stand still."
So far Eito surprisingly hasn't done anything to make him distrust him tonight. While dancing is about technique and footwork the more important half is about trusting your partner, no matter what.
So for one last time tonight, Takumi decides to have faith in Eito.
"Ok."
"You're far too kind, Takumi."
Eito steps back a pace, takes a deep breath, and closes his eyes as if he was ready to dive under torrential waters. His hands shake for a moment but he brings both of them up to feel the contours of Takumi's face. He pokes and prods all over, Takumi even has to close his own eyes at some points in fear of getting his eyes poked out like in the story. There are times where Eito squirms with his face all scrunched up, not sure what he is feeling but it wasn't until he reached Takumi's lips that his movements finally slowed down.
With his eyes still closed, he brushes the outline of Takumi's lips. Takumi held his own breath the entire time, he was worried about the textures of Eito's gloves being too rough but his movements were actually soft and delicate. Bringing only his right thumb, he moves it towards the divot of Takumi's lips, just placing it deep enough that it slightly parts. Eito's own lips curl up, confirming he found his bounty.
"There you are." Eito mumbles to himself, his eyes continue to remain shut.
The large hands are lifted from Takumi's face, leaving behind a lingering warmth that tickles his skin. Before Takumi can get the chance to breathe, Eito plunges deeper into the abyss of these uncharted waters— sealing Takumi's lips once more with a kiss.
His inexperience plays a heavy role right from the jump— Eito leans in with too much force to the point his inherent strength almost topples Takumi over. After regaining his lost footing, Takumi keeps his promise to Eito and stays right where he is, not moving an inch. He should be shocked or even panicking but Takumi never felt more at ease then he has now.
This feels right.
He leans back in, matching Eito's fervor in kind. It wasn't until then Takumi realized a new emotion emerging from inside of him: it was fear. He knows the moment he lets go, Eito is going to disappear and he doesn't know if that means if it's going to be for good. So Takumi decides to savor this moment for as long as he can. He takes in every last scent, the smell of sun-kissed laundry and stale detergent permeates Takumi's nose— above all he smells like a freshly plucked rose, a scent that is lathered in his hair, no longer slicked back but ravished and undone.
They're both scared, scared for what tomorrow will bring for their short feeble existence but in the here and now Takumi wants to believe there is a reason they're both alive.
All he can ask himself is: can he trust Eito to not let go?
Eito initiates first to break the connection, moving himself back. Takumi doesn't make eye contact but continues staring at his lips as his deep breath caresses Takumi's skin. He wishes he could continue feeling the touch of those lips on his once more.
Eito leans his head in the crook of Takumi's neck, nuzzling it tenderly. It's hard to make out but Eito starts mumbling hushed words that only he is meant to hear but are delivered to Takumi nonetheless. Despite all of that Takumi closes his eyes and tries to listen, he is only able to pick up two words… "Thank you."
Finishing his silent speech, Eito gives a final kiss on Takumi's neck. Bringing himself back up to a normal position, he cups Takumi's cheek rubbing circles with his thumb.
"I have to go now but I'll s— meet you tomorrow, ok?"
His hand slips away from Takumi's face, for one final gesture Eito removes the black glove that touched the shorter boy's skin just moments ago and gives it to Takumi.
"You gave a gift to me, so it's only fair I give you one in return. Something for you to remember this night."
All Takumi can do is nod. He clutches the glove, squeezing it to a crumpled mess. He wants to hold on to Eito's arm forcing him to stay but it's too late, he is already gone. He can still hear the ringing of the bell vibrate in his ear with each step Eito takes walking away. Every cell in his body is screaming at him but true to his word Takumi stands still, not daring to run by his side. He looks down at the glove once more.
Is this what the Prince felt like when Cinderella had to leave the ball every night?
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Just one foot after the other, that's all Eito can do right now. It's what he has to do.
He brought an extra extinguisher with him on the bus so the trip back to the academy won't be difficult but it's the act of walking away that's proving to be the bigger challenge right now.
Taking one breath, in and out, Eito looks back. Takumi is nothing more than a repugnant red dot out in the horizon, far enough that he can no longer see Eito. It leaves him with nothing more than a bittersweet aftertaste that he can still feel on his lips. It's for the best.
Eito looks up once more at the night sky taking in the last of the remaining fireworks as they slowly fizzle away amongst the stars. Fishing inside his pocket, he finally finds what he is looking for: a pair of dark-tinted glasses. Removing the rose in his hair, he places it next to the glasses. Using his bare hand, he clasps them close to his chest— ready to speak a prayer that is only meant for his ears alone.
"I'm grateful, Takumi… If it weren't for you I would never be able to see such a view like this. I'll remember every color, every texture, every shape… I'll remember you and your real internal beauty. Thank you for giving me a last vivid memory for me to cherish."
Eito continues forward into the new darkness he will call home. For the first time, Eito finally understands what Cinderella must've felt when she had to part ways from the Prince every night.
Something that reminds Eito that he too is human.
Heartache.