IC: Backdated to night of mega clusterfuck fight

[thekingsgambit]

[In one of the hospital beds, a confused ex-emperor is gradually coming to, blinking amid the poor lighting and grasping his side as he tries to sit up a little too fast. The skin around one underside of his jaw appears slightly swollen and darker than usual. Other than that, the only thing that stands out is the strained look of thought on his face as he tries to sort through the afternoon's events.]



((Note, with the exception of the Black Knights, threads are not occurring at the same time.))

Comments

[emocalypse.livejournal.com]

I'd…like to. Until you're better.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Squeezes at his own arm for a moment.]



I will not tell you to go.

[emocalypse.livejournal.com]

[…nod]

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Takes a slow breath and keeps gaze away from him.]

I actually... I thought about finding you earlier. It is a foolish thing, all this time and I am still selfish.

[emocalypse.livejournal.com]

You should have! If something happens again… [swallows, hearing an echo of Yuzuriha in his own words as he speaks] Call for me. I'll come.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

No, Kamui, you misunderstand. It was not when this happened that I wanted to see you. It was before...

[emocalypse.livejournal.com]

…Did…something happen?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Still not looking at.]

... Nunnally.

[emocalypse.livejournal.com]

Was she hurt? Is she all right?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Fingers tensing at his side]

I do not know. She is no longer here. She returned to our world.

[emocalypse.livejournal.com]

[flinches back just the slightest at Lelouch's expression]

…Re…turned…?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

That is where people are said to go when they leave here. The accounts match up. It is a thing of logic ultimately. This place probably should not exist; therefore nobody can stay forever... Our world is where we belong.

[emocalypse.livejournal.com]

…I'm sorry.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Closes eyes briefly]

There is no need to apologize. It is the one thing we have the least control over here.

[emocalypse.livejournal.com]

[nods very, very slowly, tightly gripping his hands together]

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Opens his eyes again and chances at look toward Kamui, though it is a bit hidden by his hair.]

... I wanted to see you.

[emocalypse.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

You would not have known. Anyway, you are here now... I am glad, Kamui. Though the circumstances could be better.

[emocalypse.livejournal.com]

[reaches for one of Lelouch's hands tentatively, ready to pull back if Lelouch reacts negatively at all]

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Something wounded flashes through his eyes at the motion, all too familiar, but he doesn't try to stop him this time.]

[emocalypse.livejournal.com]

[takes the hand between both of his]

…I should have been here.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Carefully reaches over to set his other hand on one of Kamui's, ignoring the sharp sting in his side from the position.]

Kamui... I need you to do something for me, something very important.

[emocalypse.livejournal.com]

…?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Lowers voice and meets Kamui's eyes]

Stop blaming yourself for this. The last thing I wanted to do was see you hurt. I need you to understand right now is when I truly need you, and you have not let me down. You did nothing wrong. Do you understand?

[emocalypse.livejournal.com]

[was close to tears but…stares at Lelouch for a long moment before he shuts his eyes, taking a breath]

…Yes, Lelouch.