zerotohiro | Some Legends Are Told, Some Turn To Dust Or To Gold [CEREALIA INBOX]

[....]

I know. [How could anyone want someone important to them to find out this way? It's only...to be expected, really.] But... you're you, you know? "The real Hiro Hamada" is you... no matter what.

[So this nonsense of what he would or wouldn't do... it's silly, Ruby thinks.]

Because people do things sometimes that seem like good ideas, or what they have to do, and then they learn that they're not and they grow and they change, but they're still them.

You've always been Hiro, and... Hiro's who I like--a lot--so...I don't really know what I'm trying to say here but... [She doesn't like the "He's probably right" that was tacked on there.]

That's what I think.

So you know about what happened too, Hiro-kun? [He does know, and from how Yu had reacted nothing but losing Dipper could have made him break down like that.]

I hope he's doing alright now. His injuries were pretty bad. [And that's an understatement- Yu could have easily died were it not for his healing, and Minato feels ill at ease thinking of how much of a close call it had been.]

people here jsut
have a habit of not telling the truth when something is wrong
they like to hide things and take on all the burden themselves
your brother did that

it's stupid
i dont want you doing it to me
okay?

if you say youre telling the truth ill believe you
but otherwise

*just

[A very long stretch of silence from his end.]

...Tadashi lies about stuff like that a lot. Especially here.

[He sure is turning this around to focus on Tadashi instead of himself.]

It's always been that way, you know? He doesn't like people knowing if he's hurt or if something's wrong because he's used to taking on stuff himself and having to protect and support me and Aunt Cass. You call him out on it, too?

[Another pause.]

Anyway. Things WILL be fine, okay? That's the truth. [Even if they aren't right now.]

In that case, hit me with it. I'd like to be able to be up and sort of walking and stuff again, at least. I'm ready when you are.

[He doesn't say anything at first. He turns to face her, peering closely and leaning in until they're practically nose to nose as he simply looks at her and allows himself to really think on that.

Is that true? Is it true that he's still himself even when he's not acting like himself? More than anything he's aware of the shame and guilt that's usually associated with the fact he tried to kill someone, not to mention the anger that nothing changed and his own cacophony of other emotions tied to Tadashi and his death. Cerealia's had a way of messing things up for the two of them and yet Ruby makes sense. People do things that seem like good ideas. Tadashi ran into a fire because it seemed like a good idea, the thing he had to do. Hiro tried to avenge him because it seemed like a good idea, the thing he had to do. But of course one is more acceptable than the other.

So. He doesn't quite believe her but there's a strong sense of relief that she believes him and he drops his gaze and just sort of pushes his forehead against hers and stares down at their intertwined arms and hands.]

Don't be upset if I don't believe all of that right away, okay? I'm working on it. [There's a twitch of his lips like he's trying to grin but it's not working too well.] You'd think we'd have solved all of this by now. It's been months. [But then again, he supposes nobody thought they'd see Tadashi ever again and have to deal with the consequences.] ...it's stupid, but I just want him to know that even with all of that I'm still trying to make things right and I'm still trying to help people like he wanted. And now I'm not even sure he wants to listen to the rest of the story.

Have I ever mentioned Cerealia really, really sucks sometimes? Maybe I should ask Dipper more about his memory-erasing gun.

I figured it out. I don't know if Yu knows that I know. We should probably keep an eye on him...I know he's healing and everything's getting better but that's just the physical part, you know? But I know he won't tell me the truth if I really ask. So what then?

[Their faces are really close like this, but she doesn't flinch back when he looks at her like that. Instead, she meets his eyes, expression calm and certain. Much like with Tadashi, she knows that Hiro needs someone certain right now, someone who knows for sure. She doesn't know everything, of course--there are a lot of things she doesn't know. But she knows enough that she thinks she can be here for Hiro, and have faith in him.

At least until he can have more faith in himself.]

It's okay. [That he doesn't believe it all yet--that it might take a long time before he does.] That's what I'm here for. I'll just...believe in it until you do.

[His attempt at a smile falls flat, but hers doesn't; she smiles at him, and doesn't pull away.] I believe in you, so it's easy to believe in this too.

And... I know it has to be really hard, and it's probably impossible to know what to say, but... he's still your brother. He's your family! So... someday he'll wanna hear the rest of the story.

[She nudges him gently, still smiling, foreheads still pressed together.]

So no memory-erasing, okay? Then we'd just be back to the start!

[ It's a very simple process-- she just pulls out her cellphone, hits a few buttons, extends a hand towards Hiro and--

Don't mind the fact that you're glowing gold, buddy, any lingering pain should be gone. ]

So you do understand why we did what we did. [There, he used 'we' without minding throwing Tadashi in there. Be proud of him!

A soft little breeze tries to push Hiro forward again - not escaping anymore, mister.] You do know the answer, Hiro. Can I have mine?

[Somehow he's glowed a lot more in Cerealia than anywhere else in his entire life. Otome says this is safe, but it doesn't stop him from clenching his eyes shut until it's over, and...]

...whoa. [He reaches up to pat at the space under his ribs and he rolls his ankle cautiously to test it out.] That...actually worked. Part of the demon app thing or something else?

[Confronting how he feels about things still scares him, truth be told. It makes him uncomfortable and it's hard to grasp and though he's getting better at understanding and interpreting his own emotions properly and expressing them in ways that make sense, he still doesn't like to dwell on them.

This is enough. Ruby believing is enough. Ruby being certain is enough.

Maybe someday Tadashi will hear the rest. Until then, he'll work on other parts. Believing things will be okay.

Still, he nudges right back and there's finally a true grin and a small bit of laughter at that.]

Like I could ever forget you, memory-eraser or not. Ever if I didn't remember though, we'd still be bonded and stuff. Hard to stay away from someone you feel like you're supposed to be with. [There's a thoughtful hum even as he allows his eyes to shut slightly. He's still a little tired. It's been a long day already and it's only just begun.] I'm really glad you're here. And I'm going to find a way that I'll always remember you. So...don't worry about that.

[The bit of chill goes through his hair and he ducks his head further. Right. An answer.]

...it's nothing bit. There's just somebody I know that's missing a lot of memories and history for things that've happened because they happened after their time. Just sort of debating if it'd be better or worse to leave them in the dark.

Yes-- well. When you defeat a demon, you gain a chance to learn one of its skills for yourself. So the reason I can use spells is because of that.

[ ... Tadashi isn't--

Hm. ]

Be there soon.

[ "Soon" turns out to be about ten minutes, at which time Hiro will hear a knocking on the door. ]

Edited 2016-03-06 05:40 (UTC)

That's actually pretty impressive, Otome. Thanks...it definitely feels a lot better. [He scrunches his face in thought.] There's no way to teach somebody those skills without involving one of the demons, huh?

[And when Yu knocks Hiro answers the door still in his pajamas and wrapped up in a blanket like a small cape. He gives his friend a half-hearted grin and he gestures for him to follow him into the apartment. He looks a little downtrodden still but much, much better than he was back in the dark city.]

When you said soon, you totally weren't kidding. [He grins slightly.] Can I get you anything? We've...probably still got some drinks in the fridge, or I can figure out tea or whatever.

thats what i thought

[ And it is. Even before confirmation in the form of a maske'd up Tadashi ranting at her, she gets that feeling every time they talk. Like he's holding back. ]

i called him on it. yea
just like im gonna call you out too

[ And a moment or two later, Hiro should get this block of text, totally free of emoticons. ]

i know things will be ok eventually. its good to hear,and i know that but
but
im your friend

friends tell friends if something is wrong when it's wrong
even if it will go away
just in case there's something they can do ! and just
because sometimes that's what you need
you dont even have to talk to me!! i know we just met so
if you dont need that from me right now i understand,, ill respect your choice hiro be cause
you have that right
thats ok
but what i wont respect is you pushing people away

[This message is sent to two people: Tony Stark, for his mechanical aptitude, and Hiro Hamada, for his connections (and that signal deflector, which could use some informed updates from the implant itself). There are about a million other people who would probably be interested, but he figures these two will have enough of a grasp on the tech involved that he can work with them on it. At least, he figures Tony will, and he figures well enough from what he's seen of Hiro that he will, too.]

I've come into possession of the ocular implants formerly belonging to a friend of mine. Don't ask how just now; it is a long story. [To make it shorter, Saiduq exploded himself and told Chibi to come pick them up, because who better to handle a dead alien than another dead alien?] Note that I say two; it seems there is one in each eye. They are in anti-static bags safe and sound on my workbench (I am storing one untouched for when its owner returns), but I figured I would share the opportunity to examine one of them, especially as regards improving the deflector in the sanctuary. Would either of you be interested?

[ Which... leads to this, after another five minutes or so: ]

tadashi told me everything hiro
your parents
the fire
he has scars and he hides them

hiro i know youre afraid of losing people
but you knwo wht
you're going ot lose them anyway so you might as well love them really hard and be honest while you can

[ Which is just about the most appallingly hypocritical thing she's ever said. Seriously. I The author is pretty sure that last line of text is the most hypocritical thing she's written since she started writing Rapunzel again! ]

Unfortunately not. You need to have defeated that demon, and you need the demon summoning app.

[It takes him time to process all of that, so Rapunzel gets to sit in silence for about five minutes while he reads and reads and thinks and thinks.

She's not wrong, really. It's been his goal, not losing people. And he's afraid of it, afraid of going home without solving mysteries here first, afraid of not finding a way to bring Tadashi home and rewrite history because he's so utterly selfish that he would change the world for that reason if he could.

But it's not something he's comfortable saying to just anyone. Still, the answer doesn't come in the form of a text but a call a short time after that.]

...what do you mean he told you everything? [It's a very uncertain kind of question, hesitance very obvious in his tone.] And I'm not pushing anybody away.

[Except for the part where he is, and he knows it.] Let me ask you something, Rapunzel. How easy is it for you to tell people what you're really thinking about things from home and how things are lining up here?

Edited 2016-03-06 22:05 (UTC)

[While he should probably feel bad about capitalizing on someone else's misfortune, Chibi's offering something he's been curious about for a while now. He doesn't want to ask who they belong to yet (and if he knew, he's not sure how well that would go for anyone) and he ponders over that for a brief moment.]

Definitely. I never got a chance to look at them myself before Rojo made the post about them. Can you tell if they're still activated? I mean I guess it doesn't matter, the answer is yes. Absolutely.

Which I was already told was impossible. Kinda had a conversation about it with its creator...[He scratches the back of his neck.] But at least we've got one person who can utilize it.

I'll think of a way to repay you somehow.

He probably thinks you would have figured it out.

[Hiro and Dipper were exceptionally bright kids after all, and the four of them had stuck close to each other during that time.

Or maybe he just knows Yu better than most people do.]

Yu-san's not the type to share much about himself unless he thinks someone needs to hear it, but I think it depends on how you ask him about it too. He thanked me for talking to him when we spoke at the hospital before this, and you'll need to be honest about how you feel about him and what he did.

Edited 2016-03-07 05:37 (UTC)

Some Legends Are Told, Some Turn To Dust Or To Gold [CEREALIA INBOX]

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