42;

[cruxified]

[Kratos isn't doing anything particularly interesting as usual, just sitting in the field under the stars with a fuzzy green and mint puppy in his arms. Occasionally, the pup gets a little tired... then perks back up and licks lazily at Kratos' face.]

... four thousand ninety-six... four thousand ninety-seven...

[ooc: Open post!]

Comments

[cruxified]

We'll handle that in the morning, then. [Lol, the unconscious use of 'we'.]

[cloakand_danger]

All right. [Yuan doesn't want to handle anything. Ever again. He knows it will pass, but right now he's feeling very frail, and he hates it.

He also has to stop himself from instinctively leaning his head onto Kratos' shoulder as he yawns.]

[cruxified]

[Oh, Yuan... you and Raine both need to acknowledge that the ones who matter don't blame you.

Kratos resists the urge to yawn too. Iota yawns, though, and Kratos gathers the puppy into his arms.]

You should rest. I'll walk you back.

[... Even Kratos doesn't trust a former Marker worshiper to be alone however.]

[cloakand_danger]

[Yuan doesn't want to be treated like he's made of glass, or ready to explode at a moment's notice. But who is he to object, so soon after that terrible week? He just nods and rises.]

Thank you.

[cruxified]

[Kratos knows better than to do that. Besides, they can speak more freely in the privacy of their rooms.]

Think nothing of it.

[cloakand_danger]

[That actually gets Kratos a slight eyeroll, before Yuan goes back to the blank sadness. He starts walking toward the castle.]

[cruxified]

[Probably doesn't help that Kratos is projecting faint sadness and concern back.]

[cloakand_danger]

[No, that just makes Yuan feel even more guilty. He's not saying anything on the way back unless Kratos does, though.]

[cruxified]

[Nope. We are brick wall.]

[cloakand_danger]

[Yuan sighs as they get back inside, patting the cats absently and brushing the fish away from his cheek. He slips off his boots and cloak, then starts on the rest of his clothing, preparing for sleep.

If he keeps going through the motions of life, eventually he'll start to feel like living again.]

room filter;

[cruxified]

[Kratos lets the puppy down so that Iota can curl up in his own bed. While the angel removes his own cloak, belt, and boots, he doesn't seem to have any intention of sleeping.]

Yuan...

room filter;

[cloakand_danger]

Hm? [He pauses and looks up, half-dressed.]

room filter;

[cruxified]

[He clears a spot on the bed and seats himself, then pats the spot next to him.] ... Sit down. [We are going to have a Talk of the non-parental sort.]

room filter;

[cloakand_danger]

[:| Yuan does not want to Talk.]

I'm tired, can't we talk in the morning?

room filter;

[cruxified]

In the morning you'll deny there's anything to talk about.

room filter;

[cloakand_danger]

[He can't really deny this effectively, so he sighs heavily and sits beside Kratos.]

...Fine.

room filter;

[cruxified]

[Kratos rewards him by draping a fleecy blanket over his shoulders.]

You've barely said anything since it ended.

room filter;

[cloakand_danger]

This place...has only taken my mind from me in such fashion once before, and that time, I didn't harm anyone. It's...not easy to come to terms with.

room filter;

[cruxified]

I know, but seeing you half-dead like this... [a slight sigh] It isn't healthy.

room filter;

[cloakand_danger]

...I know. I...Kratos, it's not just this. It's...everything. It's this entire place. I'm just so tired.

room filter;

[cruxified]

[Kratos hates that word. He's tired, Yuan is tired, Lelouch is tired. It never bodes well. He rubs Yuan's back.]

I know... I know. I've seen how it's worn you down, but not everything you've experienced here is bad.

room filter;

[cloakand_danger]

No. Not everything.

...It all ends, though. Maybe I'm just feeling my age a bit.

room filter;

[cruxified]

Perhaps. I'd be lying if I said I didn't have the same thoughts or the same fears... but the bad things never outweigh the good unless you let them.

room filter;

[cloakand_danger]

...I know.

[A faint smile.] I will be all right, I just need some time to heal. Sorry to make you worry.

room filter;

[cruxified]

I don't want you to lose yourself... [He leans over and kisses Yuan's temple.] I don't mean to rush you.