Breaking Down Near Muddy Water pv Tone Finished

Hanako could not have been more ecstatic to have been suggested by Percival to escape outside when they aren’t supposed to. One of the many hobbies he possessed are doing things he shouldn’t do. It possibly came from his history of acting out when he wasn’t given enough attention.

But here in Hogwarts, he didn’t have a caretaker nagging him 24/7 nor a driver/bodyguard to keep tabs on him. Here, he was free.

Although he would usually decline a request to get out of bed, when will be the next time Percy invites him out on an activity? Hanako saw how he charmed people with his...usual personality. He was merely counting the minutes until he leaves for a nicer friend. As he always convinced himself every time he was about to engage in a bonding activity with Percival, ‘ Might as well ‘.

He didn’t know if it was just a less destructive way to pass his time or a pathetic attempt at making Rainwood stay but thinking about it just made his head hurt. Percival inviting him to the lake seemed like a string just begging to be cut. With all the overthinking, even with his lack of emotional intelligence, he knew there was something wrong with him.

He didn’t feel at ease yet he felt himself continuing to smile and agree. He’ll think about this later. Like everything else that seemed to bother him.

Once they had reached the lake, the cold air nipped at Hanako’s exposed skin and the subtle breeze did it’s best to ruin Hanako’s hair. Ha! To that he’ll say. Because he anticipated the wind’s attack on his hair and brought a hat.

Perhaps not the best way to protect your hair but his hair spray needs refilling so it’s inevitable.

Upon their arrival, Percival seemed less concerned about his hair, and excitedly proclaimed their success in getting to the lake without any run-ins with teachers/prefects.

He then asked Hanako about his skill in rock-throwing, to which he replied with a low hum. Pondering if he should pretend he knows it or not. Was throwing rocks cool enough to be associated with him?

“ I think… I need to be impressed by your own skill in the arts of rock-throwing first, if you ever want to see me bother to show you real rock throwing~ “ he mused, gleefully.

Now that he chose to say that, he really needed to pay close attention to Percival if he didn’t want to hurt his own pride.

Percival appreciated the fairly quiet nature of the pond. It gave him time to think about everything that had been going on these past couple weeks. He hadn't heard from his uncle in a couple of weeks, he didn't go to the dance with the girl he liked. The list seemed to go on forever, and it created a heavy feeling in his stomach.

He glanced back towards Hanako taking in the other's hat. He honestly had no clue that Hanako even owned a hat like that, and it was a little funny to look at. "Nice hat." he said with a grin.

The boy went to pick up a fairly flat stone, near the water's edge, and twirled it around. Percival could barely make out his own figure in the water's surface, and for the first time he noticed his hair. His hair was fairly messed up from its usual style. The hair stuck up in random areas, and it looked as if he had taken a blow dryer to it.

Percival shook his head before standing back up. "Maybe I should have brought my hat. It's going to be a pain to comb through." he noted with a small smile.

The boy smirked as Hanako gloated about his own rock throwing skills. "Oh really?" he said raising an eyebrow. "I've been skipping rocks for years now, and I bet I'll be better than you." he said a grin showing on his face.

Percival squared up in front of the lake silently admiring the way the moonlight reflected on the water. Swinging his arm across his body, Percival quickly tossed the rock into the water. The rock skipped only two times before sinking below the murky colored water. It wasn't the best he had ever done. Last summer, he had gotten it to three skips though it had taken a whole afternoon.

The boy turned to Hanako with a pleased look on his face. "See? I told you." he said with a smile.

@Hanako Tone

At the mention of his hat, Hanako rolled his eyes with a genuine smile. The hat was a bit silly, yes. A sort of fishermen hat that even he questioned as to why he has it. He wasn’t much of a fashion person. The one who always picked his clothes was always Lei. But the two haven’t been hanging out lately.

He didn’t realize his obvious fall in expression at the thought of his supposed companion. Thinking about him would be futile now. Shaking his head, he tried to focus on Percival’s skipping rocks instead.

By his side, he stood and leaned down just enough to see the movements of Percival’s hand. He watched closely as the boy made his first attempt to skip a rock, determined to show him Hanako could do better than him.

There were a few mistakes made in the most crucial part of this investigation. One, Hanako failed to notice what sort of rocks he needed to pick. With just enough general knowledge of basic science, he assumed it would have to be flat.

Great, he got that step done.

Now the second mistake was slightly impossible to avoid, considering his observation skills were not the best. Before he had time to even take note of his position, Percival had flung the rock and there the rock goes. Two skips before sinking in the body of water.

Hanako was having quite a bit of trouble showing how unimpressed he is instead of freaking out. So, what was the best plan to go through this?

“ Tch. Good try, Rainwood. Good try “. Pretend he could do it and leave it to luck of course.

After he had chosen a flat stone, he went for it and flung it to whatever he deemed fit.

Perhaps it was the extra force he placed in his throw, but the rock took quite a flight. A little too far. He watched as his chosen rock flew with force before losing its flight slower and slower, until finally it dropped into the lake, creating small visible ripples to see where it landed.

“ It’s quite windy today, ain’t it?” He nonchalantly said with a smile, eager to pretend he just made a fool of himself. He only hoped Percival would go along with it. Knowing him, he would at least snicker at his failure.

He stretched his arms up in the air with a tired yawn. Linking his fingers together, he rested his hands behind his head and took a look at the stars.

“ It’s like someone barfed stars on the night sky “. He casually mentioned, briefly describing the eye-catching scenery he was witnessing with Percival.

@Percival Rainwood

When Percival had been throwing his rock he couldn't help but feel the pressure. Especially, with Hanako watching his every move. Percival of course just chalked it up to him wanting to watch him fail.

After Percival's initial pride he glanced towards Hanako with a haughty look. "Good try? You can do it more than two times?" he questioned raising an eyebrow.

Percival looked towards the lake waiting for Hanako to skip the stone. To say the least, Percival couldn't help but feel disappointed. The stone hadn't even done a single skip.

Percival couldn't help the chuckle that escaped his lips. The boy brought a hand to his mouth to hide the wide grin that now sat on his face.

The boy flopped down onto the sand, not caring if he got sand onto his slacks. Another chuckle escaped his lips, as he flopped onto his back. Percival was now lying spread-eagle looking up at the stars.

Percival couldn't even begin to try and count them. It honestly looked like someone had taken white paint and splattered it across the sky. "Yeah it kinda does." he said a couple of chuckles escaping his mouth.

Though as his laughs died away tears began to prick at the corner of his eyes. He couldn't help but think of everything that had been accumulating over the past couple of months. It hurt the waiting hurt. The only family he cared for had thrown their relationship away as if it meant nothing.

His tears began to build up in his eyes before spilling down his cheeks. The tears fell hot down his face, and he let out a small sob.

'Am I really that dispensable?" his thought causing another strangled sob to escape him.

Percival honestly forgot that Hanako was only a few paces away. It didn't occur to him that he was crying in front of his only friend.
"God I just wanna go h-h-home." he sobbed covering his face with his arms.

Interacting with: @Hanako Tone

He was only admiring the stars and pretending he didn’t just embarrass himself. He didn’t sign up for this to have Percival start sobbing. At lost at what to do or say, he said nothing ad decided the best way to treat someone crying was to pretend they were not.

Pity. He didn’t like pity. Especially when it was directed to him. It was common in his train of thought to be pitiful of other people but it was out of pure sarcasm like ‘ Aha! Poor kid isn’t as smart as me’ or ‘ Kudos! I’m definitely the most handsome kid in this class, including the professor!”. Such useless things that, but he tried to avoid raw sorrow from others. Hoping to not be a hypocrite he’d try to do the same to others.

It was the whole point of his cheerful demeanor, was it not? No one with emotional turmoils would want to be around someone so sunny and go-lucky like him. He’s appeared himself as an insensitive buttocks and honestly, he’d like to believe he was. It was supposed to make people believe he could not give the proper response to crying and it’s not even far from the truth.

So, could someone please point out why this ally of his was sobbing around him?

Was the wind too cold? Was Rainwood a bit sleep-deprived that his emotions started pouring out? He was tempted to ask and give him some tips to sleep better. Hanako slept a lot so he would always have a clear head. So he wouldn’t spill emotions like th- ah there’s that pity oh dear he didn’t like that, he didn’t want to do that.

He was actually starting to tear up himself. “ Home?” He slipped out, using his fishing hat to casually cover his eyes. Why must he cry about one of the topics Hanako was sensitive about? Out of all the topics he could’ve had, honestly!

There was no urge to pity the guy, but there was an invisible pull tugging Hana closer to delving into the sad moment instead. As much as he hated to admit it, he missed it too. He laid down on the grassy floor and covered his whole face with the hat, placing a hand on it making sure it won’t go away.

He was aware he might be seen as emotionless by Percival, and at worst he was seen in a dimmer light. He would be lying to say that he was not upset at that. It was something that was going to happen soon anyway. What difference does it make? It was a miracle Percival hasn’t been disappointed in him yet, so what better time than now.

@Percival Rainwood

Percival didn't know how long he laid on the ground like that. With his arms stretched out wide.

Staring at the night sky as his sobs quieted down. The night sky was always so pretty.

The boy hiccuped here and there but stayed mostly silent. He could feel the grass on his back, and he knew his clothes would probably have grass stains.

Percival had always loved the stars, the stars were pretty and reliable. They weren't like father figures who felt the need to disappear for lengths at a time.

It did not take long for the tired feeling to sink into his bones. Percival wondered if he would ever not feel tired after this.

Percival felt like he had just run a marathon, but in reality, the boy hadn't even moved an inch.

Awareness slowly crept onto him as he remembered he was not alone by the lake. The boy could not help it as his eyes slowly slid to the other figure.

He knew he should not have been upset by the seemingly uncaring figure near him.

The boy could honestly not tell as the boy's weird hat covered his face quite well.

Percival could honestly be foolish sometimes, he chalked up the hat as the other trying to distance himself from the other's earlier sobs.

In a way, the hat seemed like a wall set up between them. A boundary that Percival had just stepped over.

He was never one to spout his problems out to the world. Maybe it's because he thought his problems made him weak.

'I'm not weak.' he thought to himself bitterly.

Even in his own mind, it sounded like a lie as he brought up a hand to wipe away his tears. He glared at nothing as he wiped his tears away.

Despising what they represented.

Percival frowned to himself turning his gaze back up to the stars. As he did so, he began to feel an itch to escape. To pretend that tonight had never happened.

He sat up slowly, not bothering to glance towards the other boy. Percival didn't want to make eye contact with the other.

In a way, he was afraid of the mischievous and teasing look that could be present in his eyes.

Percival stood up quickly and looked towards the path that would lead back to the castle.

The boy took in a silent breath before collecting his resolve.

"I'm going to head back." he said quickly before heading back to the castle at a steady pace.

If the other had said anything, Percival was already too far away for him to fully hear anything. Percival made his way back to the dorm alone.

Though it would not be long till the other made their way down the dirt path.

To say he was ignoring everything around him wouldn’t be further from the truth. To drown out the crushing tension between the two, he preoccupied himself with thoughts of his own. Thoughts was a nice way to put it. In reality, it was more like repeating the same phrases over and over again in hopes that somehow his brain will actually believe it. Trying to find the place where he didn’t even believe in. It’s ridiculous, finding somewhere that never existed. But there was no better way to describe his emotions at the moment.

When a light is lit- he tried to blow it out. The lit candles representing his urge to say something- anything to the clearly upset boy. The worst part was that there wasn’t even one candle he had to blow out. Hundreds, thousands. Endless candles that keep lighting them up and as he diminishes each one, another lights up. Desperate for an escape- to keep the room of his mind dark. Allowing it to light up- or in this case- saying something to Percival would only mercilessly tear out a layer of his personality. He’ll stop seeing Hanako as someone carefree, funny, and incapable of anything but that. The urge to help him, to sympathize, the care he held for him- all would be revealed if he just allowed any candle to live. He’ll be weak. So he kept killing them.

All those daunting minutes he hid himself from the world outside the dark space his silly hat offered him to keep himself from hugging Percival. Tell him it was alright, and cry along with him as well. Let them drown in the questions that didn’t have an answer but at least could bask in the fact that they both were in pain, so might as well do it together. But he kept it dark. He blow out every candle he could find. Content with the dark space that was his own where no one could see, not even him. He wasn’t emotionless. He could feel it all, but in the process of protecting everyone else from seeing parts of him, he was shielding himself from it as well.

Finally, there was a candle that wouldn’t quit. One that holds the memories Percival Rainwood shared with him that had unfortunately stabbed itself to deep into his mind that it was left as a scar no ointment is able to heal completely. Specifically, the times they had fun together. It was terrifying similar to the memories he shared with Lei, only recently and Lei’s candle had been blown out a long time ago.

For a moment, there was a tauntingly sweet assurance that whispered promises of comfort and a future where Percival would not despise him for who he is behind the persona he put up to be. Maybe it won’t turn out like his parents, who had seemed the abandoned him the moment his brighter, luckier siblings unknowingly pushed him off the spotlight. Rather, his parents were the one that did the pushing. Rainwood, was a gem, he allowed himself to think. A whole galaxy decorated with burning stars and passed by millions of asteroids while Hanako himself saw himself as one of those stars around him, just...dimmer than the rest. Even if he’s gone, he’s positive Percival had already surrounded himself in much better friends in all aspects Hanako could never achieve. It was only a reality waiting to come. Which was why he kept a timer on how long he’s able to be happy around him.

He assumed it was ticking, he just didn’t know for how long. What if this time- in this moment, the timer stops? The thought made his heart racing uncomfortably fast. So what if it is right now? Rainwood had already exceeded the expected time and all it took was Hanako to accept the blatant future.

A future without a friend.

“Percy..I-” the words slipped out of his mouth as his own hat slid off his face before he could even form what he was going to say- except he didn’t need to because,

Percival was gone.

He stared blankly at the empty space that once resided a young blonde Slytherin, his honey-brown orbs stirred something that was not usually seen in the boy. He agitatedly bit his lip, threatening to taste his own blood but there was no physical pain that could be greater than the pain in his chest and the howling banshee screeching mind.

He planned this, he thought as he laid back down on the grass.

This is a reality, he thought as tears started to spill

It was better this way, he thought as silent screams exits his mouth

He was safer without him.

( ◡́.◡̀)T h r e a d C o m p l e t e(^◡^ )

@Percival Rainwood