second try [sxf x child! reader]

⋆ ꜱᴇʟꜰ ᴅᴏᴜʙᴛ ⋆

Akira felt Anya's hot breath against his shoulder, her trembling form and wobbly voice as she spoke.

"Don't..." Her voice wavered. "Akira... don't."

Akira scowled even harder at Housemaster Swan. "I'm sorry. That's not possible."

Anya's grip on him tightened and she made a choking sound.

"Doesn't change the fact that she's unfit for this school," Swan grumped. "I didn't make this much of a fuss when I grew up and left my house."

"That's-" Akira sputtered. "That's completely unrelated! Are you stupid or what? Can't you tell... can't you see that you have no experience in this realm?" He let out a breath and looked at Loid who was practically pleading for another approach to the problem.

"Akira," Loid said.

Akira set his jaw and frowned, "Please... please don't try to judge how someone is dealing with a pain you've never experienced before."

Suddenly, a sweaty and pudgy hand grabs a hold of him and Akira found himself dangling above the air, Anya staring up at him with wide eyes, reaching out.

"Akira!" She choked.

Akira twisted around, kicking his feet. "Put.. me down!"

Housemaster Swan grinned in his face and Akira glowered back, gritting his teeth and biting back the urge to hurl his fist at him.

"I said," Akira growled, "put me down!"

Housemaster Evans stood up, "Swan-"

"Shut up," Swan snarled, smirking at Akira. "And no. Why should I listen to a mere five year old?" 

"Because you're being stupid as hell," Akira snapped, really containing a punch to Swan's weak spot.

Swan's face turned bright red and Akira suddenly felt the side of his head slam against a hard surface and his vision blurred.

"Akira!" Anya shrieked.

Akira groaned and struggled to prop himself onto his elbows. "What-?"

Swan kicked him in the ribs and Akira doubled over in pain, flinching away from the housemaster.

"Hey!!" He heard someone roar. Loid or someone else... he wasn't sure. Akira's eyesight dimmed and all he could see was his hand, a little blood tinting the edges of his fingers. When did that happen, huh? 

"'Kira!" Small hands grab his own, smearing the blood and Akira looks up groggily. Anya. Water drops down onto Akira and he blinks hard. Water...

"Don't cry." Akira winced in pain.

There was a loud smash, followed by the sounds of panting and yelling. 

My fault, Akira thought slowly, this is all my fault. 

"Hey, hey..." Jackson stood above Akira, his hand ruffling through his hair. "Sleep in today?"

Akira sat up and rubbed his head groggily. "Jackson... get back to your room."

Jackson leaned down and grinned at him. "No! Today is a freeeee day! Understand? C'mon! Get up so we can do something!"

Akira groaned and covered his eyes with his arms. "My idea of a free day is not doing anything, thanks very much."

"That's because your boring and not fun," Jackson protested, crossing his arms but stepping away from Akira's bed.

"No," Akira grunted, "it is very fun because I get to stay away from you."

Jackson growled softly, "Dude! Listen to me! Just this once, alright? It's just so boring here and a change of pace would be great for your sanity."

Akira sighed and rolled his eyes, slipping off his bed. "Fine. But you owe me now."

Jackson grinned, "Alright! That's cool with me. Hurry, though. We might miss it!"

"Miss what?" Akira muttered softly. "I'm already missing my sleep."

"That's besides the point," Jackson practically pulled Akira out of his room and into the cold hallways outside. Akira felt his skin tingle as he watched Jackson bound into a giant opening in the Ketsueki. It was the assembly hall. 

"I don't see-" Akira started but was cut off as Jackson danced in his face.

"Look!" He pointed excitedly at a large pile in the center of the room where other children were gathering, talking loudly. "We get presents! Find one with your name on it!" He leapt away and almost jumped into the gifts.

Akira stared for a second before taking cautious steps forward and spotting a small bundle sitting away from the presents. "With my luck, that's mine."

It was, in fact, his.

Akira sat over the small bundle, toying with it in his hands until Jackson came over and practically got onto his knees and begged for him to open it.

"Alright," Akira grumped. "I'll open it."

"That's the whole point of this!" Jackson groaned, his eyes wide as Akira untied the string holding the present together. It opened like a blooming flower in the middle of his hand, revealing a small wooden board with his name printed on it. 

Akira blinked, "What?"

"It's a pocket knife!" Jackson said. 

Akira set the wrapping paper down on the metal floor and flicked his wrist with the knife in his hand. Immediently, the cold blade slid out and almost cut Jackson.

"Stay away from me with that thing," Jackson commented.

Akira rolled his eyes. "Sure thing." He moved the blade back into the wooden seal and traced his name.

A...K...I...R...A

"AKIRA!"