Work Text:
"If you're ever in trouble," Touya whispers. "Keigo will help you."
Shouto makes a confused sound but Touya hushes him. He trembles as he wraps his small frame around his baby brother. "If I-" his voice cracks and he swallows a whimper. "If I'm ever not here..... look for red wings."
Shouto's picking up on the tense atmosphere and his eyes start to well with tears even as he clings to Touya's shirt.
"Touya-nii," he whimpers. Touya does his best to smile.
"Promise me, ok Shou-chan? Red wings, gold eyes. Look for Keigo. He's- he's going to be a hero. He'll help you."
Even at Shouto's young age he knows about Touya-nii's dislike of heroes. The fact that he wants Shouto to look for one... this must be serious. He's terrified thinking of a time when nii-san won't be there to help him, but he does his best to be strong.
"Keigo." Shouto whispers. Touya almost sobs in relief, scarred hands shaking as he pulls Shouto tighter against himself. Everything hurts. His scars are getting worse, creeping up his healthy skin, and he knows it's only a matter of time before he disappears. "Red wings." His baby brother repeats. "Gold eyes."
"That's right," Touya says. He pulls back, giving Shouto a wobbly smile. "Good boy Shou, I'm proud of you."
Shouto tries to smile back but it doesn't work. They hear the slamming of a door and Touya pales.
"Promise me, Shouto. Promise me you'll remember."
Shouto whimpers as he hears thundering footsteps make their way closer.
"I promise Touya-nii. Red wings, gold eyes. Keigo. He'll keep me safe."
Touya's eyes search his face desperately before darting over to the sliding door behind him. They're running out of time.
"I love you Shou-chan. No matter what happens, remember that. I'll always love you."
Touya sends him one last smile, pressing their foreheads together for as long as he dares before motioning for him to hide. And then he's leaving the room as quietly as he can. Shouto hears the tiny pitter patter of footsteps before it's overtaken by deep yells and an ear piercing shriek of pain. He whimpers, covering his ears and rocking back and forth.
Later, after everythings turned quiet, he sneaks back into Touya's room. He finds himself unable to sleep after all the screaming, even if it's common place in their household. He waits and he waits, because Touya-nii always makes everything better.
But his brother never comes.
They find Shouto in the morning, curled asleep in Touya's futon. It's in his brother's room, surrounded by emptiness, that he learns that Touya is dead.