Title: Crushing It
Fandom: FAKE
Author: badly_knitted
Characters: Dee, Ryo.
Rating: PG
Setting: After Vol. 7.
Summary: A simple habit holds memories and a great deal of significance for Dee.
Word Count: 350
Content Notes: None needed.
Written For: Challenge 351: Amnesty, using Challenge 290: Crush.
Disclaimer: I don’t own FAKE, or the characters. They belong to the wonderful Sanami Matoh.



Draining the last of the beer from the can, Dee crushed it one-handed and grinned. He seemed pleased with the result.

“Macho man,” Ryo teased.

“What?” Pulled from his thoughts, Dee turned to his lover, who was still unhurriedly sipping his own brew.

“I don’t get why you always have to crush the can. It goes in the recycling either way.”

“Oh.” Dee’s smile turned reminiscent. “When I was a little kid, Jess used to take me places sometimes. The zoo, the play park, or just out for burgers. Anytime we got sodas, sometimes a beer for him, he’d always crush his can, and damn, I was so impressed by how strong he was. I could never crush mine the way he did his, my hands were too small, too weak, but I kept tryin’ because he was my hero and I wanted to be just like him. I got it in my head that when I could finally crush a can like that it would mean I was a man.”

Ryo laughed. “Kids have some odd ideas about what being an adult means.”

Dee nodded. “Yeah, I know, it’s dumb. But when I was fourteen, I finally succeeded in doin’ it, one-handed just like Jess, and I was so proud! He just laughed, slapped me on the back, and told me there was more to bein’ a man than bein’ able to crush soda cans. That it showed I was gettin’ stronger, but that strength needed to be used wisely. He said to only use it against other people in self-defence, or to protect the innocent. That stuck with me, and I’ve tried to follow his advice. Now, every time I crush a can, it’s like I’m hearin’ him all over again. That was one of the most important lessons he ever taught me, and I don’t ever want to forget it. I have the strength, but I never want to use it for the wrong reasons.”

“I wish I could have known him. Sounds like he was a good role model.”

“Yeah,” Dee agreed. “Despite everything, he was.”


The End