To Stand on His Own

Aichi Sendou | アイチ先導 Cardfight!! Vanguard RP Blog Affiliated with Toshi City. Marigold Apt. Rm 2 "I want to able to fight you as an equal!"

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Life as they knew it was peaceful. Slow… but peaceful. As they contently made it throughout their days in the city of perpetual sundown, Aichi could say that he really had no complaints. Even if his memory was littered with unsettling holes.. Grabbing up a tote bag and slipping on his summer flats–the weather was finally warm enough to dress more lightly!–the elder turned to face Tasuku, whom was nibbling on some snacks whilst reading a text book for his big tests coming up.

“Tacchan.. hey, you wanna take a break and go out for a little while?”

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Tasuku didn’t know whether it was the oncoming summer heat or the physics textbook he was poring over, but one thing was for sure: his brain was fried. A break would’ve been great right about now, but without any clear goals or destinations in mind he wouldn’t feel good about it…

“Huh? Go out…?”

…Unless it was with Aichi. 

“Sure. It’s been a while since we took a walk around the city together.” He paused, slowly thinking the implications over. “Wait… This…this isn’t a date, is it?!”

And there he went. If his brain hadn’t been fried before, it was now, Tasuku’s head just completely full of steam at the thought.

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“A date..?” Aichi knew the implications of what Tasuku had in mind but, truthfully, he wasn’t seeing the bigger image in retrospect. He was just going to pick up a few groceries--not that he had mentioned that anywhere just yet--but if that’s what Tasuku called it, then who was Aichi to correct him? Besides, it was all in good fun! “I... suppose? Yeah, sure! Let’s make it a date. You coming?”

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Life as they knew it was peaceful. Slow... but peaceful. As they contently made it throughout their days in the city of perpetual sundown, Aichi could say that he really had no complaints. Even if his memory was littered with unsettling holes.. Grabbing up a tote bag and slipping on his summer flats--the weather was finally warm enough to dress more lightly!--the elder turned to face Tasuku, whom was nibbling on some snacks whilst reading a text book for his big tests coming up.

“Tacchan.. hey, you wanna take a break and go out for a little while?”

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Long Overdue

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“Wait… Really?!”

It hadn’t seemed like a problem until Aichi had pointed it out. It was true that it would be a little awkward to be sitting in the lap of someone smaller than you…

He didn’t want Aichi to be disappointed either.

“Um… Then I’ll…make sure not to grow that big?”

Some way or another…

“Don’t be sad, Aichi-san! I won’t leave you behind!”

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He’s so earnest.. Curling around the younger tightly at that and nuzzling his face against that baby soft skin, Aichi kept their cheeks pressed, soaking in as much warmth as he could, arms encircling that squishy frame.

“I was just teasing, but thank you,” chuckling happily, Aichi looked down at Tasuku, noses bumping. “I want you to grow up big and strong... and even if your height surpasses mine, I’ll still love you all the same, Tacchan.”

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Long Overdue

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“Mm… I hope so. It has been a few months.”

But that top shelf he had struggled to get at before was getting easier to reach. And he found that he was looking more at eye level with his peers now, rather than up at them.

He laughed softly.

“You just got back, Aichi-san. I can’t make you do all the work right away. I learned how to cook a whole bunch of stuff too.”

“…But, I’m sure that now that you’re back, I’ll grow even taller.” Housekeeping and cooking and the like were definitely easier when there was someone there to help him, especially on top of his busy schedule. “I’m gonna be as tall as you one day, Aichi-san!”

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“Ehhh...” Aichi feigned a sort of dismay, suddenly turning his head away for dramatic effect.

“But if you get too big... then I won’t be able cuddle with you like this anymore..” A little bit of a stretch, but Aichi was in a playful mood, pretending to mope as he drew out a long sigh.

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Long Overdue

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“Mmmnh…”

He naturally curled against Aichi, snuggling tight and reveling in that warmth. So long… It had been so long since he had received such treatment from Aichi, and he couldn’t get enough of it. 

This feeling… This warm, happy, comfort… He had taken it for granted, hadn’t he?

“I’m only warm because of you… Your hands are really warm too, Aichi-san.”

The skin of Aichi’s fingers was still so soft, in spite of whatever he had been through… Tasuku was grateful.

I guess he really hasn’t changed at all…

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“Eheh, I guess..” Pressing a kiss to the side of his head and humming happily, Aichi could have stayed like this all day, just idle and comfortable.

“Aah, have you grown a little Tacchan..? I think you have..” The younger’s shape had changed just ever so slightly, something only someone like Aichi would have noticed. (Even though, secretly, apart of him wanted the petite Tasuku to always remain this size, so perfect in his arms.) “.. I promise I’ll keep making all of your favorite foods so you can eat a lot and get stronger!”

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Long Overdue

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For all of the complications, it actually wasn’t that hard getting back into the swing of things. A few days had passed, and things were already en route to being completely back to normal.

“Not…really?”

His body language spoke of quite a convincing case to the contrary, Tasuku nuzzling his cheek against Aichi’s affectionately. He did kind of want attention tonight, but he didn’t want to outright admit it. That would be childish, wouldn’t it?

“But if you’re not busy, I wouldn’t mind spending some time…”

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“I’ll always have time for you.” Scooping Tasuku into his lap carefully, Aichi was quick to share a little Eskimo kiss off of the bat, softly rubbing their noses close as he pressed their foreheads together no sooner after.  “Tacchan...” Aichi hardly knew what to say, his heart just swelling with happiness, smiling even wider as he brought his palms againsr those squishy, round cheeks, framing that adorable face lovingly. “You’re so warm..”

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Long Overdue

The two sole occupants of Marigold could finally return to some normalcy once old feelings were quelled. In fact, it was a little easier to smile, to laugh, and getting back into the groove of things, life was as peaceful as ever... Strangely so. Actually, on top of everything else, even Aichi had a difficult time remembering such an easy-going life.. but he couldn’t complain, of course. Another sleepy evening, another instance where Tasuku was almost begging for attention, Aichi now pressing his cheek against the plushy one beside him.

“Are you bored, Tacchan?”

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His Return

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“Nngh… No… I don’t want…”

No matter how much he resisted it, the tears, once started, wouldn’t stop.

“Hn… Aichi-san… Aichi-san…:”

He’d missed this so much. All of those long days of endless worry; all of those long, cold nights alone; they were finally over. And they’d never come back. 

Not if Tasuku could help it.

“…I know…”

And no matter what Aichi’s reasons were; regardless of the fact that the reason Aichi had disappeared was to look for that person, Tasuku could never be angry. He could never harbour any sort of negativity towards Aichi. It was impossible. 

Especially now.

“I…I care about you too… I’m so glad you’re safe…”

Aichi didn’t remember, and there was a chance that he never would. But Tasuku was quickly realizing that he didn’t care. He didn’t care—so long as they could be together.

“…Welcome back… Aichi-san…”

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Aichi’s own tears began to overflow and roll down his flushed cheeks at some point, too, something deep within his chest aching with a terrible regret. He couldn’t fathom any reason more important than staying by Tasuku’s side; if he had left, like implied, then what had been that reason? What could have driven Aichi to break one of the most important promises he had ever made?

“I’m home.. Tacchan.”

Apart of him didn’t even want to know.

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His Return

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A small sniffle; that was all he wanted to allow himself, but he couldn’t halt the tears prickling painfully behind his eyelids either. His fingers dug into Aichi’s clothes, holding on for dear life. This side of himself… This childish, needy side of himself… He hated it. He hated how painful those long months had been, hated how he found so much comfort in Aichi’s hold. He hated how he was falling apart at the seams, so overwhelmed by the relief and the hurt that he had been suppressing this entire time.

“…I missed you…”

“I missed you so much… I thought you’d never come back…”

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“Tacchan.. I’m so, so sorry.” Aichi could only find it in him to apologize at the first instance of those anguished sounds, nestling a hand against the back of Tasuku’s head gently. And as he let those warm tears soak in through his shirt, he didn’t mind in the slightest.. if anything, he’d prefer it if Tasuku just let all of that welled up sadness flood out at once.

“It’s all right.. I’m here now. It’s okay to cry, Tacchan.. no one else will see.” Nuzzling his head against the younger’s in chaste affection, Aichi curled around Tasuku’s form all the while, attempting to make him feel as safe as possible as he fought back small tears of his own.  “You know I care about you more than anything..”

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His Return

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He had missed the feeling of Aichi’s warm hand around his own, holding tightly as they walked through the quiet streets. But it felt different today—funny, how he still remembered even after months and could pick those differences out. He should’ve been happier. And he honestly was, but… 

A part of him felt like this Aichi was different. Changed. And that part of him diluted the happiness.

Aichi-san really doesn’t remember…

No, what am I talking about? Aichi-san is Aichi-san, no matter what. I have to stop being so selfish…

But regardless, as Aichi settled down, Tasuku stood back and watched. Finally, he wasn’t alone in Marigold anymore—yet even though they had lived in this apartment together for a better part of the last year, it was almost as if Aichi were a stranger. It’d felt like years…

“I kept it as clean as I could,” he said, somewhat awkwardly. “I cleaned your futon yesterday too, so it’s ready for you whenever you want to sleep—”

“Tacchan… come here..”

Looking up, Tasuku saw those welcoming open arms, and he could hold himself back no longer. Answering to that beckon, Tasuku shuffled closer, pressing his face into Aichi’s shoulder.

This warmth, this scent… He had missed it so much. Squeezing his eyes shut, he attempted to swallow the lump in his throat, to wish away the ache in his heart that he had buried so deeply that he thought it would never resurface again, but it had. All to no avail.

“……”

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“Tacchan..” Gingerly wrapping his arms around that petite, little frame, Aichi pulled Tasuku closer and closer against him, resting his cheek against those fluffy sky blue curls. At the end of the day, he really was still a child.. And though he wanted to be treated like an adult, and be seen as such, Aichi knew that he needed this sort of attention, too, every once and awhile. After all, he could sense all of the hurt and suffering in that tiny heart of his, those same shoulders he was holding just quivering ever so slightly.

“I’m sorry.. I won’t leave you again. I never could. You’re my one and only treasure...”

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His Return

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Aichi…remembered that. But none of the little things that also counted…?

“…How about Shindou-kun? Shindou Chrono? And Kai-san, and Suzugamori-san? Any of them…?”

He paused, worriedly observing Aichi’s face before realizing that he was probably being rather forceful. God knows what had happened to Aichi before he had come back into the city, and if Tasuku was interfering with what should’ve been much-needed rest, then he couldn’t push Aichi any further.

He shook his head, trying to smile. It hurt, but… All that mattered now was that Aichi was back. That Aichi was safe.

“…Let’s worry about that another time, okay? You must be really tired. How about we go back home together? Back to Marigold…”

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“Shindou...?

“... I don’t.. recall that name..” Should he have though? Apart of him felt like it was ringing bells, but, again, like everything else, it was muddled and without promise. He felt so strange... what happened to him? He couldn’t even begin to imagine anything leading up to something so bizarre.. “Oh..?! Kai-kun.. and Ren-san were cardfighters I knew back home. Did.. they ever come here to Toshi and meet you?” Nothing that Aichi was answering Tasuku with seemed to be doing the younger any good; if anything he was growing increasingly upset, despite that polite, cookie-cutter smile. Aichi may not have recalled a lot of things, but he certainly could read Tasuku easily enough with what he had.  “M-Mm.. Maybe after some rest it’ll come back to me. Let’s go back together, Tacchan.” --After all, his feelings were never changing and irremovable.  ---- The walk back, hand-in-hand, had been a little tense, but now that they were back at the apartment, Aichi felt a wash of familiarity and calm settle over him. The scent and warmth.. it was just as it had always been, safe and sound with everything as it was supposed to be. However, as Aichi could note, it really felt like a homecoming than a return after a daily outing. Just... how long had it really been since he’d stepped foot again  within this tiny, humble abode..? Sigh... Removing his shoes and jacket, Aichi made is way over to his favorite kotatsu, relaxing his surprisingly sore legs as he gave them a stretch. With a silent yawn and rub of the eyes, he looked around nostalgically, the dimly lit living space a bit more quiet than he remembered... Ah.

“Tacchan... come here..” The younger was keeping his distance for some reason, just dwindling a few steps away, but with a gentle beckoning, Aichi held open his arms for him to come closer, wanting to comfort him for all of the trouble he had put him through. Because he was positive that he had, in some shape or form..

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His Return

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“……”

Then Aichi’s last memory was from months ago…? No… That wasn’t the question he wanted to ask.

“…Do you remember anything else?”

Aichi just seemed so disoriented and confused that, that, Tasuku had this horrible, sinking feeling that the time of his absence wasn’t the only thing that he had forgotten.

“Like that time you helped me dress up for Halloween? Or that time when I was feeling really down about my failure against Aragami and you comforted me? Or when we had our first Buddyfight together…?”

At least one of these things? Tasuku still clung to the small hope that not everything they had shared had been lost between them…

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“Eh...?”

“Like that time you helped me dress up for Halloween? Or that time when I was feeling really down about my failure against Aragami and you comforted me? Or when we had our first Buddyfight together…?”

Stiffening  as Tasuku brought up each heartfelt moment with etched concern in his young features, Aichi scrambled in attempt to recall anything he mentioned. 

“A...  a little..?” He felt horrid... he really, and honestly, wanted to remember each and every single one of these things.. But they just wouldn’t come. Everything in Aichi’s head was fragmented, un-put together like a mismatched puzzle.. “I remember inviting you to live in Marigold with me.. and going to see you when Kyouya-kun tried to take you away from Toshi.” And tiny bits and pieces of tender moments together... Nothing really of significant note. “... I’m sorry, Tacchan. my memory is really..--” Empty..

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His Return

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What came first after the shock was relief. Aichi was here. Aichi was still alive, and he had come back to Toshi City, seemingly no worse for wear. Tasuku could honestly not ask for anything else.

“Eh…?”

But relief was slowly replaced by bewilderment at Aichi’s claims, which took a while to sink in. Hospital…? Tasuku hadn’t been in the hospital recently, not for a few months; and he had been discharged before Aichi went missing. His embrace loosened as he pulled away, though he kept Aichi at arm’s length.

“That was months ago, Aichi-san… I was discharged shortly before you disappeared, remember…?”

He stared into those aqua eyes, a sense of dread beginning to sink in. “…Aichi-san, what’s the last thing you remember that happened to you? Can you tell me?”

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Months.... ago...? “Tacchan..? What’s..?” --Things were continuously plummeting into a state of deeper confusion. Even under his grasp, he could feel that something was wrong.. it was instinctual--embedded within him like muscle memory. But as he met that concerned gaze, all of the words he wished to say were suddenly sticking in his throat inconveniently; he fumbled to speak, looking left and right before putting a nervous thumb and forefinger to his chin. My last... memory? “Ah, uh...... I..

“I... I had finished visiting you at the hospital.. then I went... shopping? After that...” --After that, it was nothing but a muddled blur. There was no continuity. There was only broken up pieces and bits, Aichi almost breaking into a sweat as his head pounded from thinking so hard. “Um... ah.. I can’t... really remember right now..”

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His Return

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He was beginning to grow accustomed to it. Accustomed to walking home on his own. Accustomed to feeling so alone, even when he was surrounded by people. And he supposed that was a good thing.

But a part of him would always resist the change—or rather, the reversion to his old life, before Aichi, before Kamui, before Gao, before all of the friends and family he had made here. Toshi City had grown so quiet that Tasuku wondered whether it was all a dream.

“…”

Lasting peace… It was a good thing. But peace felt so dull and meaningless when there was no one to enjoy it with.

But that’s how it was. Or at least, that’s how it would’ve been, had Tasuku not thought to take the long way back to Marigold, had Tasuku not looked up and across the street towards an intersection he would not cross…

…to see the one person he had been yearning for for these past few months.

His school bag slipped out of his fingers and onto the concrete with an emphatic thump. Tasuku paid it no mind. He blinked a few times, rubbing his eyes too, just to make sure that the figure across the street wasn’t some sort of apparition or image. 

“…Aichi-san…?”

He wasn’t. This was as real as real could be.

“Aichi-sa…Aichi-san! Aichi-san!!”

His bag forgotten, he dashed across the quiet street, closer and closer to Aichi. He was almost there. He was about to touch him. He—

—He threw his arms around the unresisting body, nearly bowling him over and holding on tightly.

“You’re alright… You’re still alive…!”

Aichi had come back.

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As he stood there, out of place and flabbergasted, a frantic voice began calling out his name, Aichi barely having the time to turn around before feeling a tight embrace encircle his middle, the tackling weight threatening to send him colliding with the pavement.

“Wh-whoa..!” Fighting to remain on his feet, stumbling back a few steps, Aichi finally gained his leverage, returning that desperate hold as he gasped out, eyes widening. This was.... “Ta... Tacchan..!” Right... right! Tasuku! He could never forget..! But as far as Aichi could recall, the younger had been attacked while on duty, hadn’t he? A stab wound that had rendered him hospitalized again? (Wait, again? When had the first time occurred...?) “Tacchan, what’re you doing here?! Weren’t you in the hospital?! Tacchan....”

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His Return

... It was as if he had been plucked from a certain point of the past and then placed in the middle of the present. Perplexed and mouth agape, Aichi remembered one second vividly--being in the midst of completing a chore of some sort?--and now, the next, standing in the middle of the busiest Market District intersection. It was noisy and startling, distracting his already swimming mind with a buzzing interference. 

“Eh...? .... Hunh?”

Looking to and fro, passerby just circling around his static self, what had been initial panic, was now just a dull and troublesome sense of confusion.  “What was I... doing just now?” It was... really strange. Really, really strange. Aichi couldn’t even remember what he had for breakfast this morning, or the names of blurred faces he was forcing to come to mind.  “...?” His head was just... empty.

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Coming soon..!

[stridegeneration-blog1]

"Yeah… I dunno how to take care of rabbits either. And it’ll probably cost a lot of money… And he’ll probably chew all my stuff up…"

"…"

Though the bunny was the very picture of cuteness, its big, black eyes staring up at him as it slowly emptied out the bottle of its contents…

"…Kinda wish we could keep him, though—"

Oh crap… He hadn’t meant to voice that at all. He couldn’t have Aichi thinking he was some kind of softie…

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 "That's so sweet, Kurocchan.." Chrono was honestly too good of a child and was hard to pull a lot of honest feelings from... but surely, when he did, it was always something treasurable and kind. "But wild rabbits belong... well, in the wild. Especially baby wild rabbits; if we're not careful there's a lot of ways he can die.. And we absolutely don't want that for Tasubun, right? Who knows maybe he'll really warm up to you, Kurocchan, and you can still visit him!"