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

[Oddly firm indeed. Jack squints his eyes at Hiro, but he's distracted by that question. Oh boy. With a shake of his head, he goes back to sitting on the edge of the desk.]

Only some stuff. I didn't know anything about it until-- I don't know, a couple of weeks before coming here, give it or take? All my life, I've lived it as a spirit.

How'd you finally remember some of the stuff? [There's...a very specific reason he's asking, and judging by the fact he's not really looking at Jack while he's asking that's evident. It's a very calculated conversation.] Did it bother you to really learn everything after all that? Three hundred years is a pretty long time to be a spirit.

[SQUINTING INTENSIFIES.]

My teeth. The Tooth Fairy collects everyone's teeth because they keep your most important memories, so she helps you remember when you need it. [He raises his eyebrows.] Are you kidding me, not knowing where I came from almost drove me crazy. That brown haired guy called Jack still feels a bit disconnected from me, but I know who I am now. And I'd die again if that means saving my little sister.

[There you go, Hiro, you don't have enough older brothers with lessons in your life.]

Where are all these questions coming from?

[He lifts an eyebrow.] That's. Really weird. I never thought baby teeth were actually that important. [He's not even going to say he doesn't believe in the Tooth Fairy considering Jack is sitting right here. Pretty much everything he ever knew is a little bit of a lie, in this case.

But he frowns again. Right. So he's not as sneaky as he thinks...but--]

You had a little sister? [How's that for avoiding the question?]

Everything about childhood is important. Easter too. [He throws a chocolate egg at Hiro, hopefully sweets will help with the mood.

Also the chocolate rabbit's ears get eaten. He needs sugar too, ok.] Dunno if I should answer that when you didn't answer mine.

[He catches that egg, not at all minding that Jack's taking a bite of the bunny. In fact he's just unwrapping the egg to munch on while he regards him carefully.]

...what about the bad parts of childhood? Those important, too? [He lifts both eyebrows briefly.] I'll answer yours if you answer mine first.

[Oh boy, this doesn't sound like something sweets will help with. Wtf, Hiro, don't worry Jack like this.]

Yes, I had a little sister. And... children shouldn't have bad parts in their childhood. But I can't stop them all so. [It's very obvious how much it hurts him to admit it.] --so yeah, they're important too.

[They changed the kids when they happen. Jack can't overlook them, no matter how much he'd like to.]

...your turn.

No wonder you're a guardian. [There's a slightly bitter smile with that, and he's focused on playing with the wrapper of the candy egg instead of looking at Jack when he says:] What is it with older brothers doing dumb things to save their younger siblings?

[Dumb things like dying, for example.]

Please tell me you just didn't compare me to Tadashi. [It's teasing. Maybe. Look, he has to say something stupid, ok. No kid should smile like that.

Jack reaches out to ruffle Hiro's head, sympathy in his eyes.] Would you do dumb things for your bother too?

[He just stares at him. And eventually even when Jack ruffles his hair he ducks his head to try and pull back even if he's hardly putting forth effort to move.]

I've already done a ton of dumb things for him. He just doesn't know about it yet.

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?

[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.

If it happened after it's not really missing memories, is it? [Still, he thinks about it while nomming on more chocolate.] I get why you're confused then, it's kinda different, but... I'd like to know. If it was related to me, I'd like you to tell me.

...did you even ask them if they want to know?

It is if they're stuck facing somebody who has all of those memories and they have to live with it every day, I think. [He rolls his eyes. Somehow he had a feeling that'd be the answer.]

I don't want to ask. And I kinda tried explaining stuff when I first got here but things just didn't work out, and now it's been a couple of months and...I dunno. Maybe it's safer not to tell him until things calm down here.

Things calming down here, yes, great plan. Aren't you supposed to be smart?

[Jack is rolling his eyes too. He isn't sure what Hiro wants from this conversation.]

You asked me, though. Sorry if you didn't like my answer, kiddo, but I'm not changing it. If you're internally debating so much, just ask them and if they say no it won't be your fault anymore.

[He narrows his eyes.]

Sorry, not all of us know exactly how to deal with dead family members coming back! [Well. There's that. He pauses, giving Jack an unreadable look before he sighs heavily and shakes his head.] ...maybe you're right. I'll just have to ask. It's the only way to know, right?

[Wait.

What.

COLONY TO JACK!]

...ah. Yeah, it is.

[A long pause. Because if he understands this correctly, then-- well. Jack has some more thinking to do about certain person he doesn't like very much.]

Hiro. Did Tadashi...?

[He doesn't speak for a moment, staring at his desk rather than Jack as he thinks of how to explain.]

...don't treat him any differently when you see him, okay?

[Jack nods, not really thinking. Man, he wants to smack Tadashi on the head right now. But Hiro needs him, judging by his current mood and the questions he asked. So after some hesitation, Jack approaches and just... hugs Hiro. There you go, little buddy.]

[Please don't smack Tadashi, Jack. Hiro already feels bad enough about it as is. Still, Jack's instincts are correct and though Hiro doesn't hug back immediately he's going slack and he's staring at the winter spirit's shoulder.]

...what's this for?

[But Tadashi really, really deserves a smack! The fact Hiro slacks like that and doesn't return the hug worries and disappoints Jack at the same time.]

Are you scared of hug-cooties?

...no. [He's just awkward about affection, but he's still not pulling away. Instead, he seems to be considering this before he tentatively returns the hug. Right. This is okay.] What a dumb thing to be scared of.

[It's not like Jack is great at showing affection either, but hugging his kids is something he made himself learn quickly. He chuckles when he hears that, but it's mostly out of happiness to be hugged back.] And the great Hiro Hamada isn't scared of anything?

Not anything I'd ever tell anybody. [Oh Jack. Don't you just love dealing with bratty teenagers? But considering that this bratty teenager seems to be latching on a little more than expected it's not entirely surprising either.] What's the point of being scared of stuff?

[Does he love it? That's actually a good question. He loves dealing with kids, that's for sure. Teenagers are complicated and he never knows how he feels about them... but he does know he cares about Hiro, and that's enough.

The latching is noticed, and Jack is so glad he started this. Have a squeeze!]

I don't think emotions have a point, little scientist.

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zerotohiro - 2016-04-06 18:37 (UTC) - Expand