An Unexpected Visitor pv Hanako T. Closed

Hanako prided himself on his ability to sleep off anything. Whether it would be about his lack of skills compared to his siblings, the crushing guilt of hurting one of the people that made his 1st year in Hogwarts brighter, or the absence of his parents. He still managed to take a deep breath, sink into a pillow, and sleep it off. Once awakened and recharged, he felt so energized he could barely remember the sickening tug tearing him up from the inside like a ravenous beast claws sharp like needles and bites like the bitter cold of winter. It acted like a nightmare he had lived through and now is free and safe. But there was this bitter news that shaken his confidence in this skill. His father was seeing another. Another that wasn’t going by the name Asagao Tone. Another that he had never met. Another that he loved.

A part of him felt relieved that they thought he was old enough to know. That was the only thing good about that, anyway. The rest were bad enough to keep him awake for a while now. Then again, whose brilliant idea was it to tell a 12-year-old- who already had mega issues with his own parents - that there was another stranger involved that caused a rift so big that a chance to heal was basically non-existent? He didn’t cry when he found out. He was just...blank. A face devoid of emotion wouldn’t necessarily mean there was nothing in the mind. And boy was his mind racing.

First, it was wrath. How dare this lowborn decided to take what was his. As absent his father is, Hanako was still his son. The burning rage for his father wasn’t enough at all. He needed another one to blame for his broken family. Just an utter of their last name was enough to make him fist cloth, threatening to claw his palm so deep they’ll leave marks. After that it was guilt. Was it his fault his father didn’t love him? Would it be different if he was more like his siblings? Better yet- what if he never happened in the first place? On and one the days go on with his mind taunting him of a better reality if he wasn’t- himself. Everything he did to prevent this, to save himself from feeling sorry seems to be crashing down in an instant. He could physically feel his energy draining him away as the days go on. After days of being cooped up in his room, barely eating, the first thing he said to his butler was; “ Can I go to the Rainwoods?”

What tempted him to say that was beyond him. Rainwood and him weren’t on good terms at the moment and in the heat of spite, Hanako snagged away his favourite piece of cloth. The plan was to rip it open and burn it but that was before he had… other things to worry about. Now it was a ticket out of this place. The home he lived in, he couldn’t breathe properly in it anymore. What if that stranger ever graced the place with their toxicity. Had they visited the garden and admired the flowers he planted? Had they sat comfortably on his couch? Had a nice dinner on his dining table accompanied by his father that should’ve accompanied him? A bitter taste left in his stomach as the thought of his dad being happier with that wretched stranger. He thought of a place where he felt fresh and free and the first thing that came to mind was the owner of the item he stole and planned to destroy later.

Next thing he knew, he was standing in a foyer that seemed to have transported him 300 years back into the past. He didn’t even feel touching things out of curiosity. They looked so old, antique and aged with grace. Polished to their fine edges that he feared would get smeared if he dared to hover his hands over it. He knew Rainwood was rich but what the hell is this crap? He would’ve been r i c h if he sold these. He knew he had money the second he saw a bloody gold course in front of his house. A house- was an understatement. It was a crapping mansion. Hanako would not be surprised if camera men started popping out with microphones and actors in vintage dresses and suits with wigs that touched the sky recited scripts. That was what the Rainwood’s house looked like, a movie set. While it was nice to take his mind off his father- his thoughts were interrupted at a familiar voice that called out his name.

What was he doing, here? An excellent question he would love to ask himself. He assumed that, after their little fall-out, he would dread an interaction with the blonde pureblood. That was his method for every turbulence that stampeded on his life. Ignore it and pretend it doesn’t exist. But the second his ears picked up on Rainwood’s voice, his shoulders visibly lowered. His face, tired from the lack of sleep, seemed to regain just a bit of their colour. For the first time in days, he felt alive. Present and standing in front of someone who saw him, who thought of him. Despite those thoughts most likely being negative. That was understandable. There was just an oddly calming feeling that your presence has affected their thoughts somehow. Being pushed to the shadow where no one really sees you did that. It didn’t matter if you were remembered with bad memories as long as you were seen in the first place. Perhaps that was why he was so dramatic and loud. To be remembered. As childish as he sounded.

Having Rainwood call him his name, albeit the bitterness laced between them, Hanako smiled. He remembered me, he thought. Has his father ever done that? Call out his name with more than bland or uncertain tones? Thinking he was deep into thoughts, he showed Rainwood a paper bag he held when he came in. “ You..left this at camp “ he managed to say. In contrast to Rainwood’s salty tone, Hanako was calm and lacked the enthusiasm he used to have. “ Sorry for dropping in.. I just- thought I shouldn’t keep what’s not mine and-”

Opps wrong thing to say. Immediately- his face morphed into a face so unfitting for a happy child like him. His arms weakened, almost shaking. I shouldn’t keep what’s not mine . Was that him or the stranger? Who was the one truly the thief? Who was the one who ruined his dad’s life? He seemed to be too deep in a trance to notice his features drop by the second.

@Percival Rainwood

Percival frowned as he waited for the shorter boy to explain what he was doing here. From the boy's face, he could tell the other looked tired. In all his time of knowing Hanako, he had never once seen the boy look less than stress-free and well-rested. It was rather jarring to look at and a queasy feeling rose in his gut. Hanako looked exhausted and had bags under his eyes. Which could have been due to a lack of sleep. Yet, Percival did not know the cause that caused the boy to lose sleep. The other boy had always seemed care-free. He himself knowing very little about the other's problems. If the other even had any. Percival bit his bottom lip in concern as he studied the other. He wondered if the other's lack of sleep was due to the events that had taken place in the tent. Percival could still hear the choice words both had echoed at one another. They seemed to reverberate inside his mind as he wondered if things could have been different.

Things never seemed to go right for the pair, and his heart ached at the thought of things never going right. Sometimes he wondered if the burning fire of the Blossom Ball had burnt down the bridge of their friendship. He could picture it now, burnt and held together by only a couple of tethers. Percival couldn't remember the moment when their relationship had grown so fragile. It was possible that it had never been sturdy, to begin with. It was a thought that Percival did his best to avoid. Even though the thought seemed to have a knack at working its way into the forefront of his mind. Despite the bitterness that held steadily between them, Percival couldn't give up. It made his heartache watching the other suffer. Watching the other fall into danger. Maybe that was the reason why he kept trying to save Hanako. Despite the other's reluctance on letting him do so.

Percival's eyes slightly widened as the other smiled. Despite the smile on the other's face, it seemed tired. As if there was a hidden sadness behind it. The look made his gut twist harshly. The boy swallowed heavily as he watched the other hold up a paper bag. Confusion wormed its way into his brain as he debated the reasoning behind the bag. Thankfully, he wasn't left questioning for long. It seemed that he had left something at camp. Though he questioned exactly how he had managed to leave something of his behind. Percival made his way down the rest of the staircase. His steps echoing across the foyer as they came into contact with the dark wood of the stairs.

The boy stood in front of the other uncertainty and slight bitterness warred for space across his face. Both of his hands reached up and gripped the bottom of the paper bag in his hands. A small tug was enough to bring the bag completely into his grip. The boy spared no time to open the bag and gaze into it. To his surprise, his gaze fell onto his cream-colored turtleneck. The shirt was none other than his favorite shirt, and he couldn't help the rising doubt. Percival could not see himself just leaving his favorite shirt in their shared tent. His gaze flicked back up towards Hanako with slight surprise as the other continued to speak. Though the other's rambling cut off rather quickly. A little too quickly.

Percival wanted to say something, but his words were for a loss as he stared at the boy's expression. Now up close only a short distance away, Percival could see the way the boy's expression dropped. It seemed like the shorter boy was giving up the act. He swore he must be imagining the way Hanako's eyes turn slightly glassy. The way that his eyes slowly begin to brim with tears. In all their time together, Percival couldn't remember a time that he'd seen Hanako cry. Percival could recount the many times he had cried in front of the other. Sour memories that Percival had grown accustomed to disliking. Yet to see Hanako crying, to see the other inwardly suffering. His eyebrow's scrunched together as he stood in front of the other. Paper bag in hand. It made Percival want to just hug the other right there in the foyer.

A slight shuffle from a closed-door knocked him back to reality. How could he forget where he was. Where they were. Percival shifted the paper bag into his left hand. Before slowly gripping the other boy's wrist. He turned away, pulling the other behind him towards his room away from prying ears. There was no eagerness or force in the way he dragged the other deeper into the estate. Percival's face was creased from the seriousness of the situation. He stayed silent till the reached the door the led to his bedroom.

Percival's hand gripped the door handle, swinging it open, before letting go of the other boy's hand. He himself walked into the familiar room, stopping in the middle to look back at the shorter boy. Percival began to doubt bringing the other to his room. It was largely possible the other boy had just been about to leave. It was also possible the other didn't want to talk to Percival about his problems. Especially after showing his weakness by crying in front of the other. The boy had trouble figuring out exactly what to say the other. The weight of his words would affect how things would go. If Hanako reacted badly, then it would just be like the tent.

"If you would like to talk... It would be better to do it here, and not out there." he finally decided to say.

Interacting with: @Hanako Tone
Mentions: A Nosy Butler

[font=PT Sans]For a minute there, Hanako was ready for Percival to swing him out of the estate. It was a fairly easy job when Hanako was this scrawny compared to the blonde boy. He kept a straight face- determined not to look more pathetic. When they ventured deeper into the estate instead- Hanako thought that perhaps he was going to be locked in this lavish house forever instead. He didn’t know which two conclusions were worse but he allowed Percival to guide him either way, too weak to fight back. It was until they reached a certain door. Percival swang it open and lead them in.

"If you would like to talk... It would be better to do it here, and not out there."

“ I’m sorry?” he got a dumbfounded look on his face as he said this. Shocked that he was given the chance he wanted although he didn’t deserve it. “Right- right I- um.. This house isn’t as empty as it seems, yea?” he coughed awkwardly. Averting his eyes away from Percival for a minute, he allowed a sharp silence to fill the room that was rather uncomfortable. Now that he was here- he felt stuck. All those hours practicing what to say to the boy had flown away from his mind the second he was given the chance to speak. How sucky.


“ Right so where was I..uhhh.. Alright so how about I get this straight first and say what an unwanted asparagus meal I am, yeah? And.. I’ve been like that for a while. Before I met you- I’ve been uh- definitely too used to complimenting myself to have a normal speech during something like- yea yea so so..urgh let me try again”

“ I’ve been ...not the best guy for a while. And I’m sure that you aren’t a saint either right. So that’s why we got along. We don’t have expectations from one another. Point is, I’m not used to having someone do that. That whole- accepting me for whatever I do whether it's good or bad. Everywhere I go, especially at home- I’ve been just-” -sigh- “ trying to do my best to wreck what they expected me to be. I wreck because I know I can’t fulfill it. What they wanted. Or..specifically..my dad. And even if I tried- I’ll fail and when I do- it’s more burdensome for me. So I destroy- and demolish- and disappoint. That fuels me- as weird as it sounds. It’s what kept me sane for a long time. “ he confessed, feeling dangerously vulnerable than before.

“But with you..there was nothing for me to disappoint and that …er..maybe that came out wrong. What I mean to say is you don’t see me for what you wanted me to be. You put up with all my crap and you’re still cool with me! That is insane. I may have judged you too harshly for doing that as well but that's not the point. You...” he paused, deeply thinking his chosen words through.

“ confused me.. Very much. It felt liberating yet unfamiliar. And I don't like stuff that's unfamiliar and I… ended up taking it out on you..you know- during the fight club. And it's not only the fight club- its many other scenes I’m sure you could think of in your head. Where I just ...went over the line?”

“ I know apologies won’t fix anything- and that I'm sure you’re also as tired of this sappy stuff as I am - and trust me I wish I would stop already and just man up and say- “ he inhaled deeply and held his breath as if unsure of the new language he was speaking.

“ I'm sorry… . Sorry you had to put through all the crap I’ve burdened you with just because I didn’t know how to handle them on my own as well as I liked to believe.” as if he only remembered to breathe, he let out a long sigh- his tense shoulders visibly relaxing. “ Oh man that was tough..” he muttered under his breath, scratching the back of his neck tiredly. “ That’s all I wanted to say.” while he tried to look as nonchalant as possible, it was clear he was hesitant to hear Percival’s answer. Eager as well, but he told himself not to expect forgiveness anyway. Despite feeling as clear as glass, he took in the light feelings on his shoulders, wondering how long he placed a heavy load on his shoulders to have them this light after a short confession.
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@Percival Rainwood

Percival shifted slightly as he looked towards the black-haired boy. A permanent frown stuck on his face. His brows were furrowed in thought. He himself didn't know why he kept giving the boy in front of him a chance. In truth, they had only been...friends for about a year. It would have been easy to just slam the door in the boy's face. To forget about him and the havoc he had wreaked. Yet, something had stopped him. Maybe it had been old memories and feelings. That had come to head at the appearance of the boy who centered them.

"There are far too many ears in this place. Don't let the empty halls fool you." he said quietly. The boy walked over to his bed, taking a seat upon it. He didn't know what to do with himself. How was he supposed to act? He knew that Hanako was coming to apologize. It had been part of the reason why he brought the boy to his room. The last thing he needed was for the butler to hear about his school issues. He highly doubted his Grandfather would be understanding.

"You are right I don't require anything from you. I never wanted a better version of you. I...well in the worst of ways I just wanted you. Just as uncut and rough as I am. You don't think I understand the pressures of having to act perfect? I have to act a certain way when I'm here. I have my rules and my customs. If I even deviate for one second-." he started before letting out a sigh. Percival brought up a hand to rub at the bridge of his nose.

The boy took a second to recollect himself before he continued to talk. "When I'm with you I don't have any of that. I can be myself. No fake smiles or stiff suits. Just me...I always thought of us as flint and steel. When struck together we spark. We could burn the world down around us, and I would be happy for that." he said his tone turning wistful.

Percival's eyes widened at the boy's apology. He was fairly certain this was the first time the boy had ever apologized to him. To hear him actually say the words 'I'm sorry'. A part of him wanted to scream out into a void. Upset that after everything this was the only time the other boy had thought to apologize. The lake came into mind. Looking up at the stars through tears. Blurry stars weren't as beautiful. Another part of him felt a strange sense of relief. That the boy could actually apologize. That the other boy actually cared enough to apologize to him.

The boy fell backward onto the bed glancing up at the ceiling. "I don't want to cry anymore, Hana..." he started out quietly. "I just want you and me to be together. No expectations. I never wanted anything more than to be your friend." he said.

Interacting with: @Hanako Tone

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The Hanako that previously had always been eager to cut in long dialogs and give the attention span of a dodo when someone else was talking was nowhere to be found at the moment. Oddly, the Japanese boy paid full attention with his body stiff and breath hitched, as if frozen in time unable to do anything but listen to the other boy and the faint rapid beating of his heart audible to only him.

This stance he was in was an extremely different environment than what he was used to. Correction, he believed that he had never received a response like that. Not when he apologised at least. ‘ Damn, right you should apologize!’ ‘ Finally got the brain cells to get over that ego of yours?’ ‘ I didn’t know you understood what apologies meant’ ‘ I bet you don’t even mean it’. Those were the responses he was used to and expected. Not an explanation from the other's perspective as well as an attempt to understand each other? Bizarre! As bizarre as it was, Hanako could barely feel the small smile itching to grow on his face when he was too busy enjoying the fresh breath of relief washing over him.

He had never attempted to think about what it might have been like for Percival. An old habit of never thinking of others, he supposed. But it was mind-boggling about how much he got a peek at Percivals mind just from expressing his own feelings first. Would they have shared more if Hanako had never closed his heart from the start? Percival had always been a pretty rich boy but now he was a pretty rich boy with issues Hanako could sort-of-relate to. Percival seemed to have less freedom in getting to choose who he could be and how to act. At the very least, Hanako could easily stop being the asshat he usually is if he just wanted to. There would be no repercussion from others and the most it could do was make him suffer from his own cringe. What about Percival? Wizards lived a few centuries younger than normal muggles. While the muggles have only been more accepting of many things, the wizards- at least those who still live in an old fashioned castle like this- would probably be less accepting if their kin barged out with a suitcase and top hat screaming about their want for self-independence in khaki shorts and tie-dye shirts.

Hanako never wanted to understand anyone. Everyone else but him and his grandmother was as insignificant as ants. It was bothersome to even know their names. He said so all so easily like it was the ultimate truth and yet perhaps somewhere deep inside, he knew the real reason for his way of life. ‘So..you’re scared. Of what?’ Dee’s voice rang loudly in his memories. Those words that pissed him off endlessly and yet to have it be the first thing he thought of when he recalled his avoidant personality. Even he knew they were more than significant. A truth whose existence he deluded with words like ‘its too bothersome’. Who knew weeks later he would actually agree with his therapist.

Percival Rainwood who was meant to be another ant to Hanako ended up being a human. Which is why they are standing here today. Talking, expressing, and understanding as to the equals they are. The blonde pureblood, due to his background, had no choice but to fit in a box others had built for him. While he understood he was not meant to be out of the box, several moments the two shared had somehow given him the chance to break free. Despite that, Hanako scooted further back into his box. Perhaps the fight club had reminded Percival of how much it sucked being the only one who was out of the box. As odd as his weak attempt at an analogy was, reviewing the past events made Hanako certain that he was a true asshat. Good lord, he was a horrible partner.

"I don't want to cry anymore, Hana...I just want you and me to be together.No expectations.”

Thank the bloody lord Percival was staring at the ceiling because Hanako’s face had erupted in a flush of red as his heart might as well lurch out of his chest like a poorly digested intake of food with how fast it beats. ‘ I just want you and and...m-me?!?’ What the hell was he talking about?!? A love confession?!? The last thing he focused on was Percival's wish to avoid crying. What the hell is this confession doing here?!? Hanako's facial reactions were an obvious mixture of mortifying anger. Of course, his face had only gotten more red from this second.

“I never wanted anything more than to be your friend."

“ OH FRIEND! OH!” as if coughing out like a maniac would help him forget his sudden yelp in surprise as well as his ridiculous assumption a second before, he had to take a while to regain his composure. Going as far as turning his whole body away from Percival. Anything to hide his blushing face at the moment. “ Oh, I see... yes ..yes of course.“ he attempted to wheeze out as he took slow breaths that did nothing for his racing heart. Was he relieved Percival didn’t think of him as a love interest? He’d have terrible preferences if he did mean it romantically. That would’ve been another problem Hanako was not ready to face. Avoiding people was not the same as avoiding romantic relations. With a few crappy cookies and a talk with Dee, he was ready to change his way with people. But his opinions of love? He could only do so much character development in one summer. Oh, and yea Selfish Seilun was still Rainwood’s girlfriend, right? How was that the last thing on his mind? Perhaps she was less memorable than he thought.

“ Sorry,” Hanako said, before turning back towards Percival with a blush-free face. Like an elegantly composed swan. Like he didn’t just have a coughing fit a few seconds before. “ Friends..yea…” he muttered, a sweet genuine smile on his face.. “ I’d like that as well. I don’t want you to be the only one attempting any improvement in this relationship. Let's make it official then~ .” he walked to the spot right in front of Percival’s sitting form on the bed and extended his right hand, closing all his fingers but his pinkie.

“ I- Hanako Tone also known as Hannah, will stop hiding in his box around Percival Rainwood. I will create an atmosphere where fake smiles and stiff suits are not available in my vocabulary. I promise not to cry, not because I can’t but because I say ‘ screw that ‘ since I know that no matter what crap comes hurtling towards me, I can be assured that I can always burn the world alongside Percival Rainwood '' he said his vows with utmost seriousness. Nevermind that he almost tore and burned Percival’s favorite sweater just a day ago. Right now, he wanted nothing more than a restart with Percival. If he was left without an answer for even a second, he would shake his exposed pinkie with slight agitation. “ C’mon. Don’t leave me hanging. This is getting more embarrassing by the second. Announce your promise or suffer in awkward silence, Rainwood. “ he ushered, a tint of blush hiding behind his ears. Yet he made no attempt to shy away from his attempt at a pinkie promise.
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@Percival Rainwood
mentioning:@Daella Prince and @Opeila Winters

One of the first things Percival noticed as he spoke to Hanako was how stiff the other appeared to be. He wondered if he had truly surprised the other with his confession or simply had turned things uncomfortable between them. It did not go unnoticed that the other had yet to interrupt him. The meaning behind the silence either being good or bad. As the boy talked his gaze had looked upwards. To try and distract himself from the churning emotions deep within his chest cavity. In his mind, not looking at the source of these emotions would provide a sense of relief. Even if it would only be for a short while.

The boy's gaze snapped back down towards the dark-haired boy as the boy interjected loudly as he confessed his wants to Hanako. He gave the other a bewildered look despite the fact the other had shifted to look away from him. A sense of worry passed over him as he wondered if he had stepped too far too quickly. Maybe he should have approached things a bit slower when discussing his feelings for the dark-haired boy. Was the fact that he wanting to be close to him really that surprising? Percival didn't think so, but from the view of their misadventures, it seemed impossible. Intrusive thoughts filled his head wondering if it was too soon or too late.

Though, these thoughts were swept away as the other looked at him with a genuine smile. It was a type of smile that made him want to do a double-take. To make sure he wasn't imagining it. Percival would describe the feeling as if his sternum was cracking open. Though, he liked to imagine that it was the bitterness between them breaking free of its hold. "Alright alright one second while I think." he said as he thought of how to word his own promise.

Looking down at the pinkie held up to him he copied the gesture easily. A pinkie promise. It mused him as much as it made his heartache. Such a childish action between two children who have seen far more than should be allowed for their ages. A bitter smile crossed his face before it spread into something happier. It was a childish joy as if the world was nothing more than a pinprick away. Controlling parents and strict rules be damned. Nothing mattered outside of this room. There was only one chance to do this right, and he was eager to make their pinkie promise perfect.

"I Percival J. Rainwood promise to only be me around Hanako Tone. I will stop pretending, and be honest with you. I will help pick you up so that we can beat up the world together. I promise not to cry because I only want to be happy with you. Whether that is through mischief or company." he stated with a serious tone.

"Let's burn the world." he muttered out the last part as if it were a secret vow. A small promise as he hooked the other boy's pinkie with his own. With the pinkie promise complete it felt like a weight had been lifted free of his shoulders. The boy stared at the other with a gleeful smile.

Interacting with: @Hanako Tone