behind the scenes

[ ʸᵒᵘⁿᵍᵉʳ ˢᵉˡᶠ ]

This will be a two-part series, one comforting and the other angst. Enjoy the comfort one first :D

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When Zihao and Hu are given the chance to speak with their younger selves

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[ Zihao ]

The teenager slowly approaches the crying boy, in hopes of not scaring him. His lips form a straight line as he squats down. Raising his hand, his finger pokes the little boy's head softly. As little Zihao looks up, his small sniffles could be heard. His eyes were stained red as his tears clouded his vision.

A frown grows on Zihao's face as he stares at his younger self. Was he really this heartbroken before? Letting out a small sigh, he brings the kid in for a hug. "I'm sorry he didn't come home." That's all it took for the child to break down even more. His loud sobs seemed to echo in the empty area as the teenager rocked him back and forth. Never once did he let go. "Don't be scared anymore, you won't be lonely for long. Someone will listen to your cries soon, I swear."

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[ Hu ]

A loud cry rang through the empty field, panicked the teenager desperately flung his head around, looking for the source. His feet carried him at full speed to the cause of the wailing, he ignored the pain in his legs as he sprinted, faster, and faster. He had to get there; he couldn't leave him there alone. His body shook as he felt the anxiety surge through his body. As the crying grew louder, his feet only seemed to move slower. Until, finally, a small blob of pink appeared in his sight of vision. Releasing a sigh of relief, rushed to the boy and pulled him into a big hug. "You don't have to cry anymore, soon you won't be lonely. I pinky swear." He spoke softly as cradled the child in his arms.

And now angst :D

[ Zihao ]

The older teenager peered down at the young boy staring up at him. He didn't miss to notice the curious and hopeful look in the kid's eyes. Letting out a long-exasperated sigh, he squats down so they're at eye level. "Did we become a hero like dad did?" The little boy asked hopeful. He looked to be about the age of eight or nine, so Zihao assumed it was right before his father was forced into retirement. 

Allowing his face to fall blank, he shakes his head slowly. Gently placing his hand on the younger's head, he begins to talk. "We gave up on that idea a long time ago kid, you wouldn't be proud of who we became." The light in little Zihao's eyes began to fade with every word. A sinking filling grew in his chest as the older of the two stood up and walked away. Living him to sit alone with the newly founded disappointment. 

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[ Hu ]

"Woah! You look so cool!" The little boy bounced up and down as he circled the older version of himself. A big smile was evident on his face. The teenager chuckled nervously as the kid began to spew out random questions. "So! Did they ever come back?!" The younger asked innocently. Hu felt his body freeze at the question, how was he supposed to answer it? Does he tell the truth? Or does he pretend to not know anything? 

"No, they didn't." His head hung low as he muttered out the words. Slight anger laced his tone.

The bouncing slowly came to a stop as the kid looked at him in disbelief. "What- no they had to have! They pinky promised they would!" He tried to urge as tears began to swell in his eyes. There was no way he'd be left alone, he had to be lying.

"Well kid, not all promises are meant to be kept." Hu spat out as he watched all joy drain from the younger's face. It was better this way, at least now he wouldn't be disappointed every time he woke up alone, just like he had.

Hu's backstory will be released soon :) it never really paid a big role in the story, so I never included it