Work Text
The story follows the same script.
The actor takes their place upon the stage.
The curtains must open just as they always do.But no matter how grand the actor nor how perfectly practiced the performance is….
Sometimes things go wrong. A story told a thousand times but never quite the same still begins with once upon a time…And this once upon a time begins with the curtains closing.A mask upon her face.A girl whose name was [redacted] took a bow.But as she tipped her head toward the audience, she felt herself falling, the world falling out from beneath her.
It shouldn’t have, there shouldn’t have been sky beneath her feet, there shouldnt have been screams in her ears or the bright twinkling night sky above her.She fell down toward the stage below, screaming and bracing herself, this was an entirely different stage.It glowed with lights, a pale rectangle upon which a pink-haired boy, a blonde-haired boy, and a dark blue-haired boy stood, and surrounding it all was a cheering audience that suddenly went quiet when they realized she was screaming. The ground rushed to meet her, the pink haired one flinched away and clung to the blue haired one, the blonde watched with a smile.
The blonde's smile vanished, and he lunged.He caught her but she’d been falling too fast and they both hit the ground hard. They awoke shortly after, the blonde looking down at the one who had fallen, his heart twisting with grief as he gazed down at the one he knew by the name of Wataru.“What….happened…?” He grimaced, slowly sitting up clutching his head with one hand, lifting up Wataru gently with his other to sit upright.Wataru was limp in his grip, his head lulling to the side, his eyes half open behind his mask with no light behind those pretty purple orbs.
“Wataru-? Wataru- this is your worst trick yet you know- that really hurt…” Eichi sighed, not yet grasping the situation, his head still spinning and the lights from fans taking pictures and recording despite the situation being so grave left him dizzy.
The person in his grip didn’t respond, his heart sank.“…Wataru?” he shook him a little more, but he got no response.“Is he okay? What happened to him-? He never…lands like that…” Tori approached warily, peeking over hesitantly at the person in Eichi’s arms only for Eichi to reflexively pull Wataru closer as though he had to guard Wataru from anyone else's eyes. Tori shuddered at the darkness in his gaze.“Yuzuru- “ Eichi began.Yuzuru had already left to do the very thing he would have said to do, going to get the emergency crews that are always on standby in case of Eichi having an emergency.
Keito arrived on stage faster than the ambulance, checking over Eichi who was too dazed to even notice the bruises forming on himself or how he’d wounded himself.“Eichi- you need to go with the ambulance to, I’ll handle the crowd, is there anything else you need me to do?” Keito asked quickly, stepping aside so the medical crew who were arriving like doves descending could take Wataru away and fuss over Eichi.Eichi had to answer a few questions from the medical personnel before casting a weak attempt at a smile at Keito.“I trust you to handle this- you’re my right hand after all…thank you Keito”
Keito frowned, and nodded, he took the headset from Eichi’s ear with it’s built in mic and put it on himself while Eichi left with the ambulance drivers. He dissipated the audience, sending everyone back to their dorms or back off campus if they were from outside.
Keito spent the rest of the night dealing with countless calls and emails about the matter, filing a report on the situation and what happened, had Wataru’s blimp wrangled and put away in its hangar, and did his best to assure everyone that Wataru was going to be alright.
Eichi couldn’t have been more grateful, it gave him time to calm down, to process it all…It all in this case meaning…well what the doctors had to say.Though it was hard to focus through the pain that radiated through his shoulder and jaw from how he’d landed, it also was even harder to focus on anything BUT what was being said to him now.“Wataru’s speaking english and doesn’t seem to understand what we’re saying…it might be good if you go speak to him, since you do know it-“ The doctor explained to Eichi, eichi’s frown only growing stiffer.“…Of course, I’ll see what I can do” He stood up, taking a deep shaky breath.He knew only that Wataru had been lucky to survive, that he was going to live, and that he was speaking English, so nothing really could have prepared him for entering the pale hospital room and finding in the dim light of a single uncomfortably sterile-looking lamp that was attached to an arm that holds a magnifying glass, and finding Wataru sitting there with his eyes dull, quietly clutching his mask in his heads as he inspected it under the light.It was a precious mask of his, but not the most precious, a simple silver mask with gold detailing, made ornate by the brilliant blue feathers that erupted off one side though they were twisted and broken now by the fall.
Eichi wondered in that moment what he could possibly be thinking, what could be going through Wataru’s mind- was it self doubt? Shame? Eichi tried his best to think, to understand Wataru as each step brought him closer.
Wataru, his Wataru had confided much in him over the course of their time sharing a journal.All of those fragile things he’d let slip out in tiny riddles just safe enough to sneak through Wataru’s mask seemed dangerously vivid at that moment.His Wataru who never wanted anyone to even see him eat, because that would mean he’s human, had quite litterally fallen from his pedestal yet again, brought back down to the mere level of mortals and reminded brutally of how no matter how much he tried to deny it, he was human.
His Wataru was quietly touching his own injuries, slowly to process them, reaching up to clutch his head, and he shut his eyes as Eichi approached.
Eichi arrived at his side sooner than he was really ready to, reaching up to gently ruffle his hair, causing Wataru to lift his head in confusion, staring with wide eyes.His face instantly blossomed red in a strange way that didn’t befit him.Was it shame?“Wataru…I’m so glad you’re alright, how are you feeling? You really scared me- and here I was thinking you couldn’t surprise me anymore….you’re going to make me hate surprises at this rate you know…” He spoke, in english.
“…I don’t…know who you’re talking about…” Wataru replied quietly, pulling away and looking back down at the mask as though it somehow could hold the answers if he just gripped it hard enough, but instead, he just was bending it uncomfortably in his hands.“You’re my Amazing Wataru Hibiki, that’s who.” Eichi smiled sadly. “The Wataru I love doesn’t need to be perfect, you’re still amazing to me.” He assured him, reaching down to take the mask in his hands and pulling it away from his grip, Wataru held onto it for a moment before freeing it reluctantly, lifting his sad confused eyes to meet Eichi’s.Eichi struggled not to think it was sort of cute - if sad how he looked up at him like a lost puppy- what kind of strange new side of Wataru was this? He had to be careful he might intentionally start trying to confuse him just to see it again-Maybe Keito was right and Eichi was a weird little man when it came to Wataru, kind of a rude thing to say to someone but its times like this that make Eichi sort of agree.“I’m Amazing?… I’m yours?” Wataru asked quietly, looking lost, but a bit less sad.“Always.” Eichi hummed. “You’ve said it yourself a thousand times haven't you? That you’re my Wataru Hibiki?” Eichi asked, chuckling slightly.“…I have?” Wataru asked, looking genuinely confused.“…Well yes Wataru, surely you’re not so full of shame that you’ve forgotten yourself that heavily have you?” Eichi chuckled.Wataru’s expression remained lost for a moment before suddenly a light blinked on in his eyes.“Hold on, shame? What am I supposed to be ashamed of? Did I do something embarrassing…?” Wataru asked.“Well- no not really but …well I thought you might be emberassed, given the circumstances” Eichi admitted “you don’t even like eating in front of people I can’t imagine falling like a bird with a broken wing to the ground suits your perfect persona very well no?” Eichi asked.“…I fell? Is that why everything hurts so much?” Wataru tilted his head.“You don’t remember?” Eichi asked pausing as he began to realize maybe there was more going on than he realized.“…I don’t remember anything actually-“ Wataru admitted hesitantly as Eichi looked down at the mask in his left hand, his right hand was quietly playing with Wataru’s braid unconciously.“…Wataru What’s my name?” Eichi asked, dread embedding itself firmly in his stomach, which twisted uncomfortably around the pit it had formed.“Um…” Wataru squinted.The truth was, Wataru wasn’t even Wataru.
Not that [redacted] remebered anything, they frankly weren’t sure what was going on whatsoever. What they do know is whoever this guy is he’s acting bizzarely intimate, so he must be a boyfriend or something right? How did Wataru get a boyfriend?Looks like a pretty cute boyfriend, so Wataru’s attracted to men??? Wataru’s learning a lot about themselves today.Mostly because Wataru forgot who he actually was.“….Cutie..boyfriendface,” Wataru suggested raising a finger and pointing at him.The odd flirtatious blonde’s face turned bright red for a moment and he quietly slapped a hand over his own face to hide it dropping the mask on Wataru’s lap and releasing his hair.“Wataru- don’t tease me like that-““But you’re a cutie and you’re my boyfriend right?” Wataru asked shoulders sagging. What is it supposed to call him then? What part of Wataru doesn’t remember what’s going on doesn’t this silly boyfriend of a guy not get???“Wataru- I'm asking you really- not joking- do you know who I am?” Eichi sputtered “This is no time to be flirting with me you’ve got me worried and you’re going to give the nurses the wrong idea-““I’m flirting? Am I doing a good job at it-?” Wataru asked tilting his head. “And um- sorry no I really don’t know your name, I get the impression you’re very dear to me though, so I’m glad you’re here….I’m really confused right now.” Wataru confessed with a weak smile. “I hope you’ll help me get better - I feel a lot better already just having you around- I know you’re familiar after all….I just don’t know who you are yet. I can always learn right…?”Eichi stopped blushing, and slowly unhid his face, staring at Wataru with saddened and stunned eyes.He was torn between how sweet it was that Wataru still found him familiar and the greif that comes with realizing Wataru wasn’t going to be back to normal for perhaps, a very long time, if ever.“…I was afraid of that…of course, I’ll fulfill your hopes, I won’t go anywhere, but I’m not your…” Eichi began.He wanted to tell him ‘im not your boyfriend Wataru you’ve really misunderstood something, but something selfish and perhaps a little cruel slipped in and he decided not to correct him.He could always tell him later…“…You’ll get your memories back eventually. Let’s not worry about that for now, let’s just work on going over the basics….”“Please do, tell me who I am” Wataru smiled leaning forward curiously.Eichi slipped his hand into his coat, despite the slight pain that radiated from his shoulder with the movement, taking that familiar mask from his pocket and presenting it to Wataru.“You…are Wataru Hibiki, the most Amazing Idol I’ve ever met….and my dearest friend, you go to Yumenosaki, which is a school for idols…and this is your mask, you once told me when you gave it to me that…you were giving yourself to me…” He said, reluctantly reaching up to place it on Wataru’s face, the mask fitting perfectly as before, despite his injuries.“I did….?” Wataru asked, reaching up to quietly touch the mask.“Yes…and by giving it back to you I give you my promise…that I will give you back to yourself, and when you recognise yourself again and you ddon’t need this as a reminder…you can give yourself back to me like last time if you still want that….alright Wataru?” Eichi asked gently, he’d do anything to help Wataru.He’d do everything to protect Wataru.“…thank you- What’s your name though-?” Wataru asked hesitantly, letting his hand fall to his side no longer fussing with the mask.
“Oh, right of course…My name is…”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Eichi Tenshouin was an interesting man.Wataru found he was the type to spoil him rotten, in fact, the very second he got out of the hospital he found himself always being led by the hand like a child, off to lovely places that sparkled with strange light and to do lovely things.Wataru delighted in every moment of it, the brightness of freedom outside the colorless hospital walls was nearly blinding.First, they got some coffee, and then he got to go shopping with Eichi to buy clothes that were comfortable because Wataru had briefly mentioned the discomfort of hospital clothes. Eichi seemed to ever get carried away, burying him in clothes of all shapes and sorts, treating Wataru like his favorite doll, dressing him and fussing with his hair, always lingering a little too long taking pictures and smiling like an artist busy in his craft.He chattered all the while about something called an “idol” and how he’d learned a lot of interesting fashion things from the idols he knew, his eyes always sparkled in such a pretty way when he spoke, so Wataru listened intently wanting to understand what could make someone shine like that. He put a lot of emphasis on certain ones, seemingly waiting for a reaction and hiding the slight loss of a smile when he didn't get the one he was hoping for.And the food they got after, with Wataru (now wearing a charming suit that was comfortable and perfectly fitted and had cost an amount Wataru didn’t really understand), was scrumptious.Tarts and cheeses, and fancy sausages, fruits and berries served on a tray piled high by a waiter who occasionally came by and brushed crumbs off the table with a little brush and afterward a plate full of crab legs Eichi insisted on cracking for Wataru who’s limbs still were weak from the time he spent in the hospital…It was more than Wataru could process!Wataru smiled fondly as Eichi struggled so greatly with it, amused that he was trying so hard, and Eichi so enthusiastically managed to pry out some red-and-white meat from inside the shell.He plopped it into butter and offered it to Wataru, who without thinking simply ate it right from his hand, earning a startled chuckle from Eichi as he nervously cleaned the butter off his hands.“Is that good, Wataru?” He’d asked, as though everything hadn’t been so absurdly extravagant already, and they weren’t even onto their main meal, and as if Eichi hadn’t gone out of his way to save every strawberry for Wataru because Wataru had adored them so much.“Everything you do is amazing Eichi, you’ve been so kind to me…I can’t imagine why you’re spoiling me so but this is wonderful…” Wataru smiled contently, how could he be more satisfied and content? Did something nicer than this even exist?“Is it really? This isin’t much you know..you flatter me, I actually wish I could do much more- and ah-…I dont suppose you remembered anything over the course of all this?” Eichi asked.Wataru paused curiously, tilting his head curiously.Eichi was clutching his fancy cloth napkin, embroidered with swirls and wings and such, ornate and overly flashy for something meant for cleaning butter off your hands…but he clutched it like it was a lifeline.Wataru pursed his lips in concern, slowly tracing his eyes up Eichi’s limbs, finding the tension in his shoulders and the tightness of his smile, only to almost linger on those eyes that were so blue Wataru had to let his gaze fall again.Was that hope in his eyes? And yet- fear? Wataru wasn’t sure. He didn’t know much about facial expressions.“Was…I supposed to remember something?” Wataru asked hesitantly.“…This place doesn’t remind you of anything does it-“ Eichi’s shoulders slumped and his napkin fell from his hands onto the table’s white cloth its dark fabric still folded slightly but dishevelled on the surface.“No- no its alright, please don’t worry about it…” Eichi sighed smiling sadly down at his lap, his eyes hidden away behind his pretty blonde hair.Wataru sighed quietly, it was easy enough to guess…Eichi had been trying to remind him of something with all this…was it the restaurant? The clothes?He looked over his outfit carefully, was there anything? Any hints of something familiar?No, just simple blue fabric and white, pretty and pristine, gold detailing, but nothing familiar.It matched Eichi’s…he’d wanted to match for some reason.Wataru had found it quite cute.Most things Eichi did were cute.But now Wataru had to wonder if there was more to those outfits he’d put him in, or maybe it had been something he’d said while talking about idols?Wataru shut his eyes, breathing out his stress.That’s alright, one day he’ll remember. Eichi could forgive this couldn't he?...he hoped so. He hated the thought that Eichi was wasting so much time on him, what if he never remembered?...a dreadful thought.“…It’s only been a little while, please be patient with me…I want to remember too, but it’s going to take me a while…” He sighed softly fussing with his braid that was in his hair.What was with that braid…was there a reason for it?For some reason, it seemed familiar too, but it should be, right? It’s his own hair.The braid twitched.Wataru jumped slightly in surprise, the braid raised up like a cobra at him swaying slowly left and right.“Eichi- Eichi help- help me-“ he squeaked out, but this time he said it in Japanese instead of English, and soon all his words were coming out in Japanese as though his hair springing to life had triggered it.Wataru was pressing his back up against his chair and cowering away from it “it - it’s - alive- what is it-“ He shrank back raising his arm defensively, shaking in every limb, heart pounding in terror. HIS HAIR WAS ALIVE? IT WAS ALIVE- WHAT WAS HAPPENING.Eichi looked up in surprise, finding the sight before him both hilarious and tragic.Wataru hibiki was nearly in tears shaking and whimpering, pointing at his own hair that seemed to be curious about him itself.“Oh- Wataru it’s alright it’s always been alive- you don’t remember that either though do you…” Eichi blinked in concern.“Dont say something like that like its normal! Eichi hair isint supposed to be alive!” The braid smacked Wataru in the face as he spoke, he yelped and slapped it away, the rest of his hair began smacking at him in retaliation.No longer was his hair CURIOUS about him, now it was just ticked.“Eichi- EICHI!” He wailed trying to defend himself, it didn't really hurt but it WAS scary and it kept getting hair in his mouth- and he couldn’t see anything as they bound over his eyes and face-Why did it choose THEN to get him!?The other restaurant goers began to watch, but Eichi simply rose up from his seat and quickly hurried to Wataru’s side gently pushing the hair away from his face and restraining it like a ponytail behind his head, sighing as he reached for a ribbon he had tied on his neck like a bow tie untying it to tie it into Wataru’s hair so it would keep it restrained. Its golden fabric suited him oddly well…Wataru looked at him like he’d saved his life, Eichi chuckled softly, there werent any marks on him, he just looked a bit distressed.“I’m sorry I have to restrain you right now, you can’t treat Wataru like that right now he’s in a very vulnerable place right now you’re scaring him” He said gently to the hair and it strangely enough listened to him.Much more so than it would ever listen to Wataru, Wataru thought bitterly.“Thank you…that was scary…” Wataru sighed in relief relaxing, Eichi chuckled lightly, wiping the tears off Wataru’s face.“I’m sorry for laughing-….” Eichi smiled apologetically, restraining another chuckle, earning such a grouchy little pout out of Wataru.“I’ve just never seen you make that face before, that’s all” Eichi smiled pleasantly, despite having not taken Watarus terrible awful no good very bad incident seriously.“You’re mean and you laugh at other people's misfortune, I require an apology treat” Wataru pouted.“Another treat? Are you getting spoiled Wataru?” Eichi teased, settling back over to his seat leaving Wataru to settle down, his hair now neatly tied back so it couldn’t harass him but it was still shifting stubbornly behind his head in protest over being restrained.“Of course I am, you're my boyfriend after all” Wataru hummed crossing his arms “So I'm spoiled, and I intend to get worse so give me a treat please if you will….unless of course that's too much money I don’t want to actually become a problem after all- perhaps I’m asking too much- ill settle for a hug- or-““no no~ it’s alright you’re right- but ah- don’t say things like that in public Wataru…you’re going to get us some strange looks…” Eichi chuckled nervously. “We’re very famous people too…if you say things like that some people might get the wrong idea…or cause us trouble, so please keep it a secret between us…” Eichi said, picking up the dessert menu, and earning a curious look from Wataru.“…a secret between us? Oh-…alright…?” Wataru tilted his head curiously, wondering what on earth they'd have to keep it secret for.“Are idols not supposed to date?”“It’s taboo, you can do it more nowadays but…as idols we shouldn’t indulge too obvoiusly in public in such affections” Eichi explained. But it was so much more than that, he could NOT let someone else besides him explain the truth to Wataru-“Ah…I see” Wataru replied, thinking over what he’d said. That’s rather fascinating… what on earth WAS an idol then? They know a lot about fashion, they're famous, and they're not supposed to date? What could possibly be the cause of that?Who knows, He didin’t that’s for sure, he didint even know what they DID just what they shouldn’t do and should know.But he figured he’d get his answers eventually.One delicious cake later Wataru was swimming in delicious treat bliss and Eichi was swimming in guilt and shame.Was this taking advantage of Wataru? Telling him theyre a couple? Eichi hadn’t dared actually do more than hold hands, but was this …wrong?He glanced away. His Wataru would probably find it entertaining, he loved playing roles and parts, and he’d probably at most tease him over playing pretend like this with him while he’s an amnesiac.But if Wataru never got his memories back would it just be evil? Cruel?….Eichi decided he’d just…make sure to tell Wataru the truth soon, tonight maybe… Yes. Tonight. Night fell of course, and they arrived back at their dorm, Eichi leading Wataru into the bedroom where a black-haired person who looked like he belonged in some sort of store for goth anime boys and some little miniature Eichi of some sort were. Eichi was visibly exhausted from all the fun they’d had despite his good attitude, and he didn't look the most interested in talking to the other two, in fact, Wataru detected some legitimate irritation out of Eichi when he made eye contact with the black haired goth guy.Wataru meanwhile was in a much better mood, gazing curiously at the other two.“…Did …did I give birth to that one?” Wataru asked pointing at Aira. “You didn't tell me we had a child Eichi-““eh!? What!?” Aira looked up startled from scrolling through Ao3 reading fanfictions about his coworkers, which is kind of a weird thing to do but he was far from the only person at Yumenosaki that did that, just ask Mika.Eichi tried his best not to laugh but he wound up doubling over burying his face in his hand “No- I - Wataru- That- that’s not our son- ““Are you sure? That looks EXACTLY like a tiny you-“Aira looked up blinking baffled, with round eyes that screamed ‘This may not be the weirdest thing I've dealt with today but I'm still not mentally prepared for this conversation’“Is…Something wrong with you today you’re acting kind of weird…” he grimaced in confusion “Did you really hit your head that hard when you fell out of the blimp-?”“he did actually…” Eichi straightened up calming down, still chuckling some.“Unfortunately he ah..you see doesn’t remember much, he’s a little confused…I even had to tie his hair back because he started bickering with it…It’s a shame it scared him so badly, it was a treat to get to see him making a face I’ve never seen before-“ Eichi smiled.“No memories huh…?” Rei frowned “nothing at all?” he asked looking at Wataru curiously.“..hm. Hey Wataru, cmere.” He gestured. Wataru blinked curiously and walked over to Rei leaning down to listen to his words.Rei leaned in and whispered into his ear a strange string of words that sounded like they came from a play.“Huh…” Wataru blinked curiously, feeling a strange shift in his mind but nothing quite made sense.“…do you still not remember anything? That’s a phrase you taught me to use when one of your tricks goes wrong” Rei said with a worried frown.“…Tricks?” Wataru questioned with a lost expression.Rei’s eyes softened sadly. “…hey don’t worry about it, youll be fine- I’m sure-“ he began.Suddenly something clicked in his mind though just as they said that.“Wait- yes I do remember something!” he exclaimed straightening up and clapping his hands together.“What’s that?” Rei smiled curiously sitting up a bit straighter on his bed.“Keito Hasumi talks to his glasses!” he declared proudly.“You remember Keito?” Eichi’s eyes widened.“Not at all! I have no idea who this person is or why I remember he likes glasses! Amazing! I'm incredibly confused!” Wataru kept clapping happily.“Right- okay then…” Rei sighed.“It’s progress…in that case maybe we should introduce you two tomorrow hm?” Eichi suggested with a chuckle.“Ah! That sounds good!” Wataru perked up.They decided to settle into bed shortly after because Eichi was doing so poorly and tiredly. so far spoiling Wataru in an attempt to remind him of things wasn’t working out. Eichi was emotionally exhausted and the day had been…strange.And on that very same note on forgetting…Eichi completely forgot, in his sleepiness, that Wataru still believed they were dating- whoops.But at least Wataru seemed happy.So happy he didin’t manage to sleep much and Eichi had been forced to give him one of Keito’s mangas to read till he got tired.Eichi had been a bit worried he might not be able to read it-But Wataru had, seemingly randomly, right in the middle of dinner that day started speaking japanese instead of english, when he was fighting his hair actually…Hence why he could even speak to the others when he got here-Eichi did his best to fall asleep knowing that Wataru had had two successes that day...Learning Japanese again- somehow- via panic it seemed- and remembering that Keito liked glasses…Maybe if Eichi got lucky…Wataru would remember everything in the morning and everything would be fine.That thought comforted him to sleep.Unfortunately he then woke up to Wataru wearing a cape and a makeshift mask, chuckling darkly to himself and pacing around the room at a bizzare hour clutching the comic book in his hands.“I see..I see, now I understand completely…” he was muttering to himself.Eichi blinked blearily in his sleepy state trying to process what was going on.Realizing only then that he had definitely made a mistake in giving Wataru a comic book about supervillains, but he was too tired to really figure out how he’d gotten this confused. Could this wait for another five minutes of sleep perhaps-?The answer was no. No he could not.