day 5 | 7:24am | kureshima household

[lifegivesyou]

[Ryouma had messaged this world's Takatora multiple times the night before. At first, he'd simply been concerned for the manner in which they'd parted ways, because in all of his years of knowing Takatora, something hadn't felt right. No one else knew Takatora like him, so it wouldn't surprise him if no one else would notice. But he did. After having the first casual text message ignored, he'd pushed a little harder. After a little longer, he'd nearly started spamming the other with playful, teasing remarks. Idle threats.

Nothing.

Takatora would never ignore him like this.

Which is exactly why, before the ban on having to stay inside all day is in effect, Ryouma is unlocking the door to the Kureshima household. He has his own key, obviously, given to him by this world's version at some point in their shared history. He locks the door behind him, checks it twice, and then strides through the mansion as though he's the master of the house and not just a visitor.

The path to Takatora's room is familiar enough. Under normal circumstances, he would knock and give the other a few moments to respond, but not today. There's no time for that. Instead, he opens the door and nudges it shut behind him (if only to avoid Mitsuzane's prying).

Takatora is sleeping. That should be enough to comfort him, but it's not. Something still doesn't feel right. Carefully, he crosses the room to the other's bed. After a moment of hesitation, he sits down next to him, placing a hand on Takatora's left shoulder and firmly nudging him.]

Takatora.

[His voice is in a surprisingly firm wake up now tone.]

Comments

[takatorakureshima]

[Takatora had been dreaming, as he often did, of the water. Drowning is slower in the dreams, as though the water wishes to give him more time to reflect on his actions, on what he did and didn't do. On what he should have done. He can feel the weight of the suit dragging him deeper down, and-

The shake and his name have his eyes flying open and he sits bolt upright in bed. Is it Mitsuzane? Is he alright?

But the voice does not belong to his brother: it belongs to one of the dead. Perhaps he is still dreaming, drowning in the water and just one of his many regrets.]

Ryouma?

[It takes him a moment to get his bearings. He is in his room, nothing out of place, but Ryouma... The touch upon his shoulder was solid enough to wake him, but perhaps he dreamt that as well? Whatever the case, he reaches out to touch the other, fingertips lightly brushing Ryouma's very real, very solid hair.

He pulls his hand back as if he's been burned.]

What? How... [A pause.] You're dead. [Another pause, and then his voice takes on a slightly sterner, worried tone.] What did you do..!?

[lifegivesyou]

[Ryouma sucks in a breath of surprise when Takatora shoots up like that. It's obvious he's immediately tense and on alert as well, in some strange domino effect, but he calms a lot quicker than Takatora does. As expected. The hand on Takatora's shoulder doesn't leave even when he speaks. Ryouma, for now, returns to looking quite a bit on edge.

The expression on his face doesn't change until Takatora touches him. It might be the most vulnerable Ryouma has ever looked in his presence, a slight frown tugging at his features that deepens once Takatora withdraws. It feels ... a lot better than he wants to admit to have that kind of contact, which makes it hurt even more once it's no longer there.

Before Takatora speaks, Ryouma already knows this isn't the Takatora he'd spoken to last night. His hand grips Takatora's shoulder a little tighter, his expression strained and looking horribly vulnerable -- far more than Takatora has ever seen him looking.]

It's a long story.

[Ryouma hesitates, then drops his hand from Takatora's shoulder and turns to look anywhere else in the room that he can. He takes a deep breath, but it's obviously shaking as he tries to put his calm and collected mask back on. Even if he can fool everyone else, it's likely Takatora can see through him.]

You might want to put yourself together before I fill you in.

[takatorakureshima]

[Something is off about Ryouma, just enough for Takatora to notice. Is he worried? Scared? He has so many other questions to ask his friend as well, so many things he wishes to know about, but it seems those will have to wait: Ryouma clearly wants to tell him something.

He'll ask in a second: for now, Takatora will take Ryouma's advice and get ready for the day. It's still early, but he'll need to go in to work and take Mitsuzane to school shortly. He ducks into his closet, throws on the first suit he sees, and proceeds to make sure he's ready to face the day, and his friend. He appears back in the bedroom in very little time at all, and he reaches out to put a hand on Ryouma's shoulder.]

I realize it's been some time since we've seen one another, and I have no idea why or how you've gotten here... [He frowns.] But something seems to be bothering you. Ryouma, what happened?

[lifegivesyou]

[Ryouma hadn't quite expected Takatora to go that far, though he knows he shouldn't be surprised. His friend has always had a habit for putting his best face on whenever he needs to face the world -- or even his best friend. It pulls at Ryouma's heart a bit, though he tries to stifle the feeling in his chest as he puts his hands down on the bed and pushes himself back a little further, waiting patiently for the other to catch up. He should definitely be making coffee for them or ... something to keep his hands and his mind busy so he doesn't go crazy sitting still.

This is probably the longest he's managed to sit still in ages.

Ryouma perks up a bit once Takatora returns to the room, though the touch to his own shoulder makes Ryouma tense and bristle. He brings one hand up to nudge Takatora's hand away, giving his friend a flat look before he's sliding off of the bed and starting past him, opening the door to head back into the hallway.]

There are more important things to worry about right now, Takatora. Take a look around and get used to the differences. It's about to get worse.

[Not that the mansion is too horribly different from Takatora's home, but there's certainly a number of things that are ... off.]

[takatorakureshima]

Differences?

[Is Ryouma playing games with him again? He doesn't want to admit it, but the other brushing his hand away...Ryouma would only do that if he was feeling tense and worried about something, if this was something serious and not a joke at all. Takatora picks up his phone to take it with him, looks at the screen and...

Oh.]

Just how many times have you tried to contact me?

[Honestly, he'd been half convinced this is a dream. But these are things that Ryouma would actually say, demands he would have. He seems worried in the messages.]

Did something happen? You...you've been dead, you know. For awhile now. You can't just show up and tell me to look at differences-

[He realizes suddenly that the Yggdrasil logo is not on anything he seems to own. There was no tree marking the cards on his bedroom dresser, he just hadn't thought to consider it. The phone is also different, just slightly, with a different casing and a different lock screen. It's himself and Mitsuzane, which is... He's gotten closer with his brother, but not this close. Not close enough to have them both smiling.]

...Is this someone's idea of a joke?

[He doesn't know what's going on, but it makes his stomach twist with worry. Without warning he turns to the nearest window and opens it.

The site that greets him has him stumbling backwards a few steps: this is not Zawame City outside his window.]

Where are we?

[And then another, immediate thought that has his turning down another hallway.]

Is Mitsuzane alright? Where is he?

[lifegivesyou]

I lost count.

[It's said as casually as Ryouma can manage, but despite his lighthearted and playful tone, his voice cracks partway through his words and ... well, Ryouma's certainly never shown himself to be emotional before. The only times in the past where Takatora would have seen that would be when Takatora was injured in some way.

Ryouma doesn't look back at the other for a few moments, but he stops when he realizes Takatora is no longer following him. With a sigh, Ryouma turns on his heel and wanders back towards Takatora to lay a hand on the other's wrist. He gently tugs the other to follow him, trying once more to head downstairs.]

Mitsuzane is fine. If he's not sleeping here, he's out with his friends.

[He gives another firm tug to Takatora's wrist.]

[takatorakureshima]

[That crack in Ryouma's voice and the tug on his wrist are nothing to be ignored. While Ryouma could very well be lying about Mitsuzane's well-being, Takatora also has a little more faith in his younger brother. He worries, yes, but he's trying to remember that Mitsuzane can handle himself...most of the time. And if he's out with friends? That would be wonderful, no matter what's going on. Right now, he'll turn his full attention to Ryouma. He allows the other to tug him downstairs, and lets the contact remain: if Ryouma needs to cling to his wrist, so be it.

He's admittedly not entirely forgotten their last encounter (and, well, the fact that Ryouma had tried to kill him), but even a bit of forgiveness can go quite a long way, and this situation is strange, so it would be beneficial to have an ally around. That, and...maybe he's missed his old friend.]

...Something about all of this is bothering you, in particular.

[Takatora's not about to start mincing words, not now: if this is as serious as it seems to be, there's no time to waste on formalities. Best to be blunt: his tone is firm but not unkind.]

Ryouma, I need you to explain what is going on, and what is bothering you. It's not like you to be this upset, unless something is very wrong.

[With his free hand, Takatora reaches out to give the hand with a death-grip on his wrist a gentle squeeze.]

Now, where are we?

[lifegivesyou]

There's a lot about all of this that bothers me, Takatora.

[Ryouma seems to be letting his defenses down a little bit more at this point. He gives only a momentarily glance to the area he'd been sitting at last night with this world's Takatora. At the time, he hadn't been able to predict what the other had planned. ... could he have stopped him, if he'd realized? How had he not noticed?]

What do you think I'm working on?

[He could have stayed upstairs. He could have let Takatora stay in bed, could have sat next to him and told him everything, but he knows his friend will likely need something to help keep him conscious. Not to mention, having something to do with his hands other than clinging to Takatora will be helpful.

The squeeze to his wrist has Ryouma flinching as he pulls his hand out of the other's hold. He takes a few steps away and turns towards the counter to start fixing coffee. Ryouma barely gets started before a mug slips out of his hand and thunks onto the counter. He grips the counter to make his hands stop shaking and down here in the brighter light of the kitchen ... it's obvious he hasn't slept at all.]

[takatorakureshima]

[That's...none of this is a good sign. Takatora has been friends with Ryouma for long enough that he knows the other is not doing well. He wants to reach out to him, to gently guide Ryouma to sit on the couch, but something stays his hands for a brief moment. This is the same man who had tried to kill him, who had succeeded in killing others, if Mitsuzane is to be believed, and had caused harm to a good number of people. From what he has heard, Ryouma was...not a good person.

But this is the same friend he'd laughed with, worked long and miserable hours of overtime with, a man who had been at his side when he was injured and had been worried for his well-being. They've fought together and laughed together, and regardless of what Ryouma has done... He forgave Mitsuzane, and he can forgive Ryouma, too.

It's easier than forgiving himself.

Takatora is at Ryouma's side in an instant, grabbing the cup and steadying it. He holds an arm out to Ryouma, there if the other desires support, but he's not going to try touching the other again until he's given a clear sign that a gesture like that is useful.]

You haven't slept. [It's not a question.] Why don't you let me make the coffee? Sit down for a minute and rest.

[He pauses again.] I'm not going anywhere. I'll be right here in the kitchen.

[lifegivesyou]

[Ryouma can't help but sigh when Takatora comes to his side. There's a short, quick noise that sounds like a laugh, though it's more self-defeating in reference to himself. What is he doing? Why is he slipping up so much? How is it this hard for him to exercise self-control right now? He anticipates being touched and is surprised when he isn't, his gaze going to Takatora's hand before looking up at him.

That much might have been a mistake, because his vaguely-collected exterior cracks a little more when he meets Takatora's gaze. Ryouma hesitates, then reaches out with one hand to grasp the top of Takatora's arm. He steps in a little, tilting his head down and ... when was the last time they were this close to each other?]

I... need a minute.

[takatorakureshima]

[Takatora is fine with the contact, and Ryouma being so close. It doesn't bother him, not at all, though perhaps there are moments where he longs to go back to what they had been, long before. A friend would be appreciated right now. Can they ever truly be friends again?

A small] Mmh. [is all Ryouma gets as confirmation that Takatora has heard him, but Takatora is also content to stand and wait with his friend for as long as it takes to get him calmed down. They can make coffee later, and it will still be fine. For now, he can reach out to Ryouma very cautiously and gently.]

[lifegivesyou]

[So much for trying to keep himself under any kind of control. This time, when Takatora reaches out to him, Ryouma falters just a little more -- and finds himself stepping forward to rest his head against Takatora's left shoulder. He keeps his grip on Takatora's arm with one hand, wrapping his other arm around the other's waist. At first, his hold is fairly loose, but after a moment or so, it escalates to a tight, almost desperate hold.

Ryouma takes a deep breath, still trying as much as he can to calm himself down.]

[takatorakureshima]

[Well if you wanted his attention, this was the way to get it. Takatora will increase his own grip on Ryouma: whatever's happened, it must have shaken the other pretty badly for him to be like this. Takatora reaches out to comfortingly gently pet Ryouma's hair. That will probably help, right?

He's also going to try and get them away from the counter and to the couch to sit down somewhere. That's probably better for both of them. Takatora is also not going to speak until Ryoa, first.]

[lifegivesyou]

[This is awful. How embarrassing. He can plaster a smile on his face and sweetly leave out information someone else might find important. He can pretend to get along with anyone and easily fall into any role he needs. Except ... right now, he can't pretend to be okay. Even with Takatora here, it's a different one than the previous night. And ...

The touch to his hair has Ryouma burying his face against Takatora's shoulder, making a slightly pained noise. It's not that he's being physically hurt (though he certainly has some physical aches he can't shake, being in the other's presence), but he's definitely losing his hold on trying to remain neutral.

When Takatora tries to pull him out of the room, Ryouma shakes his head against Takatora's shoulder, refusing to look up at him. He doesn't want to move. Not now. Not when he'll have to let go, even a little bit.

He should be stronger than this...]

Don't leave...

[It slips out before Ryouma can stop himself, but it's just something else he can make an excuse for, isn't it? ... and as much as he means those words, it wouldn't be the same. It doesn't mean anything anymore.]

[takatorakureshima]

[Takatora startles a little bit at Ryouma's actions. He's been around the other when he's gotten himself into a mood, but this is...close to affection. He winces at the press against his shoulder, but the only place any pain might show is in his face, which he's fairly certain Ryouma can't see. Odd, though: he's usually so mindful of that old, stupid scar.]

I wasn't planning on it.

[...okay, so he totally was, just a little, but he'd meant to take Ryouma with him. Well, maybe not when he went to see Mitsuzane, but everywhere else would probably be fine. His grip on the other increases, even if he doesn't try to move out of the room again, and when he finally does speak it's in a lowered, calm voice: one he might use to address a worried child.]

But you need to tell me what's going on, and what happened. This isn't like you.

[lifegivesyou]

[It's certainly not like Ryouma at all to get emotional. The only things in life that have ever really had him showing emotion towards Takatora are things like frustration with a stubborn research project (sometimes anger, if bad enough) or a mild depression when something doesn't go right. The only things that have ever made him act like this, to completely lose control of part of himself ... have related to Takatora.

Then again, the last time they saw each other ...

Hearing the comforting words gets Ryouma to relax. A little. His muscles are still tense and he's still holding on to Takatora, though after a few moments he lifts his head and ... looks completely lost as to what to do next. Why can't he plaster on a fake smile like he always does? Why is it so hard?]

I don't know where to start.

[It's hard for Ryouma to even look at him ... so he doesn't.]

[takatorakureshima]

[Oh dear. This isn't like Ryouma at all: usually he knows exactly what he wants to say or do to get things to go a certain way. Why, then, does he seem so flustered and like he has no idea what to say? An act like this could be to get attention from him, but given how they last parted... Takatora is doubtful, to say the least. Besides, Ryouma is usually much more up-front about things he wants. Now, he just looks confused and lost, and that's not like him at all.]

We could start with what brought you to my house in such a frantic rush this morning?

[Actually, that's probably too broad, but Takatora's not usually the one gathering the information.]

Or perhaps with where we are, as it would appear we are not in Zawame.

[lifegivesyou]

[All right. Yes. Good. Takatora is leading him. Back in Zawame, for Ryouma to have followed Takatora? Well, he had in the beginning ... before everything fell apart between them. Right now, however, to have Takatora guiding him? It's comforting. It gives Ryouma something to focus on. Yes. Okay. He works much better when he has steps to follow.

He'll start slowly, with Takatora's questions. ... but he won't let go of Takatora's arm, though he'll loosen his hold on the other's waist.]

We're in Nishikigi. It's a small village ... far away from Zawame, I'm assuming. It's a rather long story, but it's easily summarized by an unpleasant organization making it their duty to kidnap individuals from different worlds and bring them here. For fun, it seems.

[Ryouma's voice sounds a little more calm and confident the longer he talks. Good.]

[takatorakureshima]

[Takatora sighs in relief: there's the Ryouma he's used to hearing, a veritable font of knowledge that continues spewing even when it's not appreciated. Takatora isn't always the best at tuning in, but he tries, and he really and truly wants to hear what's going on here. Now he can properly lead Ryouma to the couch and try to sit them both down, the coffee all but forgotten in the kitchen.]

We have time, if you wish to tell it.

[They probably have time, anyway. He hopes. The information has him frowning, however.]

There are more of us? From different worlds? [A pause, as he thinks.] And different times as well, I'm assuming.

[lifegivesyou]

[Takatora should hope to never say those words to Ryouma, even though Ryouma is more than well aware of his ability to put Takatora to sleep with his ramblings if he tries hard enough. Now that he's calmed down, he does allow Takatora to guide him back into the living room, though the moment they reach the couch, Ryouma's entire body seizes up and he hesitates.

The pesky memory of having sat here last night with Takatora. What a predictable idiot, that Takatora, to have made the entire area spotless before he'd left for the night...

Ryouma closes his eyes, swallows, then hesitantly sits down.]

Someone I spoke to estimated fifty. At first, I thought it might be high. Now, I'm not so sure. I don't have an exact headcount as of yet. Some come across worlds together. Mitsuzane-kun arrived before you and I believe some of his friends are here.

The times... I'm not sure of.

[takatorakureshima]

We're certainly from different times. [At least, he's assuming so. Where he comes from, Ryouma is dead, so either Ryouma isn't dead (unlikely) or he was pulled from a different time.]

Fifty... It's not a lot, but it suggests that they've been doing this for a time, perhaps. When did you arrive?

[He pauses to think, and suddenly...]

The last thing I remember is agreeing to help someone in danger, and then I woke up here, in bed.

[lifegivesyou]

Are we?

[It takes a moment for Ryouma to understand why, but then he remembers what Takatora had said when he'd woken up. There's a bitter huff from Ryouma.]

They have the power to bring people back to life as well. As far as I can tell, they've been bringing people here for ... awhile.

[When had he arrived? Hm.]

I've been moving around since yesterday. [He motions at Takatora.] That's the same thing everyone remembers, in one way or another.

[takatorakureshima]

Back to life?

[Okay, this now all has his undivided attention.]

Ah, so...

[So Ryouma had agreed to help someone? That's honestly almost more of a shock: the thought of Ryouma offering a 'no-strings-attached' sort of help....he had a hard time imagining it, to say the least.]

Why are they bringing us here? Do we know?

[lifegivesyou]

[Agreeing to help others? Hardly. Ryouma's just questioned as many Blessed as he can get his hands on without promising any of them anything. He doesn't owe anyone anything or want to be in debt to anyone. Making promises to get information isn't his style when he can coax it out of others by pretending to be their friend.

He keeps his hand on Takatora's arm, giving it a careful squeeze to remind himself that the other is there with him.]

I don't know. I have a few theories, but nothing I can prove.

[takatorakureshima]

[The squeeze doesn't go unnoticed.]

I'd like to hear your theories. But first, can you tell me what's bothering you? Are you alright?

[Genuine worry creeps into his voice, past the usual calm front he puts up. For Ryouma to be acting like this means something relatively big would have needed to happen, and for his friend to desire this sudden close contact and fret...Yeah, Takatora is definitely more than a little worried.]

Are you injured?

[lifegivesyou]

[Of course it wouldn't. Takatora may be naïve, sometimes stupid, sometimes blissfully unaware of the world around him, but when it matters ....

Ryouma gives a small shift away from him, but doesn't let go. He can't manage to do that much, not when Takatora is right here. Even if ...

Ryouma squeezes a little harder, still keeping his gaze lowered. He hasn't looked up at Takatora since sitting down.]

You don't want to know the truth, Takatora.

[takatorakureshima]

[When he speaks, his voice is even and firm, almost commanding.]

I do. I'm willing to listen to what you have to say.

[He recalls the way they parted, Ryouma's cry of you didn't understand! still hanging heavy in the air. What hadn't he understood? What had he missed? He had somehow managed to ruin their friendship in a way that made Ryouma turn on him, and he wanted to know what it was he hadn't understood. If he could understand that, perhaps he could understand the sudden betrayal...And perhaps, if he was careful and he listened, he could prevent something like that from happening again.

He reaches over to gently rest his other hand on Ryouma's arm.]

I'd rather hear it from your lips than from someone else's.

[lifegivesyou]

[Shit. That's one of those voices Ryouma finds it hard to say no to. It's the Kureshima tone that makes someone want to fall into line and obey-

(and a distant memory gone as quickly as it arrives, that makes Ryouma tense up again before it processes fully)

The hand on Ryouma's arm would normally not be unwelcome, not when Ryouma is used to having to be the one to initiate physical contact between them, but the memory mixed with the general mood he's in ... he doesn't expect it. Out of instinct, Ryouma raises his hand knocks the other's touch away, perhaps a bit harder than he should.

Almost instantly, he regrets doing so. ... no. He shouldn't have done that. He knows Takatora is only trying to help. The look on Ryouma's face can convey the apology before-]

... sorry.

[takatorakureshima]

[There's a sharp, hissing intake of breath as Takatora pulls his arm back. He hadn't expected the hit, and certainly not for there to be enough strength to knock the arm away and shove his shoulder blade back. Little things like this shouldn't bother it too much, but somehow he'd slept on it and it was sore. Usually he'd take medication or something for it, but there had been no time.]

Sorry.

[He knows how much his shoulder bothers Ryouma, and he pulls his arm away to rest at his side. It mostly just feels sore, not like it's in any pain, and of course it's nothing to worry about...]

It's alright. You didn't mean it.

[lifegivesyou]

[Ryouma isn't usually one to apologize. Not to anyone and not for anything. He can count the number of exceptions he's ever made on both hands ... counting for the select few who happen to be close to him, but mostly for Takatora. It makes him curious how Takatora will react now to hear such a rare phrase, but-

Ryouma's hand pauses in the air from where he'd pushed Takatora away. It hangs there as Ryouma stares at the other with slightly widened eyes, and its as though all of his processes have stopped. What ...? ... what was that?

There's a confusion on Ryouma's face, one that usually only presents itself when Ryouma is presented with an entirely new project. He lowers his hand -- carefully -- to rest on Takatora's shoulder, as though he's not quite sure where the safest place is to touch.

And it's enough to make Ryouma look up, meeting Takatora's gaze. There's none of Ryouma's usual, sympathetic and apologetic gaze now, as there would be normally when upsetting Takatora's shoulder. Instead, there's ... confusion and a large dose of concern.]

What happened to you?

[No. Being brought into this world ... no one should have hurt Takatora in the process. This couldn't possibly be on purpose, could it? Why ...?]

[takatorakureshima]

[Something within him goes cold. There's no way that Ryouma doesn't know about his shoulder: if anything, he was always remorseful about the whole testing incident in the lab, and he would usually have started to fret by now. But here...Ryouma doesn't seem to even know he had the old injury. The touch around the area is familiar, though. How many times had Ryouma inspected the wound, hoping to find a definitive way to fix the problem. There was no way he wouldn't know, unless...

It hits him suddenly. Different worlds, Ryouma had said.]

I...This is an injury I've had for quite some time, but it's alright. Ryouma...

[He pauses.]

You and I are from different worlds, aren't we?

[lifegivesyou]

[... oh.

Any emotion Ryouma is showing, for a brief moment, seems to lock up. His expression goes neutral as he draws his hand back to himself, releasing Takatora's arm for the first time since they've entered the room. They're still touching, barely, with how close their legs are to each other, but Ryouma drops his hands into his own lap. It's a struggle to figure out how to react to this, when he'd already prepared himself. Or tried.

He turns his head away and sighs heavily.]

I should have known I wouldn't be able to hide anything from you.

[Ryouma looks back over, setting his jaw in an obvious display of trying to keep himself together and ... distant.]

I suppose that makes things easier for you.

[takatorakureshima]

[So that's why Ryouma's been acting so strange around him. The two of them...they've technically never met. Is there a Takatora in his world, too?

He's briefly upset that this isn't his old friend: he'd had so much he wanted to ask, so many things he wanted to make clear after how they'd parted, but now...

He still reaches out towards Ryouma, offering comfort and contact for if the other wants it.]

Either way, no matter which world.... You're still Ryouma. [A pause.] Then...you're from this world? Is there a Takatora here, as well?

[lifegivesyou]

[Ryouma shifts away, only slightly. He knows he should take the contact. He wants it, desperately, especially since Takatora is the one offering it. His own Takatora ... had offered, often enough, but still not as often as Ryouma would have liked. He'd teased him about it, before, but had understood the reluctance.

One day, he'd hoped, Takatora would have been able to get over his fear of being judged for putting his own needs before anyone else's. ... though Ryouma has a sinking suspicion that his actions the previous night would have been entirely selfish.

Why hadn't Takatora told him anything?

Another deep breath.]

This is my world. Yes. [There's a small hesitation before he can try to answer the next question.] You're the only Takatora here, anymore.

[takatorakureshima]

[Anymore?

His spirits fall.]

So...there was....

[The irony of the situation is overwhelming, and he finds himself laughing. The sound itself holds no mirth and is born of nerves and sorrow rather than actual excitement. Here, this Ryouma's version of himself is dead, and his version of his friend is dead back in his own world.]

I'm sorry.

[And he is, he just doesn't necessarily know what words to use.]

IT's just...I've missed my friend, as you probably have yours, and now... It's all just rather ironic, I suppose.

[lifegivesyou]

[Ryouma doesn't mind the laugh so much, though it's certainly a strange noise to hear coming out of anyone who looks like Takatora. He's never heard him have a reaction like that ... except for ... well, perhaps once. The memory of that time doesn't sit well with Ryouma, either. He'd never told Takatora the whole truth about that time of his life. There had been no reason to.]

I suppose it hasn't sunk in yet. I wasn't sure he was gone until I saw you.

[Might as well get that out of the way now as well.]

[takatorakureshima]

[So his double...would have died recently. When he was pulled though to this world, then. Oh, no...]

I'm sorry.

[His voice is soft again, low and gentle in an attempt to be comforting, though he's not sure how much he can help. He figures Ryouma probably wants no part of him, but leaving no feels wrong, too. He'll just wait until the other wishes to talk about it.]

I....If there's anything that I can do, to help you. I'm so sorry.

[lifegivesyou]

Don't apologize. I don't know what happened, but I can assure you I'm going to find out. Whatever he might have done, he didn't-

[Ryouma pauses. He closes his eyes, takes a moment to steady himself, then opens his eyes once more and continues.]

... he didn't feel it necessary to tell me. He wouldn't answer my messages.

[And there's another moment of hesitation where he watches Takatora, still trying to keep himself as unemotional as possible. ... but there are some obvious cracks.]

None of this is your fault. They wouldn't have brought you here if he wasn't gone.

[... oh. There's another awful weight that hits him, more suddenly than he'd expected, and Ryouma sucks in a breath before turning his head away and bringing one hand up to cover his face. There's a horribly self-defeating attempt at a smile, but it cracks immediately and he looks like he might start crying on the spot.]

... I don't even know where to find his body.

[takatorakureshima]

[He's not entirely sure when he slips into older brother mode, but in moments like this it's a natural state to fall into. Ryouma's own emotions tug at his heartstrings, and before he realizes what exactly he's doing, Takatora has pulled him into a hug.

He doesn't know what to say, or what else there is to be done, but he knows that no one should have to endure this sort of pain alone. If he can take away even an ounce of that loneliness, it'll be enough.]