Live Through This

It was cold on L2, Nanashi thought as he pulled his coat tighter around himself, rubbing his hands together for warmth. It was nothing like the earth from where he had come from. He didn’t even know why he had come here. He had hidden out on the first shuttle from earth, not caring where he had ended up.

He had managed to hide out in the airport for a couple of days where it was warm at least, but he’d finally been discovered and kicked out. So here he was walking the streets and searching for a decent place to stay the night.

He was barely paying attention when he turned a corner and as a result, didn’t notice another boy running straight in his direction. When he finally looked up, it was too late and the other boy had crashed straight into him. Both of them went tumbling to the floor and Nanashi looked at the other boy curiously. “Hey, are you okay?” he asked.

“Ugh…yeah, I’m all right,” the boy replied, allowing Nanashi to help him to his feet. “Sorry for bumping into you like that.”

“That’s okay,” Nanashi replied. They stood awkwardly for a couple of moments and Nanashi studied the boy before him with curiosity. He was unlike anyone he had ever seen before. He had the longest hair Nanashi had ever seen and it was tied back neatly into a braid. The hair wasn’t the only unusual thing about him though as he was also dressed in what looked like priest’s garb. “You looked to be in a hurry.”

“Yeah,” the other boy replied. “It’s getting dark and I should be getting home already. Sister Helen will go nuts if I turn up late.” He paused for a second, staring at Nanashi critically. Nanashi fought the urge to fidget under the boy’s scrutiny. He knew he looked more than a little worse for wear; it had been days since he’d had the chance to bathe properly and even longer than that since he’d had a decent meal.

“I hope you don’t mind my asking, but do you live around here?” the braided boy asked with a frown. “I’ve lived here all my life and I don’t recall seeing you at all.”

“I haven’t been here long,” Nanashi replied truthfully. “I’m just here on a…trip.”

“A trip?” the other boy repeated sceptically. “Well let me tell you something, buddy, you came to the wrong place if you were looking for a vacation.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “Where are your parents anyway? It isn’t really safe to walk these streets on your own.”

“You’re walking on them,” Nanashi pointed out, not really wanting a lecture right now, especially not from someone who didn’t look any older than he was.

“You didn’t answer my question though,” the braided boy said patiently. “Did you lose your parents or something?”

“I don’t have any parents,” Nanashi replied crossly. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I really have to go.”

“Hey, wait a second!” the braided boy protested, grabbing hold of Nanashi’s arm so that he couldn’t leave. “You don’t have any parents? Well surely you have somewhere to go, right?”

Nanashi glared at him, but shook his head. The smaller boy looked shocked, but that only made Nanashi angrier. He didn’t need anyone’s pity and could get by just fine on his own.

“Jeez, no parents and no home? Come back with me to my place,” the boy insisted. “It’s a lot better than hanging around here all night, let me tell you.”

“I’m fine, thank you,” Nanashi said curtly. “Thanks for the offer, but I don’t need any help.”

“Sure,” the other boy said, an infuriating grin spreading over his face. “And I’m the Virgin Mary. Look, all I’m asking is that you come back to my place. I live just down the street there, see that church?” he added, pointing it out.

“You live in a church?” Nanashi asked, intrigued in spite of himself.

“Sure do. Father Maxwell and Sister Helen took me in a few months ago and they’re really great. They like helping out orphans like us.”

“Like us?”

“Yeah, I don’t have any parents either,” the smaller boy replied with a shrug. “But really, if you need a place to stay and I’m pretty sure you do, then just come along with me.”

Nanashi just stared, torn between wanting to accept the boy’s offer and just running away somewhere to manage on his own. The practical side of him told him to go with the boy, but the more stubborn side insisted that he should turn him down.

“Hey, I’m not trying to pull anything here,” the other boy said, as if guessing what Nanashi had been thinking. “You don’t have to come with me, but you’ll be a lot worse off if you don’t.”

Nanashi sighed. It did sound tempting. A place to stay, if only for the night…food…

“All right,” he said softly.

“Great!” the braided boy chirped, taking Nanashi’s arm and guiding him towards the church. Nanashi stiffened slightly, unused to being so close to someone, but the smaller boy appeared not to notice. Suddenly, he halted, causing Nanashi to stumble and almost fall. “Oh, I can’t believe I haven’t even told you my name! No wonder you didn’t trust me. I’m Duo. Duo Maxwell. What’s your name?”

“I don’t have one,” Nanashi replied stiffly.

“You don’t have a name either?” the other boy asked sadly. “Now that’s tough.”

“If you must call me something, just call me Nanashi. It means no-name.”

“I can’t call you that!” Duo said incredulously. “Man, that’s like an insult or something!”

“It doesn’t matter,” Nanashi told him. “You don’t have to call me anything at all if you don’t want to.”

“Of course I do!” Duo said stubbornly. “What am I supposed to do, just shout ‘hey, you!’ whenever I want to tell you something?”

“Everyone else did,” Nanashi said with a shrug.

“Well I’m not everyone else,” Duo told him. “So…how about I give you a name?”

“You want to give me a name?” Nanashi asked in disbelief.

“Sure! Just give me a minute and I’ll think of something really good.” Duo frowned, lifting up the end of his braid and nibbling at it before his face lit up. “I know! I’ll call you…Curtains!”

Nanashi was silent for a whole three seconds before bursting into laughter. It felt odd using facial muscles that he couldn’t remember using in years, but he couldn’t deny that it was good to laugh.

“Hey, what’s so funny?” Duo asked, looking slightly offended. “I think it’ s a good name and it suits you. See, you hide behind that hair of yours like it’s a curtain, so it’s only appropriate.” He reached out and tugged teasingly at Nanashi’s bangs. “What do you even look like under there? Are you all gross and horribly disfigured like that guy who lived in a sewer and played the keyboard?”

“Like who?” Nanashi queried, feeling thoroughly confused.

“You know, that guy in the musical who wears a mask…the Phantom of the Opera, that’s it! Sister Helen loves that, but I think it’s dumb. See, he isn ‘t really a phantom at all, so why is it called the Phantom of the Opera? It should be called the Kooky Guy in the Mask Who Sings in a Opera.”

Nanashi stared at Duo in surprise. “Do you ever stop to breathe?” He had never met a person who talked so much before. He had never met a person like Duo period.

“And how does his mask stay on anyway? I think he has it super glued on, or maybe it’s cement,” Duo continued, ignoring the other boy’s comment. “I dunno, what do you think?”

“I think you talk too much,” Nanashi replied seriously.

“Oh, that’s what everyone says,” Duo laughed. “But they love it really. Come on, we’re here.” He pushed open the door to the church and led Nanashi inside. “Be sure to take your shoes off first. Sister Helen hates having mud traipsed all over the floor.”

Nanashi followed the smaller boy’s lead and took off his shoes, placing them neatly next to the coat rack.

“Sister Helen, I’m home!” yelled Duo. “I’ve brought a friend to stay over, is that all right?”

“Oh, Duo, please don’t shout. I can hear you perfectly well without you bellowing like the apocalypse is coming.” Nanashi looked up to see a nun making her way towards them, smiling fondly at Duo.

“I wasn’t shouting!” Duo protested. “I just spoke very loudly. Anyway, I brought my friend over to stay. That’s okay, isn’t it?”

“Of course it’s okay,” the nun replied. “Father Maxwell is always saying that you need to bring friends to visit.” She knelt down before Nanashi and smiled. “You may call me Sister Helen, young man,” she told him. “May I ask what your name is?”

Nanashi stared at her, wondering what to say. He hadn’t known many women before and he wasn’t sure how to act around her. She seemed like a nice enough person and had even knelt down so that she was closer to his height. No one had ever done that before.

“I don’t have…” he began, intending to give her the usual answer he used on the rare occasion when people asked who he was. However, he saw Duo shaking his head out of the corner of his eye and he paused before adding solemnly, “You can call me Curtains.”

“Curtains?” the nun repeated, raising an eyebrow. “Is that what everyone calls you?”

“Just Duo,” Nanashi replied, wondering if he had said something to upset her.

“He doesn’t have a name or a place to go home to, so I said he could stay here,” Duo said helpfully.

“Well we certainly can’t have you wandering around the streets,” Sister Helen said firmly. “So you had better stay here at least until we find you somewhere to live. You can share Duo’s room for now.”

“T-thank you,” Nanashi said, feeling somewhat stunned by the woman’s generosity. “I don’t have anything I can give you,” he added, slightly ashamed. “But I can do whatever work you need.”

“Nonsense,” Sister Helen replied, waving her hand. “I won’t hear of it. We need to get you cleaned up and into some decent clothes. A few extra pounds wouldn’t hurt either,” she said, poking Nanashi’s stomach and making him squirm. “Look at you, you’re skin and bone! Duo, take him up to your room and show him where the bathroom is. I’ll try and find something that will fit him.”

“Are you sure?” asked Nanashi uncertainly. “It’s more than enough that you’ve allowed me to stay, I really shouldn’t ask for anything else–”

“Don’t you worry about a thing,” said Sister Helen, getting him up and pushing him in the direction of the stairs. “Duo will help you with anything you need.”

“Come on!” said Duo enthusiastically, grabbing Nanashi’s hand and leading him towards the stairs. “We need to get you cleaned up and all before supper is ready.”

Nanashi allowed himself to be dragged upstairs by the smaller boy and shoved into the bathroom.

“Hurry up and take a shower,” Duo told him. “I’ll go find something for you to sleep on. My room is the one at the end of the hallway and I’ll be in there waiting for you. Don’t be too long, okay?”

Twenty minutes later, Nanashi, quietly made his way into Duo’s room, pushing the door open the rest of the way and peeking inside. He felt the corners of his lips tug up into a tiny smile when he caught sight of the other boy bouncing up and down on the bed and playing the air guitar. Nanashi cleared his throat in order to get the other boy’s attention.

“Oh, you’re done?” asked Duo, jumping off the bed and landing next to Nanashi, almost stepping on his foot. “Sister Helen brought you some clothes. I don’t know if they’ll fit you, but they have to be better than what you’re wearing now.”

He handed Nanashi a neatly folded black tunic and shrugged at the boy’s raised eyebrow. “They’re Catholic. What did you expect?”

“No, no, it’s perfectly fine,” Nanashi said hurriedly, pulling the tunic over his head and smoothing out the creases. It was a little too big, but it was clean and that was all that mattered. “So you’re a Catholic too?”

“Hmm, kind of,” Duo replied. “But I still don’t really believe in God. Father Maxwell says that it isn’t God’s fault that wars start out and all, but still… You’d think he’d do something about it instead of sitting on his ass and just letting people suffer.”

Nanashi couldn’t fault that logic. “I never really gave much thought to religion,” he said with a shrug. “You’ve got a point though. If there really is a God, he shouldn’t have let things get so screwed up in the first place.”

“Well, I hope you’re good in an argument,” Duo said with a laugh. “’Cause try telling Father Maxwell and Sister Helen that. Father Maxwell has an answer for everything I swear. He’s the smartest guy I know. You’ll find out for yourself anyway, it’s almost suppertime. Better get downstairs before they start yelling.”

Nanashi followed the braided boy back downstairs and into a small kitchen. Inwardly, he marvelled over Duo’s zest for life, the way he seemed to bounce about rather than walk.

“There you are. I was just about to call you down,” said Sister Helen, seating the two boys at the dinner table. She fussed over Nanashi for a moment, making him blush in embarrassment. “Oh, you look so much better now that you’ve cleaned yourself up. That tunic is a little too big, maybe I can take it up some tonight to make it fit better,” she said thoughtfully.

She reached up and brushed Nanashi’s hair out of his face. “That’s better,” she announced. “Now I can see your pretty eyes. You shouldn’t hide behind all that hair, it can’t be good for your skin. If you like, I could cut it for you and–”

“No,” Nanashi said abruptly. “No, thank you, miss,” he added, lowering his gaze. “I like my hair the way it is.”

Sister Helen sighed in defeat, but smiled all the same. “All right then, but think about what I said,” she told him. “No wonder Duo calls you Curtains.”

“So this is the young man I’ve been hearing so much about.”

Nanashi turned in his seat to see a tall man standing in the doorway to the kitchen smiling at him. “I was told that Duo had brought a friend to stay with us for a while.” He walked over to the table and sat down opposite Duo, holding out a hand to Nanashi. “I’m Father Maxwell.”

Nanashi stared at the man’s hand for a moment before reaching out to shake it. “Pleased to meet you, sir,” he murmured, quickly pulling his hand back and settling it in his lap. “Thank you for allowing me to stay.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” Father Maxwell assured him. He stared at Nanashi who tried not to fidget under the man’s questioning gaze. “Not much of a talker, are you? In that case, maybe you’ll be a good influence on young Duo here.”

“Are you saying that I talk too much?” asked Duo indignantly. Father Maxwell just chuckled in response and Duo threw up his hands in an exasperated manner.

“Now, now, there’ll be no fighting at this table,” Sister Helen said, stopping Duo before he could launch into yet another tirade. “Child, would you mind helping me with the vegetables?”

Nanashi nodded quickly, thankful that she was letting him do something. He didn’t feel as bad if he was managing to help in some way. He helped dish out the vegetables onto four plates and carefully carried them over to the table.

Once everyone was settled, Father Maxwell, Sister Helen and Duo put their hands together. Nanashi just stared, unsure of what they were doing at first until Father Maxwell began to speak. They were praying, he realised and he quickly imitated them, keeping his head bowed respectfully. He didn’t know much about Catholicism, but he didn’t want to offend these people in any way, not since they had been so kind to him.

Once Father Maxwell had said Grace, Nanashi followed Duo’s lead and began to eat. He tried not to bolt his food down, but it had been so long since he’d last eaten a proper meal, he’d almost forgotten what it was like.

“Steady, child. You’ll choke if you keep eating like that,” said Sister Helen, reaching across the table to pat his shoulder. “There’s plenty more in the stove, so eat as much as you like. Just slow down, okay?”

Nanashi nodded, feeling slightly ashamed and began eating almost comically slowly. “Oh don’t worry about it,” Duo told him, his voice tinged with amusement. “I get told to eat properly all the time.”

“Yes, but you’re doing so much better than when we first took you in,” said Sister Helen. “I’m just thankful that you’ve stopped eating with your mouth open.”

Duo opened his mouth in retaliation, showing her the half-chewed food he had yet to swallow and Sister Helen frowned. “Don’t teach your friend bad habits, dear,” she said.

“So, young man, how did you end up here if you don’t mind my asking?” Father Maxwell spoke up.

“I ran into Duo,” Nanashi replied. “Literally.”

Father Maxwell smiled. “But have you been living here long?” he asked.

“Not long,” Nanashi told him, wondering exactly how much he should tell the older man. “I’m from the earth.”

“You’re from earth?” Duo asked, almost choking on his food. “Why the Hell did you come to L2?”

“Duo!” Sister Helen scolded. “I do not want to hear that word again at this table. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, Sister Helen,” Duo replied meekly before turning to Nanashi, his meal forgotten. “Really, why’d you come here though? I mean L2 isn’t exactly fantastic and all. You gave up things like real rain and real sky just to come out here? You’re nuts!”

Nanashi shrugged. “It’s as good a place as any,” he said softly.

“Duo, don’t speak to your friend like that,” Sister Helen told him firmly.

“I’m sure he had his reasons for coming here so don’t be so hard on him. Do you have a family on earth, Child?”

“I have no family,” Nanashi said shortly.

“You have us now,” Father Maxwell told him. “You are a child of God whether you believe in him or not. We are all family here, Sister Helen, Duo and myself and I would be most honoured if you were to become a part of our family.”

“A part of your family?” Nanashi repeated, stunned. “I…I mean, no one’s ever asked me to…” He bit his lip, not knowing how to continue. “But you don’t even know me!” he burst out. “You only just met me today, how can you trust me? I could be crazy and kill you all in your sleep or steal from you or–”

“I trust that you won’t,” Father Maxwell interrupted. “I’m not sure how you’ve been brought up or what kind of life you’ve been leading so far, but the fact is, you have nowhere to go. No relatives to stay with. I would never forgive myself if I turned you back out onto the streets, not that I was going to in the first place.”

“But why?” Nanashi asked, frowning. “How can you be so nice to me? What do you want from me?”

“All we want is for you to feel safe and to know that you have somewhere to stay,” Father Maxwell told him.

“No one ever wants anything without something in return,” Nanashi said with a scowl. “I still can’t believe you’re being so kind to me. I didn’t know there were any kind people left. What makes you so different? How do I know that you won’t try to hurt me?”

He clenched his fists, trying to stop his anger from building and barely noticed when Sister Helen got up from the table. He started when he felt a pair of arms wrap around him and he stiffened, trying to pull away.

“Calm down, child,” she whispered. “We’re not going to hurt you. We want to keep you safe and give you a place to stay. Will you let us do that?”

Nanashi avoided her gaze, biting his lip so hard that he could taste blood in his mouth. He knew that Duo and Father Maxwell were staring at him and he kept his eyes lowered, feeling embarrassed for causing such a scene.

“Why are you being so nice?” he murmured, trying not to cry. These people were so weird! They were kind to him and they made him want to smile, want to cry; things that he hadn’t done in years.

“Because we want to be,” Sister Helen said in his ear, pulling him to her again. “You’ve been hurt by someone, child, but you don’t have to be afraid anymore. You’re in a house of God now and he will protect you.”

Nanashi stopped trying to pull away, but he didn’t move closer to Sister Helen either. He couldn’t remember anyone hugging him before and although the experience was not altogether unpleasant, it still felt slightly odd. Sister Helen felt soft and she smelled like flowers. Nanashi felt that he could trust her for some reason and Father Maxwell and Duo too.

“Just let us take care of you,” Sister Helen murmured. “Will you let us do that?”

Nanashi nodded, burying his face in her shoulder and letting his hands move to her back. She squeezed him gently and it felt nice…reassuring.

“Feeling better?” Sister Helen asked after a moment.

Nanashi nodded again and pulled away. “Thank you,” he whispered. “I didn’t mean to get angry.”

“That’s all right,” Sister Helen informed him, ruffling his hair affectionately. “Now eat your supper before it gets cold.”