[ Oh god.
It's very early in January - early enough that Ange hasn't quite realised that a year has passed and the shedding ceremony has returned. Early enough that the girl is caught completely off guard when she's walking the streets innocently, having no idea what's about to happen to her, until someone is already taking her arm.
She sputters, ready to defend herself, maybe shove a spell right into this person's face..
.. until she looks, truly looks, and realises she knows this face. Sure, she knows it to be much younger than what she's seeing right now, but isn't this-- ]
F-Falco?!
[ Look, she's at least allowing herself to be dragged along, but that doesn't mean Ange doesn't look completely baffled by everything that's going on here. ]
It's very early in January - early enough that Ange hasn't quite realised that a year has passed and the shedding ceremony has returned. Early enough that the girl is caught completely off guard when she's walking the streets innocently, having no idea what's about to happen to her, until someone is already taking her arm.
She sputters, ready to defend herself, maybe shove a spell right into this person's face..
.. until she looks, truly looks, and realises she knows this face. Sure, she knows it to be much younger than what she's seeing right now, but isn't this-- ]
F-Falco?!
[ Look, she's at least allowing herself to be dragged along, but that doesn't mean Ange doesn't look completely baffled by everything that's going on here. ]
( It's been awhile since Peter poked his head out of the safety of home; times have been strange (but when aren't they?) Recovering from the cocoon he'd found himself in at the beginning of November has been a lenghty process, and there are some ways he's gotten better and some ways he thinks maybe he's gotten worse.
In any case, fresh air never hurts. He takes walks, and ventures into the city to do some window-shopping, easy and calm. He likes the chill to the air, the winter frost; it's easy to breathe in, and back out.
He's standing gazing into a window of a store when someone takes his arm, and being Peter, he startles — but doesn't pull back, wide eyes catching hold of who's there, and it's....someone he knows. Different, in this form (a concept Peter's used to by now; this time last year he woke up beside Luna as an entire man), but still recognisable. )
Falco? ( Peter's turning to face him more, and for once his surprise isn't coming with panic. Only wonder as he takes his friend in, breathing out a soft exhale. )
You're big!
In any case, fresh air never hurts. He takes walks, and ventures into the city to do some window-shopping, easy and calm. He likes the chill to the air, the winter frost; it's easy to breathe in, and back out.
He's standing gazing into a window of a store when someone takes his arm, and being Peter, he startles — but doesn't pull back, wide eyes catching hold of who's there, and it's....someone he knows. Different, in this form (a concept Peter's used to by now; this time last year he woke up beside Luna as an entire man), but still recognisable. )
Falco? ( Peter's turning to face him more, and for once his surprise isn't coming with panic. Only wonder as he takes his friend in, breathing out a soft exhale. )
You're big!
[He'd noticed that Falco was growing more distant, more insular. That he was feeling awful, that he wasn't eating - he didn't say anything, didn't force anything, but simply took note of it. Falco was growing weaker and weaker and he didn't push. Clearly this was something Falco was going through and... well. If he didn't think Jun was able to handle whatever it was, that was Falco's choice.]
[But one day he disappears, and Jun tries to think of where he could have gone. He's heard of people being called back to the ocean, so he heads there first - and he's glad he did, because Confetti is easy enough to spot among the black sand. He walks up next to Falco, his omen at his heels. The omen sits nearby, but Jun sits next to Falco and leans against him.]
... I won't ask what it is. It's your business. But... don't just disappear on me. Whatever you're doing, whatever you're going through... don't...
[He reaches up to stroke the back of Falco's hair with shaking fingers.]
I've lost enough chances to say goodbye. Please don't let me lose another.
[Is Falco dying? He's not sure. He's also not sure if the other will come back if he does die in this state. He can't take any chances, though. He lost his chance to be there when Machi died. He can't lose another.]
[But one day he disappears, and Jun tries to think of where he could have gone. He's heard of people being called back to the ocean, so he heads there first - and he's glad he did, because Confetti is easy enough to spot among the black sand. He walks up next to Falco, his omen at his heels. The omen sits nearby, but Jun sits next to Falco and leans against him.]
... I won't ask what it is. It's your business. But... don't just disappear on me. Whatever you're doing, whatever you're going through... don't...
[He reaches up to stroke the back of Falco's hair with shaking fingers.]
I've lost enough chances to say goodbye. Please don't let me lose another.
[Is Falco dying? He's not sure. He's also not sure if the other will come back if he does die in this state. He can't take any chances, though. He lost his chance to be there when Machi died. He can't lose another.]
[ it all happens so suddenly. one moment, she's observing a carved whalebone knife, and the next she's being pulled along somewhere. she stumbles along with him, mouth unable to push out a protest as she stares at him dumbly. her brain catches up quickly, though.
it's the curve of his jaw. the dip at the bridge of his nose. her breath catches in her throat and gets stuck there. she knows that the shed is happening, and has been mentally preparing herself for all kinds of strangeness this month, but this isn't one she could've prepared for. ]
Falco. [ she breathes his name out like she's gasping for air and she pulls him to a sudden stop, unbothered if they block the flow of traffic, so as to take him in. her blue eyes trail over every little detail, catching every change and growth. he's so much taller now. he looks like an adult.
her eyes begin to burn and water and she feels so very foolish and silly. she reaches up to touch his cheek, to turn his face this way and then that way. ]
Look at you. [ warm & thick with emotion that she can't manage to contain.
this must've been what Rose felt when she'd met with Sharon on the boardwalk for the first time. shocked and awed and wishing she'd had the chance to see her grow up. ]
it's the curve of his jaw. the dip at the bridge of his nose. her breath catches in her throat and gets stuck there. she knows that the shed is happening, and has been mentally preparing herself for all kinds of strangeness this month, but this isn't one she could've prepared for. ]
Falco. [ she breathes his name out like she's gasping for air and she pulls him to a sudden stop, unbothered if they block the flow of traffic, so as to take him in. her blue eyes trail over every little detail, catching every change and growth. he's so much taller now. he looks like an adult.
her eyes begin to burn and water and she feels so very foolish and silly. she reaches up to touch his cheek, to turn his face this way and then that way. ]
Look at you. [ warm & thick with emotion that she can't manage to contain.
this must've been what Rose felt when she'd met with Sharon on the boardwalk for the first time. shocked and awed and wishing she'd had the chance to see her grow up. ]
( Peter's still quietly ogling the other as he claps his face, affectionate and friendly, brows lifting as his voice comes though — definitely deeper, older, different.
...But the same, too. In the aged features, in the eyes; there's Falco. And Peter's smiling, small and still a little stunned, but acceptance comes fairly quick. This happens around here, and Falco clearly remembers who he is, which is always the favourable option. )
Yeah—! Or, wait. Twenty. I'm twenty, I think. Yeah.
( ...Peter, don't you know... But it's been strange to keep up with; his birthday passed right in the middle of Cocoon Activity, and he's been so scrambled and scrombled since then...
Look, he'd definitely be down for a drink and the idea will inevitably come to him soon— )
How old are you...?
...But the same, too. In the aged features, in the eyes; there's Falco. And Peter's smiling, small and still a little stunned, but acceptance comes fairly quick. This happens around here, and Falco clearly remembers who he is, which is always the favourable option. )
Yeah—! Or, wait. Twenty. I'm twenty, I think. Yeah.
( ...Peter, don't you know... But it's been strange to keep up with; his birthday passed right in the middle of Cocoon Activity, and he's been so scrambled and scrombled since then...
Look, he'd definitely be down for a drink and the idea will inevitably come to him soon— )
How old are you...?
W-Well, that's not what I was really all that worried about--
[ Look at all this fluster going on here. It's not often that Ange is so thrown for a loop in a way that it actually shows, something she can't force down and attempt to hide behind a poker face.
Mostly because it's all so much at once. The dragging, sure, but especially in combination with who's doing it over here. Ange would trust Falco when the boy might drag her somewhere, but..
This isn't a boy anymore, now is it!! ]
Why are you so old?! [ Please, Ange, he's technically not that much older than you.. Don't act like he's suddenly middle-aged, just because you're surprised and gawking at him now.. ]
[ Look at all this fluster going on here. It's not often that Ange is so thrown for a loop in a way that it actually shows, something she can't force down and attempt to hide behind a poker face.
Mostly because it's all so much at once. The dragging, sure, but especially in combination with who's doing it over here. Ange would trust Falco when the boy might drag her somewhere, but..
This isn't a boy anymore, now is it!! ]
Why are you so old?! [ Please, Ange, he's technically not that much older than you.. Don't act like he's suddenly middle-aged, just because you're surprised and gawking at him now.. ]
It would be foolish not to bring protection and backup, and Midoriya is training for both. He knows all about protecting noncombatants. He has made use of Float to travel as a second pair of eyes, only occasionally hitching a ride on Falco's Titan form to rest. He knows the feeling of soaring above the clouds now, wind in his hair.
He also knows the dissolving flesh is dangerous. Midoriya once helped him out of it with the protection of equipment he doesn't have now. He only has his regular Hero gear and a backpack of travel supplies and food.
"Falco-kun!" He really should be addressing him as Falco-san or anything that would indicate this Falco's apparent age in comparison to his own, but Midoriya is, understandably, distressed.
"Don't worry about that, I can carry you and your passengers back instead. Please, here, sit down..."
He's trained to take in someone's condition at a glance. He's not sure Falco should remain on his feet. He splays steadying gloved fingers across Falco's back and carefully shepherds him over the cobblestones towards a sidewalk bench. He speaks more calmly,
"Try breathing more slowly and deeply. Do you feel dizzy? Is it Corruption?"
He also knows the dissolving flesh is dangerous. Midoriya once helped him out of it with the protection of equipment he doesn't have now. He only has his regular Hero gear and a backpack of travel supplies and food.
"Falco-kun!" He really should be addressing him as Falco-san or anything that would indicate this Falco's apparent age in comparison to his own, but Midoriya is, understandably, distressed.
"Don't worry about that, I can carry you and your passengers back instead. Please, here, sit down..."
He's trained to take in someone's condition at a glance. He's not sure Falco should remain on his feet. He splays steadying gloved fingers across Falco's back and carefully shepherds him over the cobblestones towards a sidewalk bench. He speaks more calmly,
"Try breathing more slowly and deeply. Do you feel dizzy? Is it Corruption?"
[He scoots a little close to Falco, leaning against him. It's... odd, with him being so much bigger. He still loves the other boy, though - even if he's more of a man now than a boy.]
Don't push yourself harder than you feel you need to. Make sure you breathe.
[It's hard, hearing him like this. But he has to be strong, for Falco's sake if not for his own.]
... I just want you to be as comfortable as you can be.
[His hand goes to the other's knee and squeezes it gently. He doesn't want to put pressure on anything that seems like it might be hurting at the moment.]
Don't push yourself harder than you feel you need to. Make sure you breathe.
[It's hard, hearing him like this. But he has to be strong, for Falco's sake if not for his own.]
... I just want you to be as comfortable as you can be.
[His hand goes to the other's knee and squeezes it gently. He doesn't want to put pressure on anything that seems like it might be hurting at the moment.]
Barely. [ she says with a wet smile. he's not supposed to grow up this fast. it's the shed, she has to remind herself, but... still... is she seeing into the future then? or is this just a possibility? ]
You were tiny. [ she exaggerates with a mischievous grin, gesturing in the air by her abdomen, hand flat as if to measure. ] You could barely reach the counters in my house. Don't you remember? I had to get you a booster seat and everything.
You were tiny. [ she exaggerates with a mischievous grin, gesturing in the air by her abdomen, hand flat as if to measure. ] You could barely reach the counters in my house. Don't you remember? I had to get you a booster seat and everything.
... What is it?
[His voice is quiet, and he wraps his arms around the other boy. Man? He's not sure at this point, but it doesn't matter. Falco is still Falco.]
[He's silent for a few moments, just feeling how thin and unwell Falco is. All of the deaths he's known were sudden. Not like this. Not... like this.]
I... I love you, Falco. Maybe... maybe we can't beat what this is. But I'm here to hold you until... until...
[He feels a lump in his throat. Damn it, it's too early for tears...]
I'm not leaving you to die alone.
[His voice is quiet, and he wraps his arms around the other boy. Man? He's not sure at this point, but it doesn't matter. Falco is still Falco.]
[He's silent for a few moments, just feeling how thin and unwell Falco is. All of the deaths he's known were sudden. Not like this. Not... like this.]
I... I love you, Falco. Maybe... maybe we can't beat what this is. But I'm here to hold you until... until...
[He feels a lump in his throat. Damn it, it's too early for tears...]
I'm not leaving you to die alone.
( Twenty-six. Peter visibly startles at that, eyes fluttering wider for a moment.
He forgets so many things, mind seeming to consistently erode around the edges, swallowing up little facts and details. It's often that he has to ask Luna to remind him of something simple. What's that person's last name? When did we meet them? Which street is the bread shop on, again?
He hasn't forgotten what Falco told him, those months ago. It's there, and he doesn't want it to seep into every interaction he has with the younger, but he can't help always thinking about it. It's there. Falco's going to die. As a young man in his mid-twenties. )
Oh— yeah, sure, dude...! Let's uh, let's do something.
( He tries to regain himself, nods and smiles even with a skip or two of his heart. Does that mean.... this version of Falco is... close to it? Or maybe things are different for him. Maybe....
...Peter will have to find out. He doesn't want to ask outright, not yet. Not when the other's smiling so happily the way he is. )
Anywhere you wanna go, I'm down.
He forgets so many things, mind seeming to consistently erode around the edges, swallowing up little facts and details. It's often that he has to ask Luna to remind him of something simple. What's that person's last name? When did we meet them? Which street is the bread shop on, again?
He hasn't forgotten what Falco told him, those months ago. It's there, and he doesn't want it to seep into every interaction he has with the younger, but he can't help always thinking about it. It's there. Falco's going to die. As a young man in his mid-twenties. )
Oh— yeah, sure, dude...! Let's uh, let's do something.
( He tries to regain himself, nods and smiles even with a skip or two of his heart. Does that mean.... this version of Falco is... close to it? Or maybe things are different for him. Maybe....
...Peter will have to find out. He doesn't want to ask outright, not yet. Not when the other's smiling so happily the way he is. )
Anywhere you wanna go, I'm down.
You are an old man!
[ Sorry, Falco. This is clearly still an insult for someone of your age, and yet Ange can't help but instinctively reply with that.. Especially while she's still way too caught up in the surprise of the moment.
At least she does seem to correct herself only a moment later with: ] You're not supposed to be this old!
[ A little more accurate, considering just how young the Falco she knows is compared to the face she's staring at right now. ]
[ Sorry, Falco. This is clearly still an insult for someone of your age, and yet Ange can't help but instinctively reply with that.. Especially while she's still way too caught up in the surprise of the moment.
At least she does seem to correct herself only a moment later with: ] You're not supposed to be this old!
[ A little more accurate, considering just how young the Falco she knows is compared to the face she's staring at right now. ]


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