IC: Right after that lovely event with ghost-mom...

[thekingsgambit]

[Someone is waking up in his bed, a dull throbbing still registering faintly at the back of his head. And something else... the coppery scent of blood.]

... nnngh.

Comments

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Hmm.]

As you said, poetic justice. Unfortunately, mine has a way of dragging others into it.

[Takes his wrist.]

Come here.

[whenknightfalls.livejournal.com]

[complies this time, although grouching about it]

I'll get it taken care of.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

Humor me, Suzaku.

[Tugging toward the room that serves as a makeshift bathroom in terms of having a sink and a supplies cabinet. Retrieving some peroxide and some ointment, along with some cotton balls.]

For once, your unrequited affections for those animals has its advantages.

[whenknightfalls.livejournal.com]

[Look, I am standing obediently and letting you treat it. Also probably flinching again because it stings like a bitch]

Guess I'm lucky.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Yes, and you giving me that look is certainly making it easy. Still, trying to be as careful as he can as he goes over the marks, keeping his attention on them so he doesn't have to meet Suzaku's eyes.]

I prefer the cat version.

[Pause.]

Did anything else happen?

[whenknightfalls.livejournal.com]

[I thought we already established that I don't make life easy. Also, with a sigh, stilling his hand to get his attention]

We...fought a few times. I was determined to get you away from that thing. That's all I know, between us.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Lifts gaze briefly, getting a quick glimpse of one of those fights...]

I see... I will check on the others as well then.

It sounds as though I was far from reason at the time. If I said anything... it was most likely part of the effect and nothing more.

[whenknightfalls.livejournal.com]

[almost but not quite done with being an ass, he raises an eyebrow]

...so I can protect things?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[... Presses a little bit harder on the cut he's applying ointment to.]

[whenknightfalls.livejournal.com]

[OW.]

Lelouch.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Pulling back at Suzaku's growl to try and refocus. Ugh, he really didn't need that reminder on top of everything else. His hand clenches at the tube in his grip, shaking slightly.]

... I apologize.

[whenknightfalls.livejournal.com]

Not your fault.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

It is my fault for taking that accursed apple when I knew something was strange about it. And it is my fault for forgetting how vicious this place can be when it comes to manipulations. I have ignored it too long since the relocation. I will not make that mistake again.

[whenknightfalls.livejournal.com]

You couldn't have known what it would mean.

...but I hate this place, too. For what it does.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Gives him a still heated look and then turns back to the cabinet to find the gauze and tape.]

You said it was a spirit? Did you see its true form?

[whenknightfalls.livejournal.com]

For a split second. It was a woman. With wild hair...

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

Perhaps someone has more information on her, as well as her motives.

[Back to bandaging these cuts, putting extra concentration into evening the pressure on Suzaku's skin.]

[whenknightfalls.livejournal.com]

Maybe. Maybe someone was actually able to talk with her. But I think she's gone now.

[Okay that does feel better]

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Uses a finger to finish slowly smoothing down the bandage.]

Ah... This is not the talk I pictured us having. Though I can safely say I never factored zombie bears or possessed apples into my predictions.

[whenknightfalls.livejournal.com]

[Catches that hand, this time leaning his cheek on it, a teasing light back in his eye]

Oh, so you were planning on talking to me eventually.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Catches that look and stays where he is for the moment.]

Ah, eventually.

[whenknightfalls.livejournal.com]

Huh. I was starting to get worried.

[And by worried, read: annoyed. Sighs then, letting him go]

We do have to at least live with each other.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Touches an unhurt portion of his cheek by his jaw for just a few seconds.]

I am aware of that.

[whenknightfalls.livejournal.com]

[Well, this conversation is going nowhere. But leans into the touch]

Are you going to do anything about it?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Pulls back.]

I have to find out what happened. There were others there; they must have shown up after you were struck by the bear. Perhaps I owe them nothing more than an apology for their involvement, but I have to find out.

[Also, have to check on my sister but I'm not bringing that up to you just yet...]