Eiji had barely been back home in Japan for a week when he got the call.
When he got it, he thought that Max had just wanted to check up on him. He had given him his number right before he left, and he hadn't called or texted yet. Honestly, he was excited to see how Max was doing, being back with Jessica and all.
"Hi max! How are you guys doing?"
"Oh, uh, I'm fine, I guess. Look, uh, I have something to tell you. Don't freak out or anything, ok?"
"..ok?"
"Ash uh, right after you left... Ash.. uh, died."
there was nothing but silence for a few minutes while Eiji was trying to process this. Ash was dead? no. No, he must have misheard something, Ash wasn't dead! No! Ash was way too strong to die! He was alive, he had to be, he was going to finish everything up and come visit him in Japan! Ash wasn't dead, he just couldn't be. Eiji wasn't sure when he started crying, or when and how he ended up on the floor or how long Max had been saying things, but he couldn't make out what it was that he was saying. Ash wasn't... Ash couldn't be... Ash.. Ash was.. Ash was dead. Ash is dead and there's nothing Eiji can do about it. His boyfriend was dead, and he couldn't do anything at all.
"Eiji!"
Eiji snapped out of his thoughts, becoming very aware of the hot tears pouring down his face and the choked sobs coming out of his mouth. He tried to respond but all that came out was more poor attempts at sounds.
"Eiji, it's ok...it'll be ok." Now that he payed attention Max was definitely crying too.
"No..." He managed to force out. It's not ok. Ash is dead. He never should have left, Eiji should have stayed there, in America. He should have stayed there with Ash, protected him, maybe then Ash would still be alive. "No..It's not..It's not ok.."
"Oh, Eiji..." Max doesn't know what to say either, he's been crying too. He couldn't save Griffen, he couldn't save Ash, he can't save anyone can he? And he can't even comfort Eiji.. oh Eiji... He thinks about how upset Eiji must be about this. He cared about Ash a lot, but Eiji was in love with Ash.
The two just sit there for a while, silently crying in each other's distant presence. Neither of them know what to do or say or if they even can say anything. The silence is finally broken when Eiji speaks.
"When... uh.. when's the funeral..?"
"Probably early next month, I'll tell you when I know for sure."
"...Ok, thanks.. I'll see you then."
"Yeah, sure."
Eiji hangs up but continues sitting there on the floor. He curls up into himself more. Ash was really dead. Ash was really dead and there was nothing he could do about it.
The reason Ash never ages is because he’s actually dead and everything else is made up in the mind of a traumatized pikachu. The reason Ash is always ten is because pikachu only knew him when he was ten, and he’s always around because the poor guy can’t let go of his former trainer.
My muse is dead. Tell me how yours is dealing with it.
He hated going back to the house. Absolutely hated it with every fibre of his being. But he had a job and that job was a good distractor. He unlocked the door and reluctantly stood there with it opened just slightly. Her scent still lingered and it honestly made him want to be sick. If only she’d listened to him and allowed him to tag along. If she wasn’t so bloody stubborn, she’d still be here. Probably hospitalised for the time being, but still here. Alive.
He finally stepped in and was greeted by Rocky and Leila and of course, Roxy. They were their happy selves, despite knowing that something was wrong. He dumped his stuff at the door, helped himself to his armchair and allowed the animals to climb all over them. While they were clearly trying to make him smile, all he did was feel around his pockets for his smokes and lighter.
Once again, it’d be a long as hell night. One he didn’t want to go through.
