[Tetsuo glares after him before realization dawns.]
Kaneda?
[Wait. Wait, no. No no no no no no. There is only one possible thing that Kaneda's planning on doing, and if he dares do that-
Scrambling to his feet wastes time enough for Kaneda to get out of his room and down the hall. Tetsuo races out after him, slamming against the wall in his haste to turn the corner and beat Kaneda outside. He can't. He wouldn't.
...except... it's Kaneda. Kaneda might.]
IF YOU SO MUCH AS TOUCH MY BIKE, KANEDA--
[because when he gets to Kaneda, he's full-out tackling that son of a bitch. YOU STAY AWAY FROM HIS BIKE, YOU HEAR HIM]
He knows the feeling of having a bike--it's been his whole life. And Tetsuo had lost that lifeline that had given him freedom. This was giving it back.
But he also knows how deals like this work, and Tetsuo's going to get in over his head.
And if he has to be the bad guy for that, then...well, it's not like Tetsuo wanted that bond anymore. He hears the boy scrambling to catch up with him, footsteps pretty solid as he makes his way out, searching around for what he could use. There's not much time to really contemplate, because the next thing he knew, he was on the ground from Tetsuo tackling him.
And those fingers grip the pavement aggressively. Pushing up to try and roll Tetsuo off of him.]
[Kaneda's stronger by a large degree. It would not take him much to get the upper hand. But Tetsuo's angrier, and there's something to be said for the sheer power of desperation.
He NEEDS that bike. He can't stand not having one. Kaneda doesn't get it, he kept his, he kept everything he ever wanted and doesn't have to deal with ANY of the shit that Tetsuo endures on a daily basis. He doesn't have any of Tetsuo's problems and he doesn't seem to CARE.]
[He had to admit, it was harder to push Tetsuo off him than normal. The sheer amount of rage in Tetsuo was...expected, but not something Kaneda's going to take lying down either. His hand wraps around, elbow pressing into Tetsuo's chest as he rolls, to try and pin him down in return.]
I'M DOING THIS TO HELP YOU, TETSUO!
[And it was true. It was honestly true. H didn't want to take it away--a bike was a biker's life.
[Struggle as he might to get the upper hand, his center of gravity is off and Kaneda has a lot more experience, despite their shared background. He flips over, eyes widening as he realizes he's moving, and before he knows it his back's on the ground and he's staring straight up into Kaneda's face.
Before, this was it. This was how this ended. There was no getting free, no getting loose. He was going to lose that bike.
No. Way. IN. HELL.]
YOU NEVER LET ME HAVE ANYTHING!
[He can feel the power surge through him - from an itch in his mind to a blinding roar, and he lets it take over. That's right... he's not powerless now. He's going to get Kaneda off of him no matter WHAT - he doesn't even care how. He may not have the physical muscle, but his mind can do heavy lifting, too. And now, he can SEE Kaneda: it should be easy to lift him up, right?
[The ironic moment when Kaneda is telling you this. Tetsuo goes flat on his back, and while Kaneda has him securely pinned, that's all he does. No punches, nothing. Because if he throws even one, he's lost any and all credibility about this being for his own good.
See? SOMEONE is thinking on this.]
THAT'S NOT WHAT I--
[He doesn't have long to get that out, as he feels himself slowly being lifted into the air, hands desperately trying to grip onto Tetsuo.
[Tetsuo doesn't move, hands clawing into the pavement behind him as the strain knifes deep into his brain.
Reason? REASON!? REASON was not taking his FUCKING BIKE! He'll show YOU reason!
He jerks his head to the side, tossing Kaneda off to the side. Even with practice, it hurts; the second he lets go of Kaneda his hands find their way to his head, back arching in protest against the pain.]
[There's nothing he can do when he's tossed, hitting the pavement hard on his right arm and sliding across it, skipping like a stone across water. It hurt, but Kaneda was already trying to force himself up onto his elbows, watching as Tetsuo writhed in pain.]
Tetsuo! Stop doing that!
[You're hurting comes to mind first over That hurts.]
[The words echo deep; a quieter, more rational part of Tetsuo wants to find something to say - anything to say. That Kaneda still wants him around. That .... maybe something isn't as broken as he thought. That he's still needed. But it's not the first time things got confusing, and by now, Tetsuo can't tell what he thinks anymore.
By now, that little voice has long drowned underneath the storm in his head, and Tetsuo can't hear it.
He swallows back spit and glares defiance back at his former leader. Don't you even fucking pretend to pull that line now, Kaneda. You've already said enough.]
Is this handling yourself, Tetsuo? IS THIS WHAT YOU REALLY WANT?
[He's screaming by now, getting on his hands and knees, aiming it more towards the pavement than the actual person in question.
The Tetsuo he was trying to reach--the one that had shown up on the doorstep of Nonah 005 was no longer there. He'd partly caused it too, no matter how much he liked to tell himself that it wasn't his fault--that things were just playing out like they did at home.
Even he didn't believe himself.
Now...now he doesn't know what to do. This isn't Neo Tokyo. And this is a big, big problem. There's a third party.]
And what if you CAN'T? WHAT IF YOU'RE WRONG, TETSUO!
[What he wants - he'll figure that out, who cares, it's not important right now. He knows what he wants right now and that's enough, the rest'll come later. Tetsuo staggers to his feet, shoulders hunched, head low. He's primed and ready for a fight that isn't happening, caught up in adrenaline and raw energy]
You're so sure I can't do anything... Always pushing me around, always telling me what to do - you never had faith in me. Shit. You STILL see me as weak!
[He LOOKS weak, right about now, leaning heavily onto one leg, but he can't see himself. Maybe if he could, he wouldn't even care. He's too busy realizing that he CAN say what he's thinking; he CAN shove Kaneda around now, and he CAN -- he just can. Kaneda can't really stop him.]
I'm NOT - not anymore! I don't need your protection, and I don't need your permission! You don't want me to have a bike? Well, fine... I get it... But you don't have the Capsules anymore, Kaneda! It's just US now! You're not the boss of anything, so stop acting like you are!
[It's not often that Kaneda shows a break in his resolve. He'd always been strong, even when insulted to his face. Maybe it hurts more coming from Tetsuo himself. Maybe it hurts more because he knows how this plays out.
You don't have the Capsules anymore.
"What? YAMAGATA'S DEAD?"
"KANEDA!! YOU'RE ALIVE! I THOUGHT YOU WERE IN THERE FOR SURE!!!"
"I'm going to send Yamagata his wheels...."
Not even Kaneda can hold back the tremors of his body at that line, the symbol on his jacket feeling incredibly small right now. The only member left of what he'd counted as family wasn't the one standing in front of him. And that...that was what he had always thought was a constant. TETSUO was his constant. And if that wasn't strength...]
God DAMN it, Tetsuo!
[His throat is sore at this point, getting to his feet himself. His arms still smarting, but he can at least hold his own ground, looking at the unstable remains of his friend. He wants to hit something. settling for a nearby lamp post as the 'clang!' rings throughout the surrounding area. It doesn't phase him, more concentrated on keeping it together.]
FINE. Well you know what, Tetsuo? You're an adult now. You don't need me, you don't need the Capsules, and you DAMN sure don't need your own respect. So go enjoy your little bike!
Remember what you gave up for it!
Because it is NOT COMING BACK.
[And underneath all that cursing. Underneath Kaneda's thick skin and thicker skull, a small voice--a younger one...
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Action;
Action;
...
That bike doesn't suit you.
Action;
[A frustrated noise; he can't find an answer and that just makes it worse. He hadn't thought any of this through, and that's exceedingly clear]
Shut up! I can worry about that later!
Action;
Get rid of it, Tetsuo.
[It's that final step before shouting. As a last warning.]
Get rid of it before you get yourself killed out there!
[Or before you kill everyone else...]
Action;
Action;
Honey you know that won't work out in your favour. Kaneda bites his lip, turning around and AGGRESSIVELY moving the door (his door) out of the way.
He's....!!! COMING BACK FOR THAT!! REALLY.
But right now? He's going to try and head out to that bike.]
Action;
Kaneda?
[Wait. Wait, no. No no no no no no. There is only one possible thing that Kaneda's planning on doing, and if he dares do that-
Scrambling to his feet wastes time enough for Kaneda to get out of his room and down the hall. Tetsuo races out after him, slamming against the wall in his haste to turn the corner and beat Kaneda outside. He can't. He wouldn't.
...except... it's Kaneda. Kaneda might.]
IF YOU SO MUCH AS TOUCH MY BIKE, KANEDA--
[because when he gets to Kaneda, he's full-out tackling that son of a bitch. YOU STAY AWAY FROM HIS BIKE, YOU HEAR HIM]
Action;
He knows the feeling of having a bike--it's been his whole life. And Tetsuo had lost that lifeline that had given him freedom. This was giving it back.
But he also knows how deals like this work, and Tetsuo's going to get in over his head.
And if he has to be the bad guy for that, then...well, it's not like Tetsuo wanted that bond anymore. He hears the boy scrambling to catch up with him, footsteps pretty solid as he makes his way out, searching around for what he could use. There's not much time to really contemplate, because the next thing he knew, he was on the ground from Tetsuo tackling him.
And those fingers grip the pavement aggressively. Pushing up to try and roll Tetsuo off of him.]
TETSUO!
Action;
He NEEDS that bike. He can't stand not having one. Kaneda doesn't get it, he kept his, he kept everything he ever wanted and doesn't have to deal with ANY of the shit that Tetsuo endures on a daily basis. He doesn't have any of Tetsuo's problems and he doesn't seem to CARE.]
DON'T YOU DARE!!
Action;
I'M DOING THIS TO HELP YOU, TETSUO!
[And it was true. It was honestly true. H didn't want to take it away--a bike was a biker's life.
But not like this.]
Action;
[Struggle as he might to get the upper hand, his center of gravity is off and Kaneda has a lot more experience, despite their shared background. He flips over, eyes widening as he realizes he's moving, and before he knows it his back's on the ground and he's staring straight up into Kaneda's face.
Before, this was it. This was how this ended. There was no getting free, no getting loose. He was going to lose that bike.
No. Way. IN. HELL.]
YOU NEVER LET ME HAVE ANYTHING!
[He can feel the power surge through him - from an itch in his mind to a blinding roar, and he lets it take over. That's right... he's not powerless now. He's going to get Kaneda off of him no matter WHAT - he doesn't even care how. He may not have the physical muscle, but his mind can do heavy lifting, too. And now, he can SEE Kaneda: it should be easy to lift him up, right?
If he can just...]
Action;
[The ironic moment when Kaneda is telling you this. Tetsuo goes flat on his back, and while Kaneda has him securely pinned, that's all he does. No punches, nothing. Because if he throws even one, he's lost any and all credibility about this being for his own good.
See? SOMEONE is thinking on this.]
THAT'S NOT WHAT I--
[He doesn't have long to get that out, as he feels himself slowly being lifted into the air, hands desperately trying to grip onto Tetsuo.
Not again.]
HEY, WAIT!!!
Action;
Reason? REASON!? REASON was not taking his FUCKING BIKE! He'll show YOU reason!
He jerks his head to the side, tossing Kaneda off to the side. Even with practice, it hurts; the second he lets go of Kaneda his hands find their way to his head, back arching in protest against the pain.]
Aaaaaagh!
Action;
Tetsuo! Stop doing that!
[You're hurting comes to mind first over That hurts.]
Action;
Why...? So you can... do whatever you want?
Action;
Because you're all I have, dumbass!!
And you're going to get yourself killed!!
Action;
By now, that little voice has long drowned underneath the storm in his head, and Tetsuo can't hear it.
He swallows back spit and glares defiance back at his former leader. Don't you even fucking pretend to pull that line now, Kaneda. You've already said enough.]
I can handle myself, Kaneda! I'm not a kid!
Action;
[He's screaming by now, getting on his hands and knees, aiming it more towards the pavement than the actual person in question.
The Tetsuo he was trying to reach--the one that had shown up on the doorstep of Nonah 005 was no longer there. He'd partly caused it too, no matter how much he liked to tell himself that it wasn't his fault--that things were just playing out like they did at home.
Even he didn't believe himself.
Now...now he doesn't know what to do. This isn't Neo Tokyo. And this is a big, big problem. There's a third party.]
And what if you CAN'T? WHAT IF YOU'RE WRONG, TETSUO!
Action;
[What he wants - he'll figure that out, who cares, it's not important right now. He knows what he wants right now and that's enough, the rest'll come later.
Tetsuo staggers to his feet, shoulders hunched, head low. He's primed and ready for a fight that isn't happening, caught up in adrenaline and raw energy]
You're so sure I can't do anything... Always pushing me around, always telling me what to do - you never had faith in me. Shit. You STILL see me as weak!
[He LOOKS weak, right about now, leaning heavily onto one leg, but he can't see himself. Maybe if he could, he wouldn't even care. He's too busy realizing that he CAN say what he's thinking; he CAN shove Kaneda around now, and he CAN -- he just can. Kaneda can't really stop him.]
I'm NOT - not anymore! I don't need your protection, and I don't need your permission! You don't want me to have a bike? Well, fine... I get it... But you don't have the Capsules anymore, Kaneda! It's just US now! You're not the boss of anything, so stop acting like you are!
Action;
[It's not often that Kaneda shows a break in his resolve. He'd always been strong, even when insulted to his face. Maybe it hurts more coming from Tetsuo himself. Maybe it hurts more because he knows how this plays out.
You don't have the Capsules anymore.
"What? YAMAGATA'S DEAD?"
"KANEDA!! YOU'RE ALIVE! I THOUGHT YOU WERE IN THERE FOR SURE!!!"
"I'm going to send Yamagata his wheels...."
Not even Kaneda can hold back the tremors of his body at that line, the symbol on his jacket feeling incredibly small right now. The only member left of what he'd counted as family wasn't the one standing in front of him. And that...that was what he had always thought was a constant. TETSUO was his constant. And if that wasn't strength...]
God DAMN it, Tetsuo!
[His throat is sore at this point, getting to his feet himself. His arms still smarting, but he can at least hold his own ground, looking at the unstable remains of his friend. He wants to hit something. settling for a nearby lamp post as the 'clang!' rings throughout the surrounding area. It doesn't phase him, more concentrated on keeping it together.]
FINE. Well you know what, Tetsuo? You're an adult now. You don't need me, you don't need the Capsules, and you DAMN sure don't need your own respect. So go enjoy your little bike!
Remember what you gave up for it!
Because it is NOT COMING BACK.
[And underneath all that cursing. Underneath Kaneda's thick skin and thicker skull, a small voice--a younger one...
Tetsuo...]