His Other Half (KiriBaku)

Chapter 30

October 17th, XX84
-Eijiro's Infirmary Room-

       "Silly boy," Hana scolded as she sat, grazing her thumb across a cut on Eijiro's cheek. "Silly, awful, reckless boy. What were you thinking? You beat him, Eiji, why keep going?"

        Eijiro tried not to growl at his mother, swallowing the nerves that came with her disapproval. He had very rarely been on this side of her glare, and he didn't much care for it. Hana wasn't one much keen on violence, and before his taking he had been the same. Seeing her beauty now, marred by ruddy cheeks and reddened eyes betraying her tears, served to remind him of that. Still, he felt himself justified. That man, that cretin, deserved every blow, every mark for the one he'd left on Eijiro's beloved prince. "Mama, you saw what he did to Katsuki," he defended, keeping his temper in check.

        She pursed her lips. "Baby, hurting them is not the answer—"

        Fury bubbled up into his blood from no where, pouring out before he could stop it. "They hurt me!" Eijiro snapped for a second, quieting when she flinched. "Mama, I'm not the same anymore. I've been trying, but sometimes I just can't." He tossed his hands up and settled them back in his lap, clutching the rumpled blankets, helpless. "They made me a monster, Mama. But if I can... if I can use that to help him feel safe, then why shouldn't I? Against scum?"

        She slipped her hands carefully over his, holding back tears the best she could. She was quiet for a long time, considering his questions that a part of him hoped she had the answers for. Wasn't it okay to use his strength to protect? To use his anger to avenge? Didn't Katsuki deserve to feel safe in his own damn bed?

         Eijiro considered that maybe he'd scared her, or she didn't agree. His new armor from the blacksmiths' guild was meant to look intimidating, terrifying even. And he'd been ruthless in the arena, unhinged in his vengeance, a mad animal finally let out of the cage.

        "You've changed," she said sadly after her long silence. "I love you, baby, I do. I always will. But I hate what they've turned you into."

        Eijiro swallowed the thick knot in his throat, watching her hands move along his calloused fingers. She found blood smeared along his palms, and with a glare found a washcloth at his bedside to clean them. "I know, Mama. I hate it too."

        Hana was gentle with his hands, gentler than even Katsuki. It was drier here in Argo, and without the humidity of Andoris and that dreaded cellar his hands had begun to crack, tiny sensitive fissures opening up to be filled with sand and dried blood. He knew they needed to be cleaned, or they would get infected. He felt her love in her care, a mother's touch he'd been forced to go without for so long.

        Absently, he began scratching at his third finger, the nervous habit he'd had so long it kept him company in Andoris. Hana noticed the movement, a small smile creeping to her lips. "You used to twist your engagement ring," she told him, as if it were a big secret.

        He blinked at her, looking back down at his hand. His thick, rough, murderous hand. "Do you think it will still fit?" He asked quietly.

        She was quick to banish that train of thought. "I think if it doesn't, it wouldn't be too hard to fix. Outgrowing a ring is not prophecy of a failed marriage." Her tone suddenly took the chiding, matter of fact scolding Eijiro hadn't missed. "I told you not to rush, that you were still a boy, but you insisted, you stubborn child. Now your hands are all grown up and you're frightened because you didn't listen to me."

        Eijiro protested. "I listened! I made it bigger."

        "Yes, so that it would fall off," she criticized mirthfully. "Wonderful job, dear."