ryuwrighthistory | Empatheias IC inbox

Well, good. Maybe I'll have a better chance of hitting something if they're on fire. [If he's going to just stand there and keep telling him off, then fine, he'll just tune it out. What does he know? The bow is raised and drawn back again.]

[ He crosses his arms, frowning over at him silently. ]

[He's not complaining anymore? Good. Sadly he's not going to be making much progress. The first barely reaches the tree, another few scrap the tree, one looked like it managed to hit, only to bounce off, amazing. Despite how terrible things were going, Naruhodou showed no sign of stopping until he was out of arrows and had to go gather them again.]

That was predictably terrible.

[ . . . is his blunt assessment. ]

[Deep breaths.] Thank you, for your unhelpful and obvious observation. [That's getting a snide comment back. He's back in position again, rolling his shoulders to shake things off, or try to at least. Once again, his bow is up and taking aim, hands shaking.]

I tried helping, but you weren't having it.

[ He shrugs! ]

Telling me to stop isn't helping! [There's a THWACK sound as the bow smacks him squarely in the face. The bow had been drawn and he lost focus yelling at Asougi. He hisses, pressing a hand over his face. He really hopes this won't leave a bruise later.]

Telling you to take a break to pull in your focus, on the other hand . . .

[ He sighs, stepping over, and reaches over to the hand on his face. ] Here, let me see it.

[He was reluctant to listen to him at first, but he'll move his hand in the end without saying a word. His wouldn't look at him in the face, his eyes unfocused. He seem pretty shaken up by something, and a red bruise was forming where the bow had hit him. He didn't cut himself anywhere, at least.]

Alright. Now I'm going to insist you take a break.

[ He shifts his hand over to his shoulder and squeezes it gently before reaching around to steer him over to a spot where they can sit. ]

[There's still a bit of fight left in him and for a second, he thought about tossing him. In the end he couldn't bring himself to do it and gets directed anyway. The area above Naruhodou's head gets dark as a gloom sets in, shoulders drooping. Completely useless again.]

[ Once they're seated, he eyes him quietly for a moment before speaking up again. ]

Tell me what's on your mind, Naruhodou.

. . . [He takes his bento, slowly unwrapping the furoshiki.] Someday, we may find ourselves in a situation where we're forced to fight our way to safety here. I don't want to be a burden to you if that ever happens. [And then losing his best friend because of him.]

Is that really all it is? [ He takes his own bento, resting it in his lap. ] You've been quiet all morning. Tense.

Well of course, I didn't sleep well last night after all. [He snaps back unintentionally. He looks away, pressing a hand over his face as he takes a moment to breath, realizing what he's done.] I'm just...I just want these nightmares to stop. I want to spend time with you without constantly worrying, but I can't help it.

[ He lets out a soft sigh at that response — not so much what he says, but how he says it, and shakes his head. ]

It's not something one gets over easily, you know.

It's been four months, yet it doesn't feel like I've made much progress. [He slides his hand down, shaking his head.]

It's just today. . .I'll be fine tomorrow. [His voice sounded more quiet and tired. He proceeds to open his bento. Both will come with vegetables, tamago, fish cakes, rice and a protein. Asougi gets stewed beef while Naruhodou has chicken.]

[ He opens his as well, settling in. ]

You're doing fine.

. . .[His response to that is to eat a bit of his bento. It helps, a little. Leaning into his partner also helps.]

[ He huffs, leaning back into him as he starts picking at his food. ]

I mean that. And you say I push myself too hard.

[That...manages to put a smile on his face, finding something amusing.] Well, you do. [There's no bite behind his words, and his mood seems to have improved.] Thanks.

Now you listen to me? Honestly . . .

[ But it's a good-natured retort, and he chuckles softly. ]

It helps when you're actually being encouraging. [He gives him a nudge. Just a thought, eventhough he was the one being really stubborn.]

Is the food ok?

Don't get me started. [ He snorts, shaking his head. ] — but yes, it's fine as always.

It's not too spicy? [More like, he barely put any in.]

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