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Post by ghostmytoast on Apr 27, 2023 11:53:10 GMT
Flynn had been released from the hospital the day after the incident with Goro Chokoku having only needed stitches. The injuries were bad and there were plenty of them, but none of them were dire. His face was the worst of it, having had the metal wires wrapped tightly around his mouth and cutting into his cheeks. But even that was fixable with stitches.
All that to say, the fact he wasn't in class that day was unusual and out of character. Flynn loved school and never skipped class, to the point where he almost died trying to make it to the first day of the year. Yet, for the first time ever, Flynn skipped school. The flamboyant teen had spent the entire day staring at the stitched up scars in the mirror, trying desperately to cover them up. He piled on so much make up that it ended up just looking worse, then tried to get it off only for there to be so much of it that he couldn't get all of it.
When that didn't work he rushed to his computer and pulled up his bank account and researching plastic surgeons. He knew his father could not and would not pay for something like that, but if saving his appearance was where his savings had to go Flynn was willing to make that sacrifice. He couldn't go on looking like an evil clown. His looks were one of the few things he actually had going for him! With out them, that was one less thing he had to fall back on.
His door was firmly locked, another rarity for the deaf teen, as he desperately tried to crush numbers and make it work out so he could afford to fix the damage.
All the mirrors in his room had been taken down and tossed face down in a corner of the room, some of them even cracked or shattered. The under sheet from his bed had been yanked off and used to cover the mirror mounted on the wall in his bathroom. Black, mascara stained tears streamed down his face as he tried his hardest to make it all work. He couldn't stay like this. Who would want to be seen with him looking like a freakish side show attraction? How could he ever face Hal like this and expect him to accept his confession? Flynn's life flashed before his eyes as though he was dying. In his mind, he was.
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Post by cmd1095 on Apr 29, 2023 22:54:10 GMT
Tanzo of course had noticed FLynn's absence from class, and he knew the flamboyant deaf disaster boy well enough to have a pretty ironclad guess as to why. So as soon as classes were over he was sending out messages to people he though could help. He'd be the first on the scene though, reaching Flynn's locked door and not even hesitating to unlock it... he'd forged a replica of the key a long time ago, this wasn't the first time he'd needed to be a bit more forceful with his helping of the overly dramatic Flynn.
Even deaf as he was FLynn would surely notice Tanzo entering, it was hard to miss the giant after all, the ground tended to shake wherever he walked and he was a living wall of a person. Once Flynn could see him, Tanzo would begin signing to speak
"Missed you at class today. Figured it was something like this. Care to vent?" Tanzo signed, nodding at the scattered makeup supplies and piled up mirrors. Personally he thought Flynn was being overly dramatic about his marred appearance but he knew two things... one was that Flynn cared greatly about how he looked and this was a much bigger deal to him than a normal person, and the other was that just dismissing his concerns outright without trying to be understanding would be counterproductive... dismissing his concerns would come later
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Post by ghostmytoast on Apr 30, 2023 2:29:09 GMT
Flynn felt the shakes of his large friend entering the room and spun around to face him with a gasp. Once Tanzo got a look at his face, it was clear there was a lot more to this than the walking furnace probably thought, seeing as he had black tears that wouldn't stop and there was still a lot of make up left that he wasn't able to get off. He looked like more of a reck now than he did when he was actually dying. He was even shaking heavily. For some reason, this really got to him.
Luckily for Tanzo, he had already earned Flynn's trust and care. It didn't take much to get him talking. He began choking up more as he wobbled over and slammed his face into his friend's chest, sobbing nonstop. It would take a full five minutes of just that before he would even be able to start explaining himself.
You don't get why this is so important. I can't expect you to. He started, having moved to sit on his bed with his warm giant bestie. I... Well... You know I'm not... inexperienced. He sighed, knowing his reputation was something that was known by a few people at least. He'd never said anything about it, but his mannerisms were pretty telling. What I've never talked about is the people I've been with. There's a reason for that... they... they never lasted long... For the same reason friendships never worked out before. But, they all agreed on one thing... He looked up to Tanzo was a sad smile, like someone who had lost the one thing they'd ever been praised for. They all said I was damn hot. His smile faded as he looked back down to the floor to continue his explanation. When I was a kid I dreamed of a growing up, not just to become a hero, but to find a nice guy, have a massive and extravagant wedding, a big house, maybe a couple dogs... I was eager to start dating, so I began flirting around in my last year of middle school. I'd go to deaf clubs and teen pride clubs... but... His fists clenched for a moment as he thought about his past experiences trying to date. It was always the same. It would last maybe a few weeks... then the guy would brake it off cause I was 'too much of a hassle' or 'exausting to be around'."
Looking up and Tanzo again, golden amber eyes still red and muddy, Flynn looked as though he truly believed them. After all, there is only so many times someone can here the same thing over and over before they start to see it as a fact. I had ONE thing that got guys to even look at me, Tanzo, and now it's gone! No guy in their right mind is gonna give me the time of day looking like the Joker with an identity crisis.
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Post by cmd1095 on Apr 30, 2023 2:45:09 GMT
Tanzo watched and listened as Flynn poured his heart out. To some extent he'd pieced some of the issue together... but hearing Flynn talk about his dream of finding a nice guy, getting married, the works... it was a sobering reminder about who the man underneath the flamboyance really was. It was easy to forget sometimes that the energetic teenager had all these insecurities. Hearing about how his past dates had consistently dumped him for his personality sat poorly with him too, those people were on his shit-list now for sure... if he ever learned who they were.
"well for one thing, what those past guys said doesn't mean anything. For one thing you were a middle schooler, nobody you were dating was old enough to be emotionally mature. Those relationships were doomed from the start. I've comforted a bunch of people through messy relationship drama back in middle school. Trust me, those relationships are not a good reflection of dating as an adult. Even here in high school a lot of the relationships I see fall apart pretty quickly. It's a rarity where two people find each other here and it actually works out" Tanzo signed "I'll share some of the hot tea from those stories sometime, but that's not the topic right now."
Tanzo would poke Flynn in the chest before continuing "Your good looks have no influence on me at all, and I still like you for who you are and have been friends with you all this time haven't I? So obviously there's more good about you than just looks. I know I'm not a romantic interest, but my point stands" he signed "there's lots of good things about you, the fact that your past dates couldn't see that doesn't prove a damn thing. Besides I have it on good authority that scars are not a dealbreaker in relationships, even scars worse than yours."
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Post by ghostmytoast on Apr 30, 2023 3:01:06 GMT
Not on the face! I look like Kuchisake-onna! Flynn signed in despration in responce to Tanzo's note about scars not being a deal breaker. And I get that people don't care about looks for friendship... normally... but for dating? The face is your first imporession! Let alone keeping someone around long enough to get married. And I... thought...
Flynn sighed for a third time and pulled his knees up to his chest for a moment to think about how to day it. I thought I finally found someone who liked me. Who... I might be able to be with... And then I blew it up like a stick of dynamite! I ruined everything with that dumb kiss that I don't even remember... If he wasn't planning to reject me before, he sure as hell will now. Look at me!? Who would want to wake up to this every morning?
The deaf teen leaned onto his friend's shoulder and looked up to him with a smile that looked like a kicked puppy who was just happy to find a scarp of meat in a gutter. I'm so happy to have you and Serena and Atsuro... all of you are amazing friends and I feel so lucky to have finally foudn people who get me. But... you're right... You guys aren't people I can be with romantically... It feels like my childhood dreams of this grand wedding and a happy family have been shattered.
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Post by cmd1095 on Apr 30, 2023 3:18:51 GMT
"Speaking of Serena, she's someone I tapped to prove you can still find love even with horrific scars." Tanzo signed, right as a familiar red-headed girl poked her head in the doorway
"Ah, there you both are" Serena said, inviting herself in and plopping down on a chair near the two of them, Tanzo would translate her words into sign language for Flynn just in case lip-reading failed. "So I couldn't pick up on the conversation till now so where are we at?"
"In Flynn's words, 'who would want to wake up to this every morning' and 'my childhood dreams of this grand wedding and a happy family have been shattered'" Tanzo said "also some baggage from past relationships only dating him for his looks and being turned off by his energy and stuff"
"Right, so on that first point, I'm gonna show you something. Just uh... brace yourself, it's a bit much." Serena said before turning her back and shedding the denim jacket she was wearing to reveal her current shirt had a low-cut back that revealed the extensive scarring on her back and shoulders. The scars went lower than the shirt revealed, but enough was showing to make an impact. All the layers of criss-crossing scar tissue from countless whippings and worse. Serena would let it show for a bit before turning back around.
"I've got more, worse ones too, and Lauren still loves me. So whatever fear you have that being scarred up is going to drive away the quality catches? Get rid of it. Someone who's worth your time and love won't be put off by some facial scars." Serena said, translated by Tanzo as best as he could. He was getting pretty good with his sign language after actively using it with Flynn for the past year and studying it on his own before then... he still wasn't as fast as Serena could talk though.
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Post by ghostmytoast on Apr 30, 2023 3:37:28 GMT
Flynn watched Serena's lips mostly, occasionally looking to Tanzo. He did actually manage to chuckle once when he had to correct him for signing 'mulpiply' instead of 'worse'. But he still couldn't help but be upset. He's already kissed Hal out of the blue while he was sick only to not remember doing it and then confess to him while laying in a hospital bed. Hal being who he was and not liking to be touch and getting nervous with people... Flynn felt like he already lost him. Now... it felt like he would never find anyone else.
His face spoke volumes, as it always did. Though, Tanzo is probably the only one who would know what he was thinking about as he was the only one who knew everything that had gone down a couple weeks ago. This issue was about more than just the scars, that was just the straw that broke the camel's back. He didn't really say anything in responce to Serena, mainly because he thought she was still plenty pretty. It wasn't the scars on his waist, wrists, ankles, or even neck that bothered him. It was only the ones cutting his mouth open that were really making him upset with everything. Serena didn't have facial scars, let alone slitting her mouth right open like a horror movie.
Thank's for coming, Serena, and thank you for showing me your scars. I know how hard that must be to do... but... I just... can't think that way. I don't have much to add to a relationship. I'm loud, crazy, petty, attention seeking, and most people don't like having to write back and forth just for a conversation... It's hard to find guys who are okay with all of that. And right when I finally found someone who just might, I blew it... And now I'll probably never find that again...
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Post by cmd1095 on Apr 30, 2023 3:52:03 GMT
"You're all the things you mentioned, but you're also passionate, dedicated, supportive, talented, and funny." Tanzo signed and said aloud to clue Serena in to the gist of things despite her not knowing how to read Flynn's signs.
"Yeah, when Atsuro was in that depressive funk, you were integral in cheering him up. Your energetic personality lights up a room. You're a lot of fun to be around." Serena added "besides, you and that other guy from my class... Hal right? I've been in class with him for a year now and he doesn't really strike me as the type to give a damn about appearances. Not that I'm the closest with him or anything but that's the vibe I get."
"Serena is right, Hal isn't just any other guy, he's clearly not into you for the physical stuff." Tanzo said "and you don't know you've blown it with him yet. I mean he still wants to talk to you, especially since you skipped class. Not sure when he plans to show up but the fact he intends to check on you proves he still cares"
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Post by ghostmytoast on Apr 30, 2023 4:27:10 GMT
Flynn watched them explain their point of view, but it was clear he still wasn't convinced. He was fairly sure that Hal would still want to be friends.... but there was no way he'd want to date him now. Who would? Hal was the only one who liked him for... him... at least a little bit.
Then Tanzo mentioned Hal coming to check on him and his face went white. "NO!" He cried out as though he was face to face with death itself. He ran to the door and relocked it before pushing his back against the door. "Hee cawn't! Hee cawn't shee meh! Nawt leik dis!" The deaf teen shook his head in defiance and the tears streamed more than they had that whole day. "Eff hee es gowing to rehjehct meh, I awt lest dawn't wahnt to luhk leik dis!"
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Post by cmd1095 on Apr 30, 2023 4:35:41 GMT
"Serena? Grab him" Tanzo said, and Serena nodded and went over to firmly grab Flynn by the shoulders, her grip was like an iron vice, and she was more than strong enough to pull the boy back towards the bed
"You've been avoiding Hal for how long now? This conversation needs to happen" Tanzo said, then got an idea "would it help if I made you a fancy mask to wear so you can talk without showing your face?"
Serena frowned at the suggestion, not really a fan of letting Flynn run from this, but she figured once he and Hal started talking the mask would come off eventually and it'd all work out so she didn't protest
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Post by ghostmytoast on Apr 30, 2023 4:41:54 GMT
Flynn spun around, yanking himself from her grip and shoved her down to take his place back by the door. He didn't want to see Hal right now. He was prepared before for the study date they had been planning, but he cancelled it for a reason. He was certain that was going to be the time he finally got the news from Hal that he had made a decision, and that it wouldn't be in his favor. He had steadied himself and readied himself for the rejection. But all that was tossed with his new look. He couldn't hear that now, it would break him. He shook his head at Tanzo, indicating that he wasn't ready to see Hal, even with a mask.
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Post by Subtleknifewielder on Apr 30, 2023 22:44:16 GMT
It wasn't like Hal hadn't been unwilling to spend time with Flynn the past couple of weeks. The kiss wasn't going to make him suddenly stop being the guy's friend. But he still needed time to process the kiss so there would have been no discussion whatsoever about it, or what it might mean, in the meantime.
But when he got the text from Tanzo, there was an immediate spike in concern, and he sent a message to thank him for the alert and express his own concern, and that he'd try to be there as soon as possible. He'd been wondering why Flynn had cancelled the study date, but now he completely forgot about that in the face of a greater concern. It didn't help that he was 'stuck in traffic' as it were when he got the text, the rush of students leaving class blocking his way. However, the moment he was able to leave, he immediately went to his room to stow away everything but the essentials--notebook and pen. And for a brief moment he experienced something he didn't often experience--concern about his own appearance. But no, this was not the time for that, he told himself, giving his own cheek a slap to snap himself out of that line of thought. The only other thing he took the time to do, was change out of the school uniform.
Then, with those essentials in hand and in more casual clothes, he stepped back out into the hall and out. He was in such a hurry that he tripped and fell partway down the stairs, but the carpet on the floor of the common room at the bottom meant at least that bruises were the worst he'd have to show for it. He barely cared, just briefly checking that there were no cuts or abrasions, but he spent a longer time frantically trying to find the pen. It had been a Christmas gift from Flynn and he actually had to fight back a moment of panic when it took him almost five minutes to figure out where it had rolled to in the tumble. He eventually found it mostly under a chair and he pulled it out with a big sigh of relief that helped him focus anew. Right, he needed to go check on Flynn.
After one more deep breath to calm a racing heart, he stepped outside, making his way to the third year hero track dorms. It was a familiar trip by now, after all the time he'd spent walking between his dorms and Flynn's since they met, so there were no more incidents between one dorm and the other--except for the fact that now he found the door locked, and he heard concerning noises coming from inside. Hal spent an agonizingly long few seconds mentally debating what to do, but concern overrode caution, and so he started scribbling madly into the notebook. Even as fast as he could, clearly visualizing what he wanted, it took a full minute before he could touch the page with his fingertips, and a key manifested in his other hand.
There was a scary moment where it seemed to get stuck, and he had to fiddle with it, but it was time for another sigh of relief as he turned the lock, then the handle, heart pounding rapidly. He had no idea what he'd see when he opened the door but those noises from within were still a huge concern, overriding the logic that there should really be nothing to worry about on campus.
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Post by cmd1095 on Apr 30, 2023 23:06:12 GMT
Serena was somewhat impressed by Flynn escaping her grip, with her quirk her grip was usually pretty hard to break out of, but the desperate deaf boy had done so with relative ease.
"Hal's already on his way, and like it or not with his quirk that door isn't going to stop him." Tanzo signed, meanwhile Serena set up a makeshift screen of pillows and blankets for Flynn to hide behind for the conversation, figuring Tanzo could interpret
Then came the sound of a key in the lock, and Tanzo moved quickly, grabbing Flynn and putting him behind the screen before the door could finish opening.
"he's here, I'll interpret, just stay behind the screen for now. Your looks won't matter if he can't see you right?" Tanzo said, cursing the poor timing of Hal's arrival but also trying to salvage the situation
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Post by ghostmytoast on May 1, 2023 1:35:16 GMT
Being deaf and unable to hear the click of the door, Flynn wasn't aware of Hal's presences until Tanzo yanked him behind some sheets Serena had set up and told him as such. His breath caught in his throat and his face went pale as he shook his head.
Tanzo! I can't handle a, 'lets just be friends' spiel right now! He signed, quick and frantic. I'm not okay! I'm not ready! I had stealed myself to it and asked him on a study date to get it over with before but now!? With this face!? I can't even look myself in the mirror! How can I face him and his rejection!? I'll die! I'll full on drop dead! Do you understand!
And so the true reason for the avoidance comes out. Flynn wasn't just speculating that Hal was going to reject it, he was down right positive of it. He was sure that he had crossed the line of no return and blew every chance he had of dating the underclassman. He had spent two weeks stoning himself to the idea of his lost romance and preparing to remain friends with someone who he wasn't fully over yet. He got himself hyped up for going back on the love hunt and dealing with the loss of the one that got away. But now? Now he was sure he'd never get anyone to give him a chance again. He blew it with the only boy he liked more than just his looks... and now his looks were gone. That was that. No more love for Flynn Hansha. At least... in his mind it was...
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Post by Subtleknifewielder on May 3, 2023 15:02:11 GMT
When he stepped through the door, Hal at first wasn't even sure, for a few seconds, if he'd even gotten the right room. Mirrors covered, tossed in the corner, outright broken, had he, in a daze, picked the wrong room? He had no clue what Serena was doing here either--he knew who she was but while he wasn't exactly asocial, he surprisingly hadn't spent a lot of time socializing with the members of his own class last year. Any other time he would think maybe he should fix that, but Tanzo's presence brought him back down to earth, reminded him why he was here and that no, this very much was Flynn's room.
"What...what happened to the mirrors?" was the first thing he could think of saying as he faced Tanzo, for the moment his mind dismissing Serena's presence as unimportant to his worry. Flynn loved the mirrors, not to mention his quirk heavily depended on them. This was not normal, and he was starting to see why the big upperclassman might have called for him. This must be an all hands on deck kind of situation. "Is he hiding from someone?"
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