[ It's a few days into the new month when Subaru finally makes use of this particular tether. His calling comes as a soft, resonant tug, just enough to invoke connection. Something to cut through the oddity of the city's sudden stillness being shaken by a deep, enduring hum.
[ even if the ever present hum weren't so eerie, so foreboding, agent choi still wouldn't have been able to sleep. the growing moon hangs heavy in the sky, after all, making it impossible for an increasingly nocturnal creature like himself to stay still. out of consideration for his neighbour, or perhaps a lack of patience to hear his complaints, he's taken his pacing outside, the sound of his footsteps interrupting the silence that weighs over the city.
it's a subtle tug, registering quietly in the corners of his mind, that stops him in his tracks. the reply is immediate. ]
I'm safe.
[ by all accounts far from well, but safe? sure. he can be safe. ]
( He's efficient in this, as in everything: one moment, he sleeps with the dust and dead over Sumeragi Subaru's honey-sweet grandmotherly breakfast table, a tacitly forgiven omission in the grand scheme of studied precautions. Stabbed, battered and bruised, Seishirou wears his fatigue like an armour; what couldn't kill him over the blood moon made Sleep stronger.
Never mind. The Sumeragi twelfth head reared her grandson too polite to breach hospitality with the crass banalities of murder under his roof. He sleeps fitfully, shivered with the quick-sick fever of a body contorted in geometries that don't fit rest. He stirs, thrice that he remembers: to the smell of stale coffee, ground yonder; and the silent tremulations of Subaru-kun's hand retired, before Seishirou snatches it again; the first licks of solid beam and the warmed slate of dawns trickling through double glazed glass.
The next moment: the mouth of unearned satisfaction looms open and rotten-toothed over him. He wakes in nostalgic increments, the cut of his shoulders lax where he's spread over the table, thumb slow circling the soft-furred, broad knuckle of Sumeragi Subaru's clawed hand —
...well, then. And it goes like this, time-honoured, true, eyes still shuttered: he stills his affections. Gently, oh so gently, slithers his fingers up and rounds them over a captive wrist, and all at once there's the slim nothing of Sharon's dagger in his other hand, dry of his own blood now, as Seishirou half-rises, half plunges over the table. The knife hovers in the general direction, he anticipates, of a chest or a shoulder, a warning distance from sinking in. They're all civilized people here. One does not slaughter in the kitchen. Think of Sumeragi obaa-chan.
His eyes blink slowly open. Oh.
...oh. Not a Host, then. Then, blearily, laughing: )
What... ( Excuse the slight yawn two busy hands can't cover. ) ...great ears you've got, Subaru-kun.
[ oh! choi guesses it did look like he was having a nightmare of some kind, but this reaction is still a bit more than he'd expected.
it's a natural, instinctive sort of movement that results in such a change of positions. at first, he's casually resting at the table, hand held captive by the man sleeping across from him. then, with little rhyme or reason, he finds himself on the business end of a rather unfriendly looking dagger. he'll admit, it's not quite something he would've expected from the gentle, affianced veterinarian he'd met earlier in the month. not at all like the clumsy swipes made in dim, red alleys.
but regardless of what he'd expected, the blade now rests just above his shoulder, and for a moment, it ignites a memory in the agent—something fluttering and nauseating in the pit of his stomach. his eyes flick to the side, resting on seishirou's wrist for a long moment, thinking, thinking... and then he turns his attention back to the man once more, easy smile stretched across his face to match the laughter he's offered. ]
Gosh, you know, I've been hearing that a lot lately~
[ In the same breath that he wakes with, rifted from the collapsing dream and thrown back down into the lightless city, his heart thumps alive, searching for its tethers. For once, it's not the words he'd last heard — We've got you. — that echo in his ears.
Because someone else had him before that, too.
Are you awake? is the primary feeling that bleeds through the tether. ]
[ it only takes a moment before subaru's answer will come back to him. a feeling that, as light as it is, is just as warm.
Good morning, Subaru.
that's answer enough, right? but the quickness of it has clearly brought a smile to choi's face. no sooner had he rolled over on his bed before he felt the pull of their tether, and the upward curve of his lips, too, can likely be felt through that same connection.
[ this makes the third time, and they say the third time's the charm but kamui is not familiar with this cliche. more the better, possibly. nothing to see here, or so he tries to convey when he:
1. exits the sumeragi zoo/apartment in clumsy haste after explaining to a worried caelus that he needs time alone 2. picks up said haste which is no less clumsy and then of course 3. runs right into agent choi
so.
the look an animal gives after running into a piece of furniture or a wall or into their own tail: wide eyes blinking, a bit of a stunned look as if they did not just Do That to themselves. yes, it all happens. then: recognition, oh it's you. some of which triggers by scent that floods kamui's mouth as much as his nose. something is different. or he is imagining it? but it's definitely agent choi. his nose twitches. while his ears don't flatten, they might be on the edge of it, even if kamui cannot figure out what's bothering him. his own tail loops around his waist as if he just doesn't know what else to do with it , and he steps back to keep a polite space between them, bowing his head briefly. ]
Agent Choi...?
[ he doesn't mean for it to come out like a question; he can tell from every other indicator it is him. but the niggling sense of something changed never goes away. it hits him belatedly; that he was leaving, and then this person...
...oh. ]
...are you going to see S--
[ subaru's name rests in the unfinished litter of coughing and kamui's poorly timed affections. a too aggressive attempt to silence it only exacerbates it, so kamui turns away, using one hand to cover his mouth and the other to wave choi off: it's fine. just give him a second.
[ really, at least kamui had an excuse. agent choi? he should have known better—to watch his surroundings, at least. but he was just so intent on a certain, only somewhat familiar scent that hung in the air around here. one that he wanted to make sure he got a chance to check up on.
well, looks like he doesn't have to worry about that anymore; kamui arrives on the scene with all the grace of a skittish cat, and the ears and tail of one too, for that matter. it's almost enough to catch choi by surprise if something much more pressing didn't follow the half-question he'd managed to make it through.
ignoring the obvious fact that kamui's correct for a moment, agent choi isn't shy about closing the distance between them even despite the hand waving him away. ]
Whoa, you alright there kiddo? There, there, get it all out.
[ a hand will come up to rub gentle circles against his back as he coughs, even giving him a few pats as it seems to die down. ]
Do you need some water?
[ kamui's answer doesn't matter so much here. agent choi is already sliding his bag off his shoulder, unzipping it so that he can rummage inside and pull out a fresh water bottle to hold out for him. ]
[ As agreed, Megumi makes his way to the specified place, a few hours later on the dot.
He looks a little more tired than he has the previous times he's met with Choi, and there are a few new scars covering his face, but hey, we've all had a shitty month. ]
[ as megumi makes his way inside, choi lifts a hand with a cheerful smile. the cafe he makes his way into is somewhat tidy—there's not so much trash or fungal blooms lying around anymore, but there are certainly some stains left that will take some work to be rid of.
admittedly, choi is looking much the same, with dark circles lining underneath his eyes and skin a bit paler than it might have been when they last met—but that's to be expected, right? the fact that he's not pale as a corpse is more than enough to be thankful for, so he's keeping his spirits up. ]
Looking sharp, kiddo!
[ because who here can't appreciate a few scars? ]
[ the tea over his shoulder pulls his gaze upwards, drawing choi out of deep thought to accept the cup, but only to hold it in his hands, allowing it to warm them. ]
Yeah, actually. Do you remember what I mentioned before... about Kamui?
[ it may not have been the best time to discuss it in detail back then, but neither is it something that choi is comfortable with carelessly putting off. ]
to choi's credit, at least he doesn't freak out. just kind of looks down at himself, holding his arms out slightly as if he's not sure what to do when he doesn't want to touch it. ]
Er... [ looking back up now. ] You alright, Grapes?
[ It ends much like how it always ends. With collapse, violence pluming, then freefall. Each time he wakes from a dream, the effect is just a little less startling... that's the cyclical nature of things, he supposes. Though he does find his breath gathered high in his throat; it still tastes like instinct, like fire. He consciously exhales it, waiting for the firework pops of light to dissipate from behind his eyelids.
Subaru doesn't wait long to push himself up into a seat. He seems like he might get up entirely, if not for the pause it takes him to glance to the space beside him.
He doesn't fall asleep alone often nowadays. It's just that the divot of weight on the mattress isn't where he thinks it'll be, either. ]
[ a moment's pause is all it takes, because in that moment, an arm will snake around subaru's waist.
for his part, any sheet or blanket that has come in contact with agent choi has already been tossed to either subaru or the floor. it was too hot while he slept, and now that he's awake, it's too cold; naturally, he isn't keen on letting go of his only source of warmth. instead he peers up at subaru through unkempt bangs, spotted ears pinned back against his head. ]
[ are his eyes fooling him? removing his glasses, kim soleum rubs at one area to take a better look at the trashcan he's passing by. he can hear it, occasional coughs but nothing too worrisome echoes through the apartment complex— it's above, one more flight and he'll be able to find the person he's looking for.
however, his legs have grown as cold as stone, stiff as a tree as he stands in one place staring at what's inside. a few flowers litter the top of it like decoration to mask something ugly, and that being the color red underneath and sometimes on the tips of the petals. the types of flowers are... both familiar and unfamiliar. what he's seen of this is from the youth that he checks in with from time to time, even soleum remembers the stark and blinding red against the cool and dull color of snow where petals, vomit and blood melted into the weather.
this is different.
he grimaces at the sight before turning his head away, if he ignores it then it didn't happen. he pretends to not see it.
that's why he forces himself to move to the next flight of stairs, his hand holding onto the rail as he moves up. it's been some time since he's seen the other, their tether burns with disgust as kim soleum makes his way closer and closer to the floor that the other is on.
as he the bottom of his feet meets the final step, kim soleum speaks up with the rattle of a bag in hand. ]
[ soleum's voice carries, and if there's one place agent choi shouldn't allow himself to be caught, it's in the room with the shrine, right? it's not hard to identify which apartment is his, after all; a thin strip of paper with black ink scribbled down in familiar shapes hangs next to his door. if soleum has been diligent in his studying, he could recognize it as a talisman to attract good fortune, but agent choi will be coming out that front door in just a moment to meet him anyway. ]
How'd you find this place, Grapes?
[ stupid question though, he guesses, even as he asks it. after all, something is already slinking out of his shadow and onto the worn carpet of the apartment, dripping with inky black shadows as it moves to meet its master down the hall.
scratching at the back of his neck, he shakes his head. ]
Never mind. What did you need?
[ because whatever it is, they should get it out of the way quickly. there's a reason he's isolated himself so, after all, and the feelings he's been avoiding all this time rise up in his throat like nausea at just the sight of the other man. ]
[ It is a casual feeling of someone reaching out - a hand gently touching the man's shoulder. A feeling of someone peeking around him a friendly, teasing little way. But there is something apologetic in everything he is doing; his presence gently flowing as he greets his employer: ]
Choi-san. [ He offers a small smile. ] Have you been well?
[ Before asking any favor, a person should show respect to their betters. ]
[ it comes as a bit of a surprise, but not an unwelcome one when choi recognizes his company. ]
Hm? Yeah, yeah, I've been great.
[ horrendous, actually, even now. exhausted, cranky, even a little bitter—but despite this, there's a smile to his voice, and there's no contempt in the way he greets yuuto. on the contrary, he seems almost all too eager. ]
What's up? Something I can help with? Don't tell me Grapes is causing trouble again.
[ Like the revolutions of the red moon, the weeks crescendo, curdling cold the long hours, the long nights. But also on a schedule, as his primitive attempt at a calendar tells him, the worst of it abates after so many weeks. He feels whatever effect or bid Sleep was making through One and the Murmur subside, draining out through his tethers and leaving only echoes and exhaustion in its wake. But things are — calm. Colored with fatigue and guilt, but calm.
It doesn't take him long to decide on what he's going to do. A practitioner's mental fortitude accounts for some of his luck in weathering everything out, but his heart's never been a quick study in following suit. Not even years of isolation taught it any better.
So he packs a small bag and slings it over his shoulder before exiting his apartment and heading east. He thinks it more to himself:
even now, the chill from the night before lingers in the air, abandoned buildings sparkling with dew and frost as the city begins to warm, just slightly, underneath the sun. threading through cracked streets and crumbling buildings, it takes some time to reach his destination—distant from both subaru's own red-doored apartment, and the italian food centre choi would usually call home.
outside of the building, a black cat rubs against his pant leg, leaving behind a sticky residue before it trots up to the front door, squeezing inside as if leading the way.
and it will continue to guide him up the stairs and through the halls, following the same path as the thread of their tether, before slipping underneath the next door too, into the apartment itself. a piece of worn printer paper is taped to it and marked with shapes scrawled in black ink—a makeshift talisman meant to draw in good fortune.
if subaru tries it, he'll find that the door is unlocked, agent choi sprawled across his couch with his hands tucked behind his head in the place of a pillow. ]
[ With the intention of complaining and crying about Roe Deer leaving before him, he decides to go to HR to lodge a proper complaint.
However, he comes up with the same sensation. There is no one at the end of the connection. No one is there to answer. It makes him wonder if the same for all of them - Saheon-san, Doll-san.
Yet instead of feeling bitter, he feels an odd sense of relief. ]
I'm glad that you are all able to leave together. I worry that I got in the way of all your work, but happy for what I was able to do to lend to your progress.
[ Again, these words go nowhere. Swallowed up by the Murmur, it would be better to speak into the sky of the city - at least something might hear it. But these are meant for one person? So, if the person isn't there to hear them - well, that is that. ]
I appreciate the time that we had together. Please continue to look after everyone, but be certain to look after yourself, too, Choi-san.
[ A smile just like before. ] You're a hard-worker even if people might not see it with your smiles... but I'm certain you saved more people with your brightness than you know.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
He can't sleep through it, so he wonders: ]
Are you safe?
no subject
it's a subtle tug, registering quietly in the corners of his mind, that stops him in his tracks. the reply is immediate. ]
I'm safe.
[ by all accounts far from well, but safe? sure. he can be safe. ]
Are you? What are you doing up?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
A little after Saheon contacts him
I hope you're feeling better?
this is great thank u
Don't worry about me, it was nothing a little bed rest couldn't fix! Were the results any help, at least?
I was going to put an emote but found this cute crying cat 😿
choi when he rolled poison on the third fruit 😿
😹
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
no subject
Never mind. The Sumeragi twelfth head reared her grandson too polite to breach hospitality with the crass banalities of murder under his roof. He sleeps fitfully, shivered with the quick-sick fever of a body contorted in geometries that don't fit rest. He stirs, thrice that he remembers: to the smell of stale coffee, ground yonder; and the silent tremulations of Subaru-kun's hand retired, before Seishirou snatches it again; the first licks of solid beam and the warmed slate of dawns trickling through double glazed glass.
The next moment: the mouth of unearned satisfaction looms open and rotten-toothed over him. He wakes in nostalgic increments, the cut of his shoulders lax where he's spread over the table, thumb slow circling the soft-furred, broad knuckle of Sumeragi Subaru's clawed hand —
...well, then. And it goes like this, time-honoured, true, eyes still shuttered: he stills his affections. Gently, oh so gently, slithers his fingers up and rounds them over a captive wrist, and all at once there's the slim nothing of Sharon's dagger in his other hand, dry of his own blood now, as Seishirou half-rises, half plunges over the table. The knife hovers in the general direction, he anticipates, of a chest or a shoulder, a warning distance from sinking in. They're all civilized people here. One does not slaughter in the kitchen. Think of Sumeragi obaa-chan.
His eyes blink slowly open. Oh.
...oh. Not a Host, then. Then, blearily, laughing: )
What... ( Excuse the slight yawn two busy hands can't cover. ) ...great ears you've got, Subaru-kun.
no subject
it's a natural, instinctive sort of movement that results in such a change of positions. at first, he's casually resting at the table, hand held captive by the man sleeping across from him. then, with little rhyme or reason, he finds himself on the business end of a rather unfriendly looking dagger. he'll admit, it's not quite something he would've expected from the gentle, affianced veterinarian he'd met earlier in the month. not at all like the clumsy swipes made in dim, red alleys.
but regardless of what he'd expected, the blade now rests just above his shoulder, and for a moment, it ignites a memory in the agent—something fluttering and nauseating in the pit of his stomach. his eyes flick to the side, resting on seishirou's wrist for a long moment, thinking, thinking... and then he turns his attention back to the man once more, easy smile stretched across his face to match the laughter he's offered. ]
Gosh, you know, I've been hearing that a lot lately~
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
january week one.
Because someone else had him before that, too.
Are you awake? is the primary feeling that bleeds through the tether. ]
no subject
Good morning, Subaru.
that's answer enough, right? but the quickness of it has clearly brought a smile to choi's face. no sooner had he rolled over on his bed before he felt the pull of their tether, and the upward curve of his lips, too, can likely be felt through that same connection.
Did you sleep well? ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
after the catboy flees the source of his trope #92348237
1. exits the sumeragi zoo/apartment in clumsy haste after explaining to a worried caelus that he needs time alone
2. picks up said haste which is no less clumsy and then of course
3. runs right into agent choi
so.
the look an animal gives after running into a piece of furniture or a wall or into their own tail: wide eyes blinking, a bit of a stunned look as if they did not just Do That to themselves. yes, it all happens. then: recognition, oh it's you. some of which triggers by scent that floods kamui's mouth as much as his nose. something is different. or he is imagining it? but it's definitely agent choi. his nose twitches. while his ears don't flatten, they might be on the edge of it, even if kamui cannot figure out what's bothering him. his own tail loops around his waist as if he just doesn't know what else to do with it , and he steps back to keep a polite space between them, bowing his head briefly. ]
Agent Choi...?
[ he doesn't mean for it to come out like a question; he can tell from every other indicator it is him. but the niggling sense of something changed never goes away. it hits him belatedly; that he was leaving, and then this person...
...oh. ]
...are you going to see S--
[ subaru's name rests in the unfinished litter of coughing and kamui's poorly timed affections. a too aggressive attempt to silence it only exacerbates it, so kamui turns away, using one hand to cover his mouth and the other to wave choi off: it's fine. just give him a second.
because it's fine. ]
🥺️ 🐾️
well, looks like he doesn't have to worry about that anymore; kamui arrives on the scene with all the grace of a skittish cat, and the ears and tail of one too, for that matter. it's almost enough to catch choi by surprise if something much more pressing didn't follow the half-question he'd managed to make it through.
ignoring the obvious fact that kamui's correct for a moment, agent choi isn't shy about closing the distance between them even despite the hand waving him away. ]
Whoa, you alright there kiddo? There, there, get it all out.
[ a hand will come up to rub gentle circles against his back as he coughs, even giving him a few pats as it seems to die down. ]
Do you need some water?
[ kamui's answer doesn't matter so much here. agent choi is already sliding his bag off his shoulder, unzipping it so that he can rummage inside and pull out a fresh water bottle to hold out for him. ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
i don't have an icon for this just.....save him
(no subject)
action, end of january
He looks a little more tired than he has the previous times he's met with Choi, and there are a few new scars covering his face, but hey, we've all had a shitty month. ]
no subject
[ as megumi makes his way inside, choi lifts a hand with a cheerful smile. the cafe he makes his way into is somewhat tidy—there's not so much trash or fungal blooms lying around anymore, but there are certainly some stains left that will take some work to be rid of.
admittedly, choi is looking much the same, with dark circles lining underneath his eyes and skin a bit paler than it might have been when they last met—but that's to be expected, right? the fact that he's not pale as a corpse is more than enough to be thankful for, so he's keeping his spirits up. ]
Looking sharp, kiddo!
[ because who here can't appreciate a few scars? ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
somewhere in dark signs jan event
no subject
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
end(ish) february.
There was something you wanted to talk about.
no subject
Yeah, actually. Do you remember what I mentioned before... about Kamui?
[ it may not have been the best time to discuss it in detail back then, but neither is it something that choi is comfortable with carelessly putting off. ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
— post mar. higher event
no subject
to choi's credit, at least he doesn't freak out. just kind of looks down at himself, holding his arms out slightly as if he's not sure what to do when he doesn't want to touch it. ]
Er... [ looking back up now. ] You alright, Grapes?
[ he was fine a second ago. ]
(no subject)
— meme saturday, canon event
If you knew something, you should have told me.
[ godmodding them at a table because why not, and soleum will scratch at his shoulder because it tingles. ]
no subject
[ at this point being the key there. ]
It was just... Something I saw. Like a place on the other side.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
early-early april week one.
Subaru doesn't wait long to push himself up into a seat. He seems like he might get up entirely, if not for the pause it takes him to glance to the space beside him.
He doesn't fall asleep alone often nowadays. It's just that the divot of weight on the mattress isn't where he thinks it'll be, either. ]
no subject
for his part, any sheet or blanket that has come in contact with agent choi has already been tossed to either subaru or the floor. it was too hot while he slept, and now that he's awake, it's too cold; naturally, he isn't keen on letting go of his only source of warmth. instead he peers up at subaru through unkempt bangs, spotted ears pinned back against his head. ]
Where do you think you're going?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
— take aim & give, week three.
however, his legs have grown as cold as stone, stiff as a tree as he stands in one place staring at what's inside. a few flowers litter the top of it like decoration to mask something ugly, and that being the color red underneath and sometimes on the tips of the petals. the types of flowers are... both familiar and unfamiliar. what he's seen of this is from the youth that he checks in with from time to time, even soleum remembers the stark and blinding red against the cool and dull color of snow where petals, vomit and blood melted into the weather.
this is different.
he grimaces at the sight before turning his head away, if he ignores it then it didn't happen. he pretends to not see it.
that's why he forces himself to move to the next flight of stairs, his hand holding onto the rail as he moves up. it's been some time since he's seen the other, their tether burns with disgust as kim soleum makes his way closer and closer to the floor that the other is on.
as he the bottom of his feet meets the final step, kim soleum speaks up with the rattle of a bag in hand. ]
Agent... I've came to see you.
[ ... ]
no subject
How'd you find this place, Grapes?
[ stupid question though, he guesses, even as he asks it. after all, something is already slinking out of his shadow and onto the worn carpet of the apartment, dripping with inky black shadows as it moves to meet its master down the hall.
scratching at the back of his neck, he shakes his head. ]
Never mind. What did you need?
[ because whatever it is, they should get it out of the way quickly. there's a reason he's isolated himself so, after all, and the feelings he's been avoiding all this time rise up in his throat like nausea at just the sight of the other man. ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
week iv;
Choi-san. [ He offers a small smile. ] Have you been well?
[ Before asking any favor, a person should show respect to their betters. ]
no subject
Hm? Yeah, yeah, I've been great.
[ horrendous, actually, even now. exhausted, cranky, even a little bitter—but despite this, there's a smile to his voice, and there's no contempt in the way he greets yuuto. on the contrary, he seems almost all too eager. ]
What's up? Something I can help with? Don't tell me Grapes is causing trouble again.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
pspsps (early may!)
It doesn't take him long to decide on what he's going to do. A practitioner's mental fortitude accounts for some of his luck in weathering everything out, but his heart's never been a quick study in following suit. Not even years of isolation taught it any better.
So he packs a small bag and slings it over his shoulder before exiting his apartment and heading east. He thinks it more to himself:
I'm going to come and get you.
...but if it carries, it's just as well. ]
no subject
even now, the chill from the night before lingers in the air, abandoned buildings sparkling with dew and frost as the city begins to warm, just slightly, underneath the sun. threading through cracked streets and crumbling buildings, it takes some time to reach his destination—distant from both subaru's own red-doored apartment, and the italian food centre choi would usually call home.
outside of the building, a black cat rubs against his pant leg, leaving behind a sticky residue before it trots up to the front door, squeezing inside as if leading the way.
and it will continue to guide him up the stairs and through the halls, following the same path as the thread of their tether, before slipping underneath the next door too, into the apartment itself. a piece of worn printer paper is taped to it and marked with shapes scrawled in black ink—a makeshift talisman meant to draw in good fortune.
if subaru tries it, he'll find that the door is unlocked, agent choi sprawled across his couch with his hands tucked behind his head in the place of a pillow. ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
...
...
...
...
...
--
[ With the intention of complaining and crying about Roe Deer leaving before him, he decides to go to HR to lodge a proper complaint.
However, he comes up with the same sensation. There is no one at the end of the connection. No one is there to answer. It makes him wonder if the same for all of them - Saheon-san, Doll-san.
Yet instead of feeling bitter, he feels an odd sense of relief. ]
I'm glad that you are all able to leave together. I worry that I got in the way of all your work, but happy for what I was able to do to lend to your progress.
[ Again, these words go nowhere. Swallowed up by the Murmur, it would be better to speak into the sky of the city - at least something might hear it. But these are meant for one person? So, if the person isn't there to hear them - well, that is that. ]
I appreciate the time that we had together. Please continue to look after everyone, but be certain to look after yourself, too, Choi-san.
[ A smile just like before. ] You're a hard-worker even if people might not see it with your smiles... but I'm certain you saved more people with your brightness than you know.
[ Like with the one before, he offers a bow. ]
Pleas be good to me next time.