Akira Short Story: Fighting
Akira, age 18
Howard (ex), age 19
Ava (ex), age 18
*TW; suicidal threats and implications, implied abuse, and probably some other stuff*
Akira leaned heavily against the edge of the sink, bracing themselves to keep from collapsing as trauma after trauma danced through their head tauntingly. Their chest felt tight and a ringing built up in their ears, only intensified by the sight of crimson blood trailing down their wrist.
Each droplet brought back a new memory, seeping out of their body in a stream of self-inflicted pain. They knew they deserved it, each flash of Amie’s face was a reminder of that, and yet, Akira couldn’t help but sob, selfishly so.
They weren’t sure how long they stood there, gritting their teeth and staring at the blood pooling from the newest, deep gash in their wrist, but they eventually managed to compose themselves and pushed off the sink, running cold water over the wound and wrapping it sloppily. Then they pulled their fingerless gloves and light jacket back on and dragged their feet to the common room. Now that the ringing in their ears died down, they could clearly hear the screaming coming from the kitchen.
Huffing, they grabbed a cigarette and lighter from the coffee table and lit up before sinking into the couch, unfazed by the chaos in the other room. As expected, their partners eventually made their way into the common room anyway, continuing their screaming match.
“You’re a fucking asshole!”
“You’re the one who’s being a complete dumbass! What did you think was going to happen?! You think I’d just let this shit go?”
“Any normal person would!”
“News flash, bitch, none of us are “normal!” We don’t have the flexibility that most people do, you made the mistake, I’m just trying to fix it!”
“What, by threatening to kick me out?”
“If it’s necessary!”
“Akira, are you hearing this shit?!”
Akira hummed, looking up at Ava, who addressed them with tear-filled eyes and rage in her voice. “Yup.”
“And you’re not doing shit?”
Aki shrugged. “Did ya spend Howard’s money again? Told ya not to.”
“The only money I spent is my own!”
“Yeah, money we could use for food, dumbass!” Howard growled, red eye flaring.
“I was getting my friend a gift, with my money, we can live without five fucking dollars!”
Akira snorted softly, sitting back as Howard took a step forward.
“Your friend? Do you hear yourself, Ava? You don’t have any fucking friends, it’s just us, you know that just as well as I do!”
“Yeah, well, maybe you’re wrong! Thalia cares about me!”
“No one cares about you! No one but us two! I’m trying to protect you, Ava!”
“Yeah, right, but if I were to leave to go jump off a bridge or some shit right now you wouldn’t do much to protect me then, would you?”
Howard clenched his jaw. “That would be your choice, then. You hurt yourself, not someone else.”
“Fine.” Ava lifted her chin and crossed her arms. “So I’ll go do that then. You gonna stop me, Akira?”
Akira looked at her blankly, blowing out a ring of smoke before answering. “Do what you want, I’ll even join ya if you like.” They smiled emotionlessly as Ava rolled her eyes.
“Right, so I can kill myself but I can’t have friends, good to know.”
“You don’t need friends,” Howard growled, stepping forward and grabbing Ava’s wrist as she started to turn away. “Friends will only end up hurting you, and that will be out of control. Out of my control. If you hurt yourself, you chose that, you don’t choose someone else hurting you. I just want to protect you.”
Ava pulled her wrist away and sighed, throwing herself on the couch. “Shut up, I’m done.”
Howard hesitated, seeming to contemplate something before just rolling his shoulders back and sitting down as well. “Please don’t hurt yourself.” He grumbled, looking away. “I can’t stop you, but I don’t want to lose you either.”
A small smile touched Ava’s lips at that and she shifted to lay against Akira’s chest. “Fine. I forgive you.”
Akira hummed, smiling as well when their girlfriend pushed herself up against them. “Love you guys.”
“Love you too.”
“Yeah, love you, idiots.”
They held Ave close, running their hands through her hair gently before freezing at the sight of a wound just above her ear. It wasn’t very deep, but it was still bleeding which meant it was fresh. Sucking in a breath, Akira continued to stroke her hair and looked up at Howard. “Hey, Howard?”
“Huh?” The other looked up, making eye contact.
“Touch her again and I’ll kill ya, okay?”
Howard held their gaze for a moment longer before dropping his eyes and shifting, looking a little uncomfortable. “Right, k.”
Ava smiled faintly and Akira nodded, satisfied. “Good. What do we think of a movie night? Think we could all relax some.”
The tone change was enough for Howard to relax again and he grinned widely. “Hell yeah! Wanna sneak into the theater? Heard there’s a movie out that I kind of want to see.”
Akira smirked. “Sure, whatever ya want.”
Ava nodded as well. “Okay, sounds good, but, Akira, if you fall asleep again, I’m going to punch you awake.”
They rolled their eyes. “Yeah, yeah, I’m not that bad!”
Howard raised an eyebrow. “You totally are, babe.”
“Whatever. Just bring snacks this time.”
Both their partners chuckled and Akira smiled. It looked like everything would probably be fine for the rest of the night at least, which was the best they could ask for.
Fall 
Day 
Hurricane
