Tabula Rasa Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
tabularasa_mods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
tabularasa_rp2020-09-15 10:58 pm
tabularasa_mods) wrote in tabularasa_rp2020-09-15 10:58 pm
Entry tags:
- *game event,
- *mingle,
- *open,
- 2064 rom: turing,
- dragon age inquisition: cole,
- elsword: add,
- fate/grand order: merlin,
- ffvii remake: aerith gainsborough,
- ffvii remake: tifa lockhart,
- ffvii: zack fair,
- ffviii: rinoa heartilly,
- ffxv: noctis lucis caelum,
- original: melinoë,
- persona 5: ren amamiya,
- pokémon: raihan,
- pokémon: samuel oak,
- starbound: indigo,
- watch_dogs: damien brenks
003 - Memories of a False History
Memories of a False History
State of the World ▲ Locations ▼ BestiaryOOC ▲ Comments
The Sound of All Things Bad
The sound comes without warning. What the sound is cannot quite be made out - it is at once artificial and natural, bestial and mechanical, rumbling and roaring and crunching, shattering and crashing and screaming. Everything about it feels like a threat, warning of danger. The cacophony of noise reaches throughout the entire Void, loud and inescapable, the mangling and clashing of different sounds leaving each individual with a different idea of what it could possibly have been. It sounds different to everyone, each person able to pick out a part of the sound that ties to their own fears.
What if...?
How long the sound lasts would depend on how the individual perceives time. It might last for seconds, or it might last for minutes, but once it stops it does not repeat. Where it came from or what it is does not become the slightest bit clearer, and people are left to only speculate.
Disaster
No one can quite be sure what has prompted them to remember that day. It might have been that noise of approaching doom, or perhaps it is seeing the crumbling ruins of Hammerlocke itself. Once a stray memory surfaces, it is easy enough to look into the details and recall in full the vivid memory of Hammerlocke’s destruction - the ‘truth’ of what caused the mountainside city to crumble into ruins, as so many have wondered since their first appearance. Though the memory is clear and detailed, vivid enough to have been witnessed in person, it is out of place and does not belong, and anyone who can recall the events knows it.
Attempting to discuss the matter will soon reveal that while others recall the event with similar clarity, the details vary from person to person. Over time, their own memory changes and adapts, occasionally changing to something new entirely, yet the original is never completely forgotten. Memory is a strange and fickle thing, so easy to influence and manipulate, that the truth is difficult to find.
While memories differ from person to person, there are three particular tales that recur:
From the Sky
Though the sky above did not change from its paper-like blank white, the land grew darker and darker as though cast in shadow. The source of the shadow was clear: above, slowly descending towards the wings of the castle, was... something. Something immense, yet shrouded in crackling storm clouds.
As it continued to grow closer and closer, something in the clouds began to swell. It grew larger and larger, an electric hum of energy in the air, until with a resounding crack it burst and a great shadowy beast fell to the ground, landing with such force that the resulting shockwave shook the earth and tore through the stone buildings, causing so much of the city to tumble in an instant. It moves, and it screeches, raising its head up as the great storm above continues to swell and crackle.
This would not be the only beast.
(Based upon: Meteor, the Lunar Cry, and the Darkest Day)
The Battlefield
It was never clear why the fighting eventually made its way to this defenseless city, but it came without warning. The chaos was heralded only by explosions as the city walls were blasted through by tanks that had somehow made their way along the treacherous and narrow mountain path that simply was not meant for such heavy machines. The thundering explosions and the collapse of buildings could surely be heard for miles, and people and animals alike were quick to flee.
Though they reached Hammerlocke first, the tanks seemed like nothing compared to the enemy. The enormous shadowy monstrosity that swooped in from the sky seemed to be made from far more advanced technology. Even just the one towering machine, as large as the castle falling to ruins beneath its feet as it lands, proves deadly as it fires upon the approaching tanks, blasting them all to pieces within an instant before turning fire on whichever buildings remain standing.
(Based upon: Tanks, and Reapers)
The Mysterious StormMisplaced Memories
There had been no way to predict the change in the weather, never mind how destructive it would prove. One moment, everything had been still and quiet, and the next the city was assailed by howling, violent winds and freezing, glittering snow and ice. Though the city was built of stone and had stood the test of time for centuries, it could not stand against these combined forces. The only shelter was underground, for the furious storm was so powerful it could rip through earth, lift up and fling any object in its path with devastating force, shattering windows and toppling buildings.
Propelled by such force, the ice and hail proved destructive in its own right. As the storm froze everything in its path, the hailstones became like bullets and great chunks of ice became missiles. By the time the winds began to grow calm, there was little left standing.
Something about the storm seemed somehow unnatural, but where it came from was anyone’s guess. Some, however, may have spied a vague figure through the tempest, of unclear appearance but its presence somehow threatening.
(Based upon: Weather, El shortage, and Diamond Dust)
Worries about whatever disaster must have befallen the ruined city of Hammerlocke aside, people quickly become aware that memories of the disaster are not the only invasive, foreign memories. How the other memories come to them seems, on the surface, to be very similar: a connected thought occurs, and upon realizing the memory is not theirs, people are compelled to think more about it until the memory is uncovered in full detail. Unlike the memory of the disaster, however, this one quite clearly belongs to someone else. Someone who is here.
On puzzling this out, some might find they have more than one stray memory sitting in their minds. More importantly, however, is the feeling that something from their own memory is missing, and whatever memory is missing feels like it is something important. It could just be their own phone number, or it could be their name, or the face of whoever is most important to them. It could be something small, it could be something big, but all people know is that it’s something important and it’s gone.
There is no clear, immediate answer as to what people can do about their lost memories. With regards to their new memories, however, the path might seem a tiny bit clearer, for surely it seems a bit unfair that they can see into someone’s past in such a manner without their knowing. Perhaps it’s best to talk to them about it?
Although the lost memory is not always the same as the ones borrowed, taking the memory back to its source and prompting them to discuss and think about it proves a great help - as they talk, the invasive memory leaves, a lost memory is restored, and those who succeed are able to tell others the solution.
While the invasive memory is gone, people can still recall having it, and can still recall the details, but they will no longer remember it from the other’s point of view. Perhaps it might change how they see each other from now on?
no subject
at least wounds heal over time, so no need to stress over concealers and the like till then. moving around is tough, and not letting leo know of a blunder like this is even tougher, but he'll handle it. he always have.
so when leo comes barging in, he'll find izumi curled up on the bed, eyes strained shut while he covers his ears with his hands. at least he's not wincing from the soreness of his body yet. ]
Who hasn't heard of that?! Ugh, I'm trying to sleep here!
[ "but sleep isn't a concept --" shut the fuck up. what if he wants to go back to sleep to get ahold of those memories once more? especially the one where he met mikejima just now...... ]
no subject
also, thought he didn’t wanna try counting sheep. leo makes his way over to the bed with a slightly less chaotic air than usual, bending over so his arms rest on it. he’s not taking up much space.
he’s basically hanging over the side, as he says: ]
I can sing you a lullaby if you want!
[ in a way that implies they both know that’s not going to help. just a stupid little comment, in the middle of what is a new situation in the already new. slightly unsettling. it’s fine.
his mind’s still a little muddled, his focus shifting between that and sena, but for the time being he’s forcing his focus on the latter. ]
… You doing okay?
1/???
[ even through the soreness he can't help the deadpan. of course he's not okay, no one is. he just got here and already this place is exposing details that no one wants to show anyone. and izumi's sure as hell that leo doesn't want to talk about any of his baggage as much as he himself does.
but alas, there's only one way to bring it back. hate it here.
give him a moment to sit up on the bed slowly and carefully, blinking blearily with leo with a head of messy hair. ]
...I think I just got one of yours.
2/
you find yourself in what seems to be one of the practice rooms in yumenosaki -- the soundproof ones that were hard to reserve if one's not fast enough. everything seems to be normal, from the lighting to the full-length mirrors that make up one side of the wall, to the tied-up form of makoto yuuki.
you are all smiles, and infatuated as hell. much like a schoolgirl in love, you pick up a pair of chopsticks and pick at the delicious-looking bento on your lap, lifting a little octopus sausage and bringing it to makoto's mouth, cooing him to open up~, but to no avail. makoto's still struggling with his tied up arms and legs, demanding that he be let go right now because he'll miss the DDD!
and in your mind, you're like - that's the whole point. in here, no one will ever harm him. not even tenshouin, who's being even more annoying with his revolution schtick lately. you tell makoto that no one's ever going to come get him from here, because it's soundproofed. it's just the three of them now - you, him, and this lovingly-made bento sitting between them.
yes. you've finally kept him safe. unlike before, when you failed in saving someone else. ]
3/3
Wanna talk about it?
no subject
if there's something there he doesn't want to revisit, he doesn't even remember.
what does he remember? those studio mirrors. failure. a need to protect. then, it all comes undone. what strikes him then is one awful thing he hasn't forgotten--
( he can't judge it, either, given it's the direct consequences of his cowardice... which is one thing he won't ever forget, probably. )
--but he's never known it intimately like this. what're you doing, void, dragging up this stuff? leo can just call attention to izumi speaking again, and his immediate reaction to that question he barely catches is
no
maybe not! what he says, instead, is: ]
Depends! [ he'll adjust to lean his head onto the bed now. if they're going to have to go through this, he might as well make himself more comfortable. ] Did you wanna keep it? Whatever it is?
[ he's kidding!!! the terrible part is that leo does consider that he could pluck this little thing out of sena's head for a whole 0.5 seconds. he won't, but. wild, isn't it, that that's a thing?
awful. it's probably never not gonna hurt a little, knowing he drove sena into that corner, huh. ]
no subject
and yet he's narrowing his eyes at leo anyway, though it's only because he's considering his question more than anything. ]
Of course I'm not going to keep it. It's yours.
[ he closes his eyes, recounts the memory in his mind again. ]
You were at a different town, with Mikejima. Performing at a concert.
[ a concert, not a live. it looked as though it was during the summertime too, while the rest of knights were out doing starmine in trickstar among other silly summer shenanigans. ah, those were the days.
--ah, but what exactly happened during starmine again? he remembers the concert itself, but it's as though there's some gaps missing... has he become like leo, or did someone else get his memory of that specific event, he wonders.
his eyes open again, and the look he's giving leo is somewhat resigned, brows knitted together in slight annoyance. ]
...You really should've called me when you got back from wherever you are, you know.
[ no, he probably couldn't count leo to do even that either. who knows how many phones he's lost along the way. then again, it was all izumi's fault at the time too, right?
his fists clutch tightly at the blanket without realizing it. ]
no subject
leo's not certain of the details, as the fog in his mind lightens only slightly. there is, vaguely, a time with mama that pops into his mind... but not really much else.
in comparison, sena's memory is still vividly there, and his friend's rather blunt response to leo's half-joke of keeping things not belonging to them makes him feel a little guilty for even considering it. sena's small little tells, too. his gaze fall to izumi's fists, carefully, but-- yeah. that's another thing.
"of course I'm not going to keep it. it's yours." of course leo shouldn't keep it, it's sena's. it might be toootally, totally wrong, in some respects -- it was his own stupid fault, and he can think that even if ever blaming sena wasn't one of those painful thing lost to the void -- but it's sena's.
he shifts, picking himself up off the floor to sit on the bed. ]
Yeah. I should have.
[ if he did, and put himself back together sooner, maybe the little piece of izumi leo's holding wouldn't be a thing. sena's sins are his own, after all.
he could leave it at that, but he won't. ]
This isn't a good excuse or anything. There were just questions like: "how do I talk to Sena? What am I gonna say?" jumping around in my mind, that I couldn't really answer. I think? [ ha ha ha. ] That's not an absolute 'cause things are still fuzzy! But it's a wrong thing that feels right to say, so...
[ and this sure is part two of Not Sure What To Tell Sena so this is wonderful. ]
no subject
[ it sounds like the kind of snark izumi would've thrown at leo on normal days, but deep inside he's... mm. while izumi's doing his best to be more gentle nowadays - a far cry from the beginning of the past year where he was close to being called a tyrant during leo's absence - it's still pretty hard when leo's still beating around the bush, y'know? he's got no time for that shit! even in this world that has no semblance of time at all!
he shifts on the bed to sit beside leo with a sigh, trying to remember what else to help jog his old friend's memory. ]
I think it took place in the middle of summer. You know what else happened during that time? Knights and Trickstar had to do a live at a beach in the next town over. Hah, wouldn't it be funny if we both happened to perform at the same freaking town the whole time?
[ a soft chuckle. yeah right, what are the odds of that. izumi's own expression lightens enough, though. ]
I don't remember a lot of details about it, though. Wonder if someone else took that memory from me. [ he presses on without a beat. ] But what I do remember is telling Knights that even if you weren't there, we should give it our all a hundred percent, as if you really were.
[ that's the least they can do while leo's gone, anyway. recounting leo's memory lifted some bits of burden off izumi's shoulder at least, knowing that maybe, just maybe, leo really did hear them too. ]
At least I do owe Mikejima one. Seriously, that guy. [ he did a much better job looking after and taking care of leo than izumi ever could. why even bother telling izumi to do it in his stead in their second year, huh.
bastard. ]
no subject
ha, jesus. only he could find a way to stab leo while simultaneously lifting him up, in some weird, twisted contradiction... though it's not as if it's izumi's fault at all. they're all scattered everywhere, and leo's not dropping any hints that he's holding anything at all.
sena was working hard. that's the confirmation of that thought he had back then, as he recalls the echoes of their songs. though he doesn't even really need that. he knew that fact even before this moment... knew that sena remained steadfast, even if it was in the wrong ways, at times. the proof of that is the foreign memory in his mind. ]
Ahh, what the heck...! You're giving me a lot of mixed everything here, Sena... it's me that owes Mama, and you guys-- [ gross. gross. but it's true. ] --I heard you, you know. Maybe you do know, since they shoved you into my head for a little bit! Not then, at that exact moment in that exact summer, 'cause I don't have that memory, but... I heard you guys.
[ before sena can pick up on his little nudge-nudge there, his indirect confession, he'll just lay it bare himself, first, with the smallest tilt of the head and a smile that turns just slightly wry: ]
... So, you wanna hear me now? 'Cause I got something to give back to you, too.
[ sorry he has to pay back his debt this way-- ]
no subject
or maybe they're just two fuckin idiots who owe some big oaf for looking after their asses. it's literally the equivalent of slapping on some gorilla glue on their dysfunctional relationship - although they should mostly be functional by now. leo's heard izumi even from miles away, after all.
mostly.
izumi tilts his head curiously, raising a perfectly maintained eyebrow. huh, okay. what are the odds that leo would happen to have something that belongs to him? his hands grip the blankets again, the anticipation making him sick for some reason. although they've been more open with each other nowadays, there's still a niggling thought at the back of izumi's mind that one day, the veil will lift from leo's eyes and he will finally see izumi for who he really is.
he swallows. ]
...Sure. What is it?
no subject
now, could the truth of the best way to handle this come and hit him in the face? no? okay.
though to be honest, leo doesn't care much for the right way to handle it. he mostly... only... wants to handle this in the way that sena would want it. too bad that leo's awareness that he doesn't always know what that is didn't disappear. or, no, that isn't too bad... it's just terrible for his hesitation.
ahh, look at that. he told his friend to listen, and now here he is, kicking his feet off the side of the bed and wondering what to say. ]
... I shoulda said that after I figured out what was coming out of my mouth, huh. [ he'll just get on with it. and, because he's so terribly clumsy: ] ... First, I just wanna be sure... Would you want it back even if it hurt, Sena? Even if it wasn't the best thing, or even a good thing...?
[ don't kick his ass for that, okay. ]
no subject
What are you beating around the bush for? I’m gonna get mad the more you’re going to keep it from me, you know?!
[ oh boy. if only he truly knew. was it that bad? isn’t it enough that he already hurt leo so many times in the past alone? the guilt isn’t as heavyhanded now, but he can definitely feel that missing void within him. does he... really want that memory back?
he lets go of the blanket that he’s grabbing with a vice grip, something that he didn’t realize until now. of course he doesn’t want to get hurt — it’s natural to avoid things like that as much as possible. but even so... ]
...I won’t let you carry that big of a burden again. [ he looks down on his lap, voice resolute. ] Whatever I did, you probably don’t want to keep it as much as I do. So give it back.
[ even if it hurts. whatever it is, the emotions that memory has brought... izumi probably deserves it. ]
no subject
but also leo didn't personally think he was the one carrying burdens back then, not entirely. he kind of dumped them all on sena when he went and ditched, so isn't he the one who should be saying that?
he-- kinda laughs. not his usual cackle, no. just a slightly awkward laugh. ]
Don't get mad! There's no easy-peasy guide on this stuff, okay? I'm trying to make sure I don't mess it up. I messed stuff up in the past, after all. 'Cause I wasn't around for this...
[ see, this just does feel like he's hurting sena all over again, reminding him of an awful thing he did because of an awful thing leo did. he didn't want to do any of that anymore, but here they are.
he thought maybe it'd be better with sena's permission explicitly obtained. it's not. regardless, leo readies the knife. ]
D'you still remember Yuu-kun, Sena? Well, maybe you do, 'cause you mentioned Trickstar! I sure hope this place didn't take away a whole important person from your head.
[ haha,
honestly, this is bringing up memories that leo himself hadn't forgotten. the time when he'd spoken about this with yuu-kun himself pops up in his mind, and, well--looks like it's just time to deal with the other half of it. back then he'd been worried he'd blame makoto for this, despite the fact he felt it necessary to apologize. funny how he doesn't think about blaming sena for this one at all? ]
Anyway, mm... this one's about him. Around the time of the DDD, you stole him, tied him all up, and then locked him away. Away from everything you thought was out to hurt him, everything you thought could break him.
[ is that too vague? getting more detailed about it just feels like he's digging into something he already shouldn't be getting into. leo just wants to mention enough for sena to get his memory back, and nothing else.
oh. except for one thing. in the silence of sena's recollection, or the uncomfortable nature of this entire conversation, leo simply has to say-- ]
... Sorry, Sena. If I'd been juuuust a little stronger, I might not have had to give you back something like this at all.
[ that. ]
no subject
hah.
so! guess who had completely forgotten about makoto yuuki's existence until now? ]
Wh-what...?
[ izumi's eyes widen as his mind slowly processes the memory; it's like trying to download a photo with shitty wifi, but izumi can almost recall it. the soundproof practice room, the full-length mirrors that reflect makoto's terrified look on his face, the rope around his wrists and ankles.
he couldn't believe it. it's like being run over by a truck, with the tires that signify his guilt pressing onto his back as a reminder that he can't run away from this awful feeling forever. leo's meek little apology didn't help matters either, and izumi... well.
of course he'd react accordingly, and fast. one swift movement and he pins leo's shoulders down on the bed, his face a swirl of mixed emotions. anger, despair, regret - he can't decide. ]
What do you mean by that?! That was completely on me, you idiot! I didn't... I couldn't--
[ the curtain is lifting, and izumi isn't quick enough to bring it back down. ]
I just wanted to protect him. Because I-- I'm the one who wasn't strong enough. It's all my...
[ oh boy, he's losing it.
but at least he isn't Mad at leo, right? instead he's a lot more mad at himself! ]
no subject
leo doesn't even struggle as he's basically shoved over -- he'd hurt sena with this, after all, whether it be in the past or the present or... whenever. "maybe i really should've kept it," is a stray thought that pops into his mind upon seeing sena's expression. would that have been okay...?
too late for that.
now, izumi's vulnerability always leaves leo particularly wordless. much like when they were standing at the climax of the requiem stage, laying down their truths, he can't find what to say immediately. all he can do at first is raise his hand to the ones that are holding him down, originally grasping for a wrist, then hesitating for only a moment to bring it up to sena's cheek. as if the contact would keep him grounded, somehow? or as if that's a substitute for the words he still can't really find to make this okay? do those even exist?
wow, this is awful. ]
Is that what you think? ... No, I was in your head, so I know that's what it is. Usually I don't mind going with what you say, Sena, but I don't really agree with that!
[ ... ]
I already told Yuu-kun before, so maybe I should tell you this now, too. I consider your sins mine, you know? As the guy who backed you into that corner by backing myself into a corner, breaking apart and running away... It doesn't change what happened, but I'm not gonna let you carry a crushing, heavy burden all by yourself either.
[ it's fine. izumi's seen leo at his worst and stayed, so... leo seeing izumi at his worst and staying is just an obvious follow-up. ]
no subject
on one hand... yeah, maybe leo shouldn't have given back that memory after all. but how was izumi supposed to know that leo had that memory of all things?! he tries to find his voice again, and when he does, the first thing he asks is a deadpan: ]
...So you really have been talking to Yuu-kun. What else did you two talk about, huh?
[ stupid
but he doesn't want to dwell too deep into it either. all's said and done now, and he's more grateful for leo's words than he's willing to admit, really. if only they'd both said something sooner...
aaaaand then his back twitches in pain all of a sudden. oh right he was on top of leo right now -- ]
Agh--!
[ down he goes, his face planting onto leo's chest. how embarrassing, but this is a pretty nifty way to hide his reddening face so it's fine. ]
Ow, my back... D-Don't ask. Ugh...
no subject
but ah, what the heck. that's one way to derail leo's train of thought, as his response gets drowned out by sena's sudden weight. it gives him a very sudden acute awareness of their positions, something which was previously drowned out by their situation.
...
well. his own face sure is reddening, questions mixed in with his quickening heartbeat. he can laugh about this one, right. will that help. except this one's awkward too, oops-- ]
Hmmm? What's up? Did thinking about the past make you age fifty years?
[ stooooop. "don't ask", izumi says, and leo proceeds to ask. it's in a playful manner, but leo does mean to ask genuinely. he's just terrible at remaining terribly serious for too long.
here's a couple light pats on izumi's back...... ]
no subject
[ he sure learned his lesson about that, but this is why shrimpy underclassmen deserve to be straightened out first before you let them go wild in society like that! damn fucking brat...
well, he's sore all over, so he just can't get himself to move no matter how Much he wants to. and he really, Really wants to? because he's even more aware of the positions they now find themselves in, and he's only thankful that the door is closed -- maybe. that and they're not in japan right now, since this'll cause quite a scandal that'll throw knights off the loop again.
sigh. ]
...But when you put it like that, yeah. It did make me age fifty years. I don't want to go back to those days, do you?
[ he mumbles, face still hidden. ]
It's going to be a heavy burden, though. Carrying something like that with me.
no subject
not to mention izumi's still on him. the patting stops, as he catches up with all of this. ]
Nah. But it's because of that time that I can say it's fine? Splitting something between two people is always gonna make it lighter, so why choose to cradle it on your shoulders aaaalll by yourself? Dump whatever you want on my lap, Atlas! I'll carry it properly this time!
[ or... something like that.
there's a small pause. then, of course, he has to ruin his dramatic speech with a footnote: ]
... Anywho, didya really get knocked on your butt?
[ sorry he just
he can't let that go ]
no subject
but no, leo's right. it's only fair that leo would still continue to stay by his side -- izumi did promise to himself that he won't let himself die until he rightfully pays him back, after all. ]
...I'd do the same, you know. Carrying your shit. But that means we'd be carrying almost the same amount of baggage? Is that how it works?
[ idk man. their shared braincell has yet to manifest in this world apparently, so they're gonna have to deal without it for the meantime.
but leo just had to say that. so much for letting go. izumi's gonna have to force himself to roll off him for that, wincing in pain as he turns his back on his friend. hmph! ]
And I told you I don't wanna talk about that! So annoying!
no subject
leo shifts to sit up a short time after izumi rolls over, staring at his back for a moment. those words are... god. they're a lot. if not a little overcomplicated. do the specifics of it really matter? is quantifying it like that necessary??? leo can't help but scrunch his nose a little at that, through the emotions he feels towards the content itself, though izumi can't see it.
they can have heartfelt talks about helping each other with the multitude of burdens they have, but they still have to be morons.
hence why leo's poking izumi gently near his shoulder. ]
Ahah. That's not fair, Sena! After saying that... You're really gonna turn away, even though you knoooow I latch onto that stuff? That makes the look of your back even worse!
[ who's to blame for that, leo? huh? huh?? ]
Would it help if I gave you a massage? Ruka-tan gives really good ones, and I learned a little from her! When I mean a little, though, I really do mean a little! Don't expect too much!
[ stop ]
no subject
but maybe they can carry a reasonable amount. they've already graduated and should've moved on for the most part anyway. it's why izumi's mostly gotten over his initial panic of leo seeing that particular memory -- it wasn't as though it was some deep secret anyway, with how tsukasa will adopt his possessive traits in their new future..........
he hums thoughtfully at leo's offer, thinking that that guy might break his fuckin back and make it worse somehow. but he'll flip over with his front on the mattress, turning his head to face leo. ]
Do what you want. My expectations were already suuuuper low anyway.
[ bitch. but he'll close his eyes to rest, the tiniest hints of a smile on his lips. ]
...Thank you.
no subject
leo almost hadn't expected izumi to take him up on that, despite how earnestly he offered it. the smartass comment is business as usual. the thank you, however...
...
it's something he feels he should return, but it doesn't make it past the tip of his tongue. maybe it's not the time? maybe he doesn't need to.
or maybe he's lowkey set off-center by this in a way he doesn't quite understand, just yet, but it's fine. what he does know is that it's not a bad thing, the way this settles in his chest. ]
"My expectations were already super lowwwww", blah blah... You're thanking me, so does that mean you feel gratitude for a crummy job? Darn!
[ biiiiiitch your standards-- no, no, leo gets it.
he'll move on to doing one of the things he's promised. fortunately leo's hands on izumi's back won't absolutely ruin everything. he's being careful and gentle...... for once. ]
That okay? Tell me if it hurts, I'll ease up.
no subject
or maybe izumi's just that touch-starved as usual. he already collapsed on top of leo unceremoniously just now, so why not take it further with this?
ugh.
at least leo hasn't crushed his fuckin spine yet. ]
Mm, just press harder.
[ and that'll be the last time izumi says anything else, because at some point he'll just fall asleep. his burdens may continue to weigh him down, but - so long as he feels leo's hands on his back, he should be fine. ]