Chapter 1: major development
Chapter Text
Uneventful nights were never new to him but it collected like a cauldron filled with nightmares until it reached the brim, wrecking havoc at its wake. Getou was used to it like one is used to the writers callus on their dominant hand but once in a while it would itch, tear away and make sure it's presence is noticed. The day prior had felt heavy and dense like a storm being kept at bay, the following night he screamed like a child locked away begging to be let out. He would see what he thinks might've been his family, fictitious? a memory? He tells himself it doesn't matter to him. He tells his therapist it doesn't matter to him. He would see himself in midst of a destruction, he sees himself be the cause of the destruction, he sees his Jaeger ripped to shreds and the bellowing screeches to the kaiju when he'd wake up to the sounds coming from his own vocal cords and his own heartbeat thundering in his ears. A cold hand on his burning skin would pull him back to reality and he focuses on that point of contact as he tries to regulate his breathing. He's held, a thrumming of pulse where his head rests on the nape of a neck, his hair gently being stroked even when he's sure it's disgustingly sweat slick and no this is awfully pathetic. He's awfully pathetic, does he say it out loud, cause he hears a voice tell him otherwise, he hears a voice break and chuckle and tell him he's here, he's okay and it wasn't real.
was it not?
"Can it be when you're here with me?"
but we-
"will get through this. We're the strongest, after all."
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Present day-14th August, 2028
"Come the fuck on already, you think we got all day?"
"Yes we do, you on the other hand", a dismissive hand and a disgustingly wide grin, "don't."
Shoko signed, rubbing at her forehead willing the pounding headache to ebb away. Talk about timing. "Seriously Gojou, at least come to the briefing with me."
"Hmmm, cause your weak little heart can't handle a flutter at the sight of the pristine and pompous Kyoto step in wi-" that earned him a kick to the shin and his hair being left at the mercy of Shoko's grip. He couldn't help the screech that left his mouth.
"She's NOT a step in, dumbass", she let go of his hair, "and who are you to call someone pompous go read a dictionary."
"Shoko mean."
"And you're a headache ", quite literally at the moment. "So.. briefing?"
Gojou clicked his tongue, he looked at her with a pout for a good few seconds then gave it up. "We're not piloting today, Shoko."
His tone had completely changed; softer, intentional. Shoko burrowed her eyebrows together and nodded, She didn't need to budge more. "Was it worse?"
"Not the worst.. took longer."
"Where is he now?", she asked initially thinking he would enter the room joining them eventually.
"Session", he pushed himself off the desk, rocking it a bit and headed to the door. "Fine then Shoko-sama I give in, let's hold on to your heart a little bit longer."
"You ass."
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The briefing room was hardly anything it's name would suggest anymore. With the number of Kaiju attacks that took place in the last two weeks they've had training sessions almost every other day with the designated pilots leaving for the frontline. To Gojou the Shatterdome never quite had an order, atleast not theirs. The hangers were way too close to their living quarters, can't help but feel it was out of 'convenience'. Everything outside of that was among the Jaegers like every waking hour a reminder of their mission to humanity.
The room smelt of oil and burnt flesh, nothing unusual but still not something he was used to. He spotted Yaga talking to one of the researchers as a bunch of people in lab bearings were carrying away a chunk of kaiju matter. He hardly took two steps in its direction that Shoko got hold of his arm and pulled him back. He only rolled his eyes at her exasperated sigh but didn't feel the need to carry it any further. The back of his mind was preoccupied at the moment, eyes subtly scanning the room.
"Alright people, gather up", Yuki san jumped down from her usual announcement desk with what little people forming a circle around her. It's moments like this that he's reminded just how terribly "short staffed " they were. Deaths around-
His train of thought was disrupted as he finally caught sight of Getou standing only across him, who seemed to spot him at the same time and send a smile his way. The confusion on his face must've been an instant give away since the next thing he knows he hears him in his head.
It's done don't worry, thought I might as well just- he shrugged and then looked around the room once before coming across to stand beside him. Shoko lightly punched him on his forearm, asking him if he's okay now to which he simply asked her if she might by chance happen to have a cigarette lying around here.
"There's some major development and I'm aware most of us aren't gonna like this. In fact", she side-eyed Yaga with something akin to disapproval in her eyes, "I myself am nor sure where I stand with this one."
"She doesn't stand by it", Getou whispered to him. How'd he know and what exactly, Gojou was about to ask when Yuki continued.
"We've had...," she exhaled and took a few seconds as if contemplating what way to go with this. "As you all are aware Shatterdomes all over the world have recently experienced mergers, we ourselves completely have full control over the Hokkaido quadrant due to their failings at hands of their poor management, however-"
"We've had quite a few blows in the past, lost one of our strongest Jaegers", Yaga's voice was a sudden contrast to Yuuki's, side eyeing them as if everyone else in the room doesn't already know. "So three new additions are in fact good news", he clicked his tongue, "however not enough pilots." Yuuki's disgruntled huff followed. Gojou almost found it amusing, there was something different about the atmosphere which definitely does have something to with this weird tension among their own supervisors. Yuki cleared her throat and picked up from where she was interrupted.
"Two Jeagers are being deployed to Manila from our side; pilots Nanami Kento and Haibara Yu will pilot Black Flash, pilots Getou Suguru and Gojou Sator-"
"Yu~ki san"
Everyone in the room turned to face the source of the interruption, Getou on the other hand has his eyes fixated on the ground and his hand holding Gojou's elbow in a death grip.
"..yes?"
"Pardon the-", Getou barely got the words out of his mouth when Gojou chimed in yet again.
"Suguru and I can't risk piloting today", but his tone had no indication of his awareness for the gravity of the situation. Just as reluctant as the weather report for a perfectly sunny day.
"Can't risk, you say", it was Yaga this time, perhaps a lot more easier for Gojou to get on his nerves.
"I'm sure you're aware of the situation."
Yaga clenched his jaw where Yuki simply furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. She then glanced at Getou and realization dawned upon her face. "I see, alright we-"
"No", Yaga raised his palm as if to quiet Yuki and took a good few daunting steps towards Gojou. "And just how long can this keep going on?" Getou let go of his elbow and stepped forward. "Apologies Marshal, Maybe if we can discuss-"
"Marshall", Getou almost laughed out of relief at Yuuki's interjection. "I'm sure you understand better than anyone else here how time is the last thing we can afford to lose."
Even with the distance Getou put between him and Yaga, Gojou was sure he heard his teeth grinding and blinked away to take in the state of the rest of the room. Some looked amused, some blatant shock on their faces, some not even trying to hide their annoyance. Nothing new to exceed their reputation.
"Why else do you think-"
"With all due respect sir, we truly can't risk piloting these two today. As their Psych Analyst I won't allow this," She took out her tablet and pulled up the screen showing the list of Jeagers in queue, ready to be deployed. Yaga looked like he swallowed the most sour grape of the bunch, considering the screen for a whole then sending a swift nod her way. "Utahime Iori and Shoko Ieiri, Albatross Red."
Despite the recent passive yet heated exchange, Getou found him returning Gojou's fist bump as Gojou sent a sly smirk Shoko's way. "Children", Shoko mouthed at them and beelined toward Nanami and Haibara. Yaga however wasn't done yet.
"Now for why we're here in the first place," he gestured at one of the officers by the gate who bowed and headed out the door. "Please keep in mind, from our side we've been trying to negotiate matters and come with other possible alternatives. Take this in as a last resort for the sake of humanity, we're soldiers before anything else", Gojou could be imagining it but he felt Yaga's pointed eyes at him almost like an open call out. "The authorities believe premature minds are more likely to create stronger bonds, apparently it has something to do with lesser emotional baggage I'm not best equipped to place my opinions on this but as the face of command here I can't ignore the," he crossed his arms and shook his head. "Let's just say not everyone is on board with this and that's something we're willing to work on but for now," he raised a hand and beckoned to the officer who had previously left the room. Everyone's attention was now at the door, fixated on the officer as he walked in and a stream of kids followed suit.
If Gojou were to place a bet, they looked around 14-15, clad in jumpsuits with the Jaeger academy badger on their chests, a nervous curiosity on their faces. He could clearly see Getou trying to put on a semblance of comfort and fail terribly, finding himself biting the insides of his cheeks at the sheer cuteness of catching him in the moment. Thought he'd at least try smiling but it'd probably have an adverse effect.
"Adorable, you ever miss that uniform?", he said instead. He knows he doesn't, not really. It only reminds him of how blinded he was by the ideologies of the so called reliable adults projecting their own beliefs onto them. Untamed uncontrollable drive to conform, he'd always been arrogant and yet a part of him doesn't understand how he bought all that glorious bullshit. How they all bought into it. If given a fucking chance, a do-over he-
"Meet our recruits."
He definitely wasn't hearing things right because Marshall Yaga did not just say recruits. Recruits?! On second thoughts he did hear it right because every single one of them around the room had an equally confused reaction, a chorus of murmurs spreading around.
Is this a joke?
You tell me.
Yaga continued, "And with that out of the way, as their seniors you're now officially being assigned as mentors in order to assist their training till evaluation deems them worthy of fighting in the frontline. We begin today."
What in the cosmic fuck of this universe?
"Designated pilots to the hanger, suit up, the Jaegers are ready to be deployed. Live to save the world another day."
This has to be a joke.
"Godspeed."
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Chapter 2: almost (not quite)
Summary:
you lose some, you lose some more.
Notes:
the fact that i could've named this fic "..oh my god they were drift compatible",, lost opportunity this is so sad.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
16th June, 2024 - 4 years ago.
Gojou felt like his head was submerged underwater, his body felt light but his head felt heavy, like the numbing from a lump of ice except it was inside his brain. For a second he panicked not being able to recollect where he was and what was going on but there were sounds all around him. Unintelligible chaos and distorted voice coming from what seemed out of reach.
"-zy we're not gonna make--"
There was a sudden blow, he felt like a puppet suspended mid air and whoever was in control of the strings needs to calm the fuck down. Almost as a reflex his eyes opened and in an instant he regretted his entire existence and whatever that may have led him to this point.
"-hear me?"
"-ack up right the fuck now."
He tries focusing his eyes but it was in vain. White flashes, black dots and ultimately all he could make out was wires and buttons. Quick run down and it hit him that was in his Jaeger suit, he was in star plasma and that means-
"Suguru?"
"Hey, hey Satoru?.. he's up he's alive", his voice broke and he suddenly let out a chuckle. The alarms were roaring and everything was going haywire, just not a good day for him.
"You still here?"
"What's going on?", he felt the words rolled out of his mouth heavier and slurred.
"Loosing to this gargantuan destruction monger it seems."
"Small words please"
Getou laughed. He laughed and it almost turned into a sob. Now that his senses were finally cooperating with him he tried to make more out of his surroundings. Getou had detached himself from the rig and his mask was off and the way he was hitting on the buttons with occasionally screaming at the cons almost gave him an idea that he wasn't sure what he was doing.
"-engaged. Fuck back up and send for the retrieval team."
Only when Gojou's suit came off of the rig did he realize just how much autonomy he really didn't have over his body in the moment. Seriously how the fuck did it get to this point. Somebody screamed and this was in his comms this time. Marshal Yaga. Before he could even comprehend Getou was screaming right back at him and it honestly scared Gojou to hear him this way. He hated how out of place he was in the moment and how that was making it even worse for Getou.
"Suguru-"
"C'mon we need to leave. We need to get out", he was panicking. He tried to get hold of something when he felt himself hauled up, taking up almost his entire weight. All he could do was lean against Getou's side and force his legs to move one after the other. The entire Jaeger felt like it was at the verge of destruction, completely coming apart from the inside.
"We can't-" Another hit, a much harder stronger one. Getou tightened his grip on him as he himself stumbled on his feet.
Getou placed his hand and enclosed his fingers around a loose almost coming apart rod and stood in front of him, holding him firm with his shoulders. "Hold, let me see."
"We can't leave Star Plasma."
With them standing so close to each other he could finally get a good look at Getou. His hair was in usual mangled bun with half hanging loose. His eyes blown wide and terrified and in the blinking bright red light of their conn pod alarms going off made the streaks of blood running down his face even more troubling. He's never seen him look this scared before.
"We don't have an option," Sorry
The latter, he realizes, Getou hadn't said out loud but in his head. It's them, the thought hits him like a whiplash. How could it get to this when it's them. They were the strongest, they were unmatched. There wasn't a single Kaiju that could get past them how did they-
"Hey hey, shh we don't have time okay. I need you to listen to me."
He wondered if he'd started spewing this shit out loud. He tried grasping at their connection, they'd often communicate without the neural link, a bond stronger made by years and years of mutual trust and transparency when it came to each other. Right now, it felt like something had come undone, a loose bolt, a leaking fissure.
He heard the swish of the escape pod opening and as he let go of his grip, the Jaeger rocked to the side. For a moment they both lost their footing, it felt like gravity loosened its grip on them and in an instant reminded them of its existence.
"Fuck fuck!"
"You're on a roll."
"And you're unbelievably quippy considering the situation we're in."
Gojou would've laughed but in a matter of seconds he was hauled up and again and pushed into a seat. "-noying and constantly whining and good lord the amount of sugar in your coffee." He was being strapped and some corner of his mind provided escape pod.
"What're you saying?" Go, get inside your own pod
His helmet was pulled off and the rush of cold air on his sweat slick face was a relief he'd never felt before. A metallic cold touch, Getou's hands cupping his cheeks and his moving lips meant he was still going on. Without a warning his heart lurched to his throat and his eyes started burning.
"-Shoko and don't go around getting a nicotine addiction to make up for-"
No. No this isn't happening. This can't be happening. Suguru , he tries to speak but his throat feels heavy. Stop no fuck this fuck you no-
"Toru", Gojou felt like he was witnessing his entire world falling apart at the seams. How dare you he thought and he thinks Getou heard it too cause he smiled but his face more apologetic than ever. Suguru don't you dare. He wants to scream, he wants to get out of hear and punch him square in the face and cry his lungs out and never get back into this godforsaken suit again but more than anything he want to hold him. He wants to hold him and never let him go and he tries as he desperately tries to assert his grip on him, sobbing in his hands. Don't you dare do this to me.
"I'm sorry", lips were on his lips before he could register, salty with tears and sweat leaving a metallic tinge on his tongue, warm breath on his cheeks and their teeth hit with a desperation. When they pulled apart, he felt fingers in his hair weirdly grounding him and leaned towards him, touching his forehead with his. Please don't do this to me.
"I wish we'd done that sooner."
Fuck Suguru no, no please don't please i-
"I wish we had more time"
-enough for the two of us
"You know that won't-"
We can try for fucks sake Suguru
"I need to do this, I need to try it if this might actually work and-"
I won't fucking let you-
"I can't risk you. I won't. I'm sorry. I'm sorry but I'll make it back to you. I don't know how but we have no time and i-" His breath caught on his throat and pushed himself up and out of the pod. No no Suguru fucking don't pl-
"I'll make it back to you, Toru I'm-"
He feels it before he hears it, the strain on his vocal cords as he pulled at his strapped with no avail, he's screaming. He's screaming with everything inside him every last bit of energy that he might have working it's way out through his lungs.
"-sorry I need you to know-"
Don't say it. Don't fucking say if it's goodbye.
"I love you, I've always-"
The door shut on his face cutting off every sound in an instant it seemed he'd been sucked in a vacuum. From behind the screen he saw a smile on his face and his lips moving as the escape pod ejected from the Jaeger, thrusting further and further, Getou's face him standing in the Jaeger as Star Plasma takes another hit, the kaiju tearing off the left arm, waves crashing as the two giant beings turned miniature and blurry, the escape pod now free falling into the sea as he lost consciousness. The only remaining thought in the back of his head you liar.
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Notes:
thanks for reading :"D
Chapter 3: beginnings endings
Notes:
hi lol. a lot to say but i dont have the energy to.. in short i lost 5 chapters worth of content and a whole chart kinda thing i prepared to explain what role is assigned to which character. i thought i was going to discontinue this but then i decided atleast to put out whatever is left up my sleeve.. so.. yea. thats all. thank you if you're here and reading this and i'm not discontinuing i have a lot of ways this can go, maybe loosing those chapters will give me a better route who knows. we'll see.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"Did he just dunk the most absurd of the news on our heads like it's just another weather report?"
Getou still had his eyes fixed on the kids bunched around at the other side of the hanger, accompanied by two Jaeger engineers probably showing them around. "News? What about us mentoring a bunch of hormone ridden brats?" Gojou actually laughed at Shoko's sudden retort.
"Shit woman, don't let your prude little crush hear you say that." She was already halfway through pulling up her under armour boots but took it off to hit him square on the face, "Gojou Satoru if you keep talking about her like that-"
"Ask her out and then she'll just be like my elder sister." She handed Getou her clips and pointed at her hair, continuing to work on her sleeve and gloves as he clips up the front of her loose strands.
"Shoko we're ready for you," Kusakabe called out from where he stood with Nanami, his headset in his hand. She sent a thumbs up his way and checked her bodysuit one last time. "Okay time for me to get suited," an awkward nod. The three stood in a triangle just staring at the distance between them. Goodbyes had become harder to get by since they never really know what might turn into the final fucking line out of their mouth. They've almost had a first hand experience with-
"Go beat some Kaiju ass", Getou was the one to break the silence. Shoko bit her lip but smiled and pulled him into a hug. Soon they were all three enveloped in eachothers arms and Gojou felt his chest grow cold as fear crawled up his spine. Don't think like that. With every single mission it was getting harder to let go of the other one. This moment right here, he doesn't wanna loose this. They pulled away and Getou chuckled, maybe to bring them back to their state of normalcy, maybe to shrug off the growing tension in the air.
A nod. A smile. A wink.
He yelled after her as she turned around, "Go save the world with the power of unrequited love by your side." Which very rightfully earned him a middle finger.
The conn pod instructors had them suited and linked neutrally. The mission controller announced take off as Gojou and Getou stood in the observation deck with the kids glued to the panes. Apparently the "new recruits" needed a full tour for a surface level understanding of the protocols. Their awestruck expressions and impressive wows and whoas as the , so reminiscent of their own doe eyed childlike wonder years ago. The first hand up front experience of watching the conn pod connect to the Jeager, the two pilots initiating the system by engaging in a neural handshake, it's all too exhilarating.
He felt Getou's finger slide by his, softly caressing his thumb and then linking their fingers together. Gojou's breath shook and he returned the gesture by tightening his fingers around his. Could he hear him, it's hard to tell these days. Drifting was different, but the allowance into one's consciousness subjects the other to their vulnerabilities often to the point of discomfort. Which is why no matter how competent a ranger you are, you can't pilot unless a healthy bond has been established. They'd come far, when he thinks about it, differences that stuck out finding middle ground, bonding over similarities more so than their drifting sessions, finding their neural connection doesn't require for them to be connected at eachothers spinal cords. To what extent does one know the other or is there no limit to their mind melding.
"You good?"
"As good as I can be."
Gojou scoffs. Liar.
Getou's eyes softened, the cool shade of natural light on his face fading as the hanger gate shut down. "You know I know better than to lie to you."
"Who'd you talk to? Not Yuuki-san, she seemed clueless," Getou sighed, he pulled his hand away and leaned on his side against the wall, crossing his arms.
"No, Mei-Mei san stepped in today."
"What, now we have K-science breaching into our psych evals?"
"I dont know, she seemed to know what she was doing, she said it's temporary but my next few sessions will probably be with her. Which means," he smiled and raised his eyebrows at him, "you're not getting away either."
Gojou imitated a shiver on his feet and groaned, "she's so intimidating it pricks at my veins."
Getou laughed, light yet openly. "What is this, The Gojou Satoru letting himself get stream rolled by an authoritative figure."
"Shut up, you know exactly wh-"
"Excuse me", there was a tap on his back and Gojou turned around to find himself staring back at one of the kids from the group of recruits earlier. One thing he realised that the kid seemed a bit built and taller than any usual teen his age, almost reaching up till his shoulders. His hair was a shade of pinkish peach that complemented his demeanor, a very fitting dye job if it was one. He grinned, nervousness getting the better of him as he scratched the back of his head looking back and forth between the two. Despite everything else Gojou was amused, Yaga's words about them stepping up as mentors coming back to him.
"I'm sorry to be a bother, I'm just a huge fan of yours", that surprised him. He saw Getou stand up a somewhat sour look on his face even though he tried to not show it. Gojou himself could see where this conversation was headed.
"During the second wave of the Kaiju's in '23, I uhh..", there was a nervous laugh and his expression gave away the reason behind the slight interjection, Gojou felt a sense of fondness creep in.
"What I mean is that, Star Plasma Vessel was such a legend, watching it up front truly moved me, that day a lot-"
"Its no big deal, kid."
"It totally is, if your Jaeger wasn't out there that day.. I mean.. the entire country saw something incredible that day.. you're my heroes."
Gojou was speechless, this wasn't the first time he'd been called something along the lines of such hyperbole. A savior, a hero, hope to the people, he would never catch himself wrapped up in those hollow terms. Honestly it doesn't mean shit but he can't blame the kid. He sees the same awe and admiration he once held for the defense corps and everything to do with sitting in the conn pod, attached to a Jaeger and sending some Kaiju ass back to where they belong. Gojou was speechless cause this was the first time the words seemed to be coming from a place of genuine ideation and admiration and a part of him couldn't stand the thought of that.
Getou, though looking equally dumbstruck, shook himself out of it, standing up his full height and placing a hand on the kid's shoulder.
"What's your name?"
"Yuuji. Itadori Yuuji", he said putting on a semblance of seriousness.
"Alright Yuuji," His voice was soft, softer than usual with a tinge of playful bounciness to it. Gojou could sense his sly attempt at intimidation while still keeping up a good natured smile, condescending. "whether we'll actually be mentoring you or not, who's to say. But let me tell you this," Getou's eyes are apologetic, but his grip remains tight. His words feel distasteful despite the initial warmth.
"We're no ones heroes, in fact not a single person here is and I hope that's not your expectation out of what you're here for."
"No I-"
"He doesn't mean it like that", Gojou intervened, "okay? okay we done here, see you around Yuuji", he placed both palms on Getou's back, pushing him along as he kept walking towards the door.
"Y-yes."
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Notes:
uhmmm,, feedback and comments always welcome. what's new hows it going how're we feeling about the vol 0 trailer and vol 0 light novel hahahahaha T_T
Chapter 4: hopelessly hopeful
Notes:
hello again dialogue heavy chapter,, like literally only dialogues.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
18th June, 2024
Gaining consciousness was like he was being pulled out of quicksand with a speed worth giving him a whiplash. Definitely not the best feeling. It seemed he was making quite a habit out of it. He couldn't make the sounds around him and the second he blinked his eyes open he was blinded by the glowing white which seemed right on his face.
"think he's-"
"Gojou?"
Whatever he'd tried to make out only ended in a grumble and he realized just how parched his throat felt.
"-you hear"
"-him sometime-"
What was going on?
Probably not the smartest path to go by as the first thing his brain provided him was the Jaeger growing smaller as was left at the mercy of gravity. Suguru.
"Gojou?"
He was being pushed down and he hadn't even realized he had gotten up, he pushed away at the hand and shit shit he needs to know he needs to-
"Please-", he flinched at how terrible he sounded, was it even his voice? He found himself staring into Shoko's face, a good distance away from his, the same sunken eyes and brows scrunched in the middle, something almost akin to concern.
And so he tries again, "Please just tell me he-"
"Haibara, call for Yuuki-san. Tell her he's up."
Something cool touched his lips and he automatically leaned in towards it, letting the water run down his throat. "Slow", it was Nanami. Never in his wildest dream could he have imagined this side to the stone cold stoic exterior he guy put up and at this point he didn't even have it in him to make commentary on it.
"Shoko", he started the second the glass was pulled away from him.
"Suguru-"
"What do you remember?"
I'm sorry- I wish we had more time- I'll make it back to you- I
"The escape pod", why just why wasn't his voice working in his favour.
Is this what he's been reduced to?
-love you I've always
"He-", she held his hand. She held his fingers between her own and it was so uncharacteristic of her, his heart fell to his stomach suddenly opening up a void inside his chest. Blurry, breathless, time seemed to pass through him like he was merely a speck of sand being washed down by nothingness.
"He promised", did he? is this something he's telling himself just to find a reason an excuse like some child loosing faith in the world. "He said he'll-"
He said he'll make it back to me
"I dont understand, there was another escape pod."
"Yes there was", Yuuki had entered the room, Haibara following suit, "but the Kaiju was a few miles from hitting the shore. Complete failure would've meant an unprecedented amount of damage and possible loss of several civilian lives. Getou-", she cleared her throat and looked at the other occupants in the room.
"I suppose it's best if I carry on this conversation alone"
Haibara and Nanami had already headed for the door, Utahime leaning on the wall behind Shoko waited a few seconds for her but headed out as well.
"I'm not leaving", her arms crossed and face firm. "I already know everything, I'm not leaving him."
Gojou would've himself asked Yuuki to let her be if she hadn't done that. Yuuki simply nodded, maybe it was exasperation, maybe she knew all too well, who's to say. She pulled a chair and sat down, facing Gojou, giving him a few seconds before she continued.
"There's no easy way to go by this, you know that. It was too huge a gamble and Getou took it", she leaned back and pressed her palms to her eyes, whispering something under her breath that Gojou couldn't make out.
"You're right, there were two escape pods and both were intact,"
"Fuck? So he-"
"But the priority in that situation was to eradicate the Kaiju before it reached the shore", her eyes piercing Gojou's ,"After ejecting your escape pod, he had to manually activate self destruct, keeping the Kaiju in close proximity and maintaining enough distance so that the land wasn't close to the blast radius. It was a choice and he-"
His breath stuck in his throat as he made a choking sound and he realized he'd let out a laugh, catching both of them off-guard, hell he himself couldn't believe where that came from. "That asshole", he looked at Shoko, her eyes blown wide, he could see the tears brimming on the edge, "what, can you believe this?" Shaking his head as his shoulders quaked a bit, was he still laughing or were these sobs pulling away before crashing down on him completely. The fucking asshole.
"Gojou-"
"He what, huh?", suddenly there was anger, a booming threat echoing in his voice. "Sacrificed his ass for the greater good?! Saved the fucking day our very own hero-"
"Gojou-"
"-that's what you were going to say right?! Go on, that's what we are at the end of the fucking day-"
"Gojou!"
"Fuck Shoko, get a-"
"No you need to listen-"
"Why the fuck does everyone keeps saying that to me? He's fucking-" She held him by both his shoulders in an iron grip, her fingers digging in. Her eyes were blown wide with now wet streaks down her cheek, her face burning red, "He's not."
"Stop it both of you, Shoko this is why I asked-"
"What do you mean?", quiet, crumbled and more than anything.. desperate. His broken spell left the room in a silent vacuum for a good minute. Yuuki sighed.
"There's no concrete evidence on that but theres a possibility"
a possibility theres a possibility
"The last recorded status from the Star Plasma, barely seconds before it blew itself and the Kaiju to bits, reported the second escape pod ejecting from the-"
If Yuuki had gone on any further, Gojou couldn't tell over the words repeating in booming reverb in his ears.
"He made it."
Yuuki inhaled sharply and shook her head, "Gojou we-"
"There's no way of knowing, he was still too close to the point of explosion", Shoko simply stated, all emotions drained off of her voice.
"Yuuki-san?"
She looked almost surprised by the sudden softness directed towards her something you don't even dream about when it comes to a person like Gojou, in this moment he truly felt like an actual child to her and not someone's 40 years of arrogance in a 22 year old's body.
"We're still trying to locate the pod, no promises but there's still hope to hold on to. Odds are against us but there's a possibility that-"
I'll make it back to you
"-Getou made it out alive."
------------------------
Notes:
so.. how do the characters feel? thanks for reading.
VikingOfTheNorth on Chapter 2 Tue 31 Aug 2021 07:35AM UTC
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bella_siella on Chapter 2 Tue 31 Aug 2021 11:25AM UTC
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Loren (Guest) on Chapter 4 Sun 14 Nov 2021 05:51PM UTC
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tdoubleu on Chapter 4 Sun 26 Dec 2021 08:03PM UTC
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orphan_account on Chapter 4 Tue 28 Dec 2021 06:57AM UTC
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