Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Ever since he could remember, Stinger had a fondness for nature. Not just tending to his family’s farm but also feeling the breeze by the ocean, observing the ladybugs that help keep the other bugs away from their crops, the dandelions that children love to kick or blow around, even if they are considered weeds.

Back in school, some of his classmates found it interesting that he loved vegetables. Most kids usually don’t like veggies, and would try to get him to help them eat what they didn’t like. He took up their offer often, though he did start getting sick of the green peppers from the kid next to him at some point. 

Despite his current job, he comes back to his family’s farm often. It helps him replenish his energy, and he’s gotta get the highest quality of bamboo for his spear anyway. How else can he resume his work?

Though bamboo is their specialty, they have a variety of other crops too. Mostly other common vegetables. 

One time at the beginning of high school, he brought over Genji to hang out, and the two boys ended up tending to crops while chatting together. While Genji had never done farm work before, he had fun with Stinger. Plus, he got to take home some vegetables for himself. The hangouts at the farm started to become more frequent, and it was often a great time. 

Often. 

There was the day Genji’s cat died, but he had been too overwhelmed with grief to tell anyone anything. Stinger had noticed his subtle change in behaviour, and invited him over. It wasn’t until Genji started crying while fixing the dirt around a plant that he had finally asked what was wrong. 

They ended up planting a flower for the cat in her name. It took some time finding it, but they managed to stumble upon a store with Aster flower seeds to plant.

They split the packet, and they planted Stinger’s share together beneath his bedroom window outside. Genji saved his share, planting them on her death anniversary the next few years later.

Now, when Stinger visits Genji’s place, he sees a little pot filled with Aster flowers in his kitchen window. Written on the pot was “Aster”, with a doodle of what looks to be an aegean cat beside it. 

He doesn’t remember how he was when Genji broke down in front of him, but according to Genji, he felt more scared seeing Stinger be less cheery. He’d never seen him cry before, but he’s worried for the day he sees the other man break. 

“But you’ll be there for me, won’t you?” he asked, grinning stupidly as he always does. Endearingly.

Genji’s gaze softened as he let out an annoyed sigh, as if this should be common knowledge to the taller man.

“Of course.”

Chapter Text

With his promotion to B-Class, he decides he should visit his mom to share the news.

He’s surpassed his hero, but still heavily looks up to him. After all, how could you not love Mumen Rider? His willpower and determination to keep people safe, the way he stands firm against opponents he’s clearly no match against. There’s much to admire.

He steps into the hospital room, walls and lights white. It hurts.

Both the brightness and the sight of his mother in the hospital bed, IVs running in her arm, eyes dull and sullen. The bouquet of flowers in his hand are barely able to express how much he cares for her.

He greets and approaches her, her eyes light up a little upon seeing her son. A small hug, and he hands her the flowers for her to admire before placing them in the empty vase beside her.

He asks how she is, she tells him not to worry. How could he not worry? The subject changes, and she asks about him instead.

He mentions his promotion, she congratulates him. He deserves it, he’s been working hard after all, she tells him. 

He tries to stay humble, but his mother doesn’t stop her praises. This is the most she’s ever smiled since being hospitalized, he notices.

She reaches for her son, her hand with the IV running in her arm gently holding his face. There’s a loving warmth in her gaze as she continues to admire her son.

“You’re going to be one of the greatest heroes. I’m so proud of you, Daiki.”

It’s hard not to cry. It’s especially harder when her hand loses its strength, and she slowly shuts her eyes, her hand falling from his face.

He places her arm on the bed, and fixes her position so she’s more comfortable. She needs to rest.

He can’t bear to look at his mother, knowing she’s in pain. Knowing she won’t let herself show that in front of him.

He holds her hand, caressing and gently massaging it as he rests his head against her stomach, finally allowing the tears of concern to fall.

“I love you, mom.” 

He hopes he can redeem his troublemaking self to his mother. He’ll work hard to ensure her recovery. She’s all he has left. Just like how he’s all she has.

He doesn’t even realize however, he’s already redeemed himself long ago.

Chapter Text

Chemicals that border on legality are arranged neatly on a desk, other empty vials, glasses, and measuring instruments stand beside them, along with a few knives. Not just any plain kitchen knife or switchblade but rather a karambit, something Poison inherited from his family. 

Just as he was about to begin working, a knock came to his bedroom door before it opened. Peeking through was a woman with her roots showing through her dyed black hair, and many piercings on her ears and face. Her makeup felt like a toned down goth.

“Heeey, did’ya remember to pick up bapak’s medication?”

He had turned to her with a questioning look before responding.

“I gave it to you earlier.”

“Did you? I don’t remember that.”

“I did. I got it when I went out and gave it to you when I came back an hour ago.”

“No, I don’t think you did.”

“I literally did.”

“No you didn’t.”

“I did, go check your bag or something.”

“I already did.”

“Well I DID get it, I have the receipt. Did you lose it? Go check the table.”

She rolled her eyes, and went to go check the table, leaving his door open. Poison tried to resume his work before hearing his sister again.

“Oh, found it!”

Poison sighed, turning once more as she returned to the room.

“Let me guess, it was on the table?”

“It was on the kitchen counter.”

“Why was it on the counter?”

She shrugged.

“Hey… how about you come visit bapak with me today?”

“You’re supposed to see him today.”

“Yeah, but he hasn’t seen the both of us together in a while. Plus, it doesn’t seem like you’re that busy right now.”

“I’ve barely started—“

“Perfect! Then you should come.”

“It’s going to take a moment!—“

“I know you can do this in twenty minutes when you get home, come on!”

She went over and pulled Poison by the ear.

“OW OW!— okay, okay! I’ll go! Be careful!”

“Thank you.”

And she let go as he rubbed his ear with the back of his hand to soothe the pain.

“Let me put these away…”

“What’s the point if you’re going to take them back out later?”

“In case I don’t? Also, these are dangerous.”

“It’s not like we have a pet that’ll run over your desk.”

“Just— just let me put these away.”

“Okay, fine. I’ll go put on my shoes.”

“Your five inch heel boots that you can barely survive in,” he muttered as she left the room.

Poison put away his supplies and cleaned up his desk, putting on his scarf before turning off the lights and leaving the room. The setting sun’s light shines through the crack of the curtains and reflects off a small photo frame, a boy in a graduation gown and cap next to a woman in full goth, and another older woman who supported herself up with a cane and the boy. There was also an older man beside the goth, one arm around her and the other on the shoulder of the boy.

The boy doesn’t look too young compared to today. Possibly two years ago? Two years too many. “Nanay, why did you go so soon?” he’d cry since then, he remembered. How long until bapak joins her, he would wonder.

Let’s hope with his medication, it isn’t today.