Flowers For An Old Friend; DabiHawks (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 28; The Boy On The Swings

PS, I would love to thank Marshmaellows542 for the new cover art.

It looks amazing, thank you so much. :)

Also, warning, Endeavor is a fucking piece of shit in this chapter.

*Seven Year Old Touya's POV*

I clawed at my skin as my own fire burned into it. I couldn't see through the tears as I yelled and shouted begging for someone to help me.

No one did. He just stood there and watched. He didn't care, but he had to care, right? I was his son.

But no, he just stood there disappointed. I'm trying, I'm trying really hard! But it hurts! It hurts so bad!

Suddenly, my flames flickered out without my wanting to. I could see the face of my father clearly.

No, no he didn't care.

That just made me cry more.

The pain that had been on my arms and legs lessened significantly, but they still hurt. It hurt so bad.

He started to come towards me, but I pushed myself against the wall and curled up. I put my hands overtop of my head to protect myself as he got closer.

"Get up." He snapped, only a few feet from me. Tears stung at my eyes as I stayed still. It hurt so bad to move. Maybe if I tell him-

"I said get up!" He grabbed my arm and pulled me up harshly so I was standing. I cried out when he grabbed my arm, touching the burn as well.

"Please let me go to my room! It hurts, everything hurts, please!" I begged as he let me go. I pushed myself back up against the wall, feeling safer that way.

SLAP!

"Don't talk back to me, understand!?" I nodded, crying even more now due to the prickling pain on my cheek.

He walked away from me to the door way as I crumpled down onto the ground, still crying. I couldn't stop.

I'm too weak, I'm a failure, I can't do it.

I didn't hear what he said, but just a few seconds later I saw my mom with her own tears streaming down her face. She cared about me.

***

"Hey Fuyumi. Do you still want to go to the park today?" I called out to my sister from outside her door. I didn't get an answer, so I slowly opened the door to peak inside.

"No no Touya." I heard my mom say behind me as she closed the door. "Fuyumi isn't feeling so good right now. You can go yourself if you want, just be back before lunch, okay?" I nodded with a smile on my face as I went to get dressed.

Me and Fuyumi liked to go to this park near the house. It was usually empty and so we had it all to ourselves.

I didn't tell my dad where I was going, he was at work. Mom knew though, so it would be fine.

My clothes brushed annoyingly overtop of the bandages from the day prior. It took me a few minutes longer than normal because of them.

"Bye Mom, I'll see you soon!" I waved to her as I closed the door and ran down to the park. I wasn't going to have Fuyumi there, but no one else was going to be there either.

And I was right. There wasn't a single person at the park when I got there. I was all alone. Honestly, that was fine for me. I took a seat at the base of a giant tree and looked up at the clouds.

It was nice and quiet until I heard laughter.

I could hear the swings creak loudly infront of me. Looking down, I locked eyes with a kid a few years younger than me. He looked about Fuyumi's age with blonde feathered hair and weird bird like eyes. The first thing I noticed about him was his wings. Two huge red wings sprouted from his back.

He immediately looked away from me and down at the ground. I frowned, rubbing my bandaged arm as he started to swing.

Or, tried to, at least.

He kept pushing, but he wasn't doing it right at all. At some point, he pushed a little too hard and fell backwards off the swing onto his butt.

I snorted, watching as the bird boy say back on the swing, not moving it much. He kicked at the ground sadly.

"Do you want help?" The boy's eyes widened and smiled widely. He nodded a lot and hummed, swinging his legs. I stood up and walked behind him to start to push him on the swing. I didn't say anything to him, I didn't want to scare him off.

Soon, I stopped pushing him and sat down on the swing next to him. I glanced back at him to see him wide eyed with wonder.

"How do you do that?" He asked, pointing to my swing. I smirked at him and stopped swinging.

"You have to kick your legs. Look." I showed him how to swing, not looking back up at him.

"Cool!" He begun to mirror me, immediately getting the hang of it. "Wow, thanks!"

We continued to swing, not speaking. It was pretty fun hanging out with him. I looked up and realized how long I had been here and got off the swing.

"Wait, where are you going?"

"I have to head home." I continued to walk away. I had to get home, now.

"Uh, I'm Keigo." The boy said, following me. "Do you want to be friends?" He wanted to be my friend?

"You want to be my friend?" He nodded.

"Yeah, that's why I asked." I smiled back at him and nodded.

Well, sure, I guess. I'm Touya. Nice to meet you Keigo. I'll see you later."

***

No, not again.

Not again.

My father had always been cold towards me, but he never hurt me so much like this. I don't want to be hurt.

He didn't care.

My own fire extinguished itself again and I cried more and more.

"Please don't!" I cried, as he grabbed me again, forcing me onto my feet. I crumpled back to the floor and tried to hide myself with my arms. I felt fire, not as horrible as my own, flash across my arms, setting the bandages that were there ablaze.

I didn't want this. Why was he doing this?

What was I doing wrong?

Why did I deserve this?

I didn't see him as my father after that day.

He was just a monster.

***

Again, thank you Marshmaellows542 for the cover!

I absolutely love it.

I love y'all

🌈❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🏳️‍🌈