[The boy didn't used to be quiet - he's never really spent much time with other kids, sure, but he was never truly silent. He used to be rambunctious and loud and have tons of energy.
But there also used to be two of them. Something's happened, though, and now it's just him and he's quiet. That's made him a target, it seems, the kids that are strangers to him finding him easy pickings.
He balls his hands into fists, but he doesn't react to their cruel words beyond that. After all, doesn't he deserve worse?]
[Akira'd seen that boy around--well, him and his brother. But now... he's so quiet, it's so jarring.
... Akira knows these kids, unfortunately, and he knows that they're mean and they'll pick on anyone that stands out, given half the chance. So of course they're gonna go after that albino kid. It sends Akira's temper flaring, and he silently strides over, a fire in his eyes.
He quietly taps the ringleader's shoulder, and when the boy turns to look, Akira throws a punch--it's enough to get the other kids to back off, and a glare sends them scattering. He turns his attention to the quiet boy.]
[He's not expecting someone to come to his rescue - he was sure this whole thing would go unnoticed and uncared about. Who cares about the strange boy from that bizarre family?
Nobody, that's who.
Dante's seen the other kid around, even though he's never talked to him, and he doesn't know what he's thinking when he punches the ringleader in the face. He's surprised it doesn't devolve into a complete fight, if he's being honest.]
...Hi.
[His voice is small, and he looks at Akira through his bangs.]
[He curls in on himself as he says it, as if the reality of his situation is finally truly setting in. He's alone, now, and his home is gone. He can't go back there. There's nothing to go back to.]
[And after a gentle squeeze of the hand in his, Akira leads Dante back to his house. The situation gets explained to the Akira's father as best as possible, and the man promises to smooth things over with his wife.
(There may have been a ruffle of Dante's hair in there too.)
With that, the man goes to see to it that the guest room is now going to be for a more permanent guest. Akira cheers.]
Years pass, and so do a variety of misadventures. Akira's stayed latched onto Dante throughout the years, even going so far as to teaching himself magic and how to fight with it so he can stand his ground against demons.
(Having to be rescued is slightly embarrassing, he's found.)
It's gotten to the point that they've got a shop together now--or at least, it will be a shop. They don't even have a name for the place in mind yet. Akira perches on his desk, which is still pretty empty, all things considered and looks over at Dante.]
[Years pass, and Dante learns how to fight - how to fight demons. At one point, it's about revenge, but...things change, as they always do, and it ends up being about protecting what he cares about.
(Funny, that, how one rescue and everything shifts.)
Dante's in the chair behind the desk, feet propped up on it. He nudges Akira with his toe, raising an eyebrow with a smirk.]
It's definitely real. Soon enough the jobs'll come rolling in.
Yeah, but what if we end up not getting a lot of those? Or have to sacrifice a lot of the pay for collateral damages? We literally cannot afford to not take everything we can.
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u kno
But there also used to be two of them. Something's happened, though, and now it's just him and he's quiet. That's made him a target, it seems, the kids that are strangers to him finding him easy pickings.
He balls his hands into fists, but he doesn't react to their cruel words beyond that. After all, doesn't he deserve worse?]
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... Akira knows these kids, unfortunately, and he knows that they're mean and they'll pick on anyone that stands out, given half the chance. So of course they're gonna go after that albino kid. It sends Akira's temper flaring, and he silently strides over, a fire in his eyes.
He quietly taps the ringleader's shoulder, and when the boy turns to look, Akira throws a punch--it's enough to get the other kids to back off, and a glare sends them scattering. He turns his attention to the quiet boy.]
... hey.
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Nobody, that's who.
Dante's seen the other kid around, even though he's never talked to him, and he doesn't know what he's thinking when he punches the ringleader in the face. He's surprised it doesn't devolve into a complete fight, if he's being honest.]
...Hi.
[His voice is small, and he looks at Akira through his bangs.]
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You okay?
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I'm fine. They can't hurt me.
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[He hesitates briefly, thinking.]
My name's Akira, what's yours?
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Dante... [He blinks.] I...
[No, there's no point. It doesn't matter.]
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[Headtiiiiilt. What were you gonna say bud]
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[He curls in on himself as he says it, as if the reality of his situation is finally truly setting in. He's alone, now, and his home is gone. He can't go back there. There's nothing to go back to.]
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Um... you can come with me, if you wanna.
[He knows his dad won't have a problem with it, at the very least. His mom maybe will but tough cookies.]
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[He sounds hopeful, though. He wants somewhere to go. He doesn't want to be stuck out on the streets...
But he doesn't want to endanger Akira, too.]
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[He rocks back on his heels briefly before offering his hand to Dante again.]
C'mon!
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[He takes Akira's hand cautiously, a little nervous that if he doesn't the boy will just disappear.
Unbidden, something that feels a little bit like hope sparks in his chest.]
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(There may have been a ruffle of Dante's hair in there too.)
With that, the man goes to see to it that the guest room is now going to be for a more permanent guest. Akira cheers.]
There, see? No trouble at all!
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He fidgets nervously, looking around the house. It's different, and there's something awfully final about all of this.]
...thanks.
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[He beams.]
Just ask if you need anything, okay?
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R-right. Okay.
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[And so he bounces off...
Years pass, and so do a variety of misadventures. Akira's stayed latched onto Dante throughout the years, even going so far as to teaching himself magic and how to fight with it so he can stand his ground against demons.
(Having to be rescued is slightly embarrassing, he's found.)
It's gotten to the point that they've got a shop together now--or at least, it will be a shop. They don't even have a name for the place in mind yet. Akira perches on his desk, which is still pretty empty, all things considered and looks over at Dante.]
... This is still a little surreal.
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(Funny, that, how one rescue and everything shifts.)
Dante's in the chair behind the desk, feet propped up on it. He nudges Akira with his toe, raising an eyebrow with a smirk.]
It's definitely real. Soon enough the jobs'll come rolling in.
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[They really can't afford to be doing that...]
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[He's like, 99% sure of this.]
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Yeah, but what if we end up not getting a lot of those? Or have to sacrifice a lot of the pay for collateral damages? We literally cannot afford to not take everything we can.
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Fine. I'll take the first job I get.
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[He sticks his tongue out briefly, then grins.]
Hey, you know what we should do? Let's order a pizza to celebrate our grand opening.
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Oh, hell yeah.
[He grins, eyes bright.]
The usual?
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The usual. You mind ordering?
[Akira's probably going to end up fussing over something or other being tidy, as he usually does, and busy himself with doing the tidying.]