bondsofsuffering | IC Contact; Empatheias [CLOSED]

[Around the same time Hizumi is with Eyes, he'll be receiving a very firm mental nudge from Ayumu, along with a message.]

Kanon Hilbert is here.

[It's followed by a mental impression, an image: A younger Kanon than the one they both know, cheerfully catching... what looked to be a lacy white garter.]

[And Ayumu will be getting a jolt of shock almost immediately.

Of all people... Kanon's here, too? He remembers only too well what happened the last time he met with Kanon, and he's certain Ayumu must know as well. After all, he'd been dealing with the aftermath of it not long before they arrived here.

It takes a moment for him to form an actual coherent response. This time, it's marked with both agitation and... fear?]

Rutherford is, too. Probably from around the same time by the looks of it.

[And Ayumu will receive an image of the younger Rutherford in turn, looking oddly calm for walking with Hizumi of all people.]

[Rutherford, too.....? They'd be on their own for a few months now, Ayumu hadn't really sincerely considered the possibility that this place could drag others from their world along, let alone people they knew. At least not recently.

And those two in particular.... if Eyes was from that point in time......]

That could both simplify and complicate things. [Rutherford and Hilbert stabilized each other, or did once from his knowledge of the two. It could be helpful in that way, but in others.....]

Does this Rutherford know who you are yet? I don't think Kanon Hilbert does.

Edited 2015-07-22 07:18 (UTC)

Kanon Hilbert was older when I met him. [That, at least, he can be sure of.] I met Rutherford when I was ten. He recognized me right away.

[And here he thought he could get away with it...]

Alright, so Rutherford knows. He's going to have to play along with whatever lie we come up with for this to work.

[And he would, too. If Ayumu had to tell him the potential reaction, how Kanon reacted in the future..... so be it. He didn't want to, but the dangers if Kanon found out were too severe.]

But because it's Rutherford, Kanon will believe anything he backs us on.

Workin' on it.

[The message cuts off abruptly there. ]

[It isn't until a bit later that Ayumu gets another message, this one considerably calmer.]

He'll work with us. If Kanon asks, I'm the first and last Blade Child from the second wave.

[He's not... terribly enthused, but given the circumstances, it ought to work well enough.]

[Good. If it was for Kanon's sake, he knew Eyes would at least be more inclined to help them, but that his cooperation had been gained so easily was a good thing.

Rutherford didn't need to know the reality of his brother's reaction to Hizumi's existence. He lets out a breath, before sending another response Hizumi's way.]

Got it. Think you can pull it off?

[The act, he means.]

[Ayumu...]

Where do you think they get it from?

[Those natures. He can definitely pull it off if he has to.]

Oh, right-- seein' as I can't just waltz around usin' my normal name, from now on I'll be Hizumi Shiozuru. Don't forget!

[After everything that had happened, they'd both been carted to the hospital, tended to and confined to bed. Ayumu remembered that much, at least, though he'd been fumbling in and out of a state of unconsciousness either pain or medically induced for the past 24 hours. Sleep was the most important thing, the nurses had said-- sleep and keeping still so they didn't hurt themselves further. But sleep was hard.... disorientation and stress both interrupting his sleep more often than not tonight. He kept jerking awake, cold and shivering, with images of blood and razor sharp teeth staining his dreams.

Stitched up, bandaged and pumped full of painkillers, he wasn't in the mood to deal with more discomfort.... or more lack of sleep. It's why at about midnight Hizumi will find his blankets being tugged on by a blanket swathed, familiar figure.] Hey.

[Hizumi's had a similar time. His entire body aches from the wounds he'd received that day, and the pain, coupled with this sort of setting...

It isn't pleasant, being confined to a hospital bed again. It's only a small blessing that he isn't under strict watch this time. But that doesn't exactly help him get to sleep any easier, both his back and his left arm bringing a dulled but very much present pain whenever he so much as shifted wrong. But he keeps quiet, at least, sucking in a quick breath here and there and silently exhaling again. There's no need to keep Ayumu up over it, either...

But then there's someone by his bed, and though he doesn't have to guess who it might be, his presence still surprises him.]

...Hey yourself. Somethin' wrong?

[He keeps his voice soft, though his concern leaks through. Ayumu shouldn't be up and about...]

[When Hizumi speaks there's a slight, very slight loss of tension in Ayumu's shoulders, though it might be hard to see.]

Can't sleep. 's cold in here. [The words are.... muttered, a little too quickly said. He didn't want to admit the chill wasn't the real reason he was over here, though it was a reason, and so he just tugs on the blankets again, careful not to jostle Hizumi too much with the motion.

It was fine to just.... ask, right? If Hizumi didn't want company, he could say no. Besides, he knew that Hizumi hated places like this. So they'd both benefit.... right?

He settles on the edge of the bed, letting out a short breath as it relieves some of the strain on his stitches.]

........Got room for one more over here?

[There's a short pause on Hizumi's end, though it may seem like a small eternity. For his part, he's just wondering if he heard that right.

Room for... Wait. He really wanted to...?

Eventually, there's another one of those sharp inhales, but with it comes the sound of movement as he carefully shifts himself to one side of the bed. It'll still be tight, but at least there's room now.]

Probably the blood loss... We both lost a lot.

[He keeps his tone casual, rolling onto his one good side to give Ayumu even more space. Plus, it takes the pressure off of his back. It might be a little awkward to be facing his friend, but... Well, better than said friend freezing, right?]

[That short pause has Ayumu fiddling with the edge of the blanket wrapped around him, though he quickly relaxes again once Hizumi starts to move. He wouldn't be making room if he didn't want company, right?]

Probably. [A short, calming breath later and Ayumu doesn't waste any more time before slowly easing himself onto his side--his only good side--and scooting into the bed properly, nudging his blankets over the both of them carefully. Maybe it was a bit much for such a small bed, but he figured the more the better at the moment, and they could always shove them off if they wanted. Hizumi himself was wonderfully warm, and it doesn't take much movement for Ayumu to scoot close, savoring the presence next to him.

It was a little awkward, though, considering their faces were inches away from each other like this, and he has to fight the odd urge to squirm a little.]

[It takes a moment to settle, but once they do, it's awfully cozy. He finds himself relaxing into the comfortable warmth, only slightly helped along by his own emotions.

Really, he's much happier now that he isn't here alone. There's definitely solace to be found in knowing there's someone else with you, facing that same darkness.]

'Got enough space?'

[He figures telepathic communication might be a little easier at the moment, what with their proximity. Sure, they could whisper, but with both of them so close, they'd be practically breathing on each other with every word, and...

...And that's a little too awkward, as much as he appreciates the company. They were used to speaking like this at least, even when that speech sometimes became more emotions than words. And there's plenty of those to sense even now: contentment, appreciation, and...

And... something else. A deep sort of care, similar to that final burst of concern Ayumu must have felt shortly before he'd fallen unconscious the first time.]

[After the nightmares of earlier, Ayumu could agree fullheartedly-- sure, Hizumi had been just across the room, but having him right there, a presence right next to him, warm, breathing and alive made it impossible for his mind to try to play tricks on him, and a tension he'd been carrying all evening was slowly fading in the face of it.

He's nuzzling deeper into the pillow when Hizumi speaks-- well, 'speaks', and Ayumu automatically opens the connection.

'Enough. You?' There's plenty to sense from Ayumu, as well, while he's examining the emotions fed along the link. Contentment, relaxation, appreciation, drowsy curiosity as he presses his forehead just slightly closer to Hizumi's, as if trying to examine both him and what he's feeling through the link.

And alongside all of that, a quiet feeling, no less sincere, that mirrored that deep care coming from Hizumi.]

'Plenty.'

[Although this doesn't stop him from nudging closer, his forehead pressing against Ayumu's. The motion is more playful than anything else-- he probably would have pulled back again if it weren't so warm.

Probably, anyway.

Still, those feelings are overshadowed somewhat by concern. Neither of them were really in great shape at the moment. And in the end, it was he who had led Ayumu into the alleyway in the first place.]

'Sorry 'bout all of this. So much for helpin' you, huh?'

'Idiot.' [Non-verbal as the word was, there's no heat to it. Instead it's tinged with fondness, a little bit of concern and .... something like an apology. Just a little.]

'I shouldn't have been out there so long unarmed. It's my fault you were there in the first place.'

[The apology is indirect, but the meaning is clear. He would't be making the same mistake again. Grey eyes close as he rests his forehead against Hizumi's, nose bumping slightly against his... probably on accident.

He's not blushing. It's just warm.]

[Terribly warm. But it brings an affectionate smile to Hizumi's face nonetheless, his own eyes closing as he relaxes into that warmth.]

'Y'know, there's some guys who were gonna teach me to use a sword. What if I swooped in to save you with one of those next time?'

[Implying there would be a next time. But now that it's over and done with, they might as well try to make light of it.]

[There's a tiny, tiny smile at the amusing mental image that produces.]

'Like a knight in shining armor?'

[He might not be laughing, but it's only just, the affectionate amusement clear in his eyes.]

'I don't think you could get a helmet on over your hair.'

'Hey, you'd be surprised what you can fit into helmets! The guy who offered, look--'

[Ayumu will then receive two mental images. One of Bulat out of armor and one of him in.]

'And the other guy has a ponytail. You might remember him, from Oz's party. He's the other guy who was in charge of it all.'

[Hizumi's hair would be just fine.]

[Ayumu actually laughs at that, a small, short breath more than anything else that tapers off quickly due to the stab of pain it causes in his side, but a laugh nonetheless. A pompadour? Really? How did he even fit that in there?

He sends another image back, this time of Hizumi in a suit of armor..... the helmet askew with bits of green fluff sticking out every which way.]

'You're a bit too cute, for a knight.'

[He makes a slight indignant huff at that. So much for not breathing all over each other.]

'No way, I'd be cooler than that!'

[The mental image he sends in return has him in no armor at all, just the regular Empatheias-style outfit - albeit all in black, and with a cape to boot.

As an afterthought, it somehow turns into carrying Ayumu bridal style away from danger. There's a cartoonish quality to the image, almost as if it were right out of a comic book.]

[really Hizumi. Really? The image sent his way is now of comic book Hizumi tripping over his own cape, dropping Ayumu (who lands on his own feet) and falling on his face, in an equally cartoon-ish style.]

'The cape I can see, the carrying me around not so much.'

[He bumps his forehead against Hizumi's playfully, amusement coloring his mental tone. They were still about the same height, after all.]

'Bet you I could! ...Once I'm healed up, anyway.'

[And also probably not while running or anything, but hey, he's fit, he could totally do it!]

'I'll even bet you a whole plate of barbecue over it!'

[...What? Ulterior motives? Perish the thought.]

[Hmmmm.....

Fine by him. And if Hizumi won...... well, he probably owed it to Hizumi after all this, anyway.]

'You've got a bet then.'

[Score! Hizumi only curls closer to Ayumu, clearly pleased, if the emotions leaking through the amulets is anything to go by.]

'I'm holdin' you to that!'

[He'd probably just have gotten it himself once he was released from the hospital anyway. Since, well, hospital food didn't exactly have a reputation for being anything tasty.]

'...I'm serious about the sword thing, though. I don't know how much it'll come in handy, but I'm gonna give it a shot.'

[He'd felt so helpless, unable to protect Ayumu then. He'd rather not have a repeat of that situation, and if that means learning an alternate form of defense, he's all for it. That sentiment, too, leaks through.]

Edited 2015-10-03 08:48 (UTC)

[Ayumu smiles a little more when Hizumi's pleasure leaks through, though the smile fades a little as Hizumi's thoughts take a turn. He nudges Hizumi's forehead again, more firmly this time.]

'I'm going to see about getting a gun.' [There's the equivalent of a mental pause, before he continues, awkwardly, a little quietly even for telepathy.]

'....I want to protect you, too. I don't want to see you hurt again, because of me.'

[That gets a pause in turn from Hizumi. A pause, and also a slight flush, not that it's terribly visible with how dark it is.

The delicate mix of embarrassment and fondness, however, is much more easily felt.]

'It's not like I could just leave you there. I'd never be able to forgive myself.'

[He ducks his head down at the thought, narrowly missing Ayumu's nose in the process. He hates the thought of being separated from Ayumu like that, much less the thought of willingly doing so.

No. Ayumu made a promise to stay by Hizumi - it only made sense that Hizumi would do everything in his power to stay by Ayumu in turn.]

'...Gettin' a gun though, that's not too hard. But... are you sure you want to handle one?'

[Ayumu's the pacifist, between the both of them. Even if they were facing monsters, a gun is a heavy thing to own.]

'I'm sure.' [He didn't have to kill to protect. Disabling, slowing them down..... he could do that, had done that before once. He wasn't sure he could bring himself to even kill monsters, as pathetic as it was, but protecting he could do.

And he had someone very important to protect, here.]

'I don't ever want to see you hurt like that again, if I can help it. Especially not for my sake.'

[He tilts his head, snuggling just a little more firmly into the pillow as if to ward off the memory of waking to find Hizumi unconscious, covered in blood. It was an image he didn't think he'd ever forget, no matter how much he might want to, and it made his chest ache to remember.

Of course, thanks to their closeness, the motion isn't as isolated as he might have meant it to be, and his lips just barely brush against Hizumi's forehead.

It might not have been such a big deal if he didn't freeze, his trepidation sneaking through the link.]

[He'd been basking in those feelings right up until that moment, really. It's still strange, having someone around who's so close, who cares so much about his well being. He can't even be one hundred percent certain it's the right way to go about things, with his curse being what it is. But then Ayumu moves, and...

He feels it, of course. His eyes widen a fraction, and his heart makes a funny movement in his chest. But, well-- it was probably just an accident. Right? And that feeling through the link... He must have realized his mistake, too. It isn't like Ayumu of all people would seriously...]

Ayumu-?

[This time, he speaks the name, not trusting himself to rely on thought. He moves back a little, to the point where he can actually look Ayumu in the face - even if it's regrettably colder this way.]

[Ayumu doesn't speak, at first hoping Hizumi wouldn't notice the accidental brush of his lips, and then his voice is lost in the rush of nervousness, fear and embarrassment he feels when Hizumi does notice. Stupid-- if he'd just... why was he making things so....

So stupid.

His heart rate picks up, and he wishes desperately he could hide away somehow, his cheeks slowly turning red in spite of his desperate desire for otherwise. His silence isn't helping his case here, he knows, and he speaks up to try to cover his reactions.]

Sorry. Just....an accident. [Nevermind that the words are a little too tight for his normal tone-- he'd blame that on the tight bandages around his broken ribs.]

We should get to sleep, before the nurses check in on us....

[Hizumi watches him for a moment. It's hard to see with the lights out, but he can make out Ayumu's general expression hear the strain in his voice...

...]

Mm. Yeah, guess we should.

[--And leans close again, nudging his head against Ayumu's one last time.

It's okay. No need to panic. He's still right here. Granted, there's suddenly a lot of conflicting feelings, and it's an awfully good thing that the emotional effects are dulled at the moment, but...

He's here.]

[And Ayumu takes the offered out with something like a rush of relief.... and the tiniest, tiniest bit of expected disappointment. He meets that nudge for just a small moment before he buries his burning face into the pillow, trying to calm down his heartbeat.

It wasn't.... couldn't be like that. The friendship he had with Hizumi was too precious to him, he couldn't....

He couldn't wreck it by feeling like this. He didn't doubt Hizumi would stay by his side regardless, but that didn't mean he could just...

This was such a mess.] Goodnight.

[Hizumi doesn't move much from where he is, head still pressed lightly against Ayumu's.]

Night.

[...But his heart continues to thump away in his chest, uncomfortably so. He might have been able to convince himself it was a mistake at first, but the way Ayumu reacted... The way his own body is reacting, leaving him tenser than before--

It brings to mind some uncomfortable moments they'd shared in the past few months, moments that Hizumi had never quite been able to reconcile himself with. Moments that Hizumi had, quite frankly, never wanted to think about again. It's... weird, isn't it? Ayumu's his best and only friend. Of course he was happiest when he could be with the other. It was only natural to want to be close, physically and emotionally, after a painful experience like this.

...

No, that doesn't even sound convincing to himself. But at the same time, he can't bring himself to draw away. Being with Ayumu like this is... comfortable. Far more comfortable than it would be with anyone else, he's coming to realize. Although what that means overall for their relationship...

...

Well, he'll think about it some other time. He's weary enough, and his body needs the rest. Even now, he's beginning to relax and drift off.

He might not be able to put off those thoughts for much longer. But for now, at least, there is some reprieve.]

[Ayumu knew what he was feeling, no matter how much he wanted to deny it and buried it under excuses. He didn't have many people he could say he was truly close with.... Hadn't, for most of his life. That lack of experience has made it easy at first to tell himself it was simply an unexpected depth and aspect of their friendship, and he'd embraced that idea for a while, simply savoring the easy closeness and comfort he'd never felt with anyone else before.

But it was hard to keep fooling himself. He'd felt something like this before, though in a way this was far more fulfilling. Hizumi valued him purely for him, didn't see 'Kiyotaka's little brother' as even Madoka had, though her kindness had always been genuine.

So it was hard to lie to himself, when every time Hizumi smiled--those genuine, happy smiles, real smiles that had grown in number as they spent time together--it warmed him in a way nothing else could.

And it made it so much harder to not let anything slip, when he knew he was important to Hizumi, too.

He presses his face a little more firmly into the pillow, the nervousness fading to give way to renewed exhaustion. Stupid of him too, to get worked up like this when he was in this shape.

He'd take what he could get. He'd done that before, and saw no reason to change that now. What he had with Hizumi was already more than enough, more than he'd ever thought he'd have. He lets his eyes fall closed, letting sleep take him again for hopefully the final time tonight.]

[Hizumi had probably already gotten his usual mental nudge when Ayumu got out of work, but it isn't too much after that he gets another. This one carries a hint of worry and alarm, though it's clearly restrained, as well as a tiny need for comfort.

Was he scared? Maybe a little. Last time hadn't gone well, and now...... Things were different.]

Rutherford is back.

[The first nudge garnered a rather gleeful response consisting of a deck of odd cards from that new card game that was all the craze. Apparently it was a good hand, judging by the sense of mischief that filtered through.

The second one, however, comes as a surprise. There's an instant feeling of concern when he senses the worry and the longing for comfort, and he sends over warmth, a reminder of the couch at home in front of the fire, available for curling up together once they're both free.

Those feelings fade slightly when he recieves the image of Rutherford.

Surprise comes first and foremost, followed by musing. So he'd returned... perhaps he ought to do a sweep for Kanon while he's at it. But first things first: reassurance, warm and confident.]

We'll figure something out. Lemme finish this up real quick-- I can meet you guys at home.

[He'd been planning to toy with his opponent for a while, but crushing them in an instant is certainly doable.]

[The attempts at comfort helps-- just a little. There's an echo of gratitude before Ayumu firmly turns his mind to business, wary as he was about the situation he wouldn't.... couldn't turn away from it.]

I'm going to take the walk home slow-- he only just arrived and he's not happy to be back. I'll pick up some groceries for dinner and bring him along.

[Rutherford would be even less happy to hear other things, and he didn't really like the idea of shoving Rutherford's face into everything at once.]

I'll be sure to tone down the mushiness when you guys get here ♥

[Ayumu can practically hear - see that heart at the end.]

It'll be alright. And if he decides to try and run from it again, I'll go drag him back myself if I have to. A kid like that, without any of his resources from home-- someone's gonna have to look out for him.

[And he knows Ayumu will want to do that. And Hizumi will be there to support him through it.

The sentiment is earnest; unlike the last time, there's a sense of commitment to the task, without even an ounce of despair. After all, it wouldn't be much hope if it couldn't also be used to save the Blade Children, now would it?]

Edited 2016-01-13 06:02 (UTC)

In our time, maybe it would have been different. But now--

[Now, this was a younger Rutherford, one who had no experiences with him. This Rutherford hadn't raked him over the coals until he'd started to act, had yet to lose and regain his brother in a battle of beliefs.

It would be a betrayal-- an expected one, from someone who'd never proven any sort of worth in which to trust.]

He won't trust me, Hizumi. I don't know if he ever will like this. But he needs someone to look out for him.

You don't gotta tell me that.

[It's chiding, but gently so.]

Neither of us are the kinds of saviors he's expectin'. Heck, just meetin' me might cause him to despair, deep down inside.

[Because that's the role he is supposed to serve - and indeed, one he had fulfilled with ease in their own time, though Eyes is thankfully unaware of it.]

It'll take a while to convince him. But you've changed, since his time, and since we got here. We just gotta make him see that, too.

[Ayumu might feel the sensation of a hand brushing against his hair, comforting.]

If things get tricky, gimme a nudge. Least I can do is a little cheerleadin'.

You've changed too, you know.

[In a good way, and the warmth of appreciation can easily be felt through the link. He wasn't fighting alone now, and that meant more than he could possibly communicate in words alone.

Maybe, just maybe, Rutherford could find something to hope for in it all, too.]

Like this.... maybe he'll see there's another way, with time.

I only changed 'cause of you.

[And there's a wave of appreciation right back.]

I don't think anyone can stay here for months without changin'. [Even if their own circumstances forced those changes- haven't others here had to adjust all the same?]

We'll just have to hope-- no, we'll have to show him our hope.

[There's a bit of amusement that slips in unintentionally. Speaking of changes, it's almost funny to not only think those words, but to believe in them, no less.]

[That's what he needed to hear, honestly. To know that Hizumi could still grasp onto hope even with Eyes here-- surely Eyes could do the same, eventually.....?

He had to hope that would be the case... and more than hope, he had to work to make it a reality. He'd show him.]

We will.

I love you. [Part of him just felt it needed to be said, right now-- that love was a huge part of his hope, after all.]

I love you, too.

[There's a fluttery feeling of affection that passes through the link then.]

Hang in there. I've got your back if you need me.

[He'd always only be an amulet call away. They'll do this together.]

[Lately the only real privacy they'd both had was in the evenings like this-- when they got ready for bed and curled up together for a little while, just enjoying each other's company, reading or chatting. Tonight was one such night like that, only Ayumu hadn't picked up the novel he'd been reading when he'd curled into bed.

There was something he wanted to discuss with Hizumi, but he wasn't quite sure how it'd go. He knew Hizumi didn't know her like he did, but.......]

Hey.

Do you think we could invite someone over for dinner sometime soon?

[Hizumi had flopped into bed and settled down quickly enough, recently being more in the mood to chatter and/or doze while snuggled up to Ayumu until it was time to actually sleep. However, the fact that Ayumu doesn't immediately reach for his book is enough a sign that there's something he wants to talk about, and as a result Hizumi isn't surprised at all when he hears the question.]

You mean pigtails?

[Yeah, he'd run into her too.]

[Ayumu nods as he settles down alongside Hizumi. It had been a little strange since she'd shown up, he'd admit-- he wasn't sure how to act around her, after so long, and he knew she could probably tell. He was sure Hizumi had been able to tell himself. It was easy to fall back into some routines, at least, but....

Things needed to be talked about. He and Hizumi had both grown and changed, and learned a whole lot since they'd last seen her.]

Yeah..... I know you two don't know each other well, but I think it might be about time we tell her some things.

[How much was another question entirely.] Some of it she'll doubtlessly figure out on her own, regardless. She was right there in the thick of it during Kanone's attack on the school.

[He remains quiet as Ayumu speaks, eyes on the ceiling, neutral.]

...What do you think you should tell her?

[Because let's be real here; he hardly knows her. Most of this is probably going to fall on Ayumu to explain - as far as she knows, Hizumi probably isn't the person she'll be inclined to trust.]

Well she probably needs to really know you're on 'our' side, so to speak. She was pretty wary of you back when we first met.

[He's quiet for several moments, before rolling over to face Hizumi, shifting a bit closer almost as if he's seeking comfort. He doesn't really want to think about some of these things, honestly.....]

....She needs to know what we've figured out here. What my brother really wants. [A pause.] And I should probably warn you-- she'll figure out our relationship soon enough, even if we don't tell her. She's creepy like that.

[So maybe that last sentence might sound a bit harsh, but the one thing he was leaving out in this list was still painfully obvious.]

It's weird to think of it in terms of 'sides' again... but I gotta say, I can't really blame her.

[For being suspicious, that is. He was a very suspicious person; that was kind of the plan, really.

As Ayumu rolls to face him, he drapes an arm over the other boy's shoulder, pulling himself closer for a soft kiss on the head.]

I can help explain, too. There's a lot to get through.

[Some of which in particular is extremely unpleasant.]

[...Although.]

You really think she'd notice that fast?

[Someone didn't get that memo.]

At the time, that's somewhat the way it was presented as to us.... though we all knew it was more complicated than that. [Nothing was clear cut after that conversation.] But even back then I wanted to help you, too..... and she agreed with me.

[Complicated. So very complicated. Although.....

He glances up at Hizumi, tucking himself a little closer to him and wrapping an arm around him in return, wholly appreciative of the affection he doesn't have to ask for in this particularly awkward moment where he's hesitating to mention the obvious. but also giving him a 'really?' sort of look.]

You didn't really think a normal girl was going to outsmart Kanone, did you?

Not really, but... dealin' with a Blade Child's a bit different from figurin' out someone's love life.

[He says this as if people haven't been giving him Looks™ over it as is.]

[Oh Hizumi.

You'll learn.]

.....her information gathering skills are terrifying. Even the teachers fear her at school.

[Bluntly. And they really aren't that difficult to make at least a guess about, especially for someone who knows one of them.]

You really don't want to be caught on the wrong side of her, trust me.

[...Wait a sec.]

She's got stuff on the teachers at that school?

Yeah. [Yeaaaaaaaah.

At Tsukiomi.]

I guess some of it you'll just have to find out for yourself.

[Because really, knowing about Hiyono and actually knowing Hiyono were two entirely different worlds of being witness to questionably legal life choices.]

Edited 2016-06-24 21:01 (UTC)

Guess it makes sense she was able to get into a school meant to catch the Blade Children...

[Yeesh. He'll have to keep that in mind for next time.

Drawing up Ayumu's free hand with his own, he places a kiss on it before continuing:]

Anythin' else you think we should go over? I already told her not to call me by 'Mizushiro.'

So she knows about that plan then? Good. [One less thing to worry about, at least.

Even with the thoughts swimming restlessly about his head, he can't hide the small quirk of his lips when Hizumi kisses his hand. Hizumi really could read him all too well.......

He leans closer, resting his forehead against Hizumi's for the added closeness and comfort, before continuing.]

.....There is one last thing..... I'm just not sure how to tell her. She has every right to know, but....

[Once, he wouldn't have been so hesitant to tell her. That was before they'd come here, though, and he'd learned so much from his growing relationship with Hizumi.]

Wmell, to be honest, I didn't recognize her 'til she called me by my full name.

[So yes. That was addressed.

He rests his head against Ayumu's, eyes closing as he focuses on Ayumu's voice and the comfort of his closeness.]

...You mean like what'll happen if we go back?

[His voice is calm as he asks. Even before he came here, he'd come to terms with his death in that world; it was simply inevitable.

Others, however... They weren't as likely to take it in stride so easily.

No. Even a stranger would probably be concerned to hear such a thing. So for someone close to Ayumu...]

....Yes.

[He curls a little closer to Hizumi in response, the lamp on the bedside table vibrating slightly.

Once upon a time he might not have realized how it might hurt her to hear it. Once he might have figured she'd be a little upset, maybe, but she'd get over it easily enough. Even thinking about that makes him feel guilty now.

He really was an idiot.]

I don't know how to explain it to her.... and I don't know how she'll handle it. Not well, but beyond that.....

[He draws back just enough to kiss Ayumu on the cheek his time, opening up a link through their crystals to send along feelings of comfort. Though he still speaks aloud, the feelings accompanying the words can easily be sensed.

Trust. Support. Love.]

Then you can leave that part to me. I'm the one who did the research, anyway.

[If Ayumu isn't comfortable trying to explain it, Hizumi is plenty qualified to do the job for him.]

.....Thank you.

[There's a rush of gratitude sent Hizumi's way through their crystals, not just for the offer but for the support, as he embraces him tightly. Maybe it was cowardly of him to not want to explain it himself... no, it was, but it was a weight off of his shoulders nonetheless.

It'd hurt enough to see her reaction, after all.]

It's the least I can do, since you're gonna be explainin' most of it as is.

[He returns the embrace, holding Ayumu just as tightly.

It would be a lie to say there isn't any uneasiness, that he fully believes everything is going to go smoothly. He's hopeful, yes, but it's still a delicate situation, and his past has left him with a bit of wariness that isn't easily escaped.

But nevertheless, he does his best to push it aside, nuzzling at Ayumu's neck.]

...And makin' dinner. I'm pretty sure she'd have a fit if it weren't your food.

[Being close to Hizumi like this helped in more ways than he was entirely sure he could vocalize. So he doesn't-- he lets the gratitude, love, and appreciation flow through in his thoughts sent Hizumi's direction.

You've done more for me than I can ever thank you for, you know?

Though there's a tinge of amusement at the end of the message-- mainly focused on the mention of dinner.]

You know...... She'd probably have an amusing reaction if if I served store bought food.

[.....Hizumi your boyfriend is awful.]

Edited 2016-06-25 22:09 (UTC)

[Hizumi sends similar thoughts right back. After all...

If Ayumu hadn't been determined to save him first, he wouldn't have been able to do anything in return.]

Is it really worth the fuss, though?

[As tempting as the idea is.]

.....Haa, probably not.

[As amusing as it could be, he'd rather just keep her in a good mood if they're going to be talking about details that might upset her for real.]

[it'll probably take Akira a while to adjust to the idea that all long-distance communications in Empatheias take place in one's head, but!! at least he's comfortable enough with the idea to make telepathy calls now??]

[either way, PICK UP HIZUMI SOMEONE IS CALLING]

What's the strangest ice cream flavor you've ever seen?

[well, this is random. the call has a purpose he promises]

Spinach.

[Is the immediate answer, followed by a beat.]

...I really don't recommend it. Why?

[what the]

[there's. an actual pause on Akira's end while he digests this answer, because he actually wasn't expecting something that weird]

Fortunately, I've never had a particular desire to try it.

[even though he didn't even know it existed before now]

I needed a good conversation opener, that's all. How are you?

A while back, there was an ice cream shop payin' people to try all the new flavors they could think up.

[No way he would've eaten it otherwise.

That said, there's hardly a beat missing when he replies to the second bit.]

I'm alright. [not really, but he's been faking it even longer than he's been in Empatheias, and nowadays it's easy enough for him to put his emotions on lockdown so they don't filter through the amulets too strongly.]

Ayumu might be outta commission for a bit. He got kinda roughed up [...because of Hizumi,] but I'll cover for him, so your shifts shouldn't be affected. [That should cover everything important, right?]

[. . . well, that'd be fine and dandy if that were the reason he was contacting Hizumi in the first place]

Thanks, but that's not why I called.

[the side effects of Elios's rampage spread pretty far]

. . . what happened with Ayumu-san? Do you need me to help you cover some of his shifts? I don't mind picking up a few more hours.

[for a good cause]

Were you goin' after Elios himself?

[Hm. Well, his messages remain light, if carefully clear of any emotion.]

Some of the folks here got influenced pretty bad by Elios' mood. They wanted to make sure everyone stayed on Empatheias, no matter what.

...He got caught. His legs got cut up pretty bad, so we'll probably look into a healer soon. [Hizumi's useless for that kind of dunamis, and Ayumu's never been able to use his healing power on himself; they'll just have to look to their connections instead.]

He's the one in charge of makin' the ice cream, so I'll probably cover that in the meantime... If you really want more hours though, you can take the front end.

[he got caught. Akira notices the way Hizumi doesn't specify by whom. for a moment, he debates offering his own healing magic, but in the end it sounds like Hizumi already has someone in mind. so he refrains]

I hope he gets better soon.

[a pause, and then]

I hope you do, too. It sounds like Elios's mood swing was rough for you as well.

That's usually how it goes when the Arehtei get like this. Been a while since the last one, though.

[And if Akira's not asking, he's not telling.]

...He'll be alright. We know a couple people who have healin' magic here, so once everyone's had a chance to recharge, someone should be able to fix him right up.

[he isn't asking. fortunately for Hizumi. he just gets the feeling that would be prying into a relatively private matter]

Good.

Just make sure you fix yourself up too, all right? Even if your injuries aren't physical.

...I'll be sure to get my head checked. Don't think I got any brain damage, but it still had me out for a while.

[That's. Definitely the only thing that happened to him during that time, yup.]

You normally this fussy, though?

No, not usually.

[he tends to let people talk to him about the heavier stuff when they're ready]

Sorry if I'm being a little pushy. I'll back off.

[he just. definitely senses there's more here than what Hizumi is saying, that's all. and he's a bit concerned]

[There's a gasp!]

I must be real special, then!

[You can practically hear the facetiousness oozing off of it.]

--You never did answer me, though. Did you go after Elios after all? 'Cause that's a pretty big undertakin' for a newbie.

[stifles a laugh, although his mouth curls into a grin, and follows the new flow of the conversation easily]

Of course. Being new didn't mean I lack the skills to help out the Arehtei.

Skills, huh? Like what?

[Okay, this curiosity is genuine.]

I can yell really loudly.

[did. did Hizumi expect a serious answer]

[Not really, but:]

So just the sound of your voice is enough to defeat Elios himself?!

[There is an obnoxiously loud gasp from his end.]

Impressive, isn't it?

[maybe one day Hizumi will fight alongside Akira and see what he's really capable of]

No kiddin'! You should share your technique with everyone here. If all the arehtei could be taken down with a scream, that'd make our lives a whole lot easier!

[And maybe one day Akira will see the extent of his lies.]

The way you say that makes it sound like they need to be taken down a lot. . .

It's been a lot more peaceful lately, but...

Truthfully, the arehtei are the reason I started learnin' to fight in this world.

[THAT'S. . . worrisome]

If they're this world's god-like beings, shouldn't they have more control over their actions?

[and not, like. continually do things to fuck people over?]

They're god-like in terms of power, but... emotionally, they're whatever we put into them, you know?

If everyone's lovey-dovey, Elios is all lovey-dovey, too. If people fall into despair, so will Peromei. They're powerful, but they don't have full control over the emotions they experience - they just act based on the emotions we feed 'em.

A while back though, most of 'em were corrupted by some real negative emotions. Whenever they showed up, we were in for a fight.

But you guys managed to swing them back to the positive side of the spectrum. . . right?

[judging by the fact that Elios was the only one they had to fight recently. although, come to think of it, Sosyne had looked pretty pissed off during that skirmish]

Sorta?

We managed to get rid of the corruption that made 'em attack us, for the most part... but it's not like we've always been successful at gettin' them to the positive side. [Hi Sosyne.]

And after all this... Well, we should probably reconsider tryin' to keep 'em happy all the time. [Since that clearly didn't stop attacks, either.]

[yeah Sosyne did seem pretty pissy]

Obviously. Too much of even a good thing can be disastrous.

It seems more prudent not to necessarily keep yourself from feeling certain emotions like love and affection, but instead to take time out of the day to balance them out with things from the opposite side of the spectrum.

Spend some time thinking about how much you hate stubbed toes, for instance.

[There's a quick flash of amusement, laced with something a bit more... malicious. But just for a fraction of a second before we're back to deadlining it in the emotions department.]

If it's hate, I think I can find somethin' to contribute.

[And there's that light, confident tone again. It's... an improvement over his 'voice' from the start of the message, at least?]

[HIZUMI IS LUCKY THIS IS A VOICE COMMUNICATION AND NOT AN IMAGE ONE?? but the light and confident tone coupled with that response gets Akira to let out a thoughtful hum]

Oh, I'm sure everyone does. Including me.

[far more than he'd like to admit, or even focus on, really]

I, for instance, hate paper cuts almost as much as I hate stubbed toes.

[Siiiiiiigh.]

You could at least try and take this seriously!

[Beat.]

Stubbed toes and papercuts are nothin' compared to a brain freeze.

Who says I'm not taking it seriously?

[listen to him. he's absolutely Mr. Serious]

At least brain freeze is easily avoided by not drinking your frozen drink too fast.

Paper cuts don't stop you from eatin' the rest of your ice cream!

[It's downright debilitating is what.]

Neither does brain freeze for those strong of heart.

[you sissy]

[How dare you insult him.]

Oh yeah? You sayin' you're strong enough to take it, then?

I'm saying I'd never let a little bit of brain freeze get between me and some good ice cream.

Heeeeh... is that so?

[The tone of his voice clearly indicates the unsaid sentiment:

Is Akira willing to prove it?]

[my overwhelming GUTS means I'm not at all afraid of Hizumi's challenge!]

You sound skeptical. I'm almost hurt.

As they say, seein' is believin'.

And I'm not gonna believe you until you can prove yourself.

You're on.

[challenge accepted without hesitation]

But I feel like if we're turning this into a competition, there need to be some sort of stakes involved.

[he does have a gambling spirit deep down, you know]

Oh? And what kinda stakes are you thinkin' of?

Free ice cream for my friends.

For a month.

[...]

Sorry, but showin' some guts isn't worth that much.

Free ice cream for a day, tops. We're still too small to go bankruptin' ourselves right out the gate.

Deal.

[start high and push your limits even if you know it won't work!!]

What do you want if I lose/

The limit's five of 'em, too. Bringin' in the whole town doesn't count.

[He raises a hand, fingers splayed by example.]

As for you, if you lose, you can pay us back for the ice cream by puttin' on a special promotional show and nettin' us... how about thirty new customers?

Only thirty?

[DON'T BRAG]

I think I can manage that.

Only thirty. I thiiiiiiink that should pay it off.

[Also, promotions! The more the better.]

Hope you're ready for it!

I'm always ready.

[thumbs up. LET THE ICE CREAM BRAIN FREEZE COMPETITION BEGIN]

Then you're on!

...Once everyone's feelin' a little less dead, anyway.

[As he is currently on Ayumu watching duty.]

[oh, right. of course]

I hope Ayumu-san feels better sooner rather than later. Send him my regards.

Will do. And thanks for takin' the extra work!

[It's shortly after Hizumi gets home from the cafe that he'll get a little mental prod from Ayumu-- a rather nagging one, even if it's a little hesitant, like he's not sure if he's being a bother. The attempt to get Hizumi's attention persists, however, in lieu of Ayumu being able to go greet him. He really wished he'd thought to keep that crutch from all that time ago--

Ayumu enjoyed his naps quite a bit, as Hizumi well knew, but being stuck in bed mostly alone for days sucked some of the enjoyment out of sleeping. He was bored, he was lonely, Roka had abandoned him after even he'd had enough of cuddles, and though he didn't want to impose much it was overridden by just how much he wanted Hizumi there.

He'd been avoiding him, and Ayumu might be sulking over it a bit.]

[There's definitely a pause when he receives the nudge, setting down the book he'd been about to stare holes into thanks to being too distracted to properly read. He's been avoiding Ayumu, trying with every ounce of his body not to give in to the lingering compulsion to hold the other as tenderly as before...

Just like he did when he sought to freeze Ayumu solid, preventing any avenue of escape.

He debates it, for a short while. Weighing his sins against just how long he can hold out against that need, something he'd already had even before this whole mess...

Slowly, heavily, he stands to go to their room. Peering inside, like a guest instead of an inhabitant.]

You okay in there?

[And Ayumu..... looks to have made quite the mess of their blankets. A cookbook is set off to the side, and there's clearly a little hollow where Roka had been cuddled up against Ayumu before he'd lost patience with Ayumu's clinginess.

He is the picture perfect image of sulky, but he seems.... shy, almost, an oddity for him around Hizumi.

The fact that Hizumi had been avoiding him hadn't gone unnoticed, and it stung.]

Bored. Lonely.

[He just wanted Hizumi to cross the room and join him in bed, but at the same time..... all this extra work he was doing was his fault.]

[In turn, those words sting Hizumi, and he winces a bit in response. He hadn't meant to hurt Ayumu, but...

Well. That's precisely why he'd been trying to stay away, too.

Footsteps soft, he walks over to the bed with some hesitation, sitting himself on the edge next to Ayumu. There's a brief pause, but he does hover a hand over the other's knee, too lightly to cause any extra pain.]

Sorry 'bout leavin' you here like this. [And sorry, too, for hurting him, although that goes unsaid.] Want me to get you anything?

[He didn't want to hurt Hizumi, and he nearly quiets down right then and there when Hizumi winces. All he's done is cause problems for months now, and he just.....

it was selfish, but he still....

The warmth of Hizumi settling so close to him gives him his voice back, however, and he reaches out to take that hand in his own.]

Can you stay awhile? If you're not busy.

[His hand curls in a twitch as it's grabbed, although only just. It goes limp soon after, and his hesitation is plain on his face, eyes not meeting Ayumu's.

He wants so, so badly to curl up right next to Ayumu, to enjoy the warm comfort they used to share before any of this Elios business occurred. And Ayumu himself just invited him...]

[When he smiles, it's a weak, pathetic one, but he's a weak, pathetic person even if he's managed to convince many otherwise.]

Not busy at all.

[He slides his hand from Ayumu's, stepping back - if only so he can go around the bed to the other side, flopping on top and scooting right up next to Ayumu without having to climb over his legs. That's still the worry, after all, and he'll do what he can to avoid aggravating them further.

As he leans up against Ayumu's shoulder, the words tumble out softly along with a sigh:]

...I'm sorry, Ayumu.

[For all of this.]

[That hesitation hurts, just a little, and Ayumu knows it's stupid to feel like he'd screwed up somehow, but.... a tiny part of him did. But Hizumi smiles anyway, and Ayumu's weak and pathetic too, because as soon as Hizumi's coming around to scoot up next to him, Ayumu's meeting him in the middle to wrap an arm around his waist, resting his head against Hizumi's with a sigh. The position is a little awkward on his legs, but he doesn't much care.

Just being closer to him made him forget about the ache in his wounds a little.]

Why are you apologizing? It's all because I'm stuck in bed that you've got so much extra work.

Edited 2017-07-07 09:27 (UTC)

Because it's my fault you're stuck in bed.

[The answer comes all too quickly, even as he curls an arm around Ayumu in turn.]

Even if those feelings were twisted... They're still there.

[And despite his carefully level tone, his grip tightens ever so slightly with those words.

No, not all of the blame could be placed on him alone, and he realizes that. But all the same, he knows that those feelings came from somewhere, and that intent to do anything - everything he could to keep his most precious people here had their roots in something very, very real. And while he's known and even rationalized his thoughts on the matter long ago, actually acting upon them...

That scares him, and not just because of just how easily he'd been influenced into it.]

I know. But I know you wouldn't have done that if it wasn't for Elios' influence.

[He knew Hizumi better than that. The last thing he wanted was to hurt Ayumu, or Frisk-- and.....]

You already know I don't want to leave you, after all.

[He presses a little closer, seeking out the warmth of Hizumi next to him for comfort. He knew, of course, exactly what Hizumi was capable of-- he had no illusions about that. Neither of them were exactly normal. But he also knew who Hizumi was, and he knew Hizumi knew who he was, too.

A thought that might have frightened him to the core once, and it was still a little embarrassing, but it was reassuring now, too.]

But Elios' emotions aren't the only thing that can influence me, here.

[And at that thought, he just leans all the more heavily onto Ayumu. Tipping his head to rest on Ayumu's shoulder, all the easier for burying his face in it, as he does when he gets into these moods.

He may no longer be in danger of becoming the Devil, but he can still be dangerous. And falling under an outside influence like that...

It brings all kinds of negative emotions to the surface, swirling together unhappily.]

[He's quite for a moment at that, before finally shifting, tucking his legs slightly to the side with a carefully contained wince. His pain tolerance at least was decent, and his need to comfort Hizumi was far greater. He tucks Hizumi's head up against the crook of his neck, one hand reaching up to stroke fluffy green hair.]

The same goes for me, you know. For everyone here, to one degree or another. [Ayumu was well aware he was capable of being dangerous if pushed. He chose non-violence for his own reasons, but....]

I can't say I wouldn't resort to something insane to keep you with me if something or someone threatened that, especially under the influence of something.

[He'd finally found happiness. How far would he go to protect that.....?]

But.... if that happens.... I'll find a way to bring you back to normal.

[He relaxes into that familiar hold, the air only just beginning to warm slightly from his emotions.

It feels like it's been a long time since that happened naturally.]

...Thanks. [It takes a while for him to answer, but once he does, he follows it with:]

After everythin' we've been through... I just don't wanna lose myself like that, you know?

[It's probably unavoidable, to some extent. But after everything he'd worked to prevent, it feels... Wrong. Disgusting, if he's being honest with himself.

As much as this world has blessed them, falling to the influence of emotions was the exact opposite of what Hizumi wanted.

[Ayumu hadn't slept well. The bed was too big, too wide for just him, and over the course of the night he'd rolled most of the blankets around himself in wasted effort to become comfortable. His dreams were peaceful but his sleep wasn't, and that was ultimately how he woke, facefirst in his pillow and longing for a warm body next to him.

It takes a second for clarity to rear it's head through the bleary clouds of sleepiness, but when it does it's like a punch to the gut. He shoots up in bed, glancing around the bedroom only he occupied with wide eyes. The lightbulb in the lamp next to the bed cracks from the force of his horror.

Shit. Shit, he'd...

What had he done??]

[It takes a while for Hizumi to stir, though unlike Ayumu, he lacks the option to sit up in surprise. Not with his wrists bound the way they are, blindfold still fastened tight and obscuring his vision entirely. It's far from the best awakening he's had (though yet not quite the worst), and a few weak tugs confirm the raw feel of his skin against rope, the weariness of both the body and the mind.

His body is stiff and his mind is still clouded, though nothing to the extent of before. Although the room is full of crawling shadows, oozing from corner to corner like beasts with minds of their own, it's far cry from the violent movements that usually accompanied his presence these days, as though the shadows themselves were seeking to battle and consume one another.

He's weak. Hungry, too - his mind is muddled and his memories still making sense of the past few days, did he even eat that much?

But he's here. And he's certainly no Devil.]

[As much as Ayumu would like to go hide in the bathroom in utter shame, he can't-- he still has his memories of the past few days, and through the horror he remembers.

Hizumi. He was still tied up, down the hall, and he stands quickly from the bed to make his way to Frisk's room.

The sight inside the formerly cheery room makes him sick. Hizumi, bound and weak, trapped in the bed, blindfolded and helpless. Frisk's former room, defiled with despair and creeping shadows, the child's possessions knocked astray, some broken on the floor. His stomach turns with sharp regret and shame before he pushes it down to focus on the task at hand-- making his way across the room to work on undoing the restraints as quickly as possible.

If his hands shake in the process, it's to be expected.]

Hizumi.....?

Edited 2017-08-27 05:57 (UTC)

[The sound of the door opening has him going tense - muddled as his memories are, he remembers enough of Ayumu's state. That, at least, isn't going away anytime soon.

He only begins to relax slightly when Ayumu speaks, when he can feel the bindings being undone. If that was his immediate reaction, everything should be safe, right...?]

...Yeah. [His voice is husky - unused over the past while. He clears his throat softly.]

You're back too, Ayumu?

[Ayumu focuses on undoing the restraints on his wrists-- he leaves the blindfold alone for now, as much as he knows it must make Hizumi feel vulnerable.

He can't do this and meet Hizumi's gaze at the same time. His throat feels tight with revulsion already, he can barely get the words out to respond.

He'd.... how could he have thought this was a good idea? Keeping him bound and caged, like some prisoner... No, like an animal.]

...I... I am.

[His voice is quiet and a little strained, lacking in all the surety and confidence he'd carried himself with the past several days.]

[Hizumi releases a soft breath of relief. If Ayumu were still 'God,' then...

No. No, even in that state, it wasn't likely Ayumu would have hurt him. The actual worst scenario would have been if Hizumi remained trapped in that mindset. He has to repress a shudder at the thought, the memory of that desire, that lust for blood.

He'd always known he'd held the potential for it, but experiencing it firsthand... It's a lucky thing he'd been unable to escape, isn't it? Even through that despair, even through that hatred, at least he hadn't--

...]

Hey, Ayumu. The blindfold... Could you take it off?

Please?

[Of course, now that he's back to himself, there's a deep-seated dread that seems to spread through his whole body. He needs to - he needs to get out of here. He needs to see again.]

I....

[He swallows, halfway through undoing the first of the wrist restraints before Hizumi speaks. They were heavy duty, sturdy things--where had Hiyono gotten them?-- he should really.....

listen to Hizumi.]

....Alright.

[He more than owed him that, after what he'd put him through, and Ayumu reaches up after a moment to untie and tug off the blindfold with shaking hands.

He still won't meet his gaze, though, guilty eyes going straight back to undoing the restraint he'd been working on a moment prior.]

Edited 2017-08-27 06:27 (UTC)

[It takes a few blinks, his eyes being blurred from so much time spent closed, but he's able to see enough and that's what matters.

It takes a bit of effort, but he turns his head - once to the right, and once to the left, shadows skating down his arms only to dash into the air as blades, cutting right through the restraints. They're Hiyono's, which is a question all of its own, but he's not waiting to ask permission to break them when he needs out right now, and blades are faster than shaky fingers.

Rather than sitting up, he'll quickly draw his hands to his chest, rubbing at his wrists. They're raw at best, cut at the worst; he recalls straining at the handcuffs when he could, half-hoping they'd break, half-hoping they'd slice in deep enough to let him escape in a wholly different way. How funny, he thinks, to have fallen into exactly the same cycle of despair even as the apparently all powerful Devil.]

...Let's get out of here for now.

[He's barely able to take in the room, and what he sees tells him enough. He doesn't want to stay here any longer.]

[Something in Ayumu's gut twists sharply when Hizumi's shadows lash out to slice neatly through the restraints, but he chokes it down. He remembers how Hizumi had struggled, how he'd blindfolded him to ensure he couldn't, using knowledge of the limits to his skillset to his own ends.

He wants to leave the room just as much as Hizumi, so he nods, moving to straighten up before pausing.

He extends a hand to Hizumi after a moment, hesitance clear in his body language. He isn't sure how well Hizumi can navigate after being stationary for so long.]

[Hizumi takes his hand readily enough, thanks to just how apparent it is that this is his Ayumu and there is nothing more he needs to worry about. He's shaky, but it's more from hunger than anything else.

He'd... really, seriously wanted to die again, huh? What a lot in life the Devil has, being consumed so easily and completely by despair.

He doesn't look too closely at Frisk's room. He'll have to at some point, there's no way they can leave it the way it is anymore, but... One step at a time. He's been deprived in a number of ways and he's not in any shape, physically or mentally, to deal with it right now.]

Would some food be alright?

[He's not starved at least. Ayumu had ensured there was food - it was Hizumi who chose at first to resist, only giving in and taking small bites here and there as the despair set in and it had become only too clear he wouldn't be able to get out. It's such a bizarre, disconcerting thing, to be able to trace that mindset so easily.]

[Ayumu helps him up, still not meeting his gaze in the process. He doesn't want to look at Hizumi, doesn't want to look at the room-- his gaze is towards the floor, their feet, anything that doesn't force him to take in the results of the past few days. It's futile, he knows that, but he can't.

He'll help lead Hizumi out of the room, nodding as he goes, eyes constantly averted from the tableau of despair in the room. Neither of them had touched the room, not since Frisk.... and now....]

There's... leftovers, I think.

[He remembered that. Leftovers in the ice box, some soup, some meat-- from dinner last night. He'd made more than enough for two, and Hizumi had only had a tiny bit.]

I... can make something else, if you'd prefer.

[He grimaces slightly at the thought. Meals hadn't held much joy for him in the past few days. Not much did, not with all those negative emotions swirling about in his head, throwing into question why in the world he need have existed at all.

He'd been the Devil, after all, and there wasn't an ounce of good that could have come from it... Or so he'd thought.]

Sandwiches? Somethin' light.

[He thinks he can stomach that much.]

Alright.

[He lets out a breath, a little shaky, and nods. He didn't want to drag Hizumi all the way to the kitchen, didn't want to force him to walk those extra steps, so instead he leads him towards the living room, stopping near the couch.]

Do you want.... You could stay here while I made the sandwiches, if you wanted.

[He considers it for a second, releasing Ayumu's hand...

Only to drape himself over the other boy's shoulders, as he does.]

It's not lunch if I'm not makin' an annoyance of myself. I'll come with.

[It's a familiar gesture, something they did all the time before... All of this. And he needs that right now, to reassert the reality they'd grown to cherish in this world, to chase away the memories of... whatever that was.]

[Hizumi can probably feel the tension in Ayumu's shoulders when he drapes himself over Ayumu, the tightness in his neck. Some of it eases, though, at his words.

This.... this was ok. Hizumi wanted this, didn't want to avoid him, wasn't.... was free to move around as he pleased.

It was going to be fine, and that was the point, wasn't it? This was their reality, not the twisted caricature they'd been living the past few days.]

Alright. Come on then, we'll go together.

[He'll keep his pace slow and steady to avoid jostling Hizumi around, at least. He didn't want to trip him up if he really was seeking closeness so soon after everything Ayumu had done. Roka is napping on the countertop as they pass, and when he wakes it's with a happy chirp of a meow and a leap to the ground to twine about Hizumi's legs eagerly, purring up a storm.

Someone missed him.]

[There's a fond smile as he slows so he doesn't trip over Roka. Normally the cat would make for a great distraction so Ayumu could make food in peace, but today is not a day for that.

Instead, he stays as close to Ayumu as possible, and once Ayumu's settled in place with the ingredients, he'll rest his chin on the other's shoulder, arms wrapped loosely around his front from behind. Same as always.]

Extra meat for mine, please.

[The energy is lacking, but he manages a smile, even if it's a weak one.]

Of course.

[He settles into the easy routine of making food, sandwiches he could make in his sleep, but allowing himself to focus on it was comforting, as was the feel of Hizumi's arms around him and head on his shoulders, warm and familiar.

Slowly but surely as he works to build their sandwiches he relaxes, inch by inch, tension seeping away though not gone completely. He's sure to add extra meat to Hizumi's, no chiding for the request this time. Hizumi surely needed it, right now.]

What about drinks?

Edited 2017-08-27 07:49 (UTC)

Just water should be fine.

[It's comforting indeed, the familiar closeness and rhythm as Ayumu sets about making lunch.]

Shall I go fetch the glasses? We can eat at the couch.

[Easier to sit together that way. For all that Ayumu had tried to get close to him before, Hizumi had driven him away. Maybe it was for the better, maybe not, but right now, he's definitely craving for Ayumu's usual affection. The soft, warm kind, unlike the cold he'd held as 'God.']

[Ayumu hesitates a moment to answer that, both because he didn't want Hizumi to let go in spite of his guilt, and the knowledge that Hizumi was still weak on his feet. But if he was sure.... they'd just be moving to the couch, it wasn't that far.]

Alright... go ahead. I'm almost done here, I just need to add the finishing touches.

[He nuzzles at Ayumu's neck briefly before he lets go.]

Meet you there, then.

[Said like it's all that far. He's shaky, but he can grab the glasses alright, filling them with cool water from the water crystal. He'll take them both right over to the couch as promised, waiting on his side for Ayumu so he can get back to leaning on the other's side.]

[Ayumu won't take much longer, what with the simplicity of making sandwiches. He'll scoop up both plates and some napkins, carrying them out to the living room and...

rather than set them on the table, he just settles up against Hizumi's side and hands Hizumi's plate over. Keeping their plates close meant they wouldn't have to pull away from each other, after all.]

[The gesture is appreciated, and Hizumi quickly snuggles up to Ayumu's side.

Sandwich first - he's definitely got to get some food in him - but the tension of trying to hold himself up begins to leak from his limbs as he allows himself to sink comfortably into his seat.

A certain warmth, too, pours into the air, although it's still rather slight.]

[Ayumu's not really feeling up to talking immediately either, so it's fine. He'll curl close to Hizumi, taking his weight against his side when Hizumi relaxes, nibbling on his sandwich. He wasn't really feeling a need for something to fill his stomach, but....

the closesness was a different story.]

[There's a high likelihood that he'll regret eating so quickly later, the weight of it settling at the bottom of his stomach. But his hunger, once whetted with the first proper food in days, has him quickly polishing it off before he sets the plate aside and settles himself next to Ayumu, curling up as close as he can without obstructing the other from his own food.

And then... he speaks again, voice still a little rough where it wasn't before. It's quieter than the norm, but that's probably to be expected, after everything that had happened.]

...You okay? After all that.

[It's only a bit of a stall for time. His lingering memories aren't kind ones, and he's not sure how or if he even really wants to try to articulate the exact awfulness of it all. Any other time and he'd be tempted to simply allow his emotions to do the talking, but...

Well. Right now, emotions are precisely the problem.]

[Ayumu's silent for several moments after Hizumi speaks, fiddling with his sandwich in an uncharacteristic manner. He wasn't one to play with his food at all, so it's a clear sign of some degree of unease on his part.

Eventually he sets his sandwich aside, giving up on his food.]

I'd be lying if I said I was. I.... that wasn't a person I wanted to be.

[A grimace at the memories, before he continues. He was far from happy with what he'd done.]

But you're the one I should be asking that question, I think.

[He gives a short, humorless laugh at that first part.]

That makes two of us.

[But he doesn't turn to face Ayumu as he speaks, only shifting closer as the other teen sets aside his food. Seeking out that comfort now that Ayumu's attention can be spared.]

...It's good that I wasn't able to run freely. Not... like that.

[Not when he was so deep in despair, seeking only the deaths of those around him. He grips tightly at Ayumu's sleeve.]

Edited 2017-09-29 03:29 (UTC)

[Ayumu responds to that grip, turning to curl his body around Hizumi to properly hold him, tucking his free arm around him. It was relieving that Hizumi wasn't rejecting his touch, after....

He still feels shame for treating him like some sort of pet.]

I... I know that. Even as I was, I knew that you'd hate it if you hurt anyone.

[But part of him hadn't cared. As long as he retrieved Hizumi, what was a body or two?]

[He settles into that embrace, burying his face in Ayumu's shoulder. His voice is muffled somewhat, but they're so close it hardly matters.]

Bein' like that... Bein' the Devil...

No matter how it happens, it's like there's no other option but despair. Despair over humanity, over the world...

The only options are to destroy everything, or destroy yourself. But if you destroy yourself, you can't do what you were supposed to. But, if you live...

You have to live as a monster.

[Both options were a bust. Live the awful, heinous life as a Devil? Or fail to complete the job by seeking the only possible death?]

Thoughts like that... I must've turned them around a million times in my head durin' it all.

[Even now, he can feel the thoughts lingering. Even now, he can feel the shadows creeping on the edge of his mind. Memories of fury and despair and helplessness.]

[Ayumu clings a little tighter as Hizumi speaks, responding to the despair and helplessness Hizumi's remembering by trying to act as a support.

Or maybe just because he felt a little of that, himself.]

Even like that.... I didn't... I wouldn't have let you, Hizumi. I wouldn't have.

[It's meant as reassurance, but it's hard to sound reassuring when he knew his reason wasn't out of a real desire to protect Hizumi or anyone else. He swallows against the weight in his throat, and Hizumi can probably feel it from his position.]

I wanted.... to keep you. All to myself. [Away from anyone else who could take him from him.] I thought.... we could go back to how we should be. Or at least...

[At least, he wouldn't be alone, even if captivity made Hizumi suffer more.]

[He lets out an exhale, remaining as close and snug to Ayumu as possible. Trying, if nothing else, to focus on the physical sensation of Ayumu's body wrapped around his rather than the thoughts still swirling in his head.]

Right... if you let anythin' happen to me, you'd be just like Kiyotaka.

[His voice goes low at the thought.]

...I knew, though. I wanted to be with you, even though I hated you. I thought that, maybe if I frustrated you enough, you'd give in and kill me. Or... maybe, if I gave in, I could find some kinda solace.

Neither worked.

[Love and hatred, that desire both to die and to kill... His head was a conflicted mess, really, and he gives it a shake even as he continues to keep his face firmly in Ayumu's shoulder.]

There's no way for either of us to win, like that. It's just a matter of how we lose.

[What a fate to have to bear... It's no wonder neither Yaiba nor Kiyotaka were able to stand it.]

....No happy ending for either of us.

['Win'? His brother won.... but he also lost the only person in the world who could understand how he saw the world.

And that self disgust..... was this how his brother felt, when he stopped to think of the casualties of his actions? They were both lucky that an urgency to bring Hizumi home had overridden the lack of care for other people's lives. He'd felt nothing when Yin had reported what she'd seen but an apathetic sense of concern for the ramifications of the enforcers finding out, and joy that he finally had a location to search.]

But... that isn't us. That was....

[He tucks his cheek against the top of Hizumi's head, snuggling close and searching for a word.]

A nightmare that could have been, but won't be.

[It won't. They'd made sure of it.]

[It's a comforting feeling how, Ayumu's head atop his. He relaxes into that touch, closing his eyes... Not quite peacefully, but a little closer to it, after the emotional tension from before.]

As long as we stay in this world...

[He doesn't bother to think of the ramifications of either of them being pulled away. It's pointless, and it hasn't happened yet, and he's grown too used to clinging to the idea to begin to wonder if it'll happen now. Instead, he gives a short, hollow laugh.]

Really makes me wonder, though, after hearin' about all these other worlds... Did we do somethin' to piss a god off somewhere, in some other life?

[It's just too unfair.]

[Ayumu rubs his cheek against Hizumi's hair, a comforting sensation for him normally, and a sorely needed one now. He'd needed this... this closeness.

He lets out a short breath of a laugh in response to Hizumi's words, though.]

Any god that petty doesn't deserve the title, in my opinion.

[Ayumu had no intention of leaving this world either-- He was still wholly devoted to helping the blade children, but... there had to be a way to do so, from this world. In this world.

He'd keep believing that, until an opportunity came that he could prove it.]

There's a lotta gods who don't deserve the title, I'm pretty sure.

[As he relaxes, the air finally begins to take on the usual warmth of his affection, his appreciation. The weariness, too, begins to fully sink in. His body had rested quite a bit over the past few days, but his mind had failed to get any solid sleep across it all, plagued by the dark thoughts he was.

Even as his breathing begins to settle, those thoughts prevent him from quite opening a link, and instead he continues to rely on his own voice.]

No offense, but you don't make for a very good god. Much better as a regular human, if you ask me.

[His tone lightens just enough to tease.]

[Ayumu's amusement is genuine this time as he speaks, relaxing against Hizumi and shifting a little to lean against the arm of the couch. If allowed, he'll tug Hizumi along with him gently in a half hold, half cuddle, the other draped over him and held snugly in his arms. He wasn't intending on letting go of Hizumi anytime soon, if he could help it-- and they were both exhausted, no doubt about it.]

I think I have to agree with you. Not that I'd prefer it any other way, mind. Being human has it's perks.

[Another nuzzle against the top of Hizumi's head, his voice muffled but audible enough thanks to their closeness.]

Like you, and being able to be like this.

[Hizumi allows himself to be tugged along, coming to rest practically on top of Ayumu, head snug by Ayumu's collarbone. For all the closeness and intimacy the crystal amulets provide, the sound of Ayumu's voice as it reverberates through his own body is pleasant, too.]

"Like me" huh...

[His own voice is musing, warm at both the words and the thought. It's still a hell of a thing, considering himself human. He'd known of his life as the Devil since he was ten; even now, there's bits and pieces of that very life that are still so hard to divorce completely from the now.

But, he's working on it, bit by bit. And even with setbacks like this, he's confident that one day, he'll think of himself as fully human as any other ordinary person.]

Even with little curses like these, it really is a world of blessings. [And here, he moves again, this time to tilt his head upwards to press his lips against Ayumu's, soft - if short.]

Let's see just how far we can take it, shall we?

[Year after year after year... Without any particular composition to follow, without any worry of genes or any other creature suffocating and choking their bodies to death.]

[Ayumu returns that kiss when Hizumi leans in for it, and presses yet another short, gentle kiss to his forehead before they part. Hizumi was warm in his arms, better than any blanket, and Ayumu knew he'd very much enjoy dozing off as they were if time allowed it.]

As far as we can.... and as long as we want. We might not have the insight to predict the future like gods, but we can handle whatever comes our way if we're together.

[Alone, Ayumu might not have been able to pick up the pieces after some of the past odd events here, but with Hizumi-- he could find his equilibrium again.]

Though... maybe after a short nap, hm?

No amount of prediction'd be worth bein' separated from you.

[He raises his hand as he looks up, brushing it lightly and fondly through Ayumu's hair... Or at least, as much as he can reach from this angle.]

...Y'know, I've spent most of the past few days sleepin', but a little more doesn't sound bad at all.

[In fact, his eyes are already beginning to droop, breathing already deep and regular as he rests in Ayumu's arms.]

[there isn't really a reason for this call. sometimes, you just feel like saying hi to your boss-slash-friend-with-lots-of-secrets]

Do you ever take any of the requests on the task board, Hizumi-san?

[And then Akira got punched in the face with jealousy.

There's a brief flicker of a person accompanying those heavy, negative emotions, but to Hizumi's credit he tamps them down quickly.]

Not a good time.

[holy shit]

[IMMEDIATELY DROPS THE CONNECTION. . . on accident, but you know]

[. . . but he calls back like, thirty seconds later, this time at least prepared for that sudden rush of foreign emotion]

-- what's going on? Are you okay?

[Akira why are you calling him now of all times, geeze! He accepts the connection again, doing slightly better at holding back the envy, but it's still very much present, boiling in the back.]

Aiada's off balance 'cause she got too much appreciation. This place is draggin' all the envy it can outta us to try to restore that balance.

[Shockingly, he doesn't sound all too pleased.]

[HE HAS HORRIBLE TIMING]

[he can still feel echoes of that envy, but he pushes back against it with some apathy so he doesn't find himself overwhelmed]

Just like Elios before, huh. . . [aha] Where are you right now?

Remember those beams of light that stopped Aiada from flyin' around in a frenzy? We went to the source to see if we can't fix it. We're in her lands, down on the surface.

The stuff that's growin' down here is a real pain...

Yeah. I can't imagine anything growing down there not being a pain.

What is it?

Lots of fungi with spores'n that kind of stuff, mostly. But right now, we've gotta find some keys to open up the temple own here.

Problem is, gettin' close to them brings out your most jealous, envious memories and compels you to share 'em.

[It sucks.]

[. . . SOUNDS LIKE IT]

Kind of like when we had to fight Elios's creations with hatred and anger.

[that was Not a Fun Time]

Be careful.

Tryin' to be. If we fail, well...

Who knows? Maybe the island'll just crash and you'll find out that way.

[oh god]

That'd suck.

[that's. a huge understatement]

All those years for nothin'...

[There's another swell of both resentment and... want?]

Anyway, I better get back to makin' sure that doesn't happen.

[all those years for nothing. . .]

[he wants to ask. he wants to take this moment to pry again, like he's tried so many times in the past. but Hizumi does seem to be in the middle of something important. he probably shouldn't keep him]

All right. Be careful out there, okay?

Right, right! I'll keep an eye on Ayumu so he doesn't get kidnapped again, either.

[Wait, what?]

Later.

[And the connection ends.]

[wait, what??]

Again????

[HE ISN'T SURE HIZUMI WILL REPLY SINCE HE JUST. ENDED THE CONNECTION, B U T]

[that was definitely a highly concerned "again"]

[ On the day of Christmas day, a bird flies over to Hizumi, bringing him a neatly wrapped present dressed up in green paper. Inside there's a bear hoodie and a set of two kitty bowls, spoons and plates. There's also note tucked in with his presents. ]

Merry Christmas, Hizumi-san! May you have the grandest holiday.

PS: Please do share the kitty bowls with Ayumu-san! I hope he likes them.
From, Sonia Nevermind

[The messenger bird is returned with a letter and gift of its own, though it's considerably lighter than her own.

Likely because though it's made of metal, the gifted headband is far more delicate in construction.]

Thank you for the gifts, from both of us! We'll both get a lot of use out of that set of cat dishes for sure. The hoodie's perfect for keeping warm in this weather, too!

It's only a single present but I hope you'll find it to your tastes.

-Hizumi

[ When Hizumi wakes, he will find that his crystal is glowing! His emotion drops for the month of Ennea have resonated with Empatheias' giant crystal, and a reaction has been formed.

By his feet, he will find a speaker! It isn't connected to anything nor does he need to connect it to anything. At the push of a button, the speaker will generate a beat and Hizumi can talk (or rap) over it!

(Thank you for submitting to the Emotion Tracker!) ]

[Waiting on Hizumi's doorstep when he gets home is a mound of candy and roses. There is 1 peach rose with peach ribbons, 3 yellow roses with a yellow ribbon around each, and 3 pink roses with a pink ribbon wrapped around each one. With each rose there is also a box of heart-shaped chocolates with a card. All it reads is:]

- ೭੧(❛〜❛✿)੭೨

[...Huh. Well, that's... interesting.

He'll just indulge in the chocolates while trying not to think too hard on the colors, he supposes.]

[ The image shows a garden outside, where he's up in a tree, holding onto it while laid out across a branch. ]

Hizumi-chaaaaaaaan, come and play with me, I'm bored!

[ Is this really a way to ask for help? No. Is he doing it this way? Yes. ]

Ehh-- I could be busy, you know. Maybe I don't have time to play.

[He's free, actually, already analyzing that image and beginning to walk. Does it look more like the park, or somewhere else?]

Then you can drop whatever you have to do, and come see your second favourite person in Verens! [ Woah that's a high opinion of himself there. ]

You have to come and find me first, okay?

[ Yes, he's in the park. ]

You want me to drop Susumu? That's awful...

[He isn't anywhere near Susumu. There's the edges of the park already - he'll start peering at the trees, hoping to catch sight of Ouma before the other catches sight of him.]

W-Waaaaah! Don't drop Susumu-chan!

[ He cares more about the cat than keeping things up, I guess--though he does sit up and it means Hizumi has no chance of getting the drop on him now. ]

Hizu-chan, you know I reeeeally hate liars, right?

[Ah well, an attempt was made. Even as he walks over, his head is tilted to the side curiously.]

Did I ever say I was actually busy?

[ An attempt was made, but threatening harm to the cat wasn't very nice. ]

I meant about Susumu-chan. [ He points to his hands. ] You haven't got him at all.

[ He'll slide down from the branch though, using the trunk to kind of bounce off and onto the floor. ]

[He's not actually going to drop Susumu, he's not terrible what do you take him for.]

If I brought Susumu, he'd just fall asleep out here no matter how cold it is.

[He plants his hands on his hips as Ouma hits the ground.]

So? What do you wanna do today?

[ Look!!! He held a knife against his now boyfriend's throat (best friend to him but w/e) he doesn't know what he'll pretend to do! Accidents happen! ]

I could've kept him warm, Hizu-chaaaan. [ He's just being difficult though, especially as his mouth twists into a smile. ]

I'm ready! This time, I'm totally going to get it right, y'know? I've been practising.

[ Ominous ]

Oh?

[And Hizumi gives a dark grin of his own in return, because two can play this game.]

Show me what you've got, then.

Alrighty then!

[ Which means he'll reach out and grab Hizumi to tug him back and away from the tree. He's still not good at getting started, just because he spends so much time squashing down emotions instead of letting them out. It takes him time to just open up his heart enough to do this.

At first the black smoke around his feet probably looks like it's just him not being able to do it well, especially as it's still thin and wispy at the start. As it climbs towards the tree it starts to get denser and heavier, coiling around one of the branches like a snake.

He's aiming to snap the branch off. ]

[Hizumi does nothing to resist the tug, eyes instead watching for Ouma's dunamis. It's not too impressive at first, though once its form begins to solidify, Hizumi gives a whistle.]

That's a start.

[But can he finish it?]

[ It takes more energy than he really has (because how would he when he lives off a sugar and no carb diet) but the smoke seems to vibrate in the air now, growing heavier and heavier until the branch can't handle the weight anymore and it snaps off the tree, crashing into the ground in front of them. ]

And an end! I deserve a prize, right?

[ Only where is all that negative emotion coming from

]

Well, you finally managed to do somethin' with it, I guess...

[He hums thoughtfully, in that way that shows he's definitely not done here yet.]

What kinda emotions are you channelin' for it?

F-Finally?! [ He clenches his fists in front of himself. ] I worked super hard, y'know?!

[ What a child--but ah. He blinks when he's questioned about it, looking down and towards his hand. ]

Does it matter?

It's easier to refine if you know what you're workin' with, isn't it?

Half the struggle of learnin' dunamis is bein' able to confront those emotions and make 'em your own, after all.

"Half" [ He mutters quietly. ] More like 90% of it.

[ He glances away. ]

[ Self ] Hatred probably sums it up the most.

Of...? Like a person or a thing?

Are you drawin' on memories, or a specific image, or what?

[ His head tilts up towards the tree, but his mouth twists into a smile -- something relaxed. ]

You could say it's a memory, but more like a feeling from the memory than the memory itself. It's easy to imagine when everyone you knew hated you, Hizu-chan. Even yourself.

Edited 2018-02-23 00:12 (UTC)

[Ah.

He doesn't look terribly surprised - it is not like the dark smog was exactly subtle. It does leave him watching Ouma thoughtfully however.]

It's still tough tappin' into it though... You're afraid of people puttin' it together, maybe?

[ He stares back at Hizumi's face. ]

I'm afraid of it being real even now, Hizu-chan.

[Hizumi settles back, eyes never leaving Ouma. As he does, his shadow warps beneath him, curling up into the air in those tendrils Ouma should be rather familiar with by now.]

Then talk to me about it.

[They both deal in darkness. In order to understand those emotions well enough to control them fully--

Ironically, they can't just be bottled up inside anymore.]

[ He takes half a step back, grimacing rather openly. ]

I don't wanna. Let's try something else instead, okay?

[Hizumi merely sighs as the shadows melt away - for the moment, at least.]

If you can't put it into words, you're gonna have a hell of a time controllin' them.

'Sides, it's not like this is the first time I've heard somethin' unpleasant from you.

[ His head lowers at that, hands dropping to rest by his sides.

He doesn't say anything this time, actually. ]

[There's another sigh through the nose, but he'll stand and wait expectantly until Ouma does something.]

Hey... Hizu-chan? Remember how I saw that memory of yours?

[ His head is still lowered, but Hizumi should be able to see the way his mouth curves now, and it isn't a normal smile at all. ]

I guess the mirror was pretty generous with mine.

[Hizumi is, oddly enough, unfazed. He merely tilts his head, as though nothing were strange about this at all.]

Oh? In what way?

[ He doesn't move an inch, breath falling it out faster because he doesn't want to do this but-- ]

Because unlike you, I had the guts to watch someone's life slip away.

[ This time when the black smog starts to grow against the tree it's heavier, darker, more like a thick tar than smoke at all. ]

I watched as someone who called me their friend was forced to strangle our classmate for me because I told them to. She struggled a lot, y'know? But who wouldn't?

[ The smog is acting like a rope, spinning around the bottom of the tree and digging in now, sharpening at the edges as it cuts into the trunk.

He hates her enough for making him do that it isn't that difficult to have it cut into the tree if he lets all of it out. ]

It was her fault for trying to kill me to begin with.

[He watches the smoke impassively, noting the way it cuts. It really is a detestably familiar sight...]

How much do you believe that?

That it's her fault.

Edited (ICON PICKER PLEASE) 2018-02-24 23:57 (UTC)

[ Like teacher like student... ]

I offered her a way out and she refused to take it, whose fault would it be if not hers?

But you still hate yourself.

I hate what I had to become to do that. [ His eyes are on the tree now and it’s definitely getting worse. ]

I made myself be the villain they needed me to be to try and draw the real one out. It kinda makes you question what person you are if you can pull that off, y’know?

[Playing the villain, huh...]

The kind someone would believe is capable of cruelty... The kind willin' to sacrifice a life to get to what you want...

[Well, the pieces are starting to fit together now, at least.]

So you think you deserve that hatred, too?

[ The smog spins faster as his eyes kind of zone out, hopefully it won't topple over in their direction when he's done with this but. At least it's working. ]

I forced Momota-chan to take part in my plan to trap the mastermind, forced him to kill me in a way no one would be able to tell it was me, they'd think it was him instead. I made a murderer out of 2 other people to keep my own hands clean.

[ The fact that he had him take his own life instead of someone else's probably is more telling on how he wanted to save the others no matter the cost though. ]

Because you died at the hands of one of 'em.

[He's not so dull as to miss that point, at least. His eye is on the tree, too, watching to ensure it doesn't fall and squash Ouma flat - and being prepared to act just in case it does.]

...So, why? Why even bother goin' after the mastermind, if that's the kinda fate that awaited you?

[...He can guess. It's really not that difficult to put together. But this is more about talking Ouma through it than getting answers for himself, at the moment.]

[ He's half blinking back tears now, and he can't remember if he's ever actually said the words to anyone here before. Maybe he did to Saihara, but-- ]

Because it was worth it if they'd go free.

[ The dark smoke whispers at the edges now, dense enough to become like iron in the centre. It starts sawing deeper, cutting into the bark so tightly that the tree is starting to wobble. ]

I wouldn't be missed anyway.

[He can't quite prevent his own shadow from giving a jolt at those last words, cutting a little too close for comfort. But even if there's a question on his lips, he bites it back.

This isn't story time. This is about emotions.

His eyes flicker up to the tree instead, and his shadow begins to stretch across the ground, as though cast by a low sun. Reaching closer to Ouma, though not yet lifting from the ground.]

Do you hate them for failin' in a way that forced you to take that role? Or do you just hate yourself for stoopin' so low?

[They're getting close...]

[ His head is a mess, and even if he's talked about it a little it's never really been in this much detail. ]

Does it matter? If Akamatsu-chan hadn't tried to kill Amami-chan... if Shirogane-chan hadn't killed him when that failed then it wouldn't have started but we would have all died.

I just did what I had to when it came to it.

[ At least he could have prevented it if he'd been a Stable Human Being from the beginning, maybe. If he hadn't lied and made it so people couldn't trust him either. ]

It does.

[His answer is simple and blunt.]

We're tryin' to sort out just how to work with those emotions of yours, Ko-chan. Whatever the end result--

[He stretches out an arm in a sweeping gesture.]

What matters here is how you feel about it now.

[ A chunk of it flies off, stabbing into the ground to the right of them both. After it lands there's a moment then smoke is coming off it, the piece disintergrating now it isn't part of the section. If anything, his control is getting worse now and the form of the dense smog is becoming more jagged. It cuts deep enough that the tree groans, and before Ouma can snap back at him it's already toppling towards them. ]

[Ahhh shit.

He was prepared for this outcome, at the very least. Because that shadow leaps into the air immediately, wrapping around Ouma to yank him forcefully out of the way even as Hizumi hurries to sidestep the tree himself. The shadows will even hold Ouma in the air for a moment after the tree settles on the ground, only depositing him on the ground again once Hizumi's sure they both made it out unscathed--

Or so he thinks.]

--Haaah, maybe that was a bit much after all.

[ He sees the movement out of the corner of his eyes, and while the end result won't be great either, it's a good job Hizumi moves to help because he doesn't move an inch. Fear definitely freezes him in place, along with the feeling of it doesn't matter that he's let himself get caught up in when letting all of this out.

The problem is that the shadows that wrap around him are tight and squeeze as he's held in the air. His breath stops, panic making him try and squirm out of it and he's working himself up more than necessary while trying to not let it show.

The longer it goes on though, the less chance he has. He ends up locked in a flashback when his ribs feel like they're cracking and while it isn't his head it doesn't seem to matter anymore. As soon as he's put down his knees give out from under him and he's gasping for air, coughing hard until he throws up on the floor. He's shaking and no amount of BS will probably help him squirm his way out of talking about this now either. ]

[Hizumi had accounted for the tree - he hadn't accounted for Ouma falling sick right on the spot.]

Hey--

[His voice sharp with alarm, he hurries to the boy's side, reaching out, pausing, gingerly laying a hand on his back ready to pull away again if that makes it worse. Something happened, obviously, but he can't think of anything offhand that should have caused this sort of reaction-- the shadows moved quickly, yes, but a short jolt like that shouldn't be enough to cause lasting motion sickness, least of all to this degree.

His eyes take in the scene, searching for any clue of the cause.]

Hey... what happened...?

[His free hand, he'll use to begin fishing out a handkerchief, though he's not quite handing it over yet.]

[ He barely hears anything, too caught up in the MRRRRGH of the press coming down, the memory of the pain of poison in his system then the feeling of being crushed. His eyes are blank, breath falling so quickly it's hard to even count the number of breaths per minute.

It's only when he feels a hand on his back that he registers the fact that someone is there at all.

It starts with a gasp, sharper and louder than the breaths from before. It manages to interrupt the breathing rate, get oxygen into him so he can start trying to come around again. ]

[Okay, there's a reaction, which is good. His hand slides to Ouma's shoulder, arm loosely over his shoulders as a whole but still prepared to stop if his reaction worsens.]

C'mon, slow down and breathe.

[A quick glance around tells him there's no one else in the park, or at least not nearby. Not surprising, it's still winter and most people are staying in the warmth of their homes.

He sits himself down next to Ouma, setting the handkerchief as flat as can be on his leg. Even as he tries to keep Ouma grounded, he focuses on envy, cold and crackling and--

A shard of ice appears on top of the handkerchief, not quite shaped the way he'd like but good enough. He then shifts gears, instead thinking thoughts of love and affection and warming the air right up again, enough to get the ice to begin melting.

It'll soak through his pant leg, but that's alright, there's other things to focus on right now.]

Stay with me here, okay?

[ The next stage after shock, though, is tears. Normally the only person who really sees this is Kaito and even then he's aware enough to give him space to work through it instead of hovering too much. Hizumi doesn't know though, he isn't aware enough of his boundaries or why he's like this to begin with. ]

S...Shut up.

[ It doesn't sound like him at all though, it's harsher and cracked, like he's barely holding himself together. The worst part is that he can't even bring himself to ask for who he really wants there, he's too busy avoiding all three of them. ]

[Hey, he's talking again. Hizumi's going to take this as a sign of improvement, even if the words themselves are far from friendly.

He dumps what remains of the ice chunk on the ground and removes his hand to instead dangle the now damp handkerchief in front of Ouma's face, in clear view.]

So you can clean up.

[ He reaches up to take the handkerchief and wipe his mouth, his breathing slowly becoming more normal now. He doesn't say anything else, looking to where the tree is collapsed on the floor. ]

[He begins to stand, tugging lightly on Ouma's sleeve - he'll help him up by his arm if he wants help, but if not he'll go ahead and stand on his own to survey the damages.]

Looks like your emotions can really pack a punch. Learn how to direct 'em, and you could probably use them for all kinds of useful things...

[...]

Well, I kinda expected the first part. But not this. [And he nods at the mess in front of Ouma.]

How do we avoid that?

[Something seems to have triggered it, but he knows far too little to pinpoint what. From the brusqueness of his tone, it's pretty clear he isn't really asking for details; not really expecting that from Ouma, either.

As long as he knows how to prevent it from happening again, that will suffice for now. Yes, he's helping Ouma sort out his emotions in order to work with his dunamis, but even Hizumi can see when there's a need for boundaries.]

[ His legs still feel wobbly as he lets Hizumi pull him up. His throat hurts but he ignores it for now. ]

Isn't that what you're here for? [ But... he lets his eyes sink to the floor where he'd thrown up, grimaces a bit. ] I don't like being grabbed.

[ Understatement of the year. ]

You were doin' well.

[Up until Hizumi grabbed him, seems like.]

But this is okay?

[He says as he begins tugging Ouma along - he's mostly aiming to get them to the tree so they can sit on it like a makeshift bench, away from the vomit.]

[ He blinks, the compliment making his eyes dip away. He lets himself be pulled along towards the tree. It really took some damage, but it works as a bench, that's for sure. ]

This is okay.

[This is good information to know. Hizumi flops onto the downed tree without fanfare.]

That's a good start, bein' able to talk about it. An effect that's formless, takin' form...

[He tilts his head upwards thoughtfully.]

Once you're feelin' better, we can start workin' on shapin' it. That kinda thing can be real useful for all sorts of stuff if you can get it to take the forms you want. Defendin' yourself, defendin' others...

...Droppin' stuffed animals on unsuspectin' victims...

[He should know.]

[ They probably should have started with that. "Oh, by the way I was crushed to death so please don't grab me and squeeze tightly it will not be fun." ]

Are you training me to bully Ayumu-chan?

[ He's trying, at least, to unravel his head from flashback hell anyway. ]

[Ouma's the one who went and said it was a stabbing...

But hey, this is a much preferable topic, and he's hoping it'll help give Ouma something else to put his mind to instead of... all of that hell.]

Do I really need to? Even if you learned the basics, I'm sure you could come up with all kinds of fun uses yourself.

[ He’ll regret that later when he has to own up to it but whatever... whatever. ]

Hmmm, that’s true, Hizu-chan. You won’t get territorial, will you?

[Hey Ouma let's talk about your death right here right now.]

Oh? Why would I get territorial?

[ No let's talk about Ayumu instead. ]

You like teasing him, right?

'Course I do.

[That's like, basic best friend territory.]

That sounds more like a proposal for an alliance than an attack, though.

I'm not very good at working with others, Hizu-chan.

So what, if I'm already teasin' him, you don't wanna join in?

[Boooo.]

Are you starting to run out of ideas, is that it?

[ Booo to you too! ]

Are you backin' out just 'cause it wouldn't bother me?

[ Maybe. ]

Who knows? As long as Ayumu-chan is embarrassed what does it matter?

Laaaaaaame. It could've been one of those... y'know.

[He waves a hand a bit, to properly summon the right word.]

Bondin' activities? [Whatever.] And then Ayumu'd have to spend all his time watchin' his back instead of half the time.

[That's the more important part.]

I had no idea you wanted to bond with me so much, Hizu-chan. Should I have put in more effort?

[ He's smiling, but it definitely isn't a legitimate smile. ]

But that's fine, I can bully your best friend if that's what you want.

Hizumi?

Kousuke is here.

Edited 2018-04-11 16:42 (UTC)

[The message causes a thrum of alarm on Hizumi's side. Kousuke's... with Ayumu?]

[...But then there's a sensation of relief.]

Geeze, you scared me for a second! It's not the first anymore, you know.

He's right here - he was just hidin' under the table is all.

[And here, Ayumu will get the image of a cat peering up from under a table, laying on his back so he can attempt to claw at the bottom of it.]

[.....Siiiiiigh.

Can you feel his exasperation, Hizumi?]

I'm not talking about the furry one.

[Here, have a snapshot image of a Kousuke doing the reverse of kitty Kousuke-- facedown in the street and injured.

...such a flattering image.]

Though I must admit, the resemblance is uncanny.

Edited 2018-04-11 17:05 (UTC)

[...Oh.

It's once again silent on Hizumi's side, though this time it's a mix of surprise and contemplation.]

...I see.

You gonna give him the tour, or...?

[There's a bit of hope starting to kindle, but with it comes a certain nervousness, too. He's never met this one, and previous meetings with Blade Children did not precisely turn out well - weren't intended to, by the man who planned it all.

This time, however, it's a plan of Hizumi's own concoction. This time, it's by his own will, a wish for hope rather than despair.

But will it be enough...?]

If he's up for it. He looks injured.... I'm thinking he might have come from around the same time we did.

[Though he didn't recall precisely in what places Kousuke had been injured, he knew how he'd gained the injuries, having been there. Ayumu pauses for a moment, considering his next words. He feels Hizumi's nervousness through the connection, and tries his best to soothe it, offering encouragement in return.]

I think it will be alright. Especially once he finds out about how he can break the curse here. He's always been more independent than the others, in some ways. He never trusted my brother.

[Or Ayumu, until shortly before their arrival here, but...]

[So the Kanon incident... just another reminder of what, exactly, his mere existence could bring.

He shakes the thought from his mind. No, it would work this time. This is... what they've been prepared for all this time, isn't it?]

That's wise of him. [Kiyotaka was on no one's side but his own, in the end.] You think he'll listen to us, then?

More than Rutherford did. I'm feeling optimistic, honestly. We're prepared this time.

[There was nothing to make Kousuke think he'd given up on them, for one.]

In a way, Rutherford knowin' did him a disservice.

[There's definitely an irony in the path to salvation being paved in ignorance, but there's little they can do about that.]

Well, you know where I am. If you end up bringin' him here, let me know.

[So he can make sure the mask is properly in place.]

[Ayumu woke feeling much like he'd been hit by a truck, and then backed up over again. He rolled onto his side with a hiss, burying his face in his arms and hiding away from the headache inducing brightness of the sun. There's grass instead of the softness of his pillow or Hizumi's warmth under his cheek... This wasn't his bed. Where was--

Its about that moment everything that had happened all comes back in a rush. He inhales sharply, taking deep, shaky breathes as he absorbs that reality: He'd died. He'd died, but he's come back alive and breathing and, as a quiet assessment of his state proves, in one piece. At the very least, he wasn't bleeding out, choking for every breath around the blood that had filled his lungs.

It was equal parts relieving and disturbing, and he'd probably spend a few minutes more just struggling to compartmentalize that if his last memories weren't of Hizumi desperately pleading with him, terror on his face.

Shit.

He yanks his amulet out from beneath his shirt, noting the newness of it for the briefest of moments before he tries to open a connection to Hizumi. He could deal with his own feelings later.]

Hizumi? Hizumi!

[There's a swirl of despair when that message first hits, but it breaks apart, like clouds on a grey day suddenly shifting to make room for sunlight to shine through.

It's morning, but his heart is already racing, anxiousness and trepidation and hope and love all mixed into a confusing mess.]

Ayumu-- it's really you, right?

[Not his imagination, not a lingering dream, he's really--]

Where are you?

It's me.

[There had been some anxiety in Ayumu's message too, as well as lingering pain, but the former quickly clears when he hears Hizumi's voice. He allows affection and relief to seep into his message, gratitude that Hizumi was ok... or as ok as he could be, after that.]

Somewhere... edge of the island? It's too bright out.

[He swallows sharply, rolling carefully into a sitting position and nearly falling back over. His body feels like lead, ugh....]

I think I see Verens in the distance.

[He'll send Hizumi a mental snapshot: it's blurry, but that's definitely the city off in the distance, as well as the lake.]

South... southeast? Sorry, my head's fuzzy.

[He recognizes those buildings, making a mental map in his mind, calculating the angles, the distance.]

...Yeah. Yeah, I think I know where that is. Hang tight for a while, will you? I'll be there as quick as I can.

[He's already on the move - but it's not a simple beeline to Ayumu's location, as tempting as it is.]

It's the twenty-eighth, by the way. You were out a week.

["Out," like it was something as simple as a short vacation. Still, the words themselves are warm with affection in return, like a soft and comforting nuzzle. The more they talk, the less despair can be felt from his side.

Ayumu's alive.

The world is as it should be once more.]

I know you will.

[That warm affection is returned in kind, along with a hint of neediness. He was in pain, exhausted, and overall felt like he probably wouldn't be able to move from this spot without help. He'd probably need a few days of bedrest before he was 'fully functional' again, but at the very least he was alive.]

A week, huh.... Didn't feel like it.

['Out'.... that is sure a word for it.]

...Update me on things? I feel like I'll fall asleep if I don't keep talking.

Edited 2018-08-31 06:28 (UTC)

[Hizumi's only too happy to do so, because it's just a continued reminder that Ayumu's alive.]

I closed the café in the meantime. I didn't think I could keep it runnin', especially the food...

[Emotions being what they are.]

I had to take Chou to the stables, too. Apparently he thought I was hurtin', so he kept tryin' to heal me 'til he exhausted himself.

...Well, he wasn't entirely wrong, there.

[It was painful. Just how many times this past week had he thought to himself, this is unbearable...?]

But you're back now. That's what matters.

[Ah.....

He really screwed things up, didn't he? Hizumi's putting it gently, but Ayumu knows how far gone Hizumi had to have been for all of that. And Chou....

Nice going, Ayumu, traumatizing the poor thing.]

....Sorry. Guess I owe a lot of apologies, huh?

Are you tryin' to take the blame for bein' a murder victim?

[There's actually a surprising amount of ire that accompanies the words, though it's not directed at Ayumu himself. Hizumi tries to stomp it down almost immediately.]

For worrying you. For worrying everyone else.

[W o w excuse, let him accept his fuck ups???]

I don't regret saving you, though I didn't plan to die in the process. But i regret that it resulted in hurting you.

[That ire only grows.]

I know one of the people behind it.

[And here, his voice becomes dead serious, some of that affection dropping off to a boiling anger.]

The moron seriously tried to fight the arehtei... Tryin' to help him before turned out to be a bad idea.

[Maybe he'd have kept trying to work through his injuries and simply keeled over.]

It's not your fault some people here decided to pick a fight with Sosyne.

[Resentment, betrayal... He's been feeling a lot of that lately, too.]

[Ayumu falls quiet, unsure of what he could say to soothe Hizumi. He hadn't realized that, that one of the people who'd....

That certainly made things more personal, didn't it?

He chooses his words carefully, avoiding accepting further blame. He knows Hizumi won't want to hear it, and that anger seems like it could get worse with the wrong words.]

....I guess you're right. Pretty stupid to pick a fight with Sosyne, in particular.

Pretty stupid of them to do any of this.

[That anger isn't going to subside anytime soon, not when so much is left unresolved, but...

Ayumu's here. He's just got to focus on that for now, and as he does, a powerful sense of appreciation flows through.]

I'm just glad you're back.

[Ah--]

Alright, I'm headed over now.

....Glad to be back.

[More appreciation in return, as well as happiness. He is glad to be back, but if Hizumi was feeling well enough to be angry, he was at least handling his feelings. Ayumu counted it a win, really.]

I'll be here.... can't really say I'd be able to go anywhere anyway.

I guess I'll just have to kidnap you away to greener lands... Oh. Are you hungry, or just tired?

[He remembers mostly being exhausted, but it's good to check these things, speaking of green.]

I'm too tired to tell, I think.

[Does his stomach have the energy to be tired?]

Uuuugh... I could use a nap.

We'll get you all nice'n snug in bed, then! I'll be sure to eat up all the meat while you sleep.

[The second part comes out quieter, mischievous.

...Is that the sound of a horse in the distance?]

You eat all the meat, I'll hog all the blankets.

[There's a pause after a moment as Ayumu listens, slowly deciphering the noise he hears.

....A horse? What--]

....Please tell me you didn't pick a white one. I'm not a damsel in distress

[It's hard to think, but he also knows Hizumi.]

What's that?

[He sounds entirely too innocent. And, as those hoofbeats grow only closer--

Yeah, that is most definitely a white horse, Hizumi sitting atop it with a truly shit-eating grin.]

I dunno, you look pretty damsel-y from up here.

[Ayumu shoots him his best attempt at an exasperated, deadpan look, though it's clearly more of a fond one. He's just relieved to see Hizumi, not to mention see him well enough to be up to his antics again.]

Just get down here and hug me, you sap.

[His voice is hoarse and weak, but he holds up an arm nonetheless, demanding hugs much akin to a sulky 5 year old because he feels awful right now, ok.

The last time he was in Hizumi's arms, he was dying. He wants to erase that feeling immediately.]

[Ayumu doesn't need to ask twice. He didn't even really need to ask once.

Hizumi dismounts, only pausing long enough to make sure the horse knew to stop before dashing to Ayumu's side and kneeling, scooping him up into a tight embrace.

Tears are already pricking at the edges of his vision as reality slides back into place and the world once again feels whole.]

Welcome back.

[Ayumu wraps his arms around Hizumi as soon as he's within reach, grip more than a little tight, but not as tight as it could be, considering how weak he's feeling right now. He buries his face in Hizumi's shoulder, eyes stinging annoyingly as he sinks into his warmth, fingers gripping the back of his shirt tightly.

This was the most steady he'd felt since waking up. All it took was Hizumi's arms around him.]

Glad to be back.

[His voice cracks a bit, emotions too heavy to convey without struggling at least a little.]

[He's silent for a moment as Ayumu settles in his arms, marveling at the physical presence he had so longed for all this time, reconciling those last moments he'd seen Ayumu with the smiling face and the warm body in front of him now.

This is real. This is real. And that confirmation is enough to cause the air to blossom with warmth.

He presses a brief kiss to Ayumu's neck before mumbling into his shoulder. The tears are definitely beginning to run now, and his voice is part laugh, part exasperated sigh.]

'M not made to exist without you, you know?

[It was both a pathetic and painful realization.]

[There's a hitch in Ayumu's breath at that declaration, and he clings if possible a little closer, throat tight. He didn't want to exist without Hizumi either, which was why he'd done what he did. But--

He'd been so, so scared, for so many reasons and not just for himself, and it's hard to pretend he wasn't when Hizumi's crying on him like this, the proof of how much he stands to lose now.]

I didn't-- I don't--

[His headache is getting worse, and he tucks his face tightly against Hizumi's shoulder, nuzzling his face into him. It's damp, where he does.]

I don't want to exist without you either. I don't want to leave you alone.

[It's choked. If there's any confusion about the source of that dampness, the tightness of Ayumu's voice is probably proof enough of his tears.]

Edited 2018-08-31 08:48 (UTC)

[The dampness is surprising in a way - Ayumu's never been much of a crier, especially with his past. It's something Hizumi understood instinctively from the start.

With a wet sniffle and another one of those sad laughs, he just holds Ayumu all the tighter. His voice shakes and stumbles in ways his normally glib tongue doesn't often do, but there's a certain relief behind it, too.]

I'm forbiddin' you from leavin', then. And I'm forbiddin' myself from leavin' you, too.

[It was like having his heart torn from his chest. The thought of ever bearing such a thing again still hurts those open wounds.

Not for the first time, he wonders if that's what Ayumu had felt, too, when he had died.]

Edited 2018-08-31 08:56 (UTC)

[Ayumu could count on one hand with fingers still left over all of times he can recall crying... and all of those times he can remember would be in this world, though he'd doubtlessly cried as a small child at some point. Maybe it was a good thing, that he had things he felt so strongly about again that he could cry, but he never appreciated how awful it made him feel.

He already felt awful enough without the sharp, building pain in his head as he trembles in Hizumi's arms, practically curling around him full bodied. He lets out a small, sad laugh of his own at Hizumi's declaration, still not raising his head.]

Deal. I'd be pretty mad if you left me now, after everything.

[More like distraught, but he's already crying, damn it.

Hizumi would be right on the money, about how painful it was for Ayumu to see him die. He couldn't.... wouldn't, go through that again. The possibility was too terrifying.

There would always be that part of him that was scared of losing what was most precious. He'd just learned to accept that he was allowed to have precious things in spite of the possible pain.]

Edited 2018-09-02 11:04 (UTC)

[Hizumi has no answer for that, not verbally at least. Instead he continues to hold Ayumu close, running one hand through the other's hair up until he draws back briefly, but only that before he's peppering Ayumu's face with kisses, salty tears on his lips, the dampness of their cheeks mingling from proximity. It's only after all this that he finally speaks again, a bit more together, voice still thick but spreading with genuine warmth.]

You'd have to get rid of me before I ever left you.

[The words are murmured as he rests his forehead against Ayumu's. Two sides of the same coin, two halves of a whole - for some, words like that were mere sentiment, but the pain of that loss only served to prove how true they were.]

[ Minato's not sure if Hizumi and/or Ayumu are going to leave their place on the 25th because they might be busy with themselves, but they should figure out that there's something waiting for them on their doorstep sooner or later. Hopefully. The box with Hizumi's name contains cat angel and devil wings and a strawberry flavored non-alcoholic champagne because no sane person would trust Minato with alcohol (and they were right). There's a short message attached, too:

Mewwy Christmas (ΦωΦ) M. ]

IC Contact; Empatheias [CLOSED]

Telepathic message through crystal - July 5th

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september 30th, hospital, evening

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January 7th

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6/17, evening

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voice telepathy, 7/2

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