[ a.n ; this is a little late but it's a request for red eye fluff ! i love writing fluff so im gonna give u guys some really cute red eye uwu ]
[ word count ; 1378 ]

An Existential crisis. Every meaning of that word. It happened to Shu Kurenai, and he had it very bad. He'd fallen into depression, and soon didn't see himself as apart of his group of friends. There was some sort of wall, blocking him from his loved ones. He'll watch them have fun together, but, he was never able to join anymore. Shu wanted to give up more than anything, but he remembered all his promises he made. The promise to Valt, promises to Xander, and the promise to himself; to never quit. It was strange, how all of those promises didn't even feel real anymore. They were so weak now, that they hardly existed to him. Just like how he hardly existed in the world.

He told you this story a lot. He told you how everything had crumbled around him, and left him fragile and frail. It left him completely helpless to Theodore. Shu Kurenai was such a strong blader, but now he had been demoted to just a weak heart; and he demoted himself.

You were not one of his childhood friends, so you didn't know why he'd tell you all of this. You were the supposed Ace of the Snake Pit. You were trained to be a monster, an absolutely demonic blader. There was no fault in the training program that got you here, and was still holding onto you like cold chains. You were exactly what you were crafted to be; the complete opposite of Shu Kurenai. Although whenever he told you his stories, you felt yourself let your guard down, but didn't do anything about it. . .

"They probably don't even remember me." Red Eye muttered, staring down at his gloved hand.

An identity. . . You had none. You weren't exactly anyone, no one knew you asides from those in the Snake Pit. You were forbidden from leaving, but you didn't care. At first it was more like torture, but you met this boy, who somehow found himself comfortable with you. Your attire was rather dark and intimidating, you looked as if you were a commander, but you were just a mere doll, really.

"Who is Shu Kurenai?" You responded bluntly. "He doesn't exist anymore, so why are you upset if anyone has forgotten him?" Leaning against the wall, you crossed your arms over your chest. Shu winced. He knew you were right.

"Shu Kurenai is gone." Red eye curled his fingers into a fist. You heard him sigh, before walking past you, stopping not too far away. "Let's go."

"I don't take orders from a rookie. Rookie." You scoffed. "Follow me."

The training would be intense for anyone, beyond intense. Although, you were born to do this; that's what they told you. So you powered through like it was nothing, pushups were easy, running was easy, weights were easy, and beyblading was easy. Kind of boring, really, but you found it fun to watch Red Eye try and copy you. He did well, you'd admit. The Underground facility was dark everywhere, the rooms, dining hall, bathroom (wow).

"What was your team name again? I forgot." You were teasing him. You knew well enough it was Beigoma Academy.

Red Eye didn't answer.

"Bey club? Beigoma?"

"What do you want, [y/n]?" He glared at you through that fancy mask. His personality was so up and down, like he was trying too hard. You sighed.

"Nothing." You response was simple, before you bit into an apple. You were mocking him, eating a pretty apple while he did the rest of his workouts.

"Beigoma Academy." He responded.

"Ahh, of course." You chimed sweetly. It was barely audible, but you heard him chuckle.

"You seem to take a lot of interest in me, why's that? Aren't you supposed to be as ruthless as a killer?" Red Eye paused for a moment, just to look up and watch you across the room. You frowned.

"What a load of crap." You swallowed down some of your apple. "I'm ruthless when I feel like it, unlike you. You're ruthless only to yourself."

". . ."

"I'm always right, aren't I?"

". . . Yeah."

"You beat yourself up all the time, over your crisis. You think you don't exist, you think I don't exist, you think this is all a dream. You want it to be a dream, so you can wake up and go back with your friends. Don't pretend you're tough, Shu. You don't belong here. What's going to happen when your friends show up? You'll look to me for help? I've only been asked to watch you, that's all I'm doing. I'm not taking care of you." You lectured him like he was a mere child under your foot, begging for your company and help.

"Strength. That's all I wanted, why- did it have to end up like this." He was starting to concern you, so you quietly walked over.

"What kind of strength? Physical? Mental? Spiritual?" Your voice went a little soft. Your boss would kill you for this; but that was fine. This child here was in need, and to keep yourself from killing him; you'll help him.

"I. . . Don't know. I don't know [y/n]. I don't know anymore." His hands gripped at his knees, and he grit his teeth, White hair fell over his eyes, he didn't want you to see him like this again.

"Why do you want to be strong?"

"I don't know."

"Why do you want to only be strong?"

"I don't know?"

"Shu-"

"Don't call me that!"

"Hey!" You placed your hand on his shoulder and caught his attention. He winced as if you'd hit him. "That's your name. Why would I call you anything other than your name? Asides from idiot."

He stared at you with glassy eyes. He was forcing himself not to let tears spill, because he wanted to be strong. You knew what that was like, which is exactly why you didn't want anyone to live the life you live. No one should be as battered as you, no one should be as heartless as you, and no one should be as nonexistent as you. Why anyone wanted such a life, was out of your damn brain.

"Why are you doing this?" Shu clenched his teeth.

"You're stronger when you're with your friends. Not here. We are no good for you, so go home, Shu." You were just about to walk off and leave him with just those words, but he jumped out of his seat and grabbed your shoulders.

"Go-!? And leave you!?"

You didn't expect that.

"Half the reason I'm still here is because of you! How the hell are you gonna tell me to leave!?"

"Isn't it obvious. I want the best for you."

"You're such a liar."

"Maybe so."

"We're leaving together." He was glaring at you. There was the strength, the power he wanted so badly. You saw it in his eyes.

"I can't. We live different lives. You're a good person, and I'm not."

"That's not true. You've looked after me this entire time."

"It was my job to."

"What the hell does that mean?"

"If I was asked to kill you, I'd have done it."

"You really are such a liar." His voice was dipped in venom, he really was furious with you. You felt nothing though. You usually don't feel anything, this wasn't any different. Shu could have easily slapped you, but he pulled you into a hug, angry. He was mad at you, but still held you. Really tightly. You've never actually felt a hug before, so this was strange to you. You didn't know how to return it, so you awkwardly tried to hold onto him too. "I won't ever see you again, though."

"That's fine."

"It's not. I'll miss you."

"Why? You shouldn't."

"Because I love you. Not as Red Eye, but as Shu Kurenai."

[ a.n ; . . . what just happened, this was supposed to be fluff not ANGST????? ]