#au: averted!bh

[prxenuntius]

“What are friends for, ey?” (from Mikey)

Mikey's words resounded in his mind for far longer than it took them to disappear from the air. He knew Mikey was hurt, he couldn't blame him, really, Keisuke was the first to say he wanted a gang where everyone could risk their lives for the other and in the end he risked his on his own because he insisted in fixing things by himself.

Inside his head the phrase carried some irony, some sarcasm, prompted by that hurt. He approached the blonde cautiously. "I'm sorry, Mikey." His voice was sincere as he lowered his head towards the other. "I was wrong."

[prxenuntius]

Breaths were still somewhat shallow, the struggle muted out by the beeping of the machines and the dripping of the IV connected to him. He really should be thankful, if it wasn't for the medicine, even breathing would hurt like walking through hell and back, not that it didn't hurt or that his body didn't feel as if he had been ran over, but he knew it could be much worse.

He drifted in and out of dreamless sleep, his body clearly demanding the much needed rest in a constant fight with his hyperactive mind. Was everyone okay? What happened to Mikey? To Kazutora? To Chifuyu? Takemichi? Did they win at all?

He was restless. The cords, the bed, the machines, the room, all served like a too small cage in a zoo and he was the animal, metaphorically walking around and longing the outside. Keisuke needed freedom, so it was frustrating, being here, feeling trapped, but he had to. He wasn't a stranger to the danger he'd put himself into and how it was nothing short of a miracle that he was even able to complain inside of his mind.

A subtle sound brought him out of his thoughts, bronze gaze snapping towards the door. He felt a big wave of relief wash over at the sight of his childhood friend entering the room, a breath he wasn't aware was holding finally getting out in a "Mikey."

He could feel tears prickling his eyes as they softened, an honest smile parting his lips away followed by a small laugh in response to the shorter's words. "Sorry..." He apologized sincerely, he couldn't help the small flashback to the scene and it sent a shiver down his spine. How reckless. "I know... I know."

Mikey can feel himself shaking.

He hates it. This weakness - this fear and the heart-pounding terror that, at times like these,  always emerges from so deep in his core that it feels like it defines him. He’s supposed to be strong. How can he be a leader when he can’t carry the people he loves through their pain and beyond? He can barely even manage to stand on his own two feet, let alone protect the people he cares about.

He’s always been weak, and he’s always hated the weak. The weak can’t do a thing. If they just tried a little harder, fought a little more, then they’d be able to protect themselves and the people they love… but they don’t even try. The weak make excuses, and bring nothing but misery to those around them, and there’s no-one out there weaker than Mikey.

He can lie, and deny it to himself, but… at times like these, he knows the truth.

But that doesn’t mean he’ll accept it. No matter how much it hurts, he’ll stop his body from shaking and put a smile on his face as if nothing is wrong… because Baji deserves it, after all - he’s the one who really suffered here.

As he enters the hospital room, Mikey feels his heart come to a stop. It’s just for a moment, as he sets eyes on Baji - who’s alive, he’s not dead; oh god he could’ve died too - but a barely-strained smile forms on his face regardless. He’s scared, because he doesn’t know if Baji will be happy to see him. But..

“Baji. …You really scared everyone, you know.”

@prxenuntius​ ( starter for baji! )