L Drabble #1: Run, boy, run!
It only seems fair to warn you that there is a spoiler in here
L took in a deep breath, wiping off the blood on their knuckles with the care of a man drying themselves of water. Their feet carry them through the familiar alleys of Detca, their eyes hardly moving from an undefined spot before them, their mind drifting away. Things will never change. A bitter part of them snapped.
It’s necessary. They argued back.
There’s always a choice. This voice sounded a lot like Irina, the mom of their... Friend? Colleague? The person they had trained with for years. Why her voice was turning into the part of them that scolded them for violent actions is hardly a mystery. Irina has always been someone who makes L desperately wish for change.
This is how I survive. This is how I get a chance. There is no other option. Not for me.
They say the hardest things to accept are the ones that are truest. Maybe that’s why the thought caused L’s stomach to roll and their eyes to fall to their bruised knuckles. People who believe in choices are idealist. Or rich. People with money do get choices. Plenty of them.
L never had a choice.
Begging, biting, bartering, and brawling- anything to fill their stomach and to ensure warmth in the lonely streets.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” L huffs, running a hand through their hair to rid themselves of their reminiscent thoughts, wincing when their fingers catch on a few knots. It vaguely reminds them of the time the menace of a mercenary had sat them down during training to braid their hair, advising them to put their hair up to avoid ruining their hair.
“Need help with that?” L immediately evaluates the threat, but even before their eyes fall on the figure, they know it won’t be problem. After all, that voice belonged to a child. Still, it was nice to know who they were dealing with. The child, stepping away from the wall (no older than ten, L notes), points up at them. “Sis always had trouble doing her hair.”
L looks down and sure enough, they had begun braiding their hair subconsciously. “And what business of yours is the woes of my hair?”
However, L knew exactly what the kid must want. Their clothes were not only dirty, but shabby and worn, face sunken, eyes large and dark almost completely obscured by the long black hair that ran wild.
“Nothing. Just looked a bit messy, that’s all.” The kid shrugged.
L’s eyes narrowed. “It’s better to ask for money now than try to steal from me later.”
“I don’t want money for braiding your hair. Get real, ser.” They rolled their eyes. “And I don’t steal!”
“Then you’re dumber than you look.”
“Hey!”
L sighs, kneeling before them, raising a hand to hold on to their shoulder, only pausing when the kid flinches. L’s frown deepens, deciding to hold the kid’s hand instead. “There’s no shame in surviving, kid.”
Their eyes water, widening with tragic uncertainty. “It’s a crime though? I don’t wanna be bad.”
“Survive and live to make up for the crimes, then. Just survive.”
“I...” They take a deep breath, closing their eyes as the tears begin to fall. “I don’t know how. I couldn’t- She didn’t make it. How am I supposed to?”
L wasn’t really built to comfort others, floundering in the face of a wailing emaciated child. So L does the one thing they used to wish for at that age; They pull the kid into a stiff hug, a part of their head disgusted by the idea of being this close to a stranger. “Who didn’t make it?” L asked as softly as they could, but their voice came out stilted.
“My sister. She didn’t- I couldn’t- We couldn’t afford the help.”
At this, L found that their mask of indifference was impossible, holding them a bit tighter until their cries fade and their breathing evens out. “What’s your name?” L asks as they pull away.
“...Why?” They ask slowly, red and puffy eyes narrowing at L.
“I want to know. If it helps, mine is L. No last name.”
Their eyes widen. “No last name?”
“None.” L answered with a shrug. Everyone had a last name. Everyone, except for the forgotten.
They stare for a bit longer before finally answering softly, “My name is Adam. No last name.”
“Well, Adam, why don’t we make a deal?” L genuinely smiles for what feels like the first time in years.