Smash Cut, Part 2
Part 1: https://rentry.co/kartanimator
Part 2: You're here!
Hospital, Continued.
"Actually, I think you can learn some healing for yourself Cruz." Chimes in Suzannine.
"Was looking up stuff about 'Kartana' on this WikiDex site, apparently you can learn something called 'Synthesis' to heal yourself, and it even works when there's no sun out! Even if not as well... oh, and when the sun's harsh out you can heal even better!" She's scrolling through her phone. I did forget Kartana could do that. But I don't want to think too hard right now...
"T-that sounds amazing!" My mom adds. "Are there any tutors or... someone that teaches Pokemovements or something like that to help?"
"He just woke up from getting attacked in the street, don't mortify him like that, let him take a break." Pap says as he pats her back.
"Right, right, just... needs to rest after that. Still, thank you so so much for your help you 2. We'll make it back to you, promise." Mom says.
"Again, it's nothing! Just glad he's ok now... If you don't mind, Suz and I will be headed out now that we're here, it's about time my class starts and I need to drop her off at her barre session..."
"Of course! Please take care, and thanks again!" Mom says as she waves the couple goodbye.
"So. Do you want us to take you home already or do you want to stay here for a while?" Asks my dear father.
"I... Think it's better if we just go home... Sorry if I'm not particularly talkative, I'm... a bit tired from it all still even if I'm 'healed' now." I try to say as eloquently as I can.
...god it feels like the bastard punched me in my non-existent throat...
Probably did given that last flurry of his...
"Are you sure? You could stay longer if you need to, we'll take care of it..." Says mom, worried.
Dad looks at me, a sense of understanding in his eyes.
"You remember how badly I wanted to leave the hospital after that surgery, don't you? Let's just get outta here." He tells her, as she nods in begrudging acceptance.
Soon enough, we make our way to their car.
Feels like old times...
Home sweet home.
I don't really say anything on the drive home.
I'm just... glad I'm lucky to have parents like these.
I think I fell asleep at one point...
Luckily it doesn't seem like I cut into the seats.
...man maybe i should sell off my car if i'm not gonna be able to use it anymore, given my state of affairs...
We reach my driveway sooner than I expect. Guess the hospital wasn't that far.
"We're home Cruz! Come on, get up." I hear mom's chipper voice call out.
"What, need me to carry you there? You don't seem particularly heavy so I guess I could do it, eh? Just like when you were a kid and you'd ask me to pick you up!" Pap prods me, fully aware of my lack of fondness towards him feeling the need to mention that I'm certain.
Need to pull up my phone again... does it even have any charge...?
Huh. Seems it does. Maybe Suzannine plugged it in while I was out cold.
...doubt amaro could finagle it with those wings of his...
"I can manage myself alright, d-don't worry. Though... If you could help me out with the bag and keys I'd appreciate it..." I squeak out, thank god for that app. Still, should try and learn how to talk backwards at some point for convenience...
"Sure thing!" He says, as I hear the car's door click open and hear some shuffling, followed by the bag being dragged away.
"It's still the small one, right?" Asks mom as I lazily nod.
...need to push myself up without damaging the leather...
There y'go.
Home sweet home.
...ah crap I didn't account for mom lecturing me over my living room being a...
egh, doesn't matter, got other things to worry about
Both of them still very much making themselves at home.
It is, in a way. Doubt I could've afforded the initial rent without their help.
'least the Toei pay is nice enough for me to upkeep it on my own now...
"You know, I'd ask why you haven't cleaned up around here but I'm guessing cleaning with... knife arms isn't easy, now is it? I think I'll help you out for the day." She says.
Got spared the lecture for today. Win for me.
Dad whistles. "Are those cuts yours or Amaro's? He did tell us about how you 2 met and all." He gives a couple taps to a drawer I'd... somewhat abused that first day without meaning to. "Hey, you might as well get some use out of me while I'm still here y'know? Can still teach you to restore wood if you'd like me to. I'm sure we can weld you some grabby hands to fit over your arms with some cleverness here and there so you can do things right around here."
"Oh weren't you the one telling me not to mortify him just earlier?" Mom snarks.
"Hey, I'm just offering him some help!" He replies. "But really though, if you'd be interested I could try and help you find a way to work with restoring wood and the like in case you cut anything. Useful life skill as you're well aware."
Well, after "pap will fix it!" almost became an in-joke of a catchphrase for me in the family when I was a kid I'd be a hypocrite to argue with that now.
"I... Think I'd like that, actually. But... are you sure you've got the time for it?"
"If anything time's what I've got more than enough of as of late, just make sure to drop by early, you know I like taking my afternoons easy mijo." He says, laughing lightly.
"I think that'd work, actually... I'm really sorry for the trouble you 2, I can't thank you enough..."
"You're our son, you don't need to thank us. We just need you to be good, alright? Not like you asked to get assaulted, sometimes we're just... Unlucky. What matters is that you're safe and sound now, and you've got a home to come back to." After I hover to the sofa, she comes by and again gives me a kiss on my would-be forehead, before sitting next to me.
"...don't think I haven't noticed the mess of posters you've got around here, but that's a talk for another day." I hear her threaten me.
i should've known i wouldn't get off the hook that easy but i still had hope dangit
"Can you still eat even as a paper man?" I hear pap ask between shuffling noises from the kitchen. "I'll help you with food for the day while you recover. It's a good thing you've got some beef around here, was worried you would've gotten lazy about your cooking now that you're on your own..."
"Hey, I always told you I could cook even if not as good as you didn't I?"
"Have you even given the grill a shot yet or are you keeping to the stove still?" He asks with an audible grin.
I turn to face him. "Well, even if I could, I'm not sure that'd be the brightest idea given my current state of affairs now would it?" I ask waving my papery arm.
"Guess so." Before long, he'd turned on the stove and started preparing some beef on one of my pans. "Dang, couldn't find a smaller one could you?"
"Not like I need much more when I mainly cook for one..."
"Still, you never know when you could have guests over, you should get a bigger one son." Dang, it's smelling great already...
Always wished I had pap's touch when it came to the kitchen. He's still a wizard at it even if he says he's not...
"Maybe when my next check comes in."
Mom quickly made herself at home. This couch was a hand me down from their place, so it's kinda nostalgic sitting down next to her again.
...hell given my size it's almost like when i was a kid...
"So... how's it been? Adapting to being a Pokemon and all. Given your arms I can't imagine it's been easy... You should've asked us for help yourself, you know?" She did always worry about making sure things were easier for me, no reason for that to change now...
"I think I just... I dunno, hoped I could figure it out on my own. I think I did for the most part."
"Well, if that's the case... I'm glad you did. I just wish the first time we saw you in person like this hadn't been due to you being assaulted like that. I always thought Pokemon were cute, but... I guess they can also be dangerous, now that I see them in person." She sounds... nostalgic, as she says that.
I guess I did somewhat talk her ear off about Pokemon a lot when I was a kid.
She'd start making cheesy jokes about "feeling like a Snorlax" at a certain point.
...leaning against her still feels nice, as she gently places her hand on me.
"I think... I should just be glad you turned into one that lets you defend yourself, shouldn't I...?" She sounds... hesitant in that.
...being... carried in her arms is nice...
...
I'm... glad I'm at least not poking her as she hugs me...
"I'm sorry, I just... Really hoped none of us would have to deal with this. Your dad and I are getting on in years and I just... hoped things wouldn't get any harder..." ...I can feel as the salty water is absorbed into my arms. It's... odd...
"I guess it's a good thing it was me that got hit with it then, right? I can handle myself, not like you 2 should worry about me over this..."
"I know, I know, but... It's hard for us not to worry about you." She holds me tighter...
"You've only been out of the house for 2 years or so, it still feels like you're just going to pop back in through the main door after classes any time you know?" Dad says as he comes by with 3 plates of beef and asparagus. Nearly forgot I had those in my fridge still. "We're still not used to just having the house to ourselves. Your Japan studies were the closest but even then that was half a year."
"Guess so... At least I don't live that far, right?"
"Don't threaten us with moving back to Japan again, will you? You know your dad's not willing to make those kinds of trips even if I am..." She says with a light chuckle.
"Give my knees a break will you? You 2 are still more than free to go if you'd like to." He replies snarkily.
...I lose track of time eventually.
It's... nice, just being with them again. Specially over some of pap's cooking.
I really regret not having met up with them sooner, but...
I'm glad I did now at least.
...I really am blessed to have them as family, aren't I...?