Chapter Text
It was honestly rare to see all of Luxiem dining together. Usually, it was always three or sometimes two of them at the table or on the couch, or everyone would dine at their own room. They lived together, and prefered to dine in the dining room when everyone was home. Each of them, had their own work and affairs of course, but those were always put aside at the table, and the only thing there was were 5 close friends eating and talking about their lives and maybe future plans and projects. Everything was normal.
Well, to a certain point it was.
No one said anything, but Shu knew they had their questions. He's been awfully quiet, more than he usually is. He seems like he's struggling with the food, when he is secretly having difficulty swallowing it. During the entire diner, he's sure at least every single one of them has looked at him twice with questioning eyes, and all those times all he did was give them a reassuring smile.
All he needed is to go back to his room and think.
—
Finally in his private space. He takes a quick deep breath before going towards the chest where he keeps his sorcery material.
He now knows for sure he has gone back in time.
' The conversations. The food. Even their clothes are the exact same as that one night. '
That one night when they had their last dinner as five.
He felt his chest tighten as hard as his throat, but he pushed all of those feelings down. Now was not the time.
If he really travelled back in time, it means he had little time to act. He would dare to even go beyond his power to protect them from the fate they met. None of them deserved it!
“ Breath Yamino. Keep focused and get to work ” he told himself, once again breathing deeply in order to concentrate and control his emotions. He will be doing a lot more than just think.
Taking everything he needs, he immediately starts writing talismans, casting spells, preparing discrete enchanted objects. His hand seemed to do so in automatic while his brain worked on a way to sneak these protection talismans into the other member's rooms and their personal everyday belongings. Shu was also scheduling to exorcise the whole house to find any spirits that may be trying to harm them indirectly, just in case. He also began preparing vigilante Shikigamis, ones that not only will follow them, but protect them with all their might until he arrives at the scene.
Don't be stupid, you're tempering with events marked by destiny.
He knows that. As a human who lives and works with the supernatural and abnormal, he knows perfectly what he shouldn't be doing. But Shu was stubborn, and more than that, he loved them. He loved every single one of them, and it would kill him to watch them die again. He doesn't know if his heart can handle going to four important and marking funerals in less then a year.
No. He would face this wicked destiny head on, and make them live, even if it costs everything he has.
He won't think twice before putting his life on the line.
—
“ Hey man, you good? ”
“ Hm? ” the sorcerer looks towards the detective that's staring at him. Well, has been staring at him for the past 10 minutes.
“ You seem really tired lately, something bothering you? ” Mysta asks, a small hint of worry in his voice. Shu puts on his signature smile.
“ Nothing much, just with a lot of stuff to do, but I'll manage. What's your plans for today? ” he takes a sip of his coffee.
“ Well, they called me today to help them with a special case. Apparently I'll be quite busy. ” he answers a bit absent minded, but everyone who knew him was aware that he was probably thinking on how to handle the work.
Shu halted. Is it that day already?
“ Really? Confidential? ” he scolds his expression and body language. The coffee was turning bitter in his tongue.
“ If it is or it's not I can't tell you. ” the detective smiled, Shu copied.
“ You got me. Well, since it's a special case let me wash your dishes while you finish getting ready. ” seeing that he had finished his breakfast, she takes the plate and the other utensils.
“ Thanks bro, your the best ” he gives him a fist bump before leaving Shu on his own in the kitchen.
The gloom immediately takes over the room. It was really that day.
Shu found himself forcing his eyes closed while washing the dishes so his hands would stop trembling. His whole body wanted to shake, but he kept firm, he needed to be stable.
' I will stop it. I'll make sure he gets to work alive. '
A small hiss escapes his lips. Looking down towards the cause, he saw he accidentally cut his hand while washing the knife. A warning.
Do not change the events.
I will not agree with fate.
He responded strongly. Finishing the chore, he quickly went to the bathroom for a bandage for his hand, it would be enough. All he needed was to wait and mentally prepare.
—
“ Bye Ike, congratulations on finishing the new novel by the way! I'm out! ” he announces the last part so anyone in the house could hear him. He winked at Shu who muttered a 'goor luck' and winked at him back.
As soon as he exited the house, Shu took out a Shikigami muttering the spell and order and saw how it shot out the window in direction of the detective in order to secretly guard him. Shu knew still had a feeling that it wouldn't be enough, so he quickly changed clothes to something more appropriate for the outside world and announced he would be quickly going to the store.
—
It wasn't hard to follow Mysta due to the Shikigami, but the sorcerer was still cautious about his own presence so he could not be sensed by the man. Mysta was an extraordinary detective, and that compliment wasn't for show, he knows when he's being followed, but Shu also knew tricks to confuse his senses.
As they continue to walk, more than 10 meters apart, Shu kept his eyes on the man and the cars, specially when he was crossing the road. The cut in his hand began to burn, even more than before. It was a sign. It's about to happen.
Mysta had stopped due to the red light, and was waiting patiently for it to turn green. Shu should've stoped, but he still walked in his direction but slowly. When he cut the distance by half, the light turned green and Mysta went forward while whistling, mind going over the details of the case he will be handling, oblivious to the screeches of a tire.
Mysta Rias died because of a car crash. The car of the culprit is suspected to be black with golden plates.
Shu's legs worked faster than his brain.
Before he knows it, he's in the middle of the road centimeters away from Mysta hands already raised in front of him. The wound in his hand burned and ached like a raging fire.
Mysta...
“ LOOK OUT! ” with a tremendous push, Mysta went far forward and almost out of the road. That's all he heard before he heard a car hitting something and stopping, before driving away more quickly than it came.
He didn't hit his head, but he was dizzy, his leg hurt a bit just like his hands, but he soon her mummers around him. He looked back and saw a view he'd wish he would never see in his life.
“ SHU!!! ” all the aches completely forgotten, he got up just enough to rush towards the inert sorcerer on the ground. There was blood on his face and arms. His eyes were lidded but unfocused. “ Stay with me, please! Someone call an ambulance! ” he yelled.
Yamino couldn't hear anything. There was a constant ring in his ears and his vision was going in circles. His whole body seemed to hurt but at the same time he couldn't feel anything. He wanted to talk, call Mysta and see him properly, but his body kept unmoving. All he sees is his friends silhouette before his vision goes black.
He still remembers it clearly.
After all, he was the one who received the crying phone call of his mother, telling him that Mysta was admitted to the hospital just a few minutes ago because of a brutal car accident. He also remembers how fast Ike was driving as he called Vox and Luca, regulating his own breathing as he told them which hospital they were going. Both him and Ike had jumped out of the car almost leaving it unlocked as they rushed inside the hospital. They had asked for Mysta, but were told to wait for the doctors as he's still in treatment.
A few minutes later Vox and Luca had arrived almost as breathless as them. They waited patiently for the doctor, and when she came forward to them it was the begining of his nightmare.
Mysta Rias had died 30 minutes after getting in the hospital.
The funeral was hurtful. All of them cried, and he did his best to comfort the weeping mother. Mysta was like a brother, and it felt right for him to be there for her.
He had stayed at the cemetery in front of his grave, cursing both fate and destiny for this unfair outcome.
—
When he woke up, he saw a white ceiling and a good number of nurses and doctors. He did not speak or did much movement besides opening his eyes. His hearing took it's time to adjust to everything, but his eyes only slowly went around the room while lidded. It was only when he fully opened his eyes did the doctor took notice of him.
“ Mister Yamino, we're glad you're finally awake. How do you feel? ” even while being professional, her voice was soft and her eyes attentive. He couldn't find himself to open his mouth and speak so he only nodded. “ Having trouble talking I believe. I'll have a nurse bring you some water. You've been awake for some minutes so it might take some time before you're able to talk properly. ”
He nodded once more. His mind went back to Mysta, and the moving orange figure ge saw before he passed out. Shu wanted to ask about his friend, but again, his throat seemed frozen. Luckily, as if reading his mind, the doctor spoke. “ The friend you saved is okay. He only got some scratches in his hands and leg but he's in good condition physically. Him and another three friends are still here waiting for you. Do you want to see them? ”
He didn't even need to move, she saw by the sparkle in his eyes that it was a yes. Going towards the door, she quickly exited. Not long after, all four members of Luxiem came pouring in, completely worried. He saw how they wanted to approach more or even hug him, but didn't do it because of his condition. Mustering strength, he lifted his arms as if calling for them, and it didn't take a second for all of them to be in his reach. Mysta in particular was almost crying.
Shu did his best to curve his lips in a small smile, and squeezed the detective's hand in comfort. The man finally found his words.
“ You- What the fuck was that?! Pushing me from a fast car and getting hit instead?! YOU HAVE MAGIC FOR FUCKS SAKE! YOU COULD'VE JUST- ”
“ Mysta! ” the novelist reprehend before he could continue. He understood Mysta's anger towards Shu's actions but his still in a hospital bed.
“ Sorry... ” he says before sitting down, still gently holding his hand. Vox stroke his back while still looking at him.
“ You gave us quite the scare, Yamino. We're a bit mad for you being careless, but most importantly relieved that you're awake and recovering.. ” his voice was incredibly soothing. Shu knew that he was using just a tiny bit of his power, or he was just keeping his own emotions in check. The sorcerer gave each of them a meaningful look and they only smiled softly.
“ It's okay, just don't jump in front of a car again, please.. ” Ike responded squeezing his hand softly, while Luca gently laid his head on his leg. He seemed a bit distant but still present. Anyway, the event was stopped. Not in the best way, but Mysta was alive, that's all that matters.
—
Shu came back home in the company of all of them. He could've came back just with Ike and Vox, but the other two insisted in tagging along even if they had work to do.
While he was in the hospital, they came to visit many times while he recovered, and when his voice returned he apologized for the situation and dismissed Mysta's own apologies for being careless. He knew better than anyone it wasn't his fault.
Still in the hospital, he felt a pang of guilt because of the situation. Not because he disturbed the event, but because he made Mysta witness his near death. Shu was sure that if he didn't have any special powers that enhanced his body he would've died after that hit. He escaped death by chance, but he won't comment on it. He's confirmed that if he interferes, he'll pay the price almost immediately for it, but he doesn't know if it will stop at that.
But in the instant, what matters to him is that supposedly Ike is next. He spent a few weeks in the hospital recovering, so the time Ike would eventually die wasn't so far away. He would prevent it from happening, he'll make sure of it. Maybe avoid getting almost killed this time, but even if he can't help it he'll do it while making sure the novelist lives.