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Takemichi stands in front of Mikey, so strong and powerful despite his lips being sealed shut by the demons of his past. Through his eyes, he conveys so many words but says none, and Mikey thinks that’s beautiful.
The Kanto Manji leader can’t help but admire him, his chest puffed and his blonde dyed hair swaying in the wind that whips past the train carts, it gives off the feeling of Takemichi being a god, ethereal, untouchable. He’s always been so effortlessly alluring, even in the middle of a fight or after taking a beating to the face.
Blue eyes stare at him and Mikey finds himself diving into them, getting lost in the array of colours that swirl in his eyes.
Mikey feels woozy, sluggish and unmotivated for the fight ahead, but he was the one had arranged it, so he has to go through with it, even though he regrets it now.
He was just angry, angry about Draken’s death, angry about so many pointless things he can’t even remember them anymore. The fight is meaningless now, but who is Mikey if not his best? If he isn’t the Invincible Mikey, would anybody even care?
Takemichi takes a step closer to the elder blonde, most definitely realising the inner turmoil going on within. It successfully distracts Mikey from his thoughts and he looks up — he didn’t even know he’d looked down — watching silently as Takemichi stalks towards him.
He does so silently, almost like he’s not even there at all. The only thing that tells Mikey that he is, is the after print of his shoes in the wet mud.
White eyes bore into blue, as Takemichi stops a meter away from Mikey, analysing him, wanting to know what he’s going to do next. Will he strike, or will he surrender? Only one of those options seems most likely.
Suddenly becoming aware of all the eyes staring at him, Mikey speaks, “why did you stand up, with that beaten, bloody body of yours?” He turns his back slightly, looking off to the side, but just enough that he can still see Takemichi in the corner of his eye, “do you really think you stand a chance against me, Hanagaki Takemichi?”
The younger shakes, he shakes so much that it looks like he’s vibrating, and then he throws his first punch.
It almost lands on Mikey’s face.. almost, but the Kanto Manji leader kicks his foot up, the toe of his boot hitting the cusp of Takemichi’s jaw.
Takemichi skids back, his already wrecked Toman outfit becoming more frayed as time goes on. The young boy lets out small, breathless pants as he slows, looking at the dark, twinkling night sky above.
And then he sits up, surprising Mikey to the point where his white eyes widen, staring at Takemichi incredulously. In an instant, the Toman leader is on his feet, and begins rushing him again, springing forwards on agile feet. Takemichi throws his fist, hazardously and very obviously lacking of true experience.
This happens again and again and again, until Mikey begins to feel bored, the force of his kicks lessening as time goes on. “You should be dead by now..” he says slowly, watching as Takemichi stumbles unsteadily. There’s a part of him deep inside that desires to go over and support him, but now, Mikey doesn’t believe he’s allowed the honour.
Another few kicks are thrown, accompanied by Takemichi’s punches. Mikey can only find himself to say, “you.. you’ll die for sure.”
Takemichi seems to be determined though, and charges forwards once more. The Kanto Manji leader gets ready to throw another kick and just as it’s about to hit, the younger puts his arm up, successfully blocking one of the blows. Mikey flinches back, his hands clenched by his side. Takemichi just.. Takemichi blocked his kick.
The dyed blonde throws his fist once more, taking advantage of Mikey’s slight distraction to land another hit.
Although it seems like he isn’t, Mikey’s ready for the blow and throws his leg up again, trying to collide it straight with Takemichi’s face. The younger only leans back, just narrowly dodging the shoe passing by his chin.
He continues dodging and the discussion from members finally getting up — after having their asses handed to them — get louder as time passes.
Takemichi blocks one, then another, and another, until Mikey’s white eyes are wide with confusion. “Could it be.. that you know my movements?” The youngers eyes widen and that’s all Mikey needs to know he’s hit the nail on the head.
And although he knows that Mikey now knows how he’s dodging so successfully, Takemichi continues, moving out the way of the Kanto Manji leaders kicks like his life is depending on it. In a way, it probably does. On the odd chance that Takemichi’s visions don’t work to block one of his kicks, a blow to the head could kill him, especially considering his current health.
Mikey conjures the little strength he has left and swings his leg towards again. He dodges, as expected and goes to strike again.
Someone does, but the person who strikes isn’t Mikey, instead, it’s Takemichi.
Takemichi’s fist flies straight towards the elders face, knocking him backwards and onto his front. He spins and skids onto the floor, the jagged concrete slashing against his face, leaving small scratches in their wake.
The place erupts in shouts, “Toman, Toman!” Being echoed around the train tracks, almost deafening at its peak. Mikey gets up and onto his feet, staggered and hesitant as he wipes his nose, a fresh stream of blood falling from the holes.
“Manjiro..” Takemichi speaks, his voice weak and quiet due to not using it in god knows how long. It causes whole area to hush silent, a complete turn from their previous shouting, baffled that the silent boy finally decided to speak after so long.
“Takemichi,” Mikey replies in a hushed tone, the shock of the Toman Commander speaking his name bringing him to tears, and suddenly the fight seems meaningless.
Takemichi’s voice, just like everything else about him, sounds like it was personally hand crafted by those above, so mesmerising and soft that it entrances Mikey, just one word is enough.
Mikey faults his stance, originally going to go for another kick, but his brain short circuits and he lowers it, standing almost dumbly as he stares at Takemichi with wide, confused eyes.
“You.. you spoke?”
Takemichi only shrugs, looking away, suddenly feeling quite sheepish. A small, light blush is evident on his cheeks before he looks back. Only two words come out of Takemichi’s mouth, but it has much more of an affect than Mikey could ever realise.
“Come home,” he says softly, his voice still rough and scratched.
Words, Mikey realises, are strange. Who knew two syllables could make him want to cry, to stop all of this. Who knew they’d make his mind calm, getting rid of all the bad thoughts that cloud his mind.
Takemichi watches as the white dissipates from Mikey’s eyes, returning them to their natural desolate black and begins to feel like he can finally breath, the tension on his chest falling away as the elder looks around, like he didn’t really realise what was going on.
“Takemitchy?” Mikey whispers, on the edge of tears as he steps closer, legs shaking like newborn a fawn.
The younger takes a slow step forward and opens his arms, inviting the Kanto Manji leader into his embrace with a soft, forgiving smile.
Mikey breaks in that moment, taking the two hurried steps towards Takemichi. And the onslaught of tears fall, as Mikey sobs into Takemichi’s chest. The younger wraps his arms around the elder, his warm embrace grounding Mikey in ways no one else could.