II Agere Oneshots!

Coping (Humanized, Knife and Suitcase)

[Takes place after Ep 11 elimination]

Suitcase was never one to confront her problems, she always tried to... but deep down—she knew she couldn't take on the task.

And yet, here she was, standing a short distance away from the elimination portal—with nothing but her thoughts as an audience. As the rest of the Grand Slams have already taken their leave.

She had said something, but she didn't bother trying to recount the event. She didn't even bother remembering it all herself. Her mind raced with memories of the first friends she'd made on the show.

Everything felt fuzzy and confusing, she still couldn't wrap her head around what just happened. She found herself asking where everyone went. Where she could find her teammates, her friends, her teachers, her—

Her dad.

Where is her dad?

It was true that her father hadn't talked to her in years, but it didn't mean he'd abandoned her as everyone else did. It doesn't mean that they didn't love each other. It's not the end of the world if she can't see her for a few years.

But she couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. That something was very, very wrong.

She took a step forward, and another, until she was right in front of the portal. She looked up at the floating orb before it subsequently shut off after being on for so long.

She made a small noise of confusion, before reaching her hand out to wisk the air.

"Suitcase?" Someone called—as the suitcase shot her head around.

"Hey, hey, kiddo! Don't cry, don't cry..."

The girl slowly blinked away the tears in her eyes, was she crying?

"God," She thought, "I'm such a dang baby—"

"Do you need some help?" Knife asked.

Suitcase shook her head vigorously—hoping he would leave.

The older object stayed anyway, moving closer to her.

"Can I talk to you about it?" He asked.
Suitcase sniffled, "Nuh-uh."

"Hm?" Knife questioned, not fully hearing the response.

"No!" She exclaimed, "I—I said no."

"Suitcase," Knife started, patting the girl on the back.

"I'm not a kid." She muttered, wiping her eyes on the sleeve of her sweater.

"I know—you're going through a lot." Knife explained, "You should go sleep, yeah?"

Suitcase mumbled something incoherently in reply, turning away from him once again.

"What was that?"

Suitcase whined quietly, looking at the ground as her tears fell onto the grass below her.

She wiped the remainder of her tears away before trying to stand back up.

"Don't worry, bud." She heard Knife say, "I'll get you back home."

Suitcase didn't answer.

She let herself be guided by Knife as they walked through the competition grounds, eventually finding themselves at the Grand Slams' shared confinement.

The young girl babbled as she was led in by her friend—Suitcase didn't know why she was feeling so, puzzled, and, childlike—but she was beginning to enjoy it. Maybe it was because of Knife's company. Or maybe she needed someone familiar—someone, who understood.

Someone like him.

Knife guided her to his room, as she sat on Knife's bed. Suitcase let out a sound of curiosity, as she kicked her feet lightly.

"Hey so, I think you're—regressing, I know you don't know what that is, I'll tell you later. But, for right now, I'm gonna watch you. If you want me to stop—just tell me, alright?"

Suitcase didn't understand much of what Knife was saying—all she understood was something called regression, and if she wanted Knife to stop, she could ask.

Suitcase giggled and nodded, which resulted in Knife smiling at her.

"Hey, I'm gonna get some stuff for you, okay?"

Suitcase cooed, watching, fascinated by Knife's quick shuffling through drawers and clothes, he then stood up and walked out of his room—as she looked around his, it was littered with small heaps of clothes and a laptop, band posters riddling the walls. It interested Suitcase, she wanted to explore, do crawl around, almost. Though, she held back the urge.

"Here we are," Knife announced, walking back into the room, handing a stuffed rabbit to the young girl, who happily accepted it, smiling.

Knife chuckled under his breath, before sitting next to the young girl. "So, I think we both have our issues to deal with, eh? Let's start with how old we are. How old are you, Kid?"

Suitcase thought hard, trying to think past her rather 'childish' thoughts.

"I suppose you don't know what that means right now, eh? I probably should've known that..."

Suitcase let out a string of small noises and babbles, and ended it with a giggle.
Knife smiled. "That's good! Do you need anything? Like, for example—are you hungry? Do you just want to play with your rabbit?"

Suitcase shook her head—or more accurately she shook her whole body, this made her giggle happily, as she allowed a small string of drool to fall from the corner of her mouth.

"Oh, I see."

The man pet the small girl, grinning, "I think you're maybe about one? Maybe less, yeah?"

The girl giggled, flinging her bunny about as her arms swung. She let out a series of little chirps, as she stared at the toy with wonderment and excitement.

"Such a cute little one, I have something else for you." Knife whispered as he fetched a pacifier from his jacket pocket. He offered it to her, who took it gratefully as he helped her put it in her mouth. She grinned widely.

She let out a little squeal of delight, kicking her legs excitedly. She seemed happier than before.

She then pointed to the ground and gave Knife a questioning look, and he nodded his approval. She grabbed for his shirt with one hand, her plushie clutched in the other.

Suitcase let herself be carried over to the taller man—as she crawled into his lap.

"Down?" She asked.

"Down," Knife laughed, picking up the little girl as she settled comfortably into his arms.

Suitcase found herself liking her new behavior, and what came with it. She liked how she felt so carefree—she didn't have to make 'adult' decisions. Not like most kids. She was free to just sit there for hours and babble endlessly.

She felt safe in Knife's arms... she felt loved.

"You look happy," He whispered, stroking her hair gently.

Suitcase tilted her head up to meet his gaze and smiled. It was nice, having someone treat her with care, with grace.

Being held in his arms, she couldn't help but feel secure. She felt warm.
She yawned, snuggling into his chest as he rubbed her back soothingly.

He was silent, and yet, the silence spoke volumes. She knew that he was listening to his rhythmic heartbeat, and it was calming her down. As she drifted off into her little world, she heard a whisper.

"Sleep well, sweetie."