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onepiece_3002012-02-02 07:48 am
printfogey.livejournal.com) wrote in onepiece_3002012-02-02 07:48 am
Entry tags:
fic post: Soot
Title: Soot
Word Count: 299
Prompt: Fire
Characters: Dadan, Makino
Rating: PG for dark event from canon
Spoilers/setting: Set after the first 10 or so pages of chapter 589
It took Dadan over a year to stop twitching and inwardly flinching in the present of big fires; in the beginning, she was even wary around small household flames. Of course it bugged her, and she did her best to hide it - bandits weren't supposed to be squeamish. Even Luffy and Ace, grief-struck as they were, didn't seem to feel that way.
It was less the heat, flames and pain that would come back in her mind than the smoke and the terrible smell, the soot and charred remains, the lack of air... And the knowing of it all, even though she'd seen many more injustices, even though she had few illusions about the fairness of the world or of those who ruled it. Yet the Gray Terminal Fire still pressed down on her chest in those moments when she looked at the fire too closely.
Makino came over one chilly day when Dadan had let the fire die out. She didn't say much, just knelt down and made a new one, then put a kettle on it for tea. Embarrassed, Dadan moved closer to the hearth to warm up, then forced herself to look into it.
The smoke and the smell and a great field of ashes returned again, but now Makino was taking Dadan's hands in hers, holding them close, warming them. Slowly the memories retreated far into the fire: not disappearing entirely, just not as much there right then. The smell of tea leaves started to fill the air.
"...Thanks," muttered Dadan after taking one deep shuddering breath, thankful no-one else was around. Her hands stopped trembling. Makino let go, smiled, and poured them both tea without comment. They drank it slowly. It had started to rain outside.
Fires could be like this, too.
Word Count: 299
Prompt: Fire
Characters: Dadan, Makino
Rating: PG for dark event from canon
Spoilers/setting: Set after the first 10 or so pages of chapter 589
It took Dadan over a year to stop twitching and inwardly flinching in the present of big fires; in the beginning, she was even wary around small household flames. Of course it bugged her, and she did her best to hide it - bandits weren't supposed to be squeamish. Even Luffy and Ace, grief-struck as they were, didn't seem to feel that way.
It was less the heat, flames and pain that would come back in her mind than the smoke and the terrible smell, the soot and charred remains, the lack of air... And the knowing of it all, even though she'd seen many more injustices, even though she had few illusions about the fairness of the world or of those who ruled it. Yet the Gray Terminal Fire still pressed down on her chest in those moments when she looked at the fire too closely.
Makino came over one chilly day when Dadan had let the fire die out. She didn't say much, just knelt down and made a new one, then put a kettle on it for tea. Embarrassed, Dadan moved closer to the hearth to warm up, then forced herself to look into it.
The smoke and the smell and a great field of ashes returned again, but now Makino was taking Dadan's hands in hers, holding them close, warming them. Slowly the memories retreated far into the fire: not disappearing entirely, just not as much there right then. The smell of tea leaves started to fill the air.
"...Thanks," muttered Dadan after taking one deep shuddering breath, thankful no-one else was around. Her hands stopped trembling. Makino let go, smiled, and poured them both tea without comment. They drank it slowly. It had started to rain outside.
Fires could be like this, too.