fanfic; cultivation; part 13

[acperience]

▶ Part 12

—

Life is distressingly quiet.

It’s been weeks since the incident—weeks since Tiir and Walter were released from the hospital, and weeks since Minato was taken in by his relatives. It’s been a little less than that since Pueka and Lafra’s funerals.

As soon as Walter could properly make use of all his limbs again, he went back to working for Maurits. As promised, Tiir had called the man beforehand to inform him of Walter’s situation.

As for Tiir—well, to his credit, he’d only gotten into one fight since then. The other party had insulted his newfound tendency to walk around with Kuma-san, him being seventeen years old be damned. In return, Tiir had elected to carefully place the bear on the floor before kicking the boy in the face.

(“… I’m sorry. They won’t let me keep Kuma-san since it… has blood on it.”)

That said, everything else has been peaceful, if not disturbingly so. Even Lir’s had enough tact not to bother him—though Tiir suspects Riphal had a part in that, as he’d been forbidden from going back to work for a while. Now, though, of his own will, he’s working extra to make up for it.

He needs the money, at any rate.

Tiir’s all too aware of the moments that pass by, like a ticking time bomb. If Lafra were still here, he’d tell Tiir not to worry about it, but as he isn’t (not that Tiir would’ve listened either way), Tiir’s left to his own devices.

And so, he works. And so, he worries.

Guriko’s visited him once since the funerals, using the claim that he must be lonely without her “majestic presence”. And though he gets the feeling that part of it is her feeling lonely as well, as much as she loves Rinne—he is, to be honest. He didn’t think he’d ever be since meeting Ene, but as if someone chose to instill the emotion in him just then, Guriko’s visit made him painfully aware of his loneliness.

It’s fine, he tells himself. Minato is probably far, far lonelier.

As he now lives a fair distance away, Minato can’t come and visit easily. And though Tiir said he would visit, the fact of the matter is that the cost of the train ticket complicates things.

He really, really needs the money.

“Sorry, Minato,” he says, despite the fact that Minato is miles away—happy or miserable, Tiir doesn’t know.

Tiir stares at the checkerboard that lies before him. He’s winning against himself, and therefore losing against himself as well.

He jumps over one of his pieces. Checkers is rather dull without someone to play with.

—

The last time Tiir received a letter, he tore it up.

He has no intention of tearing this letter apart.

How are you? I’m fine. My family is nice to me. But I miss you and Guriko and Walter. And Kuma-san.

I hope that you are okay with everyone gone. Are you and Walter friends now? Tell him I said hi.

The letter continues in, unsurprisingly, perfectly tidy handwriting. It doesn’t contain anything particularly meaningful, and there’s a certain emptiness in it that Tiir detects, belying Minato’s actual ‘fine-ness’, but he smiles at Minato’s words, nevertheless.

Sincerely, Minato.

And it’s then Tiir understands. Perhaps he always did—the reason he was working so hard—but he can see it clearly now, clearer than he’s ever seen it.

He thinks of everything Minato told him and everything he told Minato. He thinks of his father. He thinks of everything he wished for.

Clutching the letter, he rushes to his room, where he grabs a pen and paper and begins to write. Like Minato, he starts off with the formalities. He’s fine, he’s glad to hear that Minato is doing well. He answers his questions and requests—yes, he and Walter are friends now (given a very, very loose definition of friends, at least), and yes, he’ll tell Walter Minato said hi. He mentions Guriko’s visit, and talks about how she’s doing—adores Rinne, pretends not to like her husband but secretly does (not that Guriko herself admitted it, but Tiir could tell), and she’s making friends at school. And, of course, Kuma-san is doing fine as well, even if Tiir’s been unable to fully get the stains out.

He doesn't mention that last bit, however.

And then, finally—


He asks Miss Kirijo for an envelope, before making a note to stop by the post office on his way to work.

—

It’s Tiir's birthday again, and just as before, he’s spending it alone. This one is a bit more significant, however, for certain reasons.

As he expected, a bubble of apprehension rises inside of him, as he thinks about all this means and everything that’s going to happen from here on out. At the same time, though, it’s a relief, knowing that he’s made it this far.

His father couldn't keep him down.

Every prejudiced person he's ever met couldn't.

Ene, Lafra, and Pueka's deaths couldn't either—and he knows that they're still with him, even if only in spirit.

Really, he’s made it this far.

He’ll make it the rest of the way as well.

As night falls and his birthday passes, Tiir slips into his hiding place, where his sketchbook and Kuma-san lie. Lighting a few candles, he settles down onto the rug before picking up his sketchbook. Finally, he has his inspiration. It’s later than he would’ve liked, but better late than never.

And he might be taking a gamble on this, but—

He knows exactly what he wants to express now.

—

▶ Part 14