![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Yeah... It's hard to stay mad at Gojo-sensei either way, isn't it?
[ Yuji sighs softly. The confidence in him is appreciated, but at the same time... He feels a little uncomfortable at the idea of him being the one to do it. What if he fails?
What if he dies too?
It's a hard weight to carry. ]
I'm... I wish it was different.
[ Yuji sighs softly. The confidence in him is appreciated, but at the same time... He feels a little uncomfortable at the idea of him being the one to do it. What if he fails?
What if he dies too?
It's a hard weight to carry. ]
I'm... I wish it was different.
I can't help it. You've completely sapified me.
[That's a word, right? But leave it to Yuji to bring out a side in him that a few months ago, Raidou wasn't even sure he even had.
As Yuji leans in, Raidou slides an arm around his shoulders.]
If you want me to stop being so sappy, you'll have to stop being so cute first.
[Still sappy, and punctuated by the sweet kiss he pulls Yuji in for.]
[That's a word, right? But leave it to Yuji to bring out a side in him that a few months ago, Raidou wasn't even sure he even had.
As Yuji leans in, Raidou slides an arm around his shoulders.]
If you want me to stop being so sappy, you'll have to stop being so cute first.
[Still sappy, and punctuated by the sweet kiss he pulls Yuji in for.]
[ Yuji can't help the way he giggles into the kiss, a little snort coming out as he wraps his arms around Raidou to hold him close.
It's so easy, to lean in and kiss him again, to curl close and just enjoy the company. ]
Says you.
[ Nudging their noses together. ]
It's so easy, to lean in and kiss him again, to curl close and just enjoy the company. ]
Says you.
[ Nudging their noses together. ]
I know.
( His jaw tightens, breath leaving him in a heavy sigh. ) I understand that feeling very well, Itadori-kun. Some nights I don't sleep for thoughts of what could have been. It happens more here, now that I know where we all end up. I wonder if I could have made a difference had I stayed. If I'd spoken to Satoru before it became too much, if I'd sought someone out, if I hadn't let it all drag me down. What if I'd made a different call? Would I have been there to fight with him?
( The crux, that he doesn't regret his actions, but he does feel the loss of opportunity they took from him. )
I wanted to make things better, when I was your age. I wanted it so badly that it blinded me. But the same could be said for thinking those what ifs, mm? That could lead me down a wrong path just as easily. You too. It's all right to think them, but don't let it eat you up. The world we come from is a cruel one. You are trying your best. And it was good enough to have me reconsider things, wasn't it? ( A small smile, a strange attempt at humour. ) You've suffered losses, but you're still good. That's something.
( His jaw tightens, breath leaving him in a heavy sigh. ) I understand that feeling very well, Itadori-kun. Some nights I don't sleep for thoughts of what could have been. It happens more here, now that I know where we all end up. I wonder if I could have made a difference had I stayed. If I'd spoken to Satoru before it became too much, if I'd sought someone out, if I hadn't let it all drag me down. What if I'd made a different call? Would I have been there to fight with him?
( The crux, that he doesn't regret his actions, but he does feel the loss of opportunity they took from him. )
I wanted to make things better, when I was your age. I wanted it so badly that it blinded me. But the same could be said for thinking those what ifs, mm? That could lead me down a wrong path just as easily. You too. It's all right to think them, but don't let it eat you up. The world we come from is a cruel one. You are trying your best. And it was good enough to have me reconsider things, wasn't it? ( A small smile, a strange attempt at humour. ) You've suffered losses, but you're still good. That's something.
It was good enough...
[ The idea that Yuji might have been able to do something to help change Geto's perspective, to get him to think differently about the world, makes him feel soemthing he can't quite name inside himself. Instead, he blinks up at him, his eyes wide.
It's too much. He feels so, so painfully touched so, of course, the only thing he can do is turn around and throw his arms around Geto, squeezing him. ]
Thank you.
[ The idea that Yuji might have been able to do something to help change Geto's perspective, to get him to think differently about the world, makes him feel soemthing he can't quite name inside himself. Instead, he blinks up at him, his eyes wide.
It's too much. He feels so, so painfully touched so, of course, the only thing he can do is turn around and throw his arms around Geto, squeezing him. ]
Thank you.
( A hand comes up, cradles the back of Itadori's head carefully. He'd say it was habit, but mostly the boy inspires an old paternal streak. )
Shouldn't I be thanking you, mm? Besides, all I need you to carry from this is that no matter how hard it is, no matter the impossibility, your heart remains. That's the most important thing. That won't change. You're a good kid, and it matters.
Shouldn't I be thanking you, mm? Besides, all I need you to carry from this is that no matter how hard it is, no matter the impossibility, your heart remains. That's the most important thing. That won't change. You're a good kid, and it matters.
[ On December 31st, Yuji will wake up to a package wrapped with plain festive wrapping paper at his doorstep. Attached to the gift is a card bearing a message written in elegant script. ]
You do not need to apologize for the tardiness of your present, as I was not expecting anything of the sort from you. Nevertheless, I appreciate the gift, and request that you provide names for the rubber ducks. You needn't think too deeply.
It is tradition where I come from to open presents right before the turn of the year, so that one enters the new year in delight, but you may of course choose to open it any time you desire.
Dr. Ratio
[ In the package are a few items: a folded poster that clearly illustrates and labels the human vascular system, along with a book that dives into it with further depth. It's a little dense, but has plenty of illustrative pictures. They are clearly meant to help Yuji gain finer control over his blood powers.
A stationery set is also included—a plain journal and a pencil case filled with several mechanical pencils, pens, erasers and the like. A small note is tucked into the journal:
If you have any interest in continuing our lessons from before my abrupt hiatus, feel free to contact me. ]
You do not need to apologize for the tardiness of your present, as I was not expecting anything of the sort from you. Nevertheless, I appreciate the gift, and request that you provide names for the rubber ducks. You needn't think too deeply.
It is tradition where I come from to open presents right before the turn of the year, so that one enters the new year in delight, but you may of course choose to open it any time you desire.
Dr. Ratio
[ In the package are a few items: a folded poster that clearly illustrates and labels the human vascular system, along with a book that dives into it with further depth. It's a little dense, but has plenty of illustrative pictures. They are clearly meant to help Yuji gain finer control over his blood powers.
A stationery set is also included—a plain journal and a pencil case filled with several mechanical pencils, pens, erasers and the like. A small note is tucked into the journal:
If you have any interest in continuing our lessons from before my abrupt hiatus, feel free to contact me. ]
com'ere
i need some help
i need some help
don't run. i'm not dying.
[Before Yuji could work himself into a panic. ]
[Before Yuji could work himself into a panic. ]
[*siiiigh*
Katsuki lets the connection idle as he faces the window again. It feels as if it's only been a few days since Yuji left a similar message in his head, bringing with it a rush of emotions the sorcerer's probably feeling right now. When Yuji knocks on the door, the automated function kicks in and slides its panel open with a gentle hiss. Evening glow fills the room with a warm orange, highlighting Denji's sleeping form on Katsuki's bed. His disappearance at midnight did nothing to help his boyfriend's trauma, nor the long hours through that dark time until Katsuki reappeared in the morning light. Took him all day to calm Denji down until he was able to sleep again.
A bowl of half-eaten rice with toppings fills the room with a savory, spicy flavor, mingling with the pot of tea warming over Katsuki's portable burner on his desk. A strange picture of peacefulness, but the kind suggesting not everything's all right in the scene.
He moves away from the window to face his best friend, baring a collection of new and old scars. The wounds on his chest and right arm still look relatively fresh. Only a week or so old, with stitching and staples visible and bandages half done. But perhaps most telling is when Katsuki moves, his right arm stays dangling at his side. Fingers not twitching, muscles still, his limb once shattered and torn apart, now together but useless.]
Hey Yuji.
[His rough voice is quieted for obvious reasons. Seeing Yuji again... his best friend... god, there's so many thoughts and feelings right now.]
Don't wake him up.
Katsuki lets the connection idle as he faces the window again. It feels as if it's only been a few days since Yuji left a similar message in his head, bringing with it a rush of emotions the sorcerer's probably feeling right now. When Yuji knocks on the door, the automated function kicks in and slides its panel open with a gentle hiss. Evening glow fills the room with a warm orange, highlighting Denji's sleeping form on Katsuki's bed. His disappearance at midnight did nothing to help his boyfriend's trauma, nor the long hours through that dark time until Katsuki reappeared in the morning light. Took him all day to calm Denji down until he was able to sleep again.
A bowl of half-eaten rice with toppings fills the room with a savory, spicy flavor, mingling with the pot of tea warming over Katsuki's portable burner on his desk. A strange picture of peacefulness, but the kind suggesting not everything's all right in the scene.
He moves away from the window to face his best friend, baring a collection of new and old scars. The wounds on his chest and right arm still look relatively fresh. Only a week or so old, with stitching and staples visible and bandages half done. But perhaps most telling is when Katsuki moves, his right arm stays dangling at his side. Fingers not twitching, muscles still, his limb once shattered and torn apart, now together but useless.]
Hey Yuji.
[His rough voice is quieted for obvious reasons. Seeing Yuji again... his best friend... god, there's so many thoughts and feelings right now.]
Don't wake him up.
Katsuki...
[ Yuji understands it, of course.
He'd been in the same situation, hadn't he? Waking up, reliving memories, having to fight the horrors and the nightmares that came with it; he had woken up to the knowledge that he had failed, that his brother had been taken from him, that his victories had been bittersweet. Coming back to being the only one from his world alive and breathing had taken its toll, but he is doing his best to push through it as much as he can.
His friend looks rough, and he has the immediate urge to do something, to try and heal him, as if the nanobots could do anything here. ]
... yeah.
[ Looking around, he breathes out. ]
Do you wanna stand outside the door?
[ Yuji understands it, of course.
He'd been in the same situation, hadn't he? Waking up, reliving memories, having to fight the horrors and the nightmares that came with it; he had woken up to the knowledge that he had failed, that his brother had been taken from him, that his victories had been bittersweet. Coming back to being the only one from his world alive and breathing had taken its toll, but he is doing his best to push through it as much as he can.
His friend looks rough, and he has the immediate urge to do something, to try and heal him, as if the nanobots could do anything here. ]
... yeah.
[ Looking around, he breathes out. ]
Do you wanna stand outside the door?
[His situation is somewhat easier. Returning to a world where he was facing off against the most dangerous villain in history, knowing if he didn't win, All Might, Midoriya, Japan, everything was going to vanish in decay or buckle under rule. But he survived, he won, with the help of everyone who battled before him. They didn't fail. Things he'll eventually tell Yuji when his friend asks. Coming back to this world, once more having the memories of Neo Tokyo and his life here dumped in his head, had been a rough rush. But at least it's dulled to a headache for the most part by now.]
No. [Katsuki looks to Denji's sleeping figure.] I already traumatized him enough by disappearing. [Talking like it was his fault when all of them knew he had absolutely no control over it. Yet... hero guilting. Even Katsuki's susceptible to it. He can't risk Denji waking up again and seeing him "gone" today.] You want some tea?
No. [Katsuki looks to Denji's sleeping figure.] I already traumatized him enough by disappearing. [Talking like it was his fault when all of them knew he had absolutely no control over it. Yet... hero guilting. Even Katsuki's susceptible to it. He can't risk Denji waking up again and seeing him "gone" today.] You want some tea?
Uh, sure.
[ Yuji knows he's not exactly a quiet person, and he feels a bit of hesitance as he looks between Denji and Katsuki - but he gives in, because this is what his friend needs. He's sure that he would be in the same position if he had lost Raidou, however briefly, or if one of the people he loved the most were taken away again. The losses are hard to bear, hard to manage, but...
He's doing the best he can. ]
Why don't you sit down? I can make it, and I'll be super quiet, too.
[ Yuji knows he's not exactly a quiet person, and he feels a bit of hesitance as he looks between Denji and Katsuki - but he gives in, because this is what his friend needs. He's sure that he would be in the same position if he had lost Raidou, however briefly, or if one of the people he loved the most were taken away again. The losses are hard to bear, hard to manage, but...
He's doing the best he can. ]
Why don't you sit down? I can make it, and I'll be super quiet, too.
[Neither of them are. But Katsuki would rather Denji wake up to their voices and see he's here instead of leaving the half-devil to sleep in silence and wake up to a lonely room one more. He appreciates Yuji's concern and politeness, but this is something he needs to do right now for his boyfriend. The sorcerer understands.
Katsuki bristles for a second when Yuji offers to make the tea, but gives in with a small sigh. He tilts his head, indicating the kettle and the burner, then moves to the wall and, after a few one-armed clicks and unlocks, lowers the table from its previously-collapsed design. He sinks down in his desk chair afterwards.]
We won.
Katsuki bristles for a second when Yuji offers to make the tea, but gives in with a small sigh. He tilts his head, indicating the kettle and the burner, then moves to the wall and, after a few one-armed clicks and unlocks, lowers the table from its previously-collapsed design. He sinks down in his desk chair afterwards.]
We won.
Page 71 of 97