[What Could Have Been] [A small child is squealing like they're being murdered in the way that small children do. Shido gives a laugh as he swoops that helpless child off his feet and hoists him into the air.]
You have quite a set of lungs on you, Goro!
[The four-year old gives a little delighted laugh, nose and cheeks nipped red from the chilly air around them... though, Shido doesn't quite anticipate in time that Goro seems to have picked up some snow in his hands, and is shoving it right against his neck.
He cringes with his entire body.]
Augh!
Got you, daddy!
[In the background, a loud bark of a laugh erupts from a woman, followed by hysterical laughter. The little boy is laughing, as well, apparently quite proud of himself.]
Saw that one coming from a mile away.
[A woman comes up to him, smirking coyly as she grabs Goro from him. He makes what looks suspiciously like a pout at her as brushes the snow off himself.]
Yes... he certainly is your son.
Damn straight.
Damn straight!
[Oh lord... Shido rolls his eyes and sighs with great exasperation, then just shakes his head, unable to keep a fond smile off of his face as he watches the woman... his wife... place their son down on the snow, both giggling and...
... forming... snowballs... and looking mischieviously at Shido, whose eyes widen in horror.
Oh god.
... and the real Shido, meanwhile? Is staring at this vision, completely unaware of anything or anyone around him. He stands, motionless. If one looks to his face, they'll find a gaze filled with painfully raw longing...]
[Murder Counter: Reset (CW: Gore, Suffering, Death)] [There's a sound Shido's never heard before. A sort of hiss, kind of like water on a sizzling pan. It happens so quickly, he almost misses it.
Aiden's Shadow turns charcoal black, smoke rising out of him for only a brief second before he evaporates into nothing.
There's dead silence from everyone, who are staring. And then, horrified reactions.]
Aiden...
Fuck... fuck!
No...
[Shido is silent. His breath is wavering. And then, as fast as he can, he exits the Palace.
Aiden, where are you?
There's no response, for a few seconds. Shido's blood is turning cold. And then:
In my room.
When he gets to the room, he's panting heavily, face pale.]
Hey... [Aiden is calm. Too calm.]
Is everyone else okay?
[Shido can't speak. After a moment, he manages a nod.
No, it's... [He takes a breath to steady himself, and nods, a little jerkily.] It's okay.
This isn't— [Shido cuts himself off abruptly.] This isn't... remotely okay.
[Aiden's brow is furrowed... he swallows hard, and starts reaching for Shido.]
... Masayoshi, I—
[He freezes, his pupils dilating, and lurches forward in the same moment that Shido moves forward, clutching onto his chest.]
I.. l...
[He's choking, gagging, convulsing. Shido wraps his arms around him tightly as tears stream down his face.]
I'm here... I'm here, Aiden...
..lov...
[He's groaning with pain, gurgling, and then—
A sickening squishing noise. He goes limp in Shido's arms.
Shido breathes raggedly for a moment... two moments...
And then lets out a scream.
And the real Shido is left staring again. Except this time? He's gone sheet white, his breathing shallow... and tears are freely flowing down his cheeks.]
no subject
[A small child is squealing like they're being murdered in the way that small children do. Shido gives a laugh as he swoops that helpless child off his feet and hoists him into the air.]
You have quite a set of lungs on you, Goro!
[The four-year old gives a little delighted laugh, nose and cheeks nipped red from the chilly air around them... though, Shido doesn't quite anticipate in time that Goro seems to have picked up some snow in his hands, and is shoving it right against his neck.
He cringes with his entire body.]
Augh!
Got you, daddy!
[In the background, a loud bark of a laugh erupts from a woman, followed by hysterical laughter. The little boy is laughing, as well, apparently quite proud of himself.]
Saw that one coming from a mile away.
[A woman comes up to him, smirking coyly as she grabs Goro from him. He makes what looks suspiciously like a pout at her as brushes the snow off himself.]
Yes... he certainly is your son.
Damn straight.
Damn straight!
[Oh lord... Shido rolls his eyes and sighs with great exasperation, then just shakes his head, unable to keep a fond smile off of his face as he watches the woman... his wife... place their son down on the snow, both giggling and...
... forming... snowballs... and looking mischieviously at Shido, whose eyes widen in horror.
Oh god.
... and the real Shido, meanwhile? Is staring at this vision, completely unaware of anything or anyone around him. He stands, motionless. If one looks to his face, they'll find a gaze filled with painfully raw longing...]
[Murder Counter: Reset (CW: Gore, Suffering, Death)]
[There's a sound Shido's never heard before. A sort of hiss, kind of like water on a sizzling pan. It happens so quickly, he almost misses it.
Aiden's Shadow turns charcoal black, smoke rising out of him for only a brief second before he evaporates into nothing.
There's dead silence from everyone, who are staring. And then, horrified reactions.]
Aiden...
Fuck... fuck!
No...
[Shido is silent. His breath is wavering. And then, as fast as he can, he exits the Palace.
Aiden, where are you?
There's no response, for a few seconds. Shido's blood is turning cold. And then:
In my room.
When he gets to the room, he's panting heavily, face pale.]
Hey... [Aiden is calm. Too calm.]
Is everyone else okay?
[Shido can't speak. After a moment, he manages a nod.
Aiden smiles, relieved.]
Good...
Aiden... [Shido's breath shakes. His... vision is turning blurry? Shit...] I'm sorry.
No, it's... [He takes a breath to steady himself, and nods, a little jerkily.] It's okay.
This isn't— [Shido cuts himself off abruptly.] This isn't... remotely okay.
[Aiden's brow is furrowed... he swallows hard, and starts reaching for Shido.]
... Masayoshi, I—
[He freezes, his pupils dilating, and lurches forward in the same moment that Shido moves forward, clutching onto his chest.]
I.. l...
[He's choking, gagging, convulsing. Shido wraps his arms around him tightly as tears stream down his face.]
I'm here... I'm here, Aiden...
..lov...
[He's groaning with pain, gurgling, and then—
A sickening squishing noise. He goes limp in Shido's arms.
Shido breathes raggedly for a moment... two moments...
And then lets out a scream.
And the real Shido is left staring again. Except this time? He's gone sheet white, his breathing shallow... and tears are freely flowing down his cheeks.]