Omori Oneshots

Man (Kel x Aubrey)

(Bittersweet timez + Kel having a bit of a toxic masculinity mindset with himself.)

          Kel coughed harshly, his crimson red blood splattering out of his mouth as his head began to throb painfully. He winced as he looked up at the group of boys that towered over him, grins being on their faces. The one that stood closest to Kel cracked his knuckles loudly, approaching the vulnerable boy before him. "C'mon," he said teasingly. "Can't put up a fight?" Kel didn't respond, scooting back pitifully. He felt powerless. Weak. Him scooting back only made the boys laugh at him, further damaging his head mentally. How pathetic was it that Kel couldn't even know basic self-defense? How was he supposed to go on in life when he couldn't protect himself? Or Aubrey? If Aubrey were here, she would probably think Kel was nothing but a boy who would never be a man. It was only a matter of time before she realized she had to leave him for someone better. Someone stronger.

          "Let's finish this, hah?" The boy to the right asked, taking a step closer to Kel. Suddenly, someone rammed into his side, slamming him into the wall as a result of it. Kel couldn't see past the tears that bubbled in his only open eye - the other was shut due to blood streaming down it - but he swore he saw a blur of pink. He heard fighting ensue before him, trying to clear his eyes so he could properly see. Once he was finally able to see out of both eyes, he saw a pink haired person standing in front of him protectively, wielding a bat in one hand. She stared down at the three boys, who were now on the ground and groaning and wincing in pain. "YOU'RE LUCKY I DONT KILL YOU ALL!!!" She barked loudly, causing everyone to flinch. "GET OUT OF HERE BEFORE I FUCKING DO!!!" Kel didn't know how it was possible, but her roar of a tone caused the boys to scramble to their feet, running out of the alleyway. Kel shakily breathed as he watched Aubrey turn around, her anger disappearing and replacing itself with worry as she stared at her injured boyfriend. She dropped her bat, rushing to his side and getting down next to him. "Kel, are you okay?" She asked, reaching up and cupping his cheek. Kel's only response was tears filling his eyes once more as his lip gave a quiver. "Come on– let's get you to Mari," Aubrey said calmly and sweetly, trying to bring ease to the distraught male. He took her hands, allowing her to help him to his feet. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, hanging on to her for stability. He let out nothing but sniffles and hisses of pain as Aubrey directed him out of the alley and towards his and Hero's house.

          "Kel?" Hero asked as he gave the open door a slight knock. "You alright, bud?" Kel only gave a hum in response, back turned to the door as he lay snuggled in his bed. His headache had stopped, and his wounds were now patched up with the help of Hero and Mari. He took a little nap to regain some of his lost energy and was now battling with himself mentally over what happened. "Aubrey is downstairs. She wanted to see you." Kel felt shame at the mention of her. "Why?" He croaked softly.

          "Be...cause she's worried about you?" Hero said, shutting the door before approaching his little brother's bed. He sat at the edge of it, looking back at him. "Talk to me. What's wrong?"

          "Nothing." Kel said as he pulled his blanket over his head to try and hide the tears that began to form in his eyes again. "Kel c'mon...you know we promised to stop bottling up our feelings." It went quiet for a moment. "I don't feel like I deserve Aubrey," Kel said in a whimpering tone, blinking the tears out of his eyes. "Why..?" Hero asked.

          "Because I can't even fight!" Kel responded, pulling the blanket down and sitting up to look at his brother. "She had to fight FOR me...I can't be a man she wants if she has to keep protecting me." Hero was taken aback by Kel's thoughts, but then closed his eyes as he clicked his tongue. "Kel, you can't keep listening to shit mom used to tell us." Kel sniffled, reaching up and rubbing his eyes. "B–But–"

          "No buts, Kel." Hero said. "Look, if it makes you feel any better, I do most of the 'woman' things around the house while Mari does the 'man' things." Kel blinked, beginning to feel stupid for thinking he was less of a man when the man he looked up to most was more of a housewife than his girlfriend was. "R... really?" Hero nodded. "Mari does things like building furniture or construction, and I do most of the cooking and cleaning." Hero said. "You can even ask her what she enjoys more, and she'll tell you she likes to build things. Just because you can't fight doesn't make you any less of a man." Kel looked down at his hands, fumbling with them. "I feel kinda stupid now...," he admitted. "Don't feel stupid. Mom taught us both things that we're still unlearning." He placed a hand on Kel's shoulder, Kel looking up to see a comforting smile on Hero's face. "Do you wanna go see Aubrey now?" He asked, Kel giving a nod.

          Aubrey gave a sigh as she stared out at the street while sitting on the bench on Hero and Mari's yard, listening to Basil and Sunny's chatter behind her as they waited patiently for their friend. She had been sitting there for about thirty minutes, Sunny and Basil having just arrived. "Oh– Kel!!" Basil suddenly shouted, catching Aubrey's attention. She looked over  her shoulder, seeing her friends surround Kel and asking him if he's alright. He put on a smile, assuring them that he was fine. Kel then looked up, seeing Aubrey stating at him. He watched as she stood from the bench, still looking at him. "Aubrey–"

          Before Kel could say anything else, she rushed towards him and trapped him in a tight hug. Kel was taken aback, seeing as how Aubrey wasn't much of a hugger. He then grinned, giving a soft giggle as he returned the embrace. "I thought you didn't like hugs."

          "Shut up," Aubrey said as she buried her face in Kel's shoulder, gripping the back of his t-shirt as her eyes shut. "I'm just glad you're okay."

          There was a sudden snap, causing Kel to look up. He saw Basil, who was holding his camera up to his eye with a grin on his face. The picture slid out of the bottom of the camera, Basil grabbing it and holding it in front of him. "For the picture book," he said with a smile, Aubrey grumbling into Kel's shoulder out of embarrassment.