grey
static, like static
over eyes
control slipping
let to slip
easier when the Other is in control
no thinking
no thought
approach the prey
contact
"No - no, please, you have to listen to me, get out, you have to get OUT - hello? Hello? SHIT!" Phone slammed, redialing, panic - realization
No dial tone.
HE chooses this time to speak.
"Did you say everything you needed to?" Gentle, polite concern. "I could give you another few minutes, if you wanted." Solicitous, kind; as if he actually cares.
Aoki
Is very still.
"No," he says, trying not to react, trying not to respond even though HE is close enough to tickle skin with HIS breath. "No, I... that was enough. Let's get this over with." And he starts to raise a kekkai, and HE hits him.
Has to hit him. Can't raise a kekkai; then I wouldn't be there, and that is not allowed.
Joy stolen away -
There are minutes of silence.
"Enjoying yourself yet, sakurazukamori?" HE asks, and what am I supposed to say? Yes? No? You can't make me?
"No." I settle for simple; I always settle for simple these days. As long as it leaves the other alive -
"He's waking up," says HE, a moment before I sense the stirrings myself
"Please don't do that again," HE says, before I would have, but HE knows better. Perhaps Aoki is awake.
"Why?" Aoki says; he is awake
"Because raising a kekkai is a request for a battle. I don't intend to do battle; so please - don't raise a kekkai."
Don't intend to do battle
How can you do that
Lie without lying
Promise so much and deliver the opposite without breaking your promise
...I almost hate You
HE looks at me as if HE knows.
"What do you want?" Aoki does not sit up; of course, he doesn't want to be hit again. Or maybe he's given up. Like me.
"To give you your wish." Of course. HE always says -
Aoki closes his eyes; a good man, a good husbandfatherfriend - why this? Why HIM?
Because you don't love him is in my head, and I know Who put it there
...almost hate You
Aoki smiles. "I don't suppose I can... get this put off for a little while."
"No. It's time." So gentle about it
So false
Silence again, while I pray HE does not speak in my head
Something is answered, at least
"So what are you going to do?" Aoki sits up, on his elbows, trying not to look hurt
Male ego
I have that
HE smiles. "Choose."
"What?"
"Choose - according to your choice, of course. It IS your wish."
So helpful
I wish I were dead
Not yet, sakurazukamori
...stop it....
"Please leave them alone," Aoki says, suddenly shaken, shaking, not-brave
He knows
or he thinks he does
"If that is your wish - then I have to take you," HE says, and Aoki looks surprised
Please don't
Please don't do that
It's worse when -
"Why, don't you know?" HE says, calm, eyes wider, as if it all makes sense and what's to be worried about anyway? "You wished that they would be safe; that's your deepest heart's desire. That's what I'm going to give to you -
"...but it depends on what you want."
Staring, blank, uncomprehending
HE speaks slowly, as if to an idiot. "They will be 'safe;' but they could be 'safe' dead, because they can hurt no more and will not mourn you; or they could be 'safe' alive, but mourning because you're dead and possibly going to suffer and die anyway because of what will happen as the cornerstones of Tokyo fall. Your choice."
So casual
So hated
So... right
Aoki stares; what else can he do? Such a horrible choice
And you are the king of horrible choices, aren't you, sakurazukamori?
STOP IT
"...and if you... take me now - "
HE smiles
"...then you won't leave them alone. Will you."
"I will not touch them. But I am not responsible for anyone's actions but my own - none of us are. And should they be still alive when Tokyo falls, well - then they will be wiped out anyway. Perhaps by Beast, or Yuuto - he'd enjoy your wife, I'm sure, even if your daughter is just a bit too young for - "
"Shut up! Just shut up!"
I couldn't agree more
"And if you die, of course, then you have already pushed Tokyo toward its doom because then there will be one less seal of heaven."
Aoki has not begun to cry, but he sounds like he should. "Please... please don't do this..."
"It's too late, Aoki. I'm already doing it," HE says, and touches Aoki's face
who moves away, scurrying, with wide horrified eyes
trapped
he knows it now
...I know that touch
if only you could get away
"Make your choice, Aoki-san." HE stands, walking toward Aoki. "Choose."
"....I can't -"
"Choose." HE walks, implacable, unstoppable
A killer walk
Aoki closes his eyes, teeth shut tightly, and then -
"Can you really let the world die for the sake of your family?"
Aoki screams and tries
he tries
hitting, or wind, or something
But such is HIS power
HIS might
that it never gets farther than the tips of HIS shoes
he is weeping
"Deciiiiide," HE says, holding Aoki at painful angles, pressed against HIS legs, his glasses fallen off
"...fine... you win..."
no
Aoki
don't
"Take them. I cannot... I can't... sacrifice the world for the ones that I love."
NO
"Subaru-kun."
...stop breathing...
"Please go and fufill Aoki-san's wish, Subaru-kun. It won't take you long; they're in the Shinjaku district."
He looks up, gasping; don't look at me
please, don't look at me
I haven't any choice -
"I - "
HE looks at me.
"Subaru-kun." so quiet, maybe in my head "You don't want to make me do it. Sakurazukamori."
Sound
sobbing
Aoki?
No
It's me
"...yes. Kamui."
And I go.
Aoki screams behind me, just once. HE will leave him alive -
...but... so broken
how can he -
...it's over for him
Just...
be quiet
and let the tree take over
grey
static, like static
over eyes
control slipping
let to slip
easier when the Other is in control
no thinking
no thought
approach the prey
contact
Subaru screamed.