Chapter Text
Rui couldn’t stop himself from glancing over at the painting every time he passed the main hallway. For a week, it just became a part of his routine. Well… not like he had much of one, but still.
He told his mother that morning he wasn’t feeling too well so he could stay home from school. He was expecting her to hesitate, but she didn’t. Just one look at him was all she needed to agree (and heavily insist) that he stay behind and rest. Did he… really look that bad?
Either way, at least he got what he wanted. He spent almost the entire day sitting in the living room, keeping an eye on the painting.
He was just waiting. Waiting for something else to happen. For the person to move, look around, do– anything, really. Just to prove that Rui wasn’t going insane. Because he couldn’t be, not now. Not when something was finally starting to matter.
Maybe it was stupid, but it was a start, right? Or was he just desperately clinging onto hope that wasn’t even there?
Rui bit his lip. He didn’t want to think about that. Just focus on the painting.
The more he stared at it, the more details were visible to him. It was incredible how someone could add so much intricacy to a piece of art, whether noticeable or not. He couldn’t even begin to imagine how long it must have taken the artist to paint. Whoever they were, they had plenty of skill.
His phone suddenly buzzed, snapping him out of his thoughts. Rui glanced at the notification that popped up on his screen. Mom?
He picked up the phone, reading the message.
[I’m going to be a bit late coming home today. Make sure to get lots of rest, alright? I love you.]
Oh, again… Rui stopped himself from sighing. It wasn’t anything new. His parents often had to spend time away from home due to their jobs. It wasn’t their fault, just part of their work. He wondered if he would end up being as busy as them when he was older.
If you even live long enough to get a job, said a voice in his head. He bit his lip again.
Sometimes, he wished he could just stop thinking. Thinking and feeling altogether. It would certainly be easier than having to deal with the tangled, wild mess of emotions and thoughts that threatened to burst out of his body.
He opened the notification.
[Okay. I love you too.]
Rui pressed the send button, then dropped the phone back on the couch next to him. His throat felt dry. He didn’t want to leave the painting even for a second, but it was probably a good idea to go get water.
Rui stood up.
Oh. Oh fuck.
Blurry vision.
The world began to spin.
Unstable legs.
He needed to get to the kitchen, fast.
Rui stumbled forward.
When was the last time he drank water, actually?
He co uldn’t remem ber.
H e cou ldn’t re mem be r at al l.
K it ch en.
Hi s le gs w ou l dn’t mo v e an y fa st er.
Pa n ic set tin g in.
Hi s f in g er s cl osin g o n som e thi ng
G la ss.
Wa t er.
He n e e ded
W a t e r
Cold liquid, sliding down his throat. Rui shakily set the glass down. He leaned against the counter, squeezing his eyes shut. That was close. Too close. What a pain.
Something rang in the background. Rui ignored it, not ready to move yet, but it sounded again. The doorbell?
He knew his mom wasn’t coming home until later, so who was at the door?
Sighing, Rui eased himself away from the counter. His steps were slow, shaky, as he made his way to the front door. He unlocked it, twisting the handle to pull it open. Maybe it was a package, or some annoying salesperson. God, he really hoped it wasn’t that, he didn’t have the energy to deal with–
Oh.
“Nene? What are you doing here?” Rui asked.
She clutched the container she was holding tighter. “Hi. Um, my mom made some cookies the other day, and… I thought I should bring some over. For you.”
“Oh. That’s… very nice of you. Thank you.” Rui attempted a smile. Nene tilted her head slightly.
“You don’t look good. Worse than the last few days, actually,” She pointed out suddenly.
Rui gasped dramatically. “How could you say something so cruel, Nene? I thought you were my friend…”
To his surprise, Nene laughed. He couldn’t help but join in. It had been a long time since he’d teased her, or anyone for that matter, and it felt good to do something so familiar again… even though he was just trying to deflect.
“You know that’s not what I mean,” She reprimanded, trying to keep a straight face. She took a few deep breaths, and it was back to seriousness again. “You look really pale, and you’re leaning against the wall like you’re about to faint. Have you been drinking enough water lately?”
Rui almost winced. How was it that she was able to tell exactly what was wrong just by looking at him? Was he that easy to read?
“I have,” He replied seconds too late. Nene was already forcing her way inside the house.
“Sit down,” She ordered. Rui reluctantly made his way to the living room, sitting on the couch. Nene made her way to the kitchen. She was only gone for a minute or two before she came back, the container in her hands replaced with a glass of water.
“Oh, I just drank though–” He tried.
“Good.” Nene practically shoved the glass in his face. “Drink more.”
Rui sighed, accepting the glass. He wasn’t feeling that thirsty anymore, but Nene was watching him so intensely that he didn’t really have a choice. He tentatively sipped, avoiding eye contact at all costs. Eventually, the lingering dizziness subsided.
“Thank you,” Rui mumbled quietly, taking a chance and glancing towards Nene.
Her expression softened. “Just want to make sure you don’t collapse, or anything.”
There was nothing funny about the statement, but Rui still laughed anyway.
Nene looked around, her eyes eventually falling on the painting. “Woah,” She commented, “that’s… a really detailed piece.”
“Yeah. My mom got it from… um, I think she said a garage sale somewhere?”
“A garage sale?” Nene questioned. “That’s… kind of hard to believe.”
Rui kept silent. It was kind of weird. He hadn’t thought about that before. Of course, plenty of random things could be found at garage sales, but a painting of that size and delicacy?
“Interesting, right? Next thing I know, I’m already heading home with it in my hands! Don’t even remember buying it.” Rui remembered his mother’s words.
“It’s really beautiful, though,” Nene added, breaking into Rui’s thoughts. “I wonder who the artist is.”
The artist… wait. It was a long shot, but if he could somehow find the artist of the painting… maybe he would be able to figure out what exactly was wrong. However, figuring that out by himself would be… a monumental task, for sure.
But he wasn’t alone, was he? Nene was sitting right there in front of him. If he told her about it, then maybe…
Then maybe what? Would she even believe him? If he said that the person in the painting looked at him? She would probably assume he was finally going insane. She was already worried, this would just make it worse. He couldn’t do that to her. He couldn’t do that to himself, either.
“Rui?” Nene was staring at him now. “You’re looking at me weirdly. Are you okay?”
Rui quickly glanced away. “I’m alright, sorry. I was just thinking.”
“About…?” Nene prompted.
Rui wasn’t sure what to say. Heavy silence filled the room.
Nene sighed, standing up. “I should get going.”
Rui stood up as well, walking her to the front door.
“See you around,” He said.
Nene stared at him for a few seconds, before stepping outside. “Yeah. See you.”
Rui watched as she made her way down the street, before shutting the door with a sigh. He was relieved she didn’t question him any further, but it made his gut twist. Why did he always have to push away the people who cared about him?
Don’t think about that, He told himself. Right now, all that mattered was the painting. He stood in front of it this time, searching for a signature. That’s what artists did, right? They would sign their artwork, so nobody could claim it as their own. Surely with a piece as beautiful as this, it would be the same?
Yet, he couldn’t find anything. Rui stepped closer. Maybe it was smaller. It had to be, right? A few seconds passed. Still nothing.
You’re being delusional. Frustrated, Rui took another step. It was dumb, what he was trying to accomplish, but what more could he do? He had finally found something that seemed to matter to him. Something that willed him to get up in the morning. Something to look forward to, even though it wasn't much.
Why are you still wasting your time?
“Shut up,” Rui muttered under his breath. He squinted at the painting.
There’s nothing there. Give up.
No. Rui couldn’t give up. He couldn’t.
How pathetic. You’re just clinging onto anything at this point, aren’t you? You’re so–
There! There, in the corner, barely visible, there was something written in black paint. Rui’s heart leapt into his throat. What a stupid thing to be excited over… but he still embraced the feeling.
It was still too small to read, so Rui moved closer, leaning on the painting for stabilization.
However, instead of pressing against the canvas, his hand went straight through it.
Rui gasped, attempting to pull back, but he was already losing his balance.
He barely had any time to scream before he tumbled headfirst into the delicate portrait.