A Very Simple Story (A VOCALOID Fanfic)

AU Interlude 2

Fukase stood behind Oliver's chair, a comb in his hand. It was almost therapeutic as he loosened the tangles and snarls in Oliver's hair. Due to the lack of mirrors in the room, it wasn't surprising Oliver hadn't brushed it in a while.

"I'm going to ask a few questions now, Oliver," Fukase said. "Just a couple simple ones today."

"Okay." Oliver pulled at the ends of his white sleeves.

"Do you miss your family?" Gently, Fukase tugged at a particularly stubborn knot of blond hair.

Oliver nodded. "I don't miss them."

Fukase remained silent until Oliver spoke again.

"Maybe my sister. But not my parents. And definitely not my older brother. I'm glad I don't have to see him anymore."

"He's another Lectrinn user, isn't he?" Fukase slipped the comb into his pocket and told Oliver to turn around.

"He is."

Fukase began to braid Oliver's bangs to the side. They were getting long, and Oliver had complained the other day that they kept getting in his eyes. Fukase's sister had taught him how to braid when she had first learned herself. Along with anyone else who would listen.

"He's scary when he gets mad, when he uses his power," Oliver continued. "And he always pinched my cheek." He rubbed the side of his face. "I hated that."

Fukase wondered if he could get some scissors approved so he could cut Oliver's hair short again.

"What was his ability called?"

"Screen."

"Scream?"

"It's Screen." Oliver didn't elaborate, shifting uncomfortably and not meeting Fukase's eyes. Fukase decided to move on to his second, less serious question. He would ask about this 'Screen' ability later.

"If you could have any wish in the world, what would it be?" he said.

Oliver's answer was immediate. "For you to stay all day so I'm never alone."

Fukase stopped braiding. It was supposed to be a lighthearted question. He wavered before finishing the braid behind Oliver's ear.

"I already told you why I can't stay all day, Oliver," said Fukase. "Wouldn't you like something else more? Don't you ever think about going outside, seeing the sun again? Maybe you should use your wish to leave this place."

"Oh, no." Oliver shook his head. "I don't want to leave. I'd rather be here with you. I don't mind staying inside all day." He beamed as he touched the braid. "You're all I need."

Fukase rolled his shoulders and rephrased his question. "If you could have anything in the world, if you could make the impossible possible—"

"You would stay with me forever!"

Fukase took a deep breath.

"If I could be with you all the time," Oliver went on, smiling, "I'd wouldn't care about anything else. Nothing else matters but you."

"Oliver." Fukase pressed his hands to Oliver's cheeks, leaning forward and looking in his blank eyes. "You must stop thinking like that. You have to think for yourself. Don't think about me. Think about yourself."

Oliver placed his hands over Fukase's.

"But I can't."

It was such an earnest statement, so innocently truthful that Fukase felt like yelling. Like grabbing the kid by the shoulders and shaking some sense into him. If only he could take a knife and hack away the attachment Oliver's Lectrinn had created.