I'll tell you all how the story ends

[cleartranquil]

Who: Ghost Quest kids and all those who want to see them.
What: So as it turns out, going against the label might've been a bad move. Who knew, right? 
When: Feb 3rd and after 
Where: Pride HQ
Warnings: Talk of torture, aftermath of violence, aftermath of brainwashing, dudes there's some dark stuff.

For the past three days, the troublemakers and ghost helpers of Pride Records were kept locked away from their friends and their bands. 

As far as everyone else knew, they were just gone. And then they were back. 

They are all worse for wear, some far more than others and some much more mentally than physically, but they are all returned to their penthouses, finally, at the end of their ordeals. 

But, at least they're back. Somewhat in one piece. For the most part. 

Comments

[wounds]

No flesh, no blood. And I never formed attachments. Not... Not until Saitama. [He meant so much to Genos. Saitama was somebody Genos was sure he'd never lose- he was strong and good and he earned Genos' love and respect.

But all of it, every word, every action- it must have been a lie.

Even worse, Genos fell for every bit of it.]

I won't. I'm not falling for it again. [Or more accurately, he's putting up walls and he's not letting anybody else through them.]

[sharktrash]

[ He huffs. ] Well, if you wanna get anatomical.

[ Still, that little detail is a bit concerning. So Genos wasn't really... close to anyone until that man? And then this. Just makes it all the more terrible. ]

[ But... what was that Roy mentioned about 'brainwashing'? Still, nobody but Genos would know the best. ]

[ He'll sort of squeeze him a bit and plant a generous Italian kiss on his temple. ]

Good. You deserve the very best.

[wounds]

[He didn't have anyone until Saitama. No friends at least, just his doctor. Saitama was the person who let him regain humanity, bit by bit.

And even though he can say those words, he's not sure if he entirely means it. A part of him still wants to be at Saitama's side- but hearts can be stubborn things.

He'll let Squalo fuss over him for the moment- wiping away his own tears.]

... Maybe.

[He doesn't think so, not with the way he still feels about Saitama.]

[sharktrash]

It'll get better. You'll see.

[ One way or another. He holds him for a moment longer, then finally lets go, trying to sound as encouraging as possible. ]

You know what always helps me when I'm down? A hot bath and a nice meal. Come on, I'll make anything you like.

[ hint hint nudge ]

[wounds]

I have no particular likes or dislikes.

[It's said so automatically. It's a weirdly true statement from... before.]

But a bath sounds good.

[sharktrash]

[ FROWNS okay the cyborg game is getting intense. ]

A mug of warm machine oil, maybe? [ Okay no that's a little mean. ] Fine, I'll surprise you.

[ Now we're getting something. He gets up and ruffles his friend's hair. ]

Good. I'll turn the water on. [ Small pause. ] Try not to beat yourself up too much, okay? And -- cry if you need to. I won't tell anyone.

[wounds]

I can't ingest that in this body.

[Which is to say, he could in his cyborg one.

He'll let Squalo ruffle his hair.

As much as they've messed with his mind- he knows he's in the wrong body. Even as he wipes away his tears, he can't help thinking that it's wrong.]

I cried oil... I cried for Saitama once too.

[sharktrash]

Maybe later, then.

[ He pats his shoulder, but that next piece of information stops him from leaving. He leaves his hand there and crouches down again. ]

Do you remember why?

[wounds]

After Saitama, who became too strong, told me about his empty sadness, I couldn't stop the crying. I wasn't as strong as him, but I wanted to be at least strong enough to be by his side.

.. I know it sounds stupid, but I cared about him.

[sharktrash]

[ ... ]

[ Have more hugging, Cyborg Prince. Actually, with how much physical contact there's been in the last five minutes, he might start feeling like some kind of calm is being slowly poured into him. Squalo's special treat, which he's still not aware of, though it's still possible to shake off. ]

It's not stupid. I know what it means to care about someone -- I think I do. Even if -- even if you feel different now, you had no way of knowing back then, right? It's not your fault.

[wounds]

[He seems to at least relax as Squalo keeps hugging him.

His heart aches, he's been betrayed, he's bitter-- and he still wants to be at his side.]

I should have known. I never should have gotten close.

[sharktrash]

[ Genos? Relax? Quick, somebody take pictures!! ]

There's no point beating yourself up over the past, you know. What you should do is decide what to do from now on.

[wounds]

[What the hell is he supposed to do?

Saitama is already running around here...

So really that suggestion just leaves him looking absolutely lost.]

[sharktrash]

...

[ He sighs and stays for a while longer, slowly stroking the other's back. He's out of things to say, really. He's never been good at this. He should just go and see to setting up that bath and dinner, the sort of care he's capable of providing. But he can't bring himself to leave Genos alone when he's looking this vulnerable. ]

Do you want to forgive him?

[wounds]

[He shouldn't want to. But Saitama was the reason he even found his humanity back.]

... A little.

[sharktrash]

Do you think he's worth it?

[ He can't help but think there's someone he could forgive anything. Even if that person killed everything he holds dear -- ]

[ There's no judgement in his tone, just a simple question. ]

[wounds]

[He's confused at himself, struggling to figure out what's right.

But...

But when it comes to Saitama- There's nobody else in the world that he puts on the same pedestal.]

I'll always think he's worth it.

[sharktrash]

[ Why would you care about what's "right", though? Shouldn't you do whatever feels good to you? ]

[ He frowns. He really doesn't want to encourage him, but... He feels as if he's been in a similar place before. Hurt by someone important to him, and someone kind offering him everything as long as he agrees to leave him behind. The answer was, of course, no. ]

Then maybe it's fine.

[wounds]

[Because that's what a Cyborg of Justice should care about.

... Even under the belief that Saitama was a monster- horrible- killed his family- that his life is better for not having Saitama in it--

He wants to be at Saitama's side.]

... Maybe. I don't feel sure of anything, anymore.

[sharktrash]

[ Wow calm down there Robo Cop. ]

[ Sighing, he gives him one last squish/pat. ]

No wonder. You've been through a lot. You need rest, yeah? Try to think about something else for now. You'll sort this out later.

[ He'll go turn that water on and start whipping up some homemade pizza in the kitchen. ]

[wounds]

[What's this calm you speak of.]

... Yeah. Alright. [He'll think of it while his soaking, but nobody needs to know.]

Thanks, Squalo.

[sharktrash]

[ Idk it's supposedly his alignment but he has literally no chill most days. ]

[ Have an encouraging smile. Which actually looks mostly like a smile this time and not some kind of lewd smirk or "We're here to kill Batman". ]

Hey, no biggie. That's what family's for.

[ For some reason, "family" seems extremely important to him nowadays. Congratulations, cyborg boy, you're apparently part of it. ]