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deercountry2022-05-06 11:26 am
likethelight) wrote in deercountry2022-05-06 11:26 am
Entry tags:
We could go down in flames (but we'll melt the world away)
Who: Allen Walker and Shouto Todoroki
What: Allen comes back after dying while purifying beast-Dabi, cue pain (:
When: Early May
Where: Farther Shores
Content Warnings: Mentions of character death, character panic over disabling injury/body failure
[ Timcanpy has been waiting very patiently.
For over a week, Timcanpy has been waiting very patiently. While new Sleepers washed ashore and remembered their features and spring began and was celebrated on the boardwalk. After they had stopped appearing and the ocean once settled into its normal rhythm, grey and foreboding, without anyone further being brought in by the tide. Sunrise to sunset and throughout the night and moonrise, he stays up in the boughs of a lone flowering cherry tree along the black sand and watches the waves.
Sometimes having company, and sometimes not. Sometimes being the one keeping company. He comes down and stays with them, letting himself be sad then and clinging on.
But he's a good omen. He'll wait as long as it takes.
It's the first night of the full moon when he stirs suddenly, rousing from where he had been not-quite dozing, like someone disturbed from their sleep by a distant sound. Staring out into the waves so quietly, so intently, like he's straining to see... before he explodes into motion. Rocketing up, zig-zagging back and forth, before abruptly taking off towards the water—
—and then coming straight back, slamming into the nearby, camped out Todoroki's head and bouncing off like a squishy sort of softball. He's right back up and fluttering around in front of his face a moment later though. Get up, get up! Now! Nownownow!! ]
What: Allen comes back after dying while purifying beast-Dabi, cue pain (:
When: Early May
Where: Farther Shores
Content Warnings: Mentions of character death, character panic over disabling injury/body failure
For over a week, Timcanpy has been waiting very patiently. While new Sleepers washed ashore and remembered their features and spring began and was celebrated on the boardwalk. After they had stopped appearing and the ocean once settled into its normal rhythm, grey and foreboding, without anyone further being brought in by the tide. Sunrise to sunset and throughout the night and moonrise, he stays up in the boughs of a lone flowering cherry tree along the black sand and watches the waves.
Sometimes having company, and sometimes not. Sometimes being the one keeping company. He comes down and stays with them, letting himself be sad then and clinging on.
But he's a good omen. He'll wait as long as it takes.
It's the first night of the full moon when he stirs suddenly, rousing from where he had been not-quite dozing, like someone disturbed from their sleep by a distant sound. Staring out into the waves so quietly, so intently, like he's straining to see... before he explodes into motion. Rocketing up, zig-zagging back and forth, before abruptly taking off towards the water—
—and then coming straight back, slamming into the nearby, camped out Todoroki's head and bouncing off like a squishy sort of softball. He's right back up and fluttering around in front of his face a moment later though. Get up, get up! Now! Nownownow!! ]
no subject
It's a form of meditation for him or something. Wait! Stop that! He is not someone to be friends with!!Don't point out that he's blushing, that doesn't help!! It only makes him squirm more! ]
Ah! Somewhat! [ God it's lucky for the both of him he's an acrobat or that would not be a very comfortable way to lift a guy's leg normally. ]
I can't move them, but yes!! It tingles! [ And yet any joy or excitement over that is lost to him in his fluster. ]
no subject
Does that mean you'll make it for him instead? :)Why wouldn't he point it out? Are you getting sick? Does he need to take your temperature? ]
You can.
[ His head tilts to the side from where he's holding his foot so he can look at him, a sparkle of hope in his eyes. ] Maybe you're getting better.
[ He grips the back of his ankle, up his calf, lifting the leg just a little higher. ]
Can you feel that too?
no subject
...well played, sir. At least there wouldn't be sand in his broth.He is not sick!!! Just... a little confused!! ]
Y-yes. [ a beat, processing that more seriously ] Not very much... but a little.
[ His hand is warm and he can feel that more than anything, though much less than his... feet. Which he's trying not to dwell on right now, but his thoughts are refocusing on what that actually means so he's calmed down. His gaze snags on Shouto too, the different and brighter sort of way he's looking at him, and it's easier to get caught up in that too. ]
It's definitely better than before.
no subject
There was extra protein there for a growing boy.One knee touches down on the ground to better position himself to hold onto one leg with both hands. He's still radiating a gentle heat that gets lost in the bustle with that ringing endorsement.
Better than before.
With eyes brimming with optimism, he meets his eyes across the distance and smiles faintly. ]
You're improving.
no subject
I... think you must be right.
[ His own hope radiates at that, processing more fully what the sensations mean. Maybe it won't take as long as it might? And... this definitely did point to the fact he will get better, doesn't it?
He warms at that too, chin dipping a little as the corners of his mouth curl up thoughtfully. ]
I've had help.
no subject
You always will.
[ And helps him into the soft cotton. He's there when his head pops out, smile still in place looking pleased to see him. ]
Can I take you to the bed now?
no subject
That's why he blinks just once, owlishly, at that request and wonders, just for a moment, at how cataclysmically bad that sort of phrasing is and if he should point it out. He'd punch someone like Lavi for it, but then he knew Lavi would be teasing him. And so, no, he decides. He most certainly will not nor will he ever point out there might be something a little off about that phrasing to him because he heard his master use it way too many times. He knows what Shouto means and it's better for both of them that way.
Also he doesn't care at all, honestly. He looks happy, Shouto-- and that's enough to make Allen happy. ]
Ha-- [ He does chuckle weakly at it, though. Really and genuinely happy though, truly. In a gentle and understated kind of way, and he reaches out toward him to slip an arm around his neck; the motion becoming second nature by now. ]
Sure. That sounds good.
no subject
His prize possession and he mistreated him. Smothered him. Tried to erase who he was for who he wanted him to be. Isolated him stunting his emotional growth and social integration. Sometimes too much attention can be bad too. Stifling. He grew up memorizing battle tactics instead of playing with other kids. His days were regulated, every need provided, his life set to a tune Endeavor planned out to afford him the best results.
If something seems off about his phrasing it's a reflection of Allen's experience, not his. There's no double talk or hidden meaning to his words. He means what he says and asks for permission at every turn because his father never asked for his, he simply dictated. Demanded. Expected. ]
Hold on.
[ He dips down to let him wrap his arm around his neck like he's been doing if he wants to, and slips a hand behind his back, and under his legs. He stands in one easy movement and treks the short distance to the futon. Sets him down on, easing his legs down first while holding his back upright.
When he's done, his hand slips off his back and he stands back up, heading back to the table to pick up one of the clean tea cups turned upside down so as not to accumulate dust. On his trek back to the futon, he switches hands, and by the time he reaches Allen's side he hands over a cool cup of water before settling onto his side of the futon. ]
no subject
He takes the time to situate himself a bit more comfortably when Shouto moves back to the small tea table, reaching down to adjust his legs and pull the comforter up before he's presented with the cup of water. He blinks for a moment, looking up before he takes it. ]
Ah-- thank you. [ Right, he doesn't need to go to a sink. He's seen him do it before, create ice just to warm it to create water, but it's still really cool.
Also he forgot he'd technically asked for/agreed to water, he'd been distracted. But he cups both hands around it and sips it like a small child might, glancing over the rim at Shouto thoughtfully. Ah, he was thirsty... Actually, it's his first drink since coming back, it was like he forgot he needed to... ]
Do you need to do anything else tomorrow? [ Allen might need to go to the Lumenarium, and they'd go get food, but he also really doesn't want to get in the way of anything else he had planned either... ]
no subject
Usually, he looks through his omni at night, scrolling through the network for anything he missed simply because he had nothing else to do and was not yet sleepy. Tonight is different. It's been... a day and it's rare for him to have a sleeping companion. The last time he slept with anyone was a week ago but that was tied with Allen's death too. His brother brought him back to his residence and crashed from the exertion. It wasn't long before Shouto, plagued by nightmares, sought him out and outright wedged himself into his space. He spent the week after sleeping under the cheery blossom tree. Its tranquil aura calmed his nightmares, but tonight would be the first night he'd sleep without its calming influence. On his own, he wouldn't fare well through the night, but with someone else... He looks at Allen, catching him looking at him without realizing it, and simply stares back. He's always been comfortable with silence. Lived with it too long not to, so he doesn't feel a need to add his voice to break it. Allen eventually breaks the lull and he goes along with it without breaking eye contact. ]
I probably need to tell the Hunters I can start patrolling soon.
[ He stopped, cold-turkey, without telling them anything. Kizu sent some messages, Shouto doesn't know to who or what was said. He doesn't want to know. He should care more but he doesn't. He'll take another week off to help Allen. That he won't budge on. Coincidentally, by the time Allen moves into Sanctuary Shouto's first patrols will start. Double shifts for the whole of the month. It'll keep him busy and keep the corruption at bay for some time. ]
no subject
You know, Allen both has and hasn't had sleeping companions. Link always slept next to Allen's western bed on a futon until he got his own proper bed moved in, but that was an entirely different arrangement Allen was not very keen about at all since it was about him being assigned a guard dog (who was basically his nanny). Even if he did come to consider Link a dear friend, and he did become comfortable with him always being around in a sense, and he does miss him... that's still different. He was still technically assigned to even watch him while he was asleep for anything suspicious, even if Allen came around to not holding that against Link himself. And before that, when traveling on longer missions before the Ark, they'd frequently all cram into an inn room or train car and Lavi could be terribly lanky and obnoxious, but that was also different.
Although he was always used to having Tim with him. That's a constant. He'd clung to him terribly as a child, especially as Tim used to be nearly the same size as him, and Tim had been happy to oblige. Pouncing on him and licking his face like a happy dog ready for bedtime snuggles.
Did you know he has a tongue? He does.Still, this is comfortable. Calming, and he hums thoughtfully into his cup for a moment. ]
Mm. I'll need to check in with a lot of people too... [ His eyes cast over slightly at that, focused on nothing in particular and hooded thoughtfully as his smile slips aside. That's something he's trying not to think about, after all; how does he face everyone who may or may not know what had happened to him? Was it something he even could hide, or should...? ]
no subject
Viktor was looking for you.
[ He leans forward, legs open with enough room to lay his palms flat between his knees. ]
I told him I'd let him know when you came back, you should probably contact him. I think he'd like to hear from you.
no subject
Shouto mentions Viktor though, and Allen's head jerks up in surprise at that. ]
Viktor was...? [ Ah, that gets a notable reaction from him. Brows knitting together in a conflicted sort of dismay, and. No, that means that Viktor has been worrying this whole time too... And he'd been so distressed when Allen had just been bitten on the cheek before during a fight. Learning that he had died...
How unfair to someone who's been nothing but kind to him. How unfair this was going to be to several people who had all been kind to him... He swallows, his head dropping slightly in a guilty sort of nod, and he sets the now empty cup to the side of the futon. ]
Aah. I'll call him first thing in the morning... [ He'd do it now, but... it's the middle of the night. And he'd want to come over to see him immediately most likely. Hopefully Viktor will forgive him waiting a few hours. ]
no subject
First thing then.
[ He scoots down a little disturbing the comforter and Tim's territory while he settles down on the futon. His legs stretch, feet poking out of the blanket before being pulled back into the soft folds. He's laid out on his back, eyes on the ceiling. His thoughts are far away, thinking back on the past week. He's quiet for some time, examining a feeling budding inside him. It's soft and fragile, growing exponentially when he remembers the moment he caught sight of him on the beach. Caught up in it, he turns his head to Allen, cheek pressed against the pillow hiding his ear piercings and half his scar. ]
I'm glad you're here.
1/2
He scatters the guilty spiral of thoughts from his head for now when Shouto moves to lay down, pressing his palms against the mattress to help scoot himself down appropriately without the use of his legs. Both of them will feel a small thmp as Timcanpy chases after their feet hidden beneath the covers briefly, small hands batting briefly at them and his tail swishing back and forth. It's just a brief bit of play though, before he finds a spot he likes closer to Allen that he curls up in, pacing about like a dog might before making its bed and snuggling in. It helps calm Allen's thoughts, and he just breathes out for a moment.
Allen, for his part, lies there quietly at first in his thoughts as well, though his ironically drift forward more than back. What was he going to say to people, who did he need to reach out to talk to, what should he do next... so he blinks slightly when he hears Shouto rustle as he turns to look at him, turning his head to look back with a gentle sort of surprise. Ah, that's...
He blinks a second time, stunned with a very delicate sort of expression. ]
2/2
Mm. [ He smiles, simply and warmly. The sort of quiet but all-encompassing smile that can transform a person in the most understated but profound kind of way. Eyes bright.
Carefully, he turns his shoulder underneath him so he can properly turn to face the other boy. He was never a sleep on his back kind of guy anyway, although he does need to reach down to manually pull one leg over the other to actually roll on his side. But that's fine, and he smiles wider as he meets Shouto's eyes again with his cheek to the pillow too now; in radiant but silently merry kind of way like sharing some delightful secret. Like he'd laugh, but he doesn't want to be loud.
His distress melted away, just like that. Too warmed by those words for it to have any traction on him. ]
I'm glad I'm here with you too. [ His voice is quiet too, but so... yes, honestly happy. The lilt in his tone he gets when speaking direct from the heart.
Thank you. ]
no subject
An offering and sometimes it's reciprocated in the most radiant form. Allen smiles and that feeling surges forward tugging at the corner of his mouth. He nods steadily and a lock of white hair dislodges from the back of his ear, spreading shadows on his face. ]
Good night, Allen.
[ He reaches for the bedside lamp, looking at him from across the short stretch as if asking - Is this okay? - and only when he receives the affirmative does he plunge them into darkness. In the shadows, something moves, a snow leopard treks through the room. Restless. Her outline is faintly visible for a second before disappearing. She'll stand guard, while the two sleep. ]
no subject
The thought makes him smile more gently, eyes hooding with a nostalgic sort of fondness. ]
Good night.
[ Giving an affirmative nod with a faint smile still when Shouto glances back at him, Allen bundles a fist-sized portion of the blanket up under his face. Just enough to bury his nose into it and to give him something to hug onto. It's just how he's always been, at least since Mana died and part of his recovering from that was having Tim to cling onto and sleep with. He doesn't need Tim to actually cling to anymore, but he still does it with bedding.
Lights out, he does tense up slightly at noting the movement in the dark. Large shadow? He has almost animalistic good night vision, after all. But of course it's Kizu, though he blinks slightly to see her out again. Tim shuffles lightly by his leg, but stays as if dozing; not that he needs to or even is, but it's a form of comfort he provides.
But Allen blinks a little heavily, trying to focus on Shouto's outline, as his thoughts slip for a moment. Trying to sort through them and find something solid to latch onto. Something he wants to say but isn't quite sure what it is even, other than it makes him feel content and has kept his thoughts soothed. Easy to get lost in. ]
You know-- [ It's peaceable, as his white eyelashes inevitably drift shut. The exhaustion of rebirth quickly overtaking him. ]
I'm grateful... that I met you. [ He hugs the blanket a touch tighter, voice becoming a touch muffled as he turns his face against it. ] Shouto.
[ Generally... Allen sleeps for only a couple hours before Beast-induced nightmares fed by his cursed eye wake him up, hearing the plaintive cries of their souls as the curse tries to force him to go out and seek, to hunt them to save them -- but tonight (this morning?) he won't. Maybe because it's not the middle of the night, maybe because it's some small window of peace after being reborn, or perhaps for finding enough comfort to actually sleep normally and deeply for once. He doesn't even move much, just staying curled up on his side facing Shouto while breathing quietly, hugging an arm-sized lump of blanket to his face.
Just seeming content like that. ]