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

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.

room filter;

[cloakand_danger]

I won't. I promise, whatever it takes, I won't lose myself.

[He leans on Kratos in return.] ...This helps. Just...I guess it's knowing that I don't have to be alone with what I feel. It helps. I've gotten so good at pretending to be all right that I even fool myself sometimes, but it's always there under the surface, just waiting for something to cut deep enough.

It's not something I can fix on my own.

room filter;

[cruxified]

... All right.

[He nods slightly, knowing Yuan's default numb enough.] That can be more dangerous than openly showing your emotions... Would it help if you released your mana somewhere in the forest, or are you exhausted still?