villains aren't born (darling, they're made)

chapter nine

Author's Note: This chapter contains potentially triggering content regarding suicidal ideation and an attempt. This happens to an unnamed character, but it you still wish to skip that scene, you can stop reading at "hold that thought, miss" and "As the next train pulled up".

It had been two weeks of staying home from work and three weeks of staying home from work. Akaashi practically leaped out of the front door with his bag in tow, ignoring the shouts from his friends to 'be careful' and to 'stay out of trouble'.

He was definitely going to listen to their advice but he didn't want to stay in that house for even a second longer than he needed to.

He was a free man. The whole world was in his hands and he could help people who were sick or injured again. He thought about how unorganized the labs could possibly be and how much time it would take for him to get everything back in order again.

He was excited to go to work.

With a smile on his face and a pep in his step, he arrived at the train station three minutes earlier than he usually did.

"Good morning!" A lady greeted him, she waited a few feet away from him on the platform. He gave her a soft smile, surprising himself, and returned a 'good morning'. He would usually just give people a polite nod in response but the excitement coursing through his veins caused him to be less awkward in his interactions this morning. The lady took a few steps closer to him and continued with the usual small talk Akaashi had typically avoided.

"Heading to work?"

"Yes. I just healed from a minor injury and was cleared to start working again today."

"Well that's wonderful! I wish I was as excited to be going to work as you are." She chuckled.

"I've been stuck in my house for the past two weeks when I'm used to working sixteen hour shifts, so I'm sure the novelty will wear off in a few days." He responded, a small smile on his face.

The train wasn't scheduled to arrive for another fifteen minutes, so Akaashi indulged her as he listened to her talk about her husband and kids. He didn't particularly care about anything she had to say, but he didn't mind listening.

It wasn't until five minutes before the train showed up when the air in the station shifted.

A man in tattered clothing walked down the platform with his hands in his pockets. He had an unreadable expression on his face, but when Akaashi caught a glimpse of his eyes, he knew the look immediately. With a far-off gaze, Akaashi had assumed that something tragic had happened to him. His steps were slow but steady as he stood a few feet from Akaashi's other side.

"Hold that thought, miss." He said, before turning to the man who was stepping closer to the edge of the platform.

"Sir?" The man paused but didn't look towards Akaashi. His head hung low and Akaashi could barely see the short, quick breaths the man was taking. He seemed to be on the verge of a breakdown.

"Sir, I need you to take a step back with me. Would you like to talk–"

"No!" He sobbed, gaining the attention of a few others and taking a step closer to the edge of the platform. There were a few gasps and Akaashi felt several pairs of eyes on him as he cautiously took a step forward.

"Sir, I don't know what you're going through right now, but I can promise you that the pain will pass–"

"And how would you know what that's like? My wife– She's–" Sobs raked through the man's body as Akaashi took another opportunity to take another small step towards him.