Archive of Our Own ^beta

*Masa's POV*

It'd been awhile since we'd seen Annie and Garcy.

After the funerals... both moved out of Silica to live with Dan and Marcy.

From what Annie told me, given how painful it was to stay, it made sense to leave.

Garcello still had us, but... without his dad, he really had no reason to stay in Silica City.

That made sense, in a way.

Marco drove us out to where Dan and Marcy lived, and we were all talking about things we would do once back in town. "It'll be so nice to just chill for once." Belle said, stretching. "It will be yeah," Lucinia said, looking out the window. "It feels like forever since we came out to see them."

It's true... to think we used to live nearby....

I remembered when I was little, Lucks used to Babysit Luce and I, and when Garcy was adopted, he joined our small circle. The three of us had been close since. Sofia, Belle, and Lamar joined the circle later on, so did Annie.

Tari and Theo did too... even if it was for a short while...

But, in the beginning, it was me, Luce, and Garcy.

I was looking out the window, thinking of all the dumb stuff we did as kids, Luce and I did some dumb stuff, but I remember doing stupider shit with Garcy. Us exploring the woods, and us even finding a strange doll in the forest once. Some Japanese puppet with a bob hair cut, in a red kimono, her right arm and leg both cracked, and her eyes closed.

She was kinda creepy looking, and gave off weird vibes.

We tossed her back into the woods after a couple days.

Both Lucks and Sheridan agreed with us on that.

Then again they were the ones who warned us about the damn thing.

We were dumb kids, we did stupid shit all the time.

Then again we did stupid shit as adults too.

It's not every day you take down an entire company and save the world from a crazed lunatic.

Sorry Gar, but what I said was true.

I couldn't help but think of us just spending time in the backyard like we used to... Mostly in the tree house that Lucks made back when he and Sheridan were younger.

It was huge though, and would get fixed up by Lucks and Dan yearly.

Now... I don't know. Maybe Garcy and I could fix it up this year...

I could talk with him about it once we got there.

"Guys, we're here." Marco said, and we looked outside, Dan and Marcy's house came into view, and it felt reassuring really.

"Feels weird," Lamar said, "Showing up after everything..." "It'll be nice to spend time with Dan and Marcy though." Sofia told me. "Remember, they see us as their grandchildren too." "That they do." Marco said as we pulled into the driveway, "They saw me like a second son."

Right, Marco was also close to Lucks too. They dated too.

Pretty sure if they got married Marco would've been Garcello's second dad, or his step dad.

Guess that explains why those two were still close, and why Marco invited Gar to join him in taking Sheridan down.

Though, Gar did tell us he had told Sheridan he was gonna kill him.

And kill him he did.

Tari saved us, and so he Garcy...

I respected Gar for that.

Yeah it fucked up his mental health... mine was still fucked up after shooting Lucks... I know it wasn't my fault now but... why did it still feel like it? Was it survivor's guilt? The fact I shot my bro's own father...?

Or... was it remorse?

Ugh...

Marco unlocked the doors and honked the horn. Dan and Marcy both came out to greet us all. Hugs were shared amongst us.

Dead meme avoided.

We stepped inside and took our things to the downstairs living room. It was usually our hangout spot whenever we spent the week with these two. "It's good to have you all back!" Marcy said happily. "It's good to be back." Marco told her, "We missed this place, and we missed you both." Marcy smiled and Dan looked at us all, "It feels nice having you all back." he said, "It's almost calming really."

I could kinda see what he meant by that.

Whenever we came out here to visit, it was always a calming type of feeling... like it soothed the soul. I always enjoyed this.

We rested as we talked about the whole trip, and were sharing some stories with Dan and Marcy. I however... kept looking out the window...I didn't see Garcy's van in the driveway, it was nowhere on the street... I didn't hear Annie or Garcy anywhere in the house either... Usually Gar would be up by now. Poor guy had insomnia sometimes... Annie slept 'til noon. That was her thing.

We were used to it.

"Hey, Marcy?" I heard Marco ask, "Where's Smokey and Annie?" Dan and Marcy exchange looks. "Um... guys," Marcy began, "Gar didn't come home last night..."

..... What...?

"What?" Sofia asked, "Please tell me you're joking." Dan shook his head, "Nope, we're not..." he said, sounding... sad.

We were all scared now,  "Annie's been out all night looking for him." Dan continued, "We told her to call us when she finds him..." Dan looked away, "I'm afraid he's turned to nicotine again to... cope with everything that's happened..."

Please tell me he didn't.

I didn't want my childhood friend to relapse... I didn't want him to do something stupid.

I had to find him.

The guys were trying to call Garcy and Annie, while I snuck out to go find him.

I needed to find him...

Garcello...

I began racing through the streets and looked everywhere he and I hung out, even looking through the alleys too. His usual hiding spots when he had smoked before...

Back when he was still addicted...

Lucks and I did agree on one thing... and that was keeping Garcy clean...

I remembered at the funeral, he was holding a pack of cigarettes... he wanted to smoke but didn't... I stayed with him all night...

We all did...

He was a mess...

None of us blamed him in the slightest...

I know I didn't... He had lost those he cared about... those he loved...

That was when I heard a scream.

"GARCY!!!!"

I ran that direction.

I skidded to an alley and saw something that felt... surreal.

Two kids, and Annie, on her knees, holding someone in her arms... I knew right away who it was... but I wish I didn't... But I did. I'd known him for years.

"A-Annie...?" I said, voice cracking. She turned her head to me, tears streaming down her face, "M-Masa..." she said, her voice barely a whisper. I ran over to see the body in her arms... I knew it was him... I checked for a pulse.

None...

"He's gone..." she told me. "It's over..."

My heart broke in two...

"No..." I said, tearing up. "No! NO!" I refused to believe it... I didn't want to believe it... "Masa look at me, he's-" I shoved Annie off me and backed away... refusing to even look at her, at the other kids there... at my friend....

My heart was broken...

Garcello was dead...

Dead.

I gripped my head in my hands, not wanting to believe it... refusing to believe it...

Garcello was only 26... he had a life waiting for him...

He was gone too soon... I didn't want this to be true...

I felt someone touch my arm.

"You think I'm not upset about this too??"

Annie...

"He was my friend too Masa!" she shouted, catching me off guard. "I didn't want to lose him, We had so much planned, so much to do! .... Until... a few nights ago..."

Huh?

"What happened?" I asked, gripping her shoulders. "Did Garcello do something? Annie tell me please!" Annie took a breath and looked at the two kids, pointing at the girl. "Her dad-" "Not again..." the girl interrupted, surprising me. "What do you mean again?" I asked, "In fact, who are you two?" The girl rubbed her arm and looked at the boy beside her, who looked just as upset. "I'm Cherrry Dearest..." she told me, "And this is Keith, my boyfriend." "Beep." he said, sorrow in his voice. "People call us BF and GF though..." she looked up at me, "You're Masa, right?" I nodded, "hat's me yeah." I said. "What does your dad have to do with my bro's death??" Annie stepped in. "Her dad's a powerful demon Masa." she told me, "Daddy Dearest, remember him?"

Oh god, I remembered that guy.

Was never fond of his music really.

Annie continued, "Gar told me that Dearest made a deal with him..." she said, "One to deal with his... coughing." I blinked in shock. "See..." she continued... "Masa, Garcello... developed lung cancer."

Oh my god...

"I didn't want to believe it either..." Annie told me, "When he told me, I was horrified. He told me that Dearest could fix the issue..." she looked at a lone pack of cigarettes on the ground. "He was told to... get rid of his daughter's... new boyfriend."

BF looked mortified.

"Y-You mean...?" he asked, Annie nodded, "Gar was supposed to kill you..." she said, and I was horrified. "T-That's not Garcy though!" I said, knowing I was lying to myself. "He'd never kill anyone!" Annie looked at me, furious. "THAT'S A LIE AND YOU KNOW IT MASA!" she shouted, making the two yelp. "GARCELLO KILLED SHERIDAN!" "TO SAVE US!" I shot back, tears stinging my eyes. "Garcy killed him... to save us Annie..." I let the tears fall. "I know he'd never kill an innocent person." I could feel my own lip quivering. I could... feel myself start to break down...

BF and GF filled in the blanks for Annie...and me.

Gar had offered a smoke to BF, but refused, so they had a rap battle... Gar didn't want to kill him, and smoked a joint from that pack....

That cigarette... was what did him in...

I looked at Garcello's crumpled body, his hat missing but, nothing was different... I was barely paying attention now... I crawled over and held Garcy in my arms.

He looked like he was sleeping, his body was... starting to grow cold... I held him in my arms, moving his hair out of his face.... Tears fell... and I just wept, holding him to my chest.

I didn't want to believe it... but he was gone..

We had to tell the others...

Annie did the deed.

I couldn't.

When the others arrived... gasps were shared... Dan and Marcy both broke down. Sofia was bawling, Lamar let out a sob, Lucinia ran to me and held him too... Belle looked away, Marco was even shedding tears.

None of us... were okay...

An ambulance was called to collect Garcy's body... we were... all numb after that.

The whole thing... was familiar.

And I knew why...

When we got back, the whole house was... quiet.

No one spoke...

We thought we'd be getting to spend some time out here with our best friend.... only to learn he had died...

I couldn't take anymore heartbreak.

We were all in our separate rooms, silently grieving, taking it all in... I however... went to the back yard... I saw the bench swing had been set up... and just sat there.

I sat there for who knows how long, it felt like days but... when I looked at the sky, I saw the sun starting to set. I still felt terrible...

"First Lucks, then Theo, Sheridan, Tari... and now Garcy..." I said softly, looking at the sky. "What did he do to deserve death?" I asked, knowing I'd get no response. "Tell me, what did Garcello do to deserve this?"

I heard a small giggle.

It came from the woods.

Panic set in, as I remembered the doll we found years ago...

I heard the giggle again... and saw the face of that damn doll peer through the bushes.

My heart skipped a beat.

The doll moved her hand towards me, making a "Follow me" type of gesture. I didn't want to... but I had a feeling she'd lead me somewhere.

My body wasn't in control.

Almost like a marionette, I got u and followed the dool. Did we name her? Yeah, we called her Iki.

Why?

I dunno.

I continued to follow the doll, as she lead me to the spot we found her... and I saw someone waiting for me.

Well, somewhat.

"Surprised you came to visit Masa." I heard, seeing him turn to face me. "Wanted to see me again huh?"

I felt the tears come back.

"GARCELLO!" I yelled, leaping towards him. He held his arms out and caught me. I just cried into his shoulder. "H-How is this possible??" I asked, "Y-you're dead!!" He just shrugged, "I'm a spirit now dude." he told me, "Surprised you can still feel me."

We stared at each other for a couple seconds before bursting out laughing.

"Dude you never ceased to amaze." I said, wiping a tear. "Your phrasing I swear." Garcello was laughing, it felt... weird seeing him floating. "But... why are you here?" I asked, he just chuckled, "I should be asking you the same thing." he told me. "Why are you and the rest of MD-5 here?" I sighed, "We wanted to come by and see you." I said, "to catch up, play some games, maybe even fix up the tree house and reminisce..." I looked away, knowing we couldn't do that...." But, you didn't answer my question." I told him. Garcello sighed and sat beside me. ".... I wanted to say goodbye." he said, "And get the ghost possessing Iki."

That last one made sense.

"I'm sorry we couldn't do what you want to man..." Gar said, leaning his head on my shoulder. "I missed you though..." I looked at him. "I know," I said, "I... I missed you too..." I held him again, tearing up. "Gar..." I continued, "We all missed you... you're our friend, my brother... I... I love you."

There was silence between us both...

Until I felt something cold press up against my cheek.

I looked and saw Garcy looking sad, but smiling a bit. "I love you too Masa." he said, and hugged me. I hugged him back and shed tears... "Gar..." I said, "Thank you.... for everything." Garcello gave me a smile "Masa... thanks for being there for me..." he said, "I'll never forget you..."

With that, he kissed me... surprisingly. I was hesitant to reciprocate, but did. I held his face in my hands and wanted it to last... but I knew it couldn't...

When we pulled away, I saw him smiling. "I'll be watching you Masa..." he said, before reaching behind me, and took a hand of a little girl... who looked just like Iki. She turned to me and smiled before waving. "Thank you for the adventure Masa." he said, before he started to fade. I shed tears... "Goodbye Garcy," I said, "I'll never forget you."

After that, he was gone...

Garcello and Iki...

I was left alone.

But... I felt something.... I felt... closure. I got to say goodbye to Garcello... I stood up and made my way back to the house.

....

But... not without picking up the doll that once was Iki's host, and making a small grave for her.

I looked up to the sky, seeing two shooting stars... I smiled softly... "You're both with God now..." I said softly, "Gar, I hope you can find your dad... and can forgive him..."

With that, I made my way inside.

"You'll always have tight bars Garcello, ... and you'll always be my bro."