Once upon a dream.. (ARTGUM)

Buckets

-Kids please keep in mind that age is N O T just a number. I shouldn't have to say it but some people really feed into this idea. If you ever see an adult making a minor uncomfortable then don't just stand by, get an adult/ find help for them. Also sorry for it being short I'm trying here man. ANYWAYS ON WITH THE BULLSHIT!!-

Like my drawings, Himiko gets her fix of blood once a month. At one point I did it twice a month but at Stepmother's request, that ceased. To combat that overwhelming amount of free time though, Himiko made sure to add on more work for me to do. Not that I mind anyway. I always have to be doing something or else I get restless. Unlike right now.

"Hina! Are you done with my blood?" Himiko yells from downstairs. I don't bother to respond since I'm tired enough as is. All I could do was blink from my bed. Don't worry, I used the energy I had left to properly treat and wrap up my legs before I collapsed onto my bed. Stepmother, Jin, and Himiko definitely would murder me if I tried to die on them.

The sound of feet against wood gets louder and louder until the door slams open. I blink at the sight of Jin in the doorway. He remains quiet for a moment before walking up to me. "Blink twice if you are alive." He questions as he reaches for the buckets. I do so and he sighs in relief. "You look very pale.." He astutely notes. My silence must not assure him of my state since he ditches the buckets to sit on the floor. Inches away from my head might I add. "I'm sorry, I just wanted to make sure you were... Y'know, still alive. It's bad enough that you smell like a corpse sometimes." I keep my eyes on him for my own sake. "But even though you stink, you're dirty, you don't get to use your quirk, you're still kind." He places the buckets back down and squats down to my level. One word escapes him from his mouth that shocks me. "Why?"

I feel my eyes widen at that one. Jin is a questionable person in nature. He isn't afraid to ask what's on other's mind, nor is afraid to contemplate his own place in the world. We would often have conversations like this one. He would ask a question, I'd answer- usually while I was working- and we'd go from there. Depending on the subject it could go anywhere. Sometimes I would cry, other times we would laugh, sometimes we would find ourselves in the weirdest situations. One time a conversation had us bonding over Shakespeare at midnight. Jin is one of the light sides of my position, as confusing as he is. I know that if he had to choose between me and his family, he would always choose his family. No questions asked. But he would always come to me for a good conversation regardless of the time of day.

"Hin-tin-rin? Hellooo?" He asks while poking my cheek. "Did you die?" I exhale with a smile. "No," I state huorsley. He narrows his eyes at me before taking out some bread. "Mother said to give you something to eat. Himiko is supposed to give you water but knowing her she's gonna spit in it." He admits. I bear a smile. "You know I've had worse." Jin sighs and puts the buckets back down. "You didn't answer my question." I sigh and shake my head. A few strands of hair get into my face, making him chuckle. "Do I need a reason to treat you the same way I want to be treated?" The blonde fixes my hair with a small smile. "Hina.." a sigh followed a large, overdramatic, heave. "..you know that Mother won't do the same for you."

I would be lying if I said my heart didn't break a little at that but I kept up my smile. "Who says so?" I tease. "Anyone can change Jin. I've seen it first hand." He sighs and takes my hand. "I hate it when you're right." He mumbles. I smirk at my minor victory. "Hey, it takes two to talk."

"And it takes one to get my blood." I see Jin's eyes widen. I look behind him to see Himiko leaning in the doorway, her hair down rather than in her signature twin buns. "Hey, Himiko," I said with a smile. "Jin and I were just talking." I feel Jin's hand leave mine. "Oh really? Surely not about the upcoming ball. Right, Jin?" She questions with a tone I don't like. I hear him chuckle. "Actually I was. I was just telling her about how the tailor is making customized outfits for us." Himiko smirks. "Really?" Jin nods along with a smile. "We'll be the belle's of the ball for sure!" I look down at the sheets. "I hope so too."

My thought seems to go ignored in favor of Himiko's constant need for attention. "Just imagine me, dressed to impress, all eyes would fall on me. Everything would slow. I'd see him, he'd see me, and he'd fall so hard. We'd be wed a week after the ball! Our kids would be beautiful!" I cringe slightly at the thought. Does she forget how old the prince is? Even Jin cringes at what his sister is saying. "Isn't he like... Twenty-nine?" He says gently. "Oh Jin, age is just a number! And besides, the king and queen got married and there was a ten-year difference!" I do not see it. It is not there.

I hear Jin sigh. "I guess," Oh Jin... "Right Hina? Surely me and the prince would be such a good couple!" I take a moment to think over my answer. My mind is telling me not to answer for so many reasons. "Himiko! Jin! Where are you two?" I hear my stepmother from down the stairs. Saved by the bell. "In Hina's room mother!" Himiko gleefully calls. She makes a noise of disgust. "Well come down here! There are preparations to be made!" Jin glances back to me as Himiko calls back to their mother in agreement. "Ill be up soon," I whisper to him. He narrows his eyes but at this point, I don't bother to decipher what might be residing in them. The ceiling holds my attention. "Jin can you help me with my buckets? You can have my dessert if you do." An excited noise escaped Jin before he takes both buckets of blood. When they leave the room, Himiko glares at me, mouthing something that I couldn't quite understand with my hazing vision.

The door closes, and I am alone with my sleep driven thoughts. My mind assures me just a few minutes of rest would do me well. I don't fight the darkness as it consumes me.

"This is what i was talking about when I told you she was strong."

"How long has she been doing this for?"

"Longer than she should be."