ange "the definition of chuunibyou" ushiromiya (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
entreats) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
deercountry2022-12-07 09:20 pm
entreats) wrote in deercountry2022-12-07 09:20 pm
(closed) december catchall
Who: Ange (entreats), Chizuru (tealeafs), Daniel (miyagimagic) and various others.
What: December shenanigans.
When: During all of December.
Where: Locations vary.
Content Warnings: Bullying, (mild) violence, will edit to add more later.
( starters in the comments! if you want to plot anything with me, feel free to either pm the journal or contact me at![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
queeningsquare, i'm always open to new ideas and threads! )
entreats), Chizuru (tealeafs), Daniel (miyagimagic) and various others.What: December shenanigans.
When: During all of December.
Where: Locations vary.
Content Warnings: Bullying, (mild) violence, will edit to add more later.
( starters in the comments! if you want to plot anything with me, feel free to either pm the journal or contact me at
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But the question - even before it's asked - stills him. There's an affirmative hum at the prelude, but when Daniel hears Robby's actual request, he looks surprised.
Only for a brief moment, however. The surprise in his eyes is quick to melt, his gaze turning so much softer as it's aimed directly at Robby without a single attempt to hide it. It's a softness that's edged with worry. After all.. It's in moments like these that Daniel is reminded once more of just how young Robby is, no matter how old he pretends to be at times. He's still a kid. A kid who's been thrown into circumstances that are way too difficult to deal with. Daniel himself already can't quite deal with them, judging by that nasty feeling still present in his chest, an anxiety that bounces back and forth, renders him unable to fully calm down in this moment.
So how could such a young kid deal with it?
".. of course, bud."
It's a soft answer, but not lacking in warmth. A part of Daniel would like to patch Robby up before taking time for anything else, but he tells that part to shut up for a bit. Maybe this can help take care of Robby's emotional state a little, and.. in some ways, that's just as important.
He puts everything he already gathered down on the table, and instead has his hands completely empty as he moves to sit down next to where Robby is sitting.
There's no awkward huge distance between them like this, but there's still a touch of a respectful distance, of Daniel wanting to make sure to do whatever is most comfortable for the boy in this moment.
That is likely also the driving force between the way he turns his head slightly to the side to look at Robby, asking: "Do you want me a little bit closer?"
Despite the fact that Daniel himself has not nearly calmed down as much as he'd like to pretend he has in this moment, his voice is devoid of any hints as to that fact, instead filled with nothing but parental indulgence. A wish to spoil a kid, if that's what needed to heal their heart, even just a little bit.
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He does want him closer, if he's being honest by himself; and he has no reason to be anything else like this, his arms still wrapped comfortably around the omen's small form, his gaze over on the floor.
Robby doesn't really need to look, either, once Mister LaRusso does shuffle closer; because even if their arms are close to touching, Robby leans his weight against the man anyway, ignoring the smell of dirt and oil from their overalls, and simply taking in the touch of their bodies in even a small press of intimacy.
Because he doesn't want to talk about what happened, but it doesn't mean that it didn't; it doesn't mean he's ready to go home to Tory and know how he should act, when he doesn't want to be truthful--not right now, not about this. He wants to close his eyes and be selfish.
He doesn't want to be responsible or thoughtful.
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It's the man who starts moving first after a moment. Nothing too big, and certainly nothing that would jostle Robby away from him. Instead he slowly shifts Robby so he's leaning against Daniel's side and the man's arm is free, and then reaches out to wrap that arm around the boy's back, until it moves to rest on his opposite arm, fingers spread out on the upper part of his arm near the shoulder.
It moves to pull the boy even a bit closer, Daniel's body turning a bit so Robby has even more to lean against. Not a full on hug, no, but just enough to have a little bit more contact.
He doesn't say anything for another moment, fingers gently rubbing reassuringly against Robby's arm.
It's okay, a part of Daniel wants to say to reassure the boy, but nothing about what just happened was okay. Robby should never have been in that situation to begin with. The boy nearly died. If Daniel had been a moment later, or if he hadn't been there at all, then-- then he would've ended up like the other corpses back there, drained of anything useful to those zealots. He wouldn't have been sitting here on the couch next to Daniel, still living and breathing.
His hold on Robby is a reminder of it in this moment. Even if none of that was okay, at least Robby got out of there alive. As long as he's alive, they can still make things better.
"I'm here," he finally says.
Maybe that's all he can offer the other. He can't make everything magically okay, as much as he wishes he could. But what Daniel can offer Robby is very much the same thing mister Miyagi offered him, way back. Someone who's there. Someone you can lean on unconditionally, even when things seem impossible to deal with.
Someone who won't let you be alone during tough moments.
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A cold side, but living, and breathing. His eyes had opened a little in the stirring, but as the fingers brush against him in comfort, Robby lets his senses focus on these things: the presence of another, the small gestures of affection. Maybe he should have some shame, pretend that he's thinking of his mother, make up some excuse in his mind about how this is alright.
But Mister LaRusso says 'I'm here', and he doesn't think he would want to hear it from anybody else. His body relaxes, like the words are permission, his own body tilting more towards Mister Larusso so his head can rest more comfortable on his shoulder. He moves his one good hand (or, one good palm) onto the man's thigh to rest, and like this, he might be considerate enough to ask in a mumbling voice--
"Is this okay?"
It's not just about his hand. It's not about any singular thing, but this as a whole, this fine line they're crossing over, what Robby's asking, what they're doing. Maybe this is another part of being a sensei to Mister LaRusso, but--
But Robby knows he's asking -- and taking -- far more than any person should from just a mentor.
Still, there's only one answer he really wants to hear.
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He doesn't even have to think about that answer. Why would he? Even aside from the fact that Robby needs it right now, this is something Daniel would have readily done for Sam and Anthony whenever they needed it. Honestly, he's pretty sure he was in pretty much the exact same position with Sam while they sat outside at the dojo together back home.
So why would it be different for Robby? He may not have Daniel's blood, but that doesn't matter when the man has already realised months ago that this feels just as much as his son to him. When he's even told Johnny about it, of all people. Maybe he should have told Robby, but.. it's such an awkward thing to bring up, and the timing is never good.
It certainly isn't the right time right now.
So those words still remain buried in Daniel's heart, but maybe the boy will realise something through this. Maybe not the full extent of Daniel's feelings, but at least that Daniel is willing to treat him like this. That he actually wants it, especially when it helps Robby.
Maybe that's why he tightens his hold on the other just a tad as he adds: "Not just now. Whenever you want."
Just to make it even more clear. This isn't just a one time thing that Daniel is doing because the entire incident they just went through was so horrible. If something that bad happens again, or Robby feels like he needs it again - then Daniel will hold him, just like this.
(And maybe it makes him feel a touch better too, even after all that. At least he could help Robby back there, at least he can help Robby now. It won't make his guilt for not helping anyone else or not doing more for Robby disappear, but at least it allows him to feel like he's doing something.
.. and indulging in the presence of one of his kids, when he misses the other two so much.)
"It's always okay."
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...but it's hard to be against it, when he feels as comfortable as he does. Mister LaRusso's chill feeling all the more noticeable the longer they stay like this, but Robby isn't going to ask for anything to change. Even the small touch of his had on the man's leg is nice.
He doesn't know how often he could want something like this, when he'd prefer not to feel like he's in this type of headspace again, but at least Mister LaRusso's voice is as warm as his kindness, isn't it. (And that's always been the problem, just how nice he is. He doesn't get what that's like for a fucked up kid like him, when he wants more. When he says he can, but--)
"I can't let that happen again," he says quietly, brushing his thumb against Mister LaRusso's leg absently. He can't let himself be put into a situation where all he wants is this. "I won't survive if I do."
It's dark, but it's the truth, isn't it? If Mister LaRusso hadn't been there, he wouldn't be here right now.
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It makes most reassurances he could give Robby here feel empty. Like they're just words, without anything to back them up. His heart burns for him to tell Robby that it'll be okay, but-- how can Daniel guarantee that, when he's only one man?
He doesn't let go of the boy though. If anything, that sense of helplessness just makes him hold the other close even more, like he could protect Robby from this world, just as long as he could keep him right next to him.
"I know.. we don't always have the choice," he slowly starts.
If he can't promise the things he wants to promise, then he'll just have to promise the next most realistic thing he can offer Robby.
"But as long as I can be there, I will do whatever I can to get you out of a dangerous situation, Robby. It doesn't matter what it is." The danger, the likelihood of Daniel actually succeeding in it - it doesn't matter, as long as he can at least try. This is a man who, decades ago, didn't even hesitate for a second to run out into a life-threatening storm to save a girl he didn't even know, after all.
And he knows he can't always be there. Sometimes he can only barely be in time - like today - and sometimes he can only pick up the pieces in the aftermath, with two broken children standing in front of him and his pick up truck.
But.. even so. Even so.
"I'm here to protect you. I won't let you be alone in this."
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No wonder why non-Sleepers die so often. They wouldn't stand much of a chance if anything dragged them away like the zealots had done to him and Mister LaRusso.
But at least there's some comfort to be found, even after something like that. The tighter hold of Mister LaRusso's arm around him, and the words that sound nice, that he'd deeply love to believe. If someone could be always be there, and nothing could go wrong; it's a lie for children, but it's not like it's one he's been told with any frequency in his life.
(Even if life has made it so easy for him to imagine scenarios where he isn't saved, where there's no one to come and save him; with the blade pressing into him, and there's no one to make it stop.)
"Okay," he says, a reply that might be underwhelming to such a declaration for most; but something about it sounds a little thick, wet. He's never been one good with words in times like this, and he's not about to start now. Instead, Robby tilts his head against that space of Mister LaRusso's shoulder.
He believes his intent, even if they both know intent is never enough always enough.
...but it's plenty for now, and Robby asks after a pause:
"Is it okay, uh-- if I stay here tonight? On the couch. I think I just want to stay here?"
It's a question, more that it's alright than out of confusion, because he knows why. Sometimes he just like couches; sometimes he doesn't like being trapped inside four walls with nothing but his thoughts. But he wants to brush aside any offer of the spare bedroom he knows that exists, and not really explain it.
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He knows that at least part of the message must have been passed on to the boy. As much as would be allowed to in a situation like this, both of them still caught up in the emotions of the aftermath of such an impossible situation.
"Yeah, it's okay," he instead answers, focusing on the boy's question instead. Daniel is of half a mind to offer the guest room instead, thinking that Robby should at least be sleeping on a proper bed, but it's not like Robby doesn't know about the room's presence in Daniel's house in the first place - and yet he asked for the couch. There must be a reason behind it, so Daniel lets that matter rest for now. He can just ensure later that the kid is comfortable even when laying on the couch, rather than in bed.
(Daniel doesn't say it, but-- he thinks he likes this more too than Robby just going home. Not that he'd be alone there either, but if Daniel is allowed a little bit of selfishness in this moment, he'd admit to himself that he wants Robby to be near him, when he ran such a big risk of losing him entirely today.)
"We can stay like this for a little bit longer," he continues. Because Robby probably could use it, and.. well, Daniel can too. "But we'll have to get cleaned up before we sleep, alright?"
Look, Daniel also knows Robby enough to remember that the kid tried to stumble out of his house after that spar-gone-wrong on the opening day of the dojo without doing even the bare minimum about his wounds.
Sometimes you have to be the adult, and put your foot down and make sure that a kid is being taken care of.
Especially when you're reminded of said kid's presence, of their hurt, as starkly as Daniel is when he feels Robby lean into him so much.
"And then I'll make your favourite breakfast in the morning."
It's nothing that can fix what they went through. He knows it. But if he can't change what happened to them, and if he can't promise that it won't happen again since those zealots seem capable of taking anyone from anywhere at any time-- at least he just has to try to do what he can do, even when they're just little things like this. A sense of normalcy in a situation that isn't normal in the slightest.
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for Danny to nick later); he knows it'll probably mean his wounds, Mister LaRusso already trying to care for them once, and he'll have to begrudgingly go along with the man if he doesn't concede under a minimal amount of resistance. He'll give all the plans a mumbling "'kay" for now, though the later offer makes him feel childish, but is he going to fight a dad over his dad-like qualities?(...even Mister LaRusso is more dad-like than he's ever wanted his own dad to be. Knowing his favourite foods, reminding Robby of what those are, letting him sit here with him like this. None of the gestures or show of affection he's ever thought about - or expected - a dad to give before.
He could probably give in, and rest his head on the man's lap like he used to with his mom long ago, once upon a time, and Mister LaRusso let him. Robby won't, though; he's got Mister LaRusso's omen on his lap, after all, and he's comfortable enough as it is.)
He's happy not to move for now, until whenever Mister LaRusso decides with his adult sense of time when they've had enough. Happy not to do much or anything, and just let himself rest; but Robby does peer out through the cracks of his eyelids, just to see enough what he wants, reaching with his hand on Mister LaRusso's lap over to the man's spare hand.
...because maybe it just feels like he needs to give a little something back, with how much is being offered to Robby, and what is he meant to do? Maybe this is just for him, too, and Robby can't tell himself that it isn't.
But this is enough, and he closes his eyes again, giving the hand a squeeze despite the burn across the skin.
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Because Daniel feels Robby needs it, sure. Even without any further words being exchanged for a while, Robby still seems like he could just use this - a physical presence close to him, a sense of time passing without anything attacking them. Knowing he's safe, and that he isn't alone. And it's not like Daniel himself can't use it either, especially when that hand suddenly attaches itself to his own hand.
He's still shaken up from what happened as well, after all. Waking up tied up in a strange place, all the suffering and gore he saw, the fighting, the thought that Robby almost died - it's all so much. It weighs heavily on Daniel's heart, and the presence of the boy he saved so close to him and alive makes up for a lot.
It can't last forever though. Daniel isn't even sure how much time passes before he finally gently nudges Robby back into a seated position without leaning against Daniel. Before he gets out the first aid kid to try and treat both of their wounds as well as he can, guiding the boy into the bathroom so he can clean off some of the blood by himself. Daniel ponders making some food in the meantime, but it's late, and he knows they're both just physically and mentally exhausted. It can wait until breakfast for once. Instead Daniel just uses the time to change his clothes as well, and then to grab the blanket and pillow from the guest room, bringing it over towards the couch once Robby is at least physically a little more patched up and waiting for him there.
"Here," Daniel says, a small smile on his face as he gives the boy the pillow, though he still holds on to the blanket himself. "Go lie down."
.. Is this a little too childish for a kid Robby's age? Definitely. This isn't the sort of thing he'd normally do with Sam either, after all, but.. he does remember a few times, so close after the school fight, when Sam had seemed so tiny and scared and hurt that Daniel couldn't quite help but sit there with her and hold her hand before she fell asleep, just so she knew she wasn't alone.
He won't embarrass Robby with all of that, but he can at least cover a similarly hurt boy with a blanket, right.
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He considers being stubborn and staying sitting where he is, and does hold out until the first urging to get up he's giving after the initial one, but he's still too weak right now to the man to put up any more of a fight. (Ugh.) Robby stays mostly quiet for the rest of the night; he doesn't complain to his face or hands being touched, but if Mister LaRusso considers his stomach, he'll shake his head and say, "--Sleep'll help. I'll clean it tomorrow."
He learned that one from his time in hospital with the busted hands.
It's his only other resistance, as when he's led back to the couch, ...yes, he's not sure why Mister LaRusso is keeping a hold of the blanket, but it's a two-second thing, at most. He sets down the pillow and sits on the couch with his feet on it--half-way to laying, but still sitting up. Because he's not expecting anything else but to be handed over the blanket.
...but if Mister LaRusso insists Robby lay properly, then he won't argue it, even if he doesn't seem sure; he's still in a compliant mood, shifting his body lower, and some thought given about laying on his side. But he'll skip on that for now, with his (thankfully superficial) stomach wound.
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It's then that he gives Robby the blanket. Though it's not really giving, as much as Daniel is draping the blanket over the boy here, making sure that he's properly covered up. Tugging the bottom so it's over Robby's feet, making sure it's not hanging too far to either side of him.
It's a little much, perhaps, but Daniel needs to feel like he's at least doing something for Robby here. When there's so much he can't fix, and only so much he can do to make up for anything that happened.
When he's done, he moves his hand to gently move through Robby's hair once.
(That's definitely too dad-like, but-- he feels like Robby's dad in this moment, perhaps stronger than he ever has before. What else is he supposed to be when a boy sought comfort in him so desperately, when Robby trusts him with all this?)
It's only a faint fleeting moment anyway, before the hand is already back at Daniel's side.
"Good night, Robby," he adds then. "If you end up needing anything at all, you know I'm right here."
.. though he thinks he's going to sit outside for a bit longer first. A moment to think about everything by himself, to try to properly calm down, restore balance as far as he possibly could after all this.
He won't linger long - mostly because he figures it's too embarrassing for Robby to say anything in return, so Daniel just gives him a patient smile before moving away from the couch, walking over to go sit out the back.
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Is this what other kids get, even at this age? From a present father, a doting mother? There's no time or room to work out any of this in his brain about any of this before Daniel is speaking, Robby's eyes only glancing at the man quickly before looking down.
"...Night," he does say though, even if it's not while looking at Daniel. It's lonelier once the man leaves, but Robby doesn't feel completely so. But if he could be like any kid (a kid with his mom, just like she'd do when he was ill and young), he wishes he could be one falling asleep with an arm around him, a hand stroking his hair.
(A body next to his, their presence telling him everything was going to be alright.)
...but Robby's learned to make do with what he has, and so he focuses on what he did as he closes his eyes. Pretending Mister LaRusso to be a warmer man as the blanket gives him comfort, and refusing to think any farther back than them sitting silently side-by-side.
It's all he needs.