!!! ??? !!!

[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

[crossmyheartandhope]

[It lasts longer than it probably should -- endless moments, stolen while they still can be]

[Hurricane folds his fingers into the fabric of Izanai's shirt, holding on tight]

[bondsofsuffering]

[Definitely longer than it should. But he doesn't know when (or, grimly, if) he'll be able to hold Hurricane again, so...

Maybe... maybe he'll just stretch it out as long as he can. Selfishly claiming those last moments all for himself.]

[crossmyheartandhope]

[He seems willing enough to give them -- more than willing, the hug close and careful and very warm]

[Finally he speaks again, voice soft -- a little unsteady, like perhaps his throat is too tight]

I wish you could come with me.

[bondsofsuffering]

[When he responds, it's a whisper.]

Even if I could go with you know... I wouldn't.

[It's selfish, and he knows that, feeling a pang of guilt - to demand so much of Hurricane while being so unwilling to leave Ayumu.

This is a war he refuses to fight, not if it lessens his chance of returning to his counterpart.]

[crossmyheartandhope]

Yeah.

[He ducks his head, a little -- presses a soft kiss to Izanagii's neck, barely a brush of lips]

...yeah. Sorry.

[bondsofsuffering]

Don't apologize for escaping.

[He forces a smile, one hand combing idly through Hurricane's hair.]

It's your turn to shine. Maybe you'll even convince them you can fly - with or without a mech.

[crossmyheartandhope]

[He leans into it, as readily as he always has -- lets his eyes flutter closed]

Hey -- for all they know, I already can.

[bondsofsuffering]

Get enough belief so you can do it for real. If we meet again in this place, I wanna see your best superhero flying, you hear?

[crossmyheartandhope]

When. Not if.

And you better show off your new stuff, too.

[bondsofsuffering]

We'll see. There aren't too many chances to cure illness around here.

[crossmyheartandhope]

It'll come around again, I'm sure.

[bondsofsuffering]

You'd think this place was sterile considering how rare it is.

[crossmyheartandhope]

Dude, right? I only been sick like a couple times since I been here.

[bondsofsuffering]

Mm.

...But for now, I guess we should say our goodbyes.

[crossmyheartandhope]

...yeah.

I guess so.

[bondsofsuffering]

[A hand reaches to catch Hurricane's. They can hold on until it's time to go, right?]

Make sure it's only "see you later," okay?

[crossmyheartandhope]

[He takes hold and squeezes, tight -- takes hold with his other hand, too]

'Course it's only see you later.

You ain't getting rid of me that easy.

[bondsofsuffering]

Like I'd ever get rid of someone so precious.

[Squeezing his hands back.]

[crossmyheartandhope]

I love you, Hizumi.

I'll see you soon as I can, okay?

[bondsofsuffering]

Mm.

See you, Hurricane.

[That glimmer of hope is so, so small. But he'll try to keep it alive.]