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]

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[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.