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ɪɴʙᴏx [ᴇxᴘɪᴀᴛɪᴏɴ]
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That's us, isn't it?
[She manages a grin, faint as it is. Sure, she gets the idea behind the Arcana itself -- that had been one of the few interesting lessons that weirdo school nurse had given -- but it had always struck her kind of funny with the double meaning.]
[She manages a grin, faint as it is. Sure, she gets the idea behind the Arcana itself -- that had been one of the few interesting lessons that weirdo school nurse had given -- but it had always struck her kind of funny with the double meaning.]
Yeah. [His voice is quiet and muffled against the fabric of Akira's yukata.
There's a brief pause before he adds] I was reminded of someone, that's all.
[He doesn't dare to say "mother" out loud, both from embarrassement and fear that he might give in to his weakened state.]
There's a brief pause before he adds] I was reminded of someone, that's all.
[He doesn't dare to say "mother" out loud, both from embarrassement and fear that he might give in to his weakened state.]
It wasn't. [The answer comes out almost too soon to be genuine. He just doesn't want to talk about his childhood to further detail.
At first the hand stroking his hair makes Akechi to stiffen. He's so unused to this kind of touch that his body jumps to alarmed state. Luckily, though, it's short lived and he relaxes back to the touch.]
At first the hand stroking his hair makes Akechi to stiffen. He's so unused to this kind of touch that his body jumps to alarmed state. Luckily, though, it's short lived and he relaxes back to the touch.]
... Yes. [He breathes out the word, bringing his arm to wrap around Akira.]
Don't you dare to leave.
Don't you dare to leave.
[A sequel? Her eyebrows lift again, but that also probably means he survived his. She'd wondered if that was something they had in common, if that was just how it went but-- no. She's probably the only one with that kind of unique relationship with Death, huh?]
Is that something you're happy about?
[It's a quiet question, one he can choose not to answer if he doesn't want to.]
Is that something you're happy about?
[It's a quiet question, one he can choose not to answer if he doesn't want to.]
Mmhm. It's hard.
[Understatement for sure. She'd wondered that when she'd first arrived in Aldrip -- what she should do when she hadn't expected a future at all. And she isn't going to push Akira for an answer, either. Maybe just thinking about it is enough.
She gives him another look and adds,] Sorry for bringing it up. I've just never gotten to talk to anybody about this stuff before.
[Understatement for sure. She'd wondered that when she'd first arrived in Aldrip -- what she should do when she hadn't expected a future at all. And she isn't going to push Akira for an answer, either. Maybe just thinking about it is enough.
She gives him another look and adds,] Sorry for bringing it up. I've just never gotten to talk to anybody about this stuff before.
[Will they really have to address this? (Yes.) Wouldn't it be just easier if they just added it to their Do-Not-Talk-About pile? Probably not.
The squeeze along with the affirming words almost causes a silent sob escape from Akechi's lips. He bats his eyes rapidly twice, driving away any remains of tears.]
The squeeze along with the affirming words almost causes a silent sob escape from Akechi's lips. He bats his eyes rapidly twice, driving away any remains of tears.]
[He shakes his head, unbothered.]
Mmn, it's okay. It doesn't really bother me, I just... really haven't thought about it. I was leaving to go back to my podunk town again when I wound up here, and didn't have much time between leaving Tokyo and coming back to really... ruminate, I guess?
Mmn, it's okay. It doesn't really bother me, I just... really haven't thought about it. I was leaving to go back to my podunk town again when I wound up here, and didn't have much time between leaving Tokyo and coming back to really... ruminate, I guess?
Oooh. I had plenty of time before I got here.
[Maybe too much time. Her gaze goes a little distant as she turns her gaze back up to the clouds with a quiet sigh. The final battle had been January 31, but she'd promised to meet up with her friends for graduation. She'd tried so hard to be there, even as it felt like weariness was settling deep into her bones and making it hard to move. And then-- she was here. She'd missed it anyway.
But if she hadn't, she'd never have met so many of the people here. It doesn't quite balance out, but it does ease the sting somewhat. She turns her head again to catch his eye with that same barely-there smile.]
I'm glad yours brought us together, at least.
[Maybe too much time. Her gaze goes a little distant as she turns her gaze back up to the clouds with a quiet sigh. The final battle had been January 31, but she'd promised to meet up with her friends for graduation. She'd tried so hard to be there, even as it felt like weariness was settling deep into her bones and making it hard to move. And then-- she was here. She'd missed it anyway.
But if she hadn't, she'd never have met so many of the people here. It doesn't quite balance out, but it does ease the sting somewhat. She turns her head again to catch his eye with that same barely-there smile.]
I'm glad yours brought us together, at least.
[She lets herself be quiet too, petting his hair and just holding him. The rest of the room nd the world seem to fall away, leaving just the two of them behind.
After a few quiet moments she speaks up softly] Did you want to lay down and rest for a bit?
After a few quiet moments she speaks up softly] Did you want to lay down and rest for a bit?
[His jaw feels stuck shut, despite her question, and his arms tighten just enough around her to be felt. He doesn't know how to say he doesn't mind, but he doesn't want her to leave. He deliberates for a while, wobbling his head a little in an uncertain gesture-- it's not a nod, but it's not shaking his head no, either. Eventually, he just plants his face against her shoulder, exhaling.]
If you want, [It's muffled, but it's something. How is he so bad a designating his own wants, goddamn.]
If you want, [It's muffled, but it's something. How is he so bad a designating his own wants, goddamn.]
[Sumi nods] Okay.
[And then...just kind of pushes Akira so that they flop down together on the bed. She doesn't let go of him either except to wiggle and get comfortable, making sure he isn't going to be crushing her arm or something. She giggles a little and pulls his pillow over so they can rest heir heads on it.
Who said anything about her leaving!!]
[And then...just kind of pushes Akira so that they flop down together on the bed. She doesn't let go of him either except to wiggle and get comfortable, making sure he isn't going to be crushing her arm or something. She giggles a little and pulls his pillow over so they can rest heir heads on it.
Who said anything about her leaving!!]
[The answer to that is obviously no. Of course you're not supposed to acknowledge any of the sounds that might betray Akechi's marble surface any more. Addressing this moment of weakness would be like taking step towards the point of no return.
Akechi clings on him harder as a response to the soothing gestures on his back. He let's another moment of silence fall over them, leaving only sounds of faint rustle of the sheets and their breathing filling the room. Minutes pass before Akechi pulls away just enough that he can arc his neck to look at Akira.
Amber eyes searches for the grey ones in the dim light, flushed and wide.]
Akechi clings on him harder as a response to the soothing gestures on his back. He let's another moment of silence fall over them, leaving only sounds of faint rustle of the sheets and their breathing filling the room. Minutes pass before Akechi pulls away just enough that he can arc his neck to look at Akira.
Amber eyes searches for the grey ones in the dim light, flushed and wide.]
[One thing Akira has never quite struggled with is eye contact. People said he had an intimidating gaze-- it was why he donned his plano lenses for his time in Tokyo, why he kept wearing them after, when he wanted to hide. Akechi looking up at him the way he has, Akira meets, his hand stilling against his back. His other reaches up and claims those very glasses, tilting his head just enough to look uncertain of Akechi's staring. He makes no sound, but he sure as hell isn't certain of Akechi's intent, here.]
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