trans_9 | It's a good thing tears never show in the pouring rain [Closed]

Entry tags:

It's a good thing tears never show in the pouring rain [Closed]

Hana stood atop the roof of one of the many buildings in the city.

The rain was pelting down, but he’d been outside in it so long it mattered no longer. His clothes were soaked and stuck to his body, his hair weighed down by the water and plastered to his face.

After his argument with Ruffnut, he’d kept to himself. He couldn't face other people right now. After all, he thought Ruffnut was one of the close ones, but now…

There was one person he could talk to.

He’d wanted to go back to his room and talk to Cassandra. She’d have cheered him up. She always cheered him up. Then he’d call her pretty and she’d blush. He liked making her blush. The idea of it even brought a shadow of a smile to his dripping lips.

But she wasn’t there. She’d gone. It wasn’t her fault. Everyone went on missions. And he could send her a message. But that wouldn’t be fair to bother her now. He’d wait for her. Like he’d promised he would.

Hana sighed. Taro, who was taking shelter at Hana’s feet, looked up his owner. He gave a sympathetic croon and rested his slender head on one of the sodden boots.

The young Shaman had his arms folded, resting on the wet railings as he looked out at the landscape. When he’d first gotten here, it was so cool. So undiscovered. So inviting.

Now, it just looked lonely.

He bit his bottom lip and buried his head in his arms, choking on a sob.

How had it turned out like this? He thought things had really started looking up.

In one big swoop, it’d gone wrong. He’d been so stupid. Like Ruffnut said.

Stupid Hana. Stupid, little, lonely Hana.

At least he could pretend the wet on his face was only the rain water.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Jinx loved that it sometimes rained in the city.

It never lasted for long so she wanted to take advantage of it when it did.

Clad in only her plantsuit she had taken the ties out of her hair and was enjoying a stroll through the soggy slick streets savoring the splish splash sounds her boots made as she childishly stomped and danced through the puddles.

It was undignified, it wasn't classy, but it was too much fun to resist.

Tucking her hands behind her head she glanced up at the dark sky with a happy sigh and only then her eyes settled on the sullen figure up high.

"Huh." She said simply recognizing the boy she had met before. He seemed like the type to enjoy a good chaotic rainstorm, but her sharp eyes could see he wasn't at all enjoying it.

It was child's play for her to scale the side of the building even in the oppressive storm. Up over the side of the roof and she approached him from behind.

"You're name's Hana right?" She inquired as an opening, wanting to make sure he was who she thought he was. With the rain dragging down his hair it was hard to tell for sure, but she thought he probably was.

Hana's shoulders tensed briefly and he nodded, but didn't look up from his wet sleeved arms.

Taro lifted his head however to get sniff of her.

A small voice that didn't really match the one from her last encounter with him came from the wet pile of hair and cloth. "Jinx... Right?"

"That's right." She sauntered closer and knelt down offering her wrist to the creature by his feet like she would greeting a strange dog.

"I don't usually nose into other peoples business, " that much was a complete lie "...but I couldn't help but notice your mood matches the weather. What happened to that boy I knew with the smile that rivaled the stars at night for their shine?" And while she put a poetic spin on it just looking at his posture, the washed out color of his hair and his soft voice, it was like he had turned into a different person.

Taro gave her a little lick with his pink tongue before looking up at Hana.

Hana rose his head just enough so she could see his face.

Even with the rain mixing with the tears on his face, the red, swollen area around his eyes, the blood shot lines on the whites of those eyes and the sniffling could only indicate one thing.

Especially when he looked at her with those large, deep eyes, filled pathetically with sorrow.

There was nothing else to compare him to really, he looked like a Chirstmas puppy thrown out into the alleys, with no comprehension as to why he was suddenly unwanted.

"My friends..." His voice was horse from crying. "My friends... Aren't my friends." His face crumpled heart wrenchingly and he pressed his soaked and swollen face back into his damp arms.

The loud, shaky sob that followed told her he was crying again, but still clung onto his pride enough that he didn't want her to see. Taro rubbed against his leg to try and offer some comfort but it seemed worthless.

Jinx wasn't heartless, no no. In fact far from it. It was simply a matter of who and what could break through.

And as an animal lover, how could she turn away the abandoned Christmas puppy? The sounds coming from the betrayed boy brought tears to her own eyes as she felt a sharp stabbing pain in her heart. It was too much to ignore and she rose to her feet slowly.

The cool rain was already chilling her, that was the problem with rain it was great fun, but never warm enough. And Jinx hated the cold.

"Come on, let's get out of this mess." She said softly slipping an arm around his shoulder." I have a place near here we can dry off." And then maybe she could get him to elaborate on the situation.

Hana looked to her again, unsure and cautious. Should he really even bother risking it anymore?

This only lasted but a brief moment. Of course, he would give Jinx a chance. He was Hana. One relationship may be damaged, but he still needed those other bonds so badly. He would still throw out his trust to whomever asked.

He took a deep breath and wiped at his eyes, before deeming it pointless in this rain. Nodding in agreement, he bent down and picked up the small form of his pet, holding it close to his chest. Taro made a small noise of displeasure about being made so wet and cold but otherwise didn't struggle.

It was only a few buildings away over the rooftops and Jinx led them down into an abandoned apartment building. She had claimed on of the rooms on the top floor as a safehouse and inside was some scrounged furniture she had put together.

"Here you go." She tossed him a long beach towel for lack of a bath towel and began wringing out her hair over the sink. "If you catch a cold you'll have to be stuck in the med bay and get shots. That won't do much to make you feel better." She mused. She clicked on the stove and was pleased to discover it still worked.

Hana let go of Taro to catch the towel. The creature didn't seemed to mind though, it suddenly opened up two white wings the rain had hidden under its fur and glided over to the stove. He shook the water from his feathery fur and settled down next to it, trying to gleam some heat from it.

Hana stared down at the towel for a moment, in a daze, before drying his face. Which really just revealed how puffy and red his face was.

He shivered, releasing how cold it was and began pulling off his shirts.

Jinx nodded and opened the oven letting the heat begin to steam out into the kitchen. There was no heat in the building so the oven was the only way.

"The plantsuit is petty good at drying off and warming up." She explained and picking through the cabinets. "Let's see, I think I left some...here it is!" She pulled out a box of instant cider." It's not fresh, but it's better then nothing." She remarked setting to work on making it. She was a lousy cook, but drinks were another story.

As she got the drinks ready, Hana set about getting the rest of his wet clothes off.

Eventually, he had hung his dripping garments up and had sat down in his plantsuit. His head and face was lost as he'd thrown the towel over his head and attempted to start drying the mess that was his hair.

Taro purred as he warmed his belly.

"Here we go." It wasn't long before she approached him with a mug of steaming hot cider. "Now be careful, it's hot." She warned politely setting her own mug on a table next to a worn in sofa.

"I found this place not long after I arrived. I figured it would make a nice start for a home away from home. Not nearly as stylish as I want but it'll do."

He mumbled his thanks as he took the mug, blowing on it a few times before taking a drink. Then he gave an appreciative sigh as the hot liquid ran down his throat and warmed his stomach.

Hana nursed the cup in his hands, letting the heat thaw his frozen fingertips.

"It's cool." He finally spoke up. "Like having your own apartment."

Back home, whenever he wanted a break from things at the inn, he used to go hang at Redsebs apartment. He'd always thought it pretty cool. Jinx's place reminded him of that in a way.

Jinx nodded settling into the sofa. "I've always appreciated having my own place, but usually I only get a room. Now with a great big empty city people are carving up territory left and right." She glanced out the window at the rain splattering onto the panes of glass.

Hana sat quietly, towel still resting over his head as he sipped on his drink.

He kept his gaze on the mug, idly running his thumb around the rim.

Though she had only met him recently and didn't know him well it was still startling how different he could be, no life or joy left in those eyes. Like the color had been drained from him.

"People can be really scummy huh?" She offered.

He tensed up, gripping the cup with a white knuckled hold. Slowly, he nodded his head.

"Yeah... They can be pretty scummy."

"But being alone is pretty lame too. It takes a special kind of crazy to be a hermit too. People need people." These sorts of things were usually easier when she knew the whole story but she had to get him to open up to her first.

"I know." He sighed, rubbing his face. "I guess, I just thought these people maybe really wanted me around."

He took a swing of his drink, hoping the heat would distract him from the sensation building up again in his gut. "But I was wrong. They don't."

He hung his head, towel falling to cover his face.

Taro suddenly fluttered over and landed on Jinxs lap, nudging her like a cat baying for attention.

Jinx frowned but smiled again when Taro came to her for attention. She began petting him and glanced back at Hana. "What happened exactly?"

Hana suddenly lifted his head up, there was a smile on his face, but it was false and forced.

"Nothing. I'm used to it." The smile flickered and faltered. "Being pushed aside, I mean..."

"Well you shouldn't be." Jinx shot back scratching under Taro's chin, "You're not some used soda can or something. You're a great kid. And if whoever couldn't see that they're dumb and you're better off without them."

Not that Jinx had much basis for the "Great kid" comment but she was trying to make him feel better here.

"They said some nice stuff like that too, but in the end, they still left. I guess they didn't mean it. I guess none of it was true..."

Taro let out a purr.

"Heh." A small, but real smile appeared on his face. "Taro likes you."

She chuckled and continued pampering the alien creature, "Good with animals I guess."

She glanced back at him, "How do you mean left? Where did they go?"

"They didn't really 'go' anywhere. They just... Kinda left me behind." He shrugged, not liking the idea of reliving the experience by explaining it. "They shut me out."

"Huh...jerks." Jinx sipped her own cider now that it had cooled some. "Well who needs them? Plenty of other people on the ship you can hang out with. They're loss." She declared forever condemning those who had hurt him.

"You're better then that anyway. You don't need those kinds of friends."

"But I do need friends..." He winced, hating how weak he sounded.

"I need..." What did he need? He could feel his emotions twisting and turning. He wanted someone to put them right. He needed...

"Hey." Jinx reached out and took one of his hands squeezing it, "You're gonna be OK." She said with a calm confidence that she hoped gave the appearance that she absolutely knew.

Hana looked at her hand, then up her arm to her face, gaze locking with hers.

He bit his quivering bottom lip, feeling the bridge of his nose begin to sting as his eyes welled up with tears.

That did it.

Somewhere in the depths of all her planning, all her selfishness and manipulating a sharp little pain began. An ache of pity mixed with the urge to comfort this abandoned betrayed creature.

Before she knew what she was doing she sat up straighter and held out an arm inviting him into her arms to be embraced.

Hana stared at her, shaking. Choking on another sob, he struggled, unsure what to do.

What did he want?

Cassandra? Yeh, but she was only on a mission, she would be back and he knew that. As much as he missed her, she'd be back. And it was he who looked after her, he couldn't ask her to look out for him. His need for her was something different he didn't quite have a name for.

His parents? Yes, he wanted them. But that was a dull ache. Something that was always there. Just because he wanted them didn't mean they'd show up, he'd learnt that long ago. His want for them was old.

Right now, he wanted something dependable. Something constant. He needed someone he knew would be there, no matter what. He wanted... Ryu.

Ryu who had always been beside him. Ryu who had never let him be alone. Ryu who had gone everywhere with him. Ryu who'd look after him since the day he arrived into the world. Ryu was there. When everyone else wasn't, Ryu was.

Ryu was always there. Always.

But now, he wasn't.

And as much as Hana hated to admit it, that terrified him.

The visitation day had simply driven the point home. Ryu may be in the pods, but he wasn't here. He wouldn't be there to watch Hana this time. Hana was alone.

But Hana had never been truly alone before. It scared him. It scared him not to have someone to lean on, to depend on. He wanted a constant. He wanted someone by his side. Someone who would watch after him as he in turn watched after them. He wanted someone to care.

But there was no one. Ruffnut had tossed him away, she'd not wanted him. He wasn't important to her. He wasn't her concern.

So now he sat here, alone, waiting for help. And infront of him was Jinx.

She didn't know him. She didn't understand why he was like this. But she was there. And she cared.

He threw himself at Jinx, clutching at her, pressing his face into her neck. His shoulders heaved as he sobbed into her, whole body shaking under the force of his cries, face dripping with tears.

Jinx braced herself but even that wasn't enough as the impact drove them both back into the sofa cushions. She held him tightly as her heart began to race. She rarely comforted people, and never a young boy. But apparently she'd done pretty well because he had come into her arms to be held.

And so she held him tight, rubbing his back.

"It's OK, it's going to be alright."

And while part of her had to wonder what she was getting herself into, it was a quiet little voice that was shuffled away swiftly. Whatever was coming from it and this boy she'd deal with it when it came.

Hana cried against the older girl for a long time, first in loud, wrenching howls, to pitiful sobs, to tearful hiccups before it died down to silent jerks of his shoulders.

Finally, he stopped all together.

Now that the crying had stopped though, he didn't move away. He stayed holding onto her, breathing heavily, soothing himself with her warmth and steady heartbeat.

"You're warm..."

Parts of it had been horribly uncomfortable.

Parts of it felt just tragic.

There was really no easy way to deal with someone falling apart in your arms like that but Jinx did her best and let him cry it all out.

"Thanks." She said softly running her fingers through his wild mane of hair. It was all she could think to comment on. After all no one ever described her as warm before.

It was strange, how relaxed and comfortable he felt in this persons arms. "Jinx..."

"You're a good person."

That...actually made her smile.

Only one other person had ever accused her of being "A good person" and at the time she resented it. But she couldn't bring herself to entirely disagree considering that she had just comforted a brokenhearted boy she barely knew.

"So are you." She said softly deciding it was easier then flat out agreeing with him. She never wanted to be "Too good" no matter what good things she did.

"Heh, me?" He turned his head up to look at her, face suddenly flickering with beginnings of the light it used to hold. "What makes you think that?"

"I have a good sense for these things." She winked at him and poked him in the nose. "You're a good person. Maybe even someday a great person." She smiled warmly, encouraging him. "You have an air of destiny about you."

Hanas eyes shone brightly and he laughed loud and freely.

"You sound like a fortune cookie!"

And like Ryu.

"Well then you can be an animal cracker." She teased with a snicker and a smile.

"Huh?" Hana looked totally confused, face twisted in bafflement, head tilted to the side.

Jinx's smile went wobbly. "Well...I thought that was funny anyway. I guess I'm not a good comedian." She tosseled his hair affectionately.

"Nope, but you're still a great person."

Hana smiled as she ruffled his hair and he released his grip to give her a hug instead.

She chuckled, "Well I dunno if I'd go that far, but if you say so." She smiled warmly at after feeling a little awkward at being hugged she hugged back.

"You are. I can tell."

Hana yawned wide, the mane of hair around his head giving the appearance of a sleepy lion.

"You really helped me out."

His eyelids were starting to droop, his head struggling to stay up.

"Looked after me."

The yawn was contagious and she too yawned before realizing what was happening. It made her blush faintly in embarrassment but she couldn't bring herself to push him off. With this kids abandonment issues he might jump out a window if she rejected him too.

So instead she carefully, cautiously rubbed his back.

"It was no problem." She whispered softly.

He rested his head against her, unable to keep his eyes open any longer.

"Sorry, I'm real tired."

As Hana tried to nuzzle into the older teen, he'd somehow managed to end up nestled in her small chest.

"You know what...?" He started to query.

Oh good, now he's even in er less then ample bosoms.

"What's that?" She asked not sure if he'd stay awake long enough to answer.

He gave a small smile.

"It made me real happy. That you cared about me. And that you looked after me." His words became quieter as he spoke, until eventually the only sound he was making was the heavy, slow breathing of someone sleeping peacefully, the smile was still on his face.

Something about that smile.

It moved through her like hot melted chocolate, so sweet and thick and consuming that she couldn't do much more then let it wash over her.

The part of her that snubbed it's nose at authority and was always looking out for herself rolled it's eyes at the gentle scene of comfort and connection. Some kid she barely knew who had been broken down by the cruelty of others, and he turns to her.

It was laughable. It was mad really.

But there was another part of her in charge for the moment, one that she rarely ever saw though she knew it was there. A part of her that couldn't turn him away.

She had done something kind and selfless, and it felt pretty good.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's a good thing tears never show in the pouring rain [Closed]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject