deercountry | open & closed prompts

Who: Atsushi Nakajima & Makoto | + Open Prompts

What: Lovers forming a romantic pact together | Atsushi reading lore in the achive

When: Mid-February

Where: Pink Monstrosity House | Archives

Content Warnings: Talk of PTSD in the thread w/ Makoto

(open) Reading in the Archives

[At first, Atsushi regards the pacts with suspicion. Sensing each other's emotions? Telepathy? He initially thinks that the whole concept sounds like a way to be controlled and hurt. But there's a lingering part of him that does think it's a good idea with certain people. So rather than throw out the idea entirely, he decides to put some effort into researching it.

When entering the archives, Atsushi greets the other curious minded with a smile and wave. He knows to keep his voice down, but he still makes an effort to be friendly.]

[If he can, Atsushi will prioritize helping others find books. Though, he's also mindful to mention his own research;]

(closed) w/ Makoto

[It hadn't been the first time that they talked about blood pacts. Atsushi had mentioned his research to Makoto previously and voiced his own train of thought: It seemed like something that would be useful for controlling the Tiger, but he wasn't sure it was fair for him to make one.

The conversation had died awkwardly a few times as a result of Atsushi's inability to be honest. But after a few days, he did realize that he was being difficult. He was always being difficult and running away, and that needed to stop. So, one day after work, he'd sent Makoto a message to ask if she would meet at the house to talk about pacts again. There, he had collected most of the necessary ingredients on the kitchen table. If his words failed him, he hoped that some action might speak up on his behalf.]

[His gaze falls from her face to the silver cups he had purchased for a potential pact. Atsushi is quick to feel awkward;]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Makoto...

[He's not focused enough on the outside world, or maybe he'd have realized his mistake: Atsushi didn't add an honorific this time. But between the warmth of her kiss, her hands, and the words between them, Atsushi can't find a reason to put up barriers. He gently takes her hands back, but there's some honest hesitance in the way he threads their fingers together.]

I don't always understand it. "How can you love someone like me?" I'm so bad at living and yet... [He squeezes her hands lightly to communicate his trust. They have a bond and, like the way he holds her hands now, he doesn't want to be so weak that he loses her.] Thank you. I love you too.

[Makoto remembered those thoughts, the pervasive ones that constantly said 'No one will ever love you. The ones that had told her that there was something wrong with her, something that would keep anyone else from loving her. But her friends had helped her to see through that, and while she was still very much self-conscious about her body Makoto was willing to accept that others could still love her. She wanted to be able to do the same for Atsushi.]

We all have things that we fight inside, and things that we're not good at. But you don't give up, you're strong, selfless, brave, and caring. I don't think you're bad at living, you've just had a lot of setbacks and haven't had the chances a lot of others have.

When those thoughts come up, I'll help you push them away. Because they're wrong, you deserve to be loved, and I'll remind you of that ever chance I get.

[Is he any of those things? Atsushi realized on that day aboard the airship that he wasn't selfless. He was seeking forgiveness for his past with every action he took. It's a habit that he's still trying to shed.

But he smiles softly in response, leaning in to kiss her forehead.]

Mm. You too. I want to use this bond to remind you of that too, Makoto-chan. So... if you'll have me..? [He's ready to start the preparations.]

[The kiss still brought color to her cheeks, but Makoto couldn't help but smile as she felt her heart pounding.]

Yes, absolutely. I'd be really happy to.

[She wrapped her arms around him in a hug. It was like a dream, she was happy enough that tears started to form in her eyes.]

I absolutely will, if you'll have me.

I will.

[He returns the hug without hesitation. It feels nice enough to be able to confidently hold her in his arms and protect her physically like this. Maybe someday, he hopes, he can protect her happiness through the bond too.

Atsushi isn't quick to break the hug though, instead lowering his voice to a whisper.]

We'll have to let it sit overnight, right? Then we can figure out the markings tomorrow..?

We'll have to put everything in tonight and wait yes. Do you think we should stay up and watch it, to make sure that everything goes alright?

[She wouldn't mind staying like this at all, wrapped in his arms felt like a dream where Makoto was safe, warm, and above all she felt loved and desired. They could even figure out where they would but the bonds and how.]

We test a few different ones tonight to see what it would look like if you want.

You have a business to run. Can you be staying up?

[Though, he’s not opposed to staying up with her. So long as she gets some rest in there too.]

Mm… We could test where to put it. They have to go on our faces, right?

One night will be alright. If it's for us, I won't mind at all.

[Luckily she wasn't exactly alone in running things, and if she needed to could catch a nap while Snow was there.]

Yes. I don't think it has to cover it though so maybe.

[Makoto took Atsushi's hand and placed his hand on her cheek, near the jaw. Far enough back his fingers brushed her ear and she was able to kiss his wrist lightly.]

[There's colour in his own cheeks at the kiss. This is already an intimate way to touch her. He can't imagine what it'll feel like later to see a mark on her cheek where he touched her. It'll be more physical proof that this isn't a dream or a trick.

He leans forward to tap his forehead to hers, lowering his voice appropriately.]

Everyone will see. Maybe we should make them match?

I don't mind if they can. But you want them to match that's great.

[She smiled as let her fingers brush against the back of his hand and then reached out to place her hand on his cheek, taking her thumb and lightly brushing it as she did so. He was so special to her, and accepting. Every moment was like a dream with him, and yet she was sure that it was more. There had been obstacles they'd had to overcome, but now all that they had been through was worth it. This was her wish come true.]

[Before, Atsushi would have been more timid and asked permission. But today, he leans in to give Makoto a quick kiss as a show of his returned affection. The bond is a big deal. It's something that he wouldn't have imagined asking for a year ago and only proves to him how far they've come.]

Then let's match. I want everyone to know who I made this bond with.

I do too.

[And Makoto pulled him for another kiss, being a little more direct and bold in the moment. They had confirmed how they felt for each other and this was another step that showed just how serious they were. She was so proud of Atsushi for the progress he'd made, and was so happy that he wanted to form such a bond with her.]

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