History Shows Again and Again

Chapter 30

The Day of the Anniversaries, May 2021

The program from the twenty-fourteen incident came on at eight in the morning.

Zeek wasn't out of bed like he usually was, he was simply under the covers, eyes closed, his mind raging and his heart hurting. He didn't want to get up today...or eat or do anything, he just wanted to sleep the day away, so he didn't have to worry about feeling the grief, the guilt. Of course, the universe wouldn't allow him to have that as he could hear knocking coming from his door.

With a huff, he tugged the blanket off and forced himself to stand, barely flinching from the slight chilly air of the apartment despite being only in a t-shirt and shorts. He shuffled out of his room and into the living room, towards the door and, after unlocking it, swung it open.

"Ren?" He blinked owlishly at the sight of the said man standing there, holding some bags in one hand. "I thought you were still in China."

"The higher ups let us leave early due to the significance of today." Ren stated as he walked inside, past Zeek who closed the door behind him. Zeek watched as the other set the bags on the table and turned to him. "Have you eaten yet?"

Zeek shook his head.

"You should really eat in the mornings. I brought some takeout to have for breakfast– well, now lunch. It's orange chicken, rice and sushi."

He opened the bag and set the containers on the table, opening as he went and grabbed the two included chopsticks and handed Zeek a set.

"You didn't have to." Zeek stated as he separated the chopsticks and Ren gave him a look.

"Were you going to eat at all today?"

"I- yes of course I was-"

"Zeek."

The man closed his mouth, letting out a huff before digging into his food.

The two ate their fill, Ren putting the leftovers in the fridge once they were done and leaned on the counter.

"Were you going to watch the memorial broadcast?" Ren asked after a moment.

"I was...thinking about it."

"Well, I have a better idea. Get dressed."

Zeek gave the other a confused look before he made his way to his bedroom, getting dressed and walking back out before following Ren out of the apartment. He was just barely able to lock the door when Ren grabbed his hand and began to walk, leading him away. He tried his best to ignore the other's hand gripping his and just let himself be led away.

They ended up at the beach, the ocean's breeze washing over them. The beach was pretty much empty with only a few people here and there. He couldn't recall the last time it was this empty on such a sunny and warm day.

"Ren, why did you take me here?"

"For a change of scenery." Ren paused. "Now, you aren't going to have your trauma be triggered and you're not going to shut me out."

"Ren–"

"No. We are going to spend the day on the beach, and you are going to think of the pleasant times."

As if to make his point, Ren sat down right on the sand and stared up at the other expectedly. With a deep breath, Zeek sat down beside the other, knees pulled up against his chest and arms wrapped around them.

Then, he began to tell the other of the pleasant memories he had at the outpost with Ishiro and Vivienne. Deep down, he knew he really shouldn't, considering that Ren was Ishiro's son and that the other had more reason to have their places reversed, but Ren hardly seemed angry, he just listened, almost contently.