A Very Simple Story (A VOCALOID Fanfic)

AU Interlude 4

Xin Hua's body had been discovered floating in a river the next town over by county police. Stepping forward to claim it was out of the question, and Miss Miriam was not one for the sentimental, so the death hung over the rest of the House like a pall, smothering the halls and rooms. People spoke quietly and moved like floorboards would crack under the stress.

The retrieval team came back empty handed. Flower had refused to return home, knowing Xin Hua would not be there. She had played her part exceptionally well, and had convinced the Ocahame House Boss to let her in for another job. However, she did pass on some choice information.

The attack that caused Xin Hua's death had been launched by Eiro forces. Whether or not they were sent to kill or rescue Oliver was unclear, but once this came to light, most members of the Yelkcots House gave Fukase and Oliver a wide berth, their gazes brittle with resentment. They spoke Fukase's name with a sneer, like they were really spitting out a curse word.

Oliver ignored it all with a steadfast determination. He had enough in his mind already. Even though his thinking was dominated by Fukase, this morning, as he lay in bed facing his savior, he couldn't help his wandering thoughts.

She was just so still.

"Oliver, meet Rin."

She sat up in bed, staring straight ahead. Dull blond hair and sunken cheeks, empty eyes and emanating silence. A puppet with its strings cut. Still. So, so still.

"Hello..." Oliver let go of Fukase's hand and grabbed his arm instead. He didn't know what to expect when Fukase lead him to the upstairs bedrooms of the House to introduce him to someone, but this certainly wasn't it.

"She was a lot like you, a long time ago. Her power was too great. She was imprisoned alone and only saw one person, and she became so closely attached, that when...." Fukase trailed off, then continued. "When that person left, she broke."

Broke. Oliver couldn't tear his eyes away from Rin. She broke. Was he broken? Was he breaking?

"She's been in an unresponsive, almost catatonic state all year." Fukase spoke in a resigned tone. "She can't do anything by herself. We have to help her eat, drink, bathe, change clothes, exercise, absolutely everything."

She sat so still. The only thing indicating she was alive was the slow rhythmic movements of her chest and occasional blinks. To think that this girl, Rin, had once been full of life, of energy, of power, like him...

"Oliver, do you ever want to live like that?"

She was so, so still.

"No." Oliver turned away, shaking his head. "I don't."

Fukase didn't need to say anything else. Oliver had made his resolve. The Lectrinn Effect would not get the better of him.

"We'll work together," said Fukase. "Hopefully, in time, you won't have to be scared anymore. You'll be able to live without me."

He would not break.

But how could this be described as breaking?

There was no other place he felt safer than in Fukase's arms. He simply held Oliver close, secure, never trying to kiss him, or even look at his face. If Oliver could wake up every day like that, he wouldn't mind being—

He forced himself to sit up, careful not to disturb Fukase. Fukase was making an effort to break the Lectrinn between them. It would go to waste if Oliver didn't try to do the same.

Yet still, deep down, guilt had its claws stuck deep. Oliver didn't want to move on. He didn't want to break the Lectrinn binding them together. He didn't want to be alone. He didn't want the warm, safe feeling to go away.