You're not a monster. | Hibiki and Momo
[For Cait and Vic.]
——
It’s like a meeting in a blizzard. Except, that it’s not in Alaska, but in Tokyo. The grey particles of snow fell down like slow motion raindrops, but it wasn’t like ice. And as for Momo Kuze, he’s always felt the cold, sun or moon, rain or shine.
This is what humans call sadness, he thought, to himself. The closing and inability to breathe was a bit threatening to the young clone, especially for one who had a ‘child-like’ mind. Every time, everyday, the same words keep ringing in his head.
You’ll never be like him. You’re only a copy—a clone.
Words like that upset the boy, who’d always look up to ‘the true white rabbit’, the one whom Momo would always call his ‘nii-chan’, Hibiki Kuze. Perhaps he should stop trying to fight, and accept the truth. The harsh reality of not being able to fit in on this planet—or any world or dimension.
"Maybe I need to stop," He says, sniffling. The boy could not get a wink of sleep, the mind-inducing despair overtaking him. He’s felt like this before. The overwhelming depression that would eat away his happiness away, and take all joyful emotions out of his heart. Usually, he’d conceal them, but sometimes the insecurity and hopelessness can catch up, even in the most darkest hours.
Meanwhile, Hibiki Kuze was already preparing himself for bed. Straightening his white tee, he pats his chest gently, before hearing the silent sobs from Momo. Raising a brow, he reluctantly opened the door to his room, spotting the other noir sitting down, curling up to a ball. His knees were embraced by his chest, and stifled sniffles were heartbreaking. With concern, Hibiki kneels, saying, “What’s the matter, Momo?”
The clone can only respond by blinking a couple of tears down, raising his head at the teen. Wide cyan pools were filled with pinpricks of tears seeping over his eyelids. He hiccups, but he manages to utter out a small, “Nii-chan…?” The noir nods, placing a hand on the other’s shoulder with worry. “Why are you crying?” He never liked seeing him cry. Or anyone, in retrospect. Momo always seemed excited, for a copy. And even the similarity of naïveté can also come off as endearing, in a way.
Finally, Momo takes a breath, his voice shaking. “Am….Am I a monster?”
“Wh-What?”
“A monster, nii-chan.” Just because I don’t have a family…a home…a way to be human…. “I’m not human. I’m just a copy—of you,” He said, pointing at the other. This indication was indeed true, and Hibiki won’t deny it. The fact that other clones in parallel or alternate universes can collide—it was even more surprising than global warming itself!
A small sigh, as Hibiki wipes Momo’s face to dry away the tears, lips gracing in a serene smile. It is then when the ravenette embraces the ‘despised twin’, especially for one whom he had seen as a younger sibling. If Hibiki were to have a little brother of a twin, he’d want Momo.
"You’re not a monster," He shushes softly, rubbing Momo’s back gently. The slight shivers are still down the clone’s spine, heedless of the endless cold. "You’re you." That’s probably one of Hibiki’s catchphrases. "There’s nothing about you that I’d change. Whether it’s being human or a mirror—I wouldn’t do it at all." Pulling away slightly, he rubs his thumb across Momo’s cheek, drying anymore tears that threatened to fall down.
"N….Nii…" Sniffle. "N-Nii…-chan…"
"Smile, Momo," Hibiki whispers, in hopes of lifting away the distress and despair from this broken rabbit. "No matter what anyone else thinks—whatever they say—they’ll have to come to me first. After all—I’m your ‘nii-chan’, am I not?”
Flushing red hues on his face, Momo sniffles one last time, nodding slowly. “Mm…Mhmm…” He’s right. Nii-chan—you’re so strong. I wish I can be like you…
A small hand tugs on his sleeve. “Nii-chan…I’m scared,” He says, now trying to wipe his eyes dry. “Can I…stay with you?” Momo murmurs, softly. “Please?”
There’s something about that plea that clicks Hibiki’s thoughts entirely. To refuse such a question would be mutiny, and it would look very horrible to say no. He’s given Momo a room, a bed to sleep in. He even feeds the other meals. (Especially if his diet is different from the ordinary eating habits.) The hesitancy, the helplessness tone in the other’s voice was so meek and humble, and you can practically hear Hibiki’s voice the same way.
No, he doesn’t mean he wants to sleep with Hibiki. (Or does he? Okay, he probably does, but only on nights when he’s afraid.) He’s not begging to mooch off another day in this home. There’s no time limit to that request—it’s just the favor itself.
Can he do it?
Can he stay with him?
The answer was already obvious from the beginning, as Hibiki stands up, helping Momo rise to his own feet. A yawn escapes, but the older teen keeps his soft smile on his face.
"Yes. Now let’s get some sleep, okay?"
