After...party...?

[diesifkilled]

[SO THAT SURE WAS AN EXECUTION, HUH

Shirou's just been kind of staring off into space, still holding on to Usagi's hand, ever since Kon and Natsume's deaths. Just when it starts to look like he might stay like that all hecking night, he suddenly blinks and looks around.]

I'm going to go get some food.

[And indeed, he disappears off to the lodge and returns a little later with a huge pile of beautifully made sandwiches and other snacks. Did he have them prepared, or did he just make them really fast somehow? Who knows.

Anyway, there are now sandwiches. And the shack might still be on fire. This is fine.]

Comments

[linearcrash]

[ He flinches like someone has just slapped him. Gripping on his arm as he curses a bit. ]

He- it's not that, Talcott.

[ Nine feels the anger and failure trying to claw it's way out. Reaching up with his free hand to just tug down on the hat. ]

I thought we could save Kon. I thought I could do that at least, that we could have saved someone...

[ His voice cracks there. Saving people? Defending people? That was never one of his priorities. And nothing makes sense. Nothing he does makes it better... ]

[seekingsunrise]

Save him from a night stuck in that shed with Natsume?

[He laughs, smiles, nuzzles Nine's shoulder. Come on, cheer up darlin.]

I think they'll be just fine sharing. [A giggle at the implications there.]

If anything I think Clarke being there might be the only thing saving them from breaking the ruuuules~

[linearcrash]

[ He can feel something crack inside of him. Like the bottle he carefully shoved everything in was breaking. He can't just nod along with the facade this time. He can't pretend like there's nothing to worry about or everything will work out for the best. ]

No! No, don't you get it. He got shattered, Tal. There's no coming back. They shattered him!

[ And Nine was stupid enough to believe they could fix it. Stupid enough to believe they could have gotten on top in the end. All the confidence in his own ability to come out on stop is starting to fray.

Nine has no masters to tell him what to do. And this trial is taking away his direction. They might not be able to save everyone. Not the kids. Not Talcott. No one. ]

[seekingsunrise]

[He doesn't understand, that much is clear. It doesn't make any sense to him but Nine is upset and that is distressing. So he kisses his bare shoulder, reaches up to coax the blond into turning around in his arms so he can cry on Talcott's shoulder where his own jacket rests now.]

It's okay... it's gonna be alright, darlin...

[This time when he sways it's meant to be soothing, just like the hand stroking slowly up and down his back. And this time when he starts humming it's not Stand By Me.... but something more familiar to Nine.]

[linearcrash]

[ His breath catches and he slowly turns around to bury his face against his shoulder. Nine's back and shoulders shake with quiet little sobs.

He sways with him, and when he hears him sing something more familiar he lifts his head up enough to put his chin on him. Wrapping his arms around him to hug him tight. He's only sang that the one time, and Tal...

There's a part that always stuck out to him when Ace sung it.

So walk on and become the light that guides the way. ]

Ace would sing that when he's feeling down, yo. [ His breathing is more even, but his voice is raw. ]

[seekingsunrise]

[This is the boy that could play a song on a guitar because he saw someone play it once. Saying his memory is impressive is an understatement.

He just stays there, holding Nine and letting him cry for as long as he needs to. Hoping he can at least ease some of what's got his boyfriend so upset.]

I thought it might... make you feel better. Something familiar, y'know?

[linearcrash]

[ So talented. Nine is still pretty impressed about that. He also appreciates that Tal is trying to make him feel better. He might not be able to see what the hell is happening, but he still cares. It makes this all even more painful and sweet. Leaning back to really look at Talcott. Brushing his fingers against the corner of his eyes. Why is there...something there? ]

Were you crying earlier?

[seekingsunrise]

It hurt...

[At first it's just a whisper, a whimper almost, and then he seems to come back to his usual state a little more fully.]

Seeing Ren so upset, I mean.

[So yes, he was crying and there's now fine stony grit sticking to his lashes. But whether he really just didn't like seeing Ren upset or there was something more to it, it's hard to say.]

[linearcrash]

Close your eyes for a moment.

[ He'll try to carefully brush away the tiny pieces of rock. ]

He means a lot to you, huh. [ Like he knows the dating dating, but... Tal never usually reacts like that with Nine.

And then it hits him that Tal never usually reacts like that. ]

Hey. How did it hurt?

[seekingsunrise]

[Talcott closes his eyes obediently and the stone brushes away easily enough. A lash or two might come out with it but if Talcott notices he doesn't react. And lbr he can afford to lose a few.]

You both do. [He tugs Nine a little closer so he can rest his head on the blond's shoulder.]

It just... did. [He doesn't know how to explain it. Or maybe he can't. But that's all Nine's getting on that front.]

[linearcrash]

[ He lets himself be tugged closer. Putting his hands on his back to give him a hug.

It just...did.
Nine will just put this away some where for a bit. It's not a good night to think too much on things. Between broken promises and failing... ]

Yeah, I know. [ He doesn't know, but he can't really figure it out like this. Not right now and not with this Tal. He needs to figure out how the hell to save them.... ]

Thanks, baby.