Into The Rose Garden (Seidou x Kanae/Karren)

Chapter One hundred and eleven - Downfall

Warning: This chapter tackles the heavy themes shown throughout the story. With multiple mentions of abuse. Such as physical, mental, emotional, and sexual abuse. While also dealing with a character's struggle with PTSD and trauma, sexual trauma included. You have been warned.

Hide strides over to Seidou's side as they moved along the parking lot, note in hand. "You want some help carrying that?" Seidou shook his head. "No, I-I'm fine." "What about help with Donut?" The female dog growled meekly, as if the idea of slight separation from her precious master was too much for her. "I...don't think she would like that very much." Hide then nodded, and left it at that.

It was a difficult time for them both, how was Seidou suppose to deal with being apart from the home. He left before, but...it was different this time. Like he was finding something instead of hiding from something, or someone. 

Seidou couldn't wait to get a hold to his phone. "Hey um, Hide...I wanted to thank you again, for insisting on this... It's just I..." Seidou sighed. "I don't even know how to explain it..."

Hide scoffed weakly, scribbling quickly. "Like I said, you don't have to explain things to anyone. Just because I'm your friend, you shouldn't feel obligated to share. But I am here to listen." Seidou smiled, left in silence as they climbed up the stairs. It was weird, it must have been years since Seidou paid a visit over to a friend's place.

"I am glad they accept pets here, though Donut is far from a 'pet'. After a lot of things, I don't think I can spend another night without her right now." Hide again nodded. Up the stairs, Hide trails the way into the correct room, looking at Seidou as he unlocked the apartment.

Once inside, Seidou takes a gander, twisting his head around. "Wow..." All the unfolded laundry, garbage bags, all of the...wrappers. "It's a uh..." "Sorry, I haven't been able to tidy up. I've been so busy with the search for you a-and...a few other personal things." Seidou shook his head lightly, carefully setting his baggage next to the sofa. "No no, it's alright. I'm just...surprised. I guess it's been a while since I've actually seen a messy room like this." Hide rolled his eyes, wishing to smirk if he could. "Whatever you say, mister housemaid." Seidou laughs softly, patting the couch for Donut to lay onto. "Don't make fun of me~..." Hide chuckles weakly in return. "That's what friends are for." Seidou couldn't but smile as he took a seat right next to Donut. 

Seidou awkwardly pat his knees, finding a difficult time to express this. Though making it easier that it wasn't all based around certain feelings or events. "Hey um, I feel like I should at least warn you...of some things...about me." Hide uses his right hand to sign, meaning the word 'ok'. 

Seidou sighs. "So...as you might know, I have my...mental illness..." Hide discreetly raised the page up. "PTSD?" "Y-Yes...that... So uh, I just thought you should know some things... With that condition, it comes with a bit to handle. Like for one, you may have noticed that I may not be comfortable with certain things... Like, I may not feel safe around power tools, or being grabbed. There are a lot, and I'm sorry if something you do unintentionally may...upset me. B-But it's fine, I just wanted to give you that heads-up, just in case." Seidou chuckles nervously. "Ok...I-I'm going to stop talking about this."

Hide shook his head. "You...want me to tell you?" Hide nodded without a second thought, and Seidou sighed in defeat. "Fine, but I'll have to summarize some parts."

Seidou then cleared his throat. "I may have a hard time with...flashbacks, I think that's what you call them. S-So if I'm experiencing one, just try to bring me out of it carefully...my therapist told me grounding exercises help, but recently it's been quite scary to do alone!" Seidou attempted to half-joke. "But yeah, they're...terrifying. You have no idea until you see it happen. I hope it doesn't but still. So maybe approaching me with caution might help, I don't know. I've only ever had to have Karren help me out with this stuff, so I apologize if I don't sound all-knowing." Seidou's smile came back, as Hide reaction appeared thoughtful. And he began to speak more calmly.