『バウンド』 Bound

Arrival

"What do you mean they're all dead!?" Why is the base burning down? Is Night Raid really gone? But he and Lubbock finally made it!

Speaking of which, Lubbock wasn't anymore near him. The area was fading into black nothingness. The whole scenario disappeared before his eyes and now... all there is spread before him are dead bodies. His friends' dead bodies. Okay, that's enough. He gets it. He's a failure. Why can't he look away from the lifeless eyes and oozing entrails?

Tatsumi fell to his knees. What was the whole point? If only he and Lubbock had not taken forever to reach their friends... he turned out useless again. He was too transfixed on Lubbock to even think one second about everyone else's situations.

Suddenly, it became hard to breathe. He did not bother to move, even if the clenching of his throat became uncomfortable. Red eyes gleamed from a distance in the dark mist as the clenching tightened even more.

*"Stop pushing me away!"*

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"Ah!" Tatsumi shot up from the ground after the nightmare and inhaled large amounts of air. His breaths came out as large pants while sweat dripped from his sharp chin. What the hell was that? He never had a nightmare like this. Even after the constant visions of one of his ally's death.

More importantly, who did those red eyes belong to, and why did it scream 'stop pushing me away'?

He shook his head, his brown locks wafting in the wind and gazed down. Lubbock seemed to be sleeping peacefully beside him on his jacket as a makeshift bed. They were halfway through the seven miles needed to get to Lubbock's first home and made a resting point in a shady part of the forest. The moon and twinkling stars were still out, which gave Tatsumi the impression that he will not be sleeping normally for the next few days at this rate. No matter, just watching Lubbock's serene form occupied him enough.

When did he grow a habit of staring at Lubbock? Since he tackled Lubbock in the garden, that's when.

The night breeze was noticeably growing cooler and both teens were shivering. Just as Tatsumi laid back down with no desire to sleep, Lubbock's eyes fluttered open.

"... Tats?" Tatsumi looked up.

"Yeah?"

"... I had a nightmare." Tatsumi glanced around at the simple statement, wondering how to respond.

"O-oh well, so do I. But it's usually not real so-"

"Promise me something?" Lubbock interrupted as his eye direction kept firmly at the grass.

"What is it?" Tatsumi swallowed when Lubbock scooted closer just a tad bit. He's just cold, that's all.

"Promise me you'll let me protect you."

"No." When Lubbock stared at him with wide eyes, Tatsumi directly stared back determinedly, "No because I'm going to be the one protecting you." He explained. He furrowed his brows at Lubbock's scoff.

"Tatsumi, my priority is always making sure you come out alive in every mission. Whether or not we're a part of Night Raid."

"I don't care about that anymore, besides I never asked for protection in the first place. I want to protect you guys for a change." Tatsumi retorted and Lubbock sighed heavily while sitting up.

"Look if it's about what happened at the Capitol-"

"It is. And it won't happen anymore."

"Don't be so sure of yourself." Tatsumi was about to ask what Lubbock meant by that but the male had already stood.

"Let's go. I'm obviously not going to sleep anymore." The brunette stood as well, exhaling in regret when Lubbock turned his back on him. What is so wrong about him wanting to watch over everyone this time? Does Lubbock not believe his words? And what made the older teen want him to promise that he could care for him? Perhaps his dream?

"Lubba-"

"..." Great, so much for a reunion. Tatsumi made sure to give several mental slaps to himself. Once all of their belongings were gathered, they continued down the dark wilderness.

...

Hours passed judging by the sun's light peeking from behind several large oak trees. Tatsumi's legs were ready to give out but he did not want to bother Lubbock. Especially since he barely looks exhausted, if at all.

Before Tatsumi could think there was no end to the forest, he began to notice cattle and wild animals in an open prairie. His numb feet were no longer an issue as he and Lubbock stepped onto a dirt road, inbetween acres of large open land.

"Lubba?" His response is a short 'hm', "Are we close?"

"Yeah. We'll be there in about an hour." Tatsumi finally had the courage to walk up beside Lubbock.

"Are you excited to see your family again?" He carefully asked. Lubbock shrugged.

"Of course, they are my relatives. I don't know what to expect when we arrive at their door." Tatsumi nodded in agreement as his heart accelerated at the thought of meeting Lubbock's family. Would they all have green hair? Are they all perverted? The most he knew about Lubbock's family is that they are very rich and successful in several businesses. That is how Lubbock gained a slightly stuck-up trait.

"You said you had three siblings during a mission. Tell me about them." Tatsumi asked, not meaning to sound creepy.

"Oh... well. They're all boys. I'm the youngest. One is 23, the other is 20, and the last is 18. All of them are heirs to a corporation. I would have been but as you see I'm not exactly into business anymore." Lubbock said. "I guess you could say... they're all annoying. And cocky. They always brag about being better than me. But then I'd get them back by slipping cow dung into their curry." Tatsumi laughed at the last part, imagining how that could have went down.

"Sounds pretty lively."

"Yeah... I miss them. I guess I didn't really think much about how it would affect everyone with me running away to join the Revolutionary Army. I was a bit blinded by Najenda and the thoughts of having an exciting life drove me to jump out my window. Maybe they forgot about me at this point, who knows." Lubbock added and Tatsumi gazed at the wistful look his friend had.

"I'm sure they still think of you. Your whole family in fact." Tatsumi reassured. Lubbock blinked at him but he continued to grin. "Anyone would miss you. Especially after years." His mouth rambled. He wondered if it was too late to bash his head against a tree after seeing Lubbock's bright red blush. He really needed to shut up sometimes.

"They would like you." Lubbock finally said, a small embarrassed but please smile stretching on his lips. "Cause.. you're Tatsu." Tatsumi blushed at that statement and his breath hitched when the back of their hands slid against each other. His heart pounded against his chest in anticipation.

A large white building began to show up on the horizon as they walked closer to their destination.