IC: Cabinstuck

[thekingsgambit]

[Anyone who's used to a certain failemp making his rounds about camp might have noticed a startling absence for the past few days (unless they've been hanging in the hospital, where he spends some time everyday). Some might even take this to be odd, considering that said failemp has almost appeared to be in a better mood than usual prior to the week. Maybe you should check on him at his cabin?]




((FTR: Nunnally thread takes place the morning after this and Fuuma's thread takes place shortly after the events of this post.))

Comments

[hopeisblind.livejournal.com]

[holding him tightly]

Stupid big brother. Does that mean I'm terrible too?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Reaching up to smooth her hair.]

Of course not. But it should not be Nunnally's responsibility to worry about your older brother.

[hopeisblind.livejournal.com]

[gently]

W-why not. He was very important to me too.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Freezes noticeably at that use of past tense, his hand shaking ever so slightly.]

A-Ah, I know. But... there's still time to reverse this, I promise you that.

[hopeisblind.livejournal.com]

[okay, you are totally crazed by grief and need more cuddles]

Big brother needs to rest a little bit.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[I am not totally crazed. :( Also, pulling back some but taking her wrist.]

I can't, Nunnally. Suzaku is not the only one in danger. There are others missing their companions just as we are.

[hopeisblind.livejournal.com]

[sadly]

But big brother needs to take care of his own loss first.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Tense but trying not to show it.]

... I have already seen to Suzaku.

[hopeisblind.livejournal.com]

[sighs and holds you closer]

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Lets her.]

He is in the hospital until we can set things right once more. We will find a way to restore this place's power.

[hopeisblind.livejournal.com]

[I'm sorry, big brother. But Suzaku-san is not around to do this. It's for your own good. :( ]

[SLAP]

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[OW.]

[hopeisblind.livejournal.com]

[ ;; ]

P-please, big brother. Try to lie down and sleep a bit?

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[I cannot believe you just HIT me. 0_o Holding hand to his cheek in stunned silence for a minute or so.]

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[And while she may not be able to see it, a new realization and clarity is gradually filling his eyes. He carefully grabs her hands.]

Nunnally... listen to me. This place is not like home. Death has no meaning here, nor power over reality. Whatever is happening now is wrong, and that is why we are working to fix it. That's why I know we can bring Suzaku back. This isn't a delusion. Here, we have another chance, you must believe me.

[hopeisblind.livejournal.com]

[Okay, I know this place is crazy, and maybe that makes you not crazy, and hands say you are not lying. But even so, this conversation feels terribly wrong. :( ]

C-can you bring mother back too?

What about Euphie?

[voice is a bit shrilly now]

B-big brother, dead people stay dead.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[For a long beat he is silent, well understanding the risk of the topic he has entered but also wanting more than anything to assure her (assure himself) that this place is something else, that the scene in the fields would, for once, just be a horrific dream. Just this once, one he could wake up from.

He grips those hands tighter.]

Euphie was here before. I told Suzaku as well. I cannot pretend to know how it works or how this place chooses whom it will draw here, even from death. So I cannot promise you we will see either of them again.

[He takes a more shaky and raw breath.]

But I can promise you we will see Suzaku.

... It isn't easy for me to say or believe, even seeing what I have here. Part of me still thinks it's foolish and impossible. So you must believe in it for the both of us. Can you do that for me, Nunnally? It is all right to believe in something like this, just this once. I will not tease you for it. Please, believe me, Nunnally.

[hopeisblind.livejournal.com]

E-Euphie?

[I can't actually refuse that, can I? Even if I'm so so afraid big brother is going to get terribly hurt. :( ]

[squeezing hands]

I believe you, big brother. And I will believe Suzaku-san can come back. For you.

But promise me you will take care of yourself. For me?

[pulling a bit away and offering you the pinky finger of death and destruction]

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

For the both of us.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Giving that final gesture an uncertain glance. Who knows what it will take to deal with the one who has knocked camp so wildly off its axis? Even if he has assured Cornelia of his understanding of restraint, can he truly promise this in light of actions that may have to be taken? He knows better than to pretend to himself that he will not risk everything for a chance to restore his ill-fated knight. Still... ]

Ah, I promise...

[hopeisblind.livejournal.com]

[gently]

Big brother remembers.

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Takes the pinkie in equal gentleness.]

I will be careful this time.

[Even if things are dangerous.]

[hopeisblind.livejournal.com]

[yay, you almost sound sane again. ;;]

For the both of us.

[rocking pinkies together]

[thekingsgambit.livejournal.com]

[Leaning forward to kiss her forehead.]

Ah.

After all, I am not overly fond of needles.

[The last is an attempt at his usual lightness, although it is weighed down by the weariness and fragility in his voice. The tone is also low enough that were anyone else in the room, only the two of them would be able to hear it.]

[hopeisblind.livejournal.com]

[Awww, more cuddles? :( you get a tiiiiiny smile too ]

Sorry I slapped you, big brother.