Empatheias IC inbox

[ryuwrighthistory]

Use this for any IC one-on-one contact, messenger birds and finishing any loose ends at empatheias

Comments

[exchangeable]

— don't—

[ It's a murmured protest, not really aimed at anyone. He's still sleeping, it seems. ]

[ryuwrighthistory]

[He jerks his hand away at that.] Oh- [He's not asleep?? No, his eyes are still closed. He frowns, this was familiar to him. He was dreaming.]

[exchangeable]

[ He curls up a bit on himself now that Naruhodou isn't there to fill the empty space, but remains silent otherwise. ]

[ryuwrighthistory]

[Shiro lets out a wark when she suddenly slips off, looking up between the two of them in a daze.

Naruhodou meanwhile was too busy worrying over his partner. It hurt to see him like this, struggling with whatever it was he was dreaming about. Asougi had always tried to keep his vulnerable side close to his heart, always on his guard. To have it exposed right before him like this, it's upsetting and all the more telling how much Asougi still kept to himself. He reaches for his partner's hand, hoping it'll reach him, remind him he was still here with him.]

[exchangeable]

[ He jerks his hand back at that, letting out a sharp gasp as he sits up suddenly, eyes wide, breathing heavily. It's probably a good thing that both swords are far away from the bed right now. ]

[ryuwrighthistory]

Uwah-! [He raises both his hands, then quickly holds onto the bed to keep himself from falling backwards. Shiro jumps with a start, huddling close to Naruhodou. The lights flicker in the room.] A-Asougi... [He looked terrified. Slowly, he moves a hesitant hand toward his shoulder.]

[exchangeable]

[ Things seem incredibly heated right up by Asougi, though the heat dies off quickly enough, falling into a cold snap when his eyes come into focus and he realizes where he is and who he's with. He breathes steadily, glancing over at Naruhodou's hand on his shoulder, then slowly towards him. ]

. . . Naruhodou.

[ryuwrighthistory]

. . . [Without another word, he leans forward and pulls his partner into a hug.] I'm here. [His voiced was muffled as his head was resting on his shoulder.]

[exchangeable]

[ There's a great deal of tension in his body still, accentuated by the cold snap that lingers in the air. But it wanes as Naruhodou pulls him in, and Asougi leans in against him, closing his eyes. ]

. . . Mm.

[ryuwrighthistory]

[He squeezes him gently in his arms, rubbing his back. Looks like he isn't going anywhere for awhile, and that's just fine.]

[exchangeable]

[ Slowly but surely, Asougi relaxes in his arms, breathing stabilizing somewhat. ]

[ryuwrighthistory]

[He waits patiently for his partner to calm down before saying anything to him.] Take deep breaths. You're safe here. [He's taking a deep breath himself.]

[exchangeable]

[ He focuses on his breathing quietly, fingers curling as he grips at the fabric at Naruhodou's back, remaining silent for the most part. ]

[ryuwrighthistory]

[He stays with him, waiting. He'll reach up to run a hand through his hair at least, that seem to help calm him before.]

. . .Do you, do you want to talk about it? [It worked for him, but this was Asougi. Would he want to talk about it?]

[exchangeable]

No.

[ The answer comes almost immediately, though it's a soft response. ]

[ryuwrighthistory]

ah-...r-right. [He might have flinched a little at that. Even if there was no bite behind his refusal, it still felt like he might have crossed something he shouldn't have.]

[exchangeable]

[ He leans in a bit more, quiet. At least Naruhodou was here. Naruhodou, who was warm and comforting, who countered the cold, who knew who he was. ]

[ryuwrighthistory]

. . .Asougi. [He bites his lower lip. He pulls back, so he could look at Asougi in the face.] No matter what, I'm here for you. [He presses his hand against his cheek.]

[exchangeable]

[ He draws a hand up, resting it lightly over Naruhodou's. ]

. . . So will I.

[ryuwrighthistory]

[He smiles, though there was a hint of worry behind it. Should he just let this pass? It was just a bad dream, wasn't it? And yet, letting Asougi keep it bottled up inside felt like he was doing him a disservice as his partner. He shuts his eyes, bracing for what would come from this.]

Then...then talk to me. If there's anything I can do, I'll do it for you. I want to help you through this!

[exchangeable]

[ The air around them gets colder at that, and he murmurs. ]

Not now . . .

[ryuwrighthistory]

[The tension drops, as he lets out the air he had been holding in. It wasn't an outright no, but how often has he heard that from Asougi at this point? He didn't miss that sudden temperature drop when he pressed him about it again too.]

Fine, not now then. [He's sick, it's better to wait, eventhough his tone carried some wariness, worn out by the same response from Asougi. He gives himself a moment to regain his composure, then lowers his hand to lean into Asougi, his forehead pressed against his.] Mm, it feels like your fever hasn't gotten any better.

[exchangeable]

[ He knows it's tiring and while in some respects, he's gotten better at opening up and sharing with Naruhodou, there are still some things he's not ready to talk about. Those missing months . . . well, those were among the many topics he'd still kept locked away, not up for discussion. He lets out a soft hum when Naruhodou presses his forehead against his. ]

. . . I need at least a day or two of rest. I know that much.

[ryuwrighthistory]

Mm. [He should be resting right now, but after what happened...no, he has to try. He presses his hands against his shoulders, pushing him gently to lay back down, him going along with him.]

[exchangeable]

[ He sighs, not resisting any of that at the very least. ]

I'm fine, Naruhodou. I'll get back to sleep soon enough.