backstory nonsense for cat

[deadanimemom]

[It's been a long time the last time she walked through this door. Shiro might not even live here any more, might have taken... well, he might have moved somewhere else.

But that's a concern for later. Right now, she raises her hand and rings the doorbell.]

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[deadanimemom]

[He looks, somehow, more tired than she feels, and she hesitates in the doorway, waiting until he invites her in.

When he does, she steps inside quietly.]

It's been a while, Shiro.

[lionson]

[Once she's in, he'll close the door behind her, though it remains unlocked.

The apartment is largely the same as it was 15 years ago, minus the obvious signs that teenage boys live there. There's tons of pictures on the walls, on the fridge, everywhere. They're all of Shiro and the boys at various life stages. They seem to abruptly stop in the teenage years though, probably at around 14-ish.]

Yeah, that's what happens when you disappear for 15 years.

[Yep, still bitter.]

[deadanimemom]

[The apartment feels smaller than she remembers, it's crowded, dingier.

But there are pictures hanging on on the walls, stuck to the fridge with magnets. Pictures of Shiro and of two boys she's never really seen before but instantly knows because she's never stopped thinking about them.

She'll respond to that well-deserved scolding in a second, right now she's standing still, looking around, and starting to tear up.]

[lionson]

[he's really tempted to carry on with expressing just how Upset he is about everything, but despite his anger he still actually does love Yuri and seeing her tear up makes him stop. He's always been weak to her in those moments of crying, and even now he feels the tug of wanting to reassure her. Even if he's still mad.

So he makes an annoyed 'tch' and looks away, grabbing for the pack of cigarettes he hasn't carried in 15 years. Then he just keeps his hands in his pockets to avoid revealing the reflexive motion for bad habits that have been given up.]

Yeah, they look just like you. Fortunately.

[deadanimemom]

[She scrubs at her eyes with the heel of her hand, gets rid of those tears and doesn't look up at Shiro.]

I'm so glad. [Glad Shiro kept the boys, glad he kept them safe.] They look like they turned out really well. You did a good job.

[lionson]

[That hits him right in the guilt, and it gets him to finally lash out.]

Yeah, well, you shouldn't be. Yukio's sick all the time and is constantly in the hospital for one thing or another. And Rin, he sees his brother and wants to help, but he always ends up hurting himself instead. They're both messes and I can't do enough for either of 'em, let alone both at once.

You picked a shitty person to raise your kids and now they're both broken.

[He sure is insulting himself there, not the boys.]

[deadanimemom]

[She recoils for a second, bracing herself to smooth things over, to gently pull him out of a mood that could be dangerous---

but this is Shiro. It's Shiro.]

Don't you dare! I know you, and I know you've done everything you can for them! It isn't your fault Y-- [her voice catches a little] Yukio's sick! And if Rin gets in trouble trying to help then you did a great job teaching him what's important!

[lionson]

[Yeah, Shiro might get angry and loud but he isn't dangerous. He doesn't raise his hand in anger at people anymore. He outgrew that the moment he had children to take care of.

Still, he loud.]

He almost died trying to help!

[Hi yes, your kids are Artifacts too Yuri.]

It's not a 'good job' if he works himself into an early grave trying to help!

[deadanimemom]

[He almost died trying to help isn't a phrase that should make her feel a little bit proud, but it does.]

That isn't your fault! That just means he-- [he's too much like her.]

He should be glad he has someone who cares enough about him to worry when he does something rash.

[lionson]

[Yuri plz!]

You don't get to come in 15 years after the fact and decide what's good or bad! You left! I didn't know if you were even alive anymore!

[deadanimemom]

I know. I know, and I'm sorry, Shiro. I didn't want to hurt you, or them.

[But I didn't want to and I didn't mean to are worlds apart, and this moment, these fifteen years of hurt were exactly what she knew would happen.]