[A long time ago, he'd faced a similar crossroads. Where a more rational, quieter voice - a younger part of him that hadn't been completely stamped out by the world's cruelty - tries so hard to find words. That maybe... maybe they had a chance. Maybe they could repair something.
This time, in the echoing stillness, that little voice gets through.]
I...
[His throat feels wooden. His eyes ache. Everything hurts, and this time it's not because of his power. It's hard to hide the wince at how small he sounds, like he's barely there at all.
Brother.
He doesn't care if it hurts anymore; what hasn't? He just wants someone there that won't fucking leave and it's going to break him whether or not he says it. It's been too long since he felt like anyone really wanted him around, like this. When he died, he didn't feel as helplessly terrified and helpless as he does right now. Kaneda doesn't have his life in his hands now. He's got everything - his soul, his heart, what little spark of self he's held onto. This is where it all ends, probably; this paper scrap of a person will tear, and there'll be nothing left.
Tetsuo's never been the bravest. It takes every ounce of courage to just barely whisper the most terrifying thing he's ever said in his life, and still the only thing that keeps him from silence is that, for once, he's more terrified of what will happen if he doesn't say anything. He stumbles hesitantly over the woods, his tongue thick and wooden in his mouth, but this time, he manages to get them out.]
...I'm here, Kaneda...
[Maybe he won't be tomorrow. Maybe he never was. Maybe he died a long time ago, and has been dying in his dreams every night ever since. Maybe none of this was ever real, and maybe he just can't take it anymore.
But maybe, just maybe... he's... got a brother. That last spark of hope left that Kaneda felt just before he died still has a little light left before it fades forever.]
no subject
This time, in the echoing stillness, that little voice gets through.]
I...
[His throat feels wooden. His eyes ache. Everything hurts, and this time it's not because of his power. It's hard to hide the wince at how small he sounds, like he's barely there at all.
Brother.
He doesn't care if it hurts anymore; what hasn't? He just wants someone there that won't fucking leave and it's going to break him whether or not he says it. It's been too long since he felt like anyone really wanted him around, like this. When he died, he didn't feel as helplessly terrified and helpless as he does right now. Kaneda doesn't have his life in his hands now. He's got everything - his soul, his heart, what little spark of self he's held onto. This is where it all ends, probably; this paper scrap of a person will tear, and there'll be nothing left.
Tetsuo's never been the bravest. It takes every ounce of courage to just barely whisper the most terrifying thing he's ever said in his life, and still the only thing that keeps him from silence is that, for once, he's more terrified of what will happen if he doesn't say anything. He stumbles hesitantly over the woods, his tongue thick and wooden in his mouth, but this time, he manages to get them out.]
...I'm here, Kaneda...
[Maybe he won't be tomorrow. Maybe he never was. Maybe he died a long time ago, and has been dying in his dreams every night ever since. Maybe none of this was ever real, and maybe he just can't take it anymore.
But maybe, just maybe... he's... got a brother. That last spark of hope left that Kaneda felt just before he died still has a little light left before it fades forever.]