week 7 | friday, post investigation

[concasse]

... Eichi?

[The other is gonna hear Sanji calling on the other side of the door, voice soft and... tired.]

Neh, can I come in?

[Normally he wouldn't even ask for permission, given everything that has happened, but he needs to check if his friend would prefer space]

Comments

[concasse]

[Sanji doesn't dodge the hit. And it's gonna come up blood, likely, given Eichi's super strength adding fuel to the fire. An angry gash bleeds from his temple, dripping red down his cheek.

He doesn't move. His expression doesn't flinch, either. Whatever anger Eichi is directing at him, it's... fine.

It's fine.

This is what Sanji deserves. He'll make no excuses for himself.]

We'll bring him back... and I'll come back, too.

[...]

I'm sorry. Life's a bitch, ain't it? [a quiet huff] But you have to survive now.

That's the burden we gave you.

[Him and Akechi both. Isn't love cruel.]

[finethanks]

[He's making himself sick, he's making Sanji bleed, and he hates all of it. He clings to him now, in a desperate hug, wanting the anger gone, the comfort back. Wanting Goro back. Wanting Sanji to stay.

Zelos told him to take care of him, and he can't do that. He couldn't take care of Akechi... he couldn't do anything for anyone but cause trouble. All he has to do is survive? He's been doing that his whole life.

So why is it so hard only now?]

I'm sorry... I'm sorry, Sanji.

[For everything. It's not enough, and he doesn't know how to stop crying right now.]

Don't forget that we've agreed to introduce each other to our friends, you know? Please... don't leave me alone. Don't let yourself or Goro slip away. I'm sorry... I'm sorry that I can't help at all.

[concasse]

[A punch and then a hug, eh? Sanji is... perhaps more startled than he should be, but the response is still immediate -- embracing the other teen with both of his arms, a smile finally breaking free.]

Didn't I tell you to stop putting yourself down so much?

You're here, aren't ya? And I'm happy you won't die! Shit, I know Akechi would be, too.

Even if it's selfish making you face this after we're gone, knowing you're safe is the only comfort we have left.

[A soft squeeze, even as blood drips down to his shirt]

We'll be back. And yeah -- I'll introduce ya to the crew.

[finethanks]

...I hope so.

[It's quiet, lost, and already lonely, but it's something. He stays clinging to Sanji but shifts the both of them, pushing him over to the bed, which is the only thing he hasn't shoved in front of the door. He wants him to sit down so he can go grab a washcloth for that wound.]

...It's more painful than anything else, just as I thought. When I sat down to discuss it with Goro, I had said... that I didn't want to feel this, that I understood, but that I wanted to keep him from ever having to feel it himself. I told him that I wouldn't protect him, but I'd use a sacrifice to suggest someone else...

And it didn't matter at all that I broke my word.

[He brings the cloth back over, pressing it with a shaky hand to Sanji's temple, staring at the blood he's caused.]

Um, I'm rambling, aren't I? Nevermind all of that. Even though I've just punched you and then cried all over you... can I ask you to stay with me tonight?

[concasse]

[It's probably for the best Eichi is leading him to the bed. That punch was some shit, let him tell ya. If he were paying any attention, he'd notice how badly his head is throbbing, but instead he chuckles and takes his seat, arms draped over his knees as he waits patiently for Eichi to mop up the blood.

He won't stop the other, knowing that this probably helps in some way.]

If you want, then I'll stay.

[Where else is he gonna go? Zelos is gone. Varian, Natsuo, and Ion are gone. Rebecca and Cardia now, too. And while he does care for Souji and Veronica, even Belph now, it's really just Eichi who Sanji could not bear to see dead.

There's nowhere else for him to be]

[finethanks]

I punched you only because you're leaving me, you know... of course I want you to stay.

[He's so worried... he doesn't care about wherever blood has or is dripping, he's just pressing the cloth to Sanji and holding it there, eyes hollow as he thinks of the heart he'd stabbed too eagerly while picturing Souji's face.]

Tomorrow... I can't be "just Eichi," or it would be a mess. I have to block off my feelings and pretend that I'm confident in this ending. Until you and Goro and the others are all back... then I can't be myself at all. I'm telling you this in hopes that you'll have extra motivation to return.

[At least he's honest. This focus makes him able to move, even if his whole body seems to be protesting against it. Maybe it's almost used to all the torture by now? Sort of. In a way.]

I don't want to be alone... but no matter what you may think or hope, I will be, once you're gone, too. Just like I was before...

[concasse]

... I know. I knew what asking you to watch me die would mean.

[Eichi is going to have to block himself in, and that's the cruelest request Sanji could make. He knew it and marched in this room anyway, to break the kid's heart twice in a row.]

And trust me, I already know that shit's the worst kind of strength -- you're gonna keep going, even if you're alone, or you'd just wish you'd stop moving.

[That's all he's been doing since he got to the castle: watching loved ones die and having to wake up every morning like he had the energy for living. Ha.]

But I know you can do it. [his voice is level, firm, and honest, and he watches Eichi's expression closely] You've done it before.

[he remembers that Eichi memory very well.]

... Tomorrow, put on that idol smile one more time. [Reaching over and resting his hand on Eichi's shoulder.] Ignore the rest of them if you gotta. Shit, stomp on their feelings if it'll help you make it to the end.

Whatever it takes.

[finethanks]

[He doesn't seem satisfied by just that hand. The moment it rests there, he's shifting, leaning into Sanji completely until it's all of his weight and he's tackling him to this bed, just about. A slow motion tackle, with a cloth still held to his wound.

Eichi's eyes are closed, and he's trying to focus on his breathing. Like he'd taught Rebecca... He just has to psych himself up, like always. Wait it out, wait it out, it'll be okay, it'll be okay...]

I'll do what I can. Even if I already threw a tantrum here and dirtied your handsome face...

[He feels so bad now, he's still trying to CLEAN IT and prevent more bleeding. But he doesn't have a useful ability like healing. He can't help anyone.]

Like always, I'll hug my knees, give myself a pep talk, and remember where I am. It's love that I wanted to find for myself, and it's love that I have to remember in the worst of times, or I'm no idol at all.

So... please know that I love you with all my heart, Sanji. This friendship of ours is a precious thing that I treasure... I still grow upset like a child, but it's you who's helped me grow all this time, too, you know.