Hir(::)

by Mother Mae-Eye

He calls the button-eyed Hamada imposters "Mom" and "Dad". They baked cookies- it's normal and sweet and Tadashi can very clearly smell sugar in his brother's messy hair and see the smudge of chocolate on his left sleeve. It terrifies him. So when no one is looking, Tadashi locks the little door in the little blue family room, and hides the button key. (Coraline AU)

21. Chapter 21

Chapter 21

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("Actually, I came here to thank you. I would have come later tonight, but I couldn't wait.")

("...")

("We're leaving in a few days. I just thought it would be the right time to say goodbye. I think, with my brother, we can finally sort things out.")

("...")

("Listen, this is hard for me, too. I'm going to miss you guys so much...Please say something.")

("Oh, but Hiro, you don't have to leave.")

("...what?")

("You like it here, don't you?")

The child looked up with glittering blue irises. "Yes, I do."

("You could stay, you know. There's just one tiny little thing we have to do.")

"What's that?" The girl smiled. Mother tittered behind her hand and guided them into the dining room. The cream-haired child was seated in the center chair while Mother took the one to her right. The Others filled up the room, all sharing grins and joyous laughter. Mother then revealed a thin, ribboned box from under the table and glided it across shiny wood so that it lay directly in front of her.

("For you, our little doll.")

Elsa beamed, and removed the lid of the box eagerly

and then gaped back up at them in horror.

("Buttons?")

("You can stay here, Hiro.")

("Whoa. Hey. No. I have to get back to my family.")

("But we are your family!")

("I-I can't!")

Jack covered his brown eyes in terror, as if to hide them from her. His whole body shook, watching her through his fingers. "I'm not letting you sew buttons into my eyes!"

("-Oh, but we need a yes, if you want to stay!")

("No. I have to leave.")

("Why don't you think it over?")

("No.")

("Hiro...")

("Hey! T-that hurts! What're you- Let go of me!")

Rapunzel hiccuped.

"Mommy?"

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