Linky's Fics

Old Home, Just Out of Reach

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Saki had found herself in a wide open field. The sky was wide above her too, and wind made its way through the grass and trees. The land was empty, nothing else present for multiple kilometers. She didn’t know why she was here, or how she even arrived at this location in the first place.

It was quiet and still. As if time itself had stopped. Things should feel peaceful, given the bright blue sky and beautiful weather. A picturesque summer's day, a sight that should ease the soul—instead it felt ominous.

She paced around, fist clenching her yo-yo as she tried to find a way out. To make it back to civilization in some form. With each step forward it felt as if the grassy area never ended. Walking for what felt like several minutes, only to make what looked like no progress at all.

Saki’s eyes examined the area carefully. Was there an enemy nearby? Either way something wasn’t right, she could feel it deep within her gut.

Suddenly the ground underneath her began to morph. The scenery changed right before her eyes. Melting and twisting like a surrealist painting. As the world around her kept changing, it soon began to solidify. The sudden motions slowly came to a stop.

Now she had found herself back at the manor where she was raised as a child. A place that was full of memories both good and painful. Integral to who she was as a person.

Memories that would become suppressed due to the immense trauma she had dealt with. For the longest time, making her forget who she even was, and where she’d even came from. Making Saki a girl of many names.

Each one carried a different meaning. Not only in the kanji that made up each one—but also the memories that were associated with them.

The Rose Manor was a bittersweet place. To even glance upon it again instantly stirred up so much inside Saki.

What had brought her here? She had no plans to return anytime soon, wanting to go on about her life as a normal girl. Now that normal life was finally an option.

Darkness suddenly enveloped the air. Masked men came from the shadows, carrying torches in their hands.

Saki gripped her yo-yo even harder than before. She wouldn’t let these men destroy her birthplace!

Running forwards towards the manor, it felt… Strange. Instead of progressing to it, it was if the manor moved away from her with each and every step. Reaching further from her grasp. The laws of time and physics were absent in this space.

She was left unable to stop what was about to happen.

As the men set the house on fire, Saki could only look in absolute terror as her old home began to burn to the ground. Pieces crumbled and turned to ash. The garden was also torn to shreds, and it too was set ablaze by these mysterious men.

This horrid sight was etched into her heart. Reflecting into her eyes, tears began to run down her face. She was a girl who could fight her way through anything, no matter how difficult.

Though it felt as if the universe itself prevented her from saving such an important place to her.

Who would come from the shadows this time to do something so unfathomably cruel?

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“AH!”

Saki bolted upright from her bed, beads of sweat rolled down her face. Hands gripped the blanket underneath her, trembling. Her eyes and pillow were stained with tears. It was hard to breathe regularly.

As it began to settle in that it was only nothing more than a nightmare, she curled up and began to sob. It felt so real, even with the rules of reality that had been bent.

Right next to Saki, Yukino and Okyo were on a separate mattress in the small apartment room. Jumping up at the sound of her scream, they both ran towards her side. Okyo slowly rubbed Saki’s back, and Yukino took a box of tissues and began to wipe her tears away.

Saki sniffled, “Thank you, girls… I know I can always count on the both of ya’.”

“What happened?” Oyko spoke quietly. For a girl like her to be so gentle was a rare sight. One that only Saki and Yukino got the privilege to see.

“Okyo, have some tact.” Yukino looked over to her. “Can’t you see Saki’s deeply upset by the nightmare she had?”

Saki patted Yukino’s hand and shook her head. “It’s quite alright Yukino. I can talk about it.” Slowly, she slid both of her hands into those of her girlfriends. One in each. Their warmth soothed her as she took a deep breath.

“You don’t have to.” Okyo whispered.

“I want to.” She gazed into both of their eyes, determination present in her own. “I just need a minute is all.”

The two girls nodded in response.

Okyo then took Saki into her arms, carefully embracing her from behind. Yukino hugged her from the front. The two enveloped Saki in a tangle of arms. It was a comforting tangle however, just what she needed after a nightmare like that.

She felt safe. She felt at home.

Home was here too, with both of her girls. Life would continue on. And they’d be here for her every single step of the way.

The traumas of her past would follow her for the rest of her life. Haunting her as she was awake, and asleep. But the difference now was that Saki wasn’t alone. Love and connection were now a part of her life again, there to help her as she’d begun to attempt to live the life of a normal girl.

What “normal” was going to be for her and the others would be different from everyone else. She’d accepted this fact though. As long as she had her girls, Saki knew she could do anything.

Yukino and Okyo waited patiently for Saki to begin. In the meantime, they’d shower her with endless kisses and hugs while Saki would gather herself. Taking in more deep breaths. Basking in all the affection, and giving some back in turn.

When it would be time for her to recount that nightmare, they’d listen intently. Providing her with all of the love and comfort in the world.

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