!!! ??? !!!

[idolpro]

Who: Nemesis, Hurricane, you!
Where: ?Somewhere?
When: Day 496

[ The sound of an engine roars through the city, unfamiliar to any of you. What is that—? That thing, flying in the sky—Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Or—

Is it a giant mech adorned with naginatas and a shield, flying through Tokyo-F at great speed? Is it Hurricane and Nemesis, coming to say their goodbyes? Or is it the sound of their departure. . . ? ]

Comments

[bondsofsuffering]

[Even buffeted by the reassurance, his own emotions merely twist under the onslaught, writhing and surrounded but still very much there.]

Even if it's not my fault, I can't even cheerfully send you off. You're duty-bound to save others... it was the same with Ayumu.

But even if it's happening again, I still can't bring myself to accept it. And even if you say you'll find me, I can't bring myself to believe in it. Isn't that just too cruel? You're doing everything right, but I still...

[He's still a hopeless mess, giving into the despair that's just too easy to come by.]

[crossmyheartandhope]

[There's a soft swell of -- something, at that. Some wordless ache, and Hurricane ducks his head a little -- holds onto Izanagi's hand a little tighter]

You're just doing what's natural. It ain't -- easy, when somebody goes. It hurts.

And you been hurt before, by a whole lot of people.

[That warmth presses closer -- a sort of heartsick love, tucking in around him]

[bondsofsuffering]

You say that like you aren't being hurt in the same way.

[Even as much of a mess as he is now, he can tell - can still be concerned for Hurricane.]

[crossmyheartandhope]

Well -- sure. But I'm doing it, ain't I?

[Apology swells out, stronger than all the rest, very soft]

[bondsofsuffering]

Because it's what has to happen for you to do the right thing.

[It just...

sucks to be the "wrong option," too.]

[crossmyheartandhope]

Because I can't stand the thought of leaving anybody like that.

[He pauses; something aching and sick with horror wells up, the longer the pause goes on, as he struggles to find the words]

There ain't... nothing there.

It's like -- before. I can't leave him like that.

[bondsofsuffering]

I know. That's why I said - you're doing the right thing.

[Even if it's painful.]

[crossmyheartandhope]

...hey.

[Reaches out to tug him close, again]

C'mere.

[bondsofsuffering]

[Allowing himself to be tugged, needy and feeling rotten for it.]

[crossmyheartandhope]

[He brings his hands up, gently cupping Izanagi's face]

[He takes a shaky breath in]

I love you so much.

And I'm so lucky I got to meet you.

[bondsofsuffering]

[He places a hand over Hurricane's, closing his eyes and pressing his head against Hurricane's, if he's able.]

Hey... shouldn't I be the one saying that?

[crossmyheartandhope]

Naw. Cause I'm luckier.

[bondsofsuffering]

You're the one who let me be human, Hurricane.

[And there's an ache of gratitude too big to contain at that.]

[crossmyheartandhope]

[His eyes well up, at that. One of his thumbs brushes over Izanagi's cheek, very soft; the answering swell of affection is warm, and full, and bittersweet]

Naw. You woulda done that even without me.

I just got to be around to see it.

[bondsofsuffering]

[He presses his face into Hurricane's hand.]

Don't underestimate yourself, my little Jay.

There weren't many people I could share normal interests with like you.

[crossmyheartandhope]

I just ain't underestimating you.

I seen how strong you are, dude. You woulda found a way, for sure.

[bondsofsuffering]

Not with someone who saw the real me - in my heart.

[Because opening up was - and still is - such a painful thing.]

But even knowing that, you treated me as a friend. ...I really was excited when I realized I could be a friend to you too, you know?

[crossmyheartandhope]

You're a real good friend.

A real good boyfriend, too.

[bondsofsuffering]

You made it easy.

[He brings up a hand - scrubbing at his eyes with a palm, taking in a breath, trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions.]

I'm holding you up again, huh?

[crossmyheartandhope]

Naw. I still got stuff I wanna give you, remember?

[bondsofsuffering]

That's... pretty much what I mean, though.

[He takes in another breath, nice and slow - a twinge of annoyance at himself, for continuously falling apart like this.]

[crossmyheartandhope]

Hey.

[There's a low ache of something tangled and thick: love, and regret, and something so bittersweet it nears pain]

You ain't nver holding me up.

[bondsofsuffering]

[He laughs a little, sadly.]

How long have you been trying to hand your work off to me now?

The least I could do is keep up with it after you go.

[The pain in that will no doubt continue to echo over time, but it's not like he was ever any good at leaving things be, either.]

[crossmyheartandhope]

Hey. You don't gotta do nothing you don't wanna.

[There's echoing pain, to answer]

You wanna skip the serious stuff, we can. I'll just get you the thing that ain't serious and we'll call it a day.

[bondsofsuffering]

[He shakes his head.]

You worked hard to gather all this stuff, right? Let me get to work on it in your absence.