(Untitled)

[happy_irthday]

[ How long has it been?

Beyond's not sure, but he's definitely older. Two years, maybe three. And he doesn't look quite as innocent. It could be the bloodstains on his shirt, but then again, that could be his own blood. It's hard to tell. It doesn't matter much anyway, since he's in the middle of a hallway, sitting with legs crossed, playing with a

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[righteous_pen]

[Mikami doesn't recognise which B this is, at first. He just notices the blood, and the knife. At least the knife is only being used on the carpet.]

What are you doing?

[happy_irthday]

[ Beyond glances up, and then makes a bit of a disappointed face. ]

Beyond is cutting the carpet, Mikami. But Mikami isn't real. So Mikami shouldn't worry, no no.

[righteous_pen]

...Beyond?

[At least it's less likely that he used the knife on someone else. But using it on himself is nearly as bad, and what happened to him?]

I'm real, Beyond. Don't - don't do that to the carpet, people need to... walk on it.

[happy_irthday]

Yes, yes. [ Beyond says rather impatiently. ] Beyond is Beyond.

[ But he stops, and sighs, bringing the knife out of the carpet and chewing on it instead. ]

Mikami always says he's real. The doctors said he lies. But Beyond won't mess up the carpet, no. Doctors might be mad.

[righteous_pen]

Don't -!

[He darts forward to take the knife, then stops abruptly, realising that grabbing it might make things worse.]

Don't put that in your mouth, Beyond, you'll hurt yourself.

[He lowers his voice.] There aren't any doctors here. You're in the mansion.

[happy_irthday]

[ He stares for a second, expression confused, and then drops the knife to the carpet. ]

Beyond wouldn't. He knows better. But okay. Beyond will put it down.

[ But mentioning the mansion? Beyond's eyes narrow. ] Beyond is not in the mansion. Don't lie to Beyond. The doctors, they get mad, mad, mad when Beyond pretends he's in the mansion, yes they do.

[righteous_pen]

...I'm really here, Beyond. I promise.

[He holds his hand out, cautiously, for Beyond to touch.]

See?

[happy_irthday]

[ Beyond is silent for a long, long moment, and then he reaches out, slowly, holding his breath. When his fingers meet Mikami's, he jumps, and scrambles back, wide-eyed. Almost immediately, the tears start up. ]

B-beyond couldn't touch... before, there--

... Mikami! [ And Beyond leaps back forward, and just barely stops himself from clinging-- though he does take Mikami's hand and hugs it to his chest. ]

[righteous_pen]

That's right. I'm here. Beyond, what happened?

[happy_irthday]

[ He's quiet for a long moment, and then: ]

Beyond went home. Went home, to the hospital, to where the doctors took care of Beyond. Doctors in white coats and needles that they used on Beyond and big sticks they used when Beyond talked about the mansion.

B-beyond didn't... [ He shudders. ] Didn't like it, no, nonono.

[righteous_pen]

...that's appalling.

You're safe now, Beyond. They had no right to treat you that way.

[happy_irthday]

Beyond learned not to talk to them. Sorry, Mikami, sorry, Beyond didn't mean to say Mikami wasn't real.

Beyond is very very glad to see Mikami, though.

[righteous_pen]

Don't apologise, you've done nothing wrong. I'm glad to see you too, Beyond. I've worried about you, and so has A.

[He frowns slightly, concerned.] Beyond, why do you have a knife?

[happy_irthday]

Worried about Beyond? [ He sounds surprised. ] Why?

... Oh, Beyond stole it. He hid it in his bed, just in case the doctors tried to needle Beyond again. Beyond wasn't going to let them. [ He's very matter-of-fact. ]

[righteous_pen]

[His eyes widen at the explanation. Not that he doesn't think those doctors would have deserved it - he might have broken with Kira, but he can't bring himself to condemn Beyond.]

...we weren't sure where you'd gone. Or whether you'd be safe, which - apparently you weren't.

[happy_irthday]

Safe, yes. Safe, the doctors wouldn't let Beyond die. Just not safe for Beyond's head-brain-mind.

It took a long long long time for Beyond to figure out what to do. Beyond went to a police station, and they sent him to the doctors. [ He's got the knife in his hands again, and is tapping it against his chin. ]