Nunnally Drop Thread

[thekingsgambit]

[OOC: Keeping this here for keepability.]

Comments

[hopeisblind]

[Nunnally is in the cabin, stroking Lassie's head with a thoughtful expression on her face.]

[thekingsgambit]

[Wandering in from doing library research or whatnot but smiles when he notices her.]

I hope you are not coming up with another ingenious plan for her and the shollies.

[hopeisblind]

Ah, big brother...

[thekingsgambit]

Ah, what is it?

[hopeisblind]

I believe...I believe I have been asked to leave.

[thekingsgambit]

[Stopping cold, the smile faltering but not vanishing completely.]

Aa... the director informed you? A letter, I imagine... ? That is usually the way she conducts these things.

[hopeisblind]

[She can't even smile properly, though she believes she should.]

...Lassie brought it to me.

[She shows him the letter.]

[thekingsgambit]

[Reaches out a hand to take the letter. It is probably shaking just a touch and will probably shake more as he looks over what it says.]

Ah, it does seem she has decided to bestow her generosity upon you...

[hopeisblind]

[Her face contorts a little, as if she was about to cry.]

...Do you think she is being generous?

[thekingsgambit]

[Sets the letter down and moves that shaking hand to brush back her hair.]

She is letting you return, with the others. So you can continue creating a better like you and Euphy dreamed of. It is not possible in this place.

[hopeisblind]

[She accepts that. And she knows he is right, still nothing has felt more impossible in her whole life.]

...Big brother will not be there.

[thekingsgambit]

... We had our time, Nunnally. More than I ever dreamed we would have. I am... very grateful for that. For this place.

[hopeisblind]

[ She is so sad, and tears are running down her cheeks as she smiles gently at him.]

Grateful for Camp?

[thekingsgambit]

[Keeping it together here. Barely.]

It sounds so much worse when Nunnally puts it that way.

[hopeisblind]

[Closing his eyes and touching his cheek, so very lovingly, as she used to before their world was destroyed again]

Big brother...

[thekingsgambit]

[O-Okay losing some of his resolve at that... Tone getting less steady, as he tries to draw back his hand...]

Ah... ?

[hopeisblind]

[Trying to hide her tears]

Can't I stay? Can't you come with me?

[thekingsgambit]

[Yep. Resolve gone. Just desperate, clinging hugging now.]

Nunnally...

[hopeisblind]

[Hugging so tightly and stroking his hair]

Big brother, why does it have to be that way?

[thekingsgambit]

[Just holding her equally tight, so unwilling to let her go now, now after everything, after they were finally able to be a real family again...]

[hopeisblind]

[She doesn't wish to let him go either. All she ever wanted was to stay by his side.]

[thekingsgambit]

[After a while, his voice comes out in a tinny whisper against her hair...]

... The others need you, Nunnnally. Kallen and... Suzaku... We have to be strong for them.

[hopeisblind]

...Silly big brother.

[thekingsgambit]

You can do it, Nunnally.

[hopeisblind]

[Holding both his cheeks]

Big brother... please. That was...that is my dream, so I know what I must do. But please, don't make this face. It is all right to show me your real face...just for today. Just this time.

[thekingsgambit]

[At her words, his shoulders tremble heavily, unable to handle all the feelings clashing inside him and when he draws her toward him again, both arms around the small of her back, there are tears rolling slowly down his cheeks.]

Nunnally, why...

[hopeisblind]

[She wraps her arms around his shoulders, breathing fast.]

Yes, yes. That's my big brother. That's the big brother I have been waiting for...Complete.

[thekingsgambit]

[Now that he's starting crying, he is unlikely to stop anytime soon. The quiet sobs are marked by constant, almost pleading, strokes over her hair, as if memorizing every strand.]

Nunnally...

[hopeisblind]

[And she strokes his hair, and she is strong for him, in ways that she has never been able to before. That's her final gift. The only one she has left.]

I love you, big brother.

[thekingsgambit]

I love you, I will always love you, Nunnally...

[hopeisblind]

[Holding both his hands and looking down into his eyes]

Promise me to be happy as your own heart demands? Promise me you will live?

[thekingsgambit]

[Doesn't even know how to begin to promise that without her, without Suzaku so he gives her the only response he can.]

I will... do my best...

[hopeisblind]

[She knows that, of course, and would never push him further, because...]

Then I will do my best too, big brother.

[She wants him to see her smiling in the end, like this.]

[thekingsgambit]

[Tiny smile]

Nunnally has never been managed to do anything less.

[hopeisblind]

[Leaning forward and delicately kissing his cheek. He can feel her warm tears as she presses closer.]

...But I will always love big brother more than anyone else.

[thekingsgambit]

... Promise me you will not limit yourself either, Nunnally.

[hopeisblind]

[firm nod]

Y-yes. Yes, big brother. I promise.

[For you.]

[thekingsgambit]

[Reaches out to thread fingers with hers, just wanting to enjoy the feel of her hand against his one last time.]

Then, I can be happy no matter what.

[hopeisblind]

[She squeezes his hands very tightly. She is crying now, but smiling as well. At least they had this time together. At least, at least...]

...Then I can be happy too.

[thekingsgambit]

[Leaning down to kiss her forehead.]

Ah.

[hopeisblind]

Big brother...

[She is still holdings his hands]

Big brother, I love you.

[And perhaps it is time to go to the barrier. '-']

[thekingsgambit]

[He is just going to hold that hand forever, for as long as he possibly can.]

[hopeisblind]

[She can do that too. :( ]

[thekingsgambit]

[Then, that is what is going to be happening here.]