Work Text:
Drip drip drip
Blood, blood dripping.
Karamatsu stood in the bathroom, he had gotten home earlier than most of his other brothers. He should have some time to himself.
The only other ones who were home are Choromatsu and Todomatsu, who would just follow Choromatsu on his route home from school.
Karamatsu watched as the blood trickled down his wrists, red droplets covering the bottom of the white sink.
Small cuts and scars laced his arm, some old and scarred, some scabbed and new, some fresh and bleeding.
The ones he attended to now were all mostly small, except for one. This one was close to his hand, not directly over where you could see his veins tho.
He assumed he did accidentally hit a vein tho, seeing the blood basically pouring out of the wound.
This would take awhile to clean up.
He began by running it under water, wincing at the pain. The box cutter he used set on the counter of the sink. Also covered in blood.
He caressed his thumb over the cuts, blood clumping together and drying.
He let out a sigh, sad expression on his face. He wasn’t crying but he sure felt like it.
This became a habit whenever his brothers and himself began to drift apart a year earlier, whenever he realized nobody cared to see him for him, when they all realized that they were only seen as a group, nobody cared for each of them as individuals.
This isn’t what bothered him, well it kind of was, what really bothered him tho was how this strained him and his brothers relationships.
The only ones who still seemed to care about keeping their relationship together was himself and Todomatsu, and even then Todomatsu mainly just latched to Choromatsu.
Osomatsu was never home, he wasn’t even sure if he was hanging out with people. He only came home to sleep most of the time. And even when he did, he reeked of liquor.
Choromatsu was distant, he came home early, but only do his homework and study. Karamatsu had no idea how someone could be so devoted to all that stuff for so long, sure Karamatsu studied and had decent grades himself, but to the point of which Choromatsu did was just absurd. He had to be distracting himself with it at that point.
Ichimatsu, like Osomatsu, didn’t come home for awhile. He usually hung out around friends and would be out with them for hours. Whether it was against his will or not was debatable, considering when he came home he acted like he just got out of a plane crash, and his weekends he’d spend basically isolated in their house.
Unlike everybody else, Karamatsu had absolutely no idea what the hell Jyushimatsu was up to, he came home late, similar to Ichimatsu and Osomatsu, but the difference is, Karamatsu had atleast an idea of what those two were doing. But, using context clues of how the younger acted at school, he probably just went around antagonizing people with his ass half out. Yeah, that sounds right.
Todomatsu would come home with Choromatsu, holding his hand or in his shirt? How he managed that what beyond anyone’s knowledge, but Choromatsu didn’t seem to mind. Karamatsu honestly felt bad, the youngest really wanted to spend time with the other brothers, whenever they would disperse from dinner, the look on his face made Karamatsu’s stomach twist.
Karamatsu felt tears well up in his eyes, he really missed his brothers. He missed what they had. Gosh, he was such a crybaby.
Karamatsu went to wipe his face using his free hand, smearing cold water all over. He looked at himself in the mirror,
He had gotten his sleeve wet, despite it being rolled up. His pupils large and shiny with tears glossed over, eyebrows thick knitted into a saddened expression. His cheeks red, covering up his freckles.
Karamatsu gave in, using his sleeve to wipe the water and tears off his face.
Blood still pouring out of his arm and into the sink, he let out a shaky sigh. He really didn’t want this to take long, with four other people home and one bathroom, it won’t be long before someone is banging at the door telling him to open it.
He turned off the faucet, the water not making him bleed any less. He turned and grabbed a roll of toilet paper.
Turning hot water from his wrist all over the floor, droplets of blood too, god. Why did he do this now? He’s so pathetic.
The thoughts made his eyes tear up again. He avoided blinking, trying to make the tear just suck itself back up. He can’t hold this very long before his eyes force themself shut and tears run down his cheeks, making a whispered sob escape his vocal cords.
The water on the ground and blood dripping onto and in the sink overwhelmed him. He wanted to pull his arm into himself but that would just get blood on his uniform.
He held his arm over the sink again, his other hand violently shaking he attempted to rip off a long piece of toilet paper.
This didn’t work, considering he’s using one hand that is shaking like a leaf on a dead tree in fall.
He leaned down and picked it up, finally ripping off a piece. Which unfortunately for him got damp due to the water he had previously gotten on the floor.
He went to rip off another piece that wasn’t damp, still shaking. He was crying at this point, not sobbing yet but it wouldn’t take long for him to hit that limit.
A sudden knock on the bathroom door was enough to scare him into jumping back with a yelp.
“Could you hurry up. I’ve been waiting like five minutes.” The voice belonged to Osomatsu- Who shouldn’t be home for another 2 hours??
Karamatsu sat there in silence, totally shaking like a wet puppy. All he was able to make come out of his mouth were little whisper like whimpers.
“Helllooo?” Osomatsu knocked again, earning another yelp from Karamatsu.
“O-Okay!! I-I’ll be out in a minute! Just give me a second!-“ he sounded frantic, shuffling off the floor, his arm still bleeding, the sink still covered in blood, the floor still wet, a pinkish clear water. Due to the blood and water mixing.
“..Okay” Osomatsu replied, sounding suspicious. “..You good in there..?” Osomatsu asked, the question made Karamatsu jump. Everything did, but especially this.
“I- Uh yeah..!” He was quick to reply, his voice betraying him, cracking and frantic.
“..Alright.” Osomatsu didn’t sound like he believed him.
Karamatsu was quick, he grabbed the toilet paper, wiping off the floor, wiping off the edge of the sink, and turning on the sink to get the blood out.
He grabbed a new piece of toilet paper, wrapping it around his wrist and pulling his sleeve over it, it was fine. They had more bandaids in the kitchen, it was just a matter of whether or not anybody saw him.
Karamatsu looked at his handy work, thinking he did a fine job he wiped off his face and unlocked the door. He wasn’t too concerned if any of his brothers saw him crying, they were used to it after all.
Karamatsu exited the bathroom, Osomatsu standing there waiting impatiently, eying him up and down before going in after him. Not a word exchanged between the two.
Karamatsu went to the kitchen for the first aid, unfortunately for him, Matsuyo was in there prepare dinner. That was fine, the toilet paper should be enough until Osomatsu was done.
So, he went back to his room. He was met with Choromatsu and Todomatsu, who really paid him no mind other than a glance. Choromatsu at their desk doing homework, and Todomatsu lying on the couch with some magazine in his hand.
Karamatsu went to the corner of the room, where he had set his school bag, he began to rummage through it for anything to distract himself with.
He pulled out some algebra homework he needed to do, he really didn’t want to do it, but he didn’t really have anything else to do.
He pulled out a binder to set it on, he began to look through the problems, trying to figure out which would seem easiest to start on.
The peaceful silence in the bedroom was quickly interrupted by the Shoji door whipping open with a slam.
All three brothers looked up from their activities, seeing what all the commotion was.
It was Osomatsu, standing at the doorway. Choromatsu let out a scowl and rolled his eyes. Going back to his work, while Todomatsu stared at him intensely, worried of what the eldest was upset over.
Osomatsu wasted no time to walking up to Karamatsu and looking down on him.
“Karamatsu, come with me for a minute.” Osomatsu said, not even askiing.
Karamatsu felt his blood run cold, none of the brothers have asked him anything directly, especially not Osomatsu. Let alone ask for him to follow them?!
Choromatsu who was annoyed at first, was now looking back at the commotion, as well as Todomatsu. Who were both curious as to what was going on.
“U-Um.. why..” Was all he could muster to say. He didn’t even say it, as much as he wanted to talk, wanted to speak, all he could make was a squeaky whisper.
Osomatsu took a breath. “You left something in the bathroom. Come with me.” Osomatsu quirked a brow, hoping Karamatsu would get the hint and-
Wait, what did he forget?
As quick as he could he shoved his hand in his pocket, he couldn’t have forgotten-
Oh god.
He left his blade in there.
Karamatsu’s heart stopped. He stared at Osomatsu towering over him, his eyes began to water, he couldn’t even make a noise.
He continued to just stare at Osomatsu with tears welling in his eyes. “Okay- dude just..” Osomatsu looked back at Choromatsu and Todomatsu who whipped their heads around to make it look like they weren’t listening, when in reality, they had their eyes locked on all of this.
“Karamatsu… Just.. Just come with me.” Osomatsu was trying not to be awkward at this sight, he reached out his arm for Karamatsu. Karamatsu grabbed his hand and stood up shakily, trying to compose himself.
Osomatsu let go of his hand, walking out with him. Making him walk out of the room first, glaring at Choromatsu and Totty before walking out behind him.
Not a word was said on their way to the bathroom, Karamatsu just walked in to see, lo and behold, the blood covered box cutter sitting on the counter. Except now it had moved to the other side. Presumably because Osomatsu had picked it up.
Karamatsu grabbed it and shoved it into his pocket before turning around, to be faced with Osomatsu, who was shutting the door and locking it behind himself.
“Show me your arm.” Was all he said when the door was locked, Karamatsu stood there shaking, his bottom lip quivering. “I-I can’t Osomatsu-Niisan..” was all he could bring himself to say.
“Look, I’m not gonna yell at you or judge you, just show me so I can make sure you’re not.. Y’know going too far.” Osomatsu explained.
“I-I still.. I can’t.. I’m sorry…” Karamatsu began to cry again. How pathetic was he.
Osomatsu let out a sigh, looking down to the ground.
“Please, Karamatsu, I’m not gonna tell on you or anything. I won’t tell anyone.” Osomatsu looked at him with reassuring eyes.
Karamatsu began to cry harder, he then held out his left arm, not saying anything else. Osomatsu understood what he was implying.
Osomatsu rolled down the sleeve gently to see a sloppy job of toilet paper wrapping around his brothers wrist. There was blood all over it, the blood was the only thing keeping it sticking on.
Osomatsu’s breath hitched, as he slowly peeled the toilet paper off. Trying his hardest to now hurt his younger brother. Karamatsu looked away, ashamed of what he’d done.
“Karamatsu…” was all Osomatsu could say, he caressed Karamatsu’s scars with his thumb. Making sure to avoid all of the fresh ones.
The deeper one still pink and fleshy had caught Osomatsu’s eye. As well as other pink and purple scars on Karamatsu’s upper arm.
“How long have you been doing this..?” Osomatsu questioned him, still looking at the scars like it was some sort of art at a mueseum. “About a year..” Karamatsu sniffled.
“God.. Karamatsu.. I’m..” Osomatsu began, “Some of these are never gonna go away…” Osomatsu’s thoughts were coming out loud, “I know.. I’m sorry… I’m sorry niisan…” Karamatsu sobbed again, he wanted to die in this moment.
“Don’t apologize, don’t.” Osomatsu started, “Have you done this anywhere else or…?” Osomatsu looked up to Karamatsu in his eyes, “No.. I haven’t..”
“Alright..” Osomatsu finished.
They stood like this for another moment, Osomatsu staring at Karamatsu’s scars and cuts and Karamatsu staring at the floor.
This was ended after Osomatsu let go of Karamatsu’s arm, grabbing the toilet paper sticking to his arm and throwing it in the trash.
He then directed Karamatsu to the sink and turned the water on warm, making Karamatsu hold his wrist under it.
The warm water going from clear to pink after running over Karamatsu’s cuts made him sad to see.
Osomatsu crouched to under the sink where he pulled out a first aid kit, he pulled out the gauze and tissue.
He waited for Karamatsu to finish at the sink washing off all the crusted blood and bacteria. Then he grabbed Karamatsu’s arm, pressing the tissue over the cuts. Karamatsu winced at this and looked at Osomatsu, who was focused on not fucking this up.
After Osomatsu patted the area off and made sure it’s dry, he started to wrap the gauze around Karamatsu’s arm. Making sure it wasn’t too tight by looking at Karamatsu when he would tighten it.
After they got all cleaned up, Osomatsu went to grab the blade off the counter, noticing its absence.
“Hey, give me that.” Was all Osomatsu said, Karamatsu understood what he meant and let out a shaky sigh before digging through his pant pocket and placing the razor in his hand.
They both stood in silence for a moment while Osomatsu put the blade in his own pocket. Osomatsu then looked up to Karamatsu who was looking to the floor by this point in shame, he had long since stopped crying but he still had that sad look on his face.
Osomatsu placed his hand on his shoulder, startling Karamatsu with the sudden physical touch. “If something like this ever happens again, come to me I won’t be mad.” Osomatsu finally spoke.
“O-okay… Thank you niisan..” Karamatsu replied, he stayed still, his hand holding his hurt arm.
“Here hold on- take your uniform jacket off.” Osomatsu told Karamatsu, Karamatsu was confused until he looked down and saw blood on the sleeve that had seeped through the fabric. Karamatsu’s eyes widened before taking off the jacket and Osomatsu taking it from him.
“Don’t worry I’ll wash it, so Mom doesn’t find out.” Osomatsu held it in his hands, hugging it. Karamatsu nodded.
Karamatsu watched as Osomatsu observed the blood on the sleeve, trying to rub it off with his bare hand at first.
“Osomatsu-niisan…” Karamatsu finally spoke. Osomatsu looked back at him, “Thank you so much.. I’m sorry..” Karamatsu fiddled with his hands for a second.
“Don’t apologize, I’m sorry I never noticed.” Osomatsu turned back around to Karamatsu, Osomatsu set the uniform on the sink and went over to Karamatsu and wrapped him into a hug.
Karamatsu startled by the sudden affection, eventually melted into it. Wrapping Osomatsu in himself.
He began to tear up again. This time letting the tears fall down his face and onto his brothers shirt.
Osomatsu rubbed his back and rocked them back and forth.
Karamatsu sniffled and whimpered into his brothers embrace, nuzzling his head into his shoulder. Whispering apologies. Despite Osomatsu telling against it.
They stayed like this for a moment before Karamatsu pulled back, he got snot and tears all over Osomatsu’s shirt. His eyes were red and his cheeks were flushed.
Osomatsu wiped his thumb across Karamatsu’s cheek and smiled at him.
“You’re okay tho?” Osomatsu asked “Like you need anything else?”
“Ah.. oh.. no I’m okay now..” Karamatsu wiped his own face, “Good okay, and like I said, come to me if you’re ever sad or anything..” Osomatsu finished. “Okay.. I will,” Karamatsu said, not stuttering.
He then picked up the uniform again and unlocked the door, walking out.
Karamatsu felt a wave of relief wash over him, somebody knew.
Someone who supported him,
One of his own brothers, too.
Karamatsu walked back into his room, realizing he still has to finish his algebra homework that he was abruptly interrupted during.
As he walked in in his dress shirt, the gauze around his arm was painfully obvious to see.
Choromatsu gave a suspicious brow but said nothing. Todomatsu on the other hand had something to say;
“Karamatsu-niisan!!! What happened to your arm?!” Todomatsu yelped out,
“Oh- uhm..” Karamatsu pondered for a minute,
“I fell”
Later at dinner all of the sextuplets ate dinner together, but this time Osomatsu passing Karamatsu glances.
Not necessarily suspicious ones, but just glances. He would return them back as well.
He loved Osomatsu,
He loved his older brother.
He was pretty shitty and a pain, but he still cared.
He’s glad to have him.