A/N: technically i posted this a while back, but then took it down because i realized there was a detail i really wanted to include that i totally forgot about, and then i just ended up rewriting most of it and here we are! so this is basically a little origin story/prelude to Mick arriving in Twisted Wonderland, including a bit of lore about their life before hehe. (sidenote, Mick uses he/him & they/them pronouns, i just stuck with he/him since their younger sibling uses exclusively they/them to make it easier to read)
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First days were always Mick’s biggest headache. Even with one sibling graduated and gone, this one wouldn’t be any easier. An early start was always a requirement, but the sudden change of schools their parents dropped on them meant this would need to be even earlier. On top of that, there was making sure both him and his younger sibling were fed, packed, and ready, all while suppressing his own anxiety to reassure Ryne about theirs. At least there were leftovers from Emcee’s visit already packed for lunch, courtesy of very enthusiastic Ryne. The two would never stop teasing Mick about the eldest’s culinary superiority, but who was he to complain about one less to-do?
Speaking of, as the thought crossed his mind, he looked at his clock, time to get started. One more double-check of his own supplies and he made his way downstairs, knocking on Ryne’s door on the way down.
…which turned out to be unnecessary, he realized entering the kitchen to the sound and smell of sizzling eggs. Ryne was carefully scraping the last of the now-scrambled eggs onto a plate when they noticed their sibling.
“I made breakfast!” They beamed.
Mick could help but chuckle at the way they lit up. “I can see that, thanks.” His eyes darted to the dials on the stove as they set down the pan and turned and he reached over to turn it off as Ryne reached into the fridge, grabbing and sprinkling shredded cheese over their own plate.
Breakfast passed without incident and before they knew it, the two were at the door, Mick checking over both their bags as Ryne pulled on their shoes.
“Keys and phone in your pockets?”
“Slept for most of the night, at least?”
“...sure.” He passed their bag as they stood up. “Brushed hair and teeth?”
“Both, better than you might I add,” they reached out, running a hand over one of his more prominent cowlicks.
With a snort, he pushed their hand away. “Whatever you say, bangs.”
Ryne glared back at him, unconsciously blowing at a stray hair threatening to prove his point. After a moment, their eyes widened and they hurriedly riffled through their bag. Before he could ask what they were up to, Mick watched them pull out a little bottle filled with barrettes and bobby pins, opening it up and dumping a few into their hand.
He barely had the time, nor inclination, to sigh as they forced his hair back and pinned it into place. It wasn’t a total fix, he could tell that without needing to look, but it seemed to satisfy them. The look of pride on their face reminded him of when they were all younger and he’d be the subject of his siblings’ cosmetic whims. What he didn’t expect was them plopping the bottle into his hand.
They smirked as he raised an eyebrow at them. “In case you wanna switch into something prettier.”
Upon closer inspection, Mick saw there were a few novelty pins in there too, ones with little animal heads, sparkles, or gems on them. He hadn’t noticed at the time, but he guessed the ones currently in his hair were just simple black or brown then. He laughed a bit, shaking his head as he pocketed the bottle. It was easier to go with it than argue, and if the image of him parading around a new school in cat-themed barrettes amused them, he might even do it.
“I’m sure they’ll come in handy. C’mon, let’s get going.”
He led the way out the door, waiting on the bottom step as Ryne pulled the door shut and reached into their pocket…then their other pocket…backpack-
“Shit!” They opened the door back up and ran back in. Figuring the key-search would take a bit based on how frantically they were looking about every nearby surface(they were probably on their desk, like always), Mick decided to walk ahead and take a small breather before the day truly bore down on him.
It was a nice day, by Mick’s standards anyway. Fall’s crisp breezes were just starting to settle over the fading summer heat, and the layer of clouds covering the whole sky diluted the sunlight enough that he didn’t have to squint, but was still thin enough that it felt like morning and not like he woke up 2 hours too early…again. Even the neighborhood was nice enough for an early morning; empty streets hosted only him and empty cars. Only people walking would have to be up by now, namely him and his fellow carless siblings, as it had been for their entire lives. When they were younger, their parents were always too busy to drive them, and now…well it had been a long time since their bedroom had seen any use. Even their contacts in Mick’s phone had seemed to acquire dust, the most recent message being the announcement of the transfer and a link to the school’s website. He knew there was no point in responding, so he didn't.
Lost in thought, he’d already walked down the driveway and almost into the street before he snapped out of it, jumping back.
“Gah-!” With a glance, he once again confirmed that he was alone, and sighed at his overreaction, scolding himself. “Not like anyone would hit you anyway. Kinda uncanny…”
He turned back to the doorway, not seeing Ryne. Guessing they must’ve made their way upstairs, Mick pulled out his phone and went to text Emcee. He knew she didn’t worry as much as him, but he still typed up a quick text to tell her they’re out the door. As his finger reached for the send button-
He realized the dark, horse-drawn carriage barreling over him. And then nothing.
