[So if one of them died, then the other would too. Just like her and the barrier.]
... There's gotta be a way. I won't let you take him from me. Not again.
[And she'll take a few steps back, resting against the banister of the stairs as she stares at him, speaking evenly; there's a coldness in the air and her tone, words coming out with puffs of white vapor.]
[ —and Black stares back at her, obvious in the way he looks from her to the thorns, to his hand; he pulls it close to his chest, curling it into a fist, and closes his eyes. ]
I'm sorry I'm so weak, White.
[ He sounds it, too. He's tired of not being able to wrestle control properly thanks to the agreement he and that guy had made, he's tired of hurting her without his consent, he's tired of... a lot of things. ]
[She mimics the action unknowingly, a phantom pain in her heart, and she studies him for a moment just to be sure that it's totally her brother before she moves forward again, the thorns parting and blossoming again.]
You're not, Black. You're a lot stronger than you think you are.
[But she won't slump against him like she wants to. Instead, White simply takes his injured hand and turns it over, smiling slightly. Tiredly. Maybe she can get someone to teach her how to heal...]
You're just also clumsy and stupid. I'll get you a band-aid if you get me something to eat. Okay?
[ He can do that. He opens his eyes again, smiles at her, and shuffles back to the kitchen—his flowers wave at White when he does so, and Benny comes scampering back with Socks
oh
oh they. missed it. well. She's going to follow White anyway, whining softly. She missed her. ]
[... It's so, so normal again, and that's surreal. White looks down at Benny, trying for her name, and kneels down once she's got it. Up you go, doggy!!]
I missed you too, Benny. [Well, she would've if she remembered anything about this place.] I'm glad you've been taking care of my brother and-- Socks!
[exCUSE, Socks has landed on her shoulders, he loves her and missed her too!!]
... I've missed you both so much.
[... Okay, let's go get her stupid brother a bandage and sit in the kitchen while he makes food.]
[ He's working on something easy—just reheating soup, honestly, and he tilts his head at her when she comes in. There's glass on the table, so watch out, it... was just water, so he's not in too much of a hurry to wipe it up. ]
I hope you don't mind leftovers?
[ ...it's painfully normal, and he stirs the soup a little faster; he's still on pins and needles, but it doesn't seem like anything else is going to happen. ]
[... Leftovers might be better than anything new, anyway, and she'll settle down with Benny and Socks, setting the bandage away from the glass.]
Did you celebrate our Verensversary without me, or can I buy a cake?
[Because she knows it's a different day than she left -- even the... weird time thing back home aside, she left the day before, it's gotta be different. Just like how their "normal" is different now.
... At least Black didn't ask what happened after he went out. Or about the deal. But it's probably just something he's waiting to trap her in.]
[ How cruel, that you'd think him possible of that. ]
It completely slipped my mind, actually, so buy away. [ It... didn't slip his mind at all, he sort of forced it out because he didn't want to celebrate it practically alone. ] Just the two of us, okay? I like our friends, but... it seems a little silly to have a big party over something like this.
[ He'll pause in stirring to grab the bandage and fix himself up, returning to the soup and, once he's sure it's reheated perfectly, ladling it out into two bowls and setting them on the table.
Black glances at the glass and water, fingers hovering slightly off of his bowl, and he goes to search for the hand towel they definitely have in their kitchen and that he didn't forget to take down from the laundry line. ]
...There's some things we should talk about [ it's not much of trapping if he's warning her ahead of time, really ] but I'll let you come out with them yourself.
[... No, it's even more trapping if he tells her ahead of time, just for a different reason. Benny gets put down and Socks is tapped off the table, though she pets them with her bare feet anyway.]
It doesn't matter anymore.
[She should really, really be more open with Black, she knows that -- it's bad to be more open with someone you've known less than a year than your own family, but about this? It's been... it's been necessary, she tries to convince herself, and now that it's over and doesn't matter he doesn't need to know anyway.]
It does. [ He looks at her over his shoulder, then goes back to looking for their towel. It's here somewhere, isn't it? ] ...As long as the King of Despair is in me, it matters. As long as there's a chance Leonardo could come back, it matters. I don't want what happened at home to happen here, White.
[ Something sparks in him and he freezes—then shoves it back down, swallowing hard. There, the towel. He stands back up, shuffling over to clean up his mess. ]
I know that's connected to him, I just... don't know entirely where you fit in.
[The soup's already colder because of her emotions, but she doesn't care, she'll eat it anyway.
There's definitely no escaping this. Black might be patient and wait for her to come out about it herself, but she's not leaving this table without things being answered and talked over.
It's quiet when she finally speaks up.]
... After you made your deal with him, I made a deal with him too: that I'd do anything he asked, as long as he gave you back to me. Part of what he asked of me was about Leo's eyes -- the All-Seeing Eyes of the Gods. I was told to look out for them, and when I found them... to keep them close for when he needed them.
[For his... whatever.]
And when that was done, he'd return you to me. I thought-- I thought you were gone forever, after he took you over the first time, so--
[The bowl's cracking in her anxiety and she purses her lips, watching the soup leak out. That's all there is to it though.]
... So when he asked, [let her have that hand towel,] I took Leo to that church in the graveyard and waited until he arrived.
[Betrayed Leo's trust. His friendship. All she'd wanted to do was be his friend -- to have fun with him, to talk to him every day, to forget that she was hospital-bound for some reason or another. But it was harder day by day to ignore the fact she didn't have her brother entirely too.]
[ He's quiet while she explains, handing off the towel when she reaches for it; he's pursing his lips all the while, thinking it through, and when he catches a hint of irritated amusement he sighs and sits across from her. ]
Is that all... [ Like it's no big deal—but it is, and he's just... preparing himself. ] And then he used them to find the barriers, I assume, and then... okay.
[ Okay. ]
Don't talk to him again, okay? [ Like you can stop it. ] I'm going to take some precautions so nothing bad can happen to you or anyone else here. [ Because that worked the first time, eh, brother? ] Silver already knows, so I think the next step is probably to tell the Enforcers—
[ So you can get kicked out of it? Who's after that, Tsukiyama-san?
Black freezes with his spoon halfway to his lips; he sets it back down, folding his hands on the table, and looks at White. ]
...Never mind. I'm not sure even telling people about him would help. [ There's a chuckle in his mind, and he swallows hard. ] I just... I don't know. I don't want anyone to get hurt again, White. Not you, not anyone here, not the world back home... but I don't know what to do.
[She's quiet, too, looking at the bowl in front of her instead of anywhere else.]
Telling people helps. [Then, more hesitantly:] I told Silver everything a while back, actually. About all of that.
[Because it was part of her strategy to try and dissuade him from wanting to be close to her -- it didn't work, seeing as they're still dating for... for months, now. Because he trusts her even after all of that.]
He... and Junko are the only ones that know.
[...]
I think it's a good idea to tell your co-workers. They'll know to look out for anything suspicious, and that way if something does happen they'll already be aware that it wasn't you who caused it.
[Let's move off that Junko thing Fast.]
And if there's someone else you trust, you should tell them too. But he isn't going to get what he wants here, [because dying doesn't work out,] and... I'm not working with him anymore, since our deal's off. That's why I said it didn't matter.
[White's not sure, either, but that doesn't matter. She's gonna take her brother's hand and squeeze it.]
It'll be okay. He... won't let you get into serious trouble anyway, since he needs your body.
[Isn't that right?]
And there's no way I'd like them take away your feelings or crystal or anything like that. Your sister's a representative, you know? I have some amount of power. If worst comes to worst, I'll protect you, just like I used to.
[When she got over herself, anyway, and kicked the asses of his bullies. She'll try for a smile now, even if it's more than a little tired and she can feel the air around her press down with the weight of her words. Could she really?]
...You shouldn't have to protect your big brother, [ he replies after a long moment, squeezing her hand back. ] Mom and Dad told me to take care of you before they disappeared into the barrier.
[ Some help he's been. (He's been trying his best to keep her safe.) ]
But... okay. Sorry. I wish I were stronger, White. [ Again, forever, always— ] Are you tired? You must be, you should... rest for now. Take a few days off. It won't hurt.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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... There's gotta be a way. I won't let you take him from me. Not again.
[And she'll take a few steps back, resting against the banister of the stairs as she stares at him, speaking evenly; there's a coldness in the air and her tone, words coming out with puffs of white vapor.]
Give him back control.
1/2
Instead of moving, he just raises his hand, finger pointed like a gun— ]
Bang.
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I'm sorry I'm so weak, White.
[ He sounds it, too. He's tired of not being able to wrestle control properly thanks to the agreement he and that guy had made, he's tired of hurting her without his consent, he's tired of... a lot of things. ]
no subject
You're not, Black. You're a lot stronger than you think you are.
[But she won't slump against him like she wants to. Instead, White simply takes his injured hand and turns it over, smiling slightly. Tiredly. Maybe she can get someone to teach her how to heal...]
You're just also clumsy and stupid. I'll get you a band-aid if you get me something to eat. Okay?
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[ He can do that. He opens his eyes again, smiles at her, and shuffles back to the kitchen—his flowers wave at White when he does so, and Benny comes scampering back with Socks
oh
oh they. missed it. well. She's going to follow White anyway, whining softly. She missed her. ]
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I missed you too, Benny. [Well, she would've if she remembered anything about this place.] I'm glad you've been taking care of my brother and-- Socks!
[exCUSE, Socks has landed on her shoulders, he loves her and missed her too!!]
... I've missed you both so much.
[... Okay, let's go get her stupid brother a bandage and sit in the kitchen while he makes food.]
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I hope you don't mind leftovers?
[ ...it's painfully normal, and he stirs the soup a little faster; he's still on pins and needles, but it doesn't seem like anything else is going to happen. ]
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[... Leftovers might be better than anything new, anyway, and she'll settle down with Benny and Socks, setting the bandage away from the glass.]
Did you celebrate our Verensversary without me, or can I buy a cake?
[Because she knows it's a different day than she left -- even the... weird time thing back home aside, she left the day before, it's gotta be different. Just like how their "normal" is different now.
... At least Black didn't ask what happened after he went out. Or about the deal. But it's probably just something he's waiting to trap her in.]
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It completely slipped my mind, actually, so buy away. [ It... didn't slip his mind at all, he sort of forced it out because he didn't want to celebrate it practically alone. ] Just the two of us, okay? I like our friends, but... it seems a little silly to have a big party over something like this.
[ He'll pause in stirring to grab the bandage and fix himself up, returning to the soup and, once he's sure it's reheated perfectly, ladling it out into two bowls and setting them on the table.
Black glances at the glass and water, fingers hovering slightly off of his bowl, and he goes to search for the hand towel they definitely have in their kitchen and that he didn't forget to take down from the laundry line. ]
...There's some things we should talk about [ it's not much of trapping if he's warning her ahead of time, really ] but I'll let you come out with them yourself.
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It doesn't matter anymore.
[She should really, really be more open with Black, she knows that -- it's bad to be more open with someone you've known less than a year than your own family, but about this? It's been... it's been necessary, she tries to convince herself, and now that it's over and doesn't matter he doesn't need to know anyway.]
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[ Something sparks in him and he freezes—then shoves it back down, swallowing hard. There, the towel. He stands back up, shuffling over to clean up his mess. ]
I know that's connected to him, I just... don't know entirely where you fit in.
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There's definitely no escaping this. Black might be patient and wait for her to come out about it herself, but she's not leaving this table without things being answered and talked over.
It's quiet when she finally speaks up.]
... After you made your deal with him, I made a deal with him too: that I'd do anything he asked, as long as he gave you back to me. Part of what he asked of me was about Leo's eyes -- the All-Seeing Eyes of the Gods. I was told to look out for them, and when I found them... to keep them close for when he needed them.
[For his... whatever.]
And when that was done, he'd return you to me. I thought-- I thought you were gone forever, after he took you over the first time, so--
[The bowl's cracking in her anxiety and she purses her lips, watching the soup leak out. That's all there is to it though.]
... So when he asked, [let her have that hand towel,] I took Leo to that church in the graveyard and waited until he arrived.
[Betrayed Leo's trust. His friendship. All she'd wanted to do was be his friend -- to have fun with him, to talk to him every day, to forget that she was hospital-bound for some reason or another. But it was harder day by day to ignore the fact she didn't have her brother entirely too.]
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Is that all... [ Like it's no big deal—but it is, and he's just... preparing himself. ] And then he used them to find the barriers, I assume, and then... okay.
[ Okay. ]
Don't talk to him again, okay? [ Like you can stop it. ] I'm going to take some precautions so nothing bad can happen to you or anyone else here. [ Because that worked the first time, eh, brother? ] Silver already knows, so I think the next step is probably to tell the Enforcers—
[ So you can get kicked out of it? Who's after that, Tsukiyama-san?
Black freezes with his spoon halfway to his lips; he sets it back down, folding his hands on the table, and looks at White. ]
...Never mind. I'm not sure even telling people about him would help. [ There's a chuckle in his mind, and he swallows hard. ] I just... I don't know. I don't want anyone to get hurt again, White. Not you, not anyone here, not the world back home... but I don't know what to do.
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Telling people helps. [Then, more hesitantly:] I told Silver everything a while back, actually. About all of that.
[Because it was part of her strategy to try and dissuade him from wanting to be close to her -- it didn't work, seeing as they're still dating for... for months, now. Because he trusts her even after all of that.]
He... and Junko are the only ones that know.
[...]
I think it's a good idea to tell your co-workers. They'll know to look out for anything suspicious, and that way if something does happen they'll already be aware that it wasn't you who caused it.
[Let's move off that Junko thing Fast.]
And if there's someone else you trust, you should tell them too. But he isn't going to get what he wants here, [because dying doesn't work out,] and... I'm not working with him anymore, since our deal's off. That's why I said it didn't matter.
[She'll find a way to save him herself.]
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I'll... think about it. My co-workers, sure, but anyone else, I... [ ... ] There's no one else, really, I guess.
[ He hates lying to his sister, and his eyes aren't on her when he says it. ]
I'm not sure how they'd punish him without punishing me, is the thing. I'm scared, White. [ A weak laugh. ] There's no way they could.
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It'll be okay. He... won't let you get into serious trouble anyway, since he needs your body.
[Isn't that right?]
And there's no way I'd like them take away your feelings or crystal or anything like that. Your sister's a representative, you know? I have some amount of power. If worst comes to worst, I'll protect you, just like I used to.
[When she got over herself, anyway, and kicked the asses of his bullies. She'll try for a smile now, even if it's more than a little tired and she can feel the air around her press down with the weight of her words. Could she really?]
Okay?
no subject
[ Some help he's been. (He's been trying his best to keep her safe.) ]
But... okay. Sorry. I wish I were stronger, White. [ Again, forever, always— ] Are you tired? You must be, you should... rest for now. Take a few days off. It won't hurt.